An hour later, I returned to the Governor Ball after making sure my Navigator would look after the new psyker and teach Lady Grindelle the rudintary necessities, to avoid becoming a danger, to herself and everyone else.
Psykers could be a potent force multiplier if used correctly, in a dozen fields from dicine to warfare or diplomacy. They could also create huge trouble, if left undetected and untrained.
Even my gifted daughters with Rose would suffer from sa risks and benefits, but I expected they were already on Terra by now, and receiving training from a was embedded deep inside, only the gigantic engines and their known size and disposition allowing a positive identification.
Otherwise, the Ork fleet had a squadron of Kroozers and a dozen Roks, escorted by a ramshackle of hulls of smaller size, more than 500 in corvette size and two dozen in destroyer size. Nobody could identify the make and class of the original ships, because they were extensively modded and up-armored.
Minoris glanced at the holofield screen and cogitated for a minute. "Lord Pef, I predict the Orks will retreat before we can capture all of their ships. We should damage their engines."
Sadly, he was probably right. But only if their Ork Boss was alive to give that order. Also, a ship missing the brige would have a few small problems attempting to retreat.
"Retribution, this is Pef Lancefire. Please confirm the location of the Warboss, and any other large Orks that might continue fighting." I demanded as I delved into the Machine Spirit to have it listen at whatever vox and auspex return it could detect.
The system map soon filled with a handful of pulsing icons indicating the command centers of the Ork Armada.
Being tribal, the Orks would follow a command chain centered on the largest specins, which in turn would obey the loudest and scariest Boss among the tribe leaders. And they did that without encrypting their vox channels...
Ludvaius leaned over my shoulder to allow his eyes to morize the Boss placent. "Captain, we have sufficient Astartes on board, to teleport on their ships and terminate all these bosses."
I just sighed and turned towards Rafen. "Do you agree, Rafen?"
The Veteran was more cautious. "I expect you have a completely different plan, which will seem obvious and easy after you win the battle, Lord Lancefire."
I nodded wisely. "Indeed, my friend. Today you are Sanguinius reborn! Such wisdom from an Astartes is surely a sign the Primarch has returned from death inside your body." I proclaid in fake praise, and Canis added a loud wail in concert.
I lowered my hand to scratch his furry head. "You think so too, my furry friend? Of course, you do. You just need a pair of wings, Canis. These silly Astartes will worship you and feed you expensive steaks, and maybe offer a thousand fertile bitches to create your own Canis Dynasty!"
"Wooooo!" my space wolf agreed in joy. Perhaps I should get him a few mates.
Then I urged the Canticle forward at best speed, and began lobbing atomic warheads on top of every Ork Boss, while adjusting the ship's course to stay parallel, but outside their Big Gunz weapons range.
My heavy lances didn't have that range problem and after two passes, the void was littered with listing Kroozers and burning escort vessels.
Easiest fight ever.
Reviews
All reviews (0)