Chapter 31: The Tyrant
Lucan, his mood now considerably calmer after taking a deep breath, returned to the bridge once more.
Inquisitor Ian approached him.
"I hear a psyker awakened on your warship? Perhaps… I could help him? I too awakened suddenly; I understand the potential dangers."
"A pity, Inquisitor Ian. I've already had him thrown out. My warship cannot tolerate such a potential hazard!"
"You could have helped him."
"Since when did Inquisitors start sympathizing with unsanctioned psykers?"
"Through rigorous training and guidance, they too can become servants of the God-Emperor. I am an example!"
"Regrettably, it's too late for talk. Perhaps next time I will seek you out! Inquisitor Ian, focus on the matter at hand. We will soon reach Omiron. Macro-cannons and lances don't have eyes."
As the distance to Omiron decreased, Lucan's three warships also slowed their speed.
At this moment, they knew nothing about the situation on Omiron, not even the strength of the opposing forces. However, it was certain that the enemy couldn't have suffered zero losses after eliminating the Planetary Defence Fleet, and given the size of their Dynasty, they couldn't possess too many warships.
"Have the Astropaths try to contact Omiron II!"
The Astropathic Choir began their chant. The Astropath Master focused his psychic energies, attempting to communicate with the Astropaths on Omiron, but all attempts vanished into the void. If the Astropaths on Omiron were still alive, a lack of response was impossible.
"Captain! No response from Omiron!"
"Continue forward!"
Lucan stared intently at the augur array before him. Soon, a contact appeared on the augur.
The identification code displayed was that of a vessel belonging to the Mongorte Dynasty.
As they drew closer to these vessels, they discovered a large amount of warship debris floating in the void, along with many crewmen's corpses drifting in space.
"These are our grain transport ships! They were ambushed! The wreckage of these transports is all clustered together; they were destroyed by concentrated fire before they could escape!"
"More traitors?"
"I don't know. Perhaps they learned the transport route and schedule through other means! After all, this isn't classified information."
"Continue augur sweeps!"
And as the warships advanced, several red markers appeared on the augur array.
"Captain! Hostile signals detected! One Gothic-class Cruiser, four Dauntless-class frigates! The enemy outnumbers us by two warships!" the Tech-Priest monitoring the augur shouted anxiously.
"Captain! It's the flagship of the Suarez Dynasty, the Tyrant! If the flagship is there, Kanto is definitely on that ship!
The Tyrant is a Gothic-class Cruiser, given to them by the Sector Lord who issued their Warrant! This warship has undergone armor modifications; its plating is thicker than that of a normal warship. If we engage in a frontal battle, our chances of victory are slim."
Verre also recognized the warship.
The Tyrant exceeded conventional Gothic-class warships in both length and volume.
Normally, Rogue Traders didn't seek direct confrontation; their warships were typically enhanced for maneuverability. But the Tyrant before them, true to its name, didn't follow the conventional path.
And as Lucan detected the enemy warships, the enemy likewise detected Lucan's flotilla.
The five warships docked in planetary orbit immediately engaged their conventional engines and charged towards Lucan.
Although the enemy was not yet visible to the naked eye, the lances and macro-cannons on both sides' warships were already aimed at each other.
"Have Damon lead the Raiders and Naval troopers into the assault boats. Have Pavian deploy all SCVs to the warship's critical decks – engine deck, gunnery decks, shield generator deck. Ensure all vital sections cannot be completely crippled."
"Are you planning a boarding action, Captain?"
"We are outnumbered in warships, and our crew complement isn't full. A conventional ship-to-ship battle would be too disadvantageous! Our combat suits are our advantage, as is our ship's speed. A direct boarding action to disrupt their ship's interior or even capture their bridge is the most suitable tactic! I don't want our newly repaired warships to get battered again, or even sunk.
Sound the alarm, all hands to battle stations! Distribute those plasteel combat suits meant for trade as well! Pavian, bring my combat suit and Verre's up here!"
As the shrill alarm blared, all crew members returned to their posts. The armory was opened, and weapons were distributed to the crew.
Of the ten companies of Raiders, eight would participate in the subsequent boarding action, while the remaining two companies would stay on the Golden Ram for anti-boarding defense.
Accompanying the Raiders in the boarding action would be 2,000 Naval boarding troops.
These naval troopers, in their assault craft, would form the first wave, drawing fire for the Raiders' assault craft.
Though brutal, it was necessary.
Individual strength was insignificant against the weapons of a warship. Even if you were a Primarch, taking a direct hit from a lance or macro-cannon physically would likely be fatal.
Lucan could only have these ordinary naval troopers sacrifice themselves to ensure more Raiders could board the enemy warship.
"Norris, are you there?"
"I am here, Captain!"
"Board with Damon. Your mission is to find the enemy's bridge and destroy their command center!"
"Mission accepted!"
Confessors prayed for the soldiers, while Tech-Priests swung censers, blessing each macro-cannon shell. Only with the machine spirit pleased could these giant cannons function smoothly.
The Golden Ram's broadsides each mounted two Mars Pattern Mk VI Macro-cannons.
These weapons, firing massive solid projectiles, were the most effective means of destroying an enemy warship's void shields.
Huge macro-cannon shells were loaded into the breeches with the aid of manpower and mechanical loaders, awaiting the order to fire.
And the Mezoa Pattern Lances on the ship's spine and prow were already fully charged.
"Distance to enemy: 200,000 kilometers. Void shields charging. Power to maximum!"
"Distance to enemy: 150,000 kilometers. Close assault boat hatches! May the God-Emperor protect you!"
"Sword Rain, Pioneer, engage the enemy frigates and delay them as much as possible!"
As they drew closer, the Vox-Master received a communication request.
"Captain! Communication request from the Tyrant. Patch it through?"
"Patch it in!"
The holographic image before Lucan lit up.
"Hahaha, Ludwig, you're not dead? No, wait, who are you? Where is Ludwig?"
"Ludwig died in battle! I am the current Rogue Trader, Lucan Mongorte! You must be Kanto, then? You dare to openly attack my planet! You will pay the price for this!"
Seeing Lucan's youthful appearance, Kanto's disdain was unconcealed.
"A pity Ludwig didn't die by my hand… Current Rogue Trader? Laughable! With just these three broken ships of yours?
Besides, your capital world is about to fall. Soon, you might be the only Rogue Trader in this Expanse without a single planet!
Your warship and your planet will all belong to me!"
"What happened to my capital world?"
"Dead men don't need to know! Full speed ahead!"
The opposing Tyrant did not alter its course in the slightest, making no maneuvers as it charged straight towards them.
Perhaps in their minds, this was a battle with a foregone conclusion.
(End of Chapter)