"Have our weapon systems come back online?" Thierry asked.
"Energy from the Punisher-class reactor has restarted the ship's propulsion systems and void shields."
"Lances are charging. Five minutes and thirteen seconds remaining."
"..." The Shipmaster answered rapidly. After checking all weapon systems, he finally reported which ones were usable.
"The aether cannon and eight macro-cannons are available for firing."
"Fire!" Thierry immediately ordered.
"As you command, my Lord."
The aether cannon, powered by its independent matrix, had been unaffected by the attack.
The elongated gun barrels mounted beneath the Razor's prow on either side glowed with colorful light.
The colorful beams pierced through the void wreckage, lancing towards the obsidian disc-shaped ship.
The colorful light vanished instantly, as if swallowed by darkness.
The black disc-ship suddenly accelerated. Macro-cannon shells streaked past its hull.
As Thierry received the report of the ineffective attack, he leaped, crossing his swords and swinging them down onto a Cerabvore.
He landed steadily. The Cerabvore's body crashed onto the deck before him.
Thierry recalled that the materials issued by the Black Emperor mentioned the Slaugth possessed advanced technology, surpassing humanity and the Aeldari in certain aspects.
They were masters of the physical realm, capable of building engines independent of the Warp.
"Display tactical data. Mark the Slaugth ship. Formulate interception plans."
Over a dozen seconds later, the "Student of Ratiocination's" voice sounded on the comm channel.
"My Lord, possible interception courses have been calculated. Displaying on the tactical table."
Thierry strode back to the hololithic tactical table. His gaze swept over the red disc-ship, then to the green lines projected from the flagship.
[Interception Course One: estimated success probability 53.84%.]
Interception Course Two: estimated success probability 29.61%...]
The Shadows of Order's transhuman vision simultaneously took in the casualty reports flashing in the bottom right corner.
[Lost battleship Unfailing Eagle.]
[Lost cruiser Carvestus.]
[Lost frigate Sons of Kassai]
A sharp glint flashed in Thierry's eyes. He issued the order.
"Prepare for boarding action. Interception Course One."
From the moment the Slaugth's ship had appeared, he deduced the enemy they faced was at least an Overseer.
Though the Black Emperor believed that against an Overseer, his only chance of victory was to throw a grenade inside the Slaugth, Thierry still decided to attempt the boarding.
His flagship lay directly on the Slaugth ship's escape route. He would not retreat.
"Shipmaster, I want all weapon systems restored as quickly as possible. Fire on the Slaugth ship, force them to follow the most probable course."
"Immediately send messages to the Arbiter Lord and the Reaper Lord, requesting their assistance." Though decided to take the risk, Thierry was not mindlessly seeking death.
If an opportunity arose to kill the Slaugth, excellent.
If not, as long as he could hold out until Howard Fend and the others arrived, they could kill the Slaugth Overseer together.
"My Lord, your orders have been executed."
"According to calculations, boarding torpedoes offer the highest probability of success. The flight deck is prepared."
Thierry immediately led his Honor Guard into the flight deck.
The Honor Guard members followed their Knight Lord into the heavily armored prow of the ship.
They connected multiple retractable inertial restraint clamps to their power armor.
Unlike some Chapters equipped with Saturnine-pattern or Cataphractii-pattern Terminator prototypes, the Eighth Chapter, to leverage their agility and skill, still used improved power armor.
Thierry and his Honor Guard were equipped with the personal growth systems of the Huntress-class armor, supplemented by Squat void-shield technology, and equipped with activatable Rangdan personal energy shields.
Twenty "Robots" ignited their rocket engines. The black boarding torpedoes shot from the deck, propelled by blazing light.
Simultaneously, the Razor's Punisher-class reactor pumped.
The primary lances pierced the void dust, striking directly at the Slaugth ship.
The entire ship turned, presenting its starboard side to the enemy, increasing the interception area.
Runes and massive amounts of data flashed across the tactical screens before the "Robots."
Their minds raced. They pushed and pulled at the controls, constantly adjusting course in the void.
The twenty black torpedoes spread out like a net, deployed around the interception course the "Student of Ratiocination" had formulated.
"My Lord," the "Student of Ratiocination's" voice sounded in Thierry's helmet. "Following your orders, suppressing fire is covering the enemy ship's other escape routes. Estimated interception success probability has increased to 83.95%."
"The Arbiter Lord and the Reaper Lord have sent communications. They are in pursuit of the Slaugth vessel."
"Acknowledged." Thierry's tone was edged with steel. He ordered on the squad channel.
"Don your War Masks!"
His requirement for his Honor Guard was mastery of the War Mask, proficiency in swordsmanship, and proficient application of Vostroya's Otsberg-Vaya and the Kassai Ulvira sword style.
Furthermore, each was required to possess a psychic sword forged by a Kassai master-smith, and to have worn it for a sufficient duration.
Two hundred "Pugilists" donned their War Masks in an instant and began rapidly reviewing tactical data.
"Shadows of Order's" fleet was recovering from the brief chaos caused by the Slaugth ship's terrifying shockwave, repelling the xenos boarding actions, and restarting systems like void shields.
But the fleet had still paid a heavy price. His Chapter alone had lost five capital ships and thirteen escorts.
The "Pugilists" calmly accumulate the power of fury with their War Masks.
He stroked his sword hilt, awaiting the moment to unleash that power.
"My Lord," a "Robot" shouted on the comm channel. "We've made it!"
"Prepare for impact!"
"Three! Two! One!"
The next instant, tremendous force slammed into their backs, hurtling them forward. The clamps held them firmly in their seats.
Blazing flames from the massive melta charges erupted skyward.
Large holes were blasted into the obsidian-like Slaugth ship. The armored prow was breached.
"Go!"
Thierry was the first to release his restraints. He vanished, darting down the assault ramp.
The Honor Guard followed close behind. Specializing in the domain of the War Mask, they drew mighty power from their fury.
The surging power swelled their bodies, making their two hearts pump powerfully. Blood burned within them. Adrenaline, surpassing combat stimulants, flooded their systems, slowing everything around them.
The psychic swords in their hands blazed with dazzling light.
The "Pugilists" slammed into the mass of xenos like beams of light.
SWISH, SWISH, SWISH...
Psychic swords swung in unison. A continuous series of cleaving sounds filled the entire deck.
In a brilliance like a rising sun, xenos after xenos vanished in explosions of light, like missiles detonating.
In two seconds, the blade-light had "cleansed" the entire deck.
Thierry's eyes deepened, fixed on the spiral passage. He sensed a powerful, evil will rapidly approaching.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu