Capítulo 52: Rangdan Xenocides Pt.1
With all the various commanders gathered, Baldur divided them into 6 fleets which would attack various areas within the system. The Rangda had fled to the Halo Zone which was the region right outside the Milky Way. Although Baldur was able to scan the system that they had found this group inside, there was no telling if other groups would attack them from outside the Halo Zone.
Then there was also the fact that the Rangdan had battle stations the size of moons. Although each Legion had a flagship that were huge, they couldn't match those stations in size which would become one of the main issues for naval battles.
As for the land battles, that there were some issues but the main concern about their ability to shape-shift had been solved. The Mechanicum were able to dissect the corpses that Baldur had brought back and discovered a way to scan the unique radiation that the Rangda gave off. This would at least prevent them from being able to trick the Imperium forces or cause internal conflicts.
With all these thoughts in mind, Baldur had given Horus, Ferrus, and Leman the title of General who lead their own fleets while he attached Fulgrim to Horus's group as a vice-general. Ibram was also made General and given command of his own fleet while the last general was Urian Vendraig, the new Legion Master of The First, with their first Legion Master dying during the initial Rangdan attack.
The Legions were divided between the armies as well with the Luna Wolves and Emperors Children remaining with their Primarchs as the Luna Wolves were the largest Legion at the time, Ferrus being given command of his Iron Hands and The Horde, Ibram leading the War Hounds and Dragon Warriors, Urian holding onto the First and having the Thousand Sons provide support, and Leman being who only held onto his Space Wolves.
Baldur kept the Grey Knights for himself and made each of the Grand Masters as Baldur's vice-generals. Baldur also dispelled his honor guard and made each of those individuals a vice-general since the Custodes would be charged with his protection and he could further divide his command if needed.
Each was given full reign to decide their vice-generals besides the Legion Masters who were given command of another Legion, Baldur decided on the positions to not create an issue between the various Legions. The Mechanicum and Imperial forces were evenly divided between each of the fleets, with only the Grey Knights army receiving less since they had Knights and Imperial Knights that could make up for the differences.
The initial plan of attack was fairly simple with backup plans ready to be implemented at any moment. The 1st, 3rd, and 5th Fleets led by Baldur, Ferrus, and Ibram would invade from the 'front'. Their job was to pull many of the Rangdan to their location and basically act as decoys while also being the ones that would destroy as much of their main force as they could.
The 2nd, 4th, and 6th Fleets led by Horus, Leman, and Urian respectively would each move to separately attack different regions of the area. The Luna Wolves were specialized shock troopers which meant that Horus knew exactly how to perform surgical strikes that would affect the entire campaign.
Urian and The First were the oldest Legion which meant they had the most experience. They were disciplined in all aspects of war so Baldur had the least amount of worry with assigning them such a task. They would be able to handle whatever they came across with the Thousand Sons support helping them deal with anything unexpected.
As for the Space Wolves... Baldur just couldn't expect much from them in terms of obey orders. Even the Emperor could barely control Leman. As much as many would say that Leman was on the Emperor's leash, the Emperor rarely had that leash in hand and pretty much let Leman run wild.
Although Baldur knew he couldn't truly order Leman around, he knew how to best utilize him. Letting the Space Wolves run wild inside the Rangdan territory would add an unpredictable element that the Rangda would be unable to deal with properly when facing the coordinated attacks of the other fleets.
"Remember to send out the Imperial Forces first," Baldur reminded the others. "In a naval battle, our Astartes are at a disadvantage since they can't operate to their fullest. Use them to soften up the enemy or provide openings that we can take advantage of."
Fulgrim frowned when he heard his brother's words but as he looked around at the other Generals and Vice-Generals, they simply nodded so he held his tongue. Fulgrim had grown close to his officers so he wanted to protect as many of them as he could but he was forgetting the important fact that this was going to be a major campaign where death was around every corner.
The Rangda had already killed 5,000 members of The First and 1,400 members of the Grey Knights and War Hounds which was half of the 7th Fleet's Astartes. Many more Astartes would die during this campaign and the Legions could not afford to lose them pointlessly.
The various forces were soon divided between the 6 Generals and the initial formations were created. With everyone in formation, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th fleet set out first, with the other fleets only planning to head into battle after they had battled for a week first, taking up as much attention from the Rangdan as they could.
While Baldur and the others were traveling through the Warp, all the Witches, Sorcerers, Knights, Grey Knights, and Imperial Knights on the Grey Knight vessels were each getting ready. Their weapons were being sharpened, bolters being cleaned, and armor polished. Each was singing together, the song of Feluc constantly being repeated. They were only 5 lines but each one touched the hearts of the others.
"Oh Mighty King who is strength, I devote this life to you.
Oh, Erudite King who is wise, I devote this life to you.
Oh, Gentle King who is kind, I devote this life to you.
Oh, Dauntless King who is valor, I devote this life to you.
Oh, Weak People who we protect, I devote this death to you."
Baldur sat on the bridge and could hear this song being sung by all. He could feel the uncertainty and fear that they all felt going against a foe with power they had never faced before. He could feel the rage from the comrades they had already lost and the ones who would not survive the battle. But more than anything, he could feel their determination to follow him into battle and help him succeed. Even on the surrounding ships, he could feel it all.
Baldur stood up from his seat on the bridge and walked over to the main comms system that connected all the ships.
"My sons and daughters. My brave knights who not once faltered. My people who shall enter a battle that is unlike any we have seen before. Let it be known that each of your names shall be written down in the halls of the Canek Castle and shall never be forgotten for the service you shall perform.
All those that follow me into battle, who are protecting our families at home, those who are training and raising the next generation. All those that have participated in the Great Crusade and have contributed in some way shall be remembered and treated as heroes.
We are the Knights of Feluc. We are the 2nd Legion. But more importantly, all those under me are invincible or immortal. Choose which you shall be.
This upcoming battle shall be against the greatest foe we have ever faced. We shall let them know our strength. But more importantly, we shall let them feel our wrath."
Baldur didn't end the message with anything else but the morale of all his people were as high as they could get.
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