The moment the Cairn-class Tomb Ship detached from the ground, the Imperial Navy's monitoring arrays deployed in orbit around Donetsk III immediately issued a piercing alarm.
Dozens of augur arrays simultaneously locked onto the behemoth, and the red marker representing the enemy ship on the tactical display almost burst through the entire holographic projection interface.
"By the Holy Emperor!" The tactical officer of the battleship Hammer of Mariupol, the Navy fleet flagship, gasped, "The size of this xenos warship… it exceeds any model recorded in our database!"
Navy Lord General Astarte von Klaus stood on the bridge command platform, his scarred face looking particularly grim under the flashing alarm lights.
His sharp gaze swept across the tactical hologram, and he immediately realized the gravity of the situation—this Necrons warship, currently ascending, was at least thirty kilometers long, equivalent to three Imperial battleships connected end-to-end.
"All fleets immediately enter combat status!" General Klaus's voice boomed like thunder through the fleet communication channel, "All capital ships immediately adjust orbit and concentrate fire on that xenos warship! Prioritize attacking its propulsion system!"
In fact, even before receiving the official order from Planetary Governor Alex, this battle-hardened Navy General had already issued the attack command.
He knew too well the consequences of such a super warship breaking through orbital defenses—the entire Imperial fleet in the star system could be destroyed by it alone.
"General, according to energy readings, the void shield strength of this xenos warship far exceeds imagination!" A nearby adjutant read the data from a sensor array, trembling with fear, "Our Macro Cannon arrays might…"
"Silence!" General Klaus sternly interrupted, "The Emperor's warriors never fear strong enemies! Order the cruiser formations to advance and form a crossfire net! Destroyer and frigate formations maintain mobility, aim for its engine nozzles, and launch torpedoes when the opportunity arises!"
Following a series of commands, the Imperial fleet in orbit began to reorganize its formation like an alarmed swarm of bees.
Dozens of warships' plasma engines spewed dazzling blue flames, and Macro Cannon arrays slowly rotated, aiming at the colossal object breaking through the atmosphere.
Although every Navy officer knew full well—even if the entire Imperial fleet in orbit around Donetsk III were assembled, it would probably be difficult to sink this Necrons super warship.
In space combat, mass itself is the most terrifying weapon.
A giant ship tens of kilometers long, its structural integrity alone was sufficient to withstand continuous bombardment from conventional firepower, not to mention it was also equipped with the Necrons' technology, which was almost magical.
"First volley ready!" The weapons officer reported loudly.
"Fire!" At General Klaus's command, dozens of dazzling energy beams streaked across the dark void.
Macro Cannons fired shells that traced deadly trajectories in the vacuum, torpedo arrays spewed out swarms of destructive seeds, and lances struck down like sharp swords…
All this firepower, enough to destroy a city, was unleashed upon the ascending Tomb Ship.
Explosions flared on the surface of the xenos warship but were quickly absorbed by some kind of green energy field.
The bizarre living metal hull of the Necrons ship didn't even show visible damage.
"Second reload! Do not cease fire!" General Klaus roared, simultaneously receiving a communication request from the planetary surface—it was Governor Alex's official order, demanding the fleet stop the Tomb Ship from ascending at all costs.
The General's lips twisted into a grim smile: "Tell Governor Alex, the Imperial Navy never fails its mission! All fleet attention, all warships push forward to engagement distance! For the Emperor!"
As this destined-to-be-tragic space battle began, every Imperial warship charged towards the invincible xenos behemoth like moths to a flame.
They knew the hope of victory was slim, but the Imperial Navy's creed was to fight every enemy until death! —
On the ground, Alex gazed up at the colossal object gradually ascending. Although the Imperial Navy's artillery wove a dense net of fire around it, the xenos warship still broke through the atmosphere with an unstoppable momentum.
He narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously clenching, knuckles turning white from the effort. The Navy had done its best, but clearly—the fleet alone probably couldn't stop it.
"Staff!" Alex suddenly turned, his voice low and cold, "Connect me to the Adeptus Mechanicus, all three of them!"
The staff officer dared not delay, immediately activating the communication array. Holographic projections flickered before Alex, and the images of three Tech-Priest appeared one by one—Archmagos Cawl of Mars, Kristen representing the Griya Forge World, and Donia of the Mariupol Forge World.
Alex wasted no time on pleasantries, getting straight to the point: "The Imperial Navy might not be able to stop that xenos warship. I need the Adeptus Mechanicus to shoot it down!"
His sharp gaze swept over the three, and a cold smile tugged at his lips as he offered terms the Adeptus Mechanicus could not refuse: "Whoever can sink it will have priority excavation rights, but if the Navy sinks it in the end… the Inquisition will take over everything."
This statement was like a precisely placed bomb, instantly igniting the reactions of the three parties.
Cawl's mechanical optical implants flickered with crimson light, and he responded almost without hesitation: "My Forge Ark will immediately join the battle."
His voice carried the characteristic hum of machinery, but the fanaticism within was unmistakable—nothing could make the Adeptus Mechanicus crazier than a complete Necrons warship.
Kristen nodded slightly, her expression solemn in the holographic projection: "The Griya fleet will fight for the Imperium."
Although Griya Forge World had not dispatched a Forge Ark, their warships carrying the Titan Legion were still a formidable force.
Donia's projection flickered slightly. She was silent for a moment but quickly made her decision: "Mariupol Forge World will also commit to the battle."
Her voice was calm, but Alex could hear the suppressed excitement within it.
In fact, Donia had no room to refuse—not participating would not only offend Alex and the Imperial high command but also miss an excellent opportunity to acquire Necrons technology.
After all, the Necrons technological artifacts she had previously obtained from Alex had already driven the entire Mariupol Forge World into a frenzy.
Those Tech-Priest worked day and night researching those xenos devices, even resorting to internal strife for it.
And now, a complete Tomb Ship? This was practically a sacred relic bestowed by the omnissiah!
Their lack of immediate, enthusiastic display was merely a tactic of holding out for a better offer, coupled with the needless reserve and arrogance of certain Adeptus Mechanicus factions.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!