Editing Nobledark Imperium Writing (section)

==Battle Report: Battle of Telis Grandios==

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Location: The world of Telis Grandios, within the Chanath Sub-Sector.
a major hub for voidships within the Chanathian sub-sector, by virtue of a functioning Orbital Tether and position within favorable Warp currents. The native Chanath Xenos of Telis profited greatly from this position of economic importance, even going so far as to endeavor to produce their own warships. successfully constructed the "Resplendent Piety;" a Frigate of comparable build to that of Sword-class, only equipped with a spinal-mounted kinetic rail-gun of Xenos design, at the expense of half a Sword's laser batteries and survivability. Construction of a second ship underway at the time of attack.

Chaos fleets were reported to have launched attacks against multiple nearby subsectors, with the wave of attacks progressing towards the Chanathian Sub-sector. Reports suggest deliberate targeting of worlds with Orbital capabilities, potentially to soften the sector for a larger offensive. Telis Grandios deemed a likely target, and after consideration of potentially-available forces, declared of sufficient strategic importance for an attempt to be made at holding the world, and orders sent out for all Imperial vessels within range to attempt to regroup at and defend Telis Grandios. Two Imperial battlegroups arrive in the Telis system prior to attack. Rear-Admiral Sprague of Battlegroup Samar assumes operational command of both battlegroups as well as the assorted vessels responding to the call.

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Comprehensive list of Imperial forces in-system at time of attack:<br>
'''Battlegroup Samar. Commanded by Rear-Admiral Sprague.'''<br>
-Monarch-class Cruiser "Enduring Conviction" (addendum: originally Dominator-class, Nova Cannon still functional.)<br>
-Dauntless-class Light Cruiser "Stalwart Companion"<br> 
-Sword-class Frigate "Ardent Prayer." <br>
'''Battlegroup Vohan- commanded by Lord-Captain Johnstein.'''<br>
-Endeavor-class Light Cruiser "Spirit of Law"<br>
-Sword-class Frigate "Frank Exchange"<br>
-Firestorm-class Frigate "Legal Repercussion"<br>
-Cobra-class Destroyer "I Am Alfalfa"<br>
-Cobra-class Destroyer "Pill Dispenser"<br>
'''Other assorted vessels'''<br>
-Telis-class Frigate "Resplendent Piety"<br>
-Havoc-class Destroyer "Major Minor"<br>
-Claymore-classe Corvette "Try Me"<br>
-Cobra-class Destroyer "Seven to One"<br>



Under the orders of Rear-Admiral Sprague, the "Resplendent Piety" and "Try Me" join Battlegroup Samar, while "Major Minor" and "Seven to One" join Battlegroup Vohan. Imperial forces coalesce into a defensive formation around the Orbital platform.

04:36 local time: "Stalwart Companion" reports incoming warp signatures. Probes are launched, while "Spirit of Law" and "Stalwart Companion" begin approach towards the incoming signatures in standard intercept formation with escort screen. "Enduring Conviction" scrambles Starhawk and Fury squadrons, and advances behind with her escorts to provide support.

Probes reach detected ship signatures. Vessels are confirmed as Chaos-vessels, and identified as Hades-class Heavy Cruiser "Terror Apparent," Murder-class Cruisers "Despair Horizon" and "Vileblood," and Hellbringer-class Light Cruisers "Free Candy" and "Jackson's Neverland."

Probes reach detected ship signatures. Vessels are confirmed as Chaos-vessels, and identified as the Crone Eldar Styx-class Heavy Cruiser "Terror Apparent," accompanied by Murder-class Cruisers "Despair Horizon" and "Inflexible," and Hellbringer-class Light Cruisers "Illicit Aquisition" and "Jackson's Neverland." (revised)

All Imperial ships reduce speed, standard intercepting torpedo spreads are launched. Rear-Admiral Sprague and Lord-Captain Johnstein hold deliberations as to the proper course of action; in light of anticipated arrival of Primary battlefleets en-route to the system, the decision is reached to engage and fight a delaying action. Battlegroup Vohan forms a line of battle, alongside "Stalward Companion" and "Ardent Prayer" from Battlegroup Samar. Destroyers are ordered to swing wide, to cross-pattern their torpedo launches. "Enduring Conviction," "Legal Repercussion," and "Resplendent Piety" adopt rearguard positions to provide long-range supporting fire. 

Torpedo screen reaches Chaos fleet; majority of torpedoes shot down by massed point-defenses. One successful torpedo hit on the "Despair Horizon;" structural damage minimal. "Terror Apparent" adopts a rearguard position, with "Despair Horizon" and "Inflexible" spearheading the formation, while "Illicit Aquisition" and "Jackson's Neverland" bring up the flanks. Chaos fleet moves to engage at the Murder-class' full speed; "Terror Apparent" observed maneuvering to remain behind the spearhead. 

Imperial destroyers complete their maneuver and are able to launch a second spread of torpedoes. Strikecraft from "Enduring Conviction" follow behind the torpedo spread, with Fury Interceptors flying interference ahead of the Starhawk Bombers.




"Terror Apparent" is the first vessel to reach effective firing range, and fires her long-range weapon compliment on the Imperial fleet. Corvette "Try Me" suffers multiple direct hits and is destroyed; no life-pod launches detected. Voidshields on the "Ardent Prayer" are breached, with heavy damage sustained to her prow. "Stalwart Companion" voidshields are reduced to half-strength. "Enduring Conviction" returns fire with her Nova Cannon; shot fails to hit the "Terror Apparent," but scores an indirect hit on "Jackson's Neverland," whose voidshields manage to hold.

Second spread of torpedoes reaches the Chaos fleet, with strikecraft following close behind. Light cruisers maneuver to avoid, while "Terror Apparent" turns back and away from the rest of her fleet. "Jackson's Neverland" struck by one torpedo admidships, suffering minor structural damage and the loss of a minor weapon system. The "Inflexible" suffers three successful torpedo hits; minimal structural damage. Fury Interceptors and Starhawk bombers target the "Inflexible" and successfully destroy multiple point-defense systems; minor structural damage inflicted. Strike craft suffer moderate losses, and begin return run to rearm.

Both fleets enter long-range battery engagement range. The Imperial line begins beating to sunward and opens fire with lances and longer-ranged Macrobatteries; the Chaos fleet tacks leeward to come about behind the Imperial line, with the "Illicit Aquisition" and "Jackson's Neverland" returning fire. Imperial support group makes to fall back towards Telis, tacking and jibing in order to continue firing as they retreat.

"Jackson's Neverland" loses voidshields to concentrated Lance-fire and turns away, circling wide to allow her voidshields time to recharge. Imperial destroyers "Seven to One" and "I am Alfalfa" lose voidshields and turn to make for Telis, as does the "Ardent Prayer." Main Imperial line forced to tack to leeward to avoid giving the Chaos fleet a clear shot towards Telis, entering into main battery range. Both fleets open fire with full weapons compliment.

"Stalwart Companion" loses voidshields, but remains in the line of battle, focusing her fire on "Inflexible." Supporting fire from the "Frank Exchange" and "Legal Repercussion" result in the successful breaching of the "Inflexible's" voidshields. "Inflexible" returns fire, causing moderate structural damage to the "Stalwart Companion." Both fleet lines sail out of effective firing range of main batteries, with the Imperial fleet turning about and continuing to focus fire on the "Inflexible," scoring multiple confirmed lance hits. Minimal structure damage to the "Inflexible."

Destroyers launch a torpedo screen to discourage the Chaos fleet from crossing the T. "Enduring Conviction" redeploys her rearmed Starhawks and Fury Interceptors. Assorted starcraft launched from the Telis tether also join the attack, supplementing the Bomber squadrons. Chaos fleet turns away to avoid the torpedoes, leaving only the "Illicit Acquisition" able to continue returning fire. "Illicit Acquisition" focuses fire on the "Legal Repercussion," forcing her to turn away towards Telis as her voidshields are breached.

"Terror Apparent" returns from her maneuvers, and fires on the "Stalwart Companion." Major structural damage sustained, with three macrocannons rendered inoperable and multiple system failures across the ship. "Stalwart Companion" turns toward Telis, while "Spirit of Law" moves to shield her from further fire from "Illicit Acquisition." Imperial line of battle now consists of Light Cruiser "Spirit of Law," Sword-class Frigate "Frank Exchange," and Destroyers "Pill Dispenser" and "Major Minor."




Multiple incoming warp signatures detected on the system edge. Chaos fleet slows pursuit and begins to regroup and starts turning in preparation to engage. "Jackson's Wonderland" engages engine boost in an attempt to rejoin the main line of battle.

Arrival in-system of the Imperial "Wolf Pack" Fourth Chanathian Rapid Response group, comprised of Sword-class Frigate "No You," Firestorm-class Frigates "Formal Complaint" and "Ineffable Distain," and Cobra-class Destroyers "Motivation Dispenser," "For You," "How it Fares," and "Double or Nothing."

Brief tactical disruption, as information relay aboard the "Spirit of Law" is temporarily drowned out by multiple expletives issued by Lord-Captain Johnstein.


In response to the arrival of 4th Chanathian Wolf Pack, "Terror Apparent" adjusts course and makes to intercept, while "Jackson's Wonderland" turns about and puts on Solar-sails, approaching the Wolf-Pack at speed. The remaining Chaos ships reform their line of battle and move to cut the defending battlegroups off from the newly arrived group.

"Seven to One" and "Ardent Prayer" return to Imperial line of battle. Strikecraft from "Enduring Conviction" and the Telis Orbital Tether perform an attack run on the "Illicit Acquisition," inflicting moderate structural damage. "Resplendent Piety" begins providing supporting fire from behind the line of battle, her main weapon requiring the ship to slow maneuvers as it charges. Both lines begin moving to enter main battery ranges.

4th Chanathian Wolf-pack moves to meet "Jackson's Wonderland," with the destroyers firing a torpedo spread to force the Chaos vessel to approach bow-on. "Double or Nothing" fires two torpedoes down the predicted path of the "Jackson's Wonderland."

"Jackson's Wonderland" suffers limited turning capability due to the added speed of her Solar sails, and is unable to adjust course sufficiently to avoid the torpedo spread. Two torpedo hits confirmed on the "Jackson's Wonderland," moderate damage inflicted, and thermal imaging confirms multiple fires along the impacts. Wolf Pack responds to inquiry from Rear-Admiral Sprague with confirmation that their vessels are armed with Melta Torpedoes. 


Reaching weapon-range, "Jackson's Wonderland" furls her solar-sails and opens fire on the Wolf-pack, which responds by splitting into three groups that move to approach from different angles. "Formal Complaint" and "No You" weather the majority of the incoming fire, though both maintain shields due to the "Jackson's Wonderland" being unable to bring all her guns to bear. "Ineffable Distain" and "Formal Complaint" begin returning fire.

The main lines of battle enter main battery range and begin to trade fire once more. "Inflexible" becomes the focus for several Imperial ships and soon loses her voidshields; further Imperial fire deals only minimal damage. "Ardent Prayer" has her voidshields breached once more, and suffers heavy damage from the "Inflexible's" main battery before managing to fall out of the Line and retreat towards the tether. "Major Minor" and "Frank Exchange" also suffer voidshield breaches, and are forced to fall out of formation. Voidshields on the "Spirit of Law" reduced to half-strength. Imperial vessels are no longer able to muster a cohesive line of battle, and a fighting retreat is called, with Imperial vessels beating and tacking in order to continue firing as they regroup.

The Wolfpack closes to within their main battery ranges of the "Jackson's Wonderland" and open fire, with "Ineffable Distain" and "How it Fares" approaching from above, "Formal Complaint" and "Double or Nothing" approaching from below, and "No You," "Motivation Dispenser," and "For You" attacking down the bow. "Jackson's Wonderland" comes under sustained fire from multiple directions and suffers loss of voidshields; maneuvers are attempted in order to bring her guns to bear, but at such short ranges the Escorts are able to use their speed to remain within areas where she cannot bring her full armament to bear. "No You" takes multiple hits, but maintains Voidshield integrity, as do the rest of the ships which take only limited fire.

"Jackson's Wonderland" suffers the loss of multiple guns due to the prow lances of the "Ineffable Distain" and "Formal Complaint," while her hull is raked with macrocannon fire that, while unable to penetrate to major systems, renders the majority of her secondary batteries and point-defenses inoperable. With multiple fires burning and the continued harrassment of the Imperial Wolf-pack, "Jackson's Wonderland" slows; scans show energy rises in her engines indicating preparations to make an emergency Warp-jump. Imperial ships close and continue to fire, attempting to damage her engines and prevent her escape.

"Terror Apparent" opens fire with her full weapon compliment. "Motivation Dispenser" and "Double or Nothing" both suffer multiple direct hits, resulting in the complete destruction of the "Motivation Dispenser;" multiple major system failures aboard the "Double or Nothing," which begins to drift and is rendered combat-ineffective. "Formal Complaint" is also hit, suffering breached voidshields and major hull damage, but remains combat-effective. Multiple direct hits are scored on the "Jackson's Wonderland;" whether the result of shots aimed at Imperial vessels or intentional targeting is inconclusive. Major damage dealt to the "Jackson's Wonderland", including the loss of several major systems and several weapon platforms.

Boarding parties are launched against the crippled Chaos vessel, targeting her engines in an attempt to prevent her from fleeing. With her secondaries and point-defenses mostly destroyed, the "Jackson's Wonderland" is unable to prevent the boarding craft from successfully reaching her and depositing their forces. "No You" and "For You" adjust course to avoid ramming the vessel, with "No You" passing above and "For You" passing below. Surviving Wolf-Pack destoyers fire a torpedo screen towards the "Terror Apparent."

Warp engines aboard the "Jackson's Wonderland" power down; boarding parties report successful sabotage of her warp-drive shortly before going dark. Attempts to maneuver and perform evasive maneuvers prove fruitless, with "Jackson's Wonderland" unable to accelerate enough to keep up with the Wolf-pack. Multiple Cascade failures wrack the ship as fires continue to spread; further hull breaches continue to be sustained under the constant bombardment of the Imperial ships.

Port midships magazine aboard the "Jackson's Wonderland" reached by one of the fires and detonates. The explosion blows out her port side and renders all weapon systems inoperable, with major system failures across the board. Several secondary explosions continue to spread, as "Jackson's Wonderland" begins to break up. Imperial Wolf-pack turns to make way towards the main Imperial Fleet, with the "Ineffable Distain," "Formal Complaint," and "For You" moving to engage the "Terror Apparent." Bombardment of the hulk of "Jackson's Wonderland" sustained for as long as their guns are able to train on it.




Chaos line of battle turns and makes for the Orbital tether, pursuing the retreating Imperial force. "Illicit Acquisition" continues long-range harrassing fire, while "Inflexible" and "Despair Horizon" stay bow-on towards the Tether, their speed insufficient to bring their guns into range of the Imperial ships. "Enduring Conviction" moves to cover the retreat of the main Imperial force, drawing fire from the Chaos line of battle. "Spirit of Law" also falls back to the end of the Imperial force to assist, while Destroyers "Seven to One" and "I am Alfalfa" launch torpedoes at the Chaos line of battle. "Despair Horizon" is struck by two torpedos, while "Inflexible" suffers one torpedo hit; each ship suffers minimal damage. "Enduring Conviction" attempts to fire her Nova Cannon against the Chaos line of battle; an accidental collision with "I am Alfalfa" due to battlefield conditions results in the shot going wide.

"Terror Apparent," while maneuvering to avoid torpedos from the Wolf-pack, suffers a near-direct hit from "Enduring Conviction's" Nova Cannon; moderate damage inflicted. Her solar-sails, deployed to aid in maneuvering against the torpedoes, are backwinded by the blast, interupting her maneuvers and sending her into an uncontrolled turn. (Unclear why she failed to furl sails in anticipation of such an outcome; most likely reasons believed to be either unawareness or inexperience.) This turn takes her directly into the path of torpedo screen. Three successful torpedo hits are recorded; moderate damage inflicted and two fires started. "Terror Apparent" recovers from her turn, and begins making way towards the main line of battle; accidental jibing observed from her sternmost solar sail, rendering her course slightly uneven.

Main Chaos line of battle nears long-range battery range of the Telis Orbital Tether; "Enduring Conviction" and "Spirit of Law" turn and form a line of battle, with supporting fire from "Legal Repercussion" and "Resplendent Piety." Both lines engage at main battery range; Imperial ships focus their fire on the "Inflexible" once more, while strikecraft make runs against "Illicit Aquisition." Moderate damage inflicted to "Illicit Acquisition," however her point-defense weapons inflict considerable casualties on Imperial strikecraft; majority of the tether-launched strikecraft shot down. "Inflexible" continues to take minor damage, though the larger-caliber macrobatteries of "Enduring Conviction" succeed in scoring actual structural damage, rather than removal of secondaries or scoring of armor. "Enduring Conviction" is focused by Chaos ships, but maintains voidshields at a quarter integrity.

Wolf Pack ships move to attempt to reach the main Imperial fleet, hounding "Terror Apparent" from behind with Prow-Lance fire as they go. "Illicit Acquisition" breaks off from the line of battle and moves to support her flagship. "Inflexible" and "Despair Horizon" turn in and move to make another pass against the Imperial fleet.

Imperial vessels are unable to organize into a line of battle, and instead attempt to maneuver to individually maximize firepower and minimize targetability. "Enduring Conviction" and "Spirit of Law" execute turns to come about and face the Chaos fleet and draw their fire. "Stalwart Companion" engages engine boosters and deploys solar-sails, attempting to cross the T behind the Chaos vessels. "Despair Horizon" fires on "Stalwart Companion, but fails to breach her voidshields, while "Legal Repercussion" is struck by a broadside from "Inflexible," breaching her voidshields, inflicting moderate structural damage, and knocking out her starboard lascannon. As "Enduring Conviction" and "Spirit of Law" close and prepare for another crossing of lines, "Inflexible" instead turns bow-on to the approaching Imperial vessels and begins gaining speed, intending to ram "Enduring Conviction."

Deeming that evasive maneuvers would require leaving the orbital tether and rest of the Imperial fleet open against "Despair Horizon," Rear-Admiral Sprague maintains general course, adjusting heading to bring "Enduring Conviction's" guns to bear. "Spirit of Law" begins tacking with the solar wind, firing broadsides with first her starboard, then port batteries. Successful breaching of "Inflexible's" voidshields reported, with minimal structural damage. As a result of tacking wide enough to bring her guns to bear, "Spirit of Law" falls further behind her flagship. "Inflexible" maintains course, disregarding the loss of voidshields and engaging full engine thrust as she closes on "Enduring Conviction."

As "Inflexible" enters knife-fight range, "Enduring Conviction" commits to a starboard turn, firing broadside into the unshielded "Inflexible's" prow; moderate structural damage inflicted upon the Chaos vessel. "Inflexible" adjusts course to account for her target's turn, entering her ramming run. Tactical analysis concludes "Enduring Conviction" will be unable to evade.

Warp-distortion dectected to starboard off "Inflexible's" stern. Warp-distortion disperses, revealing the "No You," completing a successful micro-warp jump. (This is the fourth time in recorded Imperial History of a vessel smaller than Cruiser-class completing a micro-warp in combat scenario.) Sounds of battle overheard from "No You's" command deck, along with reports of daemonic incursion; Captain Mootenal declares his vessel still operational, and the incursions to be containable. "No You" engages engines in full and deploys all solar-sails, setting course directly for the "Inflexible."

"No You" successfully rams "Inflexible" astern, inflicting minimal damage and entangling her prow on the Chaos vessel's ornamentative spiked protrusions. "No You" puts all engines into overdrive, and begins raking "Inflexible's" sides and superstructures with her macrobatteries. "Inflexible" attempts to fire on "No You," but is unable to depress her guns sufficiently to fire directly astern. "Inflexible's" stern begins to swing out from "No You's" push, disrupting her ramming course and reducing her speed. "Enduring Conviction" responds to the opening and begins maneuvering in an attempt to get clear. "Inflexible" passes astern of "Enduring Conviction," at a distance recorded at 263 meters, and brings her guns to bear at point-blank range.

"No You" self-detonates her forward magazines, obliterating her bow and most of her midsection. Multiple cascade system failures reported as the remains of the vessel begin to drift, her crew fighting to keep life-support online and suppress daemonic incursions. "Inflexible" is rocked by the explosion, blasting a hole in her stern that deals moderate structural damage and throws the majority of her broadside off-target. In the sudden absence of "No You's" pushing against her stern, "Inflexible's" stern swings out, turning her course into the middle of the Imperial fleet.

All Imperial vessels within range open fire on "Inflexible" with all available weapons systems. "I am Alfalfa" and "Seven to One" fire full torpedo spreads against the Chaos vessel; at such close range, all four torpedoes score hits. "Legal Repercussion" and "Resplendent Piety" focus their fire on the "Inflexible's" stern to take advantage of the breach created in her armor. "Resplendent Piety's" main gun scores a direct hit on the ship, but misses the breach and fails to penetrate her armor. "Enduring Conviction" broadsides "Inflexible" from knife-fight range, dealing moderate damage and successfully knocking out one of her Macrocannons. Defensive Weaponry aboard the Orbital Tether opens fire on "Inflexible" now that she is within their range. Strikecraft from "Enduring Conviction" and the Orbital tether make attack runs against her, dealing further structural damage. "Spirit of Law" continues tacking and alternating broadsides against "Inflexible," hammering her with heavy sustained fire. As "Inflexible" attempts to turn away, she is struck by two Melta-torpedoes from "For You" and "How it Fares." 

With her structural integrity down to a bit more than half and multiple fires burning, "Inflexible" executes a hard turn to port to make another ramming run against "Enduring Conviction."

"Stalwart Companion" successfully flanks "Despair Horizon" and engages with her port weaponry, while her starboard weaponry provides supporting fire against "Illicit Acquisition" and "Terror Apparent." Unable to support her sister ship without leaving her stern exposed to the Imperial vessel's broadsides, "Despair Horizon" comes about to bring her own weapons to bear.

The 4th Chanathian Wolf-pack become targeted by the "Illicit Acquisition" and "Terror Apparent" and break off, spreading out and taking evasive maneuvers. "Terror Apparent" fires her full compliment against the escort vessels; "Formal Complaint" is hit multiple times, including a direct hit to her stern that renders her unable to maneuver. Voidshield breaches are suffered on the "For You" and "Ineffable Distain," with several damaging hits reported on both vessels. "Illicit Acquisition" focuses her long-range batteries on the vessels damaged by "Terror Apparent." Unable to maneuver or adjust course, "Formal Complaint" suffers multiple direct hits to critical systems and is rendered combat-ineffective, and sounds a general call to abandon ship. The remain vessels of the Wolf-pack maintain dedicated evasive maneuvers, making for the asteroid fields and mining platforms of Orbiting Body 3M.

“Inflexible” sets intercept course against “Enduring Conviction” and engages engines at full power, engaging boosts powered by Warp Rituals. Sustained bombardment from Imperial vessels and strikecraft continue to pound the vessel, yet are unable to force her to divert course.

“Replendent Piety” fires her main gun against “Inflexible” aiming for the breach in her armor created by the “No You.” Successful hit, with penetration confirmed, striking deep within the vessel and scoring a direct hit to the engine systems. (Conflicting reports on whether this is the extent of the damage dealt, or whether round bounces off armor plating on opposite side of vessel to deal further damage; conclusive reports that this is not the lethal shot reported in public documentaries.) Damage to engine systems is severe, resulting in catastrophic cascade failures as engine systems rupture, resulting in a warp-amplified explosion within “Inflexible’s” stern. Explosion destroys her command center, and “Inflexible” loses thrust, failing to sustain sufficient acceleration for ramming or maneuvering. Weapon systems remain functional and continue to fire on Imperial vessels, though coordination and targeting are notably disrupted.

Slowed and under sustained fire, “Inflexible” continues to burn from fires set by melta torpedoes. Shortly after the loss of her engines, one fire is observed reaching her magazine storage. Damage sustained throughout the battle and loss of command to coordinate countermeasures lead the resulting explosion to set off a cascade event.  “Inflexible” is wracked by internal explosions, her gun mounts spouting gouts of flame and debris. Her armor framework remains whole, focusing the explosive energy back inward and compounding the damage, her internal structures shattered and mulched. One final explosion sends her hull reeling as her main power supply ruptures, then “Inflexible” falls silent. Scans reveal her armor and framework still intact, but all systems dark. (First recorded instance of a Murder-class Cruiser being destroyed by means other than sustained fire from multiple cruisers, larger warships, or boarding actions.)

Upon her sister’s death, “Despair Horizon” disengages from “Stalwart Companion” and turns toward the Orbital Tether and engages engine boosts.


"Stalwart Companion" successfully flanks "Despair Horizon" and engages with her port weaponry, while her starboard weaponry provides supporting fire against "Illicit Acquisition" and "Terror Apparent." Unable to support her sister ship without leaving her stern exposed to the Imperial vessel's broadsides, "Despair Horizon" comes about to bring her own weapons to bear.

The 4th Chanathian Wolf-pack become targeted by the "Illicit Acquisition" and "Terror Apparent" and break off, spreading out and taking evasive maneuvers. "Terror Apparent" fires her full compliment against the escort vessels; "Formal Complaint" is hit multiple times, including a direct hit to her stern that renders her unable to maneuver. Voidshield breaches are suffered on the "For You" and "Ineffable Distain," with several damaging hits reported on both vessels. "Illicit Acquisition" focuses her long-range batteries on the vessels damaged by "Terror Apparent." Unable to maneuver or adjust course, "Formal Complaint" suffers multiple direct hits to critical systems and is rendered combat-ineffective, and sounds a general call to abandon ship. The remain vessels of the Wolf-pack maintain dedicated evasive maneuvers, making for the asteroid fields and mining platforms of Orbiting Body 3M.

“Inflexible” sets intercept course against “Enduring Conviction” and engages engines at full power, engaging boosts powered by Warp Rituals. Sustained bombardment from Imperial vessels and strikecraft continue to pound the vessel, yet are unable to force her to divert course. 

“Replendent Piety” fires her main gun against “Inflexible” aiming for the breach in her armor created by the “No You.” Successful hit, with penetration confirmed, striking deep within the vessel and scoring a direct hit to the engine systems. (Conflicting reports on whether this is the extent of the damage dealt, or whether round bounces off armor plating on opposite side of vessel to deal further damage; conclusive reports that this is not the lethal shot reported in public documentaries.) Damage to engine systems is severe, resulting in catastrophic cascade failures as engine systems rupture, resulting in a warp-amplified explosion within “Inflexible’s” stern. Explosion destroys her command center, and “Inflexible” loses thrust, failing to sustain sufficient acceleration for ramming or maneuvering. Weapon systems remain functional and continue to fire on Imperial vessels, though coordination and targeting are notably disrupted.

Slowed and under sustained fire, “Inflexible” continues to burn from fires set by melta torpedoes. Shortly after the loss of her engines, one fire is observed reaching her magazine storage. Damage sustained throughout the battle and loss of command to coordinate countermeasures lead the resulting explosion to set off a cascade event. 

“Inflexible” is wracked by internal explosions, her gun mounts spouting gouts of flame and debris. Her armor framework remains whole, focusing the explosive energy back inward and compounding the damage, her internal structures shattered and mulched. One final explosion sends her hull reeling as her main power supply ruptures, then “Inflexible” falls silent. Scans reveal her armor and framework still intact, but all systems dark. (First recorded instance of a Murder-class Cruiser being destroyed by means other than sustained fire from multiple cruisers, larger warships, or boarding actions.)

Upon her sister’s death, “Despair Horizon” disengages from “Stalwart Companion” and turns toward the Orbital Tether and engages engine boosts.

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