Segmentum Tempestus, while not as vast as Ultima or Obscurus, was riddled with empty regions, uncharted voids, forgotten systems, and abandoned frontiers.
With the majority of developed and wealthy worlds clustered along the Segmentum's borders, interworld trade had long been difficult. Most systems relied on infrequent, annual trade fleets routed through designated zones, limiting economic growth and interconnectivity. As a result, many worlds struggled to obtain essential resources or maintain steady development, fostering isolation and stagnation across the Segmentum's worlds that can't gain enough resources.
This also resulting a change in Battlefleet Bakka by Gareox Prerogative, a group of Imperial Navy officers in M36 who sought to radically redefine Imperial naval doctrine. They proposed a complete change to the fleet's doctrine of attack craft-based carriers which had proved very effective against pirate squadrons.
This happen because the Segmentum lack of develop worlds that able to supply them. With even the develop and wealthy worlds also located far away from each other, either leaving a gap of vast voids or underdeveloped worlds, the Battlefleet need to find a way to deal with this. Thus, the doctrine of attack craft-based carriers have been born, require less resources than a sizeable cruiser squadron with multiple escort squadrons require for a daily patrol on the major trade routes and anti-piracy, they prove a viable solution for the problem.
Despoiler Class Battleship, a battleship that designed by Gareox Prerogative as a long range heavy fighter carrier in the mid-36th Millennium. It was based upon schematics of the Death Guard vessel Terminus Est, found among the ruins of the perdita world of Barbarus.
Unfortunaly, this eventually brought them into conflict with more traditional naval officers on Bakka, eventually leading to an all-out civil war dubbed the Gareox Incident. In the incident, the Gareox attack-carriers proved inferior to the all big-gun battleships of the traditionalists, leaving little room which school of thought reigned supreme in the Imperial Navy. The Gareox Fleet eventually turned to blasphemy, fleeing into the Warp.
Despite this failure, the Segmentum Administratum have try their best to make changes to this situation. For the ruling bureaucrats, a stronger Segmentum not only ensures stability but also offers the promise of increased power and influence within the halls of Terra.
One of the most visible efforts undertaken was the launch of several Crusades during the 36th Millennium, intended to reclaim the worlds lost during the Age of Apostasy and, more importantly, to expand the Segmentum's reach. With the most successful of themall are Dark Marches Crusade lead by the Lord Tempestus Hal Orpheus, who have brought over six hundred worlds under the rule of the Imperium.
The arcing band of space was subdivided into four sectors: Haxan, Leyak, Eurydice, and Orpheus. The aging Hal Orpheus, kept alive only through the arts of the Adeptus Mechanicus, became the first sector governor, ruling from Amarah Prime. Favoured Imperial Guard regiments received Arcantis, Gedrid, and Midwinter, while the Adeptus Mechanicus received Myre in perpetuity.
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300.M36
Bakka - Segmentum Tempestus
Eight figures sat around a grand obsidian table in a vaulted chamber. At its center, a large hololith flickered to life, projecting a detailed star map across the room.
"So, you're telling me that they've discovered a Forge World that somehow went unnoticed during the Great Crusade?" One of them said, his tone laced with skepticism. He wore the red, gold-trimmed robes of the Administratum, the symbol of his office prominently displayed on his chest.
"Why does he think we'd accept such a tale?"
A figure in deep navy blue leaned forward, the light of the hololith reflecting off the polished aquila on his chestplate.
"Because it's not about whether we believe it," He said, voice cold and clipped. "It's about whether we can afford to challenge it."
Vice Admiral Korvax of Battlefleet Bakka narrowed his eyes at the projection. "If we press too hard, we risk making Dark Knights our enemy, an enemy that currently have the favor of Terra and Sebastian Thor. This is not something we can face currently."
"Indeed," Another figure in deep blue navy blue said. "our plan have fail, now we must decide to launch our Crusade now or wait a bit longer."
Bakka, Segmentum Fortress of Segmentum Tempestus, bastion of Imperial rule, and headquarters of Battlefleet Bakka, served not only as a naval stronghold but also as the Administratum heart of the Segmentum. It was inevitable that whispers of Atharion's dealings with Terra, and the sanctioning of his Crusade into the Dark Marches, would reach its halls.
Instead of launching their Crusade in Dark Marches with Atharion's Crusade, they decided to wait. They believe that there's no way Atharion can secure enough resources and manpower to maintain the Crusade, let alone launch it. They have wish for Atharion to request their support for it's Crusade, giving them a chance to insert people loyal to them into the Crusade and gain a prominent position within Atharion realm after the completion of the Crusade.
But, with the news of Astarte Chapters pledging their banners, support from multiple Forge Worlds, and the support from Thor prove them wrong. This have shatter their hope on waiting for Atharion to request for their help, and with the emergence of Thoros, their hopes of passive manipulation were shattered.
They finally abandoned their previous plan, and instead began to consider how to secure the greatest possible benefit under these new circumstances.
"Should we just launch our Crusade in the Dark Marches now?" General Varnus of Imperial Guards' 163 Army asked. "If we go in now, we can use this opportunity to secure areas that they didn't go, and also send some of our regiments and vessels to reinforce them, demonstrating our goodwill and intent."
The chamber fell into thoughtful silence as the others mulled over the suggestion. Then, the man seated at the head of the table finally spoke.
"Ready the fleet and the Guard," Lord Tempestus Hal Orpheus ordered, rising to his feet, his staff of office held firmly in his left hand. "We will begin our Crusade into the Dark Marches."
He turned toward the Administratum official at his side. "Inform the Administratum Master of our decision. I expect his support in this matter."
The official bowed slightly and answered. "As you command, Lord Tempestus."
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300.M36
Rapturous Rex
"So, they've finally decided to join in the fun," Atharion said, setting the datapad down.
"Yes," Selina replied, clad in her custom-built power armor, the silver trim of her suit catching the dim light of the chamber. "According to the reports, a large fleet is forming at Bakka, and multiple regiments are mobilizing on the border worlds bear northside of the Dark Marches. I'm fairly confident their Crusade will begin soon."
Atharion gave a slow nod. "Good. That means they'll be able to relieve some of the pressure on our fronts." He exhaled and shook his head slightly. "I still can't believe how many pirate attacks we've had on the supply routes since this campaign began."
"Indeed," Selina said with a small smile playing on her lips. "With their arrival, you might finally stop worrying about every convoy that goes missing."
Atharion chuckle. "Those convoys not really effecting the Crusade supplies situation. With the help from Thoros, almost all the supplies are coming from them." He then look at Selina with a helpless expression. "But it is a headache having to hear about disappearing convoys every single day."
Atharion shook his head a little. "Now, enough with this." He take the datapad again and started to read it. "How's the construction have been going?"
"It's been going well, especially with the additional help from Thoros." Selina answer as she tapped a command into a nearby console. The hololith above them flickered to life, displaying a map of the Crusade and overlaying progress indicators for various key worlds.
"Currently, thirty-four Hive Worlds, two Agri Worlds, six Fortress Worlds, one Armoury World, and five Industrial Worlds have completed primary infrastructure. The Militias and the colonists are being settle upon the worlds under the supervision of the Administratum."
"Next, the construction of the core worlds that have entrusted to Thoros." She said as the hololith display another set of worlds. "Thirteen Hive Worlds, three Agri Worlds, twelve Fortress Worlds, six Industrial Worlds and twelve Civilize Worlds have completed the primary infrastructure and settlers have begin to settle upon them."
The hololith flickered again, revealing three images of planets, each orbited by a large space station.
"According to the Tech-Priests," Selina said, "these spaceports are already capable of constructing escort-class and civilian vessels, provided they receive sufficient labor and materials. With time and proper investment, they are confident these facilities will be able to produce cruiser-class vessels within twelve years."
"That's good." Atharion smile at this information. "With this, it shows both those within and outside the Crusade that progress is real, that the Crusade is going well, not just in terms of conquest, but in the building of something lasting."
"How's about the Sister?" Atharion suddenly ask. "What they have been doing lately? The last time I hear from them is when they fighting with the Fire Hawks, securing a world that have fall to Chaos cultist."
Selina tapped a few commands into the console, causing the hololith to shift to a new set of data, icons marked with the sigil of the Adepta Sororitas with the two white and crimson roses now hovered across several systems.
"The Order of the Bloody Rose has established multiple bastions across the western region, while the Order of the Sacred Rose has focused on the eastern region." She said as the systems begining to show the bastions information.
Some only a small bastion that garrison by a Commandery, lead by Canoness Commander with 200 Sisters. The largest bastions not only able to garrison by Preceptory, lead by a Canoness Preceptor with 1000 Sisters, it's also able to serve as a cathedral for the local world.
"Huh," Atharion raise an eyebrow. "They have expanded their Order quite quickly," He turn towards Selina. "Do they have enough resources to maintain all this? Have they decided to accept my offer?"
At the beginning of the Crusade, Atharion have summon both Mina and Arabella for a personal meeting. He had offered them military support and material resources in exchange for a permanent Sororitas presence within his realm.
But neither Mina nor Arabella had given a definitive answer. Even Mina, who's usually the more aggressive, had remained noncommittal. Both had offered the same cryptic response.
"If it is the will of the God-Emperor, then we shall remain."
And with how Atharion seeing it now, he think that both of them have accepted his offer, though both didn't give a formal answer to him.
Selina nodded. "According to our information, both Orders have enough resources to maintain their figuting forces, and with your personal support, they already gain multiple trade deals with the Mechanicus." She stop and raise his head towards Atharion. "Especially with you gifting them a small fleet, they already become more independent."
Indeed, after receiving those fleets, both Mina and Arabella had gained the freedom to move across the region as they saw fit, selecting their own battlefields and targets.
Atharion have gifted both of them with a fleet of same size and same composition. One Mars Class Battlecruiser, two Lunar Class Cruiser, two Dauntless Class Light Cruisers, two Defenders Class Escort Cruisers and four squadrons of Sword Class Escorts.
All of these vessels had been sourced by Nine from a mix of forgotten scrapyards, decommissioned fleets, and neglected reserves of distant Forge Worlds and Imperial naval depots. None of them were new, most had already served for centuries, and some were well past the point at which the Imperium would normally retire a warship.
Yet Nine had restored them all. Through painstaking labor and the aid of the Tech-Priests of Thoros, each vessel was returned to full combat readiness. Hulls were reforged, reactors re-ignited, and weapon systems rearmed. But their age still lingered, etched into their hull plating, creaking through their decks, and, most notably, in their machine spirits.
"Also," Selina added with a strange, knowing smile. "both Mina and Arabella have informed me they'll be arriving on Rapturous Rex in about ten days."
Her smile widened as she caught the subtle twitch in Atharion's eye.
"You'd better think of a good excuse, like last time," She teased, already turning toward the exit. "Or neither of them will let you off easy."
The last thing Atharion heard was the quiet sound of Selina's chuckle and the soft hiss of the sliding door as it closed behind her.
With the door closed, a sigh can be hear echoes throught the chamber.