Dalarian Dock, parking platform

"How long will it take?" Lieutenant General Stukov kept looking at the timer, remembering that Duran had said that Imperial support would arrive in 16 standard hours, and that time was running out.

"Report to the Commander, the probe has spotted a large Imperial fleet nearby, and their target is exactly here," the Adjutant of Electron Synthesis reported the latest situation, but it wasn't good news for the Joint Council.

"Ah, this must be the reinforcements that Lieutenant Duran warned us of", Dugar said, holding a glass of whiskey, "How well we are going, we are not very sure about our ship"

"Lieutenant Duran, please keep you updated", Stukov once again connected to the communication from the front, there was no time left.

"Report to the sir, the battleship has been captured and the finishing touches are currently underway", Duran does not seem to know the latest situation, "we may need some time"

"Listen, lieutenant, there's no time left, the ships of the Empire have already arrived at the doorstep", the lieutenant general gave the order forcefully and unquestionably, "now, assemble our ships at once"

"Uh... Well, now that most of the ship commissioning has been completed, I think, it should be enough to cope with the reinforcements."

In a rush of orders, the ships of the Joint Council quickly assembled, and the captured ships were naturally lined up.

"How's it going, how is the performance?" , Stukov asked his technical engineer

"I don't have much affection for these mongrels, but there is something unique about what they produce," he said, continuing his work with eyes as the scruffy engineer continued his work, "Of course, it wasn't difficult for us to operate them"

"Very good, that's what you want, get these battleships ready, and fight these invaders" Well, I didn't think of myself as an outsider at all.

"Hello Commander, a new communication request has been accessed", the voice of the electronic synthesis adjutant sounded again, and soon, a slightly vicissitudes but full of haughty faces appeared on the screen, and suddenly it was our old acquaintance, Edmund Duke.

"Well, I don't know which militia you're all from, but I suggest you step down... Right away! I am Admiral Edmund Duke of the Imperial Fleet, and in the name of the Emperor of Mengsk, I order you to immediately and unconditionally lay down your arms and surrender", the words were full of arrogance and contempt.

"Listen, what did he say?" Dugar laughed, "What kind of horn-and-horn rebel army did he think we were"

"Hmph, listen, General Duke, I thought your troops would come faster, they are the descendants of a group of criminals, and there is no discipline at all", Stukov arrogantly provoked from the sidelines, at least as Duke sounded, "You must know first that we are not representing any of your rabble, but the united United Earth Council."

"United Earth Council? Are you trying to tell me that you came all the way from Earth? Duke seemed to hear the biggest joke in the universe, "Are you kidding me?" ”

"If you insist on that", Stukov was unmoved, "That's right, General, we are here to take over this sector and its inhabitants, for the good of humanity"

"Hmph, when I'm dead, I don't care where you came from, boy, no one can subvert the Tyranid Empire right under my nose!" , He habitually narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath, "All units, fire freely!" ”

The screen went black and the negotiations broke down, "Hey, it's quite loud, but if it weren't for the newly captured 18 battlecruisers, I might have been really scared", Dugar took over the command, "All units pay attention, divide into two teams, outflank left and right, and fire freely"

Suddenly, all the ships moved, and when Duke finally detected the number of ships on the other side, his face became quite ugly.

"Damn, they must have captured the ships in the dock", the adjutant next to him said angrily, but he was glared at by Duke, seeing so many ships, and even the logo of the empire on them, the fool knows what the other party has done, don't you look at the staff next to you who don't care about themselves? The speaker slapped himself in the mouth.

"General... The tactical staff officer was just about to suggest, when suddenly a tremor came, everyone shook, and the scene was chaotic.

"Sir, this is the Morris, our ship's engine was hit and we can't continue sailing...

"Sir, I'm the Tromy...

From time to time, bad news comes through the communication channel

"I know what you're trying to say, staff officer", Duke slammed the ground hard, there was no doubt that it was a fiasco, and he had to swallow the bitter pill of underestimating the enemy. The other party claims to be the United Council of Earth, if it is true, then this is a huge crisis for the Tyranid Empire, and he must go back and report it to His Majesty the Emperor.

"Let's retreat," Duke decided with difficulty, "didn't you hear?" Retreat, do you want to explain it all here? ”

"Compliance. Yes, sir"

Under constant fire from the battleships of the United Council, Duke escaped with the only remaining flagship of the Nord III and two other broken and crumbling battleships.

"Do you need to chase it? Sir", Duran's voice came

"No need, let the lost dogs spread the word of our arrival, and let the panic spread throughout the sector", Lieutenant General Stukov looked at Duran appreciatively, "Congratulations, Lieutenant, you and your men have brought us a brilliant victory"

"Thank you for your appreciation, sir, this is all your wise decision", Duran complimented

"Alright", Dugar interrupted their touting, "Now that the Imperial Dockyard has been almost destroyed by the war, it is necessary to discuss our next actions again"

"Well, our Admiral Duke has been driven away by us, and the next thing is to take in the prisoners here, and then, it's time to fix our fleet," Duran suggested

"Good advice, Lieutenant", signaled Admiral Dugar, "I wish you all a good rest"

Sacoolas, New Antioch

"Seriously, I thought our base was in chaos", Renault said with a slight exaggeration, "except for the lack of a star spirit, nothing else has changed"

"It's hard for me to imagine how cold it is," Phoenix exasperated slightly, "Did that guy from Aldaris pull all the Templars away?" ”

"Aren't we still there?" "In fact, the wounded warriors didn't have time to act, and then the fortress was taken over", as for who took over, he didn't say, but everyone obviously knew, "It's just that the ship wasn't pulled away, it's a blessing in misfortune"