+++[ Ships Present ]+++

Imperial:  Illunis (Lunar class), Pax Astra (Gothic class), Euxinus (Adeptus Astartes Strike class, Black Templars)
Enemy:  Killing Ground (Slaughter class), Relentless (Devastation class), Carrion Maker (Carnage class)

+++[ Location of Battle ]+++

Outer Reaches, Tarantis system, Lysades sub-sector

+++[ Summary of Losses ]+++

Imperial:  Pax Astra (Gothic class, hulk), Euxinus (Adeptus Astartes Strike class, warp core implosion)
Enemy: Killing Ground (Slaughter class, hulk), Relentless (Devastation class, warp core implosion), Carrion Maker (Carnage class, hulk)

+++[ Detailed Analysis ]+++

The following is account is recovered from the Fleet-Captain Nathoon's log, warship Illunis, Battlegroup Noir, Battlefleet Gothic, Segmentum Obscuras, under direct command of Lord Solar Admiral Kinzel: (compiler's note:  The Illunis was the only warship to survive the battle)

6th hour (1st Watch), 0070143.M41, warship Illunis, Immaterium, en-route to Sicyon system

Astropathic message received from battlegroup command requesting patrol of Tarantis system to investigate recent predation of mining facilities and resources.  Message confirmed.  Astrogation reports estimated time of arrival to Tarantis system 1095143.M41 (130.5 hours).  Navigation reports favorable warp currents all the way to Tarantis.  Upon arrival we are to link up with the Pax Astra, and the Adeptus Astartes Strike Cruiser Euxinus.  The Black Templars have been on seek and destroy patrols in the northern part of the sub-sector, attempting to confirm the location of the heretic Starfort rumored to be near Golgotha Crossing.  On a personal note, I look forward to linking up with the Pax Astra, it has been a long time since I have seen Captain Gregor, as a matter of fact I have not seen him since the start of the war.  We used to be...+++[ edited for relevance by Fleet Command ]+++

4th hour (3rd Watch), 0096143.M41, warship Illunis, Nadir warp-point, Tarantis system

Linked up with the Euxinus and we have detected the warp entry of the Astra.  She must have made a mis-calculation as she is 8 hours from the rendezvous point.  Brother-Captain Zeckal of the Euxinus reports they have been in-system for a month and have been tracing warp events and power signatures in the outer reaches of the system between the Slayd Mining Belt and the Olgman Far Reaches.  They have been unable to make positive contact or identification of the raiders.  Signatures however do indicate capital ship class and not a wolfpack of escorts.  Analysis of forensic evidence of attacked outposts confirms enemy to be Chaos and not Ork or Eldar.  Once we link up with the Astra we will go underway to the last sighting of the unknown ship near the gas giant JCX-8623.

5th hour (3rd Watch), 0110143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, Tarantis system

First Officer Malen awoke me to report long range surveyor contact matching the power signature reported by the Space Marines.  I called battle stations and instructed helm to plot intercept course.  The ship surged to life and the systems were blessed and readied by the Adeptus Mechanicus.  Estimated intercept with contact 8 hours.  Enemy course plotted to be for the third moon of JCX-8623.  Hopefully that is their staging area and we can eliminate them and their support infrastructure.  The Euxinus took up position 1 hour ahead of the Illunis and Pax Astra to provide long range recon.

2nd hour (2nd Watch), 0112143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, Tarantis system

Came within visual range today of the contact.  Ship was positively identified as the Slaughter class ship Immortal Emperor, lost during a warp storm in 5003001.M39 near the Cadian Gate.  Transponders now identify the ship as the 'Killing Ground.'  The taint of Chaos is visible on the superstructure and the mark of Khorne covers the prow.  The ship has increased speed and is still on course for JCX-8623, but navigation reports that their heading will now take them past the planet and towards deep space.  It appears they may be making a run for deep space and the jump out-system.  Updated group command on situation.

8th hour (1st Watch), 0115143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, Tarantis system

Message received from battlegroup command.  We are to pursue and destroy this ship unrelentlessly.  This ship is part of Warmaster Blum's fleet which has a foothold in this system as Sicyon, near Golgotha Crossing.  The Killing Ground currently has a significant head start and is slowly accelerating away from us.  At present intercept vectors, we will be unable to catch them, but try we must.

1st hour (1st Watch), 0116143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, Tarantis system

Emperor's fortune is on our side.  Surveyors picked up fluctuations in the power plant of the Killing Ground, it appears her captain may have pushed her a little too hard.  She is losing acceleration and velocity.  We will now intercept her near the outer moon of JCX-8623 (reference JCX-8623-A on astro-cartogrphic grid).  Estimated intercept time ~6 hours.  

2nd hour (2nd Watch), 0117143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, Tarantis system

Killing Ground is now almost within range.  Euxinus has accelerated to overtake her and try to soften her up. 

2nd hour (3rd Watch), 0117143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, near 1st moon, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

A trick!  Killing Ground's engines blossomed to full power.  Long range auspex and surveyors report multiple inbound contacts beyond the third moon of JCX-8623.  No id yet.  We are forming up into a battle line.  Current plots and trajectories indicate we will intercept with inbounds mid-way between the second moon and the planet.  Torpedoes are loaded.  Situation report from the other ships indicate Euxinus fully armed and ready.  Pax Astra is reporting intermittent problems with the torpedo auto-loaders.    

5th hour (3rd Watch), 0117143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

Surveyors report multiple energy signatures breaking off from one of the inbound contacts.  99% probability of enemy carrier.  Vox intercepts inconclusive, enemy is using new encryption algorithms that the tech-priests indicate will take some time to break.  Still unable to id inbound contacts due to radiation interference from the gas giant.  We most likely will not get positive id on bogeys until they pass the third moon (reference JCX-8623-C on astro-cartographic grid).  Battle line has accelerated to maximum effective velocity.  Current vectors will place intercept at 63,120,57 with 30 degree offset from system plane.

6th hour (3rd Watch), 0117143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

Contact!  Inbound bandits identified as Devastation class cruiser Relentless (no other id found in ship's cognatators, cataloged as new construct) and Carnage class cruiser Carrion Maker (imperial id Glorious Vengeance, lost 5994234.M40 near Terra).  Multiple bomber and assault craft waves detected on intercept course with Pax Astra.  Killing Ground appears to be making a swing around the third moon using it's gravity well to slingshot.  Updated intercept point is now 74,200,93 with 57 degree offset from system plane.  Killing Ground's maneuver will insure it will intercept us at the same time as the other ships.  Enemy fleet currently outguns us by approximately 23%.  I have released the Euxinus to maneuver freely with ordering the Pax Astra to maintain the line.  

7th hour (3rd Watch), 0117143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

We have just passed the enemy line.  We endured 30 minutes of close range broadsides from enemy cruisers.  Shields held.  Port weapon batteries indicated a targeting malfunction, but lance turrets Primus and Secondus scored solid hits against the Carrion Maker's blast shields, unfortunately they were unable to do anymore damage.  Pax Astra reporting massive damage and is crippled from the enemy bomber waves.  Enemy assault craft have docked and they are reporting running battles on multiple decks.  Enemy forces have taken port and starboard lance fire control centers, she is unable to fire.  From our view screens I see multiple hull breaches, Emperor protect them.  The are able to stay within the line and we are maneuvering to provide cover for them, while allowing them to provide lance support for us.  Their torpedoes were still functional and we were able to unleash a combined salvo on the Relentless.  She appears to have not launched fighter support, a tactical flaw that is sure to be identified during debriefing.  Surveyors indicated multiple hits and severe energy spikes in multiple sections, power output down 40%.  Visual survey shows her superstructure is on fire in multiple locations.  I see fire pouring out of many of her launch bays.  The Euxinus has engaged the Killing Ground.  She is reporting multiple hits, but systems are holding.  Brother-Captain Zeckal has launched Thunderhawk assault craft which docked with the Killing Ground.  Lance batteries Tertius and Quantus knocked the Ground's shields down, allowing the Euxinus to execute a teleport attack.  Sensors indicate energy spike in the Ground's engineering section, fires on multiple decks and power loss in her port weapon bays.  The reputation of the Adeptus Astartes is well earned!  Blessed be the Emperor.  The line held.

8th hour (3rd Watch), 0117143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

We are using the gravity well of JCX-8623 and the third moon (astro-cartographic ref id JCX-8623-C)  to come around.  The Pax Astra is reporting enemy invaders have been dispatched and lance fire control restored.  The Euxinus  has swung opposite our direction and is trying to slice into the middle of the enemy formation.  Brother-Captain Zeckal reports moderate damage from enemy long range fire.  The Euxinus' energy levels are fluctuating and sensors show multiple power outages on many decks.  Engine output is down 20%.  The damage to the Killing Ground appears to be more severe than originally estimated it is on a trajectory that will take it beyond the second moon and they appear to have loss helm control.  The Relentless and Carrion Maker are vectoring to swing around the second moon, apparently using its gravity to aid in maneuvering.  Damn those ships are fast.  It appears not all the launch bays on the Relentless were knocked out.  Sensors indicate a trickle of bombers still pouring out.  Current tactical plots indicate the Euxinus will pass extremely close to the Carrion Maker once she finishes her burn around the second moon.  The Relentless appears to be on a more conservative re-approach vector and she will not pass as close.  It appears her Captain will stay a long range and snipe at us. 

1st hour (1st Watch), 0118143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

Tragedy!  In an unbelievably bold and brave move, Brother-Captain Zeckal maneuvered the Euxinus into the rear quarter of the Carrion Maker as it burned past and executed a deft 90 degree roll starboard.  It appeared he was lining up to deliver a blow to the Maker's vulnerable side when long range fire from the Relentless  tore through the Euxinus' blast shields.  We witnessed as one lance tore through her engine section.  Energy readings spiked and a small sun of warp energy erupted from engine section and quickly expanded outward and consumed the Carrion Maker.  As the maelstrom died down, the Carrion Maker emerged, blast shields down, crippled, with sporadic life and energy readings, but she was not out of the fight.  It was a truly awesome spectacle to behold.  I offer up prayers of mourning for the loss of the Emperor's own.  It also appears that the Killing Ground was able of effect battlefield repairs and is starting to maneuver on a intercept course that will take it around the second moon.  Power output on the ship is still in a state of flux and sensors report no power to their port weapon systems.  Their engine output is down 20%. 

3rd hour (1st Watch), 0118143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

We spent he last hour maneuvering around the planet in an attempt to intercept the enemy forces.  We were able to intercept the wounded Carrion Maker.  We managed to bring down her blast shields, which created an opening for the Astra's lances.  Captain Gregor used the opening well scoring two solid hits on the Maker.  She became listless and started to drift uncontrollably, no life or energy readings emanating  from her.  We have adjusted course towards the second moon on a pursuit vector with the Relentless and Killing Ground. 

7th hour (1st Watch), 0118143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

More loss.  We were able to intercept the remaining Chaos ships, but luck appears to be on their side.  As we swung around the opposite side of the moon, waves and waves of enemy bombers fell upon us.  We were able to destroy all waves that intercepted us [commendations will be given to the turret crew], but the Pax Astra was not as lucky.  I watched in horror as an enemy bomber crashed into her bridge.  They were all over her like vultures on a dying beast.  Explosions rippled across her hull.  She went adrift, held in the moon's gravity.  We are reading sporadic life signs and picking up distress beacons from multiple lifeboats.  We were able to unleash another waves of torpedoes on the Relentless, all of them made it past her anti-torpedo batteries and I was pleased to see her engulfed in a fiery death similar to the Euxinus'.  We have altered course presently in pursuit of the remaining, fleeing enemy cruiser.  I hope we have a chance to come back and rescue what is left of the Astra's crew.

1st hour (2nd Watch), 0118143.M41, warship Illunis, Outer Reaches, JCX-8623, Tarantis system

The Emperor's blessing shines upon us today.  We have eliminated the Chaos scourge in this system.  In a brief pursuit we managed to catch up with the Killing Ground and dispatch her with a combined salvo of weapon and lance batteries, setting her adrift, dead in space.  Damage control crews have been dispatched to the lower decks to repair the superficial damage caused by the last desperate volley from the Ground.  We are setting course back to the Astra in rescue operations.  We will take her in tow to Vindalex for repair and refit [estimated arrival time at Vindalex is 160 hours, ~0126143.M41].  We will set salvage beacons on the Chaos hulks in hopes that they too can be salvaged for our righteous cause.  Requesting post-humus commendations for Brother-Captain Zeckal and Captain Gregor.  We have also deployed hazard beacons near the debris/radiation fields near the last locations of the Euxinus and Relentless.  Recommend they be listed at class 2 hazards on current star charts, tech-priest analysis is that the radiation will not diminish enough for salvage operations to commence for approximately 50 years.