The expedition ship carrying Stiv was the first in the entire Ender Sector to encounter the Swarm.
After months of resupply and preparation, they had departed the sector about half a year ago, readying themselves to enter the Warp conduits. The Astropathic Navigators were searching for the best routes and timing for Warp travel. After a journey of days, months, or perhaps years, they would eventually arrive at the designated battlefield for reinforcements.
Stiv could not contain her excitement. She had waited a long time for this chance to fight for the God-Emperor in the void.
The hull began to vibrate. This was one of the many occurrences when entering the Warp and activating the Geller Field. Stiv was prepared.
Boom!
The vessel shook violently. Even a body tempered by rigorous training struggled to stay upright. Is this the reality of the Warp?
Before Stiv could process the sensation, the emergency broadcast blared through the ship: "All brothers and sisters, take up arms! We are under attack by xenos! Everyone! Engage at will! Kill every xenos on sight!"
Xenos? Do xenos appear within the Warp?
Stiv immediately donned her armor, grabbed her bolter, and rushed out. The corridors were filled with Sisters of Battle who had also heard the warning. It was clear the fighting had not yet reached this sector.
A Seraphim Squad Leader stepped forward to take command.
"Stiv, take three squads of sisters to support the bridge! Five squads, with me! We will defend the engine room. The rest of you, purge the xenos in the surrounding sectors! Show the God-Emperor our courage and loyalty! For the Emperor!"
"For the Emperor!"
Stiv led the volunteer squads toward the bridge. As they passed the weapon decks, mortal naval ratings were frantically hauling shells. Macro-cannons and lance batteries were the primary teeth of this battleship.
Combat erupted on both sides of the ship. Stiv shouted at a mortal soldier over the deafening noise.
"What is the enemy!"
"What?"
The thunder of the cannons drowned out their voices. Stiv waited for a lull in the firing to repeat her question: "What is the enemy!"
"I don't know! All our observation posts are dead! Poor Frank... before he died, he told us to just fire! No need to aim—you'll hit something with every shot!"
Before Stiv could ask more, a massive biological pod smashed through the hull, crushing dozens of mortal sailors.
"This is..."
Dozens of monsters, taller than Astra Militarum soldiers, emerged before them. Even if they had never seen such creatures, the chitinous armor revealed their identity.
"Tyranids!"
The moment she realized what they were, Stiv opened fire. Bolt rounds struck the carapaces of the common Tyranid organisms, knocking them back and tearing them apart. However, the retaliatory fire from the Termagants' fleshborers inflicted heavy casualties on the Sisters of Battle.
Stiv tried to recall everything she knew about the Tyranids, only to realize her knowledge was shallow. Everything taught at the Convent was superficial; that was the best they could do. She only knew that Tyranids traveled in swarms, and once they arrived, they blotted out the stars.
Also, she realized they were definitely not in the Warp yet.
Bang-bang-bang-bang-bang!
After clearing the Tyranids in front of her, only two or three sisters remained by her side. The mortal soldiers were all dead. It had only been a few dozen xenos.
"Keep moving! They will not prevail!"
Stiv led the survivors toward the bridge. As they passed the breach made by the pod, she glanced out into space. She saw a bio-ship as large as a battleship floating nearby, surrounded by countless spores and flying organisms. In the distant background, several more similar bio-ships were approaching.
In that instant, she felt those ships were alive. They cast their gaze toward her—a look reserved for prey.
So many... so large.
Stiv turned away. She knew this xenos invasion was a catastrophe.
"Are there reinforcements? Please, hurry! The Swarm is attacking frantically!"
Stiv and her group burst through a side door into the bridge. Three Tyranid Warriors were locked in combat with an elite squad of Sisters of Battle. The floor was littered with corpses. Despite the carnage, the sisters held the line, preventing the xenos from reaching the crew.
"Go in and protect them! If we fall, you are the last line of defense!"
Stiv entered the inner chamber where dozens of sisters stood ready.
"Who is the Captain?"
"I am, Sister. What do you need?"
"I ask that you order the activation of the Geller Field immediately! We must jump into the Warp now, while we still can!"
After witnessing the scale of the Hive Fleet, Stiv understood this was not a threat the Ender Sector could handle. No matter how hard they resisted, they were merely delaying their deaths. Since death was certain, it was better to risk everything for a sliver of hope.
"Stiv! Are you suggesting we flee?"
"Can't you see these monsters are surrounding the entire sector!" Stiv shouted. "If we die here in silence, we are merely wasting the Emperor's currency! We must get this news out at all costs!"
"A transmission would suffice!"
The Captain interrupted the debate. "Astropathic communication has been down for days."
"Then how can we perform a Warp jump?"
The Captain could not explain it.
"Because I will sacrifice myself. It is the only way to see the faint light of the Astronomican," the Navigator spoke. The three-eyed man's voice was unnervingly calm. "In this black hole, only sacrifice can help the God-Emperor guide me. I can already feel the Emperor's call. My soul returns to the Golden Throne."
Stiv reiterated: "Time is running out, Captain. We must carry this news."
The Captain looked at the gathered sisters; there were no senior officers present. The Tyranids were still pouring onto the ship.
"Activate the Geller Field! Forced jump into the Warp!"
The Warp engines roared to life. Golden flames erupted from the Navigator's body. Tears streamed from his eyes as he opened his arms.
"I see it... God-Emperor, have you come for me? I feel your power... Ah, is this my sacrifice? How warm it is."
The Sisters of Battle watched as the Navigator turned to ash within the flames. They all felt a powerful force enveloping them. The God-Emperor was watching. Under His protection, even the most dangerous Warp entry proceeded without incident.
Stiv did not relax. She chambered a round into her bolter. Plenty of enemies remained on the ship.
"Sisters, let our crusade begin now."