The first remnant fleet was encountered in the deep void.
They were currently dormant, drifting in a state of hibernation as they waited for an opportunity to acquire fresh organic matter. When the Aether Fleet approached, they stirred. In the instant of their awakening, they instinctively prepared for combat.
The relationship between different Tyranid fleets is difficult to judge by human standards. When two distinct fleets meet, they often fight and devour one another. However, due to the unique genetic nature of the Tyranids, the total biomass does not decrease after such internal strife; instead, the superior genes of both sides are integrated.
The same was true now. When the massive Aether Fleet arrived, this nameless hive fleet simply returned to the Hive Mind's network. They allowed themselves to be consumed and digested by the Aether Fleet, ultimately becoming part of its greater whole.
This process did not last long. By the time Yuki and Yuno finished a particularly long bout of "exercise," the small remnant fleets had been completely absorbed.
"Harder, my love."
"Crush it."
"It's not over yet."
"My turn."
It had to be said that Yuno's stamina was truly boundless. Yuki had secretly given Yuno many nicknames; "Dyson Vacuum" was one of them.
"This went much smoother than imagined," Yuki noted.
"Our swarm is far more sensible than humans," Yuno replied.
"In a certain sense, that's definitely true."
Evolution, evolution—Yuki was also evolving. His consciousness delved deep into the Hive Ships, his genes triggering specialized structures that broadcast unique biological signals. These signals cut through time and space, issuing a summons to the fleets scattered across the surrounding sectors.
The First Tyrannic War had been immense in scale. Although Hive Fleet Behemoth was defeated by the Ultramarines, a significant number of remnants remained. Those in the core regions of the Five Hundred Worlds had long since been purged, but those hiding in the void, struggling to preserve themselves, still existed.
Upon receiving the call from the Aether Fleet, these remnants began to move.
"This is..."
Severus Agemman took note of these strange reports. Since the end of the First Tyrannic War, purging the Tyranid remnants within the Five Hundred Worlds had been one of the Ultramarines' most critical duties. These terrifying xenos were extremely cunning, never appearing prematurely unless they were certain of success.
Yet now, they were engaging in bizarre activity. Even xenos forces so weak they were usually handled by Planetary Defense Forces (PDF) were on the move. This was absolutely abnormal.
As the Captain of the Ultramarines First Company, Agemman was responsible for the entire Chapter and the Five Hundred Worlds. "Immediately report the situation to Chapter Master Calgar. Request support from other companies and send messages to nearby Chapters, alerting them to the situation and ordering strict defenses against Tyranid incursions."
He then recalled reports from many years ago about a fleet named Gorgon invading the edges of the Five Hundred Worlds. "Order all regions that have previously encountered Tyranid invasions to heighten their vigilance."
Agemman told himself: "Do not let the history of the First Tyrannic War repeat itself."
More and more Tyranid fleets began to follow the Aether Fleet. Yuki did not let the fleet remain stationary to wait for the remnants to arrive. Such a large-scale mobilization would inevitably catch the attention of the Ultramarines. Currently, the scale of the Aether Fleet was far smaller than Behemoth, and certainly no match for the approaching Kraken and Leviathan.
In other words, as long as the Five Hundred Worlds didn't make foolish mistakes, relying solely on the Aether Fleet to devour the Ultramarines was still too ambitious.
The Aether Fleet could try to consume the T'au Empire first, so the entire fleet was currently advancing toward T'au space. That is, until...
Defenseless systems suddenly appeared before the fleet. The sensation was strange, like a starving man seeing a table laden with a feast. This impulse was even stronger for Yuki, who was now an integral part of the Tyranid collective.
Stealing a little bite won't hurt, right?
These planets had already been disrupted by natural disasters caused by the Shadow in the Warp, which prevented them from calling for outside help for a certain period. Furthermore, being at the heart of the Five Hundred Worlds, they never expected a Tyranid fleet to appear so suddenly.
Just a small bite would be enough.
"If I were you, I'd send some remnant fleets to attack other planets. That way, those blue tin cans won't be able to react in time," Yuno suggested.
"You really are experienced."
"Naturally."
Just as planned, a portion of the remnants—treated as expendable pawns—detached from the Aether Fleet to raid other sectors. Meanwhile, the main force of the Aether Fleet launched a direct assault on the prosperous planets before them.
Countless Mycetic Spores rained from the sky, while the warships orbiting the planets were seized by Tyranid bio-ships. The Aether Fleet unfolded in a manner the Imperium had never imagined, covering nearly a fifth of the planetary surface. Over this fifth of the world, it began to "rain"—the droplets were countless Tyranid organisms.
Within a few short hours, urban and industrial zones were overrun. The human defenders faced a agonizing dilemma: hold their current positions or move to support other areas. However, hesitation in the face of such a problem is itself fatal.
The Aether Fleet's style was decisive and ruthless. They favored large-scale assaults; when a comrade became a corpse, specialized organisms with digestive capabilities would immediately consume them. They employed a strategy of simultaneous aerial support and ground advancement, ensuring they fought tooth and nail for air superiority. Once this tactic succeeded, the human defenders faced a swarm pouring in from all directions.
For these sectors that existed as resource-supply worlds within the Five Hundred Worlds, it was a war of absolute despair.
Furthermore, Yuki chose the most aggressive and risky approach. Even before a location was fully controlled, Ripper swarms would arrive on the surface, sweeping away all usable resources and establishing capillary towers. This was usually the final step of a Tyranid planetary consumption, but Yuki was in a hurry. He had to resolve everything before the Ultramarines' main force arrived.
However, the vanguard of the Ultramarines would arrive even sooner. Yuki was already prepared to face them. At the very least, even if Marneus Calgar arrived in person with his Honor Guard for a decapitation strike, Yuki would not be easily killed.
The sector slowly fell. The Tyranids turned the place into a living hell. Yuki stood upon a bio-ship, watching the life fade from the ground below.
This is a wonderful experience, he thought.
"Tell me, how do you think Guilliman will react when he sees this?"