哥特艦隊規(guī)則書節(jié)譯：第十二次黑色遠征/哥特戰(zhàn)爭（3）
144.M41 - THE BLACKSTONE FORTRESSES?
144.M41——黑石要塞
LUKITAR STATION?
LUKITAR空間站
With the threat of Abaddon's planet killer looming over them, many Imperial worlds surrendered without a fight. Sub-sector after sub-sector fell out of Imperial control and with them a number of shipyards and orbital docks. As the Imperium faced increasing difficulties in repairing its vessels, building new ones became ever more unlikely. With its critical early strikes, Chaos may well have won the war before it had even started.?
隨著阿巴頓行星殺手的威脅隱約出現(xiàn)在其上空，很多帝國世界不做抵抗便投降。一個又一個次星區(qū)脫離了帝國的控制，很多造船廠和軌道船塢也落入混沌之手。隨著帝國在維修己方艦船上愈發(fā)困難，建造新船也更不可能。憑借其關鍵的前期攻勢，混沌勢力很可能在戰(zhàn)爭開始前就贏得了勝利。
There was some hope for the Imperial Navy. On a desolate moon orbiting a gas giant in the Lukitar system was an Adeptus Mechanicus facility. The Tech-Priests were already researching the wisdom of their predecessors to uncover knowledge of more powerful weapon systems, more efficient drives and better shield generators. A few Imperial ships were fitted out with these improved systems, but the results were never entirely satisfactory. A ship could only provide so much power and if gunnery was improved, communications would suffer, if the engine power was increased, the shield generators could not be sustained. The search continued, with each new development slightly more successful than the last. Then the ships of Abaddon arrived. Commodore Vanden commanding 202 Red squadron, consisting of four Sword class frigates, was among the first Imperial vessels to sight Abaddon since his attack on Blackstone IV.?
但帝國海軍還有存有一些希望。在Lukitar星系中，某顆氣體巨星的荒涼衛(wèi)星上有一座機械修會設施。其內(nèi)的技術神甫們正在研究前人的成果，以發(fā)現(xiàn)關于更強大武器系統(tǒng)、更有效推進器和更優(yōu)秀護盾發(fā)生器的知識。少量帝國艦船被裝配上了這些改進過的系統(tǒng)，但結果從未完全令人滿意過。一艘飛船只能提供有限的能量，如果火炮系統(tǒng)被改進提升，通訊系統(tǒng)就會受影響；如果引擎動力增加了，虛空盾發(fā)生器就無法維持（運行）。但研究仍在進行，每項新進展都比之前的成果略微成功。阿巴頓的艦隊在此刻殺到。在凡登準將指揮下，四艘長劍級護衛(wèi)艦組成的202紅色中隊迎戰(zhàn)了混沌艦隊——在阿巴頓對于四號黑石要塞的進攻結束后，該中隊是第一批見到大掠奪者的帝國艦隊之一。
2nd Dog Watch, 19th day of Aphrodael?Lukitar system.?
The reports from the guardian stations were correct.?Our assayers have picked up an energy pulse of unimaginable magnitude. The crew?are whispering fearfully of the Planet Killer. but that was last sighted in Saviour 65 light years away. We are proceeding at full power to investigate.?
第二次半輪值更，阿斯洛達爾月十九日，Lukitar 星系。
來自守望站點的報告是正確的。我們的檢測儀檢查到一股強大到難以置信的能量脈沖。船員們在恐懼地小聲談論行星殺手，但那艘飛船的上次目擊是發(fā)生在65光年外的Saviour世界。我們正在全速趕往事發(fā)地進行調(diào)查。
9th Watch, 19th day of Aphrodael, Lakitar system.?
Even seeing it with my own eyes, I do not believe it! Several renegade capital ships are heading in-system, with a dozen escorts. With them is a Blackstone Fortress! Damn my eyes, but it's true!?It looks different, more organic: somehow alive, if that were possible. Our surveyors have picked up several weapon systems which are not Imperial in construction. How have they managed to wake the beast? Emperors'?blood, they're building up energy to fire. even at this range.?
第九次半輪值更，阿斯洛達爾月十九日，Lukitar 星系。
即便親眼所見，我仍然無法相信！數(shù)艘變節(jié)者主力艦正躲在星系內(nèi)，而且還有十二艘護航艦。同它們前來的是一座黑石要塞！該死的，但這就是事實！它看起來與眾不同，更具有機感：它成為了某種活物，如果這種情況是有可能的話。我們的測量儀識別出了多種并非由帝國建造的武器系統(tǒng)。他們是如何成功喚醒這頭野獸的？帝皇之血啊，即便是在這個距離處，他們也在聚集能量以開火射擊。
3rd Watch, 1st day of Sanaekus, Immaterium. We have left behind what remains of Lukitar station. The captuted Blackstone Fortress proved almost impregnable to our weapons, those few of us who could fight through to attack it.?It has weapons the like of which I have never seen, even when fighting Eldar pirates,?or chasing down Fra'al raiders in Bhein Morr.The Fortress has pummelled Lukitar station to rubble. taking only a few minutes with all its armaments brought to bear.?It?is only a seven light years jump from here to?Brinaga where?Blackstone VI is stationed. We are proceeding with all speed to Brinaga to warn them of the attack. for I believe the renegades will attempt to capture another of the Blackstones. I pray to the Emperor we can stop them.?
第九次半輪值更，薩納庫斯月一日，非物質(zhì)宇宙中。
我們將Lukitar空間站的殘骸留在了身后。我們的武器幾乎無法擊穿被奪取的黑石要塞，只要極少數(shù)人奮戰(zhàn)到底，對其發(fā)動了進攻。黑市要塞使用的武器我從未見過，哪怕是在對抗艾爾達異形海盜，或在Bhein Morr追捕法拉’阿爾異形掠奪者時也沒見過。Lukitar空間站在要塞的連續(xù)猛攻下化為碎片，這座空間站用全部武器發(fā)起進攻，但也在幾分鐘內(nèi)就被摧毀了。要前往六號黑石要塞的所在地——Brinaga星系，只需進行七光年的亞空間跳躍。我們正在全速趕往Brinaga星系，以向當?shù)匕l(fā)出襲擊警報，因為我相信變節(jié)者們會試圖奪取另一座黑石要塞。我想帝皇祈禱，希望我們能阻止他們。
Even with Vanden's warning, there were few?available ships left to defend Blackstone VI. As with the capture of the first Fortress. the Chaos followers had some means of controlling the Blackstone Fortresses from afar, able to shut down its power systems and turn it into a death trap for the tens of thousands of personnel aboard. Brinaga system fell to Abaddon four months after the attack on Lukitar.?
盡管收到了凡登的警報，Brinaga星系也僅剩寥寥數(shù)艘可用于保衛(wèi)六號黑石要塞的艦船。隨著第一座要塞被奪取，混沌信徒們掌握了某種遠程控制黑石要塞的手段，他們能夠關停要塞的動力系統(tǒng)，將之變?yōu)榭臻g站中數(shù)以萬計人員的死亡陷阱。在Lukitar襲擊事件的四個月后，Brinaga星系落入阿巴頓手中。
IMMEASURABLE POWER?
不可測量之力
While Lord?Admiral Ravensburg pondered the many military and logistical problems facing his isolated sector, he was visited by Inquisitor Horst. What passed between them never?recorded. though it is widely believed that the revered Inquisitor told Ravensburg of the Hand of Darkness and the Eye of Night. A plan was formulated to try to recapture the Blackstone Fortresses by covert means rather than open attack.?
就在領主上將瑞文斯伯格沉思被孤立的哥特星區(qū)所面臨的軍事與后勤問題的同時，審判官霍斯特拜訪了他。雙方的交談內(nèi)容從未被記錄過，但人們普遍相信，那位可敬的審判官將黑暗之手與暗夜之眼的信息告知了瑞文斯伯格。他們制定了一項計劃，試圖通過秘密手段而非公開攻擊來奪回黑石要塞。
However, before this plan achieved?any visible results, news came through of another assault by Abaddon's fleet, this time at Blackstone I in the Fularis system. The personal log of First Lieutenant Elijah Borgia of the Vindictive was recovered from the hulk of the ship, found floating towards the Fularis star:?
然而，這項計劃還未取得任何可見成果，阿巴頓艦隊發(fā)動另一次襲擊的信息便傳來了，這次的目標是位于Fularis星系的一號黑石要塞。人們事后在“懷恨”號的殘骸中回收到了該船艦務官——以利亞 博爾吉亞的個人日志，當被發(fā)現(xiàn)時，該文件正在漂向Fularis恒星：
we are in luck today, 【Abaddon's?fleet】?has attack from the other side of Fularis II. which means they'll have to dare the orbital and planet defence systems to get to Blackstone I.?We have only just upgraded our weapons on Fularis II for just such an occurrence and I doubt that even with his two Fortresses. our enemy will survive.
“我們今天很幸運，【阿巴頓的艦隊】是從Fularis二號的另一側來襲，這意味著他們?nèi)绻胍诌_一號黑石要塞，就得遭受軌道和星球防御系統(tǒng)的進攻。我們剛剛升級了Fularis二號上的武器，就是為了應對此類情況。盡管他們手握兩座黑石要塞，但我懷疑敵軍能否活下來?！?/strong>
Borgia's early optimism was to be cruelly shattered:?
博爾吉亞早期的樂觀心態(tài)將被殘忍擊碎：
"The two Blackstones have taken up station five thousand leagues from each other, some seventy five thousand leagues from Fularis II?and just out of range of the weapons platforms. except for the torpedo launchers. We are picking up an?enegy surge in the two Fortresses: they're powering up for something. Tech-Priest Flavis says there, some kind of energy exchange between them. Emperor's teeth, l can see it?myself now,?a column of shifting energy linking the two fortresses together. The surge is still rising, the power beam becoming more visible. The damned Astropath?is screaming now, yelling something about a breach into warp?space. What hell-spawned trick are they up to??Oh my…"
“兩座黑石要塞在距離Fularis二號大約七萬五千里格處就位，將將位于武器平臺射程之外——只有魚雷能擊中它們；兩座空間站彼此之間距離為五千里格。我們監(jiān)測到了兩座要塞中的一股能量激增：它們正在為某些目的而充能。技術神甫弗拉維斯認為它們之間存在某種能量交換。帝皇的牙啊，我現(xiàn)在都能親眼看到了：一股流動的能量柱將兩座要塞連接到了一起。激增現(xiàn)象仍在上升，能量光束也變得更為清晰可見。該死的星語者正在尖叫，呼喊著某些關于“進入亞空間的突破口”的內(nèi)容。他們這是搞得什么鬼？哦我的…”
Other recovered evidence points towards an energy beam being unleash. towards Fularis II.The Vindictive was caught full on, her shields overloaded instantly and outer hull vaporised as the energy wave passed over the ship. Fularis II was later found with its atmosphere stripped off and the surface scoured to a rocky plain. Of Blackstone I, there was no sign.?
其他被回收的證據(jù)表明：有一股能量光束被釋放出來，擊向了Fularis二號?！皯押蕖碧柋煌耆珦糁?，當能量波沖過其船體時，虛空盾瞬間過載，外側船身也被氣化。人們之后發(fā)現(xiàn)，F(xiàn)ularis二號的大氣層被剝離，地表被燒為了巖原。一號黑石要塞則消失無蹤了。
144-149.M41 - THE WAR CONTINUES?
144-149.M41 戰(zhàn)事繼續(xù)
SLAUGHTER AMONG THE STARS?
群星間的屠殺
From the Hammerhead Deeps to the Cyclops Cluster. Imperial ships fought desperately to hold back the Chaos ships that spilled into the Gothic Sector. In some areas, the Emperor's forces were hurled back by the ferocity of their foes, while other regions, protected by more skilled or experienced battlegroup commanders, held against the initial impetus of the Chaos attack. It is impossible to chart?exactly the ebb and flow of battle and many worlds changed hands four, five or even six times during the period of fiercest fighting. By 147.M41, the Lysades sub-sector was almost entirely overrun and Chaos ships held sway in over a dozen systems surrounding Port Maw. However, in the Cyclops Cluster the Orks gave the Chaos vessels stiff resistance and from staging points in the Quinrox Sound. the Imperial fleet launched many counter-attacks, pushing back the spread of Chaos for months before being forced to turn their attention to incursions elsewhere.?
從錘頭深淵到獨眼巨人星團，帝國艦船都在進行絕望的奮戰(zhàn)，以阻擋涌入哥特星區(qū)的混沌艦船。在某些區(qū)域中，帝皇的部隊被敵人的猛烈進攻所擊退；而在其他區(qū)域中，帝國領土是被技藝更精湛或經(jīng)驗更豐富的戰(zhàn)斗群指揮官所保護，抵擋住了混沌勢力的初期進攻。我們不可能準確描繪出戰(zhàn)爭的走向，因為在戰(zhàn)斗最激烈的時間段內(nèi)，很多世界都曾反復易手過四、五甚至是六次。在147.M41，Lysades次星區(qū)幾乎完全被攻占，混沌艦船也控制了巨口港周圍的十二個星系。但在獨眼巨人星團，獸人們頑強抵抗著混沌艦船進攻；在被迫將注意力轉(zhuǎn)向其他區(qū)域的入侵行動之前，帝國艦隊也從Quinrox Sound的集結點發(fā)起多次進攻，阻止混沌勢力蔓延擴張數(shù)月之久。
While the Imperial Navy and the renegades duelled across the stars, the attacks from Orks, Elder and Human pirates increased. With the watchful eye of the Imperial Navy elsewhere, these bandits had an almost free rein. Convoys were captured. raiding parties sacked cities and on dozens of worlds, millions died from disease and starvation. Those convoys that did get through safely often found enemy warships prowling through their destination system, blockading all craft entering and establishing a stranglehold on the worlds they besieged. On the hive world of Stranivar three hive cities, with inhabitants running into a hundred billion souls, were overcome with rioting due to the shortages of drinkable water. With no incoming supplies, the world's own recycling centres were unable to cope and four fifths of the population died from dehydration before the next convoy managed to break through the Chaos blockade. The docks and shipyards were frequently starved of supplies and ships which put in for repairs and re-arming were often sent into battle with only makeshift refits and half-empty magazines.
就在帝國海軍與變節(jié)者們激戰(zhàn)于群星間的同時，來自獸人、艾爾達人和人類海盜的襲擊也在增加——這些匪徒幾乎就是在為所欲為。運輸船隊被捕獲，掠奪團伙在城市中劫掠，在數(shù)十個世界上，數(shù)百萬人死于饑荒和疾病。即便是那些安全通過的船隊，也經(jīng)常會發(fā)現(xiàn)敵方戰(zhàn)艦就徘徊在目的地星系中，封鎖住道路，不讓任何艦船進入，束縛住其所圍困的世界。在巢都世界Stranivar的三座巢城中，隨著居民人數(shù)達到一千億，飲用水短缺在當?shù)匾l(fā)了暴亂。沒有了進口補給，這個世界本身的（水源）循環(huán)中心無法解決供水需求，在下一批運輸船隊成功突破混沌勢力的封鎖線之前，會有五分之四的當?shù)厝丝谒烙诿撍?。港口和造船廠也頻繁缺乏補給，至于那些需要維修和重新武裝的艦船，經(jīng)常是僅僅接受了臨時修補，并將彈倉裝滿一半之后，便被派去作戰(zhàn)。
THE PIRATES' HAVEN?
海盜天堂
While Lord Ravensburg's forces struggled with the ships of the Chaos Warmasters, the Imperial fleet made significant progress against another deadly foe. A rough confederacy of nearly two dozen pirate bands had gathered in the Quinrox Sound. With over 50 escort-sized vessels, a captured Gothic class cruiser and two salvaged Lunar class cruisers, the marauders had become a serious threat to the security of shipping in the sub-sector. Lord Admiral Ravensburg, unable to turn his attention from stemming the Chaos incursion, ordered Fleet-Admiral Mourndark to deal with the pirates in any way he saw fit. Moumdark drew ships from battlegroups across the sector, including the Sword of Orion, Havock, Uziel, Fortitude and the fearsome Cypra Probatii.?
就在瑞文斯伯格閣下的部隊對抗混沌戰(zhàn)帥艦隊的同時，帝國艦隊在對抗另一名致命敵人的戰(zhàn)斗中取得了顯著進展。大約二十四個海盜團伙集結在了Quinrox Sound，組成了一個殘忍兇悍的聯(lián)盟。這群掠奪者擁有五十多艘護航艦尺寸的飛船、一艘俘獲的哥特級巡洋艦和兩艘打撈而來的月級巡洋艦，他們對次星區(qū)內(nèi)的航運安全造成了嚴重威脅。忙于阻止混沌入侵的領主上將瑞文斯伯格無暇他顧，他下達命令，要求艦隊司令官——莫恩達克采取其認為合適的一切手段，解決海盜問題。莫恩達克從星區(qū)各處的戰(zhàn)斗群中抽調(diào)艦船，他麾下的艦船包括：“奧利昂之劍”號、“浩劫”號、“烏齊爾”號、“剛毅”號與可怖的“Cypra遺囑見證者”號。
Along with these capital ships. Moumdark also took command of the 24th Destroyer Squadron (Widowmakers), the 1st Frigate Echelon [Eagle Claws] and the Sword class frigates of the Anvil 206 Patrol Flotilla. With a large convoy of empty transports. Moumdark lured the pirates into attacking. When the Imperial ships counter-attacked, Moumdark ordered that at least one of the renegades be allowed to escape. With the aid of the Master Navigator Absalom Draal. Mourndark and his fleet were able to follow the surviving pirates back to their lair in the Barbarus Costa system. Confident in the knowledge that they were safe in their den, the pirates had given little?thought to defences. The Imperial attack came as a total surprise, as Moumdark concluded in a report to Lord Ravensburg after the battle:?
除了主力艦，莫恩達克還指揮著第24驅(qū)逐艦中隊（寡婦制造者）、第1護衛(wèi)艦梯隊（鷹爪）和鐵砧206巡邏艦隊的長劍級驅(qū)逐艦們。艦隊司令官用空艙運輸艦組成了一支龐大的船隊，引誘海盜們前來進攻。當?shù)蹏炾牥l(fā)起反擊時，莫恩達克命令要放至少一艘變節(jié)者艦船逃生。在導航者主管——阿薩羅姆 達拉爾的協(xié)助下，莫恩達克艦隊追蹤著海盜幸存者，抵達了他們位于Barbarus Costa星系的巢穴。海盜們認為自己在窩點中是安全無憂的，他們幾乎沒有考慮過采取防御措施。就像莫恩達克在戰(zhàn)后提交給瑞文斯伯格閣下的報告所總結的那樣，帝國的進攻完全出乎了他們的意料：
"We fell upon?them like hounds at the chase. They tried to scurry and bolt for their holes. but my escorts were ready for them .The Cypra Probatii herself claimed fifteen kills that day and their losses must have been in excess of thirty ships in total. Many fled to the surface of Barbarus III. thinking themselves safe from our guns. How wrong they?were. Using plasma torpedoes modified by Magos Urilun of the Adeptus Mechanicus. we set fire to the atmosphere of the near-deserted world. burning them out. Only three vessels emerged from the conflagration. asking for clemency. Our guns showed the m the mercy?of the Emperor!"?
“我們就像追逐獵物的獵犬那樣撲向了他們。海盜們極力沖回自己的窩點，但我的護航艦隊已經(jīng)做好了準備。在那天的戰(zhàn)斗中，Cypra遺囑見證者號自己就摧毀了15艘敵艦，海盜們的損失總數(shù)必然超過了三十艘艦船。很多人逃到了Barbarus三號的地表，自認為能安全躲過我方艦炮的進攻。但他們大錯特錯。利用機械修會賢者尤里倫改進過的電漿魚雷，我們點燃了那顆近乎全是沙漠的世界的大氣，將他們燒得一干二凈。只有三艘船從大火中逃出，請求我們的饒恕。我們用艦炮向其展示了帝皇的仁慈！”
With a large proportion of the pirates dealt with in one blow, Ravensburg was able to concentrate his forces onto fighting back against the Chaos flees once again.?
在一次性殲滅了大部分海盜之后，瑞文斯伯格得以再次集中起力量，反擊混沌艦隊。
