哥特舰队规则书节译：第十二次黑色远征/哥特战争（3）
144.M41 - THE BLACKSTONE FORTRESSES
144.M41——黑石要塞
LUKITAR STATION
LUKITAR空间站
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.
随着阿巴顿行星杀手的威胁隐约出现在其上空，很多帝国世界不做抵抗便投降。一个又一个次星区脱离了帝国的控制，很多造船厂和轨道船坞也落入混沌之手。随着帝国在维修己方舰船上愈发困难，建造新船也更不可能。凭借其关键的前期攻势，混沌势力很可能在战争开始前就赢得了胜利。
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.
但帝国海军还有存有一些希望。在Lukitar星系中，某颗气体巨星的荒凉卫星上有一座机械修会设施。其内的技术神甫们正在研究前人的成果，以发现关于更强大武器系统、更有效推进器和更优秀护盾发生器的知识。少量帝国舰船被装配上了这些改进过的系统，但结果从未完全令人满意过。一艘飞船只能提供有限的能量，如果火炮系统被改进提升，通讯系统就会受影响；如果引擎动力增加了，虚空盾发生器就无法维持（运行）。但研究仍在进行，每项新进展都比之前的成果略微成功。阿巴顿的舰队在此刻杀到。在凡登准将指挥下，四艘长剑级护卫舰组成的202红色中队迎战了混沌舰队——在阿巴顿对于四号黑石要塞的进攻结束后，该中队是第一批见到大掠夺者的帝国舰队之一。
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.
第二次半轮值更，阿斯洛达尔月十九日，Lukitar 星系。
来自守望站点的报告是正确的。我们的检测仪检查到一股强大到难以置信的能量脉冲。船员们在恐惧地小声谈论行星杀手，但那艘飞船的上次目击是发生在65光年外的Saviour世界。我们正在全速赶往事发地进行调查。
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.
第九次半轮值更，阿斯洛达尔月十九日，Lukitar 星系。
即便亲眼所见，我仍然无法相信！数艘变节者主力舰正躲在星系内，而且还有十二艘护航舰。同它们前来的是一座黑石要塞！该死的，但这就是事实！它看起来与众不同，更具有机感：它成为了某种活物，如果这种情况是有可能的话。我们的测量仪识别出了多种并非由帝国建造的武器系统。他们是如何成功唤醒这头野兽的？帝皇之血啊，即便是在这个距离处，他们也在聚集能量以开火射击。
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.
第九次半轮值更，萨纳库斯月一日，非物质宇宙中。
我们将Lukitar空间站的残骸留在了身后。我们的武器几乎无法击穿被夺取的黑石要塞，只要极少数人奋战到底，对其发动了进攻。黑市要塞使用的武器我从未见过，哪怕是在对抗艾尔达异形海盗，或在Bhein Morr追捕法拉’阿尔异形掠夺者时也没见过。Lukitar空间站在要塞的连续猛攻下化为碎片，这座空间站用全部武器发起进攻，但也在几分钟内就被摧毁了。要前往六号黑石要塞的所在地——Brinaga星系，只需进行七光年的亚空间跳跃。我们正在全速赶往Brinaga星系，以向当地发出袭击警报，因为我相信变节者们会试图夺取另一座黑石要塞。我想帝皇祈祷，希望我们能阻止他们。
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.
尽管收到了凡登的警报，Brinaga星系也仅剩寥寥数艘可用于保卫六号黑石要塞的舰船。随着第一座要塞被夺取，混沌信徒们掌握了某种远程控制黑石要塞的手段，他们能够关停要塞的动力系统，将之变为空间站中数以万计人员的死亡陷阱。在Lukitar袭击事件的四个月后，Brinaga星系落入阿巴顿手中。
IMMEASURABLE POWER
不可测量之力
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.
就在领主上将瑞文斯伯格沉思被孤立的哥特星区所面临的军事与后勤问题的同时，审判官霍斯特拜访了他。双方的交谈内容从未被记录过，但人们普遍相信，那位可敬的审判官将黑暗之手与暗夜之眼的信息告知了瑞文斯伯格。他们制定了一项计划，试图通过秘密手段而非公开攻击来夺回黑石要塞。
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，这项计划还未取得任何可见成果，阿巴顿舰队发动另一次袭击的信息便传来了，这次的目标是位于Fularis星系的一号黑石要塞。人们事后在“怀恨”号的残骸中回收到了该船舰务官——以利亚 博尔吉亚的个人日志，当被发现时，该文件正在漂向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.
“我们今天很幸运，【阿巴顿的舰队】是从Fularis二号的另一侧来袭，这意味着他们如果想要抵达一号黑石要塞，就得遭受轨道和星球防御系统的进攻。我们刚刚升级了Fularis二号上的武器，就是为了应对此类情况。尽管他们手握两座黑石要塞，但我怀疑敌军能否活下来。”
Borgia's early optimism was to be cruelly shattered:
博尔吉亚早期的乐观心态将被残忍击碎：
"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…"
“两座黑石要塞在距离Fularis二号大约七万五千里格处就位，将将位于武器平台射程之外——只有鱼雷能击中它们；两座空间站彼此之间距离为五千里格。我们监测到了两座要塞中的一股能量激增：它们正在为某些目的而充能。技术神甫弗拉维斯认为它们之间存在某种能量交换。帝皇的牙啊，我现在都能亲眼看到了：一股流动的能量柱将两座要塞连接到了一起。激增现象仍在上升，能量光束也变得更为清晰可见。该死的星语者正在尖叫，呼喊着某些关于“进入亚空间的突破口”的内容。他们这是搞得什么鬼？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.
其他被回收的证据表明：有一股能量光束被释放出来，击向了Fularis二号。“怀恨”号被完全击中，当能量波冲过其船体时，虚空盾瞬间过载，外侧船身也被气化。人们之后发现，Fularis二号的大气层被剥离，地表被烧为了岩原。一号黑石要塞则消失无踪了。
144-149.M41 - THE WAR CONTINUES
144-149.M41 战事继续
SLAUGHTER AMONG THE STARS
群星间的屠杀
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.
从锤头深渊到独眼巨人星团，帝国舰船都在进行绝望的奋战，以阻挡涌入哥特星区的混沌舰船。在某些区域中，帝皇的部队被敌人的猛烈进攻所击退；而在其他区域中，帝国领土是被技艺更精湛或经验更丰富的战斗群指挥官所保护，抵挡住了混沌势力的初期进攻。我们不可能准确描绘出战争的走向，因为在战斗最激烈的时间段内，很多世界都曾反复易手过四、五甚至是六次。在147.M41，Lysades次星区几乎完全被攻占，混沌舰船也控制了巨口港周围的十二个星系。但在独眼巨人星团，兽人们顽强抵抗着混沌舰船进攻；在被迫将注意力转向其他区域的入侵行动之前，帝国舰队也从Quinrox Sound的集结点发起多次进攻，阻止混沌势力蔓延扩张数月之久。
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.
就在帝国海军与变节者们激战于群星间的同时，来自兽人、艾尔达人和人类海盗的袭击也在增加——这些匪徒几乎就是在为所欲为。运输船队被捕获，掠夺团伙在城市中劫掠，在数十个世界上，数百万人死于饥荒和疾病。即便是那些安全通过的船队，也经常会发现敌方战舰就徘徊在目的地星系中，封锁住道路，不让任何舰船进入，束缚住其所围困的世界。在巢都世界Stranivar的三座巢城中，随着居民人数达到一千亿，饮用水短缺在当地引发了暴乱。没有了进口补给，这个世界本身的（水源）循环中心无法解决供水需求，在下一批运输船队成功突破混沌势力的封锁线之前，会有五分之四的当地人口死于脱水。港口和造船厂也频繁缺乏补给，至于那些需要维修和重新武装的舰船，经常是仅仅接受了临时修补，并将弹仓装满一半之后，便被派去作战。
THE PIRATES' HAVEN
海盗天堂
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.
就在瑞文斯伯格阁下的部队对抗混沌战帅舰队的同时，帝国舰队在对抗另一名致命敌人的战斗中取得了显著进展。大约二十四个海盗团伙集结在了Quinrox Sound，组成了一个残忍凶悍的联盟。这群掠夺者拥有五十多艘护航舰尺寸的飞船、一艘俘获的哥特级巡洋舰和两艘打捞而来的月级巡洋舰，他们对次星区内的航运安全造成了严重威胁。忙于阻止混沌入侵的领主上将瑞文斯伯格无暇他顾，他下达命令，要求舰队司令官——莫恩达克采取其认为合适的一切手段，解决海盗问题。莫恩达克从星区各处的战斗群中抽调舰船，他麾下的舰船包括：“奥利昂之剑”号、“浩劫”号、“乌齐尔”号、“刚毅”号与可怖的“Cypra遗嘱见证者”号。
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:
除了主力舰，莫恩达克还指挥着第24驱逐舰中队（寡妇制造者）、第1护卫舰梯队（鹰爪）和铁砧206巡逻舰队的长剑级驱逐舰们。舰队司令官用空舱运输舰组成了一支庞大的船队，引诱海盗们前来进攻。当帝国舰队发起反击时，莫恩达克命令要放至少一艘变节者舰船逃生。在导航者主管——阿萨罗姆 达拉尔的协助下，莫恩达克舰队追踪着海盗幸存者，抵达了他们位于Barbarus Costa星系的巢穴。海盗们认为自己在窝点中是安全无忧的，他们几乎没有考虑过采取防御措施。就像莫恩达克在战后提交给瑞文斯伯格阁下的报告所总结的那样，帝国的进攻完全出乎了他们的意料：
"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!"
“我们就像追逐猎物的猎犬那样扑向了他们。海盗们极力冲回自己的窝点，但我的护航舰队已经做好了准备。在那天的战斗中，Cypra遗嘱见证者号自己就摧毁了15艘敌舰，海盗们的损失总数必然超过了三十艘舰船。很多人逃到了Barbarus三号的地表，自认为能安全躲过我方舰炮的进攻。但他们大错特错。利用机械修会贤者尤里伦改进过的电浆鱼雷，我们点燃了那颗近乎全是沙漠的世界的大气，将他们烧得一干二净。只有三艘船从大火中逃出，请求我们的饶恕。我们用舰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.
在一次性歼灭了大部分海盗之后，瑞文斯伯格得以再次集中起力量，反击混沌舰队。
