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THE APOLLO Mars-class Battlecruiser (270 pts)
Production of Mars-class battlecruisers ceased nearly two millennia ago, and these ships are increasingly rare among the fleets of the Imperium. The Mars-class has a well rounded armament. Besides carrying four squadrons of attack craft, this class also mounts long range batteries, dorsal lances, and a Nova cannon. This weapons compliment makes the Mars-class Apollo the ideal choice for flagship of Battlegroup Fortitas. The Apollo ranks as one of the oldest ships serving with Battlegroup Fortitas, and her service to the Emperor has been long and distinguished. After her initial construction, she was assigned to the storied 1st Terran Battlecruiser Armada. However, she disappeared in the Cyclops Cluster near the Moab system while on patrol a thousand years ago, and drifted for centuries until her hulk was discovered by units of Battlefleet Obscuras. She was then interned in the fleet yards at Cypra Mundi and completely rebuilt. She was on her post-refit shakedown when she was set upon by the Styx-class Chaos cruiser Forsaken. Her escape route cut off, the Apollo fought her enemy valiantly but was handicapped by an untried crew and inexperienced commander. Eventually the Forsaken overwhelmed her prey and reduced the Apollo to a drifting hulk. However, the Chaos traitors were unable to claim their prize due to approaching Imperial reinforcements, and the Apollo was salvaged a second time. This seemingly chance meeting with the Forsaken proved prophetic, as the Apollo was destined to face the Chaos ship again. Following her defeat, she was taken to the great fleet base of Hydraphur in the Segmentum Pacificus. Resurrected once again, the Apollo was detached from Battlefleet Pacificus and designated to form the nucleus of a new battlegroup, Battlegroup Fortitas. This battlegroup was created to meet the threat posed by an incursion into Imperial territory by an unknown rogue Chaos fleet. Though the precise size and composition of this new Chaos menace is unknown, it has been confirmed that the Apollo's old nemesis the Forsaken is a part of it. By Andy Rucker |
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