First Battle of Kopt Dara
 This article is about a battle in the /tg/ Heresy project, a fan re-working of the Warhammer 40k universe. |
| First Battle of Kopt Dara | |
| Date | 094/811.M30 |
| Scale | planetary system |
| Theatre | Kopt Dara, Destoona System |
| Status | Imperial Victory |
| Belligerents | |
| Imperium of Mankind | Osroene Empire |
| Commanders and Leaders | |
| Hektor Cincinnatus | unknown |
| Strength | |
| 3rd Expedition Fleet | Osroene "Southern Fleet" |
| Losses | |
| Outcome | |
| First Legion secure naval superiority in the Southern Theater | |
The First Battle of Kopt Dara was the opening engagement of the Parthorum Xenocide. In this clash between voidships, Imperial forces drove through a Xenos broadside to create a deadly melee. Although the attackers took considerable damage, they were able to inflict a severe defeat on the Osroene.
Background
In planning the Parthorum Xenocide, Hektor Cincinnatus determined early on that the Osroene's voidfleets were of pivotal importance. The Xenos relied on a strategy of containment and counter-attack, using planetary forces to slow down attackers until their fleets could arrive. Rather than fight on the enemy's terms, Hektor intended to bring their fleets to battle and destroy them, allowing his First Legion free reign throughout Osroene space. Due to the Xenos' overall material superiority, the Primarch planned to deal with their empire in sections. Rogue Traders had identified the patrol area closest to Sol, a region of space about 50 light years in diameter, and it was within this "Southern Theater" that the First Legion would begin their operations.
Conscious of the need for intelligence, Hektor's first order dispersed the Rogue Traders under his command to monitor the systems of Southern Theater. As was usual practice, a Space Marine officer held formal command of each vessel, but the vessel's original captain took the role of ship's master and guaranteed its smooth running. The sight of Solar-built vessels raised little alarm among the Xenos, who had become accustomed to the presence of Rogue Traders during the preceding months. But despite their innocent appearance, the Imperial vessels were hunting for concentrations of Osroene naval power. Adela Exard's Black Joke, now under the command of Ouragos Markos Priscus, found the Xenos' Southern Fleet docked in the Destoona System at 057/811.M30. Priscus immediately ordered his Astropath to signal the First Legion's HQ that their quarry had been discovered. The arrival of Hektor Cincinnatus' naval force is timed to 073/811.M30.
The battle
If the presence of the Black Joke had not aroused suspicion, the Osroene reacted promptly to the arrival of First Legion's warships. The Southern Fleet made haste for the outer planets of the Destoona System, taking up station at the gas giant Kopt Dara. From this position, the Osroene believed themselves well-sited to plot intercept courses against the invaders. It was a pleasant surprise for the Xenos that their enemies were willing to meet them at Kopt Dara, but the effectiveness of Hektor's void tactics ruined such warm feelings. The Monarch of the Void, leading one of two Imperial columns, was the first vessel to come under fire at 094/811.M30. The First Legion's squadrons broke through the line of Osroene ships orbiting Kopt Dara. Two semi-connected melees ensued. The smaller, at the rear of the Osroene line was quickly won by a superior Imperial force led by Orion Mucius. The second, larger part of the battle centered on the two flagships and raged for longer, but the arrival of Orion Mucius's forces tipped the battle in favour of the Imperials. The action was over in less than a Terran hour. Following salvage and scuttling efforts, the Imperial fleet was underway again at 094/811.M30, moving out to jump points and then back through to warp to Sol. Only Black Joke remained in system, hiding behind the great bulk of Kopt Dara and monitoring the system via satellites.
Aftermath
Victory at Kopt Dara gave the Imperials void superiority in the southern portion of the Parthorum Stream. Although the Osroene had more warships to reinforce the weakened theater, their high command would not receive a request for reinforcements until months later. By that time events would have already overtaken their effort to respond. However, the damage incurred at the First Battle of Kopt Dara forced the First Legion to spend precious weeks travelling back to Mars to repair their warships.