Reports had come in that the Belis Corona system was expecting a massive invasion by a Tyranid Hivefleet. Meeting this most foul xenos threat was Lord High Admiral Spire, backed up by a second Imperial fleet as well as several cruisers from the Blood Angels chapter.
The following battle was tense, the first sighting of the Tyranid Hiveship class battleship. Early efforts to hold the Tyranids off at a distance, spending the time firing lancers at long range as well as gathering important strategic information about the positioning of the Tyranid ships went well. However, as the battle raged on the crews of several ships started to faulter as their numbers dwindled from boarding actions.
A pivital moment was when the Tyranid Hiveship managed to capture and devour the standing crew on Lord High Admiral Spire's capital ship, leaving it drifting. In a selfless action that shall be recorded amongst the greatest heroes of the Imperium, a Dauntless class light cruiser, upon seeing their Admiral's ship drifting, performed an about turn, facing down the Tyranid hiveship and other vessels closing in, activated All Ahead Full and Brace For Impact and plowed straight into the Hiveships gaping maw. The impact spurred the other Tyranid ships to close on the Dauntless, devouring their crew but not before the brave captain could activate self destruct, bringing the Hiveship and no less then 4 other Tyranid vessels to firey destruction in the ensuring blast.
The battle was far from over, however. More Tyranid ships were closing in and the survivors rallied and begun repairs for the renewed assault. Indentifying key targets once more using auger probes, no less than two more Hiveships were detected. Lord High Admiral Spire, with a skeleton crew aboard, turned to face the greater of the two Hiveships, intent on severing the Tyranids synaptic link.
The battle was failing however, more ships were lost, crews devoured and replaced by tiny remnants, torpedo supplies were low and control of the battlefield was flagging. Just upon the cusp of defeat all ships turned to give one final push to expel the Tyranid threat, either death or glory as they braced for impact. Upon closing in the Tyranid ships surged forward, ramming into their own Hiveships and destroying themselves in their eagerness to feed.
The battle was won moments from defeat. The Emperors blessing was with us this day.
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2