Changes

After discovering no trace of the inhabitants of Phall I and II, Polux put the Retribution Fleet on a state of high readiness. The Fleet formed into a constantly changing spherical formation on the edge of the system that would allow for effective defensive operations and rapid warp translation if ordered to withdraw or proceed to Isstvan. Crews drilled constantly, commanders developed contingency plans for defending the fleet, the surrounding system was surveyed in detail, and Polux ordered reserve supplies be used to fully repair the vessels under his command.{{Fn|4}}

The Loyalist fleet was unaware that after the traitor victory at [[Isstvan V]], [[Horus]] ordered the [[Iron Warriors]] to intercept them, believing such a large force should not go unmolested.{{Fn|2}} Ahead of the attack, Iron Warriors scouting ships collected intelligence on the Retribution Fleet, which was psychically transmitted to hundreds of psi-amplifying devices across the system made up of communication systems cyberneticaly joined to brutalized astropaths. When these devices received the intelligence gathered by the Iron Warriors scouting vessels, they detonated in massive psychic blasts to transmit their information through the warp storms and back to the main fleet.{{Fn|3c}}