The Battle for Praedith

by GWW

On the Tau world of Praedith, Imperial forces begin their assault. Both Colonel Tomas Haldurn of the Cadian 937th Armoured Regiment and Captain Hadrick Borais of the Imperial Fists are prepared for battle. But nothing shall prepare them for Praedith.

1. Chapter 1

Author Note: This is my first fanfic, sorry if it's not very good. Any reviews appreciated.

I do not own Warhammer 40k

Praedith

Tau Colony World

The Space Marine Captain tightened his grip on his thunder hammer as the drop pod smashed into the planet's atmosphere, tensing in readiness for when he landed. He could faintly hear the firing of Tau railguns on the surface, and explosions as Tau and Imperial aircraft fought in the skies. The drop pod slammed into the ground with a jarring impact, even for a Space Marine. The sides dropped down, revealing Tau troops taking up firing positions. Smiling grimly beneath his helmet, Captain Hadrick Borais he raised his Storm Shield and went to work.

The Imperial Guard Colonel Tomas Haldurn raised his power sword in salute to the priest who stood in front of him, knowing the platoon behind him would be performing the same gesture with their lasguns.
"For The Emperor!" The guardsmen echoed the priest's words.
"Landing in one minute. Bolter cannons primed for covering fire- get ready."
The guardsmen snapped their lasguns into a firing position as they assembled into a circle around the Priest, Commisar and Colonel as the pilot spoke. Suddenly, the lander lurched violently as a thick black smoke enveloped the troops.
"Impact! Impact! Tau aircraft, firing a second salvo!"
The lander lurched again, "We're coming down hard! Prepare for emergency evac, lander doors opening!"
Slowly the lander's doors opened, revealing snowy plains and heavy Tau weapons fire. Grabbing a parachute from the rack, Tomas watched as a Valkyrie was blown apart by a railgun shell, one guardsman managing to jump out before being enveloped by smoke.
"Go, go, go!" cried the Commisar, "No hesitation! In the name of the Emperor!"
Tomas jumped, the parachute billowing out a few seconds later. Down below, he could see irregular flashes of boltgun fire, mixed with pulse rifle fire and lasgun discharges. Behind him, the searing wreckage of the lander smashed into the unlucky Priest, who cried prayers to the Emperor as he fell. He saw the red dot of a markerlight fall on the guardsman next to him- a sergeant- who cried out in horror when he saw it, his screams cut short as a barrage of Tau fire smashed into him.