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Note: I don't play any of the tabletop Warhammer 40k games, and I don't have any of the codex books. I play a lot of the Warhammer 40K PC games, have every expansion and know something about the characters, races and history. The few things that come from the codex books that I add here are from digging around internet sites. So, please, hardcore tabletop Warhammer 40K fans, take it easy on the flaming. And anything that could help me learn more about the Warhammer 40K Universe would be greatly appreciated as I seriously want to learn more about it. Many thanks and enjoy!
Shas'O Kanis looked over at the bombarded city below from the precarious safety of his massive XV22 battlesuit. He sighed in sheer disappointment as the dark forces of Chaos overran the massacred Imperial city; this was not part of the Greater Good. The cries of horror and pain from the humans below chillingly mixed in with the furious war cries of the victory from the Chaos forces, Shas'O Kanis needed only one last look at his demonic adversaries before turning back around, leaving the bloodletting behind.
"Report" he said in his usual calm demeanor, his words always seeming to be friendly, yet obviously strict with his men. The half dozen Tau soldiers in their bulky stealth suits slowly melded back into reality around Shas'O Kanis, each one taking a moment to bow to their commanding officer.
"The armies of Chaos have taken three more towns around the river, commander" the Shas'vre answered only as the rest of the men still stood at attention around Shas'O. "If they continue their advance they shall find their way into the Imperial capital in three days time, commander" the Shas'vre's detailed report slipped into Shas' O's ears in the usual radio tone; his mind began to formulate various strategies mere seconds after his soldier uttered his last word.
"The Revenant?" Shas' O asked, turning his helmeted gaze to the Shas'vre.
"It is still orbiting the planet; the Chaos fleet still knows nothing of its position, commander. As they know nothing of OUR position on the ground, either"
The Revenant was the main ship of Shas' O Kanis sept, the Tau'Un O'Urem, a massive Manta Missile Destroyer that had been modified to be able to support troop transport. Yet, Shas'O knew all too well that their current condition would not last long, the forces of Chaos were not stupid. The risk of loss to both his Fire Caste and his Air Caste is too great to risk in order to defend an Imperial City; the attack on the Chaos would have to wait until after they have taken the capital of the planet Gurman V.
"Order the Revenant to maintain position, advise the Earth Caste that our main base of operations must be finished by nightfall and I need a report on the Run'al stationed around the capital" Shas' O gave his orders slowly and clearly, the men around him need only nod and quickly salute him before running off to their tasks. The Run'al observation posts were carefully hidden around the planet's capital, Shas' O wanted to see the Chaos' strategies for himself and learn greatly from them.
"I know you are there, daemon, your hate and destruction plow through the world like a rabid infestation" Shas'O whispered into his mind, again leering over at the pillaged town, watching the dark forces kill and maim everything in sight. "I will strike you down for the Greater Good, Malent Terenis" the commander of the Tau'Un O'Urem breathed in deeply and took heavy steps in his grey battle suit, back towards his main base.
Deep inside of the many canyons that littered the landscape of Gurman V, the resident Tau forces had staked their claim. Already having built enough barracks and armories to house the entire Fire Caste of Shas'O Kanis' forces, they waited until their commander gave the order; but first, their commander needed to solidify a plan.
"Greetings, Shas'O Kanis" the holy Ethereal spoke as if his words were hailed by angels, a gentle smiled pasted on his grayish face and a amiable set of eyes welcome the commander to his war room.
"Greetings, Anu'Arn" Shas' O looked stronger and sported more toned limbs than most other Tau did without their battle armors on, but that only worked to heighten his nearly legendary status. "To what do I own this great honor?" Shas' O asked politely as he bowed to the Ethereal before him, the silky clothes on his body hanging loose with his every move.
"I bring news from home, Commander" the Ethereal touched the back of Shas' O head ever so gently, hinting for him to return to his normal position and look at him dead in the eyes.
"That is something I could have received through a message, it was not necessary for you to risk coming to this warzone" Shas' O spoke in pure worriment for the Ethereal entity, his eyes expressed clear pain as his mind explicitly imagined what the death of the Ethereal would mean to him and his people.
"No, no, no, my friend, please, do not worry. I do not intend on making this planet my home any further than I have to. But, this is news that is most dire and that I believed should be delivered, personally. As an act of friendship, for an old friend" Anu' Arn smiled gently at Shas' O as if to ask him whether he would let him give his message or not; Shas' O nodded softly. "We have received word that Shas' O Kais has been successful in liberating the planet Kronus from the invasion it was suffering, but there has been a problem" the Ethereal showed signs of weakness and worry for a slight moment, before finding his composure; yet he help his talisman laden staff tightly with both hands as he remained standing up. "We know Malent Terenis, the commander of the Smiling Horus Army, is here in this planet, a fact you must surely know as well" Shas' O again nodded softly, this time taking his gaze away from the Ethereal for a few seconds, losing himself in thought.
"Yes, I am aware of his presence and his objectives"
"Yet, that is not the reason I am here, my friend. Something survived Shas' O Kais' liberation of Kronus, something we did not know was still alive" the Ethereal spoke with an unnerving sense of worry and haste. "Necron Monoliths were spotted exiting the Kronus' surface shortly the defeat of their commander, their location was lost to us for some time, but we have found them again" Anu'Arn held his staff tightly and pounded it softly on the metallic floor, looking into Shas'O's eyes.
"Commander! Commander!" a garbled transmission screamed out from the screen beside them, Shas' O wasted no time in hurrying towards it and pressing it to receive the transmission.
"What is the problem Shas'la?"
"Commander, a Necron Monolith has landed right in middle of the capital's plaza. The Chaos forces have already mobilized to intercept it and we cannot keep our position hidden for much longer if we stay in this location! Please advise!" the sounds of buildings crushing down around the lives of millions of people could be faintly heard in the transmission's background.
"Retreat back to base immediately, do not let any of the two enemy forces see your position. Relay this order to the other Fire Warriors in the rest of the Run'als" Shas' O quickly pressed the screen more times, random beeps sounding off every time his long finger hit it. "Every Stealth Team in the area of the capital, you are now ordered to return to base for further orders. Defensive Broadsides around the base's perimeter are now on the highest alert; deploy Gun and Shield Drones to reinforce their position as soon as possible. Do not engage the enemy forces until ordered to" Shas' O pressed the screen one last time, cutting off his transmission to his army. He turned around to face the Ethereal, who himself held a worried look upon his face as if to better announce the grim turn of events. "I cannot hold back both the Necron and Chaos forces from overrunning us if they were to find us" Shas'O stated the obvious to his Ethereal superior, something he did out of instinct, an instinct he always tried to maintain suppressed in the presence of an Ethereal.
"Reinforcements have already been called, you must hold out until they arrive. I shall remain here with you and your men until they do, their arrival on the planet so quickly has left me no choice but to lengthen my stay" Anu'Arn seemed to find a second wind with bravery and he stood up straight now, holding his staff strongly with one hand.
"Thank you" Shas' O bowed again, this time reacting out of respect and years of teaching. "My men and I greatly appreciate it"
"We must all brace for the worst now, Shas'O" the Ethereal did not know how true his words were.
To Be Continued…