Captain Clodius Tridon stood at the window of the hall of retribution high above the planets surface, from this vantage point the city which surrounded the fortress monastery sprawled out for miles. The Knights of the Eternal Void had always had a close relationship with the populace of the planet they called their homeworld, this was unlike most Space Marine Chapters who stood aloof from the humans with whom they cohabited. Another figure stood beside the captain, "we must make preparations to evacuate the civilian population to the halls within the fortress" commented Chapter Master Helios as he took in the same scene as Tridon "They will be far safer within the walls of the fortress than out there." "I agree my lord, we are currently capable of sustaining the 5 million population of the city for approximately seven weeks" turning Tridon saw the green representation of Vartigan spoke. Nodding Tridon turned back to his Chapter Master "I have given word to mobilise the PDF, I was also considering arming the chapter's recruits. Even those how failed initiation, if the Tyranids make it here I fear we will need every man capable of firing a weapon, Space Marine or human".
"You may be right Tridon, despite all the efforts of our men it appears that there are scouting organisms slipping through the net, I fear this world will suffer the brunt of the Hivefleet. If only we were able to request reinforcements from the Imperium, with that option unavailable we shall have to stand as best we can. I want you to start to bring the population into the fortress, liase with the PDF if you need, also try to find those damn lictors" "Yes my lord, as you wish" Tridon bowed before turning and leaving the hall. After he had left Helios turned to Vartigan "old friend, do you think we will be able to defeat this threat" the worry on his face clear. "It will be a hard fight, even with the chapter and PDF, this hivefleet is massive. If we fail to divert it and break it up, then I do not know"
Tridon marched through the streets of Far Reach City, behind him spread out 3 tactical squads from the 4th Company, this was all the Chapter could afford to spare, along with these several companies of the PDF were spread out in the parallel streets. The rest of his 1st company was spread about the system, the terminators performing daring hit and run raids on the bio ships, while Carnigan Ferrax his senior sergeant commanded the rest of the veterans in the hunt for the vanguard species. As much as he wished to be leading his men, as regent of Far Reach he had a responsibility to those who could not defend themselves. Ferrax had been offered elevation to 1st Company Captain before Tridon took over; he had stated he did not wish to be separated from his men, now Tridon understood this feeling.
"It looks like we have not gone unnoticed" commented Gaius Pallas who walked beside Tridon. An Epistolary of the chapters Librarium, he was attached to the group to help detect the presence of any lictors within the city. It was not entirely unreasonable that there was a crowd forming, although the site of Space Marines was nothing new, to see so many in full battle dress was rare. The crowd was good, Tridon needed as many people in the central square to here under the enormous triumphal arch Tridon entered the spacious central square of the city. The square itself was aesthetically pleasing, fountains and plant beds sat between large areas of grass giving an area of calm within the hectic city, many civilians came here to relax. Marching to the steps of the cities university Tridon turned to face the now massive crowd of curious onlookers.
"My name is Captain Clodius Tridon of the Adeptus Astartes, I am here to inform you that a vast and terrible enemy is descending upon this world" Tridon paused as a murmur of concern and confusion passed throughout the crowd. After a moment he continued "I am here to tell you that an evacuation of the general populace is to commence immediately, you will be transferred within the holy wall of the Knight's fortress monastery. Here you shall be safe until such time as the Tyranid threat is defeated and eradicated from this world. Bring only that which you cannot afford to leave behind, food, water, weapons, anything which you feel will help you in the coming time. The local PDF regiments will be organising the evacuation aided by the arbiters and what space marines may be spared, you will do exactly as ordered in a timely manner" raising his thunder hammer over the crowd for effect "dissenters and looters will be dealt with harshly".
"Go to your homes, prepare what you can, be ready for the PDF" called Librarian Pallas. Immediately the crowd began to disperse. Turning to Tridon Pallas spoke "Brother Captain, do you think we will be able to evacuate everyone in time?" "I hope so my friend, I shall meet with General Larage, inform him of the situation" as he began to walk away he called back "do make sure we have some men making sure no one touches anything inside the fortress, I would dread to think what Master Paulos would do if he found out anyone had done anything untoward to his precious machines." It was now the middle of the night, the evacuation had begun in earnest and all was going well, the few reports of unrest were quickly put down. The presence of the space marines quickly quelled any intention of wrong doing. Lines of torches gave the streets a surreal look, without the street lights, which were off to conserve electricity. Suddenly Tridon picked up raised forces close by, striding over he found the source of the discourse. A man dressed in finery, with a fur cloak around him against the cold was arguing with a PDF sergeant, "I am LORD Ulstari, of course I should be permitted more than these peasants you fool"
The guardsman began to reply in a diplomatic way, Tidon was impressed he did not just give the belligerent lord a slap and tell him to move on. "I will not have that, I demand to speak to your superior. A man in my pos…" the man suddenly came to a halt as Tridon spoke up. "I guess that would be me, lord Ulstari. What is the problem?" Evidently taken aback by being confronted by a space marine captain in terminator armour rather than the guard lieutenant he had expected Ulstari just stared blankly at the towering marine in front of him.
"Lord Ulstari is attempting to bring to bring objects outside of the strict 'essentials only' policy for all evacuees" the guardsman informed. "You fool" spat Ulstari, "look, space marine, this here is an original Dilasto, the painting is thousands of years old and priceless. I would take it over saving the lives of these pitiful wretches". Ulstari gestured around him. Reaching out, Tridon took the painting and examined it "Lord Ulstari, you are indeed correct this is a fine piece, and yet I would not trade every single painting for one human life where possible. Now, the guidelines were clear, water, food, weapons only. This is none of those things" Then to Ulstari's horror Tridon put his fist through the painting before letting it fall to ground. Before Ulstari could protest, Tridon growled "Now, I assume you will not make the mistake of believing yourself above the rules again. If I find out you have been anything but the pinnacle of cooperation, Emperor help me I will throw you from the walls of Far Reach myself. Now get out of my sight." As the lord slunk away, Librarian Pallas approached "Captain, I have a feeling there is something watching us. I cannot quite place it, but something here is out of place" Looking up at the surrounding buildings it would be impossible to see anything in the dark, however, Tridon had an advantage. Years before he had nearly been blinded by a Hive Tyrant, however, his eyes were replaced with advanced bionics, these now allowed him to see more wavelengths of light than a normal marine. Sending a neural command, the bionics flipped Tridon's vision into the Infrared, this allowed him to pick up light emitted as heat rather than visible. What he saw shocked him, all around red objects appeared within the buildings, there were at least ten creatures stalking the convoy.
"Marines and Guardsmen, prepare for battle, it appears we have some uninvited guests" Tridon spoke into his vox link.
As if sensing the change in behaviour the Tryanids struck, Genestealers burst from around the marines and plunged into the civilians, many ripped apart before they knew what was happening. Tridon ducked under a claw and brought his thunder hammer down on to the skull of the Genestealer. The crowd was panicking, this made things all the harder, not only were the PDF men being swept along with the crowd lacking the physical prowess of the space marines to stand against the crowd, but it also allowed the Genestealers to move with them avoiding the marines and stopping civilians avoiding them. Looking up though, it did seem that the space marines were gaining an upper hand. Brother Promiti downed another stealer with a well placed shot; Sergeant Klost's chainsword ended another. Suddenly a creature far larger than any of the others emerged and charged at Tridon, raising his storm shield Tridon blocked the Broodlord's attack. Swinging his thunder hammer, the beast ducked under it; damn but it was fast for such a large creature. As it attacked again Tridon was driven back by the ferocity of the attack, as it came yet again he lashed out with the storm shield. This stunned the creature and gave him time to bring his hammer to bear to strike down the creature. In a few moments the attack was over, the marines had killed 8 Genestealers, the other two disappearing back into the surrounding side streets. Similar small attacks occurred during the night, luckily no marines were lost, but the civilian casualties were high. In all 194 civilians were killed and over 500 wounded, the disruption it caused was also a major impact. Although before the entire population could have been evacuated in good time, it would now be a much closer run thing.
Standing over the butchered remains of lord Ulstari, his title bearing him no protection against the super evolved killing machine, Tridon observed the now slower moving convoy. Looking up he saw Rex Helios resplendent in his armour carrying in each hand the hammers Pyrios and Aeos which marked his position as Chapter Master, at his side were holstered the his melta pistols Aethon and Phlegon. "Greetings Captain Tridon, it appears that we have a far larger problem than we initially thought. It is evident that there must be a nest of some description within the city, I am calling back men to take part in a vast sweep of the city, but I feel it will be too little too late. Our latest observations show the Bio ships changing course for here, it appears they have been summoned."
"Emporer protect us" whispered Tridon.
