Kar Duniash Central Citadel

He was Edrik Nuliez, veteran of hundreds of wars against the foul enemies of his Emperor and Governor-General of Kar Duniash; the Supreme Commander of all Imperial Guardsmen in Segmentum Ultima, and he was decidedly uncomfortable.

Sitting and standing across the table from him was a collection of men and women that he had no authority over. It was a situation he didn't experience very often. A pair of Space Marine Sergeants, several Captains and even two Chapter Masters stood off to one side. Lord General Nuliez knew from over a century of experience that Astartes were only truly comfortable on the field of battle or in the company of other Astartes. He respected them and even considered a bare handful of them friends. Edrik realized that his thoughts had turned to Brother-Sergeant Gregori of the Spirit Gauntlets as they often did. What was it like for his friend inside that battle-sarcophagus?

The Astartes respected and on some level even understood. They, like Nuliez, were warriors and sworn defenders of the God-Emperor's domains and subjects. On an intellectual level, he realized that the same was technically true of the second group. But, damn it, you would never know by looking at them. Inquisitors. Nuliez was guarding his thoughts. He didn't know if one of them was a bloody psyker or had an attendant who was one. In his two hundred years of life, he had met several Inquisitors. None of the experiences were at all pleasant. Now there was a fething cabal of the bastards in the room!

Granted, the cabal consisted of only six members but that was beside the point! Each Inquisitor could order the death of a world or call upon the Legendary Assassin Temples of Terra. However, they seemed really uncomfortable whenever they dared to cast a glance at Chapter Master Khaba of the Celestial Lions. It was probably the fact that he had shown up wearing Terminator armor. Edrik knew however it was probably a grim, dark secret history between the Inquisition and the devastated Astartes Chapter.

Oh well, let the bastards sweat some. Edrik smiled politely as two pairs of Inquisitorial eyes turned towards him looking very annoyed. So, there were psykers in the room. At least the Adeptus Mechanicus representative had stayed quiet and out of the way.

"If we are all ready, may we proceed?" Lord General Nuliez spoke clearly and patiently.

The Astartes nodded and grunted their readiness. The Inquisitors responded in various ways. A few polite responses, a nod or two, and one of the younger Inquisitors shrugged his shoulders. Jackass thought Nuliez. The young man glared back. Edrik swallowed back a chuckle.

"We have all seen the contents of General Sturnn, Captain Paulos, Magos Micel and Brother-Captain Thomas's Astropathic Message?"

Inquisitor Agmar, the oldest of the Cabal, steepled his fingers. "We have. The Volonté Vraie attests that the contents of the message are accurate and are in no way a fabrication."

"I do not doubt the words of my Captain." The Sergeant representing the Imperial Fists spoke in a gravelly tone. He did not seem amused that the words of his captain were being doubted.

Magos Tanor Ravenel turned to the group. "I have verified that the message matches Magos Micel's syntax and tone within a margin of error of 1.8354 percent. That is within acceptable ranges, but approaching tolerance levels. It can be assumed that the high level of uncertainty is caused by interference by Anomaly G43-7-Eta."

Edrik grunted dismissively. "So, we are in agreement that this message is not a trick by our enemies. The question now is how we are to proceed. If it is true that there is an entire galaxy nearly free of xenos and the Great Enemy, we can ill afford not to act."

Brother-Sergeant Brennus of the Ultramarines nodded. "Can we be sure that this Anomaly is stable enough for a crusade to be launched?"

Inquisitor Acelia smiled warmly. "I have sent through a number of small probes through the anomaly. It appears to be stabilizing."

Magos Ravenel nearly jumped at the Inquisitor's announcement. "What?! The Quest for Knowledge is the purview of the Adeptus Mechanicus!"

Chapter Master Khaba growled and for a moment he looked like an angry version of his chapter's namesake. "We can discuss theological trivialities later. What forces can we send through to the other side?"

Khaba's roar silenced the brewing argument. Agmar shifted uncomfortably and the other Astartes stood impassively as statues.

Edrik wanted to place his palm against his face in annoyance, but fought back the urge. "The Imperial Navy has twenty-eight vessels available for immediate deployment. I have personally cleared one hundred regiments for deployment."

Inquisitor Acelia could not hide her disappointment. "That's all? A chance to claim an entire galaxy for the God-Emperor and you can only gather one hundred regiments?"

Lord General Nuliez shook his head. "Those are the regiments that I have personally gathered today, my lady. My aides are contacting every sector that can reach the Medusa System in any reasonable amount of time. We should have almost a thousand regiments ready to deploy soon. You must also realize that the High Lords themselves have sent me orders to strike back at the Tau. The other three hundred regiments present here at Kar Duniash are seconded for that campaign. As important as securing this new galaxy for our God-Emperor is, we can not neglect the enemies that assail us here and now."

The Inquisitor could not see the fault in the Imperial Guard Commanders reasoning and nodded. Edrik's voice began to sound like a Schola Progenium tutor explaining a simple point to a student.

"Admiral Arthanax will be arriving soon with a portion of his fleet as soon as he can return from his mission near the Damocles Gulf. Marshal Romanov of the Black Templars has also pledged his forces to the cleansing of the new galaxy. Other regiments from across the Segmentum are being gathered as we speak. I am not going to turn this glorious crusade in the New Galaxy into a Taros Debacle on a Grand Scale!"

Magos Ravenel nodded. "The Adeptus Mechanicus has computed the currently known variables from our observations of the Anomaly. We have deemed that this United Nations Space Command's industrial capacity is 75261 below the necessary levels to defeat the xenos confederation designated the Covenant. Mars shall bless them with two Type 20Auer-Kappa4 Forge Vessels. Combat forces and the Holy Titans of the Legio Covinnarius will be deployed to ensure the destruction of all abominable xenos technology."

Edrik just blinked at the long winded explanation from the representative of the Priesthood of Mars. "It seems we have already decided to take individual action. However, I will not have defenders of the Imperium tripping over themselves trying to get to this new battle field." He flipped a switch and called a servitor. "Bring me a drink. I'm going to need it after all this…"

Installation 06

A slight breeze disturbed the tall grass to the side of the Cultist squad. The Aspiring Champion, a former battle-brother of the White Consuls chapter, growled for his charges to advance. The point Cultist tightened his grip on his sword and gulped. There was something very wrong here. The sheer rock walls on either side of him did not generate any further confidence.

"From aaaaaaa…." Another cultist screamed as something fell from the cliff. The small balloon-like creature began burrowing into the young man's chest. His screams became very distorted and a sickly fungal growth exploded across his body. There was the very audible sound of bones breaking and repositioning as the parasite changed Brother Yut into a form more fitting its designs.

"Kill it you imbeciles!" The Aspiring Champion bellowed. The new creature slashed out with Yut's ax. The weapon became lodged in the skull of one of the cultists and more of the insectoid creatures rained down upon the cultists. Screams and desperate prayers for the intervention of the Gods filled the air. The Aspiring Champion roared as he charged into the writhing mass of creatures and the rapidly dwindling cultists. The Marine's chainsword was singing and the bladed teeth tore into anything that moved. The stubbers the cultists were equipped with bounced harmlessly off the Ceramite plates that formed the Champion's Mark VII plate. The new enemy hit the champion like a wave. Several tackled the Marine and caused him to stumble. He grabbed a frag grenade and tossed it into the flood of enemies. The explosion sent pieces of the enemy flying into the cliff faces. The terrain was decidedly in the favor of the Chaos Marine and he was the scalpel of the Dark Gods slicing away an infection. Eventually, the chainsword began to foul as pieces of the enemy and the thick ichor that poured from the wounds interfered with the mechanism that operated the weapon. He was reduced to simply bashing the enemy to death and his footing became difficult as the sheer number of enemy dead was piling up around his feet.

And then there was quiet.

The traitor Marine activated his internal vox system. "My Apostle. I have cleansed the Parasite from your left flank."

Eliphas' voice cackled. "Excellent! You have proven your loyalty, Brother. Did any of the bait survive?"

The traitor Marine stood taller, even though the gesture would remain unseen. "No my Lord. I did, however, manage to record the process by which the infection spreads. I will return with this information immediately."

Eliphas grinned. "As expected. May Chaos guide your steps."

Forerunner Gas Mine

Sesa Refum took a deep breath and nodded to the Arbiter. "I knew that you would reach this place. You may consider me an Oath Breaker, but am I not still a Sangheli Warrior?"

The Arbiter looked up at his former subordinate. "I will grant you that much before death."

Sesa leapt down from the Seraph. "Arbiter, even if you do not heed my words. Even if you spit at them for their heresies. Honor the loyal Sangheli I once was and listen."

The Arbiter tightened his grip on his Honor Blade, but did not ignite it. "I will listen so that I may know how to counter your lies."

"So long as you listen. Arbiter, the Prophets have blinded us. There are far worse evils in the galaxy than the Humans and the Jiralhanae. The Flood is but one of these evils. There is another and it is here on this ring."

The Arbiter thought of all the foulness he had seen in this defiled place. The taint of heresy, the numerous six-limbed soldier-beasts, the Parasite and lastly the Presence. Realization dawned upon the Arbiter. "You speak of the foul Presence that I felt."

"Aye. It is Chaos. It is the source of this entire debacle. You know the accusations leveled against me regarding the Prophet of Reconciliation."

The Arbiter growled. "You murdered him before coming to this place to spread your lies about the Sacred Rings. You claim that there is no Great Journey."

Sesa stared into the Arbiter's soul. "There is no Great Journey. The Halos are weapons. I will not hide from my slaying of the Prophet. Death was a release from his torment."

The Arbiter ignited his sword. "What new blasphemies are you spewing now?!"

Sesa did not even flinch. "We were on the world of Deserved Penance researching what we believed to be a Forerunner site. Where the Forerunners are Holy, this was anything but. As the Prophet delved deeper into the Dark Archives, he began to change. Eventually, something else began to inhabit the Prophet. It mutated into a winged Monstrosity that was constantly pulsating with energy. It took nearly a hundred warriors to destroy the creature. The threat of taint was too severe. I glassed the planet and fled."

The Arbiter took a step forward, a holy rage building within him. "That is how you defend your first betrayal. How do you defend your denials of the Great Journey?!"

A lyrical humming filled the room. "Oh, why must you Interlopers insist on using such flowery language when describing the Installations and their operating procedures?"

The Arbiter's mandibles fell slack. "The Oracle!"

The Forerunner AI rotated to face Sesa. The Heretic Elite merely shrugged. "Oracle? I am no Oracle. I am 343 Guilty Spark, Monitor of Installation 04."

Sesa took a step forward. "You are blind Arbiter!"

"Enough!" The Arbiter raged and stabbed the Arch-Heretic with his blade. As Sesa Refum staggered backwards, he nodded. Only then did the Arbiter realize what he had done. His target had never been armed. K'xon tossed away the Energy sword and howled at his error.

Sesa straightened his posture. "The burden of guiding our people lies with you now, Arbiter. Stand for Order. Stand for our people. Do not let my death be meaningless, cousin."

343 Guilty Spark floated closer to the Arbiter. "You organics are so prone to fits of violence. Why did you kill him?"

"He was endangering the Great Journey. His words threatened to destroy the Covenant."

The Forerunner AI bobbed around the Elite. "But were his words untrue?"

Guilty Spark's words were like a physical blow. K'xon felt the Mark of Shame burn again. "Oracle. What is Halo?"

343's glow brightened. "More questions Splendiiiiiiiii!"

Suddenly, Guilty Spark was encased in a field of energy and drawn towards the hanger door. Tartarus, Chieftain of the Brutes, was waiting. The Jiralhanae casually caught the Monitor and laughed.

The Arbiter took a step forward. His pain caused by his murder of Sesa replaced by a hatred for the Jiralhanae. "That is the Oracle!"

Tartarus deactivated the gravity field surrounding his hammer and tossed the Oracle into the Gravity lift of the waiting Phantom. "So it is. Come. The Prophets wish to hear of your victory."

There is no victory here. The Arbiter thought bitterly.

New Mombasa Police Precinct 13

The Not-Samuel tightened his grip on his axes as he circled the interloper. Tzavaras seemingly ignored the Daemon-host as he focused his attentions on the wounded soldiers. Khorne's servant knew that his foe was perfectly aware of his location and movements. Even his thoughts and intentions were likely known by the sorcerer. With a reality bending shout, he leapt at the scientist. Tzavaras caught the Daemon in a telekinetic grip and tossed him through the ceiling without a glance. Not-Samuel crashed to the ground outside the building.

Tzavaras knelt beside Sergeant Haer. "Do not move. Your spine was broken. This will take a moment."

The scientist reached out psychically and began to heal the immense damage done to the soldier by the pawn of Chaos. Haer felt sensation return to his lower body. He looked at Tzavaras with awe coloring his features. "Who… Who are you?"

Tzavaras smiled. "What do you believe?" The old man patted Haer on the shoulder and stood up. "I need you to gather the members of your squad who are capable of moving. I will heal the others. Hurry."

The possibilities of who this man was raced through his mind. Could it be? Could he even dare to hope for such a possibility? "Sir."

Haer realized that he had practically stuttered out the word. He hadn't been this nervous around another human being since he knocked over his mother's favorite vase as a child back home on Cadia and was standing before his father afterwards.

Tzavaras walked among the wounded soldiers. The onset of medical shock was replaced by emotional shock that they were being healed from life threatening injuries by a sideways glance from the scientist. Beyond that, they were refreshed physically and mentally. It was if they had been given nine hours of sleep and had never seen Chaos.

Tzavaras stood in front of Lt. Baker and smiled. "Welcome back, Lieutenant."

Cameron blinked a few times and realized that he wasn't even sore after getting tossed around from the Hellspawn. "I obviously missed something."

Suddenly, the Not Samuel burst through the wall and charged screaming in the language of Daemons at Baker and his healer. Unlike the first time the soldiers heard the Daemonic tongue, there were no ill effects. It was if Tzavaras' presence was shielding them from the corruption. Tzavaras glared at the Daemon and suddenly golden flames began to eat away at his corporeal form. Then in a moment of absolute terror, Not-Samuel heard his enemy use his True Name. His very being burned away and he could not even scream in defiance. His tormenter would not even allow him that small measure of relief.

The miraculous old man smiled warmly. "Oh, not too much. Can you stand?"

Lt. Baker sprang to his feet. "I can move out at any time." He turned his attention to his squad. "Status, ladies!"

A chorus of 'Greens' came from the ODST while the Kasrkin spoke excitedly amongst themselves. A scientist from the conference room tentatively peered through the door and gasped in shock.

"Behar?"

Tzavaras casts a glance at the soldiers and grins. "Well, this will be awkward."

New Mombasa, behind Covenant Lines

The Ghost's reactor went critical and exploded, sending the ruined husk careening into a nearby building. Brother Azarius leapt from behind cover and leveled his Plasma Cannon at the approaching Wraith. The roaring plasma blast struck the Covenant tank and detonated. Armor melted and warped. The antigrav drives failed and it plowed into the mound of Covenant bodies piled in the kill zone.

Captain Thomas fired his Plasma pistol into the pilot of one of the remaining Ghosts. The first shot burned away the Elite's shields and the second shot cremated a large chunk of the alien's chest.

Brother Ioannes continued to scan the killing field even as he spoke over the squad's tactical net. "Brother-Captain, a transmission from the In Amber Clad."

Warin nodded. "What aid do you require, Commander Keyes?"

"Captain Thomas, be advised. There is a Scarab being rerouted to your location. The other remaining Scarab is en route to the Space Elevator. Princep Gralius is attempting to reach your current location to support you. Unfortunately, he is under constant Seraph fighter attacks. It may be some time for him to successfully disengage to reach you."

Captain Thomas nodded. "What information do you have on these Scarabs, Commander?"

Information flickered across the Marine's Heads-Up Displays. The tactical readouts the UNSC possessed flashed across the Marines field of vision. Brother Rhys grunted. "This would be very easy if Brother-Sergeant Hollis and his Assault Marines were here."

Azarius nodded. "Aye, but they are not. We will have to make do with our current equipment."

Brother-Captain Thomas smiled behind his helmet. "Thank you Commander Keyes. This data will be most useful."

Miranda Keyes rested her chin on her left hand. "You're welcome Captain. Oh, and Captain?"

Warin stood up and scanned the surroundings for enemies. "Yes, Commander?"

"Kick its ass."

Old Mombasa, behind Covenant Lines

"We've got Jackals in the courtyard!" Sergeant Johnson yelled as a phalanx of Energy Shields marched into the courtyard. The Imperial Autocannon rotated and barked out nearly a dozen rounds in a second. Explosive shells detonated in the midst of the phalanx and the aliens were torn apart by shrapnel. Even as the pieces of the first wave rained down, the second wave of Grunts and their Elite masters surged from the right flank. Concentrated fire from the UNSC weapons dropped the Elites. A gaggle of Grunts was reduced to vapor from the searing blast of the Melta.

Then there was a scream. A Marine's head fell from his shoulders as the Needle round detonated in his throat. A swarm of Drones flew from the rooftops. Needler rounds and Covenant Plasma pistol orbs crashing in the midst of the combined squad. Machine gun and lasgun fire filled the air tearing into the dozens of Drones that were sweeping over the human position like a sick parody of a cloud. The occasional burst of fire from the Imperial Guardsmen's flamer dropped scores of enemy and forced the swarm to recede like the tide.

A smile crept to the assembled troopers as the familiar whine of a Pelican Dropship filled their ears.

"Sergeant, heard you need a lift. My bird's a bit big for your bachelor pad. I see a decent LZ on the other side of the buildings. Can you reach them?"

"Copy Romeo-92. We're moving out." Sergeant Johnson responded. "Corporal Zyris, how much you got left in that melter of yours?"

Zyris shook his head as he grinned. "I've got over a day left in the Melta before I have to take it to a cogboy. Where'm I need?"

"Our rides just a short hop away. Hit that gate and we can rendezvous with the rest of the Guard and Corps."

The Gate buckled and a crash like thunder filled the air. A second impact sent the two thick wrought iron gates flying off their hinges. A Bonded Pair of Covenant Hunters stalked into the courtyard. Their shields positioned to protect the vulnerable regions of the colony of worms that gave the mighty creatures form.

Lasfire and bullets bounced harmlessly off the armor of the mighty creatures. One of the 'necks' of the Mgalekgolo strechted and 'looked' directly at the Human position. The Covenant Assault Cannon began to screech as it charged.

"Oh shit! Everybody down!" A marine screamed. All the troopers dived behind the thickest cover they could find as the green energy discharge surged forward. A massive explosion tore a sizable chunk out of the small house where Sergeant Johnson, Sierra-117, the Guardsmen and Marines were holed up. John rushed from his position and grabbed the discarded Autocannon. As he slapped a fresh oversized clip into the heavy weapon, he leapt from the still smoldering hole in the building.

The SPARTAN-II landed in the courtyard and rolled out of the way of a blast from one of the Hunters. The blast reduced an abandoned city bus to cinders. John rose to one knee as a Mgalekgolo leapt at the warrior. The colonial animal had its shield lifted high into the air in the intention of crushing Master Chief with it. John lifted the Autocannon and aimed at the now exposed midsection. He pulled the trigger and nearly lost control of the heavy weapon.

"Recoiless my ass, Cortana." Cortana could almost hear amusement in the SPARTAN's voice.

"Sorry, my mistake." Chief could almost see her holding up her hands defensively.

"Don't worry about it."

The round struck with such force that the Hunter was literally cut in half. The round continued through the target and struck a distant wall. The second Hunter roared and entered a berserk rage. The maddened creature tossed aside a Covenant Supply Crate like it was a children's toy. It was only a moment of unnatural clarity that allowed John to dodge the blow from the Lekgolo. The shield, made from the same material as the hulls of Covenant starships became lodged in one of the stone planters littering the Courtyard. Sierra-117 dropped the Autocannon and pulled a grenade from his belt and punched the armed explosive into the writhing mass of worms. John withdrew his hand and ducked behind the planter. A muffled thud and a droning 'scream' heralded the death of the Bonded Pair.

"Nice work, Chief. I think that's a new record." Cortana chuckled as she congratulated John.

"Thanks." The supersoldier's response was terse, but she had expected nothing more.

A new transmission filled the comm. "Any UNSC forces please respond."

The serial number accompanying the call for aid was Sergeant Pete Stacker of the ODST. "Go ahead Sergeant. What is your situation?" Cortana's voice shifted from the playful tone she often used with John to a very serious, very professional one.

"Our bird is down. Pilots didn't make it. We're holed up close to your location. Need assistance."

Cortana's voice hardened slightly. "We're on our way. Hold your position."

"Yes ma'am." The ODST trooper cut the transmission.

The Marines and Guardsmen slowly emerged from cover. Sergeant Johnson spit as he stood over the corpse of a Covenant Elite. "Impressive as usual, Master Chief."

John nodded. "The Pelican's waiting. Looks like we've got a lot more work to do."

The mixed squad passed through the devastated gates into the opening of a second plaza. A Pelican dropship was waiting a Marine nodded in their direction. It was the closest thing to a salute that anyone would dare in an urban battle.

A chirp alerted the squad to an incoming transmission. Miranda Keyes' voice dutifully followed. "Sergeant Johnson. I'm airlifting supplies to troops all over the city. I need you on that bird. I'll need a reliable veteran to ensure that the transfer goes smoothly between us and the Imperials."

Sergeant Johnson was already boarding the Pelican as he replied. "Roger that ma'am. I've got some Guard with me. They'll help grease the gears."

"Excellent Sergeant." There was a hint of surprise in her voice that the Guard and the Corps were already cooperating so well. But, they were both human soldiers fighting a bunch of bloodthirsty aliens so it wasn't that surprising.

"Master Chief and Cortana, what is your status?"

"Green." Cortana and John replied in unison. Miranda had to fight to suppress a laugh.

Miranda Keyes reminded them of their primary objective and cut the transmission. The Spartan and the AI watched as the Pelican lifted off and headed towards the main battle line. A moment passed before Cortana spoke up.

"So, Chief… ready for a trip to the beach?"