The True Threat

For centuries the Imperium had faced the threat of the Tyranid invasion.

Countless lives and worlds had been sacrificed in an attempt to stall the bugs.

Decades after the initial appearance of the first fleet, when it had become clear that the ships weren't stopping or turning, voices had spoken up, claiming that it was no invasion, but rather that the Tyranids were fleeing... something.

The heretics had been purged.

An Ultramarine captain, assigned to watch for further fleets from the Tyranids origin, stood watch on the bridge.

From experience with the Tyranids, earned from the first day they appeared upon Macragge, they were expecting a new hive fleet any day.

The same as they had for the past few years.

"Captain, we have an incoming signal," the communications servitor announced.

"Put it up," was the gruff response.

The message played through static.

"This is Khepri- er, make that captain Hebert of the... Demeter I think it was called..? Annyway, I'm trying to find my way back to Earth. Can you assist me?"

The captain paused a moment to reflect.

Return to Earth? Could she be a lost envoy of the Emperor? After all, few referred to Terra by that name in the millenia since. It was only in the histories maintained by the warrior-brothers and the Codex itself that such a name was preserved.

"Prepare docking facilities," he finally ordered. "Provided you are human as you claim, we may be able to assist."

{}

A shiver ran through the Tyranid hive mind.

The latest galaxy they had visited was already becoming host to the Usurper.

It had chased them from one galaxy to the next, enslaving all that fell within its reach.

Once more the swarm fled into the void, seeking safety from this 'Khepri'...


AN: A short concept, and possibly outdated as I haven't done much with Warhammer 40K in years, but hopefully it fits the time of year...

Edit: Forgot to mention I'm doing NaNoWriMo this year. An original work that will probably get posted somewhere else on top of their website, but I haven't decided where yet.