The Second Legion

Part 6 "Acts of Horror"



2nd Legion Flagship Warspite Outer Orbit Keldis Ultimus.

From afar, the Planet looked deceptively peaceful, like one of a thousand other worlds that man walked on. But there was a cancer down there, and the Judicators had come to burn it out. But the cancer had claws.

Bridge.

Admiral Lindermann watched the red blinking dots that denoted the Chaos ships impassively. There were seven large ones, massive Despoiler class Battleships, surrounded by a flock of smaller escorts. Aft of them, right over the planet itself were the hideously deformed shapes of Plague Bearer Carriers alongside the neat and efficient lines of Alpha Legion Transports.

" Signal to Fleet" Lindermann orders, " Engage by divisions! General attack!"

Cobra destroyer's streak forward, torpedoes streaming from their tubes toward the Enemy fleet. On their heels come the Mars class Battle cruisers, doing what the older Repulse Class shock cruisers that make up the main arm of the Judicator Fleet. Led by the Patient Servant, Guileless Soul and Thunder`s Maul, the 1st Battalion's Strike divisions sweep out to assault the flanks of the Chaos force. Lindermann feels the acceleration as the Warspite`s massive engines shove her up to full power. He can hear the low whine as the huge generators that power the awesome Cyclone laser spin up to power their systems. Warspite is the last of her breed, an Imperial Flagship, of the Invincible Class. Only four of her sisters had been built, Triumph of Faith for the Word Bearers, lost over Kelvar Nine in a swarm attack by Craftworlds Siam Hann, Lugganath, Iylanden, and Bel Tiam; Cleansing Steel for the World Eaters, bombed and destroyed while grounded on Olympia by Imperial Forces during the end of the Heresy; Flames of Judgement for the Salamanders, self destructed during the Battle of Istavvan against the renegade Emperors Children Legion Fleet, and Invincible which Robute Gulliman had rammed into the heart of the Dark Eldar CraftWorld Pleasure of Pain during operations against the depraved race. But there was one more. Wrath of the Hydra had not been completed when the Judicators had been withdrawn from service. When the Heresy had developed, the quarter- completed hulk had been scuttled in deep space by the builders at the shipyard before the obviously renegade Marines could take it over. By the time Alpharius`s techmarines had recovered the hulk, it had been taken over by Space Orks. During the battle to reclaim the hulk, the damage had been extensive, rendering all but the main gun reactor useless for salvage. That reactor had been salvaged, and mounted on a Vengeance Class Grand Cruiser. That ship, the Might of the Heretic was at the center of the traitor Fleet, its unmistakable bulk standing out on the view screens.

"Cyclone cannon, Lieutenant Raede" "Ready Sir!"

The Cyclone cannon was an ancient weapon, a mega lascannon of tremendous power. There had not been another one like it constructed in ten millennia, and it was a temperamental weapon. Most of the time it was not even powered, but on the eve of the run to Keldis Ultimus it had been checked, blessed and powered up. It was ready.

" Fire"

A lancing blue beam flashed across the heavens, it passed between two Styx class cruisers and reduced both to vapor, and struck the Might of Heresy dead on. The beam punched through the warships forward shields as if they didn't exist, and slammed home under the elevated bridge of the traitor warship. Most of the power had been dissipated, but enough remained to devastate the bridge of the enemy ship. Might of Heresy staggered, slewing out of line, endangering her escorts with her out of control bulk. Chaos reigned in the center of the Traitor line as the smaller Murder class Vessels fought to clear their flagship. One Murder Class failed, and the Might of Heresy smashed into her portside, locking the two ships together in a tangle of metal and plasteel.

" Portside Lances report Ready!" Lt. Raede sung out.

Again Lindermann nodded and the Warspite shuddered as her massed Lance Batteries blasted at the Lead Despoiler. The Despoiler might be a fearsome opponent to all other imperial warships but the Invincible Class Dreadnought Warspite was still its superior. Explosions erupted on the Hull of the Chaos Vessel, and it half turned as if to escape, and then quite suddenly disintegrated in an awesome explosion.

" Target Destroyed!"

"Retarget!"

If the Chaos Admiral had tried to run for it he may have protected his transports, but he chose to fight it out. Warspite Destroyed one more vessel, a Repulsive looking Plague Bearer Carrier, but it was her division mates that did the most damage, the twin Battle Barges Dominator and Devastator and the Retribution class Battleship Ascending Will each accounting for 6 vessels in a bloody rout that cleared the space over the planet.

Warspite Bridge

2 hours later

The Battle was not over. Raven Guard Strike Cruisers and Rapid Strike Vessels were still engaged in hunting down the few disabled vessels that had survived the Onslaught. For the Warspite however, the Focus was now on the Planet itself. The Judicator 1st, 3rd, and 6th Battalions were standing by to drop, along with the Mordian 4th Division under General Murat. The Mordian Troops had operated with the 3rd Battalion before and Force Commander Van Lien had praised their diligence and skill. Primarily Armor oriented, they had benefited from being allowed access to the vast munitions stocks of the Elysian PDF, as well as the new Leman Russ tanks that Krosfyah had assigned to them. The plan was simple. 1st Battalion would Land and secure the Argi- transport Spaceport, so that the Imperial Guard Corps could be brought in. From there, they would link up with Van Liens 3rd Battalion which would be dropped ahead to secure the only Fuel Depot on the planet. With that secure, it would be simple to starve the traitors out of the prepared positions they were bound to have constructed. If all went well, Krosfyah knew, the reserve 10th Battalion would not even have to be used.

Battleship Warspite Foward Dropship Bay.

There was a dull sound as the armored gauntlets locked into place. Satisfied that the fit was comfortable, the Primarch clenched and unclenched his fists, testing the grip.

" Comfortable, Primarch?"

The question came from Inquisitor Debeers. A sharp contrast to the Black and silver armored marines; Debeers wore a Terminator suit of almost effeminate blue. Like most Judicators he carried an Autobolter, as well as a holstered bolt pistol in addition to Frag and Krak Grenades.

" Yes Nathan" Krosfyah replied as he hefted his assault bolter. The modified assault cannon was fantastically heavy, but fired a 200 round drum, and that alone made it invaluable to the Marines who were going along in the first wave. Behind the Primarch, Sergeant Trask and a Tech marine were checking the loading mechanism on Dreadnought Anton`s Assault Cannon. The Bay was filled with marines. 4 companies were loading in its vast space onto the Black Bellied Thunderhawks that would ferry them to the LZ. One Company was already aboard the Drop pods, and would head down in 5 minutes Krosfyah hated Drop Pods. They were unstable things in his opinion, and the one time he'd ridden one hadn't helped his opinion; the pod had failed, dumping him and his squad into a frozen lake. He wouldn't be leading the assault Drop. That responsibility went to Captain Kurtz, the 5th Company Commander.

DropPod Launcher A-4

Captain Enil Kurtz didn't flinch as the Drop pod was ejected from the belly of the battle ship with a bone-wracking thump that threatened to render him unconscious. But he was a Judicator, and moreover expert at drop pod assaults. Behind his armored eyelenses, his bionic eye scanned the nine marines in the Pod with him. All were veterans, and all had done this kind of mission before. The flight in the pod lasted 7 minutes as the craft barreled its way through the atmosphere. 100,000 feet up, braking rockets fired, slowing the Pods down from their phenomenal speed. The Marines began to chant the catechism of assault. At 10,000 feet, the decent rockets cut in, right on time, and the marines prepared for the landing. Their target was the tower that guided the fat Agri freighters to land. The pod missed it by 4 meters, touching down in the courtyard. Seconds later the doors fell open and Kurtz and his squad raced off. The Cultists who held the spaceport were not the mindless drones that thronged to most of the banners of the Chaos gods. These men were all former members of the Imperial Guard, corrupted by the subtle ideals of the Alpha Legion. Still, they were unprepared for the speed of the Judiator Assault Kurtz leveled his autobolter on a trio of men standing next to an unlimbered Hydra AA Gun. Explosive Bolts tore two of them apart in a spray of blood, and the third one's upper torso exploded out under the impact of a krak grenade from Marine Amun`s launcher. Relentlessly the marines pressed forward. One squad cleared the tower, two more swept the hangers, while Kurtz led the bulk of his forces in a sweep f the perimeter. Caught off guard by the rapid assault, and unable to match the crushing firepower that the Marines could put out, the Alpha legion defenders were wiped out in ten minutes.

Battleship Warspite

Forward Dropship Bay

ThunderHawk Thunderwing

The Primarch stood at the side troop door, waiting for the signal from the bridge. It came, as planned, Fifteen minutes after the First Drop Pods had been fired into the planet.

" The space Port is Secure!"

Krosfyah whirled as quickly as his suit would allow him to and slammed the door shut, and sealed it. He then ambled to his seat as the Gunship`s engines roared to life and the whole ship shuddered with power.

Agri Spaceport

The Company had spread out into a loose perimeter. Captain Kurtz and his command squad had set up a command post in the shattered Tower. His Communications Sergeant was trying to achieve an uplink to the command ship, but atmospheric interference was delaying the effort. Kurtz had long since turned his helmet optics to infra red, allowing him to see in the darkness before dawn. While the Communications Sergeant and the squads Techmarine labored with the Radio, he stood next to his standard bearer, staring into the gloom.

" Five Nine to Five one" his COM crackled . "Five one, Go" Kurtz replied.

Five Nine was the COM code for the 9th Squad of the 5th Company. Led by Sergeant Luvach, they had been deployed to the only hill in the vicinity of the spaceport.

"We've got visitors, sir, about 500 of them, moving like Guardsman"

"Fall back to the line" Kurtz ordered.

"Five Nine Copies"

Down in the courtyard, the two companies two Dreadnoughts rumbled to the center of the line. On the flanks were the two Deathwind drop pods, their only heavy weaponry.

"Five Eight has movement, Armored, Repeat armored Vehicles, half Klick and closing"

"Stand By"

Kurtz extended the binocular function of his Optics. In the bright green IR glow, the hot engines of the armored vehicles stood out like a beacon. Next to him, two Devastators knelt, sighting their missile launchers on the distant shapes. The COM went silent as each marine shut off his transmitter for a moment to prepare themselves. Within a minute, a series of clicks indicated the readiness of the marines. " Fire" Five missile launchers coughed as one, sending corkscrewing trails streaking through the night to impact on the targeted vehicles. Explosions erupted as Krak warheads slammed home. Simultaneously, five heavy Bolters opened fire, raking the enemy troops who seemed unaware that the marines were fitted with IR gear. They reacted well, rising, returning fire, and moving forward. 75 Bolters spat death into the throng, hacking the luckless attackers down in droves. The Dreadnoughts and the armed drop pods remained silent, their firepower not being needed, yet. A Battlecannon shell exploded in the middle of the tarmac, hurling chunks of Plasticrete in all directions. Kurtz ducked as chips bounced of the tower structure. The Captain turned to see one of the Devastators kneeling, training his launcher into the darkness.

" I have a Leman Russ, 500 meters.taking the Shot!"

The Launcher coughed and an Armor piercing missile streaked out to slam into the side of the tanks turret. The Russ vanished in a brilliant red flash. An unearthly roar filled the night, and Kurtz heard the Standard-bearer curse. He looked off into direction the sound had come from and felt his hearts quaver. The Huge shape would have been easily mistaken for a Shadow Sword Super Heavy Battle Tank except for the eight scuttling legs, and the great scorpion tail. The machine Beast bellowed, and lumbered forward

"DAEMON ENGINE!" Kurtz shouted, "Mareon! Guear! Take it out!"

The Two Devastators launched their missiles, both of which hit home. The massive Daemon Engine stopped, and rotated its turret around, ignoring the bolter shells that pattered off it s armored hide like rice grains off a Chimera.

"Emperor Preserve us!" Kurtz bellowed as the long barreled stinger that had replaced the Volcano cannon began to elevate to bear on his position " Everyone Out!"

Kurtz and his command squad dived out of the tower as the Stinger cannon fired. The top of the tower disappeared in a yellow flash. Debris rained down as Kurtz hit and rolled. He felt his left leg shatter as he came to a stop against a concrete abutment. Fighting back the pain he leveled his Autobolter and fired, cutting down a squad of Traitor Guard who had breached the line in the confusion of the Daemon engines appearance. A second later, his Standard Bearer appeared next to him, firing his own bolter at the lumbering Daemon engine. Kurtz tried to stand, but his leg wasn't taking any weight. Seeing his plight, his Standard Bearer, Millad hooked his hands under his commanders arms and dragged him backward to the cover of a 3rd Squad Bolter position. Brothers Mareon and Guear were already there, though Guear sported a crushed left shoulder and couldn't lift his Launcher. The Devastator propped the weapon up on the shoulder of the Heavy Bolter loader, and sighted through the targeter. The Company opened fire, pouring bolter fire into the Traitor Guard and heavy weapons fire into the Daemon Engine. The bolter shells tore men apart in showers of blood and small puffball explosions, but the explosive power of the Krak missiles didn't seem to phase the beast. It scuttled a few meters closer, lowering its abominable head and released a stream of liquid fire through its own advancing men. A Pair of fighting positions were flooded with the noxious flame, and the marines within incinerated. Dreadnought Fredric pivoted his torso and depressed his Twinned Excalibur Lascannons to bear on the beast-thing that had just killed his comrades. The Dreadnought triggered both anti-tank lasers, pulsing fire through the head of the Daemon engine. The thing roared, firing its cannon in a wild arc that demolished an Agri warehouse, in a flash off white, and a thundering detonation. Fredric held position, and fired his right arm weapon. Long ago, the Judicators great love for Autocannons had led to the development of their own version of the standard multibarreled assault cannon. The ones mounted on Dreadnoughts were generally of three makes. Those manufactured on the Stygies Forge World were called HellBringers, and were just 6-barreled weapons that fired faster than the standard Imperium model. Those manufactured in Argosy, were called Avengers. The Eight Barreled Avenger assault cannon didn't roar when it fired. It burred, like a huge animal growling deep in the back of its throat. The head of the Daemon Engine exploded, as a stream of explosive and armor piercing bolts tore through its armor, pierced the soft innards and kept going, finding the soft and vulnerable heart that powered the cursed beast. A tower of flame erupted out of the center of the machine thing, and for a second the sound of the Machine sprit screaming in release, drowned out the sound of the beast screaming in rage as it was banished into the warp in the fiery demise of its host. In the moment, the words of the Dreadnought went unheard. "Find Peace,Brother"

ThunderHawk Thunderwing

"ETA to LZ, 1 minute!"

" Stand Up!"

Krosfyah and his fire team stood obediently at the words of the Gunship cargo master. Teams of servitors made sure that the links securing the Land Raider inside the cargo Bay, while the Cargo master himself stood by the Ramp control.

" ThunderClap, Start Engine!"

The nose of the Thunderhawk came up as the roar of the Land Raiders engine filled the bay. Krosfyah heard the braking and landing thrusters fire at the same time, and then suddenly the Thunderhawk leveled out. The Cargo master hit the ramp control and like it had over 100 times before; the Rear ramp came down.

"Go! Go! Go!"

Krosfyah was the first out of the left side door, running 10 meters forward and then stopping, freezing in overwatch, knowing that 4 terminators were behind him. He could see fires up ahead, and realized that Thunderwings pilot had dropped them less than 100 meters from the battle line.

" Thunderwing is off, Circling to support" The voice of the pilot echoed in his ears and the roar of the lifting Gunship told him that the pilot was taking off to provide cover.

" Squad Krosfyah, Squad Trask, consolidate on me. Squad Lorenz, Squad Aaron, Deploy with Thunderclap."

The Primarch ordered, and set of towards the sound of the bolter fire.

Thunderclap revved forward over the low hump, its turreted Excalibur Lascannons swiveling to port to track an advancing Traitor Russ. The twin lascannons pulsed, and the Russ`s turret flared into flame. Next to the Land Raider, Tactical Squad Aaron leveled their bolters on the Run and fired, covering the battle tank as it moved into contact. Thunderhawk after Thunderhawk came in, each deploying a Rhino, Land Raider, or Predator. The Judicator Forces moved rapidly to reinforce their line, shoving back the Traitor Forces, and expanding the perimeter. Relentlessly, Krosfyah led his forces forward, over running all opposition strong points. By dawn on the next day, Judicator 1st Battalion held a 5 kilometer wide area around the Agri spaceport. 3rd Battalion, which had dropped 20 Kilometers away, moved out of its LZ and was engaged with a sizable force of Traitor regulars. 6th Battalion, brought in the third wave along with Two Imperial Guard Divisions, was still encamped at the Agri Space port.

Keldis Triax. Blood Angel Objective ALADAS

The Roar of a Thunderhawk signaled the arrival of more Blood Angel Reinforcements. Taking fresh heart from the sight of the blood red Gunships, The Blood Angel 7th Company renewed its offensive, throwing its Death Company into the traitor flank. The Commander of the Alpha Legion regulars was devoted to his worship of Slanessh, and he died for his belief, as the doomed warriors collapsed his flank and rampaged through his command section. The last Thunderhawk deployed Assault marines, who fired their jet packs and swooped low, firing their plasma pistols into the retreating traitors. Led by their gold masked commander, they sowed death among the retreating Traitors. Dante touched down on a knoll and lifted his facemask. Up ahead, he could see a sandbagged bunker position.

" Assault Squad!" Dante radioed, "On me! For the Emperor and Sanguinus!"

Jet packs flaring, The Blood Angels assault squads blasted forward. Dante arched overhead, banking and twisting through the low mist that drifted over the battlefield. His marines were winning, driving the Traitors from the field through sheer ferocity. Up ahead, two-traitor bolter positions opened fire, swatting one Blood Angel from the sky. His squad mates jinked and juked, dropping low and immolating the positions with successive plasma bursts. Other Blood Angel Marines charged over the scrub, firing their bolters. Three Rhino`s came in from the left, disgorging their squads who overran the position in a hail of battle cries and bolter shells. Dante dropped to the ground next to the shattered remnants of the Traitor command post. Around him, his Blood Angels congregated, waiting for his next order.

" Dante to Calgar" The Blood Angel Chapter Master called. " Give me a situation report."

" Calgar here," came the strong voice of the Ultramarine commander. We have seized Objective GORESH, and are moving on to Objective HAMMADAS."

"We've Overrun Objective ALADAS" Dante replied, "Moving to Objective MIROUS". Cutting off the conversation, Dante drew his force sword- the same sword that Sanguinus had given to the Judicator Primarch, and pointed to the west- towards the hilltop fortress that guarded the Hellegar Pass.

" Blood Angels! Forward to Victory!"

Ultramarine Battle Group Antonius

Marenus Calgar surveyed the Death Guard position before him. The renegades had fortified the line with armor and gun bunkers. Calgar felt the familiar queasy feeling he always got when he faced the minions of Nurgle. Loathsome Nurglelings abounded in the fortifications, and huge greater plague demons did not attempt to hide their loathsome presence. The Ultramarine commander grimaced and turned to his second.

" Call the Fleet, I want a preparatory barrage on that line, Bombardment lasers, only."

" As you command, Lord Macragge"













Objective HAMMADAS

Blood Angel Assault Objective

The Death Company Chaplin took a bolter round through the head, and fell backward into the gorge. The rest of his company continued their advance, as Vindicator fire slammed into the fortified hilltop. Two full companies of Blood Angels were assigned to take the Alpha Legion position. The armor heavy 6th company was carrying out the support bombardment while the 7th Company forced the assault. The Alpha Legion force was well dug in on the hilltops. Bolter and heavy weapon positions crisscrossed the hilltop. There was no approach that was not covered by some sort of weapon, and the Blood Angels were paying dearly for each foot they advanced. The Blood Angel Commander swooped low over the hill, avoiding fire with almost contemptuous ease. Krak Grenades exploded in his wake as his airborne assault force performed mobile air support roles. As Dante Pulled up he spotted a fast moving group of shapes speeding upward to gain height.

" Chaos Raptors, Lord Commander!" " Assault Squads, Reform!" Dante ordered. " Engage!"

40 Blood Angel Assault Marines blasted higher, swooping above the incomming Raptors. The Chaos forces, spotting their opponents, spread out into a fighting formation, and pulled up, closing on the Loyalists at incredible speeds Dante rolled under the plasma bursts from a Raptor, and tore the Heretic apart with a blow from his sword, the blessed blade cutting through the ancient armor like a combat knife through paper. Ignoring the dead opponent, the Blood Angel Master Pulled up and pivoted in mid air. He took a second to identify the onrushing Raptors Heraldry, before blowing its head off with his plasma gun On the ground, the first Blood Angels reached the top of the hill. One squad froze in place, directing Whirlwind Launchers to deliver death to the few unplotted strongpoints, while two others made their slow way from Gunpit, to firebreak to Bunker, delivering the Emperors wrath on the foul traitors. Still more Traitors died as Blood Angel ThunderHawks dove out of the heavens, their bolters splattering explosive shells mere meters from their own forces. Spearheaded by the Death Company, The Blood Angel 7th Company seized Objective HAMMADAS in three hours of bitter fighting.

Judicator Command Ship Battleship Warspite High Orbit, Keldis Ultimus 5 Days into Judicator Operations.

On the Holo map, the Blue Arrows denoting Judicator and Imperial Guard operations had marched across most of the planet, meeting and shattering every traitor force it had faced. Fighting hadn't been easy, by any stretch of the Imagination, but the 1289 Imperial Guard and 211 Marine casualties was blessedly less than the projected estimates. The 5th Day objective was the City of Reunion. 190 miles from the initial landing zone, the Marine Battalions would attack it from three sides. The Imperial Guard armor would be held in reserve to meet any reaction from Alpha Legion Armor that seemed to be cropping up in greater numbers. Cannoness Savitch had yet to walk the surface of the world below. Her role, the role the Primarch had given to her sisters was safeguarding the spiritual purity of the rescued citizenry. So daily, Thunderhawks flew the leaders of each liberated town up to the Warspite, where they were interviewed by Inquisitor Jaccman, Herself, or the Cardinal. Already 5 had been executed, two were being Re-indoctrinated, and 10 were being held, pending further interrogation. It's a demanding job, but a large part of the Canoness wished that she could be involved in the upcoming battle. Under her command she had a full Battalion of 1000 Sisters under her command. 200 are from the Argent Shroud, 300 from the Valorous Heart, and the Rest were her battle Sisters from the Jeweled Amethyst. But they were being held in reserve. And it chafed her sprit.

Land Raider Thunderclap Jump Off Point, Objective REUNION

The Armored might of the 1st Battalion, 800 armored warmachines stood assembled at the edge of the grassy sloping plain that surrounded the city of Reunion. Massive Land Raiders, Up armored Rhinos, Long gunned Predators, sleek Razorbacks, Stubby Vindicators, and hunchbacked Whirlwinds all in concise formations stood, engines rumbling like a great beasts growling in anticipation of a kill.

Primarch Krosfyah and his Staff were standing atop the hull of the command Vehicle, behind the turret. All stood with their helmets off, surveying the objective.

" Those are not Traitor Guard" Inquisitor Debeers said.

" I know" Krosfyah replied squinting against the low sun. " It's the Death Guard, either the 7th or 12th Regiment"

"How do you know" Inquisitor Jaccman queried"

" We operated with them, during the Great Crusade" Force Colonel Clavius replied with just a hint of sadness in his voice. " I recognize the standard" The White Haired Chief Librarian drew a ragged breath.

"They had the best Psykers in the legion"

" We have the best Psykers in the universe" Krosfyah smiled in response. " and they outnumber us, so we have the advantage."

" Then let us use the advantage" Clavius said softly. The Force Colonel hopped down from the Land Raider and turned back to salute his Primarch.

" Hold the Line Judicator"

"Hold the Line, Warrior"

120 Armored Vehicles started their engines with a roar that reverberated over the battlefield. Maxus Clavius lifted his gauntleted fist and waved the advance. Led by the black and white Land Raider Excalibur Force of Mind, the 1st Battalion Fire Brigade rumbled towards the enemy line.

Death Guard Command Vehicle Virulent Hersey

Hull Down, Traitor Battle Line

There had been a time when his off white armor had gleamed in sunlight. Now, stained with pus and other body fluids, it looked yellow. Captain Thero Kalchan stared dully at the incoming armored vehicles. Over the millennia he had long since lost all emotion at the prospect of an upcoming battle, not that he had a tongue anymore to speak. With a mental command, Kalchan ordered the 120 marines of his company to the firing steps. Around them danced the Nurglings and Great Unclean Ones that had been summoned from the warp, along with over 2000 infected cultists, that manned the lines before the city.

1st Battalion Fire Brigade Command Vehicle Force of Mind

Maxus Clavius closed his eyes and looked inward. His mind gathered the powers of the warp and channeled it into a specific Battlefield Incantation. Clavius stood to full height and lifted his arms. His lips moved, mumbling the words. His eyes glowed white as the power flowed through him, seeking release.

"Conflagratus Tempestus!"

Blue White fire exploded among the Heretics, their diseased bodies flying apart as warp energy struck home. Other Judicator Librarians cast Firestorm as well, and the traitor line vanished in a cracking, rolling cloud of lighting strikes. From other Vehicles, more Librarians and Codicers followed up the Firestorm casting, with the equally devastating Firewall. As the tanks neared the line, there was no return fire, for every heretic manning the line was dead. Then out of the smoke and flames came the traitor response. 4 Squads of Thousand Son Terminators backed up by two companies of Death Guard Armor moved out of the line. It was a sound tactic, counterattacking the lightly armored attacking force, except that the armor on the Death Guard vehicles was thin to a fault. A stream of Heavy Bolter fire from the leading up Armored Razorbacks- Solons, ripped into the lead rank of Predators. Ordinarily the shells would not have penetrated the armor of the Tanks, but the Death Guard Vehicles had armor more flesh than metal, and the huge explosive shells tore them apart. Behind the Razorbacks, came the long gunned Predator Centurions, firing explosive shells that tore their cursed counterparts open like rotted fruits hit by bolter shells. Imperial Navy Thunderbolts swooped in, their bellies heavy with bombs. Right over the advancing Judicator Armor they flashed, heavy bolters chattering, tracers slashing through the Traitor Armor. And now the Wind picked up, clearing the battlefield and revealing the numbers of the Traitor forces. Force of Mind's Excalibur cannons flashed, and a Black Land Raider, smeared with the Alpha Legion heraldry lurched side ways, rolling forward a few more meters and then exploding. Clavius heard the Twinned assault cannons that had replaced the sponson mounted Lascannons barking; that meant that they were almost in the Lines, and then the Command Vehicle crested the lip of the trench, and kept moving. Clavius turned, casting Malefactor on a squad of Plague Marines, and smiled behind his helmet as their diseased bodies disintegrated. Around him the two Codicers and 5 Tactical Marines of his Command Squad joined in the Killing, bolters and warp energy dealing death with the wanton abandon that marked the Judicators. The Excalibur turret whined left and fired, and a Death Guard Dreadnought reeled right, pierced by the high-powered energy beams. Clavuis pushed the immediate battlefield out of his mind, drawing on the Warp once more, and casting Thunderbane, or trying to, as a Psychic Shield deflected the intended attack. Clavius swung left, firing his Autobolter at a Death Guard Terminator shambling towards the Land Raider, seeking the source of the interference. On the hill 800 meters away, he spotted the blue and yellow armor, hideously ornate, that marked the Thousand Son legion.

" This is Clavius!" The Force Colonel shouted into his COMM. "I have a Sorcerer on the rise, half a Klick away. All units, Converge!"

The Land Raiders engine roared as the vehicle picked up speed to close the traitor position. Out of the corner of his Helmet optics Calvius saw an Excalibur lurch left, flame grouting out of the turret. A second Hunter- Killer missile slammed into the front of the vehicle, and it came to a stop, and began to burn, its squad bailing out.

" We're taking H\K fire from prepared positions!" the distinctive voice of Battalion Major Tallas echoed over the COMM, "Request Artillery on Co- ordinates Oris- six alpha!"

10 miles in the rear, 40 Basilisk Artillery guns elevated towards the coordinates. 400 meters from them, 24 Manticore launchers did the same. One minute after the call, they fired. Closer in, 1st Battalion Whirlwinds emptied their racks in the general direction of the traitor positions.

Clavius leapt off the back of the Vehicle as the artillery fire lashed the hilltop. It was dangerous- fragments could tear through armor of both friend and foe, but there was no way he would bring his armored vehicles by the Sorcerer position. A plague bearer charged him, only to be cut down by bolter fire from his guard. All around him, Fire Brigade marine squads began to force their way up hill, each squad containing either a Codicer or a full Librarian.

The two forces were seemingly no match. The Armor heavy Judicators, hamstrung by the lack of truly Psychic Librarians, relied on the force of their artillery and Tanks to slam by the Thousand Son fortified position. The outnumbered Thousand Sons, relied on their Sorcerers, and finesse The Sorcerer in charge of the position was called Ukiah. A former Word Bearer, he had leaned the arcane arts from Arhiman himself. Around him clustered his guard of 20 Thousand Son Terminators frozen in overwatch positions. In front of them were the Traitor Guard manning the H\K missile positions. Gently Ukiah probed the warp with his mind, seeking to find.

" A warp sensitive Judicator" the Sorcerer mumbled under his breath, dividing his conscience and directing his Ghost brethren to fire as soon as they had a target in their sights

Clavius felt the mind probe and crushed it with a quick Psychic thrust. He had enough to worry about without a Heretic in his mind. They were near the crest now, 240 advancing Judicators moving through the smoke and fragments kicked up by the bombardment, ruthlessly cutting down anything in their path. Clearing his mind, the Librarian drew his force sword and stepped up over the crest.

A hail of bolter fire met them; knocking Judicators back in sprays of blood and shards of armor. The lines held, as the Librarians and Codicers switched from offensive warp powers to Shield, and Protect, and deflected the fire away from their brethren. Still they could not stop it all, and Judicators died.

Clavius shifted focus; casting bolts of warp fire that shattered the chest plates of the first 3 Terminators. Next to him, one of his guard dropped to his knees, hit in the stomach by fire from a Thousand Son Terminator. Clavius swung up his Autobolter and returned fire. Only twenty meters separated the two forces, the space between them filled with bolter rounds, warp fire and sorcererous energies.

" Judicators! Close Combat!"

Force Colonel Clavius tossed his force sword from his left hand to his right, and flipped his autobolter back over his shoulder. A Thousand Son Terminator met him, Chain fist up raised, and he slashed through the arm, hacking it off in an explosion of dust and shards of metal. The Judicator Whirled and rammed his sword into the chest of the one armed behemoth. Withdrawing the blade he lashed out with Force Pulse and the Heretic's upper body exploded. There was no time to gloat over the victory, because another Terminator was on him and he barely had enough time to bring his sword around to block a blow from a second Terminator. The force of the Power Swords impact on the force sword sent pain shooting up his arm, but he kept his grip, and kicked the traitor away. The Thousand Son staggered back, and then toppled backward into the dirt. Clavius darted past, leaving the fallen enemy behind, always moving forward, towards the target.

Ukiah grasped his sword and stepped forward to meet the Judicator Librarian. Sparks clashed as their blades clashed together. Ukiah pulled back, cutting low with his sword. The Judicator countered with his blade, the impact jarring the two warriors.

" Join us" Ukiah rasped, " We can teach you true power!"

Clavius said nothing, stepping into the arc of the Sorcerer, and slamming an elbow into the unprotected face of the heretic. The force of the blow rocked his head back, but the traitor didn't react any more than that, bringing his free hand around in a blow that staggered the Judicator.

He's augmenting his strength with sorcery, Clavius thought, even as he struck low, aiming at the legs of the Traitor. The blow forced the sorcerer to jump back, and Clavius stepped into him, bringing his blade up in a blow that would have gutted an ordinary human, had it landed. For long seconds they fought, the speed of the Judicator matched by the augmented power of the Heretic. Clavius, being taller, and lighter, could dart in and strike before the Sorcerers clumsy strokes could fall, but each time his blade was met by the Traitors. All around him, the battle surged back and forth. The rest of the Battalion was now augmenting the infantry power of the Fire Brigade as Krosfyah forced his men into the Traitor lines. Now Space Marine Dreadnoughts joined the fray, their firepower devastating whole fighting positions. Ukiahs fist caught Clavius across the head, snapping his head back. The Judicator took a step back and tripped over the body of a fallen Traitor. Desperately he cast Protect over himself as he crashed to the ground, loosing his grip on the Force sword as he did so.

" I offered you the purity of free thought, of Free will" Ukiah rasped, raising his sword " Now, go meet your dead Emperor!"

As the Sword plunged down, Clavius kicked out with his left foot, while twisting to the left. The cursed sword tore into his backpack, ripping into the suits power source. The Judicator twisted right, toppling the Sorcerer. He ended up partially atop the Sorcerer. Ukiah`s hands were up, and warp fire played over the Judicators helmet. Clavius reeled under the psychic assault, fighting back with all his will against an attack that would have reduced the mind of a lesser being to mush.

" Hasn't anyone ever told you, Sorcerer?" Clavius grunted, " Judicators aren't vulnerable to Psychic assault!"

Ukiah`s eyes went wide as Clavius jammed his boltpistol under the breastplate of his Mark 4 Armor. Clavius pulled the trigger, firing explosive shells into the Traitors body. Ukiah`s sorcery was powerful, but magic can only resist the hypersonic impacts of explosive bolts so well. The Thousand Son Marine's body jumped as shell after shell tore through his armor and exploded out his back. The Force Colonel tried to stand up, but the heavy armor prevented it. The Battle swirled around him as the Judicator lay on his back, staring at the sky.

Land Raider Thunderclap

The huge battle tank rammed into an anti tank abutment and kept moving. Techmarine Aruen applied power, and the tank revved through the fighting position. The other 3 tanks in the command platoon followed, climbing the shallow hill at a steady speed, as their side mounted assault cannons spat shells at the defenders. The armor was fighting on its own, guarded by the infantry, as the Judicators threw their might into the Traitor lines.

12 meters away, Primarch Krosfyah dropped his weary hands to his sides. The hole in the Traitor lines- if you could call it a hole was nearly a mile wide, and more Imperial Guard armor was being fed through, widening and deepening the penetration. On the east Flank he knew, 3rd battalion had broken the Death Guard lines, but was held up by stubborn Alpha Legion resistance. In the West, Barov`s 6th had accomplished much the same to the same result.

Meatgrinder. Krosfyah thought, raising his hand to the catches of his helmet and releasing them. He's trying to develop a meat grinder, where his superior numbers will tell. The Judicator removed his helmet, signaling the end of the days Battle.

Alpha Legion Command Post

Mentally, Primarch Alpharius tallied the day's losses. The two Brigades of Marines he had committed to the defense of Reunion were both gone, as was 80 percent of the Traitor Guard forces assigned to them. Over 20,000 troops and 500 armored vehicles, lost to the Judicators in 8 hours. Mortarion`s Death Guard had fared no better, loosing every marine in the 4 Brigades he had deployed.

Ordinarily I would be worried, and indeed if I was still merely a man, I would consider retreat Alpharius thought, running a armored finger absently over the Blade of his close combat weapon. However, I know something that the Judicator doesn't. I have Reinforcements, and my poor brother, doesn't.

The Alpha Legion Primarch smirked as he stood and beckoned to the Sorcerer standing at the entrance to the room.

" You may begin you incantations, Sorcerer." Alpharius ordered. " I will join my brothers on the Battleline, but be sure to contact me when your preparations are complete"

"Yes, My Lord"

Hill 843

One Klick from Reunion

A lone flower poked its way out of the soil, seeking the nourishment of the light. That it had survived the day's battle, with a company of Death Guard Armor moving back and forth over the hill amazed the Primarch. Still Mortarion, Commander of the Death Guard Legion, Second in command of the forces of the Despoiler, and Daemon Prince of Nurgle, didn't touch the frail thing. Indeed he didn't get too close, for the aura of death he carried would take the life of anything that was within a 4-meter radius. Mortarion stood as he had for eons, a tall figure clad in pus white Armor, with a daemon scythe covered with archaic Runes and symbols that even he didn't understand. It was too much energy to maintain his daemon form, and he needed his energy. No guard stood watch over him. None was needed. No one would attack the Lord of Death directly. Mortarion was not thinking of the battle. His mind had wandered to his situation, as always. Devoted though he was to the service of Nurgle, the bare fact remained- he didn't want to be where he was. Weak of will. That was what all his brothers had said about him, that was what his father thought of him. The old feelings of shame swirled back up and threatened to break through to the forefront of his consciousness, but he fought it back, as always. They had always called him weak of will. Moreover, he had believed it. Hours had not had to convince him of the need to rebel-he had merely ordered it, and Mortarion had followed. The Daemon Primarch closed his eyes and let his mind drift back to the day, the fated day,





***Begin Flashback***

Death Guard Flagship Bane of the Unrighteous

Low Orbit, Dalveran Minor

The white armored marine turned his head to the left, and announced in clear, firm tones " Lord Horus, Primarch of the XVI Legion, Warmaster of the Imperium, Arriving!" Clad in Black and Red, Breastplate adorned with the Imperium Eagle, wearing the badge of Warmaster, Horus stepped through the hatchway. The 50 Death Guard Terminators standing honor guard came to attention and saluted as one. Horus smiled and returned the salute.

" My Lord Horus," The Death Guard Officer snapped to full attention. "General Mortarion will see you in his quarters."

Horus smiled and returned the salute. " I will find my way, Battle Brother." The Warmaster said, " You may return to you duties"

Horus walked the long corridors of the Warship silently. White armored Death Guard marines passed him as they went about their duties, offering salutes that he returned. Dreadnoughts gave way to the Warmaster as he passed through the Ready Bay on his way to the Bridge of the Battleship. The door hissed open and Horus stepped into the Command center. His Subordinate Primarch turned and offered him a perfect salute.

" Greetings, Brother" Horus acknowledged the salute and stepped forward, clasping his brother on the shoulder in the warm familiar manner of warriors who had faced death together. Mortarion returned the grasp, as smile lighting up his chiseled features.

" What news of Holy Terra?" The Death Guard Commander inquired, " have our healers found the cure to the malady that affects our Brother?

" No," Horus replied, his face faltering as he remembered the sight of the Mighty Judicator Primarch lying helpless as his body convulsed uncontrollably. He had had great plans for the Judicators, but now that the legion was dying out, he had to turn to another Legion to be his Shock troops.

" Brother, I would Speak to you on a severe matter.One vital to the survival of the Imperium," Horus said, disengaging from the grip. Mortarion looked at him quizzically and then turned to the 40 marines in the command center with him.

" Leave us, Brothers" Horus waited till the last Marine had left and then turned to his brother. Mortarion flinched as his Brothers gaze burned into his eyes.

" I speak of our father, Mortarion" Horus said, his tone seeming to go straight into the Death Guard Commander`s mind. " I speak of his Corruption.by Chaos"

***End Flashback***

Mortarion closed his eyes. He had heard of the death of his Fellow Primarch Logar. The remains of the Word bearer Legion had been reassigned to the Black Legion Forces, raising Abbadons Strength to nearly 100,000 marines. With a force that size, the Despoiler could smash straight though to Terra. Still, the mission of himself and Alpharius was crucial. It had not taken particular strategic insight to see that the greatest threat to the Black Crusade was the 2nd Legion. Numerically they were the largest Space Marine force, and compounding matters, they were led by a Primarch, who's simple presence of the battlefield inspired Man and Marine to feats beyond expectation. By tying down a significant part of their forces in this system, hopefully they could be weakened, before the main attack. The Past was the past, the Death Guard Primarch mused as he turned away. He had dealt his hand, and now he would play it through to the end. Victory or death, it mattered not.

Keldis Triax

Two Days Hence

Marenus Calgar dodged the blow from the Alpha Legion Terminator and stepped back, firing his gauntlet mounted stormbolters in a low arc, which riddled the heretic's legs with holes. The Traitor Juggernaught toppled forward, and Calgar finished him off with a burst to the head. Ultramarine Battlegroup Antonius had been repelled from Objective NAVLAR by a sudden counterattack by Alpha legion forces. The 200 survivors out of a force of 400 were retreating towards the forward base at objective LORIA, where Thunderhawks waited to evacuate them and the 150 marines from Captain Claudius's Force. 22 from 25 objectives had been taken, Calgar raged mentally as he stepped back over a fallen Cultist, but then the Alpha Legion had attacked in force, and thrown them back from the Fusion power plant at Raieus, Objective OBLETHE, and since then, it had been retreat after retreat after retreat. If it hadn't been for the Imperial Guard Regiments on either flank, the Master of Macragge had no doubt that the Alpha Legion Traitor Guard would have outflanked his slow retreating marines. A lascannon beam transfixed Tactical Marine three steps away, vaporizing his upper torso in a flash of red. As the legs collapsed to the ground, Calgar turned to face the new threat, a Land Raider cresting the hill they had just left.

" Brother Gauis!" Calgar shouted into his COMM, "Suppress that Armor!"

The Dreadnought rotated its torso around, bringing its left arm Lascannons to bear. Gaius fired, and was rewarded by a flash of molten metal erupting from the Land Raiders flank. He fired again, and the Armored Vehicle brewed up. Another Land Raider came over the hill, this one fired first and Gaius`s left Leg exploded. The Dreadnought pitched forward, arresting its fall by jamming its powerclaw into the ground.

" Brother Gaius is down!" Calgar screamed, lumbering forward.

"Ultramarines! Consolidate on me!"

Alpha Legion Command Vehicle

" The loyalists have stooped falling back, and are consolidating around a fallen Dreadnought." The techmarine reported. " They are massing in one position."

" Order the Guard to assault their position" the Marine captain ordered. " They will not leave a fallen dreadnought to us. Perhaps we can even bag Marneus Calgar himself!"

Battle Position

The recovery of a Dreadnought is one of the most holy of marine operations. Marine chapters will fight with redoubled effort to recover one of the fallen ancients, because within the Dreadnoughts Sarcophagus lies the soul of a warrior with centuries of experience. The Ultramarines were no exception. A Squadron of Ultramarine Predators roared back through a dry riverbed. The lead pair, both mounting anti-vehicle lascannons opened fire on the Land Raider. Their shots hit, taking the heretic vehicle on the left track housing. The Land Raider skidded to a halt and fired back with its left sponson Lascannons. A Squad of Tacticals moving to cover was sawed apart by the beams, the sergeant, and two marines going down in parts. A Land speeder flashed overhead, firing its multi-melta before pulling away. The Alpha Legion war track erupted in smoke and flames as three squadrons of Armor rolled over the hill towards the Ultramarine detachment. More Ultramarine Vehicles joined the action. Firing from cover, a Predator hit a Death Guard Predator as it crested the hill. The AP shell bored right through the soft underbelly and exploded out the rear deck of the vehicle. Two Rhino`s carrying Tech Marines raced past the Razorback, their own escorts peeling off to engage with Hunter-Killer Missiles. The Tech marines began dismounting their carriers and moving to the dreadnought as Calgar got his forces arranged to defend their fallen comrade. Another Squadron of Armor, Land Raiders this time, exited the riverbed, engaging the Death Guard Predators that had reached the bottom of the slope. The ground shook and three Traitor Guard Superheavy Tanks roared over the hill collapsing part of it under their weight. Every gun on the field turned on them, stopping one with a smashed track, but the other two came on, returning fire. 5 Imperial Vehicles fireballed into the heavens, as the rest scattered. Calgar put the foreboding presence of the Super Heavies out of his mind and continued firing at the troops that were now catching up with the armor. A minute later his headphones crackled with an unfamiliar voice.

" This is Falcon Six. Ultramarine Leader, We are inbound on your position. ETA: one minute."

Falcon Six was the code of the commander of the Titan Platoon attached to Battle Group Antonious. They had been back at the Landing zone. Their presence indicated that Cladius was worried about his ability to extract his force from the enemy units. The Thundering footsteps of the Titans drew nearer and then they were in view; 3 Wolfhounds, 3 Reavers and a towering Warlord. On their flanks advanced their escort, 4 Baneblades and 2 Shadow Swords. The Warlord lowered its left arm Quake Cannon and fired. The crippled Enemy Doomblade exploded, its turret flying 50 meters into the sky. The other two, aware of the threat swung around to face the danger. One exploded before it could fire a shot, a Volcano Cannon beam spearing into its heart, and tearing it apart. Its fellow got off a shot, battlecannon shell deflecting off the Void shields protecting the Warlords hull. Return fire claimed the vehicle as the Titans ravaged the traitor position.

Keldis Triax

Blood Angel LZ

The last Transports sat on the Tarmac like fat sausages as battle raged a mile from the Spaceport. Because of the heavy losses they had suffered, Blood Angel forces had been easily evicted from the 23 objectives they had seized. Had it not been for the Imperial Guard forces, Dante`s 5 companies would have been annihilated and it was those Guardsmen that they labored to give time to make the safety of the transports so they could be evacuated. Dante wheeled and dove through the rollied air above the perimeter. His Squad had long since been broken by the press of Chaos Raptors, and only his bodyguard remained, staying with their commander no matter what. Below Blood Angel Terminators extracted a bloody toll from the Traitor Guard as they fell back. Dante swooped over their heads, leading his guard in a supporting attack on two Dreadnoughts, downing on, and damaging the other.

"Lord Commander!" his COMM crackled, " We are almost to the Spaceport, Pulling out now!"

" Go Colonel!" Dante shouted.

A fast moving blur caught his attention just before a horrible impact slammed into his left side and knocked him out of the air. Fighting for control he recovered a few meters off the ground and fought back to altitude, inspecting his armor for damage. The missile had torn up the surface, blackened his right side, and broken his arm, but the pack was undamaged.

"Lord Commander Dante"

The voice was soft and musical, echoing in his mind as well as his ears. Frantically the Blood Angel turned to find the source of the call.

2 miles away, Alpharius stood on a small hill. Next to him the traitor missileer that had fired the round lowered his weapon, a satisfied smile on his face.

" I'm over here, Blood Angel"

Dante focused on the distant figure and felt the hot anger rise in him like a burning wave. Charging his Pack he shot forward, rapidly outdistancing his guard, drawing his plasma gun as he did so.

Alpharius took to the sky on great leathery wings, using the sorcery he had been taught to attain a sun up position from the onrushing Blood Angel. His Daemon Sword materialized in his grip as he rolled over and plummeted towards the golden armored figure.

Daemon Sword met Power Sword in an explosion of light. The force of the Impact knocked Dante spinning. Alpharius closed in and slammed two powerful blows to the Chapter Masters torso. The Armor held, but ribs shattered. Alpharius grappled with the Blood Angel, knocking his sword from his grip, and shattering his mask`s eyelenses. One final blow knocked the Blood Angel from the sky to impact in a cloud of dirt on the ground. Reverting to his former form, the Daemon Primarch touched down and walked over to the supine Blood Angel.

" You disgust me" Alpharius barked, kicking the sword away from the supine Imperial. " You Wear the Face, the Wings of a Warrior a thousand times your equal-all in some pathetic attempt to be him!" a Vicious Kick rolled Dante 5 meters. His Guard dropped in to engage, Plasma Bursts exploding around the Daemon Primarch. Alpharius looked up and both Blood Angels exploded under his gaze.

" Blood Angels" Alpharius growled, turning his attention to the fallen commander " You all are so cursed by you Father's death that you all seek Death in a way that would make him proud."

Reaching down, Alpharius grabbed Dante and lifted him off the ground with one hand. With the other he tore the mask off his face and crushed it in his grip.

" Now Blood Angel" Alpharius Said, lifting his sword to administer the death blow " Go meet your father"

An Explosion hammered behind the Daemon Prince, causing him to stumble and loose grip on the Unconscious Blood Angel. Furiously he looked around, seeking his attacker. Two Dreadnoughts and a squad of Terminators charged out of the Blood Angel lines, Led by a robed and cowled figure. Lifting his hand to summon the powers of the warp, Mephiston, Lord of Death pointed his Sword at Alpharius

" Begone Daemon!" he shouted. " You will not have our Commander's soul this Day!"

Alpharius surveyed the Librarian dispassionately. He made no move to charge him though, and Mephiston and the squad reached the body of their commander. Still he didn't move, seeking the trap he knew must be there. From all around they came, Teleporting into his presence with a flash of blue light and the stench of Ionization. 40 Metal Grey armored terminators.

Alpharius threw back his head and laughed out loud. Then he turned to the commander of the Grey Knight detachment.

" Know this Daemon hunter, It took 100 of your number to fell Brother Angron on Armageddon. Do you think that forty of you will stop me?"

The Daemon laughed again, and dropped into his battle stance.

"Who's first?"

2nd Legion Flagship Warspite A Day Later.

It was a weary group of commanders that assembled in the Warspite`s Battle Control center. All sported wounds and dented armor, and Lord Commander Dante of the Blood Angels was not present, still in the Apocatharion of the chapters Flagship recovering from the wounds he had suffered.

" We are here to make a simple decision" Marenus Calgar began. " We had been stopped at all our objectives by overwhelming Heretic force. I am not clear on where they are getting all these forces, but I know that with 25% casualties to the Marine forces and over 45% casualties to our Imperial Guard Regiments, our position will be highly untenable."

" You advocate retreat." Master Burnett said.

" I advocate the saving of our force while it still exists" Calgar replied. " We can do humanity no good if we die here"

" How are they mobilizing such numbers?" General Sigel inquired. "Their numbers grow each day, and ours diminish"

" A Portal" the rumbling voice of Dreadnought 01, Ancient Librarian Doman echoed through the command center. " I have detected a great rift in the warp over the southern continent. Through it, the Daemons Primarchs can draw on the population of their enslaved worlds to augment their ranks."

" By the Emperor" Master Burnett swore. "If we are to triumph here, we need to destroy that structure"

" A small strike force, Terminators and a squad of Librarians and Dreadnoughts might have a good chance of destroying the structure" Calgar mused. "A bold and Audacious stroke might well turn the tide for us"

" There is no point."

Every eye turned to the Judicator Primarch. The Black man sat hunched over the holotable, his shoulders quivering. His hands caressed his helmet, running over the pits and scars from the days battle.

" In the last days our legions have suffered severe losses and I'm sure that this trend will continue. If we were to win this operation we would have had to destroy this Portal on the first day. We failed. To continue to throw lives and material away in this campaign is pointless."

" What are you advocating, Judicator?" Canoness Savitch said quietly.

" We take our forces and buttress Terra`s lines." Krosfyah replied. " We're fighting a loosing cause here. Keldis will fall. In addition, this portal will ensure the fall of this Segmentum. Now is the time to strike at the Heretic temple on Borales VI."

"But Lord Krosfyah," General Sigel said after a second, " If we leave this portal unattacked, the Heretics will be at their leisure to consecrate the population of this system to their foul gods. 14.5 billion souls, Lord Primarch. With that many souls they can summon any numbers of Daemons from the warp, and keep them indefinitely in out realm."

"I know" Krosfyah replied. " But that will not happen."

" We will evacuate the populations of the systems?" Burnett asked.

" No." Krosfyah replied. The Judicator stood and stared at the holomap.

" There are 5 planets in this system. I intend to order the Thunders Maul, Fist of Devotion, Light of the Savior, Guileless Soul, and Warspite to carry out Exterminatus orders on each of these planets."

Total silence. Marenus Calgar opened his mouth as if to talk, and then shut it. General Sigel looked away, staring at the table in front of him.

"My Lord, is there no other way?" Savitch inquired, her voice shuddering " What you propose is.Lord Primarch, it is unheard of!"

"It is the only way we can be of any further use here." Krosfyah replied. " To evacuate 14.5 Billion citizens are a job our fleet cannot handle. We would need weeks until the admiralty can mobilize ships for the job, and our troops would still be overrun. We need to deny the people of this system to the Enemy."

" But General Krosfyah, Calgar retorted, "what good would it do to kill the citizens of the worlds we came here to save?"

" We will also kill our enemies," Krosfyah pointed out. " That is all that gives me comfort. " Alpharius and Mortarion have poured their reserves into these worlds, knowing that they can destroy us, or push us out system, giving them time to release daemons to augment their ranks. We know that is their ultimate goal! By using Life Eater Virus missiles, we will not only spare our citizens the horror of consecration to the chaos powers, but we will break this arm of the black crusade right here!"

Total Silence reigned as the Judicator continued.

" I will not order any of you to agree with me on this matter. The repercussions of this act will be great and I would prefer that it did not affect any of you. Master Calgar, I recommend that your forces retreat from this system for Hydrapur. My Legion fleet will cover your withdrawal, and I will personally see to the Exterminatus." Marenus Calgar said nothing.

Then he nodded.

Keldis System

The Imperial Fleet laid down a heavy bombardment of the planet to cover the space lift of their forces. Unconcerned by the destruction wrought by the pain of bombardment lasers and projectiles, Alpharius and Mortarion continued on their mission. Confident that the Imperials would return to free the citizens once their thought their bombardment had broken his forces After three days, the Battlecruisers Thunders Maul, Fist of Devotion, Light of the Savior, and Guileless Soul, escorting the Battleship Warpsite broke from the main fleet, moving to within 500 AU or the targeted planets.



Traitor Command Post.

Keldis Ultimus

The Screams of the doomed echoed through the walls of the Command post. Chaplains, formerly of the Word Bearer Legion, aided by some Sorcerers from the Thousand Sons were busily performing their rites, consecrating the bodies of thousands of innocents to the Chaos Gods in an orgy of torture that had been ongoing for close to six days now. Other sorcerers were engaged in the opening another portal directly to the Eye, where a legion of Daemons waited to flood through. Within the command center the two daemons Primarchs directed the formation of their legions. From Bubonicus, Mortarion had a force of 2 million Marines and Cultists, plus 100,000 daemons from Nurgles Guard, let to the favored son of the lord of pestilence for the crusade. Alpharius`s Alpha Legion numbered 2.5 million marines and Traitor Guard, and From each Chaos power a cadre of daemons fell to his command. Still more came.

" What is the position of the Loyalist fleet." Alpharius asked. A Cultist worked the controls of the ancient detector, scanning the heavens for the signals if the imperial fleet.

" the bulk of the Imperial Fleet has pulled to 2000 AU out system." The man replied after a moment. " One vessel is hovering 500 AU from the planet.

"Which Vessel?" Alpharius inquired. The reply came a second later. " Judicator Legion flagship, my lord"

Alpharius closed his eyes, reaching out with his mind feeling for the unmistakable presence of the Judicator. Had this been any other of his brothers, he would not have done so, but Krosfyah he knew to be psychically blind, unable to feel mental probes, or emotions and only able to use his mind in clumsy physical strikes.

" Well, brother," Alpharius smirked mentally. " Lets see what's on your mind."

2nd Legion Flagship

Battleship Warspite

Krosfyah`s finger came down on the launch button, and the flagship shuddered as the two missiles were shot out into the void.

" Missiles away and tracking" came the report.

" Thunders Maul reports missiles away"

"Guileless Soul, Missiles away"

"Fist of Devotion has fired."

"Light of the Savior reports missiles fired"

Guided by their targeting sensors the 10-ton missiles sped through the void. Their Flight time was short, and exactly 30 seconds after launch, all 10 exploded in the upper atmospheres of the planets. High altitude winds rapidly carried the voracious virus in a spray that soon permeated the innards of the worlds. The legend is that the deathscream of the 12 billon who were slain on Istavann by Horus`s attack blinded the astromomician on earth. That legend became fact as the killer virus slew all within its reach. It ate their flesh, releasing oxygen as a waste product, instantly transforming the fertile worlds into massive tinderboxes that went up in a roaring firestorm. It took 3 minutes for every living thing in the systems to be consumed by the virus or the fires. The Daemon Primarchs and some of their Retinue, as well as exactly 100 daemons were saved, snatched by their patron gods from the jaws of the inferno and deposited on their daemon worlds. Mortarion, more cognizant of what had happened, or perhaps just lucky, immediately shut down the portal from Keldis Secundus to Bubonicus, but Alpharius was unable to. His Daemon world, Hydras was struck by the virus, fully a quarter of his musing forces destroyed before his sorcerers could destroy the invisible attacker. Every Psyker felt the Daemons Primarch`s roar of rage throughout the Warp and the realverse. Through the Darkness of the Warp, the Imperial Fleet sped towards Terra. The War was not over, but at awful cost they had bought a vital commodity. They had bought time.

















The Wheel of Fire

Space Wolf Territory

The ripples in the warp tore open a rift in the fabric of space, dumping a dozen massive shapes back into real space. For long minutes they drifted there, ice flaking off their hulls, as the distant suns warmed the craft. An observer would have noted the Imperial Eagles on their prows, and the snarling wolfs head emblazoned behind their bridges. However, what would have attracted the most attention would have been the numeral XIII stamped under the Wolfs head Insignia. However, there were no observers, and the twelve ships drifted, suspended. Waiting