1900 Hours, 2.233.992.M41 (Imperial Calendar)/ Sapesh System, 44th Sepshi Infantry Regimental HQ, Forge World Sapesh

The Tarmac was alive. From pilots to guardsmen, to technicians, to servo-skulls. Like bees they flew back and forth to their tasks. Transports were prepared en-masse for the upcoming evacuation. Mingan pulled out all of the stops to ensure the safety of the civilians of Sera. There were thousands of them in the quarantine zone alone. But Mingan had ordered an evacuation even farther out. The large, heavily armed gates that led to the outer hive were already clogged with hordes of civilians pushing and shoving their way to safety. Eleanira's sisters were busy as well with triage,

"We don't have time to waste, so listen up!" Malehnkova shouted. The roar of engines nearly drowned out her voice but she held firm.

The able members of First squad: Kioka, Ismem, Baranova, Narrolan, Rabinov, and Basuda sat on crates and chairs listening intently. Another three guardsmen from Second squad also joined to make an even ten. Behind her was an ancient schematic of the sewage system displayed on a board with the last known location of the servo-skull marked off.

"There's a network of bombs rigged up in the sewers beneath the center of Sera. Command thinks these bombs are the same as the ones used at Sera Station. If that's the case then I don't have to explain how catastrophic it will be if they go off. You've all seen what they can do. Which is why we're here! Command has given us the privilege of making sure these things never go off. First, we'll meet with a team of tech-priests here," she pointed to the entrance to the sewer system. "Narrolan, you're our eyes and ears. You'll stay up top and work on communications. You'll be guiding us through the tunnels so memorize these schematics."

"Yes, Sergeant!" he nodded.

"Baranova!"

"Sir!"

"I need you to swap that mini thudd-gun of yours for a flamer. An explosion could collapse the tunnels so we're gonna need you to burn 'em out if need be." Malehnkova said.

"Copy that." Baranova said.

"Ismem, we'll be wading through all manner of filth. These things could also be leaking toxins as we speak. So, make sure everyone gets a proper rebreather and stock up on biofoam and bandages. I want to eliminate the chances of catching disease as best we can." Malehnkova continued.

"Yes Sir!" Ismem nodded.

"The tech-priests will go about disarming the bombs. We just need to make sure they get there in one piece. And, if any trouble comes knocking-we kill it, understood?"

'SIR, YES SIR!" The group announced in unison.

"Good." She nodded. "These sewers are cramped, smelly and filthy. Pack light, take only what you need and be ready for anything. We move out in ten, DISMISSED!"

With that the guardsmen scrambled to ready their gear or ready themselves. Ismem and Barinovna ran off to gather equipment. The three men from Second Squad huddled up and began a prayer, asking the God-Emperor for protection. Narrolan fiddled with his vox. Kioka and the others strapped began wrapping rags around their forearms, covering cuts and scrapes and all other manner of improvised protection.

Sister Eleanira watched with worry as her fellow sisters and guardsmen ushered the remaining civilians onto the transports. She turned back and looked to the entrance of the sewers. It was an almost looming presence. Whatever horrors were trapped down there had the potential to destroy the very ground she stood upon. May the Emperor protect the brave guardsmen that were ordered to traverse the tunnels; for they would need all the blessings he could bestow.

"Sister…Eleanira…," a garbled voice came.

Eleanira turned once again and was met with the near-eldritch figure of Genetor Bartonophius.

"Ah, Genetor. I take it your tech-priests are ready?" She greeted him with an extended hand.

The Genetor's dead eyes twitched down to her hand and back up to her. "Yes…additional Skitarii units…have also been deployed for…security. We now await our…militarum escort."

"Yes, very well. Make sure your men are prepared for anything down there. There is no telling what you could encounter. I wish you all good luck." She said with a smile.

"There is no such thing…as luck" Bartonophius buzzed before lumbering away.

"Right then…" Eleanira said with a sigh. The Genetor-or any tech-priest for the matter-was never one for pleasantries. The mere sight of him sent a shiver down her spine.

The air was filled with the roar of engines. Above them a valkyrie swooped low and steadied itself for landing. As the gunship settled down and the ramp deployed, Eleanira made her way over. The sergeant from before stepped down and approached her with a sign of the aquila.

"Sergeant Malehnkova reporting, Ma'am. My team is prepped and at your service." She said in a stern voice.

"Good, now that everything is in place let us get to work. The sooner we can deal with this the sooner we can refocus our attention on the heretics." Eleanier said, returning the sign of the aquila.

Behind Malehnkova, two rows of guardsmen stepped out in formation. Eleanira was almost taken aback at how drilled they seemed compared to other guardsmen she'd encountered. They all stood at attention, weapons held tightly against their shoulder.

"Your team looks impressive, Sergeant." Eleanira said.

"Command wanted my best, so that is what I brought. Nothing less is necessary for this operation." She replied.

"I'm glad to hear it. Hopefully with a bit of luck the Emperor will shine on us today." Eleanira said, leading them to the sewer entrance.

"There is no luck, only the Emperor's will." Malehnkova said, motioning for her team to follow.

"Finally, let us…get underway." Bartonophius said.

"Alright, private Narrolan will set up communications here and guide us through." Malehnkova said. "My team will fall in and provide escort. Genetor I understand you have brought your own retinue as well?"

"Yes…Skitarri vanguard have been deployed for…additional support…should your team…fail to protect us." Bartonophus said.

"They won't," Eleanira said through a clenched jaw.

Without a word the Genetor lumbered away and the group gathered at the entrance. It was little more than a giant manhole with railing around it but the foul smell was already wafting into their nostrils. Many of the guardsmen made faces as they peered into the darkness below.

"Comms check…Sergeant, can you hear me?"

Malehnkova adjusted her headset before confirming. "Affirmative private, loud and clear."

"Alright, the signal's good. This vox is pretty powerful so we should have a connection all the way. But, it might get spotty being underground'n all." Narrolan said.

"No worries private, we know our mission. Just keep the signal alive."

All in all the entire crew was about eighteen people. Malehnkova and her squad plus three tech-priests and five Skitarri. A bit of a crowd, especially in the sewers. But, in the end it could prove necessary.

"Alright, all teams are ready. Proceed with entry."

Malehnkova and her team were the first ones in. Hooking onto the railing they rappelled down into the sewers. As soon as the first one hit the tunnel their weapons were up and searching the area. Headlamps and mounted stablights sweeped the stained tunnel walls for any signs of enemy presence. Even through their rebreathers the smell was horrid. It was damp and the walls were caked in possibly centuries of waste. However, the tunnels were bigger than they expected. Most of them could stand relatively upright. There was a loud metallic clang as the Skitarri dropped down without hesitation. They marched alongside the guardsmen, scanning the area. A series of even louder clangs echoed through the tainted tunnels as the tech-priests dropped down behind them.

"All teams have made entry. Sergeant, you're on point. Head straight and eventually you'll come to a junction. I'll update you as we go." Narrolan's voice came over the comms.

"Copy that." She replied.

Looking back to her team, she motioned for them to follow. The guardsmen and the Skitarii fell in and the group continued into the tunnels.

(A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the slow turnout, I'm not abandoning this story but writer's block is a bit of a pain. However I'm chuggin along and so is the story! Time to delve into the belly of the beast! Will they disarm the bombs before they go off? Will Tagon and his warriors be there to stop them? who knows! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned to see what happens next!

See you in the next one,

S.W.G)