Chapter 1
Early Deployment
It seemed to be a pleasant day on the small forge-world of Janis Prime, with clear skies and mild temperatures. The people of the hive cities were going about their daily business, the factory workers were making their daily products, and the Planetary Defense Forces were on stand by. At Decapolis, the capital city, things were not as pleasant. The planetary Governor had been speaking with Lord General William Cathers about a possible Tyranid Hive Fleet on its way to the planet. "That is not possible Lord General," the Governor said, "Our sensors would have picked up an incoming fleet."
"I assure you Mr. Governor," Lord General Cathers began, "A Hive fleet is on approach. It has been identified as a Leviathan splinter fleet. I must recommend the immediate mobilization of the PDF. If those Tyranids make planet fall, you will be hard pressed to stop them."
"Well I can assure you Lord General, that the PDF will be deployed when the Tyranids arrive, and then we will fight them off."
"I knew you would say that, Governor," Cathers said, "As a result my forces will make planet fall and reinforce your PDF. When we do come you will be out of a job and your planet will be under martial law. Do I make myself clear?"
"Very," the Governor responded, while giving a big sigh and watching the Lord General's face disappear from the hololith. He began to wonder, what would happen if the Tyranids did hit the planet.
Lord General Cathers, along with his eight Commissars, took their seats at the briefing room. Also in the room were the captains of the four Troop ships carrying the Imperial Guard forces. When all were present the lights dimmed and the briefing began. A holographic display of the Janis system appeared and the Lord General began to speak. "To begin, long range sensors have picked up a Tyranid Hive Fleet approaching Janis Prime. It is a small forge-world in this sector, but it can not fall." Green and red runes appeared on the projection. Then pointing to the green runes, the Lord General continued, "The troop ships and our support fleet is in this position. The hive fleet is here. We should arrive at Janis Prime in five days, and the hive fleet will arrive in two weeks. When we arrive we will reinforce the PDF units on the planet and prepare to defend the planet at all costs."
"Sir" Commissar Federov interrupted, "How will eight regiments defend an entire planet?"
"We will defend the most strategic locations, and have the PDF defend the majority of the planet. If we can't defend the planet we will call for reinforcements. Now, if that is all this meeting is over."
The Officers left the room, but Commissar Federov lingered behind. "Anything you want to say Commissar?"
"Yes sir," Federov began, "Something is not feeling right about this hive fleet. There is something strange about it."
"Why do you say that?"
"I've been studying the warp currents, and the navigators say that the fleet should have arrived by now, but they are choosing to take a slower route."
"The Tyranids are just another foul Xenos race, and are just animals. They do not think like we do."
"I hope you are right, thank you for your time Lord General," after Federov said this, he left the room and proceeded down a long corridor to his quarters. He sat down and contemplated how to prepare his regiment for a planetary defense.
The Imperial Fleet entered the system five hours ahead of schedule, and went into a high orbit over Janis Prime. The troop ships began dropping the regiments onto the planet in eight different positions. The Tarsonian 734th commanded by Commissar Nikolai Federov, ordered to defend the capital city of Decapolis. Federov and Lord General Cathers sat in seats next to each other, while on the drop ship heading toward the city. Cathers happened to be looking at a data slate with the tactical read outs of the planet, and the position of its defenders. "Prepare for landing," the pilot said. All the men onboard the drop ship buckled there harnesses, and prepared for landing.
The engines roared as the maneuvering thrusters fired, and a few seconds later the drop ship was sitting quietly on a landing pad. When the ramp dropped the guardsmen went to their assigned duties, while the Lord General and the Commissar headed for the capital building. They went inside a massive dome structure, and a large entry way covered in marble and sculptures of the Emperor and heroes from the past. As the two of them walked through the room, astonishment met the eyes of many on lookers as they past. The two officers walked onto an elevator, which took them to the top floor. When they exited, they found a young woman sitting at a desk doing paperwork. "Are you two from the Imperial Guard?" she asked.
"Yes we are," Commissar Federov announced.
"You are expected."
The young woman motioned towards the door to the governor's office, and the two officers went inside. "Nice to see you again Lord General," the governor began, "I assume your journey was uneventful, and I see you brought one of your lackeys."
"I am Commissar Nikolai Federov," he said outraged, "Remember, I am a Commissar. I could keep your planet safe, or burn it to ashes at the snap of my fingers. I demand a little respect."
"That is enough," Cathers said, "Lets just get to the reason we are here. Governor, have you mobilized your PDF forces yet?"
"No," the Governor said, "But I…"
"There is no excuse Governor, there is a Tyranid Hive Fleet on its way here, and if you can't protect or lead your planet's people I will have you removed from office." The two Imperial Guard officers then stood up, and left the room. They proceeded to leave the building and head toward the regiment's position. "Commissar, I want you to prepare your men for combat," Cathers began, "I want you to run every drill you know with them. I want them to be far superior to this planet's PDF. I want you and your regiment to show everyone what the guard is really made of. If possible, I want to be able to defend this planet by ourselves."
"Yes sir," Federov replied before he rushed off to follow his orders.
A few days later, the forces of the Tarsonian 734th were ready for anything. Commissar Federov was proud that these men could fight for him, and they were the best. He had them play war games against the PDF, while watching them win easily over them. There was much talk amongst the men, gossip of commendations, transfers, or sometimes talk of leaving the planet. None of these were true, and it became apparent to the men when the Commissar called all the senior officers to meet with him.
The captains of all five companies and the artillery captain met the Commissar. He began to speak, "Now, I know what some of you might be thinking, 'this is gonna be a cake walk, all we got to do is sit here.'" Well you would be wrong on that one. As you know, we along with the other regiments have been sent here to defend against a Tyranid Hive Fleet, but there is a problem. They will be early." A few gasps filled the small room, but soon everyone was silent again. "We have to be ready," the Commissar, continued, "They will be here within a few days. We are to mobilize alongside the PDF." He then turned on a vox channel that could be heard throughout the base camp. "Attention all troops, we are going to full invasion alert. I repeat we are going to full invasion alert." The Commissar then turned off the vox unit and looked at his senior officers and said, "Well what are you waiting for, get to your posts."
The next morning, it seemed like everything was returning to normal, but that soon changed. The once blue sky was filled with black and crimson colors as the Hive Fleet entered orbit and began spewing smaller living ships as they descended towards the planet. "Sir," a guardsman monitoring the sensors said frantically, "I don't think we can hold them all off."
"What do you mean?" Commissar Federov said inquisitively.
"There are thousands, no millions of small troop transferring organisms heading towards the planet."
"There is no way all of our regiments are going to be able to stop all of these monstrosities. We need help." The Commissar picked up a vox until and began making a frantic call for help. "To anyone receiving, this is Commissar Nikolai Federov of the Tarsonian 734th, and the planet Janis Prime is under heavy attack by Tyranid forces." A large glob of acid slammed into a munitions barrel and caused it to explode rocking the surrounding area. The Commissar then continued, "Pleas any reinforcements would, be appreciated, we are going to be overrun…" The vox unit ceased transmitting, and fell silent.