Author's Note: It's been a long time, not just because of an admittedly much needed break I took from writing Warhammer, but I had announced in Hunted (which I finished first upon my return) that I had planned to release this chapter a bit earlier, however my tutors at university had this brilliant idea of writing a bunch of exams last minute; how can I ever thank them enough (insert heavy sarcasm here). Also there was the third chapter of Pathfinder, I was sick and so on. Anyway, here is finally the next chapter(at least the first part, part 2 next week), two more will follow so let us truly begin with the final battle for Victoria Primus.

If you have a hard time remembering what happened up until now, you can always go back and read some of the older chapters; take your time, this one is not going away. Still, here is a short summary of the events so far:

Inquisitor Basil Nicomedo leads a Deathwatch Kill Team against Genestealers on Victoria Primus. Three of his Acolytes scout the Underhive for the location of the nest, and ex-bounty hunter Lucien Brennan gets killed in the process. The Kill Team goes to wipe out the Genestealers, aided by the Inquisitor's Untouchable Taylor and Inquisitorial Storm Troopers, while the other Acolytes go to protect the Governor.

In the Underhive, the Kill Team kills the Magus and the Broodlord of the Genestealer Cult, losing several Storm Troopers and two Astartes in the fight. Meanwhile other members of the cult attack the festivities in the Governor's palace, and while the Acolytes investigate, the Governor gets kidnapped by a second, weaker Magus, who was the head of a wealthy family on Victoria Primus. The three Acolytes help the Governor's Guard to take back the palace and free hostages, before they, along with the Guard's captain Pericles, follow the second Magus to his home, where they meet up with the Kill Team. In the meantime all over Victoria Primus, the cult members begin to sabotage military and industry. The Team manages to kill the second Magus and rescue the Governor, but another Astartes dies, killed by the first Lictor on the planet. Ship Mistress Sammael, serving Inquisitor Nicomedo, learns from her crew that a shadow across the warp approaches the system. Despite their efforts, the Hive Fleet is coming.

The wealthy and everyone having access to a ship leave the planet, while PDF and Imperial Guard commit massacres in the Underhive, in order to eradicate the last of the Genestealer Cult, slaughtering countless innocent in the process. As the remnants of the Imperial Navy prepare in orbit, the Imperial Forces gather at the planet's stronghold known as Seraphim Citadel. When the Hive Fleet enters the system, Nicomedo wants to evacuate the Governor to the Citadel as well, who however refuses to leave the palace. Medicae Jane Pravin and Seth Nelson are sent to fetch him. In the palace they are suddenly attacked by three Lictors, which further decimate the already weakened Governor's Guard. During the fight the Governor is killed, and so is Seth. Jane, Pericles and the last survivors of the Guard escape and reach the Citadel. Now the Imperial Forces must hold off the Hive Fleet until help arrives and delivers them from the alien threat.

Chapter XI

Part 1

On the outside Inquisitor Nicomedo looked calm, and that was exactly the impression he wanted everyone to have. The crew was busy anyway, preparing the Adrastos for battle, checking every turret and manning the walls now protecting the ship in their embrace. Basil looked up at the poisonous green sky, watching dense clouds gathering above the citadel. The battle had not even begun, and already Seth had fallen to the Tyranids. The Inquisitor had been fortunate not to lose an Acolyte in some years, not since Petra. Of course he hadn't been so naïve as to believe that his men and women would not die in the line of duty, and the deaths of the Storm Troopers, while unfortunate were quickly accepted...but when it concerned his core party. Now only his Interrogator, medicae and Untouchable remained. If he survived, Basil would need to recruit again.

Far in the distance, objects broke through the cloud-ceiling, thousands of them, in their shape not unlike a meteoroid, or maybe an Astartes Drop-Pod, but he knew they were organic, and they made him feel sick to his stomach. Mycetic Spores, the first wave. The Tyranids were breaking through the barricade, at least some of them. In a few hours, masses of xenos would march through the newly grown forest to take the last bastion of resistance. The cannons of Seraphim Citadel were already firing but most got through, somewhere, all over Victoria Primus. Given the size of the Citadel, conquering it would take days, but was it enough time for reinforcements to arrive and save them? Basil had decided days ago that he shouldn't hope or count on rescue, and remaining within these walls would hardly be the way to victory. Somehow, and all of the Deathwatch here knew this as well, they had to cripple the synapse links, throw the Tyranids into disarray. Someone needed to leave the semi-security of the well-defended citadel.

For one final time Astartes and Acolytes gathered together in the Adrastos' hanger, along with Captain Pericles and the last three survivors of the Governor's Guard. A portable strategium table had been brought by servitors, which showed a green glowing 3D-model of Seraphim Citadel and the surrounding area. It included a broad trench, or canyon, which had been created by the last Navy vessels, before joining the fleet, the weapons having atomized and melted the stone to bolster up the defenses. Molten stone still covered the broad canyon's bottom, a river of lava, which for a few hours would provide another obstacle for the countless Tyranid ground troops. Canals and pipes that would have lain bare were still being closed up to prevent the Tyranids from coming from underground. Seeing how deep the canyon went, not even serpent-like Raveners or even greater Trygons would be able to dig their way underneath it.

Nadim and Seneca were the last to arrive in the hanger, except for the Inquisitor, who was on his way. The Salamander nodded towards Pericles. "Captain, you have my sympathies for the loss of your men, and the Governor." He addressed the other man, sorrow in his voice.

Respectfully, Pericles bowed. "Thank you, Milord. It sadly seems that rescuing the Governor was ultimately in vein."

Nadim smiled. "You have killed a Tyranid Magus; that is no small feed, and is not diminished by recent events."

"I merely did my duty." The Guard's captain replied plainly.

"Nonsense." Taylor interrupted, patting him on the shoulder, making the other man look at him with a frown. "So humble our good captain. Granted, I was pretty much unconscious at the time, but I've been told." Frowning the captain turned to Jane Pravin, who in turn merely shrugged and tried to smile mildly.

Finally Inquisitor Nicomedo arrived, accompanied by Captain Giacomo of the PDF, who kept one hand on his sword's hilt, while the other was clutching his helmet. He looked uncomfortable, downright intimidated the second he saw the Space Marines. Still, he kept his posture straight, nodding respectfully towards Pericles, as he took his place to Nicomedo's left. The Inquisitor himself looked, if anything, displeased, angry even, though one had to take a careful look to notice it.

"My Lords, my loyal operatives." He began his voice strong and determined. "We came to this planet with the mission to destroy the Genestealer cult, and prevent an invasion. I mustn't tell anyone that we have failed in our second task, so all what remains now is to survive until help arrives, and keeping the civilians within these walls save. Giving our dire situation, it is unlikely anyone of us will actually live through this, so I suggest we take as many of the xenos with us as we can, which means when you out there, synapse creatures have absolute priority. We'll join the battle once the Tyranids have entered the Citadel, after they breached the second wall." The open space between the outer wall and the second was at the same level as the surrounding terrain, but it had been prepared for the coming storm: Once the Tyranids gained a foothold there, it would be drowned in fire; tons of explosives would tear anything apart attempting to make it through there. Depending on how long the firestorm would be lasting, it could buy the defenders hours in which only aerial assault was possible. He regarded the quiet group around him. "I fear however that killing Tyranids here won't be enough, and the synapse creatures encountered here will be further down the food chain; Warriors most likely."

"You suggest we cut the link further up."

Nicomedo looked over to Cyrus. "Yes, we need to go after the Hive Tyrant, the Zoanthrophes if possible, but we won't encounter them in the Citadel, not until it's too late."

"With all due respect, going out there will be suicide." Pericles noted, his fists clenching ever so slightly.

Taking this purposefully a bit literally, the Inquisitor corrected him. "I wouldn't expect us to walk; a small craft can bring us directly to our target, avoiding most ground troops completely."

"And be shot down as soon as we take to the air."

"Not necessarily." The Blood Raven intervened. "We still have Mr. Taylor."

"What about me?" Slight concern and suspicion hung in his voice, as he was raising an eyebrow in the same manner.

Slowly, Mandrake nodded. "That's right: your properties will make you, and with luck a small craft, invisible to the swarm."

"Not sure if you've noticed, but they still have eyes; we'll be seen regardless."

"Your properties will sever the synaptic link to all Tyranid creatures near you; they will likely ignore the vessel, even flee and attack each other." The Interrogator argued.

"Or they figure out that we're the irritant and we'll end up as dinner, anyway." Jane added cynically. "It's still very risky."

Her employer didn't disagree. "Anything we try will be. But Lord Cyrus and Mandrake are correct; when I first met Taylor, I was unable to sense the glider that was bringing him to the Adrastos."

While she looked unconvinced, Taylor looked rather displeased. "Am I your solution to anything these days? You know, I'm starting to miss the times when people actually stayed away from me."

Jane gave him a pitiful smile. "Enjoy it while it lasts."

Pericles turned to the Inquisitor. "This would mean, Milord that you're to remain at the citadel."

With a grim smile Nicomedo looked around, regarding each of his trusted Acolytes individually. How he hated to send them out into hell. "If it's any conciliation, it won't be cozy up here either."

"And Mandrake is going to keep you company as well." Taylor added, to which the Interrogator narrowed his eyes, having heard the mocking tone. "Still, how will we find that thing out there?"

"A strong psyker like a Hive Tyrant should be easy to detect. I will give you his coordinates once I have located it. But remember; once you're out there we probably lose all communication, except maybe for vox, and you're on your own."

"Should all Astartes go on the hunt, sir? If the ship is lost…"

"Thanks, for making sound us so expandable." Taylor cut in.

"…we'll lose one of our best assets in this fight." Mandrake continued, ignoring the Untouchable completely.

"And if the Tyrant survives, the attack will go on undisturbed and coordinated. Even an Astartes, or four will make little to no difference against the numbers we're facing." The Inquisitor explained, and his Interrogator submitted. When he didn't respond, Nicomedo turned to the captain. "Captain Pericles; while I'd like you to go with the team, your men will remain here with me. The presence of the Governor's Guard will ensure the people that the Governor still lives, and confirm my authority."

Pericles nodded. "As you wish, sir."

"Sir, a thought." Mandrake piped up again. "Can't we use one of the ships in orbit? They have created the canyon after all."

Nicomedo shook his head. "The disturbances are too strong; we are unable to contact anything outside the Citadel at this point." That was sobering news indeed, and he addressed Pravin and Taylor directly. "Otherwise I would not be risking your lives like this."

"Then maybe Pravin and Taylor ought to take the plane alone? Certainly its guns are more than capable of dealing with a Tyrant, and should they be shot down, our losses will be minimal."

With a deep frown, Taylor looked over to the Interrogator, anger flashing in his eyes. "Gee, thanks." He snarled.

Taylor wasn't the only one unhappy with that idea, though the medicae's objections were based on more than her own survival instincts. "As soon as we start firing, we'll be under attack, and shot down, whether Taylor's onboard or not." Jane argued. "One target is an easy target, and the Tyrant might not even fall before us."

"That's why the Astartes will go as well, and should more synapse creatures be around, they can be taken care of along with it." Lord Nicomedo decided, his words sounding definitive, bringing the discussion to an end. "Prepare for your deployment; I want you out as soon as possible. Emperor watch over you all."

"The Emperor protects." They answered him, some making the sign of the Aquila.

The Inquisitor left them once more to locate the Tyrant with his psychic abilities, Mandrake and the Governor's Guard following him, except for Pericles, who remained with the other Acolytes. Captain Giacomo left the Adrastos, probably to make the last preparations for the battle, his men already in position across the citadel. The Astartes returned to the armory, leaving the medicae, Untouchable and captain alone for now, the three looking at each other, as if they were waiting for someone to say something. Finally the silence was broken and Taylor sighed. "Well, if we're going to die anyway, we might as well die doing something useful."

The Governor's death remained a secret. There certainly would have been panic among the citizens, which could be especially dangerous when under siege, and Nicomedo could not afford to send troops to deal with a potential uprising. He wandered along the battlement, looking once more upon the forest and the deep canyon, a breathing mask already on to protect him from the lethal spores in the air. Soon he would address the defenders of the citadel, though he was not yet certain what to say to them; Inquisitors weren't exactly used to speak openly to the masses. The Governor's Guard stood behind him, their faces hidden behind their helmets, carrying still their traditional halberds and shields; how fortunate that those weren't the only weapons at their disposal, and their guns were hidden beneath their cloaks.

On the walls, Ship Mistress Sammael held position, all heavy guns having been taken from the ship, to make up for what they lacked in number. The men and women in their uniforms of several shades of blue talked with each other in hushed voices, others staring at the landscape beyond the citadel, but they all were equally tense. A familiar pace of footsteps behind him made Nicomedo turn around, Vivian Sammael herself approaching him with swift steps.

"Vivian?"

Her eyes narrowed, her voice dulled a little by the breathing mask. "If you thought I would just sit and wait in my ship…"

"Of course not, my dear." He stopped her with a conciliatory tone in his voice. "One could almost mistake you for a sister of battle."

He heard her snort with a hint of derision. "You'd never see me in such a ridiculous corset; I still do not know how they can fight, wearing such impractical armor." Her uniform was blue and black, a blue naval shirt, underneath a black, sectioned armor, which covered her torso, shoulders, and forearms. Her armored, knee-high black boots were adored with skulls and a sharp spike; whoever she rammed a knee into would be dead. The saber, a variant of the power sword, rested at her side along with a plasma pistol.

"Your crew will be fine?" He asked her after they had looked across the future battlefield in silence.

"After all those years they know what needs to be done; I have the outmost confidence in their skills." Nicomedo nodded acceptingly. "So, you will speak to the people."

"If fear overtakes their hearts we'll have a fight on two fronts on our hands; they must stand united against this enemy."

"And your Acolytes? How will they fare out there?"

He smiled. "I have the outmost confidence in them."

…

The word of the Emperor was to reach all of his people; speakers had been installed everywhere in the citadel, all fed by a small room in the cathedral at the stronghold's heart. Bleak light fell through stain glass windows, the walls wallpapered with red velvet, decorated with golden embroidery. In the center was a microphone and Nicomedo only frowned when he saw that it was covered with gold foil as well; such unnecessary extravagance.

As most of the nobles were long gone, the Inquisitor had in a sense become the sovereign of this world…and who better than him understood what had started already far above their heads in space, and would come to a bloody conclusion here among the last people of Victoria Primus. Nicomedo had no doubt that those who had remained in the spires across the planets, those who hadn't had the chance or means to leave the world or reach the citadel were already being slaughtered by the arriving Tyranids. Quickly he pushed those horrible thoughts and images aside.

There was little time before the battle would begin for them as well; it was time he spoke. "People of Victoria Primus!" His voice boomed loudly throughout the entire citadel, so that everyone within its walls could hear him. "I am Lord Basil Nicomedo, and I speak to you with the authority of the Governor and that which our divine Emperor's holy institutions have bestowed me with. Most importantly however, I speak to you today not just as a proud servant of our Undying Lord, but as a citizen of His Imperium like all of you!" A short pause, a deep breath. "I will not lie to you: today we stand against a vile alien threat, one unlike any of you has ever seen, and much blood will be shed before this day is over. As horrible as they may seem to you, let me tell you that they are not undefeatable. The armies of man have stood and triumphed against them in the past and shall again, and we are not alone in this fight!" Another brief pause. Did he sound confident enough? "Even as I speak, a Liberation Fleet heads our way to deliver us from the xenos, its ships bringing with them the holy Emperor's wrath!" His voice turned solemn. "Brothers and sisters, when they arrive they shall find us still fighting! When they arrive, human life will still dwell on Victoria Primus!"

Nicomedo let his words sink in; he didn't know if he had managed to convey what he had meant to, if his words had managed to encourage some. He was an Inquisitor, this was not his area of expertise as an agent in the Holy Emperor's service. For a final time he spoke into the microphone. "Emperor be with you all. The Emperor protects."

He turned it off. There was a moment of silence before his Interrogator, who had been waiting behind him spoke. "Never knew you had such a talent for speeches, sir." Mandrake complimented him.

Nicomedo frowned. "You think it worked?" The Inquisitor had not yet turned around, but looked out the window, taking in the last peaceful moments; perhaps the last peaceful moments of his life.

"I was hanging on your every word." Mandrake assured him.

Nicomedo chuckled briefly in amusement. "So, has Seth Nelson rubbed off on you as well?"

There was another pause, and when Mandrake spoke his voice was lower. "He was one of us for quite some time."

"Aye." Nicomedo slowly said, finally facing his Interrogator, having turned around. "We shall kill a few of these foul xenos for him and Brennan as well."

Mandrake straightened himself, a smile on his lips as he replied. "With pleasure, sir."

The engine rumbled, warming up as Jane brought life to the craft. This would be it, her final battle, and so much depended on it. On it, and on her own skills. It made her feel sick, but she had long ago learned to deal with her anxiousness. Jane turned her head as a hand was place on her shoulder. "No worries; you can do it." Taylor encouraged her, an almost enthusiastic smile on his lips. He too was dressed in carapace armor, a mask hanging around his neck, his only protection against the toxic spores in Victoria Primus' air.

"We're going to die anyway, aren't we?" She asked him gloomily.

"Most likely, but with a little luck Victoria Primus survives." He winked. "So, get us to that beast in one piece if possible."

Her eyes narrowed at him. "Hey, you're supposed to be irritating to the 'Nids, not me."

He smiled apologetically. "Sorry; those are not mutually exclusive."

"It would help if you stopped talking."

"I'm afraid that's not gonna happen." Taylor reminded her. "You ought to know me better by now."

Sighing, but not surrendering yet, Jane turned around to the Salamander behind her. "Milord, would it be completely out of line if I asked you to knock him out?"

Lord Nadim lifted his head, as he'd been checking his weapon one last time and chuckled. "I'll consider it." He told her, and returned to his work on his Plasma Cannon.

"That won't be necessary." Taylor hastily weight in, patting his pilot's shoulder like a drum, as if it would appease her somehow.

"Do you at least have an excuse, as to why you're so annoying?" She asked him as she made the last checks before takeoff.

"I was young, foolish and needed the money…oh wait; that was my excuse for something else."

From behind them came Pericles' voice, some irritation in his usually stern tone. "Is there anything he takes seriously?"

"I've been asking myself the same question for years." She growled quietly; it had been a trait he and Seth had shared.

There was a brief pause. "Have you considered removing his vocal cords?" The captain suggested.

At first she was surprised and bewildered at his words, but then chuckled amused. "Don't give me ideas like that."

"Are you two ganging up on me?"

Pericles laughed briefly. "Relax, we're just kidding."

"Let us have this one joke on your expense before we kick the bucket." Jane added amused, her mood having improved significantly. It was amazing what the right company could do. Once more her eyes wandered over the displays. They were ready. "Taylor, take your seat and buckle up."

One final time he patted her shoulder. "You'll make it, Jane." He left the cockpit and took his seat right behind it, across from Pericles and with a broad grin he pressed the button on his collar-like limiter. "To hell then."

The engines roared as Jane took it to the air, the craft trembling, though not as bad as its pilot. Light flooded the hangers as its doors opened, and taking one last, deep breath she got them out. As soon as they were in the open, she flew higher, where she expected less Tyranid creatures; after all there wasn't much to kill for them up there, until now. Jane could feel Taylor's affect like a cool breeze, making the hair on her body stand up, and she prayed to the Emperor that it work better on the xenos, though if the fight against the Genestealers was any indication there was a chance this plan could work.

They left the citadel's perimeter, the craft breaking through the sickly clouds until they were above the ceiling, the stronghold disappearing from sight. The clouds quickly faded, and what Jane saw made her hands clench the controls even tighter. There were hundreds if not thousands of alien creatures, their bodies long and slender, kept in the air by giant bat-like wings. The moved as the Inquisitor had said as a swarm, almost like a school of fish, flying in perfect concert, gathering as they waited, likely for the coming assault on the citadel, and even through the noise of the engine, Jane could hear their high-pitched screeching; it was almost as of someone was scratching with his fingernails over a blackboard next to her ear.

Her heart was racing in her chest as she flew towards them; there was no way around as they truly surrounded the citadel, the swarm having formed a ring around it. Above them Jane saw explosions, countless in number as the war raged already in space, therefore also soundless. It was strange, almost unnerving in its own right to see the destruction, yes dimly she could make out several Imperial ships, saw explosions tear pieces from their hulls, but heard not a sound. There was only the engine of her little vessel and the animalistic screeching of the Tyranids, those Gargoyles as the Inquisitor had called them. Now they would see, if Taylor could get them through.

Closer and closer she flew, and at first nothing happened, still the Tyranids moved in perfect synchrony. Closer still…nothing. Then it happened.

Like a swarm of fish that had suddenly seen a shark, they dispersed, but unlike the fish the Gargoyles had lost all coordination. It was pure chaos. Those too close to the ship, those feeling Taylor's aura fled as if in panic, and their screeching had changed into a sound as agony. It was even worse than the noises they had made before, making Jane cringe. She saw how some began to attack each other, hacking with small, sickle-like claws or barbed tails. Disgusted she watched how one spat green venom at another Gargoyle, eating away the chitin of the unfortunate creature in seconds. Some of those which had been the closest to the ship, simply tumbled to the ground, and briefly Jane wondered if they were already dead, or were so shocked and damaged by Taylor's presence that they could simply not move anymore. As fast as possible Jane flew through the swarm, breathing out in relief when they were almost through; she had not even realized that she had been holding her breath. The Gargoyles continued to evade the ship.

"Is it working?" Jane suddenly heard Taylor's voice, startling her for a moment.

However she recovered quickly. "We're still alive, aren't we?" The medicae answered him grimly, yet still relieved at the same time. At least for a moment.

Finally they had made it through the ring, but that didn't mean the air-space was clear. It seemed that from all over the planet more Tyranids flew towards the Citadel, not just Gargoyles, but in the distance, Jane saw a similar creature, yet several times larger. It reminded the medicae of some horrible dragon of legend. Still, despite the approaching Tyranids, they only came in smaller swarms, giving Jane much more room to operate. Having calmed significantly she guided the Lander towards the coordination Inquisitor Nicomedo had provided them with. He'd said that the powerful psychic signature left no room for mistake. The Tyrant was on the planet on not too far away.

The flight continued surprisingly uneventful. Jane avoided the swarms, and whenever they came to close, the Tyranids would do the same. As they were still above the sickly greenish clouds, it was impossible to tell what was going on in the forest below, however Jane had no doubt that there was even more activity than up here; millions of Tyranids, biological monster, all heading towards the last Imperial bastion on the planet. The hive-cities were no doubt already deserted of human life, crawling with things like Rippers, which would now consume the bio-matter. How pointless the purge ordered by the Governor seemed now.

Close to their destination, the Aquila Lander's sensor picked something up, a warning symbol starting to blink red in one of the smaller displays. Quickly Jane checked the readings. "Spores incoming. Hold on for evasive maneuvers."

"Can you do it?" The Untouchable knew that while their medicae had been trained and flown on many occasions, but never in a battle. Seth or Brennan had handled those situations before.

"That's why they call it a baptism of fire, Taylor." Jane told him plainly. "Now do me a favor and keep it shut."

Mere seconds later a hailstorm rained down on Victoria Primus, only that the hail was thousands of Mycetic Spores. Jane cursed silently and turned the Lander almost 90°, offering the incoming spores only the slimmer side of the vessel. Everywhere they were coming down, one mere meters in front of the cockpit. Jane was flying sinuous lines, assisted by the onboard cogitator, gritting her teeth once more. Already she could see their destination a small, lonely mountain in the forest. It would take her perhaps two more minutes to reach it.

It was then that one of the Mycetic Spores hit a wing.

Nicomedo had gone to the main plaza of the citadel, a hexagonal court at the stronghold's center, surrounded by the most important buildings within the citadel, of both the Imperial Guard, the Adeptus Administratum and of course there was the cathedral from which the Inquisitor, his Interrogator and the remaining Governor's Guards had just emerged. The shrubbery that had once been arranged to please the eye, and to bring some color to the live-less grey of Imperial architecture, had grown out of proportions, high as tees, their roots destroying the floor, breaking the stone. At the center stood still the statue of the sector's most revert saint, while a Heavy Gunner team of the Imperial Guard had taken position at the stairs leading up to it. As a matter of fact the plaza itself was well defended.

Several Heavy Gunner teams had taken position around and on the plaza, Heavy Bolters against the swarming masses of smaller aliens, Las-Cannons and Autocannons to take out the any Synapse Creatures that would get this far. Behind barricades, troops of Imperial Guardsmen had taken position, all looking towards the staircase to the east, the only side from which one could reach the plaza. Beyond lay the battlement, several of which formed circles around the citadel on different levels. Each battlement in addition had small towers on which artillery and air defense cannons stood ready to rain hell upon the enemy.

Captain Militant Giacomo of Victoria Primus' PDF approached Nicomedo, joining him with a handful of his man at the doors of the cathedral. "My Lord Inquisitor." He bowed respectfully, and Nicomedo gave him a curt nod. "The PDF has taken position and Lord General Militant Giovanni told me that the Imperial Guard is ready for the Tyranids as well."

"Good, I doubt it will be long now." Basil looked up into the sky, the view restricted by heavy greenish clouds, yet still from time to time one could see the soundless fireworks of the battle in space. There was something unreal about the sight with no noise but the occasional clicking of weapons that were being checked by those around him. With the Fleet directly above the citadel hopefully not too many spores would land within the walls themselves, but in the jungle beyond the newly created canyon.

Captain Giacomo tore him from his thoughts, nervousness in the man's voice though he tried to hide it. "What you said in your speech Inquisitor; did you mean it? Do you truly think that the Emperor's Fleet can reach us in time?"

Nicomedo lowered his gaze from the sky and sighed. "I have never fought alongside your men." He began slowly. "I have not faced a Hive Fleet until now, only its vanguard organisms. I cannot predict how this will end, if we can survive until help arrives. As you, I can only hope and fight, giving every last drop of my blood for the Emperor and the people of Victoria Primus today." Nicomedo turned to the Captain, his gaze piercing. "And I trust you do the same."

"Of course, sir." Captain Giacomo replied hastily, straightening up once again, his men behind him doing the same.

From the corner of his eyes, Nicomedo saw his Interrogator, smirking a little at the Captain's reaction, before the Inquisitor let his gaze wander about the plaza once more. He regarded the men and women around him. They were so frightened, some clinging to their weapons, muttering prayers to themselves, all minds likely on the storm coming for them, a storm of living bodies, screaming, coming closer by the second. Even the air was not safe from them; leather-winged creatures circled the citadel, for now keeping their distance, hidden by the clouds, yet Nicomedo could sense them and had no doubt that once the swarm arrived, they would come as well, once attention had to be divided.

A man close by coughed; he was one of the unlucky fellows without a mask, and could die even before the enemy arrived. Thick blood came running over his lips and out of his nose, those around him trying to move away as best as possible. A medicae of the Imperial Guard ran over to him, but there was likely not much that could be done; the tiny spores were already growing in the man's lungs, destroying and eating away the tissue.

And then the second wave began.

Thousands of Mycetic Spores rained from the sky, breaking through the cloud ceiling. It was a terrible sight to behold, knowing that each contained at least one alien creature, often however a small brood of Tyranids like Hormagaunts or Termagants. Like a dense meteoroid showed did they come upon Victoria Primus and the silence that had briefly fallen over the citadel, as all eyes watched the spores fall, was suddenly ended, when the cannons opened fire. With deafening shrieks the battle on the planet itself began, the cannon bringing down hundreds of spores, tearing them apart in explosions. Priority targets were all enemy vessels that threatened to land within the citadel itself, and soon the outer rings was showered with the burning remains of the Mycetic Spores, flakes of chitin and flesh.

The thunder of cannons continued, but most aliens landed somewhere in the jungle, joining those who had landed on the planet hours earlier. But then the wind picked up. The trajectory of the spores changed, no longer were they falling to the earth in a relatively straight line, but an inclined angle. Those coming down east of the citadel, were now swayed towards it. Desperately the cannons tried to keep up with the increasing number of targets, but Nicomedo had a feeling their efforts would not be enough. Grimly the Inquisitor watched as dark shapes appeared within the clouds, before breaking out. Thousands of Tyranids creatures, Gargoyles, began their attack, though their screams were inaudible with all the noise that already surrounded the humans. It was a massive swarm of winged creatures that descended upon the citadel, and some of the cannons changed their targets ignoring the spores in favor of the Gargoyles.

When the beast were close enough, all over the citadel Guardsmen and PDF opened fire, and soon it was raining dead Tyranids. Their bodies smashed against the towers and spires, some even finding their way onto the plaza, where their bodies shattered upon impact, their guts and blood spreading over the stone. One even landed on the statue, taking off the saints head with its lifeless body. But the surviving Gargoyles did not die without a fight, and their number was still great enough to darken the sickly sky. They fired from their Fleshborers, and spat venom from their fanged mouths, whenever they flew low enough over the Guardsmen.

Nicomedo saw a Heavy Gunner team get hit by Fleshborer fire; it didn't kill them right away, no, instead half a dozen of small beetles bored themselves through each of their armors, then through flesh and bone. It was horrible to watch, the men screaming in pain, twisting on the ground, their hands running over their bodies, as if they hoped they could pull the beetles out somehow, before they collapsed, twitching a few last times despite being already dead. They were not the only ones. Many on the plaza suffered the same fate, while the other took cover, watching terrified and disgusted at what happened to their comrades. None of them had seen weapons like this before.

Still, others kept firing, and Heavy Gunners with Heavy Bolters and Autocannons tore the beasts apart in the sky, showing the citadel now with body parts as well. Worried the Inquisitor watched the battle. With sword and pistol there was little he could do, and the Captain Militant had returned to his command post inside, in relative safety. Suddenly there was a giant shadow over the plaza.

Nicomedo and Mandrake looked up, as a monstrous creature began the circle the inner ring of the citadel. The Inquisitor had read about this thing; a Harpy. Several times larger than a Gargoyle, its body long and sinuous, its massive leathery wings even longer, the Harpy dwarfed everything around it, like a dragon from ancient stories. As soon as they had spotted it, the Harpy emitted an ear-splitting shriek. Nicomedo sunk to his knees, covering his ears as he flinched, eyes shut tightly. It was painful, excruciating, the shriek resonating in his entire body as if it was about to shatter him. The world around him stopped to exist, there was only pain.

It felt like an eternity before the pain stopped and the sound was gone. Slowly Inquisitor Nicomedo opened his eyes again, and removed his hands from his ears. The world was spinning, and he felt dizzy. All other noises around him were strangely dull at first. He looked around, seeing his Interrogator getting back on his feet shaking, supporting himself with his hands against the cathedral's wall. There was blood running from his ears.

As Nicomedo rose as well, he could see that about everyone at the plaza had collapsed, many only rising now. The Gargoyles had taken the opportunity and killed a great number with their Fleshborers, and the Inquisitor watched as one came down, grabbed a still disoriented Guardsman, carried him back up, only to let go, so he fell screaming to his death, landing in the midst of his comrades. This first attack was devastating for the moral; they needed undeniable, clear results fast.

But it seemed fate was against the Inquisitor. In the confusion caused by the Harpy, Mycetic Spores had made it through the defenses. Two giant spores, like organic drop-pots, landed near the east stairs leading up to the plaza, the ground trembling at the impact. Nicomedo drew his sword, the blade beginning to glow blue, fine lightning dancing over the blade. "Guardsmen ready yourselves!" He bellowed, the vox carrying his voice to everyone on and around the plaza. "Suffer the alien not to live!"

Hastily the men and women, rushed, crawled or otherwise moved back to cover, while some manned the heavy weapons left behind by the few dead Gunner teams. Sergeants and a Commissar yelled orders, those few who tried to run finding a quick end by the latter's hand. Or gun. The spores opened, their insides covered with some sort of gray mucilage. Something within them moved, shoving off the protective shell of the spore. Those monsters rose, stretched their mucilage-covered limbs, shaking their bodies, like someone who had just awoken from a long sleep and screamed into the sky, as if they were announcing themselves to the humans. Nicomedo knew what they were.

Two massive Tervigons stood now on the plaza, massive creatures with towering spined carapaces to shield their swollen abdomens. Three pairs of limbs were needed to support each of them, their heads comparatively small, yet their snouts were filled with fine, razor sharp fangs. Realizing the situation, Nicomedo shouted a simple order. "Open fire! Kill them quickly!" As if to respond to him, the beasts shrieked loudly, their heads turned to him, as their bellies ripped open, unleashing dozens of Termagants, covered as well with what seemed to be mucilage. Men and beast were now screaming alike, las- and bolter fire filling the air, cutting the small aliens to pieces, but more came out of the massive alien; it seemed ludicrous how this many could fit into a single organism. "Concentrate fire on the big ones!" It was such a simple concept; how could all these men seemingly forget it, the moment it counted?

The Termagant fired back with the same weapons the Gargoyles had used, and stormed the defenders. As soon as they were in reach, the small aliens would use the claws on their second pair of limb to tear the Guardsmen to pieces. Sometimes there were so many in one position they simply seemed to drown the poor men in their way. Like a flood they spread from the staircase over the plaza.

While Nicomedo could see that no more were coming out of the Tervigons, and the Guardsmen had killed plenty of Gants, more than three dozen were still alive and slaughtering the humans, who were still suffering from the Harpy's shriek. But the Inquisitor had not remained idle all this time. He had walked down the stairs of the cathedral, his mind reaching out to the warp. The lighting around his blade had steadily increased as he gathered the energy. Mandrake and the last survivors of the Governor's Guard were right behind him, shooting Gants whenever they could, yet kept a little distance from the Inquisitor. By the time he'd reached the beheaded statue, the Tyranids had realized the danger, and the Gants were swarming back together into something of a spear tip of living bodies. The psyker didn't truly mind that they lined up in front of him.

Nicomedo finally lifted his sword, using it as a conduit and suddenly unleashed all the power he had gathered. A massive bolt of blue lightning rushed from his blade, cut through the ranks of Termagants, electrocuting several, burning their bodies until it hit one of the Tervigons.

The beast howled in pain, when the lightning struck, flashes washing over its massive body, moments before it was torn apart, literally exploded in an explosion of blue light, taking the nearest Gants with it. The second stumbled at the psychic backlash, the few still living Gant staggering, shrieking confused.

Somewhere a present minded Sergeant shouted over all that noise. "Gunner Teams! Take down the second now!"

Nicomedo himself meanwhile sank back to his knees, his sword momentarily reduced to a cane to support himself with. Mandrake was quickly at his side. "Sir, are you alright?" The young man was clearly worried, and his mentor smiled mildly. The attack had exhausted him, leaving him almost too weak to move.

"I will be fine, Mandrake. Clean up the rest. I just." He took a deep breath. "I just need to rest for a moment." Nicomedo lifted his head, just in time to see an Autocannon's rounds punch through the second Tervigon's plates, slaying it, the body collapsing onto its side. It was a most satisfying sight to behold. Without any synapse creature around, the last remaining Termagants were even more confused, and the Guardsmen and PDF killed them quickly, without much difficulty. Nicomedo regarded the carnage around him, the dead bodies of humans and aliens alike, the stone shimmering red with blood, the Gargoyles still circling over their heads, the anti-aircraft cannons still firing as they had throughout the fight without interruption. This had merely been the initial attack, and battle for the citadel had only just begun.

…Part 2 will be published next week…