A tall figure stood calmly amidst the smoke and destruction. The hiss of fluids evaporating in the power field of his blade and the grind of metal parts slowly losing power were all that could be heard. The combat training servitor hadn't lasted long, Even with uprated protocols and heavier protection the training simulation hadn't pushed him at all.

'You think you're really clever don't you?' came a condescending voice through the smoke.

'Compared to Cyril I am yeah.' Jadden smiled

'Training servitors are supposed to be used more than once you know'

'Training servitors are supposed to train you, and you'll rebuild Cyril again anyway'

'I have other duties you know Jad, like maintaining the ship? Everyone else's gear? Not rebuilding Cyril every other day because you smash him to bits during training'

'Lay off Wyn, You know I never damage anything you can't replace?'

Wynor grunted with derision and starting collecting Cyril's salvageable parts. Jad knew he just liked to complain, and besides they were about to enter another warzone. He needed to be ready, and the details coming in about the Tau invasion force was limited. All they really knew for certain was they had taken the majority of the Kethrin system and they had white armour. Everything else was just speculation, so Jadden could at least be sure of himself.

Besides Wyn would never get away with such an emotional state if he was still on a Forge World. Wyn was a brilliant Tech-priest, but he never really adopted the no emotion thing, he loves the machines too much for the Mechanium. That was why Inquisitor Vigilem had taken him on, he was far more adaptable than any other Tech-priest Jadden had ever met, and the fact he had 'avoided' getting the amygdala replaced in his brain was what made him perfect for real world work.

Jad had work to do anyway. The Sanguine Dragon Strike cruiser they had secured passage on was due to arrive in the Kethrin System in the next few hours, and though the Space Marines were perfectly good hosts and accommodated the inquisitorial unit comfortably, Jad didn't like playing second fiddle to them. On a normal Navy ship, the Inquisition can make sure they have everything they need and even the most stubborn General will follow the orders he's given. But a Space Marine Chapter? No they are just outside of the inquisitions control. They won't give you any tactical information if they think it's their responsibility to handle it. You can watch from the side lines and clean up the mess.

They hadn't even given over proper training facilities. They just emptied the cargo bay nearest their quarters and let them build an arena and a shooting range. Still, last time he'd been allowed to train with the marines he'd challenged a sergeant to a sparring match and flattened him. It hadn't done Inquisitorial-marine relations much good. So it was probably for the best.

General Geart was watching the Navy fleet form up following its warp transition. No one had gone missing and everyone was where they needed to be. This counter strike was looking like it would go to plan. The Tau hadn't entrenched themselves on any of the planets they had attacked. And though on the capitol planet, Kethrin Prime had a sizeable Imperial force still upon it, it had been garrisoned in case of Tyranid invasion. The majority of the Tau Navy was in orbit and reports appeared to show that that where the major ground assault had been focused, the Capitol city Newlaiden, the Tau hadn't moved on yet. Geart didn't know how many survivors were left on the planet, but the fact that the Tau hadn't started dropping any major structures suggested the planet wasn't secured. Geart had managed to secure a solid force for his attack, and needed this to go well as it was the first time he had held overall command in nearly a decade. This was his chance to prove himself as still being a force to be reckoned with, earn some prestige before he retired.

Confirmation had come in from both his Heavy Cruisers, the 5 light cruisers, 12 of 15 escort squadrons and a large chunk of the support vessels that they were in position and ready to be deployed. Only the Battle cruiser Geart himself was aboard hadn't yet made the trip to the rendezvous. A situation with one of support craft crashing into the side of the ship had caused delays. But the General had it on good authority that the Commissariat had got involved and shot the pilots squad leader for the infraction, so he decided not to take it any further. Undermining the Commissars was not only an easy way to get yourself shot, even a General, but it wouldn't help when they need to enforce order in the face of enemy fire. Other than the minor inconvenience things were going to plan. There was even a notification from the Astropaths that Space Marines of the Sanguine Dragons were sending a Strike cruiser to support the action.

'Sir! The admiral reports we should be in position within the hour.' Lieutenant Myres reported from across the room.

'Excellent. Is the advance route confirmed and sent to all vessels?'

'Yes Sir! We are ready to deploy on your order.'

'As soon as we are in position, order the fleet to proceed. I want this attack underway. The remaining escorts will have to catch up.'

'Aye Sir!'

Geart allowed himself a little smile and sat himself into his chair, surveying the Holograph display of Kethrin Prime. It was a large Agri world, mostly open plains of Grox herds and fields of crops. Only the capitol could be considered a major settlement, it had the only star port, all trade went through there, and once it fell the planet fell with it.

His adjutant, Poiller, appeared with a fresh cup of Re-caff. Geart nodded his appreciation and turned his attention back to the holograph, still worryingly blank, he was hoping to have more information, hopefully auspices would pick up more signals as they approached. Not that it should make much difference, he was doing this by the book, only something major could disrupt this endeavor.

The escape run was not going well. The Tau had surrounded the township in the night and dispatched stealth suits in via the exposed sewage system. They had sent a negotiator to try and get them to put up the white flag, but the Major in charge was evidently more worried about Alishia's bolt pistol than the Tau force outside the walls.

His shot didn't land on the Tau magister who was attempting to sway the guardsmen still in Isle Lodge town to heresy. He was then cut down by a group of stealth suits lurking in the shadows, the skimmer the magister had come in with let loose a volley of plasma fire before evacuating the flustered ambassador. Alishia was left with a Squad and a half of Guardsmen stuck in a water processing plant and only 20 rounds for her pistol. It was Sergeant Jules who had hot-wired the truck and smashed them through the back gate of the town, getting her and the guardsmen out of the line of fire. Now they were crouched in the back with a small number of Tau Jumpsuits following. Jules had managed to smash one with the truck just outside the walls, but it seemed to have done more damage to the vehicle than the Xeno war machine. The truck was now making unhealthy noises, and smoke was trailing behind them. They just had to make it to the capitol city, Newlaiden, and they may be able to get out of here. Unfortunately the Agri-world nature of Kethrin Prime meant there was nothing but open fields which made them a ripe target for the enemy. But it was obvious that the enemy commander had not judged a lone truck enough of a threat to expend more than a couple of suits chasing them down.

It was another 2 days drive to the capitol though, and the Tau were still within range to take lucky shots at them. One shot had been close enough to set the canvas truck covering ablaze. Another had hit a tree and knocked it over, hitting the back of the truck, taking one more unfortunate guardsmen with it. Jules called through the shattered rear window of the truck.

'We're gonna run out of juice soon Commissar! We need to think of some way to get out of this chase!'

'How long do we have?' She asked

'Dunno, maybe another hour of driving? But it's a miracle we have lasted this long'

'Okay give me a minute'

The Commissar paused for a moment, and then asked the nearest guardsman, Private Grimes, to find out exactly what weaponry they had with them. She knew they would only get out of this by either escaping or taking out those battle suits. She took her binoculars and scanned the horizon. She could only make out 2 suits behind them, both jumping along about a half a mile behind them; this would need to be precise.

'GRIMES! What do we have?' She sternly asked the guardsman

Grimes looked uneasily at her, '12 lasguns with maybe 2 spare packs each, Nivvon has 5 grenades left for his launcher. And we have 7 hand grenades between us, 2 frag and 5 krak'

'That's it?' Alishia said out of frustration, she knew you'd struggle to take down anything with that equipment, let alone a pair of Tau Battle suits armed for a planetary Invasion.

'I got my power sword and another 2... No 3 grenades here.' Jules said as he stuffed his gear through the back window.

'All right people I need ideas!'

Jadden had been granted permission to attend the Sanguine Dragons war briefing ready for arrival at Kethrin. Chief Librarian Collus had sent the invitation and Jad was met by Chaplain Drake to be escorted to the briefing room. Jad wasn't sure if this was display of power or trust, but thought it best not cause trouble and graciously accepted. The briefing took place in a huge auditorium, a giant Dragons head holding a holograph in its jaws, Space marines positioned in the semi-circular chamber facing the dragon. Collus stood to the side of the holograph, next to the control panel and the serf who operated it. From a quick scan of the room Jad counted there to be 12 Astartes in the room, there was Collus, Chaplain Drake, a Sanguinary Priest Jadden didn't recognise, but assumed he was the ranking priest on board, though he wore only the basic tunic rather that the power armour of the other marines. Beside stood another marine in just a tunic, who was large even by marine standards. The other 8 marines all appeared to be Squad Sergeants, a quick look at markings show 4 Assault sergeants, 2 Tactical and a Devastator sergeant. The marines stood speaking in a number of small groups, while Collus acknowledged Drake and Jadden.

'Glad you could join us Mr Ledo!' Collus said warmly

'Please, Jad is fine'

'Of course. I trust you have been well accommodated? Unfortunately I have been unable to greet you myself until now.'

'Yes, the quarters set aside were more than adequate, if a little isolated?'

'I apologise, unfortunately our vessels have very little unutilised space.'

'It is not a problem.' Jad replied. Collus seemed sincere enough about the limited contact the chapter had had with the Inquisitorial Group. And Jad decided it was not worth pushing any further.

'It is different to be in the presence of a non-Astartes Pskyer? I have felt some potent use of the immaterium during your visit.'

'Just some light training to keep my mind trained, I trust I did not disturb you?'

'Not at all, though I wouldn't have thought it was only light training, I felt several powerful disturbances' The Librarian was obviously suspicious of the feats Jadden was capable of. Jad decided not to remain on this subject.

'Do we know what Guard support there will be at Kethrin?'

'We have information that the 34th Collodian Regiment are in support; specifics will be discussed in the briefing. I would also request you give input regarding your teams presence here' Collus was evidently wary of the Inquisitions motives, but Jad did not want to have to fight off interference should the Marine not like his plans.

'We are here to monitor the situation and assist where possible. Inquisitor Vigilem judged that we should visit the system and ensure that it is held. Kethrin supplies food and clothing to most of the surrounding systems. Its loss cannot be tolerated.' This was a standard answer, of which Collus would be aware, but Jad did not want to alert the Chapter that his orders would likely end up leaving their vessel the target of a major Tau counter attack.

'Well please enjoy the briefing. If you have any questions please ask.'

'Of Course' Jad smiled