Chapter 1 - The Badlands of Achilles VII
The summer winds of Achilles VII were harsh and unforgiving. Arid as it was, the planet was the home of many that were loyal to the Emperor as well as home to Opuntia mentis, a newly discovered cactus. This cactus was significant in the eyes of the Imperium as it had been found to grow near the homes of psykers within the planetary system. Achilles VII was known to produce many Imperial psykers so the Ordo Malleus had reason to believe the cactus may be indicative of the Warp leaking into the area. Accordingly, the Planetary Defence Force of Achilles VII was reinforced by an Inquisitor, Valoris Macvicar, and his cabal of stormtroopers as the investigation of the Warp energies persisted.
After purging the cacti from the city with the purifying flames of the Emperor, the only known remaining growth of the plant was deep in the desert. In order to ensure no citizen of the Imperium came too close to these potentially tainted cacti, the PDF sent regular patrols into the dusty badlands outside the city. These patrols also served as lookouts for any xeno or daemon that may be drawn to the Warp energy that could be emitting from the cacti. One such patrol was led by Sergeant Belthor Limanowitz, a staunch-hearted man of the 2nd militia company, 1st platoon. He sighed as he heard a murmur arise amongst his troops. Thinking it was complaints about the heat, he turned to scold his men's lack of zeal when he suddenly understood why the men were riled up.
"Greetings, Sergeant. Commissar Garth Bellaire of Inquisitor Macvicar's retinue here to accompany you and your men on patrol."
Commissar Bellaire was an imposing man- black leather jacket, dark hair, and a hat that cast a shadow over his iron-colored eyes. Sergeant Limanowitz had heard commissars shoot their own officers for even the slightest disloyalty to the Emperor, but he wouldn't be surprised if Commissar Bellaire simply had to glare at the disloyal to stop their hearts.
"To what do we owe this pleasure, Commissar Bellaire?" Belthor was genuinely curious as this outing was meant to be a standard patrol.
Commissar Bellaire eyed him, seeming to consider whether Belthor was devoted enough to receive a response. Apparently, Belthor passed this silent test as the Commissar shared that the Inquisitor received a message from a psyker in the sector that there was an anomaly in the Warp near the planet. Usually, Warp shifts like these were no cause for alarm but they could indicate oncoming daemons or even the presence of a powerful psyker. Either way, the news spread through the ranks and was quickly followed by a strong sense of dread.
Quickly reminding his men that the Emperor protects the faithful, Sergeant Belthor insisted they begin their march into the badlands surrounding the city. Once the troops were in motion, Belthor assumed his position marching at the front of the ranks. He expected the Commissar to join him, but the harsh tapping of Bellaire's boots never came. Sneaking a glance backwards, Belthor saw the Commissar lurking in the rear of the files. The march pressed on as such for quite some time when the Sergeant heard some of the men snickering at some figures in the distance. The men were quickly silenced by a steely look from the Commissar who had suddenly appeared at Belthor's side. Though he was surprised, Belthor was grateful for the man's quick presence as the Commissar unflinchingly evaluated the situation at hand.
The troopers in the back ranks continued to jeer and look over at the disturbance while the two officers discussed what to do about the situation.
"Is that…. Are they fucking?" Trooper Kade Galustian hushedly asked his friend Uriel Baff.
"Sure as hell looks like it. Maybe this march ain't so bad after all, we get a bit of a show!" Uriel guffawed back as he shifted under the weight of the ancient Vox caster on his back. Sure enough, it did appear that a large man was thrusting into a womanly figure who he had bent over before him. Many of the men seemed unsure if they should watch or avert their eyes to stay pure of heart for the Emperor. Unfortunately, the decision was quickly made for them as the promiscuous man exploded into pieces and from the bloody entrails dozens of twisted female forms began to emerge. Many of the men staggered backward in shock and raised their autoguns in case the daemonic beings would turn to face them.
"Get behind that dune and establish a firing line!" Sergeant Limanowitz bellowed to his men over the sound of daemons spawning from the mangled corpse. As the men rushed to cover behind a large sand dune, Commissar Bellaire extracted a bolt pistol from his overcoat and encouraged the men to recite prayers from the Imperial Uplifting Primer.
"Emperor, bestow on me Your righteous fury and Your furious strength. Let me become the storm that blasts the enemy from Your sight!"
Inspired by the Litany of War led by the Commissar, the men primed their autoguns and took aim upon the daemons. Just before firing, they recited Litany of Accuracy together.
"Grant me the sight of the eagle, the calm of the breeze, the patience of a saint, and the skill to smite the foe from afar."
Finally, the guardsmen unleashed fire upon the daemonettes who had turned their corrupted forms to rush the dune. Screaming, the freakish beings brandished weapons such as oversized claw hands, talons protruding from their forearms, and scythes for arms. A few daemonettes fell to the bullets of the Imperium, but those numbers were quickly replenished as the monsters were still spilling from the portal that had formed from the unfortunate bastard who had thought it wise to fornicate in the desert.
"Fall back! Keep the heat on them, but stay out of melee range!" Belthor knew his men stood a better chance farther from the enemy. However, as the patrol withdrew, they were being pushed deeper into the desert, farther from the sanctuary of the city.