Chapter Fifteen

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"Sanguinius. It should have been him. He has the vision and the strength to carry us to victory, and the wisdom to rule once victory is won. For all his aloof coolness, he alone has the Emperor's soul in his blood. Each of us carries part of our father within us, whether it is his hunger for battle, his psychic talent or his determination to succeed. Sanguinius holds it all. It should have been his…,"

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The planet of Certi gleams down below like a creation of the gods. The Fortress World might contain massive Hives that serve as recruitment sources for the large number of Imperial Guard soldiers that it inducts into its fortresses, but it never lost the seas of green and brown that indicates the wild forests that still call the planet home. However right now there is a differing color from the planet as it resists the Tyranid Splinter Fleet currently gnawing on it's insides with its tendrils. Yellow and white flashes can be seen, after effects of Air to air fire from the fortress orbitals against the mycetic spores that try to land on the planet down below. Above, the Imperial Navy still continue to harass the Splinter Fleet in lightning raids that could inflict the most damage without putting the Imperial ships into harm's way.

Suffice it to say that the space battle is currently all but lost. The original plan to retake the Adamma Orbital, while successful only cleared the space around the orbital. All the splinter fleet needs to do is relocate the their fleet to another part of the planet not covered by the mighty guns of the Imperial space station and the Imperial Navy ships find themselves back to square one when it comes to dealing with the Tyranid Bio-Ships.

Thus here they are making lightning quick raid attacks destroying a ship here, a ship there before retreating again quickly before the Tyranid swarms of flying creatures can get into grips with the Imperial ships. So far it has been successful, removing the pressure from the defenders now and then before retreating again. There is one person however who is unsatisfied with the way that the war to liberate the planet of Xenos is going.

Sanguinius stamps his fingers repeatedly over his throne like seat at the middle of the bridge of the Purgatory. He is given full view of another successful raid with another Bio-Ship badly damaged and the Imperial Fleet making a runaway without the Tyranid Splinter Fleet even managing to turn correctly in their direction. Sitting here however for almost three weeks while observing the hit and run attacks while reading updates of the fighting down below in the planet does not sit well for the winged Primarch. Ever since he has been reborn into the Material world, he has always been in action from one point or another. Sitting on his winged arse while there is a problem to be solved leaves him feeling bum and edgy. Besides, it's not as if there repeated raids is doing what needs to be done in destroying the Xeno threat down below.

"I have enough of this!" booms Sanguinius slamming his open fist at the throne he is sitting at with a metallic clang stopping the meeting down below which is focusing about another raid they are about to do.

As everyone starts to stare at him, Sanguinius ignores the Eldar Farseer perched on the side of his throne leaning on him as he stands up making her give an unhappy squawk as he walks towards the command console which everyone is circling before leaning on it.

"We are getting nowhere with these lightning fleet raids other than delaying the inevitable for the planet down below. Tell me, is there any other way that we can destroy the Xeno threat without the need for a face to face concentration for the fleet?" he asks the gathered officers, mostly Generals from Certi who makes themselves small in his presence.

Everyone is silent for a while as everyone stares at one another obviously with questioning eyes, trying to find an answer to his question. Before they can answer however, the raised hand of Captain Mira makes every eye in the command center look at the pretty guardswoman.

"Speak your mind captain," Sanguinis calls out making her nod. She has come far from the kowtowing mortal at his presence already.

"We could try it the way that the Blood Ravens Chapter did at the planet of Meridian lord Primarch," she begins. "I've heard from chatter and gossip at the guard that they used to a toxin of some kind to poison the Tyranids invading their world which then weakens or kills the main Bio-Ships in space that they become easy pickings for the navy,"

"We are not seriously going to base our strategy in gossips and rumors based from a simple Captain of an infantry unit my lord," snorts one of the generals who then quail as Sanguinius pin him with a stern look.

"It is better than anything yet that I have heard from you. Captain Mira on the other hand has fought beside me at Thracia and Icate, she is wise as she is resourceful despite her rank. I would advise you to value her words for your own planet's sake," says Sanguinius before turning to Captain Tyrion.

"Captain Tyrion, is Captain Mira's suggestion se of a plan viable?" asks Sanguinius to the Captain of the Seventh Company who nods.

"It will be Lord father, it would be risky however. We need access to the Magos Biologis down the planet below for the studying of the poison required and the Forge for the creation of the poison. That is not the problem however. The problem is securing a base sample from the Gene-Spawning pool of the Tyranids down planet below. We have pinpointed such areas and unfortunately one can be found under the umbrella of the Splinter Tyranid fleet, so that means no Orbital Bombardment or support from our ships. We would simply need to drop you at the nearest safe point for the aerial drop ships then the rest would be up to those that would be assigned to take the task of fighting past the Tyranids that come from the Spawning Pool which would be countless.

"And where is this spawning pool can be found my son?" asks Sanguinius making Captain Tyrion highlight a red dot at the center of the planet away from the Hives or any Fortress.

"It is here lord father," he points out with one stubby armored finger. "The middle of a forest right smack dab far away from civilization,"

"Wise for the Tyranids to do so, they can replenish their numbers from the Bio-Mass of the Forest while sending out waves of creatures to invade the primitive defenders," comments Elindra making more than one human general frown at her words but no one dares to rebuke her knowing how much the Primarch values her input.

"Then we have a plan," says Sanguinius highlighting the three objectives, the Forge of Icate, the Magos Biologis Building and the Spawning Pool in the holo-map.

"Captain Mira, take the Cadian Tenth, the Thracian Companies and with the local forces and secure the Forge of Icate. Generals, I assume that your local forces would defer to Captain Mira in this," he turns to the men and women who salutes at his words.

"Captain Tyrion, I would need some of your brothers also to help them secure it," he says to the Astartes who bangs his fists to his chest.

"I am assigning the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Squads to go with her lord-father,"

"Very well, take the rest of your brothers also and secure the Magos Biologis Station. We need them to study the sample and they need to be alive to do so. Hold it at all costs. Judging by the scans that we have, the station is under heavy attack by Xeno life-forms. Do any means necessary to make sure it doesn't fall. I will unfortunately need to take the Seventh Squad away from you along with the First Squad of Terminators in standby and to act as mobile reinforcements. I will also assign to me the remaining Storm Heralds alongside Farseer Elindra. We will make a push for the Tyranid Gene-Pool and there procure a sample for the Biologis station to study. I will also need Imperial Guard manpower to help me push through," Sanguinius adds the last part looking at the Imperial Generals who salutes at his gaze again.

"We will deploy the Thirty Third and the Thirty Fourth Regiments from the nearby Fortess Flood to your position Lord Primarch. They will be there once you arrive on-planet,"

"Good," the Great Angel nods before leaning away from the holo-table. "We have a plan right now that is viable. Everyone, get to your respective assignments and make sure that you do not fail them. Am I understood?"

"Yes my lord!" everyone responds in chorus before slowly dispersing, each to his own assigned duty leaving Sanguinius alone at the holo-table with Elindra at his side.

"You have something that you want to discuss with me?" Sanguinius asks the Eldar who nods.

"The Storm Heralds has something against the Aeldari, my kind. Is it wise to bring them along with you with me in tow?" she asks in that regal voice of hers still.

"I am a Primarch and my word is law," Sanguinius simply states before sighing as Elindra continues staring at him.

"But I'll look into it if it makes you feel better,"

"It will, thank you son of the Anathema. I don't fancy being killed by Mon-Keigh that is my allies from the back,"

"As if you don't watch your back," Sanguinius simply snorts earning him one of Elindra's rare true smiles before she left leaving Sanguinius alone at the command station. Taking the time to be alone with himself, Sanguinius highlights his own target area which is the gene-pool. It would not be easy if they get lost down there.

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It takes a day for the preparations for the different missions to come together. Already Thunderhawks and transports are leaving the main hangar of the Purgatory. Sanguinius himself enters the Thunderhawk the Lance of Must with Elindra in tow. Already the twenty Astartes, the Seventh Squad under Sergeant Varis and the Storm Heralds under Sergeant Arban are present, their armors full repaired and equipped with their weapons. Almost each Squad has a devastator and a flamer with them this time to deal with the en-masse of gaunts that they are sure to face once they are planetside.

Taking a seeing look from Elindra, Sanguinius stands near where the Storm Heralds are seated. Sanguinius is too big for the seats since he is a Primarch and thus has to stands the Lance of Must takes flight into open space heading down the planet below.

"So Sergeant Arban," begins Sanguinius staring down the son of the Khan with piercing eyes. "Before we go into battle, is there something that I need to know about your opinions of Aeldari that might affect fighting together with our resident sanctioned Xeno?" asks Sanguinius to the Astartes who seized up at his question, obviously very uncomfortable.

"I am not asking you as a reprimand, but for clarity. We are fighting Nids down below and I need every one of you watching each other's backs before we dive in to their nest,"

"We cannot trust the witch my lord," one of his battle-brothers finally answers for him. "Our captain of the Fifth Company, Captain O'Karhan was disabled by a witch and slain unjustly during the campaign recently at the Livonian System. We bore hatred for the witch since then. Captain O'Karhan was much beloved to the Chapter and had been a brother, as almost a father to many of our brothers for five hundred years,"

"I see, I understand your reasoning and your plight. However we are heading down below for a fight. Do I all have your word that you would not harm our Eldar support?"

"Yes Lord Primarch, we swear in the name of the Great Khan," says Sergeant Arban just in time for the Thunderhawk to land with a heavy thud on the ground.

"Good," Sanguinius simply says as the ramp opens and the Astartes start to walk out one by one. "I will hold you all to that,"

What met them outside is a total warzone it seems that in their zeal to please the Primarch. The Imperial Regiments assigned to help them have started a pre-emptive attack on their own to the gene pool before Sanguinius even arrive. The entire forest seems ablaze from the space port where they landed. Basilisk crews also behind are manning at least sixteen of the heavy artillery tanks and are firing heavy pounder shells non stop obviously from zones called out from the inside of the regiments that have spear-headed the attack and are currently under the eaves heading to the spawning pool.

"Lord Primarch! Lord Primarch!" one of the men wearing what seems to be a long coat with decorations and medals on it approaches him with a salute." We are glad that you are here finally my lord. The Tyranids attacked us when we massed outside the wood forcing us to counter-attack. Right now I've got men roving around the woods looking for the signs of the spawning pool that the Planetary Governor assigned to us to look for,"

"You started the attack without me," Sanguinius simply states making the man wince. Sanguinius does not fail to notice that he does not kowtow to him. Something which he is pleased to see. He has enough of being worshipped like a god.

"Our greatest apologies my lord but we are forced to counter-attack when they attacked us first. My men however are lost in those eaves my lord and I would be glad of your support and that of the Astartes on bailing them out,"

"Very well, our support you shall have general," says Sanguinius simply as he waves for his sons and nephews.

"I will head out first and aid the Guard out there. The rest of you follow as fast as you can, am I understood?"

Ignoring their protests, Sanguinius opens his wings and with a few flaps are airborne as he takes to the skies heading to the forest where he sees the familiar game trail that he memorized from before in the data of the planet from the ship. A fire can be seen at the middle of it together with a hundred or so Guardsman firing non-stop as a horde of Tyranids outflank them from the game trail.

Tucking his wings under him, Sanguinius drops like a rock right at the middle of the fight crushing gaunts and warriors at his coming. He is like a tornado spearing and hacking with such speeds and such power, his wings open, the powerful gusts throwing men and Tyranids off their feet as the Primarch finally spears down the last Warrior in the mouth with the Spear of Telesto and pins it in on the ground unmoving.

The humans of course are amazed and overjoyed at his coming. Some even start once more to begin kow-towing to him but Sanguinius battle roar stop them from making any sort of worship as he raises his combi-bolter and begins firing at the gloom. Another wave of Tyranids are attempting to charge their position quickly. The sight of the Primarch firing also spurns the Guardsmen to common sense as they pick up their fallen weapons and start throwing down las bolts and stubber fire to the on rushing horde. Whoever is the one in charge of the Guardsmen obviously is not stupid. Sanguinius can see flamers and a heavy weapons team together cobbled up. Gaunts start to fall with the occasional warrior taken down by heavy weapon teams and Sanguinius' combi-bolter. The moment the Gaunts get near, Sanguinius' wave the flamers forward and they add their firepower like a wave of fire to the coming Gaunts who shrieks and wails. Those that get past the flames fell to the Spear of Telesto, expertly wielded by the Primarch.

In the matter of minutes, the wave is finished and everything is silent again. It is just in time for the Space Marines and another two hundred Guardsmen finally manage to catch up with Sanguinius alongside Elindra. The two share a smile before Sanguinius wordlessly give the order for them to push forward promptly ignoring the stupefied wonder his presence has to the baseborn humans. Sanguinius would rather not have another session of ground kissing and worship if he can help it. It is better to get them moving straight to the objective indeed and skip all the nonsense.

The forest is eerie and silent but one cannot mistake that the Tyranids are obviously prepared for their coming. Roars and shrieks can be heard all over and the Guardsmen worriedly hold their weapons close to themselves. It takes two hours, two hours before they finally arrive on what seems to be a Spawning Pool. Oddly it seems undefended with no Tyranid bio-form in sight. With a wave Sanguinius orders for everyone to set up a perimeter as an Apothecary of the Seventh Company work on the pool to collect a sample with two guards at his back. As for Sanguinius, he stands at the middle looking into the gloom, even his Primarch eyes unable to pierce the darkness.

Without warning a Tyrant Guard appears cutting ten men in the process with a mighty roar before bisecting another five ignoring the plasma shot from one of the heavy gunners like nothing. Sanguinius raises his combi-bolter and also fires at it making himself look big and stop the Tyrant from ripping through the Guardsmen. It works and it charges him bashing aside a Guardsman with a flamer which explodes at the strike. Before it can reach Sanguinius though, a couple of missiles from the heavy weapons team brought it down followed by heavy bolter fire from the Space Marines and a las-cannon from an entrenched squad. With a mighty shriek it tumbles shrieking before Sanguinius approaches and steps on its head stopping it once and for all, killing off the hate emanating from its eyes.

All around it seems that is the cue for the Tyranids to once more appears as Hormogaunts and warriors stream from every corner of the forest attempting to stop the desecration of their Spawning Pool. It is a well thought out ambush from an intelligent enemy. Bio-Artillery can be seen screeching on the sky dislodging heavy weapon teams from their positions and even destroying one Leman Russ tank that has managed to get through the brambles of the forest.

Sanguinius on the other hand is in a whirlwind of his own dicing and cutting through the Bio-Forms that dare approach him. None can withstand the full might and knowledge of the Emperor's greatest work as he cuts through them, Warrior, Prime and Gaunts like weeds. A Lictor tries ambushing him but Sanguinius grabs it mid-air by the throat and crushes its neck with an explosion of viscera and blood before using the body like a battering ram. All around him are explosions as the entire line gets attacked and strained by the Tyranids. Guardsmen are falling by the numbers even as Artillery Fire from the base zero in on Tyranid swarms that are attempting to cut through them. Even two of the Storm Heralds have already fallen, cut down by being swarmed to pieces by Gaunts. One of the Devastators of the Angels Encarmine also lost his head, courtesy of a Tyranid Warrior who sniped him from afar. Everywhere it seems that in a manner of seconds, the entire line is being overrun. Flamers despite their best efforts are unable to deal with the swarms of gaunts. Screaming guardsmen are brought down one by one with many holding Krak Grenades to their chests taking the gaunts killing them with them five at a time.

The smell of ozone followed and out of the gloom, blue light shines and the sight of Terminators teleporting is a sight as the massive Space Marines start unloading with everything they got to the horde ripping through Tyranid ranks like paper. One has a heavy chain bolter and he whips his heavy gun to the right and to the left sweeping through Tyranid ranks as if they aren't there.

Most awesome of all is Elindra who glows in blue light lightning spearing through her fingertips crushing Tyranid after Tyranid as if they aren't there. She also single-handedly deal with the psychic powers of Neurothropes floating in the distance by bowling them over with lightning and thunder crushing their bodies like nothing. In the midst of battle, she has never looked so aesthetically beautiful, her red hair flowing, the sweat pouring down her bare body shown through the exposed skin of her feather blood red armor. That is at least according to our resident Primarch.

"It is done," the sudden sound from the Apothecary is all the sign that Sanguinius needs as he signals for Thunderhawks to finally start zeroing on their position. As he looks at the gathered Imperials fending off the Tyranid force, he smiles grimly. It would be one wild grim night of fighting before they all finish up here for the first step in destroying the Splinter Fleet attempting to take over this world.

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Author's Note:

So another chapter done. Hopefully you all like this also. Once more thank you for all those who supported this story. Please review for your reviews are the song to this writer's heart.

I am almost dying at many in the reviews shipping Elindra and Sanguinius. LMao that's 1d4chan stuff hahaha. Seriously you think there is chemistry between them?