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 2BlackJack1 wrote:

Spoiler:

I do find it entertaining to think about a daemon prince having an obsession with killing the titan. Plus, it'd make Archarus like him a whole lot more if the daemon could do it. Especially seeing as how Pugarr certainly couldn't. (Not with my luck with the numbers, anyway )

 Tactical_Spam wrote:

 2BlackJack1 wrote:

Spoiler:

I do find it entertaining to think about a daemon prince having an obsession with killing the titan. Plus, it'd make Archarus like him a whole lot more if the daemon could do it. Especially seeing as how Pugarr certainly couldn't. (Not with my luck with the numbers, anyway )

Spoiler:

I would suggest keeping him in character... A religious zealot. Itd be funny to see what a Daemon Prince would look like if he did religious zealoty stuff

 2BlackJack1 wrote:

 Tactical_Spam wrote:

 2BlackJack1 wrote:

Spoiler:

I do find it entertaining to think about a daemon prince having an obsession with killing the titan. Plus, it'd make Archarus like him a whole lot more if the daemon could do it. Especially seeing as how Pugarr certainly couldn't. (Not with my luck with the numbers, anyway )

Spoiler:

I would suggest keeping him in character... A religious zealot. Itd be funny to see what a Daemon Prince would look like if he did religious zealoty stuff

Spoiler:

Oh don't worry, I'll see what I can come up with for that aspect. There's still plenty of ways to make that fun, and even throw in some references, of course.

Lord General Kruger Zonand sat in his quarters enjoying a moment of calm and minor victory. The Ultramarines had finally killed the beasts of the mist, and the Faustians had lost men in the process without finding any glory. Kruger did fear resentment from the ranks of the astartes. He ordered them to that death trap so he would be an easy target for their anger over the loss of their fallen brothers. But at this moment he could not be concerned with political issues, today was after all a win, even if it was little more then a neck gain. Kruger looked to the two blue armored Astartes who served as his new body guards, replacements to Brothers Strannis and Roche who returned to regular Templar service. They stood completely motionless watching the doors, they both wore their helmets so they could very well be communicating to each other via com link, but Kruger had no way of telling. Kruger was reaching for the expensive glass of brandy when without warning the ship shook as a large explosion took place in the ships lower engineering levels.

Warning lights flashed and the Captain’s voice broke out “Explosion on deck eighteen, all security teams prepare to repel possible boarders.” One of the Marines spoke out to Kruger “Lord General, we are required at security position theta, your normal honor guard will remain here to protect you.” And before Kruger could respond the two sons of Ultramar were off. Kruger’s honor guard took up high alert positions. Two men stationed in the room with the general and two guarding the front door. For five minutes they waited in silence, Kruger attempted several times to contact the ship’s captain but was only met with static. Then they heard a shout come from outside the bulkhead doors, Kruger’s eyes widened, he pressed the intercom button on his desk and spoke into it “What’s going on out there?” Neither of the two guards replied. He repeated “What’s going on out there! Answer me damn it!” Again he was only met by the crackle of static. Kruger looked to one of his two remaining carapace clad guards and motioned for him to check on the guards who have gone silent.

Las-gun raised the guard exited the room. As the door slid open he saw no sign of the missing guards. He turned to return to Kruger, but as the man turned around from up above Nihilus sprung with the speed and aggression that made the kroot legendary mercenaries. He used his long serrated combat blade to slice the throat of the unsuspecting guardsmen, the second guard began to take aim at the foul xeno, but Nihilus was far to quick. In a single fluid motion, he threw the already bloodied blade at the second guard nailing him dead center in his forehead. Krugger repeatedly press the emergency door shutter, but Nihilus caught the sealing door and forced his way through. Kruger reached for the antique revolver on his desk and stumbled around looking for a bullets. Krugger struggled to force a single bullet into the revolver, but before the man could load the weapon the mercenary was upon him striking the revolver out of his hands.

Krugger stammered “What ever Hannibal is paying you I can double it.” Nihilus smiled and spoke into his wrist mounted comm link, “This is Red one, area is secure.” After a moment the locked door opened and in walked the trio of Captain Kassani, Quintus, and The Eldar Kattalex. Quintus smiled as he and Kassani approached the general. Kaassani restrained the man While Quintus violently ripped the General’s mechanical eye from it’s steel socket. The man screamed and the party laughed. The General begged “Please I will triple whatever it is you are being paid, just leave.” Nihilus laughed “You don’t understand human. This has nothing to do with money. You were a challenge, a man difficult to reach, a man who thought himself a god, you see I have made it my life’s goal to remind men like you what you are flesh.” The kroot delivered a kick to the general and the man fell to the ground. The kroot’s crew laughed as the man coughed blood. Nihilus drew his blade and placed it to the general’s throat, with a wicked grin the kroot savored the moment and took a mental picture of every detail. The exposed wiring of the man’s hollow metallic eye socket, the small pool of blood that the man spat on the floor. He savored every scrumptious detail as this is what he lived for the moment of fear that sunk into the once mighty face right before their blood stained the floor.

[spoiler]

Time for epic plot twist!

Its gonna be fun! This one I may know

Guardian channel. Encryption vermillan
To Gurdian

taken liberty to prepare sheild breaker ap he rounds in following calibres for blank weapons

Bolt pistol
Bolter
Sniper
Stub pistol

All rounds with blank weapons. Rounds blank with red tips.
Hope not needed but we must be prepared to remove threat.
Swordsman out

 jhe90 wrote:

Spoiler:

Well, thought I might mix it up a tad, throw a new random vector into the maths.

Even the master of plots need a odd surprise.

The scene was set.
Five people were in the room.

One Eldar, a haughty smirk on his pale alien face.
Two men, one holding a lasrifle close to Cadian issue carapace armour, the other with a halo of mechanical interfaces and wiring around his face. A dataslate was clutched in his quivering hands.
And the Kroot. Tall, lithe, olive skinned, the creature held a wicked blade to the fifth's throat. A grin of satisfaction was etched on it's avian features.
The fifth was kneeling, bloodstained, cowering, attempting to be brave. Red tears ran down the Lord General's face, and smaller droplets welled up around his throat.

There were mere seconds to spare, as the scene imprinted itself onto those who saw it.
It was six pairs of eyes that watched the scene unfold.

Nihilus' muscles tensed up. Zonand's eyes shut. A finger clenched on a trigger.

----------------------------------

It has been well documented on the initial testing of bolt-issue weapons of their unreliability in hostage situations. Many reports ended with the lethal collateral damage maiming or killing the objective, thus leading to the initial development of less devastating weaponry, such as the Exitus Rifle or early Astartes pattern sniper rifles. The Codex Astartes itself cites that Astartes forces engaging in hostage situations should engage with sniper rifles or smaller calibre rounds, even risking melee combat to preserve the life of the hostage. Adeptus Astartes Scouts, to this day, are warned about the dangers of hostage operations.
But sometimes one, even the Codex adherent Ultramarines, must break the rules.

This was one of those times.

----------------------------------

The bolt round struck the Kroot's hand, ripping clean through the sinew and bone. A millisecond later, the detonation sheared through the joint. The hand was shredded, left hanging from the wrist stump. Shrapnel and bone fragments lacerated the Lord General's face. Blood now poured down his face, masking it in blood. He recoiled and fell away from the blast, soiling himself on the floor.

The assassin forces' eyes fell to the shooter. A giant in blue power armour, holding a smoking bolt pistol in one hand, and a glowing sword in the other. The Space Marine tossed aside the bolt pistol and stood over where the Lord General lay.
"I ran out of rounds killing those mercenaries you hired to distract us. Now I'm here to deal with you."

Nihilus snarled at the Ultramarine. "So you're this 'Guardian' we've all heard about."

"You'd better believe it. Now, who first?" The Ultramarine raised his sword up, in challenge.

The Eldar stood forwards, and slid a crystalline Diresword from his sheath. He, too, holstered his shuriken catapult.
"I am Kattalex, the Exile. I've won more challenges than you've taken worlds, Son of Guilliman. You will not be the first to taste my blade's sting, and you will not be the last."

"You clearly haven't fought me before, Kattalex the Exile."

"Foolish mon'keigh. Won't you tell me your name before I gut you like the others?"

"I am the Slayer of Kattalex."

The Ultramarine lunged forward, point extended at the Eldar. Kattalex twisted away, caught unaware. The sword kissed the bloody air. Kattalex arched his back, and brought the Diresword down on the Ultramarine. The sword came up to meet the Eldar's blade, clashing with a ring. Their edges leapt apart and clashed again, trying to find weakness. Kattalex found himself matched for speed by his opponent, who met him at every point with precise parries and screaming ripostes. But the Guardian was losing ground, trying to fend off the leaping Eldar's attack whilst standing guard over his charge.

The fight could have lasted moments or hours. Suddenly, Kattalex weaved under a swing, and scurried up the Ultramarine's back. He somersaulted off, plunging his sword into the Ultramarine's chest. A cry of pain heralded his success. The Eldar grunted briefly as a pain flared in it's chest, but it faded immediately, flushed from the thrill of the kill.

Kattalex grinned as he began to walk off from his landing. His grin was cut short as he noticed the power sword lodged between his ribs. It had been there since he landed the flip.
Damned mon'keigh!
He turned around to face the Ultramarine. As his chest turned, a blue armoured hand grabbed the hilt sticking from Kattalex's chest, and yanked it out.
Kattalex fell, alien ichor gushing out.
The wounded Space Marine fell to a knee, wrenched the elegant Direblade out and snapped it over his knee. He was breathing heavily as he stood back up.

"Next?"

A shot from an autopistol answered his question. The low calibre round glanced off his helmet, scoring the azure paint. Adept Quintus squeezed again on the trigger, emptying the magazine into the Ultramarine. He didn't even flinch. Only when the last round entered the magazine did the Guardian move. His hand shot up and grabbed the bullet inches before his helmet. Casually, he tossed the round aside.

With monstrous speed, the Ultramarine bounded across the chamber, and grabbed the tech-adept by the throat. He lifted him up, feet dangling above the floor. Quintus squealed in fear as the Ultramarine's red eyes glared into his soul. Lasfire from Captain Kassani glanced the Ultramarine's back, merely scorching the ceramite. The Ultramarine reached for the implants in the adept's head.
Too late, Quintus realised what would happen.
"No no no NO NO-" he began to cry out. The Ultramarine grabbed a fistful of wiring and wrenched it out of the man's head. It exploded violently, bursting open the man's cranium. The lasfire halted abruptly. Quintus' headless body was launched at Kassani, who crumpled under the bloody mess.



"STOP. Stop right now, or Lord General dies." The Ultramarine turned his head to the voice. Nihilus had his blade to Zonand's throat, bandaging and chemicals wrapped around his damaged wrist. The cuts where the Kroot had amputated the messy bolt wound were clear to see.

"Good. It is good you are here, 'Guardian', Slayer of Kattalex. Very good." the Kroot's laugh was alien, harsh and crackling. "I will enjoy killing you. You be a fine adversary, better than the one you serve. Speak to me, why didn't you usurp him?"

The Ultramarine spoke. "I wouldn't be able to command. Commanding doesn't suit me. I'm a soldier, not a leader."

Nihilus chuckled. "Likewise, human, likewise. I never betray my masters. Even General Pavus. Gives bad reputation as a hired killer, yes, but serving is good. Killing is better. I will enjoy killing you. Allow Captain Kassani to leave. Face me instead, and try and save your Lord General's life."
He kicked Zonand away, and drew out a large war axe from his knapsack. The edge was barbed and wicked, dark and razor-edged. He raised it in salute to the Ultramarine.

The Ultramarine mirrored the Kroot's salute, and crept into duelling range, sword raised. His chest wound was beginning to ache more, the effect of the Eldar's vicious Diresword. His opponent was wounded too, grey ichor seeping from the bandage. The kroot gave a cry and swung in with the axe. The Ultramarine sluggishly raised his blade and deflected it. His counter-thrust nicked one of Nihilus' hairs, severing it. The kroot didn't seem to notice, and hacked yet again at the Ultramarine. The axe head scraped across the ceramite shoulder pad, sending up sparks and a screeching noise. Both recoiled away, catching their breath.

The Ultramarine followed up, lunging in sideways. His blade stabbed in, with Nihilus dodging narrowly. The kroot swung down on the Space Marine's sword hand with the blunt edge, sending the blade skittering away. Now the assassin was in a frenzy, swinging savagely at the Ultramarine. The Guardian backed away, stepping away from the swings.
The axe curved ever closer. And closer. And closer. And-
CLANG!

The axe head struck true against the Ultramarine's helmet, rending it open and drawing blood beneath. The Ultramarine gasped in pain. In a fluid motion, he grabbed the Kroot's arm, dragged it closer, and slapped Nihilus across the room. The kroot sprang up to it's feet, squawking from the broken bones. On the other end of the room, the Ultramarine picked up his discarded sword. With his other hand, his pulled the remains of his helmet away. Recent scars criss-crossed his young face. Blood dribbled down one side of his face, matting the dark hair with gore. Dark eyes met the Kroot's.

Nihilus staggered to his clawed feet, clutching at his chest.
"You... fought well, Ultramarine."

The Ultramarine said nothing. He coughed up a wad of bloody matter.

"You have earned my name. I am Packmaster Nihilus, of Pech. I am the Huntsman, the Eagle Upon the Stars, the Bird of Prey. Have I not earned yours?"

"I have no such lofty titles, Packmaster Nihilus. I live to serve."

The assassin shrugged.
"Your name would not matter anyway. You will be dead, and your name shall only live on my blade's edge."

Nihilus ran ahead. The Ultramarine braced, ready for the charge. Nihilus leapt up at the last metre, blotting out the artificial lights.
His axe curved down to take the Ultramarine's head.
The axe met the Ultramarine's palm. The hand closed to a fist, and pulled the gangly kroot down. Nihilus fell back, his back pressed against the Guardian's chest.
Not a moment was wasted.
The Ultramarine rammed his blade into Nihilus' chest. Grey blood welled out of Nihilus' chest, dripping down onto a ruined carpet. The kroot's beak gasped and fell open. The war axe fell from nerveless fingers, clattering to the floor. Even as blood surged up Nihilus' chest, he tried to make out a sentence.

"...name... who are... name..." Grey spittle dribbled down Nihilus' beak.

The Ultramarine leaned in to the dying assassin's ear.
"I am the Guardian. I am the Binder of Blue and Black. I am the Blue Angel. I am the Dead Son. "

Nihilus seemed to relax, and the blood flowed freely from it's throat.



The victorious Ultramarine pushed the kroot's body away and looked around. Warning lights still flashed. Corpses decorated the inner chamber, and blood painted the walls. Of the Cadian, Captain Kassani, there was no trace. The Guardian cradled the unconsious Lord General in his arm, and reached down for his fallen comm bead. He switched the setting to ship wide.

"Ship wide message to all personnel of the Flagship 'Purging Spear'. Moments ago, a team of assassins attemped to kill Lord General Kruger Zonand. Their souls have been sent to the Emperor for judgement. The Lord General is alive, but wounded. Send all senior medical personnel to his chamber immediately.
All Ultramarines of Strikeforce Praetoria, regroup at the same location. Let no-one in who is not medical staff.
To all personnel: Please, have faith in the Emperor, and remain calm. Faith is our shield. This has been-"

He paused, not sure about his next choice of words.

"This has been Acting-Captain Hadris Aurelius. Signing off."

He sunk to his knees, and cradled the Lord General.

By the time the 3rd Company's Terminators had arrived to reinforce their commander, Aurelius had long since passed out.

 War Kitten wrote:

Spoiler:

The plot thickens, and I thought my guys were the third company while Praetoria was the Second?

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:

 War Kitten wrote:

Spoiler:

The plot thickens, and I thought my guys were the third company while Praetoria was the Second?

Spoiler:

Yeah, it's an homage to your Terminators.

 chazz huggins wrote:

Spoiler:

Damn, Hannibal is not going to be pleassed, poor Captain Kassani is going to have to return to report. very good work smudge a good end for Nihilus

Captain Kassani raced through the ship’s bulkhead doors. All of his actions were fueled by the savage instincts that he developed serving as a Cadian. With Las gun set to full charge he made his mad dash to the escape route firing on anything that crossed his path. Guard, servitor, maintenance custodian, didn’t matter if they were a threat or not. Finally, he reached the pod bay where their escaped vessel had been latched to the ship. The only person waiting for him was Kael Norra.

The infiltrator called out “Where the hell is everyone else.” Captain Kassani spoke “Dead, or not coming, dosnt matter we got to go.” The woman rebuttled “Solomon and Lurch should be coming give them a second.” Kassani growled “Nihilus is dead, and I’m half sure the bastard who killed him is hunting me, there’s no time we got to go.” Norra was surprised “What do you mean dead.” Kassani shouted “I think its pretty fething obvious what I mean, he used to be alive and now he’s not its a very fething simple concept.” Kassani pressed somme buttons on the console and the door to their escape vessel opened, “I’m leaving feel free to stay if you like.” At that moment Kael heard foot steps approach from around the corner, she raised her rifle.

The ork Lurch Legrippa came running with the unconscious Solomon drapped over his shoulder. The ork shouted brutishly as he boarded the escape vessel, “What are you gitz waiting fer, lets GO.” And without another word Norra boarded the stealth ship and the survivors were off.

A few days later.

Lord Governor Hannibal Pavus sat in his chambers aboard the Wrath of Faust and went over the extraction plans for his men on the planet’s surface. With the fog beasts dead, their work on this world was done. What remained was the permanent job of forming a garrison, a job Hannibal left to Captain Octavius of the 82nd Faustian Fusiliers. Hannibal always thought the Astartes funny in that sense, they devotee virtually endless resources and man power into the liberation of a world, and then nothing into its sustained security and protection. Hannibal grinned this world was technically not his, but with his men being the only garrisoned force the difference between it being his and not being his was irrelevant.

At that moment Sandor Braddock entered the governor’s chamber. His face was extra grim in appearance, “One of the mercenaries has returned.” Pavus thought it odd that the hound wouldn’t just give him the news “Show him in.” The ex-knight bowed his head and exited. In a moment the hound was replaced by the grizzled Captain Kassani, the man didn’t speak but rather with his bionic hand reached into his cargo pocket. He placed the governor’s bionic eye that he recovered from Quintus’s corpse before he fled the room. Pavus raised an eye brow “So he’s dead.” The old soldier spoke “Might be, but I don’t think so.” Pavus snarled “What happened? Where is that filthy xeno Nihilus, and who are you.” Without emotion the mercenary spoke “I’m Captain Zaied Kassain, Nihilus is dead, and someone powerful intervened before we could make the killing blow.” With rage the governor spat “Who!” The old soldier spoke “A Ultramarine, I got a recording with his name. Hannibal sat back in his chair and spoke “Play it.” Kassani opened the interface panel in his bionic limb and tapped a few buttons, a moment later the recording played “Ship wide message to all personnel of the Flagship 'Purging Spear'. Moments ago, a team of assassins attemped to kill Lord General Kruger Zonand. Their souls have been sent to the Emperor for judgement. The Lord General is alive, but wounded. Send all senior medical personnel to his chamber immediately. All Ultramarines of Strikeforce Praetoria, regroup at the same location. Let no-one in who is not medical staff. To all personnel: Please, have faith in the Emperor, and remain calm. Faith is our shield. This has been- This has been Acting-Captain Hadris Aurelius. Signing off.” The recording eneded.

Hannibal smiled and approached the grandiose window that looked down to the foggy death-world “A Ghost of Gallor Prime walks among us. I must admit I am surprised.” Kassani spoke changing the subject “Naturally no payment is required of you, have a nice day Lord Governor.” Pavus called out “Wait Captain Kassani is it. Why did you return, surely you must have suspected I would try to kill you for your failure?” The old Cadian turned and placed his hand on the las-pistol holstered to his belt, “I am a professional sir. You were promised a service and I failed to deliver, I always report.” Hannibal smiled “I like your devotion, tell me is that Kasrkin armor you wear.” Kassani spoke “fifty years in service to the emperor only to be discarded like a common conscript.” Hannibal smiled “How would you and what remains of your company like to rejoin the armies of the faithful.” Kassani was intrigued “You would take an old man like me?” Hannibal laughed “Knight Lord Tennyson is at least three times your age.” Kassani rubbed the white stubbles of hair on his chin “What about Lurch, he’s an ork saboteur.” Hannibal grinned “I have an ork contact on Wuldgrund who is always recruiting, we shall send him to him.” The Mercenary grinned “I would be honored.” Pavus rose and smiled “Welcome back to the Imperial Guard.”

 War Kitten wrote:

Spoiler:

We didn't quite kill the fog beasts. Just one of them, I fear I'm not quite done on Kagrenz yet.

 jhe90 wrote:

Spoiler:

i located the main den..... however we may need a new plan to kill them. 30 Marines have fell to the beasts already. I have a plan. me thinks. Much ordinance may be required....

aka level every minor den from orbit

 War Kitten wrote:

 jhe90 wrote:

Spoiler:

i located the main den..... however we may need a new plan to kill them. 30 Marines have fell to the beasts already. I have a plan. me thinks. Much ordinance may be required....

aka level every minor den from orbit

Spoiler:

Well I do have that Fellblade Super Heavy Tank. Either that or bomb the gak out of it from orbit. Speaking of which, I need to go get a Magos Biologis to examine this corpse that Julius shot.

Contacting Crusade Command....
Contacting....
Contact Made.

Lord General,

I am pleased to announce that progress has finally been made on Kagrenz. Thanks in part to my brothers in the Black Templars we were finally able to hunt down and kill one of the beasts that stalked through the fog. It's nothing like I've ever seen before. Pale, unnaturally thin, with claws sharp enough to rip a hole in Terminator Plate. They also appear to be psychic, although this last bit is a guess, as the corpse's head was destroyed in the course of the fight. So I would like to request that a Magos Biologis be dispatched to Kagrenz to examine this body to help determine any weakpoints. I lost 18 brothers to these beasts to bring this one down. I need to be better prepared for the next engagement. As always, we wait for your command.

Regards,
Captain Julius.

God-Emperor, it burns! Why did you save me from Gallor to kill me on Julla? Where is the great, terrible master of Mankind when his child is suffering? Where... Where are you?

"I am here, Annala"

God-Emperor?! Please! I do not wish to die here

"I've got you, Annala"

Fire shot up the nerves in Annala's leg and coaxed her into a wail. She ground her teeth in agony.

Make it cease, oh holy God-Emperor. Give me... the strength to... endure

Sylus pulled the form of Annala from the mangled wreck of his Thunderhawk. One of her legs had been badly damaged and from his best estimate, would require amputation just below the thigh. He thanked the God-Emperor silently that she passed out and didn't see it for herself. He shouted for assistance before setting her against the bank of a shallow ditch. Heavy Armour was en route to his current position to take this airfield. He prayed they would hurry.

Mercenary Kroot packs were sent in first to pick off the wounded survivors. Most disobeyed orders to pull out as soon as reinforcements arrived, but the wiry birds were more stubborn than Primarch Dorn himself. This left the packs open to a deadly counter play by Auxilia and Astartes who patiently waited for them to enter open ground or tight bottle necks created by the wreckage of fallen gunships, downed trees and ditches. The next wave wasn't so incompetent.

Crisis suits and breacher teams came next, but the New Order forces adapted. With long combat knives unsheathed and bayonets fixed, the wave of attackers was gutted, dismembered or impaled; usually all of the above. Troopers rejoiced at another victory, but that too was short lived.

The Tau sent an experimental battle suit into the fray: the Ta'unar. A gargantuan beast that rivaled titans in size, bristled with more guns than tank could carry. It rampaged through makeshift battle lines like they were but wax paper before the flame. To make matters worse, Riptides and Ghostkeels were deployed as insurance.


"Desist, Astartes or I shall be forced to termin-" the Ghostkeel pilot began before his suits knee was smashed by Sylus' power fist.

"I am an Angel of Death, Xenos! Fear my wrath!" the enraged judge snapped back. He reached up and tore the access plate away from the front of the suit with his power fist and pulled the pilot out with the other. "Desist, Xenos!"

The pilot's face was filled with raw fear before he was broken in half over the Astarte's thigh and thrown like a ragdoll into the ground, leaving a grisly trail of blood in his wake. Sylus walked over and stomped his head in to ensure the death was proficient. A not-so-off Riptide took notice to this and jumped his way. Sylus grabbed a storm bolter laying in the dirt and checked his HUD for an ammo display. It was full. The Riptide landed atop a crashed Vendetta and primed its Ion cannon. Sylus ran towards in a blood fueled rage. The frightened Riptide pilot depleted the ammunition for his ion cannon fast enough that it was destroyed in the process, yet the infuriated Judge stood, amid a circle of glassed earth, intact.

"My God protects, Xenos... Where is yours now?" He snarled and leapt up, grabbing onto the riptide's shield arm with his power fist and hoisting himself up onto its shoulder faster than the pilot could react. He tore the head from its holding and filled the space beneath it with enough munitions to ensure the pilot had meet a bloody end. The Riptide teetered for a moment before falling onto the Ghostkeel in front of it. Sylus jumped down and and took a few steps before falling to a kneel. His helmet displayed enough hazard runes to make one of his Sister Hospitallers throw a fit. He took a few deep breaths and stood back up, shambling towards the advancing forces of the New Order. A few of his battle brothers came forward to aid him, but he pushed them aside. He continued into a newly erected medical tent and found Annala, sleeping deeply in a medically induced coma. He sat and slouched against her cot, activating his Sus-An and closing his eyes. Outside he heard the telltale sound of a volcano cannon and the death cry of what could be assumed to be the Ta'unar.

Where is your God now, Xenos?

Lord Marshall Karak was stood looking out over the fleet of warships and transports that made up his Battle group, Strike force Hammer was vast, of course assembling this many men, machines and ships would make enemies, but the death korps where his. a rather friendly agreement with that damned planet gave him easy access to reinforcements. Dead Korps as some said, Struggling to contain a laugh, the truth was evident. "Vox message, fleet scuttlebutt sir. this ones. interesting. The ghost of Gallor prime returns. Acting-Captain Hadris Aurelius is Alive..." "alive, fething alive, his name on the wall of the dead! First live on it, he had to be the first at something! " Sgt Tangir paused. the second one was less upbeat. "second report. its less good. Lord General gravely wounded. Assassins. Suspect is Pavus. " Mood suddenly darkening, and voice lowering to a growl. "that damned power hungry......, should of taken his craven head when we had the damned chance. Message Ivan, tell him to pass on my warning. I AM NOT SO EASY TO KILL, Touch anyone on this ship, and i will take his head personally. Exact words..."

The news of the Acting captains apparent return from the dead had raised spirits, The Ultrmarine had won many friends in the Templers fleet, his loss had been sadly marked in ceremony and Karak had personally carved his name, rank and Chapter upon the wall of Honoured dead, Alive. the wall could wait then, hopefully a few centuries before his name was correct there.

In orbit over the damned planet Ivan was putting the final simulations through there paces. "SGT, Ready link to Honour. lets test this idea.. fire on my mark" The plan was daring, they hoped to link the Battle barges guns to there advanced sensors and level the hides from orbit. it was a very complex way and several tech preexists had been working on it for four days. Aboard the Honour, massive shells where being loaded into the guns mighty breaches and power systems began to activate charging the weapons for firing. From the ground the base looked in awe as massive lights in the distance blazed the entire sky orange and entire entire planet rumbled slightly with every impacting round. "Someone pissed the Marines off " one Sentry spoke to his companion, "ive seen what a basilisk will do, but thats something else. even this fog is not hiding it " as a another massive rumble sent waves in the caffine and the spoon jumped slightly in a ration pack.

The impact on the ground was not as planned, the targeting could not be accurately linked and only safely deployed vs the remote hides blanketing areas with mass bombardment despite the use of such massive amounts of firepower, the thick fog obscured targeting and did not help matters. Multiple hides had been hit though and fog did seem to clear slightly but they would need a more precise method before they used the tactic on mass. a large black burned area indented with crators you could see from orbit showed there work. Chaplain Vargos delivered his report to Captain Julius, it had been a Templer idea, though this time they had not succeeded. "However Vargos i have a idea. The beasts are somewhat empowered by the warp, a old riot tactic tactic was no bombard a area with multi spectral blind grenades, they life forms to not be able to concentrate on there powers. pretty easy to get, most large hive worlds can get them, so i think we should have no trouble." Chaplain Vargos thought, yes this made sense. "aye, it sounds like it could work, give us a split second advantage over the beasts. they remind me of Gene Stealers though, could we be dealing with a Tyranid based xeno. If so true, we brought specialist Hellfire rounds, im sure you have some but we can spare some if needed.. The Battle, those beasts, Few weapons seem to make a mark vs there bodies, my Men up front yet they target yous, what could they have against your Marines Captain? "

Acting Marshall Ivan had delivered the message, Pavus was not happy to see that one. Word for word Ivan had delivered, orders where orders however, had the hound not been held back he might have had to go sword to sword with the ex knight, a easy victory but killing his body guard would not help relations which where vital for the success of the Crusade and the battle on the planet below. His worries where high, the loss's down there where getting high, only one beast dead and no seemingly solid and reliable way to kill them without incurring more dead. Looking down on the planet from the ships bridge, this cursed world. orbited by a craven man desiring power guarded by a burnt dog, vicious dog. Smappping out of it, a vox message appeared. "Acting Captain is alive. re[peat Ultramarine lives". The news brought a cheer from the bridge.

*****
Deep in the void, a Templer Patrol ship had stumbled upon a planet. not so stumbled, as it had no long range communication left. Cut off from help, fighting many chaos cults of excess, daemons had manifested on the planet, Making contact with what remained of the PDF and militias's defending there reaming hives, it was desperate but was that minor world worth the price it would take to reclaim it? though could the Templers leave loyal citizens to die thankless deaths, Lord Karak had ordered them to fins out more about the situation on the ground, they where not going to enter a meat grinder.

****
In the training hall Shepard was sat on a bench drinking a mug of caffine after a long session drilling the recruits, they where coming on well and many where excelling at close combat now, Marksmanship was up, though they still needed work on there tactics and bunching up, there training was not yet complete. Knight captain Petra as casually dressed in fatigues and her trusty combat boots. it had taken so long to get them comfey and feeling right, she already had the soles replaced 7 times. "hey darling" casually stealing the caffeine, "too much sugar" "i thought that was my cup?" Shepard replied. "you never mind, you can get another cup " she added casually joking, then her tone changed, "anyway i kinda have some news, well you know, that thing i had to attend, miss that training session to go to the ships medicare" Shepard turned "what, oh yeah, hurt leg in the last sword training" "Well its kinda not that, Little lie, Well ya know, how, well, Feth, il just say it. Im Pregnant. " Shepard fell off the bench from surprise, Getting back up, "wait, what, did i just, how, i thought, " Extending a hand to help him up, "it should be obvious how it happened" She added with a grin, " 1.5 months due, Baby seems Healthy, Medicare is 100% sure. " "Im a Father? " Shepard added weakly, "well i think you are clever clogs, yes, your the father! , you look like you have been hit by a baneblade, im the pregnant one! "

In the following days ships gossip was rife, despite the secrecy everyone soon knew, Shepard had been plied with so many amasacs after a briefing he needed help walking back to his cabin, Col Iron tooth gifted a Catchan fighting kinife to the baby for when it was old enough, Ulf had brought word of The Marshall had sent his best wishes and upgraded them to one of the smaller state rooms, though Ulf's idea of a pat on the back felt like he had been hit by a power fist and nearly knocked into a pile of gits from well wishing officers, serfs and crew. They where talk of the ship for a few days and had hosted a small party on one of the smaller mess halls. Little things like that kept the ship alive and morale high, always a small celebration on the serf and guard decks, Birthdays, weddings, parties, all had ment life aboard was in its wown way a light speck in a dark universe. Shepard was sat with Petra atop the observation dome, a quiet spot, no one used this space much, as they relaxed and laid back watching starlight's in the void.,