Warhammer 40K: Thunderfall

[TeslaCoil]

"Although misled as we were by faulty intelligence, our findings proved to be of great value to the Emperor. I am strong convinced, that those exhausts vents were products of our lost STC technology. I had relayed the findings to the Governor General, and he had orders for us to establish a research station. Both of our forces will be reinforced by the 734th Armored Brigade and the 518th Company, respectively. We are also to reinforce Major Phidori's forces holding the vital position on Hill 344 at moment's notice." Lazarus reported, promptly as usual. Now, a slight smile appear on his face, thinking of the future this finding could bring. Malfuron's lips curled at the right corner in an almost twisted smile, at what he had heard.

"Misled? To most it may seem that way, but a relic is what we were in persuit of. Now should what your saying be true, with that potential STC technology, we are one step closer to conquering the galaxy in His Glorious Name. So no, Commissar, I don't believe we were misled at all." After a brief pause, "And that is good to hear, reinforcements will be greatly needed if what has happened is to occur again." Obviously referring to the Ork and Chaos incursions. "And we are to assist Major Phirdori's forces you say? Good, as I would like to keep an eye on that boy, something about him doesn't seem right." Malfuron said, looking off into the distance to his right.

Lazarus couldn't help but smirk. He didn't know much about Major Phidori, but somehow the Commissar had a feeling that this boy wasn't the greatest of his worries. "Major Phidori has a reputation for a big mouth, and for his sake he better not run it in front of any or us, or even the Ultramarines. However, he's not the worst of our problems." Commissar Lazarus paused, thinking for a bit. "I'm more concerned of Colonel Sean Dresden, something didn't feel right about him either. We also got to keep an eye on him." Lazarus continued. Somehow, he also had a feeling that the Orks and Chaos weren't the last of their worries. "I doubt the Chaos and Orks will be the last of our woes either, especially with this relic lying around." He added, refering to his constant alert for a possible Necron attack, or worse.

"Hmm, indeed. From what my soldiers chatter amongst themselves, this Colonel Dresden doesn't fully understand the chain of command." Said Malfuron, face expressionless. "And indeed, Commissar, but the Orks will definately cross our guns more than once, and don't think our Arch Enemy will stop for tea either." Again, his face was expressionless, however fire could be seen burning his eyes as he thought about the dreaded, Legions of Chaos. "Indeed." Lazarus nodded, seeing the flames in the eyes of his fellow Commissar. "We all hated the Chaos and Orks, the latter being the most pitiful race I'd ever seen. But, Commissar Malfuron, have you ever faced the Necrons?" Asked Lazarus. "I have not, my experience only entails the pitiful Orks when I served among the ranks of the Steel Legion, and the Forces of Chaos when I served my years on Cadia, driving the warp-twisted scum back to the hell from once they came." Replied Malfuron, immediately.

"I see." Lazarus acknowledged. "I'm bringing up the Necrons because I have a feeling that we will face them. I had heard stories of the Adaptus Mechanicus encountering them while searching for STC relics, not to mention that I had faced them myself. They are a great threat to us, nearly as much as the devouring Hive Mind of the Tyranids. However, I'd beaten them once, I'll do it again." Lazarus explained his reasoning behind his mentioning of the Necrons. Not that he was being defeatist, but he knew to expect the worst. "Then you, Commissar, are a true hero and you truly deserve you rank." With a salute, Malfuron finished his speech. However, he had nothing else to say or bring up. Lazarus returned the salute immediately, without hesistation or reservation. "Thank you, Commissar Malfuron. However, I believe that both of us have work to do, so I suppose we both get back to our duties, in the name of our God Emperor." He said. "May the Emperor guide us." Spoke Malfuron, just before turning on the balls of his feet and walking back towards his company, only to get them prepared for any possible incoming hostiles. Lazarus only nodded, and departed to see to his forces as well.

[JohnnyB]

All that remained of the beach-head force of the Ultramarines was Brother-Captain Thale with afew scratches across his exposed head, Roughly half the Terminators, 1 Dreadnought and 3 Marine Squads with standard bolters. Once both Chaos and the Orks had been driven off with Artillery and Lasrifle fire. Whilst the remaining ground support pulled themselves togeher after 2 seperate rtillery showers ad asssited the Guardsmen secure the area, Thale decided to see what the comotion was about. The supposed cannon was definatly noit a gun, but more like channeling pipes for coolant or thermo-plasmatic energy, whatever the device was, it was not of Imperium crafting... at least not of late

Wether the Govenor-General would order the Techpriests to decerne what it was or not was not of his concern, as far as Thale was concerned, whislt his presence was on the planet, he was in command until he left. If Techpriests were unavailable, all Thale would require was a small number of the Barge's Servitors to catalouge anything of importance on the device to determin it's origin, in the meantime, the position had to be secured for now before moving on.
"Brother-Anestus. Put me into contact with the Battle Barge. I need to request reinforcments if We plan to maintain our presence."
"As you wish, Brother-Captain." Anestus replied, then opened contact with the Battle Barge, "Lord's Definity, Brother-Captain Thale requests communication with you." A pause followed for a few moments before Thale's grafted comm-piece recieved communciatiosn from the Barge,
"Captain Thale to Lord's Definity. Our initial force took heavy causalties and loss of armoured units. Lock onto this position and prepare to send Thunderhawks loaded with Additional Land Raiders, Predators and Hellfire Dreadnoughts. Also we will require more Rocket Launcer and Heavy Bolter Marine squads. Most of the landing force was killed by a Chaos ambush and an impending Ork Waaagh that may go Planet-wide."
The recipiant of the communications replied to Thale, saying that Drop-pods and Thunderhawks were inbound to their position, the Drop-pods would land outside the Point Phobos perimeter while the Drophips touched down wherever there was room to unload the armour. About afew minutes later, The Drop-Pods decended on Point Phobos' perimeter, emptying their supply of Space Marines armed with Heavy Bolters and Missile Launchers and the squads themselves double-timing to help strengthen the perimeter created.
Whislt the Thunderhawks touched down and unloaded the numerous armoured units requested, Anestus conversed with Thale about the Govenor-General,
"The Govenor-General appeared un-pleased know of our presance here."
"As a General, he's is most likley blinded by his pride that he dose not see the need for assistance from Space Marines." Thale answered, "All the more reason our precence here is required... unfortunatly I do not believe he will spare the time to identify the technology we found in place for the supposed Titan Gun."
"What do we do for now, Brother-Captain?" Anestus asked, "Do we stay or do we move on to find the epicenter of the Waaagh that nearly washed over this point?"
"Our primary concern at the moment is the cleansing of Chaos from this planet." Thale answered, "However the Orks may be drawn to a fight if it is of considerate size. And with numerous Imperial Guardsmen regiments and the Ultramarines chapter on the planet, they will no doubt heed to their lust for battle."
"Then perhaps it's better if we split our efforts: Half the Guard could accompany us to root out the Chaos whilst the other half deal with the Orks... surley we don't need to waste our time with Xenos like Orks."
"As much as I commend your enthusiasm, Brother-Sargent. MY first pirority is Chaos, We are better equiped to deal with them, but for now we will secure the position and wait and see what the General's next move will be."
"As you wish, Brother-Captain." Anestus replied, before holding his Bolter Pistol to his chest, bowed to Thale and returned to his Marine Squad.

It appeared that one of the Thunderhawks had remained on the ground, evidently serving as a Temorary armoury for the surviving Space Marines and Terminators, The surviving Marines had boarded the Transport and were replacing their Bolter Weapons for Plasma Rifles, Thale entered deeper into the ship towards one of the Armories. A Thunderhawk Amory was vairy simple, Pistols, Rifles, Bolters and most forms of Melee weapons: Chainswords, Power Swords, Power Fists, etc. Thale approched the Melee weapons and examined each of them carefully. Finally Thale chose his weapon. Placing his Chainsowed down against the wall, Thale reached for a Power Sword that was 'toothed' near the hilt of the weapon, goign half-way up both sides of the blade.
Returning from the confines of the ship, Thale could see that Techpriests could be seen examining the pipe structure, the Priests themselves might take too long discovering the origin of the pipes, so Thale believed he should give asssitance to the Guard. Thale approched one of the Techpriests and said to him,
"I assume the good General has asked you to identify the origin of these pipes."
"Indeed they have, my lord." The Priest answered "Given time the origin will become known."
"Perhaps the Ultramarines can offer assistance in solving the riddle." Thale suggested, knowing full well Tech Marines workign along those that trained them in the ways of the MAchine Spirit would dramaticlly reduce the time taken to identify the origin of the pipes,
"Your assisance would be most apreciative of both us and Commisar Lazarus."
"Very well, then." Thale replied, then contacted the Barge in orbir, "Captain Thale to Lord's Definity, The Tech Priests at my position reqeust Tech Marine assistance. Deploy immediatly." Thale changed frequency and said, "Brother-Sargents Madeal and Mordecai. Your Space Marine squads will remain at Point Phobos when we are ready to make our next move, be it agaisnt the Orks or Chaos."
Once all the requests were made, Thale left the Techpriests to do what they needed so he could figure out what needed to be done.

[Roken]

Meanwhile on Hill 344, Mal was having a chain of commands problem of his own. A commissar by the name of “I don’t really care” (in Mal’s mind of course) came with the reinforcements that Mal received for his promotion. Mal and his veterans’ smiles twisted as they watched the new recruits file out under the roaring command of this commissar. Mal looked at this commissar from head to toe, and grunted, then whispered to his newly promoted Captain, Captain Harkonium, “Looks like he’s a newbie too, I can still seem the fresh leather smell off of his Commissar boots!”
“Yeah, I’ve got a good feeling that I don’t like this son of a-“
“-Now watch your language Captain, he’s a commissar, you know what that means.”
“Aye sir, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t like his ass.”

Just then the Commissar shot a new recruit in the head, “If you don’t move any faster, I will help you move faster, by directly sending you to your death! Now move it!”
“Well look on the bright side sir, at least we got 3 tech priests to help us now.”
“Yeah, but I’d rather take 3 dead new recruits than this commissar.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” But the Captain ended his sentence as the commissar approached him and Mal.

“Major Phidori I presume?” The Commissar did not salute and was obviously waiting to be saluted, but Mal simply smiled, “Commissar, I didn’t remember I ordered a commissar on the list.”
“You do know that it is regulations of the Imperial Forces that a commissar must accompany any fighting force that has more than 400 men.”
“Yes, but we already have a commissar.” The captain cut in.
The commissar said bitterly, “You will speak only when you are addressed Captain Harkonium.”
“Aye sir.”
“Major, is this what you made into your new Captain? Teach some discipline into him or I will do so myself!”
“I’m sorry commissar, but my definition of a Captain must be very different from yours. My captains aren’t tamed gutless ass kissing blindly order obeying fools. I hope you can understand.”
“I do not understand Captain, and I do not plan to. I give you a day’s time to discipline your officers or else I will have my firing squad help you discipline them. Now then, this is our defensive plan. You will lead half of your Legionary Company down to the valley and establish a forwarding base of operations and fortify it. I will lead the remainder of your men here on this hill and establish a main base of operations in case your forwarding base is overrun. I hope this is simple enough for you to understand Major.”
“I’m sorry Commissar,” Mal said with a dark smile and almost giggling, “Is this how they teach you to fight back at the academy?”
“Are you questioning my plan and intelligence in combat Major?”
“I hope you aren’t a man of asking questions to very obvious answers.”
The captain laughed, but quickly refrained himself as the Commissar looked at him coldly.
“Major, let me remind you the chain of command-“
“-Yes, I’d be delighted to be reminded of the chain of command, because sir,” Mal got closer to the commissar in an almost uncomfortable distance, “The last time I checked I was the major of these two companies and you the commissar. The commissar’s job is to discipline and maintain order among the men, not to plan defenses, not to plan attacks. Understood sir?”
“Is that a threat?”
“Of course not,” Mal stood back, “It is a simple suggestion.”
“I need not your suggestion Major, and I will remember to report this insolence to the Governor General once this battle is over. Now I command you to establish that forwarding base or else I will send you to the firing squad myself!”
“Oh will you? Because the last time I checked commissar, you are a war hero.”
“Excuse me?”
“Yes, for you were a brave and loyal servant to the Emperor, and died faithfully in the line of duty.”
The commissar realized too late what Mal was talking about. By the time he reached for his side arm, a shell already entered his chest, sending him flying to the ground.
“In the line of duty, our brave Commissar fell to a cursed Ork bullet, in the chest.” Mal shot the commissar again in the stomach so that the commissar couldn’t pull out his side arm, “And then another bullet through the stomach as he stood firming facing the enemy!” The commissar’s hand reached up as he choked in his own blood trying to say, “Traitor.” “Our brave commissar will be survived by our guardsmen as he will be remembered in all of our hearts, as a war hero.” The commissar’s hand fell to the floor, as the two companies watched from a distance, neither feeling sorry nor feeling bad.

“Now listen to me!” Mal yelled, “Those orks will be coming soon, and if they catch us unprepared they’d tare us to shreds! Tech Priests, I want 6 heavy bolter turrets built along the first line of defense, 4 missile turrets built on the second line of defense, and 4 heavy bolters on the last line of defense! I want the 1st line to deeply entrench, so that if the orks come to us, they’d fall into mud pits filled with mines and snares! I want the 2nd line entrenched and manned with Karskins and half of the Legionary Company, have infantry command bunkers and bunkers that oversee both the 1st line and the valley so that we can have a massive fire net! Last line, I want half of the Legionary Company remaining make low wall defenses, just enough for you to prone behind and shoot out of, make sure you can have a fire net over the 1st and 2nd lines of defenses, and have bunkers set up so that they can fire down upon the first and second lines for suppressing fire! Now, we will make this strategic point, the last stand! For in the name of the Emperor, if we are pushed to this point every man and woman will stand till their last breath! I want a defensive ring around the strategic point with 2 heavy bolters. Communications, fire the blue signal flare when the enemy is able to pass through the first line, a red signal flare when the enemy passes through the second line, and a yellow signal flare when the enemy passes through the last line! You will be the last to die, and if you are to face death, fire the black signal flare, got that?”
“Sir yes sir!”

Mal signaled the companies to move out. The tech priests quickly got the jobs done. Mal and his men quickly took positions. The communications officer quickly approached Mal, “Sir, they’ve reached the Titan, but it wasn’t the Titan. The 1235th, 1445th, and 2230th Battalions will still continue to move towards the original rally point! We are to hold, but the 801st Armor Brigade is to support us as reinforcements.”
Mal nodded, “That takes some pressure off of our shoulders, make sure the Commissars know how the flares are working.”
“Yes sir, relaying the information now sir!”
“Good, dismissed.”
Mal turned back at the forest in the distance. He shook his head, it was too quiet. Captain Harkonium and Captain Yuri, the veteran commander of the Kasrkin company, came into the bunker that Mal was standing in. They both took positions to over look the valley.
Yuri asked, “Sir, tell me something,” None of the three turned during the conversation.
“What?”
“How many commissars have you killed?”
“Two now, one was on a cold day like this one.”
“And how the hell did you get away from the first one?” Harkonium said half jokingly.
“I didn’t, but it didn’t matter, there weren’t any officers left to call any firing squad.”
“What?”
“Yeah, my whole division was wiped out, we were surrounded by 16 ork WAAAGHs and another 2 Brigades of Chaos. The Holy Fleet was wiped out in the orbit above us, and the Orks were growing every minute in the jungles around us. The Chaos Raptors will do night raids, and the Ork Slugga Boys, Big Masks, Shoota boys, with their Bigga Gunz would come at us 4 or maybe 6 WAAAGHs at a time. We turned the Chaos back 25 times, and the Orks back 140 times before we all died out. I was lucky that I was able to get on the last transport that the Holy Fleet was able to get to us, but an insane Commissar wanted us to get out and keep fighting. He lost his own men and all I could do was yell, “He’s gone mad! He’s a chaos now!” I guess I was afraid of going back, and the boys on the transport agreed. We mowed him down in the name of the Emperor.”
Neither Harkonium nor Yuri could believe her ears. Harkonium tried laughing it off, but then realized perhaps that’s why Mal never had any respect for the chain of command, having a man’s division wiped out two times in less than two years can have effects.

A private came in yelling, “Sir! Incoming Orks!”
Mal nodded, “Good it’s about time they come! Tell the grenade launcher squads to begin barrage!”
“Yes sir!”
The Orks came. They were a green mass running out of the trees of the forests. Orks of all kinds and in armor of all kinds came running across the valley. On the distance Mal could see a Squiggoth and with it about 3 dozen Loot tanks. In front were countless Orks yelling their war cry, “WAAAAAGH!”
They wanted blood, and Mal was about to give them blood, but not Imperial Guardsmen’s blood, Ork blood. Mal yelled, “Men, its time to show these damned green idiots what it means to gain every inch by blood!”
The mortar and grenade launcher squads made quick work on masses of Ork bodies. Hundreds did not even have a chance to get into weapons range. From the sky the one and only air strike came, destroying a Loot tank and killing about 2 squads of Big Masks.
Already blood stained the green valley. Mal watched patiently, while his captains went to their command posts. Mal was about to leave the bunker and join the 2nd line when he kicked something on the ground. He picked up the little thing and examined it. It was a green energy tube. Mal asked a private, “Was this bunker just built?”
“No sir, we found it intact. It must be hundreds of years old, but the frame work is still good.”
“Oh, very well then.” Mal stuffed the tube in his pockets and left quickly.

[Keillen]

Sean, along with a group of chosen men had geared up. Even so, right now, he also had a score to settle with the Iron Skulls commissar for his inconsistent and neglectful use of firepower which had obliterated well dug positions which hadn't been or had been widthholding attacks. The team numbered to seven, a kill team, sawn off las-gun, with a few customised additions.

Even so, being part catachan when the adrenalin starts pumping, rank goes out from the window. Regardless, a catchan elects his officer. Thats what had led to allot of conflict with regimental commissars who tried to commandeer them. An execution or attempted execution by a commissar was met with the unit killing the commissar. Not pretty. As of right now. The battle he had taken part in was for nothing.

A good number of men had died from friendly fire, or had been wounded and blow to hell from the traitorous hands of the Imperial guard. Dressed in rugged attire, a mixture of Kaskrin armour, stormtrooper gear and equipped with a plasma pistol and hellgun. This was going to be one of those days, Colonel Sean was going to be breaking protocol. Regardless of rank.

The soldiers that had died by Commissar Lazarus's hands and they had been following his orders, there had been no Hellfire Titan Cannon and regardless before he went into the Vent things with his trusted seven man crack team. He was going to ensure Lazarus was going to be kissing his boots.

"Commissar Lazarus," he addressed the man who had been conversin with his crew, or crews, his own powerfist had been powered down to be that of a bionic arm. Sure enough as the man turned he let fly with perfect precision towards the mans nose. "You cold hearted son of a ork." He barked, as the fist connected.

Commissar Lazarus oversaw the establishment of the research station as Techpriests began to examine the tubes discovered on Point Phobos. Commissar Malfuron was right, if this turned out to be STC relic, then the Imperium would be one step closer to conquering this galaxy in the name of the Immortal Emperor. An elated smile grew on his face, little knowing that a unsubordinate officer was about to cross his path.

Commissar Lazarus oversaw the establishment of the research station as Techpriests began to examine the tubes discovered on Point Phobos. Commissar Malfuron was right, if this turned out to be STC relic, then the Imperium would be one step closer to conquering this galaxy in the name of the Immortal Emperor. An elated smile grew on his face, little knowing that a unsubordinate officer was about to cross his path.

The Commissar looked on as Colonel Dresden and a group of his men were coming toward him, the Colonel himself had the audacity to step even this close to the Commissar. Lazarus' smirk was wiped clean off his face when Colonel Dresden smacked him with a powered-down powerfist in his face. The blow managed to cause Lazarus to reel, nearly tumbled.

The Commissar obviously didn't appreciate that at all. Recomposing himself, Commissar Lazarus wiped the blood off his nose with his own leather-gloved fist, then smirked coldly at the Colonel who had just struck him. "Colonel Dresden, do you realize what have you done?" The Commissar said in a taunting tone, the question was merely sarcasm.

The smile was returned by Dresden, as he stepped forwards adrenalin coursing through his veins and by the Emperor Sean had guts. "I believe I just broke your nose Commissar, plus maybe a few hundread regulations of the Imperial guard. But then again, I'm not here to kill you," This time the fist swung again, "Maybe I'll just have to break a few more." Dresden wasnt holding back on the man because of the mans rank, he was here for blood. One thing about it.

There was a whole load of anger, rage and a catachan devil in each catachan. From the commotion a group of guardsmen had flocked to the scene of the fight. This was going to be good, an Iron Skulls commssar against Colonel Dresen. "You going to telltaddle to the emperor because I doubt he'll be listenning, I bet he's half deaf." He added another barb. He wasn't going to eat his words. He was going to goad the man.

Commissar Lazarus barely managed to block the next blow in time. However, the insubordinate and clearly rebellious remarks of this Colonel was something that the Commissar wouldn't put up for. However, without a combat duty, Lazarus was bored, and he needed his amusment to pass the time until either the Orks or Chaos launch another attack for an even greater excitment.

"Consider yourself fortunate , Colonel Dresden, that I am rather bored by having to oversee this important duty of defending this area. Otherwise, I would've just executed you on the spot!" Lazarus spoke, hitting back with his left arm, aiming for the Colonel's face. The Commissar was not about to be outdone by a Colonel, especially one who didn't understand the chain of command.

The blow impacted, even as the blow was delfected words were traded in the time between that and the retaliation. The punch which was inflicted was hard, snapping Seans face hard to the right almost lifting him from the ground. However he allowed himself to pivot upon the heel of his foot. Stepping back, bleeding from the inside of his mouth, he smiled as crimson dripped from the corner of his lip "I'd love to see who could draw the quickest," He taunted, "Emperors ass kisser," He knew the swearowrds only uttered in whispered by fellow men about commissars, between breaths.

He came in swinging, just as the female commissar who he had been under went to draw her bolt pistol to exectue Dresden for his actions only to be stopped. This was lazarous's fight. Three solid blows came at the man, Dresdens face was a fixed smile, one of fearless rage and a mixture of cruelty, that blow hurt allot more than it should have. Either way this was going to be close, he wouldn't admit he had been dazed by the blow for a few seconds. The commissar had power, but did he have stamina.

Commissar Lazarus managed to block two out of the three blows that came at him, all with his bionic arm. However, one blow did managed to score against his jaw, causing Lazarus to reel back a bit, until he stopped himself in a defensive posture. Spitting out blood and some loose teeth, which could easily be replaced, Lazarus stood there for a moment.

"Ah, you truly hold up to the reputation of a Catachan. Although you're proving to be quite interesting, it's a shame that you can't focus your strength on serving the Emperor!" Lazarus spoke calmly, hiding his anger as he charged at Dresden, his bionic, flesh concealed right arm launched the first blow against the Colonel, with a left hook to his gut as well. Just in case if one miss, the other would also hit.

Unprepared the bionic blow grated along the edge of his powerfist though the power ripped along his arms breaking the guard. What came next, however exploded into his stomach lifting him almost from the ground. A few guardsmen winced at such a blow. A mixture of blood and saliva coughed out from those lips followed by a whump of air being blasted from his lips.

It hurt, in all logic this was going to be a uphill battle. The commissar had a great deal of aces up his sleeve. Even so, after being winded he rose, "Cry me a ***k'n river," Grabbing the commissars front clothing around the shoulders. He brought his head close into a headbutt. Either way this was going to hurt both. He was winded, then again, like a Catachan devil such creatures fought even in a no win situation.

As the man fell back, Sean actually hurting more from the headbutt, he came again, almost boxer style, two hooks followed by another powerful right, though they were a bit less in power due tothe winding he had been dealt. With his flesh and human arm, allot of power had gone out of it. He was bleeding from the mouth, but he wasn't willing to back down.

"You killed men serving under my orders, where you could have gone around them. Either way, you fired regardless of their positions. They were my men,".

Neither was Commissar Lazarus going to back down. This Colonel Dresden had the guts to touch him the way he did, putting his filthy fingers on his finely made uniform. After taking some more blows, which were being weakened, Lazarus gritted his teeth as his officer hat was knocked off by the headbutt, which also caused a gash on his head that was bleeding.

Lazarus had enough insults for a Commissar, but at the same time, Dresden proved quite entertaining. Lazarus walked up to him, taking three light jabs at his ribs, followed by a light punch to his forehead. These blows weren't meant to knock out anyone, but the Commissar was toying with the Colonel. "What's the matter, Colonel Dresden? I was only getting started." Lazarus taunted with a smirk on his face, readying himself for another blow.

[Keillen]

The blows were hard, Dresden first fought for one thing. Ground. His chest ached, however as the three light jabs were blocked, the one to his forehard snapped his head back again. Take three deep breaths to restore his stamina, Dresdens eyes cooled. Becomming that of a true officers, emotionless, though notas cold and as fixing as Lazarus's.

He made a step towards the man, even so, making it look as if he was going to do a step then a power punch. He spun to the left, executing a backhand with the powerfist, "Stop playing," he rasped, he hadn't the voice right now, But even so he was comming back, slowly but steadily. After that blow, he faultered slightly, the injury to his lower stomach hurting once more. Possibly corked or bruised. "and lets pass on the warm up."

He growled, before advancing on the man again. Guardsmen were wooting, shouting in bets, they were enjoying this. Apart from a few hecklers, this was getting a bit long and bloody. There had been enough insults to have him shot for blasphemy. As well as disrespecting a commissar.

Commissar Lazarus was caught by surprise with the backhanded blow from Colonel Dresden's powerfist. His head was knocked a bit before he could regain his orientation. With an angry smirk, Lazarus swung his left fist at Dresden's face, proceeded by a right hook to his ribs. As entertaining as this was starting to get, Lazarus knew that he must get back to his duty, lest the Emperor be displeased with him. It was time to finish this fight, once and for all. He could tell that Commissar Kairn wouldn't be happy about this, but Lazarus would address her as needed later.

It was hard, fast and deliberatly aggressive. The left fist smashed through the defence, like a Vanquisher cannons shell through a Chaos rinos armour. leaving him open. The right hook, took him by surprise, almost knocking his legs out from underhim as he jerked from the pain. Either way, Sean wasnt going to go down. Yet. He rose again only to be punshed again into the soft bullet churned dirt.

He wanted to get up, but this time the windind and the second blow there hurt. Rule number one he should have never toned down his powerfist. He cursed himself for such caution.

Lazarus smirked coldly at Colonel Dresden as he futilely tried to get up after his last blows. Picking up his hat, the Commissar put it back on, fixing it in a pompus manner before walking up to the downed Colonel. "Thank the Emperor for the mercy that I have extended to you, Colonel. You're the first one I ever spared for such an offense. You're quite an amusment to me, and I'd have love to entertain you more, but I have duties to carry on for the Emperor. But allow me to leave these words of wisdom with you. I command a mechanized brigade, so don't waste my time in the future."

Lazarus taunted, just as a couple of medics walked past. "Medics! Come over here and fix him up." He ordered, more out of his desire to humiliate the Colonel than mercy, if he even had any at all.

"What about you, sir?" The medic asked. "I will get to the medical station by myself, thanks for your concern. And you, soldier, get someone to get me a new set of uniform." Lazarus replied, and gave an older to one of his Guardsmen, who saluted and ran off to carry out his duty. The Commissar walked off himself, heading for a medical station to fix himself up.

A serious bruise to ones pride is to lose the battle you were thinking you could have won, yet in truth, Lazarus had played the honourable man. Not executing him thus putting Dresden in a darker light, he nowowed that officer his life because Commissar Kairn couldnt execute him. Either way, as he was supported and taken to the side, this wasnt the end that Dresden had expected.

Kairn wasn't happy either way, in a face of rage she stormed sure enough she was a woman who ran on such a stigh obligation. Knowing the protocols to the letter. "Commissar Lazarous," she spoke, with a voice that could have turned many heads and despite this there was a cold formality behind it. "You failed to execute a dissobedient officer, he spoke blasphemy of the immortal god emperor." it was obvious that Kairn wanted an answer because she knew she didn't have the ability, a loop hole, prevented her from doing justice.

"What example does it make to the soldiers and for the imperial guard?" she demanded, rather agitated that she had to keep at the mans fast stride.

Commissar Lazarus stopped as he had heard enough of his colleague's complains about his actions. He turned to her with a cold smirk, as usual. "I'm aware of Colonel Dresden's crimes against the Imperium, Comissar Kairn. However, sometimes, to put a regiment under you, all you need to do is to humiliate one person, preferably the commanding officer." Lazarus spoke. "Besides, there is more than one way for someone to atone themselves for their sins against the Emperor. While we have to punish the heretics, we need to make efficient use of our manpower." The Commissar added.

Clearly, Lazarus didn't care whether Colonel Dresden lived or not. As long as he was useful to his own end.

[Roken]

"Hold you fomrations boys! Here they come!"
Captain Harkonium yelled over the lines of battle.
Captain Yuri was on the second defense line with her Karskins, "All right, we can't let those Legionary Imperial Guards steal our kills! Fire without mercy! Shoot and don't think!"
Mal was smoking a cigarette was if nothing was going on. He simply leaned against the side of a bunker's wall and watched the blood bath. A corporal ran in and asked, "Sir, shouldn't you be with the 3rd line sir? It isn't safe here!"
"No my good man, no where is more safe than where I am now. Besides, I like hearing Orks die, they sound so...dreadful." Mal laughed, "Just kidding. How is the lines holding Yuri?" Mal asked over the innercom.
"Just fine sir, but their wartracks are doing a lot of damage to our first line's turrets!"
"Well captain that's not so hard to over come. Mortar crew, focus fire on the wartracks."
"Sir yes sir!"
"Sir, the loot tanks are coming in range to fire upon the 2nd line!"
"Don't worry Harkonium, we know how to deal with them. Are your pipe bombs ready?"
"Home made to perfection sir!"
"Sir, mortar crew reporting that the wartracks are out of range!"
"Oh so those xenos are learning eh? Well, Harkonium, fire the big bella!"
Harkonium laughed, "With pleasure sir!"

A huge roar as the Legionary home made ballista fired the 1 foot wide and 12 feet long pipe bomb onto the wartracks. The explosion sent the wartracks and their drivers flying.
"That's right! A good Ork is either a dead Ork or a slave Ork! AHahah!"
"Sir, hate to break this to you, but we only have 2 turrets left on the 1st line! The Orks are going to break through soon!"
"Mortar crew make sure you don't let any of those bastards close to our first line!"
"Hard to do sir! There's too many of 'em!"
"He's right sir, I think there is probably more than 2 WAAAGHs down there, and more coming!"
"Commanders, second Squiggoth sighted, 500 meters from first line! Second WAAAAGH banner sighted, 600 meters from first line! Third WAAAAGH banner sighed, 1200 meters from first line!"
"Looks like the Orks wants to overrun us."
"Not on my watch sir!"
"Your watch? Ha! We won't even need you to hold this piece of rock! Company give them hell!"

"Sir, they keep coming. Even if we do keep this up, we will run out of ammo or run out of strength! We have to do something to give our boys a break!
Mal thought for a little while, "You're right Harkonium. Now then, let's execute operation Panic."
"Operation Panic?"
"Yes, ready the pipe bomb. See how the Orks are so stupid that they put their squiggoth in the middle of their charge? I want you to cause panic captain. I think you understand what I want you to do."
Harkonium smiled darkly, "Yes, clever sir, very clever! All right boys. Arm big Bella and take aim at that Squiggoth's front feet! Make sure you make that blasted creature see the explosion!"
"Yes sir!"
The ballista fired a large pipe bomb into the air. The bomb landed squarely in front of the charging Squiggoth and exploded. The squiggoth was frantic. It started the rampage, knocking over half a dozen loot tanks and crushing entire squads of orks. The orks around the squiggoth quickly lost order, and began a panic retreat. The ork commanders who tried to stop the retreating ork WAAAAGH were crushed beneath the orks' feet, wheels, or treads. Soon, the entire front WAAAGH began to retreat. The 2nd WAAAGH behind the front WAAAGH pushed right up against the retreating orks. Somewhere between the screams of Ork commanders, and Ork soldiers, some Ork yelled, "They're attacking us! Kill them all!" Pretty soon, the 2nd Ork WAAAGH began slaughtering their own kind in a frenzy as the first Ork WAAAGH fought for their lives between the Imperial Guards' grenade barrage and the defending Ork WAAAGH. With no path to go, most of the first Ork WAAAGH fell to either the plasma shots of the Karskins or the axes of their own comrades. It was a disaster.

The Karskins and Imperial Guards roared with glee. The tech priests quickly came out of the headquarters and began repairs and reconstruction. Mal looked at his watch, "We held so far for 3 hours and 23 minutes. About 5 and a half hours left people! Casualties report."
"One wounded from friendly fire."
"23 wounded, and 5 dead. 4 turrets are destroyed, 3 in need of repair."
"Not bad, but these numbers won't hold. Comms, what's the situation on the convoy?"
"They still have at least half of their vehicles still moving on the road."
"Tell them to move faster. Companies, resupply and ready for a harder fight. There are still 2 WAAAGHs remaining on the field. We probably have only half an hour for rest and repairs!"

45 minutes later...

"Damn Orks are learning! They're sending in their Loot tanks first!"
"Prepare for incoming bombardment! Fire the Big Bella!"
The ballista roared, the explosion took out 2 Loot tanks and damaged 4, but the Loot tanks kept coming closer. They were soon in range and began bombardment of the first line. The tech priests pulled out just in time. The missile turrets fired at full velocity, quickly destroying 2 Loot tanks, and damage the remaining 4. The remaining loot tanks pulled out to save their lives. The ballista destroyed another 2 before the remainder of the tanks could pull out.

Then the Ork wartracks came, destroying 3 turrets of the 5 remaining turrets on the first line before retreating with only 1 survivor. The Ork storm boys came next. Half of them didn't even make it to the ground. Those that did began fighting the 2nd line of Karskins in close quarters melee. Mal finally stood up. The remaining Ork WAAAGH was making a mad dash, hopeing the disturbed 2nd line would give them a window of opening for breaking through. The only thing they didn't know was that Mal had already retrained half of the Karskin company to fight in Mal's own way. Even with storm boys in their lines, the Karskin kept their formation. The storm boys couldn't even pull out their weapons when they would be at the end of 12 to 22 bayonets. When the storm boys stared into the eyes of the Karskin, they found thoughtless fighting machines. Those few that survived long enough to jump back reported, "They warn't human boyz! 'Em war some 'in we boyz never se'n before! 'Em leader issa witch!"
It wasn't the storm boys' fault for calling Yuri a witch, since she had a whip and a pistol as weapon instead of the regualr powerfists and swords, and didn't speak unless she had to bark out orders.

The rest of the Ork WAAAGH found themselves charging into yet another fire net. Half were cut down even before they could reach the death zone in front of the first trench line. The other half either retreated or were killed trying to get over the trench line. However, the first line's turrets were all destroyed. Mal tried to see the third WAAAGH, and found that the third WAAAGH is already charging into the 1st kill zone. There were 2 more WAAAGH banners behind the 3rd WAAGH. The Pipe bomb tried to scare the other Squiggoth, but instead of scaring it, the pipe bomb killed it. Mal sighed, "This is going to be a long day!" Just then, the first signal flare went up. Mal shook his head, "What the hell?" He turned to see elements of the 2nd WAAAGH turned back and began to charge over the first trench line.
"Damnation! Yuri, keep firing damn it!"
"We're doing the best we can! Half of my company are running out of ammo!"
"Sir, tech priests! Ammo drop!"
"At once."
"Damn it..." Mal grunted as he stepped in line with the Karskins and started to fire at the incoming Orks.

[TeslaCoil]

It wasn't long before the medics had fix up Commissar Lazarus, whose wounds were minor, the lost teeth were instantly replaced with implants. A new set of Commissar uniform was also promptly delivered to him, and Lazarus wasted no time in dressing up in his own command center before stepping out to oversee the newly-captured Point Phobos. The Techpriests continued to diligently examined the venting pipes that were found there, trying to verify it as STC technology. The Ultramarines had already requisitioned Techmarines to assist in this enormous task. Commissar Lazarus could hear the fighting from a distance, knowing tht Major Phidori's forces were holding out against great odds at Hill 344. The Commissar was dutiful enough to order his Sentinels to scout out the area, not only to report back to him of Major Phidori's situation, but also of locations of tactical importance should he be needed to assist. Lazarus had been waiting for the information, all the while overseeing his forces as the promised reinforcements had arrived.

While walking over to his Baneblade as it was being maintained, one of its crew members came up to the Commissar with an urgent report. "Commissar Lazarus, the Sentinels are reporting to you, sir." The man spoke as he rendered a salute, which Lazarus returned. "Thank you, Sergeant. I shall hear from them shortly." Commissar Lazarus spoke in reply, then promptly climbed back into his Baneblade to listen to what his Sentinels had to report. It wasn't long before Lazarus took up his com-link. "This is Commissar Lazarus." He said. "Commissar Lazarus, sir. This is Sentinel Squadron Beta reporting. Major Phidori's companies are holding out well, they managed to destroy the entire first Ork WAAAGH and decimated the second. The third WAAAGH are in the process of overrunning them, sir. From what we can see, they have already destroyed the turrets on the first line, and the Orks are charging the first line as we speak. I don't know how much they can sustain." Reported the lead Sentinel pilot.

"Inform Major Phidori that his companies will be relieved, he will know what to do himself." Lazarus replied over the com-link with a decisive command, already knowing that he would deploy his forces. Smirking, the Commissar looked from the top of his command Baneblade as his troops and reinforcements were now staging in this area, waiting for the order to advance. "They would get it soon enough." Lazarus thought to himself as he picked up his com-link. "Attention, Guardsmen of the 801st Mechanized Brigade and 734th Armored Brigade, this is Commissar Ezikiel Lazarus. We have two companies of our brothers-in-arms holding out at Hill 344 against waves of Orks. Should that hill fall, then the Orks will gain an important position with which they can ambush more of our fellow Guardsmen as soon as they pass through that road, and the Emperor's endeavor will have to be delayed, and more of our next generations will perish! Think of all your children and grandchildren, Guardsmen, think of their future when you come face to face with the enemies of our Emperor! Would you rather have your blood spilled, or theirs? Fight for the Emperor! Fight for the future of Mankind!" The Commissar made his speech, to the cheers of the Guardsmen under his command.

Commissar Lazarus decided to leave 1/3 of the 734th's tanks to hold Point Phobos in case of another attack by either the Chaos or another Ork Waaagh. Commissar Malfuron's forces and Colonel Dresden's troops were also to be left behind to defend the newly established Imperial base. With that, the Iron Skulls moved out with the majority of the Titan Anvil (734th Armored Brigade), with the Baneblade in the lead as they headed south. Commissar Lazarus' forces stopped about 10 miles from the battle between the Orks and Major Phidori's companies holding Hill 344. Stopping at another smaller hill, Lazarus watched from the top of his Baneblade with his binoculars as the Orks continued their attack. Intelligence from his Sentinels indicated another elevated ground to the west would provide a good high ground for Lazarus' artillery units with which to pound the Orks. Another elevated point to the east would be useful for mortar teams to hit the Orks on their flank.

Commissar Lazarus' plan was simple, he would divide his artillery units, deploying his Chimera Bombards to Hill 344 itself, approaching from the rear of Major Phidori's forces. These would be supported by 8 Chimeras loaded with Guardsmen and Ogryns in order to reinforce Major Phidori's companies to encourage a counterattack. The Basilisks would be placed in the smaller hill to two kilometers to the west of his current position, leaving some of them here as well. Mortar teams would be placed with every single artillery battery for added firepower, which will in turn be supported by Heavy Weapon teams. The Leman Russ, Chimera, Hellhound tanks and supporting infantry would move in the classic encircling maneuver in hopes of surrounding the Orks. In order for this to work, Lazarus would had to bait the Orks into attacking himself in addition to Hill 344. To do this, Commissar Lazarus had placed his personal banner on the top of his Baneblade's turret to taunt the Orks into attacking. Behind the Baneblade would be a weighty force of Leman Russ and troop-laden Chimeras. To make the bait more convincing, Lazarus ordered the battery at his position to fire first, on his command.

Lazarus watched, as his forces split up and moved in different direction to their assigned locations. To his delight, the artillery units had setup themselves on the assigned positions with great efficiency. The only delay was with the Bombards that were destined for the rear of Hill 344, but they were getting there. Satisfied that enough artillery batteries were established, the Commissar was ready to commence his assault on the Orks. "Battery Alpha, commence firing!" Lazarus ordered over the com-link, just as his Baneblade's Machine Spirit was awakened by the Techpriest, signaled by the growl of its giant engine.

As Lazarus' Baneblade pushed forth from his position on the hill 10 miles from Hill 344, the Basiliks of Battery Alpha commenced firing. The shells slammed in the midst of the Orks, sending some Shoota Boyz and Slugga Boyz flying into the air, turning a few of their Wartrakks into mere scrap metal. "Commence firing!" Lazarus ordered the crew of his Baneblade, and the Mega Battle Cannon erupted with great fury, sending a rocket-propelled shell right at the third WAAAGH, destroying a Wartrukk with a direct hit. The explosive force also caused a Guntrukk to flip over on its back, crushing Orks that had the misfortune of standing next to it. Next, the Baneblade's Demolisher Cannon fired, lobbing a shell into another mob of Orks, sending some Flashgitz flying, as well as tossing three Wartrakks into the air like they were toys. They were smashed into scrap metal as soon as they landed with great impact, killing their drivers and gunners.

"Look 'ere, a big 'uman tank headed t'iz way! Let's wrekk it for some spare partz! Let's take t'at banna off it, and the Kommissar's 'ead!" A Flashgit shouted, and the other Orks soon followed suit. Commissar Lazarus' bait was working, as some of the Orks began to engage his main force, which was nothing more than a diversion. Smiling as some of the Storm Boyz began to fly toward his Baneblade, Lazarus reached for his com-link once more as he emerged from the main turret's hatch. "All artillery forces, commence firing! Smash these Orks back to the hell they came from!" The Commissar ordered, then dropped the com-link to reach for his Storm Bolter as the Storm Boyz drew closer. Taking aim at one, Lazarus squeezed the trigger and shot one out of the sky, then fired another burst which took out another.

Just as one of the Storm Boyz landed right in front of the Commissar, the Baneblade's main gun fired with enough force to knock the Ork off his feet. The Ork landed on top on the forward Heavy Bolter sponson, and was instantly gunned down by Lazarus with his pintle-mounted Storm Bolter. A slight smile emerged on his face, for the battle had just begun.....

[JohnnyB]

‘Meanwhile’

The Ultramarines saw segments of the 801st and the 712th armoured divisions rolling out to assist in the holding of Hill 344, Captain Thale believed that the Baneblade and everything accompanying it would be adequate and that the involvement of Space Marines would not be required, their concern now was unearthing the refinery component and possibly the Imperator that lay beneath it.

====

However another race of war had see interest in the planet; hidden under the guise of their camoline cloaks, a squad of Rangers were covertly monitoring the still forming Imperial base at point Phobos ever since the Imperial guard and Space Marines took the point. Once the majority of the armoured divisions began to file out of the point, the Ranger reported back to his Farseer,
“It is as you foresaw, Farseer: The human armour is filing out of their new position, along with their Baneblade war machine.”
Over the Ranger’s communication’s transmitter built into his helmet, the voice of Farseer Macha of Craftworld Biel-Tian spoke to the Ranger,
“Everything has gone as I have seen; we must move quickly to ensure the Humans do not raise the horrors that lay beneath their very feet. I am closing on your position now with Falcon and Fire Prism gravity tanks and will arrive in mere moments. Ensure the Human numbers are withered before we arrive.”
“As you wish, Farseer.” The Ranger replied, then signalled the other Rangers in his squad to take up firing positions and to open fire on the humans… clearly the Eldar were on the planet for a reason, and it lay beneath the human’s very feet.

The Space Marines were apparently still calling in more troops to assist holding the point; Space Marine Apothecaries were now on site, tending to those still wounded along side the Guard’s medics, as well as to recover the Gene-seeds of the fallen Marines in the first attack.
Along the perimeter, Brother-Sergeant Mordekai’s Marine squad were making one last sweep for any Chaos Marine they might have missed, along with any of the Lost and the Damned that may have survived the bombardment, some of the Marines were complaining that their time would have been better used to eradicate the Waaagh that nearly took the point and the remains of the taint of Chaos. Once the sweep was complete and no sign of Chaos was left, the Marines started to file back into the point… only to give pause as something flew through the head of one of the Marine’s helmets; the Marine paused for a moment before falling to his knees and on his front. Mordekai ran to the fallen Marine and knelt before the fallen Marine, then examined the wound,
“A clean shot in and out… Only Eldar Rangers are THIS precise with their shots.”
More shots flew past the standing Marines, “Back off. BACK OFF!” Mordekai screamed before firing his bolter pistol in the direction of the Eldar Rangers, his Marines also aiding with Suppressing Bolter and Heavy Bolter fire, “Brother-Captain Thale. Eldar have surrounded the point, I have one Marine down.”
”Understood Brother-Sergeant, fall back into the point. I’m ordering those Guardsmen armed with snipers to set up on the high-ground to return their gesture of war.”
“Understood, my lord, we’re pulling back into the base now.” Mordekai replied, shortly before receiving a shuriken round to his shoulder.
Thale had ordered the snipers to take up firing position, seeing as the colonel was occupied with ‘other’ matters to important to see to the command of hid own men, and if it came to it, he ordered ALL able-bodied guardsmen to take up arms in whatever was left of the trenches and any cover available, The Eldar relied on stealth and cunning, Thale was going to do EVERYTHING in his power to deny him that pleasure. It was mere moments later before Thale heard the sniper rounds fire onto the Eldar Rangers position, even some of the Space Marines armed with bolters kept the Rangers distracted by firing at them with their weapons… then quiet came to the area… the Snipers must have eliminated the Rangers, however this battle was far from over…

Shortly after the Rangers were dealt with, one of the Snipers reported Eldar Armoured units arriving from the direction the Rangers were firing from,
’Damn Xenos!’ Thale thought to himself, ’They were waiting for Commissar Lazarus to leave with the Baneblade before even daring to attack.’
For a few moments, Thale could ear the effects of manifestation from a short range teleportation, moments later, the entire base was littered with numerous squads of Warp Spiders, driving the Imperial guard and Space Marines into a firing frenzy on anything non-human, allowing the Armour to take up optimal firing positions and unloading their compliments of Warriors and Howling Banshees, with them was the Eldar Farseer Macha, armed with Shuriken pistol and Witchblade. Thale was going to have the Farseer’s head if they crossed during this battle

[Roken]

Mal fired about 3 clips of rifle ammo when he realized he was out. Mal looked around and watched Kasrkins pulling out their bayonets, side arms, and combat knives. It was going to turn melee soon, even while the Legionary Company and the 3rd line of turrets were firing at full power. Mal yelled to Yuri, “Blow the first line of mines!”
“Yes sir!”

The sapper nodded as Yuri touched his shoulder and pointed at the trigger for the 1st line of mines. The explosion sent a long row of Orks flying, while those around them fell dead. The Orks that were half way up the hill saw their fallen tribesmen and scattered to the 4 winds. The gap between the scattered wave and the next wave game the Kasrkins enough time to re-supply. The Orks came again. Mal bit his teeth, “Is there no stop to this?” Just then he caught the eyes of a strange girl. It was the same girl from the Chaos’s lines. She was staring back. Mal didn’t hold back this time and asked the Kasrkin next to him, “Hey you see that over there? That girl?”
The soldier followed Mal’s finger and shook his head, “Nay, it’s not a girl, it’s a boy. Why in the name of the Emperor a boy is doing out there?”
“Say what?” Another soldier added, “It’s a girl. I can tell from her blue dress.”
“Blue dress? What are you talking about? He’s obviously wearing grey.”
Mal shook his head, “The force of Chaos must be watching us again.”
“Blast it, kill them all!”

They fired rapidly at the new wave of Orks. Even while firing Mal yelled out commands, “Watch your flanks and hold that position! Feed them grenades! Push that squad back!”
Still, the Orks were gaining ground as the Kasrkins were slowly cut down. Piles of dead Orks actually slowed some Orks down, but many wounded and dying were crushed under the feet of their own kind. Mal shook his head. It won’t be long before the Orks would be crushing the dead bodies of his Kasrkins if this kept up. The Orks were sending in their Nobs as well, it was amazing how the Kasrkins were still holding, but then again Mal retrained them.

Over the comms, the communication officer reported, “Sir, Commissar Lazarus is coming to reinforce us!”
“Oh? Very well then, men hold your ground! We must form a firm line for our fellow brothers’ charge to glory!”
The Kasrkins yelled in blood thirsty war cries. They fired twice as fast as before. Entire columns of Orks fell. Bodies pilled on top of each other. Retreating forces scrambled among the charging forces. Pure chaos was beginning to haunt the Ork WAAAGH. Then, the thundering explosions of Basilisks and the Baneblade got the reinforcing WAAAGH’s attention and the Kasrkins’ attention. A few cheered, “Yeah how you like a piece of artillery huh? Takes right your Ork b***ards! How you like artillery now?”
Yuri stood up in the trench and yelled to her company, “Kasrkins, remember your duty! Remember, stay focused and remain silent! Keep firing!”
The Kasrkins continued their rain of plasma fire.

Mal looked on to the battle field again, the girl was gone now. Death littered the field as the 801st Armor Brigade rolled into the Ork’s lines. Mal knew it in his fighting spirit that it is time. Mal yelled at the top of his lungs over both comms and soldiers, “Bring out the Marker bearers!” The two companies’ Marker bearers came out and stood firmly in front of Mal. Mal pulled out his sword and pointed at the Orks, “Those there are the foul beasts that have been cutting our brothers down for the past 7 hours. Now they are about to be crushed under the might of the Emperor’s will! This is your chance, this is your moment of opportunity to bring to these foul Orks the massacre they deserve! Leave none alive, give no quarter of mercy, and sweep this field with our Markers held high! What say you Legionary Company?”
The entire company yelled in cold blood thirst.
“And what say you Blue River Company?”
The entire Kasrkin company yelled in a roar for blood.
“Then, charge with me, in the name of the Emperor we shall make this day remembered for all of time! C-H-A-R-G-E!”

Roughly 300 men and women charged down the nearly devastated slopes of Hill 344. They traversed the body piles of Orks, killing anything that moved. They charged in lines that were probably more orderly that marching lines. The two companies made quick killing of the remainder of the WAAAGH on the hillside. The WAAAGH on the plain was busily dying from the heavy gun fires of the 801st and 734th. The artillery barrages were killing most Orks before they could even fire back. The last of the Orks’ WAAAGH came onto the field as expected. The Orks charged towards both Mal’s men and Lazarus’ armor, but quickly found themselves surrounded. On one side, there was the cold steel treads of the 801st and 734th, and on the other side there was the cold massacring companies of Imperial Guards. Many Orks bravely choose their path to death and charged towards the rain of explosion and plasma fire.

Many times during the fighting Mal got into range for melee fighting. The Orks were strong, but they didn’t stand a chance against Mal’s disciplined troops. The lines acted with one mind and moved unquestioningly into coordination. Mal himself cut down dozens of Ork when the Orks made their final desperate charge. Blood spilled over Mal’s face as he skillfully sliced through the green bodies. When the last of the Orks fell, it gave a horrible cry, signaling the defeat of perhaps the death an entire genetic tree of the Orks on the planet. Those who were lucky enough to have retreated back into the forest earlier, watched silently before retreating back deep into the forest.

Mal stood at the center of his two companies. They were gathering around him, as he lifted his blood stained sword and the two Marker bearers lifted up their Markers. The companies yelled in victory, a few even cried, “Imperium en Victor!” The 279 survivors stood there, all breathing heavily from fatigue, all having their sword arms sore from overuse, and all smiling with dark and red faces from Ork blood or the dark smoke. Mal signaled his companies to make way for the 801st and 734th, because Mal’s men had finished their mission the last of the convoy had passed through the road and were now safely in range to the Point Phobos. Mal went to the Baneblade and saluted as it passed by Mal and his men…
Harkonium laughed as he leaned against Captain Yuri, “Looks like our numbers aren’t up yet.”
“Looks like you’ve had one too many Orks to kill.”
“Too easy. I prefer we march against those Chaos freaks. Now that we have more veterans, we can start the real training the Cap-I mean Major told us to do.”
“Aye, if we ever get the chance to on this hell hole.” Yuri shook her head as they stood there watching the Ogryns and Kasrkin reinforcements march pass the companies and back towards Point Phobos with the rest of the 801st and 734th.
“We better get moving too,” Mal said, “Our job is done here, and we better get out of here before something else happens, like a Eldar ambush or something. Got to expect everything on this world. Have the wounded carried on stretchers, and see to it that the dead receives proper burials. Also, casualty reports, have them ready by the time we arrive at Phobos Point, the Colonel would want to see them too.”
“Aye sir.” The two said at once before filing out to gather the companies and supplies together for the march back. The Valkyries never showed up, so the companies began their march back towards Phobos, tailing the 801st and the 734th.

[Spike Armada]

In the frenzy that was quickly ensuing upon Point Phobos, Commissar Malfuron brought his comm-link to his mouth and bellowed a few orders to the Sentinel squadron that was patrolling the perimeter of the point. His orders, however, were clear, in the fact that should they find any Xenos, eliminate them as well as attempt to delay any more reinforcements by destroying potential supply-lines.

Once that was done, Malfuron issued a quite a many hand signals to the squadrons under his command, ordering his men to split up and attempt to pincer the Eldar into the Ultramarines iron grip, while the Guardsmen mopped up the remaining scum that was the Eldar. However, this would prove to be much harder than normal as a Farseer had entered the scene. A Farseer that Malfuron, had only heard stories of. Farseer Macha.

Nevertheless, Malfuron would get his job done, even if it cost him his life.

"Second Platoon! You're with me, we'll slice into the Eldar from the rear and take down any armour we come across. We will then assist First, Third and Fourth Platoon in destroying the rest of the Eldar at Point Phobos. March!"

With a determined stare into the hearts of his soldiers, his words finally suck into their heads as they all jumped into a job behind the Commissar, and in seconds were found in close quarter combat against Eldar Guardians. Commissar Malfuron ripped his power Sabre from the sheath at his left hip, and drove it through the face of a Guardian that dared to venture to close to the Commissar. Though, with a twist and powerful tug at an angle, the Guardian slumped to the floor and allowed the Commissar to load a few Bolts from his pistol into the bodies of a few more Eldar.

The Guardsman's inevitable victory, however, lasted a little longer than planned as good third of his men were mowed down by Shuriken Cannon fire that was coming from a Falcon Grav Tank. Though, lucky for the Guardsmen, the Falcon Grav Tank wiped out the last of the few Guardians, but forced the Guardsmen to dive behind any cover or foxhole that was near, otherwise they would end up sleeping in the dirt.

The tides suddenly changed however, as a Sentinel Walker raced towards their position, it's cannon blaring as the orange beam smashed into the thrusters of the Falcon Grav Tank, causing them to critically explode. The Commissar and his soldiers quickly leaped up and charged towards Point Phobos, fire in their eyes as they were determined to drench the ground in Eldar blood.

Today, was indeed a good day to die.

[JohnnyB]

The Eldar were known for their shock tactics, unfortunatlly from the reception of Weapons fire and vehicles returning, they had already lost a Grav Tank to a Sentinel, it was fortunate the Farseer had forseen this and asked Fire Prism tanks to aid them, the crystaline turrets mounted to the Gravity Tank chassis of each tank retured the Sentinel fire with Superheated energy, knockign down one Sentinel at a time allowing the Falcon's to open fire n the infantry.
The coat of Shuriken fire had allowed the majority of the groudn forces to join the Warp Spiders in battle, the Guardians opened fire on the lightly armoured squads that had taken cover whilst wave upon wave of Howling Banshees ducked and weaved past Lasrifle and Bolter fire to enter close quarter combat with the bulk of the defenders, cleavign through Guardsmen but having difficulty with the armoured suits of the Space Marines. The warp Spiders kept teleporting from one point to another after dealing with a riegon of infantry to assist in disabling the attaching vehicles with their Haywire grenades before jumping back into the fray.

Within the battle, Captain Thale slew every Eldar that attepted to take his life killign them with either his plasma pistol or ending them limb from limb with his Power Sword until.. he saw her; the Biel-Tien Farseer that was leading the attack putting a shuiken round from her pistol into the head of one of the Brother Captains trying to keep a Guardsmen squadron from fleeing, the isntant a Marine saw them fleeing he eptied his Bolter into the would-be deserters before turnign to face a Warrior that dared to get too close. Thale's blood boiled to the point where he discarded his Plasma pistol and charged the Farseer, both hands clenched on his Power Sowrd. Once he drew close, Thale's first swing deprived the Farseer of her shuriken pistol as she turned to meet the Marine Captain, the second was met by her Witchblade. With their blades locked, the commanders had an exchange of words,
"Xeno whitch! Don't expect to flee this battle in one peace."
"You truly have no idea, do you Human?" Macha shot back, "You have no perception of the horrors that fester below the very soils of this planet."
"You may have swayed Angelos and his Blood Ravens to whatever just cause you Eldar may serve, but as one of the Emperors most Cherished, all I see is a Xeno that would dare stain his Imperium with your very presence!" Thale then borke the stalemate and started on the attack with violent and near-barbaric swings from hs power sword, Macha just able to fend off the attacks from the captain, sometimes spinning into one of Thale's attacks and launching an attack of her own, her blows simply glancing off of his thick armour.

Again the 2 gave pause to their battle, Macha took the oppotunity to plead her case to Thale,
"Heed my words human, the great darkness festers below our feet, your actions here, this very battle taking palce is stirring them to rise."
"Do you really expect me to fall for your lies, witch?" Thale answered, "All that ever festered in this place was Heracy, Heracy that we have thus far crippled on this planet. The only real threat present it you and your kind."
"You are THAT blinded by a false religion you would allow the Deathless ones to rise?" Macha answered back, apparently sounding more desperate, "I have battled horrors from the warp your mere mind can hardly comprihend and yet you would allow Death's locust to awaken and take this planet as their own?"
Thale was apparently too blinded for his hate for anything not of the Imperium, all he did was bore a hole through Macha, no doubt she was doing the same from behind her expressionless Ghosthelm because this human was too blinded by his belief.
The raging battle around the 2 commanders started to intensify as more and more troopers joined the fray the battle raged on so that it would practically have woken the dead... which is what it appearded to do, before a Squad of Howling Banshees joined battle against Brother-Sergeant Mordekai and a squad of Space marines and Imperial guard, both sides gave pause as something shot itself up from the soil... a metalic hand outfitted with blood-stained skinning blades, moments later the form of what appeared to be a Necron Flayed one dragged itself from the dirt... all over the camp, metallic skeletal forms started to drag themselves out of the ground armed with Gauss weapons or skinning blades... the battle had awakened the Necrons and they were now ready to begin a purge to erradicate ALL life on the planet.

In that instant, the Imperium forces and the Eldar whom were initially bighting against each other started to fight along side each other in a temporary and unstable truce to deal with the Necron menace, however no matter how many Necrons fell, theire natural ability, dubbed 'We'll Be Nack' by many saw that they would re-assemble and continue to fight as if they had never fallen. Captain Thale and Macha were even forced to fight side by side armed only with bladed weapons, cleaving through Warrior, Flayed one and Pariah alike... eventually the attacked seemed to die down after the Necrons kept falling to the Imperium and Eldar weaponry and were forced to 'Phase out': a Mass teleportation back into their catacombs or the nearest Monolith, all that remained of the Necrons that had surfaced were the occasional foot, finger, hand or head.. evidently the battle that raged between Imperium and Eldar must have awoken some of the Necrons that lay dormant in their catacombs benieth the surface,
"Now do you believe me, Human?" Macha asked, "Your actions here are stirring the Necrons into life, and if we do not act now, they will claim this world and everything on it."
Thale had to admit when he was misguided... once Lazarus and the remaining Commisars and Sergeants had rallied, he would explain the situation and that, until the Necrons were defeated, they and the Eldar will be under a Truce drawn up by Thale, the Senior Commisar and Macha... until then Thale had ordered all Imperium to stand down on all Hostilities against the Eldar.
"You had best be right about this, Eldar." Thale said, "Becasue if you are wrong I wil kill you where you stand." Thale then walked away from Macha and toward the command facility where he had asked all Commisars and Seargents to meet him,

[TeslaCoil]

When it was said and done, the carnage was simply couldn't be put in words. Like all the tanks in the 801st and 734th Armored Brigades, Commissar Lazarus' Baneblade had its treads red with the blood of Orks whilst being meshed with grounded bits of Ork skin, flesh, and bone. There were several Ork corpses laying on the top of the Baneblade's hull, most of them killed by the Commissar himself, either with the Storm Bolter, Bolt Pistol, or his Power Saber. Lazarus kept them there, as though treating those corpses as his own trophies. The majority of Ork dead, however, laid on the field on which they fell alongside those of the Imperial Guardsmen who also fell to slay the pitiful Xeno scum. These fallen Guardsmen, regardless of their condition, were taken up by the living for the proper burials that they truly deserved. Burning wreckages of Ork vehicles and slain Squiggoths also laid on the field, alongside wreckages of Imperial vehicles.

The Ork wreckages far outnumbered those of the Imperial Guards' as Lazarus had only lost a dozen and a half of vehicles between two of his brigades. Some of them could be returned to service with some repair, but knocked out of action until then, regardless. The majority of the total losses were incurred by the Hellhounds and a few Chimeras, due to their light armor, and the former's great vulnerability to enemy fire. The Orks managed to put a few dents into the Commissar's Baneblade with their Rokkit Launchas and Lobbas, but it would take more than that to take it out of action. The crew only suffered minor concussions from the shockwaves. The only damage done was to the left Heavy Bolter sponson's electrical system, but that was repaired as soon as the battle was over.

Commissar Lazarus remained on the turret of his Baneblade, turning back to look at his tattered banner, potched with holes as Ork Shoota Boyz tried to take shots at the Commissar himself. Despite the damage, Lazarus remained rather proud of his banner, if not more so than ever. Like those Guardsmen who fell in battle, the banner had suffered damage in service of the God Emperor. Commissar Lazarus himself took a scrape to his left arm and shoulder from the inaccurate fire of the Orks, but nothing too serious. He made up for that with a personal kill count of at least a handful of Orks who dared to climb onto his Baneblade. Looking forward again as his forces rolled by, Lazarus noticed Major Mal Phidori saluting him and his tank. In response, the Commissar returned the salute with a smirk as the Baneblade rolled along.

Behind him, the rest of Lazarus' forces also rolled back to Point Phobos after nearly annihilating the Orks. Basilisks and Bombards could be seen rolling down from their positions to catch up, whilst Land Crawlers were towing knocked out Leman Russ tanks and Chimeras that were salvagable. Some of the Guardsmen were also hitching rides on the backs of any Imperial vehicles they could get on. Commissar Lazarus himself sunk back into the turret, busing himself with recording the Baneblade's action, all the while recalling how so many Orks were crushed under the treads of the massive tank, gunned down by its Heavy Bolters, and obliterated by both its Mega Battle Cannon and Demolisher Cannon. Riding into battle, in the Emperor's greatest gift, to annihilate the enemy of the Imperium was something that the Commissar truly cherished.

"Commissar Lazarus. I have recieved orders from Brother Captain Thale of the Ultramarines to return to Point Phobos, sir." A radioman interrupted him on the comms. "Let the Brother Captain know that we are heading back to Point Phobos as we speak, and will be returning shortly." Commissar Lazarus replied as soon as he had put away his pen and the Baneblade's own service log. He leaned back and sighed, wondering what Brother Captain Thale had called him back for. Perhaps Point Phobos was under attack? On that thought, the Commissar immediately picked up his comms again. "All units, head back to Point Phobos at double speed." The Commissar commanded with his imposing tone, and his orders were instantly obeyed as the tanks of the Iron Skulls and Titan Anvil quickened their pace.

Commissar Lazarus could only wait and wonder what awaited him back at the Imperial base at Point Phobos. Little did he know, however, that he was about to be stunned beyond believe by the unthinkable....

[Roken]

Mal, Yuri, and Harkonium were marching back with Commissar Lazarus’s forces while suddenly the tanks began to speed up. Mal looked around and yelled to a passing tank commander, “Hey Lieutenant, what’s going on?”
“Commissar order us to move back to HQ double time! You better get your boys off our tanks if you don’t want them to end up as road kill!”
Mal shook his head and yelled to his companies, “Blue River and Legionary Company get your asses off of those tanks! We’re walking no matter how tired your damned feet are! Got that? Now march!” A few guardsmen and karskins grumbled, but were soon following their platoons in the march. Mal went up to the communications officer and asked, “Hey, see if you can get some info out of what the hell is going on at Phobos, I don’t think the commissar would get that impatient unless something is up.”
The communications officer shook his head as he tuned in on the over-coms, “Everyone is talking about repairing defense positions…supplying new firing lines…and whatnot. I don’t hear anything important.”
“Are you sure?”
“Well nothing except Captain Thale is ordering the commissar to pull back to Phobos…”
“Oh?” Mal thought for a minute, “They might have been attacked. See if you can pick up anything about who attacked them.”
“Aye sir”
Mal turned to his men, “Okay companies listen up. We’re on high alert even when we get back to HQ! Keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious and any movement off the road! March as fast as you can, the longer we stay out here the more chance we have of getting a beating by Chaos!”
The guardsmen moved quickly down the road. They kept their eyes open for movement. There were a few times when a platoon stopped because a soldier said he saw something, but nothing happened so they kept moving. Yuri and Harkonium finished up their casualties reports and handed them to Mal. “It ain’t pretty sir.” Harkonium said as he turned in the list. Most of the casualties were from Yuri’s Karskins since they were the most exposed. Harkonium then began to complain, “If only they give us some of that heavy weapons sir, also we’re almost out of ammo in at least 2 platoons. Can’t we get at least some requisitions?”
“We’ll get our ammo once we get back to Phobos, the Colonel would probably be more than willing.”
“I don’t think so sir.” The communications officer interrupted.
“Why’s that Lieutenant?” Harkonium said with an annoyed voice.
“I just got off the over-com, it seems that the Colonel was injured in a fight with Commissar Lazarus.”
“Injured?” Mal’s voice was concerned, “Define injured Lieutenant.”
“Well he’s out of it and is resting at the field hospital. Also…Commissar Kairn executed Major Kaplan…so that means…according to the chain of command, Major, you’re now in charge of our regiment until the Colonel is checked out of the Infirmary.”
“Damn.” Mal shook his head, “That’s just f**king great, all I need, more damned people under my command. I guess commissar Kairn would be still there waiting for me?”
“I haven’t heard any reports of her death or mishaps.”
“Why can’t a damned Eldar just snipe her?” Mal shook his head, “So who is in command of our Regiment at Phobos right now?”
“…Captain Thale and Commissar Malfuron have assumed full command sir.”
“Yeah,” Harkonium said while shaking his head, “And I bet they won’t be planning to give that up even if we march our pretty little asses back there.”
“Any word on what’s going on at Phobos?”
“Well the Eldar just made a massive attack, but there is a truce for some reason.”
“What’s the reason Lieutenant, and stop leaving us cliff hangers!”
“I’m hanging with you too Major! They didn’t tell us the reason! It’s all been classified.”
“Us allying with the Xenos?” Harkonium said darkly, “I smell Xeno treachery here!”
“Whatever the reason,” Mal cut Harkonium off before he could announce his opinion to the whole company, “We’re at truce, and until we figure this one out, no one fire at the Eldars! How far until Phobos Yuri?”
“Just about a kilometer until we reach the first line, we should be able to see the point soon.”
“All right then, keep moving!”

When Mal and his guardsmen were insight, Commissar Lazarus and his forces had long arrived. All Mal could think about was why the Eldar would ally with the Imperium. He knew that the Eldar would as much like to kill a guardsman as it would like to kill a heretic, but something greater must be forcing the Eldars’ hands into a truce. Mal felt that he would soon find out when they reach Phobos, but until then he must keep his suspicions quiet. Mal’s hand reached into his pocket and pressed hard against the green object he found at the bunker…

[JohnnyB]

Thale had rallied the Sergeants, Commisars and anyone with a suggificant rank to command a Guardsman squad to the Command Center to discuss the reason why he had ordered no hostility towards the Eldar, whom had now retreated to their webway network. He had also asked to the Tech Priests and Techmarines to salvage waht they could of the Necrons to present to the Squad commanders and the senior officers,
"Before you blame me of Heracy by allowing the Eldar to live." Thale said before the room exploded in an uproar from the Guard commanders and Commisars,
Commissar Lazarus was among the Commissars to be called into the command centre to stand before the Ultramarines' Brother Captain Thale. He too, had his objections about this truce with the Eldar, as this went against the will of the Emperor. Commissar Lazarus was then presented with evidence of the Necrons' existance on this planet by the Techmarines and Techpriests. Having faced the Necrons before, Commissar Lazarus instantly recognized a few unsettling features of the Necrons. However, he still wasn't convinced until he took his Bolt Pistol and shot at a chunk of a Necron Warrior's chest. The bolt struck with great force, ravaging the plate of metal, only for it to repair itself. "Necrodermis." Lazarus spoke, finally convinced of the Necrons' presence on this world. However, what he still wasn't convinced was that they would need the Eldar's, or anyone's help, to take on the Necrons. "With all due respect, Brother Captain, while I am convinced of the Necron menace, I am not convinced that we needed assistance from the cursed Eldar." He spoke, to which Commissar Malfuron and Kairn agreed with a nod each.
"The intervention of the Eldar is simple." Thale replied walking along the line of Sergeants and Guardsmen squad commanders, [CO0LOR="royalblue"]"The Farseer Macha is convinced that her Eldar forces are adequate to defeat the Eldar menace... all the more reason she can provide the required distraction."[/color] Thale then explained how he planned to deal with the Necron Menace, [CO0LOR="royalblue"]"As was demonstrated on the Planet Kronus, all we need do to defeat the Necrons is cave in their catacombs. The battle barge in atempting to locate the entryway into the catacombs and my Tech-Marines are in the process of creating a powerful plasma bomb powerful enough to cave in any cavern."[/color]

Commissar Lazarus kept his arms crossing his chest, still unconvinced that this plan would work, despite having studied the events that had unfolded on Kronus. "How are we certain this planet is hosting a Necron catacomb? How are we even certain that we can trust the Eldar for that matter? Brother Captain, I had fought the Necrons and drove them back with heavy artillery and without help from any Xenos." Commissar Lazarus spoke, to which Commissar Kairn nodded. "Lazarus is right, Brother Captain, I do not see why and how we should trust the Eldar when they are bent on challenging the rule of the Emperor." She added.
"IF... you will allow me to finish." Thale said over the raising voices between the Guardsmen Squad leaders, "As I have said, the Eldar will proove an adequate and if not, lengthy distraction for the Necrons. Remember we are still under threat from the Waaagh from the Orks and an redoubling of Chaos Efforts on this planet, we will be hoplessly outnumbered if the Necrons turn on us instead of any of the Xeno races on this planet. We act now to stem the inevitable losses from all sides."
Commissar Lazarus finally budged slightly as he saw some truths in the words of the Ultramarines Brother Captain. Truly they weren't the Emperor's Cherished for nothing. Also, from what he had learned from studying the events of Kronus, Commissar Lazarus knew only too well that if the Orks, Eldar, and Necrons were drawn into the conflict the way they had been, there could be more where that came from. "Perhaps, you are correct, Brother Captain. We have Ork Waaaghs to deal with in addition to the Chaos scum. Even with an entire division of the Imperial Guards, we may not be able to take on several threats at once and hope for a quick victory, even as victory would be assured. Let the Eldar deal with the Necrons, before we strike a hammer blow upon what remains of them." Commissar Lazarus spoke.

Thale was glad to hear that Lazarus was behind him with his idea, his Sergeants were with their captain, no matter what, and now that one of the Senior Guardsmen officers was behind him, Thale could explain what he wanted done,
"Now, if the Titan is below are feet, we have to dig it up and re-assemble it before the Xenos or Chaos turn on us. I'm hear-by orderign the construction of a Psychic shield aroudn Point Phobos." Thale then looked at Lazarus and told him, "Commisar Lazarus, Once we locate the entrance to the Catacombs I will require you artillery vehicles and the Baneblade. If my plan fails we will need to stall the Necrons by destroying the entrance to the Catacombs."
Commissar Lazarus thought about it with his arms crossing his chest. Yes, Brother Captain Thale was right, his Baneblade and artillery would be required to be called upon to take out the Necron catacombs. But at the same time, Lazarus had something else in mind. Surely the Eldar would make a convincing diversion for the Necrons, but knowing that Eldar was a dying race, they couldn't afford to make a standing fight. Somehow, the Necrons must had another opponent to face. "I have a better idea. I know that the Eldar can't afford a stand-up fight against anyone, including the Necrons. We need to keep the Necrons tied up on the field longer. Having fought the Necrons myself, I will volunteer to take them on with the Eldar to provide you and a small combined task force of Space Marines and Guardsmen to take out the catacomb." Lazarus suggested, knowing what was at stake.
"Very well." Thale answered in responce to Lazarus' plan, "Take whatever resources and as many Guardsmen you need, but be sure to leave enough within the garrison to assist construction of the shield and defence of Point Phobos." Thale then said to the crowd od squad leaders and Sergeants, "I want you all to pull up a list of your well seasoned soldiers and brought to me within 2 hours. I will hand pick the soldiers myself from each list."
"Very good, in the meantime, we shall proceed with the exploration of the ground beneath us and begin our search for the Titan." Commissar Lazarus replied with a slight nod. "Commissar Kairn, Malfuron and myself shall oversee that process." He added.
"If the psychic shield is to be raised, we will require Psykers. I want them down here within the hour whilst the shield is being constructed." Thale answered, "If that is all, you are dismissed."
"I will spare a psyker from my Baneblade's crew, and gather any others for this great endeavor. But I need to ask for more from you, Brother Captain. Since I will be taking on the Necrons, I may require your own heavy armor to fight alongside mine, especially your vaunted Land Raiders, if I am to have any success in taking on their Monoliths." Commissar Lazarus made his request.
"I will requisition them as soon as possible." Thale answered, "Now I want your presonell roster of seasoned soldiers as soon as possible. after that I want the rest of your squads ready to fend off anything until the shield has been constrcuted." Thale then said, "Dismissed."

[Vexx]

Lord commander librarian Artegoll Malofica of the Sun's Apostles second company

Artegoll wrestled with the fractured image he had burned into his mind many years before, a sacred text of the dark legion he served. 1000 stories of mankind that even the greatest library on Terra did not posess. Although he was the emperor's finest he felt like it was not the emperor he served but forces who dwarfed the emperor in power, Godliness and prowess.

Only days later he had been called upon by unseen masters to lead a whole company into the fray of war in a planet on the brink of chaos in all forms, the vile servants of nurgle, the damned abominations of slaaneesh, the blood craving lunatics who serve under khorne and the sorcerous masses of tzneech.These denizens of chaos were every bit as strong as the imperial space marines having once been them, but these were no longer the legions they once were and now the chaos marines are outdated in bothe design, function and technology.

Artegoll lashed at the daemonic child, it had invaded his thoughts and was grinning maliciously, an obvious look of triumph in his eyes and once seized the monsterous being it began to grow short curled horns and become feint with a gleaming light. "Daemonhost!" a young marine yelled through his vox, revving his chainsword and accidentaly repelling a forreign bolt slug. Artegoll raised his vibro-staff, an ancient and holy relic of his chapter, and impaled the daemonhost while the pentagrammic runes inscribed upon it started to glow with insanely powerful psychical energies. the daemonhost writhed in pain before burning from existence with holy fire and a feint whisper of warp wind.
"Thankyou victor, for stating the obvious" Artegoll looked forward, he could see many chapters, regiments and generals at their wits end, fighting on the battlefront, from the hills he could see everything below, and he saw that there was desperation among them. Artegoll sent his most trusted apothecaries to individual groups of space marines, instructing them to take the leftover gene-seeds, and artegoll sent out a message via astropath to every officer out in battle "Fight on my brothers, the sun's apostles have arrived."

Artegoll turned around to see a large mass of cultists gathering below, in a surprise attack to the imperial rear. "Black Legion cultists" whispered Marcus Victor, the third company commander, chosen by Artegoll himself to lead the battle alongside him.
"Again with the obvious" remarked lucas berschilde, the second company armourer and the greatest fighter in the sun's apostles company he served. looking around artegoll saw many farmiliar faces like the astropath, Nell Sectura, his personal apothecary Atros Micholes and his psyker, Midas Vishnail.

Artegoll gestured to Vishnail and turned to face the cultists, he took a step forward and a small rock leapt off the side, it's dull thuds echoing like crow squawks and each horrifying leap seemed to get louder. The cultists below started to fire, their laspistols raging with fire that reflected off of the rock face and the plasteel of a close building. Artegoll and Vishnail walked closer to the cliff edge, focusing their mental energies for a psychic assault. lasfire stopped in midair around them as their psychic peak was reached, then Artegoll raised his vibro-staff, and Vishnail raised a runestaff, made for him by a adeptus techpreist, that had a skull on the end that was the dimension of his own. Blue mental lightning streaked across the staves and into the stave heads then into a giant mass in the air above them, rippling and crackling with sheer power. The cloud of psychic power streamed down in the form of a sun, dazzling the chaos servants with it's majestic brilliance. The sun fell towards the ground with terrifying speed and when it met the squad of cultists it exploded, decimating the filthy chaos worshippers.

Artegoll stumbled backwards, nearly collapsing from the mental and physical strain. "Artegoll..." Micholes barked, injecting a syringe of strengthening neuro-toxins. "stay with us". Artegoll was dizzy with fatigue and quickly propped himself up on his staff. He managed to stumble towards Berschilde, straining with every step. Artegoll gave his bolt pistols to Berschilde and bent over a tree stump, resting to conserve his energy. He fell onto the dusty ground and felt his power armour clash against something metallic. But before he could say anything he was picked up by Victor, hoisting him up onto a nearby rock. "There is something down there" artegoll gasped, struggling to find the strength in him to stand "Buried in the dust".

[Roken]

It turned out that Mal was excluded from the meeting since his companies arrived late. “To tell you the truth,” Mal said after Harkonium came back with the news, “I’m actually glad. Going to a meeting is among one of my most hated things in the service. Remember last time Colonel Dresden held that meeting before we arrived on this hell hole to ‘brief us about the situation’? Well I fell asleep in the middle of that and got an instant pay cut!”
“Oh yeah!” Harkonium began laughing at Mal’s face, “I still remember your face when you came back from that bore!”
Mal wasn’t laughing, “But how is our old Colonel anyways?”
“Could’ve been worst is what I can say. The priests say he’s going to stay in the field hospital for at least another week or something like that. It’s a miracle that he’s still alive.”
“Yeah well, what did they talk about at the meeting?”
“Nothing much, we weren’t even considered. Well we were, but now we’re under Commissar Karin’s “guidance”.”
Mal shook his head, “Well expect to be executed captain.”
Harkonium smiled nervously, “Don’t joke about that sir. She executed nearly all the officers in our brigade. There’s just you, me, Yuri, and 8 lieutenants left.”
“Emperor help us, Major Jamius too?” Mal shook his head in deep disapproval.
“Sir,” Harkonium pulled up to Mal’s ear and whispered, “You want me to…give her a little accident?”
“No,” Mal shook his head, “If I of all people do not handle her myself, then the brigade would certainly fall the pieces.”
“But sir,” Harkonium disagreed, “What if she does the same thing to you as Lazarus did to the Colonel? I mean, she’s not even like Lazarus, she’d probably just pull out her pistol and execute you on the-“
“-Captain Harkonium.” Karin was standing about 12 feet away. “It’s good to see that at least some of our captains are still useful. Major Phidori, I congratulate you on your recent promotion, I heard the governor General has an eye on you is this true?”
“The governor general has an eye on all guardsmen and Emperor serving officers alike, I hope you don’t forget that.” Mal said with a dark smile.
Karin smiled back darkly, “Well then, according to the chain of command, since Colonel Dresden is…out of the picture for now, I will be taking command of this brigade. I believe it is fine with you major?”
“I don’t know Commissar Karin, perhaps we’re reading to manuals about the chain of command.”
“No we are not major.” Karin smiled darkly to this witty response, “According to the Emperor’s decree, all commissars are ranked on the same level of a guardsmen Colonel in all aspects. So then, do you believe that the Emperor’s decree is…disagreeable?”
“Of course not, the Emperor is correct in doing so, but what exactly did the Emperor say about a commissar’s actual duties in the field of battle, could you remind me Commissar? My memory is fading from all these new regulations and new decrees.”

Karin frowned. She finally realized that this Mal Phidori had been playing dumb even in front of Dresden so as long as his men aren’t facing harm. Even among commissars and governor generals, few have read all of the Emperor’s decrees and military regulations, but Karin had read the majority of them. She knew for a fact that Commissars are actually categorized as support officers. Even though their ranks are equal or higher than those of Colonels, Commissars can not hold an actual commanding post. However, the majority of the guardsmen and their commanders did not realize this; thus, in many armies of the Imperial Guard, Commissars held high commanding positions in the name of the Emperor. This isn’t good for Karin, she needed this Phidori out of her way if she wants to actually hold this brigade under her command, but she knew better than to use brute force. The news of the dead commissar who was assigned to Phidori’s companies were spreading like wild fire. Although none of the guardsmen admit it, the common belief is that Phidori killed that commissar in cold blood and without flinching. This was a problem, since obviously Phidori’s men were loyal to him and would rise up in arms if Karin was to execute him openly. Karin knew she had only one option besides assassination, but she knew the risks that if this Phidori knew more about Imperial Guard regulations than her. Karin decided to leave assassination for last in case all else fails. With that Karin answered Phidori, “If my memory serves me correctly, commissars are to serve as part of supporting the troops during battle and boosting their morale in any means necessary. Also, commissars are to train and induce discipline among the troops.”

“Ah I see, so then no where in that does the Emperor state that a commissar has the right to command and lead a fighting brigade. Perhaps a squad or a platoon, but not a brigade. So then, I guess according to the chain of commands with that in mind, I, a major of the Imperial Guard, am the next in line to command the brigade.”
“That is-“
“-And as my first order as the commanding officer of this brigade, I denounce you, Commissar Karin, as a heretic and offer you to the Inquisition in the name of the Emperor!”
“You dare question my leadership major?” Karin’s eyes widen as she realized how fast the trap came and how deadly it sprung.
Mal smiled darkly, “I don’t question your leadership Commissar, but I do question your faith. Perhaps fighting heresy for so long has perverse your mind and soul. Isn’t it questionable why you execute so many officers without reason or explanation?”
Karin’s eyes darkened as she realized it was already too late. Two guardsmen, probably selected by Phidori himself, took Karin’s arms as they prepared to lead her away to her probable death or at least mind breaking. Mal smiled, “Today is a brighter day because ones such as you will be under divine judgment. Remember Commissar, even royalty can not escape the Divine Judgment! If you are guilty, then you will…burn!”
Those were the last words Karin heard. After that, her mind closed upon itself in frustration, anger, and hopelessness. To be accused of heresy and brought to the judgment of the Inquisition is almost the same thing as a irrevocable death sentence. The best thing Karin would get off with is probably permanent isolation in a dark little cell under one of the dungeons of the Inquisition’s many chapels.

Mal watched as the two guardsmen led Karin away. Harkonium didn’t understand what was going on until Karin was already out of sight. He turned to Mal in an almost fearful stare, “She wasn’t a heretic…”
“Oh she was.” Mal said as the two walked toward the newly constructed chapel barracks, “Killing off perfectly good and loyal men is enough evidence for me to condemn her as a heretic. The rest, well from what I can see when the guardsmen led her away, the Inquisitor who will be responsible for her judgment and probably isolation is going to have a really good field day with her case!”
“But sir…couldn’t we have done something else? I mean…the Inquisition…isn’t that a little too harsh even for her? She was…a good soldier at least right?”
“She was, but somewhere along the way between her promotions and her successes, she lost her way.” Mal turned to Harkonium, “Look, I don’t like doing this as much as you don’t. I’d rather put a bullet through her head myself, but I can’t simply keep doing that and expect the governor general to cut me loose on it. Besides, how am I any better than her if I was to begin executing commissars?”
“But the Inquisition sir?”
“Well, we have the Inquisition for a very badly rationalized reason, but might as well use it for some good. Besides, they might find her not guilty, if that was to happen, well I’d probably be the first to welcome her back to the Imperial Guard, but of course, heavily demoted. Maybe a private first class would be a good position for her.”
“Remind me to never cross you sir.”
“Don’t worry Harkonium, I have faith in you. The day you cross me, you’d be doing it for the good of our men.”
Harkonium stared at Mal again, “Even if I have to kill you sir?”
Mal said without looking back, “Even if you have to kill me, don’t hold back.” They entered the chapel barracks where the Ultra Marines were suiting up for the coming mission. Just then Harkonium, Mal, and the space marine sergeants froze as they received the astropath message from the Sun’s Apostles. Mal joked with Harkonium, “Looks like this planet is really catching the Emperor’s eyes, must be the ugly looking landscape.”
Harkonium laughed, “Or maybe the governor general has good connections.”
The two laughed as they approached Captain Thale’s quarters to be briefed of the upcoming mission.

[Vexx]

Lord commander librarian Artegoll Malofica of the Sun's Apostles second company

Artegoll limped towards the large boulder to his side and ordered his comrades "dig it up". Artegoll turned and watched lucas berschilde scrape the mud off the floor, exposing what apeared to be a xenos artifact, the handle of a fine sword. Artegoll felt the sword call to him, not in the way that chaos does but more straightforward, almost human. Berschilde tried to pull the sword from the ground but it wouldn't budge. then micholes tried, no movement. victor tried it but it seemed brute force was not enough. Artegoll still felt the call, aching his soul, but he did not linger on it's possesion too long. He strode forward and raised his staff, then drew a seemingly intricate rune of unlocking around the handle with the end of his staff and the ground the sword was in crumbled, displacing the sword long enough for artegoll to see what it was, and adapted blade of eldar creation. the voice amplifiers set into it began to squeal and wraithbone began to emerge. The wraithbone writhed like a living thing, forming a tight ovular dome around the sword and making it nigh impenetrable.

Artegoll almost fell upon it's mass, a solid block of a bone like substance employed in everything eldar. He then sarcastically asked Victor "would you pick that up for me?" Victor gave a feint grin and wrentched it up, it was surprisingly lightweight but as he could feel it was extremely hard.
"so how are we going to crack this open?" suggested berschilde, waving artegoll's bolt pistols around like a small child, pretending to be a cowboy.
"we can't," there was a short pause before he continued his statement "but i know something... no, someone who can" victor pointed to a cluster of golden drop pods, each clearly displaying the first and second company insignias of the sun's apostles. But a little way further was what victor was really pointing to was a adeptus meachanicus lander, containing one techpreist that had a long and adventurous history with a certain Artegoll Malofica. Van Elden. the group raced past the emerging astartes, some of them whistling 'the emperor's descent' by a famous composer.

[Keillen]

Boom. Boom.

Like a Beating thunderous giants heart it came.
Rending the earth, the cities buildings partly asunder, the soil bulging like swelling flesh before collasping slightly into itself. Like a boil swelling and going to burst.

Colonel Dresden was manning the main HQ, already re-attending to the wounded, dying, insane and those who were alive. Despite the beating he felt the earth shudder. Almost pulse slightly, or shudder. Dust, which had accumulated since the chaos outbreak shifted from such a force.

Something was comming to the far west. An area of demolished warehouses, burnt out factories and residents. Then, again, louder, it came again, but this time followed by a green explosive lightning strike.

Crack, then the thunderous, almost resonating sound. BOOM. BOOM. Again the ground rose, expanded and then, as if the very air seemed to still. What seemed like three seconds, became three minutes. The ground exploded, eviscerated, broke apart in a massive green energy explosion.

A single. Black monument remained. A green cystraled mounted black thing, black with golden runes. The weapons were on all four sides, what came next was the fine thunder crack followed by an arch of lightning which exploded upon the ground vapourising a nearby building in a plume of dust and rubble.

"Mother of the Emperor." A soldier breathed beside Dean, other soldiers stood along side the man, their leader. What happenned next was even more terrifying, metallic machine humanoid figures. Appeared as if out from nowhere armed with crackling green weapons.

The necrons. The necrons had been awoken. And even now, it was decided by Dean that the Titan needed to be found, located and activated. Looking to a nearby almost fearful soldier, he barked. "Radio the ground forces, armour skulls unit and other forces in the area. I am under no ones command, I follow my orders. Its to defend this city. Also, tell them we have awoken something, i dont know what it is but i think Commissar Lazarus would need this intel more than I do. "

The female commissar wasnt with him, though had she have heard this she would and without hesitation killed him. Though this time Dean was not breaking or interferring with the other forces. However this time, this was going to be the situation which could make or break him.

An onslaught of merciless metal things marched towards him, heavy weapons were on and mounted in various defence but from such a violent display, something dark had awoken and this time. The necrons were going to storm and cut down the foes without mercy and erradicate all life once more.

[Jack Elliot]

Magdalena saw the distorted reflection of herself in the highly polished black tile floor as she strode through the corridors of the Emperor’s Eye. The warped image of herself undulating in the floor reminded her of that horrid feeling she had every time the cruiser slipped through the Warp. She could still hear the whispers of the Daemons in the Warp, as they taunted and teased those who dared travel through their domain, the only method of interstellar travel available to the Empire. Though protected by the psychic shields around the ship, and by the awesome power of the Emperor, a woman of her piety and faith could sense even the slightest taint of the Warp.

She reached the portal she had been seeking and pressed the hailing button. The door opened after only a moment’s hesitation. She stepped into the spartanly furnished antechamber where three female Inquisitional Crusaders stood guard. Their carapace armor was ornately decorated, fashioned of brass-colored material to resemble Spartans of long ago. There were power-swords at their waists and Suppression Shields on their left forearm that gave them unparalleled protection in close combat. The violet trim identified them as the personal guards of the Inquisitor whom she was there to speak with.

Magdalena was clearly expected, as they stepped away from the door and bowed slightly in respect for her position. She stepped into the personal chambers of the Inquisitor. She raised an elegant eyebrow in disapproval at the luxurious furnishings of the chamber. As a Sister of Battle, her life had been one of austere sacrifice, and such excesses of largesse were not only unnecessary, but dangerous. Only through suffering can purity be maintained.

Inquisitor Gaius Romulus Saevitiae sat in a richly decorated chair of mahogany wood, upholstered in velvet of deep purple. His clothing was white with violet trim, obviously tailored. His blond hair was short with a loose curl, and his eyes were ice blue. He had a strong jaw and prominent cheekbones, and Magdalena could tell he was well aware he was a handsome man. Kneeling at his feet were two women in diaphanous dresses that left entirely too much of their skin bare, particularly their long slender legs. Around their necks were collars of leather and iron, with leashes of adamantite chain. Their backs were bare and criss-crossed with the scars from hundreds of lashes from a neural whip. Magdelena could feel the dull throb of their psychic power. Penitents

“Inquisitor Saevitiae,” She spoke coolly. “We have arrived. The cruiser is in orbit over the planet.”

“Thank you, Mother Magdalena,” He replied with a deep, smooth voice. He let his gaze wander over the Mother Superior of the Order of Saint Celestine. It was one of the newer Orders of the Sisterhood of Battle, the virginal templar-nuns sworn to the service of the God-Emperor. Her habit was crimson and white with trim of gold. The bolt pistol on her hip was rich with filigree and religious symbology, crafted with care and anointed and blessed. A small tattoo of a Fleur-de-Lys, the symbol of the Sisters of Battle, was under the corner of her right eye.

He followed her glance to the two women kneeling at his feet, “My penitents. Vispania and Helvia…” He touched each on the head. He cradled their cheeks in his palms, lifting their heads so their eyes met his. Magdalena saw a devotion and worship in the penitents’ eyes she found unsavory and potentially blasphemous. Gaius explained, “They were both rogue psykers on my home planet of Byzantium Nova. I neutralized their powers, captured them, and the purified them.” Magdalena’s eyes dropped to the scars on the penitents’ backs. Purity through suffering. Through weeks of purification under the whip and the Inquisitor’s psychic domination, their own psionic talents had been honed and channeled. Now they acted as psychic “lightning rods”, drawing the powers of evil psykers and “grounding” them.

“May I speak freely, Inquisitor?” Magdalena asked.

“Of course, Mother Superior,” He released the two women from his hold and leaned back in the chair.

“I am not clear on why the Ordo Hereticus requisitioned the assistance of my Order in this matter. I understand we are here to recover and protect an artifact of some kind. I wish to prepare the Sisters for what they will face, but as yet you haven’t seen fit to inform us.”

“Of course,” Gaius bowed his head, “The artifact is a Titan, an extraordinarily powerful one. I understand this is not exactly in your normal purview, but the Inquisition is concerned that the Titan may fall into the wrong hands.” He regarded his manicured fingernails critically as he continued. “And…by the wrong hands, I mean the wrong human hands. The power of this Titan may be a great temptation to a commander. I was dispatched to ensure the Titan is used in accordance with the Emperor’s will.”

Mother Magdalena nodded slowly. She had assumed the “artifact” they had been sent to recover was some kind of holy relic, or perhaps a dangerous talisman of evil that needed to be captured and contained. However, she understood the necessity of policing the commanders to ensure their proper loyalty. “I see. Who is there?”

“The Cadian 801st Armored, a.k.a. the Iron Skulls, the Ultramarines Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes,” He tapped his forefinger against his lips in thought, “A variety of Imperial Guard legions, the 734th, 1445th, 1235th, 2330th…”

“I understand,” She interrupted. “I’ll have the Sisters prepared to drop in half an hour.” She turned to leave.

“Wait…there is a new development,” He raised a hand.

Mother Magdalena turned back, “Yes?”

“Have the Sisters prepared to fight the Necrons.”

The Sister of Battle felt her blood run cold. “Necrons?”

“Yes,” The Inquisitor stood. “I have a Callidus assassin who has infiltrated the command echelon of one of the units involved. She has reported that the fighting on the surface has awakened a Necron tomb-complex. They must be eliminated before anything else. Have you fought the Necron before?”

“Once,” Mother Magdalena paused for a moment before continuing, “I was a Palatine for the Order of the Martyred Rose on Pentateuch VI. We lost…many sisters. Their weapons…horrible things. Their mechanical soldiers so heavily armored, and half of those shot down would repair themselves to fight again.” She took a deep breath and raised her head, “We lost eight in every ten sisters, but with our faith in the Emperor we forced them to withdraw.”

“You will need to do better this time, Mother Superior,”

“We will. I swear upon the Emperor, we will.”

Gaius nodded and snapped his finger, gesturing to the two penitents. They rose and left the room to prepare his equipment for the coming battle. “I’ll need two Sisters Hospitaller and a Sister Dialogus assigned to my retinue.”

“You’ll have them,” Magdalena said simply. She turned and walked from the room to prepare the sisters under her charge to face the mechanical horrors below…

[Jack Elliot]

Metallic silver shapes resolved from amorphous forms in the early morning fog. Looking like skeletons formed of metal tinged with the patina of age, the Necrons walked relentlessly through the fields outside the city, their green eyes glowing with alien menace. In the vanguard were twenty Immortals, ancient beings whose souls were now forever fused into their mechanical bodies. They were the elite infantry of the machine-race, capable of layer down withering fire with their gauss blasters even on the move. On each flank advanced a squad of the more common mechanical soldiers, the rank and file Warriors.

Behind and between the four squads hovered the hulking forms of the Tomb Spiders. Their advanced helio-prismic anti-gravity repulsors allowed them to hover slowly up to two meters from the ground, spindly manipulators ready to tend to fallen soldiers as needed. To the left flank, a squad of six Pariahs stalked through the high weeds with their hideous war scythes. Barely visible in the morning gloom, a trio of ethereal Wraiths glided ahead of each flank. The gaunt machines had quantum phase-shifters which could slip them in and out of synchronization with reality, allowing them to pass through solid objects and avoid most attacks.

To the right flank five Destroyers were hovering behind the advancing line of machines. Necron torsos rose up from scarab-like bodies housing fast anti-gravity repulsors. They wielded gauss cannons of awesome power and could move about the battlefield at high speed and still strike with accuracy. With them was a slightly larger model, with a gold-like sheen to its metallic body. A Necron Lord.

Another Necron Lord, identifying itself as P4R4K01256 strode with the infantry, its gleaming green eyes surveying the landscape. Walking next to the central Tomb Spider, the command unit coordinated the advance…

//Receiving transmission from WR41T76492
WR41T76492: *Unidentified objects detected* Image data packet transmitted
//Data packet received : Compiling
//Link : Host database
//Search: Host database for silhouette match
//Image Identification : Dropship ; Human manufacture ; 500 ton capacity
//Transmit ; Mainframe Soul forge : Querry ; Human organisms, Imperial subtype detected : Orders?
//Receiving transmission from Mainframe Soul forge : Destroy new life forms ; Proceed with prior orders
//Receiving transmission from Mainframe Soul forge : Reinforcements available for teleport in 371 seconds
//Transmit ; All Task Force 52419 : Contact with hostile organisms ; Human ; Imperial subtype
//Transmit ; All Task Force 52419 : DESTROY ALL LIFEFORMS…

The Deliverer class dropship hurtled through the clouds over the city, arcing northwest. Decelerating suddenly, it plummeted down to a clearing of cattle pasture, scattering the herds in terror. Half a second after the landing gear touched the soft grass, the clamshell doors swung wide with a groan of heavy hydraulics. Five Immolator APCs rumbled down the ramp, followed by three Repressor APCs and two Exorcist IFVs. Just after the last vehicle rolled off the ramp, the clamshell doors closed again. The Deliverer rose again into the sky and rocketed away. The dropships were far too valuable to risk enemy fire.

Mother Superior Magdalena swayed to and fro as the Immolator that carried her and her five Celestian bodyguards through the fields northwest of the city. She keyed up the Vox-caster to speak to the entire force of Battle Sisters, “Sisters, it is our privilege to serve the God-Emperor today by proving ourselves in battle. Necrons have been sighted northwest of the city, moving to flank the defenders of righteousness there. We must intercept and destroy these Godless abominations before they threaten the good servants of the Emperor, Hallowed be His Name.”

“Amen!” The Celestians in her APC chanted. In each of the vehicles, a similar chant was repeated by the Sisters.

“Squads Chastity, Charity, and Serenity, Disembark from the Repressors and advance on foot. They’re too vulnerable to Necron gauss cannon fire. Celestian squads Hope and Faith, Dominion squad Piety, and Retributor squad Humility will proceed forward in Immolators. Seraphim squad Grace, you will fly along our left flank. Stay out of the line of fire.”

“Yes, Mother Superior,” Rebecca, the Sister Superior of the Seraphim squad answered.

Magdalena popped open the dorsal hatch and climbed up to get a good view of the battlefield. They were approaching from the southeast, and the quadrant was dominated by several fields of trampled and blackened crops. A two-lane road led northwest on the far right, with a bridge over a narrow river. The stream was only five meters wide, and perhaps thirty centimeters deep, though the banks were steep and lined with trees. The northwest side of the battlefield was split into three fields by hedgerows. On the right there was a cluster of burned out shells of buildings that had once served as the agricultural depot. The ruins of a large agribusiness concern smoldered at the opposite end of the field.

As she watched, she saw the long line of metal soldiers treading fearlessly around the ruined building. Briefly in her mind she remembered the one time she had seen these abominations before. She remembered watching Sister Veronica disintegrate before her eyes as she was struck by one of the Necron’s gauss weapons. The beam weapons tore the target apart atom by atom, flaying living tissue alive. Her doe-brown eyes narrowed at the line of mechanical “eyes” that glowed a sickly green out of gleaming metal skulls.

“Exorcists to the right, on the road. Stay out of their weapon ranges and engage targets at will. Piety and Humility move to the left and find a gap in the trees. Squads Chastity, Charity, and Serenity, move up to the trees and provide cover fire. The rest of us will advance in the Immolators to get within Meltagun range. For the Glory of the Emperor!”

“Amen!” Came the response.

The three squads of lay-sisters ran to the tree line and stood, bolters raised to their shoulders. Their Vestment pattern power armor was crimson with white and gold trim…crimson to symbolize the blood they shed in the service of the Emperor. “Sacrifice” was their watchword. Each squad of ten Sisters had two of the Meltaguns, weapons that projected beams of intense plasma energy that melted whatever they struck. Unfortunately, they were very short range weapons, so they would have to wait for the Necrons to approach. Years ago, Magdalena had seen so many sisters slaughtered in that fateful battle with the Necrons. The Necrodermis “living metal” these horrific machines were constructed from had considerable self-repair capabilities, so nearly half of those shot down by the Sisters’ bolter fire would get back up again to continue the battle. However, weapons like the Meltagun and the rockets of the Exorcist assault vehicle were powerful enough to overwhelm the Necron repair circuits and destroy them with no chance of recovery.

The three Immolators carrying two Celestian squads and Magdalena’s squad splashed through the stream and climbed up onto the opposite bank. Magdalena keyed up the Vox-caster again, “Concentrate fire on the Tomb Spiders!” She knew that removing the Tomb Spiders would limit the Necrons’ repair capabilities. They also were terrifying in close combat, their claws tearing through the heaviest armor and capable of even ripping open their APCs. Red beams of heat lanced forth from the three Immolators, striking the central Tomb Spider. The outer skin of the hovering Necron construct flashed white hot, then the power system overloaded spectacularly. Arcs of electricity seethed over the shell of the Tomb Spider and it crashed to the charred grass.

On the left side of the field, the treads of the two Immolators of the Piety and Humility heavy weapon squads tore up the ground as they approached the bank of the stream. Still on the opposite side of the water, they fired their Multi-Meltas at the southern Tomb Spider. The heat rays struck the hooded “head” of the construct, the metal liquefying at the instant of impact. The Tomb Spider exploded in a ball of green flame, reflected in the lustrous shells of the advancing Necrons.

At the opposite side of the battlefield, the two Exorcists rolled up onto the road. They were both covered in a cloud of smoke as their missile launchers hurled dozens of rockets at the Necrons. They concentrated their fire on the Immortals in the center of the formation, a critical part of Magdalena’s plan. Forcing the Necrons to advance would limit the accuracy and range of their weapon fire, while the Sisters would hold position for more effective fire superiority. The Immortals, however, used extremely rapid fire gauss blasters that could be fired accurately on the move. These elite Necron soldiers would need to be crippled, or many Sisters would die.

The rockets slammed into the northern squad and the early morning gloom was brilliantly lit as they detonated. Holy Promethium sprayed outward from the explosions, the burning gel covering the metal automatons. Only three of the squad of ten walked out of the raging inferno, their gauss blasters spewing green bolts of energy at the devoted “Daughters of the Emperor”.

The Battle had begun…

[Jack Elliot]

Completely unfazed by their casualties, the Necrons marched forward inexorably. The thirteen remaining Immortals blazed away with their gauss blasters, concentrating their fire on the nearest of the human infantry, “Chastity” squad. The air was filled with a blaze of brilliant green bolts of energy evaporating the thin morning fog. Half of the sisters of ‘Chastity” squad were struck down by the overwhelming barrage of fire, and the other half would have joined them in death if not for the finely manufactured power armor. Sister Superior Deborah shouted, “Fall back! Fall back! Find some cover!” With their crimson armor smoking from gauss hits that had failed to penetrate, the sisters retreated forty yards to take cover behind some trees. She closed her eyes and began reciting the Litanies of Faith, calling upon the glory of the Emperor to fill their hearts with courage.

Over the advancing Necrons the cluster of five Destroyers led by an ancient Necron Lord soared, circling along the south side of the battlefield. The machines fired their gauss cannons on the move, spraying green death upon the Immolator of the Retributor squad. Lances of energy pierced the armor in several places, destroying the APC’s engine and shearing through the treads on the left side of the vehicle. The doors swung open, and the five sisters of Humility squad leapt out. Unlike the lay-sisters, the armor of the elite Retributor, Dominion, and Celestian units was not crimson, but white to symbolize their purity….both of body, and of spirirt. They dropped to their knees around the crippled APC and raised their heavy Multi-Meltas, preparing to fire the heavy weapons.

Sister Superior Rebecca, the leader of the Seraphim squad “Grace”, looked down as her elite sisters flew along the south edge of the battlefield. She saw the Immolator of “Humility” squad immobilized by the intense fire from the Necron Destroyers. Then, in the corner of her eye, she saw three of the shadowy Wraiths floating toward the Retributors. Without hestitation, she drew the powersword and inferno pistol at her hip and swooped down upon the hideous things. She fired the pistol in her left hand, but it passed through the ethereal Wraith, catching it out of quantum-phase. However, the Necron was not so lucky as she brought the sword down upon its head. The blade sheared through head obliquely, and it collapsed to the dirt in a jumble of metal. The other four Seraphim fired their plasma and bolt pistols into the Wraiths, destroying another. The last struck at one of them with vicious scalpel-like blades at the end of its long, skeletal fingers, but could find no purchase against the golden armor of the Seraphim. Rebecca fearlessly stepped forward and drove the holy powersword into the chest of the Wraith, spearing its power core. “Praise the Emperor!”

At the center of the Battle Sister’s line, Sister Superior Abigail readied her bolter. The Immortals were almost in range of squad “Serenity’s” weapons, and she whispered prayers to the Emperor for the change to seek retribution for her fallen sisters of squad “Chastity”. To her right, she saw the Exorcists parked on the road, out of the range of the Necrons’ weapons. A volley of rockets streaked out and struck a cluster of Pariahs who were moving to encircle their right flank, where squad “Charity” was emplaced. The Pariahs were not machines crafted in living metal like the other Necrons…they were something far more insidious. They were some unholy fusion of human and machine whose soul was an abomination that stained the area around them. Their horrible nature struck fear and queasy nausea in living beings nearby, but today the sisters would not have to worry about them. The entire group was incinerated to ash by the cleansing fire of Promethium, delivered by the Exorcist missiles.

Just as she was about to pull the trigger of her bolter, Sister Abigail heard a strange humming sound behind her. Spinning about, she saw the air wavering like heat shimmer rising from a hot asphalt road. The humming became a vibration she could feel throughout her whole body. “Sisters, to the rear! Something’s teleporting in!” Before she could even finish the sentence a huge truncated pyramid shape appeared only fifty yards behind them. It was a massive thing of dark grey metal, eight meters to a side and twelve meters tall. A Necron Monolith. Hovering a meter above the blackened crops, the front of the Monolith had a wide portal that seemed filled with swirling liquid. It was a teleportation gate…

Necron warriors began pouring out of the portal, firing their gauss flayers as they fanned out into a semi circle before the Monolith. Standing right next to Abigail, Sister Elizabeth was struck in the face by a green bolt of energy. She didn’t even have time to scream as the flesh then muscle was ripped from her face as though tiny scalpels had carved them away. She crumpled to the field as a bolt struck Abigail’s shoulder. The crimson armor hissed and popped, scarred and pitted from the bolt, but it did not penetrate. “Return fire!” She called as she raised her bolter to her shoulder and sighted down one of the gleaming monstrosities. Courageously standing their ground, the Sisters fired their bolters into the swarm of Necron emerging from the Monolith. “Charity” squad also turned about, and Sister Deborah led her four remaining Sisters from cover to join in. In the face of such firepower, even the vaunted resiliency of the necrodermis could not stand.

In the center of the field, Mother Superior Magdalena ordered, “Immolators halt! All Celestians disembark and engage!” The three APC’s skid to a sudden stop and threw wide their doors. Fifteen white-clad Celestians piled out of the Immolators with their Meltaguns and bolters ready. Magdalena herself was wearing gold power armor with red and white trim, a powersword in one hand and a plasma pistol in the other. Looking back, she saw the Necron Monolith looming over the lay-sisters, who were beating back the emerging machines. “Immolators fire on the Monolith! We must destroy it before it can fire its plasma whip!” The firepower of the Monolith was truly awesome, and she paled at the thought of it being wielded against her fellow Sisters. Luminous scarlet beams from the three Immolators’ Multimeltas seared into the side of the Monolith which shuddered with the massive heat energies. However, they seemed to cause no damage to the colossal construct.

The Sisters were blinded by a sudden flash of green light as the Particle Whip fired. It struck next to one of the Exorcists which was rocked up onto one track by the concussion wave which rippled across the field, washing over the sisters. Paint was instantly vaporized off the side of the Exorcist and the missile launcher was torn from the roof of the vehicle. Still, the armor held and the vehicle crashed back down on its other track.

Magdalena had no time to concern herself with the status of the crew inside, as suddenly a group of three Wraiths passed through the wall of a nearby building and glided eerily across the field at them. Her Celestian bodyguards moved instinctively, firing their weapons at the oncoming Necrons. Two were destroyed before getting close, the last coming within two meters before being brought down by Magdalena’s Inferno pistol.

She heard the shriek of jet engines and looked up to see two Valkyrie class aircraft streaking down toward them. They were dark grey with purple and gold accents, with the Imperial Eagle emblem on the wings. Inquisitional vehicles...Inquisitor Gaius Romulus Saevitiae had arrived. The two aircraft dropped rapidly, setting down behind the advancing Necrons, rear ramp opening before the landing gear even made contact with solid ground. From one, two squads of five Inquisitional Stormtroopers piled out and dropped prone, ready to fire. Their carapace armor was dark grey with purple trim and they carried a mixture of hellguns and plasmaguns.

From the other Valkyrie strode the Inquisitor, dressed in power armor of a metallic deep purple color and wearing a long white cloak with braided cords of gold. The Imperial eagle was embossed in gold on the chestplate of his armor, and in his hands was the Fasces, a power-axe capable of cleaving through nearly anything. With his were his three Crusader bodyguards in bronze colored armor bearing powerblades. Their forms were hazy and indistinct, due to the Suppression shields that surrounded them. Also with him were two Sisters Hospitaller and a Sister Dialogus. The last to emerge from the vehicle was a figure clad entirely in form-fitting black, with a helm shaped like a skull. His left hand bore a wicked looking blade, and his right was wrapped in a curious metal gauntlet. Gaius looked over the battlefield and remarked, “Looks like we’re just in time.”

The Necron Immortals continued to advance, but the warriors marching on their right turned to face the newcomers. Before the Stormtroopers could fire, one squad was ripped to pieces by the hellish green bolts from the Necron’s gauss flayers. The Necron Lord, stalking behind the Immortals slowly turned around, glowing green eyes meeting the ice blue of the Inquisitor's just thirty meters behind him. Gaius glanced at the black-clad Eversor assassin and spoke, “Sick him.”

[JohnnyB]

In the many hours that passed sicne all Imperium forces had reported world-wide engagments with the NEcrons, Brother-Captain Thale had taken all Artillery units and his hand-pick assult team, comprised msotly of Seasoned Ultramarine Veterans armed with Heavy Bolters and Heavy Flamers, 1 Terminator with an Assault Cannon, among them were roughly 2 squads of Kasrkins... if they had borught them, Thale would have apreciated the assistance of Ogryns.

The journey to the pin-pointed entryway to the catacombs was anything BUT smooth, constant fire from Gauss weaponry and jsut able to out-manouver a Monolith. Ever since, Thale had ordered one of the Marines to man the Rhino's Heavy Bolter position jsut to give some defence... however due to the hurried departure, Thale had to bring an un-finished Plasma Bomb and Tech-Marine to finish it before they arrived.

During the convoy's trek through a canyon that lead to the catacomb mouth, a message had been recieved from Phobos COmmand... Inquisitor Gaius Saevitiae had arrived, in orbit of the planet, with a division of the Sisters of Battle, engaging the Nectrons along side the divisions of Imperial Guardsmen across the planet,
"God Emperor's Mantle!" Thale said to himself, "The last thing I need now is the Ordo Malleus to undo the work I've done to keep our forces in line and as pleantyful as possible."
"You sound like you and he have crossed before, Brotehr Captain?" One of the Kasrkins replied, his ears obviously more fine-tuned that his squadmates,
"If I did I would have reminded him that I and my Space Marines are exempt from the will of the Ordo Mallius." Thale answered, "However if Saevitiae discovers the truce I have made with the Eldar, it is most likley I will be inquisitioned on the grounds of Heracy. However out task right now is that we deliver the Plasma Bomb to the heart of the Necron Catacombs, then flee before we are buried with them. After that I will be more than happy to explain myself to the Inquisition about my actions."

After afew moments, the Artillery and Commisar Lazarus' Baneblade were lined outside the gaping maw that stood between them and the Necron Catacombs, The Assault team asembled and gathered around THe fully compleated Plasma Bomb, which Brother-Captai nThale was now invoking the 'Blessing of the Bomb' to give the weapon the Emperor's divine fury. Afterward, he spoke afew words to the troops to feed them courage:

"I understand that these may be the last words those of you here this day... they may also be the last words I usher to you. But before I do, remember the words of the Ordo Xenos: 'Know thine Enemy, You are Known to him already'. The Necrons know who we are, and I assure you now that we know what the Necrons are. And if this is to be our final day on the battlefield, then know this: We fight this enemy for the preservation of our Emperor, his Divinity and the very Imperium of man he fought for at the apex of the Horus Heracy. As one of his chosen and as a fellow brother in arms, I ask you now: Take up your arms, pray to our Holy Emperor to lend you his strength and I will assure you. We will win the day in his glorious name. I tell you now that I fear no man, Monster or Metallic Hust, for as a Captain of the Ultramarines and of the Adeptus Astartes, I. am-FEAR INCARNATE!"

The Assault team cheered uncontrolablly at Thale's pep-talk, grabbing their weapons and raising them in the air before controlling themselves and filing into the Catacomb enterance. Thale followed in last as he gave Commisar Lazarus his orders, "Commisar. Your orders are to drestoy the Entryway to the Catacombs if either we do not emmerge from the catacombs in roughly 12 Hours from now, or the Necrons are sighted trying to flee the Catacombs." Thale then walked over to the Bomb and picked it up, lugging it over his shoulder before joining the assault team and venturing into the very mouth of the Underworld of this planet

[Keillen]

A crackle over the radios followed by a gentle pretzel click, was soon accompanied by a voice over the communications web work of Space marine, Imperial Guardsmen and last of all sisters of battle.

"To all units whom serve the divine and Immortal Emperor who work in his eternal servitude. Hear this message, hear it well. This is the ship Haelfuge, of the Custodian guard of the Adeptus Custodes." Even in battle, Dreseden felt his heart literally stop beating and the battle around him fall into a distant echo.

Yet still even as the soldier fought on, giving covering fire to flank the seemingly unstoppable mass of Necrons. One such solider, of true valour raced out from the defensive position running towards and alongside the sisters of battle, armed with a Krak Missile launcher, even after firing the missle, knowing he was going to die regardless, moved before one of the sisters taking the brunt of the green inhuman energy for her.

You could have said that such a man had simply dont it for one thing. Redemption, but in this term, regardless, the voice spoke on. "We have found that the catacombs of the undying Necrons are younger than that of the chambers bellow it. For this once proud world had been a production line for great weapons, the Stormsword, The Stormblade as well as the long lost geneseed generation of the Emperors chosen. The great hellfire Titan lies there also, in sleep and yet willing to serve the great emperor.

But such three chambers, only the deepest is the true revelation of that those whom survive the Necrons, must then face the Tyranids. Those of you who have faultered in such undying faith, this will be your chance of redemption. The unknown primarch stands with you, so be vigilant, tread carefully and carry a big gun." There was a bit of humour in there also, but a stern reminder that there were Custodian guard above and maybe if shown that they would come into the fray.

Dresdens heart resumed beating, "Move to support the sisters of battle, grant them covering fire and enough of it to thin out the necron line." Smaller re-inforcements had also arrives, a Leaman Russ Vanquisher one of the few in service as well as a Griffon chimera Mortar.

Unwavering at this moment, his soldiers moved forwards taking fallen positions to proove their worth not only to Dresden but also the emperor. Still Dresden had one thing doubt. Yes there were the custodian guard above but still his faith in the emperor was small. Shameful almost.

[TeslaCoil]

Commissar Lazarus deployed his forces along with himself, as usual, accompanying the Ultramarines as they moved toward the heart of Necron activity, the biggest catacombs to be found nearby. Already, the Commissar was well aware of the Necron's sudden awakening. Ever since the first run in with the Necrons, Lazarus expected to face them again. As it turned out, his instinct was correct. The Commissar had been preparing for the very day that he would have to face the undead menace that was the Necrons once again. After all, it was the Necrons who indirectly gave him his mechanical arm by flaying his original one off. The pain that the Commissar had endured was not something he would forget.

Yet, inspite of being this close to the heart of the Necron activity on this planet, Commissar Lazarus insisting on remaining exposed himself atop the turret of his cherished Baneblade supertank. Behind him, his personal banner flew hauntily to the wind that blew across the field. Now, the Commissar watched as the Ultramarines were preparing to go into the Necron primary catacombs. Even from this distance, he could hear their cheers before they went inside, with the plan to blow up the catacombs using a powerful plasma bomb. But what of the Eldar? What part would they have in taking the fight to the Necrons? "Speaking of the Eldar, I can only wonder what the Inquisition would think of the truce that Brother Captain Thale had made with them." Lazarus thought to himself. The fact that the Inquisition and the Sisters of Battle had arrived was not lost to the Commissar.

That had him worried. Like Commissar Kairn, Lazarus was one of a few who knew the true role of a Commissar in the Imperial Guard. Ever since learning of what Major Phidori had done to the unfortunate Kairn, Lazarus was a bit fearful for himself. The Inquisition had only deepen that fear, knowing that he had stepped over the boundary of his duties as a Commissar. He had practically the full command of the Cadian 801st Armored Brigade, which was way outside of what a Commissar should be doing. Then again, Lazarus knew of two legendary Commissars who had won the honor of true command roles, Commissar Yarick and Colonel-Commissar Gaunt. If he could win the favor of the Inquisition and the Governor General, then perhaps Lazarus could have similar honor.

Now, the Commissar was torn between following Brother Captain Thale's orders, or go and aid the Sisters of Battle and other Imperial Guardsmen on the main battlefield against the advancing Necrons. "What if I leave some of my artillery here to help seal up that catacomb? Then I would still have done my duty to Brother Captain Thale, wouldn't I? As long as they followed my orders to stay behind and blow up the catacombs." Lazarus thought to himself, as a smile gleamed on his face. He could leave six Basilisks here, since a pair of Ultramarine's Land Raiders were also present. They should be enough to get the job done, leaving Lazarus to move the rest of his forces to aid the Sisters of Battle. Taking his vox-caster, Lazarus was prepared to make his move. "Basilisks Battery Zeta Gamma, you will stay behind and follow through with my command in the designated time. The rest of us will be joining the battle with the Necrons. Move out!" He spoke over the vox-caster, making his move.

The remaining vehicles of the 801st Armored removed themselves from the vincinity of the Necron catacombs as Lazarus had redeployed from his position to aid the Sisters of Battle. Upon making his way back to Point Phobos, Commissar Lazarus began to plan his strategy for his second conflict against the Necrons. Learning from the painful lesson of the first encounter, Commissar Lazarus decided to focus his strategy predominately on artillery fire. Looking to his right, he could see some of his men moving crates of shells for the Basilisks. It was a special cargo that the Commissar himself had requested for his artillery, which he rightly named "Inferno". The Inferno was nothing more than a regular Earthshaker Cannon round with its warhead filled with Promethium. These were intended for use against masses of Necron Warriors, as they had no armor piercing capabilities at all. He would leave that for his Baneblade, and his Annihilator-variant Leman Russ tanks.

As usual, Commissar Lazarus had his Sentinel walkers surveying the battlefield on which the Sisters of Battle engaged with the Necrons. They relayed valuable information with which the Commissar plotted his next battle strategy. According to intelligence from the Sentinel pilots, the Necrons were attacking from the northeast of that particular sector, whilst the Sisters of Battle were holding against their advance in the southwest. There were high grounds on the southeast of the map, which enabled Commissar Lazarus to strike suddenly from the flank of the Necrons. His plan was straightforward, using the high grounds in the southeast to bombard the Necrons, advancing only when the perfect opportunity presented itself. If there were no more room in the southeast, batteries would be set up in the south. "Commissar Lazarus, sir, all the Inferno Shells have been accounted for and ready for transport." Said a voice over the vox-caster, to which the Commissar nodded.

"Good, we are moving out soon." Commissar Lazarus spoke in response. After another minute of gearing up, the Iron Skulls were on the march again, deploying from Point Phobos and toward the battlefield to fight in the name of the Emperor once again. After driving around the city, Commissar Lazarus' forces had finally arrived from the southeast. Already, the Basilisks were setting up, Inferno Shells loaded into the breeches of the Earthshaker Cannons. Taking his binoculars, Commissar Lazarus watched, from the turret of his Baneblade, as the Sisters of Battle fought against almost impossible odds against the Necrons. It almost reminded the Commissar of the last time he faced the Necrons. Their Monolith was also present, and he could only wonder how the "Daughters of the Emperor" would handle it.

All the while, Commissar Lazarus could only wait as his forces were getting set up. From his last encounter with the Necrons, he had learned that a second of patience would save many lives. He could only wait, but he knew that it would be worth it in the end.

[Roken]

Over the communications system, the voices of excited Imperial Guardsmen could be heard as they exclaimed the arrival of the Order of Saint Celestine. A small breeze was blowing across the war burnt grassland. Mal sat utterly alone upon what seems to be a boulder over looking a hillside. The truth was that Mal wasn’t sitting alone. He was surrounded by dead Imperial Guardsmen. The guardsmen died by the hundreds. In many places, the guardsmen laid on top of each other so that there were nearly 3 layers of bodies. Along with the dead guardsmen were the bodies of a few squads of Eldars and 2 squads of Ultramarines. The place will be little known compared to the more exciting and easily boasted battlefields such as the gate to the Catacombs and the landing zone of the Order of Saint Celestine. However, 12 companies of Imperial Guardsmen, 10 squads of Eldars, and 2 squads of Ultramarines laid dead within three hours of rough combat. The objective was to lay down arms for combined forces of the Ultramarines and Commissar Lazarus’s forces. However, it wasn’t really laying down arms, rather it was to create a big enough distraction and for long enough so that the Necrons would not strike at Thale’s forces with full force. The plan worked, and it worked too well for the men and women sent to create this distraction.

Mal stared at where Yuri and her last six Karskins made their last stand. The Necrons came at the Imperial Guards without hesitation. Wave after wave of Necrons fell, but wave after wave of Necrons replenished those who fell or were repairing. The Imperial Guards were cut down by the masses for their lack of both armor and effective weaponry against the Necrons. They had no armor support, no air support, and by the end of the second hour, no ammunition. The surviving Imperial Guards didn’t flee, even though the Major in charge of the operation was killed. Mal was actually fourth in command, and by that time, of the 12 thousands Imperial guards committed, only 200 were still alive. The cruel hand to hand battles with the metallic Necrons quickly finished off the remaining Imperial Guards and the last few surviving Eldars. Mal tried to remember, when Yuri fell, was it the 15th or 16th Necron wave that they repelled? But all he could remember was how she died. The karskins around her fell one by one, but each dying with rifle or melee weapons in hand. They died bravely for they were surrounded by Necron Warriors. The Necrons came at them, each time, both Necrons and Karskins fell. Yuri was the last to fall. She still wielded her whip and was cutting off the Necrons’ heads when the 12 Necron Warriors all came at her. She killed the Warriors and was about to stand up straight again when 5 Necron Wraiths phased out from the ground and wrapped their scythe like fingers around Yuri’s entire body. Yuri fought even when the fingers cut deep into her. She killed a wraith with her pistol, and was about to slash another with her whip, when the wraiths made a final crush of cuts. Yuri was torn to pieces, but she still kept her eyes open, and they were staring back at Mal.

Mal closed his eyes to try to forget Yuri’s burning stare, but different images came back at him. The images of how Harkonium fell just some 3 minutes before. It was the 20th wave, and this time Pariahs and Destroyers came. The remaining Imperial Guards under Harkonium’s command took out the Destroyers with what they could find on the battlefield. The fighting with the Pariahs was resolved with hand to hand once more. 4 squads of Pariahs worked quickly through the remaining 24 Imperial Guards, who were all veterans of Mal’s Legionary Company. Harkonium was among the last to fall among the 24, he and a private, who’s name Mal could not recall. The Pariahs came with their spear sword like weapons. Harkonium blocked 12 spear swords with his own sword, and cut through one of the Pariahs’ fine armor, ending the Pariah’s power core. The 11 remaining Pariahs came at Harkonium again. This time, Harkonium hand to grab one of the Pariahs’ spear sword under his arm pit, to kill the Pariah. Then, more Pariahs came, encircling Harkonium, for nearly all of his men were dead. The Pariahs came at Harkonium at the same time. One cut Harkonium across the left leg, but Harkonium killed the Pariah that got too close to his sword. The Pariahs came again, and got Harkonium on the chest, impaling him in a spear sword. Harkonium didn’t even mutter anything as the spear sword dug deep into his right chest. The Pariahs closed in for the kill, but Harkonium stabbed the nearest one. The Pariahs made their finishing blow, impaling Harkonium in 16 spear swords, just as the last of Harkonium’s men fell to 5 Pariah spear swords. Harkonium stabbed another Pariah in the head. The Pariahs raised Harkonium’s impaled body and then pushed the spear swords through, so that finally Harkonium stopped moving. He died facing the battlefield with his bloody sword in hand.

Mal rubbed his eyes. The Pariahs were moving towards him now. Mal picked up his pistol and sword to ready himself for his death as well, but nothing happened. The Pariahs encircled him, but stopped 6 feet away. They had their spear swords standing rather than fixed. Mal did not understand, nor did he care to understand. He had his eyes fixed on to the eyes of the Pariah directly in front of him. The looked into the eyes of the Necron and saw no thought, no pain, and no feelings. The Necron looked into Mal’s eyes and saw a complete reflection of itself. The Necron moved forward, but without fixing its spear sword. Mal readied himself, but wasn’t planning to stand up. It was probably better for him to die sitting there watching over the bodies of his comrades. The Necron stood in front of the man and placed its left hand on Mal’s left shoulder and patted it. The pat had no feeling or thought to it. All it meant was a simple, “Hello again.” Mal looked up and examined the Pariah more closely, and realized why he wasn’t dead yet…

5 years earlier… The Necrons have gone. Bodies littered the streets. Pools of blood were beginning to dry as the sun was heating the late afternoon sky. Mal stood up and began to survey the emptied landscape. For miles, there was nothing. The Necrons have purged the land.

Mal began walking, following the trail of bodies and wreckages. He was tuning his communications to try to hear anything, but it seems that global communications was down. The only way that can happen is that the Necrons have already taken the Central Communications Tower, which also means the Necrons have taken part of the planet’s capital city. Mal understood that his home world was becoming a waste land even as he was walking back towards the carnage.

He took out a piece of ration and a cigarette as he looked for something to ride or drive. An abandoned rhino, it must be Mal’s lucky day. There was still some fuel left in the power cells, and the engines are operational…but inside, Mal could a Pariah with its bottom half torso missing. It must have been hit by a land mine, but its fellow Necrons left it to die. They must have been too busy trying to pursue the retreating guardsmen and space marines. Mal stared at the Pariah, and it stared back. The Pariah must have crawled into the Rhino in search of spare parts or metal for repair. The Pariah had no weapon. Mal had no weapon. Mal sat down onto the driver’s seat and told the Pariah, “There, you stared into my eyes and I have stared back. We’re not really that different are we? Both numbed beings wandering across this universe in search of…something greater than ourselves. Only you didn’t choose to be numb.” He drove slowly along the lines of carnage, it wouldn’t take much Necron weaponry to destroy his rhino, but that’s as much as he can do for now.

The trail of bodies ended at what appeared to be a destroyed Imperial Guard command post. The Guardsmen probably retreated on drop ships after that, but the Necrons didn’t let them leave so easily. Mal found 3 drop ship wreckages, with about 2 companies of dead guardsmen inside. The Necrons moved on, probably to annihilate the near by town. Mal checked his rhino, it didn’t have enough fuel to make it to the Capital city, but Mal is going to try it anyways…But before Mal left the command post, he grabbed the injured Pariah and placed it next to a pile of damaged Necron material. Mal said to it, “I know you can repair yourself with that. We have no agreement, no neutrality, no friendship. All we have is the common goal of survival. That is all.” Mal went back into the Rhino and pulled off…

Although the Pariahs all look the same, for some reason, Mal could feel this Pariah was that same Pariah from all those years ago. The Pariah moved on, along with the rest of the Pariahs. Mal didn’t understand what that meant. Necrons don’t owe favors. Perhaps the Pariah figured that it’d be a waste of time and number to fight him. For whatever reason, the Pariahs left Mal sitting there. Mal turned to see more Necrons following the Pariahs’ path. The distraction was over, and Mal looked at his hologram time piece. It’d take the Necrons less than 20 minutes to get to either the Sisters of Battle or the Ultramarines. Mal sighed standing up and walking down towards his fallen comrades. The Necrons didn’t bother with the grave digger, and kept moving towards accomplishing their Death God’s wishes.