Fandom Warhammer 40k: The Hungering Swarm

[Soviet Panda]

Eydirhad was under siege. Hive Fleet Fafnir, long suffering from opportunistic raids from the Imperial Navy and a lack of worlds rich in biomatter, had stumbled across the poor world. Battlefleet, caught off guard and unprepared for the ravening swarm that was a Hive Fleet, was all but annihilated, the PDF and aging planetary defenses fairing little better. But it was enough, it slowed the Tyrannid menace down, it gave enough time for a distress call to be sent, and by the Emperor's Will was it answered. His Angles of the Shield Encarmine, loyal sons of Dorn resplendent in their silver and crimson battle plate were the first to crash to the ground, their gene wrought might beating back the swarm. But even they were not enough. It took the combined might of a Mechanicus explorator force, apparently blown off course in the turbulent winds of the warp, from Forge World Kadath with the esteemed Magos Vauss at their head, the 13th Scintillan Fusiliers lead by the renowned Black Sheep himself Duane Jodovitti XIII, Freeblade Lance 'Retribution, lead by Baron Boris Todbringer, pilot of the Knight Warden 'Honor's Duty', and lastly the Sisters of Battle joined in the form of the Pyrrhic Rose, their blessed eviscerators whirring and heavy bolter's blasting ragged holes in the chittering swarm.

All of this, and their combined might only served to stall Hive Fleet Fafnir. Forces must be consolidated and plans made. Reports tell of a Hive Tyrant, identifiable by a heavily broken and scarred chitinous plate, that seemed particularly adept at directing it's lesser kin. Severing this head may not outright kill the beast, but it may go far to disorient it. Baron Boris has his eyes firmly set upon claiming this beasts head as his prize. Auger readings of local space read the Hive Fleet is settling into a defensive orbital pattern, not wanting to over reach and be destroyed by the few still operation defense lasers, a quick raid may be in order to disrupt the formation and keep it from completely solidifying. Chapter Master Sigisar is willing to commit his fleet in aid of Battlefleet Eydirhad in accomplishing this task, "A stretched enemy is one more easily broken," so he claims. Augers have also detected bio-plasma readings, suggesting amassed bio-artillery. A spearhead may be able to break through and slaughter these weapon beasts. Though Canoness Jula claims she and her Order are more than capable to accomplish this task, casualties are expected to be high, support for the Sisters of Battle is highly recommended.

 

[Viper Actual]

Musicanum​

The Kauravan Star, Command Bridge
Geo-synchronous orbit, Eydirhad

Gentle steps and hushed voices mingled with the whirring of machinery, musical-like tones of terminals and the faint humming of servoskulls ascending and descending between stations to relay key messages. The bridge aboard the Kauravan Star- current flagship of Battlefleet Eydirhad- was anything but quiet or calm.

Despite the sprawl of activity however Lord Admiral Borin Torgar remained at ease, standing as close as one could get to the main command deck viewport. Approximately five Leman Russ main battle tanks in width it offered unparalleled and superior view of most of the Star itself as well as what laid beyond outside in the cold silence of realspace.

Beyond the prow of his vessel and the protective perimeter of its sister- and escort-ships laid Eydirhad and- as painful as it was to acknowledge- what remained of Hive Fleet Fafnir. Swarms of Tyranid xenos were invading the surface still, projecting something akin of a cyclone or tornado reaching down onto the planet's surface from high-orbit. In a way it was almost fascinating.

Some might even call it beautiful, though such words shall hopefully not be uttered aboard my ship.

No, beyond whatever fascination Torgar may hold for the Tyranids he was painfully aware of the danger they posed as an adversary of war. The Tyranids were arguably one of the Imperium's most dangerous adversaries because unlike the T'au or the Greenskins there was no morale to be crushed, no spirit to be broken and no enemy to intimidate. Instead whatever dark powers that may have conjured them up had created a race of creatures so determined to destroy that the only solution to stop them was superior firepower.

Lord Admiral Torgar intended to show Fafnir that he had an ample supply of such- be it in space or on the ground. First, however, he needed to regroup.

The sound approaching footsteps notified him that someone was approaching and as Borin turned around he was met with a nod from his second-in-command, Vice Admiral Maiya Lestayev.

As Borin returned the nod Maiya stood beside him in silence, taking in every single detail of the same terrible thing Borin himself had been observing. Green light from nearby terminals reflected onto the viewport and splashed Maiya's pale Vostroyan features with a tint of the very same color which only served to contrast against her dark hair and blue eyes.

"Well?" Said Borin, turning away from Lestayev to resume staring out into space.

"Chief Astropath Gaion reports that we have established communications with the Astartes reinforcements. Apparently a Chapter Master Sigisar has offered to lend his vessels to us to aid with the destruction of Fafnir."

Borin raised an eyebrow. "A Chapter Master?" He narrowed his eyes and nodded. "The Emperor honors us this day, we could not have asked for better aid. Hopefully this Sigisar and his battle-brothers may stem the tide of Tyranid beasts on Eydirhad."

Lestayev nodded but remained silent. Another pair of footsteps approached, followed by yet another. Torgar and Lestayev turned around to find Master Gunner Rhorke Jael and Kahla Eaglelocke, Master of Ordnance as well as Master of Flights. Before addressing them Borin glanced past them, the numerous other officers, ensigns and ratings also present on the bridge all the way to the large chronometer adorning the top of the command bridge bulkhead.

On time, early even.

Borin looked at his two officers and watched as they both gave him a crisp salute. He returned the gesture and nodded. "Tell me, what is out status?"

Rhorke cleared his throat; "Lord Admiral I have completed my assigned mission and- after consolidating with my peers on the other vessels- I have concluded that we have an ample supply of rounds for our macrobatteries as well as sufficient power for our lances."

The Mordian hesitated, glancing down briefly before continuing:

"Unfortunately our stocks of torpedoes are low. Currently only one of our light cruisers- the Stalwart Intent- and two of our escort-vessels- Breacher and Duelist- carry torpedoes whereas the rest of the fleet were either bound to be re-armed prior to Fafnir's arrival or transferred whatever munitions they had when the rest of the fleet were deployed to stop the xenos. I fear we will either have to request supplies from Eydrihad- which would bring us dangerously close to the planet- or leave the system and attempt to scavenge for more torpedoes at the site of the battle."

Borin shook his head. "Neither option is very promising, is it?"

"No sir," replied Rhorke.

Sighing, Borin simply glanced at his Master of Ordnance. "Miss Eaglelocke?"

Upon being addressed directly the Elysian almost stood at attention before she took her time to respond. "Sir, I have gone over our inventory twice over with all wing- and squadron commanders. I am pleased to report that with our current inventory of aircraft and munitions we will be able to muster and launch multiple sorties against both space- and ground-based targets, sir."

She nodded past Borin, directly at the pale silhouette of Fafnir. "Our Furies and Starhawks will make quick work of whatever the xenos pass for orbital defenses, allowing our atmospheric craft as well as Valkyries to provide direct fire support down on the surface- if needed be."

"I must, however, also report that we're low on veteran flight crews as most had been temporarily assigned to participate in Fafnir's interception. I can certainly work with what we have but we may need to hastily recruit more flight personnel from other crew rosters to replenish our auxiliary and support roles. If the Astartes are indeed willing to offer combat support we may be able to rely on their more sturdier craft and experienced pilots to screen our own waves of bombers, sir."

"Very well," replied Borin. "Thank you both, you are dismissed for now."

Immediately the two officers bowed their heads and left, leaving Torgar and Lestayev standing at the viewport. Lestayev narrowed her eyes and tilted her head slightly. "I know that look, Borin."

Torgar grunted. Any other officer would have been punished for such a sentence and the disrespect it commended. Maiya Lestayev was no ordinary officer however, she and Borin had been to officer's school at the same time and served on two other vessels past. She was both a colleague and a trusted friend.

He looked up, brow furrowed deeply. "Tell Gaion that I want to speak directly to Chapter Master Sigisar. And get me van der Vulf- we may need to call upon him and his best armsmen soon enough."

Perhaps too soon.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Percussoris pulsatio​

Thrashed Theatre, Eydirhad.

The pleas of the planetary governor did not fall upon deaf ears in the hallowed halls of the Assassinorum Temple on Holy Terra. A brief albeit meticulous discussion was held amongst the Imperium's dignitaries. This discourse led to the authorization then subsequent deployment of an assassin from clade Vindicare. Dispatched from a secluded temple from the nearest star system, this lone sniper's task is to provide his lethal calibre to the Imperium's commanders.

Across the battlefield torn apart by Imperial munition and tyranid might, life as Eydirhad knew it was snuffed out entirely wherever the tyranids swarmed. Leaving only beaten dirt bleached of its colour and vegetation by tyranid bioweapons, microbial aero-spores, and consumption. If one dares listen then one might hear the faintest echoes of human screams of agonies untold and dreams fed to the maws of xeno-insectoids. Except all is quiet on this front however as the fighting seemed to have dulled and receded. For now.

The lone sniper marched with amazing stealth. Single-mindedly devoted to his current assignment: reconnaissance. Elias Sabot's training melded him with the background if anyone being, human or tyranid, was present then they wouldn't know of his presence. The flow of movement was almost like a gentle river, soft and supple.

He is armoured with cold wrath, a bodyglove suit laced with Cameleoline. A suit that is as bonded to his body as a venerable Astartes' black carapace. Uniquely coded to his genomic structure to be operable by him and him alone. Once upon a time, Elias Sabot wondered why his order's wargear is so tightly married to the marksmen. He understood why it was specified to each individual but to render it completely nonrenewable felt foolish. Dissenting observations aside, Sabot trudged forward.

The signature tool-symbol of the Vindicare: the Exitus rifle rested against the sniper's back. At the ready stood his Exitus pistol. The matching pistol fit comfortably in Elias' hands as his arms occasionally leveled the firearm to scan the area with its barrel.

He's traveling to a vantage point that he spotted before deployment, it'll give him ample opportunity to survey the area, provide valuable information to Imperial troops, and offer suppressive fire if necessary. Everything seems clear for now, but the plotted path seemed more dangerous than initially observed. As he stalked through a forest's husk, his built-in auspex scanner pinged his retinal display with five motion-sensor dots.

Now on alert, the assassin raises his pistol and lowers his finger by the trigger. His pacing slows and his gait changes to maximize stealth. The dots soon enter visual range and he sees five termagants outfitted with beetle-ammoed fleshborers. "Thermal." His lips gesticulated and his vision blurs to the hue of sky, decorated by burning promethium smears of living beings. An unconscious twitch from what remained of Elias' more human instincts made itself known. His upper lip and cheeks twitched under the spymask's comforting contours.

Despicable xenos, they've splintered far from the swarm hosts.

Five xeno-typical marks, designation: Termagants. Observed intent: Patrol?

Regardless of their intentions, they were in his way and stubbornly remained. He took aim through the treeline and fired three shots, two to the chest and one to the head. The first two targets fell fast, it was only by target number three that the gaunts reacted to their brethren falling. Target number three tried to lift its biological rifle before the contents of its chest and head were blown out the back by the Exitus pistol round. The remaining pair moved as one through the husks letting off beetle-tipped round after round towards the assassin while also eliciting feral screeches that would intimidate lesser men.

The suppressed double retort of his Exitus rifle put an end to that. Good kills, but not worthy of his d.o.p.e book.

With this paltry force dispatched, Elias arrived at the foot of a sheer cliff face. His augmented musculature allowed him to scale this almost rock-smooth surface. The gloves on his hands and soles of his boots provided grit and grip. At the top of the cliff, he overlooked the area from a prone position. The pict-recorder in his spymask switched on as he began to collect image data of the area and looked for Tyranid forces to survey with high-powered magnoculars.

 

[Karcen]

Magos Domina Vauss
Location: The Ark Mechanicus Al-Azif
Mentions:​

In robes of ever shifting hues the form of Magos Domina Vauss would dwarf even the mighty astartes, weapons hidden and revealed were active and currently kept on target by a small fraction for Vauss's mind as she apprised what was before her. Her ships when first translating into system had come in close, much closer than the mandeville point where most ships would arrive. That was for safety for they relied on the holy lighthouse on terra to tell them everything, the navigator on board her ship knew how to dive into the warp without light and emerge where they were needed. This had lead to her ships being a bit to close for the tyranids to simply ignore and they had responded not only with their bio acid, but with a boarding party. The party had made easy work of servitors, but when ambushed by the Skitarii they had fallen, all but one that is. Before Vauss, its arms removed, it's maw muzzled and literally nailed into the wall was one of the the warrior organisms. This according to records was a leader caste tyranid, and was in some contact with the greater hivemind. Vauss looked it over and could not help but compare it to those from the ghoul stars, a small spliter fleet that had been their only contact with these extra galactic foes. The specimen before her did not match their records, it was to bulky, to inefficient and lacked the strange material those of the ghoul stars had been armored by. The only way she could put it what the tyranids had been trying to imitate the human form, not the beastly form here and they had been changed. Still there was more to do with this warrior before it was destroyed.

Vauss called up a record of a recording and started to play it. The sound that issued from her vox caster that had replaced her mouth started to make strange sounds. They seemed to be words, but the words felt different, they felt old and not quite right. The things that seemed to be words didn't sound like they should be spoken the way they were. It was easy to tell they were wrong and yet not understand them. These were not words of any warpcraft, there was no magic to them as their source was something that moved against the warp. Vauss played the recording a few times at the warrior and she waited. The only thing that Vauss got from the warrior were snarls and roars, it seemed that it didn't know the words.

" Burn it" Vauss blurted in binary as she moved away from the captive tyranid. 2 Skitarii with flamethrowers moved in and torched the warrior.

" Another failure?" asked a noosphere transmission. It was from another techpriest, someone under Vauss's command. No fleet like her's had just one priest, or even just one Magos. This one was most interested in the biology of xenos and had been excited at further study of the tyranids.

" Correct no response to the recording" Vauss sent back the noosphere allowing all the preists and skitarii to speak without being in the room of in vox contact, it was almsot like their own hivemind.

" That is to be expected, these are not from our stars" The priest sent back. that was a normal thing to think, the ghoul stars were different and even the xenos were different there from beyond it.

" Correct it seems language was adopted with in the stars and lost beyond them, these tyranids do not speak" Vauss sent back. that was the source of the recording a tyranid leader strain that has spoken in this strange language to their forces. It had not been there to negotiate just to declare something, the message had never been deciphered. It was just another piece to the mystery of the stars.


Vauss would move through the ship to the bridge where in a slightly fuzzy form was the planet on hololithic display. The grainy image was annoying and Vauss had heard tale of a xenos called the Tau, she did wish to meet them despite it likely being seen as heresy to others and examine their technology. The tau had never entered the ghoul stars, so she had never managed to meet them or their client races, they were just part of the information given to Vauss by the nearby forgeworld. Upon the grainy image of the world below several area's had been highlighted with icons. The fleet while in the shadow could communicate with others over Vox and had gather several objectives upon the planet and around it. Reaching out Vauss touched the projection and using slightly more advanced technology than most imperials would be used to it reacted. The world moved and spun as Vaus looked over the physical features of the planet, the location of each help request and weighed them. Joining the fleets in a space born battle was almost instantly crossed off the list, an astartes strike craft was far better suited to that and the skitarii would need refitting for the void should boarding actions be needed upon the orbital defenses. Hunting the hive tyrant did seem interesting as if Vauss could capture it she could gain a better understanding of tyranid minds and just what changes the ghouls stars had caused. The problem was the baron, should he have been of a machnicus house Vauss might have been able to order him to cripple but not kill the beast. A dead specimen was useless for proper dissection. Still the main goal for Vauss was the defense of the world, while hunting down the lead synapse beast was interesting there was a more imitate threat. The reports of bio plasma upon the planet, if the exocrines were allowed to organize, they would make landing on the planet very difficult. While this would mean working with the sisters of battle, and dealing with their zealotry Vauss was willing to deal with it. This was the most logical course of action that Vauss could take in consideration of the wider goals of the war and her personal goals with it.

" Vox Canoness Jula" Vauss sent to the Vox operator via the noosphere " Inform her the macroclades of Kadath will march with her sisters" The message was short simple and more importantly did not leave room for rejection the Sktarii would be there even if the sisters didn't like it. " Prepare for war" Vauss sent the noosphere communication to all priests. skitarii , and even servitors as she started to move towards the docking bay. She would go down herself and direct the war in person.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Chapter Master Sigisar
"Sir, Lord Admiral Borin Torgar wishes to meet with you." A chapter serf, clad in drab grey, reported with head bowed low in respect to the figure before him. Servos whirred and hummed as Chapter Master Sigisar reached out and took the short message that had been transcribed and offered to him, capable of being surprisingly delicate even in the heavy Mk X Gravis power armor. He took a moment to look it over before setting it on his command desk.

"Then he shall get one." He growled, moving even as he spoke to the hololith projector. Ordering the tech serfs to attune to the proper channel, his glowing green form was soon visible aboard the Karuvan Star. "Lord Admiral, you wished to speak with me?" Sigisar was fully armored save for his helmet, revealing his scarred and shaven head, which was maglocked to his thigh alongside the relic power sword of his chapter and symbol of his authority. "If you did not notice, I have a war to manage, and an enemy that grows by the hour."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boyar Boris Todbringer
"Auspex signals dropped," reported Henry, pilot of the Armiger Warglaive Redoubt. "Either something was hunting our quarry, or they went to ground." He continued.

"It is an ambush," Boris responded. He had spent countless years hunting this particular breed of xenos, it was they that devoured his House after all. "They have picked up our scent. Defensive formation. Redoubt and Oathkeeper, range ahead, full auspex scans. I want to know where they went."

"Yes, m'lord." Reported the Armigers in near unitiy. To this, Boris growled. He was no lord, he was an exile, a cast away, someone who had been meant to die on his world fighting the enemy. But instead, he had survived. And ever since he has been looking for a worthy opponent that would correct that mistake of fate. He refocused his mind by scanning with his own auspex array. Tyranids did not simply vanish without a reason, there had to be something out there.

"And what of us, Boris? Shall we just sit here and wait? They were just gnats, nothing some soldiers of the Militarum couldn't handle. Are we not hunting beasts?" Said Boid of the Crusader Omnissiah's Wrath. Boid was a whip thin man, with a sharp whit and an almost perpetually dour mood. If Boris had managed to convince Death's Pall, a Castellan, from her penitence for the hunt, Boris would have much preferred her. But a thermal lance was a thermal lance, and it would be much appreciated when facing down some of the monstrosities the Tyrannids breed.

"We scan, of course." Replied Arin, of the Gallant Nightmare's End, who if he had to guess looked up to him as a mentor of sorts. She had barely sat on the command throne of her steed before her House rebelled against the God Emperor and turned traitor. It was a miracle she even fought her way clear and survived long enough to be found. The last two of those remaining with him was Amelia of the Helverin Lancer and Edgar of the Helverin Slayer, who remained silent. Though if he had to guess, the two had a closed comm link open between them and were listening in on the conversation of their superior's.

"They hardly ever move in such small numbers, Boid. There is something directing them, and it is nearby." That was all Boris was willing to say on the matter, which he knew annoyed Boid to no end. 'Good, he needs to be put in his place from time to time.' he thought to himself as he continued his auspex scans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Canoness Jula Adeliah
"Curse those machine worshipers," Jula hissed as she listened to the vox recording stating the assistance of Kadath. "Rally our sisters. Let us show them our strength." She commanded to her palatine, who give a brisk nod before hurrying off to fulfill her canoness' orders. "We will not be found wanting."

Her dogmata, however, did not move. Her perpetual scowl, if everything, seemed to deepen. But she held her tongue until the Palatine left. "Canoness, the Mechanicus will care not for any displays of power. Especially ones using arms and armor they have made. If we are to show them anything, let it be the strength of our faith. Let them worship their machines, they will not protect them when the God Emperor marks them for death."

Jula sighed internally, this was not the first time her Dogmata, Cateri, had said such things. It was always a matter of faith with her, which was to be expected. But some things required more than just faith, for if faith was the only means of victory, then surely every last mutant, xenos, and heretic would have been scoured from the universe by now. "There is no winning this fight, Cateri. They will not care for our strength nor our faith. Their Dominus has stated what they shall do, and so they shall do it. However, it will do well for the moral of our sisters and of the Guardsmen stationed with us." This explanation only served to deepen Cateri's scowl, but she did not speak further.

In a matter of minutes, the full strength of the Order of the Pyrrhic Rose was assembled before their battle sanctorum, landed prior to the battle to contain the Tyrannid menace. Battle sisters stood proudly, with their holy armaments held across their chest, bronze armor repaired and shining in the light, their crimson helmets reminiscent of the penitent hood of the repentia hidden away with their Repentia Mistress at the ready. Paragon warsuits stood with them, armed with blades, maces, and the holy trinity of bolter, flamer, and melta. Celestians stood at the front, with Sacrestans armed with halberds holding around their canoness. Jula herself was armed with an eviscerator, as were most other officers of any importance, and a combimelta. And she stood waiting for the mechanicus of Kadath to arrive.

 

[Karcen]

Magos Domina Vauss
Location: Designated landing site.
Mentions: Soviet Panda ​

The canoness would not have to wait long as the The forces of the fleet were loaded up into the various dropships by the time Vauss had moved to the loading bays. While to an outsider everything seemed silent in the noosphere there had been much chatter, as pre combat diabnostics were run and praise to the machine god was given, the motive force channeled into the machines, and prayers given to the omnissiah. There were also a few things being set up that only those of Kadath would understand. As soon as Vauss had entered a ship they would all take off and start their decent while the Aliz-aif would move to be in orbit over where the battle would take place so it could project the Noosphere down onto the world to allow for after communication.

The ships would start as black spots in the skies then slowly their shimmering paint would become more and more clear to the onlooking sisters. The ships would land exactly where they had indicated they would, not a millimeter off showing the mechanicus's usual desire for perfect to a T. The ships would then open letting down their boarding ramps in perfect unison and something that no one who had worked with mechanicus forces before would expect happen. Music started to play, the instruments would almost seem like a more mechanical version of the pipe organ the sisters themselves were known to commonly employ in their hymnal music. The vox speakers cleverly imbedded blasting forth not a recording but rather a live performance from deep within the Alz'aif through the noosphere. The forces of the machnicus would start to disembark from their transports and as they did, they were not silent as their own prayers were synced to the music rising and falling with and their own steps perfectly. Not only did the simple Skitarii move out singing in binary their praises to the machnicus trinity, but dunecrawlers, kataphron servitors, dragoons, rust stalkers, and other forces that were common to the machnicus would all disembark, those that could singing praises and those that couldn't blaring the music from their vox casters. If the sisters sought to show their strength the machnicus was seeking to show their zeal. This however was not completely true. On Kadath music from the winds of their gas giant home had leaked into their society. There were magos' that spent their entire life studying the music of their home. Thus when those of Kadath left their home they took music, mathematically perfect music, with them and spread further the glory of the machine god into even the spaces few would think to seek its glory.

The towering form of Vauss would emerge and her size would put even the primarch to shame as while she kept the upper torso of a human she had stretched and swelled it, so that it was proportional to the rest of her form, while below her pearlescent white robes skittering of many tiny pointy legs could be heard even if they were not seen. Vauss like many elder Magos had a slight haunch, but where other looked almost decrepit her made her look like she was bending over to examine a specimen at all times. Vauss too sang out praises to the trinity of worship for the mechanicus as she skittered down the ramp with an alarming grace that almost made her seem like she was floating. Vauss despite walking actually could float, on Kadath anti grav tech was a necessary augment for all inhabitants just in case you fell off or were blown away in the winds.

Vauss would scan the sisters arrayed and raise both her hands as the music and prayers reached a crescendo, then as the broth them down from above her head the music, and the prayers slowly stopped till there was silence. Before she had stopped the music, Vauss had picked out Julia and watched her specifically as if looking for reaction from the sister as the music died. Once there was a moment of silence Vauss skittered towards the human towering over her greatly as Julia was just a normal human.

" Blessings of the Omnissiah be upon you Cannoness " Vauss said bowing down though still towering over the human woman as she did so. Though her voice was artificial it came through clear and the tone was that of a respect for the other leader. Vauss had learned how to speak with other commanders on joint ventures, especially astartes, and showing you did respect them was often key to good relations between forces which increased effectiveness in combat. " Have you formulated an attack plan against the tyranids yet?" She asked not because she didn't think an organic mind was lesser than her cogitators, even if they were, but because if the sisters were anything like the astartes then Vauss would have to plan around their plan. In the ghoul stars there were no sisters of battle so Vauss did not know their way of war except they were fellow souls that put their faith in their god.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Ivan Strig
Viper Dragoons
Soviet Panda​

The dragoon always operated in small numbers they’d been Here by happenstance this was supposed to be a quick stopover before they left for another front, it was necron‘s some of their techies favorites.. of course, it was simply “recovering“ priceless archotech that those vile men of metal coveted so dearly least Ivan told himself that.. but everyone knew what the truth was the lie just needed to sound convincing enough, currently they where dealing with tyranid not their preferred encounter but not all that much could be done scanning the horizon from the hatch of his command russ, it was not hard to see the free-blades a few clicks out something had startled the walker and their pilots they where maintaining a defensive position, “hmm burrows likely get the auspex check the ground for disturbances,“ he’d command, his company wasn’t big only somewhere over 200 met in total and 2.. “enginseers”, 15 sentinels fitted with.. “volkite“ weaponry. 12 odd chimera their lasguns replaced with the oddly stable plasma weapon they issued for heavy supper tho 5 of them maintained some of the specialised equipment and the company 3 russ’s he couldn’t afford to loose any to nids right now. “Get Parsons furies shield gen up close formation around it with the chimera, we can’t let them get hit by spore mines“ With that order he’d Dip back into the hatch picking up the coms channel for the freeblades “baron Boris I presume, this is Ivan Stirg viper dragoon, looks like you lot could use few more eyes to watch your backs,“

 

[Viper Actual]

"Lord Admiral, you wished to speak with me?" Sigisar was fully armored save for his helmet, revealing his scarred and shaven head, which was maglocked to his thigh alongside the relic power sword of his chapter and symbol of his authority. "If you did not notice, I have a war to manage, and an enemy that grows by the hour."

Lord Admiral Torgar was standing at the center of the bridge, overlooking his many ensigns and officers, when the green holographic projection of Sigisar appeared behind him. As Borin turned his XO, Lestayev, approached the projector as well. When the Chapter Master's deep voice boomed across the speakers residing above the projector several members of the bridge crew lowered their voices or fell silent for to witness a Space Marine- the Immortal God-Emperor's own- was to witness both a hero and a champion.

Both Torgar and Lestayev bowed their heads deeply before the Lord Admiral cleared his throat. "Honored Chapter Master," began Torgar. "I shall not squander precious time from you in an hour such as this, though I wished to speak with you directly regarding the possibility of lending your support for the coming battle in the realspace above Eydirhad."

As he finished movement caught his eye and Borin glanced to his left, spotting both Gerole van der Wulf- his Master of Arms and the de-facto commander of all of the fleet's armsmen- standing next to Thaddeus Survarr, Battlefleet Eydirhad's fleet commissar. Both men offered Torgar a silent nod though van der Wulf also assumed a parade rest stance where he stood.

Borin looked back onto Sigisar, hoping that the might Astartes did not find any offense in the momentary distraction; "Battlefleet Eydirhad is severely depleted but we will do whatever we can to force Fafnir away from the planetary perimeter, hopefully isolating any Tyranid ground elements which in turn will lead our forces encircling and destroying them. That being said, before my aerial forces can begin their sorties I humbly request your support here, in the void, to break open and soften the Hive Fleet."

"I have enough veteran flight personnel and munitions to wreak havoc on the xenos, though without skilled pilots and gunners to screen their approach I fear I may lose a majority of my craft before they even let loose on Fafnir. As such I thought it best suited that none other than the Astartes themselves may aid in this objective, using your superior assault craft to shield the approach of my bombers."

Borin then raised an eyebrow. "May I count on your support, Chapter Master?"

Soviet Panda

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Near Mechanicus Designated Landing Zone, Eydirhad.

The vigilant vindicare viewed the area from atop the plateau. The Exitus Rifle laid carefully on its side as his cybernetically-outfitted spy mask recorded detailed picts of this bomb-blasted battlefield. His head laconically turned on his neck. Eyes had blink-clicked the magnification mode while neuro-signals dynamically adjusted the strength-setting. Reconnaissance work is but one minor duty of the vindicare Assassin, yet it is no less important than sending the kill shot out. The assassin dealt in death to their enemies, but only the vindicare can influence their allies fate as well.

He tapped the metallic frame of his Exitus rifle, a subtle habit to count the seconds. Once he completed a full survey of the land, he would send them, the picts, through appropriate channels. But for now, there was nothing more that he could do. He stretched up and shouldered the massive rifle, it was as tall as the 6'2" Vindicare himself. Or maybe he was shorter than it. He would begin to move further back into Imperium-controlled territory for further instructions. Or... Elias Sabot questioned as he descended down on jagged rocks. Spotted and identified battlefield sanctorum. Adeptus Sororitas. Closer to the enemy, lessens redeployment times. The assassin argued. He decided then that interlacing his presence within the sisters of battle would improve his combat effectiveness even at the cost of expediency.

The marksman moved with a quickened pace if he wished to reach them in time then he'll need to forgo slower transportation. Keen measurements from the machine spirit inside his mask told him that he is approximately 2.1 klicks away. An easy undertaking for one with tireless muscles injected and interwoven with raw power.

Half-way to the site, he spotted a ship-bearing symbols and features of Mechanicus origins. It seems like he won't be the only one accompanying the sisters of battle into perilous warfare against insectoid wrath.

500 meters to the site, a vox channel was opened for communication.

"Hail, honored Sisters and esteemed Techpriests. Elias Sabot of Clade Vindicare on approach from the due east to the sanctorum." He spoke over the comm-link.

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[Crocodile]

Black Sheep Aria
Scintillan 13th Fusiliers
Location: Landing Zone Demeter​

Scintillian Fusiliers marched smartly off their transports with precision that had been drilled into them rigorously. Bypassing the damnable Hive Fleet had delayed their deployment and the entire regiment knew Colonel Jodoviti was furious about it. He'd been heard all across the ship making oaths against the xenos and their forces. Now though, they were here and starting to form up. Leman Russ tanks and Basiliks were rolling out as the line infantry was lining up into formation to prepare to advance. The weird sounds of tyranid gunfire filled the air as a figure sat currently under a parasol with opera glasses, inspecting the ground ahead. A vox player to the side was playing a orchestral movement to drown out the sound of combat. The man absentmindedly helped himself to a finger sandwich from a full tray of them before pouring himself a cup of tea.

"Report Medley," Colonel Jodoviti ordered to his recon captain before taking a sip of his tea. He made a face and immediately added more sugar to it.

"Sir, we have confirmation of xenos formations ahead, including potentially the Hive Tyrant you have designated as Target Prime. The Sororitas and Mechanicus seem intent on striking the enemy artillery position. Data indicates imminent fleet action as well. I believe another regiment is already in play to support Baron Todbringer. Dragoons of some sort," Captain Medley reported to his commander with a polished salute before helping himself to a finger sandwich.

"Hmmm, Dragoons..." Jodoviti said casually as he ate another finger sandwich from the tray. "Let's hope they're more use than the last regiment we had in field last deployment. Get me my damn command vox."

A skittish lieutenant in parade uniform darted off immediately as Jodoviti stood, picking up his saucer and tea cup. He takes a thoughtful sip as already his mind was churning on deployments and operations. From the eclectic nature of forces deployed he had the feeling he had been dispatched to try to keep peace between forces if arguments broke out. High Command loved to send him to play peacemaker when he wasn't smashing in the face of some rebellion or xenos incursion. His mind plots and plans, rolling along as a panting vox operator comes dashing up and starts to setup his array for the Colonel.

A fanfare plays over the 'all signals' vox channel for the area before Jodoviti's voice comes through.

"Hail to you, noble warriors of the Imperium. I, Colonel Duane Jodoviti XIIIth, have come to lend aid of the 13th Scintillan Fusiliers. Baron Todbringer, Viper Dragoons! I join the fray! My forces will be moving shortly. Do please inform me of your intentions and movements so that I may better coordinate with you. I await your response. Tally ho!"

The transmission cuts out as the roar of engines is heard as infantry formations begin to march. The 13th was on the move!

Mentions: Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3

 

[Soviet Panda]

Chapter Master Sigisar
Sigisar stood silent as he listened to the Lord Admiral speak, his face remaining expressionless. The only sign he gave that the holograph had not frozen was a lone blink. Once Torgar was finished speaking, Sigisar moved once more. But he did not speak right away, he merely shifted his stance and seemingly stared out the armor glass windows, staring at the hive fleet that threatened the world and chewing over his thoughts.

"Indomitable Valor." The Battle Barge of the Shield Encarmine itself was being sent to support the tattered Battlefleet. "As is it's escorts Tower Inviolate and Heavencrest, as well as the void capable fighter craft aboard each. I give you these vessels to bloody the enemy. Once given the scent, let them slip the leash and go for the throat. We will not beat them from Eydirhad's orbit, but we will give your fighters room to operate. This I swear. Have your Maste-at-Arms prepare your voidsman for boarding actions, I hear this strain is fond of them."

And with that, the link was cut. Shortly after, Indomitable Valor and it's two Dauntless class escorts began to maneuver onto the tip of the spear thrust. They would be the weighted punch, their serfs and the few remaining space marines aboard no doubt already preparing for the clash of mechanical strength and biological resilience. As they maneuvered, another, more private call came through to Torgar.

"This is Captain Darniel, acting commander of the Indomitable Valor in Chapter Master Sigisar's place and commander of the Shield Encarmine forces remaining in orbit. Lord Admiral Torgar, command us well."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boyar Boris Todbringer
Boris jumped in surprise at the vox transmission, so intent was he on scanning his auspex. Silently cursing himself and these commanders for not calling him by his proper title, he takes a deep breath before sending a transmission of his own.

"That would be much appreciated, Strig of the Viper Dragoons and Duane of the Scintillian Fusiliers. We have their scent, but the pack we were hunting have gone to ground. I sent two armigers ahead to flush them out and continue the hunt."

As he finished speaking, as if on cue, the sucking roar of a thermal spear came crackling over the vox with another voice. "Contact, contact, contact. They were waiting for us, Lord." Came the strong, cocksure voice of Henry. Henry, though an Armiger pilot, claimed there was royalty in his bloodline, something he exuded. Jergen, on the other hand, was his dour arms man who cloaked his armiger in the black of mourning. Quite the contrast to Henry's purple and gold diamond pattern.

"Hold them, Redoubt, we are coming." Boris quickly voxed back, his mechanical steed beginning to lumber into motion. "Duane, I urge you to hurry. Strig, flank around far, corral them, let none escape." Truth be told, Boris very much doubted any of the xenos would even attempt to escape. They fought with a bestial single mindedness that, in a pure human, would have been admirable. "Boid, continue scanning for the primus target, I want it's head."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cannoness Jula Adeliah
It was a shock to say the least when they saw the holy fanfare of this mechanicus sect as they landed. Then again, Jula had had the 'pleasure' of working with the more theatric magi. Frankly, she was of the opinion that the higher ones rank in the mechanicus was, the more theatrical you felt inclined to be to hide the fact that you knew absolutely nothing. Not that she would say anything, she knew better than to start anything with the mechanicus, especially since it was they that made their holy armaments.

"Indeed I have, Magos Domina Vauss. The penitent shall carve a bloody path through the xenos filth in search of their redemption, and then we shall strike into the weakened section of their formation and slaughter their gun beasts. A simple plan, but one I believe to be most likely of success."

 

[Karcen]

Magos Domina Vauss
Location: Designated landing site.
Mentions: Soviet Panda Worthlessplebian ​

Vauss did not know if this was the standard way these sisters of battle waged their wars. It reminded her of the time she had met the death krops of krieg, they had marched into battle as ordered with no flexibility. They had not been efficient, their goals might have been achived but their combat power had been lost without further help. In the zealots Vauss saw a similar fire. There were other Magi that used their forces in a similar way, but Vauss fought enemies that did not follow the rules of this world and operated on a logic stranger than the warp. She had learned that simply charging in was not always the answer. Receiving the Vox from the assassin Vauss added him to her calculations along with the desires of the canoness. Her plan might actually succeed alone, but the projections showed losses would be unacceptable. Tyranids would not lose cohesion because their lines were charged, but if their synapse leaders were removed then they could not establish order once more.

" Calculations do show you likely would success canoness, however the losses from a tactic like that would render your forces combat ineffective for the rest of the conflict. The omnissiah smiles upon sacrifice, but suicide is not sacrifice" Vauss said trying to explain her own reasoning in the terms the Canoness would understand. " Your plan must be revised to account for additional forces, and Tyranid leadership. " Vauss explained " The assault by your penitent should be moved to a phase two. My infiltrators and the vindcare shall remove Synapse creatures before the second phase, then other forces shall be phase 3 once the defenders are broken open and reduced to animals"

The plan accounted for all factors that Vauss could compute. While moment to moment choices would be made by the Sktarii themselves the over all plan could survive a few bumps and was more open to surprise success that surprise set backs. Vauss had not been overly polite when she had outlined it, but Vauss assumed the canoness would understand that by necessity her plan was no longer ideal and she would be needed once more. The vindacare, Vauss assumed would be willing to take any orders and likely would have done as she wanted without being asked. His kind were already meant to take out leaders, so his nature fit into the plan nicely.

" Is this revision acceptable Canoness and Vindacre?" Vauss asked both in person and over vox to the assassin. She didn't expect the assassin to disagree, but the zealot before her might, if she truly wanted to just waste her sister's lives and the bounty of the machine god.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Battle Sanctorum, Eydirhad.

The assassin's trek had reached its end when booted footfalls made their way into the centre of the sanctorum. Exitus weaponry holstered, but poised to be drawn at a moment's notice. A noticeable selection of the sisters took expressive interest in this tool of the Emperor's silent Wrath. Wonderstruck with curiousity, but the assassin remained cold, impartial to their gawking. He holds great respect for these noble warriors. Their task strikingly overlaps with the Inquisition. Though unlike the inquisition, the sisters haven't ordered him to strike down hundreds of targets en-masse.

He arrived amidst the Canoness and Magos Vauss, he leaned against one of the Sororitas' vehicles. Listening to their discourse with keen interest. From what he could surmise, it seems that the Canoness wished to boldly charge into the Tyranid front and cleave a small aperture from which they can dismantle the xenos leadership. However, Magos Vauss countered with a revision: fire upon the tyranid, specifically targeting the synapse leaders so that the grunt forces would be disoriented then charge into the fray. The red gleam of his spymask burned softly as he considered their plan.

"The plan is acceptable. I will take up an elevated position: identify, confirm, then eliminate the synapse leaders. After which I will provide covering fire for the second phase of the attack. Special ammunition contains one turbo-penetrator round and one hellfire, the latter posseses danger-close properties for both Skitarii and Sisterhood forces." Elias then unsheathed his combat knife, tossed it into the air then caught by the blade. "I do have one concern: tyranid infantry are, according to my observation, incapable of self-preservation. They are as likely to go feral immediately as the mentalistic connection to their leaders are severed. Exercise extreme circumspection."

Karcen Soviet Panda

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Ivan Strig
Viper Dragoons
Soviet Panda Crocodile​

as the dragoon force quietly stalked forward well quiet for such an odd regiment as themselves, Ivan's vox hummed as he noticed another message Ivan letting out a small annoyed sigh and picked it up the vox captain (essentially the man that checks and somewhat deals with incoming and outgoing transmissions) contacted him first. "we've got dresses sir.. they're gonna start stirring up the nids" the voice on the Vox said before allowing the full message to go through Ivan sighing. dress's.. well what they called uniformed regiments just great they would go get themselves killed as the nids climbed out of the ground if they started parading around. not that they didn't do good work no no Ivan knew they were important it was just.. they didn't do it Effectively but every regiment had its history and well going against them wasn't an option he knew that all too well. "Fusiliers be advised their nids in the ground stomping around up there might attract more of them" was all he commented turning off the vox after he didn't know nids much but for all he knew they could tap into the frequencies they used to work out what was doing on best to keep contact to a minimum. that was when the sound of the knight's lance made it clear they'd found something. " Lord Todbringer, you require any assistance we can hear your weapons fire from here.. our own sentinels might not match a knight but they can certainly keep your feet clear of any of the smaller ones"

 

[Crocodile]

March of the Scintillan Protectorate
Colonel Duane Jodovitti XIII
Scintillan 13th Fusiliers
​

A chimera sporting gold filigree and the colors of the 13th including their infamous Black Sheep banner rumbled along with its formations. Battle tanks and artillery roared along with the formations in motion as the Colonel preferred to keep his armor dispersed with his infantry for combined arms operations. He was looking at the data flowing in from reports from scouts ahead while currently still sipping his tea. Another operatic peace was playing even as the vox crackles and he hears the responses from Boyar Todbringer and this Strig fellow.

"Hmmm, sounds like we need to double time it to provide the anvil to the Boyar's hammer. Some nerve telling us not to stir things up. We're a damn line regiment," Jodovitti huffs as he sips his tea again. He sets it onto a grav plate that holds the cup, saucer and tea in place as the chimera shudders along across the field. "Still its best we give them room to maneuver if they're better at it. We'll show them how we fight. And trust them to do their jobs until they prove otherwise."

"Captain Tully, I want the 1st and 2nd companies ready to deploy. Pull 3rd back and start to form up a artillery formation to support their work. We'll keep 4th and 5th back to protect 3rd, but be positioned to sweep around the flanks to reinforce 1st and 2nd. 6th, 7th and 8th will be our reserve and be ready for surprises. We are fighting a superorganism. Let's not forget they're not just the feral rabble they like to appear to be," Jodovitti said to his staff around him. The various uniformed officers already beginning to write down orders and send commands. Jodovitti grabbed for his vox input and cleared it for transmission.

"Now hear this! Colonel Jodovitti here! We are moving now to double time and forming up to commence engaging the enemy. I'll entrust the more swift and clever maneuvering to you, Dragoons. Boyar Todbringer, your anvil is moving into place. Hammer away, sirrah! Good hunting! Tally ho!"

Bugles blast and laud hailers bellow forth the March of the Scintillan Protectorate. It was just as much to distract and draw out the Tyranids. Already the Leman Russ tanks were lining up shots with their full loadouts. Main battle cannons slowly sweeping as the las cannon sought more worthwhile targets. The heavy bolter sponsons ready to disgorged Imperial death upon the xenos hordes to back up the impressively dressed lines of crack line troops preparing to fight. Commissars were already bellowing and swinging their power swords about as bayonets were being affixed for the inevitable xenos charges. This was no fresh regiment. They had fought like this times before. The enemy would come, many would die but they'd take plenty of xenos with them. More than their own losses if possible.

Mentions: Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3

 

[Viper Actual]

"Indomitable Valor." The Battle Barge of the Shield Encarmine itself was being sent to support the tattered Battlefleet. "As is it's escorts Tower Inviolate and Heavencrest, as well as the void capable fighter craft aboard each. I give you these vessels to bloody the enemy. Once given the scent, let them slip the leash and go for the throat. We will not beat them from Eydirhad's orbit, but we will give your fighters room to operate. This I swear. Have your Maste-at-Arms prepare your voidsman for boarding actions, I hear this strain is fond of them."

Lord Admiral Torgar nodded. "Thank you, honored chapter master. My fleet shall prepare accordingly," he said right before the communications with Sigisar ceased. Not only would Battlefleet Eydirhad be supported by two additional Dauntless-class vessels but the fleet would now be spearheaded by an Astartes battlebarge. It was both a rare sight and an honor bestowed upon a select few.

I shall not squander this gift, for with the help of the Indomitable Valor my squadrons shall find their marks and score the Imperium another victory.

"This is Captain Darniel, acting commander of the Indomitable Valor in Chapter Master Sigisar's place and commander of the Shield Encarmine forces remaining in orbit. Lord Admiral Torgar, command us well."

When the next set of communications sounded from the main bridge vox-caster Borin nodded instinctively, even though Captain Darniel would not be able to see the gesture. He glanced towards his second, with Lestayev responding with a firm nod. Borin returned the gesture as he spoke;

"I shall do my very best, Captain Darniel. I am honored to receive the support of such a fine vessel such yours. Know that your role in the coming assault will be paramount to our overall success. That being said..."

Borin turned towards van der Wulf.

"Prepare for combat. Immediately."

Soviet Panda

 

[Soviet Panda]

Canoness Jula Adeliah
"Unacceptable" Jula replied firmly to the Magos' proposed adjustments to her plans. "There is no time to tease out the synapse creatures before their artillery begins firing. We must strike now and end this threat before it has a chance to fulfill it's goal of killing Imperial Forces. The longer we delay, the longer they have time to prepare and locate valuable targets to fire upon. They have every advantage, Magos, time chief amongst these."

She turned her head to look at the Vindicare as he spoke. She was unaware one had been tasked to this planet, what or who was it the Inquisition wanted silenced? It was not her place to ask, but she could not help that all to human sense of curiosity. "And as the assassin says, even if these beasts are severed, they will simply throw themselves all the harder upon us. There is no further point discussing the strategy, for it all becomes the same regardless. The penitent shall find their redemption, dying in place of my sisters and conserving assets. Your troops, Magos, and your skills, Vindicare, would be much appreciated. But it changes nothing. We strike at the tolling of the bell, with or without your aide."

And with that, Canoness Jula Adeliah turned her back to Magos Domina Vauss, her sisters turning smartly and following as she passed, back to the Sanctum to prepare for holy war.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boyar Boris Todbringer
"If they wish to aid us, they best hurry, Captain ivan." Boris practically spat into his vox, his anger already starting rise as he saw the first of the enemy that devoured his home and House. Redoubt and Oathkeeper keeping good order and doing their best to maintain their distance from a rapidly closing wave of tyranids. Already dozens of them lied smoldering on the ground, holes burnt into them by melta weapons. And dozens more bisected corpses lay scattered around Oathkeeper, Jergen having taken it upon himself to dispatch the faster and more eager gaunt's.

His Avenger gattling cannon whirred to sudden life before roaring the Emperor's own defiance. Soon Boid's Avenger gattling cannon joined Boris', the Thermal Lance being held back and reserved for the Primus target should it appear. Arin, in her Knight Gallant, barreled down the corridor of death that the combined might of two Avenger cannons brought to bear upon infantry, and slammed into the first of the larger beasts to appear, a Tyrannofex of all creatures. It barely had time to let out an ear splitting shriek before it's head was crushed by the thunderstrike gauntlet of the Gallant assaulting it.

"Possible target match," Boid said calmly, thermal lance locking onto something Boid still had yet to see. "Emerging now. Auspex cannot resolve a clear image."

"Colonel, possible ID on Primus target. Boid, send him it's location. Do you see it? Can you confirm target match? Ivan, push now and push hard, your guns would be much appreciated in holding back these xenos."

The possible target match was indeed the Hive Tyrant with the distinctive shell. It's angry red scars on it's black chitinous plating refusing to heal even after many molts. It lingered behind it's troops, it's venom cannon and monstrous scything claws twitching in anticipation. Yet it was hesitant to commit anywhere, and it was to far back to be a viable target, one of it's many underlings forced to intercept any shot meant for it's master. It would need to be flushed out first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Space around Eydirhad
The activity of the fleet did not go unnoticed by the Tyranid host. Void beasts milled about seemingly at random, one even straying to far out and coming within the firing arch of the remaining orbital defenses, which promptly fired and wounded the beast which melted back into the swarm to lick it's wounds. Or be recycled. Razorfiends circled in anticipation, the drive to protect their Hive Ship making them aggressive close quarters combatants.

"I think they are expecting us, Lord," said Captain Darniel in a rare display of Space Marine humor. "Let us not keep them waiting. May we proceed with executing firing solutions? Tyranids are not known for their ranged capabilities while in the void. Though I do not doubt those tentacles can rip a ship in two if given the chance."

 

[Karcen]

Magos Domina Vauss
Location: Designated landing site.
Mentions: Soviet Panda Worthlessplebian ​

Vauss could not say she didn't expect the canoness to fully understand her logic,she could not see this was not simply one person's opinion. With the noosphere this was model created by the logistics priests who analyzed all data they could get in real tine running model after model through their cogitator enhanced minds. Vauss had even dismissed their models of the canoness refusing they had given her in favor of one where she did. That was not all as while they spoke in anticipation of the agreement Vauss had already sent forth her her ruststalkers and infiltrates. They were already being given probabilities of where the synapse creatures could be.

Well as the canoness had said this changed nothing Vauss would continue her plan as synapse creatures in her experience didn't hide. These more beast like tyranids would be even less likely to understand hiding their weak points. They also couldn't operate like humans could simply giving orders from a massive distance. The synapse creatures had to be there with the exocrines. The exocrines going feral as the other two worried was what they wanted.

" That was not what I expected from either of you " Vauss said with a synthesized sigh " Our target are Exocrines Vindacare those xenos are known for a few things. One of the most important is that the weapon is a separate creature from the creature below and second the top creature can fire if it's mount is moving. " Vauss explained " if they go feral and can't stop moving then they can't attack with their weapons "

Vauss reached into her robes and pulled out a censor that started to life issuing forth blessed incesense smoke. Vauss moved closer to the assassin and buzzed with binary. The assassin would see his vision changing new information scrolling as areas were hilighted and vids from various angels played near the top of his view.

" consider yourself blessed vindacare your goggles are now connected to the noosphere though they will need proper blessings after the battle. " Vauss explained as she tucked the censor away " you will receive data from my forces, probable synapse locations, confirmed creatures and their locations. Fine a spot you can shoot from, the canoness thinks we would stall her, but we shall instead be the ones waiting for her. "

The killclades were already on the move, their thin spindly forms dexterousily moved across uneven ground. Their princeps receiving that their plan was unchanged despite their allies rejection. It was the falability of flesh to not understand the blessed logic of the machine. They were told that upon confirmation of a synapse creature being spotted they would be told wich kind it was and if they shoukd engage. Their main targets were warrior forms, tervigon forms and hive tyrants. There could also be zoanthropes and maleceptors, those if seen were to be reported to the assassin to deal with from a distance, if there was more than one psyker form then it was the infiltrators that would take them.

The killclades would stalk into the tyranids hidden through skill and blessings of the machine god. Scanning quickly they would pick their targets. The assassin would be feed the locations of any psyker firms and any hive tyrants. Giving the assassin a few moments once everyone was in position a synchronized count down would start and at the end as one the killclades struck.

The first and last sign of attack many of the synapse beasts would get was the first cut through their hides as the transonic blades matched their resonant frequency and cut through them with the ease of a power weapon. Others would find them selves struck by a chordclaw their muscles turned to jelly as chunks were gouged out of them. Those targeted by the infiltrators would be blasted with their electromagnetic screams. The ears of the targets would ring with extreme tinnitus blooming out any other audio stimulus, eyes vibrated watering and fixing lids closed in pain as the tase of ichor flooded their mouths. The ichor of the targets wpuld leak from every sensory orifice as the creatures would be left only able to breathe before the power swords were brought down. Along with jacking through the flesh of their foes the infiltrators firing stubcarbines each of which had the power of a heavy stubber.

Not every attack would result in the death of the target and not even skitarii would manage to survive a counter attack. That was fine the assassin would get data about which attacks killed their foes and which failed along with the successful and the survivours. It would be up to them to finish off the synapse creatures and finish the mission. No matter what there would be chaos and the tyranids shouldn't be able to fire with the lose of synapse and enemies in their midst.

 

[Viper Actual]

"Let us not keep them waiting. May we proceed with executing firing solutions? Tyranids are not known for their ranged capabilities while in the void. Though I do not doubt those tentacles can rip a ship in two if given the chance."

"Aye, you may proceed. My fleet shall fall in behind you momentarily," responded Borin. Just as the Lord Admiral's words left his lips Vice Admiral Lestayev was already underway in relaying commands across the bridge which in turn were relayed to the rest of the fleet.
Slowly- but with the determination and conviction only seen among the Imperium's fiercest and most loyal forces- Battlefleet Eydirhad was on the move, forming up behind the Astartes assault barge and its two escorts.

The Kauravan Star remained close to the Indomitable Valor, bringing up its rear, with its own escorts- the Dauntless-class light cruisers Stalwart Intent and Noble Cause- guarding its flanks.

A third escort- the Longbow, an Endeavour-class light cruiser- formed up directly behind the Kauravan Star, remaining in reserve against possible enemy flankers.

Adding to this formation were several Firestorm- and Cobra-class frigates and destroyers evenly placed to protect gaps and blindspots in an effort to remedy and safeguard any chinks in Battlefleet Eydirhad's armour.
While the fleet moved into formation there was a continous stream of communications between crew sections and vessels alike.

Macrobatteries were slowly loaded as hordes of indentured workers rolled the gigantic projectiles into their respective breeches. Laser capacitors were primed, charged and calibrated. Torpedoes were armed. Squadrons of fighters and bombers were prepared, engines humming and exhaust ports flaring as flight crews strapped in and prepared for combat out in the cold harshness of the void. Simultaneously men-at-arms and voidsmen were rallied to their designated armories and then sent off, either to their appointed rendezvous or to a mustering point under the watchful eye of a veteran or sergeant.

In a way Battlefleet Eydirhad was an organism of its own- just far less biological in nature, functioning more like a well-oiled machine.

Borin frowned as he watched the distant yet closing Tyranid hivefleet. He gave Lestayev a quick glance. "Launch the first and second wave squadrons, prepare the opening salvo."

Lestayev nodded and turned towards the bridge crew. Several steely gazes met that of the Vice-Admiral, eagerly awaiting commands.

"Launch the first and second waves. Prepare opening salvo."

Immediately the orders were relayed and as Kahla Eaglelocke, Master of Flights, deployed hundreds of Furies and Starhawks from the hangar bays she oversaw with unmatched perfection Rhorke Jael, Master Gunner, was busy optimizing the target telemetry and ballistic trajectories of all the macrobatteries and other ship-to-ship weapons under his command, maximizing the effect of the entire fleet.

Borin took a deep breath and uttered a silent prayer, hoping that He on Terra would guide his forces to a decisive victory.

Soviet Panda

 

[Crocodile]

Open Fire!
Colonel Duane Jodovitti XIII
Scintillan 13th Fusiliers

---

The 13th comes roaring on towards the Tyranid host with increasing determination as the March of the Scintillan Protectorate bellowed forth from laud hailers. It was done out of pride and a certain sense of feigned superiority. It was also cunningly done as a form of audible command signal. The music changed to an ancient piece of of Terran music that the Colonel had discovered after the exile of his Regiment from the Calixis Sector. The 1812 Overture somehow had survived the Dark Age of Technology and Diaspora. Variants of it appeared across the Imperium. And he had chosen it for a very special command all companies could obey the moment it played: Open Fire.

The moment the finale of 1812 started to blast, the entire regiment shifted into full attack formation. Tanks roared forward as infantry advanced or disembarked from Chimeras. The most ominous element of the 1812 command was simple enough. The Basilisk Squadrons shifted and cruised easily into their firing positions. As the overture reached its climax including the sound of cannon fire, violence erupted from the 13th. Every artillery piece barked death towards the Tyranid hordes as battle cannons promptly joined the fray.

Finely clad guardsmen roared in contempt at the xenos filth before them and started opening fire. Others were moving into position to support those already attacking. The 13th would force the Hive Tyrant to make a decision. It would have to commit because now the Imperial Guard was engaging with all their might, loud and ugly. Practiced and professional soldiers, ready for the horror of war.

"Let's hope our comrades can make use of the rather large hole were punching," Colonel Jodovitti said as his takes a sip of tea from within the comfort of his Command Chimera. He'd step out soon to watch the battle better, but he found the initial bombardment very noisy even if it was HIS tactic. They needed to shake up the little bastards and force the hive mind to fight. To create openings for the more surgical forces he was supporting at this moment.

---

Mentions: Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Ivan Strig
Viper Dragoons
Soviet Panda Crocodile​

the viper forces made their move as the Scintillan's held the nid formation in place coming in from the side as the hiveminds engaged the more obvious formation the vipers where given a chance to strike their equipment loadout wasn't exactly fully appropriate for big game hunting only Strig russ hand the necessary equipment a "supercharged" vanquisher cannon tho in truth the gun thick barrel housed the somewhat heretical secret behind the guns massive velocity. "Ostans fury" the second Russ in the tiny armored company mounted a slightly modified eradicator its shell flying further and higher and quicker, the last of the Russes "Furys son" mounted a Plasma Destroyer whose power cells allowed it to last far longer in an engagement.

the Dragoons however made do, 10 of their 15 sentinels swiftly moving into the edge of a huge wave of gaunts, the small bioforms being scythed down with contemptuous eas by the arching energies blasting from the weapons of each of the walkers a glorious sight for onlookers see this ancient volkite tech in action even if it was slightly off color to what it truly should have been. larger bioforms that were mixed in swiftly turned to face the threat only to be cut down by a hail of plasma form the broadsides of the chimera well places shots cutting down warriors and targeting any nearby synapse creature to disrupt the swarm, even if the nids where not the dragoons favored pray cutting off the head always worked wonders today they just had a lot more head to remove then most. the support chimera moving up and allowing their shield to protect the few disembarking footsoldier each one carrying their signature rifles that shot invisible death nids simply dropping from burning holes in their body. lastly where the russes moving in the eracidator shells firing into the huge masses of tyranid infantry who where already being bombarded by the Scintillan's further clearing a path the plasma destoryer occasionally firing into whatever carnifex or the like that was now diverted as the hivemind was force to split its attention between both forces. "right you freeblades should have a better shot at the big guy if the Scintillan can keep up the firing line we can keep the amount of AT coming your way to a minimum"

 

[RikuXIII]

{Canoness Preceptor Ofelia Fimble; Aboard the Indefatigable Might - Arriving in system}

​

The Oberon-class battleship Indefatigable Might re-entered real space within range of Eydirhad. Within the venerated vessel, the sound of singing echoed through the staging areas as the Order of The Hallowed Embers prepared to join the battle. Canoness Preceptor Ofelia Fimble's voice rang out in the joyous hymns as she watched as the tech priests prepared her Paragon Warsuit with blessings for the coming battle. She had considered leaving it behind to better facilatate her test of faith against the Tyranids, but had rejected it as wasteful. To best safeguard Eyrdirhad and its people, the armies of the faithful would need every advantage available. And one found worthy by the warsuit's machine spirit could not be squndered in another role. As a new hymm started, Ofelia's aid Cassandra ran to her side and informed her that they had arived. The canoness nodded her thanks before picking up her helmet to trek to the bridge, singing along with the hymn until if faded from hearing.
Arriving on the bridge with Cassandra in tow, Ofelia bee-lined for Lord Captain Horatius Gruffudd, the noble captain of the Indefatigable Might. He had been returning from a long patrol when the Canoness Superior called in a favor. Ofelia had been pleased when the Navy Captain proved to be a willing participant in this journey. Looking up from a report, Gruffudd greeted his guest.
"Ah, Canoness." the old captain said, his white walrus mustache twitching to indicate unseen mouth movement. "Preliminary reports and scans are in. From Vox chatter, we've identified most of the combined Imperial forces already in place."
With a thanks, Ofelia took an offered report and skimmed it. She praised the Emperor's name as she looked over the forces marshaled together against Hive Fleet Fafnir. She was mildly surprised to see Adeptus Mechanicus forces among the faithful present. Perhaps there was a resource on this planet that provoked direct action from them to save guard it. It shouldn't matter, though it might mean they would not be that interested in protecting population centers that much. Perhaps what warmed her heart most was the mention of an Adeptus Astartes chapter in play. The emperor's angels of death was an encouraging sight against the xenos monstrosities. The Emperor had called together a mighty force to defend Eydirhad from the Tyranid threat. With his guidance, it would be enough.
"Cassandra, coordinate our drop point with the ground forces. The cover from the defense fleet should cover our approach." Ofelia ordered, handing the report over to her aid. "We will reinforce where needed."
"At once!" The young sister acknowledged before heading to a vox station.
"Once I have your forces down, I shall join the battlefleet to banish this scourge from Eydirhad's skies." Gruffudd said, his remaining natural eye gleaming. "If the emperor smiles on us both, I will be honored to transport you home after this campaign."
"May the Emperor's Light guide you to victory up here as I prey he does with us on the planet below." Ofelia said in farewell. "The Emperor Protects!"
With Ofelia nearly running of the bridge to join her sisters for drop, the bridge buzzed with activity as the Lord Captain barked out orders. To one side, Sister Cassandra keyed upon a vox channel to the ground forces.
"This is Sister Cassandra of the Order of the Hallowed Embers." She said. "We come to aid Eyrdirhad against the Hive Fleet. My canoness requests landing coordinates to where her forces are most needed."
At the center of the magnificent bridge of the Indefatigable Might, Gruffudd opened another Vox channel to Battlefleet Eydirhad.
"Battlefleet Eydirhad?" He began. "This is Lord Captain Horatius Gruffudd aboard the Indefatigable Might. We have an Order of Adepta Sororitas to usher to the planet's surface, but will be ready to join your assault against the Xenos afterwards."

 

[Soviet Panda]

The Xenos Forces

Not all kill clades made it as far as identifying synapse creatures. Some were found and quickly descended upon by lesser organisms. A few had the honor of being hunted in return, the lictors of the hive longing to exercise their innate abilities. Those that did manage to identify and kill their targets were set upon by the new feral xenoforms who's last command was to attack and consume. Now attacked from all sides, the remaining kill clades must either survive long enough for the Imperial counter offensive to punch into the Tyranid host and hopefully save them, or fight their way free.
Karcen Worthlessplebian

The opening slavo slammed into the hive fleet, outright destroying several of the defending void organisms. However, it failed to penetrate past this outer layer of organisms and into the hive ships themselves. Indomitable Valor spearheaded the attack, unleashing punishing fire from all available weapons, burning a hole directly in front of it as it sought to carve a path through and towards the hive ships that housed so many more tyranids. And as they closed, the tyranid fleet launched boarders, small organic pods with gaunts suspended in amniotic fluids. The fighter escorts took down many, but they could not take down all.
Viper Actual
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Canoness Jula Adeliah
To her, it had felt like mere moments before a novitiate came bearing a message. Armed and ready for battle, the young woman informed her canoness of an incoming tide of Tyranids.

"What!?" she growled, turning on the woman, knowing full well this wasn't her fault but unable to contain her anger. "I want all Sisters to the front. Now! Once this is sorted, I want an immediate counter attack." She would also have words with the magos after this, for it was no doubt their doing that there was now several hundred, possibly even a couple thousand, feral xenoforms charging their lines. Entrenched as they were, likely that they would hold the line and push back this assault, but it would not do to have those machine worshipers plotting and executing plans with the lives of her and her sisters on the line.

However, there was one small blessing. They had received word of another Adepta Sororitas army descending upon Eydirhad. They would be different from her Sisters in the Order of the Pyrrhic Rose, but even the Ordo Majoris had differences and still managed to remain civil with each other. She could not wait to greet her Sister Cassandra onto the planet. Hopefully it would be after a victory.
RikuXIII
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boyar Boris Todbringer
With the combined fury of the Viper Dragoons unconventional firepower and Scintillian bombardment, a path to the Hive Tyrant was cleared.

"Target match"

"Fire at will"

Omnissiah's Wrath released a triumphant blast of it's war horns as it fired it's thermal cannon. A Carnofex lumbered in the way of the shot meant for the hive tyrant, burning a hole in the beast and killing it but protecting it's master. "Target unharmed, preparing to fire a second shot." Boid said into the vox in his eternally calm voice.

"Colonel Duane and Commander Ivan, Primus target identified. If you have a shot, take it." Boris' blood was up, and he waded into the foe. His avenger gattling canon roared, it's underslung heavy flamer hissing out great tongues of flame. His reaper chainsword cut swathes through the gaunt swarm seeking to drag him down. But onward he strode, eyes and auspex firmly locked onto the Primus target. Arin guarded his right flank, pummeling her way through anything that approached, while the two armiger warglaives that had kicked this hornet's nest in the first place favored the left, able to support both their lord and the infantry of the two supporting regiments. Lancer and Slayer took up positions behind the Viper Dragoons, adding the impressive power of their autocannons to the smaller force.
Huntertabbysandshark3 Crocodile

 

[Karcen]

Magos Domina Vauss
Location: Designated landing site.
Mentions: Soviet Panda Worthlessplebian ​

Vauss calculated as the reports came in instantly from the kill clades, they elimination of synapse organisms had been more scucceful than calculated. It would have been slightly better if a few remained to try to control the feral ones, but over all this was better than not getting rid of enough. Tyranids as feral creatures could not work together, they ran on instinct and while they were not to be discounted as a threat they were not the threat they could have been. There was no mind guiding them no strategy they could employ and no one to stop them from running. The last command to charge seemed to have been what the hive mind chose and so Vauss pulled up the projections from this possibility that had been made. She mentally flicked through battle plans and when she selected one all it took was a mental command for her forces to start moving. The tyranids free of any direction could only go one way in the most direct line they could manage. There would be no flanking maneuvers no shifting should a weak point be found. They also would fall upon one another, some despite the command would completely go feral and fall upon their own allies creating infighting clusters of xenos. With the factors and strategies the tyranids could employ being cut down to one, to charge to kill it was far easier to counter.

" Kill clades retreat if possible, if not try to consolidate. If possible we will retrieve you, if not bring pride to the machine god " Vauss sent over the noosphere. The kill clades were those skitarii that had fallen in battle once they could and would fall in battle again. That for them was an honor and they knew it they had completed their mission beyond calculations and that was how they would be remembered as truly efficient.

Even as Vauss sent that message she gave order to others. " Rad bombardment " She ordered and even as responses came in the tanks fired their radioactive shells high into the air in perfectly calculated arches. Even as the tyranids charged towards them the shells exploded seemingly far short of the horde. That however, was the plan and the bombardment wasn't meant to hit the enemy but rather to irradiate the ground. Shells would fly again and a again until the sensors detected the levels or radiation would be deadly to organic life. This tactic was standard and as soon as anything living crossed the large swathe of land that was now like walking naked through an unshielded ship core they would die in moments. That should thin the tyranids out even more as their bodies were destroyed in seconds by the invisible killed, and perhaps their beast like minds would fear the unseen killer.

Meanwhile the other forces of macroclades had organized themselves. The trenches were already maned and even as the tyranids got close to the the radioactive wasteland that Vauss had created more explosions rocked the tyranid lines. The Skorpius Disintegrators had launched their Belleros Energy Cannons, their shells exploded in the throngs of tyranids unleashed super heated gasses boiling them alive in their own shells. Still that was not enough as the twin heavy Stubbers opened up from the dune crawlers cutting through the lesser beasts even as the Neutron Lasers opened up on the larger forms cutting through armor and flesh with ease. Ironcrawler the two legged mobile artillery platforms moved back keeping themselves as far as they could while still able to reach the oncoming horde, their las and autocannons roaring even as they moved away from the battle. From the sides the Sydonian dragoons would Beigin their own charges their taser lances unleashed great blasts of energy into the flanks of the foes only of the dragoons to quickly turn and flee bating the tyrranids out from the main host to be killed by the sulfur hound riders, the two harassing forces working in unison to make a force that couldn't be simply ignored.

That was all the long range preparation as the rangers were in the defenses prepared by the sisters of battle before the sisters themselves had even gotten word of the swarming xenos. They waited as the tyranids were whittled down by radiation, artillery and harassment. Then as soon as they were in range of the rangers weapons the tyranids were met with a solid wall of fire as they unleashed their weapons as one. The battle likely would be costly, but not as costly as trying to fight all the tyranids while they were organized. Even the skies would not be free of defenders as any harpy that flew above the horde would find itself met by the Pteraxii borne aloft on their mechanical wings.

The sounds of battle would only grow louder as the tyranids got closer, but that would be drowned out as once more the battle cant of Kadath rang out in praise of the machine god. Vauss herself did not lead from the back as many might suspect, no she was a domina war had become her lab and she would collect data. With a group of both factions of electro priests charged and wielding the motive force as their beliefs told them they met the tyranids head on. With simple motions the Corpuscarii send out great bolts of lightning to burn out the nervous system of all they beheld, while the Fulgurite drained the motive force, the bioelectric for the foes about them leaving them dead husks. Vauss meanwhile lashed out her power spear cutting through even the most heavily armor tyranids with easy as her saws buzzed cutting away at chitinous limbs that sought to tear her apart. The mechanicus would hold and they would push back to save their own if they could be saved.

 

[GhostofWestphalia]

The Battle Barge Flamme Pious arrived in real space near Eydirhad with her three escorts, the Gladius-class frigates, Elixir, Riposte and Persecutor. The Adeptus Astartes chapter Gold Sovereigns, bloodied, bruised and understrength following their successful campaign on the Chaos held world Naupactus, nevertheless marched onwards to the aid of their beleaguered allies. This was a significant commitment on the part of the Sovereigns; through a combination of battlefield casualties and the other companies needing to reinforce the depleted 1st, 5th and 8th Companies (present), the rest of the Chapter were now at less than 10% of their strength and were en route to Maxalonis, to be refitted. Even victory here could mean doom for their Chapter.

Kandan Granit stood on the bridge of the Flamme Pious with the other captains and the Barge's serfs. A holographic projection displayed the allied fleet, spearheaded by the Shield Encarmine's Battle Barge, engaging Tyranid hive ships. He was pleased to see at least one chapter of Space Marines defending the planet. The distance was closing quickly between the two fleets and the order rang out for all ships to advance at full speed, with the Flamme Pious leading the charge, with Elixir and Persecutor protecting her starboard flank while Riposte followed behind. As the Gold Sovereigns' came within range of the besieged world, Granit stood up from his command throne on the bridge and turned to the Conversi, serf responsible for managing the bridge operations aboard an Astartes warship.

"Establish contact with allied ground forces on the planet. Let's see where we are most needed."
"Yes, m'lord."
Granit then was then joined by the Captains of the 5th (Maltharius) and 8th (Galatas) Companies
"Once we have boots on the ground, our ships will join the melee above the planet."
"Very good, Captain Granit."
The 1st Company Captain opened a vox channel to the Imperial Battlefleet above Eydirhad
"Battlefleet Eydirhad. This is Captain Granit, theatre commander of the Adeptus Astarte Chapter Gold Sovereigns. We have answered your call and are approaching with all haste and soon, by the Emperor's Will, we will send these vermin back to oblivion with our broadside cannons."