Futuristic The Return of the Primarchs (Warhammer 40k RP/PM for Interest in joining)

[AClockworkEd]

System designation: 9-Kappa-Mu-13



The Overgrowth. A vile and twisted amalgam of metal and organics. Flesh, decaying and regrowing in an endless dance of creation against entropy form many of the walls and even pieces of the hull. Vines, branches, and roots wrap around its length inside and out. All of it as strong as the metal that remains uncorrupted from its original form. Yes visually degraded to a sickening degree. What was once a lovely Despoiler-class battleship, and a shining beacon of the Imperium’s might. Today sits as a grave warning. Showing the corrupting reach of the Plague Lord. And the true might of Chaos both in and out of the immaterium.

The chaos battleship sits in the low orbit of a desolate moon within the system. They continue to scan the worlds of this system for any signs of their goal. The Necron information they obtained led them here but no further. They would have to wait until they could truly strike. A time that appeared to be slowly approaching as signs of Necron Tomb ships arriving have reached the sensors of the Overgrowth. Hopefully leading them to the planet of the Bright One’s location.

Deep within the bowel of the Overgrowth, both literal and figurative, Reinwar stews. The Commander of the Necrotic Shears prefers the lower levels. The scent of the engines, the rot and decay of the oft forgotten deepest reaches of the ship, and the occasional decaying corpse of a cultist left unattended. They create a symphonic ecstasy of scents for him to enjoy. A cacophonous concoction of putridity. His own personal air defreshener. And it is here, in one of the deepest recesses where he brews.

At the center of a large room, once used for various storage needs back during the loyal times of this Chapter, is a cauldron. Or, rather a large vat that is being used as a cauldron. It’s size is so large that Reinwar must climb a dozen flights of steps to reach the apex. The base of his Primarch’s Glaive; the Providence Oak, taps every other step as the Commander uses it like a shillelagh. The shimmering metal edge being one of only two sources of light in the entire room. The other, being the horrid green glow of the noxious brew within the cauldron.

“Deliciousssss…” Lurge burst, acidic saliva drooling from the mouth on Reinwar’s stomach.

“No no my little plagueling.” Reinwar replies in his broken cadence. “This brew is not for our pleasure. It shall be an offering to the Plague Lord himself. One of many that should grant us might in the battle ahead.”

“Please the Plague Lord!”

“That we shall, little Lurge.” Reinwar replies before he turns and yells down to the bottom of the scaffolding beside his cauldron. Two cultists stand in robes, their heads down. The hoods of the robes covering their pox and boil dotted faces. “Give word to Osgar. I want to know the moment that we arrive in the system. Our offering is nearly ready!” He turns back to the cauldron, speaking softly. “Seven thousand seven hundred seventy-seven souls. Granted among the delectable brew shall fertilize our Lord’s fine garden. And in return may he grant us the aid of his Unclean ones. To lay waste to all that oppose the resurrection of our Gene-father.”

“Decay! Renewal! Decay! Renewal!” Lurge repeats in excitement.

“Save your energy little one. The time will come but it is still quite some time away.” Reinwar pats the top of his possessed belly to sooth his little demonic passenger.

It is only a short while later when Osgar, Lieutenant to the Necrotic Shears, arrives within the cauldron room. Upon arrival, he ascends the stairs. Kneeling before his Chapter Commander before uttering a single word.

“My Filthlord.” Osgar says with reverence.

“Rise Osgar. Tell me, are the sacrifices ready?” Reinwar asks.

“They shall be soon, sir. We await the containment of just three hundred more sacrifices.”

“Good, then tell me. Why do you disturb me?”

“Disturber!” Lurge growls.

“Apologies my Filthlord. But I have news. We believe that we have triangulated the trajectory of one the metal one’s tomb ships.” Osgar answers swiftly.

“Belief is a powerful thing, Lieutenant. But I prefer certainty on this matter. Do you have this?”

“Of their trajectory, we do sir. We cannot know if this is the location of the Bright One. Or if their intentions for the planet differ from our suspicions.” Osgar explains. “I have come to ask if you wish to follow them sir.”

Reinwar looks longingly at the Providence oak. The shining light can often burn him. Like looking into a star. Or into the eyes of the Emperor. At times he wishes the light would go out. And at others he is grateful for it. It guides him towards his path. The path of retrieving his Gene-father. Bringing him back to the materium. Freeing his soul from the Warp. The after of this goal is something that Reinwar pushes from his mind. He wonders if he shall be granted mercy for falling to the allure of Chaos in this path of Korok’s resurrection. Or perhaps if his Gene-father might fall to Nurgle himself. He knows that his death at that moment is the most likely. For as long as the Providence Oak shines with such powerful light, he knows that Korok’s soul remains uncorrupted. And so that light guides him. It reminds him of the Primarch’s strength. And in moments like these, he is able to think more clearly when gazing upon it.

“No, we shall not follow yet. The metal ones are not without cunning. They would likely know to expect someone to follow them. The scouts they lost would not be unaccounted for. We will allow them to make the first mistake. Our seeds are planted. They shall bloom at our behest. And no one elses.” Reinwar finally answers.

“As you wish, my Filthlord. With your permission, I shall finish overseeing the collection of sacrifices.”

“Granted. Do not disappoint me Osgar. They must be suitable for our Plaguelord.”

“It will be done.”

“IT WILL BE DONE!” Lurge yells. His excitement ever growing. An excitement that Reinwar shares.

 

[ValinoreanDawn]

Anziograd, Regium
Warzone Regium
66th Vanguard Regiment Operational Area

The 66th Vanguard having dropped into the fortified defense zone of Anziograd City did not have to wait long. A thunderous roar followed by a creeping barrage erupted along their flanks and to their positions facing outwards. Lashing forth into the dusty plains and burnt-out woodlands beyond. From behind, towards Anziograd proper, the 66th Vanguard would spot the arriving Imperial Guard reinforcements in the form of at first squads, then platoons, and finally companies of soldiers in gas masks and dusty gray uniforms. The Death Korps of Krieg had deployed a battlegroup to the world as part of the sub-sector's worth of resources allocated to each world in the Sanctus Line. As such the reports filtered into the 66th's CO that a brigade of Kriegers, the 779th and 780th Regiments, had arrived to begin re-occupying trenches and bunkers on the flanks of the 66th. Each one of the Krieger regiment's dwarfed the 66th as long marching lines of Guardsmen filtered into trenches once secured by the advance companies. While directly from the rear and beginning to pass through the 66ths own positions came the 781st Death Korps Infantry Regiment backed by the 92nd Death Korps Armoured Regiment. A line of Leman Russ battle tanks and Chimeras followed by a battery of Hyrda's and Basilisks moved up in individual companies as their officers stood in their cupolas. Hatches open. Their eyes masked by the dark visors of their gas masks.

The Death Korps was just the leading edge. From behind this battlegroup the 66th would be met by 107th Faeburn Vanquishers, a few of the 66th mistook them for Cadians given the likeness of their kit and demeanor, but no the passing by troops of the 107th were quick to correct that mistake.

The vox chirped <<66th Vanguard, this is Marshal Blackwood, orders from Regium High Command. Begin: Form up with advancing Guard forces and support push to Saint Capua Cathedral. Intelligence reports Tyranid synaptic creature present. Assist in elimination of xenos synaptic creature. End.>>

Saint Capua Cathedral could be seen as a silhouette in the distance. It had been fortified as a bastion but was one of the first places overrun by the Tyranid swarm. Its sacred walls and courtyard now desecrated by the presence of a xenos psyker-creature.

The forward Leman Russes boomed as their cannons and bolters opened up in the distance. Followed by the flashes of hydra lascannons and the barrages of thousands of lasguns as the Tyranid swarm once more washed up against the advancing Imperial Guard.

Ramillies Star Fort Above Regium

The star forts guns boomed silently into the void as they unleashed torrents of fire into the Hive Fleet. The Imperial Navy and orbital defenses had so far still thinned the incoming waves of hive ships and spores bombarding Regium. But it was like a flood gate half open on a dam. The Tyranids were still pouring through at an appreciable volume. Sufficient, enough at least, to engage the terrestrial forces on the planet itself in dozens of locations.

"You're certain Castomon."

"Yes, Zathur." The Ultramarine Librarian looked at the 1st Company Lieutenant before him with a furrowed brow.

"A weapon of unknown origin lays beneath the crust of Regium. An access way is in the Saint Capua Cathedral. Built over a far older structure predating the Great Crusade."Castomon elaborated as he looked a map of the world and the scrolling data on records of the Cathedral in question.

Castomon continued, "Once secured we will make planetfall to secure the device."

"How do we know such a device is a weapon."

Castomon's brow raised at the question, "In truth the Mechanicus believes it to be a terraforming device. But one of great power capable of obliterating life on a planet and then remaking said world anew. This may be a great boon against the Tyranid menace."

Zathur tilted his head in contemplation. "I will instruct Chaplain Xavier to ready our brothers for deployment."

The Bulwark

The Sun Angel beamed at the surprise praise from the newly returned Primarch of the Burning Scrolls and bowed his head in respect before stepping aside out of the way.

Off to the side the smaller, private, meeting between Titus Ironborn, Colquan, and Arcadian went with more sombre atmosphere. To conscript from Terra was unheard of, not since the 32nd Millennium when Terra was threatened by Orkz was this thought permissible. But Arcadian would not protest in the slightest. He needed soldiers wherever he could find them. The humanity of Titus and his thinking still struck Arcadian as odd. Colquan however seemed unphased. In truth the Custodian Tribune notated the gesture and filed it away into the labyrinth of his eidetic memory. Arcadian nodded and voiced only the obvious concern, "The Cardinals-Terran may protest such a move. Cardinal-Palatine Nachwo will certainly argue that effectively subjecting the holy homeworld to tithe is sacrilegious. The Ecclesiarch would be an ally in assuaging any unrest, even assist in our conscription efforts."

Colquan made no comment about this. The Custodes did not care much for the Ministorum. Indeed, their major intervention was that unfortunate issue with Goge Vandire millennia prior. So, the Tribune nodded, "The Captain-General will agree to this. I will transmit the request to him immediately. Further, I agree with your assessment Lord Commander." Addressing Titus by rank and title instead of Primarch. Typical Custodian coldness that hardly ever thawed. "Clausewitz strikes me as more...emotional. We all know what happened last time."

Arcadian looked confused at that statement, but the Custodian gave the mortal a reassuring hand wave as if to say, 'term of phrase.' But Titus knew the implication all too well. "As always I and my Sodality will accompany you as envoys of the Custodian Guard. But Hadrian and his sodality will remain by Clausewitz' side. Vigilant for issues that may arise from this possible implication."
System designation: 9-Kappa-Mu-13

The Ordo Xenos had set up a command post within the antechamber of an entrance of the black pyramid. The Inquisition corvette in orbit remaining on station. At least until the Necron fleet got close enough to warrant its withdrawal. But the Ordo would not abandon the site and the strange Imperial codes coming from the planet. As such the Inquisition had landed its away teams and entered the pyramid. The interior vaulted and not unlike the interior of imperial high architecture from the time of the Great Crusade. Just carved of Noctilith. A darkness permeated the interior. Pitch black. As such while the entrance was fortified with the help of a Mechanicus team and servitors. The Inquisition under Inquisitor Meyerling probed deeper into the pyramid.

The Inquisitor was small among the quartet of Death Watch marines that accompanied her. Her own shoulder lamp casting its own light into the gloom. Sergeant Thaddeus led the way. His silver Death Watch pauldron catching the light more than that of its opposite which bore the heraldry of the Imperial Wardens. The rear was held by marine with the home chapter heraldry of the Emerald Glaives named Ludwig. While the other two were of the Sun Angels and White Scars respectively.

Moving through the pyramid was slow given the darkness and uncertainty of direction. Only that as they moved deeper into the structure the temperature began to drop. Descending multiple levels, the black stone became slick with frost and a sense of dread hung on Meyerling's bones. The marines while seemingly unperturbed were on high alert by this fact. Their bolters panning left and right.

Eventually, after what Meyerling's chrono-piece stated to be over two hours. The quintet emerged into a foggy chamber hundreds of meters wide with a ceiling that disappeared into the blackness above. Before them ancient machinery and trunks of cables snaked across with layers of dust and grime upon them. Moving forth the Inquisitor practically ran into a strange tube looking pillar. Ornate with weeping angels. The pillar seemed off by the light of her shoulder lamp and reaching with a gloved hand she moved layers of dust that had clearly sat for so many centuries as to form a solid layer. She snapped her hand back as the dust showed a glass container and inside the armored form of an Astartes clad in antiquated power armor.

<<Stasis field is active.>> Came the voice of the Mechanicus Magos back at the command post. Reading the data stream from the marines helmets live.

<<There are more. At least a dozen.>> The voice of Ludwig came over the box.

<<Inquisitor...>> The voice of Sergeant Thaddeus of the Imperial Warden's trailed off as the Inquisitor moved over to him. Casting her own light on a larger object. A Sarcophagus, no a mausoleum within the pyramid; but sealed with a door six meters high and adorned with angels battling dragons. A central sigil on the doors of a blood red droplet flanked by seraphim wings gave Meyerling a pause.

Moving over to the doors she ran a hand over the High Gothic inscriptions. Speaking of an Angel of Death and Revenge. She paused at a name on the doors and recoiled her hand. Spinning on her heel she stammered, "Send emergency protocol."

 

[Fox of Fate]

Four Guardman captains met. Karl Gustav and Franz Karlson-Gustav (no relation) of the 781st Infantry and 92nd Armoured Regiments, respectively, Jennifer Cross of the 107th Faeburn and, of course, Lilliana of the 66th Vanguard stood around a table in a field HQ, a map in front of them showing the battlefield and their objective. "Based on auspex scans, it's mostly forest, or what remains of them, until we reach the outskirts of a small city that surrounded Saint Capua Cathedral, well the ruins of a city at least" Captain Cross reported. "The Basilisks have thinned out the xeno forces between here and the ruins, we wont have much of fight until we reach said ruins" Captain Gustav stated. Lilianna nodded and carefully drew up the plans, the symbols moving. "So here's my idea, Franz will take his tanks on the left flank, once we reach where the ruins meet the courtyard of the Cathedral, you'll find a spot we can ambush the Tyranids from, preferably elevated slightly, you know your tanks capabilities I trust you to know where and how to place them. Karl will have the right flank with his infantry, same deal for you, position your troops with a good field of fire. Finally myself and Cross will take the Vanguard and Faeburn Vanquishers through the middle, once everything is set up we'll designate targets and open fire, leaving no chance for Tyranid escape as we clear the courtyard and...what remains of the Cathedral" she said. The other three looked at the plans. A few minutes of minor tweaks to the overall plan, and adding some minor details, the four captains diseminated the orders to thier seargants and preped thier troops, followed quickly by an order to move out.

The advance was relatively uneventful, a few small scale skirmishes, followed by heavier fighting in the ruins. "We've taken relatively minor to moderate casualties on all fronts, including the loss of 2 Lemon Russ tanks" Cecelia told Lilianna. "Damn it...it was to be expected but still not optimal...everyone is in position though?" Lilianna asked. "Yes, all captains report somewhat optimal positions and are awaiting the order to advance" Cecelia said. Lilianna nodded and grabbed the vox. "Lilianna here, everyone find a target and prepare to fire on my command" she said, shouldering her bolter as her drop troops gathered around her, on the roof of a ruined building overlooking the courtyard. She could hear the shots from snipers ringing out, and smaller Tyranids dropping dead were seen. "Everyone, attack!" Lilianna shouted over the vox.

On the right flank Krieger infantry charged forward, bayonets fixed, lasguns firing as they charged headlong into the enemy. The first wave hit against the Tyranid warriors, blood went flying, both human and xenos alike. Second and third ranks were next, pushing the Tyranids back, with help from heavy weapons teams. The 781st faught hard, heavy casualities were expected, but such was the life of a member of the Death Corps of Kreig. On the left flank, the tanks were firing on larger targets, including one carnifex who had found it's way up and charged into the Krieger armour line. It turned from a turky shoot, into a hard slug match between Imperial might and Tyranid unstoppability. And finally in the center, the Faeburn and Vanguard forces bgan thier assault. Having the widest field of fire thier heavy weapons and snipers supported all three flanks. Cecilia lead the Kasrkin Guards at the front, her battle hymns almost audible over the clammer of battle, while the marjority of the Vanguard and Faeburn infantry were lead by Captain Cross. A few minutes in though, Cross and a small contingent of her most elite Faeburn troops got cut off and were trapped, certain death was what they were looking at and so they prepared a final stand, until from above came las and bolter fire, Lilianna and her Elysian drop troops came down like angels, bringing the rightous fury the the Emperor. They pushed and joined the Faeburn command unit back up with thier main force. Cross, lilianna and Cecilia pushed forward, blood and mud coated thier uniforms, the smell of ozone from the las fire, slightly charred flesh from flame and melta fire on Tyranid flesh, and of course the smell of the blood filled the air, the shouts of soldiers and Tyranids fighting, and dying, were ehard, and the occasional order from various seargents and commisars. 3 hours, it took 3 hours for the main Tyranid force to be eliminated, save for the Hive Tyrant and it's elite guard units.

15 more minutes and the synaptic creature lay dead, but not before it had gotten a lucky shot and hit Captain Cross in the right bicep with a bone spike. Cecilia jumped into action, administering localised painkillers to the affected area, and opening her field medkit. Gauze was wrapped around the base of the protrusion to stem the bleeding, and make sure the spike didn't move. As she worked the wound started necrotising, and then she saw it, it wasn't a normal bone slike, it had a venom in in. "Cross there's nothing for it...to save your life you need to lose the arm" Cecilia said. After a few seconds of shock, Cross nodded. The bonesaw wired to life, along with the cuaterizing laser, and Cecilia got to work. A few minutes later the stump where Cross's arm used to be was bandaged up. Lilianna was on the vox after this, reporting the succesful mission along with the casualty report. Medevac was requested for the injured, including Cross, and extra reports came in from the soldiers as they dug in around the Cathedral, without the synaptic creature the Tyranids were going feral and tearing into each other, at least in this area. They had done it, they had held the front line by pushing it forward, and had secured the Cathedral. And with Tyranid anti-air assets being suppressed now, the 66th vanguard's light tanks and transports could be brought in. Mostly Chimera varients, but also a couple of Hellhound tanks as well.