Fandom Warhammer 40k: The Hexacole Conflict

[Rusty of Shackleford]

In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war...

Morning. By the Emperor, every man and woman of the guard was happy to see the sun rise over Hexacole. Everyone seemed to enjoy attacking the trenches at night, especially those filthy dark eldar. Markus stepped out of the officer's quarters, adjusting his cap and flak armor as he did his routine inspection. Mainly to see how the men were doing, and how many were lost during the night. Four hundred were lost, which was a good night for the Guard. Some nights, it was in the thousands. Markus sighed, his boots squelching through the muddy mess of the trench, glad the boots were well-made enough to keep put trench foot. That was the last thing he needed, having to lose his foot on a world infested with xenos and Chaos. He soon began to eat, his good friend Slouch soon joining him. Slouch was a bulky man, carrying a flamer and almost always smoking some stick. The larger man sat beside the Captain, saying, "So, Sir. How did you sleep." Markus shrugged, saying, "Great. I got about five hours last night." Slouch laughed, saying, "I still can't believe you can go all night with that little sleep. How do you do it?" Markus smiled, saying, "An iron willpower, and the fear that a xeno could sneak into my quarters and kill me while I sleep always does it." Slouch laughed, saying, "Ah, right. That'll do it." They had met back when they were White Shields, with their contrasting backgrounds and personalities making them somewhat of an odd pair. But they worked very well off of each other, with each one feeding the other one's strength. And by the God Emperor, they needed strength.

Lucius was also in the trenches, helping raise the spirits of the tired men. They all looked up at the Space Marines in awe, as if the Emperor himself had walked by them. It did fill the stoic Astartes with a semblance of pride, but nothing that would impede his duty. To him, these were the true warriors of the Imperium. They were what he and his Battle Brothers fought to protect. He held his Bolter, the weapon gripped tightly in his massive hands in case any threats appeared. His helmeted face was blank and calm, like the no man's land that laid in front of the trench. Lucius loved planets like this. Planets that could still be saved from the enemies of the Imperium. He soon stopped, sending a scout out to gather some Astartes from the other chapters there, as well as a Captain of the 203rd Cadians. He had a special mission from the Chapter Master to complete.

 

[Commissar Darman]

As the frontline was still and Quiet, the rear seemed to be buzzing. With the lull in the fighting. all the Logistical personnel could finally get to their jobs of taking munitions and foodstuff to the front while bringing back the dead or wounded, relaying messages, or repairing any disabled or malfunctioning equipment, While not having to worry about getting hit by stray fire. this was particularly true for the Medical Facilities as they always seem to be the targets of opportunity. So as the medical personnel of the 203rd Cadians went about their business. most just avoided A lone sister. While the 203rd only received light casualties last night. the Sisters were almost completely wiped out. out of the thirty Sisters of Battle that Arrived a month ago, only Four remained. twelve were lost in the night raids, another ten in an assault the day prior, and the last four just disappeared.

Staring across the small tent, Silane studied the face of her friend before A Medical aide arrived to pull the sheet over the lifeless sister. Silane spent the entire night dragging her back to the front after they went after a group of Heretics that was rumored to be in possession of an artifact. this Rumor of course was false but the Sister in charge was Convinced it to be true and led most of the team to their deaths. Exhausted, Beaten, and covered in mud and gore. Silane could not come to tears. this was her closest friend while In schola and now she's dead. Ran through by a Chaos Marine and left to die. Standing from the stool she was given. Silane lifted her flamer and proceeded outside to make her way back to the front.. She had no idea what to do anymore. Silane was the only sister in the connecting six sectors and while she could contact the other three. they were given the same set of orders as her. Help hold the Planet until a true combat force could arrive from the nearest Monastery. why the Sisterhood was interested in this planet, She didn't know. the only thing she did know is that this planet was hell. And that Sister Kaslin was a fool for believing that a bunch of Progena was even remotely ready. Marching through the muddy paths, Silane Finally saw the rear trenches. these Trenches were about half a Kilometer from the front was to serve as the last line for the first set of Defenses. because these trenches were where the Regimental HQs were supposed to be set up. they were more heavily built and fortified. with large bunkers protruding from the earth in set intervals. while some served as munition stores, others were converted into living spaces, or even Offices. Moving into the trenches, Silane made her way past the Command trenches and navigated the maze that led to the front trench. Her intention as she arrived was to find the Helmets that her and her friend left when they finally made it back so she could recover the pict in her friends Helmet. But as she made that first turn into the front trench, Silane nearly walked right into the path of an Astartes.

 

[Karcen]

Far above the world of Hexacole an ancient force watched the unfolding conflict. Their arrival had not been marked by reality being torn apart instead they simply broke what rules they needed to in order to move faster than light even without the warp. Thus none could suspect the Mynark dynasty to have come to this world. Thier reason for coming was not to claim the world but to take from it. Long ago this world had hosted multiple tomb complexes and while it was no tomb world Hexacole still had tens of thousands of sleeping necrons. This world also held a artifact likely produced by those accursed old ones that needed to be destroyed. Thus had Iseros declared they would make war upon this world and claim what's was hers. She was the only necron worthy of this worlds spoils she was a Phaerakh a leader it was her right to take everything from the lesser races. The only problem was the other races just didn't understand this fact.

The first challange was actully going to be gaining an orbital position as without it they were vulnerable to the numerically superior foes. This would only require but the simplest of strategy for the humans were a crude backwards race and thier ships could barely compete with even the simplest of necron ships. Once they could land and establish defences then the world itself would keep orbital bombardment at bay for even simple complexes had anti orbital defences. The plan was simple they would assault a ship take its place and destory another while having thier fighters scrambled and swarming around them until the defences were up which should not take long.

With the plan long ago agreed upon tithe modest necron fleet made itself known in a shocking way. The first and only sign of trouble the battleship got was the sudden loss of power as the car in class tomb ship and its many cruisers appeared draining its energy then dispatching the crippled ship. From the fleet of around 15 came a great many attack crafts that swarmed the nearest ship before the stunned commanders could order a defence mustered. Still the element of surprise was gone and any further fighting would be much more costly for both sides.

 

[Midrick]

12 Terran Hours earlier

"Brother I'm pinned here!!!" was the first thing Trigus heard after the ringing in his ears subsided. he was still disoriented from the pressure that resulted from an ork stikkbomb that landed near the scout squads cover. His sniper was laying next to him, he quickly grabbed it, unlike some of his other brothers, Trigus had refused the cybernetic eye implants, trusting his flesh more than a finicky machine. he layed his check on the stock and brought the scope into view of his right eye, sighting the ork supressing his squad. He squeezed the trigger when the crosshair rested on the orks head, a shower of blood sprayed the ground before the other scouts emerged from their worn cover. "By the emporer brother Krasus that's the twentieth headshot today." said the scout who was assigned to use the heavy bolter. "Orks are easy targets, brother, the emporer would be generous if he could arrange for me to kill something that at least moved instead of standing still." he said before breaking into a wide grin. "Do not rest easy yet brother's." said Invictus, the sergeant in charge of their squad "The orks may be stupid, but they're persistent, this fight is far from over." He rested his chainsword on his shoulder. The other two battle brothers, one with a bolter, the other with a shotgun emerged and made their way toward the sergeant and the other two scouts.

They were ordered to entrench in a mountain pass ahead of the miles of trenches on Hexacole. They were supposed to remain unnoticed, but orks had a way of ruining plans, even if they weren't their own. One had managed to make some noise before brother Cicercian had managed to kill him with his silent shotgun. In ork fashion they shot first and asked questions later. The firefight had lasted only ten terran minutes, but they orks just kept sending bodies at them. It was the end of the sixth wave, over an hour of nonstop fighting, and the Trigus along with the other scouts were running low on ammo. "Brothers somethings coming." whispered brother Vanis said as he peeked over a boulder, bolter held close to his body. A loud sound of an engine could be heard as his eyes widened "STORM BOYS!" was the first thing he yelled before he let lose with his bolter. Orks with what seems to be rockets strapped to their back were careening toward them. Invictus revved his chainsword in preparation and Renna crouched down readying his heavy bolter. Trigus saw the first one crest the large hill they were situated on and quickly and smoothly brought the sniper up to his shoulder before squeezing off a quick shot. The ork seemed to go out of control in the air before literally rocketing into the ground. But two squads followed him. Combined fire from brother Renna and brother Vanis cut them down to five but they had closed the distance and were on the scouts. Trigus had slung his rifle and pulled his knife, it was custom, as was every knife on the hellhounds, each neophyte made their own when they became a scout. His ork was armed similarly, only he was wielding an extremely crude axe, "WAAAAAAAAGH!" roared the ork as he swung the axe at Trigus, it was a sloppy strike, and Trigus fluidly dodged it before he slashed across the orks neck with his knife, after the initial cut he recoiled back and slammed his knife into the orks chest with enough force to take him off his feet and pin him to the ground. The ork clutched at the knife and his slashed throat at the same time, Trigus aimed his bolt pistol at the orks pulled the trigger, another got of blood and brains exploded forth. he retrieved his knife with his left hand and held his bolt pistol in the other, as he was taught in training by the veteran battle brothers. A yelp of pain was heard and Trigus whirled around to see Renna with an axe sticking out of his side. Trigus roared and unleashed a hail of bolts towards the Storm boy, ending his life. Cicercian and Vanis had managed to kill theirs rather quickly, Invictus was dueling with what seemed to be the leader of the ork storm boyz. the frenzied roar of the chainsword motor was heard as Invictus roared with it, slicing diagonally from the left side of the orks body to the right. They rushed over to Renna. "I'm fine brothers." he grunted, scarlet blood running from the wound. "Brother Vanis, hold him down." Invictus said as he crouched down. Invictus removed the axe and Renna yelled in pain. Cicercian and Trigus kept an eye out of another wave of orks.

Renna's armor had taken the brunt of the damage, but the ork had still managed to get him good, and the wound debilitated him to the point where he could barely walk, scout armor was good power armor, but it wasn't astartes good. Trigus pulled Invictus aside while Vanis, and Cicercian tended to Renna. "Brother-Sergeant, He won't last even with his gene organs and our medical supplies. You need to get him back to the apothecaries in the trenches." Invictus looked to Renna and back to trigus. "Brother I agree, but someone would need to stay behind to cover our retreat." Invictus seemed to consider his options before looking up at Trigus, Trigus was taller than most marines despite their enlarged stature when out of power armor. "Brother you would need to stay behind, Vanis and Cicercian would stand no chance of survival." it was easy seeing that Invictus hated leaving another to be the rearguard, but they needed an experienced scout if they were going to make it back to the trenches, Trigus grabbed Invictus's shoulder as he turned tell the other scouts they were pulling out. "Brother, lay explosives on the bottom of the cliff." Invictus looked at Trigus in disbelief before nodding to him and handing him a detonator.

Trigus was now alone on the cliff, watching as Invictus, Cicercian, Vanis, and Renna walked into a ravine that led back to the route that they would take to get back to the trenches. Trigus watched the road through the valley where the orks would have to come through to get to him. He saw the beginnings of a mob of orks with Shoota's, he sent many rounds toward them, felling enough of them to force a retreat. After another five minutes of relative silence, a large ork in what seemed to be crude power armor walked out into the open flanked by a couple other orks. "What's wrong 'oomie, fraid of a real foight!?!" yelled the mega nob, his words amplified by a speaker built into the armor. One of the other orks stepped up. "Yeah, what's wrong 'oom-" he was stopped short by a crack that resounded in the valley, his body corkscrewing before he fell back to the ground, a large crater where his chest should have been. A snarl from the mega nob signaled the start of the next attack.

Trigus had, like a fool had not noticed the storm boy, sneak up the cliff behind him, he had not experienced orks using actual tactics yet in his experience yet. The boy tackled him and prepared to split Trigus's skull with his axe, but Trigus got a boot up and kicked the boy in the face, stunning him. Trigus saw when he quickly glanced back towards the valley that the nob and his cohort were where he wanted when he would detonate the explosives. He grabbed the detonator from his belt, but dropped as an explosion of pain wracked itself through his abdomen. The storm boy was up and his slugga had a smoking barrel. Trigus was on one knee, grunting. "Heheheh, that was a good 'ol foight 'oomie, but iz believe that iz won." he said as he kicked away the detonator and it clattered down the cliff. Trigus had to think fast, he realized he had a grenades on his belt, he grabbed it with right hand. The storm boy leveled his slugga towards Trigus's head, Trigus burst towards him, knocking the pistol away and hooking the grenade onto the storm boy's harness. Trigus pulled the pin and threw the storm boy down the cliff. "No fair!!!!!" yelled the storm boy as he tumbled down the cliff. a resounding explosion sounded, followed by a deeper and bigger one, the cliff shifted under Trigus's feet, he began to stumble toward higher above the cliff, his left hand was over the wound, and he barely made it as the last of the cliff collapsed behind him onto the advancing ork force. He grabbed onto a root sticking out of the ground. a wry smirk on his face as he hung suspended over the new shear face on the hill. then he heard a tearing sound, his eyes turned back toward the root, wide with disbelief. "Oh shit." was what escaped his mouth before the root tore and he was sent tumbling down the hill.

Present time

Trigus had just made it back to the trench, it was mid afternoon, when started his trek back to the trench, and had taken almost half a day in his wounded state, his gunshot had slowly began to heal, but he was losing blood at to quick a rate to wait it out, which was saying something for a space marine, his nose had been broken on the fall and his scalp and other part of the top of his head were cut open on his descent. By the time he had stumbled back to the trench he looked like a follower of khorne, his hair was red and and stiff in places due to the blood drying, his nose had released gouts of scarlet blood around his mouth, and his slugga wound was still leaking leaving a trail and bright red boot prints every so often, he rounded the corner and almost slammed into what seemed to be a librarian and sister of battle. His knee's buckled and he extended his left arm to keep himself from collapsing into the ground. "Would one of you be so kind as to show me to the apothecary." he strained as his condition worsened.

Commissar Darman Rusty of Shackleford

 

[Rusty of Shackleford]

Markus was jus finishing up his meal when he was approached by a Space Marine Scout bearing the Red Templar banners. Markus and slouched stood upright in attention, Markus saying, "My Lord! What is it?" The Scout pointed in the direction of Lucius, saying, "Captain Lucius would like to speak to you, Captain. Not sure why." Markus nodded, bowing as he said, "Thank you, My Lord. Much appreciated." He nodded to Slouch, walking off to meet the Captain.

Lucius was brought out of his thoughts by a Sister of Battle, the Captain saying, "Oh! Sorry, Sister. I was thinking." He was about to go on his way before turning to her and saying, "Actually, may I ask for your assistance in a task? It's of the utmost importance for the Red Templar's Chapter, and I will make sure of it that you and your Sister's be rewarded for your service." After finishing this, he heard the sound of an Astartes walking through thr trenches. "Probably one of the Hell Hound's I requested," he thought. He was suprised to see a Scout, beaten and bloodied. The Captain ran over to the Astartes, saying, "Easy, Brother. Tell us what happened while we take you to the Apothecary." He draped one of the Scout's arms around his shoulder, helping him to the Apothecary as he saw that the Guard was getting panicked. One of their ships hsd just gone dark all of a sudden. One that held over a million souls. They had lost an entire Supply Ship without any warning, and this scared them. Something even bigger was coming for them.
Midrick
Commissar Darman
Karcen

 

[GearBlade654]

Piotr Vidixx, Blackshield
"Hmm."
A figure clad in all black was quietly observing the streets of a devastated Hive City. Said Hive City was completely abandoned.
But it was evident that the population didn't just all evacuate the city one day. No, there were signs of combat. Lasgun burns were on quite a few walls-evidently PDF forces located there. But the figure wasn't interested in that.
No, the figure was scanning for what caused this sudden desolation of the Hive City. Piotr Vidixx was combing through clues on the city with his trusty Stalker Bolter's scope.
And so far, he could see very few footprints that wasn't the PDF or probably fleeing humans. Then... bingo.
Piotr carefully zoomed in on a point of interest. It looked like Eldar footprints-either it was the Eldar who raided this Hive City, or it was Dark Eldar. The fact there were disturbingly few Eldar footprints served to strengthen Piotr's conclusion-he knew both types of Eldar typically used anti-grav vehicles.
However, it was unlikely to be Eldar, they liked the style of guerilla warfare and probably wouldn't try to attack a large population center like this Hive City used to be, and if it was Dark Eldar, they'd probably make no attempt to conceal the fact they were here. There would be blood everywhere.
And yet, despite the fact many buildings were destroyed, the raiders apparently did not try to leave a scene here. Just dead PDF forces, with the occasional las-gun burn here or there. Definitely Eldar, with yet another self-righteous crusade.
But if the raiders were Eldar, they seemed a little too violent for what Piotr had come to expect from Eldar raiding parties over the years.
But where can these raiders be traced back to... ah, right. Webway gates. But said gates were likely long-gone by now.
Best Piotr could do was garner clues around the city.

 

[Keidivh]

Hexacole. A relatively unremarkable planet, one that had never been on the Sanguine Templars radar being so far outside of the Angeli Regnum. After being alerted however that an artifact of the Dark gods was located, and furthermore a warband of the Word Bearers was reported on the planet, the Sanguine Templars mobilized in force. Gathering the 2nd Company Seraphim and 3rd Company Cherubim, led by the seasoned Knight Commander Zuriel, veteran of centuries of warfare. Standing aboard the command bridge of the Battle Barge Angel's Fury, Zuriel looked over information gathered by Imperial forces already on the planet. Beside him stood members of the Crimson Council.

"It would seems that our allies have been bogged down in trench warfare. This will need to be rectified quickly if we are to secure this accursed artifact." Epistolary Illiad stated while leaning on his force staff, the Warp seeming to weigh heavily upon him the closer to the planet they got.

"Then we shall bring a reckoning upon these foes as only the Sons of Sanguinius can." Viceroy Androcles stated in a thunderous tone, not needing a vox amplifier to sound inspiring or intimidating. "Let us rain down our full might upon these wretches, we will break their ranks and rout them entirely."

"Let us not forget the fact that the Imperial fleet has come under assault by an unknown xenos fleet. If we lose control of the Void we may well lose Hexacole." Knight Commander Donovan stated finally.

Considering his advisers council, Zuriel finally spoke having reached his decision. "It is far to early to show our full strength. I shall deploy with the 2nd Company alongside our allies to help drive back the traitors and xenos alike. We must regain the initiative. Knight Commander Donovan, you will stay aboard the Angel's Fury and help secure the Imperial fleet against the xenos fleet. By our Blood, His Will is done."

Violence in the Void

Responding in kind, the Sanguine Templars prepared for battle, the Viceroy's and Sanguinary Priests leading their brothers of the 2nd Company in prayers and rituals. Meanwhile Knight Commander Androcles led the majority of the fleet towards their Imperial allies. As they drew closer it became apparent just the kind of threat. "Necrons." Donovan growled as the serfs brought forward their reports. "If we do not stop them they could do irreparable damage to the Imperial Fleet. Prepare Thunderhawk Gunship squadrons for deployment, arm all weapon batteries. Fire on my mark." The Battle Barge was soon flanked by 3 Strike Cruisers along with multiple rapid strike vessels.

"Purge the Alien." With that said, a myriad of macro-cannons, plasma projectors, lascannons and missile launchers were fired, the fully fury of an Astartes fleet being unleashed upon the xenos threat. Finally the bombardment cannons were launched, sending massive magma bombs hurtling towards their foe. While he knew they had little chance of destroying the Necron menace outright this way, it would likely drive them off from the Imperial fleet who would likely rally around their newly arrived reinforcements.

Meanwhile Zuriel's own Strike Cruiser took position over the current battlefield. It seemed that a myriad of cultists were arrayed against the Imperial forces on the ground. Fools enthralled by the Word Bearers most likely. The Sanguine Templars would show them the error of their ways. Lining up it's bombardment cannon, a single magma bomb was hurled into the midst of the cultist forces, while directly behind it a myriad of drop pods fell from the sky. The Sanguine Templars had finally made themselves known on Hexacole..

Angel's Descent
The raving cultists would be able to do little more than gawk as their position was quite suddenly hit with a magma bomb, sundering much of the immediate area, plunging it into purifying flames. Imperial lines would see a brilliant flash ahead of them while drop pods rained from the sky. It was likely an inspirational sight. For the surviving cultists however, it was a death sentence. Mere moments after fire descended from the sky, massive warriors clad in black and crimson burst forth from their drop pods, shouting out litanies to the Emperor and Sanguinius as their chainswords activated, tearing through the Cultists with ease.

Leading these black clad angels was none other than Zuriel. Clad in flowing crimson robes, the Knight Commander flew through the air, glaive encarmine singing as it cut through the heretics. It wasn't a true battle as much as it was a slaughter. A horde of gibbering lunatics assembled to distract the Imperials while the Word Bearers sought their quarry. The only ones who truly put up a fight were the handful of Word Bearers that stayed to lead the horde of cultists, but even they couldn't hold against the might of a full company. They had the element of surprise on their side this time. It wasn't likely to happen again. Encountering one such traitor, Zuriel rushed forward, his blade screaming for the blood of the kinslayer. The two blades clashed in an explosion of sparks, Zuriel twisting about and striking the Word Bearer in the head with the pommel of his weapon. Kicking the traitor back, he raised his infernus pistol up before pulling the trigger, melting his foes head into a pile of slag.

As the world burned around them, the corpses of heretics strewn all about, Zuriel gave a satisfied nod. "This is the judgement of the righteous."

With the immediate area secured, the Sanguine Templars made their way towards Imperial lines, the Knight Commander and his personal guard of Black Knights led the way. "I would speak to the commander of this force." Zuriel stated, not feeling the need to say anything else. The actions of his company said everything there was to say.

Rusty of Shackleford Karcen Midrick Commissar Darman

 

[Karcen]

Warnings flashed as other ships moved and power outputs were detected, the humans wanted a fight it seemed. Iseros had hoped the humans would be brighter than that, but primatives never learned. Her ship would rapidly turn as the other light cruisers started to break off from it as the blasted hurtkered through the void. They had planned for at least one retaliation thus the attack crafts doom scythes actully ran into the on coming blasts destroying themselves.
For many a dynasty this would not be a good tactic but the my arc dynasty with it countless scarabs could rapidly rebuilt the lost ships the ai on board would be tougher but much easier than training a human.

Still not all the attacks would be taken and a few got through only to impact harmlessly with the advanced shielding of the necron ships. Still one would get through and blow out a chunk of the massive ship and while in other ships this might be cause for celebration this was an annoyance at worst for the undying necrons. The very hole that had been blown out soon started to close as the living metal and scarabs rapidly worked to close it if the ships could bombard it constantly they might take it down but Isero would never let them have the chance.

The tomb ship soon fired its energy draining weapon seeking to leave the battle barge dead in the void while several cruisers and multiple doom scythes. Unleashed doom rays and practical beams up in the ship.

 

[Keidivh]

As expected the initial salvo did little to damage the main vessels of the Necron fleet. Much of the fire was intercepted by smaller vessels which seemed to be deemed unimportant enough to be thrown away, while any damage caused was being rapidly repaired by the strange alien technology. The Necrons were nothing if not an exasperating foe. They simply didn't have the good grace to die when they were meant to.

Soon the Battle Barge was forced to take evasive maneuvers, avoiding the worst of the Necron's own salvo, although a few strikes did hit true. Thankfully the Emperor's grace was with them as the attacks fizzled against the ships mighty void shields. With a great deal of focus seeming to be on the Battle Barge the Strike Cruisers continued their assault, weapon batteries unleashing another torrent of destruction towards their foe as multiple Thunderhawk Gunship squadrons were scrambled, all of them soon engaged in a deadly dance with the Necron Doom Scyhtes, all the while massive ordnance was hurled between the opposing fleets.

"This is Knight Commander Donovan of the Sanguine Templars. All Imperial vessels rally around our fleet and prepare to drive back the Necrons, they cannot be allowed to gain void dominance if our ground forces are to survive. In the Emperor's name."

Once more the bombardment cannons roared to life as, now joined by the fourth Strike Cruiser. Hopefully the Necrons would simply withdraw and land in another area of the planet. After all, these xenos were not the primary threat, and Donovan didn't wish to waste his time on them while this corrupted relic still existed.

 

[Karcen]

The humans were rallying that was an annoyance they just didn't know when to back off they likely thought thier warp god would protect them. They would be proven no God could save them if they had simply withdrawn then they might have lived but it seemed now the fleets would have to die.

The battle barge would soon duffer the Sepulchre which blasted a power almost psychic blast into all board causing panic, chaos, and genral mayhem in all those mortals that were not hardened enough. The night sycthes soon dog fighting with human ships but they were easily able to out pace them their ai planning everything out as they moved at speeds no crew not even started could hope to reach and survive. Using this to get around and out maneuver them before the organic mind could even start to think.

The cruisers soon started to break off assaulting the strike cruisers moving much faster that the humans they would unleash deadly partial whips and star pulse generators when close and lightning arms that turned into tendrils of energy that wrapped around ships finding weak spots and attacking them.

Some night scythe would even crash into the vessels emerging relatively unharmed before using thier portals to unleash endless tines of scarabs and wraiths thst would kill anything around then start to eat the ships from inside. All around the astartes vessels thier allied ships in the imperial guard would start to be crippled or destroyed being inferior in crew and armerment to the astartes.

 

[Keidivh]

The tide seemed to be turning against the Imperial fleet as the Necrons refused to fallback, apparently quite keen on taking this region of the void for their own. The Battle Barge was soon hit by a psychic blast that rocked the crew, debilitating many of the serfs on board, but not enough to effect the Astartes or Techmarines on board in any noticeable way. The Battle Barge returned fire in earnest. Meanwhile the Thunderhawk Gunship squadrons suffered to keep up with their Night Scythe counterparts, the Techmarines superhuman reflexes and mastery in their craft the only thing seeing many of the ships through this crucible.

A few Night Scythes began foolishly ramming themselves into the Battle Barge and Strike Cruisers, bursting into flames as they struck the void shields, having nowhere near enough hitting power to penetrate the powerful defenses.

Still, the Astartes were being pushed back. Thankfully the Imperial fleet in this section of the void had been able to rally. Knowing there was no hope of winning this battle without further reinforcements and the entirety of the strength of the Imperial Fleets. One of the Strike Cruisers had already taken a couple hard blows, meanwhile one of their rapid strike vessels had been all but obliterated.

"All ships fall back to main Imperial lines, the Necrons must be dealt with when we are at full strength." Still screening the rest of the battered Imperial fleet, the Sanguine Templars fleet began pulling back, heading towards the main bulk of the Imperial fleet. The Necrons would remain in the void for now, but when the Chaos threat had been eradicated, the soulless machines would soon follow.

 

[Rusty of Shackleford]

Markus soon found the Astartes, talking to the Apothecary. The Imperial Captain saluted the Space Marine, saying, "My Lord. You wanted to speak with me?" As he said this, an Astartes of the Sanguine Templars arrived, and he was pointed towards Markus. Recently, there had been some... casualties, and Markus was the acting commander of the 203rd until another Colonel was assigned. Markus was extremely intimidated, as he was talking to two Astartes, Captains at that, while he was a simple man with a Lasgun and a Power Sword. To say he felt inadequate was an understatement.

Lucius turned to the Cadian that approached him, saying, "Ah, Captain. Good to see you. How is the power transfer going?" Markus shrugged, saying, "It's going as well as it can, My Lord. Command should have a replacement here as soon as they can. Emperor knows when that is." Lucius nodded, turning the the Sanguine Templar Captain as he said, "Another Chapter? It seems the Emperor has guided us all to this place, Brother." He shook the fellow Templar's hand, asking, "What brings you here, Captain? It seems all matter of xenos and Chaos spawn has gathered to this planet. I may have an idea as to why. I'm gathering up men for an expedition into the planet's primary Hive City. We believe that there's an artifact from the Dark Age of Technology hidden away in the Underhive. It won't be easy, but it may just save this planet."

Keidivh

 

[Midrick]

He was faltering, but luckily the captain, a librarian by the looks helped him walk. "It was orks brother librarian... a horde of them." he looked at the guardsman how mouth was agape as he looked at the sky. Trigus lifted his own eyes to see the lights of a large imperial ship, then it went dark a millisecond later. "Was that a cargo ship?" he asked in disbelief. "By the emporer... what could do that to a ship as big as that?" Trigus was still walking with the assistance of the librarian. after he had been deposited at the apothecary tent they began going to work on him. his gene organs really were a miracle of the emporer's knowledge, most of the wounds were minor and were healed by the time he had gotten back. the apothecary healed his major relatively easy with the medical supplies and serums they had, his own accelerated healing did the rest. He noticed a sheet covering something, his curiosity getting the best of him he lifted it, finding the lifeless form of a sister of battle. He let the sheet back down despondently. "Emporer preserve her... and the rest of us for the matter." he was talking to himself more than the apothecary. His armor had been patched in the process of him being healed. He looked down at his lower torso, a large scar being formed where the slugga round had hit him. He dumped some water on his head and face, cleaning most of the blood out of his hair and off his face. He put his armor back on and remembered two helmets and a picture in one, that he had seen coming in, it looked like the deceased sister and the one he passed was in it, the helmets were in an obscure area so he took it, hoping to return it to its owner. He grabbed the picture in one hand before gathering his sniper and slinging it around his back.

He walked out of the tent without difficulty, he was in nominal health after his visit. He walked back through the maze of trenches until he found the librarian and what seemed to be the acting commander of the guard stationed in the sector. "Brother-Librarian, Brother-Captain." he said nodding toward the new arrival of a captain of the sanguine templars. Trigus had heard little of them except they almost matched the grey knights in hunting down the scourge of chaos. He was still unsure if his scout squad was still stationed. Most likely after informing captain Haradim, the 10th company captain of the hell hounds would have requested them returned. He stood next to the sister of battle, and removed the pict from his belt and offered it to her. "I believe this belongs to you." he said in a hushed tone.

Rusty of Shackleford Commissar Darman Keidivh

 

[Karcen]

The necron ships would quickly rerun not going after the imperials though the ships of the guard that had been rammed into started to move towards the necron fleet overtaken by the canoptek creatures unleashed within. Those ships would be canabalized and turned into materials for future ships of canoptek monsters. Still for now the void was peaceful as the necron ships mended any damage caused in time they would look as if there never had been a battle. Still void supremacy was not thier goal they just needed some place to launch and here was the best point. They had also hopped to scare off the humans which they had done though the cost had been greater than expected. Still it was acceotable. Now they could move to the next phase which would try to limit thier actual fighting over this rock.

Through out the void and even on the planet vox casters and really any thing capable of reviving a signal would find itself broadcasting a special annoucment. "Attention humans Eldar and all other creature fighting over this world." Iseros spoke her voice carried over just about all waves of comunication "This world is property of a Mynarc dynasty of the necron empire but I am kind" she continued anyone with experience would likely fear the world was a tomb world with millions of necrons waiting to arise. "So I will make this clear I have no intrest in rulling this world simply stay out of our way and you can keep this rock but if you get in our way your death will be swift." She finished before the broadcast cut off leaving only static.

 

[Commissar Darman]

Stepping out of the path of the Astartes, Silane merely nodded and made a slight bow to the Armoured Warrior. But as she was about to leave. The Space Marine brought her attention back to him with a request to aid him. "I would, But....." She was replied but was cut off when another Astartes arrived. This one seemed to be a little worse for wear though as he had multiple wounds and could barley even stand. Following the other Astartes to support the wounded one. Silane considered assisting the lighter clad Marine but realized she would just get in the way. So instead she placed her hand on the shoulder of a Guardsman who seemed rattled at the sight of the wounded Marine. "He'll be fine. A space Marine can take three times as much Damage before they would consider their lives in danger." Watching the man relax a bit to her blatant lie. Silane gave him a small smile before following the two Astartes. With no direct orders and no Support from the Ecclesiarchy or her Order. Silane felt it was as wise an idea to see what this Space Marine wanted. although, deep down, She felt it had something to do with that cursed artifact Sister Kaslin was obsessed with.

As she continued following the first Astartes. the activity in the trenches seemed to grow. All of it somehow revolving around the Space Marine. First the Captain of the 203rd, Who Silanes team was tasked to assist. followed minutes later by a Third Astartes. As the three were talking. Silane, who moved off to the side, noticed the lighter armoured Astartes approach the small group. As the orange clad Marine settled next to her. Silane watch as her produced a Pict and handed it to her. Taking it as he whispered to her. "Thanks" was all she could really manage as she looked at the Pict. On it were three people who seemed to be enjoying themselves. One you could quite quickly make out to be Silane. the other two were her friend, Sabine. and one of their three instructors, Lucinia, who happened to sneak the two out for a night of some fun the day that pict was taken. Stowing the pict. Silane was completly caught off guard as an Unfamiliar and alien voice came booming in on her Vox piece.

 

[Keidivh]

Approaching the apparent commander of the Imperial Guard forces on the planet, Zuriel offered him the sign of the Aquila, though the lad seemed to overwhlemed to respond. Apparently he had never been in the presence of so many Angels of Death. Turning his attention to one his fellow Astartes, he quickly recognized him as being a captain of the Red Templars, one of the Chapters unfortunate enough to not know their Progenitor. Still, they had an admirable service record, and would make fine allies in the coming trials on Hexacole. "Emperor's Blessing upon you Brother-Captain, I am Knight-Commander Zuriel Drakus of the Sanguine Templars. I have been leading a crusading force to hunt down a warband of the Word Bearers Legion." The commander spat as the name of the traitorous legion left his lips, leaving an ill taste on them. "The hunt has led us here. We believe whatever relic is upon this planet is their target. We must ensure they do not obtain it by whatever means. For this reason I shall lead the 2nd Company in this assault upon the city. Now that we have secured the immediate area around the trenches, we should prepare for this assault."

As they were speaking he overheard another Astartes speak up, the emblems he bore marking him as a member of the Hell Hounds Chapter. A relatively young chapter, their doctrines were rather strange, and quite not codex adherent. That was something the Knight-Commander could respect. As the scout questioned what happened to the ships in the void, a sickening voice suddenly cut through their vox communications, the Necron Lord demanding the Imperial forces and all others stay out of their way. Unlikely.

"If that does not answer your question Brother-Scout, I can. Our fleet encountered a Necron fleet attacking an isolated portion of the Imperial Navy. We engaged, saving what ships we could before falling back to the bulk of the Navy, but the xenos fleet is far to powerful for us to overtake alone." He turned to the Captain of the Red Templars as he spoke. "We will need to coordinate our void-bound ships and coordinate with the entirety of the Imperial Navy if we wish to overtake their fleet. Even then, the casualties will be... Severe."

The veteran commander held the bridge of his nose for a moment in exasperation. The forces arrayed against them were numerous indeed, heretics and xenos on all sides. But it mattered not, in the end they would all know the fury of Sanguinius' Sons.
Rusty of Shackleford Midrick Commissar Darman Karcen

 

[Rusty of Shackleford]

Lucius nodded, saying, "I am Captain Lucius. Welcome to Hexacole." He then nodded to the scout, saying, "We recently got word about the ship disappearing. The last thing we need is more xenos. I assure you that once the artifact is secured and sent to Terra, I will moblize my forces to face the Necron. The sacrifice of that ship will not go in vain." He looked out upon the planet, saying, "This planet...it was once a beacon of the Imperium. Now it's a smoldering pile of rubble. I will not let this place fall. I swear by the Emperor." He turned back to the others, saying, "I request you all to gather as many Battle-Brothers as you can. Sister, I ask that you aid in healing the Guardsmen. I know you've already lost so much. These men are in need." He then turned to the Scout, saying, "Heal up, Brother. I wish for you to aid us in this quest. I see a bright future for you." He had done much research into the artifact. Well, as much as the Red Templar's destroyed library allowed. He knew the intricaties of the Warp, of daemons, and of their danger. Even if he fell, if it saved Hexacole, and the Imperium itself, he would gladly do it. It was a burden all Red Templar's had to bear.

Markus stepped forward, saying, "The 203rd is ready, My Lord. We've been on this planet long enough to know that whatever artifact lies here is too dangerous to allow Chaos and the xenos to have. If I may ask...what is it exactly?" Lucius sighed, saying, "It's a Warp artifact. It...well, when a psyker channels it, it will...open a Warp rift." Markus swallowed, "Warp rift? Like...the Eye of Terror?" Lucius shook his head, saying, "No, Captain. Nowhere near that large in scale. But large enough for this entire planet to be razed to the ground by daemons. If Chaos gets this artifact, the entire Imperium could be at risk. We must find it. If we cannot transport it to Terra, we must destroy it." Markus muttered a prayer, saying, "Yes, My Lord. I will assemble my troops. Thank you." He nodded to the others, walking away. He leaned against the trench out of sight, rubbing his eyes as he took out a picture. It was of a brown haired woman and a child, his wife and daughter. They were back on Cadia, far away from here. That was the on!y solace he got from this situation. They would be safe from this. But not if Chaos gained this artifact. He didn't understand the Warp, or daemons, or all that. But he knew the dangers of Chaos. He was Cadian, after all. And he would not let his family suffer because of this.

Keidivh
Commissar Darman
Midrick

 

[GearBlade654]

Piotr
The Blackshield was studying the corpse of a PDF guardsman, when the vox unit on the guardsman suddenly burst into voice.
The Blackshield intently listened to the new broadcast.
Necrons. Piotr was all too familiar with Necrons and their gauss weaponry. And their silence.
Piotr quickly guessed they had a Pariah or someone in their ranks was actually capable of speech.
From the sounds of things, a speech-capable Necron. Piotr, taking note, completed examining the dead guardsman, who looked like he had been shot with a Shiruken Catapult. This was definitely Eldar.
Piotr knew the Eldar about one thing-they have a tendency to pursue their own goals while not spreading the word to anyone else who could benefit from it. This meant a good old footprint tracking.
Piotr intently watched for Eldar footsteps and the direction they could have taken.

 

[archur]

"You think our kin could've done this?" A dire avenger prods the body of a fallen guardsman. His head hung limply to the side which had more matter, the hole in the other side making it's weight unbalanced, or more so than it already was from it's primitive human features. Stocky, square, raw. Like all humans are. However, the aspect warrior felt a tinge of guilt for the poor soul. His flame must've been extinguished so quickly, that he couldn't experience the truth of death, utter and final. He knelt at the slumped over body, but was quickly stopped by his exarch, Ratthe. "I sense movement." Slowly, the blue-armored warrior stood, his compatriots hiding behind crates and walls of the sprawling street. The exarch unsheathed his dire blade, the sword thrumming with power as he scanned. He could feel the movement, but he couldn't quite place it. No telltale taps of footsteps, no rumble of the clanking engines, or the slight adjustment of those damn halfling marksmen. No, this wasn't something the mon'keigh was doing.

Ratthe's eyes went wide as he realized what was upon him. "Scatter, hide brothers!" His squad looked at him in disbelief, but before he could even explain himself, a lance of pure darkness engulfed the plumed helmet of the lithe figure, thousands of years of combat experience, dismissed in an instant. Careening from a sharp turn, a small personal transport skimmer adorned with skulls, blood, and spears raced down the street. The driver pressed the craft at breakneck speeds, something the spike covered passengers took to with ease, the long barrel of a darklance poking just from the top of the slim craft, discharging another blast of antimatter into the chest of another dire avenger who crumpled in an instant. The last three members of the squad broke into a sprint, but they would not be fast enough for the pirouetting combatants that leapt forth to meet them, one wych ending her mark with a simple with a simple splinter shot to the back of the knee, crippling the fleeing dire avenger with pure agony alone. The other was lucky enough to land on her target and get the chance to toy with him, unsheathing a syringe from her bare leg, and piercing the reactive plating around the avenger's neck, letting him experience his own blood turn into parasitical worms that burst forth from his visor, coating the ground with the bloodsucking worms. The last target barely leapt out of the way of the venom, scrambling back to his feet, meeting face to face with a figure enshrouded in black.

"Oh! What a surprise that we've come across each other lesser kin!" The figure spoke with such glee, as if the two were simply old friends meeting each other on a happenstance. The avenger brought his gun to bear, firing monomolecular shurikens that would've razed the figure's body with each successful strike. But that was not the case, the projectiles simply dissipated in the stifling darkness. "You haven't seen any of those space marines around here, have you? I do believe you'd greatly help my companions here, hmm? And in return, I'll let you go! How's that?" The archon quipped, unphased by the spray of gunfire that nearly coated his vision. The avenger only cried vengeance and murder for the monster that had murdered his squad in cold blood, but it only left the mysterious killer unamused, leaving him with no other choice. With barely a gesture, another syringe flew at the avenger's neck with perfect accuracy, the same painful death of being eaten from the inside out was all that glory brought that foolish eldar.

"You're such a treat Breya, you and those little potions of yours! How many nights did you have to spend with that Haemonculus before he finally felt pity enough to pay you?" The wych scowled, but said nothing, and retrieved her poisons from the corpses she had created. The other wych had climbed back onto the craft with the gunner, who had barely been paying attention to the altercation that had unfolded. Zavaxas chortled to himself. It was fun tormenting the little shred of morality she had still fiercely clung onto, despite Zavaxas's urges. He surveyed the remnants of the skirmish, and found a mon'keigh corpse. Must've been why the original group was here, but it wasn't the body itself that he was drawn to, he had made plenty of those in his day, and didn't care to know the story of each and every one that he found, but rather, the warbling device on his back was squawking an incoherent message.

"This world ... property of the Mynarc dynasty ... necron empire ... stay out of our way ... death will be swift." The comms cut before the vox dissolved into radio chatter again. Zavaxas smirked to himself. Maybe he should call the Dreaming Shadow! Those clowns loved fighting their ancient enemy! He shook his head. It was time to send his message. He adjusted his speech modulator so he wouldn't have to taint his tongue with the filth of their language.

"Keep hiding mon'keigh. Behind your barricades. Your walls. Your fortresses. Behind the great backs of your post-human allies, and behind the massed bodies of your dead. I wait patiently, eagerly, for you to come out and face me. I welcome any and all challengers. Can you hear my call through the wails of your dying? It is a thing of beauty, those agony soaked screams, and I will bring them with me when I have what I want. But first, I wish for the head of each and every of your commissars. You will give them to me, or I will come take them." He was feeling very generous today, he didn't want to tax the guard too much by demanding their marines either, no no no. He was much nicer than that. He made his way back to the skimmer-craft with his underlings, satisfied. "Say, Zyr, how long do you think it'll take before they crack?" "Two days." The gunner said nonchalantly. He was a quiet man, and wasn't concerned with any of the games his employer was playing. "Hmm. We'll see." The craft took off, hunting for it's next quarry before it's cargo would grow bored again.

 

[Karcen]

With the void secured for the moment there was the matter of landing. Scans revealed that there were several factions all scattered around the planet each having set up their own holdings from which they could launch whatever assaults they wanted, the necrons would need such a base. Still this world held a tomb complex, and no complex was without it's defenses. Thus was a signal sent down and with Iseros having superior codes to any awake or slumbering lord on the world she was allowed authority over them. With this authority asserted Iseros had the defenses activated. On the surface near some mechancus facility a distance from the hive that had planted itself near the tomb complex the ground trembled as the earth was thrust up as 4 massive objects, each dwarfing the facility that had lain above them, necron obelisks, these were powerful defenses as shown when some random flyer got near only to suffer from the strike of green lightning almost instantly downing the unfortunate craft. Still the defenses were not done as from no where came several pylons summoned to help repeal assaults from the ground, as the obelisks fought the sky war. The final touch was one of the iconic monoliths phasing into existence as the entrance tot he actual facility came forth, this was by no means an impregnable fortress but it would do for now. As a final touch the green lights and energies of the various constructs turned orange to signify their new owner.

 

[GearBlade654]

Piotr Vidixx
The Blackshield was tracing a particularly promising set of Guardian footsteps, apparently from an entire squad of Guardsmen, when a nearby dead guardsman began emitting noise. Piotr took a moment to listen in on the Guardsman's vox, paying attention to the entirety of the broadcast.
(broadcast made by Archon Zavaxas two posts above this)
"Keep hiding mon'keigh. Behind your barricades. Your walls. Your fortresses. Behind the great backs of your post-human allies, and behind the massed bodies of your dead. I wait patiently, eagerly, for you to come out and face me. I welcome any and all challengers. Can you hear my call through the wails of your dying? It is a thing of beauty, those agony soaked screams, and I will bring them with me when I have what I want. But first, I wish for the head of each and every of your commissars. You will give them to me, or I will come take them."
Piotr immediately knew who was the one behind the broadcast. Dark Eldar, apparently here with the normal Eldar. More and more enemies of the Imperium coming down to this ruined planet. Piotr, turning back to return to tracking footsteps, gave the dead guardsman one final look, and went back to following the Guardian footsteps, eventually coming to a stop in front of what looked like a treasury.

 

[Midrick]

Trigus listened to the librarian as he relayed his plan to the assembled group. "I appreciate your concern brother-captain, but it will take more than what the orks did to kill me." after the commander of the sanguine templars answered his question, a chilling voice devoid of emotion spoke over the vox. Necrons he thought. He had never fought or seen one even, but he heard stories from brothers in his own and other chapters, they were no light threat. After the message finished, another one promptly came over the vox, this time the voice was jovial, mocking, and it was mostly definitely one of the dark eldar. He knew because from what he had learned from the xenos, eldar would've give themselves away for no reason, eliminating them from the collection of enemies on Hexacole.

He walked with the he followed the commander of the guard, unless he was summoned by the two commanding brothers, he would take up a position on in the trenches, using his marksman skills to be a counter-sniper and shooting high priority targets. He checked his belt he had resupplied his stocks of ammunition. Along with a secret of his chapter, Cruciabilis rounds. The rounds were the pinnacle of effectiveness and psychological effect, they contained a vial of astartes blood and acid similar to the kind that is used in hellfire rounds. The result was a combination of chemical and biological attacks on the target body that resulted in the targets organs liquefying and hemorrhaging violently. The biochemical rounds were usually reserved for hard targets or those who had earned the ire of the user. It had a very profound effect on others who saw a comrade drown and erupt in showers of blood. He put the rounds back into the the pouch of his belt as he came silently upon the form of the commander of the guardsman. He was looking at a well folded picture, most likely of his family. "Family back home?" he asked, sometimes he forgot that normal humans didn't have the enhanced senses of an astartes, he would need to remember that if he didn't want lasguns pointed at him wherever guardsman were present.

Rusty of Shackleford

 

[GearBlade654]

Piotr Vidixx
Spiritstones.
The Blackshield marksman took a moment to study a golden plate with elliptical grooves in it. It had to be spiritstones.
The Blackshield quietly sighed. He was fully aware of the fanaticism that the Eldar would resort to in order to recover the spirits of their dead comrades from unwitting Imperials.
At least he found out why precisely the Eldar chose to raid this Hive City. That said, that still didn't explain the reason for the desolation. Piotr told himself he would return to the Imperial holdout, deliver news, and return to study this hive city more.
The marksman walked out of the treasury, intent on delivering news, quickly taking a survey around him, before finding five dead Eldar that weren't there before.
Piotr raised an eyebrow, looked around him, then approached the corpses. Interesting. There were no dead Eldar when Piotr first approached.

 

[GearBlade654]

Piotr Vidixx
The Blackshield, quietly surveying the area around him, approached the dead Eldar. Spotting no one nearby, the Blackshield marksman swiftly extracted the spirit stones of the dead Eldar, before gathering them all and putting them in the treasury Piotr was a few minutes ago. With luck, they would be collected by the Eldar and not feed Slannesh.
Then the Blackshield headed to the nearest Imperial stronghold with a small tale to tell.
The first Imperial military unit would be quickly hailed by the Blackshield waving an arm over his head.
Keidivh
Commissar Darman
Midrick
Rusty of Shackleford
(Piotr's signaling to hand out intel, he'll talk to the first character he sees that is Imperial)

 

[Midrick]

Trigus was still standing behind the commander when he saw a marine clad in complete black, no heraldry of any chapter or former legion. Deathwatch black shield. he thought to himself as left the commander to his machinations. He pulled a single cruciabilis round and twirled it in between his fingers as he walked. He passed guardsmen lining the walls of the trench, he looked out towards the vast expanse of no mans land he sighed as he kept trudging through the mud, Hexacole was a grind of theater, waking up every day to be shelled for the rest of day until you retreated back into a bunker for a few paltry hours of sleep before you resumed the vigil. He ended his walk in front of the black shield. Another marksman. he noted as he saw the marines stalker bolter. "Brother." he said as he nodded at the marine. "How goes the fight?" he kept spinning the lone round in his fingers as he talked.

GearBlade654