Valfaris Secunda
A desolate world orbiting the outer rim of the blue giant star Valfaris, an unforgiving biome consisting of a thin atmosphere, a harsh rocky exterior yet bustling with precious mineral resources that have given purpose to the imperial cause and made it a colony world of critical importance, its inhabitants are barely a fraction of the numbers found in hive cities consisting mostly of miners, workers, prisoners and others unfortunate enough to be condemned here, eeking out an existence between caverns, gorges, mountains and underground labyrinths, spire-rigs jettison the refined cargo to stellar ports just outside the system. The astra militarum retains a sparing presence on the world relying primarily on the well defended and difficult to navigate space around the system to shroud and conceal it nevertheless, brief distress signals like muffled echoes were radiated outwards as the planet succumbed to a mysterious upheaval, another scheme of the arch-enemy to claim an imperial world yet so long as those that maintain the Emperor's watch remain, none shall lay claim to that which is rightfully his.
Valfaris Secunda has been desecrated, fallen to a state of disorder and disarray, the servants of the Emperor fought bravely to defend this world and now you shall be the arm of their vengeance.
Bring Forth The Retribution Of Valfaris, The Emperor Protects
Valfar Primax
remains the sole military installation upon the planet, where freshly recruited guard regiments train and prove their mettle before inevitably being shipped off to the frontlines. Valfaris is not bereft of threat, as there are no sanctuaries in the grim darkness of the far future apart from faith in the emperor. As such novice guardsmen fortunate enough to avoid being shipped directly to the frontlines serve a short tenure here, bracing themselves for a taste of war through maintaining vigil and security on Valfaris, an experience which is to war what an ember is to an inferno. The officers of the astra militarum at Valfar Primax pride themselves at having rid the caverns and mines of the few chaos incursions and cultist warbands that have arisen and the withering of their caution has not gone unnoticed by more nefarious forces. The facility at Valfar Primax came under an immense assault in the events of the upheaval, prior to this they were extensively dispatched to investigate the fallen spires and found themselves ill-equipped and outnumbered when the true threat surfaced, now Valfar Primax is naught but a wound to imperial pride that must be cauterized.
The Sanctuary Of Saint Apocrypha
serves as a forward base for adepta sororitas order of the ebon chalice which maintains the sanctuary upon this quiet world, it is a place of prayer and recovery for sisters whom have faced the horrors of battle as well as serving to arm and equip them with the best quality equipment, they are serviced by a vast horde of servitors. The discreet location of Valfaris Secunda allows the sisters to operate with utmost secrecy, as well, they are responsible for investigating potential heresies and taking appropriate measures to discipline the populace in the absence of a formal inquisitorial presence. The sisters did not relent in the face of the upheaval, their sanctuary though battered still stands and they have now spread out across Valfaris eager to purge the unclean.
The Chasm
serves as the primary source of raw ores and minerals to the refining factorums and spires, host to innumerable penal and mining colonies this structure is located within a gorge that provides some measure of protection from Valfaris's harsh irradiating light, this location was chosen due to accessibility of minerals and ores which jut out from the depths, the chasm is a unique structure representing a fault which extends deep into the planets crust presumed to have been created artificially owing to some long lost xeno civilization. A rogue trader crash landed on the planet some 6 solar months ago and sent out a distress call, by the time a response was issued several parts of the chasm and many spires had gone silent, likely owing to the imperium wanting to keep secrecy on the matter and keep the planet's mining operations functioning.
With the Fire of His Wrath, we exist and come far afield to strange worlds to Hunt the Hunter...
The scorn of that moment burned brighter than a thousand sons within Brother Vornn's heart, never before had he known such hatred for the xeno as he had now come to acknowledge. His arrival on Valfaris was not with the intent of deliverance but of vindication for he knew that he could never return to his chapter were the deed not accomplished, that infernal tyrant and its fel-spawn which were borne of the foul death throes of the hive-fleet echidna were known as The Porphyric Host, lead by a single psyker-tyrant that had taken the initiative of leading its verminous breed after their onslaught had come to naught but ruination at the hands of the Astral Fists, sons of the gorgon and by his blood they would purge every last of their breed.
Xander had been tasked with his chapter to exterminate this volatile remnant to ensure it could not take root upon another world and bide its time for a second assault, these were not the raptorial and primitive creatures that convention dictated they were rather a single-mindedly evolute foe that was more determined in its feral cause of devourment than any heretic or traitor could ever be and for that cause alone they were a worthy hunt. For entire leagues had Xander Vornn and his brothers trailed the beast as it drifted idly through the void aboard their strike cruiser, Auspice of Vindication. Many times had the Astral Fists attempted to exterminate these creatures, through indecisive engagements waged across derelict hulks and abandoned worlds, the host was a swift adversary commanded by a truly vile consciousness that was able to navigate its inferiority more tactfully than was expected of such a foe, they harvest rapidly, they regrew in transit yet their efforts to find permanence were always thwarted by the Astral Fists. Xander was given charge of no less than six squads of marines and the Auspice of Vindication for the task, like a wolf making making pursuit of its prey, he garnered it was only a matter of time before the beast tired and it was then that he aspired to deal the killing blow.
How foolish he had been
Through each engagement the foe grew ever more skillful, ever more vigilant and ever more experienced. These creatures learned and adapted their methods, where one weapon failed they could sprout another horrendous machination such that no two battles were alike and no one tactic could ever be relied upon, a mere six solar weeks ago, within an asteroid field outlying the sector which held Valfaris, a battle was waged in the void. As if in a rabid fell swoop, the tyranids assaulted the Auspice of Vindication, a move that was unprecedented yet not one that Xander had not prepared for, perhaps consumed by his ambition to slay the Porphyrian tyrant itself, Xander had foregone discipline and protocol, whilst he duelled its praetorians through the corridors of the auspice making his way to its hive chamber, his brothers held the line against the brunt of their force, whilst the tyrant occupied Xander, it's forces overwhelmed his brothers and in the absence of resolute command and the sheer chaos of the battle almost all six squads had fallen.
It was only fortunate that by then Xander having dealt a mortal wound to the tyrant itself caused its forces to collapse and withdraw to the hive chamber aboard its own immense hive ship. Xander battled the creature by force of arms and through empyric duels, bludgeoning at the beast in futile rage, alas, the creature managed to eject Xander into the void through a gaping wound within the side of the hive ship robbing him of the chance of vengeance, it was only as he drifted across the void that the terrible toll of the deadlock had dawned upon him, the auspice of vindication proved resilient and despite its besieged state, the retinue onboard were able to institute the necessary repairs to bring it back to function though try as they might, the fallen marines could not be brought back... Xander eventually found his way back onto his ship, there was no rest or respite to be had and only fury remained in his veins... the creature would pay.
This battle did not prove entirely fruitless however, the hive ship bearing the wounded tyrant had been sufficiently damaged that it could not remain void-borne for long, it would need to acquire the necessary biomass to repair itself and the closest world with a suitable supply was Valfaris prime, slowly, a shadow in the warp was projected, rogue trader vessels taken from the lanes, coordinates extracted, corruption seeded, the time of harvest could no longer be delayed, the Porphyrian host had arrived. Valfaris had neither expected nor encountered such a foe and they found themselves poorly prepared, the tyranids found themselves making quick allies with the repressed locals, genestealer cults dismantled the order before the host launched an assault on the planet, not a scream in the void, its prey had been silenced and ripe for the taking.
From the void did Xander see the beast extending its clutches over the planet, he would have his vengeance, he swore it upon the Emperor himself and upon the Gorgon's blood, the Astral Fists would pulverize and eradicate them and the Porphyrian Tyrant would fall by Xander's own hand.
The doors of the drop pod hissed open as the chaplain emerged to the scene of guardsmen holding the line upon one of the many bastions that littered Valfar Primax, the astra militarum base had been all but overrun, it was a scene of havoc and chaos that prevailed as the guardsmen struggled to keep cohesion and survive against the crimson tide of tyranid talons, each day their numbers dwindled and each day the tyranids claimed their harvest, a miserable battle for survival rather than defense, order had all but devolved, the faithful remained true in their service, the treacherous joined the genestealers and the wretched found loyalties other than that of the Emperor. The abrupt bombardment of the drop pod had caught the charging tyranid hormagaunts and their warrior leader, as the gaunts took cowardly steps back, he reprimanded them with a roaring screech, pointing its cleaver like swords forth as the creatures charged at Vornn.
With hefty steps of his own, the Chaplain begun his charge, holy bolt-shells dispensed from the end of a hallowed barrel found their targets, reducing the pathetic beasts to naught in explosions of blood and gore, those unfortunate enough not to be felled by shell were instead mauled and bludgeoned with the Chaplain's crozius, swung with such force that it rended bodies, tearing bone, gristle and chitin like paper sending sprays of blood and pieces of organ across the air. The sheer speed and efficiency with which an entire horde of those menacing things was eliminated bewildered the onlooking guardsmen, as they grew in fervor and faith, supporting the spacemarine chaplain's advance with volleys of lasgun fire picking off stragglers at his flanks, a mound of dismembered tyranid corpses were pulverized beneath armored steps as the Tyranid Warrior and The Space Marine traded blows, a brief exchange as his crozius locked into the tyranid's crossed swords yet without a second thought Brother Vorn delivered his fist to the creature detaching its lower jaw and sending it flying away, he then lifted his boot and slammed it into the creatures knees shattering it as if though a twig bringing the creature to its knees before grasping a hold of its neck and tearing the beasts head off it's shoulders tossing it aside as it rolled into the dusty soil.
" My Lord !! My Lord !! "
A charging guardsmen raced towards Xander but it seemed his words of warning would arrive too late as no sooner than did Xander fell the warrior, did a vicious and immense Ravener erupt from the sands, slamming its claws and jaws against Xanders armor as its coils wrapped around him beginning to constrict before a vicious explosion sounded, the guardsman used a single krak grenade to disorient the creature, firing pathetically at its flank with an ineffective lasergun, a final faithful battlecry was roared by the defiant human before the immense Ravener's bladed tail impaled and rended him. With one claw still pinning Xander, he reached forward with his hand unleashing a powerful blast of empyric lightning as the creature issued a deafening screech. A hail of iron and fire landed upon the creature, taking chunks of flesh and armor plate off as the guardsmen behind Xander unleashed bolter fire from a heavy bolter emplacement just enough time for his first to tighten on his crozius mace.
GLLRRRTCH !!
The first blow sufficed only to shatter into the creature's skull causing its muscles to release in a shock, spewing ichor all over Xanders face shield and armor, he then plunged one fist into the creatures throat whilst the other tore into its torso, lifting the ravener above his head as he stood up and ripping the creature apart in twain as its two limp corpse stumps writhed and wriggled upon the earth in death rigors and neuromuscular recoil from the shock of such a violent demise, the chaplain then pulled his crozius mace out of the creature's electrocuted and fractured skull, its steaming brain matter dripping off his weapon. He then paced back slowly to the astonished and bewildered guardsmen, the red eyebeams of his skulls, scanning faces whose gazes dare not meet him, no words offered... only a cold, relentless phrase
"Lead me to them"
Stated the Chaplain in his cold stoic manner, before a single guardsman offered a salute and pointed inwards towards the main base, it seemed they'd taken up residence in the facility. No other words were exchanged as Xander began his slow march onto his next hunt.
Karderis had arrived on the planet ahead of a Deathwatch Kill-Team that had been sent to investigate the planet. As he looked around, the blind Stormseer sensed the presence of another Astartes. Setting off with the rest of the Kill-Team following behind him, he followed Vornn's path until he met up with the chaplain. "Brother-Chaplain." He calls out. "I have been sent to assist you."
Xander's march came to an abrupt pause as the howl of additional drop pods sounded in the skies above, certainly a welcome omen to the survivors of Valfaris but something the chaplain himself was indifferent to, Xander intended to make his way towards the inner sections of Valfar Primax's infrastructure, the landscape was eerie and bleak and several slain guardsmen lay all around some adorning the walls with splatter, the tell-tale signs of a last stand, in other places, not a single corpse all devoured or repurposed and yet the nature of such a thing made evident to the chaplain that the porphyrian host tyranids preferred to use beasts of a higher strain foregoing overwhelming numbers for smaller yet arguably more elite soldiers, the guardsmen never really stood a chance, this was barely the site of a battle, it was the site of a slaughter.
The subtle thud broke the eerie silent monotony, sure enough they found him. At first his hand strayed near his bolt pistol, an element of necessary caution were this some sort of ploy, signatures picked up by an auspex through one of Valfaris's unrelenting dust storms, the superior nature of the astral fists technology meant his scanners did not falter in making judgement, he saw them before they saw him yet Xander did not find cause to stop for anything or anyone. He hadn't intended on interrupting them, presuming their objectives differed from his nevertheless a stormseer amongst them was able to lead them thus, unsurprisingly so, the white scars were master trackers on account of their chogorisian heritage.
It was Karderis that first reached out to Xander, the voice was heard, acknowledged. Xander stopped then turned, denoting the deathwatch ensigns upon their shoulders, it was fortuitous given that the nature of the threat they were dealing with was inherently xenos vermin. Xander had not issued a distress call nor had he called for reinforcements, Karderis found him yet it was not the chaplain that had issued a call for aid or assistance which likely meant someone else issued the call from within the planet, in truth, Xander had something of a personal vendetta against the hive tyrant that he had been sent to slay, he alone would fell the creature and restore his chapter's honor, as for Valfaris ? this would be a campaign that would take months to permanently clear the planet of tyranid bioforms once the tyrant leading it had been slain, he was the source of the synapse and it was imperative to slay the creature above all else.
After a tense exchange of silence, the Chaplain began to speak
" It is not me whom you have been sent to assist brother, I made no such call, mine is a purpose quite singular and only I shall see it accomplished by the blood of the gorgon. A call for reinforcement was likely made by a seperate dispatch or entity, I had not known Valfaris to host any detachment of astartes so the signal of distress that brought you here likely originated from another source upon the planet, it seems we shall have to unravel this enigma of our own accord, for I have no answers and many questions which I am sure you do as well. "
The chaplain paused momentarily passing by the blind-seer and walking past the ranks of the kill team, noting them each with the glowing red gaze of his skull, scanners passing over the members of the deathwatch team, seemingly unimpressed.
" Uninitiated and unworthy, they would be felled before they could even scathe the threat that presents itself... it is not the strength of their arms or wits I doubt... it is a question of faith, and I sense that these minds are unworthy of the trials that await ahead... you shall have your moment brothers, but this is not your battle, it is mine."
Xander returned to Karderis, issuing a nod to the Stormseer,
"The Porphyrian Host is no ordinary Xenos threat brother and we have not the luxury of resource or numbers, through their foul scrying they have scrambled all augur relays upon the planet and this zone is effectively deadened to all but the most resolute machine spirits. I am Master-Chaplain Xander Vornn of the Astral Fists Chapter, we are the sons of the Gorgon and we felled the progenitor of this strain... the hivefleet Echidna. I was sent to fell the tyrant which leads this wretched xenos remnant and I shall see it done, my brothers did not make the ultimate sacrifice in vain. It is better for us that you alone accompany myself, as for your squad... they are better suited to other objectives upon the planet, surviving contingents of guardsmen still litter this place... their knowledge may yet prove valuable... you and I however, need to ensure Valfar Primax is purged of this threat... "
The chaplain directed Karderis attention to the remnants of a hellhound tank, turned partly to slag on account of explosive ignition, claw marks streaked across its armor panels.
" Carnifexes, but this isn't the only one, there are other vehicles, completely unscathed yet deployed forwards, stopped awkwardly at positions, it seems they didn't even fire... I suspect psychic energy was at work... to conclude, we are not dealing with a feral swarm, but a highly coordinated and efficient killing machine... and I can promise you this brother, these beasts have evolved specifically to counter a threat of our nature, we can ill-afford to give them such an opportunity given our circumstances... hence, we must act with wisdom and ensure that those that go forwards have the necessary capability to accomplish the objectives... it will be you and me brother, the others will take on seperate objectives... it is better that way, we will engage multiple fronts and perhaps save this planet from certain doom... "
The subtle thud broke the eerie silent monotony, sure enough they found him. At first his hand strayed near his bolt pistol, an element of necessary caution were this some sort of ploy, signatures picked up by an auspex through one of Valfaris's unrelenting dust storms, the superior nature of the astral fists technology meant his scanners did not falter in making judgement, he saw them before they saw him yet Xander did not find cause to stop for anything or anyone. He hadn't intended on interrupting them, presuming their objectives differed from his nevertheless a stormseer amongst them was able to lead them thus, unsurprisingly so, the white scars were master trackers on account of their chogorisian heritage.
It was Karderis that first reached out to Xander, the voice was heard, acknowledged. Xander stopped then turned, denoting the deathwatch ensigns upon their shoulders, it was fortuitous given that the nature of the threat they were dealing with was inherently xenos vermin. Xander had not issued a distress call nor had he called for reinforcements, Karderis found him yet it was not the chaplain that had issued a call for aid or assistance which likely meant someone else issued the call from within the planet, in truth, Xander had something of a personal vendetta against the hive tyrant that he had been sent to slay, he alone would fell the creature and restore his chapter's honor, as for Valfaris ? this would be a campaign that would take months to permanently clear the planet of tyranid bioforms once the tyrant leading it had been slain, he was the source of the synapse and it was imperative to slay the creature above all else.
After a tense exchange of silence, the Chaplain began to speak
" It is not me whom you have been sent to assist brother, I made no such call, mine is a purpose quite singular and only I shall see it accomplished by the blood of the gorgon. A call for reinforcement was likely made by a seperate dispatch or entity, I had not known Valfaris to host any detachment of astartes so the signal of distress that brought you here likely originated from another source upon the planet, it seems we shall have to unravel this enigma of our own accord, for I have no answers and many questions which I am sure you do as well. "
The chaplain paused momentarily passing by the blind-seer and walking past the ranks of the kill team, noting them each with the glowing red gaze of his skull, scanners passing over the members of the deathwatch team, seemingly unimpressed.
" Uninitiated and unworthy, they would be felled before they could even scathe the threat that presents itself... it is not the strength of their arms or wits I doubt... it is a question of faith, and I sense that these minds are unworthy of the trials that await ahead... you shall have your moment brothers, but this is not your battle, it is mine."
Xander returned to Karderis, issuing a nod to the Stormseer,
"The Porphyrian Host is no ordinary Xenos threat brother and we have not the luxury of resource or numbers, through their foul scrying they have scrambled all augur relays upon the planet and this zone is effectively deadened to all but the most resolute machine spirits. I am Master-Chaplain Xander Vornn of the Astral Fists Chapter, we are the sons of the Gorgon and we felled the progenitor of this strain... the hivefleet Echidna. I was sent to fell the tyrant which leads this wretched xenos remnant and I shall see it done, my brothers did not make the ultimate sacrifice in vain. It is better for us that you alone accompany myself, as for your squad... they are better suited to other objectives upon the planet, surviving contingents of guardsmen still litter this place... their knowledge may yet prove valuable... you and I however, need to ensure Valfar Primax is purged of this threat... "
The chaplain directed Karderis attention to the remnants of a hellhound tank, turned partly to slag on account of explosive ignition, claw marks streaked across its armor panels.
" Carnifexes, but this isn't the only one, there are other vehicles, completely unscathed yet deployed forwards, stopped awkwardly at positions, it seems they didn't even fire... I suspect psychic energy was at work... to conclude, we are not dealing with a feral swarm, but a highly coordinated and efficient killing machine... and I can promise you this brother, these beasts have evolved specifically to counter a threat of our nature, we can ill-afford to give them such an opportunity given our circumstances... hence, we must act with wisdom and ensure that those that go forwards have the necessary capability to accomplish the objectives... it will be you and me brother, the others will take on seperate objectives... it is better that way, we will engage multiple fronts and perhaps save this planet from certain doom... "
Karderis listened to Vornn's words, taking it all in as he used his storm-sight to create a vision of the scene around him. "I was dispatched here from the Deathwatch as requested by the local planetary defence forces. I am Karderis Ja-Khan, Stormseer seconded to Watch Fortress Sentinel IX. I did not expect to find another Astartes here, let alone a head Chaplain. The Deathwatch will coordinate a defensive perimeter while I accompany you on your mission, as I believe my unique sight-related abilities will be advantageous here."
(I'll be joining here shortly)
" Undoubtedly so Brother Karderis, it is time to press on, may the Emperor guide our hand in purging this world from the taint of the xenos "
A solemn nod reaffirmed Xander's rapport with the party, Karderis in particular whom was both wise and steeled in the ways of the empyrean, the mental fortitude to resist such was of the essence as the host that they faced employed creatures such as zoanthropes in no small number, it had been instrumental in allowing their subterfuge of the world in such a rapid manner. The chaplain remained ever vigilant, raising his fist to the air as a small swarm of servo-skulls congregated then spread out in all directions, they were enroute to the primary complex having entered the base it seemed it was here that the tyranids launched their preliminary assault, most of their efforts centered towards the barracks, the sound of las rifles, echoes of screams, and occasional explosions still resonated around them suggesting that this was still a very active warzone, a miracle that the guardsmen had held out that long.
As the two space marines pushed on, the Chaplain came to an abrupt pause his head turning to a derelict bunker to the side, almost reflexively he raised his arm before Brother Karderis, a round shattered against the armor dispersing a serum that promptly evaporated having failed to make its mark, it seems it was intended for Brother Karderis in particular meaning the enemy acknowledged the threat posed by the psyker. Almost immediately combat was sprung, an exchange of stubber rounds, a rocket slamming into the side as the Chaplain pushed forwards, his motion was synchronous with Brother Karderis each ensuring cover for the other whilst pushing forwards, if anything it showed the Chaplains regard for his brother's life.
" Genestealers brother ! they will not stand before us, use the power that the Emperor has vested in you to demolish their feeble, corrupted minds. "
The Chaplain added as he departed, charging headlong into battle, raising his bolt pistol and unleashing suppressive fire on their position. Almost as soon as the assault started it came to pause, these were the hit-and-run tactics that the cultists were infamous for no doubt but they had made the fatal error of revealing their nature to the two, not knowing that the stormseer would easily be able to track their psionic signatures across any barrier, no doubt the cult's own magos and patriarch were aware of this. It all started to make sense, the siege of Valfar Primax must have begun with carefully implemented sabotage at the behest of this cult. Vorn's rage knew no bounds, though it was futile he tossed a krak grenade in the bunker for good measure but it was evident they would require a more deliberate strategy against this threat.
" They desecrate the holy emperor's hallowed ground by taking up residence within, no doubt that they have infested the inner confines of the base Brother, in order to arm and equip themselves. It is imperative that we prevent them from utilizing such a resource, I suggest overloading the underground promethium reactors after we have extracted enough information from the dormant machine spirits, to ensure they cannot utilize the facility nor harness any fallen biomass "
The Chaplain added, loading another magazine into his bolt pistol.
A solemn nod reaffirmed Xander's rapport with the party, Karderis in particular whom was both wise and steeled in the ways of the empyrean, the mental fortitude to resist such was of the essence as the host that they faced employed creatures such as zoanthropes in no small number, it had been instrumental in allowing their subterfuge of the world in such a rapid manner. The chaplain remained ever vigilant, raising his fist to the air as a small swarm of servo-skulls congregated then spread out in all directions, they were enroute to the primary complex having entered the base it seemed it was here that the tyranids launched their preliminary assault, most of their efforts centered towards the barracks, the sound of las rifles, echoes of screams, and occasional explosions still resonated around them suggesting that this was still a very active warzone, a miracle that the guardsmen had held out that long.
As the two space marines pushed on, the Chaplain came to an abrupt pause his head turning to a derelict bunker to the side, almost reflexively he raised his arm before Brother Karderis, a round shattered against the armor dispersing a serum that promptly evaporated having failed to make its mark, it seems it was intended for Brother Karderis in particular meaning the enemy acknowledged the threat posed by the psyker. Almost immediately combat was sprung, an exchange of stubber rounds, a rocket slamming into the side as the Chaplain pushed forwards, his motion was synchronous with Brother Karderis each ensuring cover for the other whilst pushing forwards, if anything it showed the Chaplains regard for his brother's life.
" Genestealers brother ! they will not stand before us, use the power that the Emperor has vested in you to demolish their feeble, corrupted minds. "
The Chaplain added as he departed, charging headlong into battle, raising his bolt pistol and unleashing suppressive fire on their position. Almost as soon as the assault started it came to pause, these were the hit-and-run tactics that the cultists were infamous for no doubt but they had made the fatal error of revealing their nature to the two, not knowing that the stormseer would easily be able to track their psionic signatures across any barrier, no doubt the cult's own magos and patriarch were aware of this. It all started to make sense, the siege of Valfar Primax must have begun with carefully implemented sabotage at the behest of this cult. Vorn's rage knew no bounds, though it was futile he tossed a krak grenade in the bunker for good measure but it was evident they would require a more deliberate strategy against this threat.
" They desecrate the holy emperor's hallowed ground by taking up residence within, no doubt that they have infested the inner confines of the base Brother, in order to arm and equip themselves. It is imperative that we prevent them from utilizing such a resource, I suggest overloading the underground promethium reactors after we have extracted enough information from the dormant machine spirits, to ensure they cannot utilize the facility nor harness any fallen biomass "
The Chaplain added, loading another magazine into his bolt pistol.
"A sound strategy, indeed. We do not know how deep the cult's infestation runs, and must assume the worst for the time being. As for the promethium reactors, well…" The stormseer's pale sightless eyes glow blue as he uses his power to examine the layout of the planet. "…I believe I can find the most optimal route to the reactors. I shall lead the way."
Tolmeron looked out at the planet as the bright crimson Thunderhawk descended to a landing position. Answering a call for aid from Valfaris seemed like an ordinary thing for the 2nd Company of the Blood Angels to do. After all, once the Deathwatch had confirmed the presence of Genestealers on the planet, a force better suited to fighting them was needed. As the Blood Angels in particular were eager for a chance to issue some payback for Hive Fleet Leviathan nearly overrunning their world, they had accepted this opportunity. In addition, they were also to try and locate the lone Chaplain of some Iron Hands successor who had taken it upon himself to investigate this world on his own. As Tolmeron exited the gunship and headed to the forward operating base where Captain Aphael was waiting, he wondered what could have possibly motivated Vornn to come here. There had to be a reason why he'd gone in alone, right?
He stood waiting for his Lieutenant. As eager as he was to unleash his vengeance, he had learned to temper himself until the time was right. For him and the other Sons of Sanguinius, the Thirst for blood was both physical and a figure of speech. Soon, he and the other Astartes would be ripping their enemies apart and exacting The Emperor's justice. He made his way to the bases entry point in order to greet Tolmeron.
"Brother-Captain." Tolmeron saluted as he approached. "The Second Company is mobilized and ready to move out at your signal. Advance scout units are currently attempting to locate the Astral Fists Chaplain, but so far little luck. Vornn is either unwilling or unable to acknowledge our presence." There was some concern in his voice, as he was clearly perturbed about what could have possibly driven this Chaplain to come here on his own, abandoning even the Deathwatch advance teams that had attempted to provide assistance.
He nodded in a warm greeting to the Lieutenant "always a great day to see you, Brother-Lieutenant. We cannot leave Brother Vornn behind. We shall wait one more hour to make contact, then we will venture out. I can only hope he is not cut off currently. We will render aid to the Astral Fists and by the Emperor, lay waste to the foul darkness that had taken foot here"
The idea of battle lit a spark in the Captain's eye.
The idea of battle lit a spark in the Captain's eye.
"Indeed, Captain." Tolmeron secured his helmet, the brilliant gold that marked him as a member of the Company's command staff glinting in the sunlight. As he studied the incoming reports from the advance patrols they had sent out, he selected Astartes that would make up the detachment that would be going out to locate the Astral Fists Chaplain. Once he was satisfied with it, he turned to face Captain Aphael again. "Advance parties report no sign of the Chaplain, although the report from the Deathwatch indicates that he may be somewhere in the underground tunnels surrounding the promethium reactors for the main manufactorum. Caution is advised, as there are larger Tyranid organisms present." He hands Captain Aphael a data pad. "According to Kardaeris Ja-Khan, the Stormseer who met with the Chaplain, these Tyranids are known as the Porphyrion Host, a splinter of Hive Fleet Echidna, which the Astrals Fists felled at some point prior to the attack on Valfar Primax. How shall we proceed?"
He looked at the Lieutenant with a grin on his face "Send word to Brother Vornn. Inform him that we will be on our way. Recall all patrols and prepare to move out on my command. We will meet up with our Brother-Captain, and then we should move from there." He would pick up Blade of the Blooded and rested it upon his right shoulder. He looked over the maps and began to work out the route they would take in his mind.
"Brother, where was the last known location of Brother Vornn?"
"Brother, where was the last known location of Brother Vornn?"
"Yes, Captain." Tolmeron issues the necessary orders over a vox channel, then turns back to face the map. "We've had no contact from Brother Vornn. The Deathwatch reported that contact was lost after he and Karderis became separated in the tunnels surrounding the Promethium reactors. The presence of Tyranid Zoanthropes limited the psyker's ability to sense his comrade, so he returned to the surface and requested reinforcements, which is us." Several other Blood Angels Astartes form up behind Tolmeron, the search party that would be accompanying him and Aphael. "We've also been advised that local PDF regiments have likely been heavily corrupted by xenos influence, so there is that to keep in mind."
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