Waaagh Meckenheim

[Friddel]

Eine im Tauforum sehr gelobte Geschichte. Wer Lust hat:

[Friddel]

Part 1

On the surface level of Hive Belkan on Pelucidar, three figures moved swiftly through the crowds. Leading the way, Inquisitor Malak brushed aside anyone stupid enough to get in the way. The sight of the Inquisitional rosetta, stamped onto the chestplate of his power armour, was usually enough to cause the residents to move. If that didn't convince them, the pair of weapons servitors trailing Malak completed the task. Reaching the landing pads, Malak and his bodyguards stopped before what appeared to be a solid wall. Reaching up and clumsily unclasping his helmet, Malak stared straight ahead, opening his mouth. A vox-sensor scanned his dental records, iris scarring, as well as the bio-metric tracer implanted in his spinal cord. "Faith is our only defence" Malak whispered, completing the security system's checks. The two servitors were also subjected to a brief scan. To the outsider, the three seemed to just vanish into midair. To the Inquisitor, a force-field had generated behind him, as the ceramite and admantine reinforced door slid past. Stepping through quickly, the door sealed behind Malak with a resounding boom. Taking in his surroundings, Malak's nerves only became more frayed. An Aquila lander occupied the pad, squat and ugly, an autocannon jutting from its nose. Beneath it, the tall and bulky shapes of several Deathwatch Marines could be seen. Two were busy moving a large, black container from the Aquila's cargo bay. Three others fanned out, one hefting a heavy bolter like a Guardsman would hold his lasgun. The remaining Deathwatch, one holding a flamer and the other the Captain, moved over to welcome the Inquisitor. "Any problems, Captain Xerxes?" Malak said calmly, squashing his fear down. "None during the flight. The sedative supplied by Xenobiologist Jekal appears to be working." Nodding, the Inquisitor placed his helmet back on. Envying the Marines own proficiency and dexterity in their power armour, something which an ordinary human found cumbersome and difficult, Malak ordered his servitors to take up positions by the door. "I don't feel I need to explain as to what would happen if these things escape". The Deathwatch Captain nodded. "Deja, Fabian. Get one of the loader servitors to carry it through. We'll cover it until it goes through the door". After the massive cargo servitor had picked up and moved the container through, Inquisitor Malak and the two servitors followed.


Part 2

Reappearing beside the wall, Inquisitor Malak and his team went unnoticed. Continuing down to the larger communal hangar, Malak ordered the cargo servitor to continue over to his shuttle. A far sleeker and more menacing shape than the Aquila, the Corvus-class was unarmed, but had better facilities on board for the storage of cargo. After the cargo servitor had finished, Malak ordered it to peform a wipe of its vox files of the relevant minutes seconds after his ship had departed. Following his weapon servitors aboard, Malak heard the plasma generator roar to life. The armoured cargo door slid shut, as Malak scaled the stairs to the cockpit. Settling into his own command chair behind the two servitor-pilots, Malak cast an uneasy look at the black container again, before the internal door sealed it shut. "Commence at once to the Mako, i want no further delays" he snapped. Soon, the Corvus had lifted off. The cargo servitor obediantly wiped its memories, before responding the needs of another frustrated Rogue Trader, eager for his cargo to be loaded.

In the hidden hangar bay, Xerxes keyed his vox-caster, entering a specific bandwith. Only the other members of his squad, and the recipiant of his call could access this restricted frequency. "Bugs have been sent. Tracker is functioning. Request return to base of operations." Over the vox-link, a cold voice responded. "Permission granted. Don't lose him, Captain. I need proof of this heresy before I can accuse him. Malak has influence, despite his youth. Not to mention his ability to worm out of punishment." Xerxes nodded. "Understood, Tech-Magos. We will return immediately."

The rest of the Deathwatch team were already moving, piling into the cargo bay of the Aquila. Last to enter, Xerxes watched as the blip on the team's modified auspex pulsed gently. As they strapped into their seats, and the Aquila took off, Xerxes felt a familiar feeling of dread settle in his stomach. The less I know, the more the heretic will be exposed he thought, soothing his unease. Although intrigue of this sort was common within the Inquisition, his commander had never gone after such a low-level figure before. And there is still the matter of the bait we delivered, Xerxes thought. What horror could he have possibly transported all this way?"

[Friddel]

Part 3

The Corvus shuttle quickly reached its destination, the sleek Inquisitional corvette docked above Pelucidar. Bypassing any and all local security, Inquisitor Malak wasted no time. A pair of massive Praetorian servitors oversaw the unloading, twin autocannons at the ready. Meanwhile, Malak and his bodyguards made their way to the bridge. "Is Astropath Glavius ready?" he snarled impatiently. The Mako's consul nodded curtly. "The jump sequence should take us through enough Ork infested areas to shake off any trackers, Inquisitor. Also, a team of servitors in being deployed halfway through to sweep the outside for devices."

Malak sunk into his command chair, removing his helmet. His cold grey eyes stared ahead, lost in thought. "Bring me Magos-Fabricator Belkan." The consul activated the vox-mike attached to his tunic. A couple of minutes passed before the stocky, mechadendrite-sprouting form of the Tech-Priest emerged. Malak turned his chair and spoke quickly. "I need a complete check. Any trackers or relays attached to either the Mako or the shuttle are to be removed or destroyed. Now!" Ever compliant, Belkan slipped away. Tapping his armoured finger nervously against the armrest, Malak didn't have to wait for long. "My Lord, several trackers have been located" the Magos intoned over the vox-link. "Both of your weapon servitors, three weapons ports and the cargo container all have been contaminated. I would also judge the cargo-servitor to have been contaminated as well." Malak sat up, alarmed. "What sort of contamination?" he asked. The Magos-Fabricator chose his words carefully. Malak was legendary among those who served him for his impatience for jargon and procrastination. "It would appear that these devices, despite their size, are broadcasting live data streams indicating their exact location. Not only that, but vox-recordings as well." The Inquisitor suddenly stood, a fury in his eyes. Re-attaching his helmet, he turned to his assistant."Consul Fesal, trace the names, service records and Chapter affiliation of each of the Deathwatch team members I met today. Report back to me once you have obtained the neccessary information." Without waiting for a reply, Malak stormed out of the bridge, heading for the cargo bay. He keyed his vox-caster on the way down. "Magos-Fabricator? I need the vox-records of all three servitors on a data-slate by the time I reach the cargo bay."

From a remote location planetside, Captain Xerxes studied the dataslate with rising unease. The decoys on the ship had been identified, but there was still the issue of the weapon servitors themselves. If the impetous young Inquisitor discovered their own unconcious complicity, the ability of his team to track the Mako and its cargo would become very difficult. His master had warned the Captain of Malak's ability to avoid capture, and so caution would have to be exercised.

"It is as I suspected" Malak cursed. "The Monodominists within the Inquisiton seek to discredit me, label me a heretic." He stopped his pacing, drawing himself up to his full height. "Destroy these servitors" he said, gesturing to the two immobile weapon and the still-active cargo servitor. "Source replacements directly from the next available planet. I don't care if they originate from Mars itself. I want them as far removed from interference from the Inquisition as possible." Belkan genuflected, doing so with one part of his augmented brain. The commands sent from his cogitator caused the servitors to dissolve into pools of foul hydro-carbons. The heavy bolters and ammunition canisters just fell to the floor, while the loading claws of the cargo servitor remained attached to the black container. "Purge the affected weapon stations, and our cargo, of the spy cams and machine spirits. Once that is done, begin preperations for a warp jump." The Magos-Fabricator spoke. "Inquisitor, a surface scan must still be performed upon the Mako's hull. Only then can we be sure of full secrecy." Malak turned, stopping to think. "Very well. No delays however. I want to get as far away as possible before they plant another tracker on us." "Of course, my Lord" replied the Tech-Priest. Gesturing to the two Praetorian servitors, Belkan sent them to scour the hull for devices. Meanwhile, a fresh cargo servitor was called from its recess. Scanning it for survelliance equipment too, Belkan sighed with relief as his probing detected no modifications. Moving the mysterious cargo into a more secure compartment, the Magos-Fabricator headed for the engineering section. He silently prayed that soon he would be posted to a Forge World, and away from the capricious Inquisitor.

Back on the bridge, Malak settled into his command chair. Already, his psychic instincts could sense the Astropath begin to concentrate, readying itself for the warp. "My Lord, the guard servitors have made their sweep of the hull. An additional device was found nestled in between the main drives. It was removed and destroyed as per your instructions." Malak smiled broadly. "Good. Begin the jump then, Magos." A shudder ran through the corvette as the warp drives tore a hole in the Materium. Accelerating into the swirling eddies of the Immaterium, the Mako disappeared off the tracking systems of Pelucidar.

Xerxes and his team were already moving by the time the last tracking device was disabled. Transported to another vessel of similiar ilk to the Mako, the team waited for the vessel to enter the warp fully. "Follow from a safe distance" ordered Xerxes. The ship's crew responded, entering the same rip in the Materium before it could smooth over. Unbeknownst to the Deathwatch, a third enitity regarded the ship as it departed. Slipping silently past both, it waited for the Mako to arrive.

[Friddel]

Part 4

The Mako had exited the warp for scant seconds before warnings and flashes lit up the consoles around Inquisitor Malak. "What is that" he shouted above the din of weapon reports and status reports from the bridge crew. The consul rushed over, sweat glistening on his brow. " Dark Eldar raider fleet, my Lord. We have identified three strike cruiser analogs, and a dozen or more fighter-bomber craft." An explosion rocked the ship. Regaing his feet, the consul continued. "Boarding craft are inbound". Standing, Malak pointed at the ships strewn about the asteroids ahead. "Grid the lance batteries and point defence cannons. Launch our hidden cyclone missiles, four to a cruiser." Turning away, the Inquisitor harangued the cagey Astropath and his attendant servitors. "Get me an escape vector. I don't care if we venture into Ork space, I'm not losing this cargo to a bunch of pointy-headed sadists." Without waiting for the feeble reply of "as you wish" from the Astropath, Malak headed towards the cargo bay.

Arriving, he gestured to the Magos and his Praetorian servitors. "I'm unlocking the cargo. Stand by." Taking a small data-slate from his belt, the Inquisitor frantically punched in a complicated code. "My Lord" began the Magos, but was cut off my a look from Malak. Hitting 'confirm', Malak waited. The cargo container's walls collapsed, but nothing came from within. One wall bore a huge rent in the side, unnoticed by the cargo servitor. "I cannot sense their bionics, my Lord" finished the Magos delicately. Malak snarled, drawing his bolt pistol. "Get me a trace on their location." The ship shuddered. "Good" he finished.

The Mako pivoted, bringing itself nose on to the enemy. This had two crucial advantages; it reduced its profile, and brought all the lance batteries and point-defence cannons in line. The chin-mounted missile launchers of the corvette were also orientated in the right direction. A phalanx of lanch strikes and explosions followed as the Mako fired. Three barrages of four missiles whipped from their launchers, arcing around the deadly grid of lance fire and the streams of high-calibre explosive shells as they impacted against the dropships and fighter-bombers. Without even waiting to see the results of the cyclone missile strikes, the corvette smoothly pivoted again. Rotating on its nose, it aimed 'downwards' from the plane of the Eldar, and disappeared again.

Exiting scant seconds afterwards, a second Inquisitional corvette reapperaed. Looking through the vox-displays and sensors, the picture rattled Xerxes. "And to think, if we had reached them first" he murmered in awe, watching as the still-burning remains of Dark Eldar strike cruisers and the flickering embers of smaller craft listed in front of him.

In the docking bay of Hive Belkan, night was falling. Cargo servitors and the last few Rogue Trader captains hurried to either leave or lock up for the night. As the lights dimmed, a faint scuttling could be heard. The cargo servitors retreated into their recesses in the wall, powering down. Soon, the scuttling resumed. It stopped at the door. A shriek of metal upon metal rang throughout the docking bay.

On the vox-screens for the fourth night in a row, Belkan Security guard Hagen sat up. The stim-coffee he had been sipping slipped from his fingers. One by one, the vox-screens around him cut to static. Hoisting himself from his chair, he took an autoshotgun from the arms cabinet, locking a drum magazine into it. The screens continued to cut out. "Oh no, not this time you four-armed freaks" he growled into the static display. Cocking his weapon, he activated the targeter and left the room.

Keeping low, scanning his belt auspex frequently, Hagen slid his autoshotgun into his shoulder. From up ahead, a scuttling could be heard. Keeping low and his body still in the doorway, his leveled his weapon at the sound. The noise grew closer. A bead of sweat ran down his face. His auspex kept up a steady blip, indicating no approaching targets. Hagen relaxed slightly. The auspex suddenly stopped cold. Glancing at the display, Hagen slapped it. The auspex stayed black. Slipping back through the doorway, Hagen closed the door quickly. A second after, a massive barbed claw spiked through it. At point blank range, Hagen opened up. The door sparked from ricchochet as dozens of ball-bearings thundered into it. The claw disappeared, but not before Hagen blasted half a metre off, the remaining bloodied stump retracting quickly. Backing up, Hagen felt for his grenade launcher. Usually loaded with crowd-control gas rounds, he scrabbled to load its drum with krak grenades. At such close quarters, he reasoned, frag rounds could wipe him out too.

The door, now with a huge rent in the middle, clanged as something pulled from the other side. Slinging his autoshotgun, Hagen aimed the grenade launcher at the door. Lying prone, he levelled the iron sights at the centre of the portal, as sparks flickered onto the floor. "Come on, how badly do you want me for food?" he snarled at the door. The door buckled and strained as rivets popped. Hagen marvelled at the display. Whatever wanted him dead, it had to be strong. Having personally overseen the contruction of the security warren into a solid sphere of ceramite and durasteel, he smiled despite himself. The damn Techpriest was always muttering about the structual weakness of a door, he thought. Why not use servitors?, the Enginseer had suggested. Hagen remembered arguing, saying that mindless machines couldn't handle security.

He was interrupted from his musings by the door's departure from its reinforced frame. Hagen fired immediately, four grenades spiralling away. The resulting explosions rattled the entire room, but Hagen calmly switched to his autoshotgun. Waiting for his eardrums to stop pounding (he cursed himself for forgetting his helmet), he listened intently. Nothing could be heard. Slinging the near-empty launcher over his shoulder, Hagen advanced slowly, autoshotgun leading. He made it to the doorway. Scarring and chunks of ceramite littered the ground. A couple of deep holes in the wall opposite indicated which rounds had missed. A purplish smear of blood was splashed across the wall and floor Hagen laughed softly. "Guess that settles it".

The Mako reappeared above Pelucidar, Hive Belkan sprawling far below. "Get me the docking bay we just left" ordered Inquisitor Malak. "If those things did what they are meant to, they'll have killed any potential witnesses and gone underground." Fabricator Belkan gestured. "This has taken much time, energy and secrecy upon the part of many to achieve, my lord. I know you share my feeling that our efforts should not be wasted." "What do you suggest? After all, this is your Hive" Malak responded, a slight edge in his voice. The Magos chose his words carefully. "Perhaps dispatching a Deathwatch team, Inquisitor." Malak didn't let him continue. "No. Enough intereference from those who seek to discredit me. Bring the Praetorians down with me. Load them with Incapacitors" he snapped, clearly on edge. Magos Belkan nodded and left. "Consul, you have the bridge. Do try and keep my ship out of harms way. And tell the Astropath I don't want any more surprises like that again." Fesal nodded. "As you wish, my lord".

[Friddel]

Part 5

The Corvus-class shuttle made quick progress to the docking bay. Moving before the ramp had fully deployed, Inquisitor Malak crouch-ran. A power sword was clutched in his left hand, while a bolt pistol was held in his right. The pair of Praetorian servitors had to deploy their tracks to keep up. Grinding along behind, the more nimble Malak kept ahead. His modified helmet fed infrared, ultraviolet, motion-tracking and auspex data directly to his visor. The blue-back bay was quiet as a grave, save for the Inquisitor and his bodguards. Hurring over the the far wall, Malak grinned despite himself. "They took out the vox-cams first, then they disabled the door" he said to himself, the Praetorians taking no notice, busy scanning the surroundings, autocannons at the ready.

Repeated gunshots and explosions distracted the trio from the door. Hurring up the stairs, Malak led with his bolt pistol, his power sword at the ready. He almost shot Guard Hagen as he emerged, autoshotgun at the ready. "They yours?" the security guard asked mock-casually, indicating the tunnel-like passageway. Faint scuttles could be heard. Malak nodded grimly. "Better keep them in a stronger container next time. Buggers are too strong and fast" responded Hagen. "Guard, you know the passages of this hive?" said Malak. Hagen nodded, adding with a smirk "you know what they say about Hivers". Malak merely frowned. "What is the quickest and quietest route to the underhive? They'll probably attempt to hibernate down there." Hagen gestured. "One of your tech-Ogryns to the front with me, you and other one can be the rearguard. Try to keep quiet" he added, wincing at the Praetorian's grinding tracks. "They can walk from here on in, its too dangerous to go fast. The tunnels often collapse under stress." Malak nodded, ordering his bodyguard into position. Soon, the small band of four made progress, each on their guard.

"What did the interrogation of the Archon reveal?" demanded Xerxes, bolter in hand. "Only that the Mako let off a defensive barrage and left back the way it had came. Further interrogation of their navigator confirmed this" responded Deja. Xerxes nodded. "Tell the Astropath to head for Pelucidar. He's going back to retrieve the cargo. Only this time, we finished off Malak, and bring his shattered remains back to the Inquisition for interrogation." "And the prisoners, Captain?" queried Fabian, bolter in hand. Xerxes waved his hand dismissively. "Put them in stasis, the most painful you can devise, Jekal." The diminutive scientist nodded, heading for the brig.



Part 6

Inquisitor Malak stopped, listening intently. The two Praetorians did the same, arcing their weapons forward and behind respectively. Hagen looked back, frowning. "What" he whispered. Without even thinking, the veteran Guard dropped himself to the floor of the tunnel. A spiked claw rammed home a centimeter from his neck, ichor still covering its length. A grin flittered across Hagen's face. "Wondered when you would come back for more" he growled, looking up. A series of explosions and deafening gunfire followed, as both Praetorians locked on, peppering the ceiling with rounds. Crouching and aiming his own weapon, Hagen felt a blow to his side as Inquisitor Malak kicked him down. The servitors ceased fire and a limp form thudded to the ground.

Hagen got to his feet, but saw the barrel of Malak's bolt pistol meet his nose. "Don't touch your weapon" the Inquisitor ordered. Out of the corner of his eye, the guard could see one Praetorian hefting the limp form onto its shoulder, its cybernetic arm firmly gripped around the body. Hagen eye's widened in shock and awe. The creature was roughly three metres long, with two muscular, spiked talons folded like wings on its back. Its tail, ending in a barbed spike, was sinewy and flexible. Its mouth was a sleek, fang-filled horror, with a pair of main eyes and three other pairs, one on each side, and a final pair recessed in the back of the skull. Its upper pair of legs ended in a six-fingered, clawed paw. The middle and lower pair were more bulky, indicating the beast's main method of locomotion.

"Is it dead?" Hagen asked, shuddering as the adrenalin rush wore off. The numerours impact marks and puncture wound covering the creature's body certainly indicated as much. Malak snorted, holstering his weapons. "No, although it will be out cold for several hours. Our problem still remains however" he added. Malak spoke again. "Guard, lure the others from hiding. Grenades, gunfire, anything noisy and violent should attract them." Hagen opened his mouth to argue, then noticed the Ordo Xenos seal on Malak's armour. People who disobeyed Inquisitors generally were shot, if they were lucky. Swallowing his pride (and his fear), Hagen hefted his autoshotgun, the Praetorian following.

On the upper levels, many stories above, Captain Xerxes fumed. With the destruction of the two weapon servitors earlier, his last artifical tracking system was lost. Now, he would have to track Malak and the beasts on foot. Deja stepped forward, a heavy bolter in its suspensor sling attached to his right shoulder. "Brother, we need to get moving. Our time here is running out". Xerxes drew his bolter, turning to the others. "Brothers, steel yourselves. The creatures we delivered today have been bred to be efficient killers, and they are more than capable of killing us all. However, if we maintain short bursts of fire to box them in, Deja will be able to purge them easily." The Salamander chambered a Hellfire round to emphasise the point the Captain had made. "Do not engage them in hand to hand unless you have no other option. Even our holy power armour can be torn apart by their talons, so no heroics. Fight as a team." The other Marines nodded, readying their bolters.

[Friddel]

Part 7

Hagen tried to force down his resentment. First he couldn't kill it, now he had to be bait? he thought. Then he remembered how close Malak had come to killing him. A shudder ran through Hagen as he continued down the tunnel, covered by the Praetorian servitor. A loud screeching shook him from his thoughts.

"Contact!" he yelled, for the benefit of the Inquisitor. Behind him, the massive Praetorian moved forwards. Dropping to the floor again, Hagen remembered to cover his ears as the autocannon roared above his head. Even with his hands over his ears, and the whirring of the Praetorian, Hagen could hear the sound of another body falling to the ground. Breathing heavily, Hagen got to his feet. The shape on the ground did the same, moving faster. Hagen ran, but the beast used the walls and ceiling for momentum, catching up. Ducking, Hagen felt the spikes graze his back. Despite the fact the beast had barely touched him, the grazes burned with pain.

The roar of the autocannon started again, this time from up close. The beast was thrown backwards awkardly, falling over its own talons as the Incapacitors brought it down. From the shadows, the Inquisitor appeared. Hagen privately wondered why the beast hadn't tried to attack Malak, but was distracted by the wounds on his back. The Inquisitor examined them with interest. "And it didn't even land a direct hit?" Malak queried, daubing the scratches with a blue liquid from a vial. Hagen winced before answering, the pain unmitigated. "Yeah, just a graze. This isn't standard issue flak you know" he added. "I had this specially made. I even had them test it with live rounds. Its carapace armour for all intents and purposes.".

Malak didn't respond, eyes on the second body as the Praetorian brought it back. "Well, this one looks to be the leader" commented the Inquisitor, placing a small device on the creatures head. It whirred, before detaching. Malak placed it back on his belt. "Now, lets return to the dock." Hagen frowned, confused. "What about the others?" the guard asked, still shaken from the last bout. Malak merely kept walking, replying "it won't matter until later". Hagen felt a sharp pain in his neck, before darkness filled his vision.

Malak sighed as he watched the Guardsman slump to the floor. The man, without any help or forewarning, had staved off the beasts successfully. The Inquisitor paused to consider just how rare such a person Hagen was. He decided that whatever training the Guard must have recieved, it was most useful. Most humans died before they even realised they were being hunted. "I think you will be most useful to me, Guard Hagen" said Malak. Grabbing the man by his armoured collar, the Inquisitor dragged him back up the tunnel. In his other hand, Malak kept his bolt pistol at the ready.

Xerxes and Fabian together watched in silence on the auspex as the Inquisitor and his bodyguard returned. "No one fires until I give the command" whispered Xerxes over the vox-link. The other Deathwatch Marines trained their weapons on the door. For their part, the Captain and Fabian aimed their Kraken bolters at the door. They would most likely get one shot.



Part 8

"Captain Xerxes" said Malak, camly striding forwards. The Marines paused, unsure what to do. Their captain made the decision for them. Raising his bolter, he opened fire, the other Deathwatch opening fire a split second later. The bolts rippled off the Inquisitor's force field however, falling to the ground. As second later, the firing stopped. "Malak, hand over the xenos, or your life will be forfeit". The two Praetorians locked onto the Marines, autocannons at the ready. Hagen took cover behind their bulk, hoping he would live through the next few minutes.

The Inquisitor took a step forwards. "Captain, on whose orders?". Xerxes frowned behind his helmet. Considering his options, he could just concentrate fire until the Inquisitor's shields and armour failed. Noticing the Praetorians take up defensive positions and cycle their autocannons, he opted for the other. "Even if I did know..." Malak cut him off. "You would tell me, as every word of this is being recorded and sent to my ship. Should anything unfortunate befall myself, my team or the specimens, you will have the stigma of Excommunicatus Non-Diabolus attached to your head, and my allies to answer to." Xerxes cursed himself. Even cornered and outgunned, Malak had outwitted his enemies. The Deathwatch Captain kept low and assessed his options. Tactically, his opponent had the advantage. With only the vox-recording of him challenging an Inquisitor, things would look decidedly unpleasant for his squad. Add in the probability of the foul xenos carried by Malak ever resurfacing, and Xerxes had to conclude defeat.

Malak smirked beneath his helmet. One did not rise to the position of Inquisitor without having backup and planning for every eventuality, he thought. The Inquisitor spoke again. "Squad Xerxes, as of this moment you are in my service, as per your oaths sworn upon induction. All previous orders and missions are henceforth disbanded." The Marines grudgingly lowered their weapons. Xerxes lowered his instantly. With the advantage to Malak, any perception of heresy or disobedience in his squad would warrant death. If they were lucky, he thought darkly, knowing firsthand the punishment meted out the enemies of man.

"Good. Now that we have settled that matter, a new one arises. One of these" Malak gestured to one of the beasts "will be transported with you, the other will remain with me. To ensure the survival of both teams, I shall deploy one Praetorian with you. The other shall watch over myself and the second beast. Clear?" Squad Xerxes nodded, then silently fanned out. One of the Praetorians followed mindlessly after them, dragging the still-limp beast with it.

"Now, Guard Hagen. Your skill against these creatures was extraordinary. I have a feeling you have faced similiar foes before". Hagen nodded, unsure where the Inquisitor was going. "So, you have trained within the Imperial Guard. Stormtrooper?" Hagen nodded, his face paling slightly. "My Lord, my past record is something between myself and the survivors..." Malak waved his hands dismissively. "I was accessing your records while we were recovering the specimens. Your entire battalion was wiped out in a Genestealer invasion. It was itself eradicated and the responding splinter fleet was repelled, but you and sixteen others remain the only survivors of the spaceport assault". Hagen opened his mouth to ask how, then closed it, remembering who he was talking to. Malak started walking, Hagen followed numbly. "I need men who have fought these creatures. Men who know their tactics, their strengths, their weaknesses." Hagen spoke up. "My Lord, such knowledge is bought at a great price, and as far as weaknesses are concerned...they have none."

The walked up the ramp, the Praetorian stowing the beast in another container. Reinforced hydraulic rams sealed the door. The Praetorian settled into the opposite wall. Hagen followed Malak into the cockpit. The pilot-servitor was already busy reading the craft. A shudder ran through the shuttle, as the Corvus took off. The internal vox-caster clicked on. "Xerxes. We have secured the specimen. We will follow you to the ship." Malak settled into his command seat, taking off his helmet. He gazed coldly out at the stars. "Sometimes, Hagen, our duty requires sacrifice. Great loss, great cost. But it matters not what is or how we give our service, it matters what impact it has." Hagen settled into a seat behind the Inquisitor, silently trying to block out the flood of memories reawakened. He shuddered. "And how exactly do we know?"

Xerxes listened covertly to the conversation. A part of him felt anger and hatred well up. The Inquisitor was transporting xenos, and sounded dangerously heretical in his pronouncements. Another part felt duty call, a need to remain alive long enough to accomplish the mission. Xerxes wondered privately by what means Malak would accomplish his mission. He stared at the black container in the cargo bay. Silently, he hoped whatever the servitor had shot it with kept it down. Xerxes let out a sigh. Only his third mission for the Ordo Xenos, and already he was consorting with heretics. He glanced at the dark green left shoulderplate, and felt another part of him squirm with shame. He silently prayed for the Emperor's forgiveness.

[Friddel]

Part 9

The Mako waited patiently in orbit, silenting tracking the progress of both shuttles. Consul Fesal nervously watched, then breathed out as the Corvus and the Aquila both docked in the hangar. "Navigator, now would be a good time" he snapped, eager to leave. The Astropath merely nodded, before concentrating on the Warp. The bridge crew tensed, waiting for the ship to transition into the Warp.

In the hangar bay, Malak strode down from the shuttle confidently. Beside him, Captain Xerxes and his Deathwatch Marines silently took up defensive positions around both craft. The Praetorians did the same, each covering their shuttle's cargo door. "Consul, are we in the Warp yet?" the Inquisitor barked over the vox-link. "Nearly, my lord. We are scant seconds from the jump..." Malak cut the link impatiently. "Where is that Tech-priest?" he asked. The Fabricator's metallic voice echoed in his ear. "Conducting repairs, my lord. The damage caused by the removal of the devices was minor if irritating" said Belkan. The Inquisitor sighed, then replied. "Get the Xenobiologist and yourself outside my quarters. I'll call you in. We have much to discuss." "As you wish" replied Magos Belkan smoothly, before cutting the link.

Hagen was left standing numbly in the large, mostly empty hangar. One of the Deathwatch passed by, weapons and equipment in hand. Hagen suddenly realised they were his. "Hey, I need those..." he started to say angrily, before the Marine turned around. Towering over Hagen at over two metres in his armour, Fabian's voice sounded harsh and fierce over the vox-caster. "These items have been requested by the Inquisitor for further study. He has also requested your presence." Unpeturbed, Hagen continued to glare up at the Marine. "Maybe, but I don't need you to carry it for me" he responded. Fabian let out a short bark of laughter. "I see you are not the only one who has come away from fighting Tyranids with a lack of humility." Xerxes responded to the barbed comment. "Brother, when you face the Hive Mind, maybe you too will realise we fight our demise. It only follows that other minor fears become meaningless to the mind prepared for death."

Deja spoke up, setting down the parts of Tarantula he was assembling. "Fabian, its different, fighting the swarms. They don't just run into your guns for a fight, like greenskins. And they don't value their lives, like Eldar or Tau. They are completely fearless, and everything they do you have to second guess, not believe your eyes." Fabian snorted derisively. "The bugs bleed don't they?" Deja nodded slowly, not understanding. "Then like any other xenos" he continued, racking back the slide on his bolter "they can be purged of life." Xerxes rolled his eyes beneath his helmet. "Heresy grows from idleness, brothers. Time is precious." The Marines took the hint and got back to their tasks. "Follow me" said Fabian, as he and Hagen continued into the bowels of the corvette.

From within the Corvus shuttle, one of the beasts stirred. Its limbs and claws twitched as it slowly exercised, trying to work its aching muscles. Its eyes scanned the confines of its container through multiple spectrums, coldly assessing structural weaknesses. Finding none, it hissed softly. Its greatly enhanced cerebral cortex reached out for its kin in the Aquila shuttle. The other beast stirred, but it was still too weakened to move yet. Despite the amazing regenerative qualities of the creatures, they could only crawl weakly around their containers. The reinforced ceramite and the admantium layer on the inner and outer surface was too thick for their atrophied strength to tear through. Telepathically, it ordered its kin to continue to hibernate, as it did so. While its brain rested as it shunted resources and cell activity to repairing physical and nervous damage, its eyes remained active, glowing slightly in the pitch-dark of the container.

[Friddel]

Part 10

Hagen and Fabian stood outside the Inquisitor's quarters. The former Guardsman noticed the tight grip the Marine had on his bolter. Years of biological and psychological augmentation, and they still feel fear like any human, he thought. Remembering the brave last stand of the Lamenters he served with, he mentally scolded himself. Fabian had probably faced worse horrors than Hagen could imagine, and here he was. His unease at the Marine's lack of experience facing the Hive did not diminish.

The reinforced ceramite slid open, admitting the two inside and breaking Hagen from his musings. The room was dimly lit, a central glow-cube suspended from the ceiling. The round table was bare, save for a holoprojector mounted on the middle. Taking a seat next to Fabian, hearing the tiny servos whir as he sat down, Hagen looked around the meeting. Malak sat, no longer in his power armour, looking just as formidable in his robes of office. Magos-Fabricator Belkan sat to the Inquisitor's right, a servo-skull hovering at his ear. On the other side of Malak, a small man with beady eyes stared back at Hagen with interest. "So, he took on one of the subjects and survived?" he said. Malak glared at him until the man took his gaze from Hagen. "Now then, I have called this meeting to explain a few salient points to the newest members of our team. In accordance with the tenets of the Ordo Xenos, all matters discussed here remain within the team. I am sure you are all aware of the penalty for revealing such information to anyone else" he added ominously.

"Xenobiologist, your findings". The small man stood, activating the holo-field with a gesture. Complicated algorithims and rune patterns appeared, before an image of one of the creatures formed. "Put simply, this is the future of warfare against the Tyranids." Fabian interjected sharply. "You mean to tell me you somehow...turned a hive organism away from the Hive Mind?" The scientist cackled, a savage grin on his face. "If only, Astrates, but that comes later. No, these specimens have been engineered to be the ultimate predators. Only problem being, the Hive Mind no longer has control; it is us". "How is this possible?" asked Magos Belkan softly, the servo-skull whirring as its vox-cam took in the display. The bizarre contruct hovered for but a second longer, before Malak's bolt pistol blew it to pieces. The Magos didn't move, instead giving the Inquisitor a venomous look. "No records, Magos. You know the limits of your tenure; stick by them". Belkan did not reply, cursing softly in Lingua Technicus. The Xenobiologist continued. "As can be seen, these creatures have the speed and cunning to match a Lictor or a Genestealer, while being able to navigate virtually any terrain. Coupled with their accelerated regenration cycles, and we have a very potent weapon at our disposal."

Malak snorted. "I wish to be convinced these things won't simply break our necks once we set them loose. How are they to be controlled?" The scientists face lit up. "The most simple yet ingenious part of the plan. We insert a catalytic null generator, directly into their synapses. We then match their psychic signature, essentially a void, and tie it to an individual. In this case, you, Inquisitor." Fabian stood, eyes blazing. "I have heard enough. Of these two, I could expect heresy. A mere man" he said gesturing to the Xeobiologist, "and a paranoid Tech-priest. But you Inquisitor, are a defender of humanity. And yet you allow yourself to be...corrupted, forced to consort with the foulest xenos known." Malak stood, eyes cold and dark. "This is precisely why I brought your here, Sergeant. To hear of what we have done, and then what we must accomplish. Now, we turn our attentions to the plan." Malak sat down, Fabian doing so grudgingly. Hagen noticed the grip on the hilt of his chainsword did not lessen. "Our plan, as the Xenobiologist was to outline, is to place these creatures in to root out the vanguard elements of a Tyranid invasion. It will first assimilate into the groups, carefully tainting them with the same null generators. Once the tiny machines have sufficiently infected the vanguard, it will take control and purge all of the 'Stealer hybrids within the population. With the heart of the rebellion under our control, and the remainder unable to avoid detection from their 'brood brothers', we predict this method may lessen the need for Kill-teams." Malak cleared his throat, then continued. "However, being the first true test, the incident today being a foulup on the part of the Deathwatch" he added, looking at Fabian "I expect the Deathwatch team to trail them. If any problems are encountered, i shall disable them remotely, allowing the Captain and his Marines to recover them."

Magos Belkan spoke again, a slyness in his voice. "And should they fail?" Malak laughed shortly. "We have more in stasis. As I said, this is the first test. They pass it, which I am sure they will, and we move on to the real objective." The Fabricator looked up, startled. "I wouldn't move so hastily towards Stygies VII, my lord. Our machines already hunt the foul Tyranids there" Malak cut him off with a look. "I made it an objective to root out an entire infestation already in progress. The test will only make sure they can engage the early signs of a rebellion." The Inquisitor stood. "Ready you weapons. Hagen, Fabian, the Xenobiologist wishes to advise you on future engagements.". The rest left, leaving the Marine and the Guardsman standing alone with the scientist. "Guard Hagen, your weapons and armour" he said. Hagen quickly dressed himself in the carapace, noticing the changed outer coating. "Something I should know about?" he said, gesturing. "It is coated in a Tyranid specific neurotoxin. Any physical contact with cause the limb to enter paralysis and die off. Your shotgun" he said, handing Hagen some steel drum magazines "has been modified for these rounds. They fire a incapacitor capable of bringing down a Genestealer. Non-lethal, but highly effective."

Fabian rolled his eyes, snorting impatiently. "Ah, Astrates. The Inquisitor wished that you study these data-cores before we arrive at our destination. He said they would help you, and i agree. Given your attitude so far, I think you will be the first Marine to have his head removed by 'Stealer claws." Fabian took the data-cores, glaring down at the man. "I have faced worse than xenos before. At least Tyranids stay dead when you shoot them." The pair left, Hagen watching as the Xenobiologist manipulated the display, sifting through immense streams of data as he worked.

Meeting the others in the launch bay, Fabian joined Xerxes and the other Deathwatch Marines. Hagen shouldered his weapon, and stood beside them, careful to face the Inquisitor. "Right, you will be deployed using the teleportation array you see before you. Its an ancient, barely understood technology. You will most likely be deployed deep within the enemy lines. Communications are to be kept to a minimum. We must be wary of not just xenos, but rivals as well." Xerxes gave a small nod. "Good. The creatures are being sent first. You are to follow, observe and kill anything they miss. Easy. Your probably will just be counting body parts" he added, smirking.

The vox-caster mounted in the wall burst into static. "Inquisitor, we have arrived. The Navigator says we have a clear passage, no intereference to the Warp." Malak smiled. "Send them in". A faint blue aura surrounded the Deathwatch and Hagen, before their was a blinding flash and they disappeared. "Monitor their progress. Keep a lookout for anomalies. I know there is someone else following us." Malak left the launch bay, and headed for the bridge.

[Friddel]

Part 11

Hagen blinked, attempting re-orientate himself after the teleportation. Around him, the Deathwatch team moved, used to the nausea and confusion. "Hurry, Guardsman. The Inquisitor didn't order us to sit still" said Fabian as he jogged past.

The team continued through the claustrophobic hive tunnels. Locals stared with awe and fear as the Marines and Hagen swept past. Xerxes activated his vox-caster. "By order of the Ordo Xenos, this entire hive is under lockdown. Any residents found outside their homes will be considered enemy combatants." Noticing the heavy weaponry and the sheer size of the Marines, most hivers retreated, casting dark looks at the sudden disruption to their lives. Up ahead, however, one such group of hivers was not moving, and suffering.

"Hold position" ordered the Deathwatch Captain. The Marines knelt and trained their weapons, carefully recording the scene before them through their augers and targeters. Hagen stopped and gaped. The hivers before them wielded a wild assortment of illegal weaponry, from bolters to plasma guns, flamers and grenade launchers, even one particularly large ganger hefting a heavy bolter, firing from the hip. Their attackers moved like dark shadows, slicing apart the enemy. The gangers didn't retreat however, and fought back fanatically. When Crucio raised his plasma gun to kill the heavy bolter ganger, Xerxes ordered him to stand down. A second later, the Captain's judgment was vindicated, as the large ganger lost his upper body to a scything talon. It only took a few more bloody seconds, before the last ganger collapsed in pieces, and the beasts moved on. A lone hiver stepped out from a doorway, looking after the beasts and then to the Deathwatch team. Xerxes bolter rang out, and the hiver's head exploded in blood and brains. "No witnesses" he explained roughly to the shocked Hagen, before the team moved on.

They hadn't made much ground before they hit an ambush. Letting the malestrom of blood and death that was Malak's creations storm past, scything apart the sacrificial squad they had deployed in front of them, they instead struck the team from both flanks. Crucio fired at point blank range, frying a ganger as he emerged from cover. Fabian fired his bolter at a trio of gangers as they emerged, watching with disgust as the spread hit but failed to bring them down. Deja brought his heavy bolter to bear on the left flank, firing a Hellfire into the approaching mob. Five gangers went down, screaming as the deadly mutagenic toxins and viruses liquified them from the inside out. Two more continued and bowled Deja over.

Hagen ducked as a ganger lashed out, firing his autoshotgun into his attackers face. Although the rounds were meant to incapacitate, Hagen saw that at such close range, the sheer force blasted the ganger's face to a pulp. Beside him, Xerxes fought two at once. His power sword cleaved the head off one, while his bolt pistol blew the other's arm off. The ganger kept coming however, and tackled Xerxes to the floor. Up close, the Captain could see the crazed look in the man's face. Worse, he noticed as sharp claws raked his chestplate, scoring deep grooves in the ceramite. Pushing the mutant off, he stomped on its head. Deja broke the neck of his attacker, before drawing his combat knife and quickly killing the other, jamming it to the hilt through the ear. Torvald swung his thunderhammer, and knocked four gangers flying. Three hit the wall and never got up; the fourth got to his feet and faced the Marine. A bolt pistol round sent him back to the floor for good.

The Marines recovered their weapons from the piles of bodies, dispassionately stepping over the dead before continuing. "It is as we feared" intoned Xerxes, a slight edge to his voice. Deja and Fabian nodded in agreement. "They're xenos-corrupted hybrids. I fear we will only face stronger and purer Genestealer hybrids as we continue" added Torvald, hefting his thunderhammer. "Well, let us not be outdone in the Emperor's service by the Inquisitor's pets" said Xerxes, moving off. The rest of the team did so, Hagen gripping his autoshotgun tighter. He had faced Tyranids in battle before, but then, they could be easily seen as such. Here, every suspicious hiver was a potential threat. The former Guardsmen read the body language of the impassive Marines; they too felt like they were deep in enemy territory. However, unlike Hagen, they lived for no other purpose. Feeling glad that no Marine had yet fallen, Hagen mentally prepared himself nonetheless. Commissar Zacharius had said the Lamenters who they fought alongside with were invincible, undefeatable. On that same night, the Commissar died, and the Lamenters were swamped by broods so thick, the corpses of the battle were piled six deep on every square metre of ground. And beneath those broken bodies lay the last remains of the 5th Company, never to be reformed.

It was then that Hagen noticed for the first time the coloured shoulder plates of the Deathwatch team. And on one, the distinctive motif of the blood drop framed by pure white wings, revealed Sergeant Crucio to be a Blood Angel. Feeling a slight relief at having what amounted to a brother of the Lamenters, and therefore a Marine with a grudge to settle with the Tyranids, Hagen also felt a new unease. The rumours among the Imperial Guard about the Blood Angels Chapter varied, but the tales of Marines driven mad and forever corrupted into bloodthirsty psychopaths did not sit well with the former Stormtrooper, remembering the words of his commander at his promotion ceremony. "I would not call upon that Chapter for help ever, not even if Cadia stood at the brink. Their ways are fickle, and their loyalty is suspect. Trust not an Astrates Chapter which venerates the insane; such a Chapter inevitably attracts the attentions of the Inquisiton". Hagen only hoped that Crucio had the strength of will to resist whatever dark secret lay at the heart of his Chapter; today, they would need his strength.

[Friddel]

Part 12

From deep within the Mako, Inquisitor Malak sat frowning at the holo-display before him. The images and sounds being transmitted were horrific, coming directly from the beasts own cybernetic implants. Sprays of blood, roars of pain from the Genestealer hybrids, and thunderous gunfire echoed around the room. A bleep from the auger on the reinforced door disturbed Malak. "Yes?" he snarled, irritated at the interruption. Consul Fesal entered, a sheepish expression on his face. "My Lord, the infestation is worse than was anticipated. Captain Xerxes and his team report numerous contacts with larger and more powerful hybrids. They request reinforcements."

The Inquisitor stood, careful to keep his face hidden. Placing his helmet back on, he followed the consul out of the chamber. He keyed his vox, selecting the Deathwatch frequency. "Captain, you progress?" The sombre, deep voice of the Marine Captain crackled with interference. "My Lord, the numbers of these...mutants we are encountering are too great for us to prevail. The..." Xerxes paused, searching for a word in his vocabulary "creatures that you unleashed cut a swathe through them, and as yet none have been brought down, or even hit as far we can tell. However, as we attempt to track them, we are continually hitting enemy ambushes." Malak grimaced. He would now have to make direct use of his Stormtroopers, a force he wished to keep aboard for security. The Magos assured him that the weapon servitors on patrol would be sufficient; however, the Inquisitor knew better than to simply trust another's word. "There is always a backup plan" he said to himself. "Inquisitor? I need confirmation" intoned Xerxes, a slight edge to his voice. "Yes, Captain, they are on the way. Give a time and location." The Captain responded immediately. "There is a redoubt only two hundred metres from our current postion. We can cover both entry tunnels if the beasts can hold the exit. The space is large enough for a modest force to teleport."

Malak smiled coldly. "Very well, I shall inform the Astropath and the Magos. Expect two squads to appear at that location in two minutes." Switching frequencies as the Captains link cut to static, Malak steeled his voice. "Squads Tarsis and Nero, report with full kit to the teleportation bay. I shall personally discipline any of those Stormtroopers who are not there on time. My briefing shall take place there, prepare yourselves." Snapping off the vox-caster, Malak entered the bridge. "Vox-cams from the Deathwatch team?" he asked. Consul Fesal nodded, activating the holo-field.

The team appeared as a grouping of blue Marine figures, with the gangers and hybrids appearing in red. The constant feed from the helmet cams and the team's auspex constructed a three-dimensional, real time animation of the events. Malak watched approvingly as time and time again, the Marines slaughtered their attackers mercilessly, then carried on, repeating the process with every ambush. The constant attacks were sapping them of strength and momentum however, something which gave the impatient Malak cause for anxiety. He turned away from the display, muttering in High Gothic and concentrating with his eyes closed. The bridge crew, used to the eccentric and capricious ways of their Lord, merely continued in their duties, leaving the Consul standing awkwardly next to the display.

Deep within Hive Belkan, one of Malak's creations stopped, slipping back into the shadows. Its kin did the same, leaving the confused gangers standing stupidly in the open. A hail of bolts and plasma wiped them out to a man, the last survivor running out of the junction. From the darkness above his head, Xerxes watched as a third beast joined with its kin. "Well, now we know where the last one is" said Fabian, reloading. Deja re-coupled his chain-feed into his heavy bolter, Crucio replacing his depleted plasma cell with a fresh one. Torvald knelt over one of the dead hybrids, face wrinkled in disgust. Morghast covered the right tunnel, kneeling and sighting through his helmet auger.

"Captain, I have contact, they will be on us in moments" he said, racking back the slide to chamber a bolt. The rest of the squad fanned out. Xerxes keyed the squad vox frequency. "Torvald, deploy with Deja, take the left tunnel. Morghast, Crucio, Fabian, to the right flank." The Deathwatch Captain turned to Hagen. "Scout ahead with the..beasts. The Inquisitor wants you observe something, I presume it is imporant." Turning before Hagen could register he had been given orders, Xerxes loaded his bolter, checking his power sword was loose in its sheath. Standing roughly equidistant from both fireteams, he waited. "Make their deaths swift, brothers" he boomed, as the first hybrids rounded the corner of each tunnel.

Hagen set off as the gunfire and battle-cries began, watching as the beasts first coldly assessed him, then, from some unseen command, set off at a blinding pace. Trying to keep up, lugging his autoshotgun, the Guardsmen felt himself lifted into the air, the beast's other limbs rattling against conduits and pockmarks in the tunnel ceiling as it loped upside down. The creatures seemed to know where they were headed, and only stopped at one junction to kill a large horde of Genestealers. Seeing the full-blooded Tyranid vanguard in the flesh gave Hagen pause. They not only could stand up to the beasts, it took a visible effort for them to kill them. The 'Stealer's speed and ferocity almost killed him, before his weapon, and a few choice scything blows from the beasts, silenced their screams.

Finishing off the last convulsing body, Hagen watched as the gunfire grew louder and three Deathwatch rounded the corner. "Move, they are too many!" bellowed Xerxes, bolter on his hip, bolt pistol and power sword in hand. Fabian and Morghast stopped and fired hard, blasting down six hybrids as they attempted to catch Deja, the trailing member of the squad. With Deja burdened by the weight of his ammunition hopper and heavy bolter, Torvald knew, and turned to face the enemy. "I'll kill some time for you" he growled, before he set upon the hybrids. His thunderhammer carved a bloody swathe through the dozen or more hybrids attempting to assault. Cracking one's skull open with the butt of his bolt pistol, the Marine pivoted and blasted down the few that made it past. Another swing, and more hybrids flew in parts to splatter against the tunnel walls. Noticing Deja had made it, Torvald ran hard, before ducking and sliding past his battle-brothers. The rest of the team fired hard, before laying some frag grenades and running. "Too blood-crazed, they won't notice until.." a blast drowned out Xerxe's words.

Rounding the corner, the squad stopped and watched as hybrid after hybrid was cut down. Some even managed to get off a couple of rounds before being cut to pieces, the rounds deflected by the beast's tough exoskeleton. "Malak, where are they?" said Xerxes to the ceiling angrily, before a white light washed over the team. Once it dissapated, two Stormtrooper squads appeared. Each had a commsman, a grenade launcher and a plasma gunner. "Squad Tarsis and Nero, waiting for orders" said the first squad's Sergeant. "Cover the other tunnels, cut them down before they reach you." The Stormtroopers fanned out, setting up around the junction. The carnage continued, with the three beasts seemingly without fatigue or sense of pain, as another wave hit them, or rather collapsed into bloody fragments.

Hagen collected his thoughts and turned to Xerxes. "I engaged full blooded Genestealers. The Patriach must be nearby." The Deathwatch Captain snorted, checking his weapons. "There is always an honour guard, it won't be undefended. My concern is more with what sort of leader xenos we will encounter." Crucio spoke up, tearing his amused gaze from the hybrid carnage. "If we encounter a Broodlord, tell Torvald to stay back. Nothing engages that thing in hand to hand and wins. I have seen Death Company be torn to pieces by such a Tyranid xenoform. Purgation from range is recommended." Fabian nodded, sheathing his drawn chainsword. "These damn xenos claws seem to carve through our power armour too easily, Captain. Bolters would be more effective."

Xerxes pondered this for a moment, as a severed limb trailing blood hit the wall opposite. Watching dispassionately as it twitched and convulsed, the Deathwatch Captain turned back to the team. "New plan. Sergeant Tarsis and Nero, deploy your sentry guns around the third tunnel entrance. Everyone is to move into it now. The Stormtroopers shall remain with Crucio, Morghast and Deja; the rest are to follow me. Hagen, before we make off, a moment." Keying his vox, Xerxes listened intently. An all-clear tone was heard, and the beasts retreated as quickly as possible, clawing past the teams via the ceiling. The hybrids ran around the corner, only to be cut down by hellgun and bolt rounds. As more and more appeared, the heavy bolters and plasma guns opened up, carefully killing those who did not die to the small arms fire.

Hagen ran, the beasts slowing to allow Xerxes, Torvald and Fabian to follow more closely. The tunnel widened into a large cave, hollowed out of surrounding rock by what appeared to be claws. On a crude dias, a lone figure stood out from the dozens of dark red figures kneeling before it. "Fabian, your shot" said Xerxes, restraining the impatient and battle-hungry Torvald from assaulting. The Marine carefully loaded a small ten-round clip into his bolter, activating a auto-targeter mounted above the muzzle. Sighting carefully, he took aim and fired four rapid shots. Three hit their mark, the last hitting the psyker-slave chained to the dias, ending his torment. "Now we run" said Xerxes, hauling Hagen by the collar out of the cave. Fabian followed, changing clips on the move to regular bolt rounds. Torvald ran past, thunderhammer humming. "He wants to engage some more hybrids before we need to run" remarked Fabian. Xerxes sighed heavily. "I admire his fearlessness, but right now our lives are better spent on another battlefield. Ordo Xenos forces, prepare for teleport."

On the Mako, Malak grinned. "Excellent. Activate their teleport homers, I want them back on board as soon as possible." Consul Fesal nodded, before barking orders at the Astropath. "Bring me the Xenobiologist, I have a few..issues that need attending to." "Yes, Inquisitor" said the consul, activating the vox-link. Malak settled into his command chair more comfortably. His eyes strayed over to the long distance augers, and one signature made his heart jump to his throat. "Tyranid hive fleet, on approach from system edge. Estimate seven large bio-ships and around three hundred smaller craft" said the gunnery officer impassively, already activating lance batteries and preparing the missile launchers. "Not yet" ordered Malak "keep them on standy. Divert power to cloaking field as soon as the teams are aboard." The Astropath turned, his voice a whisper. "My Lord, they have returned, as well as the specimens. We must move, the Shadow in the Warp has already fallen across this world". Malak smiled again. "Good. Set a course outsystem. When they attempt a seeding pattern in orbit, we'll catch them between the orbital monitors and us, and the gravity well. Don't fire or lower our cloak until I give the signal." Around the bridge, the officers frantically obeyed the Inquistior's instructions. "I will not this world fall before I am through with it" he said, looking down at Pelucidar as it lazily orbited below.