Ch.9: The Luna Maiden Conflict

Captain Cogadh held on right as the landraider sped across the volcanic terrain. Their convoy was heading to it's destination in paradise falls where with the assistance of the Excorsist Brothers they would be transported to the Luna Maiden. It was his job to assure that their Adeptus Mechanicum allies under his care would set up a base of operations on the sunken ship.

Sat opposite him was the tech priest dominus Vulpus Canix, a very powerful warrior of the cult mechanicus, until very recently she was the heart of the Mengnar Facility, but since The Fall she had been moved beneath ground to work closely with the Iron Father.

A sudden jolt lurched them forward, and suddenly bright midday light shone through the rear doors opening.

Stood in the light, the primaris marines in their red MK X Tacticus Armour, adorned in the unusual runes that marked them as Exorcists.

"The Thunderhawks are ready for departure."

No need for formalities. It was understandable why the relationship between the Iron Hands and the Excorsists worked so well. They understood. They knew. They had the same respect for the other.

****

As they approached the Luna Maidan they took another scan. Again no life, but... that same strange signal again, was this the dreaded Daemons of Sarcoma once more? What was the secret of the Luna Maiden?

****

Necron! It was not long after they had landed before the enemy was realised. The Luna Maiden was infiltrated by filthy Demos.

"Charge men! Show them no mercy!" Growled Captain Cogadh into his Vox. They pushed forward into the depths of the metal maze, looking for the power overs that would give them the advantage on the ship. The Kataphron destroyers pushed forward blasting away the cold grey figures with powerful blasts of grav weaponry.

Suddenly a bright flash of purple and a deep thud! Cogadh leapt behind a wall. Blasts of purple scorched the walls. Two more booming thuds shook the structure. The sound of metal feet clanking on metal floor, destructive hisses of gauss energy in the air.

"For the Emperor!" Cried thr captain as he leapt forth firing his combi-blaster into the Lych Guard that fell to his shots. He swung his holy blade into another that crumpled beneath his divine might.

"Access the port!" He yelled "if vulpus can-"

And with a blast of violet light he was extinguished, the brave captain eliminated.

Vulpus felt them. A rush. All of them, angry, and that rage filled her! Trespassers! Filthy Xenos attempted to corrupt the sacred machine spirits of Luna Maiden!

"++ Activate security servitors IIB-73++

++Activate security servitors IIB-74++

++Activate security servitors IIB-75++

++Activate security servitors IIB-76++

..."

She would eliminate them all, it was her task, she would eliminate them all.

"++Activate security servitors IIC-71++

++Activate security servitors IIC-72++

..."

Ch.9: Rising from the Fall

++Days after the Mengnar Facility was captured.++

"Iron Father, we discovered something. A secret tunnel beneath the facility." Vulpus' voice sounded softly over the vox, "evidence would suggest it is not natural, probably only formed in the last thirty planetary cycles. Though it is deep. Our initial exploratory team has informed us that it travels many miles deep underground. Before splintering different directions. We believe one may head towards mount Shatterer. The other heads north east. What are your orders?"

"We shall move north east, perhaps we can work our way behind the Thousand Sons and ambush them. Report what you find!"

++After the battles with the Black Legion. ++

"Iron Father, I regret to inform you that our second assault has failed. However evidence would suggest they have no interest in pursuing us."

"This is most unfortunate... return to the surface. We have issues above ground. We shall explore the tunnels further another time."

++ The Battle of Mengnar ++

A bright flash scratched the air burning a deadly blast at where the Iron Father Stoo, In the bloody burnt mess that was once his servitors. The whole building shook with the devistating blast...

Iron Father Seanair fell into darkness...

At the very moment he was targeted Vulpus knew what to do. The secret tunnel beneath him dropped him down into the facility l. All around him servitors helped him to his feet and head him away. He had done his bit, he had stalled the Pandemica long enough to bring his forces bellow into Under Krillion. For the last month the Iron Hands had pushed further and further into the secret labyrinth, meeting others aware of its secret, some friendly, others not.

It was a shame Mengnar had to fall but the wheels were in motion. Seanair reveled in knowing more than anyone else, the secrets of Krillion were for him to take and if they were taken from him, well, Seanair didn't share his toys!

Seanair spoke in to his vox.

"Eliminate the Magos!"

****

The Marine raised his bolt pistol and then pulled the trigger.

The vox-caster of the Mad Magos crackles with his dying words "Eye awoken... storm BURNS... 01100100 01101000 01110101 01110101 01101101 00100111 01110011 00100000 01100100 01100001 01111001"

His mechadendrites reach out in death throes, pulling out all the stops before falling on the contraptions organ-like control panel. A violent discordant cacophony echoes through the caverns, triggering collapse as the Iron Hands forces escape to Under-Krillion.