Ch.3: Kaynik in Chaos

It had only been a couple of hours but how Krillion had changed...

Soaring high above, the Crimson Fists had left Exilium Spaceport launching their first action of the Crusade. The Overload was bound for the coastal region but what Salbatore and his Primaris-brothers did not expect was the devastation occur beneath them. A thundering and ginormous Tsunami had formed and they had keenly watched as it roared past them and smashed into whatever stood in its path. There wasn’t much Salbatore or anyone could do, he only hoped it would not reach the city. He had enough to contend with.

By the time The Overlord had reached the suspected location of a Traitor Camp, there was very little remaining. Dead, lifeless bodies swept on to dry mounds or gently circling on the waters that had drowned them. Structures were demolished and debris was scattered for miles.
There was evidence that the Black Legion had been stationed here, armour parts with some weapons littered. Salbatore couldn’t help but curl a smile, the Tsunami had saved the Crimsons Fists a job. He hoped many of the traitors had perished and not escaped its wrath.

The aircraft had landed and whilst warriors splashed into the waters and waded out to establish a perimeter, Salbatore worked to make contact with others of the Crusade. By now Wyrdmane must surely have pushed his way south. Heracio had been left back in Exilium for his own reasons, but the Captain wanted to make sure nothing had been compromised that the Orks would take advantage of. Then there was the rumours of a Warboss on the 86^th lines, the first that had made its self-known. That’s where Salbatore wanted to be, slaying the head of this Krillion Waaagh!
As the Vox-comm’s hissed and clicked with static, the Captain considered the peculiar nature of this war. Warbosses normally ran at the front of their strikes, demanding the best of the fights. The only time in history this was not the case…was Snagrod on Rynn’s World.

Salbatore had a terrible feeling, and what made it worse was when a electrifying sound echoed out of the Vox speakers...

Ch.2: For The Emperor!

The Colonel and his Lieutenant stepped into the Exilium Command Bunker, they held their heads high despite entering a room full of blue armoured giants that stood far taller than they were. Their attendance had been requested and so it was with much honour that Colonel Galen Cranis stood proudly and respectfully at the Command’s Tactical Table.

Lieutenant-Commander Jovon Aubrey who had accompanied Colonel Cranis, nervously darted his eyes across the table, daring to steal a peek at the Wolf Lord who stood like a feral statue amongst the Crimson Fists, the Space Wolf leader was showing creases of impatience across his battle scarred face. Aubrey averted his gaze at the moment the Fenrisian locked eyes upon him.

Captain Stefano Salbatore entered the Command Bunker flanked by his two Lieutenants “Well met battle brothers, I had hoped to arrive sooner but matters needed my attention.”

“We all have matters to attend to…” Snapped the Space Wolf.

Salbatore approached the table. “Jarl Hrulf Wyrdmane I am glad you could join us. I will not keep you longer than you need to be here” he confirmed with a smile. The Crimson Fist captain turned to face the humans.
“Colonel Cranis, good to see you again my friend, I understand you march upon Terra’s Rock as we speak against the vile Black Legion?”
The Colonel nodded firmly as Wyrdmane’s jaw tensed at the confirmation of traitors on Krillion.

“I called you both here so we might consolidate and exact an appropriate response to the threats Krillion faces. No longer do we fight the Greenskins but other enemies have become known to us.
The Black Legion to the East. Daemons to the West and now reports of the ancient Necron menace also on the Space Wolves battlelines.

Colonel Cranis drank the news in better than Salbatore had expected. If he felt concern his face nor his stance betrayed him. Good. He thought.

“My warriors also alert me of a new threat discovered in the North, their nature is of the Mechancium.” The Jarl interjected, spitting the last word for emphasis.

Salbatore whispered to one of his lieutenants who promptly marched out of the Command Bunker.

“It appears there are a many enemy upon this cursed planet. Which is why we need to be the Emperor vengeance here. Traitor nor Alien should be allowed to stand upon this world.
Which is why I. Stefano Salbatore, Captain of the Crimson Fists Primaris Company announce a combined response of our forces and to any imperials friendly to our cause. To once and for all deliver Krillion from its tormentors.” Salbatore paused,

“We declare a Crusade. The Krillion Liberation Crusade!”

****

Colonel Cranis spoke up "I will be honest captain, my forces have been spread thin as of recently. So there may not be much that we will be able to bring to the table at this moment in ways of
reinforcements, however should Major Whittaker be successful in the assault of Terra's rock, we will be able to start recruitment again and as such be able to provide better assistance." Galen paused a moment.

"If you are certain of this Captain Salbatore. I hereby commit the Stravoss 86th Airborne Infantry and the Lyondis Prophecy of the Imperial Navy to the Krillion Liberation Crusade"

****

The Jarl’s fierce eyes lit up. “Yes! Finally some action!” he shouted, then grinned approvingly bearing his large incisors. “A Crusade is just what we need”. He looked at his allies, together they could make a strong pack. Hunting from the air, land and sea. The Rune Priests had already informed Wyrdmane that the coming of a great union had been howled across the skies. Though he was surprised by the baser humans inclusion, he had the seen the Hammer of the Emperor in action before. Brave. He could not deny them that. It had been a long time since he, or any of the other Jarls had fought alongside the Crimson Fists. Theirs had been a tragic saga.
He had been studying Salbaltore from the moment he had entered, and noted how assertive and focused he and his warriors were. Was the fire in their chapter rekindled? Wyrdmane hoped so, for all their sake.
If he and his fellow Vlka Fenryka were to run with this pack, they had to be strong. The lessons of Fenris taught him well – The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the Pack.

Wyrdmane thrusted his gauntleted hand out and made the sign of the Maiming Claw.
“Let us fight has one! The Space Wolves will join the Krillion Liberation Crusade! Let the Hunt for the Xenos, the traitors and the daemon begin!”

****

Heracio Santos - The Timeflayer, strode into the Command Bunker just as Hrulf Wyrdmane finished.
Salbatore turned to acknowledge his presence.
“It is time, Battle-brothers. Crusaders. Enemies of the Emperor approach. You must fight each other’s battles if we are to endure, and endure we must!”
The Command Modules blinked, icons activating to life.
The three Warlords gazed at the tactical map that sprung up on the main pict-screen. Each knew what was being asked of them.

Salbatore spoke just three words, and with them the Krillion Liberation Crusade was born.
“For the Emperor!”

Ch.2: Fallen Paradise

The Thunder Hawk touched down, its engines fighting to keep it level against the wind that dragged along the ridge. As the whirl of the engines died away the ramp at the rear of the Thunder hank released slowly, the thick fog that hung in the air rushing to fill this new space but before it could an invisible force seemed to be pushing it back as a figure strode forward from the transport bay.

Alexandros ducked slightly as he exited the Thunder hank, the ground making a wet thud has he stepped of the ramp onto the ground, the movement causing a foul odour to be released into the air.

This place would have once been called beautiful by the locals but now it was a waste land, any plant that had grown here was either dead or had be twisted it to something so repulsive that even looking at it would cause nausea their surfaces covered with growths and warts, the ground had become a bog that with every step tried to pull you under the water which was filled with grubs and pieces of decaying matter.

Walking to the edge of the ridge Alexandros stopped and catch glimpses of the hoard below before turning to speak.
“Brothers, today we face humanity greatest enemy but this time they do not wear a mask or hide in the shadows." Alexandros’s voice rang out cutting through the fog and the roar of thunder hank engines overhead. “They have become brave and think themselves strong enough to face us head on, so the duty has fallen to us to remind them what fear is!” pausing he let his word hang in the air for a moment before continuing. “They seek to twist and bend that which the Emperor has built but all of our souls have been searched and weighted and we have not found wanting, so let them come with their plague and decay! For we will not bend! For the Emperor and for humanity!”

****

“HO HO HO HO HO!”, boomed the laughter of Sarcoma as the remnants of the Exorcists fled the battlefield, Alexandros’ gambit had been brave but the garden of Nurgle had new delights to sample tonight.

A Nurgling sporting a Primaris Helm and attempting to march around like a marine caught his eye and he chuckled some more, scooping up the tiny creature as a father would his child he carefully removed the helm and smiled. Brain matter and gore smeared the face and crooked grin of the imp, ‘excellent find little one, fetch me some more!’

As the Nurgling scurried away harassed and cajoled by its brethren, Sarcoma’s mood darkened. ‘Now to see what the metal men have to say for impeding my plans!’

Ch.2: Sons of Dorn

The Repulsors shot across the dry dunes. Grey, dead ash was thrown into the air creating a swirl of dirty clouds. The Ash desert had once been a lush greenscape until the Oath of Exilium had come crashing down long ago. Now, everything was dead here. Including the Orks.

They had to be thought Sergeant Cazardor, no Ork was permitted to remain alive in the presence of the Crimson Fists. This was why they were here. Vengeance. Vengeance for Rynn’s World. Despite Cazador not being there, the pain ran deep amongst the chapter and their honour demanded the elimination of the Greenskins, especially Snagrod.

“Sergeant…” came the voice of Battle-Brother Juros, “7 minutes until we reach the Space Wolves battlelines…”

“We have made good time, The Emperor guides us well” injected Cazador, until his Vox-Helm clicked to life, a transmission imminent…

“…Communications from Exiliu… …still disru..tive… …Black Legion… …sighted to the East. …allies… …86^th…pushing… …last known location…”
Traitors? Here? What would the Captain have to say about this? Return to Exilium?” quizzed Cazador as his thoughts raced for a logical conclusion.

“…advise…continue to sup… …wolves… Cap…batore… …attention… …East. Alli… …hold, Shield Protocol… …effect.” The order soaked into Cazador’s mind. He clicked to acknowledge the Transmission and blinked twice to confirm the command, and then activated the Comms of all under his authority.

“To all Vanguard teams, Shield Protocol effective immediately.” Cazador ordered firmly. Each of his Primaris Brothers would know what that meant and what would be expected of them.

The last time this protocol was enacted, was at the dawn of a Crusade.

Ch.2: Engagement of Folly

Keldrak juddered back and forth as the tank traversed over the rocky terrain, his mechatendrils darting through the air as if sensing threats. Suddenly a comm link crackled into life

“ my lord priest keldrak our spies have detected new readings of the morbetran rift. Servitor x0-09 was lost during the expedition but the unit uploaded his findings before self destructing. Uploading them now"

Keldraks tendrils lashed through the air as if excited as a light flashed across the screen infront of him. Fuzzy pictures of x0-09’s last vision memories began scrolling across the screen. The expedition had been digging through a region near suania when they disturbed something that resulted in their deaths.

Suddenly his vehicle swerved hard as an explosion could be heard outside. Guns began firing and the noises of battle could be heard outside. Keldrak turned and plunged his tendrils onto a panel near the roof of the tank. Within seconds he was able to see through the various lenses and equipment dotted around the tank. A few of the convoys tanks were wrecked and burning furiously as the occupants tried to escape. Smoke plumed all around and the din of battle is all that could be heard.

Keldrak caught a glimpse of the attacking enemies and immediately began firing his vehicle at the enemy tank. His enhanced senses gave the enemy rhino no chance of escape. It exploded instantly to the barrage leaving its occupants to be gunned down by the servitors pintle weapons.

“space wolves!”

Comms within the tank cracked into life

“lord keldrak what are your orders. We have suffered minimal casualties but the space wolves seem to be advancing away from us. We have detected another enemy in the vicinity that hasnt attacked our units yet. The convoy front vehicle sent this pict slate before being detonated into nothing. Uploading now"

Keldrak looked down and saw the image of the new enemy.  He sat back for a moment then responded .

“”tell all units to disengage, we are not to fight the new enemy but fire at will at the space wolves while disengaging. Head to Suania following x0-09's last co ordinates. We make our stronghold there.”

Keldrak took one last look at the battle as his forces left to their new destination. The wolves were fighting furiously against the hidden enemy. The last thing he saw the familiar silhouette of a ctan phase blade. He smiled then the pandemica was gone.

Ch.2: The Emperor Protects

 Exilium City//Crimson Fists//Command HQ

"Good news Captain, the Orks are either dead or retreating in sectors 9-16."
"Commendable. Give the order to seal up those breaches, it is the only way we can ensure the safety of the city."

"Safety is an illusion. Danger lurks everywhere, and if you can not see it in front of you I dare you to look within... A quote from Dorn himself, I might add..." came a deep voice as a large shadowy figure entered the room.

"Heracio? Heracio!" Salbatore let our a smile and a rare laugh as he strode to lock their gauntlets in greeting. The Primaris Librarian, Heracio Santos was stood in the door way, in full battle attire, his face hidden beneath his helm that glowed with the third eye. A long elegant cloak wrapped around his armour and concealed his deadly sheathed Force Sword. Santos also went by another name, The Timeflayer, due to an uncanny ability to see seconds into the future, maybe even the past. No one quite knew how it worked, no matter the how, Santos had a gift and burden of time manipulation.

"How is that you are here? Were you not ordered to Hornsburgh?" quizzed Salbatore, delighted to have his closest council with him again.

"I was. Now I am here." answered The Timeflayer, efficiently, offering no additional explanation.

Salbatore expected as much. Santos was never one to waste time, and the Captain wouldn't have it any other way. He activated the Command module so Santos could analysis the data and maps as he spoke.
"We have control of the City and the Exilium region. We have patrols clearing out any Orks that have dug in. None will escape our Wrath. We have made contact with a company of Space Wolves operating in the north and to our east, a Guard Regiment, Stravoss 86th, are clearing Orks to provide a wider perimeter protection. The centre of the Ork Waagh! is still to be located and so far no news on the Warboss that leads the aliens, so there is plenty much to do.
It would also seem the Governor of this City took a vacation at the wrong time, a place called Valor's Frontier, a place we have yet to..."

"The Colonel has contacted you. You must stay the course. He has his guidance just as you have mine, that is why I am here." Interrupted Santos.

Salbatore held his words, his face perplexed as his mind tried to unravel the mystery in the Librarian's words.

"Captain, you will need your brothers-in-arms for what is to come. The enemies are at the gate."

Salbatore snapped from his thinking and turned to face the Module screen expecting to see notifications of Ork invaders in the city. Nothing. No signatures. No activity.
He turned to face Santos again, but The Timeflayer had gone. He always was dramatic about his goings, however serving with the Librarian in the Primarch's Crusade had taught him, Heracio Santos spoke only the words he needed to. Nothing more and nothing less.

On the table the Captain eyes noticed a scroll with a Purity Seal, It wasn't there before, he read it.
The scroll pertained details of authority, granting for a system's Crusade.
Salbatore stood for a moment, as he considered the implications of The Timeflayer's words and the fate that would and indeed already be in motion for Krillion. The Command Vox cracked to life, the Captain instantly listening to the transmission.

"This is Colonel Galen Cra-

-lbatore. We require immed-

-Terra's Rock has fallen to-

-repeat T-

-to the Black Legion. All-

-North to the forest o-

-I repeat all forces are withd-

-rest of whispers."

Ch.2: Assault on Terra's Rock

It had taken precisely 22 minutes Terran standard, but it never felt like that. He was sprawled at the statue of the emperor the guard were using as the central CP and communications dish for the plateau. One moment he had been in a Rhino, breathing in the foetid stink of the plague marines stationed with him, the next…he was here. It had gone just as he had planned. The sudden appearance of the twirling and capering horror the cult had called, summoned, had thrown the guard into a blind panic. Those who had not opened fire on the beast wept openly at the sight of such blasphemy. Umgax, they called him the name made his teeth itch, as did its manner, whispering of his role in great plans to come inside his head right up until the moment the creature tore a hole in reality and returned to the warp, its foul purpose completed.

The rest of the force had only been marginally more reliable, his plague marine bodyguard ‘donated’ by Grullgex were dead, their maggot ridden carcasses being attended to by the foul surgeon the Death Guard had landed with the heavy bulk. The plan had been simple, a small force take the Rock’s primary location. Disrupting communications and feeding screaming gibberish to the remaining forces. In a panic they had opened fire on one another before the Death Guard’s main force came lumbering in to steal the killing blow and win Grullgex the glory. His men knew what had happened, and they were with him. The squad he had taken the ridge whilst hunting for the damned sniper through the buildings. The round intended to end his life was clutched in his left fist, moving his shoulder guard at precisely the right moment had caught the round in a ceramite pinch. Leaving him floored, but alive. He’d avenged himself however, the festering corpse of their Psyker was testament to that, opened by a vicious riposte from hip to chin. The colonel too had charged him, it was a curious attack. Had he actually thought to best him in melee? What was it mortals used to have? Superhuman dread…facing even the errant sons of the emperor used to inspire such horror in mere mortals that they would often debase themselves before a blade was raised. The colonel’s near suicidal bravery was the only thing keeping him still alive. Gustavus cringed at the decision now, better to have killed him. But out of surprise or respect, he had stayed his hand, allowing the infernal gunship and its retreating medics to carry their commander to safety.

His men were not so lucky, already dragged away by the Death Guard and Thousand Sons. Dragged to the experimentation vats, where it would be a long, slow, painful road to oblivion for them. He felt no guilt at this, nor pride. It was simply the way things were. Crunching boots on ceramite brought him from his revelry. His huntmaster, as ever wore his snarling, lupine wolfs helm, stood over him. “Captain Gustavus.” Even through all these years, he had kept using the formal title for his liege, extending a hand to haul him to his feet. Gustavus adjusted his war braids and nodded to the warrior before him. “Speak.”

“Lord Falkus has granted this region as the bastion of the Death Guard planet side. Grullgex is to have his command here and act as the bulwark against the Imperium to the West.” Gustavus sighed as acknowledgement, looking at the ground and biting back a vicious retort about how, if Grullgex wanted this rock, he could send some more capable warriors to take it from him! “We are to be redeployed.” The huntmaster continued, unabated. “The orks are growing in the East, with them sits an artefact needed by the Warpsmith for the jamming effort, and that Colonel, his soldiers and any allies they may have found on Krillion will surely test us with a counterattack soon…My hunters are, as ever, at your disposal.” Gustavus made a decision and signalled squad vox. Within minutes, the only signs of life at the command post was the slowly encroaching Death Guard. Within hours, Terra’s Rock had grown a new, virulent moss. Grullgex had established his command, and welcomed any guest to try and dislodge him from it!

****

++ Incoming Vox Transmission++

This is Colonel Galen Cra-

-lbatore. We require immed-

-Terra's Rock has fallen to-

-repeat T-

-to the Black Legion. All-

-North to the forest o-

-I repeat all forces are withd-

-rest of whispers.

++Vox Transmission End++
+Vox Frequency 88594.23775.33725+