Chapter 7

In the wardroom of the Praetorian of Caliban

Brother-Master Alacanon stood before the command staff, all the sergeants in the front. Chaplain Sariel and {the librarian} stood behind them surrounded by the ships senior officers. “Brothers, it is my belief, and the belief of all the senior staff, that there is the presence of chaos here. We also believe that this is one of our fallen brothers. Our actions must be swift and decisive lest he escape our grasp.”

“It is the will of the Emperor,” intoned the brothers.

“Brother Gabriel, the Grandmaster of the honored first company, the Deathwing, has entered the system and is at this moment racing to assist us. We shall take the battle to the enemy by dropping into their own backyard. We shall leave no building standing, no stone unturned and no chaos scum alive in our search.”

“It is the will of the Emperor,” intoned the brothers.

“We also now know that a force of the Black Templar chapter, led by Inquisitor Thoron, is right behind our revered Brother Gabriel. This is the reason our mission has changed. We must resolve this situation quickly before our secret is revealed. If it is needed we will block our brothers from reaching the planet until we have succeeded.”

“We shall do as we must to protect our chapter and our honor.” Said Sariel.

“It is the will of the Emperor,” intoned the brothers.

“The fleet is currently maneuvering into position to support us on the planet. We shall go down to the planet and root out this evil. Brother Gabriel will assist us as soon as he is range. Go to the battle brothers and prepare them.”

“For the Lion and the Emperor!” shouted the brothers.

Alacanon waited until all the others had left to speak to Sariel. “I want you to take a team of assault troops down ahead of the rest of the company. I think Sergeant Nathan will require assist very soon. The comms officer has informed me that traffic is increasing in the area. The fleet is going to be detected as soon as we reach low orbit. I want you down there to try to contain the situation until the rest of the company can get down. I’m sending Sergeant Kensie and his men down now. Be ready to follow as soon as possible.”

Brother-Master Alacanon found team Gamma preparing to board the Thunderhawk. Sergeant Kensie stepped forward to report. “My men are ready. We have picked out a rocky outcropping near the pass to set up the ambush. We should meet Brother Nathan and his men there soon after we arrive. May the will of the Emperor make it so.”

Alacanon took Kensie aside to say, “Remember Brother, this is not a suicide mission. If you feel your position untenable report it so and fall back. We will be joining you in a few hours. Chaplain Sariel will be coming down in your area to lend further assistance. Take a homer in case they have to drop near your position.”

Alacanon then turned to the Scouts of team Gamma and spoke “May the Emperor protect you and guide you with his wisdom!”



Sergeant Kensie stepped off of the Thunderhawk at the head of team
Gamma. There was no need for a clandestine insertion now. Comm. traffic had picked up in the area and word of a Space Marine force on the planet was spreading. Speed was now a mute point, firepower was what was needed.

Kensie’s Scouts were no less experienced than Nathan’s; they were simply organized for a different purpose. This team was heavier, with a heavy bolter rather than snipers. Their mission was to get to the pass to the city ahead of any reinforcements and hold them up.

Today’s mission is a fight to the last man. Lucky the PDF are not the best troops around!

Team Gamma

Veteran Sergeant Kensie, Plasma pistol, power sword, homer
Senior Scout Alfonse, Heavy Bolter
Scouts Donald, Meyer and Simski, Bolter
Scouts Farini, Lee, Bolt pistol and CC sword

Sergeant Kensie moved his men to the location designated for his rendezvous with Alpha Team. The rocky outcropping looked perfect for an ambush. He sent his team into the rocks and settled down to wait.


+ Gamma team to command. We are in position. Inform Alpha team of our location. +


Sergeant Nathan scanned the pass ahead. He saw the Thunderhawk lift off so he knew Kensie was out there. He also knew the pursuing Guardsmen saw the Thunderhawk. He hoped it make them think his team was gone. He would need any edge he could.

+ Command to Alpha team. Gamma is on the ground and in position. +

+ Understood Command +


Lieutenant Khan saw the Thunderhawk lift into the sky and roar down the valley. The dark green and the angel adorning the side gave a name to his enemy. The Dark Angels, here? Why? And why did they attack us? Then Sergeant Wornt appeared before him.

“Lieutenant, we should get moving. The Captain is bringing another platoon through the pass and we must get up there.

Khan looked at his sergeant and nodded. “You’re right, we should be there to report. By the look of it our adversaries have gone for now.”

Wornt frowned at him. “We can assume nothing. Space Marines do not just drop by. They have a reason in being here and we should find out what it is.” He turned and shouted to the remainder of the platoon and the troops of the armored fist. “Get up and move out.”

The Guardsmen had seen the massive transport and knew who they were up against. They were reluctant to fight these Scouts. A fully equipped Marine squad would be tough. But it was the Emperors will that they should fight. They stood up and trudged up the ridge.



Captain Johansson handed the Voxcaster back to his ADC and looked to the ridge. He too had seen the massive drop ship before it dived below the ridge and wondered why Space Marines were here. That may explain why Khan and Vasiliy have been out of contact.

“Spread out men, skirmish formation. No one fires without orders.” He then looked to his sergeant. “Take 5 men and get down to Vasiliy’s Chimera. Tell the crew we need it and get that track back on. And Charkara, you make sure it gets done.”

Sergeant Charkara saluted then headed to the platoon to get his men. The rest of the platoon began to spread out into a wide line before moving up the hill.



Sergeant Kensie peered through his binocs at the advancing Guardsmen. It would difficult to get them into a good kill zone if they stayed spread out. His Scouts were deep into the cover of the rocks and could resist any assault by this small force.

Then he noticed movement farther down the pass. Some kind of armored vehicle was down there, struggling to negotiate the rough terrain. He checked the charge on his plasma pistol and muttered a few prayers of preparation. His was the only weapon that could deal with this development.

+ Gamma Leader to command. Enemy forces sighted. Looks like they have armor support. Will advise further. +


Sergeant Nathan saw the rock pile where Kensie had his troops deployed. From his position on the ridge he could also see the Guardsmen advancing up to the pass, including the armored vehicle behind them. He decided to flank them. If they could hit the Guardsmen before the tank got there they should be ok.

+ Alpha leader to Gamma leader. We are west of your position and have you in sight. We will move to north to cover the pass from our side. We will join in once you have engaged. +

Nathan’s Scouts began to edge forward.



The lead squad of Guardsmen advanced into the pass angling to the right of Kensie’s men. He looked south and saw the other platoon working their way up the hill. It was now or never.

“Fire.”

A hail of bolter fire hit the Guardsmen as they crossed over the ridge. Eight of them went down, some torn apart by the heavy bolter. The remaining Guardsmen raced for cover or started to shoot wildly at the outcropping. Just what was expected of PDF.

Kensie saw what was obviously the Commander directing some of his men into a covered position. He focused his binocs on the position and saw them setting up a heavy weapon. It was out of his range and he didn’t want to break cover.

+ Gamma leader to Alpha leader. Heavy weapon in sight, we are currently unable to engage. Can you reach it? +

+Alpha leader to Gamma leader. We see it, we’re on it. +

From their flanking position Nathan could see the Guardsmen setting up what looked like an autocannon. It was going to be a few more minutes until his team could reach it.



Captain Johansson pushed the gun crew to maneuver their gun closer. He saw the Marine firing positions clearly now. As the loader slammed the first magazine into place he pointed to the top of the rocky outcropping. “Fire there, now!” The autocannon spat a stream of heavy shells at the Marine positions. He saw the detonations all along the line of rocks.



Kensie saw the line of tracers heading for his position. He ducked as cannon rounds exploded all around his team. Scout Lee was drawing a bead on a Guardsman when a round hit him. He was flung back behind the ridge, broken and bleeding. Kensie crawled over to the position but it was too late. The round had nearly cut Lee in half. Kensie muttered what prayers he could and moved back to his position

The heavy gun made his teams fires slacken as the sought better cover. The Guardsmen pressed forward to exploit it. Things were beginning to look dire.