Entr’acte

High above the green-blue planet of Demaron Secundus, the cruiser Pride of Caliban continued its flight in orbit. A Thunderhawk could be seen exiting the atmosphere of the planet, flying towards the cruiser as high speed.

Aboard the cruiser, in the inner Strategium room, Grand Master Ciaphas stood studying a tactical display closely, trying to make sense of the situation on the ground. The commander of PDF had, upon the Dark Angels arrival, voxed them, desperate for their aid. The garrisons had for weeks been under constant attack by the Eldar forces, and this close to the Tau Empire, there were forces from the Collective present as well, capitalising on the Eldar attack. Or so it would seem, at least. Craftworld Rhiadan had been the foe of Strike Force Vendetta and its brave warriors ever since Ciaphas had assumed command, and on multiple occasions the Tau forces of Shas’o Mal’cao, the Dark Spider, had been in the vicinity. The devastating conflict that the Thirteenth Black Crusade had brought had seen the Dark Angels clash with both the Eldar and the Tau on numerous occasions. Ciaphas and his circle of advisors, Episolary Daedalus and Interrogator-Chaplain Boreaus, had finally deduced that the Eldar were the caretakers of this Tau faction, teaching and coaching them how to infringe upon the territory that rightfully belonged to the Emperor and his servants. And yet there was more to this. Ciaphas was certain of it.

As he stood there, studying the tactical display, the blast door behind him opened, and Codicier Marxus, his features grim, walked in, followed closely by Boreaus. Walking up to his Master, the librarian placed a small pendant on the table before Ciaphas. Looking down at it, Ciaphas was surprised to see a small, and obviously ancient, winged sword. “Where did you get this?” he asked. Codicier Marxus briefly told the tale of the battle below, and how he had come to find the pendant. “I took the liberty of performing a psychic reading of it whilst we were enroute from the planets surface. Though faint, it has been in the hands of the Tau…” At this, Ciaphas looked at Boreaus, who nodded silently. “Thank, Codicier…Would you please leave now. I suggest that you prepare your forces for another strike”

When Marxus had left, Ciaphas gently picked up the pendant, holding it by its chain. As it spun round slowly on the end of its chain, a name could be seen on the back of it. Inscribed in gilded, gothic letters, was the name “Adnachiel”. “Do we know who this is?” Ciaphas whispered, almost in awe of the simple beauty of the charm. Boreaus nodded in response. “The name appears in the ancient texts. He served under Commander Cephsus, who was in charge of the northern garrison on Caliban before the fall. He has also once been sighted in the company of Fallen 001.” To this Ciaphas nodded slowly “It would seem that Adnachiel has not only fallen, betraying the Emperor and his Primarch, but he has also thrown in his lot with this Xenos scum. We now know the name of our quarry. Tell Daedalus to open his mind for any mention of this name. It could lead us to him.”

Just as he finished speaking a buzzing sound issued from the loudspeaker, and shortly there after, the regal voice of Captain Vetruvian could be heard. “My Lord. General Bruslk of the PDF has asked for your help. It appears that the xenos forces, known as the Tau, have breached the Guard lines, and are closing on the divisional HQ. What are your orders?” Ciaphas smiled, and reached for his voxcaster. “Codicier Marxus. You and your detachment have a chance to redeem yourselves. Annihilator the Tau advance and bring their commander to me. I wish to have a chat with him…For the Lion and the Emperor!”

Shortly after, the launch bays of the Pride of Caliban slid open, and a Thunderhawk rocketed out, hurtling towards the surface. The Angels of Darkness were going to war…