Entr’acte Part Five – Invasion

The night sky of Demaron Secundus was suddenly brightly illuminated. Beyond the mountains to the south of the Dark Angel fortification, a brilliant white light shone with an intensity of an exploding star. The invasion of the Eldar had begun.

Exiting the command bunker to witness the spectacle for him self, Master Ciaphas uttered a curse under his breath, which was clearly seen as a small white cloud in the cold night. Activating his vox-link, Ciaphas started to issue orders to all the troops under his command. Having trained for years on end, the Space Marines were marvellously adept at what they did, and within less than a minute, all were ready to go.

Like two falling stars, the Thunderhawks launched from the Pride of Caliban descended down unto the rocky plateau. Retro-burners flared hot, as the pilots made the screeching brake. One tiny error would have seen them smashing into the ground, but they had done this too many times for failure to be even a small consideration. Both made a perfect landing. Hurriedly, the Dark Angels started to board their transports, their weapons locked and loaded.

Pausing outside his Thunderhawk transport, Ciaphas turned and faced two of his advisors; Epistolary Daedalus and Reclusiarch-Interrogator Maddon, whom Boreaus considered to be one of his finest pupils. “I am sending you to halt and destroy the Ulthwé invaders. They cannot be allowed to gain a foothold on this planet, lest they manage to bring in sufficient numbers of troops and overrun the defences. General Bruslk has been ordered to deploy as many of his soldiers as he can spare to the mountain range, which, with luck, should present a natural fortification which will prevent further incursions by the Eldar. Boreaus and I will halt the forces of Rhiadan which are attempting to link up with their masters. I would have liked to give you more troops, but our resources do not permit it. Use what you have to the best effect. May the Lion and the Emperor be with you.” Looking his Master in the eyes, Daedalus gave a solemn nod in return. “I have consulted the tarot, and the signs are foreboding. I sense that not all will return from this mission. Never in the time which we have served together, has the deck been stacked more against us, though I am certain that with faith and diligence, the Emperor will be with us, and the Lion shall watch over us all.” At his Maddon reached out his gauntlet, clenching Ciaphas’ fist. “I am proud to have served with one such as you, my Master. I will do what is necessary to uphold the honour of the Chapter. Fight well and fight hard. My crozius is looking forward to spilling the blood of the xenos!” And with those parting words, Daedalus and Maddon walked aboard the Thunderhawk, the ramp starting to close even before they had entered.

As the transport took off, clouds of dust swirling up and around, Ciaphas stood and watched. Walking up besides him, Boreaus, the Master of Sanctity of Strike Force Vendetta, nodded silently. “They will make a good showing of themselves” he said. “Daedalus has yet to fail in a task to which he is appointed, and many of the invaders will give up their souls when the morning comes.” To this, Ciaphas nodded in agreement. He had known Daedalus for a very long time, and Maddon had proved to be a devout and zealous warrior in the service of the Primarch. Boarding the remaining Thunderhawk, Ciaphas and Boreaus stood and watched the ground disappear beneath them, as the pilots plotted a course to intercept the Rhiadan forces which had come out of hiding, and which were now making good speed towards the now revealed location of the Webway portal.

Immediately upon detection of the Webway, Pride of Caliban had commenced an orbital bombardment of the site. Unfortunately, the Strike Cruiser had been designed and modified for ship to ship engagements, and the armaments carried, though powerful enough to obliterate a titan, were not as suited for the task they were now being used as they could have. Still, the incessant bombardment would be sufficient to make the xenos keep their heads down, and provide the forces of Daedalus and Maddon sufficient time to reach their positions. Ciaphas only hoped that the preparations which he had made would prove up to the task of defending this world from the clutches of the scheming Eldar.

Looking at the ground swirling past far beneath the Thunderhawk, his thoughts started to rest on the plan of the Fallen Angel, Adnachiel, or rather, Fallen three-zero-seven. The forces of Rhiadan had been scattered following the capture and loss of their Warlock and Farseer. Somehow they had gone into hiding for a short time, doubtlessly so that they could reorganize and reequip their forces. That they had been able to avoid detection was most likely due to the advice offered by three-zero-seven, and it was most likely his influence that had made them attempt to link up with the invading Ulthwé, although, in its own right, it made good sense; united they conquer, divided they fall, Ciaphas thought. Yet, how had the Damned Lords of Ulthwé known when and where to strike…? At this Ciaphas realised that there was not one, but at least one other Fallen Angel aiding the Eldar.

The Webway portal was a massive edifice. The dust of millennia had been shaken of it when it had been activated, and what the planetary surveyors had classified as an anomalous weathering of meteoric stone was now a blazing portal to the stars. Stepping though the shimmering surface walked slender, dark armoured warriors. Lithe and deadly to behold, they carried sinister, yet graceful weapons. Stepping out off the platform and onto the soil of the world that the Eldar before the birth of mankind had named Ath-Lenon, the leader of the Black Guardians of Ulthwé looked to the sky just in time to witness the first torpedo rocket down from the orbiting Pride of Caliban…

Beyond the impact area of the ordnance from the Pride, the Thunderhawk carrying Daedalus and his men set down fast and hard. A small settlement near the Webway was to be their base, and it was the only path across the mountains, where the forces of the PDF were now digging in. It was up to him and his men to prevent a breakthrough, and if possible destroy the Webway. To that end, many of his men carried Meltabombs, Lascannons and other weaponry of effectively demolishing a building with a minimum of fuss.

Far to the east, the forces under Ciaphas were rapidly moving to engage the resurgent forces of Rhiadan and their enigmatic Farseer, known as the Voice of Rhiadan. Marching at the side of these Xenos was the traitor, Adnachiel. The pieces were now in place. The end game for the fate of Demaron Secundus could now commence…