Grandmaster Gabriel stood on the dais of the Grand Chapel of the Lion deep in the bowels of the Deathwing.  Before him was the largest assembly of Dark Angels since the Black Crusade.  A dozen Chapter Grandmasters and Masters knelt in the forefront.  These represented the majority of the Battle companies and Reserve companies of the Chapter.  Behind them knelt the Chaplains and Librarians of the Chapter, some older than Gabriel himself.  The rest of the Chapel was filled with the Brothers of the Deathwing, Veteran Sergeants, inducted Brothers and several of the mighty Dreadnoughts whose ancient wisdom would be needed here.

“Brothers, our mission here is almost complete.  The current hunt is almost at an end.  The Traitors of Caliban have revealed themselves as the scum they are.  All of our efforts have shown they are allied with the forces of malevolence on many levels.  Their gathering here, in the Lesser Amicus Cluster, was no coincidence.  We have detected a stronger force involved in all of these movements, though we cannot perceive who or what it is.”

“Through all of your diligent efforts we have learned that the Traitors are heading for Zeta Hydrax Prime.  Our records show this was once an Imperial outpost for monitoring the Rim Worlds.  It was overrun early in the Hive fleet Behemoth campaign and has since lain abandoned.  They plan to repair their ships there and move on.  We must not allow this to happen.”

“I hereby order all Taskforces and Battle squadrons to move to the Zeta Hydrax system and engage the Traitor fleet.  I have enlisted the services of Imperial Fleet Admiral Val-An to provide us with overwhelming firepower.  Worry not about Val-An Brothers, he is only interested in destroying the marauding Chaos fleet.  And he owes us a great debt.”

“For the Emperor and the Lion, we must not fail!  To your ships!”

“Until the sword is reforged!” Chanted the assembled Marines.

Alacanon paced the bridge of the Praetorian of Caliban awaiting the order to enter the warp.  Everything was coordinated to within minutes.  The fleet would enter the system in waves and cover all escape routes before engaging the enemy fleet.  Admiral Val-An was also coordinating and would arrive first.  Taskforce Resolution was scheduled to arrive in the second wave, about 10 minutes later.  He had been reinforced by a squadron of Gladius frigates and two more Hunters to give the Taskforce the needed firepower.

He turned to Captain Martin and spoke.  “Inform the Taskforce, we jump in 10 minutes.”

“Yes Lord Alacanon.  All is ready”

“I’ll be in the Chapel.”

“So, the chase will end on the desolate planet of Zeta Hydrax Prime,” thought Alacanon as he slowly walked to his private chapel.  "We have chased them so far, now we shall have our reckoning."

Chaplain Sariel joined him outside the door.  He said to Alacanon “this will be a great day in the history of the Chapter.  It is rumored that the leader of the Fallen may be 001 himself.  In any case we will destroy many enemies of the Emperor and redeem many souls.”

Alacanon replied, “It is the will of the Emperor that guides what we do here.  Our forces are overwhelming.  Master Azrael’s wisdom and the guidance of the Lion are evident in this operation.  We have the forces needed at the right time.  We are in the right place.  It cannot be a coincidence.”

Sariel looked at Alacanon in admiration.  Few would have discerned the Lion’s hand guiding the movements of the Angels.  “It is so, Brother-Master.  How can it be otherwise?”

The warning klaxon sounded and Captain Martin’s voice came over the ship wide Vox.  “All hands, one minute to warp jump.”

Chapter 2

Admiral Val-An arrived in the Zeta Hydrax system on full alert.  Aboard his battleship Emperors Vengeance he saw the Chaos fleet in orbit around the first planet.  It was larger than he thought, numbering 30 capital ships and several dozen escorts.  He knew there would be swarms of fighters and bombers aboard those ships, even if they were as damaged as Lord Gabriel said.

“Send to the fleet.  All ships full speed ahead, maintain formation, prepare for engagement.” 

The Comms officers replied “message sent, all ships confirmed.”

Val-An turned to the Navigation officer, “Make all speed to the planet.  We should have company soon.”

Cassis Rex awoke with a shudder.  One of his marines was shaking him.  No other on the ship would dare to touch him and live to tell about it.  Through the haze of his drugged state he heard whispers, growing louder.  Then they began to make sense.

“My Lord Cassis, an Imperial Battle fleet has just entered the system.  They are less than an hour away.  You are commanded to appear on the bridge at once.”

Cassis shoved the Marine away and swung out of his bunk.  “Who commands me!” He roared at the Marine.

“It is HIM Lord.  The Great Nameless one,” spoke the Marine, a certain weird pride filling his voice.

“Leave me.  Tell him I will be there in a few minutes.”

The Praetorian of Caliban came out of the warp and started to gather Taskforce Resolution to her.  All battle squadrons reported ready almost at once.  Alacanon peered at the Pictcaster as it began to display the system and the battle taking place.

Less than 3 AU away spinward the Battle Barge Deathwing and her escorts were also forming into attack formation.  Two other strike forces were forming on the other side of the system.  The trap was complete.

Admiral Val-An eased back in his command chair.  He closed his eyes and whispered a prayer as the Chaos fleet slowly turned to engage him.  “Emperor, gives us victory, or give us death in your service.”  He could see that several capital ships were not breaking orbit.  The tactical display showed many small ships moving around them.  “Repair ships, have to be” he thought.

“Captain, order the fleet to launch all fighters and bombers.  Target the ships moving to engage us.  Order the escorts to prepare for torpedo runs on those ships in orbit.”

As the Captain gave the orders the admiral saw the other fleets arriving.  The Dark Angels had been true to their word.  They arrived almost to the second of the plan.  The Chaos fleet was doomed now.

Cassis Rex, formerly of the first legion and now leader of the Corsairs of Amicus, strode onto the battle bridge Cruiser Black Angel. He looked to the Pictcaster, which showed the bridge of the command battleship Claw of the Nameless One.  A voice came from the command dais, “Cassis, it is good of you to join us.”  Cassis filled with rage at the insult but held his tongue.

“It is my pleasure Lord.” He hissed through clenched teeth.

The voice on the command dais spoke again.  “Now, to continue.  The Imperial fleet is large but not overwhelming.  I want all of you to take your ships out of orbit and engage them.  My repairs shall be complete in a few hours, and then I shall join you.  Since there are no questions, go!”

Cassis looked dumfounded as the screen suddenly went blank.  Cassis spoke, as if to no one in particular, “What does he mean?  Our cruisers are no match for that battle fleet.  Perhaps he wants us to cover his escape?  I’ll go, there is no other choice, for now.”  He looked around at the bridge to see heads suddenly turn back to their consoles.  “Helm, break orbit and move to attack speed.  We’ll show those Imperial scum just what we’re made of!”

Alacanon smiled grimly as another Chaos ship ended its life as an expanding cloud of debris.  He spoke to Sariel and Lucian, standing on the bridge beside him.  “The Admiral was a fine choice.  His ships engaged at precisely the right time.  He has already destroyed most of the escorts and fighters.  We are almost in torpedo range now and boarding parties may be needed.  Brother Sariel, go and prepare the Brothers for battle.”

“It will be a pleasure Brother-Master.” Sariel called over his shoulder as he left.  Lucian remained standing next to Alacanon.

“You have something to add Brother Lucian?” Alacanon asked.

“I sense our quarry is on the planet.  Perhaps we should prepare ourselves for an assault?”  Queried Lucian.

“A wise suggestion Lucian.  Prepare an advance force.  Go to Captain Valaris and ask him to use his Brothers.”

Lucian nodded in silence and left the bridge.  He watched as Captain Martin gave the order to launch torpedoes.  The projectiles appeared as bright dots on the tactical display in front of him.  Similar streaks appeared in front of the rest of the ships in the taskforce.  Then more and more began to appear as the other ships of the hunters entered torpedo range.  He looked up to the Pictcaster to see lances and lasers reaching out to the Chaos ships.  The Chaos fleet was doomed.

Cassis turned and crushed the head of the cultist who handed him the info plate with his armored fist.  He roared at the Comms slave, who he held in a choke hold, “Why was I not informed of these other ships sooner?”

“They just appeared out of the Warp Lord.  We have just detected them,” squealed the slave as Cassis crushed his throat and cast his lifeless body aside.

The ship suffered multiple impacts as the Void shield collapsed.  Smoke and flames filled the bridge.  Reports from crippled sections began to pour in.

“Lord, the warp engines have been hit.  We are crippled!” cried the navigation slave as he ducked under his station.

Cassis threw the info plate toward the abandoned station and roared again.  “Make all speed to the planet.  Prepare my barge, and inform the remaining ships to do the same.  We will make our stand on the surface.”  Lord Cassis Rex stalked off the bridge.

“Sir, they are breaking off!” Shouted the Captain of the Emperors Vengeance.

“I see that Captain.  Order the fleet to go to individual action stations.  Order all ships to pursuit speed.  We must get to those battleships.”  Admiral Val-An whispered a prayer of relief.

The last Chaos cruiser was caught in a hail of torpedo and lance fire.  A possessed ship, everyone in the fleet heard its psychic death cry.  That left only one battleship and the command ship.  It was at this time that Alacanon noticed the small blips on the screen.

“Captain Martin, the enemy appears to be evacuating to the planet.  See if you can hit a few of those landers.”

“Yes Lord, we’ll make them pay.

Alacanon staggered as a missile impacted the primary Void shield.  It had come from the planet.  “So they have a few batteries on the ground” he whispered.  “Alacanon to all ships, prepare for planetary bombardment.”

Chapter 3

Lord Cassis Rex’s face filled the Pictcaster of Colonel Sykes command bunker.  “Engage those ships, Colonel, and prevent them from gaining low orbit until we arrive.  Do you understand me Colonel?”

“My Lord,” he responded, “if we uncover our firing positions now our first strike will be diminished.  We will be…”

Cassis roared through the commlink “I told you to cover our landing!  Open fire now!”

“As you wish my Lord.”  The Colonel looked to his adjutant.  “You heard him.  Open fire.”

The sky lit up with the trails of missile fire and the streaking balls of plasma cannon bolts as batteries open fire from concealed positions in the ravines surrounding the landing field.  Heavy lance projectors buried deep in caverns in the mountainside added their weight to the fire.  Several ships were hit by the massed fire and were forced to turn away from the planet.

Cassis Rex and the remaining survivors of the engagement shot down through the covering fire towards the landing field.  A few, too few, were hit as entered the atmosphere and exploded.  Some, overloaded, landed heavily, the so called controlled crash.  Anyone able to move ran to the entrances to the line of fortified buildings surrounding the landing field.

Taskforce Resolution assumed the low orbit required for accurate orbital bombardment with practiced ease.  They used the planet to block the fire from the ground until all ships were in position.  The taskforce released their weapons as one as soon as their target cleared to horizon.  Dozens of barrage bombs, plasma bombs, melta projectiles and lance bolts streaked down from orbit, hitting the many missile and laser sites with unerring accuracy.

Taskforce Resolution accelerated out of orbit and the Battle Barge Deathwing and her escorts launched their own attack.  In rapid succession the Dark Angel strike forces struck at the planet until there was no more fire from the ground.  Several of the smaller ships were damaged by fire from the batteries but none were lost.  The ships then assumed low orbit positions to prevent any escape from the planet.

Colonel Sykes looked around at the shattered remains of his command and control bunker.  At last report, before the comms went out, was that most of his batteries had been destroyed.  Half of his staff was dead, and probably the majority of his command.  He hoped Cassis got his butt fried.

“All right men.  You’re all infantry now.  Get you weapons and follow me.”

Lord Cassis Rex ran from his Lander just before a lance bolt hit it.  The Lander disintegrated in a ball of flame.  All around the landing port ships and vehicles burned.  He shook his fist in rage at the sky and yelled “Curse you and your false emperor!  Come down and fight like men!”

“My Lord, you must get into cover.  Even you cannot withstand weapons such as these.” A planetary guard lieutenant grabbed Cassis by the arm and was flung to the ground.

“Do not touch me, you filth.  Lead me to the command bunker now,” yelled Cassis.

“Thank you for your help Admiral.  Your ships were indispensable in this victory.”  Gabriel smiled a rare smile as the face of his old friend appeared on the screen.

Admiral Val-An smiled as well.  “Without your help this would have been a much harder battle, Grandmaster.  As it is we lost several of the escorts and two cruisers before your arrival.  It was the will of the Emperor that guided us to victory.”

“As agreed we will withdraw to the outer system and make repairs.  You may do with the planet as you wish.  My report to the high command will mention your involvement but not your reasons for being here.  Those are you own and shall remain so.  Val-An out.”

“Grandmaster Alacanon, as you have done the most to advance our situation in this sector the honor of first engagement goes to you.  The rest of the fleet shall stand by and prevent any escape.  Crush them!”  Grandmaster Gabriel nodded to the Pictcaster.

Alacanon knelt before the screen.  “By the will of the Emperor and with the guidance of the Lion we cannot fail.  It is my solemn oath that none shall escape.  We will fill the interrogation rooms of the Tower of Angels and claim many souls for the Emperor.”

Chapter 4

Alacanon stood before the commanders of his Battle-Brothers, all honored members of the Deathwing, from Epistolary Librarian Lucian and Resclusiarch Chaplain Sariel to the Veteran Sergeants leading the squads.  He could see the grim determination on their faces.  The long chase ended here and now.

Alacanon gestured to a holocaster.  “The Traitor units are trapped on the planet below.  All of their ships have been destroyed or driven off.  They are isolated in these bunker complexes near the landing field.  We estimate their strength to be less than a 1000, including the personnel operating the base.  We know there are some Traitor Guard with them.  And we know that our main adversary, Cassis, made it down there alive.  We must root them all out and remove all traces of this place.”

“We will set up a base of operations at the base of the mountains.  There we will muster our forces and scout the approaches to the landing field.  The fleet will continue to bombard the area at random intervals to keep the

traitors pinned in the complex.  Once we have sufficient forces we will launch the final assault.  We will have all the resources the fleet can offer.”

He looked to Nathan and Kensie.  “You two will lead us down.  Your squads will deploy in drop pods near the primary base site and secure the area.  We will come down in Thunderhawks as soon as you give us the all clear.”

“Any questions Brothers?”

Sariel spoke first.  “Do you wish for me to take the Assault squads?”

Alacanon smiled.  He knew how much Sariel liked to fly.  “Of course Chaplain Sariel.  I would expect nothing less.”

“Are there no more questions?  Then go and prepare the Brothers.  We shall meet again on the planet.  Once we have better intelligence we will finalize our plans.”

Cassis Rex stalked into the command center buried deep in the mountain.  He looked at the images displayed on the Pictcaster on the walls.  It showed most of the above ground buildings either on fire or turned to rubble.  Several crashed landers were also on fire.  It would be pleasing to him if it weren’t his own ships on the screens.

Colonel Sykes spoke first.  “My Lord, all the men and equipment we could salvage are underground here.  Most of the above ground bunkers have been destroyed.  We have noticed a flaw in the orbital attack though.”

Cassis nodded and waved his hand, “Continue Colonel.”

“The city on the edge of the landing field is only being hit by shots going over the landing field.  We have fortified many of the buildings without making any outwardly visible changes.  If I may suggest that this is the place to make a stand?”

“And be trapped on the surface?  What kind of foolish plan is that?” roared Cassis.

“My Lord, this complex was not designed to be defended from within.  The corridors are much too wide and most of the storage areas are empty.  Surely you realize that they will bring Terminators?  We have nothing to stop them.”

Cassis seemed uncommonly calm.  “I am aware of the capabilities of the Dark Angels, Colonel.  Never the less we have few options available to us.  Go and prepare your men.  I will tell you what I want to do.”

Veteran Sergeants Nathan and Kensie landed on the planet without incident.  The sporadic bombardments seemed to be keeping the enemy in their mountain.  They quickly covered the area chosen for the base and reported their findings.

++ Alpha leader to Command.  No resistance, landing area clear. ++

++ Command to Alpha and Gamma.  Transmission understood.  Proceed to phase 2. ++

Cassis was standing over the holocaster in the center of the command center when the drops pods landed.  “So, it begins.”  He looked over to the comms man.  “Send out a general call.  All troops to form up in storage bay 2 in 10 minutes.  And make sure Sykes get that message personally.  Understood?”

Cassis’s calm frightened the Guard Officer, and his voice was shaky when he answered, “Yes my Lord.”

Alacanon was on the first Thunderhawk to land.  First in, last out was his creed.  With the fleets Thunderhawks available the landing was over in 30 minutes.  The Brothers moved to their staging areas and the vehicles lined up for final inspections by Techmarine Sindus and his crew.

The Ravenwing elements sped off towards the north.  Their mission was to prevent any escape on the other side of the mountain.  Alacanon knew it was not needed but Grandmaster Gabriel had insisted on their deployment.

Alacanon moved to the Command Rhino parked next to the Damocles.  Chaplain Sariel and Librarians Lucian and Claudius were already there.  Claudius looked resplendent in his new Terminator Armor.  He would accompany Captain Valaris with the Deathwing contingent.

A call came from the Damocles, “Brother-master Alacanon, the Angel of Caliban is on final approach.  They ask if we are ready for the final bombardment.”

“Tell them to Proceed.”  He turned to the rest of the commanders.  Mount up, move out.  15 minutes to contact.  May the Emperor guide our hands and give confusion to the Traitors.  The spirit of the Lion is with us today.  We cannot fail.”

Nathan’s squad was the first to reach the landing field.  He took out his binocs and plugged his auspex into them.  As he scanned the area his map was updated, to be sent to command when he returned.  He saw some Guardsmen working on fortifications around the landing field and several more in the area of the city.

A warning tone in his auspex told him a strike was incoming.  “Everyone down, we have incoming” he told the scouts spread out around him.

Kensie reached the far side of the landing field near the city.  There had been no resistance to his movements.  He too noted several units of Guard, mostly construction types, making modifications to the buildings in the city.  He was preparing to enter the area when he heard the warning tone.  “Hunker down boys” he whispered to the scout gathered around him.

The strike cruiser Angel of Caliban began its attack run.  They had been given the honor of the final run before the assault.  Data streaming from scouts on the ground was being relayed through the Damocles at the main camp.  The holocaster showed the scouts positions and the groups of Guardsmen.  “Load bombardment tubes 1 through 4.  All tubes to launch melta bombs.”

In the weapons bay the Techseer moved among the servitors giving the armaments their final blessings.  He watched as each bomb was placed in the cradle and placed into their tubes.  He smiled, knowing each would give him their best.

The weapons officer relayed the commands to the crews in the weapons bay.  His panel lit up as the crews responded.  “All tubes ready Captain.”

“Launch the weapons.  Reload with bombardment projectiles.”

Nathan saw the projectiles streaking down seconds before the Guardsmen did.  They turned to run but it was too late.  Nathan turned away to avoid being blinded by the flash.  The bombs fell in rapid succession and blanketed the area near the landing field.  When he looked back the bunkers were in ruins, and nothing but charred lumps remained where the Guardsmen had fallen.  He turned his binocs to the far side of the landing field.  Again the sky lit up as the next wave of projectiles hit.  Several of the buildings crumbled as explosions racked their interiors.  He saw nothing of the Guardsmen.

Cassis Rex stood on the hastily raised dais and looked over his command.  He only knew a few of them but was happy that they were all pure Marines.  Until he recently ascended to the level of Chaos Lord he had shunned all the “gifts” the Chaos Gods had offered.  All the Marines before him had also done so.  There were no marks, no demons and only a few gifts among them.

“Brothers, the hated Space Marines of the Dark Angels Chapter are coming for us.  Brother Maximus and I were once members of the great First Legion of Dark Angels, when we served the Emperor, as many of you did in your Legions in the Great Crusade.  We know now that we were betrayed by our Primarchs and the Emperor.  Since our awakening we have brought death and misery to all those who support the False Emperor and his minions.  We shall do so again today.  You have been given your assignments.  I expect you to kill all these false Marines and drive them from our planet.”

The Marines raised their swords and axes, shots were fired into the roof of the chamber and a guttural cheer rose from the back of the assembly and quickly grew to a crescendo.  The Marines whipped themselves into a blood rage and charged out of the tunnel and into the city.

Cassis smiled a grim smile.  “The Angels know not what comes for them.”  He then ran out, roaring at the top of his voice “death!”