The Invasion of Gamordal: Operation Steel Veil

The invasion of Gamordal was the latest step in General Veers’ broader strategy to secure the left flank of the Perseus Deeps campaign. Following the capture of Enaloth, the Necron-controlled world of Gamordal represented the next major obstacle in the Imperium’s path to stabilising the region. Veers, a commander known for his calculated precision, initiated Operation Steel Veil to establish Imperial dominance over the region and ensure a firm staging ground for further offensives.

Initial Landings

On 1511.024M42, the Novgorod Guard, reinforced heavily with armoured and cavalry units, commenced the invasion of Gamordal. The Imperial Navy, under the command of Admiral Stark, had scoured the system and reported no Necron naval activity, enabling the Guard to secure a landing site on the South Plateau without serious opposition. Once ground forces were deployed, the Novgorod regiments set their sights on the industrial city of Southrine, home to vital mining facilities critical for supplying the ongoing Imperial war efforts on the world.

The Assault on Southrine

The Necron defenders of Gamordal were formidable, comprising legions of Immortals, Canoptek constructs, and Doom Scythe aerial support. Despite the absence of spaceborne interference, the ground resistance was fierce, and General Veers knew a direct strike on the Necron capital of Gamordal Prime was unfeasible. Instead, he ordered a systematic campaign to weaken the Necron presence by seizing critical resource hubs like Southrine.

The Novgorod cavalry, renowned for their fearless charges and self sacrifice, were the first to engage the enemy. In a bold but reckless maneuver, Colonel Lobanov led his regiment in an attempt to break through the Necron phalanx. Unbeknownst to the Imperials, the Necron force included a C’tan Shard, a fragment of a star god harnessed by the Necrons. As the cavalry approached, the C’tan unleashed a cataclysmic burst of energy that annihilated the regiment, including Colonel Lobanov himself, in moments.

The loss of the cavalry regiment was a devastating blow to the morale of the Novgorod forces. However, the Imperial armoured units responded swiftly. Leman Russ battle tanks and Basilisk artillery unleashed relentless firepower, methodically dismantling the Necron formations. Despite the C’tan’s formidable presence, the sheer weight of fire from the Imperial war machines eventually overpowered it, shattering its corporeal form and forcing its retreat into the Immaterium.

Victory in Southrine

With the destruction of the C’tan shard and the collapse of the Necron defenses, the Novgorod Guard pushed into the heart of Southrine. The mining city fell after several days of brutal urban combat, with the Imperial forces systematically dismantling remaining Necron constructs and silencing the eerie, automated defense systems. By 1611.024M42, Southrine was firmly under Imperial control, and the mining assets were secured for the Imperium.

Strategic Significance

The capture of Southrine provided the Imperium with a vital foothold on Gamordal. The city’s industrial capabilities were swiftly repurposed to support the ongoing campaign, with resource extraction diverted to fuel the Novgorod war machine. Furthermore, the victory demonstrated the adaptability and resilience of the Imperium’s forces against the Necrons’ technological superiority.

However, the campaign for Gamordal had only just begun. General Veers now faced the challenge of advancing toward Gamordal Prime, a stronghold thought to house advanced Necron tomb complexes and heavily fortified defensive positions. Despite the success of Operation Steel Veil, the cost had been significant, and Veers knew the Necrons would not allow another foothold to be taken without unleashing even greater horrors.

Zadoc Subsector: The Defensive Gambit of General Van Dorn

The war between the Alliance and the Imperium continued to escalate in the Zadoc subsector as both sides vied for strategic dominance. While the Tau and their Federal allies pushed to consolidate their hold on Hylas and the Mabb Nebula, General Van Dorn maintained a largely defensive posture. The general was under increasing pressure from both the High Lords and the Inquisition to hold the line on Hylas while also executing counter-offensives to reclaim key installations in the Mabb Nebula.

Gutter Fighting on Corredon Outpost

In the contested Corredon Outpost within the Mabb Nebula, the Imperium’s efforts to wrest control from the Alliance continued to falter. After the disastrous attempt to capture Hangar 087, Imperial Guard insertion forces regrouped for another assault. This time, they targeted Sub-Level Gamma-32, a key area of the installation believed to house critical command and power relays.

The operation quickly devolved into brutal close-quarters combat as the Guard encountered fierce resistance from Federal Votann Kin warriors entrenched in the narrow corridors. The fighting in the confined sub-level was bloody and chaotic, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. Despite their best efforts, the Guard found themselves unable to dislodge the Kin, who utilised advanced shielding technology and disciplined fire patterns to blunt the Imperial advance.

After hours of intense combat, the battle reached a stalemate, with both sides withdrawing to regroup. While the Guard retained control of the entry points, the Federal forces maintained a firm grip on the deeper sections of the outpost. The struggle for Corredon Outpost remained unresolved, but the failure to secure decisive progress weighed heavily on Van Dorn’s plans for the subsector.

Tau Close on Brockley

On Hylas, the consequences of Commander Malkaor’s systematic destruction of the Imperial defences in West Hallen began to unfold. The Tau, emboldened by their success, launched a new offensive, advancing over the marshy terrain toward the city of Brockley, a critical logistical hub for Van Dorn’s forces.

The terrain proved challenging for both sides, but the Tau’s advanced hover vehicles and adaptable infantry gave them a significant advantage. Imperial patrols, including a squad of Space Marines from an unrecorded chapter, attempted to slow the Tau advance. However, the Tau forces overwhelmed the patrol, utilizing coordinated firepower from XV8 Crisis Battlesuits and Hammerhead gunships to annihilate the loyalist force with precision.

The loss of the Space Marine patrol underscored the Tau’s tactical superiority in the marshlands, and the Imperium’s defensive line began to buckle under the relentless pressure. By the end of 11.024M42, the Tau had reached the outskirts of Brockley, forcing General Van Dorn to commit additional resources to defend the city. With the Alliance now threatening the heartlands of Hylas, the situation grew increasingly dire for the Imperium.

Strategic Overview

The early days of 11.024M42 marked a precarious moment for the Imperium in the Zadoc subsector. General Van Dorn’s defensive strategy was proving effective in holding key positions, but the Imperium’s inability to seize the initiative left the Alliance free to dictate the pace of the war. Both the Mabb Nebula and Hylas remained bitterly contested, with no end to the conflict in sight.

The Awakening on Ferrosiun Prime and the Garmenes Incident: 10–11.024M42

As the conflicts in the Rifts of Hecate continued to escalate in 024M42, the re-emerging Necron threat revealed itself as a destabilising force in the region. Though overshadowed by the larger struggles between the Imperium, the Alliance, and Hive Fleet Poseidon, the Necron activity across several worlds began to disrupt even the best-laid plans of all factions, sowing chaos in the already tumultuous warzones.

The Ferrosiun Prime Device

Ferrosiun Prime, an ork-dominated world in the Rifts, had long been a contested planet, rich in both strategic value and ancient ruins. The orks had claimed the planet for their own, fortifying it with crude but effective fortresses and war machines. Beneath the surface, however, lay dormant Necron machinery, likely a relic of the planet’s forgotten past as part of the Necron dynasties.

In 10.024M42, a small ork kill team—likely under orders from a particularly ambitious warboss—attempted to sabotage a mysterious Necron apparatus they had discovered during their excavations. The orks, while uncharacteristically focused, underestimated the power of the Necrons guarding the site. The Necron defenders, perhaps aware of the orks’ intentions, activated the ancient machinery, unleashing devastating seismic and energy pulses that obliterated several nearby ork fortifications. Though the orks regrouped and reinforced their positions, the activation of the device established Necron control over a significant swath of Ferrosiun Prime.

The destruction of the ork strongholds created a power vacuum on the planet, with Necron forces steadily increasing their presence. The fate of the planet’s surface was thrown into question, as neither the orks nor other factions appeared capable of challenging the awakened Necrons.

The Garmenes Incident

Meanwhile, in the Rifts of Hecate’s eastern limit, the Tau Empire had established a research base at Garmenes, a frontier world where archaeological finds hinted at ancient xenos civilisations. The base served as a hub for the Tau’s diplomatic and military operations in the region, and in 11.024M42, it received an unusual delegation from the Federacy.

This delegation, comprised of Federal scientists and engineers supported by Votann Kin warriors, sought Tau collaboration to explore and exploit the Necron tombs beneath the planet’s surface. The Kin, known for their technical acumen and battle-hardened infantry, were well-equipped for such an expedition, and the Tau saw an opportunity to deepen their alliance with the Federacy while expanding their understanding of Necron technology.

However, the tomb on Garmenes was no dormant relic. Upon breaching its outer chambers, the Votann and Federal team inadvertently activated its defenses. The Necron constructs within awoke swiftly, cutting off the intruders’ retreat. Despite the formidable capabilities of the Kin warriors, the Necrons overwhelmed them with relentless precision. Reports indicate that Necron Deathmarks and Flayed Ones, supported by Canoptek constructs, systematically hunted down and destroyed the Votann forces within the tomb’s confines.

The Tau, unwilling to risk their own troops against such a relentless foe, declared the tomb off-limits and withdrew their personnel from the area, leaving the Necron site undisturbed. The Federacy’s losses were significant, and relations between the two allies were strained as the Kin accused the Tau of underestimating the danger.

Conclusion

By late 11.024M42, the Necrons had reasserted their presence in the Rifts of Hecate, not as major participants in the larger conflict but as a disruptive force capable of derailing the plans of their would-be usurpers. On Ferrosiun Prime, the orks found themselves forced to adapt to the sudden loss of key strongholds, while on Garmenes, the Federacy and Tau were reminded of the peril inherent in disturbing Necron tombs.

The Tau Offensive and the Destruction of West Hallen Defences on Hylas

In the waning weeks of 10.024M42, the fall of Finlay had left Imperial forces under General Van Dorn entrenched in the swampy regions of West Hallen, preparing for the expected Tau assault. However, the anticipated attack took an unexpected turn with the sudden arrival of Tau Commander Malkaor, whose forces had last been recorded operating within the Hadron Expanse. Rather than pursuing a typical campaign of territorial gain, Malkaor’s troops launched a targeted and systematic operation aimed solely at obliterating the Imperial trench lines and defensive fortifications across the West Hallen wetlands.

Malkaor’s strategy capitalised on the high mobility of Tau forces, which allowed his troops to strike at weak points in the Imperial defences before rapidly redeploying. Malkaor’s forces dismantled bunkers, shredded trench networks, and collapsed fortified emplacements across the boggy landscape, neutralising Van Dorn’s hard-won defensive line before the Imperial forces could adapt. The destruction of the defenses left Van Dorn’s troops dangerously exposed to further Alliance advances into Hylas’ strategic heartlands.

Aware of the threat posed by Malkaor’s mobilised campaign, the Grey Knights, who had tracked the Tau Commander to Hylas, launched a counter-attack against the Tau forces. With the blessing of the Ordo Malleus, they attempted to stop the Tau from stripping West Hallen of its critical fortifications, thus preserving Hylas’ defences for future offensives. Malkaor, however, leveraged the Tau’s superior mobility and advanced weaponry, decisively repelling the Grey Knights’ assault and inflicting heavy casualties on the elite Imperial forces. By early 0511.024M42, Malkaor’s victory was complete, and West Hallen’s fortifications lay in ruins.

Having effectively crippled the Imperial defences, Malkaor’s forces withdrew swiftly from Hylas, evading an encounter with Imperial naval assets stationed in orbit. His rapid redeployment and disappearance suggested an emerging strategy of mobilizing as a reserve force across the sector, striking at key positions before Imperial forces could marshal a counter-offensive.

For General Van Dorn, the destruction of West Hallen was a grim blow. Though the defences of East Hallen still offered some hope for resistance, the Imperium’s forces on Hylas faced a prolonged and increasingly precarious campaign. Van Dorn knew that while East Hallen’s fortifications remained formidable, the coming assault by the Alliance and the threat of Malkaor’s unpredictable manoeuvres would make holding Hylas a far more daunting prospect.

Special Ops in the Mabb Nebula

To: General Van Dorn, Commanding Officer, Imperial Forces, Mabb Nebula

Subject: Situation Report on Operations in Mabb Nebula – Waystation S-192 and Corredon Outpost

Date: 11.024M42

General,

Our ongoing operations in the Mabb Nebula to secure and stabilise strategic supply lines have met with mixed outcomes. Below is a detailed report of recent engagements and the current status of our objectives.

1. Waystation S-192:

Our Guard insertion team has successfully infiltrated and established a foothold on Waystation S-192, despite an intervention from Eldar xenos forces. Imperial troops managed to repel the initial attack, and while Eldar resistance remains within the station’s outer compartments, our forces are positioned to begin a systematic clearing operation to secure the entire installation.

Once full control of the station is achieved, we will prioritise fortification measures to prevent further xenos incursions. The outpost is strategically critical, and a secure supply route through this sector hinges on maintaining and reinforcing our presence here.

2. Corredon Outpost, Hangar 087:

Unfortunately, the squad of Astartes deployed to investigate Hangar 087 encountered significant and unanticipated resistance from Votann forces aligned with the Alliance. The Votann operatives employed disruptive tactics, using the hangar’s hostile radiation field to disable the Astartes' enhanced sensory equipment. By intermittently cutting power to the hangar lighting, the Votann forces created a challenging combat environment that neutralised the marines' targeting capabilities.

The marines were consequently unable to detect or neutralize the ambushers and suffered a complete loss of personnel. Control over Hangar 087 and its technological assets has since fallen to the Alliance. Although we retain a foothold on Corredon Outpost, the loss of Hangar 087 and its ancient artefacts is a setback. Current intelligence indicates the Alliance intends to consolidate their hold over the installation and shows no inclination to relinquish it.

Conclusion:

Efforts at Waystation S-192 are proceeding favourably, with a pathway to securing the entire station in sight. Conversely, the situation on Corredon Outpost reveals a determined Alliance presence and a clear operational challenge that will require strategic recalibration. We anticipate the need for specialized support and possibly additional reinforcements to reclaim Hangar 087 and protect other critical areas within Corredon.

Further updates will be relayed as the situation develops.

For the Emperor,

[Imperial Command Representative]

Imperial Command, Mabb Nebula Operations

Grey Knights and chaos strike at Tyranid menance

With Hive Fleet Poseidon gaining momentum in the Rifts of Hecate, Inquisitorial agents sounded an urgent alarm regarding the escalating Tyranid threat. Despite these warnings, General Maximus declined to launch an offensive against the xenos, citing insurmountable logistical challenges. In response, the Inquisition acted independently, securing the cooperation of the Grey Knights—an unusual intervention for the elite daemon-hunters but justified given the grave risk posed by Poseidon’s hive mind.

The Grey Knights, accompanied by a Knight Preceptor deployed to Mendesum, a world recently fallen to Tyranid infestation. Their mission: locate and eliminate a critical hive node to disrupt the Tyranids’ planetary absorption process and gain valuable time to fortify Imperial defences at the Hecate Gap. The strike force swiftly identified a primary node and launched a relentless assault, but they encountered fierce resistance as Tyranid warriors, compelled by the hive mind, defended the node with lethal ferocity.

In the midst of this struggle, the Knight Preceptor was struck down by a Neurolictor—an insidious Tyranid biomorph capable of targeted psychic assault. The creature’s potent psychic influence breached the Knight’s mental defences, inducing a fatal brain aneurysm in the pilot and reducing the towering war machine to wreckage. Yet, despite this setback, the Grey Knights rallied, cutting through the xenos defenders to strike down the hive node. Its destruction temporarily destabilised the hive mind’s control over the Tyranid forces, interrupting the biomass consumption process and buying precious time for Imperial forces in the sector.

In a separate but parallel event, a World Eaters warband descended on Mendesum, drawn to the Tyranid threat by their lust for worthy combat. These Chaos Marines independently discovered another hive node, which they attacked in a brutal assault, managing to hold their position long enough to severely damage the structure. Though most of the World Eaters perished, their efforts inflicted a further blow to the Tyranid network, exacerbating the disarray within the hive fleet’s ranks.

Despite these setbacks, Hive Fleet Poseidon’s advance was far from halted. The temporary disruption on Mendesum bought the Imperium a reprieve, but the Tyranid threat remains vast, relentless, and resolute, poised to renew its assault on the Rifts of Hecate with undiminished hunger.

Tombs reawaken on Calliden

In the latter half of 024M42, the Perseus Deeps, an ancient and foreboding region of the galaxy, had become the focus of a brutal multi-faction conflict as the Imperium, the forces of Chaos, and the Alliance clashed with the recently awakened Necrons in the region. Though the Imperium had secured a foothold on Gamador early in the campaign, the subsequent reawakening of Necron tomb worlds across the sector dramatically altered the balance of power. The enigmatic Skarreth Dynasty then intervened, showing a sudden, intense interest in reclaiming key worlds—an interest whose purpose remained unknown but was met with speculation, given the dynasty’s reputedly inscrutable motives.

The ancient Necrons made their intentions felt most strongly on Calliden, a barren tomb world with a dark, labyrinthine landscape, now controlled by the forces of chaos. The Skarreth Dynasty’s forces arrived in early 11.024M42, catching the Death Guard’s House of Eschar garrison entirely unprepared. The Necrons wasted no time advancing on Zaraphan, Calliden’s principal city and a central Chaos stronghold. The Death Guard scrambled to mount a defense, yet they quickly found themselves in a nightmare of near-phantasmic tactics as the Necrons deployed forces that seemed to shift through reality itself.

The Skarreth Dynasty’s warriors appeared disconcertingly out of phase with physical reality, teleporting across the battlefield in a series of lightning-strike manoeuvres that left Chaos forces reeling. This deadly precision was augmented by swarming scarab constructs, which acted as both scouts and saboteurs. These seemingly autonomous scarabs scoured the battlefield, systematically disabling Nurgle entrenchments while relaying vital intelligence to their Necron masters.

Desperate to gain an upper hand, the Death Guard launched targeted attacks against the scarab swarms, hoping to disrupt Necron coordination. However, even the resilience of Nurgle’s legions faltered against the fluid adaptability and relentless efficiency of the Necrons’ assaults. The Death Guard’s tactics, formidable against mortal foes, proved ineffective against the technologically advanced, incorporeal-seeming Necron strike forces. After brutal fighting, the Death Guard were forced to abandon Zaraphan, retreating from the city and conceding control of the sector to the Skarreth Dynasty.

With the city secured, the Necron dynasty delved into the tomb complexes beneath Zaraphan. The true nature of their objective remained shrouded in mystery, but some Imperial savants speculate the dynasty might be preparing for a larger campaign in the Perseus Deeps. The Skarreth Dynasty’s return to Calliden has reshaped the region’s power dynamics, and Imperial and Chaos forces alike now face the grim prospect of an expanding Necron resurgence. Whether this is a fleeting interest or the beginning of a protracted conflict across the Perseus Deeps remains to be seen.

Collapse on Calthingum: Chaos in Disarray

In late 10.024M42, the chaos-plagued world of Calthingum was in turmoil as mounting internal divisions and external assaults began to dismantle the outpost’s fragile cohesion. Originally under Death Guard dominion, Calthingum served as a vital research hub for the Legion’s plague experimentation, its toxic landscape transformed into a festering crucible of biological weaponry. However, tensions with the Night Lords—assigned as auxiliary defenders—sparked a power struggle that would spell disaster for Chaos forces on the world.

As factional disputes flared into open conflict, the operational effectiveness of Calthingum’s defences crumbled. The simmering animosity between the Death Guard, obsessed with their vile experimentation, and the Night Lords, who demanded greater respect and control, ultimately drew the attention of opportunistic raiders. Sensing the internal strife, a well-coordinated Drukhari strike force descended upon the world, exploiting the chaos. In one swift ambush, they tore through a World Eaters warband, wiping out the Khornate marauders in a brutal skirmish and retreating as swiftly as they’d arrived.

This successful raid was only the beginning. In early 11.024M42, the weakened defences of Calthingum drew even more unwanted attention. The Orks, drawn by the scent of carnage and encouraged by reports of Chaos disarray, launched an invasion—crashing roks directly into the planet’s surface. Within hours of impact, greenskin mobs surged from the crash sites, smashing into an unprepared Night Lords force and establishing a foothold on the world. The Night Lords, already weakened by Drukhari raids and ongoing infighting, were swiftly overwhelmed, their units scattered or annihilated under the brutal assault.

By 0411.024M42 with Orks entrenched and determined to carve their own territory out of Calthingum’s decaying ruins, the situation for Chaos forces had become almost untenable. The weakened Night Lords struggled to retain a foothold, while the Death Guard’s plague research was perilously close to falling into alien hands or being destroyed entirely in the mayhem. Calthingum, once a fortress of Chaos, had devolved into an anarchic battlefield—a grim testament to the fractures within the Traitor Legions and the chaos that always follows in their wake.

The Fall of Finlay: Alliance Offensive on Hylas

By 09.024M42, the Alliance between the Federacy and the Tau Empire had transformed its military approach on Hylas from a series of feints and limited engagements into a well-calculated campaign designed to outmanoeuvre and outmatch the beleaguered Imperial forces. What initially appeared to be a small-scale invasion driven solely by Hartak forces was, in truth, a tactical manoeuvre to obscure the Alliance’s ultimate intention: a fully coordinated offensive to push northward and seize key strongholds from the Imperium.

With their foothold on Hylas well-established and the Imperium’s delayed response lacking in decisiveness, the Tau began to unveil the full strength of their commitment. For the first time, Tau cadres marched openly, supplemented by a well-equipped array of non-Tau auxiliaries, including skilled Kroot mercenaries and Vespid Stingwings. Together, these forces launched a southern offensive from Desmond, setting their sights on Finlay—the strategically significant city that marked the last Imperial stronghold along their southern border.

Realising the impending threat, General Van Dorn quickly redirected his Guard forces to reinforce the marshland defences at West Hallen. He hoped that the fortified positions there, along with a small contingent of Adeptus Custodes, would be enough to slow the Alliance’s assault on Finlay and maintain the city as a valuable foothold deep in enemy territory. This foothold, Van Dorn believed, would eventually serve as the staging ground for his future counteroffensive from Berkeley. But events soon proved that the Alliance had prepared for this resistance.

The Tau’s fast-moving cadres and skilled Kroot scouts outmanoeuvred the Imperial forces, exploiting weaknesses in Van Dorn’s strategic lines. As the Tau closed in, Finlay was swiftly encircled, cutting off both the Custodes and Guard forces defending the city from any hope of reinforcement. The Custodes, known for their valor and strength, made a courageous stand within the city’s ruins but found themselves outmatched by the combined forces of Tau auxiliaries and rapid-response fire teams. Their resolve was unshakable, but they sustained significant casualties under relentless assault, with some units annihilated in the doomed defense of Finlay.

In the aftermath, Finlay fell completely under Alliance control, marking a pivotal victory for the Federacy-Tau coalition. The Tau quickly moved to occupy the no-man’s land separating their territory from the Imperial defensive network, bringing them within striking distance of West Hallen. The loss of Finlay not only represented a tactical setback for General Van Dorn’s forces but also diminished morale among the defenders. The once-stalwart defenses of Hylas now faced a looming threat, with the Tau poised to breach Imperial lines and turn the tide decisively in the Alliance’s favour. The stage was now set for a much larger conflict as Imperial forces braced for the inevitable escalation in the southern theatre.

Inquisitorial Report to Inquisitor Esquerra

Subject: Urgent Developments in the Rifts of Hecate

Inquisitor Esquerra,

I bring grave news from the Rifts of Hecate. While General Maximus’s Crusade Army consolidates its position around Ergura’s Fall and Haven as per your directive, the situation within the Rifts has escalated alarmingly. The planet Mendesum has been entirely consumed, falling at last to the relentless advance of Hive Fleet Poseidon.

Our intelligence confirms that the final line of defense on Mendesum—the ancient Tomb Complex of Xentephet—has been breached. This site, revered in its dark history as a fortress of the Necrons, provided a formidable bulwark against the xenos incursion. The necron forces fought with brutal efficiency, using both entropic weaponry and phase-shifted reinforcements in an effort to stem the Tyranid tide. Yet, the mindless and inexorable advance of Hive Fleet Poseidon proved too much for even these ancient defenders. Each fallen tyranid bioform only added to the biomass reserves available to the Hive Fleet, and Poseidon’s forces simply reformed, regenerated, and advanced without regard for loss or sacrifice.

With Mendesum’s necron defenders now eradicated and their protective mechanisms destroyed, Poseidon has begun the final stages of the planet’s consumption. This systematic harvesting of Mendesum’s resources will likely fuel the tyranid fleet, fortifying their strength to strike further into Imperial holdings.

The loss of Mendesum not only weakens our strategic foothold but marks a critical shift in the Hive Fleet’s resource reserves and readiness. With this added biomass, they will be poised to intensify their campaign, putting pressure directly on our key defenses at the Hecate Gap. It is my firm belief that immediate action must be taken. Our defensive line grows perilously thin, and any further expansion of the tyranid presence in this sector will render our current forces insufficient to hold back this oncoming tide.

Inquisitor, I urge your intervention. Hive Fleet Poseidon must be impeded before it overwhelms our position at the Gap. If we lose Mendesum without response, it will only embolden the Hive Fleet further and present a critical risk to our ongoing defense efforts.

Your loyal servant,

Agent Vannick

Mordecai: The Battle for the North Averbrooke-Menoria Corridor

Following the successful Dark Angels breakout from the hives of North Averbrooke and Menoria, Imperial forces under General Kutuzov braced for the inevitable response. The counterattack, as expected, arrived mere weeks later, as a force of Night Lords launched a wave of brutal terror raids along the northern front of the Imperial-held salient north of the Harian Mesa. These raids were swift and deadly, forcing the Imperial Guard to retreat in the face of the psychological and physical onslaught. Kutuzov’s forces, already strained from prior engagements, found themselves stretched thin, and morale began to waver.

In an attempt to stabilise the front, the Adeptus Custodes undertook a series of rapid counter-assaults against the traitorous Night Lords, hoping to force them into a full retreat. But the Night Lords, renowned for their mastery of fear and deception, had laid an elaborate trap. As the Custodes advanced, they were ambushed, taking heavy casualties in a sudden, vicious melee that left even these elite warriors in disarray. By the time Imperial forces managed to re-establish cohesion, the Night Lords had reduced the Imperial corridor between North Averbrooke and Menoria to a narrow strip, with some points shrinking to a mere ten miles in width. The setback struck a severe blow to Imperial momentum and disrupted Kutuzov’s strategic plans.

But the Dark Angels, undeterred by the traitor trap, rapidly redeployed their forces to fortify Menoria’s northern perimeter. Concentrating their strength against the entrenched Death Guard forces of the House of Eschar, they initiated a brutal assault to reclaim lost ground. Fighting was relentless, with Death Guard resistance proving formidable as they weathered Imperial firepower and struck back with foul weaponry. However, the Primaris Marines of the Dark Angels demonstrated unparalleled resilience, withstanding the virulent toxins and ferocious assaults of their foes. The sheer durability and discipline of the Angels of Death began to take a toll on the traitor legion, who were gradually worn down by the determined Astartes offensive.

After days of grinding urban combat, the Death Guard's resistance finally faltered, and the remnants of the House of Eschar were forced to retreat from Menoria Hive altogether. By the end of 10.024M42, the Imperium had secured the entirety of the Menoria urban area, pushing their foes back and restoring a measure of stability to the war-ravaged northern front. This victory afforded Kutuzov a solid, defensible position overlooking the Hamenia region, an expansive, open plain with few features to conceal enemy forces—ideal for further Imperial offensives.

With Menoria secured, Kutuzov now had to consider his next move. His diverse forces—bolstered by Dark Angels, Custodes, and Imperial Guard units—were well-positioned to capitalise on the recent gains, but careful planning would be essential to maintain momentum. In the coming days, he and his commanders would evaluate how best to deploy their forces and strike deeper into enemy territory. For now, the Imperium held the upper hand on Mordecai Primaris, but Kutuzov knew the forces of Chaos would not give ground lightly and that each victory came at a steep cost. 

Mabb Nebula Current Situation

 

Imperial scouts land on Fort Aerin

As 10.024M42 drew to a close, the Imperium faced mounting pressure and a series of demoralising setbacks in the Mabb Nebula and Zadoc Subsector. Holding onto Hylas had proven challenging, and the possibility of reclaiming New Cerberex seemed increasingly remote. With the corridors of Caitlen Station mired in an ongoing stalemate against Tyranid bioforms, Imperial High Command recognised the necessity of establishing a secure and strategic base from which they could organise and supply their fragmented forces.

The logistical strain across the Zadoc Subsector was so severe that General Van Dorn of Hylas stood as the highest-ranking Imperial officer in the sector, acting with limited oversight. Sector Commander Valentina Schumadz had deprioritised the region, leaving Van Dorn and his Space Marine allies to chart their own path. Fortunately, Admiral Craddock's battlegroup and an accompanying fleet of Astartes vessels were dispatched to support the beleaguered Imperial forces, offering them a rare, if limited, advantage. Though resources remained scant, the powerful presence of the fleet deterred both the Tau and Federacy forces from engaging the Imperium in open space combat, while the Orks—unpredictable at best—posed a haphazard but tangible threat.

After considering their options, Van Dorn and his Space Marine allies set their sights on Fort Aerin. Once an Imperial stronghold, Fort Aerin had been overrun by Orks, who now used it as a rudimentary fortress. The outpost's facilities and location rendered it an ideal strategic base, but the extent of the Ork infestation was unknown. Rather than risk full-scale bombardment or a conventional invasion, which would obliterate the valuable infrastructure, the Imperium devised a plan of surgical precision: teams of elite operatives would infiltrate and secure the fort in phases, clearing each section in a “slice by slice” approach. The strategy aimed to dislodge the Orks with minimal damage to Fort Aerin, preparing the ground for a larger eradication effort once the primary structures were secure.

The operation began with several special ops insertions, but it soon became evident that the task would be far from simple. The Guardsmen insertion team, comprising seasoned veterans, faced catastrophic losses. The Orks, seemingly bored of brawling only amongst themselves, greeted the intruders with unrestrained enthusiasm and savagery, annihilating the Guardsmen force before they could establish a foothold. A squad of Space Marines, however, fared better. By leveraging their superior combat prowess and tactical acumen, they managed to secure the west gate of Fort Aerin, carving out the first Imperial foothold within the fortress walls by the end of 10.024M42.

Though the cost was high and the initial losses significant, the capture of the west gate signaled a minor yet crucial victory for the Imperium. The initial breach served as a foundation for further operations, bringing renewed hope that Fort Aerin could eventually serve as the sector’s staging ground. With additional reinforcements and strategic coordination, General Van Dorn and his allies now held a tentative yet vital position from which they could begin to reclaim the outpost—turning it, with effort and perseverance, into a beacon of Imperial strength amidst the chaos of the Mabb Nebula.

Federal Forces establish Foothold at Hylas Reach

In the later stages of 10.024M42, the Federacy forces operating in the Zadoc Subsector had faced mounting setbacks. The Night Lords, notorious for their brutal void raids, had repeatedly targeted Federacy supply lines, causing critical disruptions to the Alliance’s logistical capabilities. Compounding this, recent failures in boarding actions on Caitlen Station revealed vulnerabilities in Federacy void warfare tactics, making it clear that improvements were needed if they were to achieve dominance in the sector. In response, Federacy command initiated a rigorous series of training exercises, aimed at refining their fleet boarding and defensive tactics.

Led by elite Yaegir Kill Teams, the exercises tested the mettle of Hartak League troops in simulated strikes on various installations. These exercises highlighted key weaknesses and identified areas for enhancement, with command implementing and rapidly acting upon these recommendations to bolster both defensive and offensive capabilities. With improved tactical cohesion and disciplined boarding drills, the Federacy forces emerged from the training cycle with sharpened void combat readiness.

No sooner had these exercises concluded than the Federacy saw an opportunity to put their training to the test on Hylas Reach Station. This outpost, located on the critical warp lane leading to the Mabb Nebula from Zadoc, used to be an Imperial mining installation of moderate size, having served as a stopover point for merchants traveling to Hylas and New Cerberex (previously known as Coronus). However, following an Ork invasion on 2909.023M42, the station had become a bastion of Greenskin infestation. Given its strategic value for controlling trade and movement in the region, recapturing Hylas Reach was deemed essential to the Federacy’s plans.

Employing their newly honed tactics, Federal breacher teams launched a precise and concentrated assault on Hylas Reach. In coordinated attacks on key areas of the station, the Hartak forces swiftly overwhelmed pockets of Ork resistance with compact yet highly disciplined teams, relying on layered overwatch positions to contain the bloodthirsty Orks as they advanced. In a matter of days, the Federacy forces managed to secure a foothold on the station, though large sections remained under Ork control.

While the operation achieved its initial objectives, the infestation was far from eradicated. Hartak command anticipated further skirmishes, understanding that the capture of Hylas Reach would require an extended campaign of precision strikes and specialized operations. In their minds, securing this station intact would offer a critical asset, providing the Alliance with a strategic anchor in the sector and an opportunity to exert greater influence over Hylas and New Cerberex.

With the Orks still swarming over much of Hylas Reach, the campaign remained uncertain, yet the Federacy’s recent improvements in void warfare and station-clearing tactics indicated that they were prepared to see this battle through, one bloody step at a time.

Tau special ops gain foothold on Corredon Outpost

As 10.024M42 drew to a close, the conflict across the Mabb Nebula escalated, with multiple factions vying for control over key installations. Among these was Corredon Outpost, a small but crucial listening post situated relatively near to Caitlen Station. Staffed by a minimal Imperial garrison and a few Adeptus Mechanicus tech-priests, Corredon provided the Imperium with a strategic advantage. Located along the vital warp route between Zadoc and Tarsis Major, the station monitored Tau troop and fleet movements, making it a prime target for the ambitious Tau forces and their auxiliaries.

In an initial assault, Kroot mercenaries—employed by the Tau as specialised infiltration units—were dispatched to seize control of the outpost. The Kroot, known for their guerrilla tactics and stealth capabilities, aimed to secure Corredon and the sensitive data it held. However, they faced an unexpected counterstrike from a squad belonging to the Carcharadons chapter of Astartes . Descending upon the outpost with brutal efficiency, the Carcharadons neutralized the Kroot strike force as they attempted to transport vital Imperial communications. The Kroot, employing creative tactics, concealed themselves within stasis tubes and escape pods, hoping to evade detection and maintain their position. Despite this, the Space Marines’ ferocity drove the initial wave back, securing the station for the Imperium.

However, the Kroot auxiliaries were not so easily dissuaded. In a subsequent operation, another team managed to infiltrate the station, bypassing heightened Imperial security. Expertly exploiting the gaps in the outpost’s defenses, they succeeded in retrieving data from computer terminals containing sensitive Imperial intelligence despite once again being intercepted by the space marines. This data provided the Tau with valuable insights into Imperial movements and operational plans, undermining the outpost’s primary function as an Imperial surveillance post.

By 2910.024M42, Corredon Outpost remained a contested site. Though the Imperium retained control of the outpost, the Tau forces now held a tenuous foothold in Corredon, transforming it into a small yet important battlefield in its own right. The Kroot’s actions, although repelled initially, had ultimately succeeded in their objective of gathering intelligence, leaving the Imperium to face a new threat on a shifting front in the Mabb Nebula. The struggle for Corredon continued, each faction aware that this seemingly insignificant station could alter the balance of power in the greater war for the Zadoc Subsector.

Inquisitor’s eyes only

Agent Vannick Report - Gamma Team

To: Inquisitor Esquerra

Subject: Updates from the Aleph Sector

Inquisitor Esquerra,

I trust you are already well-informed regarding the major theatres of war in the Aleph Sector, as conveyed through official reports. However, I have uncovered several developments that may not have reached you through the usual channels:

• Tyranid Activity in the Rifts of Hecate: While the Tyranid threat has caused significant alarm in the sector, my recent intelligence suggests it may not be as dire as previously believed. The latest action recorded involved what can only be described as aimless raiding forces. The Tyranids do not seem to be pursuing any coordinated objective. Their most recent engagement saw a swarm of bioforms eliminate a Necron tomb on a terrestrial world. This may indicate random feeding behavior rather than a directed campaign, but caution is still warranted until more data is gathered.

• Necron Presence Beyond the Hecate Gap: Dark Angel patrols venturing beyond the Hecate Gap have uncovered a disturbing reality—there is a strong Necron presence in several systems. While these ancient xenos have not fully awakened, their defenses are formidable. Several Astartes combat patrols have met with unexpected resistance, suffering losses against Necron forces. This indicates that the threat from the Necrons in these worlds is greater than previously anticipated, and they could fully rise at any moment.

• Zadoc Subsector - Hylas: The conflict on Hylas has entered a lull, likely due to the cumulative effect of Astartes raids and a string of failures by Federacy forces. Notably, their attempts to establish a presence on Caitlen Station have been repeatedly thwarted. Intelligence also suggests a further blow to the secessionists—the Night Lords have begun raiding Hartak garrisons and installations. This has disrupted Federal supply lines, compounding their difficulties and weakening their presence in the sector.

I will continue to monitor the Aleph Sector for developments that might not make their way through the usual channels and will inform you as necessary. There are signs of deep instability across the region that warrant our continued vigilance.

As ever, I remain your loyal servant.

Agent Vannick

Gamma Team

Ork Resurgence in the Hecate Gap (10.024M42)

After nine months of largely static warfare, the Imperium  had begun to underestimate the Ork threat in the Hecate Gap. The Orks had initially invaded the region in 021M42, launching their assault with characteristic fury. However, after the Imperium successfully secured Erguras Fall and the Orks showed a reluctance to engage the Imperial Fleet in open battle, the greenskin menace seemed to wane. Imperial High Command, distracted by more immediate crises across the sector, particularly in the Perseus Deeps and the Hadron Expanse, deemed the Orks in the Hecate Gap a lesser threat.

This misjudgment led to the downscaling of the theatre of war, as forces were diverted to address more pressing conflicts. The Orks appeared content to consolidate their hold on the northern territories of the planet, and for a time, the Imperium’s lines held firm.

The Psychic Disturbance and the Grey Knights’ Intervention

In 10.024M42, the situation on the planet took a dramatic and unexpected turn. Strange psychic emanations began radiating from the north, far beyond the Ork-held territories. These unsettling waves of warp energy attracted the attention of the Grey Knights, the Imperium’s elite daemon-hunting Astartes. Believing the psychic disturbance to be the sign of a growing warp incursion or even the influence of a powerful Chaos entity, the Grey Knights deployed to investigate.

The Grey Knights’ first encounter with the Orks, however, was a catastrophe. Drawn north by the psychic signals, they found themselves ambushed by a massive Waaagh!. The Orks, far from the disorganized rabble they had appeared to be, had been galvanized by the strange emanations. The Grey Knights, despite their formidable psychic and martial prowess, were decisively overwhelmed in a brutal engagement. The entire force was wiped out to a man, their holy armour and weapons scattered among the crude trophies of the victorious Orks.

A rescue mission was hastily assembled, with another contingent of Grey Knights sent to recover the fallen and to quell the warp disturbance. Tragically, this second force met an almost identical fate. The Orks, now emboldened and coordinated by some unknown psychic force, once again obliterated the Imperium’s finest warriors. The defeat of the Grey Knights sent shockwaves through Imperial High Command. The realization that the Orks were not only far stronger than previously believed but also possibly under the influence of some dark power shook the Imperium’s confidence in their defenses.

The Waaagh! Unleashed

With the Grey Knights eliminated and the Imperium reeling, the Orks launched their full-scale assault. The long-dormant Waaagh! erupted with terrifying ferocity, surging across Imperial lines and overrunning key defensive positions. General Maximillian, the commander of the Hecate Gap’s Imperial forces, found himself facing a crisis unlike any he had prepared for. The Orks, driven by bloodlust and guided by some unseen force, smashed through the Imperium’s defensive lines, overwhelming fortifications that had once seemed impenetrable.

The fall of Haven, the strategic lynchpin of the Imperium’s defense in the region, would lead to the beginning of a catastrophic collapse. Several key defensive outposts and bastions were on the front lines were overrun, with Imperial casualties mounting by the hour. Panic spread through Maximillian’s ranks as the Orks’ relentless advance threatened to sever the Hecate Gap from the Imperium entirely. The Imperium’s complacency had allowed the Orks to gather strength in the shadows, and now they were paying the price in blood.