Chaos forces consolidate positions

Entering 0202.019M42 the forces of Chaos were in a precarious position on Hexis, the reinforcements of the Imperium and the Tau had made planet fall. Though they controlled most of the planet, the Chaos line was over extended and precarious.

Warsmith Stahl of the Iron Warriors, the master of the Chaos forces, took the only option the IV Legion took in these circumstances - dig in.

Though many of the Chaos warbands rankled at this decidedly Iron Warrior approach, recent history has taught them not to cross the Warsmith.

The Black Legion, took the initiative, looting supplies from within the city, raiding the most vulnerable enemy forces. The Dark Angels, having a small force within the city for unexplained reasons, moved to intercept.

The Dark Angels had setup a superior firing position, overlooking the a ruined chapel. As the Black Legion moved into the area, the Dark Angels launched their trap, cutting down a number of cultists. The Black Legion were forced to rush into the kill zone, enduring the fire. The Dark Angels fire became telling as Astartes started to fall. The moment of change came, as if cursed Brother Berneal’s plasma gun overloaded in his hands, robbing the Dark Angels of their advantage. Though the Black Legion had lost twice as many than the Dark Angels, they pushed on, retrieving their bounty and making good their escape.

Unprepared to wait for an attack, the Skitarii launched their own probing raid into the Chaos held city. Honourable Horozkha shadowed the Skitarii force, intent of facing them over a ruined causeway. As the Skitarii moved into position, Anibal heft his heavy bolter, sighting a Skitarii sniper and sent a stream of bolt shells into the bionic form, ripping it to pieces. The Skitarii were thrown by this attack, as they had expected to use the sniper to great effect while the remaining warriors pressed on. The Iron Warriors, hugged the terrain, with Horozhka launching a blistering charge accompanied by cover fire into the Skitarii line, 3 falling to bolt and blade. The Skitarii refused to yield as they attempted to shoot their way free. However they were outclassed, all save one of the kill team cut down, the final one fled. On examination of their bionic engrams and consumption of their bionics, the Iron Warriors learned of a near undefended supply cache the Skitarii had identified, within hours, it lay in the hands of the forces of Chaos.