Paradorn I invaded

After the loss of Destino the Paradorn system remained the last Imperial bastion securing access to the Foramens Majoris and Minoris. If it were to fall the Imperium would no longer be able to force its supply convoys through into the dark Imperium. Its loss would spell disaster for the Imperial war effort on Hexis and leave the worlds of the Imperium Nihilus ripe for the taking. The danger was obvious and the Imperium had stationed every available fleet in the system and fortified its worlds to guard against the expected invasion.

Taking it alone would be a long and costly process but Tarquil saw an easier path, although to contemplate it filled him with unease. The forces of Chaos, equally aware of the system's strategic importance, had multiple fleets in the area which could shift the balance of power if they could be persuaded to co-ordinate with the Eldar's attack. Tarquil sent emissaries to Stahl to propose this and discuss terms. Stahl proved a reluctant partner and Tarquil reflected that the humans corruption by the dark powers of chaos had done nothing to alter his race's hatred and distrust of the xenos. Eventually the obvious strategic advantage of the plan for his war against the Imperium overcame Stahl's deeply ingrained bigotry but there would be no wider alliance or co-operation, the loss of this vital crossroads to the Imperium would be enough to satisfy both factions.

At the appointed time the Chaos fleets began manoeuvring to draw the Imperial vessels away from their stations around Paradorn I. When the coast was clear a fleet of corsair privateers appeared from a concealed webway exit and began their orbital invasion of the planet even as its defence lasers were once again sabotaged by the Sisters of Quartz. Kel Sandros lacked the excellent intelligence data Cybixx had provided at Destino so their aspect hosts were going in blind. It came as a surprise to them when instead of the massed guard regiments they had expected they were once more confronted by the Sky Lords.

Despite their defeat at Destino the Sky Lords had not withdrawn from the theatre but instead moved their forces to Paradorn to oppose what they knew must be the next step in the Eldar's plan. Without time to rebuild their forces from the casualties suffered at Destino the Sky Lords were lacking in numbers but not in bravery and resolve. Clustered around their Chapter's banner they had all vowed oaths of moment to fight to the death in defence of this world. They were soon surrounded and outnumbered but they had left no gaps in their overlapping fields of fire and simply unloaded everything they had at their attackers. When warriors were wounded they continued to fire from where they lay until death claimed them.

One by one the Sky Lords fell until only their Chapter Master remained, standing atop a rocky outcrop and bellowing his defiance. Impressed by the human's resolve in the face of total defeat Autarch Elissa met his challenge and the two clashed in single combat. One by one the Autarch's flashing blade severed the servo clusters of the Astartes' power armour rendering him all but helpless. Even then Master Potitus fought on, lashing out clumsily as he fought against the weight of his own battle armour. Dodging the attacks Elissa finally brought him down with a thrust that would have killed even an enraged Ork. Yet this human still lived. The Eldar Autarch could not bring herself to butcher in cold blood a foe that had fought with such valour and courage. Offering a salute to the badly wounded Astartes the Autarch ordered the Eldar warhost to move on, leaving the narrow pass a charnel house of dead warriors. The Astartes lay where they had made their last stand and the bodies of dead Aeldari lay in concentric rings around them. Paradorn III belonged to the Eldar, but once more the cost had been high.