Confusing encounters on LV-426

As their journeys across the perilous landscape of LV-426 continued, the various factions marched ever onwards. Unbeknownst to any of the commanders leading their forces, each path was leading them into direct confrontation with one of the other patrols. As they neared the intersecting pathways, the great intellect rescinded the shadow that was clouding detection to one side of each confrontation. With enough notice to detect their foes, each of the still hidden factions began to make an ad-hoc ambush site, ready to deliver a swift and crushing blow.

Making their way through a swampy region of Hell, the forces of the Thousand Sons known as The Jade Fangs waded through waist high water, their landraider crushing both vegetation and animal life too slow to move avoid it’s treads. Without warning, gunfire blasted through the undergrowth and tore into the sides of the vehicles as Grand Master Corvendus gave the signal to attack. The Precision, Grey Knights, Daemon Hunters rejoiced at the sight. But their excitement was short lived. All of their weapons fire had passed through the transports and enemy units without effect. It was at this point that the veil that was hiding the true locations of the Thousand Sons was lifted and without warning attacked the now exposed positions of the Grey Knights. The battle was a fury of psychic might, deadly laser fire and brutal close combat, but by the end, the Grey Knights were in retreat. Satisfied that their forces could continue without interruption, Phosis T’Arr ordered the advance.

Northward on the continent, the forces of the The Rhana Dandra darted across the desolated landscape of LV-426. Hastily making their way towards their target, it was only the briefest warnings that forewarned the Aeldari as the forces of Blast-pit Brides unleashed their attack. Moving with preternatural speeds, the two Eldar forces delivered blow after devastating blow. As the two forces drew blood against one another, the ever present darkness of Hell began to cloud the Drukhari Wyches’ minds and one they began to fall. Before long, the Dark Eldar withdrew, the survivors licking their wounds, searching for easier prey.

One of the more unusual conflicts happened towards the south. For the better part of the day, the forces of the Dark Angels had been following signal anomalies that alluded to their prey. They were sorely mistaken. After surrounding the encampment where the signals were coming from, Aziraphael issued his command and the Dark Angels charged in, stoicism etched on their faces. After bursting through ruins and kicking down doors, the Space Marines gazed upon an empty site. Before consulting the machine spirit of the sensor equipment, with the traditional knock against a hard surface, the hand held detectors lit up with movement blips. A sizable force for Genestealer Cultist who were Definitely not the RA swarmed the Dark Angels and a bloody melee eschewed. Victory, if it could be called that, was claimed by the Emperor’s finest, but from the toll it had taken, it was pyrrhic at best.

As the mortals vied for the upper hand against their adversaries, Neferkara The Collector marched through a canyon in the rocky region towards the east, searching for his latest addition. As he guided his force through gale force winds, the tempest itself revealed his next task. Further ahead, sound carrying on the wind, the Necrons of the Mor'khaten's Will prepared for their ambush. Little did they know, however, that Neferkara was already moving to counter their ploy. Using sacrificial warriors, the Necrons of The Forbidden Archives sprung their kin’s trap, baiting Mor'khaten to show his hand. And that he did. From positions that no longer remained safe, the warriors of Neferkara clashed with Mor'khaten's until Mor'khaten was forced to retreat back to a nearby tomb complex to plot out his next move. With the warriors already beginning to reanimate, Neferkara continued down the howling canyon.

The last of the ambushes was from the Hammers of the Emperor. Using the still ripe corpses of the Genestealer cult slain earlier, the Space Marines set an ambush for a sizable force of roving tyranids. With a kill zone erected, it didn’t take long for Hive Fleet R'lyeh’s organisms to locate the site and began to explore the area. When a sufficient amount of xenos had entered the killing fields, the Hammers unleashed devastation upon the world of Hell. What would normally have been used to overrun a small town was deployed by the marines to remove all traces of the xenos from sight. After an engagement that could have been counted in seconds, the forces of the Hive Fleet R'lyeh’s were slain to a man. Fortunately for the xenos, the organism leading them, designated “Clive” by the marines was able to relay a message to others of the fleet, warning them of what happened.

The only force with an uninterrupted journey was the Last Gasp of the Emperors Children. Whatever intellect was shaping the conflict across LV-426 had seen fit to allow them to travel without issue. They arrived at their waypoint ahead of schedule. Waiting, for the next indication of where to go.