Konev boxed in at Hexis

On the barren plains of Hexis the menace of the Tyranids had not been in any way defeated by Konev's imperial forces as 11.020M42 began. Constant draining of imperial resources had ensured that the Imperium's ability to go on any meaningful offensives had been curtailed, as more and more forces were allocated to General Percival's expedition to Cruthynia.

 

The Tyranids themselves, lacking significant biomass to enlarge their forces also had limited opportunities to move forward, and lacking a hive fleet were unable to leave the planet let alone the system. Hive fleet R'Lyeh had planned to take the necron device in order to use it to translocate to a system with greater resources and create a fleet of bioships, but the interventions of the Ynnari had scuppered their plans. Now they resorted to instinct, launching an attack on Imperial forces on the strategic plains between Praxis and Menthoteph. Their aims were unclear, but the hive needed to feed.

 

The xenos biowarriors fell upon the imperial guard defending Konev's northern battle line, a vulnerable corridor between his forces in the north and those in the south. The sudden assault took the guard forces by surprise, and after a protracted battle Konev's infantry were swept aside. The tyranids made their way into the eastern districts of Praxis, cutting imperial forces in two and threatening to surround Konev's HQ. In private, Konev's aides began to suggest that a withdrawal from the worthless planet may now be the more profitable course of action. Against this however, was the real risk that leaving would only strengthen the xenos threat, allowing them to gain enough strength to become a real threat to the region. The battles would need to continue.