Rifts of Hecate activity early 05.042M42

In the Rifts of Hecate the worlds in the centre of the region now became incredibly important strategically, as all factions became aware of the importance of controlling the Hecate Gap. This set up a complicated dynamic within the Rifts, as the tyranids, necrons and ork forces were looking for ways out of the Rifts, while the tau, chaos, imperial and eldar forces were extremely committed to that not coming to pass. 

On Mezria VI the Imperium were struggling with two xenos problems, the orks and the tyranids, but the deployment of the Deathwatch in small kill teams yielded much useful intelligence regarding the latter, determining that amongst the indigenous sparse population, the genestealers had been infiltrating for many decades. A series of missions hunting down these cult cells was initiated.

Meanwhile the Space Wolves, who only had a small force in the Rifts of Hecate were given general Maximus's blessing to carry the war to the forces of chaos. Overall the Imperium had avoided clashing with this enemy, as the interests of both had not yet come into direct conflict. However with the increasing importance of controlling the Hecate Gap, Maximus could no longer ignore the threat of a chaos base at Calthingum, and on 0805.022M42 the small force of Space Wolves landed on the chaos controlled world, fighting off the Iron Warriors to establish a bridgehead.

The decision to start moving against chaos by the Imperium soon seemed rash however. Though the Space Wolf force was small, resources being allocated to Calthingum were now necessarily not available for the emerging and escalating conflict at Lodax. Here the Imperium held Lodax I, but with no significant defences, and on 1002.022M42 the imperial expedition to the necron tomb world on Lodax II suffered a serious setback. The Ordo Xenos, quietly directing the operation from behind the scenes, had underestimated the interest and capability of the Ichortek Dynasty, and a sudden surprise assault shattered the Cadian regiment sent to protect the imperial perimeter. This was a serious setback as it now left the Adeptus Mechanicus on Lodax II with no supporting forces, and the investigation of tomb complexes was suspended.