Imperial scouts land on Fort Aerin

As 10.024M42 drew to a close, the Imperium faced mounting pressure and a series of demoralising setbacks in the Mabb Nebula and Zadoc Subsector. Holding onto Hylas had proven challenging, and the possibility of reclaiming New Cerberex seemed increasingly remote. With the corridors of Caitlen Station mired in an ongoing stalemate against Tyranid bioforms, Imperial High Command recognised the necessity of establishing a secure and strategic base from which they could organise and supply their fragmented forces.

The logistical strain across the Zadoc Subsector was so severe that General Van Dorn of Hylas stood as the highest-ranking Imperial officer in the sector, acting with limited oversight. Sector Commander Valentina Schumadz had deprioritised the region, leaving Van Dorn and his Space Marine allies to chart their own path. Fortunately, Admiral Craddock's battlegroup and an accompanying fleet of Astartes vessels were dispatched to support the beleaguered Imperial forces, offering them a rare, if limited, advantage. Though resources remained scant, the powerful presence of the fleet deterred both the Tau and Federacy forces from engaging the Imperium in open space combat, while the Orks—unpredictable at best—posed a haphazard but tangible threat.

After considering their options, Van Dorn and his Space Marine allies set their sights on Fort Aerin. Once an Imperial stronghold, Fort Aerin had been overrun by Orks, who now used it as a rudimentary fortress. The outpost's facilities and location rendered it an ideal strategic base, but the extent of the Ork infestation was unknown. Rather than risk full-scale bombardment or a conventional invasion, which would obliterate the valuable infrastructure, the Imperium devised a plan of surgical precision: teams of elite operatives would infiltrate and secure the fort in phases, clearing each section in a “slice by slice” approach. The strategy aimed to dislodge the Orks with minimal damage to Fort Aerin, preparing the ground for a larger eradication effort once the primary structures were secure.

The operation began with several special ops insertions, but it soon became evident that the task would be far from simple. The Guardsmen insertion team, comprising seasoned veterans, faced catastrophic losses. The Orks, seemingly bored of brawling only amongst themselves, greeted the intruders with unrestrained enthusiasm and savagery, annihilating the Guardsmen force before they could establish a foothold. A squad of Space Marines, however, fared better. By leveraging their superior combat prowess and tactical acumen, they managed to secure the west gate of Fort Aerin, carving out the first Imperial foothold within the fortress walls by the end of 10.024M42.

Though the cost was high and the initial losses significant, the capture of the west gate signaled a minor yet crucial victory for the Imperium. The initial breach served as a foundation for further operations, bringing renewed hope that Fort Aerin could eventually serve as the sector’s staging ground. With additional reinforcements and strategic coordination, General Van Dorn and his allies now held a tentative yet vital position from which they could begin to reclaim the outpost—turning it, with effort and perseverance, into a beacon of Imperial strength amidst the chaos of the Mabb Nebula.