Tyranid offensive on Helos Majoris

On Helos Majoris, a key Imperial base in the Rifts of Hecate, the hope that the tyranid threat was now over was dashed in late 11.024M42. Despite the apparent success of Admiral Gorshkov’s orbital bombardment in temporarily scattering the Tyranid forces of Hive Fleet Poseidon, the xenos menace proved far from defeated. Emerging from the hinterlands of the planet, vast swarms of Tyranids launched a renewed assault, besieging Imperial settlements and military installations with unrelenting ferocity.

By late 11.024M42, the Tyranids had surrounded Helos Prime, the planet’s largest city and key strategic hub for the Imperial war effort in the region. Recognising the importance of holding this stronghold, the Blood Angels Chapter deployed to the planet to spearhead the defense. Under the command of Captain Arceus, the Blood Angels initiated a counterstrike aimed at decapitating the Tyranid invasion by eliminating their hive node synapse creatures, the psychic linchpins of the xenos swarm.

To bolster their efforts, the Blood Angels were supported by an elite Vindicare Assassin, whose mission was to target and eliminate the most dangerous Tyranid bioforms leading the assault.

The Blood Angels engaged the Tyranid swarm on the open plains outside Helos Prime, seeking to prevent the xenos from reaching the city’s defensive walls. Their strategy centered on precision strikes to disrupt the hive mind’s cohesion by eliminating the Tyranid Warriors, Zoanthropes, and other synapse creatures directing the swarm.

Initially, the Blood Angels’ assault met with success. Tactical squads and Baal Predators cut through the lesser Tyranid bioforms with disciplined fire, while Death Company marines tore into the xenos with chainswords and bolt pistols. The Vindicare Assassin, hidden within the ruins of a nearby manufactorum, delivered a stunning blow to the Tyranid hierarchy by eliminating a Swarmlord, its perfect shot piercing the bioform’s thick carapace and destroying its brain in an instant.

Yet, the death of the Swarmlord did little to halt the swarm. Driven by an instinctive hunger, the Tyranids adapted quickly, surging forward in overwhelming numbers. Even without centralised guidance, the sheer mass of Hormagaunts, Carnifexes, and other monstrous creatures soon overwhelmed the Blood Angels’ positions.

Despite their superior training and equipment, the Blood Angels could not hold back the tide. Tyranid Gargoyles descended from the skies, ripping apart devastator squads, while ground forces encircled and annihilated the Blood Angels’ vanguard. Captain Arceus personally led a desperate charge into the heart of the swarm, cutting down dozens of xenos before being struck down by a Tyrannofex’s acid spray.

The Vindicare Assassin, despite eliminating several more synapse creatures, was eventually overrun when his position was discovered by a Lictor. The assassin’s death marked the final turning point in the battle, as the remaining Blood Angels were engulfed and slaughtered by the swarm.

By the end of the engagement, the Blood Angels had been annihilated, and the Tyranids advanced to within striking distance of Helos Prime. While the city’s defences held for the time being, the loss of the Blood Angels and the failure to disrupt the hive mind’s coordination left the Imperium on Helos Majoris in a perilous position.

The battle demonstrated the true scale of the threat posed by Hive Fleet Poseidon. Even in the face of orbital bombardments and elite Astartes forces, the Tyranids displayed their infamous adaptability and relentless hunger. With Helos Majoris once again under siege, General Maximus was forced to acknowledge the inadequacy of his initial assessments. The survival of the Imperium’s presence in the Rifts of Hecate now hinged on reinforcements and the development of a more cohesive strategy to combat the xenos menace.

Eccentric ork attack on Haven thwarted by Dark Angels

The ongoing conflict on Haven had been largely overshadowed by the mounting Tyranid threat in the Rifts of Hecate, leaving the Imperial forces under General Maximus to assume that the Orks posed no immediate danger. This assumption was grounded in reports from Imperial intelligence, which suggested that the greenskins were not preparing for any major offensive. However, signs of increased activity in Ork-held territories, particularly experiments with new weaponry, hinted at the unpredictable nature of their war machine.

Ork Tinkering and the Emergence of Squig Bombs

By late 11.024M42, scattered reconnaissance and intercepted vox chatter indicated that the Orks were testing unstable and highly volatile explosive devices. These weapons, crudely constructed but devastatingly effective, appeared to be undergoing rapid development. Disturbingly, it became clear that the Orks were combining these explosives with their infamous “squigs,” creating suicidal living bombs that could unleash chaos on a battlefield.

While General Maximus focused his attention on the Tyranids at Heloris Majoris, the Dark Angels Chapter took decisive action to address this looming threat. On 2311.024M42, they launched a surgical strike deep into Ork-held territory on Haven, aiming to destroy the greenskins’ workshops and eliminate as many Orks as possible to forestall a potential assault.

The Dark Angels’ Assault

The Dark Angels descended upon the Ork lines with their characteristic precision, striking at dawn with tactical squads and supporting elements of the Ravenwing. Their initial assault targeted the heart of the Ork encampment, where crude workshops belched smoke and the unmistakable sounds of squig pens mingled with the booming echoes of detonations.

The Orks, caught off guard but never unwilling to fight, rallied in response, and a chaotic battle unfolded. The greenskins unleashed their new squig bombs in an attempt to counter the disciplined Astartes. These living explosives, crudely strapped with volatile charges, scuttled wildly across the battlefield, detonating at random and causing havoc among both Ork and Dark Angel lines.

Despite the unpredictable and destructive nature of these weapons, the Dark Angels maintained their discipline. Tactical marines formed tight firing lines, cutting down the charging squigs before they could reach their targets. Meanwhile, the Ravenwing outflanked the Orks, targeting key workshops with precision strikes and setting their crude structures ablaze.

The Aftermath

After hours of fierce combat, the Orks were forced to retreat, abandoning their experimental arsenal and fleeing into the surrounding wilderness. The Dark Angels systematically destroyed the remaining squig pens, explosive caches, and workshops, ensuring that the greenskins’ new weapons would not pose a threat in the near future.

The raid was a significant victory for the Imperium on Haven, as the Orks’ nascent offensive capability was decisively curtailed. However, the battle also underscored the relentless ingenuity of the greenskins, whose ability to improvise new and unpredictable weapons continued to challenge Imperial forces across the sector.

Veers crusade suffers setback on Gamordal

In the Perseus Deeps Crusade, General Veers’ campaign on Gamordal suffered a significant reversal as the Necron defenders launched a fierce counterattack against the Imperium’s foothold on the world. The assault, concentrated on the critical mining facilities near the city of Southrine, forced the Imperial invasion force to retreat under relentless pressure from the xenos.

The Necron Counteroffensive

Initially, Gamordal had been assessed by Imperial strategists as only weakly defended, its tomb complexes believed to hold a minor Necron presence. However, in late 11.024M42, it became clear that the ancient xenos  had underestimated neither the threat posed by the Imperial invasion nor the importance of the mines near Southrine. These facilities, vital for both material extraction and planetary control, became the focal point of the Necrons’ response.

The Necron forces, emerging in great numbers from previously dormant tombs, overwhelmed the Imperial Guard garrison units stationed at the mines. Their precise and methodical attacks were bolstered by swarms of Canoptek constructs, legions of Immortals, and Lychguard phalanxes. Despite the resistance of the Imperial forces, the Necrons’ relentless advance pushed the Imperium onto the back foot.

Custodes’ Failure to Hold

Recognizing the dire situation, General Veers ordered the deployment of a small detachment of Adeptus Custodes, elite warriors tasked with holding the line against the xenos tide. The Custodes, led by Shield-Captain Velorius, struck hard at the advancing Necrons, targeting their commanders and command protocols with precise force.

However, the Necrons proved highly resilient. The Custodes found themselves outnumbered and outmaneuvered by a foe that simply reanimated itself after every engagement. Canoptek Reanimators and Crypteks restored damaged Necron forces, rendering the Custodes’ valor insufficient to halt the assault. The mines fell after a grueling two-day battle, with heavy losses on the Imperial side.

Retreat to Southrine

The loss of the mines compelled the remaining Imperial forces to retreat to the urban defenses of Southrine. The city, already strained by weeks of war, now faced a Necron siege as the xenos forces advanced methodically, encircling the Imperial defenders. Supplies dwindled, and morale among the Astra Militarum sank as the reality of their enemy’s resilience became apparent.

Strategic and Political Fallout

The setback at the mines raised serious questions about General Veers’ leadership and the Crusade’s overall planning. The intelligence failure regarding Gamordal’s defenses sparked outrage among high-ranking officials within the Crusade command. Many questioned whether Veers had underestimated the Necrons or had been too hasty in pursuing an offensive against a world of such strategic complexity.

For the Imperium, the retreat to Southrine marked a major challenge to its efforts in the Perseus Deeps. With the mining assets lost and their foothold reduced to a besieged city, the Imperium’s ability to press forward on Gamordal was now severely constrained.

The Shadow War on Mordecai: Operation Shroudstrike

With the stalemate on Mordecai Primaris grinding down Imperial forces in a war of attrition, General Kutuzov sought alternative strategies to weaken the Chaos defenders. Recognizing the vulnerability of Chaos logistics and infrastructure, he initiated a “shadow war” to degrade the traitor forces’ ability to sustain their war effort. This clandestine campaign would focus on disrupting supply lines, destroying critical installations, and sapping the enemy’s operational cohesion.

The first mission, codenamed Operation Shroudstrike, targeted Haman Spaceport, a vital logistical hub for Chaos forces on Mordecai. The spaceport served as a nexus for supplies and reinforcements to the Death Guard and other traitor forces entrenched on the world. Kutuzov dispatched an elite team of Librian Storm Troopers to strike a decisive blow.

The Infiltration of Haman Spaceport

Inserted covertly under the cover of darkness, the Librian operatives made their way across the ashen wastelands surrounding the heavily defended spaceport. Utilizing their extensive training and advanced equipment, the Storm Troopers bypassed sentry patrols and automated defenses, infiltrating deep into the installation. Their objective was to disable the spaceport’s shield generators, a critical component of its defensive infrastructure.

The team managed to plant explosive charges on the generators, setting them to overload. The subsequent detonation unleashed a massive surge of energy, obliterating the shield generators and severely damaging key transport infrastructure across the facility. The destruction crippled the spaceport’s capacity to receive reinforcements and supplies for the Chaos forces, forcing a temporary halt to operations in the region.

Encounter with the Death Guard

During their exfiltration, the Librians encountered an unexpected obstacle: a Death Guard patrol investigating the commotion. Despite their elite training, the Storm Troopers faced a daunting challenge. The traitor astartes were relentless, their diseased bodies shrugging off small-arms fire as they advanced on the Imperial operatives.

The Librian special weapons team quickly adapted, deploying plasma and melta weapons in an ambush that inflicted heavy casualties on the Death Guard. Most of the traitor marines were eliminated before they could close the distance, their bloated forms incinerated by the precision fire of the Librians.

However, the cost was not insignificant. A lone Death Guard marine wielding a manreaper managed to breach the Storm Troopers’ defensive position, slaughtering three operatives in a matter of seconds before being brought down by concentrated fire. Another trooper fell to the toxic blasts of a Death Guard heavy weapon, succumbing to the virulent plague carried by the projectile.

Mission Success and Strategic Impact

Despite the casualties, the Librians completed their mission with a significant strategic victory. The survivors exfiltrated aboard a waiting Valkyrie, escaping the spaceport moments before Chaos reinforcements arrived. The operation was deemed an overwhelming success, as the damage inflicted far exceeded the resources expended.

The destruction of Haman Spaceport’s infrastructure disrupted Chaos supply lines and forced their forces to divert resources to repair and reorganize their logistics. The Death Guard, known for their resilience and ability to wage war under the harshest conditions, were dealt a rare logistical blow.

The Beginning of the Shadow War

Operation Shroudstrike marked the beginning of a broader campaign of sabotage and disruption, complementing the larger Imperial ground offensive on Mordecai. General Kutuzov’s decision to open this new front reflected his understanding that the war on Mordecai would not be won through brute force alone.

Admiral Gorshkov delivers blow to Helos Majoris Tyranid invasion

In 11.024M42, the increasing threat of Hive Fleet Poseidon forced General Maximus, commander of the Imperial Crusade in the Rifts of Hecate, to confront the reality of the xenos menace. The Tyranid swarm had infiltrated and devastated several Imperial positions, and the Hive Fleet’s relentless advance threatened to render the entire region untenable.

Faced with the potential necessity of retreating to the Hecate Gap, Maximus grappled with the strategic and political ramifications of such a withdrawal. Already assigned to the Rifts after the controversial “retirement” of Sector Commander Titus Luthor—a move widely believed to have been orchestrated by the Inquisition—Maximus feared the loss of face this would entail. Determined to maintain his position, he leveraged his connections in the Imperial Navy to secure the support of Admiral Gorshkov, a commander of considerable skill and reputation.

Admiral Gorshkov’s Counterstrike

In late 11.024M42, Gorshkov’s fleet entered the embattled Helos Majoris system, where Tyranid bio-ships had established dominance over the Imperial base. Unlike previous encounters with Hive Fleet Poseidon, Gorshkov’s fleet was not caught off guard. Operating with precision and discipline, the Admiral directed his cruisers to methodically isolate and destroy individual bio-ships, avoiding the encircling tactics favored by the Tyranids.

The Imperial fleet’s nova cannons played a decisive role, delivering devastating salvos that obliterated the largest xenos bio-ships before they could respond. Smaller escort vessels, employing tight formations, screened the capital ships from Tyranid assault organisms, ensuring minimal losses. By the battle’s end, the remnants of the Tyranid swarm in the Helos Majoris system were annihilated, allowing the fleet to commence orbital bombardment of key Tyranid positions on Heloris Majoris.

A Temporary Victory

While the success of Gorshkov’s counterstrike bought the Imperium time, it was far from a decisive blow against Hive Fleet Poseidon. The Tyranids’ adaptability became immediately evident in the aftermath. Rather than continuing to challenge the Imperial Navy directly, the Hive Mind shifted its tactics, focusing on attrition and subterfuge. Swarms began targeting vulnerable supply lines, isolated bases, and undefended worlds, avoiding large-scale engagements where the Imperium’s firepower would dominate.

On Heloris Majoris, the planetary defenses were temporarily bolstered by the victory, but the planet remained scarred by Tyranid infiltration. Despite the orbital bombardments, the biosphere had been irrevocably altered, and Tyranid organisms continued to linger in the wilds, complicating the efforts of Imperial forces to reestablish full control.

Strategic Implications

The Battle of Helos Majoris highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the Imperium’s approach to combating Hive Fleet Poseidon. While the Imperial Navy demonstrated its ability to crush Tyranid bio-ships in direct engagements, the Hive Fleet had no intention of allowing such confrontations in the future.

For General Maximus, the victory delayed his feared retreat to the Hecate Gap and preserved his fragile position in the Crusade. However, his failure to anticipate the Hive Fleet’s adaptability left many Imperial commanders questioning his overall strategy. As 024M42 drew to a close, it was clear that the Imperium’s presence in the Rifts of Hecate remained precarious, with Hive Fleet Poseidon continuing to evolve and outmaneuver the Crusade forces.

The Rifts had become a battleground of attrition, and the battle for Helos Majoris was but one chapter in an ongoing war of survival against the xenos scourge.

More setbacks for Kutuzov on Mordecai Primaris

As the conflict for Mordecai Primaris raged on, the Imperium’s tenuous grip on the vital hives of Westosa and Menoria was challenged once again. In 11.024M42, the Thousand Sons, masters of arcane warfare and unmatched strategists, launched a bold assault from the Harian Mesa, exploiting a lapse in the Imperial defense.

The Assault from Harian Mesa

The attack began with a sudden and overwhelming push into the vulnerable Imperial flank that connected the hives of Westosa and Menoria. The Dark Angels, assigned to monitor the region, were caught entirely off guard by the Thousand Sons’ maneuver. Using their mastery of teleportation sorcery and psychic manipulation, the traitor legion bypassed early warning systems and key defensive choke points.

The Thousand Sons’ Rubric Marines, supported by an array of daemon engines and even a psychic projection of Magnus the Red, swept through the open plains that had previously provided a secure corridor for Imperial reinforcements. Their attacks were precise and devastating, targeting vital supply routes and command nodes. Entire companies of Astra Militarum were annihilated in a matter of hours, with scattered survivors reporting the chilling effects of the Thousand Sons' warp-fuelled weaponry and psychic assaults.

Cutting the Corridor

By 1511.024M42, the Thousand Sons had severed the link between Westosa and Menoria, leaving the two hive cities isolated from one another once more. Imperial forces in both hives now relied entirely on the defensive capabilities of their sprawling urban centers, as the Thousand Sons established control over the surrounding plains and began fortifying their new positions.

The loss of the corridor was yet another blow to the Imperial Crusade on Mordecai Primaris and questions around General Kutuzov's competency was once again brought into question. The hives, already strained by relentless Chaos assaults and supply shortages, became logistical and tactical liabilities for the Imperium. Westosa and Menoria remained under Imperial control, but their isolation made coordinated operations exceedingly difficult.

Tyranid Escalation in the Rifts of Hecate

As 024M42 drew to a close, the Imperium and other factions faced an escalating crisis in the Rifts of Hecate, driven by the relentless advance of Hive Fleet Poseidon. The Tyranids, evolving in both strategy and aggression, began probing deeper into Imperial and xenos-held territories. By 2011.024M42, their activity reached a critical threshold, threatening to upend the fragile balance of power in the region.

The Heloris Majoris Infiltration

Heloris Majoris, the Imperium's primary military hub in the Rifts, became a focal point of Tyranid infiltration. The xenos, using bio-adaptations designed for stealth and subterfuge, evaded the orbital picket fleets and embedded themselves within the planet's defenses. Despite early reports of missing patrols and strange biological anomalies, General Maximus dismissed the warnings as exaggerated, attributing them to heightened tensions in the theatre.

In response to emerging reports of Tyranid presence, Maximus deployed only a modest force of Astra Militarum patrols, believing the infestation to be minor. This miscalculation proved disastrous. The Tyranids struck with ferocity, ambushing the Guard units and exploiting the dense terrain of Heloris Majoris to devastating effect. The patrols were annihilated piecemeal, and reports of missing personnel and expanding bio-organic growths near key outposts indicated the xenos were solidifying their presence.

The loss of experienced regiments and vital supply caches left Heloris Majoris exposed. Though the xenos had not yet overrun the world, the failure to contain the infesation cast doubt on the Imperium’s ability to hold its strategic base.

The Invasion of Garmenes

While the Imperium struggled on Heloris Majoris, the Tau Empire faced its own crisis on the world of Garmenes, a vital colony within the Rifts of Hecate. Hive Fleet Poseidon launched a full-scale assault on the planet, overwhelming the Tau defenders with sheer numbers and adaptive ferocity.

Despite deploying significant assets, including two KV128 Stormsurge ballistic suits, the Tau forces found themselves outmanoeuvred and outmatched. The Stormsurges unleashed devastating volleys of firepower, obliterating swathes of the Tyranid swarm. However, Poseidon’s endless waves of organisms, including specialised burrowing units, circumvented the Tau's firepower by outflanking their lines.

By the end of the battle, the Tau defenders had sustained crippling losses, including the destruction of one Stormsurge and the retreat of the other. The remnants of the Tau army were forced to withdraw to fortified positions near their planetary bases, ceding vast swathes of Garmenes to the xenos. By 3011.024M42, the Tyranids had entrenched themselves firmly on the planet, turning Garmenes into yet another hive-world in the making.

The Fall of Waystation S-192

As the strategic conflict in the Mabb Nebula escalated, the Imperium struggled to maintain its tenuous footholds amidst growing pressure from xenos forces. Among these contested sites was Waystation S-192, an orbital installation critical to controlling supply routes and providing logistical support to ongoing operations in the region. After a hard-fought infiltration by an Imperial Guard special operations, the waystation briefly fell into Imperial hands. However, the Imperium’s grasp on the installation was short-lived.

On 1511.024M42, the Eldar, acting with their characteristic precision and speed, launched a decisive assault on the Imperial-held waystation. The attack came without warning, as the xenos exploited their superior understanding of the void environment and the station’s layout. The Eldar forces, reportedly composed of Aspect Warriors supported by Rangers and Warp Spiders, struck hard and fast, targeting key defensive positions and cutting off communication lines within the station.

The Imperial Guard special operations unit, despite their valiant defense, were ill-equipped to hold against such a coordinated and technologically superior force. The Eldar’s use of advanced weaponry and their uncanny ability to predict and counter the Guard’s movements, overwhelmed the defenders. The firefight was intense, with heavy casualties sustained on both sides, but the outcome was inevitable.

Recognising the futility of further resistance, the commanding officer of the Imperial unit ordered a retreat. The surviving Guardsmen abandoned the waystation, their numbers diminished and morale shaken. By the end of the engagement, the Eldar had reestablished control over Waystation S-192, denying the Imperium a critical asset in the Nebula.

The loss of Waystation S-192 was a significant blow to the Imperium’s efforts in the Mabb Nebula. The waystation’s position was vital for securing supply routes and coordinating fleet movements in the contested region. Its recapture by the Eldar not only disrupted Imperial operations but also underscored the Imperium’s inability to maintain lasting control over strategic positions in the face of persistent xenos interference.

The Invasion of Gamordal: Operation Steel Veil

The invasion of Gamordal was the latest step in General Veers’ broader strategy to secure the left flank of the Perseus Deeps campaign. Following the capture of Enaloth, the Necron-controlled world of Gamordal represented the next major obstacle in the Imperium’s path to stabilising the region. Veers, a commander known for his calculated precision, initiated Operation Steel Veil to establish Imperial dominance over the region and ensure a firm staging ground for further offensives.

Initial Landings

On 1511.024M42, the Novgorod Guard, reinforced heavily with armoured and cavalry units, commenced the invasion of Gamordal. The Imperial Navy, under the command of Admiral Stark, had scoured the system and reported no Necron naval activity, enabling the Guard to secure a landing site on the South Plateau without serious opposition. Once ground forces were deployed, the Novgorod regiments set their sights on the industrial city of Southrine, home to vital mining facilities critical for supplying the ongoing Imperial war efforts on the world.

The Assault on Southrine

The Necron defenders of Gamordal were formidable, comprising legions of Immortals, Canoptek constructs, and Doom Scythe aerial support. Despite the absence of spaceborne interference, the ground resistance was fierce, and General Veers knew a direct strike on the Necron capital of Gamordal Prime was unfeasible. Instead, he ordered a systematic campaign to weaken the Necron presence by seizing critical resource hubs like Southrine.

The Novgorod cavalry, renowned for their fearless charges and self sacrifice, were the first to engage the enemy. In a bold but reckless maneuver, Colonel Lobanov led his regiment in an attempt to break through the Necron phalanx. Unbeknownst to the Imperials, the Necron force included a C’tan Shard, a fragment of a star god harnessed by the Necrons. As the cavalry approached, the C’tan unleashed a cataclysmic burst of energy that annihilated the regiment, including Colonel Lobanov himself, in moments.

The loss of the cavalry regiment was a devastating blow to the morale of the Novgorod forces. However, the Imperial armoured units responded swiftly. Leman Russ battle tanks and Basilisk artillery unleashed relentless firepower, methodically dismantling the Necron formations. Despite the C’tan’s formidable presence, the sheer weight of fire from the Imperial war machines eventually overpowered it, shattering its corporeal form and forcing its retreat into the Immaterium.

Victory in Southrine

With the destruction of the C’tan shard and the collapse of the Necron defenses, the Novgorod Guard pushed into the heart of Southrine. The mining city fell after several days of brutal urban combat, with the Imperial forces systematically dismantling remaining Necron constructs and silencing the eerie, automated defense systems. By 1611.024M42, Southrine was firmly under Imperial control, and the mining assets were secured for the Imperium.

Strategic Significance

The capture of Southrine provided the Imperium with a vital foothold on Gamordal. The city’s industrial capabilities were swiftly repurposed to support the ongoing campaign, with resource extraction diverted to fuel the Novgorod war machine. Furthermore, the victory demonstrated the adaptability and resilience of the Imperium’s forces against the Necrons’ technological superiority.

However, the campaign for Gamordal had only just begun. General Veers now faced the challenge of advancing toward Gamordal Prime, a stronghold thought to house advanced Necron tomb complexes and heavily fortified defensive positions. Despite the success of Operation Steel Veil, the cost had been significant, and Veers knew the Necrons would not allow another foothold to be taken without unleashing even greater horrors.

Zadoc Subsector: The Defensive Gambit of General Van Dorn

The war between the Alliance and the Imperium continued to escalate in the Zadoc subsector as both sides vied for strategic dominance. While the Tau and their Federal allies pushed to consolidate their hold on Hylas and the Mabb Nebula, General Van Dorn maintained a largely defensive posture. The general was under increasing pressure from both the High Lords and the Inquisition to hold the line on Hylas while also executing counter-offensives to reclaim key installations in the Mabb Nebula.

Gutter Fighting on Corredon Outpost

In the contested Corredon Outpost within the Mabb Nebula, the Imperium’s efforts to wrest control from the Alliance continued to falter. After the disastrous attempt to capture Hangar 087, Imperial Guard insertion forces regrouped for another assault. This time, they targeted Sub-Level Gamma-32, a key area of the installation believed to house critical command and power relays.

The operation quickly devolved into brutal close-quarters combat as the Guard encountered fierce resistance from Federal Votann Kin warriors entrenched in the narrow corridors. The fighting in the confined sub-level was bloody and chaotic, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. Despite their best efforts, the Guard found themselves unable to dislodge the Kin, who utilised advanced shielding technology and disciplined fire patterns to blunt the Imperial advance.

After hours of intense combat, the battle reached a stalemate, with both sides withdrawing to regroup. While the Guard retained control of the entry points, the Federal forces maintained a firm grip on the deeper sections of the outpost. The struggle for Corredon Outpost remained unresolved, but the failure to secure decisive progress weighed heavily on Van Dorn’s plans for the subsector.

Tau Close on Brockley

On Hylas, the consequences of Commander Malkaor’s systematic destruction of the Imperial defences in West Hallen began to unfold. The Tau, emboldened by their success, launched a new offensive, advancing over the marshy terrain toward the city of Brockley, a critical logistical hub for Van Dorn’s forces.

The terrain proved challenging for both sides, but the Tau’s advanced hover vehicles and adaptable infantry gave them a significant advantage. Imperial patrols, including a squad of Space Marines from an unrecorded chapter, attempted to slow the Tau advance. However, the Tau forces overwhelmed the patrol, utilizing coordinated firepower from XV8 Crisis Battlesuits and Hammerhead gunships to annihilate the loyalist force with precision.

The loss of the Space Marine patrol underscored the Tau’s tactical superiority in the marshlands, and the Imperium’s defensive line began to buckle under the relentless pressure. By the end of 11.024M42, the Tau had reached the outskirts of Brockley, forcing General Van Dorn to commit additional resources to defend the city. With the Alliance now threatening the heartlands of Hylas, the situation grew increasingly dire for the Imperium.

Strategic Overview

The early days of 11.024M42 marked a precarious moment for the Imperium in the Zadoc subsector. General Van Dorn’s defensive strategy was proving effective in holding key positions, but the Imperium’s inability to seize the initiative left the Alliance free to dictate the pace of the war. Both the Mabb Nebula and Hylas remained bitterly contested, with no end to the conflict in sight.

The Awakening on Ferrosiun Prime and the Garmenes Incident: 10–11.024M42

As the conflicts in the Rifts of Hecate continued to escalate in 024M42, the re-emerging Necron threat revealed itself as a destabilising force in the region. Though overshadowed by the larger struggles between the Imperium, the Alliance, and Hive Fleet Poseidon, the Necron activity across several worlds began to disrupt even the best-laid plans of all factions, sowing chaos in the already tumultuous warzones.

The Ferrosiun Prime Device

Ferrosiun Prime, an ork-dominated world in the Rifts, had long been a contested planet, rich in both strategic value and ancient ruins. The orks had claimed the planet for their own, fortifying it with crude but effective fortresses and war machines. Beneath the surface, however, lay dormant Necron machinery, likely a relic of the planet’s forgotten past as part of the Necron dynasties.

In 10.024M42, a small ork kill team—likely under orders from a particularly ambitious warboss—attempted to sabotage a mysterious Necron apparatus they had discovered during their excavations. The orks, while uncharacteristically focused, underestimated the power of the Necrons guarding the site. The Necron defenders, perhaps aware of the orks’ intentions, activated the ancient machinery, unleashing devastating seismic and energy pulses that obliterated several nearby ork fortifications. Though the orks regrouped and reinforced their positions, the activation of the device established Necron control over a significant swath of Ferrosiun Prime.

The destruction of the ork strongholds created a power vacuum on the planet, with Necron forces steadily increasing their presence. The fate of the planet’s surface was thrown into question, as neither the orks nor other factions appeared capable of challenging the awakened Necrons.

The Garmenes Incident

Meanwhile, in the Rifts of Hecate’s eastern limit, the Tau Empire had established a research base at Garmenes, a frontier world where archaeological finds hinted at ancient xenos civilisations. The base served as a hub for the Tau’s diplomatic and military operations in the region, and in 11.024M42, it received an unusual delegation from the Federacy.

This delegation, comprised of Federal scientists and engineers supported by Votann Kin warriors, sought Tau collaboration to explore and exploit the Necron tombs beneath the planet’s surface. The Kin, known for their technical acumen and battle-hardened infantry, were well-equipped for such an expedition, and the Tau saw an opportunity to deepen their alliance with the Federacy while expanding their understanding of Necron technology.

However, the tomb on Garmenes was no dormant relic. Upon breaching its outer chambers, the Votann and Federal team inadvertently activated its defenses. The Necron constructs within awoke swiftly, cutting off the intruders’ retreat. Despite the formidable capabilities of the Kin warriors, the Necrons overwhelmed them with relentless precision. Reports indicate that Necron Deathmarks and Flayed Ones, supported by Canoptek constructs, systematically hunted down and destroyed the Votann forces within the tomb’s confines.

The Tau, unwilling to risk their own troops against such a relentless foe, declared the tomb off-limits and withdrew their personnel from the area, leaving the Necron site undisturbed. The Federacy’s losses were significant, and relations between the two allies were strained as the Kin accused the Tau of underestimating the danger.

Conclusion

By late 11.024M42, the Necrons had reasserted their presence in the Rifts of Hecate, not as major participants in the larger conflict but as a disruptive force capable of derailing the plans of their would-be usurpers. On Ferrosiun Prime, the orks found themselves forced to adapt to the sudden loss of key strongholds, while on Garmenes, the Federacy and Tau were reminded of the peril inherent in disturbing Necron tombs.

The Tau Offensive and the Destruction of West Hallen Defences on Hylas

In the waning weeks of 10.024M42, the fall of Finlay had left Imperial forces under General Van Dorn entrenched in the swampy regions of West Hallen, preparing for the expected Tau assault. However, the anticipated attack took an unexpected turn with the sudden arrival of Tau Commander Malkaor, whose forces had last been recorded operating within the Hadron Expanse. Rather than pursuing a typical campaign of territorial gain, Malkaor’s troops launched a targeted and systematic operation aimed solely at obliterating the Imperial trench lines and defensive fortifications across the West Hallen wetlands.

Malkaor’s strategy capitalised on the high mobility of Tau forces, which allowed his troops to strike at weak points in the Imperial defences before rapidly redeploying. Malkaor’s forces dismantled bunkers, shredded trench networks, and collapsed fortified emplacements across the boggy landscape, neutralising Van Dorn’s hard-won defensive line before the Imperial forces could adapt. The destruction of the defenses left Van Dorn’s troops dangerously exposed to further Alliance advances into Hylas’ strategic heartlands.

Aware of the threat posed by Malkaor’s mobilised campaign, the Grey Knights, who had tracked the Tau Commander to Hylas, launched a counter-attack against the Tau forces. With the blessing of the Ordo Malleus, they attempted to stop the Tau from stripping West Hallen of its critical fortifications, thus preserving Hylas’ defences for future offensives. Malkaor, however, leveraged the Tau’s superior mobility and advanced weaponry, decisively repelling the Grey Knights’ assault and inflicting heavy casualties on the elite Imperial forces. By early 0511.024M42, Malkaor’s victory was complete, and West Hallen’s fortifications lay in ruins.

Having effectively crippled the Imperial defences, Malkaor’s forces withdrew swiftly from Hylas, evading an encounter with Imperial naval assets stationed in orbit. His rapid redeployment and disappearance suggested an emerging strategy of mobilizing as a reserve force across the sector, striking at key positions before Imperial forces could marshal a counter-offensive.

For General Van Dorn, the destruction of West Hallen was a grim blow. Though the defences of East Hallen still offered some hope for resistance, the Imperium’s forces on Hylas faced a prolonged and increasingly precarious campaign. Van Dorn knew that while East Hallen’s fortifications remained formidable, the coming assault by the Alliance and the threat of Malkaor’s unpredictable manoeuvres would make holding Hylas a far more daunting prospect.

Special Ops in the Mabb Nebula

To: General Van Dorn, Commanding Officer, Imperial Forces, Mabb Nebula

Subject: Situation Report on Operations in Mabb Nebula – Waystation S-192 and Corredon Outpost

Date: 11.024M42

General,

Our ongoing operations in the Mabb Nebula to secure and stabilise strategic supply lines have met with mixed outcomes. Below is a detailed report of recent engagements and the current status of our objectives.

1. Waystation S-192:

Our Guard insertion team has successfully infiltrated and established a foothold on Waystation S-192, despite an intervention from Eldar xenos forces. Imperial troops managed to repel the initial attack, and while Eldar resistance remains within the station’s outer compartments, our forces are positioned to begin a systematic clearing operation to secure the entire installation.

Once full control of the station is achieved, we will prioritise fortification measures to prevent further xenos incursions. The outpost is strategically critical, and a secure supply route through this sector hinges on maintaining and reinforcing our presence here.

2. Corredon Outpost, Hangar 087:

Unfortunately, the squad of Astartes deployed to investigate Hangar 087 encountered significant and unanticipated resistance from Votann forces aligned with the Alliance. The Votann operatives employed disruptive tactics, using the hangar’s hostile radiation field to disable the Astartes' enhanced sensory equipment. By intermittently cutting power to the hangar lighting, the Votann forces created a challenging combat environment that neutralised the marines' targeting capabilities.

The marines were consequently unable to detect or neutralize the ambushers and suffered a complete loss of personnel. Control over Hangar 087 and its technological assets has since fallen to the Alliance. Although we retain a foothold on Corredon Outpost, the loss of Hangar 087 and its ancient artefacts is a setback. Current intelligence indicates the Alliance intends to consolidate their hold over the installation and shows no inclination to relinquish it.

Conclusion:

Efforts at Waystation S-192 are proceeding favourably, with a pathway to securing the entire station in sight. Conversely, the situation on Corredon Outpost reveals a determined Alliance presence and a clear operational challenge that will require strategic recalibration. We anticipate the need for specialized support and possibly additional reinforcements to reclaim Hangar 087 and protect other critical areas within Corredon.

Further updates will be relayed as the situation develops.

For the Emperor,

[Imperial Command Representative]

Imperial Command, Mabb Nebula Operations

Grey Knights and chaos strike at Tyranid menance

With Hive Fleet Poseidon gaining momentum in the Rifts of Hecate, Inquisitorial agents sounded an urgent alarm regarding the escalating Tyranid threat. Despite these warnings, General Maximus declined to launch an offensive against the xenos, citing insurmountable logistical challenges. In response, the Inquisition acted independently, securing the cooperation of the Grey Knights—an unusual intervention for the elite daemon-hunters but justified given the grave risk posed by Poseidon’s hive mind.

The Grey Knights, accompanied by a Knight Preceptor deployed to Mendesum, a world recently fallen to Tyranid infestation. Their mission: locate and eliminate a critical hive node to disrupt the Tyranids’ planetary absorption process and gain valuable time to fortify Imperial defences at the Hecate Gap. The strike force swiftly identified a primary node and launched a relentless assault, but they encountered fierce resistance as Tyranid warriors, compelled by the hive mind, defended the node with lethal ferocity.

In the midst of this struggle, the Knight Preceptor was struck down by a Neurolictor—an insidious Tyranid biomorph capable of targeted psychic assault. The creature’s potent psychic influence breached the Knight’s mental defences, inducing a fatal brain aneurysm in the pilot and reducing the towering war machine to wreckage. Yet, despite this setback, the Grey Knights rallied, cutting through the xenos defenders to strike down the hive node. Its destruction temporarily destabilised the hive mind’s control over the Tyranid forces, interrupting the biomass consumption process and buying precious time for Imperial forces in the sector.

In a separate but parallel event, a World Eaters warband descended on Mendesum, drawn to the Tyranid threat by their lust for worthy combat. These Chaos Marines independently discovered another hive node, which they attacked in a brutal assault, managing to hold their position long enough to severely damage the structure. Though most of the World Eaters perished, their efforts inflicted a further blow to the Tyranid network, exacerbating the disarray within the hive fleet’s ranks.

Despite these setbacks, Hive Fleet Poseidon’s advance was far from halted. The temporary disruption on Mendesum bought the Imperium a reprieve, but the Tyranid threat remains vast, relentless, and resolute, poised to renew its assault on the Rifts of Hecate with undiminished hunger.

Tombs reawaken on Calliden

In the latter half of 024M42, the Perseus Deeps, an ancient and foreboding region of the galaxy, had become the focus of a brutal multi-faction conflict as the Imperium, the forces of Chaos, and the Alliance clashed with the recently awakened Necrons in the region. Though the Imperium had secured a foothold on Gamador early in the campaign, the subsequent reawakening of Necron tomb worlds across the sector dramatically altered the balance of power. The enigmatic Skarreth Dynasty then intervened, showing a sudden, intense interest in reclaiming key worlds—an interest whose purpose remained unknown but was met with speculation, given the dynasty’s reputedly inscrutable motives.

The ancient Necrons made their intentions felt most strongly on Calliden, a barren tomb world with a dark, labyrinthine landscape, now controlled by the forces of chaos. The Skarreth Dynasty’s forces arrived in early 11.024M42, catching the Death Guard’s House of Eschar garrison entirely unprepared. The Necrons wasted no time advancing on Zaraphan, Calliden’s principal city and a central Chaos stronghold. The Death Guard scrambled to mount a defense, yet they quickly found themselves in a nightmare of near-phantasmic tactics as the Necrons deployed forces that seemed to shift through reality itself.

The Skarreth Dynasty’s warriors appeared disconcertingly out of phase with physical reality, teleporting across the battlefield in a series of lightning-strike manoeuvres that left Chaos forces reeling. This deadly precision was augmented by swarming scarab constructs, which acted as both scouts and saboteurs. These seemingly autonomous scarabs scoured the battlefield, systematically disabling Nurgle entrenchments while relaying vital intelligence to their Necron masters.

Desperate to gain an upper hand, the Death Guard launched targeted attacks against the scarab swarms, hoping to disrupt Necron coordination. However, even the resilience of Nurgle’s legions faltered against the fluid adaptability and relentless efficiency of the Necrons’ assaults. The Death Guard’s tactics, formidable against mortal foes, proved ineffective against the technologically advanced, incorporeal-seeming Necron strike forces. After brutal fighting, the Death Guard were forced to abandon Zaraphan, retreating from the city and conceding control of the sector to the Skarreth Dynasty.

With the city secured, the Necron dynasty delved into the tomb complexes beneath Zaraphan. The true nature of their objective remained shrouded in mystery, but some Imperial savants speculate the dynasty might be preparing for a larger campaign in the Perseus Deeps. The Skarreth Dynasty’s return to Calliden has reshaped the region’s power dynamics, and Imperial and Chaos forces alike now face the grim prospect of an expanding Necron resurgence. Whether this is a fleeting interest or the beginning of a protracted conflict across the Perseus Deeps remains to be seen.

Collapse on Calthingum: Chaos in Disarray

In late 10.024M42, the chaos-plagued world of Calthingum was in turmoil as mounting internal divisions and external assaults began to dismantle the outpost’s fragile cohesion. Originally under Death Guard dominion, Calthingum served as a vital research hub for the Legion’s plague experimentation, its toxic landscape transformed into a festering crucible of biological weaponry. However, tensions with the Night Lords—assigned as auxiliary defenders—sparked a power struggle that would spell disaster for Chaos forces on the world.

As factional disputes flared into open conflict, the operational effectiveness of Calthingum’s defences crumbled. The simmering animosity between the Death Guard, obsessed with their vile experimentation, and the Night Lords, who demanded greater respect and control, ultimately drew the attention of opportunistic raiders. Sensing the internal strife, a well-coordinated Drukhari strike force descended upon the world, exploiting the chaos. In one swift ambush, they tore through a World Eaters warband, wiping out the Khornate marauders in a brutal skirmish and retreating as swiftly as they’d arrived.

This successful raid was only the beginning. In early 11.024M42, the weakened defences of Calthingum drew even more unwanted attention. The Orks, drawn by the scent of carnage and encouraged by reports of Chaos disarray, launched an invasion—crashing roks directly into the planet’s surface. Within hours of impact, greenskin mobs surged from the crash sites, smashing into an unprepared Night Lords force and establishing a foothold on the world. The Night Lords, already weakened by Drukhari raids and ongoing infighting, were swiftly overwhelmed, their units scattered or annihilated under the brutal assault.

By 0411.024M42 with Orks entrenched and determined to carve their own territory out of Calthingum’s decaying ruins, the situation for Chaos forces had become almost untenable. The weakened Night Lords struggled to retain a foothold, while the Death Guard’s plague research was perilously close to falling into alien hands or being destroyed entirely in the mayhem. Calthingum, once a fortress of Chaos, had devolved into an anarchic battlefield—a grim testament to the fractures within the Traitor Legions and the chaos that always follows in their wake.