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.