Special Operations in the Aleph Sector: 01.025M42

While the major warzones of the Aleph Sector remained embroiled in large-scale conflicts, the shadow war of special operations and clandestine engagements continued unabated into 025M42. Across multiple contested worlds, elite forces from various factions vied for control in brutal, close-quarters skirmishes that often proved as decisive as the grand campaigns raging elsewhere.

On Gamador, the Necrons launched a series of infiltration operations aimed at disrupting the T’au foothold on the world. Their silent advance into the depths of the Hasmakep Tomb Complex went largely undetected at first, until T’au forces encountered sudden disruptions in their supply chains and communications networks, indicative of a hidden enemy operating within the tunnels beneath them.

Recognising the deadly underground threat, the T’au called upon their Votann allies, the Kin of the Leagues of Votann, to assist in the ensuing vicious tunnel warfare. The Hearthkyn warriors, hardened by centuries of subterranean conflict, fought with determination, deploying advanced scanning technology and methodical fire discipline to counter the Necron infiltration teams.

However, the Necrons' advance proved difficult to halt. Their superior knowledge of the tomb complex, combined with their reanimation protocols, allowed them to overwhelm the Votann forces in several key areas. By the end of the campaign, the Necrons had successfully driven the Votann from critical sections of Hasmakep, weakening the T’au-Federal grip on the planet and threatening their strategic positions.

Meanwhile, on Hylas Reach, the Federacy found itself engaged in an intense battle against Ork Kommandos, who had infiltrated the station’s interior and begun raiding vital installations. As expected, the arrival of Votann Hearthkyn warriors had only increased the Orks’ interest in the station, as the brutal xenos relished the chance to test themselves against these stubborn and well-armed warriors.

The Votann kill teams, unwilling to tolerate the Ork menace, launched a ruthless clearance operation. Fighting room by room, they methodically pushed the Kommandos back, but the greenskins proved tenacious, forcing every engagement to the death. Despite their disciplined assault, the Hearthkyn found themselves in need of additional firepower to secure the final sections of the station.

At a crucial moment, Kroot Mercenaries arrived to reinforce the Votann effort, proving invaluable in the close-quarters combat against the Ork infiltrators. In one pivotal confrontation, a Kroot pistolier, renowned for his lightning-fast reflexes, executed a quick-draw kill, neutralising a key Ork leader just in time to secure a vital control terminal. This moment allowed the Federacy forces to lock out the remaining Ork Kommandos, effectively sealing off the key sectors of Hylas Reach from further greenskin incursions. With the station firmly under Alliance control, the Federacy had won an important victory in the shadow war of the Aleph Sector, ensuring Hylas Reach would serve as a critical staging ground for future operations.

While the larger wars in the Perseus Deeps, Hadron Expanse, and Zadoc Subsector continued to dominate military strategy, these small-scale but significant battles shaped the strategic landscape in ways few outside the elite circles of command could fully appreciate. Whether it was the Necrons chipping away at the T’au foothold on Gamador, or the Votann and Kroot working together to secure Hylas Reach, the shadow war of special operations remained a decisive theatre of conflict in 025M42.