THEREDWAAAGH!

THEOPENINGOFTHE

SANCTUSREACHCAMPAIGN

INTRODUCTION

TheSanctusReachSystemresoundstotheroaroftheBeast.TheRedWaaagh!hasconqueredworldafterworldinitsgalacticrampage.Onlythevalouroftrueheroesandthelowcunningofafewvillainshasahopeofstoppingit.TheRedWaaagh!isthefirstbookintheSanctusReachcampaign.IttellsthestoryofthebrutalinvasionofSanctusReachbyanarmadaofOrkspacecraftthatgrowsmightierbytheday.ThecampaignreachesitszenithonAlaricPrime,thelastbastionofresistanceinasystemoverrunbyhowling,battle-crazedgreenskins.AlaricPrimeisaKnightworld,andthenoblehousesthatgovernitaremorethanhappytotesttheirgiantwarmachinesagainstthesledgehammerplanetaryinvasionoftheOrks.Notonlythat,buttheirurgentrequestsforaidsummontheeliteoftheAstraMilitarum:severalregimentsofCadianShockTroopsandacontingentofTempestusScions.ButwilltheircombinedforcesbeenoughtohalttheRedWaaagh?

HOWTHISSUPPLEMENTWORKSTheRedWaaagh!containsthefollowingsections:Waaagh!Grukk:ThesavagetaleoftheOrkinvasionofSanctusReach,thebraveKnightsthatdefendthelastoftheImperialworldstofalltotheWaaagh!,andtheCadiansthatreinforcethem.BattleafterbattleunfoldsingrandstyleasthewarforAlaricPrimereachesfeverpitch.However,asthetrueheroesofthewareffortrevealthemselvesthestorytakesanunexpectedturn

NewMissions:ThemedmissionsforyourgamesofWarhammer40,000,eachrepresentingapivotalbattleintheRedWaaagh!storyline.

Datasheets:DatasheetsthatfeaturetheFormationsthatfoughtinthecampaign,allowingyoutofieldtheseheroesandvillainsinyourowngames.

Planetstrike:Rulesforstagingplanetaryinvasionsinthe41stMillennium,allowingyoutofightsuchbattlesinanywarzone,withanyarmy.Oneplayertakestheroleofattacker,throwingwaveafterwaveofinvadersattheplanet,whilsttheotherstoicallydefendsitwitheverythinghesgot.Dropshipsloominthefirmamentandtheskiesfillwithflakaswarunfoldsonanewlevel.

NARRATIVESUPPLEMENTS

Thisbookfollowsanarrative,chroniclingaspecificwarthatunfoldsacrossa

swatheoftheImperium.Itfeaturesaplethoraofevocativestoriesandstunningimagery,providingalandscapewithinwhichyoucanuseyourownprizedcollectionofCitadelminiatures.Thebookincludesnotonlyasetofrulesforplanetaryinvasions,butalsonewmissionsanddatasheetswhichyoucanusetoaddspicetoyourgames,whetherthesearesetduringthetimeoftheRed

Waaagh!orelsewhere.

WAAAGH!GRUKK

Waaagh!GrukkwasateemingfleetofOrkinvadersthatsmasheditswaystraightthroughSanctusReach.AtitsheadwasGrukkhimself,anOrkwarlordwithsuchabloodyreputationthatOrksflockedfromallaroundtofightathisside.TheOrkwarlordGrukkisaten-footbruteofmuscleandrage.Hisphysicalpresencealonemakeshimanintimidatingsight,andunderneathhisscarredandpockmarkedskinliesabodyashardasiron.Evenwhenunarmedheisaterrifyingsight.Whenhedonshismonstrouspowerklaw,Grukkbecomespracticallyunstoppable.Itisawell-knownfactthatGrukkwillflyintoaberserkfurywheneverhistemperreachesitslimit,anditdoesnttakemuchtosethimoff.Heoncetrashedanentiresettlementpurelybecauseagrotattendantspiltengineoilonhisbreakfast.AsayoungerOrk,GrukkkilledKruggtheTyrant,Warbossofhistribe,toseizepowerfor

himself.WhilesuchleadershipchallengesareparforthecourseinOrksociety,theutterbrutalityofthebattleandthespectacularfashioninwhichGrukkfinishedhisoldrivalgaverisetothenicknameface-rippa.ThoughtheOrksofGrukkstribewouldneveradmitit,theyareallabitscaredofGrukk,andrightlyso.Noonewantstolosefaceinfrontofhismates,afterall.Grukkspowerklawisahowling,whiningbeastofathing.Itfeaturesajuttingkustombuzz-sawthatGrukkusestoliveuptohisnicknameasoftenashecan.Italsomagnifieshisstrengthfrommerelyimpressivetoutterlyterrifying.AttheSlaughterofBlackGulch,GrukkfamouslytoreopenamalfunctioningDropPodtogetattheSpaceMarinesinside.HethencutalltenoftheAdeptusAstartesintopieces,onebyone,inaseriesofincreasinglyviolentkills.ItwassuchanignoblefatethatthecommandersofthebattlecompanyauthorisedarevengestrikeuponGrukkhimself.Despiteinflictingseveredamage,theSpaceMarineswereunabletocompletetheirmission.Grukkisstillalivetoday,albeitcoveredinagrotesquepatchworkofthick,knottedscars.ThesamecannotbesaidoftheObsidianGlaivesChapter.Thoughhisstrengthislegendary,itisGrukksuttercertaintythathecannotlosethatmakeshimsodangerous.Hemakesahabitofleadingeverycharge,nomattertheodds,andpubliclybutchersanyOrkstupidenoughtoquestionhisrule.Grukkisalwaysencrustedwiththeclottedbloodofthosehehaskilled.Heneverwipesitoff,either,consideringsuchactsascleaningorwashingtoberuntswork.Hissupportersclaimthathehasneverlostafight,notevenonce.ItisthisbloodyreputationandGrukkshabitofpaintinghisshipswithgorethathasledtohiscrusadeofviolencebeingknowntohisfollowersastheRedWaaagh!ThiskindofrenownspreadslikewildfireinOrkysociety.Thoughhehasneversparedathoughttowardstheartsofleadership,GrukkhasunintentionallystartedaWaaagh!thathasblazedfromonesideofSanctusReachtotheother.OrkfleetsfromeverypartoftheSanctusReachSystemconvergeuponthefrontlineeachweek,hopingtogetaglimpseoftheFace-rippainaction.ManyoftheOrksinboundonthesystembelievethatWarlordGrukkisblessedbyGorkhimself.WitheverybattletheOrkwarlordwins,Waaagh!Grukkgrowsmorepowerful.ThereisverylittlechanceofstoppingitbeforeitreachescriticalmassandwipesoutaswatheofImperialspacealtogether.

GORK

TheOrkpsycheissostrongandrobustthattheirreflectioninthemirror-universeoftheWarpisapotentforceindeed.Therearetwomighty,belligerentandboisterousOrkgodsthatthegreenskinsbelieveinaboveallothersGork,whotheOrkssayisbrutalbutkunnin,andMork,whoiskunninbutbrutal.Thoughbotharewarriorgods,Gorkistheprimarydeityofclobbering,smashing,breaking,killingandpummellingtherestofthegalaxyintosubmission.Thisisanotionthatresonatesstronglywiththemore

single-mindedwarbossesoftheOrkrace,ofwhomGrukkisaperfectexample.

Crossme,cursemeorevenlookmeintheeyeandIllkillyastonedead,justtateachyaalesson.

-GrukktheFace-rippa

DISTANTTHUNDER

AstheplanetsofSanctusReachcrumbledonebyonebeforetheonslaughtofWaaagh!Grukk,AlaricPrimegirdeditselfforwar.AidwassummonedfromanearbyfleetoutofCadiaandfromtheScholaProgeniumworldofEdificus.Beforelongtheplanetwasfortifiedforthecominginvasion,thoughstrifestillblightedtheancienthousesofAlaricPrime...ThefirstwarningthatAlaricPrimehadofthegreenskinmenacewasonthevernalequinoxof443998.M41,whenthetwinAstropathsofHouseKestrenexperiencedthesamemidnighttrauma.Eachofthegaunttwinshadvomitedgreenectoplasmduringaterriblenightmare.Barefoot,theyhadrushedthroughthesconce-litcorridorsofCastleKestrentothebedchamberoftheirmaster,LordGaulemort.TheshiveringAstropathsgabbledovereachotherswords,buteachtoldofabillionbestialvoicesjoinedinonegreatunendingwarcry.Theirspasmsgrewworse,andsoonthepairlapsedintofeverdreams.Whentheimportoftheirtalesankin,GaulemortKestrencameclosetopanic.EverylordoftheImperiumdreadshisaidesreportinganincomingxenosinvasion.HouseKestrensAstropathshaddetectednotjustanyincursion,butanentireWaaagh!headedintheirdirection.ThatnightGaulemortsentmessenger-skullsarcingouttoeveryoneoftheknightlyhouses.Beforelong,eachofthehoveringdeviceshadchattereditswarningintothevox-chamberofadifferentNoble.Allbaronewasignored.

ALARICPRIME

TheplanetofAlaricPrimeisashideboundbytraditionandprotocolasanyotherKnightworld,yetitalsohastobearthefurtherburdenofseveral

thousandyearsofcarelesslawmaking.NolawuponAlaricPrimehaseverbeenrepealed.Itisillegaltoyawnduringdaylighthours,illegaltotalkwhena

Nobleisspeakinginearshot,evenillegaltopointatthestarsinthenightsky.SonumerousandrestrictivearethearchaiclawsofAlaricPrimethatafull

two-thirdsoftheplanetspopulacehasbeenincarceratedorexiledbytheover-zealousJusticarsattachedtoeachknightlyhouse.

MostofAlaricPrimessurfaceiscoveredinaviscoussulphuricsolutionfarthickerthanseawater.ThemaincontinentofAlaricPrimeisknownasSacredIsle,eachislandarounditthedomainofoneofitsknightlyhouses.Theislandsthatformtherestofthehabitablelandsarelittlemorethanpenitentiaries.

Veryfewofthoseimprisonedaretrulyguiltyofmaliciousconduct,butthosethatarecriminalbynatureinevitablythriveinthelawlessproto-societiesthat

result.

THEBROKENSHIELDThehousesofAlaricPrimehadlongstooddivided.Manyofthenoblelineageshadlong-standingfeuds,andtheyearsofoppressivetraditionhadbredfrequentcivilwarsthathadblightedthearchipelagosandlandmassesofAlaricPrimewithoutexception.ThoughGaulemortKestrensmessagehadreachedeachofitsintendedrecipients,almostallofLordGaulemortsrivalshadscornfullydismisseditscontentasablufforadistractiontactic.TheybelievedthatHouseKestrenwantedtoincreaseitsownpowerbasewhilsttheotherlordsturnedtheirattentionstotheirowndefence.TheexceptionwasLordNeruofHouseDegallio.HavingoncepilotedhisKnightsuitagainsttheOrkpiratesraidingSquiresRest,theoldwarriorknewthatthegreenskinthreatwasadeadlyreality;onethatcouldoverpowereventheObsidianGlaives.HisownAstropathhadrunscreamingintothenighttwohoursbeforeGaulemortsmessenger-skullhaddriftedin,addingveracitytotheclaimsofimminentinvasion.Atdawnthenextday,LordNerugatheredhismosttrustedNoblesintohiskeepsRotundaMagnificat.Aheateddiscussiontookplace.NeruproposedthattheybreachthesealeddoorsofSacredMountainattheearliestopportunity,usingtheancienttechnologieswithinto

summonaid.Suchacourseofactionwastantamounttoblasphemy.DegallioschamberlainspolitelyremindedtheirlorditwasnamedSacredMountainforareason,foritcontainedrelicsfromthetimeoftheknightlyhousesfoundingovertenmillenniaago.Notonlythat,butrumourhaditthatthemountainsgatesboreapowerfulcurse.Surelynomanwouldriskbringingdoomuponhishouse.Nerubelievedtheyhadnochoice.Acrosstheglobe,reportsweretricklinginthateachhousesAstropathswerefallingintoafuguestate,clawingattheirskinandrantingaboutgreen-huedtides.TheknightlyhousescouldnotstandagainstanentireWaaagh!,evenintheunlikelyeventtheycouldunitethescatteredpeopleoftheplanetintoasinglearmy.TheymustbreakopenthevaultsofSacredMountainordietoamanwhentheOrkinvasionhithome.TheNoblesmenfellquiet,forthestrictlawsofAlaricPrimeforbadethebreachofholyground.OnlytwoofNerusmendaredspeakupinsupportofhisplan;hisKnightRegal,UrsorFiresword,andhisAegis,SireJedricoftheBlackShield.Shakinghishead,LordDegalliostormedoutoftheRotundaMagnificatandstrodestraighttotheChamberofEchoes.ThereheinstalledhimselfintohisThroneMechanicumanddescendedintothecontrolcortexofhispersonalisedKnight,theWhiteWarden.Theancientwarmachinewhirredintolife,battleprotocolsflashingasitpreparedforthetrektoCastleKestren.Withinasingleday,NeruDegallioandhisNobleescortsstoodbeforeLordGaulemortscandlelitcourt.Despitetheprotestationsofhisadvisors,GaulemortneededlittleconvincingthatLordNerusproposedcoursewassound.HisownAstropathshadbeencompletelyincapacitatedbythepsychicbowwaveofOrkoidenergy,andhetoohadheardthelegendsofImperialarcheotechattheheartofSacredMountain.ThenextdayssunroseasNeruDegallio,pilotingtheWhiteWarden,orderedhisretainerstomeltthroughtheadamantiumbulkheadsofSacredMountain.Deepinsidethemountainsvaultedchambers,theNoblesofHousesKestrenandDegalliofoundallmannerofforbiddentechnologiesthatbridgedthegapbetweenfleshandmetal.HeldhighamongsttherelicswasawrinkledAstropath,trappedlikeaflyinamberbyastasisfield,hisswollencraniumthreetimesthesizeofanormalmanshead.Withouthesitation,NeruDegalliodeactivatedthestasisfieldholdingtheancientAstropathfrozenintime.Apsychicscreamrippedthroughthedarkness,stunningtheNoblesandhowlingoutintospace.Thepsykerdiedalmostimmediately,buthiscradlesdustycogitatorarrayshowedthatadistresscallhadbeensent.Allthatwasleftwastowait.

Twochoices:weactnow,orwesithereandrot,waitingforthebeastsjawstoclose.HouseDegalliochoosesaction!Armthyself,sonsofAlaric;gatherthineallies.Thewartoendallwarsisabouttobegin.

-LordNeruDegallio

AWORLDTRANSFORMEDAtensemonthpassed.TheknightlyhousesofVelemestrin,Brahmica,TerrynandKamatawereunitedintheircensureofHousesKestrenandDegalliofortheirpresumptioninbreachingSacredMountain,andthefragilediplomacythatheldtheplanetsuneasytrucequicklybrokedown.Justasthehouseswereonthebrinkofopenwar,areed-thinmessagecrackledoutwithineachKeepsvox-chamber.ItsaudiosignwasthatofoneCastellanStein,aCadiancommanderwhosefleethadbeentaskedwithreinforcingGhulJensen.ThoughtheCadianshadarrivedtoolatetofulfiltheirprimarymission,theyhadoutrunthecumbersomeshipsoftheRedWaaagh!andhencewereabletobolsterthedefendersofAlaricPrime.Enroutetheyhadrendezvousedwithafleetofblack-armouredwarshipshailingfromthenearbyScholaProgeniumplanetEdificus,scramblinginresponsetotheastropathicdistresscall.LessthantwoweeksafterthebulklandersoftheAstraMilitarumhadmadeplanetfall,AlaricPrimehadbeentransformed.Eachofitscities,fortressesandislandpenitentiarieshadbeenwarscaped,optimisedandreinforcedbymasterfulCadianstrategos.RegimentsofdisciplinedsoldierymannedeveryAegislineandcrenellatedbunkercomplex.Thoseknightlyhousesthathadmanagedtoputasidetheirdifferencesloomedinsupport,readyforbattle.HeretheImperiumwouldmaketheirstand.

AseveryCadianknows,thenextmostimportantpieceofkitaGuardsmancarriesafterhislasgunishisentrenchingtool.InthefinalhoursbeforethearrivalofGrukksrust-shipsthemenandwomenoftheCadian1651stcontinuedtodig.AsSteinhadtoldthemonlyhoursbefore,whileinspectingthedefences,Apintofsweatisworthadropofblood,sodigthosetrenchesdeep.ThefootsoldiersoftheImperialGuardweretobe

verythankfuloftheirtoilinthecomingweeks.

HOUSEDEGALLIO

HouseDegalliowasindisputablythemostpowerfulknightlyhouseuponAlaricPrime,inpartduetothestrengthofitsancientalliancewiththeAdeptusMechanicus.However,nonecoulddenythatDegalliosinfluencewasdirectlyrelatedtoanadvantagethatnootherAlaricanhousecouldboastunparalleledmobilityintimesofwar.HouseDegalliohasalongandproudhistoryofseafaring.Once,itssteamshipswerelittlemorethanuglyhulksthatconveyedthecriminalelementsofAlaricPrimetoincarcerationuponthevolcanichellscapeofIsleIgnivitch.Sinceitopenedasidelineinoceanictrade,thehousehasgrownconsiderablyininfluenceandwealth.Atthehousesinception,ithadbutonesolitaryKnightactive,knownastheWhiteWarden.BythetimeitstraderouteswerefullyestablishedacrossAlaricPrime,itsseabornesacristiesheldseveraldozenKnights,eachawarriorofgreatrepute.EventhemightiestbattlesteamerofLordNerusfleetisameretugbesidethefusion-poweredsuperstructureknownasIsleDegallio.Originallyamobileconglomerationofprisonhulks,IsleDegalliohasbecomefarmorethanaconjoinedfleet.Overthecenturies,layersofsea-mulchandcapturedturfhavelaidstrataoforganicmatterovertheadamantiumstanchionsofitsfoundations.IthascometoresemblenothinglessthanasmalllandmassthatroamstheoceansofAlaricPrimeunderitsownpower.Intimesofcivilwar,thetitanicIsleDegalliomakeshasteforthecoastlinenearesttothebattle,itsfusionenginespoweringitthroughtheoceanspraysofastthatitsattendantnavystrugglestomaintainitscordonaroundtheislandsperimeter.Oncelandissighted,thenavyspreadsoutintoagreatbattlelineofheavily-armedships,poundingthecoastlinewithartilleryshellsoncetheenemyisinrange.IsleDegallioitselfwillpowerinclose,itsKnightsstridingacrossthebridgesextrudingfromtheisleslandmassintoshallowwatersbeforechargingacrossthedunesandlaunchingthemselvesintothefight.IsleDegallioissolargethatithasitsowncivilianpopulation.Severalteemingcitiesdotitsskyline,supportingallmannerofindustriesandensuringtheislespre-eminenceasatradinghub.Despitethis,rivalhouseswhisperthattheislandersareinbredtoaman,callingitswarriorssea-lions,fish-eyesandallmannerofotherunflatteringnicknames.ThenoblelineageofHouseDegallioremainsfreefromgeneticweakness,intruththerearealwaysmorethanenoughmamzelsandconsortsineachgenerationwillingtoexchangetheboredomoftheirlandboundhousesforalifeofseaborneadventure.

THESEABLADEThepatriarchofthehouseisNeruDegallio,knowntohismenastheSeablade,andtohisclosestfriendsastheOldWalrus.NeruDegalliosflairintheartsofbattleislegendary,asishisalarmingfacialhair.Hisconsort,thesvelteandskull-maskedLadyoftheKeys,isapowerfulpoliticalforceinherownright.

ShehasbeeninstrumentalinthemeteoricriseofHouseDegalliotothepinnacleofinfluenceonAlaricPrime,possessingafearsomeintellectand

considerablecharisma.AnyonewhosomuchashintsthatNeruorhisconsortmightbepasttheir

primeisgiventhehonouroffightingalongsidetheWhiteWarden,Degalliosbattle-scarredbutindomitableKnightsuit.Asthebattlerages,thepatriarchsdetractorisforcedtoreassesshisopinionnoonecanarguewithakillcount

thatismorethandoublethatofthenextman.

SireGarrettDegalliofightsinoneofHouseDegalliosAlabasterLanceformations,andisrenownedforhiscourageandprowessincombat.Trainedin

theuseoftheswordbyhisuncle,thelordofthehouse,GarretthaswoncountlesshonoursbothonthefieldofbattleandinritualisedcombatwithhisfellowNobles.AstheOrkarmadaapproachedAlaricPrime,Garrettstood

readyalongsidehiskintodrivethexenosinvadersfromhishomeworldwithrighteousfuryandtheindomitablemightofhisKnightErrant.

THEWAAAGH!DESCENDS

TheknightlyhousesofAlaricPrimemarchedtobolstertheirplanetsdefencesattheverylastopportunity.MillionsofhighlytrainedImperialGuardalreadystoodreadytodefendtheplanet.AlaricPrimehadbecomemorethanjustapopulousworlditwasasymboloftheImperiumsdefianceinthefaceoftheOrkthreat.Despitetheirinitialreservations,mostoftheNoblesoftheknightlyhouseswereimpressedbytheno-nonsenseapproachoftheCadians.TheofficerinchargeofAlaricPrimesdefenceswasanirritablebutextremelycapableleadernamedJakrenStein.CastellanSteinhadbarkedordersandbrowbeatenhisnaysayerssoconsistentlythat,bythetimetheOrksnearedtheplanet,hisHydrasquadronsandIcarusbatteriescouldthrowanetoffirepowerintotheskiesaboveeveryvitalsite.NeruDegallioandLordGaulemortjokedthattheirflyingmessenger-skullshadbetterrollalongthegroundiftheywantedtoescapebeingbullseyedbyaCadianwithanitchytriggerfinger.ThegeneralatmosphereacrosstheplanetwasoneofcourageunderadversityeventhosemainlanderhousesthatstillresentedDegallioforforcingtheirhandheldtheirpeacewhilsttheCadiansandScholaProgeniumtrooperswerearound.Thoughtheknightlyhousesofthemainislandswereattruce,dangerousdiscontentstillbrewedamongstthehousesofthelesserislands.Thereweremanyhiddenpactsandagreementsmade,severalofwhichrevolvedaroundtheaccidentalexterminationofHousesDegallioandKestrenwhenthefightingbeganinearnest.ManyislanderhouseshadenlistedthousandsofminoroffendersfromtheprisonsystemsintoregimentstheyhaddubbedHouseMilitia.Theseundisciplinedandimmoralcompanieswereunpredictable,buteventhestrictestCommissarturnedablindeye,recognisingtheywouldneedeveryablemanwhentheWaaagh!hithome.

JAKRENSTEIN

JakrenSteinstandstallamongthecastellansofCadia,astoicandcannycommanderwithafeelforwarandatasteforblood.Hisreputationwashardwon,thoughthe

storyofhisrisetopoweriscloudedwithrumour.ItiswhisperedamongthesubalternsofrivalCadianregimentsthatearlyinhiscareerSteincommandedacompanyinthedefenceofHiveSvardandbrutallyputdowntheSorschanrebellion.DuringthebattlefortheCrimsonDeeps,itissaidhiscompanybecamesurroundedbysuperiorrebelforceswhodemandedhissurrender.Ratherthansuccumb,Steinflewintoarage,

orderinganimmediateattackwhichsawhiscompanybreakoutoftheencirclementbutlosenineoutofeverytenmenintheprocess.Sincethen,Steinhashiddenhisdark

temperfromhismen.

THESTORMBREAKS

Nightafternightslunkpast.Wordofthecominginvasionhadspreadfromonesideoftheplanettotheother,andrumourwasbecomingcertaintyasthepopulacebeheldtheincominginvaderswiththeirowneyes.MerelybylookingupaftersunsetitwaspossibletoseethepinpricksoflightgrowinglargerastheOrkfleetapproached.Hundredsofnewstarsfilledtheskies,theirengineflaresflickeringlikepulsars.ThecivilianstoldthemselvestheCadianshadmastermindedadefencethatwouldeasilyshattertheOrkfleet.Asiftoconfirmthesupposition,scopticplatestakenbytheCadianbattleshipsshowedaninvadingforcethatwasramshackleintheextreme.Mostoftheships,thoughbluntandfearsomeintheiraspect,werelittlemorethanrustedironslabsboltedtogetherinahaphazardfashion.ItwasdeemedawondertheyhadnotfallenapartduringtheinvasionsofObstiriaandGhulJensen.NoblesfromHousesKamataandTerrynbegantotakebetsastowhoseKnightwouldtallythemostshipkillsifanyOrksmadeitthroughtheCadianflak-net.NeruDegallioshookhisheadindismay,andtheCadiansremainedgrimlysilentonthematter.TounderestimatetheOrkswastoprepareonlyforthegrave.AstheOrkcraftreachedloworbit,theterribletruthoftheirinvasionplanbecameclear.ThenightskywasstitchedwithacrosshatchofredlightastheIcaruslascannonsofFirestormRedoubtsansweredCastellanSteinscommands.Almosteverylaserbeamfounditstarget,butalmosteveryoneofthemfizzledintonothingness.OncametheOrkships,growingcloserbythemoment.AsphericalcoronaoffireblossomedaroundeachoftheOrkrust-shipsastheenergyofatmosphericentrybetrayedtheirsecretaglobeofforcethatprotectedthecraftfromharm.Thoughtheirphysicalconstructionwasappalling,theforcefieldsoftheprimitivexenoscraftwereallbutimpenetrable.War-klaxonssoundedacrosstheplanetastheNoblesjoinedtheirmindstothemechanicalsentiencesoftheirKnights.TheCadianskeptuptheirattack,sendingsolidshotandlaserfireintotheskies.PerhapsoneintwentyoftheOrkrust-shipswereturnedintoblazingcomets,disintegratingastheycame,buttherestofthemthundereddowntoAlaricPrimessurfacewithatorturedscreamofengines.Thegroundshookwherevertherust-shipsstruck,staggeringeventhegreatsuitsofKnightarmour.Giantrampsanddrawbridgesslammeddownfromthesidesofeachcraft,andwitharoarthatsentice-coldfearintothespinesofallwhoheardit,theOrksbegantopourout.

EventheCadianswereastonishedbythebrutalefficiencywithwhichtheOrksadvanceforcesmadeplanetfall.Theramshackleconstructionoftherust-ships,atfirstthoughttobeagreatweakness,nowprovedanadvantage.Thousandsofgreenskinspouredoutofeveryhatch,holeandseam,tramplingovereachotherintheirhastetolaunchthefirstassault.Smoke-belchingvehiclestrundledacrossthecrudedrawbridges.Atthewaistofeachrust-ship,trulyhugewarenginesgroundtheirwaybodilythroughtheirtransportshullplatestostaggerontotheplainsbelow.TheinitialOrkassaulthadthundereddownuponthelandmassaroundSacredMountainitwasrumouredtheOrkshadpsykersoftheirown,ofasort,andperhapstheytoohadheardthepsychicdistresscryfromwithinthedepthsofthepeak.Thethousand-mileringoffortificationsaroundSacredMountainbristledwithheavyguns.Macro-cannonstrongpointshurledshellaftershellintothemassingOrksthatstompedandroaredintheshadowoftheirrustedcraft.Quad-linkedlascannonsblastedapartDeffDreadsandBattlewagonsastheygroundtheirwayclearofthescrum,andheavyboltersbarkedoutadeadlyrhythmwheneverthemassinggreenskinsspilledintotheirmaximumrange.Explosionafterexplosionboomedout,adeafeningandblindingspectaclethatmadeeventhemostbattle-hardenedCadiansshieldtheireyesatitsintensity.NomattertheamountofcarnagemetedoutbytheImperialgunlines,theOrksstillcameon.TheypouredtowardstheImperialdefencesinaseething,shoutingmass.Theirgreatroarof

bloodlustwaslikeawallofsoundinitself,aroarthatgotlouderwitheverypassingsecond.ThefirecrackersnapoflasgunvolleysjoinedthethudofheavyweaponsfireastheOrkscameinrangeoftheCadiantroopersmanningeachredoubt,andstillitwasnotenoughtohaltthetide.TheOrkchargehithomelikeatidalwave.Bodieswereflunginalldirections,bulletswhizzedandricochetedallabout,andGuardsmenweresnaggedanddraggedfromthewallsintotheroilingmassofstinkingalienfleshbeneath.Incredibly,theOrkswereusingeachotherassteppingstones,pilingatoponeanotherintheirhastetospillblood.ThewarforAlaricPrimehadbegun.

AIRWAR

EvenastheOrkrust-shipsfelllikecometsthroughtheatmosphere,CastellanSteinthrewsquadronsofThunderboltsagainsttheminanattempttoknockthemfromthesky.Fromtheground,theCadianscouldonlywatchascontrailswovebetweenthe

enemyshipshighintheupperatmosphere.WhatlookedlikeaslowballetofsmokeandflamefromthegroundwasafrenzieddogfightupcloseasThunderboltstwistedandtumbledinaerialcombatagainstOrkDakkajets,theirweaponsleavingburningtracerfireinthethinair.Hopelesslyoutnumbered,theThunderboltsweresentspiralling

towardtheearthonebyone,theirweaponsnomatchforthebrutalpowerofGrukksassault.

THEKNIGHTSSTRIKEBACK

Despitetheirextensivepreparations,theImperialGuarddefenderswerereelingfromtheintensityoftheOrkattack.TheNoblesofeachknightlyhousestrodeintothefrayintheirtitanicwarmachines,determinedtoprovetheirmettleonthefield.TheymettheirmatchwhentheOrksrevealedasecretweaponoftheirownSteam-pistonsgroanedandlockboltsshudderedastheadamantium-cladwarmachinesoftheAlaricanNobleslopedtowardstheOrkhorde.TogethertheKnightsnumberedovertwodozen.TheforemostwarriorsofHousesVelemestrinandBrahmicapoundedintobattlebehindthoseofLordGaulemortKestren,eagertoprovetheirworth.Rapid-firingbattlecannonsboomed,eachblastoverlappingthenextinatooth-rattlingfusillade.ThewavesofOrkshurlingthemselvesforwardwereflunginalldirectionsbyeachexplosion.Greatspraysofdarkcrimsonbloodgoutedintotheairlikeliquidfireworkswhereverthebattlecannonshellshithome.HighinsidethecockpitsoftheirKnightsPaladin,theNoblesofHouseTerrynpantedlikewolvesonthehunt.SireDindhofHouseBrahmicalaughed,ontheedgeofhysteriaasherevelledinthegloriousreleaseofbattle.Highontherampartsoftheirfortresses,theCadianofficerswatchedintently,voxingbackandforthasthechargeofAlaricPrimesdefendershithome.TheKnightswerekillingscoreuponscoreoftheinvadingxenos,andtheoccasionalOrkmissilethatcorkscrewedintotheKnightsexplodedprematurelyontheirionshieldsorricochetedofftheirthickplatingwithoutcausinganyrealharm.TheplanetsNobleswereclearlynostrangerstowar.LordGaulemortsPaladinsstormedintothebrokenmorassofxenosbodies,thecoldmetalfeetoftheirwarenginescrunchinggreenskinsintothedirtwherevermovementtwitched.Gianthelmsswungleftandright,scanningthehordeforthebannersandtotemsthatindicatedleadershipwhilstbattlecannonsblazedagainandagain.IntheirwakecametheKnightsErrantofHousesVelemestrinandBrahmica.HeavystubberssuppressedanyrallyingxenosontheirflankswhilstthermalcannonsstabbedgreatcolumnsofdestructionintothoseOrkwar-constructsthathadsurvivedtherampage.Workinginconcert,theKnightssystematicallyannihilatedtheOrksinabroadcolumnthatledstraightintothecentralmassoftheheavinggreentide.Atrailofblackened,steamingdestructionextendedbehindthemastheycrushed,blastedandstampedtheirwaytotheheartofthehorde.TheOrkswereresponding,slowlyatfirst,butwithincreasingcohesion.Likethepartingofagreatsea,thegreenskinsflowedaroundtheKnightsforwardblitz,thenswarmedinagainbehindthem,cuttingthemofffromtheCadiansaltogetherandaimingtheirhaphazardvolleysattheflankandrearofeachmachine.Steinsbellowedvox-orderscrackledovereachNobleschoirnet.Onebyone,theywerevoluntarilymutedbytheKnights.Itwastheirtimetokill,andtheywereclosetothethroatoftheirprey.HouseKestrensPaladinsplungedonintothehorde,ionshieldsreconfiguredto

guardtheirrears.ReaperchainswordssmashedpoorlymadeOrkwalkersintoscrapmetal.Manyofthexenosfledindisarrayasyetmorebattlecannonshellsandmeltablastshithomeamongstthem.TheforemostKnightshadreachedtheshadowofthelargestrust-ship,buttheirtruepreywasnowheretobeseen.Thewarmachinesweresurrounded,andtheirbrazenchallengehadyettobeansweredinforce.

RolundusVelemestrincouldhearthebloodpoundinginhisearsashestrodetowardtherust-shipinhisKnightsuit,Gauntlet.LockedbytubesandtendrilsintohisThroneMechanicumswiryembrace,helookeddownonthegreenskins

fromabove,thevantagepointmakinghimfeellikeavengefulgod.Ashenearedthehorde,hesentasilentthought-bursttotriggerhisheavystubbers.Theancientweaponsclatteredintolife,theirstaccatoblastmutedbythevista-

platesoftheKnightshelm.OutsideinthesmokeandbloodOrkswerebeingculledintheirhundreds.

Manydiedscreaming,crushedintotheearthbytheKnightsgiantfeet.Otherswerecutdownbytheslugsofthelarge-borestubbers,theirownsmallarmsfiresparkinguselesslyoffthewarmachinesarmour.Rolundusweatheredthestorm,oblivioustothealiensfutileattacks.Theflashingambericonsonhiscanopyshowedthedwindlingammocounterofthestubbersandstreamsofghostlyfiringportentsthatguidedhisgunstotheirtargets.Itwasonlywhen

theshadowoftherust-shiploomedupoverhimthatRolundustrulytookstockofthewiderbattle.Hepeeredoutofthevista-plate,shiftingtooverlaythescrollingdatarunesandneuralinformationthatpouredintohisbrain.His

augurswereidentifyingalienwarriorswithheavyweaponsclosinginfromalldirections.Leader-beastsdeterminedlypushedlesserwarriorsintothelineoffireofhisfellowKnights,cominginclosebehindthem.WithabrutalimpulseRolundustriggeredhisbattlecannontoswivelaroundandfire,itsshells

tearingintomobaftermobofOrksinquicksuccession.SuddenlytheNoblerecoiledinshockasamassivesteelclawlungedoutofthesmokeandsmashedintohisKnightsvista-plate.Rolunduslookedoninhorror

asacrackappearedinthecanopybeforehisface,spreadingwithpainfulslownesslikeaspidersweb.Oilysmokeandthethicksmellofbloodsuddenlypouredintohiswarmachine.AmassiveOrkwareffigyfilledthevista-plateforasecond,itsthrummingchain-armraisedtostrike.Thentheworldburstinto

multicolouredlight,andRolundusVelemestrinwasnomore.

THECOMINGOFGRUKKTheairfilledwiththeear-splittingscreechoftorturedmetalasafullquarteroftherust-shipsflankbegantofallopen.Ahingedslabofoxidisedirontallerthanahab-block,theflankfelldownwards,blottingoutthesunforthoseKnightsthathaddrawntooneartothecraft.Sixoftheirnumberthrewtheirwarmachinesintofullreverse,crushingOrksunderfootastheybackedthroughthethrong.Theorange-stripedKnightofSireVocuswasnotsonimble.Hamstrungbytheweld-cuttersofamobofgreenskinpyromaniacs,itspilotcoulddonothingbutfireitsbattlecannonatmaximumelevationinanimpotentattempttohalttheimmensetonnagebearingdownonit.SireVocusprizedwarmachinewasflattenedlikearationstinunderajackboot.ThemutedthumpoftheKnightsdetonationcouldbeheardasplitsecondbeforetherust-shipsflankhitthegroundwithatremendouscrash.Awaveofdustandironparticlesburstoutwardacrossthebattlefield,blindinggreenskinandKnightalikebeforebillowingintotheCadiandefencelines.Asone,theOrksroaredtheirapproval,beatingtheirchestsandstormingforwardsasthestunneddefendersgavethemthechancetheyneeded.Withtheirtargetshiddenbytheduststorm,thetightvolleysoftheCadiansfailedtofindtheirmark.Thegreentide,barelyheldatbayinthefirstcharge,brokeovertheCadianfortificationswiththeforceofariverburstingadam.HeretheOrkswereattheirdeadliest.Robbedofcoordinatedsupportfromtheirbigguns,platoonafterplatoonofAstraMilitarumdiedasthexenoschargehithome.Tribesofbarbaric,maniacalgreenskinssmashedheadsfromnecksandsankchain-toothedaxesintothefacesoftheirreelinghumanprey.Anunrulyorgyofviolencerolledoutward,thebayonetsoftheCadiansbarelyslowingthemuscleboundterrorsroaringandbitingintheirmidst.WithinthespaceofaminutetheOrkvanguardhadbrokentheCadianlinewideopen.Brokencorpsesandsilencedheavyweaponswerehurledintotheplatoonsmusteringbehind,abarbaricchallengebeforethechargebegananew.Bythesidesoftherust-ship,theochrecloudshadbeguntoclear.ThesurvivingNoblesgapedinhorrorasthethinningcurtainofdustrevealedavisionofdestruction.Lumberingoutoftherust-shipwasanOrkoidwargodmademetalandgivenlife,itstitanicframeallbellyandbelligerence.TherustedbeastwassolargeitmadetheKnightsrangedarounditlooklikehunchbackedmutantsconfrontingagrosslyoverweightOgryn.Oneoftheeffigysarms,acannontallerthananyofitsadversaries,boomeditschallenge.SireFaragheistsKnightwasflungbackwards,ionshieldoverloadedandlimbsscatteredamongstthewreckage.War-hornsblaringareply,SireLuminersKnightchargeduptherust-

shipsimprompturampandduckedwithinthebeastsreach.Hisreaperchainbladebitdeepintoitsplatedgut,whichventedageyserofoilysteam.Inresponsethemonstrosityloosedaspiral-paintedrocketatpointblankrange.ItblastedSireLuminersKnightarmouroffbalanceforlongenoughthatthebeastcouldbringitsgrotesquechainsaw-armaroundinagnashingarc.LuminersKnightwasnotcutinhalfsomuchasmangledandcrushedbeyondrecovery,fallingtoitskneesamomentbeforetheOrkmonstrositygut-bargeditsjudderingcorpseintoadozenpieces.

THESECRETSOFHOUSEKAMATA

ThetaleofDyrosofHouseKamataisonetingedwithbetrayal,disgraceandsorrow.ThesecondsonofHyramKamata,Dyroswasraisedtobringfavourtohishouse,oneofAlaricPrimeschosenelite.Whenhisolderbrotherdied,leavingDyrosthehonouroftakingoverhisKnight,theyoungmanwasonlystrengthenedinhisresolvetofulfilhis

duty.However,duringtheRitualofBecomingheheardthewhispersofhisdeceasedbrotherfromtheThroneMechanicum.Indoingsohelearnedthetruthofhisbrothersdeathatthehandsofhisfather,andthedeepliesandtreacherywhichlurkedintheheartofhishouse.DyrosimmediatelyseveredhistiestoHouseKamata,vowingtoacceptexile

ratherthanfightbesidehisfather,andbecameaFreebladeknownonlyastheBladeofRedemption.WiththearrivalofGrukkandtheRedWaaagh!,DyroshasreturnedfromthefarreachesofAlarictofightforhisworldalongsidetheKnightsofKestrenand

Degallio.

THEFALLOFHOUSEKESTREN

ThechargingKnightshadburntagreatfurrowintotheOrkhorde,butintheirhastetoprovethemselvestheyhadoverextendedthemselvesbadly.ThemagnitudeoftheirmistakeonlybecameclearwhenanOrkwarenginedebarkedfromtheflagshipWrathofGork,gunsblazing.Alreadythefateoftheknightlyhouseshunginthebalance...Allaroundthegreenskinhordewasclosingin,theircrudeheavyweaponsaimedattheenginesandrear-quartersoftheKnightsastheyfaceddownthewar-beast.TheremainingwalkerscircledtheOrkmonstrosity,theirionshieldscracklingdefianceastheypoundeditstorsoandheadwithbattlecannonshells.Thebeastsironhidehadtobethickerthanabastionswallstosurvivesuchpunishment,butsurviveitdid.Themonsterloomedforward,staggeringdownwhatwasleftoftheshipsrampwiththeidiotaggressionofadrunkenbrawler.Blastingwildlywithitscannon,itsmashedintoSireFalchineKestrenspurple-plumedKnight,knockingthewalkerintothedirtbeforeraisingagreatfootandstampingtheKnightshelmdeepintoitschest.LordGaulemortcriedoutingriefanddefiance,drivinghisKnightaroundtocloseonthebeastsrear.Histhermalcannonspearedout,blastingtheOrkmachinesprimaryenginestomoltenslag.Thewar-beaststampedandshudderedasittriedtoconfrontitstormentor,buttheKnightscannonscreamedfireoncemore,carvingoffthemonsterschainsawarminasprayofglowinggobbets.Aloudclankcamefromthebrutishwalkershead.LordGaulemortrecoiledinshockasahulkingOrkleaptfromthethicksmokebetweenthewar-beastshornsandlandedwithathumponhisKnightshelm.ThepatriarchfiredhisKnightsheavystubbers,blastingpoint-blankatthemaniacgreenskinclingingtohiswarengine.Eveninsidehiscockpithecouldhearthebulletspingingfromthefiendsarmouredhide.Sweatingandwide-eyed,hecommandedhisfellownoblestoholdfireashesentadesperatepulseofthoughttohisionshield.ElectricalenergiesbegantocracklearoundtheOrksarmour,buildingtoadeadlycrescendothatthreatenedtofrythexenosalive.SylvostVelemestrinignoredGaulemortsordertoholdfireandtooktheshot.AbattlecannonshellsmashedintoGaulemortscockpitwithexplosiveforce,sendinghisKnightreelingbackasitsionshielddissipated.ItwasallthechancetheOrkWarbossneeded.Withawrenchingscreech,thecarapacehatchofLordGaulemortsKnightwasrippedaway.XenosdroolspatteredontotheNoblesfaceastheOrkbellowedhistriumphafewfeetabovehim.Asmoke-belchingpowerklawlungeddownandpluckedGaulemortfromhisthrone,hisbodyjerkingwildlyandsprayingsheetsofbloodasitwassawedintwo.Allaround,thegreenhordechantedandroaredGrukkoverandoverastheirleadergorgedonthehotfleshofhisfoe.

Reaperchainsawraised,GaulemortssonMolorisswunginforarevengekill.However,ashepassedtheOrkwareffigyitlurchedsuddenlytotheleft,hammeringintoMolorisKnightandsendingitstumblingintothedirt.Growling,WarbossGrukkleaptfromGaulemortscrippledwarmachinetolandinfrontofthebowedMoloris.SparksraineddownastheOrkssaw-klawshearedofftheKestrenKnightshelm-plate.ServosstrainedandwhinedasMolorisfoughttoreturnhisKnighttoitsfeet,buthewasnotquickenough.Grukkheadbuttedtheicon-screenthatwastheonlythingbetweenhimandtheKestrenNoble.Itshattered,andtheOrkstampedoneiron-shodbootintothepudgynobleschestribscrunchedandbloodsquirtedasGrukkgroundhisscreamingfoesinnardsunderfoot.Reelingatthelossoftheirleaders,thesurvivingKnightsKestrenbackedawaytowardstheCadiandefenceline.Infocusingonthewar-beastsdestruction,however,theyhadallowedtheOrkhordetoallbutswallowthemcompletely.ThealiensclamberedupeachKnightslegs,lobbingstikkbombsintoengineblocksandshearingcableswithchain-toothedaxes.SireDindhofHouseBrahmicafellbackwardsasanOrktractorbeamfoundpurchaseonhiscarapace,topplinghisKnightamomentbeforeamobofgreenskinswithweldingtorchesswarmedoveritandcutittopieces.OberstrausofHouseTerrynbargedthroughthethrongbeforehisKnightwasblastedapartbyaluckyshotfromoneoftherust-shipsguns.Thesituationlookeddire.

THESTEELHOSTOnlythreeKnightswereleftwhenthethroatyroaroftankenginesfilledtheair.ThirtyblockyhullscrestedtherollinghillstotheeastoftheImperialGuardsdefencelines.Thearmoureddivisionfannedout,layingdownarollingbombardmentthatfelljustbehindtheremainingKnights.EncirclingOrkvehiclesweresentpinwheelingintotheairorblastedintoarainofnuts,boltsandscythinghullplates.AgreatshoutofaggressioncamefromtheOrkhordeasitranheadlongtowardsthelineoftanks.TheCadianvehiclescalmlyreversedatthesamespeedtheOrkswereadvancing,drawingthemintotheteethoftheirguns.TheOrksthathadbeenoverrunningthedefencelines,seeingthisnewfoe,abandonedtheslimpickingstheyhadleftandsprintedtowardstheattackconvergingonthearmouredregiment.TheirinsanebravadoprovedtheirdownfallwhenatrioofHellhoundflametankshurtledfrombehindthebattletanks,theirsheetsofliquidfirereducingmobaftermobofchargingOrkstoash.Beforelongthethickstenchofburninggreenskinfleshfilledtheair.Boughtareprieve,theremainingCadianplatoonsspreadamongstthedefencelines,andthosefewKnightsthathadescapedthedisastersharedvox-signswiththeterseCadianhighcommand.TheyweretoheadsouthandrendezvousbythebanksofBoilingRiver.TheOrkvanguardhadbeenblunted,albeitatatremendouscost.Intheprocess,however,everysingleknightofHouseKestrenincludingLordGaulemorthadmetaviolentandpainfuldeath.

THECADIAN1652nd,THESTEELHOST

DespitetherelativelylatefoundingoftheCadian1652nd,theSteelHostisoneofthemostcelebratedofallCadiastankregiments.Thecohesionandmutualrespectthatbindsitssquadronstogetherenablesthemtofunctionatpeakefficiency,eitherbysupportingthe1651stsinfantryorbyaddingtheirfirepowertotheartillerybarragesofthe1653rd.

TANKCOMMANDERSILASOVIK

SilasOvikisashort,compactmanwhohismenjokeishalf-Ratling.Oviksanswertothetauntsistolethisimpeccablerecordspeakforitself,forhehasledCadiasarmourtovictory

timeandtimeagain.

OvikspersonalisedLemanRussVanquisher,OviksFist,hasclaimedhundredsofwar

enginekillsoverthecenturies.

CREEDSGLAIVE

TheLemanRussPunisherknownasCreedsGlaiveisalwaysthefirstintothefight.Ithas

becomearunningjokeamongtheSteelHostthatifthereissomewaythecrewmenofCreedsGlaivecanbribe,trick,coerceorschemetheirwaytothefronthoursorevendays

beforetherestofthecompany,theywilltakeit.Thecrewmaintainthisisduetotherelativelyshortrangeoftheirtankspunishergatlingcannon,awell-oiledreaperoflives

thathastakenagreattollontheEmperorsenemiesovertheyearstheyclaimthatunlesstheygetstuckinearly,therewontbeanyoftheenemylefttokill.

PRIDEOFCADIA

TheLemanRussVanquisherPrideofCadiaisthecommandtankofColonelThreska,the1652ndsmostseniorofficerafterOvikhimself.Threskahasalwaysbelievedinleadingbyexampleandhisvenerabletankperfectlyencapsulateshismercilessstyleofwarfare.DuringtheIroncoreWorldOffensive,PrideofCadiatalliedadozenconfirmedarmourkillsduring

theopeninghourofcombatalone.

INDOMITABLEMIGHT

IndomitableMight,orsimplyOldIndomitabletoitscrew,hasareputationforbeingatemperamental,unrulybeast.Itsmachinespiritrequiresconstantsoothingandithasahabitofshuttingdownduringtrainingexercises.Thatsuchacantankerousmachinehas

founditswayintooneofCadiasmostprestigioustankcompaniesisdueonlytoitsimpressivewarriorspirit,forwhenbattleisjoinedOldIndomitablewillrushforwardtoengagefoesbiggerthanitself,oftenslayingthemoutrightwithitsdemolishercannon.

ThegrandbanneroftheSteelHostfluttersabovethetankintheregimentthathasscoredthemostvehiclekillsinthepreviousengagement.Thistraditionensuresmuchfriendly

competition,andoccasionalheroism,fromthetankersoftheSteelHost.

THETHUNDERHEADS

PerhapsthemostelitetanksquadronintheSteelHost,theThunderheadshavebeentheregimentslynchpinforoverthreecenturies,spearheadingeveryassaultandactingasananchorforeverydefence.Thetanksofthishonouredsquadronhaveservedsincethe

1652ndsfounding;thescarsandhonoursetchedintotheirhullscanbereadasahistoryoftheregimentitself.CompetitionforaplaceasaThunderheadcrewmanisjustifiablyfierce,andonlytankerswhohaveearnedtheValedictoImperialisareevenconsideredforthis

distinguishedduty.

SKY-REAPER

BeforebeingattachedtotheSteelHost,theHydraSky-reaperwasdeployedalongsideShockTroopregimentsduringtheTellexCampaign,providingtheCadianinfantrywithmuchneededair-defenceagainstthewingedhorrorsofHiveFleetLeviathan.Sky-reapersattachmenttothe1652ndwasindirectresponsetothefamedregimentslossestoOrk

aircraftonOrgathsWorld.WhilstsomeoftheSteelHostsmoreveterantankcrewsseeSky-reapersdeploymentasaconstantreminderoftheirdefeat,eventhesecriticshavereasonto

begratefulofitspresencewhenenemybombersarepatrollingtheskies.

STEINSANVIL

TheCadiansarefamousfortheprecisionwithwhichtheywagewar,yetagainstafoeasunpredictableastheOrks,eventheirdisciplinewastestedtothelimit.AsmillionsofOrkinvadersspilledfromtheirrust-ships,itbecameobviousthatonlybyisolatinganddestroyingeachelementofthexenosarmycouldtheImperiumhopeforvictory.CastellanSteinknewhisTacticaImperialiswell.Thewardoctrineofthatancienttometeachesthatwheretheenemycomesoninagreathorde,itisbesttomeetthematanarrowpoint,sothattheirnumberscannotbebroughttobear.Thelargenumbersofrust-shipsandthewideopenplainsofAlaricPrimehadrobbedhimofsuchastrategy,soSteinhadplannedtorebufftheOrkattackfromadefendedpositioninstead,attemptingtobluntitsmomentumwithawalloflasfire.Onceonerust-shipshordehadbeenneutralised,heintendedtoretreattoBoilingRiveranduseitsgreatbridgesaskillingfieldstodealwiththenextrust-shipsswarm.Ifallwentwell,theywouldrollouttheirmobiledefenceacrossthecontinent,fightingarunningbattlewheretheOrkswouldstruggletobringtheirnumberstobear.Thingshadgoneworsethanbadlyduringtheinitialengagement,however.ThecalamitouseventsthatunfoldedamongsttheImperiallineshadallowedmoreOrkstomustersouthofSacredMountain.Nowthehorizonwasblackwithxenosmarauders,stompingandshoutingwithboundlessbattlelust.ReconSentinelshadreportedbackthatmanyofthegreenskinswereengagedinsalvageoperations,haulingnotonlytheirownwreckagebacktotherust-shipsbutalsothatofthefallenKnights.WhathadbecomeofthepilotsSteindidntliketothink.Loweringhismagnoculars,thecastellanshookhisheadindisappointment.TheOrkattackhadbeenslowed,butnotstymiedintheleast.Greenskinsstillboiledoutofthehullofthetitaniccraft,andtoitsleewardsideanotherthousands-stronghordehadamassed.Evennowthegreenskinthrongflowedtowardsthem,mergingwiththesalvagersonthewindwardsidetocomeoninagreatmass.ThescaleoftheOrkinvasionwasbecominghorriblyclear.Steinmadeaquickmentalcalculation.Ifeachoneoftherust-shipsfightingthroughtheflakstorminloworbitheldasimilarnumberofxenoswarriorsasthosealreadyplanetside,AlaricPrimewouldbelostinlessthanaweek.WithaneffortofwilltheCadianofficerreturnedhisthoughtstothetaskathand.Therewasanexterminationtobeconducted,andwithBoilingRiverastheirally,agreattollcouldbetakenontheapproachinghorde.Asthecastellanscommandtanksentvox-codestothebattletanksandartilleryoftheCadian1652ndand1653rd,hisinfantryquicklyandefficientlyformedupintotheformationhismencalledSteinsAnvil.Platoonafterplatoontookuppositiononthebanksoftheriver,heavyweaponsbracedandammunitionpiledhigh.IfreportsfromSteinsValkyrieswereaccurate,thepoorcoordinationoftheOrkinvasionstill

affordedthemachancetosuppressitsectionbysection.TheremainderofGrukksforcesplanetsidecouldbeheldandperhapsevenbrokenonthebanksofBoilingRiverbeforethewarriorsfromtheeasternmostrust-shipsmadetheirwaynorthwardstocutofftheCadianescaperoute.Suchamilitaryfeatwouldrequireimpeccabledisciplineandperfecttiming.Steinsmiledthinlytohimself;thosewerequalitiesthateverymanintheCadian1651stpossessedingreatmeasure.Hehadseentoithimself.AstheCadiansmadetheirfinalpreparationsonthebanksofBoilingRiver,thevox-netcrackledintermittentlywithnauticalshanty-signs.ToSteinsmind,theycouldhavecomefromonlyonesource.ItlookedlikeWarbossGrukkwasabouttogetasurpriseofhisown.

Fromhistankscupola,SilasOvikwatchedtheOrkschargetowardthebridgesandintotheteethofhissquadronsoverlappingfieldsoffire.Aveteranofmanytank

battlesagainsttheOrks,herecognisedthedistinctiveblack-and-whitechequerpatternsoftheirforwardelements.Goffs,theycalledthemselves,orsomethinglikeit.Whilethebeastsdisplayednogreatwitortactics,Ovikknewalltoowellhowunstoppabletheycouldbeonthecharge.TheGoffslikedtofightasanavalancheofgreen-skinned

muscle,iron-shodbootsandhornedhelmsagainstwhichfewfoescouldstandforlong.OvikhadseenmorethanoneImperialpositionoverrunbytheOrks,thebrutesleaping

overtheirdeadtogetattheenemy.AstheychargedtowardsSteinsdefencelines,theGoffschantedandyelled,theirvoicesjoiningtobecomeadeeprumble.Thechantmixedwiththehammeringoftheirbootsandfilledtheairwithawallofmenacingsound.Nomatterhowmanytimesheheard

it,thesoundwasenoughtogiveSilasOvikpause.Bettergettoit,hethought,closingthecupolaanddrawingabeadontheforefrontof

theonrushingxenoshorde.

THERAINOFDEATHAssoonastheOrkswereinrange,theartillerysquadronsoftheCadian1653rdopenedfire.Heavymunitionsraineddeathintothemassedhordestompingitswaytowardstheriverbanks.Manticoresfiredhigh-explosiverocketsinsoaringarcs,Wyvernshurledmunitionsthatfilledtheairwithrazorshards,andBasilisksthunderedathirty-gunsalutetoSteinsbattleplan.Thedinoftherollingbarragewasimmense.FromSteinsvantagepointitlookedasifthegodsthemselveswerelevellingtheirhatredatthexenosthrong.Justasthecastellanhadanticipated,theOrkmassesranforwardratherthanfallingback,hopingtoclosewithinthereachoftheImperialGuardartillery.Itwasabravestrategy,butultimatelyafoolishone.AflotillaoframshackleOrkvehicles

hoveintosight,thedusttrailsoftheirpassagemarkingthemclearasday.Onebyone,theyfoundthemselvesunderpinpointfirefromtheplatoonsthatoccupiedthebastionsbeyondtheriver,andonebyone,theyblossomedintoflame.WhereveramobofOrksgrewclosetothebanksofBoilingRiver,ahundredlasgunswouldspikeoutintotheirranksuntiltheOrkshadtoclimboverthecorpsesoftheircomradestoadvance.Steinnoddedappreciativelyashisplatoonswentabouttheirbloodywork.Thesignalsringingoutacrossthevox-netwerecominginsofastitwasdifficulttokeeptrack.TheCadiansstationedatBridgeZetaSechadfiredtheirownartillerybarragesintotheironcladOrkarmyinboundontheirposition,butwithfarlesseffecttheirdetonationshadbeenallbutnullifiedbycracklingforcefieldsthatprotectedtheOrksfromharm.TheriversideplatoonswerecullingOrksatagratifyingrate,butthetideofinvaderswouldnotbestemmedformuchlonger.ItwastimeforphasetwoofSteinsbattleplantoswingintoplace.AstheOrkfootsoldierspoundedtowardsthebridges,atrioofChimeraarmouredtransportshurtleduptherampsofboththeZetaSecandZetaTertbridges.Thevehiclesformedawallofsteel,multilasersblazing.TheyhadbarelystoppedmovingbeforesquadsofOgrynsdebarkedfrominsideandlumberedpastthem,eachabhumanwarriorheftingaslabshieldastheOrksfusilladethickened.Crudebulletshammeredawayattheshieldwalltonorealeffect.Hurledstikkbombsleftthewarriorsunfazed,theirthickarmourplatesabsorbingeachblast.Rotundxenosbomber-beastsboundedtowardsthem,fuseshissingontheirbacks.ThegreatOgrynsmerelytoe-puntedthebeastsintotheriver,pillarsofmurkywatereruptingwherevertheydetonated.AmongstthebastionsontheeastsideofBridgeZetaTert,CastellanSteinwatchedtheexertionsofhisabhumanswithnosmallmeasureofpride.TheOgryncounter-attackcouldbuythemallthetimetheyneeded.

CommissarPalevscreamedattheBullgrynsquadtoholdthelineasthefirstOrksslammedintotheirshields.Palevcouldalmostfeeltheairtrembleasthegreat

abhumansstrainedtheirmusclestoholdbackthegreenskins.AstheOrkspressedforward,theirchoppas,bootsandfistshammeredintotheslabshields.TheOgrynspushedback,bracingtheirheavyfeetandgraduallyforcingthegreentideback.

InisolatedplacesPalevsawanOrktumbleovertheshieldwall,thoughthesewerequicklybeatentothegroundunderbattlemaulsandheavyfeet.Evenwhentheroaring

Orkhordewasmorethanadozendeepagainstthem,stilltheOgrynsstoodtheirground.Theywereawallofsteel,muscleandgritthroughwhichnomeremobofBoyz

couldhopetopass.

THEBATTLEOFTHEBRIDGES

TheOrkhordethatpouredfromthelandedrust-shipshadoverpoweredtheKnightssentagainstthem,andtheflamesofbattlelustburnedbrightintheinvadinggreenskinarmiesastheypushedonwards.TheAstraMilitarumtookastandatBridgesZetaSecandZetaTert,hopingtoengagethenumberlessthrongacrossasnarrowafrontageaspossible.TheOrkvanguard,intheireagernessforwar,plungedbodilyintotheriverandattemptedtoswimacross.TheysoonfoundoutwhythepeopleofAlaricPrimecalleditBoilingRiverthesulphurousventsthatbubbledontheriverbedmadesectionsofthewatercoursehisswithsimmering,toxicfumes.TotheamazementoftheCadiansstationedontheriverbank,thegreenskinskeptoncomingwhereahumanwouldhavebeenboiledalive.Acrossthewidewatercourse,theOrksspiltintothewaterlikeastampedingherdofbeasts,thrashingtheirgreatape-likearmsastheyslowlypropelledthemselvesthroughthebubblingliquid.ThoughthetoxicityofthewaterskilledonlyasmallportionoftheOrks,itslowedtherestenoughtomaketheirdeathsallbutcertain.Thousandsofruby-redlasbeamsburnedtheairastheplatoonsstationedontheriverbanksignoredtheegg-stinkoftheriverssulphurfumesandopenedfirewithwell-drilledprecision.BeforelongthewaterwasfilledwithsmoulderinggreenskincorpsesthatbumpedtogetherastheyfloatedtowardstheyawningmouthoftheGreatEstuary.

GRUKKSBIGREDCHARGEThenGrukkhimselfreachedthefight.WithhiswareffigyreducedtoascrapmetalfortressbyGaulemortVelemestrin,theWarbosshadtrundledtothefrontlineinamassivehornedwagonemblazonedwithagiantwhitebullshead.ThevehiclewasthetargetofflurriesofmissilesandlaserblastsfromtheCadiansmanningtheothersideoftheriver,butdespitedozensofarmourplatesbeingblastedfromitschassis,thethingkeptcoming.Itthumpedbodilyoverthetanktrapsattheendofthebridgebeforeitsmetalmawclangedopen,disgorgingaposseofmassiveOrks.AttheirheadwasGrukkhimself,hispowerclawrevvingandhisvoiceraisedinabestialroarwhilehismassiveattacksquigdrooledhumanbloodfrombetweenmantrapjaws.SteinandtherestoftheCadianhighcommandmuttereddarklyatthisnewdevelopment,reassigningtheirValkyrieandVendettaairsupporttointerceptthexenoscommanderbeforehecouldreachtheCadianline.Inthedistance,lightswinkedandcolumnsofjet-flamelitthenightastheheavyaircraftoftheMilitarumTempestusregimentsliftedofffromtheSkyshieldnexus,TauroxAPCstrackingintheirwake.Theywereonlyafewmilesdistant,stationedbetweenbridgesZetaSecandZetaTert,buttheWarbosswasfaster.Smashinglucklessunderlingsfromhispath,hestormedacrossthespanofthebridgethroughablindingnetoflasfire,headloweredlikeachargingbull-grox.

TheOgrynsuponthebridgesettheirslabshieldsandpreparedfortheOrkelitesimpact,butGrukkhadbuiltupacannonballmomentum.HehittheOgrynslinewithsuchforcethemassiveabhumanswerebowledbodilytotheground.TheWarbossstartedtolashoutwithhismassivepowerklaw,notsawingandcrushingashehadagainsttheImperialKnightsafewhoursbefore,butusingitasagiantmetalclubtobludgeonthereelingOgrynstomush.BoneheadGrunkt,thesergeantoftheBullgrynsquad,raisedhispowermaulinbothhandsandtookaswingatGrukksheadthatwouldhavedecapitatedaSpaceMarine.Grukksteppedbackwardsatthecriticalmomentbeforelaunchingforwardtoshoulder-bargeGrunktoverthesideofthebridge.TheOgrynsbellowingfadedasBoilingRiverpulledhimdeepbelow.TheOgrynswerereinforcedbyanothertwoBullgrynsquadsjustasGrukksbodyguardhithome.EachNobwascladintheheaviestarmourtheirMekscouldprovide.Anuntidybrawlthatwasmorewrestlingmatchthanmeleespilledacrossthebridge.TheValkyriesandVendettasthathadscrambledfromthenearbySkyshieldnexuspassedoverhead,butwiththeirabhumancomradesmingledamongsttheOrkMeganobs,decentfiringsolutionswereallbutimpossible.BehindtheOrkelitecamearoaringfloodofOrkwarriorsthatstampedandchanted,theairallbutsetalightbytheirraveningbattlelust.Blastsoffizzinggreenenergyarcedupintotheskiesfromstrangely-dressedshamansintheirmidst,twoofthemfindingtheVendettasthatroaredoverhead,strikingtheirenginesandsendingthemspinningoutofcontrol.TheCadiansstationedontheothersideofthebridgefocusedtheirfireandmadeeveryvolleycount,killinghundredsofOrksandforcingthosebehindtoscrambleoverthecorpsesoftheircomrades.Theymightaswellhavebeenthrowingrocksagainstthewatersofaburstdam.ThegreentidebrokeoverthemaulingMeganobsandOgrynsinthecentreofthebridgeandpouredpast,GrukkandhisbodyguardallbuthiddenfromsightastheOrkshurdledandleapedfortheothersideofthebridge.Lasfirespat,andwitheachpassingsecondadozenmoreOrksdied.Itwasnotenough.

GholoVelemestrinwatchedastheOrkstriedtocrossBoilingRiver,crammingontothebridgesorleapingintothewater.ThroughthemagnificationplatesonthecanopyofhisKnighthecouldseethebattleforthebridgesslowlyunfoldingbelowhim.The

Noblesmiledgrimlyashewatchedthealiensthrashandburninthesulphurouswateroftheriver,rememberingtheoldtalesofthebloodofthemountainandthetoxicfireswhichburnedstillbeneathitsroots.OnesuchtaletoldofhowBoilingRiverhadbeenknownbyanothername,nowlosttothemarchoftime,butthatithadturnedtoxicovernightwhenoff-worldinvadershadsoughttoplunderthemountain.Somehadmumbledthatitwasmerelycoincidencethattheriverhadturnedtoxicthatnight,adeepfissureopenedbyachanceearthquakereleasingvirulentchemicalsfromdeepbelow;cuttingtheraidersofffromtheirvesselandcookingthosethatdaredtocross.Gholoknewbetter.AshewatchedtheOrksskinburnandbleach,heknewthathewas

watchingthevengeanceofSacredMountainatwork.

THESTAGGERINGSTRIKECastellanSteinhadpredictedthiseventuality;evenexpectedit.Platoonbyplatoon,theCadiansbegantowithdraw,theirpacemeasuredastheymovedtonewpredeterminedpositionswithouttalkingorslowingtheirrateoffire.Suchwastheirprecisionandtrainingthateachsoldieremptiedhislas-clipatthesametimeastherestofhissquad,kneelingtoreloadjustasthesquadbehindthemtookuptheslack.TheOrksboiledfromthebridgeinascramblingheap,manyoftheirnumberasmuchdeadasaliveasthehordefelloveritselfintheirhastetoreachclosequarters.Someofthemsucceeded,tearingintothewithdrawingCadianswithsuchforcethattheGuardsmencouldnotescape.Choppasroseandfell,limbswerehackedfrombodiesandheadscutinhalfasthefrenziedviolenceoftheWaaagh!tookitstoll.WhereveraCadianplatoonfell,thetriumphantOrkslookedupfromtheirbloodyworkonlytorealisetheywereexposedinaclearkillingfield.HeavyweaponplatoonsdeployedattherearoftheGuardlinehammeredmass-reactiveboltsandlascannonfireintotheblood-coveredmarauders.OrkbodiesshudderedandwererippedapartastheGuardsmenavengedtheircomradeswithgrimefficiency.EachtimeanOrkmobreachedtheCadianlineitwouldquicklyfinditselfinnomansland.Momentslateritwouldberippedapartbythecounterfireofnearbysupportplatoons.Steinstraphadbeensetwell,anditsjawswereclaimingxenoslivesbythehundred.

IfanyofyousomuchasthinkaboutfiringbeforeIgivetheorder,youjustvolunteeredforpermanentrearguardandlatrinedutytoboot.WearethebestsoldiersintheImperium,andthehonourofCadiarestsonyourshoulders.TheGod-Emperorhimselfiswatching,sodontyoudarefire,notbeforeyouseethepointsoftheirteeth.Butwhenyoudo,letthemhaveallhell!

-SergeantDainHalban,Cadian1651stregiment,InfantryCompanyEpsilon

THERIVERRUNSRED

TheCadianstrongpointontheeasternsideofBoilingRiverhadprovenallbutunassailable.Atthatmoment,though,theOrkstribalshamansenteredthefight.Momentslater,mayhemreignedastheOrkinvadersappearedfromnowhere,fallingupontherearofCastellanSteinslinesandreversingtheflowofthebattlewithoneswiftblow.SteinscarefullypositionedcrumplezoneshadbluntedtheOrkadvanceatZetaTertandZetaSecalike.TheBullgrynsquadshadultimatelyfallentoGrukksonslaught,andthenumberofOrkschargingacrossthebridgeshadprovenpracticallyendless.Still,thesheerdisciplineoftheCadianplatoonshadseentheirorderedretreattacticstriumphagainandagain.AstheOrksbottleneckedthemselvesonthefarsideoftheriver,theartillerycompaniesofthe1653rdsentbarrageafterbarragehammeringintothemassofgreenflesh,eachblasttakingagreatchunkoutofthehorde.Steinnodded.Sofar,foreveryoneofhismenthathadfallen,fifty,perhapssixtyOrkswerelitteringthebridgeheadsascorpses.ThencamesomethingtheCadianhighcommandhadnotpredicted.PinpricksofgreenlightskiddedandfizzedacrosstheplainsbehindtheImperialGuardlinesbeforebloomingintoshimmeringhemispheresthesizeofhab-domes.ThebubblesburstwithaudiblepopstoexposemobaftermobofOrks,coveredinbluewarpaintandstompingtheirfeetinunisonastheychantedErewegooverandoveragain.Theartillerysquadronsgazedinshockedaweatthefrothingwarriorsthathadmaterialisedonlyafewhundredfeetfromthem,thexenospsykersintheirmidststillglowingwithfaintgreenlight.Desultorylasgunfiretookdownahandfulofthenewcomers,butitwasofnouse.TheOrksswarmedamongstthestaticartillery,clamberingovertracksandbackplatestocatchthepanickinggunmendesperatelytryingtoescape.Itwashopeless.InamatterofminutestheBasiliskandWyvernpositionswereoverrun.Steinfrownedasthevoxreportsfromhisartillerywentsilent,andcommandedhisairsupporttocomebackaround.Lessthanaminutelater,TempestorPrimeWhitlocksValkyriesandVendettaswereinboundagain,lascannonspickingoffOrkshereandtherewitheachpass.TheOrkswereallovertheartillerybatteries;evenheavybolterfirehadlittleeffectonthem.Alarmingly,thebarrelofeachBasiliskhadbeenraisedtomaximumelevation.ManyofthecapturedBasiliskslurchedintooneanotherwithscreechesofmetalorturnedslowlyonthespot,butforthemostpart,theyopenedfire.Therecameastaccatoseriesofboomsastheartillerypieceslootedbytheblue-paintedOrkraidershammeredtheirpayloadsintotheskies.Uptheearthshakershellswent,eachtracingthesteepestofparabolasintheairbeforefallingbackdownintotheranksofthewithdrawingCadianplatoonsbelow.ThesheerviolenceofthesuddenbarragedestroyedallcohesionintheCadianretreat.Eachroundkilledadozenormoreofthetightly-packedsoldieryslowlyretreatingfromthefrontline.WiththeGuardsmenontheriverbanksoccupiedbythesuddenheavyfire,theOrksthat

hadswumacrossBoilingRiverwerefreetoclamberupthebanks,bladesheldbetweentheirsnaggletoothedjaws.Withinminutestheentirebattlelinewasengulfedinviolence.Theordered,disciplinedCadianwithdrawalwasfastbecomingatotalrout.Steinwasbarkingordersintohisvox,desperatetorestorethetattersofhisbattleplanandsecuretheplannedretreattotheflanksofSacredMountain,whenhisAstropath,Zeil,approachedhim.Apprehensionwasetcheduponthemysticseyelessface.SteinmotionedforhismentobesilentasZeilstutteredhisreport.TwomoreOrkhordeshadmadeplanetfalltothesoutheast.Hecouldfeeladull,threateningroarinthebackofhismindthattoldhimthesavagearmiesweremovingintocutofftheirlineofescape.Thevox-netcrackledwithshoutsandscreamsastheOrkassaultredoubledinintensity.CastellanSteinwascursingfuriouslywhentherecameaclearandwelcomedrawloverthecommschannel,calmandmeasuredandheavywiththeweightofyears.ThisisLordNeruDegallio,requestingpermissiontojointhefestivities.Bloodywellgetonwithitthen!shoutedStein,veinsbulginginhisneck.Lessthanaminutelater,thegroundshookwithsuchviolencethattheentireCadianhighcommandwerealmostpitchedfromtheirfeet.Alleyesturnedsouthtoseethatthehorizonhadsproutedaprofusionoftowersandhive-spires.Inthefardistance,aloomingcliffofmetalgroundtowardstheforcesatZetaTert,itssheermassforcingthegroundtoshudderinrevulsion.IsleDegallioslammedbodilyintothemouthoftheGreatEstuary.Itcloggedthekilometer-widewatercourselikeacorksealingabottle.Giantramps,eacheasilyaslargeastheriverbridgestheOrkinvaderswerenowchargingacross,slammeddownontothemainland.Acrosstheirspansmarcheddozens,scoreseven,ofImperialKnights.Thegiantwalkersadvancedatalopingrunthatfilledthehorizonwithdullreddust,splittingupintofoursub-housesastheycame.TwooftheKnightlancestookthewestbank,movingintobombardthethickeningbottleneckofOrksattemptingtocrossatZetaTert.Theothertwogroupsheadedeastatspeed,movingonaninterceptcoursetocutofftheOrkhordesthatZeilhaddetectedtothesoutheast.ThedullthumpofdistantexplosionsechoedacrosstheplainsastheKnightsblastedtheleadingvehiclesattheheadofeachhordetoscrapmetal.Steinbreathedaheavysighofrelief,thankingtheEmperorforamomentbeforeshoutingoutclippedinstructionstoeachofhissubsidiarycommands.Theorderswererelayedthroughtheranksintonesthatbrookednoargument.Slowly,painstakingly,andatagreatcostinlives,theCadianechelonsre-establishedorder.MilitarumTempestusregimentscommandedbyTempestorPrimeWhitlockflewinatspeed,disembarkingfromthereardoorsoftheirValkyriesinmid-air.Activatingtheirgrav-chutes,thedescendingwarriorsscytheddowntheOrksmillingaroundtheartillerybatterieswithpinpointhot-shotlasgunfire,killingeverylastoneofthexenosbeforetheirbootseventouchedtheground.Squadbysquad,theCadiansmountedupintotheirTauroxandChimeratransportsand

begantheirretreatinearnest.Cannonturretspivotedbackwardtofireastreamoflasandsolidshotintothehordeasitmilledandswirledbehindthem,thexenosshoutingobscenitiesintheirwake.

SergeantDainHalbanspatintothedirtandejectedthesmokingspentclip

fromhislasgun.HeyelledathissquadtocontinuetheirmeasuredretreatfromtheriverasthemenbehindthemlaiddownarhythmicpatternoflasgunfirethatscythedintotheadvancingOrks.Artilleryroundswerehammeringintotheirpackedranksasthexenospressedclosetogethertocrossthebridges.DainallowedhimselfacruelsmileasgeysersofdirtandbrokenOrkbodieswerehurledintotheskywhereverashellstruckhome.Withclearordersandyearsoftraining,hismenwerestoicinthefaceofthefoe.Everymanand

womanfiredinwell-disciplinedranks,notasinglelasblastmissingitstarget.Dainwasabouttoorderanotherwavetofallbackingoodorderwhenabruptlytheartilleryfellsilent.Foramomentamidthedinofbattlethe

sergeantwasunsureofhimself,perplexedastowhySteinwouldsilencethegunswiththeOrksstillpressingforwardonallfronts.Thenextsoundhe

heardwasunmistakable,adescendingwhistlethateveryveteranknewtofear.Hescreamedoutawarningonlyafractionofasecondbeforethefirstshellfellamongthecompany.InaninstanttheneatfiringlineandorderedretreatofDainsplatoonwasshattered,anditwastheOrksturntoyellandjeerastheCadiansownartillerywasturnedagainstthem.Forafewbrief,chaoticmoments,Daintriedtorallyhismen,reorderthelinesandcontinuethefightingwithdrawal,butallorderwassweptawaybyabarrageofshells,

fallingatrandomallalongtheCadianline.Atfirstonlyafewmenturnedandran,panicdistortingtheirfacesastheyfled,butinthespaceoflessthana

minutethefragileCadianformationcollapsedcompletely.Theretreatswiftlybecamearout.

AsOrkspressedforwardwithoutthesuppressingfirefromtheCadianstoslowtheiradvance,therearelementsofthecompanybecameembroiledinamessymelee.Overrunbyasnarlinggreentide,thedefendersofAlaricwerefallingtocrudebladesandsheerbruteforce.Determinedtodiefacingtheenemy,Dainturnedandemptiedhisclipinahailoflasfire.WiththeOrkattackersalmost

uponhim,Dainbracedfordeath,bayonetraised,butwasthrowntothegroundbytheshockwaveofabattlecannonshelldetonating.Deafenedandgaspinginthedirt,Dainlookedupinawe.AnImperialKnightsteppedoverhim,blottingoutthelightofthestarsforamoment.Thegreatwarmachine

thunderedintotheOrks,enginesroaringlikesomeprimevalpredatorreadytofeed.

BytheEchoesoftheGreatSeaandourAncestorKnights,

BytheBloodofourBloodandtheSpiritofAlaric,BeourBladesneverDryandourGunsneverCold,

WhiletheEnemiesofManwalkupontheSacredIsle.-WarOathofHouseDegallio

SAVIOURSFROMTHESEA

ThearrivaloftheIsleDegalliocamenotamomenttoosoon,forthegreenskinhordesemergingfromdistantrust-shipsweredrawntothesoundofbattleasstarvingmenaredrawntothesmelloffreshly-cookedmeat.AsLordDegalliomadehispresencefelt,thestruggleforBoilingRiverwasrejoinedwithrenewedfervour.TheAlabasterLancersofLordNeruDegallio,atfullstrengthandwithammunitiontospare,chantedthejoyousbattlehymnsoftheirancientorderastheyboredownupontheOrkinvaders.TheyhitGrukksbottleneckedcolumnatZetaTertlikeachevaliersspearplungingintotheneckofaterriblegreenwyrm.ThermalcannonsreducedOrkstosuperheatedmistandrapid-firingbattlecannonstoregougesoutofthepackedranksjustastheCadian1653rdartilleryhaddonebefore.Thedeathtollquicklymounted.LordDegalliohimselfledasquadronofhisfinestKnightstothefarendofthebridge,ionshieldsreconfiguredsotheycrackledbetweenhiswarriorsandthemissilesthatcorkscrewedcrazilyfromthehordeintheirdirection.Withaseriesofpinpointblastsfromtheirthermalcannons,thelancersmeltedthroughthestoutgirdersandstanchionsthatraisedthebridgeabovetheboilingwaters.TheirplanwassoundtostrandtheOrksofthefirstrust-shipononesideoftheGreatEstuarytoallowtheirCadianalliestoescapebutthebridgehadwithstoodthepassageofmillennia,anditwouldnotfalleasily.Worsestill,themassiveformsofGrukkandhisMeganobzwerebullyingtheirwaythroughthehordetowardthematspeed.LordDegalliosKnightsuit,theWhiteWarden,stampeditswayintothethrong.Crouchinglowwithahissofhydraulics,theKnightsreaperchainswordwhirredinahorizontalarconlyafewfeetfromtheground.DozensofOrkswerechewedintoredruinastheWardensarmgroundon,butDegalliostruetargetwasnotthegreenskins.Atthefullestextentofthearc,theWardenschainswordcarvedrightintothecentralstanchionthatheldthebridgefirm,screaminginexertionasitstitaniumteethjudderedthroughtheheartofthebridge.FocusedheavystubberfirefromDegalliosescortbroughtdownanyOrksthatgottooclosetotheirlord,holdingthembackforafewvitalseconds.Withagreatmetallicscream,DegalliopushedthebarrelofhisKnightsbattlecannonundertheruinedbridgenexttoitschainswordanddischargedapoint-blankblast.Slowly,miraculously,theWhiteWardenliftedthesplinteringendofBridgeZetaTertlikeanancientAlaricandemigodperformingamythicalfeatofstrength.Rubblecascadeddown,crushingtheOrksthatwerepushedintothegapashundredsoftheirtribe-matesfoughttogetwithinstrikingrangeofthegreativorywalker.Withatremendouscrackofstone,thebridgetoppledtotheright,afullhalfofitslengthfallingawayintothesulphurouswatersofBoilingRiver.HundredsofOrksfellwithit.Grukkandhisheavily-armouredretinue,onlyafewmetresfrombringingtheirpowerklawslevelwiththeWhiteWardenshelm,staggered

sidewaysforamomentbeforepitchingintothedepthswithagreatsplash.TheOrkhordegaveamonstrousbellowofrageandfrustration.BridgeZetaTert,whichhadstoodfirminthefaceofthousandsofyearsoferosionandthehammerblowsofImperialartilleryalike,hadbeendestroyed.

THESEABLADEOUTMATCHEDThesightofsomanyexplosionseruptingatthebridgeheadofZetaTerthadactedlikeabeaconforthebulkoftheOrkhorde.Lumbering,smokingwarmachinesclosedinontheDegallioKnights,theircrudecannonssendingfat-bodiedshellshurtlingtowardstheescortthatprotectedLordNeruashecollapsedthebridge.WiththeDegalliobodyguardfocussedonkeepingtheOrkfootsoldiersfromswampingtheirmaster,afewoftheapproachingOrkwalkersscoreddirecthitsonthebrightly-accoutredKnights,droppingthemtotheirkneesor,inthecaseofSireBetelDegallio,detonatingtheirtargetspectacularlyasthewalkersreactorwentcritical.Withthebridgecollapsedandanewthreatfastapproaching,LordNeruorderedhisKnightstorallyinthewatercourseofBoilingRiveritself.TheKnightscarefullysteppedbackwardsintotheshallowsoftheriver,afeatofagilitythattheOrkwalkerswouldfindimpossibletoemulate.Navy-patternionshieldswerebroughtupinformationtoformacracklingshieldofenergythatflaredbrighteveryfewsecondsasOrkshellsstruckhome.Itwasthenthatthexenoswalkerscameintoviewthroughthedustandconfusionofbattle.SquatOrkoideffigiesgroundforwardonpiston-drivenlegs,lookingforalltheworldasifGrukksownwarmachinehadspawnedabroodofmetalmonstersandsentthemtofinishwhatithadstarted.Solid-shotcannonsofextremesizehunglikemusculararmsfromeachofthehumanoidwalkers,thunderinganimpressivevolumeoffirepowerintotheDegallioranks.TheAlabasterLancersionshieldsdeflectedordetonatedthemajorityoftheshot,buthereandthereashellsnuckthrough,detonatingonanarmouredthighorrippingopenaheraldiccarapace.LordNeruquicklysurveyedthesituationfromthecoveroftheruinedbridge.Thereweredozensofthedamnedthingsheadingthroughthesmoke,andthewesternDegalliodetachmenthadbeenreducedtofewerthantenstronginthefightingatthebridgehead.Worsestill,theKnightsweretakingheavyfirefromtheOrksthathadbeenfightingtheCadiansontheothersideoftheriver.WithtwomassiveOrkarmieshavingnofoetoventtheirfuryuponotherthantheDegallios,LordNerusoptionswerenarrowingfast.Heorderedhislancetobreakformationandstridedownriverasfastaspossibleinboxformation,theionshieldsoftheoutlyingKnightsto

eithersideandthoseoftherearmostKnightsprotectingtheirbacksastheymadeallspeedtowardIsleDegallio.Alongthebanksoftheriver,thefootsloggingOrkhordedidtheirbesttokeeppace,buttheKnightsweremastersoftheirwarenginesandstillhadplentyofpowerlefttoburn.

THEGREATISLANDAramshackleflotillaofOrkvehiclesfollowedtheDegallioKnights,roaringalongtheriverbank.TheyveeredandswervedastheyfiredwildlyinaccuratevolleysatLordNeruslancers.Thevehiclespursuedthesplashing,stompingKnightsforkilometreafterkilometre,theircrewwhoopingandmakingfoulgesturesastheyzoomedalongtheriverbank.Swarmsofbuzzingcopter-crafthurtledupthewatercourse,gunsblazingastheydartedpastlikegiantmosquitosharryingtheircumbersomeprey.FortheKnightstoturnandfightwouldbetoallowthepursuinghordesachancetocatchup,andthatcouldnotbeallowed.LordNerugrittedhisteethasSireTetherineDegalliosKnightwentdownintothewater,itslegblastedfromitshipbyaluckyrokkitshot.HisKnightsweresoclosenowhecouldalmostimaginethekissoftheseaonhisface.AnymomentnowtheOrkswouldlearnapainfullesson.Suddenly,thereitwasadistantcrack-boomthatwasswiftlyfollowedbyavastcolumnofwatershootingupwardattheirflank,whichconsumedatrioofDeffkoptasthatwerewhirringpasttheretreatingKnights.Amomentlatertheriverbankexplodedintofireasdetonationsstitchedtheirwaythroughthexenospursuitwithmerciless,relentlessforce.Scrappingedandscythedthroughtheair,bouncingoffKnightcarapacesandthuddingintothedustastheOrkvehicleswerereducedtoshardsofglowingshrapnel.IsleDegallioitselfhadjoinedthefight,itslong-gunsinrangeandaccurateenoughtohammertheOrkforceswithoutendangeringtheirownwarriors.Withtheimmensefirepoweroftheironislandbroughttobear,thefewsurvivingOrkvehicleshowledoffintothewilderness,lookingforlessferociousprey.Warhornsblaring,LordNeruDegalliosKnightsmarchedthelastfewhundredmetrestotheirfortress,avasthangarbayopeningintheislandsgutsastheydrewnear.Thebattleofthebridgewasover,andwithit,themomentumofGrukksassaultblunted.

DAFISTSOFGORK

Thoughslowandcumbersome,theGorkanautsknownasdaFistsofGorkareamongstGrukksmostpowerfulassets.Eachhasfoughtonadozenworlds,andtheirrustedhullsarespatteredwiththeremainsofawidevarietyofalienspeciesaswellasthebloodofcountlessImperialtroops.

KANKILLA

Drogg,thepilotofKankilla,wasoncestompedbyaKillaKanafteritsGrotpilotdecidedtotakerevengeonhisbullyingnemesis.Droggsurvived,albeitbarely.Hethenspenthis

fortuneonthekilliestGorkanauthecouldaffordbeforecrushingtheoffendingKillaKan,andeveryotherKaninthetribe.

BLAGFIST

BlagfistispilotedbyarichDeathskullNobcalledBokkStickyfinga.Hestolethewarmachinepurelyasawaytoensurehehadhispickofthebestloot.NotaweekgoespastwithoutBlagfistbeingequippedwithevenmorefirepower,lootedfromtheremainsofanotherblastedbattlefield.Indeed,sosuccessfulathiefisBokkanoutcastfromthe

Charadonempirethathereferstohimselfasthearch-larcenistofCharadon.Mostofhiscomradesdontgetthegag,ofcourse,butthisneverstopsoldBokkfromhavingachuckle.Thisjocularpersonalityissetasideinbattle,however,forStickyfingatakeshisfightingveryseriously.TheoldDeathskullmighthaveswipedBlagfistasameanstoandend,buthehassincebecomequiteattachedtohisarmouredsteed.Indeed,hetakesanydamagetothe

mightywalkerasaseriouspersonalinsult,focussinghisangeronthosewhodarefireuponhim.Needlesstosay,betweentheGorkanautsvastfirepowerandtramplingmass,fewfoes

livetomakethissamemistaketwice...

DEFFHEAD

TheGorkanautknownasDeffheadearneditsnamenotbecauseofitsbeweaponedironhelm,butbecauseduringabattleonthecanyonworldofMongrelIIIitslootedcommsgave

out:theobliviouspilotignoredtheadviceofhiscomradesandtoppledstraightintoaravine.

DABLACKGUT

DaBlackGutisancientbyGorkanautstandards.TheveteranwalkerearneditsnameaftertearingoutthebellyofaHierophantBio-titanonVorpaxEliara.Sincethatday,the

GorkanautsfrontplatehasbeenscorchedblackbyTyranidbio-acid,ashasthefaceofitspilot,Gobshak.

GORKSPUNCH

Gorkspunchisanuglymechanicalbrutewhosepilot,Rotgrubb,isaferventbelieverinthatmostbrutalofOrkwarriorgods.Hisgiantklawalwayshasafreshcoatofgreenpaint,forRotgrubbmaintainsthattherighthandofhismachineistheinstrumentofGorkhimself.

THECLOCKWORKMASSACRE

TheshockingimpetusofWaaagh!Grukksinitialassaulthadbeenspent,andtheImperialtroopshadconsolidatedtheirforcesatthebaseofSacredMountain.Woundedandoutforrevenge,Grukkhadbashedtogetheranarmylargerthanhistwopreviousforcescombined.Moresothaneverbefore,theImperialallieswerereadyforhim.TheassaultfromHouseDegalliohadboughttheCadiansvitaltimetowithdraw,asCastellanSteinhadoriginallyplanned.TheCadian1651sthadmountedupintheirtransports,andwhilstLordNerusKnightsdrewtheOrkvehiclesawaysouthalongthebanksofBoilingRiver,theCadiansmadegoodtheirescape.AthickpallofdustcoveredtheirtracksastheypulledawayfromtheOrkassaultatthetwinbridgesofZetaSecandZetaTert,headingtowardstherallyingpointofSacredMountain.Steinknewfullwellthat,atthisearlystageinthewar,thedangerhadbeenstayedratherthanavertedaltogether.ThescatteredholdingsoftheplanethadlimitedtheamountofdamagetheOrkswereabletodothusfar,andtheactionsatGrukksflagshipandthebridgesofBoilingRiverhadkilledthousandsofOrksperhapseventensofthousands.YetbytheestimatesofSteinsstrategos,themaraudingxenosnumberedinthebillions.Whereverarust-shiphadlanded,theOrkswerestilldeployingingreatnumbers.Justasthecastellanhadfeared,theirhordeswereconvergingupontheplumesofsmokeanddustthathadbeenkickedupbythebattlesthusfar.Unlessadecisiveblowwasstrucksoontobreakthebackofthehordes,theCadiansandtheirImperialKnightallieswouldbesurrounded,forcedintoadefensivewarwheretheirsuperiormobilitywasnexttouseless.Steinsvox-netwasopenedwide.Hisclarionsigneventuallyreachedthebaronsoftheremainingknightlyhouses,andaconsensuswasreached.Thealliesweretolayanambushontheslopesofthemountain,usingitssteepshouldersandruggedterraintoslowtheOrkadvancetoacrawlasthebiggunsoftheAstraMilitarumandknightlyhousestooktheirtoll.Steinhimselfwouldleadtheforemostdefenders,ashowofdefiancethatwassuretobringOrkleaderstobattleandpossiblyevendrawGrukkhimselftothefrontline,forSteinspsykeradjutantwascertainthebrutehadmadeitoutoftheBattleofBoilingRiveralive.ThecastellanknewfromhispastbattlesagainstthegreenmenacethatkillingtheleaderofanOrkforcewouldlikelycrippleitsmoraleandcohesioninoneblow.Still,itwasariskygamblewheretheleadersofeachWaaagh!went,themostdevastatingofattacksweresuretofollow.

Steinlookeddownatthecolumnofdarkgreentanksrollingintobattle

formationandnoddedtohimself.Plentyleft,hethought.Plentylefttoforcea

quickvictory.HedseenanOrkcommand-collapsebefore,butneverfromsuchaperfectvantagepointasthis.

Turningbacktohisunit,Steinhadhisvoxofficersendhisclarion-signforwhatfeltlikethefiftiethtime.Theinterferencecausedbythemountainwasnothelping.Whateverwasinsidethatforbiddingpeakhadanelectromagnetic

signaturetorivalanArkMechanicus.AscreamingcracklecameoverthevoxbeforeKaveltuneditin.Athick,formal

Alaricanaccentemergedfromthestatic.rendez-vous.Cadia,thisisLordViashtuforHousesBrahmicaand

Velemestrin,requestingoftheemoredetails.ImperadorVidas.Steinrushedoverandgrabbedthetransmittergauntlet.Meet-pointSacred

Mountain,coordinatesSanguine-Six-Alpha-Deus-Three.Whitenoisefilledthevoxforamoment.Dustcloudsdottedthehorizon,

closinginwithdeceptivespeed.Judgingbythenumbersinvolved,theyweredefinitelyhostiles.SteincouldheartheroaroftheapproachingWaaagh!on

thewind;itwasnotapleasantsound.SacredMountainis...ratherlarge,LordStein,cameatentativereply.What?Illrepeat;Sanguine-Six-AlphashoutedStein.Thenahorrible

suspiciondawned.HouseBrahmica,areyoutellingmeyoudontactuallyunderstandImperialgridcoordinates?Staticfizzedoverthevox-net,but

nothingmore.Look,saidSteintersely,scanningaround,youknowtheridgethatlooksabit

likeabigredteat?Wereaboutamilesoutheastofthat.Ah,saidLordViashtu,receivedandunderstood.WillrelaytoHouses

BrahmicaandVelemestrinforthwith.AveImperador.Oh,andLordStein?Wehaveadistinguishedvisitorwithus...

THECOMINGOFGERANTIUSAsthehoursofanticipationdraggedpastandtheCadiansmannedtheslopesofSacredMountain,LordViashtuandtherestofHouseBrahmicamarchedintoview.WiththemweretheKnightsofHouseVelemestrinand,attheirrear,aslow-movingwalkertheKnightsknewonlyasGerantius.ThecreaturewasaKnight,butthepittedgreenandbronzeofitsstructurespokeofanimmenseagethatnomortallifecouldhavespanned.Steinmoveduptointerrogatethenewarrival,buthisstridentcallsyieldednoresponse.TherewasasuddenseriesofboomsastheartillerystationedonthescreejustbelowSteinspositionopenedfire.TheOrkhordeswerewithinsight,andthecastellanhadgiventhe

artillerycommanderofthe1653rdastandingordertofireassoonastheywerewithinextremerange.Steinspunonhisheeltowatchthevolleyofshellsarcthroughtheairtotheirvanishingpoint,blossomingintoastringofdustcloudsamongsttheteeminghordesinthefoothillsbelow.Amomentlatertherumbleofexplosionsreachedthem.Allgunsfireatwill!roaredStein.Hismessagewasrelayedupanddownthelinewithpracticedefficiency.TheCadianshadduginacrossthefortifiedslopesofthemountainwithoverlappingfieldsoffirethatremindedthecastellanoftheKasrsbackhome.Textbookstuff,thoughtCastellanStein.Thisshouldbeatotalslaughter.Soontheplatoonsaddedtheirheavyweaponsfiretothefusillade.TheOrksbelowaccelerated,buttheclosertheycame,themoreforcemetthemfromtheslopes.BanebladesandStormhammersaddedtheirvoicestotheinfernaldin;thenthebattlecannonsofHousesBrahmicaandVelemestrinsKnightsPaladin.TheOrkchargefragmented,becomingstreamsofgreenskinvehiclesthatrumbledandbouncedacrossthescree,buttheywerebullseyedwithclinicalefficiencybythelascannonsofSteinsheavyweapontroopers.Lasgunsbristledfrombehindeveryescarpmentandbattlement,butasyet,noneofthesmallarmshadbeenfired.ThevolumeofheavyfirepowerthatwaspouringfromtheCadianfiringlinehadensurednotasingleOrkhadmadeittowithinriflerange.AthintingleofunnaturalenergycrawledacrossSteinsscalp,andbehindhimbrightgreenbubblesofenergybegantosizzleintoexistenceonthescree.Orksbythedozenshimmeredandhissedintobeingwhereverthebubblesburst,buthundredsoflasgunswerealreadypointingtowardsthem,andtheteleportingOrkswerefelledbyvolleyfirefromrankuponrankofGuardsmen.AsSteinwatched,theancientKnightGerantiusstrodedowntheslope,thenlopedfaster,thenleaptintotheair.AknotofteleportingMeganobzmaterialisedbeneathhimjustintimeforhimtolandwithbothfeet.Hecrushedmostoftheminanexplosionofloosestonebeforevaporisingtherestwithaclose-rangeblastfromhisthermalcannon.SteincouldhearshoutsofencouragementandapplausefromtheotherAlaricannoblesdriftingoverthevox-net.Stopcongratulatingitandkeepfiring!hesnappedintothevox.EvenwiththeunpredictableheroicsoftheKnights,thebattleplanwasproceedinglikeclockwork.Orkfighterjetssailedthroughtheskiestowardstheirposition,buttheSteelHostsHydrawasquicktofilltheskieswithaflakpatternthatsawthemtumbledowninflames.Fat-tyredOrkbuggiesbouncedalongthemountainpathways,eachtorntoshredsbycannonfirefromtheTauroxtransportsthatformedagunlineoftheirownonthelowerslopes.Atrioofthebladedmini-copterstheOrksusedasoutriderssweptlow,theirgunschattering.Gerantiuslauncheditselfoffaboulderandbodilysmashedtwoofthemoutoftheskywhilstitspivotingheavystubberbroughtdownthethird.Steinblinkedindisbeliefattheancientwalkersagility.Thecloudofdustbelowwascomingcloser,buttheuneventerrainofthemountainsidewasforcingthegreenskinstoattackpiecemeal.AnothertwoOrkfighterplaneswerepunchedfromtheskiesbyHydrafire,whilstmortarshellswerelobbedhighbyCadianWyvernsbeforedetonatinginastringofexplosions.TheOrkracescompulsiontoengageinmeleewouldbe

theirundoing,thoughtStein;hewouldensureit.

ANANCIENTALLY

DuringthefirstbattleforSacredMountain,theappearanceofGerantius,theForgottenKnight,hadapotentanddramaticeffectupontheNoblespresent.

EveryoneofthemhadgrownuphearingtalesofthelegendaryKnight,storiestoldtothembytheirfathers,peersandevenwhisperedtothembytheechoesoftheir

ancestorsfrominsidetheirThronesMechanicum.SuchwasthepresencetheancientKnightcarriedwithhimthatitfilledtheNobleswithterribleandfinalpurpose;theywereresolvedtodestroyWarbossGrukkandrouthis

RedWaaagh!utterlyfordaringtosetfootupontheirworld.

GERANTIUS,THEFORGOTTENKNIGHT

TheancientKnightthatdwellsintheheartofSacredMountainbearsthescarsofmillenniaofwar.ThoughthelegendofacyclopeanguardianpossessedofuncannyprescienceiscommontoalltheislandsofAlaricPrime,thesetalesvarymassivelyinthedetail.SomeislandsbelieveGerantiusisagiantcastiniron,othersthatheisapsychicghosttrappedintheformofamachine,andstillmorethatheisanimmortalKnightfrozenintimefromagespast.Despitetheirtheories,nonetrulyknowwhothemysteriouswarrioroncewas,northesecretsofthevaultinwhichhewhilesawaythecenturies.WithouthimthepricelesssecretsofSacredMountainandperhapsAlaricPrimeitselfwouldhavebeenlostlongago.

GerantiusexterminatestheviridiantroglodytesthatinfestthedanktunnelsbeneathSacredMountain.Hekillstheirhulking,sightlesskinginsinglecombatandreroutesasulphurous

undergroundrivertoflushtherestofthevilebroodfromthemountainsroots.

GerantiusstalksoutofSacredMountainwhenabotchedritualinCastleVericresultsina

daemonicinfestation.ThoughthehornedbeaststhatspillfromtheWarpbreachareeventuallydrivenbackbytheKnightsofAlaricsnoblehouses,theInquisitorthat

coordinatedthewareffortdecidesthatthepopulacehasbeentaintedbeyondrecovery.HedecreesthatExterminatusistheonlyanswer.BeforetheInquisitorsdeadlymessagecanbesent,Gerantiusdetonateshisshipsfusiondriveswithhisthermalcannon,killingeveryone

onboard.TheeventisreportedtotheImperiumasaregrettableaccident.

TheRogueTraderBelleraphiovanDynebreachesSacredMountainwiththehelpofapackofinquisitiveRatlingmechanics.Thelight-fingeredinvestigatorsarecrushedunderGerantius

armouredfeet.

Withoutwarning,GerantiusappearsonthefarsideofAlaricPrimeanddousesaremotemonasteryinpurifyingflame.Thoughnonewilleverknow,thisactsuppressesadreadful

rust-plaguethatwouldhavereducedallmetalupontheplanettoferrousdust.

TherenegadeSpaceMarinesthatcallthemselvestheMalefactorsdescenduponAlaricPrime,intentonseizingasmanyImperialKnightsastheycanfortheirownburgeoningwarband.

GerantiusleadsthedefenceofSacredMountainbeforehuntingdownanddestroyingenoughoftheinvaderstodrivetherestoff-planet.

TheCommorriteraidersthatdescenduponAlaricPrimeinsearchofmortalplaythingsaremetbythewrathoftheplanetssilentsentinelassoonastheyopentheirwebwayportal.

Barelyahandfuloftheviciousxenoswarriorsmakeitthroughthestormofthermalcannonfirethatgreetstheirarrival,andthesurvivorsretreatisjustasswiftastheirappearance.

WhentheambullpopulationofIsleToronacthreatenstodestabiliseAlaricPrimes

ecosystem,Gerantiusemergesoncemoreandbeginstohuntthelumberingclaw-beastsonebyone.HekillsoversixthousandambullsbeforeretreatingtoSacredMountain,hisbattered

shellencrustedwiththedriedgoreofhiskills.

SixregimentsofAstraMilitarummakethetranslationfromWarpspaceontheoutskirtsof

theSanctusReachSystem,headingtoAlaricuponorderstointerceptanddestroytheMalefactors.Unbeknownsttothem,thefickletidesoftheWarphavedislocatedtheirarrivaltime.Theyarriveseveralmillenniatoolate.TheImperialGuardinsteadwagewarupontheincarceratedmassesoftheAlaricanprisonisles,believingthecriminalstheretobethe

renegadestheyhavebeenorderedtokill.TheinterventionofGerantiuscomplicatesmattersjustastheAlaricanknightlyhousesaretryingtoprovetheirloyaltytotheImperium.War

breaksout,butonlyforafewdaystheDegalliohouseholdsuccessfullybrokerspeaceafter

itsmessenger-skullsmakeittotheImperialGuardhighcommand.Thedeathtollstillnumbersinthethousands.

WhenascatteringofTyranidvanguardorganismsmaketheirwayontoAlaricPrime,

GerantiushuntstheLictorsandGenestealersdownuntilallhavebeenexterminated.Intheprocess,hepreventsatendrilofHiveFleetGorgonfromdivertingitsdeadlyattentionstothe

planet.

TheOrksinvadeAlaricPrimeinforce,andGerantiusstirsfromhisslumbersoncemore.

FALLOFALEGEND

TheOrkinvaderswerethrowingthemselvesatthedefendedpositionsinever-greaternumbers,butsofartheCadiansandtheirKnightallieshadprovedequaltothetaskofhurlingthemback.Asthemountainslopesbecamelitteredwithsmoulderingcorpses,Grukkhimselfenteredthefray,andtheKnightGerantiusmovedtostophim.Thegroundshookasatrioofgaudily-paintedOrkwagonsgrumbleduptheslopebelowtheCadianlines.IntheirwakecamethetuskedmonstrositythatwasGrukksownpersonaltransport,protectedtosomedegreebythewallofscrapmetaltrundlingbeforeit.Krakmissilesandlascannonblastsblewawayplatesofablativearmour,buttheOrkshadanticipatedsuchafusillade,anditslowedthemhardlyatall.SteingesturedwithhisarmstothenoblesofHouseVelemestrinandBrahmica,andtheirKnightsErrantstompedforwardinresponse.ThermalcannonsscreamedastheBattlewagonstrundledintorange,coringtwoofthethreeOrkwagonsandclippingthethirdsothatitveeredsharplyintoaboulder-strewnravine.Grukksowntransportbargedthroughtheflamesofitspredecessors,itscurvingtuskssendingscrapmetalinalldirections.ThethingwascomingrightforSteinsposition.Withoutwarning,GerantiuschangeddirectionandbargedsidelongintotheOrkwagon,sendingitcrashingoverontoitsside.Themassivevehicleskiddeddowntheslopeforafewmetresbeforegrindingtoahalt,itspassengersspillingoutintothedustandflingingthemselvestowardsthelegsoftheancientKnightthathadoverturnedtheirride.Ahulkingfigurewasamongstthem,lightglintingfromitsgiantsaw-palmedclaw.Forwardteams,advanceandfire,saidSteininclippedtones.Inresponse,threeCadianweaponsquadsrevealedthemselvesfrombehindthebouldersstrewnaroundSteinsposition.Grukkstumbledtowardsthem,bellowingdefiancethroughbloodiedjaws.Steinraisedhisplasmapistolandfired.TheboltstruckhomeinGrukksmidsection.Oncue,allthreeofhisspecialweaponsteamsopenedfire,astaccatothumpfillingtheairaskrakgrenadesfellaroundtheWarbossinanexplosiverain.Grukkwashurledfromhisfeetasthegrenadesstruckhome,hisroarsblottedoutbyastringofdeafeningbangs.Dust,stoneandburnedbloodspumedintotheairamidpuffsofblindingflame.Amomentlater,Gerantiusgreatclaw-likefootcamearoundinasweepingkick,rollingtheWarbosswreckedBattlewagonontohisbrokenbodywithafinal,resoundingcrash.ThespectacularfellingoftheOrkWarbosshadbeensoexplosiveand,mostofall,sopublicthatnotonesingleCadianorOrkcouldhavefailedtoseeit.WavesofdismayrippledthroughtheOrksatthebaseofthemountain.Now!shoutedStein,Charge!ForCadiaandtheEmperor,charge!

Inresponse,athousandCadianspouredfromthebarricadesandboulders,roaringawarcryoftheirown.Lasfirelittheslopesandbayonetsflashedbright.Runningdowntheslopes,theyfelluponthereelingOrkvanguardwithimpressiveforce.Fewofthemreachedtheresultantcombat,forSteinhadjudgedhistimingperfectly.Robbedoftheirgreatleader,theOrksturnedtail,andwerealreadyinfullretreatbythetimetheCadianshithome.Thebattlehadturnedintoamassacre.WiththeroutoftheOrkfrontline,thexenosmilledinconfusion.Thoseretreatinghamperedthosewhotriedtoadvance,whilstthoseadvancinggotinthewayofthosewhoweretryingtoretreat.Itcouldhardlyhavebeenamoretarget-richenvironmentfortheCadianartillerystationedhighontheslopes.AhailstormofordnanceraineddownandgreenskinnedlimbswereblastedhighintotheairasImperialGuardBasilisksandWyvernswalkedtheirdeadlybarragesthroughthehorde.ThebreakingofGrukkshordewaseverybitasspectacularasSteinhadhoped.Hesmiledwide,crackedhisknuckles,andgavetheorderforpursuit.

WhilethebattleragedontheslopesofSacredMountain,fightingstillsputteredand

flaredaroundBoilingRiverandthebeachedrust-ships.OrksandGuardsmencontinuedtofightfortheirlivesinthewakeofthegreatWarbossdefeatandthe

interventionoftheKnightsofAlaric.Distractedbytheeventsonthemountain,theOrkbossesweretakenbysurprisebytheloneKnightofHouseKamatathatemergedfromthesmokeandfogofbattle,charging

acrosstheopengroundtowardtheWrathofGork.TheGuardsmenstillholdingpositionsonthesamesideofBoilingRivergavearaggedcheerastheKnightcrashedthroughthethinnedOrklinesandbodilysmasheditswayinsidethehulkingrust-ship.TheFreebladeDyrosKamatahadreturned.Helumberedintotheshipshold,whereMekswerecuttinguptheremainsoftheKnightsthathadfalleninKestrenscharge.

Overthehissofburnersandthewhineofsaws,feeblehumanmoansandwailsdriftedaroundtheshipshold.Withawitheringhailoffirefromhisheavystubbers,Dyros

clearedthechamberandsetaboutsearchingthewrecksfortheliving.

THEBREAKINGOFTHECLANSAstheordnanceraineddownandwordofGrukksdeathspreadthroughouttheteemingmasses,thecohesionoftheOrkinvasionbegantobreakapart.CastellanSteinandhismenwatchedtheOrkhordeeruptintoaseriesofscuffles,thenbrawls,thenfull-blownbattlesasthebossesofeachtribefoughttobecomethenewmasteroftheleaderlessWaaagh!andclaimtheinvasionfortheirown,evenastheImperialbombardmentcontinued.WiththedeathofGrukk,thebattleforSacredMountainwaseffectivelyover,atleastfornow.HavingbrokenlikeawaveagainstthetidalbastionofSacredMountain,theOrkhordewas

easilyscatteredoverthenextfewdaysbythedeterminedassaultsoftheCadiansandtheirKnightallies.Steinsafter-siegeactionswereeverybitasinspiredashislayereddefences.WitheachbombardmentandMilitarumTempestusassaulttheyforcedmoreandmoregroundinbetweentheOrkclansandtribes,deliberatelydrivingwedgesbetweenthosewhoworebluewarpaintandthosewhopaintedtheirvehiclesred,andseparatingthosecladinchequeredblackandwhitefromthoseinostentatiousyellow.ThegoaloftheAstraMilitarumsnewstrategywasnottoexterminatethexenosoutright,fortheOrksstillnumberedintheirbillions,buttodivideanddisplace.CastellanSteinbelievedthat,shouldhesucceedinbreakingtheOrkclansintoseparatearmies,theywouldfightamongstthemselves.Inthebattleforultimateleadershipthatensued,thewarringOrktribeswouldeffectivelybedoingthedefendersjobforthem.

BigMekMogrokoversawthevanguardadvancefromatoparequisitionedMorkanaut.Idlypickinghisnose,hewatchedasWarbossGrukkandhis

Battlewagonsblazedapathupthemountainside.Thedumbbrutewasheadingintoahumietrap,Mogrokmused,flickinganose-squigintohismawand

bitingdownwithacrunch.Evenasnotlingcouldseethat.SameoldGrukk,alwayschargingin.Hisbullishtemperhadgothimgoodandboiledatthebattleforthebridges.Tohiscredit,hehadgotbackintothefraysoonenough,drippingwetandpaleasaSquiggothsguts,butangrierthanever.Onlyafoolwouldhavechallengedhisrighttoleadrightthen.Still,onedaythatfoultemperwouldbethebossundoing;allofMogroksfellowBad

Moonswereagreedonthat.TheBigMekhadafeelingthatdaywouldbetoday.Especiallyashed

personallydisabledtheforcefieldonGrukksridelessthanhalfanhouragoandtriggeredhispersonaltellyportag