Recap / Weaver Option Arcs 7 To 9

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Arc 7. Shadowpoint

7.1. Black Flags in Flames

General Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Beyond the frontiers of the Imperium, 8.183.296M35

The fleet reaches Pavia after an easy and swift trip through the Warp — a suspiciously easy and swift trip. Given how aggressively the Warp normally tries to kill her when traveling, Taylor concludes that the Ruinous Powers have laid a trap, and deduces that Pius Hoth, a disgraced former Cardinal, is the most likely mastermind of that trap. Having figured that out, she and her command staff figure out how best to neutralize his plans, then order that everyone be given two hours to eat, rest and arm themselves, and then the battle will begin.

Supreme Arch-Ecclesiarch of the People Pius Hoth

Pius Hoth is indeed the primary servant of the Ruinous Powers in Pavia, having forsworn the Emperor in favor of Tzeentch after being assigned to a diocese that was unlikely to grant him any wealth or fame. He orders his followers to prepare a ritual to slay the Living Saint coming for him.

Shaper Qorok Trek

Qorok Trek, a Kroot Pirate leader, is noting how much he hates his nominal leader Sliscus after the latter had some of his subordinates poison his food caches for a joke when he receives a report that the Ork fleet of Kaptin Kiddz Blackdakka are preparing for battle, screaming about the coming of the Swarm Bringa. He tries to order the defenses of the Palace of Feasting online, but they had already been disabled by Heracles Warden infiltrators. His fleet is rapidly crushed, and Qorok himself is killed by an Astartes boarding party.

Scout-Brother Phanuel

Phanuel of the Brothers of the Red, once Pat Howe, champion of the first Astartes Decathlon, is on his first-ever mission as a Space Marine, to purge the xenos pirates living on the Palace of Feasting. He finds the job surprisingly easy, as the enemy is surprised, uncoordinated, and in one case, too busy fleeing from Ancient Pierre to defend themselves against other threats.

Mekboy Battery Commander Brukk Brukk

Brukk Brukk's path has crossed with Weaver's for the third time. Eagerly anticipating another scrap, he flies into battle with his fellow boyz.

Chapter Master Jeremiah Isley

The fleets of Blackdakka and Fang-tail N’ffjt Brakorth charge into the narrow passage through the minefield, bunching them up and making them easy targets for a naval bombardment under conditions where evasive action is impossible. Blackdakka survives the barrage and attempts to retake the Palace of Feasting, but is killed by Ancient Pierre, who takes his tricorn hat as a trophy.

Fleet Admiral Fitzgerald Tanaka

Fitzgerald Tanaka watches as three of Pavia's thirteen fleets are utterly annihilated for virtually no casualties. He and his fellow commander Grand Admiral Jaeger Day agree that the remaining commanders need to present a united front against this attack to survive, but none of the other leaders are taking their calls.

Duke Traevelliath Sliscus

Duke Sliscus finds the attack highly entertaining, and orders the other fleet commanders to repel it at all costs. But he sees no reason to contribute to the defense of Pavia himself at this time, preferring to watch the others fight and die.

Marshall Werner Groener

Three fleets are destroyed, but ten more remain. Weaver orders a large expanse of Pavian space flooded with Kane particles, then has a world-flame torpedo launched into that space as the next wave of pirate fleets pass through it, setting a sizable part of the system on fire.

Corsair Prince Mariuvahn Moonblitz

The fleets of Mariuvahn Moonblitz, Quintus Kalmar and Iath Bloodweaver advance on the Imperial fleet. But doing so requires that they pass through the cloud of Kane particles, which incinerate their fleets when the world-flame torpedo goes off.

Archmagos Gastaph Hediatrix

Moonblitz's fleet is utterly destroyed, as are all but two ships of Kalmar's fleet, who were at the back of the formation and weren't in the killing zone when the trap went off. But Bloodweaver's flagship, the Crimson Impalement, emerges from the flames somewhat intact, and its commander challenges their commander to personal combat.

General Taylor Hebert

Weaver concludes that the only reason why Bloodweaver believes someone might take up his offer of a duel is if he possessed something of value that simply blowing up his ship might damage. She selects a portion of her swarm to serve as her champion, and has it loaded into a boarding torpedo and launched to the Crimson Impalement.

Lord of Corsairs and Fleets Iath Bloodweaver

Bloodweaver is surprised to find himself confronted by a swarm of spiders and flesh-eating moths instead of a Mon-Keigh. The insects flood the ship, devouring everything they encounter. His Dark Eldar crew are unable to effectively resist, as being eaten alive sets off their Slaanesh-inspired masochistic tendencies. Soon the insects reach the bridge and consume him as well.

General Taylor Hebert

Noting that the corruption on Bloodweaver's ship is so obvious and extreme that it isn't worth the effort of even attempting to cleanse the swarm she sent there, Weaver orders boarding parties to loot the ship, while boarders of the Frateris Templars eliminate the remainder of Day's fleet, which fail to resist effectively because their ammunition lockers are filled with loot rather than munitions. The boarders on the Crimson Impalement report that most of what they found is likely tainted and would be ordered burned by the Inquisition at the first opportunity, but they did find one artifact of great value — a flamer gauntlet bearing the dragon insignia of the 18th Legion.

Fleet Admiral Fitzgerald Tanaka

Thirty-six hours have passed since the battle began, and already six of Pavia's thirteen fleets have been annihilated. Tanaka concludes that his only hope for survival lies in an all-or-nothing strike against the enemy fleet's leadership. But before he can get close enough to even make the attempt, a Dragon Armor lands on the hull of his flagship and fires its primary weapon straight into the bridge.

Autarch Ulion Lakadieth

After seeing Tanaka's fleet fall, Lakadieth decides that defeat is inevitable. He contacts the Imperial fleet to discuss terms of surrender. In return for an immediate cessation of hostilities and surrendering the location of two and a half million tons of adamantite that he had stolen from a Mechanicus tribute fleet, he is permitted to withdraw from Pavia and retreat back to Craftworld Lugganeth.

Grand Admiral Jaeger Day

With Lakadieth retreating, Day knows that the battle is lost. He orders his fleet to break formation and flee as well. It doesn't help. His ship is boarded and he is taken prisoner by the Brothers of the Red.

Fist-of-Diamond Calico

Calico, leader of the Rashan fleet, had been approached and subverted by the Heracles Wardens long before the battle started. Having seen so many of the other fleets in Pavia crushed, he surrenders, and his race is turned into a protectorate species of the Imperium.

Supreme Arch-Ecclesiarch of the People Pius Hoth

Hoth's ritual has failed. Duke Sliscus had, for his own amusement, tainted many of the materials needed for the ritual before selling them to the Arch-Ecclesiarch, making the entire process a waste of time. As for his backup plan of having a separate cultist fleet perform a backup ritual outside of the Pavia system, Sliscus had already discovered and spoiled that plan as well. As Hoth rages against this treachery, his ship is boarded by the Inquisition, and he is taken captive.

First Naval Secretary Wolfgang Bach

Only two of the thirteen pirate fleets remain. Lox'ena is trying to flee, pursued by the Inquisition, and Sliscus is still waiting on the Empire of Sin. The Imperial fleet takes a break to rest, regroup and clear the wreckage of their broken enemies from their path. Given that Sliscus hasn't moved at all during the entire battle, everyone concludes that he is likely up to something.

Duke Traevelliath Sliscus

Sliscus shows his hand. The Empire of Sin isn't just a Space Hulk, it's a mobile and fully operational warship, that he orders be launched.

General Taylor Hebert

The Empire of Sin is mobile, but it isn't very structurally stable, with pieces of it falling off all the time. Given that, Wolfgang suggests a battle of maneuver to accelerate its gradual degradation, possibly augmented by an Astartes boarding action to disable the shields, both of which would result in heavy casualties. But before the orders are given, Taylor notices something odd. Pavia has a moon that isn't supposed to be there. Then she realizes that it isn't a moon, but another battle station. A Necron battle station.

Duke Traevelliath Sliscus

Sliscus is not pleased to see the Necron World Engine appear, but knowing that his status among the Drukhari of Commorragh will fall greatly if he flees without fighting, orders his men to engage.

General Taylor Hebert

The Imperial fleet is perfectly happy to let the Necrons do the lion's share of the work reducing the Space Hulk. Taylor is in the process of ordering her men to stand down for now when her swarm detects the presence of someone she hadn't noticed before heading to the bridge of the Enterprise. She tells everyone that they are about to receive a visitor, and that it may be appropriate to bow. Zuhev is demanding to know who would warrant such an action when the visitor enters and answers the question with his sheer presence. A member of the Adeptus Custodes has arrived, and has a new mission for Weaver and her command.

7.2. The Storm before the Apocalypse

Captain-General Anubis Excelsor, Battleship Enterprise, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Beyond the frontiers of the Imperium

Anubis Excelsor, commander of the Adeptus Custodes, gives Weaver her orders. She is to capture three Webway keys, two owned by the surviving pirate bands of Pavia, and the third owned by Trazyn the Infinite, and use them to secure the Eversprings Gate, a Webway access point located in Pavia. Once that is done, she is to take her fleet through the gate to attack the Webway, where she will attempt to complete ten major and thirty minor tasks. She has fifty hours to secure the keys and begin the attack. After requesting clarification on a few points, Weaver calls her advisors back in to start planning the new mission.

First Naval Secretary Wolfgang Bach

Weaver's staff is understandably worried about the difficulties of planning such a major operation on such short notice, but since this is a direct order from the Emperor, refusal isn't an option. They hurriedly get to work on creating a war plan. The Heracles Wardens are dispatched to reinforce the Inquisition forces sent to confront Lox'ena the Siren, while the remainder of the Astartes forces are to join Weaver in boarding the Empire of Sin to deal with Sliscus. As for the third key, everyone expects that Trazyn is on or near the Necron World Engine, and as such they can bargain with him for the third key at the same time as they bargain for the Emperor's Children progenoids.

Phaerakh-Cryptek Neferten

Neferten's Starry Sky is dealing with Sliscus' Empire of Sin with trivial ease. Neferten is forced to concede that Trazyn was right when he said that the Aeldari have fallen far since their peak during the War in Heaven, to the point where few even deserve the name of Aeldari rather than the subgroup names of Asuryani (Craftworld), Drukhari (Dark), Exahardi (Exodite) and Harlequin. But before she can destroy it, she is contacted by Trazyn, who tells her that Weaver is requesting that the hulk be left intact for a time so that she can board and search it. Choosing to honor that request, she orders her subordinates to cripple the hulk's engines and weaponry before turning her attention to the remainder of Sliscus' fleet.

Duke Traevelliath Sliscus

Realizing that he can't defeat the Necrons, Sliscus orders his servants to load his most valuable treasures onto his battleship. As the Necrons can easily cripple his ships, he plans to use the advancing humans as cover. The ideal time to escape will be immediately after repelling their boarding assault.

Lady Inquisitor Rafaela Harper

The Inquisition's efforts to board the Choral are not going well. Forced to fight in a half-flooded ship crewed by powerfully psychic xenos, they are taking heavy casualties. They are saved from an ambush by the arrival of the Heracles Wardens, bearing powerful anti-psyker weaponry. Per new orders, they have two hours to take the ship and capture Lox'ena alive. Rafaela is of a mind to countermand these orders until she hears their shocking origin: they come from the Emperor himself, relayed by a Custode.

Ocean-Mistress of the Unsounded Depths Lox’ena

With the arrival of the Astartes and their new weapons, the tide turns. Lox'ena is cornered and forced to bargain for her life and the life of all her kin living with her on her flagship. She is offered a chance to ransom their lives the way that Lakadieth did: in exchange for her key to the Eversprings Gate and seven million tons of ligeia crystals she had stolen from the Adeptus Astra Telepathica four years previously, she and her kin will be transported to an Ocean World and be permitted to live there as prisoners of war. Seeing no other alternatives, she accepts.

Grandmaster of the Nine Secret Ways Python

A Tzeentchian fleet operating outside the Pavia system notes that Pius Hoth has failed in his mission. With all the other Chaos fleets in the area having gone missing, the Grandmaster of the fleet orders that they begin their own ritual. But before it can begin, a Custodes fleet exits the warp and exterminates them.

Colonel Tanya Sevrev

The Fay 20th is given the honor of accompanying Lady Weaver and the Astartes into the Empire of Sin. With the units now briefed on what their objectives looks like from an image taken of Lox'ena's key, they board their shuttles and launch.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas

The boarding parties land on the Space Hulk and begin their attack.

Duke Traevelliath Sliscus

Upon seeing the swarm devour his troops, Sliscus realizes that he's lingered too long, no matter than his treasures have not been loaded. Telling a subordinate to defend the vaults to the death, he prepares to leave.

Second Naval Secretary Dennis Peters

For the second time in their shared history, Clockblocker and Skitter meet in front of a vault. Only this time, they're both trying to break into it. Using an exotic species of termite, the girl who once robbed a bank vault destroys the adamantium vault doors in a matter of minutes. Within the vault and behind a false wall they find a room lined in platinum, filled with treasures of every possible nature imaginable, including fifty different Webway keys. Weaver tells the Dawnbreaker Guard to take them all, the Custode will know which one goes to the Eversprings Gate. While further sifting through the mounds of treasure, the group also finds an enormous war machine buried under a mound of treasure: a Fellglaive tank bearing the crest of the 18th Legion named the Obsidian Chariot.

Duke Traevelliath Sliscus

Sliscus was unable to flee the Empire of Sin before the boarding party caught up with him. With no options other than to fight, he draws his deadliest weapon, a Sword of Vaul known as Shrax'lor, the Blade of the Abyss. Weaver draws her own Sword of Vaul, Elsar'bryn, the Nebula's Shard, and the duel begins.

Chapter Master Agiel Izaz

The commander of the Brothers of the Red had seen many duels in his centuries of life, but the match between Sliscus the Serpent and Weaver was the most spectacular by far. The clash between the Dark Eldar's black blade and Weaver's crystal sword wrapped in gold flames is like an echo of the Great Duel between the Emperor and Horus in the Imperial Palace. But the battle slowly turns in Weaver's favor, as she can feed her swarm to her own weapon to power it, while the only thing Sliscus can feed to his own until the battle is won is himself.

Duke Traevelliath Sliscus

While Weaver duels with Sliscus, she also uses part of her swarm to set traps. He eventually is herded into one of those traps, losing his weapon — as well as the hand holding it. Knowing that he has lost, Sliscus asks for a last request — that his soul be fed to her blade so that Slaanesh cannot have it. Just before she grants that request, he warns her that the Aeldari known as the Queen of Blades is far more powerful than she is, and that she should flee rather than face her should they ever meet.

General Taylor Hebert

Slaanesh is not happy at the thought of Sliscus' soul being consumed by anything other than itself, but Taylor is able to deny She-Who-Thirsts hir prize. Exhausted after all her efforts, she orders that Sliscus' blade be put in a stasis field, as it is far too dangerous to handle. Trazyn arrives, hoping to claim the Serpent's body for a new gallery in his collection, but Weaver puts her foot down. The body is her prize, but she'd sell it to him for his Eversprings Gate key and his collection of Third Legion progenoids. Trazyn agrees to the trade, then gives her a token that will allow her safe passage to the Starry Sky for her meeting with Neferten.

Vice-Admiral Max von Schafer

The Eversprings Gate has been located, and the three keys are being transported to it. The Imperium is now richer by seventeen thousand progenoid glands. However, Inquisitor Contessa and her entourage vanished without a trace during the boarding action on the Choral. With eleven hours left until the Custode's deadline, Weaver orders that preparations for the attack on the Webway begin while she goes to her meeting with Neferten.

General Taylor Hebert

The Dawnbreaker Guard notes that it would take an enormous fleet to destroy even a single World Engine, and they have no idea how many more of them they might have in reserve. The group is led down a hallway depicting the history of the Necrontyr and the War in Heaven in artwork to meet with Phaerakh-Cryptek Neferten, who is admiring a recording of Weaver's duel with Sliscus. Neferten admits that she was one of those who opposed the War in Heaven and the transformation of the Necrontyr to the Necrons, but there are many more sleeping Necrons out there who have embraced their nature and would be much less friendly to humanity should they waken, many of whom are her personal enemies as well. As such, it is in her best interests to help the Imperium find and destroy their Tomb Worlds before they can be a threat to either of them. As a sign of good faith, she gives Weaver an ancient star chart for the region of space that contains the world once known as Terrathens. Afterwards, Taylor negotiates for the loan of some of Neferten's forces for her coming mission.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas

While Neferten literally cannot commit her World Engine — it won't fit through the Eversprings Gate — she is willing to loan fifteen battleships and thirty cruisers under the command of Destruction-Overlord Sitkah to the coming battle in exchange for ownership of any Necron artifacts taken as booty. The star charts are examined and found to correspond to a barely explored region of the southern Eastern Fringe. Taylor points out that had Terrathens been near Imperium territory, someone would have found it already.

General Taylor Hebert

The deadline has been reached, and the fleet is in position. Taylor addresses the entire fleet, giving a speech in which she denounces the Eldar race as a species of carrion eaters deserving nothing but destruction. She then tells the fleet their new Emperor-given mission: to attack the Dark City of Commorragh. The entire fleet cheers as it enters the Webway.

Captain Aeonid Thiel, The Webway

Aeonid Thiel has been following the Harlequin for some time, expecting to be betrayed at some point. Thus he is not surprised when his guide turns on him, forcing the Ultramarine to cut him down in self-defense. Heading through the nearest gate from where he was attacked, he finds himself in a place he has never been before but recognizes nonetheless: Commorragh.

Aurelia Malys, Battleship Dark Heart, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway

Aurelia Malys is a slave-concubine owned by Asdrubael Vect, leader of the Cult of the Black Heart. She watches as her master is outraged by the landing fee that Dynast Xelian has demanded for Vect's forces: the prize of their latest raid, the Astartes Strike Cruiser Forgehammer, with an entire company of Salamanders Space Marines on board to be captured and tortured. But as the argument escalates, it is interrupted by the opening of a long-disused Webway gate, from which an enormous Mon-Keigh battleship emerges. Taken totally by surprise, nobody is able to stop it from firing its main weapon, and for the first and last time, dawn rises on the Dark City.

Extermination Countdown

Ninety-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Surviving Drukhari Population in the Webway: approximately 187.6 billion

Arc 8. Extermination

8.1. The Port of Lost Souls

The Warp

At almost all times, some of the forces of the four primary Ruinous Powers are at war with each other. With the thwarting of Tzeentch's plans in Pavia, some of the Keepers of Secrets start falling back, pursued by Khornate Bloodthirsters. Nurgle watches this action without amusement — while the despair Weaver generates in her enemies feeds it, she does so by usurping control of the insects that are its by rights. Then Slaanesh realizes what the Emperor had been up to during the Shadowpoint, and is not amused at all.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Ninety-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Port of Lost Souls is even more horrifying than the darkest rumors portrayed it. Everyone in the fleet can see that it needs to be purged. With none of its defensive fleets prepared for the arrival of an Imperial task force, the Navy exploits the enemy's vulnerability and opens fire.

Aurelia Malys

When the attack starts, Xelian and Vect blame each other for its occurrence and declare war upon each other. Soon the Drukhari are fighting each other as much as the Imperium. Aurelia takes advantage of the confusion to steal the key to her slave collar, free herself, and flee.

Ensign Freya Brasidas

With the enemy caught completely off guard, the Navy launches its fighters to strafe the docked ships and port infrastructure. With no enemies ready to sortie against them, they inflict horrible losses for negligible casualties, and only return to base when they run out of ammunition.

Chapter Master Pontiac Dupleix

The Iron Drakes find their new Volkite Calivers to be quite effective against the Drukhari forces, and decide to order more of them after returning to Nyx. With their new weapons clearing the way, they manage to find Objective C. Vect mocks them by saying that their target, Dynast Xelian, has long fled, but the Iron Drakes say that their actual objective is him, and incinerate his body in a burst of green plasma. While he undoubtedly has clone bodies to fall back on, the process of hunting and exterminating him has begun.

Captain Corr Phoecus

Corr Phoecus, Captain of the Salamanders 2nd Company, is in the process of fortifying the Forgehammer against the inevitable boarding when the attack begins. Within half an hour, hundreds of Drukhari warships and ten percent of the shipyards are in flames, leaving the xenos with other things to worry about than their prisoners. The Forgehammer is contacted by Weaver, who asks them to update the psychic distress beacon the Company Librarian has been sending out to the rest of the Chapter to inform them of the secure route to Commorragh through Pavia by means of the Eversprings Gate. She also informs them of the two Salamanders relics she obtained in Pavia, which cause the Salamanders to burst into cheers when they realize that she has found two of the nine Artifacts of Vulkan.

General Taylor Hebert

With reinforcements summoned from the Salamanders, Weaver turns her attention back to the battle. The surprise of the initial attack is wearing off, and enemy ships are entering the Port of Lost Souls from the Dark City's secondary ports. Weaver calls Destruction-Overlord Sitkah to join the battle and intercept the approaching enemy.

Admiral of Terror Nothraq Xerathis

A Drukhari fleet enters the Port of Lost Souls to confront the Mon-Keigh, but it is a Necron fleet that confronts them. The Eldar are barely able to report the appearance of a thought long-dead foe before they are utterly annihilated.

Aurelia Malys

With their Drukhari masters dying by the thousands, the slaves of Commorragh take the opportunity to launch an uprising of their own.

Second Naval Secretary Dennis Peters

The carnage inflicted in the Port of Lost Souls is incredible, but the damage is starting to mount up. In order to remove one avenue of attack, Weaver tells the Inquisition to launch an Exterminatus attack against Port Carmine.

Lady Inquisitor Rafaela Harper

With approval to obliterate an entire sub-realm of Commorragh given, five Atmospheric Incinerator torpedoes are launched into Port Carmine. Ten seconds after they detonate, all oxygen within the realm is ignited, condemning billions of Drukhari and their slaves to a horrible death.

Supreme Lord Asdrubael Vect, Hidden Blade, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Ninety-three hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Vect awakens in a clone body to learn that the battle is still raging and that the powers that be in the Dark City are blaming it all on him. Unwilling to admit defeat in the face of this calamity, he orders his troops to muster and march on Low Commorragh.

General Taylor Hebert, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Ninety hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Casualties have been heavy, but Objective A — the obliteration of the Drukhari's space infrastructure — is complete. Weaver gives the order for landing operations to begin.

Captain Gabriela Jordan

The former Callidus Apprentice wonders what the saintly definition of a minor anti-piracy operation is as she fights her way through the streets of a city most members of the Officio Assasinorum wouldn't go anywhere near if they could avoid it. The initial push succeeds easily as it is against conscripts just as unprepared as her Penal Legion is if not worse. But once they finish fighting through them, they find themselves confronted by soldiers with actual discipline. The Penal Legion is about to be massacred when a swarm of giant centipedes are teleported in, followed by a team of Astartes led by a Dreadnaught wearing a pirate's tricorn. With the enemy formation broken, Gabriela has her men charge into the breach.

Astropathic Communication

Dynast Xelian sends out a distress call to all Eldar informing them of Vect's alleged treachery and the attack on Commorragh by Imperial and Necron forces. He orders all forces currently out on raids to pull back and come to the Dark City's relief.

Farseer Eldrad Ulthran, Craftworld Ulthwe, Scelus Sector, Segmentum Obscurus, Ninety hours before the Mark of Commorragh

If there was one thing that the Farseers had not expected, it was an all-out attack by the Imperium against the Dark City. But once it began, they could see the Emperor's true goal: his real target wasn't so much the Drukhari as it was She-Who-Thirsts. The Ruinous Powers could and often did strengthen themselves with the souls of those claimed by them in the future. But the primary source of power for Slaanesh, both for now and in the Farseeable future, was the Dark Eldar and the suffering of those they tormented. If they were to be crushed now, all the power they would have generated for the Lord of Excess would never exist, and if She-Who-Thirsts had already claimed that power, the paradox could weaken hir permanently. Ulthran tells the leaders of his Craftworld not to answer Xelian's call for any reason, and to prepare for a Fall-level disjunction as the battle played out. As he does so, an announcement is made: Biel-Tan has decided to go to Commorragh's aid.

Colonel Raj Nagaraj, Pradesh, Mumbai Sector, Segmentum Obscurus, Ninety hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Imperial forces in the Mumbai Sector are losing ground against a Biel-Tan force when the Eldar pack up and leave while on the cusp of victory, to the defender's great confusion.

Farseer Filgonilth Sirethmoren, Craftworld Biel-Tan, Segmentum Tempestus, Ninety hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Farseer Sirethmoren is outraged at the utter stupidity of sending forty percent of their Craftworld's entire military, along with detachments from three other Craftworlds, on yet another attempt to kill Weaver, and to do so in the name of aiding the Drukhari of all purposes. He chews out the Council on their foolishness, and how the Empire they dream of reviving isn't worth bringing back, as the Drukhari are archetypal examples of what the Empire was like at the time of the fall. The Council refuses to listen to him, and instead banish him for the impolite manner in which he addressed them. Disgusted by the Council's stupidity, Sirethmoren hurries to gather his followers and evacuate them to Malan'tai.

Forgefather Vulkan N’Varr, Approximately sixty-one light-years from the Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Eighty-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Chapter Master Ta'Phor Hezonn had already been deploying half his Chapter to rescue 2nd Company. News that they had been rescued and that their rescuer had the Gauntlet of the Forge and the Obsidian Chariot only made him redouble his efforts to join the battle. In addition to bringing his own fleet to the Eversprings Gate, he had also arranged for nearby Imperial Navy fleets to follow as best they could, and a Flesh Tearer cruiser was not far behind them.

Astropathic Communication

Chapter Master Hezonn sends a message to every Astartes unit in the vicinity of Pavia letting them know that a secure invasion route to Commorragh has been secured, and calling on all of them to join him in crushing the Dark Eldar.

Captain Aeonid Thiel, Citadel of Zel’harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighty-eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Thiel is stalking the streets of the Dark City, observing press gangs conscript random civilians. Knowing something is off but not knowing what, he searches the city, eventually finding a prison cell that the Harlequin had told him about on their journey together. Within that cell is a White Scars Astartes, tortured near to death. Thiel frees him, but he is already beyond help. With his dying breaths, he asks Thiel to seek out the Eldanesh Black Gate and save the Primarch. Thiel closes the dead man's eyes and sets out for his new objective.

Destruction-Overlord Sitkah, Port Shard, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighty-eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Drukhari weapons are designed to inflict torturous pain upon their target's flesh. Against the fleshless bodies of the Necrons, they are completely useless. The Necron phalanxes crush all that get in their way as they burn Port Shard to the ground.

Marshal Werner Groener, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighty-seven hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Fifth Division is devastated securing the beachhead, but once enough territory to deploy the artillery was taken, the tide of battle rapidly turns. With limited lines of approach, the artillery slaughters the Eldar by the hundreds of thousands. Within minutes the barrage runs out of targets, and the batteries are retargeted to fire upon the approaches to Zel'harst.

Colonel Tom Cameron

The bridges of Commorragh are large and sturdy enough to support Cataphract Super-Heavy Tanks. This gives the 3rd Patton a nice road to take as they obliterate any anti-air battery they find while securing a landing zone for the next phase of the invasion.

Ranger-Quartus Truk-6-4

Skitarii troops scour the Port of Lost Souls, searching for any archeotech they can loot. Ranger-Quartus Truk-6-4 finds a piece of human archaeotech after the deaths of the Tech-Priests he was assigned to guard.

Dynast Maestros Xelian, Citadel of Utar’ragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighty-four hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Xelian is unhappy with his troops, who have been unable to repel the Guard, the Necrons, or Vect. Furious, he orders his subordinates to do better on pain of a horrible demise.

Chapter Master Agiel Izaz, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighty-three hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Weaver takes the field for the first time. Soon after, millions of the giant Helspiders the Eldar had allowed to breed in the city answer her call and advance upon the enemy. To the disgust of the Imperial soldiers, many of the Drukhari enjoy being eaten by the spiders.

Aurelia Malys

Aurelia had been conscripted into a defense force when the spiders came. When the Helspiders proceed to kill all the officers, she does the smart thing and flees into a deeper sub-realm.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas

With the Helspiders having secured a landing zone for the larger ships, Weaver tells the Mechanicus that they can begin deploying their Titans. She then detaches the Heracles Wardens and Iron Drakes to seek out Objective B, and notes that Objective D is coming to her.

Captain Corr Phoecus

Phoecus regrets that he never trained as a tanker, and as such cannot crew the Obsidian Chariot, though he admires how effectively it mows down the Eldar's forces. But as most of the enemy withdraws, one advances, a master swordsman capable of slaying dozens of Helspiders without slowing down. Phoecus finds himself hard-pressed against this foe, but Weaver arrives and faces the man herself.

Slave 5537-K

A slave watches as a golden-haired woman duels Drazhar, the Master of Blades. The battle ends with the Incubus impaled upon a crystal sword, and collapsing into dust. Moments later, the woman's golden hair turns dark, and golden wings materialize from her back. The slaves cheer, knowing that the God-Emperor has saved them.

General Taylor Hebert

With Objective D dead upon her sword, Weaver sets her attention on the gates to Utar’ragh and Zel’harst. The Eldar might be able to run, but not for long. She bears a shard of the Emperor and Sanguinus, and those shards are Sacrifice.

The Warp

The destruction in Commorragh is starting to accumulate. Slaanesh is starting to feel causality asserting itself, weakening it as the power it wielded but never truly claimed ceases to have ever existed. In desperation, She-Who-Thirsts sends 66,666 legions of daemons to Khaine's Gate with orders to break into Commorragh and kill Weaver.

Succubus Jezekel ‘the Bloody Baroness’, Khaine's Gate, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighty-one hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Khaine's Gate is the most heavily guarded sub-realm of the Dark City. It contains the portal connecting the Dark City to what was once the capital of the Aeldari Empire, and is now Slaanesh's Palace of Pleasure, and as such must be protected at all costs, lest She-Who-Thirsts break into the Webway. But now it is under an attack greater than any that had occurred since the Fall. Over twenty thousand legions of excess were trying to break through. Knowing the worst was coming, Succubus Jezebel orders all units in the Dark City not actively fighting to reinforce Khaine's Gate before the daemons start breaking through.

Captain-General Anubis Excelsor, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighty-one hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The casualties, while atrocious are actually lower than the Custode had expected given the difficulty of the mission. And even if they had been worse, for a chance to cripple one of the Great Parasites, the loss of the entire Army Group would be worth the cost. The invading forces had secured a landing zone large enough to deploy titans, and now the giant war machines were marching into battle.

The Queen of Blades, Charadon, Charadon Sector, Ultima Segmentum, Eighty hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Lelith Hesperax, born Aenaria Eldanesh, Queen of Blades and last surviving Aeldari veteran of the War in Heaven, receives two messages. One is a message from the late Duke Sliscus about Weaver. The other is the message from Xelian about Weaver attacking Commorragh. Deciding that the battle in the Dark City might very well give her a challenging fight for a change, she sets course for Commorragh.

Extermination Countdown

Eighty hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Surviving Drukhari population in the Webway: approximately 183.1 billion

8.2 Hell or Commorragh

Dynast Lythric Kraillach, Citadel of Zel’harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighty hours before the Mark of Commorragh

In the citadel of Zel'harst, Dynast Lythric Kraillach, after sending his commanders and the architects of his citadel to a horrible death, returns to see that the situation has only become worse: Helspiders are starting to come out from below his domain, even after he, like all the other Dynasts, have ordered the death of all arachnids they can find. With the fall of his citadel's first wall coming close, Lythric orders the deployment of the Spectratikon, a superweapon that annihilates everything that is not protected by special shields, killing millions of Helspiders and whatever defenses still stood on the first wall. Unfortunately for him, when the Imperials counter-attack, they bring in Ambulls, creatures capable of digging tunnels at a fast pace, negating both the Spectratikon and the walls as defensive measures. Lythric orders the preparation of defenses at the second wall and the extermination of any Ambulls within Commorragh.

Dynast Ariex Yllithian, Citadel of Mar’lych, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Ariex Yllithian mocks Kraillach's 'invincible' fortress, and when asked if he wants to deploy his army, he decides to remain in place until the humans have spent their efforts on other places. Also ordering the punishment of Kraillach for deploying the Spectratikon and asking about the suppression of Vect's supporters, he seems to be in a good mood... until the earth begins to shake, a spire falls, Yllithian's second palace explodes... and Trazyn the Infinite Collector appears in the middle of them. Yllithian orders everyone to shoot at him, but nothing works, and when Trazyn mentions he intends to save the treasures and Yllithian for his collection, the Dynast starts to run away.

Second Naval Secretary Dennis Peters, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Dennis doesn't believe the Emperor is a God, but when seeing the turn of Taylor into an angelic being — particularly the energy wings now coming out of Taylor's back — he begins to have doubts. Of course, this comes up as Taylor berates a Marshal for his huge incompetence that cost high casualties to an entire army before ordering the man's execution. The discussion turns to the deployment of the Mechanicus forces, which is approved by Taylor, before she announces that the Ambulls have brought down Zel'harst's second wall, so the attack on them can continue.

Admiral-Marquis Madrax Ysclyth, Nightmare Avenue, approaches of Port Shard, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Madrax Ysclyth knew his position as Master of the Nightmare Protection was a humiliation — but, suddenly, in the middle of the chaos caused by the Imperial raid on Commorragh, his position has become incredibly important for the arrival of reinforcements and the evacuation of non-combatants, something not made easy by the hundreds that are using the chaos to settle accounts or the uprisings coming up everywhere. One of Ysclyth's admirals, Xindrell Y'Polleon, declares they have to retake a port in order to make reinforcement easier, just as the Necrons are abandoning Port Shard, but none of the admirals or officers is willing to risk the trap the Necrons have probably placed.

It is at this moment when Biel-Tan arrives, announcing their intent to retake Port Shard on their own. Before Ysclyth can point out that they do not have the numbers to deal with the situation, Y'Polleon agrees with the Biel-Tan Farseer leading the force, intent on using them as a sacrifice while the Dark Eldar regroup.

The Black Library of Chaos, Secret Sections of the Webway

The Black Library is one of the most protected parts of the universe, under the aegis of the Eldar God Cegorach and his Harlequins, and contains millions of tomes dedicated exclusively to the horrors of the Warp. Somewhere within, on an obsidian plynth, lies a book made of crystal no one has been able to read due to the chains of light keeping it closed... until now. One Harlequin per Masque is allowed to read it, and the Masques promptly leave the Library, intent on following the orders from the book, orders that may aid in defeating Slaanesh. However, three Masques have not appeared, and Cegorach hopes they will fail in their endeavors, as the book closes once more.

Abbess-Crusader Theodora Gaius, Citadel of Zel'harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The attack on Zel'harst advances slowly, but unstoppable, as the Imperial war machine annihilates everything on its way. As the Dark Eldar retreat, Theodora orders the release of another species, the Sunworms, creatures that can absorb sunlight and then release it in powerful bursts of energy and light, overwhelming the keen senses of the Eldar when they try to counterattack and leaving them easy prey for the Imperial Guard's attack. As they advance, the soldiers discover a thirty-meter tall statue made of auramite as well as a STC of a starfighter, both objects worth great fortunes.

Marshal Lorelei Moltke, Citadel of Utar’ragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Finding so many priceless archeotech has brought up a problem: now, the Mechanicus is unwilling to shoot their most powerful weapons for fear of damaging any other archeotech that may be around, and convincing the Archmagos in charge to actually support the attack is tough, but finally Lorelei Moltke convinces him to act by offering him all the archeotech acquisition efforts between the citadel's second and fifth walls.

Chapter Master Jeremiah Isley, Secret Haemonculi Labs, Citadel of Mar'lych, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-seven hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Space Marine kill team notes that the Necrons have infiltrated Mar'lych along with them, and one of them mentions it may actually be Trazyn. This puts the Space Marines' plan at risk, since reinforcements will be coming soon, and the odds are that there are millions of Eldar for each of them. Coming around to a laboratory, they seek Asdrubael Vect while they destroy everything they find, killing many abominations before a Dark Eldar begins to threaten them — before said Eldar appears and then Pierre kills him with one punch, mentioning he has found all of Vect's clones, along with those of the Haemonculi controlling the laboratory. Placing demolition charges around, the kill team leaves in order to continue their mission.

Destruction-Overlord Sitkah, Port Shard, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-seven hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Necron contact with the humans to warn them about the Eldar arriving to support the Dark Eldar, an unwelcome surprise given that collaboration between them is very rare. However, Sitkah is not overly concerned, since she has a terrible fate for the Eldar in mind, and orders the unleashing of a C'tan shard: Nyadra'zatha, the Burning One. Nyadra'zatha promptly begins to attack the Eldar fleet, burning all the Eldar ships and their crews. With the destruction of Eldar forces ensured, Sitkah orders Nyadra'zatha to be returned to its Tesseract Vault before the purpose of the attack is clear: destabilize the suns illuminating Port Shard, thus ensuring its destruction.

Ninth Lieutenant Freya Brasidas, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-six hours before the Mark of Commorragh

As the Imperial fighters continue their attack around the skies of the Port of Lost Souls, thousands of gates open up into it, allowing the Eldar to launch an attack. The Imperials fight desperately to hold off the enemy, knowing that if it reaches the battle line the efforts of the attack will be wasted. After nearly half an hour, the Imperium rises, bloodied but triumphant, out of that fight, when they finally receive good news: the Salamanders have arrived.

Forgefather Vulkan N'Varr

The newcome Salamanders, accompanied by the Howling Griffons and the Silver Skulls, waste no time and promptly teleport ninety percent of their men into the battle, fully turning the tide against the Eldar as the firepower of the allied troops and ships overwhelms the surviving Dark Eldar, as the Salamanders exact bloody revenge on them for all the predations they have caused on the people of the galaxy.

First Naval Secretary Wolfgang Bach

As it turns out, the success in the previous air fight is owed to the Necrons, who have activated a device that has closed all the gates the Eldar were opening, preventing them from sending reinforcements into the battle, although the attack has still caused severe losses on the Imperial fleet and army. As the Space Marine and Mechanicus reinforcements begin to deploy, Wolfgang declares that Objective G, the recall of the maximum possible number of Eldar fleets to Commorragh, can be considered successful.

Admiral-Marquis Madrax Ysclyth, Nightmare Avenue, approaches of Port Shard, Heart of Commorragh, Seventy-five hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Dark Eldar barely know what to do in the aftermath of the destruction of Port Shard, and Ysclyth and his main Admiral turn to try to plan for the reconquest of the Port of Lost Souls, a daunting quest even if they were at full strength. Y'Polleon suggests reinforcing the citadels and concentrating their fleets to carry out one killing blow. Knowing that every moment the Port is in human and Necron hands will only make things worse, Ysclyth agrees with the plan.

Duke Leary O'Hara, Citadel of Utar’ragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway

Duke Leary O'Hara of House Winterveil finally gets the chance all of his family has been itching about for decades: the chance to directly attack Commorragh and take revenge for the millions of people who have suffered at the Dark Eldar's hands. His wife Rosaleen tells him they are being ordered to reinforce the line, as the Eldar keep sending more of a new type of abomination called "Flesh-Towers". Leary returns to the line, even as he itches to kill more of the monsters.

Captain Gabriela Jordan, Citadel of Zel’harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-three hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The officers attacking Zel'harst meet with Taylor in the ruins of the citadel's fifth wall as the insects continue to replenish their numbers by using the Eldar corpses as food, and the former Callidus assassin wonders how it is possible that the Dark Eldar administrators are somehow worse than the Imperials. Taylor congratulates the Alamo 4th Penal Legion's Commissar-Colonel for his leadership during the battle and tasks him to free the slaves left in the Port of Lost Souls, being ready to offer any xenos willing to aid in the fight the chance to do so. It is then that Chapter Master Ta'Phor Hezonn and Archmagos Belisarius Cawl arrive at the scene, ready to offer their support for the battle — although not before bowing to Taylor.

Dynast Maestros Xelian, Citadel of Utar’ragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-three hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Xelian's fury grows as the Imperial army continues to advance, sending the Master of the Labyrinth to be impaled after losing the Labyrinth of Folly to a pure human assault, and getting angrier when he learns that several armies have deserted, a first in his entire life. Reluctantly, he allows the use of Bloodrot Crown torpedos (full of an agent that turns whoever is affected by it into zombie-like creatures) to deal with the most powerful cannons the Imperium is using against them, but one of the torpedos exploded while within its vault, causing a chain reaction that destroys those torpedos and several others, making it hard, if not impossible, to take them and use them in battle. An enraged Xelian orders the muster of all armies to attack the humans.

Colonel Tanya Sevrev, Citadel of Zel’harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Imperial Guard, as a whole, knows that Eldar are much better at close quarter combat, so they bypass that by destroying them at a distance with their lasguns and bolters, massacring them while the artillery pummels buildings and bunkers. Tanya and her officers discuss the incoming reinforcements as the Eldar continue to attempt a breakthrough even in the face of artillery and a wall of lasers, only for the Mechanicus to throw their war machines into the fight, annihilating the attackers as liberated slaves join the fight.

Grand Princeps Surena Ctesiphon

The Imperial Titans led by Surena Ctesiphon begin to bring down Utar'ragh's sixth wall, opening it for the continued offensive as Surena wonders about the horrors he has seen and praises the chance the Errant Legio he leads now has to prove their full mettle in battle. Breaching the wall, they find a zone that light can barely penetrate, so Surena requests bombardment with incendiary shells, in order to bring illumination to the zone.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas

Gavreel wonders about the arrogance of the Eldar and the errors they have committed as he continues battling them — particularly since behind the sixth wall appears like a volcanic Death World and the latest Space Marines to join the battle are precisely from a volcanic Death World, and the Salamanders prove their mettle by smashing their way through the defenses. However, the intervention of Craftworld Eldar is worrying, since it would throw off their timetable. Dennis suggests using something made by Leet, but Taylor considers it a last resource weapon and discards the option. With enemy resistance crumbling, Taylor orders the continued artillery bombardment of enemy positions.

Dynast Lythric Kraillach

Kraillach chooses not to kill the messenger bringing him news about the loss of the Wall of Lava: with the next wall critically undermanned, it is a matter of time before it falls as well. One of his men suggests deploying a superweapon like the Spectratikon, but Kraillach states there are many relics that would be destroyed (and, unknown to his men, he has a limited supply of superweapons). The relentless assault also makes it hard to mount a coherent counterattack. When one man suggests evacuating the citadel, Kraillach rejects it categorically... but then a disjunction happens and six Daemonettes — daemons of Slaanesh — appear in the middle of Kraillach's throne room, attacking everyone in sight. Kraillach and his best soldiers manage to destroy the Daemonettes, but then the most dreaded message arrives: Khaine's Gate is under attack.

Succubus Jezekel ‘the Bloody Baroness’, Khaine’s Gate, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventy hours before the Mark of Commorragh

At Khaine's Gate, six Dark Eldar soldiers die, and from their corpses surge six Daemonettes, who proclaim that Slaanesh is coming before being killed — but too late before several soldiers kill each other or themselves. Coupled with the growing fissures in Khaine's Gate, it is obvious that an attack is imminent, and the emanations coming from the greatest fissure start to transform Eldar into Chaos Spawn, forcing a retreat to safer grounds. Jezekel knows she cannot retreat without risking more problems if Slaanesh's servants manage to open the inactive gates in the sub-realm, so her only option is to stand and resist. Another disjunction happens, disgorging more of Slaanesh's daemons into Commorragh.

Soon enough, Khaine's Gate has an opening large enough to allow direct entry of Daemons into the sub-realm. The Dark Eldar begin to fight them, managing to hold them off for a time, but the numbers are too many, and when Khaine's Gate explodes it becomes impossible to stop. Jezekel orders a retreat to the Abyssal Wall, but then N'kari, Chosen of Excess, appears, many Dark Eldar surrender — and the portal to the Abyssal Wall is disconnected, trapping the survivors, who fight and kill many daemons before being killed themselves.

Supreme Lord Asdrubael Vect, Low Commorragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Sixty-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Asdrubael Vect thinks of how he had planned to pit the survivors of the Dynasts against each other in a battle royale after his coup — only to face the irony of that happening, along with the introduction of Eldar, Imperials, Necrons, the creatures controlled by Taylor and more, causing untold destruction to Commorragh. And, of course, it gets worse when Slaanesh's daemons join the fight. Knowing that it will only get worse, Vect orders a general evacuation towards his base while weapons are deployed against Craftworld Eldar forces attacking Vect's, even killing an Avatar of Khaine in the process. With all of his enemies beaten, and Low Commorragh mostly secured, Vect prepares to assault High Commorragh — but then the Fourth Disjunction happens.

General Taylor Hebert, Citadel of Zel’harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Sixty-seven hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Taylor laments that they won't be able to keep the nature of daemons a secret from the soldiers, not after she had to kill several hundreds of them. Anubis notes that this must mean that Slaanesh is panicking, and asks if the Imperial armies will be able to take the citadel soon enough. Taylor confirms this, but gets interrupted when she notices Trazyn hiding nearby, and calls him out.

Trazyn congratulates Taylor on her feats, but when Taylor tells him to go to the point, Trazyn offers her "Objective E" in exchange for a number of treasures her men have found, and Taylor agrees, with Trazyn throwing in a few trinkets. Upon arrival of "Objective E" — priceless machinery capable of forging replacement parts for the Astronomican — the Custodes excuses himself, since he has to escort the machinery to Terra, while among the "trinkets" are also multiple religious relics of great importance to the Imperium. Taylor points out that they need to defeat the Eldar before thinking about leaving, and deploys her creatures to attack through all possible fronts to make the next assault more likely to succeed, and she takes flight so she can take on the entire battlefield before ordering the troops to begin their attack.

Dynast Lythric Kraillach

Kraillach desperately defends himself from the assault by Taylor's creatures as he's warned that the Wall of Despair — the last wall before reaching the inner citadel — has just fallen. Kraillach orders a retreat to the citadel, expecting it will take long enough for him to use his most powerful weapons, as Taylor enters the battlefield, but then Kraillach's transport explodes, and he only survives as he jumps out in time and uses a jump pack, but as he approaches the ground he is attacked by the creatures controlled by Taylor. The amounts of poison in him and the pain of his injuries become too much and he lays on the ground, defenseless, until he is found by the Mechanicus, who proceeds to incapacitate him so he can be used to open the vaults.

Captain Aeonid Thiel, Corespur, Commorragh, Heart of Commorragh, Sixty-six hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Aeonid continues to make his path through Commorragh by causing as much destruction and sabotage as he can while trying to find where Jaghatai Khan is being held — with the problem that none of the Dark Eldar he has managed to capture and interrogate seems to know where the place is. So, with no clue coming in, he keeps working on his sabotage, even using the Dark Eldar's fixation on killing all spiders against them. He then meets a group of Astartes, accompanied by a Dreadnought with a pirate hat.

Magos Feng C-801 Skua, Citadel of Zel’harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Sixty-four hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Feng C-801 Skua has only needed a few hours to see his awe of being the liaison between Lankovar and Cawl turn to terror as he sees the Martian Archmagos engage in incredibly risky actions as part of the attack. Skua relays a request by Lankovar for Mechanicus support for Lady Weaver and the Dawnbreaker Guard to extract valuable pieces of archeotech, and 'coincidentally' Cawl's forces are the closest, so the Archmagos rapidly moves to support, making easy meat out of all the ambushes the Eldar try to make.

Meeting with Lady Weaver at the vault, she shows the Mechanicus a large number of human-made devices that, for some reason, the Eldar was hoarding in the vault. Cawl suddenly strikes one servo-skull with his mechadendrites, and when asked he states that the Emperor created his own version of the STC, with pieces of it being hidden across the galaxy — one of them being the interior of said servo-skull. Taylor sends Skua to act as responsible for the transport of all the recovered archeotech before telling Cawl he will have half the rights of the discovery of the pseudo-STC, should it contain valuable information, much to Skua's shock.

Aurelia Malys, Citadel of Utar’ragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Sixty-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Aurelia takes cover as the Imperial forces launch an artillery bombardment of the positions she is in, an attack she survives. The Dark Eldar in place, coming from different armies, commiserate about the destruction Commorragh is suffering — so much that they actually begin to refer to them as humans, rather than mon-keigh. One of them actually discusses running away, something the others agree may be a good idea, but given the current situation escaping may be impossible. The Imperial Guard begins the next attack by sending their Titans and the Eldar evacuate the trench, knowing that it won't do them much good.

Colonel Miroslav Suvorov

Dennis gives Major-General Anita de Waal a rebuke because of her decision to attempt a breakthrough attack while multiple armies are advancing upon her Division, suffering heavy casualties because of it. Anita de Waal wisely admits fault and promises it won't happen again. Dennis reveals that an attack is expected to happen relatively soon, and when the officers state that the Dark Eldar are a known quantity, Dennis mentions that it is Biel-tan Eldar that are expected to attack. Given the situation, extreme measures will be needed to ensure the Biel-tan attack happens in the Imperium's terms... so Dennis reluctantly allows Leet to use one of his inventions.

Chapter Master Jeremiah Isley, Corespur, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Sixty-one hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Aeonid comments on the armies the Eldar are still forming to attack the Imperial Guard, but soon the Eldar problems begin to show — namely that their way of fighting is almost useless in the current situation, and even then they are completely unused to the tactics required for such fighting to be successful. Still, they are capable of mounting a defense that will cause many casualties to the Imperial Guard, so Aeonid suggests using a risky move to break the defence. The plan is successful, but when the Eldar bring a Warp-touched abomination to fight the fire with fire, the kill team realizes they will have to intervene to help stop the Eldar.

Major-General Domenico Flabanico, Citadel of Zel’harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Sixty hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Major-General Domenico Flabanico joined Operation Caribbean by pure chance, but this has allowed him to be in place to deal with the Eldar as their last army in Zel'harst is surrounded and ready to be massacred. Victory almost assured, he authorizes his men to launch a last attack and raise the Imperial Flag on the Citadel's highest spire, which they do successfully.

Major-General Paul Dundee, Corespur, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Fifty-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Even coming from a Death World where terrible beasts are common, Major-General Paul Dundee is still thrown off at how many creatures Lady Weaver controls, before turning his aim at the Dark Eldar and readying his men for battle. The Mechanicus and the Astartes arrive, followed by Lady Weaver and the Dawnbreaker Guard, and the fight continues.

Palace of Slaanesh, The Warp

Slaanesh's plans are coming down in ruins: the death of so many Dark Eldar, while giving the Prince of Excess billions of souls to feed in, is devastatingly overwhelmed by the fact that it means even more souls will not be born or suffer, causing them to vanish from her Palace, along with millions of demons that it has been using in its wars. As Slaanesh pours all of its resources into fighting to secure itself, Khorne decides to send his Bloodletters to attack the Palace of Slaanesh directly... Bloodletters led by Ka'Bandha, who is not going to let Slaanesh claim Weaver.

The Queen of Blades, Nexus Ascending Moon, Fifty-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Lelith Hesperax races across the Webway towards Commorragh and sees thousands of Eldar fleeing the Dark City, and she compares the chaos scenes with the Fall of the Eldar. Reflecting on how all her efforts to prevent the Fall were for nothing, she finally reaches her personal battleship and her troops, who give her an account of the latest events, including the fall of Khaine's Gate. As her ship departs, she takes her personal weapon — Ala'ra, the First Sword of Vaul — and her armor — the Night Rose — expecting to find someone that can finally challenge her.

Hierarch Morr ‘the Blue Klaive’, Abyssal Wall, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Fifty-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The defense of the portal that communicates Khaine's Gate with the rest of Commorragh, opened wide by a traitor, turns desperate, as even killing hundreds of thousands of daemons does nothing about the millions coming behind them. The Incubi defending the place are ready for close-quarter combat, even though they know they will all die, all to give the people behind them time to evacuate. When Morr orders everyone to stand on the walls, Slaanesh sends an abomination to ask him why he is presenting a defense: Morr replies that they are warriors. The abomination salutes him and presents itself: Fulgrim, the Living Perfection. In spite of his defiance, Morr easily falls before the former Primarch of the Emperor's Children.

Chancellor of the Imperial Council Samson Pitt, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, Fifty-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Samson Pitt is not happy about Xerxes Vandire being named Master of the Administratum, but as Chancellor of the Imperial Council it is his task to ensure order in the council. Samson is hosting a reception for the Imperial Council, which is to meet in nine days. As he speaks with his aide about the reception, a bell begins to toll, one Samson cannot recognize at first, until he realizes its significance: it's the Bell of the Golden Dawn, which means the Adeptus Custodes are being called to war.

Heir-Dynast Grevyth ‘Barbtongue’ Xelian, Uldanesh Prison, Corespur, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Fifty-eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Grevyth Xelian, heir to Dynast Xelian, is in a rather compromising situation: when trying to secure Uldanesh Prison to kill all of its prisoners, its warden, Succubus Sorala of the Cult of the Crippled Lungs, has had all of his guards killed and captured him at sword-point as she lays down all of her reasons to hate the Dynast, many surging in the past few hours. Grevyth tells Sorala that purging the prisoners may end up earning her a pardon, but Sorala points out that the current chaos has left her unable to do anything as many of the prisoners escape while purging the others is next to impossible as Slaanesh's armies approach. Sorala tells him she has decided to resign before teleporting him to the depths of the prison, completely unarmed. As he tries to climb up, he encounters a large human — who surprises him by talking in perfect Eldar before grabbing him by the throat. Grevyth tries to escape, but the human prevents him from doing it before presenting himself: he's Rogal Dorn, and Terra stands. Grevyth dies and the Primarch of the Imperial Fists leaves.

Extermination Countdown

Fifty-eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh
Surviving Drukhari population in the Webway: approximately 175.2 billion
Asuryani killed during the Battle of Commorragh: approximately 1.1 million

8.3. Terra Stands

Impossible Fortress, Crystal Labyrinth, The Warp

Tzeentch is enraged about the plan the Emperor unleashed using his own Shadowpoint to set up, but concedes that the Anathema has won this round. Rather than throw good money after bad, he pulls back his forces. As a result of this, a Warp Storm that has been raging for thousands of years vanishes as if it had never existed, leaving behind a trail of ruined worlds... and a single Astartes battleship.

Navigator Lully Vegtam, The Warp

The Gloriana-class battleship Flamewrought, flagship of the Eighteenth Legion, has been trapped in the Warp since the Dropship Massacre. With the dispersal of the Isstvan Warp Storm, they are finally reconnected to the light of the Astronomicon. Their last surviving Navigator, badly wounded from the battle they had fled, is granted a vision of Sanguinus the Great Angel, pointing him to a specific location. Despite knowing that the journey will likely kill him, he prepares to translate the ship to the Materium one last time.

High Commissar Lyon Gregor, Desaderian Gulf Sub-Sector, Segmentum Tempestus, Fifty-seven hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Black Templar Battle-Barge Abhorrence wishes to take a fleet they are traveling with to join the invasion of Commorragh, but unfortunately, most of the fleet's Navigators were casualties of recent Dark Eldar raids, making the trip to Pavia impossible. Undaunted, they announce that they will instead invade through the gate in the Desadarian Gate. The Guard and Navy forces, knowing that the Drukhari still hold that gate, consider this plan to be utter folly.

Archon Vypus Kryjurid

Archon Vypus Kryjurid holds this gate, but Vect has altered the gate's time dilation; if they use it now they will arrive too late to Commorragh to participate in the battle. He curses and threatens his servants to unseal the gate on pain of his wrath, so that he might win enough glory to claim the title of Dynast for himself. The gate is eventually reconfigured, but as the Archon congratulates himself for motivating his men properly, a new ship translates out of the warp right next to his fleet — the Flamewrought.

Marshal Hermann Malberg

Hermann Malberg, commander of the Black Templars force stationed on the Abhorrence, watches as the Flamewrought takes the Eldar by surprise and crushes them, declaring it to be a miracle. With the path to the Webway open, he declares the start of the Commorragh Crusade, and calls on the Guard and the Salamanders to follow him to war.

General Taylor Hebert, Corespur, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Fifty-six hours before the Mark of Commorragh

In order to complete Objectives H and I, the Guard must take the sub-realm of Corespur. But a Biel-Tan army stands in their way. Taylor is forced to wonder if anything short of obliterating their Craftworld will make that particular group of Eldar leave her alone, ultimately concluding that there probably isn't. Taylor begins a methodical attack, planning to use her insects first to lessen the casulaties, when suddenly an eldar uses a psychic ability, causing a horde of deamons to rush through the numberous breaches created between the Warp and Webway. With irrefutable evidence that the Biel-Tan warriors are stupid enough to tear apart the very realm they are standing in while a Ruinous Power's attention is on them, Taylor orders an immediate full frontal assault to stop them from making the situation any worse. The assault is successful, but Jonas of the Dawnbreaker Guard sacrifices himself to take a fatal blow meant for Taylor. Taylor orders his body be taken back to the Enterprise, and swears that one day soon, Craftworld Biel-Tan will burn.

Archmagos Desmerius Lankovar

The Mechanicus has seized an incredible amount of archeotech, but at the moment Lady Weaver is unconcerned about the inventory. The main thing she cares about is that they have successfully captured an Aquila-marked canister necessary for Objective I. Lankovar has his reservations about Objective I, but concedes that the bulk of their mission only impacts one of the four Ruinous Powers, while Objective I, if successful, will weaken the Seventeenth Legion, the Word Bearers, and through them the other three.

Second Naval Secretary Dennis Peters, Citadel of Utar’ragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Fifty-five hours before the Mark of Commorragh

After shadowy assassins murdered most of the officers on their right flank, disgraced drunkard Major-General Cassandar Gorgias heroically rallied the survivors of the 21st Division and held against a massive Biel-Tan assault — at the cost of eighty percent casualties and his life. His heroic actions and sacrifice saved the right flank of the 3rd Army, resulting in his nomination for three posthumous decorations, including the Star of Terra. As the survivors fall back, Dennis orders Leet's Cthulhu weapon — a bouncing orb of energy that grows larger as it absorbs Eldar and splits into more of them if destroyed — to be deployed to cover the retreat.

Aurelia Malys

Aurelia is now an officer by virtue of having outlived everyone else to make that claim. A Biel-Tan Farseer tries to take command, but Aurelia reflexively kills him after he attempts to use sorcery — a risky action likely to summon daemons at the best of times in Commorragh, which these were definitely not. The other Biel-Tan warriors attack in response to the summary execution, so are killed as well, after which Aurelia orders that they fall back to the Corespur. As they leave, she notices that the soulstones of the fallen Biel-Tan are missing, and wonders what the Harlequins — the only people capable of harvesting them so quickly and stealthily — are up to.

Trazyn the Infinite Collector, Old City, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Fifty-four hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Trazyn begs Neferten's Nemesors to call back the shard of Nyadra’zatha long enough to allow him to collect any relics of value from the Old City before they burn, but his request is denied. Suddenly, the shard's attack is shattered, followed by the shard itself. Recognizing that only the Queen of Blades could have performed such a feat, Trazyn orders everyone to fall back, and to tell Weaver that they are running out of time. The Collector discards his more ostentatious equipment in favor of more powerful weaponry as he is confronted by the last of the Ancient Aeldari, who demands that he return her mother's crown. After an exchange of introductory monologues, the battle is joined.

Supreme Lord Asdrubael Vect, High Commorragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Fifty-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Harlequins have been sabotaging Vect's supply dumps, severely hindering his plans to conquer the city, and his reinforcements are not coming. Vect orders a retreat to Low Commorragh, but before he can do so, the forces of Dynast Xelian appear, seeking revenge for his allegedly leading the Imperium to the Dark City.

Admiral-Marquis Madrax Ysclyth, Middle Darkness, Heart of the Webway, Fifty-one hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Harlequins have cut the Middle Darkness off from the rest of Commorragh, trapping everyone there with a horde of hungry daemons. The leader of the Drukhari forces claims that such treachery will not be forgiven, but the Harlequins counter that all will be forgiven with the Second Fall.

General Taylor Hebert, Corespur, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Fifty hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Weaver's forces take the Corespur, and with it the Core Gate, one of three known master control systems for the Webway — with the others being in the Black Library and the Eye of Terror (assuming that one survived the Fall). As Cawl records everything he can see in the hopes of being one day able to reproduce it, Weaver and a score of Librarians activate the gate, and Taylor orders the gate to sever the connection between the Eternity Gate on Holy Terra and the Eldar city of Calastar. Told she is not authorized to make such a command, she reviews the list of ways she can gain such authority and finds that through her military accomplishments, she has met the prerequisites to be a Claimant for the throne of the Aeldari Empire. Seizing the opportunity, she claims the title and then orders that the Webway be restructured so that there is no threat of daemonic invasion of Terra from Calastar. As she disconnects from the Core Gate, she finds that seven of the Librarians, including one of her Dawnbreaker Guard, failed to withstand the pull of the Warp while supporting her and had to be executed.

Dark Apostle Sor Djakartal, The Gates of Terra, The Webway, Forty-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Ever since the Heresy, the Eternity Gate of Terra has been under siege by a combined force of daemons and Chaos Space Marines from each of the Ruinous Powers. But with the impact of the battle in the Dark City, all of the forces aligned with Slaanesh and most of the forces of Tzeentch have withdrawn. Suddenly, the Webway twists, and the Chaos forces find themselves in an unfamiliar location, with a force of Custodes, Grey Knights, and Sisters of Silence attacking them, backed by a dozen Titans.

Tribune Basil Macedonian

The Eternity Gate has not been removed from the Webway, but its connection has been moved. The Custodes order the Grey Knights to ensure that none of the Chaos forces live to discover where the new connection leads and report it to their masters, an order they accept gladly.

General Taylor Hebert, Corespur, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh

With the other end of the Eternity Gate moved to Nocturne, Objective H is complete. Weaver goes over her primary objectives. Objective A — breaking the Port of Lost Souls — is complete. Objectives B and C — killing Urien Rakarth and Vect — are partially complete, with no way of knowing if there are more clones left to hunt. Objective D — killing Drazhar — is complete. Objective E — recovering the spare parts for the Astronomicon — is complete. Objective F — finding the lost Primarch — is so far a failure. Objective G — luring in the Eldar Fleet — is complete. Unnamed objectives I and J were still in progress. But with daemons pouring into Corespur, they can no longer afford any more time for the forces seeking to complete Objective F.

Major-General Helmut De Villiers

With legions of bloodthirsters pouring in, a disgraced general takes command of the Fay 24th and leads them into battle to buy the rest of his division time to escape. Barely five percent of the regiment survives, the general not among them, but they buy the 9th Division the time it needs.

Marshal Werner Groener

The sacrifice of the Fay 24th earns them a unit citation and their commander the Star of Terra, as they saved fifteen regiments through their courage. But the Guard's troubles are not over, for Fulgrim has arrived, and is seeking a battle.

Supreme Lord Asdrubael Vect, Low Commorragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-seven hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Urien Rakarth has fallen to Chaos and invites Vect to do the same. Vect refuses and orders a series of anti-Empyrean bombs he had planted across the sub-realm to detonate.

Captain Aeonid Thiel

Aeonid and Pierre engage the Daemon Primarch Fulgrim in combat. Weaver quickly joins but reveals a startling fact: the daemon before them is not Fulgrim, merely a daemon possessing his corpse. This reveal infuriates not-Fulgrim, but before he can attack, from one of the ambull dug tunnels two figures emerge: a Duardin, Champion-Slayer Borek, son of Burlek, and Rogal Dorn, who declares the monster is not his brother.

Abbess-Crusader Theodora Gaius

The battle against the Naga is furious. Gaius takes a blow meant for Rogal Dorn, a blow she knows will be fatal. With her dying act, she prevents the daemon from withdrawing his blades from her body.

Abbess-Brigadier Galatea Dumas

Knowing that the blades in the Abbess are the same ones that poisoned Roboute Guilliman, Cawl places the weapons in stasis so that he can later study them and form an antidote. The daemon tries to reclaim them but is forced back.

General Taylor Hebert

No matter how much punishment he takes, the False Daemon-Primarch refuses to go down. Even the addition of a loyal Primarch is not enough to turn the tide of battle. Suddenly, a massive Webway Gate opens, and the Flamewrought emerges from it.

Aurelia Malys

Watching from a distance, Aurelia concludes that the humans have won and further resistance is futile. She decides they will retreat to Craftworld Ulthwe.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas

The Naga's forces are pulverized by the attacking battleships and the Astartes troops deploying from them, but he is not yet beaten. Weaver seems to get taunted into a blade lock she can't win when she suddenly draws a C'tan phase blade—taken from Callidus apprentice Tziz Jarek—and repeatedly stabs him in the face. As the Naga screams, she breaks the Naga's last blade and finally banishes the monster back into the Warp.

General Taylor Hebert

With the Naga banished, Taylor orders the warships to withdraw, though many of the ground troops, including William Castor, commander of the 18th Legion's 9th Company, elect to stay and continue fighting. Once the orders to start falling back to Zel'harst are given, Taylor speaks with Rogal Dorn, trading news of how his descendants have handled themselves with the tale of how he came to be in the Dark City. He had apparently been wounded by the Queen of Blades while he was hunting Omegon, the surviving twin Primarch of the Alpha Legion. That said, he feels that he cannot return to the Imperium just yet: his brother Jaghatai Khan had sent many White Scars to rescue him over the centuries, and in return, Dorn holds that he must rescue his brother from the Webway in return. Giving Taylor a sample of his blood so that she can make more 7th Legion geneseed, he goes to dispense some advice to the Black Templars.

Marshal Hermann Malberg, Zel'harst, Commoragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-six hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Black Templars are driven to tears by the knowledge that their Primarch would be leaving them so soon, but cannot dispute the obligation of honor to save the Great Khan. Promising that he will return to command the Phalanx of the Imperial Fists again someday, he reminds the Templars that a Crusade is valueless if you cannot hold the territory the Crusade takes, and asks them to heed Weaver's word as if it was his own. After telling Weaver that Sanguinus would have been proud to count her in his Legion, the Praetorian departs into the Webway, taking an Honor Guard of ten Astartes of various Chapters with him.

Palace of Slaanesh, The Warp

The daemon named Fazar’nzlath’hesh, who had once claimed to have been Fulgrim, appears in the Warp after losing the battle against Weaver. The wounds on its face are not healing and are such that it can no longer pretend to be Fulgrim. Further, Weaver's actions have broken the sire bond allowing him to command the Emperor's Children as though he were Fulgrim. Knowing that the only way to fully recover is to find and consume Fulgrim's soul, it prepares to set out to find the Pride of the Emperor, where said soul is trapped. But before it can do so, Ka'Bandha, the Angel's Bane, attacks, unhappy about the Naga's attempt to kill Weaver, as the Bloodthirster had claimed her as his own prey.

Marshal Lorelei Moltke, Citadel of Utar’ragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-six hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Guard is still horrified by Leet's Cthulhu weapon, and are glad that the thing is only attacking Eldar and daemons. With seemingly no other way to get rid of it, the Mechanicus prepares a world-flame warhead, which should be sufficient to destroy it — along with everything else in the sub-realm.

Chancellor Friar Achelieux, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-five hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Reinforcements are still coming in through the Eversprings Gate, and almost all of the loot seized in the battle has been shuttled back to Pavia. However, there has been no report of what has been happening in the Old City since it started burning, and that is becoming very worrying.

Captain Aeonid Thiel, Zel'harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-four hours before the Mark of Commorragh

With the Naga's blades captured, the hope of a cure for Aeonid's Primarch now exists. The mission that took him away from Macragge is now finally over.

Supreme Lord Asdrubael Vect, Low Commorragh, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-three hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Drukhari are falling to Chaos by the millions. Vect is not one of them. If he lives, it is to be as his own master. If refusing to submit kills him, so be it. Determined to see him dead or broken, the forces of Slaanesh send the first Aeldari to ever fall to Chaos, Morathi Uldanesh, Last Empress of the Phoenix Court and Arch-Priestess of She-Who-Thirsts, to claim his soul one way or the other. Vect prepares for what may be the last fight of his life.

General Taylor Hebert, Citadel of Zel'harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

After getting two hours of rest, Taylor wakens to find the withdrawal continuing. Suddenly, Trazyn appears in a panic, wondering why they hadn't heeded his message and gone into an all-out retreat hours ago. Not having received any messages, she wonders what he is talking about, but the answer soon introduces itself: Aenaria Eldanesh, Queen of Blades, has come to test the mettle of the human who has dared to place a claim on the throne of the Aeldari Empire.

Extermination Countdown

Forty-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Uncorrupted Drukhari population in the Webway: approximately 83.1 billion

Corrupted Drukhari population in the Webway: approximately 48.3 billion

Asuryani killed during the Battle of Commorragh: approximately 973 million

8.4 The Queen of Blades

Orbit of Tor Yvresse, Crone World, a former provincial capital of the Aeldari Empire, The Eye of Terror

The Gloriana-class battleship Pride of the Emperor has been neglected for thousands of years, being used by countless Daemonettes to indulge their various pleasures rather than being maintained and utilized. Because of this, nobody on board is prepared when seven battleships of the Death Guard arrive and perform a ritual banishing the ship — and more importantly, the soul of Fulgrim trapped aboard — from both the Materium and Immaterium forever. The Emperor will not be able to rescue and redeem the Third Primarch, and Slaanesh will not be able to create a new Daemon Primarch. With that done, the Nurglite forces go to war against the Slaanesh-controlled planet below them.

Epistolary Hendrik, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Epistolary Hendrik of the Dawnbreaker Guard has been pulled from the front lines due to battle wounds and is unlikely to be able to return before the current battle, as the only medicine capable of treating wounds that quickly, blue bacta, is deadly to psykers like him. With nothing else to do, he starts talking about the battle with Seneschal-Consort Wei Cao, who has volunteered to serve as a medical corpsman to help stem the enormous flow of wounded.

General Taylor Hebert, Zel'harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Forty-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Taylor orders all troops still in Zel'harst to pull out as she confronts the Queen of Blades. As she assembles an enormous swarm formed of millions of death world insects, Aenaria looks them over and says that they won't be enough. But before the battle is joined, the portal to Corespur opens, and an army led by half a dozen Daemon Princes storms into Zel'harst, intent on Weaver's death.

The Queen of Blades

Three forces gather in Zel'harst. On one side, Saint Weaver of the Imperium, commanding a swarm of millions of deadly insects. One another, six Daemon Champions of Slaanesh, commanding sixty-six Legions of Excess. On the third, the Queen of Blades stands alone. Drawing Ala'ra, the first Sword of Vaul, Aenaria notes that for the first time in far too many cycles, she is not bored. A three-way battle erupts, with the last survivor of the Aeldari slaughtering insects and daemons with equal ease.

Palace of Slaanesh, The Warp

Khorne has been taking advantage of Slaanesh's vulnerability by sending Legions of Blood to attack areas that had been left exposed by the departure of the Legions of Excess to the Dark City. In addition, Angron, Daemon Primarch of the World Eaters, commands all the dispersed warbands of the former World Eaters Legion to go to war against the Slaaneshi Emperor's Children Legion. As the war between the Blood God and the Dark Prince escalates, Tzeentch sends its own legions into the fray as well.

Second Naval Secretary Dennis Peters, Zel'harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Thirty-nine hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The duel between the Queen of the Swarm and the Queen of Blades continues, to the general awe of all witnesses. Five of the six Greater Daemons have already been cut down, with the Eldar Succubus not appearing to use anything but pure skill. But not all of the Legions of Excess are participating in the duel. Many of the lesser daemons were pouring around the main fight to go after the Guard and Astartes forces, slowly pushing them back. Dennis isn't happy about abandoning Taylor, but is forced to admit that nothing they have will make a difference in that fight.

General Taylor Hebert

It takes Taylor less than ten minutes to realize that her odds of beating the Queen of Blades was about the same as her odds of killing Leviathan when they had fought in Brockton Bay so long ago: zero. In the time Taylor has killed the weakest two of the six Greater Daemons, Aenaria has slain the other four and made it look easy. Undeterred, Slaanesh sends two more Greater Daemons: Urien Rakarth and Malekith, the Last Emperor of the Aeldari before the Fall. Upon seeing her former liege, who she had never regarded with more than utter contempt, the Queen of Blades announces that Weaver has managed to acquit herself acceptably in the trial of blades between them, and as such, she is hereby anointed as Empress of the Aeldari. Malekith, outraged, orders more Legions of Excess to attack.

The Queen of Blades

Rakarth tries to kill Aenaria, but ends up impaled on a crystal created from Taylor's sword. The Queen of Blades is impressed but tells Taylor that the Blades of Vaul do not have the power to permanently kill daemons. Taylor asks what would be needed to truly kill Rakarth, and is told that the only things that can do so are something that is Anathema to the Ruinous Powers, or Aenaria herself. Weaver then inquires what she would like in exchange for permanently ending the Daemon Homunculus, as she needs to deny his fleshcrafting skills to the Drukhari. Pleased that her opponent is asking and offering fair payment instead of demanding, Aenaria requests that Taylor commission a gladiatorial arena worthy of hosting battles for the Queen of Blades. Taylor agrees, and moments later, Objective B is complete.

High Farseer Faer Machdavar, Magnificent Xelian Gate, Outer Approaches of the Port of Lost Souls, Thirty-six hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The permanent death of a Greater Daemon is synonymous with inflicting an actual wound, however minor, upon the Chaos God that empowered it. The shriek of pain as She-Who-Thirsts loses a piece of hirself is felt by psykers across the galaxy. It ends up flooring Faer Machdavar, leader of the Biel-Tan expedition to Commorragh. In desperation, he orders that all actively-psychic forces stop exercising any form of their power to keep Slaanesh from noticing them immediately. Even with this precaution, daemons are slowly wiping them out, so he orders a retreat. Suddenly the Webway gates they were using to arrive disappear. As the Yngir seal keeps them from advancing into the Port of Lost Souls, they are now trapped with the Legions of Excess. Faer Machdavar blames Weaver for everything. The Grand Harlequin of the Masque of the Frozen Stars (one of the three Masques which did not take instruction from Cegorach at the Black Library) arrives and tells him that they have a device that could grant them victory: the Abyss of Dreams.

The Hunting Grounds, The Abyss

The Abyss of Dreams was a relic that Cegorach had ordered his followers to destroy at the first opportunity, if for no other reason because the device was powered by Eldar souls. The Masque of the Frozen Stars found one and chose to keep it, and Biel-Tan is so obsessed with destroying their enemy that they agree to use it. 666 Harlequins and 666 Aspect Warriors are sacrificed to activate it, and the 1,332 souls are cast into the Warp, finding themselves in a world owned by Khorne where they are torn apart by 8,888 Flesh Hounds.

General Taylor Hebert, Zel'harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Thirty-five hours before the Mark of Commorragh

After the death of Rakarth, Malekith flees, only to be replaced by a succession of lesser Greater Daemons. Trading quality for quantity doesn't slow the Queen of Blades at all. Suddenly, the two combatants find themselves trapped in a bubble of darkness. Taylor tries to break free but is stopped by Aenaria, who tells her that doing so would be instantly fatal. She then explains that the Abyss of Dreams is a weapon from the War in Heaven meant to trap C'Tan, which never actually held one for long due to the horrific power requirements — over a thousand souls per hour to keep it on — and as a result had long ago been discarded as useless. But, while humans and Eldar cannot enter or leave the Abyss, daemons can, and they are soon confronted by a Legion of Excess led by Morathi. The Queen of Blades permanently terminates the former Dowager Empress of the Aeldari on general principle without bothering to ask Weaver for additional payment.

Captain Gabriela Jordan, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Thirty-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

While the Dark Eldar are indisputably the vilest xenos race in the Dark City, they're hardly the only one the galaxy would be better off without: thousands of xenos who had joined the Drukhari in tormenting humans for sport are turned into impromptu Penal Legions and forced to fight their former allies and the daemons, buying the Imperium more time to withdraw. A handful of other xenos races that the Inquisition has ruled as potentially useful are being extracted. Outside the port, the battlefields are being drowned in lava in order to slow the enemy down, meaning that most of the surviving Guard forces aren't even capable of fighting anymore and are pulling back.

General Taylor Hebert, The Abyss of Dreams, Thirty hours before the Mark of Commorragh

With nowhere to retreat, the battle in the Abyss has turned into a war of endurance as Taylor and Aenaria fight off the flow of daemons of all classes that attempt to attack them.

Archmagos Prime Gastaph Hediatrix, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Twenty-six hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Mechanicus is hard at work preparing the equipment needed for Objective J. An enormous, long-disused Webway Gate is activated, and an Astropathic message is sent to Task Force X to have them get in position on the other side of the gate to transit at the proper time. Meanwhile, the Knights and Titan forces are starting to have difficulty withdrawing in good order due to terrain difficulties caused by the lava. The various soldiers in Angel's Sword power armor, dispersed across the Guard, are ordered to form a single unit to support their withdrawal. As for the accumulation of booty during the campaign, eleven STC templates or STC-derived relics have been found and recovered, though the Mechanicus are still holding out hope that they'll be able to make it an even dozen.

Colonel Tom Cameron, Zel'harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Twenty-two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Tens of thousands of slaves are beyond rescue even after being recovered: their bodies have been infected by plagues or corruptive mutations, and the Imperium lacks the time or resources to treat them. The doomed slaves have been given weapons and a chance to go out grabbing a measure of revenge against their enemies. Behind the suicidal charge of the liberated slaves, the armored units of the Guard, Astartes, and Mechanicus follow, slaughtering daemons to buy the infantry time to retreat.

Chapter Master Agiel Izaz

With the absence of the Black Rage, the Brothers of the Red know that Weaver is still alive and fighting. As they continue to battle the Legions of Excess, they note that the next time Weaver asks them to support one of her campaigns, they should insist on sending a Crusade-level force — it's not like her wars don't turn into Crusade-sized operations anyway, and it would be better to be properly prepared.

Supreme Lord Asdrubael Vect, Hidden Blade, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighteen hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Vect is still alive, but just barely: before Morathi was sent to fight Weaver in the Abyss, Vect lost an army and suffered multiple injuries. Knowing that Morathi's weapon was daemonically tainted, Vect concedes that he is going to die, and that clone resurrection will not help him — even if any of his secret clone labs were still intact. He takes a flyer to the tallest standing spire in the sub-realm, pours himself some wine, and sits to watch as Commmorragh falls. His musings are interrupted by Malekith, who has come to claim his soul one way or the other, but Vect chooses to go out on his own terms by detonating a Soul-Obliterator, killing himself and ensuring Slaanesh will never have him. Objective C is completed through an act of defiant suicide, though nobody from the Imperium of Man is there to witness it.

Palace of Slaanesh, The Warp

Malekith survives the Soul-Obliterator by luck, but only barely. However, the loss of a Daemon Prince would have hurt Slaanesh much less than the death of Asdrubael Vect has: had history followed its course, Vect would have united the Drukhari and turned them into a force that would unleash untold suffering upon trillions, greatly empowering Slaanesh to the point that it could have challenged Khorne. However, now that future is gone, and so is all the power She-Who-Thirsts claimed before it was created. Entire Legions of Excess cease to have ever existed and many Slaanesh-influenced activities across the galaxy and history are suddenly bereft of her influence, turning triumphs into hard-won victories and hard-won victories into crushing defeats. The death of the Dark Eldar's greatest leader before he could become such is a brutal blow to Chaos, and as Slaanesh rages Khorne, Tzeentch and Nurgle take advantage of the former's weakening to invade its Daemon Worlds and kill its servants.

General Taylor Hebert, The Abyss of Dreams, Fifteen hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Finally, Aenaria states that the Abyss is starting to decay as souls are no longer sacrificed to power it, and she decides to list out the requirements for the arena she has requested as her payment for killing Rakarth — which looks like it will require a good fraction of the bounty for Rakarth's head.

First Naval Secretary Wolfgang Bach, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Admiral August von Kisher, commander of one of the newest reinforcement fleets to arrive in the Dark City, tries to browbeat Bach into giving up general operational command on the grounds that he's a civilian appointee who was once an Ensign and thus shouldn't be ordering around flag officers. The admiral is forced to back down when Hibou Khan, Great Khan of the White Scars Chapter, backs Bach up, followed by every other Astartes commander fighting in the fleet instead of on the ground, but Wolfgang knows it will not be the end of trouble coming from Kisher.

General Taylor Hebert, Zel'harst, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eight hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Abyss of Dreams has finally shut down, and the two surviving combatants find themselves back in the Dark City, surrounded by even more daemons. As Weaver gathers a new swarm and tries to find a way to return to her army, a silver light covers the battlefield and the daemons start to shriek in pain, while Taylor herself is forced to her knees from the pressure. Aenaria admits that this is her true power, which she normally keeps repressed because otherwise, nobody would be willing to challenge her to a fight. Before she lets Taylor go back to her troops, Aenaria gives her two messages: the first, a statement of thanks for the first decent fight she has had in thousands of cycles, and the second a warning that, if the Emperor orders an invasion of the Webway without Aenaria's permission, she will travel to Terra and kill the Emperor — which Taylor knows is not an empty threat. Aenaria releases her, and Taylor takes flight.

The Queen of Blades

Aenaria watches as Taylor leaves, and she considers her discoveries: having seen and understood what the Corona Pollentia in Weaver's brain is, she has also noticed that the Emperor's power is causing it to change: at the current rate of progression, she calculates that the Corona Pollentia will mutate after two battles like Commorragh. Thinking that the person she was a million cycles before would have killed Taylor to prevent her from reaching her full potential, she also notes that that person died when the Empire rejected her advice and caused the Fall. Aenaria realizes there is one last thing she needs to do before leaving the ruins of the Dark City and heads to her newest objective.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas

The lines blocking access to the Port of Lost Souls have been holding against the endless Legions of Excess, but ammunition is running low, and soon the defenders will be overrun. But before that can happen, a swarm takes the daemons from the rear, allowing the Astartes to wipe the warpspawn out. Weaver has returned, and now the last forces in Zel'harst can retreat themselves to the Port of Lost Souls.

Sergeant Kraas Theomor, Exalted Cathedral of the Mighty Iconoclastic Cult, Sicarus, The Eye of Terror, Five hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Word Bearers investigating the brief opening of an unexpected Webway Gate in one of their cathedrals find themselves ambushed by a xenos force they have never seen before. Objective I — releasing the Skaven followers of Malal, minor Chaos God of Anarchy, into the Eye of Terror — has been accomplished.

Captain-General Anubis Excelsor, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Three hours before the Mark of Commorragh

An exhausted Taylor has made it back to the Enterprise, and is being briefed on the current state of affairs. Within an hour, all ground troops in Commorragh will have successfully withdrawn back to the fleet, bringing an end to the land war in the Dark City. With that in place, it is time to begin Part One of Objective J: Taylor goes to an enormous cocoon being fed with Gold Bacta and tells the creature inside that it is time to hatch. A twelve-meter moth, which Leet dubs the Titanicus Sancta Weaverian Mosura^note The Japanese name for the kaiju "Mothra" and Taylor names Lisa, emerges from the cocoon and is sent to fly free.

Palace of Slaanesh, The Warp

She-Who-Thirsts is being attacked on all fronts and losing badly. In desperation, it looks into the Port of Lost Souls and sees the very faint light of a Living Saint, and that nothing had ever come through the giant Webway Gate. Deciding that this means that Weaver is now exhausted and out of tricks, it orders one last all-out assault on the Port of Lost Souls.

Third Lieutenant Freya Brasidas, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

All the pilots admire the beauty of Weaver's new pet until their officers order them to get ready to launch for one last sortie. After launching, something enormous emerges from the giant Webway Gate. To the surprise of the fighter squadrons, their IFF marks it as a friendly: the Blackstone Fortress Will of Eternity^note The same Fortress that Abaddon would have used to destroy Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade, in the original timeline.

Extermination Countdown

Two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Uncorrupted Drukhari population in the Webway: approximately 51.6 billion

Corrupted Drukhari population in the Webway: approximately 32.1 billion

Asuryani killed during the Battle of Commorragh: approximately 1.8 billion

8.5. The Mark of Commorragh

The Last Sentinel, Blackstone Fortress Will of Eternity, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

The Will of Eternity finishes its transition into Commorragh and confirms that the Core Crystal Taylor retrieved can interface with the Blackstone Fortress, allowing interaction with the Fortress' armaments. Lisa enters the Fortress and goes to the Noctillith Crystal at the Will of Eternity's heart, firing psychic energy that turns the Fortress' main guns into weapons infused with the essence of Anathema — weapons that could kill a Chaos God.

High Farseer Faer Machdavar, Battleship Empire Reborn, Magnificent Xelian Gate, Outer Approaches of the Port of Lost Souls

The Eldar become distressed when they realize they cannot take control of the Talisman of Vaul (their name for the Blackstone Fortresses), and one of the Exarchs suggests a direct attack on the Imperial fleet in order to retake the Talisman and kill Weaver, but a Howling Banshee attacks the High Farseer in wrath because all of her friends have died in the fight. After the Banshee dies (killing twelve fellow Asuryani) the High Farseer gives the order to launch an attack as soon as the Necron Dolmen Seal fails.

Palace of Slaanesh, The Warp

Slaanesh's reaction to the arrival of the Blackstone Fortress to Commorragh is suitably apocalyptic, more because it fears that, should the humans manage to infuse its core with the essence of the Emperor, the beam fired could actually attack it directly — and the consequences would not be pretty. It orders all of its Legions to attack the Fortress and it decides to go to wage war in person.

Destruction-Overlord Sitkah, Battleship Evolution of Necrodermis, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Two hours before the Mark of Commorragh

Sitkah is pleased to see how the humans have managed to turn an Aeldari ancient weapon against the Aeldari's descendants, and also pleased with the recovery of large quantities of Necrodermis (the metal Necrons are made of) and Necron relics stolen by the Drukhari. When the demons begin to attack, Sitkah orders the destruction of the last standing structures in the Port of Lost Souls, culminating the ruin of the entire place and destroying hundreds of thousands of demons. The Aeldari start their attack by destroying the minefields left behind. The Necrons prepare to engage the enemy.

General Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise

Taylor laments the fact that the Eldar have learned from past mistakes, sending crippled ships ahead to absorb the initial strikes while the rest of their fleet approaches and Lisa mentally bombards her with requests for sugar and food. Taylor orders the beginning of the fight.

Chapter Master Hibou Khan, Battle-Barge Jaghatai's Pride

The Imperial Fleet begins to suffer its first losses, while the Eldar also suffer bigger losses. Hibou Khan orders the separation of part of the fleet to directly charge the Eldar Battleships, destroying five of them. However, the battle suffers a pause as a daemonic tide begins to cover the battlefield: Hibou Khan orders the raising of all Gellar Fields and warns the other ships to do the same. Before it hits, though, the Fast Battleship Inflexible breaks in half, leaving the left flank in disarray.

Admiral Oskar von Reuenthal, Battleship Son of Victory

Oskar von Reuenthal watches as the Fast Battleships die one after the other, with differing grades of success on taking down the Eldar attacking them. The daemonic fleet bypasses the Imperials to directly attack the Blackstone Fortress, while the Eldar continue to fight the Imperium. Reuenthal takes advantage of one of the Eldar ship's weaknesses to bring down three of their Battleships, to a terrible cost in ships.

Forgefather Vulkan N'Varr, Battle-Barge Vulkan's Wrath

The Eldar have managed to board the Vulkan's Wrath, but the Salamander Space Marines have managed to kill the boarders. However, the situation is not good: many ships are dying around them, even as they kill the attacking Eldar. von Kisher achieves some glory by having his dying flagship charge into the Biel-tan, destroying multiple Cruisers and ramming a Biel-Tan battleship.

Third Lieutenant Freya Brasidas, Thunderbolt White Lance

Freya is forced to kill a fellow pilot who has been corrupted by Chaos and requests permission to disengage, since her ammunition levels are too low. Managing to fend off and kill several Eldar bombers, she is left nearly out of fuel and ammo right when there are demons and Eldar between her and the nearest Carrier, the The Great Quest. A ship explosion damages her starfighter, and as she tries to control it to reach The Great Quest an explosion shakes her ship off. By some miracle, she manages to crash-land into The Great Quest, but her injuries are such that she falls unconscious.

General Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise

The Enterprise gets struck by an Eldar weapon capable of bypassing Void Shields, although fortunately the ship that fired the weapon has already been destroyed. A Mechanicus ship is in peril, and she agrees to redirect the Ancalagon armours to support said ship. Fortunately, good news finally arrive: the Blackstone Fortress is ready to begin its preliminary firing procedure, and now the Imperial Fleet does not have to keep protecting the Fortress. Taylor orders all Gellar Shields and Void Shields to be raised to the maximum.

High Farseer Faer Machdavar, Battleship Empire Reborn

The Blackstone Fortress prepares to fire, causing a wave of psychic pressure across the battlefield. Faer orders to stop the Fortress' attack at any price, but before they can act pure golden light covers the Talisman of Vaul, extinguishing thousands of demons before it fires its gun, covering the entire realm in a golden flame shockwave while a beam flies towards one of the Gates. Hundreds of Eldar ships begin to fall as Drukhari and Asuryani alike suffer from the psychic backlash of the attack.

Kheradruakh the Decapitator, Aelindrach, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Eighteen minutes before the Mark of Commorragh

The Mandrakes, led by Kheradruakh the Decapitator, fight off the demons trying to attack Aelindrach, their realm within the Webway, and the Demon attack has interrupted his plot to carry out a ritual to turn himself into an immortal creature. The Mandrakes cheer on Kheradruakh, but before they can continue the battle, the fire from the Blackstone Fortress' attack annihilates the entire realm, along with all the Mandrakes.

Khaine's Gate, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Seventeen minutes before the Mark of Commorragh

Using an Avatar created out of the body of Morathi Uldanesh's granddaughter — a newborn Morathi used in the ritual that gave birth to Slaanesh — the Prince of Excess manages to step into the Webway itself. However, someone else interposes in its path: Cegorach, the Laughing God, stands in Slaanesh's way to prevent it from reaching the Port of Lost Souls. Slaanesh attacks, but Cegorach manages to deflect the attack with Laisa'drakh, the Deception of Emotions, the Ninety-Eighth Sword of Vaul. When Slaanesh mocks Cegorach, the Laughing God fires back that he is not the one in need of salvation — just as the Blackstone Fortress' attack finally hits it. Pure Anathema energy causes her incredible pain, and Cegorach takes advantage of it to impale her with his sword — but Slaanesh is not finished yet, throwing Cegorach away with a mighty blow.

The Last Sentinel, Blackstone Fortress Will of Eternity, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Sixteen minutes before the Mark of Commorragh

Unfortunately, firing the weapon has not been enough to deal a mortal blow to Slaanesh, and the Blackstone Fortress suffers many problems from the incredible output required for the attack. However, Constantin Valdor, first Captain-General of the Custodes and commander of the Blackstone Fortress, knows that the attack has weakened Slaanesh, and that there are still three operational cannons that can fire a similar attack. The Magos protests, but Valdor points out that the Blackstone Fortress will not leave Commorragh on account of the Gate they used being destroyed. He orders the Magos in charge of the procedures to engage the systems to turn the Fortress around so it can fire one of the remaining cannons, while he and the skeleton crew evacuate — and while Valdor stays to guard the Fortress' core, essentially sacrificing himself to give the Imperium victory.

The Laughing God, Khaine's Gate, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway

Cegorach reflects on how he barely escaped Slaanesh during the Fall, only to now see how it manages to rip the Sword of Vaul out of its body to then throw it well beyond his reach. Slaanesh attacks him, and Cegorach is injured. He manages to summon enough strength to stand, ready to fight one last time — only for Aenaria Eldanesh to come from behind him, taking up her own sword to fight Slaanesh and hold the line.

Archmagos Desmerius Lankovar, Battleship Standard Template Construct, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway

The situation for the Caribbean Fleet is not looking much good, even after the Blackstone Fortress' attack wipes out the demons — because a Warp Rift has opened, and not only do millions of demons spring out of it, but also does the Maleficarum Aeternum, a demonic Battleship, which the Caribbean Fleet has little chance to defeat. The Maleficarum's first attack destroys an Imperial Battleship and a Necron Battleship, and demons begin to attack the ships.

Captain Gabriela Jordan, Battleship Enterprise

Gabriela leads the troops onboard the Enterprise in a desperate fight to kill the demons that are boarding the ship. They manage to wipe out multiple demons from several attacks even after four days of non-stop fighting. Gabriela is sent flying against someone wearing power armor, leaving her 'riding' the man — who turns out to be Dennis, who paralyzes her. Ancient Pierre admonishes them for "fraternizing" mid-battle, and Gabriela makes a note to kill Pierre before her paralysis ends and she can return to slay demons.

High Farseer Faer Machdavar, Battleship Empire Reborn

The Blackstone Fortress' attack has left the Eldar incredibly weakened, both in body and in ship: pretty much all of the Asuryani have internal injuries, their fleet is crippled and all the Drukhari in the attack have died. A Warlock suggests that the attack has left a mark, as Excess was forced to pull on its connection to the Eldar souls to survive the attack. The Asuryani on ship are divided on what to do — some want to just leave and let the humans attack Slaanesh, others want to keep trying their original mission — but before they can act several White Scars Space Marines teleport into their ship, killing everyone on board.

Colonel Tanya Sevrev, Battleship Enterprise

The Imperial Guard on board welcomes the aid of Slayer Borek when it comes down to killing demons — but not so much his singing, which everyone, including the demons themselves, agrees is a torture to their ears. Fortunately, they manage to force the demons to run away, and the soldiers Tanya leads pursue, although allowing Borek to go well ahead in order to make sure no demons have been left behind (or so she will claim). When she and her troops find Borek again, it is to find out that he has saved Leet's life. The Duardin, with the support of everyone else, all but forces Leet to become his companion in his future adventures, much to the Tinker's chagrin.

Captain Aeonid Thiel, Battle-Barge Honourable Shield

A group of Space Marines wonder how the Ruinous Powers managed to build the Maleficarum Aeternum. When they detect that the daemonship's shields are down, the thirty-plus Space Marines teleport into the daemonship and start to kill everything nearby. When they finish wiping out the demons nearby, they bring out multiple melta charges and set them to destroy vital machinery. The demons activate teleport-jammers to prevent them from escaping, but Isley brings a prototype of a teleport homer that allos them to escape the spaceship. Only two Space Marines die, and one goes missing — but the result is worth it, as the Maleficarum Aeternum's engines explode and die, ensuring it won't reach the Blackstone Fortress on time.

General Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise

Taylor asks Constantin to evacuate out of the Fortress, but the Custodes orders her to have her entire fleet retreat back to Pavia. Taylor accepts and sends orders to begin the retreat, but, even with the feeling of a great victory, her mouth feels like it is full of ashes.

The Last Sentinel, Blackstone Fortress Will of Eternity, One minute before the Mark of Commorragh

The demons begin to enter the Blackstone Fortress, but find themselves unable to take control of the Fortress due to the Emperor's power infusing the entire station, something that causes them heavy pain: the only way for them to stop the attack is to destroy the core, which Constantin is guarding. Demons die by the thousands as they attempt, and fail, to defeat the First of the Ten Thousand. Tallomin, Prince of Princes of the Dark Skies, attempts to fight and kill Constantin, but it arrives too late for the Custodes to carry out his last strike: throwing a vial with one of the Emperor's tears against the crystal. The crystal, empowered by this, shines with the Anathema's power, ending the demons that have boarded the Fortress... along with Constantin.

Marshal Hermann Malberg, Strike Cruiser Divine Will, Mark of Commorragh

The Blackstone Fortress charges its second shot. The Templar's ship (and the rest of the fleet) prepares to deal with the outcome of the attack. The Blackstone Fortress gets covered in a golden light as angels fight demons... and it fires. Demons die by billions. All the warships brought there by them disappear, disintegrated or sent back to the Warp. Commorragh begins to implode. And the Will of Eternity begins to shine even brighter as its core is overloaded.

The Laughing God, Khaine's Gate, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, Mark of Commorragh

Aenaria Eldanesh, regardless of her great skill in fighting, is forced to go on the defensive as Slaanesh attacks her with its psychic powers. But the time Aenaria spends stalling Slaanesh is well earned, as the wave of golden fire, infused by the Emperor's aspect of Sacrifice, reaches Khaine's Gate and engulfs everything. Aenaria and Cegorach are spared, but Slaanesh is most definitely not — and, between the injuries left by Laisa'drakh, the great loss of power it has suffered in the past 100 hours and the deaths of all the corrupted Drukhari, Slaanesh really feels it.

Slaanesh ends up sacrificing trillions of its worshippers in an attempt to stave off its own destruction by the attack, and taunts Cegorach by claiming only a true god can be a match for it. The Queen of Blades throws Ala'ra at Cegorach, who uses the weapon to destroy Slaanesh, separating its essence into its six primordial essences and ensuring it will never return, finally killing the Doom of the Aeldari. As Khorne begins to invade Khaine's Gate and traps one of Slaanesh's pieces, Cegorach and Aenaria run away, taking the still-living body of Slaanesh's Avatar while Commorragh collapses behind them.

General Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise, Port of Lost Souls, Commorragh, Heart of the Webway, One minute after the Mark of Commorragh

Commorragh dies as every Gate save for the Eversprings Gate explodes. Angels keep fighting demons, and the Will of Eternity explodes, blazing like the Astronomican as it dies. Finally, the last ships evacuate the Webway, and Taylor whispers "Commorragh delenda est" as the Eversprings Gate closes.

Farseer Eldrad Ulthran, Craftworld Ulthwé, Scelus Sector, Segmentum Obscurus, Three minutes after the Mark of Commorragh

The aftermath of the Mark of Commorragh leaves the Asuryani in shock, but Eldrad considers the utter destruction of Commorragh secondary to the fact that Slaanesh, the Doom of the Aeldari, is finally dead, and the aspects it left behind have already been captured by the other Chaos Gods or gone missing. Billions of Eldar have died, either at Commorragh or at other places. The world of Pavia has been purged, rendering it inhabitable once more. And now the Empyrean is in complete chaos. Eldrad decides he has to deliver the news to his Craftworld — and that he will get royally drunk after he does.

General Taylor Hebert, Space Hulk Empire of Sin, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Two hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Neferten and Taylor meet to sign on a mutual defence treaty, an event unheard of in the history of the Imperium, as well as agreeing to accept territorial claims and the restoration of any technology belonging to either to the proper owner. Neferten then gives Taylor the list of hostile Necron worlds that need to be taken out first, and also an STC template, along with a little surprise that turns out to be two companies of Salamanders from two millennia before.

Tribune Basil Macedonian, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, Three hours after the Mark of Commorragh

In a dream, Tribune Basil Macedonian shares a meeting with the Emperor, who shows the Custodes how Earth looked like millennia before. The Emperor tells the Tribune about how Taylor's appearance has changed the course of time. The Tribune mentions that it was an extremely risky action, but the Emperor accurately points out that, without that action, Chaos would have eventually become too powerful for even the Imperium to resist, and Malal's potential elevation as a Chaos God will cause plenty of problems to Chaos itself. The Blackstone Fortresses have been sent to different locations across the Galaxy, ensuring that Abaddon will have a hard time trying to claim one of them. With the Emperor's interactions with Taylor no longer a secret, the Emperor orders that the Custodes will once more go to war outside of Terra, before requesting that Sophia Hess be brought to him, since he wants to ensure the psychopath Parahuman will not cause trouble in the future. As the dream ends, the Emperor reaffirms that Humanity will yet be free from Chaos.

Extermination Countdown Complete

Three hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Uncorrupted Drukhari population in the Webway: approximately 23.6 billion

Uncorrupted Drukhari outside the Webway: 1.1 billion

Corrupted Drukhari population in the Webway: 0

Asuryani killed during the Battle of Commorragh: 2.2 billion

Interlude 1: Commorragh Delenda Est

Inquisitorial Acolyte Crixus Taft, Wuhan II, Wuhan System, Moros Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, Twenty Minutes before the Mark of Commorragh

Crixus Taft, Inquisitorial Acolyte, infiltrates a party organized by the head of Hive Asao in order to find evidence of the Wuhanese nobles' corruption — finding, much to his disgust, that the party is an orgy in which most of the Wuhanese nobles get involved. The events take a turn for the terrifying when Xu Cao, fourth son of Governor Hongfeng Cao, strikes the party at the head of a Slaaneshi cult. Many nobles die, including the Governor and his heir, and Crixus only survives temporarily thanks to his training — only for every one of the cultist to die simultaneously due to the Mark of Commorragh.

Seer Maea Teallysis, Craftworld Malan'tai, Ultima Segmentum, Mark of Commorragh

Maea wakes up with visions of the destruction of Biel-Tan by Space Marines and of several other Craftworlds by demons, but she eventually notices something: Slaanesh's presence is missing.

Lord Vigilator Iskandar Khayon, Gloriana Super-Battleship Harbinger of Doom, High Orbit above Hell Forge Sha'are Mavet, The Eye of Terror, Mark of Commorragh

Iskandar Khayon of the Black Legion prepares to lead an assault on the Hell Forge Sha'are Mavet, sworn to Slaanesh, in revenge for their attacks on the Sons of Horus several millennia before. However, before he can order the beginning of the assault, a foreboding feeling leads him to stop and raise his fleet's Gellar Shields, just as the Mark of Commorragh strikes, killing virtually every daemon, cultist, and Chaos Space Marine affiliated with Slaanesh who isn't shielded, including the majority of the Emperor's Children throughout the Eye of Terror. Sha'are Mavet is attacked by millions of demons belonging to the other Chaos Gods, and, much to Iskandar's shock, the light of the Astronomican begins to move.

Brigadier-General Tao Shujia, Andes I, Andes System, Smilodon Trench Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, Five minutes after the Mark of Commorragh

The peace at Andes Primus is shaken when a large explosion destroys a region centered around the planet's Webway Gate.

Fazar'nzlath'hesh the Pale Naga, Callax, The Eye of Terror

Fazar'nzlath'hesh meets with the few remnants of Slaanesh's forces, including a not-so-eternal Lucius the Eternal. The Naga swears revenge on Weaver and the rest of Chaos.

Primarch Rogal Dorn, Somewhere in the Webway, One hour after the Mark of Commorragh

Rogal Dorn and his Honour Guard arrive to a Drukhari sub-realm that has been devastated by the Mark of Commorragh. After contemplating the destruction, the Primarch and the Space Marines continue advancing in their search for Jaghatai Khan.

Minister of Justice Missy Byron, Nyx, Nyx System, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, Four hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Missy and Dragon are discussing the sudden death of multiple people across Nyx, and Missy is convinced Taylor must be involved in it. The two Parahumans discuss the troubles in both Andes and Wuhan: Andes might be a possible target for terraforming, and the mess in Wuhan is surely going to require important measures in order to fix. A messenger arrives with news about the Battles of Pavia and Commorragh, and Missy cracks up laughing.

Magos-Draco Dragon Richter

The news of the Basileia's victory quickly spread around Nyx, increasing religious feelings to a point that even Archmagos Arithmancia Sultan qualifies the victory as holy. However, Dragon quickly points out to the Mechanicus Council — what few of them are in Nyx, at least — that they need to prepare for the enormous changes both victories, the many bounties secured and the plunder encountered are going to bring to Nyx.

Travis Cairn, Grand Cathedral of Gomorrah-Colchis, Sicarus, The Eye of Terror

Travis Cairn, a former veteran at Cadia turned into a slave by the Word Bearers, witnesses a group of Skaven destroy the overseers and force a demon back into the Warp, and he and his fellow slaves are freed. The dying leader of the Skaven group manages to convert them to the worship of Malal, inducing them to bring anarchy to Chaos.

Phaerakh Neferten, World Engine Starry Sky, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Six hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Neferten has her men teleport Trazyn out of her World Engine as he prattles on about the new additions to his collection, and begins to plan on what her actions should be in regards to the recently resurgent Queen of Blades. Giving the orders to abandon Pavia, she considers that Szarekh would probably die of jealousy over what has been done in Commorragh.

The Silent King, Star Reaper Engine Hegemony, Intergalactic Void, Ten hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Szarekh, the Silent King and leader of the Necrons, is somewhere outside the galaxy, trying to fight off the many fleets of an unknown species that greatly outnumbers him and that is trying to reach the Milky Way. Szarekh orders a retreat and the awakening of the sleeping Necrons, so they can prepare themselves to fight against the incoming threat.

Colonel Raj Nagaraj, Pradesh, Mumbai Sector, Segmentum Tempestus, Thirteen hours after the Mark of Commorragh

The celebrations at Pradesh over Biel-Tan's retreat and the Basileia's victory get slightly out of hand, with the Imperial Guard members enjoying it a bit too much. Fortunately for them, the Commissar is in a good mood, and they are just ordered to repair the planet's churches before they leave the planet. All of the survivors agree that the party was worth it, though.

Aurelia Malys, Approaches of Craftworld Ulthwé, The Webway, Fourteen hours after the Mark of Commorragh

One hundred thousand Drukhari survivors approach Ulthwé, but their advance is halted by a group of Harlequins, who inform them of Slaanesh's death. While everyone celebrates, Aurelia finds herself alone with a Shadowseer, who tells her of the future that could have been (rising to become first Vect's concubine and then main rival, as well as Cegorach's agent within Commorragh) before offering her Slaanesh's Aspect of Carnality, purified thanks to the Emperor's light, as a potential way to restore the Eldar's fertility. Aurelia, after learning that the Aspect will allow her to give spirit stones to protect the other Drukhari and that the best candidates (the Empress and the Queen of Blades) are not in the running, accepts.

Farseer Eldrad Ulthran, Craftworld Ulthwé, Scelus Sector, Segmentum Obscurus, Seventeen hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Eldrad slowly retires from the Craftworld-wide celebrations brought by Slaanesh's death, when he suddenly encounters Aurelia, now known as the Queen of Hearts, escorted by two Harlequins. The Harlequins leave them alone, and the two eventually begin to have sex.

Phoenix Lord Jain Zar, Craftworld Biel-Tan, Segmentum Tempestus, Twenty hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Phoenix Lord Jain Zar of the Howling Banshees enters Biel-Tan completely enraged over the Craftworld's absurd levels of incompetence, interrupting a meeting of its leaders to strenuously call them out for their actions, which have led to the death of billions of Aspect Warriors in an ultimately futile attack that was helping Slaanesh, as well as critical damage caused to Biel-Tan itself when the psychic surge from Slaanesh's death hit the Webway Gates connected to Biel-Tan. After telling off the Howling Banshees within Biel-Tan, Zar orders them to prepare for leaving for another Craftworld, along with any non-warrior Eldar that is loyal to Zar's principles, for one reason: she knows that the Imperium will destroy Biel-Tan sooner or later. She finishes by swearing to hunt and kill any of Biel-Tan's leaders that doesn't die when that moment comes.

High Autarch Ulion Lakadieth, Craftworld Lugganath, Segmentum Pacificus, Twenty-three hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Arriving at his Craftworld to a hero's welcome for (a) his previous actions and (b) being the only Eldar commander not to be destroyed by Weaver, Lakadieth resolves to do his best not to encounter Weaver again before joining the festivities.

Ocean-Mistress of the Unsounded Depths Lox'ena, Aquarium Ship Antibes, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Twenty-four hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Lox'ena considers how crazy humans have to be to not only fight against Chaos itself, but win in such a way. Her grandchildren discuss it, and this tells her that, whatever happens, humanity won't die without fighting until the bitter end.

Chancellor Friar Achelieux, Battleship Enterprise

Achelieux walks across the Enterprise, watching the very festive mood of those within while commenting with his assistant Tallinn the many findings encountered in both Pavia and Commorragh, which includes more than two hundred Navigator maps and sixty-nine astrogation databases. Achelieux mentions that they are in the perfect position to be the first to request copies of those maps.

Lady Inquisitor Rafaela Harper, Battleship Judgement

The surviving Inquisition leaders meet to discuss the events of the past eight days. Contessa and her men are officially proclaimed as missing in action, because no one knows what, exactly, happened to them. Anti-corruption tests have to be carried out on all the survivors, and Inquisitor Cleopatra Coral suggests using Lisa to accelerate the testing. The situation with all the xenos that have been either recruited or rescued is also discussed.

Ahzek Ahriman the Exile, Starfort Cairo-Agadir, The Eye of Terror

Ahzek Ahriman, one of the Thousand Sons' most infamous members, returns to the Starfort Cairo-Agadir, one of his bases, to find it completely razed. His men inform him of the name of the person that led the attack: Malicia. Ahriman plots his revenge on the upstart sorceress.

Captain Karas Banesong, Murder-class Unholy Dominion, Fularis System, Gothic Sector, Segmentum Obscurus, Twenty-eight hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Karas Banesong takes several cultists and a Plague Marine to task for their incompetence in keeping watch of the Eye of Night, an artefact related to the working of the Blackstone Fortresses. One of the cultist dies, but everyone else is taken alive to be punished by the Warmaster.

Tyrant Kharsaq El'Uriaq, Realm of Shaa-Dom, The Webway, Thirty hours after the Mark of Commorragh

In the middle of the celebrations at Shaa-Dom, Tyrant Kharsaq El'Uriaq tricks everyone into accepting to be implanted with something called Manticore Shards, not knowing that Kharsaq is now the holder of the Aspect of Vainglory and plans to use this to ascend as a God of Murder.

Solar Guardian of Records Nicephorus Vandire, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, Thirty hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Nicephorus tries to remain as hidden and silent as possible as his brother Xerxes has his biggest fit of rage ever after learning the news of not only the failure of the three assassins he had arranged to send to kill Taylor, but also of her smashing victories in Pavia and Commorragh and its consequences — such as the death of several of Xerxes' pawns due to the "Hour of the Emperor's Judgement", the massive death of nearly all of Slaanesh's followers and the Mark of Commorragh.

Callidus Master Callista de Sarcamore

The Masters of the Officio Assassinorum, among them Callidus Master Callista de Sarcamore, argue about the Battle of Commorragh and how the assassins would have fared in there. The Grand Master puts an end to the Masters' squabbling before bringing the issue of Taylor Hebert to the table. The Venenum Master states that she will not send anyone to attempt to kill Taylor, knowing that her power and popularity make her a very dangerous target.

Clade-Primaris Xanaria Lythis

In the depths of one of Terra's many hives, Xanaria Lythis is keeping her apprentice Elena Kerrigan (formerly known as Sophia Hess) imprisoned: the news about Weaver's successes have somehow regressed a good part of Elena's indoctrination, who is falling back into Sophia's "predator and prey" philosophy. Xanaria is forced to use a mental trigger to render Elena unconscious and consider what to do with her, but her musings are interrupted by ten Custodes, who inform Xanaria that the Emperor wants to have words with Elena.

Adept-Primus Joost Harpagon

Joost Harpagon is the Adept-Primus of the Adeptus Almitas, the Imperium's organization in charge of paying the bounties on the Imperium's enemies. Most of his life, he's been doing little — until now, when the Battles of Pavia and Commorragh suddenly bring hundreds of bounties that have to be paid off, and which he is in charge of deciding about, a task not made easy by political pressure from Xerxes Vandire. Harpagon authorizes a fortune in cash payments on the outstanding confirmed cases, while delivering reduced (but still handsome) bounties for the pirates Moonblitz and Tanaka (whose remains aren't identifiable) and Calico (given that he chose to surrender himself rather than being taken by force) and passes the final judgment on whether Taylor will receive any additional governorships for the High Lords of Terra to review.

Ecclesiarch Pelagius I, Ophelia VII, Ophelia Sector, Segmentum Tempestus, Thirty hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Ecclesiarch Pelagius I, the leader of the Church of the God-Emperor, meets with Cardinal Palatine Jean-Luc de Plessis in the Church of the Living Saints, the latter confirming many of the events surrounding Lady Weaver, and both agree that she is a Living Saint. The two consider the many moves the Adeptus Ministorum will have to carry out in response to it — such as canonising Theodora Gaius, throwing a lot of their support behind her and her projects, allowing her to form her own Order Militant, making her the ultimate religious authority within the Nyx Sector and many, many other possibilities.

Knight-Errant Psamtic Mehhur, Beyond the Edge of Reality, Approximately thirty-one hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Contessa and the Knights-Errant find themselves in an unknown salt desert. Contessa orders the group to start dispersing, seconds before something appears flying above them: The Simurgh.

First Secretary Wolfgang Bach, Hospital Ship Tulip of Contentment, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Thirty-five hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Wolfgang Bach, along with other high ranking Navy officers, visits Vice-Admiral Maximillian von Schafer, who is almost completely immobilized by the many injuries he has suffered during the Battle of Commorragh, although fortunately he should be able to recover soon. Admiral Oskar von Reuenthal awards von Schafer with the Lion of Terra for his participation in Pavia and Commorragh.

Lord Goldsmith Shekhar Crassus, Macro-Transport Province of Moira

Lord Goldsmith Shekhar Crassus presents Dawnbreaker Guard Midas the decorations he has been working on to be awarded to the men and women that have participated in the Battles of Pavia and Commorragh. Midas approves most of them, suggests a change for the one he doesn't and gives Shekhar a list of how many medals of each they need for the future ceremony.

Tech-Priest Rho-36, Ark Mechanicus Iron Revenant

Rho-36 informs Belisarius Cawl of the return of both Theodora Gaius' body and the Naga's blades to the respective parties, and of Archmagos Lankovar stating Cawl's presence for the soon to begin Mechanicus Council is mandatory — along with the discovery he has made of the Emperor's STC. Cawl decides he has to intervene in order to be able to access both the Third Legion gene-seed sold to Lady Weaver, Bacta and the other STCs found by Weaver and her men, considering to offer many of the things he has gained access to, including the one-of-its-kind space macro-forge Terra Cimmeria.

Painter Artemis Rickard, Pilgrim Ship Faith in His Divine Art

Artemis Rickard has made his Pilgrim Ship unique in that those who travel within make a good part of their living by making and selling paintings of important people and events — and, in the aftermath of the Battle of Commorragh, he has been commissioned for many paintings to portray the triumph, as well as taking in numerous former human slaves who aid in capturing the important moments of the battle. Artemis' second-in-command informs him that many of the former slaves have taken insect names as their own in honor of Lady Weaver.

Second Naval Secretary Dennis Peters, Battleship Enterprise

Dennis wakes up after a night of passion with Gabriela Jordan. The two trade friendly barbs about their jobs and share of the loot, and Gabriela states she is not opposed to repeating the previous night's events.

Tech-priest T-11001100-Zeta, Battleship Enterprise

T-11001100-Zeta watches as Leet begs the Dawnbreaker Guard to let him speak with Lady Weaver, seeing her as his only salvation from having to deal any more with Borek the Slayer, only for the Space Marines to shoot his hopes down.

Archmagos Desmerius Lankovar, Ark Mechanicus El Dorado

Lankovar escapes from a crowd of Magi interested in learning more about the STCs found in the recent campaign, and encounters Gastaph Hediatrix. Hediatrix informs him of the results of the first negotiations and the selling of technology and materials found in Pavia, resulting in every soldier earning a minor fortune without counting on what has been gained from Commorragh — or the profits from selling the adamantium, which is more than everything else combined and bound to cause economic troubles for Nyx if not handled correctly, although Dragon has managed to present several ideas.

Marshal Lorelei Moltke, Macro-Transport Granite Rampart

Lorelei Moltke reads the list of fatalities the Army Group Caribbean has suffered, knowing that it could have been worse, and even then the losses are greater than sixty percent in several of the armies. She and Lieutenant-General Marcus Hannover consider the many tactical and strategic problems and solutions found during the battle, planning to put them down for potential review and improvement for the Imperial Guard's future.

Forgefather Vulkan N'Varr, Gloriana Battleship Flamewrought

Vulkan N'Varr and all the Salamanders present during the Battle of Commorragh gather at the Flamewrought, and after a brief moment of celebration, they turn to important matters: the current numbers of Salamanders being well beyond that stated by the Codex Astartes, and their response to repay the debt they have with Lady Weaver for the finding of the Gauntlet of the Forge and the Obsidian Chariot, the saving of the Forgehammer and the return of the Flamewrought: among them, two Salamanders will join the Dawnbreaker Guard and a new Successor Chapter of the Salamanders will be established in the Nyx Sector. The Salamanders cheer to approve of the payment.

Chapter Master Hibou Khan, Battle-Barge Jaghatai's Pride

Hibou Khan contemplates the gathering of ships in Pavia when the Voice of the Storm, the Chapter's Chaplain, comes to ask for his plans regarding the future. Khan states he has yet to make his decision, preferring to wait until representatives of all the Space Marine Chapters that have fought in Commorragh arrive, chiding the Voice for his impatience.

Lord Commissar Zuhev, Prison Ship Constant Vigilance

Zuhev warns the pirates that have been imprisoned in the aftermath of the Battle of Pavia that the only way their lives will be spared is if they collaborate with their interrogators and fess up on important information. An Eldar pirate mocks Zuhev, who replies by telling him of the brutal torture Jaeger Day was punished with. When it is obvious none of the pirates will speak, Zuhev reveals their punishment: execution by Helspider.

Fabricator Locum Decimus Osmium-Five-1111, Mars, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, Forty-two hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Fabricator Locum Decimus Osmium-Five-1111, the second highest-ranked member of the Adeptus Mechanicus, attends a large meeting of the Mechanicus, where important news are revealed: most of the Forge Worlds that had defected to Nova Terra are requesting to be allowed to return to the fold, with the Fabricator-General using the discoveries made by Army Group Caribbean and Nyx's ascendant star as a carrot to better entice them. Said discoveries are also prominent in the debate, as Belisarius Cawl's presence is urging them to act quickly to ensure his influence does not grow too much. When the question of gaining the privilege to repair the Flamewrought is raised, the Fabricator-General reveals he intends to ask the Emperor himself about the possibility of building more Gloriana-class ships.

Captain Valerian Benlio, Battle-Barge Europae, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Forty-six hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Captain Benlio watches one of his fellow Space Marines, who had succumbed to the Red Thirst during the Battle of Commorragh and is now dying, and mentions aloud that it seems that, unfortunately, Lady Weaver's blessing did not stop it, but a Sanguinary Priest reveals that the number of Space Marines affected by the Red Thirst was well below the expected, and there's a chance that further work on it could cut the numbers even beyond that. Leaving them behind, Benlio visits the imprisoned Chapter Master Raphael Yarhibol of the Sons of Sanguinius, turned renegade when they sided with the Nova-Terrans, and tells him that it is very likely that the Inquisition will be in charge of the Sons' trial, much to Yarhibol's disappointment. Benlio opens up the possibility of avoiding the trial by accepting the judgement of Lady Weaver, and Yarhibol takes it.

Seneschal-Consort Wei Cao, Battleship Enterprise

Wei finds the problems Taylor's wings have (such as being very radiant when she's asleep, and too big for the room) before waking her up for a day of meetings — and enticing her with a warm shower and breakfast together. Taylor finds the latter suggestion more than acceptable.

Admiral Oskar von Reuenthal, Battleship Son of Victory

Oskar von Reuenthal and his drinking partner of the day, Baron Galahad Lagos of House Krast, reminisce about the battle and, among other things, von Kisher's potential fate had he not died in battle, the Rogue Traders arrested for their close ties to Sliscus and other enemies of the Imperium.

Captain-General Anubis Excelsor, Battleship Enterprise

The Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes meets Taylor, who offers her condolences for Constantin Valdor's death before the two deal with the main matter: the thirty stated objectives of the Battle of Commorragh. Only one major objective, finding Jaghatai Khan, has gone unfulfilled, as well as five of the minor (capturing or killing Aurelia Malys and Kharsaq El'Uriaq, retrieving the Hourglass of Sand Screams and the Book of Unblemished Ecstasy and capturing a hundred Sslyth). When the matter of the Third Legion gene-seed comes up, Taylor is surprised when Anubis reveals that twelve hundred of them will remain in her hands, so she can help create a new Chapter out of them, along with the one borne out of Rogal Dorn's blood and the new Salamanders' Chapter — this one a surprise for Taylor. Anubis also offers Taylor many boons in exchange of continuing her work, and finishes by naming her a Peer of Terra, Baroness of Pavia and Duchess of Commorragh.

The Queen of Blades, The Black Library, The Webway, Seventy hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Aenaria banters with Cegorach, who turns out to have engineered the use of the Aspects of Carnality and Vainglory to add new Gods to the Eldar Pantheon. Aenaria decides that her Wyches might as well become followers of Atharti (the future Goddess of Carnality, growing within Aurelia Malys), with Cegorach pointing out they could worship the newly crowned Empress of the Aeldari if she wanted. Aenaria, after requesting Cegorach to send her Ambassador to Nyx, leaves the Black Library in search of dangerous challenges.

Captain Victor Tovar, Pavia, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Ninety hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Victor Tovar, a Captain of the Fay 20th, stands at guard in Pavia during the parade to celebrate the victory at Commorragh, watching with sadness the many regiments that have been reduced to small groups of survivors, but everyone breaks into cheering as Lady Weaver and Anubis Excelsior arrive riding Lisa. Lady Weaver gives a speech to formalize the reclamation of Pavia for humanity, Anubis requests ten minutes of silence to honor Constantin Valdor and Lady Weaver reveals her intention that the first city of Pavia be named Constantinople in Valdor's honor.

Abbess-Brigadier Galatea Dumas

Galatea approaches Taylor, who reminds aloud Galatea's request for the right to create an Order of the Frateris Templar... only to reveal that she plans to create the Order of the Silver Rose, the first of the Templar Sororitas, with Galatea herself at the helm. Galatea thanks her between tears and accepts the position.

Interlude 2: Victory Councils

Astropathic Transmission from Holy Terra to Kar Duniash

The High Lords award a total of seven Stars of Terra (all but one, Taylor's, being posthumous) and two Lions of Terra.

Warboss Arrgard, 'Scrapzard Moardakka', Eastern Fringe, Beyond the Light of the Astronomican, One hundred and fifty hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Ork Warboss Arrgard declares (among shooting of any Boy who interrupts him) that he will lead the largest Waagh possible to fight the Swarm Bringer, convinced that it will give them the biggest fight of their lives.

Champion Kratos, Battleship Enterprise, Pavia, Acacia Expanse, One hundred and fifty-six hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Kratos, after having to allow several pilgrims to pass by and touch his armor, reaches the Enterprise's bridge, being reminded by fellow Dawnbreaker Guard Thermoses that it is being allowed to satisfy the religious authorities and encouraged to take up an artistic pastime. Meanwhile, though, ships from all over the Imperium keep arriving to the Pavia system, the latest a fleet from Stygies VIII, Lankovar's planet of origin. Just then, a large fleet of Imperial Fists' and Blood Angels' descendant Space Marine Chapters arrives, led by two Starforts and the Black Templars' Eternal Crusader.

Farseer Filgonilth Sirethmoren, Craftworld Ulthwé, Scelus Sector, Segmentum Obscurus, One hundred and sixty hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Filgonilth amuses himself with Eldrad's appearance in the aftermath of his tryst with Aurelia Malys, who, along with the other Drukhari refugees, has pledged allegiance to Ulthwé: the new Carnality Stones that provide protection for their souls will ensure that Drukhari refugees arrive to Ulthwé sooner or later, and Eldrad plans to spread them through the coalition of Craftworlds he is helping to form, a coalition that might provide for actual unity among Eldarkind after so long. Filgonilth, however, warns him that several worlds are too scared about the Angel of Death's apparent closeness to the Necrons. Eldrad plans to instill a more pro-human position among Eldar, since trying to act out may bring the wrath of the Queen of the Swarm, which Biel-Tan is going to suffer sooner or later.

Sister Brunhilda Decker, Battleship Will of Hoth, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, One hundred and sixty-three hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Normally, purifying a Battleship is a hard task, but this time it is not, as the giant moth known as Lisa can send orbs of golden light that easily disintegrate the corruption. Much to Sister Brunhilda Decker's chagrin, watching the event is less amusing when she's forced to stand in parade on power armor while surrounded by millions of people. Meanwhile, Taylor discusses the Battleship's future: she decides to allow someone else to buy it, since the ship needs several years of repairs if it is to continue being a worthwhile ship, and even then it is inferior to the ships she has in her fleet.

While Lisa (the second) eats her large lunch, Taylor takes Brunhilda apart and reveals her plans for the Templar Sororitas: rather than the Frateris Templar's army-sized forces, she wants the Sororitas to be smaller elite forces that could be almost equal to Space Marines — before revealing the rewards she wants to award to Brunhilda, who wonders why she could not return to shooting holes in Eldar skulls.

Chapter Master Flavius Sextus Jovius, Starfort Dawn of Crusade

Chapter Master Flavius Sextus Jovius of the Imperial Fists meets with the Chapter Masters of the other Second Founding Chapters, to discuss their actions in the aftermath of the reveal of their Primarch's survival and eventual return: two Chapters will detach one of their members to the Dawnbreaker guard, and the Huscarls, Dorn's personal bodyguards, will be rebuilt. As they know they must hide this from the High Lords, the Excoriators' Chapter Master Padilla Garcia suggests using the new Chapter born out of Dorn's blood as a cover, but the others point out the dangers of such an action. They also begin to plot what rewards they should give to Taylor.

Lord of the Black Lions Vortigern, Gloriana Battleship Vengeful Spirit, The Eye of Terror

Vortigern, former Fallen Angel and part of the Black Legion's leadership, confers with Ezekyle Abaddon about the consequences of Slaanesh's death: one Slaaneshi sorceress working for them will manage to survive, and several warbands are conquering the Third Legion's planets in order to profit from the change. However, Commorragh has cost them dearly: apart from the loss of Chaos Space Marines among the Black Legion, Chaos' forces themselves have suffered heavy losses, and not only is the Imperium's morale bolstered, but the Astronomican's power will only increase.

Vortigern suggests a raid to kill Weaver, but Abaddon (who accurately points out that a good part of her success in Commorragh was due to Slaanesh's arrogance) states that carrying a raid on Nyx would be too risky to consider, particularly when she has the power to control insects and the presence of Gavreel Forcas, whom Vortigern remembers.

First Harrowmaster Machiavelli Gonzaga, Gloriana Battleship Beta, Caradryad Sector, Segmentum Tempestus, One hundred and seventy-one hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Gonzaga visits Omegon, last surviving Primarch of the Twentieth Legion (who nearly died at Eskrador), to report on the events of Commorragh. Omegon gives orders to regroup and cut off ties with the remains of the Emperor's Children. The chance of gaining the use of Bacta to heal Omegon is minimal due to Bacta's effect in psykers and Weaver's systematic opposition to the Twentieth's plans. Omegon orders a Harrowing, to send agents to the Nyx sector and to learn more about the Necrons.

Captain Gabriela Jordan, Battleship Enterprise, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, One hundred and seventy-two hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Taylor invites Gabriela Jordan to a private dinner in order to tease her about her relationship with Dennis and, more importantly, her future: she's now officially forgiven for her assassination attempt, and she also offers her possible jobs. The first, to tour Wuhan's hives to "recruit" people for Penal Legions, is not accepted, but the second is more interesting: to act as Dennis' Seneschal when he becomes a Rogue Trader, as his job will be to trade between Nocturne and Nyx and aid the Salamanders in finding the remaining Artefacts of Vulkan. Gabriela requests for some time before giving a definite answer.

Leet

Taylor calls Leet in to lambast him for his attitude and warns him that the only reason he's not dead already is because she's covering his ass, and tells him he's going to join the Mechanicus' expedition to the Squat worlds. Leet begs to be assigned other position, but Taylor kicks him out.

Chapter Master Agiel Izaz, Malta Starfort Omnissiah's Favour

When the Great Khan of the White Scars requested a meeting with Taylor, Agiel did not imagine it would stretch out into a three-hour-long conversation about the Mongols and their potential influence in the current people of Chogoris before returning to the actual matter at hand, the military orders for the Yasan Sector, consisting on several thousands of tanks as well as an order for the new Brunhilda supremacy fighter, which Taylor accepts even though this means the need to expand construction lines. The Great Khan attempts to bring up the matter of Bacta, but Taylor points out that she has yet to be able to mass-produce it and that she wants to negotiate with all the Space Marine Chapters together.

Rogue Trader Magdalena Orpheus

Magdalena Orpheus, one of the nine female Rogue Traders known to have consorted with Sliscus, attends the trial of the Sons of Sanguinius. Taylor tells the Chapter Master that their decision to support the Nova Terran Secession was a mistake of them, but commends them on returning of their own volition and sentences them to a Penitent Crusade for a century, with their Chapter being renamed the Lamenters until the Crusade ends, sending them to help purge Tigrus of the Ork infestation.

The trial of the Rogue Traders begins: Scarlet Kade, who worked directly for Sliscus, is sentenced to a long, painful death at the hands of the Inquisition; Oprah III Jeffers, who sold out critical information about the Imperium, is given to a Knight that will have her beheaded; Vanessa Armengarde, who went to Sliscus due to financial difficulties and did not help in the Battle of Commorragh, will be hanged; Olivia Cheshire, who only had relations with Sliscus and never repayed a large number of debts, loses her Warrant and her ship and crew are assigned to work for Dennis; Blair de Vore is quickly sentenced to death and her ship given to Wolfgang Bach; Shiva Wrathbone is to be burned alive for her raids on the Black Ships, her part in the slave trade and the massacre of millions of colonists, and Eunomia Vhane, for her assassination of adepts, sabotage of manufactorums and Forges and the rape of a Cardinal, is sentenced to crucifixion while being lowered into an acid pool.

When the time comes for Magdalena's trial, Taylor commends her for having rejected Sliscus' approaches and for fighting for the Imperium at Pavia and Commorragh, and heals the scar covering the left side of her face with Bacta before declaring her innocent. The last Rogue Trader to be judged, Alyena Sinblade, soon takes the note by getting naked and offering herself to Taylor.

Marshal Werner Groener

Taylor is not impressed with Alyena's proclamation, listing the large number of crimes she committed. Alyena requests that Taylor test her, and Taylor does by forcing the woman to hold onto a crystal of Aethergold: Alyena screams in pain, but surprisingly she survives the experience, proving that her soul was untainted. While the woman's assets are seized and her Warrant is rescinded, for the moment Alyena will live.

Arch-Cardinal Winston Marlborough, Ophelia VII, Ophelia Sector, Segmentum Tempestus, One hundred and eighty hours after the Mark of Commorragh

The Holy Synod meets in Church of Piety and Martyrdom, and Arch-Cardinal Winston Marlborough wonders about how it could have been when the Synod was only formed by ten people, since now it is formed by more than ten thousand people. Winston considers the current Ecclesiarch and his "White Eminence" everything wrong with the current Church, as Pelagius begins a prayer and then a speech about the events of Pavia and Commorragh. Theodora Gaius is formally canonized, Taylor is recognized as a Living Saint and given a hundred votes in the Synod, Pavia Primus becomes a Shrine World and several other rewards are agreed to, before Jean-Luc de Plessis drops his bomb: he proposes to create the office of Cardinal-Emissary and hand it to Taylor Hebert. The Synod explodes in a storm of accusations.

First Lieutenant Freya Brasidas, Hospital Ship Tulip of Contentment, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, One hundred and eighty-four hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Freya grumbles about the impossibility of her slapping her wingman Kurt Nils, who has managed to survive the Battle of Commorragh without suffering injuries, and the two engage in a battle of words over who is better of them before they are interrupted when one of their fellows considers leaving the two alone to deal with their sexual tension. Another Lieutenant tells her that she and Kurt have been earmarked to become instructors at the Aeronautica Nyx Academy, much to her chagrin.

Captain Corr Phoecus, Gloriana Battleship Flamewrought

The status of the new Chapter of the Salamanders is discussed between Chapter Master Ta'Phor Hezonn and Lady Weaver, who, rather than give them control over one planet, offers them the planet of Bahamut (a Volcanic Death World quite similar to Nocturne) as recruiting grounds for the future Magma Spiders Chapter, with their needs being provided by either herself or the Mechanicus, while they are assigned to help protect several systems. In exchange for her actions, she is granted the honor of purchasing gems only found in Nocturne as well as multiple rewards in metals and technology and support for several projects, future campaigns and Nocturnan native creatures for her to control. Their meeting has to be cut short, though, for several new members of the Dawnguard are to be sworn in, among them Forgefather Vulkan N'Varr and Huscarl Diamantis of the Imperial Fists.

Transmission by Odysseus Tor

Tor states his trust that the Dawnbreaker Guard will not grow too high before listing its new members, both those replacing the ones fallen in battle and the ones from other chapters, which includes Ancient Pierre, multiple Imperial Fists, and others from chapters whose ancestry is unknown. The Dawnbreaker Guard is now formed by seventy-seven Space Marines.

Captain Aeonid Thiel

Taylor jokes about Aeonid or a Novamarine not joining the Dawnbreaker Guard, which he takes with good humor before replying that he does not want to make an oath he would break should the Primarch of the Ultramarines return, while the Novamarines are too spread out to be able to spare one of their own. Aeonid confirms he will return to Macragge to bring news of the recent developments, and Taylor asks him not to mention the problems she's found with the Codex Astartes.

Corporal Alex Smith, Transport Old Bastion

Taylor makes a speech where she declares her plans for Pavia: only three cities (Constantinople, New York and Nova Nyx) will be built, the environment will be strictly protected and several regulations will take place. The former slaves of Commorragh will be allowed to live in Pavia, and any veteran with enough years of service or high enough awards will be allowed to muster out and obtain land grants — with Alex Smith fulfilling both criteria, leading him to praise Taylor and the God-Emperor.

Chancellor of the Imperial Council Samson Pitt, Imperial Palace, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, Two hundred hours after the Mark of Commorragh

The High Lords meet for the first time after the Battle of Commorragh, and they are in for a big shock when Tribune Basil Macedonian announces the dissolution of the Edict of Restraint, firing that the Emperor himself has authorized said dissolution when another High Lord protests. During the discussion about the consequences of the Hour of the Emperor's Judgement, Lord Inquisitor Berlin Chimera declares the creation of the Ordo Hereticus to prevent heresy from taking root within the Imperium, a measure supported by the Fabricator-General, who proposes a motion to give a triumph to Lady Weaver, but others (among them Xerxes Vandire) oppose this motion. Paternal Envoy Gandhi Brobantis suggests an Ovation instead, and the motion carries with a majority. The issue of the growing numbers of Space Marine Chapters in Nyx is risen, and eventually they agree to limit that number to nine. After Bacta, Aethergold and the construction of a new Gloriana Battleship are discussed, the problems recently caused by the Space Wolves in the Hive World of London gets them censored by unanimous vote.

Lord Commander Militant Paul von Oberstein

Paul von Oberstein, Lord Commander Militant of the Imperial Guard and thus its higher echelon, finds himself lonely after centuries of fighting and losing lovers, friends and companions, with only his faithful dog Pilou XII beside him. Major-General Jack "Death" Schwarz of the Catachan Fighters comes to talk with him. Paul asks him if he is willing to serve under Weaver, as she needs a training officer that can turn recruits into elite soldiers. Jack accepts, deciding to bring several of his old Catachan friends with him.

Chartist Vicequeen Marianne Gutenberg, Jovian Shipyards, Jupiter, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, Two hundred and thirty-three hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Marianne Gutenberg, Chartist Vicequeen and daughter to High Lady Aliénor Gutenberg, talks with her through one of the Ansibles in Jupiter. Aliénor tells Marianne to expedite a travel to Nyx as quickly as possible in order to take advantage of the new situation and build trade agreements with Lady Weaver, with the authorization to use pretty much every resource owned by their family as part of the negotiations. Marianne prepares to depart, but two hours later she is intercepted by several Custodes.

Sophia Hess, The Golden Throne and the Oniric realm, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, Two hundred and thirty-eight hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Sophia has a dream where Elena, her post-indoctrination self, berates her for her idiocy, and the two fight, with Elena planning to kill her to take over their shared body — only for the fight to be interrupted by the Emperor himself. The Emperor outright states that he is disgusted with Sophia, calling her worse than Malicia, and subjects her to a fraction of the pain he suffers every moment of his current life so she understands how small she is in the bigger picture. The Emperor tasks her and Elena to merge and act as his Champion to reform the Officio Assassinorum while he alters Sophia's shard, and Sophia accepts.

Captain Boros Kurn, Battleship Natural Selection, Edge of the Eye of Terror

Boros Kurn, on board of one of Malicia's warships, notes that their fleet is heavily outnumbered, but Malicia points out that the fleets surrounding them are unlikely to collaborate with each other and she uses the artefact known as the Hourglass of Sand Screams to open a scar in the Eye of Terror, allowing them to make a direct jump for the Calyx Expanse.

Lord Commander Primus Eidolon, Consortium Headquarters, Urum, The Eye of Terror

Eidolon, Lord Commander Primus of the Emperor's Children, wakes up in one of Fabius Bile's labs (again) and is tortured by his "friend" Melusine, an Eldar who was saved from dying thanks to Bile. Melusine informs Eidolon about his warband's capture and induction into the Consortium (either willing or by indoctrination). Fabius Bile enters, rejuvenated as the chains placed by Slaanesh on him fell, and states his intent to transfer Eidolon's mind to a new body before leaving and declaring the arrival of his Age.

Lord High Admiral Reinhart von Lohengramm, Suzerain Shipyards, Kar Duniash System, Kar Duniash Sector, Ultima Segmentum, Two hundred and forty-one hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Admiral Siegfried Kircheis, chief of staff to Lord High Admiral Reinhart von Lohengram, reports the losses suffered by Battlefleet Nyx — as well as their capability to replenish their numbers within a few years. Regardless of the losses and other potential problems, Reinhart regards the situation as worth, as Operation Caribbean has allowed him to free several Battlefleets and Battlegroups from their constant watch of critical worlds against Eldar attacks. Reinhart supports the expansion of the Battlefleet Nyx, as they will need it for the future. However, the Lord Admiral is rather wary of the possibility of his daughters hooking up with the newly warranted Wolfgang Bach again.

Governor Primus Andreas Waldersee, Kasr Tyrok, Cadia, Cadian System, Cadia Sector, Segmentum Obscurus, Two hundred and forty-two hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Governor Primus Andreas Waldersee of Cadia gets the latest reports of the current battle situation. While the situation is relatively good, it is not as good as Andreas would like. At least, there won't be a raid in the next three days, although there's mention of a breach on the Eye's northern edge. Finally, Andreas' liaison to the High Lords of Terra tells him that many Cadian forces will be once again spread out across the galaxy, although at least multiple worlds will reinforce them and Battlefleet Cadia.

Magos Tokyo-Theta-4, Isstvan III, Quarantined Isstvan System, Beyond the light of the Astronomican, Two hundred and fifty hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Magos Tokyo-Theta-4 leads the efforts to retrieve archeotech in the Isstvan system, but unfortunately Isstvan III, which was razed by the Chaos Space Marines during the Heresy, does not seem to have much to offer in that regard. The exploration of the old planetary capital yields some results — until they encounter Dreadnought Rylanor of the Emperor's Children, whose occupier is, against all reason, still alive, able to reason and loyal to the Imperium. The Tech-Priests begin to plan how to extract the Dreadnought from the cavern it is within, but Rylanor warns them about the virus bomb behind him.

Alice Gaius, Hive Athena, Nyx, Nyx System, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, Two hundred and fifty-six hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Alice Gaius, an orphan of many whom Theodora Gaius had adopted, decides she wants to join the Templar Sororitas. Pontifex Urba tries to ensure that her intentions remain unshakeable, and when they prove to be so he promises her to sound out her name and gives her advice for how to ensure said recruitment takes place.

Ajax Clarence, Basilica-in-construction Hagia Sanguinala

Ajax Clarence, one of many laborers in the Hagia Sanguinala, argues with his brother Zephyr while considering the turn of good luck this has provided to their family.

Watchmaster Tertius Alphonsikas Flint, Vulkan's Arsenal Shipyard

Watchmaster Tertius Alphonsikas Flint is warned by his superior Watchmaster Primus Titus Belenos to stop his drug smuggling operations before he and his men get targeted and sent to the Penal Legions.

Lord-Captain of the Fiery Wings and Warpstone Keikt Snarlsnip, Great-great Hangar-bays of Clan Ozai, Sicarus, The Eye of Terror

Keikt Snarlsnip, potential candidate to Malal's Council of Eleven, orders the beginning of Operation Skavenrise, a bombardment of a Word Bearers' temple followed by a land raid.

Coryphaus Seyss Schacht, Fortress of Illumination, Outer fortified perimeter of the Templum Inficio

Seyss Schacht, once a believer in the cause of Chaos, has started to have doubts ever since the destruction of Commorragh and Slaanesh. His mental musings and doubts are interrupted when he is warned about an anomaly in the auspexes. His decision to request a Diabolist is interrupted when the "anomalies" turn out to be rockets that slam against the fortress and its surroundings as giant rats air-drop over the zone. Ordering his aerial assets to take to the sky, he also orders to keep all enemy planes away from the Templum Inficio after one of them causes a monumental explosion when it crashes on a cathedral. The lead bomber drops a huge bomb before running away, but Lorgar appears and destroys all the rats before they can escape.

Dark Apostle Paristur, Dark Council Chambers, Basilica of the Word

Lorgar tells the eight Dark Apostles that they have failed him, and threatens them with death before giving orders: while Paristur rallies the naval forces at their disposal, Ekodas is to attack the catacombs where the Skaven live and kill everyone within — while Paristur remembers how incredibly difficult purging them was during the Great Crusade — and everything else points towards the preparations of a new Black Crusade, where Lorgar declares he will kill Weaver.

High Arch-Warlord Scrachit Barbbuster the Unstoppable, Most Holy-Sacred Chamber of the Council of Eleven, Skavenblight Tunnels

The Council of Eleven erupts in open violence within ten seconds of its convening, with three of them getting killed by the others, who keep arguing constantly over what to do.

Lord Inquisitor Odysseus Tor, Wuhan II, Wuhan System, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, Two hundred and seventy-three hours after the Mark of Commorragh

While the people of Wuhan call for Wei Cao to become Wuhan's new Governor, Vista leads the Arbites into a purge of the nobles who were involved in the orgies and other crimes committed within the planet. Discussion turns to the changes enforced upon the planet, among them the creation of a Parliament formed by several representatives of the different Adeptus, as well as a number of representatives of the lower classes, to help lead the planet. Evander Platonist, Inquisitor of the Ordo Redactus, is opposed to several of these measures, but Tor warns him against making mistakes — such as assuming that the Inquisition would easily win against the Living Saint in a political conflict.

Governor Justin Kennedy, San Leor, Antipodea Sector, Ultima Segmentum, Two hundred and seventy-five hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Justin Kennedy, Governor of San Leor, hates his planet, which he only governs because of a careless boast, and where a cumulation of different factors only makes it more unpleasant than any other possible duty. As he ruminates about this, his second wife comes in to tell him that a local cult known as the Daughters of the God-Emperor has named her Alicia Dominica — and also about a sword appearing in an explosion of light, encased in stone.

Archmagos Prime Gastaph Hediatrix, Battleship Enterprise, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Two hundred and seventy-eight hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Hediatrix and Taylor discuss several matters: Wolfgang's Rogue Trader fleet will depart for the Eastern Fringe within two years to search for STC databases, the accords for the selling of STC copies have been completed, the planets in the different sub-sectors will receive multiple reforms to boost economy and defenses and agreements with different Forge Worlds will ensure the expansion of work. Belisarius Cawl barges in, making multiple requests that Taylor is adamant in denying him, but when Belisarius throws in the chance to get one planet terraformed and the super-Star Forge Terra Cimmeria, she is slightly more amenable to allow Cawl access to the prime copies of the Athena STC Database. His next suggestion, related to potential increase of Bacta production, is less welcomed by either Hediatrix nor Weaver.

Fist-of-Diamond Calico, Malta-class Starfort Pillow of Jasmine

Calico meets with Taylor, who makes him an offer: terraform the planet of Neptunia Prime so the Rashan people can live there. As long as they build temples to the Emperor, worship him even if it is superficially and never turn to Chaos, they can keep it in perpetuity. Taylor also requests that a thousand Rashans work for her in trying to decipher the ancient Imperial technology so the theory behind it can be revealed. Calico accepts the offer.

Duke Leary O'Hara, Ark Mechanicus El Dorado

Leary O'Hara realizes that many of the rumours about Lady Weaver were true as he sees the many creatures she has working on making banners and she shows her second Star of Terra to him and the survivors of House Winterveil from the Battle of Commorragh. After asking him if his word remains true (and receiving an affirmative answer), Lady Weaver names him and his wife Rosaleen Governors and King and Queen of Omsk Primus.

Marshal Helman Malberg, Gloriana Battleship Eternal Crusader

Lady Weaver meets with the Chapter Masters of the Imperial Fists and their descendants. Taylor reveals her decision to name the Chapter born out of Dorn's blood the Fists of Roma, based out in the Theta Marches, and that to plan to create another out of the Third Legion's gene-seed, requesting their aid in recruiting people that can redeem the Third Legion's name. She also orders Marshal Malberg to come with her to Nyx, offering the Templars a Fortress-Monastery in the Nyx Sector. She finally makes a request: lead a Crusade to destroy Biel-Tan once and for all. All the Chapter Masters agree to support such a quest.

Tribune Basil Macedonian, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, Two hundred and eighty-two hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Basil Macedonian and fellow Tribune Nataraja Garuda argue about the Officio Assassinorum, with Garuda stating that most of the temples should be wiped out. Basil states that there will be a set of Blood Games aimed at them, but Garuda is to command a fleet to destroy a coalition fleet of the Secessionist Forge Worlds that is planning to join forces with the Dark Mechanicus.

Lord Cypher, Nova-Terra, 'Nova-Terran Sector', Segmentum Pacificus, Two hundred and eighty-five hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Cypher states that the Nova-Terran Imperium is finished, as the collapse of Forge World support has allowed the Imperium to launch a lightning offensive to reconquer the Segmentum — an offensive that is proving to be wildly successful. While one of the Nova-Terran Admirals gives a speech to the public, an Imperial Fleet arrives, clearly prepared to carry out a decapitation strike. Cypher leaves the planet through a Webway Gate, leaving behind three Fallen unwilling to follow him.

The Blood Rose, Gloriana Battleship Conqueror, The Eye of Terror

The Blood Rose, a former crewmember of the Conqueror, is now a literal part of the battleship turned daemonship, unable to escape. An Emissary of Khorne appears before her, bringing orders: they are to attack Malicia in the Calyx Expanse and tear up their plans to shreds.

Seneschal-Consort Wei Cao, Battleship Enterprise, Pavia System, Acacia Expanse, Three hundred hours after the Mark of Commorragh

Taylor and Wei enjoy one of the champagne bottles gifted to the former by the Emperor as they watch the formations of ships in the system, with two large fleets standing out: one formed by all the Chapters that will lead the attack on Biel-Tan, the second to travel to the Solar System with the STC originals and the Astronomican parts. Taylor mentions that she has decided to let Alyena Sinblade — who she has pretty much Mastered with the Aethergold crystal — live, although under heavy watch. She also mentions that she intends to travel through the Sector to determine the kind of reforms the different planets need. They close their conversation with a deep kiss.

Arc 9. Ovation

9.1. Deus Ex Mechanicus

Transmission from Terra to Pavia

Fabricator Locum Decimus Osmium-Five-1111 reveals to Taylor the results of the recent vote in the High Twelve, allowing the beginning of the Thirteenth Founding formed by twelve new Chapters. The Magma Spiders, the Fists of Roma and the future Third Legion successor have been approved, but Taylor's hope for a new Blood Angels Chapter have been dashed. Most of the other Chapters are going to be spread around to protect the Imperium's different borders, but surprisingly, one of them, known as the Exorcists, has had all of its information censored by the Inquisition, even the gene-line to be used.

Lady General Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise, Pavia System, Acacia Sub-Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 1.250.296M35 (Approximately three hundred and thirty hours after the Mark of Commorragh)

Taylor deals with her bureaucratic duties while discussing the archeotech recoveries made during the Battle of Commorragh, as well as the behavior of some Tech-Priests during the battle, when Ancient Pierre and recently promoted Lieutenant-General Paul Dundee arrive.

As it turns out, Taylor has requested them to come because he needs to ask Dundee to be her emissary to Indiga, in order to gain some of the planet's best insects to add to her arsenal, while Pierre tests whether those insects will be good additions. Dundee asks if they should add the psychic insects, and Taylor doubts for a moment before assenting. Taylor also asks Dundee to mention to the current Governor the possibility of providing a new Army Group for a future campaign.

Rogue Trader Wolfgang Bach

Wolfgang arrives to Taylor's office along with Admirals Reuenthal and Yamamoto. After a brief question about Wolfgang's Rogue Fleet Flagship, Taylor turns to the admirals, who have requested a transfer to Battlefleet Nyx due to the backlash from von Kisher's failures. Taylor hopes to use Yamamoto as part of her plan to get some measure of justice for the Samarkand Sector's bureaucratic antics. Reuenthal gets called out for his behaviour towards women, and is warned that if he does not improve his behavior he will be getting drubbed out at best. Reuenthal swears to improve his behavior.

Shadow Warden Kalyan Gowtham, Pavia

Taylor, under guard of new Dawnbreaker Kalyan Gowtham, uses her insects to sculpt the first stone of the Fountain of Light, the monument that honors Constantin Valdor for his heroic sacrifice in Commorragh. Kalyan gets hope from this and the discoveries made during the battle that Corvus Corax, Primarch of the Raven Guard, will eventually return.

Lady Magos Dogma Dragon Richter, Nyx III, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.270.296M35

Dragon and Master of Destruction Stefan Delta-Septimus discuss the need to expand Nyx's railway network and a proposal to use Ambulls to dig the tunnels before Stefan presents the eight patterns of the Jaghatai Khan tank and six of the remodeled Cataphract that he has developed: the two of them discuss the pros and cons of the different patterns, with some of them being rejected since their performance makes them less efficient for their expected tasks.

Dragon approves Stefan's idea to develop a new Cataphract armed with a Volkite Carronade, but becomes surprised when he mentions the need to replace the Basilisk cannons with self-propelled artillery guns to prevent the tactical disadvantages the former proved to have at Commorragh.

Chancellor Friar Achelieux, Battleship Enterprise, The Warp

Achelieux becomes worried as his cousin Rafael, navigating the Enterprise through the Warp, powers through the psychic battering of multiple Warp Storms. Taylor requests his presence, and when he arrives the matter at hand is clear: the Enterprise has caught the personal attention of several malicious entities, perhaps even the Chaos Gods themselves, but the ship will be able to get through, partially thanks to the Aethergold stores they have brought in the ship.

Taylor shows Achelieux the Gaius Mausoleum, the monument that is meant to honor the soldiers that perished in the Battle of Commorragh. To be built in Claire 47, she means to use it as a thumb in the eye of those Pontifexes who used donations in their vanity projects. Achelieux approves the project and hopes to live long enough to see it.

Cardinal Prescott Lumen, Nyx V, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.290.296M35

The Cardinal of Nyx learns of the arrest of Tapendra Shanmuga, Pontifex Mundi of Iris' Vision (one of Nyx's Cardinal Worlds), and discusses with Deacon Eugeniusz whether to judge the Pontifex before or after Taylor's arrival (deciding to do it before to ensure his condemn, while planning to leave the execution until after Taylor arrives), Tapendra's crimes (his brutal treatment of the people he ruled as well as his plans to attack the nearby planets) and the problems the newly added Suebi Sub-Sector could bring.

The latter point is proven right soon, when a message reveals that the lack of Frateris Templar troops for Commorragh was because of a planet-wide rebellion in the Cardinal World of Sparta, which the Templars have been trying to crush for three years with no success.

Phaerakh-Cryptek Neferten, Coreworld Amarnekh, Nerushlatset Space, Suebi Nebula, Approximately 8.300.296M35

Neferten deals with a short-sighted member of her court as she orders the transfer of many assets from Delphimonia (also known as Wilbourn) to Amarnekh, as she needs to keep them well protected but cannot in Delphimonia according to the treaty she signed with Lady Weaver. Said court member attempts to claim these actions are against the Silent King's edicts, only for Neferten to angrily "volunteer" him for a long-term patrol guarding some of her vaults.

Destruction-Overlord Sitkah arrives to present a report: the fact that the Imperium has been unable to store Noctilith in large quantities has been clearly caused by Chaos and the Eldar. The issue of the current status of of the Pylons holding back the Eye of Terror is also risen, and it does not look good, because several are damaged and maintenance or construction is impossible since the knowledge of them was hoarded by Szarekh. Neferten decides to adjust her plans to account for human excavation of Noctilith and the new needs presented.

Lady General Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise, The Warp

Taylor meets with Lady Inquisitor Rafaela Harper to ask her the reason behind the rescue of several xenos species in Commorragh: the crab-like Brachyura for their knowledge of plasma technology, the vicious Akvrani for their powerful explosives, a group of slug-like creatures called Naiads who just want peace with everyone, giant man-eating plant bugs named Uluméathic for their homeworld coordinates (to destroy them) and finally the Axlo, which were once the target of the terrible Cacodominus for some unknown reason that Taylor is unable to find out.

Archmagos Prime Arithmancia Sultan, Vulkan's Arsenal Shipyard, Nyx System, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.360.296M35

Archmagos Sultan organizes the expansion of Vulkan's Arsenal and the construction of new shipyards, the largest (potentially named Ferrus' Revenge) in Nyx III's orbit to establish the foundations of the planet's orbital ring, all to meet Battlefleet Nyx's future ship needs. After the current status of different reparation and rebuilding projects is updated, fellow Archmagos Cathar-4-Fredrick, Master of Enginseers, unsuccessfully attempts to trade up with her to have access to the Space Elevator STC.

Chapter Master Flavius Sextus Jovius, Gloriana-class Battleship Eternal Crusader, S-42XXAKDRK21W Exploration Zone, Segmentum Tempestus, 7.379.296M35

An emergency astropathic call by the destroyer Wheel of Determination allows the fleet assigned to destroy Biel-Tan to pinpoint the Craftworld's current position. Chapter Master Flavius decides to order going straight to the Craftworld's throat, in order to finally put an end to them.

Minister of Justice Missy Byron, Fafnir Library, Nyx III, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.420.296M35

Missy visits Dragon to discuss the issue with the recruitment of the future Emperor's Children Chapter: given how the Legion's recruitment once came from nobility, the future recruitment must be changed since there's no planets with enough nobles to sustain the chapter's needs. Missy hopes that a planet able to act as their recruitment grounds will be found in the Moros Sub-Sector, since most of Nyx's sub-sectors already have a Space Marines Chapter headquartered in them. The problems in Suebi are risen, and Dragon points out that Missy will have to go deal with the rebellion in Sparta soon enough.

Private David Gosdan, Tigrus, Tigrus System, Svalbard Sector, The Eastern Fringe, Ultima Segmentum, 6.444.296M35

Private David Gosdan and his squad are ordered to escort a Leman Rush Vanquisher along the production line, which is being currently attacked by a band of Orks. Although bleeded, the Guardsmen manage to kill a group of Orks and are assigned their tank, only to learn that the Wuhanese regiment that was covering part of the factory's approaches has been routed, forcing the Guards to also pilot the tank once it is assembled.

Tech-Priest Rho-36, Ark Mechanicus Iron Revenant, Approaches of Nyx VI, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.510.296M35

Rho-36 explains his worry about Cawl's latest plan, as a failure would ensure Lady Weaver would not stop until Cawl was atomized: he plans to use Nyx Secundus as testing grounds for some mysterious technology, taking advantage of Taylor's absence to ensure no one can stop him.

Artisan Magos Cybersmith Lydia-Beta Rosamund, Nyx III, 3.520.296M35

Lydia-Beta Rosamund is most decidedly not happy about being distracted from her work by the worries about whatever Cawl is doing before the situation in Tigrus is discussed: while the Orks are still attacking, their reinforcements have stopped coming, the front has been stabilized and the threatened production lines have been saved. Master of the Magisterium Montcalm Iota-1 proves to be extremely recalcitrant about providing reinforcements to help Tigrus, but Rosamund points out that not only do they need to do it to destroy the Orks, but they also would establish a good precedent in helping other Forge Worlds that may need aid.

Major-General Jack 'Death' Schwarz, Catachan's Orbit, Catachan System, Chernobog Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.600.296M35

Jack Schwarz laments not being able to land in his homeworld due to the toxins he would be unadapted to as he observes Catachan from orbit. He is informed about the statue the ants are making of Taylor (new wings included) and the recruitment of the soldiers that will accompany him to Nyx.

Minister of Justice Missy Byron, Nyx III, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.690.296M35

Missy laments how the victory at Commorragh has not only increased her paperwork, but also deprived her of action since the few remaining gangs in the planet's hives have decided to go legit. She has made plans to lead the Adeptus Arbites in stopping the Spartan rebellion, also dealing with the Suebi Sub-Sector's governors at the same time. She then receives news that the Caribbean Fleet is finally arriving.

Lady General Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise, 3.695.296M35

Taylor returns home after more than half a year away, and is quickly and enthusiastically welcomed back. As Taylor shows her new Dawnguard members the system she rules, she considers the appointments to be made and the millions of pilgrims that are arriving due to her approved Living Saint status. She becomes surprised when her Techmarines warn her about Cawl's ships being in-system even though he was supposed to be in the Neptunia System, but before she can communicate with him one of Nyx Sextus' moons is suddenly teleported from its orbit to the orbit of Luke's Mine — something she had explicitly told him not to do. Exasperated, she asks Puriel to take eleven Dawnbreaker Guards and arrest Cawl.

Lady Magos Dogma Dragon Richter, Vulkan's Arsenal Shipyard

The shock of Cawl's teleportation of a moon through Nyx System (possibly using hidden technology found in Mars) leaves the Nyx Mechanicus in shock, causing quite much destruction in Luke's Mine, although nothing on a large scale. Dragon theorizes that this was made to provide liquid water, and this leads to the conclusion that the plan is to use the moon to create a Catachan ant colony to increase Bacta production. Still, Cawl committed a crime, and now his life is in Taylor's hands.

Archmagos Desmerius Lankovar, Battleship Enterprise

Taylor reads the riot act to Cawl for his impulsive action in direct defiance of her orders. Cawl manages to avoid criminal penalties using a mandate and seal that only the Living Saint and the Dawnbreakers are permitted to see, but Weaver insists that he isn't totally off the hook: the Nyx Mechanicus and the Inquisition will study his devices very thoroughly, he will have to personally deal with all the paperwork his stunt has just caused before he can do anything else in Nyx and then he will carry out the terraforming he promised, before warning him that another similar stunt will ensure he gets thrown into a spider pit.

Captain Kraas Theomor, Dark Haven Bastion, Sicarus, The Eye of Terror

Kraas Theomor of the Mighty Iconoclast Cult reaches the end of another battle that has left more than a hundred thousand dead Skaven, but this latest battle has left his stocks of ammunition dangerously low, and trying to counter-raid the Skaven without that and specialized burrowing machines is next to impossible. The Dark Apprentice assigned to him informs him that the heavy industry and production lines are being moved into orbit to isolate them from the Skaven's manipulations and about the arrival of Dark Mechanicum Magi to improve Forge production, but Kraas does not feel much confidence about winning against the Skaven the way the higher-ups are behaving.

Rogue Trader Dennis Peters, Nyx III, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.710.296M35

The first thing Dennis does upon arrival to Nyx is getting tackled (and teased) by Missy, who promptly "borrows" Gabriela and Olivia to learn more about Dennis' actions before the group begins the travel from the spaceport to Hive Athena, ovationed by millions of pilgrims and Nyxians that cheer to the heroes that destroyed Commorragh — particularly their Governor, Living Saint Taylor "Weaver" Hebert.

Lady General Taylor Hebert

In a way, Taylor is glad that she is not being welcomed by a Triumph, mostly because of the thousands of rules that would have to be followed. One of them, the fact that she would not be able to converse with Cyrene over the development of her projects nor about her discovery that the Emperor's destruction of Monarchia was caused because there were many Space Marines already working for the Ruinous Powers and using their supposed worship of the Emperor as a curtain to hide actual Chaos Worship. Taylor assures Cyrene that the Seventeenth Legion, no matter what the Chaos Gods claim, was not fated to fall.

Alice Gaius

Rashan stuffed toys are selling surprisingly well, and the Ovation continues as the Rashan themselves are presented to the people, who react quite well to them. Not so much the Eldar prisoners being forced to walk in front of the people. The information of the treasure astonishes many, and the parade ends with hundreds of fireworks lighting up the sky, while the people cheer for Lady Weaver and the Emperor.

Supreme Exarch Naelis Caradhris, Craftworld Biel-Tan, Segmentum Tempestus, 8.720.296M35

Jain Zar was not the last Phoenix Lord to take her soldiers away: every other Phoenix Lord has come to Biel-Tan, gathered soldiers, artisans and non-combatants, and left the Craftworld with them. Naelis Caradhris, new Supreme Exarch after the previous one killed himself, finally comes to his senses and realizes that Biel-Tan's death has been coming for a long time due to the many deceased and wasted resources in Biel-Tan's attempt to restore the Aeldari Empire: not only is the Craftworld heavily depopulated, many worlds that Biel-Tan laid claim to are being assaulted by the Imperium and their spread armies are now fighting desperate battles of attrition without hope for reinforcements of any kind or a chance to return home. Helping Commorragh was truly a mistake.

And then an Imperial fleet arrives, ready to compound on the punishment.

Knowing that anything he does will only delay the inevitable, Caradhris orders the fleet to fight the Imperium, because all that is left to them now is to die doing something, and the last remaining forces of the Biel-Tan are assembled for their last fight.

High Marshal Gerlach Barbarossa, Gloriana Battleship Eternal Crusader

High Marshal Gerlach Barbarossa of the Black Templars admits that Lady Weaver had a good point with her suggestions on inter-army coordination, proved as the large combined fleet of Imperial Navy, Ecclesiarchy, Adeptus Mechanicus and Adeptus Astartes efficiently fights the heavily outnumbered and outgunned Eldar ships. The abandoned status of many parts of the Craftworld leads one of the Marines in the Eternal Crusader's help to theorize that Biel-Tan's large militaries may be due to their heavy militarization. Barbarossa (seeing the parallels between the Templars and Biel-Tan) approves the use of any available resources to determine the truth of this theory. As the Biel-Tan fleet dies, the Strike Cruisers are prepared to give the killing strike on the Craftworld's engines.

Supreme Exarch Naelis Caradhris, Craftworld Biel-Tan

The Eldar forces are falling back and retreating in every front they are forced to be in, much to Caradhris' chagrin. When one Farseer suggests using their most powerful weapons against the humans, Caradhris reveals he had them destroyed when the assault began, because he fears that they might be handed over to the Necrons if they used those weapons. He then orders the men under his direct control to the Hall of Communion, to make their last stand protecting the Infinity Circuit, shining like a star because of the thousands of Biel-Tan people dying and taking refuge there. The Space Marines arrive, and the Eldar charge at them with little success, with Caradhras quickly dying to a Black Templar's sword.

Chapter Master Flavius Sextus Jovius

The victory in Biel-Tan is complete, and it has only taken thirty hours to achieve it. The Chapter Masters plan to write down the lessons learned in the battle for future engagements, and Barbarossa surprisingly decides to let the Biel-Tan that have managed to escape go.

Arriving to the core of the Craftworld, they are met with Lord Inquisitor Shokaku, who presents them what he calls a "Soul Core" (the Infinity Circuit). Asked about what would happen if it were destroyed, Shokaku truthfully answers that, due to the destruction of Excess, no one knows what might happen to the souls contained within, and he suggests the Marines begin their collection of artefacts and relics soon while he organizes the extraction of the Soul Core and its transport to Saturn.

Brigadier-General Tao Shujia, Polar, Polar System, Atlas Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 6.800.296M35

Tao Shujia is very unhappy to learn that he and his men have been sent to Polar, a freezing Death World with few exports and a very low population. Commissar-Colonel Elina Järvinen walks up to him as soon as they land on the planet. Their conversation is quickly interrupted by Gulliver Nixon, and Elina promptly informs him that he (along with the many prisoners that have also come to the planet) has been condemned to serve as part of the 1st Polar Penal Legion, specialists in suicidal operations in winter warfare.

Another man — who Tao recognizes as his cousin Lord-Magnate Rongchun Shujia — screams about his rights being ignored after this proclamation, only for the Commissar to instantly pick up her bolter and shoot Rongchun in the leg, before she informs everyone that she is now in control of their life and death, neither of which will be easy at all.

Arch-Genetor Hark-Alpha Dipodies, Nyx III, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.820.296M35

The transformation of the new Nyx Secundus moon (named "Formicarium" by Taylor) has started: plants and animals are being acclimated to the moon, and the ants that will live in the planet are being transported there as well, which bodes well for the future production of Bacta.

Unfortunately, the cultivation of progenoids from the Emperor's Children stock is not going so well: so far, trying to find a planet where the population has a high enough compatibility with the gene-seed has proven difficult. However, an opportunity may present itself in the Goa Death World, which could provide some extra compatibility thanks to their close ties to another, nearby world. Also, the Heracles Wardens are finally growing in number.

Pontifex-Crusader Vishwa Ousadevi

Vishwa Ousadevi, the Pontifex-Crusader assigned to deal with the rebellion in Sparta, dreads his meeting with Lady Weaver, since he will have to report the failure in dealing with said rebellion. Fortunately for him, while Lady Weaver does blame him for his mistakes, she does not blame him for the mistakes made by others. Ousadevi confesses that dealing with the rebellion was his first military command, something Taylor is clearly unhappy with, before she declares she will send significant reinforcements so the rebellion is finished within a year. Ousadevi is astonished by the order, but Lady Weaver points out she has experts in taking and defending fortresses.

Basileia Taylor Hebert

Taylor asks about Leet's whereabouts: as it turns out, his video game simulators (mostly Call of Duty) have gained much success, and now he's trying to expand into other games. Dragon brings up the possibility of creating administration games and reveals that Arcturus Morkys (now a Magos) has joined the effort, thinking of using games as training tools. Regardless of the success, Leet will be leaving for the Squat worlds within a couple of years. Conversation turns to a spiny issue: the improvement of Space Marine armors to deal with the soon-to-come fights against the Necrons. Taylor approves of Dragon's suggestions.

Then, the Suebi Sub-Sector is discussed. Taylor grants Missy full power to deal with the rebellious planets in that sector, and not just Sparta, and gifts her the first Lightsaber weapon. The mood is suddenly ruined when a Harlequin enters the room, throws a "present" from the Queen of Blades in the form of a half-naked female Drukhari, and jumps out of a window.

9.2. Old and New Heroes

Lord Inquisitor Odysseus Tor, Lisa's Dome, Nyx III, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.853.296M35

Several days after the shocking encounter with the Harlequin, Odysseus Tor visits Taylor as she works on the construction of Lisa's Dome, intended to be one of many possible refuges for the giant golden moth while on Nyx and full of nature that is hardly seen in the Hive World. After Taylor suggests Tor to attempt to get into Lisa's good graces, she reveals how Lisa will be able to attract pilgrims, as well as her plans to use Ambulls to dig tunnels between domes to let the moth move between them.

Conversation turns to the recent breach of security: Taylor states that, as much as she would like otherwise, there is little more that can be done to improve the security surrounding her without it starting to be counterproductive. Tor's questions about the Queen of Blades' emissary turn to the future Arena requested by said Queen as payment for killing Rakarth, which will be built in a large space station to reduce potential casualties. After the talk ends, Tor makes to leave, but Lisa stops him, clearly intending to force him to feed her.

The Warp

Armies of demons attempt to cross to the Materium in Nyx in order to kill Taylor, but the radiance emitted by both Taylor and Lisa keep disintegrating those that get too close and the barrier is too strong for them or any potential cultists (of which there are few and dropping) to break down.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Nyx III, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.862.296M35

Taylor meets the Planetary Governors of Atlas Tertius (First Duke Cristoforo Mocenigo) and Megara (Marshal-Governor Charles Aldringen) — and has to deal with their grandstanding and attempts to boast about their planets' soldiers' performance in Commorragh. As Taylor brings the meeting to the important matters, Mocenigo requests the possibility of building the new Mining Ships in his planet's shipyards, but Taylor denies him the chance since she knows that said shipyards do not have the capacity to actually build the ships. Taylor suggests that, if Mocenigo were to approve certain reforms, she would approve the deal, but Mocenigo chooses not to take the offer and leaves.

Aldringen points out that Mocenigo and the other governors of the Atlas system would rather remain as they are before they let themselves lose any power over their people, and Taylor mentions that, while she would like to do something to improve the conditions in Atlas, she does not have the lever needed to open the door unless the governors do it for her. Aldringen requests the possibility of building beer-making facilities in Megara, and Taylor makes him a deal he finds favorable.

Zaibatsu Gordian von Mitsubishi-Dassault

Zaibatsu Gordian von Mitsubishi-Dassault, the leader of one of the major trade conglomerates in the Samarkand Quadrant, finds himself being forced to wait for several days to meet with Lady Weaver, which he knows is a dig at how he and his House did not take her seriously before, at a point where he also knows Weaver holds the cards thanks to her status as Living Saint and the one who led the victory at Commorragh.

Finally, he manages to gain a meeting, but soon he finds himself somewhat overwhelmed by Taylor's majesty. Nonetheless, Gordian presents the reason for the meeting: Taylor's decisions and the current developments are violating several agreements made between his House and Nyx. However, Taylor easily replies by pointing out that the agreements had previously been ignored by Mitsubishi-Dassault in their own benefit, so Taylor does not feel herself bound to them. Seeing that there is no chance of him gaining the upper hand, Gordian tries to offer Taylor to marry one of his children, but she shoots the offer down before he can even go further as she expands on her dislike of how his decisions have negatively impacted Nyx.

Lieutenant-General Paul Dundee, Indiga, Indiga System, Argoy Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.876.296M35

The hunt for new insects and other creatures for Taylor to control acquires several of the specimens she requested, but not all. Pierre, meanwhile, has the time of his life fighting the ultraraptors trying to attack their hunting group.

Chapter Master Michael Yarhibol, Battle-Barge Red Blade, Tigrus System, Svalbard Sector, The Eastern Fringe, Ultima Segmentum, 6.878.296M35

The Lamenters' Chapter Master watches the Space Hulk under the domain of the Ork Warboss attacking Tigrus, an enormous hulk that will be in range to bombard the planet within four hours. Strategies to stop them are considered, but Michael knows that their best chance to prevent it from attacking is to board the Hulk and kill the Warboss, which will likely trigger in-fighting amongst the Orks.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Messenia, Nyx III, Nyx Sector, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.900.296M35

Taylor meets the four Rogue Traders (Dennis, Wolfgang, Magdalena, and Alyena — who has renamed herself Amanda Salvia to represent her new outlook). Taylor tells the two young men that the ships the Mechanicus agreed to build for them are on their way to Nyx and should be prepared for the beginning of their expeditions in 500.298M35. Magdalena mentions that her ships should be ready to leave when the next year begins, and Taylor gives her her goals: carrying a cargo of thousands of tons of machines to Tigrus. From there, she'll be free to act as she wishes, and she intends to explore the Nostramo Sector for strategic resources.

After Magdalena leaves, Taylor turns to Amanda, who notes that neither her ships nor her cargo — archeotech and artwork bound for Baal — are ready yet. Taylor tells her to wait until both are finished since she'd rather she do one travel to carry all of her promised cargo and bring the full payment.

Dennis, who has been studying the Flamewrought's records, intends to find what happened to New Etna, a planet that was conquered by the Eighteenth Legion during the Great Crusade but somehow vanished from Imperial records. Meanwhile, Wolfgang will join the expedition for Terrathens, and Taylor charges them with ensuring the Mechanicus won't jeopardize it with their internal conflicts.

Brigadier-General Tom Cameron, Nyx II

Tom Cameron and his fellow Brigadier-General Julian Genesis look up to Nyx II's new moon, which, among other things, has attracted a crowd of pilgrims that are now calling themselves the Cult of the Saint of the Two Moons. This prompts discussion of another cult, the Cult of Spiders, who have somehow managed to get a Helspider, which they regard as a sort of representative of Saint Weaver.

Lord Admiral Danvers Alexandros, Battleship Admiral Mecklenburg, Nyx VI's High Orbit

Alexandros considers the irony of getting the budgets he wants precisely at the end of his Navy career. von Schafer tells him he could continue in his position of Lord Admiral of Battlefleet Nyx for several decades, but Alexandros has decided to join Lady Weaver's government. The question of who will succeed Alexandros is raised, as well as the new officers in charge of different parts of the Nyx Sector's fleets and the fate of the Lion, the last survivor of von Kisher's Fast Battleships — which the Mechanicus considers an example of how not to build a battleship.

Indomitable-Captain Qel Greatsbark, Cathedral of Endless Darkness, Sicarus, The Eye of Terror

A Skaven army attacks one of Chaos' fortifications in Sicarus, but the Word Bearers manage to finish a ritual that summons three Greater Daemons — one for each Khorne, Nurgle, and Tzeentch — and the Skaven run away.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Argos, Nyx III, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.933.296M35

Taylor attends mass in the Cathedral of Martyrs on the first day of the Sanguinala along with several of her Dawnbreaker Guard. As mass progresses, she tells them that their current economy needs to gear itself towards preparation for the large increase in population Nyx and the nearby systems are undergoing, as well as the decontamination of Nyx Tertius itself after centuries of unchecked industrial development: she wants to have a planet that is worth defending. As Taylor leaves the Cathedral, she meets hundreds of thousands of Hive Argos' inhabitants and feels both the happiness of seeing them smile and the fear of failing them.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas, Hagia Sanguinala

The Dawnbreaker Guard meets in the catacombs of Hagia Sanguinala to honor Jonas and Aslan, the two members that died in the Battle of Commorragh, knowing that eventually they will join them, but still intending to fulfill their duty to the end.

Alice Gaius, Lisa's Dome

Alice participates in the Sanguinala Games, and manages to reach the Ninth Trial: the aspirants must take a piece of fruit, sugar, pastry or honey, find Lisa and feed it to her within four hours — with the caveat that Lisa has been instructed to only eat the first sample of each that is presented to her, and the aspirants cannot interfere with each other's actions.

Brigadier-General Tanya Sevrev, Fay, Fay System, Moros Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.951.296M35

As the people of Fay party to celebrate the Day of Victory, Tanya and Governor Dalten talk about the present and future economic developments in the sector. Tanya mentions Taylor's suggestion of building a Grand Reliquary in Fay, which the Governor likes and plans to implement, if only to thumb her nose at the local Pontifex. Dalten asks if Taylor and Wei are ready to tie the knot, and Tanya replies that, considering how many marriage offers both are getting, it is a matter of time before one of them pops the question — and Tanya asks Dalten if she's interested in joining the betting pool.

Chapter Master Felix Sulla, Portsmouth, Portsmouth System, Theta Marches Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.956.296M35

Felix Sulla, Chapter Master of the Fists of Roma, surveys the location of the Chapter's future Fortress-Monastery and explains the Planetary Governor the reasons behind the choice: not only is it in a highly defensible position, but it is also close enough to the planet's capital to help defend it while not so close as to allow an enemy to take out both the city and the Fortress in one strike. Sulla then accompanies the Governor to the capital, in order to meet the volunteers that want to join the Chapter and send them on their first trial.

Judge Missy Byron, Frateris Command Cruiser Grace of Lemuria, High Orbit over Sparta, Sparta System, Suebi Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.999.296M35

Missy is ready to begin the campaign to put an end to Sparta's rebellion, and quickly has to deal with some of the idiotic commanders that were unable to do so before. Missy orders the deployment of her forces to be as quick as possible, as they must attack before a great blizzard makes it impossible for normal people to fight outside, and details the strategic objectives of the campaign, particularly the local promethium refinery, which would collapse the rebels' (who call themselves the "Communist Revolutionary Syndicate of the Spartan People") ability to act. Missy then deliberately triggers the Templars more likely to oppose her plans by bringing out her Rashan "secretary", allowing her to have many of them arrested.

Citizen-General of the Revolution and the People Morgantia Zapata, Fortress of the People – ex-Saint Keeler's Fortress, Sparta

Morgantia Zapata, one of the rebellion's leaders, mocks the Imperials' latest demand for their surrender and their concentration of troops nearby, claiming that they won't be able to break through the fortress' walls, like in all their previous attempts. As he begins to plan on sending a message to the "Defence Committee", Zapata is astonished to see a nearby mountain somehow becoming heavily distorted, in complete ignorance of all physical laws. The mountain then gets so close that it blocks the sun and finally tilts to a side — right above the fortress. Soon, loose rocks and snow fall over the fortress in tons, crushing all the rebels under the weight.

Scout Phanuel

Phanuel (along with everyone else present) finds himself slightly terrified of how Missy has managed to use her space master powers to smash Saint Keeler's Fortress and all that it contained. As Missy returns to the command position, she asks the Brothers of the Red to take the Shankar Promethium Plant before berating the (still stunned) Frateris Templar for remaining idle.

Citizen-General of the Revolutionary Defences and the Struggle against Oppression Hridayesh Induj, Fortress of the Never-Ending Revolution – ex-Cardinal Kunar's Fortress

The lightning offensive towards the second fortress reaches its destination quickly, and Hridayesh Induj, the man in charge of the fortress, discusses with his officers the current situation. It is not good at all (for them): they do not have nor the transport nor the fuel necessary to retake the promethium plant, they lack the food needed for their entire garrison, less than ten percent of the soldiers are capable of actually fighting and they are being completely encircled. Induj attempts to harangue the officers into action, but suddenly the ground begins to shake. Looking outside the window, Induj sees that all the walls and towers — including the one the meeting is taking place on — are being torn apart and sent flying while the way is opened for the Imperial forces. Induj tries to claim it to be sorcery, but he cannot do anything as another tower is sent flying against the one he's on and both towers shatter, quickly killing Induj.

Grand Citizen-Marshal Vagish Uttam, Supreme and Impregnable Fortress of the Syndicate – ex-Ecclesiarch Veneris II's Fortress

The rebel leaders bicker as some of them know they are going to lose while others keep arguing — against all logic — that they can still win. Vagish Uttam is one of the former and sighs as he leaves the bickering, encountering a messenger warning him about the fall of Vaninath — caused by what he identifies as the Angels of Death. Uttam laments how their revolution did not actually change anything save for who was on top as he walks to his bunker, where he finds all of his officers slaughtered at the hands — and weapons — of a Space Marine who promptly turns his gun on him.

Pontifex-Crusader Vishwa Ousadevi, Former Penal Camp of Rajender

Oushadevi cannot help but be overwhelmed by how Missy managed to bring down the Spartan Rebellion in five days when the Templars were unable to do so in three years. As he talks with Missy, the reasons behind Sparta becoming a Prison World are revealed: initially, it was a Mining World for promethium extraction, but the actual production was lower than it could be, until a group of explorers found a crashed starship somewhere in the planet — and the few survivors managed to return to base with valuable gemstones they called Ice Diamonds. This prompted a nearby Hierophant to take over the planet and send millions of prisoners there so they could find more Ice Diamonds for him — but no one could find either the diamonds or the starship. Missy mentions that no sample of Ice Diamonds has been found, but points out that it is likely they were not from Sparta — and also that she has been ordered to organize the transfer of Sparta to the Mechanicus so they can ensure promethium extraction goes smoothly. Ousadevi accepts the loss of the planet, and after requesting a ceremony for the transfer of powers, he leaves.

Judge Missy Byron

After Ousadevi leaves, Missy tells Teddy, the Rashan accompanying her, to stop playing with the snow. As it turns out, Teddy has been using the snow to hide several kilograms of black crystals that had been excavated by miners before the rebellion and considered useless — but Missy can identify it as Noctilith, which certainly brings up questions about Sparta.

Archmagos Desmerius Lankovar, Cruiser Age of Light, Hellhound's Orbit, Brockton System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.035.297M35

Lankovar listens to his second Wismer as she details the current advancements in the hunt of lava plesiosaurs in Hellhound: while the creatures are not sentient, they have enough intelligence to adapt themselves to any hunters, including Space Marines — one of them being grievously injured in the latest such hunt. The mining operations on the planet are starting to take place for the extraction of Noctilith and other rare metals, led by an efficient yet ambitious Archmagos from Ryza. Lankovar orders Wismar to remain in Hellhound for two months before returning to Nyx, by which moment the construction of the Prometheus Citadel — meant to house the Magma Spiders Chapter — will have begun.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Athena, Nyx III, Nyx System, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.040.297M35

Taylor manages to bring Dragon out of her labs for a day of talking, and the two talk about the end of the Spartan Rebellion, where the Frateris Templar engaged in multiple atrocities against the surviving rebels due to the complete lack of control the superiors had over their men. With the few survivors of the rebellion being planned to use for propaganda and then resettled in Matapan, the future of Sparta is risen: it will become a proper Mining World, with the excavation of Noctilith being kept a secret.

Their discussion is halted when Pierre appears, completely unexpected, on the parade grounds Taylor and Dragon are going to. Taylor tells the Dreadnought that he may as well accompany her in welcoming her new guest: Rylanor, whom Pierre seems to be afraid of. Rylanor soon proves himself up to the task and moves to fight the Heracles Wardens Dreadnought.

Artisan Magos Cybersmith Lydia-Beta Rosamund, Fafnir Forge-Temple

Dragon tells Rosamund about Rylanor's arrival and fight with Pierre, before the conversation turns to more important matters: with the secessionist Forge Worlds officially pardoned by the Parliament of Mars, Nyx is bound to receive large numbers of Tech-Priests, which will require not only their retraining but also the modification of many plans to accommodate them both in projects and politically.

After Rosamund tells Dragon how the Lamenters managed to achieve their task to kill the Ork Warboss and Tigrus is finally seeing an Imperial victory grow nearer, Dragon asks if she knows how to build Contemptor-Pattern Dreadnoughts, the model Rylanor uses: Dragon figures that, by studying such pattern, she may be able to improve her future Dragon-Dreadnought armors. Cawl appears to interrupt their discussion and attempt to offer suggestions, but Dragon promptly sends him away until he has finished with the bureaucratic nightmare he caused, drawing admiration from many witnesses.

Grand Architect Cyrene Versailles, Claire 47, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 4.056.297M35

Cyrene counsels her apprentice Moira Fergus on the construction of the Gaius Mausoleum since she needs to return to Nyx. Moira asks about the distribution of religious monuments being built in the aftermath of Commorragh, with Cyrene pointing out that most of it is because of the Governors' lack of desire to allow Taylor to build anything in their planets. Moira states that at least they won't be unemployed for a very long time.

Executrix Primaris Ax'senaea, Laodomida, Calyx Expanse, Beyond the Imperial frontier of Segmentum Obscurus, Approximately 9.069.297M35

Ax'senaea, who managed the feat of absorbing the power of a Keeper of Secrets that had possessed her, finds herself completely at the mercy of Malicia, who is now possessing her and planning to make use of Ax'senaea's skills in controlling others to fight Taylor.

The Blood Rose, Scin'ti'lla System, Yu'Vath Dark Sovereignty, Calyx Expanse, Beyond the Imperial frontier of Segmentum Obscurus, Approximately 9.078.297M35

Before the Battle of Commorragh, the Yu'Vath Dark Sovereignty had been judged too heavily defended to be successfully destroyed by the Imperium of Man. The aftershocks of the battle have shattered them, due to Slaanesh's death and the increase in power of the Astronomican, leaving them ripe for raiding by Chaos troops — such as the Khornate warband controlled by the Blood Rose, who sends the Chaos Space Marines to kill as many xenos as possible while they attempt to capture as many intact ships as possible, as Khârn the Betrayer is sent to personally massacre those living in the planet of Scin'ti'lla.

Chartist Vicequeen Marianne Gutenberg, Freighter White Ducat, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.090.297M35

Marianne Gutenberg's fleet arrives to Nyx just a few hours ahead of Arch-Cardinal Marlborough's ships, but she knows that gaining an audience with Lady Weaver is low even with that advantage. Marianne notes that Lady Weaver will attend a ball during the Day of the Emperor's Ascension, which takes place in three days, and resolves to attend the ball even if she has to offer boons to the best possible contact they have, the Navigators of House Achelieux. A captain interrupts her with important news: the Custodes that had been in her ship have mysteriously vanished.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Athena's gene-labs

Rylanor begins to undergo a long-term treatment on Bacta to revert the damages from the millennia he spent stuck in Istvaan, and the ancient veteran soon begins to experience an improvement, which bodes well for the treatment of other Dreadnought riders. Taylor hopes to lean on his knowledge to build up the future Third Legion-descended Chapter, and she and Gavreel wonder about Rylanor's future before she notices the arrival of the Custodes that came on the White Ducat: they present themselves as Shield-Captain Veii Volterrus, Murasame Oda of the Dankanatoi and Shadowkeeper Baldur Vör.

Major-General Jack 'Death' Schwarz, Hive Athena

Schwarz arrives to Nyx and quickly gets a surprise when he and his companions are told to ride on a giant scorpion to the meeting point with Lady Weaver, which only advances as they encounter several thousands of Catachan ants. Taylor uses her swarms to explain to them about her power before she lands before them in person. Taylor tells them that their only trial to join her General Staff will be to don their ceremonial uniforms and join her in the Ball. Schwarz asks if he can instead spar with the ants.

Arch-Cardinal Winston Marlborough

During the ball, Marlborough observes the comings and goings as he speaks with Director Elbert Rhine of some of his planned suggestions for Lady Weaver before he begins moving between the dance floor and further conversation with other important figures of Nyx's government when he encounters Vicequeen Gutenberg. As the two dance, they trade light-hearted barbs that leave Marlborough on the losing side, before they are invited to meet with Lady Weaver.

Basileia Taylor Hebert

Taylor admits to Wei that she finds Gutenberg very beautiful — but also very dangerous, and asks Wei to be with her during their meeting. After Gutenberg inquires about the Custodes — who are not present since the Day of the Emperor's Ascension is a day of mourning for them — and then subtly attempts to seduce her — which is a failure. Taylor knows that Marlborough and Gutenberg will likely be in competition as long as they are in Nyx.

Deathwatch Captain Draak Terrek, Deathwatch Strike Cruiser Silent Slayer, Approximately thirty million kilometres away from 'Scrapzard Moardakka', Eastern Fringe, Beyond the Light of the Astronomican, 8.109.297M35

A Deathwatch team led by Captain Draak Terrek, assigned to kill Warboss Arrgard finds itself stymied by the large number of ships and Orks in the zone, which makes it almost impossible to succeed in their mission — at least, not with what they have in hand. The Orks' attack on Tigrus may allow them to find support from the Mechanicus, as well as the mysterious "Swarm Bringa" the Orks keep shouting about in their communications. Terrek decides to move away from the center of Ork activity and send a message to the Deathwatch Fortress Indomitus Point to update them on the situation.

Seer Maea Teallysis, Craftworld Malan'tai, 8.109.297M35

The Harlequins need to talk to Maea and Yvraine urgently, and they have no better idea than to grab them both and drop them from the top of a cascade, which leaves them short-tempered and ready to attack the murder clowns — only for their attacks to be stymied in the cradle and most of the Harlequins to disappear, leaving just one of them, a Solitaire, who warns them of Oblivion coming unless the five Croneswords are found and held by Aeldari champions, and tasks Maea and Yvraine with finding two of them: Kha-vir, Sword of Sorrows (stolen by prisoners of Uldanesh Prison following Rogal Dorn), and Asu-var, Sword of Silent Screams, stolen by Trazyn and kept in one of Solemnace's galleries. Both women argue that not only would finding them be a pipe's dream, the weapons themselves are dangerous to hold, but the Solitaire leaves without further ado.

Seneschal-Consort Wei Cao, Lisa's Dome, Nyx III, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.110.297M35

Wei observes as Taylor attempts to speak again with the Core Crystal she found in Commorragh, hoping to extract some secrets about Eldar knowledge of Noctilith from it. Taylor learns that the Eldar never mined the mysterious mineral: all they could find was stolen from the Necrons, and they relied on their Gods and some skilled artisans to give it use — with all their knowledge of it lost with the passage of time. The Core Crystal did have a piece of interesting information: a world that could have billions of tons of Noctilith — one associated with Szarekh the Silent King himself. When Taylor reveals the coordinates of the planet, Baldur Vör reveals that the Imperium once battled in that planet — and suffered such a one-sided humiliation that every trace of the defeat was erased from history: the planet contains a structure the Imperium named the Ymga Monolith, and it is the lair of monsters beyond human nightmares.

9.3. Return to Wuhan

Phaerakh-Cryptek Neferten, Crownworld Amarnekh, Nerushlatset Space, Suebi Nebula, Ultima Segmentum, Approximately 8.115.297M35

Neferten receives a message from Weaver about the discovery of the Ymga Monolith, which the Necrons call the Throne of Oblivion. Neferten deduces this to be related to the large shipments of Noctilith that Szarekh extorted out of multiple Necron Dynasties and stored in that world. Unfortunately, attacking this region is an impossibility for Neferten due to the codes preventing her from doing so.

Neferten, Sitkah, and Overlord Kamosekh the Prudent consider the chances the Imperium has of breaching through the Throne of Oblivion's defenses: while Sitka states he believes they can after seeing them destroy Commorragh, Kamosekh points out that the Drukhari were by far weaker than the Aeldari that built Commorragh, the Throne's outer defenses were able to repel the Aeldari and no one knows what else is behind said defenses. Sitkah does indicate a fair point: should the humans manage to get through, the Throne's forces would have to be defended with troops from Mandragora, a planet that is in the list of places Neferten gave Taylor, and the Necron devices in the Throne (such as several Replicator Forges) would come into Neferten's possession.

Neferten acknowledges that all talk of attacking the Throne is theoretical so far, dismisses Kamosekh and tells Sitkah to send two messages: one to Weaver so as to meet face to face, and another to Trazyn so he can nullify one of Szarekh's greatest assets, Orikan the Diviner.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Vulkan's Arsenal Shipyard, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.121.297M35

Taylor meets with Dragon in private in a restaurant so they can discuss the Nyx Mechanicus' projects. Taylor points out the great expense of the ideas the Mechanicus is presenting, but Dragon replies that things are never cheap where the Mechanicus is involved. Dragon also rises the need of increasing the size of the Mechanicus Council to thirty-six members in order to cover the new expanded works in the sector. Taylor agrees, but she will only accept people who are competent for the role and that are absolutely required.

First Lieutenant Freya Brasidas, Hive Aquila

Freya attends the presentation of the first prototype for the Brunhilda superiority fighter, where she meets with Marianne Gutenberg. The Vicequeen expresses her interest in buying the next prototype, but Freya can tell that Marianne wants to use that as something to get closer to Lady Weaver.

Emissary of the Queen of Blades Veth'va Xorl, Hive Athena

Veth'va Xorl, the Emissary of the Queen of Blades to Weaver, reflects on how terrifying Weaver is as she studies the plans for the Arena Weaver plans to build for the Queen.

Lady Dogma Dragon Richter, Forge-Temple Fafnir

The Mechanicus tests the Astartes Power Armor Prototype XO 1, a prototype for an armor equipped with the Heimdall forcefield: the test, consisting of attacking it with heavy infantry weaponry and artillery, is a success, but the forcefield collapses shortly after the attack ends. The Magi and Archmagi discuss the possible causes for the failure and the results of the testing before they move to the next prototype to be tested.

Princess-Magister Zoe XIX Attica, Parthia, Parthia System, Suebi Nebula Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.150.297M35

Zoe Attica visits the Ocean World Parthia, where she feels very much out of place as the climate clearly affects her. Nonetheless, government work waits for no one, and she has to meet with Prince of the Seas and Deserts Mykerinos, the Planetary Governor. Mykerinos requests a reduction of thirty percent on the tithes his planet has to pay, but Zoe replies that Parthia's production is important, although she mentions that Lady Weaver would be willing to reduce the tithes by five percent as well as remove several taxes. She does warn the Governor that he needs to keep his PDF up to specs. Mykerinos complains that Lady Weaver just wants more bodies for her wars, but Zoe replies that it was thanks to Lady Weaver's actions that Parthia was not razed by the Death Star, making the Governor rethink his course of action.

Grand Princeps Surena Ctesiphon, Alamo, Alamo System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.157.297M35

Surena Ctesiphon speaks with the Magos in charge of turning Alamo into a Forge World: the expected time for the first forge to reach Hive-level production is of eight years, long but not unreasonable. Surena does, however, worry that, if Weaver goes to war anytime within the decade, he will not be able to send his best Titans, as many of them are in need of repairs that will take a long time to finish.

Vice-Admiral Vortigern von Drenthe the Eighth, Cruiser Holy Wind, Wuhan System, Moros Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.162.297M35

The Enterprise and its assorted fleet arrive to Wuhan. While part of the fleet goes to Wuhan Tertius to arrange its future - since Lady Weaver is now technically the owner of the Mining world - the rest moves for Wuhan Secundus, and von Drenthe can tell she is ready to purge the planet of its cultists. While von Drenthe's lieutenants make side bets on how many Penal Legions will be created, he laments the insanity.

Seneschal-Consort Wei Cao, Hive Chao-Lai, Wuhan II

Wei has returned home after nearly a decade away to be named Wuhan's Planetary Governor, and is shocked at how little it has changed when compared to Nyx, as the people cheer on Taylor. Taylor and Wei comment on the hard work that is going to be needed for Wuhan to recover, and Wei states that, due to their popularity, someone that is not her nor Taylor won't be easily accepted by the local population. Taylor reveals she has managed to find the trail of Mei, one of Wei's cousins, who was taken by a Black Ship several years before: as far as Taylor's sources could tell, Mei reached Terra and may still be alive.

Chapter Master Jeremiah Isley, Hive Athena, Nyx, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.184.297M35

Jeremiah counsels Zephyr Belos, the Director of Hives and Special Projects, not to suggest to Lady Weaver the reduction of protections for the Agri-Hive that is being built on Nyx: regardless of her personal power, defending the planet is not easy, and leaving such an important project bereft of protections is a risky prospect. The expansion of the railway system is more acceptable, although Dragon may impose the use of Ambulls to build them underground. Belos then opens up the suggestion of building a second Agri-Hive in Nyx, which Jeremiah indicates could cause political problems due to the structure of the Imperium.

Sister Alice Gaius, Hive Chao-Lai, Wuhan II, Wuhan System, Moros Sub-Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.195.297M35

Alice Gaius, now sworn into the Templar Sororitas, keeps watch as part of Lady Weaver's escort as she leads the ceremony to enthrone Wei as Regina Wei Cao, Planetary Governor of Wuhan Secundus.

Basileia Taylor Hebert

Wei complains about the growing paperwork and makes a joke before she and Taylor are left alone to deal with it all. The lovers trade points about the current status of Wuhan, the attempts from the old aristocrat families to retake their power and ideas on how to improve Wuhan's forces to an acceptable standard.

Chapter Master William Castor, Bahamut, Bahamut System, Atlas Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.202.297M35

Chapter Master William Castor of the Magma Spiders returns from meeting the Fire Champion (Bahamut's Planetary Governor) in good mood due to good advances in the development of local infrastructure. Master of the Forges Bergidrake Osacar reports the discovery of great ore deposits that can begin to be exploited within a month, although he dislikes how the lack of proper structures for transport to orbit will make things harder, which Castor agrees with. The joint training with the Bahamut forces is going well, even if most of them have been detached to aid in the infrastructure development.

Vicequeen Marianne Gutenberg, Hive Chen-Jin, Wuhan II, Wuhan System, Moros Sub-Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.316.297M35

Marianne Gutenberg, who has followed Lady Weaver to Wuhan, observes as the rebels that have just tried to rise in arms against the Saint are taken away for their induction into the new Wuhan Penal Legions before her audience with Lady Weaver. Marianne offers her support for the expansion of Nyx's merchant navy, making suggestions that should attract new blood from void-faring merchants and increase the number of voidborn, and she mentions a world named Krieg.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Chao-Lai

As it turns out, Krieg is a Hive World that stands in the middle of an important Warp-line that connects the Segmentum Solar with the Mainz Sector, controlled by the Gutenberg Chartist Captains, and Marianne's offer would bring millions of Krieg's people to Nyx. In exchange of this and multiple Trade Charters for the establishment of merchants, she wants for her House to transport a percentage of the Aethergold and Bacta taken to Terra, and, surprisingly, Krieg itself wants for their "Trade Korps" to be allowed to join her future military campaigns, as the Munitorum never claims the tithe in that planet.

Arch-Cardinal Winston Marlborough, Hive Shujia

Winston follows Lady Weaver as she inspects Hive Shujia and gives orders regarding some of the issues she sees. Managing to catch up to her, he asks her why she is personally dealing with the problems: Lady Weaver replies that working to rebuild and give the people better lives will make it harder for Chaos to attempt to gain hold in the Imperium. She also warns him about his subordinates revealing some of his plans to her through her beetles, which he is not happy about.

Pontifex-Governor Tangaroa Piripi, Drakkar, Drakkar System, Suebi Nebula Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 6.339.297M35

Pontifex-Governor Tangaroa Piripi of Drakkar rages against Salmon-Questor Kahurangi Winiata over his and his fellow Questors' inability to deliver the (increased) tithes demanded from Lemuria. When Winiata replies that Piripi does not speak for the Emperor, Piripi orders the Templars escorting him to kill the Questors, only to find that the Templars are surrounded by local troops. Piripi reveals that a representative of the Living Saint is coming, expecting that the representative will allow him to have the "rebels" killed.

Judge Missy Byron

Missy lands in Drakkar and is soon assaulted by the smells, as well as the sight of the local people. Piripi comes to her to mention that the people of Drakkar are in "peaceful rebellion" and have not provided the proper tithes expected of them, but Missy points out the several holes in Piripi's explanation and executes him when he reveals he increased the tithes against the law.

Salmon-Questor Kahurangi Winiata

After witnessing the execution of Piripi, Missy calls Winiata to her presence so he will speak for his people, and tells him that, since Piripi's actions were illegal, as long as everyone returns to work there won't be any reprisals, and most of the current government will be excised and replaced with a Planetary Governor chosen by the local people, to Winiata's astonishment and the cheers of those people present.

Judge Missy Byron

Teddy, Missy's friend Rashan, grouses about how illogical humans can be as Missy does her best to explain why the Drakkar actually want to pay the Munitorum tithe, since their ancestors were soldiers forced to live in the Agri-World. Teddy can, at least, be glad that soon they will be able to act against Lemuria and its priests.

Rogue Trader Wolfgang Bach, Exorcist-class Grand Cruiser Pavian Victory, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.377.297M35

Wolfgang deals with the Tech-Priests assigned to his Rogue Fleet, namely to ensure they won't try to be too enthusiastic about what they may find on their explorations, before taking some time of his own to eat and watch the spectacle from the bridge of his ship. The doors open just as he finishes his lunch, but much to his surprise the ones entering the room are Julia and Adriana von Lohengramm, the twin sisters he slept with so many years before, and now captains of their own Navy ships. The two girls promptly take control of him and decide to "punish" him for his actions in his private quarters.

Leet, Mechanicus Research Station Entropy of the Quest

Leet sneezes, knowing something "terrible and wonderful" must have happened, but is soon redirected to his task by T-11001100-Zeta, as he and another Tech-Priest stop him from trying to use his Tinker abilities. This is, however, interrupted by Borek, who intends to make him train in the use of weapons in a fight - against him. The Techpriests decide to release him from his obligations, much to Leet's anguish.

Ancient Rylanor, Fafnir Forge-Temple

Rylanor meets with Dragon, and reflects on the much changed Imperium before the conversation turns to the matter of the future Chapter born out of the Third's gene-seed. Rylanor states that the perfectionism the Third Legion sought ended up becoming its doom, because when everything cracked it led to their turn to Chaos. Rylanor suggests to Dragon that recruitment for the new Chapter be between different worlds, as it will allow him to forge a sense of brotherhood between the different recruits that can erase the shame of the Third Legion's betrayal.

Lord Commander Militant Paul von Oberstein, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, 0.471.297M35

Paul von Oberstein, finally managing to make time to do some exercise, finds himself accosted by Lord Inquisitor Berlin Chimera, who comes to complain about the current confrontations between von Oberstein and Xerxes Vandire, the latter of whom is trying to interfere in the Astra Militarum's business: Vandire was trying to force one of his minions as Lady Weaver's chief of staff, something von Oberstein quickly rejected because he knew better than to try to waste time doing such a thing, he knows that he needs Lady Weaver to be at her best and he doesn't want to jeopardize his relations with one of his best Generals. Chimera asks for the identity of Lady Weaver's new chief of staff, and when he learns it - General Nikolai Rokossovsky of the Vostroyan Firstborn - he eventually realizes that Vandire will be particularly angry with said identity.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Chao-Lai, Wuhan, Wuhan System, Moros Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.503.297M35

Taylor keeps working on her ever-increasing paperwork load as she deals with the issues caused by Wei's ascension to Wuhan's governorship and Missy's actions in the Suebi Sub-sector. Her work is interrupted by the arrival of Lady Rafaela Harper and several members of the Deathwatch, bringing dire news: a Warboss by the name Arrgard the Defiler is gathering Orks to launch an attack against Taylor. Harper requests Space Marines to assault Arrgard's main base and kill him, but unfortunately Taylor is unable to accept her request, as her pool of elite forces is exhausted due to not only Commorragh but also all the other fronts she's sent troops to. However, she ends up finding that the Orks are somewhere near where the Ymga Monolith stands, and considers a possible solution to that problem. But they do not have long, for the Orks will surely begin their WAAGH before the year ends.

Forgefather Vulkan N'Varr

Kalyan Gowthan reports on the movements of one member of the Deathwatch assigned to Harper: apparently, he has been inspecting the place where Lady Weaver and Gavreel fought together against the Necrons and Iash'uddra. Being that he was previously an Angel of Redemption, one of the Dark Angels' Successor Chapters, it does not bode well: Vulkan orders Gowthan to continue his monitoring of the Deathwatch Space Marine.

Archmagos Dominatus Dominus Belisarius Cawl, Ark Mechanicus Iron Revenant, Neptunia System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.525.297M35

Rho asks about the wisdom of giving the Rashans an entire planet, but Cawl replies that an Imperial effort to recolonize Neptunia Primus (renamed Lotus Haven by the Rashans) would possibly take centuries to begin and, besides, it is the will of Lady Weaver: the process of Rashan-formation will take thirty-one years to finish. His work will not be done yet, for he is to help restore the other three planets in the Neptunia System, one of which will be part of a new category: a Moth World.

Magos 10-Highland-Zeta, Light Cruiser Benediction of the Machine-Spirit, Atlas Graveyard System, Atlas Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.532.297M35

Magos 10-Highland-Zeta explains quite thoroughly to the envoys of the First Duke why the attempts to colonize the Atlas Graveyard system have failed so far: the system has an unstable asteroid belt that causes several asteroids to be on long-term collision courses for the system's only planet, the colonization ships didn't bother with keeping proper maintenance of the hydroponic sections and lacked enough medicae to deal with pandemics and the last of them was doomed by the wife of the expedition leader in revenge for him cuckolding her. The Atlasian nobles leave without answering to the Magos' offer of a mining contract.

Seneschal Gabriela Jordan, Grand Cruiser Ebon Drake, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.551.297M35

Dennis asks Gabriela about what the Custodes are, as they seem to be way too centered in duty in comparison to even the Astartes. Gabriela mentions that her training never featured the Custodes, but she can tell that all Assassins are warned not to attempt to attack one of the Custodes, as they are stronger than all Space Marines and also the Will of the Emperor.

The Custodes have been collecting the old information in the Flamewrought's systems in search of ships that could potentially bring important technological developments to the Imperium if found - and for both Dennis and Wolfgang (now finally "freed" from his imprisonment at the hands of the von Lohengrimm twins) it means targets to find. Gabriela considers the information before deciding to take Dennis in for some private time of their own.

Shadow Warden Kalyan Gowtham, Hive Shujia, Wuhan II, Wuhan System, Moros Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.588.297M35

Gowthan keeps following the Deathwatch Space Marine through Hive Shujia, having noticed a pattern to his movements: he seems to be searching for something hid amongst the many relics held by the now deceased or "volunteered" Lord Magnates. After several days of searching, the former Angel of Redemption seems to find what he seeks - a device that looks like a compass - and attempts to steal it, but before he can grab it he is interrupted by another Space Marine, one that is not supposed to be in Wuhan. While Gowthan alerts the Dawnbreaker Guard, the Deathwatch Space Marine recognizes the intruder as Cypher.

Quickly, Cypher kneecaps the Deathwatch Space Marine with a plasma pistol, warning him that the device he was about to steal - an Alethiometer - is too important to be left in the hands of the Interrogator-Chaplains of the First Legion: Gowthan intervenes just before Cypher can kill the other Space Marine. Cypher quickly overpowers Gowthan and takes the Alethiometer to interrogate several Harlequins before issuing two warnings: Lady Weaver should not go to the Ymga Monolith until she learns what happened there during the Great Crusade and the Word Bearers plan to attack her. Cypher leaves, never to be seen on Wuhan again.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Chao-Lai

After this latest incident, Taylor and the Dawnbreaker Guard try to determine the reasons behind it. Gavreel - who has revealed his true past to the Dawnbreaker Guard - reveals the history behind Cypher, a title held by the keeper of secrets and traditions of the First Legion. The problem of how the Dark Angels and their Successors are still acting like a Legion while persecuting the Fallen is also mentioned, as such a disregard for the Codex Astartes could cause a civil war.

After consulting with the Guard, Taylor decides she needs to meet with Neferten as soon as possible, orders the posting of a bounty for Cypher and decides to plot how to trick the Orks into attacking the Ymga Monolith.

High Arch-Warlord Scrachit Barbbuster the Unstoppable, Skavenblight Tunnels, Sicarus, The Eye of Terror

High Arch-Warlord Scrachit Barbbuster argues with Arch-Spark Conqueror Quoterkit Warpfur over Clan Skyre's inability to produce enough weaponry, particularly as the "man-things" are moving their shipyards and factories into orbit. Scrachit orders Quoterkit to send an army to distract the "man-things" while her ninjas sneak into one of their ships to steal one of their Tech-Priests.

Chief Archaeovist Trazyn the Infinite, Nihilakh Crownworld Gheden, Ultima Segmentum, Approximately 9.600.297M35

Trazyn infiltrates Gheden while mentally grousing over the many artifacts the planet contains and which he has not been able to take for his collection, also noting the security failures in the planet brought by millions of years without proper maintenance.

Suddenly, Trazyn is nearly struck by lightning, produced by Orikan the Diviner. Orikan soon shows his anger at the change of fate caused by the destruction of Commorragh, which has ruined plans brewing for a million years and which he has been unable to undo with his power of chronomancy. Trazyn decides to call Orikan out for not acting to prevent the wars and actions that led to the collapse of the Necron, but Orikan reveals he has foreseen the future and warned the commanders of the Throne of Oblivion, who will soon send their war engines against the worlds controlled by Trazyn, Neferten and Lady Weaver. Furious, Trazyn uses a command protocol to take complete control of Orikan and force him to reveal what he has done before taking his ship to warn Weaver and Neferten of the coming of Oblivion.

9.4. Throne of Oblivion

Captain-General Anubis Excelsor, The Golden Throne and the Oniric Realm, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, 0.666.297M35

The Emperor warns Anubis about the activation of the Ymga Monolith, but this time it is not Weaver's fault, but that of Orikan the Diviner, who has already been dealt with by Trazyn. Fortunately, Neferten and Trazyn should have enough forces to delay the confrontation for several years while the Imperium concentrates enough firepower to deal with it - even though, as Anubis reminds him, the one time the Imperium tried that, the defenses butchered the entire Second Legion. The Emperor orders Anubis to send all the information they have on the Monolith to Weaver, as she will likely be the one to deal with it. Anubis suggests concentrating the Blackstone Fortresses and multiple Battleships, but the Emperor replies that this is a bet whose aim is to bring down multiple enemies of humanity in a large scale battle.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Neutral Space Station H-N-001, Brockton System, Smilodon Trench Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.666.297M35

Taylor is most decidedly not happy about hearing the threat coming for Nyx from Neferten, who does not help much by mentioning other terrible weapons owned by Szarehk and other Necron dynasties. Neferten and Trazyn disclose the features of weapons like the Solar Harvesters or the Replicator Forges. Taylor's request for options to convince the commanders to stop their attack is shot down by the two Necrons, as they know they will be more likely to turn Nyx into rubble as collateral for their attacks on the Necron forces.

Taylor suggests diverting the approaching Ork Waagh! towards the Throne of Oblivion, but Neferten points out that the Throne and its ships could easily use their FTL engines to skip that battle - only for Trazyn to reply that he can attempt to sabotage them, which Neferten agrees could work. Nonetheless, the tactic would only buy them a couple of years at best, and could just as easily backfire if the commander asks for other reinforcements. However, as Taylor points out, if they can arrange for the Throne of Oblivion to be detained long enough, her people would be able to concentrate enough firepower to deal with the problem.

Stormseer Uriyangkhadai, Battleship Enterprise

Stormseer Uriyangkhadai visits Taylor, who is reviewing all the data she has on the incoming threat while the astropaths send messages to anyone that can help. Taylor bitterly remarks on how the post-Commorragh peace has lasted so little and how short a time they have to prepare. Uriyangkhadai suggests contacting the Loyalist chapters who still have Gloriana ships in their arsenals. Taylor agrees, before pointing out two elements in their favor: Taylor can definitely control Canoptek Scarabs and the four billion tons of Noctilith in the Throne of Oblivion should suffice to pay for all the support they require.

Inquisitor Henry-Charles III Severus, Lemuria, Lemuria System, Suebi Nebula Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 6.708.297M35

Inquisitor Henry-Charles III Severus guides the Nyx 12th Infantry through some of the palaces the Atlantis priesthood built for themselves, a clear sign of their corruption across the years, and the Inquisitor indicates he will have a lot of work ahead: when Colonel Atomos asks how this is possible since the Hour of the Emperor's Judgement killed the heretics, the Inquisitor points out that this only affected those sworn to Slaanesh: Hierophant Hewendu Indushekhar, the owner of the palace they are in, is brought by force. The Hierophant attempts to claim superiority, but the Inquisitor fires back by pointing out that he is only below the Emperor before slamming a piece of Aethergold on the Hierophant, who dies as the influence of Tzeentch in him burns against the Anathema contained in it. Severus orders the arrest of the Hierophant's entourage and subordinates to subject them to the same test.

Judge Missy Byron, Lemurian Shipyards, Lemuria System

Missy and Teddy watch the Hierophant's death in a holovid while they comment on the current events: in just forty-eight hours, Inquisitor Severus has pretty much destroyed the entire leadership of the Lemurian priesthood via arrest and execution, and there is going to be a reckoning to bring to the place. However, this discussion is brought short when they are warned that the docks are being attacked by cultists.

Rear-Admiral Fujiko Yamamoto, Mars-class Battlecruiser Champion of Kar Duniash

While the cultist attack continues, some of them have managed to escape on board of the Pious Traveller. In the quick meeting held after, there are assurances that the fleet's destroyers can reach the cultist ship before it escapes the system, but it will likely be destroyed rather than captured. The attack itself is being stopped, fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the Nyxian troops that came with the expedition.

Voice of Decay Lord Flu-Bringer of the Seventh Mutation

As the Imperial forces - among them Missy and her powers - push back the cultist attack, the worshippers of Nurgle attempt to decide what to do, but quickly they begin to fight among themselves for leadership thanks to a nascent Malal's influence, which gives the Imperials the space they need to keep pushing.

Marshal Helman Malberg, Fortress-Monastery Holy Aquila, Smilodon VIII, Smilodon Trench Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 5.727.297M35

Taylor arrives to the Holy Aquila, the Black Templars' Fortress-Monastery in the Nyx Sector, where Marshal Malberg welcomes her. Taylor quickly lays out the troubles that are coming to Nyx. Having found that the Necrons in the Ymga Monolith have managed to turn Noctilith into a Warp-repelling material, Taylor also shares the plans she has developed with Neferten and Trazyn, and the two discuss for several hours over the reinforcements the Templars will be able to bring as well as new supplies for them.

Chapter Master Michael Yarhibol, Battle-Barge Red Blade, Tigrus System, Svalbard Sector, The Eastern Fringe, Ultima Segmentum, 5.781.297M35

The leadership of the Lamenters discuss the news: Lady Weaver intends to use the Orks attacking Svalbard against the attacking Necrons, and, unfortunately, it may be the best way to deal with them. In spite of the complications, the Lamenters swear to follow the orders given.

Overlord Sobekhotep the Dust-Maker, The Throne of Oblivion, Ymga Monolith Quarantine Zone, Approaches of the Svalbard Sector, The Eastern Fringe, 9.800.297M35

Overlord Sobekhotep is enraged with Trazyn after his attack upon his fleet, and one of his Crypteks tells him that trying to find Solemnace is impossible to locate and the sabotage has crippled the Star-Eater Drive, which is essential to travel faster than light. The Necrons argue, and Sobekhotep is driven to further fury as the Crypteks tell him things he dislikes, but the discussion is halted when a warning of Empyreal breaches is sounded out: the Orks have arrived.

Warboss Arrgard 'the Defiler', Space Hulk Defila is da Best and Moardakka!

The Orks led by Arrgard the Defiler jump into outright battle against the Necrons, thinking they've found "Vallawaagh" (or Valhalla).

Lady Magos Dogma Dragon Richter, Battleship Standard Template Construct, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.850.297M35

Dragon makes an exception and leaves Nyx to visit the enormous Terra Cimmeria, which has finally arrived to the system. Dragon and Lankovar consider the future that awaits the giant battle station, from its garrison to the lines of production that will take place within.

Legate Galatea Dumas, Lisa's Dome, Nyx

Galatea observes as Lisa struts around as the present humans cheer on her. Galatea speaks with Brunnhilda about the spread of Noctilith and Aethergold, and the latter informs her of a cult that believes that sooner or later Taylor will discover yet another insect species that will produce something the same way the Catachan Ants produce Bacta and Lisa produces Aethergold.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Battleship Enterprise, Wuhan System, Moros Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.897.297M35

Taylor returns to Wuhan, where she learns of the Lamenters' success in attracting the Orks to the Ymga Monolith, as well as the beginning of reinforcements arriving to Nyx. Admirals Oscar Reuenthal and Neidhart Müller arrive to speak with her, and she shows them the intelligence she has collected on the Ymga Monolith, as well as her plans to deal with it: in twelve years, she will forge a battle fleet that will destroy this new threat against humanity.

Lieutenant-General Magnus Lars, Wuhan, 5.914.397M35

Lieutenant-General Magnus Lars glowingly approves Lady Weaver's work discipline, making him wish the leaders of his home planet were as capable as she is. He brings to her the numbers on his work on retraining the Wuhanese regiments to bring them up to standards: the influence of the nobles remains in spite of all the deaths within, and those loyal to Lady Weaver continue working to purge it and restore efficienty and competence. New developments, such as the Katyusha rocket launcher batteries, are also brought up as ways to improve the firepower available to Wuhan

General Werner Groener

War games take place, and the Wuhanese regiments participating are losing, but not as badly as they would have years before, a clear sign of improvement. Moltke's dislike of the Katyusha is also brought up. Taylor ends the war game when it's obvious the Wuhanese have lost - and, not coincidentally, just a few moments before Wei arrives.

Cardinal Prescott Lumen, Giraffe Spaceport, Nyx, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.996.297M35

Prescott Lumen arrives to Nyx and receives an audience with Lady Weaver to discuss the events in the Suebi Sub-Sector: while Inquisitor Severus dealt with the traitors and heretics in Lemuria, he also engaged in a massacre of ten million people, something that obviously won't grant the Inquisitor any favor from Lady Weaver. The many disgraceful events in the region prompt Weaver to offer Lumen the chance to keep Lemuria, Vijayanagara and Antioch in his diocesis, as long as he cleans up the mess left by the previous leadership. Lumen agrees with the proposal.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Athena, 3.005.298M35

Dragon tells Taylor that the last Sanguinala was quite different without her there, before revealing that the Ultramarines' emissary to the upcoming conference where the Blue Bacta will be discussed does not seem to be a fan of her. Quickly, these words prove true when said emissary, Captain Cassius Bacurius, objects to the lack of tests on psychically active people (mostly because of its one hundred percent lethality) and on why it hasn't been approved for use to heal Roboute Guilliman, which sparks screams and insults that Taylor quickly puts a stop to. Soon, though, it becomes obvious that, for some unknown reason, the Ultramarines are not keen on working with her, Bacurius declares that neither the Ultramarines nor their successors will be allowed to ally with Taylor, and those present abandon the hall.

Regardless of this, the remaining Space Marines remain, and discussion turns to important matters: the transport and storage of the Blue Bacta for the Space Marine Chapters. While most worlds are approved, several others are rejected for different reasons. The big debates comes up when the issue of distribution of the current storages of Blue Bacta is risen.

Vicequeen Marianne Gutenberg

Marianne is walking across Hive Athena's Floor 47 when she is surprised by the arrival of a Space Marine, who tells her that Lady Weaver has "requested" her presence. After a brief detour of conversation surrounding Marianne's pet Mainz Cat, the problems with the Ultramar Realm is brought up: apparently, the Realm surrounding Macragge is in the middle of a wave of isolationism, so they can't be counted on to aid the war against the Ymga Monolith. Taylor reveals to Marianne that the Blue Bacta negotiations have ended, and the Vicequeen realizes she's getting a prime opportunity to offer her services to transport it back to Earth. Taylor also answers to some of Marianne's proposals with ones of her own.

Arch-Cardinal Winston Marlborough

Winston has been requested for a meeting with Lady Weaver, along with Mitsubishi-Dassault. Weaver takes a short time in revealing her plans to expand the Nyx military for the upcoming fight against the Ymga Monolith, and also the expected distribution of Red Bacta, which she plans to use as a tool to gain the support she needs for said fight. Winston realizes that the Adeptus Administratum is not among those who will receive Red Bacta, mostly because of her growing disagreements with Xerxes Vandire, who has been trying to use his influence to cause her problems.

Lord Admiral Neidhart Müller, Vulkan's Arsenal Shipyard, 3.102.298M35

Müller sees that his apprehensions about Lady Weaver were unfounded as Archmagos Sultan shoots down her expectations for the development of the shipyards under construction around Nyx and the construction of new industrial programs, and Müller intervenes to point out that the fleet she has requested would require a great effort to deploy. Weaver takes this all quite fine, if slightly disappointed, and asks Müller for the best order of battle, which he provides, as he makes some pointed requests and indications.

Basileia Taylor Hebert, Hive Athena, 3.157.298M35

Taylor meets with Chapter Master Isley so he can analyze the data obtained about the Ymga Monolith: in his opinion, infiltrating the place would be slightly less than impossible to infiltrate. At the very least, the strategy of sending the Orks against the Necrons is working, even if it takes some effort to "guide" the former to attack the latter.

Taylor intends for the Heracles Wardens to act as part of the contingencies to protect Nyx while she's away, which Isley agrees with. Then Taylor brings up a rather complicated question: what is the name of the Second Legion? Very reluctantly, Jeremiah Isley begins to answer the question.

Lord Inquisitor Odysseus Tor, Hive Romulus, 3.161.298M35

Tor meets with Lady Weaver to report on the potential use of Exterminatus-grade weapons for the future campaign: there is agreement that she can use them, but not in the numbers she needs them, as she intends to utilize them to destroy a planet if there are too many Necron troops within. Taylor intends to offer the Inquisition ten kilograms of Aethergold in exchange of their help. Tor suggests asking for another Inquisitorial base's support, which Taylor agrees with - before suggesting to ask the Custodes that has suddenly appeared there for help to contact that base.

Sergeant Gavreel Forcas, Hive Ceres - under construction, 3.174.298M35

Archmagos Cawl suddenly requests a meeting with Lady Weaver to announce his need to return to Mars to prepare for the upcoming campaign: he thinks that he might be able to develop the cure for Guilliman's injuries with Taylor's help. However, Taylor points out that her abilities don't include actual healing. Nonetheless, Cawl insists on following his ideas and leaves for the next decade.

Judge Missy Byron, Giraffe Spaceport, 3.182.298M35

Missy returns to Nyx after her travel to the Suebi Sub-sector, and begins by complaining to Dennis about the rather unauspicious name given to Nyx's first orbital elevator, the Giraffe. The two former Wards trade friendly barbs as they keep walking.

Ancient Rylanor, Hive Athena, 3.200.298M35

Rylanor checks the first power armour that will be used by the future chapter born out of Taylor's supply of Emperor's Children's progenoid glands, the White Thunderbolts, named after the fabled Thunder Warriors that the Emperor of Mankind used to unite Earth. Rylanor resolves to build up the entire Chapter even if he has to drag the aspirants through the void.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Zoe Attica, Goa, Goa System, Suebi Nebula Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 6.200.298M35

Zoe visits the planet of Goa, where most of its population lives in two cities due to the threat of large hordes of creatures named Crystal Ankylosaurs that create great levels of destruction wherever they go. Zoe congratulates the Governor, Marshal Gandhi, for the ability of the local people to survive in such a hostile world. Gandhi is thankful that the support of Lady Weaver will bring weapons and tanks that will allow their troops to deal with the Ankylosaurs in a more direct manner, paving the way for the construction of more cities to allow the local people to spread.

Letter to Inquisitor Zircon

Agent X-Delta-Delta reports on the composition of the Nyx Mechanicus Council after the latest changes brought to deal with the influx of new Tech-Priests.

Brigadier-General Tanya Sevrev, Triangle Citadel, 3.365.298M35

Tanya Sevrev reflects on the changes of the past decade as she observes a large parade of Nyx's forces' new tanks and Dragon Armours, as part of the welcome committee for the Vostroyan soldiers come to join Lady Weaver's future expedition.

Sister Alice Gaius, Lisa's Dome, 3.390.298M35

A group of members of the Templar Sororitas in training are bathing Lisa, when one of them, Claire, complains about it — and Lisa decides to drench her in water. Alice and her friend Helena trade jokes about their partner before they realize that Lisa has smelled the strawberries being prepared for her.

General Nikolai Rokossovsky, Grand Strategium, Hive Athena, 3.400.298M35

Nikolai Rokossovsky, General of the Vostroyan Imperial Guard, meets with Lady Weaver to present her with his opinion on her armies' preparations: there are several shortcomings that need to be fixed if they want to improve the efficiency of the armies. While recalcitrant to accept some of his criticism, Taylor gives the man a week to prepare a draft of the modifications he is suggesting.

She then presents the forces that are being readied for the future campaign against the Ymga Monolith, and Rokossovsky tells her about several nearby planets that will provide tithes soon, thus potential sources of capable soldiers. When asked about the name of the Operation, Taylor asks about Rokossovsky's birthplace: thus, Operation Stalingrad is born.

Regina-Consort Wei Cao, Hive Athena, 3.410.298M35

Taylor and Wei take a break from their obligations to take a walk through the gardens. However, Taylor surprises Wei by using her insects to create a small spectacle, all to ask her an important question:

"Will you marry me?"

Wei answers yes.

Seer Maea Teallysis, Somewhere in the Webway

Maea encounters Aenaria Eldanesh in the Webway as she tries to reach Solemnace to find the Cronesword stolen by Trazyn. The Queen of Blades laughingly informs her that no one has ever managed to steal anything from Trazyn, when their encounter is interrupted by a Harlequin who (after dodging one of Aenaria's knives) informs them about the activation of the Dark Throne of the C'Tan and Weaver's plan to deal with them. The information that Trazyn will be in the campaign and it will be possible to ensure both Aeldari women may manage to recover what Trazyn has - if Aenaria trains Maea as her apprentice. Aenaria truly dislikes the idea, but in the end has to take it.

Rogue Trader Wolfgang Bach, Hive Athena, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Sector, 3.432.298M35

The entire court is surprised to see that Leet's latest audience with Taylor has somehow ended without shouting of any kind. Taylor takes on the surprise with a thin smile before asking everyone but Wolfgang and his entourage to leave. The von Lohengramm twins try to present themselves, but Taylor replies by revealing that not only does she know about them, but also about their relationship with Wolfgang.

While Wolfgang attempts to consider who provided Taylor with the proof of said relationship, Julia asks to be allowed to join Wolfgang's expedition — but Taylor shoots her down on account of their lack of experience, which Wolfgang agrees with. Taylor offers them the chance to gain that experience in the preparations for Operation Stalingrad so they can join Wolfgang's later expedition.

Judge Missy Byron, Battleship Hornet, 3.458.298M35

Missy and Dragon comment on the lack of decoration in the Custodes Battleship Hornet, although Dragon's worries lie more in the living conditions, which would not be to the liking of a normal crew — but soon the conversation turns personal as the two Parahumans argue about each other's love lives.

Solar Guardian of Records Nicephorus Vandire, Holy Terra, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, 0.500.298M35

Nicephorus Vandire has to deal with yet another tantrum from his brother Xerxes, who rages about Weaver's latest actions and Oberstein's plans to become one of the High Twelve. Nicephorus notes that Taylor's actions have ensured her the support of nearly half of the High Twelve, but Xerxes replies he has ways to make things harder for Weaver should she suffer a military defeat while he has managed to gain the support of the High Lord Admiral and the Master of Assassins, although Nicephorus knows that it may backfire on them if anything goes wrong.

Overlord Sobekhotep the Dust-Maker, The Throne of Oblivion, Ymga Monolith Quarantine Zone, Approaches of the Svalbard Sector, The Eastern Fringe, 9.500.298M35

Another of Trazyn's sabotage attempts takes place, as one of the Replicator Forges has been modified to create millions of copies of Trazyn himself, causing great chaos and forcing the shutdown of the three Forges, at a moment where the Orks' non-stop attack has destroyed a good part of the Throne's escort fleet and tested the inner defences several times. As the current available forces are unable to deal with the Orks, Sobekhotep orders the awakening of Overlord Zahndrekh.

Chancellor Friar Achelieux, Hive Athena, Nyx, Nyx System, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.500.298M35

Taylor and Wei marry in a great celebration attended by many important people, among them Chancellor Achelieux, who "confers" with the second giant Moth, Alec, who is the personal opposite of Lisa. A nearby Templar Sororitas informs Achelieux that Alec will soon travel to another dome. Achelieux takes strength from the hope the married couple brings to him.

Dark Apostle Paristur, Abyss-class Super-Battleship Trisagion, Approaches of the Worshippers' Belt – outer Sicarus 'System', The Eye of Terror

Members of different Chaos Space Marines warbands meet through a ritual spell at Lorgar's behest to attack the Ymga Monolith and Weaver, using a ritual known as the Tear of Nightmares to open a portal directly there. When one of the Chaos Space Marines present points out that Lorgar won't be strong enough to carry out the ritual, he reveals he won't be alone: Magnus the Red, Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion, is ready to join the Fifth Black Crusade.

Interlude. Monsters and Nightmares

Letter to Taylor Hebert

A mysterious writer tells Taylor that her plan to make Lorgar react by attacking her is working as intended - but that does not mean he will make it easy, because the Fifth Black Crusade promises to be bigger than all the other Black Crusades. However, sending the Skaven into Sicarus has created a weak point that could shatter the Word Bearers. The writer — who turns out to be Malicia — finishes by stating that one of them will return to Terra and meet the Emperor.

Communication from Agent E-2649VI5

An agent of the Inquisition reports on the growing numbers of ships and soldiers Lorgar is concentrating for the next Black Crusade, warning about the coming attack on Cadia before being attacked and killed by daemons.

Grand Apostle Ekodas, Sicarus, The Eye of Terror

Ekodas voices his hatred for the Skaven after another battle against them, one that is showing that the Chaos forces are growing closer to defeat, and their attempts to counterattack only cause the rats to come up with deadlier tactics and ideas.

His observations of the latest battleground are interrupted by Erebus, widely hated by most Chaos Space Marines, who tells Ekodas to report to Lorgar and attempts to take over Ekodas' warband, but the latter is smart and declares he won't allow Erebus to do so.

Coryphaus Kol Badar, Illumination Shipyards, Outer Sicarus System, The Eye of Terror

Kol Badar observes the hundreds of ships that form the "Grand Armada of Chaos Undivided" as they gather in the system of Sicarus. However, for all their power, their lack of skill in cooperation shows up. Another concern is Sota-Nul, a Hell-Forge Mistress who controls several Titan and Knight Legions — among them what might be the last Imperator-class Titan: the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Maw of Xenocide.

Uber-Mekboy Brukk 'X-Rock' Brukk, Kroozer 'Rockwaagh', Ymga Monolith Quarantine Zone, Approaches of the Svalbard Sector, The Eastern Fringe, 9.339.299M35

The Orks continue their assault against the Ymga Monolith, heedless of the millions of deaths they suffer in their "Vallawaagh".

Vargard Obyron

Vargard Obyron laments the complete failure of the Great Sleep's purpose, as many nobles have lost their minds to the degradation caused by time and entropy — including his suzerain, Overlord Zahndrekh, whose degradation makes him believe he is still a pre-biotransference Necrontyr fighting secessionist Necrontyrs instead of Orks. A Szarekhan herald demands that the troops advance immediately and insults Zahndrekh, getting himself killed immediately by Obyron. In spite of his mental degradation, Zahndrekh remains a skilled strategist, and proves so by leading his troops to wipe out the Orks attacking them.

Magos Explorator Alena Wismer, Mechanicus Cruiser Athena Database

Alena Wismer contemplates with sadness the broken spaceship that was once the Gloriana-class Tsunami, once the flagship of the Second Legion's Navy, rendered useless by the Ymga Monolith's defenses (and possibly a C'Tan). Wismer does, however, believe the Tsunami can be towed away for potential repairs.

Grand Master Hunter, Starfort Crown of Isolation, Kuiper Belt, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, 0.001.300M35

The Grand Master of the Officio Assassinorum leaves Terra for a secret rendezvous in the Crown of Isolation, a Starfort of the Officio, with Wraith-102, a former assassin, in order to discuss the Execution Force to be sent to Cadia to aid in the defense against the Black Crusade.

Chancellor of the Imperial Council Samson Pitt, Inner Palace

The High Lords discuss the needs of Cadia for the next Black Crusade, which is expected to happen somewhere within the next two decades. Regardless of the high level of fortification, it is believed that it may not be enough due to the great numbers expected to come this time. This requires a large number of changes in order to accomodate the Imperium's needs, but the High Lords finally reach an agreement.

Solar Guardian Nicephorus Vandire, Petitioner's City, Outer Palace

Nicephorus meets with his niece Abagnale, who has brought news of the increased expenditure Xerxes has ordered. Nicephorus is not pleased, much less when he learns that the money will have to come from extra taxes levied on already heavily taxed planets where the economy is starting to decay, and even less when it turns out that a good part of the expenses comes from bribing officers of the Astra Militarum, and not even competent officers.

Vicequeen Marianne Gutenberg, Nexus Axiomatic

Marianne meets again with her mother, who is quite pleased by the success in Marianne's merchant ventures on Nyx (such as selling a dress personally made by Taylor for a huge markup), and Marianne floats the idea of taking a small colony of Mainz cats to Nyx.

Chapter Master Agiel Izaz, Azkaellon Stadium, Nyx, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.933.300M35

Agiel Izaz explains to Pontiac Dupleix that the non-lethality of the current first trial for the Brothers of the Red's aspirants is because there are spectators and Lady Weaver ordered that there were no throwbacks to the old "blood sports" from before her time as Governor, and also any failed aspirant can still make a contribution in a different field of battle. The Brothers of the Red are also benefitting from their relationship with Lady Weaver, who has provided them the Azkaellon Stadium for their trials and ensured they have the training and equipment they need.

Phaerakh-Cryptek Neferten, Crownworld Amarnekh, Nerushlatset Space, Suebi Nebula, Ultima Segmentum, 8.007.301M35

The alliance with Taylor provides Neferten with a welcome surprise, a device that contains the protocols Szarekh could have used to brainwash her and her Dynasty. This, however, does not mask her fury at how many protocols the Silent King had ready to screw with her at a moment's notice. Sitkah, meanwhile, talks of the points out the disquieting problem that is how the Necrons of the Hyrekh Dynasty (one of whose worlds was recently destroyed by the Deathwatch) have shown heavy signs of degradation. Neferten makes plans to improve and expand her armies' arsenals.

Dark Apostle Vorrjuk Kraal, Battle-Barge Divine Inspiration, Sarum System, Maelstrom War Zone, Ultima Segmentum, 7.612.301M35

In the aftermath of the expansion of the Astronomican's reach, Sarum has been attacked by the Imperium, who has managed to ensure the destruction of all of Sarum's space assets and is currently destroying everything on the ground. Vorrjuk Kraal would like to take his fleet and destroy the Imperial fleet, but he is both outnumbered and outgunned and thus do not have the means to break through, so he decides to leave Sarum to its own devices and return to safer grounds.

Leet, Grand Cruiser Research of Lost Civilisations, Lomorr System, Nephilim Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 8.799.301M35

The ship that was supposed to take Leet and Borek to the galactic core has taken a sudden deviation because the Navigator claims the Astronomican was guiding him there, much to everyone else's skepticism, since the Lomorr system, as far as they can tell, has nothing worth the travel there. The discussion is interrupted when their ship receives a communication from another ship orbiting Lomorr, showing a very beautiful woman who claims to be Lieutenant Sarah of the of the Spirit of Eternity and requests their help.

Commodore Yang Wen-li, Lomorr Secundus

Yang Wen-li, commanding officer of the Spirit of Eternity, faces execution at the hands of the medieval population that lives in the planet as he wonders what has happened to humanity since the 24th millenium, just because the tyrant demands him to give up the codes to the ship. Yang tells the man torturing him that if he dies then his ship will be free to attack on its own. Before they can be executed, though, a missile destroys a nearby castle and the mob disperses as red-robed cyborgs and a Squat land to crush the resistance.

The tyrant furiously faces against the newcomers, and when a black-haired man makes a flippant remark, he proclaims his identity as Mephistopheles Vandire — which gets him quickly killed by the Squat as the cyborgs free Yang.

Artificial Intelligence 'Admiral', Cruiser Spirit of Eternity

Leet is not pleased to learn that "Lieutenant Sarah" is actually Admiral, the artificial intelligence of the Spirit of Eternity. However, this brings another large set of issues caused by the laws against "Abominable Intelligences" due to the Cybernetic Revolt and the Age of Strife (which took place in the 27th millenium), something that not even the Emperor could actually stop - even if he weren't in a permanent state between life and death. Borek suggests finding something so impressive that the Mechanicus might make an exception, but Yang and Admiral don't like the body of the suggestion.

In other news, Leet and Borek get a bounty from Clan Vandire from killing Mephistopheles.

Apprentice Elena Kerrigan, Keyfire Quartus, Keyfire System, Veritus Sub-Sector, Honorius Sector, Segmentum Solar, 2.411.302M35

Elena Kerrigan manages to stop a potential secession attempt by the governor of Keyfire Quartus by playing up to a prophecy, ensuring the local Pontifex will declare him a heretic and have him killed - thus ensuring a quick end to the rebellion and that the Inquisition will find a loyal and pacified world. Elena returns to meet with her teacher.

Clade-Primaris Xanaria Lythis

Xanaria congratulates Elena for passing her graduation test, allowing her to become a full-fledged member of the Officio Assassinorum, and announces that the two will keep working together for a while, with their next mission to take place in the planet of Calth.

Rogue Trader Magdalena Orpheus, Conquest-class Star Galleon Arica Orpheus, Nostramo System, Former Nostramo Sector, The Eastern Fringe, 8.600.302M35

Magdalena Orpheus' fleet arrives to Nostramo, the former home planet of the Night Lords, finding a few Chaos ships there, but small enough that their current assets could deal with them. The Flesh Tearers' ships accompanying her set off to deal with the smaller Idolators while Orpheus' fleet destroys the larger Barque.

Lieutenant Zeth'kur of the Black Legion, Planetary Assault Barque Vengeance of Adamantium

On board of the Barque, Zeth'kur knows that he and everyone in the ship is going to die, as they do not have the means to repel an attack from the fleet attacking them: barring a miracle, there will be no way to escape. Angered by the ship's Mechanicum Hell-Priest, Zeth'kur blows him with his bolter — and then Malal attempts to convince him to side with him, but Zeth'kur rejects him.

Rogue Trader Magdalena Orpheus, Conquest-class Star Galleon Arica Orpheus

Magdalena comments on how easy it was to destroy the heretical ships, but the officers caution against being too complacent, as wherever they came from might send warships to investigate. Meanwhile, though, they have much work to do in Nostromo, which was destroyed by the Night Lords to the point it actually broke up in pieces — and this has revealed large quantities of adamantium that can be easily accessed and mined.

Maea Teallysis, The Shrieking Labyrinth, The Webway

Aenaria remarks about her choosing not to become an Anathema to Maea as she brings to the Shrieking Labyrinth, a location in the Webway where death is, as far as Aenaria knows, not permanent. Maea balks at it, since it may not work as intended, but Aenaria points out that, right now, Asuryani and Drukhari are incredibly weak in comparison to the actual Aeldari people of eons ago, so the only way Maea can hope to survive in her task is to train up to minimally acceptable standards as fast as possible — before throwing her into the Labyrinth. Maea fights as hard as she can, but she still dies — and resurrects next to Aenaria, who remarks that there is a level zero.

Rogue Trader Dennis Peters, Grand Cruiser Ebon Drake, New Etna System/ Faze System, Segmentum Tempestus, 8.926.302M35

Dennis' Rogue Fleet arrives to a planet where, due to some Administratum machinations and incompetence, not only was a known planet "rediscovered", but they also managed to put an Abominable Intelligence in charge - and now the entire population is formed by cyborgs who mindlessly worship said Intelligence as a god. Gabriela suggests destroying the Intelligence's core, but Captain Phoecus points out that, due to how long the people have been under the Intelligence's control, it is probable that the only thing that can be done with the local people is to wipe them out. Dennis, disliking the idea of having to kill half a billion people, suggests giving Gabriela's plan a chance.

Gabriela Jordan, New Etna/Faze V

Gabriela manages to infiltrate the Abominable Intelligence's core, plant several bombs and escape back to the fleet, but this destruction is insufficient to prevent it from having the local humans fight the Imperium, which forces the latter to kill the planet's population. Dennis takes official possession of New Etna in the name of the Emperor.

Malicia, Matriarch Hive, Malfi, Malfi System, Calyx Expanse, Approximately 9.999.302M35

Malicia has managed to take over the planet of Malfi in the Calyx Expanse, preventing it from being used by the Imperium as a base in the 39th millenium. Making court with her followers as they conspire and murder each other, she forces Ax'senaea to absorb a demon of Tzeentch before turning to the others so they can plan for the future. One of the cultists demands that they kill Weaver, but Malicia mocks him and kills him when he gets too uppity. All the remaining cultists pledge to the conditions she presents - namely sending her all the Noctilith they find so she can use it to create Transmutational Changestone - which she can create using her blood.

The Blood Rose, Sepheris Secundus, Sepheris System, Calyx Expanse, 9.999.302M35

For the first time in millenia, Lotara leaves her ship, and she meets Khârn the Betrayer, who reveals that Malicia's creation of Changestone has broken a pact between the Chaos Gods, so now Khorne will grant Lotara the ability to make a similar material by applying her own blood to Noctilith.

Governor Primus Andreas Waldersee, Cadia, Cadia System, Cadian Sector, Segmentum Obscurus, 2.001.303M35

Andreas Waldersee, Governor Primus of Cadia, knows that the large number of Guardsmen and Astartes coming to his world is a clear sign of great trouble to come. Among them is the Silver Skulls Chapter, who have decided to ignore the Ultramarines' general order against working with Weaver and have come with a present from her for the Governor: Galatine, the sword once wielded by Saint Gerstahl in the defense of Cadia.

Captain Boros Kurn, Phyrr, Phyrr System, Calyx Expanse, 9.288.303M35

Boros Kurn leads an expedition to Phyrr in search of certain artifacts when they come in contact with an army led by Khârn the Betrayer. Both armies begin to fight and kill each other when a strange creature that looks like a woman with multiple wings shows up: it's the Simurgh, and its psychic screams completely destroys any semblance of organization in the battlefield.

Lord Inquisitor Luigi Barberini, Exorcist-class Inquisitorial Grand Cruiser Purge of Infidels, Phyrr System

The Inquistors and Space Marines confirm that the Simurgh's psychic scream affect everyone who is not protected, and that Aethergold can find who has been affected, mostly because it kills them. Lord Inquisitor Luigi Barberini and the Grey Knight with him realize that the Simurgh's purpose was to delay them - and, much to their distress, it seems like the Simurgh has now access to faster than light travel technology.

Khârn the Betrayer, Phyrr, Phyrr System, Calyx Expanse

Khârn fights against a huge number of enemy cultists while calling out to the Simurgh to come fight him - only for the Endbringer to use its telekinetic power to grab the entire temple both sides of the battle were fighting for and throw it at Khârn, who continues moving in an attempt to fight and kill the Simurgh.

Malicia, Malfi, Malfi System, Calyx Expanse, Approximately 9.598.303M35

Malicia rages in wrath at the Simurgh ruining her long-term plans, much like it ruined Earth Bet with its attacks and manipulations, before calming and uses magic to move to another place where she can take off her mask - and she reflects on her past as Victoria Dallon and her plans to kill not only the Simurgh, but also Tzeentch itself.

Deathwatch Captain Draak Terrek, Tomb-World of Sarlok, Ultima Segmentum, 8.116.304M35

A Deathwatch Squadron attacks a Necron Tomb-World. While vexed at the advanced technology the Necrons use, they have managed to achieve some of their objectives, including finding some other artifacts requested by Neferten.

Primarch Rogal Dorn, Catacomb of Architects, The Webway

The band of Astartes led by Rogal Dorn continues moving through the Webway as they are pursued by an unknown enemy. However, Dorn notices that his brother is nearby, and eventually manage to find the Khan fighting against a number of monsters in an arena. Dorn tasks the Astartes to bring down the shields covering the arena while he faces the pursuer.

The latter turns out to be Argel Tal, a Word Bearers Legionnaire who immediately engages Rogal Dorn in battle. The Primarch beats the traitor, but the Legionnaire transforms into a demon and unsheathes Kha-vir, Sword of Sorrows. Primarch and Daemon prepare to duel - but suddenly the hand the Daemon uses to hold Kha-vir is sliced off by an Eldar woman. Dorn easily fights off the Daemon, who attempts to make a breaking speech that is interrupted by Jaghatai Khan, Primarch of the White Scars: both brothers force the Daemon to run away.

Supreme Grand Master of the Dark Angels Lucifer, The Rock, Segmentum Pacificus, 5.256.305M35

The leaders of the Dark Angels' Inner Circle meet to discuss recent events: things like Cypher and Gavreel Forcas are risking the reveal of long held secrets of the Dark Angels' past, but there's little they can do to act against Lady Weaver, due to her Living Saint status. The Space Wolves' attitude is also discussed.

Lord Vigilator Iskandar Khayon, Gloriana Battleship Vengeful Spirit, The Eye of Terror

Iskandar Khayon communicates with Sota-Nul, who is spying on the "Grand Armada of Chaos Undivided" on Iskandar's behalf.

First Harrowmaster Machiavelli Gonzaga, Gloriana Battleship Beta, Segmentum Tempestus, 8.347.306M35

Machiavelli receives news of several Alpha Legion warbands turning to Chaos and tries to discover who is hiding behind the identity of Phocron.

Farseer Eldrad Ulthran, Alaitoc Craftworld, Ultima Segmentum, 8.605.306M35

Eldrad meets Farseer Eldorath Starbane of Alaitoc. Starbane claims that the signs are clear that the Stormlord is about to awaken, and Eldrad points out that this knowledge means little just for Alaitoc, who would be massacred if they attacked the Throne of Oblivion on their own. Starbane claims that, if humans were able to break through against the Necrons, surely the Asuryani could, but another Alaitoc Farseer mentions that the humans are allied to a splinter Necron force, and if the Asuryani are to understand the prophecies surrounding the Stormlord and the Throne of Oblivion, they must turn to the person at the middle of the prophecies: Maelsha'eil Dannan, Taylor Hebert herself.

Supreme Grand Master Helios, Starfort Pantheon of Infamy, Vandal System, Segmentum Obscurus, 6.888.306M35

Supreme Grand Master Helios of the Grey Knights achieves the feat of teleporting along with one hundred Grey Knights into a Chaos Starfort in the middle of a Warp Storm thanks to being implanted with Aethergold shards on their foreheads. However, celebration for such a feat will have to wait, as they are in the Pantheon of Infamy to kill all the heretics on board and prevent a ritual from taking place.

While impeded all the time by daemons and cultists that worship either of the Three, the Grey Knights persist and reach the ritual chamber, where they find the leader of this group. Helios fights the leader on his own, but falls into a trap prepared to kill him. Instead of falling, though, the Grey Knight takes off his helmet and headbutts the daemon, putting him in contact with the Aethergold on his forehead and killing it — but not before the forces of Chaos achieve their objective dragging of a planet named Volscani into the Warp. Helios wonders why Chaos would spend so many resources over a small planet, but conversation with the other Grey Knights reveals that Volscani produced Cataphract heavy tanks, and Helios makes the connection to the Cataphracts Nyx is making: likely, Chaos wants the knowledge of Volscani Cataphracts to ascertain how to counter Nyx Cataphracts.

Dark Apostle Paristur, Carrion-class Heavy Battleship Vox Dominus, High Orbit over Volscani, The Eye of Terror

Paristur, in spite of this victory that has granted him great prestige, is nonetheless disappointed that his intended target — the Volscani Cataphracts — are quite inferior to the Nyx Cataphracts he had hoped to find. But the worst part is how the Grey Knights achieved such an easy victory thanks to Aethergold.

Paristur decides to make his way to a ship so he can travel to Volscani, but suddenly he has a feeling of extreme danger and moves to protect himself. Nothing attacks him, but the heads of all the servitors in the room fall and roll away, revealing them to be dead. Looking back to his seat, Paristur finds an object that leaves him with dread: a raven's feather.

Rogue Trader Wolfgang Bach, Grand Cruiser Pavian Victory, Marathon System, The Eastern Fringe, Beyond the Light of the Astronomican, 8.580.307M35

Traveling beyond the Light of the Astronomican is a hazardous task at best, but when Wolfgang's Rogue Trader Fleet reaches the system he nicknames "Marathon", this becomes a slow hazardous task, because it is the only way to avoid to huge Warp Storms and it is also full of wrecked planets, signs of a massive battle and enormous amount of mines that make traveling through the system incredibly dangerous — enough that they have already lost seven ships while clearing a path through the minefield. Nonetheless, the discovery brings notable amounts of materials and fragments of archeotech that get them well rewarded.

However, today a good part of those efforts are rendered for naught when a tear in reality opens and releases a Space Hulk that quickly collides into a minefield, causing massive explosions and destroying one of the paths they had just opened, which Wolfgang knows is not a coincidence. One of the Techpriests suggests using several long-range torpedos that were recently brought — much to Wolfgang's surprise, since he wasn't informed of their existance, but he still agrees to using them.

Magos Aphelion Beta, Bombardment Cruiser Winged Vindication

The Winged Vindication loads the new Blue Nova torpedos into its weapons and manages to fire forty of them in less than four seconds, a feat only made possible thanks to the increases in automation made to the ship. Four torpedos explode before expected due to collision with debris, but the others manage to impact the Hulk before it fully translates out of realspace, leaving large fragments there.

Rogue Trader Wolfgang Bach, Grand Cruiser Pavian Victory

One of those fragments turns out to be the Power XL, a spaceship from the 30th millenium, which makes it almost priceless. However, this is tempered with the fact that any resemblance to continuing their travel on the expected timetable is shot to hell, but Wolfgang does not let it detract from this discovery — even if he now has to deal with the politics related to it.

Fabricator Locum Decimus Osmium-Five-1111, Headquarters of the Collegia Titanica, Mars, Sol System, Sol Sector, Segmentum Solar, 0.012.308M35

The Mechanicus organizes a large parade to welcome the return to arms of the Exemplis, an Imperator-class Titan that has been working since the times of the Great Crusade, as the leader of a new Titan Legio.

Iron Captain Raan, Medusa, Medusa System, Segmentum Obscurus, 5.199.308M35

All is not well among the Iron Hands Chapter and their Successors: in the aftermath of the victory at Commorragh, many of the Successor Chapters expected that a meeting would take place to determine the course of action, but with no word from Medusa, the homeworld of the Iron Hands Chapter, a few of the Successors took the initiative to meet with Lady Weaver and negotiate with her. Iron Captain Raan of the Iron Fists Chapter is just arrived to Medusa to speak with the Iron Council and notices that something is seriously wrong, as several ships that should be in orbit around the planet are conspicuously missing. Meeting with the Iron Council does not allay his fears, as he is rebuked by the Venerable Dreadnoughts that form half of it for meeting with Weaver for the sake of acquiring Bacta — as the Iron Hands' dogma states that, since the flesh is weak, it must be replaced with metal and augmentics. Raan attempts to point out that their duty is to help protect the Imperium, not to purge their supposed weaknesses, but he is summarily dismissed.

Captain Aeonid Thiel, Laphis, Macragge System, Realm of Ultramar, Ultima Segmentum, 3.242.308M35

Aeonid Thiel has just defeated the 8th Company of the Ultramarines in a training exercise, and converses with the Company Champion, Marcus Flaminius, about the company: one of its members, Sergeant Furius Purpureo, is, in Thiel's eyes, the representation of a good part of the things that have gone wrong with the Ultramarines since Thiel left on his mission. Still, Thiel intends to keep training the 8th Company, using Laphis as a training ground, and expects to make them suffer through it all.

Colonel Lothar Jurten, C-21JDOD/'Catachan Party Ground', C-21JDOD System, Smilodon Trench Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.600.308M35

Colonel Lothar Jurten of the Krieg Trade Corps communicates with his troops and tells them that their new uniforms and the paint for carapace armors are coming soon — but first there is another war game to go through — the latest in a long series of them due to their training under the aegis of the Catachan trainers brought over by Lady Weaver. Much to their regret, this war game has them as the defending force — and the attackers send Mecha-Ambulls (metallic bodies that have been infused with the life essence of Ambulls) to dig into their trenches from below.

Magos-Artisan Karismus Xavier-Alpha, Terra Cimmeria, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.429.309M35

Magos-Artisan Karismus Xavier-Alpha is in charge of the project to test biotransference of insects into metallic bodies, which would give Lady Weaver a swarm to use in Operation Stalingrad. After several successes, though, Karismus has hit a wall attempting to do this with psychic insects. Deciding to take a break to see if he finds inspiration through prayer, he finds an old man who engages him in conversation. The old man makes a comment that inspires Karismus with a solution to his problem, and the Magos asks for the man's name. He presents himself as Malcador and leaves with a chuckle after Karismus asks if he was named after the Hero.

Regina-Consort Wei Cao, Agri-Hive Isis, Saint Clare's Stand, Nyx System, Neptunia Reach Sub-Sector, Nyx Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.998.309M35

Taylor and Wei visit the newly built Agri-Hive Isis. Wei points out the relative low numbers of Mechanicus members, and Taylor points out that she needed to find a way to balance between the different Adeptuses, meaning that the automatization brought by the Mechanicus will be replaced with hard manual work.

The couple's conversation is interrupted with the arrival of Trazyn, who brings a large golden bell he claims is causing trouble in his collections and leaves. After Taylor touches the bell, her impressions make the Black Templar in the Dawnguard realize that it must be the Bell of Saint Gerstahl, which according to tradition rings on its own if the Imperium is in danger of attack from the Archenemy: the Black Crusade is about to begin.

Daouda Kassim, Fountain of Light, Constantinople, Pavia, Pavia System, Acacia Sub-Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 3.999.309M35

Daouda Kassim, a pilgrim recently come to Constantinople, observes a miracle: the waters of the Fountain of Light become golden for a few seconds as angels rise to battle the oncoming darkness.

High Arch-Warlord Scrachit Barbbuster the Unstoppable, Grand Warren-Camp of Anarchic Muster, Sicarus, The Eye of Terror

Scrachit Barbbuster orders the beginning of a large offensive to take over the surface of Sicarus in the name of Malal.