Chapter 36.5 – The Astropathic Relay I
Date: 006 M42
Location: Imperium Nihilus, Orphyrax System, Orphyrax II, Lux-Hive.
The air smelled of smoke, burning, blood, and sweat. The Hive World of Orphyrax II was engulfed in misfortune and war as Waaagh! Crownbasha invaded.
Orphyrax II was unimportant. Its strategic and resource value were negligible. Normally, it would have been ignored, perhaps receiving a regiment of Astra Militarum as reinforcements. After the Imperium split, the value of Orphyrax II grew exponentially.
Imperium Nihilus is the half of the Imperial galaxy located beyond the Cicatrix Maledicum. This wound in the real space was created after Cadia's destruction. Imperium Nihilus can no longer benefit from the Astronomican's light, a beacon needed by Imperial ships to navigate the stormy and voracious currents of the Warp. Communications with Terra are nearly impossible. However, not all canals had been cut, either by fortune or the Emperor's will.
Since the Cicatrix Maledictum appeared, Orphyrax II has become a key psychic relay for the Astra Telepathica. It is among the few relays in Imperium Nihilus with stable communication to Imperium Sanctum and the Indomitus Crusade, which is underway. The crusade was launched from Terra at the request of the Emperor's Vengeful Son and Lord Commander Roboute Guilliman. Its aim is to reunite and reinforce imperial worlds and restore order to the chaos created by the Cicatrix Maledictum.
Support beyond the Cicatrix is invaluable to the Indomitus Crusade’s fleets. These supports relay updates on Imperial planets, enabling Roboute Guilliman to identify which worlds need assistance. Losing a relay like Orphyrax II would severely delay communication between the Imperium's two halves.
The planet sent a desperate plea for help when the planetary defences collapsed in the face of an assault by massive Ork's ships. Although the entire population had mobilised against the Xeno threat, the Planetary Defence Forces (PDF) and Orphyrax Stalwarts Regiments originating from that world would never have been sufficient to contain the greenskin hordes.
In response, dozens of Astra Militarum regiments were mobilised, with orders to keep the world in the Imperium’s hands. An entire Vigil of the Silent Sisterhood was also sent. Their job: ensure the main relay held out at all costs until reinforcements, promised by the Lord Commander, arrived.
And they couldn't have come at a better time.
Thunderous explosions ripped open the colossal Astra Telepathica doors. Ork Kommando swept through the breach, roaring and cheering. The 24th Orphyrax Stalwarts guards, surprised but disciplined, responded swiftly, shooting down the first Kommandos. Orks' numbers overwhelmed the Imperial line. Heavy Bolters roared from makeshift nests, mowing down hordes, but the enemy broke every defence with sheer ferocity and numbers.
«This is Captain Kael of the 4th Platoon,» he shouted into the vox handset «We are suffering heavy losses, and the orks are not stopping. We need reinforcements! NOW!!!»
Captain Kael shouted his last word, quickly sidestepping as a Kommando lunged at him with a rusty knife. The beast's red eyes looked at him joyfully, enjoying the battle to the fullest.
Captain Roric Kael snapped his tongue, activated his power sword’s force field, engaged the ork, and knocked it down. He grabbed his plasma gun, fired at three more beasts, eliminating them without hesitation. Eight Kommandos replaced the four dead. His platoon was increasingly decimated.
They couldn't retreat. Their backs were against the wall. The doors to the freight elevator leading to the upper floors, where the Astropathic Choir is located, were sealed. The only retreat was through the tower entrance, where Orks Kommando poured in.
The 4th Platoon of the 24th Orphyrax Stalwarts fought fiercely, as all the regiments excelled in, but that was all they could do.
The Captain fought alongside his command squad and subordinates. A second explosion occurred in the same breach, from which the Ork Kommandos had entered.
«Glory to the first man who dies!» a female voice shouted «Charge!!!»
«««CADIA STANDS!!!»»»
Reinforcements arrived. A regiment of Cadians pushed through the breach. Bayonets welded to rifles, dripping with Ork blood, caught the Orks off guard. A new presence—an unnatural "wrongness"—swooped down the ork's flanks. Bolters roared, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air. Swift, deadly figures cut down the green beasts.
The battle that was going in favour of the greenskins was quickly overturned, and the Imperials emerged victorious.
After the fight, Cadians and Orphyraxians cleared corpses and prepared new defensive lines. Members of the Silent Sisterhood, who flanked the Orks, stayed alert to every movement and ensured no greenskins survived, burning the corpses.
Captain Roric, having survived the battle, was joined by the commanders who led the newly arrived reinforcements.
The first is a woman in her 30s. She is very attractive despite the scars on her face. She is equipped with carapace armour, a power fist and a Bolt pistol. She wears black clothes typical of the Officio Prefectus. Her eyes are piercing, sharp and purple. Her dark hair gathered in a bun.
The other is a woman from the Silent Sisterhood. She wears golden power armour. Her mouth is covered by a visor. Her head is bald except for a tuft of long, auburn hair. The imperial eagle is tattooed in red ink on her forehead. Her eyes are a deep green, giving the impression of emptiness.
«It's a pleasure to have you here with us.» Roric said, greeting the two women «Captain Roric Kael, 24th Orphyrax Stalwarts.»
«You did a good job, Captain.» the Commissar nodded her head «Colonel-Commissar Katarina Steele, 9th Cadian Regiment.»
«Sophea Ulmacu, Knight-Centura of the Indomitus Vigil.» she introduced herself with signs. Commissar Steele, fluent in sign language, translated her introduction.
Captain Roric was genuinely happy for the reinforcements. He also knew that if these reinforcements were led by a carrier of the Pariah gene and a Colonel-Commissar, the campaign would only degenerate.