Their four wicked eyes are pitch black, looking at him with their void disgusting expression. Their entire skins are hideously grey, it’s vulgarly naked and doesn’t wear anything. Their pathetic head seems to be one with their shoulders but doesn’t hunch, their heads don’t seem to articulate well enough to notice. Their vertical mouth is barbed with sharp teeth and yet it’s small, dangerous for flesh but not dangerous enough for the power armor. Some armed with some sort of biological guns or crude weapons, which clearly shows that they only think of numbers. And their blood is disgustingly dark green as the chain sword cuts it down. Captain Kuro of the Emperor Children grand company has to accept that these xenos disgusting fluids will nevertheless dirty his armor even more as he hacked them to pieces. Such vile beings shouldn’t even be possible to be birthed in the galaxy which is reserved only for mankind.
Their tactics are obviously inferior and executed poorly, making the Iron Warriors looked better tactician and strategist than they ever are. The xenos keep coming in great number, but that’s just the only thing they can do. The position is seeming to be overrun by their seemingly endless number when seeing it by a human eye. The captain, however aware that isn’t the case and he already set the plan in motion. Some sort of vehicles or support made their appearance, but the havoc squads on the flanks gave it a short judgment. Vehicles have been amassed on both flanks and ready to be used at the perfect timing. The hill that they currently occupied gave a clear view of most of the surroundings. Their attacks seem to be cohesive at first, but it’s already started breaking as the pace itself becoming slower and less ferocious. Such crude behavior can only be replied by the Emperor Children perfect assault and counterassault.
His heavy support squads are on the flank and aimed most of their heavy ordinance at the mass center, thinning the xenos number. With a signal, the assault squad soon enters the fray from the rear into the midst of the attack. They too would hack and slash their way into the center of the xenos formation, by that time heavy fire from the company will be silent and instead focused on the flank again. Vehicles from the flank would then be charged into the xenos rear, trapping them. Dreadnoughts would be employed to support the rear charge and apparently, none of the xenos can harm them. The air unit would then continue patrolling around the battlefield to hunt any escaping xenos or warned about any enemy reinforcement. After the assault squad creates enough damage at the center, Captain Kuro ordered the counterattack. A charge by the entire grand company to finish the battle. And thus, the battle has ended and now they only need to wait until the carnage ends
The field is littered with the xenos bodies, Captain Kuro was informed that none of his astartes are part of the casualties, except some damaged armor and equipment and bitterness for the lack of glory in the battle. Most of his men are cleaning their equipment from the foul xenos ichor and some looking for the survivor to past judgment. Some of his vehicle crew and the dreadnoughts decided to simply run over the xenos carcass, just to make sure they are dead for good. However, Captain Kuro is more concerned on what tech marine Oka and apothecary Druned assessment with the current odd situation. The planet they were landed should’ve submitted to the imperium, based on the diplomats that were sent before. They definitely forgot to mention some horrid xenos breed itself on the planet, and yet no human can be seen.
What’s strange, is that the planet itself, the report is mismatched in some ways. It was said that the planet is somewhat fertile and only having small scale mining operations, but most places are barren. In fact, based on the pre-landing scan suggest that 60% of the planet has somewhat terraformed into a barren landscape, which seems to fits more with the xenos physiology ecosystem. He also felt to hear a ringing, he might need to check his fox function for maintenance.
He checked the dead xenos filthy bodies, cut down by his grand company. He recognizes who done it to the bodies by looking at its wound. Lieutenant Edward cuts can be seen by his preference in swathing a waist cut by polearm or he called it his ‘straight scythe’ due to its blade position. The heavy support squad work can be seen by their bolter or other heavy weapons trails at the enemy rear line, always ensuring that only one round is enough to kill one or two xenos on its disgusting body. The assault squad also did their job well, ensuring only a bolter or a chain sword kill these vermin.
“The diplomat should be punished for their lack of information,” Lieutenant Edward said.
“Perhaps, although I suspect there something more than just incompetence. They never mention this obviously these crude structures lying around the field, something else at work,” Captain Kuro replied as he pointed at the building from the horizon. The structures are obviously xenos, spiraling from top to bottom like the insect nest he saw on Terra record, albeit this one is bigger. The material itself seems made of scavenging part based on its mishappens surface.
The Lieutenant replies, “Not to mention the land seems becoming barren, almost like a mining planet that stripped its world.”
“But they seem barely done nothing than contaminated the soils, with whatever they were using.” Captain Kuro then decided to ask his apothecary through his fox, “What is your assessment apothecary, what do you think that lead to this monstrous terraforming?”
“I believe the contamination to be deliberate, but unclear how exactly. The soils contain chemicals waste and yet there also some traces of radiation,” apothecary Druned replies with curiosity. Despite its content are xenos, he always amused by how different they were when compared to human physiology and yet familiar.
As his grand company explored the land far from the xenos, the previous report's description becoming accurate. The land is more luscious with plants and wildlife.
“Captain, I’ve detected a faint fox signal not far away from our current position,” said the tech marine
“And why should it take my attention?” Captain Kuro asked
“At first, I’m under the impression that it might be the xenos signal. But after throughout checks it becomes obvious it has a human origin, it broadcast a distress signal. Do you want to see transmission?” said the techmarine.
“On every occasion, I would just ignore it. Unfortunately, the current situation needs to be ratified. Show it to me.”
The fox is greatly inteferred by the lack of signal, making hearing it becomes difficult, “This is vault…….. if anyone can hear me……. need ……. assistance ……… they are coming …….”
Based on the situation, it’s a dire one. Captain Kuro decided to make a quick decision, he turned to the techmarine and ordered, “Techmarine Oka, you’re to find the source of the signal and report it as soon as you find your finding.”
“Understood Captain.”
“I’ll give you two squads and a storm bird and some escorts, Lieutenant Edward will also accompany you. You may go and make the necessary preparations.”
The techmarine is simply nodded and then he goes on his way.
“Do I need to escort him brother?” the Lieutenant asked.
“We’re facing something odd, Lieutenant. I believe this faint signal might uncover what do we facing against. I suggest you assemble the squads; it needs to be a swift and short operation. And besides, you might get an opportunity for another perhaps glorious engagement”
The Lieutenant simply laughs and replies “Understood, I’ll arrange the appropriate men for the assignment.” The Lieutenant make a salute and then left the captain to his own device.
In less than an hour, the party has been assembled and sent to find for the signal. But time might be against or with the grand company. The captain decided to order his grand company to begin the FOB on the strategic location. Some of his astartes would be protesting when given the task to dispose of the bodies of the xenos, but none dare said it openly. Nevertheless, defensive measures are constructed, ranging from trenches, defense point, and even artillery batteries. All of this could’ve been faster and even end in a day, but most of their equipment was still in the orbit.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, no xenos assault for the rest of the activity, except the scouts gave a report where there is some xenos concentration around his sector. Captain Kuro is tempted by the report, tempted to immediately attack it. A raid might be preferable, but swift it may be, resistance might be heavily based on the report. The massive assault would be the best alternative, but heavy equipment is still on the way and the navy recently intercepting what might be the xenos fleet. Or the last option and perhaps too fragile, using all available forces he currently has and storm it. But it would leave his current command center vulnerable and it might be attacking leaving them mostly stranded or lacking defensive measure.
Stolen novel; please report.
Thankfully the recon unit has returned, and it seems they’ve found more than what they’ve expected. Humans and what’s to be the colonist were brought out from the majestic Stormbird. Some of them looked battered and injured, and most of them looked fragile. Lieutenant Edward and his squads are also battered but without casualties, the same thing goes to Techmarine Oka. Apparently, they’ve engaged a concentration that also hunts for the distress signal. Thankfully the lieutenant was able to thwart the swarm and reach the signal and these survivors. Apparently, these survivors are the one who’s responsible for the activating the distress signal. Captain Kuro hoped that these colonists would shed the light on what is happening with the planet.
One of the survivors followed Lieutenant Edward, probably the leader of the survivor group. The woman seemed a bit aged and yet has the build of an Imperial soldier. The lieutenant noted that she might be a beautiful one if it wasn’t for some scars on her face.
“Thank God, you’re here!”
Unamused Kuro replies, “The Imperial Creed does not believe that mortal.”
“Forgive me, my name is Kriene. I believe I represent the survivor of the shelter you’ve rescued, oh great warrior.” Kriene answered it with awe. The captain of the giant warriors has some dashing looks, his black hair matched with his eyes and he doesn’t even look like a fighter. Perhaps if he’s sized in regular human form, he might be looked like as a stage actor or something similar. But she decided to repressed the though and continue her conversation and listening to his soothing voice.
“Explain what has happened to this planet and why did your people allow these xenos incursions.”
With a trembling voice of terror, Kriene grimly replies, “Most of these things you have seen are what used to be human.”
Surprised by such an answer but the captain decided not to express it through his face, Kuro immediately replies, “Explain to me at once with that statement mortal!”
“No one knows how long has it took to turn them or when the process started. At first, people behave becoming more tired and slackened, but then their bodies started to be affected. Some who notice it slowly flee the cities, but some oddly ignored the changes and then become one of them.”
“Affected how?” Captain Kuro replies back curiously.
“First, their skins become paler and then slimy. The eyes becoming bigger at first and then becoming more bulbous which followed by a new set of eyes. Some would often cough blood and other fluids but the organs would soon follow,” She described it in terror.
“I see, but what turned the people into an abomination?” He continues the question and masks his disgust by the knowledge of what has truly transpired. Lieutenant Edward may wear his helmet, but even the slight sounds of discomfort reinforce just how disgusting for the fate of the people on the planet. It’s obvious whoever responsible for such atrocity can’t be forgiven or simply the Emperor mercy is their only salvation.
“I believe it was the fox wave, the transmission spread its mutation. One day there just a sour sound across the planet. Some originally ignored and considered it as nothing but a technical issue. But a then odd thing happens and people started to mutated. And by times the sounds is getting stronger, people don’t seem to care when xenos started to appears among us.”
Where is the source of this hideous transmission?” Captain Kuro then gestured the tech marine to bring the holo map. “Point me where the source so we can end its abomination.”
The holo map-projected all the sectors around their location, complete with the latest xenos activity and concentration by the scouts. Kriene“I believed it’s on this location since the spaceport has been filled with activity based on my observation.”
“Very well, you and your people shall be sheltered at the command post, I shall inform the commander to treat your people.”
“And you’re going to fight them?”
With a smile, he replied, “Of course!”
Captain Kuro wastes no time but to contact his lieutenant, “Lieutenant Edward, gather all of our officers tonight for an assault plan.”
“Understood, Captain!” He replied excitingly, finally a worthy fight for their honor of course.
Formulating the plan of the attack wasn’t a huge difficulty. With the equipment being able to be dispatched in sort times, it is proven to be valuable but not perfectly efficient enough. Scouts have already mapped all the xenos activity around the sector. Their lack of coordination suggests that they still fall into confusion by the Emperor Children landing on the planet or perhaps their overlord is still far away. The briefing is timed to short but compact enough, with enough information and resources the decision was taken the moment the war council is over.
In a few hours, the grand company has already in full strength to make the offensive. Nevertheless, Captain Kuro ordered a full-frontal assault on what to be believed the xenos main base. The whole journey was the calm before the storm, his scouts have feed him steady stream information of the xenos activity. It seems the xenos is somewhat still behaving uncoordinated, perhaps reeling from the surprise or they simply unable to do it without the mastermind of the transmission.
The armored column plow through the countryside, uncorrupted by the xenos touch. But soon as they went to the source the landscape started to change. In naked eyes, it would seem that the land becomes more barren and less containing life on its surface. However, the scan shows a more sinister existence, radiation, or another chemical compound that started to be picked up along the route. Some located on the surface while some are burrowed and even deeper. Wildlife sometimes still roaming around but mutated and even shown to be more aggressive compared to its non-mutated counterpart. Unfortunately, such intervention is futile for the Emperor Children rapid response.
In few standard terran hours they’ve redeployed near the source, already reports are flooding. Captain Kuro received reports of the re-groupings attempt against his forces which the scouts ensure that wouldn’t happen. The main target is still regrouping due to its sheer size and the scouts weren’t able enough to disrupt it. As heavy equipment squads are being deployed from their transport while regular tactical unit providing cover. The redeployment is conducted based on perfectly scheduled maneuvers for the grand company. In less than an hour the entire grand company is ready to hit the source.
Ambush or any sort form of guerilla warfare should’ve been expected from the vile xenos. But it seems they were simpler minded and predictable than expected. The spaceport that has been infested shows the xenos filthy work that they’ve done. Buildings seem to have been added with some organic design, giving the impression that the building itself is slowly mutated. Overall, the outskirt of the spaceport is rather quiet on the naked eyes and busy based on the scouts’ report. And then the report is coming, the horde is moving straight into his grand company.
Bolter and energy weapons flew pass or through the xenos horde once again. This time some ballistic weapons are fired against them, which is useless against ceramic armor. Captain Kuro lead his men on the front and center of his grand company, using the same tactic as before. But they knew that this horde is massive compared to the previous one. However, he had learned many strategies from his cousins and know what course of action need to takes. With a fox command, his artillery unleashes their barrage at the center of the horde. Among the carnage, he spotted something among the xenos horde, a different breed.
The xenos among the horde seems to be slightly different than others, it looks like it coordinating the horde. It’s taller and still skinny when compared to the infected populace. Their skins are also grey pale and even seem to equip themselves with some xenos tech implant or something similar. It still shares some similarities with the infected population, such as its eyes and mouth. Overall, they looked the same as the infected ones. With another order, his assault squad leap passes his position and into amidst the horde which then the rest of the grand company begun their advance to shatter the horde.
As they advance, Captain Kuro called Druned and ordered him to check one of the dead xenos he marked it. “This anatomy looked more xenos than the one we’ve encountered,” said Apothecary Druned as he scanned the dead xenos.
“That means that these are the xenos who are responsible for turning the population!” Captain Kuro ordered. “Grand Companies, continue the advance just as planned before, leave none survive!”
In a short time, the horde has been shattered by the Emperor Children discipline with its perfect plans and execution. The Emperor Children started to divide their forces in order to eradicate the xenos thoroughly, Captain Kuro went with some squads into the source. Some of the more intelligent xenos started to run into the source of their corrupted transmission, while the less intelligent one scatters in any direction. Unfortunately, Kuro aware such a possibility and has ordered the fleet to started to orbit near the spaceport, providing some sort of blockade if an escape attempt happens. As he and his squads advance into the source, one more surprise unfolded.
“Weapons were dropped to the ground one by one, they’re surrendering.” Lieutenant Edward surprised by the sudden surviving xenos action. But Captain Kuro was not amused by their action since he hasn’t forgotten their past transgression against the human populace.
Without showing any hint of emotion on his face, he simply declared, “You come to this planet with your disgusting presence, manipulated and infected the populace. Under the will of the Emperor, I sentence you all to die!”
In an instant, he and the rest continue their slaughter, perfectly executed with effectiveness and efficiency. The xenos were falling down left and right, some would try to pick its weapons, some would continue their begging. But the filth isn’t allowed to be given any mercy for their crime. And Captain Kuro see no good outcome from sparring them, only execution is the perfect outcome on this planet. The grand company continues their attack, mercilessly attack the xenos survivor till none survived.
After the battle or the slaughter, the captain looked at his surroundings. The vile xenos is dead, and his grand company makes sure of them as they search for anything that still looked alive. Some seem to be satisfied since their pride and honor have been fulfilled, but some grunted that some of their execution was less than stellar. Overall, the grand company of the Emperor Children has done a perfect work in eradicating the xenos on these planets.
The captain looked around and proudly declared, “We’re the Emperor Children, favored by the Emperor himself. The planet is not fully cleansed or saved in that matter, that’s why we shall continue the operation and bring the Emperor of Mankind proud for what we’ve done!”