The Battle of Cadia: Beginning of the 13th Black Crusade – Part 12

Title: The 41st Millennium: The Imperium, Necrons, and the Unseen Threats

In the year 997 of the 41st millennium, the vast expanse of the Imperium was rife with tension and uncertainty. An uneasy truce was formed with the necrons, ancient undying xenos, as common enemies were identified. Yet, such alliances were temporal and precarious, for the Imperium was always vigilant, aware that this ancient race could turn against them any moment.

As the Imperium focussed its resources on defending the Cadian Gate, subtle shifts in power were happening in the Eastern Fringe of the Ultima Segmentum. Reports indicated that the Tau Empire, recognized by the Imperium but often overlooked, was using this opportunity to fortify its defences and extend its territories. This phase, known as the Third Sphere Expansion, initially appeared benign as the Tau were expanding into an uncontested wilderness space. However, the Imperium couldn’t ignore the potential threat that this expansion posed.

In the year 999 of the 41st millennium, the Tau launched a significant military campaign, seizing the Imperial territory in the Eastern Fringe during the 13th Black Crusade, known as the Zeist Campaign. The Imperium, preoccupied with the chaos forces at the Cadian Gate, retaliated by dispatching multiple Adeptus Astartes chapters to the Zeist sector, successfully halting the Tau’s expansion by destroying their last major forward logistical base.

Despite this victory, the Imperium was unable to strike back into Tau-held space, as their forces were urgently needed elsewhere to combat the rising forces of chaos. The Tau Empire had still grown by 13.3% of its previous size, indicating a potential future threat.

Meanwhile, alien infiltrations were reported near the Subak Diablo system, particularly from below the galactic plane. The Inquisition, despite providing few details, insisted on immediate reporting of any such attacks. This was a time of multi-fronted confrontations: while the forces of chaos battered the Cadian Gate, the Eldar were active, their intentions unclear and actions erratic. The Orks were building up for an invasion in the Scaris sector, displaying a cunning unexpected of such barbarous creatures.

In the midst of all these, a new enemy emerged within the Marlins Reach system. Dark Apostle Erebus of the Word Bearers Traitor Legion was causing significant damage to the Imperial efforts. Erebus sought to spread corruption, manipulate events to his advantage and convert the people of the Imperium. He managed to lure Captain Ekon and his Ultramarines into a trap, leading to a prolonged and vicious battle with the Eldar at a planet-bound webway portal.

As the Imperium continued to combat these threats, Marlins Reach, the primary world of the system, was subjected to a hellish ordeal for three solar days and nights. Warp storms erupted around the planet, driving the population to madness. The Word Bearers’ landing crafts descended from the tortured sky, and the defenders, debilitated by hours of psychic torture, could offer scant resistance to the traitor marines’ assault. The Word Bearers desecrated Ruskin Cathedral, summoning creatures from the warp into the ruined Cathedral before departing.

The 41st Millennium was a time of conflict, uncertainty, and unseen threats. The Imperium stood resolute amidst the chaos, determined to fight every enemy to the last cry of the human race. The tale of this era serves as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required in the face of potential threats and the dire consequences of underestimating the enemy.

Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *