Encounter on Hex

Corporal Vespasian was having a good day. He had only recently been given command of the squad after their decimation on Shroud. The officers had seen promise in him and he intended to prove them right. Looking up from the tactical command display he looked at the men. Squad Tertius was in high spirits. They had been sent on patrol across the basalt flats of Hex and were mustered a Rhino APC for the task. Any assignment where you can sit on your ass and watch the scenery go by is a prime one. The squad was only newly reformed and he wanted a chance to test their cohesion.

Forces from several Imperial armies were reported to be on the cursed moon, but not in large numbers. And if they should have a close encounter, Regius their company standard bearer, would have a nasty surprise. Even now he was speaking to the men about the mysteries of the Warp and how they were all the chosen heralds of the lords of Chaos. The crowded interior of the transport had the air of a shrine as all the men gathered around Regius intent on his sermon. As Regius inevitably spoke of the False Emperor their tempers rose to a fever pitch. All were eager to visit ruin on the inheritors of the Great Betrayal.

A warning light woke Vespasian from his reverie. He studied the readings for a moment and informed the squad, "We have enemy movement at 2 klicks. Prepare for action!" Studying the energy signatures further it was clear that these enemies were wearing Power Armor and that they outnumbered his squad by at least two to one. They seemed to be occupying a ruined building of some kind, most likely establishing defensive positions. A Rhino APC was not a stealthy machine - the enemy had to be aware of their presence by now.

"Bring us in behind that rock outcropping," Vespasian instructed the driver. They would take as much cover as possible on the approach. The enemy might have heavy weaponry capable of piercing the light armor of their transport. "To stations!" he barked. As one, the squad moved to positions. Regius, himself, and two other men moved to the rear; ready to exit the ramp at a moment's notice. Balzar took the squad's meltagun, joined by Krys with his bolter, and went to the fire point up top ready to open fire on any targets of opportunity.

As the Rhino cleared the last piece of cover, their enemy came into view. Their blue and white livery announced their identity as clearly as the Fleur de Lis banner they flew. "Sororitas," spat Regius. The zealots were the last force he wanted to face in battle. Space Marines were predictable in their adherence to their holy Codex. Even the Necrons could be counted on to follow their implacable phalanx tactics. But the sisters were creatures of passion and whimsy, much like the Emperor's Children. There was no predicting their tactics. And their Faith gave them strange abilities that could swing the tide of battle. He would have to be very careful against these witches. As if on cue, Balzar began his report. There were thirteen of them in the ruins armed with bolters and a flamer. The squad leader appeared to be wielding a power weapon. No heavy weapons in sight.

Vespasian would play this one conservatively. Their armor would be proof against all the weaponry in the enemy squad. There was no need to leave the safety of the vehicle until the enemy was softened up. "Brother Regius, we have need of your allies. Call upon them to strike the enemy!" Regius began to chant, calling on the powers of the Immaterium to join them in slaughter. His voice was quickly hoarse, as the language he spoke was not meant for a human throat.

Now began the waiting. He had the rhino take station at 120 meters from the ruins. They would provide harassment fire from within the transport until the Daemons arrived - whenever that would be. Creatures of the Warp were notoriously fickle. Still, they should be safe from mere bolter fire until then. Most likely the Sisters would use the ruins to provide cover and discourage assault.

True to their nature, the Sisters did the unexpected. As one they broke from cover and ran directly toward the transport. Vespasian thought them mad. Surely they didn't believe he would allow them an attack on the rear of the vehicle? The rhino fired into them as they ran but they ignored the bolter rounds flying around them. As the Sisters closed the distance they shouldered their weapons and pulled out anti-vehicle grenades. The Veteran Sister, resplendent in her blue cloak, pulled out something much more wicked...a melta bomb.

He tried to give the order to pull back, but it was too late. Multiple explosions rocked the transport, igniting the fuel tanks and hurling the vehicle onto its back. Vespasian had the wind knocked out of him as he was thrown clear of the blast. Armor panels and tread sections rained down on the squad, entangling them in the wreckage. The men were quick to extricate themselves and form up, but the Sisters were even faster. They ran around the burning hulk of the Rhino and unloaded a fusillade of bolter fire into the disorganized squad. Somehow it seemed that the bolter rounds ignored the considerable protection offered by Power Armor and cut his men down like sheathes of wheat. First Krys and then Balzar fell, but still the hail of merciless fire came. The squad was fast approaching destruction and Vespasian knew it was only a matter of seconds until they were all dead.

It was then that the Warp decided to answer their call. A shimmer in the air between the decimated Chaos warriors and the vengeful Sisters began to appear. The shimmer became a horrible rend in reality through which shambled eight warp spawned Daemons. With a wild, inhuman screech they charged into the midst of the Sororitas squad tearing at them with claw and fang. A terrible close quarters struggle then ensued between the Sisters and the Daemons as Vespasian ordered his squad forward. Looking around he realized that there was no one left but himself and Regius. There was nothing for the two of them to do but rush into the combat. The time for subtlety was ended and either glory or death would be their reward.

The next several minutes passed in a haze of adrenaline and pain as the unnatural strength and fury of the Daemons slowly took its toll on the Sisters. Sensing the changing tide of battle, the Sisters executed a flawless fighting withdrawal and retreated under organized cover fire. Vespasian did not pursue. His transport was a burning wreck, the Daemons could return to the Warp at any moment, and his squad was all but destroyed.

"Victory and glory!" shouted Regius, holding aloft the sacred Icon of Chaos Glory. Vespasian didn't dare tell him how pathetic he looked shouting such a thing all alone amidst the wreckage of their comrades. Still...they were both alive and they had driven off the Imperial incursion. He would return to his superiors with an account of a battle hard won against a hated foe. Most likely he would be promoted for this 'victory'. As he thought more about it his spirits began to lift. Perhaps he would be granted command of a company! He grinned evilly as he echoed his companion, "Victory and glory, indeed." Corporal Vespasian was having a good day.