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The Arrival of the Iron Cross Crusade Brother Librarian Jerome walked onto the bridge. Grand Martial Michael turned and said, “Ah, Brother Jerome. We are on course for Bellum AEternus. A previously inactive rip in the Warp has caused some concern, and we are to investigate. Should there be any heretic or alien forces there, we are to cleanse the system.” Jerome nodded and asked, “Standard mission profile?” “Possibly not. Should there be too many enemy forces to quickly eliminate, we are to establish a base on the planet and hold it.” Jerome grimaced, “A protracted engagement on-planet? Once we’ve established a base of operations, would this garrison duty not be more suited to an Imperial Guard regiment?” "None are available to support us, though the Imperial
Navy will be bringing in supplies and replacements to us as needed. Also, a
group of Adepta Sororitas has also been assigned to Bellum AEternus. I assume
their mission is to bring the Emperor to any population we find. We should also
be prepared to deal with any population there.” “Even more curious. I shall have the materials needed to construct our base prepared.” “And prepare yourself and your assault team as well. I want you and your talents on planet first, as usual, to give a full report.” * * * Plans and preparations were made, and soon the fleet approached the Bellum AEternus system. A call came from the sensor station, “Contact, Grand Martial! Heretic warship.” Michael looked at the readings and immediately recognized the ship, “Those damned Iron Warriors again! Power weapons, bring the fleet around, battle formation Alpha.” “We’ve lost them, sir. They passed behind that dust cloud and just… disappeared.” “Very well. There is something strange about this system. It must be the rip in the Warp. Continue on course to the target planet. We’ll meet up with our old enemies soon enough.” The remainder of the flight to the planet went without incident, though several ships were spotted along the way. Strangely, the enemy ships were lost to sensors almost as soon as they were picked up, so the fleet was unable to engage any of them. They were able to catalogue the forces they would eventually meet on the planet: Iron Warriors, Emperor’s Children, and what appeared to be two separate groups of the brutal alien Eldar. They were also able to confirm the arrival of ships carrying the Adepta Sororitas. Contact would be attempted once they were on the ground. *
* * The Black Templars landed without difficulty on the planet. They discovered two population centers and immediately set up their Fortress Monastery close to the largest one, and two other strongholds nearby. Brother Chaplian John led troops out to the population and re-introduced them to the Emperor and brought them in line to aid the Space Marines’ cause here on the planet. The Iron Cross was established, now the process of cleansing this world for the Emperor could begin…
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