Chapter 1

Priority Level: *Primarus*

Subject: *Warp Storm Spotted over Sub-sector Tripulus (Ultima Segmentum)*
Clearance Level: *Magenta*

An emergency has materialized itself in an Imperium subsector. The strategic value
of this specific subsector cannot afford to be lost due to the nature of its proximity to the
Tau and Eldar. That is why we cannot wait for the bureaucratic gears to take motion,
and instead are sending this message directly to you, Dante. We know not what may
emerge from the Warp Storm, thusly your Chapter must prepare for any
such...*heresies.* The Emperor Protects.

*The Senatorum Imperialis*

______________________________________________________________________

The Astropath had refused to disclose the information to anyone but the Chapter
Master. Directly from the High Lords of Terra, no less! Unlike other Chapter's Fortress-
Monasteries, the *Iratus Imperator* traversed the Warp, always looking for signs of a
possible Xenos intrusion, or even the foul taint of a far worse evil. Naturally, their ever-
righteous task gave the Marines their name... The Watchers.

It just so happened that this particular chapter was in a neighboring sub-sector and
would only take a weeks time to reach Tripulus. Despite the size of the *Iratus
Imperator,* it was rather mobile. A small group of Gladius-class Frigates was to be sent
in front of the main fleet as reconnaissance, under the command of Brother-Lieutenant
Azrael Gregorius. This would be the young Lieutenant's first, true command, as deemed
by his captain.
______________________________________________________________________
Azrael had been taken under the Captains Wing after the Watchers had
removed a genestealer infestation on a tribal planet known as Endersher (describe the
planet). The natives could have hardly understood the nature of the infestation, or even
more so the giants of dark blue metal men, whose steps seemed to shake the very
ground.

Endersher had two main ecosystems that dominated the planet: the first being
lush jungle. From overhead, canopy could be seen for kilometers; trees stretched
beyond what the eye could perceive. Beneath the visible plant growth existed a wild
array of tropical animals, dangerous to any unarmored man. The planets tribes had
concocted clever ways to defend themselves against the animals, using the trees in a
variety of ways. The natives would strap large bands of sinew to a pair of trees and
either use them as tripwire, or even a flexible sling-shot. The captured animals would
then be carved and newly acquired sinew would then be used to trap other animals, in a
primitive cycle.

The second ecosystem was a simple grassland; very often the grassland would
slope, jump, leap, and bound with hillsides and plateaus. Tharr were known to live in
these large open spaces, and the natives had learned to tame some of them as steeds.
Tharr were large salamander like creatures with powerful thighs that could crush
a man. They were known to be extremely dangerous in charges.

When the Watchers arrived on Endersher, the natives appeared to have realized
something was amiss. Some of the tribes women were giving birth to part-human, part-
creature monstrosities. When the community questioned these births, as was standard
for their tribes to raised children as a whole, mothers and fathers became excessively
violent. Nor could their birth be considered an anomaly, for far too many were occurring.
At this point, the infestation must have been a few generations in.

Azraels squad had come upon a village that was totally destroyed. Several men
lay face up on the ground. Deep lacerations cut into their chests, exposing ripped open
rib cages and punctured lungs. A man larger than the rest sat against a wooden stake in
the middle of the village. He clutched on to what appeared to be the arm of a
genestealer. A gaping hole in his head revealed his still moist brain.

Sergeant Maladon quickly assessed the situation. He lifted his visor and took a
whiff of the air. His hooked nose quivered as he inhaled the foul stench of death and
perhaps of defecation? His dark brow also raised, clearly impressed that such a
primitive man had managed to cut an arm off of a genestealer. Of course it would still
have three other very deadly arms to menace its victims with.

Azrael, go up to the large one and see what information you can gather about
what happened here.

Azrael lifted his visor while he approached the corpse. His short blonde hair
heavily contrasted the green tint of his mono-goggle. His pronounced cheek bones gave
him a naturally stern appearance. He then grabbed both ends of the open skull and
used his large muscular hands to force it completely open. Delving his fingers into the
brain, he brought a chunk to his lips. He prayed for clarity and pierced the meat with
his teeth.

As Azrael focused, visions began to flow into his mind. The Omophagea implant
in this spinal cord would absorb any recent data and DNA related to memories from the
natives brain. He began to envision running out of the hut, wielding a crude, primitive
sword. Others were already dead around him. A sense of rage erupted and he charged
at one of the beasts currently feasting on another native. Caught by surprise, the
genestealer looked up in time to see the primitive before it grabbed on to a lower arm
and cut it cleanly off in one sweep. An ear-piercing shriek caused Azrael to feel dazed-
focus. Within a moment, a second Stealer charged into the man knocking him several
feet back into the stake. As he looked up, a great claw plummeted into his head and
impaled him.

Sergeant Maladon, it appears the natives discovered the genestealers, however,
the Stealers massacred the village upon the finding.

That much was to be assumed, stated the Sergeant. While you were busy, we
found genestealer tracks. We have reported to command and been ordered to track the
Stealers down.

After roughly two standard imperial hours, the group found another squad behind
the cover of a fallen tree at the mouth of a cave. Their Sergeant lay on the ground with a
large gash in his chest plate, another cutting into the top of his head. Sergeant Maladon
hurried over to the fallen tree. Watchers, report!

A human-looking woman was outside the cave. Our Sergeant called her over.
When she looked she screamed as if we were the monsters. A group of Stealers ran out
of the cave. One leapt at the SergeantWe could not kill it fast enough.

Before Maladon could speak further, he was forced to the ground. A
genestealers had leapt upon him while they were distracted. Its meaty claws fell upon
his helmet several times before Azrael could even lift his bolter. After the Stealers head
ruptured from the bolter shells, Sergeant Maladon was no longer recognizable, his
communicator destroyed. Azrael was the first to speak.

This appears to be some sort of genestealer den. By the Emperor, it must be
destroyed!

A Watcher Rhino later discovered the two Sergeant-less squads after being
dispatched to their location for having heard nothing for several hours; all eight battle-
brothers were still alive. Watcher command learned that Azrael had formulated a plan to
draw out the genestealers into the open, and that he had shown a great deal of valor at
the genestealer hideout. Taking up Sergeant Maladons power sword and bolt pistol, he
charged into the den, striking the cave walls with a power CRACK. Firing a bolt into the
infested woman, her bosom detonated with a hail of flesh. This intrusion into the
genestealers home was unacceptable. Scores of the monsters came leaping and
running at Azrael. After a quick retreat, he leapt out of the mouth of the den and out of
the line of fire. Bolters thundered as their shells rained upon their targets. Not a bolt was
wasted.

Potential existed in this battle-brother. Potential that would not be squandered by
the Captain.

______________________________________________________________________

"You are to be granted a rare honor Azrael, the Chapter Master has asked the he
brief you personally," revealed the Captain.



Chapter 2

Before Azrael stood a man larger than most of his battle-brothers. Dante Beatrik had
his finger on the planetary display outlining subsector Tripulus. His face was daunting; a
mechanical eye-lens existed where his right eye would have been. A patch covered his
left eye so as to not kill anyone who looked upon it with the naked eye. Such was the
genetic flaw of all Watchers. After the gene seed was implanted, a Watcher's eyesight
would deteriorate until he was blind. It was during this period that they were put through
their most rigorous training, in order to teach them a valuable lesson. That a Watcher
must fight through the darkest of situations. To not rely so heavily on sight, and to tune
their other senses to unknown heights. A Watcher's attention to detail was comparable
to that of a Fist's.

Training would continue until a partial Warp-Eye appeared. Thusly, initiates wore
bandanas that were inspected, behind the protection of a screen, every 2 weeks until
such a time had occurred. Of course the Watchers still required Navigators, for their eye
could only see clearly while in proximity to the Astronomicon. Dante's cold glaze came
back to Azrael, who instead chose a green-tinted mono-goggle over his War-Eye, not
much different that a Space Marines helmet lens.

"You are to lead four squads, one per Escort, into Tripulus to scout the situation."
Dante's voice, while authoritative, was much smoother and euphonious than his stare.
"A Warp Storm has been reported over Tripulus and we are to guard the subsector. I
want a report every six hours while en route, and every two hours when you arrive. That
is unless you believe something must be reported immediately. A Watcher is always
prepared for the worst, never to be caught off guard.

At this point, Dante enabled his communicator. Isaiah, please come into the War
Room.

A few moments later, a robed man with a psychic hood entered the room. His
dark skin made him stand out among his battle-brothers. His eye patch displayed
several inscribed runes that Azrael did not fully understand. He greeted both Azrael in
the Chapter Master.

Azrael, this is Librarian Isaiah Archimedes. He is to travel with you on your
reconnaissance mission and ensure you and your squads not fall victim to unforeseen
circumstances.

A Librarian! These powerful psykers were rare in this Chapter. Century old
veterans were said to have only come across a Watcher Librarian once in their lifetimes,
much less speak to them one on one!

This is an honor, indeed, proclaimed Azrael. To be able to speak with a
Librarian and the Chapter Master at the same moment is not an experience I shall take
for granted. However, Master Dante, what do you expect to emerge from the Storm that
you are assigning a Librarian to my team?

Glancing at the Librarian, Dante began to speak hesitantly. This is the second
reason I had Isaiah join us in the War Room. I fear that something sinister may emerge
from this Warp Storm, and Isaiah is here to make sure that you are capable of handling
what I am to reveal to you. Understand that there are far worse enemies to the Emperor
than simple heretics and Xenos. Things that leave a taint on a humans very soul.
Things that are not to be spoken of freely. I speak of Chaos, Azrael.

At the mention of this, Azraels face went blank. Librarian Isaiah watched Azrael
closely. Even the mention of Chaos could rip doubts into the most devout Marines
mind. Quickly composing himself, Azrael asked a question many would have asked in
his place.

Why do our brothers not have knowledge of this? Would it not be wise to be able
to prepare against all possibilities?

This time, it was Isaiah who spoke up. His voice was slow and deep. Listening to
him was like being put into a soothing trance. Chaos is like a disease, it slowly chews
at your faith; it makes you question what you know to be true. Few are trusted with this
knowledge, because few can handle it. Many of our battle-brothers have faced this evil
before, yet they do not even know. We have mind-wiped many of our brothers in order
to protect them against that which they fight. Isaiah stopped for a moment to see how
to information sunk into Azrael. The Lieutenant was holding surprisingly strong,
considering his former lack of poise.

Chaos is warped, mutating, and unpredictable. It is a terrible hunger that
consumes you from within and drives you mad. It is far worse than any Xenos you can
ever encounter. And be warned, Chaos comes in many forms including that of former
battle-brothers.

Azraels eye would have surely widened if did not have a mechanical implant.
Nevertheless, his thick brow did manage to rise. How can this be so, Librarian? Would
a Marine not rather take his own life than allow himself to fall in bad standing with the
Emperor? He did not yet completely understand.

Isaiah admired his innocence. He regretted having to shatter such bliss. It is
more than simply not having faith, Lieutenant. They despise the Emperor. They believe
him to be falsea Corpse-God. Azrael was visibly upset with this news, though he
controlled himself and allowed the Librarian to continue. To preserve your sanity, we
will not discuss Chaos further. Master Dante has other things to brief you on.

Now you know why Librarian Isaiah will be accompanying you. Be aware that
this is being told to you so that you can be prepared. I should not have to say that this is
for your ears only, and is not to be spoken of outside of this room. Regarding other
possibilities, virtually anything could come out of the Warp Storm. On the other hand, it
is also possible nothing comes out of the storm. This storm was not large enough to
isolate the sub-sector, but it is certainly large enough to allow practically anything
through it. That is why I want frequent and detailed reports.

Azrael had once again returned to his naturally stern appearance. Of course,
Master Dante. Not a single report will be a moment late.







Chapter 3

Space began to flick. A purple plasma began to spiral seemingly out of no-where.
The plasma appeared to be laced with electricity. Soon, the tip of a plasteel hulk
emerged from the Warp. Then another. Then two more. Almost instantly the plasma
seemed to dissolve itself, as the ships sling-shoted into normal space. Gladius-class
Frigates were one of the fastest ships available to Space Marines. It took the small
group approximately two days to reach the subsector.

Many servitors and tech priests wandered the ship, muttering litanies to the
machine spirit. The great metal masses sang with a loud moan. A Space Marine vessel
was cared for. Despite their size, they were the smallest warp-travelling spacecraft used
by the Adeptus Astartes. Nevertheless, they were quick, and skilled at evading enemy
fire. (Strike Cruiser?)

Opening the Vox Channel, Azrael addressed the four Escorts under his
command. We have successfully made it through the Warp, Praise be Him-On-Earth.
We are currently near Planet Trendus, the planet nearest the Warp Storm. Our mission
is to gather information. As you know, knowledge is the greatest weapon. Azrael out.

As scheduled, the recon team was five days ahead of the fleet. It would only be a
matter of hours until they were in a proper position to survey the Warp Storm. Normal
space travel was relatively sluggish compared to Warp travel. After Azrael had an
Astropath send his report back to Dante, the planetary-governor of Trendus appeared
on the screen before the lieutenant.

The Governor was a surprisingly well-put together man, a man who only believed
in the Emperor. His planet was renowned for being able to hold its own against both
Eldar and Tau incursions. This, of course, led to Trendus being declared the capital
planet in Tripulus. More often than naught, a planetary-governor would become corrupt,
obsessed with power and drunk with riches, they would declare themselves to be
independent of the Imperium. Certainly Guardsmen would be dispatched to resolve the
issue, but it would take decades for the bureaucracy to mobilize against the heretics.
This Governor, however, erected temples and had loud speakers installed in major
cities, so that praises were always being sung in His name.

Hello, Lieutenant Azrael Gregorius I was told? The Governor appeared
nervous; he spoke at such a fast tempo.

Ah, the Governor of Trendus, what do you have to report? The Governor was a
short man, his hair a dark brown. He reminded Azrael of a hamster.

When the Storm first emerged, I feared we would be isolated from the rest of the
Imperium. I had the Imperial Guard in the subsector re-stationed in proportion to
proximity to the Warp Storm, meaning a majority are now on Trendus. We also have
two Dictator-class Cruisers in orbit from our main Battlegroup. A second Battlegroup
was requisitioned from the Sector Battlefleet to help, given the circumstances. We even
have an old Ironclad.

An Ironclad? Such a relic must only be used in emergencies. The Imperium
lacked the technology to produce new, improved Ironclads. Despite being unable to
traverse the Warp due to lack of void shields, they could hold great amounts of
armaments and were protected by great adamantium hulls.

I was unaware Tripulus had access to an Ironclad, Governor. I suggest keeping
it in reserve, or at the least keep it for long range support. We cannot afford to lose such
a relic.

The Governor could not help but take Azraels natural expression as a
compliment to his words. Consequently, he became even more nervous.

Oh, yes, of course. It will not come into direct contact with anything that may
emerge from the Storm.

Well enough, be sure to keep all units and planetary defenses on standby at all
times and keep me informed.

Of course, of course, Lieutenant Azrael. You will be the first to know if
something arises. The Governor was relieved to finally end the communication. That
large hulk of a man terrified him. What if he were to mistake his anxiety for a hint that
the Governor was not as faithful as he might have the Marine believe? Surely not!
The Governor had been nothing but pious. He must simply relax; the Marines were
there to protect, not to investigate. No, Space Marines enacted the will of the Emperor;
they did not scour the galaxy looking for governors who had fallen out of the faithful. No,
that would be an Inquisitors job. Nevertheless, the Governor would support the Marines
to his fullest potential. Who should doubt a governor who cooperates copiously? One
could never be too sure

Soon the Escorts were moving into position. The Governor had sent along a
squadron of Sword-class frigates with orders to assist the Marines in any way.
Individually, Imperial ships could not compare to the improvements of Marine
spacecraft, but the help was appreciated and useful considering the small number of
Marine Escorts.

Azrael called over one of the Astropaths. It is time to report, prepare to send my
message. To the Iratus Imperator, the local Governor of the Capital Planet has made
preparations for the Warp Storm. He has also lent us a squadron of Sword-class
Frigates from his main Battlegroup during our reconnaissance. We are currently moving
into position at a safe distance from the Storm, while still maintaining satisfactory sensor
sweeps-

Almost instantly, a massive structure plunged itself out of the Storm. Larger than
a Battle Barge, this was truly of gargantuan proportions. It quickly became apparent
what had just emerged from the Warp, Azrael sped to deliver the message to the fleet.

By the Emperor! A Space Hulk has just blasted out of the Storm! We will need
immediate assistance, requesting the fleets remaining Escorts and Light Cruisers are
sent ahead to assist us. We are contacting the sectors Imperial forces to mobilize with
us without delay. Requesting orders on whether Guardsmen should be brought onto the
Hulk to reinforce us.

The Lieutenant knew it was his duty to lead his Marines into the Hulk; it was their
duty to search such ancient ships. The real question was if a Guardsman could handle
what might inhabit the ship. The sensors began to pick up more readings. Were those
more ships?

Tau! These Xenos dare invade Imperial space? We are preparing to engage, we
shall report after this intrusion is dealt with. Azrael reopened the Comm Channel to
Trendus. Governor, we require immediate support! The Tau have just appeared along
with a Space Hulk. Have your Battlegroups converge on our position, the Dictator-class
Cruisers will certainly serve their purpose here. And get that Ironclad in position for
long-range support. We might need its guns.

The Governor nodded and closed the transmission. By this time, the fleet was
close to four days away. If the ships Azrael asked for were allowed to advance ahead,
he would likely get Space Marine support in a little over one. Librarian Isaiah, who had
been standing next to Azrael, turned to the Lieutenant with a concerned look.

Something is not right-

Azrael retorted, of course its not right! A Space Hulk just came out of the Warp
and the Tau are mobilizing against us.
You do not understand. Something is not right about this situation. Since when
do Tau ships go through the Warp?

In his rush, Azrael had completely overlooked this. In fact, he wasnt even fully
sure where the Tau had come from. He had not even considered that they could have
done so, as the Tau lack the technology to enter the Warp, much less traverse it. After
all, the Tau do not have any such Navigator caste.