[Dan296]

*FYI, i would reread the last chapter cause i changed a couple of things around. JSYK!*


The half dozen imperial navy scouts exited the warp at the edge of the Baetica system, close to the ****hest planet from the sun, an uninhabited ball of rock. The pilot of one ship to the captain and asked, “Sir, was this always a dead planet?”
“Yes, it was. Why do you ask?”
“I thought it might mean that the Tyranids had overrun the system already and moved on. That the crusade was heading to the wrong place.”
“We don’t know that that isn’t true yet. Let’s move on, there’s nothing here.”
The next planet, an industrial world, swarmed with Tau vessels. The one after was the same. The entire system was untouched by Tyranids, but Tau had a firm hold.
“Go to the rear of the sun. There may be more around there.”
The engines flared to life as the scout vessel whipped through the system. “Sir, I’m reading some sort of anomaly. On the scanners, a huge cloud-like thing. It resembles a nebula but much smaller. What could it be?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t seen anything like that ever before. Hold on…wait…its coming into view!”


“Lord Inquisitors! The scouts have sent a message.”
“Read it,” ordered Lord Arca.
“To the masters of the Baetica Crusade. Spacebound Xenos spotted, confirmed ‘Tyranids.’ Large numbers for splinter fleet, though less then any major invasion. Markings similar to Behemoth, most likely splinter fleet, as suspected. Probes sent into tyranid swarm sent no readings and did not return. We will wait at the edge of the system and await your arrival. Over, out.”
“Arca, we must present this to the council,” said Malekai, “now that it is confirmed that we face Tyranids, we must discuss strategy.”


Inquisitor Malekai stood at the head of the council and started, "I think all of us should re-introduce ourselves to each other. State your name, rank and command please. I am Lord Inquisitor Malekai of the Ordo Heraticus, associate of the Order of the Ardent Soul."
Another man stood, in a long black greatcoat, unnadorned except for an Imperial Aquila at his lapel and a mace buckled at his waist. "I am Lord Inquisitor Arca of the Ordo Xenos, commander of all Inquisitorial Storm Troopers."
At the far edge of the table a big brute of a man stood up. He had on an orange vest and ragged, green pants, though both were almost covered with various straps and harnasses, to which many different weapons and supplies were strapped to his person. In a nasely voice, typical of people who had only recently been sleep-taught high-gothic. “Hey. Parak Seventh Hive Militia, Captain Yusuf.” He sat down and glanced at Katrina and winked at her.
Katrina stood next, stating “I am Canoness Katrina, of the Order of the Ardent Soul, also in command of Sister Hospitalitor posts.” She turned around and looked at Yusuf, who grinned, and backhanded him across the face, sending him sprawling against the wall. The rest of the council, save for Arca, burst into laughter as the sputtering ganger, who looked back at Katrina and wilted under her iron gaze. The rest of the council introduced themselves as well. Kratonian Armoured Regiment under Colonal Balle, the Calth 2nd, Quintairn 9th, both worlds in the Ultramar realm, and roughly 50 Ultramarines, all under Brother-Seargant Lukas. Finally, Chapter-Master Certo of the Revilers, with a large portion of the first company, known as the Shadow Hunters.
“So it is true. The spawn of Behemoth still lives,” spoke Seargant Lukas, of the Ultramarines, “those that touched the soil of Macragge! By Guilliman and the Emperor they all must perish.”
“I concur,” said Master Certo, “and the Astartes stand ready. But what of the Tau? Truly, we cannot focus everything on the Tyranids unless we come to some sort of agreement with the Tau. Though its not at all a pleasant possibility, they do not want to face two enemies just as we do. I suggest we send a message to them for a truce…”
“What!! How can you say…”
“Please Cannoness, let me finish. I have considered this long and hard, and I belive this to be the only way. I know it is distasteful, but we can keep our distance and keep a mobile base of operations in space here on the Dark Redemption. We don’t have to cooperate with them, just so that we are not fighting on two fronts. Once the Tyranids have been annihilated we can turn to wiping the Tau from Imperial worlds. Agreed?”
“Hah! Chapter Master,” Said Colonal Balle, in command of the guard armoured regiment, “we have many forces, and most of them will be useless in space engagements as you suggest. What are my tanks going to do, lob shells out of the docking hatches?”
Inquisitor Arca stood, saying, “I believe I have a solution for that. We can dispatch all Imperial Guard and the Ardent Soul to the outermost planet in the system. They can purge the planet of Tau while the fleet and Astartes, minus transports and their escorts, engage the tyranids in hit and run exercises while they attack the tau on the inner worlds. That way, the tau are taking the brunt of the attack while we destroy the tyranids in space. No formal peace agreements, but we can refrain from all-out attacks on their main holdings on the inner planets. Does everyone find this agreeable?”
The imperial commanders nodded acceptance.