for tyranid forces that might have crossed the rivers farther west, but had seen nothing out of the ordinary. The Chaplain was about to wave the Space Marines on their way when his vox crackled into life, an ident-cipher in his helm display notifying him that Princeps Jasyn was hailing. Cassius activated the vox and motioned for the Space Marines to remain where they were.
'Revered Chaplain, I can confirm the sensor readings from your strike cruiser,' said Jasyn. 'We have aerial forces heading our way. Atmospheric distortion is increasing, but I would say four or five large creatures are en route to our position. We are also detecting a surge in land-based signals.'
'A second ground wave, supported by harridans and gargoyles,' replied Cassius.
'Harridans, Chaplain?' said Jasyn. 'I have heard of the gargoyles; winged versions of the creatures we have just been slaughtering. What are these harridans? What threat do they present?'
'Large constructs, princeps, thirty to fifty metres in length,' said Cassius. 'They act as long-range transportation for the gargoyle swarms, and are dangerous in the extreme.'
'Let us hope that they are heading for Plains Fall,' said the princeps. 'General Arka's anti-air batteries can take care of the problem.'
'A valid point, princeps. However, we must be prepared for an assault here.'
'We have some point-defence turrets in case the gargoyles try to swarm us, but other than that, neither Victorix nor Dominatus Rex are suitable for air defence. If the enemy land amongst you, our weapons will be useless.'
'I understand that, princeps. We will deal with the harridans and gargoyles as necessary. See to it that the second attack wave of ground forces does not intrude upon the proceedings.'
Jasyn signalled an acknowledgement. As Cassius made his way back to the main dormitory block to command the coming engagement, he felt the ground shuddering as the two Warlord Titans moved into position to forestall the coming ground attack. The Chaplain had reached the main thoroughfare when he received a signal from Sergeant Capilla.
'Airborne enemy sighted, Brother-Chaplain,' said the sergeant. 'Due west, three kilometres. Three harridans closing on our position.' Cassius turned and looked into the cloudy skies to the west, magnifying his autosenses to full. He scanned the cloud layer and saw three dark spots approaching quickly, moving against the prevailing wind. The long-range visual equipment of the devastators was more accurate than the simple autosenses of the Chaplain's armour and Cassius had no doubt that the report was accurate. He signalled Sergeant Menaton, whose squad was aboard the Thunderhawk currently running air cover for the force.
'Sergeant Menaton, engage incoming targets at range. Keep distance to five hundred metres or more.'
'Understood, Brother-Chaplain,' Menaton replied. 'We will keep our distance. Lascannons and battle-cannon primed for attack.' The Thunderhawk was currently on the northern leg of its perimeter sweep. It banked left and roared over the highway, arrowing directly towards the approaching tyranid flyers, gaining altitude as it did so. Menaton was experienced enough to know that the harridans were weakest from above, and would have to descend several thousand metres before they could release the flocks of gargoyles clinging to their undersides like horrific infants suckling at the breasts of their monstrous mother.
Cassius entered the tenement and took the elevator up to the roof where sergeants Capilla and Therotius had prepared their squads, a battery of lascannons, missile launchers and heavy bolters pointed skywards while the bolter-armed brethren created a defensive circle around the heavy-weapons-armed warriors. Looking to the west, the Chaplain could see Sergeant Xathian's devastators doing the same on the gantries around the storage tanks in the depot.
Quickly reviewing the dispositions of his other force, Cassius made a few adjustments, moving some of the
'Revered Chaplain, I can confirm the sensor readings from your strike cruiser,' said Jasyn. 'We have aerial forces heading our way. Atmospheric distortion is increasing, but I would say four or five large creatures are en route to our position. We are also detecting a surge in land-based signals.'
'A second ground wave, supported by harridans and gargoyles,' replied Cassius.
'Harridans, Chaplain?' said Jasyn. 'I have heard of the gargoyles; winged versions of the creatures we have just been slaughtering. What are these harridans? What threat do they present?'
'Large constructs, princeps, thirty to fifty metres in length,' said Cassius. 'They act as long-range transportation for the gargoyle swarms, and are dangerous in the extreme.'
'Let us hope that they are heading for Plains Fall,' said the princeps. 'General Arka's anti-air batteries can take care of the problem.'
'A valid point, princeps. However, we must be prepared for an assault here.'
'We have some point-defence turrets in case the gargoyles try to swarm us, but other than that, neither Victorix nor Dominatus Rex are suitable for air defence. If the enemy land amongst you, our weapons will be useless.'
'I understand that, princeps. We will deal with the harridans and gargoyles as necessary. See to it that the second attack wave of ground forces does not intrude upon the proceedings.'
Jasyn signalled an acknowledgement. As Cassius made his way back to the main dormitory block to command the coming engagement, he felt the ground shuddering as the two Warlord Titans moved into position to forestall the coming ground attack. The Chaplain had reached the main thoroughfare when he received a signal from Sergeant Capilla.
'Airborne enemy sighted, Brother-Chaplain,' said the sergeant. 'Due west, three kilometres. Three harridans closing on our position.' Cassius turned and looked into the cloudy skies to the west, magnifying his autosenses to full. He scanned the cloud layer and saw three dark spots approaching quickly, moving against the prevailing wind. The long-range visual equipment of the devastators was more accurate than the simple autosenses of the Chaplain's armour and Cassius had no doubt that the report was accurate. He signalled Sergeant Menaton, whose squad was aboard the Thunderhawk currently running air cover for the force.
'Sergeant Menaton, engage incoming targets at range. Keep distance to five hundred metres or more.'
'Understood, Brother-Chaplain,' Menaton replied. 'We will keep our distance. Lascannons and battle-cannon primed for attack.' The Thunderhawk was currently on the northern leg of its perimeter sweep. It banked left and roared over the highway, arrowing directly towards the approaching tyranid flyers, gaining altitude as it did so. Menaton was experienced enough to know that the harridans were weakest from above, and would have to descend several thousand metres before they could release the flocks of gargoyles clinging to their undersides like horrific infants suckling at the breasts of their monstrous mother.
Cassius entered the tenement and took the elevator up to the roof where sergeants Capilla and Therotius had prepared their squads, a battery of lascannons, missile launchers and heavy bolters pointed skywards while the bolter-armed brethren created a defensive circle around the heavy-weapons-armed warriors. Looking to the west, the Chaplain could see Sergeant Xathian's devastators doing the same on the gantries around the storage tanks in the depot.
Quickly reviewing the dispositions of his other force, Cassius made a few adjustments, moving some of the
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