Private Offices-Fabricator Marshall's Palace
Lorias City-7:20Hrs

Captain Richard Bern found himself in the midst of a coup. The scarred cybernetic man known as Colonel Galven had just murdered one of Governer Kalvanis' council and was now staging the arrest of the man himself.

"Incompetence..I see..", the red faced Captain repeated to himself. He stepped between the two men and spat at the Governer.

"This man is not incompetent. He is a heretic."

Galven's face let loose a crude smile at the new comers accusation. With the support of the newly arrived Captain of the Inquisition, Galven's authority would be unquestionable. The Colonel holstered his pistol as the guardsmen loyal to him subdued the Governer. After approaching the side of the seemingly naive Captain, he clasped the man's shoulder.

"He may very well be, Captain."

Meeting the gaze of Alexis as he was shoved out of the quarters, the Colonel's sense of victory swelled. He hadn't time to celebrate however, for he had a war to finish.

~~

Southern Approach-Koroa City
Sororitas Reinforcements-6:55Hrs

The ten black thunderhawks began closing in on the burning city of Koroa. In between the ongoing conflict against chaos and the unannounced orbital bombardment, the pilots remained unwavering on their course.

Caring very little to alert their fellow Imperial forces, the dropships landed unmolested in the open plaza of the Lorias Terminus. The chaos forces were either too occupied with their current predicament or were setting a trap. Regardless of the heretic's intentions, nothing had stopped the two-hundred strong force of fresh Adeptus Sororitas from dismounting their craft.

Through the smoke and flaming plumes that cascaded the landscape of the city, the Sisters could clearly make the golden spires of the Synod. Their main objective being to retrieve and safeguard the Lord Inquisitor, the black and gold clad warriors began their march through the streets.

Basilica of the Emperor Ascendant- Holy Synod
Koroa City-7:20-50Hrs

Keralix was still recovering from his torture. Torn cloth from the Synod's many luxurious drapes became bandages once the old had absorbed too much blood and puss. The flesh along his breast had been torn deeper than thought by the electrical nails from the servitor, and the star of chaos scorched on the skin over his heart had been burned away by medics; No Lord Inquisitor would allow himself to be branded by chaos.

Regardless of his pain-filled state, the Inquisitor commanded in harsh whispers for his caretakers to put him back in his power armor, which lay in a disassembled pile in the corner of the parlor where he was kept. The sour-faced medics from Koroa's forces would hardly let the Inquisitor sit upright for fear of his body giving way even more.

In the hallway outside the parlor was the remaining fighting force of Keralix's troop. Two barricades protected them from their enemy. The largest of which was blocking the heavy brass doors of the Synod and the other formed a broken half circle around the parlor's entrance. This broken circle was manned by only a few dozen men. The Celestian Superior, Lydia, had been quietly analyzing the last heavy bolter. Checking the bullet chamber, ammunition belt, stand, trigger, and every other part continuously. This was the only thing that kept her from screaming and smashing the skulls of the guardsmen by her. Having lost so many of her Sisters and nearly losing her master had broken her.

Watching her was Castus and Victoria. Victoria had never before seen a Celestian of any kind in such a state. If she were a lesser woman, she may even see fit to enjoy the sight. Having been exiled from her own order in the past and nearly labeled a traitor, she would always be bitter towards her "sisters". What she really wished to do was comfort Lydia, to let her know that she had to keep living for those who couldn't. While Victoria knew the nobleness of the thought, she couldn't bring herself to do it; Interacting with the fallen was taboo'd greatly. Victoria didn't wish to jeopardize the purity of the Celestian's authority.

Castus Bones kept himself occupied differently. The drugs running through his blood had eliminated the pain from his ribs and,as a result, he was one of the few survivors capable of any clear thought. Having left his helmet in the likely destroyed medical tent of the compound outdoors, his long, fried, black hair dominated his face. He couldn't just sit here and wait to die. The Astartes Traitorous were at their doorstep and beneath him loomed what was likely the most powerful heretic he had faced.

~~

"Where the hell do you think you're going?", Victoria's face showed utter confusion as Castus jerked a las-carbine from the grip of one of the guardsmen.

"I'm not going to sit here and let his holiness make the first move."

"You're going to get yourself killed. The Cardinal may already have escaped. We need you here, Keralix needs you here."

Castus unlatched the bayonet of the carbine and slid it into his boot.

"I need you here."

The assassin chuckled quietly, amused by the absurdity of what he wished he could say.

"...I'm going to find and gut that old frak. But I need you to take charge here.", he motioned his rifle towards the Celestian who was reassembling the same bolter she had been cleaning for the past hour.

"She's lost it, Victoria. Lydia is in no state to lead."

Victoria gazed at the shaking Celestian, who was now picking at the dirt trapped within the welds of the bolter. Castus had already vanished before she could reply.

~~

A lean, dark, figure moved along the walls of the dimly lit Synod. Dashing from corner to corner, its hunt had begun. Fear me, for I am your apocalypse.

The Landing Strip - Lorias City - 06:50Hrs.

The Two captains of the Imperial Fists, and the Ultramarines, stand at an open spot near their respective Thunderhawks. They are talking, strategising briefly before they are to head onto deployment.

"I still believe that taking back the Mag-line would be a prudent task." Fabian nodded at Tiberius. "Your Vindicators could prove to be of great use however." He interjected. Tiberius took a moment of silence before replying; "I will second you the Vindicators 'Dorn's Hammer' and 'Emperor's Wrath'. But I cannot give any more to the assault on the Space Port. Three of my Tactical Squads will deploy of course, along with your remaining Ultramarines in reserve, onto the Holy Synod. I will focus the rest into taking Firebase Vigilance - and the Mag-line, before reinforcing your position."

Fabian nodded again. "Very well, I will trust in your judgement. May Guilliman's wisdom guide you." Tiberius replied, smiling as he did so. "and may Dorn's fortitude steel you, brother."

+++15 minutes approx later, at around 1 Kilometer away from the Space Port+++

The Captain frowned behind his helmet. An unauthorised orbital strike? Who would do such a thing... Theoretical? Galven. Practical; Galven is a servant of the Imperium, he would not do such a thing...

The Thunderhawk rocked to the side slighty, the occupants kept from sliding around by their grav-harnasses. At the formost compartment, a mighty warrior - Sevastus, entombed in the Sarcophagus of a Dreadnought - stood ready, his Lascannon prepped and ready to fire upon notice.

The Captain looked to his command squad, before looking over to his men - 20 Astartes, two Tactical Squads in the same Thunderhawk. The sergeants are important to him - Caligus is a staunch follower of the Codex Astartes, rather like Severus Agemman, Captain of the honoured 1st Company Unlike Agemman however, he prefers quick methods and a clean kill over a slow and protracted campaign that would just as surely bring victory. Valron on the other hand... He old. Quite old, for an Astartes - three Service Studs decorate his brow. He does not put his full stock on the Codex Astartes - not to the extent of those like Uriel Ventris, or other such commanders in the Ultramarine's History. He advise is caution, and he prefers to find out as much of the enemy as possible before going in for the killing blow. Of course, he is not afraid to be flexible when need be.

These two Sergeants share the same comm-link as the Captain, and the rest of the Command Squad. They all heard the message from Vorst. None spoke about it. The Captain, satisfied, replied to Vorst. "Negative. Push on to the Space Port - There are already Battle-brothers at the Holy Synod, and they will link up with other Imperial Forces as they arrive. I want to strike at the possible source of enemy command, and give them something to worry about. Koroa City is in good hands."

(TO BE CONTINUED...)

The Southern Gate - Firebase Vigilance - 7:00 Hrs

Death and ruin. That is all there is.. The Colonel of the 1st Armoured is already dead, his Command Tank blown up by enemy Anti-tank Fire. In the past half hour and so, they are getting pounded badly - The Colonel of the 2nd Lorias Battalion - Calvis - had to take over for the entire Battle-group, and barely managed to keep the situation from getting any worse. His men had to resort to using the remnants of the old tanks as cover - it works, they are able to close in on the gates to the Firebase. Sadly, it's more heavily armoured then previously thought - The Traitors and the Heretics are well and properly dug in.

Although the Anti-personell and the Anti-Armour turrets seemed to have suddenly shut down, the battle is far from won. There are only 35 Leman Russ type Tanks remaining - before they made the assault, there were at least twice that number.

Calvis swore, as he ran the situation through his head - He is stuck behind another of the wrecked tanks, along with his Regimental Command Unit. They had been stuck there, pinned for 3 minutes now. Many of the Infantry units are. Most of the tanks are keeping their distance, out of harms way for now - along with approximately 30% of the surviving infantry. One of his men - carrying a Vox caster - looked up to him. "Sir! We are recieving a transmission, and the signal is getting stronger every second!"

Colonel Calvis grunted. "Patch them through - and why the excitement in your voice lad?" The veteran grinned. "You will see sarge." Calvis rolled his eyes - everyone in his Regiment seems to call him 'Sarge' these days. Must be something to do with him interacting with everyone - and he can barely remember all the names. Sometimes he can't remember why the frak he does that sort of thing, socialising with the troops.

The veteran guardsmen - Frankfelt is his name, Calvis remembers now - sets the vox-caster down, and quickly handed the mic and the earset over. Calvis quickly put on the earset - the sound of gunfire and the occasional "BANG" was drowned, at least for the moment, by a deep, commanding voice. +"This is Captain Tiberius of the Imperial Fists. We are heading towards Firebase Vigilance to help secure the Mag-Line. What is the situation?"+

Calvis could not reply. He felt nothing but gratitude. +"Anyone recieving? Come in."+ That got Calvis shaken to attention. He pressed the transmission button on the mic, and held it to his mouth. "This is Colonel Calvis of the 2nd Lorias Battalion. Me and my men are pinned down, and the gate has not been broken, I repeat, the gate has not been broken, over."

There was silence over the vox-link. Then someone shook the colonel roughly. "Sir, look!" It was the Regiment's Standard bearer, and he is pointing at the skies opposite of the Firebase. Calvis looked up, and lo! at the horizon, 4, vague shapes are coming into view - Thunderhawks. All yellow. He could even make out a fist emblem on one of them. The Thunderhawks paused - and then they all rocked back, several flashes of light can be seen - and a second later, the gates to the Firebase shatter, the steel and concrete gatehouse broke in a series of cataclysmic explosions.

The Colonel and his men - along with the other Infantry Units nearby - duck and covered their heads and eardrums as it occured. When the ringing died down, Calvis looked up from his quite formidable cover of a ruined Battle Tank - and looked upon the catastrophic ruin. There was some cheering and yelling from the loyalists as they all looked at the ruin and began to understand the implications - The gate is open. The Fort is breached. The silence is interrupted as three yellow Drop Pods slammed into the ground, amidst the maze of ruined tanks. They all three opened, letting out their deadly occupants. The Colonel grinned, his heart stirring at the sight. Quickly, he returned the earset and the mic to Frankfelt. "Order all units to attack. Now."

Frankfelt transmitted the orders - and soon enough, All 35 remaining Leman Russ Battle Tanks - followed by the remaining Infantry Units jogging in behind - make their way towards the ruins of the gate. Firebase Vigilance will soon be theirs, with the assistance of the mighty Imperial Fists. For the first time in a long while, The Colonel felt that they are winning.

+++Aboard the Imperial Fist Thunderhawk "Lance of Fire"+++

Tiberius grimly looked on as the Guard make their attack, his battle-brothers getting off the Drop Pods to form the Vanguard of the assault. The Thunderhawks have done their work well - They smashed apart the southern gate. With a way open, Firebase Vigilance will be overrun, the traitors routed out. But an enemy counter-attack would be able to take it back - they just need to get through the rubble that comprises of the former southern gate.

The Captain looked over at the back of the compartment - Two Tech Marines, Brother Venatio and Brother Falghurst, sit there, silently praying. One of them can help reinforce the defences Tiberius thought. "Brother Venatio, are you prepared to do your duty to the Omnissiah and the Chapter?" The Senior Tech Marine looked up - He is armoured in the red of Mars, a strange helm resting on his head, with a bionic eye glaring at the chaptain. His Servo-Harness whirred and clanked, it's machine spirit eager. +"I am prepared, brother-captain."+

Tiberius smiled. "Let it be so then - Pilot, set us down. Notify The Thunderhawk 'Dorn's Eye' to set down as well - and have the passengers disembark. They will assist Brother Venatio in securing Vigilance."

"Yes brother... setting down now." The pilot replied. and so the Thunderhawk slowly began to descend. Tiberius looked out of the little window next to him - making out Dorn's eye as it touched down likewise. As it set down, a great Dreadnought lumbered out - Argetar Marko, a great Venerable Dreadnought. Tiberius felt himself stirred by the sight as the Dreadnought strode forward, his Multi-Melta looking for targets. He is followed shortly by two Devastator Squads who followed closely behind. Smiling, Tiberius then looked ahead into the forward compartment as the Lance of Fire touched down - Another Dreadnought rested there, waiting patiently for battle. Gregor is of a wizened sort - a Dreadnought would normally grow belligerent, but the occupant in this dreadnought shell is... not like any Battle Brother he knew.

"Brother Gregor, care to go and secure Firebase Vigilance?" Whilest speaking in respect, what Tiberius gave out was a command, not a request. +"I live to serve. I will purge the unclean."+ Gregor replied. The Door up ahead opened, and the Dreadnought lumbered out - Venatio is already out of his Grav-harnass, and is now walking down to the forward compartment. As Venatio went outside, Tiberius leaned forward slightly - and caught a glimpse of the Firebase. The smoke from the bombardment on the gate is clearing, and the sounds of gunfire can be heard. The sound of engines are still prominent though - The last two Thunderhawks stayed idle, hovering in mid-air. Although the anti-air defences are down, things shall not be left to chance - Their precious cargo of 4 Predator Annahilators need to survive intact for now. They kept their position, adjusting the aim of their Battle-cannons in case they are required.

A battle does not simply end easily. Otherwise it would hardly be called a battle.

(TO BE AGAIN, CONTINUED...)

The Holy Synod - Koroa City - 7:03 Hrs

As the Chaos Forces surround the Holy Synod, and prepare to make a breach, a trio of lights streaked across the skies... and as they come down, they turned out to be a group of Drop Pods. Cobalt blue, with the sigil of the upside-down Omega symbol on it. The first one slammed down not too far from the front entrance to the Cathedral, squashing many Cultists clustering there to red bloody paste - those that are lucky either lost a leg, or both. Or they were right underneath and died. Those that are unlucky lost half of their body in the process - and started crawling away in terror and pain, deing.

The other two slammed down within the vicinty of the first one, and within the walls of the Holy Synod. Strangely, they did not land in close formation - they landed within the walls, but not close to one another. It's seemed to be calculated.

Then, they all opened as one - and to the horror of the survivors, they are revealed to be Deathstorm Drop Pods. The one that landed in front of the Cathedral was armed with Missile Launchers, the other two with Assault Cannons. The trio set to their bloody work - scything down the Chaos Forces in a torrent of bullets and constant missile fire. Soon, the space in front of the Cathedral is cleared of all traitor and heretic infantry forces - The Predator quickly got into cover, keeping out of the way of the Missiles. The Dreadnought was not as wise however, and rushed at the Drop Pod with the Missiles. It took 1, 2, 3 missiles, and one of the legs broke, toppling it over - But it was within reach of the Drop Pod. It thrashed, the two claws raking the Drop Pod, and tearing it down. It could not move properly now, but at least it got it's prize. The Assault Cannons on the other two Drop Pods eventually stopped firing, having ran out of ammunition.

Shortly after, a trio of Drop Pods landed down in the area between the three Deathstorm Drop Pods - one by one. They opened up, and three Tactical Squads rushed out, quickly finding rushing around - using the Drop Pods as cover. The Storm Bolters on the Drop Pods turned about, shooting at targets when they appear. After a moment, the Chaos Forces opened fire on the Ultramarines in unison, who promptly returned fire themselves. The Predator Tank lumbered into view, it's Lascannon charging up with a slow whine...

+++Varin++++

Sergeant Varin gritted his teeth. This is worse than the captain actually calculated. The enemy Predator then opened fire - twin beams of red death melting down one of the Storm Bolters equipped onto the Drop Pods. A Bolt Round glanced off Varin's shoulderpad, and he would had staggered backward had he not been leaning forward. This is a difficult situation they got themselves into. He looked over at one of his battle-brothers in the squad, armed with a Lascannon of his own - and quickly made a combat sign. Eliminate Armour it said. The Battle-Brother got the message, and aimed the Lascannon at the Predator Tank.

The enemy vehicle must have foreseen the intention, for it rolled back into cover right before the Lascannon fired. Cursing, the Battle-Brother muttered prayer to the machine spirit as he prepared to fire the next shot. The high-pitched sound of an object flying down, and the sound of impact indicated to Varin that his brothers from the Imperial Fists have arrived. "Brothers, give our reinforcements cover fire!" The Sergeants of the other two squads barked out similar orders, and the ultramarines let loose a barrage of covering fire for the Imperial Fists that are disembarking from their Drop Pods.

Varin looked over at the doors to the Cathedral itself, gritting his teeth again. He wondered when they are going to open and help them somehow...

(There, done!)

Basilica of the Emperor Ascendant - Outer Courtyard
Koroa City - 07:00Hrs

The traitor marines had stood still, awestruck, at the sudden and violent intensity of the orbital strike. They had to turn their heads away, for fear of being blinded by the brilliant beams of devastation. Moments later, as the light dimmed, replaced by the glow of the morning sun they could see and smell the aftermath. To the north and west, the mighty walls were reduced to ashen ruin. Great blackened craters, billowing thick plumes of smoke were all that remained. To the north-east, the spaceport was a scorched husk, no doubt those inside were all dead. Lost along with their invaluable air support.

They tired to raise First Acolyte Krisas on their vox, be he did not answer. He had been leading the attack on the would be besiegers himself. It was entirely possible that he was dead, along with all those that had marched out with him.

The Iron Warrior Champion, Devastax, growled deep in his throat, steam issuing forth from his helmet grill. He looked to his fellow chaos marines, they too were trying to raise their respective leaders. Things were beginning to fall apart it seemed . . .

"Lord Mallar is dead" Calaphax, leader of the Thousand Sons detachment of their force, intoned solemnly, head bowed. "His warp presence has departed this world. His soul rests with our Lord Tzeentch now"

"What of the First Acolyte?" demanded Garthalus, Champion of the Word Bearers. Stepping forward from his brothers. "Does he yet live?"

The air around them chilled suddenly, as Calaphax extended his mind into the aether. He sought out Krisas, among the multitude of souls burning like candle flames amongst the city. He searched beyond the walls of the northern part of the city. There amongst the fresh devastation, the entities of the warp feasted on the souls of the freshly slain. However, Krisas was not among them, so he looked further. His mind's eye followed the outer edges of the crater. It was there he found him.

Though much diminished, the flare of his soul made those around it pale in comparison. He was clearly injured, as the daemons circled around him like hungry ocean predators. He task complete, he pulled his consciousness back to his physical form, lest the daemons think to make a meal of him as well.

"The First Acolyte lives, Garthalus" Calaphax gasped, as his mind reasserted control of his armoured form. He so detested having to return to his limited anchor to the materium.

"Praise the Dark Gods!" He intoned, his brother joining him. "With his survival now known to us, let us finish this business with the Inquisitor and his lackeys. I wish to add his head to our predator's hull. It deserves such a worthy trophy in honour of our eminent victory here"

"I agree" Devastax rumbled, turning his attention to the massive doors to the Basilica. They marched towards them, readying weapons. The lumbering dreadnought cycling up it's rotary cannon.

As they approached the lowest step, a dark shape manifested itself from the overcast shadow of the entrance's overhanging balcony. A man, swathed in dark robes and even darker carapace armour. His face hooded, with only his lower jaw visible, which was locked in a slight smirk.

"Greetings, my Lords" The man stated, bowing his head. The traitor marines stopped short, sensing the warp energies that clung around his one. They looked to one another, seeing if any knew what this creature was.

"Who are you, dark one?" Inquired Calaphax, impressed by the power that Tzeentch had empowered this seemingly frail creature with.

"I have many names, Calaphax of the Thousand Sons, but you will know me as Heinzrich Balthier" The man offered, halting several paces from the marines.

"You are the Dark Apostle's Agent!" Garthalus exclaimed, intrigued. "You have been mentioned in passing. You are responsible for the cults that aid us here on Lorias, are you not?"

"I am, Garthalus of the Word Bearers" Heinzrich nodded, turning his head to meet the chaos marine's stare. "I have worked for many years to nurture the seed of dissension here on Lorias, and like a careful gardener, I have cultivated a healthy crop of faithful servants. None more valuable then this worlds Cardinal and his brother priests"

"You have turned the Ecclesiarchy against the Imperium?" Garthalus asked, impressed at such an impressive feat.

"That and more" Heinzrich added. "With that in mind, I ask that you allow me to finish dealing with the Lord Inquisitor that huddles behind these doors. My servants will deal with him and present his head to the First Acolyte"

"Why should we let such a prize be yours, puny mortal?" Devastax interrupted, as he took a menacing step forward, unimpressed with this frail man's claims or exploits.

"It's quite simply really, Devastax of the Iron Warriors" Heinzrich said, grinning, as he shoved the massive chaos marine back a step with a thought. "You have more pressing concerns. Two hundred Adeptia Sororitas just landed in the Lorias Terminus and are marching here to rescue the Inquisitor. However, even they are not your most immediate threat . . ." He let his words trail off, as he tilted his head back, gazing skyward.

~~

As the Chaos Marines turned to face the newly arrived threat, Heinzrich took the opportunity to slip away. The dawn was breaking, and he so loathed sunlight. He extended his will to his new play thing.

Find the Assassin. Bring him to the Catherdral. Lure the survivors too you, Gregorius. Kill them all!

Basilica of the Emperor Ascendant - Upper Galleries
Koroa City - 07:10Hrs

Cardinal Gregorious Servantes smiled wickedly, as he observed the terrified survivors taking shelter in the entry hall of his Basilica. They hid behind their barricades, unaware of his presence above them. It would be so easy, but to reach out with his terrible powers and boil their brains inside of their skulls. So easy . . .

Alas, the Master had other plans. He needed to stall. To keep the inquisitor and his men busy. The sounds of battle outside heralded the arrival of the loyalist Astartes. It did not matter. He felt the approaching reinforcements of cultists and Chaos Space Marines. The Ultramarines and their Imperial Fist allies would be trapped against the Basilica itself. The Master's will kept the door sealed. His power protecting it from harm. Their would be no interference from outside. He had all the time in the world . . .

A sudden disturbance of air behind him caught his attention. Just a whisper of movement . . .

He felt the warm barrel of a weapon muzzle press against the back of his head.

"I am your apocalypse, Cardinal" the cold voice of Castus Bones whispered in his ear.

"You are more clever and persistent then I anticipated, Master Bones" Gregorius admitted.

"Now, you die!" Bones stated flatly, before pulling the trigger.

At the last moment, the barrel jerked to the right ever so slightly, as Castus fround himself now face to face with the Cardinal. The old man's hand clutched around the barrel, the sizzle and smell of burning flesh immediately obvious.

"Not today, and not by your hand, Castus Bones" The old man sneered, as he twisted the weapon from the assassins grip, and spun it around to smash the much younger man in the face. Castus used the momentum to turn the fall into a roll, coming up in a crouch, drawing the bayonet from his boot, snarling as blood dripped from his temple. Combat stims flooding his system, adding fresh strength to his limbs.

He lunged at the seemingly frail Cardinal, who tossed the weapon at him as a distraction. Castus snapped the weapons up, as the Cardinal side stepped his attack. He spun around and leveled the weapon at Gregorius, firing off a burst of shots.

Gregorious laughed maniacally, as he twisted and spun out of the path of each deadly shot with impossible grace. He bowed mockingly to his assailant, waiting for his next move.

"What manner of sorcery have you dabbled in, Heretic?" Castus demanded as he hammered off more shots, stepping backwards as his did so, to put more distance between the two.

"Powers beyond you understanding, fool. You and your pathetic fellows have no idea as to the true nature of the events that have been set into motion! No matter the outcome here, you cannot stop us" Gregorious cried, ecstatic at the power flowing through him. He had never felt so alive!

His every movement was a blur, as if the rest of the world moved in slow time. He could see each ruby beam glide past him and felt such vitality course through him as he had ever felt. He felt younger and stronger then ever before. The Master had granted his such power!

He closed the gap between the two of them in quick order, lashing out at the Vindicare's rifle, tearing it from his grasp and casting it over the balcony's edge, down several stories to the marble flagstones of the entrance way below, drawing the attention of the worried survivors below.

~~

Victoria was the first to react, looking up several floors until her eyes locked on the deadly confrontation taking place. She cried out to Castus in alarm, drawing looks from Lydia and the other PDF troopers. Keralix had just finished locking the last segment of his armour into place, the fiber bundles of haptic cables restoring strength to his weakened limbs.

His gaze followed hers to the duel above them. He gritted his teeth in frustration

~~

Victoria's cry was just the distraction Gregorius had been waiting for. It drew just an iota of Castus's attention, enough to lash out with his mind disarm his would be killer and force him to his knees, grasping at the invisible hands that restrained him and tried to crush his throat.

"Your resistance is admirable, Castus, but futile. There will be no escape for you" He sneered. He stepped forward, leaning in close to the struggling assassin.

"I will also take great pleasure in torturing your lover in front of you. Stripping her flesh layer, by layer, to exact each and every glorious scream. That is of course, after I have my men sodomize her in front of you, hahahaha"

Gregorius's laughter echoed through the upper cloisters. Castus lunged at him, trying to tear out his throat with his teeth, but Gregorius held him back easily. He took up the fallen bayonet and plunged it into Castus' side, twisting it violently. Enough to agonize, but not to kill. Not yet at least.

The Cardinal's vile guards then crept out of hiding, grabbing the wounded assassin and hauling him to his feet. They also brought with them a beaten, but defiant Cornelius Zeb. The Confessor bleeding profusely from multiple small wounds. His right eye swollen shut from repeated beatings. His face though, was as a mask of contempt for his former mentor.

Gregorius approached the edge of the gallery, gazing down at the Inquisitor and his pets.

"Your cause is lost, Keralix. Submit now, and your deaths shall be swift. Continue to resist and I will flay your very souls for eternity. Should you wish to face me, I shall await you in the Cathedral. Come if you dare!"

His laughter filled the chamber as he departed. Castus resisted with each step, calling out to his allies below to not fall into the Cardinals trap.

~~

They shut the massive doors of the Cathedral behind them. The black armoured guards took up staggered positions behind the marble pews. Some were place in the upper gallery, as to have the best view to cut down the Imperial scum when they arrived.

Gregorius stood before the altar, which had been stripped of all Imperial iconography. The mighty golden Aquila had been cast down, and in it's place, a crude eight pointed star of Chaos had been raised. Fashioned from beaten iron and draped with freshly flayed skin.

The pews closet to the raised altar, were filled by the remains of Gregorius' entourage. They awaited the coming rituals with eagerness. Their once pristine garments and papal finery stained with blood and debased icons of the ruinous powers.

Castus Bones and Cornelius Zeb were bound and held at gunpoint on their knees, facing the entrance of the Cathedral. They would get to witness the death of their compatriots first hand.

All was in readiness. They merely awaited the arrival of their honored guests.

Basilica of the Emperor's Ascendant-Cathedral
Koroa City-7:20-30Hrs

The Lord Inquisitor's power armour whirred with mechanical perfection as he reached for his hammer, presented to him by last medic of his troop. As his grip around the large hammer tightened, he could feel nothing but pride at the masterpiece he held. The obsidian black shaft, decorated by a magnetic grip for use with his suit, ended at a large golden Aquilia that serve as its head. The dried purple blood from the heretics it had slain earlier in the week had sizzled away from contact with the holy relic.

"Lydia!"

The shaking Celestian approached the Lord Inquisitor, "Y-yes, My Lord?"

"Have the men set what explosives we have left on the main barricade, set them to go off after we leave. Our reinforcements will need some means to enter."

As the guardsmen scattered around what had been their lifeline, stretching wire and tying any explosives they had to it, Keralix cleared his mind. Cardinal Gregorious could not have come to hold this power on his own. Either he was an impostor from off-world or someone had bestowed this strength upon him. He feared the latter. Regardless of his doubts, he was Lord Inquisitor Keralix of the Emeperor's most Holy Ordo Hereticus, and he would have the prize he came for.

~~

Keralix and the few men that accompanied him, stomped through the halls of the Synod. As they reached the central expanse, they were greeted by the large gold doors of the cathedral. Pressing both hands against the gateway, he entered the cathedral.

"Lord Inquisitor Keralix!", a booming voice greeted him almost immediately. The black robed cardinal stood atop an altar, filled to the brim with blood. Next too it was Castus and Zeb, bound and tied. Zebs displayed a deep sorrow, informing the identity of the blood's owner.

Gregorious hovered gently off the altar, unstained by its maroon contents.

"You think yourself to be the most intelligent man in the sector, Inquisitor. You're much more stupid than you think"

"These do not sound like your words, Cardinal. And after I'm done with you, I will kill whomever they belong too."

Keralix raised his hammer over his shoulder and charged the altar. Beneath the mechanical trumping of his armor was the laughter of the fallen Cardinal. With each step he took, another heretic revealed himself along the boxes of the galleys. Before the Inquisitor even reached the altar, a fire fight had erupted between the two forces.

Lydia, Victoria, and the few remaining guardsmen scattered behind the cover of the metal benches that lined the altar's approach. The Celestian quickly through her heavy bolter across the bench, despite the las-fire that suppressed them, and began returning fire. The heavy rounds cut through the galleys of the cathedral, each bullet producing a cloud of bloody mist from the heretic it had hit.

Victoria dropped prone and crawled to the group of guardsmen that were still in hiding. After crossing the room she sat upright, placing her back against a metal bench.

"Sargent, we need to minimize their firing lines.", She pointed at the wall closest to them. The veteran nodded and began shouting orders. The group pushed the heavy metal seating until it had turned diagonally, and they propped themselves along the farthest right side of it. The heretics along the right-side rafters would relocate to resume their suppression, In the mean time however, the battle-hardened guardsmen would make quick work of their fallen brothers in the left rafters.

~~

Keralix swung his hammer at the laughing Cardinal, who dodged it with unholy vigour. As the swing complete, the two men's eyes locked. The chaotic presence of the heretic coursed invisibly through the air and surround Keralix's mind. In a matter of seconds, the Cardinal was already besieging the inner most sanctums of the Inquisitor's thoughts, his dark powers flooding through pathways and streaming through his consciousness. Just as the circuit of ruinous power neared completion, a righteous eruption shot from the center of the Inquisitor's mind. The burst of light blasted the dark power from his consciousness and surged outwards and at the mind of the Cardinal.

OOC: sheesh you guys so active on the day I finished repairing my car! Will catch up today as good as I can!!!!

OOC: I loved what I read, good to know I do not need to worry about the chaos forces as Mechaius did so for me ^^ just one thing I wanted to do: Krisas has to get out of the combat, via warp portal obviously. Other than that: Keep it up guys but I think we are good to bring this to an end.