Blood and Honor: The Saga of Thaddeus Valen

Chapter 4: The Unseen Swarm

While Thaddeus and his remaining brothers, both initiates and the seasoned warriors who had fought the night assault, were resting, the rest of the Blood Angels maintained a vigilant watch. The Commander Azkaellon was especially alert, awaiting any communication from the Reconnaissance Squad sent to gather vital intelligence.

The Squad of Reconnaissance, composed of ten Blood Angels, advanced cautiously through the dense, overgrown jungle of Gorgona Secundus. The towering trees, with their twisted, ancient branches, formed a canopy that barely allowed the dim light of the sun to penetrate. Vines and underbrush created a labyrinthine network on the forest floor, making each step a careful endeavor to avoid detection.

The air was thick with humidity and the scent of alien flora, mingling with the faint metallic tang of their powered armor. Strange, otherworldly sounds echoed through the foliage—chirps, growls, and the rustling of unseen creatures. The Blood Angels moved in a tight formation, their helmets' advanced optics scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement.

Suddenly, the lead marine raised a clenched fist, signaling the squad to halt. Ahead of them, through a break in the dense vegetation, they saw the objective of their mission: an expansive clearing littered with the grotesque remains of an Ork encampment. Massive, green-skinned bodies and lay strewn across the ground, their crude weapons shattered and their makeshift fortifications in ruins.

The scene was one of utter devastation. Trees were splintered, the ground was scorched, and a thick, acrid smoke hung in the air. Among the wreckage, the Blood Angels could see the telltale signs of a brutal conflict: pools of dark, congealed blood and the unmistakable marks of Tyranid bio-weapons. The Xenos menace had clearly been here, and the Orks had been fighting them with ferocity. They had now to fight the Orks and the Tyranids.

As they moved closer, the squad leader activated his vox-caster, transmitting the grim findings back to the base. "Commander, this is Reconnaissance Squad Theta. We've found the remains of an Ork encampment. The Tyranids were here. The Orks fought them, they are fighting a battle of attrition. Commander Azkaellon, hearing the report, clenched his jaw. The presence of Tyranids was an ominous development. He knew the relentless nature of these bio-engineered horrors, designed to consume all life in their path. This new threat had to be confronted, and soon. Also the Orks were crazy about fighting, now they had two problems.

Azkaellon stood in the command tent, processing the information relayed by the Reconnaissance Squad.

The night had been long and brutal, and now this new revelation added to the already mounting pressure.

He glanced at Thaddeus and the other Blood Angels resting nearby, their armor still bearing the marks of the fierce battle against the Orks.

"The Tyranids' presence changes everything. But the Orks retreated to fight the Tyranids; they lost one encampment. Both Tyranids and Orks are relentless beasts. They will fight non-stop," Azkaellon thought, his mind racing with the implications.

Azkaellon knew that if the Tyranids won, they would evolve by consuming the precious Ork bodies. That would be a disaster. If the Orks won, they would be even stronger, having fought against the unstoppable force of the Tyranids. Fighting against Orks who had defeated Tyranids would also be devastating.

"Commander, what are your orders?" asked the squad leader of the Reconnaissance team.

"Go find where they are fighting right now, and tell me their position. We will prepare a full assault," Azkaellon commanded. The best course of action was an all-out war against them while they fought each other. The Tyranids would have a harder time learning and adjusting for battle because there would be two enemies.

And the Orks, known for their brutal and relentless fighting style, would be too preoccupied with the Tyranids to mount an effective defense against the Blood Angels.

Azkaellon knew that this was not a normal war like others; they must end and purge this before it escalates. The Redemption of Baal might take from one to two years to be back. They couldn't let the enemies of Humanity evolve.

"Understood, Commander. We will locate their current battlefield and report back immediately," the squad leader answered, determination clear in his voice.

The Reconnaissance Squad continues to advance through the dense jungle, their movements silent and efficient. The foliage thickened as they ventured deeper, the sounds of the alien world growing louder around them. Their helmet sensors scanned the environment continuously, picking up traces of movement and energy signatures.

As they progressed, the unmistakable sounds of battle began to reach their ears—distant roars, the clash of weapons, and the hiss of bio-plasma discharges. They moved swiftly but cautiously, their senses heightened by the urgency of their mission.

The lead marine signaled for the squad to halt as they approached a ridge overlooking a vast clearing. They crouched low, using the natural cover to stay hidden while they surveyed the scene below.

In the clearing, a fierce battle raged between the Orks and the Tyranids. The Orks, with their crude weapons and makeshift armor, fought with wild abandon, bellowing war cries and smashing through the chitinous ranks of the Tyranid swarm. The Tyranids, in contrast, moved with a terrifying coordination, their bio-weapons slicing through the Orks with deadly precision.

Massive Ork Nobs wielding power claws and big choppas led the charge, their brutish strength making them formidable opponents even for the Tyranid warriors. Squigs, the Orks' vicious battle pets, tore into the Tyranid gaunts with savage ferocity. Despite the chaos, the Tyranids adapted swiftly, their larger organisms coordinating strikes to exploit the Orks' weaknesses.

The Blood Angels observed the battle, noting the positions of both forces and the ebb and flow of combat. The Orks were numerous, but their disorganized tactics meant they were taking heavy losses against the relentless advance of the Tyranids. The Tyranids, however, were also suffering, their bio-forms shattered by the sheer brutality of the Ork assault.

"Commander, we have visual on the engagement," the squad leader reported through the vox. "Both forces are heavily engaged. The Orks are numerous but disorganized, and the Tyranids are relentless. Coordinates are being transmitted now."

Azkaellon's voice crackled back over the vox. "Excellent work. Hold your position and continue to observe. We will prepare for a full assault. Maintain vigilance and report any significant changes in their battle."

"Understood, Commander," the squad leader replied. The Blood Angels settled into their positions, watching the brutal conflict unfold below. They knew that soon, they would join the assault with the commander once they prepare and reach the coordinates he just sent.

Azkaellon stood at the center of the Blood Angels' temporary base.

Around him, the Blood Angels assembled, their expressions grim but resolute. The dense jungle canopy overhead provided scant shade, and the air was thick with the scent of alien flora and the ever-present tang of blood and gunpowder.

"Brothers," Azkaellon began, his voice carrying over the gathered Astartes, "we face a foe unlike any other. The Orks are relentless, their numbers vast. But now, we know they battle another enemy—the Tyranids. These xenos horrors will consume everything in their path if left unchecked. We cannot allow this. We will strike while they are engaged, weaken both sides, and cleanse this world of their filth."

The Blood Angels listened in silence, their eyes fixed on their commander. Among them, Thaddeus stood with his brothers, his heart pounding. "Tyranids, we don't even know what types are we fighting", Thaddeus thought while clenching his jaw.

Azkaellon continued, "Prepare yourselves. Arm your weapons, check your gear, and remember the teachings of Sanguinius. We are the Emperor's wrath, the angels of death. No foe can stand against our fury!."

The Blood Angels dispersed to make their final preparations. Thaddeus and his squad checked their bolters and chainswords, ensuring they were ready for the brutal combat ahead.

The camp buzzed with activity as servitors and Chapter serfs assisted in the preparations, the air filled with the sounds of weapons being loaded and armor being secured.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Azkaellon called the Blood Angels together once more.

"Before we march into battle, let us offer a prayer to the Primarch and the Emperor," he said, his voice steady and reverent.

The Blood Angels knelt, their heads bowed in unison.

Azkaellon raised his hands and began to chant, "By the blood of Sanguinius, by the light of the Emperor, we stand united. We are His sword and His shield, the harbingers of His will. Let our fury be unleashed upon the enemies of mankind, and may our brothers who have fallen find peace in the Emperor's embrace. For the Emperor and for Sanguinius, we fight, we conquer, we prevail."

Thaddeus felt the power of the prayer resonate within him, filling him with renewed strength and resolve. As the chant ended, a deep, resonant sound echoed through the base.

The Blood Angels turned to see a massive figure emerging from the camp—a Dreadnought, its formidable frame towering over them.Thaddeus's heart swelled with pride and sorrow as he recognized the Dreadnought's markings.

It was Sergeant Kael, now interred within the ancient war machine. Despite the agony that came with such an existence, Kael had chosen to continue fighting alongside his brothers.

The sight of Sergeant Kael, willing to endure unimaginable pain to fight beside them.

Thaddeus couldn't help but glance once more at Sergeant Kael, now interred within the ancient war machine known as a Dreadnought.

To the uninitiated, a Dreadnought might appear as a mere towering, armored walker, bristling with weapons and formidable in its design. However, to the Astartes, a Dreadnought was much more than that—it was a revered symbol of their Chapter's honor and legacy.

A Dreadnought is not simply a vehicle; it is a tomb for a mortally wounded Space Marine whose mind and spirit remain strong. When a Space Marine suffers injuries too severe for even their genetically enhanced bodies to heal, and yet their wisdom, experience, and will are too valuable to lose, they are given the honor of becoming a Dreadnought.

This process is both a blessing and a curse, offering a form of immortality at the cost of unimaginable pain and confinement.The ritual to inter a fallen brother into a Dreadnought is a solemn and sacred ceremony. It involves the Sanguinary Priests and Techmarines of the Chapter, who work together to preserve the Marine's life and bond their consciousness with the Dreadnought's systems.

The sarcophagus that houses the Marine is embedded deep within the Dreadnought's core, connected to its machine spirit. This allows the Marine to control the massive form, wielding its devastating weaponry and enduring the hardships of battle with newfound strength.

For Sergeant Kael, the transformation into a Dreadnought meant eternal vigilance and service to the Emperor and Sanguinius. Despite the agony that came with each breath and movement, Kael's resolve remained unbroken.

The sight of Kael, willing to endure such torment to fight alongside them, steeled the Blood Angels' resolve. They stood taller, their determination fortified by the knowledge that even in death, their brothers would continue to fight. This was the legacy of the Blood Angels—a legacy of honor, sacrifice, and unyielding strength.

Azkaellon nodded with respect. "Prepare for departure. We move out at dawn." As the Blood Angels finished their final preparations, the first light of dawn began to break through the jungle canopy. The time for battle had come.

They were prepared for departure, the final touches on their gear and weaponry taking up the precious moments before dawn.

As the first light began to pierce through the jungle canopy, Azkaellon turned to the squad leader of the reconnaissance team.

"Squad leader, report. How is the battle progressing?" Azkaellon's voice was calm yet commanding.

The squad leader's voice crackled through the vox-caster. "Commander, the Orks and Tyranids are still locked in fierce combat. The Orks seem to be getting pushed back slightly, but they are relentless. The Tyranids continue to press their advantage."

Suddenly, the transmission was interrupted by a series of frantic shouts and the unmistakable sounds of combat. The squad leader's voice came through again, strained and urgent. "Commander, we're under attack! Lictors!"

Lictors, the deadly Tyranid assassins, were masters of stealth and close-quarters combat. Their chameleonic skin allowed them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, making them nearly invisible until they struck with lethal precision. Armed with razor-sharp claws and tendrils, they were designed to sow terror and confusion among their enemies.

The reconnaissance team fought back with all their might. The jungle echoed with the sounds of bolter fire and the screeches of the Lictors. The Blood Angels moved with the precision and fury of their gene-sire, Sanguinius, but the Lictors were relentless and merciless.

One by one, the Blood Angels fell, their crimson armor torn apart by the Lictors' savage attacks. Despite their ferocity, the team was outmatched. In the end, only two of the Blood Angels survived, their armor scarred and bloodied but their resolve unbroken.

Azkaellon didn't waste time mourning the loss of his brothers. His voice thundered, rallying his warriors. "Brothers, we advance now! To the coordinates! Focus on the Tervigons and be wary of the Lictors. We cannot afford to falter!"

The Tervigons, massive Tyranid creatures capable of spawning endless swarms of Termagants, were a primary target. Their destruction would cripple the Tyranid's ability to reinforce their numbers, turning the tide of battle.

The Termagants are the most common and numerous Tyranids. They are small, fast, and typically armed with fleshborers or devourers, which are bio-weapons that shoot parasitic beetles or other organic projectiles.

With a roar of defiance, the Blood Angels began their march towards the coordinates. The jungle seemed to close in around them, the oppressive heat and thick foliage adding to the tension. But the Blood Angels moved with purpose, their crimson armor shining like beacons of hope amidst the dark, twisted landscape.

Thaddeus marched alongside his brothers, his mind focused on the battle ahead. He could feel the anticipation building, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The weight of his chainsword and bolter was a comforting reminder of his duty and his purpose.

As they neared the coordinates, the sounds of battle grew louder. The clash of metal, the roar of Orks, and the unearthly screeches of Tyranids filled the air. The Blood Angels knew that the coming fight would be one of the hardest they had ever faced, but they were ready. With Azkaellon leading them and Sergeant Kael in his Dreadnought form inspiring them, they would fight with every ounce of strength and fury they possesed.