Chapter Master Inazuma of the Emperors Shadows presided over the war council. All were gathered. Captains of the Emperors Shadows 1st and 3rd through 7th, Captains Kiln and Honas of the Sons of Medusa, and Carvex of the Charcadons along with Admiral Kalkim and Commander Vistrowski.

Things looked grim for the defenders. The Moons of Tannacus held by the heathen Tau with augur reports showing them staging for further attack. Another Hive Fleet inboud after holding them off at Yuion, and new reports of the treacherous Eldar attacking Dependence and a Life Eater warhead removed from its stasis cell.

Inazuma addressed them. "With the Tyranids being the most imminent threat a Vanguard Fleet will have to go furth and harass the approaching bioships. Eliminate as many as you can with as few loses manageable. Make them pay for every inch of space!" " We must also be ready for the Tau, and more treachery from those that attacked Dependence.

Important defense plans were formalized and everywhere new fortifications were raised to thwart the invaders. Damaged vehicles were repaired and refitted and made their way to new firing positions. All over Kandavar was ready for war.

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 Ullsandir walked with Illithrys to the bridge of Duke Urkas's Void Cruiser Dannan Kilithikadya. Little was said between the two as they made way, but they both were thinking the same thing.

When the two finally meet with Duke Urkas again he seemed younger and stronger than before and surely cockier as a large smile cracked his flawless face. "Back so soon, my cousins"?

" You have taken the one weapon we need to destroy the devourer, what have you done with it"? Illithrys screamed at him.

"I am just turning your desires to my advantage". " I wish for you to ignite it on the planet of Kandavar and rid myself of these pesky Monkeigh that plague my domain".

Illithrys looked at Ullsandir and bowed his head. The agreement had been struck.

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Fresh reinforcements continued to flood in around the remains of Tannacus for advancement further into Imperial space. Commander O’Shasshi would not be surprised again by their gene enhanced warriors and  spent the time waiting for the rest of the fleet training and making preparations for war based on the tactics learned at Tannacus.

The Greater Good would triumph at all costs.

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The Brotherhood of Pathosis gathered in the dark tunnels below the city of Kandavar. The time had come to show their true faith. Kandavar was breaking apart with war and the call of the Dark Master was strong.

The Host must be brought to the Temple of the Emperor Ascended and the sacrifice made.

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Inazuma watched the sky from the central observation platform at the governors palace. To the southern side of planet as clouds coalesced and formed a wall that pushed in towards the city. Lighning split the sky illuminating the hive ships through the cloud cover, and the sky began to rain flesh and bone. The fleet had did everything it could to prevent as much of the Hive fleet making planet fall and he knew that they were still up there fighting off as much as possible.

Reports were coming in that the Tau had made contact with the outer defenses orbiting the northern side of the planet and knew they would be soon making planet fall as well. He wondered how in their ignorance to expand  their territory and remove the Imperium that they missed seeing the threat of the Tyranids looming so close.

 Sightings of the Eldar forming in the Hab-blocks to the east of the capital were also coming through. Whether or not they came with plans of using the Life Eater warhead taken from Dependence was still unclear, but he planned to find out.

Other reports of zealots coming before the Temple of the Emperors Ascended in the west preaching
about the Time of Ending were springing up everywhere and riots were starting in the streets.

Inazuma took it all in as any commander of the Emperors Elite would with a small smile on his face. This is what he was breed for and marched off to battle. There can be only war!