<strong><span class="bbc_u">Space Marines</span></strong><br/><br/>The strike cruiser flew fast and hard, roaring ahead of the rest of the crusade fleet. As it closed with station 157 the cruiser turned hard to port, it was a fast ship and of excellent design, capable of preforming maneuvers that would leave most other Imperial ships in near ruins. Without slowing for a moment the cruiser's starboard launch doors opened and it's complement of thunderhawks launched.  Each of the heavily armed and armored troop carriers was laden with a single squad of battle ready space marines. A burst of machine code broadcast by the lead thunderhawk overrode the locking orders that the facilities docking doors had been given and the thunderhawks were able to fly right in. The docking door closing shut behind them and the airlock doors opening. The thunderhawk formation flew through the large doors and found itself inside the dome. The atmosphere inside the dome allowing sound to once again travel, the roar of the craft's engines reverberated throughout the enclosed settlement as the craft angled towards their objective.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Below, on the ground Warlock Aun'el looked up at the sky, he and the guardians by his side had just finished destroying the last of the Mon-Kegh's lobotomized slaves. The final guardians between them and their objective. The entire attack and cleansing of the Mon-Kegh's base had been swift and perfect. Not a single drop of Eldar blood had been spilled. As his eyes scanned the skyline he was able to make out the formation of Mon-Kegh attack craft, and a moment later he was able to see the small devices flying just below them...and angling directly towards his position. They were explosives and there were only scant seconds before they impacted!! "Honored Warlock, we must flee!"<br/><br/>"There is no time" he responded. Closing his eyes to his coming end.<br/><br/>Before his eyes had even fully shut the explosives launched from the lead thunderhawk had activated, each bomb bursting in midair and releasing a fine mist of highly explosive vapor. Which was ignited a second later, creating a massive shock wave directed right at the target area.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><br/>As soon as the concussive force of the explosion passed by their craft Brother-Sargent Amadeus was up and moving to the thunderhawk's rear hatch control panel. He quickly slammed his palm on the release switch, their craft was the first in the formation, they were the assault marines. And there was no need for them to wait for the thunderhawk to land. "We strike from the skies my brothers!" he called out over the squad com-link. As soon as the hatch was open enough Brother Amadeus was out of the thrunderhawk. His jump pack flaring as he began his controlled descent to the ground. His helmet's auto senses already picking up the few Eldar who were still moving at the landing zone. He was no fool and knew that these xenos represented only a small fraction of what they were truly up against.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The remaining Thunderhawks pulled around and flew in close to the ground each one touching down just for a moment as their Astarties cargo exited their holds. As soon as the last battle brother was offloaded the thunderhawks pulled away, rocketing off back in the direction they had come. Their portion of the mission was done, until the arrival of the other Imperial forces the Space Marines would be on their own.<br/><br/>Brother Sargent Rmey was the leader of 3rd Squad and was quick on his feet he knew the firepower of his tactical marines would be needed to help secure the perimeter. Looking around he was able to see that the last of the Eldar were being finished off by the assault marines of 5th Squad. Paying them no mind, confident in his battle-brothers' abilities to handle the frail xenos scum. They were in a small walled in area, to their backs sat the entrance to a tunnel which, he assumed, led into the mining facility. Ahead of them was a large gate who's doors had been blasted open. The gate was easily wide enough to fit three predator tanks through at the same time. Destroyed servitors, what few parts of them remained, and a single burned out vehicle lay strewn about the entrance to the gate. They had made a final stand here and been wiped out by the force that he and his fellow marines had crushed with contemptuous ease. "Third Squad!" he barked, "We take cover behind that  APCs (http://bgyselman.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/testudolmg.jpg) running fast and low he led his squad behind the wrecked APC. Moving into a good firing position he set up with a clear line of sight on the gate. He knew not what manner of attack the Eldar would launch but he was confident that at least some portion of it would be through the main gate.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>"Teleport beacon in place" Batiatus heard his scout sergeant say as if the man were standing directly at his side instead of not even being on the strike cruiser. "1st Squad Teleport in 3.....2.....1..." Batiatus said as soon as the last word had left his mouth he was already seeing the near blinding light that accompanied being teleported from one place to another. His helmet's auto senses dimming immediately to keep him from suffering any ill effects from the intense light. Less than a heartbeat later he was standing in the middle of the hastily prepared landing zone. His eyes scanning across the battle field. He saw that the last of the Eldar presence had been eliminated and that his squads were already moving into position to hold their location. "1st Squad" he said over his coms "we will provide the heavy reserves." with that he leveled his large, autocannon, and storm bolter in the direction of the gate. "All squads" he said now broadcasting over the sub-company band "prepare for imminent counter attack!"<br/><br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_u">Imperial Guard</span></strong><br/>Deep inside<em>The Eye of The God-Emperor</em>, General Bracker's flag ship, launch preparations were in their final stages. The troop landers were sealing their loading doors, their cargo of Armored vehicles, munitions, and massive amounts of guardsmen already loaded up and stored inside. Anyone not on the landers by now would not be making the landing with the rest of the Imperial Guard force....and would mostly likely have a very angry Commissar to answer to. The Crusade fleet was closing with station 157 at the best speed possible while still maintaining battle formation. Very soon they would be within launch range and the troop transports would be sent on their way.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><br/>The lander's interior was cramped and poorly lit. Much like every other Lander Lt. Devri had ever been inside. The guard didn't care much for comforts. All that mattered was getting the largest number of men on the ground that they possibly could. He looked around at the seats close by his, each one filled with a member of his platoon. He knew it wouldn't be long before he felt that jolt run through the ship as it lifted off, and then it would be even shorter before the doors opened and he was forced to lead his boys back into hell. Closing his eyes he began to pray softly, not wanting any of his other men to hear the pleas for protection that he spoke. Knowing that if they did they would no doubt become even more un-nerved.<br/><br/>Down the walk ways between the lander's seats walked priests and commissars each on spouting out what ever words he or she felt would motivate the men the most. Many of the priests spoke of the eternal bliss that awaited all of the emperor's warriors. While the commissars mostly spoke of the bolts, lasrounds, and plasma blasts that awaited cowards. The platoon standard bearer was sitting right beside him, the platoon's holy standard in his hands. "remember to hold it high" he told the green recruit "they need to be able to see it and follow us" the trooper nodded silently. His eyes filled with awe and fear in equal measure.<br/><br/>He was stirred from his thoughts as he felt the familiar jolt of docking clamps being released and the lander pulling up off the battleship's landing deck.....they were moving.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The Valkyrie that Alonzo was sitting in was already hovering above the deck. The loud hum and vibration of it's engines, which were grossly over powered for the size of it's air frame, shaking the entire craft as it's machine spirit called out to fly at top speed. "we're following the landers in" he voxed to his squad "We will be dropping into combat so be ready and make sure your grave-chute is reading green! I don't want to have to...."<br/><br/>His next words were cut off by the almost bestial growl of the Valkyrie's engine as it shifted from hovering to forward flight, they were obviously moving towards the battle. He and all the other Stormtroopers in the craft were pushed into their seats for a moment before the craft's inertial dampeners came online. "Like I was saying!" he shouted to be heard over the Valkyrie's engine "Grav-chutes on or you wind up being a waste of your lasgun!"<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_u">Sisters of Battle</span></strong><br/><br/>Sister Palatine grunted softly as the wind was almost knocked out of her by the force of her Valkyrie's sudden movement. Still keeping her self imposed vow of silence she looked around the cabin. Her sisters were ready and it made her proud. Even if she died today she would do so with a smile on her face. For there was no greater service than one's own sacrifice! The ship's pilot spoke to them over the vox. "Time to engagement zone is 4 minutes" the man's voice said. With a smile on her face Sister Palatine closed her eyes and ran silently through her prayers it wouldn't be long now.<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_u">Inquisition</span></strong><br/><br/>General Bracker nodded "That he did, according to the magos it is a small smooth crystal roughly the shape of an egg, it is the size of a man's fist, a translucent blue color, and located within a hidden laboratory that is within the mine complex. He has provided me with a digital map that should lead you directly to the device. The only entrance to the mine system that will lead you there is currently being secured by the Space Marines." As he said this General Bracker reached into the pocket of his uniform's coat and handed the Inquisitor a small data wafer. "Can I count on you to do me this small favor?" he asked.<br/><br/><br/>Unnoticed by the bridge's crew the final member of Inquisitor Pallas's retinue watched the discussion unfold. She had been on the bridge before Pallas had arrived and would not be leaving until he did. It was her mission to protect and aid the Inquisitor in all his actions until she was recalled and she would do so to the exclusion of all other goals. While the majority of her attention was focused on constantly scanning the room for possible threats, hidden weapons. assassins, or any of the other multitude of ways a man could die. A portion of her focus was set squarely on the landers and Valkyries flying towards the now visible mining facility. They were moving at top speed and she estimated it would be mere minutes before they reached the facility.<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_u">Eldar</span></strong><br/><br/>Without ever hearing or seeing Aun'el's death he knew what had befallen the Warlock, and without speaking he informed his superior<em>"The Mon-Kegh have landed"</em>he silently said<em>"their altered warriors now hold the entrance gate."</em>He did not sense fear, or surprise from his superior, all he sensed was calm.