ZarkovThough the defensive battles were harsh, they saved many lives. The bloodthirsty xenos scaled the fortifications without fear of death, but the breaching of the defensive lines gave the Guardsmen time to thin out the horde of iron dead.
Zarkov"Lord Captain, the Merov Regiment managed to push the xenos back to their lair in the ruins, but the battle for the ruins themselves was lost. Inside is teeming with clawed monsters, and they are led by a creature that can instantly regenerate others like it. However, they are no longer attempting to leave their unholy tomb... at least, not at the moment. Three strategies have now been proposed: creating an exclusion zone around the tomb, blowing up the ruins from within, or setting the Drovers on the xenos lair."
YOU"Can't we just blast the tomb from orbit?"
Zarkov"Unfortunately not, Lord Captain. The tombs are buried beneath many layers of Zarkov's root system, forming a solid shield. It will take us months at least to break through it — if that's even possible. Even if we were to succeed, the consequences for Zarkov itself remain unpredictable due to the complex system of intertwined roots. Our auspexes predict a massive collapse of the root structure."
YOU"Can't we just blast the tomb from orbit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I require more details about these plans."
Zarkov"Of course, Lord Captain. The first plan involves a small group of soldiers carrying high explosives. Their objective will be to penetrate as deep into the xenos ruins as possible, close to their energy source, and blow it up... along with themselves."
Zarkov"The second option involves utilising the Magos's findings. A small tactical team will escort the psykers deep into the tomb. Psychic echoes are what draw the Drovers. The group's chances of survival are minimal, and we do not know how effective the creatures will be against the iron dead. Or how long they will remain in the tomb before leaving."
Zarkov"The third plan involves the creation of an exclusion zone and erecting observation posts... In short, leave the xenos in the tomb alone and create a restricted area around it. With a portion of the infrastructure allocated to it and soldiers assigned to a permanent secret guard. There will be no casualties, but it will require a high level of secrecy, so the human and material resources transferred to the 'Cage' can be considered as good as destroyed."
YOU"Can't we just blast the tomb from orbit?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I require more details about these plans."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am assembling a war council. Does my retinue have any suggestions?"
Zarkov(sequence)
Zarkov"Interest in these ruins awakened the first xenos once already. We do not know what the consequences will be if we keep delving deeper and deeper. At a minimum, we need time to identify the enemy's weaknesses and find a way to eliminate them. I recommend the creation of an isolation zone — this will limit the risk to the Koronus Expanse and give us time to study the enemy. The Holy Ordos is well versed in managing such... highly restricted areas."
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Zarkov"Lord Captain, Zarkov should already be steeped in black and red. There is no sense in increasing the saturation of those hues. The Drovers are drawn to warp energies. If that hypothesis holds — we could create a permanent warp lure inside the tomb, and then the Drovers would simply never leave."
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YOU"We shall use good old-fashioned explosives. They have never failed Humanity."
ZarkovThe squad sent on the suicide mission managed to get through under cover of fire from the 32nd Regiment. Before the walls of the xenotomb finally blocked the signal, one last vox-message came through, and in it was a distortion of the ancient motto: "Atonement for the many." Long, tense hours followed — and no one knew what fate had befallen the soldiers.
ZarkovAnd then, for the first time in centuries, the deepest levels of Zarkov's root system were flooded with light. The explosion ripped apart the tomb from the inside, blasting many of the roots to pieces and setting still more ablaze.
ZarkovIn the end, the xenos pyramid came tumbling down, strangled by burning roots. Only then did its colossal scale become known. Humanity had won this battle. The only question that remained was whether Humanity had won the war for Zarkov as well.
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ZarkovThe Drovers' appearance heralded the squad's victory, as they rushed one after another toward the tomb of the foul xenos. The sight of the creatures' growths protruding from the crevices and entrances of the ruins signalled the atonement that the few had bought for the rest.
ZarkovAnd so that cursed place became home to xenomonsters, who packed themselves into the corridors of the tomb. For the iron dead, regaining their freedom will be no easy task.
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ZarkovAnd so that cursed place became home to xenomonsters, who packed themselves into the corridors of the tomb. For the iron dead, regaining their freedom will be no easy task.
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ZarkovThose who had set off to serve on the watch were looked upon as the walking dead. Everyone knew that if the xenos attacked again, those faces would be stretched out over metal bones. And when someone shouted the Merovian motto at their departing backs, a few voices called back, "No, atonement for the many!"
ZarkovHours became days, but the xenos showed no activity. Eventually, the tomb of iron skeletons fell silent, and the sickly green lights went out. But no one disbanded the watch. The men who served in it became ghosts guarding the dead.
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ZarkovHours became days, but the xenos showed no activity. Eventually, the tomb of iron skeletons fell silent, and the sickly green lights went out. But no one disbanded the watch. The men who served in it became ghosts guarding the dead.
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YOU"Set the Drovers on the xenos? I like that plan."
ZarkovThe squad sent on the suicide mission managed to get through under cover of fire from the 32nd Regiment. Before the walls of the xenotomb finally blocked the signal, one last vox-message came through, and in it was a distortion of the ancient motto: "Atonement for the many." Long, tense hours followed — and no one knew what fate had befallen the soldiers.continues where this line first appears above
ZarkovThose who had set off to serve on the watch were looked upon as the walking dead. Everyone knew that if the xenos attacked again, those faces would be stretched out over metal bones. And when someone shouted the Merovian motto at their departing backs, a few voices called back, "No, atonement for the many!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lady Cassia, we will turn your knowledge against the iron xenos."
Zarkov"As you command, Lord Captain. I will share with your troops the knowledge that only the Navis Nobilite can achieve."
ZarkovThe squad sent on the suicide mission managed to get through under cover of fire from the 32nd Regiment. Before the walls of the xenotomb finally blocked the signal, one last vox-message came through, and in it was a distortion of the ancient motto: "Atonement for the many." Long, tense hours followed — and no one knew what fate had befallen the soldiers.continues where this line first appears above
ZarkovThose who had set off to serve on the watch were looked upon as the walking dead. Everyone knew that if the xenos attacked again, those faces would be stretched out over metal bones. And when someone shouted the Merovian motto at their departing backs, a few voices called back, "No, atonement for the many!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not wish to be hasty. We shall create an exclusion zone around the xenos' lair."
ZarkovThe squad sent on the suicide mission managed to get through under cover of fire from the 32nd Regiment. Before the walls of the xenotomb finally blocked the signal, one last vox-message came through, and in it was a distortion of the ancient motto: "Atonement for the many." Long, tense hours followed — and no one knew what fate had befallen the soldiers.continues where this line first appears above
ZarkovThose who had set off to serve on the watch were looked upon as the walking dead. Everyone knew that if the xenos attacked again, those faces would be stretched out over metal bones. And when someone shouted the Merovian motto at their departing backs, a few voices called back, "No, atonement for the many!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Interrogator van Calox, share your experience in the creation of isolation zones."
Zarkov"Without delay, Your Lordship/Ladyship. I will discuss the fate of the watch with you another time, but you may consider this a major step toward strengthening relations with the Inquisition."
ZarkovThe squad sent on the suicide mission managed to get through under cover of fire from the 32nd Regiment. Before the walls of the xenotomb finally blocked the signal, one last vox-message came through, and in it was a distortion of the ancient motto: "Atonement for the many." Long, tense hours followed — and no one knew what fate had befallen the soldiers.continues where this line first appears above
ZarkovThose who had set off to serve on the watch were looked upon as the walking dead. Everyone knew that if the xenos attacked again, those faces would be stretched out over metal bones. And when someone shouted the Merovian motto at their departing backs, a few voices called back, "No, atonement for the many!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am assembling a war council. Does my retinue have any suggestions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We shall use good old-fashioned explosives. They have never failed Humanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Set the Drovers on the xenos? I like that plan."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lady Cassia, we will turn your knowledge against the iron xenos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not wish to be hasty. We shall create an exclusion zone around the xenos' lair."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Interrogator van Calox, share your experience in the creation of isolation zones."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I require more details about these plans."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am assembling a war council. Does my retinue have any suggestions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We shall use good old-fashioned explosives. They have never failed Humanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Set the Drovers on the xenos? I like that plan."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lady Cassia, we will turn your knowledge against the iron xenos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not wish to be hasty. We shall create an exclusion zone around the xenos' lair."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Interrogator van Calox, share your experience in the creation of isolation zones."continues where this line first appears above
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ZarkovXenos may not know fatigue, but nor do they know the world they seek to conquer. The Merovians kept their distance, luring the enemy onto fragile roots and using the planet itself as a weapon. These creatures may have once ruled the planet — but its new masters have proved that those times are long gone.
Zarkov"Lord Captain, the Merov Regiment managed to push the xenos back to their lair in the ruins, but the battle for the ruins themselves was lost. Inside is teeming with clawed monsters, and they are led by a creature that can instantly regenerate others like it. However, they are no longer attempting to leave their unholy tomb... at least, not at the moment. Three strategies have now been proposed: creating an exclusion zone around the tomb, blowing up the ruins from within, or setting the Drovers on the xenos lair."continues where this line first appears above
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ZarkovThe Merovians had long waited for this chance — to finally avenge those who died in the Cage in the first attack of the clawed xenos. Filled with a thirst for vengeance, equipped with weapons and armour provided by the von Valancius dynasty, they unleashed all of His wrath upon the enemy. Truly, they became a living reminder of why the Astra Militarum is known as the hammer of the Emperor.
Zarkov"Lord Captain, the Merov Regiment managed to push the xenos back to their lair in the ruins, but the battle for the ruins themselves was lost. Inside is teeming with clawed monsters, and they are led by a creature that can instantly regenerate others like it. However, they are no longer attempting to leave their unholy tomb... at least, not at the moment. Three strategies have now been proposed: creating an exclusion zone around the tomb, blowing up the ruins from within, or setting the Drovers on the xenos lair."continues where this line first appears above
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ZarkovThe fury of the 32nd Merov Regiment clashed with the xenos' merciless bloodlust. Gunfire and cries of pain echoed all across Zarkov, travelling through the root system of the world. Hundreds and thousands of soldiers will never be found, and their names will be carved into the roots around the settlements. And still, the wounded, devastated Merovians overpowered the enemy.
Zarkov"Lord Captain, the Merov Regiment managed to push the xenos back to their lair in the ruins, but the battle for the ruins themselves was lost. Inside is teeming with clawed monsters, and they are led by a creature that can instantly regenerate others like it. However, they are no longer attempting to leave their unholy tomb... at least, not at the moment. Three strategies have now been proposed: creating an exclusion zone around the tomb, blowing up the ruins from within, or setting the Drovers on the xenos lair."continues where this line first appears above
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ZarkovIron skeletons do not know fatigue, and the usual tactics for wearing down one's opponent failed. Many Zarkovians ended their attacks pierced by xenos claws or stretched over metal ribs. The Merov Regiment paid a heavy, bloody price for victory.
Zarkov"Lord Captain, the Merov Regiment managed to push the xenos back to their lair in the ruins, but the battle for the ruins themselves was lost. Inside is teeming with clawed monsters, and they are led by a creature that can instantly regenerate others like it. However, they are no longer attempting to leave their unholy tomb... at least, not at the moment. Three strategies have now been proposed: creating an exclusion zone around the tomb, blowing up the ruins from within, or setting the Drovers on the xenos lair."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 11
ZarkovThe settlements' fortifications were designed for flora and fauna, and although the Merovians had learned their lesson after the iron xenos' first attack, there was no time to completely rebuild Zarkov's defences. Nevertheless, the enemy was driven back, despite the fact that the Cage and the other human settlements now resembled a slaughterhouse.
Zarkov"Lord Captain, the Merov Regiment managed to push the xenos back to their lair in the ruins, but the battle for the ruins themselves was lost. Inside is teeming with clawed monsters, and they are led by a creature that can instantly regenerate others like it. However, they are no longer attempting to leave their unholy tomb... at least, not at the moment. Three strategies have now been proposed: creating an exclusion zone around the tomb, blowing up the ruins from within, or setting the Drovers on the xenos lair."continues where this line first appears above
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Entry point 10 of 11
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Entry point 11 of 11
Zarkov"Your Lordship/Ladyship, Your Lordship/Ladyship! Disaster! Zarkov has again been overwhelmed by metal xenos draped in flesh. And this time there are more of them. Reports say their old lair, those ruins, are glowing with a strange green light... It's a full-scale invasion, Lord Captain."
YOU"I order the Merovians to retreat to the fortified settlements and hold the line, then counter-attack at the first opportunity."
YOU"The Merovians should utilise their mobility, knowledge of Zarkov, and the environmental conditions. They must divide the enemy and destroy them in small groups."
YOU"Have the 32nd Regiment move into a full-scale attack on the enemy at the earliest opportunity. It is time to put an end to this xenoscourge."
Zarkov(sequence)
Zarkov"Thanks to the mobile teams you ordered, the Zarkovian scouts managed to spot them in time and the settlements had advance warning, God-Emperor save them all."
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Zarkov"The settlement fortifications erected during the Drovers' frenzy have performed well again, Lord Captain, so the Merov Regiment has saved a significant number of lives and bought themselves time."
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Zarkov"Reports say that many of the metal xenos adorned with flesh show signs of terrible damage. It seems other xenos have given them a serious beating."