The Claw and the Hammer

Under new directives, Commissar Helsling has established a base of operations within abandoned imperial science facility Alpha Tau Sigmar, planet Nyx. Orders confirm that Eldar forces are not to be engaged until further notice, and as the shadows surrounding A.T.S. begin to writhe and distort with alien craft, Helsling demands reluctant control from his men. Astartes warrriors will soon be the stuff of their nightmares, should they survive this night.

At first light, Commander Lukas positions his ground forces at the outskirts of Alpha Tau Sigmar station, awaiting the aid from mobile Ultramarine force Omega before unleashing the slavering

bloodlust of his bloodclaws and Fenrisian wolf riders upon the renegade Guard forces gathered in the area. Auspex scannners suddenly begin filling with blips from both flanks of the entrenched guard, heat signatures and velocity lead lukas to believe there may be Eldar cunning behind the betrayal occuring on Nyx. With the advantage of speed giving way to the opponent, Lukas snarls and howls, revealing his charismatic smirk, knowing that his moniker, "The Trickster" may just prove too accurate this day.

Centuries of survival on Comorragh has trained the Succubus wych coven to see through the thickest gloom, proven so as an opening beam of darklight tears into a newly arrived transport rhino sending Ultramarine reinforcements into cover. Seconds later, fire flashes in the sky as a drop pod screams into retro-thrust, hatches blowing out with a hiss while flames erupt from a 12 foot tall armoured legend, laying waste to guardsmen by the dozen. Screaming for order, Helsling is momentarily taken aback by the looming silhouette of an overhead Eldar Raider taking careful aim before shearing the Dreadnaught at the waist, rendering it immobile. With 1 threat removed, relief vanishes as 2 more atake its place. Wolves at the front door and Ultramarine Terminators materialising to his right, the guard know that their mission is not victory in battle but in death, wearing down the enemy with quickly diminishing lasfire for the Succubus to charge in.

Lukas watches keenly as his men are picked off by needlefire during their advance, but quickly seizes his chance for glory as the vanity of the Succubus wych places her within reach. Crouching menacingly, she accepts his laughing challenge. Staying her hand momentarily, Lukas adeptly prepares a stasis transport, and as the Succubus' blade nears his throat, the deadman's switch is released, exiling them both in a blink. Without their leader, the wyches are quickly over run, combat drugs no longer granting a sense of wreckless abandon as they are cut down by bursts of boltfire and throats torn open by hungry wolves.