Cradle of Despair by Gotthammer BETA

8/7/2019 Cradle of Despair by Gotthammer BETA

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The Cradle of Despair

An u n o f f ic ia l e x p a n s io n t o Ga m es Wo r k s h o p s Sp a c e Hu l k

By Peter Gotthammer Gorman

Miniature design by the Citadel Design team: http://www.games-workshop.com/

Map tiles, briefing page layouts and page borders by Games Workshop, used without permission.

Corridor scenery and furniture by Ainsty, supplied by Old Crow:

http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/aiproducts.htm

Additional scenery by Fenris and Armorcast, supplied by Hasslefree Miniatures:

http://hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/

All miniatures and scenery painted by the author.

All art and photography by the author, except illustrations on pages 3 & 12 :

Exorcist Grand Cruiser diagram by artist unknown, from Battle Fleet Gothic expansion To Cleansethe Stars Vessels of the Imperium by Games Workshop, used without permission.

Herbert the Genestealerby Melissa Giumelli. Hybrid Life Cycle by Paul Green, Genestealer expansion by Games Workshop, used without

permission.

Marine profile pictures taken from Fallout: Tactics by Micro Fort and published by 14 Degrees East, used

without permission

T h a n k s

Special thanks to Richard Halliwell for designing Space Hulk in the first place and everyone else in the credits

of every edition of the game. Additional thanks to Mel, Vash and Da Boyz from Da Hill for putting up with me

constantly rambling about this for the last year or so. Further special mention to Vash and Pauly for play testing

and proof reading.

This game supplement is completely unofficial and in no way endorsed by Games Workshop Limited.

Adeptus Astartes, Blood Angels, Bloodquest, Cadian, Catachan, the Chaos devices, Cityfight, the Chaos logo,

Citadel, Citadel Device, Codex, Daemonhunters, Dark Angels, Dark Eldar, 'Eavy Metal, Eldar, Eldar symbol

devices, Eye of Terror, Fire Warrior, Forge World, Games Workshop, Games Workshop logo, Genestealer,

Golden Demon, Gorkamorka, Great Unclean One, Inquisitor, the Inquisitor logo, the Inquisitor device,

Inquisitor:Conspiracies, Keeper of Secrets, Khorne, Kroot, Lord of Change, Necron, Nurgle, Ork, Ork skull

devices, Sisters of Battle, Slaanesh, Space Hulk, Space Marine, Space Marine chapters, Space Marine chapterlogos, Tau, the Tau caste designations, Tyranid, Tyrannid, Tzeentch, Ultramarines, Warhammer, Warhammer

40k Device, White Dwarf, the White Dwarf logo, and all associated marks, names, races, race insignia,

characters, vehicles, locations, units, illustrations and images from the Warhammer 40,000 universe are either

, TM and/or Copyright Games Workshop Ltd 2000-2010, variably registered in the UK and other countries

around the world. Used without permission. No challenge to their status intended. All Rights Reserved to their

respective owners.
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Contents

Page

Introduction 1

The Rainbow Warriors 2The Cradle of Despair 3

Rules Changes 6

New Units

Chaplains

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8

Techmarin 9

Captains and Lieutenan 10Genestealer Hybri 13

Hybrid Mag 14

Mission Introduction 16

I: C.A.T.S. in the Crad 18

II: Recon For 22

III: Parano 26

IV: Paved in Blo 32

V: Mind Over Matt 36

VI: Stalema 40

VII: Cold Embra 44

VIII: Backs to the W 48

IX: Power Failu 52

X: Hybrid Hu 56

XI: Momentu 60

XII: Seal the Brea 64

XIII: A-Tra 68

XIV: Kil Kil K 72

XV: Race Against Tim 76

XVI: A Light in the Darkne 80XVII: Die Standi 84

XIX: Meltdow 88

XX: This Vehicle Makes Wide Tur 92

XI: Throne of Desp 96

Epilogues 100

Design Notes 106

Hobby 108


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On the edge of human space lies a region

known as the Eastern Fringe. It is the furthest

reaches of the Imperium, located on the far

side of the galactic core to Holy Terra, and is

often lawless and subject to long periods of

isolation.

During the Age of Strife the Eastern Fringe

suffered greatly. While the western reaches of

the galaxy were quickly re-united under the

banner of The Emperor it would be many moreyears until the Imperium reached the isolated

worlds in the east.

Terrible wars had been fought, humanity

against the terrors of alien attack - man against

man in petty civil wars. But worst of all were

the unknown horrors that came from beyond

the stars, aeons old.

The breed of beast known as Genestealers had

been known for some time as an insidious

pest, but it was not until thousands of years

passed that their true nature was revealed.

Magos Biologis of the Adeptus Mechanicus

still debate if the Genestealer is originally a

creature of the Hive Fleets, or simply absorbed

into the genetic makeup as-is.

It matters little, as what previously had meant

death to a world through infection and blood

now meant death to systems and sectors at the

jaws of the Tyranid Hive Mind.

It is with this new, terrible, knowledge that the

terror of Genestealer infestation had to be

fought with a new urgency. When a brood

took deep enough root in a planets society it

would call to the Hive Mind, summoning the

world consuming fleets to feed. Costly wars

and loss of resources would be the bestoutcome.

Drifting silently for untold years in the warp

aboard Space Hulks the Genestealers could

strike anywhere at any time with little

warning.

On the Eastern Fringe the Imperial Fleet is

spread thin, battling Orks, the expanding Tau

empire and the tendrils of Kraken and

Behemoth. They have no resources to spare to

track down a possible hulk in the depths of

space.

The Hulks had to be stopped, and only the

marines of the Adeptus Astartes were able to

match the Hulks sudden appearance and face

Genestealers in the twisting corridors and

corroding passages.

This is the tale of one such action carried out

by the Space Marines of the Rainbow WarriorsChapter aboard the Hulk known as The Cradle

of Despair.

Y


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The Cradle of

Despair

The hulk known as the Cradle of Despairwas

first identified in the later part of M35. It was

originally an Exorcist Grand Cruiser,

converted to a colonial transport, that had

vanished some time in M33 near the Sabbat

Worlds under unknown circumstances.

When it re-appeared it was discovered drifting

in proximity to the world of San Leor in the

Mordant zone. A navy party boarded the

drifting vessel and discovered the reason for

its dissapearance: Genestealer infestation.

Due to the proximity to the Ultima and

Tempestus Segmentum HQs nearby forces

scrambled to intercept the vessel, including the

Sky Sentinels Chapter, but the ship dropped

back into the warp before any assault could be

made.

It was not seen again for another two thousand

years, and when it re-emerged from the warp it

was immediately set upon by the Tigers

Argent and Thunderheads Chapters.

When they boarded the twisted vessel they

discovered the previously thin ranks of

Genestealers were swollen and joined by

swarms of hybrids.

Clearly the ship had been in hiding, infecting

an unsuspecting world before picking up its

terrible cargo. The marines also discovered the

vast colonial transport bays had been refitted

into massive cryo-storage bays, holding many

more hybrids and purestrains in stasis.

The boarders succeeded in damaging many of

the ships critical systems, including its sensors

and main drives, but were forced to evacuate

when the hulk once again plunged into the

warp.

It was only the timely notice by a Thunderhead

Librarian of the suddenly shifting warp

currents that the attacking marines were not

lost along with the ship.

The Cradle of Despaircontinued to work its

way in a roughly north easterly fashion,

though it has no doubt appeared to infect many

worlds unknown to the Imperium.

The main body of the ship is still mostly intactand recognisable, and is quite small for a space

hulk. It retains some control of its movements

when in real space. These combined would

allow it to easily slip past complacent orbital

stations to infect worlds at will.

p


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There would be numerous suspected

encounters, but no confirmed contact until late

in the year 525.41 by the Rainbow Warriors

cruiser Star of Judgement.

++ Star of Judgement confirming, auspexcontact at CJG942-43. Moving to intercept and

pursue. ++

++ Vessel not responding to hail. Scan

commencing. ++

++ All units to red alert - identity of vessel

confirmed as Cradle of Despair, known

Genestealer carrier. ++

++ Dawn of Final Doom, Heart of Stone, and

Relay-6 responding. Continuing pursuit. ++

A flurry of Astropathic transmissions passed

as much information as was available from the

Librarium to the Star of Judgementon the

previous boardings. The Sky Sentinels and

Thunderheads had succeeded in shutting down

the cruisers fire control systems and destroyedthe main engines. The warp drive was

damaged, but there was no conclusive data on

whether it could be activated to make another

sudden escape.

Although the enemy vessel showed no signs of

activity they could not be sure if its sensor

arrays, previously damaged by Imperial Navy

attacks, had been repaired in the subsequent

millennia and it was well aware of their

presence, and the chitinous hordes within

would be waiting for them.

Aboard the Star of Judgement Captain Chief

Schliemann of the 1st

Company Terminator

Corps waited as patiently as he could manage.

The only responding vessels so far were a trio

of light cruisers and the six terminators from

the Heart of Stone, the Corps base on Prism.

He knew that even though the Cradle of

Despaircould be easily dealt with by raw

firepower he had to hand, his troopers must

face the horrors within. Only by claiming vital

data could they establish where the hulk had

travelled previously and where it had likely

spread its poison.

DThere were several unknowns in the equation:

the hulk was almost certainly rigged with

sensors to wake part of its monstrous crew

upon the detection of intruders, but how many

would be awoken and how quickly could

determine the course of the attack.

The state of the ship was also a mystery. They

had data from the previous assaults, but seven

thousand years had passed so there was no

telling how the interior had changed in the

intervening centuries.

With this in mind a direct torpedo assault was

out of the question, a subtler approach would

need to be taken.


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CaptSchliemann(SoJ) AnywordfromtheDawn?

ChapDeSilva(HoS) Noneasyet,lastwordwe

recievedwasthattheyweresixhoursaway.

CaptSchliemann(SoJ) Wedon'thavethetimetowait

fortheirarrival.ReadyateamanddeploytheC.A.T.s

ChapDeSilva(HoS) Yes,Captain. TheEmperorProtects.

CaptSchliemann(SoJ) TheEmperorProtects. ++Disconected++

ChapDeSilva(HoS) LieutenantHawkins.

1stLtHawkins(HoS) ++Connected++

YesChaplain?

ChapDeSilva(HoS) Outlaw,theoperationisago. WewillbringtheLightofthe

Emperortothedarkness.1stLtHawkins(HoS) Itshallbeso. Deathtothexenos.

This seemingly benign conversation would

decide the fate of entire systems. Failure to

secure the hulk would mean it would infect

countless other worlds, while success could

yield its path of contamination.

The decision was made to teleport a

techmarine and reconnaissance squad aboard

to deploy C.A.T.s, small scout robots that

could infiltrate the vessel and be safely

collected later. They would attempt to drop

them into major service ducts, giving the

robots access to the whole hulk.

++ Squad Ripper at standby. ++

++ Praise The Emperor, immortal protector ofmankind. ++

++ We follow Him into the shadows, and fear

not. ++

++ His strength is with us. ++

++ We cannot fail. ++

It was not without risk, the teleportation would

likely wake some of the genestealer from their

slumber, but hopefully less than a full scale

boarding would for greater long term gain.

Vital knowledge would be gained if

successful, such as the location of power

systems, viable docking areas and, most

importantly, the details of the cryo-storage

areas housing the foul cargo of hybrids.

Four Rainbow Warriors would pit themselves

against the entire hulk, and the course of thecampaign would be determined by their

actions.

A++ Teleport commencing. ++

++ Bring light to the darkness. ++


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Rules

Changes

T h e T i m e rThe timer is judged in a different manner in

the Cradle of Despaircampaign than in the

main rulebook. Rather than a fixed amount the

timer varies dependant on the number of

Sergeants and Officers on the board at the

beginning of the Marine players turn.

The Marine player starts with a timer of two

minutes only to complete his turn. For every

Sergeant, Librarian or Chaplain on the boardhe adds another 30 seconds. Lieutenants add

45 seconds, and Captains another minute.

For example:A Marine player with a Sergeant

and Lieutenant on the board would receive

three minutes and fifteen seconds to complete

his turn (2:00 + 0:30 + 0:45 = 3:15).

The longest a Marine player can have for their

turn is capped at four minutes. Also the

Marines only receive the bonus time if thecharacter is on the board at the start of their

turn. Should a character die during the

Marines turn (by falling down a ladder or

losing assault for example) the time bonus is

not lost until the Marines next turn.

It is recommended that the Genestealer player

reminds the Marine player at regular intervals

of the time remaining, and counts down the

last thirty seconds (laughing ominously or

maniacally is optional, but recommended).

Also stopping the timer when a rules query or

interruption occurs is advised.

The Genestealer has no time restriction as per

normal.

++ Move! Move! Move! ++

++ Four to the left! Hurry up with thatsuppression!++

Re l o a d in g

The Cradle of Despairallows for the heavy

flamer to be re-loaded mid game and uses a

slightly modified method of reloading.

Reloading the heavy flamer or assault cannon

costs 4APs or CPs as per the main rulebook.

However this is split into two separate actions

of 2APs each.

First the empty ammo canister is detached,

costing 2APs. The weapon is now unloaded.

Unloaded weapons clearly cannot fire in any

capacity.

The second part is to attach the freshammunition at a cost of 2APs. The assault

cannon follows the normal rules for being

reloaded as found in the main rulebook. The

heavy flamer gains back its six shots with no

penalties incurred.

This allows the reloading to be performed as

two actions, rather than one 4AP one.

Weapons may obviously only reload with the

correct type of reload, however if two modelshave the same type of weapon one may give

another a reload following the rules for objects

in the main rulebook (although the reload is

destroyed if the model carrying it is slain).

Example: Trooper Shukri is out of ammunition

for his flamer (and has expended his own

reload). Trooper Bodan has a full flamer and

a reload. Bodan moves to Shukri at the cost of

3APs, and being adjacent uses her last AP to

pass the flamer reload to Shukri.

F l a m e r a n d T h u n d e rh a m m e r Se l fDe s t r u c t

A flamer or thunder hammer wielding Marine

may self destruct their weapon as a last resort.

A flamer must have one shot of ammunition

remaining (and loaded into the weapon). At


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the cost of 2APs or CPs the Marine Player

may declare they are self destructing the

flamer. Remove the flamer trooper

immediately as a casualty.

A n o t e o n M a r in eE q u i p m e n t

It must be noted that players should read the

mission descriptions carefully. Whereas the 3rd

Edition standard missions use the samecharacters for ever mission the same is not true

for this campaign.

The force of the explosion is so powerful thatall models are hit as per a normal flamer hit,

but any failed kill rolls may be re-rolled. The

room is then considered on fire as if it had

been flamed normally. For instance in the 3rd

Edition missions feature

a Sergeant with a thunder hammer and a

Marine with lighting claws, but this campaign

has Marines armed with thunder hammers and

Sergeants with lightning claws. Similarly not

every Sergeant has a power sword, some have

power fists.

The thunder hammer may be self destructed at

the cost of 1AP or CP. Remove the thunder

hammer marine immediately as a casualty.

The explosion effects the whole board section,

destroying any Marine or door on a roll of 4+

and Genestealer on a 2+. If there is a model

behind a door, but on the same board section,

roll to see if the door is destroyed. If it is roll

for the model behind the door as the blast

carries past the barrier. If the door is not

destroyed the model behind the door is

unharmed.

The main rulebook has all the relevant

modifiers, just be sure to check they are added

correctly.

dThe first threw itself at him wildly, its claws

raking sparks from his storm shield as the

hammer cracked through its skull. He had no

time to pause, slaying the second with his

return stroke. The third lunged with its talons,

but Thu brought the edge of his shield down,

pinning the beasts arms to the ground before

pulping its body.

TV, weve got hostile forces inbound,

multiple blips converging on your location.

They must be held.

Roger that Command.

Thu TV Vukasan stepped forward into the

intersection of the two tunnels, the glow from

his suit lights disappearing rapidly in the

darkness.So it went, killing one after the other, the

corridor becoming slick with blood and gore.

But more came, ripping through the bulkheads,teeth bared. Stepping forward he swung

wildly, killing with every stroke.

Gauntleted fists tightened around the haft ofhis thunder hammer as auspex returns pinged

in his headset. Genestealers, at least a dozen

by the size of the blips, coming at him from

three directions. He turned awkwardly in the

confined space and shut the bulkheads to his

sides, and watched as the blips diverted their

course. He stepped backwards into a combat

stance as the rapport of the auspex quickened.

He could see them now, a glimmer of chitin

and claw flashing in the darkness.

Mission complete, pull back Trooper!

But there was no chance to escape, they were

on him, claws digging into his armour, teeth

clamped on his shield arm, holding it down.

Thu smiled as he swung his hammer one last

time, and his world exploded in white fire.


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NEW UNITS

T h e Ch a p l a in

Chaplains are a vital part of every space

marine Chapter, and this is no different in the

Rainbow Warriors.

They function as inspirational leaders and

moral guides to the other troopers. A Chaplain

must be steadfast and resolute where others,

even a Space Marine, would falter. They hold

fast a faith in the Emperors great plan for

them to cleanse the galaxy of the impure

mutant, the tainted heretic and the hated xenos.

This is no different (and perhaps even more

vital) when the Terminator Corps goes to war

on the eve of battle each trooper meditates

on their duty to the Emperor, and many seek

out their Chaplains for guidance. It is no little

burden; to be tasked with the spiritual strength

of the Chapters greatest warriors, but the

blood of the Emperor flows in each marines

veins and gives them strength.

The Chaplains of the Rainbow Warriors tend

to be less outwardly zealous and bombastic

than many of their brethren. This is mostly due

to their different interpretation of the Emperor:

He is viewed within the chapter as a mortal

man, the perfect culmination of humanity.

They see themselves as his inheritors, the last

true guardians of humanity and the Emperors

will.

In the example of His great duty and sacrifice

they guide the troopers of the chapter to

emulate His greatness in mind and body and

Chaplains embody this belief totally.

When at rest Chaplains are teachers and

scholars, but when called to battle can always

be found where the fighting is fiercest - their

crozius and storm bolter in hand, bringing the

light of the Emperor to the unworthy.

Ch a p l a in s in g a m e s

Chaplains are equipped with a storm bolter,

Crozius Arcanum and Rosarius. The Chaplain

is also a fierce fighter, so rolls one die and

adds +1 to their score in assault, regardless offacing.

Chaplain DeSilva aboard the Shadow of Hate

Th e Cr o z iu s Ar c a n u m

The Crozius Arcanum is the Chaplains

symbol of office and authority. It is also a

powerful weapon, destroying armour and flesh

with ease.

It follows the same rules as the Power Sword,

found in the main rulebook.

T h e Ro s a r iu s

The powerful force field of the Rosarius

protects the wearer from great harm, whatever

the source.

When attacked count the die roll as one lower

than it actually is (though never lower than 1).

For example a genestealer rolls 5, 4 & 1 while

the Chaplain rolls a 4+1 a 5. Normally this

would be a draw, but the Genestealers score is

modified to 4, 3 & 1, so the Chaplain wins.

When facing the Broodlord the scores are

modified before being added together.


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T h e T e c h m a r in e

Techmarines are an everyday part of life

within a Chapter they maintain weapons,

armour and equipment, as well as tending to

vehicles and Dreadnoughts.

But first and foremost they are warriors. When

the Terminator Corps boards a hulk its more

technically minded brethren don their armour

and step into the boarding torpedoes.

It is not only to provide logistical support, but

vital tactical assets such as specialist

equipment and skills. Many times a stranded

squad has been rescued by the timely

reactivation of an ancient elevator shaft or

deactivation of old security systems.

T e c h m a r in e s in Ga m e s

A Techmarine is equipped with a storm bolter

and either an Auspex or Photon Launcher.

They roll a single unmodified die in assault.

T h e A u s p e x

The Auspex is a powerful scanning deviceincorporated into a Power Fist, so follows the

standard rules for that weapon as well as those

listed below.

If there is a Techmarine equipped with a

scanner the marine player can scan one blip for

a cost of one AP or CP. There is no distance

measurement or LOS required though only one

blip may be scanned per Techmarine per turn.

When a blip is scanned it is immediately

turned over, revealing its value, then turned

face down once again.

This is not a conversion, though if the

Broodlord is available and a 3 is revealed theGenestealer player can elect to place it as an

involuntary conversion.

Th e Ph o t o n L a u nc h e r

The Photon Launcher is a short range grenade

launcher, firing illuminating shells. It is

incorporated into a Chainfist, so follows the

standard rules for that weapon as well as those

listed below.

The Photon Launcher is fired in the same

manner as the Heavy Flamer (targeting a board

section rather than a model), with a range of

12 squares at the cost of 1AP. This cannot be

combined with a movement action.

Any model in the affected section must roll to

see if it is blinded. Each model, friend of foe,

must roll a D6 Marines are blinded on a 5+,Genestealers on a 3+. The effect is blocked by

closed doors, but not other models.

Blinded models loose half their APs in their

next turn, though CPs can be used by blinded

marines as normal. Additionally a targeted

Marine automatically looses Overwatch or

Guard, regardless of if he was blinded or not.


14/87

Ca p t a in s a n dL ie u t e n a n t s

L ie u t e n a n t s in g a me s

Lieutenants are equipped with a Storm Bolter,

Power Sword or Power Fist and an Iron Halo.

They also have the Commander ability. In

assault the Lieutenant rolls one die and adds+1 to their result when fighting to their front.

The Terminator Corps is lead by several

Captains and Lieutenants. Each is not only a

masterful warrior but a superb tactician andinspirational leader.

Ir o n Ha l oA Captain seldom takes directly to the field,

instead staying in the rear to co-ordinate the

attack and defence of all the squads in battle.

They provide vital guidance to the squad

leaders and feed them tactical data from every

available source.

The Iron Halo is a symbol of authority and

leadership. It is also a potent energy shield,

protecting the wearer from harm. It follows the

same rules as the Chaplains Rosarius, found

previously.

But when they do take to the field of battle

their enemies tremble as one of the most

accomplished warriors of mankind has come

to face them. Seldom do many opponents

stand against a Terminator Captain.

C o m m a n d e r

Lieutenants are some of the greatest tactical

minds in the Chapter. To represent this when a

Lieutenant is on the board the marine player

may re-draw the Command Point token in the

same manner as for a Sergeant. The re-draw

may only be done once, regardless of the

presence of a second Lieutenant or a Sergeant.

Additionally the Lieutenant gives the marine

player one extra CP per turn, meaning theywill have from 2-7 CPs. If the Lieutenant is

killed this CP is not lost until the Mission

Status phase.

Lieutenant Hawkins engaging the enemy.

Ca p t a in s in Ga m e sSecond to the Captain are the CompanysLieutenants, themselves great leaders and

warriors in their own right. Within the

Rainbow Warriors Terminator Corps they are

the elite of close quarters fighters drawn fromthe best the Chapter has to offer. Each has

years of combat experience and has excelled in

environments such as mines, star ship interiors

and hive cities.

Captains are equipped with a Storm Bolter,

Power Sword and an Iron Halo. They also

have the Supreme Commander ability. Inassault the Captain rolls one die and adds +2 to

their result when fighting to their front.

Su p r e m e Co m m a n d e r

Many are drawn from hives themselves, or are

simply the most vicious individuals up close

and personal the Chapter has to offer.

Regardless of the source each has an affinity

with dark, restrictive, unknown battlefields the battlegrounds of the Terminator Corps.

This is the same as the Lieutenants

Commander ability, but gives +2 CPs per turn.

The two abilities do not stack however, so

there is a maximum of 8 CPs available per

turn. If the Captain is killed and there is also a

Lieutenant on the board the marine player stillgains +1 CP per turn.


15/87

Company Sergeant Gunnvarr Gunner Yadiz


16/87

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17/87

Ge n e s t e a l e r Hy b r id sa n d Br o o d Br o t h e r s

The most dangerous facet of Genestealer

infestation is that after several generations pass

it becomes impossible to easily distinguish theinfected from normal humans. Once the taint

has spread further than a few hosts the

Genestealer clan will include not only the

hybrid creatures but their enthralled human

kin.

Ge n e s t e a l e r L if e Cy c l e

When a purestrain Genestealer infects a human

host it alters the victims DNA and imposes

what Ordo Xenos Inquisitors believe to be aform of psychic dominance over the host. This

induces an intense desire to reproduce in the

host, an act that passes the infection on to all

they come in contact with.

When the child is born it will be a deformed

monster, part human, part Genestealer. Most

will have the distinctive elongated heads,

hunched posture, plates of bony carapace and

extra clawed arms. The parents will not notice

this and will instinctively hide the child away.

This child has the same infective properties as

the purestrain creature, although their children

will be more human only one additional

limb, a more human appearance overall but

still clearly bestial.

The next generation will be able to move in

open society, with a more upright gait, no (or

only vestigial) extra limbs and a more humanmentality. Thankfully this third generation is

often sterile, and still clearly abhorrent to look

at when examined closely.

It is the fourth generation that signals the

doom of an infected planet. These hybrids

appear almost normal, but are frequently tall

and heavily built with a piercing gaze.

Extremely charismatic (likely through subtle

psychic manipulation) they worm their way

into positions of power, posing as politicians,

merchants and religious leaders.

When a fourth generation hybrid breeds (in the

normal human manner) it will spawn either

tainted humans, a hybrid form or even a

purestrain Genestealer. With more purestrains

being born the cancer will spread faster and be

impossible to cut out.

Th e Ex t e n d ed F am il y

It is not only the Hybrids that present a grave

threat to mankind, but the infected hosts and

their kin.

It is often the case that once infected a human

will only produce one hybrid offspring, the

rest being normal humans. Other cases have

been noted where the infected produce many

hybrids.

Either way any non-hybrid children will be

born into the Genestealers family, and will

share the same psychic bond with their mutant

siblings as their parents. These Brood Brothers

go on to infiltrate the military and government

of the planet, leaving it ripe for conquering.

The brood often masquerades as a harmless

cult shunning excess by living a life of

isolation and wearing all concealing robes.The simple message is often about piety to


18/87

elders and revering children. This draws in the

unwary to become new hosts, whilst

maintaining an air of legitimacy to avoid the

prying eyes of Imperial authorities.

T h e M a g u s

The head of this cult is initially the first human

infected under the control of the purestrain

(known as the Patriarch in this case).

However once a fourth generation hybrid is

born they take the reins as the Magus.

Intensely charismatic and almost always

powerfully psychic they can easily dominate

those around them.

The rise of a Magus will swell the numbers ofthe brood exponentially, and destroying the

threat may prove impossible by this point,

leaving exterminatus the only option.

mHy b r id s in Ga m e s

Hybrids are seldom encountered on Hulks, but

occasionally they will be found outside the

confines of cyro-stasis. This is often the

precursor to an invasion as the more human

appearance allows for easier integration into a

unsuspecting society.

Hy b r id s a n d Br o o d Br o t h e r s

Hybrids and Brood Brothers are treated as

being the same unit for game purposes. They

enter play as blips and are revealed as normal,

though there will be special rules associated

with this found in the mission description.

Each Hybrid has 6APs and moves in the same

manner as a Genestealer.

In assault the Hybrid rolls a single dice, but

subtracts 2 from the result as they are nowhere

near as powerful as a purestrain. Any result

less than 1 is treated as a 1, so the combat

always has a chance to tie.

Example:A Hybrid assaults a Marine armed

with a power fist. The Hybrid rolling 1D6-2

comes up with a 1 and subtracts 2 for a total

of -1. This is treated as being a 1 however.

Fortunately the Marine, clearly overconfident,

also rolls a 1 and the combat is a tie.

When shooting at a hybrid the Marines dicerolls are treated as being the same as for

normal Genestealers. Hybrids are more agile

and smaller targets so any gain in killing

power is balanced out by their being harder to

hit accurately.

Even though many hybrids may be modelled

carrying weapons they are considered either

non-functioning or not powerful enough to

have any hope of injuring a Space Marine in

terminator armour.

Author Note:I decided against armed hybrids

as it would make things far too complicated

and slow the game down. This is the same

reason Hybrids use Genestealer move points

and damage rolls.

T h e M a g u s

The magus follows all the rules for Hybrids

given previously, but also has access to

psychic powers.

The Magus may only use psychic powers

when on the board, not as a blip. Also by

virtue of being a powerful psyker the Magus is

immune to the Psychic Storm power.

The Magus has 15 Psi Points per game, to

spend on the following powers:


19/87


20/87

Mission

Introduction

Firstly, to play this campaign you will need the

following miniatures:

Ge n e s t e a l e r s

Loads of Genestealers (including aBroodlord).

6-12 suitable figures to representGenestealer Hybrids.

One Hybrid Magus.

Sp a c e M a r in e s

One Captain with Storm Bolter andPower Sword

One Lieutenant with Storm Bolter andPower Fist

One Chaplain with Storm Bolter andCrozius

One Librarian with Storm Bolter andForce Axe

One Techmarine with Storm Bolterand Auspex

One Techmarine with Storm Bolterand Photon Launcher

Two Sergeants with Storm Bolters andPower Swords

Two Sergeants with Storm Bolters andPower Fists

Two Marines with Heavy Flamers andPower Fists

Two Marines with Assault Cannonsand Power Fists

One Marine with Storm Bolters andChain Fist

One Marine with Lightning Claws One Marine with Thunder Hammer

and Storm Shield

Seven Marines with Storm Bolters andPower Fists

This represents the most you will need at any

one point. For instance there are two separate

Lightning Claw armed marines, one a Trooper

the other a Sergeant. However they are never

in the same mission together so only one

model is needed.

YFour of the final five missions use two sets of

floor tile to make their maps. Should you only

have access to one set of tiles my suggestion is

to either cut the campaign short (not ideal) or

play the mission on a similarly themed map.

For exampleMeltdown can be played on the

Power Failure map with a little modification

(in fact they represent the same part of the

hulk, so one is an expanded view of the other).

Obviously some adjustments would need to be

made to the forces involved such as the

number of Marines and the number of blips

per turn or things could get very crowded very

fast which leads into...

Ga m e Ba l a n c e

Im a busy guy - Ive created this campaign in

my spare time between working full time night

shifts. This has basically meant not a whole lot

of time for play testing. Fortunately Space

Hulk is a very forgiving game for that a

single jammed overwatch roll can spell failure

for the Marines. Similarly a good CP draw can

make the Genestealers day a bad one.

With that in mind I did attempt to keep things

as fair and challenging (for both sides), but if

you find a particular mission impossible I

wont be offended if you change things up to

keep the game balanced (or adjust to suit

miniature availability).


21/87

The MissionsT h e M is s io n T r e e

Each missions victory conditions mentions

which game to play next. This is determined

either by:

This campaign is written as a story driven one

each missions success or failure determines

the course of the campaign, and the objectiveschange with it. Genestealer Victory (purple)

Draw (white)Each mission has an introductory story, setting

the context for the game, and giving some idea

of the Marines situation.

Marine Victory (blue)As per the Space Hulk rulebook consult the

victory conditions during each end phase to

determine if they have been met. Some

missions have a draw condition similar to a

victory, but with another clarifier.

This is followed by the briefing page which

lists the forces, their deployment, the games

special rules and victory conditions.

The last page of each mission is the map page,

which is fairly self explanatory. Example:Mission III: Paranoid is a MarineVictory if they kill the Magus, but a draw if the

Magus and Librarian are killed. The game

only ends once the Magus is killed, but if the

Librarian has been killed at this point the

Marines only score a draw.H


22/87

Mis s io n I:

C.A.T.S in t h e

Cr a d l e

Captain Schliemann closed the data terminal,

exhaling slowly. Ripper Lambrinos was a

somewhat unpredictable hothead, but as a

recon leader he was unequalled. And if anyone

was going to make first contact with anunknown number of Genestealers he was

certainly the best candidate. McKenzie was a

relative newcomer to the Corps, but was an

experienced soldier and highly skilled

Techmarine.

There would soon be a battle the like of whichhad not been seen in his lifetime. A fully

infested stealer hulk like this was thankfully

rare, and rarer still the opportunity to board it.

The Captain had faced Genestealers before,

recently in the purging of Hive Girthens nine

years ago, but never on a hulk. There they had

a complete advantage the vacuum could kill

even a Marine with sudden decompression,

they could move swiftly while the Terminator

Armour would be restricted in the confined

spaces.

Most importantly they would know the

corridors inside and out, with millennia to

explore and plan ways to repel intruders. The

Marines were going in blind. Unless they

could deploy the miniature scout robots into

the long defunct ventilation system that is. The

C.A.T.s would seek out power sources and

other anomalies before reporting back. Thenthe Marines could direct their forces to where

they could do the most damage and gain the

most knowledge of the enemy.

Standing, Schliemann turned to his bondsman

attendant.

Ready my armour, we go to war.

pThe blue glow faded, in its place four heavily

armoured figures. They stood in a circle facing

outwards, weapons at the ready. White light

shone from each suit casting stark, angular

shadows on the walls. Spots hung in midair,

flecks of dust floating immobile in the airless

vacuum displaced by the Marines arrival.

No returns. Sound off voxed Ripper.

CaptSchliemann(SoJ) Ripper,thebriefingisbeing

downloadedtoyounow.

Mst.Sgt.Lambrinos(SoJ) StandardC.A.T.dropthen?

Noworries,Chief.CaptSchliemann(SoJ) Theintelligenceisvitaltothe

campaign,theC.A.T.smustbedeployedifwearetosucceedintime.

Mst.Sgt.Lambrinos(SoJ) Rogerthat,Chief.

Tk.Trp.McKenzie(SoJ) I'llkeephiminline,noheroics

fornow.

CaptSchliemann(SoJ) Good.Yougoinfifteen.AndRipper,trynottowakeup

theentirehulkthistime,ok?Mst.Sgt.Lambrinos(SoJ) Imakenopromises. ++Disconected++


23/87


24/87


25/87


26/87

M is s io n II:

Re c o n Fo r c e

++ Ram shields engaged. ++

++ Brace for impact. ++

The boarding torpedo slammed into the hull of

the Cradle of Despair, the bullet shaped prow

peeling the ancient armoured sides apart with

ease.

The five Marines within exited quickly,

weapons at the ready. Long range scanning

had shown an increase in activity since the

small, disastrous, incursion an hour ago. Four

troopers lost for zero gain. A grim air of

purpose hung over the squad as they

disembarked. If the assault on the hulk was to

be more than a bloody war of attrition the

Rainbow Warriors needed more information.

The previous attacks had yielded data on thelayout of the vessel, but that was collected so

long ago as to be highly suspect, especially

when the risks were so high.

With the loss of the C.A.T. delivery team

Captain Schliemann adopted his secondary

plan to send a squad to reach one of the

vessels data core nodes and transmit

everything they could before pulling back to

form a defensive perimeter for further assaults.

The data from the Cradles systems would not

be as reliable as that gathered by the Marines

themselves, but they would no longer be

totally blind.

p

Form up squad, advance at good pace but

watch for traps and pitfalls.

Eli Mo Moslav was one of the oldest serving

members of the Terminator Corps, and was at

the command of one of the most veteransquads. Each member was a lone survivor

from their former team and that was their

bond: they endured.

Advancing with a precision that only came

with practice and skill, they needed no words

as they performed the manoeuvres exactly as

they had hundreds of times before.

++ Distance to target 0.920. ++

++ Multiple contacts on auspex. ++

++ Our strength is pure. ++

dMoslav squeezed the trigger and half a dozen

shells spat from the storm bolters barrel in

less than a second. The Genestealer ahead of

him exploded in a shower of gore and chitin.

Advancing cautiously he checked his auspex.

It was alive with activity, the beasts coming

from every angle, but each was alone and

circling the Marines warily. Clearly they had

not realised the Adeptus Astartes had returned

to finish the job.

Ahead he saw Rolldown and Winger, the glow

of the latters heavy flamer providing a beacon

to follow.

Continue the advance. Full pace, dont give

them a chance to group up.

Roger that.

The two Marines disappeared into the

darkness, silhouetted by their suit lights. His

helmet display showed his four teammates


27/87

views, twisted piping ripped from the ceiling

exposing tangles of cables and jagged spurs

loomed into view on Rolldowns view.

Though no lethal trap on its own, the debris

could entangle a Marine, making them easy

prey.

Four coming your way, Wheels. Needles, to

the left. Overwatch!

A flare of orange light ahead signalled Winger

incinerating more of the stealers, the flames

holding the right flank of the advance as theothers passed by.

Sir, obstacle ahead. Proceed or go around?The flamer trooper fell back into line behind

Moslav, the burning junction to be covered by

Wheels as the back facing rearguard.

Tear it down Trooper, but be wary. Needles,

move up to cover on the inner corridor,

Wheels stay on rearguard.

Needles was ahead his bolter flaring brightly

as it fired. Resistance around them was fading,

but more xenos were gathering ahead, and in

greater numbers.

The Marines voxed their acknowledgements,

and Rolldown began tearing at the cables and

pipes with her powerfist. They all came loose

with ease and the way was cleared in

moments.But they were close now, there would be no

stopping them.No resistance on them, Sir, they werent

connected to anything. I think weve been set

up.

Objective in range, Sir.Agreed. All Marines, form up tight andadvance on the target, were going to have

company.Acknowledged, Trooper.

Moslav checked his ammunition one last time

before they entered the final engagement area.

Full magazine ready, he was going to need it.

++ Distance to target 0.394. ++

++ Contacts increasing, focusing their

strength. ++ Advance as youve been trained, full cover,

stick together. For the Emperor and the

Chapter.++ Weapons ready, we face death without

fear, victory without doubt. ++


28/87


29/87


30/87

Name Schliemann, Hillard AM 381

Rank Captain CK 1847

SN 120952-3 WR 7

Comp 1-0 Honours IH, CT, MC-VII, IS-VIII, IL-

VI, PS-VGSC 4241

Recruited on Prism 565341.41. First action against Ork raiders on Tarellen Sigma 738348 MC awarded. Deployed to 4-5-2 on 758348.41. Promoted to Squad Veteran on 592350.41 after Vassarian war. Battle for Junction City 231362.41. Takes command of squad 4-5 after death of Vet

Sgt Tugott and rallies defenders to victory. Loses left arm MC awarded.

232362.41 Promoted to Sergeant. Leads four year guerrilla operation Switchback against rebel logistics

981371.41 awarded IS. Seconded to 1stCompany, Recon Corps, 551377.41.

Awarded IS and MC during fighting in Hive Staturorus 871381.41. Accepted into TDATC 042382.41- Awarded Crux Terminatus aboard Tau vessel TFL-

tedhts.

Promoted to Sgt (1st Co)645390.41 after action aboard Ork hulk Justice of Death. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (1st Co) 573400.41 after defence of Kynard Shipyards . Awarded IH and Promoted to 1st Lieutenant (1st Co) 812431.41 during Gorgoth War. Commands retaking of Rassarian Manufactorums from Eldar raiders 897478.41. MC, IS,

IL awarded 199506.41 for actions during assault on Fort Ironbone.

Promoted to Captain (1st Co) 003516.41 during cleansing of Hive Girthens, Bartlet V.

Name Castonne, Ilsa AM 165

Rank Chaplain (DeSilva) CK 882SN 121249-4 WR 5

Comp 1-0 Honours CT, MC-V, IS-IV, IL-X, PS-

XIIGSC 3982

Recruited on Hope Springs 876457.41. Deployed to 5-1-1 532464.41. Awarded IL 359472.41. Promoted to Squad Veteran 5-2-2 on 421472.41. IS, IL awarded during actions on Fortress Hill, Yisen Uprising 873475.41. Inducted into Chaplainry, 5th Co 908475.41 MC, IL awarded during Dantillies Cluster Raid 412476.41 MC,IS, IL awarded after battle at Phorus Mines 129477.41. Accepted into TDATC - awarded Crux Terminatus 897478.41 during retaking of

Rassarian Manufactorums.

Promoted to Sergeant (1st Co) 241483.41 after interdiction of renegade battle bargeMuldoons Prideof the Savage Vipers Chapter.

Inducted as Chaplain DeSilva (1st Co) 657500.41 after death of previous Chaplainduring action aboard hulk Shadow of Hate.

IS, IL awarded 199506.41 after assault on Fort Ironbone. Leads counter attack against Ork raiders during The Groxian Shootout 358511.41. MC,

IS, IL awarded.

MC awarded 003516.41 during cleansing of Hive Girthens, Bartlet V.


31/87

M is s io n III:

Pa r a n o id

The grainy images filled the pict-screen: dark

corridors and twisting service ducts. The

C.A.T. was making good progress, and had

already highlighted several critical areas. But

the Marines still had no primary targets,

nothing to unleash themselves on with

purpose.

Until the last transmission that is.

Captain Schliemann waited impatiently for the

others to arrive. Lieutenant Hawkins and his

command team were already assembled in the

briefing room. They were at ease but filled

with an anxious tension. He didnt blame

them, a Genestealer Hulk was something only

encountered once every hundred years or so,

and not something taken lightly.

Hawkins was newly promoted, but there was

none more suited a hive worlder by birth, theclose confines of a Hulk were his natural

habitat. Tall and lean, the Lieutenant had a

fierce, determined manner about him. His skin

would have been a tanned olive shade had he

got more sun, but he was pallid from the time

spent in space.

Leaning over the holo-table, he examined the

data retrieved by the recon team. He was in his

ready uniform, midnight blue fatigues over his

body glove, and could be ready for battle in

fifteen minutes.

Company Sergeant Yadiz was a native of

Prism, like Schliemann. But where he came

from the equatorial peoples she was from the

southern mountains, a fierce tribe of skull

takers. She waited impassively with her hands

behind her back, no sign of emotion in her

cold eyes. Unlike her commander she only

wore fatigue pants over her body glove. Notonly did it expose her powerful physique it

revealed her augmetic arm. She had lost it

some 45 years ago against Eldar at the retaking

of the Rassarian Manufactorm, Schliemanns

first command operation.

Lastly there was Sergeant Stibbardo. Theshortest of them all he was also the stockiest.

Another hiver he was unusual that he lacked

their generally dour demeanour and was

always laughing and never seemed to take

things seriously. Schliemann knew him well,

as he did all his troops, and he was a good

team leader but he didnt know why Doc had

requested him.

The Captain couldnt help but crack a smile as

he saw Hawkins pondering something with his

hand on his chin, while Stibbardo looked over

his shoulder and stroked his moustache with

exaggerated thoughtfulness.

Finally the door to the command room entered

and the last member of the briefing arrived.

lWalking quickly down the hall the Marinepaused. He could feel the Broodmind

beginning to stir from its slumber, the ancient

intelligence rising up again and blocking out

all other thought.

Shaking away the cloud he continued and

entered the briefing room. Captain Schliemann

nodded to him, Conrad.

Captain, he nodded back.

Hawkins looked up from the data streams on

the briefing table, the green glow of the table

illuminating his face with a ghostly light.

Lore Master Neemias. His voice was deep

and flat, but the psyker could sense the faint

anxiety in the air.

The one and only Doc Morbid! Neemias felta slap on his back as Sergeant Stibbardo


32/87

greeted him exuberantly. That was what he

was counting on.

The only one who said nothing was Yadiz, but

that was her manner and he took no offence.

She was a friendly, almost boisterous personoutside of combat. But once a mission was

underway she was all business.

To business, the Lore Master said, indicating

the holo-table. The Marines gathered round as

Neemias keyed up the new data. First to

appear was a map a series of corridors and

ladders leading down to a small, isolated

room.

This is the most significant discovery theC.A.T. has made so far, Schliemann began,

and one of the most important of the

campaign.

What is it? Stibbardo asked the obvious.

Neemias changed to a pict capture taken from

the C.A.T. showing a single cryo-pod in the

darkness.

The Hybrid Magus, one of the highest

priority targets on the hulk.

Can we be sure? asked the ever practicalYadiz.

Not 100%, the psyker admitted, but there is

precedent. On the hulksDeath of Sympathy

andBlood of Unholy Fearthe Magus was

found in an almost identical manner. There are

records from half a dozen other hulks to

indicate similar situations, though we only

have fragments of those reports.

The Sergeant nodded, satisfied. Stibbardo

slapped his hands to his thighs and looked

around the table.

Well, what are we waiting for then?

G++ Teleport complete. ++

++ Zero contacts. ++

++ Moving to engagement area. ++

The squad was making good time, and so far

had encountered no signs of activity. But

Neemias couldnt shake the feeling they were

being watched. Fortunately Stibbardo was

keeping up the chatter with his squad to keep

the disquiet at bay.

I mean who names these things? he was

saying to nobody in particular. Cradle of

Despair? Spawn of Execration? Monolith of

Woe? Its defeatist if you ask me. He paused

as he descended a service ladder. They should

call them something like Wreck whats full of

guys whos asses are going to be kicked.

There was a chorus of laughter as the squad

came to a T-junction.

Ok Doc, which way? My scanners getting all

sorts of crazy feedback here.

The Lore Master paused. He had memorised

the entirety of the data stream down to the

tiniest detail. Knowing which way to turn

shouldnt be something he should need to

think about... They know were here! he

called out.

Weapons free, weapons free! Stibbardo

sprung into action. Vulture overwatch on our

tails; Diva, BMOC, pick a side; TV on point!


33/87

In an instant the marines were in a ready

position for any incoming attack. But the

scanners were still clear. Neemias exhaled

slowly and stilled his mind. No, it was a trick...

something to keep them on edge, slow them

down.

The psyker smiled under his helmet. This was

exactly why hed picked Stibbardo. The

Thunderheads Librarians had reported that

they had attempted to reach a heavily defended

location that reports indicated was the very

chamber the Rainbow Warriors were now

trying to breach. They had been forced back as

some malign force seemed to create an air of

paranoia and confusion amongst their forces.

Sergeant, the Magus is still in cryonic

suspension but his mind is reaching out to us.

We must be cautious that we do not jump at

shadows so readily. Neemias had banked on Stibbardos carefree

attitude giving him almost a shield of

ignorance. His squad was similarly ideal.The Marine turned to face him as best he

could, the dim light glinting off of his optics.

So basically be on constant alert but dont

assume everything we see is real. Even though

it could be?

TV Vukasan was dumb as a sack of rhyto-

chrys, so just killed things without thinking too

much about it. Vulture Bodan was a member

of the Field Police and her faith in the

Emperor gave her a measure of protection.

Diva Turnen and BMOC Toivo were

grunts through and through, and would follow

Stibbsy in anything he ordered. While not the

most respected team in the Corps, they were

what they needed right now.

Yes, pretty much, Neemias sighed.

Stibbardo shrugged, the bulky armour

struggling to match his movements. No

worries, Doc, just another day in the Corps.

Ooo-rah!

Ooo-rah! his squad sounded back.

power fist down, severing the creatures hand.

Vulture stepped past him roaring devotional

litanies, her flamer spewing death. Faith in

fire brother! The Emperor is with us!

BMOC roared in pain as the talons punched

through his armour into his thigh even as he

slammed his storm bolter down on thestealers head. Falling to one knee he swept his


34/87


35/87


36/87

Mis s io n IV:

Pa v e d In Bl o o d

Chaplain DeSilva reached for her Rosarius.

Picking up the heavy gold chain she lifted the

eagle shaped medallion over her head and felt

its weight around her neck.

It was heavy, designed to be worn in armour,

but the burden was a comforting one. It

reminded her of the weight they all carried,

their inescapable duty to mankind. Pulling her

long black hair from under the chain DeSilva

thought of her own duties. She longed to be in

the thick of combat again, to feel the rush of

adrenaline and the joy of seeing His enemies

crushed. But she had other, greater, duties that

came first.

The teleport chamber was large, but the ten

massive figures made it seem almost

claustrophobic. Sergeants Mostav and

Jorgensen waited with their squads, armour

sealed, weapons in hand all that was neededwas for the fire in their spirits to be lit.

They were to enter the hulk and seek out the

ships logbook. With it the Imperium would

know what planets the Cradle may have

infected with its taint over the long centuries.

Previous assaults had failed to reach it, but this

time the Emperors servants would prevail.

The Chapter would follow the hulks spoor

and destroy anything it had tainted.

Enemies of the Emperor hide in the shadows.

They fear the light He bears the light of

humanity. Go into the dark places and bear His

light aloft and with it destroy the foes of

Mankind.

The Chaplain slowly walked along the line of

Marines. Each bowed slightly as she passed

and marked their helm with a small dab of

ground crystals taken from the Chapters homeworld.

The opponents of His will and His glory are

many, they are an ancient and terrible foe

intent on your deaths. But take heart as He is

with you and His hand guides us all. Within us

we carry the blood of the great Dorn, His own

mighty son. We are of his kin and follow His

great example, he made us in his mighty image

to do His works.

The room hummed with static tension as the

teleported powered up. The great cables and

power coils that filled the room flowing with

energy.

When Death comes do not fear it as your

blood will be avenged and your name

honoured. Victory will be ours and we gladly

lay down our lives to see our duty done. Death

is our sacrifice as His is life! Ready your

spirits and look to your war gear. There is no

mercy to the alien, only destruction.

As one the Terminators turned to their right

and marched with iron hearts towards the

teleport chamber. As the first passed under its

wrought iron archway there was a flash of

light, a crack of thunder and a rush of wind.And they were gone. No sooner had the noise

faded then the second stepped through.

DeSilvas hair whipped about her as the air

churned and lightning crashed about the room.

She squinted at the brightness, her voice loud

and clear over the noise.

No retreat! No remorse! she held up her fist

in salute to the warriors as the last passed into

the burning fire. For your brothers! For the

Chapter! For the Emperor!

With a final crack the last Marine disappeared

and the light faded leaving dark splotches on

the Chaplains vision. Pausing she smiled to

herself, by now the enemies of the Emperor

would be dying.

k


37/87

Master Sergeant Grid Brick Jorgensen

continued her march through the twisting

corridors. The vox net was awash with chatter

as the aliens surged at them down side

passages and through ductwork.

Wrenching a jammed door from its mount she

passed through the narrow opening. She had

barely squeezed her massive bulk through

when a Genestealer lunged at her from a

junction, fangs bared and claws ready.

Before she could think her finger had already

tightened around the trigger of her bolter. A

short burst of shells stitched a jagged line

across the beasts chest, exploding out the

back of its carapace. The alien died messily

against a wall, leaving a streak of black gore.

Under the creatures corpse Brick saw a streak

of silver. Kicking the body aside she saw it

was the remains of a Terminator, their silver

and orange armour rent and torn. When the

Tigers Argent had to evacuate the hulk they

hadnt had time to retrieve their dead.

Retrieving the logbook was a top priority on

any assault on a hulk, and the fighting to reach

it had been a path paved in the blood of many

great warriors. Growling, she gritted her teeth

at the insult the Genestealers had given to her

Chapter cousins, leaving their battle gear to rot

in this place. The Sergeant signalled to the

second squad.

Mostav, I have found remains of one of theTigers Argent. When we withdraw I will take

him with us.

Agreed, Sergeant. We must honour the battle

gear of the dead.

Ahead she could see her second in command,

Boomer Anderson. They had been squad

mates since they were recruited, and were

Oathbound since their youth on Prism.

Sjurd, conserve your ammunition and form

up the squad, weve got some vengeance to

dish out to this xenos scum.

You got it, Grid, Boomer said with bloody

joy in her voice.

With one last look at the dead marine Brick

continued onwards. Vengeance was coming to

the Genestealers. The Cradle of Despairfirst

and then to all their kin, wherever they hid.


38/87


39/87


40/87

M is s io n V :

M in d Ov e r

M a t t e r

Contact lost, contact lost.

Which way did it go?

West and north, heading for the gangway.

I got it. Apples, Mac, cover me. Blinky hold

up here.

Vic Blinky Zelenko sighed to himself andchecked his storm bolters magazine. This was

his first mission as a full member of the

Terminator Corps and he was still feeling out

of place.

The briefings had warned them that they

would be facing the Genestealers on their

home ground, and that it would be some of the

hardest fighting in the galaxy, but it was

nothing like that. It was worse.

He had earned his Crux aboard theLord

Narmissus, a rebellious Fleet cruiser. There

had only been ten terminators leading the

attack, backed up by 5th

Company, and the

fighting had been desperate and bloody. That

was a picnic compared to this hellhole. A

never ending series of twisting corridors and

walkways that only superficially resembled theinterior of an Imperial vessel. He supposed

much of the changes had been due to the

refitting to a people carrier, but no way it all

was.

The Genestealers had been on them from the

moment they had stepped out of the boarding

torpedoes, as if they were patrolling the likely

attack points. Rolldown, of squad 3, had

supposed it was due to the xenos previous

experiences of boardings. Apples had told her

that they were mindless aliens and it was just

their bad luck.

Blinky didnt care either way as he was too

busy fighting for his life. They had been

making good progress to their objective andwere so far casualty free. He sighed again as

he thought of how the genestealer had been in

his sights but he had been too eager to kill it

and jammed his bolter.

Fortunately Sergeant Omu had been there and

it had retreated before realising how

vulnerable he was. Now he was sitting on

rearguard while the others finished off the job

he should have done himself.

The rattle of gunfire broke his thoughts

followed by voxed calls of a confirmed kill.

Blinky, form up on me at the double.

Roger that, Sergeant.

Psssht, Omu replied, her dismissal hissing

statically in his headset. Call me Kaisa.

Moslav wants to run his show by the book

thats fine, but in my squad we work as a team

to get things done.

There was a pause as Blinky struggled with a

reply.

Got it, Blinky?

Got it, Kaisa.

Good. Now lets get moving, those doorswont open themselves.

The control rooms for the hulks docking and

garbage bays were ahead, and once opened

Thunderhawks carrying the rest of the Corps

could land and set up a well defended

perimeter. Not necessarily the most glorious

entry for some, but it would have to do.

Without it they would have to rely on boarding

torpedoes, which lacking the guns of the

Thunderhawks to ward off the xenos would


41/87

put the whole assault on the back foot and in

constant danger the moment they set foot on

the hulks deck.

Pretty much what he was going through, he

sighed as he rejoined his squad.

Thinking about missing that stealer? Kaisa

addressed him over a secure link, rather than

the squad channel.

Yes, Blinky admitted reluctantly, I should

have got it.

This is your first time fighting stealers isnt

it.

It is.

Remember what you were taught in training;

learn by doing. Apply it now as you did then.

If you let yourself get overawed by this -

youll make a mistake.

The Sergeant paused for a moment as the

squad reformed to move through a junction.

Yes, I know, he relented, but I cant help

but feel like some stupid rookie tagging along

with the big kids.

You earned your Crux didnt you? They

dont just give those out with rations you

know, she said with a laugh. If there was

even a chance you were still green you

wouldnt be on my squad. So get your rear

into gear and quit moping. Weve got an

assault to spearhead.

Roger that, Kaisa.

Besides, if you really screw up youll be too

dead to worry about it, Kaisa chuckled to

herself.

Blinky didnt find that very reassuring.

K++ Approaching targets, resistance

strengthening, but we prevail . ++

++ Weapons at ready we go into the jaws of

the beast without fear. ++

Chitin and gore splattered against the wall as

the Genestealer exploded with a wet snap.

Blinky smiled to himself and slammed home a

fresh magazine as his boots crushed the aliens

corpse into the decking.

Target eliminated.

Roger that, Blinky, came the response from

Kaisa. Keep up the pressure on the right,

weve got to link up with Squad 3.

Copy that, moving up now.

Blasting open a bulkhead the Marine stepped

through, weapon ready.


42/87


43/87


44/87

Mis s io n VI:

St a l e m a t e

The Thunderhawk glided silently through the

void towards the open mouth of the docking

bay. Retro thrusters fired as the landing skids

dropped down, the assault ramp dropping to

the deck the moment the gunship came to rest.

A dozen bulky figures in midnight armour

thundered down with precise motion, fanning

out as two more gunships came to a stop

alongside the first.

++ No contacts. ++

++ Area secure. ++

Lieutenant Aubin Outlaw Hawkins marched

down to where his assault team was

marshalling. Here were gathering most of theCorps warriors, ready to push into the heart of

the enemy and deal them a mortal blow. The

situation was at a crucial junction the

marines only had the barest foothold on the

hulk, but the Genestealers were not fully

awake.

If the Marines could bloody the aliens enough

now they could regain the control of the battle,

but to lose too many would shut off too may

avenues of attack.

Around him Terminators and bondsmen alike

stared setting up a fortified perimeter.

Hawkins didnt like bringing the bondsmen

aboard, easy targets clad only in their vac-

suits, but the Marines didnt have the time or

manpower to do the work themselves.

Sergeant Yadiz was directing the men and

women hauling crates of ammunition,

scanning equipment and other sundry supplies.

Gunner, he voxed over his headset, status

report.

Aye, Sir, the Sergeant replied, her husky

voice terse through the crackling headset.

Squad Omu is setting up Tarantulas atentryways, here, here and here,

Icons flashed on his HUD showing the three

main walkways heading to the prow, starboard

and aft of the vessel.

Squad Jaffar is currently proceeding to the

landing control room above to secure it as an

avenue of attack.

The Lieutenant looked up at the room, sometwelve metres up the slab sided walls. Jutting

out with a row of angled glass windows he

could imagine a tide of chitenous beasts

hurling themselves out to get at the assault

craft.

Good work, Sergeant. Get a link up with

Jorgensen, Stibbardo and Moslav.

Aye, Sir.

Saluting the Sergeant turned, gesturing at a

bondsman to hurry then marched off to check

on progress.

Moments later his HUD flashed into life as the

three Sergeants uplinked to his suit.


45/87


46/87


47/87


48/87

M is s io n VII:

Co l d Em b r a c e

Data streamed in from dozens of sources.

More C.A.T.s had been deployed, and the

hulks data core (though damaged through

time and neglect) had yielded a goldmine of

information.

Unfortunately, much like a real mine, finding

the gold involved sifting through lots of drek.

Technical Trooper McKenzie sighed and

rubbed her eyes. They werent really tired, it

was more a habit from the boredom. Shifting

in her seat she stretched her arms out, barely

finding space in the cramped confines of the

command module. Carried under a

Thunderhawk transporter it was relatively

roomy, save for the Terminators milling

around taking up all the free space.

McKenzie had traded her armour for a more

practical midnight blue jumpsuit, a rainbow

crested field cap backwards on her head tohelp keep her raven hair from her eyes. Putting

a hand on the data terminals case she

murmured a prayer to the machines spirit,

thanking it for its hard work and reliability and

asking for its continued service. Her prayer

finished she picked up the interface cable and

connected to her wrist mounted MIU.

Schematics and manifests streamed over her

vision, records of the conversion from fighter

carrier to civilian transporter, of the materials

needed to supply each journey, and the records

of the passengers aboard. It was a sad

reminder of the fate of so many colonist who

never made their journey, and a reminder of

why the few Angels of Light must succeed

here, lest the same terrible fate befall another

world.

++ No contacts. ++

++ Area secure. ++

Comms chatter filled the air but McKenzie

tuned it out, listening instead to the music

pumping through her augmetics. It wasnt

technically against regulations, but the Chief

would certainly give her that look if he found

out. Sky Pilot would be doubly disapproving

but, as a Chaplain, that was her job. Besides,

only High Voltage would be likely to find the

files and he did hardware mostly, not the data

systems.

Leaning back the techmarine drummed the air

as the data poured over her. It wasntcomprehending the information but feeling.

She felt the machines mood as it consumed

and digested the torrent. Suddenly the feed

spiked as it devoured something new,

something different, and McKenzie sat up with

a start.

Rewind. She said the word out loud.

Unnecessary, but she was too distracted to

avoid the habit. As the pages of schematics

scrolled back across her view she was dimly

aware of the movement of bulky figures

behind her.

Calling the images up on the view screen in

front of her, she leaned in close as if her own

mind had deceived her.

Captain Schliemann!


49/87

So, in summary, its a main hub for the cryo

storage units. It looks like the two control

nodes are pretty fragile, they are basically jury

rigged after all, so destroying them shouldnt

be too hard.

Or we cut through the service tunnels, but

thats slower and likely to be blocked up.

We could do both. Split the team. Sergeant

Yadiz gestured vaguely at the map, her hand

cutting the air like a knife. Cover moreground and not get backed up on each other.The main issue is that theyre in the middle of

the biggest concentration of stealers in the

entire Hulk. Schliemann coughed again, looking over the

assembled troops.

McKenzie stepped back from the schematic

projected against the bulkhead. The assembled

officers stared at it with a mix of hatred and

consternation. Destroying the cryo-chambers

control units would kill around 60-80% of the

Purestrains, and all the Hybrids. A vital target

if ever there was one.

Well, Outlaw, its your call youll be

leading the assault.

Stibbardo cocked an eyebrow. Not coming

along for the party, Sir? Youll miss all the

fun.

Someones got to stay in tac-comms and

catch the downpour if it all goes to shit.

Sergeant Stibbardo was the first to speak.Yadiz grinned, slapping the other Sergeant on

the shoulder And this way hell be first in line

for medals when we blow it to hell and back.So, whats the plan?

Captain Schliemann paused for a moment

before replying. Chaplain DeSilva took a step forward and cast

her gaze over the assembled Marines.

Well, he coughed reflexively from a wound

he suffered to the throat many years ago,

theres not really many options we either hit

them hard down the main access corridors, but

well be wide open ourselves.

Achieving this objective will be a great

victory, even if we all die in the process.

Failure is not an option.

Stibbardo rolled his eyes and huffed.

Or? asked Lieutenant Hawkins, clearly not

enamoured with the idea of a straight run

down stealer flooded corridors.

Way to harsh my buzz, Chaplain Bring-

down.


50/87


51/87


52/87

M is s io n VII:

Ba c k s t o t h e

Wa l l

Theyre coming. Theyre in the tunnel.

++ Tarantulas A and B active. ++

++ Tracking and firing on multiple targets. ++

The dull rumble of heavy bolters echoes

through the darkened corridors. Between

staccato bursts the Marines hear the shrill cries

of the aliens.

They must be wall to wall in there. Look at

those ammo counters go.

Its a shooting gallery out there.

Tension is written of every face as the

numbers spiral ever downwards towards

empty.

B guns dry. Twenty on A.

Ten.

Five.

One last blast.

Thats it.

Theyre at the blast door.

Man, listen to that.

Hardened talons claw at the metal, just metres

away, screeching and screaming.

This is Omu, Ive got some bad news.

Well theres a switch.

Theyre in the torpedo approach corridor.

On our way.

pHalf a dozen massive shapes barrel through

twisting walkways and corridors, heavy shod

feet thundering on the grated deck.

Ahead they see their battle-brothers, ready for

the oncoming tide of alien filth.

Situation?

Twenty metres and closing. Fifteen. C and D

Tarantulas down about fifty percent.

The genestealers scream as they die. It seems

to the Marines they are screaming more in

frustration than pain.

How many?

Cant tell. Lots.

Auspex readouts were useless all that was

shown was a single massive blob coming at

them.

D guns down to twenty. Ten.

Its out.

C guns out too.

Get ready. Theres something spread out on

the auspex. Inside the perimeter.

Youre just reading me.

No. No! It aint you. Theyre inside. Theyre

here.

Cass, stay cool. Nash?

Its game time.


53/87

You and Chambers get back here. Fall back

to the gateway.

Lets go! Lets go!

Hold your fire until you have a clear shot.

They cant get through to the boarding

torpedoes!

This signals weird... must be some

interference of something.

Just get back here! The pounding of alien hooves draws closer,

Storm Bolters click as range finders calibrate

and the air is thick with deadly tension.Auspexes pinged, clear and crisp at the signs

of distinct scans.

Ten metres.Movement! Signals clean.

Costa, if we dont make it theres something

I want you to know.Range?

Twenty metres. Yeah?

Seal the doors. Youve always been an asshole.

Seventeen metres.

VLets light things up.A heavy flamer ignites with a muffled pop.

Thirteen.

Ya


54/87


55/87


56/87

Mis s io n iX:

Po w e r Fa il u r e

Boomer paced the room, spinning the barrels

of her Assault Cannon with a nervous twitch

of her thumb.

I cant wait to get out of here.

Whys that? Plaster asked, idly scratching

the nose of his helmet with his Storm Bolter.

Sykes over in fourth picked up some vids

for me when he was on Hope Springs fortwilight watch.

Whatd he get you?

Ninth season of Catachan Shore.

That crap rots your brain, Pain interjected.

Youve got to have something better to do

with your down time.

Bettern what you got last. Armour of Krieg

volume twelve? I mean we get it guys, Krieg

has awesome tanks and guns... try expanding

your repertoire a little, ok?

Hey, theyre bringing out the fifth vid on the

Elysians soon. Better than the brain dead roid

munchers going on about getting ripped and

tanned on a death-world for hours on end.

My boot in your ass thats a situation!

++ Squad 1-1 holding. ++

++ No contacts. ++

++ Advancing to rendezvous Kappa-8. ++

Sergeant Jorgensen inhaled slowly, holding

her breath as her squad bickered about her.

She listened to the static hum of her auspex,

and the clicking of her re-breather as it waitedfor her to exhale.

Releasing the breath she sagged back inside

her armoured suit and frowned. Things were

not going as well as had been hoped. The

assault had been plagued by setbacks, heavy

casualties and a lack of any notable

achievements.

Now she was waiting in a long-abandoned

server room for Hawkins and his team to

arrive so they could start getting down to

business.

++ Squad 1-1 ETA 2.00 ++

Standing up straight Jorgensen opened her

squad frequency.

Break it up guys, the Lieutenants almost

here.

Roger Sarge, Pain muttered. No matter what

anyone else enjoyed it was hard to defend

twelve vid-docs about the same damn tanks

over and over. The Sergeant wondered how

many times Pain and Boomer had gone over

the exact same argument.

Thinking that with the current state of the

mission it could well be the last, Jorgensen

frowned, just as Lieutenant Hawkins strode

into view.

p++ Kappa-8 reached. ++

++ Proceeding to reactor access Four-Niner ++

++ We will honour the fallen with victory. ++


57/87

1stLtHawkins(HoS) Thecomplexwillberifewith

radiationandtemperaturefluctuations,sowatchyourreadings.

MstSgtJorgensen(SoJ)Anyinfofromthetechson

sensoreffects?

CompSgtYadiz(HoS)HighVoltageassuresusthere

willbeminimalinterference.

1stLtHawkins(Hos) We'llbegettingdatatofilter

outanystaticaswego.

TrpPlavaskevi(SoJ) IsthisgoingtobeCATbased

filteringorlivetelemetry?

TrpHellad(HoS) Thetechswillbelivestreaming

tousbasedonanamalgamationofsources,bothdircectandremote.

TrpHellad(HoS) Buttheonlyareasweshould

experienceanysevereinterferenceisinthereactorcores

themselves.

SgtAndor(SoJ)Aren'tyougladyouaskednow,

Grid?

MstSgtJorgensen(SoJ)*sigh*

So, Outlaw, Jorgensen started over a private

channel as they began to move out, whats

the big deal with these reactor controls? Chief

was a little vague on the specifics.

Scans are showing theyre powering the cryochambers. Shutting them down wont kill the

stealers itll wake them up actually but it

will force the hybrids out into the open.

They wont be able to survive for too long on

the hulk outside of suspension, so itll mean

theyll be making a break for the escape pods.

A smile crossed Jorgensens lips. And we

can catch them there when they make a break

for it. And without the hybrids they cant runthe hulk, so theyll be sitting ducks.

Precisely.

Lets rock and roll.

UStill darkness surrounds myself,Among the trees I saw thegates of hell,I hear that someone screamsmy name,Devil claims for my life.

Documents

Cradle of Despair by Gotthammer BETA