My (still ongoing) story about my Hive Fleet

[Draezymous]

Hello to all!

Im posting my (still ongoing) story about my hive fleet here, and I hope you are willing to read it, and to comment about it to me! The tale is based on my own Tyranid army, as well as a friend's Blood Angels force. we are both still beginning players, but we decided to have our armies an ''intwined background''. We played our first game not too long ago, and I decided to adapt this ''first encounter'' into our background story. What you can all read below is the story that is working towards our first battle, and is rather a sort of prologue. It IS quite lengthy (or so my friends say, in my terms this is just a short story, but alas), so it might take a while to read...!

I would also like to point out that my native language isn't english, so please forgive any obvious grammar errors and such, but feel free to point them out!

Thank you all for taking your time to read this, and I'll look forward to your comments...! Enjoy!

[Draezymous]

The power engines of the imperial warship were preparing to leave warpspace. The trusty machines were rattling all over from the non-stop power surge running through them. Inside the mighty ship no one could feel anything from the ripplings within space itself. They couldn’t tell how long they had been travelling, but all were anxious to leave warpspace anyways. Onboard of the Crimson Justice were a handful of Blood Angel Space Marines, along with some men from the ranks of the Imperial Guard. The commander in charge was none other than commander Vittorio. He had served under the Blood Angel’s chapter banner countless times, and survived battles from which no one should have returned. This one, unfortunately, was no other.

’’Men, I hope you are ready to see some action, as we are about to leave warpspace.’’

He looked through the ranks that formed his men. Some were old veterans, while others were as green as the grass itself. Looking at some of the young faces in his ranks, he thought of his time when he was still a young soldier, and how his first experiences were. Soon these lads would face the grimmness that is war, and they would be given many an opportunity to prove themselves. They were in luck though, as their mission was only an scouting mission. Vittorio continued speaking.

’’In about twenty eight minutes we will be arriving at a new planet, discovered in the southern belly of our galaxy. The planet appears to be richful in resources, and sports a possibillity for colonisation. Our mission is to secure a base on the planet, and investigate the local life forms. It might be more of a recon mission, but do not let your guard down. At the current moment we have no idea of what to expect, and only know there appears to be no intillegent life forms currently active on the planet. Our main objective is to clear the path for future landing parties. Any questions so far? ’’

All of his men nodded, and some even began to whisper amongst each other. Vittorio noticed one man in his crowd raising his hand.

’’Yes? You there?’’
’’S-Sir! Does the planet have a name yet..?’’
’’While it is of little importance to our mission, the planet has been code-named Draezymous. Alright then, if that was all, prepare yourselves for the start of this mission!’’
’’Aye sir!’’

Vittorio watched as all his men returned to their dorms, preparing to disembark soon. One of his men approached him, instead of leaving with the rest. It was the same soldier that asked him the planet’s name.

’’S-Sir, could you spare a moment…?’’
’’As long as you make it quick. I also have stuff to pack, you know.’’
’’Aye sir! My name is Thomas Marke, and it’s an honour to serve under you!’’
’’I bet it is. Now what’s your business with me?’’
’’W-Well… Uhm… This is my first mission, and me and my squad just wanted to let you know that even though we’re rookies, you can count on us sir!’’
’’That’s wonderful, Thomas. We will all be counting on each other for support, no matter your rank or experience. Remember we might be entering hostile terrain, so be sure to pack well. Tell your squad members this as well. Now you should better get ready.’’
’’Yes sir! Thanks for your kindness, sir!’’

The young soldier quickly ran to his dorm. Vittorio watched him go, and was once more reminded about how he started out as a rookie. He was just as nervous as Thomas had been now, and back then his commander had reassured him as well. Vittorio watched Thomas’ emblem as he went back to his dorm, and chuckled a little.

’’Well I’ll be damned… Just my luck to get those youngster Assault Squads…’’

He smiled and walked towards his own dorm. Despite what he had just said to Thomas, Vittorio never needed to pack anything. All he needed was his trusted power sword, a loaded gun, and a few clips of ammo. He didn’t mind a drink now and then, but a true warrior is destined to live on the battlefield; his fate was no different. He would lead this recon mission, and he would establish a small base on the newly discovered world. He looked at his timer, and got ready to leave warpspace. After all, only eigth minutes left before arriving in realspace again.

---

’’Sir! We seem to have a problem!’’

Vittorio received a message through his helmet from the control room of the Crimson Justice.

’’What is it? We’re all ready and set to disembark, what seems to be the problem?’’
’’We are experiencing massive turbulence in about twenty seconds, caused from disturbances in the warp near the area in which we are about to enter realspace.’’
’’So what’s up with that? Isn’t it normal to have turbulence in that moment?’’
’’Of course we will be experiencing turbulence from our own arrival, sir. But the source for this turbulence is coming from the realspace itself and therefore-’’
But before the pilot could finish his words, the turbulence began to kick in. And as the pilot had explained, this was far more powerful from what they should experience from their own travel. Vittorio’s transmitter began to lag, and he could hear the pilot no more.
’’Marines! Prepare to enter realspace! Grab on to something if you have to!’’

The Crimson Justice teared open the warpspace, and created a gate for itself to move through. The ship entered realspace, and within the blink of an eye the gate behind it closed. Vittorio’s transmitter switched back on. At first the transmission lagged a bit, but soon enough commander Vittorio could hear the pilot’s voice in panic.

’’Commander Vittorio! Come in! Do you read me?!’’
’’Loud and clear. What’s up up there? You sound so tense?’’
’’We have a major situation on our hands, sir. We are currently drifting through realspace with none of our equipment working properly. However…’’
’’What is it…?!’’
’’We can clearly see our target destination, newly discovered planet Draezymous.’’
’’Well, that is good news, isn’t it?’’
’’Yes, but it seems a Tyranid Hive fleet and a fleet of the Traitor Legions are at war with each other near the planet…!’’
’’Are you serious?! This is no time for jokes or anything, soldier! I repeat, are you serious?!’’
’’I am afraid so, sir. The only advantage we still have is that we are closer to the planet than them, and they seem to be too occupied to notice us…’’
’’Then let’s try to get closer to that planet by any means possible. We could try to hide near there until our equipment will allow us to escape…’’
’’Well, that’s our second problem, sir…’’
’’What are you saying?’’
’’Well, the presence of the daemons makes travelling through warpspace very dangerous due to the instabillity of the energies… On top of that, our psyker Azrael, just suffered from a huge psychic trauma and is currently being treated in our sickbay… Without him, warp travel is impossible.’’
’’What other options do we have left?’’
’’Well, we could try to-’’

But before the pilot could finish his message, their ship began to rock heavily, and Vittorio could only barely stand on his feet.

’’What the hell is happening up there?!’’
’’I-It appears that the chaos forces are retreating…! They have opened a huge opening in the warp, and nearly everything is being sucked in at this rate…!’’
’’Alright, that does it…! Will our ship make it to the planet?!’’
’’No sir, at this rate even the planet itself will be swallowed in the warp…!’’
’’Is there any way to get to that planet?!’’
’’The drop pods aboard this ship have a small chance of making it to the surface, but-’’
’’Thanks for the info! I’ll contact you later, be ready for me!’’
’’B-But, si-’’

Vittorio turned off his transmitter and turned to his men.

’’Everyone! Listen to me carefully! It appears we have landed in the middle of a war zone! Why we were not informed of this is unknown and unclear to me as well. The situation at hand requires to make an emergency evacuation. I will contact the pilot to target lock our escape pods at roughly the same coordinates so we can find each other after we make the drop. Take as much as you can with you, and keep with your squad! Now we should all find ourselves an escape pod! I hope you guys are in for some action, as you’re about to get plenty! Go, go, go!’’

Vittorio ordered his men to move out, and turned his transmitter back on. He himself was grabbing as much ammo and other provisions as he could, while he began to speak.

’’Alright, come in. I need you to target lock all our drop pods near the same coordinates. Lock them, and get to your own pod. We will meet again at planetfall.’’
’’I don’t understand what you’re trying to do, sir? There is no point in escaping to the planet if we are all going to be sucked into the warp anyways…?’’
’’Whatever the situation, we are nothing but a flying target at this moment. The planet has a better chance for survival than the Crimson Justice. And on top of that, should we be required to fight, I’d much rather have my feet on the floor that I trust, thank you. So I repeat; target lock all our drop pods near the same coordinates, or at least as good as you can. I will be counting on you, and we will meet once we have landed. Vittorio, over and out.’’

Vittorio switched off his transmitter again and began to make haste for a drop pod. While he ran through the many halls he thought of what to expect. He had fought the damned Traitor Legions before, and often he was the only one of his squad that came back alive. If he had to, he would risk his life again in the heat of battle against those foul enemies. But Tyranids on the other hand was something new to him. He had heard many stories about them from his fellow veterans, but never had he experienced them up close. Vittorio remembered a veteran saying that they were just like bugs, but on the other hand completely different. A spark of curiosity went through his brain as he imagined what they would be like, but soon he also remembered all the horrible stories he had heard about them and got a small shiver down his spine. Whatever they might be, his main goal was to survive this tragedy, and as many brothers as possible alongside him. Soon there after he reached one of the drop pods that was still being loaded.

’’Alright ladies, what’s keeping us so long?! I want this baby on the move now, now, now!!’’
’’Aye sir! Almost done! We are just waiting for our predator to fully make it in, sir!’’
’’You really took everything… You could be master thieves I tell ya! Alright, load her up and prepare to evacuate!’’

Within seconds the predator was within their drop pod, and Vittorio with a part of his forces where launched towards the newly discovered planet. From the inside of the drop pod they gazed into space, witnessing a gigantic battle between the Traitor Legions and an alien life form. Both forces were fighting each other brutally, but both the Chaos ships and the Hive ships were being sucked into a huge opening in the warp, probably caused by the fluctuating energies from the colliding forces. They could also see combat brothers being launched from the Crimson Justice, making their trails line up next to each other. Vittorio saw it as an opportunity to speak to his men.

’’Alright men, it seems our evacuation so far is a success. We will be regrouping once we have arrived on the planet. Stay alert every second after landing! Draezymous can be a cuddly place all over, but it can also be your tomb. Any second could be your last! We will see what our options are once we have landed. I will be answering any questions you might have after we have regrouped. At ease for now. ’’

Vittorio and his men all continued to watch the raging battle in space. The Traitor Legion ships appearecd to be vastly outnumbered, but that didn’t stop them from launching a furious assault. As both metal and blood were mixed within space, commander Vittorio’s troops watched in awe at the raging battle. But it was at that exact moment that the main ship of the Traitor Legions released an ethereal pulse. As the pulse touched anything it went by in space, a few of the drop pods were destroyed by the impact, and Vittorio and his men watched as they received their first casualties… The pulse then reached their drop pod, and the craft began to rock heavily.

’’This is going to get rough, everybody! Pray to the Emperor we will make it to the surface!’’

As Vittorio’s drop pod began to shake uncontrollably, he and his men watched as the Tyranid Hive fleet began to launch spores unto Draezymous’ surface. Vittorio knew from that moment that when they would make planetfall, they would not be there alone… Given the circumstances they were in now, Vittorio could only hope for the best after they had made it to the planet’s surface; if they would get there at all! With a little hesistation in his voice, Vittorio informed his men of their new situation.

’’Alright everyone, I have an announcement to make. I guess you saw it all yourselves too, but when we’ll get down there, there will be tea and biscuits waiting for us. I have no idea what exactly we will be facing out there, but I can guarantee you all things won’t be pretty. Let us pray to the Emperor that we, and as many brothers as possible, will makei t to the surface so we can set up our camp and defenses. Our main priority should be-’’

But before Vittorio could finish his sentence, the opening in the warp the chaos fleet had created sucked in both the Traitor Legion forces and the Tyranid hive fleet that was engaging it, leaving nothing but an empty space rift in it’s wake. As the warp was closed, a thrust of energy surged through realspace, smashing rocks and metal at high velocity in all directions. Vittorio and his men watched it all happen, and in a matter of seconds their drop prod lost power. As they were swung into an uncoordianted arc, a piece of debris from the Traitor Legion’s ships smashed against their drop pod, almost tearing it in half. Vittorio and his men were swung all across the drop pod by the impact, and some of the vehicles could be heard slamming into the walls from the storage section. With the debris stuck into the drop pod, it began to fall down faster, and the building turbuline was slowly tearing the drop pod apart. Vittorio looked around him, and saw they had almost made planetfall now.

’’Alright lads, bear with me a little longer! We’re almost there!’’

The drop pod began to slowly heat up, and sparks and flames began to sprout from it’s frontal armour plating. The unstable debris began to move from the increased pressure, tearing the hole in the drop pod even bigger. Flames began to reach within the drop pod now, and the air pressure was slowly depleting within the drop pod’s hull. Vittorio’s men were once again swung across the entire drop pod, and moments later the debris was forced out of the drop pod. Small parts of debris flew inside the drop pod, and some of Vittorio’s men were sucked into space by the gaping hole where the debris was moments ago. The drop pod began to twist and maim due to the differences in air pressure, and as Vittorio tried to get hold of a pipe near him he watched as they were nearing the planet’s atmosphere. He knew it wouldn’t take long now, but as he turned his head to observe his men, a small piece of debris flew against his head, knocking him unconscious…

---

’’Shiwr…? SwHilr…? Sir..? Shir can you whealr me? Sir?!’’

Vittorio opened his eyes slowly, as a bright light was burning in his eyes. He lay on the floor, or so he thought? He tried to remember what had happened to him? Where was he…? As he lifted himself up- no, he was being helped, wasn’t he? His sight still blurry, and suffering from amnesia, Vittorio slowly began to reorientate himself. Then he remembered; The Crimson Justice. He was sent on a recon mission to inspect a newly discovered planet. Something went wrong… A conflict… And then a crash… Now he remembered! He swiftly opened his eyes and saw a lush jungle land around him. Not too far away lay the wreckage that was once the drop pod, totally burned out and smashed to bits. He then looked around, and made the cheerful conclusion that most of his men had made it to the surface. At least, the men that accompanied him in the drop pod.

’’Alright guys, seems I took one for the team. I’m glad we made it to the planet’s surface. Can anyone give me an status report? Do we have any injured? Any news from other drop pods making planetfall?’’

One marine emerged from some of the bushes near them.

’’Sir, we have located two other drop pods near us a little to the south west of our current position. Casualties and injured among them are currently unconfirmed, but we know there are survivors. Casualties of our own drop pod are 38 percent, but we have no wounded. Due to the crash we have lost our vehicles I’m afraid, but we managed to get the Baal Predator working.’’
’’Good, I like that. We shall give every effort to make sure our losses weren’t in vain! We can use everybody we can find, and any vehicle that is still operational. Any news on our welcoming committee?’’
’’We have heard some noises and observed movements within the wilderness, but so far we haven’t made contact with any hostile Xenos. Our perimeter only stretches about 100 feet though, we couldn’t establish a larger perimeter due to insuffecient manpower, sir.’’
’’I understand our problem, and that’s why I want us to move out as fast as possible. Our destination is the remaining drop pods that we had contact with. How long does it take for us to go there? ’’
’’About two hours, sir. I will spread the word. We should be ready to go within ten minutes.’’
’’At ease. If anyone needs some rest, we can afford ourselves the luxury for now. There is a lot of work for us to do, but rushing into it isn’t getting us anywhere. We will leave once everybody is ready to leave. Just stick together and stay alert.’’
’’Yes sir!’’

Even though Vittorio ordered his men to rest if they had to, they were all ready to move out after fve minutes. With him the Baal Predator, five Tactical Marines, two units of five Jump Troops, and his personal retinue of veterans, Vittorio headed out through the newly discovered planet. He was determined to reach his fellow comrades, and once they were united they could secure a base. However, he couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable when he thought about the fact that somewhere on the same surface Tyranids were crawling as well. Surely they would need all the support they could get to eradicate such an foe…!

’’Commander Vittorio!’’

Vittorio looked up, and one of his Jump Troops came to him. As the Jump Troop took off his helmet, Vittorio saw it was Thomas Marke, the same private that had spoken to him aboard the Crimson Justice.

’’So, we meet again, Thomas. Tell me, what is it?’’
’’Not too far ahead is an grassland with a few mountains in it…’’
’’Yes, what about it?’’
’’Well, it seems there are Xenos life forms present at the location…’’
’’What?! Did we have contact?’’
’’No sir. Me and my team just scouted out ahead, and we noticed some movements in the distance. As we explored a little further, we could see small creatures scuttling between the mountains… They looked a little like… …’’
’’Yes? Go on…? Like…?’’
’’Like lizards or something… Or maybe more insect like? We could only catch a glimpse of the Xenos as when we came closer they hid away between the trees and rocks. My team is currently keeping watch, and I came to report to you, sir.’’
’’Well, isn’t that just great… Thanks for the information Thomas. Tell your team to keep a close watch. We will assume battle positions, and carefully explore further. When possible, we will avoid any hostile movements, and we will only use violence when provoked. If there’s any chance we can slip through in peace, I want to take it. We have no idea of the xenos’ nature, battle abillities, and numbers. I can only hope they don’t know about ours either, so we can at least play at even grounds if things get nasty. We will meet up with you shortly. I wnat your team to take our left side, and send the others to the right flank. We will use the Baal Predator as our centre. Do not hesitate to retreat if things get rough; the Predator is a safe haven to fall back to. I will lead the advance myself, along with the other veterans at my side. Provide the rest of us with information as much as you can about the developing circumstances, and possible threats and priority tagets. Don’t advance until we have arrived as well; we will be supporting each other from each side out. I hope we can avoid a conflict, but only a fool wouldn’t prepare himself in a situation like this.’’
’’Aye, understood sir. We will await your signal.’’

Thomas put back on his helmet and took off. Vittorio informed all his men of the situation, and he could feel the atmosphere began to turn rather dense around his men. He couldn’t deny he himself was also rather nervous, but he knew there was no turning back now. Talking some courage into his men, he ordered them to take on their battle positions. They were soon on the move, and as they neared the edge of the forest and entered the grassland, Vittorio teamed up with his Jump Troops again. In the distance Vittorio could see the small Xenos scuttle between the hills and mountains in front of them. They where still too far away to see them clearly, but Vittorio knew that what he saw was unlike anything he had ever seen before. A small lurking creature, about two-third the height of a man, with a slender figure and small armour plates on it’s back and skull. Thomas came to Vittorio once more, and informed him that the creatures had taken notice of Vittorio’s forces’ advance, and were closing in now themselves. Vittorio turned to his men.

’’Alright lads, this is it. No sugarcoating it now, we’re about to ride the First class ride this carnival has to offer us. We will be making contact with an unknown Xenos life form, and it appears they are just as happy to see us as we are to see them. Stay alert at all times, and when it gets down to it, aim for their heads. We want to save as much ammo as possible, as our supplies are limited. If, for any case, shooting them in the head doesn’t prove effective, aim for the limbs. Something you can’t kill is a lot less scary when it can’t hurt or reach you. Alright then, our strategy will develop itself as we know how he battle goes. Let’s give them hell, Marines! ’’

Vittorio and his forces moved out, facing the unknown Xenos on an unknown planet where they were now stranded...