And so they came from the sky like angels on wings of steel, soaring above the flaming pit of Lordsholm. The darkest night in the history of the planet made more dreaded by the long shadow of the warp gathering high above. The brothers came to save the city from being consumed by itself. They were four in number, each a shining example of the ideals and gene-seed of their chapter. Brother Skold was their elected leader, a larger than life Space Wolf whose words proved inspirational to all who heard and rallied to his wolf cry. Brother Elyas of the Dark Angels soared with grace above the battlefield, striking like a hawk into the swarms of rebels below, emerging victorious with every blow of crackling electricity from his power fist. Brother Octavius brought with him the light of one chosen by the Ultramarines for a higher purpose and the deadly aim of one with absolute faith in his ability. Last but not least Brother Sepheran of the Blood Angels. Cunning and fierce he came with an insatiable appetite for the blood of his enemies and he would triumph over scores of his enemy, falling in the wake of his sweeping bolter fire.
The battle brothers had been assembled and brought to watch fortress Erioch to be briefed by Commander Markenstern on a Genestealer infestation on the planet Avalos. The Deathwatch had been requested as the infestation is at critical mass and could well attract the attention of nearby Hive fleet Dagon or worse, already has. With barely time for introductions the marines are despatched to Avalos aboard the Frigate 'Valiant', arriving only to be ambushed in orbit by Tyranid Kraken ships. The brothers escape to their drop pod only to be forced to watch helplessly as their ship is devoured by the Kraken as they plummeted relentlessly to the planet below.
The Pod crashed into an imperial chapel close to an imperial transponder that the Brothers hoped would be that of their contact, Inquisitor Kallistrandi. However no sooner had they emerged from the pod they heard the sounds of battle outside. Heading out of the Chapel Inquisitor Kallistrandi was nowhere to be seen, and the chapel was completely surrounded by rebels but defended by half as many PDF soldiers. Decisively the brothers joined the battle with brother Elyas taking to the skies as Brother Skold attempted to rally the depleted and demoralised pdf forces. The pdf responded well to both the speeches and the sight of the Space Marines, rallying around the brothers. A simple ambush was set and a small number of rebels were allowed to pour through the defences, just in time to be bombarded by frag grenades and heavy bolter fire causing them to break and flee. Elyas swooped and mopped up some of the fleeing troops only to find himself challenged by the largest and strongest of the rebel group. With a mighty challenging roar the lumbering hulk charged towards Elyas as he planted his feet defiantly in the earth ready for the clash of muscle on metal. With one mighty swing the rebel thug is turned inside out as the powerfist rips through his chest and out the other side causing a triumphant cheer in the PDF troops. Meanwhile from the advantage of high ground Sepheran scans the battlefield and spots a heavy weapons rebel team trying to gain the advantage of a nearby building. Sepherans aim strikes true, finding a weak spot in the building structure sending the inhabitants falling to their deaths as one half of the building slides onto the troops below, crushing a rebel leader in an avalanche of concrete and steel.
Once the rest of the rebels had retreated the Brothers were found by Syndalla, a Callidus Temple Assassin who had been disguised as a PDF officer in order that she could remain un-noticed to the rebels. She reveals that she is the only member of Kalistrandi's team who is not missing that she is aware of. She continues to explain that the threat to Avalos is dire indeed and that it is imperitive that the Genestealer Broodlord is defeated in order to halt to the madness and violence in the city. It is also of utmost importance to send a transmission off-world for aid, as she fears that the tyranid Hive fleet Dagon has heard the calls of its children and comes to claim them. If this is true they only have a matter of days before the planet would be consumed with all its inhabitants. Their allies are the scattered and vulnerable PDF forces located throughout the city, and should they seek them out, they would be valuable assets in the battles to come. Further intel was gathered by Syndalla that the Brothers second pod (a supply drop) has fallen some ways South West of the Chapel, not too far from Avalos's only Spaceport, where an incactive mag-rail line would be an important objective for the Brothers should they opt to travel to it that would allow them much quicker access to the rest of the city (provided the lines remain relatively un-damaged).
Reaching the second crashed pod they discover it intact, but lying in the middle of a shallow lake of oddly coloured water, with an island of container tanks in the centre connected by platforms containing who knows what. The brothers were cautious, and for good reason, as no sooner had they stepped foot on the platform Brother Skold was leapt upon by a Genestealer! It was only through his extra-ordinary keen senses and blind luck that the creature did not kill him outright. The surprise attack caught the whole team off guard, but Brother Octavius was able to steady himself to finish off one of the stealers stalking them from beneath the water and Skold managed to sever the other in half with point blank bolter fire. Praising the Emperor for their fortune they were able to open the supply pod finding, among other items of ammo and grenades, a meltagun and chainsword. With the sounds of more Rebels nearing the crash site and not wishing to delay any further the Brothers push onward toward the Spaceport, battling their way onward through the smoke and twisted ruins and pouring rain.
Out in the expanse far above Avalos a mysterious black shadow creeps ever more closer...
Journals 
