[The attackers inside the cathedral were not hybrid gene-stealers.]
[They were merely human cultists who believed in a beautiful vision.]
[But the bolt guns of the Space Sharks showed no mercy.]
[The recon squad's bolter rounds instantly shattered the faith of the human cultists.]
[Panic set in as they shouted blasphemous slogans in the name of the Four-Armed God-Emperor, launching themselves into a suicidal charge against you.]
[After the first volley of bolt fire ended, the recon squad instinctively holstered their guns.]
[Silently, they raised their roaring chainsaw axes and, with their powered armor driving them forward, crashed mercilessly into the remaining cultists.]
[In an instant, blood and severed limbs flew through the air, heads and entrails danced in the carnage.]
[The Astartes of the Flesh-Eaters fought no differently than the World Eaters.]
["Collaboration with xenos… you are sentenced to death!"]
[You slowly lowered your storm bolter and activated your communicator to report to the Captain.]
[To your surprise, you learned that the local Pontifex had been attacked by an assassin.]
[With the help of an Inquisitor, Captain Shavon confirmed the presence of a Genestealer Cult.]
[The First Strike Squad, along with the Librarium and the Inquisitor, headed for the underground tunnels beneath the slums to investigate a suspected cultist lair.]
[Your recon squad was ordered to regroup with the company at Absolution Plaza.]
[You took one last look at the now lifeless cathedral interior before immediately issuing the order to withdraw.]
[Leading your squad, you swiftly navigated through the overlapping structures of the cathedral and monastery.]
[Before nightfall on Devotion V, you successfully arrived at Absolution Plaza.]
[You cautiously made your way past the ragged human cultists gathered around the plaza.]
[Their numbers exceeded your expectations.]
[Meanwhile, the Astartes of the company were setting up defensive positions.]
[Fifteen Land Raiders formed an inner defensive circle, their twin-linked heavy bolters calibrated and primed.]
[Ten Rhino transports served as improvised barriers, scattered across the plaza's outermost edge, blocking all access routes.]
[Five Predator Destructor tanks crushed the ornate stone pavement beneath their heavy treads as they emerged from the Thunderhawk's cargo bay.]
[The heavy weapons squads of Third Company mounted Whirlwind missile launchers onto their jump packs, their hands gripping plasma cannons and heavy bolters.]
[You happened to notice that many precious power axes and chainswords were being distributed among the Astartes.]
[You intercepted a familiar white-haired Techmarine.]
[Without hesitation, you snatched an ancient power axe from his resentful hands.]
[Then, you found Captain Shavon, his face emotionless.]
[You expressed your concerns about the battlefield conditions.]
[Absolution Plaza was too open, and the numerous vantage points in the surrounding buildings put the Astartes at a serious disadvantage.]
["We don't have time… Half a devotion-cycle ago, our home fleet engaged the Hive Fleet in a brutal battle. Every warrior in Third Company must act as bait to lure out the Genestealer Patriarch." Captain Shavon's dark eyes bore into you as he spoke.]
[You fell silent.]
[Then, with a heavy nod, you turned to prepare for battle.]
[As night fell, more and more human cultists gathered around Absolution Plaza.]
[Interference in the atmosphere caused fragmented transmissions from the Defense Militia to intermittently cut through the Astartes' communication channels.]
[Riots and attacks on churches erupted throughout the city.]
[Following Captain Shavon's orders, you deployed a set of teleport beacons at the center of Absolution Plaza.]
[These beacons were meant to guide the arrival of the Terminator squads.]
[You prepared to head towards the massive cathedral, now serving as the temporary command center, to report to Captain Shavon.]
[Just then, a familiar voice crackled through your communicator.]
["The time has come, void-brothers. The future of the Chapter is in our hands… Prepare for battle!" Captain Shavon's deep voice rang out like the call of war.]
[Deafening roars and frenzied screams filled the air as countless Genestealer cultists, mixed among oblivious human worshippers, launched a terrifying charge toward Absolution Plaza.]
[One by one, the priests of the Genestealer Cult revealed themselves, preaching their twisted doctrine and inciting more to join the fray.]
[The xenos surged forward like an unstoppable tide, seeking to drown the Astartes holding the plaza.]
[The relentless thunder of bolter fire echoed across the battlefield, as the twin-linked heavy bolters on the Land Raiders unleashed their fury.]
[Shrieking human cultists and bald, purple-skinned second-generation hybrids were instantly blown to pieces.]
[Yet the xenos showed no fear.]
[Among them, third-generation hybrids wielding mining lasers and needle pistols emerged, launching ambushes on the Astartes.]
[The silent Flesh-Eaters methodically fired their bolters, picking off the most dangerous targets with precision.]
[More and more xenos chanted their cultist hymns, hurling themselves forward in an unending wave of death.]
[At that moment, it seemed less like a battle and more like a fanatical pilgrimage.]
[Above you, flamers rained searing fire onto the enemy.]
[Even your storm bolter never ceased its roaring onslaught.]
[But no matter how many were cut down, the flood of xenos pouring into Absolution Plaza only grew.]
[Through your communicator, you heard Captain Shavon order the company to fall back to the cathedral.]
[You turned to retreat—only to see several battle-brothers trapped by the xenos.]
[They swung their chainsaw axes desperately, carving through the creatures, but their space to maneuver was rapidly shrinking. Soon, they would be swallowed by the tide.]
[Without hesitation, you holstered your storm bolter.]
[You drew your power axe and revved your chainsaw axe, then charged headlong into the swarm in a frenzy of carnage.]
[Before you, a gruesome festival of blood and flesh erupted.]
[Crimson and deep purple blood splattered across your Terminator armor.]
[With relentless fury and expert combat skill, you carved a path of destruction.]
[Several silent Flesh-Eater battle-brothers surrounded you.]
[They fought alongside your rampage, forcing a bloody advance toward the cathedral.]
[Then, out of the corner of your eye, you spotted a missile streaking through the xenos horde—heading straight for your squad's position.]
[In an instant, you activated your Terminator armor's shield generator.]
[With a swift movement of your mag-locked boots, you stepped forward without hesitation, shielding your brothers from the incoming strike.]