The Dark Crusade

Chapter 1- Planet Fall


The bright glow of snow shone through the dark tinted windows as the Falcon grav-tank skimmed across the untamed, frozen wilderness of Kronus's northern polar region.

Siera stepped down from the hull of the hovering transport, her feet meeting the cold, icy terrain and sinking into the thick snow. The snow gave underneath her light weight with a heavy crunch. She looked out across the scattered ice field; this would be the perfect location for the Eldar base of operations.

Siera glanced over her shoulder, motioning the others forward. Squads of Eldar Rangers, Guardians and Banshees piled out of their transports, each squad escorting a Bonesinger that would be instrumental in constructing their base. A squad of Eldar rangers stepped in front of her, their eyes concealed behind dull grey death masks.

"Scout the area. Discern the current state of this wayward world" She pointed out across the open terrain before them. At her command the Ranger teams flanking her dematerialized into the shadows- charging on light feet into the open land.

"This will serve as an excellent staging point from which to topple this wayward planet" Siera said, her sharp ears able to filter through the background noise as the construction begun to hear the light Eldar footsteps of Saar, her advisor and second in command of this operation.

"Indeed exulted Seer, this place shall serve as a perfect base concealed where the young races would not dare to venture" Saar was technically her military superior, having risen to the rank of Seer several years before her, and as such it felt odd addressing Saar as a subordinate, but such was the mystery of the universe, and the Farseers wishes.

"Instruct the Bonesingers to begin construction of the Webway Assembly and the Grand Gates. The longer we delay the harder it will be to remove the stain of corruption from this wayward world" Siera ordered.

Saar bowed to her leader, turning on her heel to step to her task. Siera looked out across the frozen wasteland which would soon become a staging area for the Eldars contribution to the Dark Crusade of Kronus.


******************************

Siera walked hurriedly through the frozen tundra, clutching the seam of her dark black cloak tightly to her chest in the hope that it would help to maintain the meagre warmth which burnt within her and stave off the burning cold. She passed under the shadow of the partially constructed Grand Webway gate. The structure was surrounded by Bonesingers playing their mysterious instruments, influencing the delicate construction material into place to form the mysterious portal.

Siera stepped into one of the makeshift tents constructed to shelter the meagre supplies and personal deployed with the advance party aboard the shuttle. The main force would arrive through the portal as soon as the advance party's initial construction was completed. Siera pulled back the veil that covered the entrance to the crudely manufactured tent. She scurried inside, clasping the light cover back into place to keep the cold at bay. She noticed someone sitting on the far side of the tent- clutching a communication node in their long fingers, a fluttering figurine representation of the Farseer Taldeer standing in her hand.

"Farseer. We have made planet fall on Kronus and are on schedule with constructing the Webway Gates to your Wraith Ship." She spoke towards the figurine.

"Very good Seer Saar. My forces are on standby, ready to pass onto the planet as soon as the portal is active. Report to me again once construction is completed" The hologram faded, the cool light radiating across the interior of the tent faded and eventually died.

"It is good to see that our progress has proceeded as planned" Siera spoke silently. Saar jumped slightly, turning to face her visitor.

"Indeed. Even facing the barren cold and other conflicting powers campaigning solely for our extinction we have managed to establish ourselves here and shall prosper"

Siera nodded mildly. "Do not get complacent. This was merely arriving here. Our enemies barely even know of our existence yet. When we choose to reveal ourselves, then the real work shall begin"

"But by then it will already be too late for them" Sarr countered.

"True. Very true" Siera stepped further into the warmth of the tent, sitting down next to Saar, feeling her light warmth basking against her bare face. "The cold can be a daunting thing to face alone" She leant closer to her subordinate. "But together we can keep our enemies, cold wind or Chaos, are bay far more effectively together than we ever could alone"