There was a sudden reprieve from the fighting as the heldrake screeched and flew away down the stiars, following the retreating troops of the Whores who hid behind their own fortifications beyond the corner of the stair case. Sure a few stray blasts and rounds came up every so often, but no one was stupid enough to keep their heads raise all the time. For every round of blind firing that the traitors gave, a burst of heavy bolter rounds or a snapshot volley of lasguns returned, again not really hitting anything but enough to show that the Guard were definitely still there and willing to fight.

Licking their wounds, the 603rd began the process of clearing out the dead and wounded. Bringing in guard and Orders Hospitaller medics to treat the wounds while a Chimera made rounds to the Cathedral for the dead to be properly honored. The priests had already been working on a “Wall of Honors” for the dead, written upon of a “wish you were here!” post card from some beautiful paradise, a gentle hope of the dead would rest with the Emperor.

However, deaths were common and the guard and even the most greenhorn of guardsmen knew that simply moping about and being sad would do no one any good. Nearly all resources were diverted to the creation of a more permeant defensive works at the stairs. Plastic containers had been flipped upside down and turned into bunker bases with some newly cut holes; heavy weapon support sat on top and rolled out regimental colors. Some cups had been given similar treatment, now being used as gun nests that lined a growing trench wall of dust-filled sandbags and barricades. A pair of tube socks had been fitted with scraps of fabric from the closet to be used as great walls as more troops fell into line.

With the help of the Kreig units, the frontline trench was complete as backline defenses and support trenches were designed. Communication rooms in slippers where moved over as were the tents from the barracks. Flags were raised and simple garage areas were set up as the ground suddenly began to shake and quake. The titan [i]Dauntless[/i] was moving up. The men and women cheered as the towering machine brought its mega bolters and mega lascannons to bear.

Using now flattened terrain created by the warhound’s steps as a basis, plans for roads and pathways were created. First linking up the front to the bathroom with plenty of water to go around and then the commander closet and then the master bedroom. There would be no more passing over the occasionally dangerously fluffy carpet. 

Additional Sentinels were sent out along with a few Chimeras into the reaches beyond the current control of the 603rd in hopes of them bringing back more supplies and resources which could be used to build up. Scouting runs were already very promising, now it was just matter of bringing everything back.

General Karthis made his way up to the front in his own command Chimera, watching Leman Russes roll up and Basilisks  set up their big guns, ready to bear on the enemy. Tauroxes came up bringing even more munitions and rations from the supply caches, a few priests catching a ride on the side of the trucks to quickly get over to the frontline troops and spur them on with zealotry and righteous hate. If the Whores of Slaanesh wanted to fight, he wouldn’t give them some violent pleasure fest, he was going to show them a real war.

The increasingly impressive defensive continued to grow, but something unsettling soon hung in the air, something unholy was polluting it. Then, with the screams and sounds of dozens of beings crying out, the ground shook again the the air became unpredictable; a Warp Portal had been opened. Many of the officers and veterans recognized that feeling, the priests took advantage of the situation to further increase the passion of their speeches, but even their faith could not prepare them for what as next.

With a crackle of warp lightening, soldiers looked up and gasped to see a warp storm brewing and growing on the ceiling, moving towards them as ominously as a legion of silent Necrons. Some tried to fire their weapons at it only for their comrades to swat the guns out of their hands. Panic brewed as the vox-casters began to act strangely and cogitors were giving all sorts of signals. Local techpreists immediately jumped into action to soothe the worried and confused machine spirits, but the men needed something to help their own spirits.

“Guardsmen!” Karthis appeared on top of his Chimera, standing tall and proud as he towered above all others, “You may look up at that warp foulness and panic. Do not worry, its only your instinct as humans. But now your instinct as proud warriors of the Imperium should lead you to not fear it! You are the Emperor’s hammer, the divine weapon of his will! Each one of you hail from a different world and regiment, but in the 603rd, we are ALL brothers and sisters in arms! NO matter what that found storm may throw at us, we shall stand against it will strength and courage befitting of our training and legacy! Now! Take up your holy arms once more and be ready! I feel that Ivaela Latrix, the whore of Vesya, will not wiat long until she throws her warp creatures and pathetic traitor cultists against our mighty lines! Go! Go and do your duty tot eh Imperium, to the Emperor!”