Battle of Ikara IX
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The Battle of Ikara IX saw the Imperium launch a strikeforce to relieve the Industrial World of Ikara IX from Ork invasion.[1a]
History
The Imperial relief to Ikara came in the form of the Ultramarines demi-Company known as the Fulminata, which was composed entirely of recently inducted Primaris Space Marines. Led by Captain Demeter and the Chaplain Kastor, the Space Marines struck quickly and were able to push back an Ork mob at Shebat Alpha manufactorum. With Imperial Guard support and orbital bombardments from the Spear of Macragge, they then pushed to the Excelsior Arch, a bridge over the Gorgon river.[1a]
Consolidating their gains in Shebat Alpha and establishing a new headquarters at the Basilica of Saint Albarak, the situation turned to disaster for the Imperials when a new large Ork fleet led by Warboss Urgork arrived in-system from the Warp. The Spear of Macragge was forced to retreat after one of their supporting Cruisers was lost to the Ork armada, which was led by a massive Rok. The Rok ultimately crashed into Shebat Alpha, devastating the city and forcing the Imperials to withdraw.[1a]
Demeter then personally led a counterattack to cover the Imperial withdrawal, leading Aggressor Squads and Repulsor tanks to draw the Greenskins attention. Demeter was lost in the sacrificial action and command fell to both Kastor and Lieutenant Tyranus. Under Tyranus' orders the Imperials then withdrew to Ridge 1 in the wastes east of Shebat as the Orks hunt for the Apothecary Polixis and his squad.[1b] In the subsequent battle for Ridge 1, the Fulminata and Imperial Guard are forced to contend with heavy Ork airpower and struggle to contain a breach in their lines. Kastor leaves the main force to try and rescue Polixis and his squad, drawing the ire of Tyranus.[1c] The Apothecary had since been captured by Kommandos, who bring him to Urgork. The Warboss revealed that he wished to use the Apothecary's healing prowess and unique physiology for his own purposes. Polixis was brutally tortured by the Orks in an attempt to unlock the secrets of his unnaturally long life.[1d]
As the Imperials push from Ridge 1 back to Shebat with heavy Thunderhawk and Overlord support, Kastor and a squad of Reivers eventually were able to move in tunnels underneath Shebat to reach Polixis, fighting through mutated Squigs.[1e] Kastor and his forces freed Polixis inside the Basilica as Tyranus' own forces reach the complex. Urgork engages Polixis and Kastor in combat, with the Apothecary sacrificing himself to save the Chaplain. Kastor was able to kill Urgork, decimating the Ork horde and allowing for the Imperium to emerge victorious under the now-Captain Tyranus. Much to Kastor's relief, Polixis was able to recover from his injuries.[1f]
