Relief of Stonekraal
The Relief of Stonekraal was a battle involving the Exorcists Space Marines in 740.M41 during the First Tyrannic War.[1]
Overivew
Before the full extent of Hive Fleet Behemoth was realised, it slashed deep into worlds of the Imperium before being halted at the Battle for Macragge. However, in the years prior to this, many worlds on the Eastern Fringe found themselves defenceless against the Tyranid menace, due to the Ultramarines gradually having to fall back to their homeworld. Stonekraal was one such world, a bleak and overlooked frontier planet on the north-eastern edge of Ultramar. When the Merchant Vessel Nostros Vex appeared three weeks overdue and lifeless above Stonekraal, a horrifying nightmare began for the planet.[1]
The Nostros Vex was infested with Genestealers, resulting in widespread infestation across the planet. Alone and realising their outside pleas for aid were being unanswered, the colonists did their best to gather scant weapons and mount a defence. When all seemed lost and the last settlement remained in the path of the Genestealer hordes, all that remained for the terrified civilians was a futile hope for deliverance. However surprising, deliverance came when Thunderhawks of the Exorcists' 3rd Company arrived. This was a sheer miracle, as the Exorcists never intended to go to Stonekraal but rather their Strike Cruiser Hand of Glory had been thrown off in the Immaterium due to the Shadow in the Warp. However, seeing the planet in dire straits, the Exorcists resolved themselves to act.[1]
The Exorcists deployed on Stonekraal via drop pod, arriving on the embattled planet's surface and meeting the stealth tactics of the Genestealers with sheer firepower. The broods quickly changed tactics and sought to overwhelm the Exorcists with shock tactics and numbers. However, after facing Daemons, the Exorcists were well-attuned to deal with such tactics and swept aside the Genestealers with brutal efficiency in pre-prepared killzones and chokepoints. Meanwhile, the Exorcists' potent Librarian Castor Machen sought out the Genestealer Broodlord, incinerating the beast with Pyromancy. Stonekraal had survived against all odds thanks to the Exorcists' effort.[1]
Sources
- 1: Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two, pgs. 126-127
