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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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fixed grammar and spelling errors
When the [[Emperor]] finally ordered seven Legions of the Adeptus Astartes to destroy Horus and his rebels his former Warmaster was ready for them to come.
The assault of the loyalist Legions against Horus's strongholds on Istvaan V were was a disaster. The ferocious space marines, led by their [[Primarchs]], fought brother against brother in a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand on their ancient allies, both sides were fully prepared for the tactics and warfare of the other. The assaulting force manage to deploy its fleet on the Istvaan V orbit for a planetary assault.
At this moment, the first three loyalist legions drop on the planet where the traitors await them. Somehow Horus was aware of the drop site and his troops fell on the unprepared Space Marines. [[Ferrus Manus]], primarch of the [[Iron Hands]] led the loyalist spearhead force and, while fighting to hold ground on the drop site, called the other legions for assistance but somehow Horus had managed to corrupt four of the seven Legions sent against him. After the initial landings the 'loyalist' follow-up waves had attacked their allies instead of the rebels.
Only five Space Marines, bearing the gene-seed of their departed brethern, eventually managed to escape and carry news of the disaster to the Emperor. Horus now controlled nine Space Marine Legions and had destroyed three loyal Legions. Throughout the [[Imperium]] loyalists and rebels were fighting each other to a virtual standstill, although the tide of battle was turning, ever so slowly in the Emperor's favour. Horus knew that if he could crush the heart of the Emperor's resistance he could remould remold the Imperium in his ownimage.
According to background of the first edition Horus was followed by five legions at the time of the Istvaan III destruction (those were the [[Sons of Horus]], [[World Eaters]], [[Emperor's Children]], [[Death Guard]] and [[Thousand Sons]]); from the seven legions sent against Horus we know the four traitors were [[Word Bearers]], [[Night Lords]], [[Iron Warriors]] and the [[Alpha Legion]].
