Since the discovery of Freya’s ruination in early 814M41, Deathwatch forces became aware of the Tyranid incursion. Only with their help has the Achilus Crusade managed to stall the advance of Dagon.{{Fn|2}}
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Hive Fleet Dagon
“The Tyranid swarm must not be viewed as a foe set to destroy us, but as a tool. Our challenge is to learn to use that tool, so that it may not be used against the Imperium, but rather to assist the Imperium in fulfilling our manifest destiny.”
–Inquisitor Evaine Cartier
This section is devoted to providing further information regarding the Tyranid threat that opposes Achilus Crusade elements within the Orpheus Salient. Initial contact with the Tyranid foe suggested that the xenos forces were little more than a minor splinter fleet. However, over the years since first contact, the Tyranid forces have shown little signs of abating. Instead, they have advanced into the Jericho Reach to an extent that may be triggering additional growth and expansion.After the discovery of Freya’s ruination in early 814M41, Deathwatch forces became aware of the Tyranid incursion. Since that time additional worlds have fallen prey to the swarm. Astropathic communications have been limited as the Hive Mind has spread its Shadow in the Warp. The relentless swarms of the xenos continue to grow, as each new triumph expands their available bio-mass. The stalwart vigilance of the Deathwatch in concert with the near-boundless sacrifices of the Achilus Crusade has blunted the pace of the xenos advance. However, the tide has not yet turned and the final outcome remains in the balance. The size of Hive Fleet Dagon has not yet been determined, but the forces of the Crusade and the Deathwatch are being struggling to compete.Overview
Throughout the Hive Fleet’s advance, it has continuously evolved new Tyranid creatures and alternative tactics. Imperial forces are thus challenged to identify new effective ways to respond to these threats. This section presents a number of the Hive Fleet’s more extreme innovations, while disclosing a few of the Imperium’s attempted responses. To date, neither side has enjoyed tremendous success from their alternative methods, but the tipping point continues to grow ever closer.
The Orpheus Salient’s advance was once rapid. System after system fell before the might of the Imperium’s return to the Jericho Reach. So great were there successes that Crusade command chose to reassign many of the Salient’s forces so that they might be utilised to fulfil more desperate needs. With the xenos incursion, the remaining forces have become overstretched. Substantial ground has been lost, and the Salient is in desperate need of reinforcements that are no longer available. As the individual battles stretch on longer and devour resources through attrition and loss, Crusade command has grown ever more frustrated. Unless the Imperium manages to somehow regain control, the Tyranids may overwhelm the Imperial armies that remain committed to the Orpheus Salient’s battlefronts.
Dagon Overview
“We have begun to encounter some communications difficulties within the Salient. These seem linked to activity near the Phonos system. I am personally taking Battlegroup Argo there, to identify the issue and get it quickly sorted. I am confident that it is not a matter of serious
concern.”
–General Mikal Curas, in his last dispatch to the Lord Militant
Imperial forces have continued to analyse Hive Fleet Dagon, but any measurement based upon Tyranid activity is confounded by the Shadow in the Warp. As the xenos presence prevents Imperial forces from effective communication, it is likely that additional worlds have fallen to the alien threat without the Crusade or even the Deathwatch becoming aware of the attacks. Consequently, any analysis that depend upon such data collection must be carefully considered in light of this imposed limitation.
Though Herisor was the first world to fall to the Tyranid threat, attacks upon Freya and Zanatov’s Harbour also occurred in short order. Timing of these early attacks is difficult to gauge, as there was little contact during the attack and substantial time may have passed before investigations revealed the Tyranid activity. Best estimates suggest that all three of these worlds were under assault at the same time.
“The Tyranid swarm must not be viewed as a foe set to destroy us, but as a tool. Our challenge is to learn to use that tool, so that it may not be used against the Imperium, but rather to assist the Imperium in fulfilling our manifest destiny.”
–Inquisitor Evaine Cartier
“We have begun to encounter some communications difficulties within the Salient. These seem linked to activity near the Phonos system. I am personally taking Battlegroup Argo there, to identify the issue and get it quickly sorted. I am confident that it is not a matter of seriousconcern.”–General Mikal Curas, in his last dispatch to the Lord Militant
