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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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→Prelude to Port Maw
====Prelude to Port Maw====
{{Main|Port Maw}}
Horus had not been unprepared. Traitor Agents were already embedded throughout the Coronid Deeps.{{Fn|1a}} By the time of the Istvan III atrocity, Horus had already used his influence as Warmaster to have elements of Port Maw's Armada scattered on deep patrols in space, chasing flimsy reports of pirates or xenos activity, or reinforcing distant warzones and conflicts even where they were not called for. By 006.[[M31]], when the fires of rebellion were finally made clear, efforts by Port Maw to recall their fleet were greatly disrupted. The upsurge in [[ruinstorm| warp turbulence]] so infamously associated with the Horus Heresy would make itself felt, and the fleets sent chasing after mist and shadows now found the threats very real and dire. Xenos raiders, piracy, attacks unknown warships and all manner of calamities assaulted their fleets. The [[Rogue Trader]] [[Rom Jhuttlander]], who had served as pathfinder to Horus [[63rd Expeditionary Fleet| 63<sup>rd</sup> expeditionary force]], would launch raids from the [[Coronid Prohibited Zone]], which Port Maw had been forbidden to enter by ancient decree. Soon the Warmaster's emissaries themselves would arrive, demanding dark compliance. Many deep range patrols simply did not return.{{Fn|1c}}
Worse still, an unexpected appearance of the [[Ork]] [[Space Hulk]] ''[[Red Polyphemus]]'' in the region forced an entire battle group from Port Maw to be diverted to deal with the threat. Such a sudden attack by Orks that had seemingly been suppressed in the region for over 30 years would, in hind-sight, appear to be more than mere coincidence. Normally the fleet would call upon [[Legiones Astartes]] support to board and put an end to the space hulk, but deprived of this they were forced to commit to the dangerous task of bombarding and destroying the space hulk, all while Solar Auxilia forces kept counter attacks and invasions of nearby worlds by the Orks at bay. Port Maw's battlegroup finally fragmented the Space Hulk in 007.[[M31]], taking a heavy toll in attrition throughout that time. By then, word had come that the [[Death Guard]] had arrived to mount an attack towards the Manachean Commonwealth itself, and forces from the surrounding region were called to muster at Port Maw.{{Fn|1c}}
