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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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The Emperor ordered the deployment of seven full Space Marine Legions against him, agonizing over the betrayal of his most beloved son. Unknown to the Emperor of Mankind, four of the deployed Primarchs and their Legions had already turned against him, forming a "fifth column" which would strike against the Loyalists at the most decisive moment.
Prior to the landing of the planet, Fulgrim and the Emperor's Children built fortifications and trenches, ableto protect the traitor legions from orbital bombardment. The initial naval operations seemed to go well for the Loyalist side. The Imperial Navy managed gain orbit over Isstvan V and the Legions proceeded with their planetary deployment. Thousands of Drop Pods and Stormbirds were deployed for the drop. The first wave was under the overall command of [[Ferrus Manus]] and besides his own Legion, the [[Iron Hands]], included the [[Salamanders]] lead by [[Vulkan]], and the [[Raven Guard]] under [[Corax]]. Vulkan's Legion hit the left side of the traitors, Ferrus Manus, Gabriel Santar, and 10 full companies of terminators(morlocks) went straight to the middle, and Corax's Legion hit the right side of the enemy position. Vulkan slammed his legion to the Traitor's left. They landed right into a bloodbath. The odds were considered eqaualequal; 30,000 traitors against 40,000 loyalists. Horus was aware of the chosen drop site and his troops fell upon the surprised Legions. Ferrus Manus engaged Fulgrimin a ferocious duel, only to die at his handsbut ultimately failed and was defeated. The Loyalists retreated towards the apparent safety of their brothers of the second wave.
The Legions of the second wave were no longer loyal to the Emperor. The [[Night Lords]] of [[Konrad Curze]], the [[Iron Warriors]] of [[Perturabo]], the [[Word Bearers]] of [[Lorgar]], and the [[Alpha Legion]] of [[Alpharius]] fell upon their unsuspecting brothers and the ensuing slaughter is widely known as the ''Drop Site Massacre''.
After the battle, the head of Ferrus Manus was delivered by Fulgrim to Horus as a trophy.
Only a few Loyalist Space Marines, bearing the gene-seed of their fallen brothers and carrying the critically wounded Corax, managed to escape. A loyal Primarch had fallen in battle, another was severely wounded, and a third was missing in action. Vulcan Vulkan was missing, and how he ultimately managed to survive and to escape is quite unclear. It was disastrous news for the Emperor and the Imperium.
Due the developments at [[Prospero]] the rebellion would be further be strengthened by [[Magnus the Red]] and his Legion, the [[Thousand Sons]], servants of [[Tzeentch]]. Horus had nine Space Marine Legions and had all but destroyed three loyal ones. The way to [[Terra]] was wide open, and the [[Battle of Terra]] would follow.
