Chapter Summaries

Tyberus and the Avengers fought Hydra forces in the city while the Iron Legion evacuated civilians. A mysterious attacker’s armor-piercing shell struck Thor, and the chapter ended with a man stopping Wanda from acting and demanding to know what she had done.

• Tyberus smashed a Hydra tank, survived an armor-piercing shell that carved a dent in his shoulder guard, and charged another tank.
• Thor and Tony attacked Hydra soldiers while Tony and the Iron Legion guided civilians to safety.
• Tony warned Thor about an incoming shell, but it exploded behind Thor and hurled him into a building.
• Tony called David to report Thor’s need for medical treatment and rushed toward him.
• A man grabbed Wanda’s hand in a concealed room and demanded to know what she had done.

Wanda and Pietro hid their hostility toward Tony Stark when J.A.R.V.I.S. offered to evacuate them, while Rorschach’s forces rescued Thor and advanced on Hydra’s secret fortress. Doom’s Defense Force blasted open the fortress wall, leaving the attackers ready to begin a full assault.

• Wanda declared that she wanted revenge on Tony Stark, but Pietro urged her to leave Sokovia and control her powers; when J.A.R.V.I.S. arrived, the siblings pretended to welcome rescue.
• Rorschach’s forces fought Hydra’s soldiers in the streets and reached Thor, who recovered after Iron Man David gave him a Panacea Capsule.
• Iron Man David reported that Tyberus had entered the secret fortress and Doom’s forces were attacking from the cliffs, so Rorschach ordered the remaining legion to join the assault.
• Doom directed his Defense Force Company Commander to lead demolitionists to the fortress foundations, protecting them with defensive spells as they charged under fire.
• The demolitionists planted charges that blasted a breach in the fortress wall, and Doom ordered the Defense Force and Intelligent controlled legion to launch a full assault.

Rorschach, Tyberus, and their allies battled Hydra’s superhuman weapons and pushed deeper into the secret fortress. After learning Baron Strucker had fled underground, Rorschach ordered Doom to eliminate the remaining Hydra forces and led Tyberus on a decapitation strike.

• Tyberus and the Astartes guards fought Hydra’s superhumans while Thor and Tony joined the battle.
• Iron Man David found collars used to control superhumans and explained they had likely been made from trafficked missing children; Rorschach vowed Hydra’s destruction would memorialize them.
• Rorschach and Tyberus helped defeat the last superhumans, then led the group through the fortress as their allies fought Hydra’s tanks and soldiers.
• Doom reported that Baron Strucker and an elite Hydra unit had fled toward the underground section, while several pursuing Defense Force squads had gone missing.
• Rorschach ordered Doom to destroy the remaining Hydra forces and told Thor and Tony to contain escaped superhumans, then led Tyberus underground to pursue Strucker.

Rorschach and Tyberus fought through Hydra’s underground fortress and found cruise missiles carrying Death Spore Bombs. Baron Strucker revealed he had already started the launch sequence, but Rorschach killed him before he could finish his threat.

• Rorschach ordered Iron Man David to stop Hydra’s cruise missiles while he and Tyberus attacked the soldiers guarding them.
• Iron Man David reached the launch console as Rorschach and Tyberus fought through the underground plaza.
• Baron Strucker appeared and revealed that he had already initiated the launch sequence and that the missiles carried Death Spore Bombs.
• Baron Strucker attacked Rorschach with a beam that caused rapid decay, but Scythe of Blood blocked it.
• Rorschach fired Heart of the Forge at Baron Strucker while Tyberus cleared the way, and the plasma vaporized him.

Rorschach and his allies stopped Hydra’s death-spore missile threat, secured the secret fortress, and made plans to control Sokovia and restore order. As civilians celebrated compensation and promised investment, Sokovia’s president required them to keep the war secret, leaving the true cost of their new prosperity concealed.

• Rorschach and Tyberus reclaimed the Heart of the Forge, and Iron Man David disabled the cruise missiles before they could launch.
• Doom told Rorschach that the Defense Force had occupied the secret fortress and that he would identify Hydra agents across the city; Rorschach proposed controlling Sokovia’s president.
• Thor told Rorschach that death spores might resemble fungi found in Asgard, and Rorschach dismissed the possibility before leaving him bewildered.
• Sokovia’s president announced that Tony Stark and Imperial Heavy Industries would compensate residents for their losses and invest in the country.
• Sokovia’s president made compensation and future benefits conditional on residents keeping the war secret, and the crowd cheered in acceptance.

Pietro and Wanda planned to leave Sokovia and travel first to Latveria, then seek training in New York. Rorschach returned to the Defense Force base, where Zola confronted him about Doom and secured him a week of leave after the Hydra matter was resolved.

• Pietro and Wanda hid from the cheering crowd and discussed leaving their hometown together.
• Pietro proposed going to Latveria to earn money for passage to New York, and Wanda agreed while teasing him about carrying her.
• Rorschach, Tyberus, and Thor arrived at the Defense Force landing platform in a Thunderhawk Gunship.
• Zola confronted Rorschach about Doom's absence and complained that Raditus encouraged him to ignore her.
• Rorschach promised to give Doom a week's vacation after the Hydra matter was finished, and Zola thanked him.

Rorschach proposed destroying Hydra Island with a large-scale firestorm catalyst, and Tony and the others unanimously supported the plan. The chapter ended with Tony and Raditus beginning to prepare the catalyst at the Defense Force base.

• Iron Man David briefed Rorschach, Tony, and the others on Hydra Island’s defenses, its Xenos technology, and its estimated ten thousand personnel.
• Rorschach proposed using the Von-Dee Catalyst or a nuclear bomb to eliminate the Hydra forces on the isolated island.
• Tony endorsed using a firestorm catalyst instead of a nuclear bomb, and Thor, Tyberus, and the others agreed.
• Tony and his Iron Legion arrived at the Defense Force base, while Raditus brought the materials needed to make the catalyst.
• Raditus and Tony found a secluded spot at the base and began preparing the firestorm catalyst.

Rorschach and his forces flew toward Hydra Island to deliver Firestorm Catalysts, but a massive Pacific superstorm battered their aircraft. As Tony’s Iron Legion departed with one catalyst, Rorschach sensed enormous creatures beneath the ocean before Iron Man David announced they were nearing Hydra Island.

• Thirteen Thunderhawk Gunships carrying Rorschach’s forces and three canisters of Firestorm Catalyst took off toward Hydra Island.
• A massive superstorm shook the flight formation, and Thor explained that he could not simply dispel weather on that scale.
• Tony assured Rorschach that the three catalysts were stable, and Rorschach ordered Tony to lead the Iron Legion on a separate route with one canister.
• Tony and more than ten Iron Legion suits jumped through the storm and escorted the catalyst toward Hydra Island.
• Rorschach sensed enormous creatures beneath the ocean as the aircraft crossed the stormy sea.
• Iron Man David announced that the formation was approaching Hydra Island’s fifteen-nautical-mile range and would climb higher.

Tony and the Iron Legion attacked Hydra Island with Firestorm Catalyst, while Thor rescued Tony after anti-aircraft fire crippled his armor. The island was engulfed in blue flames, and Abominants pursued Hydra submarines carrying survivors into the sea.

• Tony discovered Hydra's anti-air defenses had detected the Iron Legion and fought off missiles while searching for targets.
• Tony ordered J.A.R.V.I.S. to control the Iron Legion and deploy the Firestorm Catalyst before more defenses could fire.
• The catalyst ignited above Hydra Island, and anti-aircraft fire damaged Tony's thrusters, sending him tumbling toward the ground.
• Thor caught Tony and brought him to safety as Thunderhawk Gunships dropped two more canisters over the island.
• The overlapping fires spread across Hydra Island, killing soldiers, destroying structures, and setting off ammunition depots.
• Thunderhawk Gunships spotted Hydra submarines escaping, and Abominants plunged into the sea to pursue them.

Rorschach and his allies searched the burned-out Hydra Island and found the Xenos Hive dead in its underground base. With Hydra nearly destroyed worldwide, Rorschach agreed to let Tony, Rogers, and Thor handle the remaining North American faction discreetly.

• The Abominants sank or destroyed the Hydra submarines, preventing anyone from escaping Hydra Island.
• After the firestorm weakened, Rorschach and the others entered the underground base and found the Xenos Hive dead beside serpentine mechanical constructs.
• Rorschach vaporized the Hive's corpse with plasma in case it was pretending to be dead.
• Iron Man David led the Abominants to search the base while Rorschach discussed Hydra's remaining forces with Tony and Thor.
• Tony argued against a conspicuous assault on North American Hydra, and promised to work with Rogers and Thor to eliminate Alexander and the confirmed Hydra personnel.

After the Great Whites returned from a dangerous Support Operation with Rorschach, he rejected Tyberus’s offer to keep fighting because the remaining missions were too perilous. The Great Whites prepared to return to their Void Fleet after discussing future cooperation with Rorschach.

• Rorschach left Hydra Island guarded by Abominants, returned to the Twin Islands Base, and arranged supplies for the Great Whites.
• Rorschach told Tyberus that the Pharos Beacon and The Emperor’s blessing allowed him to conduct Support Operations across different battlefields, and he revealed that he had fought alongside Primarch Corvus and met other Primarchs.
• Rorschach, Tyberus, and the Astartes bodyguards entered the Warhammer Universe and spent half a month destroying a Chaos Astartes warband that had hijacked an Imperium Rogue Trader fleet.
• The group returned successfully with a Throne Gelt, and Rorschach had their damaged armor serviced at the Forge Factory on Second Son Island.
• Tyberus offered the Great Whites’ help on more Support Operations, but Rorschach refused because the missions were too dangerous and he would not risk their Battle Brothers for his own gains.
• The Great Whites trained at the gang dogs’ grounds, discussed future communication and cooperation with Rorschach, and waited for the day they would return to their Void Fleet.

Tyberus and the Great White honor guards returned to their fleet with Rorschach’s supplies when the Chapter urgently called them back. Rorschach then received another transmission from the Great White Chapter, and a Contemptor Dreadnought arrived in the circular plaza.

• Tyberus told Rorschach he would send War Foundation and discussed the possibility of providing ancient vehicles for study.
• The Great White Chief Librarian summoned Tyberus back to lead the Chapter in its coming war, and Tyberus and the honor guards vanished with the cargo.
• Rorschach found the Great White Chapter’s summoning emblem temporarily unavailable and sent the Chapter food and Corpse Starch supplies.
• Rorschach approved a new transmission request, and a Contemptor Dreadnought appeared and greeted the honored Primarch.

Rorschach received a planet-destroying Bipole Torpedo and an ancient Red Amulet from the Great White Chapter, while arranging care for Itakko, the First Ancestor. After discussing Gene-seed research and plans to test teleportation risks, Rorschach began another enhancement simulation.

• Itakko gave Rorschach a Bipole Torpedo from Tyberus and explained that he preferred to remain in his Dreadnought rather than risk losing his resolve.
• Itakko tossed Rorschach an ancient Red Amulet that could control mechanical creations, warning him to prepare against threats from others.
• Rorschach arranged maintenance and diluted panacea for Itakko, then had Raditus place him in a Stasis Field deep within Twin Islands Base.
• Teacher Connors explained that inactive Star Knights Gene-seed could not be used to cultivate new Gene-seed, and Rorschach promised to find living samples.
• Rorschach planned a teleportation experiment with the Great White Chapter to assess Chaos corruption risks before sending core personnel to study there.
• Rorschach returned to his room, prayed to the Emperor, and opened the Simulator to begin another enhancement simulation.

A mysterious warrior in blue-painted Power Armor appeared aboard the Red Tears during the Great Crusade and claimed to be the Emperor’s twenty-second Primarch. After learning Sanguinius had gone to Signus Prime, he realized the ship was in danger of Chaos corruption and rushed toward the bridge with Azkaellon following.

• The warrior arrived aboard the Red Tears in M31, year five, carrying the Scythe of Blood and wearing blue-painted Power Armor.
• A Blood Angel challenged him, and the warrior defeated him by breaking his Power Sword and striking his helmet.
• The warrior claimed to be the Emperor’s twenty-second Primarch and demanded to meet Sanguinius.
• The Blood Angel said Sanguinius had taken most of the Legion to Signus Prime and would not return until the Legion’s campaign ended.
• The warrior recognized Signus Prime as a warning sign, declared the Red Tears was about to crash because its captain had been corrupted by Chaos, and sprinted for the bridge.
• Azkaellon followed, doubting the warning but directing the warrior toward the bridge and giving his name.

The twenty-second Primarch and Azkaellon reached the Red Tears’ bridge, where Captain Athena had fallen to Slaanesh’s corruption and was killed by Blood Angels. After revealing that Horus had betrayed the Emperor and Signus Prime was a trap for Sanguinius, the Primarch prepared to lead reinforcements there.

• Azkaellon guided the Primarch through the Red Tears as Blood Angel squads joined them, and they rushed to the bridge amid reports of fighting.
• They found Captain Athena unleashing corrupted psychic power on the crew while clutching a Navigator, and the Blood Angels shot her dead.
• Before dying, Athena addressed the Primarch and mentioned Slaanesh’s interest in him, prompting the Blood Angels and surviving naval personnel to recognize and salute him.
• The Primarch told the gathered crew that Horus and eight other Primarchs had turned to Chaos and that Signus Prime was a trap meant to isolate Sanguinius.
• The Primarch ordered Azkaellon to assemble volunteers, then rallied three veteran squads to join him in rescuing Sanguinius on Signus Prime.

The protagonist arrived at Signus Prime amid the devastation of the Blood Angels’ battle and realized Kharn was using Sanguinius’ suffering to intensify their Blood Thirst. He coated a battle standard with his Emperor’s Blood, ignited it with Psychic Flames, and raised it against the enraged veterans.

• The protagonist and fifteen Blood Angels veterans landed at Signus Prime, where they found a ruined city, dead civilians, destroyed transports, and fallen Blood Angels.
• The protagonist suspected Sanguinius had been wounded and noticed pale red vapor driving the veterans toward Blood Thirst.
• He recognized Kharn’s scheme and backed away from the veterans as they began to lose control.
• After blood from a tattered battle standard splashed onto his visor, the protagonist cut his palm and smeared Emperor’s Blood across the banner.
• Psychic Flames ignited the blood-covered banner, and the protagonist raised it toward the veterans as they prepared to attack, roaring, “For the Emperor—”

You used the Burning Emperor's Blood Banner to break the Blood Angels' Blood Thirst and lead them into battle against the Chaos Daemons. After fighting through the daemons, you confronted Kharn, who attacked as you prepared to face him alone.

• You charged into the Blood Angels veterans with the Banner of the Emperor's Blood, dispelling their Blood Thirst and rallying them to follow you.
• You led the veterans toward the Bone Temple, where Khorne and Slaanesh daemons slaughtered Blood Angels under the watch of Kharn, the Bloodthirster.
• You and the veterans attacked the daemons, using the banner and Scythe of Blood to burn and cut down Bloodletters while more Blood Angels recovered their reason.
• Kharn landed before you and demanded that you submit to the Blood God or die, and you answered him with defiance.
• Kharn wrapped your Power Armor in his flaming Bone Flail and brought his Blood-colored Great Axe down toward your head.

Sanguinius fought Kharn with the Burning Emperor's Blood Banner and Scythe of Blood, wounding him but suffering severe injuries in return. As Blood Angels sacrificed themselves to buy him time to recover, Sanguinius charged Kharn and hurled the banner at him.

• Sanguinius used Shadow Step to evade Kharn's Blood-colored Great Axe and cut away most of one of his wings with the Scythe of Blood.
• Kharn charged as a crimson whirlwind, then struck Sanguinius with the Bone Flail and sent him flying, shattering his Iron Halo and damaging his Power Armor.
• Sanguinius recovered with help from the armor's medical life-support system and decided to fight Kharn until its supply of panacea ran out.
• Blood Angels ignored Sanguinius's order to withdraw and launched sacrificial attacks against Kharn to give him time to heal.
• Sanguinius removed his helmet, taunted Kharn, charged him, and hurled the Burning Emperor's Blood Banner at his enemy.

You and Sanguinius defeated Kharn, but Slaanesh daemons poured from the Bone Temple and renewed their assault on the Blood Angels. Sanguinius recognized you from a psychic prophecy, and you joined him in preparing to fight the demons.

• Kharn threw his great axe at you while a Slaanesh Greater Daemon bound you with psychic energy.
• Sanguinius emerged from the Church Ruins and threw a Golden Spear, freeing you from the daemon’s restraint when it struck Kharn’s axe.
• Sanguinius attacked Kharn with the Blade of Blood and cut off his head, ending the Khorne Greater Daemon’s plot against the Blood Angels and Sanguinius.
• Sanguinius told you that psychic prophecy had foreseen your arrival but said it could not change certain events, then warned that daemons were attacking again.
• You gave Sanguinius the Spear of Completion, picked up the Banner of the Emperor’s Blood, and poured your blood onto it as you called him to fight beside you.

You and Sanguinius led the Blood Angels toward the Bone Temple to destroy the source of their Blood Thirst State, fighting through Slaanesh daemons and Word Bearers. Inside the temple, Sanguinius confronted the Greater Daemon The Fiend of Slaanesh as Khorvas sprang a trap by dropping a colossal device from the ceiling.

• You discovered that the Burning Emperor's Blood Banner could suppress Blood Thirst State only within a limited range, so you and Sanguinius rallied the Blood Angels and charged toward the Bone Temple.
• Khorvas ordered the Slaanesh daemons to abandon the Blood Angels lost to Blood Thirst State and attack the rear of your force.
• You spotted Word Bearers at the Bone Temple entrance, charged them, and hacked several apart while Sanguinius stormed inside.
• The Fiend of Slaanesh appeared before Sanguinius and tried to tempt him with the promise of saving his descendants.
• Khorvas raised its blades as a colossal brass-and-crystal mechanical device crashed through the Bone Temple's damaged ceiling.