The Saturnine Pattern Arrives

While Chen Xi struggled to hold together the crumbling battle line at headquarters, and the Lion King and Leona fought bloodily in the void and on the surface respectively, the joint squad entrusted with a crucial part of the final plan had already arrived at the massive focusing prism control station orbiting the binary stars.

The control station's immense metal structure reflected a cold, hard gleam beneath the starlight, but beyond its observation windows there were no longer sterile machines and lights, only a layer of writhing organic matter that seemed almost alive.

Rough chitinous growths and viscous secretions could also be seen around the ventilation ducts and external docking hatches—the Tyranid Swarm had gotten there first, contaminating and occupying this vital facility.

"The control station has suffered biological contamination." The Deathwing knight leading the Dark Angels spoke in a low voice. The servos of his Terminators armor gave off a faint hum as he aimed his assault cannon at the main airlock, which had been sealed shut by organic matter.

A Blood Angels Terminator standing beside him gave a cold snort and clenched his Power Fist. "Then we cleanse it."

The accompanying Mephrit Crypteks showed no expression on their cold metal faces, but the violent flickering of their ghostly green optical sensors clearly conveyed their utter disgust at these "biological filth" profaning the dynasty's creations.

No further words were needed. A brief alliance founded on a common goal was forged in an instant.

"Bolt rounds, clear the way!" the Deathwing knight ordered.

In the next instant, a dense barrage of bolt rounds, plasma beams, and the Necron Technicians' Gauss Weapons struck the organic mass blocking the airlock at once.

Amid nauseating tearing sounds and the stench of scorched flesh, the thick biological tissue was instantly vaporized, ripped open into