Continuing the Advance

Scalus Sector

05328D Operator:

First broadcast, key yubns-92, Terra time 999.11.2, 8:06 a.m., Scalus Sector Second Front, Zone 1, 3c.

The Underking had requested movement. Request approved. Forces in the Third and Fourth War Zones of Burnscol Planet, prepare to receive him. Based on local Psychic Power density, Cult of the Underworld combatants would implement Plan 3-Beta. Over.

Boom! Boom—BOOM!

The earth shook beneath the artillery fire of Leman Russ tanks. Tanks of different models, positioned in different directions, fired at once. In the distance, the stationary Titans also unleashed torrents of flame.

Fighter craft swept through the sky in formations like migrating geese, raining shells down and setting the entire Hive City ablaze.

"In the Underking's name! Fire! Fire—keep it pinned down! Don't let it come out!!!"

A Cult of the Underworld priest crouched behind a Leman Russ tank and roared. His face twisted beneath his gas mask as something enormous writhed within the fiercely burning Hive City ahead of him.

The sky suddenly darkened. The priest snapped his gaze upward and saw a gigantic tentacle made of intertwined naked human bodies extend from the Hive City's ruins, lashing toward him. His pupils contracted sharply—

BOOM!

Brilliant sparks burst in the air. The tentacle shrieked and recoiled as a massive explosive shell from a distant Titan saved him. Flesh and blood rained down over him with a wet splatter.

"Urgh—ah! Underking above!"

The priest wiped his gas mask. A piercing crackle of static reached his ears, nearly deafened by the shelling.

"Second broadcast, key..."

The Cult of the Underworld priest abruptly froze. Despite standing amid sticky, revolting flesh and gore, he tilted his head and listened intently to the words on the channel.

Then—

"Underking! The Underking has come! The request went through!"

He cheered and immediately switched the