Two Terras

Hell on Earth

"Estimated arrival time of the enemy fleet?" Castius asked, his aide Peggi, responded with a week long projection. Castius nodded, the fat enemy ships were slow and cautious as they approached Castius's vessels. "My lord? From what I see on the augur the xenos are predominantly going for a ground invasion." Castius formed his hands into a temple and closed his eyes. "Status of the ground, list them off." Peggi nodded and began to speak; "The Imperial Guard is spread out along the continents designated 'North America, Asia, and Europe.' The White Watch are in the same locations, The Drop Castella of the Sisters are still onboard awaiting repairs. Adeptus Mechanicus forces remain aboard as well, from what I see the Magos is doing...Magos things. Imperial Knight Drop Castella are moving down as we speak. The Cadian Mechanized have suffered heavy losses and are in a fighting retreat. The Kendall Armored and Messore Artillery are closing in on a country designated 'China' the 47th Donata Talons have cut the head off the natives and are transferring prisoners here. The 808th and the Irregulars are split along North America and Africa." Castius nodded, he opened his eyes to status screeds running down the feed of his bionic eye. He began to think, consider his options carefully and tactically. Castius finally began to speak, his voice was unmolested by hesitation or any weakness. "All Ships, begin moving into positions for orbital bombardment. Coordinates will be sent shortly." Peggi shot Castius a look, he ignored it. A vox communique shot across his screed, it was from the magos, she was outside. 

Minutes before...

The Magos poured over every morsel of data and information. Helmet Cameras, Servitor cameras, data reports made by adepts on the Battleship, every single thing she could find confirmed her suspicions. Constellation data matched, but everything was slightly...off. Clearly the xenos gate had thrown them into a different universe. This was known to be possible by the Mechanicus, too many times had fleets or warriors been lost in the warp only to return speaking of other worlds. This world was the closest thing to Holy Terra ever seen, even a planet similar to Mars had been seen. But this was not a true replica of the Sol System, it was skewed slightly. Untouched by the Glory of the Ommnissiah. Even then it warranted further study. The Magos began to organize Mechanicus scepters and research forces when a single order cut across her data logging. It was from the Admiral, "All Ships, begin moving into positions for orbital bombardment. Coordinates will be sent shortly."  The Magos, up until then had rarely experienced what she could call true human rage. But she felt it now. The Magos ripped herself from her study and placed her mechanical limbs into full function. Her legs were shaped like those of a standard human female but they were far more artistic, gilded with gold and ivory. But now, as her bare metal feet slammed against the deck of the Battleship the legs began to unfold into a spider like assembly. Soon she stood taller than even an Astartes as the Magos scurried along the winding decks and halls. Finally, she reached the bridge and four armsmen greeted her with barked orders and half raised shotguns. Her legs re assembled and the men slackened slightly. "<<Entry, Now>>" She growled. The heavy void suits the men wore offered protection against the elements of space, but not her now raised mechandendrites capped with blades and saws. One stepped forward, his heart rate was elevated but he stood strong nonetheless. He raised a hand to his fellows and they lowered their weapons. "The Admiral has been informed of your arrival honored techpriestess, we await his approval. Now if you would please lower your...appendages." The Magos obliged but watched him with a cold anger. "Thank you. Boys, at ease."

Castius heard the Magos come up behind him and round the corner, her metal feet plinking like the claws of a crustacean. "<<Your actions require explanation>>" Castius did not respond, only watching as death rate numbers counted higher in response to an algorithm for the orbital bombardment. Any location heavy with xenos infestation where imperial forces were not present was a target. "Our forces are spread too thin, there are too many enemies on the ground." The Magos drew closer, Castius's hand closest to his pistol twitched. "<<All projections show total destabilization of current ecosystem. It will be a hellscape>>" The Magos said, her machined lungs rattled from increased breathing. "Yes, it will." Castius said simply.