Interrogator Chaplain Bish stood at the communication console of the Hunter Class Starship, Naaman's Honor. The incoming message played out on the screen in front of him.

++++SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Deathwing++++
++++TELEPATHIC DUCT: Classified++++
++++TO: Interrogator Chaplain Bish, Third Company Angelica Mortis++++
++++FROM: Supreme Grand Master Azrael++++
++++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “To die for the Lion is glory” ++++

Message received
Information on the Fallen cannot fall into anyone's hand's not even our allies.
If you deem it necessary, exterminate. Exterminate with extreme prejudice.
By direct order of the Inner Circle.

Supreme Grand Master Azrael

++++End Transmission++++

Chaplain Bish directed the crew of the Naaman's Honor to enter the planets atmosphere and jam all outgoing long-range communications. Perhaps the Lion was with them this evening and all would go better then expected. But Bish knew in his two hearts that this was going to be a bloody day for the Dark Angels and the Imperium.

-----------------------

Bish cursed under his breath as he watched the five Thunderhawk Gunships drop down through the atmosphere of the planet Dakoler. The view screen in front of him momentarily adjusted to the brightness of the tracer fire coming from the planet. It was not what he had hoped for. The mining colony on Dakoler had been abandoned several months earlier due to a Genestealer invasion. A contingent of Blood Angels were stationed there to make sure no Genestealers were left. The tracer coming from the planet meant only one thing. In the few hours he had been there, Fallen #4273 had corrupted the Blood Angels. Perhaps not willingly but they were corrupted. Bish was still on the bridge of the Naaman's Honor while his troops began their invasion of the planet. He stepped away from his station to prepare to be teleported to the surface. He was certain that no outgoing communications from the Blood Angels concerning #4273 had been transmitted prior to their arrival. The servitors aboard the Naaman's Honor had successfully jammed all signals from the planet, assuring that none ever would. Bish motioned to the five marines in Terminator Armor waiting at the back of the bridge and they followed him out.

On the surface of the planet all five of the Dark Angels Thunderhawks landed without incident, despite the heavy fire they had encountered. The Dark Angels inside disembarked taking up positions on the craggy rocks surrounding the mine that was now the temporary stronghold for the Blood Angels. Bish had prepared them for what might happen and although some did not understand the full significance of this mission, they were ready for anything. Those that were not members of the Deathwing had been told that a force of Chaos marines had disguised themselves as Blood Angels and had to be stopped. However far fetched that explanation was, no Dark Angel would ever question the orders of an Interrogator Chaplain.

There was only one way in and out of the Mine. The Blood Angels inside would have to rush across a narrow bridge to confront the Dark Angels and that is just what the Dark Angels wanted. Two devastator squads Zakkiel and Leliel were positioned on both sides of the road leading to the bridge. Zakkiel was filled with Power Armor crushing Plasma Cannon's, while Leliel was armed with a Lascannon and Heavy Bolters.

Dreadnought Ahadiel was positioned behind Leliel lending his Twin Linked Lascannons to their already considerable power. Two tactical Squads Raziel and Alatus Mortis were deployed below Zakkiel. Up the center of the road came Predator tank Morkai armed with more Lascannons to assure that no Blood Angel Tanks would survive this battle. Behind the Predator, another Tactical Squad, Occultus Veridicus, brought up the rear. To the left of this deployment Scout Squad Karoz had positioned themselves as far forward as possible in the hopes that they might be able to hold up any Blood Angel units, while the rest of the Dark Angels force moved forward. Three Ravenwing Landspeeders positioned themselves nearby as well ready to travel where Tactical troops couldn't. Their orders were to wipe out everyone.
"Don't leave one man alive" Bish had said.
The Dark Angels were ready and apparently so were these "imposter" Blood Angels.

Chaplain Bish briefed the five Terminators around him as they donned their helmets. Bish rarely used his Tactical Dreadnought Armor. He liked the freedom that normal Power Armor afforded him. However this mission was no ordinary one. If the Dark Angels lost this battle, word would inevitably spread through the Imperium that the Dark Angels had turned traitor. And while Bish knew that this was the furthest thing from the truth he was not going to allow that to happen. It was for this reason that Bish was ready to destroy an entire contingent of Blood Angels. The Inner Circle agreed with that decision. Bish explained to the marines with him that in fact the Blood Angels on the surface where loyal to the Imperium. But that a Fallen Angel had corrupted them and that for that reason they must be destroyed.
"It is better to Shoot first and ask questions later in a situation like this" he said.
They were also to capture the Fallen Angel so that Bish could take him back to the Tower of Angels for interrogation. Bish was pleased that the marines with him understood that this was the only course of action and that no matter what they saw, they would stay loyal to the Dark Angels. They all knelt before him and he blessed each one in preparation for the battle ahead.

Back on Dakoler the Dark Angels Predator moved up the road towards the abandoned mine. At the same time a Blood Angels Baal predator started to cross the bridge in front of them. The Dark Angels positioned on the rocks could see Marines in red armor following the predator from behind.

The Dark Angels Devastators and Tac squads held their positions realizing that the Blood Angels were going to come to them. The Scouts and Ravenwing Land Speeders however moved forward to intercept. Suddenly the firing began, both sides trying to destroy each other. The Baal Predator made it across the bridge and moved to its left allowing the Blood Angel marines behind it to move forward across the bridge. At that same time the Chaplain leading the Blood Angels along with his Squad of Death Company Marines used their Jump Packs to move to the front of the battle.

Devastator Squad Leliel and Dreadnought Ahadiel both opened fire with their Lascannons at the Baal Predator. The hope was to destroy it before it began laying down suppressing fire. However its armor was too tough and the Lascannon shots bounced right off of it. In a blaze of Plasma shots from Devastator Squad Zakkiel the Blood Angels Death Company met with a fiery end. Squad Zakkiel's attack was so ferocious they managed to wipe out the Death Company completely, except for the Chaplain, who stood dazed and alone but protected by his Rosarius. Seeing the Chaplain all alone, the Dark Angels Predator fired it's Lascannon and killed him where he stood. Slumping in front of his troops the Chaplain took his last breath. The Terminators behind him made there way forward. Ready to wreck revenge against the renegade Dark Angels.

Six immense Deathwing Terminators stepped into the Teleportation chamber of the Naaman's Honor. Deep Striking on to a battlefield was not for the weak of heart, or stomach and it was not always reliable. Bish recalled the first time he'd had to enter battle this way and he prayed this would not be his last. As the Terminators waited for the green flash that would begin their rapid descent to the surface, a red armored Tech-Marine rushed into the chamber.
"The main engine of the Teleporter has malfunctioned," he said. "We are rerouting to the back up system but it's going to take twenty minutes!"
"We don't have twenty minutes," Bish growled through his skull shaped helmet. "I want this working in ten!!"
The Techmarine nodded and left the room. Bish triggered the command view inside his helmet. Immediately a 3D view of the battle going on below appeared as if it was right in front of him. He activated his secure com-link and began speaking to the Sergeant of Scout Squad Karoz.
"Sergeant Duma, what I am about to ask will be the most difficult job you have ever undertaken."
"We do what is needed of us sir" Sergeant Duma replied.
"I need you to stall that squad of Terminators coming over the bridge for as long as you possibly can. If you can hold them long enough, we may be able to keep the rest of those traitors from crossing the bridge until I and my team can arrive." Bish paused; the next words would not be easy. "We both know the odds of coming back from this alive Sergeant Duma, but I guarantee you will be remembered in the Tower of Angels."
"It's been a pleasure to serve under you." Sergeant Duma said, and the com-link crackled closed.
Bish watched as Duma and his men began to advance on the five Terminators in front of them. Perhaps their two to one advantage would keep them alive just long enough. As he waited for the first Scout to fall, Bish slammed his fist on the onboard com-link button and demanded an update on the transporter.

At the same time on the surface of Dakoler the Dark Angels Predator had been destroyed. Blood Angels perched on the hills inside the confines of the mine had a perfect vantage point over the battlefield and they were using it to their advantage. The Baal Predator began laying down cover fire for the Terminators crossing the bridge. Its twin-linked Assault Cannons spraying into the advancing Dark Angel Tactical Squads. Dreadnought Ahadiel once again opened fire on the Predator with his Lascannons this time they hit their mark and turned the Predator into a smoking hulk. One of the three Ravenwing Land Speeders had already fallen to Lascannon fire, but the two that were left made there way forward to cover the Scouts moving against the Terminators. Just as the Scouts were in charging range of the Terminator squad, two blasts of red-hot Melta fire came from the hills across the polluted green river. A Blood Angels Attack Bike and Dreadnought both armed with Mulit-Melta's had fired on the Land Speeders. One Land Speeder immediately dropped from the sky in a pile of Molten Slag. The second pilot in a feat that only a member of the Ravenwing could pull off, banked to the left and then back to the right completely dodging the Melta blast.

Sergeant Duma led his Scouts forward into the fray. He knew they would follow him anywhere, even to this certain death. The Blood Angel Terminators turned to meet them as the fearless Scouts piled in. The chance was thin that the Scout's weapons could actually penetrate the thick Tactical Dreadnought Armor. However two scouts immediately began working their weapons into the weakest part of one of the Terminators. Their persistence paid off. Before they could be pulled off the Scouts had penetrated deep enough to deliver a fatal wound. The death of that first Terminator made it seem that perhaps the overwhelming numbers of the Scouts might actually be able to stop the Terminators. But, the Powerfists of the Terminators quickly quelled that hope. Three of the ten Scouts were crushed by the swinging blows of the remaining four Terminators. But the Scouts didn't stop coming. Their Sergeant, a member of the Deathwing, had instilled in them the stubbornness that the Dark Angels are known for. They would fight to the very last man. The Dark Angels Devastator Squads positioned in the hills laid down more suppressing fire as the three Tactical Squads, Raziel, Alatus Mortis and Occultus Veridicus moved forward to try and support the Scouts fighting ahead of them. Inside the Blood Angels compound, the forces returned fire, trying to unsuccessfully thin the ranks of the Dark Angels. The Blood Angels Dreadnought began making his way to the bridge to back up the Terminators fighting on the other side. Four more scouts fell to the killing blows of the Terminators. The Blood Angels power weapons slicing and crushing through the Scouts weaker armor. As the Blood Angel Terminator Sergeant raised his Powersword to strike again, the sky suddenly turned pitch black. With a loud crack a bright flash of green light seemed to cover the sky from horizon to horizon. The fighting subsided for just a moment as the green light engulfed the battlefield. As the light dissipated, both sides could make out six new combatants in the middle of the battlefield, Interrogator Chaplain Bish and his retinue. The fighting began again in earnest.

The Deep Strike had put Chaplain Bish right where he wanted to be. It appeared that Sergeant Duma and the rest of his Squad had been able to hold off the Terminators just long enough.

Bish and his Squad began heading toward the Blood Angel Terminators. As they advanced two more Scouts fell to the Powerfists of the Blood Angels. Only Sergeant Duma remained. Armed with his Chainsword he tore into one more Terminator killing him. The Blood Angels Sergeant raised his Powersword to strike Duma.

The last remaining Ravenwing Land Speeder made it's way across the Blood Angels lines and began hitting them from behind. The crew’s hearts were filled with vengeance for their fallen comrades as they emptied their Heavy Bolter into the Blood Angels troops. The Blood Angel Attack Bike tried once more to destroy the Land Speeder, but failed and he too felt the wrath of the Ravenwing.

Chaplain Bish reached the melee as the Blood Angel Sergeant struck Duma with his Powersword. As Duma fell dead, Bish gritted his teeth and waded into the Blood Angels with his Crozius Arcanum swinging.His righteous anger reached a fever pitch as he smashed and killed two of the three remaining Terminators.

The Blood Angels Sergeant swung with his Powersword but it was reflected off of Bish's Rosarius. The force of the conversion field pushed the Sergeant back. Bish lunged and thrust his Crozius forward with such force that the Sergeants chest armor crumpled beneath it. As Bish moved to finish him, the Sergeant held up his hand and asked between labored gasps "Why... did... you... do... this...?"
Bish raised his Crozius for the final blow and said, "I do this for the Lion and redemption!"

Bish saw that the battle would soon be over. He signaled the Dark Angel troops to continue their advance on the Blood Angels. They would all have to die. The only thing standing between him and his quarry was the Dreadnought crossing the bridge. Bish ordered his squad forward and with a few well-placed Powerfists they stopped the behemoth.

As the rest of the Unforgiven battled with what remained of the Blood Angels, Brother Bish and his squad made their way into the mine searching for their former brother. To Bish's surprise he found the Fallen Angel huddled in a corner babbling to himself. The Fallen gave himself up quite willingly, as if he had expected to be caught all along. Bish knew that what had happened here had been planned, but by whom.

-----------------------

2 weeks later...


++++SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Deathwing++++
++++TELEPATHIC DUCT: Classified++++
++++TO: Supreme Grand Master Azrael and the Inner Circle++++
++++FROM: Interrogator Chaplain Bish, Third Company Angelica Mortis++++
++++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “The weed of chaos bears bitter fruit.”++++

My Masters,

It is with great reluctance that I call the mission on Dakoler a success. While we did manage to capture Fallen Dark Angel #4273 the cost is one that I would not wish to pay again. The Blood Angels fought hard but the taint of the Fallen would never have allowed them to succeed.

The Interrogation of #4273 has proceeded as expected. I believe that there is no hope for his redemption except at the point of my Blades of Reason. His years spent in the grip of Chaos have reduced him to a gibbering mad man. It is a wonder he was able to fool the Blood Angels at all. He keeps repeating the name Dragien as if it had some great significance to him. We also found hidden in his robes a star chart. It pinpoints the position of what we believe is a secret base on the planet Lelithar in the Agripinaa sector. His Ramblings also lead me to believe that there may be Fallen there. This would coincide with the sightings of the one that purports to be the Voice of the Emperor and the Madness that is overtaking that sector. I have sent a scout mission to ascertain that the base is there. We are ready to strike if it is found.
We will bring them to redemption.

I would like to recommend that Sergeant Duma and the Marines of Scout Squad Karoz be remembered on the walls of the Tower of Angels. Never have I seen Dark Angels fight so valiantly in the face of certain destruction. They would have made the Lion proud.

For the Lion,

Interrogator Chaplain Bish

++++End Transmission++++