CAMPAIGN FLUFF: The Folly of Man

The auto-stylus whirred and clicked as it produced the report. The Imperial forces had been taken by surprise and the losses had been catastrophic. Captain Agrippa had expected an alien presence but nothing on the scale of what they had encountered. He had been lucky to escape with his life, he knew. Had the Canoness not sacrificed herself so bravely, he was sure that the Ork would have finished him. Well, he would not make the same mistake twice. Reinforcements were on the way. Agrippa knew all to well the speed at which an Ork or Tyranid infestation could swell to unstoppable proportions. But how had there been both Orks and Tyranids on Dantus IX? And how could there have been Tyranid monstrosities of such awesome power? There was a beeping as the auto-stylus indicated it was finished. Agrippa picked up the report...


JOURNAL OF REPORTS FOR EXPERIMENT D9

COMPILER: **FILE CORRUPTED - DATA LOST**
DATE: **FILE CORRUPTED - DATA LOST**

ENTRY: The experiment on the Ork genome begins today. I am confident that we shall achieve great results of benefit to our archives.

ENTRY: Preliminary tests continue well. We have had much success in isolating the peculiar character of the Orkish gene. Its reproductive nature is of considerable interest, being of a fungal nature. The possibilities of this are limitless.

ENTRY: Further tests on the nature of Ork genetic preprogramming. We have had managed to have some effect on the predisposition of the Orks bred but are still having some difficulty quelling the beast's aggressive nature.

ENTRY: What luck! We have been given samples of the xenos genus Tyrannus! I have applied for permission to introduce the Tyranid gene samples into our experiments. I'm sure the mutagenic nature of the Tyranid DNA will help us conquer Orkish aggressiveness once and for all!

ENTRY: Disastrous day today. Holding pens malfunctioned and allowed Tyranid samples into the Ork holding bay. We lost huge quantities of samples. Something interesting did occur, though. One of the newer generation Orks was not attacked by the Tyranids. They seem utterly uninterested by the specimen. I have brought the subject in for dissection.

ENTRY: Analysis of the Ork survivor of last weeks accident has lead to a substantial discovery. Crossing of the Ork and Tyranid DNA has led to the fungal spores given off by the Ork acting so as to make it appear friendly to the Tyranid. This is a fascinating discovery, that could lead to many practical uses.

ENTRY: Success! The latest Ork generation has been truly pacified. We have started work on a mining operation with them. It seems we have created a slave race cheaper and more efficient than servitors. With this experiment a success, I shall move on to further study of the Tyranid genome.

ENTRY: Emperor save us from superstition and credulity. I have had reports from outlying mining stations of attacks by Tyranid lifeforms. All Tyranid lifeforms on this planet are in our research station, we would know if any lifeforms had made landfall on this planet!

ENTRY: Curious reports from the Ork staffed mining stations. Mine overseers claim the Orks seem to have started making their own tools and even some vehicles. Another inbuilt characteristic of the Orkish gene?

ENTRY: Something has gone wrong. We have lost contact with the Ork staffed mining stations. Several guards around the complex have gone missing at night. I have requested increased security around our station but have had no reply as of yet.

ENTRY: Orks attacked in the night. They have built crude weapons and are fighting alongside Tyranids! I fear the mutated spores have made the Tyranids see them as friends. Such monsters! How could Tyranid creatures of such size and complexity exist so far from a Hive fleet? The outer defensive are breached. It's only a matter of time now.


Agrippa put down the report. The arrogance and stupidity of the researches on this planet had turned it into a death world. Well, Agrippa was prepared now. He knew his duty. He would cleanse this planet of the xenos threat or he would die in the attempt. The war for Dantus IX had begun.