The Space Marines are being called to war.
The forge world of Agesh in the Webher subsector is being attacked by an T'au raiding party, which was trying to move the borders of its empire. They weren't listening to any attempts of reason and were attacking any humans that tried to come close, making the Imperium think they were outcasts of some sort, though the landing force was quite large and there was definitely more aboard the ships. The local Guard regiments couldn't handle the technological advances the T'au had over humanity. The planetary governor requested any and all aid to be sent towards the planet in hopes of driving them away. Several Space Marine chapters responded, including, but not limited to, a task force from the Ultramarines, a company of Salamanders, and a full three companies of the Shadows.
The Shadows followed in the Dark Ravens' footsteps, as well as the Space Wolves, using stealth and speed to deal with a threat as quickly as possible, while making sure they had as much firepower as possible for the job. They never used Thunderhawks for an initial assault, preferring to use drop pods for the terror and the weapon turrets they have when blown open. From then on, augmented Thunderhawks are used, painted black and without any insignia, unlike the rest of the Chapters. The main force of the Shadows are still Tactical squads, like the rest, but they're transported in Rhinos to various theatres of war when needed. Usually before a battle Scouts and Devastator squads would be on high or concealed ground, making the fight more and more unfair for the enemy, and heading off any other flankers the enemy might have sent to do the same thing. Assault Marines would also take the high ground, waiting for Tactical squads to arrive or the Scouts to take a shot. The scouts are always equipped with sniper rifles.
One of the things that makes the Shadows unique apart from their style of fighting, is that the brothers of the chapter are free to choose any weapon wanted as long as it is suited to the task, and they bring the weapon back to the home world after a prolonged war. The home world is designated Agregon 44. If this is not done then the brother is sent away to kill as much xenos as he can find before he dies. This is a very rare occurrence. In everything else they follow the codex of the Space Marines, in routine, tradition, and rank. The Chapter Master, Varius Cyber, was accompanying the task force, and had already obliterated the orbital contingent of T'au, and was now engaged with the landed contingents. While the main force was engaged under the command of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd company captains, Cyber went to each of the planarery defenses and demanded to know why they hadn't shot the T'au out of the sky. After this was done he went to each of the hive cities to inspect any and all damages inflicted by the T'au and to order servitors and Techmarines to repair the damage. Eventually the T'au 'decided' to share the reasons as to why they chose this planet as a border settlement.
The T'au were being invaded by the Tyranids, and they were being pushed back from their own territories and being forced to relocate into new areas, and this planet happened to be the closest planet that had the ideal planetary conditions that the T'au wanted. When asked how far the Tyranids were behind this task force, the last surviving T'au said that they were three days warp travel to this planet. At that moment a large amount of the Imperial Guard commanders panicked, and started to say that they should leave this planet to the Tyranids to have. The first person that said was killed by Cyber, with a bolt round through his head.
"Any man that wants to leave this planet behind will do so! If you do not want the Xenos to have this planet then step forward!" Varius Cyber's voice was a rough cybernetic bark, made deep by the centuries of yelling to make himself heard over the battlefield had done to him. A small amount of Imperial Commanders stepped forward and performed the traditional Aquila salute of the winged eagle. The rest started to run to their ships, leaving their troops behind. Cyber saluted the remaining officers back with a mixture of pride and disgust. He walked over to the first of 5 Imperial officers and asked him what his name was.
"Guard Captain Garus of the 36th Steelborn, Chapter Master!"
Cyber went up to each of the commanders and asked what each of their names was.
"Imperial fighter Commander Vang of the 67th Ironhawk, Chapter Master!"
"Imperial Dockmaster Brand, Chapter Master."
"Imperial Militia Commander Estrand, Chapter Master!"
Varius frowned at this one, though they could not see it as he had his helm on.
"Militia Commander?"
"Yes Sir!"
Then Varius kneeled in front of the commander and placed his hands on his.
"We are honoured to have you with us, Commander. We heard about your victories against the T'au, you will be invaluable to us against the Tyranid menace."
Estrand stood there in complete shock. He had performed a few minor (in his own opinion) battles against the T'au, but he had been doing his duty as a commander and a soldier. He never thought he would be applauded by an entire Space Marine Chapter.
He bowed awkwardly to the Marines, and then bowed awkwardly again to Cyber, blushing furiously.
"I was just doing my duty as a soldier Chapter Master, nothing more, nothing less."
"Please, call me Varius. All of you. Chapter Master is so stiff when I'm addressing heroes such as you, and you say I'm in a higher part of command. And yes, you did do your duty, and you did more than that. You kept them back from Hive City Lang. And that deserves recognition. If we both live through this, I'll be sure to put your name in the Shadows' Hall of Honours. All of your names shall be inscribed there, even if I have to do it myself with my fists." This last statement was said to every soldier in both armies.
This raised a monumental cheer from both the Space Marines and the Imperial Guard, as both factions understand that it doesn't happen for every foot soldier, yet it just did. And this made them wanting a war. Then Cyber went to the last commander.
"And your name?"
"Imperial Guard Commissar Han of the 88th Bloodfist, Si- erm, Varius."
Varius nodded then, smiling underneath his helm. "Good, I think you will be useful to me before this is over." Then they all marched back into the Hive to prepare and ready for war.
