On the planet of Spectoris, a standard template construct was recently excavated. These so-called STC’s are greatly sought after by the mechanicum, as they are remnants of the dark age of technology, and the finding of one always heralds a new wave of powerful technologies streaming from the forges of mars.
Unfortunately the excavation was followed short after by an outbreak of an unknown meta-steroid virus. The virus in itself is not malignant, it merely reproduces fast and causes anyone who is affected to rapidly and dramatically increase in muscle mass. It is not believed this is an attack of some kind, the planetary governor assumes that the STC is a medical variant and had been producing this virus at the time it was buried. When it was excavated again, the virus was released to the atmosphere. The virus has now granted all humans on Spectoris a frame on par with a space marine in terms of height and strength, and few are really complaining. Animals have been affected as well.
However, this dramatic increase in biomass has not been overlooked by those who are interested in such a thing. Shortly after, tyranids made planetfall on spectoris. To make things worse, the virus is affecting them as well, and each and every one of the tyranids has mutated into a bigger and stronger version of the regular biomorphs. There is some good news too however. The mutation is not inherent to the tyranids and seems to have them confused as to who their prey really is. They are prone to attacking each other and seem barely kept in check by their synapse creatures. This is where the deathwatch comes in. Orbital scans have pinpointed the most likely location of the tyranid organism leading the invasion. The inquisition believes that if this creature should be eliminated, the tyranids are likely to tear each other apart. Be prepared, tyranids synapse creatures are usually the biggest and strongest of their kind, and the virus is likely to have made this one bigger and stronger still.
Last time an STC was uncovered, the imperium reclaimed the technology to build centurion armour and grav-weapons. There is not telling what this one might give us. It is too fragile, too big, and too deep underground to move it off-planet for the coming 2 or 3 months, and every day the tyranids draw closer to it. When tyranids get to it, it will likely be lost forever. Stopping the invasion before it gains momentum is our best shot, do not fail.
Primary objective: assassinate the tyranids synapse leader
You will make planetfall at fort Sigmanis, the place at the front lines closest to the target’s probable location. A transport will be ready for you there, suitable to navigate the jungle. All available imperial forces will start an offensive at another location to draw most tyranids there, while you must sneak behind enemy lines.
We have no idea how astartes physiology will react to the meta-steroid virus. We strongly advise not to break the environmental seal of your power armour, and to seal any breaches as a result of combat or anything else as soon as possible.
Requisition: 40
