+++STANDARD YEAR: 817.M41+++
++BEGIN TRANSMISSION++
+LIFE IS THE EMPEROR'S CURRENCY, SPEND IT WELL+
In the far future of the galaxy, an anomalous artifact has been discovered, a relic from an ancient race that predates perhaps even the Eldar. This "Warp Gate" is located in the northwest of Segmentum Obscurus, between the Calixis Sector and the Koronus Expanse. Its exit--the Jericho Reach, a region of space in the extreme southeast of the galaxy. With near-instantaneous travel possible between the two regions, the securing of the Jericho Reach has become a top priority of the High Lords of Terra. Thus was launched the Achilus Crusade, a triumphant attempt to retake the entire region for the Imperium and the God Emperor.
However, the Reach has been lost to all but the most stalwart defenders for eons. Apart from the watch-stations of the Deathwatch, who act only at their own discretion, the entire sector has been claimed by aliens, heretics, and nightmares beyond comprehension. The Achilus Crusade quickly became a costly and violent struggle, costing uncountable lives and irreplaceable amounts of materiel.
The enigmatic Tau have declared many of the worlds to the south of the Reach to be part of their expanding Empire, and though negotiations are ongoing, peace has yet to be declared. Stealth, firepower, mobility; the Imperium is disadvantaged on every front but numbers. Facing the scorching might of their arcane technologies, the Canis Salient remains a protracted siege, every step forward paid for by a bloodbath.
The Hadex Anomaly, a warp phenomenon in the center of the region casts its baleful light across numerous worlds. The Legions of Chaos see this new Imperial attempt at expansion as simply one more front in the Long War, and they rise to meet it head on. Cults are seeded to undermine loyal defenders, eldritch rituals are performed to gain the Warp's favor, and nightmares rip their way into reality. Though the Imperial warriors of the Acheros Salient remain determined, any mortal may be corrupted by the power of the Dark Gods.
The most intractable threat to the Achilus Crusade is perhaps neither of these, however. From beyond the galaxy come the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Dagon, emerging to devour the entirety of the Reach and all life within it. The Orpheus Salient meets this danger head on, but these vile xenos continue to adapt to mankind's ability to counter their threats, and they have seeded insidious infiltrators across the Reach. What is there to be done when once-loyal citizens suddenly reveal themselves to be allies of these alien invaders, heralding their arrival and the doom of their world?
As if these dangers were not enough, the chaos and destruction has drawn the attention of multiple xenos races. The Dark Eldar raid and pillage, nimbly avoiding Imperial interception while seizing slaves from under-defended settlements. The Orks of the region have yet to organize themselves into a proper WAAAGH!, but even scattered and feral, they pose an eternal problem that saps men and supplies away from where they are needed most.
As the conflict drags on, the Imperium draws more and more resources, pulling regiments from numerous worlds in order to shore up their defenses and ready for deeper assaults into enemy territory. You are an mere man, one amongst billions. You are a soldier of the Imperium, chosen to fight against monsters and demons. You are an Imperial Guardsman, and you will hold the line.
+THE EMPEROR PROTECTS, THE GUARD FIGHTS+
++END TRANSMISSION++
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