Franke-7 is a world formerly held by the Imperium. Rich in Promethium, Franke-7's surface is dotted with automated pumping and refinery stations as well as storage facilities. For thousands of years Franke-7 was a key supplier of Promethium in its sector.
Roughly five hundred years ago the Ork Menace fell on this world. The Planetary Defense Forces were able to hold out against the green tide but calls for help went unheeded. Within the past decade the human population has been reduced significantly with most serving as slaves to the orks who have taken over the planet.
The orks have been restive since the last elements of the PDF were destroyed in battle. Some Warbosses advocated for releasing human slaves and arming them so that they can fight while others wanted to sack the planet and make off for the next enclave of humans.
The arrival of elements of the Eldar Biel-Tan Craftworld captured the interest of the Ork tyrants and soon open battle was taking place on Franke-7 again. Few outside the aloof Eldar race can discern their true motives and this engagement was no different. The Eldar proved more than a match for the Warbosses in the outlying areas of the main continent and seemed poised on being able to push back the great green horde altogether. Yet they departed Franke-7 almost immediately after eliminating one of the more unstable Weirdboyz in the Ork forces.
During this time Imperial forces had been dispatched to the planet in order to retake it from the Orks. It had been hoped that the Orks would have fallen to infighting, making planet fall for the bulk of the Imperial forces much easier.
The recent battles with the Eldar, however, had reunited the Orks. With wild abandon and a united front they engaged elements of the 8th Necromunda Spiders of the Imperial Guard, the Ultramarines, the Imperial Fists, and the Orks most hated foe: the Crimson Fists. The small crusade fleet also contained operatives from the Inquisition and the Officio Assassinorum, among others.
Seeing that the Orks were mobilized, the Commander of the Crimson Fists in this theater of war, Captain Esteban, volunteered to lead a strike against the largest portion of Ork forces on the southern end of the main continent. The hope was to draw the Orks from the outlying regions into the fight and give relief to the other Imperial forces making planet fall.
Seizing key objectives was paramount to Esteban's strategy. Establishing a fortified position by putting heavy weapons on high ground would give the Crimson Fists a significant advantage in the coming weeks and months.
The Warbosses on the southern end of the continent recognized the heraldry of the Crimson Fists and began a lightning quick advance on their positions. With a goal no less lofty than taking the head of Captain Esteban, battle was joined.
With close to a dozen marines injured or killed, the conflict boiled down to a swirling melee on a hill in the center of the battlefield. Captain Esteban was triumphant and the Ork forces were routed. Medics were busy assessing the injured, some were able to return to duty immediately while others were offered the Emperor's Peace.
Vox traffic quickly spread news of the victory, spurring the forces of the other Space Marine chapters and the Imperial Guard to action.
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