++ URGENT DISPATCH — ENCRYPTION: OBSIDIAN ++

FROM: Sergeant Castiel, Reiver Squad Umbra, 3rd Company
TO: Captain Aldric Voss, Forward Command
RE: Fall of Nexaris Prime — Hive Primus overrun

Captain, Hive Primus is lost. The Ork WAAAGH! hit the eastern walls at 0347 local. Estimates put the horde at several hundred thousand strong, led by a Warboss of terrifying size — local forces are calling it “Gutrippa.”

The PDF held for eleven hours. By dawn the outer habs were overrun. We observed from our concealed position in the northern spire district. The greenskins deployed crude but effective siege engines that breached the Ferrocrete curtain wall in three places simultaneously.

Approximately 40,000 civilians were evacuated via the southern transit network before it was cut off. An unknown number remain trapped in the underhive. The Arbites precinct in Sector Tertius is still broadcasting, but signal strength is fading.

Reiver Squad Umbra is extracting to Rally Point Sigma. We have recovered strategic intelligence from the Administratum data-vaults that must reach command. Requesting Thunderhawk extraction at designated coordinates.

++ END TRANSMISSION — THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Even in defeat, knowledge is victory. ++