//------------------------------//
// The Bloody Hoof 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War II | Discord Rising 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	Hammerheart and the Pony Marines returned aboard the Retribution, and a call from Captain Pegalos came through to them.

"Commander Hammerheart, I recommend that you depart Dolmaska as soon as possible." said Pegalos. "Captain Philosophies is initiating a stand-down order for all Blood Phoenixes on the planet. You must continue your pursuit of the Dark Legion."

"Why would Philosophies prevent us from doing that?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The Chapter Master... dislikes contact with the Dark Legion..." said Goliath. "Philosophies... will enforce... his will."

"Goliath is correct, Commander Hammerheart." said Pegalos. "Chapter Master Traytus has pulled Blood Phoenixes back from battles with the Dark Legion before. He might abandon this whole sector instead of facing that band of traitors."

"That would leave our recruiting worlds to the enemy." said Twilight.

"Precisely." said Pegalos, "You must stop these raids before that happens. Pegalos out."

The transmission ended, and Rainbow Dash was still not pleased with what was happening.

"Philosophies is a hero of the Chapter." She said. "Why keep us from the fight?"

"Philosophies has always been a political one." said Hoovitus. "If the Chapter Master wants the Blood Phoenixes off Dolmaska, Philosophies will not question him."

"Cap'n Philosophies does his duty," Applejack stated, "as should we if such an order comes."

"Enough." Pinkie said bluntly, "The enemy is kidnapping our initiates and laying traps for us across the sector, and we should do nothing? It is not my duty to follow the edicts of fools."

After the discussion, Applejack stepped up with suspicion on her mind.

"Skarsend has yet to show himself again." She pointed out. "He must be planning something. That heretic is too dangerous by half."

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. "I thought he died during the Cronus Campaign." She said.

"As did I..." said Nule. "I saw him... torn to ribbons."

"How does he yet live?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Souls are both playthings and currency in the Warp." Twilight explained. "Skarsend may have died in the flesh, only to have his soul bartered among daemons. It seems they restored his body when it suited them."

"Most likely his death was a deception," said Pinkie, "a mask for his escape from Cronus."

"There was... no deception." said Goliath.

"In either case, it speaks of Skarsend's power." said Twilight. "Applejack is correct to worry."

An emergency coming from Salika came to the Retribution, and the Strike Cruiser headed to the planet immediately. When they arrived, they discovered more animal warmongering on the surface. Captain Pegalos came onscreen.

"The Eldeer have reappeared, Commander Hammerheart." said Pegalos. "They have congregated at the site of our climactic battle against the Paranids. The Dark Legion must take priority, but ignoring the Eldeer is unwise. At your discretion, pursue and eliminate these xenos."

"What do we know about the Eldeer forces?" Hammerheart asked.

"Very little." said Pegalos, "The Paranids' destruction of the land exposed ancient Eldeer ruins, however. This may be what has drawn them here in such numbers. You can expect to face xenos skimmer tanks and walkers, as well as powerful infantry."

"Has the area changed since the battle with the Paranids?" Hammerheart asked.

"The area remains a wasteland," said Pegalos, "but there have been some changes. Most notably, the Blood Phoenixes erected a monument to those siblings who died fighting the Paranids. It stands over the spot where Sergeant Antares was entombed with his wargear. Also, an Equestrial Shrine now stands on the site of our battle with the Hive Alpha. Purging that temple of xenos infestation would be a laudable act, Commander."

The transmission ended, and Applejack stepped up with a need crystal clear in her eyes.

"Even with the Traitor Legions assailing us, we must oppose the Eldeer." She said. "Remember that they manipulated the Hogs on Dolmaska and attempted to destroy all of Galantius. I owe their species a debt of blood and fury, Commander Hammerheart."

Hammerheart knew Applejack wanted to avenge those who were murdered because of the Eldeers' blasphemous actions, so he nodded to her coming.