Editing Battle of Zhuko V (section)

==Background==

Few are interested in the history of the world that Zhuko V was before the devastating war which had nearly consumed it. It was an inglorious planet, inhabitants both humble and industrious, contented with simply serving the interests of the Emperor's Imperium through working the many manufactorums upon their surface to supply the needs of the Great Crusade. Before the arrival of the Expedition Fleets, the Zhukons had not the resources or technological capability of sustaining their population, and pressure was quickly growing in the crowded factory-cities. Quick action by Arch-Magos Telesnius, the Mechanicum representative to the forty-seventh Expeditionary Fleet that found Zhuko, allowed for machinery to produce foodstuffs from simple materials stabilising the populations of the bloated Hives until further steps could be taken. Telesnius was happy to explain where this aid came from, declaring it was from the Omnissiah whom he served. Images of the Emperor were shown, with Telesnius explaining that this was the Omnissiah made flesh. In this one act, the entirety of Zhuko V swore allegiance to the Emperor for all eternity, and also binding itself to the Mechanicum who were only too happy to make this world their satrapy.

This is why Zhuko would never bend to the [[Hektor Cincinnatus|Warmaster]], which set up the events which would later see it choked in metal.

Before we devolve into the savagery of that most dark of times, let us first explain some facts which gave Zhuko V its strategic importance. Firstly was its manufactorums. Several Hives had been founded next to huge industrial structures built during the Dark Age of Technology. Within were assembly lines stretching out for miles, with manipulator units able to lift a section of a Baneblade's chassis with ease. It is precisely for this reason why the Mechanicum had such a strong interest in Zhuko V.

Shifts were long, and tiring, but the Zhukon spirit kept them going. Their belief was that if the Emperor was the Omnissiah, then all the machines they produced were part of his grand plan for unification and the Imperial Truth. This semi-religious thought was encouraged by the Mechanicum overseers, who handily held the Iterators off, allowing Zhuko V to rise to prominence in the Segmentum Solar through its combination of hardy spirits and advanced production capabilities.

As the years of the Great Crusade carried on, Zhuko began to stockpile the tanks which were not being shipped out. Expedition Fleets had pushed out further away from the world, causing for less frequent trips to its surface. Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of vehicles were stored in great underground mega-warehouses, placed directly next to their Tsiolkovsky Towers to allow for the rapid movement of cargo to orbit.

All this made Zhuko V a strategic locale that the Warmaster could not ignore, much like Paramar on the other side of Segmentum Solar. The Warmaster doubtless wished to repeat what had happened to Paramar with this campaign. So he dispatched the [[Mastodontii]], one of his most loyal Legions, to secure Zhuko for his cause. 

The Mastodontii force sent to Zhuko V consisted of ten Mingghans (Chapters), and a single war maniple of the Legio Olitau, the Fell Bats. In addition were several battalions of the Jäakäri, the Legion's own auxilia. Ice Shaman Issitoq, Chief Librarian of the Legion was tasked by his Primarch into bringing the world under his fold. The massive amount of surplus armour, munitions and fuel held in its northern polar bunkers would be a boon to the Warmaster's efforts, and if possible securing the rare and irreplicable manufactorums.

The standing forces upon Zhuko were few, as no one expected an attack. They were so far beyond the range of any attackers, safe within the heart of the Imperium. The Mechanicum had gifted them a comprehensive network of fortifications. Yet, it could do little to stem the assault to come. Word had not yet reached Zhuko of the Warmaster's betrayal, and the Mastodontii arrived welcomed as friends and comrades.