In 869.M41, at the instigation of the Astral Claws' Chapter Master Lufgt Huron, the Black Templars Chapter declared a Crusade of Wrath into the Maelstrom, assaulting it from its eastward marches. Meanwhile, the Astral Claws, Lamenters and Mantis Warriors launched their own assaults into the pathways of the great Warp Rift from its southern and northeastern approaches. Due to Huron's strategic planning as well as the mettle of the Chapters involved, no fewer than 23 alien or Heretic stronghold worlds were purged, including several on the Maelstrom's fringes that had fallen into the hands of the Word Bearers Traitor Legion and their apostate followers. At the height of the campaign, having made inroads deeper yet into the Maelstrom than any recorded Imperial fleet had attempted, the Astral C