Battle of Soharia
The Soharia Infestation was an event in M41 before the Great Rift's formation.
Overview
The infestation began on the world of Soharia, which was quickly corrupted by the Genestealer Cult known as the Cult of the Rusted Claw. Despite hiding little of their spreading influence, the planet's ruling Governor Endst did not inform Imperial authorities for fear that it would subject his world to Exterminatus.[1]
Locking himself and his core supporters in a bunker protected by anti-xenos cellular syringe systems, Endst detonated a cache of hyper-fusion missiles from his personal arsenal across the world, destroying those he deemed beyond salvation. The week-long firestorm killed 90% of all life on the planet, but much of the Rusted Claw managed to survive. The years that followed, known as the Dust Hunt, saw scores of remaining pure humans hunted down and corrupted by the Rusted Claw in the wastelands of Soharia.[1]
