Post by browncoat on Aug 31, 2011 23:59:19 GMT -5
Seventeen hours of constant bombardment left the battlezone a cratered gray hell. Major Liam Mcgivney put down his range finders, he would be sending some lads into it soon. Yesterday morning his battallion had fielded 800 fighting men. Latest report now over 3 hours old left him with 602 effectives. Colonel Mactavish issued an order that would reduce that number further.
" ahem Yer lordship." Lt. Gulkey interrupted Mcgivneys thoughts.
"Sir there is a matter of Discipline sir." Lt. Gulkey stood at attention saluting him.
Major Mcgivney thought about slapping the young lieutenant, instead sighed and stated "Leftenant the arch enemy does field snipers. Should I be shot do to you Sgt. Magroy has permission to gut you slowly. I have commanded this battalion for 5 years and the last thing I need is a jumped up Leftenant from the replacement pool telling me how to do my job. Go find the Commissar whats his name Gottlieb?"
"Sir, the Commissar was killed in the last charge across the field. I gave you Sgt. Magroy's report yesterday." Lt. Gulkey stated.
"Leftenant, so he was hmm, so this lad, trooper Berkely is up on charges for looting or some such rot?"
"Sir, he was caught stripping the boots of of a Mordian Colonel two days ago." Gulkey left out the part where the Mordians had left for R&R a week ago.
"Well I may assume that the Colonel is pressing charges?" Mcgivney yawned. "Well Leftenant let me see the paperwork."
Mcgivney prayed for a distraction any distraction. Mcgivney would never promote above Major as his political reliability index was rated equal to a drunken grox. Were it not for his ability to take a battlefield with minimal losses Mcgivney would be in a penal legion. Mcgivney nodded at the Leiutenant acting as if he were intrigued. This berkley lad didn't murder, disobey an order or utter heresy. Why should we kill our own men when the enemy is willing to?
"... Item 17.92 section C clearly states that looting from cadavers who were members of the Emporer's mustered soldiery shall be punished by flogging or death. Sir, I have Sgt. Deben here with the lash shall I order the commencement?" Lt. Gulkey spoke with the conviction of an armchair soldier who wished to see blood- anybodys. Lt. Gulkey, had spent 3 years compiling reports and now he would finally engage the enemy. Soon he too would be leading troops in glorious combat. Old War horses like Major
Mcgivney needed to be put out to pasture.
"Leftenant Gulkey, take your nose out of regulations for a momment and think of the men. We haven't been resupplied other than ammo clips and food for eight months. The men are wore out, their boots are wore out, my patience is wore out.
I agree something must be done but, I believe I may also choose to forego a punishment detail if trooper Berkely commits an act of valor.' Major Mcgivney said absentmindedly. "Leftenant Gulkey, you will lead Bravo platoon on a reconnoitre in force across no mans land at 0300 hours. Trooper Berkley is assigned to Bravo platoon correct?"
"Sir! There is a combined orbital artillery barrage scheduled for 0345. Sixty men will be slaughtered whole sale." Lieutenant Gulkey stated turning white.
"Bring me a prisoner and all who come back alive will be have committed an act of honor. You might even be breveted to Captain Gulkey. Dismissed." Major Mcgivney turned away and uttered a silent prayer that the Emperor protect his lads High Command had ordered the 219th to conduct a prisoner grab and now he had his "volunteers."
" ahem Yer lordship." Lt. Gulkey interrupted Mcgivneys thoughts.
"Sir there is a matter of Discipline sir." Lt. Gulkey stood at attention saluting him.
Major Mcgivney thought about slapping the young lieutenant, instead sighed and stated "Leftenant the arch enemy does field snipers. Should I be shot do to you Sgt. Magroy has permission to gut you slowly. I have commanded this battalion for 5 years and the last thing I need is a jumped up Leftenant from the replacement pool telling me how to do my job. Go find the Commissar whats his name Gottlieb?"
"Sir, the Commissar was killed in the last charge across the field. I gave you Sgt. Magroy's report yesterday." Lt. Gulkey stated.
"Leftenant, so he was hmm, so this lad, trooper Berkely is up on charges for looting or some such rot?"
"Sir, he was caught stripping the boots of of a Mordian Colonel two days ago." Gulkey left out the part where the Mordians had left for R&R a week ago.
"Well I may assume that the Colonel is pressing charges?" Mcgivney yawned. "Well Leftenant let me see the paperwork."
Mcgivney prayed for a distraction any distraction. Mcgivney would never promote above Major as his political reliability index was rated equal to a drunken grox. Were it not for his ability to take a battlefield with minimal losses Mcgivney would be in a penal legion. Mcgivney nodded at the Leiutenant acting as if he were intrigued. This berkley lad didn't murder, disobey an order or utter heresy. Why should we kill our own men when the enemy is willing to?
"... Item 17.92 section C clearly states that looting from cadavers who were members of the Emporer's mustered soldiery shall be punished by flogging or death. Sir, I have Sgt. Deben here with the lash shall I order the commencement?" Lt. Gulkey spoke with the conviction of an armchair soldier who wished to see blood- anybodys. Lt. Gulkey, had spent 3 years compiling reports and now he would finally engage the enemy. Soon he too would be leading troops in glorious combat. Old War horses like Major
Mcgivney needed to be put out to pasture.
"Leftenant Gulkey, take your nose out of regulations for a momment and think of the men. We haven't been resupplied other than ammo clips and food for eight months. The men are wore out, their boots are wore out, my patience is wore out.
I agree something must be done but, I believe I may also choose to forego a punishment detail if trooper Berkely commits an act of valor.' Major Mcgivney said absentmindedly. "Leftenant Gulkey, you will lead Bravo platoon on a reconnoitre in force across no mans land at 0300 hours. Trooper Berkley is assigned to Bravo platoon correct?"
"Sir! There is a combined orbital artillery barrage scheduled for 0345. Sixty men will be slaughtered whole sale." Lieutenant Gulkey stated turning white.
"Bring me a prisoner and all who come back alive will be have committed an act of honor. You might even be breveted to Captain Gulkey. Dismissed." Major Mcgivney turned away and uttered a silent prayer that the Emperor protect his lads High Command had ordered the 219th to conduct a prisoner grab and now he had his "volunteers."