Post by digits on Mar 27, 2013 18:58:12 GMT -5
A bit more Drogan Fluff
Hill 228
The flight of three Valkyries passed directly overhead then banked and raced down the slope of the hill into the valley before becoming engulfed in the smoke that signalled the action clearly taking place there. From their observation position atop hill 228, the two Voltigeurs also noted the Vulture Gunship that circled lazily at about 600 metres, providing top cover for the sortie.
Perhaps on signal from the Valkyrie flight, or upon spying prey of it's own, the Vulture dropped rapidly towards the ongoing conflict, loosening missiles and bolts from it's lascanons before it too disappeared into the billowing black cloud. The heavy rumble that resonated up the valley towards them, signifying that it had found and neutralised it's target.
Minutes later, all four aircraft appeared from the smoke skimming along the valley floor before rapidly climbing the hill towards their position. As the four birds passed overhead, the soldiers noticed trailing smoke from the engines of one of the Valkyries.
Once they had cleared the hill, Sgt Jethud turned to his partner "Mark the time, 14.20 standard. 4in, 4 out, 53rd Faucons."
That's the fifth flight since it started Sarge Byram said as he recorded Jethud's instructions into the data slate. "There can't be much left down there to hit!"
You'd think so. Jethud picked up the monocular and trained it back down the valley, staring at the billowing smoke as if expecting something to crawl out of it. "Anyway, our orders are simple. We stay here until we're relieved and we keep reporting. Something's still putting up a fight down there." As if to reinforce his words, the sound of a series of far off muffled explosions reached their ears. Intermittent las rounds would sometimes puncture free of the smoke, giving the impression the cloud was a heavily laden storm cloud, the bolts those of lightning, chasing every direction. Perhaps that last flight had dropped off troops who were now in the thick of it. Jethud had fought alongside the 53rd a few times, good men and well disciplined. He offered up a small prayer to the Emperor for them, then lowered the monocular and settle back into his kit which, like Byram's, had been arranged to give them some comfort on this exposed summit. To be fair, the nights on Halzat IV were not cold, but the knowledge of what stalked the night here were enough to put shivers on your spine. It would be dark in a few short hours.
Have you checked the perimeter sensors? Make sure they are set Stephen, we don't want to be anything's breakfast!
Taken back by the use of his first name, Byram jerked his thumb at the field auspex display which clearly showed the twelve sensors were on line. "They're feeding back Sarge, but I'll give them a further visual before the light goes."
Make sure you do lad. Talking of food, I think it's time to share out some of that Orax I saw Wendel stuff in your backpack, eh lad?
Byram flushed a little but dutifully opened his pack and took out the foil wrapped meat. He opened it and tore off a large strip which he handed to Jethud. He took another piece for himself before putting the foil packet back.
He's got a soft spot for you has Wendel, you'll never go hungry! said Jethud between mouthfuls.
Say's I remind him of his son. I like him an' all, but it gets embarrassing around the other lads. Wouldn't mind, but he showed me a picture….I look nothing like him!
Jethud chuckled, then leant forward and pushed his trigger finger into the young soldiers shoulder. "We've been away from Drogan Prime for a very long time now. The old bugger clearly sees something in you. Take my advice, having cook on your side is worth it's weight lad, you just keep smiling and nodding!"
Aye. I will Sarge. I think I'll check on those sensors now. With that, Byram got up and made his way down the slope. They had placed the sensors in a perimeter ring about 40 yards from their position. A distance which would give them time to react if triggered. The sensors themselves monitored on a number of different spectrums, including motion, thermal, sound and electrical field detection. All appeared to be working correctly and satisfied, Byram climbed back up to their position.
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The scream was long and terrifying. Jethud held back tears and tasted bile as it rose in his throat. He watched with morbid fascination though the monocular, it's night vision capabilities giving him the clearest view of the drama unfolding beneath their position.
The vehicles had rolled up an hour beforehand. Three APC's and a wheeled transport had debussed directly below the observation post, 120 metres away, the three APC's in an arc facing the hill top, the truck with it's back to the hill, lighting up the APC's with it's unshielded headlights. At first, the two Voltigeurs had believed they had been spotted and this unit was despatched to clear them out. However, once the three prisoners had been pulled from the back of the truck, they realised this was not the case. The three of them, all 53rd from their tattered uniforms, had been stripped to the waist, and each was lashed to the front of an APC, hanging by their wrists, their feet dangling above the ground. At first, their tormentors had taken to delivering powerful body blows with bare fists and other objects to hand. The soul on the left hand vehicle had taken a particularly vicious blow to his left leg, the snapping bones loud enough to be heard up on the hilltop. Then the torture had taken an altogether more cruel turn, when another figure stepped into the headlights of the truck.
Unlike the rough looking rebels who still wore Imperial equipment, this individual was tall and slender, wearing dark body armour beneath a hooded cloak. Words had been exchanged and the rebels who had been administering the beatings backed away from their charges in deference to the sinister figure. As the figure threw off his cloak, Jethud took a sharp intake of breath as light glinted off innumerable blades which adorned the body armour. From the elfin like features, clearly visible now in the harsh white light of the vehicle headlights, Jethud determined this was an Eldar. This one was altogether more terrible however than he had imagined them to be.
The figure drew forth a blade from the confines of his armour and approached the middle prisoner. He climbed up onto the front armour of the APC until he was face to face with his victim. Perched there like a clinging monkey it proceeded to whisper into the soldiers ear.
Though Jethud could not hear the words, the hairs on his own neck stood on end as he could only imagine their meaning. Even from this distance, the fear evident in the Drogan's eyes was terrible to behold. The xeno effortlessly sprung to the ground, turned and pushed the blade upwards into the man's groin. Slowly, be began to lever the blade upwards and the screaming began.
Jethud knew he could put a round through the torturer's head even from this distance. He knew too that he could put a round through each prisoner, ending their torment, but he also knew that he could not shoot every one of the forty or so rebels. A selfless man, he would risk his own life to stop this abomination, but there was young Byram to think of too. His companion was huddled down next to him, knees under his chin, unable to watch the scene below, terrified.
Unable to take his eyes from the monocular, he swallowed down more bile and then something in the periphery of the instruments lens moved.
Jethud switched his attention to the right hand prisoner. The light was poorer there and the soldier was only half lit. As he watched, the prisoner disappeared from sight completely, as if a dark hole had enveloped him. At first, the sergeant believed a second Eldar had climbed onto the prisoner and had started his own macabre torture. He moved the monocular left to take in the crowd of renegades but their attention was firmly on the centre prisoner and his tormentor. He looked right again but this time, there was clearly no prisoner or anyone else on the front of the APC! He scanned to the far left but that prisoner was still hanging limply, his smashed leg at a distended angle. Two renegades were stood directly in front of him, watching the spectacle on the middle carrier.
Before his mind could comprehend what was occurring, Jethud's monocular went a brilliant white, causing him to pull it away from his eyes for the briefest of moments, the instrument immediately compensating for the flash. A second or so later, a sharp crack resonated up the hillside accompanied by a long, shrill keening sound. Jethud placed the monocular back to his eyes and he watched in fascination as panic consumed everyone in the makeshift arena.
Three or four renegades were on the ground thrashing wildly, their hands clasped to their ears, as indeed were some of the soldiers still standing. Others were reacting by trying to either claim cover or arm themselves. A few, already clasping weapons, were now training them out from the arena looking for targets.
Bright sparks erupted as solid rounds ricocheted off the xeno power armour. The Eldar span and collapsed under the weight of fire as did two renegades who had been the closest to him. Others started to fall to well placed rounds including the two stood next to the left hand prisoner. By now, those renegades holding weapons, began firing indiscriminately into the dark, unsure of the direction of their attackers and demonstrating a complete disregard for fire discipline. Firing in this manner served only to light them up and each fell in rapid succession.
Jethud glanced left and noticed the prisoner with the broken leg had now vanished as well. Before he had a chance to ponder this, his attention was caught by a renegade frantically trying to change his magazine, having emptied it needlessly. Jethud watched as the renegade's head came up sharply as if he'd just spotted something overhead, but the wet gleam of metal now protruding from his throat, quickly withdrawn, stopped him mid action and he slumped to the dirt. A dark figure now stood briefly in his place before leaping with preternatural agility to his right, his sword arm sweeping around with dizzying speed as it neatly severed a second traitors head. The figure landed gracefully into a crouching position and whipped his head left in time to see the Eldar now spring from where he had fallen, the power armour having clearly performed it's singular function in protecting him from the hail of bullets.
The xeno moved with equal grace as it quickly closed the distance between them, both hands now brandishing menacing looking blades. He delivered a lightning fast torrent of stabs and cuts but the dark figure countered each in turn with precise moves of his own. Electric flashes blinked rapidly as the figures sword connected with the Eldar's blades, both matching each other blow for blow.
A renegade rushed the back of the dark figure, a two handed sword held over his shoulder but before he could bring the weapon down, a second shadowy figure intercepted him and the sword tumbled to the ground, both hands still attached to the hilt, a further cut opening his stomach and felling him. The second shadow now circled behind the Eldar who in an effort to check his new attacker, turned his head for the briefest of seconds affording the first dark warrior the opening he needed and his sword thrust upwards under the xeno's armpit. The Eldar 's head pulled backwards and he rose on his toes, his body going rigid before his knees gave way and he too collapsed among the slain renegades.
Jethud, finally catching his breath watched as one of the rescuers deftly climbed onto the middle APC and proceeded to free the prisoners bonds. The second shadow made quick checks of the fallen renegades before melting back into the night. Jethud felt a hand on his shoulder.
Emperor's throne lad! I don't….. His words failed to come out as he realised Byram was still crouched down on the ground, his face now staring up and behind Jethud. He turned his head slowly and took an involuntary gasp of air. Standing right behind him was a third dark warrior, his index finger raised upwards in front of his pursed lips. The warrior quickly pointed to the earpiece at the side of his head before returning his finger to his lips. Jethud nodded eagerly, too afraid to talk or do anything to antagonise this demon.
The figure spoke quickly and quietly "Retrieval hill 228, eight to go. Medic required"
The boy, unable to contain himself blurted out "How…how did you get through the sensors?!"
The Shadowkin operative winked at Byram "What sensors?"
Halzat IV
Halzat IV is a strategically important agriworld producing enough food to keep untold billions of souls fed. To look at it from orbit you would be hard pressed to think so. A small world, with approximately half of the surface area of terra, brown and barren looking. Any water at the surface has a high salinity, incapable of supporting life other than microscopic extremophilic organisms.
Originally colonised for it's mining opportunities, it was decided that biological terraforming would be the preferred method of taming the planet's atmosphere, which was particularly high in carbon dioxide. Long bright days, desert sands rich with iron and a highly brackish sub surface water combined to provide the perfect photobioreactor into which adepts could introduce strains of algae which could feed on the iron and carbon dioxide and in turn produce the much needed oxygen.
The terraforming process was exceptionally quick and successful and colonisation ensued. Whilst the early colonists concentrated on plundering the planets rich mineral wealth, others were fascinated by the speed and success rate of the algae processes and began to experiment with other algae in the hope of developing fuels and food to enable the planet to become self sufficient. Warp storms could often isolate the planet for months at a time and reliance on imported supplies put strains on the colony.
At first, their efforts yielded only limited success, though they were able to produce almost half of their own needs but then a bio research team led by Sebastian Saelan made a monumental break through, engineering a strain of algae, GX49489, which positively thrived on the conditions the planet's surface presented. Within a few short years, algaculture accounted for almost 63% of the planet's surface and 99.2% of the planet's wealth of export to the Imperium.
Though mineral extraction is still vitally important to a number of forgeworlds in the sector, it is the export of food that has meant huge floating space docks orbit the planet, shipping out to over ten thousand worlds.
From space, there only a few centres of population visible, the largest of these being Saelan's Reach on the continent of Jalebi. With a population of eight million, Saelan's Reach is the administrative heart of the planet. Apart from a few other smaller concentrations centred on mining operations, the balance of the planet's populace tend their vast farms across the surface of Halzat.
The majority of these farmers lead an almost nomadic existence for they live with their families aboard huge mobile processing harvesters, each with a surface area of approximately one square kilometre. These large harvesters, known on the planet as "Reapers", continuously run slow deliberate circuits of their holding, sifting the sands, timed to ensure the crop is ready for harvest upon the Reaper's return to the same point. Each houses over one thousand workers and their kin. These workers keep the Reaper moving and processing the algae. Each Reaper has limited storage and so has a landing area on it's back similar to that of an imperial land carrier. Large cargo shuttles from the space docks land on a daily basis and ferry the processed algae up to the waiting freight liners. All transport between the Reaper, it's neighbours and population centres is also by air
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Being a predominantly agricultural dominated society, the senior houses that controlled the mining on Halzat, squeezed every credit from the mines in order to line their own pockets and further their position among the ruling elite. Conditions in the mines were harsh and the workers, suffering years of being taken for granted, neglected and treated for all intent like slaves started to turn their frustrations into open hostility culminating in the murders of numerous high ranking dignitaries and the seizing of two of the planets oldest and largest mines close to the capital. The planet's PDF and Arbites forces were deployed to annexe the mining towns and contain the malcontent until the government could come up with a stable plan to rectify the situation.
By contrast, the nomadic farmers enjoyed a reasonable standard of living, despite the hard work necessary to keep the Reapers moving. Their society, centred on the extended families and clans which ran each of the mammoth harvesters, remained largely segregated from the troubles. Each harvester was required to tithe 100 troops in times of threats to the planet and each carried a number of Valkyrie transports for their rapid deployment. Fully half the tithe were called up to assist in strengthening the PDF's cordon. At the same time, osteopathic relays were sent out for Imperial assistance.
A small flotilla of Imperial navy frigates, already on station to protect the busy ports above the planet, were given orders to investigate a distress signal from the outer reaches of the system. No reports were forthcoming and all contact with the ships was lost. At the same time, terrorist bombings and attacks began to manifest in the capital itself, the worst of which destroyed the government buildings at the heart of the city, killing many of the ruling classes as they debated the growing unrest.
Reports from the PDF forces surrounding the mining areas, suggested the miners were starting to daub themselves in ritualistic symbols and appeared to be well armed though intelligence was unable to ascertain the source of this supply. Outright confrontation with the PDF was thus far avoided with only minor clashes and exchanges of small arms fire were reported. The nights on Halzat, already home to what few creatures were hardy enough to survive the barren wastes, began to take on an altogether more terrifying aspect with reports of shadowy dark figures slipping in and out of the cordon, equally dark vessels appearing briefly overhead only to disappear and troops having apparently abandoned their posts, never to be accounted for.
Finally, in one well orchestrated breakout, forces smashed though the PDF lines and moved with lightning speed towards the capital. Garbled communiqués from the front told tales of power armoured giants walking among the rebels and of other less describable creatures satiating themselves with the blood of the poorly prepared defence troops.
Saelan's Reach fell immediately to the onslaught and the rebel forces, now supported by their off world allies, immediately set about subjugating the populace and bolstering the city's defences.
PDF units still operational, made a weak attempt at moving their cordon to surround the city, leaving the mining centres unchecked. Some defensive forces abandoned the city altogether, choosing to return to their families aboard the Reapers, looking to defend their loved ones rather than die for no apparent leadership.
By now, word had spread that Chaos elements, apparently supported by or in league with piratical dark elves had descended to Halzat's surface, their intent to reap pleasure from the deaths and screams of it's population, whilst simultaneously cutting supplies to the Imperium. News of attacks on Reapers close to the capital reached the farmer captains who subsequently turned off their processors, turned their homes to the South, and ran for the Atlasean mountains.
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The loss of such an important resource of Halzat would have far reaching consequences with so many worlds dependant on it's rich bounty. If the taint of Chaos was allowed to fester unchecked, the loss of Halzat would be assured and immediate steps were taken to remedy the situation.
As fate would have it, imperial forces destined for deployment at the Eye of Terror were travelling through the warp close enough to be contacted and diverted to Halzat by the High Lords of Terra. Though nominally commanded by Vice Marshal Thakus, an Inquisitorial mandate was given to Drogan Colonel Troutman, the secretive figurehead of the Drogan Shadowkin special forces, to prosecute an immediate landing on Halzat, with primary orders to secure the space docks, contain the rebels and their allies and resume the flow of food from the surface. Once the primary objectives had been secured, the task force was to retake the capital city and any remaining rebel strongholds.
Thus task force Thakus appeared in orbit only seven weeks from the first pleas for help. They encountered little resistance above the planet and indeed were able to secure the space docks with minimal losses. If any Chaos or Xeno capital ships were present or participated in the landing of troops prior to the uprising, there was no evidence of their presence in system. At this time, the task force was joined by Astartes strike cruisers from both the Dark Angels and the Red Hunters chapters. The Red Hunters had been accompanied by Inquisitor Neve and her retinue. The Dark Angels seemed to have their own agenda however and would prove difficult to coordinate with.
Command elements of the task force relocated to the "Surprise", a fleet Mars class cruiser to undertake planning and control of the operation. At their disposal was a ground force of about 200,000 men, 12,000 fighting vehicles and naval air assets numbering over 1800 aircraft. The bulk of the ground force was comprised of regiments from both Drogan Prime and Cadia. Foremost among the Drogan forces were the 22nd, 23rd and 29th Voltigeurs, 3rd, 12th, 18th and 19th Armoured, 53rd and 56th Faucons and two battalions of their famed 1st Terrines. Cadian numbers, predominantly of the 78th (Fortress) Battle Group, include the 2nd "Wyvern", 7th Airborne, Dorac Ursid Mountain troops and the 1st Cadian Tank Regiment. Further ground forces included 77th Drookian Fen Guards and the 82nd Jouran Dragoons.
As soon as the space docks had been secured, small teams were dispatched to the surface with specific orders to retake or defend the Reapers. Many of those closer to the rebel strongholds had either been captured or completely destroyed. Imperial forces liberated around 200 Reapers and established contact with those who had fled South convincing them to return to their land with the promise of air support and additional ground units to protect them. Within days four weeks, the shuttles were once again transporting food to the docks.
At the same times teams were sent to secure the harvesters, the largest elements of the task force were ferried to the surface to bolster the thinly spread PDF in maintaining their ring around the enemy held enclaves. Without the benefit of built up shelter and accommodation to billet the regiments, a large fortified camp (Talvenus) was established 80 miles South of Saelan's Reach.
Hill 228
The flight of three Valkyries passed directly overhead then banked and raced down the slope of the hill into the valley before becoming engulfed in the smoke that signalled the action clearly taking place there. From their observation position atop hill 228, the two Voltigeurs also noted the Vulture Gunship that circled lazily at about 600 metres, providing top cover for the sortie.
Perhaps on signal from the Valkyrie flight, or upon spying prey of it's own, the Vulture dropped rapidly towards the ongoing conflict, loosening missiles and bolts from it's lascanons before it too disappeared into the billowing black cloud. The heavy rumble that resonated up the valley towards them, signifying that it had found and neutralised it's target.
Minutes later, all four aircraft appeared from the smoke skimming along the valley floor before rapidly climbing the hill towards their position. As the four birds passed overhead, the soldiers noticed trailing smoke from the engines of one of the Valkyries.
Once they had cleared the hill, Sgt Jethud turned to his partner "Mark the time, 14.20 standard. 4in, 4 out, 53rd Faucons."
That's the fifth flight since it started Sarge Byram said as he recorded Jethud's instructions into the data slate. "There can't be much left down there to hit!"
You'd think so. Jethud picked up the monocular and trained it back down the valley, staring at the billowing smoke as if expecting something to crawl out of it. "Anyway, our orders are simple. We stay here until we're relieved and we keep reporting. Something's still putting up a fight down there." As if to reinforce his words, the sound of a series of far off muffled explosions reached their ears. Intermittent las rounds would sometimes puncture free of the smoke, giving the impression the cloud was a heavily laden storm cloud, the bolts those of lightning, chasing every direction. Perhaps that last flight had dropped off troops who were now in the thick of it. Jethud had fought alongside the 53rd a few times, good men and well disciplined. He offered up a small prayer to the Emperor for them, then lowered the monocular and settle back into his kit which, like Byram's, had been arranged to give them some comfort on this exposed summit. To be fair, the nights on Halzat IV were not cold, but the knowledge of what stalked the night here were enough to put shivers on your spine. It would be dark in a few short hours.
Have you checked the perimeter sensors? Make sure they are set Stephen, we don't want to be anything's breakfast!
Taken back by the use of his first name, Byram jerked his thumb at the field auspex display which clearly showed the twelve sensors were on line. "They're feeding back Sarge, but I'll give them a further visual before the light goes."
Make sure you do lad. Talking of food, I think it's time to share out some of that Orax I saw Wendel stuff in your backpack, eh lad?
Byram flushed a little but dutifully opened his pack and took out the foil wrapped meat. He opened it and tore off a large strip which he handed to Jethud. He took another piece for himself before putting the foil packet back.
He's got a soft spot for you has Wendel, you'll never go hungry! said Jethud between mouthfuls.
Say's I remind him of his son. I like him an' all, but it gets embarrassing around the other lads. Wouldn't mind, but he showed me a picture….I look nothing like him!
Jethud chuckled, then leant forward and pushed his trigger finger into the young soldiers shoulder. "We've been away from Drogan Prime for a very long time now. The old bugger clearly sees something in you. Take my advice, having cook on your side is worth it's weight lad, you just keep smiling and nodding!"
Aye. I will Sarge. I think I'll check on those sensors now. With that, Byram got up and made his way down the slope. They had placed the sensors in a perimeter ring about 40 yards from their position. A distance which would give them time to react if triggered. The sensors themselves monitored on a number of different spectrums, including motion, thermal, sound and electrical field detection. All appeared to be working correctly and satisfied, Byram climbed back up to their position.
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The scream was long and terrifying. Jethud held back tears and tasted bile as it rose in his throat. He watched with morbid fascination though the monocular, it's night vision capabilities giving him the clearest view of the drama unfolding beneath their position.
The vehicles had rolled up an hour beforehand. Three APC's and a wheeled transport had debussed directly below the observation post, 120 metres away, the three APC's in an arc facing the hill top, the truck with it's back to the hill, lighting up the APC's with it's unshielded headlights. At first, the two Voltigeurs had believed they had been spotted and this unit was despatched to clear them out. However, once the three prisoners had been pulled from the back of the truck, they realised this was not the case. The three of them, all 53rd from their tattered uniforms, had been stripped to the waist, and each was lashed to the front of an APC, hanging by their wrists, their feet dangling above the ground. At first, their tormentors had taken to delivering powerful body blows with bare fists and other objects to hand. The soul on the left hand vehicle had taken a particularly vicious blow to his left leg, the snapping bones loud enough to be heard up on the hilltop. Then the torture had taken an altogether more cruel turn, when another figure stepped into the headlights of the truck.
Unlike the rough looking rebels who still wore Imperial equipment, this individual was tall and slender, wearing dark body armour beneath a hooded cloak. Words had been exchanged and the rebels who had been administering the beatings backed away from their charges in deference to the sinister figure. As the figure threw off his cloak, Jethud took a sharp intake of breath as light glinted off innumerable blades which adorned the body armour. From the elfin like features, clearly visible now in the harsh white light of the vehicle headlights, Jethud determined this was an Eldar. This one was altogether more terrible however than he had imagined them to be.
The figure drew forth a blade from the confines of his armour and approached the middle prisoner. He climbed up onto the front armour of the APC until he was face to face with his victim. Perched there like a clinging monkey it proceeded to whisper into the soldiers ear.
Though Jethud could not hear the words, the hairs on his own neck stood on end as he could only imagine their meaning. Even from this distance, the fear evident in the Drogan's eyes was terrible to behold. The xeno effortlessly sprung to the ground, turned and pushed the blade upwards into the man's groin. Slowly, be began to lever the blade upwards and the screaming began.
Jethud knew he could put a round through the torturer's head even from this distance. He knew too that he could put a round through each prisoner, ending their torment, but he also knew that he could not shoot every one of the forty or so rebels. A selfless man, he would risk his own life to stop this abomination, but there was young Byram to think of too. His companion was huddled down next to him, knees under his chin, unable to watch the scene below, terrified.
Unable to take his eyes from the monocular, he swallowed down more bile and then something in the periphery of the instruments lens moved.
Jethud switched his attention to the right hand prisoner. The light was poorer there and the soldier was only half lit. As he watched, the prisoner disappeared from sight completely, as if a dark hole had enveloped him. At first, the sergeant believed a second Eldar had climbed onto the prisoner and had started his own macabre torture. He moved the monocular left to take in the crowd of renegades but their attention was firmly on the centre prisoner and his tormentor. He looked right again but this time, there was clearly no prisoner or anyone else on the front of the APC! He scanned to the far left but that prisoner was still hanging limply, his smashed leg at a distended angle. Two renegades were stood directly in front of him, watching the spectacle on the middle carrier.
Before his mind could comprehend what was occurring, Jethud's monocular went a brilliant white, causing him to pull it away from his eyes for the briefest of moments, the instrument immediately compensating for the flash. A second or so later, a sharp crack resonated up the hillside accompanied by a long, shrill keening sound. Jethud placed the monocular back to his eyes and he watched in fascination as panic consumed everyone in the makeshift arena.
Three or four renegades were on the ground thrashing wildly, their hands clasped to their ears, as indeed were some of the soldiers still standing. Others were reacting by trying to either claim cover or arm themselves. A few, already clasping weapons, were now training them out from the arena looking for targets.
Bright sparks erupted as solid rounds ricocheted off the xeno power armour. The Eldar span and collapsed under the weight of fire as did two renegades who had been the closest to him. Others started to fall to well placed rounds including the two stood next to the left hand prisoner. By now, those renegades holding weapons, began firing indiscriminately into the dark, unsure of the direction of their attackers and demonstrating a complete disregard for fire discipline. Firing in this manner served only to light them up and each fell in rapid succession.
Jethud glanced left and noticed the prisoner with the broken leg had now vanished as well. Before he had a chance to ponder this, his attention was caught by a renegade frantically trying to change his magazine, having emptied it needlessly. Jethud watched as the renegade's head came up sharply as if he'd just spotted something overhead, but the wet gleam of metal now protruding from his throat, quickly withdrawn, stopped him mid action and he slumped to the dirt. A dark figure now stood briefly in his place before leaping with preternatural agility to his right, his sword arm sweeping around with dizzying speed as it neatly severed a second traitors head. The figure landed gracefully into a crouching position and whipped his head left in time to see the Eldar now spring from where he had fallen, the power armour having clearly performed it's singular function in protecting him from the hail of bullets.
The xeno moved with equal grace as it quickly closed the distance between them, both hands now brandishing menacing looking blades. He delivered a lightning fast torrent of stabs and cuts but the dark figure countered each in turn with precise moves of his own. Electric flashes blinked rapidly as the figures sword connected with the Eldar's blades, both matching each other blow for blow.
A renegade rushed the back of the dark figure, a two handed sword held over his shoulder but before he could bring the weapon down, a second shadowy figure intercepted him and the sword tumbled to the ground, both hands still attached to the hilt, a further cut opening his stomach and felling him. The second shadow now circled behind the Eldar who in an effort to check his new attacker, turned his head for the briefest of seconds affording the first dark warrior the opening he needed and his sword thrust upwards under the xeno's armpit. The Eldar 's head pulled backwards and he rose on his toes, his body going rigid before his knees gave way and he too collapsed among the slain renegades.
Jethud, finally catching his breath watched as one of the rescuers deftly climbed onto the middle APC and proceeded to free the prisoners bonds. The second shadow made quick checks of the fallen renegades before melting back into the night. Jethud felt a hand on his shoulder.
Emperor's throne lad! I don't….. His words failed to come out as he realised Byram was still crouched down on the ground, his face now staring up and behind Jethud. He turned his head slowly and took an involuntary gasp of air. Standing right behind him was a third dark warrior, his index finger raised upwards in front of his pursed lips. The warrior quickly pointed to the earpiece at the side of his head before returning his finger to his lips. Jethud nodded eagerly, too afraid to talk or do anything to antagonise this demon.
The figure spoke quickly and quietly "Retrieval hill 228, eight to go. Medic required"
The boy, unable to contain himself blurted out "How…how did you get through the sensors?!"
The Shadowkin operative winked at Byram "What sensors?"
Halzat IV
Halzat IV is a strategically important agriworld producing enough food to keep untold billions of souls fed. To look at it from orbit you would be hard pressed to think so. A small world, with approximately half of the surface area of terra, brown and barren looking. Any water at the surface has a high salinity, incapable of supporting life other than microscopic extremophilic organisms.
Originally colonised for it's mining opportunities, it was decided that biological terraforming would be the preferred method of taming the planet's atmosphere, which was particularly high in carbon dioxide. Long bright days, desert sands rich with iron and a highly brackish sub surface water combined to provide the perfect photobioreactor into which adepts could introduce strains of algae which could feed on the iron and carbon dioxide and in turn produce the much needed oxygen.
The terraforming process was exceptionally quick and successful and colonisation ensued. Whilst the early colonists concentrated on plundering the planets rich mineral wealth, others were fascinated by the speed and success rate of the algae processes and began to experiment with other algae in the hope of developing fuels and food to enable the planet to become self sufficient. Warp storms could often isolate the planet for months at a time and reliance on imported supplies put strains on the colony.
At first, their efforts yielded only limited success, though they were able to produce almost half of their own needs but then a bio research team led by Sebastian Saelan made a monumental break through, engineering a strain of algae, GX49489, which positively thrived on the conditions the planet's surface presented. Within a few short years, algaculture accounted for almost 63% of the planet's surface and 99.2% of the planet's wealth of export to the Imperium.
Though mineral extraction is still vitally important to a number of forgeworlds in the sector, it is the export of food that has meant huge floating space docks orbit the planet, shipping out to over ten thousand worlds.
From space, there only a few centres of population visible, the largest of these being Saelan's Reach on the continent of Jalebi. With a population of eight million, Saelan's Reach is the administrative heart of the planet. Apart from a few other smaller concentrations centred on mining operations, the balance of the planet's populace tend their vast farms across the surface of Halzat.
The majority of these farmers lead an almost nomadic existence for they live with their families aboard huge mobile processing harvesters, each with a surface area of approximately one square kilometre. These large harvesters, known on the planet as "Reapers", continuously run slow deliberate circuits of their holding, sifting the sands, timed to ensure the crop is ready for harvest upon the Reaper's return to the same point. Each houses over one thousand workers and their kin. These workers keep the Reaper moving and processing the algae. Each Reaper has limited storage and so has a landing area on it's back similar to that of an imperial land carrier. Large cargo shuttles from the space docks land on a daily basis and ferry the processed algae up to the waiting freight liners. All transport between the Reaper, it's neighbours and population centres is also by air
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Being a predominantly agricultural dominated society, the senior houses that controlled the mining on Halzat, squeezed every credit from the mines in order to line their own pockets and further their position among the ruling elite. Conditions in the mines were harsh and the workers, suffering years of being taken for granted, neglected and treated for all intent like slaves started to turn their frustrations into open hostility culminating in the murders of numerous high ranking dignitaries and the seizing of two of the planets oldest and largest mines close to the capital. The planet's PDF and Arbites forces were deployed to annexe the mining towns and contain the malcontent until the government could come up with a stable plan to rectify the situation.
By contrast, the nomadic farmers enjoyed a reasonable standard of living, despite the hard work necessary to keep the Reapers moving. Their society, centred on the extended families and clans which ran each of the mammoth harvesters, remained largely segregated from the troubles. Each harvester was required to tithe 100 troops in times of threats to the planet and each carried a number of Valkyrie transports for their rapid deployment. Fully half the tithe were called up to assist in strengthening the PDF's cordon. At the same time, osteopathic relays were sent out for Imperial assistance.
A small flotilla of Imperial navy frigates, already on station to protect the busy ports above the planet, were given orders to investigate a distress signal from the outer reaches of the system. No reports were forthcoming and all contact with the ships was lost. At the same time, terrorist bombings and attacks began to manifest in the capital itself, the worst of which destroyed the government buildings at the heart of the city, killing many of the ruling classes as they debated the growing unrest.
Reports from the PDF forces surrounding the mining areas, suggested the miners were starting to daub themselves in ritualistic symbols and appeared to be well armed though intelligence was unable to ascertain the source of this supply. Outright confrontation with the PDF was thus far avoided with only minor clashes and exchanges of small arms fire were reported. The nights on Halzat, already home to what few creatures were hardy enough to survive the barren wastes, began to take on an altogether more terrifying aspect with reports of shadowy dark figures slipping in and out of the cordon, equally dark vessels appearing briefly overhead only to disappear and troops having apparently abandoned their posts, never to be accounted for.
Finally, in one well orchestrated breakout, forces smashed though the PDF lines and moved with lightning speed towards the capital. Garbled communiqués from the front told tales of power armoured giants walking among the rebels and of other less describable creatures satiating themselves with the blood of the poorly prepared defence troops.
Saelan's Reach fell immediately to the onslaught and the rebel forces, now supported by their off world allies, immediately set about subjugating the populace and bolstering the city's defences.
PDF units still operational, made a weak attempt at moving their cordon to surround the city, leaving the mining centres unchecked. Some defensive forces abandoned the city altogether, choosing to return to their families aboard the Reapers, looking to defend their loved ones rather than die for no apparent leadership.
By now, word had spread that Chaos elements, apparently supported by or in league with piratical dark elves had descended to Halzat's surface, their intent to reap pleasure from the deaths and screams of it's population, whilst simultaneously cutting supplies to the Imperium. News of attacks on Reapers close to the capital reached the farmer captains who subsequently turned off their processors, turned their homes to the South, and ran for the Atlasean mountains.
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The loss of such an important resource of Halzat would have far reaching consequences with so many worlds dependant on it's rich bounty. If the taint of Chaos was allowed to fester unchecked, the loss of Halzat would be assured and immediate steps were taken to remedy the situation.
As fate would have it, imperial forces destined for deployment at the Eye of Terror were travelling through the warp close enough to be contacted and diverted to Halzat by the High Lords of Terra. Though nominally commanded by Vice Marshal Thakus, an Inquisitorial mandate was given to Drogan Colonel Troutman, the secretive figurehead of the Drogan Shadowkin special forces, to prosecute an immediate landing on Halzat, with primary orders to secure the space docks, contain the rebels and their allies and resume the flow of food from the surface. Once the primary objectives had been secured, the task force was to retake the capital city and any remaining rebel strongholds.
Thus task force Thakus appeared in orbit only seven weeks from the first pleas for help. They encountered little resistance above the planet and indeed were able to secure the space docks with minimal losses. If any Chaos or Xeno capital ships were present or participated in the landing of troops prior to the uprising, there was no evidence of their presence in system. At this time, the task force was joined by Astartes strike cruisers from both the Dark Angels and the Red Hunters chapters. The Red Hunters had been accompanied by Inquisitor Neve and her retinue. The Dark Angels seemed to have their own agenda however and would prove difficult to coordinate with.
Command elements of the task force relocated to the "Surprise", a fleet Mars class cruiser to undertake planning and control of the operation. At their disposal was a ground force of about 200,000 men, 12,000 fighting vehicles and naval air assets numbering over 1800 aircraft. The bulk of the ground force was comprised of regiments from both Drogan Prime and Cadia. Foremost among the Drogan forces were the 22nd, 23rd and 29th Voltigeurs, 3rd, 12th, 18th and 19th Armoured, 53rd and 56th Faucons and two battalions of their famed 1st Terrines. Cadian numbers, predominantly of the 78th (Fortress) Battle Group, include the 2nd "Wyvern", 7th Airborne, Dorac Ursid Mountain troops and the 1st Cadian Tank Regiment. Further ground forces included 77th Drookian Fen Guards and the 82nd Jouran Dragoons.
As soon as the space docks had been secured, small teams were dispatched to the surface with specific orders to retake or defend the Reapers. Many of those closer to the rebel strongholds had either been captured or completely destroyed. Imperial forces liberated around 200 Reapers and established contact with those who had fled South convincing them to return to their land with the promise of air support and additional ground units to protect them. Within days four weeks, the shuttles were once again transporting food to the docks.
At the same times teams were sent to secure the harvesters, the largest elements of the task force were ferried to the surface to bolster the thinly spread PDF in maintaining their ring around the enemy held enclaves. Without the benefit of built up shelter and accommodation to billet the regiments, a large fortified camp (Talvenus) was established 80 miles South of Saelan's Reach.