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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 16, 2009 17:59:04 GMT -5
Captain Kirlia Asis strode into the HQ tent, passing a few Tirani PDF Officers on the way. The Tirani's morale was at a rock bottom. Asis could understand why. While she and her elements of the 482nd had arrived rather recently, the Tiranis were fighting for their planet for well over three decades.
Inside the HQ tent was a small table, on it a map of the surrounding area where the 482nd had cleared out a large defensive perimeter.
They were on a large plateau, most of the edges were high and sheer straight, only accessible by troops with mountain-climbing gear. It was the ideal evacuation spot. There was one gentle incline up onto the plateau, located on the north side. This incline was small in comparison to the plateau, although it was about 2 kilometers wide, and extended for about .5 kilometers in, making it very large. It was here that Asis had set up most of the PDF and the 482nd.
There were around 56 smaller paths onto the plateau, many of them about the size of a street or two, and about .3 kilometers long.
If you didn't count the passage ways up, the plateau was about 60-65 square kilometers.
The terrain was rather green, with plenty of trees, stray boulders, but mostly open naturally. Of course, there were plenty of fortifications made to protect the Imperials, and bunkers were everywhere, to shield from the periodic artillery barrages made by the heretics.
High command had decided to evac as many loyal servants of the Emperor away from the foul traitors that now inhabited the planet. The traitors had established a warp portal around on the other side of the planet, and Asis knew it was a matter of time before the Imperials were overrun.
All she had to do was make more time.
Civilians refugees were inside the heart of the plateau, steadily, but slowly making their way into the transports. Various PDF remnants were making their way to their current position, ready to reinforce the last Imperial stronghold on the planet.
Asis wasn't sure, but she had heard that there were several Guard units out there too. She hoped they made it here, as the PDF needed more hope.
Snapping out of her reverie, she turned to Preceptor-Savant Azuriah Angellus.
"Ma'am area is secure. Refugees are boarding the transports, and PDF units, along my forces, are digging in for an extended siege. My scouts report that the traitors' lead units will not arrive for two days. Tirani remnants are making their way to our position as we speak, and are being ordered to hold the line. We starting to set up artillery positions. Defensive lines are being set up to block the lesser passages, while the main one is being guarded straight from the entrance."
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Post by Melissia on Aug 16, 2009 20:16:26 GMT -5
"Good. Be sure to be as thorough on the next batch in checking them for mutations or evidence of witchcraft. We cannot afford to have our enemies sneak past, claiming to be refugees or even PDFs."
The woman nodded to a techpriest, and tried her damnedest to gather her wits-- being a psyker of considerable power, the presence of the beings of the warp so close to her was even more nerve-wracking than it would be for a normal mortal. They would be going for her... no! I can't be thinking that way, I am their commander, I MUST lead them!
"An armored company has volunteered to join us. After they do, I will deliver a speech... I pray to the Emperor that they will trust me as their commander, knowing what I am." She nominally had a rank equivalent ot that of a colonel, but most soldiers wouldn't take an order from a Psyker unless under duress-- and even then they'd just as likely shoot her as anything. But this was no ordinary situation, and everyone present knew they were going to die.
Thrust in a position of command she honestly wasn't ready for, the psyker sighed, and viewed out of her amplivisor to watch the armored company's approach...
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 16, 2009 20:47:35 GMT -5
"Yes Ma'am"
"Ria, this is Asis. Be sure to check the civies and the PDF for....undesirables...."
"Yes ma'am! Hehe.....This is just like one of those searching puzzles! Except you don't whether there is anything to search! Which makes it more fun!"
In a sigh of exasperation, Asis let Ria off the hook. Ria had the mental stability of a four year old, and there wasn't a question of how much sanity she had. It was more of a question of how insane she was.
Yet, Asis had to admit, she was a damn good commander, and rarely lost. Somehow, someway, there was a method to her madness....
"Keyan, this is Asis. Things still the same?"
"Yes ma'am. No contact. Watching many klicks out. Will inform if any hostiles sighted."
Keyan was serious. VERY serious, often always taking things literally. However, he was quite the honorable one, never ordering anyone to do something he wouldn't gladly do himself. Of course, he would do a lot of things himself......
"Nene, how are the PDF doing?"
"The PDF? Not so good...Morale's improved since they found that huge tank, but not by much....It really is a sombre mood."
"Well, spread the word that an armored group is on it's way. And make a show, act like we will get through this."
"What do you mean act? We will survive."
"See? You're a natural actor!"
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Post by RedsandRoyals on Aug 17, 2009 20:01:18 GMT -5
The armoured column, totaling 150 combat vehicles, as well as a handful of support units, rumbled into the rear area of the defensive line and Military Police directed the units to a large assembly area. The tank leading the column, a Mars Pattern Leman Russ, was painted in woodland camouflage. The name "Victory" as stenciled on the side. From it's whip antenna, the Regiment's banner proudly fluttered, emblazoned with crossed armoured gauntlets over a Shield.
When they reached the assembly area, the column began to take up formation by company, each five tanks wide and two tanks deep. After a company had been assembled, the crews dismounted an checked their gear stowage before standing at attention in front of the tanks.
'Victory" parked in front of the assembling regiment, facing the rows of tanks. Col. Markus Andronicus climbed up on top of his Vanquisher's turret, watching as the tail end of the column fell into place.
Reds
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Post by Melissia on Aug 17, 2009 22:14:08 GMT -5
A woman in dull blueish grey fatigues, with silver trim, walked up colonel, followed by four veterans with sniper rifles. "Greetings, Colonel Andronicus. I am Preceptor-Savant Azuriah Angellus... current highest ranking officer amongst the PDF, and indeed on this world after the General fell to a heretical sniper." For a psyker, she seemed to have it well together to be sure, and was acting far more like an officer than what one might expect out of someone in her position. "If you would, deliver a speech... the men are low on morale, and indeed half a dozen different PDF regiments have been amalgamated into one single oversized regiment, to tell you how bad things really have been for the poor saps. I will provide you with any information you need."
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 18, 2009 0:00:09 GMT -5
Asis glanced around, noting that most of her troops were away manning the defensive line. The only 482nd troopers present were the 70 from 2nd company, would stood rock solid, their laughing skull emblem burned white onto a pitch dark flag.
She herself was interested in how this speech would turn out....
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 11:56:59 GMT -5
"Dropping down, 37 degrees by 22 degrees... Strafing run in 4..." Two Bombers, side by side angled down, bomb bay doors open, Athorian steel and Imperial fire meant to clear fire lines for the elites of the 33rd tank squadrons.
"2.."
Vetrans all, this was simply one more war they had to fight. Not for The Emperor, not for High Command, now, it was survival. Chances stood to reason that their position was unknown at the time to their allies, as well as their enemy. Imperial Athenor thought it best to keep the element of suprise, and while on relatively good terms with Holy Terra, the Empire had been shaken violently before, and could very well do so again. They did not trust this world to not be tainted completely when the 33rd set down, and only because of the agreement they had made with Holy Terra to not be re annexed into it's Empire did they willingly give assisstance to systems in need.
"Bombs away..."
Massive explosions as promethium tore the landscape apart, turning anything organic to ash and scorching all else. A stretch a mile wide and two across was finished finally, allowing a wide arc of fire from the operations tents that had been erected amongst the buildings of a deserted town. Major Trais stood on the balcony of a two story building with a pair of binos, checking positions of his tanks and plotting hardpoints that may provide cover for a raiding force.
It was quiet for now, but that could all change within moments...
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Post by CaptainHindenburg on Aug 18, 2009 13:43:49 GMT -5
Major Rayn watched his troops from the track guard of "Ol' Reliable", the company's lone Vanquisher, as it rumbled along toward the fall-back point. Many soldiers walked though some had managed to secure a ride on a Leman Russ, much to the envy of their comrades. The artillery was being lugged around by teams of mules with their crews upon the steeds, the Valkyries carrying rations and ammo, and the Manticore rumbling behind the second Leman Russ Tank of the convoy.
Rayn's 2iC (second in command) leaned over and told him a message he had just received from his vox officer "Sir, the commander of the 95th Avretii Armored is going to deliver a speech; do you think we should attend sir?"
"Lets not be too hasty Captain, lets get to the plateau first, though I do think we should send some representatives over" he replied.
The captain nodded and turned back to speaking to his vox officer. Rayn settled back against the Vanquisher's turret and once again settled into a state of semi-consciousness, reminiscing of his days as an artillery officer.
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 18, 2009 19:09:59 GMT -5
"Holy Sh*t! By the Emperor, what the frak was that!?"
Keyan cursed, marshalling, his company together to stay calm. Damn it all, the enemy had control of the skies, and by the Emperor, they knew 3rd company was here....
"Captain Asis. Bombing run by hostiles. 2 klick stretch destroyed. No casualties. Close call."
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Asis cursed, just like Keyan did. Ironically, using the same word choice too.
"Damn it, all....482nd! Man positions! Those cultists just bombed out a stretch of land that was a bit to close to where our recon is! Get those AA batteries running on the double, anything in the sky that isn't one of shuttles is going down in flames!"
Why couldn't they have waited until the speech.....
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"This is Death Leader to Command. Two corpse-god bombers have bombing the woods. Moving to intercept."
With that, 12 veteran Lightnings streaked towards the bomber. Death Leader estimated an arrival time of 5 minutes. Silly loyalists, did they not realize that this planet was theirs? And here they were deploying two bombers, with no escort! Not only are the servants of the corpse-god weak and cowardly, they are also stupid.
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"All units commence attack. The damn Imperials know we're here."
With a mighty roar, two full regiments of traitor guard, backed by two armored companies started moving towards the plateau. In 20 minutes, they would arrive, and hit in full force. They weren't the disorganized khornite mobs. All of them are Chaos Undivided, well disciplined, well trained, and well organized.
They advanced in a festive mood. Today was the day Chaos claimed one more planet from the weakling corpse-god.
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"To Captain Asis. Falling back. Meeting advance force. ETA 20 minutes. Force composition standard. Morale appears high. Evaulate as overwhelming force."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2009 10:26:55 GMT -5
"12 fighters incoming, viewed coming in from the southeast. Drop for emergency landing." Trais heard through the vox, not good. How much support did these traitors have? Picking up the hand mic, Trais looked through his binos to the southeast. "Cancel that pilots, Drop 44 degrees and level out, these are not those blue skinned devils, and they are not flying tigersharks. Let them fly over our defensive line, then hit them in their backs with Lascannons." He paused, judging the distance. "Prepare ETA on the defensive line 7 minutes." He finished, motioning for one of his men to come over. "Sergeant, scramble the valks, and ready your men and the other teams to provide ground to air support, we need to keep those bombers at all costs." He ordered, Looking out on the horizon.
"Lightning fighters Cap, think we'll get through this?" The gunner asked. McNamar thought for a moment as he dove the Marauder towards the gunline hidden at the edge of the forest left unscathed. "Dunno Gunny, just keep on those cannons, If any get into range, blast em." He said as the world blurred outside the cockpit, plunging the bomber at such a steep vertical was always a danger, especially during combat operations. A stall now would would send them straight into the ground. McNamar would actually prefer that anyway, why bother with getting buried when you've gotten buried already in a coffin made by His empire's foundries. Leveling out, twin flashes caught the outer limits of his vision, the aft Lascannon roaring as his gunner started firing at the first fighter to have come into firing range. This would work heroically, or fail miserably.
Either way, McNamar felt an all too familiar lump in his throat...
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 19, 2009 18:29:27 GMT -5
The lightnings screamed forwards, heedless of the fact that three of the fighters were gunned down.
"For the Dark Gods!" Shouted Death leader as he opened up with a lascannon on one of the bombers, scoring a hit
However, bombers were built to take many times that amount of damage, and the shot caused pretty much no effect at all. The rest of the squadron blazed away,scoring a few more hits, before flying off, and vectoring for another pass.
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Post by RedsandRoyals on Aug 20, 2009 2:58:59 GMT -5
Andronicus carefully constructed his expression into one of neutrality before he spoke. "Yes, Ma'am. I was going to address my men, of course, but I will address yours first." He turned on his heel and strode back to his tank. Commissar Ragan and Major Iago where standing there, waiting for him.
"Psyker Scum' Andronicus spat in low tones as he reached them. "It says it's in command here. If that's true, we're worse off then we thought." Iago raised an eyebrow. "Sir?" "How are we to fight those tainted by Chaos if our commander is touched by the Warp itself? Why not just appoint one of the Heretics commander?" "Well sir, she is wearing our uniform, at least." "Uniforms mean nothing, Iago. How do we know the Archenemy isn't in it's head, reading our battle plans?" Ragan, who had been listening to this impassively, cut in. "If she does succumb to the Warp, then it will be my duty to deal with her. Your duty, Colonel, is to destroy the traitor scum that threatens this world." Andronicus nodded. "Indeed it is, and it's one I hope to tend to soon. But first, I have to deliver a speech to the local militia."
With that, he pulled himself up on to of his tank and stood there, feet braced on either side of closed hatch, hands clasped behind his back. A group of PDF soldiers which had clustered around his tank glanced up at him, and several more gathered at the fringes of the crowd. He could see more drifting over. Clearly, the locals could sense a good show brewing.
He cleared his throat, and switched on his commbead, making sure it was broadcasting on the PDF channel as well. "You're tired. Aren't you? Tired of fighting. Tired of losing. But that's not all, is it?" He swept his gaze across them. "You're afraid. All of you. But there's no shame in that. I'm afraid to. I'm afraid of the horrors the enemy will throw at us."
Andronicus straightened up, and raised his voice. "I am more afraid of what will happen if we bend, if we break." he lowered his voice "If we fail." His voiced surged in strength again. "If we do not stand here, shoulder to shoulder, and fight back this horde of traitor filth, then we will lose everything. Your planet, your homes, your lives. You stand between the Great Enemy, and everything you know and love."
He paused for dramatic affect, then roared "But you do not stand alone! We men of Avretii stand with you, we men of Iron! We volunteered to fight and die for this world, your world. Every one among our number will lay down his life for your families and homes. Beside us stand the Kai-Tan, the Athorians, and the Arcadians, excellent soldiers all, and all willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for this world!"
He paused again, his voice going quiet. "So, when your descendants look back upon this day, will they be proud? When great Generals and noble Lords read of this struggle, what will they say? Will they say the men of Tiran put down their arms, and let their world die? Or..." his voice began to rise in volume as he spoke "...will they say you fought with the courage of Astartes? Will they be stunned by your zeal and fury? Will they say the soldiers of Tiran fought to the last round, to the last drop of blood? Will they say you were Saints and Soldiers, every one?"
His voice now boomed across the terrain. "Do not think of this war in terms of battles lost or ground surrendered! Think of every lasround you fire as time bought for a child to reach safety! Every tank you destroy, is a family escaping to a new life! Our victory here will be measured not in ground lost, but lives saved! Every moment we fight on, the more of your people can escape, the more of your people survive!"
"Soldiers of Tiran, soldiers of the Emperor! I give you this choice! You may either lay down your arms, say 'No More', and watch all you know and love burn, or you can stand firm and resist! You can make them pay for every inch of ground with a thousand of their own corpses! You can fight so that your planet may live on! You can fight to save thousands of innocents from death and destruction!"
"So, what say you? Will you fight with me? Will you stand firm, take not one step backward, and fight to the last? Will you show these foul, inhuman scum what it means to be a soldier of Tiran?"
Reds
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Post by Melissia on Aug 20, 2009 9:43:12 GMT -5
The crowd of PDF raised their lasguns and shouted out in excitement, although how long they would remain motivated was unknown-- they were pdf rabble after all, but at the very least they were fighting for the refugees, their family and people.
"As many of you know, I am Preceptor-Savant Angellus. I know that... you all distrust me. As you very well should, as I am a psyker." Her tone was understanding, and even approving. "But now, through an unfortuante circumstance, I am now thrust into the position of your commanding officer. I don't ask you to like me, or to trust me as a psyker. You shouldn't, because the distrust of the psyker and hate of witchcraft will serve you well in these, our final days, and our Enemies will make use of the rogue psyker, the sorcerer, the witch whom has not been blessed by the touch of the Emperor's will as the sanctionite has. No... I ask you instead to respect me as a commander. Your officer. I will not waste your lives, for the Emperor abhors waste. But at the same time, I cannot abide by desertion or cowardice, for the Emperor despises that all the same."
The psyker's voice was loud and clear, as if somehow the technosorcery of her voxcaster was working remarkably well-- to the soldiers and indeed everyone else in the vincinity, it sounded as if she was merely talking loudly so everyone else could hear her. "As your commander, I bid you stand and fight. We must hold the line, and if we must die we will die standing. Die fighting. Our families, our loved ones, the children of this world, the holy artefacts and those unable to fight depend on us, and us alone. We are truelly the last line of defense, and we must be ever-vigilant so that the Enemy not only does not break through with force and vile munitions, but also does not manage to sneak past us and mingle amongst us with their cowardly ways."
Her voice, her emotions picked up, an inspiring voice of someone whom has truelly overcome their fears. "We do not know what our chances of survival are, so we must fight as if they were zero. The planet might fall and the Imperium might forget we existed, but the Enemy-- the Enemy will know. The Enemy will remember your faces your resolve, your voices crying out in hate and wrath. We will hurt it so badly that it will never forget us until the stars burn out and the Emperor vanquishes it at the end of time. When the Ruinous Powers are dying, its last thought will be of us. That will be our memorial — carved into the heart of Chaos. We will not lose, Imperial Soldiers! We have already won! "
The soldiers' emotions raised up, and they shouted out in a cheer of their own, before they slowly quieted down, and began to think about what she had said. Then, with a final, resolute and calm voice, the woman finished: "...and now we shall go and make our memorial, Soldiers of Tiran. Take positions, and man your guns. The Emperor is watching us. Let us give him something to smile about."
The woman offered each and every soldier a firm salute, as if she respected them as human beings, and they began to do the grim work of preparing to die-- but not before taking as many of them out as they possibly can.
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Post by RedsandRoyals on Aug 20, 2009 12:42:34 GMT -5
Andronicus slid off his tank as the Psyker began her speech. Her words held little interest for him. As she spoke, he walked over to where his men were, still at attention in front off their tanks. He switched his commbead over to his regiment's channel. This was for them, not the PDF rabble.
He began to speak, not in the booming roar that he had addressed the PDF with, but in a normal voice. "Alright boys. We know the score here. The enemy's got this in the bag. We can't win this one, so right now, our job is to fight like the bastards we are and hold the enemy off for as long as possible so we can get as many civvies out as we can."
He sighed. "And we probably won't survive."
"But you know all that, and so do I. We knew the deal going in, and yet we still volunteered for this, and that's what makes me proud. Proud of this regiment. Proud of you men, the Men of Iron. It's been my honor, and my pleasure to serve with you all these long years."
He paused for a moment, then said "The Emperor Protects. Dismissed."
Reds
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Post by Melissia on Aug 20, 2009 14:22:38 GMT -5
after doubel checking to make sure the voxcaster was off, the psyker sighed, and nodded to her subbordinate officers, as they saluted and moved to get on with their duties. She had her veteran marksmen scattered across the plateau's edges in teams of five (two snipers, three spotters), watching for aircraft or attempts to scale the cliff, while the rest of the forces were arrayed out in a slight half-circle around the north side, the only side with an incline onto it, and had them dig in and create lines of trenches with numerous fallback positions. Given that they could nto go out and attack their enemy, this was really the ideal way to do it. Lascannons, multilasers, autocannons, missile launchers heavy stubbers, heavy bolters, mortars, artillery, and a massive tank all guarded that one entrance, as the veterans kept vigilant watch over the edges, spread evenly across them.
"I hate public speaking. Let's get back to fighting, shall we?" Her command squad nodded, all of them junior officers whom were formerly members of the General's staff. They began to do the fine work of making sure all the men were where they were supposed to be, and of updating the tactical map based off of reports or lack thereof. The command squad-- and a small contingent of techpriests-- were situated in a makeshift and hastilly blessed bunker, and the techpriests worked furiously to not only keep the Precenter-Savant's machines running, but also to guide the numerous evacuation ships and ensure that their repeated runs went as smoothely as they could.
"Hey Steelie, any report on the navy's promise of support?" "Negative, milady. It appears that they cannot afford any aerospace elements. It is good that you have redeployed the hydras." "Damn. I suppose we'll have to rely on them. Can you detail someone to go out and check on them so that we know for certain that they are working in the absolute best shape possible?" "It will be done."
And so it went...
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 20, 2009 19:28:49 GMT -5
"Dammit," One of the Kai-Tan soldiers shouted, "Incom-"
The rest of his exclamation was drowned out by a roar of fire, as artillery started pounding the line, shells landed near trenches, near fire emplacements, and in very unfortunate cases, hit their mark.
Suddenly, a few shells pounded in front of the first trench, suddenly building up a massive cloud of smoke. More shells flew throughout the line, and soon, the barrage of fire turned into a barrage of smoke.
A sudden cry was unleashed as shapes started appearing, hazy forms in the grey cloud.
"For the Dark Gods! Death to the False Emperor!"
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Asis watched the smoke start building, cursing under her breath. Now, it would be near impossible to tell between 3rd company, and the legion of traitors surging towards the line. Well, at least she assumed they were charging, it was kinda hard to tell with all the smoke.
"Keyan, better loop around, and head up the smaller paths. The front's going to be too chaotic to tell, and you might as well try flanking the flankers..."
"Yes ma'am."
"Ria, how're the lesser passage ways holding?"
"Perfect! Nobody here but-....Uh-oh...."
"What is it?"
"Hehe! This'll be fun! Lots of huge stuff! Boom!"
"Ria......"
"What!? Oh! Right! Well there's a bunch of guys headed our way, and I see a Baneblade....The other passages are under attack as well. Hehe! They've never fought me before!"
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Post by Laughing Man on Aug 21, 2009 3:57:06 GMT -5
"Damnit men! We have to move! Lieutenant Harminson! Detail a sapper team to blow that bridge!" Major Drevin sat on the rear of his Salamander watching his motley bunch of soldiers march past. He saw men he'd fought by for years, he saw young boys who had never fired a las-rifle in anger until coming to this planet. Despite everything he was proud of them.
However he was also fearful, it was still 100 miles to the evac zone and most of the vehicles only had enough fuel to go 80 miles. He'd have to solve this problem when it came time.
Father Angenos had served alongside Guard regiments all his life, he wasn't a particularly violent man but he often felt that men so drenched in the fires of war as guard were the ones who needed the most spiritual guidance. Angenos heard a commotion from a nearby house. Angenos climbed over the destroyed door. Two guardsmen were scuffling on the floor, he recognised them as medicae officer Yelts and trooper Trevil. Trevil had a auto-pistol in his hand. Yelts was struggling to pin the gun down. The priest heard a snap of arguement as he came in. "Damn it Trevil you can't do this" "It's hopeless. Completely hopeless. there's no use trying to run, we should die now to save a worse death later" Angenos stepped into the room and looked at the two, he grabbed his holy tome it was a heavy book. Angenos sighed "Sorry Trevil" Angenos brought the book down on the man's head bludgeoning him unconcious. Angenos looked over at Yelts "best you sedate him or his ravings will cause panic" Angenos stepped out only faintly hearing the thanks. Drevin was pleased the battalion was on the move again. He could now see the plateau in the far distance however he could also see the large enemy formations moving to attack the Plateau from it's western flank.
Halting the column, Drevin quickly issued orders for all the light trucks to be abandoned and the fuel to be transferred to the remaining halftracks and salamanders, he ordered all non-essential equipment to be abandoned. Men were told to take only combat supplies, any man caught trying to conceal his bed roll in his pack was quickly dealt with by the regimental NCOs with a quick blow to the face. Once these changes had been made Drevin called his senior officers to him. "men we're only 25 kilometres away from the evac zone only the enemy is going to arrive ahead of us. My plan is to enter the region from the west and strike through to enter the plateau at it's south western point. We should clip and disrupt the enemy formations i'll vox through to the plateau command to try and ensure that we won't get any friendly fire situations".
Drevin walked over his command vox and set it to the PDF frequency.
"Evac command this Antarian Twelth second Battalion, we are approximately 25 kilometres west of your positions, heavy enemy strenth advancing across my axis of advance, request permission to launch a hit and run assault on the enemy column before entering the plateau"
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 21, 2009 17:55:05 GMT -5
"This is Royals, permission granted. Work with Captain Keyan, he is making another flanking maneuver from the west."
Keyan grinned as a few squads marched past his position, supported by a trio of tanks.
"Now," he whispered.
Keyan grabbed the man in front of him, twisting him around, and then broke his neck. Around him more men from his company, still cloaked, ambushed, and slaughtered the traitors. Not one managed to get a shot off. The trio of tanks halted, and one of them opened the hatch, searching for the invisible killers. He was shot through the face.
Suddenly, Keyan saw a quick motion, and a column of fire erupted from the hatch of the tank. The second tank was dealt with when the hatch opened, and a floating grenade was dropped inside.
A floating flamer flew up to the last tank, which was now spraying the area randomly with heavy bolter fire, and opened the hatch, sending searing flames into the tank.
"All units, casulaties? "
"Sir! Jenkins and Tiru were hit, Tiru's gone, Jenkins'll live."
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Post by Laughing Man on Aug 21, 2009 18:49:16 GMT -5
"understood sir" Drevin placed the speaker back on the vox and grinned darkly. He yelled for his platoon commanders to come over to the command salamander. Sergeant Harls was the first to arrive. Harls was a grizzled old veteran formerly a training master for the regiment the old veteran has seen combat on Dozens of worlds against Myriad foes. Drevin valued Harls council greatly as the man had been senior combat instructor at the Antarian officer training corps. Harls spat a clump of chewing tabaco out onto the ground before using one hand to pull himself up onto the back of chimera. His voice hard sounding almost like it was mixed with gravel was comforting despite it's harshness "What's the news sir" Drevin smiled despite his struggling, he disliked long seiges and this kind of hit and fade attack was the Ranger's speciality. "We've been ordered to strike the enemy rearguard" "sir permission to make a suggestion" "go ahead" "I sent Sergeant Redlin's squad out earlier, they reported an enemy artillery post nearby. Looks like the guns are there but they haven't moved up ammo" "I see, spiking thier guns would be a good idea" Drevin saw a plan forming on his map. The rest of the platoon officers and some of the senior sergeants soon arrived. By that time Drevin had his plan. He spoke quickly and plainly. "First Company will launch a diversionary attack Captain Lough take your men to this ridge here" Drevin indicated a forested ridge in between the enemy assault and the plateau, Lough nodded. "When fourth company is in position, fifth company with move towards the artillery positions, Harminson you need to provide a perimetre for your sappers to spike the guns, sixth company and battalion command will provide a firebase here, after the guns are spiked we will mount up and move at full speed to the plateau. Don't stop for anything not even my death." The Commanders nodded and moved to rally thier companies.
Drevin climbed into the back of his command salamander, His command section climbed in with him, Young Trooper Seles, took position at the vox and began relaying orders to units, Sergeants Poil and Llown two veterans armed with powerful weapons, Poil carried a plasma gun and Llown wore a large powerfist and held a hand flamer in his hand. Drevin moved to the front and racked the pintle mounted heavy stubber.
The battalion blazed into the battlefield like avenging furies. Captain Lough of fourth company, took his company in a wide sweeping curve across the front of the enemy advance. His Salamanders moved rapidly bouncing over the hard ground. Lough heard a loud woosh and flinched downwards only just dodging a heretic missile aimed at the turret of his Chimera.
Father Angenos stood on a small rise, reading from the book of Thor with one hand, he held an old stub revolver in his hand and everytime a heretic looked like he was drawing a bead on him the priest fired.
"oh throne we're hit" Thought Yelts as the salamander he rode in bucked like a wounded horse before turning on it's side and sliding along the ground.
Yelts awoke moments later. The Salamander was burning and he had been thrown free with Trevil whom he had been riding with to ensure the sedatives worked. Trevil was coming round. He blearily looked around. Then he saw the heretics advancing. Trevil crawled back to the burning wreck and fished a las-gun out. He checked the power pack and tucked in tight sighting down iron sights, Yelts remembered that despite his previous episode Trevil was one of the finest marksmen in the regiment and even without his solid ammunition rifle he was still a potent shot. Yelts also moved his lasgun into firing positions, luck had it that they were both able to crouch in a small ditch that the Salamander had crashed near to. The first heretic broke cover and Trevil fired a shot missing. Due to the unfamilier weapon, he issued a harsh curse and fired again hitting the man between the eyes. More heretics appear, Trevil and Yelts began firing on full auto. It began to look hopeless. Yelts saw Trevil die taking a heretic's filth axe to the chest. Yelts screamed in rage and fired at full auto, suddenly the heretics began falling. Yelts so engrossed in his struggle failed to hear the rest of the battle and suddenly saw the Battalion's command Salamander advancing nearby Major Drevin firing a heavy stubber pintle. Yelts ran over to the Salamander getting behind the bulk of the vehicle he felt strong hands pull him into the passenger compartment. He looked up into the face of Sergeant Llown. "Good to see ya doc, saw you were in a bit of trouble and despite himself the boss thought we'd pick you up" Yelts grinned at the veteran's dismissive behaviour "So did we take them out" "we did enough, although fifth company got pasted the artillery was well defended, Harminson is dead." This news depressed Yelts, Harminson was an old friend from his ganger days, the man was a fiercly loyal friend.
The 12th's attack had shocked the heretics, seeing that much armour and disciplined fire had stalled the advance along with the loss of thier artillery had blunted the attack on the evacuation in one sector. Drevin was proud of his few brave men. He took a deep swig of amesec feeling slightly guilty despite the back the regimental commissar was dead.
The commissar had been an idiot and a fool. Obviously an inbred relative of minor planetary nobility, he was a poor combatant, and when ordered to support the frontline patrol to scout the heretics initial movements the man had baulked and tried to run, however he had threatened to reveal the troop's positions and Sergeant Harls had been forced to slit the man's throat. Drevin saw the first route up to the plateau coming into view, it's sentries look wary. Drevin signalled the convey to slow down as it approached the frontline.
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 21, 2009 19:41:43 GMT -5
"Keyan to 12th, watch it, you're about to meet an encirclement force. We're moving to intercept."
Once again, the heretics repeated their assault tactic, blanketing the 12th in a barrage of both fire and smoke.
"Belay that, they're already here. Keep moving, they outnumber us. Reach the line. We'll tear them up from the inside out."
Keyan watched as the heretics surged past his position, intent on avenging their fallen comrades.
He took a deep breath. No way out of this now..
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Post by Laughing Man on Aug 22, 2009 14:16:52 GMT -5
Drevin saw shells dropping everywhere. His men were helpless, he had only two choices, run for the cover of the line or turn about and reengage forcing the enemy to shell it's own men. Drevin grasped the vox firmly "All units come about, we'll get pasted to hell if we try and run to the lines, if we're going to go we might as well do it well."
A cheer resonated from Sergeant Harls Halftrack at the commander's speech and Harls grinned. He grasped his autogun and loaded a new clip in feeling the vehicle turn and accelerate. He saw the surprised expression of the Heretics as the 12th came back around to reengage.
The 12th's charge shocked the heretics. They simply didn't believe that a running imperial force could still have so much bite.
Drevin was pleased the heretic line was buckling he barked into his vox again. "12th to Keyan we've effected a weakening of the line at sector 353 we'll try and hold a corridor for you boys to evac through"
With that the 12th deployed into defensive positions and waited for thier fellow soldiers.
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 22, 2009 14:52:02 GMT -5
"Negative. You underestimate us. Heavy Recon. Caution. Enemy is baiting. We will fall back via east side. You secure west flank. We are able to sneak through enemy. Will cause havoc."
Keyan started crouch-walking to the next cover spot, as he and his band of recon units sowed confusion and havoc among the heretics. However, soon, it was time to go. Keeping his camo generator active, Keyan ordered his company to move around, and secure the eastern flank.
The traitors regrouped, and pressed against the 12th's defensive line, sending in a company of Leman Russes, backed by a quartet of infantry companies. They stayed back cautiously, ready to mow down a third charge. They would not break this time.
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Post by Laughing Man on Aug 22, 2009 15:16:22 GMT -5
"understood"
Drevin switched the vox back to battalion frequency.
"all units make for the east side, don't stop till you see aquilla's in front"
The 12th's column flew towards the friendly lines, Drevin had voxed ahead to ensure they wouldn't get fired upon however the heretic armour was pasting them to pieces, Drevin estimated that he had lost as many as a third of his men.
The Command Salamander slewed to a halt at what was to be the 12th's staging area. Drevin dismounted and smiled when he saw Sergeant Harls was alive and well along with Captain Lough, he now bitterly felt the death of Lieutenant Harminson, the man was as talented at maintaining defenses as he was at blowing them up. Drevin looked at Sergeant Harls "Mikal i'm rolling the fith and sixth together you'll have about 112 effectives under you, i'm breveting you to lieutenant for the duration just to keep the PDF happier"
Harls looked uncomfortable with the promotion but nodded knowing that due to the nature of the enemy it was probably going to be temporary anyway.
Drevin looked at the map provided by a PDF liason officer. The 12th had a secure line. position, good defenses, with prepared missile and stubber positions for the men to man. Drevin began detailing platoons, he reduced the number of men carried by vehicles, assigning a half-track and two salamanders to each line platoon and keeping the rest in reserve in order to provide a mobile force to plug any gaps rapidly. Father Angenos remained at the rear with the wounded as the Battalion began to deploy into position, he saw Major Drevin looking out towards where Captain Keyan's men were supposed to be. The Priest laid his hand on the Major's shoulder, "Don't worry my son, From what i've heard Keyan is a highly skilled soldier. He'll be alright" Drevin liked the priest, his kind words were always welcome to him but now of all times he couldn't help but feel doubt that Keyan would get out alive. As skilled as the Captain was all hell was coming.
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Post by CaptainHindenburg on Aug 22, 2009 21:15:53 GMT -5
"Captain, get order the artillery to take out those enemy artillery batteries, our men are getting pounded down there." he ordered his 2iC. As he rushed towards the battle line, the Major called up his reserves, roughly 100 men and their Vanquisher. As they neared the line they could see the death and destruction that was being wrought upon the defenders. Rayn drew his officer's bolter and began to fire at the approaching heretics as his soldiers followed his example. Continuing to approach the line the Arcadians dropped into the trenches with the Kai-Tan soldiers who were continuing to defend against the heretic onslaught.
Just then, a heretic Leman Russ squadron rumbled up the incline firing away with all their weaponry. "Old Reliable" opened up on the tanks, its cannon singing in the turning two into burning wrecks while the other continued its approach on the trenches. However, all was not lost as a lone man, wearing the field grey uniform of the Arcadians, sprang from the trenches and ran towards the armored behemoth, clutching a melta bomb in his left arm. The Leman Russ took no heed at the lone figure until the driver saw what the man carried.
The hull heavy bolter opened up on the man and his left arm exploded in a shower of blood and gore but still he ran at the lumbering behemoth until finally he scrambled on top of its hull, planted it, and hit the igniter. The armored vehicle exploded in a massive fireball, causing deadly shrapnel wounds to all of the heretics that had run with the tank. The Major had watched these events from his nearby trench he did not know that heroes name but he knew that his sacrifice had made the Emperor proud.
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Post by Kaikelx on Aug 22, 2009 22:23:21 GMT -5
The Kai-Tan fought with a dogged resistance, like an unknown fury resided inside of them. Heretics reached their lines, and were promptly taken down and subdued.
"For Kai-Tan! We! Will! Not! Lose!"
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