Warhammer 40k RP

[tribble]

The 13th Black Crusade is underway. Abaddon himself has landed on Cadia, and The Black Legion Runs amok on Cadia, and the Cadian gate is contested heavily. The resulting pandemonium allows some ships to escape into imperial space to terrorize the Imperium. The Angel Star, commanded by the conniving Chaos Lord Mercutio the Rogue, Is one such ship. As he sets course for Aquileus, Mercutio smiles at the thought of gaining the favor of the most powerful Warmaster in all the Traitor Space Marines, Abaddon the despoiler. What he doesn't know is that the battle between Imperium and Chaos is not limited to those parties, and that the Eldar Craftworld of Ulthwe' has begun to meddle in Man's affairs...

[Don the Bastard]

**BEEP**

**BEEP**

**BEEP**

My eyes snap open.
I inhale deeply.
Looking round I see I am in the same dull grey room.
My quarters on Mordia.

**BEEP**

What is that.
A message from Terra.
I open it.

**Unit 303 withdrawn. Cadia is hot. Required for emergency dispatch. Return to Temple Vindicare.**

My gear is packed and ready to move, as always.
I shower.
I dress.
I report to the colonel:
"I have been recalled"
"I know, my orders came through this morning, thankyou, for all you have done"
"I have done my job, for the emperor"

I salute him and am gone.

My drop ship waits.

The cold emptiness of cryo-sleep embraces me, they say you don't dream in cryo... but I do.

[purepolarpanzer]

A loud klaxon erupted over the tinny speaker system of the bridge.
Boss! Dere's a distress signal comin up ova the com!
Krimscrag's "communications officer" banged the panel in front of him, putting yet another dent in it.
Why don't you work you stupid son of a squi..."
A massive fist flattened him as Krim hit the right combination of buttons to play the message. His troops weren't used to the Imperial ships they had stolen, but it didn't concern him much. He would probably be crashing them soon and getting new ones.
You want me ta get a runty grot ta work it, Scrum? Least dey woudn't break it every toime we get a message!A audio signal comes through, choppy and weak.
Probly some crappy transceiva. Some faama needs his cow pulled outta da muck.He is about to shut the signal off, when he hears something that catches his large, green ear.
Please, Chaos is coming! This is the planet Aquileus! The Minister says Chaos is coming in force! Please, anyone out there, Space Marine or Guard commander, come help us! PLEASE!
Krim smiled, as did his whole bridge crew. Cadia was too big a fight for them right now- once the big guns had settled to a stalemate he might offer his services. But this planet's fight was just beginning...
You can always trust da humies ta give you a heads up for a foight! Dey panic and squeal and send out dese dumb distress signals, thinkin their guys aren't already on da way!
He turned to his navigator, a Weirdboy sitting on the Astropath's throne, wires and interfaces jammed into his brain by the Doc. He sat, giggling and sparking, pules of green energy washing off of him. Most orks used roks to get across the universe, but Krim's smaller, more surgical force prefered stolen frigates, which needed a psyker for navigation. Disconnected from the Golden Throne, the Great Green proved a reliable enough navigation force- it pointed them towards conflict without error, though every week or so he had to get a new Weird Boy and have the grotz scrub brains off the command deck.
OI! Flim! Get dis tub movin towards dat planet Aquileus or what not! And send a message to da rest of da fleet! We're heading for a WWWWAAAGGGHHH!!!!!

The cry was taken up, and before his message had even been relayed the other ork ships knew something was up, as they too took up the savage warcry of the Greenskins. His fleet turned and shot off into the dark, preparing for warp travel. The WAAAGGHH was coming to Mankind's doorstep.

[WhiteKnight777]

Light music played through speakers artfully concealed throughout the small chamber. Arcturus Kleinhart, rogue Inquisitor and radical member of the Ordo Malleus sat alone, a finely crafted needle resting on one large, powerful hand.

Arcturus was stripped to the waist, revealing a broad, muscular torso, crisscrossed with scars and overlayed with numerous tattoos. His body was shaved clean of hair, save for that atop his head, which was a rich onyx hue, and this state served to better display the aformentioned tattoos. It was on one of these that he was working now, the needle connected to a resevoir that held silver-colored ink. But these were no mere decorations with which he adorned himself - Arcturus would never have sullied his Emperor-given form with such debasement. No, these were something much more. He worked diligently, refreshing one of the many purity seals he had inked onto his very flesh, to better protect himself from the wiles of Chaos and its unholy servants.

Speaking of servants, one of his own entered the room, bearing a dataslate. As he entered, the servant stopped for a moment, for he was not often in the Master's presence and had never seen the lines of text and artful designs that adorned his flesh. He turned his head as if embarrassed as Arcturus calmly sat down the needle and rose, placing a simple white robe over his torso. Stepping forward, he was a full head taller than the man, nearly seven feet, and built like a warrior. He took the slate, giving his servant a nod and dismissing him as he sat down to read.

His eyes flew over the words as he scrolled down, his face grim. The Cadian Gate was under heavy assault, and as the valiant servants of the Emperor fought and died to hold Abbaddon the Accursed at bay, the refuse of his fleet, the marauders and raiders, slipped out to wreak havoc in the surrounding systems. Noting the names of a half dozen or more that were most at risk, he tapped one with a thick finger. He depressed on of the buttons on his desk, speaking into a transmitter that connected directly to the bridge.

Captain. We've a new destination. Inform Tantalus and Marcius to make ready, and set course for Aquileus.

[Eldan]

The Shadow ship was silently gliding through the darkness beyond the webway tunnels it had travelled through in the past hours.
On board, Autarch Eldanor mustered his troops for the last time. Of course, it wasn't necessary, as every one of the Eldar was close to mastering the path of battle he had chosen for himself. The warpspiders stood to his left, their armor holding up the bulky jump generators and their heavy deathspinners. To his left, the strikign scorpions were assembled, their green armor standing out against Ulthwés black and white dominating the Shadows interior.
Focusing half his mind on his breathing, calming himself down before the battle and listening to the staccato of his racing heart, he adressed them again:
"The farseers have revealed our mission. The pathfinders that will join us will already have arrived through the webway. They will scout ahead. Group "Spiders bridging-the-void of the warp by weaving the veil of Isha" will join me on the "Black Dragon from the Abyss of Reia", while Group "Swift Fury of the Hidden Scorpion" will join Warlock Aldarin. Ten minutes until Wave Serpents enter orbit, prepare for waking your battle minds. Ishas wisdom with you."

[Don the Bastard]

**FSSSSS**

I wake. I push the cryo-coffin door open. My heads swims, a little groggy from the chemicals, a little groggy for just waking.

The tech-priests stand waiting for me, all nameless as am I. They check me over, ensure I am undamage from my travels. Ensure my purity seals are all still in tact.

I feel the cold sting of metal as they jack into me, downloading my memories since last I was here.

I am cleared to see the Abbot.

My footsteps echo in the empty halls of the temple, occasional screams tear the silence as fresh recruits are conditioned.

I approach the Abbot's office and hit the intercomm "Unit 303 reporting for emergency dispatch"
"Enter"

The door slides open and I walk in, instinctively checking the room for exit points and potential threats. I approach the desk and kneel head down. The Abbot stands and offer me his hand. I kiss it.

"Cadia has been invaded, you are to be dispatched there immediately, Colonel Deckland will be your new OIC"
"Yes Abbot"
"The tech-priests will upload the mission specs, go now, For the Emperor"
"For the Emperor"

Again the cold metal jack, pain like a mild electric shock in my spine as the details are uploaded for troop rosters, local militias, nearby systems, building specs, local weather trends and resources.

Again the cold embrace of cryo... this time I dream of Chaos.

[WhiteKnight777]

Arcturus Kleinhart

Arcturus stood, looking out through the transparent observation dome at the distant world. The warp-journey was over. Reports from Cadia were sporadic, mixed, and confused, but at least the Gate had not fallen. If that were to occur... the catastrophe would be unimaginable. He shuddered a little in contemplation of it, sighing softly as he looked down once again. A servitor stood nearby, ready to relay his orders. At last, he turned and spoke into the vox reciever.

All hands at the ready. We will be deploying to the Sanctum Aquileus Within the hour. Hostilities can hopefully be avoided, but be prepared for combat, if necessary.

[puppyavenger]

Drelith awakened, his excess flesh sloughing off to reveal a thin, almost sickly, young man, blond hair tied back in a ponytail, surrounded by a mas of semi sentient sludge

Awakening beside him were his masterpieces, three Tyranid warrior, 7-foot tall creatures from a mad-mans nightmare. One had a pair of adamant-hard claws and two pairs of bone-rending talons, another had a monstrous cannon capable of firing tank-melting acid, a pair of deadly larva-spewers, and a pair of the scything talons, the third had a bio-weapon that fired a hyper-growing seed to strangle the enemies, and the two lesser weapons of the previous one , as well as some small phsyker abilities.

Quickly communicating to their advanced minds to awaken the broods, he manually awakened the rest of the ships occupants, 30 of his greatest followers, blessed with claws to rip metal, spit to burn bone, and in the case of two of his lieutenants, moderate ability in pyromancy and telekinesis.

Turning to the display screens, he looked at the planet the servitors had brought him to, they were instructed to bring him to the first planet they caught a signal from. The one he came to was Aquileus II, an Civilized world. He noted with some humor the amount of forces going to Aquileus I.

Turning around he yelled Prepare for crash landing! and instructed the servitors to land near a wasteland inhabited by shanttowns, he loved shantytowns, everyone was desperate, and the Imperium didn't care enough to send forces if anything less than violent rebellion broke out.

[tribble]

With a shock that knocked the Dark Tech-Priests over, the Angel Star slammed into Realspace.
"I really Must get that Problem Adressed, Its losing Me Time." Mercutio mutters.
"Mercutio, The Augers have detected an Inquisition Ship In geosynchronous orbit around the Planet, and I feel...something there."
"I thought you couldnt detect things psychically at that distance, Cicero."
"I... Did as Well, Lord Mercutio."
"Hm. What is it in orbit over?"
"Scans indicate that it is in Orbit over the Capital of the World, Milord."
"Have we found the Abbey yet?"
"no- wait. what is- My Lord, we have found it! look!"
"Good. Dispatch A dropship of Marines to the planets surface 10 miles from the Abbey, outfit them with Lascannons and Rocket Launchers. 30 should be enough, Make sure they have one of those little Icons with Warp Energy in it with them, Ill be leading the assualt. hm. You stay on the ship, the only reason I can think of for you to be able to sense a presence at this distance is a Psyker beyond anything you've ever encountered, or a huge group of Psykers. Either way, this Barge was Proofed against Psychic Assaults before the Heresy, so you're safest here."
Mercutio Scowls, and wonders; Are Cicero's powers growing somehow? what is in that Ship? Khorne's teeth, I havent even landed on the Planet and the Raid has gone Rancid.
Mercutio glances at the readouts for the Abbey's location.
Hm. the foothills of the mountains. That copse of trees will be a good point to bombard the Abbey... Maybe I should take a page from the Night Lords book and copycat the attack on Scounds Fall...

[puppyavenger]

Climbing out of the "wreckage" of his ship, he looked around. It seemed he was in a mining pit, and they were now surround by a an angry crew of mutant scavengers. They seemed to be the classic physically deformed by over-muscled ones, perfect for his purposes.

Hello my sons, why are you reduced to such deplorable tasks?
The mutants, obviously confused, stared, a few mubled something, and eventually one who was either the smartest or the bravest spoke up. What're'yu talkin' 'bout? we've always been scavengers. It's all we mutants are gid fer.
No, no, you are the children of the Great One, The Lord-in-the-void, why else would the Imperials enslave you so?
Cuz we're mutants, and mutants 're scum
No, Mutants are a natural evolution of humanity, a gift from the Lords. They will remove any liabilities you have and make you better in all ways than humans. The protect those gifted in spirit from daemons, they increase the gifts of those gifted in body, and they give those gifted in mind the ability to command the lesser creatures of the land.
.....'kay, so why're yu here? and wadya want with us
?
I'm glad you asked, your going to add me and my followers on our crusade, now let me tell you what you must do, and then I'll show a small amount of the Lords power

* * *

Looking around the hut, he sneered, so this was the best they had, even for their prophet. no wonder they were so easy to convert after he performed a few "miracles" and told them that, besides following his order and not harming the Lords servants and a few other things, there would be no restrictions on behavior. Turning to Kellith, the pyromancer, he said find some drink, and see if they have any entertainment in this hell-hole, we might as well have another break before we continue army building

(OOC) gained the 100 cultists I mention in my troops write-up

[WhiteKnight777]

Arcturus Kleinhart

The Inquisitor gave a low, guttural growl as he watched the astropathic display of the Untainted Hart glow with warp-translation. Chaos signatures, by what he felt. He barked orders for the captain to take the ship to the other side of the planet. As the rumble of realspace engines coming online filled the ship, he steepled his fingers in front of his face. He'd hoped to have more time.... but it was too late for wishing now. Giving several more orders, he began to walk down to the hangar where his personal gunship was stored. Under the gleaming overhead lights, techpriests made the last-minute fine tunings and said the final prayers before the ritual of ignition. Already being loaded were two caskets - each wrapped round in runic chains, carved with sacred diagrams, and enclosed in their own personal warp-fields. Even through all the protection, he could feel the unholy potence of their occupants - his most powerful and most dangerous weapons. On his hip, the daemon-sword he had mastered stirred within the heavy sheath, similarly blanketed with chains and runes to keep its hunger at pay. A small squad of stormtroopers would accompany him, but his best hope was to reach the abbey before his foes.

He nodded to the pilot, who began to chant the Litany of Activation as he made the sacred motions, even as the bay doors opened. They would take the shuttle down into the atmosphere and arrive at the Abbey under the radar of any who might be watching. No sense giving the foul heretical scum any more warning than they already had.

[tribble]

Mercutio's vox beeped.
"yes?"
"Lord Mercutio, the Inquisition ship has moved to this side of the planet, and has dispatched a shuttle to the abbey."
"Has their shuttle entered the atmosphere?"
"just now, my lord."
"fine, target the Inquisition ship with everything we have, I'll need some time to get these las cannon batteries set up for the attack, so send a fighter wing after the Shuttle."
"Acknowledged. with your permission, I'd like to spend our prisoners in a daemonic pact."
"what did you have in mind?"
"...I Intend to Instigate a Warpstorm on the planets Surface, lord."
"Absolutely out of the question, I'm still down here, you fool."
"I meant after you destroy the Abbey and leave the planet, Lord."
"very well. have you deduced or scried any information on that presence?"
"Indeed, Lord, It is a single Psyker, and Riding in that shuttle I mentioned."
"Fragging Nurgling In a commissar's cap. In that case, keep a salvo of Magma Bombs Prepared, I May need to Burn this place out of existence."
"you would die if I did that, lord."
"I would only call it in if I had failed utterly and was about to die at the hands of this Thrice-damned Psyker anyway.May the gods guide your guns, Cicero."

[Eldan]

The Serpent did not shake as it hit the athmosphere and slowly descended into increasingly dense air, accompanied by the faint glow of friction, mostly covered up by the holofields.
"Our target is a large building full of monkey, zealots of both the monkeigh emperor and the enemy. Our mission is to make sure that as many of both groups as possible die. The wanderers will cover the most likely escape route on land, covered by the scorpions. The serpents will prepare the messengers of fate to destroy any escaping vehicles. We will prepare for a quick strike to remove any survivors. The seers have determined that there is a psyker on the monkeigh side that has to be silenced. If we don't, he might prove fatal later in this conflict."

[WhiteKnight777]

Arcturus Kleinhart

The Inquisitor's gunship came in low and fast, touching down on the manicured green lawn of the remove monestary, scorching the grass to black. Stepping out. Kleinhart was greeted by the sight of the Ecclesiarch who ran the place, whose look of anger melted to one of fear when he saw the Inquisitorial rosette pinned at Kleinhart's throat. He began to jabber a series of questions that Kleinhart answered with curt abruptness - he ordered the place evacuated, telling of the incursion to come, and that he was here to remove the most important relics for safekeeping. Stepping into the main cathedral, now alone, as the priest had bustled off to organize the evacuation, Kleinhart closed his eyes for a moment, straining to hear the deep, sure voice of faith as he had once done as a young novice. But all he could make out were echoes.

He sighed, wondering if the voice had ever been anything more than arrogant self-assurance, and he moved quickly, directing stormtroopers to cart out huge bins full of rare, irreplaceable tomes to the waiting gunship, as he himself entered into the innermost reliquary.

There, gleaming under focused lights, was a polished staff of gold and ebony. He wrapped one gloved hand around the alloyed shaft, examining with awe the perfection of the multifaceted crystal that tipped it. It was an ancient and potent relic, once held by the saint for whom this world was named. He felt proud to bear it, and relieved he had arrived here in time. But only just. As he headed for the exit, exhorting his troopers to hurry, he wondered if he would escape without a fight. In the distance he could see the shuttles of the Ecclesiarchy departing - That was good. At least they'd be out of the way.

[Don the Bastard]

**CRACK**

I pulled the trigger, I refocused just in time to see the pink mist. Head Shot.

Day 2 on Mordia, I had been placed with the Mordian 48th, my task, take out squad commanders amongst the Chaos hordes. My commander didn't really now how to use me, I don't think he'd been in charge of a Vindicare before, so he ordered me to the high ground to take pot-shots at will, but now I was running low on ammunition and would have to go to ground for more.

I hit my intercomm
"Sir, I am running low on shells, requesting reload."
A crackled response came.
"Request approved, and come down to my bunker, there has been a development"

Getting down was much easier.

Colonel Deckland stood around a holomap, that showed the Chaos advances, he was an ordinary looking man, buzz cut, average height, wore the same gear as any soldier, only distiguisable from another guardsman by the pips on his collar.

"303, we are being pulled out, the entire 48th, for an emergency deployment, one of the chaos raiders landed on Aquileus, it is a largely undefended planet"
"I understand"

We load into the dropships, armor, command and 20 companies, it was more but with casualties some were amalgamated.

Colonel Deckland has kept me on the bridge, at his side for the trip, I never though anyone would feel more comfortable with a Vindicare around. Within a few hours we are in high orbit around Aquileus, scanning the surface for a safe landing point.

[Phantom.exe]

Hass'Ahn was not a particularly good leader. He was only of middle rank in the Tau military. This was surprising because he had already survived 12 years "on the line," yet had failed his "trial by fire". And lived.

Hass'Ahn stood now at the bridge of the Skyrapist VI, the Manta holding his own personal detatchment. He was average-looking for a Tau, but he constantly though; not about tactics or the Greater Good, but about himself.

This was not the Tau'Va. He knew it was a very, very, very bad idea.

And yet, he couldn't stop thinking about his history...

He made his first Trial to Shas'Ui 8 years ago. He was tasked to be part of Aun'O'R'Vaun'Tyr's personal honor guard, and to escort him through a large forest to a Farsight enclave camp.
When Genestealers interloped, he hid. And he survived.

And he was promoted.

4 years ago, he was tasked with defending a weapons cache from an Imperial regiment. They were cornered and alone on an icy wasteland of a world, with the Man'O'War too far away to bring releif.

When the Guardsmen made their way into the facility, Hass'Ahn opened fire. Yes, he hit a few guardsmen, but more kept on coming, and the cloaking device in his new XV15 Stealth Suit was rapidly failing.

Just as they closed in on the room containing the ammunition, Hass'Ahn accidentally pulled the trigger. Not expecting the recoil, he fell to the ground, his burst cannon blaring and stuck on full-automatic.

A few shots hit the ammunition. The blast took out 8 Fire Warriors, 15 Guardsmen, and forced both sides to disengage.

For preventing the weapons from falling into Imperial hands - at any cost -he was promoted.

Again.


And now, he faced his next Trial By Fire. Aquilae was a planet beseiged on all sides. "Sort of," the Air Caste commander had put it. "It is sort of beseiged. There are enemy ships of almost every faction in the area, but only a few are actually on their way."

"And our task?"

"Find out why such an inauspicious planet holds so much interest for the Imperium."

"Could we ask them? Perhaps they would spill its value in their own arrogance-"

"No."


And so, Shas'Vre'Hass'Ahn commanded more troops than a Commander of twice his rank, held more power in his hand than anyone with half as much courage deserves, and had better luck than the rest of the Tau 2nd Expeditionary Cadre combined.

"Full ahead. Land at the polar region."



\\\\\\Do I show up on sensors? What other ships, exactly, was the Air Caste commander talking about?

[ChronicLunacy]

Aquileus System

A harsh light split the void of space, marking the crash of the strike cruiser Scylla through the barriers of realspace and out of the unknown and wyrd perils of the Warp. She was running silent, making use of a little used jump point deemed too dangerous for use by the Adeptus Mechanicus and Adeptus Astropathicus for normal fleet travel. The situation had warranted some risk if it meant avoiding the other main jump points, which were no doubt heavily guarded by the vile Chaos fleet by now. The valiant strike cruiser could crush most any single ship smaller than a battle barge in single combat, unfortunately the odds weren't that kind. So, Scylla crept in, using the sun and the system's asteroid belt to hide its presence, then hid in the shadow of its destination's moon.

A small, but still very dangerous craft dropped from the belly of Scylla like it had been birthed and angled towards the planet, endeavoring to stay just as careful as its mothership in remaining undetected. The Thunderhawk class gunship looked somewhat clumsy, but its movements were calm and graceful under the skilled direction of its pilot. Just before hitting the interfering atmosphere, the Thunderhawk broadcasted a coded Imperial transmission, calling all active Imperial units to report their presence on the same coded frequency in order to better facilitate deployment of its passengers. Then, it rolled to present its belly and plunged into the atmosphere like one of the great wyrms of Ithaka, its hull glowing like a falling star.

Inside the gunship the ten space marines of the Iron Snakes Proteus Tactical Squad sat motionless, five to each side of the cabin facing outwards back to back with each other. The huge warriors were resplendent encased in their gunmetal gray power armor trimmed in red and white. The blue, double-looped snake, the symbol of the chapter, rested upon their left shoulders. Their heads were bared for the flight in, helmets situated in clamps above each of their chairs. Weapons were stowed in racks on either side of them built into their armrests. Each man was uniformly tanned and dark-haired, with hair oiled and braided tight against their scalp or sporting a shaved head so that their helmets could be fitted on with minimum difficulty.

Brother-Sergeant Rasmus, commander of Proteus Squad, was situated to the port and foremost side of the cabin. He had prominent cheekbones, a strong jaw, and eyes that seemed to crackle an electric blue that set him apart from his squad, who were all brown or green-eyed. His black hair was shorn close to his head, showing a sharp widow's peak which accentuated the angle of his dark eyebrows, giving him a severe look. He sported two gold studs punched into his forehead above his right eyebrow. Some of his men had one more or less, but only the warrior seated directly behind him in the fore-starboard side of the cabin had four studs, each marking a century of service and combat.

"ETA five minutes." remarked a voice over the cabin's intercom system.

Rasmus nodded and punched a button on the arm of his chair. With a few loud, metallic clanks and a hydraulic hiss the mechanized clamps above each space marine lowered helmets onto their heads. The grinning, macabre masks replaced each human face, green eyes glowing like embers in the darkened cabin. The warriors tested their range of motion, making sure the helmets were situated correctly as they removed bolters and specialized weapons from the arm racks, wracking slides and checking clips and coolant feed tubes while the seconds counted down to planetfall.

"Transmission from the planet. Local Ecclesiarch reports that the Abbey is being evacuated and important relic recovery being monitored by an Inquisitor. There is no record of the Inquisitor's presence in this sector."

"The Inquisition has little interest in broadcasting the whereabouts of its servants. If they've sent one of their number to oversee the operation then we are required to assist him in any way possible. The Abbey is our first destination. Make the Inquisitor aware of our arrival. Warriors of Ithaka, prepare for battle! We won't be the only ones aware of the Abbey's importance." the Brother-Sergeant barked, his voice harsh and metallic through the vox in his helmet. Several seats down, Brother Actaeon affixed Proteus Squad's standard to his power armor's backpack.

Even as the Thunderhawk's pilot attempted to contact the Inquisitor and his retinue, the vehicle made a roaring pass of the grounds, singling out a good spot to land. With practiced ease, the ship circled, then deftly lowered into the courtyard beside the other gunship, blasting even more of the manicured lawn scorched and black. The hatches on each side of the Thunderhawk crashed down with heavy thumps and Proteus Squad filed out five to each side with parade precision. They came together at the rear of the ship, weapons sweeping the area and portable auspexes noting their surroundings. Once the hatches slammed shut once more, the gunship lifted off the ground and soared off towards the horizon to await a return signal. It would hover at station keeping out of harm's way until Rasmus gave the pick-up order.

Rasmus noted the arrival of a man bearing an Inquisitorial rosette from inside the Abbey and brought Proteus squad double-time to the doors to address him. They spread out around the Inquisitor and the Brother-Sergeant while Rasmus approached the man.

"I am Brother-Sergeant Rasmus of the Iron Snakes. This is Proteus Squad. May we be of assistance?" his vox-amplified voice demanded from the grill of his helmet, its glowing green eyes scrutinizing the Inquisitor. This close, Kleinhart would be able to notice the green laurel wreaths painted upon the helmet's brow and the purity seal affixed to Rasmus's right shoulder armor, standing out from the rest of his squad. These were truly the warriors of the Emperor himself, the chosen few, giants and heroes of legend. standing tall in their magnificent power armor. They waited, silent and unmoving as statues, for the Inquisitor to answer.

[tribble]

"the batteries are ready, lord Mercutio"
"Fire at will, Lensure."
The explosive Whump of the havoc launcher and Missle launchers mingled with the Buzzing screech of lascannons.
I begin to see why the Iron Warriors Enjoy Sieges so much. Still, give me a Close Quarters fight in a tight space against this boring barrage any day. Mercutio mused.
"Lord Mercutio, do you read Me?"
"Loud and clear, Cicero. report."
"the Imperials have begun to evacuate the planet, my lord."[/COLOR[COLOR="Red"]]"With their precious Ecclesearchy first. Still, the Schola Progenium Abbey remains inhabited. At times like these I wonder how the Imperium has lasted ten thousand years. Is the magma bombardment prepared?"[/COLOR[COLOR="Blue"]]"yes, lord."
"good. another hour or three and I'll have this Abbey a pile of melted stones. Maybe I'll have you come down here to-never mind."
"My Lord?"
"I was going to say help summon a demonic horde with the bodies of the prisoners and casualties, but I forgot that you are a Sorceror of Tzeentch, and I would need Nurgles' Minions to cause enough damage to be worth the summoning."
"I see..."
"What with the Impending Wrath of a Psyker Of such extrordinary power looming in the future, I think it a good time to name my successor if I fall. I name you, Cicero."
"you do me honor, My Lord Mercutio. Do you really think you will die on this Planet?"
"no, but I acknowledge the possibility, And I see great things for you, Cicero, Worlds that will yet burn in your name, which I believe will become a curse to the Dogs of the Imperium, perhaps even as much as the names of Fabius Bile and Huron Blackheart."
"Are you mocking me, Lord?"
"testing your arrogance, really. You would have to become a more fearsome opponent than Kharn Himself to become a curse of the Imperium. Still, I believe you to be the most capable of my underlings on this Planet. Mercutio out."

[WhiteKnight777]

Arcturus Kleinhart

Even as the Astartes landed before him, Kleinhart maintained his calm. Cooly, he considered his options - his troops were finishing the last loads, filling the gunship to capacity with precious lore. At last, he spoke.

Brother-Sergeant. Your assistance is timely. Deadly splinter from the vast forces of the Great Enemy are poised to pierce the heart of this world. I am evacuating the non-combat personnel of the Holy Ecclesiarchy, along with the blessed relics. But we shall not allow this world, or this holy sanctuary of His Divine Majesty, to fall into the hands of heretics unopposed. Whatever forces you have in space should move in concert with mine to obstruct their attempts at bombardment. Any forces they bring to bear planet side must, of course, be annihilated. If you shall be the anvil, I shall deploy My troops to prepare an ambush that we might be the hammer that breaks them.

[ChronicLunacy]

Brother-Sergeant Rasmus

The crump of the first missile detonations mixed with the subsonic whine of the Chaos lascannons gave the Brother-Sergeant a moment's pause before he calmly replied to the Inquisitor's suggestion. "We would be happy to, Inquisitor. Have your ship use code channel Echo to coordinate with the strike cruiser Scylla. I will prepare a defense of the Abbey while you finish your duty here. The Emperor protects." he said tersely, striking a gunmetal gray gauntlet against his ceramite chest plate much like the hammer/anvil reference the Inquisitor had just made. Then, turning swiftly to his men, he began to give orders, his vox-amplified voice booming through the courtyard.

"PROTEUS! FALL IN! Our mission is to defend this house of the Holy Emperor! Man the walls and prepare to repel the traitorous scum attempting to defile it! MOVE OUT!" he roared.

Proteus Squad filed out with practiced precision, climbing, or at times jumping whole flights of stone steps to reach the top of the wall that stood between the courtyard and the forces of Chaos gathered outside. Like many remote holy places, the Abbey was built like a small fortress, with heavy, angled walls and thick, adamantium gates in the case it ever needed to be defended. Unfortunately, with only ten men, even space marines, the weight of fire they could focus from any single point was inadequate. It would only be a matter of time before the traitors breached the high walls. Fortunately, all they had to do was buy enough time for the Inquisitor to ready his ambush. So, they would hunker down and wait through the lascannon and missile barrage for the Chaos troop push to start.

Rasmus looked to each of his men as they waited patiently for his order to fire, just imagining lighthearted Brother Jude's smile behind his helmet. None would even think about opening fire before the Brother-Sergeant gave the order, none would jump the gun in a fit of fright. To a man Proteus Squad were veteran warriors, reveling in the sound of battle for the chance to prove their collective faith to the Holy God-Emperor of Mankind once more. This was their worship, their purpose. The sound of bolter fire, the revving of their chainswords, these were their hymns to His Glory. With every depression of a trigger or swing of a sword they gave thanks. To have the chance to take the fight to the Great Enemy was almost more than they could have hoped for.

[tribble]

Mercutio looked through his Auxillary optical magnifacation scope.
Space Marines... Interesting.
Lieutenant Jeriman?
"My lord?"
"take a score of noise marines and a Rhino Transport, Go to the Capital of this world. Enter the city Covertly, Abandoning the Rhino if necessary. once you are in the City, set Melta Charges on the most Important Buildings. If I send you the message; "Broken Halo" through Cicero, blow the charges. "
"yes, lord"
Mercutio wondered for a few seconds why the Space Marines had not yet launched an attack on His Batteries, and then hit him. the fools thought he was going to attempt to storm the Abbey. Unfortunately for them, He had every intention of winning this Battle with as little loss as possible, and if that meant fighting like an Iron Warrior, so be it.
He touched the Combi-bolter slung across his back.
He Murmured a Litany of Hate written by Lorgar himself.
He smiled.
He wasnt even on the defensive and he was going to make the Imperium bleed as if they were assaulting a fortress built by the Gods themselves.

[ChronicLunacy]

Proteus Squad

"Brother-Sergeant, why aren't they assaulting us?" Brother Kastor said over Rasmus's micro-bead vox-link as he checked the feed on his heavy bolter once more. There was little else to do with the enemy just standing away like that. The walls could weather the fire reasonably well for a time, so Proteus Squad was left to simply duck down and cover. "They have numbers on us. Surely they would try to overrun our position." Kastor continued, puzzlement evident in his voice.

"The forces of the Great Enemy rarely stick to established battle doctrine, Brother. I find whenever you expect them to do something, they do the opposite. Still, this is fortunate. It gives the Inquisitor's men more time to load all of the Abbey's holy relics." Rasmus replied, risking a glance over the lip of the wall at the enemy's positions. "With-"

"Excuse me, Brother-Sergeant, but we have some...support from the Progenium, it seems." Kastor interrupted, pointing with one gauntleted hand towards the parade ground where a full battalion of what looked to be students were assembling on the parade ground. One company seemed to be made up and led entirely by female students, those in training to join the Adepta Sororitas, while the other three were entirely stormtrooper recruits led by the commisariat students. They were fully equipped with standard pattern lasguns with attached bayonets, with the would-be Sisters of Battle and Commissars also carrying training swords. All in all there were around a thousand students moving with ordered precision towards the walls. There they broke into platoons and moved to support Proteus Squad's defensive positions or hunkered down behind the gates in case of a breach. The head boy and girl, by their uniform markings, approached Brother-Sergeant Rasmus, joining him in cover.

"Progenium student forces arrayed and ready for your command, Brother-Sergeant!" the girl, who couldn't have been more than seventeen, announced. Her male counterpart nodded briskly and risked a glance over the wall himself.

Rasmus suppressed a grin behind his helmet. Truly, if even children could stand tall against the traitorous scum then all of Humanity could find the courage as well. He wouldn't even think of telling these soldiers to return to the Abbey and hide. To do such a thing would be a disgrace to both them and himself. Instead, he looked them over for a moment and replied. "Excellent. Have your soldiers man these walls. Do not allow the enemy to take one step onto these hallowed grounds! We will require your support if we are to take the fight to them." he said, now grinning fiercely behind his helmet. "PROTEUS!" he called through his vox. "It seems the students have the defense well in hand. Now we can take the fight to the cowards who dare attack this holy place!" he announced to a cheer from his men. "Hektor, Herodes! Smoke screen! Everyone, over the wall now!"

As obfuscating smoke grenades fell to the ground in front of the wall, the enemy as one attempted to adjust their auspexes, targeting systems, and auto-senses to compensate for the sensor ghosts and echoes that for a moment fouled their readings. Proteus used the small amount of time to vault over the wall and plummet to the ground below, cratering the ground before the gate with several hundred pounds of pulverizing force each. Rasmus took off running, leading the charge towards the Chaos batteries with a vox-amplified battle-cry that shook the diaphragm of everyone within range. "IN THE EMPEROR'S NAME! FOR ITHAKA!!" he roared, rapidly covering the distance. His bolt pistol and crackling power sword hungry for traitor blood.

They appeared through the smoke like charging freight trains. Hundreds of pounds of ceramite, enhanced fiber muscle, and righteous fury howling like madmen. As soon as they had targets the space marines opened up with a blanket of explosive boltfire, pierced every now and then by the searing scream of the Brother Actaeon's plasma gun, which vaporized anything it touched in a blue wash of blazing energy. Rasmus picked his targets rapidly, aiming a single bolt towards each of their heads from his cracking bolt pistol. Once his weapon clicked empty he would lead in with his power sword, attempting to keep the charge's momentum going strong through the first lines of defense towards the lascannons and havok launchers.

(( OOC: I had WhiteKnight's permission to skip ahead of him in the posting order. Oh, and just for reference, I'm not calling any hits here. It's up to you, tribble, to let me know just how effective I've been. I expect the same courtesy from you during your counterattack. For example, not just announcing that you blow poor Brother Jude's head off without giving me any time to say otherwise. LoL ))

[Eldan]

""And there they are. Just wait. Let us see if they are both foolish enough to fight in the open or if the zealots of the great enemy have something better planned."
The Autarchs voice was sent over the small psychic relays in his helmet. He knew where the pathfinders were standing, already taking aim at officers and other important targets.

[tribble]

The Imperials hit the line of Berserkers hard, Guns blazing and chainswords roaring. Mercutio watched impassively as four Berserkers fell, helmets blown open by the Loyalist Bolts and one of them smoking from a Plasma Gun. However, the Berserkers still outnumbered the Imperials by several men, and they weilded their Blades admriably. As Mercutio looked on, the Berserker line wavered, threatening to splinter. Mercutio Barked;
"Lensure, dont move those batteries an inch, we have them aimed perfectly already."
"Mendax! I want your squad to open Fire on that entire mess of a combat if the Bersekers begin to run."
"Aye, sir."
Mendax bellowed a curt order to his Noise Marine Squad, and within seconds ten Sonic Blasters and a Blastmaster were poised to fire at the Imperials.
I had better not have to Personally intervene, or heads will roll... Mercutio thought.

[WhiteKnight777]

A cry went up behind the chaos lines - several squads of Inquisitorial Stormtroopers, flanking during the sudden assault of the Space Marines, their attack hitting the vulnerable weapon batteries with pinpoint accuracy. Though the Stormtroopers lacked the genetically enhanced potency of the Astartes, their hellguns and their iron discipline, combined with the sudden surprise of their assault, began to tell. Scattered throughout their ranks were heavy weapons teams and gun servitors, armed with plasma weaponry, as well as heavy bolters and even a melta cannon or two. From their ranks, several combat servitors charged, mechandrites flailing, implanted autoinjectors pumping suicidal levels of combat drugs into their systems as they smashed into the vulnerable rear of the Chaos emplacements. However, the inquisitor himself, not to mention his retinue, still had yet to make an appearance.

[ChronicLunacy]

Proteus Squad

Rasmus wrenched his power sword free of the corpse of a Khorne berserker, the symbols daubed onto the heretic's armor enough to make even a space marine's gorge rise. He booted the dead berserker away from him, noticing a squad of vile Noise Marines getting ready to open up with their strange weaponry. "Herodes, cleanse them with the Emperor's purifying flame!" Rasmus roared to his brother carrying a combi-flamer. Herodes batted away the warrior he'd been sparring with using his armored gauntlet and superhuman strength and slid out of the press of combat onto one knee. With a cry, he sent jets of blazing promethium to bathe Slaanesh's evil worshippers, running it back and forth across their lines to make sure the flame touched each one.

As the battle call went up from the enemy's flank, Rasmus was heartened. He could feel the momentum of their charge running out, but this could give them a second wind. "Now, brothers! Press forward!" Rasmus yelled, aiming a bolt round through the head of another berserker before locking blades with a second. With a fierce snarl he broke the lock and applied the pommel of his power sword to his opponent's temple. Then, he shot him in the face.

Rasmus felt the punch of a bolt round into his shoulder armor, coring a smoking black hole into the ceramite. He swung his bolt pistol up to return fire but received only dry clicks in return. Fortunately, Brother Actaeon chose that moment to step in with a sweeping blast of his plasma gun. He kept firing until the gun started to become dangerously hot and he was forced to sling it over his back in favor of his chainsword. Actaeon was knocked off his feet by the backswing of a vicious chainaxe but Rasmus had reloaded in time, forcing the berserker to back off with a few well-placed shots.

[tribble]

Cicero saw the Space Marine Unleash a flamer at his Noise Marines and swore. He unslung his Combi-Bolter and aimed carefully at the Space Marine, And was about to squeeze off a controlled burst of bolts at the man when he heard a roar from the other side of his lines as a hidden force of Half-trained Stormtroopers hit his lines. He almost turned back to the space marine, but then he noticed eight Praetorians among the stormtroopers. Mercutio muttered; "Damn them..." and snapped at his honor guard of six Terminator champions who had fought at his side since before the heresy, "Deal with the Marines. I must protect the guns." before sprinting as best as he was able to the other side of the battery. He stopped, crouched, and aimed his weapon carefully at a Praetorian, racking the slide of his under slung Meltagun as he tracked the praetorian as it rampaged across the battlefield, and fired the Meltagun.
The blast of superheated gas tore across the battlefield, screaming as it went, right into the Praetorians lower chest.
The mess was ghastly.
Mercutio stood tall, drawing himself up to his full 2 and a half meters before bellowing; Stand, you puling miscreants, they're only human! Shoot the ones with Melta-charges first!

[ChronicLunacy]

Proteus Squad

Monsters loomed out of the smoke. Horrible demons of spiked, deformed ceramite and adamantium scrawled all over with sickening symbols. The heads of slain enemies were spitted on trophy wracks that grew from their shoulders, grinning skulls and decapitated helmets of fellow space marines. Some of the macabre prizes dated back to the Horus Heresy by the design of them, advertising ten thousand years in service to the Ruinous Powers. Seeing the Chaos Terminators plodding towards him would have filled any normal man with bowel-loosening terror, but Rasmus felt only rage.

"Traitors..." he whispered, breaking into a flat out run as he did so. No battle cry this time, but his men consolidated behind him as if they could read his mind. Rasmus leapt high into the air just in time for Hektor's combi-melta to open up underneath him, washing the terminators with superheated thermal energy hot enough to cook even their reinforced armor. When Rasmus landed, he landed boots first on the shoulders of one of them. As he rammed the blade of his crackling power sword down at the terminator's helmet he yelled, "DIE!!"

Actaeon's plasma gun let loose again, the standard-bearer choosing his targets carefully while the others supported him with their bolters. The bolt-rounds weren't normally as effective as the plasma weapon, but throw enough of them in one direction and one or two were bound to find a weak spot in even terminator armor. They targeted the traitors that weren't currently engaged with their Brother-Sergeant, pouring it on between blasts of superheated plasma. Brother Kastor was especially noticeable with his huge, heavy bolter, the shell feeds in his backpack venting steam he was going through rounds so fast.

The only way the space marines could keep up the pressure was if they kept attacking. To go on the defensive was to quickly lose ground as the enemy regrouped and counterattacked. With Rasmus leading them sword-first into the enemy ranks they aimed not to let them get even the smallest respite. With enough faith and determination even a small squad could break the enemy. But they could not let up for an instant.

Even so, it was taking its toll. Brother Jude, still smiling beneath his helmet, walked with a pronounced limp as a result of the chainaxe a Berserker had left still embedded in his flank. Brother Herodes was missing half his helmet where a bolt round had glanced him. Not a single member of Proteus was completely unharmed by this point. Every one of them had their armor dented, holed, or scorched in some way, and their mounting injuries were beginning to take their toll. Still, they fought on for defeat was not an option. If the stormtroopers could take the batteries they could smash the enemy between them. They just had to keep going.

[tribble]

Mercutio hit the stormtroopers hard, Decapitating one with a Right hook from his powerfist, then flaying the face from another one' skull with a flick of his wrist as he backhanded the dog. With no other targets at Arm's length, he hoisted his combi-melta and emptied the clip into a Praetorian with a Multi-Melta, unbalancing it so that it tipped precariously on one side. As his Boltgun ran dry, Mercutio threw it aside and Reactivated his powerfist, running at several stormtroopers as he did so. with the Element of Surprise waning, the natural superiority of his Chaos Marines began to assert itself as a volley of frag grenades knocked the damaged Praetorian over and blew apart several other ones as well, shredding the Stormtroopers as it did so.
No Prisoners! Those who kill the Praetorians may keep their heads as trophies!
Then, something unexpected happened.
One of the missle launchers fired off a krak missle at the abbey.
This had been happening all day, the difference was that this krak missle hit a flaw in the stone of the abbey.
the flaw burst into a great crack with a horrendous tearing noise, before almost the entire wall collapsed in a cascade of rumbling boulders.

[WhiteKnight777]

The stormtroopers fought on valiantly. Though overmatched, they had wills of steel and their faith in the Emperor. That was enough. Only a few shots hit home against the unholy ceramite shells that encased the malformed bodies of the traitor-marines, but every shot that did hit home took a traitor marine to a well-deserved death.

Even so, things were looking grim. The shattering of the Abbey's wall left it open for the predations of the traitor marines. The stormtroopers lobbed a series of melta-grenades into the battery, and even as the abbey's wall fell, they went up with a series of detonations. At last, two of the combat servitors, battered and giving forth showers of sparks, broke through the lines to reach the heavy weapons of the Chaos forces, berserk and beyond all pain, all thought, existing only to kill as they ripped into the traitors with a vengance. All too soon, however, they fell as well - but they had one last gift to give. The Inquisitor's forces had implanted explosives beneath the flowing robes that covered the mindless man-things, and these exploded with a roar of righteous wrath, sending a wave of heat, light and pressure that melted ceramite and steel alike, annihilating everything it touched.

[ChronicLunacy]

Proteus Squad

"That's it! Fall back to the Abbey, now!" Rasmus ordered into his helmet's micro-bead. "Ordered retreat, give the Inquisitor's men cover until they've made it to safety!" he said as one of the terminators batted Brother Nikolaos past him. The Apothecary, Brother Dorieus, swept in with his crackling lightning claw to support him as the Iron Snakes beat a well-executed retreat back to the relative safety of the walls. The krak missile had done a number on it, but the number of Progenium students injured had been tolerable. The huge gates still stood, but if someone decided to scale the rubble running up to the breach they could bypass the doors entirely. The students had jammed the breach full with as many lasguns they could find and were providing the stormtroopers cover.

This was bad, Rasmus thought. The Inquisitor no-doubt had the relics loaded by now, but they had a whole new set of problems. If the Abbey fell, would they expect the students to fight to the last man, woman, and child to defend it? They were servants of the Emperor and it was an honor to die in his name, but most of them were still just children. Rasmus couldn't just leave them to the mercy of the vile traitors while he fled. With the relics safe, it was unfortunate, but the Abbey could be allowed to fall. The only thing of value in the entire place were the students themselves. How, then, could they transport all of them away? The Thunderhawk could carry a good number, but not a thousand. They'd have to hold out until a troop ship from the Scylla could be tasked to pick them up. With their batteries destroyed, the Chaos forces wouldn't be able to shoot it down. Both his and the Inquisitor's gunship could provide fire support. Using his link to the gunship, Rasmus relayed his needs to the Scylla. He also explained his plan to the headmaster and faculty, who were either directing the students from inside or helping to rally them at the walls now. The headmaster expressed his belief that the children were more important than the old men and women who taught them. They would stay behind and cover the withdrawal.

Sending a student to find the Inquisitor while he himself tried every coded, Imperial channel on his micro-bead trying to reach him, Rasmus set up his marines at the breach in the wall with the students. Each of his men quickly tended reloaded, exchanged coolant tubes, tended to any injuries that couldn't be ignored, and readied themselves for battle once more.

[tribble]

Night had fallen.
"Damn, damn, and damn again."
Mercutio's terminators had been roughed up by the loyalist squad, mostly just damaged armor and flesh wounds, but one would need a new arm from the chirumeks and they all needed repairs to their suits. his noise marines had been badly injured by the marine with the flamer, Mercutio had determined to penalize them for their incompetence after he had razed this world. he had sent his wounded up to the Angel Star to be tended while calling in fresh troops and more heavy weaponry. He had also sent berserkers to go on roving patrols to avoid a repeat of the stunt that the stormtroopers had pulled, and stationed more noise marines with blastmasters to cover the heavy gunnery against additional infantry attacks. what was more, he had his own little plan that was going to play out tonight...

[Don the Bastard]

I recieved a message through my comm-link, Proteus squad, calling the Inquisitor. Then the same message on the ship's comm. Deckland responded on the same coded channel.

"Station calling, re-identify, this is the Cadian 48th in high orbit"
"We should run a scanner sweep on the signal's origin point, see what is happening down there."

I walk to the display desk, a low ranked engineer sits at the console and types in the coded signals point of origin, the screen flickers a moment and then shows us an infra-red scan of the area. I know what it means instantly, the hot spots, the living few, some cooling spots, many dead & dying. I recognise the venting gasses of the living, marines.

"Sir, there has been a battle, and there are marines on the surface"

I wait patiently for a response from the surface.

[Eldan]

Patiently waiting next to the cloaked wave serpent, the autarch scans the horizon, as a report came in over the intercom.
"The Chem-Pan-seigh have retreated into their fortess, Chaos has won a temporary victory, as predicted. They have sent out patrols and evacuated their wounded."
"Good. The battle will now be balanced out. Proceed to point seventeen, execute "Wasp and Spider". Supressive Crossfire from two sides, take out the leader first. Try to stop them from informing their camp."

OOC:

Pathfinders wait for Berserker Patrol and snipe them for maximum range. Warspiders prepare for clean-up with monofilament, if necessary.

[WhiteKnight777]

Inquisitor Kleinhart

Kleinhart surveyed the situation over the tacscreen. Signaling his men back into the transport, he smiled grimly to himself... the forces of chaos were better equipped. but he had a plan in mind. And a way to utilize his best weapons. With a soft chuckle, he signaled the pilot, and the gunship lifted off, disappearing like a ghost in the night.

[tribble]

"Lord Mercutio, come in."
"Mercutio speaking. what happened, Cicero?"
"The Imperial Psyker is on the move, at speeds that indicate an aerial vehicle such as a dropship."
"Acknowledged. That gives me a oppurtunity. Mercutio out."
Mercutio turned to a half dozen noise marines, their armor covered in black sackcloth.
"Our sabotage mission is about to commence. I've chosen you because I know i can count on you to keep quiet while we plant the bombs. Now, lets move out."Mercutio, himself in a borrowed suit of power armor, sprinted silently with his Noise marines to a point around two hundred meters from the walls, and gestured. his men dropped along with him to crawl through the tall grass, utilizing stealth techniques perfected in the Eye of terror. Slowly, silently, they reached the wall. creeping alongside it, they moved to the edge of the breach. Mercutio craned his neck around to peek around it. the breach had been shored up with rubble and wood, as he had thought. motioning soundlessly, he signaled his noise marines to begin placing their meltabombs. The process took over forty-five excruciating minutes, but their caution paid off and they went undiscovered. when the last meltabomb was finally set, Mercutio signaled that they move back to the camp. they went more slowly this time, knowing that they had more to lose, and by the time they finally reached the camp, dawn was imminent and Mercutio had barely enough time to change into his own terminator armor before the sun rose.
OOC: This doesnt mean nothing else happened, It just means that I've done everything I was going to tonight.

[ChronicLunacy]

Proteus Squad and the Progenium

The Imperials had not wasted the night away either. Making good use of the time afforded to them by the Chaos forces hanging back once more rather than immediately assaulting the breach in the wall, they were in a position to come out of the altercation alive and with acceptable losses. While the Progenium students had been hard at work shoring up the breach in the wall, Rasmus had made contact with Scylla, ordering a fast-moving troop ship deployed to pick them up. He had also responded to the call from the Cadian 48th, asking for support to cover their withdrawal. If they had any fighter-bombers or other atmospheric craft that they could commit it would be helpful. The Inquisitor, much to the Brother-Sergeant's annoyance, had fled during the night, so it was up to the Iron Snakes to save the children.

At the first light of dawn coming up from behind the Progenium, two heavily-armed Thunderhawk gunships crested the mountain range on the horizon. They ran escort for a bulky-looking troop-ship more than capable of handling the thousand students and associated faculty that lived at the Progenium. While the transport dropped into the courtyard and began loading the Thunderhawks made straight for the Chaos lines. Without the lascannons and havok missile launcher batteries to threaten them, the Thunderhawks could come in low over the trees, opening up with four twin-linked heavy bolters, a twin-linked lascannon, and a devastating Turbo Laser mount each and sweeping the enemy with death from on-high.

Proteus Squad covered the transport until all the students and faculty had rushed in and the huge craft had ponderously lifted from the by now very scorched lawn and put the Abbey quickly behind it once it was in the air. Now that was left was for Proteus to disengage. So, forming up in the courtyard, they waited for one of the Thunderhawks to peel off and come pick them up.

Rasmus was in no way pleased at how this had turned out, but the relics and the children were safe. That was all that mattered. They would retreat for now and meet up with the Imperial Guard regiments so that a plan of attack could be made. Then they would fall upon the Chaos forces like the fist of the Emperor.

((Don, I left it open as to what you were doing to support the withdrawal. Committing any troops right now isn't going to do anything, but if you have any fighters or bombers feel free to have them join the Thunderhawks in making it rain. :smallbiggrin: Is it alright for the marines to come right to your IG regiment's command ship so we can discuss strategy?))

[tribble]

"Lord Mercutio, we are under attack by Imperial Thunderhawks!"
"Right. blasted Imperials, do anything to keep me from getting any rest."
Mercutio grabbed his Meltagun and rushed outside. Men were running around haphazardly, trying to escape from the Thunderhawks Heavy weaponry, to little avail. Mercutio Snarled at a soldier with a Rocket launcher, "Gimme That thing!" as he snatched it away and aimed carefully at a bolt turret.Mercutio fired.
He missed the Bolter by Inches.
However, he hit the nearby wing tip, causing it to blow apart, and the thunderhawk lost control, flying into the trees.
The resulting explosion was astonishing.
A quick glance around told him his example was being followed, all around the camp his men were grabbing Meltaguns and Combi-weapons, even plasma guns, and blasting at the Thunderhawk.
It wasn't enough.
The thunderhawk was slaughtering them.
Through the cacaphony, Mercutio heard a high-pitched whine.
He pivoted to look, and saw that three noise marines had grouped together and were about to fire their blastmasters. As the noise built to a crescendo, the audio of his autosenses cut out, and he watched the shots slam into the side of the Thunderhawks cockpit. As the Fighter rocked, the guns fell silent and the thing veered up and backt to the abbey in a wide loop.
Mercutio strode through the ruins of the camp, bellowing;
"get the camp back together in One Hour, you Slimy Imperials! I want to have that Abbey in my grasp by Nightfall! And somebody recharge my Combi-Melta!

[Eldan]

Eldar

"And now it seems the tables have turned. Eldrad was right."
The Autarch went over the latest reports. Imperial Ships slaughterin Chaos. The balance of the battle was endangered.
"Warriors of Ulthwé.", he said, adressing the two squads of aspect warriors and the leader of the pathfinders.
"What we all knew would eventually happen has happened.The course of the battle has changed. The imperials are now outnumbering and outgunning the forces of Chaos. Zealots, Inquisitors, and their pathetic army have mustered their forces together. For the time being, we will fight against the Chem-Pan-seigh, not Chaos. The new battle plan will be"The Seven Foxes of Ilmander dance around the Bear Cave while the Wolves are sleeping. Pathfinders: please advance to cover the abbey. Prepare to eliminate any Chem-Pan-Seigh leaving it. Do not engage in close combat with large forces. Wave Serpents ready missiles, use against vehicles if necessary. Go. "


Pathfinders will cover the abbey at maximum range and snipe down any imperial forces that can be eliminated without alarming everyone inside of their presence, such as Patrols, Guards and the like. If vehicles show up, the two Wave Serpents with Twin-linked Eldar missile launchers will take care of them."

[ChronicLunacy]

Proteus Squad

((OOC: There we only two Thunderhawks. We'll say one got shot down by the melta gun and the other was forced away by the noise marines, cool?))

"Damn them, they're flying too low to-" Rasmus said as he watched the Thunderhawks strafe the enemy lines. A stream of superheated energy both interrupted him and proved him right, reaching out to touch one of the ships and sending it careening into the trees. Something must have cooked off their remaining ammunition because the explosion was spectacular, even from the distance Rasmus could see it from. It was amazing that a single lucky shot could take down one of the heavily armored gunships, but there it was. "Damn it," he keyed his micro-bead, "Serpent 1, get the hell out of there and pick us up, now! The transport is away!"

The remaining Thunderhawk spat out one last insult from its Turbo Laser and swooped quickly back. It didn't even have to touch the ground before the space marines had jumped inside. Then it kicked in its afterburners and blasted off from the deserted Progenium. "Herodes, is our parting gift ready?" Rasmus asked one of his men as he strapped himself in, turning to regard a tall space marine, even by their impressive standards.

Herodes took off his helmet, revealing light brown hair cut short as well as a goatee. He was the marine who had washed the noise marines with his combi-flamer. Rasmus had picked him up twenty years ago as the only petitioner who had killed a sea wyrm not with a traditional sea-lance, but with a single krak grenade and his teeth. "I've selt meltabombs at all of the Progenium's key structural points. The millisecond that they step inside the whole thing is going to come crashing down on their ugly heads." he hawked and spat blood on the ground.

((OOC: Surprise! :smallcool: You were going to blow it up anyway, right?))

[Don the Bastard]

I followed Colonel Deckland to the Cargo bay, as directed. Huge metal blast doors opened to embrace the Marine drop ships.

"Good to have you on board, now what the hell is going on down there?! Our scans of the surface revealed two imperial forces, the chaos ship, a tau cruiser and an eldar warp-skipper. What's more is there appears to be another imperial ship on it's way, running without containment though, you know what that means... Orks... or worse Tyranids. Now why is this planet so important, why were we pulled off the Mordian gate?"

[ChronicLunacy]

Proteus Squad

Proteus Squad filed out in an orderly fashion. Despite the wounds that pained some of them, not a single space marine stood a micrometer less than straight and proud. Brother-Sergeant Rasmus saw the men coming to greet them but didn't turn to address them. First, he ordered those men who needed it to accompany Apothecary Dorieus to the ship's sickbay and the rest of his marines to see to the brave young men and women from the Progenium, who were now starting to leak out of the larger troop transport that had brought them. It was only when he saw that his orders were being swiftly carried out that the Brother-Sergeant turned to address the Colonel and his companion making all the demands.

At around three meters (nine feet) tall and clad in holy power armor, Brother-Sergeant Rasmus had to bend at the waist to reply to the man who was asking all of the questions. He wondered why it was that this person didn't seem to show any of the reverence or awe Rasmus was used to inspiring in mortal men. He didn't seem intimidated at all. He shouted demands at the space marine like Rasmus was a rank and file trooper. For some reason it made Rasmus like the man immediately. The shock and awe, while useful, did tend to get in the way from time to time. Still, he was not going to be talked down to.

"It was not my decision to send you and your men here. We have the Holy God-Emperor to thank for guiding you safely to our support, for now you can assist in driving the Great Enemy and foul Xenos alike off of the face of Aquileus. I am Brother-Sergeant Rasmus of Proteus Squad and the Iron Snakes Chapter. As for what happened down there, I would think it was quite obvious. Chaos forces attacked the children and future servants of the Emperor as well as an Abbey housing priceless relics. With the help of the absent and mysterious Inquisitor, we stopped them from achieving their goal." Rasmus explained. "Now, we must act quickly. Between the three of our ships, Scylla, the Inquisitor's cruiser, and the vessel we stand within, we can strike the Chaos fleet and strand whatever forces they have left upon the planet. I will provide you with contact codes for my ship and we shall coordinate our efforts."

Rasmus frowned suddenly. "This is, of course, assuming that our dear Inquisitor has no simply fled. I would like to make contact with the Scylla as soon as possible. Will you escort me to your bridge while we talk?" he asked abruptly.

[Don the Bastard]

OOC: It was the Colonel addressing you BTW

I stepped in behind Rasmus and Deckland. Marines towering over me, they were not as accustomed to subtlety and subterfuge as I. The Colonel and Rasmus spoke on the way to the bridge. Mostly of things I couldn't comprehend, tactical decisions, unit placements, artillery availability and such. Though I heard no word of my tasks. I adjusted my bracers, and tightened my belt inuitively, as though preparing for the battle to come.

"If I may speak out of turn sir, what use have you for me"

Deckland stopped, turning to me and giving a me a surprised look, as though he had forgotten I was even there.

"303... perhaps we need some time to consider where you would be best... utilised"

[WhiteKnight777]

Arcturus Kleinhart

It was eerie. Even as the Space Marine commented on the Inquisitor's wereabouts, the commsystem crackled to life, a hololith with Inquisitorial override appearing in the middle of the projector.

I do the Emperor's work, first and always, Brother Rasmus. I was speaking with my astropath regarding the sudden arrival of so many Xenos species. Fortunately, we managed to secure the items from the Reliquary before the heretics breached the sanctum. Now we must set about cleansing it.

As you say, our combined firepower should serve us well in the endeavor of cleansing this world - though I fear that the tainted footsteps of the unholy traitors may have already violated the sacrosanct ground of the Emperor's chapel to an intolerable degree. My cruiser is not suited for forward combat actions... but if you can distract them long enough, I have certain... resources at my disposal that can tear their ship apart from the inside. But it will require that you not board the ships. My weapons are not the sort that discriminate between the loyal servants of the Emperor and His most hated foes.

[purepolarpanzer]

The small fleet of ships emerged from the Warp, far from any others in the system. Though silent, every ship in the system now knew the Xeno threat that had come to Aquileus.
IS DIS TING ON?
A rough, slurring tongue spoke out, sending the audio communication over a wide variety of frequencies. Every ship, station, and even every trooper with a micro bead heard the voice of Krimscrag Backstabba in their ear.
OY! GIT AWAY! ITS WERKIN FOINE!
A squeal sounded as a gretchin rigger got squished into pulp on the deck plate.
HEY! YOU HUMIES, SUPER HUMIES, CHAOS BLOKES, AND ANY BODY ELSE OUT DERE! THIS HERE IS KRIMSCRAG BACKSTABBA, FREEBOOTA AND ALL AROUND GREAT GUY! I SEE YOU GOT A FOIGHT GOIN DOWN THERE, SO I THINK I'LL MAKE A LITTLE OFFA! WHOEVA GIVES ME AND MY BOYZ DA BIGGEST BOOMAS AND THE SHOOTIEST SHOOTAS GETS MY WHOLE LOT IN DEIR LITTLE WAAGGHH EFFORT! DA REST A YA GET KRONKED GOOD! SO WHO WANTS DA STRENGTH OF THE WWWWAAAGGGHHHH!!!!

[tribble]

Mercutio saved the frequency of the Ork's Message and sent a Tight-beam call along it.
"Krimscrag...Backstabba. Can you read me?"
"Yeah I hear ya, you got somefin' Im-porr-tant ta say?"
"This is Chaos Lord Mercutio the Rogue speaking. I have not heard of you before, but I look forward to doing buisness with you... I possess a crate of-ah-unique hand grenades that you may find useful, If you can find a way to-what am I saying? You're an Ork, of course you'll find a way to use them. so the point is that I posess a cache of hand-grenades that I guarantee you the Imperium doesnt have. Additionally, I can give you three flamers and ... how does a pair of heavy bolters sound? let me know if this is outbidden, as your Expertise is a resource I have great interest in... Mercutio Out."
OOC: sorry about the bunny, triple P, But I wanted to make the offer immediately. If you dont like this, give us a shout and I'll fix it. :smallsmile:

[purepolarpanzer]

Hmmmm. That don't sound haff bad.
Krim scratches his jutting chin. He had a weakness for grenades. He loved the different shapes, effects, and noises they came in. Fingering the grenade belt strung across his shoulder, he turned the comm back on.
I got a Chaos boy says he's gonna give me some flamars, 'eavy boltas, and a big boxa grenades. Any of you lot got anyting betta? Going once...

[purepolarpanzer]

Hearing no reply, Krim snorts into the microphone, miffed at the lack of other offers. He punches the button one last time, yelling Done!.
Punching a few buttons clumsily with his meaty fingers, Krim only speaks to the chaos commander, or anyone else who was listening to his channel specifically.
So Chaos Big Un'. I'se Krimscrag Backstabba. I got a buncha well trained boyz up here ready for a right stompin, and I got more dat'll come on my beck en call. Where's ya want us to set up shop, and then we'se gotta talk about who we gonna smash!

[ChronicLunacy]

Brother-Sergeant Rasmus

The Brother-Sergeant looked nonplussed when the hologram of the eminent Inquisitor appeared on the holo-plate in the center of the bridge. He took the time to hook his helmet onto a connection near his hip before replying, his deep voice booming in the sealed room. "Inquisitor, how good of you to grace us with your presence once more." he said without any rancor. "I believe we can accomodate you with the help of these loyal servants of the Emperor." he nodded, gesturing to Deckland and 303.

It was then that they picked up the obnoxious voice of the orc. The bridge crew only played it for a moment before Rasmus walked over and slammed a gauntleted fist down on the control, ceasing Backstabba's prattling. "I would lay down my holy bolter and become a farmhand before I allied myself with such foul xenos. They can die as well." he announced, making the decision for the Imperial Fleet. He didn't bother sending a reply to the orc, as speaking to xenos was heresy. He looked forward to driving his powersword between the filthy creature's jaws and watching him choke to death on the holy blade.

"Colonel, I will be returning to Scylla. Will you join me in wiping the heretic stain from Aquileus's skies? I admit I'm quite curious to see what the Inquisitor has planned." he asked Deckland.

[tribble]

Mercutio paused for a moment, and then replied, "I will have to check my maps. I will vox you with a set of co-ordinates soon, and when we get there, I believe it only reasonable to give you a weapons demonstration. the grenades I had in mind are rather...unusual in appearance, to the point of not being easily recognizable as grenades. I wish to prove their status as grenades.
EDIT:hey, i just noticed i got ninja'd!

[Zasabi]

The night air on Aquileus was fresh with the stench of death and destruction. Indeed, were it not for the filters in his Crisis Suit, Zas'abi would've been hard pressed to ignore it.

His screens, both depicting the desolate landscape around them and the signal that was their target, were briefly obscured by an incoming comm call. "Shas'El," began the speaker, the Shas'ui of the Fire Warrior squad brought along as backup for the mission. "Our men are prepared to move out. We await your command."

He nodded to himself as he consulted the maps of the surrounding area. The landing had gone as well as could be expected, the ship that had dropped them off equipped with similar systems to the XV-15 Stealth Suits, allowing it to slip in more or less unseen by the enemy. It was a mixed blessing that the Imperial forces seemed to have their hands full at the moment- it meant that they had a better chance of slipping in without anyone noticing. However, it also meant that if their objective could be seized by the enemy, or unwittingly protected by such. The stakes were much higher than they had previously assumed.

"Very well, Shas'ui. You are to follow..." he stopped for a moment as he transferred the map image on his screen to the Devilfish's pilot. "This path, with the Shas'vres and myself providing support. With hope, we can avoid the enemy and retrieve our goal with little difficulty."

The Shas'ui nodded, turning to the pilot who sat out of visual range. "For the Greater Good, Shas'El."

He closed the comm's visual feed, switching to the other members of the team. "Are we ready for this, Warriors?"

"I am always prepared to act in the name of the Greater Good," uttered Sho'niel, a stone-faced Shas'vre from Sa'cea who, while bound to the procedures of combat, possessed a powerful tactical mind.

"To be honest, Shas'El, I am disappointed that we are tasked with avoiding combat," said Mael'tros, Sho'niel's counterpart who lived up to the reputation of Vior'la's name by being a hot-blooded warrior who always bordered on simmering, even when out of the Crisis suit. "I was looking forward to defeating the enemy in the name of the Aun's."

Zas'abi dipped his head for a moment, as did the others, in reverence of the honored Ethereals, leaders of the Tau. "As did I, brother, but at times it would seem that what we want is not always what is needed. As Commander Puretide once said, 'Loyalty is to put the wants of the people before your own'. We must succeed at this mission, and perhaps when we return, we will join the others on the Great Journey."

They both nodded in affirmation, already knowing their part in the plan. The Shas'El closed both of their comms, then returning his attention to his sensors, placed his hands on the controls of the XV-8.

"Team, Move out!"

[WhiteKnight777]

Inquisitor Kleinhart

The untainted hart drifted like a ghost among the stars, cloaked beneath baffling fields and Kleinhart's own specialized device - much like a psychic hood, only it was designed to beffudle the searches of enemy pyskers, fading the ship in with the background noise of the warp.

They approached the larger chaos warship slowly, withing striking distance. Now all that was left to do was wait for the Space Marines to begin the attack.

[ChronicLunacy]

Imperial Fleet

The flotilla of Imperial warships crested the moon's horizon and began to move steadily towards the grouping of Chaos warships that hovered over the planet. At the lead was the Iron Snake Strike Cruiser Scylla, under the command of Captain Xerxes and crewed by some of the finest sailors that Ithaka had ever birthed. The Imperial forces had powered and blessed their armaments and had set themselves resolutely on the path to battle, driving straight towards the Chaos barricade like an Ithakan sea lance.

Rasmus watched from the bridge of the Scylla, the hilt of his sheathed powersword clutched in his gauntleted fist. He was frustrated that they would not be seeing any boarding action as part of the Inquisitor's plan, but if the mysterious man told them whatever he was about to unleash wouldn't distinguish between targets, Rasmus was inclined to believe him. Wasting his men foolishly like that was not a sound tactical decision, so despite his deep regret at not being able to feel the enemy armor fracture under his blows he kept Proteus Squad reigned in on the ship, waiting to repel boarders if it became necessary.

"Rest-assured, Brother-Sergeant Rasmus, we will unleash our own righteous fury unto these heretical scum ourselves, with or without the Inquisitor's trickery." Captain Xerxes reassured Rasmus from his captain's chair.

The chair that he captain sat in was more like a throne, born aloft on a high pedestal so that he could survey the entirety of the bridge. The space marine had been physically and mentally grafted to the chair itself so that he had become more a part of the Scylla itself than a separate entity. He knew everything, down to the smallest burnout, that happened on board, and sensed Scylla's weapon energy building to a powerful roar below deck like an extension of his own body. Scylla's engines were like his own legs plodding dutifully onward. Rasmus was honored that the venerable Captain had deigned to allow them on board and looked forward to seeing the him and his powerful ship in action.

"Target the closest ship. Sustained fire from all vessels. Fire on my command. I want that Chaos garbage scow removed from my sky!!" the Captain growled to his bridge crew and through his link with the rest of the fleet, bringing forth multiple acknowledgments that lit up the displays in front of him as well as the holographic table through which Rasmus was observing the entirety of the battle. Any moment now they would be within range. He could see the Chaos fleet moving to intercept them.

"FIRE!!"

The bleak void of space lit up with brilliant flashes as a hundred different gun emplacements throughout the organized Imperial fleet lashed out at their enemy. Two-story tall torpedoes streaked across the intervening space riding on strobing comets while energy weapons of all kinds focused destruction on the lead elements of the Chaos fleet. Near the rear of the Imperial fleet, guarded on either side by small, but tough frigates, carrier ships loosed attack fighters and bombers bristling with smaller, but potent weaponry into space like disturbing an angry hornets' nest.

The battle had commenced. Now all that remained was to await the Inquisitor's surprise.

[tribble]

"My Lord Mercutio, The Angel Star is under attack!"
"blasted Imperials. I shall have to accelerate my plans. What is attacking you?"
"one strike cruiser of the Space Marines and several frigates and carriers."
"target the carriers with long range weaponry first. then the Frigates, and the strike cruiser last. use shorter ranged, more indiscriminate firepower on the ships the carriers release. I will be making strikes on the planetary targets on this mudhole of a world. Just give me time. one more thing, I need you to put me through to Noise Marine Jeriman."
"One moment lord"

Mercutio tapped his fingers on the space-strength vox's cover.
"Lord Mercutio?"
"Broken Halo, Jeriman. I repeat, Broken Halo."
"Broken Halo code acknowledged, Lord Mercutio. I am pushing the button-now. out."
Mercutio's grin stretched from ear to ear.

[zergling001]

As the battle raged on above Aquileas, only a few ships noticed a small Garrison Ship arriving into the system and even those ships were too busy on the fighting. The garrison ship ignored the battle, instead moving towards the planet. As it neared the planet, it released a few thunderhawk gunships before moving to the edge of the system where it stayed motionless.

Meanwhile planetside, the screech of bike tires and the sound of branches cracking were heard by many as five bikes went towards the now quiet battlefield. Chaos troops watched as the squadron moved towards them. Firing their bolters towards the oncoming bikes, one biker had an arm ripped off as three boltgun rounds struck the same spot. Grimacing inside his helmet, the biker unleashed a torrent of fire upon the forces of Chaos.
"I'm hit! Sergeant Zaul, there are too many of them!"
"Proceed to your objectives brother Janus and succeed, or die trying."
The lead biker broke off from the squad and the entire squad followed suit, each going solo. Mercutio watched as the lead biker zoomed right by him, then watching it turn around and facing him. His eyes met with the man. The leader turn away from him, shouting two words.
"They're here!"
And with that, the bikers disappeared back the way they came.

As soon as the biker shouted they're here, the garrison ship came to life again. Suddenly, the area around it began to blur, and a small fleet of ships arrived through the warp. The fleet moved towards the planet and soon fired a wave of Drop Pods into the planet. The company ship moved towards the battlefield slightly.
One of Scylla's officers looked up and towards his captain.
"Sir, incoming transmition!"
As all eyes turned towards the screen, a hooded man in power armour appeared onscreen.
"Hello Captain. I am Company Master Asmodai of the Sword Slayers company, one of the great companies of the Swords of Caliban. It is our destiny to destroy these fallen angels to redeem ourselves. Kindly pull your ships out of our firing range to not lose any of your ships and the valuable people inside them."
Without waiting for an response, the Company Master left the Command Deck and towards a drop pod, where his squad awaited him.
"Slay these traitors and take the Chaos leader's body to the Interrogator Chaplains. His sin must be confessed and through him and the others, we shall be cleansed of this sin! For the Lion, for the Emperor, for the glory of the Swords of Caliban!"
The drop pod closed and was sealed. With a hiss, it was fired towards Aquileas, where death awaited all in the Swords of Caliban's way.

The Swords of Caliban's fleet then split into two, with the larger half of the fleet moving towards the Chaos fleet with all batteries charged. The smaller half of the fleet moved towards Aquileas II. In orbit, the fleet scanned Aquileas II and one of the ship masters noticed something unusual.

As Asmodai landed, his troops immediately disembarked. As they stepped out, he stood amongst his brothers, each a veteran from the various Unforgiven Chapters and Dark Angels Chapters all compiled together to form an elite company. Among his thirty marines he barked orders towards each squad of five. Then, all in unison bowed their heads in prayer before turning towards the enemy: the Chaos space marines. The puny forces of the Sword Slayers had won countless victories against immense odds and knew within their hearts that they would not make such an important victory a loss.
"Company Master, we have done as you said and noticed something unusual. There are many unusual movements, as well as many of them having signs of being inhuman. We await your orders."

"Ship master Uriel, prepare to assault on my command. As soon as we're done here, we'll investigate. Until then, do not let any ship in or out. I, with the authority vested in me, hereby give you orders to quarentine this planet and set a blockade around it. Give only one clear message to those who fail to comply. That message shall be delivered with superheated, pure, raw energy. Asmodai out. Emperor be with you."

Turning towards the Chaos, Asmodai walked forwards, knowing that his articificer armour and iron halo would protect him from almost any shot. The rest of his troops moved into their positions.

Muttering to himself, Asmodai chuckled. "Lord Mercutio, you have no idea how close we are to redeeming ourselves. Your loss shall add to the rest of the others who have failed to hold out against us and soon, there shall be no more of you left."

[ChronicLunacy]

Iron Snakes/Imperial Guard Fleet

Captain Xerxes snorted from his command chair at the brass ones Asmodai was showing trying to get them to back off and leave the action to the Sword Slayers. "HA! He'd like that wouldn't he? Tell the Company Master that his assistance is appreciated, though we must regretfully decline his gracious offer to withdraw. He may, however, support our fleet action as we are already in the progress of carrying it out. Warn him that to charge in without full knowledge of the situation could put his ships and his men in danger. We'll continue to support the Inquisitor's plan." he ordered, prompting a grin from Rasmus as he watched from the tactical display.

Outside, the chaos fleet had begun firing back. They were attempting to target the carriers in the back of the Imperial line, attempting to leave the fighters and fighter-bombers with no home to return to. Unfortunately for the Chaos scum, the carriers had been well-protected, and their hasty attacks caused little to no damage to their intended targets. A frigate that had interposed itself between the carriers and the firepower directed their way suffered engine failure and drifted out of formation. Other ships caught in the same situation reported damage as well, but the imperial fleet charged on, filling the intervening space with light and fury.

"Target their capital ships. They're the only ones that matter. If we destroy or route them, the rest of the chaos fleet will be easy pickings. Have the fighter-bombers harass any troop ships and fleet tenders." Captain Xerxes ordered from his chair.

[zergling001]

As Asmodai advanced, ship master Lucius recieved captain Xerxes' message.
"Yes captain, I shall relay this message to the Company Master. Even so, I wish to know of this 'plan' of yours."
Lucius knew that Asmodai would not be amused and prayed his that he wouldn't be punished too harshely.

Planetside, Asmodai and his troops moved towards the city to find no troops inside. Confused, Asmodai ordered his troops to stop and set up guard.
"Lucius, there are no Imperial troops on this planet. Where are they?"

"Company master, the Captain Xerxes has told us he shall not follow our plans, instead asking us to comply to this: aid his ships. Also, there is apparently an Inquistioner in the system. They apparently have a plan together and wish us to honour it."

"We shall meet their demands. These are our brothers and we shall honour them. However, I wish that you will tell me the plans of this Inquisitioner. So he wants us to wait? We shall wait. Fire all your batteries at the closest ships. Target the stronger ships that pose a threat. We shall set camp in the area. We are not as different from the Iron Snakes. We just have a different gene seed, as well as thoughts, BUT we are not as much like the Dark Angels. We shall honour them. I'll want that troop report however and answers as to why there are no troops in this city. May your weapons fire true Lucius." Pausing, Asmondai turns on the com again. "And yes, you may keep your head."

Lucius smiled and his head returned towards the battlefield.

"Captain Xerxes sir! Our fleet will be under your command. Relay your orders and we shall follow them until death releases us. Asmodai says that he is not completely like the other Dark Angels Company Masters and is open minded. He trusts that your logic will lead us to victory. Now then, we shall stay put and provide extra firepower."

The fleet fired their charged batteries towards the Chaos fleet, watching as each shot hit or missed. A pair of lance missiles struck a Capital ship, though Lucius knew that a Capital ship could not be brought down so easily. His fleet awaited orders from Xerxes as they fired continuously, their missiles and weapons screaming the holy testimony of the Chapter.

A lone thunderhawk flew down and onto Aquileas carrying supplies and ammunition, all they needed to build a camp. As the thunderhawk flew, it was spotted by the chaos and shot down. The pilot struggled to keep the thunderhawk level and with great difficulty, he crash landed the ship. Fortunatley, it was far enough from the Chaos Space Marines but not too far from Asmodai's position.
Immediately, the Swords Slayers moved towards the fallen thunderhawk and began to build a base of operations, as well as helping the wounded from the wreckage. Brother Belial pulled a pilot from the front seat and began to fix the man up. Soon, Belial finished and went to assist Asmodai.

"Nice job Apothecary."

[ChronicLunacy]

Iron Snakes/Imperial Guard Fleet

"You and your gracious Commander have our thanks, Ship Master. Captain Xerxes voxed to his counterpart on the other ship. "Our task is relatively simple. A frontal assault, tie them up and cause as much damage and confusion as possible until the Inquisitor's ship makes an appearance. He would not give us specifics, but he has something special planned. All he told us was not to perform any boarding operations, as whatever he is about to unleash does not distinguish between friend and foe. I'll give you autonomy over your own fleet, but coordinate with my tactical officers. Hit them with everything you've got."

[zergling001]

Ship master Lucius nodded and turned to his officers.
"You heard the captain! Fire all batteries, lance and missiles! Concentrate your fire on the nearest capital ship."
Then, to the rest of the fleet, he spoke.
"All ships execute protocol SWORD. Hit them with every weapon you got. Boarding tactics are not to be executed. Some Inquisitioner has something planned. Let him do it...today."
Every ship there fired their weapons, the lights from their weapons joining those on the battlefield.

Asmodai had his men move up onto a hill, where they built some heavy bolter nests and set up a few mortars with the thunderhawk's ordanance. Then, after that, his men built a minefield, trenches, and dug in bunkers and shelters. After they finished, Asmodai went to his quarters and rested-something he hadn't done in a week. As he rested, twenty more marines landed on the planet and joined them. They had finished their work and rested along with their company master with the twenty fresh marines as guards.

[WhiteKnight777]

Kleinhart

The Inquisitor descended into the belly of the ship. There were preparations to make. He was alone now, and he could hear the sounds of the machinae at work - this the hiss of hydraulics, the thrumming heartbeat of the great engines of the ship. He closed his eyes, concentrating. In the darkness, a red glow sprang up, and he clutched the staff he had recovered from the reliquary in one hand as the other inscribed a complex design on the floor. He looked up at the two heavily-shielded chunks of metal in front of them. They reminded him of coffins - fitting enough. The people within were dead.

One of them rattled a little, eagerly, as if the occupant sensed a change in its fortunes. Possibly they did. He growled a little, deep in his throat, then gained control of himself once more - emotion was a hindrance here. He needed to concentrate. Too much to do, too little time.

[tribble]

Cicero

Cicero, high sorcerer of Tzeentch, onetime librarian of the Dark Angels, watched the tac-screen intently. the carriers were proving harder to destroy than he had anticipated. he would be wringing the necks of the Dark Tech-priests until he got an answer on why the ship's armaments were preforming substandardly. If he survived this. the ever-present buzz of the mystery Psyker had changed subtly in tone and rhythm. it reminded him vaguely of a summoning rite he had witnessed on Kalos IV, when a daemonic horde was tugged into the materium to fight for a sorcerer. he had personally killed the man in a sorcerous duel, thereby banishing the Daemons. this however, felt different. it seemed less a natural call to the Immaterium and more an artificial ritual. it troubled Cicero to not know what this was, and he resolved to find out what the strange call was. he fingered his weapon, a psychically attuned broadsword that he wore at his hip.
That sword could spew fire at his command.
Cicero paused, struck by an Idea.
a second later the ship shuddered as it was struck by something else.
"Damage Report!" Cicero barked.
"lance missiles, lord sorcerer. damage is superficial."
"Maneuver the ship so that one of those strike cruisers is between us and the planet, I have something special in mind."
Cicero paused, and looked at the display of the planet. a massive melta-blast had appeared at the planet's capital. Cicero wondered for a second what Mercutio was doing , then dismissed the thought as irrelevant.

[tribble]

Mercutio

"I have found a location for our rendezvouz, krimscrag."
Mercutio rattled off a string of coordinates from a data-slate.
"In addition, My battle barge has come under attack, and any aid you could render would prove most helpful. if you are dissatisfied with my weapons test, I would be willing to renegotiate."
Mercutio smiled. the capital of the world had fallen in a devastating cataclysm, and soon he would assault an office of the Inquisition at the head of an Orkish Waaagh. the mission was getting better and better.

[purepolarpanzer]

You heard him boys. Settle down dere. Drop the Mini-Roks, set up shop, and let's get movin. I want ya ta find any orks on that planet and make em follow me. If there ain't none, there will be soon. Get the mek shop up and runnin, and get some places up for dakka and such. And get some boyz in towers up with them real tekky gunz. The ones with the special screeny thingy that sees through any squig crap dem others might got. Den I want da Nobs to haul da boys togetha, git em inta mobs. Meanwhile, we all gotta get pumped up for the WAAAGGGGHHHH!!!! SO DA WARPHEADZ CAN GET POWAED UP!!!!! WAAAAAGGGGHHH!!!!!
The ships head in, going into an almost suicidal dive, in formation, until the speed boyz on the helm could feel their eyeballs being pushed into their heads. Then, massive chunks of rock fly from the hull. Each one is reinforced by metal, and each one carries many, many boyz. They crash landed at the sight, devastating the area. From the wreckage, boyz crawled out and began following their task master's orders. Discipline was much higher in Krim's troops than most Ork Bosses, and there was little bickering or violence between his troops. There was some, but no more than can be avoided. After dropping the boyz, they all began chanting. The chanting grew in intensity and volume with each repitition.
Waaaggghh!!!
The warphead attached to the Imperial ship twitched, and green sparks began to shoot from his metal cap. The engines flair, and the ships pull out of the dive and begin to ascend back to space.
Waaaggghh!!!
The five ships raced upward at massive speeds, propelled by the speed boyz' crazed button mashing and the weirdboyz' fit of jerks and mad gibbering. The patched together, junky ships flew at top speed towards the space battle and opened fire on the nearest enemy ships. The well armed imperial ships are dangerous enough, but with ork lack of concern for the crew's life and their love of massive weaponry, they had fixed many missile pods, lectric kannons, looted gunz, and a wide variety of nasty imperial weaponry from larger, better armed ships, jurry rigged to the hull of the metal beast. The Weirdboyz' fury was not without its price, however, as two of the ships simply disintegrated when green, psychic energy lashes out of the hull.
WAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!
The remaining three ships move on to ram the remaining ships with the long "Spike" the orks fixed to the front of the vessel, having expended their ammunition in the first massive volley. Projected by a Warphead's vicious power, charged by the mass of green below him, the ships had become vast missles themselves. A skeleton crew of boyz, well armed with Power Klaws, explosives, and burnas, waited for the crashes with gleeful smiles, ready to rush aboard the enemy ships, using the crash as a boarding action. They would not be enough to defeat any of the ships, but such a chaotic hoard of orks trained in the use of explosives (with the scars and missing fingers to prove it) and special weapons would be a vicious battle that may cripple the ships. That is, if any of them survive.

[zergling001]

"Sir! Xenos sighted. Orks have arrived and attacked some Imperial Cruisers! Awaiting further orders!"

Lucius stared at the tactical screen, watching the orks ram their ships into the Imperials.

"My word, they're boarding them. Bah! Concentrate all your fire onto the Fallen's ship, especially the one that hid behind a strike cruiser. I'll take this ship and another with me to bolster the Imperials. May your weapons strike true. Ship master Mephisto, you're with me."

The fleet fired a salvo of missiles towards the traitor ships, then following with a salvo of lance missiles. A few carefully aimed shots struck some of the weaponry onboard the Fallen ships, detonating in larger explosions. Then, two ships broke off and headed towards a more valuable boarded ship, flanking it while firing it's weaponry at the ork ships.

"Commence boarding procedures! Brother Jasman, lead a boarding squad to free them of these xenos. Show no mercy, let none escape."

A man standing in the shadows moved up to the Ship master and kneeled. Then, he stood and nodded, gripping his power sword. After a moment, he stood up and raced off towards the hangar.

Lucius watched the man run as he turned back towards his tactical screen.

"Captain Xavius, where is the Inquisitioner? If he continues to tarry, all shall be lost."

Planetside, Asmodai had one thought after hearing the xenos coming.

[ChronicLunacy]

Iron Snakes/Imperial Fleet

As the Scylla was much more nimble than the Chaos Lord's huge battle barge, it slipped deftly aside when the larger ship tried to maneuver between it and the planet and dividing the fleet. However, this gave the approaching Ork ships a perfect target. Captain Xerxes issued calm and decisive orders to turn the strike cruiser into the approaching wave and went to full speed in response, matching them insane charge to insane charge while firing all forward weapons. In support of the fleet's command ship, the frigate Furious, faster even than the strike cruiser, overtook Scylla and turned to present its broadside to the Orks just as their paths intersected. Scylla was spared the impact of all but a single ship, which crashed into its flank as it turned off of its path and away from the floating wreck of Furious and the ships that had rammed it. The doomed frigate and its Ork counterpart(s) were left clinched in a suicidal deathlock as they began to spiral towards the surface of Aquileus.

"Brother-Sergeant. We may have uninvited guests. If you would kindly take Proteus Squad and deal with the problem, I would be most appreciative. Captain Xerxes remarked to Rasmus, who was already on his way off of the bridge. Then, responding to Lucius on his tac screen, the Captain said, "Have faith, brother. He should be showing up any minute now."

[zergling001]

Lucius nodded and bowed.

"I apologize for my lack of faith. I shall fast after the battle."

A small ship turned from the fleet and raced towards the two ships falling towards the planet. It changed course and rammed the ork ship, sending metal and parts flying. The ork ship drifted away as the small ship came to a stop. It slowly turned towards the furious and began to move extremely slowly.

As expected, the ork ship had caused some severe damage to the small ship. The ship moved up to the furious and fired a towing wire towards the ship. Slowly, the ship slowed from it's freefall towards the planet and began to return, slowly, back to the edge of the battlefield. As the ship was towed, a few thunderhawks were released from the hangar bay and these dropped off some space marines. The space marines set up a perimeter around as they stood ready to escort the wounded aboard the ship.

Planetside, Asmodai had finished his area of defence and presighting every inch of it to make sure he perfected it. A perfection freak some called him, but it was perfection that was effective in battles. He looked in the direction of the fallen marines. And gripped his sword angrily. Controlling his urges, he stopped and instead watched the orks land on the planet.

"Fall in men, prepare for an assault! There's a Waagh here."

Lucius waited before speaking again.

"Fire the melta missiles towards that Chaos Capital ship. All of them and if one misses, the crew will be punished. With the loss of the capital ship, they'll crumple."

Sergeant Jonson led his two boarding squads aboard the boarded ship, charging towards the orks. Brother Jalias fell as a bolt round took off his head in a bloody explosion. Jonson himself took a hit to the neck but didn't stop charging towards the orks. Jumping into the ork mob, he crushed an ork and cleaved his head open before moving on to the next. The rest of the marines joined in, cutting down some orks and losing a few of their own men. Sergeant Jonson was able to slice down another ork before a power klaw went through his armor, throwing him out of the battle. He gasped as he got to his feet. Half of his stomach had been blown off. Limping towards the battle, he still fought, even as his wounds clotted and reopened.

Another marine fell as a power klaw cleaved right through him but was able to thrust his power sword into the face of the ork that clawed him. The pair fell to the ground, unmoving in a pool of blood. Though taking heavy casualties, the marines refused to give ground. Service unto death, eternal glory thereafter. That was the oath they swore as they joined the ranks of the Chapter and never would they or could they break that oath.

[First Speaker]

Grand Inquisitor Belisarius Reliquitus

'Commence Warp entry in thirty seconds and counting. Non-essential ship systems are being powered down in pursuit of silent entry.'

The navigator's voice rang out hoarsely throughout the corridors of the ship. He had been standing, guiding the Winter's Stair through a series of turn-on-a-throne jumps for some two hundred and seventy-three hours now, and was on the verge of catatonic exhaustion. He was somewhat disadvantaged, in this respect; the Sisterhood had little need for sleep - the less about them that he knew, to be honest, the better - the Astropaths had been sedated lest they reveal the position of the ship to listening ears; the other navigators were being kept fresh in cryonics, and the Inquisitor - well, he didn't look as if he was in a state that still required regular rests.

They had been following the spoor of an Abaddonite Battle Barge all the way from the Cadian Gate - a hapless job where to be too swift would be to end up with their light scout vessel trading broadsides with a battleship, but to be too slow would be to lose the scent entirely, and thus to allow a Chaos Lord go on a merry rampage throughout Imperial Space. This time, however, Belisarius had predicted that Mercutio would stop. They had him.

We jump in five. All hands, brace for turbulence.

The Winter's Stair shone for a moment as if suffused by a sun's corona, then vanished -

_/ _/ _/

- and, with the same flash, the ship's gellar fields powered down - spinning slowly in the frictionless space, the Adeptus Telepathica vessel lay in orbit around a small, aged sun.

'We are there?'

The words were written on a dataslate, held up in front of his face.

The navigator hated her. Hated her with a nauseated, gut-instinct, passion. Yes, he knew that her blank status was vital to the mission at hand, and he had worked with her emperor-knows how many times before, but she was still just ... wrong.

Ye-yes, miss. We've made a clean warp jump, and now are in orbit around Aquileus. Shall I ... er ...

Scratch, scratch, scratch went the stylus on the data slate.

Tell the Grand Inquisitor? Yes, I think that would be a good idea. I shall go, to brief the militant.

With that, the Oblivion Knight turned and left, her long Telepathica coat dragging along the ground. She fumbled with the door locking system for a short while, finally hitting the pads in the correct combination. Of course, he thought with a twinge of sympathy stirring in his heart, it cannot be easy for her. She had, the better to ensure her spiritual purity for the Emperor, sewn up her mouth and eyes.

_/ _/ _/

The navigator staggered forth through the corridors of the ship. That last jump - the finesse of it, the accuracy! - had cost him dearly, and dancing spots of light were beginning to cloud his vision. He climbed up the spiralling staircase to the Inquisitional quarters with difficulty, leaning on his staff after each step. The door creaked open - its seals hissing softly, calmingly, sleepi- cut that out, he couldn't afford that now.

Grand Inquisitor - we have successfully arrived in orbit around the Aquileus system. The ritual of systems checking shows green across the board. Initial systems check indicates the presence of ... of multiple hostile targets, as well as several ships of the Adeptus Astartes. They're kicking up a fair fuss ...

The Grand Inquisitor raised his head from an ancient Terran text, blazoned with the phrase 'Arcana Coelestia'. The great lens of his face transfixed the visitor.

You have done well, getting us this far. Soon, Emperor, soon! For that, I thank you. We can now begin a further scanning sweep - we shall comprehend them, and in comprehending them, do the work of Humanity.

Thank you, Grand Inquisitor. Now that that has happened, may I be rel ...

In mid-sentence, the navigator's eye twitched, and he collapsed to the floor. Belisarius surged forward, a dozen whip-like pseudo-limbs hastening to check the prone figure's pulse, blood pressure, haemoglutinous content.

Poor him. Burnt out, a psychic husk - he would certainly live, and possibly navigate again, but would never be a real person any more - all that was left of his soul was ash.

It was a such a great shame, really. He did not even know this boy's name.

[purepolarpanzer]

The ork ship rocketed to the planet's surface, a flying, burning missile. It crashed into the ocean, a burnt husk. The ship's crew and boarders were charred skeletons, roasted on the way in.

Another ship was chaos. One group of boarders fought a group of space marine counter-boarders. However, the smallest group, a second one on the ship, cautiously made their way onto the Iron Snakes ship.

The orks fighting the against the counter-boarders found themselves hard pressed. After one marine got up after being laid low by a mighty power klaw, they almost lost their nerve and ran for it. The Nob who wounded the lead marine watched Jonson rise, however, hand hatched a different plan. Taking his slugga, he took careful aim, lining up his shot, and threw the gun at the wounded Seargent's side. The gun smashed into the wound, causing heavy damage with the sharp and pointy bitz pushed by a heavy, clunky piece of metal's mass. This was not enough to save, poor Frigget, who tried to assault Jonson immediately after he fell to his knees. The Marine quickly raised his sword and impaled the poor ork, who squealed as he died. However, Nob Bicker, freed of his ranged weapon, grabbed another choppa from a dead mate and charged in from another angle. While the blade was caught in the still struggling ork, Bicker smashed through the marine commander with his power klaw, removing the head and shoulders of the man with a single blow. The Nob leaped back into battle, swinging the massive klaw with fervor. A burna, switched from its normal massive gout to a thin, blue flame, ripped into another marine like a kan opener, burning the man inside his armor. The ork's numbers were low, but the marines were falling fast, determined as ever to fight to the death. They might win this fight, but after it they wouldn't have the force to do anything important. A single charge would sweep their number after they finally beat the marines down, but they fought on, ignorant of this.

The second group slowly made their way into the Snake's ship in the middle of the battle. Comprised of the sneakiest boyz in the raid, this group of cunning boyz volunteered for Krim's "special duty". Carrying massive amounts of bombs, explosives, and ammunitition, only ten orks moved in after the battle started. Nob Wiggit led his boyz in slow and steady, avoiding any fighting while the main force distracted the marines. Finding their way to a room of cargo storage, they silently pulverised the head of a patrolling marine using a big choppa. Leaving it on the ground, they began searching through the containers, mumbling and grumbling in orkish fashion, looking for something explosive, corrosive, flammable, or any of the other fun words these orks had learned to read in humie.

The last ship, which missed the Scyla entirely, took the majority of the fire from the attacking Imperial ships. Parts of it were only gouting flame, and the majority of the orks aboard had cooked in their boots, ready to rush aboard an enemy ship. The Weirdboy, however, was still sparking and giggling as always. The intense battle aboard the ship above was causing him to shake uncontrollably. His eyes flashed green, and light began to leak out his mouth. Fueled by the anger of the green tide, he giggled one last time and uttered a single word.

Boom.

The ship imploded, and a wave of green energy surged outwards in an expanding bubble. While the main explosion only rocked the other ships, the wave of green psychic force blasted over sensor arrays, weapons systems, and communications, scrambling them all. While only lasting a few seconds, for a few pristine seconds not a single shot was fired by any ship. The speeding hulks were relatively quiet as frustrated pilots tried to repair their systems. However, after only five or six seconds, all systems mysteriously came online again. And so the fight continued.

On the ground, Krimscrag smacked a slow gretching, very nearly killing the small worker. It recovered quickly, and hammered faster on the mek's new shop to avoid future pain. The settlement was going up nicely, with squigherders already pushing along the bouncing, violent little beasts in order to farm more. The boyz were shoveling food at the large central hut as a few meks set turrets up around the perimeter. These large metal towers each held a boy behind armored walls with a large looted gun on a swivel. On each looted gun, a massive scope showed the truth about the landscape. If anyone tried to sneak in, these towers would know, and eliminate them, whether they be tau stealthsuits or eldar tricksters.

[First Speaker]

The Winter's Stair

The door flew open, and Belisarius strode forth into the CIC of the ship, Ysha at his side. He looked expectantly to the commanding Navigator, who nodded to him.

Behold, the Battle Barge - the traitor Battle Barge. We have it on our aura-scry now. Our enemy hide their stinking Chaos hearts in metal boxes.


Cowards,

Belisarius muttered under his breath. They self-evidently could not face the inevitable forward creep of the forces of light, and humanity. It had been - what was it? - thirteen 'crusades', and each time the Traitor Lunar Wolf had failed. Even the mightiest of the mighty, the Chosen of the Chaos gods, could not capture a single world, defended by the men of the Imperial Guard. And yet this Mercutio did not put down his arms in surrender now? For shame, for shame.

The novator nodded; he had heard the ensuing line of speech many times before, but need one become weary if one's sustenance of heart was so full of hope and truth?

Fools, indeed.

We ... we should take away their protection. Strip away the self-boxing-in of hate, delusion, stupidity - let shine the light of the truth into their filthy souls. For ten thousand years of human suffering has shown the supremacy of humanity over its demons - and, in our own, small way, we shall show it here. I am glad to think of the pain of the Chaos powers when all that they have built up in their champion Mercutio is sent back to them, broken, unmade, bloodied. They should know that the light of Mankind is coming - yes, even to them.

Ysha smiled silently, the scars deforming and twisting over her face, at his words. Today would be a good day for the light of man.

[zergling001]

Lucius spotted the Inquisitioner's ship as it entered the system and ordered his ship to fire upon one of the boarded ships. Lance, plasma and melta all struck the ship, slicing right through the void shields and armour instantly. Not heeding the life upon the ship, Lucius ordered one more barrage and the ship exploded. One lance to the engine and boom. Another boom was in the list. Lucius watched as a chaos lance hit his ship.
"Status."
"Sir, we've taken some damage to one of the plasma generators. Energy levels will be dropping to 80% for the time being. We've got servitors working on it as we speak."
"Have it done in five. Maximum. Cut all power to the engines, avert all energy to the batteries. Fire all missiles towards the chaos capital ship. Ship Master Gabriel, have Ezekiel prepare a boarding squad. Board on my mark. Inquisitor, use your powers and we shall purge the fallen from the system. Act quickly, we cannot tarry any longer. Captain Xerxes, I request some reinforcements on Aquileas I. We may need aid."
Lucius took a deep breathe as another lance struck the ship. The entire ship shuddered. It's void sheild could not hold forever. The Company Ship moved back towards the fleet, which opened up to allow the ship in.
Sigh
"Damage report."
"Ship master, we have sustained a lance to our shield generators. We're going to be without a shield for a few minutes. Scouts report that several casualties have been sustained. The ship can take about five more lances without the shield. We've diverted all servitors towards that section. Power decreasing to 60%."
"Blast! Ezekiel, stand by."
"I hear your call. Several squads of sword veterans are with me. We are boarding our assault pods. The capital ship will be ours if we board. Guarenteed."
The hooded man gripped his power sword tightly and several marines heard a 'pop!' and blood gushed down his face. A vein most likely. That wasn't a surprise. The power sword crackled, blue energy being transferred from the mans hand onto his sword.
The man took his seat among his men and was silent. A small aura seemed to be coming from him and the marines around him felt a rush of adrenaline and willpower.
'Prepare for launch.'

[WhiteKnight777]

Kleinhart

Kleinhart grimaced and cursed under his breath at what he read on the warp-scanner. He was standing in the bowels of the ship, facing the two heavily-shielded pods, preparing the necessary rituals of release and control... and now... this. Another Inquisitor, Emperor damn their eyes. If they interfered, all would be lost. He ordered the captain to run quiet as he pondered his options - should he unleash his forces anyway? should he risk his own destruction? Or would the newcomer be able to eliminate the chaos threat without his intervention? He cursed again, and ordered the captain to keep them in stealth - better to wait and see...

[tribble]

Cicero
Cicero frowned yet again. another Ship had entered the system and was "flying the colors" as it were, of the Inquisition.
"What in all the Warp and beyond is going on?" He wondered aloud.
"sir?" a Dark Tech-priest inquired.
"never mind. An Additional Inquisitorial Ship has entered the system.this rapid escalation is-"One of the possesed Keened.
"For the Gods' sakes, you, Stop Doing That!" Cicero snapped.
"well, at least that ship is out of engagement range for now. have we maneuvered any ships between us and the Planet?"
"a single Carrier, my lord."
"Good enough. fire a salvo of Magma Bombs on a trajectory that takes them through the carrier on my mark...Fire."
over three dozen Magma Bombs issued from the belly of the Battle Barge, falling murderously towards the hull of the carrier.

Mercutio

Mercutio looked around at the ramshackle camp the Orks had made, impressed at the speed with which they had set up.
"Krimscrag! Krimscrag, I have come!" Not recieving an immediate reply, he plucked a grot off the ground, held it up to his face and snarled, "Take me to Krimscrag Backstabba or I will perform such things upon you as to shame the Dark Eldar."

[zergling001]

Lucius stared towards the battle barge of the chaos.
"It is as useless to me as it is to the interrogator chaplains. It has been tainted and must be purged. Ship master Gabriel, you know what to do. Emperor bless your soul- it was for the Imperium."
"Aye, good luck Lucius. Emperor be with you." came the reply. The escort drifted away from the fleet, then charged straight towards the battle barge, coming against heavy fire. Firing every single weapon it had at on point, the escort charged. As the energy struck the great void shield of the battle barge, it couldn't hold. With supporting fire from the rest of the fleet, it began to falter, and at that moment, the escort struck. Crashing through into the battle barge had shaken the entire crew and Gabriel had just gotten to his feat.
"Ezekiel, go." To the crew, Gabriel nodded. "Activate the warp drives. Let's end this." As the hum of the warp drive began to be heard, all the crew had left their controls, all in prayer. As the Angel Star's weapons struck the escort, vast amounts of damage were apparent. Gabriel led in prayer, whispering one last word before joining his crew.

Asmodai had anticipated the orks to build quickly, yet was surprised. The discipline of the orks amongst the chaos. He had expected a battle to break out, for it was "un-orklike" so to speak. Any way they would all have to die, either his men or the orks and traitors. Asmodai walked towards the center of the camp and looked upwards, anticipating something. Two drop pods struck the ground and out from it burst two squads of men. Another hooded man was amongst them and he immediatley walked to Asmodai.
"Company Master, we have arrived."
"Good, then we can start to convene Ezekiel. Set up a connection between us and the chapter master (may his eternal glory last forever)."
The area around them began to crackle as Ezekiel concentrated. Men around them could feel the rush of wind and energy around them as a small aura began to emit from his and the company master's head.
"Chapter Master Astellan."
"Supreme Company Master Asmodai, what ails you?"
Ezekiel glanced at Asmodai, eyebrows raised.
"We require assistance. There are more enemies in the system than usual, including two inquisitors. I'm surprised they haven't attacked us yet."
"Two inquisitors. In the same system? Why haven't they attacked you yet?"
"They know not of our plight. The battle is too consuming, I guess."
"We shall send a company. But, it will be some time. Hold off for a week and we shall assist you. Emperor help you."
"Emperor speed you. Time is running out."
The connection ended and Ezekiel took in a deep breath. "That was eventful."

[Rayzin]

The commisar stared bleakly through the bridges window. Through the window a green blue orb floated, Aquileus, even from this far in space he could tell of the planets beauty. The commisar sighed, real land was a beautiful thing especially after two months stuck in a ship. On the way here a freak warp storm had hit wiping out and splintering most of the Cadian 521st Airborne Shock Battalion, the other battle ship was gutted and more than half the regiment was killed or lost. Only 4 of the 15 companies survived and a huge part of the ship was torn out though nothing important was damaged.
"Captain, when can the battleship land on Aquileus?"
Zhang hated the Captain. He was disrespectful; he treated a commisar like a friend. There was nothing more that Zhang wanted to do than turn around and shoot the man, watch his head disappear in a blue inferno as the plasma pistols flame consumed it. Flicking the guns safety on and off he debated the notion and finally common sense prevailed as he turned it on.
"I dont care about the damage or the gravitational pull, I want to know when we can land...... The ship useless as it is! I couldn’t care less unless the ship spontaneously combusts……. Excellent, once we enter orbit send out 2 companies to scout the area. Meanwhile keep on broadcasting an Imperial hail."
__________________________________________________ _________________
“Let’s go men, get your kits ready and your hellguns checked. We’re nearing the drop site.” Senior Officer Daniel had plenty of experience from the training exercises. The worst that could happen to them was a mislanding where they miss their drop zone or if their packs stopped working. “Thirty seconds! Once you land, take cover. We’ll use prisms to signal each other. Scout the area and set up a perimeter. Remember to use your flares if enemies are sighted. Radio in if you find allied units or the Space Marines. Alright, you five,” pointing at a squad of stormtroopers, “are with me. We also need to set up a vox. Once you’ve reached the Space Marines, we’ll do that. If they jam our radios, use flares.” The airborne company began to move towards the side of the ship.
“Go airborne, go!” yelled the pilot, who slowed the ship down for the landings. Somewhere AA fire was being employed. “We’re being hit hard!” a wing was struck by a missile and it ripped off. The ship began to dip left and right, trying to maintain balance. An alarm began to sound and the pilots struggled to keep the ship in the air.
“Bail out!” Senior officer Daniel cried and jumped off into the ruins of the city with his squad. The poor pilots and a few men crashed into a building, demolishing it as it smashed into it. Officer Daniel got to his feet and signalled his men to follow him. Looking around, Daniel was shocked. He had anticipated misdrops but not on such a large scale. He could barely see anyone, save his squad and three others, who were scattered. Checking his radio, he found that it was still functioning.
“All squad leaders report in now.” Static, “Squad leaders, report in, I repeat, report in.” More static. “Damn…they did jam us.” Daniel muttered angrily and crouched in a ruined room. His squad followed suit, taking cover inside the room with overturned tables. No signs of occupation of both enemies and friendlies.
“Alright men, listen up. We’re scattered pretty bad here. We’ll gather as many people as we can on our way to our objective. Let’s get the hell out of here.” He and his men stood and ran over to the three men, who were taking cover in a crater.
“Sir! We’re missing our squad leader sir. Not to mention a bunch of our men.”
“Ok, fall in with my squad and we’ll move towards our objective, picking up stragglers on our way. Move out.” The group of men moved up the street, scanning the surroundings as they moved.

[purepolarpanzer]

The gretchin squeaked in fear, rushing off through the camp. Dodging past ork feet as the brutes carried heavy bundles of scrap metal to the meks and the burna boyz, who were putting some of the finishing touches on the Big Mek's shop. Huts were built, and gun piles were strewn across the field as boyz strapped on their armor and picked up their favored weapons. The grot dodged a trukk, the first one of the Waaagghh, as it peeled out, pulling a crane meant to assemble even bigger projects. Making a final dash through the squig pens (at top speed, and he still almost lost a leg), the gretchin tapped Krimscrag on the back, whispering gently in the ork's ear while standing on a box. Nodding silently, Krim left the construction of the mek's place to meet his new guest.
So, Chaoz Lord. Welcome to da headquartas. We just about ready ta start buildin some real good mekky bitz, and all da boyz are already ta go. We'se got more comin already from the ground, and we got plenty of good gunz for now. If you got any scrap, we can take it an make it Orky. Or ya could just let me get my hands on some of them bombs ya promised! We can have some REAL fun wit dose!
Krim smiled widely, showing large, sharp teeth. His massive bulk stood just over the Chaos Lord, but since he was paying, Krim took a knee to seem a little shorter than the man. Several Nobz with powerklaws flanked their Boss, sharp appendages powered down but present to show the strength of the troop as well as impress how unwise it would be to pull something on Krimscrag.

[tribble]

Cicero
"Damage Report, you worthless cyborg, Tzeentch damn your eyes!" Cicero bellowed into the Dark Adept's face.
"The void shields have failed and our hull is compromised. we're losing oxygen, and whatever crew was in the rammed section."
"Seal the damaged section off, and dispatch Terminators to scour the entire ship for Boarders."
Cicero scowled at the tactical screen.the Imperials would have to hold their fire to avoid blowing what was left of the strike cruiser to shrapnel, but he would have to put off shooting at them until the Void shields were prepared.

Mercutio
Mercutio inclined his head and shoulders slightly in a courtly bow to the Warboss.
"I thank you for your cordial welcome, Warboss Krimscrag. now, If you could follow me out of the camp, I will demonstrate those "unique" grenades I mentioned. I prefer to make the demonstration out of the camp because these grenades are likely to render the area they are deployed in uninhabitable for even your own race."

[zergling001]

Ship Master Gabriel

Gabriel stood, gripping his power sword, one that he hadn't touched for five months. He looked grimly around the crew, shaken and still with their undying will for the Emperor. Fine, he would give it to them. Picking out almost all of the crew members, save ten, he told them they would charge and hold off the defenders as the warp drive charged. To his first officer, he whispered a few words. Then, he began to de-pressurize the ship. Hissing was heard as the men prepared to leap out of their ships, power swords were aplenty among them. The ship had charged long enough to fire its lance canons and weapons one last time before it had used all of it's energy. The hissing stopped and the doors began to open. Leaving the ship, Gabriel found that the area was completly sealed. He had hoped for a fight before his last hour. He asked the first officer what the warp drives energy levels were at. The first officer seeing this looked at the warp drive.
It was completly charged.
"Emperor protect us." and the a button went down.

The ship began to shudder as the Angel star began firing upon it. But not enough was able to stop it. The two ships began to fade, and dissapeared through the warp. Every man out there prayed silently for the souls lost aboard the ship.

Asmodai, Aquileus

Asmodai stared as the valkyrie ship smashed into the building. Some men had jumped off-no about twenty. Imperial Guard. He had heard of the 521st. Lost half of it's legion already. Turning towards some men, he gave them curt orders. Those men set off with their scout armour on and ran into the city, armed with sniper rifles. Moving up the streets, they whispered into their radios as they went. Clear up. Clear down. That banter. As they moved up the streets, they saw a man moaning in pain. He had just had his leg impaled on a sharp slab of rubble. As the scouts moved to help the man, his leg moved and the entire thing was ripped off the poor man. His body hit the ground as the marines rushed to his body. He turned around and began to fiddle with a grenade. The scouts looked questioningly at him. Raising their sniper rifles, ready to shoot, they gave him one message. Drop it or die. The man chose the second option, knowing his commanding officer would probably kill him anyways if he failed. Pulling the pin, he lobbed the grenade up into the air. Five bolt rounds struck his head, which collapsed both ways. The scouts watched the grenade fly into the air and explode.
"Damn! A flare?" The lead scout exclaimed looking at the poor man. His twisted and mangled remains-wait don't look at that. The flare flew high up for all to see. And then defused.

OOC: I changed everything so...I hope this helps a bit...:smalleek: :smallredface:sorry for the failiure to comply- try not to do that in the future. And, Tribble, you can do w/e you want just before the ships begin to warp. Unless you don't care about that.:smalltongue:

[Rayzin]

Xie could hardly wait to get outside. Strolling along the corridors he watched as the numerous guards and crew members scuttled around unloading supplies, it was like watching an ant farm. As he exited the Cruiser’s gate he was glad to see the munitorium post was set up and the guards were already establishing base defences.
Where he walked the crowds split and every reprimand made the guards worked faster. Sadly some insubordinate crew members resting by the ship were made an example of; it was a terrible waste of grenades. At this rate the crew of the Retribution battle ship will have its numbers reduced to under a thousand within the next few months, of course it wasn’t that bad. Mankind is as bad as ants. Both of them are easy to crush and disposable, the difference was ants don’t stop working. People give in to temptations and comfort so easily, once they go down this path the cursed chaos can take over easily. As a commissar it is my duty to stamp this rot that infects our golden Imperium out and crush it, only by embracing and devoting ourselves to the God-Emperor on Terra can we struggle through life.
__________________________________________________ __________
Senior officer Daniel watched the flare go up and motioned for his men to come. They watched the flare and marked its positions on their data slates.
“Move out. Looks like they found something.” As the moved up the streets, they crouched inside another crater.
“Hey, Mike, try and get a hold of the others. See where they’re at.”
“Yes sir” The man began to dial in numbers inside his radio.
“Angels four four, angels four four, do you copy?” Static. “I repeat, Angels four four, do you copy?” Static. Then just as he was about to tell Daniel, it came to life.
“Angels four four, we copy you over.”
“Copy that, what is your position?”
“We’re pretty scattered over here. We got five men. Coordinates are wait…05 67. We see the flare. Moving to that position now. Also, beware-the servers are being tracked by chaos.”
“Copy that, out. We’ll see you there. Emperor help you.”
“As to you.”
The marines moved quickly up the street. They had heard the gunfire.
“Cover!” The marines dropped. After doing a scan of the area, they reported it clear. Moving more cautiously this time, they went up the street. Gradually, they saw the flare, burnt out on the ground. Then they saw the marine that through it. His mangled remains on the rubble, missing oh gods, was that a leg? The man looked as if he was shot. “Take cover, scan the area!” Senior officer Daniel took cover behind a large piece of rubble, looking around. He heard a few rocks falling and whirled around. A scout marine walked up behind him, sniper rifle cocked. “Whoa, friendlies. I’m Senior Officer Daniel, 521st.”
“Scout squad. Friendlies.”
“Copy that. Where are you guys holed up? ‘Cause we got some of our men scattered around here. I wanna hang around to make sure they get here.”
“Understood. You have two hours.”
“Copy that. MEN! We’re holing up here.”

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Qrezinak the Unforgivable

As his flagship, Blades Torment followed by the smaller escorts, Razor Sky and Black Parade Qrezinak could not help but smile. The brutes in this system were already well on their way to killing one another, leaving Qrezinak free to raid and take slaves as he pleased. But no, that would be too easy. His warriors thirsted for the thrill of blood and battle, the quick kill, he would wait for a time, and he would strike when at an opportune time. His ships were all hidden to the brutish and slow auguries of the other vessels, their sensors to unsophisticated to detect them as they slipped, like a razor blade in the black void, into the system. His ships had arrived on one side of the world, to his "left" were the explosions and ships that heralded the battle of the mon-keigh, the orks, and the other lessers that seemed to constantly murder one another in their barbaric and simple desires to control the stars. To his "right" there was the open space near the planet below, free of enemies or any to get in his way, as the world below glittered like a gem, ready to be plucked out from under the insignificant noses of the ugly creatures that fought over it. Ordering his ships to turn right, and orbit the planet at a slow pace, so that they would not get involved with the enemies before he was prepared to do so, Qrezinak smiled, and then sneered behind his bone-mask. This world will never know what hit it

[Zasabi]

OOC: I'm going to assume there's still some fighting going on on the ground and whatnot.

"By The Ethereals," Zas'Abi muttered as he looked out across the tortured battlefield, electroscope in hand. He had stepped out of his Crisis suit to view the battlefield personally from the lip of the bluff he had found conveniently placed some distance from the Beacon's signal.

It had been just their luck that they had landed upon one of the most heavily contested worlds known to the Imperium and Tau alike. His scope was able to pick out what easily could be seen as a tide of Orks fighting off a number of Gue'la armored infantry, or as he believed they were known as, Space Marines, along with a large number of entrenched Gue'la infantry with the added armored support they were known for. Off in the distance, he could see evidence of both the Greenskin base camp and the Imperial fortifications, beyond which their target lied.

A query buzzed into his ear comm as he watched. "Shas'el?" Asked Sho'Niel, his voice unconcerned as always. "What do you make of the situation?"

The Shas'el made a noise of disapproval. What they could really make use of was a team of Stealth Suits, or Pathfinders. As it was, this was a mission that demanded stealth, and they were sorely equipped for this.

Still, by the Ethereal's Will, this had to be done. Either they had to recapture the suit, or destroy it- For them to do otherwise would be to fail in the name of the Greater Good.

"We will proceed cautiously. Let us circle around their lines, and approach the Imperial camp from behind. We will get as close to the Beacon's location as we can, and then I and the Shas'las shall proceed on foot. Anything larger would be too obvious. You and Mael'tros shall guard the Devilfish- without a method of escaping the planet with the prototype, "

Sho'Niel offered a satisfactory grunt, closing the comm channel. Mael'tros popped on for a moment to confirm his instructions before following suit. Zas'abi looked once more upon the battlefield before standing and making his way back to the Battlesuit. His long face betrayed nothing of the doubt he felt in regards to their completion of the mission.

This is a most dangerous game we are playing. Truly, the Ethereals must be with us for this mission to succeed. In the name of the Greater Good, I can only hope we get Very Lucky...

[purepolarpanzer]

Let's git movin then. I'm takin soma my boyz with me, but just ta help keep us safe. Dere's all kindsa imperial stuff out there. You might wanna bring some tuff boyz too.

MegaNobz moved to flank their warlord. The bulkiest and most cumbersome of Krim's forces, they were usually his own personal bodyguard, there to keep bullets away from their commander.

Afta you, Lord.

[ChronicLunacy]

Scylla/Proteus Squad

While the pitched battle between the ship's crew and the main party of boarders continued, the ten space marines of Brother-Sergeant Rasmus's Proteus Squad responded to a second alarm that had been sounded the moment one of the orks had busted down a door somewhere along the way to munitions storage. The Scylla was a professional military ship, which meant that only those with appropriate credentials could get into the more sensitive areas without resorting to brute force, and that included anything that might be liable to explode. No matter how sneaky the orks might try to be, it was literally impossible to get there without breaking something along the way. So, using their superior knowledge of the ship's layout, they set up a surprise for the incoming ork boyz.

In the outer area, Brother Jude had quickly slathered "FLAMMABLE" and "DANGER" over a few crates of empty shell casings and the squad had shoved the large boxes up flat against a far wall. They'd concluded that, orks being orks, there was only one reason that they might find their way to munitions storage. So, they should give them exactly what they intended to find. Their trap set, the Iron Snakes hide behind another set of thick, metal containers to give themselves appropriate cover.

Unfortunately, it was that moment that one of the ship's crew decided to make an inspection. The man was just wondering to himself why the storage routines had not been properly followed when the ork sabotage team came through the door behind him. One burly ork laid him out with one savage blow from its weapon and left him there to bleed while they began looking for "splodey" things with much mumbling and grunting. Rasmus tightened his grip on his holy bolter, righteous fury running through him like a live wire at the man's death, but he held back until it seemed like all of the foul xenos had made their way through the door. Only then did he produce two quick taps in his microbead transmitter.

Ten clangs sounded on the deck plating. Looking down, the orks might have been experienced enough to remember what frag grenades looked like, and that they had four-second timers. Of course, the marines had held them for two before tossing them.

The fragmentation grenades weren't powerful enough to do a lot of damage to the surrounding cargo, nor where they any threat to the integrity of the ship's hull. They were a favored weapon when it came to blowing apart enemy infantry, and Rasmus wanted to give the orks a favorable first impression. As soon as the grenades landed, the ten space marines popped out of cover, their bolters roaring, trying to reduce the ork team to so much panic and blood. They laid down a curtain of fire, focusing on the ones that seemed to be carrying more "mekky bitz" than the others, for they didn't know what the equipment might be able to do.

Rasmus had a special hatred of orks. A vast WAAAGH had plagued the Reef Stars for many years, taking the lives of many of his brothers in the process. In fact, Proteus had fallen into his hands when an Ork Warboss had killed Brother-Sergeant Credes, his superior. The power sword he now carried had been passed from Credes to Rasmus just as it had to every commander of Proteus Squad since its founding. Rasmus had sheathed it in the Warboss's right eye in a baptism of blood and lead Proteus to victory. Now here the foul greenskins were again...on one of the Iron Snakes' own ships, no less. Rasmus's vox-amplified voice seemed to crash like thunder in the confined space of the cargo room as he gave vent to his fury.

"FOR THE EMPEROR! FOR ITHAKA!! DIE XENOS!!"

[Savant]

Vaunted Hope

Tethra smiled with wicked pleasure as the Grand Cruiser came out of warp, on the far side of the sun. Strapped into his command couch; he watched the display with anticipation as Vaunted Hope emerged from warpspace, it's ancient prow gleaming in the faint light of Sol Aquilei.

"We have reached real space, Lord. Sensors detect a large number of ships in combat, from varying factions. Ork engine signatures, several imperium fleets as well as a Chaos Battlebarge, The Angel Star."

"Indeed? I would imagine that would be Lord Mercutio's flagship. No matter, we are not here for him. Is the Winter's Stair in orbit?"
"No sign Lord, but our navigator was sure that the Inquistor's ship entered this system."

The cultist manning the helm swallowed sharply as he heard the Chaos Lord Magus rise and approach his terminal. Risking a quick glace upward, he could see what felt like insanity radiate from Tethra's eyes. It had been like this when the Magus had taken over the Cult of the Ninth Sign, dispatching the Cultist Leader with no more than a swift stroke of his shimmering sword. Even the Possessed that stalked the hallways of the cruiser were not nearly as dangerous as thier Lord and Master.

"Excellent. I expect the Inquistor to be running silent, so let us begin with our mission. Brings us 15 degrees to port, that will bring us into that solar winds current. It will speed our approach to Aquileus II, and allow us to launch Dreadclaw Assault boats to the planet, so we may take advantage of the combat in orbit to descend to the planet first. Have the Thrall Wizards mask our approach from the other Astropaths, it will make our drop go much more smoothly."

Obediently the massive Grand Cruiser entered the Solar Current, increasing it's speed twofold to approach the planet.

"The Changer of Ways surely is broad in his reach," Tethra mused, seating himself again on the command couch. "The ensuing chaos will prove a benefictual distraction while we claim the artifact for ourselves."

[WhiteKnight777]

Kleinhart

Kleinhart smiled grimly as he watched the Chaos ship being rammed by its Imperial foe. Though he had no wish to reveal his secret at the moment, he could not allow fellow servants of the Emperor to face the foul forces of the Dark Powers alone. With a direct mental command, he ordered his captain to bring them into position. swinging around the planet, the Untained Hart appeared like a vengeful wraith, its weapons glowing as it opened up a broadside on the unprotected stern of the Chaos battleship.

[First Speaker]

Winter's Stair

The ship drifted idly in the still space just between two layers that would see its hull instantly breached and shattered - a turbulent corona of seething solar winds to port, and the solar hard deck, a transition of pressure more dangerous than any planetary surface, on the other. At present, most ship systems were powered down, but the void and gellar shields, which had been unusually powered up to add their weight to the protective bubble, were working overtime, straining brightly against the cleansing wind.

The chief astropath stirred worriedly. He had felt something. Faint, to be sure, but they were even less alone than they had been when they entered the system.

Two more jumps into the system. I can't be utterly sure - they're both cloaked - but I believe that it's those two.

Those two. Well, no use delaying it now. The players were on the table. The game had begun. He turned to the Oblivion Knight, who, in her inimitable way, stood to attention, without any seeming way of perceiving the slight move that he had made.

Ysha; if you please, start now.

She inclined her head, looking at him directly, through unseeing eyes.

Yes, Grand Inquisitor.

She stepped forward, onto the astropathic podium in the centre of the floor and knelt in anticipation, beckoning to one of the junior Navigators, who carried a bulky headset. She approached the kneeling Sister of Silence with extreme unease, being at the point of nearly passing out when such a strong psychic null. Having tentatively edged forward to within five feet, the Navigator dropped the gleaming metallic coronet, and ran sobbing into the arms of her fellow Navis Nobilite. Picking up the device, and inserting one of its long, whip-like uplink cords into an incision in the base of her neck, Ysha closed her eyes, and thought.

_/ _/ _/

On the bridge of the Blades Torment, a figure coalesced out of light, pulsing in time with a human heartbeat. A short, raggedy individual, she began to speak as soon as she was fully present.

Dark kin of the wyches; the soulless ones bring you a message. Hear it wisely, and heed it, for it is doomed to you:

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He who listens, let him hear. Res Acta Probat.

And with that, the Winter's Stair vanished out of existence.

Srsly, this will make sense.

[zergling001]

aquileus II planetside

Asmodai waited at the camp, telling his men what mistakes were in the defence. He could not tolerate having the left side of his camp unprotected. The ashamed space marines quickly worked their backs off as they completed the defences. It was perfect-tank traps, mines, heavy bolter nests, a thunder canons, and a hill's advantage. Running upwards towards the enemies with weapons would obviously end in a massacre-unless the enemy was extremely smart and very tactical. While briefing his squad on the situation, he was interrupted. Putting a armoured finger on his micro bead, he listened:
"Company Master, Ship Master Lucius speaking. Gabriel is not amongst us anymore. He was lost during the battle."
"What? His ship was destroyed?"
A grim chuckle. "No, he took the fallen's battle barge with him. Rammed it and warped it to Emperor knows where. But, the situation is getting worse. More enemies are arriving on this planet for who knows what. Something odd is happening-" He was cut off as another man entered the channel.
"Forgive me company master, but we have news to report. Scout report."
"Speak."
"We have found some of the airborne troops. They seem to have landed here looking for us. The 521st they say."
"What is known about them and what do they know of us?"
"I know not, but the way they act, they for sure do not know of our plight. They are waiting for more of the stranded marines to regroup. In two hours, we will be on our way back. One of their main objectives is to set up a vox. Some man named Commisar Xie wants in on this thing."
"Alright, but remember-our failiure to stop the inquisition and the other imperials from finding out what is wrong with us cannot go unpunished."
'Aye. Emperor be with you."
"He is always with us all. See you soon."
Lucius grinned. "Misdrops eh? Ah well, worst comes worst, the most that'll come is probably some orcs, chaos or tau. Hopefully the 521st and our scouts can prove their worth."
"Aye. Keep your distance from the inquisitors. Speak with them if you must. Reveal you must not. Good luck."
"Thank you Asmodai."
"Farewell."

Ezekiel turned as he felt a small prescence in his head. Was it the throbbing from a migraine, or was it the prescence of enemies? Turning to the back of the camp, he looked around. Retreating back to his quarters, he set the watch out on high alert. Alerting Asmodai, the entire camp was alive, troops moving everywhere, scanners moving everywhere. Even the ships began to scan the area. Nothing. Either there was no one there or they were to stealthly. Still on high alert, the marines took cover, knowing they could not fight something they couldn't see, unless they could see it, and by that time, they'ed be dead. Ah, the troubles of war. Ezekiel began to shimmer a bit, a small aura of light shining from his staff and head. Inspiring courage, the 'swords of Caliban' thought they could stop anything that cam their way

The scouts had finished giving their report and turned towards senior officer Daniel and his men. They were smoking and playing cards, with a few on guard duty, also smoking. Fools. They didn't know what they were doing to their lungs. Imagine, a man at such a high altitude with such pressurized oxygen to suddenly choke and fall. Tsk tsk. But, it was only human to do that. Keeping to themselves, the five scouts remained on duty, scanning the area for enemies. None were sighted, though the enemies were on the move.
"Officer Daniel! Get your men together and fall in. No more funny buisness. This one's gonna be hot. NO, we are not telling you which chapter we are from, you only know us by our names, the Swords of Caliban. Our blue armour signifies nothing. No, the adeptus administratum does not keep records of us and no, there are no inquisitors after us. Stop with the questions, grab your gear, and get your squad together. Be ready for some enemies." The scout then turned and trained his rifle on a ork. Too far, and his shot would have given their position away. Still training his aim though, he made sure that if one stepped into his range, boom. No more WAAAGh for you.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Qrezinak the Unforgivable

Qrezinak grinned behind his mask, yes this would do well. He gave instructions straight to the minds of his crew. The Blades Torment, Black Parade, and Razor Sky left their lazy orbit and spend toward their target, still under shadow. An order went out, and warriors prepared to bring bloodshed and terror to their enemies, sharpening blades, checking weapons and practicing their torture on mewling slaves. A small number of warp beasts, their cruel mistresses cracking whips and preparing their skills, were going to go along as well. The same sort of scene was being played out on all three ships, as they charged their guns, and prepared to kill.

The three blade like ships, silvery and shadowed, hiddened from the sensors of all the other ships, moved through space like daggers in the night, aimed for the heart of their foes, and poised to strike at any they chose.

[tribble]

Mercutio
"Of course, Warboss. Ardeth, Non, Calern and Aumedeus, carry that box, and dont drop it either. Ves and Tam, you're my honor guard for this."
they walked for about five minutes to a point some fifty feet outside the camp, and then Mercutio stopped.
"this is as good a place as any to demonstrate. Open that crate!" Mercutio barked.
the four space marines used knives and their own gauntlets to open the crate. when a sizable hole had been pried, Mercutio motioned to them to stop, and reached into the hole. Mercutio was suddenly very appreciative of his face-obscuring helmet, as even he could barely supress a gag as he picked the foul thing out of the box. holding the diseased head at arms length, Mercutio sidearmed the Plague Grenade into a tree, where it blew open like a burst pimple, spraying pus, maggots, and Nurgle only knew what else all over the tree, which immediately began to wither and die.
"Well, Krimscrag? do you want those, or would you prefer some Krak grenades instead?"

[purepolarpanzer]

Throw the kraks on too. Not as fun, but I like dem too. We betta be carful with these, Lord. De'se are too fun to waste on killin boyz or marines.
He jerked his head, and several boyz gingerly picked up the box of Nurgle Grenades, conscious of just how lethal these are. It made them smile.
So lets get krakkin, Mercutio. Who you want us ta kill? If we use my boyz and yours at the same time, I don't think much is gonna survive. So let's kill some crap!

[purepolarpanzer]

Nob Griggen smelled a trap. The boxes were obviously tampered with, and the humie writing on them looked nothing like the the normal Mechanicus Script, and it held a slightly acrid smell, as though some type of chemical marker had been used to write it. No designations between the ammo, either. He snarled and smelt something else. Humie stink. But before he had time to react, frag grenades bounced across the deck. Swinging a massive foot at one, he kicked it back behind the boxes they came from, but it mattered little. Though the grenades weren't strong enough to harm anything significant in the bay, they harmed the orks, plus the hundreds of pounds of explosives they were carrying on them. These, in turn, were quite harmful to the live ammunition stored all around the cargo bay. In a matter of micro seconds, a massive explosion ripped through the ship, turning Proteus squad, the ork sappers, the ork boarders, and any of the remaining marines sent to fight them into molecules. A generator that powered the weapons of the ship was also hit, ruptured, and also exploded. Though the massive explosion was not enough to kill many more than those in the immediate area, its affect on the ship was devastating. Weapons, speed, maneuverability, and certainly morale were all damaged heavily as several marines watched their battle brothers sucked out into empty space before airlocks could be sealed. The battle barge was crippled, just as Krim had planned. It now floated in space, a shadow of its former self, with a large chunk almost like a bite mark blown out of it, and a large imperial guard ship, painted red and covered in ork symbols and signs, jutting out of it like a spear.

On the ground, a bright flash erupted in the sky, visible even in the day light. Pieces of wreckage rained down like meteors in a summer storm, and Krim smiled his wide, toothy grin as his boyz hauled the Nurgle grenades.
Seems like I already paid ya back fer them grenades, Lord. That big marine ship we saw comin in might not be dead, but its mighty hurt. Looks like Griggen aint comin back down. Least not in one piece. Oh well. He was a lazy git anyway. Let's get lootin!

[Rayzin]

“Hey Mike, tell the others we’re moving out. Another flare will mark our positions. Tell him to hurry too. These marines don’t seem like they can be trusted, nor does it seem everything is fine. Something is going on. Send that message to all lines, monitored or not, I don’t care. Just do it.” The senior officer took a deep breath and began to sprint after the scouts, muttering angrily under his breath. His squad followed him, as well as the stragglers they picked up. Arriving at the abbey, he spotted some space marines around its ruined walls. Within it, the scouts were making their report to a man with a staff. A psyker? No, they were called something else…what was it, what was it? A librarian, that’s it. He moved into the abbey, his men setting up defensive positions along the ruins alongside the marines. They merely nodded at Daniel and returned to looking out. The ones without helmets were eying them with distrust.
“Sir, what’s with these guys? Since when have we done traitorous deeds or anything?”
Daniel thought about it. “If we did, we wouldn’t be here. Commisar Xie will pop our heads.” The librarian swivelled his head in Daniel’s direction. His eyes narrowed.
“Sir! Senior officer Daniel, airborne 521st! We have a report to make.”
“Make your report.”
“Yes SIR! Our commissar, Xie Zhang gave us strict orders to set up a vox. We want to land two companies into your main base, as well as fortifying this position as well.”
“Is it possible that we see this ‘Commissar Xie’?”
“It depends. He might not come. I’m looking for a joint assault on the enemies, so we want to land some companies pronto.”
“I understand. Get your men down here.” The man began stating some coordinates as to where the base was. Daniel began typing into a data slate and transferred the information to central command. He then set off a flare, giving their position to both friend and foe. He watched as a valkyrie drop ship landed a company into the abbey. After he saluted them, he ordered them to set up a perimeter around the chapel, as well as some heavy bolters and mortars to be set up. Mike began setting up a vox as Daniel oversaw everything. He listened into the space marine conversation, but it was too loud to hear anything. As the weapons were being set, he realized what everything meant. They were preparing for an all out war.
__________________________________________________ __________________

Damn it, the senior officer was a retard. “Men, form up!” The commissar yelled throughout the vox,” I want everyone in the Valkyries in 5 minutes or less, you’ll be breifed in your ships by your junior officer.”
The commissar stalked up into the hangar that; as he arrived he saw the officers and lieutenants lined up.
“All right men; I want Officer Pravin on reserve, take a company of men with plasma guns; Nathan’s on heavy support, you’ve got all the heavy bolters and Autocannons you’ll need; Solomon, as usual your leading the main assault. As we approach the drop zone fire all weapons and missiles to clear up the DP. After Nathan and Solomon will land, I’ll be with Nathan and we’ll set up the support while Solomon will cover us. Apparently these Swords of Caliban are good at assaults and can cover us for a bit, this is good but we can’t be sure. I want Solomon’s squad to cover us. After Nathans set up I’ll attach to Solomon’s squad and organize while Nathan starts suppressive fire. Once there dug in good we get grenades going and then a joint assault by the marines. If the Tau run, Pravin hits them hard, and this time if you screw up I’ll actually kill you and the Senior Officer can’t save you this time.”
__________________________________________________ ______________________

The Valkyries screamed in Solomons ear, nothing calmed nerves like the whining of engines before a drop. “All right men you’ve been briefed, anyone got any questi—“ The rest of the sentence was drowned out by various explosions. Solomon took out an auspex, it showed a couple of injured marines who couldn’t get away from the missles fast enough and a few dead tau, the readings were terrible from all the heat and radiation. “Alright airborne, jump now!” Solomon opened the doors and was the first one out the doors and as he did he saw the other Valkyrie’s troops jump. The ground was coming closer and closer, they were almost there when the Tau started firing at them, took out a lot of men but it was to late. Solomon pressed his grav chutes button before he hit the ground, he still hit hard. He got up quickly and his platoons ran to cover.


I don’t want to auto hit or god mod in any way so obviously your Tau should take some hits and so should the Stormtroopers. Its up to Zergling how many marines he loses(my guess is 1 or 2 with some minor injuries) and Zasibi loses a couple Tau depending on how you react, and its up to you if you run.

[Zasabi]

The comm chatter fluttering in from off in the distance provided a nice static background as the small team cautiously advanced through the thick woods. It would take some time, but they had taken the long way around to be certain of reaching the Gues'va rear lines undetected.

He didn't understand much of the Imperial language, as he had largely forgotten it after leaving preparatory school, but he could pick up a few snatches of stray words he recognized. What more, he understood Gues'va intonations to some degree, being able to recognize the heated tone they used when under fire, or similar circumstances.

His eyes suddenly widened as something very familiar drifted in. This language wasn't Imperial. It wasn't Imperial at all.

"Hold!" he barked, raising the Battlesuit's arm as he matched action to word. The Devilfish had been relaying the chatter to him from the comm antenna they had installed, and so the pilot and Shas'ui had been listening as well.

The startling noise he had heard was the sound of the Tau Language, faint but inexplicably present. From what he could hear, a scout patrol had engaged a significantly numerically superior foe. They had drifted too far into Imperial territory, and had drawn the attention of a ridiculous number of Imperial Troops. For them to be able to spend the numbers that were being thrown at such a small patrol spoke of either an excess of troops, or the stupidity of the commanding officer. The patrol had managed to get out a message to the remainder of their forces, but had decided to escape into the wilderness away from their reinforcements as to prevent the rest of their forces from being discovered.

His heart pounded, sweat beading it's way down his hairless brow. There were other Tau, here? How....how could they be so far from the Septs? And how many of them were there?

"Shas'el," came the interrogative. The Shas'ui's face appeared on the side of his viewscreen, along with part of the pilot's body. "What are your orders? Should we render support?"

He shook his head, lowering the battlesuit's arm. "No. They are too far for us to render any assistance, and what more we don't have the numbers to aid them. We have our mission, and we must carry it out regardless of what happens around us, for the Greater Good."

The Shas'ui nodded once, sharply. "For the Greater Good," he echoed once before the feed cut off.

Zas'Abi returned his gaze to the forest before them. He had to be strong. They had to walk on and listen to their comrades die... For the Greater Good.

He shook his head. The Ethereals be merciful on his soul, he had a mission to complete.

[Savant]

Aquileus II

To the locals of Aquileus II, much of the onslaught ongoing in the heavens were taken as an ill omen, these bright flashes of light the battle of the gods themselves fighting for the souls of thier world. Ironic that such vague superstitions could possibly be right. However, to some of the populace, the fight was already lost, for they had sold thier souls sometime ago...


The Dreadclaw Assault Boat landed a bit roughly, it's hull still smoking from the deep atomspheric entry it had just recently performed to evade detection. As the door slid open, light from the interior flashed for a moment, highlighting almost one thousand cultists who had gathered together, bearing crude farm implements as well as old lasguns. Many of them recoiled in terror as the first Possessed Marine exited the assault boat, it's monstrous claw marking it as Ahri, the leader of the Ten Demons of Tzeentch. After the marines had all secured the area, the cultists as one dropped to thier knees as a hulking form came before them.

"Greetings, oh Lord of the Changing Ways. Tzeentch has foretold of your arrival, and of the great rewards you bring to the faithful."

The lead cultist had rose quickly, and his charismatic voice soared gracefully over the assembled mass. His ambition shone like a beacon of light in his eyes, and already you could see he felt his boon coming at last.

"Oh? It is not boon I bring to you, Cultist. Yes Tzeentch has spoken to me as well, and I must say... he is rather.... disappointed."

The lead cultist instantly paled, his dreams of greatness crushed suddenly by the deathly chill emanating from the Magus' voice. He dropped to his knees, his hands hands clenched together as if by sure will he could remove himself from this suddenly dangerous situation he is in.

"I have assembled all of our followers, Lord, and our assembled host is..." He cut off suddenly, as a powered gauntlet seized his throat and hefted him into the air effortlessly.

"Your meaningless prattle has bored me. You have done nothing. This group I see before me, are worthless. Rather than truly embrace the ways of change, you have sat idlely by, surrounded by dellusions of grandeur while this world has grown strong and resistant to change. Therefore, you have failed our Master.."

A scream shattered the air, as warp fire burst from the man's eyes, consuming them effortlessly before spreading to his face.

"...and secured your release from this world."

Tethra watched grimly, as the man's head disppeared beneath the flames, then cast the headless corpse aside, it's smoking ruin landing but inch from the assembled cultists.

"For the rest of you, your worth lasts only as long as we achieve our objective. Fail, and you will join your leader sooner than you could possibly ever wish."

[Xavion&Pavion]

A bright gold ship emerges from the depths of the warp. On the sides of the bow, a black skull with a circle around it. the bridge made of three towers, the middle being taller than it's neighbors.
Brother marine Ochion awakens to a lod klaxon coming from outside his room. He walks out in his flowing silken robes, and reports to the armoury for deployment. Their, he saw his seregeant, and 5 other squad members. He walked along the glass surrounded cases, until he found the case marked:
Ochion
Squad: gamma
Company: 4th
ID number:1066784

Ochion pressed the red rune located next to the righting. as the glass lifted up, he saw his dark grey battle armor with a red right shoulder pad, and a green left shoulder pad. He stepped into the glass enclosure, and with the help of an available servitor, doned his power armor.
He stepped out of the enclousr,e and proceeded to the weapons rack. He grabbed a bolter, and two extra clips. He quickly ran back to his room, and grabbed something of of a counter. He then ran back to the armoury while slipping the oject into one of his many leather pouches.

He then, along with his squad, marched to the loading bay, where, with all the other companies of the Sons of Orion, will be deployed onto one of the most gruesome battlefields in the sector, Cadia.

The large figure of Captain Hexlier of 4th company, walked into his position at the front of his company. He slowly turned around and adressed his unit in a low, dull, mechanical voice.
My brothers, we are about to deploy onto a new world, with new challenges and new foes. However, one thing will be the same. We will proveil. The Emperor is watching over us, and with his guidance, we cannot fail. For the Chapter, the Emperor, and Orion.

Chapter Master Nedark proceeded to walk over to 4th company, and even in full terminator armo, the figure of the Dreadnaught captain dwarfed Nedark.
Men, today will be filled of glory. Today, the Sons of Orion will wlak upon the battlefield, and show the enemies of the Emperor the True meaning of fear. We are fear incarnate! Just as Chaos swept away our world milenia ago, we will do the same to their armada! Just as on Artios, we drove back the ork horde and into meer oblivion, we will do the same to the beasts here! Cadia is like no other planet we have been on before. It is hell incarnate! But I have witnessed hel, and fought against on Orion, and even though we did not preveil then, we WILL NOT let it happen to any other world! To any other people! To any other enemy!l

The company cheered to Nedark's words, and then, sooner than Ochion could tell, he was seated in a drop pod, waiting to be fired down upon his enemies.

[zergling001]

Zachariel had made quick work of the tau and turned to the closest high ranked imperial guard. He was puzzled by why there were so many troops. Another question puzzled the young man. Why were there tau here? There had been nothing on this planet other than some relics and even those were only valuable to either the Imperium, Eldar, or the Fallen. Maybe even orks-but tau? They were smart as they were and would not go for something shiny. There was nothing here other than a few shrines, the abbey, and dozens of tempes. This would be a question for the Inqusition, where hundreds of secrets lay. His hand turned into a fist as he recalled the events long before. He was distracted by an officer who was called Solomon. Zachariel spun around him an crouched to be at the same height as the tiny man.
"Where is your commissar or captain? which fool sent all of you here?"
"Commissar Xie sir!"
"Ah, a commissar. Gather your men and follow my men back up the hill. We shall discuss the situation, as well as lay out a battle plan."
"Sir! Pravin! Get your men to form up, move out!" Zachariel stood again, stretching his neck, wincing as a million cracks were heard. He walked carefully up the hill and sent a transmission to the inquisitor.
"Ah, if it isn't Kleinhart? I have one question for you. What else, other than the Imperial relics and scrolls are on the planet? This is a question that I must find an answer to. so what is it? A inquisitional headquarters? Is that it, is that why there are two of you here at the same time? Tell me, what is in it?"
As Zachariel spoke, another transmission came in.
it was a whisper.
"The inquisition has learnt of the arrival of out chapter. We have failed to intercept a message on the details of our chapter. Forgive me. We are keeping our distance from the inquisitors and the other imperials, lest they turn on us. They know not that we are still loyal to the Emperor."
Zachariel froze as the man spoke. he dismissed him and impatiently waited for an answer.

::Transmission incoming::
::Decoding......::
::Message to all Imperials::
::Subject-"Swords of Caliban"::
::Relaying message...::

Inquisitor Archmagus, Ordos hereticus

We have learnt of the "swords of Caliban's arrival at the Aquileus System, where your troops are stationed. I regret to inform you that the men you are fighting alongside are in fact heretics. The High Lords of Terra do not find this so, but the swords of Caliban are actually the Archangels of Terra. They are convicted of killing my inqusitional counterpart during a battle in which I fought in but lost. They are a dangerous chapter and you are given permission to capture them. If you cannot, kill them all. that is an order. One of the first objectives you must complete is the capture of Company master Zachariel 'Asmod'-
::ERROR DECODING::
::TRANSMISSION INTERCEPTED::
::Ermengency shut down commencing::
BEEP!

[Rayzin]

Commissar Xie glared angrily at junior officer Pravin. Had the fool made the mistake of reporting that there was an army of Tau just so he could get more action? He thought more of the topic and it made him angrier. He felt his blood pressure rise to the point he felt that his temple felt like it was going to explode. He felt a twitching sense in his hand and he looked down and lo and behold: he was thumbing the safety again. He had landed on the planet to see to it personally that the fool would be punished. Walking up towards the Adeptus Astartes camp, he was flanked by his command squad. He had received his transmission only a few minutes ago and wasn’t taking chances, just as the inquisitor had said. As he walked into the camp, he found the company master standing there, conversing with his-what? His victim. Xie smiled evilly as he walked up to the pair, his plasma pistol’s safety off. He walked up to Pravin, glaring angrily, not hiding his anger at all. Xie smacked the boy with the pistol and as the boy fell, he aimed and was about to fire when the company master picked him up. His command squad was onto the space marine instantly, but failed to stop the tall man from choking their commissar. The company master uttered one word before dropping the commissar. Stop. Xie angrily stood to his feet and nodded. His command squad and a few other veterans tackled the man, who was not suspecting a thing. Xie then resumed walking up to the boy, who was still rubbing his head. Raising the pistol, he was once again stopped, this time by his own troops. Officer Solomon batted the weapon out of his hand and began to shout.
“Stop you fool! Pravin may be stupid, but he’s smarter than anyone we can conjure up at the moment. Every man you kill lowers our manpower!”
Sigh, fools again. “Of course every death ends up in us losing another man, but what’s another man? He’s useless as far as I’m concerned-he just committed an act of stupidity, and this time it just turned out to be the last one he’s ever going to make.”
Another voice entered the conversation, this one was more friendlier though. Xie tensed up again. The captain! “Xie, come on, we need men. Haven’t you had enough fun on the ship? We actually need them now, especially when we are fighting now.”
Xie’s voice was strained as he forced out the words “Yes sir, I forgive you Pravin.” The captain smiled and nodded. “That’s more like it!” He spun around and left the camp. He was forced to watch the company master babble on about a battle plan and about launching a spearhead on the chaos/ork troops. He sighed and listened, though his mind was somewhere else, imagining Pravin’s guts all over the ground, missing a head.
_________________________________ ___________________-
Senior officer Daniel had just received the transmission from the inquisition and he spun around, staring at the librarian. The librarian looked up, his face puzzled. His eyes narrowed and went back to the relic. Was this man really a traitor? He positioned his men at the side of the ruined abbey, clearly making a divide between the two groups. The space marines eyed them warily and some of them sighed, muttering some gibberish. The marines did seem odd, they did differ a bit from their unforgiven partners. Still it was a precaution to stay back and away from the marines. Daniel remembered the poor man that was killed. Could it be that the Swords of Caliban actually killed the man? Only through battle could their allegiance be discovered and senior officer Daniel would find out, with either his death or their enemies.

[tribble]

Mercutio

"There is a specialized fort of the Imperial "alienhunters" and Machine Cult some distance north of here, Krimscrag," Mercutio said as the Marines and Orks walked back to the base. "There are undoubtedly many recovered artifacts, devices, and so on contained within the walls. It's always cold up there, so I suggest you have your equipment winterized, if necessary. We will need walkers to storm the gates, so I suggest you turn your impressive manufacturing base towards producing some of those."


Mercutio glanced at the Warboss, and was once again unable to discern anything of the Ork's disposition from his face.
Blasted Alien, Mercutio thought. I cant even tell if he's snarling at me or grinning.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Qrezinak the Unforgivable

As the Blades Torment, Black Parade and Razor Sky knifed through the void, they drew close to the objective. As they drew it in their sights, Qrezinak smiled a sharks smile, the smile of a predator with the scent of blood, closing on its prey. He sent a single message to the Human ship, Winter's Stair:

The End Draws Nigh

[First Speaker]

They've landed. Prepare for jump strictures.

All on the CIC tensed. The primary target had, of course, been the Chaos Lord - it was him who had been followed from Cadia. But, where one, others ... Belisarius' suspicion had paid off. And circumstances had conspired to arm the Winter's Stair to beyond what they had bargained on. And so, 'they' were the prey now.

_/ _/ _/

Low in the sky, at an angle calculated to put them below the ecliptic horizon of Aquileus, the Winter's Stair appeared for a second, discharged a tiny part of itself into the ether, and disappeared again.

_/ _/ _/


The Arvus Lighter touched down, unnoticed by all but the keenest eyes, in a grove of forests not too far away from a similarly earth-fallen Dreadclaw. Out of it emerge a large, ungainly, armoured figure, together with a group of approximately twenty women wearing lightly-cameolined armour.

If we are right, the magus should be somewhere here. See him, but don't be seen. We may have brokered a truce with the Wych-kin, but this is only for the greater glory of Chaos' death - if they look likely to stab you in the back, ensure you plant the knife first. The Emperor's blessing guide you, but he calls for your subtlety, not valour, at this point! Go!

Without a word, half of the sisters simply vanished, evaporating into the darkening evening air ...

So, sending out ten sisters of silence out to spy on Tethras. What do they see, Savant? I presume that they aren't seen back (they're pretty stealthy, and have cameoline, so seeing them normally will be hard, and are psychic blanks, so seeing their auras won't work), but it's in your hands.

[zergling001]

Ship master Lucius gazed at his tactical screen as an officer jumped up and began yelling for a translator. Another man ran over to the officer and they both began studying their tactical screen.
“We’ve intercepted a transmission to one of the inquisitors sir! Seems to be in Eldar runes.” Lucius stared at the screen and nodded. The translator pulled out a small book and began scanning through it. Another man ran over and helped him and soon, five men were onto the decoding. Lucius thumbed his finger over his power swords handle. What did the inquisitor want with the Dark Eldar? The translators were doing quite well and had decoded much of the message. They were missing a few words though. The-is near. A word was missing. The time is near? A message? He ordered the Redemption ship to turn around and aimed it at the Winter’s Stair, it’s Nova canon waiting to fire upon command.
“Sir, we can’t decode that word and what’s more, we can’t find out where the transmission came from. It was on an encrypted channel.” Lucius nodded and sighed. Inquisitors were always so troublesome. They established a secure network to the inquisitor and Lucius began to speak. He raised his hood and he began.
“Inquisitor, we have intercepted a transmission sent to you by the Dark Eldar. We suggest you maneuver your ship back towards the fleet.”

Zachariel watched as the Commissar struggled to fire his weapon at his lower officer. The fool had already killed half his regiment and he still wasn’t satisfied? Zachariel pondered that thought as he walked back to his command bunker. The scouts he had sent out reported that the orks seemed to be building many machines and walkers, as well as the chaos preparing to mobilize. The orks were also beginning to wear more thicker clothing and padding. They must be moving north. Zachariel did a quick scan on the planet and found that there was a small fortress that was ‘designed to keep information in it’. He spoke to the commissar and told him that they should get their forces ready, so when the chaos/ork forces left, they would attack them.

[First Speaker]

The message relayed back was curt and precise, sent on a heavily encrypted channel. Even as it was sent, the Winter's Stair, dwarfed by the cruiser, began rapidly spinning up its warp drives for another jump.


Dear sir,

I have indeed received an encrypted message from the Wychkin, concerning the disposition of Chaos forces in the area. A mutually beneficial exchange of information regarding the location and arrangement of cultist and Traitor forces belonging to the Thousand Sons of Magnus was arranged, the better to capture them.

Your intent is belied by your nova cannon's firing preparations; hold it known that an attempt to destroy or attack the ship of an Inquisitor is to profane against that who vested power in the Inquisitor - the Emperor himself.

Furthermore, may I refer you to the Malbede purge of 963.M41? Would you deny that Marneus Calgar, Ultramarine Chapter Master and Lord Macragge is the paragon of the Codex Astartes that you cherish? Would you further deny that, to defeat the dread star-vampires, the Necrontyr of that world, said hero of the Imperium did knowingly and willingly band together even with the T'au-dwellers, and granted them safe passage out? We live in dark times , dark times where Chaos threatens to rule, Brother Lucius - do you hate more the Daemon or the material?

[zergling001]

Lucius stared at the message and typed, his face grim. The inquisition already knew of their arrival in the system. He was not going to hide anything.
Inquisitor Belisarius
Your contact with a xeno may have tainted you. We are the archangels of terra. We are pure, as so with our minds. None of our men are without purity seals and we are as pure as they can come. The tau are not as evil as the dark eldar. Believe me, we know. Zacharius has a tau child that he saved from death. They are pure, they do their actions for the greater good and are pure. The same cannot be said about the Dark Eldar. Keep in mind that it was their doing that created Slaneesh. As to the crusade-I believe Robute Guillman, Marneus Calgar, and their predessors are all pure of all taint-we hold them as some of the greatest heroes the Imperium has come to see. We find the Codex Astartes limit the power of a chapter, keeping the strength of one's troops to one thousand as a maximum. We have increased that number to two thousand. Keep in mind that the High Lords of Terra care not a thing about this, in fact, they support us. As well, keep in mind that we have stopped quite a few large forces of tyranids from passing through the Eastern Fringe. You may have heard this story before but I hope you can understand. The inquisitor I purged was unclean. He knew it and he asked for it personally.
Yes, we are in dark times, but coming in contact with those who made the chaos god may have a taint. Just as you and the Imperium does not trust us, we trust no one, save the Emperor and our founding chapter.
Which do I hate most, daemons or the material?
My response is one that all in our chapter agrees.
What do I hate most?
My answer is: both

Lucius powered down the nova canon and spun the ship around. He thumbed a rune and soon, his tactical screen came alive, showing the face of another man. "Chapter Master. Where is that company you sent?"
"Ship master! The company is on it's way. We were just able to salvage it from the black crusade. They are beginning their transit into warp."
"Honourable chapter master, we don't need them anymore. We have things under our control."
"Yes. If that is what you wish, then we shall return to the crusade. May the emperor be with you." The link died and Lucius returned the the tactical screen. The inquisitor's question had revived a thought that Lucius shuddered at. His first battle with the daemons. He had fought among his men until there were eight men remaining. They were saved by the Grey Knights. Thank the emperor for them.

Zachariel told his men to begin dissasembling the camp-they were returning to the abbey. He told Ezekiel to be ready to take in a whole load of men, as well as having his men to be ready to mobilize. The marines were hungry for a battle but they would have to wait. "All men and military personnel! Prepare to move out. We leave in an hour."

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Qrezinak the Unfrogivable

Qrezinak licked his lips. The moment drew close. His ships had proceeded toward the Chaos ship, and were drawing close to the point where they could no longer hold their illusions. And so it was that Qrezinak ordered his ships to prepare to fire. They drew in like a hunter after it's quarry, their silence worth a dozen swords. The Black Parade and Razor Sky were in position.

He looked through the viewport, and studied the information fed to him. He looked as the slaves and menials of worked around his throne, tortured screams echoed through his ship, and he knew they were ready. The Blades Torment signalled its prepared state, and its escorts echoed the words.

Qrezinak drew his lips into a tight, hungry smile, though none saw it through the mask, and as his ships sped through space he brought his hand down in a crude gesture. Fire.

Dark lances of energy split the void, waves of energy and advanced missiles streaked through space and slammed into the traitor vessel. Qrezinak had commanded that they aim for the guns, the engines, and the shields. He wanted to cripple it, if anything was alive on that ship he wanted it brought back. There would no doubt be countless thousands of slaves and psykers and other followers on such a ship, and Qrezinak was eager to bring them back and sacrifice them to She Who Thirsts.

As soon as the last energy blast left the barrel, waves of boarding ships, of all sizes and shapes flew through the night sky like a hail of deadly shrapnel, ready to tear the enemy apart. Some of them contained several squads, others a single unit, but they would spread through the ship and capture all they could, before either crippling and destroying it, retreating with their catch... or if Qrezinak was lucky, they might even capture it.

Corrupt Mon-Keigh vessel was ugly and brutish, but unlike some of his overproud kin Qrezinak he might find some worth for it yet, if only to ensnare future fools in his silvery webs.

[First Speaker]

Arvus Dropsite

Looking at an array of instruments, Belisarius smiled inwardly, and looked up to the sky. It was somewhat overcast, but he could see a patch of clear, deep blue. They were up there - to think of it - that infinite sea! - but now was not the time. He entered his reply into the dataslate, and then inscribed the sigil that sent it on its way. A thin stream of encrypted data wound its way up towards Lucius' ship.


I hear that you are pure, but you you say you 'purged' an 'unclean' Inquisitor; who, pray tell? Does a purity seal, an outward sign, always mean inner purity? Perhaps, if the chaplain is good enough.

As a peace-offering for powering down your primary weapons, you may be pleased to know that, as we speak, the Dark Eldar are busy breaking down the doors of the Vaunted Hope, the Traitor Legion flagship. It was cloaked, but its dreadclaws were not, and so they have given away their position. It's at .00439\-43.98\34.50 relative to Aquileus II, in a steady elliptic polar orbit. You may wish to check it out, before the Wychkin slaughter, or take as slaves, those of the Fifteenth Legion. Should you wish assistance from a tainted Inquisitor, I could send a strike team of Terra's own Silent Sisterhood to help deal with the sorcerous wretches, or Mercutio's lot, should they be needed - you need only ask.

Emperorspeed,

Belisarius.

Zacharius has a Tau lovechild! :shock:!


Chez Chaos


Shrouded in cameoline, Dioksor Curalah knelt in the long grass just twenty metres from the prostrating cultists. Typical chaos-worshippers - they relied on the warp for just about everything, and, of course looked through pariahs as if they weren't there. She didn't hate them for it though; actually, she hated them for their evil, abhorrence to nature, humanity, and the Emperor's divine light.

Communicating solely in sign language - while, as a mere novice in her order, she had not, by this point taken the oath of silence, the others had - her hands darting to her sisters fanned out around the field, and receiving a steady stream of intelligence data from Ysha in the Winter's Stair above, she advanced somewhat. Engagement was scheduled for t-15 seconds. Ten seconds later, she drew herself up slightly, began circling rapidly to the left, and opened up in a high mezzo-soprano with the Canticle of Saint Julian, an ancient Terran hymn dating back to before the Horus Heresy.

The path of the Emperor is beset on all sides by the spoor of heresy and the tyranny of warp-spawned men.

Down went the blind grenades, thrown by Soeur Melicidier from her vantage point concealed in one of the trees. These were the purpose of the impromptu choral accompaniment. In their novitiate, members of the Silent Sisterhood were trained to be consummate singers, forming choirs that even the larger Adepta Sororitas convents were envious of - skills that, having been honed to such beatific perfection, had to be thrown aside as one entered the Sisterhood proper. This, she had come to realise, was part of the rigorous psychological training that they received - that such individual talent did not matter compared to the glory of the Imperium, that they should learn self-discipline and asceticism - but anything was worth sacrificing for the Emperor. This singing, piercing as it did above the uproar of the cultists, and unimpeded by the blind grendades, contained, woven into its melody, a set of precise battleplans and instructions for each stage of the engagement. The next of which was coming up now.

Glory-bearing is she, who in the name of servitude and sympathy for the common man, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness,

A dull boom. Soeur Admah had detonated the melta bombs on the Dreadclaw assault boat. It might still fly, but it was severely damaged, and could not do so without extensive repairs.

for she is truly the keeper of the Emperor's light and the defender of lost children.

Soeur Melicidier had, by this point, stowed the remaining grenades, and drew a stalker-shell fed bolt rifle. Her shot took off the head of a cultist in the back ranks. All present could not her - but certainly heard, and in some cases felt - the man's head bursting like and over-ripe watermelon.

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger


Another shot. This one over the heads of the remaining cultists. A friendly reminder to get the frak down and not get up.

those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers and sisters.


A third shot. This one in the direction of the possessed - if it did not hurt one, it would scatter them; if it did not scatter them, then they would look the other way.

And you will know the light of the Emperor when we lay our vengeance upon thee!

With this, Curalah had circled round towards the Sorceror. Saying these words, she drew her power sword, rose with her sisters, and charged.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Qrezinak the Unfrogivable

Meanwhile, The Wychkin in question were doing just as the Inquisitor suspected, and many times over. It had started easy, as all such raids did, as ill-prepared and even less armed slaves and cultist troopers were cut down by the Dark Eldar assaults, in some places contact with the Chaos Marines had halted, and even driven back Dark Eldar incursion, but many such incidents were dealt with by cunning flanking maneuvers, Eldar tricks, sorceries, and the Daemonic beasts brought by the Eldar raiding parties. There were still a number of parties over the ship who fought the Chaos Marines and were steadily either winning or losing, but the majority found much of their passage, if not quite as easy as in the beginning, very enjoyable. A number of squads returned gangs of slaves and captives, including a number of Chaos Marines to their pods, but many of them closed on the bridge. Even now a large group was in the process of fighting retaliation parties as they sought to cut their way into the bridge. A number of slave ships had returned, but there was still a formidable number of Dark Eldar troopers left to take the bridge and the rest of the ship.

Yes, Qrezinak thought, so far this was going well. All he had to do now was discover, and counter, the betrayal the good inquisitor no doubt had in store for them. Qrezinak had dealt with radical Inquisitors in the past, and while they were still but Mon-Keigh, Qrezinak was clever enough to know how very dangerous they could be...

[zergling001]

The tactical screen blinked twice as a transmission began to enter the ship. Lucius nodded and the transmission began to play.
"Sir, this is Commissar Geon. We recieved the Company master's transmission. We shall be moving in to join your fleet. You can expect us to aid you when you are in need of us. I now follow you as my commander. Relay your orders." Lucius typed furiously, as the Imperial Guard fleet joined his. His tactical screen blinked again as the inquisitor's message arrived. He typed his reply as he noted to himself that the inquisitor had just relayed the position of almost every enemy ship in the area.
"Geon, make you and your fleet useful. I wish you to lead maybe a company of marines to the shrine, as well as your ships to move in and engage the Dark eldar."
"Yes sir." The Imperial fleet began to split itself in two, beginning to flank the eldar fleet. However, the Archangel fleet moved towards the chaos ship, firing all its weapons at the chaos ship, disembering it as hundreds of plates and pieces were ripped off by the sheer force of the weapons.
"Full speed, officer." the Death from the Heavens fired it's lances and nova canon as it closed in onto the chaos ship. Then, the apocalypse class ship rammed the chaos ship, firing assault pods into the chaos ship. Lucius himself had paused from typing his message and had entered his assault pod. About fifty chapter serfs joined him, as well as twenty marines. The Imperial fleet had already begun firing upon the Eldar fleet, as well as being supported by a firestorm escort constatly firing it's lances at the eldar flagship. The eldar flagship amazingly shrugged off it's lances as the ship master of the firestorm swore. A cobra escort began to shield the imperials from the eldar's return fire, taking many lazers and losing many armoured plates. The rest of the archangel fleet began to divert it's attention to the eldar fleet, firing all of it's weaponry at the fleet. But, as they fired, the first of the assault pods struck the weakening hull of the chaos ship. Lucius was the first to disembark his drop pod and sqeezed off a plasma bolt from his plasma pistol. The cultist's head was engulfed in flames and the man's body toppled to the ground. He gazed at the chaos ship, staring at all the decorations dedicated to Tzentch. Anger boiled within him as he saw several thousand son marines, led by their leader, Magus the red. He roared and charged towards the heretic, as did the marines and serfs. A large group of cultists and thousand sons charged towards the space marines as Lucius threw his pistol to the ground. He charged towards Magus, sending bolts of energy through his fingers and swung his sword at the heretic's head. Magus parried the blow as he gripped the ship master with his hand, squeezing the power armour. Green bolts flew into the ship master as they dueled using both psychic abilities and weapons. The serfs and the marines began cutting down the cultists as more assault pods arrived. Soon, the room was littered with bodies and within the corpses were Magus the Red and Lucius. The apothecary of the assault ran to the fallen ship master. He gave his final orders to the apothecary, who relayed them to a veteran sergeant. "You are the new ship master. You are in command." The sergeant nodded and spotted movement within the halls of the ship. "WE GOT ELDAR! CHARGE!" The marines and serfs fired their weapons as they charged to their doom.

Zachariel had moved and was at the abbey when he saw the huge mob of troops there. Another company had arrived from the Imperial guard, Commissar Geon disembarked and saluted sharply. Zachariel readied his troops to attack the chaos/ork camp, his teeth thirsting for blood. The chapter's flaw was that they needed to thirst on blood at least once a month or become enraged and that date was nearing for Zachariel. His lightning clawed hand twitched as he waited hungrily for the oppertunity.

[tribble]

Mercutio

Mercutio was becoming more and more grateful for his warm Land Raider by the hour. As they approached the Mechanicum/Alienhunters fortress, the weather had gotten progressively worse and many of the Grots had died of Frostbite. However, they were a mere day's march away from the Fortress now, and the Orks would more than make up for the firepower that Mercutio had lost at the Abbey.
Mercutio took a look into the cockpit of the land raider to see through the windshield, and smiled. he could see the fortress. He had managed to persuade Krimscrag to agree to his plan by the simple method of explaining that "strategy" was merely a fancy word for making sure the most boys bashed the most heads in the least time. in all reality his plan would most likely have horrendous casualties for the Orks, but it would open the Fortress to him without risking damage to the massive library Cicero had claimed his sorceries had discovered. If Mercutio had a weakness, it was his insatiable curiosity and hunger for alien artifacts. in fact, his interest in a Daemon sword had been what drove him to slay his captain in the first place. Mercutio closed his eyes as he fell into a brooding reverie, contemplating the Heresy. His Rise. His Fall. the most important event of his long, long life.

[zergling001]

Zachariel got a report from a few returning scouts that the fallen forces were moving towards the north of the planet. He assigned two more squads of scouts to follow them while he told his troops to arm up, as he did to the Commissar's troops. Commissar Xie could do what he wanted. Geon, Zachariel, and Ezekiel discussed a few matters privately. Suddenly, the archangels began dong unholy things to the relics. They picked them up and moved them into an arriving thunderhawk, placing them all inside. Telling Commissar Xie, Zachariel hoped the fool would understand. They coudn't protect the abbey, especially since it was in ruins so they were extracting the relics. The thunderhawk had left before any disapproval was heard and all eyes watched it fly off. Then, Zachariel waited as a few more thunderhawks arrived, dropping off vehicles and picking up five squads of men. Ezekiel went with them and soon, so did the commissar. Zachariel boarded his land raider, as did his command squad. They then began to follow the fallen marines and orks. The Imperial Guard boarded their valkryies and followed the thunderhawks back up to the ships waiting in space.

I'm just gonna suppose you have arrived at the fortress and have mounted your assault tribble. Tell me if this is not what you want

Zachariel had waited for a good hour and a half before he caught up with his scouts. They gave a bad report.
"Sir, there seems to be a fortress up ahead where all the chaos troops had gone towards. There must be something interesting in it." Zachariel nodded and told his men to get ready. Opening up a terminal, he spoke.
"Archangels, the time is drawing closer as we are finally here to meet the Fallen. Another chapter will be in the history books, let us pray it shall be a victory. We are vastly outnumbered, as the orks and fallen have joined forces. But let me assure you, if we die, we will die for the emperor, who is facing greater evils than we are. It is only a mere part that we do for him in this war. Only a small piece of help against his enemies. Let us show the rest of the Imperials where our loyalties lie," The landraider and the other vehicles began to speed towards their enemies as Zachariel roared the all familiar words: FOR THE EMPEROR! The vehicles sped towards the enemies, crushing a few grots and orks that stood in their way as their passengers disembarked and began to fight, power swords crackling, chainswords revved, bolt and plasma pistols firing and the standard held high. Zachariel eyed the warboss and then at Mercutio. Then he watched as the Imperial Guard dropped onto the battlefield-Geon was just on time-and began spraying their weapons into the battle. The warboss flung a marine towards Zachariel, the top of his body ripped cleanly off. Zachariel and his men charged, cutting down as many as they could. This will certainly live in the chapter's history for many people and recruits in the days to come.

[Rayzin]

Commissar xie glared at the company master as he left the abbey with the rest of the Imperial Guard. He had nno choice to follow him. As he boarded the valkaries, he followed the space marines from the air.

As they arrived to the battlefield, they immediately disembarked and soon, 260 stormtroopers were on the field, all firing as they landed on the battlefield. Daniel fired his hellgun as he landed, his shots inaccurate. He landed and soon, he joined his men, all taking cover in the deep snow and firing into the fray. He watched as the rest of the other Imperial Guard landed and covered them as they took cover. Then, out of a valkrie came commissar Xie, along with his retinue. He cut down a few orks as he landed and joined his men. None would ever dream of running or else: a shot to the head.

[tribble]

Commissar-in-training Arten
Historic Research project
Praise the Emperor.

In the late M41st millennium, Abbadon the despoiler led his XIIIth black crusade against the Imperium, attacking the Cadian Gate with the combined forces of almost all of the Heretic Space Marines confined to the region of space in the Segmentum Obscurus known as the Eye of Terror. during the ensuing battle, some ships managed to evade Imperial forces and infiltrate the Imperium. one such ship was the renegade battle barge Angel Star, captained by the onetime Terminator of the Dark Angels Mercutio, sometimes called The Rogue. The Angel Star set course for the Aquileus system. Mercutio and part of his warband (the Rogue Angels) unloaded and immediately attacked the Schola Progenium Abbey. however, in the time it took to reach the Abbey, a company of Iron Snakes arrived at the abbey, and with the help of a Daemonhunter (whose Identity was not discovered) slowed the attack of the Renegades enough for the Schola to be evacuated. The Mystery Daemonhunter took the Artefacts held in the Abbey and promptly disappeared, leading to a great inquiry by the Chaplains of the Iron Snakes and the Inquisition into the squad that allowed the "Daemonhunter" to take the Artefacts, which is still underway at this time.

After the Iron Snakes evacuated the Abbey, they then proceeded to booby-trap it with Melta-Charges, which renders the Abbey useless to everyone. For reasons unknown, The Rogue Angels moved off after the evacuation, and proceeded to rendezvous with the forces of Warboss Krimscrag Backstabba. while this was happening, the Angel Star engaged several Imperial Ships (with the aid of the Orks, who disabled an Astartes Strike cruiser in particularly astonishing fashion, blowing a hole out of its' middle and causing over a third of the remaining crew to be killed in a variety of gruesome ways by the explosive decompression before the ship was locked down by the captain.) the Battle Barge was towed by a strike cruiser of another chapter into an uncoordinated jump into the Warp, and the Fate of the Ships, perhaps for the better, remains unknown.

Mercutio and his new ally moved north to attack a combination installation of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Ordo Xenos dedicated to the inventory and protection of recovered Xeno Artifacts. when attacked by Space Marines and the Imperial Guard, Mercutio took the opportunity to desert his ally Krimscrag, which caused the Orks to lose the Battle.*

as the Capital of the World had been completely devastated by melta charges immediately after the attack on the Abbey **,Mercutio struck out for the next nearest spaceport. he reached it, and after blasting his way through the PDF of the City, Mercutio then Hijacked several merchant freighters to get off the planet. out of the six hijacked, four were shot down but the other two remain unaccounted for. Mercutio's fate remains unknown.

several minutes after the battle at the MechXenos temple concluded with the Routing of the Orks, The Dark Eldar attacked the exhausted victors and left half of them dead, another third missing in action, and of those who survived, less than a dozen were left sane, and of those none are physically fit for continued duty with the emperor. The Eight sane survivors of the Aquileus Raid were pensioned for life and given full war honors. The fate of the missing troops remains uncertain.

The Battle of Aquileus is notable for the conspicuous lack of information on the fates of so many of its participants. Indeed, the Battle of Aquileus has more combatants listed as MIA than any other battle since the 10th Black Crusade of Abbadon.

*the Fate of the Warboss of the Waaagh!, Krimscrag Backstabba, remains unknown.
**The culprits for this massive destruction are presumed to be Chaos Cultists, but as the entire city was reduced to a crater full of half-melted structures, it is impossible to ascertain.