Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

The trenches reeked of filth and fear, the last charge had almost brought the foul beasts over the ramparts and into the maze of deep muddy passages had it not been for the sheer weight of fire brought down upon them.
But still the last charge of the xenos had taken a grim toll on the 255th Jorumgand rifle regiment, most of the men looked dead on their feet and most sported minor wounds and bruises. They also felt the brunt of the seeping sense of defeat that emitted true the imperial lines. They had held the ground for weeks now against the Orks who never seemed to tire of throwing themselves at the weary soldiers.
Casualties where immense, of the ten regiment from the same world only two and a half remained alive. The rest lay dead or missing on this blasted world.

For months they had fought tooth and nail to push these vile brutes back. Only to be forced to dig in when the foe mounted a massive counter attack that nearly broke the offensive. Now they merely held on and waited for reinforcements who were due any day now, at least that was what the vox boys told them.
Lance corporal Henderson drew a long and thoughtful puff of his pipe. In his hands rested a picture of two small girls both with their mothers black hair and ivory skin, Oh Emperor how he missed them all. He spat on the ground and cursed high command for deeming this lump of rock to be the place where he and the lads where to either win or die.
It never ceased to surprise him how daft the planers had to be sometimes, everyone beside servitors and commissars knew that Orks did not care for holding ground or glorious conquest. All those monsters cared for was war and bloody mayhem.
He thought about the warm and gentle hands of his wife who was so very, very far away from him. The smell of her cooking and the laughter that had filled their home.
A tear slid down his cheek as he rose from his seat and began to head over the rest of lads who where awaiting their daily ration of food and gossip.

----------------------

While men ate and talked about the coming attack someone else was watching the trenches from not far away. Hidden in craters that lay some fifty meters from the Imperial lines a large and well armed and most importantly disciplined group of Ork commandos lay still and waited while their leader, a massive and hideously scared beast surveyed the scene.
They all stood significantly higher than a man and where for their race a grim lot, none of the normal squabbles and bickering could be heard while they waited. Each ork heavily armed with short and crude but effective shotguns and bandoleers of stick bombs, large knifes and other sharp instruments of death hung down from their bloodied belts.
The Nob grinned and signaled his boys to begin their attack.
It started with a barrage of stick bombs followed by the sound of rushing feet that propelled the commandos over the top and down into the trench.
Once inside their instinctive behavior took over and a collective war cry was heard
“WAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH” they roared in unison.

The Nob named Gargunt grinned and fired his shotgun, the buckshot ripped true the panicked guardsmen in front of him, he felt the rush of battle in his veins as he drew his choppa and ran after them.
Raising the crude blade he brought it down hard and butchered a ummie who tried to bayonet him. Another was rewarded with having his throat bit out, all around him the other commandos where doing their bloody task at a quick pace.

The beast who had ordered them to preform this attack had been very clear in its instructions, kill and destroy as much as you can. Then set the charges and bug out.
He roared a order to a lesser Ork commando who had the ungrateful task of hauling one of the massive charges to set it near a big pile of ummie loot.
As Gargunt finished hacking apart a officer he heard something behind him.
“Oy ya sneaky ummie! Youzs trying ta zog me” he laughed and charged with a menacing growl that revealed his bloodstained maw.


Lance corporal James Henderson was not a stranger to war, but Orks never ceased to haunt his dreams after he had fought them. And now one of these brutes had just killed his fellow man in front of him.
As the brute came thundering towards him he pressed the rune that activated the sword, it growled to life and sang a deep guttural war song.
Dodging the incoming blow he jabbed at its leg hoping to slow it down but the brute swatted the blade away and came at him again.
It dawned on him that this could be his last fight but emperor be damned if he would allow this to be the day he died.
Feinting a attack he hacked at the beasts arm, this drew a howl of anger from the Ork who looked at its bleed hand and came hard at him.
“IZ GONNA STOMP YA UMMIE!” it roared and swung a ham sized fist at him, the blow sent him flying head over heels into the wall and knocked the air out of him.

“This it, now I die here on this cursed lump of dirt” he thought at he ork placed a foot on his chest and raised its choppa, he closed his eyes and awaited the blow that never came.
Instead a series of muffled barks could be heard over the dim of battle and the Ork slumped down dead with its chest shredded by a series of shots.
Lifting his head to see who saved him from death by Ork James saw a sight he would never forget.
Clad in black amour and wielding a gleaming bolter stood one of the emperor’s finest, a tall storm trooper wearing a full faced gas mask and a blazing two headed eagle on the chest the warrior looked every bit the legend.

“Get up soldier, there are still plenty of these foul xenos that needs to die.” the trooper said and extended a hand to pull him to his feet. He was handed a lasgun and told to follow.
“May I ask for the name of my savior” James asked and kept a keen eye out for any Ork lurking about ready to jump at them.
“Captain Frida of the 347th Ragnarokian sturm troop regiment” she replied without pausing.
Well he thought there are perhaps a room for miracles after all in this world, saved by a female Sturm trooper and a Ragnarokian too.

Love the opening Trond, nice touch; Chicks with guns

Very well written, as usual.

Yay, more stories! Love the opening, a good atmosphere is set for what is to come.

Liked the 'everyone beside servitors and commissars knew ...' line. You've avoided caricature of the Orks too, which isn't always easy.

Good, atmospheric start!

 Necroagogo wrote:
Liked the 'everyone beside servitors and commissars knew ...' line. You've avoided caricature of the Orks too, which isn't always easy.

Good, atmospheric start!

Glad you all liked it! And yes I thought Orks have feelings too so no need to make them feel bad

As a blooded sunset signaled the end of yet another day there was a sombre and mournful mood in the trenches held by the Jourumgandian rifle companies. The Ork commando raid had claimed a heavy toll of men and women who had served with honour until death.
The dead was carted away to be buried in deep mass graves marked by their regimental symbol, the fact that their reinforcements had arrived the same evening did little to brighten the dour mood of the survivors.
They were all near the breaking point now and in light of their defense against such odds as the foe they had recently faced they where withdrawn from the lines to refit and recover.
But not before they had said their goodbyes to the victorious dead.
A band of bag pipes accompanied by the mournful choir of voices that sang their regimental tune they marched by in formation.
James stood alongside his comrades and puffed on his pipe as they climbed into the transports who would take them to the rear lines, as he boarded the banged up truck he spotted his saviour from the encounter with the Ork Nob.
She and a score of her comrades stood in silence and watched the batherd regiments pull out of the trenches, and their replacements take their place.
Her hair was cut short he realised and she had a face that seemed to be carved from stone, not a hint of emotion was shown on its pale features. He still waved at her and saluted as a token for his gratefulness for her actions that fateful morning. He did not expect a return of the favor but he got it. Flash of white teeth and a wave came his wave from the stern woman that had saved a war weary man from dying alone in the trenches.

One could hardly describe Captain Frida as a beautiful woman, she was tall and built as a warrior of old. Her body was shaped by years upon years of brutal training and wars, she was born as the unwanted daughter of a Ragnarokian noble who sent her to the Schoola when she turned ten years of age, there she was subjugated to a regime of training who nearly broke the poor young girl. But she survived and eventually earned her place in the Sturm troop regiment she now commanded.
Over the years she had lost too many friends and seen more death and pain than anyone should be forced to see, even for a woman like her it still hit home at times when she was alone.
But not that anyone under her command would dare to talk about it anywhere near her, she had earned the nickname Iron maiden after she had brutally beaten a Cadian soldier to death who had made a rather improper suggestion tot the young woman. Along with other less than noble deeds she became known as a officer who could make ones life hellish if you stepped on her toes.
Along with the fact she never involved herself in any form of celebration of campaigns won, or the normal banter between the troopers also made her a source of wonder to some degree.
The barriers she had made for her self was immensely tall and secretly she found it hard to handle such things without remembering those who she had liked, and now rested amongst the dead..

Standing on this filthy world made her guts churn with disgust, she hated xenos more than she hated heretics but barley. She stood and watched the rifle regiment pull out to refit and recover alongside her comrades of the 347th regiment.
Now their task here was done and a new one awaited them once the thinkers at command finished detailing the next stage in the war.
Putting her skull faced helmet on once more and attaching the gas mask she gave the order.
“All personnel of the 347th are to prepare for transportation! Look lively and don’t let me catch anyone going about this half arsed!” she barked over the vox net.
She knew her regiment always preformed well but she never let them relax when they where in a theater of war, complexity breeds heresy and defeat was her mantra and lord help the fool who thought himself safe from her wrath.



Days passed on and men fought and died for the same stretch of dirt, another Ork raid was repulsed with great losses on both sides, but this was the last time the Ork commandos could muster the numbers to pose such attacks again. Their leaders lay dead alongside countless grunts in the broken landscape that made up the front lines.
Returning to this place was the now reinforced and refitted Jourumgandian rifle regiments that remained.
The men disembarked from the transports and quickly organized into their units. They once more would take the fight to the enemy, a new attack had been planed and it seemed like this could be the one who signaled the beginning of the end. Wast amount of men and material was being prepared for their role in he upcoming offensive aimed at breaking the orkish hold on the hive city of Mistral and securing the massive highway that ran for countless miles beyond it.
Achieving this objective would allow for the deployment of the Titans that had been dedicated to this crucial attack.
But none where fooled by the task that lay ahead, the main bulk of the green skin horde awaited them, and they had proven several times that they could more than cross blades with the Imperial forces in such massive engagements.

“Okay you sorry lot listen up, this is fresh from command” James said to his platoon. He looked at the men in front of him and found himself smiling, those damned xenos was in for a fight indeed.
“ As you gentlemen may have guessed we are done sitting on our arses and getting shelled to kingdom come, we have the dubious honour of being in the first wave that will attempt to take hill 279.”
His men reacted as expected to these news, with groans and muffled curses aimed at the universe in general they sounded their dismay. But he knew they all would fight like devils when it all kicked of.
“But we wont be going alone, we will have armour support in a rather substantial amount and we will also have company on the ground. Several platoons of Sturm troopers from the regiment that saved our collective asses a few days back will be joining us. They will go first and soften those green Grox lovers up for us.”

That piece of news made the boys look a bit more positive about the chances of the attack not ending in the collective death of them all. One of the men said to no one in particular
“So James that babe of yours will be joining us ey? And I who thought you where married.” he continued and laughed with the rest of the assembled men.

The man that was on the receiving end of this joke smirked and replied “ Well ain’t you a bloody spreader of joy! Since you find it so funny why don’t you take my place when you meet her to discus the plans then!”
The man merely grinned and took the hint to shut up. No one wanted to push the Corporal too far, they all knew that beneath his calm surface there was a sea of violence reserved for fools and other assorted garbage floating about the universe.

As the day drew to a close all the men waiting in the trenches knew the coming morning would be a bloody one indeed. Going over the top always meant someone was going to die, but now it was different. This was a full scaled offensive where the full might of the hammer of the emperor was being brought to bear upon the hated foe.

Love it, kept up the sense of foreboding doom.

Awesome story! There were a few times where I had to re-read bits to figure out spelling (forgive me, I am an ardent Grammar-Nazi), but otherwise it was good.
I look forward to seeing the Storm troopers in action, possibly some Titans in the future as well!

Nice character studies of both the main characters. Nice to see some depth of character amidst the grimdark.

Now bring on the WAAAAGGGHH!

Very nice. It's got well developed characters and a properly grimdark atmosphere.

Thank you all, I will strive to achieve a good next chapter. And good to hear you like my characters.

Dawn broke and with it the earth-shattering barrage that signalled the beginning of the attack, hundreds of massive artillery pieces hurled their greetings towards the Orkish lines. This was accompanied by the lumbering of tanks and armoured transports in massive numbers that poured over the trenches.
But to any observer watching this spectacle the most striking detail would be be the wave of soldiers that ran across the shell marked no man land in a wild dash to cover as much ground as possible. However this was a dangerous task and hundreds where ripped apart by the hail of fire coming from the Ork lines, their crude weapons spat death at a enormous rate but their aim left much to be desired. But they still claimed a great amount of kills much to their enjoyment.

Rounds pinged by his head and shells streaked across the sky in a almost hellish symphony of destruction. Gripping his weapon the man howled out an order for his men to keep their heads down but for heavens sake don’t stop shooting. All around him death hung in the air, to his left a man had been cut in two by a long rattling burst from a Ork dakka deffgun, and was crying as he bled out on the bloodstained ground. To his right a medicae was working desperately to stem the gushing stream of blood from a young trooper who has been caught in the chest.
He was covered in gore and his hands reeked of Ork blood, they had already cleansed several positions of Orks but it seemed like there was no end to this bloody inferno.
James swore as a shell landed nearby and the following blast ripped apart several men who tried to get into cover.
“Well this here is rather unpleasant don t you agree” he said to a white faced trooper covering beside him. The boy looked at his superior and merely nodded, but still his hands grasped the lasgun as its was his closest friend here on this muddy battlefield.
Looking back he saw the other surviving guardsmen form up in the deep ditch that offerd shelter.
“Hold here, I have a tingling feeling those buggers are about to get a nasty case of death delivered to them.” he said with a devilish smile on his lips.


Captain Frida and her men where all marked by the brutal fighting that raged all along the front, their armour dirty and marked by both blade and shot. Still they pressed on with their task, they had been given the task of disrupting enemy gun sites and destroying any form of reinforcements trying to reach the front lines. So far this task had resulted in a great deal of damage and mayhem for the xeno forces. But it also taken a heavy toll on the soldiers she commanded. Of the six hundred who set out only some four hundred still lived.
As they made their way across the ruined buildings that adorned the slope of the hill they had been ordered to assist in the capture of they saw the main Imperial force slowly crawl up the hill while under heavy and sustained enemy fire. It also looked like the enemy had launched several waves of charges by mobs of ork boyzs at them supported by their ramshackle tanks.

Suddenly a loud and definitely non human voice could be heard over the noise of battle.
“OY EM GROTZS IZ TRYIN TO SNEAK UP UZ”she cursed when she saw a Ork run a full tilt down the slope while howling to its comrades further down the hill.
As the brutes further down noticed what was happening and responded to their fellow ork issue a warning about sneaky ummies they turned their attention and more importantly their weapons up hill.
Many of the Orks ditched their heavy shootas and drew their choppas, finally a chance for a real scrap!while some poured fire onto the soldiers advancing on them others started to charge up at them.




She cursed her rotten luck, the rubble strewn hillside made firing a nightmare and provided enough cover for the Orks to move at a rapid pace up towards them.
Calling a command for her surviving grenadiers to start lobbing what they had left of grenades downhill she drew aim with her bolter and sent a stream of shells at a Ork who had just cut down a man and now held his decapitated head in its massive paw.

As she reloaded she noticed a Ork lumbering towards her, it held a massive metal shield in one hand and a club in the other.
“Oh Emperor guide my weapon” she muttered and fire at point blank range, her shots pinged of the shield and although some seemed to get true it it was clearly not enough to stop the beast behind it.
The beast however grinned as it swung its first blow at her, it missed and instead of crushing her chest it slammed into a broken wall.
Snorting it came at he hard and fast.
Dodging the first ad second blow she managed to pull her own weapon.
It was a long dagger, forged on her home world and with a straight and keen edge, it had served her well since the day she got it as a symbol of her acceptance into this brotherhood of war and carnage.
Snarling like a great cat she sprang forwards and got true the Orks garde and slashed hard at its neck.
The blow did not kill but it drew blood and signalled to her foe that she was not someone to toy with.

The ork however was too lost in the rush of battle and came at her howling and threw it shield as a makeshift weapon.
This proved to be its brutal and bloody demise, as the shield whipped by her and the beast now had lost its main advantage beside its strength and size the field was levelled.
Frida however did not find the time to think about this, a glancing blow had sent her spinning and her left shoulder felt almost numb.
As the Ork swung at her again she dropped low and came up with the blade in both hands, with a sickening sound it ripped through the leather west the beast wore. And cut deep into its bowls that spilled forth onto the floor.
As the ork slumped down she struck a new blow right at its left eye. The blade ripped true the eye and came out at the back of the skull with a sickening crunch.
Breathing heavily she picked up her gun and sheathed her blade. All around her she heard the sounds of her men killing and dying to repel the Orks who had reached them. Although she still felt her shoulder emitting waves of pain she ran past the corpses of both Ork and man.
After almost a hour of brutal combat amidst the ruins she and her men now held this piece of dirt.

“Regroup and prepare to push on downhill to link up with friendly forces. And for thrones sake someone call in a bombardment of the top of this infernal place.” she said in a weary tone and took a deep sip of water from a canteen bottle offered by her second in command who now had one less eye thanks to a piece of shrapnel.

As she finished her water her vox operator reported that the lead elements of the Jourumgandian rifles where not far away and would very much like some help, dealing with what seemed like a ork held strong point that barred their way from any further advance up the hill.
“Tell whoever sent that request that the point will fall. But not by our hands, it seems we have a new player on the field.” she finished with a grin and pointed out over the plains below.
There in the far distance a trio of massive figures could be seen slowly advancing while what could only be described as the sounds of gods doing battle rang across the fields of death and misery.

Great new entry. I loved this sentence; "The blade ripped true the eye and came out at the back of the skull with a sickening crunch."

The only thing I'd change is that 'true' should be 'through'. Beyond that, it's perfect. Excellently written, Trondheim.

Thanks and I corrected the mistake

Very well written, I can vividly see the Ork innards slopping around the place.

It's the little touches I love. The line about artillery hurling greetings towards the Orks is a good example.

Always fun to read!

The ground shock as the Emperor class titan lead its smaller kin to war, its weapon spat death and its speakers proclaimed its hate for the wrenched foes of Mankind.
Its name was spoke of its origins, built millennia ago on the forge world Hellheim it had been baptised by the Tech priests of old as The King slayer. Its massive body was covered in decorations and banners that fluttered in the wind. Its head was that of a snarling lion.
It was accompanied by two Reaver titans that had accompanied their massive cousin for countless years. They had come to this world on the request on the Imperial guard, it had been said that their power was needed to break the green skins and in such regard speeding up the Imperial victory. But more importantly than that was the fact that the green skins posed a great threat to the interests of their lord who had given clear instructions to his underlings to purge these beasts with any means required.

Princep Valeria felt every step her old companion took. The machine spirit was what remained of her memories of something that could resemble a friend. Her support crew where skilled and very efficient but they where still young and somewhat new to this life form.
“FIRING HELLSTORM CANNON” she growled and unleashed a hail of salvo’s from the massive weapon. The projectiles arched across the battlefield and landed with a earth-shattering boom. The target that had been identified as a Ork Bastion was atomized and what remained was merely a great crater where once hundreds of orks had held up the Imperial advance up hill 279.

Her trusted companion and servant Andros reported that the guard was grateful for the aid and sent their thanks.
“How goes the battle Andros” she said with a slightly blurry voice as she felt a jolt of energy passed true her body. She needed to vent heat from the main reactors, she allowed the titan to do this and felt its growling spirit calm down.
“The battle goes well Princep, although the guard has sustained heavy losses, same goes for friendly armour armour forces battling green skin armour to the west near the highway.” the gaunt man said and whipped sweat of his wrinkled forehead. He was a proud man who had almost two centuries ago entered the ranks of the legion. When he first met the Princep he had been in awe. After all these years he realised what sacrifices she had gone true to serve the Omnisha.
“Understood, instruct the Angelus and Hastasi to aid them. We will take this hill on our own.” Valeria said in a tone that left no room for argument, she was still after all these centuries a very unforgiving soul. Although this had been speed up by commanding this walking citadel.

“As you say it shall be done” Andros said and sent the orders to the two Reaver titans, both responded with oaths of death to the green skins and to aid the hammer of the Emperor.

“Find us new prey Andros, we hunger for death and misery” Valeria almost screamed as she sent great bolts of plasma hurling towards a target far in the distance.

As the Emperor titan advanced its sirens howled and warned any nearby friendly forces to move or get crushed underfoot. As she reached the foothills of the great ridge that was deemed important to take and hold at all costs she let her titan howl its own war cry.
This was a terrifying sound that resonated for miles and miles, in addition to announcing its intention to kill anything within reach it also signalled that the priesthood of Mars would not let this world fall.
Yes she thought let them hear us coming and fear find their unholy hearths, not even death will save them from us.


Meanwhile Lance corporal James Henderson had a different point of observation when the Titans unleashed their immense power on their foes. The first sign of a incoming bombardment was a series of immensely loud booms that seemed to rattle his teeth, then followed by a equally massive explosion that ripped the Ork bastion blocking their way apart in a flash of heat.
But that was really to close to comfort, thankfully whoever had fired those rounds had the knowledge of aiming behind the bastion, if not they all would have died in the following fireball.

“Oy Thomas! Get on the vox and relay our thanks to that brute further behind us, But tell them to watch what they shoot at next!” he said with a hint of irritation in his voice but he was also very grateful. That had saved them the unpleasant task of storming the place or having to find a route to by pass it until more forces could be brought to bear on it.
In the distance he could see the top of this bastard of a hill. Now only the last few hundred meters remained before they could perhaps end this meat grinder. And find some comfort in that the Orks was now one step closer to being routed from this world.

Meanwhile on the plains to the west the two Reaver titans had meet very heavy resistance, countless hordes of Orks alongside their ramshackle tanks and a cohort of scrap titans barred their way, thankfully they did not face this tide of mechanized death alone. With them almost ten armoured regiments threw themselves at the foe with fury and zeal accompanying cannon and shot.
So while the footsoldiers fought and died on the hill and in the foothills around the objective these brave souls seeked to choke and by any means hold the enemy armour of their backs.

Another great entry. Looks like the Imperium is gaining the upper-hand now.

Princep Astor felt his titan shake as it unleashed all its weapons at a formation of battle wagons that was causing havoc for the nearby tank regiments of the Imperial Guard. He smiled a toothless smile as he floated in the tank that supported his body that had long ago stopped working as a normal human body would, cables and other instruments where wired to his form.

Suddenly one of his servants called out “ MY LORD! ENEMY SCRAP TITAN SPOTTED! CLOSING FAST!”. This alarm call sent a shiver up the Princep`s body. Finally a foe worth killing in glorious battle.
Growling like a animal both Princep and titan looked towards the new treat.
“VENT HEAT AND AQUIER AIM! UNLEASH DEATH UPON THEM!” Astor ordered with a voice that seemed to buzz with interference and anger.
As the Reaver turned a immense salvo of fire slammed against its shields that rippled in respond but held firm. It was clear that the enemy did not intend to die without a fight.
“FIRING MELTA CANNON! MAXIMUM YIELD!” the Princep said and sent a stream of searing heat at its attacker who got the full effect directly on its chest. In a massive blast the ork construct detonated with a immense force. Tank sized shrapnel rained down and many tanks and other vehicles was simply melted by the heatwave.
“ENGIEN KILL” was the only words that came from the now weary Princep.
As the Angelus had just claimed its first Titan kill its companion Hastasi was in deep trouble.

Surrounded by a mob of lesser foes it was being pressed hard. Its shields glowed a deep and angry colour and its weapon spat death at a immense rate.
“GNNNNNN WE HURT! KILL THE ENEMY!” its Princep screamed as a enemy shot glanced its shoulder. In response the Titan lashed out with its Melta Cannon and reduced a hapless Ork tank and its surrounding friends to molten slag.
But it was clear it would need aid soon, its body showed the scars of this hard and brutal fight. Being ambushed was never good for a Titan but she would not yield. Too long had she fought to die by these brutes.
“HAIL THE KING SLAYER! WE NEED OUR LADY! HHHGGNNN” she screamed in pain once more as a shot ripped true the Titans left flank.
The reply came from the Moderati that the message had been sent, and Emperor willing it would be heard.
As the wounded Titan was about to turn a new volley struck home, disabling its shields and piecing its core. First the massive construct knelled as if drawing its final breath, then in a explosion than was seen for miles its core exploded.
When the Angelus saw its twin die its Princep went almost mad with sorrow. It seemed both man and god engine had been driven insane by the death of a fellow warrior. Now a bloody debt needed settling. However they where not alone when it came to witnessing the proud and honorable death of the Hastasi.


Princep Valeria had heard the call of her kin, she had hoped to be able to get there in time. Long ago she had sworn to watch over her smaller Titan children but now she realized she had failed them all. All the wars they had fought and won, only to die by Xeno hands!

Like a mother that had watched her only child die by the hands of a criminal she screamed her anger and hate. Curse these petty Guardsmen! She intended to purge any form of Green skin amour still left on this world. And woe to anyone opposing her.

With sirens howling and the full might of her weapons she came charging down the hill she just had purged of Orks. Her titan too felt like it wanted to crush all before it underfoot for daring to harm fellow god machine. She felt surges of energy pass true the cables that connected her to its massive body. Floating in her life support tank with the eyes of the machine showing her what happened outside she strode forth hell bent on revenge.
“I AM YOUR DEATH INTERLOPERS! SUFFER THE WRATH OF HELLHEIM” she cried out and her cry was amplified by the speakers mounted on the outside, her Moderati crew was in awe of the rage their lady now unleashed. In awe they manned their posts and stayed firm.
“GIVE US A TARGET SO WE CAN SOOTH OUR BLOODTHIRST! She said in a blurry voice and was given just that. With a wordless smile she unleashed the slayer of kings.

A unknown tank commander later remarked the coming of the King Slayer was if death itself had descended from the blasted heights above the dusty plains to sweep all unworthy before it. On that day King Slayer showed those who dared oppose the might of the Mechanicus that only death and terror awaited them.

When the dust settled that night it was clear that the massive battle of machines on these now blood soaked and crater riddled plains had been won by the Imperium, but at a grim price.
The loss of a Titan and another god engine in need of repair had not been received well by the Adeptus Mechanicus personnel.
But none of the red clad priests dared voice their dismay to the one who commanded their forces on this world. Princep Valeria still seemed to almost boil with rage. After some much needed rearming she had taken to the field once more and unleashed a hellish bombardment of the last Ork positions within reach of her weapons.
She also made it very clear that the Guard was in her opinion to blame for the death of her kin, and that they should praise themselves lucky that they had been spared her wrath. For now it seemed the Guardsmen could not rely on her aid, not until she had calmed down and the trauma of that day dealt with by her servants who worked almost feverish to sooth her wounded soul.

James Henderson sat on a sandbag and wiped the sweat of his face. He was drenched in it and Ork blood, his boys had done a great piece of soldering today but Emperor be damned if the hardest part did not remain for them to throw themselves at. But at what cost had this day been won?
His regiment was mauled and bloodied and so was any of the still remaing rifle companies that held the ground around them. Heck even those grim glory boys from the storm troops had been chewed and almost spat out in pieces today.
As he sat there and smoked and cursed green skins, high command and the universe in general he was disturbed by a female voice coming from behind him.
“I hear you boys had it rough today, I just want to let you know that saving your ass almost has become a hobby of mine Corporal”.
Turning around he saw her standing there, tall and imposing and with her helmet in hand.
“Well I reckon next time Il save yours Captain” he said and saluted her as he got to his feet.

She smiled and that for some reason sent shivers down parts of him he did not realize still worked after a day like this.
“Well just make sure you re careful with me Corporal, not all girls like it rough.” she said with a grin.

Another excellent part. It looks like the end for the Orks.

Well hold on to your pants, you will be surprised when the next part comes. Brace for possible mind shock

Waring! This may contain less than grimdark material, reader caution advised!




Interlude


While the Guardsmen tended to their wounded and fresh supplies was brought up from the former front lines to the new ones. There where those who tended to the wounded feelings of gods too.

Princep Valeria felt bone weary, the lst battle had sapped her strength. Now she needed sleep and time to regain her focus, her eternal companion too was in need of tending to, its metal hide was scared and the banners that once fluttered proudly from its shoulders and spriers where torn and riddled with burn marks. The many windows in the cathedral was shattered and needed replacing and the weapons was in dire need of maintenance.
As she drifted weightless in the cool liquid of her stasis tank she felt the machine speak to her, it told her the story of how it had fought before they where joined as one long ago. And she listened and felt only a hint of sadness now over her lost kin.

“She is weary from this war, I have never seen her in such a state before,” said Andros and rose from the chair he had relaxed on. He too felt the weariness grip his bones but he would manage to survive this war too. The other Tech priests present in the room agreed with his judgement, there would take days if not weeks to restore the Titan. And to let the wounds heal properly.
He was told that extra Skiitari units was diverted to help maintain the quiet around the Titan as it was refitted, this he was grateful for. As he turned to leave the dimly lit chamber he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
“I am sorry Andros, I failed them. I alone bear the responsibility for their deaths. Not anyone else.” said Valeria and was quiet once more.
Walking over to her he said like a brother to a sister. “ No Valeria. You did all you can, No one could have saved them. Had you not sent them the battle may have been lost for all we know.”
As she reached out and her pale hand touched the glass he too placed his hand on and told her to rest. No one would disturb her while she slept.


Captain Frida was dog tired. Even the previous campaigns she had fought in was noting compared to this place. The endless plains filled with noting than screaming Orks and dust, the ruined remains of towns and homes of people who had either fled or died.
Stretching her weary body she got up from the place she had slumped down when it was clear the fight had gone out of the Orks after that damned Titan had almost flattened them all. Around her what remained of her command snored heavily, here they could rest and feel secure to a certain degree. Some of the men played card or simply looked up at the night sky above them that for once was visible.
Suddenly she found herself thinking about the man she had saved almost a week ago, she did not understand why she did so but still the memory of his rugged and somewhat wiry frame made her pulse rise.
She walked along the system of trenches and fox holes, just wandering in search of something she knew not what was.
As she walked on the regular guardsmen and munitorium staff seemed to be more than eager to make way for her. As she rounded a corner she realized why.
Seeing her reflection in a puddle of water she saw not a woman staring back at her but a full faced gas mask wearing warrior clad in heavy protective amour and carrying a bolter.
Pausing for a moment she ripped the mask of and hung it on her hip. Her weapon was slung over her shoulder and she slowed her pace as she recognized the regimental markings on some of the men that passed by her. The crossed sabres surrounded by a ring of roses set against a white background was uniq and somewhat pretty she decided.
She stopped a scrawny trooper who looked no older than eighteen perhaps.
“Soldier where can I find Lance Corporal James Henderson” she asked in what she perceived as a friendly tone, but to the young boy it was as death itself asked him a question. That pale and imposing woman seemed to radiate a promise of violence. Gathering what courage he had told her where the Corporal in question was to be found.
Later that night he would tell how the female storm trooper Captain had almost treated him with death if he did not answer fast, but thankfully no one payed any heed to the words of a mere replacement.

As she found the place she had been told to look she saw him sitting there with his back to her, a steady stream of pale smoke rose as she puffed on a pipe, and seemed to be less than pleased with life in the Guard for the moment. Should she dare speak to him or should she just walk away. No one would ask and no one would even imagine what she had thought about on her way here.
Once more she felt the blood rise to her cheeks and her hearth almost jump out of her chest. She now realised what these strange emotions where.
The words that came out was not what she intended but it seemed the man did not dislike them either. It fact it seemed he welcomed the company although it was most likely unexpected.
After a few initial lines he waved her over and patted on the sand bag next to him.

James looked at the woman who sat down next to him, by the Emperor she was an enigma by any standard. She was clearly very well trained, in all regards it would be hard to tell her apart from her comrades if she wore that helmet and mask. But now he saw something else, a tired and somewhat lonely woman.
He offered her a sip of his canteen bottle, she took a sip and almost gasped for air, he laughed as she was clearly not used to such forms of drink. But she took another one and handed the bottle back.
“So Captain beside from telling me how much you enjoy saving my behind what can I do for you on this fine night. “ he said and looked her in those deep blue eyes.

Frida took a deep breath and answered not knowing fully what came out of her.
“As you probably can tell I am not very good at this, I just wanted to ask you what keeps you going? Beside duty and all that? I swear that whenever I look at the men and women I lead I can’t help but feel as a stranger to them.”
pausing and seemingly gathering herself up she looked up at the sky.
“I have never felt like how I feel now, I know I have not seen you outside the field that many times but I swear you light a fire in me I can’t put out, no mater how hard I try. So Corporal can you make that fire become something else?”

These words took James by surprise, he had known when he had shipped out from his home world he would never return. Or see his family again. He had not considered himself attractive or anything remotely like that. But he was damned if beside him sat a woman who clearly liked him.

“Well Frida I am no miracle worker but I can promise you that the things you feel are what makes you human! I have no impel answer that will make such things go away.”
pausing he took her by now trembling hand in his and looked into her eyes.

She looked at the battle weary man next to her who held her calloused hand like it was a precious flower of some sort.

“Promise me to not let go. Keep me safe” she said as she leaned near his face, and their lips meet.
As the pair found solace in each other and the security of not being alone in the night it began to rain.

I look away for a minute and you post three updates!

Wow - a rare treat seeing the Titans in action. Always loved anything Titan-related and the words 'ENGINE KILL' make me happy in a dirty, bizarre way.

So, what's the betting that a passing Commissar puts a bolt round through the heads of Romeo And Juliet? That'd be a return of the grimdark!

Well I have talent for sneaky surprises for the unwary you know. And no Commisar, but grimdark will be back dont you worry

Give the commisars some fun too

No Commissars are bullet magnets and food for hungry Orks!

Dawn was a miserable and wet affair for those who had slept alone. Or with a trench buddy who snored like the arch traitor himself. But there where those who had been kept warm by a firm hand wrapped around them and a promise to not let go.

Frida walked true the muddy trenches on her way back to her own regiment, who had been up and about fro some time, as their leader returned there where a few attempts at humour but this ended when a man was punched hard in the chest and layed low. The Captain was once not the one administrating the discipline, it was her second in command who promised anyone with a death wish that even attempting humour would pose a severe risk to ones personal safety.
The man was by no means a saint, but the one thing he did invest time in caring for was his commander.
She had pulled him to safety after he had been mauled by enemy fire son the first campaign they had serve together on, she was a fresh addition to the regiment while he was stuck in limbo, never receiving a promotion or praise for his actions. Since then man who had been nicked Ogre because his rather large physic had kept a protective hand over that once vulnerable girl.

Meanwhile James was reflecting on the events last night, sipping his rather vile recaff he studied the plans they had been given for the coming push onwards to Mistral. Once that place fell they would await the success of the other Imperial army forcing its way down from the north. But as he read maps, estimates of enemy armour and such his mind wandered to a woman with short black hair and clear blue eyes and skin pale as snow.
Letting out a sigh he capitulated the map reading and walked of to find out if they would get another batch of replacements, lord knew they needed it.



Princep Valeria felt a jolt of pain as a electrical current passed true her system, it as normal for that to happen when the King Slay awoke from its slumber, a week had passed since that faithful day on the dusty plains where a fellow god engine had died another one badly mauled by enemy fire.
Now she and her scouts was all that remained for the time being of the Titan support allocated to this part of the offensive.
Her thoughts where interrupted when the great door leading into her inner chamber slid open, in walked her Moderati crew while softly chanting and burning incense.
“How do you feel my lady” asked Andros. “Have your anger calmed and the weariness passed from your mind?”

it took a few minutes for a reply to come from the stasis tank, “Yes Andros, we are awake. The core sings its eternal praise to the Omisha and our blessed tools of war hunger once more.”
The man nodded and gave several setts of instructions to his fellow priests and bowed deeply for Valeria for once more leaving her to regain her strength. Although truth to be told she seemed more than fit for battle. Yes he thought woe to those who dare face us now.

As these different warriors of Mankind planed and prepared for the coming final push, someone else too was making their final preparations. After being bogged down by Orks in the ash wastes the entire 134th Ragnarokian heavy assault regiment was moving to partake in it.
These men where the mailed fist that would crush all before them, it was they who had broken the Orks at Zala ridge and brought down the immense fortress at Lundberg.
Now ten thousand boots marched forwards with zeal and hate in their hearth. Commanded by their lord none could stand before them. Alongside their trusted Mechanicus companions they would see the will of man delivered.


When the lead elements reached the Imperial lines they where greeted with awe, none of the soldiers beside the ones of the storm troop regiment had seen such Guardsmen before. Clad in dark uniforms with the blazing two headed eagle on their chest and wearing the signature full faced gas masks they resembled a army of dead men walking.

When the news reached Captain Frida she seemed animated in a way she had not been for a long time. Once again the iron willed and merciless Captain emerged and her men almost jumped when she called almost roared in anger when they failed to move fats enough.
They left the front lines and moved in unison to the place where he man commanding the 134th could be found.
When they came to that site they where in awe behind their masks, there stood the most decorated and highest ranking man in the Ragnarokian guard regiments.
Field Marshal Hendric S. Loki looked every bit the legend, surrounded by his body guard and command staff little doubt was left to the nature of this man.
Imperial command had ordered him here to aid these fellow servants of the immortal emperor with breaking the Ork hold on hive city Mistral and outlying fortresses.

His augemntic arm felt stiff and he felt a slight headache coming. But none of this mattered all that mattered was victory and the death of the enemy. As he listened to reports and briefing by the commanders that had worked this particular sector he was interrupted by a tall storm trooper wearing the markings of as regiment he knew well.

“Greeting my lord, glad to see you still serve the Emperor! Captain Frida and remains of the 347th reporting for duty sir!” she said and gave a crisp salute.

The marshal looked at her with his steel grey eyes and replied in his cold manner. “I still live and the enemy still try to kill me Captain but they have had no luck yet. Glad to see that not everybody let discipline and a iron will go waste.” pausing a deep and rattling cough gripped his wiry body he took a moment to regain his posture.

“You will need to excuse that Captain, I don’t particularly like ash wastes that much. So I assume you have something to share with me since you interrupted my meeting.” he said with a face that revealed no feelings what so ever.
She replied without thinking “ Notting but the lives of me and my men sir” We long for a proper commander to serve under.”

Hendric seemed to think about then replied “ Consider yourself transferred and promoted to Colonel of the combined storm troop regiments under my command. I have heard about you Captain Frida and I am impressed! DO NOT make me regret this” he said in a tone that left no doubt what would happen if she did.

It dawned on her that she now commanded almost three thousand men and women. And that they would be the first ones into the coming storm.

“MEN WHAT ARE WE!” she yelled out to what remained of her old regiment. The response came as a unison call “DEATH AND FEAR!”

“WHO DO WE SERVE AND WHAT DO WE WANT!” she continued while she walked towards them.
“THE EMPEROR AND WE WANT WAR!”

"Or with a trench buddy who snored like the arch traitor himself." Great sentence.

I can't wait for the the battle coming up.

Great installments so far! I would like to point out that in your sentences you keep writing "true" instead of "through". And it should be spelled "Omnissiah". (The Grammar Nazi within me loves to lavish over these kinds of details.)Despite this and some other spelling errors, the story itself looks great. I await for the coming battle.