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"Attention soldiers of the 482nd Vostroyan Rifles 1st platoon. this is Commissar General Felix Dreng you are to report outside of the billets in thirty minutes for a briefing." Then the loud speaker clicked off.
It had been six weeks since the 482nd landed on Veranov. When the PDF was questioned they spoke of monsters that would not die and the smell of death that seemed to linger and the dead walking. . High Command said it should be about three months to bring this planet back into the fold. Landing on the planet was a nightmare. Part of the plant was frozen mores the other part was a hive. the permafrost seemed to swallow whole drop ships the Tallarns were less than thrilled since they did not have any cold weather gear and really didn't do any city fighting but like all guard unit they will adapt survive and over come. The strange thing was that high command split up the regiments into strike teams to and tried to make them self sufficient fighting units.
Felix Dreng was an impressive man with a strong jaw and a sharp nose he had a dueling scar from when he was in the schola. He looked at the slate in front of him he had to find the Kommadant so they may link up forces and bring the push hell he wish he could find another regimental command so he may know what the other units are planning as of right now the objective is to get to a small town called Procton's Gate at the mouth of some frozen river and link up.
Seems easy enough thought Dreng.
It was not the link up that had Dreng worried it was the locals and their supertitous and 9 foot shadow men. They could be just whispers of the mad or they could be chaos marines one could never be too sure but one thing was certain 482nd was going find out what they could and put a stop to it as best they can. Hopefully the other regiments were tracking as well and would be linking up and coming to the same conclusion.
The two squads that were accompanying Dreng squad 111 and squad 112 were outside the billets with the chimeras ready to go. The soldiers were grim faced and talking quietly amongst themselves this place set everybody on edge. The air was oppressive the dew and fog was just as oppressive you could see maybe fifteen yards in front of you. It was cold and it was a seeping cold. In a way of how cold it was it reminded the Vostroyans of home but the swamps and mores that was another matter entirely. Sergeant Vasily saw Dreng heading their way.
"Fall in" Vasily said.
with practiced order they fell in and awaited inspection. Dreng loved the their discipline they had. and as he approached he told them to form a circle around him so he can disseminate orders.
"All right" Dreng said. "We are to go to Procton's Gate and link up with our assets you guys affectionately call of them Melinka."
A couple of chuckles and cat calls were given but stopped shortly after.
"This is supposed to be a routine patrol to Procton's Gate to Outpost Beta 36 and then to where a supply point is supposed to be out at. Beta 36 is supposed to be being run by the 57th so they may have answers what they are doing on this side of the planet is beyond me. the supply point is supposed to be a joint operation of all the regiments. The Kommandant is still missing along with Harkaviches' squad and squad 113 We are all still flying in the dark. Be prepared for anything who knows what's out in the frozen swamps. Questions?"
Vasily speaks up "What are rules of engagement?"
Dreng gives him a cold hard look "If it is not friendly turn its arse into a puddle where it stands do I make myself clear?"
All the men grunt in affirmation.
"Good lets load up and get the carnival on the road."
The crews of the chimeras climb back in the transports and the dismount troops pile into the back with the squad as supplies were limited and something went amiss with the paper work they have four plasma guns two per squad. a normal squad of Rifles has three plasma guns and a heavy bolter and the sergeant is carrying a power sword and plasma pistol. They were lucky to get the four plasma guns when they found the chimeras they were loaded in them.
Rumbling out of Complex Delta 195 which they shared with parts of the Valhallan 130th they headed in to the strange frozen swamps. It was a quite ride the journey took them about forty five minute and not one time did they get stuck.
Approaching Procton's Gate the first thing you notice is the smell of the river it kind of smells like bad eggs. it moves slowly it has sheets of floating dirty ice on its just as ugly as the rest of the rock. As they approach the town as it bursts to life from the Leman Russ Demolisher Known as "Melinka."
"Approaching chimera's this is a restricted area identify yourself or you will be fired up." came over the loud speaker.
"Melinka this is Commissar General Dreng I will have your entire crew summarily executed if you do decided to open fire on us." Dreng said with a smile.
"gak! Sorry sir...right we also have a few more things for you besides us." the tank commander replied over the coms.
The chimeras reached the edge of town. There she was in her splendid beauty chrome and slate and the name Melinka affectionately paint on the side of her turret.
The squads dismounts and set up a perimeter. Dreng was the last to step out. Vasily came back to report the all secure and the tank commander popped his head out. He was a rather thin man with a rather large moustache.
"Your Lordship" the tank Commander said with a salute.
Dreng returned the salute.
"Commander, what is your name? And what has been going on in the area or is it as dead as it looks?" Dreng said
"Other than a few wolves that were blown to kingdom come not too much has happened since we rolled in. Villagers threw rocks and we threatened they threw more rocks we blew up a building and told up to leave us alone and that's what we been doing since. And I'm tank commander Alexi Hurvrov at your service and I do believe your boys could use what's in this crate we've been lugging around for a bit. pry bar is on the back." the tank commander said as he pointed part way up the main street at a ruined building with a slight bow turning back to the Commissar General.
"Vasily get four men to pull that crate off and get the pry bar." Dreng said.
Vasily Pointed to the four closet and they proceeded to get the crate off and pop open the lid. Inside was two heavy bolters and two more plasma guns. Vasily and Dreng came over to see what the commotion was about and smiled when they saw the wind fall.
"This will make our job easier General" Vasily said with a smile.
"Indeed dole it out to the proper men and ill see what the tank commander knows" Dreng said as he walked off with a ghost of a smile.
"Commander Hurvrov do you know why you were stationed here until we had to come get you?" Asked Dreng.
"No clue your lordship, it is strange that a single tank would be sent out unless there was an ambush happening or a raid about to commence but from what I gather there are no nine foot shadow men or walking dead or rebels in this area just pissed locals at us for blowing up the tavern." Hurvrov said.
"Well we should probably be on our way to Outpost Beta 36 to gather more intel about the area I'll be in the lead chimera then you then our other chimera for the order of march." Dreng said as he scratched his chin.
"CONTACT THREE O CLOCK!" Yelled a trooper.
Everyone became on high alert the heavy bolters were cocked lasguns primed and Dreng drew his bolt pistol and turned on his power fists field. There were shapes walking slowly and methodically up the left side of the road from the middle of town. They appeared to be normal humans just walking slow no limps or abnormal movement could be detected at this distance. Commissar General Dreng Stepped forward and with his authorities voice said.
"IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF YOUR FRIENDS YOU WILL STATE YOUR BUSINESS IMMEDIATELY THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!"
The figures stopped and called back to him
"You and your men should leave and never return this is your final warning."
With that the figures turned around and headed back into town.
With a look of confusion the commissar felt his blood run cold and his teeth slightly chatter at what the man said. There has to be more going on thought Dreng.
Dreng shook the feeling off "all right men whatever that was we have been warned keep it together and keep it cool mount up and lets be on our way to Outpost Beta 36 see if the 57th has some intel for us. Marching order is 111, Melinka, and 112. Let's go."
Then they mounted up and left the journey to Outpost Beta 36 was about 35 kilometers past the town of Procton's Gate. Dreng kept rolling around what was said to him in his head something about it was off like they were not wholly their he would get to the bottom of it. The mist got thicker and colder hell even inside the cramped compartment of the chimera felt cold.
Vasily looked at Dreng "You know sir it's been too quiet we were under the impression there would be fighting and rebels to take down and the like and so far nothing seems to be going right the only thing that has happened is the men have affectionately called two of the pests on the planet blood hawks and blood diggers which leave nasty bites and infection."
Dreng looked back at Vasily in the red glow of the light. " I know something isn't right High command said there were rebels out in the mores and that's what we were supposed to be stopping next thing I know the whole regiment gets broke up into strike teams and it seems we are on a scavenger hunt and no one can seem to get in touch with high command. I should execute that general myself for incompetence."
That got the men to laugh. As the men let the moment passed. Still the feeling was off.
"Worwitz how are you holding up in the rear?" voxed Dreng
"eh, Can't Complain sir really can't see what's behind us." Worwitz voxed back
"Sir ya gotta check this out something's quite off." said the chimera commander.
Dreng worked his way to the turret and poked his head up and it was clear and sunny no fog no damp moister cloudy and warm. Dreng squinted off the brightness he started staring down the horizon and saw the grey squat outline of the outpost. But what caught Dreng's eye was the random mounds with metal sticking out from them.
"Worwitz have your squad dismount we'll be right behind you." Dreng said.
"Copy that."
Worwitz turned to his squad as they were dismounting "Eyes and ears open ladies no clue what we are getting into but 111 will be backin up and Melinka is right with us to if things get too crazy. Jorva take point fifteen meter intervals. And Yuma get a good spot to cover our advance. Everyone clear?"
"Chen, flank right line formation ten meter intervals, try not to do anything stupid, Loltz you stay here with the heavy bolter and cover our approach."
"On it."
"Yes Sergeant".
Nods went around the dim red lit compartment with that Sergeant Worwitz got up and started lowering the ramp a rush of wet humid air hit them, the ground was soggy you could smell the decay and wet grass. It was still cloudy and cool and strangely it was still bright for being so cloudy. Vasily and company piled out of the back of their chimera as well. the heavy bolters took up positions on either side of the chimeras to cover the dismounts advance. the chimera turrets were scanning the area and trying to pick up the vox net for the outpost. So far they had not had any luck. The scariest part of a dismount in a soggy open field was just that it was open. About ten meters ahead was a pool that was crystal clear. Jorva raised his hand calling for a halt and to call Dreng to the front.
"What is it Jorva?" asked Dreng when he came trotting up.
"Not too sure but it looks like petrified bones and body armor like this isn't the first time this place has seen battle. Sir with respect I got a bad feeling about this..." Jorva said.
"Jorva please tell me you are not showing cowardice I would hate to summarily execute you over a bad feeling. We are just gonna make it to that first mound see what it is and see if we can solve this riddle. Then we will be back in the chimeras and the outpost is about five clicks away from here ok? " Dreng said as he pointed about 50 meters out to a large oddly shaped hunk of grass and moss covered metal.
Jorva's eyes got wide with the mention of execution he managed to mumble out that wouldn't be necessary he was just letting his Lordship know how he felt on the situation and what was in the pool. Dreng looked down and sure as day there are white bones and body armor no flesh or cloth but there was kit of a soldier he did not recognize. and a sizable hole in the body armor. Dreng gave the order to move out and moved back to the middle of the formation of the two squads. Ten meters passed and the dragon flies were humming and buzzing loudly. twenty meters passed and the breeze stopped and the air became thick as you needed a knife and fork to breather 30 meters passed and Dreng called for a halt.
"Worwitz I'll come with you Vasily you stay here and play quick reaction if needed. Again something about this place is off so keep your eyes and ears open gentlemen." said Dreng.
Ten meters closer the air became thick and oppressive. Dreng and squad 112 was closer to their objective. Then they all hear it like a sharp crack the world seemed to stop and nobody moved for what seemed like an eternity.
"Feth me who stepped on it better yet what the hell was stepped on?" asked Worwitz.
"I did it Sergeant" said trooper Yuri he said through his rebreather you could hear his voice pale.
"Stay in a covering formation, Vasily move up to help hold the position!" yelled Dreng.
Squad 111 moved out quickly and formed a closer perimeter they could see Trooper Yuri standing their trembling like a leaf and standing on some sort of land mine.
Dreng and Worwitz moved up to Yuri.
"Try and stay calm Yuri don't lose your head that's the last thing we need is for all three of us to get blown to bits." Worwitz said as he kneeled down to look at what Yuri stepped on taking out his combat knife he dug around his foot. he could see a trigger pin snapped in two and a conical shape that looked dented up in areas.
"Sergeant I'm scared gakless right now not gonna lie" said a trembling Yuri. he was visibly shaking.
"Trooper try and remain calm if your foot gets removed from the pressure plate we all might be going home in a pine box. How manay siblings you got?" Dreng said coolly.
"Sir...I...I have a sister and another brother." Yuri said
"What are their names and how old are they?" Dreng asked
"Tomas is 8 and my sister Anya just turn 10" Yuri said.
"How old are you trooper?"
"17."
"You are doing the wider Imperium a great service for this serving in this warzone."
"It is my duty as first born son to do so my Lordship..." said Yuri calming some.
Vasily came up to Dreng and Worwitz told them that this place was littered with these things some exploded some not unsure of the magnitude of damage they may cause. Doing the perimeter set up they did find hunks of thin metal like razors or needles. they also found one that had its trigger knocked out of place and was unexploded so they may be able to put it in the place where Yuri stepped.
"So we can get me off of this thing?" asked Yuri excitedly
"Calm trooper it's possible but we gotta clear the area so it's just you an me okay?" said Worwitz.
Yuri nodded the squads fell back to the chimeras and held positions. Worwitz took the metal trigger and held it in his hand. Yuri shifted his foot slightly to the left to the trigger point was seen Sergeant Worwitz taking his combat knife scrapped out the what was left of the original trigger mechanism and slid the new one back into place. Sergeant Worwitz cautiously got up and backed away slowly after about twenty meters he told trooper Yuri to start moving Lord Commissar Dreng was on top of the Chimera with a pair of magnoculars watching the thing relaying what was going on to the rest of the squads.
"Sergeant Worwitz is backing away it looks like he is about to tell trooper Yuri to move his foot."
Trooper Yuri moved his foot off the plate. nothing happened he was trembling, shaking, he headed to sergeant Worwitz in a daze kinda laughing hysterically to himself. about ten minutes later sergeant Worwits and trooper Yuri were back at the chimeras. Trooper Yuri passed out.
"I dont blame the kid of assing out" Sergeant Wortwitz told Dreng as he reached into the chimera medicea kit to get out the smelling salts and placing it under trooper Yuri's nose. Yuri jerked up.
"That's most foul" complained Yuri.
"Chimera water then bitching...all right boys pile in we got an outpost to reach unless that's not the plan sir." Worwitz said as he looked at Dreng.
"That is a fair assumption sergeant mount up and let us get where we need to get." said Dreng as he piled back in to the chimera.
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