Hi All

This is a continuation of my army profile that I started with my Spankhammer article. Like a lot of the last article I wrote I came up with most of this due to a competition at my local store. I had to start this new article because my last article goes over the maximum size if I try to add this. It is bascially the saga/background of my force commander General Reuben Cogburn (yeah I know I stole the name) I hope you enjoy reading it.

General Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn

Early life and Background

Reuben Cogburn was born into a well to do merchant family. His family owned and operated a number of factoriums within the Northern Temperate Zone of Jalvene Prime. They had exclusive contracts with the Planetary Defence Force, supplying them with metal stamped items including canteens, as well as links to the Von Grutes trading cartel.

Reuben’s childhood was fairly uneventful. He spent the vast majority of his time in study, learning the skill of a trader as well as airs and graces of upper Jalvene society so that he could one day take over the family’s holdings. However in the little spare time he had, he could often be found watching the household guard drill in the courtyard of his family’s mansion.

On the eve of his 18th birthday Reuben, in an act he would later describe as “a teenage rebellion”, renounced his claim on the family’s business and the lifestyle of a merchant by joining the planetary defence force. His decision did not sit well with his father and caused a fracture between them that would take decades to mend.

Given his level of education he was enrolled in the officer training programme and graduated at the age of 22 with the rank of Lieutenant. Although his time in the PDF was to be short lived he earned commendation for his actions during the Water Riots on Little Bad Rock.

The Water Riots

The water riots were one of the most devastating events in the recorded history of Little Bad Rock and caused overall productivity to drop below 30%. The riots were a direct result of the failure of 4 of the planets water filtration plant’s. The failure of more than one plant was, at the time, considered impossible let alone the simultaneous failure of four plants at once, and as such the authorities were caught unprepared for the ensuing chaos. The failure of filtration plants had been caused by an unknown xeno bacterium that ate away the metal in the piping, the by-product of this corrosion was the formation of a deadly toxin in the water. The panic caused by the failure of plants allowed the toxin to spread and as a result the majority of the planet’s reservoirs had to be sealed and emptied for disinfection.

The already strictly rationed water supply was severely reduced during the disinfection period. The vast majority of the population felt that the quantity of water they were receiving was below the level required for survival. Things turned nasty when rumours began to spread that, in the more opulent residential quarters of the planet, the ruling elite had not even shut down their garden fountains. In the climate of desperation the rumours spread like wild fire and wherever it spread violence followed. The estates of the elite were ransacked and looted by the desperate workers as they searched for the rumoured fountains. The irony was that the fires caused by the rioting resulted in the water ration being dropped further, as large quantities of the available reserve were required to prevent the loss of the whole colony. The defence forces stationed on Little Bad Rock were quickly stretched to breaking point as they struggled to contain the tide of rioting workers, and were forced to call for assistance from Jalvene Prime.

Three regiments of Jalvene PDF were dispatched to Little Bad Rock to assist in the restoration of order. Among their number was the newly graduated Lieutenant Reuben Cogburn. Cogburn and his platoon were assigned to the protection of water Storage Tank 801-A. Tank 801-A was the water ration point for habitation blocks H1-A to H1-M with an approximate population of 12,000, the tank had originally been designed to supply only 1000. Greatly out numbered and the local population with barely enough water to go round, Cogburn was faced with the unpleasant prospect of gunning down civilians. However, rather than resorting to violence Cogburn ordered his men to add the contents of their canteens to that of tank 801-A. The Canteens of 100 men made little difference to the water level within the tank, but the news of what he’d done soon spread. The gesture had been enough. By the end of the riots habitation the blocks H1-A to H1-M were shown to have had the lowest instances of violence.

Thanks to his actions Coburn’s platoon were no longer required to guard the ration point with such numbers, freeing up elements of his platoon to make roving patrols into the habitation block to help maintain order. It was during one of these patrols that Cogburn, who was personally leading the patrol, discovered the source of the xeno bacterium. One of Coburn’s squad noticed that a grating, leading to the access tunnels that run underneath the majority of Little Bad Rocks habitation domes, appeared to have been prized open. Suspecting that desperation had got the better of some poor civilian, Cogburn called for reinforcements in order to make a full sweep of the surrounding tunnel network. During the sweep a small group of chaos cultist was discovered attempting to inject the bacterium into the water supply. A short fire fight followed in which all the cultists were killed. A warning went out across the colony. Enraged citizens as well as members of the defence force began to scour the access tunnels and three more groups of cultists were discovered and killed.

With the source of contamination removed order was soon restored. Shortly after the discovery of the cultists, a member of the Inquisition arrived on Little Bad Rock to begin a full investigation. For his part Cogburn received a commendation and was promoted to the rank of Captain.

Reuben did not remain with the PDF for long after the water riots. He was drafted into the imperial guard as part of the planetary tithe to the Imperium. Upon joining the 33rd regiment he was quickly rotated out of the reserve companies and into a combat company. Over the next couple of decades he saw action in numerous campaigns across the galaxy, earning a number of commendations. During this time Cogburn was quick to realize that the Imperium of man is far from unified and in order to survive one must be a strong political animal. His feats coupled with airs and graces he learned as a youngster, ingratiated him with most individuals he met. Despite the stigma of being a Jalvene he had soon developed numerous contacts and friends within the many organisations of the Imperium. However it was his tactical abilities, rather than his political connections, that saw him promoted to Colonel.

The Ore Road Gate and the battle for Skree

The 33rd Jalvene had just been sequestered into the newly formed 112th task force with 11 other Jalvene regiments. The 112th had been formed to liberate the Hey-Lon system from the Tau. Over the course of several decades the Tau’s water caste had been pouring honey into the ears of the system’s governor, with the promise ofprosperity and freedom from the imperial yoke. Slowly but surely the corruption spread across the system. It started simply enough, with the system’s people agreeing to trade with the ships of the insidious xenos. This was soon followed by the establishment of permanent trading settlements on imperial worlds. It was not long before the foul xeno culture with its ideals of the “greater good” began to worm its way into every facet of society. Then of course soldiers came, soldiers fire caste were allowed to make planet fall in order to protect the Tau assets. In little over 30 years the majority of the system belonged to the Tau without a single shot being fired. However there was a thorn in the Tau’s plan. The smallest of the systems planets, Hyan-Hee had resolutely refused all of the Tau’s approaches and requests for trade. When then systems Governor openly announced his succession to the Tau empire, Hyan-Hee sent out a request for aid.

By the time of battle the for the Ore Road Gate, Cogburn had already been given the nickname “Rooster” by the men under his command. The Rooster in Jalvene culture is a revered creature, known for both its strength and cunning. The Leatherfoot rooster, a native Jalvene fowl, is a proximately 8 feet tall with a beak strong enough to crush a man’s skull and claws capable of piercing all but the strongest armours, which they use in the wild to kill large desert vipers and reptiles. The Leatherfoot will often taunt such creatures into striking by strutting, once the viper or reptile lunges the Leatherfoot will sidestep or jump savagely kicking at the would be attacker from the flank or above. In captivity the birds are often pitted against each other in order to settle disagreements between family’s or even entire townships. In certain more disagreeable parts of Jalvene fights are held purely for sport. The winners of the fights are lauded and highly cherished for their abilities; citizens hoping to improve their status or end an old grudge will often exchange large sums to ensure breeding rights in hope of creating the strongest and most cunning birds. During the battle, which would see him promoted to Colonel of the 33rd, it was said that Cogburn displayed strength and cunning, the rooster’s greatest characteristics. The settlement of Skree sat on the crossroads of the paths that lead through the mountains of mining refuse and waste product which made up the majority of the landscape on Hyan-Hee. Despite its strategic importance, only 3 companies of the 33rd could be spared to defend it. However Cogburn using his contacts, as well as a couple cases of vintage amsac, was able to secure a trio of Griffon Mortars from the 76th and a pair of armoured sentinels from the 12th. Despite their small numbers the Settlement provided a number of advantages to the defenders. The walls were made of reinforced rockcrete, two meters thick. The surrounding mountains of scree and slag would prevent all conventional vehicles attacking from anywhere but the road. Although it would be possible to advance skimmers or infantry over the mountains of mining by-product the constant shifting nature of the slopes would seriously impede any attack. With his rear protected by elements of the 112th taskforce Cogburn concentrated on the Southern approaches. The Ore Road Gate was little more than a stone archway, the actual gate having long since fallen into disrepair. The gate was the weakest link in the settlement’s defence and would most likely be the focal point for any attack. Cogburn tasked the whole of his own company plus the auxiliaries from the other regiments to the defence of this one point; the two remaining companies would garrison the rest of the settlement and act as a reserve force respectively. When the enemy attacked it appeared that Cogburn had miscalculated the tactical situation, Kroot mercenaries attacked in a number of hit and run attacks from the eastern mountains and drone sniper teams set up positions deep within the waste, while traitor PDF units rained mortar rounds down on the walls. After several days of continuous harassment by the enemies the commanders of the other companies requested that Cogburn redistribute his company. Cogburn resolutely refused to reposition his force. “The xeno are masters of hit and run tactics, I grieve for your losses but the attacks from the east are naught but a feint, the attack will come from the Ore road. Ask yourselves why we have yet to see a single fire warrior on the Eastern slopes? The troops to the east are nothing but meat for the grinder!” After a week it must have appeared to the Tau that Cogburn had changed his stance. The forces at the Ore Road gate appeared to have been significantly reduced. Only one platoon was stationed within the gate and the drone sniper teams reported that the Griffons had now taken up position in the settlement’s central square. In addition the forces on the eastern wall appeared to have greatly increased. It was at this point that the Tau commander ordered the full attack Cogburn had predicted. The night before the attack Cogburn had led the majority of his company into the waste piles outside the walls of the settlement to lay in wait. The griffons had been withdrawn to the limits of their range in order to bombard the gate in safety, well away from the enemy’s anti armour. To give the illusion he had moved his forces to the east he had ordered that all reserves from around the settlement be stationed on the eastern wall, severely weakening the defence forces in the rest of settlement. Cogburn had taken a huge gamble that the enemy would attack the Ore Road gate. When the fire warriors reached the gate they began to take fire on their flanks. From out of the scree piles leading to the gate, poured the majority of Cogburn’s company accompanied by the two sentinels from the 12th. The Tau attempted to punch through into the settlement but a wall of fire blocked their path as the three griffons reined down shells. Within an hour the Tau force had been eradicated their superior numbers and heathen technology had been unable to save them. Shortly after their victory the three regiments of the 33rd were joined by the rest of their regiment plus several regiments of loyal PDF. The campaign to the North had gone well and Hyan-Hee had been secured. The then Colonel of the 33rd, Col Von Voites, who was killed in action during the final stages of the campaign to liberate Hey-Lon, rewarded Cogburn with a pair of hell pistols for his actions in the defence of Skree. With the Death of Von Voites and Cogburn’s success on Hyan-Hee he was promoted to Colonel.

Tygon – Sometimes even angels deserve to die

“Sir! Wake up sir!” a familiar voice cried “the Col wants to see you urgently” “Stop shaking me Neb!” lieutenant Lynch cried, “I’m awake throne damn it” “Sorry sir”, private Neb replied “but it’s urgent. Space Marines have been spotted. The Rooster has called a briefing.” “Marines? What are they doing here?”

“I can’t believe I’m about to say this Lynch” the Col said finding his composure again, “Prepare the men for immediate attack!” “Sir, what’s happened? Why are the Astartes attacking us?” Lynch stammered “I don’t know Lynch, but throne helps us”

This is an extract from, the then lieutenant, Lynch’s recollection of the battle of Tygon. Tygon is a low yield agri world of little note. At the age of 80 Colonel Cogburn and the rest of the 112th, under the command of General Schwartzberg of the 72nd Jalvene Pioneers and consisting of 7 regiments, had been dispatched to put down a minor uprising among the Ratling community. The uprising turned out to be a lot less severe than the Munitorium had feared and was little more than a few unsanctioned protests and few cases of minor vandalism. The 112th were waiting for extraction at the planets space port, when they were ordered to vacate the area by an unknown Astartes force. Being under strict guidelines from sector command’ the Jalvene had no choice but to refuse the Marine’s request. The resulting battle was short and bloody the marines had greatly underestimated the 112th task force and were defeated. During the battle Cogburn was wounded, and command of the impediate vicinity defaulted to a young lieutenant called Theodore Lynch, who’d been acting as the Colonel’s aid. Lynch bravely led a charge on the Astartes, held position and dislodged them. Although the battle was won the Jalvene did not celebrate, they had been responsible for the death of a number of the emperor’s angels and what made it worse was that they did not know the reasons behind it. An official apology was sent to the Jalvene by the chapter master of the ultra marines, who explained the marines responsible had “made a mistake” and “were acting without his knowledge”. The Inquisition and Commissariat would later declare that the Jalvene were devoid of taint had been upholding their emperor’s given duty. The battle of Tygon had two major impacts on the Jalvene 33rd. First it shot the young Theodore Lynch into the lime light. Many of Lynch’s biographers have pointed to the battle of Tygon as the first step on his ascension. He went from a relatively unknown lieutenant, destined for an operations role to a potential command candidate who had leadership potential and was unafraid to get his hands dirty. These qualities enamoured him to the ageing Cogburn who after Tygon took a special interest in Lynch’s development. Secondly Tygon showed that the Rooster was not indestructible. After Tygon many of Cogburn staff began to request that he start to take more of a backseat role and stop leading from the front. Although he took their comment under advisement, there were noticeable changes in Cogburn’s leadership style after his return from the medi-care facility. The structure of his command squad changed, his preference for close range special weapons was replaced by longer ranged heavy weapons. He began to seek council from others often going into battle with bodyguards and advisors from other regiments and the imperial navy. Finally he began to delegate many of the battlefield duties he would previously have undertaken to his junior officers. Many of his opponents would claim that these changes were due to Cogburn’s fear of death, that the man who once thought himself immortal had found out that immortality was a quality only the emperor processed. However Lynch and many of Cogburn’s junior officers contested this point of view. They insist that Cogburn was reluctant to change and it was only at their insistence that he changed his command style.

“We pleaded with him, you have to understand by this point in his career the Rooster was a legend among all the Jalvene. He had not only brought glory to the 33rd and 112th, but to Jalvene as a whole. For the first time in our history we were admired, not despised, by other regiments. His personal charisma and leadership had shaped the Jalvene military. Even before he was a general he was the man we all looked to, his death would have destroyed the 33rd regardless of any glory that may have been taken from it. His death would have ripped the soul out of the 33rd, the 112th and Jalvene and that’s why we pleaded with him.”

Extract from “From Shame to Glory” Theodore Lynch’s Autobiography

Vorok

There is not much to add that has not been explained elsewhere. The Vorokan campaign saw the 112th take some heavy losses in particular the 72nd Jalvene Pioneers were almost entirely wiped out, General Schwartzberg was killed when his Chimera was blown up by Ork Tank Bustas. By this point Cogburn was practically in command of the 112th anyway, at least in spirit, so in the restructure that followed the campaign Cogburn was promoted to General and commander of the 112th Taskforce.