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Contacting Crusade Command...
Contacting...
Contact made.

If I may, Lord General, I would cite the Codex Astartes for advice here.

I propose we pull some of our vanguard forces back, mainly the Adeptus Astartes of Strikeforces Hammer and Praetoria to shore up our interior defenses. If the Crusade is split, we will be torn to pieces, as illustrated by the Codex Astartes. Or, if Grimdi cannot be taken effectively, denying the world to our enemy may be only way, by initiating Exterminatus action. This would allow us to divert the forces already there to the rest of the front.
I would also suggest moving a detachment of Imperial Guard to the Western Front to assist our brothers, Wolverines Valiant. Perhaps the Kasrkin 20th and 56th Omegan Drakes Tempestus deployed on the now-pacified Chormi can fill this void?
Have you attempted to contact the Deathwatch lately? Why are they not assisting us in the crusade?

I am not trying to shirk my duty of exterminating the Tau menace on our borders. The aliens will die. However, we need to 'focus inwards before we expand out', to paraphrase the blessed Codex. As always, Lord-General, you are in command.

Acting-Captain Hadris Aurelius.

Transmission ceased.

Contacting Crusade Command...
Contacting...
Contact made.

This is Lord Marshall Karak
i Agree with my codex compliment Brothers. we cannot fight outwards and defend inwards at the same time, this puts our supply lines at risk and could mean sections of the frontline could be cut off from reinforcements. The Tau will be digging in, this will be a tougher one to crack but i may now reveal one full company of Imperial Fists are on there way, experts in siege craft ideal for cracking the xeno fortifcations. more Templers are inbound to replenish our loss's and provide additional ships given our success.

The High Marshall has looked upon our campaign and been generous.

FInaly interesting information from a source i cannot reveal, the TAU heqdqauters is suspected on a World called Glavicus, its location has been transmitted.

Hammer out.,

@jhe90: who's the Magos leading your Mechanicus forces on Grimid? Lieutenant Lutz is going to try and reach them in order to get help with opening the temple's gate, and I'd like to write the initial communications between the Magos and Lutz

Main fleet is under Magos Archer, but you could make one up as say the lesser ones handling the situation on the main ones behalf id that works better with your story as fleet chomander is not liekly to leave the flagship to a risky planet.,

Though my mechanicum, may want to "debrief" your men so welcome to add a tiny bit of distrust

Asartes Lords, I agree completly. We must secure the rear and the supply lines. Adhere to what the might Primarachs wrote and divert task forces to take the world. If you find it unworthy please use the resources granted with your status. I will deploy the 56th Omegan Drakes Tempestus to help on the Western front and thank you for the advise.

I welcome the reinforcements from the decedents of Dorn. Will they fall under the Lord Marshalls command or have their own? Please have them send a representative to my ship when they arrive in system

Sadly even my contacts have been unable to locate or have contact with the deathwatch, they have gone silent and will not answer to a mere mortal it would seem.

to crusade HQ

For the sake of a simple chain of command they will fall under Lord Karak, however in practice they will be operating with a high degree of independence and supporting sections of the line they are required. The Imperial Fists will mainly assigned to breaking the more subborn enemy defenses we find and available to all as specialist support.

2 Templer companies will be operating there own strike cruisers, the Defender of Terra and the Wrath of sigmound independent mainly of the main Templer fleet and supporting the line as required.

this is agreeable we believe.

Hammer out.

Thanks for the intel, jhe90!

Meanwhile, on Grimdi...

Lietenant Lutz's face was turning red in sheer disbelief of the message he was hearing. It had taken an entire day for the aftereffects of Mogrok's demise to die out, and about equally as long for everyone of his group to calm down somewhat. Now that the vox was working again, he'd managed to reach Crusade Command again, although he was starting to question the use of doing so.

"You've got to be kidding me, right? Of course you shouldn't send the entire Crusade down here you baboons, just send me someone with enough dynamite to blast this temple's fething gate open! Look, if you don't plan on talking some damn sense any time soon, get me someone who will! I've got a group of Astartes scouts and my company's captain stuck in there, and I'm not planning on leaving them behind! So you better-"

Lutz flinched as the vox suddenly shrieked in protest as someone else wrestled the vox from the agitated Navy officer he'd been talking to for the past thirty minutes.

"GREETINGS LIEUTENANT LUTZ, I AM LOGIS 33-7-OMEGA, OR 'LEIBMANN' IN YOUR GOTHIC TONGUE. I CONTACT YOU IN THE INTEREST OF-"

"FOR THE LOVE OF THE EMPEROR, TURN DOWN YOUR VOLUME MAN!", Lutz shouted into the vox, as a nasty headache followed the Logis' deafening voice.

He heard the sound of a button being turned, after which the Logis continued, albeit much softer than before.

"I APOLOGIZE, LIEUTENANT, I FORGET THAT NON-AUGMENTED IMPERIAL PERSONNEL STILL SUFFERS FROM THE FLAWS OF THEIR HUMAN FORM. I HAVE ADJUSTED MY SPEAKER VOLUME WITH 37.25%, WHICH SHOULD LEAVE MY VOICE ON THE LEVEL OF COMMON CONVERSATION."

"Praise the Emperor for that", Lutz grunted, rubbing his hurting skull.

"WE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE AND HAVE RE-ROUTED A STEALTH CRUISER TO YOUR POSITION, WHICH SHOULD ARRIVE IN CLOSE ORBIT IN TWO HOURS, FIFTY-SIX MINUTES AND TWELVE SECONDS. ITS MELTA BREACHERS HAVE BEEN PRIMED AND ARE READY TO DELIVER THE OMNISSIAH'S MERCY ON THE NECRONTYR TEMPLE."

"Wow wow wow, hang on, did you miss the part where I said we've got some of our men still stuck in there?". Lutz was starting to lose his patience, and the thought of having melta breachers hanging over his head ready to vaporize all of them didn't help much.

"WE HAVE ESTIMATED THAT, GIVEN THE AMOUNT AND EQUIPMENT OF THE FORCES SENT INTO THE TEMPLE, THEIR CHANCE OF SURVIVAL IS 12.32%. SAID PERCENTAGE IS DECREASING WITH EACH PASSING MINUTE WITH A SPEED OF-"

"I DON'T CARE!", Lutz shouted furiously into the vox. "I AM NOT LEAVING THEM BEHIND!".

The line went silent for several minutes, before the Logis finally started speaking again.

"THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE WE CAN OFFER IS TO SEND MANIPLE 7-8-THETA TO YOUR POSITION WITH ADVANCED BREACHING EQUIPMENT; HOWEVER, THERMAL AND RADIATION SCANS INDICATE THAT THE TOMB IS AWAKENING. ACCORDING TO OUR DATA, IT WILL REACH COMPLETE ACTIVATION WITHIN SIX HOURS, LEAVING YOU APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS TO BREACH THE OUTER WALLS AND LOCATE YOUR MEN BEFORE I WILL BE REQUIRED TO FIRE THE MELTA BREACHERS."

Lutz whispered a prayer to the Emperor in relief. "Finding them won't be a problem, just get your men down here. The sooner they get here, the sooner we can send this place to hell."

"UNDERSTOOD. MANIPLE 7-8-THETA IS ALREADY BOARDING TRANSPORTS. ALSO, LIEUTENANT LUTZ-"

Lutz was already expectantly looking at the sky, waiting for the cruiser to arrive in view. The idea that he was going to be able to save his Captain and some Astartes scouts thrilled him to the core. "Yes, Logis Leibmann?"

"DO NOTE THAT WE WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM SEVERAL EXAMNIATIONS ON YOU AND YOUR MEN ONCE WE HAVE EVACUATED YOU SAFELY OUT OF THE BLAST ZONE. WE CANNOT RISK THE TAINT OF THIS HERETICAL TECHNOLOGY SPREADING FURTHER IN THE SYSTEM. I HOPE YOU AND YOUR MEN WILL COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE EXECUTION OF THIS PROCEDURE."

"What do you mean with 'examina-"

"GOODBYE, LIEUTENANT LUTZ."

Lutz swallowed hard as the vox line was cut off on the other end. He looked back at the temple, and then back to the sky. He might be saving his friends from the threat of the vile Xenos, but could he save them from the one that came from his own allies?

In the depths of space, the Arvus Lighter limped across the backdrop of flickering stars, it's Imperially adorned wings peppered with scorch marks from the planet's defence turrets. Through the ship's main window, the ominous surface of Sandfall was getting ever closer. Behind the glass, sat a large green figure, his face scarred and his corded muscles tense with anticipation of things to come. Malice filled red eyes stared into the void outside. The eerie silence was abruptly broken by hysterical laughter emanating from the passenger hold of the ship.

"I told yus ya couldn't beat me, I is da best dere is." gloated Narsnaga between bursts of uncontrollable laughter.

"No fair!" protested Snagalag "Ya not allowed to spit on um. Besides, ya blinkeded before me."

The Ork in the cockpit leaned back, "Shut it! I fought I told ya to stop playin' dat stupid game, get ya kit ready anyway. We is almost dere."

"We would hav bin dere zogz ago if you'd let me tinka with dis 'unk a junk" muttered Snagalag.

"I said SHUT IT!" bellowed the Ork obviously in command, "Anyway, not even you could fix dis up in your state."

Snagalag glanced down at the wound on his chest, held together by scraps of torn cloth forming a makeshift bandage. He knew he had been fortunate to survive the encounter with the elite 'umies when they escaped Chormi. Three of the other Kommandos weren't so lucky. The three survivors had been limping their way across the sector for days, trying to regroup with the rest of Waaagh! on Sandfall. Skulkrusha would be waiting for them there.

"I always fought you should've been Warboss" Narsnaga said, "I mean, Skulkrusha is brutal and kunnin' and dats good an all, but you, you is proper brutal and proper kunnin'." There was silence. The two Kommandos stared at the Ork at the helm, waiting for his reply. "Gorgutz?"

"How many times do I have to say shut it! Skulkrusha is da warboss ere an I ain't havin' no one sayin' uvawise!" snapped Gorgutz, his patience finally worn thin."You, Snagalag! Get on dat comms and tell da boss to get us a welcome party."

Snagalag grabbed a battered Imperial vox system and began to fiddle with the dials and switches. Before he could find the frequency he was searching for, he came across something. Something none of the Orks wanted to hear.

"Boss, I don't fink dere is gonna be no welcome party."

"Wat do ya mean?"

"Warboss Skulkrusha, he's dead."

Welocme, hope your enjoying the thread we have going :-)

The tau space is currently being left alone for abit so that's fine until necron chapter is done I think. But your welcome to bring em into play again.

A time that was both a century and a minute later, they left the Warp. The moment they did so, Sharikh wasted no time and rammed his ritual dagger into the twisted, tortured body bound before him. At once, the victim's screaming and begging in despair ended and was replaced with an eerie silence. There. He saw the soul leave the broken body and grasped it as a man would grasp a hanging towel. 'It is time to find out if they are ally or victim.'

With a sweeping motion, as if hurling a heavy object, he threw the soul into the abyss beyond - and his own followed.

The spirit reached out and found the sorcerous mind leading these renegades and entered, splitting in two as the soul's power was expended to extend Sharikh's reach.

With a loud swirl like icy winds, the hazy transparent shape of Sharikh's focused mind took form on their ship, though he was not alone, for he had brought a second, horned shape with him.

'Hail thee, servants of Chaos.' the images of Sharikh and Kharaxx said in perfect unison. 'We bring you greetings from the great Lord Kraxis, and we ask of your intent in this warzone.'

The Sorcerer was walking through the hallways of The Broken Blade, The Remnants' second cruiser, escorting the men who had been sent out to Gallor Prime towards the bridge. It was a small vessel, a Stealth Cruiser of sorts, captured decades ago in a raid against Imperial forces. Its small size and stealth capacity made it perfect for covert operations like the ones they had been recently performing across the system.

Although 'covert' might not be the best word for what happened on Gallor Prime.

He looked at the rag-tag assembly of men that accompanied him. The Alpha Legion operatives looked tired more than anything, their clothes dirty and worn, reeking with the scent of explosions and rubble. Tel Asag was seemingly pleased with himself, blood dripping from just about every surface of his armour, all of it not his own. He knew the Word Bearer was chewing on something, but he wasn't planning on asking what it was anytime soon. The other Marines, a Black Legionnaire and a brother of the Steel Brethren, walked at the end of the group in silence.

Said silence was broken when a voice called out to them from right behind them.

"Hail thee, servants of Chaos",said two voices as one. "We bring you greetings from the great Lord Kraxis, and we ask of your intent in this warzo-"

At once, six stubber rifles and two bolters were hastily aimed at the hazy shapes appearing behind them, Tel Asag raising his claws in preparation with an inhuman growl. The Sorcerer stood motionless amongst them, calmly turning towards the source of the sound.

"Stand down, brothers", he spoke softly to the men surrounding him. "They are not here."

"Maybe you need your eyes checked, Sorcerer, for I can see them being here quite clearly", replied the operatives' leader as he continued to train his pistol on the shape's head.

The Sorcerer sent him an icy glare, which convinced the operative to keep his mouth shut, before continuing.

"As for your question, Sharikh -laying just enough emphasis on the name for it to sound threatening-, I could ask you the same." The Sorcerer addressed only him, ignoring Kharaxx, as he knew that the latter was here more as a symbol of strength rather than as a messenger.

Sharikh smiled. This Sorcerer was no fool.

"Perhaps we should make a deal; I show you mine, you show me yours", Sharikh spoke, a wicked smile creeping along his lips.

The Sorcerer did not respond, which Sharikh took as acceptance.

"Then again, I suppose you already know part of it, don't you?", he probed, trying to uncover how much the Sorcerer had followed their movements.

The Sorcerer didn't rise to the bait. "You intend to strike at the Imperium from every possible angle", he spoke, unveiling only as much as was needed to form a reply. "Perhaps even claim part of this sector for yourselves, or at least reap the spoils of the wars that are waged in it."

"Perhaps", Sharikh replied, amused by the remark. "But does the same count for you? You have certainly surrounded yourself with a rather... unique group of individuals, whose set of skills hint at a far more delicate goal", he continued, as his eyes slid over the assembled Marines and operatives.

"You wouldn't happen to be looking for something, would you?", he asked provocatively, his gaze resting on the Sorcerer once more.

A sharp jolt of pain struck his skull, and a thin line of blood began to trickle down his nose. Sharikh kept his posture, barely acknowledging the pain that was pounding against his skull. It was not the first time he experienced something like this, and he knew it was more of a warning shot than an actual attack. It did confirm his suspicions, however; this warband was looking for something.

"Our actions here are of no concern to you", the Sorcerer spoke, his words sounding more like a warning rather than a statement. "Know only that we have no interest in confronting you."

Now that was a surprise. Usually, other warbands would scream bloody murder if another warband even hinted at entering 'their' territory, fearing that another might claim the spoils they craved. It did make things easier for the Glacier Serpents, however.

"So we can agree on a truce, then?", Sharikh asked, pleased with this turn of events. "We stay out of your way, and you stay out of ours?"

"On two conditions", the Sorcerer added.

Of course, there would be a condition or two. Every warband they'd negotiated with had always had some, even if they had been in no position of asking for even one.

"Which would be?", Sharikh replied, internally sighing at the predictability of it all.

"We have errands to run on Gallor Prime. We do not want the planet to draw unnecessary attention... too soon, at least", the Sorcerer spoke starkly.

A strange request, one that hinted at the planet holding some sort of importance, but one that was easy enough to adhere to.

"And the other?"

"The Acting-Captain of the Ultramarines forces in this area", the Sorcerer continued, his eyes firmly fixed on Sharikh's.

"What of him?"

"He must live."

Truly a strange warband, this one, Sharikh thought.

"Although that is more the field of expertise of my friend here", Sharikh answered, looking sideways to Kharaxx, who was already losing his patience, "I will attempt to keep the good Captain as alive as possible."

"Acting."

"Pardon?"

"Acting-Captain, Sharikh."

"Ah, yes. Acting-Captain", Sharikh noted.

"And in return..."

"We will not intrude on your business in this sector", the Sorcerer finished the sentence hanging on Sharikh's lips.

"Very well. I will relay this information to Lord Kraxis", Sharikh spoke, as he slowly started pulling his and Kharaxx's soul back to their bodies.

"We will speak again", the Sorcerer replied, as if it was a fact more than a question.

"I'm sure of it", Sharikh replied, as his soul was thrown back across the abyss, his smile never leaving his visage.

Truly, this would get interesting...

Should he send the report. it would make interesting reading but they where powerful, His ship was faster but the Battle barge....

Aboard the Ultra Marine ship the Acting captain studied a document prepared by the tech marines and observers from thunder hawk crewmen to the serfs manning the defense turrets, The Emperors Vengeance hid them well but not well enough, her Broadside concealed Lance batteries, off a battleship or similar craft built into hollowed Macro cannons giving her a far longer range than first seemed, The escorts though modified where once Imperial Navy Destroyers now with upgraded engines and reinforced hulls. Not standard issue to the Arastes, Macro's yes but Lances no, less so ones once mounted on a battleship! And Navy ships, the Templers where rather open in there interpretations.

Was this fleet risking crossing the lines of the past, long ago it had limited the space marine ships for the greater good of the future, no longer did they have fleets to rival the Navy though a few older chapters possessed relics, powerful relics of that time, the Eternal Crusader, Space Wolves, practically renegades at times but so old that none could seem to touch them...

He mused, this was minor, to make a enemy of Lord Karak was unwise, He has the larger fleet, more Marines and would be a formidable opponent in combat, his speed catching the head was fast for his amours bulk, Artificer by the seems and the backing of the formidable chapter rumored to nearly be 5000 strong at the highest end, Crusaders, loop holes, but this was beyond any other, even the Space Wolves never where this strong. this bit of information he would keep, Karak was stubborn but his ships secrets he would like to keep quiet, a nice bargaining chip. others would pay nicely for this though, there strength was of great interest to some.

Leaning Back, The Acting Captain placed the document in his vault, only a few knew it existed, that way it would stay as the more who knew, the more weak points for exposure.

**************

Lord Karak stood on the bridge, Dark corners lit by holo displays, screens and the dim eyes of servitors that roamed performing minor functions too trivial for normal crew. Repairs would be completed within the hour, Warp drives already warming up and power systems where coming to life, the Ships great length lay out in front of them, his enhanced eyes picking out small shapes by the light of plasma welders and shuttles adding the last few plates over the damaged sections.

"Chaplain Vargos, you have the Bridge, inform me when we are ready to depart."
"Aye Marshall, " The Chaplain thought, he'd recommend the Tech Marine be noted in the records, the ship was ready to depart in half the time that had been planned.

**************

TO CRUSADE HQ

FROM Incoming Reinforcements

The Defender of Terra is assigned to Acting Marshall Ivan. Strike cruiser with a compliment of 85 Marines. The Marshall will be under Lord Karaks supervision, his rank is equal to a Acting Captain and will be evaluated and watched.

The Wrath of sigmound is asigned to Chaplain Arcos, Rapid strike Cruiser with a compliment of 50 Marines but has a higher speed and increased capability for hit and run warfare as well as fast attack and deep strikes.

The Gates of Eternity is under the Imperial fist Captain Marko Ramius, including augments of the First and Scout companies. Also equipped with increased siege and supplies for longer tern engagements.

Representatives will present themselves at the HQ in 2 solar days with combat deployments beginning shortly after once final checks are completed.

Out.

************
The Lord general was in two minds, the reinforcements where vital but this also gave those derived from Inprial fists a rather strong hand, Ultra marine reinforcements may balance this out more however. a dilemma,one that he still had to fully calculate its full consequences and results. Karak and the younger Ultramarine where somewhat opposed, the earlier slights where not forgotten and Honur was still on the line. This would be interesting and here seeming close areas of operation made this more imperative to watch.

Hands clasped behind his back, Aurelius gazed out of the window framed in his personal sanctum aboard the Battle Barge Rath's Honour. He had missed this ship in particular, from his time during the 12th Black Crusade. Many of his 1st Company brethren and honour guard had fought there, assigned to the defence of Graildark. The fighting had been fierce, Astartes fighting Astartes in the shattered rubble. The fleet action had been equally vicious, with ships committing themselves to near-suicidal acts of heroism and bravado. Aurelius still remembered the hoarse yelling of Fragius as he drove his Battle Barge into a Chaos Battleship, tearing through it's impenetrable hide with it's aquiline prow. When the ship was recovered, his friend had been found dead, like all of the other Ultramarines aboard. More names to remember and mourn. The Acting-Captain had been only a veteran back then, assigned aboard the helm of the Rath's Honour, swiftly becoming an expert at fleet engagemnts and engaging power armoured foes. One only had to know where to aim.

Like on the Emperor's Vengeance. Sure, the ship dwarfed the Ultramarine's vessels, but it's modified nature held weaknesses of their own. A structural defect on the starboard flank, behind the twenty-first gun battery, unbeknownst to those who didn't know it. More like these could be found all over the vessel. Not many enemies could ever find these, but the Ultramarine's Techmarines had the advantage of time and proximity to find them. Not that it mattered.
Karak would not be so bold as to engage Strikeforce Praetoria for a misperceived slight, would he? If he did so, he truly would be insane. Praetoria's destruction would rally the Ultramarine's Chapter to eradicate the Templar fleet. Even the Imperial Fists themselves would find themselves duty bound to assist. Not that it would ever happen. Karak was no fool. Arrogant, overlooking of Aurelius' capabilties, but no fool.
Unlike Aurelius.

Skulkrusha had, even in death, found ways to spit at the son of Guilliman. The majority of his Waaagh! had fled Sandfall, tearing themselves to pieces as they sought to find a new leader. He should've struck. He should've extended further and wiped them out for good. Codex be damned, they should've been run down, blasted apart in the depths of the void.
No. Honour the Codex. You are weak, weak without it. Trust in the Codex.
Still, he knew they were out there. Weaker, far weaker, but growing. And with the news of Gorgutz, Skulkrusha's genetic descendant, on the loose, things could get far worse. He sighed. So many enemies, so little time.

He turned away, the vast hulk of the Emperor's Vengeance drifting past him.

It would be a long war.

Sorry i haven't done any updates for my lads. I'm still terrible at writing fluff, and I've been sick the last few days. I'll try to update my boys through a series of vox transmissions soon in the next few days. I'll probably do one tonight. How do you guys feel about imperial assassins? I just finished 4 of them and i want to use them in game.

Contacting Crusade Command...
Contacting...
Contact Made.

My Lord,
The ork kommandoes have been driven from the world of Chormi through our efforts and that out the Cadian 13th. Only a few of the foul xenos were able to escape on a stolen flier. Now that this has been done I would request a chance to send my strikeforce to investigate the rumors of chaos warbands entering the sector.

Lord Commander Jeremiah

In a dimly lit room, with walls of ivory and floors covered in glowing runes, sits a lone, gaunt figure. The figure is a man. But he is no human. His features are superficially human, yes, but there is something distinctly alien in this individual's appearance. A casual observer couldn't put their thumb on it easily. He is a member of the ancient space faring race known as the Eldar. This Eldar sits motionless, silent and expressionless as if he were dead. Yet upon sensing the door behind him slide open he swiftly gets to his feet. A narrow wedge of stark light was cast in the room.

"Farseer, you summoned me?", asked a feminine voice.

"Indeed I have Autarch. I have been receiving disturbing visions while studying the strands of fate", replied the male.

The other Eldar entered the room. Her two, heavily armed and armored bodyguards waited outside. The door closed as suddenly and quickly as it had opened. Once more the room was dark.

"Visions of what, exactly?".

The Farseer turned around to face the woman. "There is a system that the Imperium calls Charadon. It is currently being beset by a formidable Ork Horde. My visions tell me that the Imperium is sending forces to retake this world but...".

The seer falls silent for a few moments. The Autarch frowns and says, "Please. Continue".

"My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment. The instruments of war are playing a swan song that is attracting our eternal foes. The forces of Chaos gather to pillage Charadon in the name of their depraved gods".

"There is something you are not telling me. We do not attempt to stop every Chaos incursion we take notice of".

"I am unsure of the cause for this urgency myself. I must continue to meditate on these visions... until then, Autarch, assemble a strike force. Our mission will be to cripple the forces of Chaos at their most critical points. But most importantly we must remain unseen".

"What if we are discovered by the Imperium? Surely someone will take notice of us if you are sending me of all people to take care of this problem".

"Attempt to broker an alliance with the humans if you can but, as always, be prepared for the inevitable betrayal. These savages are untrustworthy at best"

"I understand, Farseer. I shall assemble a force now".

The Autarch turns around and leaves the room. The Farseer brushed his robes and sits back down. He closes his eyes and returns to his death-like state.



Apologies if I got some stuff wrong I am not terribly familiar with Eldar lore.

On the surface of Dellota IV the largest moon orbiting the planet of Gulchwater.


Kaptin Grinbad and Kaptin Brutus Zogspitta stood in one of the moon’s many craters, the air was thin virtually non existent in the moons weak atmosphere. Above and behind them was the landa that they came on from the Dakkanator. Grinbad attempted to light his cigar but the match’s flame was incredibly weak after it was struck and went out. Zeknet climbed down the crater slowly, knocking rocks down the crater, the blind weirdboy Zed KlockWog stumbled down the crater landing relatively softly thanks to the low gravity. Zeknet laughed as he continued to descend from the cliff, Zed furious at his new apprentice’s jest fired a bolt of energy from his Dragon head staff, at the rocks above the shaman. The rocks came crashing down with the snake bite to the bottom of the cavern, from his back Zed spoke “Oi careful ya old arse biskit.” Zed laughed and turned his attention to Grinbad “Dis iz where dem chaos boyz said ta meet em.” Grinbad yelled “Krem go get us a table and chairs from da ship” the ork yelled “Aye kaptin” Grinbad looked to Brutus “You up fer a game of Kards while we wait.”

The game of “Dakka Kards” was on its last phase of combat. Grinbad had on his field, A Goff Dakka Jet and a Snake Bite nob. Brutus had a Blood axe Storm Boy, and Deff Skull Mek. Brutus smiled as he played Grukk FaceRippa, obliterating Grinbad’s field. Grinbad examined the play threw his fist straight into the ork’s gob. “Bahhh ya cheated like a zoggin blood axe, what klan you say you from again.” Brutus spat out a toof than quickly pocketed it “I’m a Deff Skull, I told ya.” Above them on the other side of the crater came the corrupted black Thunderhawk Gunship.

The Face of the gunship opened up creating a ramp between the ships chaise and the lunar surface. Four human cultist clad in red carapace came storming out of the ship taking positions along the rim of the crater, they wore rebreathers they would suffocate in minutes without them. After them came a space marine in dark olive power armor, flanked on his left by a black armored marine, and on his right a purple garbed marine. The leader leaped into the crater landing powerfully but with complete control. His companions did the same soon after. The putrid marine wore neither a helmet nor a breather. He approached the seated the ork at the desk, the chair was large enough to sit but he would not sully himself by touching the green skin’s invention no matter how base or common.

Grinbad sat at the desk with his legs kicked up on the scrap metal table. As the marine approached Grinbad removed his still unlit cigar from his mouth and placed it into his coat pocket. Krem and Zed stood to his left, while Zeknet and Brutus stood to his right. About four orks remained in various positions above the crater near the ship armed with shootas.

The Deathguard marine looked at the orks with unfathomable disgust. He spoke to Grinbad “As you haven’t attacked me I assume you must be the ork I am to meet” Grinbad planted his feet back to the floor and spoke “And you must be da chaos boy.” Gorgyron was offended by the orks crude statement spoke with thinly veiled anger “Did you bring your relics” the warboss laughed “Pft no” Gorgyron made no attempt to mask his anger this time “Why.” The kaptin chuckled “Did you bring yours?” Gorgyron spoke lowly “listen Ork you are metaling in things that are beyond your comprehension.” Grinbad was to beginning to anger as well “Iz dat so well I know a lot more den you fink Space Merheen. I know bout da vault on Gallor Prime. I know to open da vault you need Da Box, Da Staff, Da Black Skull, and da Broken Sword. I know dat I got everything I need but dat staff and da blood of a space merheens. And I know dat I want whatever is in dat vault iz mine, I’m offering you gitz a chance to share some of my plunder in exchange fer yer elp. Take my message.” Grinnbad looked to his krew and turned around to walk away. It was than the chaos marine said “Stupid ork scum” Grinnbad turned around and charged the nearest marine, the purple clad marine had the misfortune of being the closest. The warboss let loose with a powerful head-butt, The ork’s adamantium skull made contact with the marine’s head crushing the helmet collapsing it inward, cracking the the left visor lense and shattering the right. The marine collapsed to the floor. The Black Legionnaire raised his bolter to fire but Gorgyon knocked it away. “We need the ork alive.” Zed slammed slammed his staff to the ground and all the orks in the area were transported back into their landa. They took off as the cultist began firing at their vessels with their auto rifles. The Legionnaire looked to Gorgyon “Shall we pursue them” Gorgyon “No let them go, we will report what we have learned” Gorgyon looked down to the Emperor’s Child, it is possible he may yet still live. He called to the Legionnaire and spoke “put him on the ship and let’s get out of here.”

Aboard The Wanderer, a shrill shriek of pain resounded through the halls.

Gorgyron turned his eyes back to the Apothecarion, where the Emperor's Child was currently being relieved of his helmet. By the sound of things, it wasn't going as smoothly as the Apothecary had hoped.

"So they want to enter the Vault", The Commander asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"Yes", sighed Gorgyron, his mind brought back to the conversation. "They probably believe it's full of gold, or at least something of value. Fools."

Gorgyron spat at the ground. The acid of his saliva formed a small corroded stain on the floor, as it burned through the metal plating with ease. The Commander watched it in silent disgust, noting that he'd have to send someone to clean that up.

"I have no idea why you even sent me down there. We both know the Orks are beyond reason", Gorgyron continued. "And it doesn't help that I myself don't even know what's truly down there."

The Commander didn't respond. Although Gorgyron couldn't see his face, he knew that behind the lenses of that ancient Mark III helmet, his leader was troubled.

"It is best for you not to know. In fact, none of you should", the Commander spoke softly.

"We're all in this together, Commander", Gorgyron replied. His lips turned into a smile. "So a little bit of trust wouldn't hurt".

The Commander chuckled. "Trust, Gorgyron? You know what kind of monsters and scoundrels I have under my command, and you speak me of trust?"

He laughed heartily. "I can tell you this, my friend: I may not reside in hell, but I have a firm grasp on what devils dwell there."

Gorgyron burst into laughter at the remark. "You wound me, Commander", he spoke in a mocking tone. "Are we that unworthy of your trust?"

"The Word Bearers certainly are", the Commander retorted, his smile hidden by his helmet. "Now tell me, what do you suggest we do about these unruly Orks?", he continued, in a more serious tone.

"We could attack them. Claim the artefacts for ourselves", Gorgyron mused. "But that would cost us time and resources we don't have."

"True. And open conflict with the Orks would only attract more attention than we can stomach at the moment", the Commander replied.

"An alliance, perhaps?", Gorgyron suggested, although he knew that would only complicate things.

"They'd betray us the second we turn our backs on them. We can't risk them running off with the artefacts, unless we manage to hit two birds with one stone and use the staff to destroy both Gallor Prime and the other artefacts", the Commander answered.

"Which could backfire tremendously", Gorgyron replied, "We'd be playing right into the Orks' hands by giving them access to the artefacts and our blood for them to shed."

The Commander nodded in agreement. Both Marines stood there, lost in thought, trying to figure out another way out of this mess.

"I suppose there is only one viable option here, then", Gorgyron finally said, his tone revealing a sense of unease at what he was about to say. "We must strike at Gallor Prime. With the staff."

His eyes locked with the Commander's.

"And pray that whatever's down in that Vault stays there."

TO Acting Captain Aurelius

From Acting Marshall Ivan

Greetings Brother, good to see you again, and a promotion well deserved. Remember the Battles aboard the space hulk Herald of the storm? i still owe you for saving me from that hulk worm.

I have been given my chance at promotion, the Defender of Terra is my ship, of course they assigned Lord Marshall Karak to watch me, well being one of the most experienced in the chapter, a hard one to impress, My ship and crew are ready to fight alongside you once more should you need it,

Ivan out
May Dorn bless your bolter and they fly true,

***************

Deep in the astaroid belt surrounding a system of dead worlds, long forgotten, there surface hid ruins of the past but no life remained, few plants grew in the ash wastes, deserts and blasted ruins. the base was ramshackle, winding and built to no plan, a organic cluster of metal, rock and strange crystiline rooms in flowing organic shapes, here dwelled the Black Lords. Pirates, renegades, deserters and criminals. all where damned in this place and order was enforced by death as only the strongest survived. the strongest was Arkon "Scar" as known to his closest thugs, strongly built and a formerly a warrior in service of the inquisition, his master went rouge and was killed, he fled before they could kill him, the rest where not so lucky.

"What news of the Impirals spider? his voice alive with malice and violence.

"they gather in strength, Many ships, at least 2 battleships, many cruisers, space marines and guard, Mars comes, the Inquisition hides but it is here. Chaos is here too, they hunt something, something dangerous." The spider was small, his face was a mass of tattoo's and marks, the art of a mad man but his spies, for this he lived.

"ha, this is getting interesting then, something valuable no doubt, send out your flies, but be careful, if they are detected, your going into the fighting pits"

***********************

"Monkeih, Craftworlders. so uptight and boring, the Gorillas, savage orks, mindless and brutal, Chaos, too many factors, the corsairs cannot fight a full scale open war, many of those factions are simply but lesser chaf staining the galaxy we once ruled, but there numbers, such a plan would risk everything we have built"

"Farseer Binoculus, and the predictions of teliscopus, long ago the opening of the vault was long predicted, Chaos knows this, Imperials are idots to warp. however should this open the doom will return, long ago the beast was contained, ancient evils, old before time, this we cannot allow."

"Long ago, are you so weak? do the corsairs need a new leader? do you fear words, want to go back to your cushy craftworld?" Tension rising, blood pumping, both waiting....

"Petulant, still thinking like a human"

Blades flashed, in the blink of a human eye both had drawn and attacked, only the Corsair lord was faster, and her rivals head lay on the elegant deck. stepping over the body to the organic control console almost growing up out of the ships hull, activating a small gem like butten, "The time has come, the lesser animals have had there fun, now time for the hunters to rise!"

Time for some "gifts/scenarios" for my lovely players, if you want one just PM me your number and I will PM back what you got.

Brother Vararrox Mendera’s helmet sat scorched and ruined in the corner of the burned out house, beside his squad mate Azkaerleo Invake. The last of Bravo Squad and as far as Vararrox knew the last remnants of theWolverines Valiants sent on Operation Blind Truth. Azkaerleo was busy trying to raise comms with any Imperial Forces in the area while Vararrox couldn’t shake the battle from his memories. It was supposed to be a simple extraction, find the Inquisitor and pull out, only the same fething demons from before had shown their faces........

“I am Lord Kla'Hrek of Khorne's 6th Bloodhost” the former Space Marine bellowed from his massive beast “I know you are blind to the lies you’ve been told! I was once blind but Khorne has set me free! Join us brothers! Let us have this lapdog of the false God and join us in serving a true GOD!”
Something inside Vararrox had stirred when he the words but like his brothers he dismissed the words and readied his meltagun.
Vararrox watched as the Land Raider and Centurion squad fired lascannons and missile launchers into the Lord’s beasts and men, yet they came on like no man could. The damned librarian, in his shining blue terminator suit, surrounded by battle brothers were cut down like wheat in the fields on his left. Even the Land Raider threw a tread on the rocks, where was the Emperor? On his right Alpha squad was advancing to some gibbering demons and avoiding the howling dogs. Vararrox had never felt such fear, how could the Emperor allow such monsters in his realm. “He lies, he is false” No one had spoken, Vararrox looked at his squad to see if they had heard it but no one flinched. Where had that come from? He had no time to think on it before the demon dragon came overhead destroying their rhino with its talons. Vararrox stumbled out of the wreck with Bravo squad as the dragon came back around. With a sudden woosh of fire, all but two men of Bravo were melted in their suits. Vararrox’s helmet was burnt, all electrical fried on the inside. He scrambled into a bush as the Land Raider knocked Lord Kla’Hrek off his beast, for some reason Vararrox knew his former brother would rise again. How could someone wield such power? As fast as the Demons had attacked, they stopped. They had killed the Inquisitor but why had they stopped killing the rest of us? The hounds stopped short of Alpha Squad, a snarling Juggernaught with blood dripping from is maul, looked him in the eyes and kept walking by. “Do not fear, join us, see his lies” Charlie Squad opened fire, how stupid Vararrox had thought, they sealed their deaths. Vararrox never saw what happened to Charlie as he rushed away from the bloodbath......

“Varrarox! Varrarox! Are you ok?” Azkaerlo shouted, breaking him from his trance.
“Yes, I am fine. Why do you think we were not killed in that battle Azkaerlo? Was the Emperor saving us? Why did such a fallen brother wield so much power? Why do we not yield this power?”
“Careful Vararrox, you speak of heresy. Our escort out of this dump is on its way. Clearly the Emperor favors us and will guide us to ultimate victory. He has deemed it so.
“He lies, he believes his lies”
Vararrox could not understand why he believed the voice in his head, truly there is a greater power than the Emperor if one man can defeat a tactical force of Space Marines.
“I think the Emperor hides power from us” he blurted, how those words escaped his mouth hell never know but the face of Azkaerlo told him he had overstepped his teachings. Azkaerlo quickly reached for his bolter but Vararrox had expected this and put a molten mass through Azkaerlo’s chest plate. He would not be denied the truth by Azkaerlo’s shallow thinking. Vararrox heard the incoming Stormraven, he would have to tell the heroic story of Azkaerlo falling to his wounds of battle. The Wolverines would honor all their fallen brothers today, giving glory to the Emperor and his holiness, but Vararrox knew one thing about the Emperor the rest didn’t.

He lies

Sergeant Grey pulled away from the flying shrapnel, ice and frost slicing through the air where his head was. The greenskins were holding the manufactory with every breath they had, damn them. Even being pushed back to the inner redoubt, they still unloaded unbelievable amounts of suppressing fire onto the advancing Cadians. Grey's men had been joined by the remnants of Sergeant Gove's squad. Gove had been picked off as he dashed through cover. Two of Grey's own squad were dead, and another wounded. He didn't even know their names.

This was Manufactorum Delphi-Pi. The 2nd Company of the Cadian 13th had been tasked with it's capture as a field repair station so that the armoured units in 4th and 5th Companies could operate further in the field without needing to be repaired back at Field Command. The plan seemed fine. Artillery squadrons from 5th Company would bombard the base from beyond the ice cliffs, whilst the rest of the Cadian infantry from the 2nd Company would rappel from the ice cliff. 3rd Company's mechanised infantry would move through the valley when the orks were pinned down to support the infantry.

Or so went the plan. No-one could've expected the storm to pick up so quickly. Many Cadians had been unable to descend fast enough, and been blown clear off the ice cliffs as they rappeled down. The rest were stuck down with no support or cover. Basically, the typical life of Sergeant Grey.

Sergeant Terkan was ahead, his squad of demolition specialists preparing their charges to breach the next wall. Breaching was easy. He would need more men to take it.
"Forward, to the wall!" Grey snapped to his men, lobbing a frag grenade at the dark silhouettes on the icy battlements. The driving snowstorm made aiming nigh impossible. Only the orks seemed unaffected, probably due to their weak aim anyway. The grenade detonated, and the white-hot hail of bullets ended abruptly.
Grey was already vaulting over the corner of the broken wall, sprinting over the frozen rocks to regroup with Terkan. All of his men followed suite, bar Corporal Hickson.

Hickson took point, keeping his lasrifle blasting at the greenskins. He barely used half his clip when he was shredded in half. Grey sighed in frustration. Hickson used to have a habit of taking the squad tactics he learnt a bit too seriously. Grey knew they would be the end of him. It appeared that Arcturia would be the last world the young Cadian would visit.

Terkan shifted along the wall to greet Grey. He extended a bionic arm.

"Nice to see someone could get up here! The rest of Alpha are pinned down!" he shouted over the din.

"My pleasure!" Grey was barely audible over the sound of gunfire.
"The lieutenant has tried to get the armoured company inbound, but the ice is playing hell with their treads! We can't get an airstrike in either!"

"Looks like we get the honour!"

"How many are in there?"

Terkan stopped and listened to the enemies on the other side of the wall.
"About twenty, possibly thirty!"

Grey grimaced. "Acknowledged. Prepare to breach!"

Grey checked his chainsword, using his laspistol to melt off chunks of ice on the cold metal. For all the good a laspistol was at killing hulking orks and genetically-engineered supermen, it was a useful little tool. He nodded to his platoon, who prepared their lasguns, and then to Terkan.
Terkan turned to his sappers.
"Blow it!"

The section of the inner fort erupted in a roaring fireball, liquefying the snow in a heartbeat. Ferrocrete chunks rained into the heart of the structure, causing untold damage: Terkan's boys were some of the best sappers in the regiment. The few orks left recoiled in shock and turned to the smouldering opening. Sixteen lasguns met their gazes, arrayed in close order drill.
"Fire!"
Grey gave the order, and watched as greenskins dropped like wheat to a scythe.
"Fire!"
More orks fell, some snarling in bestial fury as lasbolts scored their gnarled flesh.
"Fire!"

As the red sun rose over the white snows of Arcturia, the frost-coated banner of the Cadian 13th flew over the manufactorum, black smoke reaching into the blue skies.

And here it is.

Oporation Chardon 1256Delta

“The orks are holding the hill, marked on your map as target Alpha. It is a ruined manafctorium complex and as such has thick walls and the position is easily defended. The Hill has no cover on axis of the attack so speed is of the essence, Tank support is limited due to the nature of the rock and you will be under enemy fire all the way up from the trench lines to the walls. Any questions?”
The briefing was held in a medium sized tent, a large map was blown up on the far wall and officers of the various units where assembled both Cadian and Death Korps.

“No Sir” echoed around the tent. It was tight in there, Emperor help them if the ork artillery hit now.

“good, fallout and brief your sub units, Dismissed”

“Cadians, NCO briefing, 2 minutes. “
“Right, its tough job this time, that hill is right arse to capture. Demolitions squads are on the Chimeras supported by veterans squads will cover their advance and control the Breach, the Tank units will cover the advance with fire from below, its tricky that rock so steady gentlemen, no rushing the breach or you will throw a track.
The main bulk of the infantry will advance under the cover fire from the tanks and carry the breach.

Understood?”
“YES SIR” replied the assembled men of the Cadian regiments, it was a tough job but they where the best.
“Dismissed”

meanwhile at the Kreig camp.
“all Units. Orders.
Assault pattern 831, staggered line 21, fast advance.
Gorgon demolitions leading, Grenadiers in support.
Artillery, barrage 17, pattern 67Delta.
Timing, K hour 17, barrage 1 minute before.

FOR Kreig, the emperor and a good death”

The difference in tactics was stark to SGT Argile, a veteran of 5 previous planetary missions now was one of the veterans and senior NCO’s in the unit. Death Korps, robots that threw them self in waves of blood and bodies, Both came from war worlds but the Kreig, they only knew how to die. Cadia was tough but Kreig, Krieg was the grimiest of the grim.

The attack began, dust, smoke shells and fires blew great plumes into the air covering the advance up the hill, tracks tearing into the stone and clawing their way up the slope. The Kreig massive gorgons made it first ploughing aside their own men who got in the way, adapted for trench use their wide tracks where well suited to the terrain and demolitions squads charged, no detonators, they triggered the charges taking there lives and the wall with them as stone flew high and the ground shook. The Grim grenadiers, first to die, first to fight charged as the ramps dropped sending vollys of las fire into the breach whilst the grenades thudded in scattering more wall down and green muscular limbs flew into the sky.

On the Cadian flank the teams unloaded under the cover of the APC cannons, bolters and the huge impacts of leman russ shells slamming home and forcing the defenders back, explosives where planted and squads formed into a cross fire that slaughtered many orks when the wall fell.
Squads followed behind adding their weight of fire into the breach fluidly moving and adapting unlike the set lines of Kreigsman to there flanks advancing in set skirmish order and grey coats and red blood marking their axis of attack.

The walls breached, battle closed to the range of hip firing, bayonets and crude blades, greenskins where tenacious and showed no sign of giving in as the bodies mounted up. Entire squads where lost to the goliath Nobz and only plasma weaponry was making mark upon their thick armour, the warboss, a huge monster of metal, armour and steam hissing from vents took dozens of hits to fell as it slaughtered dozens of men, finaly slain by a heroic last stand of a commissar running his sword through the green skins thick skull as the claw tore his body apart.

With that ork resistance crumbled as Orks, men and other Orks engaged in a 3 way chaotic battle, leaderless the infighting was taking as much toll on them as the guard could inflict.

The battle was over, SGT Argile sat on the wall with the remains of her veteran squad, all bore some form of wound and where being patched up by the medic, letting her hair down and helmet sat leaning on the powerful las carbine barrel. The view from the walls was grim, to the right even just straight after grim supply troops gathered any left equipment from the fallen death korps and finished off the wounded.
“those Kreig, Cadian training was tough, but these lot, there just dead already and they know it”
“aye SGT, excuse me, il go try and scavenge some more caffine, Frog get the fire hotter, i want it hot, not tepid this time”
“feth you, next time get some dryer wood!”
“ha, least its not Amartas turn, that was worse than what the orks drink. “

Down below the wall the Death korps gathered silently round fires, not noticing the mud, blood and dust they where surrounded by, rarely gas masks where off and felt more vulnerable. The Sgt looked up, so unprofessional, excess talking, kit stacked randomly, medics patching minor wounds that wasted equipment, The krieg where not like others, there was pride, grim pride among his men. the Cadians where good at what they did but after the battles... No, one of his would ever waste such bandages or engage in the banal chatter they did.

Very nice depiction of the death korps

Lord Kruger Zonad sat in the Thunderhawk with his seatbelt crossing his chest like an x. He wore his dress uniform, a black tunic with half the Aquila guarding his upper chest. Lord Karack had insisted that he take the Thunderhawk, the Marshall didn’t trust the Faustian’s clean up work. In only two mounts the Faustians had pushed the orks to near extinction on Trisburge, a feat that should have taken triple that amount of time. Granted reports did mention unorganized orks hiding in in caves and underground but that is to be expected. Once on a planet orks are virtually irremovable, in many ways the ultimate pest. None the less if the Faustians could maintain this pace they would shave years off the crusade time. To his right sat the buckled Captain Nanney of the Forsian Calvary division. He wore a green officer’s uniform with a sash that was custom among his people, the man sat eager to prove himself it had been years since he had the chance to fight in the arena, though he imagined this a bit different than the Glory Provings back on his home world. Across from them sat the two power armored Black Templars who served as as Kruger’s bodyguards, Brother Initiate Straniss Marsh and Brother Initiate Fidan Roche. Brother Straniss was a silent grim individual never speaking unless completely necessary, Roche had a bit of an odd sense of humor though it is hard to pick up on at times. The ship shook than a voice of a servitor croaked “We have broken into the planet’s atmosphere, estimated time of arrival twenty minutes”

Governor Hannibal Pavus stood with his hands behind his back. He wore a crimson officer’s coat with gold trim and a white sash. To his right stood his looming Ogryn bodyguard Ruck. The Brute was dressed in an elegant uniform that took weeks for tailors to fit for him, but Ruck detested sleeves and ripped his off. To his left stood his trusty hound Sandor Braddock, he still bore his finely crafted carapace armor.

The face of the gunship opened and a disembarking ramp slowly lowered to the floor. It was at this moment the military band began playing “The March of the Aquila”. Kruger began walking down the ramp followed by the two Templar’s. Behind them came Captain Nanney and the retinue of diplomats and high ranking officers. They had literally rolled out the red carpet for the party. Kruger looked around and noticed the ornateness of the 1st company, He than saw the command squad that lay only a few feet behind Pavus and his guards, the company mascot reminded him of his pet Artullian Schnauzer he had some years ago. While Kruger couldn’t stand the Pavus family he had to admit they did throw the best welcomes.

Kruger approached Hannibal as the music played. Hannibal laughed “My my, that’s quite the protection you have, though I’m not sure how fair it would be to let them compete in the grand tourney” Kruger spoke formally “Lord Pavus, I am glad to attend. I’m afraid the Templar’s will not compete today, Captain Nanney will champion crusade high command and The Forsian Calvary.” Hannibal smiled “Very well than come join me in my motorcade we have some catching up to do, unfortunately your marines will have to accompany the parade on foot.” Kruger nodded “Very well”

The vehicle was long and stretched, it comfortably sat the six occupants. Hannibal poured a glass and handed it to Kruger “Faustian brandy, arguably some of the finest in the Imperium”. Kruger took the glass thinking it might make the Braggart more bearable. Hannibal poured himself a glass and spoke “I suppose introductions are in order, to my left is Sir Sandor Braddock “The Hound” he is commander of the Faustian first. Across from him is Lord Commissar Jack Sheppard, of the Faustian seventh fusiliers. At his side is cadet commissar Jethro Alenko, Sheppard has informed me the lad is at your complete disposal.” Alenko spoke “Do not hesitate to ask for anything my lord general.” Hannibal smiled “Do you remember your nineteenth year on Faust Kruger?” Kruger smiled “It would be hard to forget.” Hannibal laughed “You remember the time we broke into my father’s kennels and let all the dogs loose.” Kruger smiled “I remember he was furious.” Hannibal grinned “Oh he was more than fething furious, dogs running around the Winter Castle, oh it was priceless” Kruger laughed with him “I also remember the beating we got.” Hannibal laughed “Aye to get back at him I let all the animal’s in the stables lose. Just to show him I couldn’t be broken.” Kruger smiled “Aye I remember that to, there was a horse in the kitchen who got into all the sugar cubes.” Hannibal laughed at his young antics. Kruger had forgotten that Hannibal was completely unlike his father. Granted they were alike in many ways now but Kruger found Hannibal far more palatable than his father. Hannibal lacked the cruel warlord quality his father had, he was a fascist without question but a likeable one, with some redeeming qualities, like fine taste and a sense of humor. Kruger still bore hate for the Pavus family as a whole being as a rule of thumb snobbish and unworthy, but Hannibal had an irresistible charm that all other members of his family lacked. Hannibal pressed a button on the vehicle door and the sun roof opened. Pavus leapt to his feet and stuck his head and chest out the windows, he raised his arms and the citizens cheered as their savior revealed himself.

The limestone coliseum was massive it would seat half of the capital’s citizens. The people of Trisburge had used the arena to host a sport they called Terra-Proelio, an odd game involving the use of shields and a ball. The orks had used it in the earlier days as gladiator pits for the enslaved populace. Once the orks had been cleared from the coliseum Hannibal immediately knew that he wanted to hold a great tournament like this to welcome the newly free people of Trisburg back into imperium of man and into the fold of the Faustian realm. The box seats of the stadium had a perfect view of the arena bellow. Here Hannibal and Kruger sat the Templars standing like statues between the two thrones of the governor and general. Behind them Ruck ate Trisburgian hors d'oeuvres by the handful. Kruger drank from his glass and looked to Hannibal “How is the tourney organized Pavus.” Hannibal set down his glass “The tournament begins with the joust. Than the paired combat, and it is finished by the final single combat duel.” Kruger raised an eye brow “Paired combat, I’m afraid Captain Nanney didn’t bring a second.” With a pitcher of wine in his hand Cadet-Commissar Jethro Alenko spoke “My lord General, I would be honored to serve as your champion’s second if you would have me.” Kruger carefully examined the young man. He looked to Hannibal and spoke “Is he qualified” Hannibal replied “His mentor Commissar Shepard is a fine swordsman, and from what I’ve seen he seems to be a fairly capable.” Kruger shrugged “Very well than I will inform the captain you are to be his second”. Alenko bowed and said “Thank you my lord I shall not disappoint.” He exited the suite as he opened the door Commissar Dorian Gavor entered the room. The fight with the nob had left him severely wounded. His left arm was gone in its stead was a steel bionic arm. He had his left eye bandaged around his head, his left leg was shattered he would need an amputation but the doctors didn’t want to put Gavor to through more trauma though he had insisted he could handle it, he wanted to be fighting already. He wanted to participate in the tourney but his crutches destroyed any possibilities of that. Gavor limped over to the two passing the space marine guards. He bowed his heads and said “My lords” Hannibal was impressed to see the man up and about. “Ah Commissar Gavor I am glad you accepted my offer to join us, how fare your injuries” Gavor shrugged he honestly didn’t feel anything, the pain killers the medic gave him were extremely effective “I will manage my lord.” Hannibal looked to Kruger “Lord General I present to you Commissar Dorian Gavor he was key in our final major maneuver against the orks.” Dorian Gavor looked down to the still empty arena, then he looked to Hannibal “If I may ask who represents my company.” Hannibal reached for his clip board that contained the tournament brackets “The 8th Faustian Fusiliers will be represented by a corporal Gaspard Vorvan.” Gavor was disgruntled by the news and even angry at Pavus for allowing this, “Why is a corporal representing my legion.” Pavus smiled “I suspect your Mud Dogs are afraid of their first challenger in the joust, the Hound” Gavor now understood the hound was a fierce monster of a man, but the name Gaspard Vorvan the name was familiar to him he couldn’t remember the face than it hit him “Wait Vorvan isn’t even a corporal.”

Corporal Vorvan stood as the men from his company did their best to outfit him in the suit of armor. His new promotion came with a condition that he be the one to face Sandor Braddock in the tourney. Captain Hennly still hasn’t recovered from her last encounter with the orks, Colonial Samson was dead, and lieutenant Forrester hasn’t stopped shacking since they rescued him from the orks. All other possible candidates were simply afraid to face the legendary Hound, He killed the man he last jousted with. Gaspard wore his platoon’s ceremonial armor, A dark Green chest plate and with matching shoulder and arm pads. Down the center of his breat plate ran the Faustian Blood stripe, the red and white badge iconography of his homeworld. Private Kompton strapped the last piece of plate mail to Gaspard , he then slapped his back and said “Time to mount up.” Gaspard struggled to mount the creature but managed with the help of amateur squire. As Gaspard began riding away when Kompton cried out “Oh feth wait I forgot the helmet.” But it was too late Gaspard was already in the arena he looked back to see the doors to the staging area close behind him.

Gaspard approached the center of the arena as they announced his name, rank, and company to the crowd. He raised his lance and spoke the words that were prepared for him into the mic under his armor, “For the Glory of the 8th” Than at the other side of the arena entered Sandor Braddock. His helm was in the shape of a black steel wolf. He approached the center of the coliseum and spoke “Honor be to Faust.” The trumpets sounded and Braddock looked to Gaspard, and spoke in his grim voice “You really should have worn a helmet Corporal.”

Gaspard took his place at the end of the barrier. He held a green kite shield in his left hand the crest of the Pentagazi Swamp Land, and in his right a striped green and white lance. Than the Trumpet sounded and Lord Governor’s voice boomed throughout the stadium. “Good citizens of the Imperium. We have fought hard to reach this moment a day, a day when we can bare our heads unburden by the filth of xenos. Let us give praise to the glorious Emperor of mankind and in his name we shall fight until like every world in this sector is liberated. Now let the Joust Commence!” More horns sounded and the Hound began his charge. Gaspard ordered his stead forward a moment later, he struggled to aim the lance. Then the two collided, Sandor sending Gaspard to his back with a heavy thud.

The audience went wild as the announcer bellowed “A Knock off, A glorious victory to sir Braddock.” Gaspard lay on the ground relived that the affair was over, his chest hurt but he would be fine. The Hound stood there his visor hoisted up, the man appeared neither proud of his victory nor relieved only neutral. The black clad knight trotted to the center of the arena and politely bowed atop his horse than trotted back the way he came. Than private Kompton came rushing from the staging ground to attend to the Gaspard he spoke “Sweet throne I thought he’d have killed you for sure.” Gaspard punched him with his mailed fist “He could have you ass biscuit.” Kompton rubbed his new bruise and laughed helping Gaspard to his feet “Right that one was my bad.”

The Tournament continued, Commissar Shepard bested Sir Tom Reiner Captain of the 11th in the joust defeating him by a single point. Knight Captain Petra Zorah eliminated her counter part Knight Captain Garrod Vakarius with two points to spare. Captain Nanney defeated a Commander Georgia of the PDF remnants with a knock off. Now was time for the paired combat.

Petra twirled her double headed spear running her dexterity drills against the straw burlap dummy. She smiled eager for her next bout against this Captain Nanney, she and Garrod had an agreement when they figured out they were to joust each other, the winner would take the loser as their partner for the duel. She would have selected Garrod even if they didn’t have the deal, she felt bad for so thoroughly trouncing him. As she twirled the two headed spear she heard footsteps from behind her, she than lunged and placed the head of the blade only inches away from the intruder’s throat. Sheppard was unsurprised by the reaction he only smiled as he spoke mockingly “Ahh I love you to dearest.” He wore a silver chest plate with his company’s emblem over his black commissar uniform. Petra lowered the blade and replied “Just practicing, your next after this Captain Nanney.” “I wouldn’t have so much faith the hound has never been bested.” Sheppard’s face transformed from light pessimism to eagerness, “Do you know exactly who you face.” The knight returned to her practice spinning the staff, “A Calvary captain by the name of Nanney, and his second.” Sheppard smiled “And who do you think his second is.” Petra’s curiosity was peaked she stopped her training to say “I assumed he had brought someone from his company to fight alongside.” Sheppard shook his head “You face none other than the legendary Cadet Commissar Jethro Alenko.” Petra’s eyes widened “What he’s only seventeen.” Sheppard wiped an imaginary tear from his eye “Oh they grow up so fast. Anyways I ask that you don’t utterly humiliate him, the lord general selected him by hand.” It was at that moment Knight Captain Vakarius spoke from the darkness of the training room “Don’t worry I won’t hurt your secret love child.” Sheppard laughed Garrod put forth a grim persona both on and off the battlefield, but that was only a ruse in truth he was a friendly individual whose friends knew him to be a rather comedic fellow. Sheppard chuckled “Throne I’m almost old enough now for that to be possible.” Garrod spoke “I heard the lad’s mentor was some master swordsmen, I am curious to see how well he was taught.” Sheppard laughed and turned to leave “He was and is.”

Captain Nanney wore an engraved brass chest guard with matching shin and wrist guards. He looked to the approaching Cadet Commissar he wore a simple dark iron chest plate atop his blue uniform, a common long sword at his side. Nanney looked to the lad and spoke “Ah are you my squire” Alenko glared at the man as he corrected him “No captain I am your partner for the duel, by the order of Lord general Kruger Zonand.” Nanney picked up the bronze shield and his sword, “Just try to distract one long enough for me to finish the other.”

The match was about to begin. The announcer spoke as Petra’s staging door opened, “Knight Captain Petra Zorah of the Light Brigade knights and Knight Captain Garrod Vakarius of the Black Riders.” The crowd cheers. Petra and Garrod moved to the center of the arena made the sign of the Aquila to Lord pavus’s box seats and bowed in unison. Nanney’s door opens and he enters the battle ground with hands raised high over his head, with the cadet at his side, the announcer spoke “Captain Nanney of the Forisian cavalry, champion of the 412th proving. And Cadet Commissar Jethro Alenko.” The trumpet sounded and Garrod charged with two maces at the young cadet commissar leaving Petra to face Nanney. Garrod swung and Alenko dodged, this continued for a few minutes until Jethro found his opening, instead of dodging on a swing he managed to parry the attack sending one of the maces flying out of the knights armored hand, he than put his sword an inch away from the knight’s throat, forcing him to yield. Petra was now alone against the strikingly tough combo of Nanney and Alenko. Naney charged from the left as Alenko came from the right. Petra quickly swept the legs of Captain Nanney knocking him to the floor. Petra couldn’t finish him as she was forced to turn her attention to the cadet. She blocked his blow with her double headed spear, staggered him. She than delivered a flying knee to his face, the impact sent Jethro falling to his back unconscious. Petra and Nanney were alone now the two circled the ring Petra twirling her spear. Petra charged and her spear made sparks when it made contact with Nanney’s short sword. At one point in their fight Petra was able to knock Nanney’s shield away from him. Nanney charged raising his sword throwing all his strength into his next blow, however Petra delivered a kick straight to Nanney’s chest throwing him to the ground she held one end of the spear to his throat and said “Yield.” Nanney laughed “Never!” he threw a handful of sand into Petra’s eyes, he than quickly got to his feet and punched the stunned knight sending her to the floor. He kicked her spear away from her and put his own sword to her throat. She reached for her spear but Nanney put his boot to her wrist. She looked up to him face full of anger as she spoke “I yield.”

Commissar Shepard was disgusted, "how could they call that in Nanney’s favor, the bastard cheated". In his preparing room he cursed and raved to his partner Tom Reiner. “How in thrones name can they allow that fething cheater to advance.” Reiner gave a few practice swings at the dummy with his sword as he spoke “Technically what he did wasn’t illegal.” Sheppard spat “It was dishonorable.” Tom laughed “You only give a gak about honor when its your girlfriend.” Garrod, Tom, and Jethro were the only ones who knew of their secret affair. Sheppard spoke angrily “Petra deserved better than that.” Captain Reiner sheathed his sword and hoisted his shield “Aye she did. Don’t worry the Hound is probably going to beat him bloody, after he’s done with us.” Sheppard shook his head “No I alone will defeat Nanney.” The door to the arena was still closed he could hear the announcer bellow clearly however. “Sir Sandor Braddock “The Hound” Captain of the Faustian first, and Sargent Venice Ricker of the Faustian First.

Sheppard and Reiner left the preparation room and the announcer spoke “Lord Commissar Jack Sheppard of the seventh Faustian Fusiliers, and Captain Tom Reiner of the eleventh Faustian Fusiliers.” The trumpet sounded and Sheppard charged at the massive dog helmed man, he had a single massive claymore parrying the commissar attacks. Sheppard unable to defend the attacks of the massive blade had to dodge the blows. Reiner’s opponent wielded a pair of short axes. They exchanged blocks and dodges for well over five minutes when suddenly Reiner with all his might struck the sergeant with a powerful shield bash. The blow left the man dazed tom tackled the man and punched him three times, bloodying his face. The man quickly yelled “I yield.” Reiner didn’t have to be so vicious but someone needed to remind the privileged sons of nobles who was in charge. Sheppard swung down fiercely but when Braddock blocked with his blade the sword was split in two. Than Tom came charging from the Hound’s right striking the giant giant with a massive shield bash Sandor fell and Sheppard raised his dog faced visor with the end of his blade. He spoke through grinding teeth “Do you yield” Sandor laughed a hardy and sincere laugh “aye I yield”

Reiner and Sheppard were excited as they returned to the staging area. There was a twenty-minute break between the round Garrod and Petra came to join them. Garrod was in Shock “You beat the hound!” Sheppard spoke “No it was a miracle that his sword broke.” Than a rugged voice came from behind Sheppard “Nay Commissar you bested me fair. My sword did break true but that were the Emperor’s will, he willed for you to be the champion of the tourney. I have waited my whole life to be bested in fair combat and you have honored me with this.” Braddock than turned around and left the room. The others were shocked at what they just heard. Vakarius spoke breaking the silence “Tom we should go see to that thing.” Reiner raised an eyebrow “What thing?” Garrod gestured to Sheppard and Petra and to Tom spoke “Ohh, that thing, yeah we should go take care of that.” Petra looked to Sheppard “You don’t have to defend my honor Jack.” Sheppard took her by the hand “I don’t anything about honor, but I do know that fething bastard cheated the woman I love, who happens to be my best friend.” Petra blushed for a moment, “Sheppard that’s the most romantic thing I ever heard.” Sheppard smiled roguishly “I know” Petra looked Sheppard in his eye and spoke a feminine grin “Be my champion and best this rapscallion, and you shall be greatly rewarded.” Sheppard smiled “By your command.” Petra leaned in to meet Sheppard’s lips but as they were about to kiss a voice interrupted. Cadet Commissar Alenko awoke “Throne my head hurts.” the horns bellowed and Petra spoke “We’ll finish this later”

Pavus took the mic “The time has come two champions have bested some of the finest men and women the Imperium has to offer. May glory find them both.” Than the announcer spoke “Representing Crusade High Command and The Forsian cavalry Captain Nanney.” Nanney came to the crowd as if he had already won, he wielded a pair of curved short swords. The announcer spoke again “Representing The Faustian Legions and the seventh Fusiliers, Lord Commissar Jack Sheppard!” The crowd went berserk for the man who by some miracle defeated a giant and championed the home team in a way. The horn sounded and the two charged Sheppard’s single long sword wasn’t as fast as the duel wielders, but the power of his blows made defense difficult for Nanney. The duel lasted almost ten minutes neither man gaining an advantage. Nanney swung his left hand but Sheppard met it with power, sending the blade flying. Sheppard swung at the right blade freeing it from Nanney’s grasp. Sheppard dropped his sword and grabbed Nanney by the collar of his breastplate and head-butted the man. Nanney laid on his back clutching his broken nose. Sheppard picked up his sword and put it to the man’s throat drawing a tiny amount of blood. Sheppard looked down to his bested opponent and spoke “You yield, and if you throw sand at me, I will kill you.” Nanney spoke grabbing his bloody nose, “I yield, I yield”

Sheppard stood over his foe and looked to where Pavus sat. “Lord Commissar Sheppard you have bested all that have stood before you and you have brought great honor to yourself and your legion.” Than a man in a squire’s tabard came to Sheppard going to one knee as came close to the Commissar. Hannibal spoke again as the squire opened the box, “it is my honor to present to you this pair of master crafted plasma pistols.” In the fine wooden box were two identical plasma pistols. The guns were black with the barrel looking like the head of the Aquila, the blue plasma glowing in the case. Sheppard took the box and bowed than left the stadium.

The seventh legion partied till the break of dawn. Sheppard allowed the men to get as rowdy as they wished. Everyone wanted to pay their praise to their beloved Commissar. Lieutenant Cole was drunkenly reciting the ballad he wrote in honor of Sheppard; Sheppard was flattered but it was a bit hard to listen to. Sheppard finally slipped away to return to his tent, on his way Cadet Alenko sat with an ice pack on his head. Sheppard patted him on the back and said “Make sure the men don’t hurt themselves” He nodded. Sheppard spoke sincerely “You made me proud.” Alenko smiled as Sheppard headed off for his tent, “Thank you sir.” As Sheppard entered his tent Petra was there in her fatigues. She looked at him as he entered, she smiled as she said “Oh my champion has come for his prize.”

Hannibal and Kruger sat in parlor of Planet’s palace, each with a glass of brandy. Hannibal spoke “So Kruger what is next in our crusade.” Kruger put down his drink and spoke “Well my two biggest concerns are the Necrons on Grimdi and The Tau on Julia. I think your men would be the most helpful on either of these planets.” Hannibal shook his head, “There are reports that the ork Grinbad is on route to Gallor Prime.” Hannibal shook his head “Gallor Prime is currently out of our reach.” Hannibal spoke “I am no fool I do not have the men to survive out there but The Wolverines do, order them to accompany me and..” Kruger interrupted “And you both would wind up dead.” Hannibal slammed his fist to the table “We are talking about the ork that boarded your ship and tried to kill you.” Kruger rubbed his mechanical eye remembering the blow the orks struck against him, “I can not allow personal vengeance cloud my judgment.” Hannibal shook his head in disgust, Kruger stood up and spoke masking his frustration “Lord Pavus I think I shall retire to my chamber.” Pavus grabbed a cigar from his coat and called to Kruger “Consider what I have said Kruger.” When Kruger exited the room Hannibal’s younger brother entered, Hannibal called to him “Markus, have a seat.” The man of twenty-seven sat and ask “Yes my brother.” “When you depart with the Lord General, make sure you levy for the Wolverines or the Ultra-Marines to accompany us to Galor Prime, If you get this I will make you the planetary governor of this world.”

Sheppard awoke in his bed to see Petra already dressed sitting at his desk reading a file. He put on his trousers and got up to see what she was reading; it was his personal record. She spoke amusedly “Perfect grades at the Schola Progenium, nice” “I suppose this is the closest thing I have to a scrap book” She continued to read “Says here you were an ideal by the books commissar, not at all how I’d describe you.” Sheppard spoke “I was young and boring” She broke away from the book to ask “What changed” Sheppard thought back “The commissar I studied under taught me much.” Petra grinned “Like being a arrogant renegade. “That and the value of my men.” Sheppard grabbed the ornate box and opened it presenting it to Petra “I want you to have one.” Petra shook her head “I can’t” Sheppard spoke “Nonsense they should have been yours to begin with.” She looked up at him “People will ask why you gave it to me it might raise suspicions.” Sheppard smiled “Let them be suspicious, I want you to have this, in a way no matter how bad the battle may become, a piece of me will always be at your side.” Petra smiled “Quit being so disgustingly romantic and get in that bed.” Sheppard smiled as he said “By your command”

Very nice, I enjoyed the bit of non combat and strategic planning. I believe this would happen in mid crusade as well. Also Nanney is a real life friend of mine who would totally do that.

deep in the Marshall's personnel chambers he looked upon the wall of names, each a lost brother, it has grown and for every loss vengeance would be sworn, many had been slain and more where to come. Vengeance did not rest, did not tire or stop, the Templers would have their revenge upon those who wronged them. next to it sat the Marshall's armour, a true relic of the past, once belonging to Sigmounds legendary first company in the times of the legion and its equal was impossible to replicate, a mighty gift earned in battle against chaos from the Imperial fists. many hours he had spent in the phalanxes great halls, studied its archives and was a expert upon the time of the breaking, the formation of the codex. the Ultamarine would not expect that one, studies spent in the Phalanx, Fortress of Hera and the Fang.

"My lord, a gift has arrived for you, from the wolverines valiant, their chapter master seeks to honour you for the rescue of his marines during the chaos uprising, "
"place it on the desk SGT Tangir, this will be interesting"
"aye my lord, "
With a nod Sgt Tangir saw himself out, few where permitted entry to those rooms, the Honour guard always at post outside the doors and even the inquisitor had to request, not demand. such was law aboard the Emperors Vengeance and the Marshall was not one to compromise.

The large box was ornately carved from catchan hardwood, and intricate golden details snaked and merged with the dark wood. upon the centre above the lock was the two chapter symbols in silver, gold and platinum, very nice, the Chapter master had a sense of drama and showmanship, the lock clicked open. hinges silently gliding open as the power axe was revealed. lifting the weapon, its haft was carved into the from of a snarling lion with the blade extending from its jaws and expertly hiding a arcane power field generator. its balance was right, weighted slightly towards the blade to better carry the killing blow. a fine weapon indeed. such work was rarely seen and only a few in his armory could match it.

Placing the axe upon the arming rack that once bore the UltraMarine relic blade he turned his attention to the scroll below in the case, its history, proof of purity and the maker, the maker, Captain Harbo, made by his own hands, something of a time spent among the salamanders perhaps, famous warrior smiths for there prowess in battle as there skills in the forge.

A gift he would not forget, "SGT Tangir, get me a link to Chapter master Harbo, personnel link, security encoded.

******************

meanwhile in the ruined fortress, traitor warbands lay seige to small Wolverines garrison, over the past week superior numbers and armour had driven them back to the ruin, a ancient site once used by humans in times past now a battle for demi gods and traitors. "Captain, another wave incoming, south side section 4. "
"Copied, devastators to fire when in range, save the bolters till there close, ammo is running lower and there Armour is thick"
"confirmed, dev fire in 20 seconds. "

The engagement had been fighting for a day and a night, they had the numbers yet they sent waves of fodder and smaller diversionary attacks, infuriating, yet they had not the forced to advance lest they attack another flank. yet hope was coming. the vox flashed to life in short stabs of coded signals.
"captain, paulus 12, inverse, Dorn comes, east"

Could it be true, the fists coming, inverse, the battle they rescued a imperial fist Garrison against a traitor siege.
"advise all squads, potential allies coming eastern side"
"copy captain, eastern squad securing weapons"

all of a sudden the sky lit up, night turned to day as drop pods slammed in the ground disgorging stalwat squads of yellow armored Marines and lance strikes streaked into the traitor positions on the south bank,
"For Dorn" could be heard through the smoke as the battle line moved fluidly round and charged the enemy lines, traitors thrown into full retreat, artillery destroyed, command dead and Armour reduced to crumpled metal. small squads fought desperate stands but soon the entire force had been destroyed in the sudden strike.

Striding up to the gate, the captain of the 3rd, "greetings Captain, seems you where in a pickle"
"yes, good timing by a certain captain i rescued"

breaking into laughs, formalities gone, the two grabbed each other below the elbow in a ancient warriors salute from Terra, old long before the imprium.
"good to fight together again, our enemies will rue the day we stood together"

"i know a certain Ultramarine who might not welcome more Imperial FIsts, watch out for the Ultramarine acting captain, Lord Marshall Karak of the Templers seemingly slighted him and after finding the Sword, well he was forced to earn it."
"Karak, Lord Marshall now, been along time since he walked the halls of the Phalanx, we fought in the Arcadian crusade, theirs one Marine he should watch, only 21 others earned the Title Lord Marshall in 10,000 years, many have underestimated him only to find out later to there end"

*********************

whilst upon Chardon 1256

in Death Korps command, dark tents had been set up and grim gas mask clad guards stood outside the Generals HQ. none of the banal chatter of Cadian command or the waste, silently groups of men moved around and discipline never slipped, to death the perfect warriors, obedient to the end.

"General, unscheduled supply shuttle incoming, Templer Destroyer Warspite confirms there friendly"
"good, Captain, protocol foxtrot 19"

With that the General donned his great coat and walked out into the dusty air, 10 honour guard forming in behind in perfect lockstep without a world.

"supply Col, report"
"!5 Thud guns, 25,000 rounds, full spares and haulage tractors General"

"very good, but why"
" in believe i can explain that General" striding down the ramp, a Officer dressed in ornate uniform of the Lord generals staff came to salute before the General of the Death Korps "the Lord General is proud and honours your regiment with new weaponry, 15 guns and ammo for a entire company, spare barrels for 30,000 firings, 25,000 rounds of ammunition and a full compliment of support equipment"

"very well, Col, get the guns stored and supplies stockpiled. Captain, thank the Lord General on my behalf, the Korps will serve truely to the end"
with that he silently tuned and headed back to the HQ tent. Grim bodyguards following. Death Korps, there effective but the welcome leaves to be desired. Turning back to the supply shuttle the Captain walked up the ramp, this place he wanted to be gone form soon as possible. they had other more quiet and secret missions to accomplish............