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So this is the Prologue of the Campaign I am in with a few of my buddies. I am running the Imperial Guard. The thing about my guard army is I was in the army so the 57th and Fox section have special meaning to me. I was actually in the 57th MP Co and when i was doing my initial training i was in foxtrot company. This is the tale of the brave men who will fight and die valiantly in the name of the emperor of man. I hope you enjoy the beginning and enjoy the narrative from the IG prospective.

Any comment, Questions, or concerns please feel free to p.m. me or leave in this thread.

I hope you enjoy what will be presented in this thread.


PROLOGUE




It was cold and rainy that day on Boros Prime the Base was up in activity it seemed the one of the Regiments was being called to active duty. And the lot number would be drawn today at noon. Captain Henrisch just sighed and sipped his recaff. He knew better the lottery was already done it was done months ago it was just a matter of logistics and man power the 57th was chosen to be a part of this fleet it was their turn to take up arms against the enemies of mankind but it was not up to the leaders or the bureaucrats that lead the nation it was up to the resolve and will of the fighting men and women of the regiment to win the war.

He flicked through his data slate and sighed again. He knew that these men and women would soon be very far from home and dying on forgotten planets for glory but at the cost of their existence. He blew on his hot recaff again out of habit than out of necessity he knew the men in his section would do fine. Fox section was for the most part green but he had solid non commissioned officers and support staff to back the section they would be part of the first wave acting autonomously from the rest for the regiment he had at least 1 green platoon and two veteran squads at his disposal. Captain Henrisch hated throwing his men's lives away at random. But he knew the what the stakes and the price would be and his men would pony up just like the rest of the regiment.

Captain Henrisch looked out over the grounds from his office he will miss garrison work but he was a line soldier at heart, he had started at the bottom and has worked his way up from there with field promotions and the like and just being at the right place and the wrong time.

A knock at his door broke him from his reverie.

“Enter.” He said without looking up.

In walked a bald man about forty with eyes of the fiercest green he walked with a staff with the imperial Aquila atop. He strode in with purpose and meaning.

The captain looked up and broke a childish grin. And went to greet his old friend.

“Maynard…it's been too long my friend what brings you from the teachings ways to the base you have been let go and was allowed to retire into a life of peace.”
Maynard smiled a knowing smile “Actually I am here for three reasons reason number one I wanted to share a drink with my friend before his deployment.”

“Reason Two I wanted to let you know I have been reinstated at my previous rank.” He said as he poured the two glasses of Amsac. Handing one to the captain and holding the other one.

“Reason three is I am reporting for duty to Fox Section as ranking Primaris of this part of the Company and I have requested to have joined your section to have one last hoorah before I get to grey and old.

The captain frowned a bit as he was unsure what to say Maynard was his friend and all and Maynard did lead him in battle when he was still a private and remembers the day that his life was saved by Maynard.

"So you requested to be my second in command Primaris?" Captain Henrisch asked.

He already knew the answer and he was not going to deny his friend the simple joy of leading men again. He also knew when the shuttles where going to be leaving for the transports too.

He looked at his data slate and there it was in blinking at him a new icon an addition to the command group Primaris Maynard Leroi seconded to Fox Section command. The shuttle was leaving to the troop transport in less than 18 hours.

"You win my friend we will toast and head to the shuttle together and begin our initial briefings on board of what we will be up against."

With that said Henrisch lifted his glass as did Maynard.

"To Victory..." said Maynard

"Forward till death..." Replied Henrisch

"Glory to the Emperor" they said in unison with that they took the drinks in one swallow and headed for the landing pad.

Hey alabamaheretic, thanks for serveing.
I was in the Marines so forgive me for not understanding what a "section" is, like a company? In the Marines we called other companies\platoons that have been parceled out sections. For instance, in 2bt our weapons company would be split between our four other companies in the AO and the groups would be called sections. I could see why being a MP you could be in a section, but I'm concerned about haveing your IG battlegroup be called something it shouldnt. I'm all about accuracy and applying real world applications to IG fluff look at my blog. If I'm wrong then I'm wrong please don't miss understand my intent friend.

In a sense it is right im also taking some liberty with certain things in the mp corp there were sections with in our company mps and the other guys and they fell into sections a section would be cooks commo, mechanics and the like i was also fascinated by the British army esp the artillery and they do sections and battery and the like way back when i think the WW II era but again i might be mistaken. if there are any British soldiers out there please clarify for me if at all possible. and my line of thinking since it is a combined assualt group each group would be taken from a and put into b. so this would be a section or even a company lemme know what you think.

i just comment here to subscribe... i probably have time and the mindset () to read it at school^^...then i will of course leave a comment fitting to the story^^

cheers vik.... you have to advertise better... i didn´t knew you had a thread for fiction?...

maby e update your sig a bit...

lol good call vik some timnes its more for me than any one else

cheers buddy

well i am sometimes called mister advertisement^^

lol well due advertise and let the good folks of dakka know what i have been up too

The rain had finally stopped and was just misting over the parade ground. The Troops and tanks of the regiment were in neat ordered lines like a proper ceremony. The planetary governor would be speaking shortly about the glories the 57th would bring to the planet each planet in the system would be watching and broad casting. There were other regiments raised to go on the crusade that was about to happen the world of Brundev, an industrial world that was militarized, also raised a regiment to fight in the upcoming war. The 57th was to lead the charge into hell. As if on cue the governor stepped on to the platform to give his speech. The governor was a lean man easily in his eighties but had a voice that sounded much younger and was clear and thoughtful when he spoke..

"The people of Boros thank you for your service. You will be missed and you will hold eternal glory for our planet while you are on this most holy crusade the Emperor of mankind has willed you to. It is a great honor to see you all in resplendent glory. Know this from even the lowliest trooper to the highest general will carve a path of glory. May His grace protect you and may you fell His enemies like wheat before a scythe. What I am most proud of is that we have some great leaders and staff together on this crusade. You will be his divine judgment and you will bring his peace to the fold."

And if on cue the sun attempted to make an appearance akin to an old blessing from gods long past.

"Even know His will is being known you will see his blessing as the sun comes to greet you and wish you well before your journey has begun. May His divine presence ever be in your heart and may his fury slake your thirst in battle. The Emperor protects."

With that the governor stepped off the platform after giving a salute to the troops looking at them slowly and steadily. Then he gave the marching order and High General Gustav Auchland gave the order to begin loading the transport.

High General Gustav was a fat man but beneath his bulk stood a man of great power and responsibility he started his military career as a trooper and worked his way up through the ranks. holding every position an infantry man could and leading successful and daring raids during his time as a noncommissioned officer. He was well liked by his men and by the planet so he was a natural choice for when the 57th was being raised.

Captain Henrisch reviewed his dataslate of the men and supplies being given to him. What struck him as odd was that he did not have the manpower or the tank support needed to be on the frontlines he knew better but it was strange to see that his particular section was designated light infantry. He also found that the minutorum had also got mixed up and gave him 500,000 thousand bedpans.

He sighed

Maynard looked to his old friend and said "What is the matter did the munitorum give you a bad deal of tanks?"

Henrisch said still frowning "Actually it is a lot worse they gave us five hundred thousand bed pans..."

The primaris taken back and began to laugh "Surely you are joking..."

Henrisch shook his head and then showed the primaris the slate and the highlighted 500,000 bed pans.

Maynard looked and smiled "Huh, so they did so what will you do with them?"

"I am unsure but I do think we will figure something out."

Well done, I like your offering of delicious fluff! Do provide more

It had been three weeks. Three long weeks it seems that the other regiments were taking too long to get to the Mustering Point so they may be off but the majority was there and even a Black Templar Fleet had Shown up. They were the gossip of the ship ratings and spoke in hushed tones as not to incur their wrath. But it did little to settle Captain Henrisch. He knew that certain regiments would not befit the Templars as their extreme hate of psykers was well known luckily They seemed content to eye them with suspicion at the moment but had let a few know their extreme dislike for them and they promised to put a bolter shell in them at the first sign of corruption. Many did not know the true purpose the Templars posed but would welcome His Angels of Death in the coming crusade. Like many previous nights before Captain Henrisch was reviewing slates of the soldiers and the equipment. Other than his 500,000 bedpans he had a full platoon of veterans that seemed to have broken up into smaller units amongst themselves and created fire teams. They would be great asset to his unit. The problem was a Sergeant name Darell Leeks. Darell had made quite a reputation as a fighter, and hot headed Big as a grox had a razor mind for small squad tactics. he took it upon himself to put the vets in place and make these fire teams but Mr. Leeks had another reputation as brute, thug and general arsehole and the only reason command tolerated him was he was an efficient leaders and able to lug a heavy bolter around as if it were a lasgun.

Captain Henrisch sipped his recaff. He looked at the dwindling stacks only three more slates to go he thought.

A knock came at his door.

"Enter" he said not looking up from his slate.

In walked an olive skinned man with a turban upon his head. He was about five foot ten and had an average build his right arm was replaced by augments a long time ago and he was also wearing a power sword on his hip and a plasma pistol.

"Captain it has come to my attention that I shall be joining you in your section." he stated with a thick eastern accent.

Henrisch looked up from his slate and back down again he did not believe in luck or any chances of fate but in front of him stood the man that was on his slate.
"Lieutenant Taljeen nice to meet you finally." the captain said as he stood to greet his guest.

Taljeen smiled and offered a salute before shaking the captains hand. Then his face went perplexed as if to try the find the right thing to say.

"Sir...I think we have a slight issue....a Sergeant named Leeks, he...he...well I just am not sure how to put this..."

Henrisch raised his hand and smiled some and seemed to finish his sentence, "Is an arsehole?"

"Yes, but, the thing that gets me is that he has seemed to developed a following among the men arseholeness aside. Is he a good non com?" Taljeen asked.

"Rest assured when we get on planet his following will be broken up for now let him lord either two things will happen the Commissars will find out or the men will get sick of his verbose ways. Either way it will resolve its self. " Said Captain Henrisch.

"Ah, well i was also wondering have you gone over my record, sir I think my skill set would greatly improve our chances at victory when the time come" Taljeen said genuinely.

"Yes about that i know that some of our more skilled people, Leeks included have picked up some other habits from training programs that other regiments have done you seemed to have been with the Talleren 104th for a stint of training. You also have a nasty panache for disobeying orders..." the Captain looked hard and was interrupted by the lieutenant.

"Sir those particular instance were in dire circumstance that tipped the favor of the war and my raids were conducted with a minimum casualty rating and all was forgiven at the time of the incidents."
the lieutenant spoke hastily.

"True but that's not how i run my section I do give a certain leeway to those individuals who have proven themselves such as yourself and Leeks but if I give a command I expect it to be followed no exceptions. Now Lieutenant gather up the other Officers and the high end sergeants we have a briefing to attend to aboard another ship."

Taljeen Saluted and quickly left.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Maynard was confused as to why Commissar Thatchet wished to speak with him.

Usually the commissars are content policing the soldiers and polishing medals but Thatchet was different, he cared for the men and he tried to look after them as best he could, sure he had to punish them when he needed to and was cold and ruthless about it but he cared it pained him to punish them and has known to pick up quite the habit of drinking when off duty. He tried not to summarily execute them all but some just had to be done.

Thatchet was eating in the officers mess alone reading a data slate most the other officers cleared out as not to catch the eye of Thatchet. Maynard came in, sat down and then spoke the commissar.

"You wished to see me Commissar Thachet?" Maynard stated plainly and in his most even tone.

Thatchet looked up generally pleased with himself and put the data slate away and looked at the Primaris.

"It has come to my attention Leroi that you have been missing for several day and not attending briefings as you are supposed to." the commissar stated.

"And as such one of your rank shirking duties it pains me to tell you this..." Thatchet sighed heavily not wanting to finish his statement.
"Tell me what? that you are going to execute me for missing briefings, that I am to serve my time in the brig? tell me..." Maynard was looking concerned for his well being and the officers that were still in the mess decided to make a hasty escape before things get ugly.

"Well, it is not that bad and if it was I would of shot you when you came through the door simple as that, no High Command has placed all pyskers on quarantine and you are the most powerful one here and have been given the assignment of watching over them on another ship when we go to battle."

"I...I...I what? YOUR GOING TO TELL ME THAT I BEEN ASSIGNED TO BABY SIT?!?!?" Leroi practically yelled at the commissar.

"Temper Primaris or I will execute you." Thatchet said coldly

"Forgive me I was out of line...but why? " Maynard implored.

"Well high command figures you should be training new battle pysker squads instead of leading from the front, I have read your service history and I was in one of your classes at the progenium many years ago and like i said it pains me to do that but High Command feels it necessary with our new allies to put them out of sight out of mind." the Commissar Thatchet said.

"I still do not know why we...you know never mind Commissar Thatchet thank you for telling me I wish it was Captain Henrisch." said Maynard

"Unfortunately the Captain was told to keep the secrecy and moving a bunch of psykers is no easy feat..if you excuse me I have to attend a briefing from the Lord Commissar Brugh about where I am going" with that Thachet left without saying another word to the Primaris on the table was left a dataslate with the Primaris' call sign on it picked it up and left the mess without any word.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Look I don't care what you think you know I'm telling you this is what I KNOW and I KNOW I AM RIGHT..." Sergeant Leeks said.
"But sergeant this isn't even standard issue gear I cannot just give it to you I mean there are forms and regulations and all manner..."

"shove it...look boy I'm gonna give you an order and that order is give me what's on those papers and make like someone else got them got me..." Sergeant Leeks said as he was flexing his muscles through his shirt.

After a while the trooper resigned and gave in. It did not help anything that he was the only one in the armory and there were about thirty of them hanging around. He entered the paper work in the computer and let it be. The troopers saving grace was he was good with logistics and paper work.

"Ok...you are all set...but if you get caught or the commissar finds out I'll de-..."

And with a hard right the trooper was knocked out cold.

"Heya Sarge doncha think that was kinda cold knockin the boy out like that?" asked one of the troopers

"Eh I got tired of his mouth, come on let's get this gak and get the hell on up outta here then we can store in our chimera for when we get off this tomb of a ship."

Enjoyed that - thanks

thanks morden...yea im kinda in a rut with both stories and have no clue where to take them...i want to get some combat in but i dont wanna make every other scene fighting and either winning and make it mary sue or fighting and losing and make it more grim dark...need to find a happy balance...

any thoughts or ideas on what way to go guys would be most helpful

I like the fact there is humour - all my favourite BL authors have some - I think it makes darker bits somehow more effective if you show a bit of light.

A bit of violence is good for a story - you have something to have characters interact in the lead up and react to and you have already shown you know what you are doing here.... Maybe explore the frustrations of being cooped up on the ship - interactions with the ships crew perhaps - are there any camp followers?

Be good to see if Maynard becomes more bitter / disenchanted and how this effects his unit.

Interactions with the native inhabitants would be a good story to explore - are they all beyond redempion or being liberated from the enemy?

Lets us see them in action and then see how they each cope....what effect it has on them

If you have not already - read Helsreach - brilliant story with both Guard and Black Templars. I would keep the Templars firmly in the back gorund - perhaps have someone talk about what they have heard about their actions etc.

Maybe have one or two of them appear fleetingly and destroy something specific and then leave without explanation or interaction with the Guard.