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From Emparors Vengeance.
To Captain Julius

Welcome to the Crusade capatain.
This is Lord Marshall Karak of the Black Templer Crusade fleet Task force Hammer.

Good hunting.

Karak out.

******

I am going to wait for Chazz before I post anything about the stupid plan, because that will, without any doubt, wreck his story line if he isn't off the planet...

Contacting Strike Cruiser Honour...
Familiar contact vessel: Macragge Delta
Contact made.

Acting-Captain Aurelius to Captain Julius

Greetings Captain!
I am glad our Lord Calgar saw fit to heed my calls for reinforcement. My own detachment, Strikeforce Praetoria, consists of half of the 2nd Company, with assorted auxiliary detachments from the Chapter armoury and 1st Company, escorted by two Strike Cruiser class vessels and the Battle Barge.

As you boast higher rank and command more Ultramarines, I defer nominal command to you as you see fit, my lord. My Strikeforce would operate more efficiently if we were seperated, but that is just my view on the situation, Captain.

If possible, I request an evaluation of my progress to be sent to the Chapter Council. My Legate, who was responsible for recording my prowess on the field and behind a planning table, was killed some while back. I would greatly appreciate if you could review my training as Acting-Captain and send the data to the Chapter Council with any opinions and views of your own.

Welcome to the Charadon Crusade, Captain Julius.

Acting-Captain Hadris Aurelius, attached to Ultramarines Second Company, XIII Legio

Transmission ceased.

Brother Aurelius,

I wouldn't dream of taking the command of your Strikeforce away from you, I'm unfamiliar with the complete situation in this system so Chapter Command deemed it best that you remain in full control of your men whilst dispatching me and my company to assist you in this endeavor. We also come bearing reinforcements from the 6th-9th Companies in order to bring your numbers back up to full. Word of your deeds, and the honor you brought to our chapter has already worked it's way back to Lord Calgar, he was most impressed by the last report he received from your Legate. He will live on in the Rolls of Honour. Even our brother Captain Sicarius was impressed by what has transpired here. I will; however, be glad to send the Council my views on your training as Acting-Captain, I'm not sure how far my word would go, as I'm only a freshly-minted Captain myself, but I will do so. My ships should arrive in orbit around Gailor Primer soon, I hope to meet you there and begin the war effort in earnest.

Regards,
Captain Julius
3rd Company


I intend to wait for Chazz's vault event line to pan out before I do anything too serious with my Marines.

Ryus slouches back in his throne and turns to his pict screens again. More Ultramarines.

"Damn, I thought these were the Astartes that claimed their chapter master was my spiritual liege and that they were gods of the Astartes but now they need more of their own? We shall see what the future holds for the mighty 13th Legion..."

Captain Julius stared out the viewscreen of the Battle Barge Honour and thought about the last time he had seen Brother Aurelius. It was going on 60 years since the last time the two had fought together against the Black Legion on the Planet Vorek. Julius has just been a sergeant in the 3rd company then, as had Aurelius. The two of them had served in the 10th company together as newly initiated neophytes, then for a brief time together in the 2nd company before he was assigned to the 3rd company, and Aurelius had stayed with the 2nd company. It would be good to see his friend again, Julius decided, and hear of his tales of glory and honour, and of the foes he had vanquished in the Emperor's name since then. As the Battle Barge drew ever closer to the Gailor Prime Julius was able to pick out the Valin's Revenge belonging to his chapter. He also saw the Emperor's Vengeance belonging to his brothers in the Black Templars. Alongside these mighty vessels there were a few ships that belonged to chapters that Julius had only seen mentioned in a few Imperial after-action reports. He recognized the insignia of the New Order, along with that of the Death Ravens Chapter. 'It will be interesting to fight alongside them' he mused. He turned away from the viewscreen and began to walk back towards the meeting room, he had to brief the sergeant's of the company before they arrived in orbit over Gailor Prime. They had heard of what awaited them down there, but it was always wise to know as much as you could of the situation before you dropped in.

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:
I had 63, not a massive amount off! To be honest, I didn't even know what I'd do if I did get it right, so I'm not that fussed.

Foiled again, Ezra! There's always next time...
Yeah, I like the Ajuran part. Adds a bit of mystery to him, and seems to fit in well with all the psychic shenanigans going on.

Tactical_Spam, as long as it doesn't affect chazz's narrative too much, I'd say it's good!

chazz, well done on the close draw!
The orks have been preparing for this whole strike the longest of all of us, so it seems to make sense that they would be one step ahead.

If I may ask, are you going to write up a really big section about everything that happens to our characters when the vault opens or do we get to react to things with our characters?
Because, like, none of my forces are actually anywhere near the vault. (Totally supporting the Imperial war effort here, don't mind me )

I plan to drop as many names as possible so it is in all likelihood going to be a bit of a read, for what I have planned, I intend to set up some interesting plot points for all our characters, I will give some basic background on a few of the characters, but would like to see where each of you would like to take your characters from there. by the way are there certain characters who are specially not planet side. I imagine some like General Zonand would definatly not be on the surface, but I mostly ask in relation to Titus, Aurelius, Karak, and our unnammed sorcerer.

 chazz huggins wrote:

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:
I had 63, not a massive amount off! To be honest, I didn't even know what I'd do if I did get it right, so I'm not that fussed.

Foiled again, Ezra! There's always next time...
Yeah, I like the Ajuran part. Adds a bit of mystery to him, and seems to fit in well with all the psychic shenanigans going on.

Tactical_Spam, as long as it doesn't affect chazz's narrative too much, I'd say it's good!

chazz, well done on the close draw!
The orks have been preparing for this whole strike the longest of all of us, so it seems to make sense that they would be one step ahead.

If I may ask, are you going to write up a really big section about everything that happens to our characters when the vault opens or do we get to react to things with our characters?
Because, like, none of my forces are actually anywhere near the vault. (Totally supporting the Imperial war effort here, don't mind me )

I plan to drop as many names as possible so it is in all likelihood going to be a bit of a read, for what I have planned, I intend to set up some interesting plot points for all our characters, I will give some basic background on a few of the characters, but would like to see where each of you would like to take your characters from there. by the way are there certain characters who are specially not planet side. I imagine some like General Zonand would definatly not be on the surface, but I mostly ask in relation to Titus, Aurelius, and Karak.

If you would kindly kill off my characters that would be appreciated. I would like to start fresh with my Ultramarines after whatever you do with the vault.

 War Kitten wrote:

 chazz huggins wrote:

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:
I had 63, not a massive amount off! To be honest, I didn't even know what I'd do if I did get it right, so I'm not that fussed.

Foiled again, Ezra! There's always next time...
Yeah, I like the Ajuran part. Adds a bit of mystery to him, and seems to fit in well with all the psychic shenanigans going on.

Tactical_Spam, as long as it doesn't affect chazz's narrative too much, I'd say it's good!

chazz, well done on the close draw!
The orks have been preparing for this whole strike the longest of all of us, so it seems to make sense that they would be one step ahead.

If I may ask, are you going to write up a really big section about everything that happens to our characters when the vault opens or do we get to react to things with our characters?
Because, like, none of my forces are actually anywhere near the vault. (Totally supporting the Imperial war effort here, don't mind me )

I plan to drop as many names as possible so it is in all likelihood going to be a bit of a read, for what I have planned, I intend to set up some interesting plot points for all our characters, I will give some basic background on a few of the characters, but would like to see where each of you would like to take your characters from there. by the way are there certain characters who are specially not planet side. I imagine some like General Zonand would definatly not be on the surface, but I mostly ask in relation to Titus, Aurelius, and Karak.

If you would kindly kill off my characters that would be appreciated. I would like to start fresh with my Ultramarines after whatever you do with the vault.

My story idea would be very well suited to kill off your characters, trust me

Well if Chazz fails to kill them you can feel free to Tactical. I'm planning on making an effort to be very involved with my Ultramarines, and make really good pieces of fluff like Sgt_Smudge and jhe90. And since I failed on that front with my Guard, I don't mind if they die. I wanted to work with my Marines anyway.

Well let me know my slot and I'm sure I can add somthing. :-)

Thanks, I try my best but I'd say chazx and smudge pip me slightly on fluff. :-)

I also have the only eyes near the vault right now.

You remember that there's a Night Lord stealthkilling your dudes, right? Let's just say he may or may not be the only Marine the Remnants have down there....


Also, the Sorcerer is wherever you want him to be chazz, as are any other Remnants characters you would like to murder

 Ezra Tyrius wrote:
You remember that there's a Night Lord stealthkilling your dudes, right? Let's just say he may or may not be the only Marine the Remnants have down there....


Also, the Sorcerer is wherever you want him to be chazz, as are any other Remnants characters you would like to murder

Oh yewah that guy, better get round to killing him off.

If you want I could have some of your guardsmen have a last stand against my Iron Warriors. I mean, Archarus wouldn't complain about an extra fight, and you're asking for them to be killed off. And seeing as how I'm not going to be getting the daemon free from the staff, I'm not sure what else to be writing up right now.

As a side note. Would anyone want to take over command of the crusade for a bit? Become the dungeon master of sort? Just offering if anyone has interest/trying to be fair and let others try it out/new ideas. If not I have ideas where to go after this.

 2BlackJack1 wrote:
If you want I could have some of your guardsmen have a last stand against my Iron Warriors. I mean, Archarus wouldn't complain about an extra fight, and you're asking for them to be killed off. And seeing as how I'm not going to be getting the daemon free from the staff, I'm not sure what else to be writing up right now.

As long as it's suitably glorious it's fine by me

Righteousrob wrote:
As a side note. Would anyone want to take over command of the crusade for a bit? Become the dungeon master of sort? Just offering if anyone has interest/trying to be fair and let others try it out/new ideas. If not I have ideas where to go after this.

I'd rather you stayed on, but if you really don't want to, I can try and follow your lead?
If I did, I'd be temporarily pulling Aurelius and Strikeforce Praetoria out for the time, and I'm withdrawing the Deathwatch anyway.

Of course, if anyone else wants to, I'd be far more willing to let them take the reins.

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:

Righteousrob wrote:
As a side note. Would anyone want to take over command of the crusade for a bit? Become the dungeon master of sort? Just offering if anyone has interest/trying to be fair and let others try it out/new ideas. If not I have ideas where to go after this.

I'd rather you stayed on, but if you really don't want to, I can try and follow your lead?
If I did, I'd be temporarily pulling Aurelius and Strikeforce Praetoria out for the time, and I'm withdrawing the Deathwatch anyway.

Of course, if anyone else wants to, I'd be far more willing to let them take the reins.

This may sound silly.
But what if let's say during the acting captain visiting the HQ. And during that the lord general is incapacitated for short term, Karak is on surface, so is the ultra captain, both fighting. New order could be unwilling and Titus is stuck in combat.

This putting crusade HQ in his hands, the acting captain has to step up to full crusade HQ, and hokld things together whilst battling his own lack of experience and fears. Having to step up to a higher plate than he would like but is duty bound and only one who can?

Let you run crusade and make some fluff too?
Forcing the superhuman into a very human perspective

"I'm still here as well! I'm also a Commander! Hello?

... anyone?"

- Strike Commander Ajuran, wondering why everyone seems to forget about him every five minutes.


...not that he's that interested in taking the job, as he has trouble with being just a Captain already

I wouldn't mind Aurelius getting (temporary?) control of the Crusade, Ultramarines are supposed to be good at planning and managing things after all, and it'd be a good way to build his character some more as he's challenged with new problems


...and it'd make kidnapping him even riskier

Not exactly where I was going with that, but I love the idea!
It would allow me to still play and write for Aurelius, ensuring Ezra's favourite Ultramarine doesn't get forgotten.

In character, Aurelius would absolutely hate the responsibility, and attempt to palm it off to other commanders (even Guardsmen), so Karak, Ajuran, Ryus, Julius and Sheppard would get a chance to accept or decline Aurelius' desperate offers (either out of trying to inspire Aurelius, undermine him, or just because they don't want to!).

Again, this is only IF, and a very big one at that, Righteousrob or anyone else definitely doesn't want to do it.

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:
Not exactly where I was going with that, but I love the idea!
It would allow me to still play and write for Aurelius, ensuring Ezra's favourite Ultramarine doesn't get forgotten.

In character, Aurelius would absolutely hate the responsibility, and attempt to palm it off to other commanders (even Guardsmen), so Karak, Ajuran, Ryus, Julius and Sheppard would get a chance to accept or decline Aurelius' desperate offers (either out of trying to inspire Aurelius, undermine him, or just because they don't want to!).

Again, this is only IF, and a very big one at that, Righteousrob or anyone else definitely doesn't want to do it.

For a characters that feels pressure of one demi company, now here have a crusade lol

Weirdboy Zed Klockwog and his warphead assistant Zeknet gently placed each of the four precious chaos artifacts on the four obsidian pedestals. Kaptin Grinbad watched with anticipation he had fought half of the sector to get to this point and now, now was the hour reckoning. The pirate lord spoke to himself “Da omies nevah thought dis possible. Dat an ork would outsmart them. Dat one ork would completely stomp every last one of dem. Dat one WAAAGH! Would become so mighty dat it would kill da sun itself.” Grinbad yelled throughout the cavern “I Grinbad da great, am your doom omies, tremble before da champion of Gork and Mork.” The cavern seemed to shake a bit than returned to stillness. Grinbad’s first mate Krem BootBlazer spoke validating the freebooter’s delusion “Nice speech boss.” The pirate lord smiled as the space marine prisoners were brought forth.

Commander Caleb Axton had finally rendezvoused with the rest of the initial strike force. With them they brought two predator tanks, two rhinos, and a Land Raider Redeemer Pattern. The Nova Marines were accompanied by a task force of their brother Ultramarines, their task force was humbler consisting of a Rhino and a Storm Pattern Land Speeder. While the bulk of his men were unavailable Acting-Captain Aurelius made it a point to be present at this moment. The acting captain rode in the land raider with Axton and his honor guard, at the commander’s insistence. Axton set his helmet at his feet, he looked to the Ultramarine and spoke attempting to be friendly “So, two acting captains who both happen to be sons of Guilliman, what are the odds.” Aurelius responded politely “It is a bit of a coincidence I suppose.” A moment of silence passed in the tank. Everyone was tense for no real reason, the wrongness of this place seeped through the armored plates of the mighty tank. Aurelius spoke to break the massing tension “I am sorry for Captain Telemachus’s passing, I hear he was well loved by his men.” Axton spoke with a sigh at the memory of his dead mentor, “Captain Telemachus was the finest Astartes I have ever met. Everyone of us were devastated at his passing.” Auriellus questioned “How did it happen.” Sargent Zethos interjected bluntly “Orks.” Auriellus had heard enough. Axton changed the subjet by asking “Does Captain Sicarius command the same respect from his men?” Auriellus shut his eyes for a second and began to speak “No I’m afraid not, Captain Sicarius and I…” The Ultramarine stopped mid sentence as when he opened his eyes he was no longer in the troop hold of the powerful tank, but rather in a forest.

The place was familiar to Auriellus but he couldn’t remember why. Than the memory hit him. He saw a boy no older than nine or ten alone clutching a knife. The creature that began encircling him had a dark black pelt with red stripes along its side. The feline beast lunged at the boy its two massive front teeth wounding the child’s left arm. But the boy plunged his cheap knife into the beast’s throat. Than an ultramarine in full armor approached the bloody child and spoke without concern or any other emotion “Come with me.” Than the two vanished into the fog and Auriellus heard a familiar voice “Do, you remember this Ultramarine.” Auriellus shouted “I don’t know what games you play sorcerer, but they shall not work on me.” The bodiless voice continued “Do you remember spilling the beast’s blood, the pain of its razor teeth sinking into your flesh.” As the sorcerer spoke Auriellus could feel the sting of the ancient wound in his arm. Auriellus shouted “I am pure; I walk in the light of the Emperor.” The Sorcerer then revealed himself from behind a tree “You don’t honestly believe that do you, because you and I both know you don’t.” Auriellus shouted directly at the enchanter “What do you want!” The marine laughed “I, I personally want for nothing.” Auriellus grew furious “Than why do you play these games, do you hope that I will be consumed by madness, because I will not.” “You already are mad Auriellus. I am trying to enlighten you. The hour of reckoning is at hand, all will be understood very soon.” The chaotic psyker turned his back to the marine and vanished into the mist of the forest. Auriellus expected to be returned to the tank but instead found himself surrounded by those of his company. Their corpses burned and bloody, Axton dropped to his knees and found that SGT Tannus still drew breath, through crackled charred skin the scout sergeant spoke “Your, fault” than the man turned to ash in Auriellus’s arms.

Auriellus opened his eyes to find the Novamarines sitting in the tank with him. Axton spoke “Are you alright Auriellus?” the acting captain was visibly shaken “I’m sorry what.” “I was asking you about Cato Sicarius, and you seemed to space out for a moment.” Auriellus shook his head and spoke “I was only searching for the word’s to adequately state what a fine captain he is.” Axton gave Auriellus an odd look. The Ultramarine reassured him “I am fine; this cave Is giving me migraines”. Axton understood this place was a burden upon them all.

Sibyl stood at her perch overlooking the orks as they began the ritual. She heard the booming footsteps of the marine approach. She spoke “You did well luring the ultramarine’s here.” The sorcerer spoke “So you are the agent of Serberus.” With a grin Sibyl said “Close, I am the last of this place’s wardens.” For the first time in years the Sorcerer was caught off guard, “Than why would you see Serberus free?” Sibyl never turned to the warp tainted astartes she merely watched the orks bellow “I have found a way to kill it.” The Sorcerer hissed “You are mad Serberus is immortal.” From the nothing the woman summoned a spear. The Sorcerer marveled “The spear of the star, how did you find this?” In the blink of an eye Sibyl changed form her ancient armor morphed into a suit of power armor worn by the adeptus sorritas “I have my ways.” The Sorcerer spoke “Tzeentch’s will has been done, I do not know what the Lord of Change has planned for Serberus, but rest assured if he wants the beast spared I will kill you to protect it.” Sibyl spoke “Go now, see what your god and master whims of you.” The Sorcerer turned to leave but spoke one final time “I will take Auriellus with me when I leave.” Sibyl turned her back to the champion of change, she spoke “That is for the Ultramarine to decide.” The sorcerer left through the hidden passage without another word.

SGT Nero dawned his camo-cloak, at his side was Captain Tom Reiner also robed in a stealth cloak. The two sat on a ridge overlooking the green skin horde the massive stompa dwarfing the muscular brutes. Reiner glared through his scope at the titan “Look at that thing, its fething massive.” The Ultramarine spoke calmly “Thankfully whoever built this place were master architects, these structures should be able to withstand whatever barrage the monstrosity can unleash.” Nero loaded the tracer round into his rifle and aimed the scope at the behemoth. The rifle clicked the silencer making only minimal noise. Tom Reiner pulled a data slate from his pack and nodded at the scout marine. Nero activated his vox and spoke “Target is marked.”

The Imperial forces were camped about a half a mile away from the ork’s position. Commissar Sheppard had convened a war council at his makeshift command post. Around the stone table were all the various company commanders, SGT Exion of the Black Templars, Acting-Captain Auriellus, and Commander Axton. Sheppard began “Scouts have confirmed what we feared the orks are here in numbers and they have a stompa. We have no idea why the orks are here, but to the best of our knowledge they have come to open the vault. This vault is of no concern to us, we are here to simply wipe this nuisance off the face of the galaxy once and for all. Our assault will begin with a combi assault wave of Exion’s Templars and my own Paragons. From there Commander Axton will move in with…” Cadet Jethro Alenko stormed in the meeting room. “My Lord Commissar, we have unexpected visitors.” Sheppard spoke “What kind of visitor.” The cadet masking his nervousness with humor “The kind that carries bolters and wears black power armor.” Sheppard spoke “Show them in.” The Cadet bowed and soon two marines came into their meeting place. Both wore black power armor, though they were not of the same chapter. On the right was the Marshall Karak and the left Watch Captain Titus.

Sheppard was outraged at the sight of the Ultramarine, first he had outright taken that manufactorum from him and the Novamarines, and more seriously he had essentially given Sheppard and his men a death sentence. His newly found rage had almost caused the Commissar not to note the presence of the Marshall. Sheppard quickly got a hold of his emotions and spoke professionally “My lords, we did not expect your presence.” Titus saw through Sheppard’s professional facade. Axton bursted out “How in thrones name did you get down here so fast, this was a few days’ travel for the rest of us.” The Marshall spoke “Titus found a short cut into the city, and naturally seeing the opportunity to join you lot in the battle I chose to follow.” The Ultramarine spoke briskly “We will discuss your actions of trailing an agent of the Deathwatch at a later date, for now our only concern is stopping the orks from opening the vault.” Commissar Gavor scoffed “I thought you smarter than this Watch Captain. This “Vault” is of no concern to us, a spooky story to frighten children.” Captain Titus spoke with graveness in his voice “Listen to me, the vault is a threat, not only to this planet but to this entire sector. It is imperative that we prevent the orks from opening it at any cost.” Sheppard spoke “Captain, before I sacrifice the lives of all these men you must tell me, what is this vault.” The Ultramarine spoke “That’s classified” Sheppard slammed his fist onto the great war table and yelled “You have jeopardized this crusade immeasurably with your damned secrecy, if you truly care for the wellbeing of the Imperium you will tell us what you know.” Titus rebutted “Commissar, you will obey me I am a representative of the Inquisition.” Sheppard laughed “Or what you’ll put me on another penance crusade.” Titus was shocked that a human would speak so boldly to him, he looked to the faces of those humans and Astartes gathered around him. Titus looked to the floor and then back up “fine.”

“Long ago, before man left blessed terra under the guidance of our Emperor, The Eldar or possibly something older than the Eldar built this place to hold something. Something so powerful they willed it locked away and forgotten for all eternity. Only those who guarded this place knew anything of it, the wardens. Generation after generation the wardens oversaw this city, but those wardens were not only Eldar. Many species took up the warden’s mantle, humans and even orks. When it became apparent that the Wardens could no longer sustain themselves they bound their souls to these stone gollums so that they could protect this place even in death. We have no idea what lays inside the vault, but if all this was done to keep it sealed than I dread to imagine what might lay within.”

The war council fell silent each began forming an opinion on Titus’s words. Sheppard broke the silence “All right I see what must be done. We break through no matter the cost.” Titus spoke and pointed at the map. “The ritual ground is here, to get to it we need to pass over this bridge.” Captain Sandor Braddock spoke “If you intend to stop This ritual you’ll need a force stationed to hold the bridge’s mouth, otherwise the orks will simply overrun you.” Sheppard spoke “Me and my men will hold.” Colonel Veck spoke “With all do respect lord Commissar your men won’t last long against the orks, let me and my men hold this position. We’ll buy you the time you need.” Sheppard spoke “Colonel it is unlikely that you our any of your men will return from this, it’s a suicide mission.” The Kasarkin smiled knowing his end was soon “We’re Cadians we live for suicide missions.” Sheppard nodded he knew the Cadians were the best choice. Titus spoke “The bridge is narrow so we will be limited to who we can bring across.” Marshall Karak spoke “Me and my honor guard, our terminator armor will be needed.” Auriellus spoke “I will go, with some of my men.” Captain Reiner added “If you’re not worried about humans slowing you down, I would be honored to accompany you.” The hound spoke “I will go.” Commissar Gavor spoke “I too shall go.” Commissar Sheppard “count me in.” Petra immediately chimed in “I will accompany you.” Sheppard wanted to forbid her but Titus spoke “So it is decided we will trek across the bridge to end this madness.” Gavor spoke “None of that matters unless we can take out that Stompa.” Axton spoke “Leave it to me.” Sheppard examined all those who had gathered for this final mission. Sheppard spoke “We don’t know what is at steak, it could be the world, the sector of space, or the entire Imperium of man. That doesn’t matter, what matters is that today we let the green skins know we will not go without a fight. I don’t know if orks know fear, but we will teach them to fear the wrath of the man. Make me proud, make yourselves proud, and make the Emperor proud.” All those in the room now eager to slay some orks, even Titus felt a bit moved by the Commissar’s sentiment. The room cleared and only Sheppard and Knight Captain Petra remained.

“That was one hell of a speech.” Sheppard smiled “Emotions were running high.” Sheppard’s smiled disappeared “Whatever happens over that bridge, I want you to know… I love you.” The Knight Captain smiled and spoke “I know.” Sheppard waited for a moment “Well?” Petra teased “well what.” Sheppard laughed “When your boyfriend says I love you, I know isn’t really the desired response.” Petra pressed her lips against Sheppard’s and as she backed away she said “Don’t die out there today and I’ll tell you.” With a grin Sheppard said “Who said anything about dying we are far too pretty.” Petra laughed “If that’s how survival is decided I don’t like Braddock and Gavor’s odds.” Sheppard laughed “Come we should get ready.”

The assault had begun guardsmen began forming ranks tanks rolled into position and the blood already staining the floor. Commander Caleb Axton sat in the Land Raider. With their twin-linked heavy Las Cannons they began firing at the massive ork stompa. However, something was wrong none of their shots were making contact with the clanking beast. Ajax the tech marine pilot reported “Commander Auspex reports the enemy walker is equipped with a force field, conventional firing solutions ineffective.” Every moment that thing was operational meant the death of hundreds of guardsmen. Axton yelled to his honor guard “Equip jump packs and grab the melta bombs.”

Big Mek BoomGob, the would be destroyer of Hive Hasselgrave sat in the head of the Stompa. Big Mek BrainBreakka was off assisting Grinbad in opening the vault. While not as impressive as one of his old Gargants, Old Booma was indeed a impressive construction complete with kustom padded leather seats. The ork laughed as he dealt wholesale death and destruction to the puny advancing guardsmen. Than the indicator alert began to flash The mek turned and saw a trio of space marine in Jumpacks approaching the stompa. The ork swiped his massive mega deff chopa at them he caught one of them, killing the Marine as he was sent back to the cavern floor. The other two made it onto the Stompa. One of the marines began climbing up to the stompa’s head, he began deploying his melta bomb, but BoomGob popped his head out of the vehicle’s hatch. The ork bellowed “Oi get off me kit.” The ork than drew his kustom kill Zzappa and fried the marine inside his own armor. Only Axton remained. With a burst from his pack he ascended to the top of the stompa and wrestled with the pilot. Who stuck outside the top hatch. He struck the ork in the face knocking him into his cockpit. Axton set the timer dropped the Melta bomb into the cockpit, he sealed the hatch than quickly welded it shut with his plasma cutter. Axton leapt from the Stompa and engaged his jump pack as the walker began exploding behind him. The chain reaction was massive causing the stompa to fragment and fall backwards.

Wounded Axton spoke into the vox in his helmet “Stompa is down, Strike Force Omega begin your assault.”

Clearing a path through the orks was difficult. The Cadians paid dearly to get Omega team this far. Colonel Veck shouted to Sheppard “Get in there and stop this, you got as long as we have las charge.” Sheppard patted Veck on the shoulder and spoke “May the Emperor guide you.” Veck replied with a solemn “And you.” The elite task force was off, charging across the bridge. As the team left Colonel Veck took the opportunity to address his troops. “I won’t lie to you men; we won’t be making it out of this one. They say a guardsmen life is to die, but I don’t believe that. A guardsmen life is to hold the line. Before There were space marine there were only men like us to hold the line. Before there was fleet there was us holding the line. Before there was the Inquisition there were soldiers holding the line. Now men of Cadia will you hold the line!” the roar that followed was a resounding yes.

Lord Marshal Karak and his two honor guard lead the charge. Ulf wielded the fabled hammer of Terra, and a storm shields. With the deadly combo he could with one swing kill two nobs, a necessary feat as there was not a shortage of massive orks. Many of the orks on that bridge were large enough to be classified a warboss for some small WAAAGHS! Karak could only imagine how large their leader must be. The Black Templar Exclaimed “Advance!” the party pushed on forcing their way forward battling for every inch. Brother Oberyn of the deathwatch carried a combi-flamer and quickly used his entire tank only half way through the bridge.

The Ritual was well under way at the center of the four pedestals was the weirdboy shaman Zed Klockwog he conjured up the warp energy as his assistant began the sacrifices. First was the savage World Eater. The berserker raged against his massive restraints placed on him by the weirdboy but to now avail. Zeknet put the knife in the lunatic’s throat, slicing it to the spinal cord. With his bare hand the shaman reached into the dying astartes open neck wound and rubbed the blood onto the staff. The staff then began to resonate with a red aurora. The next sacrifice was the loyalist marine of the Imperial squires. The weirdboy cut him just as he did the last victim and rubbed his blood on the bronze chest the chest emitted a mystical purple haze around it. After him the Weirdboy moved on to Marine of the Grecian Pikes. The Grecian Pike spat in Zeknet’s face, the acid burned him so as payback he made sure the marine suffered before slicing his throat by cutting out the git’z tongue. Zeknet than poured the blood over the black three eye skull it took a yellow shine. Lastly there was Ramsay of the death guard.

Grinbad smiled as his victory was so close at hand. As Zeknet began approaching the kneeling marine Krem Bootblazer came running, “Boss, boss dere iz some omies and space marine’s coming, der tryin to stop da ritual, dey will be here any second.” Gribad laughed der too late da ritual is complete, we only got one more sacrifice.” Zeknet was only a step away from the champion of Nurgle when he revealed that he had severed off his own hand to free himself from his unbreakable cuffs. The death guard leapt to his feet and reviled a shank crafted from a bone. Zeknet was surprised he leapt back and drew his staff he yelled “Da git got loose.” Brutus rushed to engage the marine. But as this happened Omega team came roaring through the bridge. Kaptin Grinbad yelled “Complete da ritual!”

The finest the ork’s had to offer clashed with the finest the Imperials had. Grinbad charged for Karak seeing him as the biggest threat due to his massive terminator armor. Acting Captain Auriellus was met by the ork’s first mate Krem BootBlazer. Titus was struck from behind as the ork kommando Gadnuk Eadwoppa was his opponent. Commissar Shepard did battle with the ork medical practitioner Dok Gauze. Everyone else was responsible for the dozens of nobs that protected the ritual sight.

Truly the duel between Grinbad and Karak was a war of titans. Both opponents giving and receiving massive traumatic blows. Their fighting styles were oddly similar, both preferring power over speed.

The battle between Auriellus and Krem was a contest of swordsmanship. Krem wielded a pair of power cutlasses, while Auriellus stuck to his short sword. While Krem was nowhere near as skilled as the acting Captain, his uncanny speed and unnatural strength made up for the lack of formal training.

Titus viewed his fight with Gadnuk as just another battle with just another green skin, he in fact didn’t recognize the Kommando at all. This was the exact opposite of how Gadnuk felt. The kommando had been yearning for vengeance since the deathwatch raided his camp. Titus and Gadnuk crossed blades, the ork snarled “I bet you thought I wuz dead, well I got new for you space marine I don’t die so easy.” For a second Titus thought he heard Grimskull’s voice.

Lastly Commissar Sheppard’s battle with Dok Gauze was completely unconventional. Both oponet employed odd sneak attacks and unconventional improvised weapons. Their duel was ended when Sandor Braddock intervened and cleaved the dok clear down the middle separating his waste from his torso.

Oberyn broke away from the fighting when he saw Ramsay fighting an ork. Fueled by hatred Oberyn charged the champion of decay. Ramsay laughed as the two locked swords “Oberyn, I must say you are a pleasant surprise.” The black shield spat “Shut your mouth and die Heretic.”

Gadnuk cutout of his fight with Titus allowing for a nob to step in. He snuck his way behind Brother Sargent Tannus of the Ultramarines. Sargent Tannus was fighting Big Mek BrainBreakka. Tannus had lined up the perfect killing blow but was impaled by a choppa before he could deliver it. The blade carved clear through his back to his stomach. Gadnuk twisted the blade and the marine fell dead. Gadnuk yelled “Zeknet finish da ritual.” The shaman raced away from the three-way fight between Ramsay, Oberyn, and Brutus to help drag the blue power armored corpse over to the pedestal that held the broken sword. Zeknet rubbed the blood on the sword and it began emanating with a green glow. All four relics formed a beam of their respective colors onto the wall. The beams melted together on the wall to form a blue portal. Gadnuk shouted “Its open.” And all the orks of Grinbad’s WAAAGH! Council broke away from their fights to leap through the portal.

Arachus stood over the corpses of dozens and dozens of orks and humans. He than felt that familiar presence behind him. The marine turned around and spoke “What is it you want Keb’Hal” The demon laughed “You think yourself a champion of Khorne for slaying these welps?” The Iron hand laughed “If I don’t recall correctly these are some of the same welps that killed you not to long ago.” The red beast growled “A fluke, plus if they killed me I wouldn’t be here would I.” Arachus barely thought to ask “So how is it you are not dead.” The demon laughed “The hour of reckoning has arrived; I am but the first of many.” Than the once clear blue sky became blood red and the demon asked “Are you ready to prove yourself to Khorne.” Arachus smiled and gripped his blade.

All those on the surface of Gallor prime were consumed by fear something awful was happening, the ground shook the sky bleed and for a moment or an eternity there was only darkness.

Lord General Kruger Zonand was eating his dinner aboard his ship when the messenger ran in with the vermillion priority report. The General spat out his wine and yelled “What in thrones name do you mean its gone!”

Grinbad, Gadnuk, Krem, Brutus, Zeknet, Brainbrekka, and Zed all made it through the portal. The gate sealed behind them. The vault was everything Grinbad desired it would be. Mountains of Gold plated teef, Rivers that flowed with fungus rum, and best of all Pounds upon Pounds of sweet sweet Dakka. Gadnuk spoke slack jawed “Dis iz da greatest fing I have evah scene.” Krem said “Dakka az far az da eye can see.” Brutus laughed “Well what in Mork’s name are we waiting for, lets get some.” As the orks ran off to fill their pockets with loot Grinbad followed the clear path that laid ahead of him.

Sheppard came out of the blackness and onto an old battlefield. He knew this place to well Dollorus four, the badlands. In his trench Private Foley raved “Were Fethed, we are so fethed.” Commissar Sheppard spoke without choosing to speak “Pull yourself together.” Lieutenant Vegahor shouted “Lord Commissar we have to fall back.” Sheppard spoke “Orders are clear, we stay.” Vegahor raved “This is madness we must flee to hell with orders.” Sheppard against his will shot the argumentative trooper. The Commissar bellowed “We hold the line!” Than the horde hit them and Sheppard found himself in a concrete maze.

Sheppard walked for what felt like days occasionally he would run across an old unpleasant memory. Sheppard turned a corner and there was Petra sitting on the floor was she wept tears of blood and her eyes were hollow, She screamed “I died and its your fault!” Sheppard tried to help her but when he touched her she turned to dust in his hands. The Commissar Dropped to his knees, he looked up to see Captain Titus “Figures you’re here, you’re the reason why she died.” Titus was confused he felt no guilt or regret over his sentencing Sheppard why would he be shown this. Titus announced over Sheppard “Be gone vision I have no regret here.” Sheppard laughed a sad laugh “At least that makes one of us.” Titus looked at the man with surprise “Commissar is that really you.” Sheppard nodded not caring that he was presented with the real Titus. Titus spoke with some relief “You’re the only thing I’ve seen here that makes any sense.” Sheppard rose to his feet and asked “What is this place hell.” Titus shook his head “Far worse, we’re in the warp.” “And how do we get out?” Titus sighed “Impossible to say, maybe if we found everyone we came in with.” Sheppard nodded and the two began their trek through the nightmare.

Petra was surrounded by her fellow knights. They all just repeated “Petra the Betrayer, Petra the Betrayer, Petra the Betrayer.” The repetition was driving her mad than she heard a new voice. She closed her eyes and than opened them standing over her were Sheppard, Captain Titus, Tom, and Braddock, and Marshall Karak. Sheppard helped the Knight Captain to her feet and the two embraced in a hug. Sheppard examined the party “We have everyone but Gavor and Auriellus.”

Gavor was forced to relive everything. The torture, the interrogation, the pain of the memory wipe, the surgery. He just wanted it all to end Gavor sat in the middle of the path, hoping he would die quickly. As he sat he heard a familiar voice “Dorian, don’t be sad.” Gavor looked up to see Sibyl, he laughed “Whoever is the master of this domain isn’t entirely cruel it seems.” She was wearing a suit of armor, which was odd to Dorian, but he didn’t want to ruin this moment and bring it up. Sibyl offered her hand to Gavor he took it expecting it to fall to dust like all the other memories. Instead he felt the flesh of Sibyl’s palm. Dorian smiled “It can’t be you.” Sibyl nodded “I’ve come to rescue you from this nightmare” The woman opened a portal and spoke “Come Dorian, there is much work to be done.” As Commissar Gavor was about to enter the portal with Sibyl he heard Sheppard call to him “Dorian wait, she’s a monster.” Gavor laughed “I know, we all are.” He then turned his back to them and exited through the portal.

Another blinding flash of light pierced the party’s eyes and they found themselves exactly where they were the moment they fell into the warp. Captain Reiner began celebrating “We did it we got out of there.” Sheppard looked around “Gavor and Auriellus didn’t make it.” Titus looked up and said “We’re still in the warp.” Sandor Braddock asked “What make’s you say that.” Titus pointed up. On the celling above them was the battle they had left, only now a third force intervened between the orks and imperials. All manner of foul demon was about slaying., but the worst of them were the four demon princes set free by the ritual. Titus spoke “We made it back, but the entire planet has been brought into the warp.” Captain Reiner summed it up the best “Oh feth.”

Grinbad found himself in a cave. The road had led him here from the vault’s entrance. It was oddly warm and comforting. Grinbad descended into the cave’s heart in there sat an anvil with a sword mounted to it. The Cutlass was the most magnificent thing he had ever seen. He hears a voice echo throughout the cave “Hello Grinbad, I have been waiting for you for a very long time.” Grinbad shouted “Oi you get out of ere dis place iz mine.” The voice spoke reassuringly “Of course it is you won it.” Grinbad shouted “I did, now scram” the voice responded “I am Serberus your prize.” Grinbad laughed “Why would I want you?” Grinbad received flashes of visions great battles where he led the mightiest WAAAGH! Ever. The voice spoke knowing exactly what the pirate wanted to hear, “With me at your side you will be able to krump this entire sector, you will be even bigger and bader than Ghazzkull himself.” The pirate lord grinned “What do I have to do?” The voice responded “take the sword, with each worthy foe you kill we will become more powerful and than we will unleash our unstoppable fury on this weak galaxy.” Grinbad smiled as he wrapped his palm around the bronze handle of the cutlass. As he lifted the blade the walls began to shake. The earthquake was tearing this place apart, the sword spoke to Grinbad “We must leave this place.”

Grinbad hustled back to his men at the entrance of the vault. They had massive sacks of loot with them Krem shouted “Dis place is coming down, we got as much loot as we can handle, lets get out of ere.” The entrance was still sealed to the vault Zeknet shouted “I don’t know if I can open it boss.” Then Grinbad heard the voice speak again “Allow me.” Not knowing why Grinbad instinctively aimed his sword at the exit. A flash of lighting escaped the blade and the portal was open. Zed yelled “Dat did it move, move, move” As the last of the orks fled the vault the prison that once hosted Serberus faded away, from both reality and non-reality.

Sheppard had no clue how long he spent fighting demons. It had felt like an entire lifetime that Omega Squad was fighting the demon horde. Knight Captain Petra locked blades with a demon of Slaanesh, but the creature without any warning simply just vanished. As quickly as the demons came they were soon gone again as Gallor Prime was ejected from the warp. Sheppard looked to those that survived the warp incursion, they were few in numbers. Knight Captain Petra spoke “Is it over?” Captain Reiner with a laugh said “It must be.” Captain Titus nodded “I no longer sense the warp’s presence, we are clear.” Marshall Karak spoke “Come let us go to the surface, I never wish to see this place again.”

Omega squad traveled to the surface of Gallor Prime. When they looked across the horizon they saw only the dead surface of the planet. Gallor Prime could no longer sustain any form of life. The surface was glass and all plant life had died out. Lord Marshall Karak received a vox “Lord Marshall do you still live.” The grizzled marine spoke “Aye, we still draw breath.” The voice spoke “My lord the entire planet disappeared for 8.25 seconds.” Sheppard was shocked, he had thought they spent years in the warp not seconds. Karak spoke into his vox “There are still survivors planet side, begin the evacuation process.” The voice responded “Yes my lord shuttles launched.” Sheppard looked to the ruined world’s horizon. He spoke solemnly “Take a look this is the price of our failure.”

Aboard the Dakkanator the orks were in good spirits, they had got what they came for and got a good long fight against some demons. Kaptin Grinbad looked to his sword and smiled. His first mate Krem spoke “Where to now Kaptin?” Grinbad sheathed his sword and spoke “Da Cadian sector, I hear there’s a good fight waiting for us.” The ork nodded and yelled “Set a course for da Cadian sector.”

Thanks for giving my guard a glorious end. I couldn't have asked for better. Just love what you did here. Hopefully my Ultras are up for the task of continuing the crusade, I'm now really curious about what happened to Aurelius

Good job, chazz! This was really fun to read through, it was really great to see all of our characters come together for a climactic battle

I wonder what my commander was doing while all this was going on though, were he and the rest of his men in orbit when the mission was taking place? I'm asking because they were supposed to handle the extraction of the Imperials from the Vault, so I figured they'd have to be somewhere around the Vault

 Ezra Tyrius wrote:
Good job, chazz! This was really fun to read through, it was really great to see all of our characters come together for a climactic battle

I wonder what my commander was doing while all this was going on though, were he and the rest of his men in orbit when the mission was taking place? I'm asking because they were supposed to handle the extraction of the Imperials from the Vault, so I figured they'd have to be somewhere around the Vault

Spoiler:

And I do find it curious that none of the Remnants were involved in the fight, although I guess that might have some connection to Aurelius' sudden disappearance...

Sorry there was a lot of stuff to cover, but feel free to write up whatever I left out. It was actually my hope to see more aspects of this story from different points of view, that could mean writing up their extraction mission, or where the remnants were for all of this. I think being in the warp is a hard writing opportunity to pass up, writing some madness from a character's past or sub conscious. So feel free to expand is whatI'm trying to say

As a side note I had this cool Idea about Titus being drawn back to his fight with Nehmeroth, but I never got the chance to write it.

Edit

As an additional side note, I've had this idea of Lord Governor Pavus wanting to steal command of the crusade out from under Kruger, so that might be a cool plot point if we decide to alternate crusade commanders.

Great job, Petra, Shepard and the templers are going to the battle barge, Titus may not be so welcome lol.

Ulf and the honour guard are escaping, sadly the admech, a good chunk of vanguard will not be leaving alive.

The mystery. Our acting captain is lost, but where.

Very nice ending to this chapter of our story.

Il write a chunk in day or two on there escape and some after action stuff and like back via flash backs or a report etc. Kind of like debreifs, character interaction, lots of little bits to add up too a whole.

Well. If there's a mission to try and track down Aurelius my Ultras are up for it

Oh boy, now I get my pesky daemon to write for again. Keb'hal owes Smudge an apology then, since Grey didn't end him in that siege, but the Captain is as dead as he can be. (No, that isn't a challenge for the Remnants sorcerer to come and resurrect him as a thrall, just to toy with the Imperials )

 War Kitten wrote:
Well. If there's a mission to try and track down Aurelius my Ultras are up for it

You can have some templers to help you, no named but feel free to take a sqaud or 2. Name them yourself if you want.
And a few of my death korp Strom troopers, elite void trained fatalistic bitters with carpace and hot shot weaponry. :-)

Loved it.

Felt so epic to read, the desperate push to reach the ritual site and the Cadian's speech was great!

Particularly liked how each commander was given an opponent that matched them, showed how similar the two forces were. Nice reference to Grimskull by the way.

The warp bits were just as mind-bending as you wanted, really got across the futility. (Poor Commissar Gavor, I really loved his last words. So fed up of life and his existance that he willingly steps into the abyss to be with the woman he loves. Brilliant.)





Now, my real question?