++Outpost Judo++
Seventy-six Kilometers from Leytan City. Roughly three years after the capture of the city, It remains engulfed in the warp spawned sandstorm. The command elements in the city have only scattered reports from garrisons outside the storm-wall. All forces are operating with only local command elements and support.
++Fifth Platoon, eighth company, XII Regiment++
-Lieutenant Parker, four squads of ten men.
-Support element of six Chimeras, four heavy bolter teams
It was another day of standing guard under the unforgiving suns of Arrakia. Private Fox stood upon the walls of Outpost Judo staring out into the endless sea of sand that surrounded the isolated post. The only thing he had to look forward to was the occasional pot-shots taken from Chaos cultists that were encamped a few kilometers out. Their 'raids' had been few and far between as of late, and Fifth Platoon showed signs of lowering morale as their boredom took hold. The Lieutenant attempt to curb this with daily physical training and drills, but the heat of the sun proved to be a strong deterrent even to the officer corps. Lack of communication, mail, supplies, and fresh equipment proved to be an issue as well, with some men openly beginning to modify their kit to accommodate the environment. While this practice was frowned upon by quartermasters, the regimental commander had authorized it directly for men who had been planetside for more than a year. Fox leaned against the bulwark of the permacrete wall, lighting a lho stick and staring down at the sand below, thinking about home and the hellish world he was on now.
A thunderous explosion rattled his teeth as a large chunk of the wall a ways down from his was reduced to rubble. The shock sent him hurtling across the ramparts and face first into the steel walkway. He removed his helmet and squinted into the desert. To his surprise, several plumes of exhaust and sand were being kicked up by rapidly advancing rhinos.
"Contact Eastern Wall! It's the Marines, all hands on deck!"
Alarms rang loudly as men rushed up the wall and into the rubble caused by the breach. The men waited in silence as the rhino's advanced. Lieutenant Parker quickly rushed up to Fox's position. "Status Private?" he inquired calmly
"Six Rhinos sir. Rapidly advancing" Fox replied with some hesitation.
Parker scoffed. "It's just like before, they'll stop about sixty meters out, fire on our position and realize they can't break through, then pull back." he turned to face his men. "Steady yourselves, we've all done this before. Keep discipline and fire once they disembark the vehicles."
The Rhinos roared forward at a breakneck speed not slowing nor stopping. The clouds of sand being kicked up behind them serving as a natural smoke screen only barely keeping up with the vehicles that caused them. Fox's eyes widened as he saw the insignia on the front of the lead Rhino.
"Uh.. Sir."
"Yes Private?"
He choked on his words. "Those.. Those are World Eaters."
Parker panicked as he saw the devouring fangs engulfing an ancient Terran like planet. "By the Emperor.."
With a great roar a Corrupted Land Raider tore through the cloud of sand and smoke toward the Outpost, quickly outpacing the Rhinos and smashing into the breach made by earlier artillery fire. The red and Brass of the tainted vehicle gleaming in the sunlight, Desecrated corpses and skulls littered the behemoth of a tank. Quickly, it's forward ramps dropped. There was a briefest moment of silence before the roar of a dozen chain axes filled the air. A single battle cry was the last thing the defenders of Judo heard.
"BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!"
Showing posts with label Warhammer 40k. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Warhammer 40k. Show all posts
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Battle of Charger Pass pt. 2
Over a year ago, I posted the first part of the first major tank battle of the Arrakian Campaign. Here is the prelude to the battle.
Fountains of dirt erupted aroundthe front vehicles of the ork column. The leading battlewagon was disabled, though the turret was operational. Warbuggies and Wartrakks pass by to continue up the valley road. Buried mines activate and destroy them.
A silhouette of a turret was spotted over the top of a nearby hill as it rotated. It fired at a trukk close to the front. The resultant explosion send ork pieces and shrapnel flying in all directions. A nearby trukk had its tires shredded, and the blast pressure toppled it.
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"Scratch two ruskets," Lieutenant Taylor stated. While the driver and sponson operators cheered, the turret gunner loaded another AP shell. Taylor looked back through the periscope.
Fire and dirt obscured his view. The sound of the explosion drowned out all noise from inside the tank; even people talking over the headphone couldn't be heard. When his view was cleared, Taylor saw the main gun on the disabled battlewagon aimed at them.
"Gabby! Two-point-five degrees left, minus fifteen degrees azimuth." The hand-crank was used to rotate the turret and another adjust the vertical. Two beeps alerted Taylor it was ready to fire. He clicked the talk toggle in response. The recoil from the gun shook the entire tank.
Their target exploded with such that the turret flew off of the vehicle. Another trukk close by lost its driver when the barrel of the flying turret smashed into it. The battlewagon was engulfed in a fierce fire.
Shells rained down around their Leman Russ, the WyrmSlayer, but only a few came close to hitting. Battle cannons lobbed shots over from the hills on the other side of the highway. The orks tried to leave the way they came, but their retreat was blocked by the arrival of a company of Malcador Heavy Tanks. Leading them were the three Thunder Dragons' Predators.
A volley of fire launched from the flanking attack. Vehicles at the rear of the ork column were torn apart. This stopped the greenskins from moving. At the same time, Captain Kaga called in an airstrike. Marauder Bombers streaked in and unloaded their payload.
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Ork tanks that were destroyed pulled out to either side of the road. A Fire Prism rolled past the first line of hills on the tracks salvaged from a Baneblade. Prism Cannon aimed quickly and killed a Russ in one shot. After it cleared the way, buggies and trakks zoomed ahead.
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WyrmSlayer was already taking aim at the orkified tank. Signal gave, and the shot was fired. The shot went wide; slamming into the ground some ways away. "Ken, get us out of here," Taylor yelled.
Back in the periscope, the enemy moved behind while elevating its main gun to hit them in the rear. With a jerk, the tank ran towards the tank. Taylor's face bashed into the viewer. It happened again when the Russ impacted the Prism. An energy beam was heard firing overhead.
Things went tilted as the tank went forward and over the side of the hill.
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A round zoomed right below the main cannon of the Prism from behind. The Prism turned around; the Malcador was running full speed at it. An energy beam reached out; a sizable portion of the tread was blasted off. The rest of it fell off, halting the Malcador.
Its muzzle blasted another shell. The impact was against the side of the turret, but the shell bounced off and exploded some distance away. Another impact, and subsequent explosion, rocked the tank. But, the shot failed to penetrate the hull.
A second beam hit the underside of the Malcador's turret, and blasted it off. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. A second explosion soon tore apart the rest of it.
With that, the cannon on the Fire Prism rotated as the vehicle turned. A Leman Russ was backing out of its pit, and another shot came out. It struck the hill off to the side. The Prism retaliated with shots of its own. Multilas secondary guns shot off the front-mounted lascannon, while the main gun melted the gears for the treads.
Engines roared as it sped by the disabled enemy. The Prism ran over the burning husk of a warbuggy, and back onto the highway. Its turret tracked the movement of WrymSlayer up ahead. Two shots later, and the Leman Russ was set ablaze.
A woman hopped out of the cupola, and ran for cover. The multilas gunner ended her flight. At the bellowing of the Tank Nob, the vehicle roared on as its fastest speed.
It only stopped at the sight of a mighty Baneblade, Hammer Against The Horde. All weapons on the beast of a machine quickly trained on the Fire Prism and unleashed the barrage. The orks inside their looted tank never had a chance to return fire.
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The ambush of the ork armoured column worked out better than the Captain had planned. While the brunt of the greenskin's armoured might was stymied; it was not without great cost. Of the thirty Malcadors sent in to box the orks in, only twelve survived the attack. Fifty-four Leman Russes and over 600 Guardsmen lost their lives.
An estimated 180 ork vehicles and over 9,000 greenskins were killed.
Fountains of dirt erupted aroundthe front vehicles of the ork column. The leading battlewagon was disabled, though the turret was operational. Warbuggies and Wartrakks pass by to continue up the valley road. Buried mines activate and destroy them.
A silhouette of a turret was spotted over the top of a nearby hill as it rotated. It fired at a trukk close to the front. The resultant explosion send ork pieces and shrapnel flying in all directions. A nearby trukk had its tires shredded, and the blast pressure toppled it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Scratch two ruskets," Lieutenant Taylor stated. While the driver and sponson operators cheered, the turret gunner loaded another AP shell. Taylor looked back through the periscope.
Fire and dirt obscured his view. The sound of the explosion drowned out all noise from inside the tank; even people talking over the headphone couldn't be heard. When his view was cleared, Taylor saw the main gun on the disabled battlewagon aimed at them.
"Gabby! Two-point-five degrees left, minus fifteen degrees azimuth." The hand-crank was used to rotate the turret and another adjust the vertical. Two beeps alerted Taylor it was ready to fire. He clicked the talk toggle in response. The recoil from the gun shook the entire tank.
Their target exploded with such that the turret flew off of the vehicle. Another trukk close by lost its driver when the barrel of the flying turret smashed into it. The battlewagon was engulfed in a fierce fire.
Shells rained down around their Leman Russ, the WyrmSlayer, but only a few came close to hitting. Battle cannons lobbed shots over from the hills on the other side of the highway. The orks tried to leave the way they came, but their retreat was blocked by the arrival of a company of Malcador Heavy Tanks. Leading them were the three Thunder Dragons' Predators.
A volley of fire launched from the flanking attack. Vehicles at the rear of the ork column were torn apart. This stopped the greenskins from moving. At the same time, Captain Kaga called in an airstrike. Marauder Bombers streaked in and unloaded their payload.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ork tanks that were destroyed pulled out to either side of the road. A Fire Prism rolled past the first line of hills on the tracks salvaged from a Baneblade. Prism Cannon aimed quickly and killed a Russ in one shot. After it cleared the way, buggies and trakks zoomed ahead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WyrmSlayer was already taking aim at the orkified tank. Signal gave, and the shot was fired. The shot went wide; slamming into the ground some ways away. "Ken, get us out of here," Taylor yelled.
Back in the periscope, the enemy moved behind while elevating its main gun to hit them in the rear. With a jerk, the tank ran towards the tank. Taylor's face bashed into the viewer. It happened again when the Russ impacted the Prism. An energy beam was heard firing overhead.
Things went tilted as the tank went forward and over the side of the hill.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A round zoomed right below the main cannon of the Prism from behind. The Prism turned around; the Malcador was running full speed at it. An energy beam reached out; a sizable portion of the tread was blasted off. The rest of it fell off, halting the Malcador.
Its muzzle blasted another shell. The impact was against the side of the turret, but the shell bounced off and exploded some distance away. Another impact, and subsequent explosion, rocked the tank. But, the shot failed to penetrate the hull.
A second beam hit the underside of the Malcador's turret, and blasted it off. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. A second explosion soon tore apart the rest of it.
With that, the cannon on the Fire Prism rotated as the vehicle turned. A Leman Russ was backing out of its pit, and another shot came out. It struck the hill off to the side. The Prism retaliated with shots of its own. Multilas secondary guns shot off the front-mounted lascannon, while the main gun melted the gears for the treads.
Engines roared as it sped by the disabled enemy. The Prism ran over the burning husk of a warbuggy, and back onto the highway. Its turret tracked the movement of WrymSlayer up ahead. Two shots later, and the Leman Russ was set ablaze.
A woman hopped out of the cupola, and ran for cover. The multilas gunner ended her flight. At the bellowing of the Tank Nob, the vehicle roared on as its fastest speed.
It only stopped at the sight of a mighty Baneblade, Hammer Against The Horde. All weapons on the beast of a machine quickly trained on the Fire Prism and unleashed the barrage. The orks inside their looted tank never had a chance to return fire.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ambush of the ork armoured column worked out better than the Captain had planned. While the brunt of the greenskin's armoured might was stymied; it was not without great cost. Of the thirty Malcadors sent in to box the orks in, only twelve survived the attack. Fifty-four Leman Russes and over 600 Guardsmen lost their lives.
An estimated 180 ork vehicles and over 9,000 greenskins were killed.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Bit of Analysis
Needless to say that there has been a lot said about this flier since the Dark Angels got their new codex. The ruling consensus about the Nephilim Jetfighter is that it is overpriced and ever bad at its stated role. But, is it really? That is what I intend to find out.
The fluff says that the Jetfighter only started being used by the Dark Angels in late M40 when they found an STC for an improved engine (which they have since starting calling the 'Lionheart engine'). It does make you wonder how bad the old engines if the "improved" ones still don't give the plane the 'fast' special rule like most other fliers do.
Over the skies of Piscina 4, three of these planes managed to kill over 48 Ork planes. On the world of Kundra, the Jetfighter provided cover for the Ravenwing by blasting apart various tanks and jet-bikes of the Eldar. So, the intended role of the Nephilim is that of a multi-role air superiority fighter/ground-attack craft. Seems like either the Space Marines or the writers never heard of dilution of focus.
For the stated price of 180 pts, you get a AV 11 HP3 flier with the starting wargear: Twin-linked Heavy Bolters (36",S5,AP4,Heavy 3), Twin-linked Lascannon (48",S9,AP2,Heavy 1), and six Blacksword Missiles(36",S6,AP4,Heavy 1). The only option available for it is to replace the lascannon with an avenger mega bolter (48",S6,AP4,Heavy 5).
Since most fliers in the game have AV10 or 11, these weapons seem good enough to contend with them. It appears that anything AV 12 or above is something the Jetfighter should not be shooting at. So, it is a bit baffling that the plane comes loaded with a lascannon (whose sole purpose is to take down heavy armor, something this plane has no business going up against).
Now, if I could make a very un-Space Marine-like suggestion. Focus on what the plane is actually good against and never take a lascannon. Sure, you'll miss out on being able to cause an explosion with a single shot; but against AV 10, you only had an 11.2% chance of that happening. Instead, what you should be focusing with this thing is trying to immobilize enemy vehicles.
Why immobilize? Because two immobilized results means the vehicle is wrecked. Also, because the Nephilim has the Unrelenting Hunter special rule: When shooting at enemy vehicles, a Nephilim can choose to treat any Weapon Destroyed results as Immobilised. Most people would want to ruin a weapon on the vehicle, but it doesn't lead to it dying any faster.
So, which one sounds better for that goal? A twin-linked heavy 1 shot, or a heavy 5 weapon? Add in two missiles and the heavy bolters, you have seven S6 and three S5 shots to wreck a light vehicle in a single shooting phase. That sounds something to believe in, unlike a single die roll.
Plus, the avenger mega bolter has another advantage over the lascannon. If there aren't any vehicles left for the Nephilim to shoot at, there are always infantry mobs. With anything that has 4+ armor, you have five potential kills vs. just one with the lascannon.
Back to the question from the top of this article. Is the Nephilim as bad as most forums make it out to be? No. There are a lot of people who compare it to the Stormraven Gunship, but that is where their arguments fall apart. Stormravens are heavyweights who have a whole slew of options to focus on very different targets. The Nephilim's main priority should be solely on light armor. Which it can excel at (if you leave the lascannon in the box).
Is it orverpriced? Yes. About 20 or 30 pts too expensive for its limited role. But, who knows, maybe all the over fliers will cost more in the future.
So, just remember, the Nephilim can wreak havok on light armor; and if you have it leap from target to target, it will prove to be a reliable support for the men on the ground. And, never, EVER, take lascannons on this plane.
The fluff says that the Jetfighter only started being used by the Dark Angels in late M40 when they found an STC for an improved engine (which they have since starting calling the 'Lionheart engine'). It does make you wonder how bad the old engines if the "improved" ones still don't give the plane the 'fast' special rule like most other fliers do.
Over the skies of Piscina 4, three of these planes managed to kill over 48 Ork planes. On the world of Kundra, the Jetfighter provided cover for the Ravenwing by blasting apart various tanks and jet-bikes of the Eldar. So, the intended role of the Nephilim is that of a multi-role air superiority fighter/ground-attack craft. Seems like either the Space Marines or the writers never heard of dilution of focus.
For the stated price of 180 pts, you get a AV 11 HP3 flier with the starting wargear: Twin-linked Heavy Bolters (36",S5,AP4,Heavy 3), Twin-linked Lascannon (48",S9,AP2,Heavy 1), and six Blacksword Missiles(36",S6,AP4,Heavy 1). The only option available for it is to replace the lascannon with an avenger mega bolter (48",S6,AP4,Heavy 5).
Since most fliers in the game have AV10 or 11, these weapons seem good enough to contend with them. It appears that anything AV 12 or above is something the Jetfighter should not be shooting at. So, it is a bit baffling that the plane comes loaded with a lascannon (whose sole purpose is to take down heavy armor, something this plane has no business going up against).
Now, if I could make a very un-Space Marine-like suggestion. Focus on what the plane is actually good against and never take a lascannon. Sure, you'll miss out on being able to cause an explosion with a single shot; but against AV 10, you only had an 11.2% chance of that happening. Instead, what you should be focusing with this thing is trying to immobilize enemy vehicles.
Why immobilize? Because two immobilized results means the vehicle is wrecked. Also, because the Nephilim has the Unrelenting Hunter special rule: When shooting at enemy vehicles, a Nephilim can choose to treat any Weapon Destroyed results as Immobilised. Most people would want to ruin a weapon on the vehicle, but it doesn't lead to it dying any faster.
So, which one sounds better for that goal? A twin-linked heavy 1 shot, or a heavy 5 weapon? Add in two missiles and the heavy bolters, you have seven S6 and three S5 shots to wreck a light vehicle in a single shooting phase. That sounds something to believe in, unlike a single die roll.
Plus, the avenger mega bolter has another advantage over the lascannon. If there aren't any vehicles left for the Nephilim to shoot at, there are always infantry mobs. With anything that has 4+ armor, you have five potential kills vs. just one with the lascannon.
Back to the question from the top of this article. Is the Nephilim as bad as most forums make it out to be? No. There are a lot of people who compare it to the Stormraven Gunship, but that is where their arguments fall apart. Stormravens are heavyweights who have a whole slew of options to focus on very different targets. The Nephilim's main priority should be solely on light armor. Which it can excel at (if you leave the lascannon in the box).
Is it orverpriced? Yes. About 20 or 30 pts too expensive for its limited role. But, who knows, maybe all the over fliers will cost more in the future.
So, just remember, the Nephilim can wreak havok on light armor; and if you have it leap from target to target, it will prove to be a reliable support for the men on the ground. And, never, EVER, take lascannons on this plane.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Luther's Finest: Behold the Thunder Dragons! *Fixed*
I have names and ranks for them, I will fill out the list complete wit pictures when I finish my remaining Astartes.
Command Squad 'Praetorians'
Lord Hector Apophys
Honoured Brother Gabriel
Honoured Brother Jeremiel
Honoured Brother Michael
Honoured Brother Rafael
II Tactical Squad 'Lupus'
Brother Sergeant Dante
Brother Sirus
Brother Homer
Brother Desolae
Brother Klaus
Brother Yule
Brother Enri
Brother Maximillius
Brother Yongir
Brother Augustus
III Devastator Squad 'Hades'
Brother Sergeant Virgil
Brother Machiavelli
Brother Marx
Brother Ingles
Brother Ester
Brother Vex
Brother Jevai
Brother Karl
Brother Hongirr
IV Tactical Squad 'Jericho'
Brother Sergeant Bismark
Brother Dale
Brother Uriel
Brother Lucifer
Brother David
Brother Mica
Brother Jevai
Brother Sammuel
Brother Gablia
Brother Delphos
Venerable Brother Solomon
(Entombed M.36)
Predator Tank
(Cazador)
Land Speeder
(Esper)
The Fluff: Long ago in M.31 when the Lion ordered the Destruction of Caliban, A select few of Luther's followers were ordered to leave the planet and spread to the farthest reaches of Imperial Space to bring unite the true followers of the Emperor to be witness to the traitorous actions of the First Legion. Their Leader, Hector Apophys, acted as a shepherd to the lost flock that was now called "The Fallen", uniting them into a singular force that quickly vanished into the unknowns of space. It wasn't until M.38 in Abbadon's Ninth Black Crusade that an unknown Astartes Chapter was seen fighting alongside Imperial forces on Corillia against the traitor marines. These Astartes wore blood red power armour with white trim, white streaks in a warpaint fashion, and deep sea blue eye visors. In the field of battle these Astartes were fearless in their assaults on Abbadon's forces, often going to suicidal lengths to destroy their enemy. The only battle cries they cried were for a man named "Luther."
At the end of the crusade when Corillia was finally relieved by the Ultramarines, the Astartes vanished from the planet without a single trace of their being there.
In various conflicts following the Ninth Crusade, these same Red Warriors would appear and smite the enemies of the Imperium. It wasn't until M.40, when questioned by an Astartes from the Black Templars about their Origin that the a Red Warrior finally spoke to an outsider. "Who are you, Brother?" The Templar was said to ask.
To which the Thunder Dragon replied: "I am a Thunder Dragon, and I fight in the name of Truth and Revelation."
The Templar was confused. "Thunder Dragon? Who do you follow?"
The Thunder Dragon stood tall. "I serve the Emperor, and follow my Lord Hector."
These are the two pictures I have. To the right is a picture of my 'Hades' squad. The front four marines are 2nd or 3rd edition marines courtesy of Colonel Scipio. The picture is a bit bright due to the flash, but you can just make out the detail on them. Each one has a purity seal on the right pauldron to help distinguish them from the rest of the squad.
Anyway guys, hope you enjoyed the pictures and the fluff. Any questions, comments, or recommendations just leave a comment and I'll get back to you. Stay frosty out there!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Been keeping busy
Recently I've acquired Dark Eldar, and some substantial upgrades to my Space marines. Including Five older model space marines, courtesy of Colonel Scipio, which have been folded into my Astartes quite well. Additionally, I've expanded my guard slightly, but I still have quite a bit to paint.
Anyways, I'm keeping busy, and hopefully next time I have a chance I'll upload some pics of my Dark Eldar. This is just a small post to keep you all semi-updated, so enjoy. Adios Amigos, Stay frosty out there.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Battle of Charger Pass Pt. 1
Planet: Arrakia
Location: 170 km northeast of Leton City; 15 km away from Dusse Port
A week after Leton City fell to a surprise attack of Black Legion and ork auxiliaries, the last vestige of still-loyal citizens was decimated. The PDF on the planet were still reeling, and unable to effectively coordinate a counter-attack. This opportunity was seized by the ork forces who fractured into individual warbands. They started reeking havoc across the main habitat region between the Sawtooth Mountains out west and the east coast of the Wave Dune Ocean.
By the time an encircling army was finally able to contain the enemy to the capitol, the orks had spread beyond the local area. The most immediate ork concerns for the defenders was a massive horde of greenskins headed north to where the Field Marshall's last known position. The Thunder Dragons send a force up north to lead the regional PDF in intercepting them.
They risked the only five Predators their chapter still had to eliminate the main ork assault estimated to contain close to 300 tanks. Captain Kaga of the 4th Company decided the best course of action was to set an ambush at Charger Pass along the stretch of Leto Highway.
The dust plumes rose high above the stretches of the Red Mane Plains. Through the rangefinders, the Thunder Dragons' three Predator tanks (Prophet of Truth, Prophet of Mercy, and Prophet of Regret) spotted the bikers ahead of the battlegroup. "Regret, begin the attack," the commander of Truth stated.
Regret was the only Annihilator-pattern tank the chapter possessed armed with sponson-mounted lascannons. It roared towards the highway the orks were using. Constant adjustments to their targeters ensured that they were ready to fire as the tank slid to a stop over a kilometer away from the road.
As soon as the bikes were within range, autocannons opened fire followed by a salvo of energy bolts. Three of the four shots hit true; the bikers raced off the pavement in pursuit. Regret moved back while the guns continued to blast away; more bikes exploding along the way.
Now in range, the other two fired their autocannons. When the orks got close enough, the heavy bolters started shooting as well. Regret passed the others and turned around. Its guns swivelled around to continue their barrage. Mercy and Truth proceeded to follow whilst keeping the autocannons trained on the bikers. Unfortunately for Mercy, orks caught up with it and started pounding the treads and sides of the tank. One nob armed with a power klaw snapped the support for one of the heavy bolter sponsons. It was quickly forgotten in the chase.
Back at the highway, smoke screen provided by the bikes dissipated. A massive armoured column of ork tanks rolled out of the dust cloud. They barrelled on ahead even as the road became a valley in a dense region of hills. An explosion on the underside of the lead tank took them by surprise. Shots boomed from the surrounding hillsides and plumes of flame and dirt leapt up all around them.
Cries of WAAAAGH!!! were drowned out by the volley by explosions in their midst. The orks started wildly firing their guns every-which-way they could. Thus, the first major armoured battle of the Arrakian Campaign began.
Location: 170 km northeast of Leton City; 15 km away from Dusse Port
A week after Leton City fell to a surprise attack of Black Legion and ork auxiliaries, the last vestige of still-loyal citizens was decimated. The PDF on the planet were still reeling, and unable to effectively coordinate a counter-attack. This opportunity was seized by the ork forces who fractured into individual warbands. They started reeking havoc across the main habitat region between the Sawtooth Mountains out west and the east coast of the Wave Dune Ocean.
By the time an encircling army was finally able to contain the enemy to the capitol, the orks had spread beyond the local area. The most immediate ork concerns for the defenders was a massive horde of greenskins headed north to where the Field Marshall's last known position. The Thunder Dragons send a force up north to lead the regional PDF in intercepting them.
They risked the only five Predators their chapter still had to eliminate the main ork assault estimated to contain close to 300 tanks. Captain Kaga of the 4th Company decided the best course of action was to set an ambush at Charger Pass along the stretch of Leto Highway.
The dust plumes rose high above the stretches of the Red Mane Plains. Through the rangefinders, the Thunder Dragons' three Predator tanks (Prophet of Truth, Prophet of Mercy, and Prophet of Regret) spotted the bikers ahead of the battlegroup. "Regret, begin the attack," the commander of Truth stated.
Regret was the only Annihilator-pattern tank the chapter possessed armed with sponson-mounted lascannons. It roared towards the highway the orks were using. Constant adjustments to their targeters ensured that they were ready to fire as the tank slid to a stop over a kilometer away from the road.
As soon as the bikes were within range, autocannons opened fire followed by a salvo of energy bolts. Three of the four shots hit true; the bikers raced off the pavement in pursuit. Regret moved back while the guns continued to blast away; more bikes exploding along the way.
Now in range, the other two fired their autocannons. When the orks got close enough, the heavy bolters started shooting as well. Regret passed the others and turned around. Its guns swivelled around to continue their barrage. Mercy and Truth proceeded to follow whilst keeping the autocannons trained on the bikers. Unfortunately for Mercy, orks caught up with it and started pounding the treads and sides of the tank. One nob armed with a power klaw snapped the support for one of the heavy bolter sponsons. It was quickly forgotten in the chase.
Back at the highway, smoke screen provided by the bikes dissipated. A massive armoured column of ork tanks rolled out of the dust cloud. They barrelled on ahead even as the road became a valley in a dense region of hills. An explosion on the underside of the lead tank took them by surprise. Shots boomed from the surrounding hillsides and plumes of flame and dirt leapt up all around them.
Cries of WAAAAGH!!! were drowned out by the volley by explosions in their midst. The orks started wildly firing their guns every-which-way they could. Thus, the first major armoured battle of the Arrakian Campaign began.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
(NSFW) Tales of Infinite Mischief Ep. 3
The Space Marines who waited at the armoury doors had black armour with white aquilas or skulls. Their knees plates down to their boots were a dark red color and the helmets were a pale green. One poised a missile launcher to fire at the Valkyrie while the others aimed their boltguns or a bolt pistol. They allowed the gunship to land on the sky pad without incident.
Grim shut off the engines and got out of the gunship. He walked over to the Space Marines with arms wide. Wolfe nervously sat at the heavy bolter emplacement, thumbs hovering over the triggers. "What's the tech-priest thinking?" he whispered.
"Hopefully, preventing another friendly fire incident," Millard directed the last few words at Jax. Tense minutes went by as the tech-priest talked with the one wielding a bolt pistol and chainsword. Finally, he gestured for the rest of the group to come over.
"Captain McCormick of the Steel Nightmares task force on this planet." He shook Jax's hand. "Gulliman was persuading me that you were here to kill the traitorous Hive Governor. He's locked up inside the armoury."
"Why has he not been punished yet?" Titus asked.
"Those blast doors are protecting him. This squad secured the only entrance to the place, but lack the equipment to punch through the door. I've recalled a squad from down below to bring a meltagun."
"We might be able to get in there," Jax stated.
"I was just about to mention the air duct. It's big enough to allow small people through, but too small for even my scouts to move in it."
"We'll take things from here then." They headed over to the giant hole in the wall where the grate used to be. A Space Marine lifted Jax up to the entrance. Wolfe went up after them. Garvel was about to go when he noticed only Titus was with him. "Why aren't the rest of you coming?"
"I am too big to fit in there," Gulliman explained.
"You can't get me in another confined space that quickly," Tybalt replied. Millard was on the other side of the marine squad talking with a boy and girl younger looking than he was, smoking a lho-stick all the while.
"Get going assassin; we don't have time to dawdle. You need to get your hands dirty for once," Titus said as he shoved Garvel forward. The assassin got lifted into the vent.
"Now put me up there gently, like a good servant," Titus ordered the marine. The giant of a person threw Titus so hard at the opening that his face got buried in Garvel's but. A vicious shove sent the assassin sliding into the person in front of him. "You will pay for this indignity assassin."
The quartet proceeded along the vent in as noisy a manner as they could. Jax had his face smashed into the grate at the end so hard that it popped out, and everybody fell onto the floor. A slow clap accompanied their efforts to get back on their feet.
"To think that these people are whom the Inquisitor sent to kill me." Jax lunged for cover and peeks over the box of grenades. The Hive Governor was dressed in a overly long robe of purple and gold. More troopers like those they met in the dreg quarters earlier were arrayed around him. They were overshadowed by the presence of someone in the back corner.
"Like I said, she became fearful of the power you could wield," the figure replied.
"Anybody would be," the governor winked, revealing his dark purple eye shadow. "Guards, prepare these wretches for sacrifice. Slannesh will simply love the tribute I'm about to offer him."
Hellrifles blast at the wall behind their position. Titus moved a knife to in his jacket sleeve before he stands up, arms raised. "I'll do as you wish," he said.
He walked toward the governor, and knelt down in front of him. "Captain Titus! How good it is to see you again. I feared you were still here when I ordered the Arbites to be sacrificed."
"You had them killed?" Titus asked.
"Of course I did; they refused to follow me. I can not have such impenitence from people who are beneath me in station. But, you are one of the few noble-blooded in this sector. I'd hate to lose anyone who is actually worth my attention."
"I am honoured by such words. And am relieved to hear I no longer have to deal with the Arbites of lower standing or lower class than me."
"Interesting to hear that from you. Do you desire to become a willing sacrifice to Slannesh? To be taken into the bosom of the Prince of Pleasure?"
"I do!" He bowed his head to the ground. The Hive Governor knelt down, raised Titus' head while removing the hat; and kissed him on the forehead. A bright pink lipstick mark was left after he withdrew.
The governor was handed a knife from one of his men. "I will make sure your death is the most beautiful of them all today."
Titus whipped his knife into place and stabbed the governor in the side of the head before his own throat could be slit. Hellrifles fired on him, but Titus propped the corpse to cover him during the retreat. Jax and Wolfe threw grenades from the nearby containers. Explosions ripped the enemy troopers apart.
Within seconds, the firefight was over. The remaining kill team member was hit with a boltgun shell from behind. His killer stepped from the shadows, revealing a techmarine in pale light-green armour. A symbol of an eye with a sword tip pupil imposed over a downward pointing arrow marked his chest plate.
"Big Eye!" Wolfe gasped.
"Thank you for taking care of the governor. Better he's dead before having a chance to become a sticky situation later," the techmarine said.
"We'll take you down for everyone you caused here!" Jax yelled before he unloaded his autogun on the enemy. The rounds bounced harmlessly off the techmarine's armour.
"How pathetic." Big Eye touched the temple of his helmet and teleported away. Wolfe let out a sigh of relief. "I think its time we let the others inside," he stated.
Garvel worked on the door controls while the others rummaged through the contents of the room. The doors hissed open; allowing the others to join in the pilfering.
After half an hour, everyone was outfitted with Vatarian Heavy Plate battlesuits and more heavy weapons for the Valkyrie. Only when the room was violently shaking did the group cease what they doing. Gulliman headed outside to observe to goings-on. A massive explosion occurred very close to the outskirts of the hive city.
"We need to get out of here, NOW!" He sprinted for the gunship as the others came out. Another explosion shook the entire complex, knocking everyone off their feet. They scrambled to the Valkyrie as its engines flared to life. A slow takeoff preceded the frantic attempt to escape the orbital bombardment. Massive shells fell down around them as the gunship raced out of the atmosphere, many of the just acquired contents sliding out the back opening.
Over the private vox channel, Gulliman said, "Get your suits on their own air supply. We're about to break orbit."
Everything in the compartment started floating around when the gunship got into space. A vessel nearby opened its docking bay for the Valkyrie. Gulliman eased the plane through the door without too much hassle. Once the ship landed and they were all on ship's air did anyone leave the Valkyrie.
Outside, a commissar was waiting for them. "I'm here to bring you worthless sods before my mother," the commissar said as she turned and left the bay, "And welcome to the Breaking Dawn."
The group caught up to her and Jax, having removed his helmet, went up to her and asked, "Hey sugar-tits, what's your name?"
She kicked him in the crouch so hard that the armour was dented afterwards. A swift punch immediately followed, breaking Jax's arm. Millard scooped his brother up and helped him walk down the corridor.
"So, not only are you great at maiming people, but you back it up with a smoking hot body and a great butt," Titus said. The faceplate for his helmet was quickly smashed by her fist.
"Before anyone else asks, I am Commissar Raege," she stated, straightening her uniform. She led them through the confines of the ship without any incident. After three decks of travel, they arrived at their destination. It was a replica of a throne room with two chairs atop a dais. One large, metal, and golden in colour sat at the center of the display.
Inquisitor McDowell sat in the small wooden seat in front and off to the side of the empty centerpiece. "Out of all the initiates I sent down there, I never imagined it would the ones I had the least amount of faith in who would accomplish the task. It's a sad day for the Inquisi..."
"That's it! I've had enough of this!" Millard yelled as he stormed forward. Jax lied where he was dropped by his brother. "You can not just abduct anyone you want to do your job for you! WHAT GIVES YOU THE EMPEROR-DAMNED rig..."
Millard was silenced by a single shot from an infernus pistol. His head melted in an instant. "MILLARD!" Wolfe and Jax screamed.
The Inquisitor stood up, silencing the group. "The rest of your lives is now dedicated to protecting the God-Emperor's realm to the best of your ability. That is all he asks of his holy Inquisitors, and now of you."
She left the room, followed shortly by the commissar.
Grim shut off the engines and got out of the gunship. He walked over to the Space Marines with arms wide. Wolfe nervously sat at the heavy bolter emplacement, thumbs hovering over the triggers. "What's the tech-priest thinking?" he whispered.
"Hopefully, preventing another friendly fire incident," Millard directed the last few words at Jax. Tense minutes went by as the tech-priest talked with the one wielding a bolt pistol and chainsword. Finally, he gestured for the rest of the group to come over.
"Captain McCormick of the Steel Nightmares task force on this planet." He shook Jax's hand. "Gulliman was persuading me that you were here to kill the traitorous Hive Governor. He's locked up inside the armoury."
"Why has he not been punished yet?" Titus asked.
"Those blast doors are protecting him. This squad secured the only entrance to the place, but lack the equipment to punch through the door. I've recalled a squad from down below to bring a meltagun."
"We might be able to get in there," Jax stated.
"I was just about to mention the air duct. It's big enough to allow small people through, but too small for even my scouts to move in it."
"We'll take things from here then." They headed over to the giant hole in the wall where the grate used to be. A Space Marine lifted Jax up to the entrance. Wolfe went up after them. Garvel was about to go when he noticed only Titus was with him. "Why aren't the rest of you coming?"
"I am too big to fit in there," Gulliman explained.
"You can't get me in another confined space that quickly," Tybalt replied. Millard was on the other side of the marine squad talking with a boy and girl younger looking than he was, smoking a lho-stick all the while.
"Get going assassin; we don't have time to dawdle. You need to get your hands dirty for once," Titus said as he shoved Garvel forward. The assassin got lifted into the vent.
"Now put me up there gently, like a good servant," Titus ordered the marine. The giant of a person threw Titus so hard at the opening that his face got buried in Garvel's but. A vicious shove sent the assassin sliding into the person in front of him. "You will pay for this indignity assassin."
The quartet proceeded along the vent in as noisy a manner as they could. Jax had his face smashed into the grate at the end so hard that it popped out, and everybody fell onto the floor. A slow clap accompanied their efforts to get back on their feet.
"To think that these people are whom the Inquisitor sent to kill me." Jax lunged for cover and peeks over the box of grenades. The Hive Governor was dressed in a overly long robe of purple and gold. More troopers like those they met in the dreg quarters earlier were arrayed around him. They were overshadowed by the presence of someone in the back corner.
"Like I said, she became fearful of the power you could wield," the figure replied.
"Anybody would be," the governor winked, revealing his dark purple eye shadow. "Guards, prepare these wretches for sacrifice. Slannesh will simply love the tribute I'm about to offer him."
Hellrifles blast at the wall behind their position. Titus moved a knife to in his jacket sleeve before he stands up, arms raised. "I'll do as you wish," he said.
He walked toward the governor, and knelt down in front of him. "Captain Titus! How good it is to see you again. I feared you were still here when I ordered the Arbites to be sacrificed."
"You had them killed?" Titus asked.
"Of course I did; they refused to follow me. I can not have such impenitence from people who are beneath me in station. But, you are one of the few noble-blooded in this sector. I'd hate to lose anyone who is actually worth my attention."
"I am honoured by such words. And am relieved to hear I no longer have to deal with the Arbites of lower standing or lower class than me."
"Interesting to hear that from you. Do you desire to become a willing sacrifice to Slannesh? To be taken into the bosom of the Prince of Pleasure?"
"I do!" He bowed his head to the ground. The Hive Governor knelt down, raised Titus' head while removing the hat; and kissed him on the forehead. A bright pink lipstick mark was left after he withdrew.
The governor was handed a knife from one of his men. "I will make sure your death is the most beautiful of them all today."
Titus whipped his knife into place and stabbed the governor in the side of the head before his own throat could be slit. Hellrifles fired on him, but Titus propped the corpse to cover him during the retreat. Jax and Wolfe threw grenades from the nearby containers. Explosions ripped the enemy troopers apart.
Within seconds, the firefight was over. The remaining kill team member was hit with a boltgun shell from behind. His killer stepped from the shadows, revealing a techmarine in pale light-green armour. A symbol of an eye with a sword tip pupil imposed over a downward pointing arrow marked his chest plate.
"Big Eye!" Wolfe gasped.
"Thank you for taking care of the governor. Better he's dead before having a chance to become a sticky situation later," the techmarine said.
"We'll take you down for everyone you caused here!" Jax yelled before he unloaded his autogun on the enemy. The rounds bounced harmlessly off the techmarine's armour.
"How pathetic." Big Eye touched the temple of his helmet and teleported away. Wolfe let out a sigh of relief. "I think its time we let the others inside," he stated.
Garvel worked on the door controls while the others rummaged through the contents of the room. The doors hissed open; allowing the others to join in the pilfering.
After half an hour, everyone was outfitted with Vatarian Heavy Plate battlesuits and more heavy weapons for the Valkyrie. Only when the room was violently shaking did the group cease what they doing. Gulliman headed outside to observe to goings-on. A massive explosion occurred very close to the outskirts of the hive city.
"We need to get out of here, NOW!" He sprinted for the gunship as the others came out. Another explosion shook the entire complex, knocking everyone off their feet. They scrambled to the Valkyrie as its engines flared to life. A slow takeoff preceded the frantic attempt to escape the orbital bombardment. Massive shells fell down around them as the gunship raced out of the atmosphere, many of the just acquired contents sliding out the back opening.
Over the private vox channel, Gulliman said, "Get your suits on their own air supply. We're about to break orbit."
Everything in the compartment started floating around when the gunship got into space. A vessel nearby opened its docking bay for the Valkyrie. Gulliman eased the plane through the door without too much hassle. Once the ship landed and they were all on ship's air did anyone leave the Valkyrie.
Outside, a commissar was waiting for them. "I'm here to bring you worthless sods before my mother," the commissar said as she turned and left the bay, "And welcome to the Breaking Dawn."
The group caught up to her and Jax, having removed his helmet, went up to her and asked, "Hey sugar-tits, what's your name?"
She kicked him in the crouch so hard that the armour was dented afterwards. A swift punch immediately followed, breaking Jax's arm. Millard scooped his brother up and helped him walk down the corridor.
"So, not only are you great at maiming people, but you back it up with a smoking hot body and a great butt," Titus said. The faceplate for his helmet was quickly smashed by her fist.
"Before anyone else asks, I am Commissar Raege," she stated, straightening her uniform. She led them through the confines of the ship without any incident. After three decks of travel, they arrived at their destination. It was a replica of a throne room with two chairs atop a dais. One large, metal, and golden in colour sat at the center of the display.
Inquisitor McDowell sat in the small wooden seat in front and off to the side of the empty centerpiece. "Out of all the initiates I sent down there, I never imagined it would the ones I had the least amount of faith in who would accomplish the task. It's a sad day for the Inquisi..."
"That's it! I've had enough of this!" Millard yelled as he stormed forward. Jax lied where he was dropped by his brother. "You can not just abduct anyone you want to do your job for you! WHAT GIVES YOU THE EMPEROR-DAMNED rig..."
Millard was silenced by a single shot from an infernus pistol. His head melted in an instant. "MILLARD!" Wolfe and Jax screamed.
The Inquisitor stood up, silencing the group. "The rest of your lives is now dedicated to protecting the God-Emperor's realm to the best of your ability. That is all he asks of his holy Inquisitors, and now of you."
She left the room, followed shortly by the commissar.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
(NSFW) Tales of Infinite Mischief Episode 2 Part 2
"Who are you, and why can I hear you without an earpiece?" the Arbite questioned.
"I am Inquisitor McDowell, and I had drafted each of you to be my Acolytes," she exclaimed, "Each of you have skills that could be put to great use as part of the Inquisition, and it is easier to exert control over you because you have no choice in the matter.
Jax Arkana, you have death warrants on your head for 37 different planets. Wolfe Arkana, you were convicted of heresy for attacking Arbites in 15 different sub-sectors."
"I will exercise their punishment then," the Arbite piped up. He whipped his pistol at Jax's head. A laspistol and lascannon pointed back at his.
"I wouldn't try that if I were you, twinkle toes," Wolfe said.
"You mess with one Arkana, you mess with all Arkanas," Millard added. All four of them collapse as if they were shocked.
"As you can see, I took the liberty of having shock collars surgically installed in each of you; along with your left eyes and ears so I can see and hear everything that ya'll are doing." She released the four from the shock effect.
After a moment of composing himself, the Arbite asked, "What gives you the Emperor-given right to..." He gets shocked again.
"I am an Inquisitor; that gives me the right."
"Why am I here then?"
"Because Cpt. Titus Harlock, I need an Acolyte that can blend in with the well-off of society. Your family has connections to the Imperial Guard, planetary governors in their debt. And, you are very easy to blackmail into coercion."
"That's all well-and-good for them, but I haven't done anything to warrant the Inquisition's attention; and I haven't committed any heresy. So, why I am here?" the tech-priest questioned.
"You were easy to acquire Midkiff. You were about to kicked out and executed by the Machine Cult for the crime of trying to have sex with a heavy bolter." Everyone else has their eyes pop open at that suggestion.
"That is completely untrue, for one thing, the barrel on that thing was too small to do anything with."
Garvel waves his hands in a vain attempt to repel that thought. "If we're done with all of that, can we focus on the task at hand? Umm, what is our assignment here Inquisitor?"
"I was going to have you all investigate the possibility of the Hive Governor going heretical, but circumstance has forced my hand. The uprising started at the behest of the Hive Governor; killing millions of the Emperor's loyal subjects before the day was out. The Arbitrators in the hive were killed to the last person. Even the Vatarian XI Regiment could do little against them. But, the Dark Eldar took advantage of the situation and slaughtered the regiment. Now, the Blood Angels are here to purge the hive city. And the Steel Nightmares have shown up within the last three weeks.
Simply put, your new mission is to kill the Hive Governor for his crime against the Imperium."
"I will execute the heretic myself," Titus said through gritted teeth. The Inquisitor decided that was a good enough reason to stop shocking him. When he recovered, he straightened out his uniform. "How are we going to get out of here now."
"We can try to get a Valkyrie working," Jax replied. He looked to the tech-priest to see if it was possible.
"I'll have to check the condition of them both to see if it can be done," he stated. Grim started rummaging through the remains with assistance from Garvel and Wolfe. Jax heard something approaching and reacted quickly enough to avoid splinter pistol fire.
Two Dark Eldar Helions flew through the area; one nearly off Tybalt's head. Those who weren't preoccupied fired back. Millard's lascannon shot blew up one of the gliders, and the Helion tumbled into a vat of molten metal. The other swung back around leaped at Jax. It backhanded him unconscious before another shot from Millard took its head off.
Jax took awhile to wake up and went immediately to swiping the dead guy's weapons. Wolfe joined the action, scavenging a splinter rifle for himself. A crackle of static from the radio of the kill-team caught everyone's attention.
...orces are to withdraw....hive-city within twelve hours...lood Angel strike crui...level the whol..........Imperial forces are......twelve hours.
"Robot, we need to get out of here, soon!" Titus exclaimed.
"I am not a robot you imbecile, I am a tech-priest of Mars. And I can get this thing working if you jackasses would actually do something," Grim stated.
Everybody leapt into action, except for Titus, trying to fix the damage one of the Valkyries had sustained. Grim directed the project whenever he wasn't busy himself. Five hours later, the Valkyrie looked better than new; and they stripped the other of any parts that could be taken, including gun emplacements.
Grim did a test to see if the gunship was still air worthy before letting the others stow the spare parts and guns on it. Jax approached the cockpit, sat down in one of the seats, and tried to grab the flight stick in front of him. Grim quickly slapped his hands away and yelled, "ONLY I CAN TOUCH KAREN'S CONTROLS RIGHT NOW!"
"Karen? Who's Karen?"
"She is the Valkyrie. She gave permission only to me to fly her." Jax slammed the door behind him. "I think the tech-priest wants to fuck the gunship."
"Of course he does; he's a robot," Titus interjected.
"I AM NOT A ROBOT YOU WITLESS BABOON!"
The Valkyrie lifted up towards the hole in the ceiling. They a scene of mass carnage when they got beyond the slums. Cultists and dregs butchering innocent people while Dark Eldar and Imperial Guardsman fire indiscriminately into the crowds. Blood Angels leapt high in the sky above it all as their bolters tore everything apart down below.
Engines flared up to propel the gunship away from the scene; Helions pursuing close behind. Wolfe and Millard man the guns on the sides and open fire on their pursuers; Jax ran to the cockpit and jumped on the vox. "Any friendly imperial units, this is General Jax Arkana of the Vatarian 3rd Regiment; we have Dark Eldar all around us and we need support."
"This is Captain Tycho of the Blood Angels 3rd Company, what is your business here General?"
"We're here for the Hive Governor."
"Anyone who is trying to protect the traitor will die with him." Hunters and Stalkers fired on the Valkyrie. Missiles streaked past and shells exploded all around.
"Hah! Emperor's Finest; certainly, the Emperor's Finest Fuck-ups." Jax followed up with a slew of other insults denouncing the honor of the entire Blood Angels chapter. Yet more missiles were aimed at the Valkyrie as Grim had to yank and juke the gunship all about to avoid the incoming fire. Titus grabbed a heavy bolter and shot down all of the missiles from the back of the compartment where a hatch should be.
Jax switched channels on the vox caster, hailing anyone else who could answer. Eventually, someone did. "Left-tenant Carpenter here; we heard your call for help. We'll draw the Space Marines' fire away from you, sir."
"May the Emperor be with you, Lieutenant," Jax replied.
The Valkyrie opened up with every gun it had causing a hole to the outside to be blown in the wall. A prolonged boost to lose anybody else, and the group was free of the hive city. As they headed to the highest parts of the hive, they couldn't help but notice the massive Imperator-class Titan firing its weapons on the city.
After a brief discussion they deemed the best course of action was to head to the armoury first to prepare to assault the titan. A few brief minutes later, the Valkyrie headed for a final approach to the armoury runway. But, a group of Space Marines was already waiting for them.
"I am Inquisitor McDowell, and I had drafted each of you to be my Acolytes," she exclaimed, "Each of you have skills that could be put to great use as part of the Inquisition, and it is easier to exert control over you because you have no choice in the matter.
Jax Arkana, you have death warrants on your head for 37 different planets. Wolfe Arkana, you were convicted of heresy for attacking Arbites in 15 different sub-sectors."
"I will exercise their punishment then," the Arbite piped up. He whipped his pistol at Jax's head. A laspistol and lascannon pointed back at his.
"I wouldn't try that if I were you, twinkle toes," Wolfe said.
"You mess with one Arkana, you mess with all Arkanas," Millard added. All four of them collapse as if they were shocked.
"As you can see, I took the liberty of having shock collars surgically installed in each of you; along with your left eyes and ears so I can see and hear everything that ya'll are doing." She released the four from the shock effect.
After a moment of composing himself, the Arbite asked, "What gives you the Emperor-given right to..." He gets shocked again.
"I am an Inquisitor; that gives me the right."
"Why am I here then?"
"Because Cpt. Titus Harlock, I need an Acolyte that can blend in with the well-off of society. Your family has connections to the Imperial Guard, planetary governors in their debt. And, you are very easy to blackmail into coercion."
"That's all well-and-good for them, but I haven't done anything to warrant the Inquisition's attention; and I haven't committed any heresy. So, why I am here?" the tech-priest questioned.
"You were easy to acquire Midkiff. You were about to kicked out and executed by the Machine Cult for the crime of trying to have sex with a heavy bolter." Everyone else has their eyes pop open at that suggestion.
"That is completely untrue, for one thing, the barrel on that thing was too small to do anything with."
Garvel waves his hands in a vain attempt to repel that thought. "If we're done with all of that, can we focus on the task at hand? Umm, what is our assignment here Inquisitor?"
"I was going to have you all investigate the possibility of the Hive Governor going heretical, but circumstance has forced my hand. The uprising started at the behest of the Hive Governor; killing millions of the Emperor's loyal subjects before the day was out. The Arbitrators in the hive were killed to the last person. Even the Vatarian XI Regiment could do little against them. But, the Dark Eldar took advantage of the situation and slaughtered the regiment. Now, the Blood Angels are here to purge the hive city. And the Steel Nightmares have shown up within the last three weeks.
Simply put, your new mission is to kill the Hive Governor for his crime against the Imperium."
"I will execute the heretic myself," Titus said through gritted teeth. The Inquisitor decided that was a good enough reason to stop shocking him. When he recovered, he straightened out his uniform. "How are we going to get out of here now."
"We can try to get a Valkyrie working," Jax replied. He looked to the tech-priest to see if it was possible.
"I'll have to check the condition of them both to see if it can be done," he stated. Grim started rummaging through the remains with assistance from Garvel and Wolfe. Jax heard something approaching and reacted quickly enough to avoid splinter pistol fire.
Two Dark Eldar Helions flew through the area; one nearly off Tybalt's head. Those who weren't preoccupied fired back. Millard's lascannon shot blew up one of the gliders, and the Helion tumbled into a vat of molten metal. The other swung back around leaped at Jax. It backhanded him unconscious before another shot from Millard took its head off.
Jax took awhile to wake up and went immediately to swiping the dead guy's weapons. Wolfe joined the action, scavenging a splinter rifle for himself. A crackle of static from the radio of the kill-team caught everyone's attention.
...orces are to withdraw....hive-city within twelve hours...lood Angel strike crui...level the whol..........Imperial forces are......twelve hours.
"Robot, we need to get out of here, soon!" Titus exclaimed.
"I am not a robot you imbecile, I am a tech-priest of Mars. And I can get this thing working if you jackasses would actually do something," Grim stated.
Everybody leapt into action, except for Titus, trying to fix the damage one of the Valkyries had sustained. Grim directed the project whenever he wasn't busy himself. Five hours later, the Valkyrie looked better than new; and they stripped the other of any parts that could be taken, including gun emplacements.
Grim did a test to see if the gunship was still air worthy before letting the others stow the spare parts and guns on it. Jax approached the cockpit, sat down in one of the seats, and tried to grab the flight stick in front of him. Grim quickly slapped his hands away and yelled, "ONLY I CAN TOUCH KAREN'S CONTROLS RIGHT NOW!"
"Karen? Who's Karen?"
"She is the Valkyrie. She gave permission only to me to fly her." Jax slammed the door behind him. "I think the tech-priest wants to fuck the gunship."
"Of course he does; he's a robot," Titus interjected.
"I AM NOT A ROBOT YOU WITLESS BABOON!"
The Valkyrie lifted up towards the hole in the ceiling. They a scene of mass carnage when they got beyond the slums. Cultists and dregs butchering innocent people while Dark Eldar and Imperial Guardsman fire indiscriminately into the crowds. Blood Angels leapt high in the sky above it all as their bolters tore everything apart down below.
Engines flared up to propel the gunship away from the scene; Helions pursuing close behind. Wolfe and Millard man the guns on the sides and open fire on their pursuers; Jax ran to the cockpit and jumped on the vox. "Any friendly imperial units, this is General Jax Arkana of the Vatarian 3rd Regiment; we have Dark Eldar all around us and we need support."
"This is Captain Tycho of the Blood Angels 3rd Company, what is your business here General?"
"We're here for the Hive Governor."
"Anyone who is trying to protect the traitor will die with him." Hunters and Stalkers fired on the Valkyrie. Missiles streaked past and shells exploded all around.
"Hah! Emperor's Finest; certainly, the Emperor's Finest Fuck-ups." Jax followed up with a slew of other insults denouncing the honor of the entire Blood Angels chapter. Yet more missiles were aimed at the Valkyrie as Grim had to yank and juke the gunship all about to avoid the incoming fire. Titus grabbed a heavy bolter and shot down all of the missiles from the back of the compartment where a hatch should be.
Jax switched channels on the vox caster, hailing anyone else who could answer. Eventually, someone did. "Left-tenant Carpenter here; we heard your call for help. We'll draw the Space Marines' fire away from you, sir."
"May the Emperor be with you, Lieutenant," Jax replied.
The Valkyrie opened up with every gun it had causing a hole to the outside to be blown in the wall. A prolonged boost to lose anybody else, and the group was free of the hive city. As they headed to the highest parts of the hive, they couldn't help but notice the massive Imperator-class Titan firing its weapons on the city.
After a brief discussion they deemed the best course of action was to head to the armoury first to prepare to assault the titan. A few brief minutes later, the Valkyrie headed for a final approach to the armoury runway. But, a group of Space Marines was already waiting for them.
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