"It will be done, if there are any Genestealers in the forests I will find them. I'd like to requisition a few Hellhounds to aid in my search. If there are any to spare." Tsu'had says as he plans for the hunt.
OOC: I think we really do not need to play out everything therefor... MORE TIME SKIPS! Three Days passed. It was now the sixth day since the Inquisition arrived and in worst case scenario only a week was left until the Tyranids would be approached. The first long range outposts at the border of the neighbor system had lost contact, their crew completely destroyed. Luckily it was around noon when the Deathkorps of Krieg and a fleet of the Imperial Navy arrived. The General and the Admiral both met the Deathwatch and Inquisitor Krauz on-board the Hammer of Faith which will serve as the mobile and orbital command center for the Tyranid Invasion. ~~ What happened so far ~~ Soon it was discovered that the Forests around Heraldis and Jandra were clean and had been burned down, providing less cover to the invaders and denying more Bio-Mass, especially after the descriptions Cassius provided what had happened to Typhon Primaris. The Hidden Force around Mahur was still safe as there was no need to increase defense around there anyway with abandoning Mahur in the defense at all. The operations of Mount Ruvorn went on as planned. The Fortifications and main tunnels were as good as done, but the emergency exit tunnel had to be denied as there was no way to guarantee to keep the Tyranids outside. So whoever would be in Mount Ruvorn knew it would be a death trap. But the Flame Turrets of Valonox design will increase the chances at least a bit as they had been stationed all across Jandra, having created a network of purging flames none shall withstand with. And to make sure they do not fall victim to Air attacks, all roof tops got several anti-air cannons. Each Turret needs to be operated though and soon it was clear, to put the connections into the Mountain was impossible as the connections would be exposed. Therefor it was decided by Logis Darius without any further discussion that the Adeptus Mechanicum building would serve as such. During the days, without letting anyone know, he already fortified it and has upgraded several Servitors with weapons and installed dozens of Defense systems. He would operate each single Turret by direct feed from his console in his operating center. And to not let anyone suffer, his guards are strictly those who volunteer or are members of the Adeptus Mechanicum. Nobody could discuss with him or change his mind, it had to happen this way, it was his participation in the war, his way of warfare. Darius insisted that it was the only course of action, and so the Ordo Xenos Militant let him have his way. The Genestealer cult eventually had been found by Tempestus, Tsu'had, Cassius and Noctis who had put their efforts together and eventually found it in one of the caves in the mountain regions. The Brood Lord and at least a hundred Genestealers, all had been purged by the four Astartes and the assistance of the Inquisitoral Storm Troopers under the command of Gregor Lukas Alexandros. But also it was safe to assume that at least one Lictor had arrived on Ruvorn. Several people gone missing had been reported, just after the main exports of Civilians unfit for PDF duty had been sent off. Their destination became the border realms of Ultramar, each transporter having a sealed letter written by Inquisitor Krauz which is to be given to the Governor they reach or even Marneus Augustus Calgar himself. Heraldis, similar to Jandra, became more of a fortress by each passing day. The Walls had been fortified, Heavy Bolters and Las Cannons mounted on Top of the wall, bunkers increased in size and with improved blast doors. In every bunker and fortified position having been explosives installed, ready to detonate and take Tyranids along into death when the position should be completely overrun. The same had been done with several houses in the city. Completely packed with explosives and highly flammable contents which would cause a firestorm in the midst of the Tyranids, burning them where they stand and buying the defenders more time. The PDF having been split according to their experience. Always the most experienced as squad leader, the less experienced under his command. That way each Squad would be somewhat efficient. Also it was decided that Major Farrenheim was to be stationed in Mount Ruvorn, along with Colonel Steiner. Major Hartmann and Dietrich taking care of Heraldis. The Deathwatch would be not stationed at all, except for Shin. Krauz decided to lead the force which is to infiltrate and destroy the Hive Ship. Also Sirius would be deployed with a squad of the Tau who are going to aid in that mission. The Fleet's goal will be to keep the numbers small and open a hole for deployment and extraction into the Tyranid Fleet. The Deathkorps arrived with 4 Regiments, two more than expected. General Bern Triades has brought a Baneblade, a whole armoured Regiment, along with several support vehicles for entrenchment, mine deploying and other tasks such as ammunition transport. An other regiment was a Siege Regiment and the other two Regiments had been Infantry Regiments. But for that it was clear now that is all what was available to defend Ruvorn, besides the Tau fleet that was inbound in several days. Save for the Imperial Navy that of course arrived with the Deathkorps. The Fleet under Admiral Cyrax Nimius consisting of an Overlord Class Battlecruiser, two Lunar Class Cruisers, a Dictator Class Cruiser as well as a handful Sword Frigates. The Plan was to be the first line of defense among with the Tau Fleet, only the Hammer of Faith would remain behind to stay safe as command center and deployment for the Infiltration Squad. The Hive Fleet would be engaged the moment they approach Ruvorn. The Frigates are to intercept along with deployed fighters to fight off planetfalling troops, the Cruisers and Battleships focusing fire on enemy Space Vessels, opening a hole for the Deathwatch and Tau to get the Infiltration squad in there. The Ground combat will be led by Colonel Steiner and Shin Zhu, the majors being the second in command in case Communication gets disrupted or the leadership dies. ~~ 6th Day since Arrival of Inquisition ~~ And so the council was gathered at the end of the day on-board the Hammer of Faith to discuss the plan and if there are any last plan changes. The only ones not attending had been the three Majors, Colonel Steiner and Shin Zhu and of course Sirius Jules. OOC: Just a chance for you guys to influence plans further, etc.
Chaplain sat behind the table, looking quite relaxed. The prospect of incoming battle influenced his mood in a positive way, and he was anxious to meet Tyranids head on. He fought the Great Devourer before on numerous of occasions, but never had been one to board the Hive ship and kill their Queen. Lots of opportunities to take new trophies brought much joy to Stevanus, and he could already picture Tyrant's head on the wall of his cabin. He watched his brothers, every single one of them focused on task at hand. Chaplain could see same dedication in their eyes, which was burning inside of him as well. In his soul, Flesh Tearer again came up front, ready to obliterate any enemy foolish enough to cross his path. Chaplain he was quite satisfied. Finally, some action. "So brothers, what do you think, do we have any chance in surviving this?" he smiled as he brandished his axe.
"I think the question you should ask is, will there be enough Tyranids to go around? I'd hate to run out of xenos to kill to early." Tsu'had jokes to his brothers.
"Im not so sure how much I will be able to do but I will lead the defence of the hive city, if you will be able to alow me brother chaplin" as he spoke tempestus placed his helm on the table "with the tyranids I will be able to pinpoint any synapse creatures and help focus the defence"
"When they see that metal plate in your skull and the size of that power flail, I think you gonna scare them brother into running away" laughed Chaplain.
"Indeed brother, and when they see your collection of heads and that nasty looking axe they'll run twice as fast!"
General Bern Triades spoke up as the Astartes conversed. "I have fought among Astartes in the past, and I know you are all just getting your spirits high for the combat. But be assure the Deathkorps will let the Xenos only pass over our corpses... And Admiral... Try to not intercept every Tyranid, my Baneblade needs to get used." He said with a smirk, his eyes going over to Stevanus, starting to like that Flesh Tearer already. The Admiral shrugged and leaned back. "I am rather confused what Tactics I shall use, the Tyranids I heard adapt kinda like the Tau, just worse. So you Ordo Xenos Militant rather do it swift, I would love to leave in my ship in one piece and not as some kind of last survivor or something." His voice sounded serious, but his gesture was rather relaxed, similar to Krauz when the Deathwatch first time met him. "Do not worry, General Triades and Admiral Nimius, we will strike on the first opportunity we will have, the earlier the synapse is out the better. Though somehow I have the feeling that we won't have that opportunity until the peak of the fight. If we deploy too early, we won't make it to the Queen as too many guards are on-board, do we leave too late, then we might have not the power anymore to punch a hole through for us, to find the right timing will be the problem and nothing else." The Inquisitor added and made sure it was understood clear. He then turned to Stevanus and the other of the Deathwatch. "I do not expect to return from that forsaken Hive Ship, and you better don't either. We will be in the heart of the fleet and we are mere a small strike force. Most likely we will be split, pulled deeper into the ship and confronted with hordes of Tyranids. I repeat. Do not expect to return from that Hive Ship. Expect to die, I know you have no fear, so make it your finest hour, pray to the emperor and confess all your sins before we depart, because it will be most likely the last time you get the chance. The moment we depart with the Thunderhawk for the heart of the fleet, their queen, that is the moment you can expect yourself dead." His voice was ice-cold and sharp, hatred emerged from the depths of his heart. He was not pouring his soul out, rather reviving a memory. The General and Admiral both nodded, their faces serious.
