Ill be fine on the demolition, i know my way around wall breakers, and the knight is an honerable fighter." Doeallius said, he dident need much equipment, he could get most of it in no time.
<Feron> "The attack shall be carried out with all the tactical skill at my disposal Lord Chaplain. " Straightening himself the Salamander formed both hammer and anvil across his chest. Turning his head he looked toward Draconion with a smile of his own, he had taken to leadership well enough despite his initial experiences aboard the Angelfall pushing him out of that comfort zone and into the role. "Strauss you will be my aid and secondary on the field. " Address their Commissar with a firm nod in his direction Feron looked about the other wing commanders."If the briefing is at an end I suggest we begin preparing initial battle formations. " "Our forces core consist of what may as well be three thousand auxiliary units, near a thousand elite troopers and standard Imperial vehicle assets. I suggest a roughly equal dispensation of forces amongst all fronts barring the center which will require marginally higher displacement for obvious reasons. Five hundred and fifty Serfs to each wing, the core body consisting of nineteen hundred. Five Valkyries to each wing, ten center with a further ten in reserve with a maximum compliment of a hundred embarked Storm Troopers to react to any changing conditions in our lines or to take advantage of a critical weakness. " Taking little time to gauge reactions he carried on, feeling a pit in his stomach about what he felt would be best done in regards to battle organization. "Organize the Serfs to the front with smatterings of Storm Troopers amongst them but most in the second line. We'll have the first wave draw out artillery, find emplacements of weapons and mines while absorbing fire for our main combatants. We're dealing with Astartes meaning we can't afford to give the Angels solid strategic targets to focus on, we must overwhelm them with a multitude of threats much like a Tyranid swarm. Plasma and melta weaponry should be dispensed amongst the various squads so they're capable of tackling whatever they face, if our supply is limited to only a few squads keep them apart from each other so they can form multiple hot spots of concern. Give them the Chimaeras for maximum speed and strength, they'll be larger targets but it'll still be foot slogging seeing as bolters won't rip open a Chimaera any time soon. I would suggest prioritizing enemy anti-air and their own craft, once they're taken care of we can drop the hammer with our reserves. Have the 32nd push to clear out and capture enemy emplacements to turn on the foe unless it would be too costly, at which point eliminate them at any cost. We may need to sacrifice a few of those transport freighters to keep our combat worthy Valkyrie up so they can do their jobs. " A moment of silence as he stopped to let others voice and get their thoughts, if they were on the defense he might have felt a fair degree more confident but right now he was second guessing everything even as it was said.
Keeping silent, as usual. The Blackshield waited for the Chaplain and other to discuss the mission details. Although when hearing his position in the coming battle, a memory and then a thought had passed by his head. One that probably shouldn't be ignored. The Blackshield had his new helm off, and was staring directly at the Chaplain. His golden eyes full of vengeance and hate. While it was his true feelings, he only showed them now, to seem...strong. After the destruction of the hive world, the Chaplain had shown little remorse. Icelos had spent his time with many 'higher ups' and the Chaplain seemed to be one that doesn't carry any regrets with his decision. A man more often then not cares little for those that seem weak around him. But after all, he was a Chaplain. After the Salamander had laid out the general strategy, the Blackshield raised his hand and began talking. As was his culture. "Chaplain, I do not wish to undermine your authority or knowledge of the battlefield. I wish to make a suggestion. Our ancient Dreadnought is alone, yes? I have seen it time and time again that a sole warrior will be overwhelmed by forces, especially fanatic ones. While even in the role of support, it would only make sense for the enemy to end the lone threat. His armored limbs and metal joints can only move so fast, a suicidal man with a Krak or Melta bomb could be a threat to Tempestus. I would recommend someone Guard his flanks, making sure that the ancient would not fall to the enemy."
"I am not somone who would die easily" as he spoke he looked at the blacksheild "my flanks are if no concern" as he said this he let out a slight chuckle "im sure il have a couple of guardsmen with me so dont worry"
Draconion found the Space Wolf in the passenger hold of the gunship, flexing his new fist as if feeling it for the first time. "So, what do you think Salamander, will that Librarian we are looking for cause us much trouble? If you ask me, him and his entire kind are all dishonorable bunch of Marines and if he tries to do something stupid, I assure you I'll knock some sense into him, if you know what I mean!" Commissar listened intently as the Salamander lied out his plan while his adjutant wrote everything down. As if sensing Feron's unease when talking about placement of serfs, the Commissar made a slight nod. "Don't worry my Lord, our soldiers are all servants of the Inquisition, and as such are well trained in the art of war. They are also unfamiliar with sense of fear or death and they will gladly give their lives for a higher cause, for that is the ultimate reward they can receive." "As for the rest, I fully support your plan. But we should also keep in mind that these traitors from the Alpha Legion are famous for using cultists to do their dirty work, the trait we are all familiar with from the last couple of battles where we encountered the Arch Enemy. Therefore I expect trenches and gun emplacements filled with all kinds of scum, serving as meat shields while Emperor knows what kind of tech came with them. I suggest we use our Valkyries as main anti-air fighters, since those Thunderhawks might turn out to be a pain if they are allowed to harass our troops. Don't worry about losing those assets, our Commander wanted to keep it as a surprise, but his personal craft is quite capable of turning the tide of battle. You'll see it when you get in the hangar, Kajar is doing final preparations. Also, our LZ is couple of clicks south of the fortress, well out of the range of their guns so the only thing we have to worry about is getting there in the fist place, the rest we shall carry on our muscles and the strength the Emperor gives us!" "Our Blackshield brother is right. No matter how powerful you are brother Umbra, these are the Chaos Marines we are talking about and I would hate if the first flank I have to reinforce would be yours! Therefore, if any enemy happen to punch their way through the Guardsman force and into the Venerable Dreadnought, although I expect him to be in the front lines but still, there will be one to lend you a hand," nodding to Icelos, the Chaplain smiled. "Well, you did kinda volunteered for it!" OOC like Deran pointed out, every flank (alongside the center) will have a number of NPC's that will fight alonside you. When we get on the ground, if you wish you are free to use them as you see fit, write posts including them etc. Ofc, if you don't feel like it, I'll direct them where they need to go
"It would be an honor Chaplain." The Blachshield said before looking at the Dreadnought. "Someone of your strength and power is probably not one to lose. I think you overestimate yourself, Ancient. Hubris is more devastating then any Bolter round ever created!" The Blackshield said, raising his tone slowly. "I will not be known to you, unless needed Venerable one." How can something with no feeling and barley conscious be alive. For Icelos, one in a Dreadnought could be the least effective part of a squad, if not commanded properly. From what he has been told, it's almost as if the dieing brother is in a simulation or even a dream. To lose a simulation is defeat, but not death. The ultimate defeat, yet it could mean the ultimate victory. The fact of escaping death once, and now still living in something close to unstoppable, weakens them. While some can talk more freely then others, this doesn't mean they are not out of touch. How can something without fear of death, be viable in the field? Some would argue that Astarte know no fear, but this is the falsest of truths. We are not Orks. We do not die in droves for meaningless causes that are over when we fight, die, or defeated. We, the Adeptus Astartes have fear, some could argue, the greatest. We fear to die without a cause, fear to not be guided by the holy Emperor, fear that we will not die in the glorious fires of war. Fear, fear is in all that live, the only thing that changes with each and every other being, is how they use the fear. Fear is what guides us all. Some run when frightened, some stand strong , and some just die.. If I could gain counsel with the Emperor, I would tell him. "I know fear... for fear, keeps me in your light."
"A full escalade then? Dangerous business... Is the fortress shielded from teleportation? After the first wave hits a few well placed deep-strikes could take out key targets such as artillery, or Emperor forbid, anything super-heavy."
"It is shielded from void strikes and we assume it has the similar protection when concerning teleportation devices. Also, I wouldn't advise it from happening given there's that vile thing hiding inside of the keep, who knows what could it do with our tech, making the warp disposition incredibly more riskier than usual," Commissar replied.
<Feron> "A decoy Rhino might not be a bad idea either. Use that one we have and keep it empty, let them think perhaps a squad of Astartes are closing in on some key location. If we wanted we could try running it into the fortifications laden with explosives but chances are it would blow amongst our forces long before. " Idly tapping at the map he eyed the landscape. "What of the cliffs behind? How well defended might the other direction be if we brought in our air units from over the back mount? "
"The cliffs from behind are not hospitable and we are not able to deploy a force from that way. The Astartes could perhaps do it, but then they would have to climb down to the fortress's keep and meet the entire enemy force alone, so I would advise against it. As for Valkyries, it would be possible to go around and send them on a bombing run, but then they would have to deal with anti-air defenses from the fortress locking them from all sides, which I think would be a suicide run. About the Rhino, I can place a serf to drive it and your plan can be put in action. Of course, then Sirius and Angelous would have to move on foot alongside you and won't be able to quickly change positions. In any event, I will respect your decision my Lord Feron."
