"Sit, Confessor." Alexis ordered, gesturing to the vacant plush chairs at the nearest point of the circular table. The man did so, his face calm and expressive. "You will answer me, as to why you and Cardinal Servantes, saw fit to circumnavigate the established chains of command, and report our world to the Inquisition, without first levying your concerns to either Sector Command or Myself! You have not only betrayed my trust, but made me look like an incompetent fool before not only Sector Authorities, but the very Inquisition itself! "Do you think me a Heretic, Confessor?" Alexis spat, his self control now spent, in the presence of this man; as he tossed the offending missive that Lord Keralix had presented him with across the table to Zeb. Both the Cardinal's and Confessors's signatures clearly visible at the bottom. "Do you think me unworthy of governing this world effectively? Because the Administratum, Mechanicus, and even the Lord-Commander Ultima, who in his wisdom made my appointment official, beg to differ!"
OOC: I assume this talk is going on before the Tau attacked? Also: Chaos and Eldar can proceed, Tau has to wait till Mechaius post the next space battle post as I made my attack last time.
"Come now lord governor" The Confessor said with a smidgeon of self righteousness, "You must understand how such things work, Now me and the Cardinal have found reason to believe that some hint of corruption is present upon this planet. How rooted in we do not know, and the Inquisition is our tool to root this corruption out. Now one must take the utmost care when confronting these matters, the entire world becomes suspect and no man is to be trusted until the holy inquisition gives out the word. This anger of yours is quite unnecessary I do believe, should you be a loyal servant of the Emperor you will not be persecuted, if the Lord Inquisitor finds evidence of existing corruption in your office action must be taken. As to the matter of your status, many people find themselves under the watchful eye of an inquisitor, but surely coming out of it labeled as a true and loyal son of the blessed Emperor would be no less than a badge of honor for both you and this world, no?" With that the Confessor lied back into the chair, await the word of the Governor and wondering what exactly he thought he could even do to him in the presence of an Inquisitor, of all people.
Lord Inquisitor Keralix -Post Confessor/Governor conversation- Keralix been appreciating the comforts of the room he was given, for he had immediately received an emergency message from his strike cruiser. His room contained a large communications table, which he had one of the many palace servants synchronize with his personal protocols. The situation was far too concerning for him to worry whether or not the channel he opened with the Deimos was secured. There was a brief wait as the communication line was established. "Lord Inquisitor Keralix," an officer greeted him with panic in his voice, "We have been enga-". The Inquisitor's temper began to emerge as he cut off the officer in a voice which emulated his authority. "I have been planet side for only a few hours and already incompetence has shown its face!" The line went silent as the officer on the receiving end attempted to calm himself and began to choose his next words carefully. "My Lord, the Imperial defense forces on Lorias have been engaged by a sudden Tau presence." Again silence covered the communication line as a panic surfaced in the mind of the Lord Inquisitor. Why would the Tau choose now to attack? Why this planet? Were they targeting the Inquisitor or did they also know the secret that had drawn Keralix here in the first place? Keralix pressed his hands against his temples and pushed his hair back. If the Tau were here for the same reason he was, then all the plans he made were compromised. Time was no longer in his favor and humanity could very well suffer for it. Keralix willed the newly formed self-doubt out of his mind and regained his calm composure. Bracing the communications table, the Inquisitor gave he improvised orders with calculated precision. "Inform the captain that he is too support the Lorias Navy in any way he can. In addition, I want reports on any and all locations where the Tau may have landed forces during the surprise." The officer replied, "By your word, my Lord.", and the line was cut. Keralix let in a deep breath and turned to exit his room. Immediately as he left stepped through the large brass doors that had granted him his privacy; he was greeted by the attention of a palace servant and by his second in command, Celestian Superior Lydia, along with her acolyte, Sister Sigrid. He motioned towards the palace servant and ordered him to alert the Governor and his staff of the situation. He then turned his attention to the two sisters of battle whom had been idle for so long, "Commander Lydia, I need you and your assistant to join my agents outside the palace. They will inform you of what needs to be done. I entrust you with this, for I have other matters to attend to." Having dismissed the group, he returned to his quarters. A seed of paranoia had been placed in his mind.
"Of course, lord inquisitor Ave Imperator" Lydia turned and started to walk. She turned to make sure Sister Sigrid was following. She was, and with that they both walked down the corridor and towards the agents outside of the palace. When they reached the outside of the palace. It was still raining heavily. Lydia looked around, she could not see the people the inquisitor had told her to meet. She sighed and sat down on a nearby rock. 'MORE waiting' she thought to herself, putting on her helmet once again.
"You make a fine point point, Confessor, but it does not excuse . . . "Alexis words trailed off as air raid sirens echoed from outside the Palace.The dreary nights sky was suddenly illuminated by heavy bursts of anti-aircraft fire. Concussive booms echoed in the heavens, as even the rolling thunder was drowned out by the explosions "What is that?" some asked, but his question was drowned out by the blaring of emergency klaxons, this time within the Palace itself. "What is going on?" Alexis asked. The stunned faces around him mirrored his own confusion. The doors to the offices burst open an a terrified Naval attache stormed in, a long sheaf of parchment in his hands. "My Lords, My Lords!" he scream, "We are under attack! We are besieged! The Tau have engaged Battlegroup Sternguard in high orbit, and are landing invasion forces as we speak!" "What, how can this be?" Colonel Galven exclaimed. "There has been no Tau activity in this sector for years!" "Tell that to the Tau, Colonel" Commodore Vorst shot back. "We must get to the Strategium!" He kicked back his chair rose to his feet, rushing out into the hallway. The Colonel fast on his heels. "They are right!" Alexis shouted. "Bennedict! Saul! Confessor . . . come with me. The rest of you, make your way the bunkers beneath the palace. Chamberlain, show them the way!" They all scrambled for the door. The Chamberlain ushered the officials down the wide stairwell to the ground floors far below. Alexis and the rest hurried down the eastern corridor, towards the emergency lifts. Along the way, Alexis grabbed the nearest of his House Guard by the shoulder. "Trooper!" Find the Lord Inquisitor, and lead him down to the Stategium! Do not delay!" The man nodded and took off down the western corridor. "Move" Alexis urged of the rest. "We haven't time to waste" The doors to the lift opened as they approached. They piled inside, with a few straggling attaches right behind them. The doors sealed shut and the lift rocketed downwards, jostling the men inside. "How did the Tau get so close without detection?" Alexis demanded of the frightened Naval Officer who had warned them too late.He pushed the man against the metal bulkhead forcefully. "We don't know Lord, I swear." The man stammered."We only learn of their arrival a few minutes ago! Just as the Battle Group engaged them" "Alexis!" Saul Haxx exclaimed, as he grasped the Fabricator Marshal by the collar and pulled him off the man. "Calm yourself, man. We need you, of all people, to remain calm and level headed at a time like this! You are the Emperor's appointed ruler of this world. Act like it!" "Exactly" Benedict, added. Uncharacteristically forward. "You are not some petty nobleman or inbred hereditary monarch. You are a Logistician Alpha-Grade and Administratum Consul-Majoris, you do let doubt or petty pride cloud your judgement and reason. Forget all of this Inquisition and Heresy business. Forget Servantes and his politicking. Focus on the task before you and nothing else" Alexis' shifted his gaze between the two men. "Your right. Your both right. Whats wrong with me?" "Stress, Alexis" Saul stated. "You have a Lord Inquisitor investigating your world for Heresy, and now that fact is compounded by an inexplicable Tau invasion. I believe some liberties are in order regarding your emotional state" "Well, I suppose your right" Alexis admitted. He looked over at the implacable Confessor Zeb, who stood between Alexis, and the cluster of terrified junior officers. "Confessor, may I ask you overlook my previous outbursts?" He asked, swallowing his pride. "I think I must offer you apologies for my behavior and my misplaced anger towards the Cardinal, and yourself" He offered his hand. "Would you stand beside me now, in our world's moment of crisis? For I will need the strength and support of the Ecclesiarchy, as much as every PDF soldier and tank in our arsenal"
HDMS Magnificent – Command Bridge High Orbit over Lorias “The enemy ships are pressing the advance” Tactical reported. “They are intensifying fire on our ship” “They aren’t as foolish as they seem then” Klaudius admitted, “Then let them come!” The bridge shuddered ominously, as the deadly Ion beams strafed across the forward shields. They wavered and threatened to collapse. “Forward shields down to 60%, Captain” Tactical warned. “We can’t sustain this kind of punishment much longer!” “Bah, Fire Control, why are those Xeno ships not burning wrecks already?” Klaudius demanded, as he clung to his pulpit. Another violent tremor forced him to abandon his post for the safety of the Commodore’s vacant Command Throne. He strapped himself in and activated the micro-hololith display, projecting a much smaller scale of the battle in front of himself. “I’m sorry Captain, but their evasive maneuvers are counter acting our . . .” Fire Control couldn’t finish his report before the Magnificent lurched violently to port, as a volatile explosion flared through the starboard side bridge windows. A momentary sunburst of light blinded the bridge crew, before shaded shutters closed down and blacked out the light. “We’ve lost the Starboard Lance Battery! Hull breaches on decks 10, 9, 7 and 5. Multiple Casualties reported.” Tactical screeched in disbelief. “I am sealing off the effected spaces now!” “Damn them to the Warp!” Klaudius spat vengefully. “Helmsman, hard to Starboard. Bearing 090. Fire Control, ready Port broadside!” “Tactical, order the Adamant Resolve, and Argent Wrath forward. Have them take the fight to the enemy. No mercy!” “Order the Eternal Vigilance to support us in destroying that Lar’Shi Crusier. Have the Undaunted Will and Praetorius Exemplar come about and engage that Il’Porrui Transport. We cannot allow it to reach high anchor.” He raged. “We shall see it destroyed! Launch interceptor and bomber squadrons! Attack pattern Gamma Tetris. Draw the enemy’s fire away from the bombers. They must take that transport down!” “Have the Star Forts engage the Tau escorts and support cruisers. Let them taste our rage!” The Magnificent’ engines flared, as she lumbered into position. No sooner than her blackened prow passed the before her intended target, did her broadside cannons flare into life. The powerful macro-cannons and laser batteries filled the void between the two combating fleets with a withering hail of solid munitions and laser fire. Explosions blossomed amongst the encroaching Tau ships, their shields glimmering with brilliant flashes. The Star Forts added their own formidable arsenal to that of the Magnificent. From their hanger bays swarmed the deadly squadrons of Lightning Interceptors and bombers. Their intentions locked on to the seemingly vulnerable Tau transports.
And as the Imperium was now full aware of their enemy, the threat of their world, the young empire of Tau, clouds directly over Lorias City moved slowly to the side, allowing single rays of the moon through the prior thick clouds, rain though not stopping as they move, carrying it further into the other regions. Was this some kind of heavenly sign or a mere weather phenomenon? But who cared anyway at this moment? The war has reached the Tarsis Ultra system once again. Lorias was now in it's tides of destiny. What was going to happen? Is there heresy to be detected by the Inquisition? Will the Tau conquer Lorias? And what about the other, still hidden figures in the background of Lorias? Nobody can tell at this point but one thing was sure: The Battle for Lorias has begun, because in the grim future there is only war!
Lydia was startled by the sirens. She had been sat in peace and serenity. Saying prayers and remembering sermons while she waited for the inquisitors men to come. Then all of a sudden sirens rang, anti aircraft batteries were firing. Lydia needed to find the inquisitor. But she did not want to go against his previous orders. The night sky was illuminated with fire and explosions. She stared right at this, trying to understand what was happening. She had no choice but to stay going against an inquisitors order..it was suicide.
"Fighters and Bombers launched, Fleet Admiral!" Was quickly reported as soon as the symbols appeared on the radars. "Wait till we can make out where they are heading, let the Barracudas and Mantas know to intercept them if they head for the Orcas. Planetfall has to be succesful! Also let the Il'Porrui turn around when they engage and surprise them with a counterattack." He just finished his order as the front shields had several impacts of Lances and a single torpedo that made it through the Railgun spread fire. "50% Shields! A few more torpedos and critical Lance hits and we run into serious danger, 75% shields of the Escorts. It seems we are the main target! Furthermore Railgun Batteries on our right exploded from the Torpedo hit, the Plasma explosion was too big to be completely caught from our shields!" A crew member reported as Kor'O was calculating in his mind how much more they can take. "We cannot stop Shas'O Doran'Ro is counting on our success, and we have to succeed for the Greater Good! Fire all weapons, whole barrage of our Gravitic Launchers from all ships! Overcharge the Ion Cannons from the Lar'Shi Cruisers with 50% take the energy 25% from the Engines and 25% from the shields! We gotta get through the Overlord Ship, do not mind the cruisers! If shields fall under 20% full backwards retreat, but do not stop firing! Take energy from our engines to our front shields and get the next Railgun salvo out." *We are counting on you, Kor'O* Ja'Ra said to himself in his mind as the Orcas closed into the atmosphere, but it still felt so long till he would feel the planet under his suit, he looked through the ranks of his Fire Warriors, some were making sure their weapons were ready, others looked also at their fellow warriors and then there was one Fire Warrior who simply looked at the ceiling of the troop transporter, Ja'Ra wondered if he was thinking about their mission what else was going on in his mind.
