[Previously] Sacristan von Saazbraum follows advancement of the scouting force on the observation deck until they enter the shadow zone and drop of from vox-grid. Silion didn't like loosing the contact but Young Master is experienced Knight, he should have Silions trust. Sacristan offers quick prayer and turns his attention to the distant image of Hymn of Forging orbiting Tus Primaris on holoscreen. Sacristan von Saazbraum... accompany them. Magos Artisans words return to his mind. Descending to Ven II. Him? Why would he need to descend on the surface? All necessary equipment for maintaining Knight are on board Durandal. Should the unfortunate happen and Knight get wounded, they had transports to lift it back to Durandal. Does the High Adept want them off Durandal that hard-- Silion sights. What is he thinking? He is member of Adeptus Mechanicus. He has no right to question orders from High Adepts, nor, Omnissiah forgive, act rebelliously. Even now he is standing on observation deck instead of following order given to him and preparing for planet fall. Maybe he has been Sacristan for too long, getting over his head for having been the only Adept. Maybe he should ask for Repentance after the colonization has been settled.
Watching the now headless corpse fall in slow motion, Justicar Rahl was also responding in kind. Unholstering his twin Sunfury pistols faster than the Arbitrators corpse could fall down, he had begun to unleash return fire in the general direction while at the same time roaring commands to the others. "Move you lazy bastards! Address the enemy and take cover! Section one form wall, section two smoke out twenty meters...ADVANCE!" Wasting no time to let the unknown foe pick them off, the Justicar rallied the survivors forward in the direction of a rocky outcropping that most likely hid their unseen foe. Twin thuds betrayed the tell tale sound of grenade launchers firing and he watched as the chemical heavy shells detonated in the weak atmosphere to cover their advance. Even if the enemy had thermal sensors, their helmets targeting huds still worked despite the grainy reception and delays from the terrains interference. Thick swirls of acrid, gray smog lazily danced around them as the squad entered the cover screen. Advancing rapidly, carapace armour clanking as riot shields gently bumped into each other over the temporary moving wall of plasteel reinforced bulwark, they inched closer and closer until after several tense moments they burst out of the smoke. Letting out a fierce yell, the Justicar charged forwards brandishing his shock maul and leaped over the rocky slope to bring it crashing down on.....nothing. Snarling in frustration as his swing hit empty air and eventually the solid planet beneath, the impact sent shards of electrically charged fragmentation in all directions bouncing harmlessly off his armour. Catching up to their commander, the Arbitrators bounded over the terrain, weapons raised and were equally surprised that there was no sign of their enemy...it was as if they had been fighting ghosts. Regrouping quickly, Justicar Rahl consulted a tactical data-slate and eyeballed their position from the last orbital scans they had available. It was then that the sound of heavy weapons fire could be heard in the horizon. Two kilometers to their northwest, the sharp retort of meltas firing and the quicker rapid staccato snaps of a heavy bolter. Most likely another gunship had crash landed not too far from them and the group wasted no time as they marched at the double-quick towards the raging firefight. Several Minutes Later As the group approached ever closer, the firefight still raging now on the other side of a dune bank, the squad hunkered down as the Judge issued orders. Fanning out to either side to take up sniping positions, they were about to charge in when the gunfire stopped. Voices could be heard shouting back and forth to each other on the opposite side but it appeared the assailants had given up for the time being. Taking the initiative, Arbitrator Rahls squad slowly inched over the edge to be greeted by a massacre. The Valkyrie gunship appeared to have been hit repeatedly by low grade missile fire and its cargo hold was almost completely gone, its torn innards strewn across a half kilometer stretch from where it had smashed a path through the moons crust. Its heavy vehicle burden was in a sorry state with half of it buried engine first into the ground with the turret just barely able to angle itself around which a half dozen Arbitrators were hunkered behind. Several more bloody, armored forms littered the ground in varying states of decapitation either from the messy landing or the short firefight that entailed afterwards. As the group flagged down the survivors and approached, one of the 'corpses' suddenly gasped and grabbed the Judges robes smearing crimson streaks across the void black cloth. Kneeling down to grasp the dying mans hand, Justicar Rahl whispered softly a parting prayer for the mans soul eventually closing the cooling corpses eyelids as the hand gently fell onto the now frozen puddle of splattered innards and viscera. Standing up and taking stock of the carnage, heavy boots crunched behind him followed by the crisp sound of a salute. "Lord Justicar! Praise the Emperor you arrived when you did. My squads lost seventeen Arbitrators to unknown forces and our Taurox is beyond salvaging. My men are awaiting orders, and vengeance against the bastards who did this sir." "Calm yourself Sergeant...report the situation as clearly as you can remember. Did you see any of the other gunships?" "Negative sir. We came under fire almost as soon as we were able to clear the crash site. My second was vaporized by a long range sniper shot and...well there wasn't enough of his torso left to recognize him from the poor sod next to him. We've been under siege ever since then until your arrival." "Very well Sergeant. Gather your forces and any spare munitions you can. We move in two minutes onwards to the objective. Patch up the wounded as best you can..." Chief Justicar Rahl responded knowing full well that those who were wounded were direly few...almost all of those who had been hit had died shortly from their wounds or been killed outright yet they had not a single kill to claim in revenge. Frustration threatened to boil over his reasoning as he slammed a gauntleted hand into the pillar of smoking refuse around his armored form. No...vengeance will come swiftly...this I promise you my Brothers and Sisters. There would be no retreat, no steps backward...not when their goal was so tauntingly close to them. "Arbites, marching column. We advance on the ruins and hopefully we will run into more stragglers. Eyes on the horizon and be on your guard." With that, the now platoon strength formation marched solemnly into the distance, all the while feeling the eyes of unknown forms upon them. Goading them, shadowing their every step but now waiting like a viper to lash out from the darkness when the moment was given to them.
Scout Force Tango - Tus Primaris, Survey Crew The Warhawks and Spectres assigned to exploring and finding likely places for outposts have been finding oddities and reporting them back to basecamp. The first thing is several signs of prior human occupation, though unknown if they were Imperial. The second thing is the signs are little things like bodies and camps that are months old. This is strange due to the fact that points that civilization only died months ago. These signs made the soldiers extra alert but also made them jumpy, since its unknown what wiped them out. Scout Force Victor - Ven II, Frozen Salvation The comms teams were getting scatter reports of a rescue going on the shadowside. So far they have three very weak beacons lit off. Unknown number of injured or number of survivors. In response to these scatter reports. The Command team dispatches Three Companies of Dragoons, though deploying them light on soldiers to provide max transportation. So 15 Chimera Chassis have been dispatched as a secondary team to support rescue operations to the Anomaly team that comms drop out frequently with. And for safety sake, The secondary crew has been temporarily assigned a Team of Atlas Recovery Vehicles. So 3 Atlas Vehicles joined in the rescue efforts.
@Colapse @TechCaptain "Affirmative Captain, I shall take to front If I meet anything hostile, I shall try to save some for the rest of the group," Gale said with a smile taking the front, As he did this he wondered for a momment. "Captain think its possible to Vox whoever is sending that Distress message?" Gale asked as his knight moved forward Activating a search light to help see the path he was taking.
Tus Primaris Orbit, Flagship, Bridge --Earlier-- "That's an odd coincidence, I'm on my way to speak with the ambassador Saul. Says he's devoted to maintaining good relations with the Navy. Heh, we'll see just how devoted." He says with a exhale of thick smoke. "The help of you and your men in this shall not soon be forgotten." Admiral Tockman offers his right hand towards General Draken, a steely look in his old but bright blue eyes. "General Draken." *EPIC HAND SHAKE OF MANLINESS* "Maybe when all this starts running itself, you join me for a proper toast? Perhapse without prying eyes and ears." Alexei says with deeper meaning. Iona was not amused. "If you think you can use the General as an excuse to drink, you're sorely mistaken... Sir." Lieutenant Iona says, pushing the half filled cup of tea back into Tockman's view. "Sigh, you know I can have you confined to squarts or stripped of rank little miss." "Where do you keep your medication?" "... ... ..." "Right then. Is that everything Admiral? Lord General?" Iona says "You've made your point, extortionist. Check back with Durhan and make sure he's following orders. Since his promotion his behavior has improved. Yet it never hurts to make sure." "Don't worry sir. I'm confident that he is alright." --Later-- @Mechiaus After parting ways from the General, Tockman signaled an officer to locate Ambassador Haxx. Lucky for the Admiral, he was already on the bridge. Issuing orders and irritating the bridge crew. Alexei walked up to the Mechanicus Representative and cleared his throat. A look of annoyance and supressed outrage lining his face. "Ahem, Executor Haxx. I've been made aware that you seek an audience with me? I can assure you, my men are not so foolish to defy my orders. They are to secure and establish a site for drop ships to land reinforcements. The General shares my concerns and has called for troops to ship out with additional personnel. May I take this as this is also a matter of interest for the Mechanicus and should expect a similar responce?" Keeping that cold look, until finally breaking into a grin. "That would be excellent news indeed! This operation has stretch both the guard and navy thin, but I think this could be an opportunity to form a joint opperation. From the reports I've read, such opperations have been proceeding quite expediently." Messing with Cog boys had always a silent pleasure Alexei indulged in. Prefering their clock synced minds to the unpredictable guard. Yet, this was a day of surprises. @EvicusDasan1 Meanwhile, Lieutenant Iona Nova contacts Murder Squadron Wing Captain Durhan. His vox ringing to life before speaking. "Come in Wing Captain. I repeat, come in Wing Captain. Report your status. Apker, can you hear me?"
~~ Somewhere in the Segmentum Ultima ~~ "Are you certain of that vision, Cadion?" The residing man on the throne inquired as the force-hood wearing man brought in the report of his sight, fresh from his meditation chamber. "Otherwise I would not stand before you, milord. I have seen an artifact of a lost age, as well as someone you have departed from... Just recent... We... You must go. For the chapter, as well as yourself. I am certain that Iestus is more than capable of leading the chapter in your stead." The other one sighed and placed his naked hand on his clean-shaved chin. "Very well... Mobilize the Hundred Swords. I will travel with them on the Strike Cruiser Masamune and it's two escorts. The rest of the fleet will be in Iestus' hands. Guide him well, old friend." Slowly he rose from his throne, stepping up to the massive glass of the unique Battle Barge, looking into the far distance, as the Chief Librarian bowed before taking his leave to fulfill his master's order.
Earlier - Main Force (General) - Tus Primaris, Hour of Reckoning, Bridge *Epic Handshake* "I would join you, Admiral but proper for me is without Alcohol. I am not a drinker. My meeting is with the Magos Artisan down on the planet to start building the first settlement."
Captain Mathius sat in his chair watching and listening to all the comms that were bouncing about. The reports from the planet were....strange....to say the least. Dead bodies and abandoned structures that were only months old. There had to be something to this place, something unnatural. Tus was almost to inviting, as if the planet lured them there and baited them with these findings. He could not dwell on such suspicious for long though as he would drive himself made with such thoughts. Mathius stood up and walled towards one of the crew who was operating the communication channels, "Open up a vox channel to Captain Vogel and Rilke." The officer nodded to Mathius, "Understood, sir." He began to input information and picked up the vox horn and handed it to Mathius. Mathius took the vox horn in hand and spoke, "Captain Vogel and Captain Rilke. I have grown tired of watching your ships sit idly by when there is work to be done. I want both Silent Fury and The Coming Storm on patrol around the outside of the system. Stay together and conduct scans. Report back anything of interest or any vessels. Captain Mathius, out." He quickly handed the vox horn back and returned to his seat. The two ships Silent Fury and The Coming Storm broke off from formation with Fist of Vengeance. They both moved to towards the edge of the system and began to conduct scans and patrols with smaller ships. They did not move to the very edge of the system, as they did not want to move outside the reach of help should they need it. OOC: @Uriel1339 having my escorts conduct patrols towards the edge of the system
@PorOborosCain Durhan wondered why the lieutenant was so distressed as he answered her hail. "Do not worry Lieutenant Nova. Status is green, currently residing in the derelict hangar awaiting Mechanicus arrival. What is the matter?" The Wing-Captain looked around to be sure no imminent danger approached as we gripped his laspistol.
--aboard the Hour of Teckoning-- @EvicusDasan1 Iona took a sigh of relief at this, the vox horn turned off, before continuing. "The Admiral was in a meeting, only now informed of the recent fire fight. Two furies down is not a significant loss, but that's all a matter of opinion. I'm glad you're alright. What's your status? Has the Imperial Guard detatment arrived? Third Sergeant-at-Arms Erikson should arrive with a squad of Boarders, all we could spare was one squad(20). They have fuel and ammo to re-arm your squadron, They will take over security for the hanger. You should expect Mechanicus personal to arrive shortly. Admiral Tockman is negotiating with their ambassador now. You are to move on the bridge and help in the retrieval teams, Guardsmen and Mechanicus. Watch yourself in there, don't let looks fool you. Iona signing off." --aboard the Ghost Ship-- Commission Officer Sergeant Erikson was not an imposing human. Standing no taller than 1.7 meters. What Erikson lacked in size, she made up for in gear. Reiforced plated voidsuit and modified Mk XI assult shotgun. Most of the armsmen similarly armed, or carrying supplies and tools. Etikson reports into the Wing-Captain. Saluting before speaking, her helmet muffeling her voice slightly. "Sergeant at Arms Erikson, Reporting in sir! Admirals orders are clear. Guard this hanger and keep your ships void worthy. You and your men took care of those auto cannons nicely. If you wish to rearm, we brought a few spare boomsticks. You have the floor sir, my men will keep our exit clear."
