Brother-Captain Mikael Fabian nodded at Tiberius in greeting, before turning his head to face Galven. The members of the Command Squad simply stayed where they are, focused on the meeting. All, save for the Champion, Garrius. He looked at the two Imperial Fist Sergeants, as if judging them. The Apothecary - Alvius - simply shook his head as everyone turned to look to his captain for an answer. Mikael's eyes seem to unfocus for a mere moment, in thought. Theoretical; The civilians are exposed to Xeno and Archenemy influence. There is a possible chance that if they are sheltered, they may perhaps spread their corruption amongst Loria City more easily. Practical; There are most certainly loyal citizens over there, in need of shelter, food, medical supplies. Practical; If this world is to rebuild, the civilians would be needed, whether or not the corruption compromise things. With that, the captain looked at Galven in the eye, . He is not used to dealing with human soldiers, but he definitely knew a thing or two about coercion. "You would have me abandon those people - the majority of which are loyal citizens of the Imperium - to their possible deaths, Colonel? Have you also considered that you may need these same people to rebuild this world after this war is won? If the corruption seeps out from them - we will deal with it, as we always have against the traitor, the mutant and the xeno. Are we clear?" Mikael's voice was steely, with a tint of harshness to it. The room seemed to have gone quiet after he spoke, some of the people in the room that are otherwise uninvolved turned to look at the commotion temporarily. The Captain kept looking down at Galven for a moment, before turning to the others, a plan forming in his mind. He once again turned to the usage of the old "practicals" and "theoreticals" that his gene-ancestors once used widely. Theoretical; The initial plans seem sound, once the Tech-guard can cut off power to the space port, an assault from the air is quite possible. The air screen could perhaps work just as well, maybe to the point were they can cause some damage themselves. That is, if the anti-air batteries are powered down. Theoretical; An orbital insertion via Drop Pod, into the city itself, may be a risky endevour, unless there are still loyalist elements holding out at Koroa. Practical; With the Xenos gone, this will be much easier. Pity that the 3rd would not be able to live up to it's name this time. It took a mere second for him to think it through. "As soon as the power to the Space Port is cut, we can make an air-based assault on it, cutting down the traitor's base, perhaps even cutting off the head of the snake in the resulting battle. This leaves the Imperial Fists and my remaining battle brothers in orbit... An Orbital Insertion is risky, especially considering that the city is already taken... Unless of course, there is still some loyal soldiers holding out? If so, then we could get their co-ordinates, and reinforce their position." Having said his piece finally, The Captain awaited answers and confirmation. Apothecary Alvius smirked under his helmet. Despite his usual grim demeanour, he could not help but feel a hint of optimism. He is not going to let his hopes go up however - else it may all come crashing down as his heightened expectations are shattered. He simply stood there and watched as the battle-plan slowly takes form and shape...
OOC: I keep Tiberius out of the tactic talk as his real owner is out of the game and I do not want to influence your guys' movements as I will play as the chaos forces. Also just FYI the chaos forces have also several vehicles like Basilisks, Hydras, Dreadnought, etc. and in total ~350 Chaos Astartes (500 were planned but I just assume some were shot during deployment or not all could be deployed due to destruction of cruisers, etc.) while the Cultists (mixed civilians and ex-PDF) go up to the ~50k I think the last number was that I mentioned.
Fabricator-Marshall's Palace - Strategium Lorias City - 06:40 Hrs Colonel Galven meet the Captain's steely gaze with one of his own. He'd faced down Tryanids larger then Leman Russ Battle Tanks and lived. He was not afraid of Capatain Fabian. Were both he and the Fabricator-Marshall fools? Why deal with a threat later when it could be dealt with now! Of course they would need workers to rebuild Lorias after the war was over. They could be brought in from off world afterwards. Their were millions of displaced citizens in the Segmentum. Surely many of them would leap at the chance of a new life and permanent home. Along with steady work to rebuild the planets infrastructure. He growled quietly to himself. He would not let the point be dismissed so quickly. "While your points are valid, Captain Fabian, may I remind you that the Inquisition is here" He stated, eyes locked with the Ultramarine. "Lord Inquisitor Keralix made it quite clear before departing for Koroa to pursue his investigation, that our actions would be monitored closely. Would you have me believe that he would not rather see a hundred thousand innocents die, just to be sure, rather then let a single Heretic roam free?" "It is no different now, then it was during the Tyranid incursions nearly thirty years ago. We tried to save those who were beyond saving and paid the price for it. When the planets leadership could not make the tough choices, they turned to me. I did what had to be done, and Lorias is still here today because of it" He looked around the room, judging the faces of the Officers that looked back at him. He knew where they stood if push came to shove. That confidence molded his next point. "That said, Captain. If your Lordship wishes the refugees rescued, then I will ensure that adequate resources are deployed to carry out those orders. However, mark my words. If the Lord Inquisitor demands to know why those citizens were spared, I will place the blame solely on the Fabricator-Marshall and yourself" He fell silent, and the Strategium echoed in stunned silence. Captain Fabian's champion, Garrius, took a step forward, armoured gauntlet reaching for the handle of his weapon, his face a mask of barely contained rage. "You dare!" he began, before Captain Fabian reach out and grasped his pauldron, pulling him back. His steely glare silenced further outburst. Before further incident could worsen, Commodore Van Vorst placed himself between the two parties. "My Lords, gentlemen. Now is not the time for petty infighting. We have more pressing concerns. I ask the Senior officers and your men, Captain, to join me in the briefing room" He turned to look around the Strategium. "The rest of you, return to your duties. Prepare the information requested by Captain Fabian" The general murmur returned, as men hurried to carry out his orders. He meanwhile ushered the leadership into the private briefing room adjacent to the operations floor. The hatch sealed behind the last of the Marines a few minutes later. "My Lords" Vorst began, hoping to quell potential re-ignition of hostilities. "I have received word for the Koroa PDF forces, or at least what remains of them. What remains of the loyalist garrison has taken refuge inside the Holy Synod. The Battle Sisters and PDF have held out despite repeat attacks by cultist forces, lead by handfuls of Traitor Astartes" "Furthermore, it seems that Cardinal Gregorious Servantes ordered the arrest of Lord Inquisitor Keralix" He added, his face ashen. "To what end we do not know. We do know this: several minutes ago his Retinue extracted him from the bowels of the Synod and he is receiving medical care as we speak. It seems the worst has happened. Cardinal Servantes, is a Traitor and a Heretic. He consorts with the Archenemy and tried to kill the Lord Inquisitor and his servants. He is currently hold up inside the Cathedral, with several dozen armed guards, possibly more" "With these facts in mind, Lord Inquisitor Keralix orders that the attack on Koroa commence immediately. The enemy forces must be drawn away from the Synod, so that he may deal with the Cardinal. The grounds of the Synod are secure, so a landing may be affected. Which leads to my next message" Vorst finished, turning to face Captain Fabian. "Captain Fabian, Lord Inquisitor Keralix has ordered that you assume full command of all planetary forces. As well, a squad of your best men will be seconded to his command immediately. He will need them to secure the Cathedral. That in mind, he has tasked myself with ensuring your Thunderhawks survive at all costs. All available air assets are to be deployed without delay. We must attack within the hour. These are our orders, My Lords. We do not have time to bicker over specifics"
Koroa - North Main Gate - Krisas' Forces - 06:40 Hrs "An hour over and still no attack, they are soft...." Krisas mumbled to himself after changing complete formation around 10 minutes ago, letting the Imperialists not have the advantage. "We are completely surrounded and our Space Fleet has retreated." One of his Champions said concerned to Krisas who just smirked. "But no sign of the Astartes... So how about a little surprise?" He asked, being sure he will be able to destroy the enemies today. Not were just all systems taken over and working for the Chaos Warband thanks of their Heretek, but also the anti-air tanks, basilisks and other heavy weapons were ready.... And then there were still his hundreds of Chaos Space Marines, ready to kill. "Open the Gate! Artillery fire upon the PDF all around!" Krisas ordered and in a minute the northern main gate opened, a Predator and a Dreadnought on the front starting to fire on the PDF of Lorias, Krisas and 100 Astartes following them to start the slaughter, Rocket Launchers, Plasma Weapons, Noise Marines' weapons, Meltas, all mighty weapons in the hands of the Chaos Warband launched upon the PDF and took them of surprise as they were expected to initialize the attack and not get attacked on themselves! *That comes from waiting an hour to let us regroup and fortify further* Krisas thought to himself as he engaged the PDF, his Bolt Pistol spitting bolts upon their enemy just like the rest of his troops. Some cultists saw the engagement of the attack and wanted to follow, but were held back by the Astartes that remained behind. "We are to guard the proerty of your new lord, they are to slaughter and show you the powers of the true gods of death and war." The Champion said and they nodded and remained where they are. Koroa - West Main Gate - Mallars' Forces - 6:45 Hrs "Seems like Krisas got tired of waiting." Mallar whispers out loud as the Heretic Basilisks showered over the enemy around the spaceport, bringing death and confusion upon their enemy. "The gates will hold them not long.... Open them and concentrate on their tanks!" Mallar ordered and the west gate also opened. Instantly the Thousand Sons that were under Mallars' command fired their warp-sorcery upon the PDF and burned them with lightning and fire while the Chaos Astartes fired with Las Cannon and Rocket Launchers upon the heavy weapons of the PDF, tanks and entrenchments alike.
Fabricator-Marshall's Palace - Strategium Lorias City - 06:41-06:45 Hrs Garrius gritted his teeth as they were ushered to another room. The colonel had the nerve to talk back to an Ultramarine Battle-Captain, questioning his wisdom! Of course, he can understand the point of perhaps leaving the civilians be, but still... His thoughts were interrupted by a light *knock* on his shoulder plate. He looked to see Apothecary Alvius looking back at him, his helmet lenses glowing red. Knowingly, Garrius donned his helmet as he stepped through the door, and activated the vox-link. He payed no mind to the conversation that came about between the others - The Apothecary wanted words, so he is going to oblige in letting him speak privately. +"As usual Garrius, you still need to work on your temper. Anger is for the battlefield, not for a strategium, or have you forgotten your lessons?"+ +"No, I have not Apothecary. But the human colonel-"+ +"Is quite gutsy, I grant you that. Does not mean you have the right to strike him down. This is not Ultramar, Garrius. We are not overlords, for are we not better than our traitor brethren?"+ Garrius's eyes looked down. Of course they are better than the traitors, who even now festers at Koroa. But Garrius is rather prideful. Alvius knew this better than anyone else. Before Garrius could reply again, Alvius spoke; +"Humility is something that you must learn, and hopefully sooner than later. Cato Sicarius learned his lesson, in time so will you."+ Garrius pursed his lips. The Damnos Incident, the conflict that saw Cato Sicarius humbled before the Necrons that relentlessly advanced from the underground. He knew little of the details, but the battle costed dearly, including the Venerable Dreadnought Agrippan. His hand curled into a fist. He will not make the same mistakes, he is determined not to. He looked up and cut off the vox-link. He has heard enough. Alvius shook his head slightly, but kept his stance, his helmet betraying no emotion, nothing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fabian looked over to his fellow Command Squad as they followed suit, taking note of Garrius placing his helmet on. The Apothecary is going to have words no doubt, he is direct like that. Still, he can't dwell on what happened there in the Strategium, he has a war to plan. He listened to the Commodore intensely, digesting and analysing the data as soon as the words left his mouth. As soon as the Commodore finished, he nodded. "Agreed. Our plan of attack will be thus then; The 1st Lorian Battalion, along with the armoured elements, will make their assault on the firebases, as planned. The Imperial Fists can make their obital insertion at the Holy Synod, along with the remainder of the Ultramarines that are still in orbit. Once the place is secured, along with the cathedral, the Imperial Fists can then make a joint attack on the Firebases if the Battalion has not broken them already. Once that is done, they will then make a combined assault at the northern section of the city along with the Tech-Guard, and secure the power." Tiberius interjected at that point - "and once that is done, The remainder of the Imperial Fists, along with the remainder of the Ultramarines, will make a combined air assault on the Space Port, and severe the head of the Archenemy invasion force. I take it that is your full plan?" Mikael Fabian nodded. Before he could speak up again, Tiberius raised his hand in a gesture. "I doubt that vehicles can be able to fit in at the Space Port that easily. I would reccomend that we head over to Firebase Vigilance, and help secure the Mag-line. Once the Mag-Line is secured, we can head to the Space Port - hopefully within schedule. The Ultramarine Captain nodded again, smirking slightly. Tiberius is quite sharp. He can recall from the old texts that Guilliman named Dorn as "one of the dauntless few". He can sure see why through Dorn's gene-son now. "Very well then Tiberius, we will make it so then." He turned to the Commodore. "Have the Air forces ready to escort the Thunderhawks as soon as you can Commodore. We will hopefully make for the Space Port as soon as the assault on Koroa's northern Hive Spires is confirmed to have begun, unless the defences at Firebase Vigilance is more heavily fortified then we thought. We will attack and crush the Traitors as their power is taken away from them." Fabian paused for one moment, before speaking further; "and notify Lord Inquisitor Keralix that although I regrettebly cannot lend him my finest brothers, have him know that the Ultramarines that will land at the Holy Synod will be seconded to him, until the Cathedral is secured. After that, they will follow the Imperial Fist's lead." The Commodore nodded. Then spoke with a certain conviction in his voice; "This is a prudent strategy my lord, and by the Emperor, it will work." Mikael Fabian simply looked at the Commodore passively. "All plans are severely tested during battle, as I am sure we are both aware. Now, let us make haste - I will be at the Thunderhawks that have touched down by now, and will await the intel via Databurst." He then looked to the Captain of the Imperial Fists. "Captain Tiberius, if you would care to follow me, we can discuss the specifics of our part to play in this campaign. The rest of you - consider yourselves dismissed to your stations. We will, and must begin the initial assault as soon as we can." OOC: I hope this was ok and in the end, satisfactory. Enjoy!
OOC: So many colors! Rainbows everywhere! Anyway it was an enjoyable read.... let's see how you guys gonna react to the chaos troops' sudden attack! (which I posted before)
Northern Plains - 2KM from Koroa City Mechanicus Forces - 06:50Hrs Secutor Ajax observed the screaming artillery shells launched by the Arch Enemy forces with mute indifference. They fell among the forward elements of his forces, leaving small gaps in the tight ranks of Tech-Guard. The losses were irrelevant. The enemy had choose to march out and meet them on the battlefield, rather then cower behind the walls of the city. They had made their first mistake. [Command: All Forces Advance] He exloaded to his troops. [Engage with extreme prejudice. Terminate all targets. No prisoners. For the glory of the Machine God] As one, the entire Deca-Legion advanced headlong into the ongoing enemy forces. Heedless of losses and determine to eradicate all resistance. The tight ranks of Tech-Guard opened their ranks, allowing for a double arms length between each unit, which would minimize losses due to artillery fire. Behind the forward ranks of foot troops, Leman Russ Battle Tanks and lumbering Legio Cybernetica Robots unleashed their own barrage on the advancing Chaos Marines. They were supported by maniples of Sagitari. Magi wholly given their bodies over to the art of war, replacing legs with tracked units and limbs with deadly long range weapons. Heavy shells, las beams, and overlapping spreads of Heavy Bolter rounds stitched ragged death across the Traitor's forward line. Though encased in defiled ceramite Power Armour and empowered by warp spawned energies, they were still warm mounds of flesh. Flesh that could fail. Flesh that was weak. The Traitors marched to their doom. The Mechanicum would not be denied. They would crush them beneath their iron shod boots and adamantite treads. ~~ Western Approach - 2KM from Koroa City 1st Lorias Battalion - 06:51 Hrs Lieutenant-Colonel Giaus Antius huddled in his command Chimera, pouring over his tactical display. The regular rumble of artillery shells echoed through the hull. His face was calm, despite his heart threatening to tear itself from his chest. The Arch Enemy had caught them off guard with a surprise assault. This left him with two choices: advance or hold position. Retreat was out of the question. They had surrendered too much ground to the Imperium's enemies in the past week. The line would be drawn here and now. He had ordered his men to advance. The vanguard deployed without delay. Five thousand men and a dozen Leman Russ Battle Tanks moved into a crescent attack formation, encircling the enemy and trapping them against the walls of the city. Another ten thousand troops advanced behind them, with tank support. He'd also ordered the entire western plain, from their own battle line to the walls of the city, hammered by the Lorias artillery. That would drive the damn Sorcerers back. Their foul magics had caused more then enough death and mayhem in the opening moments. Men and war machines set ablaze with flames that could not be extinguished. The sight of flesh melting off bone like wax. The screams and lights. The voices on the wind . . .gibbering nonsense and laughter. The stuff of nightmares. His officers were working overtime just to keep the men moving forward. What he wouldn't give for a few dozen Commissars . . . He pushed these thoughts aside, as he picked up his vox handset: "Command, this is One Actual" He reported. "The enemy has advance from the city and engaged our forces to the North and West. Heavy resistance encountered. Heavy casualties sustained. Request artillery support in sectors W1 through W12" "One Actual, this is Command. Coordinates received. Artillery fire support in T minus 10 seconds" "Command, One Actual. Roger. One Actual Standing By" Giaus set down his hand set and pulled down his battle scope. The high powered magnoculars zoomed in over the target sectors he had ordered bombarded. The walls were alight with terrible flames, as the gleaming warriors on the battlements hurled their fury onto his hapless troops. There was nothing he could do for them. They had to take back the initiative. The only way to do that was to counter attack and drive them onto the back foot. That, and wait for the Astartes to get their ceramite armoured arses in gear. However, he'd be more then happy to prosecute the entire battle without them. He'd rather the PDF secure the city, then let the Astartes steal the glory over the bodies of his own men. They fought for their home world. This victory would be theirs! His orders were vindicated, as his battlescope blurred momentarily, as the entire length of the western wall was engulfed in volatile detonations. Great plumes of fire erupting from the curtain wall, showering both sides with chunks of rockcrete and plasteel. Giaus smiled. That would buy his men time to push their advance.
Basilica of The Emperor Ascendant- Compound Koroa City - 6:41-6:55 The North Wall of the Basilica's compound shattered in a massive explosion. Pouring out of its wreckage was the forces of chaos, led by a monstrously large Dreadnought and Predator. Immediately the battle-hardened survivors that had formed the final remnants of the PDF in Koroa began ducking for cover. This did little to stop the large ordinance of the two vehicles from turning entire squads of men into piles of twisted limbs and guts. The heavy weapons teams that had stood guard on the other gates turned their attention to the cacophony in the north, and soon a hail of Heavy Bolter fire and rockets rained upon the two traitorous machines spirits and the marines following them. Under the cover of the heavy weapons teams futile attempts to halt the enemy, Lydia and her acolyte ducked behind the few remaining PDF predators that were fighting back. The two Sisters were never trained for this sort of open conflict; Their duties had always been to subdue heretical incursions and to support their Lord Inquisitor. Making their way past the final tank in the defending column, the air was filled with the monstrous screech of warpfire. The artillery from the Thousand Sun psykers had landed their mark perfectly. Beside the two Sisters, the Predator that had served as cover exploded into a purple inferno of shrapnel. "Sigrid!", Lydia cried out as her Sister was engulfed by flames. The death was instant as the corpse of Lydia's most protege dissipated in a cloud of black ash, leaving nothing but seared bones inside of melted armor. Despite her loss, the Celestian survived the final sprint to the metal tent that housed the recovering Inquisitor. Keralix was unconscious and his entire chest was bandaged in a blood-soaked cloth. Castus and Victoria were already attempting to lift the Inquisitor off his bed, with Victoria doing most of the work. Seeing the Second in Command of the Inquisitor's forces enter the tent, Castus left Victoria and approached the Celestian Superior. His stride gave no signs of injury as the pain-numbing stimulants that coursed through his body were in full affect; A benefit of the genetic modifications from the Vindicare Temple. "My lady, We need to get him inside the Synod." Lydia, now responsible for commanding the few remaining forces, could only muster a nod. The shock from having lost Sigrid and the sheer brutality of the attack had left her speechless. From behind them Victoria approached. "We have no other choice. You must give the order!" Lydia blinked, bringing herself back in control of her body. "Y-Yes. Yes.", Lydia keyed the vox unit on her armor and ordered a full retreat into the Synod.Immediately afterwards, all remaining guardsmen and Sororitas began making their dash to the large brass doors of the Synod. Acting Commander Lydia, accompanied by Victoria and Castus, laid the Lord Inquisitor's body in one of the large scarcely furnished parlors of the Synod's ground floor. Grabbing what little scrap they could, the remaining forces of Koroa began baring the Synod's doors with as much weight as possible. With a sturdy barricade in place, the survivors felt as if they had trapped themselves with the greater of the two evils.
Northern Plains - 1KM from Koroa City Krisas' Forces - 06:52Hrs Krisas smirked as he saw the Skitarii slaughtering some of his people, he opened a vox-channel to his dear Heretek who was brought for things like this. "Hack those foolish Skitarii already, bring them under your control and make them kill the PDF and eventually give them some self-destruction command, will you?" He barked into his Vox-Channel and outran the approaching Skitarii by moving further along the army west-wards. Letting the heavy weapons take care of the Skitarii which fired from the gate. Las Cannons from cultists that were fortified on the top of the gate, shooting on tanks and Skitarii alike. The Chaos Marines with their Krak-Rocket armed Rocket Launchers and Havocs with their Heavy Bolters. No Loyalist shall stand the power of the Chaos gods and their legions, not in the past, not today, not in the future! Krisas slicing his way through the PDF as if they were nothing but mindless animals. His Warbands' Astartes falling to the right and left to him and he is disgusted how they can die, but he did not care as he knew they were in the upper hand. The Astartes have not even yet deployed, he lost only roughly 25 of his hundreds of Astartes and the PDF was at the brink of destruction. Not even Airstrikes would be much of efficiency as all Anti-Air tanks and defenses were aiming towards Lorias' City, ready to take any "bird" down that would be foolish enough to be sent. Also as the Heretek noticed the danger through the Mechanicus' forces the Basilisks were re-ordered to focus fire on them, knowing their true power if unleashed and after the analysis of what happened to Eldar and Tau alike in Ora. Western Approach - 1KM from Koroa City Mallars' Forces - 06:54 Hrs Mallar smirked on the predictiveness of the PDF, of course they tried to counter-attack, what else can they do? But Mallar was not that easy to trick, he was a Sorcerer of Tzeentch and he was blessed by his gifts. They charged into melee under the Sorcerer's command, some falling on the Artillery Fire, but not caring as the heavy weaponry under Mallar's Command started to fire upon the Leman Russ tanks, the warpfires that he and his students were firing upon the enemy burning row after row of weak loyal flesh. "You will never understand the power of the chaos gods, your false emperor is nothing compared to their powers!" He drills into the weak minds of all soldiers at the same time with the combined effort of his students, filling their heads with visions of death and pain, while the Iron Warriors at his side fired salvo after salvo, taking the PDF out along their tanks. 15 Marines had fallen before the Artillery hit their position, further 10 have fallen. Mallar growled at the weak, but kept pushing as he knew once they were in melee. There was no rescue to the Imperial Forces, their artillery useless as they are too weak to fire on their own people. Also.... It would be much more enjoyable to bring torment in a close encounter to see the face of those who cannot resist the visions of death, than just feeling how their souls flee of their bodies. EDIT: Within Koroa City - ~200 meters from the Synode - 06:56 Hrs "So when are we to strike?" An Iron Warrior Champion asked an aspiring champion of Krisas. "When we get the order, the fools which still follow the corpse emperor think what they encounter of Krisas and Mallar is all, but they are less than the half of what we still have within Koroa!" He said, starting to laugh insane. The Iron Warrior just shook his head as he was more of a tactical and calculating one, nobody could ever rely on the Chaos Gods and that is why the Iron Warriors never relied on them. A bunch of cultists approach the two Astartes. "L-L-L-Lords! T-t-t-the Inquisitor! H-h-h-h-he is in the Synode, w-w-w-with Women in Power Armor!" they reported scared, the Iron Warrior just punched one in the face and turned to the other one. "Until we get our orders, let's kill that Inquisitor." he said to the other Champion who nodded, licking his lips under his helmet and then the two approached the synode with a few dozen Cultists and 5 more Chaos Astartes the Synode to clear it once and for all.
Fabricator Marshall's Palace - Entrance Captain Richard Bern - 6:45 "I'm sorry sir, but the Palace is on lock-down for essential personnel only. Governor's orders.", This was the third time the Guardsman had repeated the sentence. Even though he was outranked, his orders were the same. "Listen to me you little Frack, As a Captain of the Inquisition Navy I ORDER you to let me in!", Captain Bern's face was red with rage. He had spent the last five minutes trying to get an audience with the Fabricator Marshall and with no success. For all Bern knew the Lord Inquisitor could be dead, or worse, mad. Bern began opening his mouth for another rant before the Guard stopped him. "Sir, The most I can do is inform his Staff of your arrival. I'm sorry sir, but you may have to wait." With that, the guard beckoned at one of his comrades to relieve him and and vanished into the Palace.
