40K/Inquisitor RPG. The Line of Damnation.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-29 03:50am

Every atom of his being urged him forward. But with half his strength left, he knew that he couldn't push it. Even if they broke through the line, there was no way to reach the enemy's artillery, which could pound them to oblivion. They cared not at all for their sacrificial troops, of course.

"All units, fall back to friendly positions," Prius ordered. A retreat under fire was going to be hellish, but at least the enemy was being suppressed by their own shells.

One understrength company had badly bloodied an enemy regiment, he figured.

(With some assistance from local units, he allowed.)

It was worthy. But he had to bear Carnis' maxim in mind. Light on their feet indeed.

And if this did not prove them to their allies, nothing would.

The Sword began moving back out of the fire zone as rapidly as they could.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-29 03:56am

The second volley hit as the Sword was evacuating the area, carrying their wounded with them. Much of the rear guard was slain and the others pelted with shrapnel as the heavy shells fell. The building that the 375th had selected as their redoubt collapsed under bombardment, slaying an untold number of heretic dead. The betrayers became the betrayed and fell, mourned by none.

As the Sword retreated men materialized from hiding spots and assisted them with their wounded. Hasty booby traps were laid and snipers found new positions. Any traitors following behind would recieve and unpleasant welcome.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-29 04:01am

Yashida limped by as Prius watched the depressingly thin trickle of survivors come through.

Good that they'd died in battle. Bad that his strength had been so heavily diminished so early. There was barely a Sword left.

But it was as the Emperor wills, all trials set before them to overcome. He made his way back with the troops, following the directions of the resistance fighters.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-29 04:15am

As if an answer for unspoken prayers a squad of white clad sister's with cadcus and Aegulia symbols on the shoulder's of their armour descended from the storm wracked skies, skies that were the exact patten of a holovox transciever during a warp storm.* A suprisingly friendly voice with a slight accent welcomed Prais and his "boyos", the machine spirit was of course enjoying it's self immensely the multimelta firing turning a portion of the hive wall nearest the enemy into a great shower of fragmentation.

*stolen from William Gibson, and converted to 40k speak.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-29 04:09pm

"A wave of reinforcements," mused Gathor. "I wonder what friends the Imperials brought. "I think we've established these Imperials as fairly formidable. They are serious about this whole business. Let us deploy in kind. Unleash three more companies of the Pox Brotherhood. Have them continue the attack as long as the Imperials remain in the field."

"And iff they retreat, my Lord?" his subordinate hissed.

"Let them. The time has not come for a full out assault."

-----------------------------------------

The Sororitas immediately came under fire the moment Fawkes opened up. A lascannon blew Fawkes to pieces, raining fire and shrapnel on those around him. Autocannons and missle launchers in fire support positions began to open up as members of the Pox Brotherhood maneuvered through the rubble and ruined buildings.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-29 04:20pm

"Covering fire!" Prius ordered. Nobody told him that they had another unit inbound on this location.

The remnants of the Sword settled in and layed down fire, trying desperately to cover the inbound Sororitas.

What the hell was Carnis playing at?

--------------------------
"The Sororitas deployed without my order?" Carnis said quietly to Rynthis.

"Dropped right on the spot where Ristani's people went in." Rynthis said, also keeping his voice down.

"If they were here, I'd have them shot," Carnis said irritably. "We had them down for another operation. We'll have to pull units from the reserve to cover the gap."

Rynthis shook his head. "Well, we could vox the commissar and order him to arrest them." he suggested wryly.

Carnis made some notations on his dataslate before replying. "No. If they survive, we'll probably be pinning medals on them. If they don't, they'll have earned their punishment."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-29 04:35pm

"So Sororitas. The Imperials are really serious about this. Order a full scale attack by the Pox Brotherhood. Everything they have. And bring up one of the Black Legion squads and their slave fodder. Tell them we have foes worthy of their effort. I want those Imperials ground into dust."

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-29 05:05pm

Prius could sense the change in enemy intensity. The ripples had shifted from curiosity to cold intent. They meant for this to be a massacre.

He grabbed one of the local fighters. "I need to speak to your commander, now!"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-29 05:20pm

The Pox Brotherhood leap frog advanced, firing as they came. They had no desire to come to grips at close quarters in the tangled ruins. No one would want to face Sororitas at that range. They just wanted to get close enough to get some good shots in. The heavy weapon teams settled into positions and added their firepower to that of their brethern.

---------------------------------------------
Senior Judge Navarchos shouted, "fall back! Everyone back! Let them have this peace of wreckage. Rig demo so that they'll have to pay the butcher's bill."

He turned to Ristani. "Colonel-commissar it would be best if you and your men came with us. The Sororitas as well. Fighting a superior force in the open isn't wise."

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-29 05:27pm

An entirely valid point. If only he had the blasted vox channels to the Sororitas. Since nobody had planned for this particular joint operation, they hadn't established communications protocols. Gritting his teeth, he transmitted in the clear. "Ristani to all Sororitas forces- pull back under our cover. Link up and establish comm, that is an order, over and out."

He was of half a mind to arrest them all, but Carnis' head was the one he really wanted for orchestrating this clusterfuck.

He looked over at Narvarchos. "I trust you have a safe line of retreat?"

Retreat. Such an ugly word.

On the plus side, the clear transmission would certainly jumpstart the process of letting on the enemy know who they were facing. They had some other means planned, but this worked well enough.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-29 05:33pm

"Yes," said Navarchos. "We've gotten quite good at it,' the judge said bitterly. "They've learned to be less enthusiastic about following up." The judge turned on his vox. "Xaren. Your squad is holding the door. Everyone else, lets not leave them out in the fire too long."

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-29 05:44pm

Prius had decidedly mixed feelings on the matter. Perhaps if retreat had not been so accepted when the revolution first began, then maybe the world could have been held in the first place, without necessitating this chancy relief mission.

On the other hand, that the Judge's people were here now allowed the mission to have a chance for success. As the Emperor wills.

As the Sororitas fell back, Prius followed the Judge. Now was not the proper moment to assume command of the entire operation. He voxed fallback orders to the remnants of the Sword, as the forces of the Imperium reluctantly conceded the field to the archenemy.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-29 06:14pm

The Arbites lead the Imperials along a ruin strewn path to a pockmarked spire. Ambush squads and weapon pits dotted the route. A void shield shimmered above the spire and weapon emplacements still spouted from its heavily armoured sides.

The great through fare still lead to the spire's entrance, but the ceiling had been blasted open, exposing this part of the hive to the elements. Men wore masks or wrapped scarves around their faces. Above the door was the Imperial aquila and the symbol of the Adeptus Arbites. Not merely a courthouse, but a fortress, training facility, barracks, and arsenal rolled into one.

Inside the courthouse was relatively undamaged. The senior judge lead Ristani et al to a lift that took them high into the spire. From there he lead them down a long hall with plush red carpet and busts and paintings of ancient Arbites. Two guards waited at the end. The opened the engraved wooden doors for the Imperials.

Inside was a high ceiling room lit by suspensor glow globes. Several gold cherubs hovered in the air. Nine senior judges sat around an a U shaped table on the elevated second level, literally looking down on those who had come before them. They were hard men and women and coldly waited for their guests to explain themselves.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-01-29 09:27pm

Varian took out his rosette, letting the men see it.

"We are part of a relief force. Any questions."

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-30 02:42am

The sisters were quick to administer to the wounded of the sword, strangely they seemed almost unfamiliar with heavy weapons, others possessed almost as many augments as the commisar...

It was at that point when someone recognized the sanitorium white with gold Aegualia grasping the cadecus, or Tech priest Red, with iron gears that adorned their armour, along with the Fluer de lais and owl on the other shoulder. The reason none of the sisterhood assault forces had been reported missing, as aside from the immolator, the force had to have come from the repair bays and sanitoriums. One with several servo arms ending in surgical instruments offered "Cleansing absolution" (an anti-toxin/virus/bacterial/fungal concotment that was reputed to cure anything, even nurgle's rot, if you survived the injection, and the shock of having your blood become part acid.)

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-30 06:13am

Prius had taken his helmet off, and stood at Varian's side. As usual his penchant for close combat had left him somewhat gore-covered. He had carefully observed the quality of the defenses and troopers he had passed by, as he began planning the integration of the forces that they would be appropriating for the mission.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-30 08:47am

"erm greating's commisar, I am Sister Hospitaller Lupia, Sister Hospitaller Superior Magda of our blessed order of the Valkyries, her grav chute was hit by incomming fire. We have materials to see to all of your troops, and Sister Denise says that Fawkes is fully operational, and enthueastic about assisting you."

over to the side a number of techpriestesses laboured repaired wargear where they could, and prepared booby traps. having full kit to repair the now demolished venerable relic they simply went to work on they nearest pieves of equipment they oculd find....

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-31 12:33am

"Inquisitor," said the heavily scarred judge in the center. "We are pleased to see you and recognize your lawful authority. I would humbly suggest that you familiarize yourself with our situation before taking action. Our current status is rather precarious and ill considered actions could be disasterous."

"The enemy has us beseiged, but does not want to commit the firepower necessary to exterminate us. There are too many other demands on his resources. But we are close to the center of his power and the few tramlines that have been restored. Both his capital and his line of supply are endangered by our existence. So we are beseiged and the enemy grinds out a relentless war of attrition. To sorty against our enemy is to risk disaster, but to remain confined here is to betray our brethren in the Emperor's survice. So we bite and probe, looking for weak points and forcing the enemy to divert forces to cover against our attacks."

"The enemy has sent one of his most cunning warlords to contain and exterminate us. We drawn on the survivors of the hive to bolster our ranks, but we do not have the strength to match him. So we dance with knives, cutting his forces and pulling back before we suffer loses that are too grevious."

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-31 05:56am

Logical. Loyal, cautious, adept. Carnis' strategy put to execution on the ground, but for one thing.

It was worth the life of every warrior in this region if they could kill Tendao, but that mission was not to be spoken of. He glanced at Yashida, who was also oblivious to the larger scheme, and furthermore under orders to make absolutely certain that neither he or Varian were taken alive.

Furthermore, it was time to light the fires of crusade upon Cyrus Gamma, and a crusade by its very nature was not a rational beast. It was the rage of the Emperor given form through the masses of his followers. It was a fire that could be directed to a certain extent, but it would rage until it consumed all fuel within the vicinity. In short, it was madness.

Prius was looking forward to lighting that fire, looking forward to it very much.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-02-02 04:57am

"Lord, tthhhey have retreated," hissed his aide.

"Unsurprising," said the Gathor the Reaver. "The terrain favors defence. The Imperials can observe troop movements from the spire and communicate them to the rest of the planet. It's worth holding. Any knews on the artillery?"

"All available sssuppliesss are committed to the other campaignss," cringed the snake man.

"Even with Sororitas?"

"Yessss lord."

"Then we will have to make do. Have the Pox Brotherhood make a slow advance and have two junk regiments, say the 721st and the 81st Iron Guard, move in to hold the Brotherhood's gains once the Brotherhood hits the wall. Rotate the Brotherhood back and get me one of the Black Legion captains on the coms."

"Which one, lord?"

"Doesn't matter. They'll all react the same."

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-02-02 05:05am

"Well?"
"it appears that the adamantine pins and plates have done their job, her back is out of danger, no apparent nerve damage, well aside from the lumbar vertebre and a few ribs we replaced because they were healing too slowly."

"good, send her back to Inquisitor Nathan."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-02-03 03:22am

The holofield stabilized. "This had better be worth it," Tendao growled.

Gathor the Reaver grovelled before the image of his master. "Great Lord, the enemy has sent reinforcements to the holdouts. Some of them were Sororitas! They intend to keep their territories and continue to observe us. The clouds and your jammers may hide your movement from the fleet, but from the spire they can see much which transpires."

"Adraxian fighters can be ferried in weekly, deployed to points of their choice, beyond our knowledge. But our movements are observed. Great Lord, you cannot permit this."

Tendao bellowed. "And what do you propose I do? Many of our units and most of the heavy brigades are committed elsewhere. And sorely needed! Should I abandon the front now when the Imperium is coming to snatch away my victories?" Spittle flew from the warlord's jaws.

Gathor grovelled some more. "Lend me part of your lifeguard, Great Lord. Give me the Skull Hunters. They excell at hunting through ruins. Give them to me so that I can scourge these Sororitats and other filth off the face of your world."

"I shall consider it."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-02-06 01:12am

Varian waited. Despite the firefights he had been in he had no real knowledge of how to plan a military campaign. And the mechanics of plannning one either, come to that.

He simply waited, cleaning his weapon and readying it. The Inquisitor would be their to slay the most warp damned souls, the foulest mutant, and the gravest threat of all: the daemon touched. Until then he felt out of his depth.

"Gentleman, I don't claim to be a military man. But won't our arrival attract a good deal of attention? The Archenemy can hardly afford to let us sit here, they'll have to attack would they not?"

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-02-06 10:39am

Prius winced mentally. Not the most auspicious words to start a crusade with. He hastily finished a subvocalized communication on his vox with his XO regarding the Sisters, then removed his helmet. Dried blood flaked away from his armor and helmet as they scraped together, dropping to the floor inaudibly as he placed it beneath his arm.

"Honored Judges, Lord Inquisitor Xavier speaks the truth. The storm is gathering for us all, and we must ready ourselves to turn the foe back. Our mission here is most vital to the success of the crusade upon Cyrus Gamma."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-02-06 09:08pm

The senior Judge spoke again. "Make no mistake. We are ready to die for the Emperor. For a month, we have known that to be our fate. We wish to sell our lives for the dearest price possible. Just by existing we communicate much of the enemy's movements to other loyalists and hinder his cause. If he had enough heavy units to spare, he would have smashed us already."

There was a momentary pause. "But the enemy does not. We don't have the strength to strike at him directly. To forge across the ruins and into the hab towers that are is headquarters was beyond us. It would have been treasonous to suggest it, because it would have hastened our deaths and sold our lives to cheaply. But that was before you arrived. We did not have your crack troops, let alone the Sororitas and an Inquisitor with us. This alters things."

"The accursed one lairs here," said the judge, activating a holographic display. "The hab towered is heavily armoured against the elements and some form of void shield may still be functional. We lack the weapons to destroy it. To reach the spire we have to cross 5 kilometers of guttered hive. The outer shell has been broken and many levels obliterated. The junk seeps down, leaving the upper levels clogged with debris. A strike force must fight and sneak through all of this and then penetrate the hab spire to strike at the heart of the army."