Prius looked around. The firing had died down to sporadic bursts. He watched a pair of corporals from the Sword moving methodically between bodies. Enemies got pre-emptive roastings with the flamer one of them carried. Friends got a momentary inspection for signs of life. If alive, the Sisters were summoned. If dead, their own corpses were incinerated as well. The harsh rules of fighting the warp-spawned bastards of Nurgle.
He leaned against the wall, closing his eye for the moment. Whatever foul blasphemy they had been conjuring seemed to have died stillborn, perhaps from the small mortar barrage. The bloodied pipe, now hacked to about half its previous length, slid from his numb fingers.
They'd won, apparently.
40K/Inquisitor RPG. The Line of Damnation.
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The Yosemite Bear
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Sister Theodora approched, augments and crimson armour heavily ladened with the tools of war, she looked at the inquisitor, and his makeshift weapon for a second.
"I have several bolt pistols, a power halberd, a few hellguns, and I should have a suit of armour within an hours time."- It is my failing that I am the only tech sister remaining on repair and rearment detail, the others have joined up with your artillery brigades. Commisar, do your augments include neuroenhancement links for armour?"
"I have several bolt pistols, a power halberd, a few hellguns, and I should have a suit of armour within an hours time."- It is my failing that I am the only tech sister remaining on repair and rearment detail, the others have joined up with your artillery brigades. Commisar, do your augments include neuroenhancement links for armour?"
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
He opened his organic eye. There was a matter of settling their disobedience for the drop to resolve, but he couldn't well kill his only available tech sister, now could he?
"No," he said after another moment, composing himself. He flexed his augmetic hand, staring at the prosthetic for a moment.
Enough. He had work to do.
"No," he said again. "This arm does," he lifted his remaing arm augmetic arm. "But the leg and other arm do not." After a moment, he continued. "A bolt pistol will also serve, and if I'm not mistaken Brother-Sergeant Yashida will desire one as well. Make the arrangments."
He took one last look at the bloody pipe before he started walking toward the gathering clumps of troops. Whatever inspired the lull in enemy action, it wouldn't last. If he were on the other side- and it never paid to assume the foe was any less versed in such affairs- he would already be setting in motion strategems to regain the initiative.
Worst and best case scenario? The holdouts had been overlooked on the basis of not being worth the effort for immediate extermination. If that had changed, they could expect a massive assault to commence as soon as the resources could be freed up.
Which could well be the end of them all if the Ecclesiarchy could not start feeding in warm bodies with which to soak the assault. But on the other hand, it would serve quite nicely to cover for Gix's assassination mission. Quite nicely indeed.
In any event, the preliminaries were done. It was now time to commence to transform this ragged band into a truly intolerable pain in Tendao's accursed hindsection.
"No," he said after another moment, composing himself. He flexed his augmetic hand, staring at the prosthetic for a moment.
Enough. He had work to do.
"No," he said again. "This arm does," he lifted his remaing arm augmetic arm. "But the leg and other arm do not." After a moment, he continued. "A bolt pistol will also serve, and if I'm not mistaken Brother-Sergeant Yashida will desire one as well. Make the arrangments."
He took one last look at the bloody pipe before he started walking toward the gathering clumps of troops. Whatever inspired the lull in enemy action, it wouldn't last. If he were on the other side- and it never paid to assume the foe was any less versed in such affairs- he would already be setting in motion strategems to regain the initiative.
Worst and best case scenario? The holdouts had been overlooked on the basis of not being worth the effort for immediate extermination. If that had changed, they could expect a massive assault to commence as soon as the resources could be freed up.
Which could well be the end of them all if the Ecclesiarchy could not start feeding in warm bodies with which to soak the assault. But on the other hand, it would serve quite nicely to cover for Gix's assassination mission. Quite nicely indeed.
In any event, the preliminaries were done. It was now time to commence to transform this ragged band into a truly intolerable pain in Tendao's accursed hindsection.
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The Yosemite Bear
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After distributing what wargear she could to the survivors and the new recruits Theodora had a religious duty to attend to. A section of the building had sufficiant power, first she re-enforced the walls, and began the rituals, chanting, and burning oils as she went.
--------------------------
finally done the sister began the hymn of initiation, she touched the skull instet in the gear, and the machine spirit of the small shrine was pleased for it began to glow, a steady hum generated as heat from the small forge washed over her, now it was time to save the wounded machine spirits loyal to humanity, to condemn the desicrated spirits of the enemy's weapons, to purify and reforge them in fires of the machine spirit's forges, to cast them in the name of the glorious emporer.
--------------------------
finally done the sister began the hymn of initiation, she touched the skull instet in the gear, and the machine spirit of the small shrine was pleased for it began to glow, a steady hum generated as heat from the small forge washed over her, now it was time to save the wounded machine spirits loyal to humanity, to condemn the desicrated spirits of the enemy's weapons, to purify and reforge them in fires of the machine spirit's forges, to cast them in the name of the glorious emporer.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
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Imperial Overlord
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The battered soldiers returned to the courthouse, victorious. Their path was strewn with the corpses of the enemy. Over a thousand soldiers of the Pox Brotherhood had perished and an uncounted and unmourned number of other heretics had also fallen. It had been a grim, terrible fight, but the body count had been grotesquely one sided. The servants of the Emperor. those who fought for Him on Earth, had triumphed.
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The Yosemite Bear
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beginning her religious revere Sister Theodora examined the pocked and pitted chainsword discarded by the commisar. The fallen machine spirit had told them, that protecting the commisar was important in the eyes of Sister Supirior, and the tech sisters and hospitalers had gone along. The machine spirits were inside her now, guiding her hands and her augments as she began the work, it was a religious act, repairing, and perfecting the weapon, healing and strengthing the dying spirit of the chainsword, stronger now, cleaner, alloying it with the rareist metals she could find from the forge's claim on the materials it was "reconsecrating". It was a work of devotion and a work of art, a tool of ill omen.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
Prius made certain that Pater and Varian had an armed escort. Having gone through all varieties of hell to recover one inquisitor, he wasn't going to lose another one.
That finished, he made his way into the maproom, canteen and ration bar in his remaining hand. The caustic atmosphere had fought a small battle with his unprotected lungs, his regeneration winning, but they were uncomfortably dry and ragged.
He took another swallow of water and set the canteen down as he studied the map. Where would he attack? What approaches would he take depending on what level of forces he had available?
Where could he strike back? The earthshakers immediately came to mind. A raid on the enemy's artillery assets would serve a number of functions.
If only he had the troops...
That finished, he made his way into the maproom, canteen and ration bar in his remaining hand. The caustic atmosphere had fought a small battle with his unprotected lungs, his regeneration winning, but they were uncomfortably dry and ragged.
He took another swallow of water and set the canteen down as he studied the map. Where would he attack? What approaches would he take depending on what level of forces he had available?
Where could he strike back? The earthshakers immediately came to mind. A raid on the enemy's artillery assets would serve a number of functions.
If only he had the troops...
Yashida's references to the writings of Corzin came back to mind as he considered the defense plan, as another phrase struck him like a thunderbolt.
Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
And like that, he knew the best method by which he could bleed the attackers and possibly preserve his force for future operations. He tapped the map of the fortress in several places, tracing lines, his movements quickening as the plan formed.
"Yes," he murmured to himself, a savage grin alighting itself upon his face.
To borrow another phrase from Corzin, even in defense he would find a way to impose his will upon the enemy.
Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
And like that, he knew the best method by which he could bleed the attackers and possibly preserve his force for future operations. He tapped the map of the fortress in several places, tracing lines, his movements quickening as the plan formed.
"Yes," he murmured to himself, a savage grin alighting itself upon his face.
To borrow another phrase from Corzin, even in defense he would find a way to impose his will upon the enemy.
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Imperial Overlord
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They mustered under the huge ceiling. The giant factories on these levels had been devestated, but the huge space to accomodate them had survived the fierce fighting without crumbling into ruin. Their standards lead them, carried by colour bearers who embodied the ideals of their regiment or legion. With the PDF units these were uncertain men with polished weapons, trying to find their place in the new order. They quavered in the presence of their comrades.
The cultists were lead by those who openly bore the favor of their patron. The stigmata of Chaos was openly and proudly displayed. Bright silks, filthy rags, or polished brass drew attention to their disfigurements. Ceremonial weapons, some practical, some not, were clenched in their hands.
And then their were the killers, the hardened soldiers of Chaos. Legion after legion of monstrous men and women, with souls that were scarred beyond recognition. Their banner bearers were privliged slayers, monsters with a long record of atrocity. They were damned and it was all they knew.
Their banners was a forest of flags. Countless numbers, a moving sea of soldiers, massed and ready. Huge promethium fueled fires belched from converted chimney stacks. Terrible eminations came from public address vox horns. Unspeakable rythyms came from horrific instruments set up on the roofs of gutted buildings.
Above them floated the Reaver. He was mounted on a great disc, a terrible daemon shark of the aether equipped with slashing claws and fang filled maws. He floated above his chanting hordes.
"THE GREAT POWERS ARE WATCHING! THEY ARE JUDGING THEIR FOLLOWERS AND CHAMPIONS! ARE YOU WORTHY OF THEIR FAVOR?"
A great roar answered him. It shook the roof. Imperial snipers kilometers away felt it.
"THEY SEEK NEW CHAMPIONS TO DO THEIR WILL, NEW CHAMPIONS TO REAP THE REWARDS THAT ONLY A GOD CAN GIVE. WILL THEY FIND THEM AMONG YOUR NUMBER?"
The answering roar was even louder.
"SOON WE WILL DRIVE THE CORPSE WORSHIPERS FROM THEIR FORTRESS AND INTO THE DESERT, TO BE FLAYED BY THE WINDS AND STARVE IN THE TOXIC BARRENS. THE GODS WILL BE WATCHING. WILL GREAT DEEDS BE DONE?"
A mindless howl of affirmation greated his words.
"LET US SHOW THE GODS THAT WE ARE WORTHY OF IMMORTALITY!"
What answered Gathor could not possibly have come from human throats.
The cultists were lead by those who openly bore the favor of their patron. The stigmata of Chaos was openly and proudly displayed. Bright silks, filthy rags, or polished brass drew attention to their disfigurements. Ceremonial weapons, some practical, some not, were clenched in their hands.
And then their were the killers, the hardened soldiers of Chaos. Legion after legion of monstrous men and women, with souls that were scarred beyond recognition. Their banner bearers were privliged slayers, monsters with a long record of atrocity. They were damned and it was all they knew.
Their banners was a forest of flags. Countless numbers, a moving sea of soldiers, massed and ready. Huge promethium fueled fires belched from converted chimney stacks. Terrible eminations came from public address vox horns. Unspeakable rythyms came from horrific instruments set up on the roofs of gutted buildings.
Above them floated the Reaver. He was mounted on a great disc, a terrible daemon shark of the aether equipped with slashing claws and fang filled maws. He floated above his chanting hordes.
"THE GREAT POWERS ARE WATCHING! THEY ARE JUDGING THEIR FOLLOWERS AND CHAMPIONS! ARE YOU WORTHY OF THEIR FAVOR?"
A great roar answered him. It shook the roof. Imperial snipers kilometers away felt it.
"THEY SEEK NEW CHAMPIONS TO DO THEIR WILL, NEW CHAMPIONS TO REAP THE REWARDS THAT ONLY A GOD CAN GIVE. WILL THEY FIND THEM AMONG YOUR NUMBER?"
The answering roar was even louder.
"SOON WE WILL DRIVE THE CORPSE WORSHIPERS FROM THEIR FORTRESS AND INTO THE DESERT, TO BE FLAYED BY THE WINDS AND STARVE IN THE TOXIC BARRENS. THE GODS WILL BE WATCHING. WILL GREAT DEEDS BE DONE?"
A mindless howl of affirmation greated his words.
"LET US SHOW THE GODS THAT WE ARE WORTHY OF IMMORTALITY!"
What answered Gathor could not possibly have come from human throats.
The Excellent Prismatic Spray. For when you absolutely, positively must kill a motherfucker. Accept no substitutions. Contact a magician of the later Aeons for details. Some conditions may apply.
"The fortress cannot be held. Furthermore, at this point it is counterproductive to the principles of mobile warfare. This is no longer a last stand. The warriors here are part of the liberation force of Cyrus Gamma, a world blessed in the eyes of the God-Emperor as a proving ground for His most worthy followers. What has come has been by His design. What will come serves His most holy purpose."
"Even now, the Ecclesiarchs rally new strength to our cause. Our annihilation of the Pox Brotherhood was a flare in the darkness, a symbol to the loyal and devout that crusade has come to this world, that we now move to tear the bastard deceiver from his stolen throne and restore the light of the God-Emperor to all corners of the planet."
"We take only those who can walk and fight. There is no room among us any longer for the disabled, who must serve one last time. The arch-enemy knows well that under normal circumstances we would fall back to our sanitorium and make this the site of our last stand. We will use this against them."
"When the battle here is finished, we will move into the hive to link up with the groundswell of resistance the Ecclesiarchy is nurturing for us. We will light this hive ablaze with the fires of crusade in His holy name, leading the forces of humanity in an unstoppable surge against them."
"Every soul of every man ever born belongs to the Emperor. He rests upon his Golden Throne, acting for us in ways beyond all human comprehension. Against an eternity of sacrifice upon our behalf, what small offering do our lives represent?"
"The time has come to prove ourselves worthy of His grace. Those who die here stand at his side for all eternity. Let not one warrior shirk his duty. I ask you now... who will be the next martyr for the glory of Him on Terra?"
"Even now, the Ecclesiarchs rally new strength to our cause. Our annihilation of the Pox Brotherhood was a flare in the darkness, a symbol to the loyal and devout that crusade has come to this world, that we now move to tear the bastard deceiver from his stolen throne and restore the light of the God-Emperor to all corners of the planet."
"We take only those who can walk and fight. There is no room among us any longer for the disabled, who must serve one last time. The arch-enemy knows well that under normal circumstances we would fall back to our sanitorium and make this the site of our last stand. We will use this against them."
"When the battle here is finished, we will move into the hive to link up with the groundswell of resistance the Ecclesiarchy is nurturing for us. We will light this hive ablaze with the fires of crusade in His holy name, leading the forces of humanity in an unstoppable surge against them."
"Every soul of every man ever born belongs to the Emperor. He rests upon his Golden Throne, acting for us in ways beyond all human comprehension. Against an eternity of sacrifice upon our behalf, what small offering do our lives represent?"
"The time has come to prove ourselves worthy of His grace. Those who die here stand at his side for all eternity. Let not one warrior shirk his duty. I ask you now... who will be the next martyr for the glory of Him on Terra?"
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Imperial Overlord
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A howl answered Prius Ristani. The men and women gathered before him had seen the enemy with their own eyes and knew that terrible truths about the Arch-Enemy far outweighed the words of any speaker. They had seen hell and damnation and they knew that such horrors could come before death, as well as after. They would fight. The weaklings had already been winnowed from their ranks.
Behind him, the commanders stirred nervously. The enemy outnumbered them greatly and a head on assault against them would result in defeat. They said nothing, of course. Discord at this moment would ruin morale.
Behind him, the commanders stirred nervously. The enemy outnumbered them greatly and a head on assault against them would result in defeat. They said nothing, of course. Discord at this moment would ruin morale.
The Excellent Prismatic Spray. For when you absolutely, positively must kill a motherfucker. Accept no substitutions. Contact a magician of the later Aeons for details. Some conditions may apply.
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The Yosemite Bear
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following the speach Sister Theodora approched, case in augmented arms. It is in the interest of our Sister Superior that you should have aid in this battle, however we acted rashly, this is but the beginning of my pennance, knelling she presented the case to him.
at once the commisar recognized the weapon, it had accompanied him in several battles, and been damaged by the infernal rot, now the adamantiune chains, and molecular blades had been remade, the powercell recharged, the pitting, and currosion filled in, the rot scoured clean, burned in fire, and now the outer casing was shiny, full of inscriptions, activation trigger stud cleaned and refinshed with the finest of alloys. the work of a master tech.
at once the commisar recognized the weapon, it had accompanied him in several battles, and been damaged by the infernal rot, now the adamantiune chains, and molecular blades had been remade, the powercell recharged, the pitting, and currosion filled in, the rot scoured clean, burned in fire, and now the outer casing was shiny, full of inscriptions, activation trigger stud cleaned and refinshed with the finest of alloys. the work of a master tech.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
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Stormbringer
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Prius accepted the blade, hefting it in his hand.
It was in better shape than when it had first been issued to him, by far. His eye ran up and down the length of it.
An auspicious weapon of war, the gift of one master to another.
He looked down at the sister.
"When this is finished, there will be a matter of penance and retribution," he intoned quietly, for her ears alone. Regardless of results, regardless of how useful the Sisters were here, how Emperor-given their presence truly was, there was the matter of law and orthodoxy to consider. She knew this as well as he.
Better billions and more die than the sacred laws that governed the Imperium be compromised, regardless of good intent and worthy outcome. The sacred Word of the Emperor, as dispensed by His righteous voices in this world, could not be violated without consequence. Ever.
But it was not without precedent for such affairs to be held over for the duration of conflict, as he well knew from his legal schooling at the schola.
"Rise, sister, and ready your sistern for the coming trials," he said, his voice rising enough to be audible for the others, but still firm and devout rather than fiery and passionate. "For what we face, may the Emperor give us the strength to overcome. For when we fall, may the Emperor guide us to His side. Victory or death."
It was in better shape than when it had first been issued to him, by far. His eye ran up and down the length of it.
An auspicious weapon of war, the gift of one master to another.
He looked down at the sister.
"When this is finished, there will be a matter of penance and retribution," he intoned quietly, for her ears alone. Regardless of results, regardless of how useful the Sisters were here, how Emperor-given their presence truly was, there was the matter of law and orthodoxy to consider. She knew this as well as he.
Better billions and more die than the sacred laws that governed the Imperium be compromised, regardless of good intent and worthy outcome. The sacred Word of the Emperor, as dispensed by His righteous voices in this world, could not be violated without consequence. Ever.
But it was not without precedent for such affairs to be held over for the duration of conflict, as he well knew from his legal schooling at the schola.
"Rise, sister, and ready your sistern for the coming trials," he said, his voice rising enough to be audible for the others, but still firm and devout rather than fiery and passionate. "For what we face, may the Emperor give us the strength to overcome. For when we fall, may the Emperor guide us to His side. Victory or death."
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Imperial Overlord
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"VICTORY OR DEATH!" crashed back at Ristani. "FOR HIM ON EARTH!" With the final answering shouts, corporals and sergeants began mustering their squads and platoons away from the gathering. Their blood was up and their faith in the Emperor had been reaffirmed. They wanted to do something and their commanders put them to work on the preperations for the coming assault.
Meanwhile, the commanders gathered for a strategy session in the courthouse. Inquisitors, a colonel-commissar, senior judges, PDF commanders, Sororitas Leaders, and resistance leaders met to discuss strategy under the scales of the Emperor's Justice.
Senior Judge Galavian Thorve was the first to speak. Not yet fifty and already benefiting from rejuv, Thorve was the image of verile power and authority. The matte black battle uniform of the Arbites only enhanced his authority. The blonde giant looked across the table at Ristani. "I trust you have something less reckless than a frontal assault in mind, commissar?"
Meanwhile, the commanders gathered for a strategy session in the courthouse. Inquisitors, a colonel-commissar, senior judges, PDF commanders, Sororitas Leaders, and resistance leaders met to discuss strategy under the scales of the Emperor's Justice.
Senior Judge Galavian Thorve was the first to speak. Not yet fifty and already benefiting from rejuv, Thorve was the image of verile power and authority. The matte black battle uniform of the Arbites only enhanced his authority. The blonde giant looked across the table at Ristani. "I trust you have something less reckless than a frontal assault in mind, commissar?"
The Excellent Prismatic Spray. For when you absolutely, positively must kill a motherfucker. Accept no substitutions. Contact a magician of the later Aeons for details. Some conditions may apply.
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The Yosemite Bear
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Yashida bowed as he stepped into the room with the Arbites, and PDF commanders.
"For the time being I shal no longer be serving with you in battle, but I shall require five men from each of your forces. They will be returned minus some causualties, when they do, you shall send me all new recruits to our cause.I suggest that you spend the lives of those I return to you wisely."
"You shall not know where my Dojo is, and it shall move frequently, however the arch-enemy shall fear us.
"For the time being I shal no longer be serving with you in battle, but I shall require five men from each of your forces. They will be returned minus some causualties, when they do, you shall send me all new recruits to our cause.I suggest that you spend the lives of those I return to you wisely."
"You shall not know where my Dojo is, and it shall move frequently, however the arch-enemy shall fear us.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
Prius looked back at the Judge, pondering whether or not to simply kill the man here and now.
No. There were better ways to handle the implicit challenge to his authority. He simply marked him down mentally as the future leader of a suicide charge, when the time and necessity arose.
"Do not presume to make assumptions about my plans, Senior Judge," he said coldly. "The point of our operations here are to create the maximum amount of disturbance and dislocation among the enemy in order to draw the maximum number of resources to this sector while the liberation force strikes in other areas. If that purpose is best served by a grinding frontal assault, it will be ordered and everyone here will carry it out to the best of their ability, to the very last man."
His lips twitched, a small quirking that vaguely resembled a smile.
"That will not be required at this time. We will operate as a mobile strike force, maximizing our advantages and striking at the weaknesses of our foe. In the words of Warmaster Corzin, rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
He tapped a key on the display.
"As they close the perimeter around the fortress, we will conserve our strength until the appropriate moment, then engage in a lightning strike to liberate our combat assets. Rather than retreat, we will strike into the hive, moving as fast as we can. No liberation, no securing of ground. We will string them out behind us as we penetrate the hive. Our actions will be calculated in all measures to inspire the groundswell of popular resistance to the occupation. To do so, we will need to be as visible and prominent as possible."
He paused as the lines cut through the hive, gold for the primary route, red for the secondary, blue for tertiary, and so on.
"It will be brutal. We will have to leave the wounded behind us, and move with only what we can carry. We will engage in no set-piece battles, moving on as soon as any sort of real resistance begins to coalesce."
He studied the Judges again, watching carefully for any signs of discomfort at his next words. "It is entirely possible that no more than one man in five will still be alive at the end of this particular mission, under the assumption of optimal success. But if we can buy the zeal and fervor of millions with the deaths of hundreds and even thousands, the exchange will be worthy. There are untold billions upon this world. If they are inspired to rise to their duties for the Emperor and given His divine providence, no army of the arch-enemy can contain them."
He stared at the projected advances, wondering what Carnis would think. It had become his measuring stick for these matters, and he aspired in affairs military to pattern his planning after the general. Carnis' only flaw in such areas was an unseemly amount of concern for the human cost, an irrelevant concern when the Emperor would embrace those who died in His service, while all others would receive only the deserved eternity of darkness and damnation.
No. There were better ways to handle the implicit challenge to his authority. He simply marked him down mentally as the future leader of a suicide charge, when the time and necessity arose.
"Do not presume to make assumptions about my plans, Senior Judge," he said coldly. "The point of our operations here are to create the maximum amount of disturbance and dislocation among the enemy in order to draw the maximum number of resources to this sector while the liberation force strikes in other areas. If that purpose is best served by a grinding frontal assault, it will be ordered and everyone here will carry it out to the best of their ability, to the very last man."
His lips twitched, a small quirking that vaguely resembled a smile.
"That will not be required at this time. We will operate as a mobile strike force, maximizing our advantages and striking at the weaknesses of our foe. In the words of Warmaster Corzin, rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
He tapped a key on the display.
"As they close the perimeter around the fortress, we will conserve our strength until the appropriate moment, then engage in a lightning strike to liberate our combat assets. Rather than retreat, we will strike into the hive, moving as fast as we can. No liberation, no securing of ground. We will string them out behind us as we penetrate the hive. Our actions will be calculated in all measures to inspire the groundswell of popular resistance to the occupation. To do so, we will need to be as visible and prominent as possible."
He paused as the lines cut through the hive, gold for the primary route, red for the secondary, blue for tertiary, and so on.
"It will be brutal. We will have to leave the wounded behind us, and move with only what we can carry. We will engage in no set-piece battles, moving on as soon as any sort of real resistance begins to coalesce."
He studied the Judges again, watching carefully for any signs of discomfort at his next words. "It is entirely possible that no more than one man in five will still be alive at the end of this particular mission, under the assumption of optimal success. But if we can buy the zeal and fervor of millions with the deaths of hundreds and even thousands, the exchange will be worthy. There are untold billions upon this world. If they are inspired to rise to their duties for the Emperor and given His divine providence, no army of the arch-enemy can contain them."
He stared at the projected advances, wondering what Carnis would think. It had become his measuring stick for these matters, and he aspired in affairs military to pattern his planning after the general. Carnis' only flaw in such areas was an unseemly amount of concern for the human cost, an irrelevant concern when the Emperor would embrace those who died in His service, while all others would receive only the deserved eternity of darkness and damnation.
He nodded respectfully to Yashida, the one 'man' here to whom he would defer on all questions of war and violence.
He looked up to the Marine and made the sign of the aquila. "It shall be as you desire, Brother-Sergeant. I look forward to bringing death to the enemy with you again, as the Emperor wills."
He looked up to the Marine and made the sign of the aquila. "It shall be as you desire, Brother-Sergeant. I look forward to bringing death to the enemy with you again, as the Emperor wills."
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The Yosemite Bear
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- Location: Dave's Not Here Man
Afterwards silently to the commisar.
The enemy will doubtlessly know of my presence by now. By training some of these new recruits, and bringing back more you shall have more "elites" to draw upon. As we are shifting to tactics of mobility, these squads I shall be training, shall be instructed in the tactics favoured by the Primarch Corax in his slave revolt. The second reason for this mobile school, is that the Arch enemy shall be seeking me, and my pupils, to them my existance is a danger they must seek and find. It shall further splinter, and fragment their forces, and provide you with a number of soldiers skilled not only in rapid mobile strikes, hit and fade, but skilled in training others, I doubt that even taking my best precautions I can hide within this area, however until my death we shal be a threat to them.
The enemy will doubtlessly know of my presence by now. By training some of these new recruits, and bringing back more you shall have more "elites" to draw upon. As we are shifting to tactics of mobility, these squads I shall be training, shall be instructed in the tactics favoured by the Primarch Corax in his slave revolt. The second reason for this mobile school, is that the Arch enemy shall be seeking me, and my pupils, to them my existance is a danger they must seek and find. It shall further splinter, and fragment their forces, and provide you with a number of soldiers skilled not only in rapid mobile strikes, hit and fade, but skilled in training others, I doubt that even taking my best precautions I can hide within this area, however until my death we shal be a threat to them.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
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Imperial Overlord
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 11978
- Joined: 2004-08-19 04:30am
- Location: The Tower at Charm
Senior Judge Thorve sneered. "Colonel-Commissar, if you had been paying attention you would have realized their is no need to "generate a groundswell of popular support." It already exists. You are not in charge here. We are. Only the Inquisitor has the legal basis to override our authority. This "battle plan" of yours is vague nonsense!"
The Excellent Prismatic Spray. For when you absolutely, positively must kill a motherfucker. Accept no substitutions. Contact a magician of the later Aeons for details. Some conditions may apply.
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The Yosemite Bear
- Mostly Harmless Nutcase (Requiescat in Pace)
- Posts: 35211
- Joined: 2002-07-21 02:38am
- Location: Dave's Not Here Man
Yashida who had been subvocalizing into his implants to talk "privately" with the Commisar, glanced Distinctly down at the judge.
"If you would like, judge I could have the Inquistioner under whose direct orders and authority the Commisar operates brought to you here, I am sure it is well within the tech sister's capability to provide the nessarry uplink. This would however give the arch enemy our exact location, and spare the Inquisitionare the trouble of executing you himself."
even though the marine was dressed only in fiber robes, and was clearly outranked by the judge, the massive athletic form, body carapace and the cold steel truth to his words were tremendous equalizers.
"If you would like, judge I could have the Inquistioner under whose direct orders and authority the Commisar operates brought to you here, I am sure it is well within the tech sister's capability to provide the nessarry uplink. This would however give the arch enemy our exact location, and spare the Inquisitionare the trouble of executing you himself."
even though the marine was dressed only in fiber robes, and was clearly outranked by the judge, the massive athletic form, body carapace and the cold steel truth to his words were tremendous equalizers.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
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Stormbringer
- King of Democracy
- Posts: 22678
- Joined: 2002-07-15 11:22pm
"Unless you are prepared to buck the authority of His Divine Majesty's Inquistion you and your men shall consider yourself under Colonel-Commisar's command. If he says die I expect you to open your wrists up on the spot with out so much as looking in my direction. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD? The Inquisition placed it's trust in this man and you will do the same."Imperial Overlord wrote:Senior Judge Thorve sneered. "Colonel-Commissar, if you had been paying attention you would have realized their is no need to "generate a groundswell of popular support." It already exists. You are not in charge here. We are. Only the Inquisitor has the legal basis to override our authority. This "battle plan" of yours is vague nonsense!"
Varian didn't even stop to consider the irony that the Inquisition trusted no one. Instead he simply barged on.
"I am sure the Commisar will enlighten you as to his plan. And I fully expect you will comply with it. You are free to make any suggestions. But you will obey orders."
The Will was creeping into his voice, almost with out his awareness.
"This world has been allowed to fall into darkness, into damnation. By slackness, by a lack of vigiliance, and it happened on your watch.. The way out will not be easy. Men will die. I desire to spend no more lives than necessary but I will not let that deflect me in the slightest from my duty. And if you are truly loyal followers of Him On Earth then you will not either."
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Imperial Overlord
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 11978
- Joined: 2004-08-19 04:30am
- Location: The Tower at Charm
"Mishandling of Imperial forces is treason," said the judge coldly. "The Arbites do not need inquisitors to deal with traitors. And that you have failed to understand that we have already gathered every able bodied citizen under our command cleary means you do not have even a basic grasp of the situation. Do you wish to be relieved for being delusional or incompetent?"
"And the strategy you have outlined is fatally flawed for hive fighting. This is not an open plains battle. The battlefield is three kilometers deep. Long penetrating spearheads are vulnerable to attack from above, below, the sides and the front. Against a fortified position, what you prepose is suicide."
"And the strategy you have outlined is fatally flawed for hive fighting. This is not an open plains battle. The battlefield is three kilometers deep. Long penetrating spearheads are vulnerable to attack from above, below, the sides and the front. Against a fortified position, what you prepose is suicide."
The Excellent Prismatic Spray. For when you absolutely, positively must kill a motherfucker. Accept no substitutions. Contact a magician of the later Aeons for details. Some conditions may apply.
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Stormbringer
- King of Democracy
- Posts: 22678
- Joined: 2002-07-15 11:22pm
"I have never claimed to be a military man. My profession requires other skills and so I have no problems with listening to those that have said skills. I do not expect you men to do less than your duty in seeing this endavour through."
Varian continued.
"However I will remind you that you are not in charge. And as such I would suggest that you remember that you are subordinate here. Is that clear?"
Mentally Varian sent a psy-message to the Commisar.
If this one continues to undermine authority, you have my permission to make an example of him. He speechs wisely but is far too free with his toungue.
Varian continued.
"However I will remind you that you are not in charge. And as such I would suggest that you remember that you are subordinate here. Is that clear?"
Mentally Varian sent a psy-message to the Commisar.
If this one continues to undermine authority, you have my permission to make an example of him. He speechs wisely but is far too free with his toungue.