+++ Inquisitor Nephtys' Codex +++
+++ REF: The Liberation of Volistad, M41.841 +++
+++ Ordo Xenos Archives +++
As Commissar Holt planned his bold amphibious attack of the Saratov Mainland from his new headquarters in Gorshkov hive, a new threat emerged. On the very eve of launching his assault, the 184th Mordian came under attack at it's very staging area. Although no Ork ships or transports were sighted, perimeter outposts fell silent under thundering cannons. Shortly after sunrise, it became apparent that the Hive was under Ork Counter-attack! Holt wasted no time mobilizing his troops, ordering the 184th Mordian Iron Guard to repel the invaders, no matter what. Gorshkov's industrial might was only just becoming online, and losing such a base early in the campaign would spell certain defeat.
Deploying on the outskirts of the spire, Captain ForceLord held command while Commissar Omegachief remained hospitalized. He stood with his men as they mounted aboard their Chimeras. The Mordian soldiers were said to have cursed their vehicles vulnerability under their breath, an act which no doubt lead to greater casualties as they blasphemed against the very machine spirits protecting them under the Chimera's thick ceramite armor.
Meanwhile, Sgt. Kendall's Bombard unit took up position amidst the ruins, preparing to fire on the invader as maximum range. Captain Xthetenth's Leman Russ unit meanwhile rolled into defensive positions with great fields of fire, trying to find cover so they could engage the expected enemy armor hordes from a hull-down position.
Just south of the main defensive line, Armsman Bucher remained on planet as the drafted commander of 2nd Company's Mortar section. Lt. McSoldier's heavy weapons platoon prepared their positions, while Lt. Doom von Doomicus's newly deployed Hellhound squadron waited in hidden positions, planning on rushing out to torch down advancing Ork infantry.
"By the Emperor, what in Terra is that?!"
With rhythmic thudding, the shape of the Ork invaders became clear: No landing craft or transports were sighted specifically because a horrific Gargant lead them, having walked across the ocean bed itself! It's energy shields were off the charts of Tech-Priest auspices, and the fiendish machine wielded a massive multi-barrel cannon as well as giant saw blade.
Escorting this titan was a mobile fortress, classified as a 'Giblet Grinda'. This armored transport brought along a large contingent of Ork infantry from within, elite armored Nobz that roared ferociously and brandished massive guns.
First to catch sight of the enemy, Bucher's light artillery battery fired their array of fragmentation shells at the mobs of Orks in the distance.
"All batteries, fire at will!
Sgt. Kendall's Bombards opened up as well, focusing their fury on the mighty Gargant.
Captain Forcelord gave the order for his Chimeras to drive forward, the men inside each given instructions to attack the Gargant at close range and hopefully slow it down. Clearly unprepared for this enemy, all were uneasy at how to fight such an overwhelming foe. The lead Chimera barely emerged from the defensive perimeter, before being struck down by the Gargant's mighty rotary battlecannon.
The combined fire of Xthetenth's Leman Russ tanks and Kendall's Bombard Siege Mortars impacted without success against a crackling green Power Field which absorbed the torrent of fire effortlessly. Techpriests back at the field headquarters watched in horror, as the crude Xeno-tech shield seemed to suffer no loss to it's power levels despite the heavy bombardment.
Lt. Doom's Hellhounds, unable to take full advantage of their anti-infantry weaponry due to the open field of battle, instead took cover behind ruins, preparing to make a suicide run given the desperate situation against the Giblet Grinda mobile fortress.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a pair of massive rockets soared down from the sky over the heads of the Mortar Crews, and smashed head-first into a Bombard. The vehicle exploded with a massive shockwave as it's ammunition cooked off.
Another strike from the sky crashed through the thinner top armor of the lead Leman Russ, blowing it's turret off as the engine exploded, killing the entire crew in a heartbeat.
Looking to the sky, the defenders of Gorshkov saw in horror that it was a new threat: Ork air support. A squadron of Fighta-Bomma Aircraft had arrived from the mainland, raining deadly missiles, bombs and high-calibur shells down on the helpless defenders.
"Everyone out! Take cover men! Oh sweet Emperor, they're all over!
Barely escaping from their transports in time, the Fighta-Bommas sent bomb and missile into the Chimeras, destroying the whole column and trapping the men of the 184th Mordian out in the open. Captain Forcelord drew his power-sword and shouted for the men to retreat, as a spray of high caliber shells turned a whole squad into pulp.
The Giblet Grinda turned to maneuver, preparing to bring many of it's autocannon turrets to bear on the southern defense line. By the grace of the Emperor, it's vile crew made a mistake and turned to present it's weaker rear armor. A Leman Russ shell punched through it's massive armored hide, causing steam to burst out of the castle's tower. It remained in the battle however, completing it's turn moments later and showering Lt. McSoldier's heavy weapons teams with autocannon fire.
"No! This can't be happening! Retreat! RETREAAAT!
Captain Forcelord's men fled, but the Gargant's weapons soon trained on them. Dozens were cut to peices within moments, even the cover of Chimera wrecks useless against the powerful shells.
*frothing* Hellhounds, Attack! FOR THE IMPERIUM, WE WILL BE VICT---*boom*
In desparation, Lt. Doom's Hellhound Squadron burst for their cover and made for the Giblet Grinda that was rapidly collapsing Imperial Lines. They never reached attack range, each exploding viciously under furious fire from the fortress's many guns.
With only two Leman Russ tanks and a pair of surviving Bombards, the defense was desperate. The Mekboy Gargant continued it's inexorable advance. Forcelord's own command squad ran for shelter while shells whizzed by them. Only his squad and two others survived the onslaught, and they knew their end would soon come.
By some miracle, one of Kendall's Bombard Shells sailed through the fiendish Ork defenses, punching through the power field in a spectacular burst. Xthetenth's Leman Russ fired, it's battlecannon's shell punching through the armor of the buzzsaw's shoulder joint, causing a burst of sparks to emerge from the mighty Gargant.
Another Fighta-Bomba spotted the Tanks however, and roared down upon them, loaded to bear with ordinance and on a bombing path against the two remaining vehicles that held together the line...
"Brothers, fury from the skies!
Suddenly from the skies, another shadow came from the direction of the Sun. The Fighta-Bomba's wing was riddled with heavy bolter shells, causing it to spiral out of control into the distance. A new vehicle entered the battlefield, zooming to skim at low altitude. A Thunderhawk Gunship, it's weapons cutting through the Orks from a flank!
Flying just clear of the Buzzsaw and evading all of the Gargant's defensive fire, Techmarine Faxmodem pulled his Thunderhawk around, strafing at the vulnerable backside of the Gargant. His own battlecannon, rockets and bolters fired, smashing through the poorly armored flank of the filthy battle-walker. Leman Russ and Artillery Fire landed on it as well, further hammering it's defenses and smashing the cannon arm.
Attempting to flee the battle, the Ork Gargant turned and lumbered away towards safety, but it could not outrun the circling Space Marine gunship. A rocket punctured the Gargant's crude power core, causing a cascade of explosions to tear the mountain of metal apart. Cheers errupted across Imperial Lines, as Lt. McSoldier's heavy weapons teams rallied and fired against the Giblet Grinda about to overrun their position.
With a graceful turn away from the destroyed Gargant, the Thunderhawk fired on the Giblet Grinda. Trapped between the Thunderhawk and the rallying Imperial Guard forces, it soon too fell to bombardment from the air. The Ork Fighta-Bommas fled rather than press through with the attack, now that their ground forces were vanquished to the last.
Victory, but at such a great cost! Once more, the First Company was decimated, and the brand new Hellhound squadron was completely destroyed. Every Chimera crew had died, including those who were present at the very Imperial Landing only weeks before. The campaign had taken a grim and dark turn, where overall victory seemed very distant indeed.
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Roster Update
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Assigned:
184th Mordian Iron Guard
1st Company Commissar - OmegaChief
1st Company Command Platoon + Chimeras - Captain Force Lord
1st Company Bombard Squadron - Sgt. Kendall
2nd Company Leman Russ Squadron - Captain Xthetenth
2nd Company Heavy Weapons Team + Chimeras - Lt. McSoldier
2nd Company Mortar Crew - Bucher, Naval Armsman
82nd Tallarn Armored
1st Company Command Platoon - Captain Hawkwings (MIA?)
1st Leman Russ Squadron - Lt. Karrick
1st Basilisk Squadron - Sgt. Barnest
2nd Company Hellhound - Yosemite Bear
2nd Company Manticore - RecklessPrudence
Ultramarines 2nd Company
Tactical Marines - Brother Captain Gaius
Thunderhawk - Brother Techmarine Fax Modem
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