Post by Scrazz' on Jun 13, 2014 17:00:12 GMT
Briefing room, one week earlier
‘Gentlemen.’ Colonel Racine began, acknowledging all the Company Commanders of the 31st who had gathered in the Colonel’s office. ‘And of course My Lady.’ Referring to the Lady Commissar.
He took a last gulp of his coffee and put the empty cup on his desk while reaching for the light switch with his other. When the room was darkened the beamer displayed a planetary map of Phyros.
‘Phyros, a vast world covered in forests,’ Racine noticed some of the officers making an approving nod. ‘but these are of no importance to the Imperium. ‘
He went to the next pict at the click of a hand held remote. Displayed was an aerial view of a vast fortress with high walls and even higher towers bristling with weaponry. There were no open areas within the fortress walls, it looked like a vast bunker complex. These aerial pictures were the only ones available and were outdated by at least 10 standard Imperial years, but they would have to do.
‘Fortress Jottenheim. The planet served as a garrison world and checkpoint for local Imperial Guard forces, but was overrun from within. It’s commander was corrupted, and the disease spread like wildfire. We don’t know exactly the scale of corruption, but Intelligence warned for the usual chaos abnormalities.’
The colonel sighed.
‘To be honest, nobody knows what’s going on inside that fortress. All contact was broken after receiving a broadcast of a voice rambling praises for his vile gods. Could be a ceremony.’
‘For all we know,’ Captain Black interrupted, ‘it’s just that one guy in the whole fortress.’
‘Then you’d better make sure you’re the one who gets the bastard.’ Racine casually answered before turning serious again. ‘Now cut the chatter’
Racine switched the projector off and the lights back on. He cleared his desk of clutter and put a map on it, showing part of the fortress’ defenses. It showed a part of the wall, two gun towers and a massive gate. The measurements suggested it was high enough to walk a small titan through and wide enough to fit two baneblades.
‘Our Regiment is to besiege this section of the fortress. The assault starts directly after planetfall. Our objective is to breach this gate and fight our way through the fortress until all heretics lay dead at our feet. Pretty straightforward, only we have no maps of the inside, and we have no idea of possible horrors there could be. ’
‘We will be joined by the 207th Khazak Infantry, and the artillery will have Bastion-Breacher shells at their disposal. This is just a side gate, a back door so to speak. All artillery support will be dedicated at the main assault the front gate. We will have to make do with our three eathshakers and the heavy weapons we bring with us.’
Captain Stark wore a wolfish grin upon hearing this.
‘The artillery and heavy weapons will first eliminate the threat of the guntowers. Areal picts showed these to be armed with medium artillery. After that, we blast everything we’ve got against that gate, break through and tear the place apart from the inside.’
Major Vartunk stepped up and walked to the Colonel’s left side.
‘That’s it.’ Vartunk said. ‘After planetfall, Captain Cutter will lead his company forward until they can get a clear visual and report the situation. Our aerial pictures are outdated so we will have to rely on your eyes. They are to dig in, but not engage, and observe the enemy’s activities while the rest of the regiment moves up.’
Racine took a seat in his chair, a comfortable leather chair and concluded the briefing
‘The Warmaster needs this planet. It is the enemies first line of defense . You have your orders. Emperor watch over us. Dismissed.’
Present Time
Captain Cutter had a clear visual on the situation. From what he saw, he hoped not a single man in his company would give away their position. He was accompanied by a small handpicked fire-team, the company’s best scouts. They were taking cover at the edge of the forest, with his company observing the enemies activities and keeping their perimeter. In front of Jory Cutter there was only a small stroke of forest left until the open ground in front of the fortress began. Cutter waved his vox operator over, programmed the right channel and spoke directly to the Colonel.
‘Command, this is cutter.’ He began. ‘Enemy has dug in and entrenched themselves in front of our section of wall. Just some simple trenches with raised gunner’s nests. Bolters, mortars,… Small heavy weapons. Traitor Guard, sir. Over’
Back at the staging ground, the officer cadre sat huddled around the colonel’s vox operator with Lady Commissar Whitehall standing directly next to the Colonel, and all could hear Captain Cutter’s report.
‘Hold ground Cutter, deploy your snipers to harass their lines. Keep them busy until we arrive. Over’
Colonel Racine gave the orders to each of his captains.
‘Captain Stark, I want you to divide your fire between the two gun towers and the trench., adjust your fire as our infantry advances.’
‘Major Vartunk, you will lead your armored company and assault the center of the enemy’s trenches, with Captain Kruger short behind.’
‘The right flank is yours, Black. Push through.’
Hendricks, you will cover the major’s left flank.
‘Kraye, you and your boys do what you do best. I need you to dig in along the forest edge, join Captain Cutter’s men and lend supporting fire for the assault.’
‘Commissar Whitehall and I will board one of the Major’s chimeras and join the spearhead.
‘You have your orders, move out. Emperor Protects!’
‘Emperor Protects!’ the officer cadre replied as one.