Death From Above 1

<Pavor_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Pavor_GM> Natalia, the vox specialist hides behind cover, hunched over to shield the mouth-piece as she relays team Cobra's coordinates. Energy rounds materialize through the air, the hooded foes mercilessly pounding away at the commando team's positions. Each of its members holds tight, each knowing the other's thoughts, for Cobra has been together since youth, a central doctrine of Pavor's
<Pavor_GM> training regimen. Major Valentine knows that each is an equal part of a whole. One which she must now lead to victor, or to death.
<Major_Valentine> "Focus targets and fan out for better cover, Provide Suppression fire!"
* Major_Valentine issues Sweeping Order "Get Them!"
<Pavor_GM> With the rehearsed precision of machinery, suppressing fire rings out at once, bewildering the foe, catching the Emperor's enemies utterly off guard.
* Major_Valentine lays down suppressing fire
<Pavor_GM> As Major Valentine joins in, one of the hooded figures dives into cover, abandoning its paired comrade to fate in the safety of a rockcrete traffic-guide.
* Zaylen makes a gesture for his comrade to follow as he shrouds himself in his cameleoline cloak and starts moving to the right. +Moving to flank the enemy.+
<Pavor_GM> Braddock nods, hand holding to his knife holster.
* Admetus peaks over some rubble and fires a well aimed burst into one of the nearby hostiles dropping him before ducking back into cover.
<Pavor_GM> The return burst of energy splashes against the hulking frame of the destroyed vehicle and against Alex. The trooper drops, suddenly, gripping his left shoulder.
* Commissar_Hargrave levels his autocarbine at a nearby enemy, pulping him with a semi-auto burst. "77th Commandos, this is the moment of truth! You will not fear! You will not falter! You will not give a single step to the enemy!"
<Pavor_GM> The insolence of the foe manifests through yet another stream of blue energy, splattering against, and deforming the collapsed rockcrete wall behind which Commissar Hargrave finds protection.
* Leon fires a trio of shots that miss.
<Pavor_GM> The exchange of fire is such that a heavy ball of bright energy misses utterly, flying past the Major harmlessly.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone moves forward into the fray while staying in cover.
* Dutch_Miles opens fire with his gun but his target dodges.
* Major_Valentine ducks down into cover, avoiding fire
<Pavor_GM> When a blinking device arcs through the air towards Major Valentine, she and Natalia deftly dive well out of its bright, destructive detonation radius.
<Pavor_GM> Another heavy, bright sphere of light comes hurling towards team Cobra. Dutch dives out of the way with perfect timing, yet the pillar that once stood between him and enemy fire, disintegrates utterly, as though atomized.
<Pavor_GM> "Excuse me, Major."
<Pavor_GM> The voice is ethereal, distant, as though in a different dimension.
<Major_Valentine> +Leon! Find those explosive lobbers and put them down and show them how we do it!+
* Major_Valentine Inspires Leon
* Zaylen continues to move into a flanking position, keeping his cloak wrapped close.
<Major_Valentine> +The one behind the statue Commandos! take him out!+
<Pavor_GM> "They keep getting uglier," Braddock whispers.
<Zaylen> "No kidding." Zaylen whispers back.
<Admetus> "Fuck, don't think I got him."
* Admetus fires a volly at the called target wounding but not killing the target.
* Leon fires at the grenadier the Major pointed out.
* Commissar_Hargrave ducks behind his barrier once more as another energy blast comes his direction, taking out a chunk of it in the process. After the energy dissipates Hargrave returns fire with his autocarbine, winging the enemy.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone runs toward the enemy with his mono knife and Power maul out.
<Major_Valentine> +Dutch,Can you provide Covering fire?+
<Pavor_GM> Reacting within the milisecond, Faust's opponent produces a long blade and strikes in a single motion.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone parries the long blade and strikes back with his mono knife.
* Dutch_Miles turns his gun on another group of targets and open suppressing fire, he is able to hit one target but no kill.
<Pavor_GM> A single blinking stream of light paints the area in sweeping motions from a hand-held device.
<Pavor_GM> At that instant, all cover around team Cobra begins to disintegrate, the buildings distort in stuttered blinks, and every one of the hooded figures stands, rising out of cover.
<Pavor_GM> "Valentine!"
<Pavor_GM> The team snaps back into the training room. "Holo-Sim time is over. We have your orders. Be in the briefing room in five."
<Zaylen> "Fething...didn't even get a chance to get into position."
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> "But I didn't get to kill anything..."
<Leon> "Well I guess it's back to command."
<Admetus> "You managed to stab one at least."
<Dutch_Miles> "Aw but you all did well, I love these training sims."
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone says to Admetus "I mean... I guess?"
<Major_Valentine> "Well, maybe it will be the real thing soon Commandos. We Must be prepared for everything."
<Major_Valentine> "Also Faust maybe a Training Servitor would work better for you if you want to practice your swings."
* Commissar_Hargrave slings his rifle and begins moving towards the briefing room. "Heed the Major men. Take these combat simulations seriously. The real thing will be far worse."
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> "It's not the same, Major."
* Zaylen rejoins the group, pulling his goggles up onto his helmet. "Not as many deaths this time."
* Admetus thinks for a moment then his eye twitches, "Man those servitors give me the heebie jeebies."
<Pavor_GM> "Still, they need to work on those targets. Ugly devils..." Braddock comments as he makes his way towards the briefing room.
<Major_Valentine> "Right everyone form up and let us move out, we don't want to be late."
<Leon> "Yes, Sir."
* Dutch_Miles joins the group
* Major_Valentine heads up to the briefing room
<Zaylen> "Uglier they are, the more you want to kill 'em Braddock. It's not as if we're usually shooting up holo-models and smut-stars." He chuckles to himself, though dryly.
* Admetus slings his gear and removes his helmet putting it under one arm while heading to the briefing.
* Leon follows the group.
* Zaylen is just behind his comrade as they move to the briefing room.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone stows away his weapon and follows the group.
<Pavor_GM> "Major, Cobras, take a seat." The man speaking is an adjunct-officer of in Admiral Knowles' staff. The admiral, a fellow Pavorian if rumors are to be believed, is responsible for your deployment to the theater, and the care with which you are deployed on missions of importance.
* Commissar_Hargrave takes a seat at the table.
* Major_Valentine walks up, stops then statues to the staff
<Major_Valentine> "Cobra Squad, Reporting in sir!"
<Pavor_GM> Each of you is handed a small, laminated sheet no bigger than a man's palm. Major Valentine receives a sealed parchment along with hers.
<Pavor_GM> "At ease, Valentine."
* Dutch_Miles salutes and takes the sheet and looks over it.
* Zaylen gives a short salute before taking a seat in the back. He turns the laminated sheet in his hands before glancing over it.
* Leon After saluting he checks over the sheet.
* Commissar_Hargrave reads over the laminated sheet before setting it squarely back on the table.
<Admetus> salutes and takes the sheet and begins studying it.
* Major_Valentine eases as she takes a seat, taking a glare at the parchment before returning attention
<Pavor_GM> "As you have noticed, the orbital situation has eased up sufficiently to allow the squadron to close in. The powers that be are itching to put their thrice-delayed plans into action. By now the secrecy of the operation is likely null; I hear even enginarium ratings call it by name, so no need to be shy. Operation Comet is real, and is happening. Soon."
<Pavor_GM> "The Elysians will mass-drop in two days' time after your deployment. You will be working on a narrow window of time," the naval officer continues.
<Zaylen> "About time." Zaylen mutters before crossing his arms.
<Pavor_GM> "Should you fail... and you won't, the Elysians are sure to be shredded, and operation will be a resounding, and humbling failure. The Admiral is not interested in humility, hence your assignment."
<Pavor_GM> "Operational parameters are nothing you won't be familiar with. Complete vox silence in the A.O. full discretion to pursue objectives. Putting it simply, naval intelligence has already accounted for your success in their briefings to the Guard commanders."
<Pavor_GM> "Due to the covert nature of your mission, and the enemy density in the area, you will deploy via HALO jump. That means no vehicles or anything heavier than a kitted commando will be able to descend with you."
<Pavor_GM> "Objectives are outlined in your reference guide. We know the locals are expecting a drop. We know they are making preparations. Anti-Air batteries, Hydras and the likes, are mobilising out of their current positions, in small convoys, across the continent. Stop them, wait for the Elysian drop, and hitch a ride back with their attached Aeronautica assets."
<Pavor_GM> "Targets of opportunity will include anyone with a more flaunting uniform than Valentine's, and, erm..." he pauses for a moment.
<Pavor_GM> "There are reports, rumors, of less tasteful allies the traitors may have with them. I am told to relay that you will know what to kill when you see it. Your A.O. is the main Agri-road around Hydro-Processing Plant 23-20, and the mag-rail station near it."
<Pavor_GM> "Elysians have requested a diversionary attack on the agri-complex to help cover their drop. We entertained their request, but no one here is interested in pressing you on this objective. Execute it under your own discretion. The admiral's guests up-deck are providing you with a vid-link. Consider this a critical, and largely unofficial, part of your mission. It will capture your
<Pavor_GM> mission in its entirety, after which you will upload the data to the pre-set channel. This will be the only exception to Vox-blackout."
<Pavor_GM> "Any questions?" he pauses, then adds, "Questions you know I can answer only."
<Zaylen> "Should we expect anything heavier than those hydra AA-batteries, sir?"
<Pavor_GM> "The up-deck folks have done their share of retention of our Intel report. Officially, a traitor PDF company with light armored vehicles is as bad as it should get."
<Pavor_GM> "Be prepared for anything," he adds.
* Zaylen nods. Returning the naval officer's gaze with his own steely look.
<Pavor_GM> "Any other questions?"
<Admetus> "Assuming we are getting some explosives for this, but any other bonus gear for us sir?"
<Pavor_GM> "Valentine has the QM's chit," he nods to the Major.
<Pavor_GM> "We're at the Guard's mercy, here. We've done what we can."
<Major_Valentine> "When we are finished may I study the location and where we will be dropping?"
<Pavor_GM> "On your way to your drop stations," he says looking at his chrono.
<Pavor_GM> "Study fast," he nods.
* Major_Valentine nods
<Major_Valentine> "Grab what you require commandos, I will be with you shortly."
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> "Aye, Aye, Major."
<Pavor_GM> The Quartermaster respects the chit, providing all equipment deemed necessary for mission completion. As always, a Commissariat warning is attached, quoting the Articles on mission-assigned gear, waste of the Emperor's resources, and the need to return any unused items to munitorum officials.
* Admetus takes anything vaguely explosive passing the melta bombs off to alex after a moment admiring them.
* Dutch_Miles gathers up all his needed tools and medical equipment.
* Major_Valentine comes back and acquires her gear
* Leon preps for the mission.
<Pavor_GM> The drop stations are already abuzz. Here, a dozen and more valkyrie transports prepare as commando teams begin to arrive, running gear checks and syncrhonizing chronos.
<Major_Valentine> "Alright you lot lets get moving!"
* Admetus heads to our assigned Valkyrie.
<Admetus> "Aye Major"
* Dutch_Miles boards the valkyrie.
<Zaylen> With his gear on and checked thrice over he joins his commando group to board the valkyrie.
* Leon get's in.
* Commissar_Hargrave waits for the others inside the valkyrie.
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> "Moving, Major. Let's go boys, we got things to kill."
* Major_Valentine heads over to the assigned Valkyrie
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone enters the Valkyrie.
<Pavor_GM> Because the presence of commando units is only at the behest of the Admiral, the Valkyries have none of the Guard regalia, all painted with naval wing markers instead.
<Major_Valentine> +Right Commandos, our drop is the Agri-Compound's South-East fields, We will be one kilometer from the main road, and 4km from the rail.+
<Major_Valentine> +Any questions before we deploy!+
<Commissar_Hargrave> +Steel your nerves Cobras! The Emperor judges our deeds this day!+
<Pavor_GM> When the flight marshal arrives, marching with his usual bravado, the commandos make a noise between a grunt and a howl - a tradition adopted from the voiship's arsmen as a form of unofficial salute to respected leaders of the vessel.
<Zaylen> "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
<Dutch_Miles> "Yea we got this boys."
<Admetus> "Noisy fucks."
<Leon> "Just like the simulations."
<Pavor_GM> "They're prepped! They're eager! And they'll drop you nasty fuckers to do your worst! Mount up, and get the hell off my ship!" With a hand-signal from the flight-marshal, all pilots begin turning the turbines of their craft.
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +I think the boys are too excited.+
<Admetus> +When you get given this many toys its hard not to be.+
<Major_Valentine> +Right get in line boys, and buckle in.+
<Commissar_Hargrave> +Excitement to do the Emperor's Holy work is to be lauded lieutenant. In this you could take a queue from them.+
<Zaylen> +Hit the dirt, make 'em hurt.+ He says in response as he boards their valkyrie and straps in.
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +Let's put them toys to good use and kill a bunch of heretics.+
<Pavor_GM> Rousing howls synched to pumping fists and rising and falling phantoms echo through the launch bay.
* Dutch_Miles moves in and boards the valkyrie.
* Major_Valentine buckles in and checks her Grav Chute and Chrono
* Leon straps in and preps for the jump.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone straps in and checks on his knife before checking the rest of his equipment.
<Pavor_GM> Men all around you begin to pile in, pulling hard on their grav chute straps, and finding their seat mounts inside.
<Major_Valentine> +Everyone, Synch Chronos on my mark!+
* Admetus makes sure all his gear is secure, nobody wants to be knocked out by a stray missile tube.
<Pavor_GM> Shortly thereafter, with no a second to spare, the ramps begin to close; commandos and pilots acting as one, a testament to their relationship throughout the campaign.
* Dutch_Miles preps to synch his chrono.
* Admetus preps his chrono.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone syncs his chrono.
<Major_Valentine> +Mark!+
<Admetus> *beep*
* Major_Valentine Synchs her Chrono
* Dutch_Miles synch's his chrono.
* Leon suncs up also.
<Pavor_GM> The low whirring of the launch bay's mechanisms seal it from the inner hull, and release atmosphere as the cold void is revealed outside.
* Commissar_Hargrave syncs his chrono.
<Pavor_GM> Here, you can see the dark side of the orb where you are to deploy, and carry out your duty.
<Pavor_GM> When the mag-locks are released, the pilots accelerate to predetermined, yet seemingly disorganized flight paths.
* Zaylen synchs his chrono before relaxing, enjoying the comfortable thrum of the engines in his diaphragm.
<Pavor_GM> This scrambling, you know well, is in order to ensure that on planetfall, no single craft can be easily tracked, as a formation might.
<Pavor_GM> This also means, of course, that should the tactic fail at any level, several teams will be lost, as they travel without escort.
<Major_Valentine> +Remember, this is the real deal gents, so there is no room for mess ups, am I understood?+
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +Sir. Yes, Sir!+
<Leon> +Sir, Yes Sir+
<Zaylen> +Sir, yes, sir!+
<Pavor_GM> The ride down becomes earily silent as the craft closes on the upper-amtmosphere as the engines are left to idle, allowing gravity to take over.
<Dutch_Miles> +Sir, yes, Sir!+
<Admetus> +Sir yes sir!+
<Pavor_GM> This, as your training informs you, is the first of the approach stages. As you come to this realization, the first ETA callout comes from the cockpit.
<Commissar_Hargrave> +We shall complete this mission with undaunted faith and courage. We shall not take one step back. This is the Emperor's world and we will not surrender it!+
<Pavor_GM> A series of drastic course alterations later, and your jump-chronos light up, detecting the proximity to the calculated jump altitude.
<Admetus> +Smite the foe! Smash the enemy! For the Emperor we bring death!+
<Major_Valentine> +Right Commandos! Let us Rain Death from Above! Follow me if you want to show them the Emperors Fury!+
* Major_Valentine readies herself and prepares to drop first.
<Pavor_GM> The second callout places you moments away from your drop time, the pilots releasing the pack-locks on your seats, releasing you from their grip.
* Admetus readies himself.
* Zaylen stands and checks over his comrade's gear, and letting him do the same. +Check complete!+
* Leon gets ready for the drop.
<Pavor_GM> The light in the cockpit turns a low amber shade, and several of your comrades take to their feet.
<Pavor_GM> +Check!+
<Pavor_GM> +Check!+
* Dutch_Miles checks his gear and readies himself for the drop.
<Pavor_GM> The craft flares upward two degrees, and the ramp begins to open along the glide-slope.
* Commissar_Hargrave does a final check on his gear and takes his place at the back of the line for the jump.
<Pavor_GM> +Give them hell.+ is followed by the lights blinking green, and once the ramp locks in place, the intermittent light becomes solid.
<Pavor_GM> This is it.
<Major_Valentine> +Go Go!+
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone takes the first leap.
<Admetus> "Yeeeeet!" following close behind.
* Leon jumps out.
<Major_Valentine> +Someones Eagar+
* Major_Valentine jumps out
* Dutch_Miles takes the forth leap out the. +YEAAAA!+
<Zaylen> The scout feels his adrenaline spike as he prepares to yet again leap out of an aircraft up so high. "Vindicta!" He roars as he leaps out.
* Commissar_Hargrave continues stepping forward as each squad mate jumps out of the aircraft, ensuring no one balks in their sacred duty.
<Pavor_GM> The interior lights wash away as you travel through the darkness of the night sky, winds pushing any hesitation away from you as quickly as the screams of excitement, or otherwise, of your comrades.
<Commissar_Hargrave> Once every other member has jumped Hargrave follows suit, joining the others in the rapid descent.
<Pavor_GM> You put your training to work, slowly closing distances between you until you are in a regulation grouping, jump-chornos lighting with approval from their relative positioning indicators. That is, until the readings show the loss of an asset... Major Valentine has spun awkwardly, and now falls further and further away.
<Pavor_GM> Whatever else happens, you know the mission just got more complicated. Jump-Chronos blink, and begin to vibrate. 30 seconds.
<Pavor_GM> The automated systems on the grav chutes begin to fire up, and at the end of the countdown, you feel suddenly weightless, with an upward jerk.
<Pavor_GM> Without the rushing wind on your ears, you can hear the engines of the rail system kilometers away. The low lights of the Agri-Compound show its center North-West of your trajectory, you are directly on target. All, except Major Valentine.
<Pavor_GM> With a series of thumps, you hit the ground on a roll, harmlessly cushioning the fall against the anti-grav fields, and the bushels intended to feed the traitors and their war effort. Ahead of the Operation Comet, you are now alone, and can rely on none but yourselves.
<Pavor_GM> Just like the simulators.