Liberation of Nova Spera Session 1

<@CawklesGM> I HAVE eaten your bread and salt.
<@CawklesGM>   I have drunk your water and wine.
<@CawklesGM> The deaths ye died I have watched beside,
<@CawklesGM>   And the lives ye led were mine.
<@CawklesGM> Was there aught that I did not share
<@CawklesGM>   In vigil or toil or ease,
<@CawklesGM> One joy or woe that I did not know,
<@CawklesGM>   Dear hearts across the seas?
<@CawklesGM> I have written the tale of our life
<@CawklesGM>   For a sheltered people’s mirth,
<@CawklesGM> In jesting guise-but ye are wise,
<@CawklesGM>   And ye know what the jest is worth.
<@CawklesGM> -Rudyard Kipling, "Prelude"
<@CawklesGM> IT IS THE 41st MILENNIUM...
<@CawklesGM> It is the evening of the first day of 001 998.M41, the sun finishing its slow crawl over to the horizon. The city of Qalyat is dappled by the soft oranges of the setting body of Amm, adding an insincere beauty to the miles and miles of wretched rockrete and abraded stone. Qalyat...the city on the Burning Sea, the port of call for an entire planet of strange cultures and stranger goods. An echo of times long past, consumed by fires both past and present. Imperial resettlement was not kind to this city. What was once a feudal paradise is now a maze of prefab habs and towering manufactorums dropped from the sky by uncaring masters. Each building a soulless clone of the other, packed to the gunnels with the desperate, the mad, and other survivors. The tendrils of the sweet salt air enmesh themselves with the stink of rot, industrial effluvia, and abject misery. The lapping of the waves against the shore is but one instrument in the mad orchestra of the Qalyatan night, playing counterpoint to screams and lone coughs of gunfire issuing forth from the barrel of some ganger's weapon. The call to the Great Feast of Waning, the celebration marking the beginning of the near year, wafts through the air gently, the Mahdite chant undeniably soothing in its tempo and grace. Its antipode to your situation is an irony not lost on you. The whole naked atrocity of your situation seldom leaves your mind. All one has to do is gaze at the Great Palace of Ashes, that mountainous ziggurat that meanders high into the sky until all of Qalyat can see it, to remember why you are here. *They* have turned that sacred place into a fortress, from which their strange orange ship flit to and fro like busy Harpin Sparrows. *They* issue forth daily, to terrorize the reticent people of Ghadeer until they are brought to heel. The very thought of them walking the streets that belong to humans is sickening, a crime against nature. A misdeed only you can rectify.
<@CawklesGM> You are Snow Squad, Dock Platoon, Howl Company, proud members of the 11th Peopel's Guerrilla Regiment. You are recumbent in your three room, top floor apartment that gives you a commanding view of the urban sprawl around you. To your north, the Rest of the Ashuran District in which you dwell stretches forth, the Gigantic monument that is the Temple Al-Ashur visible even from here. To your south, you see the docks; a nightmare of twisted steel and refugees, with behemoth cranes looming in the darkness like beasts stalking the approaching evening. Your squad has only been active and stationed for four days, and already the three rooms you live in have a decidedly "lived-in" look. Your main room has no windows, and only a single bolted portal leading to the rest of the hab complex. It seems like sweat, shit, and other unidentifiable substances, but its home. Ten cots are packed in tightly into this space, almost concealed by the mountains of gear, laundry, and other personal effects strung about hither and yon. The other rooms can only be accessed by permission of the sergeant; one is the latrine and the observation post, and fairly exposed to the outside by a giant hole in the wall created by an errant mortar round. The other is what gear you could drag from The Argo. Why The Blazing Trail high command imprecated you so and left you with little gear is a mystery to all. No matter. You will do your duty regardless.
<@CawklesGM> Most of the boys are here. Kassem's boy, Issam, is watching the door, leaning against the wall with lascarbine in hand. The kid a bald, twitchy little shit but he's a good shot and loyal soldier, a little too dedicated to the "People" but zealous adherence to the Blazing Trail Credo can hardly be construed as criminal. Handsome Abbass Musa, the Bazir, is working on plucking his thin mustache, slicking his hair down with grease until it shines like the stars in the sky. Jurdik Kamal, the Huge al-Isman man, is dead asleep; his heaving tattooed chest emits a ferocious snore that could wake the dead. Muffin, that Boog filch, isn't here; she's acting as runner to HQ squad. She left three hours ago and has yet to come back. Things are uncomfortably silent as the chirps of various vermin (both human and animal) begin to fill the muggy evening air.
* Ace_Nerat is sitting against the wall, checking over his new las-carbine(?) with adoration while smoking a lho stick
* Ace_Nerat glances upwards at the other combatants in the room, sizing them up
* Ishmael_Rahsingh was rereading his copy of the Way of the Cresting Sun while sitting on-top of a pile of boxes. Next to him was his las-carbine, unloaded. He was still somewhat new to all this, and hoped that reading the booklet over would give him new insights into his situation. He looked up from his book, once more surveying the room as he adjusted his glasses.
* Rajh_Tara checks his sling bag and checks his ammo.
* Roland sits against one of the walls in the bathroom looking out at the dense city through the hole in the walk
* Kassem_Marqus dutifully cleans his chainsword, as he does so, he shoots a glance at the loud al-Isman man.
<Ace_Nerat> "Eh Boss, any idea what we's doing?"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Rise and shine, trooper."
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik groans. "Fuck off, sarge. Tryna slep..."
* Ace_Nerat rises and gives the sleeping man a swift kick
<Ace_Nerat> "I don't want to hear that from you ever again, or i'ma mount your skull."
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik stumbles out of his cot, swearing pithy curses all the way down. Issam titters, his eyes darting about. Abbass lets himself have a dignified chuckle.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh brings out his small launcher, still keeping the safety lid on the trigger as he messes around with what posture he should have for firing, trying to follow the illustrations in the book.
* Kassem_Marqus finishes cleaning out the handle of his chainsword, and secures it around his waist.
<@CawklesGM> "Ya welcome to try, sarge." Jurdik growls, before letting out a boisterous chuckle. "Ay Ish, don't fuck around wit that."
* Roland gets up and heads out of the bathroom and over to the Sargent.
* Ace_Nerat brings his chainsword up to the mans chin
* Ishmael_Rahsingh looks back at Jurdik. "What? The safety's still on. Nothing to worry about."
<Ace_Nerat> "Are you sure?"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Anything of note, Roland?"
* Ishmael_Rahsingh sighs and locks it back into the carrying position. "Fine, fine. See? It's put away now."
<Ace_Nerat> "Sarge, permission give this lacky a whipping?"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Ease off, Nerat. I'm sure our sleeping beauty didn't mean it." he waves off the Corporal.
* Roland looks at Kassem, "An Aquila lander has landed on one of the palaces landing pads."
<Ace_Nerat> "Lucky break boy." he gives the man a few light taps on the cheek and returns to his position
<@CawklesGM> Abbass snorts. "Aquila. By the pair, That's imperial isn't it?"
* Kassem_Marqus reaches for his magnoculars and walks over to the opening  on the wall.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Let's have a closer look..."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh walks up behind Kassem, curious.
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik Kamal grins. "Fer you, Ace. I'll beat the superstitious right outta ya, boy...!"* Rajh_Tara grabs his Lascarbine and follows behind the Sarge.
* Ace_Nerat gives a laugh and stands, moving next to Kassem
<@CawklesGM> There is a great bloody pounding on the steel door. Issam nearly snaps a shot off. That kid is jumpy.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Definitely Imperial..." he lowers the magnoculars at the sound on the door.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh rushes to his lascarbine after jumping at the loud pound.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Take point."
<@CawklesGM> "GUYS!" He yells in a sotto voce. "GUYS, THE DOOR!"
* Ace_Nerat clicks his chainsword onto his belt
* Rajh_Tara points his gun at the door.
* Roland picks up his las carbine and aims it at the door.
<Rajh_Tara> "Sarge, orders?"
<@CawklesGM> Abbass, Jurdik, and Issam take up positions near the door. Issam looks to his commanding officer. "Shall I proffer the challenge?"
<@CawklesGM> The banging on the door continues, this time more ferocious.
* Kassem_Marqus nods, hand on his laspistol.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh loads his las-carbine but doesn't raise it just yet.
* Ace_Nerat grabs Rajh by the collar and pushes him towards the door "Stack up!."
<@CawklesGM> Issam leans towards the door. "Bilger!" he yells. No response. "BILGER!"
* Roland stack's up along the wall.
* Ace_Nerat leans against the wall and crosses his arms
<@CawklesGM> Then, a voice. "...AAAAAAH YA FECKIN' DEEK 'EAD! JES' LEMME IN! I CANNAE MEMB TAH STOOP PASS!"
<Ace_Nerat> "There is me girl..."
* Kassem_Marqus sighs, his head lowered
* Ace_Nerat walks towards the door "Muff is that you?"
<Kassem_Marqus> He waves the men off their strained position.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Open up."
* Rajh_Tara lowers his guns and says "By the Emperor..."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh sighs softly. "That was close..."
<@CawklesGM> Issam sighs and wings open the door. And there she is, Muffin, the Boog. She is a spritely, sylph young woman with messy dark hair that tumbles to her tan shoulders. For the assistant to a corporal, she isn't particularly big; standing a hair under 5"6, she's big for a woman of Boog descent but smaller than every last one of you. Her big blue eyes and snaggle-toothed grin gives her a cute, impish face that has oft been described as either "adorable" or "Punchable". A huge bag is slung around her shoulders, and large vox pack is wrapped in her grip. "Any fellers wanna 'elp? Fellin' purty cactus here, boyos. This sheila outta gasss..."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Issam," Kassem nods him over.
<@CawklesGM> "You should remember the challenge, Muffin." Admonishes Issam. Muffin spits. "Shutty," She snarls, waddling into the apartment with her onus.
* Roland relaxes a bit, but keep his carbine at the ready.
<@CawklesGM> The young man walks over and takes the vox pack from Muffin. She casts the bag around her shoulders to the floor. With all the gear off of her, you see Muffin is (once again), shirtless. Her perky puffy "muffins" sway to and fro, and a fact to which she pays no mind. She is more focused on keeping her small necklace of junk attached to her neck. Abbass whistles.*
Ace_Nerat walks over to muffin and clots her ear "How often do I have to remind you that we are in a warzone you runt, take this serious or I'll string you up for the tau to take."
* Rajh_Tara leans against the wall with his lascarbine at the ready peeking out from the hole on the wall.
<@CawklesGM> "Kepp in tah trousa, boyo. Feckin' dag, that one is.." She squeaks as her superior clocks her.
* Ace_Nerat grabs the nearest blanket and flings it over the small woman
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "I'm surprised you made it here with all that on your back. At least nobody noticed the gear thanks to your distractions." He jokes as he walks over to check the bag.
<Ace_Nerat> "And keep your clothes on for Emperor's sake."
<@CawklesGM> "Ya polers are drango. Ya shuld know that I dunt strut 'round wit tah girls out fa nary a resson."
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Again, nice distraction. Anyways, what's in the bag?"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Enough of that. What did HQ so-generously send us?"
<@CawklesGM> Muffin rips open the bag. "I dindu tek dis here hawl from HQ..." She says, trying to stifle a laugh. An avalanche of canned food, some slices of grox, Lho packs, strange chemicals, some clothes, and a...Tau helmet? She beams her terror of a mouth to all present.
<Ace_Nerat> "Muff I swear I'm going to kill you."
<@CawklesGM> "Felks shuddy watch mer der stuff, methinks. Keppin' things ooot an' aboot...bad ferm. I had tah tek it all."
<@CawklesGM> Muffin pats her superior's shoulder. "Ya neh ya luff me."
* Kassem_Marqus picks up the helmet.
* Ace_Nerat eyes begin to twitch as he suppresses his rage
<@CawklesGM> The thing is an abomination of xenos optics and smooth surfaces. The inside smells vaguely of vomit.
<@CawklesGM> Abbass coolly slides over to Muffin. draping and arm around her shoulder. He looks like he's about to drop a line, then-
* Ishmael_Rahsingh looks away as she displays her mouth, shuddering slightly. "Well... shame the armor didn't come with it."
<@CawklesGM> "I neh, yeh? HQ wunted meh to tell yeh ya drongoes tat is on. 'Ration Blek Fest is on."
<@CawklesGM> Operation Bleak Feast. The proposed attack on the Great Waning Feast being held at the Temple Al-Ashur.
<Kassem_Marqus> "What am I meant to do with this..." he drops the helmet on the table.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Okay... what will be our job?"
<Ace_Nerat> "Finally something useful comes out of your mouth." He walks back over to muffin and pulls her away from the Cassanova
<@CawklesGM> Muffin shrugs. "Eet wuz jess lyin' round, sarge...Anywho, Lieunten Abra'am wunts us tah get tah der ronday at curtyerd alfa 'er whatev. Like...right neh."
<@CawklesGM> You suspect she means to say "Courtyard Alpha." You know the place, it's 25 blocks from here, to the north.
<Ace_Nerat> "You heard her, get your gear and get ready to move out."
<Rajh_Tara> "Understood."
* Ace_Nerat shoves muffin towards her bunk and leaves to collect his gear
<@CawklesGM> Abbass stands up and starts to wrangle his gear, as does Jurdik and Issam. Muffin starts to gather her things as well before stopping to glare menacingly at her fatigues and torso armor. With great reluctance, she straps to her chest and puts the "girls" away.
* Roland nods to Ace and grabs the rest of his equipment, including his flamer.
* Rajh_Tara grabs his sling-bag and his rifle.
<Ace_Nerat> "Sound off. If you're not ready by now, half rations."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh grabs his gear, trying to make his clothes seem baggier in order to hide his weapons and armor.
<Rajh_Tara> "Armed and ready."
<@CawklesGM> Issam straps the vox pack to his back and starts to head out the door alongside the rest of your comrades. The outside hallway is spare, several rusy pups hanging overhead, grim reminders of the dilapidation around you. There is a young mother, a Mahdite by the look of it, nursing a child. You can see the fear in her eyes as the squad emerges, her blood running cold. she swiftly disappears through some egress.
<Roland> "Ready." Roland says as he finishes checking his Flamer.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Leave nothing behind. Prepare to move out."
<@CawklesGM> "Ready", "I-I'm ready sir", "Reddy an' mebbe jes' a lil' hot..."
* Ace_Nerat salutes the sergeant and heads up
* Kassem_Marqus takes the lead, dragging the vox-boy by the collar to follow just behind him.
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik saunters out last, accompanying Ishmael. "Temple Al-Ashur, eh? Gonna shoot up some God botherers..."
* Ace_Nerat sighs, watching the sergeant take lead with envy
* Roland follows Kassenm.
* Rajh_Tara follows next to Sarge with carbine at hand.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Well, we don't know yet, Jurdik. So don't get all trigger happy."
<Ace_Nerat> "I want you all at peak alertness."
<@CawklesGM> The squad hustles downstairs, through increasingly dark stairwells. What glow lamps there are, they flicker ominously. As you get into the bottom reception area a man behind a desk salutes you as you pass. One of the squaddies from the other squad stationed here. The squad acknowledges Ace unanimously. Jurdik calls out a taunt to the man behind the desk: "Stayin' here, guy?"
<@CawklesGM> "Have to hold down the fort, brother."
<@CawklesGM> "Pussy"
<@CawklesGM> "Faggot."
<@CawklesGM> They both share a laugh and before you know it you are out on the Qalyatan streets.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "So, we walking all the way over?"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Problem?" Kassem chuckles to himself.
<Ace_Nerat> "Unless you have a wheel sitting in your ass."
<@CawklesGM> Your hab complex is an a particularly cramped part of the Ashuran district. The sounds of the night are deeper here, louder, their stentorian report shaking you to the core. The buzzing, the screaming, the humming...
<Ace_Nerat> "The sound of home."
* Kassem_Marqus puts his hand on his ear.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Comms check+
<Ace_Nerat> +Loud and clear bossman.+
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "No... just that this stuff is heavy. Reduces effectiveness and all that."
<Rajh_Tara> +1,2, Copy.+
<@CawklesGM> The light here is a pitiful, beleaguered glow lamps sitting on poles, overwhelmed by the onrushing darkness. The other hab blocks tower over you like the giants of yore, mocking you in your tininess.
<Roland> +Copy+
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> +Copy, copy.+
<Kassem_Marqus> +Stay sharp, keep chatter to a minimum+
<@CawklesGM> Some lights come on in the hab blocks across the street. A shadow darts across a window, limned in light.
<@CawklesGM> Your squad steals away into the darkness, your steps mere whispers on the pavement. The maze of buildings crush closer in closer; many a time you have to sidle through small gaps, crawl through sewage ports, dash through courtyards occupied by the fearful and desperate. You come upon a deep, dark alley on your way to the rendezvous. You here some ebullient cantillation. A pair of dark legs are hanging out from some door way, kicking the trash and rats that pass it by.
<@CawklesGM> "Ooooooh ooooooh~~~ It'a-a coming...It'a-a coming..."
* Kassem_Marqus holds a fist up in the air.
<@CawklesGM> The wrinkled old legs continue to kick about. Abbass pinches his nose, the refined young Bazir taken aback by the filth of this terrible place.
<@CawklesGM> The squad screeches to a halt....
<Kassem_Marqus> +Ace, with me.+
<Kassem_Marqus> Kassem advances, hand on his laspistol.
* Rajh_Tara readies his gun and waits for further orders.
* Ace_Nerat follows behind him
<@CawklesGM> "There was a time of dark...then a time of light...and then a time of dark. The Cyclical nature of the cosmos is done, in effigy, by the Shadows that Blow across the dunes..."
* Roland readies his carbine.
<@CawklesGM> "It's a-a coming... it's a-a coming..."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh grits his teeth and holds his breath, feeling somewhat disgusted as he waits, ready to draw his lasgun at a moment's notice.
* Kassem_Marqus approaches the mysterious figure, slowly.
<@CawklesGM> An old man leans from his stoop, his tangled white beard hanging from his chin down to his feet. His head is a leathery, wrinkled mess, blotched by liver spots. He leers at you with his one good eye, his fierce gaze typical of al-Isman.
* Ace_Nerat remains as quiet as possible as he ghosts his sergeant
<@CawklesGM> "Why...why, you are travellers, yes? Hello...hello!"
<@CawklesGM> He stands up from his steep; you can hear his bones creak. He was sitting on a large rifle.
<Kassem_Marqus> "We're travelling," Kassem confirms.
* Ace_Nerat remains silent
<@CawklesGM> The man grips Kassem, his form suddenly animated by a terrible energy. "Listen, boy. It's coming. I've seen it with me one good eye. The war songs of the al-Ismah knew it would return, and I can confirmed it. Imperator Reqbah, I've seen it and it's terrible. The Hateful Year."
<@CawklesGM> "The hateful year," He raves. "THE HATEFUL YEAR! Niassi's return, it's a-coming..."
* Kassem_Marqus grabs at the hand the old man is holding him with.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Speak sense, old man."
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Uh... he's kinda speaking sense. Old tales but..."
<Kassem_Marqus> +Approach+
* Ishmael_Rahsingh moves up. "Yes?"
<Kassem_Marqus> "You speak lunatic, Rahsingh?"
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "No, I do not. I do speak old history and legends, though! Which is what I think he's actually talking about. Something about a big bloodbath and the return of an old tyrant."
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Old legends, really."
<@CawklesGM> "YES! YES! You know..." He turns to the sergeant. "He knows! Listen, you need to listen...Your carbine will avail you not against the forces arrayed before you. Here, I will traide you yours for mine..."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh looks behind the old man, towards the weapon he is offering. "What do you offer?"
<@CawklesGM> He stoops down and retrieves the rifle. It's a lasgun...but one you've never seen. It's a brutally constructed thing of extra heat cowling and heavy rifle buff. Its energy pack grows ominiously. Its discharge must be terrifying...
<Kassem_Marqus> "Seize it."
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Hmm. Where did you get this?"
* Ace_Nerat stops
<Ace_Nerat> "That ain't right sarg."
<@CawklesGM> There is a twinkle in the man's eye. He proffers it forward.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh brings out his las-carbine. "Mind if I look at it. See if it works?"
<@CawklesGM> "Freh sheet...Feck me freckle, take it!"
* Ace_Nerat slaps muffin upside the head
<@CawklesGM> She cries out in pain. Issam chuckles.
<Ace_Nerat> "We either trade him or leave, Ain't right to steal from an oldie."
<@CawklesGM> "whaddie dat fer?"
* Kassem_Marqus takes a few steps up to Ace, "Fall in line Corporal."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh shrugs and hands his carbine over, trying to take the lasgun.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "I'll trust you on this."
* Ace_Nerat stands his ground
<@CawklesGM> The old man takes the las carbine, tittering like a mad man. "Yes...yes this shall be my lance. Niassi shant take me now..."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Private. You take that carbine back. Standard issue gear is not for gift-giving. That's an order."
<@CawklesGM> He folds up the las carbine and lays it beside him. He sits down. "Leave this terrible place, young one. The Hateful year is coming." He spits a black bean onto the ground.
<@CawklesGM> The old man places his hand on the carbine. "No it's mine now."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh examines the lasgun. "But look at this, sir."
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "This is clearly more beefy."
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik is audibly groaning at this superstitious nonsense he's hearing...Niassi, the Hateful year, what a joke!
<Kassem_Marqus> "That wasn't a question, old man. Hand over the weapon, and get back inside," Kassem's hand firmly on his chainsword.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Hey, there's actually a bit of truth to all that. There's ruins and studies. A uh... colleague of mine used to work on this stuff."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh then tries to stand between Kassem and the old man. "Hey, we made a good trade here. He might have more stuff for us in the future."
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Hearts and minds and all that." Ishmael speaks in a hushed tone.
<@CawklesGM> The man acquiesces, handing over the carbine. There is still a knowing look in his eyes that is, frankly, disturbing. "To you, young sergeant, I thus Imprecate the following curse: Your endeavours will also foul up. You will never succeed. When the Hateful Year comes, all that you know will be undone. Pray to the God-Emperor, young one. Your doom approaches." The lights suddenly go out in the alley.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Move out+
* Ace_Nerat in the dark slips the old man his laspistol
<@CawklesGM> "DA FEEK?" Issam lets off a carbine shot, it's bright red lance flying into the sky. The lights slowly return...and the old man is gone.
<@CawklesGM> "Spukky...spukky an' not right."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Calm your nerves, boy..."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh readies his rifle and looks around before slowly realizing that Issam fired. "Damn it, boy! Everyone heard that shit! We must get out!"
* Roland stands there looking where the old man was sitting.
<Ace_Nerat> "That was far from right, what use is fighting if we are no better than the tau."
* Rajh_Tara "Let's move it. We can argue about it later."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Gather the squad and move out, Corporal." Kassem repeats.
<Ace_Nerat> +Form up, we are moving out.+
* Ace_Nerat storms ahead
<@CawklesGM> Abbass cast a glance to Ace. "By the pair is that...sentiment I hear?" The squad listens to their sergeant and begins to hustle.
<@CawklesGM> You work your way through the streets until you reach the muster. It's packed between four different habs, a little courtyard meant for child's play. Now it is host to a different activity all toghter...
<@CawklesGM> The assembled Blazing Trail mutter as you arrive, gasping at the man in your company. A Red Guard? HERE? The sussurus created by a hundred gathered men makes quite a racket, and several NCOs have to beat heads togther to restore order. You are packed like sardines in their, some men being forced to cling to the balconies of habs to see the center platform set up by HQ squad. By the looks of it, a little over half of Howl Company is present.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "I don't like this..." Ishmael comments under his breath, having a few reasons not to.
<Rajh_Tara> "Worried about what the old man said?"
* Ace_Nerat remains silent, a dark scowl on his face
<@CawklesGM> YOu see some familiar faces in the crowd: Howl Company boys and girls you trained with. Sergeant Ziida and her "Cunts" are all assembled, chittiering like harpes and bedekced in ornate Mhadite Jewelery and tattooing. Sergant Ali, the "strongest man in Ghadeer", is performing for some startled onlookers who've never witnessed Al-Isman Sword eating. Sergeant Wrenchman, the Boog, is here as well. A highly decorated vet, the mutton chopped man is a mountain of muscle with guts for brains. The intimidating Boog Ranger at his hip could take the head off a tau at three hundred paces.
<@CawklesGM> Several of Ziida's squad members turn your way when they see your squad approach. All of them want to get a look at Abbass Musa. The youngest of their number looks like she' making moon eyes before her notoriously caustic sergeant brings her back into line.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Just so many people in such a small space. Makes me uneasy. Though yes, also what he said... And then he just vanished like that. Maybe he was onto something."
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik scoff. "And here I was thinkin' ya were smart, Ish."
<@CawklesGM> A hush comes over the crowd. He's here.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Which is why I think so. Wish I could take you to the old college and show you some of the research there."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh then sighs and shrugs. "Bloody Tau probably destroyed it all by now, anyways..."
<@CawklesGM> A pudgy man waddles onto the raised platform, light glitning off his bare scalp, wind playing witht he shocks of white hair stubbornly clinging to the sides of his head. His swagger is jovial, grandfatherly even, and his force of character more than makes up for his lack of height. It's Lt. Abra'am-Ben Maora, leader of your platoon (Dock Company). By his side are the other platoon leaders and your company Captain, Oliver de Frank. De Frank is...not a figure of popularity among the men. A pasty arkwrither, his tied back hair, noble bearing, and baby face makes him a target of ridicule; his callous treatment of his "lessers" earns him opprobrium.
<@CawklesGM> Muffin gives Ishmael a brothelry pat on the back before looking up at the stage with the rest of the assembled men. Oliver De Frank clears his throat.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh looks up, the soft pat bringing him back to the present.
<@CawklesGM> "Gentlemen. We are gathered here today to begin the execution of the people's war, for the greater glory of the Blazing trail. Our target: The Temple of Al-Ashur." Gasps from men not in the know, cries of protest from Mahdites who believe the site to be sacred.
* Kassem_Marqus nods, solemnly
<Ace_Nerat> 'Ain't that sacred or somethins?"
<@CawklesGM> "I know, I know. The building has been desecrated. Use that righteous indignation to fuel your hate as you attack the Great Waning Feast being held there. The damnable xenos must know that the Ashuran District belongs to *us*!" Some men grunt in agreement. "All those who are attending that feast are guilty of heresy. They collude with those who pollute our streets. Our primary mission is to slay them, to terrorize them, to show them that their ilk will not be tolerated. Hurrah?"
<@CawklesGM> The crowd is mostly silent. Inscrutable Oliver De Frank moves on, not pissing a beat.
<@CawklesGM> "Your platoon leaders will brief you on what you are to do. Each and every one of you, formation, now."
<@CawklesGM> The men look around confused. Is he serious? Formation? There is barely enough room for them as is.
* Roland listens to Abra'am-Ben Maora, as he looks forward to taking out some Tau.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Squad! Form up!" Kassem barks.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh approaches Kassem. "We are going to avoid damaging the place, right?"
<Ace_Nerat> +Form up maggots!+ He shouts into his mic.
* Roland approaches Kassem.
<@CawklesGM> Lt. Abra'am drops from the platform to inspect his forming squads. Dock Platoon, adroit and disciplined, gets into position despite space constraints.
* Ace_Nerat growls into the commbead +Do I need to ask again?+
* Ace_Nerat with a few shoves and blows, manages to get the squad into formation
<@CawklesGM> "Hello boys", He begins, his tone conversational. Muffin scurries into position , egged on by Corporal Ace. At his barking the rest of the squad falls in too.
* Ace_Nerat snaps a salute "Hello Sir!"
* Rajh_Tara stands next to the Sarge.
<@CawklesGM> "Here's the skinny, gents. We got the bollocks duty." The man makes some gesture, beseeching the God-Emperor to forgive his foul language."We're hitting the front of the temple. Head on assault."
<@CawklesGM> "Sergeant Wrenchman." He says, snapping to the Boog.
<@CawklesGM> "Sirrah?"
<@CawklesGM> "You're in command of the frontal assault. Snow, Rattle, and Viper shall be your righteous instruments of justice." You are more than a little tickled by his theatrics, his stubby arms going to and fro as he speaks.
<@CawklesGM> "Aye aye, Sirrah."
<@CawklesGM> He turns on his heels. "Sergeant Kassem."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Aye, Sir?"
<@CawklesGM> "You and your men will stay on the ground whilst Rattle, Viper, and Trouble take to the buildings to provide covering fire. Your men will be on point, and first across the road and through the temple." The short man eyes you up and down, trying to probe for hesitation.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh whistles a bit.
<Kassem_Marqus> "It would be Snow squad's pleasure, sir," he responds with a slight smirk.
<@CawklesGM> Lt. Abra'am smiles and nods. "Very Good. SNOW! VIPER! RATTLE! TROUBLE! YA KNOW WHAT YA NEED TO DO, NOW DO IT! When you hear 'bleak feast' over the comms, commence the attack! Do I make myself understood?"
<Ace_Nerat> "Yes Sir!"
<@CawklesGM> "YES SIR!" The addressed soldiers reply.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Yes Sir!"
<@CawklesGM> Sergeant Wrenchman motions for the squads to follow him. "FOLLOW ME BOYS!" he begins to chant. "THE PEOPLE! UNITED! CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED!"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Snow squad! Move out!"
<Ace_Nerat> +You hear him, get moving.+
<@CawklesGM> The soldiers repeat the chant, following him in lockstep as they move out of the courtyard.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh rolls his eyes as he moves with his squad.
* Roland follows Kassem
* Rajh_Tara says "Dumbasses..." under his breath and follows the Sarge.
<@CawklesGM> As you approach the target throuhg the snaking alleyways, the chanting quiets down considerably. You hear the massed buzzing of thousands of people, all assembling before the temple of Al-Ashur... Eventually, Sergeant Wrenchman motions towards a hab, its bottom floors a hodgepodge of tiny shops and barber salons. "Thar. Snow, get sneaked in there, the rest o' you follow me."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Time to shop, Squad. Blend in."
* Ace_Nerat walks around chatting with venders and arguing prices, while slowly making his way closer to the temple
* Roland walks around checking out the different venders.
<@CawklesGM> The assembled squads nod in affirmation. Ziida's cunts of rattle squad peel away first; the youngest waves goodbye at Abbas, who returns the gesture. Sergeant Ali and Viper squad pass by yours. The gigantic man grumbles as he passes your squad; the "strongest man in Ghadeer" wanted the glory of being on point. Trouble Squad and Wrenchman finally peel past. Wrenchman nods at Kassem. "Good Luck, brother. All-Papi be with ye."
<Kassem_Marqus> "And you," he nods sincerely
<Ace_Nerat> +If I survive this I'm taking one of the cunts out for a drink.+
<@CawklesGM> "All-Papi an' 'is gold cher be wit us, inded..." Muffin mutters. She itches her armor unformtably as she begins to blend with the people crowding around the markets. Some of them are shopping, most of them are trying to push through the alleys to see the double streets and the temple facade across it.
<@CawklesGM> +Ehhh, I wouldn't...+ Abbass chimes in. +That young one, Jain, she's the only nice one. The other ones are either whores or got the clap.+
<Ace_Nerat> +Jain it is then.+
<Kassem_Marqus> +Pipe down, lads. Stay on alert+
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> +Clap?+
<@CawklesGM> +eet barns wen ya pees, Ish. Thass tah clep.+
<@CawklesGM> +Y-you heard the sarge. Quiet down.+ Issam's voice is getting a little shaky
<Ace_Nerat> +Thanks for the science lessons muff.+
<Rajh_Tara> +Off the comms, NOW!+
* Ace_Nerat finds Issam and gives him a reassuring pat on the back before blending away
<Kassem_Marqus> +Maintain a three meter spread on approach+
<Rajh_Tara> +Copy.+
<@CawklesGM> Pushing thruogh the assmebled crowds of dirty peasants, desperate refugees, and the criminally insane, you reach the lip of the street. A large, double road seperates your row of hab blocks from the temple facade itself. THe two-way road, a vital artery of the Ashura district, is clogged with people and vehicles. Thousands of them are standing on top of the civilian land cars, trying to get a peek at the noble personages entering the party. Those in the vehilces are rubbernecking as well, often to the detriment of those behind them who must put up with this gigantic traffic jam. Two roads run up the side of the Temple, running along its 1500m length. You spy several Qalyatan auxilia and their technicals waiting there. You can't help but feel a little anger in your hearts; the Qalyatan Auxilia threw their lot in with "Sultan" Joshua-Ben Shiva, the de facto tyrant of Qalyat, and now oppress their fellows in the name of the Tau Empire. But these are secondary concerns compared to what you see before you...
* Ace_Nerat doesn't feel the familiar weight of his knife, he panics for a moment then...
<Ace_Nerat> +Muffin, report to me now runt.+
<@CawklesGM> The Temple of Al-Ashur. Beautiful domes, four spiralling minarets at each corner, a gigantic facade carved with intricate relief work depciting scenes from the folk tales of the Mahdites. A modest little gate cirumvallates the entire temple, beginning near the double doors that serve as the entrance to the temple. The beautiful relief work that towers into the sky, however, is covered up; the tau have draped their own symbol over it, obscuring the most breath taking scenes with their foul symbology. "The Greater Good"...it declares "Is the means by which slaves are set free." You know better, of course, but do the massed people here know that? Are their souls already in jeopardy? No matter. You have more important things to worry about. Like how the main double doors, despite being wide open, are heavily guarded. Two platofrms have been erected behind the temple's gate, giving two squads of xenos warriors and their attendnat human machine gunenrs a commanding view of the street. A sandbagged barrier guards the doors themesleves, where some freakish, former human, wearing xenos armor, stands welcoming guests with warm smile and devious intent. From here, you count about 12 warriors, most of them Tau fire warriors.
<@CawklesGM> The Xenos warriors are disciplined in their patrolling of the raised platform, keeping their inscrutable helmets firmly affixed on the crowd, hunting for men like you. There is a steady stream of richly affected Mahdites pouring through the front gates, from which dainty tunes lilt forth.
<@CawklesGM> Muffin thumbs her microbead. +Wudduya ned, boss?+
<Ace_Nerat> +Give me my knife back before I castrate you.+
<@CawklesGM> The woman hesitates. +Heh do ya plen in castin' me, boss? Ya gun dig oot meh ovars wit tah knoife ya dunt 'ave?+ She chuckles. +Yeh yeh I giv eet back...I giv eet back...+
<Ace_Nerat> +I always have the chainsword.+
<@CawklesGM> +I would love to dig out your ovaries, Muffin.+ Oh, Abbass. Muffin's silence is damning, shooting the cassanova right down.
<@CawklesGM> +Chensoard, eh? Das darty. Kep ya orbz ford, boss. I tink one o' dem tauz is lookie roight at ya.+
<Ace_Nerat> +Next time i'll stuff you in the treadfeather and shoot you at em.+ he says, returning to blending
<@CawklesGM> Lo' and behold, one of the tau is looking off in your general direction. On the left of the entrance, he patrolls the raised platform, carrying himself like a true sergeant (or whatever equilavent rank those foul xenos have). "L'eh! Rai shi'auch! L'eh!" He barks at the crowd, as they approach two close, brandishing his strange rectangular rifle at the assembled civilians. The language of coercion crosses the barries of species, and the onlookers backaway.
<@CawklesGM> The assembled crowd is chittering excitedly. The Great Waning Feast is a Mahdite tradition stretching back milennia, celebrating the cycle of time and the retreat of Amm behind the horizon after Ashura and Shaban banisehd the first long night in the earliest days of Ghadeeran civilization. The celebration at the Temple of Al-Ashur is always the most lavish...and it looks like the Tau are using the occassion to engender good will and make inroads with the olca population.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Wrenchman. Get eyes on the left minaret. We've got a sentry out there, and he's on the lookout+
<@CawklesGM> The Shas'ui on the wall clutches his helmet. It looks like's he's receiving a transmission. He nudges the machine gunner and he perks up. You approach the middle median of the road, placing you about 40m from the temple and crushed between traffic jammed vehiles and excited civilians.
<@CawklesGM> +Aye aye, Sirrah. The sneaky lil' dickens...+
<@CawklesGM> A long cough of staccato gunfire bounces between the habs. There is a sudden ripple of fear in the crowd, who begin to look around nervously for where it came from.
<@CawklesGM> The men on the platforms suddenly go on alert, crouching beside the low wall and scanning the crowd with their rifles. The gue'vesa, spooked, ushers in the last of the guests and seals the door. +Ashura's grace, the hell is going on?+ It's Ziida, sounding confused as ever. The crowd is getting antsy now, stirring in a neervous panic like spooked beasts.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh pretends to be as nervous as the rest of the crowd around him as he whispers into his micro-bead. +Permission to blast the towers?+
<Kassem_Marqus> +Look spooked+ Kassem begins to look around, in the same manner as the crowd, yet continues to close the distance to his objective
* Ace_Nerat acts as the crowd does, waiting for ordes
<Ace_Nerat> orders
* Roland acts like the crowd.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Wrenchman, we're going to need to react. Soon. What are your orders?+
<@CawklesGM> More gunfire. Then you hear it: The unmistakable sound of las gun boiling the air, on the opposite end of the compound. It sounds like dozens of rifles, going off at once. The crowd is in full blown panic now, trampling each other in a panic to escape, the horrified wailing of babies and screams of women drowning out conversation. You hear the crunch of bones, and terrified yells; in a panic to escape, some vehicles ran down entire groups of people, their bodies crushed and tossed aside. Any form of composure is now well and truly lost. +Wrenchman, fuckin' hell and a field, what's going on? Did we miss the signal?+ Ziida's voice is confused, angry, and shaky. Puddles of blood are forming in the streets.
<@CawklesGM> +No! We didn't hear nothin'? Kassam, get your vox boy and try to raise HQ on the horn!+
<@CawklesGM> You hear some screeching over the vox. +FECK! FECK! THEY GON' TRUMPLE MEH! FER FECK'S SAKE HELP!+
* Kassem_Marqus gets right on his vox-boy's face, to be heard.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Get me HQ, now!"
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik cries out over the microbead. +START PUNCHIN'! START PUNCHIN'!+
<@CawklesGM> Issam, trying to steady himself against the rapidly disintergrating crowd, brings the vox piece to his head. He listens for a moment, and his face goes pale. +IT'S THE DAMN COHORT! THEY'RE HERE!"
<@CawklesGM> And a warcry straight from the netherrealm rings out, carried by laud hailers. "IMPERATOR REQBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
<Kassem_Marqus> +Pop smoke! Get that flamer ready!+
<Ace_Nerat> +Frags sarge?+ Starting his chainsword
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> +Pop it where? And do you want me to blast the towers?!+
<@CawklesGM> An explosion rocks the front entrance of the temple. Somebody rushed between there, let out his whoop, and...disappeared in a ball of flame. The sealed door is now blown wide open.
<Roland> +Understood+ Roland says as  he readies his Flamer.
* Rajh_Tara readies his hot-shot lasgun.
<@CawklesGM> +Launch the attack!+ Issam screams. +LAUNCH! LAUNCH! THEY'RE GONNA BE ON OUR FLANK REAL SOON!+
<@CawklesGM> +Feck!!!!+
<Kassem_Marqus> +Smoke right up ahead, cover our advance. Fire off a round at that tower, and get that flamer on point; everyone stacks behind him.+
<@CawklesGM> Discipline of fire has completely broken down for the tau. The machine gunner begins to fire with wild abandon; several onlookers cry out in pain as high caliber bullets rip through them, their bodies suddenly bereft of animus and drop with a thud. Blood and gore slick the ground, the hellish cries of agony painting a hellish landscape before you. By the God-Emperor, it's terrifying.
<@CawklesGM> Ishmael drops to his knee, his treadfeather roaring as its missile streaks through the air towards the top of the minaret. You can only imagine the look on the Tau's face as the missile streams right towards him. With a fiery explosion, the entire top of the tower disintergrates, its top continuing to burn like the triumphant torch of the people. Ace chucks a grenade at the left position, a cloud of burning smoke enshrouds both positions.
<@CawklesGM> +WOOOOOOOOOO!+ Issam Whoops, watching the minaret burn. Jurdik snickers. +Mahdites ain't gonna like that, Ish.+
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> +Either that or being dead! Also, I'm ethnically one so they can't say anything!+
<Roland> +Moving up.+ Roland advances forward, staying in cover.
<Rajh_Tara> "اللعنة تاو"
<@CawklesGM> The proud Red Guard dives to cover behind a land car and lines up a quick shot, the brigh tlance taking his head clean off. The limp corpse slumps over the fence and hits the street, its cauterized neck still burning red.
<@CawklesGM> The leftmost tau sergeant rallies his men. He shouldres his pulse rifle and points at the onrushing squad. The Tau, disciplined and well trained, perform a flawless return fire!
<@CawklesGM> A gigantic volley of fire comes your way, clipping Rajh in the head. The machine gunner lets out a furious fusilade, pinning some of the squad under a huge curtain of bullets.
<@CawklesGM> Muffin cries out, trying keep her head down. Jurdik, Issam, and Abbass try to continue advancing, grunting and swearing as the fire coming their way to forces them to advance carefully. +Rajh's hit! RAJH IS HIT+ Screams Abbass.
<@CawklesGM> Then the second squadron fires. This second fusilade is even worse, winging Rajh even more and slamming into Ishmael's chest, bowling him over.
<Kassem_Marqus> +GET THEM! YOU ARE THE EMPEROR'S JUSTICE! DESTROY THE DEFILER XENOS, AND BRING THEM HELL!+ Kassem shouts into the comms as he closes the distance.
<@CawklesGM> +RAAAAAAAAAH!+ Muffin seems to be in the spirit of things, at least.
<@CawklesGM> Abbass hands off the lascrbine on his back, shoving it into Roland's hands. +Here, brother! Make it count!+
* Rajh_Tara is playing dead.
* Roland takes the lascarbine and takes a shot but misses
<@CawklesGM> The Tau's fire team fails to find purchase, panicked as they are by the approaching insurgents.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh quickly pops out of cover for a moment and lets another rocket off. It hits the sha'shui right in the chest, the shrapnel plus the officer's remains tear up the rest of the squad before they realized what happened.
* Rajh_Tara gets ups.
* Ace_Nerat launches himself at the Tau with pure hatred burning in his soul. As soon as one of the bastards are within range he swings full force, cutting the Xeno in two. Panicked by the sudden assault. the rest flee and he chases after them, laying waste to every one of them
<@CawklesGM> In response to the assault, the qalyatan auxilia storm out of the side of the temple, but are met by the las fire of your allies. It seems Item Company has decided to show up, and you see Viper, Trouble, and Rattle abandon their position and prepare to move into position. Issam Lets out a whoop as he storms forward. Jurdik Kamal, the big man, hoists Ishmael onto his shoulder and storms forward.
* Ace_Nerat cuts the heads off one of the tau and mounts it on the fence
<Ace_Nerat> +SHOULD I MOVE IN?+ Still screaming from adrenaline
* Ishmael_Rahsingh limps alongside Jurdik, holding onto his lasgun now. "That was some crazy shit... did you see those fucking explosions?"
<@CawklesGM> Muffin, with Corporal Ace, lays into the Tau with her Boog guttin' knife. She lays on top of the human machinegunner, screaming obsecenties and stabbing him furiously. Drenched in blood and with a heaving chest, she looks up for more targets. +Dayum,+ She swears. +You wunt tah werk boss.+
* Roland get up out of cover and moves up switch, as he hands back the Las Carbine to Abbass and switches to his Flamer.
* Rajh_Tara tries to help Ishmael.
<Ace_Nerat> +I try my dear.+
<@CawklesGM> The squad forms on the blasted door. Before you, you see a marble foyer, its covered carpets and statuary all thrown about. You hear gunfire and las fire echoing from deeperin the complex.
<Ace_Nerat> "Stay close muffin."
<@CawklesGM> Sergeant Wrenchman rushes up to you, followed by the other squads. "Damn Fine shooting, bookworm!" He praises, patting the wounded man on the shoulder. "Shit, you're hit pretty bad."
<Ace_Nerat> "We should get him out of here."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Do we have a medic in the platoon, Wrenchman?"
<@CawklesGM> The fire fight between Item company and the Auxilia is starting to pick up onyour flanks. You fear running into the sceraming morass inside the temple might be your only option of escape.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh smiles apologetically. "I'm still in the fight, Sir. Just a bit dizzy."
<@CawklesGM> "Sit down, son. Ziida! Get Jain over here!" Ziida nods and bleats out a sharp whistle. "JAIN! GET OVER 'ERE!"
<Kassem_Marqus> +Set a perimeter+
<Ace_Nerat> +I could scout the temple.+
* Ishmael_Rahsingh sits down, still holding onto his rifle. "I think we have at least one more wounded..." He then hisses as his wounds makes itself felt.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Negative. Stay close until they're done with Rahsingh+
* Rajh_Tara guards this position.
<@CawklesGM> The pretty young Mahdite woman is badly shaken as she approaches, clutching her lascarbine fearfully as she produces her bag of medical gear. She looks at your wounds, probing them with her finger, each plunge painful. She administers some bandages, burn balms, and some stitches.
<@CawklesGM> "Ma'am, this man is wounded really bad...he shouldn't be-"
<@CawklesGM> Wrenchman puts a heavy hand on her shoulder. "No choice. He stands and fights here, or he dies trying to get back to our lines."
* Ace_Nerat crouches next to Ishmael, looking him over and giving encouraging words
<Ace_Nerat> "If you die on me i'll kill you!"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Nicely said, Corporal."
* Ace_Nerat bows
<@CawklesGM> Jain scurries over to the Red Guard, humbled by the man's presence. She takes off his helmet and applies some bandaging, gasping at how tough you must be.
* Roland stands guard with his flamer at the ready
<@CawklesGM> Jain can only deal with the surface wounds. Nothing much can be done with wounds like these.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh can't help but laugh and whince from said laughter. "Thank's for the encouragement, sir." He then gives a more genuine smile at the woman. "Thanks." He then slowly stands up.
* Ace_Nerat helps him stand and gives him a light pat on the back
<Rajh_Tara> "Thanks."
* Rajh_Tara puts his helmet back on.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Come on, boys. Those patches will have to do. Stay close, and watch your corners, flamer on point."
<@CawklesGM> Issam is pumped. He looks like a wild man, pacing around the foyer, listening to the noiess coming from iothe rparts of the temple. The wails of the damned. It's terrifying to hear; people must be getting burned alive down there, cauterized, and brutalized.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh nods, holding on to his rifle tightly.
* Ace_Nerat stacks on the door
<Roland> "Understood" Roland says as he takes point.
<@CawklesGM> "Feckin' deek 'eads...feckin' deek 'eads...I ain't bitin' it inna dry spell, boyos. Nuhweh, nohell." With one hand Muffin is sweeping her lascarbine; the other, she still has her guttin' knife.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Ace, take second, I'll be right behind. Issam, on my ass."
* Ace_Nerat nods and revs his chainsword
<@CawklesGM> You advance down a hallway, Snow squad on point with the rest taking the rear. This hallway must have been beautiful, once; the stonework has been defaced, scraped away steadily by knives and other talons.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh takes a closer look at the walls, curious about the content and the defacement.
<@CawklesGM> You see the end of the ahllway: a door, slightly ajar, bars you way. Something has fallen in front of it, and beyond it you hear a furious firefight, as well as terrified hollering in many languages.
<@CawklesGM> Wrenchman points at the doorway. "A pillar fell across it. Snow squad, blow it open."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Alright, squad, pass them up, 3 kilos should do."
<Ace_Nerat> "I'll plant if you want."
<Ace_Nerat> "Wait...never mind."
<Ace_Nerat> "I'll just help out."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh frowns at the defacement but then looks for his explosives. "Alright... I'll do it... not like these cunts haven't fucked the temple enough already."
* Rajh_Tara stands guard.
<@CawklesGM> With the charges, the squad backs off. Wrenchman, scratching his muttonchops, rolling the detonator between his hands. "Gentlemen...get ready..."
<@CawklesGM> "3..."
<@CawklesGM> "2..."
<@CawklesGM> "1..."
<@CawklesGM> Beep. A great ball of fire rips the stonework apart, revealing the hellish secen behind it. A two hundred meter long courtyard, 50 meteres wide, its central portion a beautiful lawn of grass set up with tables, chairs, and other party effects. Off to the left and right, a shaded pathway lined by beautiful sculpted columns lead into other parts of the temple. Off in the distance, the domed central building looms, its great shrine the primary part of the temple.
<@CawklesGM> The former scene of the party is a vision of naked atrocity. The ground is stained thick with blood, both human and alien, as bodies litter the floor judiciously. They are mutilated terribly, sliced into pieces, cauterized, brutalized... Slumped over each other into great piles. Some of them aren't even dead, screaming in mindless agony as the crawl about in their own blood and gore. The stench is something else, it almost makes you retch. The perptrators are clear: Across the way, at the far end of the courtyard, you see Divine Cohort Insurgents who penetrated in from the rear of the temple, clad in the soft whites and blues of their faction. They are having a vicious firefight with a gue'vesa and some stragglers guarding a wiry tau, colored robes accompanied by humming drones. Wrenchman gestures to the left path. "Snow squad! Secure those rooms! VIPER, RATTLE, WITH ME! LET'S KILL THESE BOYS!"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Roland, on point! Move!"
<Roland> "Yes Sir."
* Ace_Nerat follows up behind Roland
* Ishmael_Rahsingh follows along.
* Rajh_Tara follows with the sarge.
<@CawklesGM> The squad files through the path, taking care to step over a body that has fallen across the path.. or at least half a body. Rushing through the portal, you find yourself in a long hallway. In the middle, another hallway intersects it. Four rooms sit at the corners. The space is rather tight in here; the hallway is only 6m long and the hallway can only accomdate two men abreast. The floor is covered in bloodstained carpet, some of it sizzlig from las fire. The walls are covered in devotional parchment, the spiralling script of the mahdites rendered indecipherable by combat.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Roland, Ace, and I, enter and clear! The rest of you hold here and guard the approach!"
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "And Jurdik thought people were going to be mad at me for that rocket..." He comments on the punishment the insides of the temple have suffered.
<Roland> "Yes sir, Ready when you are."
<Rajh_Tara> "Understood."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh takes a kneeling position and aims down the hallway.
* Ace_Nerat nods
* Rajh_Tara readies his Hot-Shot lasgun.
* Kassem_Marqus holds his chainsword firmly in his hand.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Breach left!+
* Roland readies his Flamer.
<@CawklesGM> The left door is thrown open: a small devotional shrine to Ashura's aspect of the warrior. It is, ironically, untouched by the fighting by virtue of its thick walls.
<Roland> "Clear"
* Ace_Nerat moves to the next door
<Kassem_Marqus> +Clear! Coming back out, squad, watch your fire.+
* Roland readies on the next door.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Breach right!+
<Roland> +Breaching+
<@CawklesGM> The right door is thrown open. Your world goes fuzzy. This room, large and square, is packed to the gunnels with...children. Young children, older kids, all dressed up in their daintiest clothes for the party. An orange clad form with a bright blue head is crouched before them. "Chiddren," He slurrs in poor gothic. "Stay? Undstand? Stay-" As the door whips open the tau spins around, pulse carbine at the ready. His face is so pristine, without wrinkle...he must be young. His inscrutable alien eyes widen with terror. He brandishes his weapon at Roland, trying to position himself to shield the children from the gout of flame that is no doubt about to engulf him.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Get on the fucking ground, and no one gets hurt!"
* Roland keeps the flamer pointed at the Tau.
* Kassem_Marqus gestures to the ground, with one hand, and with the other lowers Roland's flamer.
<@CawklesGM> The tau tilts its head. "Ehhh? Kai'ren tanak oi'phatianya?"
* Ace_Nerat calls back to the group "We got A live one."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh rushes to the room. "What the hell is going on he-" He takes a moment and stops. [Tau] "Let's take this outside. The children shouldn't see this."
* Kassem_Marqus raises an eyebrow.
<@CawklesGM> The children whimper. The tau tenses up, looking back at his charges before acquiescing.
* Ace_Nerat looks at Ishmael, confused and impressed
<Rajh_Tara> "What the hell was that?"
<@CawklesGM> "Yes, I am in agreement."
<@CawklesGM> The tau, never lowering his rifle, sidles out of the room carefully, keeping his back to the wall. [Tau]"I am filled with the odious feeling that I am not to leave this place alive. Can you at least guarantee the saftey of these children? It was my duty to protect them."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh takes one last look around the room before giving the Tau room to walk into the hall. "We got a Tau moving up. Don't shoot."
<Kassem_Marqus> +Wrenchman, we've got children hiding out in a room. I'm leaving a sentry until we clear the area.+
<Rajh_Tara> "Lower your arms, but stay on guard."
<Kassem_Marqus> +Redguard, get in here, and protect the room with your life. Hold until relieved.+
<Rajh_Tara> +Copy.+
* Rajh_Tara enter the rooms.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> [Tau]"As long as no tricks are involved, the children will be safe. What were you doing here?"
<Kassem_Marqus> +Ace, get our friend here on his knees, check for weapons+
* Roland keeps his Flamer at the ready. and follows out into the hall.
<@CawklesGM> Wrenchman tries to ping his commbead, but you can barely hear him over the las fire boiling around him. His squad must be in a pitched battle with the Divine Cohort forces.
<@CawklesGM> The young tau does not lower his aim [Tau]"Por'El Sa'Cea Ya'Mamoto himself charged me to protect the progeny of the fine human specimens your ilk is slaughtering. It is the charge of my caste to carry out the orders of brothers, for the Greater Good. I will continue this duty until discharged."
* Ace_Nerat reaches out and yanks the gun from his Tau's hands, and throws him to his knees. Then checks him for other weapons
<@CawklesGM> The Tau scarely realizes it as the larger human yanks the gun from his arms.
<@CawklesGM> [Tau] "Why does he strip me of my arms? We are at parley!"
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> [Tau]"Those assholes in white and blue aren't with us. Now, don't start anything and you might leave this place alive. Got it?"
<@CawklesGM> The tau nods.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "He's surrendering."
* Kassem_Marqus unholsters his laspistol, presses it against the kneeling Tau, and fires. +Movement from down the hall, take point!+
* Ishmael_Rahsingh jumps at the sudden shoot. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR! HE SURRENDERED!"
* Roland looks a Kassem before moves along.
* Ace_Nerat blinks
* Ace_Nerat faces the end of the hall and advances
<@CawklesGM> The tau's charred brains splatter the wall, and he slumps against the wall, trailing blood all the way down. Purple blood dribbles from his nostrils, and a great terrified yip comes from the crowd of children being guarded.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh feels his hands shake as he holds onto his rifle, shaken and confused.
<@CawklesGM> Issam jumps into action, as does Jurdik. Abbass and Muffin blink, and hesitate.
<Ace_Nerat> +I need you with me Ishmael.+
<Kassem_Marqus> +Mark your targets, could be friendlies+
* Ishmael_Rahsingh gulps and keeps shakily holding his lasgun. "A-at least move the fucking body..."
<@CawklesGM> From around the corner, a monster of a man emerges. Bedecked in jet black storm trooper carapace, he stormed right out of a dystopian nightmare and straight into towards you. His armor is supported by an impressive appartus of servos and gears, his right fist crackling with terrifying energy. In his other fist, a mean looking hotshot las pistol.
<@CawklesGM> "MEEP! GET THOSE DARKIES MOVIN'! WE GOT BEETEES HERE!"
<@CawklesGM> As the man finishes, his roar a smaller man with a hotshot lasgun and in similar dark armor takes up his side. The other man beckons for figures to come up. The other, larger trooper squeezes his power fist.
* Ace_Nerat lunges at the man with his chainsword, swinging with a crazed look in his eye
<@CawklesGM> The huge man, a veritble mountain of muscle and guts, chuckles as Ace chases after him with Muffin in tow. He lets out a dark chuckle. "You just fucked with the wrong storm trooper, boy!"
<@CawklesGM> He raises his pistol and rushes Ace!
* Ace_Nerat brings the sword into the arm, doing some damage
<@CawklesGM> The man grunts. "YOU FUCKED UP NOW!" He swings over Ace's head, whiffing. The fist nearly clips Muffin, who squeaks as she ducks out of the way.
<@CawklesGM> "Pounder" Squeaks the smaller storm trooper. "Move out the way! We're bringing up the castigator!"
<Rajh_Tara> +Sarge, What's going on out there?+
* Ishmael_Rahsingh jumps as he hears the crackle of lightning fill the hall, dropping his rifle in the process.
<@CawklesGM> 'Pounder', however, is too busy dueling with Ace and Muffin.
* Roland stands there with his flamer at the ready as he watches the fight between Ace and Pounder.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Ace stop!"
<@CawklesGM> The storm trooper takes another swing. It whiffs yet again; Ace's footwork is too slick. The smaller storm trooper yells something, but is lost over the sound of exertion.
<@CawklesGM> The smaller trooper yells again, this time perfectly audible: "SERGEANT! DUCK!"
<Kassem_Marqus> +Drop!+
* Ishmael_Rahsingh drops to the floor, his hands raised in surrender, just in case. The fight was clearly taken out of him a few moments ago.
* Roland drops to the ground
<@CawklesGM> Pounder drops to the floor. Behind him, a giant Mahdite in white robes, tattooed muscled arms straining, is aiming the largest crossbow you've ever seen. A castigator; the weapon that allowed the Mahdites to defend their cities from Al=Ismans for centuries. A mini ballista that could be carried by a man, it can skewer a man easily.
<@CawklesGM> The giant bolt fwips forward, throwing Ace back and off his feet. "ACEY! SHET!" Muffin dives after her comrade. Your microbead begins to ping violently.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Light them up!+
<Kassem_Marqus> (Get Them! Squad Order)
<@CawklesGM> +Word just came down from HQ! FADE! FADE! GET OUTTA THERE!+
<@CawklesGM> Ziida sounds haggard and beaten, eager to retreat.
<Kassem_Marqus> +Redguard, herd those fucking kids outside, now! We are leaving!+
<Kassem_Marqus> "Everyone else hold the rear!+
* Roland gets up from the floor and readies his flamer
<Rajh_Tara> +Roger.+
<@CawklesGM> Issam, Jurdik, and Abbass take up positions, pointing their weapons down the hallway.
<Rajh_Tara> "Ah....Children, it's time to go. It isn't safe here."
* Roland gets over to Ace and opens fire with his flamer
* Ishmael_Rahsingh throws a stun grenade down the hall and tries to make his way to the room with the kids.
<@CawklesGM> "GET SOME!" Screeches Issam, his bug eyes going nuts. Abbass, adrenaline coursing through him, is too focused to roll his eyes.
* Rajh_Tara starts manhandling the children to move either by forcibly pushing them or slapping them to move.
<@CawklesGM> The flamer burns a bloody swathe through the troopers. The two storm troopers merely swear at the inconvience. The Divine Cohort heavy, however, is screaming in agony as his entire body is engulfed in flame.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh grabs his rifle on the way out. "Jurdik, we are out of here."
<@CawklesGM> Abbass puts some rounds down the hallway. "We need to get! GET!"
<@CawklesGM> The flamer ignite several parchmets and rugs on the floor, and soon the entire side of that hallway is engulfed in a rapidly growing inferno. Cloying smoke is beginning to choke and burn your lungs.
* Roland starts to pull back
<@CawklesGM> "LEZ FLICK!" Muffin commands, fighting back towards the entrance.
<Rajh_Tara> "Move it, Kids. Don't look back."
* Roland helps Ace
* Ace_Nerat struggles to his feet, Bolt still dangling
<Ace_Nerat> +GET THE FECK OUT.+
* Ace_Nerat starts moving down the hall
* Roland moves along helping Ace get out of there.
* Kassem_Marqus holds the rear until he's certain the children have started moving down the hall.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh organizes them on the way out, still somewhat shaky but struggling to help them out.
<@CawklesGM> The wailing, screaming, crying line of children are moving under the force of their instincts rather than any rational thought. As you make it back to the courtyard, it seems the Divine Cohort is in the ascendance. And an entire horde of them are at the opposite end of the courtyard. As you move down the path and make it the tentrance to the entry hallway, you notice one of the kids is still struggling down the path. She's a little girl, dazed a confused, screaming and crying in confusion. The divine cohort at the opposite end of the courtyard notice you, and begin to open fire!
<@CawklesGM> Muffin is clearly moved by the little girl's plaintive cries. "Shet...sumbud shud go git taht sheila!"
* Ace_Nerat runs and grabs the girl
* Ishmael_Rahsingh curses and throws a smoke grenade between them and the group.
<@CawklesGM> "leave her! I don't wanna fuckin' die!" Jurdik protests
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Then get the fuck out, Jurdik!"
<Kassem_Marqus> +Grab her, and let's go!+
<Kassem_Marqus> Kassem remains in the rear, ensuring all the children are able to stay in the protection of his squad's formation.
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik growls as Ace returns with the squirming little child. You rush down the hallway, the volume of fire increasing exponentially. It's almost deafening as you finally barrell out of the foyer, Divine Cohort in hot pursuit!
* Roland helps Ace and the child.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh waits until the squad and kids are past the doorway before taking his tread fether and firing a quick rocket up at the ceiling. He doesn't even think of apologizing to the building until he was running away from the pile of rubble blocking the entryway,
<@CawklesGM> You step out on the entrance, and only now note the bodies carpetting the road before you. Nearly out of breath, your souls sink as you realize exactly what you just walked into. Three technicals and Thirty Qalyatan auxilia, taking positions on the double road with their weapons pointed right at you. You can't help but feel a little sheepish as the assembled weapons train themselves on you.
<@CawklesGM> "Mother FUCKER!" Jurdik swears, slapping his forhead.
<@CawklesGM> "SURRENDER!" Shouts their commander, "OR BY SHABAN WE'LL OPEN FIRE!"
<Ace_Nerat> "ON CHILDREN?"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Squad, hold!"
<Kassem_Marqus> Kassem stands in front of his squad, arms extended to either side of him.
<@CawklesGM> "Yes, on children!" Responds their captain, a big Al-Isman man. "Throw down your arms and come out peacefully!"
* Ishmael_Rahsingh stop and drops his spent launcher. "We have Cohort bastards on our fucking tails! There's no time for this!"
<@CawklesGM> And, right on cue, Fire starts pouring in from habs on the left flank. Several auxilia crumble under the las fire as they shift their fire to the more pressing threat. Sensing her chance, Muffin cuts and runs.
<@CawklesGM> "BOYOS! THISS 'ER OUNLY CHANCE! MOVIT! MOVIT!"
* Ishmael_Rahsingh takes his launcher and rushes behind her. "Children! Follow the lady!"
<Kassem_Marqus> +Move, move, move! Redguard, hold the rear with me!+
<Rajh_Tara> +Understood.+
* Roland follows while helping Ace.
<@CawklesGM> Issam, Jurdik, and the rest follow suit and during the ensuing chaos you melt away back into the habs from whence you came. Battered, bloody, and beaten, you have escaped with your lives.
* Ace_Nerat starts moving withe the child, a little slow
* Ishmael_Rahsingh offers to take the child when the squad gets a chance to slow down.
<@CawklesGM> THIRTY MINUTES LATER...
<@CawklesGM> Your squad stumbles into the reception room of your hab base. The same watchman as last time is sitting at the desk, wiling away the hours juggling knives. When he sees your dirty, bloody host shuffle in with children in tow he leaps from his seat. "God-Emperor! What happened? Who are...these?" He motions at the children. He runs over and starts helping the wounded move. The bolt buried in Ace's arm has ripped it into shreds, and it is bleeding profusely.
<@CawklesGM> Muffin shakes her head. "Boyo, cannae a ster in tah world match what us an' me jess went troo, facts!"
<Kassem_Marqus> "Our new guests. Any word from HQ?"
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Cohort... cohort happened..."
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Also, crazy stuff..."
<Rajh_Tara> "Bloody Cohorts."
<Ace_Nerat> "I'm not doing that again."
<@CawklesGM> The trooper stutters. "Motherfuckers...and no. Vox went down. Boys think it's the Great Palace of Ashes emitting some kind of jamming single. Meant to disrupt us. But, fuck, I can't imagine the news is good if our boys are coming back looking like *this*..."
* Roland looks at Ace giving him a doubtful look
<Kassem_Marqus> "Great news, thanks... take the children up."
<@CawklesGM> The children have grown reclusive, distant. They slink to the outer edges of the entry room, their beautiful clothes shredded and coated in blood. Their eyes are clouded by the fury and terror that consumed their lives, tearing about their simple minds and untested souls. Their wilting forms speak volumes of what will happen to them. They will never forget this. The blood, the screams, the fire, the terror. Something vital broke in them. Permanently.
* Ace_Nerat puts the girl down and slumps against the wall
<Ace_Nerat> "Where is my medal?"
<@CawklesGM> Muffin takes a lho out, and takes a long drag. She starts to strip off her fatigues and body armor. The decompression begins to hit her something fierce. Shaking hands, a hollow stare, the general demeanous of a whipped dog...she looks like a shadow of her former self. She starts to perk up, though, as soon as her 'Muffins' sway freely once more.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh punches Ace right in the face.
* Rajh_Tara throws a bottle cap at Ace. "There's your fucking medal!"
* Kassem_Marqus lights a lho-stick, leans against a wall and watches his men let off steam.
* Ace_Nerat leaps to his feat, A look of hatred in his eyes
<Ace_Nerat> "I will skin you!."
<@CawklesGM> Jurdik takes a position along the wall with Kassem and Issam. "A day's liquor ration says Ace is gonna fuck that boy up," he chortles.
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "Fuck you and fuck your god damned medal!"
<@CawklesGM> The children look on at the fighting, indifferent, still trying to process what they are seeing.
* Ace_Nerat lands a right hook right in Ishmael's face
<Kassem_Marqus> "I'm not betting against my Corporal," he chuckles, taking a long breath in of the lho-stick.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh falls flat on his back and stays on the floor, unmoving.
<@CawklesGM> Abbass shakes his head. "Savages, all of you...I miss the promethium kingdoms already."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh just stares up, kinda broken himself.
<Ace_Nerat> "YOU NEXT BUD?"
* Roland grabs Ace to break up the fight
* Kassem_Marqus throws the lho-stick on the ground.
* Rajh_Tara runs to Ishmael.
* Rajh_Tara tries to help him up.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Alright, alright..." he says, with a low, calm tone of his voice.
<Roland> "You fucking stop this right now."
* Ishmael_Rahsingh rejects the help. Just staring.
* Kassem_Marqus kneels down next to Ishmael, and pats him on the shoulder.
<Kassem_Marqus> "Yeah... it'll hit you."
* Rajh_Tara has his hand on his knife.
<Kassem_Marqus> He stands, and extends his hand to the private.
<@CawklesGM> Muffin Leaps to Ishmael's side. "Shizz onna shengle...you okay boyo?" She sits next to him and strokes his hair reassuringly. "Sssshhh...ssshhh..." She hums, gently rocking back and forth, both for his sake and hers. She looks badly shook too.
<Kassem_Marqus> "But you've got to get back up."
* Roland keeps his grip on Ace.
* Ishmael_Rahsingh slowly takes it and stands up. "I wasn't expecting that."
<Ace_Nerat> "Sorry."
<Ishmael_Rahsingh> "A lot of things, but not that..."
<Kassem_Marqus> "This has been all kinds of fucked, and I can only promise you worse," he says with an apologetic expression.
<Rajh_Tara> "By the Emperor... this day is just shit."
* Ace_Nerat shrugs off Roland and checks on the little girl
* Ishmael_Rahsingh then turns to the stairs and walks towards them, stopping to look back, mostly at the children. "I can't. I just can't. Call me if we are doing anything... or something... I guess..." And with that, he kinda just stumbles his way up.
* Rajh_Tara takes off his helmet and sits down.
<@CawklesGM> Muffin stands up. "Hear hear, all-papi. I unno bout yall but ima go tuh me bunk an' laydon. Come git meh if ya ned meh..."
<Kassem_Marqus> "Come along, kids..." he puts his arms around the two tallest ones.
* Roland watches Ace for a moment and looks to see Ishmael walk away as well.
<Rajh_Tara> "Anyone have a lho stick on them?"
* Kassem_Marqus tosses the Redguard his pack.
* Ace_Nerat tries to muster the kids into different rooms, pleading with the different families to keep them for a few nights
<@CawklesGM> The two oldest kids are brother and sister, twins. They are the most forlorn of the bunch. They acquiesce to being gently led by the sergeant. They are thoroughly Qalyatan Mahdite, dark skin, piercings, and spare devotional tattoos. They are rather handsome youths, but the dire circumstances they have found themselves in makes them seem haggard and grim.
* Rajh_Tara takes the pack and says "Thanks, Sarge."
* Rajh_Tara lights one of the sticks.
<Rajh_Tara> "Mother Ashura protect us."
* Ace_Nerat eventually returns to the room and worries over his arm