Resilient 24

<Rosenkrantz_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The stench of burning greenskin flesh is inescapable despite the flaming pile's location well outside the walls. For several hours Vitoria has tried - and failed - to reach the firebase. Time is running out.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Rourke leaves her side a moment, looking down at his chronos as he approaches the Lieutenant.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Sir, that's eight hours left."
* Kass is keeping watch up in the north-west tower. The place has been Kass' home for the past couple of days...and the grave of his last comrade as well. He chews on a ration bar as he keeps a look out.
* von_Geyer looks at the Ork vehicles, trying to figure out if they could perhaps be salvaged.
* Victrus_Macharius keeps watch on the South West most tower, he checks takes a moment to eat a part of his ration bar and does a double check on the autocannon, his heavy bolter still sits above the gate facing inwards to the complex.
<von_Geyer> +Attention all units. In T minus 8 hours, we will detonate this base if we receive no word from command. Start gathering as many containers as possible and make wagons or wheelbarrows from the Ork vehicles, then load them up with as much ammunition and promethium as we can. If we're blowing this place up, we shall minimize any waste.+
* Solomun continues to gather and burn corpses.
<von_Geyer> "Victoria, take a fifteen minute break then get back to working that vox."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Rourke nods, and rolls up his sleeves.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> +Yes, Lieutenant+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> She steps away from the vox.
* von_Geyer goes to help improvise carts and such with the men
<Kass> +Sir, do you want me to keep watch or help as well?+
<Kass> The SMO turned sharpshooter doesn't like the thought of no one being on watch while they do these tasks,
<Solomun> "This is the worst smell. I'm still gonna get used to it." He sets a bunch of grot corpses on fire.
<Hodor> "Hodor carry stuff?"
<von_Geyer> +Keep working. They're not going to attack anytime soon.+
* Victrus_Macharius looks off into the forest, not sure if another attack could happen at anytime, he then makes his way down from the tower to help with the effort.
<von_Geyer> "Yes, Hodor. Carry the big bullets." he holds up a 20mm Autocannon round. "Like these."
<Hodor> "Okay"
<Kass> Just as Kass gathers his triplex and is about to head down the stairs he catches movement out of the corner of his eye. He swiftly turns and leaans out the tower, covering his eyes. +Sir, I think I just saw movement to the west...a tree falling down.+
<Kass> +Correction, several trees.+ A tone of worry enters his voice.
<von_Geyer> +Everyone back to the base! Take defensive positions around Yonova!+
* Victrus_Macharius just as he got down from the ladder, he then turns and climbs back up as quickly as he can.
<Kass> +Maacharius! Get your magnoculars sighted to the west!+
* Solomun starts running back.
* von_Geyer rushes to the Autocannon emplacement
* Victrus_Macharius gets up the watch tower and pulls out his Magnoculars and looks west.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The snaps and echoing cracks now audible are intermitent, but get louder every time you hear them.
* Hodor follows suit
* von_Geyer starts aiming the Autocannon at the incoming noise
<von_Geyer> +Fire on my command only!+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Soon a low grumbling joins, as though coming up from the very earth itself. It is faint, but it too grows in intensity.
<Victrus_Macharius> +Confirmed trees are being knocked down, can't see what is doing it still.+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Birds spook, flying away from the noise.
<Victrus_Macharius> +What ever it is, its got to be big.+
* Victrus_Macharius he then grabs his autocannon and aims it in the direction of the falling trees.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Such is the intensity that some of the enty autocannon shells atop the towers begin to vibrate to the noise, and fall over.
<Kass> +Chances on it being friendly?+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> empty*
<von_Geyer> +We're scanning the vox. Keep it together.+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Vitoria twists the tuning nobs, searching for a clear signal. She looks up, shaking her head nervously.
<von_Geyer> "Put it down. Get in position to shoot."
<von_Geyer> +Standby and hold fire. Keep looking, Macharius.+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> She removes her headset, flipping a switch for the vox to transmit through its laud speaker. Static runs through.
* Victrus_Macharius pulls up his Magnoculars again to see if he can get a better look now.
* von_Geyer takes out the laud hailer
<von_Geyer> "IDENTIFY YOURSELF!"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The rumbling comes to a stop.
* von_Geyer waits for a reply, mumbling a prayer under his breath and hoping a sniper isn't lining up on him
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Alert as you are, your senses are on edge. You can hear... feel the movement in the woods.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "HIMMEL!" A cry comes.
<von_Geyer> "THUNDER!"
<von_Geyer> "DONNER!"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Out of the woods two squads appear... Prithians.
<von_Geyer> +By the Emperor, Prithians!+
<Victrus_Macharius> +We got Prithians, All the the Emperor.+
* Solomun lets out a sigh of relief.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The rumbling starts up again, and soon behind the infantry emerge three armored transports.
<Kass> "Blessed Emperor." He breathes out. Before waving his aarms and shouting in joy.
* von_Geyer keeps using the Laud Hailer. "Hail, comrades! We still have some traps set! Hold while we send some troops to let you in."
* von_Geyer goes down with his comrades to meet the approaching Guardsmen.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The leading Sergeant holds up a tight fist.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He lights a lho stick, and begins directing the vehicles to a stop.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Roarke runs down keeping pace with the Lieutenant.
* von_Geyer takes his helmet off and keeps it under an arm as he approaches the sergeant.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Quite a pile you have there," the sergeant points at the burning greenskin pyre with his lit lho-stick. "We could smell you ten kilometers away."
<von_Geyer> "That was the second wave of brutes we dispatched."
* Solomun smiles.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Sergeant Erwin Hotlz," he introduces himself. The vehicles behind him are marked with the crossed bayonets of the Vanguard Battalion.
<von_Geyer> "Lt. von Geyer, 3rd Company."
* von_Geyer holds out a hand "It is good to finally see more of our regiment."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "1st" he responds, "Battalion reached the masked freaks out West just in time it seems. Story is you boys secured some goodies, so we were rushed over. I was hoping you would have left some for us."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He reaches out and shakes your hand.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Regiment's a fucking mess," he almost whispers to you.
<von_Geyer> "We got just what you need: Promethium and Autocannon rounds. You're lucky you got here when you did. Orders were to blow it all up if we didn't hear from the Kriegers we were helping."
* von_Geyer nods
<von_Geyer> "Who's most senior surviving officer you're in contact with?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Feck that. You're under Battalion now, where you belong. Your man is in charge, Captain Zieten."
<von_Geyer> "Excellent. Direct me to him."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "He'll be arriving with the rest of the 3rd shortly. He's flanking the fuckin' monsters from behind the ridge to relieve the trench infantry."
<von_Geyer> "Do you have an officer with you?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Am I not good enough?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He laughs and shakes his head.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "I'm afraid I'm it, Lieutenant."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He reaches into his tunic.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Tearing out a page from a small notebook, he explains, "long-range vox frequency schedule - separtists spies are everywhere ever since the retreat and regroup," he says with disgust.
* von_Geyer takes the page and inspects it. His brow furrows, thinking of Aviz and Victoria.
<von_Geyer> "Understood. Patch us into your vox network, and let's get to work."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Where is your vox specialist?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He nods over to a young man carrying a vox to approach.
<von_Geyer> "Still in the base. The Kriegers assigned us some looter and a separatist defector. I've been keeping a close eye on them, and the Commissar has not detected anything amiss... yet. We'll deal with them later. For now, we need every body we can get."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He takes a step forward.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Zieten has been very clear - no locals," he says tracing his thumb from one side of his neck to another.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> With that, he waves at the transports, and the remaining men come out.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "At your command," he nods.
<von_Geyer> "Zieten does not want to invoke the ire of a senior Krieger Commissar, Sergeant. Play along for now."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Arriving next to the sergeant, the vox tech hands him a mouth piece.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Battalion. Squad Holtz reporting arrival at depot, and contact with elements of 3rd Company - Lieutenant von Geyer." he speaks into the mouth piece.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Aye, sir."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He hands it to you.
<von_Geyer> "Lieutenant Constantine Schlieffen von Geyer, reporting."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> ++We can hardly believe you're still alive, Lieutenant. Leave however many men you deem necessary to defend the position. A transport will be sent to your location shortly. Captain Zieten requests your presence.++
<von_Geyer> +Understood. We are bringing 20mm shells and promethium with us. You may find it prudent to send more vehicles to take these supplies.+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> ++A convoy will arrive in the evening, Lieutenant. Leave that to Logistics.++
<von_Geyer> +Understood. Pass this information along to Commissar Kraevan of the Krieger regiment if possible. von Geyer out.+
<von_Geyer> "Leave your passengers to defend the base, Sergeant. Let's load these Chimeras up and get out."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Sir," he salutes before barking orders to his men.
<von_Geyer> "Hodor! Get in the box!"
<Hodor> "okay...."
<von_Geyer> +Alright squad, we're riding back to the Captain!+
<Kass> +Affirmative, LT. Coming down now.+ He gathers his kit and gives a solemn nod and small prayer to his dead comrade before joining his squad in one of the chimeras.
* Solomun gets his bag and gets into the chimera.
<Victrus_Macharius> +Understood.+ He then goes to have his Heavy bolter takken down from its position above the gate so that he doesn't leave it behind before joining the others.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> You spend the better part of two hours riding along with the convoy until you reach a clearance just before a descenting curve along the road, parallel to a cliff-edge. The vehicles come to a stop.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> A Vaklyrie awaits. Crew waving you over.
* von_Geyer dismounts and strides purposefully to the Valkyrie.
* Kass follows behind, smiling. He'd only ridden in one of these once before.
* Solomun follows behind Von Geyer as fast as he can.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "You and your squad only, Lieutenant," a major says looking behind you.
* Victrus_Macharius disembarks from the transport with his heavy bolter in tow and boards the Valkyrie
* von_Geyer salutes the major
<von_Geyer> "They are my squad, Major. All of them."
<Hodor> "Hodor!!"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "No heavy equipment," he raises a palm at Victrus. "Leave it with the transports!"
<von_Geyer> "Do as he says, Macharius."
* Victrus_Macharius salutes and returns the heavy bolter to the transport with out question.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He eyes you for a moment, "Put the beast to sleep, Lieutenant, or send it with the transports."
<von_Geyer> "The Ogryn adapts surprisingly well. Watch."
<von_Geyer> "Hodor. Flying box."
<Hodor> "....okay...."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "I don't like this, but we can't delay further..."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The major climbs into the forward compartment and straps in.
<von_Geyer> "I appreciate your patience, Major. I understand this is an... unorthodox squad. Now, onwards."
* Victrus_Macharius boards the Valkyroe and then straps himself into one of the seats.
* von_Geyer boards the transport and watches the ex-secessionists closely
* Hodor lays on ground
* Solomun takes a sit in the transport and buckles in.
* Victrus_Macharius looks at Hodor laying on the floor of the Valkyrie, "Uh, is someone going to strap him down to the floor?"
* Kass climbs in, and straps himself into the crash harness near the door.
<von_Geyer> "He's heavy. He will be fine."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The engines burn hot, and soon you're on your way. In under an hour you reach the firebase. From up here you can see the burnt treelines along the cliff where the Kriegers set up the firebase overlooking the city. You can spot several armored columns advancing into the Krieger camp. But the violence appears to be concentrated perhaps four kilometers to the North-East, now.
* von_Geyer looks out the window with great interest
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Your descent is rapid, but the aeronautica pilot is skilled. You are soon on the ground, and the first thing you see is triage centers being set up with the wounded starting to come in from the front.
* von_Geyer gets out the straps and directs the squad to exit, then turns to the pilot.
<von_Geyer> "Excellent flying, Major...?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Adolfus, Lieutenant. Good luck."
<von_Geyer> "von Geyer. My thanks."
* Kass slaps the release button on his straps and hops off, shouldering his triplex.
* von_Geyer shakes his hand and gets out
<von_Geyer> "Keep that weapon slung, Yonova. We're in Krieger territory."
* Solomun unstraps and heads out of the vehicle using his broken cane as a walking stick.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> You disembark and it's clear the firebase isn't what it used to be. Tensions are high as the growing Prithian presence seems to have clashed with the Krieger way.
* Victrus_Macharius unstraps him self and makes his way out of the Valkyrie.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> On the one hand, a dispute about the triage centers pits the Kriegers sternly against such "wasteful use" of space and equipment.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> On the other, Prithian officers have lined up PDF troops as prisoners, with protestations from the Krieger commissariat who claim their use as penitent troops will be their ultimate fate.
<Kass> The SMO merely nods. He wasn't an idiot.
<Kass> "Looks like trouble."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> You spot Colonel Six-Sixteen, Captain Zieten, and Commissar Kraevan in what appears to be a heated exchange. They are surrounded by junior officers.
* von_Geyer mutters "Great", then approaches the group and salutes the three
<von_Geyer> "Commissar. Colonel. Captain. Lieutenant von Geyer and squad, reporting as ordered. The firebase is secure, and the orks dispatched."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> It is Kraevan who acknowledges you first. The Zieten and the Krieger Colonel stare at eachother in anger.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Lieutenant. You have certainly proven your worth," the commissar says.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "I am afraid to say your scout has died."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Jaeger. Our Prithian Jaeger died in the care of these butchers." Zieten retorts.
* von_Geyer takes his hat off.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Nonetheless, we extracted useful information about the witch you wish to find," Six-Sixteen says behind his mask.
<von_Geyer> "Thank you, commissar. Our-"
* von_Geyer turns his attention to Six-Sixteen
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "We have reason to believe it yet lives," he continues.
<von_Geyer> "And that it is an Astropath, not a Primaris psyker?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Yes, von Geyer. An Astropath. We believe it is prisoner to the separatist filth in the city." Zieten replies.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "...which is why you must rid yourselves of its remnants in your camp!" he continues the thought directed at the Krieger.
<von_Geyer> "Then I strongly suggest we-"
* von_Geyer turns to the captain
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The commissar lifts a hand.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "You suggest, Lieutenant?"
<von_Geyer> "Above all else, we must extract this individual and re-establish contact with command. I volunteer my squad for this mission due to my personal experiences with the Astra Telepathica, as well as the presence of our Savant-Militant."
* Solomun stands in attention with his cane at his side.
<von_Geyer> "Furthermore, while I disdain the separatists, the ones attached to my command have proven to be valued if at times uncouth soldiers. Their intelligence has already proven crucial to our previous mission, and it may be of even greater importance now."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "We simply cannot afford to mobilize in force - we must press the advance against the greenskins, lest they overwhelm our flanks. For this reason, I will make available to you what I can, but risking infiltration by separatist spies is unacceptable," Zieten replies.
* von_Geyer takes a breath "With the help of the Junior Commissar and the Ogryn, I believe we are well-equipped to ensure they remain loyal to us. I humbly request further separatist defectors should you believe it prudent to reinforce my squad, sir."
<von_Geyer> "Sir, I shall take personal responsibility for their actions, and carry out any punishment necessary with the help of the Commissar. Between the two of us, I believe we can keep them in line."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Zieten sighs heavy.
<von_Geyer> "If only to keep them away from our regiment and base."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "You will be reinforced with capable soldiers. Keep the locals, if only because they may aid you in navigating that urban death-trap." He pauses for a moment. "Logistics is setting up South-West of the firebase. Report to the Quartermaster, and ready yourself to enter the city. You have full discretion on how to carry out your mission, Lieutenant. Do not fail me."
<von_Geyer> "I shall not, Captain. I am honored by your trust." he turns to the Commissar and Colonel, "By all of your trust."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Six-Sixteen nods.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Ave Imperator, Lieutenant von Geyer," Kraevan says.
<von_Geyer> "Ave Imperator."
* von_Geyer salutes once more
* von_Geyer begins to lead his squad towards the QM
<von_Geyer> "Did you all catch that?"
<Victrus_Macharius> "Ave Imperator." he then salutes and follows the Lieutenant.
<Kass> "Roughly, sir. Can't say I like being volunteered for yet another suicide mission. But we're alive so far, who knows. Maybe the Emperor deigns we're the ones to succeed where others have failed." He says as he scratches his face.
<von_Geyer> "This is no suicide mission, Yonova. Staying here and letting our last chance at contacting Command is suicide."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The Quartermaster is quick to process your requests. It appears you have gained some notoriety among the batallion.
* von_Geyer inspects the power sword, thumbing the activator on and off
<von_Geyer> "A fine weapon. Your assistance is appreciated."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "My pleasure, Lieutenant. Word is you may be our saving grace."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> As you check through your gear, you see Captain Zieten and some of his command staff approach, escorted by men in dress uniform.
<Kass> "Fine Chameleoline Cloak. These based off the ranger paterns on Prithia?" He asks as he tries it on, covering his entire body in it.
<von_Geyer> "Attention, Corporal."
* von_Geyer salutes the Captain
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "That's right, Corporal," the Quartermaster whispers.
* Kass whirls around, at attention saluting whomever is approaching. He's an odd sight saluting while the cloak is draped across his body.
* Solomun wears his psychic hood and shows his repaired staff with an symbol of a raven on it. "I feel... so much better" he remarks.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Lieutenant. I am aware that the situation is not ideal. But as the possibility that I may not have the privilege of doing so later, line your men up.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "
* von_Geyer turns to the squad. "Atten-shun!"
* Victrus_Macharius tries as he might, he is unable to get much from the Quartermaster in terms of new equipment besides a pair of recoil gloves.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "For outstanding perserverance against the xenos-designate Ork menace in the Spinward Front, Frontsman's Honors," Zieten holds up golden medallions inlaid with iron.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> One by one, as he walks in front of you, he decorates you.
* Solomun stands in attention.
<Kass> Despite everything, Kass still puffs up with pride, if only a little, as the medal is pinned on his chest.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He reaches back once more, holding a red and gold ribbon with a pendant of a skull flanked by laurel leaves.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Heavy Weapons specialist Victrus Macharius, Senior Medicae Officer Kass Yonova, step forward."
* Victrus_Macharius steps forward.
* Kass does as instructed. Still able to execute a perfectly drilled forward step.
* von_Geyer suppresses a smirk
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "For gallantry, efficacious and letahl fire against His enemies, and heroism in battle, I award you the Obscurus Honorifica Tormentum," the Captain says, decorating Victrus.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> You notice a slightly different variant of the medal as he steps towards the medic, "For exceptional bravery, leadership, and resilience when cut off from the chain of command, and for exemplary heroism in the face of terrible odds, I present you with the Obscurus Honorifica Medicatus".
<Rosenkrantz_GM> In what is a terribly confusing processing of orders, the Quartermaster lets out a long sigh, and hands the Lieutenant paperwork. "Sign here, Lieutenant."
* von_Geyer looks exhasperated at the paperwork and signs
<von_Geyer> "For what it's worth, I apologize."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> A chimera pulls up, and Roarke disembarks. "Compliments of the Captain!"
<von_Geyer> "Excellent!"
<Hodor> "Shiny hat fancy word!!!"
<von_Geyer> "Maccharius, take the turret. I'll man the forward gun."
<Kass> "Can we make sure it has smoke launchers, LT? Every damn Chimera I've been in since we landed on this rock has either had them without charges or they didn't work."
* Hodor waves folder at Roalin
<von_Geyer> "We have smoke grenades. And I don't want to test the Quartermaster's patience any longer."
* Victrus_Macharius hopes onto the turret of the Chimera, he now wears Storm Trooper Carapace Armor that he was able to acquire at the last min before heading out.
* Kass sighs and goes off to collect his newly assigned comrade.
* Raolin approaches the Ogryn waiving about the folder
<Raolin> "What've you got there Hodor"
<von_Geyer> "Men. Our mission is of vital importance. We must secure the Astropath and bring him back to base. We shall avoid contact with the enemy is possible. Seek the Astropath as though you were on the pilgrimage path of Saint Drusus. When we find him, protect him as though he were the Emperor himself!"
<Hodor> "FANCY PAPER"
<Hodor> " What it say?"
<Raolin> "Let me help you with fancy paper Hodor"
* Hodor hands folder over
* Raolin flips open the folder and begins scanning the contents
* Kass nods at the LT, new comrade in tow.
<von_Geyer> "To our homegrown comrades: the eyes of the Imperial Guard, and through it, the Emperor, are upon you. This is your chance to prove your worth and loyalty - and through it, that of the people of Larros."
* Raolin scans through the faces of the command staff and sights his senior commissar, quickly approaching him and saluting.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The former PDF remain guarded, though a glitter in their eye seems to show a renewed zeal.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Kraevan salutes his junior.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Raolin? I trust you are ready to carry out this assignment alongside the Prithians?"
<Raolin> "Sir I have important documents that I believe you and the others need to see..it was mistakenly assigned to our Ogryn.."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Documents for an Ogryn?" He dismissively says, holding out his hand.
* Raolin extends the folder towards Kraevan
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He looks at the folder's contents.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He then removes his mask. An odd sight to be sure.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He examines the information more closely.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "An Orgyn, Daroshevik?"
<Raolin> "He didn't read it.. but yes sir.. it was assigned to him.."
<Hodor> "Fancy Paper!!"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "This is an outrage!" he hisses. "Have you any idea how sensitive this is?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Taking a moment to compose himself, he puts the contents back into the folder.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Tell no one of this, Daroshevik. I will ensure this information is used appropriately." he says, finally putting his mask back on.
* Raolin salutes Kraevan promptly "Sir"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Resume as normal, Raolin," he returns the salute.
<Hodor> "Shiny mask upset?"