Liberation of Nova Spera Session 13

  Cawkles_GM  After weeks of travelling, days of relaxing, and hours of boredom, Snow Squad is once again mustering out to enter the killing fields and prosecute the enemies of Qalyatans everywhere. It was a curious thing, this rousing to action; after joining up with the main Rook fleet (a huge shoal of metal leviathans, accompanied by swarms of lesser craft), time seemed to just melt away. Two months
    Cawkles_GM  gone in the blink of an eye. But now, the dusty orb that is your collective home is veering into view, and this long repose is coming to an end. House servants quickly herded the squad into the bowls of the Mentirosa, brushing by hordes of servile types preparing for the war to come. Panes of sheer glass offer hints to the void maneurving going on outside, their vistas of dancing ships
    Cawkles_GM  quickly disappearing as their destination grows closer. Eventually, a squeaking elevatus deposits Snow Squad in a cavernous hull filled to the brim with Rook house troops. Their voices melt together into a single gruff buzz, the sound bouncing off the troop carrying ships and piles of gear. Snow Squad is directed to a pile of gear, their gear, and told to suit up and await further instructions.
    Cawkles_GM  The entire affair seems odd; no one among you have been told much. The displeasure among the Snow Squad comrades is palpable.
    Cawkles_GM  "Sooo...Tissa it, ten. End o' ta rood. Fokk meh...I ain't still nuh nuff stoof ya neh? Tis Sheila wont mor o' dem shiny stuff an' wat 'ave you." She kicks over the pile of gear, a thundering crash following its swift motion downard. Jurdik grunts in her general direction.
    Cawkles_GM  "Does anybody know what's going on?" He asks, twisting around to his superiors, trying to ignore the loud squad of praying soldiers nearby.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz A small smile appears on Izem's face as he puts on his gear and new armor. Despite the horrors he's witnessed since joining Snow Squad it feels...familiar, sort of like home, but not home, but that of course isn't the only thing. Events have happened since he first came aboard two months, things that have made him a new man, in more ways than physical. After donning everything he checks over...
    Izem_abn_Anaruz ...Kahina's gear and armor as well.
    Cawkles_GM  Muffin shrugs, her newly minted form flexing with each motion. She certainly looks a lot better; a shiny new bionic eye, teeth that are actually straight, her mop of black hair actually wrangled into a pony tail. She actually looks attractive now. Shame the dirt and grime dirtside will ruin any sense of hygiene she acquired while aboard.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "Best I can guess, Jurdik, war and more war, soldiers live and wonder why, eh."
    Cawkles_GM  Kahina brushes Izem aside. [Qom]"I can check my own gear, Izem. But I appreciate the gesture."
    Ace_Nerat   sneaks a long glance before returning to strapping on the piece of shit armour he got from the redguard
    Rajh_Tara   check his new Storm Trooper. He is surprised by how comfortable it fits comparing to the old cobbled together Red Guard uniform.
    Roland  begins gathering his new armor checks over his weapons, his new cybernetic arm is still feeling weird to him as he is still getting use to it.
    Ace_Nerat   "Fuck you." He says to Rajh, upset over the fact he couldn't find any better armour that fit
    Izem_abn_Anaruz [Qom] "My apologies," he says with a smile, "perhaps it was nothing more than an excuse to feel your warmth" He chuckles while backing away.
    Rajh_Tara   "It looks good on you Ace."
    Cawkles_GM  Abbass, ever the slick character, takes a drag from a lho and rubs his shiny coiffure. "Play nice, Ace. I'm sure the quarter master had good reason to turn you away. Maybe that ugly gob of yours scared him.
    Cawkles_GM  He has himself a sensible chuckle before suiting up. Kahina flashes her husband a tender smile, suiting up with the kind of patience and care only a medical professional can have.
    Ace_Nerat   "I look good in everything." he snarls at Rajh, before calling Abbass several undesirable names
    Roland  cracks a smile and laughs a bit at Abbass's joke/
    Rajh_Tara   "Besides some protection is better than none." He smiles.
    Ace_Nerat   "Got all the protection I need." he says, clipping on the Executor to his Powerfist
    Rajh_Tara   "See the Quarter Master was nice enough to let you have that."
    Ace_Nerat   "So Muff....How you feelin." he says, disregarding Rajh
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "I was surprised when they gave me this," he knocks on his chest. "Doesn't chafe, and feels as snug as a robe."
    Rajh_Tara   "We all got some good gear out of this."
    Cawkles_GM  A Klaxon blares over the hold, flashing lights both yellow and red. ++FORMATION++, a robotic voice bleats. With military efficiency, the chattering horde of soldiers line up by their landers in rigid rows, the men and women comprising each squad shouldering their weapons like they were about to go on parade. The Snow Squad comrades blink and mill about in a confused manner.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz folds his arms as he watches. His face, very neutral.
    Cawkles_GM  "What is this?" Kahina says, wrapping a headscarf around her head. All assembled hear the rumble of the elevatus as it begins to amble down the shaft...
    Rajh_Tara   [Mahdi] "Showtime?"
    Ace_Nerat   Looks at muffin again and then turns away, trying to usher the squad into formation "Get In line you morons!"
    Rajh_Tara   stands in formation.
    Roland  get in formation
    Izem_abn_Anaruz His body automatically snaps to, though it takes a moment. Being on an accidental leave for two months can do that to you.
    Cawkles_GM  Muffin sticks her tongue out at her boss before sliding into line with the rest of her squad. The elevatus doors groan open and reveal three figures. One is familiar to you all: Maurice Rose, a dashing figure in a navy trenchcoat, ornate walking stick, and crown of salt and paper hair. He is at the side of a woman whose height barely clears five feet, whose hair is so blonde it almost appears
    Cawkles_GM  to be white, whose harkonia warhawk armor jingles with a chestful of medals. This woman has about her the mien of a conqueror, one who expects to be obeyed; her steely gaze chills the souls of every man it crosses, her one non-bionic eye a window into a soul burning with intensity. Her gait is accompanied by mechanical clanks; it looks like her left arm is not the only thing that artifical
    Cawkles_GM  about her. The fact that every person present bows upon sighting her can mean only one thing: Snow Squad is looking at the Lord of the Rook Household, Calliope Raulwind Rook.
    Cawkles_GM  But even her impressive bearing cannot match the second figure at her side, one whose very presence seems to conflict with every conception Snow Squad has had of reality up until this point...
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "By Ashura and Shaban." He whispers in fear and awe.
    Cawkles_GM  To say that this figure is tall is a grave understatement. His height clears eight feet, easily, a size boosted by the armored suit he wears. He looks like a walking tank of cobalt and grey, with each of his power armored footfalls shaking the very floor. On his shoulder is the livery of his warhost: an eagle, clasping a curved sword in its talons. Such a sword rattles at the man's hip,
    Cawkles_GM  complimenting the sash tied around his waist. Nothing of his features can be divined from his soulless, power armored faced, other than the fact that he is the Emperor's Wrath personified. That man you look is no mere man. That...thing...is a Space Marine. One of the Emperor's angels of death. A hush covers the room. Even Muffin falls silent.
    Cawkles_GM  "At ease," Lady Rook says, her voice crisp and powerful. The awed soldiers slink back, letting the Rogue Trader walk with her shadows....all the way up to Snow Squad.
    Cawkles_GM  The sheer presence of the assembled host steals away any sort of greeting the Snow Squad comrades can offer. They all merely quiver in fear.
    Cawkles_GM  "So you are Snow Squad, I take it?" The Rogue Trader says, brushing an errant strand of hair back onto her scalp.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz nods, not daring to speak.
    Ace_Nerat   "Yesiry." he says giving the space hulk a once over
    Cawkles_GM  Mr. Rose smiles at his little group of proteges. He leans on his can like he was a man of twenty rather than two hundred.
    Ace_Nerat   "Ate your veggies huh?" he says to the giant metal man
    Roland  bow's to Lady Rook, "It is a honor to see you again Lady Rook."
    Rajh_Tara   is dumbfounded that such a man... a god could exist.
    Cawkles_GM  Before addressing the rest of the squad, she turns towards Roland and smirks. "Mr. Roland. Still among the living are we? It is good to see you, too, sir."
    Roland  "Lord Borys, it is an honor to see you again as well." Roland says as he bows to the Space Marine.
    Cawkles_GM  The Space Marine's head jerks towards Ace. His empty gaze, and silent tongue, says more than any terse threat ever could. His intimidating aura disapates upon spotting Roland, hower.
    Roland  "Yes my lady, it is good to still be alive." Roland responds to Lady Rook.
    Ace_Nerat   Stiffens at this and changes his stance to a more defensive one, baring his teeth slightly
    Cawkles_GM  "And I you, Roland. Lady Rook is lucky to have a skilled warrior like yourself among her host." His voice is a rumble, otherworldy, and foreign. Like an angel descended from the very heavens to personally address Roland; soothing, yet carrying a divine weight that impresses upon his words the very authority of the Imperium. For the assembled (pseudo) secessionists, it's deeply distressing.
    Roland  "Thank you my lord."
    Izem_abn_Anaruz fidgets slightly at the booming voice. He is somewhat relieved and worried that Roland is so familiar with the Astartes and the Rogue Trader.
    Cawkles_GM  "...Anyway," Mr. Rose interjects, forcing an awkward chuckle. "This is my boss, Lady Rook. And this is...her companion, Brother Borys. Of the Falcon Guard Space Marines. I would love to scintillate you with more introductions but we have a time table to keep. Lady Rook, shall I?" The woman nods, and Mr. Rose begins:
    Ace_Nerat   continues to glare at the Space Marine, not liking the feeling of not being the biggest
    Cawkles_GM  "You may be wondering why you're here with two full companies of House Rook Soldiers. Well, to put a *very* long story very short...Lady Rook has reached an agreement with Arwa the Pearl and the rest of your..." He pauses, shifting his gaze to the hulking space marine beside him. "*Friends*. But naturally, your leader wants some gurantees. Gurantees that are unsafe to describe over astropathic
    Cawkles_GM  or Vox communication. So, to this end, we're sending you in to personally deliver the accord. On foot. Through the Qalyatan battle lines." He hands Ace a sealed capusle, its scroll-like shape no doubt encasing an actual scroll witthin its sealed hull. "Master company, Fenris company, and Brother Borys here will see to it that you arrive safely. But be warned: things have heated up significantly
    Cawkles_GM  since your departure. I won't go into detail, but suffice to say that you'll be needing that armor, as well as that vox pack over there. I know I'm basically sending you in blind, but...I'm sure you gentlemen have what it takes to carry this out. Any questions?"
    Cawkles_GM  Kahina raises her hand. [Qom]"Why are we doing your dirty work, you lech?"
    Cawkles_GM  Lady Rook growls. "Gothic, please, miss...?"
    Cawkles_GM  "Kahina Seif-Al-Din, outsider. And that's Misses, Imperial. Not miss."
    Izem_abn_Anaruz nearly jumps in-front of Kahina to keep her from saying anything further. "My apologies, Lady Rook." Izem gives a slight bow. "She merely inquires as to why we are assigned this task."
    Ace_Nerat   "Who says we need cooking pot over here for help?" he says, jabbing a finger at the marine
    Cawkles_GM  The Rogue Trader raises an eyebrow, a deep frown on her face. "They won't shoot you on sight, that's why."
    Rajh_Tara   comes to the realization of everything that has happened and says [Mahdi] "I should have stayed as a Janitor."
    Izem_abn_Anaruz [Qom] "My shining star, now is not the time to anger our hosts. We are both alive because of them. Regardless of their affiliation we owe them." He tries to console her in the best way that will not offend the Rogue Trader.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "We understand perfectly our assignment in this endeavor, Lady Rook." He as much answers for himself and Kahina.
    Cawkles_GM  Kahina hems and haws, her glare subsiding. She turns around, walking back to the gear pile in a clear snub to their host. "She's not keen on another outsider meddling on her planet. I understand. But this is the only way Nova Spera will be free. Do as I ask, and I'll see to it that you, and your families, will reap the rewards of a new dawn on Nova Spera. Now, if you'd be so kind..."
    Cawkles_GM  "...MOUNT UP!" She hollers. And just like that, the hangar explodes into motion, whole squads of men piling into attack boats, shovelling gear on by the handful. Brother Borys stalks off towards one such boat, and Lady Rook retreats back to the Elevatus to attend to other matters. This leaves only Mr. Rose, who wrinkles his nose and chuckles.
    Cawkles_GM  "Isn't this some shite, eh?" He says.
    Ace_Nerat   "She married?"
    Cawkles_GM  "Fokken mad is wot," Muffin spits. Her mouth goes agape at Ace's impudent comment.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "Intimidating for sure. Your boss is some lady, Mr. Rose. Shame she doesn't have the same type of fire that mine does." He grins at the old man for a second before turning to prepare to mount up.
    Rajh_Tara   leans in to Roland and says "[Mahdi] What in the name of the saint mother is... was [Low Gothic]that  Giant metal man?"
    Cawkles_GM  "Who? Oh, Calliope? No, no, goodness no. I keep telling her she should tie the knot with this nice gentleman she met on Terra. But she keeps crawling back to this pirate prince. Shameful is what it is. I mean, I guess I can't blame her. Guy is a legendary lover. Stories have it he ravished ten women and an eldar in a single night long debauch. I think it's hearsay, but..." he trails off, a
    Cawkles_GM  mischievous twinkle in his eye. "You're out of her league, boss. That's what you should be getting from this whole spiel."
    Roland  "That my friend, is a Space Marine." Roland says to Rajh.
    Ace_Nerat   "Fucking tin pot is what he is."
    Rajh_Tara   "What is a Space Marine?"
    Ace_Nerat   "Let's see how tough he is under all that fancy gear, coward."
    Cawkles_GM  Kahina bumps her hip into Izem, her mood lightening somewhat as she mounts up alongside him.  "I wouldn't shit tlak him, Ace." Jurdik growls, chewing on a lho stick. "He looked pretty big. Even for you."
    Roland  gives Ace the look, "Yea, you wouldn't even survive from a punch from him even if he didn't have his armor on."
    Cawkles_GM  "Wow, did I just hear Jurdik admit someone from the Imperium is tough?" Abbass snickers, joining his squad in the assault boat.
    Cawkles_GM  "Eat a dick, you Bazir bastard."
    Izem_abn_Anaruz bumps her back playfully. You wouldn't think they were about to land back into a hellhole of a warzone that Qaylat has become.
    Ace_Nerat   "Ain't nothing to big for your old ace." he says, jutting out his jaw
    Rajh_Tara   "What in the Saint-Mother's name is a SPACE. MARINE."
    Ace_Nerat   "Marine of Space?"
    Rajh_Tara   "Yes, that."
    Roland  "Do you want the long version or the short version?"
    Rajh_Tara   "Both."
    Cawkles_GM  Mr. Rose places his face directly in his palm. "Can you educate your friend *on the way down please*? Time is wasting."
    Roland  nods to Rose.
    Cawkles_GM  As Snow Squad piles into the assault boat, the convivial attitude evaporates. The somber reality of what is about to happen comes crashing in like a thunderbolt, a metaphorical sound complimenting the very real roar of the engines revving into life. There is a stomach  churning feeling of dread as the assault boat leaves the confines of artifical gravity and rockets into the void, joining
    Cawkles_GM  the shoals of assault craft emerging from the fleet. Drop ships by the thousand, fighter planes by the hundred, troops by the million...House Rook is an army unto itself, and the full weight of its military might is about to be set loose upon Qalyat. But even now, as the approaching apocalypse looms ever closer to Nova Spera, there is an idle feeling of hopelessness, that this too will not
    Cawkles_GM  be enough, that the forces below will rebuff even the strongest attacks. Hands begin to shake, eyes begin to flutter, and Poor Jurdik loses his stomach in the jarring the silence. Soon enough, the hull rattles as atmo is broken and the final approach is intiated...
    Cawkles_GM  ++T-Minus 3 minutes. Hold onto something, guys. The xenos are waiting for us.++
    Cawkles_GM  The pilot's voice does not inspire much confidence.
    Rajh_Tara   "The blue devils?"
    Izem_abn_Anaruz holds Kahina's hand for a minute or two to calm her and himself, before preparing himself mentally for what is to come.
    Roland  finishes explaining to Rajh what he knows about the Space Marines.
    Cawkles_GM  "Whar oll gon' die, ernt weh?" Muffin says, her perfect teeth gritted as the first volley of intercepting fire rattles the hull with little pitter patters. The violent shaking of reentry is nothing compared to this; it's like the whole world has directed its guns towards Snow Squad. The hand Izem is clasping wraps tightly around his, until its knuckles go white.
    Cawkles_GM  ++Oh God-Emperor...++ The pilot mutters. It's at times like this one should be thankful that the view-ports are sealed. The carnage outside must be catastrophic.
    Cawkles_GM  The only steady comrade in the hull is Abbass. He's...grinning? ++S-shit! T-minus 30! Get ready! Get ready! LZ is hot! I repeat, LZ is hot!++
    Ace_Nerat   "Fuck em!" he yells loudly, but discreetly reaches for muffins hand
    Roland  looks at Abbass, "Looks like your ready to go."
    Rajh_Tara   prays [Mahdi] "Saint-mother. Please protect us, your children, in our time of need."
    Izem_abn_Anaruz laughs madly at the sight of Ace and Muffin holding hands, thought he'd never see such a thing. He then starts to sing an old Baziri song about the nomadic warriors of old, taught to him by the other Baziri in the BT.
    Rajh_Tara   "sent maan, mein se ek mahaan prabhu ke dvaara chuna hai . ham aap ke lie praarthana karate hain hamen nukasaan se bachaane aur daanav hai jo hamaaree bhoomi naalee par krodh neeche laane ke lie"
    Cawkles_GM  ++15...14...13...12...OH! THRONE'S TEETH! OH GO-++ It's the last thing Snow Squad hears, those words. The last thing they hear before their world is ripped asunder, before the assault boat bucks wildly and groans. Smoke begins to fill their compartment as the assault boat begins to twist wildly, careening ever faster towards...somewhere. For a moment, all is still, and all is silent. Like
    Cawkles_GM  a gruesome tableux, all the faces of Snow squad are frozen in a rictus of terror, their minds convinced that death is imminent. And for a moment it seems that way. No words could be uttered in time, no reaction fast enough to obviate any danger. The icy blackness of the void subsumes the senses...
    Cawkles_GM  ...
    Cawkles_GM  ...
    Cawkles_GM  ...
    Cawkles_GM  Is this the afterlife snow Squad sees? Qalyat? Or rather it's skeleton? Is this what eternity is going to look like? A sea of grey buildings, each a bombed out corpse riven with cracks and yawning chasms? A pyramid, running red with fresh blood, looming in the background? No, this is not the afterlife. This trench is not Snow Squad's grave. They were ejected here, forcefully, the smouldering
    Cawkles_GM  wreck of their assault boat looming behind them. The ramp seemed to have lowered just in time to dump their gear in this dusty trench. Ahead, there is a steep incline, and two squat barracks long ago bombed into  oblivion. Several hastily piled earthen mounds, as well as some wispy pathces of tall grass, are all that lay before you...
    Ace_Nerat   "Sound off!." he says, struggling to his feet
    Roland  gets up slowly and grabs his weapon, "Roland reporting."
    Cawkles_GM  Well, that's not really true either. As heads clear and senses focus, figures start to appear on this forlorn battlefield. Several, in fact. All clad in gentle blues and soft whites. One seems buliker, more ornate...and another...another is not a person at all. It's a turret. Attached to a Leman Russ.
    Rajh_Tara   "Still alive."
    Izem_abn_Anaruz somehow ended up upside down against the wall of the trench, he slowly rights himself while checking himself over. Only some bumps and bruises. "I'm here, anyone have an injuries?"
    Cawkles_GM  "I'm up!" Abbass sighs. "Still alive," Jurdik squeaks. "YO!" Muffin shouts. "I'm ali-" Kahina's sound off is interrupted by the fusilade of fire suddenly pouring your way!
    Ace_Nerat   "Mother fucking shit fuck." he says, looking at the foes assembled
    Cawkles_GM  The chaos flyinga t you, however, is nothing compared to what you see above you: attack craft, thousands of them, descending upon Qalyat like hungy locusts. Duelling fighters snipe at each other, attack craft descend from the sky on contrails of fire, and errant fighters slam into the ground in great plumes of detonating munitions. It's the greatest battle the humble city of Qalyat has ever
    Cawkles_GM  seen.
    Cawkles_GM  "FRONT! FRONT! THE WEAKLINGS ARE IN THE FRONT! WHO ARE THEY?!" Kahina screams over the din.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "Divine Cohort!" He bellows.
    Cawkles_GM  "FUCKIN' GOD BOTHERERS!" Jurdik bellows. He straps the vox caster to his back, and quickly sidles to cover.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz puts himself into the nearest cover while checking over his lascarbine.
    Ace_Nerat   grabs muffin by the shoulders and shoves her down "YOU WILL STAY DOWN BEHIND COVER, NO ARGUING." he says, before Bolting behind the bombed out building nearest them
    Cawkles_GM  "BOSS! BOSSSS!" She cries, poking her head over the lip of the trench to watch her superior surge forward. All up and down the line, more assault boats land, disgorging squads of House Rook soldiers. Little lances of energy trade sides as the two warring factions exchange fire!
    Izem_abn_Anaruz mouths a prayer to Ashura and Shaban to protect the squad. "This is crazy," he's never witnessed war at this kind of level. The BT offensive over two months ago is like a schoolyard fight compared to this.
    Ace_Nerat   bolts behind the building before diving to cover, rage building in him as he remembers what happened last time he wasn't fast enough to kill the enemy
    Roland  takes cover in the tench using the chameleoline cloak and takes aim at the enemy.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz The squad's medicae yelps in terror as one of the las bolts grazes his right arm. "Son of a bitch, stop fecking shooting at me, [Bazir] you fucking shithead cunts."
    Cawkles_GM  The Cohort gunline erupts, its deafening report dealing no damage!
    Cawkles_GM  Kahina crawls over to Izem's side, her fingers probing the wound. "It's not bad! Fight through it!"
    Rajh_Tara   cloaks into the trench and braces his las cannon.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "I'll be fine, my star, I'll be fine, I'm just tried of getting shot." He then motions for Jurdik to let him use the vox-caster. He then attempts to contact any support he can call-in.
    Cawkles_GM  ++Snow, Snow, this is Dingo. How copy, over?++ A voice crackles over the Vox, shrill and short of breath. Each word is interrupted by a sharp inhalation; He must be high in the atmosphere.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz ++Clear as it's going to get in this shitstorm, Dingo.++
    Cawkles_GM  ++What can I do for you, over?++
    Izem_abn_Anaruz ++Would appreciate whatever hell you could bring down on the enemies in front of our position, over.++ Izem fishes out his map and quickly finds the grid coordinates for the pilot, ringing them off rapid fire. ++Be advised, heavy air battle in the vicinity, over.++
    Cawkles_GM  In the meantime, the Holy Warrior pivots her heavy bolter and begins to lay down suppressing fire on Ace!
    Cawkles_GM  The Leman Russ' turret rumbles and twists towrads the trenchline, its battlecanon punching straight through the flimsy armor of the lander! If there are people alive inside, there aren't anymore; the vehicle detonates, showering the trench with tiny little metal shards.
    Cawkles_GM  "FOKK! NEH TISSA AGGIN!" Muffin screams, huddling into a foetal ball. Kahina's terror is just as dire; she dives on her superior, shielding him from debris with her back. She cries out in pain as a searing metal shard hits the small of her back with the force of a pitched ball.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "Feck feck feck feck feck," he says repeatedly as the Leman Russ fires and showers them all with debris. His memory of the last time he encountered such a tank has not been lost on him and he nearly loses control of his bowels. Seeing Kahina shield him fills him with rage and shame. How dare they hurt his wife.
    Roland  keeps calm as the explosion goes off behind him making sure not to give his position away.
    Rajh_Tara   is focused on his target, the enemy Leman Russ in front of him.
    Cawkles_GM  From a concealed position, a man wearing flowing white robes emerges, a hail of knives swiftly following his sudden move! They nick Izem's flesh, delivering debitilating (but nonfatal) poision into his system!
    Izem_abn_Anaruz growls in pain. His luck is turning to real shit lately.
    Roland  opens fire on the command squad, shooting the leader in the head and killing him.
    Cawkles_GM  Spooked, the squad turns tail and runs! The rest of their squads, bereft of their leader, maneuvers forward and presses their superior numbers!
    Cawkles_GM  Abbass keeps pressing the attack, whooping as his superior nails the enemy leader at a distance! Jurdik nudges the man, roaring "Don't celebrate until we're out of this shit!" over the hurriance of noise.
    Cawkles_GM  ++Dingo reaching attack vector....++ Jurdik's vox crackles. ++Lots of flak in the AO. God-Emperor willing, I'll be there in 10++
    Cawkles_GM  The dancing assassin effortlessly twists out of the way of Izem's shot!
    Rajh_Tara   fires on the Leman Russ, then disappears back into the trench.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz snarls in rage, letting his lascarbine fall on it's sling, he quick draws his BR from it's holster and attempts to shoot the assassin. The man dodges, pissing Izem off more. It really is not his day.
    Cawkles_GM  The Sister of battle twists her bolter around, peppering the trench with suppressing fire! As if Izem needed more things to be angry about...
    Izem_abn_Anaruz [Qom] "Why is everybody shooting at me!?" He rapid-fires in his wife's tongue.
    Ace_Nerat   charges through the building, warcry on his lips as he charges straight into oncoming fire
    Cawkles_GM  [Qom]"Just keep your head down and it won't happen so much!" She screams, as matter-of-factly as she can. She looks like she's going to say more...but a charging assassin interrupts her!
    Cawkles_GM  The assassin leaps towards Izem and strikes him in his body, the serrated edge biting in his flesh and creating a great bloody gash! Kahina screams in horror as she stumble backwards, her eyes seized by mute shock!
    Cawkles_GM  "FUCK! IZEEEM!" Jurdik howls, shifting his weapon towards the crazy assailant! Abbass does the same, mirroring his comrade's aggressive action!
    Izem_abn_Anaruz howls in pain as the serrated blade bites deep into his flesh.
    Roland  hearing Izem howling in, pain, Roland changes target to the assassin, and switches to his regular mode, hitting all three shots in the head, killing the assassin.
    Cawkles_GM  The cohort rush forward in a tide of blades and anger, attacking both Ace and the trenchline!
    Cawkles_GM  Overhead, a thunderbolt swoops down and fires all autocanons, turning one of the charging cohort into a steaming pile of hamburger, his comrades' soft white robes now stained red with his blood and gore! ++Guns guns guns!++ The vox crackles, an air of mirth and triumph to his voice.
    Rajh_Tara   fires at the tank once and causes the vehicle to explode. He hides back into cover.
    Cawkles_GM  "THE GOD-EMPEROR IS WITH US!" The sister shouts, her power sword crashing down on Ace in a nimbus of glowing light. The hammer blow only clips Ace's armor, however, robbing the blow of its strenght. The assembled warhost all groan from this foul up, and their courage begins to waiver!
    Izem_abn_Anaruz With shaking hands Izem sizes himself up in what damage he's taking. It's pretty bad, but not the worst he's had. He motions shakily for Kahina to assist him in patching himself up. "Getting really tired of being the center of attention, my love." He gets to work on healing himself, using Kahina as his hands.
    Ace_Nerat   laughs a dark, sinister laugh as he dives into the enemy with his powerfist, sweeping aside enemies as he laughs with dark glee, killing 5
    Ace_Nerat   "I'm going to make you suck my dick, Bolterbitch."
    Roland  takes aim at the advancing squad and takes aim and kills the squads commander.
    Rajh_Tara   switches to his Hotshot las and kills some of the retreating enemy.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz After the very quick suturing and bandaging, Izem picks himself up and uses the trench lip to assist in his aim of his BR, straight at the Sister. A loud clap like thunder resounds, recoil like a truck hits Izem, and he's rewarded with a metallic and wet smack as the round hits the sister in the leg.
    Ace_Nerat   "See, I have friends too." he says, taunting her, and giving a thumbs up to Izem
    Cawkles_GM  The sister of battle attempts to make one last overhead swipe at Roland, but the round punching through her leg causes her to stumble, and miss completely!
    Ace_Nerat   Ace*
    Cawkles_GM  "HERETIC! YOUR DEATHS **rrrgh** WERE DECREED BY HOLY WRIT!"
    Ace_Nerat   steps up to her, pointing at her with a fisted finger "Surrender or die."
    Cawkles_GM  She clutches her wounded leg, her gaze travelling to meet his. She stands up, fully erect, and defiant. She spreads her arms outwards, dropping her crackling powersword to the ground. WIth eyes closed, she awaits death, a gentle hymn warbling from her power armor's vox grills.
    Cawkles_GM  Muffin peers over the lip , watching the gruesome tableux play out. "Keel her! Fokken do eet, boss! An', an', an' tek her stoof!"
    Ace_Nerat   picks up the sword and swings it back and forth, before using it to decapitate her
    Ace_Nerat   "Nice sword."
    Ace_Nerat   tears the sheathe off the dead body before strapping the sword to himself
    Roland  gets up from his possition slowly and makes his way over to Izem, "You doing all right?"
    Rajh_Tara   "Doctor, are you alright?"
    Ace_Nerat   makes his way back to the trench, covered in blood.
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "Forgive me for my crass attitude, but do I look alright, Rajh?"
    Ace_Nerat   "Sorry Izem, wouldn't have left If I knew they had a lurker."
    Izem_abn_Anaruz "I'm about as all right as stuck pig." He chooses to complain than focus on the pain. "Is anyone injured?"
    Rajh_Tara   "Definitely not, that crazy bastard got too close for comfort."
    Ace_Nerat   "Little beat up."
    Roland  "I'm good."
    Izem_abn_Anaruz The medicae chuckles darkly, "close doesn't even cover it." Izem gingerly looks over Ace's wounds and patches him up.
    Cawkles_GM  Her helmet hits the dust with a thud, and her body swiftly follows. The sound is a death knell, a sign that this little slice of the battlefield has been pacified. Bloodstained corpses, shot through with smouldering las-holes, dot the field hither and yon, each a silent testament to the puissance of Snow squad. The small group of men and women, who have yet again beat the odds, clamber out
    Cawkles_GM  of the trench one by one. They know that this is but the first battle. Many more await on this catafalque of civilization and order. The rest of the line seems to not be so lucky; fires continues to be traded back and forth, but no effort can be spared to help them, for Snow Squad has their mission and by the God-Emperor they'll see it through.