Death From Above 5

* Pavor_GM (Knight-Bro@sux-E847FD44.socal.res.rr.com) has joined
<Pavor_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Pavor_GM> As the levymen pile the xenos carcasses against the destroyed alien construct, their numbers swell as the second group attaches to that under Lieutenant Aubrey. A small tank of promethium is opened up, its contents poured on the pile, as Aubrey confers with the newly-rendezvoused troop's leaders.
<Pavor_GM> "Then we'll have to pick up the pace, here," Aubrey says tracking a feature on a map laid out before him and his men. "It will buy us enough time to advance on the checkpoint and set up ambush."
<Pavor_GM> "Commissar, a moment," Aubrey calls out.
* Commissar_Hargrave approaches the leader of the local resistance. "What is it Lieutenant Aubrey?"
<Pavor_GM> "Timerius has decided to move ahead of his forces. There is no chance of us catching up unless," he takes a step back to the map, "Unless we rappel off the cliff-side here, and cut through the forest to meet the road at this juncture here," he traces the path on the map.
<Pavor_GM> "There is a checkpoint which he will have to get through ahead of the orbital cannon," he looks up. "Probably well-defended; it was the the last bastion of resistance before our boys were... removed."
* Commissar_Hargrave smooths out the part of the map referenced and ponders for a moment. "I assume you have the equipment to scale down the cliff-side. And do you have a plan regarding the checkpoint itself? If it is well-defended as you say we will need to get in position well in advance of Timerius. Otherwise they are sure to realize something is off and spoil our ambush before it is sprung."
<Commissar_Hargrave> "However. Providing you have the equipment and know the terrain well enough to ensure good time it is a perfect opportunity to cut off a head of the snake."
<Pavor_GM> "We have what is needed to abseil," he nods. "It is what you have that I wish to focus on. Your weapons. They are silenced. We know there to be patrols in this area, ahead of the checkpoint. We will require you to find, and destroy them as discretely as possible while we advance."
<Commissar_Hargrave> "I have no objections. Of course it is the Lieutenants decision. But I am confident I can convince him providing you can lend us the equipment we need to scale down."
<Pavor_GM> "We will all scale down, together. However, the 112th will not advance until we are satisfied the patrol threats are gone - we have a mortar team joining us for this operation. I will need time to find a suitable position to deploy and reinforce them."
<Commissar_Hargrave> "We will do our part lieutenant. I will relay your plan to Lieutenant Faust."
<Pavor_GM> He nods, and goes to supervise the vegetation clearings around the promethium-soaked pile.
* Commissar_Hargrave rises from the map and moves to Lieutenant Fuast and the remaining Pavorians. "Lieutenant Faust. Lieutenant Aubrey of the local forces has a plan and asks for our participation, I believe it to be a solid plan that will alow us to accomplish one of the secondary objectives."
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone eating a ration and gives a thumbs up to the Commissar.
* Dutch_Miles checks over his medkit.
* Zaylen is nearby, kneeling and keeping his eyes on the perimeter.
<Commissar_Hargrave> The Commissar's hand twitches involuntarily towards his sidearm before he takes a calming breath and straightens his hat. +Alright commandos form up for a mission briefing!+
* Leon get's up and forms up.
* Dutch_Miles packs up his medkit and walks over to the Commissar. "So whats the plan?"
<Zaylen> The scout stands and moves over to join the squad for the brief. His hands rest on his weapon and chest-rig.
<Commissar_Hargrave> "Alright, so Lieutenant Aubrey of the local PDF has laid out a plan to rappel down the side of a cliff face, cut through the jungle, take out a checkpoint and ambush one of the enemy leaders: Timerius. We will scale down the cliffside with them and while they consolidate and prepare for the push through the jungle we will advance ahead of the main group and eliminate enemy patrols, clearing a path for their march. Afterwards
<Commissar_Hargrave> we rejoin them and assist in cutting a head from the snake. Any questions?"
<Zaylen> "They didn't happen to mention what to expect from these patrols?"
<Leon> "Aye."
<Leon> "No questions."
<Commissar_Hargrave> "Lieutenant Aubrey didn't specify. Only that there are known enemy patrols in the area and he needs our assistance due to the silenced nature of our carbines."
<Dutch_Miles> "Do we know where we will be ambushing this patrol?"
<Zaylen> "Fair enough, Commissar."
<Commissar_Hargrave> "It wasn't specified as there are likely to be multiple and they will be moving along whatever patrol routes they have. Knowing they patrol the forest and knowing their exact routes are quite different Specialist Miles."
<Pavor_GM> The fire is lit, engulfing the remnants of your encountered xenos patrol in a fierce, crackling conflagration.
<Pavor_GM> "Levymen, gather your equipment, and prepare to move!" Aubrey calls out, echoed by his sergeants.
<Dutch_Miles> "Ok then, how long do we have then?"
<Commissar_Hargrave> "As quickly and quietly as we can Miles. Ideally we take out the patrols before the locals are ready to advance."
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> "Climb down, find and ambush enemy patrols. Simple enough."
<Dutch_Miles> "Good, then lets get to it."
<Leon> "Allright then."
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> "Get your gear and move out, team."
<Zaylen> The scout specialist nods.
* Joshua admiring the pyre for a moment turns and forms up with his squad.
<Pavor_GM> Just under an hour's march away, the roaring of a waterfall can be heard. Up ahead, forward elements of the 112th levy can be seen securing rappel lines on the cliff some 20 meters from the falling, misty water.
<Pavor_GM> As your form around the cliff, Aubrey approaches with a squad in tow.
<Pavor_GM> "You'll need the local knowledge, take the fireteam with you." He turns to his men. "Joshua, Aleksander, Oleg, Branden. You are under the Imperials' command now. Keep them away from the chasms, and do as commanded."
<Joshua> "Aye sir."
<Aleksander> "Got it sir"
<Pavor_GM> "Lines ready, sir!"
<Pavor_GM> Aubrey turns. "Right. Strap on, and make your way down. We will be right behind you."
<Commissar_Hargrave> "Lieutenant Aubrey."
<Pavor_GM> "Commissar."
<Commissar_Hargrave> "I must ask if you have and way to silence their weapons. The reason we advance ahead of and dispose of the patrols is silence."
<Pavor_GM> "Bayonets, Commissar."
<Zaylen> "Commendable."
<Dutch_Miles> "They will be fine, didn't you see how well they did earlier."
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> "That's my style, stabbing some bastards."
<Commissar_Hargrave> "Very well. We descend. Squad move out!"
<Pavor_GM> At each of the secured lines, harnesses are handed to you, and clipped onto the absailing cables.
* Zaylen makes ready to rappel down the lines.
* Dutch_Miles puts on the harness and makes his way down.
* Leon preps to rappel down.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone takes a line, secures himself, getting ready to climb down.
* Joshua preps his harness and begins to rappel.
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +Damnit, doc. Shoulda waited for my mark.+
* Aleksander checks the local area using the Auspex and his eyes while they climb
* Dutch_Miles makes his way down safely and looks back up +That was easy, you all got this.+
<Pavor_GM> The falling waters roar to a deafening degree as you make your descent.
* Joshua descends safely if somewhat ungracefully.
* Commissar_Hargrave steps up and clips on, preparing to descend.
* Zaylen straps himself in and pepares to rappel down the cliff.
<Dutch_Miles> makes sure to keep clear of the rope and keeps his eyes open for anything.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone makes his way down. +Don't get careless, team.+
<Aleksander> "I don't see anything, we seem clear."
* Leon manages to rappel down without problems.
* Joshua takes up a defensive position and checks his auspex.
* Aleksander clips himself on and makes his way down
* Commissar_Hargrave brings up the last of the squad to scale down the cliffside, careful to avoid any of the yawning portals into the earth.
<Zaylen> The scout specialist exits the harness after descending gracefully down. He takes a knee near the squad and keeps an eye out.
<Pavor_GM> Some 40 meters away from your point of descent, along a turn of the river fed by the waterfall, several large figures appear to roam about.
<Joshua> "Figures, 40 metres 2 O'Clock"
<Zaylen> +Can confirm, rather large figures.+
<Dutch_Miles> "Aye, I see them as well."
* Joshua makes sure his cloak is well positioned to hide himself from the unknown forms.
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +Keep out of sight.+
* Dutch_Miles takes cover.
* Aleksander stealthes his way to Joshua's position, realizing he has eye on targets
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone hides behind one of the trees.
<Joshua> "Panic over, just some native wildlife. If we avoid them they won't bother us"
<Joshua> "Can be mighty territorial tho."
* Leon conceals himself as best as possible.
<Pavor_GM> Up above, the levymen begin to gather around the lines as equipment checks are made.
* Zaylen slips into cover and becomes one with the terrain, and there he remains.
<Joshua> "We should get a move on however, we don't want them to wander into us."
<Commissar_Hargrave> +Let's move. We don't have time to waste playing with the local fauna.+
<Zaylen> +Should I let the local take point then?+
<Aleksander> "Reminds me of my cabin, stick close young ones Ol Aleksander will take point."
<Zaylen> "I'll try and keep up."
<Joshua> "I'll head with you to keep an eye out on the auspex"
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +Have the local take lead, they should known these woods better than us.+
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +But keep yea eye on them.+
<Zaylen> +Of course, El-Tee.+ He wraps himself tighter in his cloak and keeps pace.
<Pavor_GM> Advancing further away from the cliffside and towards the checkpoint, you pass by one of the chasms; the echoing sound of running water gives you some reference for the massive dimensions of the cavern system running below these lands, though the darkness as you look into its depths gives nothing away, like a hungry maw.
<Aleksander> "Hold comrades." He whispers.
* Zaylen goes still and slow lowers himself into a crouch.
<Joshua>  signals back for the squad to hold.
* Leon stops any loud movement.
* Dutch_Miles stops in place and gets down slowly.
<Aleksander> "Those damned Peakers are loose in this area. A Dozen of them ahead spread out."
* Leon tilits his head in confusion.
<Zaylen> "The hell are you on about?" He whispers back.
* Commissar_Hargrave notices the locals signal and slowly stop his movement, careful to not make any sudden motions.
<Pavor_GM> Oleg secures a bayonet to his weapon.
<Pavor_GM> "Swift kill, or swift death," he says, nodding to the commandos.
* Leon nods in agreement.
* Leon draws his rifle quietly.
* Rey_Lasky (Karpath@sux-4923800D.sanbrunocable.com) has joined
* Aleksander gestures to the Commandos and points out the Birdmen to them.
* Zaylen checks his weapon over in preparation.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone gets his mono-knife and power maul ready.
* Rey_Lasky is now known as Dutch_Miles_
* Dutch_Miles has quit (Ping timeout)
* Dutch_Miles_ is now known as Dutch_Miles
<Zaylen> +Same type of xenos that messed up the Major.+
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +We can't avoid'em, then kill'em.+
* Joshua attaches his knife to his combat shotgun.
* Aleksander brandishes a Knife and holds it in a way ready to be thrown
* Dutch_Miles readies his Phantom Autocarbine.
* Zaylen moves into a position for ambush.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone sneaks forward.
<Pavor_GM> Clicking vocalizations ahead are audible as the beasts communicate.
<Aleksander> "Careful, these things are fast, so be prepared."
* Commissar_Hargrave raises his carbine and settles into the crook at his shoulder, preparing for the ambush.
* Leon prepares for the ambush.
* Zaylen takes a breath, and squeezes the trigger...and nothing happens to his target. "Bollocks, how did I miss..."
* Leon kills one of the targets at 72 meters.
* Commissar_Hargrave fires a semi-auto burst at one of the filthy Xenos.
* Joshua lies in wait.
* Dutch_Miles opens fire on the same xeno's the Commissar shot at.
* Zaylen keeping his sights trained on the same xenos, he fire another three-round burst. And barely dings him. "Feth's sake." He murmurs.
<Pavor_GM> An exotic projectile flies above Zaylen's head in response, a tree some dozen meters away loses a kilogram's worth of trunk.
<Zaylen> "Emperor's breath." He says between clenched teeth, but remains stock-still.
* Leon misses his shots.
* Commissar_Hargrave fires another semi-auto burst at the enemy combatants but his shots go wide.
<Pavor_GM> One of the nearer xenos begins to move like a deadly predator through the woods, closing in on the guardsmen.
* Joshua moves up slightly maintaining his stealth.
* Aleksander lays in wait ready to intercept
<Pavor_GM> As another projectile goes wide, a second of the beasts begins to move through the vegetation towards the troopers.
<Pavor_GM> A burst of energy comes crashing down just a meter away from Miles as he dodges out of the way.
<Pavor_GM> A third creature moves forward, closing dangerously with the firing troopers.
<Dutch_Miles> After dodging a shot he opens fire on the farthest, hinting it with one of his shots.
* Leon fires a semi burst that does nothing.
* Commissar_Hargrave fires a final semi-auto burst at the enemy combatants before his magazine clicks empty.
<Aleksander> "Stupid youngin."
* Aleksander charges into the Fecker engaged with Josh
<Pavor_GM> Seemingly out of nowhere, Joshua is viciously attacked with a slashing weapon.
<Aleksander> "Get your fething shit togther boy!"
<Pavor_GM> Aleksander's knife charge savagely fells the creature.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone charges at the bird creature near the commissar and cleaves the creature's left arm off with his power maul.
* Aleksander dodges and weaves from the Pecker's assault
* Dutch_Miles opens fire again on the farthest one but misses again.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone dodges a random shot from the birdmen things.
* Dutch_Miles dodges a shot from one the the xenos creatures.
* Leon fires another burst, but the creature dodges.
* Commissar_Hargrave slings his rifle and quickdraws his sidearm, snapping off two bolt shells towards the xenos warriors.
* Aleksander tries to keep up with the Kroot's onslaught
<Pavor_GM> With a flurry of slashes, the xeno beast presses its attack against Aleksander.
* Joshua draws his autopistol firing 6 shots, two landing ineffectually on a nearby hostile.
<Pavor_GM> A single, preciely aimed energy shot strikes Commissar Hargrave in the left arm, dropping him to the floor, where he remains unconscious.
<Aleksander> "Quite the grox shit situation, you gotten us into Imperial."
<Pavor_GM> Another, less precisely aimed one, however, strikes the vile beast engaged in melee against Aleksander and Faust, killing it instantly.
<Aleksander> "You people can not hit the broadside of a barn, even this Pecker shots better then your lads!"
* Leon dodges another salvo of shots
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone says to Aleksander "Shut your face and get to killin'."
<Aleksander> "Then get in there, I will cover your ass."
* Dutch_Miles fire again at the xeno's hitting it with two shots as his weapon goes click.
<Zaylen> Time seems to almost stop, slowing to a molasses crawl as Zaylen and his opponent continually exchange shot after shot. Much like the ships of the line of lore, they continue to batter each other with solid projectiles. Hit is traded for hit, until finally, the scout nails the avian xenos with three rounds, killing the creature outright. Zaylen spits a glob of blood onto the earth and smiles. "Stay dead you freak."
* Aleksander throws down his Knife into the dirt as he quick draws his Triplex Lasgun
* Joshua attempts to lay down supressing fire on the nearest kroot, landing some glancing blows but its nerve holds up.
* Aleksander lays down and fires a shot into the skull of one of the closet target, as it is completely atomizing it.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone running towards cover while trying to get near his targets.
<Pavor_GM> A burst of energy passes right above Aleksander's head, missing him by inches.
* Dutch_Miles releases his mag and reloads it with the manstopper rounds.
* Zaylen dives into cover, slivers and bits of wood explode around the scout as he dives into cover. He picks himself up and fires back at the nearest Kroot, killing it instantly.
* Aleksander lines up another shot aiming for the head as he ducks almost instantly
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone charges into melee with a bird man.
<Dutch_Miles> With a fresh clip in the mag he recited the Litany of Penetration, his shot hits the leg, killing the xenos.
* Joshua puts some rounds from his las carbine down range ineffectually hitting a birdman.
* Commissar_Hargrave tries to shake off the last vestiges of grogginess and attempts to line up a shot with his bolt pistol while on the ground.
* Aleksander realigns the shot and removes the Kroots head
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone smashes the bird man with his power maul, bashing the body, legs, and arms till it is dead.
<Pavor_GM> With a shriek, the last of the beasts hurls itself in a high arc towards Faust.
* Dutch_Miles moves over the Commissar after seeing the last xenos in combat with the LT.
* Leon fires a shot at the last creature.
* Commissar_Hargrave reloads his autocarbine with the specialist rounds.
* Lt_Faust_Johnstone takes an exhausted swing at the enemy.
* Aleksander waits for the reckless Lieutenant to expose the Kroot as he scores a shot not bringing him down
<Pavor_GM> A viscious counter-attack sees Faust stricken with terrible force to the side of the head.
* Dutch_Miles takes aim and fires one shot at the xenos, the shot hits but no kill.
<Aleksander> "Fething hells."
<Joshua> "Oof"
<Aleksander> "We need to move and soon, this is a right mess up."
<Joshua> "Time to vanish."
* Commissar_Hargrave groans through gritted teeth and rises from his grounded position. "The local is correct, we need to move quickly."
<Zaylen> The scout nails the last kroot that's in melee with the El-Tee, keeping it from dealing another savage blow to the officer. He lowers his weapon, the barrel smoking. "Clear."
* Aleksander smacks Joshua with the butt of his barrel
* Aleksander as he misses and just looks at him angry
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> "This was a clusterfuck." He sighs and continues saying "...so much for being sneaky."
<Aleksander> "You Fething Fool, they will know we are coming now."
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +Come, now! We can't stand here.+
<Joshua> "As if we were winning that fight without the heavier weapons, they wouldn't of ignored that much of their own gunfire lets go."
* Dutch_Miles takes a moment to help heal Zaylen and Joshua.
<Aleksander> "We need to move before the Patrols find us."
* Leon prepares to move out to another position.
<Aleksander> "If you are about done Imperials we need to double time away from here."
* Joshua reloads his equipment and gets ready to move.
<Lt_Faust_Johnstone> +Patch up the wounded and move. Not sure how long we have till shit hit fan.+
<Dutch_Miles> +Agreed.+
* Aleksander pulls out the Knife from the ground and holsters it as he begins to make a move up ahead
<Zaylen> "My thanks doc," Zaylen catches up with the locals and prepares to take point again.
* Dutch_Miles moves up with the squad out of the area, helping the Commissar as well.
<Commissar_Hargrave> "I'm fine Miles, help the others watch for threats."
<Dutch_Miles> "Yes Sir." he says as he then starts moving up while scanning the area as they move.
<Pavor_GM> With the levymen in the lead, you make your way further in, leaving behind the chaotic scene of your skirmish, certain that the commotion caused by their engagement has alerted others.