Grateful to their CO for the uncannily timed warning but being under too much fire and in too much danger to thank him just yet, Aurius draws his plasma pistol before heading back to Smith to help him up and/or carry him back to the Commissar and Priest.
"Alright Pete, you did your job, now, lets get the hell outta here, I don't want to be near any tanks when they start unloading on these idiots."
Pete ducks under Smith's other arm and agrees by running faster.
"We don't have time for this. Finish them on the move."
Squadnet: "Mind the minefield."
The commissar holsters the hs las pistol he had laid out next to himself and sends a single unaimed bolt towards the ork
But the shot goes wide
Bolus fires again, this time sending a las bolt into the hateful ork's left leg.
As the attack team does its best to make a good escape time, a bright-blue beam of pure energy springs into existence - emitted by the last standing watchtower, crossing the distance to the distraction without any measurable time difference.
The impact shakes the ground, cascading lightning erupts and drowns the distraction in one go.
Lt. Harkers voice immediately erupts over the command net: "Why is there a tower left? Silence this Snazzgun or it will silence us!"
Pete spins, pops off a round at whatever is on the last tower, then keeps running.
Aurius just quickly grabs a smoke off his belt and tosses it behind him after Pete fires off his shot not really caring where it goes so long as theres smoke between them and the orks.
That done, he puts his attention back into getting them to the Ambush Point.
Squadnet: "Do we have charges set on that tower?"
The commissar stands up, firing another bolt towards the standing ork
But the Powerpack gives out under the strain instead.
"Thats a negative sir, our cover was blown before we could get to it!" Aurius grunts back over the squadnet.
Weyland crawls up front to talk to the driver "What the hell are we up against? Are these still just orks?"
Pete aims at the last standing tower, ready to put a grenade at the shooter ... then remembers that he had put a charge at that very tower less than an hour before!
He corrects his aim downwards, then sends another grenade flying.
The charge sets off as well, sending the tower crashing down and the last light that illuminated the area to go dark with it. This ensures that the resulting blue lightning coming from the ruined watchtower is much more impressive. It is greeted by shouting, shooting and generally an amount of noise that sounds like pure mayhem has broken loose inside the Orkcamp.
+++ Some minutes later +++
Pete, Smith, Aurius and Mord were able to break contact with the Orks after destroying the last tower and are now on their way back to the ambush side. Looking back regularly, tell them that the Ork camp is still in chaos but it's difficult to make out details over the distance.
Spending another half a clip each, Bolus and Lind were able to bring down the Orks and the one *brave* Gretchin. The other three has fled out of sight.
MacVyger has shortly reported in, telling Lind that he has find decent cover on the opposite side of the camp. He is hearing loud Ork shouting, the sound of running engines and occasional weapon fire, but can't risk to leave his hideout at the moment. No words from Pvt. Kalemis though.
The tanks have crossed most of the distance and are nearing the ambush place just now.
"Reporting, sir, towers neutralized, minimal damage sustained."
Aurius informs the Commissar as they make contact.
Pete slides into cover and immediately braces just in case they didn't break contact as cleanly as they thought.
Squadnet: "Good work everyone. We'll hand off this mission to the motorized troops in a bit and go pick up troopers MacVyger and Kalemis. Kalemis report if possible"
Commandnet: "Towers eliminated. You're approaching mined ambush area, still set. Quarter a klick in. No own casualties confirmed. Trooper MacVyger waiting for pickup, trooper Kalemis missing.
MacVyger reports running engines, propose to lead the enemy into the ambush area."
Command Net: "Good work Commissar. That should make things easier. Could have gone bad otherwise, they had a snazzgun. They must have a capable Mek to build such a thing. And a powerful leading figure. Otherwise they would have started a mad charge at us by now.
Advance as planned, direct course on the placed mines. If we near it and nothing happens, a will have the fist fire a few shells at the camp to draw them out.
If that doesn't work, circle and attack."
"Let's see if we can get close enough for your promethium to reach, Father. We're mounting up."
We're catching a ride on Margret. All of us, not just us 2 already here.
All our 'fun' weapons are rather close range - flamer, melta and plasma pistol - and we need to pick up MacVyger as soon as possible.
To use them we'll leave the rear hatch open and do a 'drive by' once something worth targeting appears.
The Reach of The God Emperor Is Infinite Commissar Bolus comments Alas That We, His Mortal Servants, Possess Not Even An Iota of His Glory. as he heads back into Marget with the ever dour Elisbeta.
"Roger that sir, we'll hop on as soon as we can. We've also not received word or contact from Kalemis, unless she makes contact, she's MIA sir."
As you reenter Margret one after the other, you notice four somewhat new faces onboard.
One bears the marks of a medic, another one has taken over the operator's seat. You know them from seeing. They are part of your regiment but are from another battalion, so you had little interaction with them since basic training.
Why Do The Foul Greenskins Not Come? Bolus complains I wish to visit upon them the cleansing fire's of The Emperor's Justice
Liam looks up and waves lackadaisically.
"So...anybody need a medic?"
Towards Aurius:
"She'll be designated MIA if she does not report back by the end of the mission. For now lets hope she found a hiding spot but can't talk"
Behind the troopers a tall man in a black uniform with a cap and a red sash enters. His green eyes dart from one face to the next, staying only for a moment before recognition strikes. You might not have met him in person before but there has been at least one time for each of your names have crossed his desk. For one reason or the other.
"Well well looks like someone didn't expect us to return so we got restocked. Report, troopers. What are your orders?"
"Well, then, she'd better report in soon or hope she's dead. One of the Schola...leaving would require us to go look for her." he replies grimly as he steps into Margaret after the Commissar.
As the Commissar asks the newcomers what their orders are, he makes it a point to visibly rest his hand on the butt of his Plasma pistol as he glares at them waiting for an answer and stays in the hatchway.
"No specific orders, just to join the push, and if separated in the chaos, to join whatever squad is closest at the moment."
Liam shrugs a little at that.
"Our sergeant prefers to keep things simple, harder for it to devolve into what he considers a "clusterf##@" if you have some good all purpose general orders."
"...
...
...
Sir."
Pete and Mord hop in and Pete checks over the fear to make sure nothing was thrown out of place in all that commotion.
"Trooper McGregor, 12 cases of slacking on the job. Not that those ever reach me but your sergeant is not as subtle as he thinks when inserting the forms for minor infractions already delt with by the direct superior into the bottom of the pile. So not subtle in fact they end up in the priority folder. And Trooper Yunson. 5 complaints from civilian traffic regulation. That is from the 2 weeks between end of training and being shipped here, as we do not have any civilian traffic here at the moment. Always delivering on time tho, even with the shortest deadline.
With Mackendish and Jorn as sidekicks to the shenanigans as a good comrade in arms should be.
Welcome to Margret and the squad. You're formaly under my command as of now until further notice. I'll have a chat with your sergeant about clarity and purpose of orders as soon as an opporunity arises."
"For now be ready for action if the leutnant can finally draw the orks out of their hole. We'll start by wittling them down but be prepared to go in hot if a priority target appears. We have several short range specialist weapons among the squad which we'll deploy by going in with the rear ramp down and firing while driving by or skitting to a halt close by as the situation demands."
-> The squad will try to help out with the ambush using the installed lasguns
If a chance comes up to isolate or directly nuke the nob or mekboy they'll drive close and unload their biggest guns into them before getting out of dodge - whether the target is dead or not
Only Twelve? Ah well, considering it was not me doing the slacking, that's fair enough.
With a weary sigh, and a semi functional salute, Liam closes the medikit and instead shoulders his trusty lasgun.
"If nobody needs the medic part of field medic, then I guess it's time for the field part again."
"Well, since you're offerin', we were in a scuffle with a Killa Kan on our way here a while back and it roughed me up something good. So, if you can do whatever to bring me back to top shape, I'm all ears." Aurius mentions as he settles down into the Chimera once the Commissar welcomes them into the squad.
Weyland is driving the Chimera, right TGoW?
"Civilians sometimes forget how quickly The Guard needs things done sir. Good to be on board Commissar, I'll try to get us as clear a view as I can sir to identify VIP targets."
Liam shrugs and indicate that Aurius should take a seat.
With deft moves that puts his earlier lethargic demeanour to shame, he begins to prepare gauze, bandages, needles and thread.
"There you go, bandaged and stitched up.
but I'll want to have a further look at you once we are back to camp.
Aurius just shrugs at the Medic as he straps his chestplate back on, knowing full well that where they possibly going, they'd be damn lucky to have everyone make it out of there intact.
Bolus has a hard time processing his new Commissar's words
Commmisar! Do you mean that these newcomers are layabouts and criminals! Unworthy of service to Holy Terra! He says incensed.
Peace, Father. Pete interjects. He is merely exposing their sins so they may be purified by fire and combat in the Emperor's name.
Bolus goes to say something but closes his mouth and nods at Pete before turning back to Aurius and Liam Mysterious are the ways of the Emperor. May he show you the error of your ways as we fight in his name. he grunts before settling down and starting to recite a litany of redemption.
"I go at the speed of war father, it is above civilians to understand the urgency that the Emperor demands of us in the prosecution of war."
Jorn chimes in "No one else could have gotten us from that strip club before morning bell, but you did sir, you did." Jorn salutes "Emperor bless you sir!"
Weyland shouts back at him "Shut up and shoot!"
The attack follows the plan of Lt. Harker. The vehicles approach in a close
formation until they near the minefield, were they stop. A second later the
echoing boom from the Andorian's Fist main gun echos over the plain.
A second shot follows a fes seconds later.
But still no return fire.
Seconds later the comm activates.
"Damn Greenskins. Well seems like we have to get them, if we do not want
to waste a lot of ammo shooting blindly into the camp.
Angelus, Margret circle south.
Parro, Hellblazer circle north.
The Fist will circle the mines and go in with Longleg and Hawkeye right here.
Attack in 5 minutes or when engaged. Report sightings of vehicles or possible
leaders to the others, otherwise your NCOs will have operational command.
The Emperor protects."
++++ ++++
After you and Angelus have taken a quick detour south, you now near the camp
from the south again. The night vision devises of the chimera show you three
possible approaches:
- There's some kind of gate that offers a free way in
- There's lots of metal wall you can try to drive through / shoot your way in
- There's the ruin of one of the watchtowers, that your all-terrain vehicle may
be able to climb over and in
"...Thank you Father?" Aurius replies somewhat confused but just shrugs and accepts what the father said when he starts his litanies.
+++
"Hmm, somethings up. I've never known Orks to not come rushing headlong into a fight. Sir, I don't like the smell of this...sure we took down their watchtower support but, theres still a leader of some sorts that we haven't visually identified in there..." Aurius mentions as he scans the battlefield from the view offered him through his Lasgun firing port.
"By the Throne, I might have some permanent eye damage from that blasted light..." Aurius mutters as he has a hard time noting anything through his sight.
"Just punishment was given and shall suffice as long as the men do the emperors work" the corners of the commissars mouth twitch upwards.
"You better not, Trooper Thantus. I don't remember authorising permanent degradation of combat efficiency on the this misison."
Squadnet: "Trooper MacVyger if possible give me an estimate where the closest edge of the camp is relative to your hiding place."
Margret and the squad will circle as close to MacVyger as possible before waiting for the time to attack and then breaking down a wall, if necessary with detpacks. Trooper Gerring won't go on any lonely walks tho. If detpacks are necessary to break the wall down then we'll drive up to the wall and have him plant it, then drive just far enough to be out of the blast range and do an u-turn.
"I've got an auspex and a lascutter if that's of any use Commissar"
"See if you can set the auspex to detect orkish lifesigns. As for the entrance I'm tending towards using the loud but quick knock but I might reconsider depending on MacVygers situation."
MacVyger: "I don't really know where I am.
Got blinded by those damn lightsch and schtumbled away.
I don't schee any of you. And the camp is about 100m from me.
If you can light up, I probably can schee you."
Squadnet: "So not inside the camp. We'll find you. Keep transmitting."
"Trooper Cooper, keep watching the signal strength from MacVygers transmission. It should increase until we pass his hiding point, let me knew the instant it starts decreasing again."
Plan stays the same - we just get to pick up MacVyger before we enter the camp which makes things a lot easier.
It takes the team a couple of precious minutes to finally locate MacVygers
position and pick him up. As the expert cimbs on board, four of the five
minutes Lt. Harker gave you have passed.
It will take the chimera another 30 seconds to reach the camp from MacVygers hideout.
"Welcome back, Trooper. We'll blast right through the closest camp wall so get out your explosives.
Trooper Yunson, head straight for the wall. Turn around and wait for MacVygers signal then bring us outside the detonation radius before turning once more. MacVyger, detonation radius?"
Chimera -> Wall
MacVyger plants entry charges + Yunson turns aroud Chimera
MacVyger jumps back into the chim and Yunson drives us off
Chimera is outside explosion radius and turns around
Explosives go off, totaly awesome if that'd be at the 5min mark but I'll take whatever
We shoot at anything coming out.
Once nothing is left we go in with the chimera and look for more targets
Pete reloads the clip in his launcher, takes up his mounted lasgun, and waits.
"Thanksch for the pickup, Schir!
How big of a hole do you want? Big enough for Missch Piggy here?
Then I need two chargesch ... time for a schaped-one directed inwardsch ...
5 Metersch schould schuffice Schir! I'll prepare it now!"
With that he sits down in the middle of the compartment and starts to prepare
the last two of his remaining charges.
He does not seem to fond of his quick work, but nods.
"Gimme two more metersch Schir. Quick work ischn't da bescht and reliable."
"We'll make it 10m and skip the double u-turn then. I trust you'll cross that distance twice without incident."
"You got it sir! A rapid approach with a 10m GTFOASAP"
Pete looks at Mord and the old geezer preps the grenade launcher just in case the hastily assembled detonator fails.