Road to St Sabbat's Square

[Kraytirous Shalluat]

Kraytirous' voice calmed and he spoke sternly, his words precisely cut and oddly lacking in emotion. "I request exchanging my current weapon,the MK IVa Heavy Bolter, for a Soundstrike pattern Rocket Launcher, as my affiliation with the latter is greater and I believe that I would be of far greater effect with a weapon to which I have become accustomed. If the Thunder Hawk is properly supplied, of course." Kraytirous knew that he would have to exchange his weapon quickly and effectively if he did have the chance, as they were, as always, short on time. But he had confidence in his abilities and familiarity with the weapon's layouts to be able to exchange it easily.

Shalluat made sure to speed up, heading near the front of Delta's formation so that he would be one of the first to board the Thunder Hawk if the situation called for his rearmament. He made a silent apology, asking for the Emperor's forgiveness in being ungrateful with what he had been given. But he wanted to be at his best.

[Manius Agrippa]

Kraytirous' voice calmed and he spoke sternly, his words precisely cut and oddly lacking in emotion.

++I request exchanging my current weapon, the MK IVa Heavy Bolter, for a Soundstrike pattern Rocket Launcher, as my affiliation with the latter is greater and I believe that I would be of far greater effect with a weapon to which I have become accustomed. If the Thunder Hawk is properly supplied, of course++

Sgt Agrippa considered his response for a few paces. It was a fair request. Certainly it was true that Manius would have preferred the squads heavy weapon to have been a Sound Strike over a Mk IVa from the start of the mission. It was more useful vs any Armor and fully capable of engaging with the Fragmentation warheads verses Infantry Targets.

But the Force commander had for very good reasons requested that 1st Squad arm itself with a Heavy bolter for this mission reasoning that the main threat would be large numbers of poorly equipped light infantry. Under such conditions Sgt Agrippa had to concede the MK IVa ‘was’ the better choice of weapon system.

He would however speak with the Force commander – but for now he would not undermine Brother Zenodius’s authority…..

“REQUEST DENIED BROTHER, WHAT INTELLEGENCE WE HAVE SUGGESTS MAINLY LIGHT INFANTRY OPPOSITION”

He dearly hoped that comment wouldn’t come back to haunt him and checked that his Melta Bomb was within easy reach.

“STAY WITH THE MKIV FOR NOW – IF OUR INTELLEGENCE CHANGES THEN WE WILL SEE ABOUT SWAPPING THE HEAVY BOLTER OUT FOR A MISSILE LAUNCHER”

Still that being said Sgt Agrippa had to admit that he would feel happier if Brother Kraytirous was lugging a Soundstrike and not waiting for any response from his heavy weapon specialist changed over to the Vox channel of Force Commander Zenodius.

“BROTHER FORCE COMMANDER – I AM CONCERNED THAT OUR FORCE LACKS ANY ANTI TANK FIREPOWER! UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY RESERVATIONS I WILL GET BROTHER KRAYTIROUS TO SWAP OUT HIS WEAPON FOR A SOUNDSTRIKE MISSILE LAUNCHER AND FOR HE AND BROTHERS AMORES, FLAVIUS AND VALERIUS TO STOCK UP ON KRAK AND FRAG MISSILES”

He let the question hang awaiting a response from the force commander while again continuing to watch both fire teams as they pounded through ruined streets towards the LZ hot on the heels of the Scouts.

[Rallus Zenodius]

Rallus Zenodius turned when he felt the heavy pat on his shoulder. There was an element of surprise to his movements as he identified whom the hand belonged to. It was tactical brother Catern. For a marine to be so familiar was a strange experience. Usually a brother lower in the Chapter’s structure would never be so forward with a Force Commander. It did not anger Rallus, he understood the peculiar nature of Catern and the forward nature that had never left him since his days as a neophyte. Indeed, he had watched as many of younger battle brothers had evolved.

With a swift hand he scooped the symbol out of the marines hand and looked it over before dropping it to the dirt and stamping his foot on it.

“These are commonplace among many of the black markets Brother. Fear not, if the hated enemy is here then we will pass our judgement just as we have done so here. Now let us depart, Emperor willing the spaceport will be ours by the dead of night.”

The commander did something he had rarely done before. He made an emotional physical gesture to another battle brother. His hand swept forward quickly and grabbed the left shoulderpad of Catern before giving the slightest of nods.

In seconds it was all over and Rallus had set off into an easy jog, the rest of the company moving to catch up.

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Rallus was busy scanning the buildings and windows, the HUD in his helmet sweeping over the heat signatures and simultaneously changing the display brightness as the dimness of dusk started to creep in. The rare MK 8 Errant armour helmet contained the same integrated vision enhancement system (IVES) that the Mk 7 Aquila armour possessed, an integration of both thermal vision and an adaptive enhanced night vision. It was tech like this that made the Adeptus Astartes stand out from the rest of the Emperor’s many servants. Just another thing to enhance the abilities of the battle brothers. Zenodius did not break his scan when the voice of Sergeant Agrippa came across his personal channel.

+++BROTHER FORCE COMMANDER – I AM CONCERNED THAT OUR FORCE LACKS ANY ANTI TANK FIREPOWER! UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY RESERVATIONS I WILL GET BROTHER KRAYTIROUS TO SWAP OUT HIS WEAPON FOR A SOUNDSTRIKE MISSILE LAUNCHER AND FOR HE AND BROTHERS AMORES, FLAVIUS AND VALERIUS TO STOCK UP ON KRAK AND FRAG MISSILES+++

Rallus did not falter in his steps as he contemplated the request and the possible outcomes of such actions. Like he had done hundreds of times, he weighed the pros and cons of the decision, in a matter of seconds. Rallus breathed deeply before opening up the channel o the squad leaders.

“As you wish Brother Agrippa. However, this decision is your responsibility. Make sure your squad is not tested and found wanting at the time of need. For there can be no forgiveness for those of the Emperor’s finest found to be lacking in his service. More immediately make sure your decision does not cost the lives of other brothers. You know this, I only remind you.”

With that the comm.-net to the sergeant went dead. Rallus closed the commn-net. This would be a test of the sergeant, still young for one who held such a rank. Rallus had ordered a heavy bolter due to the light infantry nature of the enemy. Melta bombs and more importantly Thunderhawk Gunship support should prove more than adequate should the enemy have armour. What concerned him more was the threat of something far more surreal and dread. The symbol of Catern had been a crude one; many were sold throughout the Imperium. Wearing one was a crime and most that were caught wearing such adornments soon found themselves executed by the Adeptus Arbites or sent to a far worse fate: an interview with one of the Ordo Malleus.

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GM

Brother Fendal set down the thunderhawk and nodded to the in-built servitor in the cockpit.

“Set up ground scanners, to be fed to my HUD. “ With that he pressed a button on the cockpit-crewbay intercom, “right lad, let’s get this LZ secured. You take the south side, keep an eye out for Scout Squad Quintus. “

With that Brother Pilot Fendal smiled and took out his bolter from the Cockpit weapon rack. It had been nearly a decade since he had last fired a shot at an enemy. It felt reassuring familiar in his grip. With a sharp laugh he walked down the ramp of the thunderhawk and onto the street littered with debris and the remains of normal life on Lirdian.

“Brother Fendal, LZ secure. We are awaiting reinforcement. Scanners are online. “

Emperor, it was good to be out of the cockpit and experiencing the atmosphere first hand.

[Magnus Calpurnius]

Magnus moved forward, Goloar ahead and Tabrias behind. Goloar's keen eyes hadn't seen any traps yet, but Magnus was still looking for them, just to be sure. He trusted Goloar, but you can never be too careful.

They hadn't run in to any trouble yet, and while this was a good thing, it put Magnus slightly on edge. In a firefight, he knew what to do, but like all soldiers, it was the waiting he hated. Knowing the enemy was out there somewhere, but not knowing where, it was hell.

They weren't too far from the dropship, and the final member of bravo team, now. Soon they'd meet up with their old brother and would be able to exact righteous vengeance on these heretics in a proper fireteam formation. Three men in a fireteam never did seem right to Magnus, four just seemed to feel better.

He waited a moment for Goloar to look his way, and when he did he asked him for a quick update on the situation ahead in simple hand signals, since he had been the one to recommend radio silence.

[Jacen Cartern]

Jacen gave Commander Zenodius the necklace he had found and watched as the commander swept his eyes over it. Jacen was shocked to see the Commander drop the icon on the ground and smash it with his boot. Surely this icon, however crude it was, held some value? It could be evidence to find the lair of the traitors.

Jacen was about to protest Zenodius' actions when the Commander said “These are commonplace among many of the black markets Brother. Fear not, if the hated enemy is here then we will pass our judgement just as we have done so here. Now let us depart, Emperor willing the spaceport will be ours by the dead of night.”

Jacen thought for a moment and then nodded. The Commander was right. It did not matter who they were facing and whom they served. They would face the Emperor's judgement through the Omega Marines' bolter and feel his wrath in their blades.

Unexpectedly the Force Commander placed a hand on Jacen's shoulder and nodded at him. Jacen was very uncomfortable with this action. For so long he had been looked down on and distrusted by his fellow marines that to recieve such a simple gesture was unusual to say the least.

Jacen returned the nod and then turned and walked away from the group of marines.

[Manius Agrippa]

Force Commander Rallus replied after only a moment’s pause

+++As you wish Brother Agrippa. However, this decision is your responsibility. Make sure your squad is not tested and found wanting at the time of need. For there can be no forgiveness for those of the Emperor’s finest found to be lacking in his service. More immediately make sure your decision does not cost the lives of other brothers. You know this, I only remind you+++

Then the line went dead. No reply was necessary or needed.

Manius thought on the matter for a moment before making his decision.

The Heavy Bolter had a ferocious rate of fire that could scythe down and suppress dozens of enemies if needed. On the other hand it was useless verses medium and heavy armor. That and the fact that the Soundstrike had greater range and could deal with light infantry with its frag warheads coloured his decision.

He opened the Vox channel to Fire Team Delta.

“BROTHERS WHEN YOU REPAIR BACK ON BOARD THE THUNDERHAWK YOU WILL SWAP THE MKIV FOR A SOUNDSTRIKE MISSILE LAUNCHER. BROTHERS SHALLUAT AND FLAVIUS CHANGE YOUR HEAVY BOLTER BACKPACKS FOR MISSILE-AUTOLOADER BACKPACKS. BROTHERS AMORES AND VALERIUS GRAB TWO TRIPLE PACKS* AND ALL OF YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE REPLENISHED YOUR BOLTER MAGAZINES”

He looked over at Bother Shalluat and locked gaze with him for a second before nodding and closing the Vox and continuing to scan his squads arcs as the continued to pound through the ruined streets towards the LZ.

[Narek Goloar]

Moving at a quick pace, all the while keeping a cautious eye out for anything that could be a possible trap or an ambush, Narek moved down the road. They were nearing the LZ and would soon be able to have a fireteam at full strength.

Pausing to update Calpurnius on the details of the road ahead, he reported that there was nothing obscure or suspicious coming up in quick hand signals, keeping in line with Magnus' orders.

[Diaclois Amores]

?BROTHERS WHEN YOU REPAIR BACK ON BOARD THE THUNDERHAWK YOU WILL SWAP THE MKIV FOR A SOUNDSTRIKE MISSILE LAUNCHER. BROTHERS SHALLUAT AND FLAVIUS CHANGE YOUR HEAVY BOLTER BACKPACKS FOR MISSILE-AUTOLOADER BACKPACKS. BROTHERS AMORES AND VALERIUS GRAB TWO TRIPLE PACKS* AND ALL OF YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE REPLENISHED YOUR BOLTER MAGAZINES?

"Yes, sir." Diaclois muttered. It was odd to be loading up on anti-tank weaponry, for the intel said mostly infantry opposition. Had their intel changed? That would be bad. He would rather have a bit of solid intelligence than a lot of shaky intel. Perhaps the seargant was just being careful? Oh well, best not overthink things. He made sure he stocked up on the krak and frag missiles, and grabbed some extra bolter magazines. He moved up so he was alongside Brother Shalluat.