Chapter 5.2 - Ironbound - IC

You awake, anywhere from scant seconds to a minute after the crash.

A gouging wound was left in the structure leading to the final crash site. The Valkyrie itself was scattered across the structure with the center mass a burning wreck.
Thick black pillars of smoke billowed into the yellow sky.

Instinctively, you try to get your bearings.
First thing was first, time to find each other and take inventory.

Lightning forked across the sky throwing the Black Templar squad into stark relief as they butchered mutants in an industrial area of a hive. Almost immediately the crash of thunder echoed and rolled around the hive stacks drowning out the sound of the dying. Albrecht parries a pneumatic hammer with his crusader shield a blow that would have surely pulped his head while sidestepping another attack, in the same fluid motion his power axe fizzing in the hard driving rain takes the head off the third assailant. The two remaining mutants, massively muscled brutes armed with mining equipment circle him, but there is no respite as the number of bodies left in the wake of the Templar squad is testament to. Albercht twitches his legs and drops a shoulder sending the two the wrong way, both into the swinging arc of his axe which cleaves through one and embeds into the others chest. “Deny the mutant, Destroy the mutant in the Emperors name” Albrecht yells as he dispatches them, ripping his weapon from the mutants chest which is answered by a “Praise be” from his squad members.

The tide of battle is one way and soon the Templars find themselves stalking through the hive stack in ones and twos in a game of cat and mouse…

Albrecht kicks a door down and steps into a small room, the bulk of his battle-plate blocking out the illuminating lightning strikes from outside. It was a hovel and appeared empty as he quickly scanned it, turning and about to continue his hunt he picked up a muffled sob. He snaps back around and levels his blade in the direction of the noise “By His light show yourself and except thy judgment.” he commands. There is no answering sob but his keen eyes catch movement under a pile of dirty blankets heaped in a corner. Two steps take him to the hiding place and reaching down he pulls the blankets away, revealing a child. A child with blotchy scaled skin. A mutant! He raises his axe and holds it there, the child sobs, innocence shone from her eyes if not her flesh. His axe did not fall obeying the command of his mind. His heart held it.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Albrecht awoke with a snarl, why did his mind torture him so, was his past failure not behind? His eyes fluttered open, he was looking at the sky. What had happened? It took a moment for the fog of unconsciousness to clear – Draco had been in a gunship, there was engine trouble, they were going down. He remembered the initial impact as the gunship ‘glanced’ off a building, the impact had torn a hole in the craft, throwing him free. There was pain but he was lucky to have survived. His helms HUD told him his armour had lost some integrity but it was minimal and so nothing to be concerned about. He slowly turned himself over moving his arms and legs to push himself up, where he held himself on all fours for a moment. His injuries let themselves be known as he moved and Emperor be praised they all seemed minor. A fracture here, a broken finger there - all things that would heal quickly and nothing that affected his combat effectiveness. Standing Albrecht looked around, had anyone else survived? It looked like the final resting place of the now wrecked ship was a few clicks away.

The sky was speeding up and away above him. The ground rapidly moving up to meet him. The intensity of the wind began screaming against the fuselage of the Valkyrie, tremendous in its scream. Instinctively, Lucius took his helm from his belt and quickly locked it into place just as he would have done had he been cast into the void of space. The machine spirits rebelled for a moment at the abruptness of the connection, but quickly quieted down as they bent to the will of their master.

"Kill Team Draco's bird is going down. I repeat: Deathwatch Kill Team, codename Draco, making immediate crash landing at Hive Hessax. Scramble Imperial emergency crews on this frequency."

Protocol dictated that emergency events which could lead to the destruction of an Astartes or his squad be recorded for posterity when possible. Lucius was not consciously thinking about what he was saying, even as his body recorded the events as they transpired. No. While the scream of spore-riddled winds slammed and buckled against the outside of their vehicle, he was thinking about Makradon who was still out on the wing.

He was standing - a monumentous effort even for an Astartes as the G's threatened to smash him down. He needed to just get to an opening. If he did so, then with his jump pack he could...

Bam. He was floating. It lasted less than a second and then he was flying. Crunch. Metal buckled and fuel lines ignited. The sudden stop of the vehicle he was in did nothing to stop his inertia. He moved so quickly that he didn't register the thump against his arm as the pilot's head came apart under the force. Not even his enhanced optics could keep up with such rapid movement. One moment he was within the valkyrie; the next he was a projectile.

The armaglass of the cockpit gave way as easily as the pilot's cranium. Sparks showered from his armor as it connected once, twice, three times with the rockcrete ground. Each hit sent him bounding back into the air. He registered the first two walls he went through and then his eyes went black.

+++

"Draco, sound... sound off... Drac-" He tasted blood. He was speaking, but he didn't remember starting. His eyes fluttered open and his second heart rapidly pumped blood into his system. His HUD's chronometer showed he had only been out for three seconds; the reading was a testament to the armor's durability, but even still he knew it would need repair. Pain flared in a few places and was quickly quieted down as his armor pumped suppressants into him. He picked himself up to one knee and looked for his battle brothers. In the distance, some one hundred meters away, the Valkryie burned.

"Makradon - Hydrako - Cassiel? Draco, sound off!"

He coughed. More blood, but he would live.

Hydrako continued his vigil, scanning the sky out the back of the troop compartment, even after it became apparent the engine was failing. He was no help to Makradon or the pilot, so he simply held on to a wall and watched the horizon dip from view as the Valkyrie began its uncontrolled descent. The strange vox signal caught his interest as they passed over the hive. It sounded like instructions on how to...

He held the beast in a tight death grip as he they flew downwards together. He could see the muted glow of the magma below, and with a quick burst from one engine he executed a pirouette to correct his fall and toss the beast down into the river. The Beast held him tight however. He could not let go. The Beast of Thule was bringing him down with it! It knew his plan and had anticipated it. It knew its biology would allow it to survive the encounter, whereas the softmeat inside the shell it held would cook deliciously. Hydrako gunned his thrusters again to try and roll the Beast under him, but in the next instant everything was fire and heat. He felt himself being dragged, no pushed, down below the surface of the magma. There was no escape now. His skin began burn and peel away inside his suit, while blood boiled in his veins. The pain was tremendous, but it didn't hold a candle to the shame he felt for being outclassed by a xenos he had killed once already. There was a smell of smoke in his nostrils, and the taste of spilled promethium. Confused, he looked around for the source, but there was only fire, cursed fire.

His eyes snapped open and Hydrako realized then where he was, not back on the Thule fighting the Beast but inside a burning wreck. He grunted as he felt his face burning again, and looked around to see what was pinning him down. A casing from one of the engines had burst through the wall on impact and pinned him underneath. His body felt fine thanks to the tactical dreadnought armor he wore, but his face was another story. With a whining servos and a scowl he reached underneath the casing and gave it a shove to move its weight from his body. There was still a semblance of an opening in the back end of the troop compartment, so with another heave and then a booted kick the cowling went skittering out onto the permacrete. Now in a sitting position, he heard Lucius over the vox asking for sound offs. He rolled over onto his front and pushed himself up before forcing his way out of the wreckage, whispering Hydrako, at the crash site.

As the Valkyrie began losing control Cassiel watched the pilot impassively. He was a flurry of movement as he tried to gain control of the ship. Even after the first glancing blow he continued to try to bring it down gently, not even grabbing onto the crash webbing. A second hard crash sent Cassiel reeling as Lucius lurched through the cockpit with the sudden deceleration. Only through the corner of his eye did he see Lucius inadvertently decapitate the pilot. The Valkyrie smashed hard into the ground at that point, then rolled, practically disintegrating around him. It may have been the centrifugal forces or being repeatedly slammed into the ground, but there was definitely a period of darkness. When Cassiel could see again there were low-levels of flames. His atmospheric sensors flashed a warning about the poisonous smoke. He pushed through a pile of rubble and looked around the blasted terrain. The remains of the ship were strewn over more than a kilometer of the plain - he appeared to be on the extreme edge of the crash. The fires burned more fiercely where the twin engines had made their final landings, and sporadic flames lit the scene garishly. His HUD struggled to identify the other members of Draco in his field of view, but he heard Lucius crackling over the Vox.

"Cassiel, sounding off." He didn't even mind that Lucius was taking the lead. Once the team was assembled, Cassiel would give the orders.

Seraphan remained silent throughout tje flight - his thoughts ever focusing on the wording the Blood Drinker priest had used "your flaw". Subtle but unmistakable not "our flaw". He would need to investigate this further - perhaps speak with Greeth, or a message back to Baal - his train of thought shifted to the commotion in the cockpit they where going down he started making sure he was braced as the effects of the drop took hold---

--he was strapped into the Drop Pod, he could almost smell the paint of the Helix and white armoured pieces signaling him as a Sanguinary Novitate - he had a good mind for healing abd this was noticed soon into his scout training and once the Black Carapace was implanted he was taken by the Priesthood. This was his first combat drop - he looked about at the Yellow helms of his Brothers, most had been neophytes mere days ago a few had seen action in full armour before especially Sargent Julius whoese unhelmed visage stood out, he saw the Apothercary looking at him and smiled about to speak when the drop pod came apart - Seraphan tried to remain calm unsure how he was alive but the ground was rushing towards him fast --

Seraphan shook his head - alarms in his helm shrieking - damage to his own armour, injuries to his Brothers he snarled as he silenced them after a crash like that he couldn't trust the systems
"Seraphan, in one piece I think." He felt pain but wasn't in condition or location to do a self assesment yet.

Sent from Topic'it App

You spend the next few minutes pulling yourselves together; crawling from the wreckage and dusting yourselves off.

Your armor is chipped and dented all over once again. Draco's banner on Lucius' back had some holes seared in it from tiny fires that had extinguished themselves out. One spot also has a fresh splatter of blood from the loyal pilot who had been decapitated by it.

Khol pulls his cheek off the ground to find a familiar face staring at him. It was the pilot's face, behind the pilots mask, but it sat at a strange angle. It was only then did he realize it was just his head. He crawled out from a stack of crates he had crushed upon impact. They had useless dry goods inside, but it had softened the blow.
"Here." he croaks out through his dry throat.

Ambrose was thrashing about, lying on his back and unable to right himself.

As you gather at the center mass of the wreckage, the damage was clear - the entire human crew was dead. The pilot's headless body burned in the couch. The co-pilot was impaled by a support strut, and also on fire.
The door gunners had been thrown clear, wherever they ended up, their bodies would have been pulped by the experience.

You attention is drawn to approaching vehicles heading your way on top of whatever structure you landed upon.

Three battle ready chimera's were speeding straight towards you.....

Khol has been keeping to himself since the last fight. When observed, it seemed he was in a deep thought. Maybe even zoning out but able to come to his senses when it was time to move. He continues to simmer alone in his thoughts during the flight, until the aircraft started to shake very violently with an immediate amount of G's broke his train of thought before going unconscious....

+++++++++++

Khol's mind wanders out into the heavily forrested area ahead of them while he waits for his Sgt to get the Captain on the line. "Bah!", Khol's Sgt grunts in agitation,"Can't get a hold of anyone." "Have yu tried radio freq#201015.005?", Khol asked without breaking his spaced out look. "I've--", his Sgt couldn't say anymore, even if he wanted too. That's because he took several hits from what seemed like a plasma weapon. Rapid plasma rounds fly through the air in all directions. Khol breaks off of his hasty & attempts to get into a better position. Khol hears a faint whistle, somehow behind him & above him. Then it stops, but instead what looks like a foreign grenade dropping in front of him. His instincts come over him, pulling a 180° within the same step like D.N.C.. The grenade exploded, causing Khol to go forward & him landing into the ground with his cheek taking the brunt of the impact. He sees a face in front him, it looks familiar but his vision isnt able to focus in. He hears a the vox crackles with a transmission. "Draco, sound... sound off... Drac-", it said. Khol's surrounds suddenly changed around him.

"Wings of the Eagle," Cassiel orders, certain that every Marine with him was familiar enough with the Codex to slot instantly into place. Ambrose, Cassiel and Hydrako would make the center with the more mobile brothers spread out widely to the left and right. The formation prevented foes from concentrating fire, and the wings could close in forming a tightening noose if it should prove necessary. Of course, Cassiel didn't expect it would prove necessary. Still, it didn't hurt to be cautious.

Getting back on his feet, Bleda curses, but is glad to see that the Kill Team seems to have been without any losses, even while the same couldn't be said for the human crew. When Cassiel orders the formation to meet the approaching Chimeras Bleda gets into his position on the right side of the center group, and get his bolter ready.

Seraphan sends a click of acknowledgement over the vox as he breaks to the left burning his jump pack for a moment get gain speed and distance but staying low to the ground to avoid being too noticable. He keeps the power sword sheathed and checks the ammo the angelus boltgun on his wrist.

Sent from Topic'it App

Hydrako strode forward next to Ambrose. He made sure to fall in on the side sporting his ranged weapon so he may bolster the line should there be a melee and the Venerable one become swarmed. It was a precaution bordering on absurdity given who was riving towards them, but he did it nonetheless. With storm bolter in left hand and chainsword in right, he would not be caught off guard

The chimera's keep heading your way.

They are currently thirty meters out....

Albrecht was grateful that all his brothers had survived, looking at the state of the crash site it was a small and welcome miracle. Thank the Emperor, Praise be.

Seeing Serephan go left the Templar goes right, a short burn of his jump-pack taking him the tip of the right wing of the formation. There he stands, crusader shield pulled tight to his left side and humming power axe at ease in his right.

Bleda notice how the Black Templar takes the same side as he of the main group.

"You just can't stand being away from me, can't you." He sends over the vox to Albrecht.

Bleda smiles behind his helmet at the slight provocation towards the Black Templar. He don't expect an answer but if felt good in a petty way given that Albrecht had one up on him.

“Roger.” Lucius was relieved at the state of the team. The primarchs loved to test their sons, it seemed. Draco especially.

His jump pack showed green still, a testament to Imperial longevity, and he burned his engine to reinforce Seraphan on the left side, finding a more central spot. He stayed within eyesight of the Blood Angel, but otherwise left enough room for them both to maneuver without issue.

Draco’s back banner flew tall and proud. The damage it had sustained minimal considering.

He kept his bolter and chainsword at the ready. Truth be told, he didn’t expect treachery or an outright attack. If they meant to harm the Angels of Death, they had an opportune moment to do so when they were all down. To come on them as they regrouped and get within thirty yards meant they were either suicidal or friendly.


Sent from Topic'it App

Eyes forward Albrecht doesn't take his gaze off the approaching chimera's as Bleda takes a dig "Just keeping an eye on our witch and besides I'm looking forward in being 'schooled' in the art of war from one of the Whitescar byblows." the Templar snaps back.

The chimeras skid to a halt a mere 10 yards from those who stayed behind.

The back ramps open up and a group of bewildered guardsmen exit. They look between you and the fire incredulously.
The leader, a platoon sgt., takes a knee and bows before you. "Angels! I never thought my prayers would be answered. Forgive me my unbelief sires. I offer up my soul for inspection.

A few of his men behave similarly. The other simply stand in shock. In thier hands were tools, not weapons. Shovels, picks, and other impliments tell you that they were here to put out fires, they may not had even been aware that there was a crash.

Sent from Topic'it App

Praise the Emperor and the Omnissiah for implants and their durability. 

Makradon thought this as his body slammed into the ground at full- force, making him tumble like a ragdoll in hurricane force winds. His sensors went off like there was no tomorrow, indicating all manner of imperfection in his mechanical and, unfortunately, his non-mechanical parts as well. He knew that he was now far from peak efficiency, but it could have been so much worse. 

He would analyze the footage later in order to determine just how much worse it could have been had he not had his various mechanical aspects. 

In any case, the tech marine stands, cracking his neck from side to side as he observes the carnage and wreckage around him. He chimes in as the others do...

"Makradon here. 64% capacity, but still operational."

Once he replies, he walks over to Ambrose, reaching down, with arms and mechadendrite, to help the massive hulk to his feet. After this, he falls into the formation Cassiel had ordered, ready and waiting for the approaching Chimeras. 

+++++ 

Makradon takes in the scene of the humans supplicating to the Astartes, recording it all for later perusal. The men that hopped out seemed rather downtrodden and quite lacking in battle capacity. Their Angels had surely arrived on wings of darkness.

Cassiel salutes with arms crossed over his eagle and nods slightly."You are all to be commended for fighting so long and so well against a vast horde of enemies. Against your stalwart defense the enemy has withered. Only a single desperate effort is all they have left. You will hold as you have held and the enemy will be obliterated. We come as heralds of the dawn, but the night is not yet over. Please, see to the fires but then we would appreciate transport back to the hive. Communication has been disrupted and we must speak with your leaders with all possible haste." Cassiel deftly moves from low to high gothic, ensuring that the gist of his message is fully understood but they also hear their deeds spoken of in holy words.

”Did the meeting with the head apothecary reveal anything worth noting?” Lucius had switched to a private channel with Seraphan. Like any good Novamarine, he was curious about aspects of the various chapters - especially when those aspects could aid in combat. But the Blood Drinkers in particular put off a strange vibe he could not quite pinpoint.

Turning off the vox, Bleda chuckles at the Black Templar, it seems like he struck a nerve there.

Like normal by now he presumed that Cassiel and Lucious would do the talking with the guardsmen. Instead he turns on his vox and adress Makradon.

"Brother Makradon. Just before we went down there was a vox sending claiming to have been from the Ironbound and identifying itself as "Guerilla Radio." Do you think that it would be possible to get hold of equipment to track the signal next time it goes into the air? I presume its some kind of ciphered or hidden signal as it seems that the Brother-Captain Claudio didn't know about any Ironbound, but we heard him with his own radio show on the air. Apparently with tips for killing Tyranids."

The vox they had recived was something that Bleda hoped could be a vital clue to find the Ironbound as given the communication problems from the Tyranids, it could mean the Ironbound was nearby.

Seraphan actives the private vox to Lucius while his attention remains on the Astra Militarim troops and vehices

"Precious little- they have lost many Brothers, including velnerable Brothers in Dreadnaughts. The devourer takes it's toll the Blood Drinkers will be long returning to strength from this campaign."

Sent from Topic'it App

"That is unfortunate to say the least. But they are well-prepared. Their defenses will take the most effective toll on the devourer, I am certain. Perhaps our mission here will save them from losing anymore brothers to the tyranids."

Suddenly Lucius realized he could not feel the wind on his face, nor smell the scents it carried on it. With a whisper to the machine spirits, he deactivated his battle helm and secured it to his belt. Instantly, he felt more comfortable - taller, and prouder, with the banner flapping high above him.

The guardsmen nod and slink out, avoiding Cassiel's gaze as if he was the emperor judgment himself. It was only then they see that the fire was caused by a violent wreck and not just some random fire. Only the sgt was left behind.

He nods and moves back towards the chimera. Once there, he climbs on top and gives instructions to the driver.

After a minute or so, your vox cracks to life on standard imperial frequencies.
"To the new arrivals, please contact me on a secured command channel."

Sent from Topic'it App

"Makradon, open a channel."  Once the channel is open and secure, Cassiel radios, "This is kill team Draco, newly arrived."

He collects himself, too slow to act. Making sure he was in reality still instead of an altered memory. Once the chimera's was ontop of them with gaurdsmen jumping out, he acted like nothing was wrong before them. With the appearance being obvious of the guardsmen, he offers a hand putting out the fire on the wreckage by using his astartes strength to kick dirt into it. "I got this side covered, yu gents take the rest.", he said towards them.

The response on the line was swift.

"This is Major Bolinsky of the Aieavan 23rd, and temporary commandant of all millitarun presence in Hive Hessax. Is my platoon sgt having a stroke or are you adeptus astartes? Blood drinkers?"

"Your Platoon seargeant appears to be in excellent health, but I can have my medic,
an Astartes of the Blood Angels chapter review his vitals if you think it necessary."  Cassiel intends it as a joke, but continues, "Kill Team Draco is Adeptus Astartes, attached to service with the Inquisition.  We are all from different Chapters.  We have also brought a Dreadnought.".

Seraphan does his best to not roll his eyes - at least he didn't give a full rundown of their mission this time. He moves forward switching his external vox on and looks down at the kneeling soilders

"I'm not privvy to the details of Astra Millitarim training but I'm sure genuflecting isn't seen adequate for an active warzone."

Sent from Topic'it App

On his end, the major makes a strange face. He had worked alongside a few astartes in his time and none of them had ever spoken in such blatant sarcasm, not where he couold understand it at least.

"No brother draco," he replies, unsure what this warrior's tittle was, "That is not necessary."
"A dreadnought? It is most fortunate that you have arrived at this time. We are about to launch a major offensive outside the hive. Have a driver bring you to regimental HQ and we can discuss where you want to place yourselves in it."

"Let's go." The driver's importance is more for making sure Draco ends up in the right place than actually providing transport. A dreadnought moves at a steady pace, but not a rapid one.

"Uh...ok. I'll see you at regimental Hq when you arrive. We have much to discuss."

The driver of a chimera offers you his services, saying that the others could ride in each others laps on the way when they were done with the fire.

With new directions, Khol removes himself from the fire control service and loads up woth the rest of you.

What typically would have been a 10 minutes drive through the hive became an arduous 2 hour affair, since Cassiel had elected to match Venerable Ambrose's speed.

For any who kook out the lasgun array viewports, the hive was ablaze woth activity. The first thing you notice it that it looked almost unscathed compared to the other hives. You also notice that guardsmen were quickly setting up fortifications all over the hive.

Many citizens stop and stare at the slow moving chimera and lumbering dreadnought behind. He was a war machine, but unlike any sentinel or other walker they had ever seen.

Finally, you arrive at regimental hq. Unlike the other hives, this was where the actual garrison had always been. It wasn't a hastily set up job like the rest of them. Standing at the gates was a formidable looking man, flanked by bodyguards and advisors alike.

The chimera stops and the back ramp opens. You step onto the ground and are met by the man. He salutes you in the crisp way an Astra militarum officer would.
"Welcome to Hessax, deathwatch. Preperations for counter invasion are already underway. If you would follow me I can show you all my maps and invasion plans."

Sent from Topic'it App

Cassiel is curious to know what the plan is, especially since no one knew Draco was going to arrive. He keeps silent about the mission for the moment.

Lucius had maintained pace with Venerable Brother Ambrose on the trip back to the regimental HQ. At the pace they set it was easier for him to travel on foot or in jump pack bursts than it was to cram inside an already full chimera. Besides, his trophies would most likely upset some of the mortals, not to mention Draco's back banner.

So it was that he found himself keeping a brisk walk next to the hulking war machine. "Brother Ambrose, how do you fare after annihilating so many xenos?"

He waits for the elder to answer, strategically stroking his ego - even though it was well deserved - in order to get to his main objective: tactical knowledge. While the mission always came first for the veteran, he did have personal agendas. He assumed the others did as well. His were straightforward, however: eradicate the devourer by any means possible and expand the hallowed Novamarine's Libris with any and all information that could aid his chapter.

"Brother Ambrose, we have some time before we reach our objective. I would appreciate it if you could regale me with tale of your exploits - perhaps the most difficult battle you have come out of or foe bested?"

He would learn from the ancient, siphon through the cobwebs of age, and expand the Libris.

++++

Once they arrive at the HQ, Lucius moved up to flank Cassiel and nodded to the officer and his retinue. "Well done, Imperial Guard. Well done." He smiled warmly and nodded to the men and women standing around, knowing exactly how much weight praise from an Adeptus Astartes would carry in their hearts and their resolve.

With Ironbound seemingly so close it looked like Cassiel was going to get distracted again and get involved in the assault, not that Albrecht minded so much – redemption could be found in many ways and the battlefield was his preferred arena. “What are your intentions brother Cassiel, are we getting involved in the assault or focusing on Ironbound?” he inquires over the squad vox channel.

Bleda hangs with the rest. As there was yet a knowledge about this "guerilla radio" he would follow Cassiel's lead without any initiative of his own until more information presented itself.

It had taken Makradon longer than he had hoped to get his bearings and he remembered in his memory that Bleda had asked him about potentially finding out more about the strange transmission they had overheard, supposedly from Ironbound. He does his best to jog his processors and get the ball moving towards that request. He reaches deep into what he had gathered from the transmission and begins to pick it apart piece by piece. 

It doesn't take as long as it should, or perhaps the tech marine got just enough to get the goods, and he begins to relay the information to the team over their private vox channel. 

"The signal was live at the time of transmission. It must be close by due to the strength generated by the signal and it would appear it came from the west of us. However, it had the beginnings of spore decay, which means that it is indeed close, but not so close that we could discern the location of it from where we are currently located." 

"Excellent work, Brother Makradon. I think we may have finally found the Ironbound's trail."

Bleda was pleased to see the competence of the Kill Team work smoothly to get them forward in their mission. They finally had something more solid than rumors.

Major Bolinsky leads you through the garrison to his command hub. Many times you pass guardsmen or officers. The move aside to stand rigidly against the wall with a crisp salute for the major and for you. As you pass, most make the sign of the Aquila or stare at thier comrades, dumbfounded by their fortune.
As he leads, Bolinsky fills you in on the status.
"As you can see, these men are most likely greener that the other hives. That's no coincidence. Hessax's location out here, so far away from any other life, has kept the xenos from treading here. But it seems their staunch defenses has convinced them to try their luck here. Hrumph.
Two weeks ago, they arrived and quickly overran the outlying settlements and outposts. Thousands were left to fend for themselves. We suspect only a few hundred remain."

It's at this point you enter into a large planning room, like the few dozen you seem to find yourselves in on this mission. You briefly wonder if all this planning made any bit of difference in the end.
The room becomes silent at you entrance. Someone shouts, "officer in the room!"
They turn and face you, standing at attention until Bolinsky replies, "we have guests of the mighty Adeptus Astartes alongside us today. Serve them well, for they may save all of our lives. As you were."

The room moves back into a state of planning as the major leads you to a table full of maps and utensils.

The main map dominated the table, it showed hessax and the surrounding areas. You see that the hive sat in a lake of black goo, the lake ended at a cliffs edge on every side, almost like Hessax had an ancient moat. This would also be a source of defense for the isolated hive, but it made those outlying facilities vulnerable as well. They were out past the cliff walls, about 50 of them, all around and at varying distances.
"As you can see here, Hessax stands relatively well protected. The 'black pond' is the result of thousands of years of unchecked industrial production. It's not something you would want to fall in. But, without those facilities, hessax will not be able to provide the promethium reserves to the rest of the salient, hence our counterinvasion." He points to the cliff faces to the south.
"This location will be our beach head. It's near a post processing facility closer than any other staging point. Once we have that secured, we will fan out, securing other facilities."

He looks at you, wondering what your appraisal of the plan was.

Sent from Topic'it App

His face sours a bit.
"....the so called Ironbound? He's some rogue glory boy holed up out there somewhere. Tries to undermine traditional tactics imperialis with his nonsense advice. If one of the commissars got ahold of him there would be punitive reprocussions. Lucky for him were short on commissars and he's out there, beyond the reach of my officers."

The was a slight pause before he asks you, "don't tell me that your looking for him too?"

Sent from Topic'it App

"It would be wise to determine his true nature before opening your beachhead. Tyrannids will destroy your body and absorb it into their foul swarm, but the forces of chaos will separate you from the Emperor and destroy your very soul." Cassiel pauses for dramatic effect, then continues, "If he has survived among the swarms he must either be very capable or very well hidden. Prudence demands that he be found before you expose your flank to him...whoever or whatever he is."

Bolinsky scoffs, "his nature? He's a pompous jerk. He's no Traitor but he's not a stand up guardsman either. He was some kind of special, groundside consultant for the Lord general. I guess he knew the foul tyranids would step foot here and wanted one of his own to operate under his own jurisdiction. He's nothing but a fly buzzing at the honey. Why is he so inportant?"

Makradon listens in at Cassiel's question. He does some instantaneous calculations and then replies. 

"I am afraid that without a vox station and a live feed coming from Ironbound, I do not have the power to triangulate the signal." 

Makradon goes off the squad channel and speaks aloud to Bolinksy. 

"You wouldn't happen to have anything that would be useful in triangulation of radio frequencies, would you?" 

The major connects the dots immediately. He breaks from his planning talks, and asks Draco plainly, "With all due respect, im trying to plan a counter invasion. Some guy out there isnt going to make a squat of difference. What is so important about this guy? He's not going to kill the xenos, nor will he win the war. Why is everyone so keen to find him?"

Sent from Topic'it App

Hydrako had remained silent, but his interest was piqued at the Major's last statement. " What do you mean by everyone?" He asks

Cassiel isn't ready to tell the truth, but he doesn't mind giving a convincing reason.  "We have reason to believe he may possess Ancient technology or Xeno's Tech.  One person can't win a war, but a previously unknown weapon might."