Fort Daimiel, on the outskirts of Hive Olegarius
A valkyrie skims across iridiscent skies darting past monoliths of impossible stature, a testament to the architectural might of the imperium, a living breathing world that bellowed the emperor's praises in defiance of the grim darkness of the 42nd millenium, the hive pulsating with production and beaming light seemed blissfully unaware of the dangers of the void and beyond, therein the countless millions toiled away to feed the strife of mankind. Eerily at peace against the sprawl, this world bore the brunt of yet a single settlement, recently settled so it seemed... if it caught the eye of the imperium so too did it tempt the myriad beasts and traitors whom would see it undone.
Even a traitor fought with some cause and the xenos to cling to survival, whether through base instinct or clinging to remnant visages of power which lended them to some predictability, some interpretation of their vileness that served to draft worthwhile stratagem... yet none were as inscrutable and despicable as the primordial foe of mankind... the Ork, a plague upon any system wherein they manifested without reason or cause, compelled only by bloodshed and ruin... no cause other than mayhem.
Upon the ground, fresh regiments of the astra militarum had begun to gather in operating bases and upon parade ground, the slow grinding of wheels as tracks slid across rockcrete roadways, sanctioned at checkpoints, atop high points, autocannon batteries slowly rotated scanning the skies. Vast sums of ammunition, arms and supplies being lowered into underground holds, to be transported by subterranean maglevs to distant frontlines. Immense hangars hosted squadrons of the aeronautica imperialis. The commotion made it obvious that reinforcements had arrived, unfashionably early by imperial standards perhaps with not a burning hive spire in sight.
Earlier that day, Officio Logis Strategos, Hive Olegarius
" Investiture, by the High Lords of Terra no less, quite the honor Commissar... or shall I say Lord General "
A warm exchange between two colleagues who had doubtless braved a few battles together, subtle smiles were exchanged before a return to more formal mannerisms.
" Commendation and title means little, though I am infinitely better equipped to serve my duties to the Emperor, with great ordinance comes great responsibility. "
Aleksandr responded ruminating on the change of rank and position, though he seemed to somewhat lament relinquishing his role on the frontlines.
" The guardsmen certainly share your... celebratory... notion, Lord General. "
Aleksandr smirked, so it seemed, though the lack of summary executions and capital punishment was sure to put a dent in discipline.
" While I appreciate your hospitality and the exceptional quality of the Amasec provisioned to me, you surely did not send a dispatch to me two systems over to discuss my investiture. So then, by the emperor's guiding light, what compelled this auspicious meeting of ours, General Roque ? "
Roque seemed to issue a sigh of concern, looking back at Aleksandr.
" A lapse in our duty, Aleksandr, with my hands being tied up, contending with renegades on the outskirts of the system and fighting off threats at multiple fronts, one threat has advanced far further than I would have liked. Conventional doctrine has seemed to falter and this has rendered suboptimal productivity for Olegarius, the PDF and resident regiments are stretched thin, when I learned that the Rybel Gorth was making transit through the sector I had to reach out "
Aleksandr issued a sigh,
" And you would trust a fledgling general and his regiments to do what an entire planet meticulously equipped and armed could not? Why not requisiton more resources and arms ? "
Roque stood still
" I tried Aleksandr, and you are no fledgling, our concerns were met with dismissal, I could not rouse a sufficient sense of urgency and any protest further would have been met with threats of insubordination and incompetence... we have a chance of stopping this before it escalates, the hive needn't burn for the call to be hailed... you know what this is really about, the play of governors and tithes. And what does that leave for us other than an Inquisitorial retinue coming in and getting rid of all the most seasoned officers and soldiers. Olegarius needn't burn for it to receive aid... and that aid should not come with the yoke of a tithe this world clearly cannot muster"
" Be cautioned as to your choice of words Roque, lest it draw the ire of the faithful "
Aleksandr added, sharing a tense gaze with General Roque as she lowered her glance
" I'll help. "
" Good, Emperor knows we need it. "
Aleksandr's Theme - 1:03
Aleksandr departed if only momentarily, a squad of officers ruminated upon the results of the meeting between the two commanders and what was to come of it but the entire room held silent upon the advent of the Lord General, part trepidation and part awe. Aleksandr threw off his coat in a symbolic gesture, straightening his uniform as any good Mordian would, a sign to the others that it was time to get to work.
" Gentlemen, The Emperor blesses us with Duty and by his might, we shall see it done "
The Valkyrie would make landfall upon a pad within Fort Daimiel, Aleksandr and his retinue departing from therein, staff officers rushing to the side to meet them and bring them up to speed with tactical briefs and strategic reports gathered from the front, dataslates relaying active battlefield formation and the most recent vox-communications, all quiet on the front, too quiet, the first lines of defense had faltered and the second held in tedium, morale was subpar and so was the plan.
" A static defense man? are you offering up your men to the greenskins or do you intend to fight them, those battle lines you showed me are archaic, an underhive gang with two ridgerunners and a krak grenade could take it over let alone a horde of orks... the first mistake is to embolden them and that is often the last. " Aleksandr added dismissing redundant battle plans " I want basilisk cannons placed twenty clicks of this position.. and this position... asymmetric bombardment... and pincer your assets, if incase a flank falls you're not caught out in the open and you still have support ready " Aleksandr added marching toward the building, constantly barking orders at the staff.
" Thin out that position, no, the ridge makes it all but indefensible, leave a few men in... yes... to bait them into the mines we're going to lay out... what about the equipment? well strap explosives to it... if it can't be moved, it's not going to the orks... infact, tell your men to make themselves useful and practice some area denial... you heard that area denial... oh fucking hell... this is all handbook... has your PDF never had to so much as put down a riot ? " He added sternly " Hydra batteries, atleast four of them, I want 360 degree coverage... yes... yes, they can fly... I have seen them interdict a position many times... if they send a rocket over we shoot it down... unless you'd rather orks spring up behind you "
" Two heavy bolters for one lascannon, even mix, anticipate an armored push... not enough lascannons ? well bloody hell, what are you waiting for... get those lascannons to the front... go... GO ! " The lord general would palm his face in frustration moving into the confines of his office, as dataslates were presented they were handed off to doctrine officers in his own regiment, he marched into the adeptus munitorum office nestled into the confines of the Fort's main sanctum.
" What is the meaning of this !?... those supplies were requisitioned to be stored for defensive purposes only, we have a quota to meet... under whose auspices or authority do you deem to operate ! " protested the Officio Tactica praefectus " Praefectus, you've abided by your duty to the Emperor and you are hereby relieved of it " the even more astonished official looked back " By what authority !? hrn... this matter shall go up to the governor militant, I'll bring the inquisition down upon your damned-" a silence descended as the cool metal end of a las-pistol made contact with his forehead.
" You have been relieved, by order of a Lord General of the Imperium... is that understood or is your lack of comprehension suspect to treasonous behavior ?.... Good... now get out of my chair. "
Aleksandr eased himself into his chair, two of his officers taking their place as well, wearing combat gear in anticipation of deployment to the front.
" By the Emperor, what a shit show... " Aleksandr added lighting his smoking pipe and taking a long drag " Roque had every reason to call for help, that second line is due to be massacred come daybreak tomorrow, from what i've seen of the orkish movements, they already took the first line... equipment and all... probably armed to the teeth coming into this one... they're making their way for the hive city... our advantage will lie in using superior tactics and strategy... massed lines don't work against the green tide, it'll be a pyrrhic defense if successful but it should hold them for a while... the only way to curb their advances is to cut off the head of the serpent... but that in itself is a dangerous proposition... I may yet be discussing the end of your service as we stand... but I have faith... in the Emperor's deliverance... and in the doctrines that we have honed and perfected for use against the foe... we shall not present ourselves as prey to the green menace... we shall meet them head on... let the hunter become the hunted "
Aleksandr puffed out a slow cloud of smoke
" I want you to drive a spear into their side, crash into the flank, you'll be supported by phosphor shells to deny them changing their position, we secure a forward position, and create a funnel... critically, I want the guardsmen in the trenches to charge when we have secured the flank, the tide will inevitably sway toward us, hold the line long enough for the chimeras to arrive and evacuate the position... the aim is for them to flow through the funnel, then we use precise strikes from the basilisks to hit those compacted ork positions, that'll be enough to break their momentum, we break the wave before it crashes and let the main defensive lines dole out the firepower and finish the job "
Aleksandr paused.
" As for resolving the issue... I may need to call upon a few old acquaintances... may the Emperor protect Olegarius "
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