Story
So for the story I decided to write this from the perspective of both sides. The intro being more from the imperial standpoint and the conclusion to be decided by the outcome of the game and the events of the day.
The balcony of the ageing, broken building swayed slightly as the breeze passed through the structure’s lower levels. Arquelbes the Forsaken, a renegade and the last of his brothers, stood alone.
From here he could see the length of the main road leading to the core of this once-great city, out across the rubble-filled streets and into the never-ending plains of mud and destruction. The city itself was younger than Arquelbes but had fared worse over the years, he remembered his time here with a lingering fondness…
They had been stationed here, him and his brothers for two years at first garrisoning, helping build the foundations of this city – this world. It would be the last time they would serve the Emperor. The last time they would be remembered as brothers.
The last time he would be happy.
Imperial Forces (Classified)
For three days Linden Hyde and the remaining members of his team had hidden in the cold, wet and dark surroundings of Imperial Pump Station Twenty-Five, praying that their signal had been received and help was on the way. From here he could see the length of the main road leading to the core of this once-great city, out across the rubble-filled streets and into the never-ending plains of mud and destruction. The city itself was younger than Arquelbes but had fared worse over the years, he remembered his time here with a lingering fondness…
They had been stationed here, him and his brothers for two years at first garrisoning, helping build the foundations of this city – this world. It would be the last time they would serve the Emperor. The last time they would be remembered as brothers.
The last time he would be happy.
The thought made him smile. Help? Ha! – There was no help. Well, not exactly… The forces on route to Galamine Five would have one goal: to eliminate the Chaos war band that had been raiding across the Idameir Expanse for the last three years. That was assuming the message had been received at all – No! The message had been received and the time to send it had been bought with the lives of the other three members of his team. Almost all their lives. So here he sat, watching the murky green water slowly flow by, cold and wet and in the dark, just hoping – praying that the traitor marines would not find this: their last refuge.
Imperial Forces (Imperial Navy - Yellavich)
Indus crumpled to the floor, pain flaring briefly across his abdomen; the blow had been hard and fast – a perfect counter to his attack. Indus needed to relax: he knew it but the more he tried the harder it became. His sparring partner did not help.
“Having a break?” The rough voice brought Indus’ thoughts back to the pain – maybe not so brief after all. A hand reached down and pulled him firmly to his feet, Indus could feel the power contained within that grip, a power no un-augmented human could hope to match. It really was no fun sparring with a Space Marine – but fun was not what Indus was after – the training was invaluable. He had always prided himself on his swordsmanship, a long tradition in his family, and the sword he used had been in his family for over seven-hundred years. Both the sword and his skill with it had served him well, winning tournaments, duels and the desperate counter-boarding actions he had been a part of.
“You hesitated again. You need to believe you can beat me.”
Indus smiled, brushed the dust from his shirt and wiped the sweat from the grip of his sword.
“That is easier said than done my friend.” Yeah, easier said than done he thought to himself.
A green light on the wall of the training cage blinked into life, indicating a message from the bridge. Indus walked over and pressed the switch for the vox unit on the wall.
An excited voice rang out around the room, announcing hurriedly over the speakers, “We have just received a priority transmission all officers are to report to the Stratagium. All other senior personnel are to report to their stations and await further orders immediately.”
++++Transmitted: Classified
++++++Received: Astropath Lund
++++Destination: Captain Justice Vergon, 7th Company Crimson Fists
++Mission Time: 17 231 870.M41
++++++++++Ref: Target 11374/TMAF
+++++++Author: Autosavant Vassiliev
Classified... we have located the renegade base on the planet Galimine Five, ref. 3651Sfg. We believe this to be their main base of operations and have observed at least forty enemy Space Marines and armour, one orbiting cruiser and target 11374/TMAF. We request immediate support. Repeat: we request immediate support. Over.
“That message, gentlemen, was received two hours ago. We have altered course and are making full speed to rendezvous with the Orlands Lament.” A brief murmur reverberated around the room.
“From there we will proceed without delay to the Idameir Expanse and the planet Galimine Five. We expect resistance as soon as we translate into the system. Our job, gentlemen, is to deliver Sergeant Berg and his brothers safely to the planet, extract them and any prisoners before escorting them home.” He let that last part sink in. The home of the Crimson Fists was a very long distance away and it would mean that if they were to return home many of their families would have passed on, their children being grandparents.
“Individual assignments can be found in your briefing books, requests will be looked at on merit, it is and always has been an honour to serve with you all. Dismissed.”
Indus sat in his room staring at the bright computer screen, the picture of his wife Nadia and their first child Jaabir hung at the top of the screen and a thousand thoughts rushed around his head. As Indus began to type the words flowed slowly at first, then increasingly freely from his mind. His thoughts gradually reduced to one.
It was his duty. And it was for the Emperor.
“Having a break?” The rough voice brought Indus’ thoughts back to the pain – maybe not so brief after all. A hand reached down and pulled him firmly to his feet, Indus could feel the power contained within that grip, a power no un-augmented human could hope to match. It really was no fun sparring with a Space Marine – but fun was not what Indus was after – the training was invaluable. He had always prided himself on his swordsmanship, a long tradition in his family, and the sword he used had been in his family for over seven-hundred years. Both the sword and his skill with it had served him well, winning tournaments, duels and the desperate counter-boarding actions he had been a part of.
“You hesitated again. You need to believe you can beat me.”
Indus smiled, brushed the dust from his shirt and wiped the sweat from the grip of his sword.
“That is easier said than done my friend.” Yeah, easier said than done he thought to himself.
A green light on the wall of the training cage blinked into life, indicating a message from the bridge. Indus walked over and pressed the switch for the vox unit on the wall.
An excited voice rang out around the room, announcing hurriedly over the speakers, “We have just received a priority transmission all officers are to report to the Stratagium. All other senior personnel are to report to their stations and await further orders immediately.”
++++Transmitted: Classified
++++++Received: Astropath Lund
++++Destination: Captain Justice Vergon, 7th Company Crimson Fists
++Mission Time: 17 231 870.M41
++++++++++Ref: Target 11374/TMAF
+++++++Author: Autosavant Vassiliev
Classified... we have located the renegade base on the planet Galimine Five, ref. 3651Sfg. We believe this to be their main base of operations and have observed at least forty enemy Space Marines and armour, one orbiting cruiser and target 11374/TMAF. We request immediate support. Repeat: we request immediate support. Over.
“That message, gentlemen, was received two hours ago. We have altered course and are making full speed to rendezvous with the Orlands Lament.” A brief murmur reverberated around the room.
“From there we will proceed without delay to the Idameir Expanse and the planet Galimine Five. We expect resistance as soon as we translate into the system. Our job, gentlemen, is to deliver Sergeant Berg and his brothers safely to the planet, extract them and any prisoners before escorting them home.” He let that last part sink in. The home of the Crimson Fists was a very long distance away and it would mean that if they were to return home many of their families would have passed on, their children being grandparents.
“Individual assignments can be found in your briefing books, requests will be looked at on merit, it is and always has been an honour to serve with you all. Dismissed.”
Indus sat in his room staring at the bright computer screen, the picture of his wife Nadia and their first child Jaabir hung at the top of the screen and a thousand thoughts rushed around his head. As Indus began to type the words flowed slowly at first, then increasingly freely from his mind. His thoughts gradually reduced to one.
It was his duty. And it was for the Emperor.
The Game
The game as part of the party went really well and all hinged on the final turn, would the Space Marine Captain capture his foe or would the Arquelbes escape once more.
Both fell, but even though the Space Marine forces had captured most of their objectives the battle had taken a heavy toll and they were unable to reach their fallen commander for several minutes. When they found him their was once again no sign of The Forsaken.
Conclusion to Follow
