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>>26876368
Your political dealings have given you an edge as well. You have managed to get acquainted with the three factions upon Vitalitas that hold power: The PDF, the Ministorium, and the Merchant Guild. Of which, the previous two have been coaxed into beginning cooperation, while the third is steadily growing less and less affable with your presence.

Regardless, you have been quite busy in politics. Having made two bargains thus far, with the Adeptus Mechanicus Master Artisan Majoris Lukas Maximal of Vitalitas and the Imperial Navy Commodore Naremmus of Ewa Geema respectively. From the former, you have bartered the safety and security of the major industrial centers of the planet, so that their technologies could be copied and put to use upon Vitalitas. In exchange for this, the Master Artisan has equipped your forces with a number of vox thieves to aid in intercepting enemy communications.

The Commodore, in exchange for a temporary tribute of 20% of Le Keers' resources upon its conquest (until his fleet is fully repaired), has given you command of the Nameless Saint, a Firestorm-class frigate, capable of providing orbital support in a myriad of forms, though your current line of thinking is having it provide aid to the logistics and air superiority in the opening phases of the invasion, where the landing craft will be most vulnerable.

Which brings you here. The Aquila Lander ride with the Lord Commissar Kennoch and Magos Batt was simple enough, albeit rather quiet, each man contemplating just what strategic options to present once everyone had gathered within the war room. In the case of Magos Batt, who likely thinks many times faster than the mortal soul, he was likely busy with whatever arcane incantations and prayers would assuage the Machine-God's whimsical nature for the events ahead.

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>>26876381
There is another member of the shuttle, however, in addition to the previous two. Colonel Lucien Sarvus, a rather choleric maverick of a man, thick in frame and thicker in popularity with his men. He had risen to the rank rather readily according to his profile, having been a former foreman in one of the few manufactories upon Vitalitas. Also a bit of a criminal record, it seems, but mostly just for violence against members of the Mercantile Guild. His popularity with the workers made it too difficult to properly jail him, however, via the Arbites (who, being in the hands of the PDF, were likely all too happy to let him be a thorn in the Guilder's side.) The Guard seemed to be the best way to remove the man but, unfortunately for those in power, it seems that his force of personality has put him here.
An interesting man, to say the least, with a bit of history to him. You glance up to the man, who's currently busy running a cloth along the edges of his weapon of choice: A mono-edged hatchet, his laspistol sheathed at his side. He looks up to you, nodding back. "Lord General." He says by way of politeness, before resuming his work.

The Master Artisan has already left for your transport, the Serf's Glory. The large whaleship is sitting in space, and you barely even recognize the delicate shift between planetary gravity and artificial gravity as the shuttlecraft makes its rendezvous with the invasion transport. The Imperial Navy's own vessel was likely already en route to the Le Keers system, which was well enough. Invasion planning would likely take up the majority of the time of the week-long transit across the immaterium.

>>26876389
Arrival on the ship was greeted with the usual formalities, the pressurized transfer umbilical between the Aquila Lander and the rest of the ship spanning the depressurized landing bay, the sheer volume of traffic from space making it impractical to pressurize the flight deck time and time again. The rest of the Vitalitas First Siege Regiment were already beginning to load aboard, thousands of souls arriving pre-packed upon the Devourer dropships and Valkyrie transports. They would spend the coming week waiting in the holds of their transports, effectively trapped liked canned grox meat. The Cetaceus-Class Transport was really little more than a metal frame with a Gellar field and engines under the best of circumstances, let alone after the long history of service that it has endured.

Still, there was a bit of pomp in welcome, the various serfs you pass by saluting you or otherwise making the sign of the Aquila at the passing of your staff. The Lord Commissar's jaw is set as he seems to think through countless contingencies, speeches, and battleplans. The inhuman features of the Magos are as unreadable as ever, his mechadendrites gently swishing in the air behind him.

In either case, you eventually make it to the bridge of the Serf's Glory, the transport's specialized bridge having been designed to coordinate invasions alone. It was practically unarmed, so that was well enough, as it was sure to lose any naval engagements that it might be dragged into (beyond fending off strike craft).

>>26876392
The bridge itself has been cleared of all but the most trusted menials needed to maintain the ship's basic functions during strategic planning. Captain Unwerth is sitting in his command throne, his gaze rather vacant as he evidently enjoys a fresh dose of obscura, but he otherwise seems fully ready to to do as ordered or input as requested. Ministorium Chaplain Roland Sclar, accompanied by Sister Superior Ath Laurent of the Order of Bloody Tears, both stand present. The former is a devotee of the Iron Monks, his head shaven bald and his face tattooed with the Imperial Aquila in a sign of devotion, his eyes peeking out from the midst of the Imperial avian's wings.

The Sister Superior is silent, simply staring at the massive hololith in the middle of the bridge. The woman in question is dressed in her full powered armor, her large bolter holstered at her hip, the ancient suit she wears dead silent as she shifts in place, clearly eager for the conflict ahead. The hololith itself is situated before the command throne and currently projecting an image of Vitalitas. The last of the Devourer dropships are currently on a docking pattern, and the various vox operators are getting the craft situated, the spacecraft represented as glowing triangles due to their small scale in contrast between the planet and even the Serf's Glory itself.

As you enter, there's a series of footsteps as one of the senior deck officers calls out, "Lord General on deck! Atten-SHUN!"

The salutes and "Ave Imperator!" cries are swift by necessity, the men quickly returning to their work as you enter. You have a dedicated purpose here. You look around the bridge, Captain Unwerth having been only a few seconds late in his own salute thanks to his state, though his cherubs continue to baste the man in exotic perfumes and musks.

"Initiate war room protocols." You announce simply. "Captain Unwerth, bring us into warp once the last ships are docked."

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>>26876400
The Captain's haze is broken, the large man sobering up as he taps at an in-built data slate on his chair. There's a single klaxon hoot as the lighting shifts in color, the bright white of the bridge lighting turning red. The bridge's beating heart, several decks long, thrums with power. The majestic stairwals and colonnaded halls quickly fortify, the armsmen aboard the ship concentrating their numbers. The tall windows and great observation blisters are quickly covered, long sheets of solid adamantine sliding downward. Armored shutters slide shut, mag-locks silent in the great void of space. Energy fields shimmer into being over the adamantine plates as all outside views are covered, the bridge rendered into an armored chamber almost as impenetrable as a Space Marine Chapter's geneseed vault.

Or so you'd like to think, anyways. Even the massive doors to the bridge seal shut in your wake, a handful of senior armsmen stepping onto the bridge, combat shotguns and stubbers in hand, ready to defend the bridge itself at all costs should the myriad of defenses leading to it fail. The hololith's image shifts to the Aquila, a glowing, angry red sigil surrounded in High Gothic script warning of the myriad of tortures that would befall any unauthorized eyes that came upon it.

Ranks upon ranks of cogitators whirr to life, autocogitators filling in details as the final bulkheads are sealed. The hololith's warnings vanish as the surface of Le Keers is displayed, based off the cartographic information stored within the jealously-guarded librarium of the ship's navigator, information reluctantly released by the silent seneschals that all star-faring ships possess.

Voxcasters and pict-players go quiet, though the servitors hard at work continue their tireless tasks. You speak up, gesturing to the massive planetoid presented, filled with the data that the Ghosts of Retribution could offer via their scouting efforts.

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>>26876406
"Behold. Le Keers: Our objective for this conquest. This shall not be a simple war, but a necessary one all the same. Now, let us begin."

>Strategic planning beginning.
>Please initiate planning.

>>26876417
Dear lord, all those puns.

>>26876417
>Current situation/forces: Red triangles represent last known concentrations of enemy forces.

>Current forces:
>Nameless Saint, Firestorm-class Imperial Navy frigate capable of providing support.

>Vitalitas First Siege Regiment:
>26 Companies
>10 Siege Infantry Companies - Standard "Line Infantry" of a the Siege Regiment, trained hard and trained well, each Company has a wide assortment of munitions, and is extremely effective in demolition operations.
>6 Armoured Companies - Four Leman Russ Companies, two Chimera transport companies.
>5 Heavy Weapons Companies - Three Fire Support Companies armed with autocannons, one Anti-Tank Support Company equipped primarily with missile launchers and a smattering of lascannons, and one Mortar Support Company.
>4 Field Artillery Companies - Consisting of Basilisk artillery platforms, as well as heavy quad-launchers and heavy mortars.
>1 Special Weapons Company - Armed with flamers, plasma guns, grenade launchers, and other "special" munitions, a catch-all company for soldiers specialized in specific duties such as sniping and engineering.

>Special Equipment:
>Vox Thieves - Dedicated cogitators attached to vox units. Large and somewhat difficult to properly operate, they can capture vox signals, especially encrypted enemy ones. The attached cogitators, filled with curious and clever machine spirits, pluck away at enemy ciphers.

>Special Traits:
>Die-Hard
>Demolitions

>Serf's Glory Cetaceus-Class Transport Ship. Mostly unarmed transport ship equipped with a number of Devourer dropships and Valkyrie aircraft, currently transporting the Vitalitas First Siege Regiment.

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>>26876491
Enemy Forces Estimated:
>Parker Family: Parker's enforcers are small in number for defending an entire planet, and vary greatly in quality. He has 20,000 or so poorly armed punks equipped with stubbers and effectively no armor. He also has 3,000 men equipped with Lasguns and flak jackets, thought their training and motivation are questionable. Equipped with light vehicles such as Tauros's and Siegfried tanks. Finally, he has approximately 250 hard core followers that are equipped with carapace armor, hotshot lasguns. Has Chimeras and Ragnarok tanks.

>>26876491
Land force near pits. Secure the immediate area and advance on pitfall starport.

>>26876495
"Magos, do we know how stable the mining regions are? i would like to land a company of Infantry to prevent the enemy from taking the Pits.

and Lord Commisar, can you prepare a propaganda broadcast to the populace and Parker's Irregulars? We'll make it as we land.

Finally, Colonel Sarvus, any thoughts on how to take out those heights? i was thinking either an orbital bombardment or using the Basilisks to pound them. Another option is to avoid dealing with them in general, and try to lure them out of the mountains, or pin them with a few companies of infantry.

Gentlemen, i believe we would be best served by taking the South Island, securing Pitfall Starport, then landing at the Capital Island. The main landing zone will be the Northern Plains just west of Ironhide. From there we'll advance on the Starport, brushing aside any resistance we encounter. from there we'll hop towards the Capital Island, to capture or Kill the Parkers if possible."

>>26876491
we should take over the mining pits as fast a possible, probably the best way to do that would be to engage the enemy somewhere as a distraction while a company or two go in to secure them
that way we cut the parkers supplies and make sure we wont have to rat out opposing troops from the pits.
taking over the spaceport near them is also a priority to hinder enemy deployments while making ours easier

>>26876783
"My other Question to you Magos is how expendable is the Starport at Le Keers? we may have to bombard that area to prevent the Parker's escape. Obviously if it can be avoided it will, but i need to know."

>>26876770
>>26876783
>>26876795
I do agree that the pits and its local starport should be one of our main early objectives to deprive them of resources and a possible guerilla foothold, but I also think we should hit the forges as well, the longer they are in the enemies hands, the longer they are making stuff for them.

to that end I'd suggest hitting both the south and west islands at the same time, so deployment would be:
west island
-5 infantry companies
-3 armored companies
-1 heavy weapons company
-1 field artillery company
south island
-2 infantry companies
-1 armored company
-1 heavy wep company
-1 special wep company

so we have the bulk of our infantry, armored and artillery units focused on the larger concentration of enemy forces and have our specialists hit the relatively empty but potentially troublesome south island

this also saves us a good reserve we can use to either reinforce or flank with if we encounter more opposition than expected, and if we don't, it lets us use rested troops for the final push on the north island against the strongest enemies

>>26876870
I like the way this guy thinks

>>26876417
i'm sorry OP, but in my sleep deprived state I can't help but imagine if that actual map popped up when our lord general says "Behold. Le Keers." and is then followed by saying "Which heretic drew penis' around the forges?"

>>26876870
please add to or change this if you guys think other things can work, I just went with a somewhat rushed plan that does not overcommit our forces in any one area while not putting tanks in fucking mining pits

>>26876870
Agreed. Perhaps sending another company of infantry to take the Pits before the enemy can retreat into them. Then they'll see they have nowhere to go, and we can offer them surrender.

>>26876917
if we hit the land between the pits and the starport, take the starport, then thrust a defensive flank westwards to cut them off, they shouldn't reach the pits and establish a foothold

>>26876770
>>26876795
"The mining pits should be considered a primary strategic goal." You state, the assembled forces nodding. "We should be primarily concerned with ensuring that the infrastructure is secured first, as that is our objective in this campaign."

The Colonel nods, giving a cruel smile. "Plus, we'll have the benefit of having places to fortify right from the get-go. Saves us a lot of effort in fortifying, not to mention raw materials for when we push."

The Master Artisan, present near the Magos' side of the hololith, speaks up.

"I am concerned that this will draw the enemy's artillery fire directly on what we want destroyed, however, should they have heavy munitions. Would it not be better to land in the desert between the starport and the mining pits and push in from there?"

"We'll have to take it sooner or later anyways." The Colonel retorts, "As it is, I'd rather be the ones holding the fortified position than being forced to storm it."

>Side with the Colonel?
>Side with the Master Artisan?
>Other?

>>26876783
>>26876843
"Magos, do we know how stable the mining regions are? I would like to land a company of infantry to prevent the enemy from taking the Pits."

The Magos seems to hum, but in reality, it's just the whirring of his various respirators and internal cogitators. His vox unit crackles as he speaks up.

"The infrastructure of the urban landscape," he points to the grey blobs surrounding the pits and forges, "has been left unattended by proper Mechanicus clergy for some time now. It has likely suffered heavy cannibalization by local forces, as well as corrosion from the planetary climate. The Pits themselves should be fairly stable for Valkyrie and other light aircraft, but my projections indicate there is a low probability of Devourer dropships from successfully making landfall in all but a few key points. Valkyrie gunships would be superior for making safe landfall in the Pits."

>>26876930
Alright, so are we landing our forces just east of the starport on the south island? my concern is that if anywhere has AA it's gonna be the starport. admittedly, we have no intel on whether they have it or not, but i don't want to start losing men because of it.

we also have some vendettas, perhaps have them attack any forces that attempt to link up? we do have that ship to secure the air...

>>26876930
also, RE: the west island, if we hit the omnisiah's gateway starport first and take & hold the south forge, we can then drop units north of the north forge, while the enemy is drawn south, hold both forges and crush them in a pincer between armor on the plains surrounding them and infantry from teh forges themselves

>>26876981
"Which Parker and his men have likely already made chokeholds. The Devourers can take a beating, sir." The Lord Commissar remarks, "I'd wager we wouldn't have much risk if we sent one in anyways. We could deploy a company over a larger area with the Valkyries, but a lone Devourer could be invaluable in terms of fire support, not to mention that it'd let our troops expand organically, rather than scattering them across a field of operations."

>Side with the Lord Commissar.
>Side with the Magos.
>Other?

>>26876986
er.... valks, not vendettas. always mix those up..

>>26876981
>>26876995
im going to say
>Other
for the first and with the Magos for the second

for that
>Other
refer to what I said in >>26876930 land east of the starport in a devourer, have our armored company, 1 infantry company, and our heavy wep company land disembark and stop any enemies from reaching either the starport to the east or the pits to the north

while the devourer makes its landing and deploys its troops, we can half Valk's deploy our remaining infantry company and special wep company into the starport to take and hold it

also, all this is based on the force allocations I made in >>26876870

>>26877030
also should say this is all based on the fact there are no enemies already in the pits, unless the map lies, in that case, burn the map, for it is a heretical tzeenchian agent

>>26876900
You stare intently at the map, unable to help but wonder if some comedian seneschal's apprentice had a bit of fun at your expense.

A task for some Commissar, you suppose, to later investigate.

>>26876783
>>26876843
"Further, Lord Commissar, can you prepare a propaganda broadcast to the populace and Parker's Irregulars? We'll make it as we land."

He nods at this, seemingly thinking along similar lines. "Merely tell me what you wish conveyed, and I shall make it so, Lord General."

Colonel Sarvus perks up as you address him. He thinks for a few moments, studying the map as you propose your ideas.

"I don't think bombardment or Basilisks will work too well, sir, to be honest." He tells you, "If they're irregulars, it might spook them some, but those mountains are probably fortified to hell against any artillery we can muster, short of something truly horrendous. Parker might just end up retreating with his loyalists to them, in fact, if he doesn't see any other avenues of escape."

The man chews his lower lip, in place of a lho stick. "It'd take a long time to shell them out of those mountains, but we've got plenty of munitions to do it with, sir. We're good at that, if anything." He laughs, "Though I'd rather get to meet with them hand-to-hand, to be honest." He remarks, a gleam of eagerness in his eyes. "They'll break like the dogs they are once we engage them properly."

"Speaking of escape-- Magos, how expendable are the starports at Le Keers? We may have to bombard those areas to prevent Parker from escaping. I need to know, though I'd rather avoid it."

The Master Artisan speaks up instead of the Magos, seeming to choke on the idea. "Those starports are the only way to get materiel off-world! It would take ages to rebuild them, it will take quite some time to repair them to their former status as it is, Lord General!" He beseeches. The Magos speaks up as well.

>>26877048
"Contrary to the assessment of the Master Artisan, their loss will not be critical to the operation. It will hamper the repair efforts and make deployment slightly more protracted, but it should ensure that Parker is denied the most obvious of escape routes."

>>26877048
>>26877058
i'm going to say have our ships, ours and the frigate on loan to us, watching for any traffic off planet and intercepting it

other than that, i've come up with all my brain is willing to provide in >>26876870 & >>26877030 but alas, must sleep now, looking forward to reading up on this in the morning

>>26877030
agreed. How do you want to run the invasion of the West Isle? Seems to me it'd be best to land near forge Primaris, and take that and the Starport first. then fortify and hold against any enemy attacks.

>>26877048
"Have it say something about how we shall descend like angels to deliver those who are true to the Emperor, and to smite the Heathen. Any who oppose His Hammer and Righteous Fury will be dealt with harshly, and those who renounce their heretical masters will be protected and given safe refuge."

>>26876870
>>26876880
>>26876907
>>26876917
>>26876930
>>26876986
>>26876991
>>26877006
>>26877030
>>26877042
>>26877087
>>26877118
A hovering pool of symbols sits near the edge of the map, representing the various units under your employ. You outline a perfunctory plan, pending further revision.

"We strike the south and western continents first." You state, "For the southern island, we land between the Pits and Pitfall Starport." You remark, fingers dancing on the projection, the cogitators whirring as the machine spirits sing to you. Gears click and creak as the infantry units are added. The southern island fleshes out in cohesion with the western one, little arrows indicating your desired routes.

"I must concur with the Magos, unfortunately, Lord Commissar. The Valkyries will ensure safe landings for the troops that swing into the Pits. The mainstay of our forces on the southern island shall form a curtain between the starport and the Pits, then push south to secure the Starport itself."

A curtain of companies appears upon the map. "Assuming that the enemy does not have any forces within the Pits themselves, we should deny them the ability to take and hold that area."

Cherubim gently sing overhead as you plan. The Lord Commissar speaks up, "And if they're wrong, and the enemy has forces securing the Pits already?"

>>26877042
"Then this map is a liar, and we'll have to burn it." You quip.

Not the most reassuring answer, but it's certainly a valid question.

"As satisfying as that might be," The Lord Commissar's amusement is written on his features, Kennoch's eyes betraying his concern, however. "That will leave any Valkyrie-borne troops we deploy into the Pits vulnerable, unless we wish to stagger our advance from the west to cover the northern flank... Leaving the forces advancing towards the starport from the east with an exposed flank."

A yellow arrow indicates the potential vulnerability, added by the Lord Commissar with a sweeping gesture.

>>26877294
"We could be open to a potential pincer by the enemy's forces if we deploy in such a fashion."

"Potential, of course, being the key word." The Colonel retorts, "Our men are very well-trained. The enemy's forces are mostly gangers and men barely fit for a planetary defense force, let alone actual Guardsmen."

"And unbloodied in the fires of war." The Lord Commissar remarks back, brows furrowing.

"For the western island." You press on, thinking over how to answer. "If we hit the Gateway first, and take and hold the southern forge, we can then deploy units north of the northern forge. While the enemy presses south, we can hold both forges and crush them in a pincer between armor on the plains surrounding them, and infantry from the forges themselves."

Your men contemplate this, before you're greeted with a round of nods at what seems to be, on the surface, at least, a rather sound plan.

"It would be a very reassuring variable," Magos Batt remarks, "If the Nameless Saint could provide high-atmosphere fire support for the secondary landing of the armor. The commitment of such valuable armored units to an unsecured area could prove disastrous should the forges possess any anti-aircraft weaponry we are unaware of. This will, of course, put the frigate at risk, but a reasonable percentage of risk in my calculations."

>>26877294
ask the cogboys how long it would take to dig out/open up the pits to running condition if they were to say, be blasted closed by orbital lance bombardment and the tunnels and mines burnt and suffocated out by thermobarics

Can we land anywhere or only near a starport?

>>26877294
Lord Commissar, we do have a reserve we can commit to counter any pincer in the South. If this pincer should not materialize, we can make a second landing in the North East of the Forge Island. They can march and take Secundus and attack the rear of any enemy troops.

>>26877330
In regards to your concerns Magos, i agree with you completely. we'll have the Saint provide cover against any Anti-A it can.

We must take those Starports, so we can both supply our own troops and to prevent the enemy from launching any craft they have at those ports.

We can make these attacks as you make your propaganda broadcast Lord Commissar, so we do not lose the element of Surprise.

>>26877370
i believe we can land anywhere, although starports have their obvious advantages.

>>26877426
If the advantage is obvious, though, then perhaps the enemy strategist has laid the majority of his traps and surprises there. I would feel more comfortable commiting the frigate there, but will yield to the suggestion of the Magos.

>>26877426
Ok, is there any kind of legend?

As a suggestion perhaps this; We land with a portion of our troops on the south island; by the inland lake and the South-Easterly line bit, we act quick and pincer attack the three enemy troops on the brown relief before pushing up to secure the starport and encircling the mines (for the time being). We land the rest of our men and equipment at the starport before aiming for securing the mines.

We sweep round from their across to the far side of the west island and take the brown hill in a valkeryie blitz attack like the First afghanistan war. Then we bore up and secure that portion of the river, pushing up slowly across the flats before reaching forge Primus.

>>26877517
Having taken Forge Primus we move across the westly part of the river to take Vera and move for a pincer attack on secundus from Primus and from the North. Then moving for a Final assault on the pocket set between the two.

If we are strong enough on the propoganda side, then couldn't we bring the whole planet into line with a decisive taking of the capital and execution of the despot?

Still, I suppose it's good to plan comprehensively, and we are a seige regiment after all.

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>>26877370
>>26877426
>>26877442
The starport would be an ideal landing zone, as you could offload all or nearly all of your forces at it. The whaleship is slightly too large to dock itself there, but the Nameless Saint could, in an emergency, do so. Considering their vital nature for the local industry and economy, or at least any revitalization thereof, their intact capture should be considered at least a partial priority. At least one starport will be needed for the planet to have a chance at recovery in the near future.

Of course, given that fact, it is quite likely that the enemy has garrisoned troops at them, if not a considerable number of troops. It is also quite likely that the defenses of the starports, mostly anti-air cannons and flak emplacements, are at least partially functional, unless the salvagers otherwise looted them.

>>26877517
>>26877550
>Crude legend can be added, but:
>Red triangles: Known enemy concentrations.
>Red squared: Enemy-held manufactories or industrial centers.
>Grey masses: Infrastructure, urban areas.
>Light green: Farmlands and other flora-rich areas.
>Brown blobs: Mountains.
>Red-ringed black circles: Enemy-held mining pits.
>Black blobs: Known, inhabited civilian population centers.

>>26877701
>>26877410
>>26877601
Propaganda could prove invaluable here. The populace, however, is largely cowed by the Parker Family. The actual number of relatives to John Parker is unknown, but his forces-- mostly criminals that have organized themselves into his planetary hold-- are vast indeed, and maintain control through a mixture of fear, terror, and violence. The populace itself is largely unarmed, as those who do have armaments tend to either join Parker's gangers, or swiftly perish. The gangers themselves tend to rule over the towns and villages like lords, with Parker as their king.

>>26877333
"How long might it take to reopen the Pits if they were to be bombarded from orbit?"

The Master Artisan, once more, speaks up. "That would set us back decades, if not further! I must profess, Lord General, your line of thinking is rather alarming at this point!"

The Magos himself is not nearly as bothersome. "Assuming the infrastructure for mining is left intact, it should only take a decade, at most, to re-excavate the soil loosened from bombardment. Should you deem such necessary, of course."

>>26877701
>>26877709
right, first things first, we need more green triangles on the west island

also, a decade is waaay to long for us to get things on the right track, so I'd say bring in an extra company to hold the rear against possible attack from the pits, once we've taken the starport and moved south on the south island, we can starve the pits out, we've got siege troops, this is what they are good at, long waits, and brutal close in fighting

>>26877709
First, let's placate the cyborgs.
"I assure you, gentlemen, that I am merely determining the soundness of any potential plan. Obviously I will not engage in any such bombardment except in the absolute direst of circumstances, and I value your judgement and advice immensely."

>>26877709
True, but the propaganda is mostly to calm them and to make the Rebels lay down their arms.

Alright, an amendment to Battle Plan South: we shall land East of the starport, out of range of their anti-air batteries, then push to take the port. then we send 1 company of Siege infantry into the city to halt any advance from the Pits. Meanwhile, the bulk of our army will sweep West towards the enemy, with 1 Siege infantry fortifying the starport.

Battle Plan West will remain as it is. the Reserve force will head in immediately if the South is threatened to be over run.

>>26878069
I think in the beginning of the war we should probe their anti-air extensively. If they have none or very little, we'll be able to tear them to pieces with bombers. If they do have AA, we should figure out where the emplacements are if possible and destroy them with infantry/artillery.

Aircraft are going to be a big advantage we have over the heretics, and I think it's one we should exploit to the fullest. Initial probing to locate Anti-Air emplacements will probably result in fairly high casualties for our planes, but it will be well worth it.

I would say we should land our troops to the far west and east on the southern island. The western force can take iron hide then push south adm prevent the troops on the mountains from leaving. The Easters troops can take the startport then deal withth remaining enemy troops. We don't have engage the troops in the mountains we can starve them. It might take a bit longer but it would mean a lot less casualties for us. Our secondary objective would be the capture of the forges which would be easier if we already have a staining ground.

>>26878121
yes, but we don't know when we're getting planes again. i don't think we should just throw them away...

but those Devourers.... are they sufficient to stand against AA batteries Sector Command?

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>>26877767
Do you wish for additional representation of forces committed, or to commit additional forces? Under the current battleplan, you have ten companies committed to the western island, and six to the southern island. You have a full ten companies in reserve-- including both Chimera companies, three field artillery companies, three heavy weapon companies, and three infantry companies.

You're currently debating whether or not to have a third infantry company deployed to the southern continent to secure the flank against any forces that might be present in the Pits.

The Colonel speaks up, however, to the idea. "I wager that if we pull an extra company of siege infantry from the reserves and commit it to storming the Mining Pits, we could hold the planet's resources right by the throat. Make the rest of the operation easier, and if there's any resistance, we can quickly root it out."

>>26877961
>>26878069
>>26878121
>>26878204
If you wish, you could probe the enemy's anti-air capabilities with the Valkyrie gunships, as well as whatever strike craft may be aboard the Serf's Glory itself in its prow-mounted launch bays. The enemy's anti-air assets may be too scattered, or otherwise concealed or held in reserve, to properly assess, however. The starports are likely to have a moderate to heavy anti-air presence, considering that most Imperial starports are designed with such defenses built-in.

That being said, it should not be too troublesome to stay out of range of the majority of the enemy's anti-air assets. There's likely still long-range surface-to-air emplacements capable of harassing the dropships in such landing zones, but the casualties from those emplacements should be minimal.

>Map updated.

>>26878211
>>26878211
The Devourer is a class of dropship used by the Imperial Navy to transport Imperial Guard forces from orbiting ships to planetary surfaces. Carried in larger transport ships such as the Cetaceus Class Transport, Devourer dropships are considerably larger than Space Marine Thunderhawk Gunships. Each Devourer is a two-decked vessel, with the upper deck housing the infantry units and the lower deck holding the heavier equipment such as tanks and artillery.

The Devourer is designed for planetary landings and deployment, with the armoured front section of the vessel opening up into four sections, deploying a ramp so that the onboard vehicles and infantry can quickly depart. The Devourer itself is not designed for combat, but is equipped with two heavy lascannon turrets and missile launchers so that they can devastate armoured emplacements in support of ground units. As such, it would be able to provide some devastating saturation fire against anti-air positions, but under direct, concentrated AA fire the Devourers would likely take at least a few casualties.

Additionally, if you manage to procure the manufactoria and Mining Pits intact, you may be able to produce additional aircraft and other such military equipment in short order. Though out of maintenance for some time, the infrastructure itself is likely still intact.

>>26878324
I'm gonna throw my vote in for giving an extra field artillery company and heavy wep company to the western islands efforts and giving the colonel his extra infantry to take the pits

>>26878344
We may want to consider scouting the landing sites with Valkyries to avoid excessive Devourer losses. The downside would obviously be slightly more time for the enemy to react to our presence. I think it's worth it, because loss of Devourers would cause inordinate losses among our infantry.

Where are the tank companies being deployed at the moment? I would also suggest we commit an additional artillery company to the western island. We should also deploy a chimera company to circle around forge primus and cut it off from any reinforcement or resupply. Maybe have one of the armored companies assit in this as well since I doubt they will do well in urban combat.

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>>26878324
Perhaps we can commit two companies of Siege infantry from the reserves to secure the Mines, and have the rest of the South Plan continue as i outlined >>26878069

and we may as well add two Companies of artillery, and another Company in the south, to provide fire support. we can also assign one devourer to support the force that will take the Pits.

as for aircraft, i think we should be hesitant about throwing away such an asset, even if we can replace them. we may not be able to replace pilots, so i think their role should be to shuttle troops and to support as they can while taking care of AA emplacements.

>>26878480
the colonel said he only needs 1 company to take the pits, I say we make that his direct responsibility

>>26878480
I suppose we should learn exactly what air-units we have available. Sector Command?

>>26878496
ok, we'll assign him personally.

Commissar can command the rest of the South, and we'll take the West Army with the Magos. still think we should commit an artillery company to the south though, if only to fortify the Spaceport.

>>26878515
>artillery
We've currently 3 in reserve, so we can give 1 more to each island, to held fortify the starports and the forges, and hold 1 in reserve for if we need extra when encircling the western islands hostiles

>>26878324
It's probably too late for this, but I find our deployment on the southern continent rather... odd. While I agree that the port is a major objective, it seems that taking it will leave us open to attack on pretty much all sides.

The offensive against the mining country is likely to take a considerable amount of time, and will not really pressure the enemy in the short term. Meanwhile, the entire southern half of the continent will have ample time to mobilize against us, and be able to attack from all those red triangles.

In other words, this is a bit of tarpit situation, and I think we should take the large mining country last.

>>26878515
I don't think it would be necessary for us to ever even land on the ground. We're using our ships to co-ordinate the land war, why put ourselves out of the information loop? It would be damned near impossible to co-ordinate the entire campaign while las-bolts fly over head.

Although of course we'll be there to formally accept Parker's surrender (or to oversee his execution) and participate in the victory feast.

>>26878550
I agree, that's why i proposed a more easterly landing, focused solely on the starport. we can send the Colonel to take the mines with a Siege infantry and maybe a heavyweapons company. the South deployment was partially made because we assumed there would be little in the way of forces in the pits.

>>26878579
Except that the 40k has a boner for ineffective "lead from the front" types. Perhaps there is something to be said for being genre savvy in this case.

>>26878550
there are less enemies on the southern island than the others, the 3 in the mountains we can take our time with, we secure the starport and the pits and we slowly bleed them dry, our troops are siege specialists, this is what they are good at, we strike hard and fast at the main fortifyable objectives, hold them, assess the enemy reaction, and react accordingly, most likely with encirclement or saturated heavy barrages, the gangers of this world are not expecting the fight we are going to bring, nor are they trained to resist it, so their numerical advantage will not help them if we get good positions early on and starve them

>>26878613
except that in 40k, those ineffective "lead from the front" types are rather effective...

>>26878650
that, and also this battle will establish our reputation with the men. if we show ourselves willing to take the same risks as they are, they'll remember that and be loyal. if we hide in orbit, they'll remember that as well. besides, we can communicate via vox, perhaps they have equipment in the Space Ports to communicate with maps and such?

>>26878604
Yes, but mines and sunken terrain are historically the type of territory that takes bloody forever to take, even for offensively oriented troops, which we are not. It is better, I think, to fight and take places that we can hold against counterattack (like those mountain fortresses).

>>26878650
Yes, that's what I meant by being genre savvy.

>>26878676
>>26878728
I'm not completely familiar with what our troops will expect of us. If it's a common practice for unaugmented human Generals to take to the field, we haven't got much choice, but we need to consider the morale effect of what happens if we're injured or killed. The Lord Commissar would probably still be able to lead our forces to victory if we were incapacitated, but we won't earn any glory as a corpse or an invalid.

Sector Command, will there be any negative morale effect from coordinating the campaign from orbit?

>>26878690
We still need to take those starports. i have no problem in not attacking the mines, and in fortifying the ports and Forges, but those MUST be taken before we can even consider an attack against the capital, or to continue any long-term war. the Mines i am less concerned about, but those Starports and forges are vital!

Besides, eventually those mines are going to have to be taken, considering that the enemy could attack from the rear while we engage forces in the Capital. Again, i don't mind taking the mines later but we will need to eventually. If the Colonel says he can take them, then give him a couple companies and see how well he does. this would be a chance to see him in action, and to establish a professional judgement of his capabilities.

>>26878861
If we have any storm troopers, we might consider a decapitation strike against the enemy force. I think the presence of Vox-thieves should be reflected in our deployment patters. Do you guys think it would be feasible/practical/useful to attach the vox-thieves to Command Chimeras?

>>26878929
That non-sequitor is brought to you by sleep deprivation. I meant to mention that we could use the vox-thieves to identify enemy commanders (possibly even the Parkers themselves) and destroy them if possible.

>>26878861
Fine, I acquiesce. But this plan will force us to turn at least one of our eyes towards the southern half at all times, and that could prove detrimental.

Also, depending on how we handle the taking of the capital, those fortresses could become holds of resistance, or else surrender without putting up much of a fight.

Sector Command, how much (and what types of) propaganda can we get to the military installations on the Southern Continent?

>>26878929
we don't have stormtroopers. we probably could attach the vox-thieves to the command chimeras though, and various other units.

Good idea though, we can probably find out where the enemy commanders are, and send some aircraft or strike forces.

Our current plan seems fairly decent.
We should also descend to the planet once a landing zone has been secured. Then, we should do some morale raising in person, but most of the time, we should stay in the relative safety of our command post.
Going out there and fighting on the front lines just leaves us open for field assassination, which is really the best shot at victory our enemy has.

>>26878978
I understand your concerns, but i think we can take and hold the Primaris forge and the Starport in the north (being a Siege regiment means we know both how to make and break sieges). The south could turn messy i'll admit, but we do have a sizable reserve that we can count on.

>>26878996
I concur, if we make like Macharius (well Macharius in his more cautious moments) we should be able to exhort the troops and not be assassinated at the same time.

>>26878499
The Serf's Glory has a retrofitted launch pad installed into its prow, with enough room for a squadron of Valkyrie craft, numbering at eight craft per squadron. It also has two additional squadrons in reserve, tucked away within the hangar's storage bays and ready to be deployed. It also possesses a full complement of Aeronautica: Unsuitable for space combat, but deadly in the atmosphere.

It also possesses four wings of Thunderbolt fighter-bombers, numbering thirty craft each, as well as two wings of Lightning air superiority fighters, numbering forty aircraft each. The main issue with these aircraft is that the desert climate, including sandstorms, can cause a merry hell for aircraft operations in unfavorable weather. Usage is recommended for once a starport is secured, or a proper airbase established.

>>26878459
You could do so if you wish, considering that each Devourer carries a full company, including supplies and armor assets, they are inherently valuable. However, the Devourers also have a knack for breaching fortified positions and, given cover, could allow your infantry to deploy into the heart of the enemy's forces.

>>26878470
>>26878423
You elect to deploy an extra artillery company, at least, to the western continent. In addition, you currently have all of your tank companies deployed to the western island for the offensive on the northern forge.

>>26878480
>>26878496
>>26878499
>>26878515
>>26878543
>>26878579
You debate whether or not to go in person, but you do elect to dispatch the Colonel to the southern continent, in addition to the extra siege infantry company that he requested, leaving only two in reserve. You also dispatch an extra artillery company to the south, at least.

>>26879077
>You could do so if you wish, considering that each Devourer carries a full company, including supplies and armor assets, they are inherently valuable. However, the Devourers also have a knack for breaching fortified positions and, given cover, could allow your infantry to deploy into the heart of the enemy's forces.

In that case there's not much need for deploying Valkyries ahead of the Devourers, although it may be useful to deploy them alongside the Devourers for additional air superiority.

>>26879077
Ask The commisar for his input on where the command squad would be most effective,
I think it would be best to deploy in the operation Help us become respected by our regiment.

>>26879077
Sector Command, I repeat my inquiry from here >>26878978

>>26879127
Do you mean actual deployment to the front lines?

>>26879110
I agree. A fast and commited air blitz should be our tactic against at least one of the star ports.

>>26879170
well close enough to encourage the men, and possibly do some slight heroics

>>26879077
The Colonel seems pleased at this. "The men and I ought to have a merry time clearing out the Pits. Especially if we're just up against gangers like they use in the manufactoria back home. Had plenty of fun scraps with them, and that's before all this fancy Guardsmen training." He remarks, patting his trusty hatchet for emphasis.

>>26878550
>>26878604
>>26878626
The current focus appears to be on securing the starports and forges, as well as the Mining Pits themselves. Effectively, seizing all major infrastructure and strategic targets within the initial phases of the invasion, barring the northern continent itself. If desired, you can always re-assess your landing plans.

The Lord Commissar, in the interim, speaks up.

"It may also be an interesting tactic to muster the populace to our aid with this speech." He remarks, "I would not recommend it, but if the situation should turn grim, and we do, indeed, gain control of the Forges, we could put them to use manufacturing weaponry for the masses to use. I can only imagine that the enemy has been using them to arm their own forces for some time already."

>>26878496
>>26878515
>>26878543
"Lord Kennoch, I would ask you to take the southern continent." You say to him, the Lord Commissar nodding in response. "While the good Colonel commands the conquest of the Mining Pits, I would have you work to secure the starport and other objectives."

You turn to Magos Batt, "Magos? The conquest of the Western Continent shall be pivotal as well. I would ask you to take command of the army's forces there, and put them to good use in securing the starport and forges."

>>26878579
The starport itself would likely have sufficient genetoria to power a regimental headquarters, as well as the existing facilities. You could also build one from scratch, which likely wouldn't take too long considering the specialization of your forces, though that does pose its own risks.

>>26879277
>>26878690
>>26878837
You could lead the campaign from orbit or in person if you desire. Being there in person may yield a morale boon to the regiment from having a high-ranking officer in person. There should be no detriment, however, if you choose to send the Lord Commissar or other officers in your stead.

>>26878929
>>26878945
If desired, you could certainly attach the vox thieves to the Chimera units, making them into-- effectively-- command and control Chimeras. This would eliminate their transport capacity, however. On the other hand, you do not currently possess any companies of stormtroopers, however pleasant and useful that would be at the moment.

>>26878861
>>26878978
You could, in fact, blast propaganda across all frequencies upon planetfall, as is fairly standard practice during an invasion's opening stages. You can send whatever propaganda you desire, though the Lord Commissar has currently been tasked with devising something along the lines of "Righteous Fury and Judgment of the Emperor's Finest." Likely, he'll draw from the rhetoric of previous master oratory along those lines.

The Lord Commissar seems to be thinking along your own lines as well. "The enemy could cause issues if they manage to hold down the Pits, or otherwise find areas to fortify." He remarks cautiously.

"True, but we're the Vitalitas First Siege Regiment, aren't we? Siege warfare is where we excel, and I doubt these gangers have ever had even a day's training in siege combat." The Colonel remarks dismissively.

>>26879236
>>26879110
In which case, it would be wise to determine where to focus your airpower, unless you wish to provide equal coverage with available air assets over the two invasion points.

If we're gonna airblitz, we'll blitz the capital space port. that would prevent them from airlifting re-enforcements.

perhaps a bombing campaign on enemy forces in the open would be in order? they should be a decent distance from AA, and they would certainly shock those soldiers being bombed into disorder, which would only help our landing forces.

>>26879404
*if we're gonna air blitz a space port

>>26879404
This is good, but it might draw too many aircraft away from the main attack. We'll need as much metal in the sky as we can get to counteract their AA.

>>26879448
alright, so an attack against anti a emplacements in our landing zones, then a campaign to attack any forces in the open?

i'd say commit half of our aeronautica bombers to that, then another quarter to strike targets in the open. the last quarter will be our reserve.

Valks can provide close air support while the bombers engage the AA.

Distribute the air support evenly. Refrain from deploying it in areas with proper AA emplacements, instead we should rely on taking them with ground forces.
If they have some inadequate defenses, yeah, sure, bomb away, but space ports are likely to wreck out aircraft and those things will probably be the most difficult off all our assets to replace, except the space assets of course.

All things considered, I expect that we will lose less if we rely on the army and artillery than on bringing out flyers into danger zones.

>>26879659
this man has it. >>26879598 here.

Can we start shooting something? We've been planning for 5 hours

>>26879681
And we'll keep planning until we're done.

>>26879659
It's a trade off. Land away from the AA and force our ground forces to attack the port from outside (which we specialize in, but will take longer), or brave the guns and land our men right into the middle of the city.

I personally favor the latter because shock and awe is the best first impression to give an enemy.

>>26879730
i think we do have something though, really we just need to get there now. unless our advisors have additional information they need to provide....

>>26879749
Don't worry, I bet the action's coming up next. We've got the first battle already planned out.

>>26879749
Once we've decided what to do with our air forces, I think we'll have a solid war plan.

>>26879659
>>26879598
I think we should err on the side of caution with our flyers. Use them as best we can, of course, but I think it would be better to use them like
>>26879659
Recommends.

>>26879292
What range can the vox-thieves vox-thief? If we can mount them on high-altitude planes and whatnot we'll have a huge advantage.

a potential speech i've put together in the last five minutes. I'll admit i ripped it off of Eisenhower mostly:

"You are about to embark upon a Great Crusade, toward which we have
striven these many months. The eyes of Mankind are upon you. The
hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.
In company with our brave brothers-in-arms on
other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the Heretical war
machine, the elimination of tyranny over the oppressed peoples of
Man, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well
equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.

Much has happened since the triumphs of the unclean from
yester-year. The Armies of Humanity have inflicted upon the Xenos, and those who would abandon Him on Terra great defeats,
in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive shall seriously reduced their
strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home
Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions
of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.
The tide has turned! The free men of Humanity are marching together to
Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in
battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of the Almighty Emperor upon this great
and noble undertaking."

>>26879975
agreed. i'd also say put some vox-thieves on chimeras and aircraft like >>26879986 proposes.

>>26880045
>Your enemy is well trained, well
equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.

After a certain point propaganda becomes outright lying. Outside of that, I think it's damned inspiring. The Commissariat missed a damned good candidate in.. uh

What's our name?

>>26880045
>Your enemy is well trained, well
>equipped and battle hardened
If anything I think we should reinforce the fact that the enemy is worse trained than our men.

>>26880109
alright "your enemy is poorly trained, ill-equipped, and without the righteous cause of the Emperor! Do not fear the enemy, for they fear enough for all of us!"

>>26880144
Ooh, I like that.

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>>26879404
>>26879423
>>26879448
>>26879598
>>26879659
>>26879677
>>26879681
>>26879730
>>26879736
>>26879749
>>26879812
>>26879821
>>26879975
Though it has taken many days, your travel through the immaterium going fairly smoothly, it seems that the most suitable strategy is to evenly divide air assets. Considering that your forces will be landing dangerously close to your objectives, having air support be nearby will likely prove invaluable, especially with the Valkyrie aircraft coming and going after the initial deployment to keep the enemy on their toes.

All-in-all, it appears that your strategy has been completed. With only a single day left, in fact, you are left to review your forces and final deployment plans. If you have any last things you wish to discuss with your officers, now would be an excellent time. With Magos Batt taking the Western Army, and Lord Commissar Kennoch (assisted by Colonel Lucien Sarvus) taking the Southern Army, it appears that the invasion of Le Keers is ready to commence in all but arrival.

>Last call for alterations. Listing troop displacement shortly.

>>26879986
Vox thieves are limited primarily by their antennae and their power sources. A vox thief attached to a Chimera has a range of approximately thirty or forty kilometers on its own. The sort that could be placed in a stationary HQ could go for hundreds of kilometers, though it should be mentioned that the cogitator is another limiting factor. Multiple vox thieves can decipher communications faster, or otherwise break higher-level ciphers.

>>26880144
Yes that's much better.

>>26880181
The troop dispositions seem fairly good. If it hasn't been done already, let Magos Batt oversee the modification of whatever fraction of the Chimera's he deems strategically best. Also hold some in reserve for setting up in the field headquarters we establish.

And give
>>26880045
to the troops right before they drop.

Also get in contact with the Navy Frigate whatsitsname as soon as we drop out of the warp.

>>26880237
This guy, I think we should adjust
>Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well
>equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.
to what
>>26880144
suggested.

>>26880281
agreed

>>26880181
Le Keers Deployment:
Western Continent
>Lord Commissar Ossian Kennoch
>Colonel Lucien Sarvus
>6 Infantry Companies
>3 Armored Companies (2 Leman Russ, 1 Chimera)
>2 Field Artillery Companies
>1 Heavy Weapons Company
>One Valkyrie Squadron
>Two Thunderbolt Fighter>Bomber Wings
>One Lightning Air>Supriority Fighter Wing

Southern Continent
>Magos Sebastian Batt
>2 Infantry Companies
>1 Armored Company (Leman Russ)
>1 Field Artillery Company
>1 Heavy Weapon Company
>1 Special Weapon Company
>One Valkyrie Squadron
>Two Thunderbolt Fighter>Bomber Wings
>One Lightning Air>Supriority Fighter Wing

Reserve:
>Ministorium Chaplain Roland Sclar
>Sister Superior Ath Laurent
>2 Infantry Companies
>2 Armored Companies (One Leman Russ, one Chimera)
>1 Field Artillery Company
>Three Heavy Weapons Companies. Including one Fire Support Company armed with autocannons, one Anti>Tank Support Company equipped primarily with missile launchers and a smattering of lascannons, and one Mortar Support Company.

>>26880103
You are the Lord General. None have had the courage to address you as more than that, and after this day, not even the likes of John Parker and his Family will dare to utter your name, for fear of invoking your wrath.

>>26880237
>>26880281
>>26880304
>Speech modification made.

>Last call before War Room session is ended.
>Next stop: The Battlefield.

>>26880344
hmmm... Assign the sister Superior to command the Reserve. She'll be a literal Angel of Mercy to whoever she relieves.

I think we are good. Let the battle begin.

>>26880344
Have the Chimera's been modified?

>>26880404
I can dig it. But that's it! We should be fighting!

>>26880479
"Have the Chimeras already been modified?"

Magos Batt shakes his head at the inquiry. "No, Lord General. The necessary modifications and installation rituals can be enacted over the last few hours before we emerge from the immaterium. They should be completed just as we emerge."

The vox-thieves are going to be decisive, I think. At the very least it will allow our commanders to have advanced warning of any attack on their position, at best it will give us broad knowledge of all enemy deployments.

>>26880565
indeed. make sure each Army has at least one.

Lets get ready to ruuuummmbbbblllleeee!!!

>>26880580
That's what we've been doing. I propose we rumble instead.

Lets do this!

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>>26880879

>>26880580
>>26880579
>>26880565
>>26880909
>>26880903
The Serf's Glory has, thankfully, a fairly rote trip through the immaterium. The number of crew lost to the seeping madness of the warp is small, its victims few and far between.

Emergence is brought with the familiar sound of wailing, screaming, and shrieking along the outside of the ship, the various titans of the insane realm of the Dark Gods attempting to retain a slipping grasp upon the transport ship. The armored shutters and adamantine plates draw back over the observation blisters, Captain Unwerth's voice dragging on as the solar system map shifts.

"Imperial Navy broadcast detected." He intones, drawing up the little blue 'allied ship' blip. "Nameless Saint detected, Lord General." He intones.

"Do you wish to relay any orders to the vessel's captain, or speak with him?" He asks, his voice slow and steady thanks to the steady doses of obscura he's been relaxing with for the course of the trip. "Or shall I have him wait for now?"

Your gaze, meanwhile, focuses upon the unarmored view that the massive panes of glass along the bridge provide. The vast emptiness of space, so contrary to the definite dimensions of the battlefield, is interrupted only by the huge scale of the planet below. The massive desert world, consumed with three supercontinents, seems lifeless. You had seen pictures of it back in its heyday, when it pumped out precious minerals and raw materials in such volume that even the largest of Imperial vessels struggled to break orbit. Such was the volume of wealth that it filled cargo holds with.

Now, the desert has reclaimed most of the world. The massive, cancerous holes in its surface remain-- the kilometers-wide holes used for deep core mining activities. The huge spires of hab blocks and refineries that pierce towards the heavens, the broken ruins of civilization that are slowly being overtaken by the swelling desert.

>>26881254
You can see Damaris, the massive and lone remaining hive city upon the planet. It is impressive in its scale, and certain to be a fortress unlike any other. You shall take it, however, as you have taken so much more.

No foreign ships are detected in the area, and already, the Serf's Glory begins to fire up its plasma drive, heading on a direct path for the world ahead. The auspex scanners are scouring its surface, attempting to procure additional data. Strange objects hover in orbit over the world. Satellites, the auspex confirms, and seemingly recently-built ones at that. Strange.

>Speak with the Imperial Navy Captain. (Please specify.)
>Relay orders to the Imperial Navy Captain. (Please specify.)
>Begin the invasion.
>Other?

>>26881263
Order the Nameless Saint to move into position to support the invasion

>>26881263
Tell the Captain to inspect the satellites. If there is nothing amiss, begin the invasion as planned.

>>26881263
Have him take those satellites out most likely weapon platforms

>>26881263
Speak with the Captain, ask if he's seen anything unusual. then ask his precise orders from the Commodore. Finally, inform him that he will be taking close orbit to provide "General Logistical Support", and firesupport when asked by Ground units.

>>26881321
Never mind, I change my suggestion to have both ships fire on the satellites. Once a hole is punched, begin the invasion.

>>26881263
Scan the satellites, if hostile, wipe them out for the glory of the God-Emperor.

>>26881553
They might be Xeno....

Anyways, order the captain to destroy those satellites, after the Voxthieves scan for any enemy signals, then commence the invasion proper. Also, does Auspex detect any differences in enemy deployments from our Planning?

Anyways, once Aerial superiority is established, have the Serf's Glory take station above the planet to act as an aircraft staging point. the Frigate will provide firesupport missions to the ground forces, as well as take care of any enemy aircraft that appear before our own can intercept them.

>>26881469
I think it would be wiser to simply destroy all of them, unless that would be prohibitively time consuming.

>>26881695
Maybe the Saint could stay behind to take care of the rest, while our ship can actually do the invasion.

Rolled 38

>>26881331
>>26881321
>>26881312
>>26881553
>>26881689
>>26881695
"Tell the Captain that he's to scan those satellites and inspect them for any threats." You remark, folding your hands behind your back. "Full speed ahead-- prepare the fleet for invasion. Further, ask if he's seen anything unusual."

Captain Unwerth nods, a servitor relaying the inquiries as the Imperial frigate joins your own transport. You're treated to a small spectacle as the frigate darts ahead the much slower transport ship, the Nameless Saint's plasma drives coming into direct view through the observation glass of the bridge.

Captain Unwerth gives a gentle wheeze as an unfamiliar voice picks up over the lines.

"This is Captain Heinrich of the Nameless Saint. Our auspexes detect that the satellites are not, in fact, weapons platforms. My men report that they are Xenos in nature, however, and as such are not to be trusted. We shall destroy those in the immediate path of your own vessel, and establish a holding pattern."

"Understood, Captain." You remark, contemplating just what to do with the Xenotechnology present. Its origins are alien, and function likely just as much so, but at least they do not appear to be any evident weapon systems.

"If you were to procure one, Lord General, I could attempt to divine the functionality of the network in place." Magos Batt remarks, to which the Master Artisan vocally objects.

"Alien technology is unclean and impure, Magos! We cannot risk whatever function it might possess-- we should destroy all of it on the principle of its offense to the Omnissiah!"

>>26881800
I'm inclined towards agreeing with the Artisan, but do we know which one is senior?

>>26881800
I am not learned in the teachings of the Mechanicus, but I am quite aware in mankind's superiority. Destroy them.

>>26881800
Lol... no. Letting foreign crap onto your ship is pretty high on the list of things that get everybody killed. Blast em!

>>26881800
Another conundrum, but you have more amusing sights to keep your eyes trained upon. As you contemplate what to do, the prow batteries of the Nameless Saint open fire, just as the first Valkyrie transports vomit forth into the void of space. The Serf's Glory is already nearing the edges of Le Keers' atmosphere, the desert world growing exponentially larger by the second. Already, the rivers are starting to gain definition, the clouds of the thin atmosphere drifting obliviously.

A series of satellites explode under the withering touch of the frigate's lance beams, debris drifting across the skies. The vox arrays aboard the Serf's Glory get to work on attempting to intercept enemy communications, and the initial auspex pings begin to filter in.

The picture is not as pretty as you would have liked.

The enemy concentration points remain the same, but it is evident that the enemy has had some time to dig in. Or, at the very least, to mark their territorial lines more firmly. The number of enemy forces seems to have been off by an order of magnitude or, at least, the Parker family has been busy recruiting. The starports are crawling with activity, and already, large troop movements are detected around the forges of the western continent. Damaris itself is a veritable hive of activity, and the auspexes show a heavy concentration of both armor and personnel around the capital city. No doubt, Parker and his "Family" are preparing for an extended siege. Indeed, judging by the scans, the capital city may just be the most difficult fight of the war.

The invasion begins, however, as the Nameless Saint begins to reach high atmospheric anchor for assisting in air superiority and covering the Devourers on their descent. Dozens of massive, fat-bellied aeronautica fly from their cradles upon the Serf's Glory. If there is one perk to the design, it is ease of launch.

>>26881975
Which is a very useful perk indeed for the next report.

"We've got anti-orbital weaponry!" One serf calls out, his voice clearly panicked. The Lord Commissar and Magos are still onboard, content to leave after the initial fighting and beachheads have been secured.

"What sort?" Captain Unwerth calls out, as a series of explosions erupt, the turrets of the Serf's Glory and the Nameless Saint working in cohesion. Void shields flicker as lights stab across the heavens.

"Torpedoes, sire, plus a handful of macrocannon batteries. The macrocannons are scattered across the edges of the starports, but the torpedo silos appear to be oriented around the former Lord Governor's palace, in the capital city."

An explosion blossoms in the void as a macrocannon round hits the ship's shielding.

"Defenses are holding steady, sire. They appear to be targeting our own ships rather than the landing craft for now, but it may prove difficult to maintain support for our aerial cover."

Another complication, it appears!

>Order the ships to fall back. You won't have your full aerial support presence until one of the starports is captured, but at the very least the Nameless Saint can still provide general orbital bombardment from afar.
>Maintain position. Defenses are holding, at least for now.
>Retaliate. It'll destroy infrastructure, but you can't afford any complications at this point.
>Other?

>>26881867
The Magos is senior to the Master Artisan by several degrees at this pint.

>>26882009
>Retaliate
If we lose troopships, this will start going very bad, very fast

>>26882009
Are the infrastructural points the ones that the Artisan told us we couldn't destroy?

>>26882009
Retaliate in this way.

Begin firing batteries, and follow your landing craft towards the largest target spaceport. Try to ignore the macros, and begin firing at the target city. Make it look as if the whole ship is committing to the assault. This will keep fire away from the landing craft. Only peel off when the shields get to critical. Have the Nameless Saint stay up and away from torpedo range. If it cannot, have it fire at the same target your ship is heading towards.

>>26882139
This seems like the best course of action, but I would like to know the answer to
>>26882071
. It won't change the course of our action, but it will really simplify things.

>>26882009
Fire weapons that won't do (much) damage to the starports, but tell the gunners to knock themselves out against the Lord Governors palace silos.

If the Nameless Saint has any laser batteries, instruct them to try to use precision strikes.

>>26882139
Oh dear Emperor!

I think we should try it.

>>26882139
I... support this i guess. Although i thought we weren't going after the city....

anyways, we need to at least capture one of those space ports, send the fighters out all that jazz. Take out those torpedo batteries if we can especially. That shit can get deadly right quick.

We might be able to use those Macrocannon batteries in the future, it would be nice to take some of them intact, but our commanders are not to waste too many men to get them.

this is gonna be gud. Do we have atomics? obviously we can't use them all willy-nilly, but it might be a useful "everything went to hell" option...

>>26882238
Seconding this.

>>26882139
>>26882238
I have to add that, for the enemy to be drawing such attention at it's supposed HQ this early on, it would be safe to assume that John Parker has evacuated for a safe haven somewhere on planet.
Why would he risk turning to ashes like that?

>>26882238
They'll have to get close to do that though, that's the issue. Close while there's anti-ship weapons firing on them. bad idea there,

I honestly think we're best off continuing as planned, just emphasizing the Starports more. Give that order, that the Starports are Priority Primaris, Forges Secundus, and the Mines Tertius.

>>26882761
Good to know. Damn, it's a shame the Frigate got here before we did. If those orbital structures were sensor platforms they may have had several days notice that the Imperium had finally remembered them.

>>26882071
>>26882120
>>26882139
>>26882196
>>26882238
>>26882291
>>26882463
>>26882511

The infrastructure points are, effectively, major industrial centers. In the case of the capital city, it is also the primary seat of government for the planet. The Master Artisan will clearly throw a fit about this regardless, but you know what must be done.

"We cannot afford for them to turn their attention to the troopships." You order, turning to Captain Unwerth. "Have the Serf's Glory draw closer to the largest spaceport -- Pitfall Starport." You order. The northern continent's starport is actually larger by several orders of magnitude, but between the targets, that one is larger by only a hair.

"We're going to make them think that we're committing everything to this assault-- see about peppering the capital city with what munitions we can spare. Even if it's some long-range rocket fire, it should keep their attention away from the landing craft."

"This vessel is not rated for atmospheric operations, Lord General." Captain Unwerth remarks solemnly, "However, I shall take us as close to the planet as possible. This shall be a most difficult navigation..." He murmurs.

You watch as a torpedo explodes against the void shields of the Nameless Saint. The wounded vessel holds strong, however, in spite of its previous battle damage. Partially repaired as it is, it's putting up a very fearsome display, swatting enemy fire aside.

You watch as the Nameless Saint unleashes a lance beam at the starport in question. The Master Artisan lets out a howl of indignation at that, his vox unit warbling slightly.

"Stop! Lord General, you are destroying precious technologies! Technologies that cannot be afforded to be--"

>>26882825
The Lord Commissar seems to have had enough of this, however, from his next actions. You barely even see his hand go for the bolt pistol at his hip, and in the blink of an eye it's level with the Master Artisan's forehead.

"That is well enough of that." Kennoch hisses, as the Serf's Glory groans, the vessel shifting its path to draw closer. The fleet of dropships are already making landfall. One of the bridge staff speak up as the deploy continues, macrocannons and torpedoes erupting into the heavens.

"The Nameless Saint reports that the Shrine to Saint Drusus, situated near the Lord Governor's palace, is too close to the torpedo silos to accurately target at this time. They can draw closer if you wish, sire, but they doubt they can maintain their defensive posture for much longer if they do so."

Another serf speaks up. "Dropship deployment going according to plan at the moment, sir. Devourer dropships unharmed. Minimal losses amongst Thunderbolt and Valkyrie escort flights."

A torpedo detonates a bit close for comfort, the bridge rocking. Kennoch's aim is unwavering, however, keeping his pistol level. The air is filled with the deafening sound of silence from the senior officers, pending your orders.

>>26882784
Unlikely. There are many other means they had to see an Imperial frigate in orbit.

>>26882839
Have the propoganda sent to Pitfall. We have to produce as much shock as possible.

>>26882839
Tell the Comissar to chill out for now. The Artisan should have oiled his robes already.
Order the Saint to open fire regardless. The Emperor Protects. We can't risk this operation nor the ship.

>>26882839
Get our ships out, make the speech, and get the fuck out of there into high orbit.

>>26882997
And in the direction pointed away from those macro cannon batteries!

>>26883017
as long as we're not getting shot, our boys are on the ground, and the goddamn aircraft are bombing the everliving fuck out of the enemy, we're good.

order the Saint to go to a safe place, repair any immediately harmful damage, then get back to fire support in High-orbit. we will bombard those heretical fucks into the goddamn stone age if we have to!

>>26882839

"Tell the captain of The Nameless Saint that on this matter I trust his experience and should he be able to
to draw closer and attack the silos while protecting the Dropship and without unnecessarily endangering his vessel he has my permission."

We are a general or the guard he is a captain of the navy, he should know better in this.

>>26883212
Seconded. make it clear we will still have to protect the troops, but that if he thinks he can take out those torpedo batteries, then he's welcome to do it.

>>26882839
We have to get the Saint out of range their defences.

Rolled 55

>>26883017
>>26882997
>>26882984
>>26882912
>>26882840
>>26883095
>>26883212
"We may as well broadcast while we still can." You say, looking to Kennoch. "I believe the Master Artisan has learned decorum well enough, Lord Commissar. That shall do for now.'

Kennoch looks once more to the man, his holstering as swift and invisible as his drawing. He hands to you the dataslate he had been working from for the last few hours. "The speech should be sufficient, Lord General. Alter it as you see fit."

You nod, "Thank you, Lord Commissar. Now then." You tap your microbead, Magos Batt giving a little hum as the Master Artisan peels back, cowering away. Or whatever would be equivalent for the pseudo-human.

You speak. It's Kennoch's words, but your voice and feeling behind them. You watch the Devourer dropships hail below, the constant reports indicating course corrections and flight plans. The Serf's Glory glows bright red as it skips along the atmosphere of the planet, Captain Unwerth's hazy expression keeping him calm in what must be a rather terrifying effort at navigation.

The Nameless Saint is visible in the distance, its void shield flickering as it attempts to draw higher, Captain Heinrich clearly unwilling to pursue such close bombardment for much longer, especially as the first dropships begin to reach soil.

"You are about to embark upon a Great Crusade, toward which we have
striven these many months. The eyes of Mankind are upon you. The
hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.

In company with our brave brothers-in-arms on
other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the Heretical war-machine, the elimination of tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Man, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your enemy is poorly trained, ill-equipped, and without the righteous cause of the Emperor! Do not fear the enemy, for they fear enough for all of us!"

>>26883446
>>26883314
The Serf's Glory groans as the pull of gravity tugs at its frame, and you can watch the various antennae and vox masts begin glowing bright red, shifting and twitching in place. A few loose auspex platforms are ripped off as the ship's few turrets and guns pepper the target area. Pitfall Starport is visible before you, a glowing, bristling hive of flak weaponry and shorter-ranged missiles. You watch a Devourer dropship bank hard right as a missile explodes right outside of its hull, lascannons and other weapons firing freely.

"We've got a malfunction in the launch bay-- one of the Thunderbolts crashed on the launch ramp!" A serf calls out, your speech continuing on regardless.

"Tech-wrights are on the scene. Conflicting gravities are causing mechanical failures with the launch systems. Adjusting." A tech-priest replies, her smooth, chrome figure plugged in to a myriad of cogitator banks.

A torpedo whirrs by the bridge, blasting a chunk out of the hull plating, hitting the ship hard enough to make the floor tilt. You hear a distant whine of klaxons, but the ship remains afloat, completing its low-swinging arc across the planet's gravitational well.

"Much has happened since the triumphs of the unclean from yester-year. The Armies of Humanity have inflicted upon the Xenos, and those who would abandon Him on Terra great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive shall seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of Humanity are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!"

>>26883525
The Nameless Saint and the Serf's Glory pull back. Reports continue to filter in. The proximity to the starports in landing has left a number of dropships vulnerable to weapons fire. In particular, the regiments landing near the Forges and Omnissiah's Gateway-- where the macrocannons are mostly clustered-- have come under heavy fire. The Thunderbolts and other vessels have put their screening to good use, but a pair of Devourers bearing an infantry company and an artillery company have already gone down, crashing in the starport itself. There's reports of survivors, who are attempting to dig in and hold positions in the heart of enemy territory.

The cover of the Serf's Glory has helped the landing at the southern continent immensely, however. All companies report successful deployment, but it's very evident that the Mining Pits and the Pitfall Starport are both held in enemy hands. Extensively moreso than expected, in fact. The soldiers are attempting to dig in while enjoying what cover they can, but the enemy appears to have fortified in advance, and forces landing on both continents are experiencing light to moderate shelling. Which they're returning in spades, of course.

>Switch perspective to Southern Continent fighting.
>Switch perspective to Western Continent fighting.
>Switch perspective to Omnissiah's Gateway Defense.
>Any last orders before doing so?

>>26882238

40k ships generally only have defensive turrets and anti-voidship grade weaponry, as far as guns go.

Defensive weaponry is basically general 40k heavy weapons to fend off attack craft/torpedos

Anti-starship weaponry [lances/macrocannon] used against ground targets... basically leave a kilometer of absolute destruction where they hit, and then go Tunguska Event upon the surrounding area

>>26883543
Switch perspective to Western Continent fighting.

>>26883543
After Pitfall is taken, give more men to that colonel who is supposed to take the mining pits.

Then switch to the Gateway Defense.

>>26883569
This seems to be the most pressing at this moment.

>>26883543
Omnissiah's Gateway Defense. from there, they may be able to take over the Macrobatteries, and train them on other regions. or at least stop them from firing at us.

>>26883543
>Switch perspective to Omnissiah's Gateway Defense.

This situation requires microing like no other, and if we succeed we will be at a huge advantage.

>>26883617
Yes, again send a message to the Magos, Colonel, and Commissar:

"You have operational authority to act as seems fit, but remember your primary objectives are the Space Ports to get those damn cannons of our ships, and the Forges to stop the bastards from making/breaking things. Mines, while important, are secondary. we need those space ports and forges!"

Also, contact the captain of the Saint, and see when he thinks he'll be ready to get back to taking out those torpedos and providing fire support. Make it clear we trust his judgement as Captain of his vessel.

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>>26883569
>>26883617
>>26883636
>>26883703
>>26883734
>>26883734
"You have operational authority to act as you all see fit, but remember your primary objectives are the space ports. Get those damn cannons off of our ships, and the forges to stop the enemy from making more trouble-- or breaking what we need! The mines, while important, are secondary to the ports and forges!"

The Captain of the Nameless Saint is quickly hailed, however. His status report is, at least, somewhat positive.

"We've taken minor damage, sir, and should be ready to provide fire support whenever you wish. We won't be able to stay in high anchor for long periods of time, but we should be able to provide constant long-range bombardment support at-will. Just be warned that we won't be able to maintain accurate fire."

>Perspective switch: Acting Captain Jonas Rawl. Omnissiah's Gateway Incursion. Local time: 04:50 A.M.

>>26884163
What exactly am I seeing here?

>>26884163

If the black line is some sort of solid perimeter, then have all but four of your men defend it. Then send the other four clear out the nearest two buildings and the area around them. Time to use those photon grenades!

After that, get as many as you can into those four buildings, with heavy weapons teams stationed in the firing corridors between them.

>>26884255
You will be recieving fire from that building with the eight red dots in it. Engage with heavy weapons teams and try to get some men in there. We have the advantage in close quarters.

>>26884163
Your landing was... less than spectacular. Your dropship, a Devourer that you had lived in for the last few months, took a direct hit from the enemy's long-range missile fire. While the Serf's Glory had drawn the majority of the enemy's attention, they had still peppered the invasion force with fire. Lots of fire. It was just your misfortune that a rocket hit your vessel. It was also just your fortune that said rocket took out one of the dropship's engines, and the last thing you remember seeing was an arms coffer flying at your face, bruising your eye and knocking you out for the duration of the crash.

Last thing you remember opening your eye to is one of your Guardsmen pulling you away from the crash site, currently to the east of your location. Of the entire company, a bit more than half died in the crash. One hundred and sixty souls snuffed out. Of the remaining one hundred and forty, twenty of them were too wounded to do much than bleed in the wreckage, and were given the Emperor's Mercy. The company Commissar is still alive and well, at least, and is currently at your side. Of the remaining one hundred and twenty, twenty of them are too injured to move beyond the crash site, and were put on guard duty over the munitions and raw materials that could be salvaged. Most of the gear was, thankfully, still in very good working order, and can be used to fortify your position. If you put some men towards trying to do some minor muscle work, you may even get some of the transport trucks free from the Devourer's wreckage.

You have, accordingly, dispatched two squads north, south, east, and west. Ten men per squad. This has left a reserve of two working squads to help guard the supplies and crash site. For now, at least.

>>26884287
Can we get firesupport from our arty or space-borne?

if so, call down a mission right on those sons-of-bitches in those buildings in the West.

if we're too close, then >>26884255, and have those four men lay down so much cover fire the bastards think it's Emprah's day!

>>26884318
The Commissar at your side bellows encouragement to the men with you, for what help he can provide, considering the tide of gangers firing and advancing on your position. Gangly men, the locals are poorly armed and unarmored. Unfortunately, it seems that command has greatly overestimated their numbers. They're currently advancing along the storehouses to your west.

You've holed up in what seems to have been a security checkpoint, long ago. Your men are armed with flak suits, lasguns, frag grenades, and krak, plus a small smattering of photon flash grenades. The flak armor is excellent against their stubbers, but a lucky hit will still kill a man, especially with this volume of fire. The windows of the security checkpoint have been shot out, the gangers on the distant rooftops laying down wild, inaccurate fire.

You, yourself, have two frag grenades, and a pair of krak grenades. You also have a lasgun with six spare power cells, as well as a laspistol, combat knife, and some basic entrenching gear. You also have a pair of demolition charges, suitable for taking down a hab building or small fortified bunker. Your squad of ten is currently trading shots with the enemy, and the vox crackles as you hear reports from the other squads, who are facing similar situations. Heavy enemy presence on all sides, pushing inwards. You also hear reports to the south of another company that had to crash land. An artillery company, from the sounds of it, struggling to hold their crash site alone.

For what little use artillery will be here, anyways. Orders are that you're not to damage valuable infrastructure with demolitions, and only use explosives on key targets.

>>26884163
>Working map key:
>Pink circle: Commissar Adams
>Green circles: Guardsmen, armed with the same kit as you, except only two others have demolition charges.
>Yellow-lit circular building: Explored security checkpoint, currently garrisoned.
>Red blobs of death: Enemy gangers. Armed with stubbers, no armor, and the sort of confidence that only comes with numbers and a Chaos-may-care attitude.
>Structures: Four closely-packed and run-down genetoria sheds, in addition to a smattering of storehouses. To the far left is an abandoned Mechanicus shrine, with eight gangers currently on the rooftop.

>>26884427
A lot of gangers seem to just be standing their out in the open with no cover. Show them why that's a fucking terrible idea.

>>26884255
>>26884287
It's the walls of the security checkpoint. You could send those four to the two genetoria sheds nearby, but that'll put them under the fire of the gangers covering that alleyway. The photon grenades could disorient the enemy very well, but you only have a few of them.

You have no heavy weapons teams on-hand at the moment, though, unfortunately. You might be able to have one of the squads near the dropship salvage something up, but those supplies are being held in reserve in case you need to push in a particular direction.


>>26884326
You could vox a request for artillery or orbital support, but from what you saw, the ships above are beginning to pull back. The other artillery units are likely still deploying, and the field artillery company to the south is trying to fight for its life, let alone trying to lend fire support.

>>26884427
Hold our ground for the moment.
Remind our men that we are fighting half-starved, untrained rabble. Tell them to expend their ammo wisely and have no fear, more enemies means more targets to take down.

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>>26884427
Grab the voxman, tell him to get me some goddamn signal!

"This is Acting Captain Rawl to any friendly Mortars able to target grid (insert grid number). We've crash landed in the middle of the Gateway space port. there are two buildings with large concentrations of enemies at co-ordinates (insert co-ordinates), fire for effect whenever you boys can."

to the vox-caster: keep repeating that shit until we get some goddamn mortars firing at those sonsabitches.

"you, Demo boy, grab yourself and 4 others, we're getting our asses into those goddamn sheds. Commissar, you and the other men suppress those bastards. anyone of them so much as peaks through a crack you blast'em, got it?"

Grab our gear, lead the charge. of course, we're gonna be shooting them too.

>>26884621
Also, might be a good idea to link up with those basilisks in a bit, once we get ourselves some breathing room.

also, to amend >>26884621, use a proton grenade to blind those guys near the sheds. warn our dudes before hand.

>>26884621
This, but try to proceed into the shrine if the snipers become a nuisance.

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>>26884511
>>26884474
>>26884255
>>26884287
>>26884326
>>26884621
>>26884665
>>26884700
Lasguns roar as your men switch to burst fire. Hugging close to the edges of the checkpoint, they open fire as soon as the first gangers round the edges. Explosions erupt amongst the enemy's ranks as a half-dozen men are turned into Grox patties, blood spraying freely as limbs are blown clean off their unarmored forms. Fabric catches on fire as the rest of the enemy's ranks begin to reel backwards, but not before the momentum of the tide pushes a full half-dozen into the waiting lasguns of your men.

Barrels cool as your soldiers keep their weapons level, your own efforts focused on your squad's voxman. He kneels next to you as you cradle the horn in your hand, thinking of what to do in your current situation.

"This is acting Captain Rawl to any friendly mortars in the area. Anyone able to target grid zero-zero-five-five-nine-one-zero-one, we've crash landed in the middle of the Gateway spaceport. Our Devourer is down and we're holding position against large enemy concentrations at our coordinates."

Stubber fire picks up again as the men atop the Mechanicus shrine make their own effort at suppression fire. None of your men are hit, but they chip away at the rockcrete of the checkpoint through sheer weight of fire. You watch as the two men near the genetoria shacks take their own potshots, kept pinned only by the fact that you have lasguns and they're using cheap stub weaponry.

"Fire for effect whenever you can! Set message for repeat!" You finish, before pointing to one of the men with demolitions. "Grab yourself and four others! We're getting our asses into those Emperor-damned sheds! Commissar!"

The Commissar, currently peeking over the edge of his own cover, looks to you, his peaked cap and stern expression rather intimidating.

"You and the other men suppress these bastards! Any one of them so much as peeks through a crack, you blast them! Understood?"

>>26884832
"Yes, Captain! The Emperor is at our side, men!" He retorts, though you see the press of enemy bodies growing thicker yet. Even if you expend one of your photon flash grenades, it may be useless considering the seemingly endless tide of enemy reinforcements. Your men have plenty of ammunition, however, and your cover is rock (ha ha) solid.

For now, at least.

A frag made on the coming horde hopefully will further slow their momentum. Would it be possible to try to collapse one of the warehouses on them?

>>26884832
Just keep doing what we're doing. no need to change at this point.

>>26885024
Indeed. but i'd say get some of our men in those shacks to the west of our position. they can get a grenade off further back, so they panic more.

then have another guy throw another Photon grenade, and see how many of the bastards we can get in the open.

we'll lead the "shack" contingent. We'll earn that "Captain" one way or another today....

>>26885296
Are the shacks bulletproof?
If not those guardsmen will spend about 10 seconds in them before they're a glorified colander.

>>26884621
>>26884621
>>26884665
>>26884700
>>26885024
>>26885278
>>26885296

A frag grenade is easily, and eagerly, supplied. You could collapse one of the warehouses with a demolition charge, or a couple krak grenades.

In either case, your men move out. "Frag out!" You call, one of your men obliging you by tossing a fragmentation grenade, letting the stick fly free before detonating in the midsts of another pile of heretics. The blasting of lasguns continues as more enemies begin to pour ahead. The fear is clear on their features as they get scythed down, apparently being driven onward by their comrades, who jeer and hoot as they get pressed forward.

The fragmentation grenade is devastating at it goes off, forcing the enemy to halt their advance entirely for precious moments. The vox remains silent beyond the reports of your other squads, and you signal for the five-man demolitions team to advance forward and around the sheds. One poor soul goes too far to the side, and ends up the prey of one of the gangers on the distant rooftop, the man's stubber whirring away as he blasts the man's helmet clean off what's left of his head.

Nine guardsmen left, but the rest of that squad is in place, and you're racking up the kills. The Commissar fires a single shot with his bolt pistol, blowing an enemy ganger's chest inside-out, spraying his ribs across the rockcrete of the genetoria sheds.

>>26885368
They're made of rockcrete. So they're plenty resilient against enemy stubbers. Against, for instance, rockets or demolition charges? Not so much.

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>>26885408
Your forces remain arrayed, and the bodies are mounting in the center of the street. Which is likely why you can spot a handful of gangers press down between the sheds, clearly trying to press where your men are not.

"Down to half a cell!" One of the guardsmen next to you calls out.
"Same here!" Shouts another, and another. Munitions are still plentiful, but it's clearly adding up.

>>26885368
damn... good point. but we still need to gain a better position to deal with the enemy. Frankly, just sitting on our dicks and waiting them to come at us is gonna get us killed. they have bodies, we don't have enough ammo for all of them. plus, one well-placed grenade and we're cooked as it is now. if we spread out, they might not get the notion.

anyone nearby that can dig out some of those damn transports so we can get the hell out of here or at least scare these dudes off? have one of the squads near the ship try and free those damn transports.

>>26885436
I think what we need is to advance through those buildings. OP, is there a way to advance through the buildings while sheltered from the sniper fire?

>>26885657
The buildings themselves are all open to inhabitation/exploration. Every building featured on the map, at least. As it is, getting the ones across the street would leave whoever crosses open, but they'd also be able to get onto the rooftops there and set up a crossfire in exchange for that risk.

There's no known snipers present, however, though the enemy may have some in their employee (though the reports so far indicate that the enemy has no truly 'trained' soldiers beyond a smattering of mercenary-level troops that act as Parker Family enforcers.)

If the enemy brings up any tanks or vehicle assets, though, there may be trouble.

>>26885513
You have two squads sitting in reserve near the crashed Devourer, waiting for orders of where to reinforce. All sides seem to be equally pressed, however. You also have two squads of heavily wounded who, while combat capable, won't be able to do much beyond hold their current position without further medicae treatment. You could set them to work getting the transports out, however.

>>26885436
Order our people on our line to shoot at whoever is in the hallway, and at the main wave of the attackers.

The demosquad will advance through that South eastern building, trying to get to the other side of there without getting shot.

once they're within range, have the demo guy throw the charges and detonate them once they land. then they can try to hold that SE building if they can while they try to detonate the other set of buildings. they should try to clear that other southern building if they can, for caution's sake.

>>26885822
>>26885436
Were there any squad-level weapons onboard the dropship? A heavy bottler or two would be able to slice through these structures with ease and clear out these annoying gangers.

Other than that, order one of the free squads to salvage anything useful from the wreck. Have the men lob another frag into the center of the street, then have the final free squad use the explosion as a distraction to move and occupy the building to the north.

>>26885822
also, get one of the reserve squads working on getting those transports out. they're too valuable to just leave there.

the other is to re-enforce the Basilisk company if they can/are reasonably close.

>>26885997
I think we should secure our own position before moving to assist anyone else.

Have we even heard from the artillery company over the vox since we both crash-landed?

Have the fire team of 4 move into the building they are next to and have someone put a nade in that tightly packed alleyway. Then have either us or the commissar move up and reinforce them. After we secure that spot we can either hold our ground or use it to try to move forward toward that building the 8 dudes are on top of. I think if we can secure that's tall building then we can help other squads in the area.

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>>26886075
But if we can secure the artillery, that would gain us an invaluable asset. plus, none of our units seem to be horrifically engaged, just pressed. and in the end, we can retreat back to the ship for a last stand.

>>26886075
The field artillery team have been sending steady reports for additional request. Two companies are coming in to assist and try to relieve, but they're also attempting to secure and disable the enemy's flak positions so air support can properly aid.

In addition, your other squads are reporting that they're under heavy assault as well, and are requesting additional fire support as soon as possible.

>>26885860
>>26885997
>>26885923
>>26886321
>>26886221
>>26886221
You have squad-level weaponry such as rocket launchers, heavy stubbers, and even a few heavy bolters on the dropship, though it's mostly in the form of missile launchers, landmines, and other explosives-based ordinance. It's being kept there for the moment, however, in the event that there's a need for a last stand, with the squads present fortifying the area around the crash site. The Devourer's lascannons and rocket pods are still functional, so those can be looted as well.

You relay your orders, however, for one of the squads to begin salvaging, especially the transports. They're Salamander variants, but they ought to be numerous enough to help, especially since there's also a Chimera tucked away in there with vox-thief technology.

You hear a report from one of the squads to the north as your men enact your other orders.

"We've got a Vanquisher! A vitsing Vanquisher tank, coming from the north! They've got us pinned down with stubber fire! Requesting reinforcements!"

>>26886856
ETA on the tank? If possible send runners to equip the squad with rocket launchers. Fall back as a last resort.

>>26886856
Move one of the reserve squads equipped with rocket launchers. Have the two walking wounded squads set up lascannons from the devourer.

>>26886856
Have one of the reserve squads take some rocket launchers and go reinforce the northern squad. If they fail to kill the tank then have them retreat and lure the tank into the crashed ships las cannons.

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>>26886856
There's a blast of noise as the frag grenade goes off once more, this time keeping the gangers-- who had, up to this point, been keeping back-- back and away from advancing down the main road. There's a distant flicker of seeing the genetoria shack that has been long-since inert.

Then the advance squad is through it, the first Guardsman mowing down the ganger in front of him. He's caught in the side of his flak vest by the one across the alley, going down onto his back, his vest absorbing the round but leaving him alive. His other two allies swing around swiftly, blasting not only the ganger in question, but bisecting the squad advancing down the street.

The men in the bunker reload their power cells as the advance squad now occupies the space between the shacks, the gangers atop the rooftop realizing the imminent threat. There's shouts for additional manpower to keep coming, but your demolition expert is already in place, and you can see him priming his charge already for the fateful toss.

Which is exactly when you hear the distant roaring of a motor. A Tauros attack craft, its engine revving angrily, accompanied by the stench of promethium and well-used power cells, whips around the corner at the edge of the street, coming into view with its trio of operators. A lone heavy grenade launcher sits at the back, the operator grinning viciously as the driver moves the vehicle forward, leveling the turret towards your position. It'll turn your men into pulp if it manages to get those grenades in there, to say the least, especially with the confined spaces they're already in.

>>26887065
Lone Guardsmen slides near street, tosses frag blind to create cover, then tosses krak on tarus.

>>26887011
"ETA on that tank?" You shout into the vox set.

"It's already on us, dammit!" He calls out, "It's advancing towards our position! We're holed up in a hab building. We need anti-tank gear to knock it out, it's sticking behind a screen of these damned gangers, and they're drawing closer while we're pinned down! I-- Vits!" He curses, the vox filling with static for a few precious seconds.

"We're down two men! We need to fall back and get something to knock that armor out with!"

>>26887024
>>26887063
"Right! Sergeant Daen-- Grab some rockets and a couple launchers. Get up north and reinforce--"

"We've got Vanquishers approaching on this side too!" The sergeant in charge of the eastern flank announces.

"Enemy forces are shifting around to the south, though, and trying to reinforce down there. The tank's trying to keep us pinned, but we're holding firm for now! We're bottled up in an Arbites precinct, and their tank doesn't have enough power to crack it quite yet, Emperor willing!"

The field artillery company's commander speaks up on the vox.

"All units available! Please send backup! We're pinned at our dropship, and holding tight. The enemy just keeps coming in waves, though! What's possessed them?! What in the Emperor's name is driving them to get butchered like this?!"

>>26887174
Second this. I think we need to step up our aggression. Once we take the vehicle out move some more men up and take the next warehouse.

Have the other reserve squad reinforce the artillery and have the eastern squad try to lure their tank into the Devourers lascannons.

>>26887202
Sounds like its time to break out the heavy weapons! Begin to assign rocket launchers, heavy bolters and those scavenge those lascannons.

>>26887374
>>26887446
Both of these.

>>26887461
Bring the pain

>>26887507
http://youtu.be/BwfOg6a4Cvg

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>>26887722

>>26887507
>Whatever happens, we have got
>The Emperor’s blessing. They have not.

>>26887865
we need our imperial guardsmen to do mo gangsta ass shit, thats how we can scare da enemy chu herrd

>>26887174
>>26887374
>>26887446
>>26887461
>>26887507
>>26887722
>>26887865
You shout your orders.

"Guardsman Ronalds!" You bark, "Disable that vehicle!" You shout.

There's a brief pause as the demolitions expert lobs his charge, the other man priming a frag grenade. Edging towards the corner of the path, the gangers still in disarray, he lobs another fragmentation grenade. The ensuing explosion is prime for the waiting gangers, even as they part for the vehicle. A tire is blown clean off as the vehicle's gunner struggles to retain control. His lasgun whips around as he grabs the steel canister of his krak grenade, popping the tab off it. There's a quiet clicking sound as he lobs it, right before a half-dozen stubber rounds puncture his flak vest, the sheer volume of bullets making him dance.

His grenade strikes true, however, the vehicle-- and its ammunition stores-- blowing off in unison with the det charge. The entire battlefield seems to get engulfed in flames, the promethium tanks in the Mechanicus shrine touching off. The Guardsmen buckle down behind their cover in the genetoria shacks, flames geysering into the air as the gangers seem to be consumed in flames.

... Which isn't far from the truth. Tongues of burning promethium lick at their numbers, and as you peek back up, you see dozens of men screaming and staggering in all directions as their bodies are slowly consumed by the flames, the smell of burnt flesh and death radiating over the battlefield.

"Wounded squads-- focus on getting those lascannons and any other heavy weapony salvaged! Sergeant Daen-- reinforce that northern point!" You repeat, "Sergeant Niles, grab some heavy weapons and get that artillery company reinforced! Take everything you need-- we're going to need that artillery in the coming days!

Sergeant Doyle, drop back!" You order the man in charge of the eastern defenses, "Lure that Vanquisher into the lascannons! Whatever happens, we have got the Emperor's blessing!"

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>>26888152
For the hard working Guardsmen looking to trick out his Russ

>>26888193
Would look good on the side, right?

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>>26888174
The Commissar stands up, "And they have not." He remarks, nodding to you as he steps out from cover, watching the enemy burn, not bothering to use the ammunition as the gangers are immolated alive. It seems that the advance on this front, at least, has stopped.

The question is, what now?

>Attempt to hold the line here and rendezvous the artillery company at this position.
>Attempt to evacuate south and hold the line with their artillery pieces.
>Focus on getting your forces mobile to move out to a better strategic position.
>Other?

>>26888244
>>Focus on getting your forces mobile to move out to a better strategic position.

>>26888244
>Attempt to evacuate south and hold the line with their artillery pieces.
We need to hook up with these guys

>>26888207
Indeed. the Emperor Protects.

Well gents, seems like the West is secure. i propose we take some of our boys (about half of whoever remains) and go help those wounded men at the Crashsite.

>>26888193
we must pimp our rides an get badass guns!! then we shall acquire the planets swag and big booty bitches and sail off into space to plun... i mean conquer for the imperium of swag!!

I think we can leave the squad here to hold the line. We only need to take the commissar and one other demolition expert with us. we make all haste to the Devourers and either help them set up the lascannons or try step up an ambush for the tank the other squad is going to be luring in.

>>26888244
No point attempting to hold here when we know nothing of the enemy forces and their movements. Its too risky in our current state with no intel. We should link with the artillery and plan our next move. Salvage all we can and withdraw.

>>26888333
err... get some of those transports ready. so
>focus on getting your forces mobile to move out to a better strategic position

but leave a few guys here as sentries, we can pick them up on the way.

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>>26888334
Swag for the Swag God!

>>26888406
SWAGGOTH THE GOD OF FUCKIN SHIT UP

but seriously m8's lets plunder all the weapons, minerals an wealth from this shit hole an leave

>>26888406
>>26888431

BLING FOR THE BLING THRONE!

>>26888431
We be rollin into hoods burning heretics, killing xenos and mackin it up with the Merchant Guild's daughters. All of them

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>>26888470
aye. But unfortunately that may be a fair bit of time for Captain Rawl, who despite his swag is still surrounded by heretics.

>>26888479
>>26888476
finally someone fucking gets it!! when we are done killing people and burning shit we gonna fuck bitches an acquire currency fo dee emprah!!!

>>26888514
Then lets hook up with our artillery homies and blow some shit up

>>26888514
an ayye m8 but our guardsmen are elite an well equipped to boot besides hes gonna get support, have faith in khor... i mean thee emprah!!

>>26888560
BLOOD FOR THEE BLOOD EMPRAH!!! ohhh wait

>>26888585
DEATH TO THE ENEMIES OF THE FALSE EMPEROR... wait

>>26888244
>focus on getting our forces mobile to move to a better strategic position and to aid the arty company.

>>26888650 ya know what i ain't dying for a dead god who sit on a throne all day, im going to become a heretic of slaanesh hes got big booty bitches

>>26888736
hey, you forgot something homie

bolter bitches. awwwwyeah

>>26888736
Damn man don't you know that them Sistahs are mighty fine?

>>26888770
Pretty sure the entire church infrastructure in this sector is made of complete dicks.

>>26888770
dem sisters of battle need to back dem asses up for us after this

>>26888826
Then we ship in some sweeeeeeeet bitches, put some robes on them and party all night long
>Captcha= senselessly hipmage

>>26888897
>>26888832
>>26888826
>>26888778
>>26888770 first we will defeat these traitors then we are gonna loot in the name of the dead guy we worship an last (but best) we are gonna fuck some SOB battle bitches

im to drunk to take this too seriously but i am quite interested in how this battle goes. but OP must be off fucking our sistahs of battle or something cause hes taking awhile

>>26888659
>>26888650
>>26888607
>>26888736
>>26888770
>>26888778
>>26888514
>>26888479
>>26888476
>>26888476
>>26888470
>>26888470
>>26888431
>>26888406
>>26888389
>>26888369
>>26888347
>>26888334
>>26888333
>>26888304
>>26888275
It is with providence at your side that you manage to withdraw your forces, the western path all but impassible thanks to the flames and large crater left in the street. Drawing your squad's remnants back to the crash site, you arrive in time to hear a smattering of reports. It seems that the rest of your men have been quite busy, and you watch as one of the wounded squads slowly tilts one of the Devourer's lascannon turrets to face towards the eastern avenue.

Reports filter in from the north and south as you see the eastern squad double time it back.

Northern Squads: "Enemy Vanquisher has been successfully slain! We're at two-thirds ammunition, but we managed to knock out a pair of Vanquisher tanks. The enemy won't be able to get around those anytime soon! We're holding tight for now, and picking off all enemy troops that attempt to pass around the wreckage."

The southern squad has equally happy news to report, the Captain's success in holding the line working well.

"We're pushing south at a steady clip. The artillery company seems to-- I have visuals on the artillery company's remnants! Half a dozen Basilisks, arrayed in a rough circle. The enemy's coming in thick, sir, but they're using their downed dropship to good effect." He reports.

Your own Devourer has, at this point, managed to be repaired to the point of having its primary debarkation ramp deployed. Pneumatics give a tortured groan as the vessel, half-buried in the middle of the street, shifts slightly. The pilots are both dead, but at least the tech-priests survived (thanks to their augmentics.)

Inside, the smattering of Salamander-variant transport trucks are visible, as well as the Chimera containing the company's vox-thief.

>>26889200
lets try to flank em an take em out, but make sure to have the heavy weapon support ready

>>26889200
"Alert the artillery division that we'll be there to reinforce them en masse." You inform your vox operator. There's a distant crackle and a smell of ion, followed by a ragged cheer.

"Sixth company! Prepare to regroup to the south-- we're taking this starport, and we're taking it over the dead bodies of our foes!" You boom, adjusting your armor as another cheer goes across the ranks. In short order, your forces will be ready to roll out.

... And this will be only one of many battles to come. Especially now that the First Conquest War of Le Keers has begun.

In the distance, a flak cannon emplacement erupts into flames. Mortars whump and crumple as shells are lobbed across the starport, a distant Basilisk company firing a specialized salvo of turbopenetrator shells.

Your eyes drift to the distance, watching as a wing of Thunderbolt aircraft swoop low. Only a few autocannons still fire into the heavens now, accompanied by the occasional rocket. The enemy's resistance has steadily withered, and even now, the advance of the Imperial Guard is driving the hordes of gangers out. Once reassured by their numbers, it is clear that the invasion is quickly and swiftly pressing them out, their morale finally having broken under the superior might of the Vitalitas First Siege Regiment.

>Pitfall Starport secured.
>I think I'll call that a pause for now, as I'm starting to fall asleep/get tired.
>Feel free to give input! Thoughts, criticisms, bling suggestions, and anything else! All appreciated!

>>26889303
Not all the men died today. Today was a good day

>>26889346
The Emperor provides for His loyal servants.

>>26889303
We are going to show this Parker family what being gangsta truly means

>>26889407
>>26889346
thugz fo dah thug gawd!!

>>26889346
We lost have a company before the fight even started and it seems one of our artillery companies suffered similar casualties.

Excellent quest so far OP

>>26889479
thats not guardsmen like enough!! we must die more!!

>>26889479
It's guardsmen. As long as one lives to hold the line, its a good day

hmmmm what we really need is fudge fo the fudge god

>>26889604
why are you such an insufferable faggot?

>>26889650
its probably all my swag

>>26889303
>>26889346

Could I ask for an approximate casualty list so far?

Archived on sup/tg/

Remember to recommend Guardsman Ronolds for personal citation for bravery and see if after this shit we can't talk someone into building statues representing the fight that went on here.

Ronolds throwing a krak grenade, someone with a missile launcher in the north, someone in the East, and a man moving toward another statue of an artillery commander/tank in the south