Perditia

[Ferrus Manus]

Yes, Glostria and its regiments are my own creation. Glostria is a Hive World where Gang war is rife. Each regiment is recruited from a single gang, mostly to prevent the Gang war continuing within the regiment. Have slightly higher numbers of Commissars than usual.

 

28th Glostrian ‘War Dogs’ Recon

 

Founded in M41.934. They are a recon regiment that has a proven record in Urban environments where the skills learn of their homeworld of Glostria, a Hive World, are put to great use.

 

Flagship: The Iron Hammer

 

Anything else you'd like to know, it would be best if you PM'd me, after all this is a PA board. :)

 

@ Skirax a PDF would be nice, but I think it's a little way off yet.

[Donkey Kong]

So, not quite the desired nobles :lol: !

 

What are they doing with a flagship . . . :huh: ?

 

Thanks for the offer, Ferrus, I'll keep it in mind. If I need anything else on them I'll PM you.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

So, not quite the desired nobles :lol: !

 

Honestly the men's status on their homeworld is less pertinent than how devoted they are to the Imperial cause. Also, it's more how the men carry themselves, how they view their own status as individuals in comparison to anyone else rather than their actual status. It's more attitude than any noble blood, Commissars are the epitome of this.

 

On the friendships, that could work, I'll think on it.

 

28th Glostrian ‘War Dogs’ Recon

 

Nothing homeward inspired there eh Ferrus? ;)

 

 

Not to put a dampener on the entire rebellion but the one force standing in Ferze's way right from the get go would be the Adeptus Arbites. Most people think of the Arbites as simply 40k police. They aren't. Local police forces are those that keep the daily law and order among the populace. The Arbites are different, they are there to maintain Imperial edicts and laws which deal almost exclusively with the big-picture, they are there to keep an eye on the Governor and watch for signs of heresy or secession.

 

They are empowered to overthrow the local government and rule the planet in a governors stead until a replacement can be found. From the fluff and background on their equipment, training is extremely high and devotion to their duty is fanatical in the extreme, much like the Commissariat. They are outfitted as a small army would and reside in isolation from most of the population inside their precinct and courthouse fortresses. Such bastions are one hell of a tough nut to crack.

 

In regards to Gehenna, I'm sure the Eldar would make dealing with the Arbites easier, but they would not be easily destroyed and are tough, ruthless opponents by their very nature.

 

To put it simply, I think you should add a timeline entry on the Arbites destruction or how long they hold out for. They would likely be the ones to raise the alarm on Ferze's actions to the wider Imperium as well.

 

 

I've also noticed the momentum for Gehenna has slowed somewhat, which is to be expected. I'll have some more scribe stuff probably soonish, maybe within the next couple of days as I seem to be working on a gazillion projects all at the same time, along with RL issues. What a workload! :lol:

[Codex Grey]

I've also noticed the momentum for Gehenna has slowed somewhat, which is to be expected

Indeed. I'm pretty busy with school, and to be completely honest, this project is not my first priority, and I hope it isn't for any of you.

 

That being said, I'm working on my story, which I may or may not post in two parts. I'm also trying to learn how to use photoshop (I'm struggling) both because of school and so that I might be able to make something for the campaign in the long run.

[Ferrus Manus]

Nothing homeward inspired there eh Ferrus? ;)

Ah, you've caught me. :P

I've also noticed the momentum for Gehenna has slowed somewhat, which is to be expected. I'll have some more scribe stuff probably soonish, maybe within the next couple of days as I seem to be working on a gazillion projects all at the same time, along with RL issues. What a workload

Tell me about it. However, next week is holidays so I will have some more time to do some writing.

[Donkey Kong]

Shame about the slowed progress, and unfortunately, this project isn't exactly priority one. School has that spot for the next several months.

 

I'd like to thank you all for all the work that you've contributed up until now.

 

And, time willing, we'll see where this goes at our leisurely pace <_< .

 

KHK

[Ace Debonair]

Hmm, well since I finished school a long time back, I haven't got that excuse. ;)

 

Anyway - the original draft of my story appears to have been stolen by the inquisition, and starting on monday I'm going on a 3-month long course, which may well get in the way of writing anything. At least if this topic slows down a bit I won't miss too much. :)

 

That said, I'm liking this idea more and more every day, and hopefully I'll be able to avoid the inquisition and get my short story up here by the end of the week. No promises though - I can hear the inquisitors at the door. :P

 

Besides, we don't have a deadline for this... right? :)

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Besides, we don't have a deadline for this... right?

 

Until everyone has enough work between them to be collated and processed into a proper article, no.

 

That said, don't let it slip just because you can, though I doubt that will happen as everyone is suitably enthralled with this project to keep it going.

 

Anyway, here's something inspired by the Arbites question above.

 

++RECORDING A#11-87/Angel0A-99++

 

+Thought for the day: Trust no-one, be vigilant and you shall be rewarded.+

 

*A large, spartan grey stone room emerges into view. A large golden Aquila is bolted onto the wall in direct view of the pict-recorder. Two black armoured Arbites enforcers stand to each side of the eagle with a third Arbite standing between them, his helmet removed. The center mans face was drawn and tired but no hint of doubt was evident on his weary features. As he begins to speak his voice resounds with conviction.*

 

"My Lord, this is Commander Varus of the Gehenna garrisson. The peoples of the entire ACN have turned their backs on the Emperor and have begun a campaign of extermination against his remaining loyal subjects. The mechanicus representatives were executed before we could intervene, as was the Governor. A man named Ferze has stepped up to lead these traitors and he is guilty of crimes most foul."

 

*The lights inside the room flicker momentarily as a low rumble sounds from beyond*

 

"He has entreated with Xenos to ensure his victory and the terrible aliens lay much of my garrison low before we could arrest Ferze for his disloyalty. We are now under siege in our own courthouse, alien war engines are pounding away from beyond our reach and shall soon breach the outer perimeter. Once they are inside it is simply a matter of time before my men and I that have been trapped here are done. I record this message along with an attached list of charges against Ferze and the people of Gehenna for their grievances against the Emperor and his Imperium."

 

*A loud crash echoes suddenly through the halls and the lights flicker and die, only to be replaced by the sinister glow of the crimson emergency lighting.*

 

"It seems they have broken through and I must take my leave. In our absense may the entire world burn for it's heresy. We commend our souls to the Emperor!"

 

*The commander picks up his helmet from a nearby table and quickly leaves the room followed closely by one of the Enforcers. The last Arbite moves over to the pict-recorder and looks into the lense.*

 

"For the Emperor. End recording."

 

+END RECORDING ~ TIMECODE: [ ]+

 

++END OF FILE++

 

It's not amazing, but I plan to edit things as I see re-read them given that I can think of better ways to get the feeling across.

[Donkey Kong]

I like the recording, the only debatable part would be concerning Ferze. Ferze isn't "just a man" he was the primary general that led the cluster to victory against Orks so many years ago.

 

I do like the ending though, just one Arbite saying "For the Emperor," before leaving to fight a losing battle.

 

A few of the words seem a little too formal, though this could just be my opinion. I also can't help but feel that the Commander's calm is so hilarious. "Well, they're here, tally ho. Chip, chip chaps, bugger-all we've got dying to do!"

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

A few of the words seem a little too formal, though this could just be my opinion. I also can't help but feel that the Commander's calm is so hilarious. "Well, they're here, tally ho. Chip, chip chaps, bugger-all we've got dying to do!"

 

Not quite what I had in mind. :lol:

 

It's more a mix of conviction, resignation and determination, that's how I see them anyway. The Arbites know full well that they are the first defence against heresy on any Imperial world and as such are probably resigned to the fact that if everything does indeed go pear-shaped that they are going to bear the brunt of the fighting initially. That said, they are ridiculously well equipped and trained to do their jobs, more in the vein of Inquisitorial Stormtroopers than Imperial Guard per-se.

 

As an aside I wish GW would make a proper TT army for them......... buuuuuuut anyway.

 

I can see the fighting with the Arbites go on for days, perhaps even having the very last survivors going underground only to be extracted by the Astartes for the intel on the ACN since it's secession. Or not, it's obviously entirely up to what is thought to be best for the campaign. I'm just a huge Arbites fan, and not just for the Judge Dread references. ;)

 

I wish I knew more artists, I can see the demise of the Arbites armoured courthouse in my minds eye, the keep itself being blasted by Fire Prisms with Enforcers mowing down Gen Col in the the outer compound and Suppression Squads battling it out (and losing) against Eldar (somethings). I have an overactive imagination to be sure, to be sure. ^_^

 

In any case a couple of things, I will amend the entry on Ferze I guess to include his profile as a General and I wouldn't mind being able to fix a time-stamp onto this thing, legitimately rather than pulling one out of my....... hat. :tu:

 

Thanks for the feedback KHK.

[Ace Debonair]

Alrighty, here's my story, hastily edited because I spotted a few mistakes. :D

I can even criticize myself quite well these days. :lol:

 

It's not very... warhammer-y, but I'm rubbish at writing stuff in that manner.

I don't know exactly when or where to set the story, so I've kind of improvised slightly, setting it just after the Infinity Knights show up.

I also made up a planet for it to take place on, if that's acceptable.

 

903.707.M41: On the surface of Tecton, a manufacturing world in the Gehenna cluster.

 

Captain Filo took off his helm and surveyed the battered remnants of the battlefield. The traitorous guardsmen and xeno forces, commanded by General Bauser, formerly a decorated Imperial commander, had put up a tough struggle before falling back. They had retreated to an old, fortified refinery, thinking themselves safe from the Death Heads' relentless, brutal assault there. Technically, their plan had been sound, but Filo was a wily and cunning tactician, and he knew his allies well. His gaze alighted on 7th comapny master Mors Altram of the Infinity Knights, and Howl made his way to his brother Astartes, who was kneeling by one of the fallen.

 

"Our plan worked to perfection, Altram. The traitors fled into the trap like panicked rats, and General Bauser is slain!" Howl clapped Altram on the shoulder jubilantly.

"It was your plan, Captain. I'm just glad I was of service." Altram remarked, without looking up. Filo shrugged. The plan had been his, after all. Once the enemy had taken refuge in the refinery, the Infinity Knights had dropped their dreadnoughts straight through the roof of the building, followed by all their assault marines. This had caused enough damage and distraction that the Death Heads and the other Imperial forces assigned to this mission had almost no opposition when they charged the main gate.

"We have more work to do today, Altram. My scouts tell me there are still xenos here, holed up inside the remains of a cathedral complex on the far side of the city. There are likely to be more rebel guardsmen, too."

Altram stood up, removing his helmet and glancing up as the thunderhawk dropships approached.

"And your plan for taking them out, Captain?"

"I'm... working on it still, but I don't think they will pose much threat. My men will take out the alien forces easily once we can get inside, leaving the guardsmen to you and your battle-brothers."

"I see." Altram said, nodding slowly. Filo observed Altram carefully.

"You don't like it, do you?" Filo said, simply. Altram hesitated, a hunted look on his usually calm features.

"I don't like shedding Imperial blood. This sword was made for taking the lives of the Emperor's enemies."

"They are the enemy, Altram." Filo snapped, angrily. "They turned their back on the Imperium, and they spat in the face of The Emperor when they did."

Altram opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak, another scout ran up, saluting both commanders as he hastily reported;

"Captain Filo, Captain Altram - the enemy have dug themselves in. They number somewhere above five hundred guardsmen and at least sixty Eldar." Filo issued his instructions.

"Good work. Tell the men to ready themselves to move out. Altram, are you with me?" Filo put his captain's Helm back on as he finished speaking. Mors Altram smiled thinly.

"The Emperor calls us to battle, we have traitors to hunt. I'm with you every step of the way, Captain - to their deaths or ours. "

 

Of course, as with everything I do, this is open to alteration, and if it's just plain rubbish I can bin it. :P

 

Edited the name of Captain Filo (Formerly Filo Howl) so it fits in with the Death Heads IA.

 

Any and all views on my ramblings welcomed. ;)

[Ferrus Manus]

Actually, I quite like it. I like the slant you taken on personalising Astartes, it makes a change. Keep it up.

[Donkey Kong]

It's a good look at the captains, Ace. I think that your word choice could have been better, but other than that it works. I find it a bit lacking, but it's a good start.

 

If I were to edit it:

 

903.707.M41: On the surface of Tecton, a manufacturing world in the Gehenna cluster.

 

Captain Filo Howl removed his helm and surveyed the battered remnants of the battlefield. The traitorous guardsmen and xeno forces, commanded by General Bauser, a formerly decorated Imperial commander. His forces had fortified their defense and wreaked havoc on the Imperial invasion, but they fell all the same. They had retreated to an old, fortified refinery, thinking themselves safe from the Death Heads' relentless, brutal assault. Technically, their plan had been sound, but Filo Howl was a wily and cunning tactician, and he knew his allies well. His gaze alighted on 7th Company Master Mors Altram of the Infinity Knights, kneeling beside one of the fallen. Howl waded through the debris and made his way to his brother Astartes, squatting beside him.

 

"Our plan worked perfectly, Altram. The traitors fell into our trap like vermin, and General Bauser lies slain." Howl clapped Altram on the shoulder jubilantly.

"It was your plan, Captain Howl. I am just glad I was of service." Altram remarked, without looking up. Howl shrugged. The plan had been his, after all. Once the enemy had taken refuge in the refinery, the Infinity Knights had dropped their dreadnoughts straight through the roof of the building, followed by their assault marines. This strike had provided enough damage and distraction that the Death Heads and the other Imperial forces assigned to this mission had almost no opposition when they broke through the main gate.

"We have work to finish, Altram. My scouts tell me there are still xenos here, holed up inside the remains of a cathedral complex on the far side of the city. There are likely to be more rebel guardsmen with them."

Altram stood up, removing his helmet and glancing up as the thunderhawk dropships approached.

"And your plan for taking them out, Captain?"

"I'm... working on it still, but I don't think they will pose much threat. My brothers will take out the alien forces easily once we can get inside, leaving the guardsmen to you and your Knights."

"I see." Altram said, nodding slowly. Howl observed Altram carefully.

"You don't like it, do you?" Howl asked, curtly. Altram hesitated, a hunted look on his usually calm features.

"I don't like spilling Imperial blood. This sword was made for taking the lives of the Emperor's enemies, not his citizens."

"They are the enemy, Altram!" Howl snapped. "They turned their back on the Imperium, and they spat in the face of The Emperor when they did."

Altram opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak, a scout ran up, saluting both commanders as he hastily reported,

"Captain Howl, Captain Altram - the enemy has dug themselves in. They number somewhere above five hundred guardsmen and at least sixty Eldar." Howl issued his instructions and the scout sprinted away.

"Tell the men to ready themselves to move out. Altram, are you with me?" Howl put his captain's Helm back on as he finished speaking. Mors Altram smiled thinly.

"The Emperor calls us to battle, we have traitors to hunt. I'm with you every step of the way, Howl - to their deaths or ours. "

 

Albeit, relatively few changes.

[Ferrus Manus]

KHK, just started writing my account of the World Train. Do you have a list of personnel for the 2nd Coy? Such as Sergeants, Chaplain, Librarian and other names? It would help a lot. If not, may I take some licence with the names? Is there a particular source you use for naming your Astartes?

[Codex Grey]

I like it, Ace. And King's edits tightens it up. Hope you will continue the story.

[Ace Debonair]

Well, I like KingHongKong's edit better, although I only spotted a few changes myself. Happy to see I wasn't too far off the mark.

 

I'm surprised nobody's blasted the story, actually. My usual character-driven storytelling doesn't usually lend itself to 40k environments. ;)

Thanks for the encouraging words, guys. Much appreciated. :devil:

 

I didn't have any more story planned, to be honest. I'll maybe see if I can work on it, though, add a few horrible plot twists, maybe kill a marine here and there. You know, the usual. ;)

[Donkey Kong]

FM: Second Company right now only has Thussaud and Senior Sergeant Rahl Lusca. I'd like to have a First Company group led by Sergeant Astos Narrick (y'know the one) with the Second Company. This does mean that there is going to be some degree of hostility between the two, even if it may have some respect.

 

EDIT: Just a few notes for you:

Narrick is stubborn, headstrong, overconfident, condescending and short tempered. Imagine the best and worst of Pre-Heresy Lucius and Huron Blackheart before his fall and you won't be far off. His only redeeming qualities are his fighting prowess.

Lusca is more free spirited. He's a competent commander, he's more patient and less superstitious.

 

Narrick wears terminator armor, he uses a power sword and storm bolter. Narrick is also more selective in trophy picking. Narrick's Terminator helm has a human skull.

Lusca uses a power axe and bolt pistol. He's in regular power armor and his MK 6 helmet has an oblong, fanged skull, a mix between Eldar and Ork.

/EDIT

 

I also imagine a Chaplain with a helmet like the skull on Straken's belt, a land shark I think? I don't know what to name him though, so I'll leave it to you.

 

You'll probably laugh when I tell you where I get my names:

 

http://www.piratenames.net/

 

Yup. I just screwed the pooch big time. I find a name there that I think is interesting and I usually have to change the ending to fit with the rest. -O, -Os, and -A are usually what I go with. For the site, I've avoided names like Rackham and Lowther, if only for the common mistake (I'm not repeating a Barbarossa, Barbossa incident ;) ie: Luther and Lowther) and Rackham just doesn't do it for me.

 

Free reign, FM ;) !

 

Ace, there's nothing wrong with the story, in fact I think I'm pretty glad I gave you Howl if that's how you're going to be carrying him. Taggart and Thussaud wouldn't do all that well tolerating his pity :) !

 

Shame I still have no idea what a hunted look means . . .

 

I'll try and get something up this weekend. Ace, I may go back and edit a little more if you don't mind, I did it late at night and while it works I think I can edit a little better.

 

Thank you, everyone,

 

KHK

 

EDIT: Just a little something:

 

Account of Death Heads Squad Veteran Bartholomew Cofresi; Third Company; Second Tactical Squad

 

It was a nice day, I remember. Before the rains, before the ACN, it was a nice day. Captain Tobulo had been placed in overall command the day of our arrival, the Warrior Eternal, they had suggested it. In doing so, our Company was assigned to assist the Warriors Eternal and their . . . meager forces.

 

Our first assignment was a small ring of worlds, a pair of agricultural moons span around one another, so close they shared their atmospheres. We always joked a daring Astartes could have started in orbit around one colony and eventually he would have drifted and steered his way to the other. Unfortunately for the traitors, we weren’t so foolhardy.

 

The ring was called Saint Zhu, named after the Imperial heroine of centuries past. Zhu’s Peace and Zhu’s Green burned within hours of contact. Not one set of Imperial boots blessed the ground, but endless firestorms had reduced the moons to ash, their fields incinerated and their people burned like the traitors they were. They never confirmed a xeno presence on those colonies, and to be honest I don’t care. We killed enemies of the Imperium, and whether we killed more than we expected or not, we executed them all the same. As a whole, the Death Heads and the Warriors Eternal, we felt contempt. If only the Imperial Guardsmen were so strong.

 

Zhu’s World, the production moon reliant on these colonies was by far the largest satellite in the Gehenna Cluster, and the most populous. Near all had joined the heretic and what few loyalist signals breached through the traitor’s jamming were almost completely ignored.

 

A handful of Astartes were sent down with several platoons of guardsmen to try and rescue these loyalists. I had been one of them. Assigned to Twelfth Platoon of the Gehenna Fifth, we dropped down in an Imperial lander. Clad in power armor, it was cramped and uncomfortable. The air was stale and tasted of sweat. It was a short, silent trip, and for that I was grateful. We were to rescue an Arbite resistance on Zhu’s World. They had secured themselves in a jailhouse, a sound plan despite the sickeningly humorous irony.

 

Sergeant Alsic had addressed me when we landed. I was the only Astartes present, surrounded by fifty men all bound by blood to this traitorous cluster of worlds. He spoke to me with the air and piety of a man who had seen the galaxy and had seen the Emperor’s light where men fail to see the very light of the stars.

 

"Lord Astartes,” he whispered, “my men and I are prepared to submit to your will.” Such a shame that these loyal soldiers of the Emperor be linked to this backwater. I asked him where he came from, and in another ironic happenstance, he replied here. From Saint Zhu. I would later learn that this happened with near every invasion group with a majority or the entirety of their forces Gehenna guardsmen coming from the sector they were responsible for invading. I still don’t know whether I thought this was ridiculous or cruel, but it was and that was that.

 

We stalked into the city, gliding through the shadows. The night was young and I was her cohort. The heft of my bolter was natural, cradled in my arms. The Gehenna snipers were slithering across the rooftops and several lithe guardsmen ran ahead. We had gone four, five blocks into the city, the silence was astounding.

 

As we came across the jailhouse, the darkness was taken by the light of muzzle flashes and flames. The silence was broken by the whines and cracks of countless weapons. My voice rung over my helmet’s vox, the order to fire, to kill the traitor, the xeno, the corrupt and inhuman. I adored the results, every weapon tore into the traitor’s lines, my bolter fired off into the night, leaving broken corpses in its wake. I don’t remember losing myself in the battle, but the men had whispered to one another behind me, frightened by my howls of laughter in the midst of combat.

 

There were numerous Arbites in the jailhouse. I had ordered them all checked, identification and other such formalities. They were strong. I had learned that together, thirty astartes and some thirty platoons of guardsmen had rescued well over thirteen hundred Arbites and loyalist Gehenna PDF.

 

A Thunderhawk had come to retrieve us. Nearly ninety men piled into a space meant for thirty astartes. The aroma of war was rich in the passenger bay. I enjoyed that smell, the rain never lets it mellow, but the factory worlds and what few agricultural colonies we took by land did.

 

In orbit the fleets had destroyed the entirety of the Ghenna Coalition’s Zhu fleet. They were trapped and starving. Our sieges would level their worthless attempts of survival.

 

Never forgive, never forget.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Shame I still have no idea what a hunted look means . . .

 

Try something like the thousand-yard-stare often talked about in reference to combat veterans.

 

Sergeant something or other

 

I'm not sure an Astartes of any rank would be so glib or lack attentiveness to such details, especially if he was expected to give a report or debriefing afterward.

 

I still don’t know whether I thought this was ridiculous or cruel, but it was and that was that.

 

Rather good tactical planning, really. While ensuring their loyalty with commissars or the presence of the Astartes, these regiments know the terrain, the areas they are moving into and so will engage any defenders on an equal footing. Knowledge of where your fighting is critical in warfare, many times have seemingly superior forces been defeated or routed because they did not know their environment well enough.

 

The night was young and I was her cohort. The heft of my bolter was natural, cradled in my arms.

 

I'm not sure how convincing this is to hear from an Astartes. It doesn't feel right.

 

We paraded through the hab complexes, Arbites battered down doors and the screams of civilians, men and women and children rung out through the city. I had ordered the Gehenna platoon to follow them, and coldly, they had.

 

I'm not sure how much time you had if you were trying to rescue everyone possible from an area in which the enemy has operational superiority, they control the area. Is this a full-fledged offensive or simply an extraction? I would think the Arbites would rather join the overall war effort than personally execute as many civilians as possible when the hab-blocks can simply be bombed or bombarded from orbit.

 

children rung out

 

rang

 

Other than that, I see it as a little bit too.... 'human' overall. That said, it's good and it fits in well with other testimonials. It feels more like a story and less of a report, how much do your marines like telling stories? The Space Wolves like their sagas but what about yours? Is this a testimonial or a report? If you want to keep the feel of the story you could shift it to being a Guardsman's testimonial from the same platoon.

[Codex Grey]

My first contribution. It's longer than I thought it would be. If that is a good thing or not, I'll leave it up to you to decide.

Plan is to write a part two, but I think that one will be far shorter.

 

 

The storm was alive. Hissing with the static noise of endless rain, howling with the fury of raging winds, roaring with the crack of thunder. The screams of Thunderhawk gunships rushing through gas clouds were all but silenced by the Beast that was Gehenna.

 

Captain Gregor Ballakk of the Warriors Eternal kept vigil, his gaze fixed on the assault ramp. Covered in the tribal tattoos of Molior, his face expressed an unbreakable focus. With a slow and disciplined motion, Ballakk placed his Corvus helmet on his head, sealing it to his armor. The HUD came to life as a wealth of information popped up, a myriad of data streams and overlays that would overwhelm any guardsman.

 

Three gunships of the Warriors Eternal, flanked by another four of the Death Heads Chapter; A spearhead formation followed by a larger Imperial fleet, aimed at the capitol of the Artificial City Network, tasked with penetrating and neutralizing the enemy defenses. The Death Heads would take control of the districts surrounding Chancellor Gior Ferze’s palace, while the Warriors Eternal would assault the palace itself, and execute Ferze. The remaining Imperial forces would bring up the rear and secure the city platform.

 

As the Thunderhawks raced forward, the storms of Gehenna grew stronger and wilder. They were not welcomed, their presence aggravating the Beast. Ballakk signaled his men, knowing they were getting close.

‘’Ready your equipment, Brothers.’’ his orders were quickly followed by the sounds of dozens of bolt pistols and chainswords being readied. The low drone of Jump packs being activated, resonating off the hull. Ballakk was pleased by the clatter. He would not fail. His men would not fail. The Warriors would not fail.

Abruptly, the rasping sound of the ship’s voxcasters came through.

‘’Incoming fire.’’

 

The dark skies above the capitol erupted into a hellish display of fire and light; Volleys of las bolts, missiles and other projectiles flying to and from both sides of the battle, all the while rain and lightning was shooting from the cloudy claws of the Beast. Defiant in the face of the terrible storm and enemy fire, the Astartes gunships opened fire, focusing their might on the turrets and cannons that guarded the palace. No longer in formation, the ships individually darted from one end of the city platform to another, causing havoc with every shot fired.

 

Inside the second Thunderhawk, Codicier Sergei Lazar was detached from the outside turmoil. Ever since their arrival in the system, Lazar had sensed the true nature of what petty guardsmen referred to as the Beast of Gehenna. The Eldar, their minds fickle and evasive, sickened Lazar. He felt a slight sense of frustration as he stalked the Warp for any sign of the elusive psyker aliens, but he would not allow it break his focus. He would find the vile creatures that hid behind cowardly tricks, and rip their minds apart.

 

Suddenly, a great bolt of lightning struck the Lazar’s ship, the surge of electricity cousing lights to flicker and the entire hull to shift. But the mighty iron bird still soared. Lazar smiled, it was just as he had hoped. They had exposed themselves, he knew where they were. The Codicier turned his head to the sergeant to his left and nodded, turned back, activated his jump pack and clinched his force axe.

 

On the surface the rebels were in disarray, the city and its defenses crumbling, but still they fought. With graceful maneuvers, the Thunderhawks assumed formation, the combined firepower of all three ships blasting everything in eye’s sight, clearing way for jump assault.

 

Inside the third gunship, Reclusiarch Brutus Fyodor spoke to his brothers, chainswords growling in response. His words of hatred ignited their spirits. Their mission was clear.

‘’They have turned away from the Emperor, turned away from humanity. They are no longer human, they are alien, they are all Eldar. Their blasphemy can only end in death. My brothers, it is up to us, His loyal servants, His Warriors Eternal.’’ Fyodor turned to the ramp being lowered. Below, the glorious battlefield lay crying for the Astartes to join.

 

‘’In death do we rest.’’ Ballakk proclaimed over his vox.

‘’In death do we rest.’’ Lazar followed calmly.

‘’In death do we rest!’’ Fyodor bellowed fiercely, raising his Crozius Arcanum up high.

‘’Now we fight!’’ the roar of a near hundred Astartes boomed from the passenger bays of the Thunderhawks as they charged into the air. Gehenna would feel the wrath of the Angels of Death.

[Donkey Kong]

GHY, The Death Heads love their stories. I'll go back and edit the little story I did, it's supposed to be more of a response to a question that the scribe asks. You're right on the extraction bit, and that should be changed, or rather just completely deleted. I'll see what I can do from the Guardsmen point of view.

 

CG

 

Excellent descriptions of the storm. The doubt in the Death Heads ability (not taking personal offense :) ) looked like it was an afterthought, it changes to

 

but now there was no doubt. He would not fail. His men would not fail. The Warriors would not fail.

 

So, it's like despite our allies abilities we will succeed in our mission? Or am I just tired?

 

Is the beast of Gehenna in reference to the Eldar or the Storm?

 

Finally, where's Aleksei :) ?

 

Good job everyone!

[Codex Grey]

So, it's like despite our allies abilities we will succeed in our mission? Or am I just tired?

Yeah, I wasn't quite sure about this sentence either. I was trying to say the doubts he had about the DH would not matter, because the Warriors would win the battle. I will agree that it might seem as an afterthought, so what do you say, explain it further or drop it?

 

About the storms, as I was writing the story the ideas behind the storm changed into something different to what I had initially planned. I'm not sure if it worked out. Basically, I wanted to portray the storms of the Gehenna, and to an extent the Gas Giant itself, as a Beast, giving it an identity and turning it into an enemy on its own. But then it is 'revealed' (thought we already know) that the Eldar are controlling the storms. So in a sense, the Beast refers both the storms and the Eldar at the same time. Hope that makes sense.

 

Finally, where's Aleksei?

 

He's coming :lol:

[Donkey Kong]

I'd say drop the line, I don't think it can be expanded on without really breaking the flow of the story. I also think that it would probably work better with another excerpt actually showing how the Campaign places Tobulo in command.

 

As for the storm, I see what you mean with it being both. I thought that The Beast of Gehenna could be a pretty catchy name for something like an everlasting storm like the Red Spot on Jupiter.

 

So, if Aleksei's coming, does that mean Taggart is too :lol: ?

[Codex Grey]

I agree, I'll drop the line then.

 

Maybe it was previously just the name of a Red Spot-like storm on Gehenna, but after the outbreak of the rebellion, people started using the name in a different manner?

 

To be honest, after the initial break of formation between the Thunderhawks, the Death Heads are out of the story, busy elsewhere. And the final part takes place inside the the palace, so I hadn't planned for him to show up.

[Donkey Kong]

I think that works for the name. I was joking about Taggart, but still can't wait for the rest of the story.

 

EDIT:

 

You know, they always said that Gehenna had a monster that protected it, protected us. The Beast of Gehenna, its a storm, the largest on the entire giant. Scientists said it never ended. It just, popped up every now and again. We always had to prepare for when it came, everything that wasn't bolted down was taken inside. The windows were shielded by metal plates and every tarp would be rolled up or pressed against the walls.

 

The storm rose and fell quickly enough, it would pass over a few platforms in a day or two, only the most foolhardy left their homes during that time. After the storm passed there was always some madman or child missing. We were all taught that the Beast was a benevolent king, defending us from invaders, but he was strict and punished those who disobeyed his sovereign rule. I never thought it would have been used against us.

 

My platoon was all but wiped out with one gust from the unforgiving Beast. I know it's just a storm, but the feeling of betrayal from my kin and now my home is just. . . I can't take it. I have no home, and I will see these traitors burn in his name.

 

Guardsman such and such

 

I just thought I'd throw up a little something for the Beast of Gehenna. Thanks for the name, Codex Grey ;) !

[Codex Grey]

Well, that turned into something fast. Nice one, glad I could be of assistance. <_<