The Third Son

[simison]

Wilhelm offered a deep but confused nod. "As you will, my lord. When do you wish to carry out the debriefing?"

 

A pause lingered as Darshan briefly consulted with the future. "In twenty minutes. In fifteen, have your auxilia finish whatever current task they are on and have them in formation."

 

"It will be done, my lord."

 

"Until then, I will be taking a stroll through your unit. If you'll excuse me," Alexandros finished with a nod. Wilhelm affirmed before he returned to his duties. Holding his hands languidly behind his back, the primarch meandered around the room. Up to this point, the only interaction Alexandros had with the famed Solar Auxilia was a few meetings with high-ranking personnel. While he was aware of their purpose and their reputation, nothing could replicate the knowledge obtained from seeing them up close, and he figured this was a small but golden opportunity.

[Guest Musketeer12]

Really really nice idea man! honestly good to see the fluff expanded further, and i really like your portrayal of the Emperor and Alexandros

Muslet

[simison]

He stopped by a lasrifle section that had finished roll call. With their duties squared away, the Void Sergeant was shouting some basic advice to his troopers. "I don't care what part of Terra you bunch of idiots came from or how many kills you made in your last unit! As of now, you fight under my command! When I say 'breach', the melta charges will be primed and ready to be set! When I say 'fire', not one lasrifle will stay quiet! When I say 'hold', you will hold, even it's motherfrackin' Horus comin' at you!"

 

At this point, one auxilia's discipline momentarily broke as he couldn't help but glance at Alexandros standing behind the Sergeant.

 

"WHAT IN THE VOID ARE YOU LOOKING AT, TROOPER?!" The Void Sergeant frothed as he charged up to the trooper.

 

With an amused smile, Alexandros spared the poor auxiliary from his superior. "I believe I share some of the blame."

 

The Void Sergeant whirled around, mouth wide open to deliver another deluge. Then he froze as he saw who it was.

[simison]

"It's a challenge to create a cohesive unit from some many different elements," Alexandros offered, preventing an awkward pause. "Especially given such short amount of time. However, it looks like you've made significant progress. Or am I mistaken, Sergeant?" 

 

Given enough time to recover, the Void Sergeant puffed out his chest. "No, my lord! We are Solar Auxilia! Give the order and my section will assault the very madness of the Warp! Isn't that right troopers?" 

 

"YES, VOID SERGEANT!" They shouted, filling the entire hall with a din, earning looks from all around. 

 

Alexandros stepped past the sergeant up to the trooper who had acknowledged him. "What's your name, auxiliary?" 

 

The mortal craned his head upward to meet the Primarch's eyes. "Ruland Holt, my lord."

 

It fascinated Alexandros to watch the unseen struggle within Holt. Half of him was very uncomfortable and surprised that one of the Emperor's own sons would speak with him, aware of the magnitude of Alex's physical and martial power. The other half was filled with pride and a vague sense of relief, the latter being influenced by Alex's aura. "What unit do you hail from?"

 

"The 67th Solar Auxilia Cohort, my lord."

[Welcheren]

He stopped by a lasrifle section that had finished roll call. With their duties squared away, the Void Sergeant was shouting some basic advice to his troopers. "I don't care what part of Terra you bunch of idiots came from or how many kills you made in your last unit! As of now, you fight under my command! When I say 'breach', the melta charges will be primed and ready to be set! When I say 'fire', not one lasrifle will stay quiet! When I say 'hold', you will hold, even it's motherfrackin' Horus comin' at you!"

 

At this point, one auxilia's discipline momentarily broke as he couldn't help but glance at Alexandros standing behind the Sergeant.

 

"WHAT IN THE VOID ARE YOU LOOKING AT, TROOPER?!" The Void Sergeant frothed as he charged up to the trooper.

 

With an amused smile, Alexandros spared the poor auxiliary from his superior. "I believe I share some of the blame."

 

The Void Sergeant whirled around, mouth wide open to deliver another deluge. Then he froze as he saw who it was.

 

If it had been Angron, the poor Void Sergeant would be forced to eat his rifle.

Edited May 27, 2015 by Welcheren

[simison]

And that's if Angron was in a good mood.

[simison]

Alexandros paused as he accessed his eidectic memory. "It's only been a couple of months since the Karyon Campaign. Bloody work, it was. Yet, you've volunteered for another dangerous assignment. Why?"

 

Shifting uncomfortably, Ruland answered simply. "I want to serve the Emperor to the best of my ability, my lord."

 

No deceit, no flattery, just honest resolve. With a respectful nod, Alexandros declared, "And that's why I wanted volunteers instead of just handing out assignments. Make no mistake, this will be a hard battle, but a worthwhile one. I need auxiliaries I can trust, and you've demonstrated that, Trooper Holt." He addressed the section as a whole. "The Emperor is fortunate to have such dedicated soldiers serving his Imperium. You honor me by accompanying to this battle. I will do everything I can to be worthy of that honor."

 

There was some truth to the ancient sayings of colors corresponding to emotions. Green with envy. Red with rage. To be blue. Before Alexandros' eyes, a wave of gold spread from Holt through the section as pride swelled within them.

[Welcheren]

Nice! 

 

 

To blue? True blue? (Any truth to that?)

Edited May 27, 2015 by Welcheren

[simison]

According to a website about color idioms. I've heard variations of it.

[Welcheren]

Right. Thanks for the clarification.

[simison]

Alexandros glanced at their superior. "Carry on, Void Sergeant."

 

"Yes, my lord!"

 

Time had passed during his little pep rally. Although he wanted to speak to more of the auxilia, he made his way back to the front of the room. As he walked, he reached out with his mind. Gaius.

 

His son answered. Yes, my lord?

 

Please come to Hall 26C in 6.3 minutes with your brothers. I want to introduce you to the soldiers.

 

It will be done, my lord, Gaius replied.

 

With a nod, Alexandros broke the telepathic link. By the end of the brief conversation, he had reached the front of the room. The call to formation rang out through the hall. Auxilia scrambled as they assembled into neat ranks separated by tercios. Wilhelm and his strategos took their place near the Primarch at the front.

 

"Sub-Commander, as soon as you're ready, I will begin the debriefing," Alexandros said.

 

Wilhelm affirmed as the new unit, which would be dubbed the 102nd Solar Auxilia Cohort, finished falling in. With a quick order, the Sub-Commander handed the floor over to the Emperor's son.

Edited May 30, 2015 by simison

[simison]

Alexandros scanned the unit before beginning. "102nd, your first assignment will be to eliminate a corrupted Eldar army known as the Miasma. On IG-88, there is a known Webway portal, which the Miasma operates for its raids. In nineteen hours, the Miasma will be sallying forth from the portal to commit another raid. Instead, they will find the 102nd on a recon mission and establishing a foothold several kilometers south of the portal. Only a single Imperial warship will be in plain sight, orbiting directly above the landing zone. It is imperative that the presence of the Storm Riders be hidden for the first stage of this battle. Only if the 102nd appears to be alone, will the enemy commander, an Archon called Xenevo, launch a full attack and be vulnerable to annihilation. Once the last fallen Eldar is far enough away from the portal, the Storm Riders will attack, both destroying the portal and reinforcing the Auxilia's position."

 

While a high-level professionalism was exhibited, both Alexandros' enhanced senses and sharp eyes caught disquiet amid the ranks. No one relished being the distraction. "While deception is key, you will not be alone. The landing zone will be located at the center of a valley that leads directly toward the Webway portal. On the heights around the valley, Captain Ricksher and his company of recon marines will be in position and armed with sniper rifles and other long-range ballistics to support you."

 

"Most importantly," Alexandros continued with a pause. "I will be with you." 

[Welcheren]

Well that was unexpected.

[simison]

That caught his audience off-guard. A few auxiliaries actually dropped their jaws before re-asserting their discipline. "As commander, it is my duty to place myself at the most critical point to ensure success, and that is with the 102nd. For this operation to succeed, it will require a great deal of trust."

 

Now, my sons. 

 

Gaius and eleven grey-armored space marines marched into the hall to take their place behind their gene-sire. The presence of several staves and other force weapons revealed their psyker nature to the Solar Auxilia. Many in the room became guarded and wary, a legacy of the Storm Riders' 'curse'. Another enemy that Darshan sought to defeat. "I understand I am requiring much of all of you. However, give me this ounce of faith, and I will see it return ten-fold," he said, willing his innate aura to wash through them. The seed of doubt lingered in much of the cohort, but was diminished. Ideally, it would have been gone entirely before Darshan's next step, but this was as close as he would get. 

 

In battle, this is how I will communicate to most of you. Many of you have heard rumors about the extent of my powers. I will confirm a few. I can peer into the future. I can hear the thoughts of men when I choose. Armed with both, I can stop ambushes before they begin, forewarn you of the round that would extinguish your life, and guide your aim to lethal accuracy. So, hear and know my other 'voice'. Do not be afraid. For I am a son of the Emperor, and will lead you to victory.

 

A mirror image of Darshan's first Delian battlefield command played out before him. The initial panic of hearing another's thoughts in one's mind. The slow transition from panic to suspicion. To the limit of progress he could earn in a single speech: reluctant trust. It would do, Alex knew.

[simison]

He spared them any more telepathy as he physically spoke. "Your individual assignments and other mission details will be passed down the chain of command." He glanced at Wilhelm. "Sub-Commander, attend to what duties you must, but be at Briefing 16B in ten minutes." The two saluted each other as Alexandros returned the unit back to Wilhelm.

"My sons," he prompted before the transhumans filed out of the hall.

"Father, I'm surprised you didn't give a proper speech," Gaius said as they moved to the next meeting.

"Speeches should be reserved for the battlefield or the politicians. To alight the heart at the right moment. Do it too often, and you'll only create embers instead of bonfires."

Edited June 3, 2015 by simison

[Welcheren]

This has been your best yet. 

[simison]

This chapter, the post, or just that last line?

[simison]

While the assemblies were designed to house hundreds of soldiers at a time, briefing rooms were limited to a few dozen personnel. Captain Ricksher and his lieutenants all looked up as Alexandros and his impromptu retinue entered, while a servitor continued to input data into the holographic display. "My lord," Ricksher said as they saluted. "We were finishing up." The image of IG-88 lit the room as the hologram display came online. "We'll  have a detailed map of the operations area in a few more minutes."

 

"Excellent," Alexandros replied as he walked up to the display. A cursory glance reassured the Primarch his visions were still accurate. "Are your marines properly equipped for the task ahead, Captain?"

 

"Two hundred marines, all with functioning cameleoline cloaks and sniper rifles," Ricksher answered as he glanced at a datapad. "I can set up troop positions, establish fire lanes, and have my men completely prepared as soon as Fleet finishes their scans." 

 

The display answered him as it zoomed onto the planet's surface, focusing on five kilometer area. In another moment, the a digital representation of the Webway gate appeared. "Is that portal large enough to allow their fleet to travel through?" one of the lieutenants asked.

 

Though the question was aimed at Ricksher, Alexandros answered, "It isn't. The kabal and their fleet are almost separate political entities and require two different portals. It's a system put in place due to the trust between Xenevo and their fleetmaster, or lack of trust. It gives their fleetmaster a sense of empowerment and a chance to do some raiding during their travel to this system. Xenevo uses the time to his own advantage as he purges his kabal of 'weaknesses' away from their home station. Their fleet's portal is in a nearby system."

[Welcheren]

The last two posts before my response.

[simison]

Ricksher's blue eyes looked up from the datapad. "You're very familiar with the enemy commander, my lord. Have you fought him?"

 

With a shake of his head, Alexandros explained, "No, all my information on Xenevo was gleaned from reading the minds of his warriors. Otherwise, I would not have allowed him to escape alive from Delos. That's also why I know little about their fleetmaster. None of the minds I read cared to know his name, and my battles with the Miasma were limited to ground combats. Once we've annihilated the kabal and their allies, we can prepare for their fleet, though I have less hope of surprising them."

 

He paused as he reached out with his thoughts. Father, you've been quiet for a while. 

 

There has been little need for my voice. You've learned well, and your methods are thorough. Continue to do so.

 

Alexandros couldn't stop the burst of pride at the compliment, and didn't want to. He reveled in it for a moment before he returned to the task at hand. The door opened as Wilhelm, Bowditch, and several strategoi. "We can begin now." 

[simison]

The Primarch moved toward the hologram's emitter and began to input information. Next to the 3D display of the valley, images and archived tactical information of their enemy appeared. "Our enemy is a small army of six thousand warriors with each infantry unit having their own transport. For our part of the battle, survival is the primary objective. We need only hold out long enough for the last xeno to be far enough away from the gate to destroy it. The moment that happens, the rest of the Storm Riders in system will deploy via all means to surround and eliminate the Miasma. The 102nd will take the initial brunt of the attack, but our deception doesn't require the auxiliaries to be deployed out in the open. Wilhelm, once the 102nd enters the operational area, your first objective is to establish a forward operating base. You will have fifteen hours to construct whatever defences you are able to. The scouting elements of the Miasma will exit the gate an hour before dawn. It will provide the perfect excuse to have the 102nd concentrated at the base. The moment we've identified the Miasma, bring 102nd to full battle readiness. The only lure the Miasma will need is to know how small the cohort is and that it is alone."

 

As he spoke, the holographic map of the valley added the 102nd, along with possible fortification layouts. 

 

"The enemy commander is Xenevo, an Archon. He is responsible for raiding my homeworld for the last thirty-four years," he continued, enlarging an image of said Eldar, taken from Delian battle recordings. Sickly green and blight-filled grey spiked armor distinguished the xeno male. The Archon glared contemptuously at them. Alexandros looked forward to breaking that pride. "Like his kind, he is a depraved individual, yet cunning. He has an alliance with a Haemonculous Coven, so expect to face against these creatures." With another prompt, Xenevo shrunk as grotesquely-shaped and mal-formed beings took center stage. "Thankfully, there will be few of them. Xenevo fields common warriors as the bulk of his forces since he is currently in a declining state with his race's politics and has been deprived of more elite forces because of it." 

[Draakur]

I lurk on these boards a lot these days, and even when I see or read things that really impress me, it rarely occurs to me to post - the same has been true here.

 

Just want you to know you have other avid fans out there other than Welcheren though; keep up the amazing work, I for one really dig what you have going here :)

[simison]

With the overall concepts established, the briefing moved onto the gritty details. What was the optimal fortification set-up? Which tercios would have the honor (or ill fortune) to be stationed closest to the Dark Eldar initial attack? Weapon loud-outs, firing lanes, psyker support, and so on. With the change of focus, Alexandros moved from primary actor to adviser. Unlike some commanders, he refused to give in to micro-management, despite his powers of intellect and foresight. He listened as the space marine captain and the sub-commander offered tactical plans, speaking only to approve them or to suggest recommendations. 

 

They were completing the final details when an interruption occurred that Alexandros half-expected, even without his talents. The door opened as Irvin Ruel marched in. Alexandros nodded to his second-in-command. "Chapter Master. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

 

With a quick salute and a disapproving edge to his voice, Ruel answered, "My lord, I have been informed of the overall strategy for this upcoming battle and that you intend to place yourself in the most dangerous assignment."

 

"There's no intention at all," Alexandros said with a small smile that quickly faded. "It's an order. I will be fighting with the 102nd."

 

To the other officers, the slight inflection transformed the Primarch from a friendly father-figure to one of the undisputed lords of the Imperium. Irvin felt the full force of it and forced himself not to kneel. "My lord," he began again, the disapproval removed from his tone. "May I offer a suggestion?"

 

"You may," Alexandros allowed, "So long as you do not suggest that I be placed with a different unit."

 

After a pause, Irvin said, "With the current deployment, my lord will be placed in a great deal of danger. Is there not a way to mitigate the threat to your well-being?"

 

"I am open to suggestions, as I've said Chapter Master."

[simison]

Irvin glanced at the holo-display, which featured the 102^nd's, Ricksher's, and the most likely disposition of the Miasma forces. "My lord, while the Solar Auxilia will be fighting in entrenched positions, the Ricksher's 74^th will be exposed once the fighting has begun. I recommend at least a second company of assault marines to prevent the 74^th from being overwhelmed, should the Miasma swarm them. Although they have few dedicated assault units, if they concentrate their forces on half of the company at a time, they will be eliminated." 

 

"And leave themselves open to devastating volleys from the 102^nd," Alexandros pointed out. "However, that is not not answering the crux of the issue. How will you hide another company of space marines? The energy used by power armor will make them visible to the Miasma sensors." 

 

The Chapter Master began an explanation on how to modify the power armor's energy signature, but Darshan already knew it was futile. While the energy footprint could be shrunk, it would not be enough to hide it from enemy sensors. Instead, he reached out his thoughts again. Father, it is time.

 

I have two archaeotech field generators that can render your Chapter Master's forces invisible for a span of three hours. After that point, their energy reserves will be exhausted. The fields will be large enough to hide two hundred marines, however they must remain immobile until the field deactivates. 

 

Thank you, Father. Irvin will be pleased. 

 

As you saw in your visions, a day ago.

 

Irvin needed a reminder that I am his commanding officer.

 

I know, my son, and I agree.

 

The smile wouldn't stay hidden as Alexandros interrupted Irvin's doomed theory. "It's not possible, Ruel, and you are wasting time suggesting it. The Emperor, however, has a solution for you."

 

Irvin froze. "The Emperor is aware of my plea?"

 

"He is," Alexandros said with a nod before he explained the two relics that Irvin would be trusted with. 

[simison]

Turning back to the holo-emitter, Alexandros added the new units. Behind the halves of the recon company, two elements of a larger company generated. "I already know you will assemble the detachment out of assault marines and that will work seamlessly with our current battle plan, Ruel." With another button, data copied onto a spare datapad. He handed it to Ruel. "This contains the likely capabilities of our enemy. Review them then assemble your detachment. I leave personnel choices and weapon layouts to your decision. Your marines must be ready to deploy in twelve hours. Understood, Lord Commander?"

 

Irvin accepted the datapad before saluting. "They will be ready in ten hours, my lord." Moving with a new purpose, he left the briefing room.

 

As Alexandros turned his attention back to the other officers. Bowditch hesitantly said, "My lord, will his unit be ready to deploy so soon? It took us almost two days to create the 102nd."

 

With a grin, Alex answered, "It will actually take him ten hours and seventeen minutes. But don't tell him I told you that. Now, we were nearing the end of the briefing before the interruption. Are there any more questions regarding the battle? Captain?"

 

Ricksher shook his head. "I'll have my company ready on the launch deck in an hour."

 

"Sub-Commander?"

 

"None at this time, my lord."

 

"Very good." Alexandros turned off the hologram. "Dismissed."