[IC] A Light in the Grimdark, A WH40k Roleplay

[The Emperors Blade]

” The Emperor walks among us. He chooses his vessels to do his work, as he has done so since time began. The rotting carcass maintained in the Golden Throne is not the Emperor, for he travels abroad, tending to his Divine Will, instilling his power into those that have been chosen. But what if the Emperor could be granted a body that does not wither and die, that could be his vessel for all eternity to come? I believe that such a thing is possible, that the Emperor yet waits for his new body to be found or created. In essence, a new Emperor will be created to lead Mankind to its destiny and conquest of the galaxy”

Musings of
Theodre the Questioning



Chapter 1: Oceans of Blood

Mid Hive

The hive was a sprawling mass of war machines and dying soldiers Las rifles flashed down the destroyed streets of Hive city seven. Splashes of brightly colored blood filled the air with every daemon killed and the roar of bolter fire broke through the screeching roars of the daemon hordes, as Chaos Space marines joined their warp created allies. Still the Imperium held strong as they fired their weapons over the Aegis defense lines. Heavy bolters on tri pods fired leaving swaths of dead in their place, it was war the only way the Imperium knew how to wage it.

A cheer rose from the guardsmen lines as streaks of fire filled the sky as the drop pods of the Adeptus Astartes plunged into the midst of the chaos hordes incinerating any of those in proximity of the landing. Tumults of earth exploded into the sky as crates were created and drop pods doors exploded outwards smashing those daemons that go to close. The green armor of the Salamanders could be seen as they stepped from the dop pods letting loose waves of bolter fire into the enemies. Cultists, Traitor guard, daemons, and the Space Marines of Chaos fell under this relentless surprise attacks.

This would not be the turning point though this was only a few miles won back for the forces of the Imperium. Even now the hordes of Chaos grew larger reinforced as the rip in reality became larger releasing more of the heretics and creations of the ruinous powers into the world of man. Commander Adellas stared from the top of the Leman Russ he stood upon to stare at the evil was before them even as the space marines pushed back the wicked and the guardsmen moved forward pressing their line to the very back of their Astartes Allies.

Upper Hive

Even as the War Waged below not all the Upper Hive was safe patrols of Arbites attempted to make the streets safer as citizens hid within places of relative safety. Bands of roaming cultists and sometimes a daemon or two would slip past the lines of war and battle would break out in the streets of the upper hive. Thunderhawks came down shortly following the assault of the drop pods in the mid hive. They landed gently on launch pads and the ramps lowered down allowing one hundred marines and their vehicles to begin their plants to turn the tides.

Captain Ka’var

The sounds of the Terminator Squad seemed almost as loud as the war happening nearby. Their truly powerful armor made by only the most talented of people in the empire some of their armor dating back to the crusade itself before Horus had turned on the Emperor. Ka’var was one of those few who had the honor of wearing such armor though it was to be expected of a Terminator captain. He stepped easily in the armor the heavy lumbering steps crashing into the crete below sending thick cracks spider webbing everywhere he stepped. His thunder swung at his side as he walked and he had left behind his shield in favor of a heavy flamer for fighting the horde.

Stopping in the middle of a small neighborhood square he waited for the rest of the captains to join in the preparations , final battle rites would be said, blessing would be issued and placed upon the armor of the astartes. Minostorum priests moved through the ranks of the marines chanting and singing hymns. Ka’var was to lead a company into battle today. He and the other captains would decide what the companies were to do in this battle and their positions, though this was simply a formality to inform their brothers as the captains had been discussing the strategums for days now.

[caliban22]

The men of 254th Cadian Mechanized Infantry Arrive in their Chimera transports, to relieve the Men the and women holding the lines. As the Transport drop of squads of men, The Battered Remnants Start to form up into squads and companies and Board the Chimera before they Transport the squads back. As the Men of the 254th take up positions on the line and settle in many begin to speak Of the Adeptus Astartes arrival. As the second wave of Chimera Arrive the heavy weapon's team disembark from the transports and set up their heavy weapons. Mortars, Lascannons,Heavy Bolters and Autocannons all Train their sights on the Killzones ahead of the line. Teams of Guardsmen Move rubble and and set ups sandbags to dig in the Chimera for when they return.

Commissar Malik Tos stands in the make-shift command center studying the number of men and equipment required for their section of line. In the sandbag lined burned out small building that the regiment is using, the regimental officers work hard to keep the Men and women of the regiment up to date on intel,supplies for the troops,Dispatching special weapons squads beyond the line for recon. Beside the Commissar Stands the colonel of the regiment Stoic and brooding over the state of the Fight,

[mattmanganon]

Along the outer walls of the Hive, Inquisitor Yoheved ran with her small retinue, her hulking bodyguard Taurtacus and a squad of Sisters, their flamer and melta weaponry beating back the tide of chaos. An Oblitorator clawed its way up the wall and aimed at Yoheved with its mutated mass of flesh and guns that was its arm, but it found firing difficult, as before it could properly take aim, its cranium was split by Taurtacus smashed down on it. It fell off the wall and was consumed by warpfire as Taurtacus roared after it. They continued to run to the extraction point, where a Stormraven Gunship was descending. Rushing inside the ramp, it closed and Yoheved let out a sigh of relief as she felt it trying to escape to the atmosphere. But, as they were ascending, a Helldrake attempted to intercept, but the Hydra Flak Cannons on the walls shot the Daemon Engine, causing it to violently explode. As it did so, one of the tallons flew off and slashed the side of the gunship, which quickly depressurized, behind the Inquisitor, as it did, she was sucked out into a free fall. "INQUISITOR!!!" roared the Beastman, jumping after her. They fell through the air, towards the ground, it was a rather beautiful sight... the sheer aura of death pounding them. Fires consuming the hive bellow, plasma weaponry leaving trails behind them and looking like a great fire works display. The Inquisitor began chanting, but her consentration was rocked as her bodyguard caught up with her and wrapped his arms around her, putting the Slabsheild out in front of them. But she shoved his arms away.

"Get off of me you stupid beast or we shall both perish." Her eyes began to glow as they neared the ground, in an instant, they seemed to stop... About a meter off the ground and floated, before dropping to the ground with a thud. "You almost got us killed." she said.

"I am sorry, Inquisitor, If you wish, I will end my worthless life immediately." he said.

"That will not be necessary." she replied. She then looked towards the Hive Tower. Luckily they had landed away from the fighting... Unfortunately, they had landed outside of the city walls. She got out her miniature Vox Caster. "This is Inquisitor Yoheved to any Imperium force, I've been cut off from my men and require assistance." she said. She then raised her arm and let out a long whistle into the Vox Caster. 10 minutes later, her familiar flapped over and landed on her arm its eye then sent out a holographic map of the area. "Display supply routes and any firefights currently happening." she said. The Chaos forces appeared in Red with the Imperiums forces appearing in white, there was red and white blobs everywhere, long lines of blue appeared in order to indicate the supply routes. Most of the fighting had moved into the Hive itself... "Well, it appears that we have 2 options." she said. "We can either slip away from the combat, so as not to endanger the life of an Inquisitor, or we can charge in and attempt to assist." she said. Taurtacus shouldered his Axe and took out his Autocannon before growling. "I agree." she said as they began moving back towards the Hive.

[BigPapaBelial]

A green armored man paced in front of a squad of jump packed wearing marines. He nodded his head slowly, cradling his helmet in the crook of his arm. A smile on the mans face. He turned to the squad, "You are marines yeah?" The squad growled and thumped their chests with their gauntlets, all in agreement. The pacing marine smiles broadly. Looking towards where the captains and commanders congregated, discussing their battle plans and tactics. The pacing Marine chuckled, "Then if you be Marines. Who do you protect? Nocturne?" The marines in the squad again growled and grunted in affirmation. Pot'Apher the pacing marine chuckled, "How about Prometheus?" The squad clasped their fists and thought of home. Pot'Apher nodded, "Then you be Marines. But who do you fight for?" One of the Marines in the squad steps forward, "For Mankind." Another Marine stepped forward, "For Terra." They both brandished their close combat weapons at him. As if challenging Pot'Apher to say otherwise. Pot'Apher raised his own Thunder Hammer at the squad nodding, "For the Emperor on his Golden Throne." The Squad grunted again a resounding yes. Pot'Apher nodded, "Truly you are Marines."

Pot'Apher nodded, "Enough of my theatrics now brothers. We've all been here before. Everyone of us has fought in more battle then we can number. Some of us against the Greenskins. Some against the Eldar, or the Tau. The Necrons. It matters not. Starting today we fight our cursed brothers. Those who gave their souls to the Ruinous Powers so many centuries ago." Pot'Apher again looked to the captains and the commanders. He nodded slowly. Then raised his hammer again, swinging it up over his shoulder. Turning back to squad, "Say your weapon rites, ask the chaplains for absolution, and make ready. Make sure each and everyone of you has a full compliment of equipment. We are Vanguard, we may end up being part of the first group in." Pot'Apher turned then knelt as one of the Minostorum priests approached. He made the sign of the Aquila across his chest, whispering praise to the Emperor as the priest began to pray over him and the squad with him.

[dereken]

Savant Igam Bregger moved hastily through the streets of the lower hive, followed by a pair of inquisitorial storm troopers. Originally there had been six, but two were lost when the squad's inquisitorial chimera was slagged by a lucky krak missile, one went down in a flurry of las-bolts from a squad of traitor guard, and the last was torn to shreds by a rabid mob of cultists. Now only three were left. "Don't fall behind," Igam warned the storm troopers, "Must meet up with the Inquisitor quickly," The storm troopers did not respond, but simply nodded assent. Igam strained his ears for any sounds of nearby movement over the tumult of a city wide battle. All that heard was the distant crack and boom of combat, and the occasional screams of the dying in between.

Igam's concentration was broken when he heard a scuffling sound in an alley to his left. His eyes darted to search for the source of the sound, and he caught a glimpse of metal behind a rubbish bin. Igam pointed down the alleyway, and called out, "Reveal yourself!" Immediately, the empty streets were filled with howling, as red-clad cultists started pouring from the alleyway, clutching whatever implement they could use as weaponry. Igam drew his las-pistol and began firing into the crowd, and the two storm-troopers follow suit with their hot-shot lasguns. While it was not enough to stop the charge, it gave the three enough time to escape down an alleyway opposite the one occupied by cultists.

Slowed by the narrowness of the alleyway, the cultists had a hard time making progress under the volley of las-bolts Igam and the two storm-troopers lay down as they retreated further back into the alley. The tide of cultists, though well suppressed, seemed endless, and forced Igam and his companions further and further back. Just as it seemed they would be overrun, the tide of cultists stopped abruptly, the entire sect either dying or dead in the street. Igam breathed a heavy sigh of relief before speaking to his compatriots, "Well done, I--" Igam was interrupted by the roar of a stormraven passed overhead. The Roar was met by that of a helldrake, which made straight for the aircraft, only to be torn to shreds by a Hydra battery. The helldrake had the final laugh, however, as one of its talons flew from its body, and tore a hole in the gunship.

Igam could scarcely believe his eyes when Inquisitor Yoheved hurtled out of the stormraven, followed closely by her pet bull. Igam watched them descend until his view was blocked by the buildings in front of him. Igam rolled his eyes, before gesturing toward the storm-troopers to follow him back into the alley they had just exited. "Follow," he ordered, "Let us retrieve the inquisitor,"

[caliban22]

The CP Already Hard at work. The colonel Stands talking to the Major his second in command, "Sir we have to hold this intersection or else The traitors may be able to exploit a break through..." The major says calmly. As the major and the colonel talk Commissar Malik heads out to see to the men. Since the Battle started The 254th have seen heavy action having been under enemy bombardment and localized heavy attacks. As he walks from the CP he sees twos quads of off duty Guardsmen sleeping and eating rations around a chemical stove in the burned out remains of Hab units. As the Commissar heads over the Guardsmen awake take notice and stand attention "At ease troopers." The troopers relax and a few go back to eating or sleeping Malik says "who is in command here?" he asks as he eyes the men. Most while their uniforms are grimy and some blood stained look for their situation parade ready. "I am Sir." a Young Female Lieutenant in the back salutes "Lieutenant Elis 254th Mechanized!" she says proudly "At ease Lieutenant, I must inquire as to the combat readiness of your Platoon, how many of you are left?" He asks as the Lieutenant stands at ease "Sir my platoon took a beating of the 60 men we have 15 dead 17 wounded after the bombardment we took.." Malik thinks back to the bombardment The 254th was behind the lines considered safe from the front, they were to be deployed to reinforce the lines when a heavy bombardment of enemy Basilisks opened up on them as they were moving to move up to the line. while short it caused heavy casualties among the 254th "I see and the state of your men?" he asks as he looks at them. the ones awake looked tired and defeated. what platoon wouldn't when they get it in the neck like that... Malik thinks to himself "Lieutenant be honest what do the men think of the way the fighting is going ?" he asks quietly "Sir are all willing ti fight and die in service to the emperor we hold our faith till death." chuckling Malik looks at her "that is not what I ask, I understand your loyalty and as the Voice of our beloved emperor on this hell , If i felt any of you were disloyal I would have shot you...Now I ask again what do they think of this war?"

The lieutenant shifts uncomfortably who wouldn't be nervous if a Commissar asked such a question Malik thinks "well sir..The man don't have much hope in all honesty...Till the Astartes arrived we believed we would die on this rock having done nothing but slowed down the traitors...The PDF at least the ones that didn't turn...are all but dead, we were fighting a retreat, thousands of good guardsmen dying to buy only minutes for the rest of us....even now its hard to see victory...We face not only cultists but Traitor guardsmen,Chaos marines and Demons. we will all fight and Die for the emperor here on this planet, but know we hold little hope for victory..." the Lieutenant says disheartened "Lieutenant As A Commissar I am in my every right to have you and your platoon shot for cowardice....To lose faith in victory is to lose faith in the emperor." he says quickly "But I understand your feelings...a guardsmen's life is tough and for the countless billions that roam the galaxy many never see the ends of their service with smiles, I could sit here and say your prayers and training will see you through the countless battles you and I will see." he says as he heads over to the stove "But life is not like that, not for the citizens of the imperium and especially for the guard....but I can promise you that the fighting and bloodshed here saves countless millions billions even from whatever these Traitorous warp spawn are planning...I understand that this wont give you comfort as you lie in your foxholes counting the seconds till the shells stop and the attack begins but.." he says as an air siren wails. One of the guardsmen squads Vox-caster "Prepare for incoming fi.." The voice is cut off as shells start to land all around blasting up rubble and from time to time Guardsmen. "Send a message have all units take cover and prepare for an attack, your platoon is with me!" Malik Orders as he waits out the shelling.

[smoke-n-scotch]

Venetti´s mind worked at full speed. The enemy was near and he could taste the battle in the air. Most of the Imperial Guard forces were already engaging an enemy and the hive resonated under massive artillery barrages. The 128th Cadian shock troops were marching through one of the already evacuated parts of the hive, trying to evade the bulk of enemy forces. Their march was a quiet one, every men silently preparing for the upcoming battle. The rest of the army was already shedding blood and soon it will be their turn to do same.
Although men of the 128th were all tough bastards, they were still a light infantry regiment and thus not very effective line soldiers. Ambushes and flanking attacks were their speciality, and now was just the time for an attack of this kind. 128th was tasked with flanking enemy positions and thus lifting some weight from the 73rd that was nearly overrun by the arch-enemy.

Commissar longed for this moment since first days on Kalvarstad and so were his men. Since their deployment on the planet, his regiment moved from one bloody skirmish with no strategic value to another and to Venetti , these skirmishes were just a waste of valuable manpower. The 128th was a renowned regiment and they surely deserved better than to die like a bunch of conscripts to slow the enemy down.
Now, they finally have their chance to participate in larger battle and even turn the tide of it. Commissar was more than just eager to show what is his regiment really made of. If they make it on time, of course.

The sector, they marched through now, was hit hard in the very beginning of the war and no stone has been left unturned. Half destroyed buildings and craters left by explosions were slowing their progress on each step. Soldiers were trying to march in a steady pace, but the rubble proved to be as sabotaging as any trap the enemy could set for them. The time was running out and the 73rd was waiting. They have to hurry up.
"Men of Cadia!" shouted the commissar to get an attention of soldiers. He was marching right in the middle of the army and thus sure he will be heard by the majority of regiment. He stopped and drew out his sword raising it above his head. It was a beautiful device, as much an art as a weapon, gifted to him after defeating an ork waaagh on the shrine world of Seefera and it somehow became a symbol of the 128th. Its energy field dimly glowed in the duskiness and soon, all the eyes were set on the commissar.
"Right now, in this very moment, your comrades are dying out there, while you are crawling through ruins like a bunch of cockroaches. You are their only hope, their only chance to beat the enemy forces and draw them back to their nests. And I am asking you, will you let them waiting?! Will you let their sacrifices to become pointless?! Will you let the heretics win?!" he asked them, his voice changing from calm to furious, and men soon responded in unisono. The thundering "No! No! No!" was their answer, and he could hear the anger and shame in their voices. A smile showed on Venetti´s lips. "Then prove it! Make your old commissar proud!"
His speech had a desirable effect and the regiment soon marched in renewed and much more sufficient speed. They still could move a little bit faster, but commissar was sure they will make it on time now. And when they do, The Emperor shows mercy, because they will have none.

[The Fated Fallen]

Jayne surveyed the 128th. From the weeks she had been assigned to them thus far they seemed like a strong unit. Perhaps the strongest they had seen, give or take a few Karskins. She was proud to be assigned to them and dreamed of perhaps leading a unit like this one day. Of course all this strength wouldn't help this world if they couldn't pick their way through this rubble faster. The Emperor had watched them through the warp and meant it took them mere days to respond to the distress call, but they had taken a too safe landing zone, and because of it may not be able to reach the battle in time.
Perhaps she was wrong and sending Cadians straight into the firing line was a waste of resources, but she doubted the remains of the PDF would be so understanding as they were butchered.

A Cadian collapsed into the rubble hard next to her, it wasn't easy carrying large munition crates through such a wasteland and Jayne wouldn't have been surprised if he broke his leg. She didn't give him the opportunity to explain himself, and picked up the crate for him. It was damned heavy, but the front line forces needed resupply, and the Emperors will pushed her on.

Even in her cool armour, her visor was steaming up. She shouted to those alongside the munitions crates "Switch out lifters, give them a break!" She was glad to see they relieved the carriers of their crates and shifted her burden to what looked like a half Ogryn. She moved up to the Commissars position. "How goes it sir?"

[mattmanganon]

Finally reaching the supply route, the pair kept low as a Chaos Land Raider rumbled past, not seeing them for the tree's. Yoheved pulled her Blast Pistol and aimed it, but accepted the fact that she wouldn't be able to do anything about it. She looked Archemedes. "Take this message to the commander on the ground at the Hive." she then straightened her uniform "Commander, this is Inquisitor Yoheved, your supply line seems to have been broken as-" she then ran for cover as the unmistakable sound of more heavy vehicles moving up was heard. She peaked out from behind a tree to see 3 Chaos Rhino's rolling past. As soon as they had gone, she turned back to the Owl. "As you can see, the enemy is now using our supply lines to move their troops. I want this whole road bathed in promethium." she said. "Let them burn in a sea of holy fire." she then lifted her arm up and the cyborg Owl took flight. So close to the hive, she couldn't risk using her Vox Caster, otherwise she could be discovered.

"What are we to do now?" asked Taurtacus.

"We will continue to move." she replied as she began walking through the trees towards the thunderous sounds of cannonfire.

-Inside the Hive-

Archemedes flapped above the battlefield, he was far too small to be noticed by any of the daemons or Chaos Worshippers. It finally caught eye of Igam and swooped in, blasting a bloodletter that was charging him with it's Bale implant, before landing on his arm, a hologram of the Inquisitor appeared and showed the footage. "Commander, this is Inquisitor Yoheved, your supply line seems to have been broken as-" she then ran for cover as the unmistakable sound of more heavy vehicles moving up was heard. She peaked out from behind a tree to see 3 Chaos Rhino's rolling past. As soon as they had gone, she turned back to the Owl. "As you can see, the enemy is now using our supply lines to move their troops. I want this whole road bathed in promethium." she said. "Let them burn in a sea of holy fire." It had no way of knowing that he wasn't in charge, seeing as how he was the highest ranking officer it could find on the ground levels.

[Pathfinder]

The rites had been said and absolution was given, now Arios waited. Arios wasn't an officer and as such he wasn't apart of the discussion, he just waited for his orders. As he did, Arios began to give a maintenance check out of shear boredom. Arios knew they were better than working condition, but the monotony of waiting was a struggle of itself. It had been so long since he burned something. Turning some valves and giving his chainfist an experimental rev, Arios found everything satisfactory and began to play the waiting game yet again. Idly noticing what he assumed was the vanguard captain giving his men a rousing speech or some other.

[BigPapaBelial]

Pot'Apher rose from his knees. Bowing his head in thanks to the priest as the little man walked off. Pot'Apher let out a long sigh as he stretched, then began to see to his weapons. The Tigrius Pattern bolter's machine spirit had been shown to be willing many times in the past hundreds of years since Pot'Apher had received it, the weapon was said to have been first used during the Horus Heresy. It was no kind of relic. But a tool, a weapon, something which to shed the blood of the corrupt, the heretic and the xenos. The Bolter's machine spirit and it's user know this, and they had an understanding along those lines. Neither would betray the other when it mattered the most. Next to be examined is the great Thunder Hammer a weapon he had been using for years now. And had been by his side for going on a century now. He attached a new power pack making sure it is fully powered and ready. The rest of his weapons are unsteathed and checked carefully everything would be ready. The rites of battle chanted as he went through every move. Asking for the Emperor's protection, his speed in battle, and his arm to fight true in his name.

As he finished his personal rites of combat, and the prescribed words taught to him time and again by the techmarines in the past, he noticed something among the many brothers standing, and waiting to go into battle. A Terminator, a bearer of the coveted Crux Terminatus. Looking his way. A smile bloomed across Pot'Apher's face once more. He nodded to the Terminator in greeting. The name of Arios ghosting into Pot'Apher's mind. Pot'Apher wasn't sure if he had fought beside the man in the past, but today they would go into battle together. He chuckled softly and called to the Arios the Terminator, "A fine day brother, is it not? When an entire company of Salamanders. Assault, Tactical, Vanguard, Terminators and Sternguard alike all prepare to do battle on our hated former brothers. To bring the wrath of Emperor's Astartus down upon them, like a bolt of fire from the Emperor's own hand." He bowed his head to the honored Terminator, "Pot'Apher, brother. That is my name. And I hope to share the field of battle with you shortly."

[smoke-n-scotch]

Venetti was making his way through marching soldiers putting words of courage here and subtle warnings there. They will meet the enemy soon and soldiers knew it. Soon they will clash with crazy worshippers of foul powers and that was never an easy thing. The idea, that someone would willingly turn from the light of his immortal majesty Emperor, itself was filling Venneti with righteous hatred, but it was worse for his soldiers. Figthing xenos was easy. Primitive orks, treacherous eldars, insectoid tyranids... All of them were completely alien to the human and that made killing them easy.
But heretics were human like he was. They were workers from local manufactories, miners, accountants of adeptus administratum... They were people. And yet they willingly gave up their humanity, sold their souls to the arch-enemy. That was the thing that made fighting them so difficult, the distant possibility that soldiers could become the very same thing they fought. To Venetti was fear of becoming traitor completely incomprehensible, drill abbots at Schola took care of it, but he knew that some soldiers still saw human being even in heretics. He didn´t understand that, because what was a man without a light of Emperor guiding and protecting him, but he knew that some less zealous men feel it a little bit different. For this reason he was making especially sure that every man was ready to pull the trigger whenever they should engage the cultists.

Absorbed in his unpleasant thoughts, he almost didn´t notice the young woman in carapace armour approaching him. Venetti smiled encouragingly and greeted her with nod. She served in the 128th only a while, a couple of weeks at best, and most of the time was spend on the board of the spaceship, but Venetti already liked her. It wasn´t because she was a woman, although it was certainly a pleasant change of company in an exclusively male regiment. He liked because she was a soldier straight as nails, skilled and ambitious. At first, the commissar thought that a woman in regiment might cause some disciplinary problems, but so far nothing happened and even if something did, he was sure that she would easily took care of it.
"I don´t want to praise the day before evening, but so far, so good. Men are prepared and marching and morale is pleasantly high. I almost feel pity for any idiot who would dare to cross the 128th. How are you feeling? This will be your first fight in 128th if I am not mistaken. "

[caliban22]

for what seems like hours The shells fall. Commissar Malik and the platoon wait in their hab unit. A few guardsmen that were caught out in the open were lucky enough to have made it to the shelter of the building. As reports of wounded and dead flood the vox channel the reports from the regimental command are drowned out but the dozens of requests for medical care. after a few hour like minutes the shells stop, and the sound of Las bolts and the bark of heavy bolters take up the momentary silence made by the ending of the shells. "Vox-man relay this message to all Guardsmens of the 254th." he says as he checks his Hot shot Pistol magazine and his power supply for his power weapon. "Soldiers of the 254th this is our time for pay back! For the dead,for the Imperium and for the Emperor!" he yells as he and the rest of the platoon rush out of the hab unit to take up lines on the Aegis lines. As they exit the building dozens of squads of guardsmen rush out of their cover to join them.

After taking positions on the line the commissar gets a good look at their enemy. Storming through the on coming Guardsmen fire Hordes of cultists supported by traitor guard heavy weapons teams and grenadiers. At the head of the horde of cultists three chaos Champions carrying their unholy banners of worship to their twisted gods. "All units focus on the Champions!" The Commissar orders. immediately the closest heavy bolters switch fire from the the hordes of cultists and traitor guardsmens to the Hulking monstrosities that are the traitor marines One falls under the weight of the fire, the other stumbles and the third charges on un-effected by the weapons As the hordes charge on ever closer the Commissar looks to his Vox operator "Tell the men to Fix bayonets.." As the order heads out as many of the men cease firing to quickly attach their knives to the ends of their weapons.

[The Emperors Blade]

(Assume anything you want to say to each other before moving out is said in the beginning of your posts then roll with what is taking place in my post.)

Cadian Command Post, Mid Hive
As the Officers of the Cadian guard discussed and argued strategy a single space marine entered their tent with no helmet and bearing the regalia of a librarian he stopped and watched as they all stared at him. Gently he placed a hand on their map a single finger pointing to the heart of the battle where the forces of the Chaos lay heaviest. “All guardsmen who are not needed to man the heavy weapons on the lines elsewhere need to be sent to this area to bolster Astartes forces with cover fire. We will break the backs of this chaos horde here. Only through this will we be able to achieve victory. I wanted everyone who is not required… Commissars and all. This is a direct order from Lord General himself after speaking with the Captains of the fifth company.”

Captain Ka’var

The Captains communed for a moment going over plans that had already been made. As they finished Ka’var turned towards the marines and raised his hammer “TERMINATORS! WITH ME! INTO THE LAND RAIDER!” He waved towards the Land Raider that sat still it’s armor almost impenetrable huge lascannons sitting on either side and a single space marine sitting at it’s turret with a pair of heavy bolters. The ramp lay open awaiting the men who wore armor that the like of tanks to enter. Though this was not the end to Ka’var’s order. “JUMP INFANTRY I WANT YOU DIRECTLY BEHIND! YOU WILL SPEARHEAD WITH US! Tactical Marines! Enter your rhinos and support us with your weapons so blessed by the Emperor’s head! Strategums have been uplinked view them as we move!”

Ka’var turned and stood at the edge of the ramp waiting for his Terminators to enter the land raider. There were only five others besides him on this world. Even as he moved though new readouts would scroll in front of every Marine’s eyes showing them path into combat a straight shot from their position directly into the heart of the enemy forces. The marines who had assaulted via drop pod would be covering their flanks as they ascended into the chaos of battle with the chaos Forces. After all the marines had boarded their vehicles and taken up positions the force began moving at it’s top speed tracks rolled and crushed stone beneath heavy treads. The land raider smashed everything in its path.

Before the company of Space Marines the forces of Chaos came into view guardsmen had moved aegis lines out of the way for the land raider, jump infantry, and rhinos to move through. As they Salamanders begun to move towards the front of the Chaos Forces cultists screamed in terror at the sight of the space marines, but suddenly appearing Daemons changed their minds. Blood Letters, drooling beasts of nurgle, the strangely colored fire flaring off daemons of Tzeentch appeared among the ranks ushering a continued charge into what was certain doom for the simple humans. Greater Daemons appeared as well though a large Avian one stabbing a staff in the air and it’s multi colored wings spreading widely screeched loudly causing fear for the cultists as a Commissar’s pistol does for guardsmen. The land raider moved a single las cannon a enormous blast firing and smashing through the greater Daemon’s head sending it to the ground with a found of multicolored blood. Heavy bolters turned and blasted holes through the line of cultists pulverizing their bodies and leaving messy red pulps on the ground, even as this was happening the land raider moved forward smashing through the soft bodies only to stop once it was surrounded on all sides by chaotic forces the heavy ramp coming down and releasing the Emperor’s Warriors into the fray. Captain Ka’Var stepped out onto the ramp his heavy flamer coming up and engulfing several cultists and daemons with burning death. “FOR THE EMPEROR!” He screamed loudly and charged forward thunder hammer swinging.

[The Fated Fallen]

Jayne stood at ease, "This is my first battle with your regiment sir. They're a good unit, and I don't envy the Chaos forces we are going up against. I'm lucky to be here."
Commissar Venetti's vox sparked into life

[Pathfinder]

"A fine day brother, is it not? When an entire company of Salamanders. Assault, Tactical, Vanguard, Terminators and Sternguard alike all prepare to do battle on our hated former brothers. To bring the wrath of Emperor's Astartus down upon them, like a bolt of fire from the Emperor's own hand."

At the words spoken by his battle brother, Arios couldn't agree more. The sky itself seemed to rumble with the energy of the coming battle, the sounds of battle were not far off, ad it had been far too long since he unleashed his flames on the enemies of the Emperor, by his mercy. At the mention of his flamer, Arios was brought back in time to the moment when the two first met.

Back to one of the few battles that were worth remembering, a younger Arios was pinned along with the last of his battle brothers by a large Hunter Cadre. The humans on the planet had commited the greatest hearasy and allied themselves with the foul Tau. The fight was long and hard but eventually Arios and several other battle brothers made it to a bunker in an attempt to call in reinforcements. The Tau had sunk their claws deep within the minds of the people there, but they were not people any longer. No, not to Arios, they were heretics of the greatest caliber. The anger that fueled his autocannon fire as it tore through Tau, Kroot, and traitor was unlike anything his battle brothers had seen. In turn they began to redouble their efforts, determined to bring down as many xenos and heretic scum that they could. It would take weeks for the message of their attack to reach the rest of the troops, months for them to actually reach Arios and his battle brothers.

Eventually after many weeks of battle the last battle brother died. Leaving Arios and his crippled captain, Cassiah Braun. Capetian Braun was injured during the initial fallback and his health was in steady decline ever since. At the end of his life, Captain Braun entrusted Arios with his prized possession for he would no longer need it. A Phaestos Pattern Heavy Flamer, a holy weapon from before the Horus Heresy. At first, the machine spirit rejected Arios as it deemed him unworthy and as such wouldn't work much if at all. Arios felt much the same but nonetheless he would carry it out into his one man war, hacking at the forces of the Tau with his chainfist and hoping to give it to one more worthy than him. That is, until it shattered against the armored hide of the Tau Commander at the climax of his guerrilla war. Forced to bludgeon the blasphemous wretch with his fist, Arios was soon beaten down by the shear mass of the battlesuit. Beaten, broken, and near death Arios released a titanic roar of unbridled rage and passion.

Something inside the flamer unlocked, the machine finally accepted Arios as its master and released a glorious gout of promethium. The Tau commander fell almost immediately, having not worn a helmet and his wretched face burned away in seconds. Limping, Arios bathed the rest of the Hunter Cadre in holy fire as their pathetic ammunition bounced off his hide. Soon after the commander was felled, the rest of the troops came from out of warp jump and brought their wrath upon the heretics. Setting off a beacon, Arios sat down for the first time in what felt like months. With his fallen battle brothers all lined up together, they were soon taken by the apothecaries to get their gene seed extracted.

When Arios was taken back, there was much debate as to whether or not they would allow him to keep the Heavy Flamer. While the debate raged, they discovered that the machine spirit within would seldom respond to anyone but Arios. This combined with his past actions lead the captains to allow Airos to use the weapon until his final days. Ever since the two have become synonymous. By themselves they are dangerous tools of the Emperor, together they are even more so.

Smiling faintly at the memory, Arios said " I too hope to share the field of battle with you, Brother. May your hammer strike true and the Emperor watch over you." Giving himself a smack on the chest in a show of camaraderie.

[smoke-n-scotch]

The commissar carefully listened to every word that came out of his vox unit. It was a colonel of the 128th, translating commands from the lord general himself. His new orders didn´t pleased him, but they didn´t have. The colonel was a straight, honourable man and abandoning the 73rd wasn´t something would take lightly. But orders were orders. If the lord general want them to support Adeptus Astartes, they will do it without second thoughts.
The soldiers were already turning their way. Nobody seemed especially pleased that they were aiming directly into lion´s jaws, but it wasn´t their call to decide. "Some life into it!" the commissar shouted. "To help adeptus astartes is a honour!" He wasn´t really sure about his words. The 128th fought alongside space marines on two or three occasions and it always ended with terrifying causalities. Emperor´s chosen weren´t send just on any mission and if they required the help of mere men, the situation had to be exceptionally dire. Venetti longed for a way to show his regiment´s capabilities, but he didn´t want to lose all his man while doing it.
"Have you ever fought alongside the mighty warriors of astartes?" he asked his kasrkin companion.

[caliban22]

As the close quarters combat continues. Malik relays the message to officers of his regiment "Come now Soldiers of Cadia! The Emperor calls us to glory! let none stand in your way!" He yells as dispatches a traitor guardsmen officer. "To the heart of the enemy! Let none stop you from your duty to the Emperor! and to The Imperium!" he says as he rallys the guardsmen to push back the tide of chaos. Even as he says that Reinforcements arrive to help push to the heart of the enemy. "They shall feel the wrath of The Guard and the Wrath of the emperor!" he yells as he shoots a wounded Traitor guardsmen pretending to be dead "let it be known that on this day our Place by the emperors side was earned in blood and fire!" his voice carrying clear of the crash and screams of the bloody melee. As the Guardsmen Push back the Chaos forces. "Weep not for the fallen as they have done they duty and may die happy knowing they will be with the emperor! let your Righteous hate fuel you to victory and punish the traitors for their belief in their dark gods!" As the men move forward leaving bodies in their wake the chaos forces quickly begin to flee. "See The cowards!? See how they know their demise awaits them and they Flee! content to inflict suffering unto us are you!? Soldiers of the 254th I say we pay them back ten fold!" he yells as the chaos forces go into an all out rout. And as the guardsmen quickly shoot down the fleeing cultists and guardsmen. the only one not fleeing is the the remaining chaos champion a Chaos marine with armor all dented,blooded, Helmet destroyed continues to fight on before a long Las bolt strikes him square in the nose blowing apart the head. After the melee the Guardsmen form back into squads and push on to the heart of the chaos forces. Determined to make the Chaos hordes pay for everyone man,woman and child lost in this hive.

[The Fated Fallen]

"Back on the Spinward front I was honoured by an Astartes presence in my weapons bunker. He was a scout and gave us a cursory look before telling us to carry on. The way a couple of words inspired our line pretty much won us the battle, and I'm told him and his squad held off wave after wave of the enemy with their sniper rifles. I have seen Space Marines of other occasions, but never truly in battle." Jayne lowered her voice. "Sir, are we really leaving the 73rd on their own? I don't like to see good men die, with all due respect sir."

[BigPapaBelial]

Pot'Apher saluted Arios, slamming his own fist against his own breastplate, "Emperor's blessing and his strength in your arm brother!"

He was about to try and start joking with the Terminator armor clad marine when the orders came over the vox. As the orders were given he smiled, slamming his helmet down onto his head. And pointed at a waiting Thunderhawk. He rung up the assault squads on his his Vox, "Brothers, mount up." As the terminators mounted the Land Raiders, the Vanguard and their Assault troop peers jumped into the Thunderhawk. As the last assault marine jumped aboard Pot'Apher called forward, "Pilots! Get us airborne, and make for the front. Stay above the Land Raiders." The Thunderhawk blazed into the sky.

Moments later Pot'Apher pulled the side door of the Thunderhawk open. Grabbed a support spar inside the Hawk, then leaned out to watch as they flew over the battlefield. He hrmed, a smile on his face behind his helmet. He looked back at his Veterans, "Squad Pot'Apher. Look down there? What do you see? I'll tell you, decadence, disease, rage and lies. Those are the currency of Chaos. Each and every man, woman and creature down there has sold their soul to one of those aspects. And the only way to even give them a chance at redemption is to pre-empt their further corruption." He sent a mental command through his armor. The engines on his jump pack flaring into life, small blue flames blazing into life. "Ask no quarter, because they will not give it. Give no quarter, because they will ask for none of it! This is the day, where we bring the Emperor's light back to this benighted world. This is the day, that they die!" He motioned and the other side door, and the back door to the Thunderhawk boomed open. The Vanguard troops and the assault marines all stacking up at the doors.

Pot'Apher smiled then with all the true grit someone who has lived for hundreds of years can muster. He leaps out of the side of the Thunderhawk. He's followed close by the Assault squads and his own Vanguard squads. Ten thousand feet in the air, the marines descend like armored bombs. Feet first Pot'Apher falls. Firing his jump pack in small bursts to correct his descent.

As the Terminators began their attack, the Assault Squads arrived. Jump pack blazing the close combat marines slammed right into the midst of several unaware, unprepared groups of traitor infantry. The Terminators at a distance could have been manageable. These men would have had time to prepare for their likely end. But suddenly, it's like the sky cracked open and dropped a green clad thunderbolt right into their midst. Shouts of surprise went up, conflicting orders and men firing wildly, some hitting friendlies, some of those wild las-bolts hitting the ceramite of the Assault Marines. The Marines in their midst sprung into action as soon as they landed. In the span of the few seconds that it took for the enemy to fire wildly, the Vanguard and the Assault Marines already with weapons in hand began to take a hefty toll.