User:The Lost Ithacan/Sandbox2

< The Lost Ithacan's Sandbox 1 &middot; The Lost Ithacan's Sandbox 3 >

43rd of Rain, 481.M40
Man came from the Astropath's office. Told him to shove off.

44th of Rain, 481.M40
Bugger came back. Said he was instructed to tell me that he had a dispatch from the Holy Commanders of Heb.

Told him to shove off, told him the Holy Commanders could shove off too.

46th of Rain, 481.M40
Constable Rays came round on behalf of the Astropath. Decent fellow, bit too focused on his Ps and Qs, nothing a real battle wouldn't fix.

Asked me to go see the message. Told him I'd done my service to the Throne, 29 years in the Guard. Told him this shack and this little plot was my reward and I was happy with it. Told him I didn't owe any man anything, and no one owed anything to me, cept my Hands and my Neighbors.

Rays's a good man. Knew he didn't understand, but I didn't need to tell him to shove off, he did it himself.

Θ-7 gave me a funny look afterwards. Blasted old Skitarius, hasn't been able to speak proper Low Gothic since he took that hit on Carcasum. Enginseer kept saying she'd fixim, right up till she caught a round. Emperor damn it all.

1st of Mud, 481.M40
Man from the Astropath's office came again. Says it's different this time. Says he's got a message from the Fabricator-General of Erendan.

Damn it all to Craw!

Θ-7 started to go with him, now, at the height of Mud, the damn season these people call after the damn mud! Cog-head's going to get himself stuck in it.

Still, suppose he can't help himself, his loyalty runs deeper than mine. I convinced him to wait, few of the lads are bringing round the buggy. I suppose I'm going to the Astropath's office after all.

Campaign 11, victory +1873 days, 832 minutes, Status: Awaiting Redeployment
New priority, receive command of the Omnissiah's envoy upon Erendan.

Tactical stipulation from command authority, Heb 130, designation Tirim, status friend, accepted.

Awaiting transport.

Details Omitted

Transport detected.

Three targets acquired, targets deemed friendly.

Target one, component, Heb 130, designation Gebery, status, friend. Target is operating transport. Target two, component, Heb 130, designation Obally, status, barrackmate. Target is mounted on sideboard. Target is lightly armed, weapons concealed. Target three, prime component, Heb 130, designation Sacharon, status, friend. Target is within transport.

Tirim approaches transport, speaks, "Color Sergeant, clear some space for Θ-7!"

Sacharon speaks, "Yes Major." Sacharon complies with command authority.

Details Omitted

Tactical sweep complete. Astropath's office secured by appropriate authorities. Tactical subroutines standing down. Blessed is the Motive Force. Ingressing.

Tirim addresses Astra Telepathica clerk, speaks, "Well, I understand we have mail."

Clerk, designation unknown, status, Imperial official.

Clerk speaks, "Yes sir, Colonel." calculation, Tirim has a 70% chance to react negatively to the use of his proper rank, no negative response detected, recalculating. "For both you and…" pause lasts 3.48 seconds, "Pardon, sir, are you the... senior component of support force 130-41?"

Systems check, vox synthesizer remains inactive.

Extending arm, hand open, palm up.

Received, parchment, Lingua-Technis, hand copied by the unaugmented.

Scanning, praise the Machine God.

Tirim also receives parchment. Spends 107.63 seconds in examination. Egressing.

Tirim addresses Sacharon, speaks, “Color Sergeant, assemble the Regiment.”

Sacharon speaks, “All of them?”

Tirim speaks, “Every last one. I want them here in three days. We have something to discuss.”

May the Cog turn eternal.

Details Omitted

36 days out for Port Amyntikós, estimated to be day 291 of 481.M40, third watch
Unintelligible...

Vox Rating Hale: Initial hail acknowledged and received, my Lord. The Magos is being summoned.

Admiral Hargrove: Acknowledged.

Flag Captain Cave: It seems awfully small for an Explorator Fleet to me.

Hargrove: Be polite, Raveloe, these are our friends.

Cave: I know sir, but still, I wouldn’t want to go poking around wilderness space without a Battleship at my back.

Hargrove: Knowing how are friends are with their tech, I’m sure that Grand Cruiser is a match for either the Glorious Light or the Keterine Martyr, Battleships or no, and I wouldn’t want to put your old girl up against two of those Light Cruisers at once.

Cave: Sir, you wound my pride.

Hargrove: Excellent, do you no end good, that’s what my admiral use to tell me.

Hale: Your pardon, my Lord, the Magos is prepared.

Hargrove: Holograph on.

Magos Explorator Jahalin: I greet you in the name of the Omnissiah, who is known to men as the God Emperor.

Hargrove: And I greet you in his name as well, and in the name of Battlefleet Mandavi. Our ships have been ordered to provide escort to yours, until you pass into wilderness space. I understand that you will wish to give the Forge World Ressay a wide berth, very sensible given the circumstances. But if you could convey to us the course you wish to take out of the Sector, we can assist you in plotting our next heading.

Jahalin: Necessity dictates our next heading. We cannot depart until we have acquired a cargo from the world of Narbo.

Hargrove: A moment Magos. Holograph off. Narbo? What could they possibly want on Narbo?

Cave: Nothing, Narbo is the arse end of the Sector. It's barely an Agri World, there's… nothing.

Hargrove: I know, we staged through Narbo on the way to the castigation of Carcasum. It was the most excitement that system had seen in 500 years. Holograph on. Yes Magos, I have it here on my charts. A picturesque planet, perhaps, but what do you need from Narbo?

Jahalin: The Heb, Admiral, I require the Heb.

Minutes of the Assembly of the 130th Zealous Light Foot Regiment of Heb, 41st iteration mustered out
As transcribed on the fifth of Mud, 481.M40 by Keziahon Trite, Junior Munitorum Clerk attached to Beta Battalion, Company E, retired.

Colonel Tirim (he still insists upon being called Major) gaveld the assembly to order.

High Chaplin Mersa gave the benediction.

Role was called: 4,709 present, 3 detained by illness, 6 dead since last assembly. 81 officers, 404 NCOs, 4,207 inclusive of Guardsmen, Clerks, Medicae personnel, and Chaplins. 17 surviving Skitarii in varying states of disrepair. Additionally, 1,247 Whiteshields in attendance, including non-Heb spouses.

Colonel Tirim: Order, order, settle down boys and girls. Time to visit later, but this is important. I called you all here because I've received a message from the Holy Commanders and the Fabricator-General of Erendan.

A tense silence, quite murmurs.

Colonel Tirim: ''The Fabricator-General has launched an Explorator expedition. This expedition, will travel to Narbo before heading into the unknown.'' Now first of all, Magos Explorator Jahalin will be collecting our Skitarii.

Angry murmurings.

Colonel Tirim: As is her right . It is also, I believe, what our friends want.

Skitarius Θ-7 steps forward and signs the Cog.

The other 16 Skitarii follow suit.

Λ-3 requires help to stand from Corporal Zees.

Ε-6 is unable to form the symbol one handed.

Gradually, the members of the Regiment sign the Cog back at the Skitarii.

(ink is obscured by tears)

...onel Tirim: ''Thank you. Now that isn't the only reason the Explorator is coming here. The expedition is being accompanied by a Heb Explorator Regiment. I see some confusion, that's understandable. The last Erendani Explorator fleet was dispatched 40 years before we set out from Heb. Basically, the Holy Commanders are sending a full PDF Regiment along with them. They aren't Guard. They're not entitled to Munitorum support. Erendan will give them weapons and armor, good as any we got. Poor lads and lasses will have to make do without a Commissar.''

Muted laughter.

Colonel Tirim: But of course, the biggest problem is, no Zealots.

Hushed silence.

Colonel Tirim: ''I can see that some of you have figured out where this is going. I've been offered command of the Explorator Regiment. They're looking for 1,500 Zealots to join as Sergeants. You know what these boys and girls will be like, all pride and spirit, and completely unready. They need us.''

Medicae Lieutenant Shaes raises to speak.

Medicae Lieutenant Shaes: ''With all due respect, Major, what good are you going to do them? You're an old man with a busted knee and arthritis, you're not marching anywhere anymore.''

Colonel Tirim: ''That's a fair point, and I'm sure you already know the answer. But for the rest of you, the Erendani are offering major augmentation to anyone who signs on. They want us combat effective, and they have the means to make sure we are.''

Corporal Zees, still standing at Λ-3's side, supporting her, addresses the Major.

Corporal Zees: ''It's no secret, Lamby here would still have her leg if she'd left me in that hole. If she's going, so'm I. Count me in Major!''

Other voices rise in assent.

Colonel Tirim: ''I'm glad to hear it. But there's more.'' ''Look, I know some of you are going to want to stay here, that's fine. Some of you have Whiteshields, children, and this will be no place for them. Craw, some of you may even like it here.''

Hearty laughter.

Colonel Tirim: ''But for those of you thinking of coming with us, know this. We're probably going to die out there. But if we don't, these ships will eventually return to Erendan.''

Absolute silence.

Colonel Tirim: ''When they do, they'll drop the survivors of the Explorator Regiment off on Heb. If you're going to do this, do it for loyalty, do it for the man, woman, or Skitarius next to you. Do it for adventure, for one last hurrah, one last chance to die for something that matters. Or, if you want to gamble it all, do it because you might just get to go home again.''

Bill of Purchase
As recorded by the Administratum, day 342 of 481.M40

The Parties:

Vidame-Lord Sulton Harris, by the God Emperor's grace, Imperial Governor of Narbo, hereafter referred to as Narbo.

Magos Explorator Jahalin, Mistress and Commander of the 9th Erendani Explorator Fleet, hereafter referred to as Erendan.

The acquired: 1,183 specified persons, these being of extraction from the planet Heb. These persons, having performed service in the Astra Militarum, and having been deemed fit to be granted retirement from said service, were given over into the keeping of Narbo by the Departmento Munitorum on day 113 of 476.M40. ''Addendum in addition to these persons, 17 of the beings known as Skitarii were also to be taken by Erendan. Narbo makes no claim to ownership of these beings, nor seeks any compensation for their taking.''

The payment: Two semi-autonomous harvester units plus seven standard transhipment containers worth of assorted agricultural equipment (see attached inventory).

The agreement: Narbo agrees to provide the acquired to Erendan in exchange for the payment, as specified. Neither party agrees to any additional commitment or ongoing relationship based upon this transaction. This transaction is successful signed and sealed, this day, by representatives of both parties. May the God Emperor bless this exchange.

Uplift Log
Subject: Heb Ex-9 00001 Initial Condition: ''Subject was 63 Terran years old and unaugmented at the start. The subject suffered from arthritis in all major joint groupings, reduced lung capacity (apparently due to poison gas) and had three fragments (artillery shrapnel) embedded in the muscle of his right leg. Neurology is within standard parameters for an unagumented of his age, however this includes a 14% slowdown in reflexes. Pulmonary stress test estimates a 7.3 year life expectancy, based upon initially installed components.''
 * Magos Biologis Hamida overseeing
 * Medicae Captain Shaes assisting

Repairs and Augmentation: ''Subject's heart was replaced, after some debate, a cloned duplicate, artificiality aged to 19 Terran years was used. Synthetic components and nanoweave were used to reinforce the remainder of the cardiovascular system, restoring it to above optimal condition. Ferrotration was performed upon major components of the subject's skeleton, strengthening the structures, while maintaining their biological nature. Nanoplastics were used to replace cartilage in all joints, thus correcting the arthritis and allowing the joints to bear 143% more force than the standard unaugmented components at optimum. Subject's lungs have undergone complete revivation; polymuciline structures have been installed in the subject's trachea to filter toxins. Shapenel was removed from right leg. Major muscle groups have been replaced with synthetic polymite actuators, whereas minor muscle groups have been treated and restored to proper functionality. Care has been taken, as requested, to maintain the biological nature and cognitive individuality of the subject's neurology, however synapse enhancers have been installed at key nodes to compensate for the effects of ageing, and a kinetic nullifier has been emplaced on the interior of the skull to prevent concussions. Finally, with the subject's permission, the subject's right eye has been replaced with a type ΣJ optical scanner, and a microcommunications suite has been installed in the subject's left cheek.''

Results: ''Magos Biologis Hamida is most satisfied with the results of the procedure, and has handed the subject over to Medicae Captain Shaes for recovery. While this cannot be counted as a true uplift, the Magos Explorator was quite clear in her instruction that the "essential Hebness" of the subject must be maintained. The subject should be ready to resume service within 96 hours. Additional units of the first phase are progressing smoothly, and all upgrades should be completed within the timeframe established.''

Campaign 12, deployment +34 days, 122 minutes, Status: Awaiting Orders
Transmission received, transmission confirmed.

New priority: Orders received, execute without fail.

Diagnostics: ...complete. All systems nominal. Blessed is the Machine God.

Disassociating from maniple network. Egressing life storage.

Location: Erendani transport Chaménos, secondary hull, deck 23, corridor 15, mark 218.

Navigating.

Details Omitted

Location: medical bay 13, berth 42.

Two targets acquired, one target deemed friendly, one target deemed non-hostile.

Target one, command authority, Heb Ex-9, designation Tirim, status friend, target is dressing. Target two, attached medical auxiliary, Heb Ex-9, designation Medicae Captain Shaes, status, uncertain, target appears to be observing Tirim.

Tirim acquires this unit as target. Approaches. EMERGENCY OVERRIDE, deactivate tactical response measures, target is non-hostile. Target forcefully grasps this unit with its arms, force applied is 162% previous measured maximum, however no damage to this unit is detected.

Tirim addresses this unit, speaks, “Θ-7, you old can of gears! How are you, were they able to fix you?”

This unit addresses Tirim, speaks, “This unit is now fully combat effective, repairs to its voxcoder were completed 11 standard days ago.”

Tirim has yet to disengage from this unit. This unit notes an increase in moisture from Tirim’s remaining organic eye.

This unit addresses Tirim, speaks, “This unit congratulates you on moving closer to perfection, Colonel Tirim. Are your augmentations functioning as expected?”

Tirim disengages from this unit and steps back. Tirim grabs a protruding support strut 2.5 meters above the deck and pulls himself upward, twice, before lowering himself back down.

Tirim addresses this unit, speaks, “I’d say they’re functioning alright. Haven’t felt this good since before Valoport."

Medicae Captain Shaes address Tirim, speaks, "If you'd been more careful at Valoport, you would have felt better in the meantime."

This unit addresses Medicae Captain Shaes, speaks, "And you, Medicae Captain Shaes, have you approached perfection?"

Medicae Captain Shaes looks past this unit and moves to the other side of the berth, speaks, "I need to be able to stay on my feet for surgery, keep up with a unit under fire. I've had a few modest enhancements, nothing more."

Medicae Captain Shaes retrieves a diagnostic device and an outer garment from a chair.

Tirim observes, smiles, attempting to calculate meaning…

Calculations interrupted: duty to the Omnissiah overrides all.

This unit address Tirim, speaks, "Colonel Tirim, this unit has been dispatched to bring you to highest command authority, Explorator Fleet 9."

Tirim speaks, "Yes, of course, doctor, I hope we will be able to finish our conversation at a later time."

Medicae Captain Shaes address Tirim, speaks, "Do your duty, Guardsman, I have plenty of other patients waiting for rehabilitation."

Medicae Captain Shaes withdraws the privacy curtains and exits the berth into the medical bay.

This unit begins to lead Tirim to docking bay, intrafleet shuttle scheduled in 804 seconds.

Details Omitted

Cycle 3, Sequence 5, Reference Omicron-837
I witness the universe in its glory.

I breath the stuff of galaxies and bask in the ray's of dead suns.

I feel the burning of a Pulsar 75 light-years away in millisecond bursts.

My three children, Sostós Práxis, Sostós Sképsis, and Sostós Dógmatos, Light Cruisers all, rise above my plane, playing gentle shepherds to the lesser escorts and transports of my fleet.

I am Aióniou Lógos, I feel my mighty engines, my nigh omniscient instruments, my world ending armaments, and then…

Then the moment passes and I am myself again. I feel the great Machine Spirit of the Grand Cruiser gently caress my mind, as he has those of his previous Mistresses, but his sensors are not mine, I merely interpret them.

I see the small intrafleet shuttle docking with the Aióniou Lógos. The Colonel will be here within 5 minutes.

This will take… effort, and caution.

This is no Magos Dominus, he is not my peer within the Martian Brotherhood. However, he is also no mere Skitarius to be ordered about.

I will need to develop a relationship with this man, this Heb. My 8 predecessors have shown how fruitful such a partnership can prove.

Aióniou Lógos knows the Heb, he was also the flagship of the 6th Erendani Explorator Fleet. He has carried Heb aboard him. He has fought at their side. He has also tasted their blood upon his decks, when they had swept him clean of filthy Xenos during a boarding assault.

For his sake, I must not fail.

The Heb approchs my sanctum.

He is accompanied by one of my Skitarii, they are in conversation, I check my records… interesting.

This was one of the components of the force Erendan sent to accompany the Colonel's previous Regiment. Afterwards, while awaiting retrieval, it lived in his home, perhaps I will not have to work so hard after all.

The Colonel enters my sanctuary alone.

He is tall and unstooped, that much is his own, but he stands now with the blessed strength of the Machine flowing through his newly augmented form. His uniform is new, but he wears it with the familiarity of an old friend. He is no mere man, he is an Officer of the Imperial Guard, a Zealot of Heb, and a Veteran of eleven worlds worth of war.

I greet him warmly, infusing my voice with soothing subharmonics.

He replies formally, but not unpleasantly. He has accepted me as his superior officer: this will do for a start, but I wish to move beyond it.

The Colonel will not be put at ease by an offer to sit, so I lead him into the solarium. At a thought from me, Aióniou Lógos opens his great eye: complex interlocking slabs of armaplas iris open, revealing a sheet of transparent monomolecular diamond. The view revealed was of the Lógos's ventral hull, ribbed vaults of armor plating stretch away below us and baroque spires project into the void.

The Colonel takes in but a small fraction of the view Aióniou Lógos shared with me, but he seems suitability impressed. I can tell he is not making full use of his augmented eye, but I leave that be.

I begin to explain my views on our purpose. I share with him some of the outermost secrets of the quest for knowledge, I want him to feel the trust I have in him.

He is frank with me about his men, good. He speaks of the untempered mixture of the hardened Zealots and the soft recruits from Heb. He warns me that the first stroke of the hammer will be costly, but that the steel that emerges will be a weapon that will serve me well.

I ask him about the Skitarius.

He is put momentarily off balance. He begins to talk about his previous wars, citing Skitarii who performed great acts. He asks, politely, if those Skitarii who served alongside his veterans might be allowed to continue to do so.

He begins to explain the concept of morale to me, and a part of me is moved to laugh. That we, who tend to the Machine Spirits, would not know that a happy spirit fights harder?

I tell him of the Thunderer's Voice, a stubborn old beast of a Leman Russ I tended to when I was attached to the 11th Milltinite Armored Regiment. That tank would not behave for anyone until the Major let me hand pick men from 3 other crews. Finally, with men it liked it surged into battle and tore a heavy harvest from its foes.

The Colonel shall have his Skitarii. I have something more important, I have him.

Survey Report of System Erendan 9-001
Coordinates: UX3129Y4473Z0129 Stellar Type: K7 singular, Mass 0.83, Luminosity V System Components:
 * 3 outer system gas giants (temporary designations 9-001 Tertius through Quintus)
 * 9-001 Quartus approaches Jovian scale, possess 2 major moons, uninhabitable, potential mineral resources, value estimate: medium
 * 9-001 Tertius posses accessible quantities of H3, value estimate: moderate
 * 1 mid system asteroid belt
 * potential mineral resources, value estimate: low
 * two inner system rocky worlds (temporary designations 9-001 Primus and Secundus)
 * 9-001 Primus, too close to system’s primary, tidally locked, uninhabitable, potential energy resources, value estimate: moderate
 * 9-001 Secundus, habitable, oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, possesses biosphere, 60% ocean coverage, 4 major continents, photosynthetic flora, endothermal fauna, alert…

Xeno Infestation Detected Species: Orkoid Technology Level: Primitive Scale: Approximately 80,000 Location: Infestation is limited to the lower half of Continent III, 9-001 Secundus Termination: Prolonged Orbital Bombardment

''At the request of Command Authority, Heb Ex-9, termination via orbital bombardment canceled. Heb Ex-9 Regiment preparing for planet strike. Campaign, 9-001 Secundus Xenocide will commence in -14 hours. May the Omnissiah who walked among men as the God Emperor light their path.''

9-001 Secundus Xenocide: Day -1
Asked Magos Jahalin not to blast the Xenos from orbit.

The 9th needs to get in, we need a fight to teach the rookies which end of the gun the las comes out of. I need to learn what my officers are capable of. PDF liffers. None of them’s ever sent a man to have his innards ripped out and then decided that he needed to do it again.

Normally wouldn’t want to blood fresh troops against the greenskins, but these are feral orks. They’re brutal, they’re cunning, and they’re dangerous as all Craw. But they won’t have heavy artillery or aircraft.

Morale is good, the Zealots are in place as Sergeants, God Emperor help me, here we go again.

9-001 Secundus Xenocide: Day +2
Base is set up.

Gamma Battalion has already had skirmishes on the eastern perimeter. Orks are predictable in one way, always eager for a fight.

It’s good to have Θ-7 with us. The Magos reorganized our 17 Skitarii into a new Maniple, brought them back up to strength, and made him Primus. They’re with us, but I’m keeping the Mechanicus forces back to guard the base. The boys and girls will learn to love our Erendani friends, but this battle is theirs.

9-001 Secundus Xenocide: Day +5
On the move into Xeno territory.

Constant skirmishing, but they’re not serious yet.

Somewhere out there, something’s pulling them away from us. A Warboss has risen and he’s trying to assemble his boyz for a proper fight. I intend to oblige him.

9-001 Secundus Xenocide: Day +7
Zeta Battalion drew first blood.

They ran into a group of about 2000, looks like it may have been an organized tribe. They fought together with some semblance of coordination.

Major Rilles listened to his Sergeant Major, formed his boys and girls up, and held the line till the Orks were dead. Lost a few of his boys and girls, but he seems to be dealing with it right.

9-001 Secundus Xenocide: Day +12
Orbital surveillance proved me right.

Orks are gathering in a valley about 250km south, south east. Estimates have them at 30,000, but that will probably double as they move towards us.

Scouts are out, looking for a good place to die.

9-001 Secundus Xenocide: Day +15
This is it.

It’s a good position, control of the high ground, open fields of fire, and a deep river to our rear.

I’m having the Mechanicus bring up some heavy support; artillery servitors and onager walkers outfitted for crowd control.

The boys and girls have been digging in. We have interlocking fields of mortar fire, stubbers and bolters in dugouts, I’ve held back the las cannons and missile launchers, but the flamers are out and ready to burn.

Three light companies are out in the field as scouts, but they won’t have to work to lure the Xenos in. I’m giving them a fight, and that’s all they want.

9-001 Secundus Xenocide: Day +20
They’re here.

9-001 Secundus Xenocide: Day +23
It was touch and go there, for a while, in sectors 5, 6, and 8, but we held.

I had to commit the Sacred Band to sector 8 on the third day. That was when the Warboss finally arrived.

He was riding some kind of local hexaped. The thing was bigger than a Chimera APC and its hide was thick. Sacharon had to introduce it to a meltagun from close range to bring it down.

That still left us with one of the largest Orks I've ever seen.

The Band brought him down with hotshot fire, but it took Master Farnen getting personal with his chaingauntlet to finish the beast.

Sebay is a good man, and it was the right choice to make him Master of the Choirs Martial. If I'd put Sacharon in, it would have smacked of favoritism.

Anyway, with the Warboss dead the hoard broke. I have the Battalions maneuvering independently to finish off the survivors. We took 10,000 casualties, almost 4,000 fatal, mostly in Beta Battalion. Think I’ll reorganize with Beta as the light Battalion. No reason it has to always be Zeta that gets picked clean first, especially given how well Rilles has performed. Still, Beta will be down to about half strength once we’ve filled all the holes. Gebery didn’t make it. Craw.

The butcher's bill was always going to be high after our first battle, but things will be different next time, and every time thereafter. The boys and girls are now men and women. They have seen war, Blessed is the God Emperor, from now until the Last Day.

Campaign 3211, deployment +142 days, 742 minutes
Ground Forces Retrieved

All Small Craft Recovered

Fleetwide Tactical Network Enabled

Targets Inputted

Power Levels at Maximum

Blessed Omnissiah, Hear My Prayer

I am Aióniou Lógos

For 8,000 Years I Have Borne Your Sword

In Your Name, Let The Xenos Burn

Opening Fire