The planet of Traja lies in the Reductus Sector under Imperial control. It is home to a relatively small specialist Imperial Guard regiment, the Drake Airborne. Recent unexplained warp anomalies in the sector picked up by the adeptus astronomica have sparked curiosity from the Imperial Inquisition. An investigatory mission drew blank when contact was lost and they failed to return. With ever increasing warp activity in the area the decision was made to call upon the resources and expertise of the Crimson Fists Space Marines.
A scouting force was deployed purely to observe and report any significant findings back to the high command. Reports of the society came back all but clear, their military forces seemed healthy but there seemed to be no cause for concern. However the space marine’s personal reports all suggested that there was an unwelcoming presence on Traja. Many of the brothers reported instances of incomprehensible ‘voices in the wind’ that could not be of human origin.
The Adeptus Arbites knew all too well that this had a faint aroma of chaos about it. They had seen huge uprisings in history seeded from less. The decision was taken to take a rather heavy handed approach and request a Space Marine strike force to be sent to take and secure control of the planet.
The mission, coordinated by Commander Vortae, was to take control of the capital city, Salus Atten, which should essentially ensure control of the planet ready to hand over to Inquisatorial control. The initial landing was scheduled to insert a spearhead force into the area around the city of
The landing was successful, met only by insignificant quantities of local ‘gang’ militia. Portalus quickly secured and scout patrols deployed on an observation role to obtain more accurate estimates of resistance to come on entry to Salus Atten. The communications from the scouting party to base were distorted and the findings unexpected. The city had a significant military presence which had obviously now initialled preparations to defend the city from the recent threat. The quantities however of mobile artillery and sheer man power could be large enough to potentially launch a counter attack. Commander Vortae and his Space Marines would have to act quickly before the enemy could consolidate its full force, as a delay could carry the risk of being forced to defend against a counter attack, and therefore could compromise the mission.
Conditions were not ideal; Vortae had just received information that one of his supply drops had experienced difficulties and had failed, as yet, to be recovered. The supply canisters had been dropped annoyingly close to Salus Attem. Scouts were immediately sent out to locate the drop position, but being so close to enemy soil they anticipated a degree of resistance. They could not afford for these supplies to fall into the hands of the enemy. Master Cyrus was assigned command of a recovery task force to ensure safe retrieval of the supplies.
Master Cyrus headed up the recovery team alongside Sergeant Curtis and his tactical squad. They were closely followed by Sergeant Ransol’s Tactical Marines and a dreadnought, Brother Barsov, veteran of many a war, clad in a highly armoured sarcophagus and armed to the teeth with assault cannon, heavy flamer to barbeque the traitor and blessed with a dreadnought close combat weapon to crush the heathen. The force was supported by two lascannon armed Razorbacks for mobility and fire support. As they closed in fast on the confirmed supply drop site Cyrus received a report from the scouting party that more drop containers had been located and that they would secure the site 2 coordinates while the recovery force dealt with site 1. The scouts also reported unconfirmed sightings of local militia heading towards the recovery force, most likely local gang members.
On arrival at the drop site 1 coordinates the Space Marines split down into 4, five man teams and began to secure the area. Sergeant Curtis’ squad began to secure the first canister.
“Incoming!” the razorback tank commander yelled through his communicator. A cascade of heavy weapons fire began ricocheting off the abandoned communications shack which stood about 5 metres away. The squad turned its attention to returning fire. From the sergeants position he could see at least fifty guardsmen in the distance in urban camouflage supported by what he recognised as an Executioner class Leman Russ Battle Tank. These were not gang members. These were organised traitor guardsmen facing themselves off against the Emperors finest warriors. Brother Sercosa raised his missile launcher to his shoulder and took aim at the leman russ and launched a krak missile, hitting the tank but failing to even slow the behemoth trundling into firing range.
The Leman Russ began to unleash its autocannon shots in a successful attempt to slow the razorbacks advance. As Sergeant Ransols razorback came into view the Space Marines continued to advance to secure the objectives. Master Cyrus refused to allow these traitors of the Imperium to get their hands on the canisters.
Brother Barsovs sensors scanned the area trying to locate the currently unclaimed canister. It appeared that the enemy militia were positioned directly on top of its location. Did they even know it was there? The two razorback lascannons provided consistent covering fire to subdue the enemy battle tank while, assault cannon blazing, armour clad Brother Barsov took it upon himself to repossess what was rightfully his. The marines looked on in sheer admiration as this veteran tore limb from torso as if they were made of nothing more than bread, burning the heretics in the promethium inferno they deserved while not even acknowledging the numerous projectiles ricocheting off his sarcophagus.
On the left flank Master Cyrus and Sergeant Curtis were being ambushed by the Guard’s elite. A unit of battle scarred veterans immerged to be met by the well rehearsed return of bolter fire, burning promethium and even Master Cyrus’ adapted plasma cutter. As the failed ambush broke, Master Cyrus turned to the sergeant. “I’ll take care of this”. Sergeant Curtis could only smile as he turned his attention back to preparing the supply container for transportation. The Master of the Forge, power axe in hand, began to pursue the falling back unit solo, flaming and cutting them down as they attempted to retreat.
The traitor guard still however seemed to think they still had some fight left in them. They refused to stand down despite their sorry position and launched a counter attack down the right flank towards Sergeant Ransols combat squad. Ransol readied his fist for the inevitable onslaught. All the recovery forces fire power was immediately redirected to address this right flank assault. The traitors took yet more horrendous casualties so the guardsmen thought better of the situation, finally accepted defeat and began a hasty retreat.
The mission had been a great success. Master Cyrus and his recovery force had succeeded in recovering all of the missing supply containers without conceding a single injury, but what would you expect from the Emperors finest?
This was a good day for heroes.
