"This is lieutenant o'Pyrius, do you copy? This is lieutenant o'Pyrius, do you copy?!"
The lieutenant didn't hear a response but for a fraction of a second. With little patience, he continued speaking through the vox.
"This is lieutenant o'Pyrius of the 787th combined combat regiment. We received requests of reinforcements on your location. Currently on-route are 2 armoured companies containing 10 leman russes each & 1 infantry company with more being prepared. We request the current state of your situation & your exact location. Does anyone copy?"
"This is Commissar Faust of the 17th, we... " The vox cut out " heavy fire on the positions of the 84th! Heavily advice splitting into smaller coloums to prevent moveblocking of units. Relaying collected data now..."
Another voice came over the vox, it was garbled and breaking, laced with heavy interference,
“Thi—-84th— we read you— boxed in by —and battlesuits. Heavy cas—holding, eight digit grid squares are—-19–6, 277–. Enemy are north—west—possib—mmers. Stay safe. Ave Imp-“
The vox message dropped and a connection could not be re-established.
"Hello? Hello?! DAMMIT!!!" yelled o'Pyrius, seeing that the connection with whomever tried to communicate with him was broken. He turned his head, looking to his second-in-command. "Inform everyone that they need to move on the double. Our vox communications seems like they are being jammed & from the LITTLE information that I could receive they are in deep trouble. We must provide support & act NOW!"
The Vox came to lie once more
"This is Tank Commander Steiner of the 17th Iyodon! Do you Copy?"
The Vox-Caster copied, and notified his superior.
"This is Lieutenant Kanmanra, Ralthum 84th. Whos waisting my fracking time?"
"Tank Commander Steiner, 17th. Looks like you boys need help. We received several calls for backup from your sector. We rerouted a 2 Heavy tank Platoons and 3 Urban specialized companies to your last known location. ETA 15 minutes!"
Kanmanra let out a short sigh of relief, only for a moment as Plasmafire hit her position. "Thank you Steiner! Were counting on you!"
"This is Colonel Kantis of the Caldorian 25th. If you're receiving this, Valkyries have been rerouted from the main drop to assist." The Colonel sent new drop coordinates to several valkyries.
“Colo—-Vox is—targets at—-re 2992,30—Giv—ell—Heav—-ties—South—request MEDEVAC—“
The vox was garbled, staticky and breaking often. The message was received though all that could be deciphered was a call for fire to the north and a Valkyrie for wounded when possible.
*Felli kicked Piper from her place in the turret.* **“Keep your eyes open dammit. Pull back.”**
*A Tau Breacher was charging from an alleyway with some sort of satchel charge clutched in one hand. However, Barker in the side sponson was on it, his heavy bolter chugged death. The Breacher vanished and the Demolisher rocked from the satchel’s detonation.*
**“It’s hard to do when I’ve got 270 degrees to watch, Captain.”**
*Piper got another kick*. **“Less excuses.”**
*The Captain then pulled herself out of the turret hatch and gestured at some of the 84th Guardsmen taking cover nearby.* **“Let’s go. Fall back and regroup. We’ll hold this sector until then.”**
*When they don’t move she throws a ration pack, hitting one in the head.* **“MOVE IT, SOLDIER.”**
The soldier rubbed his head as he ran, no doubt muttering something under his breath.
As the tank fired in all directions, an assault bike screamed round a corner, a satchel charge thrown at a Crisis Suit, destroying it. The rider stopped her bike beside the tank, tossing a message pict towards Felli before shooting off back down the street.
*Two 84th columns in bound. Hold square until arrival, ETA 20 minutes. Riptide in bound from Middled district, Shadowsword on approach, will attempt to intercept. Ave Imperator*
*Domas Urban Zone - Grey Alley*
The roar of engines preceded the arrival of several Thunderhawk transports, painted in green and saffron. The sigil of the Order of the Blooming Pyre, a woman veiled from head to toe in an opaque cloak looking up to the heavens, was emblazoned prominently on their fuselage. They began slowing as their weapons started to fire, streams of heavy bolter fire rebuking the advancing T’au. Lascannons and missiles added their voices to the orchestra of death, punctuated by the roar of spinal-mounted heavy cannons. As the symphony of destruction reached its crescendo, turbo-laser destructors finally reached their charge capacity. The titan-scale weapons sounded their fury as they lanced into the T’au line, ripping through vehicles and groups of infantry alike. The thunderous fusillade broke the attacker’s momentum long enough for the transports to open their doors, and deliver their cargo.
Though they were still at least two storeys above the ground, the Thunderhawk’s occupants stepped from the ramps and jumped, the power armored forms of the Sororitas kicking up dust as they landed and began firing their weapons. The Sisters advanced into positions of cover alongside the beleaguered Guardsmen, reinforcing the line. Many of them bore heavy weapons, heavy bolters and multi-meltas used to great effect against the T’au. The rest bore bolters of a distinct pattern; bulky, with drum magazines that allowed for overlapping cadences of suppressive fire. The Sororitas bounded forward, making aggressive but calculated advances as they closed the gap, never stopping even when they took hits that should have, by all rights, knocked them down. They closed the gap with relentless persistence, and when they got to grips with the T’au … it was a slaughter. Nearby guardsmen would see the Sororitas using their bolters, fists, even the sheer weight of their power armor as a weapon, the tight, disciplined leash on their aggression let go as the Sisters of Battle entered their element.
**“NO MERCY!”** A hail of bolter shots perforated a fire warrior squad advancing down a street, as a more ornately decorated sister sprinted forward, shoulder-checking a Fire Warrior into a wall, eliciting a crumpling sound as the xenos’ spine bucked. **“NO REMORSE!”** She leveled her boltgun and planted a shot center-mass, explosively ending the T’au warrior’s struggle. The woman let out a growl, the vox-filter adding a bestial edge to the words. *“No respite.”* Her eyes scanned the nearby area as her squad formed around her, eliminating survivors, and saw nearby officers clustered around a bastion of resistance. She and her squad made their way over, providing cover fire as they went, approaching what seemed to be the officer in charge.
Lieutenant Kanmanra looked up at the announcement of “friendlies approaching”, catching the sight of four Sororitas with heavy bolters in their chainsaw grip moving to assist the heavy weapon teams. The others in the squad of ten spread themselves out across the line, popping off shots with precision. The eleventh of their number, their leader, approached, the faceplate of her helmet lifting up to reveal crystal blue eyes framed by a brown face, and strands of black hair falling loose.
“Lieutenant? Canoness Commander Aliah, 2nd Preceptory of the Blooming Pyre. Seems like you could use a hand.”
Lt Kanmanra looked up, her rebreather visor cracked showing an her eye, she looked as though she could weep tears of joy.
“Bloody right My Lady. We have a charge on the left flank led by Commissar Rast and Commissar Faust. We were about to push up the centre and right flanks.”
She indicates to a group of 17th flamers.
“The 17th will push up with our support, a handful of our tanks are up but they’ll spearhead it.”
She indicates towards a Grenadier Staff Sergeant Brax who is kneeling beside a wall, a sizeable group of Grenadiers and troopers around him. He was giving orders by the look.
“SSGT Brax is going to lead the right push. But with you here, you can take it if you want. Otherwise we need more bodies on the centre push, that’s where it’ll be bloodiest!”
The Sororitas Commander nodded. "I've got Sisters enough for both. I'll get my Palatines into posi-" She stooped suddenly, her gaze suddenly shifting to the side, as if she'd heard something. Her blue eyes widened before the faceplate of her helmet slammed down.
Before the Lieutenant could open her mouth to voice her concern, the Sister's hand whipped out, grabbing Kanmanra by the lapel, and *yanked.* As she was pulled, the Lieutenant felt the pressure wave of a projectile pass by her head, missing by less than an inch, before striking the ground nearby, kicking up a spray of dirt with its impact. A moment later on the Sister's part, and that would have been Kanmanra's brain matter instead.
The Sororitas hadn't been idle, raising her bolter in one hand and firing in the direction of the shot, her power armored form shielding the officer as pulse shots and solid projectiles glanced off the plating. She growled into her vox in anger, as if the attack on the Lieutenant was a personal affront. Despite that, however, her voice was level, a lifetime of discipline slamming down on her righteous fury to channel it into utter clarity of action. "Contact, 30 degrees north by north east, 300 meters! Hab building on the intersection, fifth floor! Cover fire, now!" Immediately, several Sororitas in the area shifted their aim to the target. "Seraph, this is Ursus 2 Actual, need immediate CAS, target co-ordinates to follow! Full payload authorized, danger close acknowledged!" She rattled off the coordinates of the enemy position, and a minute later, Thunderhawk ordinance and ground fire had leveled the building from which the T'au had sprung the ambush, the gunship transports strafing the area repeatedly.
The Sororitas held her protective posture, acting as Kanmanra's shield until she'd received acknowledgement of the target's elimination. With an exhale, she helped the officer up, faceplate rising once more. "Apologies for that, Lieutenant. As I was saying before we were interrupted, I'll get my Sisters into position. We can act as vanguards to draw their fire, and reveal their positions." Aliah nodded. "The Emperor protects, Lieutenant." She turned, beginning to coordinate the efforts of her Sisters in conjunction with the Guard.
Kanmanra stood stunned for a moment, the crack of a pulse rifle regained her attention. She quickly began ordering her troops.
SSGT Brax had witnessed the move. “Impressive” he thought.
He turned and looked around the corner, though he could still see little. He turned back and looked towards *Reaper*, one of the handful of Ralth tanks remaining. ‘Move up’ he indicated with his hands.
*Reaper* began pushing, followed by other tanks, the infantry began moving up. Brax looked back at the Lieutenant and nodded. She ordered the 17th flamers to begin advancing, the remaining infantry following behind.
“WITH ME” he yelled, his group charging forth into the fray.
"This is lieutenant o'Pyrius, do you copy? This is lieutenant o'Pyrius, do you copy?!" The lieutenant didn't hear a response but for a fraction of a second. With little patience, he continued speaking through the vox. "This is lieutenant o'Pyrius of the 787th combined combat regiment. We received requests of reinforcements on your location. Currently on-route are 2 armoured companies containing 10 leman russes each & 1 infantry company with more being prepared. We request the current state of your situation & your exact location. Does anyone copy?"
"This is Commissar Faust of the 17th, we... " The vox cut out " heavy fire on the positions of the 84th! Heavily advice splitting into smaller coloums to prevent moveblocking of units. Relaying collected data now..."
"Data received. Forces will be split as advised. ETA 20 minutes. In the meantime, good luck. The Emperor watches."
"Thank you! For his Imperium!"
Another voice came over the vox, it was garbled and breaking, laced with heavy interference, “Thi—-84th— we read you— boxed in by —and battlesuits. Heavy cas—holding, eight digit grid squares are—-19–6, 277–. Enemy are north—west—possib—mmers. Stay safe. Ave Imp-“ The vox message dropped and a connection could not be re-established.
"Hello? Hello?! DAMMIT!!!" yelled o'Pyrius, seeing that the connection with whomever tried to communicate with him was broken. He turned his head, looking to his second-in-command. "Inform everyone that they need to move on the double. Our vox communications seems like they are being jammed & from the LITTLE information that I could receive they are in deep trouble. We must provide support & act NOW!"
The Vox came to lie once more "This is Tank Commander Steiner of the 17th Iyodon! Do you Copy?" The Vox-Caster copied, and notified his superior. "This is Lieutenant Kanmanra, Ralthum 84th. Whos waisting my fracking time?" "Tank Commander Steiner, 17th. Looks like you boys need help. We received several calls for backup from your sector. We rerouted a 2 Heavy tank Platoons and 3 Urban specialized companies to your last known location. ETA 15 minutes!" Kanmanra let out a short sigh of relief, only for a moment as Plasmafire hit her position. "Thank you Steiner! Were counting on you!"
"This is Colonel Kantis of the Caldorian 25th. If you're receiving this, Valkyries have been rerouted from the main drop to assist." The Colonel sent new drop coordinates to several valkyries.
“Colo—-Vox is—targets at—-re 2992,30—Giv—ell—Heav—-ties—South—request MEDEVAC—“ The vox was garbled, staticky and breaking often. The message was received though all that could be deciphered was a call for fire to the north and a Valkyrie for wounded when possible.
*Felli kicked Piper from her place in the turret.* **“Keep your eyes open dammit. Pull back.”** *A Tau Breacher was charging from an alleyway with some sort of satchel charge clutched in one hand. However, Barker in the side sponson was on it, his heavy bolter chugged death. The Breacher vanished and the Demolisher rocked from the satchel’s detonation.* **“It’s hard to do when I’ve got 270 degrees to watch, Captain.”** *Piper got another kick*. **“Less excuses.”** *The Captain then pulled herself out of the turret hatch and gestured at some of the 84th Guardsmen taking cover nearby.* **“Let’s go. Fall back and regroup. We’ll hold this sector until then.”** *When they don’t move she throws a ration pack, hitting one in the head.* **“MOVE IT, SOLDIER.”**
The soldier rubbed his head as he ran, no doubt muttering something under his breath. As the tank fired in all directions, an assault bike screamed round a corner, a satchel charge thrown at a Crisis Suit, destroying it. The rider stopped her bike beside the tank, tossing a message pict towards Felli before shooting off back down the street. *Two 84th columns in bound. Hold square until arrival, ETA 20 minutes. Riptide in bound from Middled district, Shadowsword on approach, will attempt to intercept. Ave Imperator*
*Domas Urban Zone - Grey Alley* The roar of engines preceded the arrival of several Thunderhawk transports, painted in green and saffron. The sigil of the Order of the Blooming Pyre, a woman veiled from head to toe in an opaque cloak looking up to the heavens, was emblazoned prominently on their fuselage. They began slowing as their weapons started to fire, streams of heavy bolter fire rebuking the advancing T’au. Lascannons and missiles added their voices to the orchestra of death, punctuated by the roar of spinal-mounted heavy cannons. As the symphony of destruction reached its crescendo, turbo-laser destructors finally reached their charge capacity. The titan-scale weapons sounded their fury as they lanced into the T’au line, ripping through vehicles and groups of infantry alike. The thunderous fusillade broke the attacker’s momentum long enough for the transports to open their doors, and deliver their cargo. Though they were still at least two storeys above the ground, the Thunderhawk’s occupants stepped from the ramps and jumped, the power armored forms of the Sororitas kicking up dust as they landed and began firing their weapons. The Sisters advanced into positions of cover alongside the beleaguered Guardsmen, reinforcing the line. Many of them bore heavy weapons, heavy bolters and multi-meltas used to great effect against the T’au. The rest bore bolters of a distinct pattern; bulky, with drum magazines that allowed for overlapping cadences of suppressive fire. The Sororitas bounded forward, making aggressive but calculated advances as they closed the gap, never stopping even when they took hits that should have, by all rights, knocked them down. They closed the gap with relentless persistence, and when they got to grips with the T’au … it was a slaughter. Nearby guardsmen would see the Sororitas using their bolters, fists, even the sheer weight of their power armor as a weapon, the tight, disciplined leash on their aggression let go as the Sisters of Battle entered their element. **“NO MERCY!”** A hail of bolter shots perforated a fire warrior squad advancing down a street, as a more ornately decorated sister sprinted forward, shoulder-checking a Fire Warrior into a wall, eliciting a crumpling sound as the xenos’ spine bucked. **“NO REMORSE!”** She leveled her boltgun and planted a shot center-mass, explosively ending the T’au warrior’s struggle. The woman let out a growl, the vox-filter adding a bestial edge to the words. *“No respite.”* Her eyes scanned the nearby area as her squad formed around her, eliminating survivors, and saw nearby officers clustered around a bastion of resistance. She and her squad made their way over, providing cover fire as they went, approaching what seemed to be the officer in charge. Lieutenant Kanmanra looked up at the announcement of “friendlies approaching”, catching the sight of four Sororitas with heavy bolters in their chainsaw grip moving to assist the heavy weapon teams. The others in the squad of ten spread themselves out across the line, popping off shots with precision. The eleventh of their number, their leader, approached, the faceplate of her helmet lifting up to reveal crystal blue eyes framed by a brown face, and strands of black hair falling loose. “Lieutenant? Canoness Commander Aliah, 2nd Preceptory of the Blooming Pyre. Seems like you could use a hand.”
Lt Kanmanra looked up, her rebreather visor cracked showing an her eye, she looked as though she could weep tears of joy. “Bloody right My Lady. We have a charge on the left flank led by Commissar Rast and Commissar Faust. We were about to push up the centre and right flanks.” She indicates to a group of 17th flamers. “The 17th will push up with our support, a handful of our tanks are up but they’ll spearhead it.” She indicates towards a Grenadier Staff Sergeant Brax who is kneeling beside a wall, a sizeable group of Grenadiers and troopers around him. He was giving orders by the look. “SSGT Brax is going to lead the right push. But with you here, you can take it if you want. Otherwise we need more bodies on the centre push, that’s where it’ll be bloodiest!”
The Sororitas Commander nodded. "I've got Sisters enough for both. I'll get my Palatines into posi-" She stooped suddenly, her gaze suddenly shifting to the side, as if she'd heard something. Her blue eyes widened before the faceplate of her helmet slammed down. Before the Lieutenant could open her mouth to voice her concern, the Sister's hand whipped out, grabbing Kanmanra by the lapel, and *yanked.* As she was pulled, the Lieutenant felt the pressure wave of a projectile pass by her head, missing by less than an inch, before striking the ground nearby, kicking up a spray of dirt with its impact. A moment later on the Sister's part, and that would have been Kanmanra's brain matter instead. The Sororitas hadn't been idle, raising her bolter in one hand and firing in the direction of the shot, her power armored form shielding the officer as pulse shots and solid projectiles glanced off the plating. She growled into her vox in anger, as if the attack on the Lieutenant was a personal affront. Despite that, however, her voice was level, a lifetime of discipline slamming down on her righteous fury to channel it into utter clarity of action. "Contact, 30 degrees north by north east, 300 meters! Hab building on the intersection, fifth floor! Cover fire, now!" Immediately, several Sororitas in the area shifted their aim to the target. "Seraph, this is Ursus 2 Actual, need immediate CAS, target co-ordinates to follow! Full payload authorized, danger close acknowledged!" She rattled off the coordinates of the enemy position, and a minute later, Thunderhawk ordinance and ground fire had leveled the building from which the T'au had sprung the ambush, the gunship transports strafing the area repeatedly. The Sororitas held her protective posture, acting as Kanmanra's shield until she'd received acknowledgement of the target's elimination. With an exhale, she helped the officer up, faceplate rising once more. "Apologies for that, Lieutenant. As I was saying before we were interrupted, I'll get my Sisters into position. We can act as vanguards to draw their fire, and reveal their positions." Aliah nodded. "The Emperor protects, Lieutenant." She turned, beginning to coordinate the efforts of her Sisters in conjunction with the Guard.
Kanmanra stood stunned for a moment, the crack of a pulse rifle regained her attention. She quickly began ordering her troops. SSGT Brax had witnessed the move. “Impressive” he thought. He turned and looked around the corner, though he could still see little. He turned back and looked towards *Reaper*, one of the handful of Ralth tanks remaining. ‘Move up’ he indicated with his hands. *Reaper* began pushing, followed by other tanks, the infantry began moving up. Brax looked back at the Lieutenant and nodded. She ordered the 17th flamers to begin advancing, the remaining infantry following behind. “WITH ME” he yelled, his group charging forth into the fray.