Disclaimer: I do not own Warhammer 40,000 it is owned by Games Workshop.
Disclaimer: The Roboutian Heresyis a FanFiction penned by Zahariel. I have received permission from him to set this piece within the universe of The Roboutian Heresy.
The Liberation of Glacies
Chapter 1
A great fleet of over a hundred ships hung in orbit over a gas giant, mostly escorts and transports, but also including dozens of cruisers and several battlecruisers. Biggest of all was Kaga, the mighty Emperor Class Battleship gleaming in the light of the system's star, casting the reliefs and sculptures that decorated its armored bulk in sharp detail.
Located deep inside Kaga's armored bridge fortress, large numbers of officers gathered in a large hall lit by great chandeliers from overhead and crystal lamps recessed in the walls. The walls and ceilings were paneled in wood, the floor marbled, and the massive doors that led into the room encased in metal alloy coated with gold carved with images of Astartes with swords drawn and held point-down in warning against interlopers. Their armor bore no iconography belonging to any single legion, instead simply showing their allegiance to the Emperor: eagles, lightning bolts, purity seals inscribed in High Gothic, and chained crosses.
The doors were open, allowing servitors and servers to come and go, bringing in refreshments and allowing more and more officers to arrive. Opposite the main entrance the wall was decorated with a massive Imperial Eagle, wings spread and beaks and claws open in challenge, carved from a single slab of polished steel, superimposed over a giant mosaic of the rising sun put together from rubies mined in the mountains of Shrine World Ise.
A massive, rectangular table of polished wood stood in the middle of the room, open in the middle to allow a holo-projector to protrude upwards, currently displaying in the air the disposition of all Imperial forces in the system. Seats were available on three sides of the table for the senior officers, while staff officers were expected to sit in the tiered seats assembled to two sides of the hall.
A bell chimed as the servers and servitors left, carapace-armored bodyguards sealing the doors as the staff officers filed to their seats and the senior officers took their places on either side of the table. At the head of the table the three highest-ranking officers took their places: Admiral Isoroku Takano, Lord General Masanobu Himura, and Lady Commissar Kotoko Nakabayashi.
Kotoko Nakabayashi was a woman of average height with a slender build that seemed at odds with the medals and ribbons pinned over her chest, the only indication of her century and a half of service to the Emperor the faint lines on her face and streaks of grey running through her hair, courtesy of regular rejuvenat treatments. She wore the black uniform and red sash of an Imperial Commissar, but her greatcoat was draped over the back of her chair and her peaked cap with its winged skull placed on the table in front of her. A bolt pistol was holstered at her side, opposite a sheathed power sword.
Isoroku Takano sat to the left of the lady commissar. He was a short and stocky man, clean-shaven with cropped, graying hair. He wore the blue uniform of the Imperial Navy with an admiral's rank stripes, gold braid and epaulets, with numerous medals and ribbons earned over more than a century of service to the Emperor pinned on his chest. An officer's cap with the Imperial Navy's sigil pinned to its front rested on the table before him, and like the lady commissar he had a power sword sheathed at his waist opposite a bolt pistol.
Masanobu Himura was a man of average height, but well-built, bald but sporting a neatly-trimmed white beard. He wore the dark-green dress uniform of Imperial Guard regiments raised in the Nippon Sector, with the rank stripes of a Lord General. Medals and ribbons earned over a century of service were also pinned over his chest, but where his counterparts sported power swords he carried a battered but clearly functional and well-used chainsword. Furthermore, instead of a bolt pistol, his sidearm was a more esoteric weapon rarely if ever seen outside the Mechanicum or the Legiones Astartes – a Volkite Serpenta. He sat to the right of the lady commissar, who sat in the center of the head of the table, facing down towards the sealed main doors of the hall.
The senior officers of the Imperial Navy present sat on the left side of the admiral. Behind them on the tiered seats were the Imperial Navy staff officers with the rank and need to attend the meeting.
The senior officers of the Imperial Guard present sat on the right side of the lord general. Behind them on the tiered seats were the Imperial Guard staff officers with the rank and need to attend the meeting.
A second chime sounded a minute later, indicating the hall's active security measures were online. As the impartial senior officer present, Nakabayashi cleared her throat and took the lead.
"Let us begin this staff meeting over the final strategic plan for the campaign." She said. She then glanced at her naval counterpart and nodded. "The Imperial Navy will begin by detailing the disposition of their forces to be committed, followed by the Imperial Guard. Once all have been made aware of the disposition of our available forces, we will proceed to the strategic plan itself."
Takano nodded and glanced at one of the staff officers on the tiered seats. Lieutenant Mitsuki Otonashi rose and threw a salute first before raising a data-slate. "Here follows the disposition of the Imperial Navy elements committed to the Glacies Sub-Sector Liberation Campaign." She began. "Overall command of Imperial Navy elements goes to Admiral Isoroku Takano. Adjutant, Lieutenant Mitsuki Otonashi. Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Kuramichi Genda. Deputy Chief of Staff…"
The lieutenant detailed the admiral's staff, and then proceeded to fleet disposition. "Under Admiral Takano's direct command," she said. "First Carrier Division, with the battleship Kaga, and three full-strength escort squadrons: Frigate Squadron Namikaze, Frigate Squadron Shimakaze, and Frigate Squadron Akakaze. Also part of the First Carrier Division will be the cruisers Atago and Takao, under Commodore Aki Heihachi."
She briefly paused and glanced at the senior staff table before continuing. "Commanding the Second Carrier Division," she said. "Vice Admiral Ayame Nagumo. Adjutant…"
The admiral in question nodded at her place on the senior staff table, as Otonashi detailed her staff. The Second Carrier Division's composition followed, composed of six Dictator Class Cruisers, two Lunar Class Cruisers, and two near-full strength escort squadrons.
"Commanding the Third Carrier Division," Otonashi proceeded. "Vice Admiral Kazuhito Murasaki. Adjutant…"
Vice Admiral Murasaki nodded at the table, Otonashi detailing his staff followed by his flotilla's composition. As with the Second Carrier Division, it was composed of six Dictator Class Cruisers, two Lunar Class Cruisers, and two near-full strength escort squadrons.
"Commanding the Fourth Carrier Division," Otonashi said. "Vice Admiral Souichi Ozawa. Adjutant…"
Vice Admiral Ozawa nodded at the table while Otonashi detailed his staff followed by his flotilla's composition. As with the Second and Third Carrier Divisions, it was composed of six Dictator Class Cruisers, two Lunar Class Cruisers, and two near-full strength escort squadrons.
"Commanding the Heavy Engagement Force," Otonashi said. "Vice Admiral Hayashi Kurita. Adjutant,"
The youngest of the admirals present nodded at his peers with a faint smile, that stood in stark contrast to their stoic expressions. The subdued confidence gave the admiral a reassuring air, one reinforced by the fact that despite having only served barely half a century he was already holding the rank of Vice Admiral, and was not behind his peers in his campaign honors, if not their other decorations.
"The Heavy Engagement Force will include the battlecruisers Mikasa, Choukai, Kongou, Haruna, Kirishima, and Hiei, under Rear Admiral Takeshi Tenzou. It will also include the cruisers Maya and Mogami, under Commodore Kenji Atsushirou. Frigate Squadrons Akizuki and Fuyukaze with five Sword Class Frigates each will also be assigned to the Heavy Engagement Force."
Otonashi paused and looked at the senior staff table again. "Those comprise the offensive formations for the coming campaign." She said. "The following are defensive formations, for conducting escort and screening operations. Frigate Squadron Amatsukaze…"
It took approximately half an hour to detail the second and rear echelon formations of the Imperial Navy, at the end of which Otonashi concluded with a bow before sitting back down. Nakabayashi nodded, and then directed her gaze to Masanobu, who looked to his adjutant seated with the Guard staff officers.
The man rose to his feet, saluted, and then raised a data-slate of his own. "In overall command of all Imperial Guard forces slated for the Sub-Sector Glacies Liberation Campaign," he began. "Lord General Masanobu Himura. Adjutant, Lieutenant Kitsuchi Sougo. Chief of Staff, General Akira Satou. Deputy Chief of Staff…"
Detailing the Imperial Guard force dispositions would take an hour, owing to the much more numerous field-level formations the Guard would be deploying compared to the navy. At the end, Lieutenant Sougo bowed and sat down, and leading Nakabayashi to nod again. "That concludes our force dispositions." She said before turning to Takano once again. "Admiral, given space is the navy's area of responsibility, perhaps we should proceed to our theater of operations."
Takano nodded and glanced at Rear Admiral Genda, who nodded before pressing a key on the table in front of him. In response, the projected hologram shifted, zooming out to display the galaxy in full.
"Sub-Sector Glacies is located in the Ultima Segmentum." Genda began. He pressed another key, zooming in on the segmentum, then on the sector, and finally on the sub-sector itself. "It is located in Damocles Sector, rimward and spinward to the Eastern Fringe. As a frontier region, it is rather undeveloped. There are twenty star systems in the sub-sector, normal for a sub-sector, but only six inhabited worlds."
Key were pressed and worlds were highlighted one by one. "First of all we the sub-sector capital: Glacies." Genda continued. "Classification: Hive World. Population at the time of the last Imperial survey was estimated at two hundred billion. It's tithe grade was Exactis Prima."
Genda paused to look around the senior staff table. "To save on time," he said. "Orbital defenses and ground dispositions – both during Imperial rule and Tau occupation – will be covered at another time."
This was met with agreeing nods, and then Genda continued. "Proceeding," he said. "We have Jolor. Classification: Civilized World. Population at the time of the last Imperial survey was estimated at two billion. It's tithe grade was Solutio Prima. Next is Tijuana. Classification: Mining World. Population at the time of the last…"
The detailing of the inhabited worlds continued, and at the end of which Genda nodded at Takano who nodded back before taking the lead. "Our overall objective in this campaign is to retake this entire sub-sector." He said. "However there is no point for either us or the enemy to disperse our forces across the entire sector. Strategically it would be pointless to scatter ships and men to hold down uninhabitable or undeveloped worlds and regions of space, to say nothing of leaving scattered forces vulnerable to being cut off and destroyed piecemeal."
The admiral pressed keys and returned the hologram's focus to Glacies. "Instead we – and without a doubt our enemy – will concentrate available forces for optimum deployment of force when needed." Takano said. "The most important world in the sub-sector is of course, Glacies. In terms of population and industry, most of the sub-sector's assets can be found on Glacies. And indeed it will be the final target of our campaign. The first target will however, be Caraga, located further to the trailing side of the sub-sector, near the pre-occupation border with the Tau Empire. Apart from Caraga itself, the system incorporates a major Tau relay station, and one that links their local network to their empire. We destroy that, and we cut off their communications with their empire. Of course, destroying it is not enough, as otherwise the Tau in-system could easily replace it. To ensure the enemy forces in-theater remain cut off, we must retake the system."
The admiral paused to look around the table. "Furthermore," he said. "Retaking the world will provide an opportunity to actively deter attempts by the Tau to reinforce the sub-sector. No doubt once communications have been cut off for a significant amount of time, the Tau will dispatch investigators to determine the situation. A large force in-system will serve to demonstrate the futility of further escalation."
The admiral zoomed out to show Damocles relative to the Ruinstorm. "While Glacies is located on the far side of the sector," Takano said. "Damocles is relatively-close to the Iron Cage surrounding the Ruinstorm. The Tau have always been wary of the sheer scale of Imperial might concentrated around that accursed region of space, and will be aware that any escalation on their part can be easily responded to in kind."
Takano paused and smiled. "In any case," he said. "This sub-sector was lost due to xenos subversion, and not overall force of arms. The Tau know this, and any attempt to once again occupy these worlds will likely be more of the same. Although by then I am certain the Inquisition and other concerned organizations will have learned to be warier of xenos subversion."
This was met with agreeing nods, and the admiral zoomed back in on Caraga. "Back under Imperial rule Caraga's high orbit defenses were comprised solely of minefields." Takano said. "According to intelligence forwarded by the Ordo Xenos, the Tau have since swept these minefields, and have made no attempts to replace them or to deploy orbitals in orbit. Low orbit is a different matter, however, as the Tau have apparently maintained several airfields dating back to Imperial rule, from which they can deploy attack craft to contest low orbit and landing operations."
"Furthermore," Takano said, pressing several keys and changing the holographic display to show diagrams of two escort-sized vessels of alien design, causing murmurs to briefly arise from among the staff officers. "The Tau have apparently a number of warships in-system, mostly Orca Gunships but also the newer Defender Class."
The admiral looked around the senior staff table. "They're no match for us in a fleet engagement," he said. "But if they can breach the escort screens protecting our transports, the result will be a disaster."
There were grave nods at that, and the admiral continued. "To reduce the number of vulnerable transports in our train," he said. "We will only bring those necessary to support the logistics of the operation at Caraga, along with the necessary ground forces and replacements. The remaining transport flotillas and their escorts will remain here in the staging area, under the guns and air cover of Void Station GP-99A0."
The admiral adjusted the hologram to display the Caraga system again. "To deter the enemy on-approach," Takano said. "We will be deploying multiple Cobra squadrons on dual search-and-destroy and patrol missions upon arrival. Their objective is to locate and destroy the enemy warships in-system, and to warn of any sorties against our vulnerable transport train. The First Carrier Division and the Heavy Engagement Force will provide additional cover on-approach, and will be responsible for securing orbit."
The admiral again shifted the holographic display. "Both the First Carrier Division and the Heavy Engagement Force will also provide orbital support for ground operations as necessary." He continued. "In particular, we have identified two key targets for lance strikes. The first is Red Jack Airbase, which houses the planetary defense command post in an environmentally-sealed underground bunker. It is expected that the Tau Commander be in said bunker, and which we believe we lull the enemy into a sense of complacency."
Takano smiled wolfishly. "What they don't realize is that Ordo Xenos personnel have already identified the location of their real emergency command post," he said, again shifting the hologram, away from the capital along the west coast of the main continent to the mountains to the northeastern part of the continent. "This is where the Tau Commander will truly be at, or at the very least, the Ethereal governor. Killing the former will disrupt the enemy chain of command. Useful, but not so much compared to killing the Ethereal. We kill him, and we break the enemy's back."
Takano glanced at Masanobu who cleared his throat. "Before we proceed to the planned ground operations," he said. "Perhaps you should explain the rest of the strategic plan for Caraga."
Takano nodded, shifting the display to zoom out and display the system again. "The Tau will be aware of the system's importance." He said. "Any competent commander, Human or xenos, would be aware of the danger of being cut off and pocketed, which is what we are aiming to do to the Tau in the sub-sector. In addition to cutting off the enemy and liberating our fellow Humans from xenos tyranny, our attack on Caraga will have the added aim of forcing the Tau at Glacies to send out their strongest forces, drawing them out to engage us in decisive battle."
"For this reason," Takano said, shifting the display to show the predicted positions of the fleet. "The Second, Third, and Fourth Carrier Divisions will remain in the outer system, lying in wait to ambush the enemy. The aforementioned Cobras on dual patrol and search-and-destroy missions will also have the added objective to support patrol and recon flights from the Second, Third, and Fourth Carrier Divisions to locate the enemy fleet upon their entry into the system, and if necessary, provide combat assistance."
Kurita raised a hand, and Takano glanced at him. "You have something to say, Admiral Kurita?" he asked.
"Yes Your Excellency." Kurita said with a nod. "If I may, I would propose an addendum to the existing plan."
"Tell us what's on your mind."
"Yes." Kurita said with nod. "Earlier you mentioned the risk of the enemy escorts in-system attacking our transport train. Perhaps we might do the same to the enemy, using our Cobras."
That set off a storm of murmurs and nods among the gathered officers. "But," Genda said. "The enemy will be protecting their transport train as much as we will be."
"That will probably be so." Kurita agreed. "But if our carrier divisions can force the enemy to choose between a relatively-static defensive formation or a highly-mobile offensive formation, then either way we have the advantage. In the former case, our carrier divisions will be able to monopolize the initiative, and repeatedly attack the enemy at will. In the latter case, we will have the opportunity to draw away their heavy capital ships away from their transport train, leaving it vulnerable to high-speed raider forces."
"I see." Genda said with a slow nod. "Add to that the enemy's relative lack of dedicated fleet carriers, and they'll have to close to gunnery range to engage our carrier divisions, seeing as their vaunted 'drone missiles' are vulnerable to interception by fighter squadrons. And we have plenty of those."
"Another advantage we possess over the Tau is the superior speed of our Cobra Class Destroyers." Kurita said. "By using that superior speed, we can launch hit and run attacks in rapid succession, and draw away the enemy escorts leaving their transports vulnerable. And even if they don't get drawn away, constant harassment will leave a toll, and if we press the initiative, it's inevitable we can find a gap in their defenses, and exploit it."
Genda nodded, as did Takano. "An excellent idea, Admiral Kurita." He said before glancing at the other officers. "Any objections?"
There were none, and Takano nodded again. "Very well," he said. "We'll adopt the suggestion."
Kurita rose and bowed, and then retook his seat. "Now that the naval side of things is finished," he said, glancing at Masanobu. "We may proceed to the ground side. Lord General?"
"Yes admiral," Masanobu said with a cough, and shifted the holographic display to show Caraga Prime, capital of Caraga. "This is the objective of our initial landing: Caraga Prime. Apart from being the political and industrial heart of the planet, it's also the only spaceport. We take it, hold it, and our logistics are secure. But first,"
The lord general paused to highlight three points around the capital. "We can't land directly in the city, or on the outskirts." He said. "If we did, we'd be vulnerable to counterattacks and enemy artillery from enemy forces in the city. Now, the Tau never make use of static defense. With that said, they know the value of the city. They'll fight hard to defend it, and urban fighting isn't something they're shy of. And I'd rather not use our artillery to pulverize entire districts and with it civilians just to get rid of one squad of xenos soldiers. We're here to liberate this world after all, not to break it."
There were nods at that, and Masanobu glanced at his Chief of Staff. General Akira Satou nodded, the blonde woman – unusual for Nipponjin who were usually dark-haired – taking over the briefing for the Guard's operations. "Red Jack Airbase is already slated for a lance strike." She said. "However, Black Jack, Blue Jack, and Green Jack Airbases are not. The operational plan is for carrier-based attack craft to suppress enemy fighters operating from these bases, followed by strikes by the 93rd Hayabusa, 85th Hayabusa, and 254th Sapporo Airborne Regiments to seize the airbases. Reinforcements will be provided by infantry regiments moving up from the landing zones further afield, with mechanized infantry regiments linking our landing zones together coast to coast to form a fortified enclave on the surface, and around the city."
The general paused. "The attack on the city proper will be carried by the 111th Keijou Armored Regiment, supported by the 94th and 122nd Ishikawa Mechanized Infantry Regiments. The 347th Choushu Heavy Infantry Regiment is also slated for the Caraga Prime Operation, with additional infantry regiments to be committed to the operation as needed. In particular, the aforementioned airborne regiments, once freed up, may be committed to the operation as well."
The general shifted the holographic display, showing the western part of the continent. "Once Caraga Prime is secure," she said. "Our next objective will be to sever the western part of the main continent as a prelude for the second phase of the operation. To do this, our armored spearheads will advance along the flanks of the rail line running from Caraga Prime to Jamesville, with our infantry taking the train to the city. All forces will operate with air cover and support provided by carrier and ground-based attack craft."
The general shifted the holographic display to Jamesville. "The plan for taking Jamesville has yet to be set in stone," she said. "Pending developments on the ground. However, Jamesville is a major transport hub, and if we take it we have the logistics needed to push toward Anna's Haven on the northwest coast, and Haja on the south coast. We take those, and the first phase is complete."
"And the second phase is?" Nakabayashi asked.
"Mass landings along the east coast, each with at least six regiments each, lady commissar." Akira replied. "The objective is to force the remaining Tau forces to withdraw to the mountains to initiate guerilla warfare. That done, the Night Lords will finish them as we secure the lowlands."
There were whispers and murmurs at that, and Nakabayashi raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of the Night Lords," she said. "What is their role in the operation? And where are they now?"
"To your first question, my lady," Akira said. "The Night Lords have agreed, no offered, to secure the secondary continents on their own."
She paused to highlight said continents, each smaller and far less developed and populated compared to the main continent, on the holographic display. "As for their location, well, they've gone on ahead."
A NCO took an offered data-slate, signed off on it, and climbed up the stairs and out of a sunken bridge station. He made his way across the bridge, and handed the data-slate to the officer-on-deck. The man skimmed through it, and dismissed the NCO who returned to his station.
The Cobra Class' executive officer made his way up the command deck, to where a power armored figure looked out over the bridge. The ceramite was painted a darkly-shimmering midnight blue, though the armor's edges were painted black. A grinning Human skull flanked by a pair of blood-red batwings was painted on the left pauldron, while the left forearm was painted with wildly-forked lightning in brightly-electric white and blue.
The Astartes glanced at the executive officer as the man approached, his skin pale and his eyes black orbs characteristic of the Eighth Astartes Legion: Night Lords. Purity seals were affixed to the edges of his pauldrons, while a small, polished Imperial Eagle gleamed on the waist section of his armor. Two service studs – one each for a century as a full-fledged Astarte – gleamed on his left temple.
"Status report my lord." The man said, handing over the data-slate. "Our astropaths report that the Imperial Guard and Navy forces have finished gathering and will be striking soon. Furthermore, their target is set as Caraga."
"And the Thousand Sons and the Inquisition are at Tijuana." Void Master Skavar Ortiel said with a small laugh. "By the Night, if these xenos can withstand us, I wouldn't know why the Death Guard hasn't dealt with them yet."
"My lord?"
"No," the Night Lord said. "It's nothing. How long until we reach Glacies on silent running?"
"Sir," the man said. "On silent running, we'll arrive at Glacies in a week, at approximately 1400 Hours shipboard time."
"And when will the Imperium strike at Caraga?"
"Based on the distance from the staging area to their target system, I'd say it'd take a month at most, but I'm not sure. It'd be better to ask the Navigator, that is, my lord."
"Oh relax," Skavar waved off the man's nervousness. "I'm not going to fault you for not knowing. It's not in…here, but this data-slate is just a status report. And in any case I'd guess about the same give the usual travel time for that distance."
Skavar handed the data slate back, and nodded at the man. "Still," he said. "Go ask the Navigator afterwards."
"Yes my lord, it will be done."
Skavar nodded, and with a salute the man sharply turned and left. Skavar looked back out over the bridge, and up at the view-screens which showed the glittering orb that was Hive World Glacies. And at one of them in particular, which showed the alien construction that was a Tau Air Caste Orbital City. Skavar felt his lips twitch with amusement at the thought that crossed his mind at the sight.
We are coming for you.
A/N
The Imperium, and more importantly, the Night Lords are coming.
Thanks for being the beta Zahariel, and for letting me use the setting. It's really appreciated.
