Chapter 19: Battle For Kitomer: Part One
Reviewers:
PeaceKeeper Dax: That sucks about your computer. The Klingon idea is very good. I think I'll use it later, and remember, the Orks arrived through a warp rift, so they might have just been scattered, so don't count more Ork action out just yet.
Sean: Thanks. You always have the best ideas! So I was thinking the Eldar obtain cloaking technology, ditch the Romulans and offer the Imperium cloaking technology in exchange for passage home.
Silvanas: Yes! The fly is dead! Don't worry; the Necrons will be in this chapter, if only a little. The battle armor idea is interesting.
Shogun Lodge: Thank you! Thank you! I realized the thing about the crew compliment, but we can always just say the rest of the crew was killed in the fight. The ship was critically damaged remember. I hope you like my Ork battle.
Oblivionknight7: The Federation agreed to join the Imperium, and the Federation agrees as a whole, so yes all the members joined. There may be some friction in later chapters. You'll see.
ApocSM: Thanks, Gracias.
Liljimmyurine: Remember, the Ork forces arrived through what can be classified as an extremely intense warp storm. Some of their ships were destroyed inside and the rest sustained damage as well. Don't worry; the Kult of Speed will be in this chapter.
The citizens of Kitomer hurried to evacuate. The initial attack from the Orks, in the form of a small band of Speed Freaks who had teleported down before the hulk was destroyed. They had swiftly overpowered the Federation defenders and only help from Imperial aircraft had stopped them. Now the main Ork force was less than an hour away. Imperial troops had landed and were setting up defenses. Over ten full Imperial Guard regiments along with a full Titan Legion had been on board the fleet. They were one of the fleets assigned to patrol space and act as a first response force in case there was a large attack. Admiral Picard had beamed down to survey the battlefield and saw still smoldering corpses of the Speed Freak first wave. A messenger came up to him.
"Admiral, your presence is requested in the command center," he said, pointing to a massive Capitol Imperialis command tank. Picard fallowed him up a ramp and into the command center of the massive super heavy tank. A man with the rank insignia of a General turned and saluted him. Picard returned it.
"Admiral Picard? General Drennon. I've been expecting you."
"What's the situation?" Picard asked. The General led him to a hololith.
"We've got ten regiments deployed so far, along with artillery and Titan support. According to our orbital scans, five of the Ork Roks landed in the mountain range north of here. That's where their main assault will come from."
"And the other two?"
"They landed farther away and to the rear of us. They shouldn't arrive for several hours after the main group."
"What is the status of the evacuation?"
"Most of the civilians have left, the rest should be gone within half an hour. Our aircraft are attempting to strafe he Ork forces before they arrive but they're encountering heavy ground fire."
"I may be able to help. Three of our vessels in orbit are Intrepid class and are capable of entering the atmosphere. They could attempt to destroy the Ork forces flanking us and allow us to focus our efforts on the main attack force."
"Excellent idea Admiral."
"Picard to Enterprise?"
"Worf here sir."
"Have the Valiant, the Charger, and the Centaur make an attack run on the Ork force advancing from the east."
"Understood sir."
The three Intrepid vessels descended into the atmosphere, ready to defend Kitomer. Soon the Orks were in view. A massive green wave, sweeping inexorably towards Kitomer colony.
"Open fire," Captain Remierez of the Valiant ordered. Photon torpedoes and phasers scoured groves in the Ork tide. Then return fire came. Mostly small arms along with rockets and blastas. Then a massive construct rounded a mountain. Easily fifty meters tall, its head was sculpted to resemble a scarred Ork head. Weapons bristled everywhere. "What is that thing?" The captain asked. Then the mega-gargant opened fire. The Valiant shook and pitched as the massive belly kannon found its mark. "Status!"
"Shields down to 50, minor damage on deck seven." The tactical officer reported.
"Torpedoes full spread." Six photon torpedoes connected with the mega-gargant's chassis. Three detonated against the gargant's shields, but the other three sheared off an arm and left a sizable dent in its chest armor.
"Direct hit! Reading damage to the left arm and fires in the chest cavity. It's firing again!" The mega-gargant's belly kannon impacted the ships again. This time the shields went down and Ork weapons played over the hull. On the bridge consoles exploded and the lights died for a moment. Captain Remierez picked himself up off the floor and glanced around the bridge. Three officers were down, their consoles having exploded. He himself had a large gash on his arm and his shoulder felt sprained.
"Report!"
"Shields are down, the port nacelle's gone, damage to the deflector dish and we've got fires on six decks."
"Take up back up into orbit," Remierez ordered.
"We can't sir. The impulse engines took heavy damage. We're going to have to land and make repairs. We should be able to make it to Kitomer colony."
"Let's do it."
"Report from the rear Admiral," General Drennon reported. "The Valiant has taken heavy damage and is coming here to effect repairs. The other ships report they have destroyed the Ork troops and from what they've told us, a mega-gargant as well."
"What is a mega-gargant?" Picard asked. The General pointed out the window and Picard saw a titan moving through the grounds.
"Gargants are the blasphemous Orkish equivalent of our own battle Titans. A mega-gargant is the equivalent to an Imperator class titan, our largest. If it had made it here we could have been in a lot of trouble."
"Are there any Gargants in the main Ork force?"
"According to our ariel surveillance there are seven Gargants to our twelve Titans. Combined with our Guard regiments and artillery we should be able to defeat the Orks."
"Sir!" A messenger yelled as he stumbled in. "Our scouts have reported the Orks are beginning their assault!"
"Have all forces engage. Prepare to more out!" Seeing Picard's look, he explained.
"This command center is also one of the most powerful tanks in the Imperial Guard. I've always preferred to lead from the front. I suggest you return to your ship Admiral. Ground combat is no place for a starship captain."
"The two ships still operational from the attack on the Ork rear force are on their way here. I will transfer my flag to one of them. I cannot stand by while these Orks ravage a planet protected by the Federation. Also, is it possible to negotiate with these Orks?" The General made an attempt to stifle a laugh.
"Admiral, Orks can't even pronounce the word. All they know is war and there is no way to change that. Even if you try to bribe them with weapons they'll just turn them on you. So no Admiral, there is no way to negotiate with them." As Picard left the command tank to board the Charger, he thought for a moment he saw something metallic glinting from behind the city, but dismissed it as a piece of debris.
The Dragon had been watching the battle so far, and his Soul Collectors, special machines he had invented, had been busy. They were able to capture souls as they left the body from a great distance. The energy was already coursing through him, giving him back the strength he had lost during the Long Sleep. When the battle for Kitomer was over, he would have enough energy to summon his ship from its interdimensional prison. Then he would begin the Red Harvest. Once he had gathered enough energy he would retune to the First Galaxy and take down his rival the Nightbringer. The Nightbringer had defeated him sixty million years ago. He had ambushed the Dragon after a great battle and taken advantage of his weakened state. The Dragon had managed to flee with a portion of his forces and a burning hatred for his fellow star god. He would kill the Nightbringer, and then the galaxy would be his for the feasting.
How was that? In the next chapter Picard will see the Imperium's style of war. The Eldar will make their move, and the Necrons will reveal themselves. Stay tuned for Battle For Kitomer: Part Two. See ya then!
ENTILZA