The days passed and the Imperial Guard made preparations. The armored fist of the First Youth would lead the Convoy over to Dillsburg soon, when morning broke. Darkness still loomed over the world, the rising sun barely peeking over the horizon as the Cadians and their newly-acquired support forces mounted tank and transport. Behind them, the Third Regiment, still at half-strength after the Battle against the Necrons, mounted up in Halftracks, trucks and tanks as well.

At the front of the Formation, as per standard operating procedures, was the Baneblade. She still wore a mark from the Barious campaign, but she stood proudly, armed and ready. The Techpriesthood, meanwhile, remained on-base with a few support and Logistics elements of Ace's Company, ready to provide resupply to the Guard forces via a long, protected convoy that'd bring up the rear.

Matias was sat aboard the Baneblade, checking over Cogitator systems and making sure they'd work well, whispering prayers to the Machine God and the Spirits that blessed the superheavy tank. Running a hand over the Auspex screen, the boy thumbed a button and watched the system do a quick reboot, all while he whispered another Canticle he had learned from his Techpriests. The screen rebooted and he started switching between modes. First was normal, which just showed the outside world as it was. Following that, was Night Vision. An emerald-tinted view of the world appeared, various shades brighter or darker depending on what it was illuminating. Finally, he switched to the Heat Detector mode.

Washed in white, the screen flared, before darkening considerably. In sight was a single infantryman, his flak armor shielding part of his body from the heat-detecting capabilities of the device. His stomach, waist and legs were, however, clearly visible as pure white shapes on the screen. Matt pushed the hatch of the turret open, looked out and gave a nod to the infantryman, who saluted and ran back to his Chimera.

Matt slinked back down into his seat and looked at his gunner and loader, stating, "We've got a few hours' treck ahead of us, gentlemen..." as he pulled out his vehicle Vox mic and clipped it to his helmet. He pulled down his goggles and shifted into his seat properly, before checking the time on one of the Auspex screens. Offering a nod, he cued convoy-wide coms and spoke, "All Elements, the time has come. Begin the march to Dillsburg."

Vehicle engines purred to life and tracks creaked as the convoy rolled forward, led by the Superheavy Tank into battle. Their Krieg comrades had left earlier and Vox calls were starting to come in from Colonel Stern about the combat situation. Dillsburg held, though it was in a stalemate even with the Death Korps's artillery raining hell on the enemy. The enemy force had also started using its own counter-battery fire, so the Death Korps was forced to keep their guns mobile, never dug in, and always under escort by Infantry.

"This should be an interesting outing," Quipped Matt as he peered through the sights. The sun began to rise from the East, diagonal to the dirt road they were taking over toward the combat area.

"Can't be much worse than facing the Necrons, sir," The gunner quipped back, arranging his own Auspex-aided sights properly and zeroing them with the main and coaxial. He gave a thumbs up, while Matt simply smiled.

The loader replied, "To hell with those things... Least we'll only be facing False Imperials and Severan traitors from henceforth..." She then murmured and checked the shell stowage, making sure she had enough ammo for both guns. Patting the box, she also gave a thumbs up to the Colonel, who chuckled. The man then peered through the analog periscope on the cupola, turning around to face the full convoy.

Billowing pillars of smoke rose into the sky, vehicle exhaust from the convoy. Scouts and soldiers kept their eyes peeled from aboard the Halftracks, Chimeras and even the artillery battery that they were bringing to battle. A mile-long Convoy advanced down toward Dillsburg, toward battle, as first light came with the sun, washing them all in pale light. Dark clouds seemed to gather overhead, however, forecasting a grey day.

Aboard the Gallians' transports, Alicia had fallen fast asleep, cradling her rifle in her arms. The golden glimmer of the Aquila pendant had caught the eyes of a lot of people, but only Rosie murmured, "Guessing she got a gift from someone..." whilst grinning. Largo yawned and stretched, before biting down on some of the rations they'd brought onto the vehicle.

Marina fiddled with her scope in the meanwhile. She'd received a new rifle, apparently. Some form of experiment with Imperial Guard autogun ammo. It still had the wooden stock, but the gun itself had received a caliber upgrade up to 8mm, a larger magazine to accommodate six rounds instead of just three and a heavier bolt and barrel, as well as a muzzle flash hided, a long, thin, drilled metal item as it was, and a spindly bipod. She rammed the bolt home, feeding a round into the chamber after thoroughly cleaning it, then set it aside.

Edy poked her head over and asked in a whisper, "Hey, Mari, you got any food?"

"Right front pocket of my bag..." The Sniper replied quietly, not taking her gaze away from adjusting her scope. Edy smiled, gave a nod in thanks and started searching the Sniper's patrol pack. Opening the pocket, she pulled out an MRE packet. Popping it open, she found it was full of crackers, some butter and some canned meat. She looked to Marina, who simply nodded to her.

Homer, meanwhile, was sat next to Juno, both of them gripping their rifles. New models as well, longer barrels and larger magazines. The barrels had been expanded out and covered by small heat shields with a straight line of holes poked through the top, while the rear iron sights had also been upgraded, providing the ability for somewhat longer-ranged shots. The Engineer had also received a new pack of tools, some wire cutters and extra Fragmentation grenades of a Cadian make, plus one 'Krak' anti-tank grenade.

Juno pushed her glasses up and shuddered as the vehicle trundled forth, then looked to Rosie and asked, "You think we're going to be okay?"

"I don't doubt the kids," Rosie replied with smile, "After so long, hell... I think we might actually get to the Imp capital if push comes to shove."

Juno smiled, too, then peeked over the edge of the transport, looking at the string of tanks and vehicles rolling forward. Destroyer tank hunters also rolled with them, the Guard's casemate-style tanks with superheavy laser cannons, meant to pretty much bore through anything that so much as scoffed at them wrong. Those would be useful in the coming battle, just like their Lancers.

Aboard the Chimera of Phoenix squad, Elaine recited a prayer for all members aboard the convoy, her hands cradling her las-carbine. The members of her squad whispered the prayer with her, all while the gunner and crew continued scanning their surroundings just in case. Through the vision slits, on the left, a railway line could be seen, drawing parallel to the advance of the Guard and Militia. past it, a line of three Sentinel Walkers acted as scouts and the early warning in case of an ambush. On the right, the same.

The Imperial Guard was not pulling any punches today. The entire Regiment would be deployed on a wider front, seeing as the area around Dillsburg seemed to be mostly hills and plains. It was also the only mainline bridge even remotely close to Randgriz for the Central Front. All others were either heavily guarded, or were of apparently no importance to the False Imperials.

Elaine hummed, then pulled up her dataslate, thumbing it to activate it and looking over the details. She nodded approvingly, then plucked up one of her las-packs and checked it over. Setting it aside, she sighed, then pulled something out of her pouch. It was the toy and photo. She sighed deeply, pressing them against her forehead and whispering, "Emperor, give me strength..."

Within another Gallian transport, this one carrying Captain Varrot and her escort from Squad 7, the group watched the sky. Imperial Lightning Fighters flew in high, jet engines roaring. Varrot listened to the Wireless transmissions from thep ilots calmly, watching the road ahead while the rest of Squad 7 all looked over their weapons. The Aeronautica Imperialis flew for them now. Emperor's blessings be upon those pilot.

Isara, meanwhile, simply hummed an odd song as they drove, with Welkin listening in as he looked over a list of items the supply convoys would be bringing in behind them, including, but not limited to:Ammunition, meals, water and various other necessary survival items, medical kits... Yeah, the Cadians had ramped up their production with the resources they were receiving. That Manufactorum in the camp was doing wonders in terms of equipment repair and resupply.

Welkin set the list aside, then leaned back into his seat. He spoke to Isara, "Where did you learn that song from?"

Isara perked up and looked back, smiling, "It's what the Techpriests called a 'Canticle'. Supposedly something to help with maintenance and keeping machines running."

"Explains how I recognized the melody," Welkin chuckled as they rolled forward. He peered through the periscope of his cupola, scanning their surroundings as he ocntinued, "How are you and Matt getting along?"

Isara almost stumbled and made the vehicle veer off to the right. She looked back to her brother, her face burning red. Welkin chuckled as he peered through the sights, noting, "Oh, come off it, Isara. Can't a big brother ask his sister about this stuff?" and he gauged her reaction. Certainly, she'd grown a little redder in the face, but it was kind of adorable, seeing his sister fawning over someone like that.

"It's just..." Isara spoke, her voice a little higher in pitch, "You never did ask before this..."

"You were never interested in boys before this," Welkin replied quite matter-of-factly. He saw the girl's embarrassment grow, before chuckling and stating, "Sorry, Isara, it's just... Considering what we know of the Cadians, you can say I'm a bit worried. They're soldiers, clearly. Soldiers from birth, trained to fight and... I'm not so sure. I did tell the Colonel-... Matias, that he should take care of you."

"Oh?" Isara cast a glance back at him.

He smiled, "Back before the ambush..."

"Ah..." Isara nodded, "I see..."

"I realized you two like each-other..." He spoke, "And I don't mind it. I just want to make sure you want this..."

Isara blinked, then pursed her lips. Did she truly want a soldier type like Matias? No, he was more than his birthplace and upbringing. She knew that very well. Her mind raced for a moment, then decided to pause on the most uncomfortable moment:Their time in the Cave. Moments before the first Imperial stepped through the mouth of the cave, they were about to-

She grew even redder as she remembered, "C-Can we please not talk about this while I'm driving...? I have to focus..."

Welkin nodded, "Fair. Sorry..." and he chuckled. It was kind of adorable, really. If their dads were alive, though, both men would probably be scrutinizing the life out of Matt. Welkin had had the experience of cooperating with the man to know he was a good enough person, to be quite honest. And he trusted his sister to make the right choice, considering she had matured pretty early for her age... Then again, Welkin should've probably been careful, too. It was his sister, still.

Dillsburg

Midday had come by the time Cadians had reached the Front Lines at Dillsburg. In the midst of the hilly battlefield lay the town, a crossroads with a bridge crossing over a wider River of Gallia's, one that the False Imps needed to capture in order to cross and continue their advance. First thing the convoy saw was the embankments and defensive positions that the Death Korps had set up in the days they were waiting for their comrades to come by.

Artillery batteries on a farther hill sang their deadly song, shells exploding on the northern bank, opposite their defensive positions. The Death Korps and Gallian Regular forces had noticed them arriving, with Major Gassenarl already en-route to meet them alongside Colonel Stern. As the vehicles reached the rear area and the troops began to dismount, Telos saluted the two women and said, "Colonel Stern, Major Gassenarl."

"Colonel Telos," Both women said together, then shot glances toward one-another.

"Apologies for the tardiness. We gave a crash-course to the Darcsen Corps and their officer cadre... Many know how to fight due to Gallia's militia training, so we just refreshed their memories, but quite a few members are greenhorns," He replied calmly. The two women nodded understandingly as they watched the Darcsen, clad in makeshift equipment ranging from stolen plate armor and lever-action rifles to single-shot weapons and the rare First Europan War SMG and machine gun. The officers looked more professional, clad in blue uniforms like those of the Militia, but, nonetheless, they were a Scratch Corps, formed of Darcsen with barely any renewal training, but that were eager for combat.

Audrey said, "They'll learn, I presume. If they're willing to learn."

"Fairly, so yeah, they will," Matt replied, motioning to the trenches.

Colonel Stern spoke next as they walked toward the defensive line, "My men have arrayed their defenses in squad-based strong-points. About a dozen positions surround the town itself and the area the False Ones crossed so far. Artillery batteries have been returning fire against the False Imperials' own Basilisks since about four o'clock in the afternoon yesterday and there have been probing attacks, though few in number."

"The Aeronautica has been reporting increased enemy air defenses farther north of Dillsburg, just past their main defensive lines," Matt replied. Up above, the rumble of autocannons and aircraft guns echoed as the two Lightning Fighters dueled the enemy's own air support. The two women looked up, hummed, then looked back to Matt, who stopped to survey the battlefield and said, "We're setting up our Artillery and joining in the counter-battery fire..." As the echo of the Krieg guns firing came to them.

"I've requested that our own forces bring in 152mm howitzers we have in storage. They should be arriving soon from a Fort farther in the South," Audrey reported as she gazed through her binoculars at the East Imps' position. She hummed, then stated, "They heavily fortified the bridge, it seems. Doubt they're going to blow it up, even if we get close..."

"They have as much of a need for it as we do," Colin remarked as he, Amy and Ace marched up to them, "Good afternoon, major Gassenarl, Colonel Stern."

"Majors Markath, Mkvenner and Ace. Welcome," Greeted Audrey with a nod, "Indeed, they do... From here, it is pretty much a straight road to Randgriz," She then explained. Lowering her binoculars, she said, "Which is why I'm shocked they haven't attacked yet. On last count, the East Imperials have about six infantry companies, with three more Severan ones, plus armored and artillery support. Air support is being kept away by your Air Force."

Amy chuckled, crossing her arms to her chest, then stated, "That's our Flyboys, alright..." before hearing the whirr of engines. All of them looked to the right, to see the advancing brigades coming in. The singing voices of the fighting women of the Regiment they knew as The Scarlet Army arrived, smiles on their faces and singing proudly once more.

"Regiments are on the march, riflemen go leg by leg and squadrons prance forth to battle! Our artillery thunders, while we, squad by squad, go into battle outstretched like a ribbon!" General Kolchak and her men sang, smiling, while the Colonels all turned to greet them. The men and women of the Regiment dismounted from their tanks and transports, slinging their weapons onto their backs and marching to greet the Cadians, Kriegers and Gallians with smiles on their faces.

General Kolchak, however, marched up to the Colonel and snapped a crisp salute, "Good afternoon."

He replied to the salute in kind, then said, "Good to see you, General. Welcome to the fight."

"Proud to be here and of service to our brothers once more, Colonel," She nodded, then looked to Audrey and Stern and added, "And to their allies, of course..." before turning to survey the Battlefield. She hummed and spoke, pointing directly to the right at the river and stating, "That part is shallower. The False Ones may try to ford it with tanks and boats."

"So, we'll zero it in with Mortars and artillery," Audrey replied quickly.

"And we'll set up heavy Bolter nests on the higher hills with a perfect arc of fire," Stern stated as she stepped up. Kolchak nodded approvingly, settling her own gun onto her shoulder. It looked to be a drum-fed SMG with a top-oriented shell ejection system and a heat shroud over the barrel that allowed it to be air-cooled. Behind Kolchak, the Scarlet Army's soldiers were already setting up their own positions, digging trenches and fighting positions for their battle tanks.

"Then, we'll cover the right flank," She replied calmly.

"Cadian forces will take the left," Matt nodded, "Hold the line with the Third Regiment while the Death Korps and Major Gassenarl's armored division are holding the line in the center. We'll hammer the enemy with the holy strength of artillery and armor before they'll have a chance to reorganize..." He spoke next, before humming and noting, "We should all gather to formulate a plan, however. Later today, after our troops have eaten and set up."

Audrey and Stern nodded, as did Kolchak, before the group split up. Kolchak, however, walked with Matt, stating, "We're glad to see the Cadians again, Colonel. And we have received letters of your comrades of the Korps being here as well, but we... Well, we did miss working with your kin. It has certainly been far too long since we've all spoken and shared a drink."

"The feeling is mutual, General," He replied, then hummed and noted the heavy MGs on tripods, "I see you have new weapons."

"Courtesy of our armaments designer, Degtyariov, the Degtyariov-Shpagin Large-Caliber Machine Gun, which fires a twelve-point-seven by hundred-eight millimeter bullet, is the crown of the Scarlet Army's static defenses..." She smiled proudly as Matt examined the HMG. It was an odd design, a thick barrel with a large break and what looked to be heat-radiators near the start, as well as a thick body, an adjustable rear and large front post sight, plus a steel shield for the gunner.

"You have manufacturing capabilities?" He inquired, somewhat surprised.

She nodded, "Our logistics company does, yes. We mostly use them to manufacture or reload rounds for our weaponry, however," She then stated.

He hummed, scratched his chin, then stated, "You should join us at Kasr Creed. We have a Manufactorum there that could require a few brave minds willing to talk to the Techpriesthood about supplying new weaponry to both your troops and the Gallians," as an offering. Kolchak smiled brightly, offering the young Colonel a salute again. The two nodded to each-other, then departed in different directions.

Some time later, the young man was sat down atop a hill, staring at the unfolding artillery battle and the sporadic duels in the sky. He was eating an MRE he had prepared from home, his mind wandering just how the Emperor had blessed them to be on a world this friendly to them. He casually leaned back, watching as the Darcsens diligently helped set up the defenses alongside the Cadians, laughing with some of them, smiling...

He looked up upon hearing footsteps, then saw Isara. The young girl seemed a bit out of it as she sat herself down next to him. He paused, then offered her some of the food. She gently took a cracker and stared forward, eating it, her face a little red. He hummed, wondering what had happened, before looking forward as well. He scratched the back of his head, a bit too embarrassed to ask anything himself.

So, the two sat in awkward silence together for a good couple minutes as both of them finished their food.