Chapter 5
Ready Room 4, Brigade briefing
Hill 414, Mastado Mining Colony
13.03.145.M41
Erasmus strode into ready room 4 to meet the fellow officers of the makeshift brigade that was being charged with leading the counter offensive against masters spire, clutching plans and maps for the future operation. All the men in the room rose to attention at his entry, there were quite a large variety of them in many different colours of uniform denoting officers from tank companies, infantry companies, artillery companies and even PDF and militia forces. They had all arranged themselves neatly into groups, with infantry to the left and armour to the right, as per regulation. Erasmus set down the papers, looked around the room, then began the briefing.
"At ease men. As you have all probably been informed by now, our various units are being pulled together for a special operation." There was a murmur of affirmation around the room, as men sat back down from their alert positions. "Well, I can now inform you that the operation will be to take Gun-Fort Alpha situated on the southern wall of Master's spire." On que, the honoured captain unfolded a large detailed map of the fort. It was a huge structure, roundly the shape of a hexagon, with 4 Macro Cannons and dozens of smaller heavy batteries dotted around the fortress in 4 equal quarters. To its left and right, the high vaulted walls that protected the city joined fortress, widening at the point of contact. Faces around the room hardened as they surveyed their primary objective. "Our main job is to silence these 4 Macro Cannons" Erasmus pointed out the objects of interest, circled in red on the map, "Capture if necessary, but mainly just prevent them from firing on our landing reinforcements." There were nods and further mumbled affirmations as the honoured captain continued. "Aside those four macro cannons, it is important we silence their heavy artillery stationed here. Here. And here." Erasmus pointed to three massive gun batteries, also circled in red, arranged in a triangle on the Hexagon structure. Each one was a fully enclosed turret structure with guns only slightly smaller than the anti-orbital Macro Cannons situated in each one. "These guns have the range to bombard our HQ at Hill 414 and it's only a matter of time, I'm told, until they score a lucky hit and do something critical. They are a critical threat to our survival as long as they-" There was a loud rumble and the room shook as another shell impacted the mountain "-as long as they are able to fire on operations based here." Men's faces around the room grew increasingly grim as they surveyed the task at hand, but continued to nod along.
"Now, Imperial intelligence tells me this fortress is also equipped with dozens of smaller artillery pieces, battle cannon emplacements, lascannons, Heavy Bolters and autocannons; but they have also assured me that they have few anti super-heavy weapons at their disposal,'' Erasmus paused as the men around him took in the information "but as I'm sure you're all aware, Imperial intelligence is often wrong, and we know that they have at least some Super Heavy tanks and that news of our landing was leaked somehow." If the men in the room looked grim before, they were now looking very gaunt and pale at that latest news. "On top of that, I have not been granted detailed information on what exactly we are going to be facing in the field, and I do not know the strength of your own units. So, as the first order of business, I will request a status report of each of your units starting with infantry." Erasmus ended his last piece of information by gesturing left to the officers in green.
The oldest man present stood up, and gave a sharp salute. He was wearing a silver breast-plate, with a modest collection of medals pinned to it, denoting a man who was likely around Captain or Major rank.
"Sir! Infantry section of the brigade consists of 2nd Mastado Hoplites and elements of the 427th Cadian! I can report that we have 2 full-strength companies and 2 half-strength companies, for combined numbers of roughly regimental strength, reporting and ready sir! I can also report that we have received additional support in the form of additional infantry along with extra Chimera and Chirmax AFVs from the Mastado PDF." After finishing his report, the man waited for the nod of affirmative before sitting back down, and Erasmus moved onto the next group.
"Artillery sections report 40 operational guns, and 12 operational SPGs, not including the remaining support vehicles. 12 Bombards, 28 Earthshakers, 2 Wyvern Suppression Units, 2 Hydra SPAA, 4 Basilisks and 4 Griffons. Ammunition stores are low across the board, but we can assure that the offensive on the fort itself will be fully supported." Erasmus didn't really like the implications of the ammunition situation, but nodded along with a 'very good' before finally moving onto the group of fellow tank commanders. Honoured Captain Luxer of 1st Company stood to represent the Super Heavies while another man stood for the Cadians.
Luxor spoke first "Remaining strength of our regiment gathered here consists of the Shadowswords Crux Magna and Viratem Imperialis of 1st company, the Baneblades Invincible, Relentless and Ravager of 1st and 3rd company and my own Stormhammer Immortal Glory of 1st company; as well as the tanks you landed with the Banesword Obergrad's Fury of 3rd company and the Stormlord Judgment of 3rd Company. As per general Von Hern's request, these units are all under your direct command, with myself acting second in command abroad the Immortal Glory." The other man waited until the more senior Super Heavy commander had finished before submitting his own report "The 118th Cadian and elements of the 1st Bhein Morr are at your disposal Honoured Captain. Due to the recent merger I'm pleased to report that I can provide 6 full-strength companies of Leman Russ to the Brigade, and I have a full company of Leman Russ Demolishers at my disposal for the task and assaulting the fortress."
As the last man gave his report, Erasmus prepared to wrap up the exchange, he had lots to consider and his subordinates still needed time to prepare. "You'll each be given nominal autonomy over your own units, but the order of battle will go as thus: I have a small scout section of salamanders and Sentinels attached to the Super Heavy formation, these are moving out as we speak to survey the enemy and provide some much-needed intelligence on enemy positions. I want the artillery guns on-station to offer support to them, I only need the mortars for the attack on the fortress, the Super Heavies should be more than enough to smash open that fort. Once we have some confirmation of what's going on out there, I want the armoured and infantry sections of the Brigade to assist each other in the assault on the fortress. I must stress that it is not your job to actually take the fortress. Your duty is merely to dig in and suppress enemy defences, look threatening so the Super Heavies can approach. The Super Heavies will be staying together to maximise firepower and protection, my own Banesword and those Shadowswords can then open breaches in the fortress walls while the Stormhammer and Baneblades suppress the wall guns. The Judgment will then provide close-in support for the final infantry and armour push into the fortress itself. From there, once we have the fort, we wait for further orders. Is that all clear?" Everyone around the room gave an 'aye' and Erasmus scooped up the map, and the plans he had just recited. "Very good everyone, you're all dismissed, prepare your units and brief your men. We move out as soon as we received word from the vanguard."