The ramp folded downwards, Markus wasted no time in clearing the way for the rest of the squad, burning a large group of Tau. Pontius followed him out, his autogun blazing. The rest of the squad piled out of the ship. Gregor was equipped with a loudspeaker in his helmet, roaring litanies of fury and purification, his sword cleaved through ranks of Tau, who milled around in confusion. Most of the Tau were still firing at the imperial walls, but a few turned to face the stormtroopers.
The Tau surrounding the gunship were few and far between, while Gregor mopped them up, the rest of the squad followed Pontius.
The Tau formed a neat firing line, took a careful aim, and readied for the order to fire.
It never came.
The squad had fought the Tau before; they knew that they would use ranged combat when possible. So instead of getting into a pointless fire fight with them, the stormtroopers threw frag grenades to disorientate them, and then followed through with knifes. The Tau feebly parried the blades with their guns, after the messy work was done; a gaping hole was left in the Tau lines. The squad fell back to the gunship, and made their escape. The gunship departed. The Tau were stilled running around in confusion.
"Ok men, fall back, arm frag's!" Gregor motioned to the dropship, which was circling above the carnage.
"Aquilla six! We need evac, over" he voxed the pilot.
"Copy"
The dropship landed semi-horizontally, skidding over the Tau lines, the Tau themselves were too distracted by the guard on the walls to fire at the ship.
The stormtroopers sprinted towards the ship, tossing frag grenades over their shoulders. Several explosions heralded the stormtroopers exit. Having made their mark, the squad boarded the ship and watched from above as the guard on the walls took the opportunity to wipe out the confused Tau.
The operation was a huge success.
Later back at the base, the guard cheered at the return of the stormtroopers. Gregor left the squad to their leisurely activities and prayer; meanwhile he set of to command.
"A fine job Gregor, very fine." The general smiled upon Gregor's arrival
Gregor grinned back, "It's been only too long."
"Well, the next Tau force should be a good few weeks yet, they're tied up fighting the PDF in the countryside surrounding the capital, anyway, drink?" the general offered, holding up a bottle of alcohol.
"And the emperor delivers his reward, 'bout time." Gregor nodded.
Gregor accepted a glass of the beverage, and took several long gulps of it.
"Hmm, not from Marl, that's for sure… vintage… M40 946 I'm guessing?"
The general nodded "one of the neighbouring planets, a garden world. Good stuff. just doesn't have the taste of home though…"
Gregor took another gulp of the drink.
"So, where are me and my men going next?"
The general sighed
"Never a casual moment, that's you. Anyway, I will not be overseeing your next mission. You are being attached to the inquisitorial taskforce. They will most likely be sending you to the capital. They think they have found something there."
"Any idea what the Ordos xenos is looking for here yet?" Gregor asked, hesitantly
"Gregor, if they had told us, we would be mind scrubbed or dead by now." The general replied.
"Understood, blessed is the mind too small for doubt." Gregor nodded solemnly
The general nodded grimly.
"Be careful out there, don't learn too much. The inquisition will not hesitate to kill you if your eyes have seen things they don't want you to."
"I will relay your advice to the men; do you know which inquisitor my men and I have been assigned to?" Gregor questioned, taking another few sips of the liquid.
"Inquisitor Callahan, I know nothing of him other than his name. Be careful out there, Greg."
"By the emperors' grace, sir"
The door to the command centre swung open, all eyes turned to face the entrance.
A tall man strode in; he was dressed in the clothes of a stormtrooper. He looked around the room; Gregor could tell he was evaluating the area for threats. When the man was sure that a room held no threat, he motioned for another man to come in.
The second man was regal if nothing else, he was shorter than the other man, but still remained an imposing figure. He was covered in inquisition sigils, and wore silver armour similar to that of one of the astartes, servos whirring and clanking as he walked. At his waist, a small box with the inquisitorial 'I' was hung.
Gregor had no doubt:
This was inquisitor Callahan.
