Chapter 31
Always, always lead from the front. Never expect a man under your command to undertake an action you're not prepared to make yourself.
Commissar-General Delane Oktar
Central China Issei's current front Saturday.
Sona had finally been able to get to the front where Issei was on. Ingvild had come too helped by Hadrian. The new head of the Leviathan clan had an extremely hard week.
Ingvild had been swarmed by Leviathan banners defecting from the OSF begging to serve her. They do not want to die to the las shot or the bolter. Their leader was a fifth cousin of a branch family, and he was willing to do anything she and her now betrothed wanted. Ingvild had not been trained for devil politics by her father. But Franz Joseph had taught her human ones. A new legacy for the true last Emperor of Austria-Hungry.
Ingvild told her new banners the plain truth. Those who committed crimes against humanity were to be imprisoned. Those who wanted redemption must leave the past behind. They must swear an oath of penance to serve in the Guard for one hundred years. Those who deny that are to be killed immediately. You want redemption you have to earn it through blood sweat and tears. No running. No falling back into old habits. And any order given to you regardless of who it originated from is to be followed without any questions or hesitation.
The banners see this is the only path where they do not get killed by the Emperor or his armies. They agree. The banners will form something new. They expect to be used as cannon fodder and meat shields. They will not be. They are deployed to help the North Koreans.
Antony sees the symbol and the bracelets they wear. He wants to kill them on principle. But the Empress of Peace gave his new front the reinforcements it was in need of. A new human psyker there shows the Leviathan banners a vision of Krieg. The banners are humbled by the glimpse. That humans would be like that. No fear or hesitation in duty. They will become the Leviathan Death Korps. They know no fear. Because they will get exoneration. They will perform great acts.
Sona and Ingvild are close to a command center where Issei is. They want to hold him and see Ravel. The Guard who see them know. The new Guard know the Empresses love them too. They are devils or a hybrid. But the Guard have seen the light coming from their devil allies. Sona and her soul of light kills the final doubts. Ingvild shows the men and women that they can have peace after. She is part human. They know they will not be forgotten.
Ruruko has been moved to Skanderbeg. He is happy to have a strategic mind like him helping.
Ravel greets the other Sigilites. She hugs Sona and Ingvild. The war mask is down, and she will never not love Issei for teaching her that. Issei is with Lint, and they are planning the next push with Zhang and three new generals. Issei never ignored their suggestions. They appreciate that. Freed is building a new command structure and it is meeting little resistance. Meritocracy. No nepotism. Issei does excuse himself to see his ladies. His generals understand. They miss their partners too. But they began plans for this Offensive. Most of their regiments have las guns now. Half have carapace. But they were given schematics for new flack armor that is still superior to their old body armor. Earthshakers and griffins are being moved forward and now that the camp does not have to hide anymore Cawl's forge has been expanding and they are confident they can get one hundred tanks a week made. Seventy five Earthshakers and eventually Chimera Apcs.
Ingvild once she sees Issei kissed him fully. Then Sona. They are ecstatic to see him. Sona knows about the hand.
"My war mask was up there So, I do not remember it. Please do not be worried about that. Have you been getting treated well now that everyone in the School knows? I know you used me to get Shirone some breathing space."
Sona just kisses him again. It is his answer. Ingvild had been getting strange looks but that was the extent. Sona says something after the kiss.
"I have been treated fine. Aunt Cleria knows now. She wants an autograph. And she wants to forever apologize for that night. I want to marry you sooner rather than later now. Not a shotgun wedding but one where we use it for when we win here in China. Ravel your welcome to join me."
"I would like that. And tell Cleria she has nothing to apologize for. She saved people. That will never not have my respect. She can have the autograph. I want peace with you and the others so much. Ingvild thank you for The Death Korps in the north. They were struggling badly there. They will get their penances. I will forgive them. They were the least evil of the OSF. But many of their heads will be in Kangabaru. Let them understand that they will earn less time there for each town and city they free. And tell them their new mantra."
Ingvild nodded. She likes it better than the cult of sacrifice. She still kissed him for supporting her in her rule too. Ravel and Sona joined in. They all wished Le Fay were here. But she was busy hunting the OSF. Team Slash Dog was going after the Hero Faction. The Magician faction had now merged with the OSF. Euclid enslaved most of the magicians and now they fight for Rizevim. Those who escaped are also being hunted. But they are a low priority compared to the two others.
Issei dreams that night of their wedding. He wanted that so badly. Neoth and Gaia promised him he would get it. They are gearing up for war in the warp. Athame gets her first look at the Emperor of Mankind. She decided something. There was a lonely daughter of hers that needs a man like that. She is down. But he can fix her and give her, and others hope. She poked Neoth.
"Let there be seven. I will not subject my people to yours. I like that in the bedroom but not for them. The daughter in question needs help as does her sister. Let him give her hope. She is isolated and alone. Her mother had no other choice but death. Please let her have your champion. Your son."
Neoth sees the Asari. She is an Ardat-Yakshi. A demon of the midnight wind. She is depressed horribly. She is trapped in a prison that is disguised as a monastery. He feels pity for her. She is so down. She has attempted her suicide twice. Gaia sees her too. They two pity her so much. Neoth had been slowly coming around to Athame. But he warned her.
"He will help her regardless. But she will become a pariah for loving him. Your people will not like him at all. Her mother will see a tyrant. Your champion will know mine and try to help. But we cannot convince your people easily. The lines for her are seventy thirty. They are against her badly. I can give her hope now. But he will be the final decision. Are you certain with this knowing all now?"
Athame nodded.
"Let me talk with him. Falere deserves to be happy too."
Issei is enjoying a dream with the Sigilites. They are all together in living room watching a tv. It is a new movie they all wanted to see. The fifth and sixth are still clouded. But Issei noticed a ghost of a seventh. They are different. He is immediately suspicious. There were only six. His dream splits. And Athame is shown in the half of the room the tv had been. Issei narrows his eyes.
"What do you want. I was enjoying something, and you made this dream bad now."
Athame understands she is hated by the Emperor. But she must try for Falere.
"I simply wish to put a new card on the table. Your patrons have said your heavy against this. But I have a daughter who needs a man like you. I understand she will lose much. But you will give her the galaxy. Please consider her."
Issei now is angrier. He is not interested in Asari. He likes Quarians more. They are science. His thoughts. He is about to get angry with Athame. But something happened.
Falere is dreaming a new dream. She is in a living room that is not in the monastery. There are seven other people. Six are women. But one is a man. She cannot see him clearly. But she sees that they are happy together. She does not understand this. But the man looks to her now. He had been focused heavily on the tv.
Falere is scared. But also struck by something. Hope. Now she sees a faint outline of an Asari in front of the tv. The man takes a closer look at her. His face began to clear. Issei sees Falere. Her shame. The desire to no longer exist. He sees what Athame is trying. Falere had been treated well in her prison. The Asari were not cruel to Ardat-Yakshi. But Falere had tried to end it twice. A rope for the first time. A small poison the second. Her sister saved her both times. Falere had never mentioned it to their mother. Neither had her sister.
Pity takes him. Falere was getting ready to do it again. The lines show she will most likely succeed this time. She would use a gun she had smuggled into her room and had hidden well. Issei glared at Athame more. He had a bleeding heart. The look he sends Athame is one that promises a massive amount of favors. He is not into Aliens. But Falere needs help. First Contact is made not on a planet. But in dreams.
Falere backed up. She is now very scared. But the man is revealed to her. She looked at him in shock. He has three fur colors on his head. He has golden eyes. He looks like a male Asari. He brims with power underneath his skin. His soul is something else entirely. Falere now shakes. But the man simply sighed.
"I am sorry I am scaring you. It is not my intention. This is still a dream. But we are connected for now by a person who is very worried about you. I am real. Was enjoying something with my ladies. My name is Issei. Please do not do what you are planning."
Falere shakes. He claims to be real. He knows she will attempt her death again in two days. She wanted to wake up and fast. This is a nightmare. But she feels a hand touch her shoulder. Falere looks over and sees Athame. She gasped. But her goddess pulled her into a back hug. It was like being held by mommy again before she took the code. Athame stopped most of the shaking.
"He and I are very real Fal. Please do not do it. You will leave behind your sister. She has had doubts too. She stays for you. Stay for her and for our new friend here. He will help your family. Please have faith in me and him. You want a family and to be free from the monastery. He can get you both. Please believe me."
Falere wanted to believe. But she was so depressed. The monastery had tried a new gene therapy and it had not worked. It backfired and killed three volunteers. Falere had been about to try it too. She wished that she had taken it. She would have been free then. She began to cry and shake again.
"This is not real! He is not real! You are a concept from our past! Please if you really are truly trying to help me. Please let me die! I cannot stand the shame! I cannot stand that mommy hates us! That we bring shame to her every second we draw breath! I just want to cease! Let me die!"
Falere is now openly weeping. She wants to go into the abyss of a dead star and die painfully and in agony. To never be remembered for her life. She will pull the trigger as soon as this ends. She tried to snap jerk herself awake with a slap to the face. But a hand catches her.
Falere opened her eyes tears still flowing. And sees him. He is holding her hand back. He cares. His other hand came to her face and touched it. Wiping the tears away. He is now weeping himself. For her. Falere now in the materium feels the hand on her sleeping face.
"Do not pull the trigger. I will help you. I will make your life better than ever before. I am very real. But you must believe me. Your goddess is real too. Fal. Please do not do it. The galaxy will be lessened if you do this. Athame you owe me something big of anything of my choice. But I will attempt this for Fal."
Athame just nodded. He would ask for something big. But it was in her power to do it. Falere sees the lines now. Of the devastation she brings her family if she pulls the trigger. Her sister will do the act. A knife she has smuggled into her room. Her mother will go mad with grief. Kill three thousand in her rampage on hearing the news of both daughters she loves still so deeply and does not feel shame for at all.
Falere sees her futures with him. She has babies there. Two daughters. And two human sons. Her first boy there is a strategist, her second a man that enjoys farming and spreading nature. Her sons see their mother look at them. Falere gasped when four more hugs engulfed her in ghostly form. Her son of nature whispered to her.
"We love you mom. Please stay for yourself. We are a chance. Not likely but we want you here."
Falere burrows her head into the strange man. She is weeping her sorrows at him. Issei holds that lost Asari. He whispered sweet things to her. They connected. Falere wants him. The man who is reluctant to try. But is doing so because she has always mattered. Her hate beginning to leave. Falere whispered to him.
"Please be real. I want you who is the greatest thing of which I have ever dreamed. Please be real My Dream."
Issei held her. Falere was weeping into his neck. Begging him to be real. He just with one hand patted her back. The other pets her crest. Athame disappeared. Issei just holds the lost Asari.
"I am real Fal. I want to help you. The visions you saw are possible. But the odds are stacked against you. Give the gun immediately to the prison people. Take the knife from your sister. Never have those thoughts again. I am not a xenophile. But we might work. I want you to be happy."
Falere calms down. He is right. The gun will hurt more than just her. The guards will freak when they are given it. But she will accept the punishment. She will take the knife too. She will live for him. Issei gently corrects that.
"Live for yourself first. I will be there in whatever role you want me to be. I will talk to you here in dreams. I am not yet in space. But I will fight harder to get to you. There are indeed others. But we will be there for you too."
Falere sees now it is not a family of one man and a woman. But a harem. They are clouded. Harems had long since died out with Asari. They had been common in the far past before the republics. But that legacy died. She feels strange about that. But Falere sees that it is not one where the members fight one another for advance. It is a sisterhood of family. That she does like. She sees that the first three will try for her too. The third in particular. But the first surprised her. That one is looking at her more sharply. And there is something there. Lust. For the Asari. That is something that Falere never felt much of. Who wants to lust for an Ardat-Yakshi? Still the first one is now woofing.
Issei sighed. Ravel is here. Why?
"Vel please show your face. And why the attraction?"
Ravel had been before this enjoying a pervert dream where Issei was there and growling as they had fun. But someone else had been there too. An Asari. Ravel had been having fun with the two. She did not know she liked the female form too. Now she does. Her minor sin kicked in. Greed for lovers. She was just getting to the really good part. When Ravel popped into a living room. They were all here. Sona was frowning at the tv, but it was because of an inaccuracy in the movie about Ravel and Issei. Ingvild was also surprised to be here. Ravel noted that was the real Ing. Issei was next to that same Asari. Ravel woofed. Then the question.
"I just learned that. The porn is good about Asari. Needed to let myself feel something. Ing is here too. And hello gorgeous. I am Ravel. I am eager to meet you one day."
Issei sighed. Apparently Ravel was the closet pervert. They had switched. Ingvild was looking at Falere and sees that the Asari needs a friend. But she agreed with Ravel. That is new. She will ask Sona about that later. The two other psykers get up and move to a safe but nonintrusive distance near Issei. Falere can see their faces now. Oh no. They are also hot. Issei just sighed further. Why does he get the perverts here?
"This is Falere. I will form a psychic link between the four of us. We will be there for you Falere. You are not going mad. I have to get up soon. I have wars to fight. Ing can you please explain to Falere a few things. Ravel. We will talk about this sixty forty now. But you need to not be down bad. Understand?"
Ravel has another new kink. She will have to talk to Akeno.
"Yes sir. I will be good. Bye Falere!"
Falere feels strings attached to her soul now. Her Dream and the blonde disappeared. Ingvild stayed. The rest of the Sigilites disappeared. But the tv remains. Falere is gently moved to the couch. And then the Tv starts to show a blue planet in an unknown solar system.
China the next morning.
Ravel is being good. Issei being hard commanding is so hot. But they need to prepare for this. The mask will go up. The city they are preparing to fight for is particularly important. It is on major highways. And has multiple train lines. It will connect the north and south and the east will get reinforcements. Taiwan has committed and they established several beach heads there. The few Unification army forces and triads are forming up there. They need this city.
Thirty regiments are here. Twenty more are being mustered for this fight. The Guard have new flags. They bear the image of Ollanius Person. The harbinger. The saint of them all. The man who stood against Horus. Horus has become the Cabal. There are not only Chinese here now. Five regiments are from the Middle East. Two more are from Vietnam. Five are from India. One is made up of Mongolians. The cult of Neoth has spread fast in them.
Issei stands with his troops. His new Custodian Diep has the Aquilla standard. Five more men have volunteered to join the Ten Thousand. One is Bikwo. Their Enhancements will take time. Diep is from Vietnam. And he is a gear user. A speed gear. Issei tells the army they must win here. This is the first true domino. The Deltic Hawks are here on mass. Their banner of a swooping hawk has made three young American mercs chuckle and say swooping is bad.
The Imperials have launched radio signals urging the civilians in the city to leave. The Cabal has considered using them as meat shields. But that pissed off the civilians and the once local loyal triad. They had made peace with the imperial triad and the two have been funneling people out. Three riots had happened in the city. Many civilians were ready to die against the Cabal. The railroad workers still remaining have hard considered if they want to take explosives and destroy the railroads. But the Cabal was determined to hold the city.
They wanted to make this a Stalingrad. The general for them here was an old fashioned man. Believed in old wave tactics. He had superior numbers. He had been called up to serve by a friend in the Cabal. He did have doubts. Not many but enough. He was worried about the guns.
The Imperium was always getting new weapons. Many regiments had been given las shotguns and chainaxes. The Deltic Hawks had five hundred soldiers and they had new hell guns in a shorter more compact mark. Grenade launchers were also being issued.
This fight would be bad. Issei knows that. The Guard knows too. No Hail Mary would make this fight better. They will not back down.
Kuoh Academy Japan.
Rias has seen her club get dozens of new people. They want to learn magic. They want to learn everything. Rias is happy to teach. Two Magicians one imperial and one from an established guild are helping out. Students watched alongside faculty in awe at the things they showed. Several people are interested in joining the peerage. Kenji it turned out also had a gear. A very strange one too. He had a lesser twilight healing. Rias really had not been checking people for gear. Her ship was better than greed for members.
She did get a potential new pawn. A nice girl. A foreign exchange student from Australia. Her name was Phoebe. She was brave and was a psyker. Tosca had found her and then had another psyker begin training her. Rias had been surprised by that. Her talents were in ok precognitive work. But Phoebe had been asked a question by a man who was a geneticist. Rias had been confused by the new term he spoke. Navigator. The man was named Francois.
"Ms Venkman, I represent a new program that the Emperor is putting together. We are going to be creating a new subspecies of human. They will be called Navigators. We believe that you are the closest to the needed genetics to begin forming the subspecies. We would like to either get DNA or for you to be the first navigator."
Phoebe had blinked at that request. So had Rias. Francois explains that Phoebe would with a computer be able to guide ships into the warp and help do the FTL heavy lifting. Phoebe had been intrigued. Rias was too. There were three other potentials who had been located and they had all agreed to help the program via DNA. Phoebe had surprised Rias.
"I will do it. I want to see space. If I can help Issei by doing this then it will be worth it. He helped me with a pervert who tried something. Sona-San helped expel them. I wanted to serve in the Australian Guard, but this is safer."
"Relatively yes. But there will be some pain. We are thanks to Lady Daliea managing to fix several of the genetic issues and pain. It will still hurt especially when we add another sensory organ. Are you still sure? DNA and vat grown Humans can do it too. It is never a forced thing."
Phoebe had considered. But she just nodded in the end.
"We all must make sacrifices. Now more than ever. Mom is volunteering to be a nurse for the Guard. Dad is a former veteran and he said he will serve as a combat instructor at a new Camp they are setting up. I want to help the man who did not try anything and had calmed me down. He is my Senpai, and I would do anything for him."
"We will still need to contact your parents. I am not opposed to anything that is gets decided there."
Rias had immediately offered to have Phoebe serve on her ship which the other girl had accepted. Kenji was willing to be her medical officer and he was a sweet man. Rias saw he had a crush on her. It was flattering because it was not a body crush. He likes her personality. More so especially after the game. That made her share the past with him. To see if he really was interested after knowing she had problems. Kenji had just shrugged and said he had them too. His were not bad. Not like hers. But he was still interested. He was supremely surprised to learn that Rias was a noble. But he had just shrugged again. Rias felt something for him start there.
Shirone had given Jiro the chance. He had taken her to a high-quality restaurant. Then to a sweet shop. He had been kind. People were still weirded out by her tail and ears. But Jiro simply slipped out his wings in support. Their waiter was a Youkai fox and he was open about his two tails. The humans were still getting used to that. But they had just started accepting them. Just humans with extra features. They were not Xenos. The Race was the big topic at many tables. Jiro however had just kept their table fun and relaxing. They definitely had chemistry. He had actually put on a small amount of muscle mass. He was indeed serious.
Kiryuu was giggling perversely at a picture of a Turian. He was so hot. As were the Asari. But Kiryuu found her newest kink. She wants a strong Turian boyfriend or girlfriend. Gasper sweat dropped at that but did not regret his first throne agent. Kiryuu was a master in diplomatic talking and her innuendos were very well hidden. She was a good field agent. She had already found a second potential one in a male nature spirit from North America. They had been Tumblr buddies. He was not a pervert thankfully. But he had his own weird flaw. The spirit was a weeb. He was ecstatic to move here. The Tumblr was for a show called One Piece.
The spirit was willing to work as a bodyguard. He loved swords too. Gasper was simply happy he was out and about. He got weird looks and despite wearing a boy's uniform now he was asked if he was a girl. Gasper just shook his head. He did have a situation, however. He had found information on Valerie. He needed to help the friend he long thought dead. She was being held in a prison in Romania. Kept unconscious.
The OSF was gathering to grab her. They could not get his friend! She was a good person, and she had a Longinus. The holy grail. He had made a request to Team Vali to deploy there. He was worried.
Mark 001-030 Critical City Central China.
Three regiments moved. They had a new friend in their squads. A commissar. But they were not to kill retreating men or women. They were there to inspire them forward. The first town connected to the city was entered. They swiftly captured several blocks of homes, and the swift attack caught the Cabal off guard. This town was not the center. It was on the far left. Triads had sent runners that made it to the Guard and the battle began. Lint had divined that this was the weakest area and had the least resistance. Issei had kicked off the mark with Earthshakers opening on the defensive line in the center to draw forces there.
The regiments on the left finally encountered resistance at Mark 010 when they hit an Apc and three squads of Party troops near a bus station. The Imperial Commissars had led with a zeal that inspired their Guardsmen on. The first kill of the town was a female Commissar killing a captain for the enemy with a bolt pistol. The man exploding into pieces plus the roar of a chainaxe she carried brought dragon las guns up and a volley was unleashed. Three heavy weapons operators carrying plasma guns and plasma rockets killed the Apc. The Guard moved fast.
The bolter scared the harden party troops. So did the roar of the axe. They were pushed badly, and they lost the station by mark 015. Their own commissar had tried to keep order. But he died to a plasma gun. The two squads from the Imperials had quickly secured the station and then moved up. The next resistance had been encountered at a café that was acting as the command post here. There the survivors from the party troops and more conscripts had formed a battle line in the apartment complexes and they had quickly barricaded the street with cars and a truck. There the first combat squads had been reinforced by ten more and they began the next phase.
Mark 020 began with Two mortar teams beginning a barrage that exploded the truck and wiped out a squad of conscripts. Then two plasma rockets and a grenade launcher wipes the street Cabal out mostly and makes them retreat. The three on the left and right draw their axes and rev them. They will clear buildings with las shotguns and the axe. The right falls fast because of the forces there hearing the roars and running. The left holds for three minutes. The center was urged on by the female Commissar.
"Glory to the man who guts the commander here!"
The Cabal had done summary executions to many conscripts. The Guard wants vengeance for that. The center moved up. They keep the Cabal forces heads down with more mortar and krak grenades. The commander has begged for reinforcements and a company is being sent with more Apcs. They will not get their fast enough.
Mark 031-045 Left flank.
The commander for the Cabal loses his head to a las shotgun. His men break and run. The first domino was hit. A new intelligence report. It showed that the left was weaker than thought. Two more regiments are sent and they began to fully clear the town. The first three pushed forward and hit the next town. They clear three machine gun nests and an Apc that was rolling up. Three griffins are rolled to reinforce.
The true fire fight started at a school two blocks into the second town that was held by the company. The school is the center of the line. The left has a park with multiple machine guns and Cabal mortars. The right has a parking lot. There the Apcs have set up a kill box. The tanks will not get here fast enough.
The battle began with Deltic Hawks making the first push for the school. They blow open the doors with a plasma rocket and then they and another three squads chuck grenades and the mortar teams keep their heads down on the roof and the third and second floor enemies are kept suppressed by a friendly machine gun. The Hawks pushed in and began the melee with roaring axes. They make the first floor run red. The left park gets a brave Muslim Commissar throwing a plasma grenade and cleared a machine gun nest.
On the right two magicians Just throw lightning and they short circuit several Apcs. The Apcs die to plasma rockets. But the push is not made yet. The left has more plasma guns, and they began a creeping barrage to keep the Cabal down. They are not winning the park yet. The school has now barricaded the stairs and the Hawks just prepare for reinforcements. Three Guard units make the next push in, and they bring more explosives.
The enemy has begun firing back after the machine gun the Imperials are using jammed and three Guard do die on the push in. The Cabal is slowly learning the weaknesses of the Carapace. But they are not getting it fast enough. The left sees another grenade kill a radio team and that breaks the coordination there. The Cabal do not train their troops to take much initiative. The Guard exploited that heavily. Another Commissar leads their squad up and they claim the first strong point. A restroom.
The right fired more volleys, and they kill another Apc. Five Imperials are killed because they are using old body armor and not carapace or the new flak yet. But this does not do much. The last two Apcs go up in flames by plasma rockets. Then the push began. Three squads make the push, and they break the right. The school cannot provide help here because of a tree line. The left, however, gets the Imperials pined by the second floor. A breacher squad blows the barricades on the stairs and they second floor is taken, then the roof. The left gets five volleys of las fire and that ends the battle.
Mark 048-0105.
Lint sees the first weakness in the center. The barrage has pinned so many Cabal forces there as has the right. Multiple tanks had made the right hold fast. Two storm birds are given the orders to fire supported by a cadre. These birds claim two field captains. The angels clear the five Cabal planes sent to kill the storm birds.
The left has now captured the second town after two more hard fire fights. Their Commissars have let a new regiment take up the push. The sixth Vietnam regiment called the Ho Chi Min Elephants has moved up. They are veterans. The second regiment behind them is new. They are from Egypt. They have fewer las guns. They are nervous in that they are still new. But their Commissars are not.
"Be like Ollanius. We cannot back down. We are the Emperor's fury our Jihad will cross the void and we will blast the Gould to pieces with our wrath. For the Emperor!"
That makes the Mamelukes feel better. Jihad is needed. The Arab spring installed a Unification government there. It is hard committed. The griffins rolled up to support them. That settled the final fears. The third town holds a railroad yard and two stations. The Cabal is dug in, and they launched three mass human waves at the two regiments. The new heavy machine guns on the griffin's and the bolters make the waves run in fear. Plus, the las volleys. Two units of Alpharius struck now.
They had waited and they are not dying to bolters. They and their men place the Aquilla armbands made in secret, and they surprised the Cabal. The New stacked up and attacked the second station. They managed to kill the commander there. They convinced their prisoners that if they want to live and see the stars they must defect now. That makes them get five more ad hoc units. The Aquilla is raised over the station and portals are made bring Deltic Hawks and the Atillian Horde Guard. They get machine guns set up and the station is rearmed. They bring more help.
A squad of five entered the station and they are new warriors. They wear power armor. They carry bolters. These are the first proto Astartes. Their line is that of Ravel and Issei. Their father will be Alpharius. The old Alpharius's see the new. The lead proto marine is a man from Germany. He is Wilhelm. His comrades are from Europe too. Orphans who want to fight. They openly wear the Hydra. The five move for the next station. Their Enhancements are not full Primaris. But they are faster than any regular human. They and two squads of Deltic Hawks and four Atillian hit a bus station. The Cabal is horrified further by the Astartes.
The Commissars point to the Astartes, and they say that is the future come to serve with them. The Alpha Legion barrels forth with their war cry.
"Hydra Dominatus!"
The marines cross the street at such speeds the Cabal cannot believe that a human can move at. They slammed into a machine gun nest that had opened up on them. The clip did nothing. A bolter barked and then the gunner exploded. The Mamelukes units near them are awe struck. Their Commissars back up the marines
"We are Alpharius, and we are Legion! Forward!"
The bus station falls, and the Marines are pressed onwards. Wilhelm is happy they have started their legacy. His second a man named Victor from Bulgaria is too. The other three are ready to fight. They are not Neothites. They follow the burgeoning new idea. The Imperial Truth. Gods are real. But science will help as much as faith. They will be the Angels of Death. The Emperor who is their father's scalpel. They wish to meet their gene father and his future mother. They will be like the Old in many ways. But they will also be trolls of unrivaled comparison.
The second station had a tank and two Apcs. The Cabal is now worried. The general here is convinced the attack is coming in the center. Why have such a massive bombardment there? Why commit gunships and angels there plus extra regiments. He does not see the left as anything more than a scout force that will be thrown back easily.
The left commander is not agreeing. The Imperials are making steady progress here. They are clearing towns fast. His men from the second town are telling tales of chainaxes and guns that make you explode. Laser shotguns and more. He is now hearing of warriors who have the new guns that make you explode, and they have power armor. He is convinced that he is facing the first real push.
The Astartes see the tank. Victor preps his thunder hammer. Collin gets his heavy bolter ready. Wilhelm ordered them forward. The Guard followed up and take the Apcs. A plasma rocket kills one and the second gets into cover with just the machine gun visible enough to fire. The tank faces the marines. Victor charges and the tank fired on him. The round hits the man but to the horror of the Cabal the man powers through with just a single scratch. Victor laughed and then brings his massive hammer down. His brothers are covering him with bolters. The thunder hammer crushed the tank gun and then knocked the turret off the vehicle and onto a third Apc that had arrived. The new vehicle exploded.
"It is hammer time scum! I serve the Emperor of Man! He who will rule the galaxy Eternal!"
The Cabal are now shaking and many conscripts run openly. The left commander has now horrible regrets. His son and daughter had fled and now serve the Emperor. The second Apc let us lose its machine gun and the bullets ping off Victor. Another rocket guardsman this time from the Mamelukes fires and the cover is significantly lessen. Victor cracks the hammer again. A Chinese Commissar from the imperials points at the Alpha Legion advance.
"For the Emperor and the Space Marines! The warriors who will destroy the Gould! We March men of Terra! This city and China will be free once more!"
The Guard charge and they are not afraid anymore. More Imperials are filtered in behind them. The Mamelukes are now certain. The Cabal loses the station at Mark 0110. Tanks with riding Guardsmen bring up several Earthshakers and mortars. They will hit the true edge of the city in two more hours of hard fighting. The Center will keep up with bombs and gunships. But the right began sending forces to the left.
The Commander of the left gets mercy. A Commissar stops his death by las shotgun. It is his son. The new just leads his father and his few surviving officers out of a nearby house. The father feels shame. He could have run with them and had his unit follow. He stayed because his mother was a prisoner. But his son tells his dad something.
"We freed grandmother. They kept lying to you. They do nothing but lie to China. The Emperor speaks only the hard truth. The Xenos that the Cabal say are western lies are truth. We must free China. Tell us everything and I will fight to get you a reduced sentence.
It hurt knowing that. But the commander informed the Imperials that the center was buckling. The Guard keeps up the bombardment.
Inquisition Headquarters Underworld.
Team Vali is on down time. Biwko has left. He is ready for the Ten Thousand. They did not get a replacement for him yet.
Kuroka has been knitting. Le Fay has explained the favor. Kuroka wants to make one for Issei. She wants a committed relationship with him. She will be better. She does not have talent for it. But a kind stormtrooper helps with a few tips. The result is a black kitten with gold eyes. His gold. Kuroka is somewhat pleased with it.
Ren has been busy with Le Fay, and they have been communicating with Issei. Le Fay is worried about the Asari. Falere had it really bad. Le Fay does admit she finds the Asari attractive. But she like Issei is not a xenophile. Falere seems according to Issei incredibly sad. Ravel has just woofed a bunch. The other blond is down bad for Asari. But Ravel has gone to take command of the left.
Vali and Percy are just enjoying quiet time. Agamemnon is praying. But Arthur gets them together. He has a small ribbon for Excalibur now. A token from Irina. Ren is there first. Kuroka and Le Fay come next to the bar. Vali when she gets there is smiling, and Percy has a shit eating grin on his face. Kiryuu just sighed dreamily at all the hunky people. But she focused and grew serious. The boss has requested the team.
"Sorry for bothering you all. But the short man needs you guys. The OSF is preparing a kidnapping. It is after a Longinus user. We need to rescue them. They are being held by Vampires and the prison is well defended in the Carpathians. So, lots of problems. We do have a field agent there and she is willing to drop flares for you near the edge of the scheme. Technically there is no bounty here, but the boss is willing to pay three times your current salary for this mission."
Vali saw money. She likes money. Her mom needed space for their new home in the Imperial country and the land was getting expensive fast with so many former fallen and devils moving in. So, money is good. The rest of them are worried because of the Longinus. The now fourteen are dangerous. Ren sees something and then backed up his boss.
"The OSF is trying to do something bad with the user. They want to make an army with it. I am going."
Le Fay hates vampires. Her father tormented her with a vampire mistress and that has left scars. Arthur was pampered by that blood sucker. But he is not a fan either. Percy needs more money to buy Vali things and Agamemnon and Kuroka are in regardless. Vali just grunts saying they are in.
Kiryuu gives over the data slate with the information. Kiryuu is going with them. She has a power armor suit and a wonderful chainsword. Plus, a kick ass melta gun. Patrick has eight squads of his lads, and they are eager to kill devils and vampires.
Kuroka gives a mail person in the base a package to be sent to China. The cat hopes this will show she is more than lust. Her dreams of him are now tamer. And she sees her kittens with his eyes. He is worth more than anything. Kuroka has been shown a new picture sent by Veina. Two more nekoshou babies are on the way.
Critical City Central China
Mark 0415-0445
The Alpha Legion marines have met Ravel. They are smothered with affection from her. The five enjoy it a lot. They have her blonde hair. Wilhelm does ask if they can put flames on their Hydras. Their gene father's mom just smiled and said yes.
The marines are going with her to crush a position. The Cabal has set up a radio network and they are keeping an advance pinned by the commanding view they have. The base is inside a skyscraper. Deltic Hawks and several elite squads of the Chinese regiment called the Iron Dragons were with them. Chainaxes and las shotguns were ready, and they had plenty of power packs.
The las gun is such a wonderful thing. No massive trains of bullets. The Cabal has tried multiple grab operations to get the guns. But Neoth makes the guns explode when the Cabal gets hands on them. They have tried other avenues. But the Cabal is now considered as the Unlawful government of China. The video of them killing the first Unification leader has surfaced and pissed many off because they offered reforms not revolutionary acts first. Ten Cabal regiments in the north defected after that.
Still, this was going to be bad. Ravel had her force sword ready. The Alpha Legion had las shotguns and chainaxes at their hips. They lead the charge. Ravel with them.
The gun team holding the courtyard see the barricades they put up get smashed down by psychic might and trolly marines. The Roar of Hydra Dominatus sends many conscripts running. The Hawks and The Iron Dragons follow.
Ravel brings her sword up and chopped an arm off an enemy Commissar. The man went down screaming. The frontline in the lobby breaks and the Alpha Legion makes more gains. They get a command radio.
Hawks begin clearing the second floor. They lose three to ambushes. But the chainaxes make the Cabal soldiers tremble. The floor cleaning is done ten minutes later. The third through sixth floors are lightly held. But the seventh floor holds a command post. There three squads of party troopers hold down the fort. The Marines and Ravel take that floor. Ravel pats Wilhelm.
"Easy floor. We will get the building. I believe."
The party troopers are intimidated by the marines and the single regular figure. They do attempt a fight, however. A powerful Cabal party figure is here. He has not seen war against the Imperials yet. He is an ass. But his redemptive quality was he fought hard for extra food for the front line men. He had been a recruited conscript once.
Mark 0450-0515
The marines form a wedge, and they push Ravel feeds their troll natures.
"We are Alpharius, and this is our favorite skyscraper in China!"
The marines repeated that. The Cabal hates Alpharius. The hydra scares them badly because they can never break captured members. They do not know how far it reaches. That pissed off the party troops. They open up with Qbz-95 bullets. The bullets ping off armor. Two las shotguns kill three party troopers. Ravel kills another with her bolt pistol. The bark and the man explodes making more question if to run.
Another two barks and two more die. This plus the bulldozer hits the first squad. Chainaxes roar and the troopers cannot fight back effectively. Knives and shovels are pulled. They wack and stab to no avail. But the roars and the shotguns make many die.
The party man is shaking. He does not like the troll laughs. Nor the roars. The rumors are true! The roars cease ten minutes later. The blue haired man peeks over his table he had been hiding under. There standing across the room is Victor with a revved axe and his helm off.
"Come on out. Talk and I will not use this. Love me axe simple as."
The party man whined. Then raised his hands in surrender. He is shaking. But Victor just gestures to him to move. Ravel did set the bodies on fire. The building is secured soon after and long las teams moved in and began taking pot shots at officers and Commissars the Cabal is using. This frees three units who want to surrender. This breaks another block.
North China near North Korea border.
The NKA is preparing a push. They and twelve regiments are beginning a new offensive. The massed outdated NKA guns opened up and the mark began.
Mark 001-030
The left is the Death Korps. They and Youkai from South Korea make the first gains of the offensive. Three small villages and several bus stations. A new post is made, and Death Korp devils fight forward. They bear their emblem. A Death Korp of Krieg Gasmask. They push harder than the Youkai.
Their human Commissars do not need to inspire them. The new Death Korps are fighting for redemption. That means they cannot fall back. They have flak armor. And new autoguns on top of their magic. The Cabal is envious of the Death Korps. Why can't they have soldiers like that!
The Right is three regiments of South Koreans. The North Koreans amazed their country. The NKR had, through the DMZ informed the south that they are fighting and they do not have las guns or anything else. So, what's the South's excuse? That caused riots. That collapsed the previous government. The South Korean Unification Party stepped up and committed regiments forward. The two Koreas begin talks to try to do reunification. A diplomat from the North just asked for food and new guns. Their farms are still recovering from decades of mismanagement. Tensions began defusing more when the South learned that the dirty nukes the North had were gone.
The Right began with several Apcs and a barrage that was concentrated. Two villages are freed there. But they are fighting in the hills. That slows the advance.
The Center is a mix of NKR and Imperial Regiments from Russia. The front there has stabilized, and they have massive numbers of recruits. Thus, Russians have several regiments here. The NKR is slowly getting las guns and flack armor. The Russians take the front and the NKR just fired mass artillery volleys.
The Russians with shouts of the homeworld and for free Russia they pushed on hard. They have lasguns they have chainswords and carapace which the Cabal has not encountered much up here. That makes the center break badly and they lose redoubts. The Imperials also free a POW camp and more Chinese who have been held here since the Unification wars started under bad abuse are now eager for revenge and to rejoin the fight. Many are officers from defeated units. They began forming new regiments. The Russians are eager to kill the Cabal. Their country needs help too. The faster China is free then more regiments can help them.
By Mark 0100 the Imperials are slamming through the Cabal and the north loses the most ground in the entire wars so far. This scared the Cabal badly. They had other than a few redoubts had complete control here. The NKR had done several attacks, but the better Chinese guns and armor had pushed several early advances back. Now they are getting hard pushed. Antony tells the Death Korp representative the fifth cousin Galbert Leviathan that his men are doing well. The devil just shook his head.
"Not well enough. We will earn our redemption. We will honor Krieg. My captains will push harder next time. By the Redemptive Empress will we show our mettle."
The next hour backs that up. Death Korps liberated five villages and three towns. The Youkai regiment is just shocked. The Death Korps are fighting smart. They have read the Tactica. They see their redemption. The psyker in the north has become a Commissar and he leads them with visions of their namesakes. They will be better than Krieg. They fight onwards.
By the end of the battle the Death Korps liberated thirty villages and twenty towns. The most of any regiments in the north. They are dour. Their dead are treated with respect. They get reinforcements. Devils in the underworld see the redemption and former snake houses see their way in. They offer their levies to the Death Korps. They agreed to the same hundred year oath. Rossweiss accepted at Ingvild's nod. The new levies had been pissed at their lords. But they are informed that the deal was noble sons and daughters. Not them.
But they will join the Death Korps as veteran units. That makes the levies feel better. But they will integrate fully with the Korps. They do not feel the shame. But the positions flipped. Their descendants will be officers. The nobles and theirs will be the wall. The service forms a new ethos in the houses. Their sons and daughters feel the shame of their snake fathers and mothers. They when these devils get their world will name it Krieg. They will remember. The Redemptive Empress will be their new home world's favorite. The new generations will pick up their ancestors' oath. Not in shame for themselves and eventually their kids. But because this forms a new planetary culture.
Ardat-Yakshi monastery Kallinai system.
Falere took her punishment. Three days in solitary. The guards had been worried. But the gun had no block. The head Asari understands, however. She knows how depressed Falere is. She knows it was not for that planetary escape. She just tells Falere to please do not do this again. Falere nodded. Her sister joined her. The knife was found too after a double search. Rila does not understand why her depressed sister did not do it. Falere just said she has a possible thing to live for now.
"I have found faith renewed. A dream I want badly. Him on Earth."
That confused her sister more. What place called dirt? Falere does not elaborate more. Her Dream will come and help them. She has faith. Ingvild whispered to never doubt. To know no fear again. Neoth has his first Asari worshiper. Falere will get her own pendant. She wants to be closer to her Dream. He is tired from war.
The Ardat-Yakshi will see the pendant. They will ask her about it. But Falere will just smile at the inside joke. She will take strength from that. Life will be better. When Samara came to visit worried because she had hoped her daughter would not attempt to be like Morinth. She will see the new pendant. She will understand a bit more. Samara is deeply religious. A very devoted worshiper of Athame. She will ask.
"What faith have you found Fal? You told me that Athame hates you. You swore never to believe in anything again."
"A faith that inspires dreams of a brighter future. Of him on Earth. The being who will change everything we know and understand. You will see it in a few years. I believe once again."
Samara is worried. This sounds like a cult. But not a doomsday cult thankfully. Those were popping up more every year. But this might be good for her baby. She knows of the first two attempts. She took extra days off for them. Her youngest child was so very troubled. But she thanked Athame. This could be good. Lines break and solidify.
Rila pesters her sister further. Falere just smiled and always said dreams need to be made again. That pissed her sister off more. She watched Falere pray in an unknown language nightly. Rila keeps asking and pestering. She wants to know. She was the dreamer of a better future not Falere.
Falere just kept smiling increasingly. She has met Sona. The other woman helps Falere stay happy further they all do.
Central city China Mark 05015.
The Imperials are advancing fast. Much faster than the first two days. They are entering mid city. The Cabal is losing heart and Stalingrad two looks less and less feasible. Their causality rate is as always higher than the Imperials. They fear the hydra anew. Where the marines strike they lose strong points. When they push they lose tanks and field guns. The angels and now the new dragons fighting them are worse. Many of these dragons are Eastern Chinese dragons.
The dragon clans have finally chosen a side in China. The young overthrew the old. They want to fly again freely. The old had been cautious. They wanted to see a truly clear winner. Play the long game as was their nature. But the young dream of new eggs. They dream of serving the greatest dragon ever. The Red Dragon Emperor. Their presence demoralized the Cabal. Many deserted and they fled from the city and into the countryside.
Other dragons have made choices now. Tiamat made sure of that. The Chaos dragon has seen her Emperor. He would be a damn good mate even with the red bastard in him. But the Chaos dragon sees where she can help. She bullied Tannin. She demanded that they get the surface back so that they can grow new forests of dragon fruit again. Terra is healing. This is their chance. The reincarnated dragon king agreed. So many of the underworld dragons have come up. Russia got their help because of faith in the Emperor and their new faith in the supernatural. A dragon horde poured out and crushed three armies of the Russian Federation. That advanced the line further. New Russian regiments have proclaimed dozens of dragon based names for themselves.
Great Red had flown to Africa. His presence inspired dreams on mass again. The imperials made their first actual gains there since the Unification wars began. His flight over the Middle East made the last holdout nation there commit to the Arab Spring finally. Iran held new elections. The Unification party there won massive seats in their government.
More Muslims chant Jihad as Red flies. Ten new regiments form on mass and they head to Central Asia. The next front against Russia opens finally. The Sisters of Battle drove new Rhino Apcs and with plenty of Chimeras for the new regiments already here they advanced across the steppe. The Russians hurt badly in the new theater. Bolters scare the Russians so very badly. As do the now five hundred sisters.
The Sisters show the Russians the bolter and its many deadly varieties. The Central Asia nations see their vengeance. The others commit too now, and their militaries elongate the front and so much ground is taken. The local population is terrified of reprisals. But orders came fast. No repression no reprisals or you do not get your war claims or a better position at the next meeting. These people need help not death for simply living their lives in this new world. A Custodian reinforced that. He is from Central Asia. He understands. But his loyalty is to the Master of Mankind. His guardian spear and his bolt pistol reminded them of that.
The new front inspired another revolt. Chechens revolt and they draw desperately needed troops away. The Chechens form their own regiment. They smuggled them to the Imperials and their commander simply asks the Custodian if they can have their own country back. The Custodian says no terrorism and no hostages, or the Chechens will not get that. And no Islamic fundamentalism. The Chechens agreed to that. The desire for independence is greater than the desire for reprisals.
The Imperials keep advancing. The advance is everywhere now. The first meeting of the Senatorum Imperialis is being held in Europe next week. The United States is sending delegates as is Canada and every other nation in North America and the Caribbean. South America is sending everyone. As is every nation in Europe save Ukraine and the Baltic. They cannot join because of Russia and its armies there officially. Unofficially they are joining. The micro nations are joining too.
Most of the Middle East and the delegates from free Russia and China will be there. So will the African new nations. But they are considering just forming a continent nation to represent them. Australia finished their elections, and they are now entirely Unification. They are sending people too. The Asia countries like the Koreas and Japan are sending people. Everyone is except the Anti Unification factions. But the Senatorum has a new ally in helping them meet. A Virtual Reality is set up for it. Everyone can be there safely, so the Brigade and other terror organizations do not try a mass bombing. The Emperor and two Empresses will be there virtually. Sona and Ingvild. Ravel is busy being a troll with her grandsons. Le Fay is busy with being herself and preparing for the counter raid in Romania.
Issei finally sees the fifth. And it is a shocking surprise. He had received mail. When he opened it a small badly made cat with golden eyes fell out. It was cute. And attached to it was another favor. Kuroka had made him a poem. It was beautifully done. The lines finally solidified. Shirone was not the fifth. Her sister had finally won. The poem only mentions kittens once. But it spoke in good haiku of wanting to be his mate and wanting to build him up. To purr his pain away. To kiss him under the moonlight. Issei learned something there. He liked Cat girls. Especially black haired ones. This Kuroka had become the best then in several nearby trees.
Issei would definitely try with her. He sees Shirone will get a kick ass pilot boyfriend. And that she will stay the Hell Cat to be with him. It is a very good thing. For both of them.
The generals here were confident they could win here in three or four more days. There were seriously good lines supporting that from him and Lint. This was more hopeful than before. The Alpha Legion and the new weapons along with better Commissars that did not kill you for breaking and running when it did happen was morale lifting. The runners understand that there is no shame in living longer and then striking better later. The Commissars often led the retreats. The men enjoy the new additions. They enjoy the Successors of Gaunt, Yarrick and Ciaphas Cain.
TTS Tree.
Ciaphas Cain freezes. This time it was good. Rather than in imposter syndrome backed depression. He wished his mood kindred were here to share in his new temporary triumph. Amberly sees the mask fall here in their private room on the ship. She sees he is less depressed.
"You really are a hero Cia. You do not see it. But I think others do now. Want me to sing the big sad away?"
Cain wants to be happier than he has been in an exceptionally long time. He nodded timidly. He was about to hit another war zone. Warp storms have been significantly less for the Imperials recently and more for the heretics. He and so many others are happy about that. But their warp is still shit. Cain expected more stupid shit and winning more accolades by just being his usual coward self. He will enjoy the big happy for a bit.
An. And there is Cain. The Emperor's silliest actually competent warrior. He is happier. Amberly is nice. Scary but better than the original tree. She tries to help the big sad and the Imposter syndrome. But big implications and finally the fifth. Kuroka won by just one vote. The only vote so far as I write this. But I guess we will see with her sons. I have two ideas already both are funny. There are hints about one. The second is just funny to me.
The Alpha Legion truly lives up to their name here. They are massive trolls. Expect many jokes and memes from them. Ravel is creating the most meme legion. Expect many from them. Including old Warhammer memes. I have a good one set up for the next chapter.
Falere. She is incredibly sad. Her life in the monastery is exceptionally good. But she has the shame and the self hate. She blames Athame for the gene. They do actively try to fix it. But it does not work. The disease is a little more prevalent here than canon Mass Effect. The hordes of banshees in multiplayer triggered me hard. They are scary when they mass, and I have remembered that thus why there are many Yakshi here. Issei and the Mechcanicus are adaptive and initiative-taking. There is a cure somewhere. The lines are still badly against her and Athame owes a big favor. But there is always hope and I am debating the Quarians. Tali forever! Best waifu! Liara is ok too, but Tali really grew over the trilogy. But I am a Tali simp and I have smug feelings on that. Love me engineer simple as.
Ann. Star Trek a decent sci fi. im not a treky and i know very little about the races from it other than they are mostly humanoid. like i said i have ideas and i have a good first contact one that is interesting. ill do research but i want the weird xenos. if trek has some send me names and ill look into it. always happy to accept original ideas and Ocs with credit being given to you who had them.
We did it Horus Heresy we really are the Warhammer 40000. We are very close to the funny number in views in total. Thanks everyone! It will probably be over that when this goes up. i do really appreciate it. this has made my life better and i will never not say thanks. i absolutely mean that.
Annn. To reviews posted today about the geth being mass murders. You are right. im not saying they deserve complete guilt free on everything. As for Geth propaganda i can agree that we are fed a heavy edit version. The truth is in between. And the Emperor was not wrong to do his stuff either. He had a bad hand dealt to him absolutely. He was not the ultra mega asshole all the time. And as for Cannon Issei yeah i totally agree with you i hate him there too. And i get the hate for harems im split on them too. Some stuff is great and i can believe that it works. Others are ultra cringe. I get the feeling. Cant disagree with anything your saying.