Echoes of the Dead

It was not too much longer before the Centauri to deploy the marines present in the Beowulf Fleet, which compared to the numbers of their allies were almost trivial - the Centauri factions had little desire to send their ground soldiers in foreign adventures if they could avoid it. There were no more than thirty thousand among them, but they were all seasoned veterans amongst the Centauri. Most were Peacekeeper infantrymen and Spartan phlangites, lightly armored in combination silksteel body armor and environment suits, most of whom were armed with tachyon beams. Among them there were a handful of Peacekeeper elites and Spartan hoplites, who wore heavy neutronium power armor with correspondingly heavy weaponry, mostly plasma rifles. They were deployed onto the battlefield from small drop pods, which crashed into one particular sector of Praos's surface that the Centauri had been tasked to secure.

The reaction was immediate, as the numerous drones in the area mobilized in reaction to the Centauri landing, and the very architecture seemed to fight back as the Centauri marines proceeded further into the metal halls of Praos, impeded by the structures themselves. It was of little concern for the Centauri though, for if they found themselves impeded, they would take it upon themselves to make their own entrances. Such was the way of Centauri urban warfare - when the city itself fights against you, you had to fight against the city. The drones that patrolled the hallways and fell upon the Centauri were perhaps a more urgent threat, but they were quickly and efficiently dispatched as the Centauri advanced into the depths. To an observer, though, the two might have felt strangely indistinguishable: The conditioned instinct of the Centauri deeply paralleled the programmed routines of the Praos androids.

It was not too far from the truth, for there was nothing on the minds of the combatants but glorious oblivion, as plasma melted steel, and steel tore flesh.

The force moved in one motion, a very careless fast motion. The bulk force were given speeders to quickly take targets before the AI could react but now it was a race against time. With the opposition forces also invading, they had to take a hold of the stronhold before the Heras did which would be hard considering the stronghold where the AI kept himself was the size of Manhattan. It was made up of 6 layers, the next one more heavily guarded than the last. All the layers had separate security sectors which made shutting them down ineffective.

The speeders saw the Stronghold ahead, it was on a separate island that had a bridge for every side however they had reinforced steel doors on every entrance. This made the speeders stop and let the rest of the forces catch up. Now they were stuck and wasting more time than they had.

The head officers of the invasion force met up in one of the would be housing units.

"Alright, I have a plan." Said Commander Yi before pointing to the walls on the map they were huddled over. "Stephen, as the Captain of the stealth brigade made up of 4 10 man squads, you are to take ropes to the wall and take the wall. On the wall there should be a control panel, open the doors and then Jacob will use his speeders to secure the zones. The rest of the infantry shall head into the core zone along with Stephen's unit."

------

The rope's end clinged to the wall as the stealth unit moved up. As they got to the wall they were greeted with an army of droids on top. The men took casualties but while they lost 5 men, the enemy lost 200, droids. Stephen ran up to the panel and hit the open button, the doors opened and the speeders rushed in. The defenses on the walls themselves began blowing up speeders that were too slow.

After the speeders the rest of the infantry moved in and helped clear the horde of robotic minions. At the end of the first layer on their side of the circle the Christanans were bruised but they still had 5 layers to go.

OOC: Mood Music

The establishment of a Heraklean beachhead on the plahnet's surface had been successful.  The area around the landing zones had been successfully pacified by the Heraklean marines and the drop-ships had been moved from where they had made planet fall.  Stacked two-high, the interlocking drop-ships now formed the walls of massive fortifications that dominated areas swept clean of buildings.  Kill-zones extended for half a kilometer in every direction, leaving the sentries on the walls clear fields of view to destroy attacking machines.  Anti-air cannons kept the skies clear of hostile forces and ground penetrating scans kept the marines informed of approach of enemy drills.  Light attack craft in the air and heavy tanks on the ground were already sortieing with enemy forces.  It was, in many ways, a textbook invasion by the Heraklean marines, efficient and practiced.

At one end of the “green-zone,” a group of Kaiser tanks came into view.

“Ordenreich tanks, this is Fort Beachhead Delta.  We have you in sight.  Transmitting way-point for the entry gate.”  The tank crews began moving toward the drop-ship with both the front and rear dropped as ramps to form a portcullis for the Heraklean fort.  An alarm at one of the control panels in FBDelta Control sounded.  “Ordenreich tanks, be advised, enemy air-raiders in bound on your position.  Scrambling light attack craft to sortie.”  Sirens sounded inside the fortification as pilots ran to their designated crafts.

The crafts lifted off vertically and shot off in the direction of the Ordenreich tankers as anti-air guns began striking at the far off drones.  The enemy swarm broke formation when the Heraklean craft reached the drones and a dogfight began.  High-speed games of cat and mouse played out through the narrow corridors provided by the gaps between buildings.  Despite the Heraklean efforts, however, the battle began to move in the direction of the tanks.  The Heraklean pilots were careful to punish any drone that tried to break away to attack the tanks directly, but there was little they could do about the movement.

As the battle finally moved over the Kaiser tanks, the attack craft broke engagement, clearing the field of fire for the upward-aimed weapons of the tanks.  Tank fire shredded the remains of the swarm.

“Ordenreich tankers, this is Lieutenant Commander Radlowski, Combat Air Patrol.  We'll provide you an air-escort into Fort Beachhead Delta.”

* * * * *

On board the HNS Trident, intelligence officers were pouring over information from the planet; tracking enemy movement, compiling data on enemy capabilities and tracking down their command and control network.

“Commodore!” called one of them.  “I think I have something.”  The commander of Poseidon's Chosen immediately moved to the intelligence officer.

“What have you got?”

“I believe this structure here is the core command node for the enemy AI.  It's an island with limited modes of approach and heavy defenses.  Ground penetrating scans show that the structure extends below ground level and additional five stories.  The structure is hardened against electromagnetism, as exemplified by the fact that we're only detecting faint traces of electromagnetic radiation from the super structure and massive amounts in energy ranges consistent with communications broadcasts emanating from the surrounding towers.  Thermal radiation scans show exhaust ports letting off large amounts of heat, consistent with a large scale heat-sink for the sort of supercomputer needed for an AI construct.  If I was building a structure to house an AI brain and defend it, this how I would do it.  Further, there's this.”  The commodore squinted at the holographic video the intel officer pulled up.

“Enemy movement?” he asked.

“Christanans, sir.  Was a bitch of a time finding them, sir.  This movement is what convinced me this is the building we want.  The Chrisies know where the core is and they've got a head start.  Their moving on it now.”

“Damn them.  Get our people there now.”

* * * * *

“Joint Force commanders, be advised.  Possible CnC command node identified.  A Heraklean regiment is en route to investigate.”

*The Ordenreich tanks began to move through the Heraklean camp after having been saved by the Heraklean air support. One of the Centurions hopped off the massive Kaiser tank when they got to their command. The centurion was an imposing figure as his armor made him twice as large and tall as the average infantryman. The centurion began to speak, is voice heavily distorted but is able to be heard by the speaker on his helmet.*

Centurion: Thanks for the assist but I think we could handle it. These tanks are designed to take indirect strikes from nuclear weapons... Duck in cover.

*As the Centurion said that an Ordenreich drone just successfully shot down a Praos drone. The burning wreck came speeding into the allied camp where it slammed into one of the Kaiser tanks. Despite the wreck hitting the tank at extremely high speeds the tank had no noticeable damage save for scorch marks.*

Centurion: That was a convenient way to prove my point...

*The centurion used his power armor's enhanced strength to remove some of the debris clinging to the tank.*

Centurion (In an annoyed tone): Goddamnit... it scratched the paint...

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Maric: This is Knight Commander Maric. Ground deployments complete we are ready to begin general offensive. Platform 1 we are waiting on your mark.

*Platform 1 was the lead destroyer launched by the T.S.F. Invictus. It was currently hanging back just behind the Ordenreich LZ.

Platform 1: This is Platform 1. Confirmed completed deployments. Beginning softening compaign. Shot out.

*The destroyers began firing into the Praos city softening up the defenses.*

Maric: Roger Platform 1. We are beginning our offensive. Sending unit positions. Maric out.

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*In space, Paladin Komtur Maya observed as the last of the Praos fleet was wiped out and the last of the deployment shuttles came back to the carriers. She was about to oversee fleet damages when she got the call from the Heraklea about the Christanan insertion team.*

Maya: Damnit... not what I need when overseeing one of the biggest joint offensives in Ordenreich history... Maneuver the Ultra-dreadnought over the facility the Herakleans marked and retask any drones not in heavy engagements on the ground to keep a patrol over that facility. I also want any stealth frigates not on assignment to monitor for any outbound Christanan stealth craft. They will not be leaving this planet till we know what they know.

Ops: Yes ma'am. We have one stealth frigate inbound it will have full monitoring coverage over the facility in 30 seconds and we have retasked 97 drone fighters to watch the facility. ETA to ultra-dreadnought repositioning, 40 seconds. I also have an update from our other stealth frigates. They are currently 45% complete on bugging the Christanan fleet.

Maya: Very good. If we can find their ground team' shuttles I want them destroyed regardless if their team is in them or not. That intel will be ours or it will be no one's.

The Burninites do not land a force. They simply maintain a distance, and inform forward med posts that they can beam up some severe cases for treatment.

If they get wind of Christanan involvement, they will withdraw immediately. To this moment they still are aware only of operations against an AI.

(OOC: Pass, since the Centauri have taken a mostly peripheral ground role.)

(OOC: Come on! Blow some s*** up!)

“Get that drone stripped!  Every piece goes to the egg heads!  Notate where it comes from!”  The Heraklean officer then turned to the Centurion.  “Welcome to Fort Beachhead Delta, Centurion.  Good to know your tanks are so strong.  Have your people encountered any of the 'worms' yet?”  The officer's comm chirped.  “Wait one.”  He triggered his comm and listened.  “Understood.”  He thumbed his comm a second time and began passing orders before returning to the Centurion.  “We've got intel on an enemy CnC node, possibly the core one.  We're sending a regiment to investigate, but we don't have any tanks to send with them at this moment.  Can your crews provide heavy armored support?”

(OOC: OK, the Centauri will do something after all.)

Major Anaru Alinari, the leader of the Centauri landing force, sent a message to Admiral Carran, appraising her of the situation. "Assigned sector pacified, all opposition terminated. Objectives set have been complete, and the force is ready for re-deployment."

"Good," she said. "Your forces are needed in an assault on the central AI command node, in a joint offensive with the Herakleans and Sacaens. Additionally, intel that we've received indicates that that the Christanan forces are en route to the objective, and you have permission to engage if they do not comply with the demands of the Joint Task Force. The transport is already en route to your current location."

Soon the Centauri force assembled at the landing spot of the transport assigned to move them in place for the assault on the central node, and it was only a matter of minutes before they arrived on site. When they did so, they sent a hail to the other forces present, and Major Alinari said, "Centauri ground forces reporting in for the central node assault."

(OOC: Um Sel, I'm already fighting in the node, I'm not approaching it."

Stephen's unit went as fast as they could attempting to avoid as much conflict as possible. Fighting however was still required and as intense as ever. They lost a dozen men making it to the core but they made it with the help of their fellow rangers still fighting in the other layers. The whole base had nothing but the sound track of war, bullets hitting steel and the screams of the dying.

The 20 men opened the main door to find an elevator, it was large enough to fit a battalion. They started going level by level. There were 5 floors and they fairly fast however on floor 2 the elevator stopped and smoke started coming from the engine.

The men climbed out into level 2 wandering around the sterile hallways looking for a way down. As they continued to look, turrets popped from the floor and ceiling slaughtering most of the unit. Stephen and 2 other men hit behind a corner.

*The Centurion merely responded by hitting the side of the tank three times with his fist, then a fourth hit could be heard coming from inside the tank from the driver. It was morse code for the letter V which was for victory in the Ordenreich military*

Centurion: Consider your asses covered, where do you need us?

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*Meanwhile in the Ordenreich camp the commanding Knight Commander heard about the Heraklea and Centauri push for the AI control node.*

Maric: This is Ordenreich-Praos Forward Operating Base. We copy all and are beginning offensive operations to support allied push on central AI node

“Welcome aboard, Major.  Updated intel puts the Chrissies inside the facility.  We're moving out now to minimize their head start.  Form up with the cutters, our attack craft are providing escorts.”

* * * * *

OOD: Mood Music

Hundreds of Heraklean marine cutters flew through the sky, interspersed with and surrounded by a ring of attack craft.  Locked onto the bottom of a number of the cutters were the Ordenreich tanks, manned for combat as soon as they were released.  There had been some question about whether the armored units should proceed on the ground where they could be combat effective en route, but the need to ensure a secure egress route from the enemy facility meant the tanks needed to be on station and ready to hold the line as soon the force touched down.

They were already well into the red zone, where ground forces had not even begun pushing into.  As far as they knew, the entire area could be teeming with enemies that had yet to show themselves.  The AI controlling the enemy was already demonstrating a keen ability to learn.  The earlier kinetic strike from the fleet in orbit had done extensive damage to exposed enemy ground forces.  Now those same forces had begun hiding until they were ready to attack, limiting the efficacy of orbital bombardment.

Finally, the enemy was ready for them.

“Strike force, Control.  Be advised.  Enemy drone swarm in bound on your position from three-zero degrees port.”

“Enemy swarm in bond, aye.  Escort Two and Three, move to engage.”  Half of the attack craft exited the formation to engage the incoming drones.  The sky erupted in violence as the escorts and drones began fighting.  The flashes of explosions as ordinance found their targets lit the night sky almost continuously.  Steadily, the enemy drones were being forced back.

But just as suddenly as the first attackers appeared, another wave emerge directly in the path of the strike force.  The other escorts pushed forward to engage but there wasn't enough time to drive off the new attackers or alter course of the cutters.  They found themselves in the mix of enemy drones.  Drone fire savaged the cutters and their guns fired into the enemy drones as they continued forward.  Cutters were designed to take a hit and keep going, and they took many.  Eventually though, one took one more hit than it could stand.

* * * * *

“We're going down!  Bail, bail, bail!”  The marine squad jumped and the pilot disengaged the clamp on the Kaiser tank before following.  All of them slammed into the ground within close proximity of each other and watched as their dieing cutter fell through the sky before hitting a building and exploding.

“... no casualties, I say again we have no casualties,” the squad leader said into his comm.

“Understood.  At this point you are closer to the facility than Beachhead Delta.  Proceed on the ground and link up with the rest of the strike force.”

“Proceed aye.”  He switched channels to the low-power frequency being used by the squad and the tank crew.  “You heard the lady.  We press on.  Let's move out.”

* * * * *

Finally the strike force broke through the enemy swarms and began their final approach of the facility.  The forward air scouts discovered a ground swell of enemy machine soldiers rushing toward the facility.  They banked around and began dropping daisy cutters on the enemy machines, clearing an LZ near one of the bridges.  With a temporary reprieve from the enemy machines, the cutters landed to disgorge their marines and drop their tanks.  The tanks and a majority of the marines began pushing back on the robot horde.

Meanwhile, a battalion of Heraklean marines and the Centauri marines charged across the bridge and into the facility.  They found the first story devoid of functioning enemy machines.

“Chrissy must have learned something at Paris I.”

“Don't make a mistake.  On Paris I the Einherjar faced miners, not soldiers.  These guys are Chrissy's real deal.”

“Commander!  I've got some Chrissies over here.  KIA.”

“Understood.  Keep moving.”

The sweep through the first level was as quick as it was meticulous.  They arrived at the lift doors at the other end.

“Looks like the lift is dead.  Crack it.”  A couple of squads move up and applied explosives to the door.  The marines stood a safe distance back and took cover before they were detonated, blowing the door into the shaft.  They moved forward again looked down into the shaft.

“That car ain't going anywhere.”

“Then let's go to it.”  The marines began jumping down onto the top of the car, entered it from a top hatch and moved into the level below.

*As the Heraklean officer told the tanks to move out some orbital pods dropped out of the air into the street in front of the force. Out of it some Heaven's Darkriders came guns at the ready. One of them came over to the Centurion and Heraklean officer and made an Ordenreich salute before speaking.

HDR: Sirs glad to see your ok. Paladin Komtur Maya ordered my squad to the surface to make sure you are all ok. We brought some medics and engineers with us both of which are well read in Heraklean and Ordenreich engineering in case you need them. We have also brought an update on the Ordenreich's status. Ordenreich ground forces, working with our destroyers are currently setting a massive perimeter around central facility. Their goals are to prevent Praos reinforcements and ensure no enemy Praos or Christana forces escape. Paladin Komtur Maya has also finished establishing our ultra-dreadnought over the city and has drones watching for any outbound enemy craft. The Ultra-dreadnought has a FOAB on stand-by in case we need it.

Centurion: The Paladin Komtur does know we're still down here right?

HDR: Of course sir. She told me to tell you that you can be assured that the FOAB is an absolute last resort. She says that we have little intel on this AI so she wants to prepare for any surprises the AI might have.

As soon as reports of Christanan involvement on the surface come through the radio, the Burninites all escape to the Warp.

*Paladin Komtur Maya didn't look the least bit disturbed by the Burninites retreat*

Maya: Still as unreliable as ever. Goddamn pacifists...

Maya (on comm): Paladin Komtur Maya to all allied ground forces. The Burninites have bugged out though they have served their purpose. Continue as planned. Maya out.

As they stood in cover the turrets did not fire, they had no reason at all too. When the gun fire stopped the rangers heard loud footsteps that were like thunder and they were getting closer. They realized who they were.

"Heran Marines, we have to move quick." Spoke Stephen as he looked around for a way down.

He panicked as he looked around frantically trying to find a way out before he found it. He kicked a grate open and looked down. It was a enterence to the tunnels, they could slide down into the base floor.

"We don't have much time follow me, we have to disappear before the Heras show up." Stephen said as he slid down followed by his 2 peers. When they landed they found themselves in the base floor what they saw was the control room but in their way was a massive monster that looked like a giant 2 headed dragon without wings.

The men pulled out their rifles and started firing as the dragon got closer and closer. They managed to shoot the eyes of one head and bloodied it however the other was fine as it pounced and started ripping the skin and bones of one of the rangers. Stephen rushed to behind of the monster as the other one shot one of the heads brain dead.

The dragon bit the leg of the other ranger as Stephen jumped on the dragon head and butchered it beyond recognition with his axe. The dragon fell dead and Stephen was running towards his comrade be for he signed for him to focus on the control room. "Worry about me after."

Stephen rushed into the control room and locked the door shut. The AI was a large red light and there were more wires than he had ever seen before.

"Okay, let's get to work." Stephen said as he started looking through the control console.

The Centauri marines under Major Alinari in quick pursuit of the Christanans, following them until the Major held up his hand, giving the command for his troops to stop. "Look," he said, pointing towards an open grate. "Seems that the Christanans have found their way down, the crafty bastards. Looks like we'll have to build on their work, eh?"

Ordering the Hoplites with him down the grate, he sent a quick message to the other ground forces on site over his commlink. "Route to the base level found, in our current position, with strong suspicion that it has been used by the Christanans. Force has begun pursuit, backup is requested."

With that, he went down the grate, the last one to do so. Though it was cramped and somewhat difficult to maneuver through in neutronium power armor, the Centauri marines managed to squeeze through. Before too long, they had found themselves in the hallway, and Major Alinari could see the carnage that had unfolded in the hallway between him. A massive beast - unusual in the midst of an AI control complex, of all things - and what seemed to be a Christanan soldier's mangled corpse. After closer inspection, though, Major Alinari realized that he seemed to be alive... albeit just barely.

The Hoplites aimed their weapons at the Christanan soldier, clearly ready to execute him on command. But Major Alinari waved them off, and said, "No, now is not the time for that. Keep your weapons trained on him, but I have my own plans for him."

As he closed in, Major Alinari smiled, and said, "Christanan, I know not where your comrades are nor what their fate shall be, but let me tell you this: you'll live yet, and you're coming with us. Don't resist, unless you want to become a pool of plasma."

With that, he retrieved a sphere covered in glowing diodes from his belt...

*Paladin Komtur Maya was not happy at how long it was taking to find the Christana team but she was going to ensure that they will remain on the planet's surface.*

Maya: Retask the Black Hole Legion drop a division on the central facility via drop pods to aid in the search for the Christana infiltration team. I also want all Black Hole Legion on the ground to be spread out among our ground forces. Their orders are to make sure the Christana don't leave our containment zone

Ops: Yes ma'am

Maya: Comm send a message to the other allied fleets. Tell them we need to pressure the Christana fleet to leave the system. Our ship bugs should be in place and I much rather leave no avenue of escape for their ground forces.

Comm: Yes ma'am

“You managed to get a live one, Major.” Major Alinari turned to see the Heraklean commander come up behind them. “Good for you. All we've found are dead. Any more up ahead?”

“We don't know yet.”

“You mind if one of my psykers sees if he can get anything?”

“Tread delicately. He may be useful yet.”

“Understood.” One of the marines moved forward and placed a hand on the Christanan's head. “Give me your secrets.”

(OOC: I didn't really specify in the post, but the sphere he's tossing out is actually a torus that projects a punishment sphere around a person, which is pretty much a force field prison. I meant to give Christana a chance to react, but I'll roll with it.)

Major Alinari tapped a few commands on his datapad, allowing the punishment sphere to open up for the psyker's probe. Just before he began to work, however, the Major offered one last request for the Heraklean commander.

"By the way, we request that we remain in custody of this man after all ground operations conclude. The psych officers think that a Christanan would make an interesting test case for re-conditioning. Official word will be that he is missing in action, and no more is to be said of it."

Jenova decides against making an incident over the comm channel comments the Burninites picked up after they left, having given more than appropriate warning. She chooses not even to freeze out the Ordenreich ambassador, figuring that the comments probably reflect the opinions of that particular officer and not of the Ordenreich.

Nevertheless, impressions last.

OOC:  Uh... I don't think any actual broadcasts on the detainment have been made yet.

The ranger gave only one image, the image of Stephen butchering the dragon and heading into the control room and sealing the door. The ranger didn't know anything about hiring pirates or anything like that, he just knew that he was to reprogram the AI.

---

Stephen frantically looked around the control room, typing codes and pressing buttons trying to reprogram the AI but nothing would work. It had a security system to stop any altercation. Stephen got desperate and tried to ask command.

"Command can you hear me? Command?" All he got was silence and he could here the enemy getting closer. Then he saw the override plug ins.

He rushed to the jacks and jammed them into his head and spine. From the outside you could see a sudden blue light from the door and hear a painful scream that was becoming more and more distorted. Then it stopped, all of it stopped and all the ships and droids of the defense force just stopped. Then an announcement came planet wide that shook the world.

"Praos is now under Christanan authority, any intruders shall evacuate or face war. You have 5 hours to evacuate Praos."

As the navy heard the announcement, 4 more fleets warped in.

"You are trespassing on Christanan territory, if you do not leave now you will be faced with war."

(OOC: "Maya (on comm): Paladin Komtur Maya to all allied ground forces. The Burninites have bugged out though they have served their purpose. Continue as planned. Maya out.")

(OOC: "Served their purpose" equals got the fleet close to the planet as you promised, it wasn't meant to be malicious)

*Paladin Komtur Maya merely scoffed at the Christanan fleet's presence before responding*

Maya: Attention Christanan fleet Christanan authority is not recognized here, you are interfering with a Compact combat operation. You will change course and head out system immediately. I have already marked your fleets for destruction via Artillery fleets armed with FOABs. You have one minute to comply. If you do not deviate your fleet will be destroyed.

*Paladin Komtur Maya then pulled up the QEC and inputted the frequency for O.S.S.C. Livenstein.*

Maya: O.S.S.C. Livenstein this is Siren. We have Christanan fleets in system and demanding immediate withdrawal. Warning already sent for their deviation. Request preparation of Blitzkrieg protocol on Christana.

O.S.S.C Livenstein: Understood Siren. Protocol is underway will be ready to execute in 5 minutes.

*Deep in Christana space the Arcanii Network, as per usual protocol have secretly infiltrated Christana space. Their mission was to ensure that the rival empire they are in chose to engage the Ordenreich militarily they would use their stealth frigates and nukes to cripple the military infrastructure of the rival empire. The Arcanii Network of Christana just got their orders through a secure QEC channel to prepare the Blitzkrieg protocol which ordered all Arcanii stealth frigates in Christana to head to any and all strategic Christana colonies and destroy anything Christana might use to fight a war with the Ordenreich*