Warhammer: Dark Knights

999.M35

Luxor II - Luxor System

768th Guardsmen Regiment

There are only sand and some rocky mountain when you first see it. Nothing special, a world that classified as a Death world.

"Waaagggghhhhh!!!!" A unified loud roar can be heard at the distance and with the roar sounded, guns and cannon fires can be hear too.

Wave of Orks charging against the guardsmen line. Waving their weapons and firing their guns into the air while running at the line. While the guardsmen holding on their lasguns, standing or moving to their assigned position, commissar shouting at them, in the effort of raising morale and discouraged any form of traitorous behavior.

"Stand your ground! Trust the lasgun in your hands!!" One commissar shouts, words cutting through the noise. "The Emperor protect those brave one, and punish those run away from their duty!"

One guardsmen with his lasgun propped on his shoulder, clap his hands together, praying silently to the God-Emperor. "Holy God-Emperor, shield us in light, grant me strength and wisdom, grant me ability to bring death to the xenos....."

Before, he can complete the prayer, sound of the artillery barrage coming from Basilisk can be heard, the land and trench shake as the results. "Guardsmen!" the commissar shouts. "Raise your lasguns and prepare to fire at the foul xenos!"

Just like the others guardsmen, he also raise the lasgun, aiming down at where the artillery barrage hit, those dust. Ready to fire at the enemies that coming at them.

In a large tents, multiple officers are moving around the tents. With four person standing at the center, beside a table that have a holo map display on it.

"How's is the barrage effect on the Orks?" The Colonel ask to his aid, while looking at the pulsing red icons, the Ork face icon approaching the guardsmen line. "The effects of the barrage are limited, the Orks only suffer little casualties, sir." The major reply grimly, looking at the Colonel.

The Colonel grimace at this information. His regiment is the only one on this planet that still have fighting capability, so they been send out to buy time for the another two regiments that arrive earlier, but already suffer casualties from their previous deployment to construct a base at the back, so it can serve as a supply point and, if unfortunately, a fallback point.

Still looking at the map, Colonel suddenly remember about some Information that he have received before he gets on the transport ship that bring them here. There is rumour that a space marine chapter have been sighted in this system, fighting the Orks before Astra Militarum arrive. While the artillery support can provide helps for the Colonel, but if he can get the help from space marine, than the battle is as good as won.

'Even though the barrage have done little damage to them. We still can fight them, as long as the artillery didn't stop and the base can be construct.' the Colonel think positively.

"The 4th company have engaged the Orks." The major said, making the Colonel to focus back on the matter. "For now, the company captain report that the company can still hold, but if the Orks number still increase, then reinforcement might be needed." Major said while reading the report that he just get from another officer.

"Understood." The Colonel said. "Relay vox to the 128th and 129th regiments, tell them to quicken their pace on the base and let them tell me when it can be finish." The major nodded and move to the vox station to tell the vox officers about the message that they need to relay.

"Lieutenant," Colonel turn his face to the another person that standing beside the table. "I hope the artillery barrage can continue for the rest of the battle, if they stop, the line will be broken very quick." The lieutenant send by the artillery company nodded. "Understood, I will personally relay this information back to the captain." He then exit the tents with his security detail presumedly back to his company.

"Commissar." the Colonel then turn his head to the last person and before he can complete the sentence.

"We will do our duties, for the Emperor, Colonel." The commissar said. "And I hope you will do yours."

"Of course, commissar, I will serve my duty." The Colonel reply, holding his gaze with the commissar before turning his head to an officer behind him. "Tell the 3rd and 12th company to move towards the front line, they will be reinforcing the 4th company."

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Strike Cruiser 'Ebon Quest' - 3rd Company

at Luxor IV orbit - Luxor System

On the bridge of the cruiser, while they are many crewman and servitor walking around and doing their respective duty. There are multiple people standing at the holo table, which is displaying five planets, three of them in green-and-black color, crossed red sword that appear shattered and a Ork glyph hover above the planet, while another two are in red with crossed sword on it.

"So, after all this time and all the expectations, we still going to fight the ork." A space marine in mk VIII power said to the others space marine. "And on the same system too. Isn't the governors said that they can deal with it after we destroy the Ork fleet and killing the Warboss and all the Nobz sending those Orks into infighting."

"Now don't be mad because you didn't get choose to join the main force." Another space marine said it jokingly. "After all, we're the only company that have experience in fighting the Orks and also the only one that doesn't have task at hand, so other than reinforcing the local force, we also tasks with teaching the new brothers."

Before leaving Anvilus Nine, you have assigned all of them into different companies and the captain designations were changed to Master, with 1st to 5th companies lead by Grand Master. With 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 10th companies are active. Among them, only 2nd, 3rd and 5th have full complement of 100 men, 4th have 23 men and 10th only have 10 men. The Librarium have total of 10 men, while Apothecarion, Armoury and Chaplaincy all have 3 men. Each chief call, Grand Master of Librarium, Grand Master of Apothecarion, Grand Master of Forge and Grand Master of Reclusiam.

3rd company lead by Grand Master Valentus, have been send to Luxor System when the governor send of help request on Ork problem. The operation last for 3 years and 3rd company pull out when the Orks fleet have been destroyed and Orks leadership have all been killed, putting them in inner fighting, and the last message 3rd company receives is that the local PDF with Imperial Guard have push them into the Orks first appear planet, Luxor V.

"Well, I want to...." Before the first space marine complete his sentence.

"Enough bickering, we already arrived and will help in the effort of cleaning the xenos as per order of Supreme Grand Master." Grand Master Valentus said. "Captain, contact the surface and tell them we have arrived, and tell them to give a new report on the system." He then turn his head left and said to the captain of the ship, a mortal.

"Understood, my lord." The captain nodded and leave the table to tell the vox captain to contact the ground.

"Master Voss, I hope your men have ready themselves for the coming battle." Valentus then turn his head to his right. "This is the first battle the 7th company will be participating, I hope you all are ready."

"Of course Grand Master, I have order them to prepare themselves and check all the equipment that they will be using." Voss reply, with respect. "I will prove myself in this operation, to prove that I have the ability in commanding the company, I will not fail the trust the Supreme Grand Master have put in me."

"Of course you wouldn't, Voss." Valentus nodded. "After all, Supreme Grand Master didn't choose you without any reason."

"My lord," the captain return to the table, catching all people attention. "We have received the updated information from the ground." He then type some command at the table control panel.

The display of the holo table changed. Luxor IV color change from red to green, as the local forces have secured the planet with the help of the imperial guard, while there are still some Orks on the surface, but they didn't pose a threat even when facing PDF alone. Luxor V changed to red with crossed sword on it, as previous though lost world, there are two regiments that haven't been redeploy to other warzone still present, using the fortress that they use previously as the muster point to fight against the Orks, keeping it from totally failing to the Xenos hands. Luxor I, the first planet that fall to orks, and the planet that they supposedly reclaim previously, and Luxor III still the same but with small blue ship, represent the Imperial Navy orbiting the planet. While the last planet, Luxor II didn't have any changes.

"The information that surface provide show that Imperial Guard already deploy 5 guards regiments, 1 armored regiment and 1 artillery regiment, excluding the 2 regiments that already on Luxor V." The captain said while the holo table display the information.

"There are 2 guardsmen regiments, 1 armored regiment and 70% of the artillery regiment on Luxor IV, 3 regiments with 20% of the artillery regiment on Luxor II, and the last artillery regiment element have been send to Luxor V to reinforce the 2 regiments." The captain continue, with the regiments information display alongside the planets they on. "A small Imperial Navy battlegroup, consisting of 1 Lunar class cruiser, 2 Dauntless class light cruisers, 2 Cobra class frigate and 4 Sword class frigate, present in the system, while most of them are besieging and bombarding Luxor I and III, trying to containing the Orks to be world." The captain said. "Some vessel also we're recently redeploy to reinforce Luxor II and Luxor V." Showing blue ship moving from Luxor I and III moving to Luxor II and V.

"So, what planet are we starting?" A space marine said, while leaning forward to the display, glancing at Valentus.

After couple minutes, Valentus starting to talk while pointing towards Luxor II. "We will go to Luxor II and destroy the Orks there so that the regiments there can be relieved and have time to rest before they needed fkr battlen on Luxor I and III" He traced his finger first toward Luxor I, then Luxor III.

"What about Luxor V?" Voss asked, concerned. "Even though they have artillery reinforcement and soon, naval reinforcement, even with the fortress and the supply in there, I doubt that they have the strength to hold the world any longer, as both regiments are under 40% strength and are designated to be combined with other 2 regiments that also the same situation as them in another Segmentum Obscurus." Voss pointed at Luxor V, his worry evident in his eyes.

Valentus after listen to what Voss said, his gaze fix on the display, seemingly thinking about what to do.

"Your concern is noted, Voss." Valentus suddenly said. "Thus, this will be the 7th company and your first battle."

Valentus eyes turn towards Voss and the sergeants of the 7th that stood beside him. "Ebon Quest will deploy you all to the Luxor V first, and your objective will be preventing the world from falling and if possible, purge the planet from the Orks."

Hearing this, a flicker of apprehension crossed Voss's face, mirrored in the eyes of the sergeants beside him. This would be their first deployment as a full battle-brother, even with the experience that they already gain from when they serve as scout marine in 10th company, and most importantly there are no experience men from the original 5 companies are going to accompany them.

"Grand Master, don't you think this is too fast." Voss said, nervously. "Yes, I and the sergeants already went through not only the basic training provided in the fortress monastery, but also train by you and senior members from your company on this journey, but I don't think we are that ready."

"Doubt are natural." Valentus said, his tone calm but filled with conviction. "Every warrior have doubt when they face their first battle." Valentus point to himself, then trace his finger to the other member of 3rd company. "Me, and the other member of the 3rd which you all look up to are the same as you when we face our first battle, even the Supreme Grand Master is the same, though he didn't show it."

Valentus meet the eyes of Voss and the sergeants with eyes filled with a gentle light and encouragement. "Remember, you all were choosen to lead not by chance, but because you have the strength and discipline that a Dark Knights must have. Put trust in the training you endure, trust in the bond that you all sharing with each other, and most importantly, trust in the Emperor."

Valentus the point toward Luxor V. "Luxor V is crucial, for you all to show what have you learn and what you are capable when on the battlefield. Make us proud, don't waste the trust that we and Supreme Grand Master have put into you all."

When Valentus once again meet the eyes of Voss and the sergeants, he knew that the doubt in them have disappear, now replace by the fire to prove themselves. Valentus nodded. "Now, go and make sure your company are ready for the deployment, and make sure all the vehicle and equipment are well maintain."

"As your order, Grand Master." Voss and the sergeants reply in unison, they then bow their head slightly towards Valentus and leave the bridge.

"Captain, set course for Luxor V and inform the Guards about our missions." Valentus said. "Yes, my lord." The captain answer then walk towards and sit on the command throne.

In the orbit above Luxor IV, you can see the strike cruiser turn his direction, the immense hull that slowly aligning towards it new trajectory. The ship cought the light from the system sun, momentarily lighting up it's black exterior. The hull, a sleek black, is accented with silver trim that gleams ominously in the light, highlighting its imposing presence.

On the side of the strike cruiser, the emblem of the chapter is display on it. A dark grey knights helmet that facing left with silver wings that attached on the sides of the helmet emblem on the sides of the ship.

As the strike cruiser leaving Luxor IV, 5 transport vessels follow in it's wake, each aligning to the same trajectory of the strike cruiser, to Luxor V. These transport vessels though smaller than the strike cruiser, they all are vital for the defence of Luxor V. They are carrying the ammunition, supplies and equipment. Along with them is a regiment of guardsmen, sending to Luxor V to reinforce and release the world from the Orks.