The captain nodded in agreement, "Lower-level Symbiot forces and the traps they might create may, indeed, be detected by our theurges. Manifest Light theurges and scryers also have the capability to detect dangerous situations prior to their occurrence. My concern, however unlikely it may seem, is that higher-level Symbiot commandos, which have the capability to infiltrate around our monitoring, may have nevertheless already infiltrated and laid traps, which will keep our strike force busy, while permitting the passage of their cavalry. This would explain why the enemy has been so headlong in this movement."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:34, Tue 27 May 2008.

Claudius frowned grimly as he considered Ludovicus' analysis. "Well then, Captain, if your suspicions are correct, what precautions should our unit take to prevent this?"

"I am unsure there is much we may do besides alerting the strike force to the possibility that the area they will be setting up their ambush within may have already been trapped by the enemy. Such a warning ought to give them a greater potential to avoid any traps there."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Thu 29 May 2008.

"Very well." answered Claudius with a nod. "Major," he said, addressing Maradus, "inform your captain of our concerns and instruct him to hold his advance until his scouts have confirmed the area is clear. All findings are to be reported immediately."

"Yes, general." replied Maradus quickly, hurrying over to a communications terminal and pressing a button as he leaned in to speak.

"Primus, this is Command. We have reason to suspect the enemy may have planted hidden traps in the ravine you are approaching. You are instructed to halt your advance immediately and search the area before proceeding further. Repeat, halt your advance and search the area before proceeding. Report all findings, over."

After a moment, the Primus captain's reply came through the terminal's com-link. "Roger, Command. Primus is standing by. Awaiting confirmation from recon units."

Maradus looked to Claudius, silently awaiting his instructions.

"Now, we wait." said the general, quietly contemplating the holo-grid with a pensive frown.

Minutes passed. Claudius and his majors each watched the holo-grid, pacing back and forth as they waited. From time to time, they exchanged silent glances with each other, and occasionally looked over at Ludovicus.

Then, after five minutes of tense silence, a transmission came through the com.

"Command, this is Primus. Recon units have swept the north and south ridges of the ravine. All zones are clear. Repeat, all zones are clear. Over."

Maradus and Terias each visibly exhaled and looked to the General. Claudius shot Ludovicus a hard glance, his gaze wary and scathing.

"General?" prompted Maradus behind him as they waited for his order.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:34, Thu 19 Feb 2009.

Claudius furrowed his brow and let out a silent breath, not taking his eyes off Ludovicus. "Very well." he answered finally. "Proceed."

Maradus hurried over to the com terminal and pushed a button to open the channel.

"Roger, Primus. You are cleared to proceed. Repeat, you are cleared to proceed."

The major then looked up at Claudius and Ludovicus.

After a moment, the reply came over the com. "Roger, Command. Primus is proceeding to intercept."

Ludovicus had not ignored everyone's glances, but he was careful not to respond to them either. He was confident that he was correct to point out how odd this entire situation was, regardless of how things turned out, and if his concerns turned out to be irrelevant, so be it. Indeed, he hoped they would...

When Primus responded and was given permission to proceed he took a deep breath and turned his attention to the monitor. The wait continued, though it seemed as if their troops would have the opportunity to face the enemy as, Pancreator willing, they had all intended: unexpected and accordingly advantaged. Regardless he felt a nagging doubt about this situation. Perhaps it was simply his ego. He began to repeat one of St. Horace's koans to himself and stared at the map. The map, at least, was passive.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Thu 26 June 2008.

Minutes later, the voice of the Primus' captain came through the com. "Primus has arrived at mark. Moving into position."

Major Maradus turned his eyes to Claudius as he bent near the terminal to reply. "Roger, Primus."

Again he looked to Claudius but the general made no sign of acknowledgment, merely staring hard through the holo-grid with his usual pensive frown.

Maradus bent to speak into the terminal once more. "Report on the enemy's present position, over."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:15, Thu 19 Feb 2009.

After a few moments, the captain's voice answered through the com, "Enemy force crossing through the southeast delta now. Estimated to arrive at the ravine's east entrance in five minutes, over."

Maradus nodded. "Roger, Primus."

The terminal operator punched in a few entries and the enemy's glowing red marker shifted northward on the holo-grid.

Minutes passed while they waited.

Then...

"Primus is in position." came the captain's voice over the com again. "All units standing by."

"Roger, Primus." replied Maradus. He glanced over at Claudius, who was still contemplating the holo-grid silently.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:17, Thu 19 Feb 2009.

A few more minutes passed.

Then...

"Command, this is Primus." came the captain's voice through the com again in a notably distressed tone. "The enemy is passing the ravine, moving north out of the delta. Repeat, the enemy is passing the ravine. We cannot intercept. Awaiting further orders, over."

Major Maradus shot the general a worried look.

Claudius' fist hit the holo-projector with a loud thump. "DAMN IT!" he shouted, scowling furiously.

Maradus bent to the com terminal to answer the Primus' captain. "Roger, Primus. Stand by."

"Roger." confirmed the captain shortly after. "Standing by."

"The heathens were wise to us!" shouted Claudius.

"That cannot be!" exclaimed Maradus. "Our units were concealed! They had no warning!"

"They didn't need one." countered Claudius. "An open ravine fifteen kilometers from the city? The single avenue through the canyon? The only means of attack from behind? These are Symbiots, Major, not mindless savages. Our enemy is not stupid, and we have grossly underestimated them. In our haste, we've ignored the most basic rule of any conflict - respect thine enemy!" Claudius shook his head, lamenting under his breath as he stared bitterly through the holo-grid. "Too easy. It was too easy..."

"But what attack can they hope to make now?" questioned Maradus. "If they circle round the entire canyon --"

"FOOL!" yelled Claudius, boring his eyes contemptuously through the major. "They have no intention of making an attack, can't you see that! Little wonder that they charged so brazenly past our perimeter with no attempt at discretion. The cravens meant to be detected! They were counting on it! And racing at full speed, giving us no time to think. They banked on us to act rashly, and we played right into their ploy!" His fist hit the holo-projector again hard as he turned back to the display. "Pancreator have mercy on us." he uttered spitefully as his eyes contemplated the grid. "What stupidity! What arrogance! Confound it!"

Maradus considered the general's words deeply, growing more and more uneasy. "A diversion? But from what...?" He exchanged a look with Major Terias, who said nothing.

Both majors turned their eyes to Claudius, awaiting his word.

Then with a thought, the general turned to Captain Ludovicus, meeting his eyes gravely.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:16, Tue 24 Feb 2009.

Randwulfe couldn't help but smile broadly at Theodore's apprehension.

"Theodore, there's no harm in speaking to other orders of their faith. We all humbly serve the Pancreator. I wish I could join you and speak of our orders' differences, but I feel I should be doing more here."

He looked around pensively, seeking further labours with which to busy himself until orders were issued which he could follow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:46, Tue 24 Feb 2009.

The Eskatonic had been staring intently at the map throughout the General's realizations and the ensuing exchange. While he had ceased to repeat the koan, he had also not looked at either major or the General until he was the General's focus. Only then did he slowly look up from the projector. "I would suggest that there are two possibilities:

One - They have, indeed, laid a trap for the strike force we have out there and are now in the process of preparing to spring it upon them -- should they be successful our defenses are certainly diminished.

Two - They are going to attempt an air assault -- given the starport's air defenses it would be suicidal; however, the Cathedral's defenses have been significantly weakened and our attention is entirely focused upon this distant action on the ground rather than on the sky in the immediate vicinity."

Pausing quickly he continued, "With the understanding of matters we now have, I would suggest that the latter is the most likely. The starport is the Body. We are the Shield. Remove the Shield and the Body lies defenseless. And as you have suggested the enemy is likely to be aware that we have weakened our Shield..."

Again pausing quickly so as not to be interrupted, he went on, "The assault lander based at the Cathedral might be used to recover the strike force so that we might better prepare what remains of the Shield to defend itself, and ultimately the Body. Because either the launch of the lander and/or its arrival in the field will alert them to our new understanding of things, we should put things to red alert at all levels immediately, but do so as quietly as possible. It would not be to our advantage to give too much away about our discovery. The longer their attack is delayed, the better for us and if the attack comes sooner rather than later, that we are as prepared as possible for it could be sufficient surprise to assist its rebuff."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:01, Thu 26 Feb 2009.

Music: http://www.onmvoice.com/play/4838

Claudius turned to Major Terias. "Major, I want all crews to battle-stations Now."

"Yes, sir." answered Terias, hurrying to a terminal.

"Lieutenant," Claudius continued, regarding a nearby officer, "Have the crew ready the ship for takeoff."

"Yes, General." confirmed the officer, rushing to another console.

Then Claudius instructed Maradus, "Inform the strike unit to prepare for immediate transport."

"Yes, sir." answered Maradus.

An alarm sounded throughout the Cathedral's sectors and an order came through the PA system.

"Red alert! All crews to battle-stations! All crews to battle-stations!"

Troops scrambled from their barracks and dashed down the Cathedral's halls, grabbing weapons and ammunition. Calls and orders were shouted in haste as teams rushed to man turrets and set up artillery.

Outside the Cathedral, Manifest Light theurgists searched the night for the source of their disturbance, while psychics tuned in to their heightened senses and stirred apprehensively.

Watchtower lookouts raised scopes to scan the darkened sky. And then one gave the dreaded call:

"SYMBIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTS!!!"

In the distance flying shapes suddenly became visible, closing fast on the Cathedral's perimeter. Troops scattered and shouted desperately in alarm. And then all at once, they were upon them - two Symbiot drop-ships, accompanied by a flight of eight fighters. The fighters swarmed overhead and one dove low, strafing across and launching a massive fireball directly at the Cathedral's repeater tower.

BOOM!!!

The tower's base exploded in a thunderous blast and the structure collapsed onto the ground teams with a CRASH, sending fragments of scaffolding everywhere.

"General! We've lost communications!" shouted an officer within the Cathedral's War Room.

"Get the wounded onto the ship!" ordered Claudius. "Have my Guard secure the entrance, I don't want anything to break through!"

"Yes, sir!" answered the officer.

"Officers, come with me!" said Claudius as he rushed out the War Room's exit, drawing a blaster. Both majors followed hurriedly, drawing sidearms.

Outside the Cathedral, mayhem ensued as artillery fire trailed the strafing fighters and anti-air turrets targeted the drop-ships. The two bloated, monstrous, dirigible-like crafts separated - one looming toward the defensive line, the other circling toward the Cathedral's rear.

Leading the ground troops, Sister Theafana al-Malik raised her sword skyward and called aloud to the gunners, "Concentrate fire on those drop-ships! Don't let them deploy their troops!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Sun 05 Apr 2009.

The sudden rush of activity, the cries and the readying of arms; these were the things that allowed Randwulfe to serve the Pancreator in the way he knew best.

His voice finding a moment between the calls of others rallied his remaining Brothers.

"PLATOON! FORM UP ON ME!"

Drawing his broadsword and setting his shield on his arm, he waited for the Brothers he'd lead against any of the taint that managed to get through the hail of fire from the emplaced weapons.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:51, Thu 26 Feb 2009.

When Claudius exited the War Room, Ludovicus followed grabbing his flamegun. Sometimes it is most unfortunate to be correct!, he thought to himself.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:05, Thu 19 Mar 2009.

Music: http://www.onmvoice.com/play/4839

Randwulfe's platoon assembled swiftly into formation behind him. The frontal ranks armed swords and shields, while the rear trained their rifles skyward on the enemy's approaching drop-ship.

Anti-air units focused barrages of artillery-fire at the monstrous vessel, shells ricocheting off it's thick carapace. The bloated craft returned fire, scattering gelatinous acidic bursts down at the gunners, which quickly ate through their armor.

Then the blimp-like beast-ship opened its massive jaws and hordes of Symbiot paratroopers leapt out, sailing down with larvae-guns blazing at the ground infantry. The Brother Battle troops raised their shields against the raining slugs and fired their lasers up at the descending fly-men, shooting down several of the winged Symbiots.

Then the remaining drop-troops were upon them and the ground battle began. The first wave of Symbiots were greeted with thrusting swords and razor-edged shields as the Brother Battle struck with swift vigor. The paratroopers swarmed about on buzzing wings, slashing with jagged pincer-blades and barbed tentacles as scores more jumped out of the drop-ship above.

Gunners swiveled in their turrets, tracking laser-fire as Symbiot Wasp fighters strafed overhead and spit fire at the Cathedral's guns. The Wasps circled the Cathedral, blasting its walls on all sides and twisting to evade artillery crossfire.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:17, Sun 05 Apr 2009.

Music: http://www.onmvoice.com/play/4840

Leading from the front, Oblate Randwulfe was intent on his men fending off the vile paratroopers descending on them.

The first Symbiot unleashed a hail of organic rounds as it fell, which thudded into Randwulfe's breastplate. He readied his counter and raised his shield, timing the blow so the Symbiot's momentum met his shield strike, stunning the creature.

Then engaging his sword's shocker system, he swiftly dispatched the vermin with a vicious and powerful blow through its shoulder to its opposite hip, his blade emitting an electric spark as it cleaved through the beast's carapace. Its body fell, still twitching from the surge of electricity.

Another of the creatures launched an attack, slashing at Randwulfe with a bladed limb, knocking his shield aside but skittering off his armor. Randwulfe countered, punching forward with the edge of his shield into the creature's face, and the beast faltered.

Seizing the opportunity, Randwulfe brought his sword cleanly across the neck of his foe with a shock of voltage, ending its blasphemous life in one quick strike.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:19, Sun 05 Apr 2009.

Music: http://www.onmvoice.com/play/4841

Inside the Cathedral, Master Claudius and his officers hurried through the towering halls of the rectory as troops rushed past on their way to battle-stations. All around them, alarms and sirens shrilled as shouts filled the air with the call to arms. Brothers raced to the armory for weapons, theurgists prepared their rites, gunners and support crews dashed up the stairwells to man their stations.

The Cathedral's walls shook as aerial firebombings bombarded its exterior battlements and spires, turrets were sundered and gun-towers burst into flames. The great Darmak Cathedral lit the night as it burned, flames soaring higher as the Symbiots blasted its walls on all sides.

Claudius and his men rushed down the arched corridors as sections of the Cathedral's architecture collapsed and electrical systems crackled and shorted out, sending sparks in all directions. Explosions burst inward through the walls and ceiling, scattering debris in their path as they hastened to dodge collapsing masonry. Marble pillars toppled and crashed to the floor, stained glass windows shattered into multicolored shards, statues and altars fell from their sconces and smashed into pieces.

Ahead of them, groups of personnel ferried wounded from the infirmary to the Cathedral's hangar, hauling stretchers and carrying men on their backs. Private Darian passed several teams on his way out of the barracks, having to weed quickly through the rushing crowd.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:22, Sun 05 Apr 2009.

Ivan made his way quickly outside, ready to help any wounded in the initial attack. He moved briskly, but without panic (or any visible emotion, for that matter), and took in the carnage mechanically. As he spotted various wounded men, his triage program began to compile a roster, and an order of treatment...
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:33, Fri 13 Mar 2009.

Music: http://www.onmvoice.com/play/4841

Through the tumult and chaos of the incoming attack, Ludovicus scrambled after Master Claudius and the rest of the Command staff. The only good thing about the shelling the Cathedral was taking was that it meant the Symbiot assault forces were actually somewhere else -- after all, they would not bomb their own forces. As they jogged he mocked himself for these craven thoughts, as the assault would come rather quickly once the bombardment was complete regardless.

It was then that he had a sudden moment of clarity despite everything: if something were to happen to the General, what would result? How would they withstand whatever followed this attack without Master Claudius' brilliant leadership? He would have to be prepared to do whatever it took to ensure that Claudius survived, why else had he survived himself to this point?

These thoughts sped through his mind as they raced toward the hangar and it was just as quickly that Ludovicus mumbled the prayer that invoked the rite of Divine Warning.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:23, Sun 05 Apr 2009.

Music: http://www.onmvoice.com/play/4837

The irises and whites of Ludovicus' eyes turned jet black, like the eyes of Saint Ven Lohji herself, as the vigor of his faith flooded his consciousness. While he knew whatever lay ahead would be no less treacherous, he felt the assurance of the Pancreator's watchful gaze, as if through Him, his own mind was granted some divine cognizance of all impending dangers.

As Claudius and his officers raced past the junction leading to the Cathedral's foyer, the General's elite personal Guard, Absolution's Avengers, took up positions in the entrance hall and barricaded the massive doors.

"Brothers," called out the High Priest, "armor thyselves!"

In unison, the Brother Battle Adepts recited their liturgy and traced signs over their chests, intoning a low resonant hum that rose into a resounding chorus and reverberated throughout the Cathedral's halls. United in faith, fifty Brothers stood stalwart and ready for whatever dared to invade their great fortress.

Through the bedlam of collapsing stone and bursting fire, Master Claudius and the other Command staff hurried toward the towering central atrium which housed the Cathedral's hangar. Within, troops were already loading wounded men onto The Valkyrie, the General's personal warship.

At last, the Command staff reached the hangar and began assisting the other troops with carrying the wounded aboard the ship. One of the ship's crewman rushed over as Claudius and his officers approached.

"General! We have contact with the starport! Air support is on the way!"

"Good." replied Claudius. "Tell them to hold off those fighters until we can take off, and cover us on our way back to port."

"Yes, sir!" answered the crewman, dashing back up the ramp into the ship.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Fri 27 Aug 2010.

As the crewman hustled back to The Valkyrie, Ludovicus approached Claudius. "Sir, if I may, we do not know precisely what will come, but it would be wise, I think, if you permitted me to invoke the rite of Consecrated Body upon you. May I?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Fri 27 Aug 2010.

Claudius turned to the Eskatonic. "Very well, Captain." he replied with a nod. "But make haste. Time is short."

Nodding his head affirmatively, the Eskatonic moved forward and began a prayer in a low voice, calling on Holy assistance. When Claudius bent his head to receive the invocation, he traced a rune with each hand over each of the General's closed eyes. Then, leaving his left hand atop Claudius' head, he traced the Pancreator's jumpcross across the Brother Battle's chest with his right.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Thu 19 Mar 2009.