Final Report [17/12/06 - 14/12/07]
Canto I
As predicted the warp tract ‘Frenson’s Gate’ sealed as
abruptly as it opened. It left behind a planetary system wracked by ten weeks
of strife, tumult and bloodshed. The cost in human lives may never be known.
Great centres of civilian population razed as easily as if merely wheat in
a field, leaving a millennia of culture looted and a collective psyche forever
tainted by the memory. But in these times of strife so mankind pulls together
– disparate elements conjoin to form a fleeting alliance of strength
and arms – leading to eventual triumph.
With the closure of the gate, so the significance of the Odyssian system pales.
The lure of pillage or fresh minds to corrupt no longer shines in a sector
so far into Imperium-controlled space. The forces of chaos and other xeno
defilers will move on to other easier targets and the whole process of defending
Mankind will begin afresh somewhere else. We live in a time of immense upheaval.
The last weeks of the campaign were confused and bloody affairs. Warp storms
constantly interfered with both vox and astropathic communications, turning
the war zones into lethal isolated pockets of destruction where help could
not be summoned if required – nor victory celebrated when achieved.
Throughout the system the rapid incoming tides of xeno and chaos forces became
an unbearable pressure that even the mighty warriors of the Unforgiven, alone,
could not properly stand against. Yet lords of the Astartes fought that tide,
shoulder-to-shoulder with raw indentured citizen bands and immense cumbersome
Imperial army regiments, facing the terror that stalked them and in turn hunting
them down. It is to the eternal honour of the Unforgiven that such a willing
sacrifice was made. Battle-brothers slain in the attempt to rescue a distant
system from the clutches of evil, perhaps following the example set them by
the Emperor himself during the Great Crusade for they, like Him, were selfless,
focused and ferocious, remaining unfazed by the odds against them.
Canto II
With the immaterium leaking its corruption it was only a matter of time
before rumours of the Fallen came to light. Though not many in number, the
Fallen were present in several theatres – diabolically aligned with
anyone who would give them credence or who had been taken in by their oratory.
It befell the chapters of the Unforgiven to hunt out these creatures of heresy,
the very echoes of a past distanced by years but still livid in the consciousness
of those tasked with their capture.
The primary focus was the destruction of all chaos and xeno incursion, to
this end the various taskforces of the Unforgiven performed with great exertion,
claiming two captured Fallen agents (and one dead), a respectable toll to
add to the victory banners. Although few in number, these forces stiffened
the crumbling resolve of many men around them providing a catalyst for unexpected
success against wily and devious opponents.
Peleus
The System capital proved surprisingly resilient to invasion. This frankly
came as a surprise as it was expected to be greatly hurt and fall within a
few weeks. But no. The munitoriums produced a record number of arms and equipment
to keep pace with the level of demand from the Odyssian battle zones. And
despite massive collateral casualties and damage the indomitable spirit of
the Peleuns never faltered – earning them respect even from the warriors
of the Astartes.
A decisive action fought along the front of the north western continental
block that over a two week period saw the tide turn against the combined might
of two chaos legions. With the threat of safe passage into the warp diminishing
so the enemies will weakened. Aided in the latter stages by a Deathwing force
under the enigmatic ‘Brother Luther’, the planet was cleansed
and considered secure – all incursion forces of any size simply disappeared
during the tenth week of fighting. It should be noted that operations are
continuing in some areas to bring legacy chaos-inspired uprisings under control.
Great mention should be made here of the local army units (latterly) under
the command of General Ozarn Rapton. Fighting with ferocity in sometimes cruel
and desperate circumstances these troops took their punishment and came back
for more.
Idomeneus
Dark Eldar were finally put to flight after a prolonged campaign to root them
out. A decisive surgical drop pod deployment by a Deathwing force eventually
destroyed the Eldar’s centre of operations. They had been present here
for many weeks causing much terror and loss of life amongst the civilians
they had visited their heinous skills upon. The nature of the topography is
such that it may be reasoned small pockets of Eldar raiding parties will survive
and profit here for a year or two. The local defence force units are remaining
at station and on high alert at present. But thankfully raids will remain
isolated and small-scale. There remains no Unforgiven forces on Idomeneus
and all military control has been reinstated to the planetary governor.
The sparseness of population caused problems for garrison troops who had to
rely upon off-planet reinforcements. This could mean agonising hours spent
waiting for a transport ship to arrive via sub-warp travel. Lessons have been
learned – perhaps a certain degree complacency had set in here, but
there is no doubt that generations to come will remember the sacrifice of
their sons on the fields of Idomeneus.
Chromius
I have to report with a heavy heart the loss of this planet. Not through insidious
incursion or chaos-scented revolution, but through the catastrophic failure
of a fushion generator. The reasons for this are unclear at present as reports
are sketchy to say the least. It would seem though that an emergency procedure
to shut down and dismantle one of the main burners to save them from capture
resulted in a rupture at a critical juncture. The resulting blast was enough
to irradiate several sub-surface continents. It was fortunate that much of
the inhabitants of Chromius had already been transported upon Imperial auxiliary
transporters to the nearest neighbour Peleus as they had suffered greatly
from bombardment from Chaos warships. The planet’s habitable interior
must be considered too hazardous to return to for the foreseeable future.
The acting planetary governor (now in exile) has already made a request to
the Mechanicus for an exploratory cleansing expedition, and, much to the credit
of this organisation, elements from the 143rd Explorator Fleet have been diverted
to assist in this operation.
As a fortunate consequence of the fushion blast, several surface units of
an unknown Chaos legion (believed to be the Iron Warriors) were wiped out.
The orbiting support warships, including the Vortex Inhaler, were shaken by
the loss and not up to facing down the 27th, 102nd and 223rd Imperial battle
squadrons closing in and so took refuge in the warp tract. Sector patrols
in this region are being augmented to guard against the re-emergence of these
blighted vessels. The Emperor works in mysterious ways.
Ithaca
This grim ice-world proved to be much fought over. The last weeks of the campaign
saw incursions from Tau Hunter Cadres – presumably attempting to locate
the Odyssian’s vital deep space augars for their own use. Unusually
for the Tau their efforts were badly co-ordinated, or simply hampered, which
meant they could never create a localised military superiority to be really
decisive. Dark Angels Taskforce Redemption (Captain Valaris and Epistolary
Varas) operated on this planet during the periods of greatest threat. Through
dextrous stratagems, the largest of the Cadres was completely wiped out so
rendering further threats of any great consequence unlikely. An enlarged garrison
of men drawn form the Peleun Young Guard and Idomeneus’ ‘Red Tops’
have been established to counter any further threats to this planet-asteroid.
Scylla
Perhaps destined to be the weakest link in Odyssia, the garrison on this planet
stood to arms with sufficient resolve to quell the rebellions of two penal
colonies whilst a Deathwing strikeforce under Epistolary Raziel roamed and
destroyed Chaos incursion wherever found (though having to make a strategic
withdrawal from the Drwal Peninsula). The taskforce suffered much –
Chaplain Elioreph wounded severely enough to be incapacitated for the remainder
of the campaign and many other battle-brothers hurt and slain. But the planet
remains in Imperial hands so let us be merciful for that.
Without doubt Scylla proved to be the barometer of the Odyssian’s will
to fight at any cost, any enemy, both from within or without, and aided by
the mighty Unforgiven. That this little sub-planet recognised it’s own
value in the great Imperial Empire and fought to maintain it is a testament
to the will of humanity. It has been recommended the award of the Cruxius
Clasp with Aquila – the highest honour available to standing defence
forces of the Imperial Guard.
-----
Week 6 [ 11/12/06 - 17/12/06]
Overview
The insidious encroach of Chaos is fast approaching it’s zenith.
System-wide activity by the Legions from the Eye of Terror are slowly but
surely gaining the upper hand much to the disgust of our beloved Emperor,
who has exhorted all to greater efforts and heroic deeds of selfless re-conquest.
With many theatres of war contested by Planetary Defence, Citizen Trained
Bands or Ecclesiastical Defence Forces the plight of the system remains at
best, precarious.
Unforgiven forces have been in action on Scylla and Idomeneus with victories
to help stem the flow of decay and for that we must be thankful. But more
must be done as the need is great.
Movement of troops from one theatre to another is being considerably hampered
by the mass migration of civilian populations who have increasingly less safe
havens to escape to. In fact at present nowhere is considered safe. All planetary
governors are now conscripting from the Class B2 selection as well as drawing
inductees from the lists of up to two years hence. This is resulting in many
units containing both extremely young (as young as 14 years Terra) and post-service
age (50+ years Terra) serving within the ranks lowering the combat effectiveness
to ‘average’ at best. Nevertheless the will is there. Commissars
rarely need to resort to the ultimate punishment for cowardice and this is
much to the credit of the remaining officer cadre that such raw material can
be turned into fighting units.
However we have reports of a capitulation of planetary regiments on Scylla.
It is looking likely that the capital will fall imminently. A Deathwing strike
force has been active on Scylla and has seen off incursions from an Ork raiding
force and the interests of an unknown space marine chapter – thought
to be part of the 7th company of the Relictors Chapter on a mission to capture
Chaos weaponry or other daemon items. This is but a spark of light on a blackened
universe.
The subterranean world of Chromius is too clinging on to Imperial control.
The Chaos battleship [identified as the Vortex Inhaler] has entered sub-system
space and has been pounding the entry nodes in prelude to an assault by Chaos
legions. The Dark Angels battlebarge [xxxxxx] has been diverted to intercept
with an escort of Imperial Navy Cruisers.
As more information comes in updates will be made.
-----
Week 5 [ 4/12/06 - 10/12/06]
Overview
A bleak week brightened by a few the heroic efforts of Unforgiven forces present
and the against-all-odds defience of the citizenry. It would seem that unlike
other systems Odyssia has proven to be a hard nut to crack.
Reports from Peleus are nothing short of miraculous. The 3rd Regiment Peleun
Carabiniers aided by citizen band units formed from the local populace, held
an important pass for 4 days of intensive bombardment and ferocious hand-to-hand
assaults against Orks to protect the plain on which the city of Alvarez stands.
At one time ammunition was so low that heavy artillery units were firing shaped-granite
solid shot towards the enemy. The Orks, still encamped in the region, have
called off their attacks. The 3rd is so depleted as to be unable to mount
an effective sally to the enemy base.
From Idomeneus comes the news of a massive collapse in the Eastern Hinterlands,
an area of industrial cities and mining facilities. It would seem that the
upper cadres of the regional defence units were subverted by unknown agents,
casting uncertainty and delusion, and weakening the will to fight. The result
has been an incursion by the diabolical alliance of Dark Eldar and Chaos warlords.
A situation that bodes ill for the remainder of the Hinterland region, and
providing a route to the hive city Beltharn
Elsewhere on idomeneus Unforgiven forces have performed in exemplary fashion.
A Ravenwing strike force hitting an Emperor's Children warband with a righteous
fury, while a Dark Angels battle force tasked with securing [xxxx] held at
bay a frenzied attack by renegade Imperial Guard units.
However on Scylla the local forces were driven back from fortified positions
along the Great Fissure, forced to take up secondary positions some 8 leagues
further to the rear at the foothills of the southern Great Mountains. Nevertheless,
Penal Centres 4, 5 and 8 are secure so at present there is no risk of attack
from the rear. It is hoped that the Deathwing Strike force of Raziel will
redeploy to Scylla once their cleansing mission on Ithaca has been completed.
Of which, the strike force attacked a Thousand Son force engaged in nefarious
rites amongst the ice valleys of the new lands. But some days later were themselves
caught in unfavourable terrain that hindered effective deployment and were
forced to yield ground the entombed followers of Tzeentch.
Better news. The subterranean cities of Chromius, now enduring a full siege,
had temporary respite when a squadron of Dark Angel rapid strike cruisers
supported by the batteries of five Imperial Navy battleships, ran the Chaos
blockade to deliver arms, food and other medical supplies to the Blue Entry
Node. The vessels then successfully attacked surface units of an unknown Chaos
Legion before breaking back through the enemy blockade.
Despatches Honorum
To the ten Citizen Band Battalions of Alvarez. For resisting against an Ork
force many times their number and fighting ability.
-----
Week 4 [ 27/11/06 - 3/12/06]
Overview
There was a collected sense of relief palpable from all governing bodies of
the Odyssian System as more Unforgiven forces at last enter the fray.
From various battlefields come reports that the cursed forces of our enemies
were thwarted at best, or at worst, temporarily held at bay. Hailed as a turning
point of the campaign, victories on Peleus and Idomeneus against rebel Imperial
Guard forces (possibly commanded by Fallen agents) have been particularly
praised by members of the Unforgiven’s Campaign Inner Circle –
though no Fallen have been captured. But it does bode well that rich hunting
grounds may indeed manifest themselves over the coming weeks.
Orks were encountered on Peleus. Their craft evading the system defence squadron
and landing the raiding Waaghh near the 307th munitions manifactorium with
the intent of stealing the armoured plating forges for their own use, or so
their Warboss revealed under torture later. The Orks were successfully thwarted
in their attempt at the very gates of the target facility by a Deathwing force
deployed specifically for the task of its defense.
I should also warn you too of a Tau Cadre also active upon Peleus. This group
have been under observation for three weeks now, and has managed to avoid
all decisive actions offered. However a small Dark Angels scouting force inflicted
a sharp defeat upon them, capturing several examples of their advanced weaponry
for closer examination, and the destruction of several feared Crisis Battlesuits.
It is unfortunate that the larger portion of the Cadre is still at liberty
to terrorise the local populace. However the Tau, unlike the Chaos Legions
found elsewhere, do not seem intent upon a permanent colonial outpost in Odyssia,
or at least this is the indication given so far, as their numbers are as yet
too limited.
It is to the Chaos Legions that we must stand firm. The planetrary defence
forces upon Scylla, holding out against odds many times the enemies favour,
were defeated by an abominable alliance of Night Lords and the bloodthirsty
Khorne that, according to rescued surviving troopers, has resulted in penal
colony 'Sector 2' being reduced to rubble and the prisoners (having performed
a Rite of Subservience) being inducted into the Chaos ranks. It is predicted
that the next point of attack will be southern Great Mountains, the site of
the asteroids main defensive headquarters and only viable spaceport. If this
falls, then the only deployment option will be thunderhawk or drop pod, both
risky against hardened opponents, or, the mustering of a terminator strike
force in such numbers that a teleport attack can be considered. Scylla looks
the weakest link in the Odyssian chain.
Against this heightened sense of awareness gnaws the pestilence of self-doubt.
We must remain strong in our actions, aiding the ailing and dwindling forces
available to each governor, seeking to dispel the miasma of corrupt thought
and action, and to relentlessly hunt the deluded individuals–the very
brothers who once called themselves Dark Angels.
Despatches Honorum
Colonel Cazal Noval and his mercenary battalion, for the heroic defense of
the Borderlands on Idomeneus.
-----
Week 3 [ 20/11/06 - 26/11/06]
Overview
A darkening picture as far as the forces of the Imperium are concerned. The
steady, slow, progressional nature of the Chaso/Xeno incursion is relentless
and unmerciless. Nevertheless there are bright glimmers. A Deathwing strike
force under Brother Luther successfully beat off the enigmatic Eldar, but
in a later action were forced to concede ground and the Eldar escaped.
An Inquisitional force has been encountered on Peleus. In this instance it was seen off with great loss, their intentions unknown – although it was rumoured that they have knowledge of a Fallen agent on the planet and were planning to extricate him before the forces of the Unforgiven closed in.
Elsewhere planetary defence forces performed heroically to at least stem the flood of incursions. Notable actions included a rearguard at the bridgehead of Rhamun Delta on Idomeneus, where two regiments, dug in and of good morale, fought in a gruelling three day battle against Dark Eldar raiders on a front of over sixty leagues. Many Eldar raider vessels were crippled, trapping the occupants on the surface of the planet, and the capture of several Dark Eldar Lords suggests an organised strike rather than the usual. hit-and-run tactics.
Sketchy reports of an Unforgiven Strike Cruiser being destroyed (or at least badly damaged) in a deep space dual with an unknown Chaos battleship have been filtering in from various orbital defence platforms as well as from an Imperial Fireship the "Emperors Gaze" who was in the vicinity of the action. Reports will be updated and more information comes in.
Despatches Honorum
Brother Luther for the defeat of an Inquisitorial battle force.
-----
Week 2 [ 13/11/06 - 19/11/06]
Overview
Despite the arrival of more Unforgiven forces the relentless onslaught of
Chaos Xeno advancement continues unchallenged in many areas. The situation
deteriorating through collapse of inter-planetary transport routes put under
curfew by Imperial Navy Inshore Protection Squadron XIV.
Beware of unknown Index Astartes Chapters in this sector, many are believed
to have latent Chaos progenitors. All should be treated as hostile.
Again the heroic efforts of the 'Red Tops' Planetary Defence regiment on Ideomeneous
has given slight respite to hard-put civilian populations, also now enduring
mass conscription in addition to the usual hardships faced by huge refugee
migrations. And expressions of thanks have been received from Governor Thracton
for the defeat of a Chaos Emperor’s Children Legion' by a third company
strike force, but is still calling for massive intervention to stem incursion
and uprisings in many remote sectors.
A more worrying development is that of emerging Necrons – believed rooted
out of the system – have, it would appear, been biding their time for
a full revival at a propitious moment. A raiding phalanx on Ithaca was defeated
by a Dark Angels assault before the situation became critical, without many
civilian lives being put at risk. Further expeditions mounted by the local
Planetary Defence Auxilia are now searching the deep ice drifts with augars
to try to unearth and neutralize the threat of new awakenings from the ‘Ancients’.
It would seem the ice world might be an ideal sleeping-host to the mechanical
bringers of death.
Elsewhere a lone Deathwing strike force on Scylla under the joint command
of Raziel and Elioreph has done much here to thwart enemy gains. Nevertheless
there is only so much a single small force and achieve without the risk of
a total catastrophe as casualties are not easily replaced. The Deathwing commanders
reluctant to commit to anything other than precision deep strikes until further
reinforcement. However, good news is that so far the asteroids’ penal
colonies have been successfully subdued dispelling, for the time being, the
fears of a total Imperial collapse. But complacency is a silent enemy so all
Arbites and Defence forces are fully mobilised – fearful of what the
future might hold.
Inter-planetary defence monitor vessels had a lucky strike against an unwary
Chaos battleship upon its emergence from the Warp, the resulting explosion
was clearly visible to the naked eye on nearby Chromius. It is unclear what
legion this ship was carrying, but certainly the inhabitants of the besieged
planet are apprehensive that a full scale strike was being planned against
entry nodes in the northern hemisphere, so the battleship’s destruction
a cause for small celebration.
The threat is building, with palpable fear spreading, we must act now to save
this system from further ravaging.
Despatches Honorum
Master Ciaphas for the capture of Fallen 598 (codename Adzinael).
-----
Week 1 [ 5/11/06 - 12/11/06]
Overview
As was to be expected, there was a tentative start to the first week's campaigning
given that most Unforgiven forces are still en route to the system being redirected
from distant sectors. Nevertheless a Deathwing task force under Epistolary
Raziel on Scylla were attacked by a trigger-happy Planetary Defence Force
armoured column (Raal's Housecarls), the Terminators were forced to destroy
most of them before the error of their ways was made clear and order was restored.
Elsewhere in the system Chaos and Xeno infestation is growing steadily and at present unchecked. Planetary governors are mustering their local forces to stem the incoming tide wherever possible, but are crying out for reinforcements, weapons and munitions. Indeed the Ideomeneus IV (the Red Tops) expended 3 million rounds of ammunition of all types during desperate rearguard actions against Chaos Legions infiltrating their northern hemisphere.
Such is the state of panic within some regions that whole populations are on the move, creating widespread social and economic breakdown. Inter-system transport routes are severely congested – with local Navy defence flotillas extremely jumpy and firing on anything larger than a class Epsilon freighter – several refugee ships have been eliminated with great loss of life. It should be noted that this presents a very real danger to incoming Unforgiven forces.
The man-made subterranean continents on Chromius are better equipped to deal with invasion. The Entry Nodes are heavily defended and have (so far) resisted penetration, whilst the heat on the surface makes a large-scale bridgehead impossible. However it has resulted in the world becoming virtually cut-off and under siege. Supplies, now under ration, are predicted to sustain the populace for the next ten weeks only.
It is to be expected that the situation can only worsen throughout the system. The sooner the forces of the Unforgiven can muster the sooner this insideous canker can be erradicated.
Despatches Honorum
None awarded.
-----
Assume nothing and keep vigilant.
Chronicler Isiah, the 4th Battle Company, Dark Angels.
