Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-1734134-20190911202955/@comment-1734134-20191120201656

Siros clears his throat and speaks,

“I am glad to receive you, Commissar. Any reinforcements are welcomed during this desperate time, especially considering the skill of Scions and yourself. Backing that of the Space Marines,” Siros gestured to the Astartes, “Or even on its own, our forces will be more than adequate to handle the aliens and heretics that are marauding across this world. The Governess too will be pleased to hear of your arrival.”

As Siros finishes speaking, a Guardsmen carrying a vox communicator approaches, waving down the group. He offers bows to all present, especially the Commissar, before speaking towards Siros, “My liege, Scouts have reported that Tau armour is on the move, but not towards the front; towards us. Multiple tanks, backed by fighter support; xenos bombers should be-“

Alien fighter-bomber craft screech overhead, “-arriving shortly. We’re gathering every man we can find, but the Xenos are moving fast.”

-

The Scouts offer nods to Tarkhan and are quick to guide him towards the camp. Much like Siros’s encampment, these partisans have entrenched themselves underground to avoid the Tau’s air support. Amongst the wreckage of a forest, old mining tunnels lead down into a cavernous pit, where the Imperials have gathered whatever they can find. The Partisans here are a slight more impressive array of troops than Tarkhan had previously encountered, with much less in the way of looted Xenos weapons and much more in the way of Imperial firearms. He is brought to a grizzled, one eyed Imperial officer, who’s right eye is covered by a thick set of bandages. He offers his hand to the tech priest, his left limb missing,

“I am Captain Pirok, 85th Self Propelled Artillery. We have much that we hope you can help us with, tech-priest,” he offers a respectful bow, before gesturing to a great hulking wreck. Its armour plates are blackened, while a great gun juts out from its hull like a snout; it is a Shadowsword. It is in great need of repair, even from a quick glance is obvious much of the vehicle has been wrecked,

“When the Tau broke through at Gommoragh we were encircled, and while she did all she could, our Shadowsword was hit by Tau melta weapons. We managed to drag her back here, keeping her under close guard. We did not speak of her to the other partisans; we know the traitors monitor our communications, more closely than the Tau at least, and we knew they would come for this great thing if they had known of it. We refused to let her be abandoned in the field for them, or the Tau.”