Kaldari
17-05-2009, 03:26
“Look upon the alien; not with hatred, not with fear, but with pity. The ignorance of the Gue'la, the hunger of the Y'he, the savagery of the Be'gel, these things haunt the stars and the spaces between them. In place of these things, even in spite of them, we must never forget the Tau'va, nor must we let them forget it.”
-Meditations on Duty, Aun'O T'au Kais Mal'caor.
Aun'O T'au Kais Mal'caor stood and gazed up at the academy, leaning heavily upon his staff. He let a sigh slip from his lips, fingers curling about the shaft as he moved his feet, shuffling up the steps, his robes brushing the hot brickwork steps. This was one of the first times he had visited this place, one of the first times he had allowed himself to be impressed since leaving T'au. Vior'la was an unforgiving world, but here the great marble domes of the academy seemed welcoming and placid, even for a place of warfare, or at least the learning of warfare.
“Impressive, is it not?” Kais turned at the voice, smiling gently, almost having forgotten that his companion walked with him. He bowed his head lightly, not out of respect, but out of simple acknowledgement. It was his associate who bowed low in respect, before letting his eyes rise once more to the Academy proper. Por'O Tau'n Vash'ya of the Water Caste had the honour of accompanying the Ethereal, not only out of his personal friendship with him, but out of personal friendship with the Shas'O they sought. His hair was tugged into a long and complicated braid, which ran some distance down his back, bound with golden rings. He wore similar affectations about the digits of his fingers, and curling bracelets that circled up his arms. It helped, he had once confessed, to impress those of weaker mindsets.
“Quite impressive indeed. I had not ventured here before, it is almost an honour.”
“Not as grand an honour as for you to attend it, Aun'O. Would though, that it were in better circumstances.”
“As do we all. We bring terrible news to one who does not deserve it; one who has done nothing but serve the Greater Good. One who now, more than ever, must rise at our side to serve it again.”
“We shall do all we can to see your will done, Aun'O” Vash'ya bowed his head, one hand toying at a ring, playing with it almost idly. “Do you think he will listen? Do you think, in the end, he shall see that which must done?”
“In the end, my friend...” Aun'O sighed again, gazing up at the Academy. He quickened his pace, striding up the great stairway now with a drive that his slender form belied. “...He must stand with us; he must serve the Greater Good as never before, in this our newest endeavour and our dearest hour.
The fate of all Tau rests with him and with our Expansion.”
The Ethereal and his Water Caste friend continued up the stairs, being met with gazes of awe of the cadets and other trainee’s in the academy. It had been some time since an Ethereal had visited the academy. They knew they probably had come to see the retired commander, Shas’O Vior’la Tau’ri, who was one of the professors here who taught the art of war. He favored a mix of Mont’ka and Kauyon styles, wanting a flexible force that could ambush or strike hard as the situation moved. It was known as the Flowing Water Strategy, and it had served him well against the Orks and Imperial forces he had battled against. The Ethereal came to the guards, who straightened and gave their respects to him.
“I am Aun’O T’au Kais Mal’caor and I have come to see Shas’O’ Tau’ri on matters important to the Empire.” The guards saluted and nodded.
“As you wish, Aun’O! We will lead you to him at once.”
They proceeded to escort the pair down through the academy, and they could get a scene at how it operated. It was a clean and disciplined place. Tau trainees trained with pulse rifles in the shooting area, several classrooms had Tau learning tactics and strategy in their battle tactics, and even a small recreational area to relax and eat. Past all this was the small but relatively fine area denoting the professor’s quarters. They came to a door and gently knocked on it. A soft but firm voice replied.
“Yes, what is it?”
“My apologies for disturbing you, Shas’O, but Aun’O T’au Kais Mal’caor has come to see you. As well as Por’O Tau’n Vash’ya of the Water Caste.”
They heard a quick scrabble as the sound of objects being moved and put away and then footsteps to the door. It opened to reveal a strongly built Tau with a simple blue robe. He bowed to Aun’O and laid a hand on Vash’ya’s shoulder. “It has been some time, my friends. I am glad to have ones such as you visit me. Come on in.”
He invited them in and had them take seats. Within seconds, he had a fruity juice poured out for them to drink and proceeded to sit down. “I am surprised to see you two coming to see me. It has been some time since the Bonding ceremony.” Both the Ethereal and the Water Caste had been close friends with the former commander during his time of duty and after many adventures and events; they become such close friends that they all chose to become Bonded. They kept in touch when they could, although once Tau’ri retired, it made things difficult. The Shas’O looked at the Ethereal and narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Although, seeing how your duties kept you away from visiting me for some time, I must ask what the occasion is.”
The Ethereal didn’t seem to make a move but his face shifted a little and his sense became filled with sorrow. The commander’s eyes narrowed and he set down his cup to prepare himself for what was coming. Aun’O sighed and reached into his robe to pull out a blackened necklace and put it on the table. Tau’ri’s eyes widened as he realized what it was.
“We are all in grieving over what happened but….we have to move on. Shas’O Neer’ka’s death was not in vain and we can still continue what she did for the Tau. However, we have no available commanders capable of taking up the duty of this level and you are the only one we know of that will be able to do the job. I know you went to your well-deserved retirement but I must ask, on behalf of the Empire that you return to active duty.”
Tau’ri sat there, stunned, as he took in the news. He had been pretty good friends with Neer’ka and to hear she died was most distressing. Picking up the necklace, he gazed at it for the longest time. Vash’ya could see the decision he had to make weighing on him and he seemed to struggle with something before letting out a sigh and putting the necklace down. He stood up and walked over to the side of the desk so he was facing Mal’caor. “I understand the situation and I will come back into full duty to serve the Empire. Now, what is this task which must be done?”
--
"Yes there is hatred amongst the great powers; brutality and ugliness and pettiness! What are these things next to duty? Do they not pale before unity in all things?"
Meditations on Duty, Aun’O T’au Kais Mal’caor
He was alone.
Shas'O Vior'la Tau'ri stood before his armour, allowing a single hand to caress the breastplate of the battlesuit. It was new, not his older bulkier model, but a streamlined and tight-fitting stealth model. He sighed softly, letting the four digits of his hand press against it, almost as though testing it. This suit had not yet carried him through the fire of battle; not borne him upon the rushing wave of warfare, the flowing tide of conflict in the name of the Greater Good. He had long missed how it sang in his blood, raising him to the standard of all the old heroes of Vior'la. Did his statue not stand beyond these halls, side by side with legends? Had he not, in his life, done great deeds?
Incense burned about the room, the air bitter with its aroma as he circled the armour once more, eyeing every line of it; allowing his digits to explore and to caress, his eyes flickered across the smooth whiteness of it, the collar and helmet black with red lines. It spoke of mourning and regret, of vengeance and the hot blood that blazed within his veins like the molten core of his world. “Duty and honour.” He spoke aloud, remembering long-ago words. “These things we pledge to the Greater Good, that all might learn and live by them.”
He let his hand drift from the armour, back to touch his bare chest. He let his fingers tease over the iron-grey flesh, lingering over one of three pale scars that lined his muscular physique. A smile flickered across his features as he closed his eyes.
He remembered...
”And so you say that your Water quenches the need for Fire, and sunders the stoney hearts of our foes? Is that what you imply?” He chuckled gently, almost tolerantly, as he gazed at the Por'O. They stood before a wide gallery, showing the pale blue world that lay below them. “You think that you can accomplish with words what the weapons of the Fire Caste are called upon to remedy?”
“In all things balance.” The Por'O was softly spoken, a calm and collected figure, hands folded behind his back. “You would commit us to open war and the losses that entails? I would ask; time, patience. We have ears amongst their rulers; progress can be made, deals can be brokered.”
“It is not becoming of a warrior of Vior'la to stay his hand” He had smiled then, grinning as he leant forward, regarding his friend as one might regard prey or quarry. “You of Tau'n wander broadly and cast your ambitions far, but it seems you cannot face the inevitable head-on, eh?”
“Say what you will friend, say what you will. We each do our part, do we not? We each serve in our own way. I may not have your martial bearing; not your skill nor your confidence, but by the Greater Good I have my words and my wit.”
“Sometimes the thought of you having more scares me, Vash'ya” He laughed again. “Sometimes I think that you are the wisest of us; even compared to Mal'caor!”
“You do me great honour, friend Tau'ri. Too kind, in so many ways. I do but my duty.”
“Duty...” He rubbed his hand across his bare scalp, pondering this for a moment. Outside shuttlecraft moved amidst the starry void, flitting from ship to ship. He took his eyes from Vash'ya for a moment, to regard the yellow craft, haloed for a glorious moment by the light of this new world, this new venture, this...Challenge. “Duty and honour...These things we pledge to the Greater Good, that all might learn and live by them.”
“See?” Vash'ya smirked lightly. “We'll make a philosopher of you yet.”
--
”.......Get me some fire support on that ridge!We cannot allow the Orks to penetrate any further past our lines!” Tau'ri aimed his missile pods at an incoming Ork vehicle, and waited until the HUD signalled he had a lock on the target. He thumbed a control and the loud roar of missiles launching echoed around his helmet and an explosion two seconds later registered the loss of the enemy vehicle. He looked around himself and cursed under his breath. He had been leading a campaign against several Ork tribes, which had been threatening several Tau worlds with raids and the Water Caste had revealed that they would soon conduct a full out assault, or “Waaagh” as these barbarians called it. He had brought a large fleet and an entire Hunter Cadre with him to battle the Orks and had been very successful, almost too successful.
He hadn't expected them to lay such an elaborate trap against him. A large convoy, with himself and the Ethereal assigned to his campaign, Aun’O T’au Kais Mal’caor. He was a quiet if strong Ethereal and Tau'ri had enjoyed their discussions as the campaign progressed. His thoughts on their duty to the Empire and how they should treat other races were very interesting, if a little idealistic in his mind. They were being sent to reinforce a key point on the planet, in preparation for an offensive to dislodge the Orks from their stronghold. As they had crossed through a ravine and into a valley, Orks poured out from holes in the valley walls and from the ridges above them, quickly engaging the Tau forces in close combat, something they were weak at and slaughter commenced. It didn't help that the Orks faulty artillery was stationed on the ridge with some well-armed Orks, pinning his forces down further and threatening to tear them apart. Tau'ri wasn't going to have any of that however. As he ordered, the Manta Ray Gunships launched into the air and strafed the ridges, bombing the Orks vehicles into scrap with their hails of smart missiles. This confused the Orks enough for him to begin reforming his lines. He pushed forward his reserve of Kroot Carnivores, creatures with a tendency to cannibalize their enemies and were excellent close combat fighters.
Their squads leapt into the Ork masses and knocked many down, and began to slash about them with their bladed weapons and natural strength. As the Orks were distracted by this new threat, the Fire Warriors formed into lines behind any cover they find, rocks, the hulks of vehicles, Ork or Tau, and hills. On his command, they unleashed their fire on the Orkish lines, pounding them with pulse rifle fire. They began to fall and he lifted a hand.
“XV8 Battlesuits, engage the enemy!” His personal guard of Battlesuits activated their jump boosters, as did he, and they landed amongst the Orkish right flank and let loose. Burst Cannon fire, along with flamers, missiles, and plasma cannon fire laid many Orks low, and dispersed them The Tau firepower began to thin to the Orkish numbers, as the reinforcements he had called for began to arrive, with Hammerhead gunships ripping through their ranks like paper. He heard a call for help on his comm and turned to see two squads of Veteran Shas'ui, tasked with protected Mal'caor, struggling to hold off the large group of Orkish Nobs, veteran warriors with great strength and brutal skill. Their fire was accurate and punishing, but the Nobs were veterans of countless battles and their skin was harder than most. Tau'ri jumped again and headed for their position. The Shas'ui didn't last long, they were under heavy fire and when the Nobs closed in, their power claws ripped through their armor and spilled their blood to the hot ground. One turned to Mal'caor, who was ready with his staff to defend himself to the last when a blast of blue energy ripped through the Nobs head.
Tau'ri landed on top of him and began to unload everything he had. His plasma cannon sliced into their hides, while his flamer set several on fire, melting skin and bone. His missile pods launched missile after missile, sending bits of Orkish gore about them. Tau'ri' didn't think, he just went on cold military training and instinct. He received many vicious blows, cutting his armor here and there, drawing blood when one slashed his side deeper than the others. He responded in kind by smashing his fist across their face, with blades extended, or using his guns to knock them away before blasting them to bits. The dust finally settled, with all of the knobs dead, and a blood-splattered Shas' O' Tau'ri standing there, panting. He turned to the Ethereal and asked.
“Are you alright, Aun'O?”
Once he was satisfied, he turned back to see the Orks retreating and Tau reinforcements flooding the valley. He smiled under his helmet as the Tau began to cheer. Several Fire Warriors come over to secure Mal'caor and to help their commander get to some medical attention. His wound was starting to bleed out.
--
Tau'ri watched from the command post and was not pleased. While things were going moderately well, with the Imperial forces retreating all over the planet, in this city of Karnon, as they called it, they were putting up resistance far fiercer than anywhere else. They had fortified the capital city while their forces planet-wide did their best to stall the Tau advance. Now Tau'ri was being faced with a long siege, which was something he didn't want to do, not to mention the Tau were meant for mobile warfare. He had executed several plans and probing attacks, but the Imperial's tank and artillery positions fought them back every time. They had yet to establish air superiority, with the battle slowly going in their favour. So they could not bomb them out. He had no choice but to order a full scale attack. This would cost many Tau, Kroot, and other auxiliary soldiers lives but it needed to be done, for the Greater Good. He would focus two thrusts on key defensive points, to get the Imperial's to react and focus their efforts their, while one powerful and mobile push would be centered at a third point. It was his hope they'd break through and neutralize the enemy artillery quickly, allowing them to break through unhindered. He only hoped they could do the job, else he would be forced to starve the Imperials out with a long siege.
Shasla Neer'ka was nervous just like the other Fire Warriors in her group. It wasn't fear of death, but of failure. They were to break in through a chokepoint, destroy the Imperial artillery groups and hit the rear of the defended areas the other groups were going to assault. At least that was the plan, and plans had a chance of going awry. She gripped her pulse rifle tighter as the Shasui regarded then. “We have been tasked with an important mission. Remember your training, and you will survive. Fight well and remember that we carry the hope of all Tau in our hands. As long as we remember our duty to the Greater Good, we shall not fail.” A loud beeping noise sounded and explosions coupled with yells could be heard from a distance. He nodded at them and hefted his weapon. “It's begun, let's move!” They moved into the Devilfish transports and began to move out. They were accompanied by Vespids, XVE Crisis Battlesuits, Stealthsuits and Pathfinders with Rail Rifles, along with some Hammerhead gunships. Once they were all in the transports, they began to move out. An Imperial chokepoint appeared, complete with bunkers, a tank or two, and several machine gun nests. The Crisis Battlesuits leaped into the fray and quickly burned the two tanks, before laying waste to the machine gun nests. The Hammerhead gunships demolished the bunkers and the Vespids mopped up anyone still alive. They continued to move at a quick pace, moving through the city. As planned, there was hardly any resistance, most of it fighting the Tau advance on the other side of the city.
However, trouble arose when they came to the artillery position. It was not just heavily defended; it had an entire force of Guardsmen, tanks, artillery, and trenches to defend it. Once they came within range, they fell under heavy fire. They were forced to deploy as fast as they could out of the transports, with one being destroyed before all of its troops were deployed, sending Tau bodies flying. The Pathfinders kept the Imperial's heads down, but the Crisis suits and Hammerheads began to struggle with the Imperial vehicles, losing a few to their guns. The Fire Warriors attempted to advance once or twice, but were hit by artillery and in one, her squad lost their Shasui. Neer'ka emptied her rifle of an expended clip and put int a new one, and glanced over to see a way around the Imperial defense. She paused for a moment, unsure of what to do. It required they move through several ruined out buildings, plenty of cover there, but they had to run over an open stretch to get past the defenses and would allow the Stealthsuits to fry the Basilisks. She turned to the rest of her squad and told them of her plan. They were uneasy at first, but then nodded considering their situation. The plan had to work, no matter the cost. They informed the Stealthsuits and they agreed to the plan. They set things into motion, with the other Fire Warrior squads, suits and gunships launching a heavy assault on one point of the trenches, with the Pathfinders holding back to cover the Stealthsuits advance. Neer'ka led her squad and another through the buildings, moving as fast as they could without getting detected. The stealth squads followed as closely as they could. The plan appeared to be working, the Imperials hadn't noticed yet. The Tau attack was starting to fail, as the Leman Russ tanks destroyed the Crisis Battlesuits and Gunships. Finally, they reached the open area and here came the hard part. Neer'ka ordered the squads to get into cover as best they could and asked the snipers to get started.
The Imperials rearguard found themselves under heavy attack, with pulse rifle fire and photon grenades blasting them apart and rail bullets picking off their troops. As they rushed to defend the area from the Tau attack. A tank turned and began to fire on their position, and grenades began to fall around them. Neer'ka focused and aimed her rifle with precision, trying to buy the Stealthsuits the time they needed. Her squadmates began to die around her as Imperial fire become heavier with the loss of most of the attacking forces on the other side and they were being concentrated upon. However, a sudden screeching of metal and explosions on the platform saw the artillery destroyed and large pieces of the platform began to fall on the Imperial defenses. Soon enough, most of the Guardsmen were dead or dying, and the tanks damaged, with the one remaining quickly neutralized. The Stealthsuits returned and congratulated Neer'ka on her plan and efforts, telling her they had informed the Shas'O. When the attack was over, he wanted to see her. She was shocked; she had only done her duty, why would he want to meet her?
****
Tau'ri gazed at the soldier before him. One known as Neer'ka and who was responsible for the victory they had today. The Imperial defenses, while not gone, were heavily damaged, and half of the city was theirs. Her brilliant plan had allowed the Stealth suit team to hit the Basilisks and destroyed them. Not to mention she had held her ground when she needed to and took the place of their lost Shas'ui. “That is why, Neer'ka, you are to become the new Shas'ui of your squad. You have shown you can lead and do what is needed for the Greater Good.”
She nodded, awed that she was being promoted by the commander. He gazed at her intently. “I will be relying on you, in the coming battles. Can I count on you?”
She looked up from the new set of armor to him, still shocked. After a moment, she nodded. “Yes, you can count on me, Shas' O.” He smiled under his helmet.
“Good.”
--
The suit felt familiar, yet different. The power and abilities of the suit were radically better than what he had used, and he was already forming ideas on what he could do with it. He shook them away, however, as he focused on what he had to do. He headed out the door towards the room where Mal'caor and several Water Caste diplomats were waiting to inform him on what the conflict Neer'ka had been fighting was and what needed to be done.
Once more, he would raise the mailed fist of war and smash any who stood in the way of the Tau'va.
******************
We would like to have someone be the planet we are currently attacking. See the signup thread for details
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14796581#post14796581
-Meditations on Duty, Aun'O T'au Kais Mal'caor.
Aun'O T'au Kais Mal'caor stood and gazed up at the academy, leaning heavily upon his staff. He let a sigh slip from his lips, fingers curling about the shaft as he moved his feet, shuffling up the steps, his robes brushing the hot brickwork steps. This was one of the first times he had visited this place, one of the first times he had allowed himself to be impressed since leaving T'au. Vior'la was an unforgiving world, but here the great marble domes of the academy seemed welcoming and placid, even for a place of warfare, or at least the learning of warfare.
“Impressive, is it not?” Kais turned at the voice, smiling gently, almost having forgotten that his companion walked with him. He bowed his head lightly, not out of respect, but out of simple acknowledgement. It was his associate who bowed low in respect, before letting his eyes rise once more to the Academy proper. Por'O Tau'n Vash'ya of the Water Caste had the honour of accompanying the Ethereal, not only out of his personal friendship with him, but out of personal friendship with the Shas'O they sought. His hair was tugged into a long and complicated braid, which ran some distance down his back, bound with golden rings. He wore similar affectations about the digits of his fingers, and curling bracelets that circled up his arms. It helped, he had once confessed, to impress those of weaker mindsets.
“Quite impressive indeed. I had not ventured here before, it is almost an honour.”
“Not as grand an honour as for you to attend it, Aun'O. Would though, that it were in better circumstances.”
“As do we all. We bring terrible news to one who does not deserve it; one who has done nothing but serve the Greater Good. One who now, more than ever, must rise at our side to serve it again.”
“We shall do all we can to see your will done, Aun'O” Vash'ya bowed his head, one hand toying at a ring, playing with it almost idly. “Do you think he will listen? Do you think, in the end, he shall see that which must done?”
“In the end, my friend...” Aun'O sighed again, gazing up at the Academy. He quickened his pace, striding up the great stairway now with a drive that his slender form belied. “...He must stand with us; he must serve the Greater Good as never before, in this our newest endeavour and our dearest hour.
The fate of all Tau rests with him and with our Expansion.”
The Ethereal and his Water Caste friend continued up the stairs, being met with gazes of awe of the cadets and other trainee’s in the academy. It had been some time since an Ethereal had visited the academy. They knew they probably had come to see the retired commander, Shas’O Vior’la Tau’ri, who was one of the professors here who taught the art of war. He favored a mix of Mont’ka and Kauyon styles, wanting a flexible force that could ambush or strike hard as the situation moved. It was known as the Flowing Water Strategy, and it had served him well against the Orks and Imperial forces he had battled against. The Ethereal came to the guards, who straightened and gave their respects to him.
“I am Aun’O T’au Kais Mal’caor and I have come to see Shas’O’ Tau’ri on matters important to the Empire.” The guards saluted and nodded.
“As you wish, Aun’O! We will lead you to him at once.”
They proceeded to escort the pair down through the academy, and they could get a scene at how it operated. It was a clean and disciplined place. Tau trainees trained with pulse rifles in the shooting area, several classrooms had Tau learning tactics and strategy in their battle tactics, and even a small recreational area to relax and eat. Past all this was the small but relatively fine area denoting the professor’s quarters. They came to a door and gently knocked on it. A soft but firm voice replied.
“Yes, what is it?”
“My apologies for disturbing you, Shas’O, but Aun’O T’au Kais Mal’caor has come to see you. As well as Por’O Tau’n Vash’ya of the Water Caste.”
They heard a quick scrabble as the sound of objects being moved and put away and then footsteps to the door. It opened to reveal a strongly built Tau with a simple blue robe. He bowed to Aun’O and laid a hand on Vash’ya’s shoulder. “It has been some time, my friends. I am glad to have ones such as you visit me. Come on in.”
He invited them in and had them take seats. Within seconds, he had a fruity juice poured out for them to drink and proceeded to sit down. “I am surprised to see you two coming to see me. It has been some time since the Bonding ceremony.” Both the Ethereal and the Water Caste had been close friends with the former commander during his time of duty and after many adventures and events; they become such close friends that they all chose to become Bonded. They kept in touch when they could, although once Tau’ri retired, it made things difficult. The Shas’O looked at the Ethereal and narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Although, seeing how your duties kept you away from visiting me for some time, I must ask what the occasion is.”
The Ethereal didn’t seem to make a move but his face shifted a little and his sense became filled with sorrow. The commander’s eyes narrowed and he set down his cup to prepare himself for what was coming. Aun’O sighed and reached into his robe to pull out a blackened necklace and put it on the table. Tau’ri’s eyes widened as he realized what it was.
“We are all in grieving over what happened but….we have to move on. Shas’O Neer’ka’s death was not in vain and we can still continue what she did for the Tau. However, we have no available commanders capable of taking up the duty of this level and you are the only one we know of that will be able to do the job. I know you went to your well-deserved retirement but I must ask, on behalf of the Empire that you return to active duty.”
Tau’ri sat there, stunned, as he took in the news. He had been pretty good friends with Neer’ka and to hear she died was most distressing. Picking up the necklace, he gazed at it for the longest time. Vash’ya could see the decision he had to make weighing on him and he seemed to struggle with something before letting out a sigh and putting the necklace down. He stood up and walked over to the side of the desk so he was facing Mal’caor. “I understand the situation and I will come back into full duty to serve the Empire. Now, what is this task which must be done?”
--
"Yes there is hatred amongst the great powers; brutality and ugliness and pettiness! What are these things next to duty? Do they not pale before unity in all things?"
Meditations on Duty, Aun’O T’au Kais Mal’caor
He was alone.
Shas'O Vior'la Tau'ri stood before his armour, allowing a single hand to caress the breastplate of the battlesuit. It was new, not his older bulkier model, but a streamlined and tight-fitting stealth model. He sighed softly, letting the four digits of his hand press against it, almost as though testing it. This suit had not yet carried him through the fire of battle; not borne him upon the rushing wave of warfare, the flowing tide of conflict in the name of the Greater Good. He had long missed how it sang in his blood, raising him to the standard of all the old heroes of Vior'la. Did his statue not stand beyond these halls, side by side with legends? Had he not, in his life, done great deeds?
Incense burned about the room, the air bitter with its aroma as he circled the armour once more, eyeing every line of it; allowing his digits to explore and to caress, his eyes flickered across the smooth whiteness of it, the collar and helmet black with red lines. It spoke of mourning and regret, of vengeance and the hot blood that blazed within his veins like the molten core of his world. “Duty and honour.” He spoke aloud, remembering long-ago words. “These things we pledge to the Greater Good, that all might learn and live by them.”
He let his hand drift from the armour, back to touch his bare chest. He let his fingers tease over the iron-grey flesh, lingering over one of three pale scars that lined his muscular physique. A smile flickered across his features as he closed his eyes.
He remembered...
”And so you say that your Water quenches the need for Fire, and sunders the stoney hearts of our foes? Is that what you imply?” He chuckled gently, almost tolerantly, as he gazed at the Por'O. They stood before a wide gallery, showing the pale blue world that lay below them. “You think that you can accomplish with words what the weapons of the Fire Caste are called upon to remedy?”
“In all things balance.” The Por'O was softly spoken, a calm and collected figure, hands folded behind his back. “You would commit us to open war and the losses that entails? I would ask; time, patience. We have ears amongst their rulers; progress can be made, deals can be brokered.”
“It is not becoming of a warrior of Vior'la to stay his hand” He had smiled then, grinning as he leant forward, regarding his friend as one might regard prey or quarry. “You of Tau'n wander broadly and cast your ambitions far, but it seems you cannot face the inevitable head-on, eh?”
“Say what you will friend, say what you will. We each do our part, do we not? We each serve in our own way. I may not have your martial bearing; not your skill nor your confidence, but by the Greater Good I have my words and my wit.”
“Sometimes the thought of you having more scares me, Vash'ya” He laughed again. “Sometimes I think that you are the wisest of us; even compared to Mal'caor!”
“You do me great honour, friend Tau'ri. Too kind, in so many ways. I do but my duty.”
“Duty...” He rubbed his hand across his bare scalp, pondering this for a moment. Outside shuttlecraft moved amidst the starry void, flitting from ship to ship. He took his eyes from Vash'ya for a moment, to regard the yellow craft, haloed for a glorious moment by the light of this new world, this new venture, this...Challenge. “Duty and honour...These things we pledge to the Greater Good, that all might learn and live by them.”
“See?” Vash'ya smirked lightly. “We'll make a philosopher of you yet.”
--
”.......Get me some fire support on that ridge!We cannot allow the Orks to penetrate any further past our lines!” Tau'ri aimed his missile pods at an incoming Ork vehicle, and waited until the HUD signalled he had a lock on the target. He thumbed a control and the loud roar of missiles launching echoed around his helmet and an explosion two seconds later registered the loss of the enemy vehicle. He looked around himself and cursed under his breath. He had been leading a campaign against several Ork tribes, which had been threatening several Tau worlds with raids and the Water Caste had revealed that they would soon conduct a full out assault, or “Waaagh” as these barbarians called it. He had brought a large fleet and an entire Hunter Cadre with him to battle the Orks and had been very successful, almost too successful.
He hadn't expected them to lay such an elaborate trap against him. A large convoy, with himself and the Ethereal assigned to his campaign, Aun’O T’au Kais Mal’caor. He was a quiet if strong Ethereal and Tau'ri had enjoyed their discussions as the campaign progressed. His thoughts on their duty to the Empire and how they should treat other races were very interesting, if a little idealistic in his mind. They were being sent to reinforce a key point on the planet, in preparation for an offensive to dislodge the Orks from their stronghold. As they had crossed through a ravine and into a valley, Orks poured out from holes in the valley walls and from the ridges above them, quickly engaging the Tau forces in close combat, something they were weak at and slaughter commenced. It didn't help that the Orks faulty artillery was stationed on the ridge with some well-armed Orks, pinning his forces down further and threatening to tear them apart. Tau'ri wasn't going to have any of that however. As he ordered, the Manta Ray Gunships launched into the air and strafed the ridges, bombing the Orks vehicles into scrap with their hails of smart missiles. This confused the Orks enough for him to begin reforming his lines. He pushed forward his reserve of Kroot Carnivores, creatures with a tendency to cannibalize their enemies and were excellent close combat fighters.
Their squads leapt into the Ork masses and knocked many down, and began to slash about them with their bladed weapons and natural strength. As the Orks were distracted by this new threat, the Fire Warriors formed into lines behind any cover they find, rocks, the hulks of vehicles, Ork or Tau, and hills. On his command, they unleashed their fire on the Orkish lines, pounding them with pulse rifle fire. They began to fall and he lifted a hand.
“XV8 Battlesuits, engage the enemy!” His personal guard of Battlesuits activated their jump boosters, as did he, and they landed amongst the Orkish right flank and let loose. Burst Cannon fire, along with flamers, missiles, and plasma cannon fire laid many Orks low, and dispersed them The Tau firepower began to thin to the Orkish numbers, as the reinforcements he had called for began to arrive, with Hammerhead gunships ripping through their ranks like paper. He heard a call for help on his comm and turned to see two squads of Veteran Shas'ui, tasked with protected Mal'caor, struggling to hold off the large group of Orkish Nobs, veteran warriors with great strength and brutal skill. Their fire was accurate and punishing, but the Nobs were veterans of countless battles and their skin was harder than most. Tau'ri jumped again and headed for their position. The Shas'ui didn't last long, they were under heavy fire and when the Nobs closed in, their power claws ripped through their armor and spilled their blood to the hot ground. One turned to Mal'caor, who was ready with his staff to defend himself to the last when a blast of blue energy ripped through the Nobs head.
Tau'ri landed on top of him and began to unload everything he had. His plasma cannon sliced into their hides, while his flamer set several on fire, melting skin and bone. His missile pods launched missile after missile, sending bits of Orkish gore about them. Tau'ri' didn't think, he just went on cold military training and instinct. He received many vicious blows, cutting his armor here and there, drawing blood when one slashed his side deeper than the others. He responded in kind by smashing his fist across their face, with blades extended, or using his guns to knock them away before blasting them to bits. The dust finally settled, with all of the knobs dead, and a blood-splattered Shas' O' Tau'ri standing there, panting. He turned to the Ethereal and asked.
“Are you alright, Aun'O?”
Once he was satisfied, he turned back to see the Orks retreating and Tau reinforcements flooding the valley. He smiled under his helmet as the Tau began to cheer. Several Fire Warriors come over to secure Mal'caor and to help their commander get to some medical attention. His wound was starting to bleed out.
--
Tau'ri watched from the command post and was not pleased. While things were going moderately well, with the Imperial forces retreating all over the planet, in this city of Karnon, as they called it, they were putting up resistance far fiercer than anywhere else. They had fortified the capital city while their forces planet-wide did their best to stall the Tau advance. Now Tau'ri was being faced with a long siege, which was something he didn't want to do, not to mention the Tau were meant for mobile warfare. He had executed several plans and probing attacks, but the Imperial's tank and artillery positions fought them back every time. They had yet to establish air superiority, with the battle slowly going in their favour. So they could not bomb them out. He had no choice but to order a full scale attack. This would cost many Tau, Kroot, and other auxiliary soldiers lives but it needed to be done, for the Greater Good. He would focus two thrusts on key defensive points, to get the Imperial's to react and focus their efforts their, while one powerful and mobile push would be centered at a third point. It was his hope they'd break through and neutralize the enemy artillery quickly, allowing them to break through unhindered. He only hoped they could do the job, else he would be forced to starve the Imperials out with a long siege.
Shasla Neer'ka was nervous just like the other Fire Warriors in her group. It wasn't fear of death, but of failure. They were to break in through a chokepoint, destroy the Imperial artillery groups and hit the rear of the defended areas the other groups were going to assault. At least that was the plan, and plans had a chance of going awry. She gripped her pulse rifle tighter as the Shasui regarded then. “We have been tasked with an important mission. Remember your training, and you will survive. Fight well and remember that we carry the hope of all Tau in our hands. As long as we remember our duty to the Greater Good, we shall not fail.” A loud beeping noise sounded and explosions coupled with yells could be heard from a distance. He nodded at them and hefted his weapon. “It's begun, let's move!” They moved into the Devilfish transports and began to move out. They were accompanied by Vespids, XVE Crisis Battlesuits, Stealthsuits and Pathfinders with Rail Rifles, along with some Hammerhead gunships. Once they were all in the transports, they began to move out. An Imperial chokepoint appeared, complete with bunkers, a tank or two, and several machine gun nests. The Crisis Battlesuits leaped into the fray and quickly burned the two tanks, before laying waste to the machine gun nests. The Hammerhead gunships demolished the bunkers and the Vespids mopped up anyone still alive. They continued to move at a quick pace, moving through the city. As planned, there was hardly any resistance, most of it fighting the Tau advance on the other side of the city.
However, trouble arose when they came to the artillery position. It was not just heavily defended; it had an entire force of Guardsmen, tanks, artillery, and trenches to defend it. Once they came within range, they fell under heavy fire. They were forced to deploy as fast as they could out of the transports, with one being destroyed before all of its troops were deployed, sending Tau bodies flying. The Pathfinders kept the Imperial's heads down, but the Crisis suits and Hammerheads began to struggle with the Imperial vehicles, losing a few to their guns. The Fire Warriors attempted to advance once or twice, but were hit by artillery and in one, her squad lost their Shasui. Neer'ka emptied her rifle of an expended clip and put int a new one, and glanced over to see a way around the Imperial defense. She paused for a moment, unsure of what to do. It required they move through several ruined out buildings, plenty of cover there, but they had to run over an open stretch to get past the defenses and would allow the Stealthsuits to fry the Basilisks. She turned to the rest of her squad and told them of her plan. They were uneasy at first, but then nodded considering their situation. The plan had to work, no matter the cost. They informed the Stealthsuits and they agreed to the plan. They set things into motion, with the other Fire Warrior squads, suits and gunships launching a heavy assault on one point of the trenches, with the Pathfinders holding back to cover the Stealthsuits advance. Neer'ka led her squad and another through the buildings, moving as fast as they could without getting detected. The stealth squads followed as closely as they could. The plan appeared to be working, the Imperials hadn't noticed yet. The Tau attack was starting to fail, as the Leman Russ tanks destroyed the Crisis Battlesuits and Gunships. Finally, they reached the open area and here came the hard part. Neer'ka ordered the squads to get into cover as best they could and asked the snipers to get started.
The Imperials rearguard found themselves under heavy attack, with pulse rifle fire and photon grenades blasting them apart and rail bullets picking off their troops. As they rushed to defend the area from the Tau attack. A tank turned and began to fire on their position, and grenades began to fall around them. Neer'ka focused and aimed her rifle with precision, trying to buy the Stealthsuits the time they needed. Her squadmates began to die around her as Imperial fire become heavier with the loss of most of the attacking forces on the other side and they were being concentrated upon. However, a sudden screeching of metal and explosions on the platform saw the artillery destroyed and large pieces of the platform began to fall on the Imperial defenses. Soon enough, most of the Guardsmen were dead or dying, and the tanks damaged, with the one remaining quickly neutralized. The Stealthsuits returned and congratulated Neer'ka on her plan and efforts, telling her they had informed the Shas'O. When the attack was over, he wanted to see her. She was shocked; she had only done her duty, why would he want to meet her?
****
Tau'ri gazed at the soldier before him. One known as Neer'ka and who was responsible for the victory they had today. The Imperial defenses, while not gone, were heavily damaged, and half of the city was theirs. Her brilliant plan had allowed the Stealth suit team to hit the Basilisks and destroyed them. Not to mention she had held her ground when she needed to and took the place of their lost Shas'ui. “That is why, Neer'ka, you are to become the new Shas'ui of your squad. You have shown you can lead and do what is needed for the Greater Good.”
She nodded, awed that she was being promoted by the commander. He gazed at her intently. “I will be relying on you, in the coming battles. Can I count on you?”
She looked up from the new set of armor to him, still shocked. After a moment, she nodded. “Yes, you can count on me, Shas' O.” He smiled under his helmet.
“Good.”
--
The suit felt familiar, yet different. The power and abilities of the suit were radically better than what he had used, and he was already forming ideas on what he could do with it. He shook them away, however, as he focused on what he had to do. He headed out the door towards the room where Mal'caor and several Water Caste diplomats were waiting to inform him on what the conflict Neer'ka had been fighting was and what needed to be done.
Once more, he would raise the mailed fist of war and smash any who stood in the way of the Tau'va.
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We would like to have someone be the planet we are currently attacking. See the signup thread for details
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14796581#post14796581