Battle At Altorkz Drift

by Richard Walter

"OK Men, listen up!" The voice silenced the gossiping Sergeants and Commanders like a bullet to the head.

The voice continued with a hint of urgency.

"You know what we're dealing with. So I won't beat around the bush. I trust you are all familiar with the reports?"

Silence. A few men nodded their heads.

"OK, I've called this meeting to assign Team Commanders to various aspects of the overall assault."

A few excited whispers suggested that most of the commanders we're hoping to engage in a serious fire-fight with the enemy.

"Target One - Central Plateau Rock Formation."

The commanders waited with baited breath. The tension was unbearable. Nobody wanted to sit at the back whilst all the action was going on around them.

"Sergeant McBride - your detachment has been choosen to assault the main rocky area that houses much of the enemies heavy weapons detachment. Your mission is to advance on and disable any enemy presence within the crags. Having destroyed the placement completley, you will proceed to rendezvous with detacments 2 and 3 at the pre-determined location."

Sergeant McBride concentrated on the commanders words. He and his men had just been given an almost suicidal mission. Yet the Sergeant was keen to ensure his name lived on in history.

The Commander continued.

"Team Sabre reconnaissance reports that the are is well defended with foot troops. To the east of the area is a dust track, probably used to bring supplies to and from the placement. To the north, south and west sides there are natural formations of Codal Rock - the hardest known stone on this planet. Any questions?"

"Yes sir. When we've destroyed the area," grim determination sounded out. "what kind of trouble can we expect from the reinforcements?"

"Little or none. Your mission goal is to destroy the heavy weapons so that we can move in our elite special forces. 2 R.E.C - the "Smoking Devils" will have the task of eliminating any hostile foe at the location after that."

More excited whispers bounced around the command room. The Devil Corps was one of the most specialist groups in the Imperium - and they had just been assigned to Sergeant McBride.

 

"Target Two - Secure Landing Zone."

"Wilson this is your task, and I don't want a repeate performance of Rapitan X. Understood?"

The embarrased Sergeant nodded sheepishly. The stern commander fixed the green sergeant with a glare before continuing.

"Wilson, you and your men will fight your way to a small clearing." The commander indicated on the holo-map, "Once you have reached the objective you will clear the area for at least three Doom Class A-Hawk troop-carriers. After which you will rendezvous with detachments 1 and 3 at the location."

Wilson nodded enthusiastically.

"Oh and Wilson...."

"Yes sir."

"Make sure you have flares and a radio this time eh?"

A muttered response came in return. A few of the other sergeants laughed quietly.

 

To be rapidly concluded....

RETURN TO RICHARD WALKER

E-MAIL THE LOREMASTER