Strategic report of the situation on Unum

+++ Strategic report of the situation on Unum +++

+++ Public log of Colonel Jospeh Catgor +++

+++ Entry 1118A +++

Deleted

+++ Entry 1118B +++

There has now been more than a year since we last had any communication with the orbital command centre (OCC) and we must assume that we will be on our own for foreseeable future. The loss of the OCC caused a sudden collapse in the communication between the different regiments on the planet. The Mehsinov regiment had fortunately been positioned on the east coast when the collapse occurred and got some time to reorganise. Command was transferred after a common vote between the commanding officers to me. Our first priority was to secure food and weapons supplies from local sources since it was obvious that no more supplies would arrive. All local population in Mehsinov controlled areas where drafted and evaluated for the most effective position. To preserve manpower and ammunition we where forced to fight only defensive battles. Fortunately it has been possible to bolster our ranks by survivors from other destroyed regiments from further west.

After a few week we got the production of laser weapons up and running and is at the current situation producing more than a thousand a day. We have also made sure that the fertile areas of Mehsinov controlled areas are used for full production of food and livestock. Unfortunately do we not have the skill or STC for producing any advance vehicles but we has manage to get some production of standard spare parts up and running and is hoping to have a functional fleet of vehicles running for another few year.

The border areas has been heavily fortified by both visible and hidden fortifications. We are now prepared for a long siege in the hope that reinforcement will return in a couple of years when the central command has discovered our situation.

In the mean time we have tried to contact other Imperial forces on Unum to coordinate our efforts. It seems like there is still a rather good presence of imperial troops on the planet and if we only are able to coordinate our forces we could very well even defeat the orks.

+++

+++ Supplementary note 1118C +++

The situation has changed drastically.

Recent clashes between unknown foes has indicated that there is a present of the forces of chaos at our borders. This is a grave threat. 

Our scouts has also reported that an unknown force of xenos seem to have landed not far from our border. The scout reports that the xenos seems to not be directly hostile and has been seen fighting against the orks as well as the forces of chaos. I have decided that contact should be made with the unknown xenos and if their goals do not seem to hurt the good of the Emperor a temporary alliance should be suggested.

+++ 

+++ Supplementary file 1118D +++

+++

+++ Official report regarding changes in signals from the Unum system +++

+++ From Task Force 1.V.B.34 +++
+++ To Naval headquarters at Imperatores Corona +++

A brief report regarding changes in communication patterns in the Unum system.
Short Background
The Unum system was considered expendable in the ongoing battle against Waaagh Snassthoof for more than a year ago. The imperial forces where left with the order to defend the system no matter what and all supplies where redirected to more critical areas. A part of Task Force 1.V.B.34 ongoing patrol of the front line include monitoring communication signals sent from the Unum system. Ever since the expendable order signals has been incoming with request for additional supplies. The communication has however lately subsided and the level of ork clutter has increased. The following weeks have we instead noticed an increase in communication signals, many of them mention another enemy apart from the orks besieging the forces of Unum. We have also managed to record several signals of unknown origins.

The exact locations of the new signals are hard to pinpoint at our current distance. We therefor request permission to make an forward reconnaissance mission to the Unum system to investigate those signals and their origin.

The Unum system has three inhabitable celestial objects that would be the prime targets for the missions.

The planet Unum is the most likely source of the signals. It is the main settlement in the system with a reported number of inhabitants above five billion before the war. It is at Unum that most of the fighting has been taking place to defend the system.

The second most likely source is the mining world of Cappa. To hot to live on the surface the planet has however been rich of minerals and was before the war home to several millions miners and had a decent planetary defence force to handle frequent rebellions. When the navy retreated from the system the fighting was still ongoing in the tunnels of Cappa.

The least likely is the moon of Latus. Before the war only inhabited by a monastery and a larger convent of priest. The prime religious site in the system. The temples did however stop all interaction with the rest of the world when the Waaagh reached the system and all communication was halted. The fate of the monastery is unknown but presumed to be overrun by the Orks.

The rest of the worlds, the gas giants of Vesti and Verdi, the cold barren rock of Mila and Quadraginta with its surface of ever melted lava is uninhabitable by as well men and orks and is most unlikely the orgins of the signals but will however be scanned.

The estimated timeframe of the mission is no more than a solar month, And at any signs of heavier ork warships or unknown vessels the plan is to retreat.

+++ General Admiral Peder Thordenskjold Commander of Task Force 1.V.B.34 +++

The warped and the Tau

A powerful energy wave swept along the entire ship, disturbing the room-time making it look as its solid alloys was bending as it went back to normal-space.
Shas'El Sa'cea Kalias watched the air caste members on the command bridge as they frenetic tried to get the communication and scanning equipment to start. To El'Kalias eyes did many of them seemed like they where broken beyond repair from the fighting. But as the mechanics started to open up the panels and rewire the control one system after another started to go online again.

El'Kalias wondered if they ever would learn what or who that had attacked them. It was shortly after they made the transfer to the other-space they lost contact with the bridge. Reports was coming in shortly after that the bridge had been blocked by an unknown alien force and the ship has been taken over. Commander O'Carasada had immediately put together an improvised attack force with soldiers  experienced in ship combat and ordered the rest to get in high alert and search the ship for additional intruders. The swift response seemed to first have taken the boarders with some surprise. But in retrospective it had swung to their favour to obviously to not been planned. O'Carasada and his troop had succeed to breach the barricades around the bridge and enter the control room. El'Kalias had not complete knowledge of what happened after that since there where no first hand survivors. Somehow it seemed like intruders had appeared near O'Carasadas rear guard and engaged. They drove the rear guard back and succeed to close the barricade again behind O'Carasada. What then happened in the control room was unknown. But when they finally fought their way in again they found the stripped bodies of O'Carasada and his men laid out in a strange pattern on the bridge floor. Fought and fought. They had tried to breach the barricade several times in what seemed like days or weeks. The time is always so difficult to measure, just as the room, when you are in the other-space. But each time they was driven back by the invaders. They often appeared without a warning from a secured corridor in their flank or rear. It seemed like they knew the ship inside and out. El'Kalias only saw them briefly a few time. Tall creatures. Entirely dressed in black armour similar to those worn by the gue'la elite warriors that he seen countless of instructions holos of how to fight. But these did not fight like in the holos. They where brutal. Rentless. Almost as they enjoyed the fight. Their vox-casters screaming high pitched unnatural sounds. But still able to break off without a trace as soon as they where overwhelmed or when their task was done.

It was during these fights that the intruders somehow succeeded to enter the Aun quarter of the ship. Somehow they seem to have slipped unnoticed halfway across the ship. Impaled the Ethereal and his bodyguards on sharp metal stakes ripped out from the hull. And retreated again without a trace. Needless to say the ship has been in anarchy since that.

And then, at what became the last assault they where all gone. El'Kalias had led this assault against the bridge. They had established a perimeter around the lower doors as they tried so many times before. But this time they weren't attacked when they unwelded the doors and when they finally entered the bridge it was empty except the bodies of the pilots and O'Carasadas assault troop.

El'Kalias' thoughts was interrupted by a crackling sound from one of the voice casters. 'This is Vas'Arluun calling! Repeating. This is Vas'Arluun calling! Anybody hearing us!' Vas'Arluun one of the frigates in the fleet that meant that they where not alone wherever they where. One by one the air caste got contact with the other ships in the fleet. All reporting similar stories. Strange black aliens taking control of the bridge shortly after the passing. The only ship still missing was their flagship the Aun'Tarda. Suddenly a communication officer reported that they had caught several unknown signals from the surrounding space. Identified by the intelcomputers as be'gel.

Commissar-General Baruccus Ludius

Baruccus Ludius is one of the most well known commissars in the sector. He is originally from a small system called Lid but was trained at the cadet academy at Gota Magnus. It was during the Argutus Insurrection he made a name for himself where he made sure that a sole regiment of Holmus Sharp Dressed hold their position in a small bombed out town, then only known as point 332, against a much larger force of rebels. Making it possible for the loyalist to reorganize and strike back, in the end winning the war.

After that his career rocketed. Making lord Commissar in just a few years. But his preference to be out on the field meant it would take almost twenty years before he reached the current rank of Commissar-General. He had got several request for teaching positions at the academy and seats in the Commissariat department. Rumours even tell that he has declined an invitation from the inquisition. He instead spent most of his time in different assignments at the western borders. Constantly fighting the orks. It was therefore a bit surprising when he requested to take command over the commissars on Agnebergus instead of staying in the thick fighting at Holmus. Some malicious tongues event whisper that the Baruccus might start to get old and careful.

Baruccus Ludius is an archetype commissar. Ruthless, with a firm believe in order, discipline and the Emperor. He is known to never hesitate to execute cowards and traitors, regardless of rank.


Among the medals that cover his chest you can find:
The Order Argutus
The Winged Skull
Honorifica Gota

Visum Geata

Type: Forge world

Inhabitants: aprox 2.500.000.000

Government: Adeptus Mechanicus

Visum Geata is the oldest inhabited world in the Gota sector. The legend tells that the planet was colonized already during the dark age of technology. There is no way to tell if that is true. No traces of pre mechanicus colonization has been found. However records of the planet was found on Mars during the age of strife and was selected as a target for one of the numerous titan legion fleets that was sent from the red planet.

The few remaining communication protocols in the huge data warehouses on Mars from Visum Geata tells a story of constant battles and pleas for help. The planet seem to be under constant attack from the ork tribes in the sector and to protect the forge world a perimeter of knight worlds was created. When the M30 was closing and the warp storms started to settle regular communication with Mars was again possible. Unfortunately did also the diminishing warp storms mean that it was easier for the orks to travel to and the word became the target for a gigantic Waaagh. The imperial annals tells about how the Night Lord legion reached the planet when the fighting between the orks and the titans where raging in the ruins of the factories on Visum Geata itself. With the titans losing meter by meter to the ever growing hordes of orks. The Night Lords succeeded to turn the battle by infiltrating arriving ork spaceships. Turning them into ghostly hulks with strung up orks all over them. Finally making the reinforcing orks to start to shun the space around Visum Geata. With the ork reinforcement stalling the legion could push back and cleanse the planet of greenskins.

The Night Lords left as soon as the Waaagh was crushed and the next note is a reply from the artisan counsel of Visum Geata that they where sending a full titan legion on the request of the Night Lord legion to the defence of Holy Terra during the Heresy. The fate of that legion is unknown, but it is believed that it was lost in a trap in the warp.



The Herasy meant that the contact between the Empire and Visum Geata was lost again. It is first in the M33, during the preparation for the Gota Crusade that the communications is re-establish. It seems like Visum Geata has been re-colonized their knight words before the crusade. Most knight words probably has a history back to M32. The task for Visum Geata and their Legio Geata and their knight worlds was an important one during the crusade. In the beginning they acted like a distraction in the ork back making it possible for the crusade to quickly advance into the Gota sector and create a supply line to Visum Geata. During the reminder of the crusade Visum Geata was responsible, as the only forge world in the sector, for rearming the crusading force.
Ever since has Visum Geata been the most important forge world in the sector. It has not always been the most productive. Especially during the over a century long servitor plague that, at times, killed over half of the planet servitors. But its age and history has always made it a focus point for the sector.
The forge world is ruled by an artisan counsel consisting of the most venerable tech-priests of the forge. They have full control over the planet and do not commonly accept disagreements. The population of the planet is often around two and a half billion. A bit depending of where you draw the line for a servitor and a habitant.

The forgeword is home to the titan legion Legio Geata. Visum Geata has however, due to some distrust from Mars, only access to older templates of the Warlord and the Warhound titan but is known to actively improve those sacred template to a degree that some in the Adeptus Mechanicus consider it a heresy.

The Wrath

The Wrath is a cruiser in the Battlefleet Imperatores Corona. It was built at Imperatores Corona during M38 and is a typical cruiser of the battlefleet. Like most other cruisers it spend  most of its time patrolling the border to ork space together with one or several more cruisers and an escort of destroyers and frigates. 

Its main arment is two heavy front firing lances as well as the classic port and starboard batteries. It has been piloted by captains of the Chevron family ever since M40 and they take great pride in the cruiser that they more or less consider to be their property.  

It was seriously crippled at the battle of the Casus Singularity during The Waaagh Hazzlehoss and the ship and crew got recommended for its efforts in the defence of Imperatores Corone during the Waaagh Gargantus where it together with the cruisers Bravery and the Northstar and the battle-cruiser Leo Gota destroyed one of the orks battleships. 

The Wrath is currently commanding a patrolling force in the Holmus subsector trying to prevent ork reinforcement to the warsites.

+++ The Char C Heavy Tank +++

+++ To the Visum Geata Adeptus Mechanicus  +++

After discussion with general Garnif it was decided to look for a further option for movable firepower than only towed artillery.

The factory producing the Massif was already over crowded to be able to supply all companies with troop carries. So we had to look for another platform to work as gun carrier. I found a factory in the outskirts of Hive Agnebergus producing a transport vehicle made to transport grain to the space port originally made to tow rows of carts on the roads of Angebergus. We tried several different fittings of weapons before we settled with a version armed with heavy artillery pieces, bolters and stubbers. 
The original transport was called a Char and since it was the third variant we settled for we decided to call it the Char C.

+++ START NDSTC TRANSFER +++
++ NAME + CHAR C ++
++ TOP SPEED ROAD + 25 kph ++
++ CRUISING SPEED ROAD + 15 kph ++
++ TOP SPEED OFF ROAD + 15 kph ++
++ CRUISING SPEED OFF ROAD + 11 kph  ++
++ PROPULSION + 4 MEDIUM STEAM ENGINES ++
++ CAPACITY + CREW OF SEVEN AND 100 SHELLS ++
++ ARMOUR + SIDES AND FRONT 15 CM, TOP AND BOTTOM 5 CM +
++ ARMAMENT + 2 HEAVY CANNONS, TWO LIGHT CANNONS, TWO HEAVY STUBBERS ++
++ LENGTH + 11,8 M ++ 
++ WIDTH + 8,7 M ++
++ HEIGHT + 5,8 M ++
++ WEIGHT + 185 TONNES ++
+++ END NDSTC TRANSFER +++

+++ 879.994.M41 Artisan Bonde, Visum Geata Mechanicus +++  

+++ Inquisitional Report Agnebergus IV A.1 +++

+++ For High Inquisitor Malera Vespido only  +++
+++ Security A +++

Since I arrived yesterday at Hive Agnebergus I have begun the work of getting trustworthy contacts that can help me in my inquisition of possible heretics on the backward planet Agnebergus IV. The people seems generally loyal to the empire and the xeno threat make them even more devoted. There has however been an recent uprising among the legions of the Ferran Steel Eagles. I will investigate further if there might be some connection with the premonition your highness had about this insignificant planet. The local command and foremost the Commissar-General Baruccus Ludius does however seem to taken righteous actions when it comes to the traitors. According to official sources has most of them been killed by the valiant Blood Angles in a mighty blow. This must however be confirmed with sources within the military command as soon as I have made the correct connections. I also suspect that there at least one team from the Ordo Xenos on the planet that might be an hindrance in my investigation. I will therefore proceed carefully and not risk to alert them since they most certain would only complicate the investigation.

+++ 877.994.M41 Gendunda Metora inquisitor Ordo Hereticus +++ 

+++ State of the local cavalry +++

+++ To the headquarter in the Gota sector +++

The cavalry of the local lords has previously been the main fighting force of the Angebergus planetary defence forces. The comparable well trained cavalry will in the future be used to protect the flanks and as a scouting force for the new mechanised troops. 

The men consist mainly of sons of lesser lords and richer farmers. They are brave but a bit foolhardy and have a tendency to charge when not ordered. 

The training has been focused on discipline and the merit of follow order to the letter. Those not fit for the task has been redirected to the frontlines in the Hammer mountain.

+++ 874.994.M41 General Almund Garnif of the Ferran Steel Eagles +++ 

+++ Artillery training +++

+++ To the headquarter in the Gota sector +++

To be able to shield the troops from the worst punishment we have educated one battery of light artillery and one battery of heavy artillery for each local regiment. The light artillery can be moved on the battlefield with help of the newly developed Rapidiers to be able to follow the troops advances. 

The training of the uneducated yokels to understand the fine art of bombardment has not been an easy one but I can proudly report that we have had less than twenty casualties during the training. 

Supply photos from last field training, to our surprise no soldiers where killed by friendly fire.

+++ 871.994.M41 General Almund Garnif of the Ferran Steel Eagles +++ 

+++ The Rapider Scout Vehicle +++

+++ To the Visum Geata Adeptus Mechanicus  +++

General Garnif has long expressed a need have the artillery keep up speed with the new troop carriers. With the production of the new Masiffs running smoothly we could continue with the work of finding a vehicle possible to convert to artillery tractor. Starting by inventory the agriculture tractor production around Hive Agnebergus we found a promising base vehicle to develop. An transport tractor commonly used on the planet. It is propelled by four large wheels. First plans was to replace the wheels with tracks but field test showed that just increasing the size with another half meter gave adequate field performance and a superior road performance to a tracked version. This had the advantage that the tractor could move with considerable speed making it not only useful as tow-vehicle for light artillery but also useful as scout vehicle and transport vehicle for special operation troops.

I supply the data for the construction to be stored in the library.

+++ START NDSTC TRANSFER +++

++ NAME + RAPIDER SCOUT VEHICLE ++
++ TOP SPEED ROAD + 40 kph ++
++ CRUISING SPEED ROAD + 29 kph ++
++ TOP SPEED OFF ROAD + 32 kph  ++
++ CRUISING SPEED OFF ROAD + 26 kph ++
++ PROPULSION + 1 STEAM ENGINE ++
++ CAPACITY + 5 soldiers and a light mortar on tow ++
++ ARMOUR + SIDES AND FRONT 5 CM, TOP AND BOTTOM 3 CM +
++ ARMAMENT + 1 HEAVY STUBBER ++
++ LENGTH + 5,8 M ++ 
++ WIDTH + 3,1 M ++
++ HEIGHT + 2,1 M ++
++ WEIGHT + 4,5 TONNES ++
+++ END NDSTC TRANSFER +++

+++ 867.994.M41 Artisan Bonde, Visum Geata Mechanicus +++  

Battlefleet Imperatores Corona

To protect the Gota sector the Battlefleet Imperatores Corona is permanently stationed in the sector at the forge world of Imeratores Corona.

The Battlefleet can trace its origin back to the Gota crusade and the ships that participated in that crusade. The most revered ships in the entire fleet is the two battleships 'The Crown' and 'The Key' both with history all the way back to the Gota crusade. The ships has since then been crewed by descendants from the original crew and most of the them has not been of the ships for generations. Unfortunately has alot of the knowledge and technology to repair and operate these ancient machines been lost during the millenias and by now only half the of the weapon systems are in operations, many areas of both ships has been abandoned and they are both prone to malfunction and engine failure. They has therefore almost been in constant orbit around Imperatores Corona since M37 and has only seen action at the most desperate times. Last time The Key and the Crown fired their mighty guns was during the Waaagh Gargantus at the battle for Imperatores Corona itself. 

If any of the battleships would be lost it would be a devastating blow to the battlefleet.

Apart of the two battleships the Battlefleet Imperatores Corona mainly consists of fast cruisers and destroyers suitable to patrol the ork border and quickly react on any raid. Most of the time is the fleet divided in patrol squadrons consisting of three to five cruisers and a number of destroyers and supply ships. Each assigned a part of the border to protect and monitor. The patrol missions often last years or decades and the supreme admiral rely on that the individual commanders are working largely independent and rarely give specific orders but instead general guidelines for what needs to be done.

Only during crises does the fleet gather in strength, most common during Waaaghs. At the moment a large part of Battlefleet Imeratores Corona is located in the north west part of the sector trying to repel ork reinforcements for the Waaagh Snassthoof.

+++ Status Report +++

+++ To the Commissar-General Baruccus Ludius +++

The assault on the traitor regiment was a success. Many of the traitors was killed on the battlefield and the survivors has been delivered to your men as ordered. 

Heavy rain has made any pursuing of the routed tanks impossible. Judging on their location relative to Equistrus Minoris where they deserted we suspect they try to make it into ork controlled areas north of the Hammer mountains. 

If they reach those areas further disciplinary actions would be harder. Therefore all troops on the ground in the Hammer mountains has been ordered to prioritize to not let them through. With some luck we will be able to confine them in the mountains.

Hopefully will your skilfully interrogators get more information from the survivors of the future destination of the traitors.  


+++ 864.994.M41 Captain Harianus +++

+++ Field training +++

+++ To the headquarter in the Gota sector +++

With the new troop carriers from Artisan Bonde we have been able to start training the troops in mobile warfare. The genius move to base the new troop carriers on an existing harvester design has given the advantage that it has been easy to find pilots that need minimal training to drive it. Artisan Bonde has chosen to keep the control system of the old harvester making it possible for any farmer that previously have driven one to easily adapt. We therefore already have more educated drivers than we have available troop carriers.

The problem has instead been to adapt the soldiers to be transported in the carrier. They seem to feel trapped in the enclosed and protected space inside the vehicle. There has also been incidents with soldier passing out during the transport. But intense training with live ammunition where those who want where free to walk beside the carrier has given quick improvements.
  
I supply images from the latest field trainings.

Here we see the troops disembarking the troop carriers getting ready to assault the enemy.

The young lord Luton is quickly learning the art of mobile warfare and I believe he will be able to lead the troops in combat.

We also have learnt the farmers how to use field artillery correctly. We do however need a way to move the artillery in the same pace as the troops to make them effective. I have tasked Artisan Bonde with the assignment to develop a way to transport our artillery.

I am convinced that the troops of house Luton are ready for combat within weeks and can be deployed against the orks in the Kettle.


+++ 861.994.M41 General Almund Garnif of the Ferran Steel Eagles +++

+++ The Massif troop carrier +++

+++ To the Visum Geata Adeptus Mechanicus  +++

The first troop carrier has left the factory and is performing field test. The local workers has chosen to name them Massifs since they are impressed by its size.

I supply the data for the construction to be stored in the library.

+++ START NDSTC TRANSFER +++
++ NAME + THE MASSIF ++
++ TOP SPEED ROAD + 28 kph ++
++ CRUISING SPEED ROAD + 19 kph ++
++ TOP SPEED OFF ROAD + 18 kph ++
++ CRUISING SPEED OFF ROAD + 15 kph ++
++ PROPULSION + 2 STEAM ENGINES ++
++ CAPACITY + 50 SOLDIER WITH EQUIPMENT AND COAL FOR 1 DAY ++
++ ARMOUR + SIDES AND FRONT 15 CM, TOP AND BOTTOM 5 CM +
++ ARMAMENT + 4 HEAVY STUBBERS ++
++ LENGTH + 12,3 M ++ 
++ WIDTH + 10,8 M ++
++ HEIGHT + 4,2 M ++
++ WEIGHT + 245 TONNES ++
+++ END NDSTC TRANSFER +++

Also supply an photo from the first four Massifs from the field tests.

+++ 856.994.M41 Artisan Bonde, Visum Geata Mechanicus +++  

Gota Sector

Sector Captial: Gota Magnus
Segmentum: Segmentum Tempestus

Notable systems: Gota Magnus, Holmus, Visum Geata, Imperatores Corona

Location

The Gota Sector is located at the western edge of the Segmentum Tempestus. The western part border to ork infested space making the sector under a constant threat of ork invasions.

History

The Gota sector was colonized already during the dark age of technology but sometime before the age of strife the sector was overrun by orks destroying almost all traces of human presence. The records of the sector however remained in the libraries of the Cult Mechanicus and during the age of strife the Gota sector became a target for one of the titan legion fleets launched from Mars. The legion made it through the warp storms and founded the forge world of Visum Geata. 

The following millenniums the Visum Geata and its knight worlds, known as the Geats, stood as a beacon of humanity in a horde of ork infested space. With all communication impossible due to the warp storms, Visum Geata has no knowledge of the happenings in the rest of the galaxy. It was not until the great crusade that contact again was established with Mars and the newly founded empire. 

It was at a dire time, the forge world was on the brink to be overrun by a mighty waaagh and almost all of its knight worlds where lost. Only the timely appearance of the Night Lord legion did save the planet from total destruction. The Night Lords, however, had to leave the sector as soon as the immediate threat was destroyed and the following Horus heresy again left Visum Geata and the knight worlds alone in the dark.

It was not until M33 the Gota Crusade was arranged to once and finally drive the orks out of the sector. In a century long conflict where among other the Dark Angles and Iron Hands as well as Tallarn forces took part, world after world was cleansed from greenskins. When the crusade was over, the orks had been pushed out of the sector to the western rims and many new worlds had been colonized. There among the new capital of the sector, Gota Magnus.

Since the orks could not be completely destroyed the Gota sector has since then seen countless of waaaghs and needs for cleaning already colonized planets where orks has risen in uncontrolled areas. The main defence of the sector lies on the Titan Legio Geata and the imperial guard armies of the Ferrian Steel Eagles and Holmus Sharp Dressed as well as all systems are required to keep an active planetary defence force. There is also a constant present of the Imperial Navy at the spaceports at Imperatores Corona with the task to patrol the western borders to be able to spot signs of coming waaaghs.

M41

M40 and early M41 was a quiet millennia where the orks fighted among them self, luring the sector into a false security. The decadent governors at Gota Magnus let the alert systems decay and the local lords choose to enrich them self instead of supplying their planetary defence forces. The Waaagh Hazzlehoss at 453.M41 therefore came as a chock. Even thou the Waaagh was not a big one it successfully penetrated the sector as far as Holmus that fell to the greenskin before the Imperial Navy in a great battle destroyed the orks space armada and the Legio Geata drove the orks of Holmus. The lords however did not take the warnings seriously and it was not until after Waaagh Gargantus that took the battle to the Govenors palace on Gota Magnus that the sentry post at the border again was manned and the found starts to reach the imperial space ports. 

The following Argutus Insurrection however did expend most of the fighting resources of the sector so when Waaagh Snassthoof hit it quickly overrun more than hundred systems. Realizing that if the orks was able to take the Hive world of Holmus the risk was that it would overrun half the sector in no time. All available resources was sent to Holmus in the hope to break the momentum of the orks. Leaving the rest of the sector dangerously unprotected.

+++ Upon the task of mechanising the Agnebergus planetary defence force +++

+++ To the headquarter in the Gota sector +++

Since my arrival I have ransacked the planetary industrial production to find a vehicle that could be reconstructed to meet General Garnif requirement to mechanised his newly trained troops. It was not en easy task indeed since the technical level of the planet Agnebergus is only on a basic levels and the production centers are only to cover local needs. If I only had the time to increase the planets knowledge of Omnissiah and the result would be much better. I have however the pleasure of deliver the good news that a satisfying solution has been identified. One of the great steam powered harvesting machines produced in Hive Agnebergus has shown a strong Machine spirit and shall be possible to convert to a troop carrier by removing the harvesting equipment and add full all around armour plating. I have requisitioned the factory and put all able hands to create the first prototypes that will be field tested together with General Garnif newly trained soldiers.

The troop carrier will have a capacity of about fifty soldiers and will be able to maintain a cruising speed of about twenty kph. The armour will be thick enough to withstand even ork battlecannons making it useful to deliver the troops directly to the front line.

The calculated rate of production when the factory is working at full speed is one troop carrier per day wish should be enough to supply all newly trained troops as well as replacing battle losses.

+++ 852.994.M41 Artisan Bonde, Visum Geata Mechanicus +++  

+++ Status Report +++

+++ To the headquarter in the Gota sector +++

The combined forces of the Imperium has succeed to trap the orks in a giant encirclement. We hope to be able to push toward the sea and kill the majority of the trapped ork shortly. Below follow a summary of the estimated relation of the forces. As you can see does the orks still outnumber us. But I am certain that the lack of leadership and the shortage of equipment has greatly reduced their fighting capacity. 

++ Equistrus Front ++

+ Imperial Forces +
Blood Angels 4 Companies
Agnebergus Lord household troops 5 Regiments
Steel Eagles 3 Regiments
Imperial Navy 10 Fighter wings, 2 bomber wings



+ Estimated Ork Forces trapped in the Kettle +
Leaderless orks formal under Wasnagga Bubbleboots
20 Warbands, mostly mechanized, 8 Stompas, 15 fighta-bomma squadrons
Under Gofnobba Doubleskull
5 Warbands, plunderers. About hundred artillery pieces.
Under Lockstocka BarrelSmoka

10 Kult of speed warbands, fifty or so deff koptas

+++ 852.994.M41 Captain Harianus +++  

The Kettle

By taking the bridges over the river North and the Gotha river has the Blood Angles made it possible for the forces of the Imperial guard to cut of the retreating orks from the safety behind the Equistrus line. The commanding generals estimate that at least a hundred thousands and as many as half a million orks are trapped in the encirclement now called the Kettle. Since the orks in  worst case outnumber the encircling armies it is of uttermost importance that the orks does not get the time to reorganize themself. The area is under constant bombardment from the Imperial navy and the northern armies are advancing rapidly. With the goal to push the orks out into the ocean. Or as Captain Harianus put it. 'We got the ork trapped in a kettle, so we better hurry to make an ork-stew before the kettle get cold.'

+++ TREASON! +++

+++ To the headquarter in the Gota sector +++
+++ Priority High! +++
+++ Security A +++

It is with great disappointment I have to report that High Commander General Almund Garnif has failed to report the recent events on Agnebergus IV. The commander of the first and second legion of the Ferran Steel eagles has failed to report in since three days ago. They are assumed to have deserted and orders for disciplinary actions has been issued. They where en-route to take position close to Equistrus Minoris for the pending counter attack when we lost contact. The last word we got was from commissar Lucus Hadoris reporting in that the legions where killing their commissars. Both legions has taken great losses in the recent battles and is considered to be easy to exterminate.

My strong recommendation to formal high commander Garnif was however to immediately report this to the headquarter. I have since learnt that he failed to to so, probably hoping to solve the situation unnoticed. 

The event that two of the legions under General Garnif deserted strongly compromised the Generals ability to command the operations on Agnebergus IV, but after I learnt that he also failed to follow protocol and report the desertions I have no other choice but to releave the General of his command and put him into custody. The high command of the forces on Agnebergus IV has been taken over by me until I reach command from the headquarter how to proceed in this matter. I recommend that the General should be demoted and sent to the front on Gota and the high command on Angebergus shall be assumed by Captain Harianus.

+++ 837.994.M41 Commissar-General Baruccus Ludius +++