Company of Martyrs (Warhammer 40K Wargame Quest)

"Come on. Get up Grenier!" Raou shouted, pulling at the cowering Guardsman's arms, What he got was a panicked denial accompanied with frantic punching to force him to release his grip on them. They curled back up and the Sergeant spat, giving up with a shake of the head. "Fine, stay here and die! Expect charges after this if you're still alive! Everybody else, ready? We're going!" He shouted and kicked himself over the rubble. The other veterans shouted and vaulted over cover as well, joining their leader in getting a better firing position.

They weren't the only ones. Across the battlefield, Fournier was rallying his own squad to advance past the barrier and to the next set ahead of them. They had to get into closer range so as to better bring more effective covering fire for their comrades to the south. Through the hail of bullets that whipped about them, each experienced Vaulter swiftly advanced.


You noticed Cintus tensing about, ready to move out, and spoke hastily through your comm-bead, "Sergeant Pinume, stay where you are! I'm back to assume command of the wall's defenses."

"Major? Ah!" There was a hasty cough over the line. "Passing the command back to you then, ma'am. We're yours to direct."

"Good. Order everybody stay where they are and ready their guns," you confidently barked. "We have the range on them! Remember your training, remember your discipline! Even if they shoot, you are to remain calm, in the name of noble Scintillia. Steady now."


In comparison, the movements of Squad Deuces was far from slow. They braced their guns on the barricade they took cover behind and aimed straight for the rebels just across. Their breathing fell into a steady rhythm, so as to not spoil their aim when the order was given. "Fire!" Fournier bawled and depressed the trigger on his laspistol.


At the near-point range, the flimsy cover meant more to shield from shrapnel than direct fire was pointless. Las bolts tore and ripped through the rebels, many holes punching through the barricade and into their bodies. When the energy cells finally ran out and the guns clicked dry, there were none left standing to oppose the battle hardened squad.

Neginol pulled up short and held out a hand upon seeing the results. Then they gestured for the troopers to about face and bring their guns down on distant foes. "Thank you Fournier!" They passed through the comm-bead. "We'll see your generosity rendered unto helping out the Major. All guns, fire!"


You blinked at the sudden strobes of lasfire that struck the enemy squad from afar, taken aback by the shift in focus. It seemed like the siege lines was already secured, meaning that all your efforts could be directed to the fight at the city breach. That was good, and you put everything into your voice, seizing the moment of surprise. "Now Vaulters, now! Rise up! First rank, fire! Second rank, fire!"



Normally, ordering troops to fire in volleys with weapons capable of semi-automatic fire was pointless. The individual could likely fire faster in their own time. But that wasn't the purpose of the method in the Astra Militarum. Rather, it had been adapted to instead instill soldiers a meaning of constant rhythm between firing and aiming, ensuring maximum and accurate firepower in a specific time cycle. It did still have flaws, with overeager commanders yelling too soon or inexperienced officers losing track of the timing with the flow of battle.

You were none of these, so it was a perfect execution. Aided by your lifeguard's disciplined and accurate shots, troopers rose and brought their guns to bear. They fired and then crouched down to let the line behind them fire. Then it was back to the first rank. Again and again, a steady cycle of shots thundering forth, something that perhaps those honored ancestors in the early days of Holy Terra had done.

The result to the rebels was total and absolute annihilation. Already they had been shaken up by the deadly employment of las fire in bursts of violence. Now they were seeing it in full volume of it in concordance, the hammer of the Imperium truly striking down upon them without remorse or mercy. By the time you held up a hand to call an end to the fire, there was nothing left standing of the enemy targets.

That was a sight that pleased you. But you couldn't stop to indulge in the sensation, not when you heard the request from Sergeant Trouttet from behind. "Everybody, down on the ground and don't rise until Terteium have finished firing!"

Raou noticed the lasfire coming in to support them and turned to his men. "What are you lot staring about for? Help them!" He emphasized with a pull of his laspistol, emptying the shots in the direction of the enemy.




The pinpoint accurate fire, combined with the display of raw might earlier, seemed to be the last straw for the rebel reinforcements. Suddenly now they were shoving at each other in a frantic panic to be the first one out of harm's way. Your troops held their fire, letting them run to live another day in fear of the eventual Imperial justice delivered their way. They conserved their ammunition now, eyes scanning the battlefield carefully to see if any new threats emerge.


(Rebels Tabeled: 44 -30 (Crushing Losses) = 14)

(Battle Flow: 33 +30 (Heroic Victory) +10 (Overwhelming Losses) = 73)

A few tense minutes later, then the city's public broadcast speakers cackled to life. "Attention all rebels! Your attack has failed. Your comrades flee as we speak, leaving you to your doom." Lieutenant General Meryln announced, their voice echoing through every street. "Surrender now, and you will be treated fairly with all rights afforded by Imperial law. If you continue to resist, we will not give you a second chance. Throw down your arms now, and seek redemption!"

You held your breath, hoping that just wasn't a desperate publicity stunt or trick. But then you heard it- cheering. A cry of jubilation coming from the city's inhabitants, accompanied by triumphant shouts from other battalions of Scintillia Grenadiers. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed a clouds of dust getting kicked up and moving away, perhaps surviving rebel vehicles making a run for it.

That was fine. You'd fight them another day. But whatever struggle came then, it could never rid the sweet taste of your first victory in command of Fifth Battalion!

- I mean, I did sort of expect you to wipe a lot of the stuff. But I hadn't actually expected a full tabling (units all wiped). So I gave it a chance to end the battle with how badly it's been going for them and yeah. RIP those reserve bikers, they went unused.
- Still though, with this first battle, I hope you've gotten a taste of command and want to see what comes next with the training wheels slowly coming off!

While the victory did bring a sweet taste, what came after a battle often left a bitter one when the grim task of cleanup began.

They didn't have crows on Otra Prime, but instead they had nocturnal wolves which came out after dark to feast on scraps around the population centers. They were scavengers that could pose a danger to civilians in great numbers, so actions had to be taken to make sure they didn't gather. This mainly entailed burying the dead rebels whose bodies littered the city and would draw these opportunistic wolves together.

The citizens of the city handled the bulk of this task, getting to work with practiced experience. Bodies were picked up and tossed onto wheelbarrows for transport to one of the giant pits they were digging. There, it would be dumped into the mass grave, tumbling and stacking on top of others until there was no more room. Then it was buried and they moved on to fill the next pit others had been digging out ahead of them.

This sort of manual labor was certainly below the Vaulters, but it didn't mean they didn't play a part either. They stood guard, ready to rush in and help detain any rebel who actually turned out to be alive. A few did help when asked for moving the heavier bodies but they for the most part simply stood about and smoked lho-stubs, taking the welcomed reprieve from war.

You watched this all unfold from the city walls, studying how Fifth Battalion was doing. They seemed to be in mostly good spirits with so few casualties, which was a good. You'd likely have to order them back into battle soon enough, the circumstances depending on how well the fight went on other fronts.


From the briefing the Lieutenant General had given, it was looking like an overall success. The armored regiment from Armagaeddon, the 407th Tread Knights, hadn't won a decisive battle but neither had they suffered serious failure in their engagement against the rebel tanks. It was at best a stalemate, both side cautiously circling one another and daring the other to make the first mistake. Eventually the rebels broke off and withdrew when news of failures everywhere else came in. The Tread Knights allowed them to do so, wary of the possible trap.

The same could not be said for the total annihilation performed by the 59th Moebian.

They descended upon the rebel assault on the generators and decimated their opposition, striking without hesitation or mercy. Already word was circling of their legendary assault on the power plant's control room, where the Penitent's very own commander dueled and struck down a prominent rebel figure. That combined with the brutal massacre of the supporting forces ensured that the rebels had few, if any elite units remaining by the estimates of military intelligence.

The fact that they had focused such efforts on the power plant though did not go unnoticed. Imperial strategists of Oster-1 were still in heated debate over the purpose of such a devoted assault compared to that launched everywhere else. They believed it to be an attempt to seize and reroute the power for...something, in those mountains. Perhaps for their hideout but for what purpose, you couldn't discern.

You realized that there was somebody approaching, climbing the stairs to reach you, and turned. It was one of the citizens, a mutant sentenced to work their life on this penal colony in the name of atonement for their unholy nature. It was an unjust and unfair punishment for something that they had no control over, especially at birth. But in spite of it, there was no animosity in their stance when they reached you. "You looked thirsty up here. It's not much, but please have some water."

"Thank you," you politely replied and accepted the offered canteen to sip out of. It had a metallic taste, likely taken from one of the precious few cooler units scattered across the city. So it was cool as well, a most welcomed relief in this dry and warm climate.

You studied the sentenced mutant now, eyes flicking to note the wagging tail that apparently damned them to a life of servitude. There was a chilling comparison to be made, to how in contrast, your noble birth meant you could be granted a life of luxury should you merely wish it. If said roles were reversed, could you remain as unbroken as them in these trying times?

It was an interesting and philosophical thought that engaged your mind, one perhaps to be discussed and shared with your peers to pass the time in those hosted courts in transit. But now, with a war ongoing, there was no time. You finished off the drink and thanked the citizen, watching them depart before turning to survey your soldiers.

Such philosophy would have to wait as you attended to the health, needs, and wants of your unit.


Choose up to three (3) Downtime actions to pass the time until the next battle.

-[ ] [Downtime] Wounded Care. Spend time and resources at the medicae, ensuring they have whatever is needed to get your soldiers patched up and ready for the next battle. -1 to Infantry Wounded roll.

-[ ] [Downtime] Attend Tribunal. For those who have dishonored themselves in battle, they must face military trials to determine if their actions warrant punishment. Your testimony could very well help determine the sentence. -1 to Infantry Deserted roll.

-[ ] [Downtime] Scavenge Battlefield. Pick through the enemy fallen and salvage their equipment, taking samples to hand over to the authorities for dissection and dissertation. Any insights could then be attributed to your unit. Gain Requisition equal to one random enemy unit defeated in battle.

-[ ] [Downtime] Local Specialties. Spend time about the locale you find yourself in and explore the environment. Perhaps you could find something interesting for your command. Add a temporary supply of a random item or unit to the Supply Bank.

-[ ] [Downtime] Inspirational Speech. Rally and bond with the soldiers in your command, insisting that you will be with them at every challenge ahead. Reassure them that together, you can overcome anything. Gain two (2) CP for the next battle. This does not increase your maximum CP count.

-[ ] [Downtime] Emergency Conscription. You have no choice, your ranks have grown so thin that you need to conscript bodies from your camp followers. Hopefully they can survive with some hasty training. Expend 60 Requisition immediately to recruit a Conscript squad for the next battle. If they survive, they will be refunded for half their cost.

-[ ] [Downtime] Petition Allies. Talk and forge bonds with other units in your command group, seeing if you could work together for an upcoming clash. Perhaps they will even be interested in entrusting troops to your command. Choose a friendly ally for interaction.
--[ ] Ally


- Actual narrative actions and consequences between battles? Say it isn't so! But yes, these are ways to help you endure or perhaps even profit from a campaign.
- You'll get the chance to purchase from your Supply Bank at the end of a planetary campaign, keep that in mind. Until then, you'll have to make do with what you have or manage to pull together. Hence why having some reserve squads isn't a bad idea in case things really heat up. We'll see if that needs to be tweaked or adjusted.
- Petitioning your allies is how you can get auxiliary troops that will reduce your starting CP (usually), but if they survive, you could work towards getting an actual detachment placed under you which is basically a new branch of troops! Thus, so far you can only petition one ally at a time.