One Last Swing of the Sword

Polluted water would drip down onto the roofs of vehicles long abandoned, their wheels almost fused to the very ground beneath as their tires had perished into nothing, not even the most decrepit of scavengers could think of any use for them after so long they knew as they crouched in the shadow of an overturned transport of some kind, the artwork on its once white surface reduced to pixelated fragments, a strange idol mounted to the roof that they couldn’t quite discern the meaning off as they glanced at it. The past his drill sergeant had told him was better left to the past, his wonderings getting him into trouble more often than they should as he tried to shake off the random thought, settling himself into his aim as he swept his rifle over the ruins opposite to them. Once it had been a habitation block, that was evident enough by its design and the debris still littering its various balconies and hollowed out windows but to him it was simply an interlocking series of rooms, defence positions and blinds that needed covering when either sweeping or defending the building, his training imparting a rapid assessment of the terrain he was operating in. A tap on his shoulder would have him glance round at the figure next to him, one of his squad mates signalling with a hand gesture that told him all he needed to know as he replied in kind, the entire unit checking their weapons before moving out from their impromptu cover of the well rusted former ice cream van though known of them would even know what that was as the sounds of their boots soon echoed up and down the ruined street.

“I bet it’s some kind of feint, mutes love their ambushes, they’ll be laid up waiting for us to push forwards again I bet you, the chapter master’s had it spot on every time so far this entire campaign”, the voice barely above a whisper would have him nodding, Private Teskin having a hell of a mouth but also a real head for tactics they knew as they glanced round to nod. The swarm they’d been engaging had tried to pull back once it had realised it had bitten off more than it could chew he knew, the 1st Chapter following it up with a well coordinated push, everywhere the mutants scurried away they advanced and secured, every time a pack swarmed forwards they’d surround and annihilate it in a lethal crossfire, taking the swarm apart piece by piece. So far it had worked just like the manuals said, the mutants own tactics getting it killed chunk by bloody chunk and accordingly leaving the Hive-sec forces running it to ground in possession of more and more territory. Scuttle butt was cutting around that the swarm wasn’t that far from collapsing in on itself, every solider in the army having only heard about such things from older veterans in Bastion itself. “What do you reckon Hodgins, howlers or harpies, got the elevation as well as the overhangs” “Ration bar on howlers, if it was Harpies we’d have heard them by now Teskin” “Ah true, buggers make it easy for us I’ll give the dumb mutes that one” “Knock it off you two” “Sorry Sarge”. He wasn’t surprised Sergeant Van had shut them up, this was supposed to be a simple forward reconnaissance sweep, figure out where the swarm had fallen back too and then call in the line companies, let an enforcer platoon hammer them into place and then cut them apart with sniper fire and grenades, neat and clean, only the mutants were nowhere to be seen and that was putting not just the sergeant on edge he knew as he caught his leader’s expression. “Resk, take Oskar and Benlim and sweep the forward edge” “Copy that”, He’d nod to the other two troopers and move ahead at a quick pace, weapons up and searching as they advanced a good couple of hundred metres ahead of the rest of the squad, their radio pieces passing back updates every thirty seconds as they swept over empty buildings left and right, the only sign of the mutants coming after close to an hour of nothing, even Teskin’s losing his usual chatty nature at the oddness of it.

Coming round a corner with a series of piled up wrecked the forward team would find a single carcass, clearly a lesser strain by the looks of it as Oskar stuck a bayonet into it for good measure before nodding it was clear. The howler had been brought down up close judging by the wounds he thought, odd as standard tactics was ranged suppression against such creatures he knew meaning this likely wasn’t Hive-sec work, Resk triggering his radio as he spoke, “Sergeant, got one confirmed Tertiary here, wounds from a blade by the looks of it all over, not our handy work”  “Copied and understood Resk, any other signs” “Checking, but whoever did this knew what they were doing, blade works clean, up close and personal though, risky move”. That was understating it he thought as he rolled the corpse over, ichor leaking everywhere from a large gash that had opened the torso, he was about to call Oskar over when they all heard a movement, something coming up a nearby alleyway judging by the sound. Signalling with one hand the three Hive-sec troopers would all take up positions as Benlim radioed back to the squad, Sergeant Van and the rest twenty seconds out at most they knew readying their weapons. After a few seconds however the sound would begin to match more and more the echo of boots, voices accompanying the evident foot falls as Resk glanced to the other two, both shaking their heads as they focussed their aim on the alleyway until a light appeared. Behind the light a body of thirty people would wonder out into the debris strewn street, the voices a war song of some kind apparently as the Hive-sec soldiers noted the highly personalised plate glad to most of the group, sigils and runic markings covering just about everything, war paint covering their faces in varying patterns as the band stopped seeing them, one carrying a two handed sword raising it in a salute, a wicked grin crossing their scarred features as Resk triggered his radio.

“Sergeant Van...I think we just got our answer to what happened to the mutants in this sector, we’ve got Cellborn in the area”

### Military Campaign Progress

War for as long as humanity has existed has always been an ebb and flow, one side holding the upper hand before the tables are turned and the other becomes dominant in the ever continuing cycle of violence and bloodshed. Sometimes someone will call the war just, a righteous endeavour in the face of uncertainty or against the actions of a few that would wish harm up a way of life others hold so fundamentally dear. In other cases it will be a natural recourse slowly burning away behind the scenes until it explodes into view for all to see, unbidden by laws and rules as it consumes everything in its path, the momentum only finally stopping when the gluttony has satiated itself upon those drawn into its unescapable grasp. In all these cases the sound of battle for some is an ever familiar tune played out for the entire length of their lives no matter what side they are on, their decisions decided upon the cusp of life and death, and everything that comes after written only by those that survive the very storm itself. Amongst the ruins of the capital this call to a war so ancient it has become fat and swollen rings forever in the ears of the Hive-sec, the last shield of a by gone age that refuses to yield to the ravages of time and misfortune. In this way they have stood sentinel against the encroaching of the long night, forever battling back the hordes of mutants wherever they surface amongst the once jewel of humanity, seeing down the chitinous swarms with discipline and fire  few can understand that have not grown up under the auspices of a legacy truly there own.

Accordingly every single Hive-seccer is no stranger to the ravages and currents of war, be that against the radiological hordes of corrupted mutants that stalk the ruins beyond the walls of their holdfasts, or against the other nations of the ruins where the remaining strains of humanity attempt to eek out an existence. Over the last few seasons the 1st Chapter has been engaged in a grinding war with a swarm, centuries of tactics, discipline, defiance and hatred driving back against the spawning doom that threatens to snuff out the final embers. Should anyone else have stood in the way of the mutant tides they would surely have been worn down to nothing in a contest of attrition but not so the Hive-sec, with each and every step forward they have driven the swarm back and as with all battles a final act must come, one last cannonade or volley against the enemy lines, one last charge before standing a top a mountain of their dead the enemy flees from the field of battle, the victor left standing in silence as they raise their banner. The 1st chapter has left a sea of corpses as they have pushed this swarm back at every step of the way and finally that time has come, one last swing of the sword, one last roll of the dice and one last step forward to see that banner hanging high as the enemy finally breaks.

The first couple of weeks into the new season would continue as the final few of the previous had, the various companies of the 1st Chapter pushing forwards at a slow but steady pace as they swept the ruins around them clear of any mutant strains, packs of howlers attempting to sneak in between their lines cornered, surrounded and eliminated with brutal efficiency only the hive-sec could carry out. Here and there in a few places more stubborn resistance is encountered by forward roving patrols before heavier enforcer teams are brought in to contain the enemies position, line companies with fire support advancing under cover into the swarm to break them apart with heavy fire before the familiar rapid burst of grenade munitions announces the forward push, the swarm packs disintegrating under the onslaught as they are dissected  with minimal casualties. Junior officers and veteran NCO’s reporting back each evening to their company and Battalion CO’s report the same thing, the swarm’s seeming activity in the previous season may well have been a cover for an attempted retreat, the various mutant packs holding the hive-sec line whilst the rest scuttled away into the darkness to regroup or set up in ambush. This is taken in by the various officers assembled with quiet nods and implicit understanding, Hive-sec has spent hundreds of years fighting these creatures and their tactics are nothing new to them as the army draws up its ranks, every platoon and team in direct contact with three others as they advance yet further from their initial gains, the interconnecting lattice of confirmations keeping the swarms from getting in between their lines even if it slows the advance in the process. Some think the chapter master will order a full advance whilst others guess at another coordinated push, tactics and timing punishing the swarm further should it attempt to meet them head on once again. In the end it won’t matter what their guesses were as the army halts for another evening cycle the battalions commanders, expecting the arrival of the chapter master; receive a missive from circle command back in bastion. A recent development during deployment of the Dominus task force had walleyed the chapter master leaving the army to carry on without them for the season, being Hive-sec this wasn’t unheard of, the previous chapter master known to take her own squad out into the dark to keep her eye sharp. If the current general was in the same boat the troops say around various mess tents then they weren’t going to complain, no one in Hive-sec could blame a fellow soldier for wanting to rid the ruins of one more mutant.

This attitude would stand a number of the army’s companies in good stead as the end of the month rolled past, each day bringing sporadic contact with bands of mutants though only tertiary threats from front line reports as packs of howlers were quickly cleared or bands of harpies suppressed before being taken apart by close assault units, the swarm really seemingly sending its forces in piece meal, the strangeness of it raising a few eyebrows during morning briefings amongst the army’s command cadre. Just why the swarm was acting like this they weren’t sure without further information but referring to piles of tactical information drawn together over various engagements both past and present a few begin to get an idea of just what might be going on, the early indications being that the swarm had its attention on something else entirely. Intrigued by the development a quick relay back to circle command would see the 1st chapter continue its advance but with an eye to the ground as to any further signs of just what the swarm was distracted potentially by, this sort of behaviour only being referenced when a swarm was being engaged suddenly by an unexpected force. Accordingly over the next week or so forward units would make a careful catalogue of any mutants found that couldn’t be identified as a clean Hive-sec kill, a slow but steady image beginning to grow with each and every grisly discovery, not that the scenes themselves caused much of a disturbance for your average hive-sec trooper.

This investigative mood however would be put to one side during the middle of the seasons second month however when field reports back to filter back in of growing movement as the army advanced into the midbelt of the territory, the great old skyscrapers surrounding them perfecting roosting spots for packs of harpies whilst the habitation blocks clustered around them were a natural warren that could turn even a lone howler into a nightmare to deal with in such an enclosed space. Accordingly the army would slow its pace once again in order to surgical clear the position, the hive-seccers famed discipline saving them more than a few casualties as each building brought another rolling engagement until a steady pattern would emerge by the third day of clearing operations. The swarm having fallen back from the edge of the territory had left behind a number of packs to slow the 1st chapter, attempting to draw itself together around the central towers that made up the heart of this territory, recouping some of its strength before inevitably lashing out again against the encroaching Hive-sec force. By a stroke of good fortune with the swarm partially distracted by something the army had caught it out before it could full reform, the running engagements evolving into full skirmishes before by the end of the week a battle line would have formed running from building to building through long abandoned car parks and former recreational fields, overturned and rusted out vehicles forming anchoring points as weapon crews deployed their equipment, Enforcer shield lines covering them as they provided anchoring points as the line companies spread out and began to lay round after round into the swarm as it responded to their presence, great seething carpets of mutants storming towards the hive-sec army with all its usual fury.  Where the battle was thickest great packs of howlers led forwards by screeching alpha’s would batter their way into Hive-sec lines, the chatter of spent rounds clattering on the rockcrete as armoured bodies held their blast shields forwards, automatic fire and grenades arcing over heads to break up their approaches, the swarms punches broken at each and every turn even as some clawed into weaker spots in the army’s lines. Here the fighting would be close up, claw and nashing teeth against combat knife and bayonet, some of the lower floors of the former habitat blocks turned into charnel houses as bloodied and battered but still standing grim faced troopers retook up their positions after driving the swarm back. Casualties would of course begin to mount but with each passing hour it would be more and more clear that the swarm was hurling its lighter strains at the hive-sec force, known of the heavier strains being sighted. This all but confirmed to the commanders present that the swarm had to be engaging something else as it wouldn’t have held back its more dangerous creatures like that without some kind of reason. What that reason would be would surprise the 1st chapter when it finally appeared during the midst of the following and final month of the season, carried on the lungs of its own breath as much as the coverings of its armour.

Pushing the swarm out of the central districts would take some time but once they had the 1st chapter would find evidence of just what might have been causing the strange behaviour as a forward strike team radioed in a chance find, the body of a behemoth matching the description of one that had been seen accompanying the creature dubbed ‘The Knight’. It’s body was covered in fresh scar tissue, clear signs of blade work cracking its carapace as well as weapons fire in its weak points, the creature having been blinded and cut to shreds in essence the report would conclude, the army beginning to understand just what was distracting the swarm as they cleared further onwards. Ranger teams deployed ahead of the army only adding to this as during the first light on the midmonth one under callsign ’Bravo-two-Zero’ would arrive back in camp carrying something wrapped under one arm. Laying it out for their commanding officers the 1st chapter would find themselves looking at a battle standard of the Cellborn, the clan markings all to clear spread round its surface. Just what the Cellborn were doing here raised a few eyebrows as some posited it could have been a raiding band, or that the Cellborn may have had a presence here, both ideas quashed as the army had seen no signs of Cellborn inhabitation in the area and they were exactly subtle about marking their property normally, the officers present all nodding in agreement at this. Putting orders out the entire army would find itself in the odd situation of actually having to double check for others as it cleared buildings, normally swift sweep and clear operations slowing to a crawl as the army tried to find any further signs of any Cellborn in the area, what they would find as they moved into the last third of the territory would be more than they were expecting. Moving through the empty streets a number of patrols would signal back that they had run into platoons of Cellborn Warriors, the reports only increasing by the hour until outside the main command position troopers on the perimeter would report movement out beyond the wire. Heading to check what was going on the Battalion commanders would find a full Cellborn Warband marching towards their positions, war songs coming from the clan soldiers as they roared into the night but with no weapons drawn, a single banner flying above their heads. It would be clear oddly that the Cellborn weren’t here to cause trouble and after a rapid if loud meeting, the cellborn warband would leave as it arrived, the Cellborn shouting challenges to the nearby troopers to see who could claim the more Mutant’s skulls. A emergency briefing would be held amongst the various officers as the 1st chapter reacted to the news that they were not the only army in the territory, the cellborn force apparently having been dispatched by its general to ’assist’ the hive-sec in putting down the swarm here for good.

The swarm for the past few weeks having been engaged by not one, but two armies that with the reports still filtering in began to paint a very particular picture to the veterans amongst the army. With the Cellborn’s added numbers there was a reason the swarm had been distracted and seemed to low on the ground, between them they have inadvertently trapped it between a hammer and an anvil, the swarm shattering into pieces never to reform. The news would be met by a roar of approval from the entire army, celebrations breaking out in various places amongst assembling troops, for the commanders however it left a quandary they weren’t used to facing , now the swarm was gone it was just them and the Cellborn, a few wondering how long it would be until the Cellborn decided they liked their odds at fighting them .

### Summary:

Following on from the previous seasons engagement with the mutant swarm the 1st chapter has successfully pushed out from it’s beach head within a primus grade habitation territory, advancing steadily forwards as the swarm has attempted to continue retreating. Pushing through several ambushes or blocking positions left by the swarm alongside a decisive clash within the heart of the territory itself amidst the long abandoned skyscrapers has seen the 1st chapter seize majority control of the territory. With the surprise assistance from the Cellborn Army, The Iron Blade; this particular swarm has been broken for good after inflicting serious casualties of some 636 confirmed slain, whilst only taking moderate losses of 165 across both armies in return. (Note: Standing strength of the 1st chapter now stands at 1600/2000, Iron Blade strength at 2918/3000, Swarm eliminated and broken. Swarm has collapsed and dissipated)

### Diligence's Due

With the confirmed destruction of the swarm by the 1st Chapter Circle command has found itself in an interesting position not seen for in close to 70 years with the destruction of the last true mutant swarm. Information is still coming in from field reports but amongst the Bastion and both Hasses reports are already doing the rounds amongst all branches of Hive-Sec that thanks to the sheer digilence or potentially just out right plain luck of Task Force Dominus’s defence of the node secured in the Agri-Dome there may just be enough resources stock piled to raise a second Hive-Sec army to field deployment status. Accordingly every field capable soldier is petitioning to join the new force, white shield units already being reviewed for the next round of elevations to active service coming in via the Captain of the Guard whilst the Logos Captain has already begun a review of all field equipment and munition supplies required to get the new possible force in the field as soon as establishment protocols will allow. A more formalised review has found it will only take two seasons to get the force ready but debate rages amongst circle command of what force would be of more use in the field in the current situation, some arguing for more offensive whilst others for more defensive. Given their hand in developing the situation to this a deployment team has been dispatched to discuss the potential opportunity with Task Force Dominus and all it’s present forces including Captain McCaffery and Captain Briggs.

Amidst all this however another interesting wrinkle appears to present itself in the shape of a large column of Cellborn appearing outside of Hass West. At the sight of them the stand too was ordered presuming some form of armed challenge which wasn’t out of the normal however instead those troopers on the walls note the Cellborn have appeared under two banners, one of the Shield-Born and the other a personal banner covering a smaller detachment. The Shield-born are cellborn warrior priests as Hive-sec understand it, mainly concerned with the cellborn’s archaic system of beliefs than anything else. Coming to meet the leader of this column the Hive-sec Officers are stunned to find in the middle of the column a great number of coffins are brought forwards, each and every one draped in the tattered remains of Hive-sec soldiers. Upon checking the remains they are found to be from a CDF unit confirmed as KIA during the original collapse three centuries prior, the 24th Infantry company according to what records they can find. The Shield-Born fronted by a man calling him the Oath-rite proclaim a story, a tale of the dead selling their lives to allow for those who could not stand in the face of death to survive and live again, those CDF soldier who had died doing so facing the ultimate test in the Cellborn’s eyes of starring down death itself with no fear of what was to come. This causes some surprise amongst the Hive-sec present as it becomes blatantly clear this is a repatriation  with a full honour guard, something the Cellborn take very seriously when they do so. Taking in the remains the officer of the watch at Hass West orders a full detachment of Rangers to at least make sure the Cellborn leave safely before immediately sending their report upto Circle command. The Cellborn have at times been one of Hive-sec’s biggest problems and yet here they have done something no Hive-sec can help but actually respect, more than a few troopers beginning to wonder if they should do something in return, one or two in circle command thinking the very same

### Summary:

1) With the destruction of the mutant swarm Circle command has found itself in a unique position, with the constant flow of surplus supplies it believes it is able to raise a second army and has accordingly dispatched a deployment force to talk with Task Force Dominus about the opportunity given their instrumental acts in securing such a potential asset

2)Appearing out of nowhere a sizeable force of Cellborn have repatriated a number of Hive-sec Dead from during the collapse, the cellborn explaining the bodies were found defending a civilian hazard shelter with what records could be found indicating those within had survived. This has had a profound affect on a number of Hive-sec at Hass West and led to some stirrings of at least an act in kind be paid back, accordingly the circle command is debating the issue  and has requested Task Force Dominus’s input as it appears this repatriation was orchestrated by one from Clan Earl as far as they can tell

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