Return of the THeX: Contact on Beta Igmar

Sector/System: Ivax/Beta Igmar
Species Encountered: Human (Heretics)
Contact: Hostile
Communication with Imperium: No
Details: Read more from the corresponding testimonials.

Order Operations System

Requested of: Servitor 34-10138-X

Date/Time:  120998 M41/ 16:12

Issued by: Captain Redding Stotten ID# 34-12245-87-4

#Seek#

Echo Company, 5th platoon, Platoon Command, Lieutenant B. Ulricht ID# 34-12136-5

#Play Recording#

Lt. Urlicht

The tech-priests have provided the specifications, readouts, and analysis for the tech used by the heretics encountered on Beta Igmar.  I don’t understand the reports.  I swear those tech-priests have lost their humanity.  I don’t care that the weapon designated XPQ-2142 “has the power capacity equal to 10^3 of the Omnisiah’s blessed Lasgun,” or “the standard armor plating of infantry designated IAP-90 is twice the quillett density of the Emperor’s standard issued flak armor.”  Those eunuch bastards have forgotten what it is to be a human at war; the smell of freshly ionized air or the wail of the enemy as they’re gored on the end of a bayonet.

Collect reports from your platoon detailing the battle. 

#Display 000425503888 A#

Is that you Urlicht?  Rumor is you dropped one of the big uglies by yourself. 

Congratulations on the promotion to first lieutenant.


Capt. Stotten

#Await Orders#

Order Operations System

Requested of: Servitor 34-10138-X

Date/Time:  120998 M41/ 16:28

Issued by: Lieutenant Becca Urlicht ID# 34-12136-5

#Seek#

Echo Company, 5^th platoon, 2^nd Squad, Sgt. R. Gannon ID# 34-00658-8

#Play Recording#

Record a brief narrative of your experience on Beta Igmar.  Lt. Urlicht

#Record#
(muffled rythmic slapping)

Unknown 1:  Did you hear something? 

Unknown 2: Oohhh... baby!  Don’t stop.

(continuous squeking)

Unknown 2: Oh God Emperor!

Unknown 1: Can’t you hear that I am in the middle of something? (pause) (inaudible) Fuck, not now.  Hold on baby, I’ll be right back. Play Recording.

Lt. Urlicht: Record a brief narrative of your experience on Beta Igmar.  Lt. Urlicht.

Unknown 1:  Identification Number 34-00658-8 Sgt. R. Gannon

(Identity confirmed)

Sgt. Gannon: The T-47 unloaded us on the northwest side of the ridge.  Our orders from Lt. Muiren were to lay down a base of fire to prevent the heretics from hiding along the north end of the ridge.  We had a good view of two squads of infantry and we kept them from falling back in our direction and I assume kept them from falling out of view of the autocannons and heavy bolters on the southeast side of the ridge. 

Lt. Muiren and Lt. Urlicht peaked on the ridge and caught the walkers in a cross fire. The servitors with them projected some kind energy shield.  The lascannon shots from the T-47 didn’t do shit but oddly a few well place shots form Lt. Muiren’s plasma pistol had those servitors as a pile of slag.  That little success kept those BFG’s off of us.  Thank the Emperor.

We came under fire only briefly and had good cover in an outcropping of trees.  Most of our casualties came from falling limbs.  The bursting trees seemed like they were hit with something far more powerful than a lasgun but I swear we were only taking infantry fire.  I didn’t see any heavy weapons in either of the infantry squads.  Whatever those heretics were using it was probably …

Unknown 2: Baby… are you coming …   (pause) (glass breaking) I think I’m going to be sick.

Sgt. Gannon: I know.  Go back to bed.  I’ll be back in a second.  (pause) (inaudible) It was probably alien.  End Recording.

#Seek#

Echo Company, 6^th platoon, 2^nd Squad, PFC. E. Lougeh ID# 34-01747-9

#Play Recording#
Record a brief narrative of your experience on Beta Igmar.  Lt. Urlicht.

#Record#
Unknown 1:  Identification Number 34-01747-9 PFC E. Lougeh
(Identity Confirmed)

PFC E. Lougeh: We surged forward between the southeast portion of the ridge and the eastern forest.  Commissar Bram barking orders from right behind me.  I remember hearing him screaming about the glory of the Emperor and for Tetrahoth.  I remember getting a little pissed when that son of a bitch spit on the back of my neck. 

 Then everything got quiet.  There were a few bright flashes and then the next thing I knew, it was like the warp opened up around me. (pause) Jamz was standing right next to me.  And then he wasn’t.   I fell down but couldn’t get back up.  I didn’t understand why.  I still kinda don’t; I have no idea what hit me.  Jhozie said that Lt. Muiren pulled me and Bleasing away from the fires.  I don’t remember much right after that but before I blacked out I saw the one thing …

Unknown 2:  (low rumbling) Maintenance procedures commencing.  It is time to lubricate and replace the shorted relays in your lower appendage replacement units.  Continue with your business.

PFC E. Lougeh: I saw the one thing I thought would never happen.  I saw that hypocritical bitch, that loud mouthed mother fucker, Commissar Bram turn tail and lead the retreat.  I don’t even think that stupid bastard knew he was the only one running.  If I could’ve found a lasgun I would’ve shot the cowardly bitch.  (pause)  (irregular mechanical whining) Ahhh, Fucker!  I not a fucking machine yet! (heavy breathing) It still hurts when you do that, ya know.  (long pause)I lost all my friends that day and my legs, but you know what, looking at you reminds me of how lucky I am.  End recording.

#Seek#

Echo Company, Company Command, SPC. Q.  Jhozie ID# 34-00347-99

#Play Recording#

Record a brief narrative of your experience on Beta Igmar.  Lt. Urlicht.

 #Record#

Unknown 1: … Urlicht supposed to report?
Unknown 2: I don’t know. I’ve gohtta take care of this now, yeah?  Scram, kid. 
Unknown 1: (metal banging) Take care of wha… (pause)  the fuck?
Unknown 2: Beat it now, kid!  Identification number 34-00347-99 Specialist Q. Jhozie.
(Identity confirmed)

 SPC Q. Jhozie:  Lt. Muiren had me on devil’s halitosis that day.  Things seemed pretty routine until hell came down on 6^th platoon.  We were easy targets sitting out in the open so Lt. Muiren had 5-1, Lt. Urlicht’s squad, and us get to the top of ridge.  We lost sight of the infantry to the north but the armored suits were still tracking us.  Lt. Muiren had us get closer to the walkers figuring they wouldn’t risk hitting us with the missiles if we were up the walker’s asses.

The missiles may have stopped but the infantry on the ridge and the small arms fire from the armored suits hit 5-1 hard.  By the time we had left the walkers to Lt. Urlicht 5-1 was falling back.  Lt. Muiren, like always, rallied ‘em and had ‘em fire into the infantry squad.  Unfortunately, the fire was ineffective and the ridge infantry took aim at us.  They killed Hockem, Barrek, and Jeggs out right.  Lt. Muiren took one in the shoulder.  His refractor field must have staved off the worst of it but you didn’t look good.

After that volley it was time for me to go to work.  For Hockem, Barrek, and Jeggs; 2 of them died for each.  Two of ‘em jumped off the ridge.  Either way they weren’t my problem anymore.  It looked like because of the way the armor fit there were significant gaps where the gel would stick, which turned their armor into their own little ovens.  That’s what the heretics get for turning away from the Emperor and corrupting themselves with unclean alien tech.

4 of the heretics were left to take on the two of us.  I guess you could call it a fair fight.  (laughing) Lt. Muiren took out two of them while I had trouble because of the fuel canisters on my back.  It was all I could do not to be skewered by them.  One landed a blow that set me on my back. Just as that greater good screaming bitch was about to do me in your power sword cut his head off.  Lt. Muiren didn’t see the other one from behind and was clubbed in the head with the rifle.  It cracked Lt. Muiren’s skull.  I’m pretty sure I saw the grey, but I couldn’t bear to look too closely. 

Unknown 1: That’s a touching story, man.

SPC. Q. Jhozie: Fuck off.  End recording.

 #Seek#

Echo Company, 5th platoon, Platoon Command, Lieutenant B. Urlicht ID# 34-12136-5

#Record#
Unknown 1: Identification Number 34-12136-5 Lt. B. Urlicht
(Identity confirmed)

Lt. B. Urlicht:  Thank you for the recognition, Captain Stotten.  Lt. Muiren was a great leader and one of the toughest soldiers I have ever served with.  I only hope I can be a fraction of the soldier he was and do Echo Company proud. 

At the outset of contact the heretics displayed hostility. Much of their equipment appeared of the Emperor’s blessing, but not all.  The weapons utilized by armored suits and infantry alike were of the likes I have never seen.  The two, (inaudible) excuse me, one survivor of 6^th platoon, 1^st and 2^nd squads can attest to the devastating effects of the weaponry and the confusion wrought in the aftermath.

 After the obliteration of 6^th platoon, Lt. Muiren led the assault up the southeast ridge followed by 5^th platoon, 1^st squad and my command squad.  1^st squad took heavy fire from the infantry on the ridge and the armored suits that broke 6^th platoon. The walkers on the ridge absorbed a tremendous amount of fire from the T-47 and Lt. Muiren’s squad before I fired on it.

I landed a well-placed shot on the walkers power supply just above the right leg.  It must have sparked a chain reaction to cause a meltdown because within mere seconds it was nothing more than a fizzing pool of molten alloys.  The other walker ran.  I never thought I would see a machine run in fear but that was what it was: fear.

 We had taken the ridge after you (pause) (inaudible) We had taken the ridge right after Lt. Muiren had fallen.  Jhozie was able to put the fire to the last heretic just a fraction too late. The autocannon team and the heavy bolters of 5^th platoon eventually took down the armored suits beneath the ridge and Falcon Company was in pursuit of the few heretics that were able to fall back.  Overall this mission was a success and a proud moment for the THeX.  End (inaudible).

(Long pause)

(Feint tapping)

Lt. Urlicht:  I saw you fall. (deep long breath).  If I knew you would end up like this … (pause) I mean, we’ve all seen someone come back with worse injuries than yours. … (long pause)  You were a great man, a great soldier, and a great friend.  Goodbye Muiren. 

#Return to Original Issuer#

Transcribed by: Scribner Johwel

Thought for the day:  “Life is a prison, death a release.”