V3 Chapter 7: I Will Make the Following Arrangements
Duvette did not know what kind of trap Slaanesh had set on Tarentus, nor what strength of opposition he would be facing.
What he did not feel was any particular concern that it would halt the advance of over fifty thousand warriors of the 112th Special Operations Legion.
There was no naval presence on the opposing side. Tarentus was a small desert agri-world, and its local air defence network was not capable of contesting a proper fleet in direct engagement.
That meant Duvette and Admiral Villent could, if they chose, pour destruction onto the surface from orbit at will.
This operation was primarily pacification and rescue, of course.
The Ultramarines would not permit the city to be levelled. Tarentus remained part of Ultramar, and there were large numbers of loyal citizens and civilians there.
Duvette stood on the Resolute's command bridge.
The tactical star chart had been opened across the forward display. The Ultramarines strike cruiser leading the formation held position ahead of them, its identification signal steady and clear, the 112th's vessels following behind as the formation entered the Quintarn-Tarentus-Masali tri-system.
The orbital beacons of all three worlds appeared on the chart in succession.
Reports were coming in from all three planets continuously. Tarentus was the worst: the capital and the northern oasis zone were close to falling completely, and the local rebel forces had already abandoned whatever they had originally been fighting for when the war began.
They were no longer contesting administrative authority, food stores, mining districts, or defence infrastructure in the way of ordinary rebels.
They were killing in service of rituals, commemorations, and what they called perfect restoration. Local defence force communications were full of confused and fragmented language, many transmissions cut through with shouting that carried no clear meaning.
Quintarn and Masali were also showing signs of instability.
Reconstruction committees on both worlds had begun accusing each other, and local noble houses were mobilising private troops. Neither situation had spiralled out of control yet, but the devastation visible on Tarentus made it impossible to dismiss the warning signs.
Fourth Company Captain Ideaus had already issued his operational plan.
The accompanying Ultramar Auxilia would split off toward Quintarn and Masali to stabilise conditions on both worlds and secure the orbital transit facilities and reconstruction supply depots.
The entire Ultramarines Fourth Company would proceed to Tarentus.
Varro Tigurius would operate with the Fourth Company's main element, responsible for locating and confirming the source of Warp contamination. Ideaus would handle ground military command.
Duvette accepted Ideaus's plan.
The 112th's main strength would concentrate entirely on Tarentus.
The hololithic conference projection on the bridge's side display activated, and the images of all senior commanders appeared in sequence.
Evan stood at Duvette's back, coordinating orders. Anderson, Stroud, Elias, Kleist, Colonel Holst, Commissar Rein, Gaunt, and all other regimental commanders connected to the tactical channel.
Duvette cleared his throat.
"Evan, log this. I will make the following arrangements."
His voice went out through the channel to every officer on the call.
"The Krieg 1173rd Combat Group, operating alongside the Ultramarines Fourth Company's Second and Third Tactical Squads and elements of the Ultramar Auxilia, will conduct assault operations against the six dome cities of the Tarentus northern oasis zone."
Colonel Holst and Commissar Rein inclined their heads slightly.
Holst said nothing beyond his customary clipped acknowledgement. "The Krieg 1173rd Combat Group receives the order."
Duvette continued. "The Tanith First, Second, and Third Regiments, the Eisenmark Armoured Regiment, and the Armageddon Mechanised Infantry Regiment, operating alongside the Fourth Company's Assault Squads, will conduct targeted clearance of the rebel forces assembling in the oasis perimeter."
In Gaunt's projection, the Tanith officers behind him were already checking their equipment.
"Tanith understands," Gaunt said.
Kleist raised a hand in salute.
"The Eisenmark Armoured Regiment will be in its attack position at the designated time."
"The 112th Third Assault Infantry Regiment, operating alongside the Elysian Drop Troops Regiment, will conduct the first airborne assault wave against the Tarentus capital."
Elias gave a nod.
Duvette looked to the other projections.
"The 112th Fourth Reconnaissance Infantry Regiment, the Catachan Hunting Company, and the Black Shield Squad will enter the Tarentus capital from the mountain flank and execute behind-the-lines harassment and decapitation operations."
Stroud allowed himself a slight smile.
Finn stood at his side, one hand pressed lightly against the aquila at his chest.
Markus of the Black Shields said nothing. He gave Duvette a single nod.
"The remaining 112th Second Assault Infantry Regiment and the Mordian Iron Guard Combined Defence Group will conduct frontal assault operations alongside the remaining Ultramarines squads."
Anderson struck his chest to signal acknowledgement.
His thunder hammer was at his side, his force-feedback power armour already cleared for battle.
"The Second will take the main gate," he said.
Duvette looked at him.
"Before the breach, confirm how many civilians are still inside."
Anderson gave a nod. "Understood."
All the officers responded to Duvette's assignments in turn.
On the tactical star chart, Tarentus had been divided into several operational zones. The northern oasis, the six dome cities, the hexagonal capital, the mountain flank, and the outer rebel assembly areas were all marked.
Duvette raised a hand and expanded the capital image.
The city built into the mountainside was now covered in red alert markers. The governor's palace signal had gone dark. Local defence force remnants had fallen back to several transit hubs. Large numbers of civilians were trapped between the administrative district, residential zones, and memorial plazas.
"The Tarentus capital has completely fallen to a frenzied mob."
Duvette's voice dropped.
"But there are still large numbers of civilians there, and loyalists who are still fighting."
He looked at all the commanders on the channel.
"Protect these people of Ultramar."
"And determine whether they have been touched by Chaos corruption."
He paused.
"Chaos involvement in this operation has been confirmed."
"Exercise caution."
A brief silence on the channel.
The Astra Militarum understood pacification operations, and they understood urban assault, but Chaos involvement complicated everything. The rebels might simply be rebels. They might also have become part of a ritual.
One wrong assessment and loyalists could die to friendly fire.
Another wrong assessment and the corrupted could be mixed into evacuation columns.
Gaunt spoke first.
"We will do our best to identify survivors."
Finn followed. "The ability you bring will help us see the enemy."
Duvette gave a nod.
"Report any anomaly immediately."
"Do not engage ritual objects, statues, instruments, body arrangements, or anything bearing unidentified markings without authorisation."
Werner's projection connected to the channel.
"The Inquisition will deploy purification teams with the ground forces," he said. "When a suspected contamination source is located, seal it first, then have Inquisitorial personnel make the determination."
Juno's projection appeared on the other side.
She looked at Duvette with the expression that was always difficult to read.
"Good luck, Marshal-Commissar."
Duvette did not respond to that.
The officers disconnected one by one and went to make their final preparations with their units.
The bridge returned to quiet.
Evan moved to Duvette's side and passed him the latest landing schedule.
"All units are loading," Evan said. "The first airborne wave will be ready for launch in twenty minutes."
Duvette was about to answer when a new communications request came through.
The identification signal was from the Salamanders Fourth Company.
Duvette raised a hand and accepted the channel.
In the hololithic projection, Harath Shen appeared.
The Salamanders Fourth Company commander was standing on his vessel's ready deck, the sons of Nocturne behind him, all prepared for deployment. The Salamanders' power armour caught the deck lighting in a deep, heavy sheen. Several warriors were checking melta weapons and flamers.
"Commissar Duvette."
Harath Shen's voice was deep.
"We have been informed of the situation on Tarentus."
Duvette gave a nod.
"There is Chaos there."
"For that precise reason, the Salamanders will join the ground fighting."
Harath Shen said: "This operation involves Imperial citizens. We will not watch from orbit."
Duvette allowed himself a smile.
"Everyone will be grateful for what you bring."
Harath Shen shook his head. "In our father's name, to protect is our obligation."
That was entirely in keeping with the Salamanders' way.
Duvette offered no further courtesies.
"I would suggest you attach to the capital engagement," he said. "That is where the most civilians are concentrated, and where the contamination indicators are most severe."
"The Salamanders will consider it."
Harath Shen raised a hand in salute.
When the channel closed, Duvette turned back to face the bridge's forward display.
Tarentus filled the main screen.
A desert agri-world.
Seen from orbit, the planet's surface was overwhelmingly arid terrain, with only a small number of oasis zones and mountain regions showing habitable colour. The dome cities were nodes set into the desert, connected by pipelines, roads, and water-gathering infrastructure.
From a tactical standpoint, this was not a difficult target to overcome.
No enemy fleet.
An air defence network already in disarray.
Rebel forces that were frenzied but lacked unified command.
And on Duvette's side: two full-strength Astartes companies.
The Ultramarines Fourth Company.
The Salamanders Fourth Company.
A formidable Ultramarines Chief Librarian.
Fifty thousand mortal elite troops who, with King of War active, could push with the efficiency of Astartes.
Duvette looked at the planet and completed his assessment.
Victory, and without particular difficulty.