Phaerys gave Jharm's suggestion due consideration. He gave a nod in response to the Seraphim, protectively cradling the seismic bomb in one arm and awaiting the signal to deploy.

"Understood. I shall do what I can."

When the klaxon sounded, Phaerys was hot on the heels of Kitharsis and Soul Reaver as they exited the Aisgeim. The siege golems' poison gas might not have concerned him, but the rays of darkness and their sheer bulk were still enough of a threat. He resolved to give them a wide berth if possible en route to the walls.

With a substantial breach already made in the Shaiton shield wall, Phaerys rushed in and lent his own aid to the assault. In ones and twos, several Shaiton soldiers parted company with the ground before being slammed back down to crush their fellows with amplified gravitic force. Phaerys carefully coordinated these impacts to help clear a path towards the fort itself.

The Ataran advanced along this path, mindful not to stray too far from his allies lest he get cut off from them. Any Shaiton who would have been near enough to lash out at his metallic form would find themselves also being used as improvised ammunition to break the blockade.

We've got agreement from everyone that the Battle Host's hiatus can be extended by another 2 months - it'll end on 26 February 2024.

Hello everyone,

I've spoken with Veldanya about their current situation and while it has improved, they would still appreciate if, as previously discussed, they could request to extend their 'hiatus' period by another 2 months - if you need a refresher on this, please see the previous poll and associated links: http://administorum.com/index.php?topic=643.0.

In short, this would mean Veldanya will continue to see a relaxation of the Inactive Battle Rules (see http://administorum.com/index.php?topic=501) and instead can post as little as they like for the set 'hiatus period'.

I will still remind them to post if their normal posting deadline (as per the Inactive Battle Rules) is coming up, but neither I nor anyone else will take any steps to move the story forward on their behalf if they do not post within the usual allowed timeframe.

We already agreed to a 2 month hiatus period in the previous poll, but that period has now expired.
This poll is to determine if we have majority agreement to extend it for another 2 months.
Everyone please vote so your voice can be heard.

If Veldanya later requires an extension to this period, it will be put up for another vote.

Veldanya pauses as Soul Reaver speaks to her.

"My lady, you have our thanks for your skillful assistance in this battle.  It is an honour to fight alongside you."

He bows slightly to her, her gaze settling on him as she takes a drag on her cig as she almost seems to expect the next part.

"However, I could not help noticing that when the Shaiton's crystal erupted, it released a surge of negative energy that washed over us, evoking momentary feelings of dark rage and hostility... except for Jharm, who the energy seemed to outright injure...and you, who seemed to absorb the energy into yourself.  I am sure you can understand my concerns in this regard.  Do you know - or suspect - why this might have been the case?"

She gazes down at her free hand, darkness faintly wafting off of it, looking akin to dark black smoke almost. Her lips part as if she is about to speak but then she seems to hesitate.

Why?  You are preventing me...and I demand to know...why?

She receives silence in respones.  To Soul Reaver she gives a slight shrug.

"I have...my suspicions but nothing for certain."

She takes a final drag on her cigarette before letting it slip from her fingers, the butt crushed beneath the toe of one of her boots before she looks to Jharm.

"Im going to head up to the cockpit and get us to the next one as fast as possible."

She then turns and makes her way further into the ship.  Jharm turns back to the Companions, looking to Kitharsis and then Phaerys.

"Yes, undoubtedly Nethalika will be ready and waiting for us as our assault on the first fort has demonstrated our capabilities.  That said, there isnt much alternative open for us other then battle.  Phaerys, your offer of wall breaching is gladly accepted as we will undoubtedly be reaching the fort before the bulk of our forces arrive to assist like they did here."

Just then a voice enters Jharms mind, the voice belonging to General Drayvon.

Seraphim, we are advancing towards the second fort but something is not right here.  While we are still facing some resistance, it is clear that the bulk of the Shaiton forces have begun pulling back.  The advanced scouts are reporting that it seems like they are reforming at the second fort.  This is concerning...

I agree.  Advance the army with all possible speed, myself and the others will travel on the Aisgeim as before.  If the Shaiton are indeed pulling back as fully as you say, exploit the opening to create portals as close as possible so reinforcements from the city  can march in ahead of you.

It shall be done Seraphim!

Jharm looks between the Companions.

"It would seem my friends, that the Shaiton forces are rapidly withdrawing and reforming at the second fort.  While this does mean that my people are rapidly advanding and likely will reach the fort sooner then initially anticipated, it is also concerning.  Never before have we seen the enemy do such a thing. It's as if they WANT us to reach the fort?"

He looks around, verifying that all of the Companions are on board.

Vee, we are all on board, get us into the air and to the second fort with all possible haste.

The cargo doors raise up as the engines of the Aisgeim spin up and the vessel lifts into the air. it takes off, screaming through the sky.  Far below, the Seraph forces rapidly march, advancing onwards even as winged Seraphs fly overhead and land, creating portals almost within eyesight of the Shaiton forces.  The Aisgeim draws nearer to the fort, display monitors attached to the walls showing the Shaiton army lined up just in front of the fort, ranks going back tenfold, the frontline equipped with large tower shields, forming an almost solid wall of blackened metal as they seem to await the arrival of their opponents.  They do not have long to wait as Seraph forces pour from the portals and soon enough, white steel crashes against the blackened "wall".  As before, crystals erected on the roof of the fort glow brightly as they fire beams through the air, targetting the advancing Ork warships.  Strangely though, it seems like, unlike last time, the crystals are not targeting the Aisgeim as it approaches.  The gates of the fort are visible but standing in front are two gigantic figures that look almost humanoid in shape.  Their forms seem to almost be crafted out of the same black steel that the Shaiton arms and armor are, giant purple crystals where eyes would be (for a humans face) and dark green gems look to be embedded in the giants palms.

"Damn, those are Siege Golems.  Their strength almost matches my own, their steel forms reinforced both physically and magically.  Those eyes of their work similar to the crystals, emitting blistering beams of Darkness, while those green gems upon their palms can generate vile gases, causing those who breathe it to suffer an excruciating death as they struggle to breathe even as their body is melted away.  The troops around them are of little concern but we must disable the golems with all possible haste as they would almost certainly seek to follow us into the fort and facing them as well as whatever Nethalika likely has waiting for us within would be problematic to say the least.  It would seem best for us to drop in as before, focusing all that you have on those golems.  Phaerys, if able, do what you can to take the doors down so once the golems are felled we can immediately head in.  Vee, I am assuming you are listening in, same as before and join us as soon as you can."

From the speakers Vees voice is heard:

"Sounds good to me, with those crystals seemingly ignoring us, I should be able to drop you right on top of those things."

The Companions can feel the Aisgeim shift sharply as it screams towards the fort and then banks.  As at the last fort, the klaxon rings out sharply a few moments before the hatch slides open, allowing the Companions to depart and unleash their assaults upon the Golems and Shaiton below.

Gulgrim is almost disappointed that his opponent didn't have more fight in him. Overall this skirmish had been disappointingly brief, and the Avatar of Gork and Mork grumbled to himself as he reboarded the Aisgeim. At least the next fight wouldn't be too long in the offing. Having figured out where he had dropped from last time, the Warboss took up position there again, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited for everything to get moving.

Idly, he began to check his weapons and tinker with his kit, pulling a spanner and welding torch seemingly from nowhere and beginning to make adjustments to his Cybork right arm. It was clear that the Warboss was right-handed in most of his mannerisms, but he seemed to have little trouble using his left hand to perform work on his right, nor did he seem to have need of eye protection as sparks flew from the work he was performing, tuning up the responsiveness and adjusting some of the finer details of his metallic limb.

Even in moments dreadfully lacking in combat, a true Warboss is never idle. Always preparing for the next fight.