Mission 3: Night Drop

Mission 3 Debrief:

Objective: Infiltrate the northern peninusla at coordinates [redacted] via H.A.L.O. deployment. Proceed to and perform reconnaissance on the archeo-site at coordinates [redacted]. Report all findings to command and await further orders. You must remain tactically flexible on this mission, adjust your wargear loadout accordingly. Extraction will be by air.
There are reports of possible rebel forces in the area, as well as Orkoid settlements less than 50 clicks south of the position. Be on your guard.
Critical Parameter: Leave no witnesses; All other forces must not survive contact with your team. May be countermanded by HQ.
Optional Parameter: Targets of Opportunity; Orkoid leaders, Rebel leaders, enemy intel or communications.

The H.A.L.O deployment to the peninsula went smoothly and no losses occurred during the drop.

The team was immediately discovered however by a Freebooter Orkoid squad of apparent high quality. The situation was handled with diplomatic grace and the Freebooters were turned as allies for the duration of the mission. Their military assistance and planetary intel was exchanged for restricted looting rights, and safe passage off the planet. This was deemed acceptable. The intel gained was worth much more than the Greenskins realized.

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The scout team then planned and executed a combined assault on what turned out to be a major excavation project, being conducted by Noble House [redacted] confirming our suspicions of their involvement. Scout Atash utilized a commandeered orkoid vehicle to apprehend the project leader. The matter has been turned over to the Adeptus Arbites for recommendations.

Once the position had been secured and the Greenskins had departed, the scout team was extracted. Recovery and excavation crew have been deployed, along with the Chryos 1st Company 6th Platoon to secure the archeo-site.


HANDLERS NOTE:
Scout Lance is scheduled for aerial assault retraining. Before he leaves a permanent, career ending indentation upon the ground.

The ability to assess a poor situation and extract a favorable outcome is a survival trait we of the Tempest Knights pride ourselves on.
To successfully negotiate a strategically advantageous agreement, while you back is literally against a cliff and outnumbered 10.5 to one by well equipped Blood Axe commandos is worthy of recording in the Chapter Annuls. Which we have now done. Scout Tarsonis is now one of the few external Astartes to be entered into our Holy Tomes Diplomatic.

Not sure what to make of Scout Atash. He swings from barely capable to a battle-field improvisational genius. I must strongly advise a personnel review be carried out by Chaplain Kathay as soon as possible.

The thrice cursed Great Enemy has been confirmed on this world. We suspected some of the Traitor legions might be involved in this attempted coop, and now we know for sure. The Heralds of Change are here. We had counted them destroyed thanks to the Shadowed Suns, but it would appear they still live. At least a good number of them met a bloody end though. The sheer number of weaponry displaying their iconography that the Freebooters had with them suggest at least 30 of their cult were destroyed. And a sorcerous staff recovered as well... even these pirates wanted nothing to do with that!

ADDENDUM 1: I've never liked a Greenskin more than at the time of this report.
ADDENDUM 2: The Inquisition has now been informed. The days may get darker yet.
ADDENDUM 3: We can now add a new Freebooter Clan to roster of available resources.