Campaign 5: The Nightwatch

 

Archon Shaka entered the conference room for debriefing. It was difficult to read the Jade Emperor's emotions. He appeared to be annoyed with the fact that the mission took so long, for all Shaka had to do was raid a newly established human colony on Imprel. There were mostly civilians, so there shouldn't have been a problem. The shipment of goods arrived on time, but only half of the army returned. Shaka was a part of the army that didn't return. He began his debriefing...

J.E.: What the f*ck happened.

A.S.: We got the cargo but we had to ditch the civilian slaves. I know how much you like acquiring slaves and trading in souls, but it was...necessary. At random, we seemed to have bumped into a company of space nazis known as The Nightwatch.

J.E.: Headed by Lord Daedelus. I've heard of them. Daedelus was probably there to set up a military state, oh, I-mean-offering-his-company-to-protect-and-serve-the-beneficient-emperor's-children-on-Imprel. He was slave hunting too. Its just that humans call their slaves "citizens", or some such nonsense.

A.S.: Yes, I hate space nazis. Well, we bumped into the Nightwatch at night, ironically. Whether or not the battle-time was coiinciedental or strategic I will never know. The grotesques attracted firepower, just like I knew they would. The Scourges were in a tactically brilliant area, but had difficulty seeing at night. The dreadnought, not having eyes in the truest sense, got the drop on them. It would appear that nights are very dark on Imprel. I personally saw Lord Daedelus vaporize a grotesque and barbecue that Haemonculus without effort. I know that you said that our Haemonculi were "unavailable", but that guy was incompetent. A waste of time and money.

J.E.: Yes, our Haemonculi were familiarizing the house of Imhotep with the Science Labs. Imhotep will be the my third house of Haemonculi. I bought some information from the Kabal of the Bloodied Claw about the whereabouts of the civilian colony and they sent him to ensure that they receive their share, I mean "to assist us". But the Kabal of the Bloodied Claw are not going to be pleased to find out that their esteemed Haemonculus and his entourage of grotesques "dissappeared en route to the Kabal's headquarters, as did their share of the cargo." Such "random crime" in Commoragh is unfortunate, but not our problem. Continue, please.

A.S.: Daedelus himself was a very skilled warrior. <Jade Emperor notes the 'was' but says nothing> He took many wounds but wouldn't even slow down. Those space nazis can sure take a beating. The Obsidian Knights did an excellent job in battle. No doubt that they have earned their right to be the first unit of troops deployed. They held their ground against the Nightwatch Terminators, but they also fought back an entire Tactical Squad and forced them back. Meanwhile, I turn to the mighty Lord Daedelus only to find that he had already been mortally wounded in battle. In fact, here is his insignia as a token of my esteem. The Reavers, not being able to see and probably too juiced up to focus on anything other than their goal, was flanked by the same Dreadnought that gave the Scourges a hard time. They fought it to a standstill, however. Also, the Emerald Knights were slaughtered, but Xhosha stood alone and kept on fighting like a true Sybarite. He eventually fell, but his work was inspiring. All in all, we fought the Nightwatch to a standstill while getting approximately half of the cargo away safely.

J.E.: In the future, I want you to incorporate your Zulu troops into the other five squads. Give them the new shipment of Splinter cannons that we just received. They are not suited for an elite unit like the Zulu Knights.

A.S.: But they absorb fire so well. I'd need eyes in the back of my head to avoid shots.

J.E.: You mean the Shadow Field I provided you isn't enough? It wasn't cheap. In any event, this is your new set of eyes. <Jade Emperor snaps his fingers and a tall, graceful, sinister figure enters the conference room> Shaka, meet Jedi. My new Incubi Master. He will have your back. And he will not let you down...