Aboard the Sword of Elannius, Utility, Molotov and Deathangel.

[Commissar Molotov]

Captain-General Huxlow sat in the briefing room aboard the Sword of Elannius. The room was more of a chapel. To either side of the room's wooden double-doors stood a statue, each so detailed it looked as though they had but to simply step down from their resting place to prove that they were alive. All four walls were covered by icons of faith. The entire wall opposite to the double doors was covered with a mosaic. The scene was of the Sword of Elannius' bridge, showing the fabled angel appearing to the ships' crew. The most miniscule of detail had been rendered in such a way that Huxlow felt as if he were there, witnessing the miracle of the angel's appearance. At the bottom, Huxlow could read a single line of High Gothic: Sic Luceat Lux. Per Disciplinum Meam, Lux Videbis."

A halo of light played around the angel's head as she passed on her message to the ship's crew. In the background, Huxlow could make out the individual faces of the navy ratings, their faces filled with wonder and awe. He felt humbled by such a sight. Shaking his head and turning back to the doors, he waited for his subordinates to arrive.

[±Deathangel±]

Lieutenant-General Smyth opens the door slowly and walks in, nodding his head with an attempt at respect to Huxlow. Then he catches sight of the mosaic. Wow, who would have thought a commoner could appreciate something like that. He can't be that bad then... He stands in front of the Captain-General, his two advisors behind him, and waits to be allowed to speak.

[utilityzero]

Entering shortly after Smythm, Mignot is suddenly faced with the rediculous amount of trust that superstitious believers place in supposed devine influence. He never understood how one who makes murder a career could expect forgiveness on the off chance their is an afterlife. But if the Guardsmen needed some sort of god-emperor to keep them in the fight then so be it. He knew his legionaires would fight for their own honor and the Legion's reputation.

Executing a quick salute he addresses hi commander, "I have come as quickly as possible mon capitaine, though I do not know what could demand such urgency as I had not thought action likely for some weeks now that we had not been included in the strike on the mining stations."

[Commissar Molotov]

Huxlow nods as the various commanders file in - the six lieutenant-generals and their associate commanders taking their seats. The last seat, reserved for the princeps of the Warlord Titan Ferrum Corpus is empty. Huxlow looks questioningly at Baddeley-Hitch, who shrugs his shoulders.

Huxlow notices Lieutenant-General Smyth, rare amongst his Lieutenant-Generals as a man who had actually experienced combat. He also notes Jean Mignot, who stands out from the five other Gauraian Lieutenant-Generals.

"I have come as quickly as possible mon capitaine, though I do not know what could demand such urgency as I had not thought action likely for some weeks now that we had not been included in the strike on the mining stations."

Huxlow smiles.

"Mr Mignot. Some of my colleagues have made their distaste for your lifestyle and your ways of war clear. They see you as a brigand, a privateer, a gold-digger. A mercenary. Some of them have gone to great lengths to ensure that you and your forces are not under their command. But I see the method to your actions, and I respect a man who works for his position. You certainly have done that, by your record. The Lord-General Militant Kyoshi has seen fit to accept your services and allow you your rank."

The Captain-General stands up and paces the meeting room, briefly studying the statues.

"Most of the men under my command are new to the road they have taken. Many of them have only experienced combat in training sessions in the ash wastes of Syra and Gaurai. They have an intense familiarity with conditions on hive worlds. But they are not so familiar with chaos-worshippers attempting to kill them. You are. You have undoubtably conducted many actions to ensure your continued survival, and your very presence here suggests that you're good at what you do. And I need your expertise."

He re-takes his seat, interlacing his fingers together and looking straight at Mignot.

"You are correct. The eyes of most of the force gathered here are on the Mining Stations at the outskirts of the system. Forces are being readied and trained for those assaults. And with the Emperor's will, they will succeed. Sooner or later, those eyes will turn towards Seraxx. The Field-Marshall will want plans for the acquisition of the world. They will want dedicated, willing and able troops, fresh troops, ready for the assault. And I plan for us to step into the breach at that point. You are correct that we are not needed at this precise moment, but we shall be soon. Until that moment, we will plan, and we will train. We will devise contingency plans, and we will be ready for the moment when we must step into the breach. I will need all of you to work as hard as you can to ensure your men are ready."

[utilityzero]

At last, someone who underrstood the responsibilities inherent to strategic command. Rash, brutal action was for the front lines, for captains and majors. Generals must never take action lightly, nor allow emotions to cloud their judgement.

"Oui commandant, I understand, it is good to know one among my seniors does not behave as though this is the first time he has commanded men. I'm suprised how quickly they committed themselves to action with so little information. They know nothing of who or what they will be facing but they are prepared to send their men into the maw. You and your generals need not worry about me and my men. We will fulfill our contract, the Legion is as loyal as any Imperial Regiment, if not more so. You may count on my men, nearly all of them have seen war and know their duty, they will do it and bring honor to the Legion."

[±Deathangel±]

OOC: I still have't got a list of my troops...

Smyth noticed a man talking in a strange dialect varient to the Captain-General, and herad something about Brigadeers from his Commander. Who, then, is this man? He must be commanding the LEE I heard about... Smyth walks up to them. "Generals." He turns to Huxlow and salutes smartly, then waits for an oppurtunity to speak without butting in.
"Greetings. Lieutenent General Smyth, at your service. I see the wisdom in holding fresh troops for Seraxx. However, there the battle will be the hardest fought, wouldn't it be more convenient to have a smaller fight beforehand? As you said, they have yet to experiance a real battle. I hope my subordinate can lead from the front to keep the men there, but still, it may be a tough battle."
He looks at Huxlow, waiting for his reply.

[utilityzero]

Mignot assessed General Smyth out of the corner of his eye, not sure what to make of this man. How could a man lead men whom he admited to having little confidence in? He thought of what that might mean to his own Legion if the Guaraians didn't have the spirit to fight. He had seen slaughter before and he had fought both for and against traitors but never on such a scale as this, not since Falsanne anyway.

"Commandant, if you would be so inclinded, I might place a number of my own NCO's at your disposal for the purposes of training your Guaraians. Many of my men have seen combat before, either in the Legion, or before joining. We have tried a similar method on the 30th RE and already we are seeing improvement, both in the men's training and moral. It is of course up to you to make such decisions but I'm sure my legionaires would be most honored to help prepare your men for battle."

[±Deathangel±]

"Thank you general, that could work well. It's not that I don't have confidence in my men, they are trained to the best, but not having been in a war before is a disadvantage."
I think I can trust him, otherwise why would Huxlow have him? But if they don't lead the training well then I will file an Official Complaint.

[Commissar Molotov]

"Lieutenant-General Smyth: I understand your point of view, and that is what our training regime is designed to accomplish. By the time that our forces deploy, they are to be ready. That is your responsability, and I trust you will not fail."

"Mr Mignot, The details of the mining station attacks are for my comrades to busy themselves with. It serves little purpose for us to concern ourselves with what is for us - for the moment - nothing but a distraction. I can understand your feelings - as a man in your position, you undoubtably find it hard to trust anyone, should they let you down. The forces of Gaurai and Syra are well-trained, well-equipped, disciplined soldiers. They are motivated and they have a good fighting spirit. They will not disappoint you. As to the question of your forces providing training, I am not averse to the idea - it could well provide comraderie between the Gauraian forces and the LEE. I will have to put it to the Commanders themselves."

Huxlow turns to the five Gauraian generals, including Smyth.

"Gentlemen?"

[±Deathangel±]

Fine, I'll just have to keep training them hard. It's better than nothing. Smythe nods. "Caaptain Genral." He walks a few metres away, and presses a button on his sleeve, activating a small comunicator to those in his command.
+OK, we're putting up the training hours, and see if we can find any areas to practice realistically in, with blanks.+
Smythe hears Huxlow address the room, and turns to him.

[Commissar Molotov]

OOC:

Deathangel, if it wasn't clear enough, Huxlow is asking the five Gauraian corps commanders what their thoughts are towards the LEE training the Gauraian troops. The Captain-General will expect a response.

[±Deathangel±]

"Well, I know little of these troops, except some call them brigadiers. I shall have to see them try to train the troops before I can properly tell, and will keep a close eye on them, and post commisars in the training areas to see that all goes well. I think it is a little dodgy, they could do anything, but I believe if watched carefully they will follow the doctrine properly. I'd rather not, but it's better than going in with less real training. There is a limit to what I can do." I'd rather not, but I'll keep a watch....

[utilityzero]

Mignot could sense the distrust in his voice.

"The Commissars can teach them little more than they already have, and they will simply be in the way of my instructors. The Imperium has taught you how to die for your Emperor, I will teach you how to fight for him."

[Commissar Molotov]

"Well, Mr Mignot. You're being paid handsomely for your efforts. It's time for us to see a return on that investment. You may train our forces. I'll leave it up to you to arrange the distribution of LEE forces. Now, if that's all, gentlemen, I suggest that we adjourn this meeting and return to our forces. I shall call another meeting tomorrow, where we will begin to plan the assault of Serraxx."

[±Deathangel±]

Zeprav nods his head in submission, keeping a vague sense of annoyance from his face. "...Sir."
Well, he trusts him at least. But he is a commoner. Then again, it does mean he had to risethe whole way by himself... Not much I can do now, anyway.
He waits with his subordinates by the door for dismissal.

OOC: Captain Lithonius, I still would like you to make me some subs...