The plan turned out to be a simple one. As the other acolytes stashed their kit for transport Cryvus and Gunner made a second vox transmission, broadcasting a complex code and a set of coordinates before securing their own belongings. Sister Masha collected her few possessions as well, her broken arm doing nothing to dissuade her from joining the other acolytes. Brother Gear was a different matter. His condition had only worsened over the past few hours, the priest gripped by powerful withdrawal symptoms. The decision was made for him to be left behind. The acolytes said their farewells to Laurent Strophes, the old man snapping Cryvus a Battlefleet salute and wishing them luck, and headed towards the landing pad where they'd first touched down in Sibellus.
A craft was already waiting for them; a dull grey and unmarked
Valkyrie gunship flanked by men in similarly coloured carapace armour. The Magistratum officers responsible for guarding the platform gave the acolytes nervous glances as they stepped outside to greet their transport.
"It's about damn time." one of the stormtroopers commented, his face concealed and his voice distorted by the helmet he wore. "Climb aboard, ladies. We're going for a ride."
The gunship pulled away as soon as they were all aboard. Ten identically armoured men shared the cramped compartment at the back of the craft with them, buckled into their seats as they checked their weapons. The one who'd spoken before removed his helmet and, for those who remembered the Coscarla Incident, a familiar face greeted them.
"I was wondering if I'd ever see your sorry asses again." Julius grinned, shaking Mikolas' hand and nodding respectfully to Gunner. "Me and my boys haven't been given much intel about whatever you're roping us into, so get talking." The acolytes did just that, filling in the details for an old comrade. Cryvus also set out the rules of engagement; force would be met with force but those who didn't offer any resistance would be subdued. Julius passed the orders among his men and had it voxed over to the second team aboard a second Valkyrie that had joined them shortly after departure. He also saw that those without micro-beads were provided with them and that all of the minuscule devices were attuned to the same frequency. The hive had long since disappeared behind them, the flyers having quickly risen above the clouds. It was a peaceful journey for the next few hours, one that gave the acolytes plenty of time to don their own armour, check their weapons and prepare themselves for combat.
They got their first sight of Ambulon as they began their descent and dipped below the clouds. It was a massive machine, easily rivalling a Battlefleet cruiser in size, which crawled across the plains of Scintilla with a dozen insectile legs. A city had grown on its back, building built atop building with narrow allies running between them. Haphazard structures jutted out over the sides and the edges of the shanty town that clung to its belly could be seen swaying beneath it. Their gunship didn't let them take in the view for long though, turning towards the rear end of walking city and flying above its spine.
"This is it." Announced Julius, his voice once again muffled by his helmet. "Bravo team will secure the rear and set up a perimeter. Alpha team, you'll be hitting the front with me and these boys."
The Valkyrie came to a sudden halt, hovering mid-air as its ramp opened and stormtrooper attached lines and slid down them. The acolytes followed shortly after, the stormtrooper assisting them where necessary, and soon found themselves standing in front of
a small two story church.. They saw Bravo team touching down behind it, their gunship pulling away as soon as the last man had got his feet on the ground and assuming a holding pattern above the city. Civilians fled in their wake, scrambling across the walkways that wove between and through the buildings of Ambulon. A few of the braver souls stayed to watch, though only from a safe distance.
Mithras:
"No secondary entrances identified." Julius announced, repeating the report from Bravo team they'd all heard a moment before. He gestured towards the front doors. "Shall we?"
(I'll assume that everyone's equipped the best armour that they possess, reloaded their weapons and so on.)