Eagle Strike

           Eagle Strike is a 4 part campaign taking place in the world of Lyssium. The Imperium has ruled over this world for centuries, through countless conflicts it has survived. Great Houses, such as House Helios and House Draken, have risen to power during these conflicts. Though, of course, never above the Emperor himself.

          Operation Eagle Strike was initiated by the War Council of House Helios, with the main goal of taking control of Pred City in the Hardin Valley Province. As battle preparations begin, word has leaked into the ears of the House Draken High Command. Now the forces of both House Helios and House Draken are preparing for a bloody battle in the Hardin Valley Province. But there seems to be a faint change in the wind, almost like a whisper. A hollow voice seems to be echoing throughout the valley, like a flock of bad omens. 
     Both forces initiated movement orders, setting the stage for a bloody battle in the Hardin Valley Province. But there was a faint change in the wind, almost like a whisper. A flock of bad omens came down with a wrathful fury that blindsided both Houses. To the surprise of both House Helios and House Draken, the Court of Crows deployed multiple units to assist with the defense of Pred City. Displaying a terrifying fury that left both Houses ordering a regroup of manpower. During the later hours of October 5th, in the year 2025, Field Commander Corey gave the order to re-enter Pred City and establish dominance over it. The brave men of the 42nd “Sleepy Dogs” Company gave a valiant effort of fending off attacks from both forces House Draken and the Court of Crows but ultimately had to issue a withdrawal to reconsolidate man power. Field Commander Logan of House Draken led the brave warriors of the 93rd “Rule Breakers” Company on a successful infiltration into the Hardin Valley province to secure a foothold on the outskirts of Pred City. When victory was all but lost, the warriors of the 93rd charged into a hailstorm of hate from an entrenched, Alamo style, defensive Helios position. Blood, guts, and ungroomed mustaches plagued the ground as wave after wave charged into Pred City. House Draken’s forward observers displayed the utmost bizarre strategy by calling in the most inaccurate of Fire Missions but somehow still managed to hold a stonewall position at the gates of Pred City.  Although a valiant and steadfast effort was displayed by the 42nd “Sleepy Dogs” Company, the men and women of the 93rd “Rule Breakers” seized Pred City in the name of House Draken. As quickly as they appeared to secure the infrastructure of the region, the Court of Crows task force withdrew to the surrounding areas seamlessly. As a faction that is known to never give up  strategic locations, this is definitely not the last time these Crows feed on the chaos of war.

           Operation Eagle Strike II was executed on the 13th of March under the cover of darkness, with Helios forces moving in to secure the southern portion of Sturkeville City in the Wacoochee Valley Province. While establishing a Tactical Operations Center in the former mayor’s mansion known as “Howard’s House”, Draken forces closed in on the city and initiated an overwhelming night raid on a Helios patrol in the Uptown portion of the city. This raid set the pace and ferociousness of the battle to come as both great houses met on the field of battle in the morning hours of March 14th as vanguard forces from each faction engaged in close combat near the city’s Embassy to establish control over the region. Opposing Pathfinder units became engaged in a prolonged firefight in the Halawaka Forest, east of the city. In response, Helios deployed the main assault force to the city, with the 14th “Honey Badgers” Battalion at the tip of the spear including units of Ranger Assault Teams, Infidel squads, and FoxD detachments from the STB (Special Tactics Battalion). Field Commander GruntPa took command of the main assault force as Lt. Jason successfully organized the units into an effective combat operation against the forces of Draken. Leading the forces of House Draken into the fight was Field Commander Benjamin with the, assistance of Lt. Nick, deploying the full might of House Draken’s prowess through the use of combined arms tactics that included an armored carrier, drones, and light infantry. Soldiers from the 18th “Crusaders” Battalion of House Draken pushed into the city with a determined wrath that it has never seen before. Deploying Nomad teams into the region, backed by the vigorous NAA unit, Draken forces managed to start a push and pull battle of the entire region. The fires of battle burned into the night as both Houses continued to clash. The focus of the fight found it’s way over to the Police Station in Downtown as Draken forces hammered away at a stubborn Helios resistance. The warriors of the sacred sun utilized small unit tactics to push back Draken waves. After consolidating firepower, Draken forces conducted a large assault on the station utilizing smoke and hand grenades to take control of the station.
      After getting everything under control again, Draken used the station as the staging point for the final attack on the Helios TOC and smoke barrages rained down in the night, explosions erupting in the surrounding area as the onslaught ensued, finding it’s way to the borders of the compound. Flashes lit up the night and sulfur filled the air as the gun smoke settled, with Helios holding their TOC against all odds. Victory distracted them as a covert Draken unit inserted themselves into the bowels of the Helios camp and deployed a “dirty bomb”, claiming a questionable victory for the night. In the morning hours of March 15th, fresh motivation fueled both forces as Draken conducted a decisive steamroll attack on the Embassy, pushing Helios forces back to the Police Station. What followed next was a two hour gun fight at the station with no less than 100,000 rounds being fired, backed with smoke and hand grenades as warriors from both sides duked it out in intensive firefight that forced both factions to bring all they had and then some. After reconsolidating firepower and personnel, Draken launched one final attack on the Helios forces holding the Police Station. Through effective communication and violence, as well as some dishonorable tactics, Draken forces drove out Helios forces and detonated an explosive device to render the building useless. As the chaos ensued, Draken units mistakenly rendered aid to wounded Helios zealots only to realize their deadly mistake moments later as another gun fight broke out during their cordon and search. Airborne Helios units were deployed in a last ditch effort to flank the distracted Draken force as the remaining soldiers of House Helios rallied for a counter attack on the Embassy. House Draken was able to repel this attack and show the dogs of the Emperor how the Flames of the Green Dragon cannot be so easily extinguished. The remaining warriors of Helios conducted a tactical withdrawal to the surrounding areas and preserved their fighting strength for another fight. This allowed House Draken to seize control of Sturkeville and begin reconstruction.
       As the blood of the fallen saturates the ground, the strong winds of Eir soared the scent of the fallen into the four corners of the world and caught the attention of a bad omen. A chill fills the air, as it is certain the Crows will come to feast…

            Operation Eagle Strike III was initiated under cover of darkness in evening on the 18th of September, in the year 2026, with the deadly unit of Task Force 26 FT launching a raid upon the Colton Cooch HQ. The HQ was guarded by the Coochies of Colton group and they put up fierce resistance to the Task Force as the area became lit up with mortars and starlight. As the assault force closed in on the western flank of the HQ, fighters from both sides became engaged in close combat as machine gun fire erupted within questionable distance towards Task Force 26. As Bravo team moved to secure gear and intelligence from the HQ, explosive 40mm rounds began to rain down on them, with over 10 rounds missing their target and one even bouncing off a tree and killing a ginger cooch in the process. After suffering many casualties, Task Force 26 FT managed to exfil off the objective securing all of the intended material they came for.
        In the waking hours of morning on the 19th of September, the drums of war began to beat once more as Draken forces in the vicinity of Sturkeville became engaged in combat as the a massive attack was initiated by the Sons of the Sacred Sun from House Helios as Vanguard units initiated a fast and forward assault upon the Embassy, while being supported by Pathfinder forces in the region. Gunfire and smoke filled the air as forces from both House Draken and House Helios refuse to back down despite going black on ammo and supplies. What the War Council of Helios did not account for was that Draken forces in the region were under the command of Lady Azara herself. The one with the blood of the Green Dragon coursing through her veins. The true leader of House Draken. The one who defied the Emperor and lead her great house into open rebellion against the Imperium. The only living soul today who has struck the Emperor himself, and lived. Lady Azara dispatched a trusted captain from her battle staff, Captain Bradley of the 13th Airborne Peanut Brigade, to lead the 18th “Crusaders” Battalion into a turtle shell defense of the city. Cpt Bradley took charge of the mortar detachment as he rained down the fire of the Green Dragon upon Helios forces entering the city. 
       Leading this massive counter attack was someone who was summoned from the deepest pits of the Inferno Abyss by the War Council of House. The emerging figure who answered the call was Captain Titus of the 2nd Legion, Master of the Watch and Warden of the South. Captain Titus lead the newly refreshed 14th “Honey Badgers” Battalion in an assault on the city of Sturkeville. As Helios forces began their attack, Vanguard forces became engaged with multiple dug in Draken defenders as firefights erupted all over downtown Sturkeville. As gunfire was exchanged as the day waned, a push and pull fight began over the newly built Tavern on Juggernaut Hill. As the battle continued into in night, Cpt Titus himself took his Kingsguard unit to relive his days with the CENTCOM Deathwatch as he pushed deep into Draken held territory to recapture lost ground during the day battle. They managed to take control of the Embassy, Clinic, and even the Tavern after a Draken lieutenant heard a faint whisper in the woods that proceeded to cloud his mind in which he became convinced that pulling Draken forces away was the best tactical decision at the time. Seeing this, Helios forces pushed the hill and took over control of the Tavern. With the Draken TOC completely surrounded and Draken forces routing from the field of battle, Lady Azara found herself alone as she defended her position from a 5 man assault force. She was ultimately injured as the Helios kingsguard had to breach both doors simultaneously to get to her. As quickly as they appeared, they vanished back into the darkness as Lady Azara was medevaced off the field of battle. When all hope was lost and the banners of the Sacred Sun flew high throughout the city, an angry peanut emerged. While Draken forces were scattered, Cpt Bradley was rendering aid to the Draken lieutenant who sustained physiological injuries earlier at Tavern. When he recovered, Cpt Bradley rallied himself and the lieutenant to conduct a daring flank movement to regain control of the Clinic and Eastside CO-OP.
        Conflict on this scale and in an area of high public visibility cannot go unnoticed by many. One of the more surprising discoveries was the Court of Crows taking enough of an interest in the region to deploy a task force to the region. For the Court of Crows to deploy this size of a military unit, then their interest is great enough for the region. Task Force Kirby was deployed by NEST command to prep the battlefield for future plans they have for the region. The task force did what they could to soften their targets but what really puzzled everyone was their keen interest in the Embassy at Sturkeville. When Embassy repairs began after the battle, workers noticed there were missing documents from the classified section. When the night grew darker on the 19th of September, Task Force Kirby conducted a raid on the Helios TOC which lit up the night once more and Helios was caught taking selfies with their war spoils. This made it quite clear that the Crows came to feast.
         When the sun rose on the morning of the 20th of September, the tranquility of the morning song birds was interrupted by the roar of men as Helios and Draken forces clashed once more. The mayor’s estate known as Howard’s House became the center point of the conflict as Draken forces sent wave after wave to the entrenched Helios position who were holding the house. Draken forces manage to rally for a daring breakthrough assault as soldiers from the Ember Fall unit manage to push the enemy line and demonstrate their tactical prowess by completely botching 2 different grenade tosses as they attempted to throw them through a 2nd floor window, only to have them bounce back. But the Ember Fall leader managed to get the 3rd grenade through and help pave the wave for intense interior fighting that lasted over 20 minutes as neither side wanted to give up their hard earned ground. After Draken took the house and conducted a BDA of the engagement, they discovered that Task Force Kirby was the main fighting force inside the building that was keeping them at bay. Was this the beginning of a new alliance or was this the work of forces that have not yet been revealed? 
          With the guidance of Cpt Bradley, Draken forces manage to push Helios forces out of all 3 objectives and encircle them at their TOC. In a last ditch effort, Cpt Titus ordered his men to withdrawal after he negotiated a deal with House Draken to spare the lives of his men in exchange for his, thus embodying the truest of Helios virtues. Cpt Bradley himself executed Cpt Titus on the floor of the Tavern as fair payment for the Draken blood that was spilled on his account. With a round through his cheek and several in his back, Cpt Bradley took away the one thing all Helios warriors strive for which is a Warrior’s Death. With this, House Draken left his body to rot and took the field as they allowed Helios forces pull out. House Draken began establishing Role 2 medical stations and began the process of reconstruction. When the burn crews arrived to dispose of the Helios dead, they seemed a bit confused to see that the report of how many bodies were to be burned was off. One of these underpaid and overworked crew members started an altercation after they yelled at the S5 shop for submitting an inaccurate report of a Helios body in the Tavern needing cleansing, as they found only casings, bullet holes, and blood inside of the Tavern. Some locals from nearby villages claimed to have seen a figure stumbling out of their during the hour of the wolf the night before, but the words of the woods can speak Latin when the night is darkest.

The epic conclusion to the Eagle Strike campaign will commence in Q4 2027…