08:32 shiptime, 14/11/1620 PD
Captain's Ready Room, HMS Azhdaya, 3rd Star Corps
Chimay, Elysium Sector, Stoinian Star Kingdom

High Admiral Chekov had been requested to join Grand Admiral Winton's ranks in the offensive against the Venterran Incursion. When the call came, Pavel Andreyevich Chekov answered within five minutes. He was perhaps the fiercest Admiral the Stoinian Navy had and when it became apparent the Venterran, Terran Brethren, had allied with the Mardakii against Stoinia, Chekov scrambled his best Fleet Division. Fleet Division Delta of the 66th Fleet of Chekov's 3rd Star Corps was filled with Officers who served with him in the Velutarian War and the First Mardakii Crusade. Most recently, first contact with the Ryccian Empire and Drakari Celestial Imperium. Like Chekov they had spared their fury for the battle field. Reports of Cornucopia's initial defence where the Venterrans targeted civilians and the Venterrans glassing of cities and Ignis had boiled Chekov's anger to a point which he had hope he wouldn't have to face again. Yet his nation called to him again. He didn't fail her then, he won't fail her now. Ol' Blood 'n Guts would indeed roar once more.
Chekov sipped the last bit of his coffee while enjoying the view from the Captain's Ready Room. As a High Admiral he had different luxuries, but he sure did miss the good ol' days when he had such a room for himself. Captain Edina Budai had loaned her ship's command for this occasion. She knew Chekov would want a hands on approach. The scars Chekov wore weren't a merely an accident. They were perforated into his face by a Mardakii he personally slew in the last Crusade. Chekov, like many Hyperions who'd stalk Khisons for hours, was on the hunt again.
He let his coffee pot on the table and stood up. Straightening his uniform as he left the room. He strolled right out of it and turned directly to Captain Budai who'd taken over as Chekov's XO when it came to the Azhdaya's operations.
- "Captain, how's the planetary bombardment going of the Venterran forces?" he asked with a sharp tone.
Captain Budai turned around and towered over the fairly small High Admiral as she came from a high gravity world.
- "On schedule, Sir. Their infrastructure has been completely destroyed."
- "Excellent, we'll start preparing for a ground invasion."
The Tactical Officer of the Azhdaya was actually a brand new officer transferred from East Point. Despite Chekov's choice for veterans, he did wish to pass on their mettle to the newer generations. The only true way to do so, is through direct action.
- "Lieutenant Commander. I saw you raise a brow, why?" Chekov spoke with the same sharp tone. He wanted to teach the young officer, but he couldn't help but enjoy scaring them from time to time.
- "Nothing, Sir."
- "Spit it out, son. Before the Venterrans might do that for you."
- "It's just... Shouldn't we just bombard them from orbit, Sir?"
Ah, the age old question, Chekov thought. The young man clearly still had some green behind his ears. Chekov maintained his menacing stare while pointing to his scars.
- "You see this?"
The officer merely nodded, not wishing to say something that would make the High Admiral angrier.
- "I fought Velutarians before you were even conceived. I damn well earned these scars while you were still suckling on your mother's breast." he circled around, looking at all the new officers of the Azhdaya's crew "Aye, we might just bombard them from orbit. In our comfortable leather chairs, but would that make us better than them? They glassed an entire planet for sports! They have drawn blood first and I don't know about you, but my blood has been boiling for our entire three weeks trip. The same blood that run through our ancestors who fought at Geelvink Hill in Sayed's Charge, Alexandru's duel against Warlord Quclex, Traian's Clipping of the Marcavani and at the Butchering of Velutaria where I stood alongside your fathers. That blood doesn't clot when your nation's being agonized by barbarians. It boils and it unleashes a wrath from within that can only be silenced once all enemies are annihilated. It's what has kept the Star Kingdom alive and will keep it so! And I for one, REFUSE to lower myself to the same tactics as the vile fornicated Mardakii-loving faeces named Sagan Recklez. We stepped towards the stars to prove Terran strength. We cannot do that from orbit. We only achieve that by getting our own humble boots on the ground. That is the true Stoinian way and I shall lead it personally." Chekov turned to the Communications Officer. "Lieutenant, tell our troop carriers that we launch in two hours. I'll personally lead the attack. While you're at it, get line with Colonel Koeremoer to the Ready Room."
The deck then filled with crew saluting Chekov and shouting "Hear the Stoinian Lion roar!"

---

Two hours later,
Echo-826, Condor-class heavy attack gunship

Colonel Koeremoer had convinced Chekov that his men of the Stoinian Foreign Legion were ready for the task to serve as the first wave against the Venterran ground forces. He would see today if the Colonel's project had yielded a good result. He had changed into Marine Battle Armour and only equipped his sword and a M28 Magnum pistol. The same equipment he used on the First Mardakii Crusade. A few faces of his Marine detachment had actually joined him in that Crusade and he couldn't help but feel a warm feeling as he smiled at his compatriots. It was indeed just like old times. Chekov's Marine detachment would meet up with the Stoinian Foreign Legion's 2nd Mandalore Infantry Regiment and the 5th Cadia Infantry Regiment. The first one was composed of Ryccian Mandalorians who sought out a challenge into the martial Star Kingdom as they felt the Ryccian Empire wouldn't give them anymore challenges. How wrong they were with the recent political development in Ryccia, but now they were stuck to the Legion. The other Regiment was named after a Drakari planet and it had all numbers of the Imperium's species in it.
Chekov grinned at the memory when he compared the Drakari Admiral's claws to that of the Mardakii. Fate had indeed an ironic sense of humour. 
- "High Admiral, ETA to Place de la Chimay is two minutes."
The countdown had begun. There was no significant AA fire as the Stoinian aircraft had diverted the Venterran atmosphere planets away from the city. Chekov pressed the safety harness upwards and grabbed a barrel to stand upright despite the gunship's manoeuvres.
- "Now, boys. We're going to reclaim this planet for our proud nation. Once this door opens..." Chekov clattered his sword against Condor's backdoor "I want you all to follow my lead. Get to cover quickly and all that. You know the drill, for you are amongst Stoinia's finest Marines. Make your fathers proud today and Chimay will never forget you for it. Today we rip out the hope from these xeno-lovers straight from their spines so that they may never forget our Proud Lion's roar!"
The Marines shouted their famous ura as it echoed in the Condor's hull. They were ready for it, the Lion had cried to their hearts.
- "High Admiral, Colonel Koeremoer is requesting a comm line with you now."
- "Now, out of all the times to choose... Patch him through."
Chekov was then shocked to hear a song being sung by all kind of different voices. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but it sounded like they were brothers to each other. Brothers in arms and Chekov couldn't help but feel its unison in his heart. When the song ended Koeremoer chatted over the comms.
- "Vode an, High Admiral. A Mandalorian chant that's become an anthem of the Legion. I hope it helped your blood boil for the battle." Koeremoer said jokingly over the comms.
- "Let's hope your xenos fight better than they sing, Colonel." Chekov sneered back at him.
- "Oh that they'll do, Sir."
The doors of the Condor then hissed open as the light turned green. Chekov's Marines pushed the safety harnesses up and grabbed their guns. Ready for the assault.
- "All right you sons-of-bitches! Let's carve out these xenolovers! Let them hear our roar!" Chekov shouted as he raised his sword and pistol in this other hand.
Chekov and his Marines then charged out of the Pelican towards cover. The Venterrans were now trying to flank them from the street corners, but Chekov rallied his Marines towards them. Swinging his sword to prepare to slice open the Mardakii, he looked back to watch his Marines. What he saw surprised him. Yapatha, Drakari, Limavu, Teetac and fellow Terran brethren from the Imperium and the Ryccian Empire. The Mandalorians even flew with their jetpacks. Species all over the Sector were fighting alongside him. For his nation against an enemy that allied itself to Stoinia's sworn enemy. Chekov didn't know what to think of it. But as the Venterran plasma bullets started to head their way, he smiled as found new brothers in arms. He aimed his pistol straight to head of a Mardakii and pulled the trigger. The first Stoinian shot had made a killing blow and Chekov's hunt had begun. He rallied all of his new brothers and sisters in arms once more.
- "For Stoinia! Hear us roar you dunce wormhole ogres!"