Ortiz
Colonel Ortiz was the commanding officer of the 'Serpents', the Ketzok 17th Armoured Regiment during the Sabbat Worlds Crusade.[1a]
History
On Voltemand, Ortiz and the 'Serpents' were commanded to travel through the Voltemand Mirewoods to the Pavis Crossroads in the Bokore Valley. Once there they were to shell Voltis City and provide artillery cover for infantry operating in the valley.
En route to the Pavis Crossroads, the 'Serpents' were attacked by seven World Eater Traitor Marines, causing the loss of two Basilisks along with their entire gun crews. Saved from the ambush by the Tanith First and Only, they proceeded to the crossroads and kept up an all-night barrage.
Tricked by General Noches Sturm, who had overall command of the Voltis City offensive, Ortiz shelled the men of Tanith as they made their way back from taking Voltis City, resulting in the Tanith troopers losing nearly 300 men to the shelling, with a further 200 injured.
In response, Gaunt punched Ortiz in the face, which Sturm immediately seized upon as an excuse to have Gaunt discharged from the service, or executed. This plan failed, however, when Ortiz drove his command Basilisk right up to Sturm's headquarters building and made a formal statement that his bruised face had not been struck by Gaunt, but caused by an accident with his Basilisk's recoil. He delivered this statement while his Basilisk's cannon "happened" to be levelled at Sturm's office at point-blank range, driving home to the General that Gaunt knew what Sturm had done, and would retaliate if Sturm tried such treachery in the future.[1a]
Later Ortiz would lead the Serpents on Sapencia, in the assault on Oskray Island.[1b]
See also
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