The Chimera drove on through the desert, the men of squad Bridgestone crammed into the back. No Imperial Guard vehicle was known for 'comfort', but the interior of the Chimera sure beat trying to cram 10 space marines into a Rhino. Now THAT took effort. Good thing they were all 'stoic warriors of the Emperor', may his soul shine forever. To the right, a trio of Armoured Sentinels galloped alongside, their odd gait providing a counterpoint to the squeaky treads of the armoured fighting vehicle.
"Hey, sarge. Why are we going all the way out here, again?" asked Bomber, the squad's demolitions expert.
"Because some dumb frag-head thinks there's a problem this this refueling station, and as the finest Engineers in the Brigade, we get the best jobs.", replied the Sarge, in a tone that could only be described as "sweetly sarcastic".
"Great. And why do we have an escort?"
Sarge jerked a thumb towards the roof of the fighting compartment. "Orbital scanners says there's been some 'suspicious activity' in the area. The cluck-cluckers over there were kindly 'volunteered' to keep us safe."
"Oh, so they're on the Captain's grot-list, too?"
Sarge just gave Bomber a look, and the compartment went back to being silent, each of the ten men considering their own problems and demons. Well, maybe not demons. Thinking about demons got you a trip to the BLUE chair.
---
The makeshift patrol group arrived at the tanks of High Desert Refueling Point Tango-Five as morning broke over the horizon. This point had been built nearby a small oasis. God-Emperor only knew what foulness lurked in there. A quick scan of the area showed only a small work truck. Sarge ordered the group to advance toward the center of the area, where it looked as though some crates had been unloaded by a large pile of piping.
As the Sentinels and Chimera moved past a two-tank structure, another set of players revealed themselves, riding out of a dust-cloud. A group of power-armoured figures stood up behind the work truck. A squad of bikers came roaring out from behind a stand of trees. And another armoured vehicle's engine could be heard, behind the largest set of tanks.
Petrovich and the Sarge were first into action. Pete banged on the wall that separated the two compartments of the Chimera, and grabbed the intercom. "Activity in the area, charge all weapons!" Sarge turned to Skeet, the Vox operator. "Skeet, get on the horn, find out if there's supposed to be anyone else here." Meanwhile, Petrovich had switched the vox over to the Chimera's loudhailer. "Attention! Attention! Identify yourselves!"
The dust cleared, revealing the nature of the other forces. "Sarge, they're Dark Angels! I thought they were all deployed around Larnholm Secundus!"
The Angels of Death refused any reply, instead their biked swiftly moved into the center, making a clear claim on the items under the tarp.
One of the sentinels moved into the small pond, but the calm waters had no effect on the walker. No response came back from the space marines, and higher command had given a 'hold position' order. Sarge stared at the small screen, showing flickering images of the refueling station, when Sparky sputtered out, "That plasma cannon is powering up!"
The men driving the sentinels either didn't hear the hold order, or weren't interested in eating plasma death. Three autocannons spoke as one, dropping the lead biker. Sarge ordered the Chimera to head around the Oasis, to get a better look at whatever was tucked behind the fuel tanks. Snap-fire from the Chimera did nothing, shots going wild, as a razorback with twin heavy bolters moved forward, popping smoke to cover the advance. Meanwhile, two of the three sentinels loosed their
HK missiles, and another round of autocannon fire. The remaining bikers were blown to pieces, in spite of their evasive maneuvers.
Plasma cannon fire erupted from behind the work truck, after the space marines investigated the vehicle, and found it to be safe to use as cover. The lead sentinel driver threw up his hands, screaming...only to find that the armour of his vehicle was proof against the fire. Again and again the cannon would attempt to take down the walkers, but the ancient device was fickle, and frequently threatened to do more damage to its owner, than to the 'enemy' machines. The sentinel pilot muttered a thank you to the mechanicus gods, and went back to work.
As the razorback lurched forwards, in an attempt to deliver its cargo to the fight, firing points snapped open on the Chimera. The last
HK and the deadly trio of autocannons lanced into the side of the Rhino. The smoke obscuring the vehicle was not enough to save it from the
HK finding the fuelcells, and wrecking the vehicle. A combination of plasma, multi-laser and krak missile erupted from the now-stable vehicle, as the Space Marines climbed out of the wreckage, cutting them down. One surviving marine staggered back toward the promethium tanks. Sarge ordered the Chimera to roll through the oasis, relying on the vehicle's amphibious mobility to push toward the crates.
Over the vox, Sarge ordered the Sentinels to "make a hole!", and the Chimera dove towards the crates. The lone Dark Angel continues to pour bolter fire into the vehicles...to no avail.
A second unit of bikers roared out from the desert, seeking to avenge their fallen comrades. Blazing plasma and twin-linked bolter fire momentarily linked the bikers and the Chimera together, the hull now pockmarked with holes, a section of armour rent away by the destructive power of a glancing hit from the plasma rifle. The men of squad Bridgestone piled out, melta and missile fire opening up at the bikers. The Chimera's turret swiveled, adding multi-laser fire. The sentinels maneuvered as one, a well-practiced team returning fire, triple autocannons opening up.
The Ravenwing squad was no more.
The remaining Dark Angels advanced, attempting to wipe out the troops surrounding the objective. The lone Angel opened up with his bolter, while the combat squad moved out from behind the truck. The bolters took their toll, but the plasma cannon once again attempted to take the life of its wielder. Sarge hesitated. Attempt to take out the remaining enemy, or complete the mission? The mission won out over vengeance for his men. Squad Bridgestone held against the incoming fire, grabbed the crates and their fallen comrades, and embarked back into their chimera. Sarge ordered a tactical retreat, but the fragile crates could not take much punishment, and the Imperial Guard patrol slowly backed away from the enemy.
A last attempt to stop the Chimera was made, krak grenades, plasma cannon fire, and bolters rattling the vehicle. But the hull of the chimera held, allowing the squad to escape.
And still, there was no response from high command...
