Thunderhawk Pilot Dropping From Orbit
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Blood Spectres
As the Thunderhawk cut low over the fern'esk trees along the valley floor, parting the tree tops of the dark forest below to avoid pictorial detection from the scanners atop mount. Tafala. Sargent Siglo, sat in his grav-harness. Eyeing the Novis scout squad who had embarked from Gamma-six-eight, on what would be a snatch and grab mission.
Their task would be simple, but far from easy as it had seemed back in orbit. Where he'd outlined their yomp up the mountain, through the roving patrols. Past the screen of sensors and other hidden guard, before their challenge of scaling the compound at the summit, in their bid to secure their target.
Years of training instilled in the Novis's, who were still little more than children, had scuttled any talk of a cake walk or easy ride as these eleven year old boys had studied the 3D hololithic representation of the mountain in all it's towering glory.
Siglo closed his eyes as he relived the barely hour old memory.
'After leaving outpost Gamma-six-eight, we will proceed along this course, for nine point two kilometres. Through these undulating valleys, in quadrant blue-six-four,to the cliff face of the eastern spur. Where we will repel from the Tunderhawk, and then begin our climb.... Questions?' Stepping back from the three legged hololith as a hand rose to the back of the clustered Novis's stood packed into the arming chamber, just off the flight deck.
'Novis, Santo.'
'Any escort or decoy, Lord?'
'No. We'll be travelling alone. Our only support will be, Kilo-Alpha. Who will stay on station to provide limited air support and extraction once we gain the package.'
Another had rose, this time from the front. 'Novis, Juno.'
'What if Kilo-Alpha goes down, or we lose contact?'
'Pray to the Emperor it doesn't. But if it does, or we do lose contact. We'll exfiltrate down the mountain to the southern valley and escape and evade south-east, until we reach the lines of the twenty-third mechanized battalion, who will then be tasked with providing transportation for our prisoner.' Indictating all this with a hololithic wand that scanned back and forth across the now expanded terrain.
A flash of doubt played over the face of one of the boys who then turned to whisper to his neighbour.
'Is there anything you wish to add to the briefing, Fena?'
After a moment of flushed guilt at the error, the boy replied. 'Lord...what if the package isn't there?'
'A just question, and a key one at that. You should speak more often, lad.' Giving the boy a nod of approval, who brightened at his Sargent's open praise.
'Regardless if the package is there or not, we'll be gathering intel on their command and communication structure for future operations. As well as sabotaging any and all key systems and equipment before we leave. Yes, Novis Kuda.' Nodding to the squad leader who had stepped forward from the left of the gathering and stood to attention.
'Opposition in the compound, Lord-Sargent?'
'Mostly armed militia, with a few hardcore mercenaries acting on pay as cadre, so naval intelligence believes, if they can be trusted.' The Sargent replied nonchalantly before driving home a point. 'But they've had eighteen moths of rebellion to prepare for us. Some will have engaged in guerrilla tactics against the PDF for far longer and know the terrain, especially the mountain. As you can see from our own orbital scans they've fortified the ground themselves. So at the very least, they're competent.' He finished grudgingly before continuing. 'But know this... Up until now these traitorous bastards have faced only the Valadarians and the Guard in this struggle, and know nothing of our presence here on, Valadar.
'This strike is but the prelude to our legions wrath that will spill forth this night, as we unleash the strength of two companies across this world. With the destruction of this compound, they will be blind to the teachers of their folly....' Grinning at the thought as he could see he had kindled the fires which now burned in their eyes, and he stoked the flames ever more. '...Tonight your brothers eyes will be upon you, and your commanders too.. But know there is one who shall forever set his gaze upon you, and it is for him that you serve this night.. Serve him well, and die with honour..' Causing the Novis's to crow the legions war cry.
'Cover the day, bring forth the night.
We are the shadows and we watch over the darkness.'
A chime broke through his memory as it chirped from his ear piece and he unclipped his harness to proceed to the cockpit from where the pilot had summoned him. Passing the introspective novis's who sat silent in their harnesses or watched him as he went.
'How long?' He asked as he past the threshold and closed the door on the red light of the rear inteirer.
'Three minutes.' The Techmarine at the controls replied as he flew the craft down the blurred valley solely on the infra-red spectrum of his helms optics. The cockpit darkened and the dials unlit as he feathered the craft left to right to avoid the trees.
'Any aerial contacts?'
'..None.' He answered after a quick glance at the forward console before flicking a switch on the panel and returning both hands to the controls. 'You better return aft, Sargent. I don't want to dawdle for too long this close to the mountain.' Pointing through the view screen quickly to the forming shadow that loomed from the darkness.
'Understood. Once we're clear, ascend to angels fifty and circle the area until we call you in. Expect moderate ground fire on finals.'
'Aye, Sargent. Good luck.'
Siglo didn't reply as he returned aft, opening the door and closing it with a pressured click to see his squad already out of their seats and preparing their coiled lines. One by one attaching them to the D-rings that studded the ramps rim as it slowly lowered into the night.
D double flash of the lights signaled they were close to their drop zone.
'One minute! Equipment check and sound off!' The Sargent called as he past between his squad to the ramp and took his own strengthened coil in hand. The Novis's checking each others equipment. Securing any loose gear not tied or battened down and gave a final tug on their ropes as they assembled in three lines of two's by the ramp. Giving a raised thumb of readiness to the squad leader.
'Squad ready to repel!' Shouted Kuda over the rushing air of the open ramp as the lights died in the compartment and they all heard the change in pitch as Kilo-Alpha began it's deceleration to hover over the swaying trees.
Siglo turned back to the darkened compartment one last time to check on their resolve to follow him as he crowed the call to arms as he repelled into the night.
'For the Legion!' And the Novis's followed his call....
* * *
With a soft crunch Siglo landed onto the forest floor close to the cliff face, and stepped away into the night.. Making room for the Novis's who quickly dropped onto the position and followed his lead to secure the landing point. The Thunderhawk overhead giving a brief flare as it produced a hot draft and lept into the sky, creaking the trees until only the silence remained. Broken by the sounds of a forest at twilight.
It was left to Kudo to gather them from the narrow clearing and chivy them along to the rock face, where Siglo already awaited as he studied the craggy cracked surface of the cliff.
'Unpack your harness and gear, we move by two's.... Make sure of your footing and have extra grips to hand as you secure them well. This rock will easily crumble.' He ended as he lept six meters up the cliff face to an outcropping where he dangled one handedly, securing the first grip into a crack.
'Juno your with me.' Picking out the best climber who he knew would keep a moderate pace with his rapid ascent and then began his climb.
With a collective look of awe the Novis's watched the powerfully built fully armoured Astartes begin to scale the three-hundred foot cliff with ease. Watching as he clambered for handhold to crevice, or bunched his muscles for an explosive leap when he found none to take his weight and was soon lost to the moonless shadows. One by one following his lead as they picked out his twisting path up the rock face and gritted their teeth against the pain as they doggedly climbed onwards towards their their already waiting Lord, who judgingly watched their progress.
'Reach for my hand, Beren.' Siglo called down from the grassy cliff top to the last boy clinging exhaustively to a crag as he inched up the final stretch and reached for the enveloping gauntlet offered to him. Hauling the Novis's to safety where he collapsed with heavy pants onto the cool rock before the on stretching forest.
'Rest when you die, boy. Now get up, we have work this night.' Siglo's deep voice rumbled softly from nearby as he set off in a bowed crouch into the trees that lay unbroken to the summit. Leaving it for Kuda to get a grip on the boy.
'Here, Beren. Give me your pack.' Lifting his arms up one by one as he slid it from Beren's drenched back and onto his own shoulder as the exhausted child smiled up at him.
'Thanks, Kuda.'
'Don't mention it.' The older boy grinned, smiling down at the youngest Novis to encourage him as he rose from the deck. 'Now fall in with the others.' Pressing the small caliber rifle into his hands he's unslung from the top of the knapsack. 'I'l hold onto your pack for a few minutes yet.' Pushing the boy after the already distant squad, who smiled once again at his kindness.
They moved off under the trees and advanced in an arrow formation while Silgo roamed ahead on point across their line as the boys climbed on, navigating the stray boulders and bushes that made up the undergrowth for the forest for the next few kilometers before their first encounter of an unnatural sound.
With a up held fist, Siglo waved them into cover as the Novis's quickly disappeared behind the trees and bushes, training their weapons into the night as the Sargent's hand spread across his faceplate while he moved up on his own. Choosing to cover the ground alone from shadow to shadow until he stole upon what he had heard in the distance.
Three men were waiting for him camped out under the stars, failing in their quest to be anything but a listening post while talking at ease and preparing their bedding from the trees. Unaware the shadows had grown eyes as the Sargent listened to their talk. Noticing the quality and equipment as he watched for a few moments more before returning to the squad.
'Baratus, Santo. On me.' Siglo burbled as he returned. Summoning the two boys who quickly rose from their hides and moved towards the beckoning Astartes.
'Three men, fifty meters up the incline. Bring me back a prisoner to interrogate. Kill the rest.' And moved off to speak to Kuda.
'Sir?' The boy named Baratus replied, surprised at how brusquely the apron strings had been cut.
'You said it your self, lad.' Cocking his head to the side as if surprised at the boys timidness. 'We need to know if our target is there or not. Knowledge is power. Knowing it is the key to gaining advantage in any engagement. Now drop your gear.' The two boys giving each other a look of shared feelings before complying with the order and set off in separate loops, clutching only their knifes.
Moving at first in a crouch, and then a crawl. The two boys inched along the undergrowth while the night crept on as the moved closer and closer to the trio who had taken to their bedding with pillows made of cloth.. The boys nerves jangling and their eyes wild with fear and excitement as they melted from shadow to shadow, or boulder to bush. Watching as the men wriggled for comfort as they complained in their local dialect until the sounds of snoring drifted up from at least two of their bed rolls.
The Scouts struck swiftly as they sprang forth. Driving their blades through the chest plate and into their chosen victims heart as they turned them back and forth with the gut wrenching crack of ribs to end their struggles. Muffling their death howls with a hand to their mouths as their bodies bucked in spasm beneath while they watched the life ebb from their eyes.
The third man, frozen since his sudden awakening, cowered on his bedding. Shaking with fear at the two figures who rose from the cooling corpses and advanced menacingly as they panted from their recent struggles.
'D-d-don't kill me!' He stuttered as the boys stood over him before one of them pounced.
'Quiet, filth.' Santo hissed, threatening the man with his knife pressed to his stomach as he held to to the ground and then wrinkled his nose in disgust at the smell. 'Speak again and I'l gut you to your throat.' Prodding the knife at his naval to empathize the point. The man whimpering at the venom in the boys voice and flinched away as Baratus grabbed for his collar.
'On your feet and no tricks, traitor.' Spitting the word. 'One wrong step and I'l gut you slow.' he menaced, balling his fist into the mans tunic and dragging by the scruff until he stumbled to his feet and backhanded him when he continued to whimper.
Marching their prisoner between them the Novis's man handled the man down the mountain until they came to the squad and threw him down amongst their gathering midst's.
'Well then, What's your name, traitor.' Asked Kuda, bending over the man who stared fearfully from boy to boy as they encircled him.
Santo landed a boot to his back. 'Answer him!'
'T-t-trooper Baltus.' He replied after flinching in pain.
'Well, well. A traitor and a deserter. Aren't we doubly fugged.' Hewn remarked as he lent forward to backhand the man before Kuda continued.
'You've come from the summit?'
'Yes.' Wiping the blood from the split corner of his lip.
'You know this man, you've seen him before?' Producing a pict of their target from his pouch he then waved in face of the cowering man.
'Yes.'
'Is he there now....?' To which the man hesitated. Giving Baratus all the reason to land a cross to his jaw.
'Well!?'
'I-I-I.' Looking from boy to boy in the hope of a believing face before dropping his head in either pain or shame as he sighed his reply. 'yes.'
Kuda looked back towards Siglo who had remained hidden under the nearest tree as he stepped back from the prisoner and his Sargent took his leave of the shadows. Revealing the hulking Astartes to the man who shrank back against the legs of the Novis's in fear before they threw him on his face.
From the dust the man looked up towards the unforgiving Blood Spectre helm and then again buried his tears in the dust as he began to sob once again.
'Do you wish forgiveness, Baltus?' Siglo asked not unkindly, and the man looked up in hope.
'I do, my Lord. I wish to make amends. I was led astray, but-.' He spoke in a rush before Siglo cut him short.
'-Do you wish the Emperor's forgiveness, do you want repentance?' Stepping closer and bending down to the man to the man who had risen to his knees and clasped his hands as if in prayer as Siglo placed a hand to his shoulder and stared searchingly into his eyes.
'I repent, Lord. I wish forgiveness. Please, absolve me of my transgression and sins.' Bowing his head as if to be anointed.
'Then you shall have it.' Placing his hand on the mans head softly at first and then balling it into a fist until the mans gibberish screams were no more.
* * *
Having covered their trail and the blood stained corpses under the bracken, the squad spent the next few hours avoiding patrols that grew ever recurrent the higher they climbed as they dodged the sensor traps and detecting trips that Siglo said gave off a electric tang. They found themselves near the summit, but found their path irreversibly blocked.
For two-hundred meters from the last of the trees there stretched a dead zone where no tree, no bush nor blade of grass grew. Not even moss grew across this rocky expanse, which was dotted with wire. Funneling any attacker into gullies with hidden traps or exposing them to the corner tower guns that swept the dead ground along with bright beams that reached out from the walls of the compound.
It would seem an impossible task to most a man. But these boys had been molded since birth, and their childhood was long gone.
'Hmm, impressive.' Siglo remarked as he peered out onto the summit and took in their objective. 'Options?' Asking the Novis's who had huddled close by.
'We call in Kilo-Alpha and blast a hole in the compounds wall as we assault on foot.' Said Hewen matter of factly as if it was the obvious choice.
'No, Kilo-Alpha is our extraction not our attack support. It's lightly armed to save on fuel and just simply doesn't hold the ordinance to fulfill the role.' Crushing the Scout smug look and leaving him crestfallen.
'We wait for a resupply, and hijack the transport.' Put in Juno.
'No. Resupplies are shuttled in every seventy-two hours. They wont receive any for another day anyway.'
The Novis's fell silent as they thought hard to crack puzzle of the situation before Kuda spoke for them all.
'It's impossible, Lord. How can we complete our mission now?' Looking over the compound and dead ground with a scowl of frustrated anger.
'Peace, Kuda. Think of your men before you speak aloud.' Indicating the watching Novis's that gave Squad Leader a pause of reflection. 'Besides, if the obvious is impossible. Then you must try the in-obvious.'
'My Lord....?' Looking round at his Sargent in confusion.
'Stay here with the others, Kuda. Until the signal.'
'Signal, what signal?....Lord-Sargent, where are you going?'
'To the compound.' And Siglo stood and walked forth from the squad as Kuda stretched out a restraining hand that grasped nothing but air as his Lord entered into the kill zone before them.
He strode swiftly. Ignoring the barbed wire and trips that snapped with ease in his wake or sent phosphorous flares into the night sky as Klaksons from the summit wailed into the night and he was bathed in the blinding glow of a searchlight. A peel of gunfire dotting the ground at his feet, drawing him to a halt as a loudspeaker whistled before a man shouted into the vox thief. Ordering him to disarm and down to his knees.
To the Novis's surprise Siglo sank to the ground and tossed away his Bolter as a score or more figures rushed towards him from the opening gates and surrounded him with an assortment of powered weaponry. The squad watching on stupefied as he was lead into the compound and disappeared from sight with the clang of the gates locking bar sliding closed.
Every eye was now on Kuda.
'What do we do now, kuda?'
Looking away from the squad to the ground and then to the summit after a pause, he said. 'We wait.'
Inside the compound Siglo drank in his surrounds with s hungry eye. Memorizing the layout, the buildings and the defenses he past as he noted where best to place the charges from his Novis's Knapsacks. He was marched towards the three story tower that dominated the main space past the barrack blocks that clustered close to the wall and past inside.
The first floor was spacious, yet squalid. Empty yet for a few cots around it's edges, with anti-Imperial scrawl that daubed it's walls. The machinery that once operated in this place long gone, and only the hanging wires and dangling tubes remained.
Ushered towards the open lift by his guards, Siglo entered the space freely. Smiling with mirth at the uneasy Mercs who piled in after him into the confined space dominated by the Astartes, who ignored their humming power weapons and trained guns as he activated his vox.
'Kuda, respond.'
'Lord, where are you?'
'No time, kuda.' Cutting off the young squad leader. 'The signal will be at the top of the tower in, ten minutes. Be ready and move fast once the time comes.'
'Aye, Lord. We await your signal. Kuda out.'
The timing couldn't have been more perfect as the lift slowed and then stopped as the young Novis signed off and the doors opened onto the third floor. The guards gratefully spilling out and away from the Astates who ignored them still as he stepped towards the double doors ahead where a buzz of power and voices competed for attention.
Through these doors was a hive of activity. Where people bustled too and fro, or sat peering intently into screens as they listened to earphones while gathering intel to aide their rebellion.
At the sight of such a figure entering the room, all activity stopped a they gawked at the iconic symbol of the Imperium.
'Ah, we have a guest.' Said a sightly rotund man in a grey body-glove, breaking the spell. Who beckoned for the guards to approach a rather over large desk set before the panoramic window by the far side.
'Move it.' Came a voice to his left before strands of purple bolts flashed across his armour and he sank to his knees with his chest erupting in spasms of fire.
'I said move it, or do want the taste of another.' Returned the voice. His chest still tight from the first as he gasped for breath while firing smouldering hate from his eyes at the man holding the Power Maul who menaced with a crackle of the spiked ball.
'Move!' The Merc barked, raising the now crackling ball and sneered when Siglo complied and strode stiffly towards the clean cut speckled man now sat behind his desk. Halting when he was told as the room slowly returned to it's previous activity.
'Well, my Imperial friend. What brings you to my humble world.' Asked the man as he scanned through sheaf's of paper spread across his desk before looking up from the last when only silence greeted his words.
'Well...?' His beady eyes glaring from over the rims of his glasses.
'You know why I've come, Durant.' Naming his target aloud.
'Do I, my Lord. [/i]My apologies.[i]' Scrapping back his chair and mockingly bowing before the Astartes to the the laughter of the Merc as he continued. 'Pray tell us. For the lesser informed, of course.' Sweeping a hand out to encompass the watching audience.
'Your a traitor, Durant. You, and others like you, instigated this rebellion and hired these cut throats to aide in your treachery.'
'And for a tidy some, too.' Jeered one of the Mercs to the hoots of laughter from his comrades. Siglo ignored the man.
'Yes you hired these, blaggards.' Giving them a scan of a contemptible look. 'But this is not the worst of your crimes. You turned your back on the Imperium that gave you life, and you spat on the oaths you took in the Emperors name. And that, is unforgivable.'
'Bold words, warrior. But futile. I have but to raise my hand or utter a single word, and you would meet you Emperor in the afterlife.'
'We are all on the path of death, Durant. Your threats mean nothing to me. Save your wheezing words for your underlings, traitor.' Causing the man to stand from his chair and change in colour before his outburst.
'Seize him, bind his hands! Remove this lapdog from my sight and find out if he came alone! Make it slow, Gaba.' Addressing the leader with the Power Maul, who reached for the Astartes as he sneered once more.
Siglo was a blur to the Mercs as he grabbed the half outstretched hand and flung Gaba with ease through the window while claiming the Maul and turned on his would be jailers. Attacking them with gusto. The brief melee, if it was to be called so, was both sharp and brutal. Full of choking screams through blood while the snapping of bones accompanied the wetter splatter as the Maul flecked it's dripping contents about the room until Siglo stood in a ring of death before the desk. The room once again fallen silent. Th people at their desks pr about their business, still. Watching. Waiting. Now fearful of the Astartes they at first dismissed. All eyes were glued to his red hue form as it stalked forth towards it's prey now cowering on the carpet.
'Wait Don't kill me, I beg you!' He whimpered as Siglo's shadow fell over him. All the bravado of the moment before, gone.
'I have gold! Jewels! Precious metals and money! Take it, take it all!' He whined as he held a shaking hand before him as if to ward off a blow.
'Get up, worm! Rise and follow and I shall leave you to others to deal with.' Siglo growled through clenched teeth in disgust. Pulling the man from the deck and frog marching him along towards the doors. The room clearing before him as Durant's aides, analyzers and assistants fled for their lives.
* * *
Outside in the trees, the Novis's waited for their Sargent's signal. Shifting position regardlessly while moving closer to the gates of the compound that now lay ahead and the track down the mountain lay snaking behind. They had spread out in a skirmish line and now blended with the fauna as they clutched their cloaks about their frames they had pulled from their knapsacks, to ward off the chill before the dawn.
Fena, any movement up there?' Kuda asked the boys staring intently at the tower through binos at his feet as he blended with the tree and roots.
'Nothing. There's panoramic glass, but it's one way. Not even thermal is registering.'
'Keep on it'. He replied, looking down the line of his squad to address the next Scout.
'Gadron, report.'
'No change in watch, Kuda. The way they're moving about, they're settling in for the long haul.' Replied the young lad who had taken to a low branch to eye the guards along the nearest curtain wall.
'Hmm, very well. Stay alert. Maintain readiness and a bead on your targets, the signal may come at any moment. Addressing the squad as a whole this time, who trained their rifles on the dozen or so sentries along the wall.
At his feet, Fena gave a gasp before the far away sound of braking glass and a trailing scream was heard. 'Holy Emperor...... Did you see that?'
Kuda leveled his Absolution Pattern Sniper Rifle to the top of the tower to see the gaping hole in the silvered glass and hit the magnification rune on his weapon. Amazed to see his Lord stalking towards their target cowering before him before he grabbed him by the scruff.
His amazement was short lived. 'Package secure. Move! Move!'
With the word given the young Novis's guns reached out and toppled their targets. Dispatching nine traitors to be sent on their way to face the Emperor's wrath without a scream or murmur. But it wasn't all to plan as Kuda spotted a sentry making a break for the alarm. The rebel sprinting for the button on the wall of the nearest tower as he kept glancing over the wall fearfully towards the hidden threat in the trees.
'Hewen, Santo! Take him down!' Kuda screamed as he too brought up his weapon while the two boys let loose with the remains of their mags. Hitting nothing but air or ruffling the mans hair who ducked and sprinted on.
Kudo's rifle coughed, but it was too late. The man flung his arms wide and collapsed into the button and slid down the wall. The compound was lit by roving beams and a wail of a klakson filled the air as the automated sentries dotting the walls were activated.
'Frack. Fena, Decun, Sala! On me!' Called Kuda, calling out his assault team as he broke from cover at a run for the gates. His ad-hoc team in tow as the rest provided overwatch from the trees while he covered the dead ground along the track in a loping crouch. Dodging whizzing bursts from automated sentries that sparked as cover fire peppered their casing and reached the compounds gates where he slapped it with a charge.
'Cover, firing!' He yelled, pressing the activation stud on the devise and retreated a few steps as it began to burn a circular hole with a bright flash that dripped molten metal in the aftermath. He tossed in a flash grenade into the hole and followed it in after it's blur tinged detonation. Pulling himself through into the compound while taking out a squirming traitor as he rolled on the floor, disorientated by the blast. He swept on to the nearest structure and peered cautiously around it's corner as the assault breached and secured his rear and flank.
'Where to now, Kuda?' A wild eyed Sala asked as his eyes darted from left to right before spotting movement from the nearest roof top and took down the threat and scanned the open ground before them.
'We move for the tower by two's, one advances the other covers. Stop for nothing.' And set off into the heart of the compound with his now empty rifle slung and a pistol outstretched before him.
The assault team advanced towards the tower at a rumbling pace as it took down a counter charge of rebels led by a handful of Merc. Dropping a squat sentry turret that scuttled into view which Decun's well placed shot shattered it's bulbous optic. It's legs giving way bursting into flames as they followed kuda's command to advance and cover, and advance again. The now occasional traitor or Merc appearing from the doorways or windows no hindrance to the boys as they cleared any and all obstacles as opposition began to crumble before them.
They had made it perhaps two-thirds the distance when a small crowd spilled from the towers enterance and fled in all direction. Some foolishly running in the Novis's direction who shot them down, unarmed or not, as one or two managed to crack off a shot before being gunned down.
'Frack, I'm hit!' Cried Sala as he slid to a hobbled stop and clutched at his leg. The bone there shorn and protruding from the bullets momentum that had shattered the tibia. 'Gak, it hurt. I-I can't move it.' The boy clenching his teeth against the pain but still he let out a pained cry with the next throb of pain.
'Fena, Decun, Get him up.' Kuda ordered the two boys who slipped an arm each under Sala's shoulders and hoisted him from the floor as he finished off the remaining aides as they fled. Dragging his legs after him as he screamed since they were too short to fully lift him from the floor and his wounded leg trailed as it bumped and dragged.
The team reached the base of the tower and stumbled into the darkness inside, panting from their efforts as the two boys dropped their charge and joined Kuda in securing the bottom tower that was all but empty.
'I've got one!' Barked Decun over his shoulder to his team as he ordered the figure who had stayed behind to come fully from the shadows from where they had hid amongst the cots.
'Hands where I can see them! Advance two paces and drop to your knees, slowly!' A frightened woman appearing from the shadows as she complied with his demands. Whimpering in fear as she sank to her knees as Kuda approached.
'What are you doing, Decun?' Asked Kuda accusingly as he stalked up. Running a disdainful eye over the prisoner as he took a hard tone with his squad member..
'I thought we could use the extra intel, Kuda. She'll be no trouble to take back, honest.' The boys reply a little confused at his hostile manner.
'We were both at the briefing, Decun. We're here for the package and the package alone. Any extra baggage just lows us down. No prisoners.' And raised his pistol to the woman's head and pulled the trigger as the woman scrunched her eyes closed against the end. The body flopped bonelessly to the floor with the muzzle flash and a waft of powder...
'Frack, Kuda.' Decun whispered in shock. Staring down at the woman as her eyes stared sightlessly in his direction almost accusingly. The boys clustering over the young woman's body with a mixture of emotions, except Kuda. Who's eyes only projected cold steel.
'To the elevator.' His voice hollow and without emotion.' A visible change in the boy evident in his face and demeanor that had only been hinted at outside as they approached the doors and he pressed the summoning rune while the others gathered up Sala by the door.
With a chime the elevator announced it's arrival. The doors slid open with a grind to revel Siglo and his prisoner held in his grasp before him. Seeing the Squad Leader and some of the squad waiting for him with a wash of relief on their faces evident, but not all the boys were the same as he had left them. Sala's wound obvious. But it was Kuda's gaze that troubled him the most. The last spark of childhood innocence gone, and a cold glint of a calculating killer now in it's place. He resolved to talk to the boy after the mission was over.
'Kuda, where's the rest of the squad? Kilo-Alpha's five minutes out and these turncoats will be onto us by now. We need to move.'
'Guarding the main track up the mountain to the compound, Lord-Sargent.' A boom in the distance confirming his words and they all bar Sala rushed outside to see a plume coming from the direction of the track in the forest with it's hint of greyness from the dawn. The sounds of Stubbers and heavier weapons beginning to sound from the treeline that then rose in intensity as the five boys held off a force many times their number.
'They've ambushed the Quick Reaction Force, we have to help them!' Spoke Fena.
'No, Lad. I have a better idea in mind.' Was his Sargent's reply as he activated his vox and called in the support of Kilo-Alpha who lurked above them somewhere in the clouds.
'Kilo-Alpha, Kilo-Alpha. Are you receiving?'
'Five by five, Brother-Sargent.'
'Targets to the west, Kilo-Alpha. Descend and engage x-ray vehicles along the track. Be advised friendlies are danger close. Pick your targets. I repeat, pick your targets.'
'Afirm, Brother. Descending now. Beginning my run.'
To the west a wailing roar quickly grew as the Thunderhawk dived from above through the clouds and unleashed a string of rockets and a strafing peel from it's Bolters. The explosions deafening as the nearby forest was lit by balls of flames and secondary fires of an orange hue while the screams of men and women intermingled with the crackle of flames, fanned by the passage of Kilo-Alpha overhead as he made confirmation of his kills.
'Transports are down. Infantry contingent, scattering.' Came back Kilo-Alpha as he flew by overhead.
'Well done, Brother. Stay on station and then land when I signal.'
'Wlico, Brother-Sargent. I'l hold them in the trees for you.' The pilot replied as he swept again over the ambush site as he fired his Bolters. The carnage under the trees unimaginable on the lightly armed infantry as they fled down the mountain or fired ineffectively up at the passing red Thunderhawk.
Siglo marshaled his squad. 'Kuda, take Fena and Decun and start laying your charges. Attain any intel you deem useful and destroy any stores you may find. No witnesses.'
'Aye, Aye, Lord-Sargent.' And relayed the order to the others.
'Decun, take the left bunk house and communication tower. Fena, the right bunk house and the stores. I;l take the ammo dump and tower. Five minutes, then regroup back here.'
The Scouts split off into the compound to search and rig their charges as the occasional shot or scream came from a desperate traitor hiding amongst the shadows while Siglo carried the wounded boy over to the gates and flung them wide to beckon those from the trees.
He didn't have to wait long as first one, then another. Then two more boys appeared into the open and jogged the distance along the track towards their Sargent. Their mood cautious and on edge as they drew up while fleeting looks back to the ambush as all sported superficial wounds. Weapons held ready, despite now being close to their Lord. Siglo addressed the more composed out of the four.
'Santo, where's Yunis....?'
'Dead, Lord-Sargent.... A Stubber, it...it...' His mouth worked for a moment before he looked back to the forest. 'His bodies back there, Lord.'
'Enough for retrieval?'
'Which part.' His brow furrowing and his tone hard with his answer before remembering himself. 'No, Lord.... Not nearly enough.'
'Have you something of him, a relic for remembrance?'
'Only this.' Producing the young Scouts side arm pistol that had been twisted and mangled he then handed to Siglo.
'We shall remember him.' Bowing his head and leading the boys in a quick prayer which word were little comfort for the young Scouts who had seen the mutilated remains of their friend that sat freshly seared into their minds.
Siglo moved on from the moment after allowing them to touch the Aquila on his chest and gave them renewed purpose.
'Santo, Hewen. Watch the package.' Flinging Durant onto his knees before them where the Scouts seized him roughly. Beginning the interrogation early as he began to struggle.
'Gadron, take care of Sala.' Pointing to the wounded Scout by the gates digging through his knapsack for a bandage for his leg.
'We leave in two minutes.' And strode for the gates to fetch the rest of the squad.
He didn't have to wait for more than a few seconds as two of their number appeared almost immediately from a store and squat generator block while Kuda strode boldly from the tower with a sack swinging from his back. He threw it down at his feet as he saluted Siglo.
'Charges are set, Lord-Sargent. I also found some charts, maps, some data spools, and this.' Fishing out a small hand held vox from the sack that flashed as it awaited attention. 'It may be deemed useful, Lord.'
'Good work, Kuda.' Taking it from the boy and slipping it into a pouch. 'Good work all of you. Now to the gates. We're leaving. It's time to send a message to these fools.'
The quartet rejoined the squad on the track outside as the hot down wash of Kilo-Alpha blasted them all. Stirring the Scouts cloaks into a ruffle and causing a loose bandage and other medical supplies to tumble along the ground as it landed on the summit. The Thunderhawks struts giving a creak and the ramp extended with a servo whine as the squad needed no invitation to climb inside as first Sala, then Durant were bundled inside. The last squirming against his captors until a stock smashed over his head and they dragged the limp renegade inside. Securing him in a harness as Santo cuffed his hands to the handholds and slapped him in the face for good measure. The squad taking their seats with Kilo-Alpha giving a lurch as it broke free from the ground and thrust it's self to soar amongst the the winds.
Kuda felt his Sargents eyes upon him. A judgeental cock to his head as he sized up the young Scout before he spoke.
'How do you feel, Kuda?'
'Feel, Lord?...Fine.' He lied. For in truth a coldness had settled over his thoughts. A change he wasn't quite sure of had remade his soul.
'Did you feel anything?'
'Lord?'
'When you killed those people down there?'
'I felt nothing, Lord-Sargent. Nothing but the necessity of the act in order to carry out my mission.' He lied again. The truth being he had begun to enjoy it. But if Siglo guessed any of this he did not show it as he answered.
'Good, Kuda. We must kill because it is our nature. We do it because we must. No more, no less.' And lent back in his harness as the ramp began to close behind them on the scene where the compound disappeared in a staggered ball of flames while the sun began to grace the land with it's presence.
|
I'l post the next bit up in a week.
<Dynasty> 
War Coven of the Coruscating Gaze 
~3000pts
Thrice-Damned Plague Corps 
~3250pts
Admech (TBN) 
