Seeing the trio run off to carry out there mission at the Comm Tower I turn to my Brother Angel.
"Brother Eli I would appreciate your assistance in safeguarding the guardsmen."
Hrothgar as always keeps a cautious watch over his environment, no telling the xenos would be hiding.
Seeing the trio run off to carry out there mission at the Comm Tower I turn to my Brother Angel.
"Brother Eli I would appreciate your assistance in safeguarding the guardsmen."
Eli does not turn to face you as he acknowledges your request, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. His voice echoes in your ears, as if coming from a long way off.
"Very well, I shall accompany them to their deaths. As the boatman I shall be."
"We will go to the extraction zone. Remember your mission, and get yourselves and the Magos to the extraction zone."
"Query, Brother-Leader: which extraction zone will you make for? The crags above the promethium storage facility or the plateau immediately adjacent to the Com-Tower? If your choice is the latter then is splitting up necessary at this early stage?"
"Brother Decius, I know you are not with our team, but the mission is of vital impotance. I ask of you to get them safely to the comm tower, and then they and you will go to the extraction zone."
Having heard Decius earlier swear protection to the guardsmen, I wonder how he will accept Quintus' words. My concern is for the Magos... Whom shall I deem as his escort while I make for the Com-Link array? Attempt to commune with Vyakai's subroutine program:
<<<BOOTING...>>>
<<<INITIATE CONNECTION...>>>
<<<TRANSMITTING...>>>
<<<TASKED EVENT: MAGOS EXTRACTION // COMPLIANCE ACKNOWLEDGED>>>
<<<PROTOCOL DEVIATION: COMPULSORY FOR COMPLIANCE // TASKED EVENT>>>
<<<PROTOCOL DEVIATION: EXO-SKELETON MAGOS ESCORT DESIGNATE // EMERIC TECHMARINE // CANCEL>>>
<<<PROTOCOL DEVIATION: EXO-SKELETON MAGOS ESCORT DESIGNATE // SEPHEREN APOTHECARY // ASSIGNED>>>
<<<ACKNOWLEDGE PROTOCOL DEVIATION>>>
"Very well, I shall accompany them to their deaths. As the boatman I shall be."
"Let us pray that neither of us are ferrymen, but the wings of salvation brother. Let us pray..."
My mind wanders back to Solace, and the weight of death that I held in my arms.
"Let us go to the southern Plateau. It will give our brothers going to the comm tower more time to get to the extraction point."
Before embarking I approach Brother Lyriel. From within my armor I produce two sets of cluster mines and hand them over.
"Brother-Librarian, my task is to reach the Com-Tower. Take these. I hoped to use these mines to solidify our defensive position while waiting for the Thunderhawk but I will not have time to deploy them. Admittedly, due to the speed and size of the xenos onslaught my idea may prove fruitless, but with your tactical knowledge and calculating nature you will best know what to do."
Despite the taint of witchery that constantly emanates from the Librarian, I understand that he serves the common cause.
"I trust your judgment. The Emperor protects."
I take the mines from Emeric.
"I will make sure they will be put to good use. Be safe Brothers."
As they turn to start there final leg of the mission. I return to my wards to start mine.
Looking to the Guardsmen.
"Lets move! We have a thunderhawk to catch!"
Having heard Decius earlier swear protection to the guardsmen, I wonder how he will accept Quintus' words. My concern is for the Magos... Whom shall I deem as his escort while I make for the Com-Link array? Attempt to commune with Vyakai's subroutine program:
<<<BOOTING...>>>
<<<INITIATE CONNECTION...>>>
<<<TRANSMITTING...>>>
<<<TASKED EVENT: MAGOS EXTRACTION // COMPLIANCE ACKNOWLEDGED>>>
<<<PROTOCOL DEVIATION: COMPULSORY FOR COMPLIANCE // TASKED EVENT>>>
<<<PROTOCOL DEVIATION: EXO-SKELETON MAGOS ESCORT DESIGNATE // EMERIC TECHMARINE // CANCEL>>>
<<<PROTOCOL DEVIATION: EXO-SKELETON MAGOS ESCORT DESIGNATE // SEPHEREN APOTHECARY // ASSIGNED>>><<<ACKNOWLEDGE PROTOCOL DEVIATION>>>
Brother Emeric watches the Magos closely to see how Vyakai reacts to the transmission. The sparking conduit just to the right of his anterior cranial implant flares brighter and brighter in the dark as true night begins to fall on Tantalus, dark smoke and acrid gases escaping his life sustainer in fitful bursts.
The response is immediate:
<<<TRANSMITTING...>>>
<<<CONFIRMED ORIGIN OF PROTOCOL DEVIATION: DESIGNATE DEATHWATCH/KILL-TEAM UMBRA/BROTHER EMERIC>>>
<<<PROTOCOL DEVIATION: COMPLIANCE GRANTED FOR TASKED EVENT// EXO-SKELETON MAGOS ESCORT DESGINATE DEATHWATCH/KILL-TEAM UMBRA/BROTHER SEPHEREN (APOTHECARY) // DEVIATION ACKNOWLEDGED>>>
<<<INITIATING TIGHTBEAM BINARY BURST: 010001110110111101101111011001000010000001101000011101010110111001110100011 010010110111001100111001011000010000001000001011100110111010001100001011100 10011101000110010101110011>>>
The Blood Angel looks from the techmarine to the Magos and back again, his helmet completely obscuring the apothecary's expression beneath. He seems to wonder what will happen next. When the Magos' exo-skeleton abruptly pivots in his direction, Brother Sepheren takes a few cautious steps backward, and the tech-priest immediately limps toward him to fill the intervening space caused by even this slight movement.
"Well then..."
He turns around, looking over his shoulder awkwardly as far as the servos in his neck actuators will allow, inclining his head in a slight nod to Brother Emeric. As the engines of the cargo hauler rev up from idle, he connects directly with Brother Emeric via his vox.
"He will follow then, as if in my footsteps?"
Seeing you nod in return, he continues:
"Hurry and return to us then, I am not as comfortable with this manner of wounded charge, he will need your ministrations soon enough, upon our extraction. Go then, and be sure that until your return the Magos will be safe in my care. Still... hurry back, Templar."
Brother Sepheren begins to move out, one last vox to you echoing over his external laudhailers.
"The Emperor Protects, Brother Emeric!"
"The Emperor Protects, Brother Emeric!"
Despite the fact that my decision to assign the Magos to Sepheren was simply based upon cold logic, I cannot help but find myself slightly bemused by his discomfort.
"Do not worry, Apothecary, I shall not tarry. The Emperor protects!"
To the Magos:
Last minute conferences completed, I heft my bolter.
"Right behind you, Brother Hrothgar!"
"Well let us proceed with haste Commisar, you heard the brother marine" as he walks amongst the guardsmen to increase whatever morale they could still have as they make their way towards their destination.
Brother Decius turns away from Quintus and mingles with the troopers he swore to protect. My Space Wolf compatriot runs ahead, oblivious or indifferent to the Iron Snakes' decision, I know not.
"Caledonii! Join us! Your experience and skill are needed to gain the Com-Tower!"
I turn toward Brother Quintus and state "Is this what you wish Brother Leader?"
"go ahead. It will not do us any good if the message is not sent."
Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Xi-Upsilon-06
Pyroclast-Gamma-9 Refinery Gatehouse Transport Station
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [0:39:14]
As Brother Caledonii runs across the promethium-stained snows to catch up to the techmarine and Space Wolf, he wonders at the Ultramarine's cool head in the face of the Iron Snake's oblique defiance. It seems the descendants of Rouboute Guilliman are slow to anger, he doubts a Storm Warden squad leader would be so patient. Still, there is something to learn here, as strife among the Kill-team at such a crucial juncture, even with an outsider such as Brother Decius, would only serve to jeopardize the mission.
Running off into the thickening ice-mist rising from the frozen ground he catches up to the others, slackening his pace only slightly as they run together toward the Comm Tower, right into the very heart of a slavering horde of xenos perhaps millions strong.
He chuckles to himself at the irony of it all.
Facing near certain death he has finally come to know what wisdom must feel like.
*********************************************************
As the sputtering cargo hauler grinds into motion, Brother Decius strides to the point, walking side by side with Commissar Sander at the head of the rag-tag column of guardsmen making for the southern plateau. The apothecary follows just behind with the Magos' ruined body trailing him like an automaton, glancing behind himself every now and again to verify that the servant of the Omnissiah has not lost ground. The pair of Dark Angels say nothing. Need say nothing. Walking in lockstep, they set off as well, their respect for the Ultramarine too great for them to dishonor him at this moment by looking in his direction with questioning eyes.
Brother Quintus' gaze follows them all, even Decius: his charges, his command, his responsibility. He betrays nothing of what he feels. Duty is all.
Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Rho-Upsilon-12
Just outside the Pyroclast-Gamma-9 Security Bunker
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [0:21:56]
1d100
Hrothgar as always keeps a cautious watch over his environment, no telling the xenos would be hiding.
Brothers Caledonii and Emeric must exert themselves to the utmost to keep pace with the fleet Space Wolf, who runs with great loping strides, like an impatient alpha predator that has finally been allowed to slip its leash. The still air plumes cold and leaden from the vents in his respirator as he slackens his pace on the outskirts of the Security Bunker. Shadowing the edge of the perimeter fence, he finally halts, letting the others catch up.
Scanning the mist-saturated horizon, he spies the northernmost tor of the southern plateau rising like a craggy lighthouse from the nearly opaque fog. The outline of the Comm Uplink Array points like a spindly, metallic finger, silhouetted against an ominous, bruise-black sky.
The Space Wolf can see them quite clearly; a small host of bat-winged xenos clinging to the rigging, dishes, and antennae sprouting from the sides of the tower. Their orange and black carapaces click and scrape against the metallic superstructure now and again like nails drawn across slate.
Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Xi-Omega-1
Overturned Excavator, Outskirts of the Southern Plateau
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [0:27:56]
Even through the frigid mist it is visible, rising from the thinning grey fog on the gradual slope leading up to the southern plateau like the carcass of a beast wrought from twisted metal. The massive excavator arm on the overturned digging vehicle points toward the sky like a vigilant sentinel, the flanged metal teeth and curving edge of its bucket calling to mind the head of a mythical sea serpent or carnosaur.
The clanking treads of the cargo-8 transport continue to rumble as the column of the Emperor's servants advance, the first of the guardsmen at the fore just now noticing the wreck with their normal, human visual acuity. Everyone halts about twenty meters away, unsure if a threat of some kind skulks nearby. The industrial excavator is far from the main Pyroclast-Gamma-9 compound, lying broken and derelict, like it was dropped from the sky by the hand of a petulant god.
After contemplating the area not sure of what he has seen or think about it "All halt" as he takes point "Brother marine Vex keep an eye while I check, I don't know why but there is something..." as he looks at the transport "I had some sort of vision or omen, call it what you like, just be very vigilant I will go investigate and signal you forward if everything is fine"
Advancing against the transport wreck searching for anything that can tell him the meaning of his omen, hoping to find its meaning before it is to late.
Awareness test
Stopping along the fence I catch my wind, impressed with the Space Wolf's speed and stamina. I follow his gaze to the plateau where the Com-Tower antennae rises like an Ecclesiarchy spire standing athwart the backdrop of armageddon. Spying the ominous harbingers of doom that desecrate the Omnissiah's sacred equipment, I burn with hatred.
Turning, I examine the bolter turrets above the security bunker to verify that they are still online per my programming. I then look back to the Com-Tower.
"Brothers, might we lure these aviate-xenos into range of the bunker's auto-bolters?"
"Without vigilance there is folly..."
Normally I would make use of telepathy to scan surface thoughts in the area as one would use an auspex. But with the close proximity of the Tyranid Horde using such a gift would only overwhelm and blind me.
"Are you a Librarian Brother Decius?"
I am cautious seeing no symbolage on his armor marking him as a Codicier or other rank of the silent brotherhood. Wondering how he came about this divination.
Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Rho-Upsilon-12
Just outside the Pyroclast-Gamma-9 Security Bunker
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [0:21:56]
I wonder if these are the same type of Nid that was here before or if they are new.
Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Rho-Upsilon-12
Just outside the Pyroclast-Gamma-9 Security Bunker
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [0:21:46]
The three members of the the Kill-team watching from the shadow of the Security Bunker are all well-versed in the lore of the hated xenos, but the trio lack the firsthand experience of one such as Brother Quintus with the vile 'Nids. It is clear, however, even from this distance thanks to their blessed auto-senses and the stalled storm that the xenoforms are a winged variant, far smaller than the burly shrikes. Each is about as large as a mature termagant, albeit with broad, leathery wings folded back against their thorny bodies.
You'd estimate that there are a score of them at least clinging to the antennae array.
Brother Emeric pivots his head to regard the heavy bolters mounted to the turret sponson atop the Security Bunker. They appear to be intact, their slumbering machine spirits as close to operational readiness as they could possibly be. The techmarine's in-built auger array can sense that the auxiliary power he trunked to the guns is still flowing.
"I am no librarian, such great honor is not mine to have, but still sometimes I can feel the Emperor giving me strength and faith to do his work even in the darkest of times" as he looks back for a moment to Brother Vex "Such as these" as he continues to look for anything that could be wrong amongst the wreckage. He intones the Hymn of Ithaka letting his brothers hear him mumbling it to himself.
Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Xi-Omega-1
Overturned Excavator, Outskirts of the Southern Plateau
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [0:27:26]
Signalling the staggered line of guardsmen to halt, Brother Decius advances toward the ruined vehicle, his eyes flicking back and forth inside his helmet, from the massive, knobby tires of the excavator, to the curled ribbons of metal shorn from its hull like the peelings of a ploin.
Sensing movement, he goes rigid in a firing stance, raising his bolter to one shoulder, his motion sensed by the other Astartes instantly who follow suit. The guardsmen drop to their knees or fall prone in guarded positions of their own seconds later, limited by their normal, human reflexes.
The Iron Snake nearly fires when the shadow slips from beneath the crumpled crew compartment of the crippled vehicle, emerging in a puff of loose snow from a hollow under the half-buried wreck.
It is no Tyranid.
It is a man, clad in a ragged gray and black Munitorum adept's robes. He looks pale and stricken as he climbs clumsily from his hiding place, stumbling through the snow. His hands are clenched in a pleading gesture that simultaneously begs mercy and inspires pity. His washed-out blue eyes and shivering middle-aged countenance speak volumes about the terror he has endured.
He yells out, much louder than he should given the environment he finds himself in, and you wonder at the blind luck a universe such as this has granted such a man to have survived to this point. He cowers as he advances upon seeing the readied weapons, his now-wide awes clearly in awe that he is looking upon the Emperor's chosen angels of death.
"Mercy! Mercy! I beg of you, help me! Please..."
"Identify yourself and I promise no damage would be done to you once you are inspected properly" after hearing the answer of the man that approaches he will signal the rest to go forward but only until he secures the area of whatever has that man screaming for help. "May the Emperor's Light shine in this dark hour"
"I believe Brothers that we can use the bunker a a method of defense."
I look at them both seeing the patches on Brother Hrothgar's grieves and to the Techmarines need to be at the tower to get the signal out.
"I propose a lour for me to the bunker while Brother Hrothgar lies in wait. Brother Emeric and I approach the tower. He then hides so he can head to the tower while I draw them to the bunker."
I look to Brother Hrothgar again. "At this time I am the fastest of us on foot as your wounds would slow you. I believe they are more agile in the air then you would as well. If necessary I would need you to come to my aid with the jetpack so it should be held back till its needed."
I look at both of them again and say "What say you of my plan for time is short."
"I look at both of them again and say "What say you of my plan for time is short."
The hoary veteran reveals his mettle by hatching a plan that places himself directly in harm's way. How bold and admirable these Storm Wardens are! But... Might we accomplish the same result while safeguarding ourselves somewhat?
"Well conceived. An unknown factor is the xeno airspeed compared to your rate of running on this icy hardscrabble. I doubt not your prowess, Caledonii, but the flight-horde might overwhelm you from behind. Here is a proposed variation: give myself and Hrothgar five minutes to make our way up the cliff-side. Then simply squeeze off a few rounds and wave your arms about from here to draw the xenos to the bunker. While we make access to the tower and contact our Deathwatch frigate, you can catch up with us."
Looking to the relatively young Space Wolf and back the the centuries-old Storm Warden, I wonder how my words will be received.
"Either way is acceptable. I yield to the expertise of both of you."
Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Xi-Omega-1
Overturned Excavator, Outskirts of the Southern Plateau
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [0:27:20]
The terrified Munitorum adept drops to his knees, shaking arms held meekly overhead, his jaw quivering from either cold, or fear, or both. His voice cracks when he yells across to Brother Decius.
"I am Adept-Minoris Roge Halis---of promethium refinery Pyroclast-Gamma-9. I beg your mercy, please, please, do not shoot!"
"Mercy is for those guilty of a crime, if there is something as mercy to be given" after a small pause"Rise for I am not here to pass judgment upon you and tell us everything you know from the past few days" Turning around and signaling the rest of the group to move forward.
The frightened adept is even more in awe than the men of the Karlack 2nd were upon being rescued by the Astartes. Hallis struggles to regain his feet, slipping and sliding in the ice and snow with something akin to awkward genuflection as the towering Brother Decius approaches him.
The fog still blankets everything, heavy and dense, but there is no sign of further movement from the wrecked excavator where it sits, half-buried in the snow.
I regard the scene impassively as I study our surroundings. For if I didn't do so I would have quickly gotten into an argument with the Iron Snake. Mercy is a gift to be given to the innocent and the faithful. For there many many levels of guilt and corruption; and for each one a measured tithe in punishment. This I know far too well. Being one of many scribes who recorded all the transgressions of those within the lonely corridors of The Rock as the Interrogator Chaplains earned there black beads slowly...
Memories of those days fade away as the Fog rolls in. Reminding me of the Blood Moors, and the twisted beasts that stalked there. Mercy being a quick death to he victims of such beasts. Cutting short the lingering agony that otherwise would have taken a man days to die. Wounds to wide and deep to close. Mercy is standing as a silent sentinel watching over the weak so they can get rest and sleep. Warding away the nightmares in ones dreams, and those scratching at the door outside. Yes Dark Angel keep your tongue. This is not the time to quarrel.
I stand quietly for a bit keeping vigil. The fog is an advantage to our enemy. For sound carrys, and our visibility is lessoned.
"Permission to move forward and secure a Defensive Perimeter for the Extraction Zone?"
"Let us go. We do not want to be surpised when we are about leave."
"I do hope you are not asking my permission Marine Vex, I am no one to command you" as he turns to face again the lone survivor
"I repeat tell us everything you know from the past few days up until now"
"Not your permission Brother Decius, but Brother Quintus. For he is our Squad Leader in this mission."
I move forward.
"The time draws near, we should all keep moving."
A vox-borne addendum crackles in the ears of his battle brothers.
"Those who cannot follow should be left behind, they are of little consequence in the face of the coming storm."
"They will keep up, they haveno choice."
Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Xi-Omega-1
Overturned Excavator, Outskirts of the Southern Plateau
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [0:27:02]
"I do hope you are not asking my permission Marine Vex, I am no one to command you" as he turns to face again the lone survivor:
"I repeat, tell us everything you know from the past few days up until now"
The adept minoris scampers away as you draw near, both hands flailing pathetically over his head as you pass. His voice cracks as he nervously attempts to utter a response, and his answer is reduced to an unintelligible succession of stuttering half-sentences that none can understand.
Hearing Brother Syne's words, it is clear that he comprehends what this means, as he quickly regains his feet and awkwardly jogs to keep up, the drifts of snow coming nearly to a point above his knees.