Concern crosses my face when I receive no response from our Battle Brothers.
"Diaz Lan, when was the last time Enginseer has been off ship? Brother Emeric found a foreign device that was transmitting a psychic signal embedded in the body."
"I am unable to contact our Battle Brothers, and the need is immediate that we establish communication with them. Knowing that one is compromised on your ship leads to the possibility that others are compromised is a feasible extrapolation. Your mission and ship are in danger of subversion, and we must protect against that."
The Orpheus Salient
Aurum, The Shining Plains
300.817.M41
Hour 23 System Sidereal Time
Brother Bjorn, perhaps unlike most other Wolves, knows when he cannot match the outright savagery of a foe, and uses the cannier side of his lupine heritage to disengage from the tactically inferior position.
The Space Wolf ducks one blow by pivoting on his left heel and lowering his body, but feels the sting of the second warrior's spear slash through his hair, across the back of his sweat-slicked left arm as he turns and runs.
The snarling Aurans seem momentarily surprised by the suddenness of Bjorn's disappearance, but they quickly regather their wits, turning to chase after him, hissing angrily as their bare feet pad across the cold rocks.
The Horizon's Pride, Deathwatch Armory, Primary Aft Secure Hold
291.817.M41
Hour 24, Ship's Time
Brother Caledonii closes the ground to the blissfully unaware seneschal in two quick strides, gathering the frail man up in his massive arms as gently as his momentum allows, before launching himself forward after depolarizing his mag-boots.
Brother Decius sprints and rolls in the opposite direction, curling into a clanking ball that throws sparks across the deck-plating as he somersaults out of the impact zone.
Brother Quintus does not hesitate when he observes his battle-brother standing at the epicenter of the plummeting transport's descent. Charging at Brother Hrothgar, he tackles him, throwing them both clear, but not before the Arvus lighter impacts the reinforced floor of the aft secure hold like the fist of a wrathful god.
There follows an apocalyptic crash that sends a blinding flash of light through the marine's eyeballs, vibrating them in their sockets, the shockwave of the impact sending him head over heels before impacting with a metal stanchion surrounding a tall stack of cargo containers.
Brother Caledonii avoids the initial impact, shoving Veyoris Akioh well clear to safety, but is struck when one of the massive armatures that was suspending the lighter snaps like a an over-taut wishbone and falls across the back of one armored leg with a resounding crunch.
The shockwave of the lighter's impact stuns everyone, and when Brother Quintus' helmet display finally normalizes he sees that where there once was a level expanse of riveted deck-plating, the crumpled ruin of a pulverized shuttle-craft, mangled almost beyond recognition, now erupts like a sundered, sparking, metal tooth.
Of more immediate concern, the Kill-team begin to notice the faint greenish glow emanating from dozens of augmetic eyes and lumen visors, their activation presaged by the whining of servos and the clank of metal-shod, marching boots that sound from all sides in the darkened expanse of the hold around them.
The Horizon's Pride, Ship's Brig, Mortuariam A
291.817.M41
Hour 24, Ship's Time
Concern crosses my face when I receive no response from our Battle Brothers.
"Diaz Lan, when was the last time Enginseer has been off ship? Brother Emeric found a foreign device that was transmitting a psychic signal embedded in the body."
"I am unable to contact our Battle Brothers, and the need is immediate that we establish communication with them. Knowing that one is compromised on your ship leads to the possibility that others are compromised is a feasible extrapolation. Your mission and ship are in danger of subversion, and we must protect against that."
"I---I'm not sure, that is---"
Before Diaz Lan can answer Brother-Librarian Vex's urgent questions, the light from the lumen globes suddenly fails, plunging the mortuariam into complete darkness.
It is only momentary, and is soon replaced by the blood-red wash of auxiliary lighting, followed by the caterwauling of an emergency klaxon that nearly deafens everyone in the small room.
"Is everyone alright? Brother-Leader we have incoming."
"We must ensure the bridge is secure to maintain command and control. Do you still have communication with them?"
I have my heavy flamer readied to fire, waiting to see if Brother-Leader Caledonii has any further orders, otherwise, I am going to fire when they are in range.
The Horizon's Pride, Deathwatch Armory, Primary Aft Secure Hold
291.817.M41
Hour 24, Ship's Time
After pulling my leg out from under what was left of the armature, i test and see if it is in-fact broken or just bruised. Looking beyond the leg I see the glowing "eyes" that Brother Quintus warns me about.
"I am alright, will be a bit slow on my feet for a bit. Fire only if attacked, there might be something controlling them that we know nothing about. Let me see if I can get ahold of the others and see what they found out."
<<Brother Vex, Brother Emeric, Brother Syne we have some issue with the mechanicus in the hanger. Whats your status and you findings?>>
"Understood, Brother-Leader, But may I suggest if they come within my Heavy flamer range, we should fire."
The prolonged silence is my answer.
"Brothers let's move."
I pray we are quick enough.