Kenneth intones the last verse of the litany of hatred with vigor once more, trying to erase the burning troopers fear with hatred towards the enemy!
Round 5/5 of reroll damage
Seeing Mac fumbe around, Simmins moves towards the grenade and tries to kick it back where it came from.
Don't stand there! Take cover and fire at 'em! One of you keep an eye on the two las fools down there!
Another salvo of heavy bolt shells rain down, this time focused on the last standing traitor storm trooper. Expecting as much, the traitor attempts a pretty good attempt to Dodge...
... which manages to bring him out of harms way from two third of the salvo.
But two bolts to the head are more than enough to put down any human and what remains of the traitor is neither pretty to look at nor within a square meter of ground...
With a crackle of static, you get Cecil's enthusiastic voice in your combeads.
"Give them hell! Break them with overwhelming firepower!"
And she opens up on full auto, sending a short blizzard of lasbolts at the now leaderless infantry assault.
Two of the remaining troopers with the main group join in immediately, creating a crossfire of considerable volume.
With a criss-crossing light show at such a close distance cuts down more than half the enemy number.
Faced with such a blizzard of lasbolts, one of the remaining three wavers and break off his charge, searching cover behind a fallen, still smoldering comrade's corpse.
This leaves only two to continue their foolhardy charge - directly into the path of the still burning Sgt. Henner...
Something in the man must have snapped at long last.
With a bellowing, shrill scream of "FOR THE EMPEROR!!!" he pulls out two frag grenades from a pouch, primes them and keeps running towards the two remaining enemy.
They try to stop the suddenly lethal threat with their lasguns, but the Emperor clearly listened to this broken man's last will and protects him long enough to reach his goal and...
*THOMBB*
All three of them are gone in gory explosion.
The main group is no longer under assault.
Well, technically there is still that one guy out there cowering behind a dead buddy of his but let's face it - the attack is over.
MacGyver finds himself longing to do something against the grenade but does not find the strength of will to overcome his survival instinct just yet.
Simmins on the other hand does.
With a remarkable kick that would have earned him applause during any scrumball match, he sends the frag grenade back to the sender ("to whom it belongs") and a moment later there is a hard detonation in the corridor outside with shrapnel zipping around and pinging off the metal walls.
Bits of fleshy matter come flying as well, making any question about the attacker still being out there merely academic.
The two ratlings go towards the balcony and send a couple of shots down range, whether they hit something remains to be se...
*Splat*
Considering the fact that the head of one of them just turned into red ruin, they did not manage to put down both remaining enemies at the very least...
Let's go Cecil, we want to get down there as quickly as possible so we can retreat in good order.
Let's bring the wounded Ratling as well.
He's not likely to live, but he can die with his people at least."
Liam get's up and begins to pack away his weapon, giving it an affectionate pat for it's good work this day.
He then taps his combead.
"Sergeant, we're coming down to rejoin you now."
MacGuyver pulls back and hand motions to Simmins, 1 target, 15m (in direction ?), braced and ready
Half action get shotgun, half action Distraction ability! Survival 56.
Fate point spent, but still 3 DOF :(
He swaps back to the Melta, aims it in the general cover area from where the attacks were coming, and just, burns, through the problem.
Alright, I think we need to head back. Mac radio that we've eliminated a wave from our position and are headed back with the injured. Oh yeah and tell 'em that some of the locals have gone behind enemy lines and sniper support for them might come in handy.
The melta blast burns a chest sized hole into the heap of junk hiding the last of the enemy infantry attacking the ratling's stronghold, evaporating flesh behind with contemptuous ease.
Packing up to leave, you hear a scudding noise from the corridor, followed by a high-pitched yelp and even faster footfalls.
Within second a trio of ratlings storm into the balcony-room, weapons drawn and ready, only to come to.an abrupt halt as they see you in the process of getting their wounded leader transportable.
They immediately lower their weapons and make the sign of the aquilla. You fail to recognize them as any of those who were here when you arrived.
"Thank the Empra, you're alive-well.
We feared the worst-horrible.
That we came too late-useless.
How is Mother Kira?"
You hurry back as the transmission from Simmins and MacGyver comes through the static that still occasionally plagues the vox.
Seems like they made it.
Your good mood drops a notch as you pass the ratling which is still slumped against the wall in pretty much the same position as you left him - unconscious or dead.
Sergeant Scorch-Seth takes off his helmet and wipes of dust off his face, mumbling:
"Another costly victory for HIS majesty.
May his soul be judged by his last action."
He then straightens up and gives orders to the remaining troopers under his immediate command, reduced to a total of five effective at this point.
Zulu is burned badly and has lost consciousness.
The Probe-4 survivor (name tag reads "Miller") knees by his side, obviously hesitating to touch the burned man, probably out of fear of making things worse.
Thick smoke of burning promethium still clouds the area and fire still burns downhill as Greg's flamer continues to empty the backpack fuel tank.
Anatoly stomps towards him and quickly shuts down the weapon that caused so much trouble at last.
A red beam flashes over the fallen trooper, then the enginseer calls over to Kenneth: "Your turn, preacher."
Sergeant Scorch-Seth's voice replies to both of the split-off forces.
<< Roger that. We're down two, one wounded but the assault has been stopped.
Make it double time Liam, we need a medic here. Zulu got himself flamed. >>
He then looks to Simmins and confirms with a nod that he heard the orders. He voxes back, <<Roger. Scout team is RTB. Out.>>
Liam keeps moving like he was made to climb, which to be fair, he isn't really.
Muscles are quite helpful, but his bulk is just a little too big to be a truly effective climber.
Seeing the Ratling, he shakes his head. It might be dead, or not, but there was no time to stop now.
Simply grabbing the little creature, he continues down with his "cargo"
The ratling looks earnestly surprised.
"You go-leave?
Where to?
Here good position-defense."
He looks down at the hurting old lady with a pained expression.
"Mother Kira is last-only healer we have.
You a healer-stitcher?
Then we go with you, yes-yes.
Just make her well-good."
As Simmins speaks up, the present ratlings all hastily make the sign of the aquilla and scuddle back and forth, collecting stuff from fallen (enemy and allies alike) as well as various things that got discarded as battle raged on.
You get the feeling that there are more ratlings around now than when you first arrived, but it is a bit hard to tell since you did not really make an effort to get to know all defenders of this strange place.
MacGuyver makes sure Simmins and himself get everything that's theirs and leads the way back toward the Squad.
Kenneth goes over to trooper Ulrics burnt form, then kneels down and gently closes his eyes.
"Trooper Ulric was a true hero of his majesty. His courage shone even in a moment where his weapon rebelled. Not just saving us from the worst of the malfunction but even taking it to the enemy, perishing while taking down more of his majesties foes. I commend his soul to his majesty"
He stands up and looks at where sergeant Henner last stood. "And Sergeant Henner too. He had his fire for a while but his devotion to his majesty burned brightly in his last effort and so I too commend his soul to his majesty."
Kenneth then looks around for other fallen that might require his aid in reaching his majesty
After what feels like several months, the remainders of the Probe force reassembled again. Thick promethium smoke and the sick smell of burned flesh still lingering in the air.
Kenneth is issuing last rites and absolutions to the fallen. A surprisingly small number considering the strength if the opposition. Still more than would have been necessary, merciful fate permitting. The loss of yet another specialist weapon hurts too.
Sgt. Seth, the last NCO out of the four which went into this, is moving from one trooper to the next, checking them out and padding them on the shoulders before heading to the next.
Liam and Cecil return from their elevated firing position, muscular Liam carrying the limb form of a ratlings over his shoulders.
MacGyver and Simmins return from their excursion with a surprisingly huge number of ragtag ratlings in tow, carrying nearly as many again along, wounded and death alike. A quick estimate would put the number of standing ratlings somewhere in the high thirties.
Grumbling to himself, Liam puts down the ratling he was carrying and then retrieves his medikit.
"Ok everyone, let me see to the wounded, in order of need if you please, anyone comes to me with a splinter I swear I'll clock you one."
MacGuyver brings forward the barely alive form of the Lady Rat, the leader we met a long time ago who have us her assistance. She's had some first aid, care of MacGuyver, but she's still in rough shape.
Liam can, from a quick glance, already see that there is far more demand than medical supplies (and time).
From the Probe group, Simmins looks like he wearing a glancing gunshot wound around, MacGyver looks pretty worse for wear and Zulu, the second scout, is literally beyond crispy, with serious and untreated Burns over large body areas. One of the few remaining riflemans, one of the survivors of probe-1, has a blood soaked shoulder and looks somewhat pale.
From the ratlings, the old lady you encountered and befriended earlier looks at the brink of death, but a (pretty amateurish) field dressing indicates that someone has already treated her to some degree. You also note a (very faint) falling and rising of her chest, so she seems somewhat stable at least. A handful of rats have serious injuries from.gunshot wounds, some seem to still be bleeding through strand of cloth bound over them.
Hmm, I'll need to treat Kira, to keep our goodwill with the ratlings, but I can't be seen to treat her before ALL of our troops or it might make em seem a sympathizer...
Right, so first the burn victims, then Kira, then the rifleman, and after that, we'll see what I've got left.
Liam indicates for them to make room and he begins with the burn victims.
"Someone has done some work on Kira, whomever it was, step forward and give me a hand."
MacGuyver steps forward and does so, lending his supplies that are left in his field kit (which isn't much) to the cause.
"Yes, good good, clamp here.
Good, and there, and there...running out of clamps here, hmmph.
Bandage.
...
Bandage!
What? Out already? Fine, give me the synth skin then, we'll have to improvise.
Ah, scrag! Got a bleeder here, quick, sever that artery there, just a very little snip, I'll have to re-tube.
Effin...Ah, that's got it. Sew him up while I begin with the next one..."
Liam notes idly that he is now covered in gore, vomit, promethium, soot and probably some unnameable fluids.
It's quite a tapestry of colors.
Kenneth finds himself surrounded by ratlings within a few moments of their arrival, most kneeling around him, heads bowed, Arms folded into the aquilla. Two identical looking, you immediately think of them as twins, bow down to your sides, murmoeing in unison:
"Pray-ask light-Emprah to keep mother-kira safe-well, yesyes? "
Liam.meanwhile busies himself with the wounded.
Several times he very, very nearly looses someone but with the aid of MacGyver and a good helping of Emperor's guidance, he manages to pull off several close calls in the end.
The old rat lady in.particular turns out to be a challenging case, with a gunshot through the left lung, brute-force treated by a direct injection of bloodclot administered by MacGyver, leaving a true mess behind that takes some serious fiddely work with a scalpel to solve. You would judge her chance of survival and more-or-less full recovery to be pretty high - assuming the lotbof you manage to getbout of this place before getting swarmed and overwhelmed. Poking an ant's nest is all.fun and game until the host of maddened killer ants emerge and crawl and bite all over ones feet...
Towards the end of Liam's struggle with the heavily wounded, scrabbling can be heard from the half-buried pipe. Soon after, the hooded head of one of the ratlings you encountered here before pokes out, panting hard and fast.
"Metal-Angel coming with metal-Benders. Lots of bad-evil man hunt for them!"
"Well, scrag...
Better finish up here as quickly as possible."
He motions for MacGuver to come closer.
"We'll need every fighter as mobile as possible, let me give you a quick once over before the s+#&stom hits us.
Permission to treat MacGuyver before setting up the heavy bolter sarge?"
MacGuyver submits to the aid without complaint (though with the odd grunt of pain).
Sarge, if you take care of the men I'll go with this scout to confirm it's really friendlies incoming. Either way, it sounds like a running retreat back to our lines.
MacGuyver goes to the rat scout and whispers for the scout to show him. He then slides into the narrow pipe and follows him to the contact. Not for the first time to day he thanks the Emperor for his narrow frame.
After several minutes, MacGuyver re-appears on comms. He is clearly trying to imply something with his words and not tip someone else off about it. Sarge, and everyone else really and especially Anatoly, I'm incoming at ground level with two Magos and a squad of Astartes. I know, I couldn't believe it either. Please tell our totally pure and not mutated squad to prepare for their arrival and be ready to move. We've of course totally purged the area of mutated enemy troops anyway, so it should be safe to come down to us. Then we can get back to base and complete our mission.
Sgt. Scorch (Seth) is looking somewhat startled by the message coming over the vox, then waves to Simmins to come over.
With a lowered voice, he asks:
"So, does MacGyver mean what I think he does?
That we ought to get those ... locals, ehm, away from us?
Any idea how we get all those people out of here?
The tubes only cover like five people each and I only have the locations of two tube stations..."
Kenneth takes his new 'flock' towards the injured and prays with them just far enough away to not get in the way of the medics. Right until the message from MacGyver comes in.
He stands and makes his way over to Sergeant Scorch.
"Sergeant. It is not feasible for them to hide. Nor will it change anything at all. Remember what will happen to this place once we leave?
I was the one who made the decision to enlist their help. I wish to be their envoy to their Masters and the Lords Astartes."
Yeah, The rats are a real good sort to me, but who knows how others will react to 'em, but with their leader hurt I don't think we can do anything other than hope for the best. Maybe we can get some of them to haul some of our cheaper gear? Make 'em look useful if we need to run? They're pretty great at fighting back too, considering their gear... anyone who shoots at heretics has to earn some points... And yeah if we all sing praise to the Emperor with Kenneth then that should help get in the good books of the Metal Angel too. He's going to be in charge anyway.
Simmins sets up a firing nest pointing in the direction that the newcomers are coming in from. He braces the Melta, and sets up the stubber on a tripod and ensures they're fully loaded.
I say, we cover them for a bit, really visit the Emperor's wrath on them. Grenades, Suppressive Fire, the whole lot. Hoardes of Heretics go down easier than Hoardes of orks. If they break, great, otherwise we retreat with the Angel.
Hey Mac, we got anything left to setup to blow a booby trap? Or are we fresh out... it's been a long day.
I have a Krack and a Frag I looted off some of the heretics and 5 smokes, but nothing serious. My companions might, though I think they should keep their arms as we aren't authorized to use them. Mac says, clearly making a show of how much they respect their soon to be arriving superiors. If we have succeeded in luring the horde of foes behind us to this position we could set up a kill zone just through this entrance. It should nullify their numbers, mostly. However, I suggest leaving the tactical decisions to His Majesty's Angles and the Lords Magos with me. They surely have a broader view of the situation.
Sergeant Seth looks bewildered at Kenneth.
"You want to walk these ... people right towards MacGyver and those 'Metal Angels'?
Your call father but it sounds, excuse me.for saying it, reckless and dangerous. We could send them to spread out throughout the ruins to provide cover fire or something?
But I feel this is.more a spiritual than tactical decision, so I feel it to.be your call in the end."
The ratlings around seem to get a faibt idea of things happening and prepare to head out.
With a harsh wash of angry static, someone (forcefully?) joins your channel.
A moment later, unnagural deep and hard edged, one might even say brutal, mechanical voice cuts easily through the back and forth between MacGyver and the rest.
<< Iron Captain Shadrak to Imperial Guard forces on this channel.
You are deep within enemy territory.
What is your method and line of retreat?
Or is yours explicitly a suicidal assignment, no doubt punishment for past weakness? >>
Kenneth shakes his head
"You misunderstand me Sergeant. Use them. Let them be his majesties weapons in this dark place once more. This is exactly what they need right now.
His Majesties Angels are the most busy of all his defenders. And they do not have the time to find out how deep the taint runs that is outwardly visible. What I want is to show off our friends' loyalty to his majesty in front of the Lords Astartes. Let me be with them, leading them in prayer and showing the lords Astartes that they are their noble allies."
"Do we still have a line of retreat, or are we cut off from the stations? I think we'd better make the situation clear to our erstwhile allies, before they write us off as sacrifices.
We've got valuable intel to bring back after all."
Being without command rank, Liam isn't about to be the one to contact the angles, he knew better.
Though it occurred to him that coming back from a second mission of importance might see him promoted further, possibly TO a position with some command privileges.
That...was not something he'd necessarily want.
We've got a line of retreat, right Sarge? We got the intel we were after and we cleared out this zone. Simmins says from his impromptu nest. I mean we're only here because we were ordered to assist, yeah?
Seth still looks kinda dubious but nods gravely.
"Your call, father.
The Emperor protects."
***
"Course we do, Corporal Simmins..."
And he opens the link himself to answer the request.
You note he assumes a parade ground stance and takes a deep breath before speaking.
<< This is Sergeant Seth, Serenus 1st Guard.
Our means of RTB is the high-velocity cargo tube system of this world, still interconnecting the different cities, despite the current ongoing war effort.
Each cargo capsule roughly takes a fireteam of five humans.
A capsule circulates each ten minutes, pending confirmation given our detected intrusion and general state of alarm.
My men stand ready to provide covering fire for you, my Lord.
Do note, that our assignement was to exfiltrate crucial data from this installation and was rated of equal importance as your rescue and the terminal sabotage of this city.
We succeeded in gathering it but detoured to provide our assistance to you. >>
As the sarge chimes in MacGuyver is keeping up with his foundlings. Barely. These two classes of people might be very different, but both have completely forgotten the meaning of the words "slow" and "tired" and "I'm only human, for pity's sake". So he doesn't voice that his body is screaming for him to stop or just SLOW DOWN and does his best to not be an embarrassment.
The emperor is truly watching over us.
How else would you explain that our regiment is constantly put in these ridiculous situations?
Enjoy your laugh oh Emperor. I guess we owe you that much at least...
A moment of silence later, the vox crackles to life again.
<< Affirmative.
Advance towards the tube station ASAP.
We will link up with you shortly. >>
Sgt. Seth closes his eyes shortly and careful observers may see his lips moving in what is either a muttered curse or a prayer of thanks.
Maybe both.
Then he straightens up, waves an arm over his head in a gesture of pack up and head out.
"You heard the Lord Astartes.
Time to leave and make it double.
We must do without MacGyver for a bit, so we move in tight formation.
Wounded in the middle, Simmins takes take the front with Kenneth.
Liam, Cecil, the rear.
Everyone go."
While everyone packs up, he pulls out the data slate with the map and scrolls around feverishly.
Then hits the slate a couple times in frustration, then waves over to Anatoly.
The two shortly converse quickly, hands are pointing in different directions and heads are shaken.
Then the Sergeant looks around and calls.
"First: back the way we came."
Well, seems like the Sarge is lost and does not exactly know how to get back to the tube from here effectively...
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Kenneth shakes his head. Sure our own Pathfinder is not present but we have plenty of locals to ask for advice...
Luckily as not the one in command he does not have to uphold the dignity of the leader and thus can ask them freely
"Friends and loyal subjects of the Emperor, his majesties Angels have ordered us to go to the tube station as fast as possible. This place was once your home - do you perhaps know the best way there despite all the damage around us?"
MacGuyver, still doing his best to keep up, somehow gathers the courage to ask, Should I break off from you and join them, my lords? I am their scout.
The ratlings rapidly chatter among themselves in what could only in the loosest sense be called "Low Gothic".
Sergeant Seth looks over and gives a slight nod of approval.
After a moment, one of the youngest looking skaven addresses you in a high-pitched voice.
"After big bang, we not sure.
Shortest one probably got blocked-collapsed.
Or might not. We not knowy.
Maybe digging-blasting is enough to make free.
We can lead other-second way.
Take longer, but surer.
Or third way..."
He glances over his shoulder to the others who make a gesture of "go on".
"... is short too.
But go through bad-evil place."
He really looks afraid of that third option and seems reluctant to go on.
In what can only be called a scornful tone, one of the Astartes reply:
"We know.
Otherwise we would have left you behind us already.
If you can move any faster, do so... Scout."
"Going against the commmands of his angels is unthinkable. Yet his majesty teaches that there are things we mortals may not know about and seeking them out is also forbidden. Tell us more about this short but evil route so we may fail his majesty in neither of those regards."
The young one looks kinda perplexed by Kenneth's words but starts to talk as soon as he has ended.
"Its... Its where they bring us, when they come to fetch us.
They do bad-evil stuff there.
Sometimes we return, broken, sobbing, hurting.
Sometimes we try to kill family when we return.
Mind's all messed up by evil smoke and light they have in there.
Most do not return at all.
And then we have to go in that place and clean it all up..."
Simmins shifts to his shotgun as he prepares to move. Longer but surer sure sounds good to me. We're out of demo charges to go the shortest route and clearing out evil bad places might get our intel and escort lost.
Sergeant Seth looks both pale and angry as he listens to the locals.
"Curse it all - what's with this place?", he bursts out before he is able to calm himself and quickly add in am more level tone:
"About time to be blown up, that's what it is!"
He fixes Kenneth and asks:
"What's your opinion, father.
I'd rather not lead those Angels on a detour if I can help it, regardless of how awful the alternative may be.
Do you reckon you can lead us through another enemy snake pit?"
Kenneth sighs but steels himself.
"I am his majesties servant and his angels have spoken! I will lead your souls through this, it is what his majesty expects of me this day!"
Seth gives you a hard look, then nods.
"Very well."
He turns to the young looking ratling.
"Lead the way to that evil place. Do not dally.
Enginseer, see to it that our inbound allies are informed or our progress and how they can follow us.
I expect they will soon have caught up with us."
And with that, the assortment of winded Imperial Guard and shell-shocked ratlings moves out.
First, you are let roughly in the direction where Simmins and MacGyver repelled that attack on the ratling position.
Halfway over, your new (much smaller and quite more furry) guide leads you sharp to the left towards the slope of rubble created by whatever caused this strange place.
A half buried corridor awaits, ominously flickering red lumen globes included.
After entering, the usual, depressingly confined series of corridors, hallways, bulkheads and winding staircases ensues.