Cadian Remnants : Lock and load
Lähetetty: Ke 27.07.2005 20:09
En vain voi mitään kliseisille otsikoille 
. Vähän "passiivisempi" stoori tänään.
Prologue & Happy reunion
Holed in position
Turn of the tide
Ignition of Malice
Eye of Hatred
The Truth beyond the Death
The end of the road
For the Emperor
Lock and load
´How far is it anymore?´ Adolf wheezed. Julius slowed his jogging.
´Not far, block, maybe two.´ came the reply of the sergeant who seemed to be tireless. Dezarov admired this man. The best sergeant any squad could have. Sensitive but still hard as rock. He knew always when to cheer his men, when to push them to their limits. Inspiring example to his men. Dezarov glanced back and slowed his speed too. Heavy weapon team was falling behind. He turned on his heels and grapped from the barrel of the heavy autocannon. He lifted it on his shoulder and said.
´Let’s move it, we’re falling back from the rest of the squad.´ he got two nods as an answer.
Thirteen shadowy figures continued their jogging through the ruined city. Every dark corner gazing them with menace.
´Look!´ Brim shouted and pointed to the skycraper. They could see a Imperial flag waving on top of it. Their souls were filled with bravery.
´Yeah, now let’s keep on moving. The boys in there might be glad to get those goods.´ Julius cheered.
´Oh yeah, and I would kill to get this load off my back.´ Hastings murmured. Everyone enjoyed the small laugh. Suddenly, it started to snow, it would be winter now.
´Hopely they have some plasma-heaters, for it will turn cold as a hell.´ someone from Dezarov’s squad murmured. They nodded in silence their agreement.
´I’ve been living in this city when I was a child.´ the voice continued.
´What’s your name, son?´ Julius asked.
´Korland sir.´ he answered.
´So, Korland. Can you tell us something about the winters on this planet?´ Julius asked.
´Yes sir. Although it’s over five years when I was last time here, before I got recuited in the Guard. It was the worst winter I remembered. The townsfolk spoke even about a curse, but they’re just nonsense. But yes, most winters are deadly cold. Managing to get even below minus sixty celcius degrees. And most of the homeless always died at wintertime.´
´Sounds very cold, but I’m sweating my ass out here! Mind any of you lend a hand?´ Hastings cursed.
Ellard laughed and took part of Hastings burden.
´We’re within a moment in ther-´ Julius was interrupted by a sound of a earthshaker cannon.
´Let’s move it, they might be in trouble!´ Julius shouted and sprinted forwards. He found himself thinking why there wasn’t any other sounds of battle. He led them to the corner of the building, signaling them to stop. He peered over the corner.
´You see anything?´ Adolf asked.
´Nothing...´ Julius said. Sudden burst of shells on the wall and ground forced him to back to the cover.
´Son of a...´ he cursed.
´Eagle!´ Julius shouted. Nothing came for an answer.
´Eagle!´
´Blade!´ was the reply.
´Come in there, lads!´ voice continued. Julius nodded to his men and stepped around the corner. He gazed the opening and the skycraper with amaze. Huge, grey building, looked like it had defied the faith of the rest of the city. It was impossible to see the flag on the top now when they were this close. The building was strategially in the best position, and Julius realised that Keffer didn’t just want a early warning. Keffer wanted to remain in control of this building. It was the perfect for to direct the artilleryguns. Someone walked out of the building to meet them.
´I am Sergeant Armstrode. And you are?´ guardsman said.
´Veteran Sergeant Haleng, and Sergeant Dezarov.´ Julius replied.
´Are you our reinforcement?´ Armstrode asked.
´Seems to be so, sergeant. What is your status?´ Julius asked.
´Seven mens, including me. And then there are three wounded. They’ll die soon if they don’t get any medical attention.´ Armstrode’s voice turned to a whisper.
´Okey, let’s see what we can do about it. Dezarov, do you have man with first-aid skills?´ Julius continued.
´Korland, sir. He knows that stuff.´ Dezarov replied. Julius nodded towards Korland and started walking at the building.
*****
The dark figure slumbed to its knees, catching a breath. It started snowing, figure cursed. Propping himself up with the Storm bolter, he straightened his coat. In the horizon loomed old skycraper, and on the top of it wawed Imperial flag. Figure sheated his chainsaw and raised the storm bolter on his shoulder.
´Okey, Piet. Here’s the time to prove yourself.´ he spurred himself.
*****
´Take it easy soldier, this will ease the pain.´ Korland said and gave the wounded man a dose of painkillers. Then he moved to the next. Julius watched him from the doorway, thinking something. Adolf tapped him on the shoulder. Julius turned his head to see his old friend.
´Come, they might miss you.´ he whispered and nodded to the sergeants who were around a map, studying plans and suchs. Julius nodded in agreement and joined the sergeants.
´So, Armstrode, tell me the exact status about your squads weapons and gears.´ Julius said.
´Yes, we have two com-links, the other one is at the top of this building. We have one man there scouting for us, he’s very useful. Then we have one heavy bolter, we’ve fixed it on a platform which allows us to move it easily around the second floor. We had just opened the last crate of grenades, mostly frags but couple kraks are in there too and... Then that pile of lasguns, mainly looted from the dead.´ Armstrode replied.
´Vey good sergeant.´ said the cold voice from the outside. Everyone turned their weapons at the dark figure. The sun had already settled so it was hard to regonize anyone. Figure stepped inside the building to the dim light.
´Commissar Piet?´ Julius asked.
´Of course it’s me, who’d you though it would have been? An astropath?´ Piet snapped. The silence forced him to smile a bit.
´At ease, mates. Just to check out what’s going on and such. Oh, and carry on while I get myself warmed up a bit, it’s cold out there.´ Piet continued and walked to a plasma-heater. Julius turned his attention back to the map and the sergeants.
´We have a couple snipers with those goods we carried here. I think it would be good to position one sniper at the top.´ Julius said.
´Um, it’s thirtyfour floors high so, they ain’t much good up there anymore, especially with the winter coming.´ Armstrode stated.
´The faith in the Immortal Emperor will keep them warm.´ Piet snapped and turned to face the group. He met with Armstrode’s angry gaze.
´But they are still alive, so I suggest you move them at, maybe at the twentieth floor, and assume them with a plasma-heater.´ he continued.
´Sounds fair enough, so who want’s to volunteer for the snipers role?´ Armstrode asked. Hastings looked around a bit and raised his hand. Piet smiled.
´Emperor bless thy aim, guardsman Hastings.´ Piet said and handed the sniper to Hastings.
´It’s twenty floor and that guy up there has only fourteen, unfair.´ Hastings murmured.
´He has a vox-unit but get moving before I’ll shoot you in the arse.´ Piet cursed and laughed.
´And you two carry that heater up there.´ Julius ordered and pointed at the remaining guardsmen. As they had left Piet’s face turned to a gloomy expression.
´As I was on my way to the front line, my chimera got hit from the artilleryfire. General Ambrose had sent me to ask from the Astartes that what’s going on as we didn’t manage to get contact at the Lord Admiral’s command. So, do you have any idea what’s going on here?´ Piet said coldly.
´Chaos.´ Julius whispered. The word sent a shiver down the spine of everyone in the room. Armstrode cursed and banged his fist on the table.
´And how about the Astartes?´ Piet continued uncomfortably.
´No idea.´ Dezarov replied.
´We need good defensive positions and sentries who have rested well. And to conceal that Basilisk.´ Piet ordered.
´We’ll see to that.´ Dezarov stated and left with Armstrode to reposition the men and weapons. Piet looked nervously at Julius.
´You need some sleep, go.´ Piet whispered dryly.
*****
The snow fell from the sky, turning the dank city into a cold but white. First snow was soft and gently. Artillery boomed somewhere away, creating small flashs in the horizon. The battle seemed to be so remote and the city was lonely. But still there could be death lurking in that dark and cold city which seemed to be abandoned for a long time. The skycraper almost touched the skies which now poured snow down on the stalwart defenders of the humanity. At the middlefloor of the ‘craper was a dim silhouette of light. There were two figures, sitting hunched and wrapped in blankets trying to keep themselves warm at the proximity of plasma-heater. Then the third figure appeared in the silhouette of light and they turned to look at the man in the doorway. Hastings nodded at him and Ellard stepped closer to the heater.
´It’s cold.´ Ellard stated.
´No frak, mr. Inquisitor?´ Hastings muttered and smiled thinly. Ellard and the young guardsman chuckled.
´What’s your name´ Ellard asked.
´Ivan.´ the young man replied. Ellard shook his hand and replied.
´I’m Ellard.´
´So, what’s ya doing up here?´ Hastings asked.
´Got bored and thought you might like to have something to do with.´ Ellard replied and digged a pack of cards from his pocket.
´My lucky cards, have been with me since I got in the Guard.´ he continued. Hastings nodded in respect. Then Ellard dig a flask inside his coat, like it was in safe place there. He offered it to Hastings. Hastings took a swig and swallowed the liquid slowly. He smiled at Ellard and passed it to Ivan. The young lad took a swig carefully and coughed as he had swallowed it. Hastings and Ellard laughed out loud.
´Got it from Joe Tridden, amasec. Good, eh?´ Ellard stated. Ivan nodded and Hastings robbed the flask for himself.
´Darn good.´ Hastings whispered and took another swig.
Outside the snow continued to fall, creating a white blanket over the grey and bloodstained ground. Waiting for the dawn to thawn it out.
-----------------------------------------
. Vähän "passiivisempi" stoori tänään.Prologue & Happy reunion
Holed in position
Turn of the tide
Ignition of Malice
Eye of Hatred
The Truth beyond the Death
The end of the road
For the Emperor
Lock and load
´How far is it anymore?´ Adolf wheezed. Julius slowed his jogging.
´Not far, block, maybe two.´ came the reply of the sergeant who seemed to be tireless. Dezarov admired this man. The best sergeant any squad could have. Sensitive but still hard as rock. He knew always when to cheer his men, when to push them to their limits. Inspiring example to his men. Dezarov glanced back and slowed his speed too. Heavy weapon team was falling behind. He turned on his heels and grapped from the barrel of the heavy autocannon. He lifted it on his shoulder and said.
´Let’s move it, we’re falling back from the rest of the squad.´ he got two nods as an answer.
Thirteen shadowy figures continued their jogging through the ruined city. Every dark corner gazing them with menace.
´Look!´ Brim shouted and pointed to the skycraper. They could see a Imperial flag waving on top of it. Their souls were filled with bravery.
´Yeah, now let’s keep on moving. The boys in there might be glad to get those goods.´ Julius cheered.
´Oh yeah, and I would kill to get this load off my back.´ Hastings murmured. Everyone enjoyed the small laugh. Suddenly, it started to snow, it would be winter now.
´Hopely they have some plasma-heaters, for it will turn cold as a hell.´ someone from Dezarov’s squad murmured. They nodded in silence their agreement.
´I’ve been living in this city when I was a child.´ the voice continued.
´What’s your name, son?´ Julius asked.
´Korland sir.´ he answered.
´So, Korland. Can you tell us something about the winters on this planet?´ Julius asked.
´Yes sir. Although it’s over five years when I was last time here, before I got recuited in the Guard. It was the worst winter I remembered. The townsfolk spoke even about a curse, but they’re just nonsense. But yes, most winters are deadly cold. Managing to get even below minus sixty celcius degrees. And most of the homeless always died at wintertime.´
´Sounds very cold, but I’m sweating my ass out here! Mind any of you lend a hand?´ Hastings cursed.
Ellard laughed and took part of Hastings burden.
´We’re within a moment in ther-´ Julius was interrupted by a sound of a earthshaker cannon.
´Let’s move it, they might be in trouble!´ Julius shouted and sprinted forwards. He found himself thinking why there wasn’t any other sounds of battle. He led them to the corner of the building, signaling them to stop. He peered over the corner.
´You see anything?´ Adolf asked.
´Nothing...´ Julius said. Sudden burst of shells on the wall and ground forced him to back to the cover.
´Son of a...´ he cursed.
´Eagle!´ Julius shouted. Nothing came for an answer.
´Eagle!´
´Blade!´ was the reply.
´Come in there, lads!´ voice continued. Julius nodded to his men and stepped around the corner. He gazed the opening and the skycraper with amaze. Huge, grey building, looked like it had defied the faith of the rest of the city. It was impossible to see the flag on the top now when they were this close. The building was strategially in the best position, and Julius realised that Keffer didn’t just want a early warning. Keffer wanted to remain in control of this building. It was the perfect for to direct the artilleryguns. Someone walked out of the building to meet them.
´I am Sergeant Armstrode. And you are?´ guardsman said.
´Veteran Sergeant Haleng, and Sergeant Dezarov.´ Julius replied.
´Are you our reinforcement?´ Armstrode asked.
´Seems to be so, sergeant. What is your status?´ Julius asked.
´Seven mens, including me. And then there are three wounded. They’ll die soon if they don’t get any medical attention.´ Armstrode’s voice turned to a whisper.
´Okey, let’s see what we can do about it. Dezarov, do you have man with first-aid skills?´ Julius continued.
´Korland, sir. He knows that stuff.´ Dezarov replied. Julius nodded towards Korland and started walking at the building.
*****
The dark figure slumbed to its knees, catching a breath. It started snowing, figure cursed. Propping himself up with the Storm bolter, he straightened his coat. In the horizon loomed old skycraper, and on the top of it wawed Imperial flag. Figure sheated his chainsaw and raised the storm bolter on his shoulder.
´Okey, Piet. Here’s the time to prove yourself.´ he spurred himself.
*****
´Take it easy soldier, this will ease the pain.´ Korland said and gave the wounded man a dose of painkillers. Then he moved to the next. Julius watched him from the doorway, thinking something. Adolf tapped him on the shoulder. Julius turned his head to see his old friend.
´Come, they might miss you.´ he whispered and nodded to the sergeants who were around a map, studying plans and suchs. Julius nodded in agreement and joined the sergeants.
´So, Armstrode, tell me the exact status about your squads weapons and gears.´ Julius said.
´Yes, we have two com-links, the other one is at the top of this building. We have one man there scouting for us, he’s very useful. Then we have one heavy bolter, we’ve fixed it on a platform which allows us to move it easily around the second floor. We had just opened the last crate of grenades, mostly frags but couple kraks are in there too and... Then that pile of lasguns, mainly looted from the dead.´ Armstrode replied.
´Vey good sergeant.´ said the cold voice from the outside. Everyone turned their weapons at the dark figure. The sun had already settled so it was hard to regonize anyone. Figure stepped inside the building to the dim light.
´Commissar Piet?´ Julius asked.
´Of course it’s me, who’d you though it would have been? An astropath?´ Piet snapped. The silence forced him to smile a bit.
´At ease, mates. Just to check out what’s going on and such. Oh, and carry on while I get myself warmed up a bit, it’s cold out there.´ Piet continued and walked to a plasma-heater. Julius turned his attention back to the map and the sergeants.
´We have a couple snipers with those goods we carried here. I think it would be good to position one sniper at the top.´ Julius said.
´Um, it’s thirtyfour floors high so, they ain’t much good up there anymore, especially with the winter coming.´ Armstrode stated.
´The faith in the Immortal Emperor will keep them warm.´ Piet snapped and turned to face the group. He met with Armstrode’s angry gaze.
´But they are still alive, so I suggest you move them at, maybe at the twentieth floor, and assume them with a plasma-heater.´ he continued.
´Sounds fair enough, so who want’s to volunteer for the snipers role?´ Armstrode asked. Hastings looked around a bit and raised his hand. Piet smiled.
´Emperor bless thy aim, guardsman Hastings.´ Piet said and handed the sniper to Hastings.
´It’s twenty floor and that guy up there has only fourteen, unfair.´ Hastings murmured.
´He has a vox-unit but get moving before I’ll shoot you in the arse.´ Piet cursed and laughed.
´And you two carry that heater up there.´ Julius ordered and pointed at the remaining guardsmen. As they had left Piet’s face turned to a gloomy expression.
´As I was on my way to the front line, my chimera got hit from the artilleryfire. General Ambrose had sent me to ask from the Astartes that what’s going on as we didn’t manage to get contact at the Lord Admiral’s command. So, do you have any idea what’s going on here?´ Piet said coldly.
´Chaos.´ Julius whispered. The word sent a shiver down the spine of everyone in the room. Armstrode cursed and banged his fist on the table.
´And how about the Astartes?´ Piet continued uncomfortably.
´No idea.´ Dezarov replied.
´We need good defensive positions and sentries who have rested well. And to conceal that Basilisk.´ Piet ordered.
´We’ll see to that.´ Dezarov stated and left with Armstrode to reposition the men and weapons. Piet looked nervously at Julius.
´You need some sleep, go.´ Piet whispered dryly.
*****
The snow fell from the sky, turning the dank city into a cold but white. First snow was soft and gently. Artillery boomed somewhere away, creating small flashs in the horizon. The battle seemed to be so remote and the city was lonely. But still there could be death lurking in that dark and cold city which seemed to be abandoned for a long time. The skycraper almost touched the skies which now poured snow down on the stalwart defenders of the humanity. At the middlefloor of the ‘craper was a dim silhouette of light. There were two figures, sitting hunched and wrapped in blankets trying to keep themselves warm at the proximity of plasma-heater. Then the third figure appeared in the silhouette of light and they turned to look at the man in the doorway. Hastings nodded at him and Ellard stepped closer to the heater.
´It’s cold.´ Ellard stated.
´No frak, mr. Inquisitor?´ Hastings muttered and smiled thinly. Ellard and the young guardsman chuckled.
´What’s your name´ Ellard asked.
´Ivan.´ the young man replied. Ellard shook his hand and replied.
´I’m Ellard.´
´So, what’s ya doing up here?´ Hastings asked.
´Got bored and thought you might like to have something to do with.´ Ellard replied and digged a pack of cards from his pocket.
´My lucky cards, have been with me since I got in the Guard.´ he continued. Hastings nodded in respect. Then Ellard dig a flask inside his coat, like it was in safe place there. He offered it to Hastings. Hastings took a swig and swallowed the liquid slowly. He smiled at Ellard and passed it to Ivan. The young lad took a swig carefully and coughed as he had swallowed it. Hastings and Ellard laughed out loud.
´Got it from Joe Tridden, amasec. Good, eh?´ Ellard stated. Ivan nodded and Hastings robbed the flask for himself.
´Darn good.´ Hastings whispered and took another swig.
Outside the snow continued to fall, creating a white blanket over the grey and bloodstained ground. Waiting for the dawn to thawn it out.
-----------------------------------------
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