WIP: Lost Company

[Wolf Lord Durgann]

The agri-moon of Rox reflected a dim green light upon the snow covered plains of Illanora IV, making this valley look to be covered in algae. A statue of The Emperor standing before a kneeling Leman Russ stood before the massive doors to the ancient forgotten keep. The keep was dotted with packs of dense green snow and icicles hung from the wall's ledge, obviously being built to use such icicles as weapons against any foe foolhardy enough to assault it directly. The deep thrum of the generators could be heard breaking the silence that befell this place of majesty.

 

It is in the peaks surrounding this hallowed ground that six space wolf scouts moved from defensive position to defensive position as they glided effortlessly down from their vantage point.

 

Arden jumped down over the next ledge landing on the hard ice pack and sliding down another twenty feet before reaching his brothers kneeling behind a fractured boulder. 'No life signs on the auspex.'

 

'Good.' said Durgann as he scaned the walls one last time. 'Ryd left. Dyne right. Arden back. Sigg and Harne with me up the middle.'

 

The scouts moved out with the percision only equaled by brother astartes as they crossed the open field towards the statue.

 

'You think we'll have any opposition Durgann?'

 

'Not unless you think you can best me at drinking again Ryd.' chided Sigg.

 

Harne and Dyne both chuckled lightly at the harassment that normally occupied their pack.

 

'Keep it down boys. There may not be living contacts ahead but we do not want to set of any defensive sensors we don't have to.' instructed Durgann as his team reached the base of the statue.

 

It had always been this way for them, more like brothers than soldiers on the line. Of course they did not always number six. There were ten when they were first introduced into their pack. Ragn had be sniped by during the uprising on Ulithies IX. Jocb was melted by an ork wierdboy and Kigern died defending his pack brothers from a frenzied ork warboss against Waaagh Wazdakka. Luthen was interred into a dreadnaught after his single handed victory over a necron lord. All memories now, but the pack moved forward.

 

The small pack moved quickly through what seemed like a frozen courtyard. Smaller statues dotted their flanks as they moved to the massive gate and access terminal. Durgann went up to the terminal as his pack brothers took up defensive positions around him. After several scans from the frost covered lasers, Durgann's positive identification was sounded and the gate began to open. Durgann nodded to Sigg and Harne and the three were the first to enter through the gate.

 

Upon passing through archway Durgann noticed the temperature rising to normal levels and his twin hearts started to slow and cool his body. The three fanned out quietly while they scanned their surroundings.

 

The entry room to the crusade keep was massive, stairs lead down nearly one-hundred feet into the bedrock of the ground. Fluted columns lined the walls with the dull blue lights shining up from their bases. Statues of heroes of old adorned the room with their massive physique, their plaques still in pristine condition and telling of the deeds they did.

 

Harne passed one that he quickly glanced at. 'Hero of the Krnath war. Conqurer of Gryth. Beloved son of Leman.' he said aloud.

 

'Close, but not it.' replied Durgann. 'Keep looking we are nearly out of time.'

 

'I've found it brother!' exclaimed Sigg.

 

The others made way to the statue and examined it. Son of Vaal. Son of Russ. He was the best of us. Our brother, Carne.

 

Bile rose in Durgann's mouth. 'Set the charges.' he said through gritted teeth. 'Ryd, Dyne, Arden. We located the target report to captain.'

 

'Yes brother.' replied Ryd.

 

The charges set the three backed up behind other statues for cover. All the while praying to their fallen brethren for forgiveness. As soon as the charges went off the blue lights turned red. As Durgann looked around the corner he saw the remains of the statue. The marine was just legs now. In the place of its torso was a two-handed hammer surrounded by a power field.

 

'Grab it and lets go!' Durgann knew the occupants of the keep would be awakened and be descending on their position every moment they delayed. The Hammer was big enough that both Ryd and Harne were required to carry it. Without the added strength of their power armor they struggled with a weight that belied the objects size.

 

As the three were nearing the archway they heard gauss fire ahead.

 

'Contact!' yelled Arden as he threw a smoke grenade to help obscure their retreat.

 

Several bolt shots were released from Dyne's boltgun as he cursed the oncoming wall of metal.

 

Durgann was the last to exit the keep turned graveyard and saw his enemies ahead. 'Ryd signal the reinforcements.' he shouted as he fired twice from his plasma pistol killing two of the assailants.

 

Harne set down his side of the hammer and shoulder his missile launcher. Firing quickly in the general direction of their enemy to slow more than damage them. It was pointless doing much more. The majority of them reconstructed before his eyes. He had watched as Ice Claw, their most venerable dreadnought, was torn apart piece by piece. Sacrificing himself so the others could escape from the battle with the information they were putting to use this very minute. By the Immortal Emperor's will alone the missle struck true. Blowing a huge hole in the ranks of the enemy.

 

The brothers fluidly jumped from statue to statue using what they could for cover from the green streaks of death that passed by.

 

 

To be continued...

[Wolf Lord Durgann]

**Holding for Pictures**