FALLEN

[Purge The Weak]

Excellent read. Glad to see this back and missed it when B&C was down. Keep up the great work!

[Grand Master Belial]

CHAPTER XI

 

Third platoon was a bustle of activity as troopers prepared their aging Salamanders and Chimeras to take on the small group of errant marines. The wounded were quickly sent to the Field Apothecae while others went to gather more ammo and whatever additional protection they could find. Perspicax and Helice climbed up into a Salamander and waited as the vehicle’s engines roared to life, releasing a thick cloud of black smoke. Within moments, their vehicle was moving back along the road through the encampment and deep into the Quarantine Zone.

 

‘What are Space Marines doing here?’ The crew of the Salamander queried the two snipers.

 

‘They are after whatever crashed in the city.’

 

‘Why not let them take care of it so we can get off this Emperor forsaken posting and back to a normal life.’

 

‘They are traitors. Whatever it is that crashed, they want it, and no good will come to the Imperium if they get it.’

 

The crew returned to their duties of driving the vehicle but the two occupants distinctly noticed an increase of speed. Helice’s face held a big grin as he stood up to feel the wind on his face again. They were on their way to head off the small marine force and destroy them.

 

+ + +

 

Leviticus was glad to be free from the undergrowth. He hated the subterfuge of infiltrating territory controlled by the Imperium just for an individual’s personal desire. Now that they were on the plains and visible to all, they fanned out and were on the run toward the village that stood a few klicks ahead of them. They should be there just before midnight. The sooner this mission was over the better. The foulness that has bothered Leviticus since coming aboard the station has grown intolerable and he thinks he knows where the source resides.

 

Leliel was running with renewed vigor. The call of blood in his system was deafening. He had forgotten the thrill of defeating his foes and looking down at their shattered remains, the look of shock on their faces as they realized that they have been defeated. Now, he is running toward the village spurned on by the lust of more blood letting. He had sensed that the humans they had faced earlier were on their flank and trying to race ahead of the marines. The prospect of another battle drove him on harder and he was slowly beginning to pull away from the rest of the marines behind him.

 

+ + +

 

Lieutenant Salebra kept gazing at the auspex display in front of him. ‘God-Emperor they are moving fast!’ The Lieutenant watched the blips on the fringe of his screen moving in a tactical formation at near impossible rate. He had heard of the abilities of the enhanced marines but here he was facing them and he was held in awe. ‘Get this fragging column moving faster’ he ordered the crew of his command Chimera and his vox operator.

 

‘Any faster and we will not be able to react, Sir,’ replied the driver.

 

‘React to what? There’s nothing on the roads but us and them. We need to get ahead of those marines.’

 

‘Yes, sir.’ Within a minute the driver opened the throttle further on his vehicle and the convoy began to put more distance between themselves and the marines.

 

Perspicax heard the engine gun a little louder before feeling an increase in the wind. Helice noticed it too and started to look around. ‘We are going faster.’

 

‘Let me see your spotting scope, Helice’ Taking the offered scope, Perspicax looked off to the left. ‘Well, I’ll be a son of a grox! Those marines are running and running fast!’

 

‘So? They are marines, they can do anything.’

 

‘Even marines must get tired at some point.’

 

‘Not if half the stories we’ve heard are true. Don’t you remember the story of the marines that held off the invasion of their home world for almost a year?’

 

‘Yeah, that is the one about the Crimson Fists fighting constantly without sleep for several weeks. I heard that one, but I never believed it.’

 

‘Time you started to believe, Pers.’

 

Perspicax looked down for a moment before grabbing his sniper rifle and began to clean it again.

 

+ + +

 

The village was as dark as the night sky as the marines approached. They had run up to the edge of the town before slowing down. The marines had noticed the cloud of dust rising from the column of vehicles heading in the same direction. They had revved their engines as they went along, several marines immediate checked their marines were locked and loaded with a fresh magazine. Leviticus had forgotten the distinction between the different vehicles, but the marines that had been under Leliel for a while had remembered and told him that they were Guard vehicles and that they had sped up as they were along side the force of marines. Getting into the village now required a toll of blood.

 

Leliel looked through the dark to see the village in front of him. There was no moon on Lucaris III, but there was enough starlight that Leliel could still see the hastily erected defenses before him. He looked down at the mess that used to be his right hand. His suit had injected painkillers into him and he barely could feel that his hand was ruined. That didn’t matter to him though. He can get Xaphan to make him a new, better one. Now, he wanted to extract a large measure of blood for his inconvenience from those that stood before him now.

 

‘Leviticus, take your squad and the Devastators and put suppressing fire on them. I will take Jehuel’s squad and hit them in the left flank.’

 

‘Understood.’ Emperor curse me! He is keeping me as far away as possible. Leviticus relayed the orders as Leliel slowly moved out with Jehuel’s squad. He needed to get those PDF out of their defensive positions before Leliel got there. ‘Devastators commence firing! Squad, support the Devastators. Prepare to advance on my command.’

 

The night lit up in a firestorm of hot bolts and missiles aimed at the PDF troops. Their quick defenses provided some defense from the bolt rounds; but Leviticus saw that the Frag missiles were well-aimed and scored hits behind the defenses. Shards of shrapnel radiated out in all directions catching many PDF troopers in the back, as they did not finish their defenses before the marines arrived.

 

Two salamanders parked behind the entrenchments quickly began to return fire with their autocannons forcing the marines to shift position to get out of their firing arc. Once they were clear, the Devastators returned the favor by firing a pair of krak missiles into the closest salamander. The night was brightened as the salamander was ripped apart by the two missiles sending out flames and debris.

 

+ + +

 

Perspicax sat on top of one of the village huts while Helice sat on another across the main thoroughfare containing the burning tank. Both men were attempting to draw beads on the approaching marines but only Helice was able to see the ones who had started firing. He let out a short victory yell as he shot down the tube of one of the missile launchers to detonate the missile inside. Perspicax smiled and then began to scan of to their right.

 

Below the sniper was Lieutenant Salebra trying to shout over the gunfire the battle erupting on his left. The snipers had told him that the marines had split up with the commander leading an element off to the right. Salebra shifted some of his best men to the right flank to repel the marines, Emperor willing. Crews worked feverishly to get one of the autocannons from the Salamanders on to a tripod and ready before the marines assaulted their position. Men also quickly filled more sandbags to provide them more protection. They were all exhausted, but fear and adrenaline spurred them on to continue working at a stunning rate. Salebra just hoped they still had the strength to fight for what will surely be a very tense next few minutes.

 

Helice was back to saying every cuss word he knew or that he could make up. The thatched roof made him itch and it did not help his aim at all. That and it felt like it would give at any moment. He must have scratched the paint on the second missile launcher-toting marine three times from all the near misses he was getting. He had settled his eye behind the scope when he noticed the marine had changed position. The flare in the scope was blinding but Helice did not care. He tried to scramble off the roof but only got a little way before the missile punched into the wall below him.

 

The roof erupted all around Helice; tossing him like a rag doll into the air. He could feel the shards of hot metal pierce him in several places. He flailed his arms and legs around trying to feel something other than air before he felt himself crash into something. He fell unconscious shortly thereafter.

 

Perspicax looked over to see the roof of the building Helice was on collapse through all the smoke. Where his friend was he could not see. Girding back the anguish of losing his closest friend, he turned back to his search of the plains for any sign of the other squad. They had ducked behind a fold in the landscape and now he had to find them.

 

+ + +

 

Leliel had worked his way around the town to face the village at an angle to the rest of the Dark Angels. He sat there savoring the sounds of battle. He could feel his two hearts pump faster in the anticipation that he will soon be letting blood flow again. He just needed a signal from the Devastator Sergeant to begin his advance.

 

+ + +

 

Devastator Sergeant Pammon scanned the area in front of him. The two heavy bolters had taken to firing in short bursts, but had very few targets visible. The surviving missile launcher continued to create havoc within the PDF lines. Sensing the time was right; Pammon dropped the magazine of his bolter and withdrew another one from a pouch at his belt. He instantly saw the orange paint covering the tips of each bolter round in the magazine. Quickly loading and chambering a round, he aimed toward the sky and fired three shots.

 

+ + +

 

Leliel watched the three little plumes of fire rain down from the sky. ‘The signal is given. Charge!’

 

+ + +

 

Leviticus looked up to see the three plumes of fire. Inferno rounds, fired into the sky make a nice... ‘Frag it all! Squad on me and advance! One shot one kill all who resist!’ The ten marines moved into a line and started marching toward the entrenchment. ‘Vehuiah, I am going to take my team down the main thoroughfare. Your team is to continue on this vector. These men are not the enemy. Let them run if they flee or die quickly if they stand against you. I will not allow Leliel to take pleasure in butchering innocents.’

 

Vehuiah nodded and watched as Leviticus motioned his team to split off into another direction. The line of black armor parted in the middle and the two combat teams began pounding the line in different areas.

 

Sergeant Pammon watched as the Tactical squad quickened the pace toward the village. With friendlies in the field of fire, the Devastators stood down to watch and wait. ‘Come on. Let’s get to another firing position where we can be useful.’

 

+ + +

 

Perspicax saw his quarry break cover into a run. He quickly lined a shot up and pulled trigger. He saw the spark of a ricochet in his scope. ‘Spit!’ He risked a look over the side below him. Below sat the autocannon on its tripod, but its crew were killed by a frag missile. Dropping off the roof onto the ground below, Perspicax settled in behind the autocannon. It had been a long time since he had gotten behind it, but his training quickly took over and soon he was sighting down the barrel at the onrushing marines. He held his breath and squeezed the trigger.

 

+ + +

 

Jehuel was running hard in a vain attempt to keep ahead of Leliel. He quickly scanned the PDF’s lines just in time to see the autocannon open up. With enhanced eyes, he saw the vapor trails of the rounds lance out at him and his squad. With moments, a marine pitched forward into the dirt. ‘I thought Pammon neutralized all the heavy weapons!’ The autocannon spoke again and another marine pitched forward. Leliel ignored the sergeant and continued to run toward the defenses. Jehuel could see the line of armor beginning to fall apart around him. ‘This assault is doomed. Squad to me! Covering Fire!’

 

Marines came out of their run and formed around their Sergeant. Bolters flared to life as Jehuel tried to salvage the assault and return some semblance of tactical superiority. Leliel and his personal squad of three marines continued to try to assault the lines.

 

+ + +

 

Perspicax saw the line falter and splinter into two groups. The larger group had stopped and was starting to lay down support fire. The smaller group continued to charge through the open fields and towards their defenses. Perspicax shifted his aim toward the smaller group and fired another short burst. Two marines fell down but one managed to get back onto his feet. To his right Lieutenant Salebra had the remaining defenders open fire with their autoguns and lasguns. The two charging behemoths continued through the storm of rounds as though it was a harmless rain shower. Shaking himself out of his stupor, he lined up on the two assaulting marines and depressed the trigger.

 

Click

 

‘Great! Nice time to get a jam!’ Working feverishly on the weapon Perspicax ran through the steps of remediation.

 

Salebra looked over to his saving grace, the sniper was working feverishly on the weapon. The Lieutenant sighed at his change in fortune. ‘Well, I guess it’s better than dying of old age. Third, now is the time to make history! In the name of the Emperor, CHARGE!’ The Lieutenant withdrew his power sword and ignited the blade. With a yell, he ran to meet the two marines. However, only a few of his men sallied forth with him.

 

+ + +

 

Leliel watched as the Lieutenant crested the hill in a vain attempt to counter charge leading a pathetic group of scared soldiers. Turning toward the group of humans, he raised his chain-axe in anticipation. A smile crossed his lips as he closed the distance. The officer raced onward firing his sidearm his way, but the impacts did little to hurt let alone stop his advance. The officer quickly darted to his right where he lashed out at the marines unarmed side. Leliel felt the blade bite into his flesh, but it was necessary. With a quick snap, the Lord threw out his ruined stump at the officer. The crack of breaking bones was unmistakable as the face and body of the Lieutenant flew back to land in a heap on the ground.

 

The rest of the humans faltered, but it was too late. Leliel and his retinue were upon them where he managed to smite several of the terrified guardsmen with his chain axe. The PDF line was beginning to collapse into a panicked rout.

[Erasmus]

Its still very good but you keep moving from past tense to present tense.

[Grand Master Belial]

Its still very good but you keep moving from past tense to present tense.

 

ARGH! The problem is that it sounds perfectly fine when I read it. Curse me for not doing well in English classes!

 

CHAPTER XII

 

Perspicax was frozen in horror behind the autocannon. Before him, not more than ten feet lay Lieutenant Salebra. His face utterly ruined, but he was still alive and moving. The marine appeared to ignore the sword still stuck in his armor and went about murdering his fellow troopers.

 

He was so riveted to the carnage unfolding behind him that he nearly jumped into orbit when a very hand grabbed his shoulder. The hand glistened black and as his eyes followed the arm up, he stared into the emotionless mask of a Space Marine.

 

 

[grand master jack]

Looking great, again! :D

 

MORE!!!!

[Grand Master Belial]

CHAPTER XIII

 

The marines were running again toward the west. The gunships had retreated into orbit to take care of the wounded marines and collect the two dead marines left behind earlier. Jehuel stubbornly refused to let Leliel go with only a solitary bodyguard and broke his squad in two. His combat team would aid in guarding Leliel and take part in any further assaults. The second combat squad was attached to Pammon to replace his losses.

 

Brother Nakriel was starting to falter in his performance and it was beginning to trouble Leviticus. They were nowhere near the center of the quarantine zone. He took an auspex unit when they were resupplied by the Thunderhawks. Occasionally he would look for anything that would suggest a threat or their quarry. He also scanned the condition of all the Angels. Nakriel was displaying all the signs of one with fever. He should have been loaded with the wounded in the village. Enhanced physiology or not, even a marine needed time to heal before going back into battle.

 

Leviticus slowed the pace to allow Brother Nakriel time to regain some strength. The drugs administered by Assiel had helped but now the effects were wearing off. Vehuiah and Paschar came up along side and switched their vox-links to a secondary squad frequency.

 

Vehuiah spoke first,

[Purge The Weak]

Good read! I am obessed with your story! I love it!

[Grand Master Belial]

Well, now we get to it. Below is the latest I have written and now you all are caught up to where I am in the story. It's getting difficult for me to finish this massive piece but anyway here we go.

 

CHAPTER XIV

 

Sergeant Duma and his three fellow scouts continued to push hard. They had not stopped running since they landed. They were deep into the quarantine zone with no reinforcements expected for a couple of days. Leliel had given him strict instructions to proceed to the target and retrieve the Xenos artifact before anyone else could get there. A trail of hidden bodies attested to his adherence to Leliel’s orders. The three members beside him were cold-blooded killers all. Each one had relished the opportunity to fight against their brethren raised on Caliban. All four hailed from ancient Terra herself and their devotion to the Emperor was bested only by their devotion to war.

 

All four had on suits of Scout Armor that had been invented after the Heresy. Both their armor and weapons had been taken from scouts encountered throughout the galaxy. Duma’s armor was special; it was taken from a Dark Angel Scout Sergeant and was left in its dark green color with white insignia. The only modification made was to remove the number off the right pad to be replaced by Duma’s personal heraldry. On his belt sat a Rosary with a single black pearl, taken from a Chaplain that attempted to subdue him. The Chaplain’s helmet still resides on the ship, along with the desiccated head inside.

 

The four scouts gathered in an abandoned building and quickly established a perimeter on the second floor of the building on the northern edges of the city. One began running passive sweeps with an auspex while the others kept watch. Duma poked around the debris around him. The place had been picked clean of anything valuable. Duma was beginning to feel disappointed. He had expected some kind of resistance upon reaching the outskirts of the city. He was spoiling for another fight so much that he had taken to repeatedly stabbing the walls near his window perch. Looking out towards the north, he saw what appeared to be a dust cloud. The scout with the auspex came over and began turning dials to read the anomaly. Both of them watched the returns on the little display. Evil grins began to appear on their faces as they started to prepare for a game of cat and mouse.

 

+ + +

 

Lieutenant Perspicax poured over the waxy markings on the map before him. On it were the intelligence reports of the activities of the renegade marines as well as reports of explosions in the center of the zone. Also in the reports were a string of mysterious murders in the same vector as the marine advance, but they are occurring before the marines cross through the same area. Another vexing matter is that the marines have spilt into two smaller groups. One unit was moving at speed while the second had slowed. ‘What is going on there?’

 

‘Sir we are at the coordinates you specified?’ Perspicax did not respond. ‘Lieutenant?’

 

‘Oh sorry Trosal, the promotion still hasn’t settled in, yet. Okay let’s see what’s going on shall we?’

 

Out in the depression, the Lieutenant and a small group of PDF Sharpshooters from the shattered third platoon left the confines of a Chimera and crept up to a lookout location nearby. Once there, the group nestled into fire positions while Perspicax observed the landscape.

 

+ + +

 

‘Alright, let’s move out. Nakriel, you are on point.’ Leviticus ordered

 

‘Yes Sergeant’ replied Nakriel.

 

Vehuiah was adjusting the auspex when he noticed the additional bio signs. ‘I’ve got contacts at 115 degrees.’ As one, the squad dropped to a knee with their weapons raised.

 

+ + +

 

‘By the throne! We’ve been spotted!’ Cursed a sharpshooter. Perspicax raised his field optics and saw the squad in a defensive firing posture. One of the renegades appeared to be handling an auspex while the champion of the squad locked his eyes with Perspicax’s. ‘Why are they not attacking?’

 

‘Beats me, sir?’

 

Is this the group of marines that allowed us to escape? What in the name of the Emperor is going on?

 

+ + +

 

‘What are they waiting for?’ Esme asked.

 

‘For us to make the first move.’

 

‘They are not our target.’

 

‘Correct, Tactical withdrawal left. Vehuiah, move out.’

 

‘As ordered, my team on my order, go.’ Five marines broke ranks and ran left before dropping back into defensive postures.’

 

‘Brother Nakriel, on your order. Get us to the far side of Vehuiah’s team.’

 

‘As ordered Sergeant, move out.’ The remaining marines shifted position as Leviticus ordered. The two marine teams alternated until they were clear of the contacts on the auspex. Satisfied that they were not being pursued, Leviticus put his squad on a forced march toward the city and Leliel.

 

+ + +

 

‘What just happened?’ Trosal voiced as he got up from behind his long rifle.

 

‘The renegades broke contact. I have never heard of renegades breaking contact.’ Perspicax turned to the vox operator hiding further down the slope. ‘Get me HQ. I am getting in over my head with these renegades. Everyone else back into the Chimera, time to visit the second group.’

 

‘Lieutenant, HQ just passed word, we are to head toward the city and join up with a full battalion assembling outside the city. Large scale fighting has broken out in the city. We are ordered to assist and brief the Colonel of the 4th PDF about the traitor marines.’

 

‘You heard the man, let’s move it.’

 

+ + +

 

Leliel charged into the city with the rest of his retinue behind him. He could see groups fighting amongst themselves to see who would get the artifact treasure they needed to be paid. The marines quickly gunned down anyone they encountered. They came up to thoroughfares that lead directly toward a Shrine to the Emperor situated in a circle. The thoroughfare ran directly to its doors. ‘That is where it is. In there.’

 

Jehuel came up to his side and glanced at the imposing structure. All the windows were shattered and wisps of black smoke still rose from the ruins of the torched church. Empty fuel containers were strewn around the building. ‘That must have been a spectacle to see. Hopefully, what we are looking for survived.’

 

‘It survived.’ Leliel spied the fortifications along the thoroughfare. The mercenaries may have had no devotion to the Emperor of Mankind, but they did realize that they had a defensible position. Rubble barricades were erected around the ruins and Leliel can see sentries walking around as others rested beside their heavy weapons emplacements. ‘But first, I thirst to spill blood.’

 

‘Yes Lord.’

 

Leliel step out into the thoroughfare and calm walked toward the ruined sanctum. His body agonized to unleash their fury. Leliel restrained himself. No, it is such more satisfying to slay after a long slow anticipation. Jehuel raised his plasma pistol to commence the rain of lead upon the armed force behind the defenses. Leliel quickly snapped out his bionic fist and lowered the pistol. ‘I want them to be under my heel when they die. Do not open fire. Pammon, take your squad and search for Duma near the crash site. Kill all others you see.’

 

‘What about Leviticus?’

 

‘If he didn’t take Nakriel back to the Gunships, then they will be slow in arriving. They cannot stop us until after we have retrieved what is in there and whatever crashed.’

 

Pammon lead his group off towards the crash site while the rest of Leliel’s entourage withdrew their combat knives and prepared for close combat. Leliel took back up his slow and purposeful stride toward the ruins his chain-axe cradled lifeless in his left hand. Leliel could see the sentries turn their way and scratch their eyes. Apparently, they were awestruck to see a group of marines on the planet. Leliel maintained a less threatening pose as more and more people came aware of the approaching marines. One of the humans stepped forth from the group. His large girth moved with a sense of authority and humans quickly got out of the man’s path. He quickly stepped up in front of Leliel.

 

‘I am Praetor Bellaus. I have not been informed that any assistance had arrived yet. How can I be of aid to the Imperium’s finest warriors?’

 

‘You can die!’ replied Leliel. With a massive swing, Leliel brought around his chain-axe and bludgeoned the self-proclaimed Praetor’s head deep into his body. The corpse looking slightly reminiscent of the extinct Squats remained stuck on the end of the chain-axe. Leliel took in the image before tapping the rune that flared the chain-axe to life. Throwing the obstruction clear of the teeth, the chain-axe spun up to speed where it produced a high pitch scream. To Leliel, it was a scream demanding more blood. In a sudden burst of violence, Leliel and his marines opened fire with their pistols and began attacking the mercenaries. Jehuel remained close to Leliel though he let himself go to the release of violence and the thrill of killing.

 

The mercenaries were stunned; they had always preyed upon weaker groups. Their cowardice had left them ill prepared to face against a hardened foe like the marines. Many of those closest to the marines tried to turn and run only to be cut down by the small group of marines. Those that managed to raise a pistol missed wildly or had the las-round absorbed by the thick ceramite armor.

 

One of Jehuel’s squad brought their flamer to bear and unleashed a plume of burning promethium. The bright plume of light cast a strange glow on the already lit landscape. Leliel delighted in the sound of the screaming men and the smells of cooked flesh. Nevertheless, Leliel preferred the tinny smell of freshly spilt blood. Another coward tried to flee in front of him. Leliel thrust forward his simple bionic hand and grabbed the mercenary by the neck. He lifted the flailing human off his feet before ordering his hand to close. Leliel couldn’t feel anything through the hand and it satisfied him as the steel fingers crushed the neck of the human into pulp.

 

Throwing aside the corpse, Leliel reached the ruined sanctum of the Emperor. Leliel turned back to admire the destruction his marines were unleashing. With each pull of the trigger or swinging of a weapon unleashed the scent of blood as another pathetic human died by marine hands. The scent of blood was so pungent that Leliel had the feeling of rapture. The sensations began to envelope him like armour. He felt invincible and noticed his senses had heightened to the point that he can hear the beating of the hearts of everything around him. His vision was so acute that he could even see the arteries on their necks pulsating. Turning toward the ruins, he found he could see through the floor. The blood-induced vision showed a large pool of blood below the floor of the ruins. Peering into the pool, he could see a cavern in the shape of the symbol of Khorne lying deep below the floor of the cathedral.

 

Leliel snapped out of the vision and made his way into the ruins to a pile of rubble that once was an absolutions chamber. With a few quick orders, several marines began shifting boulders until they found an access hatch leading downward. It had been severely damaged when the structure collapsed and the broken pipes had leaked water that lay stagnant in the depressions of the floor as well as rusting the hatch solid. Leliel began to hack at the hatch’s hinges with his chain axe. It finally yielded though the chain-axe had lost several of its teeth in the process. Leliel and his entourage dropped into a cramped passageway. Following the passage, they came to a large chamber. On the other side, there stood the yawning entrance to the sanctuary of Khorne. The entrance was guarded by bronze sculptures on either side with a pile of skulls at their base. Even in the low light, Leliel could see that they carved to resemble Bloodletters. ‘We will need an offering. Go and find me a worthy candidate.’

 

+ + +

 

Perspicax looked through the optics as he approached the rendezvous point. ‘Something’s wrong, very, very wrong.’

 

‘Sir?’

 

‘Is there any traffic on the vox?’

 

‘I’ve got a lot of chatter on the other bands but nothing on the on the coded bands, sir.’

 

Perspicax looked again at the scene on the horizon. The rolling plain obscured much of the view. But from what little he could see, there was no activity at the rally point. Putting down the optics he grabbed the vox handset from the operator. ‘Lead to Column, slow and disperse into tactical formation. Prepare for an ambush.’

 

Around him, the group of Chimeras and Salamanders staggered themselves out on the dusty roadway and slowed to avoid raising too much dust. PDF Troopers in the Chimeras took up positions behind one of the six mounted lasguns in the rear compartment. Troopers hitching a ride in the Salamanders took cover behind the sides of the exposed compartment and readied their own weapons.

 

The new Lieutenant sunk back down into the crew compartment and reached for his battered pack. Undoing the straps holding his bedroll, he quickly unrolled the thick blankets to reveal his sniper rifle. Quietly he began to reassemble his preferred weapon as he whispered a prayer to the Emperor and the rifle’s war spirit. After checking his weapon, he lifted himself back out of the open hatch of his Chimera. Using a few soil bags for support, he settled in behind the scope as the Chimera continued to bounce along on its tracks. The optics on the scope was far better than his newly issued field optics. Looking toward the rally point, his morale fell like a drop pod. The reaction force had been attacked.

 

+ + +

 

Duma lifted the head in his hands. The lifeless eyes of a Colonel stared back at him. The PDF force had hardly put up any fight. As two of his scouts began sniping everyone in the force. Duma and another slipped to the sides and began killing anyone that tried to fan out into a defensive line. The PDF troopers were unaccustomed to finding butchered bodies and they quickly fell back toward the center of the encampment where they would be shot by a sniper. Those few who had seen death before stood their ground but ultimately they fell under Duma’s blade.

 

Duma never liked to hear screams. He always reveled in the terror he caused by his silence. That terror would feed upon itself until a panic arose in his prey. Then he would abandon stealth and began ruthlessly killing all in sight.

 

Duma placed the head of the Colonel back in line with the rest of the heads he had placed on the side of the PDF’s Conqueror tank. Then he withdrew the power sword from dirt where it had stood with its point buried in the sand. It had recently belonged to the Colonel. Duma thought it fitting that an officer should die by his own weapon. Duma again tested the blade. Power field hummed softly, but the blade itself was just as sharp. It was an agile blade and carved the air effortlessly. Duma liked it. Retrieving the scabbard from the cadaver, Duma replaced the saber and fastened it to his belt.

 

The other three scouts picked through the bodies collecting any trophies they wanted. One of the snipers feasted on the hearts of those he had shot. His Omophagea would then assimilate a memory from the dead body. It became a perverse pleasure to see the death he caused through the eyes of his victim. His current morsel was from the vox-operator of the Colonel. After swallowing a chunk of flesh, he began to sense the final memories of the operator. A feeling of relief, something is coming. ‘Sergeant Duma, they were expecting reinforcements to arrive soon.’

 

‘Good! Perhaps they’ll be more sporting and indulge us with a greater challenge.’ Duma ran up to a rise in the hills. With his enhanced vision, he scanned the dips and valleys of the hills for any sign of his quarry.

 

+ + +

 

Leviticus and the remainder of his squad raced to catch up with Leliel. Nakriel and Vehuiah were heading back to the village to raise the Thunderhawks and get Nakriel to the Apothecary. Chaioth was leading Vehuiah’s section for now. The tracks left behind by Leliel were plain to see and now all eight men pushed forward before Leliel could gain the favors and gifts of his new patron god. The outskirts of the city loomed up in front of them, but they still had some distance to travel before entering. Each marine silently prepared themselves for what they were about to do - kill their fellow Angels.

[Purge The Weak]

Oooo !!!!

 

Still good!!

 

So if your level you need to write more! Write it !!!

[grand master jack]

Getting better every time.

[vexa]

Damn it feels good to be back here. And have to say, this has gotten better then before the fall of B&C.

[Huwben]

God this story is good, love it to bits keep up the good work.

[Grand Master Belial]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm going to try and get some more written. (As in the past, you are getting the first draft - No revisions unless it gets called out to me.) I've been stewing on the plan to close this thing out. I've got the basics down so now I have to flesh it out. I'm still short of my goal of getting this to 70 pages in word (currently 48 pages with an 8pt Font)

[grand master jack]

I know it can take a while to write up more, but keep going. This is really good stuff.

[Evilrik]

Well after sitting up till 3 am last night reading the story , in the three hours sleep I had , I ended up dreaming of Fallen Dark angels and a Sgt named leviticus....

 

 

Great story.

[Grand Master Belial]

Pammon lead his group off towards the crash site while the rest of Leliel

[Bellicose]

Just read my way through your gripping story from start to finish. An outstanding piece of work with much to recomend it. I have not read much 40k fluff or books since that awful smurf book "Dead sky,black Sun" came out. You have managed to rekindle my interest in the GW books (apart from codex stuff of course). I think I'll go and find my copies of Deathwing and Spacemarine again. You have my thanks for a very entertaing evenings reading. :D

[Grand Master Belial]

You have my thanks for a very entertaing evenings reading. ^_^

 

And thank you for taking the time to read it. It is helping to spur me on to write more.

 

Speaking of which...

 

...The yawning entrance to the sanctuary of Chaos loomed in front of them.

[Erasmus]

COOL. That is well sick.

[Nostromo]

cool. absolutely cool.

 

However, you should do some more proof-reading. The text "feels" sometimes wrong, but my english is far from perfect, so that's not necessarily representative.

 

Some more criticism... the crash site is in a temple to the emperor? That does not sound so much like an accidental crash - more like a narrative slap in the face, if you understand what i mean.

That's something that fits to something you did at least once before with the appearance of Grendelwulf. Due to his appearance and habits he is so far from stealthy, that he could as well carry a psionic beacon with him, telling the deathwing "come and get me - here i am!". I suggest a more discreet character - especcially considering the name he comes across as a rogue space wulf rather than a fallen angel. If i may be so bold - drop his power armour and make him appear more like Leviticus in the hive city. Easily recogniseable by a space marine and more so by a renegade marine, but not by mere men.

 

One more thing is the amount of losses among the Fallen - the crew is quite small (weel, for a Fallen strike Force it is in fact quite large), but confrontations with Dark Angels or enemies on mercenary missions must be quite common, so losses in that dimensions are not affordable. I propose lesser dead Fallen Angels and instead a few more severely injured ones that stay in the med lab for a longer time. This way, the treatment of Leviticus' squad becomes even more unfair, because of Leliel's order to take Nakriel along. A few more hints on previously implanted bionic replacements among other Fallen - especcially among the injured ones - might also help ("That's already the third time he lost his right arm... Indeed, he is halfway on the road to become a dreadnought, considering the amount of bionics implanted already.")

 

That's just three details in 14 chapters - i usually find more :D

Go on, i want more!

Please?

[Grand Master Belial]

However, you should do some more proof-reading. The text "feels" sometimes wrong, but my english is far from perfect, so that's not necessarily representative.

 

You are right, I should. For a while, Abael was doing some proof-reading, but I guess I was writing faster than he could proof read. Right now, I am trying to get it mostly written and then go back and start polishing. I'll state it again. Most of this is straight from the head. I'm typing as I am thinking and this is how it ends up. I have been doing very litttle revision work. I shamefully admit it that I am using Wicrosoft Word for my basic proof-reading. :D

 

Some more criticism... the crash site is in a temple to the emperor? That does not sound so much like an accidental crash - more like a narrative slap in the face, if you understand what i mean.

That's something that fits to something you did at least once before with the appearance of Grendelwulf. Due to his appearance and habits he is so far from stealthy, that he could as well carry a psionic beacon with him, telling the deathwing "come and get me - here i am!". I suggest a more discreet character - especcially considering the name he comes across as a rogue space wulf rather than a fallen angel. If i may be so bold - drop his power armour and make him appear more like Leviticus in the hive city. Easily recogniseable by a space marine and more so by a renegade marine, but not by mere men.

 

Actually the crash site is further into the city. I'm giving it to Pammon to determine what they were expected to find and retrieve. Duma kind of got distracted. Leliel is searching for a SECOND relic that was given to him in visions from Khorne (which is a bit of a stretch since Khorne usually frowns on using psychic powers though we do have the collars of Khorne as an example of it :D ).

 

I am also trying to make Leliel be more of a Khornate Berserker. I want him to be the bull in the china shop and he is bringing about a whole heap of attention from the Unforgiven though they are not expected to take part in the upcoming battle. I have got enough players already.

 

With Leviticus, I am having difficulty writing him as the reluctant hero. He should shine here as a noble Dark Angel of the Great Crusade before having to again disappear into obscurity. This way I have a group of Angels that is going/have gone to Chaos and a smaller group trying to purge them for the benefit of the Imperium of Man.

 

One more thing is the amount of losses among the Fallen - the crew is quite small (weel, for a Fallen strike Force it is in fact quite large), but confrontations with Dark Angels or enemies on mercenary missions must be quite common, so losses in that dimensions are not affordable. I propose lesser dead Fallen Angels and instead a few more severely injured ones that stay in the med lab for a longer time. This way, the treatment of Leviticus' squad becomes even more unfair, because of Leliel's order to take Nakriel along. A few more hints on previously implanted bionic replacements among other Fallen - especcially among the injured ones - might also help ("That's already the third time he lost his right arm... Indeed, he is halfway on the road to become a dreadnought, considering the amount of bionics implanted already.")

 

I like the idea of the bionics. When I do get around to revising the first part. I'll try to incoperate more bionics when Uwala first retrieves Leviticus. Since Leviticus became a Sergeant I have had four deaths and six injuries only have two have been serious. Though, I know I have a lot more deaths planned, I don't have too many injuries planned. I will have to add a few more in my tentative outline I've drawn up for the battle sequences.

 

Thank you Nostramo for your comments.

 

And to you Erasmus. You are definitley one who's been spurring this project on to become that what it is today. Now if only someone from GW would post an idea or recommendation (perhaps get me referred to Black Library) then life would be good.

[Nostromo]

That's something that fits to something you did at least once before with the appearance of Grendelwulf. Due to his appearance and habits he is so far from stealthy, that he could as well carry a psionic beacon with him, telling the deathwing "come and get me - here i am!". I suggest a more discreet character - especcially considering the name he comes across as a rogue space wulf rather than a fallen angel. If i may be so bold - drop his power armour and make him appear more like Leviticus in the hive city. Easily recogniseable by a space marine and more so by a renegade marine, but not by mere men.

I am also trying to make Leliel be more of a Khornate Berserker. I want him to be the bull in the china shop and he is bringing about a whole heap of attention from the Unforgiven though they are not expected to take part in the upcoming battle. I have got enough players already.

There's nothing wrong with Leliel - i like his role in the story and his description (same with Leviticus!). He is well characterized and his path to Khorne was clear in the moment that he patted his chain axe before he gave the order to pick up Leviticus.

I meant GRENDELWULF. The lone wolf on the space station. HE is the one who would benefit from a more discreet and dark angelesque appearance.

I like the idea of the bionics. When I do get around to revising the first part. I'll try to incoperate more bionics when Uwala first retrieves Leviticus. Since Leviticus became a Sergeant I have had four deaths and six injuries only have two have been serious.

I do also like the element of the bionics.

Was it really "only" 4 dead Marines? ok, that's not SO many casualties, but still grave losses. I doubt that recruiting newly found Fallen can keep pace with that rate. It might be good to point out that the Fallen Mercenaries usually only take lasting casualties when confronted with the Dark Angels (or other marines) - that makes the recruitement of Leviticus even more "expensive" for Leliel. Give a clue on how often confrontations with the DAs take place to point out that losses from such battles are not that common. The difficulty of credibly concentrating 3 really exceptional events in a mere 2 weeks (expensive recruitement of Leviticus, Deathwing-Confrontation, "Coming-out" of Leliel as Khornate Champion - the showdown between Leliel and Leviticus is also exceptional, but it does not count since it is not independent from the other 3 events).

 

Though, I know I have a lot more deaths planned, I don't have too many injuries planned. I will have to add a few more in my tentative outline I've drawn up for the battle sequences.

It is absolutely predictable (nothig bad about THAT) and necessary that there will be much more deaths in the later stages of the story. Simply because of the essential confrontation between Levitucus and Leliel (and their respective followers). That creates an opportunity for a contrast - the conflict among the Fallen due to Leviticus challenge of leadership inflicts more damage than the combat missions. Fight amongst the Marines is way more lethal than playing with squads of PDA Imps or the Inquisition. Losses from the final confrontation must clearly outnumber the losses from previos chapters - without reducing losses to mere numbers (difficult, since the Fallen onboard the cruisers will also be involved). So it won't be wise to scatter the losses evenly all over the story.

Thank you Nostramo for your comments.

 

You're welcome. Im just trying to improve an already good story.

[grand master jack]

Its still really good, but just doesn't have the 'feel' of earlier updates. These ones fell a bit rushed.

 

Try to use the same amount of description as before, it made it so much better.

[Grand Master Belial]

I meant GRENDELWULF. The lone wolf on the space station. HE is the one who would benefit from a more discreet and dark angelesque appearance.

 

Ah! That's because he's a cameo of CDR Grendelwulf, the Master of the Fallen here at B&C. I can't really rewrite him save to replace him. Other Cameos were Chaplain Lucifer and Gerardis

 

Was it really "only" 4 dead Marines? ok, that's not SO many casualties, but still grave losses. I doubt that recruiting newly found Fallen can keep pace with that rate. It might be good to point out that the Fallen Mercenaries usually only take lasting casualties when confronted with the Dark Angels (or other marines) - that makes the recruitement of Leviticus even more "expensive" for Leliel.

There were a few more casualties relating to Leviticus's recruitment. Off the top of my head there were about five additional. Bringing the count to nine.

 

Give a clue on how often confrontations with the DAs take place to point out that losses from such battles are not that common. The difficulty of credibly concentrating 3 really exceptional events in a mere 2 weeks (expensive recruitement of Leviticus, Deathwing-Confrontation, "Coming-out" of Leliel as Khornate Champion - the showdown between Leliel and Leviticus is also exceptional, but it does not count since it is not independent from the other 3 events).

 

Perhaps I should space those out a bit more, say a month or two between them? I am thinking of untangling the Deathwing lead up to be that they were after one (Grendelwulf) and found eleven. It would give more credence to how eleven marines in power armour took down ten terminators.

 

It is absolutely predictable (nothig bad about THAT) and necessary that there will be much more deaths in the later stages of the story. Simply because of the essential confrontation between Levitucus and Leliel (and their respective followers). That creates an opportunity for a contrast - the conflict among the Fallen due to Leviticus challenge of leadership inflicts more damage than the combat missions.

 

That bloody cruiser! I currently have it nearly empty (off-story). Only Assiel, Xaphan and Qalbam are aboard with the Navigator, a few servitors and the contact for the artifact.

 

Yeah, I plan on having a few brothers troubled when they face off against each other.

[Nostromo]

Ah! That's because he's a cameo of CDR Grendelwulf, the Master of the Fallen here at B&C. I can't really rewrite him save to replace him. Other Cameos were Chaplain Lucifer and Gerardis

*sigh* well, so there's not that much space for criticism. I even found the post in this thread when you two agreed upon the appearance of Grendelwulf. So there's no way to make his appearance any more discreet? Well, don't mind - no reason to upset someone.

 

There were a few more casualties relating to Leviticus's recruitment. Off the top of my head there were about five additional. Bringing the count to nine.

9 of 34 in 2 weeks. About 23%. Just let that number settle in.

Perhaps I should space those out a bit more, say a month or two between them? I am thinking of untangling the Deathwing lead up to be that they were after one (Grendelwulf) and found eleven. It would give more credence to how eleven marines in power armour took down ten terminators.

Better.

But i suggest writing more than just "2 months passed without anything special happening" :yuck:

Not necessarily another combat mission - but if so, then maybe a small plot that gives a few marines the opportunity to feel again as Dark Angels rather than mercenaries. A small break on a planet intended to stock up on supplies (it will be still a few weeks until the encounter on the station) with a raid on a nearby village while leviticus and his (5 man) squad are on patrol. The raiders should be natives (A fullsize Xeno Raid would be too much for levi's squad to handle, but a small group of orc slavers might also do. I'm no fan of including anything available in a universe in a small plot, so i would prefer natives) - but perhaps something corrupted like the chaos-beasts on ancient caliban. Mutants, Ogryns... something like that, as long as it is too much for the villagers and at least a little challenge for the Fallen. As i said - a intermission that serves as an opportunity for the marines in Levi's squad to realize that the did indeed make the right descision in joining him. You could also allow a glance on the story of one or two other members of the squad.

 

That bloody cruiser! I currently have it nearly empty (off-story). Only Assiel, Xaphan and Qalbam are aboard with the Navigator, a few servitors and the contact for the artifact.

Huh?

Wait... 34 minus 9 (casualties) minus the force on the planet (2 tactical squads, one devastator Squad, Liliel and retinue and the scout squad). Oh...

Sounds like a few marines have to go back on the ship to make the cruiser empty (stupid math-joke). :rolleyes: