It was dark. It was peaceful.
Death is underrated thought Lyeick. For the past 3 months the 1st Lukitarian had endured horrible conditions while the Imperial Navy fought viscious dogfights for control of the skies over Ifomiru Secundus. At least when the Navy had landed its intercept craft the enemy's relentless saturation bombing had slackened. Command had made use of the interceptor's shock arrival to try and advance the line.
Lyeik had been sprinting for cover when one of the Helltalons screaming by took a potshot at his squad. The missile impact had lifted him up in what seemed to be slow motion and slammed him bodily against the rusting hulk of a gutted Leman Russ.
Now the ache in his ribs was dulling, the noises of battle were fading and all seemed to be well. No more hardship. Death wasn't really a relief as such, but under the circumstances, worse things could have happened. Although there was a strange taste in his mouth. Sort of sharp, like blood. More of a sandy texture though. There was suddenly a white figure filling his vision. Was this his time to meet the Emperor?
The figure started to resolve. A brilliant light shone forth from the figure. An angel, sent by the Emperor to collect him! Such an honour! Lyeik saw a mouth open and emit a dull roar. He tried to speak.
"Asshh.. mmm pre?" He babbled. The roar hadn't subsided when the angel stopped talking.
"This ones alive!" shouted the medic, switching off the torch he had been shining into Lyeik's eyes. "No time to take him back to the lines. Looks like a concussion. Gimmie the stimms."
There was a pinch on his thigh. A glorious moment of silence.
Then the universe came rushing back at him. He screamed.
"Take it easy, you've been knocked around pretty good." said medic Lyesir, fumbling the injector back into a med kit. "You've got about 4 minutes to get your wits about you before you get run over by the armour."
"Armour?". Lyeik scrabbled at the bottom of the tank's sponson and hauled himself upright. His head was throbbing, but his vision had cleared. He didnt like what he saw. "What asshole thought it would be a good idea to send the infantry out ahead of the armour?"
"Carefull, Lyeik, that would be General Rilik. Couldnt risk the armour till he was positive the dogfight had moved on, sure. Care to retract the 'asshole' comment?"
"Not a chance, Lyesir. Have you seen any of my squadmates?"
"Who's squad are you in?" he asked, grasping Lyeik's arm and hauling him to his feet.
"Rynet's"
Lyesir shook his head. "Not any more. Rynet bought it. Bled out after the missile strike. Who was corpral in Rynet's?"
"That'd be me."
"Harsh way to get a promotion. Most of the infantry has pulled over to the east, into the warehouse district. No one wants to be sandwiched between our armour and their defences. Your squad will most likely be there."
Lyeik gulped down a couple of pain tabs with a swig from his canteen. "Lets head east, then. I want to get this squad situation sorted before we move up"
To the North, the horizon looked like it was shimmering. As the 2 men made their way towards their comrades, Lyeik realised that it was because the horizon was in fact made up of innumerable war machines, all trundling forward in a mass advance.
"You know, seeing that many massed tanks, you almost have to feel sorry for those poor bastards holed up in the town." said Lyesir, thoughtfully
Lyeik thought about his Sarge and friend Rynet, who would never see Lukitar again.
"Nah. I hope they get all the fury of the Emperor and more."
Behind them, the first volleys of tank shells whistled over and slammed into the wall. Those bastards were royally screwed now.
