Chapter 3:
McGork's Prisoner
Achilles awoke to the sound of chanting Orks. He had been tied by his hands wrists and ankles to a tree overlooking what appeared to be a crude arena. The pit was surrounded by sharpened spikes, both on the outside pointing outwards and on the inside pointing inwards. It was obvious to Achilles that whatever this Xenos rabble intended for him, if he where to be dropped into the pit, there was little hope of him getting out. Although he couldn't make out quite what they were saying, he could tell that every damn orc present seemed to one the bloody honour of ripping him limb from limb in the arena. This wasn't exactly how he had planned on beginning his initiation. There was only one thing for it, he had to try and escape. If he lived long enough and as soon as the opportunity presented itself. It looked as if he was going to have to fight for his life.
Two Orks strode forward, almost throwing themselves at the ladders that would allow them to untie Achilles's bindings. Moments later he dropped the ten foot to the floor, his arms and legs aching from the strain of holding his body in place on the tree. He landed on his feet, ready to face his tormentors. His presence was close to starting a riot before McGork stepped forward and demanded silence from the crowd. He gestured to the two Orks to take the prisoner to the arena. Again Achilles felt himself falling as the Orks took an arm each and dragged him to the side of the pit arena and launched him downwards. Achilles rolled and found his feet ready to attack anything that came through the wooden gate. McGork took Achilles's combat knife and threw it down into the pit. Achilles scooped it up, weighing the blade in his hand and exercising his grip on the handle.
Seconds later a machete wielding orc ran through the now opened gate. Achilles sidestepped the viscous swing and slashed out digging deep into the arm which held the Ork's weapon. The blade cut through muscle and tendons, sending a shower of blood spurting across the arena. The enraged Ork turned its head as it howled in pain. Achilles stepped quickly forward and slashed the blade across the Ork's throat and quickly stepped back out of range of the orcs wild swing with his fist. Achilles rolled forward grabbing the dropped machete and scooped it up, turned and waited for the oncoming charging Ork who was now bleeding from his throat and arm. The chant from around the pit came from hundreds of Orks as they wagered on the winner, some were already howling in fury that it looked like the 'Humie' was going to win the contest. At least this one, there would be many takers for the next round of combat.
The Ork barrelled forward, hoping his size and speed would ram his target and knock him off balance. Achilles prepared to meet the charge, the Ork stopped almost dead as Achilles swung the machete embedding it in the side of the Ork's neck. He plunged the blade into the other side, pulling on both weapons as the Ork looked on bewildered and screaming in agony from the wounds that had been inflicted upon him. The weapons met in the middle of the Ork's throat, blood poured from the wound, as the Ork's almost severed head seemed to take on a life of its own, trying to stay in place as Achilles pulled his weapons free. He brought up his leg and kicked out sending the Ork sprawling backwards and trying desperately to stem the flow of blood while at the same time grabbing his jaw and trying to keep his head from moving around. Achilles wondered at the resilience of these beasts. If a human had suffered such a wound he would have died almost instantly. Perhaps even a space marine wouldn't have been able to take such a serious loss of blood, not to mention the massive gash to his neck and throat.
Before Achilles could even react, the wooden gate opened once more. He wasn't even going to get a chance to rest. The Ork was a head taller than the first, the shear size of the beast almost stopped Achilles dead. It carried a chainaxe in each hand and looked capable of swinging them simultaneously. Achilles had to wonder at his likelihood of survival even beyond this opponent. The Ork charged forward, knocking aside the first Ork who slumped to his knees almost dead. Achilles was surprised at the speed of this beast. It moved like a man half its size. Both axes fell almost together, both aimed for Achilles's head. Achilles moved just in time to dodge the chainblades, he rolled forward and lashed back with the machete aiming at the Orks ankles. The Ork sidestepped the swipe and lifted his axes once more. Achilles rolled onto his feet, remaining crouched as the Ork charged forward again. The blades came down again as Achilles rolled to his side and slashed out with his combat knife, this time the blade cut deep into the Ork's calf, but did little to stop the juggernaut from regaining his momentum.
The wound only seemed to make the Ork more determined, but unlike the careless rage of the first Ork, this one was cold and calculating, seeming to prepare himself for likely counter attacks. The chants from around the arena seemed to favour the Ork this time, there seemed to be little encouragement for the soon to be slaughtered human. The Ork came forward once more, slashing with one axe and then bringing his hand back up to catch Achilles on the chin. Achilles staggered momentarily, the massive blow sending his head spinning as he dived backwards and out of the way of the second axe. He jumped to his feet dazed.
The Ork seemed to give an evil grin, if they were capable of such things. Achilles charged forward, stepping to the side at the last moment and bringing the blade up under the Ork's jaw and ramming it upwards and into the Ork's brain. The beast staggered for a moment, unsure of what had just happened, its arms slumped to its side, dropping both axes into the dirt. Achilles wasted little time in getting around the back of the Ork and bringing the machete down on the back of its neck several times until he had hacked through the thick knotted muscle. Achilles drew the combat knife out and thrust it through the Ork's right ear. The beast fell to the floor dead, much to the annoyance of most of the crowd, but by the sound of it some of the beasts had made a killing betting on Achilles.
The next three opponents died in much the same manner until the crowd was jeering in fury as Achilles saluted them, both weapons held high in a mocking gesture that sent the orcs into a wild frenzy. Moments later the explosions began, Achilles recognised the sound of Thunderhawks nearby. The crowd turned to fire their weapons in the air only to be scattered by linked chain guns as they cut a bloody swathe through the packed ranks of the Orks. McGork gave the order for them to scatter into the jungle and away from the certain death that this new threat posed. All in all, McGork felt as though it had been a bad day, he had lost five warriors to the human, and dozens more to the Thunderhawks.
Ten minutes later the entire company had been dropped at the landing site and fanned out to track any likely threats. The Orks had long since departed, having run deep into the jungle looking for cover, it was hardly the Waaagh they had been promised, but then the main fleet was days away from orbit, they would have their revenge. Achilles recognised the familiar voice of Sergeant Argos, as the space marine raised the wooden door leading into the pit arena.
"It seems like you performed well, young Achilles."
"If I hadn't got caught in the first place, I wouldn't have had to fight."
"Don't blame yourself lad, the entire area is swarming with thousands of Orks. The fleet tracked several space hulks in orbit around the tenth planet. It looks like its going to be a full scale invasion. Your initiation has been cancelled and all troops recalled to the fleet. We've got a lot of preparations to make if we are to help defend Kullkera Hive from the Ork onslaught."
"Then its war, I owe them for this." Achilles gestured to his surroundings and the dead Orks lying at his feet.
"You'll have plenty of opportunity for revenge. Now let's get out of here before we're facing an entire army. It won't take long for them to regroup and swamp the area with Xenos scum.
Within minutes the company were back aboard the Thunderhawk Gunships and ready to depart from the planet.