Author's Notes: Well here is Chapter 10 acted as beta-reader so thanks to him. Also this fic recently hit 10,000 words. Which is very cool.
Master of the Bloodwolves: Actually I put Bjorn Stormwolf in there because I was juggling around for which Wolf Lord I wanted to be on Pandora. I've actually changed it now to Bran Redmaw.
Invasion of Pandora
Chapter 10
''Base Five and the surrounding territories here are suffering from supply and reinforcement difficulties because of the Eldar air superiority.'' Torenson said, pouring over the holo-map.
After Varius had revealed his reason for coming to the Base he had called Torenson to the main holo-room. The place was similar to the one at Base 16, but smaller and more cramped. Varius and his Deathwatch had to stoop in the low confines of the room.
''Currently we hold air-superiority in these sectors.'' Malkan of the Salamanders said, he had his helmet off, exposing his crimson eyes and dark-skinned features. He tapped one great emerald gauntlet on the surface of the holo-table.
''We were forced to come in by Drop Pod, sending Thunderhawks to retrieve the Inquisitor and your group would be too risky at this sector.'' explained Varius. He had his helm off, exposing his aquiline profile and bald head.
''Then do you propose we go overland?'' Torenson said dubiously.
''That's right, but it would have to be a small quick convoy. You would have to take the best of your men to guard the Inquisitor until we can get him to the Ordo Xenos medical faculties that arrived with our ship. The rest of your regiment can follow on foot when we punch a hole in the natives' defenses.''
''And the Eldar?'' Torenson asked dubiously.
''We will protect you. We are skilled at dealing with them,'' Varius promised, forming the sign of the Aquila over his armored breastplate, the great gauntlets clacking lightly against the silver eagle. He turned to another Deathwatch member.
''Sentius?''
''Right on it sir.'' the Genesis Marine smoothly stepped up.
''There are six Astartes forces on this world. The Space Wolves under Bran Redmaw.'' he indicated a wolf's head icon on the holo-screen.
''The Ultramarines 7th Company.'' he indicated an omega icon.
''The Eagle Warriors 2nd and 4th Companies with support from the rest of the Chapter.'' there was a starburst shield icon.
''The Iron Champions 3rd.'' he pointed out another sign.
''The Revilers 5th''
''And a Blood Angels strike force based around their 4th Company with assault marine support,'' Sentius indicated the blood drop. ''Right now they are purging enemy forces at Sector Seven, they are closest to us, once we reach them we should be safe.'' he explained.
''And how far are they?'' asked Torenson.
''Twenty clicks'' Malken calculated.
''Twenty clicks through the jungle? With the Eldar and the Na'vi? Those are formidable odds.'' he noted.
''We've had worse Colonel,'' Varius's visor glinted. ''We've had worse.''
Torenson pressed the vox-comm.
''Are all units a-go?'' he asked. He was in Alpha-One, his newly refurbished command Chimera. The figures of two black-armored Deathwatch Astartes were seated in the Chimera's troop bay, the rest of the post taken up by his command squad.
A dozen Chimeras plus four Banewolves would make up Strike Force Alpha under the joint command of Captain Varius and Colonel Torenson led the convoy. Their mission was simple, break through to the jungle and to The Blood Angels. The Angels had already been contacted and they would move in to rendezvous with the Catachans and the Deathwatch. Marber's body had been transferred to a medical Chimera code-named Alpha-Zero. Varius himself rode in that Chimera, determined to protect the Inquisitor whatever the cost, the rest of the Deathwatch team was scattered through the convoy in order to supplement the skills of the Catachans and aid them.
Quickly all of the Alphas from zero to fifteen rattled themselves off with their current Astartes. Torenson nodded and activated the vox-link to his entire command company.
''Move out.''
The recently repaired gates of Base Five swung open and the Banewolves went out first followed by several Chimeras, then Alpha-Zero, then finally the rest Chimeras. Quickly they set out into the jungle edges.
It wasn't until fifteen meters later that Torenson worked up the courage to talk to the marines.
The two stood like statues at the Catachans went over and over on weapons checks and small talk. On occasion the Astartes would pause to check their weapons, inspecting the master-crafted boltguns and combat knives.
''I'm sorry I didn't get to ask this earlier, but you are of the Salamanders, correct?'' asked Torenson, pointing to the drake's head icon on one shoulder guard. The Astartes named Malken glanced over him briefly, the snout-like helm inspecting him for moment.
For a few seconds there was merely the scrape of tree branches as the Chimera's dozer blades plowed through the undergrowth.
''Correct.'' The Salamander sounded almost…amused, even through the helm's vox distortion.
''My grandfather fought alongside your Chapter once, he told me tales of green-armored fire warriors during his time in the 52nd.'' Torenson recalled, his mind flashing back to the hoary old man who had taught him to field strip a lasgun and blow the head off a Catachan cobra at forty paces.
''I must say, it's a real privilege to meet a Salamander.'' he continued. He was starting to feel rather foolish at approaching the subject when the Marine answered.
'''The 52nd you say? Was your grandfather's name Torenson as well?'' he asked.
''Nah, it was Brown, that was my mother's maiden name.'' Torenson said.
''Ah, I see….I fought alongside the 52nd on Forscant, but no Brown.'' Malken said.
''Oh, I see.'' Torenson muttered.
''I apologize if i disappointed you.''
''It's nothing,'' Torenson brushed it off. ''Really it's nothing.'' he looked back at the screen.
''Say how old are you anyway?'' he asked.
''Two hundred and eighty nine.'' Malken rattled off.
Torenson's head snapped back. ''Really?'' he was surprised. He knew Astartes were long-lived, but he had no idea…
''How old are you?'' asked Malken, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
''Thirty, I'm an old man by Catachan standards. You don't tend to live long on a Deathworld.'' Torenson shrugged.
''I see.'' There was a sharp rumble outside then the vox system blared. Torenson picked up the receiver.
''Contact! Contact! I repeat Contact!'' the voice of the lead driver sounded. Outside weapons fire began to sound, along with the bestial roars of the Na'vi war beasts and alien battle cries. Torenson cursed and grabbed his bolt pistol and chainsword.
Behind him Malken stood up, hefting his meltagun, Sentius followed his example, calmly loading his boltgun with the practiced ease of a veteran. He turned his helm to Torenson with an almost amused cock of his head.
''Let's go Colonel, we have work to do.''
Weapons fire scythed through the jungle. The Chimeras opened up with multi-lasers and heavy bolters. Dozens of hulking Na'vi Hammerheads charged towards the Chimeras. Their massive armored heads ripped through undergrowth as they came in fast. The Hammerheads fell to the ground, slain by heavy las-fire or bolter rounds. Their massive corpses thudded into the ground. But a few made it through the barrage, coming within a few feet of the Chimeras.
One of the tough IFV's was lifted up into the air as a pair of massive warbeasts tore into its side, the plasteel side plating curling and breaking under the massive pressure of the Hammerheads, the Chimera tipped to the side, smoke spewing from it's engines. Reikan and Alverez leapt from their Chimera. Alverez pressed the trigger on his suspensor-modified heavy bolter, blowing apart the neck of a Hammerhead. The carcass thudded to the ground ad Reikan leapt towards a charging Hammerhead.
The Imperial Fist leapt to the side as the Hammerhead charged pas.t His power fist activated in a burst of energy as Reikan rammed his fist into the meaty side of the Hammerhead, tearing through the torso and into the vital organs. Reikan stepped away from the corpse of the Hammerhead as Alverez moved up, sending more fire into the jungle. Narvaan, Tashen, Sentius and Malken exited their vehicles. The Genesis Marine fired a single burst into the eye of another Hammerhead as it turned around.
The Hellfire rounds tore through the left eye of the Hammerhead, the corrosive rounds annihilating the skull of the xenos warbeast. Malken's meltagun reduced yet another Hammerhead into a steaming crater. Weapons fire came again, but not from the Chimeras. The forms of Eldar War Walkers came through the jungle. Two more of the Chimeras were ruptured by scatter lasers, fire and smoke spilling out into the jungle.
The forms of Eldar Aspect Warriors and Na'vi fighters appeared out of the green. The Deathwatch were the first to answer fire, taking cover behind the burning Chimera wrecks. Sentius scored the first Eldar kill, blowing off the head of a Dire Avenger with a well-placed shot.
''Colonel,'' Malken voxed. ''Transports are no longer safe, the enemy has anti-tank.''
''Understood, all units we have contact! Deploy and give the xenos hell!''
The Catachans piled out of the Chimers, lasguns blazing as they answered the xenos assault. Several Na'vi dropped from concentrated las-fire and a Catachan fired a grenade launcher into a group of Na'vi warriors emerging from cover. The giant blue-xenos leapt with inhuman ability and speed. Their battle-cries ripped through the air. Several Catachans fell from javelins and slings as they closed. However a Banewolf ground forward past the wreck of a Chimera to dose the xenos with its main gun. Acidic chemicals covered the tall blue xenos. They writhed and screamed as they tried to leap out of the way, but it was too late for them. The chemicals burned their flesh right off their bones. A handful of figures stumbled through the toxic sludge, scraps of dissolving skin hanging off their mutilated forms before the Catachans took them out.
Several Eldar warriors appeared. They wore heavier armor than the normal Eldar warriors, colored green and ochre, reinforced with strips of obsidian. Their helms were fashioned into curved crests and they carried roaring chainswords.
Striking Scorpions. The Eldar stealth assault teams.
Las-fire simply scorched their heavier armored suits as they tore into the Catachans. Their diamond toothed blades tore into the flesh of the Guardsmen, lopping off limbs and beheading with ease.
Fenrik came charging through the flames, fire whipping off his hair and beard. He gave a great howl and slammed into the nearest Striking Scorpion, his power axe cleaving the Eldar warrior from shoulder to hip. Another Striking Scorpion leapt back as he swung again. A chainblade skidded off Fenrik's shoulder guard as he beheaded another Striking Scorpion. Another chainsword lashed out, seeking the Space Wolf's throat. Fenrik leaned back, the lethal blade missing him by a hairsbreadth. The Space Wolf took the opportunity to lop off the arm of the offender.
Another Scorpion fell back, mandiblasters spitting rounds at Fenrik as he raised his gauntlets to protect his face. There was a brief bolter burst as Sentius and Malken ran in. The Salamander's meltagun reduced a Striking Scorpion to ashes, Sentius blew the head off another one.
Fenrik finished off the last.
''Fire Dragons,'' the voice of Narvaan came on the vox. ''Heading right for Alpha Zero with Dire Avenger spot.''
Indeed, several red and orange armored warriors were moving up. They carried alien fusion guns. Behind them several blue armored Eldar warriors laid in covering fire. They had white crests and enlarged shuriken rifles.
There was a shout and a Tashen and Narvaan laid down covering fire, pitching three of the Aspect Warriors to the ground. The carapace armor that the Aspect Warriors wore offered little protection against armor-piercing kraken bolts. A set of grenades was hurled into the air by Reikan as Alverez laid down suppression fire. As Fenrik, Malken and Sentius moved up past swarming Catachans a score of massive blue aliens dropped from the trees above. Na'vi armed with knives and clubs swarmed over the Astartes.
No fusion gun could be allowed to Target Alpha Zero.
The Dire Avengers switched their targets to the Fists, Shuriken fire forced Reikan and Alverez down, giving the Fire Dragon much needed cover fire. Suddenly the ramp of Alpha Zero dropped to the ground with a thud.
A hulking black figure leapt out from the Chimera, landing on the ground with a thud. Scarcely had he done so when the ramp of the Chimera closed rapidly. It was Varius. In one hand he had his power sword, in the other he leveled his bolter. He leapt forward, squeezing off a short burst as he did so. The Kraken penetrator rounds tore through the bodies of two Fire Dragons as they darted to the sides, firing their fusions guns at Varius as they did so.
A web of energy flared around the Deathwatch Captain for a split second as three Aspect warriors targeted him. Then the light faded and energy crackled around his Iron Halo. Varius smoothly shot another Fire Dragon before closing in. His power sword cut down another red armored warrior and he swung around, slicing off the trigger hand of the last remaining Fire Dragon who pointed its fusion gun at him. The Deathwatch Captain completed the kill by beheading the Eldar.
Shuriken rounds pattered off the captain's artificer armor as he took a step back. The blue-armored Dire Avengers were opening fire upon him in an attempt to take revenge for their fallen comrades. Nearby a log exploded from a scatter laser. Then several more Chimeras came rolling up, multi-lasers and heavy bolters blazing. Storms of las-fire came from dismounted Catachans. Several grenades were launched high into the air. As they landed large explosions ripped through the alien jungle as they did so.
Reikan swept his power fist through the chest of a snarling Na'vi as Alverez clubbed another xenos to death. The blue armored xenos had followed their allies in an attempt to support them, confidant that the advanced skills of the Aspect Warriors would aid them.
Not so anymore.
Without the Fire Dragons and their assault specialists the Eldar attack was gutted. Quickly and efficiently the remaining Aspect Warriors withdrew under the guns of their War Walkers, firing back as they did so.
In less than a minute there was no more Eldar present.
Torenson came jogging up to Varius. He, like all his men, wore the rebreather for the Pandoran environment. His chainblade was clogged with alien blood.
''I didn't expect this kind of support, Aspect warriors and armor.'' Torenson marveled. Varius was silent before he turned around.
''We lost vehicles.'' he began. ''But we have to move on, how many of your men are still left?'' the Deathwatch Captain asked.
''Enough to fit in the remaining vehicles, if that's what you are asking.'' Torenson said.
''Then we best get moving.'' Varius said as he walked towards Alpha Zero.
''And the bodies?'' he indicated the corpses of the slain Catachans.
Varius stopped and turned towards him. ''I recognize your devotion to your dead comrades' bodies, and I too believe they need a worthy burial. But we don't have time. We should get what ammunition we can and move out.'' he said.
''I see.'' Torenson sighed before he turned around and began to issue orders to his men.
''What do we have Alpha Six?'' asked Torenson over the vox. After a few moments, the lead chimera, Alpha Six, replied.
''Nothing, no Blood Angels.'' said Sergeant Dillon.
''I'll try communications.'' the Colonel sighed.
After the latest ambush the convoy had carried on for another several more miles through the thick jungle. Everyone's nerves were on edge after the last attack, several vehicles had been lost along with many of Torenson's best. The Catachans could ill-afford another attack like that.
They had finally reached the rendezvous point, but there was no sign at all of their contacts. The place that they had chosen was a place relatively free of the alien jungle and near a small valley.
''Nothing?'' asked Malken. Torenson turned to glance at the Salamander.
''Nothing.'' he replied before looking back at the tactical screen.
''All units form up into a defensive formation.'' he commanded. They would wait here for another half-hour before turning around.
Suddenly an explosion sounded outside.
''Contact!'' Dillon voice came, sounding panicked over the vox-channel. Torenson cursed.
''Catachans! Disembark and engage!'' he ordered.
Outside in the valley from the jungle the forms of Eldar War Walkers and a quartet of Wave Serpents deployed, alongside Eldar Aspect Warriors. From the lip of the valley the forms of hundreds of Na'vi riding Direhorses emerged, forming up in attack groups. Multi-lasers spoke alongside heavy bolters as the Chimera gunners took their range and responded to the xenos assault. Torenson hurried as he directed his vehicles fire at various targets in an effort to stave off the assault.
Another pair of Chimeras exploded as Alpha One roared, blowing apart a pair of War Walkers with expertly placed shots. The Eldar Wave Serpents gunned forward smoothly over the tall grass, their grav-engines sending gentle ripples over the fauna below. Their hatches opened and two squads of Fire Dragons emerged, carrying their fusion guns. Two other squads of Howling Banshees also emerged, leaping out of their Wave Serpent with acrobatic grace. The last Wave Serpent revealed a squad of azure-armored warriors. At their head was a tall figure dressed in ornate robes and carrying a crackling sword.
A Warlock. Eldar Combat Psyker.
Behind the Wave Serpents, groups of more blue-armored Dire Avengers came up, along with a trio of black-armored aspect warriors wielding reaper cannons.
''Deathwatch move out. Fire Dragons are the priority.'' Varius's voice commanded. Chimeras moved up to block Alpha Zero from the Eldar assault. Rapidly the hatches of the Chimeras dropped and the Deathwatch and Catachans emerged.
A pair of Fire Dragons were blown to pieces by accurate fire from Sentius while Alverez opened fire with his heavy bolter. Five more Fire Dragons were blown into pieces as the Deathwatch split their fire between two targets.
The Howling Banshees leapt towards the Deathwatch as the Chimeras and the Catachans opened fire. A Chimera moved up to target them but fire from the Wave Serpents blew it apart. Two of the Aspect Warriors fell to las-fire when a Catachan unleashed a flamer. The Eldar Aspect warriors leapt through the fire and flames to land among the Catachans. Their war masks shrieked, blasting the nervous systems of the Guardsmen as their power blades slashed and flickered. Human limbs fell to the ground alongside corpses.
''Alverez!'' Varius commanded as he turned around and blew the head off a Howling Banshee twenty meters away. The Crimson Fist compiled and turned his heavy bolter at the approaching Eldar females as the rest of the Deathwatch squad moved to cover him. Tashen fell, blown apart by fire from the Dire Avengers.
Varius looked around, his auto-senses piercing the smoke and flames all around. From one flank the Eldar had come in, from the other the Na'vi were quickly gaining momentum. Tashen was dead. They alone were having trouble holding off the Eldar, if the Na'vi joined in…
Suddenly overhead several figures swooped down, jet engines screaming. Looking up Varius instantly recognized the blood red forms of Astartes Thunderhawks. Weapons fire blazed from their wing mounts as they opened fire into the xenos blew. Scores of Na'vi were blown apart by missiles or battlecannon fire. Several Dire Avengers and Dark Reapers also disappeared along with the forms of the Eldar War Walkers. Quickly the drop bays of the Thunderhawks opened up and the Angels descended.
Over seventy shapes flew down, separating into two groups, one led by a Captain in ornate armor, the other by a skull-masked Chaplain. The Chaplain immediately led his warriors into the fraying Na'vi ranks while the Captain led the strike right into the Aspect warriors. The Banshees were immediately cut off their compatriots as a pair of Blood Angels flew down and bathed them in promethium. The Captain's squad immediately hit the ground before the Fire Dragons and tore into them with chainswords. Fire Dragon after Fire Dragon fell to the Captain's crackling power saber.
A blue armored Librarian descended on blood red wings of psychic energy. He extended one hand, creating a lance of psychic energy. Quickly, he cast it, like a javelin. The projectile, propelled by his psychic might, tore through the side of a Wave Sergeant, destroying it.
As for the other Eldar vehicles Eldar assault marines landed on the, attaching melta bomb and flying off as the Eldar transports were ripped apart in a massive series of orange explosions. More yellow-helmed assault veterans attacked the Dire Avengers.
''Deathwatch! Move up! Avenge Tashen!'' Varius commanded, leveling his bolter at the Dire Avengers.
The Dire Avenger Exarch, a figure in more heavier and ornate armor then his brethren, sliced apart three of the Blood Angels with his dire sword as they closed in.
Then from the rear the Deathwatch cut down several of his warriors with concentrated bolter bursts. The Warlock raised his hands, frying two of the Blood Angels before he was swarmed and hacked apart by their Assault Marines.
''He is yours Malken.'' Varius voxed as the Salamander moved forward, opening fire at the Exarch as he turned around to face the new threats. Light filled the air for a second before the alien warrior was vaporized.
A Fire Dragon head flew through the air and the Blood Angel Captain landed next to Varius. He was clad in ornate master-work armor. Scenes of battle and victory were worked into his vambraces and greaves. On his shoulders was the winged blood drop of his chapter. His helmet was formed into the handsome visage of his primarch, crowned with a silver laurel.
''Captain Castigon of the Blood Angels Strike Force. Looks like you could use some help.''
Author's Notes:
As noted before the Eagle Warriors are a Second Founding Ultramarines chapter. Normally they crusade in systems conquered by Roboute Guilliman but they are devoting forces to the Pandoran Crusade since they were nearby.
The Revilers area Second Founding Raven Guard Successor.
The Iron Champions are a chapter that appeared briefly in the Armageddon campaingh background. Here I've chosen to interpret them as Imperial Fist successors.
Bran Redmaw is a real Wolf Lord in the Space Wolf Codex, you can look him up. Captain Castigon is also a real Blood Angels Captain in the Codex. He is the Master of the 4th Company ''Knights of Baal''