825 hits people...and ten reviews...come on, please press the
button. As much as I like writing, I like to be told how I'm
doing. Don't make me beg guys.
Chapter 11: Giant Killer
Eric entered the armory, and saw his gear outlined with his name on it. He checked it out. Chainsword, plasma pistol, and some upgraded armor, without a helmet. Eric started stripping his armor, and put his weapons on the rack. He then took careful time with putting on the gear, one section at a time, until he had it complete. Eric had finished with in ten minutes, even with the careful steps he took. He looked over to see what remained of his squad cleaning their weapons and gear. He started to walk over, but before he could get to his squad, the brother captain waved him over from the stronghold. Eric walked over, unsure if he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. Eric reached Granger.
"I have a job for your squad brother sergeant." Eric was still not used to that title, but he went along with it.
"We will do it in the name of the emperor brother captain."
Granger smiled, and nodded.
"I know. We are about to leave this hell hole. Once the night lord found out about our battle with the eldar, he sent down more servitors to help with the excavation, step inside." Granger said, motioning for Eric to step inside.
They reached Granger's private quarters, and it was only Eric and Granger this time. Granger then set up a tactical map on a holo projector. He then pointed to a region that was colored green.
"This is the extraction point for the crystals." Granger said, he then pointed to a narrow path colored red and blue.
"This is the transport route; the blue areas were cleared by scouts yesterday. The red parts are hot, more eldar we presume, but if they were with the farseer, then chances are that they are just survivors of yesterday's battle. Still, I want my best brother sergeant on the job, even if it is a milk run, that alright with you Brother Eric?"
"Sir, I will make sure my squad and I do this job to the best of our abilities my lord."
"I knew you would answer that way, get to it, the transport leaves in ten minutes, and then we can all get the hell off this planet."
With that, Eric turned and left, heading towards his squad that was near the mine entrance. Upon him arriving, his entire squad stood up and holstered their weapons. Eric spoke.
"We have us a job to do brothers, it might be a milk run, but then again, it could be an ambush. We are to escort the transport carrying the crystals to the extraction zone. We have a slight tag though, remnants of the eldar base are out there somewhere, so on this entire mission, I want everyone with a buddy, no going anywhere alone, am I understood?"
"Yes brother sergeant!" They yelled in unison, Eric was going to have to get used to that also.
Eric marched his squad down the gorge, the land raider humming as it conversed the wet soil, mainly soaked in blood. The ground sank for every step the heavy space marines took. Everyone was cautious, constantly in radio contact with each other, with the exception of Harold. Eric was in front of the convoy, but slowly made his way back to Harold.
"Lighten up brother. I realize you are going through a horrible loss at the moment, but if you don't lighten up, you just might get my squad killed, and my squad now includes you, so keep your head up and clear until we can give them their proper burial."
"Yes brother sergeant." Harold then picked up the pace and slowly pulled ahead of Eric. Eric then made his way to the front of the convoy. He checked his wrist map, and saw they were just entering the red zone, so he opened a radio channel to his squad.
"Listen up brothers, we have just entered the red zone, so weapons at the ready, be prepared for anything."
They didn't reply, but they all raised their weapons, and started scanning their sectors.
"I have contact!" Harold yelled over the radio. Eric looked at Drek, who was walking with Harold, but he just shrugged his shoulders. Eric then motioned for Harold and Drek to check it out. They went of to the side, into the foliage. About ten seconds later, both Harold and Drek were flung back out of the foliage. The land raider stopped, and the rest of the squad ran to Harold and Drek. Drek was out cold from the impact, but Harold was still conscious.
"Avatar!" He yelled. Everyone looked up, just in time to miss the giant blade of the eldar's manifestation of their war god.
"Go, floor it, and get the crystals to the extraction point!" Eric yelled. The land raider floored it, and sped off into the distance. Eric looked up to see the avatar ready to bring down his blade on his squad. Eric picked up Drek, and rushed him to the side. He then motioned for Nathan to come to him, and for Harold, Grant and Garter to distract him.
"Nathan, you have a flame thrower, and this guy is all about fire. Carry Drek to the extraction point, and if you can, get some reinforcements from the drop ship, now go!"
Eric could tell even through the helmet that Nathan wasn't happy with his decision, but carried out the order anyway, picked up Drek, and continued down the path. Eric then looked back at Garter and Harold, who were firing their normal weapons at it, but mainly just trying to stay alive. Eric ran forward, revving his chainsword, and firing his plasma pistol. After about five minutes of ducking, and diving. Eric had an idea.
"Harold, how many explosives do you have?" Eric yelled, ducking under the massive blade.
"Three sir, all high explosive!"
"Good, try to climb onto the sword!"
"What?!"
"Just do it brother, then plant the charges at its neck, Garter, give him a boost, Grant and I will keep him busy!"
Harold nodded, and made his way to Garter, while Eric ran forward with Grant, and started slicing at the avatar's leg with his chainsword. The avatar gave out a mighty battle cry, and swung its massive blade, decapitating Grant, and sending his remains flying through the air, but gave Garter and Harold an opportunity. Garter threw Harold up, and Harold landed on its blade. Harold then ran up the blade, to its head. He then planted all three explosives, and jumped off. The explosions were fantastic. Red and orange plumes rocketed from the avatar's helmet. It then collapsed onto the ground. Eric then walked up to it.
"Something's wrong."
"What is it brother sergeant?"
The avatar then got up again, and roared. It then swung its blade again, and it was another game of ducking and diving.
"It didn't work! Damn it!" Harold yelled, dodging the blade. All the sudden, four rockets hit the avatar's head, causing it to step back. Eric looked over to see another two squads, led by Nathan, firing on the avatar. The loaded up another volley, and let loose. All four rockets hit the avatar's head dead on. Then the avatar started disappearing. Once it disappeared, Eric walked over to Nathan.
"Nice job brother, did the cargo make it?"
"Yes brother sergeant, Drek will be OK also; he only got a glancing blow."
"I'm afraid Grant won't though…" Eric said, pointing at the remains of Grant, which Harold and Garter were picking up.
Nathan nodded, and stopped and stared at what used to be his combat brother. Eric then motioned for the rest of the squad to follow him to the transport.
