Imperial Orphan. The Franklin Sevenson Chronicles.
Chapter two. Meetings.
The night lords continued debating on how to recover Franklin. When Augusta stood up and addressed them.
"What if we allow them to capture one of us. They will take the one they captured in for interrogation and torture we will be able to communicate through psychic link thanks to the girls and we can offer a trade. While one of us gets taken hostage we take one of them hostage and use the exchange to lure Franklin out for us to make an easy snatch and grab while grabbing a few extra slaves in the process". Said Augusta.
"I like it but who will be the volunteer". Asked Luke.
"I will father I will go and get my brother back". Said Augusta.
"That's my boy we launch the operation in three days as soon as we drop out of warp". Luke declared.
(Back on Pandora).
The daemonettes just kept rushing at the Militia as well as getting shot to paste. Franklin drew his pistol.
"High-Ex!". Franklin shouted.
Beep-BEEP-BEEP!(High-Ex).
The gun responded before loading the explosive round into the chamber.
Franklin shot up from the trench he was in and took aim at the closest Daemonette and pulled the trigger.
(BOOM!)
The daemonette was blown to smithereens.
"Damn it all there's no end to them where are they all coming from!". Franklin cursed before one of the daemonettes tackled him to the ground.
Franklin did his best to hold it off him but it was stronger than it looked. Just as it was about to bite his throat out it sniffed him and smiled before trying to mount him. Franklin struggled against the warp spawn.
"EXPANDER!".
Beep-BEEP-BEEP! (Expander).
Franklin muscled his arm up and aimed at the second daemonette's face before pulling the trigger and blowing it's head off. Franklin threw the dead body of the Daemonette off him and slowly watch it evaporate from the materium.
"Command this is Sargent Franklin of platoon thirteen Bravo squad. We are in dire need for immediate support. The bandits have summoned daemonettes and we need restock on ammo and supplies". Said Franklin over his vox radio.
"Copy that Bravo thirteen supplies are inbound but you will need to hold out for another hour the Apache bay was attacked". Said Command over the vox radio.
"Damn!". Franklin cursed.
(Back on the Asylum)
"Luke a situation has arisen on pandora. Franklin is entrenched in battle against what they call a bandit horde and the bandits have summoned daemonettes to fight him and his comrades. Franklin himself has already killed a good number of them but he will die if we don't intervene". Said Rack.
"Have the psykers do something about the daemonettes Augusta's squad will deal with the bandits". Said Luke.
"Ten space marines against a horde of human bandits isn't that a little overkill". Asked Rack.
"From the reports of their weapons I don't think so. Have the rescue team ready to deploy behind the bandit lines I want them wiped out they have taken shots at a Sevenson this is an offence that cannot be overlooked". Said Luke.
Rack nodded and went to make the preparations.
(Back on pandora)
Franklin and his squad looked in disbelief as all the daemonettes just poofed out of existance in an instant and the bandit's hollering and gunfire suddenly came to quick dead silent end.
"Command come in this is Sargent Franklin of Bravo squad 13. The daemonettes just disappeared and the bandits have gone deathly quiet please advise". Said Franklin over the vox radio.
"Bravo 13 this is sanctuary command you are to wait for the resupply before investigating I repeat you are to wait for the resupply before investigating this is a direct order from lord hoffman confirm orders". Said the woman over the vox radio.
"Orders confirmed but hurry the hell up command I'm not liking the situation here. Something is terribly wrong with this whole situation". Said Franklin.
"We hear you Bravo 13 just sit tight the supply chopper is inbound". Said Sanctuary command.
The supply chopper arrived and bravo 13 resupplied getting prepared for their recon mission.
(At the bandit trenches)
The night lords stood over the blasted remains of Krom's army and Krom himself. Augusta smiled as he looked down at the now dead and mutilated bandit.
"Augusta we have two scout recon teams heading our way it's time to enact the plan". Said Sherman.
"Good everyone know their jobs". Augusta asked.
Augusta got a chorus of yes and yeahs.
"Good here they come everyone get ready and into position!". Augusta ordered as the night lords began hiding only to see Sid holding a small tree in front of him and sighed in annoyance.
"Sid what are you doing". Asked Augusta.
"It's camouflage". Said Sid.
Summoning up what little patience he had for his hillbilly cousin Augusta addressed him.
"Sid I know that it's a good idea but we need to follow the plan you know the one we talked about on the Asylum. Go with Sherman and the others and wait for my signal". Said Augusta rubbing his temples.
"Kay!". Said Sid as he ran off after the other night lords.
And Augusta got into position.
(With the recon teams Choppers)
"We're heading the site now. Now remember this is a Scout recon mission nothing more nothing less we don't know what's waiting for us on the ground. Team one will land on the eastern side while we infiltrate the from the west. We find out what happened and report back to command. There may be hostiles in the area so we'll be going in locked and loaded now remember this part of the jungle is inside pandora's box we need to be careful so trust nothing". Said Franklin to his recon team.
(Back with the night lords)
"I'm picking up two aircraft inbound to our position one coming in from the east the other from the west". Said Mary Sevenson.
"They are most likely scout recon teams sent to try and figure out what happened with the sudden disappearance of the daemonettes and the lack of bandits". Said Augusta.
'Augusta it's Violet Franklin is on the gunship coming in from the west side of the area'. Said Violet telepathically.
"Sid destroy the gunship heading east Mary ground the gunship coming in from the west without destroying it". Ordered Augusta.
"Got it"
"It's as good as scrap"
Mary and Sid replied.
Mary aimed her auto cannon at Franklin's chopper and opened fire causing it to crash.
Sid charged his plasma gun and blasted the other chopper with a plasma bolt sending it screaming down in a ball of flames and wreckage.
"Both Vehicles are down Augusta you are free to move in". Said Mary.
(Back with Bravo 13)
"Role call is every one alive!". Called Franklin.
"I'm alive Sarge Henry get the hell off of me I can't breath". Wheezed Dildi.
"Henry here alive and kicking". Said Henry getting off Dildi.
"Longshot here sir I'm not for the emperor's side just yet". Said Longshot pushing off a crate that was on top of him.
"Rico here Sarge what the fuck hit us". Came Rico stumbling to his feet.
"The pilot's dead we need to get to cover now arm up and move out". Said Franklin as he and his team armed themselves.
"We don't know what we're running into. Lock, load and prepare to move". Franklin ordered.
Franklin's recon team left the chopper before Rico looked at the down Apache.
"Sarge I don't think bandits did this. This looks like damage from an auto cannon". Said Rico.
"Sir I'm getting no response from recon 2 I think they may have been downed as well". Said Henry.
"I believe you maybe right Henry. Let's move quietly we're heading towards the last position of recon team 2 single line five metre spread". Said Franklin.
Bravo 13 moved out with the intention of finding out what happened to Recon 2 and who shot them down.
They moved through the jungle quickly and silently. Not even disturbing a single leaf they came upon recon team 2's apache gunship burnt scorched with a big hole blown through it all hands lost.
"Dildi look at this what do you make of this". Said Franklin looking at the wreckage.
"From the looks of it either a Heat seaker or melta bomb". Said Dildi.
"No see the warping and scoring on the wreckage it shows similarities of a blast from a plasma weapon a large plasma weapon". Said Franklin.
"Are you telling me Krom's goons shot down our boys with a plasma cannon". Asked Dildi.
Franklin looked at the crash site.
"No this is far to high tech for a bunch of half assed mountain boys. And there are no other weapons casings no empty magazines nothing Krom's boys didn't do this... this is something else, someone else. It was one shot one kill and the shooter is no where to be seen and left no trail this denotes military training this is the work of highly trained professionals not a bunch of insane drugged up recreational killers". Said Franklin.
"Dildi radio command and let them know the situation and that we might have an invasion on our hands and to have the sisters of battle prepared for mobilisation". Said Franklin.
Dildi nodded and got on the vox reporting the situation.
The group continued as they went to the mission site.
But what they found there was a complete and total massacre. But what they found strewn across the battle field along with the shredded and mutilated bodies were ammo casings from space marine issue bolters.
"These bandits weren't killed by militia or PDF forces. But whoever killed these bandits most likely shot down our gunships and their armed to the teeth I feel this maybe some sort of trap". Said Rico.
"Could it be the chaos cult the bandits hired to help out in their attack I mean there is no other explanation for the army of daemonettes but then again where are they the enemy was so close to victory why pull back and retreat at such a critical juncture of the war". Questioned Henry.
"They didn't retreat". Said Longshot looking down the scope of his rifle. "
Sarge I found the cultists and it is a fucking mess". Said Long-shot.
"Where are they". Asked Franklin.
"Further into the jungle Sargent about eight hundred yards away near a rock formation". Said Long-shot.
The group travelled to the rock formation and found the massacre.
"God emperor damn it these bastards have been shot to paste. Bravo 13 recon the area and prepare to leave in five minutes and leave no traces we were never here". Franklin ordered.
His squad saluted and got to work.
The team left the area until they found the body of Krom the leader of the bandits that attacked Sanctuary mutilated skinned alive and nailed to a tree.
"Looks like someone else got to Krom before we did". Said Dildi trying hard not to puke.
"Yeah and they didn't let him die easy. Judging from the injuries and how he was skinned alive this was a punishment killing most likely done by a rival bandit king". Said Franklin.
"How do you know he was skinned while he was alive". Asked Dildi.
"Look at his hands they have wounds on the palms and fingers he tried to claw himself free from his attackers but they were somehow strong enough to hold him there and skin him alive with one hand whoever did this was brutal and very sick in the head and a person I don't want to meet ever". Said Franklin with a small amount of fear in his voice.
"Franklin what aren't you telling us". Asked Dildi.
"I'm scared Dildi". Said Franklin calmly.
"Bullshit Franklin you ain't afraid of no man". Said Dildi.
"That is very true but whoever did this ain't no man". Said Franklin walking off.
Bravo thirteen walked on thought the jungle before they came to a bandit settlement. Everyone was dead and mutilated the whole place with riddled with bullet holes and explosion craters.
They walked on until the came to a wall with two piles in front of it. One pile of head and one pile of bodies. And on the wall was something written in the bandit's blood.
And it read.
'Franklin the Sevensons have come'.
"Sarge what does this mean who are the sevensons". Asked Rico.
"That's classified Rico but given the circumstances... The sevensons are a chaos space marine faction of a traitor legion known as the night lords. They specialise in stealth and infiltration combat and terror tactics and are as sadistic as they come. Other than that no other knowledge is known I don't have the clearance for anything deeper than that. But that's beside the point we have been invaded by the most vicious and homicidal psychopaths to ever curse the frontier with their presence we must return home and report our findings now to the lord commisar!". Said Franklin.
From her hiding spot viewing these young men Mary/Mark sevenson activated her vox unit in her helmet.
"Augusta I have a visual on your younger brother and he looks bigger in person. He and his whole squad survived the crash shall I kill the others and push Franklin to you". Asked Mary.
"No despite their age he and everyone with him are highly trained soldiers. And judging by their firepower it may take all five of them but they would kill you if you went in alone wait for Sid and sherman to back you up. If it's one thing we need to know about pandorans is that they fight brutally". Said Augusta.
Franklin heard something in the trees.
"We have company hiding amongst the trees behind us". Franklin whispered.
"Could it be these night lords that attacked the bandits". Whispered Rico.
"What should we do if we attack we give our position away to any other enemies that might be in close proximity to us but if we don't we are living ourselves open to attack". Whispered Henry.
"I say we attack and then book right on out of here. Then we find a cave or a cliff face and dig ourselves in deep and when they come for us we unload on them with everything we'ave got and blast them to bits". Whispered Dildi.
"I second that idea". Was Longshot's reply.
"Follow my lead one, two, three!". Franklin spun around and threw a flash grenade right where Mary was effectively blinding her.
All five of them opened fire and literally tore Mary's hiding spot apart with bullets forcing Mary to retreated from her hiding spot forcing her to fall back while returning fire deliberately missing.
"We need to move now!". Franklin shouted.
The whole group ran from the area.
"Sherman their headed your way". Said Mary.
Sherman came running out of the jungle taking pot shots at the bravo 13 only to get a Krakk grenade thrown his way forcing him to duck and cover.
The boys ran until they were forced into a clearing where they saw another Night lord waiting for them he appeared injured and unarmed.
"I surrender take me to your superior". He said to the boys.
Franklin and his team looked at him in absolute shock. Those other two night lords did everything to try and kill him but this one just surrendered like that. It confused Franklin.
"Alright put these restraints on any sudden movements and we will open fire and trust me power armour or not our weapons can kill you space marine and we won't hesitate to grab your life force and extinguish it". Said Franklin with grave warning in his tone or at least as much grave warning a six foot 5 muscle bound thirteen year old could.
Augusta doing his best not to laugh at how his brother was trying to look and sound intimidating it was really precious rather cute in truth Augusta thought to himself.
The transport found them and took all six of them back to Sanctuary command. Where Augusta was taken and locked up deep underground in restraints designed to hold a space marine.
Franklin walked into the cell where Augusta was being held seeing the massive space marine chained to a solid block of adamantium.
"Ah Franklin it's a pleasure to finally meet you little brother". Said Augusta smiling.
"I am not your brother space marine". Said Franklin as he sat down at the table in front of Augusta.
"You are going to tell me why you are here and why your fellow traitorous brethren were trying to kill you". Said Franklin.
"Well that's a story in and of itself. Release me and I will reveal all my brother including who you really are". Said Augusta with a mischievous smile.
"We are not brothers. My name is Franklin Hoffman I am a citizen of pandora and I have no ties to chaos!". Franklin snarled before grabbing Augusta roughly by the head.
"And I never will". He said into Augusta's ear.
"You will talk in time especially after you've been treated to some pandoran hospitality". Said Franklin.
"Wait Franklin I know there's a part of you who doesn't believe that this is who you truly are. Somewhere deep down in your psyche that you were meant to be something else someone else and when the time comes and when you want to know the truth all you have to do is ask brother". Said Augusta chuckling as he sowed the seeds of doubt.
"I am Franklin Hoffman I am me my own man and that is all I ever need you will never see me again". Franklin growled as he left the cell.
"Franklin". Came a voice from the observation room.
Franklin turned to see Commisar Horatio walking towards him.
"I know, I know you told me not to talk to him father but I lost seven men today. Seven good men I was owed answers". Said Franklin.
"Who died". Asked Horatio.
"All of recon 2 their pilot and my team's pilot. We encountered more than one night lord the other two drove us off making us flee to the where we found this one and he just surrenders it doesn't make any sense at all. I don't like it not one bit we should kill him just in case it's a trap". Said Franklin.
Horatio walks up to his son and pulls him into a hug.
"You handled the situation well my son you have made me very proud. Your sister would be proud of you too. Now go get some rest you have earned it". Said Horatio letting go of Franklin.
Franklin saluted his Commisar/father and went to get a well earned shower and a meal.
Horatio walked into the cell where he was met with Augusta's hate filled eyes.
"So the great inquisitor himself has come to question me. How's my little sister Egg doing". Said Augusta this taunt earned him a punch in the face from Horatio.
"Don't you dare speak her name you filth!". Horatio snarled his face was a visage of pure rage and his eyes were completely filled with the blackest hatred.
"Oh touched a nerve have I". Said Augusta.
"You don't have the right to speak of her. You keep my daughter's name out of your goddamned mouth or I can promise you the suffering I will make you endure will have you begging for death". Said Horatio.
"You see Egg wasn't your daughter she is my father's daughter and my biological sister. Just like Franklin is my biological brother you have no claim to him". Said Augusta earning another power armoured punch to the face from Horatio.
"Egg is more my daughter than she was luke's. That monster saw that innocent girl as nothing more than a weapon of mass destruction!". Shouted Horatio.
"Oh this is Rich". Augusta laughed.
"Even after Egg turned to the worship of Nurgle the great and powerful Inquisitor Horatio Hoffman still sees her as his sweet little girl Ha ha ha!".
This earned Augusta another strike to the face.
"I LOVE MY DAUGHTER!". Horatio roared.
"And I love my son. And I will be damned if I let you take him from me too. I won't have your ilk try and turn him into a weapon like you tried with Egg. I will come to end you after I find and finish off those who landed with you Sevenson. This. Is. Not. Over". Said Horatio walking out of the cell.
'Violet can you hear me'. Thought Augusta.
'Yes I'm here'. Violet responded.
'I'm inside I've been captured as we planned but it turns out what Rack said was true. Franklin has no idea on who we are, all is according to plan relay to Sherman and the others to proceed with phase 2'. Augusta thought.
'Alright I will send the message'. Said Violet before Augusta felt her psychic presence disappeared from his mind.
(Back with the rest of the night lords)
'Sherman Augusta is in position phase two is a go begin the attack'. Violet ordered.
'Yes mistress violet'. Sherman replied.
"Alright everyone begin the attack". Sherman ordered.
The night lords came out from the jungle and began firing on the defensive walls surrounding the settlement of Sanctuary. Setting off the perimeter alarm and the wall defences.
(Inside Sanctuary)
"All hands attack on the main gate repeat attack on the main gate all hands battle stations all non military personal are to evacuate to the protection bunker I repeat all non military personal are to evacuate to the protection bunker this is not a drill". The p.a system went off.
The civilians ran towards the bunker as the militia ran towards the wall.
Franklin jumped out of his bunk and ran towards his equipment locker.
After getting fully dressed and armed he went to join the firing line on the wall he looked down to see five night lords shooting at the gate.
"All hands switch to your Cobra assault cannons the enemie's armour is thick small arms fire will do little at this range snipers aim for the gaps in their armour all hands fire at will!". Franklin shouted.
The night lords were forced behind cover by the sheer volume of gun fire especially when most of the bullets flying at you explode on impact.
"Distract the loyalists on the walls while I breach the gate!". Shouted Sherman as he made for the gate.
Franklin psychically heard what he said and went to defend the gate.
"Ready my mech we have an enemy seeking to breach the main gate!". Said Franklin.
One of the militia members heard him and nodded.
Franklin's mech was fixed up and ready for combat in a blink of an eye and franklin set off towards Sanctuary's main gate.
An explosion rocked the settlement walls as the main gate was blown to bits.
"Night lords I'm in keep the loyalists busy while get the packages ready for extraction". Said Sherman over his vox.
"I don't think so heretic!". Came a voice over a loud speaker.
Sherman turned to see a thirteen foot bipedal mech stomping it's way towards him armed to the teeth.
(A.N. If you wish to know what A pandoran battle mech looks like please look up the movie Avatar not the air bending one the one with the tall blue aliens)
Sherman looked to the cockpit of the mech and saw Franklin in it then at the rather intimidating guns the mech was equipped with.
"The only way your getting through this gate is over my dead body". Said Franklin as he aimed his weapons at Sherman all twenty of them.
"Ah Hi uncle Franklin is this bad time to tell you that I'm your nephew Sherman". Said Sherman nervously looking at the giant rifle the mech was holding and was pointed at his face.
"Click click boom". Franklin said as he pulled the trigger sending a massive explosive bullet at Sherman sending him flying out the gate and half way across the battle field before sealing the breached gate.
"Ouch that hurt. Mary have you infiltrated the settlement yet". Asked Sherman over the vox.
"Yes I'm in position". Said Mary.
"Good stay there and stay hidden and wait for Violet's signal". Said Sherman.
"Will do". Said Mary.
(Back in lockup)
Franklin stormed into Augusta's cell wearing a power fist slugged Augusta in the face.
"I knew it was too good to be true. I don't know what your planning but your going to tell me everything right fucking now!". Said Franklin striking Augusta again and again and again.
"I don't honestly know what your talking about brother". Said Augusta.
Franklin punched him again this time making Augusta spit out a tooth.
"You cannot stop us little brother it is inevitable please just surrender and no one will get hurt". Said Augusta.
"What have you done!". Franklin demanded.
"It's too late either you walk away or we take you by force there is no scenario where you come out as the victor". Said Augusta.
Franklin looked at Augusta who saw something in the young boy's eyes something primal something so indomitable that it almost scared him.
"You really don't know the pandoran people do you. Because if you did you would know that we would choose death before dishonour that we would rather die then surrender to the enemy". Said Franklin as he stormed out of the cell.
"Have the security forces prepare for an internal attack we have hostiles in the settlement". Said Franklin to one of the guards.
"How many sir". Asked the guard.
"One maybe two I want the prisoner secured triple the guard detail, triple the security triple everything that prisoner must not be allowed to escape". Said Franklin as he walked out.
"Where does that brat get off bossing us around?". The first guard asked his partner.
"His Father is the lord Commisar of pandora that's where and he is well respected among the militia and Sanctuary sees him as a hero so that's where so quit bitching and follow orders". Said the other guard as he got to work.
Just as Franklin left the cell block Mary appeared and the two guards were killed instantly.
"Wow Augusta you look like shit". Said Mary cutting Augusta's restraints with her combat knife.
"Franklin worked my face over with an imperial guard issue power fist probably knowing it wouldn't kill me only hurt me. Tried beating information out of me listen Franklin isn't just some violent kid with a gun he fights like a professional soldier. And doesn't hesitate to go for the kill we will need to neutralise him before we take him we'll need to use the Harmstrong gas". Said Augusta.