Imperial Orphan. The Franklin Sevenson Chronicles.
Chapter three. Battles and escapes.
The guards outside fell dead and Mary wiped her combat knife clean before returning it to it's sheath. She opened the door to Augusta's cell and saw Augusta looked like he went ten rounds with a block of concrete.
"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 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.
Mary looked at him surprise evident in her voice.
"Are you kidding he's just a thirteen year old kid augusta". Said Mary.
"A Six foot five inches two hundred pounds of pure muscle combat machine of a thirteen year old who literally feels no fear and eats enemies bigger, stronger and better armed than himself for breakfast he isn't just some angry boy with a gun I have spoken with him looked him in the eyes there is a powerful and terrifying intelligence behind that macho bad boy soldier act if we underestimate him we will fail the mission hell we might even die". Said Augusta.
"Your joking tell me your joking your are talking about a thirteen year old boy in his settlement's local militia. I think we can take him without resorting to extreme measures". Said Mary.
"You haven't met my brother Mary. There was something in his eyes something so powerful, so strong, so indomitable that will not allow him to taste defeat and I sure as fuck do not want to meet whatever it is that makes him this way so just follow my orders and follow the plan I would like to pull this off without hurting Franklin". Said Augusta.
They both left after retrieving Augusta's weapons and went to begin the invasion of Sanctuary.
(With Franklin)
Franklin was in the vehicle bay supervising everyone and all going ons in the bay.
"Hanger Teams I want those Mech suits, atcs and sentinels fully reloaded and operational asap. All mobile armour and Mech trooper squad teams are to be ready to deploy the moment the enemy attacks again. Tech priestess Helena how is the progress of the heavy armoured Transport coming". Asked Franklin.
"The repairs and modifications are almost complete Sargent Hoffman. All that is left to do is to attach the water reserves and purification units onto the transport as well as the ration stores are you sure it is necessary Sargent Hoffman". Asked Tech Priestess Helena.
"Yes our enemies our chaos space marines Priestess Helena. I want the Transport ready for when we have to evacuate the civilians safely to Fort Hollow point I want to make sure that that when I tell them that their safety is assured that I damn well meant it". Said Franklin.
"As you wish young lord". Said Priestess Helena bowing in respect.
"Priestess Helena please take over I have squad members to address". Said Franklin.
"As you wish young lord". Said Priestess Helena.
Franklin walks off to find the entirety of Bravo company in their designated briefing room.
"It's about time Sarge so what's the play those bastards killed our brothers today". Asked Henry.
"Yeah we're all itching for payback sarge". Said Longshot.
The mumurs of the other members of Bravo company ran out in the background as Franklin looked at them.
"Alright Bravo listen up! Right now as we speak our maintenance, mechanic and engineering teams are hard at work to get every mobile armour every combat vehicle every weapon every round of ammunition and every set of combat armour battle ready as well as our contingency plan". Said Franklin.
"And what is this contingency plan Sargent Hoffman". Came Lord commisar Horatio as he walked in on the brief.
"Commisar on deck!". Shouted Franklin as he stood at attention followed by his entire squad.
"At ease men Sargent your plan". Asked Horatio.
"As I was saying our enemy's identity has been confirmed. Gentlemen I ask you to remain calm the rumours you've been hearing around the barracks is true the ones that attacked us are servants to the great foul enemy the forces of chaos. From a warband of chaos space marines known as the night lords these chaos space marines are specialised in stealth combat and terror tactics they are also sadistic slavers and heavy into rape and murder". Said Franklin.
"So we's gonna kill'em right Sarge". Said Clitus.
"no absolutely not. I have had the fort's Mechanicus Adepts working on converting the heavy armoured merchant trade vehicle into a large heavily armoured transport vessel to help evacuate the civilans. And what civilians that don't fit on the transport We of Bravo, Alpha, foxtrot and Whisky company will be volunteering our chimera battalions to help cart the civilians to Fort hollow point. Sentinel and Mech suit squads minus The mech suit squad of Bravo 13 will be providing protection and security for the evacuation Convoy". Said Franklin.
He got a chorus of yes sirs from the members of Bravo company.
"Squad 13 while be remaining behind to by time while the convoy makes it's way to fort hollow point. Squad 13 the Mechanicus Adepts have modified our squad's Mech suits with new imperial weaponry. Including heavy blasters and the experimental EM-1 railgun. Also we've been given access to new high tech infantry weaponry such as the new plasma gun patterns the DC-15, CR-2, and the E-5C blaster rifles along with the M56A2 Smart Gun heavy support fire weapon. Once the convoy is beyond pursuit range we are to fall back and meet them at the rondevu point out in the dust near the linchwood train tunnel and follow them to hollowpoint". Said Franklin.
"Sarge this is bullshit these muthafuckas killed our brothers and we want payback not baby sitting duty. My cousin was in that gunship when it was hit". Came one member of the Bravo company.
"And you think I don't feel your grief is that it. Every person in Sanctuary no all people on pandora are my brothers and sisters!". Said Franklin passionately.
"And I will not allow some insane heretics with an unhealthy obsession of rape and murder come onto my homeworld and do as they please, Hurt who they please and as far as I am concerned this is an act of war and tell me brothers and sisters... how do the pandoran people respond to such acts". Said Franklin quietly.
The militia soldiers in the room looked at him with hard eyes already knowing the answer to the question.
"WE RESPOND WAR WITH WAR!". Franklin roared.
The members of Bravo company responded with fellow tribal war cries until Franklin silenced them.
"You all know your roles now wreak havoc and let loose the dogs of war!". Franklin ordered. Everyone charged out of the briefing room going to prepare for the massive operation that was to come.
Just then an explosion rocked the military centre and the alarm was going off.
"ALL HANDS TO YOUR STATIONS!". Roared Franklin.
"Franklin... Be careful my son". Said Horatio.
"I will make you proud father they won't take this planet they came for a raid but I'm going to give them a war". Said Franklin as he hugged his father and then went to man his post.
Everyone was running to their assigned vehicles and posts. The soldiers locked and loaded. The vehicles fuelled and made battle ready. The transports were taken to the fort bunker and began loading up the townsfolk and started to move out.
Franklin was in his mech suit ready for world war 8 as was his entire squad.
"Bravo 13 move out!". Franklin ordered.
Franklin's battle squad left to meet the night lords on the battle field. And meet them they did all ten of them were standing in the city square with Augusta at the front.
"Hey Augusta which one is your little brother". Asked Sid.
"See the mech with the red tribal markings standing in front of the other four that is Franklin and trust me he fights old school". Said Augusta.
"I don't know what that means". Said Sid confused.
"It means I prefer to defeat my enemies the old fashion way... BRUTALLY!". Snarled Franklin as he started shooting and a firefight began between Augusta's night lord squad and the commando team Bravo 13.
"Do not let them advance we cannot allow them to obtain a foot hold". Said Franklin as he continued shooting.
The Night lords just snarled and opened up on Franklin and his boys. Only to have Augusta snarl at them.
"You idiots stop shooting at Franklin we're here to bring him back alive!". Shouted Augusta.
"Waste the other four though". Said Augusta.
Franklin came running from his side of the battlefield just firing at the night lords howling like an enraged beast made of really really big guns. This action shocked some of the night lords making a few of them to move back a few feet giving up held ground.
Franklin came in fast and came in swinging. His mech swung it's massive rifle at the night lords left and right in a show of great and unrestrained aggression. The mech easily matching the the Chaos space marines in strength.
Augusta was having a hard time trying to restrained the hyper aggressive Franklin. He wouldn't stop for anything not even to take a breath.
"Damn he's pissed off!". Said Augusta fighting off Franklin finally overpowering the mech forcing Franklin to back off.
The battle went on for several minutes. Until Franklin and his men began to run out of ammo.
"Sarge we just got word that the bunker was fully evacuated and the transports are half way to the dust we need to retreat and join up with the convoy". Said Dildi.
"Okay All squad launch flash grenades and prepare to fall back... HOLY SHIT!". Franklin yelled just as a chain sword tearing it's way through his mech barely missing his torso in the process.
"Franklin!". Franklin's friends and subordinates yelled.
Franklin pulled his eject lever and the canopy of his mech popped off and Franklin jumped out with his infantry weapons.
He looked back seeing his mech being kicked off a Night lord's chain sword.
And said owner of the chain sword in question was getting his face bashed in by Augusta in a rage.
"YOU IDIOTS I SAID WE ARE HERE TO TAKE HIM ALIVE!". Roared Augusta.
Franklin began running towards his team where Dildi picked him up and put him on the shoulder of his mech then dropped a smoke grenade.
"Retreat right fucking now!". Franklin yelled as he and his team escaped while the night lords were distracted and temporarily blinded by the smoke screen.
Bravo 13 ran until they couldn't travel by mech anymore. Abandoning their war machines opting to continue on foot.
"We must get to the commisar's personal hanger bay. There is still a way out of sanctuary. They ran to the vehicle bay where they high tech priestess Helena waiting for them.
"WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE!". Franklin shouted in shock.
"I couldn't leave you here young lord". Said Tech priestess Helena
"I gave all citizens the order to evacuate the fort when I give an order I expect it to be followed". Said Franklin.
"Would this be a bad time to tell you your father hasn't evacuated either". Said Priestess Helena.
"AAAAAARRRRRGH! Tech priestess Helena since your still here I will need you to get the traitor's bane up and running and to the city limits I will join you after I go and recover my father and his team". Said Franklin frustration evident in his voice.
"You will need help going out there alone is suicide!". Said Tech Priestess Helena.
"No Helena you will need all the help you can get operating the Traitor's bane. Besides I will be able to move better and more swiftly alone than I would with a group. Go with the others and take the Traitor's bane to the south side gate. I will meet up with you there". Said Franklin running off.
(With Horatio)
Lord Commisar Horatio Hoffman was valiantly fighting off the nightlords with a squad of sisters of battle. Using the incredible weapon his son Franklin helped develop he was kicking ass and taking names.
His new Plasma magnum pistol was blowing big dents in the Nightlords' Ceramite power armour. Then add on the hail of Battle sister bolter fire it kept the night lords from gaining ground and was effectively keeping them back.
"My lord Commisar we just got word that Sargent Franklin is making his way here to provide assistance". Said Sister Mary.
"Curse it all that boy is to stubborn for his own good. We have to keep them back and buy those who remain enough time to escape I will deal with my son when he arrives". Said Horatio.
(Back with Franklin)
Franklin raced through the torn up streets of Sanctuary to reach his father. He came upon his father's team only to miss a bolt going through his head by the skin of his teeth.
"RAAAAAAAAAAGABLABALABAG!". Franklin snarling like a madman while spraying bullets and plasma bolts at the unfortunate soul that was stupid enough to be shooting at him.
"Franklin!?". Said Horatio.
"Father you should have evacuated long ago Sanctuary is lost". Said Franklin.
"First off my son this is my home I'll be damned if I let it be taken by heretics and second raaaaaaaaaagablabalabag?". Horatio asked in question.
"What! Egg doesn't like it when I curse so I use different alternatives look we need to go now Priestess Helena and my team are warming up the Traitor's bane as we speak we can meet up with them and get to safety if we leave right now!". Said Franklin.
Just then a bolter round went through Horatio's power armour wounding him.
"FATHER!". Franklin ran to Horatio doing his best to stem the bleeding.
He looked to Sister Mary silently begging the hospitaller to help. She looked at the wound and shook her head.
"Rrrrrrrrrr DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!".
Franklin brought his weapons to bear and opened fire. Unleashing a torrent of rapid ballistic and plasma fire and howls of unyielding rage upon the enemy when the night lords saw Franklin was the one shooting at him they backed off for the moment so as to not accidentally kill him.
"go...". Horatio said Quietly handing Franklin his pistol.
"No not without you if we... if we can get you to Priestess helena she can build you a life support machine to keep you alive so please don't say that". Said Franklin tears welling up in his eyes.
"Oh my son my how you've grown, did you know there was a time where you were small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. You were such a good boy and now in what has been years but seemed as moments compared to the blink of an eye you've grown into a man into a fine fine man you have no idea just how proud of you I am. The road ahead will be hard and filled burden know that I love you and your sister and I beg you for forgiveness my son". Said Horatio as he motioned his head to Sister Mary.
It was then Franklin felt the prick of the syringe filled with a powerful sedative in his neck. He turned to see sister Mary holding the needle.
"What... have... you... done". Franklin said weakly.
"Take my son and go and do not look back protect him with your lives I beg you he must live". Said Horatio.
The battle sisters nodded and carried the unconscious mass of Franklin away and Horatio locked the doors behind him.
'may the emperor watch over you my beloved son. And may you not follow me to the afterlife for a very long time Egg forgive me I don't think I will be able to make our next visit'. Horatio thought.
"well well look who it is the son of a whore who stole our brethren from us". Said Augusta standing over the bleeding body of Horatio.
"look at you Augusta your uglier then I remember did you do something with your hair". Said Horatio with cheek almost passing out from the pain and blood loss.
Augusta growled menacingly and poked a finger into Horatio's wound causing so much pain forcing Horatio to remain conscious.
"No no no my dear inquisitor I need you to stay awake we're no where near finished with you". Said Augusta.
"Father it's Augusta you presence is required on the planet I have Hoffman bleeding out on the ground before me like a stuck grox". Said Augusta over the vox.
"I'll teleport down right now". Said Luke over the vox before a flash of light appeared and then disappeared leaving the menacing form of Luke Sevenson in it's place.
"Hello Horatio how have you been seen my backstabbing traitorous daughter lately". Asked Luke coldly grabbing Horatio by the neck and hauling him off the ground.
"You filthy heretic how dare you speak of egg that way and how dare you call my daughter yours. I was more a father to her then you ever were. I saw a little girl who only wanted to live happily and be loved. You saw nothing but a weapon to be used I swear on the emperor's golden throne if you so much as speak her name with your filth crusted lips again I will cut your tongue from your mouth with a chain sword and strangle you with it!". Horatio snarled.
"As much as I would enjoy the pain I would feel from a chain sword tearing into my flesh. I have to retrieve my son. Where is Franklin". Luke demanded.
"Far far away and safe from you". Said Horatio gripping his chain sword.
Horatio swung it at Luke who in turn dropped Horatio before snarling and blasted Horatio dead centre in the chest with his bolt pistol.
"Go and retrieve our family I will return to the Asylum awaiting the good news". Said Luke before he was teleported back to the Asylum as the group moved out in pursuit.
The life blood of Horatio was sinking into the pandoran earth beneath him. He felt his life coming to an end.
'forgive me Egg I tried and now I go to the place all damned souls like me end up'. Thought Horatio.
'Not if I have anything to say about it'. Came Egg's voice in Horatio's mind.
'Father I will take you to your emperor and to your promised afterlife I will miss you terribly I'm so sorry I wasn't around to protect you both'. Cried Egg.
Horatio was blinded by a great light and stood before his majesty the great and mighty emperor of mankind himself.
"my liege I am unworthy of your presence". Said Horatio bowing.
"Such would have been the case if you hadn't changed your life around Horatio. But you brought up your son and led your people justly and compassionately. Now join me at my side you have earned your rest". Said the Emperor compassionately gesturing Horatio to his side.
"Father". Came Egg's voice.
"My daughter thank you so much I love you so much... your brother will need you he will need your love and guidance you must be there for him as I cannot now. I am proud of both my children I am so sorry for not being there when you were growing up please forgive me". Horatio begged.
"There is nothing to forgive papa I love you but now you must go and so do I". Said Egg disappearing back into the warp.
"I am ready my god-emperor I am ready". Said Horatio with conviction before disappearing in a flash of golden light with the emperor's spirit.
(Back at the hanger bay).
The sisters of battle had hauled the unconscious Franklin all they way to the pickup point near the south end gate meeting up with the Traitors bane the fastest bane blade in the imperium the only one of it's kind. The tank was now fully operational and moving at top speed away from sanctuary demolishing everything in its path.
Franklin finally woke up and remembered all that had happened. To worn out to be angry or to fight he just broke down crying Sister Mary just sat there with his young boy in her arms consoling him as he grieved the loss of his father.
"Hush now child he's with the emperor now in paradise no one can hurt him anymore". Said Sister Mary softly.
Franklin felt sick. Never in his life had be felt so weak and defeated was he being punished for something to have his friends his home and his family taken from him. He had never felt so powerless and frightened.
His whole life had been stolen from him by these night lords.
'They come to my planet raise my home to the ground, hurt my people, and kill my family how dare they... how... dare... they...'. Franklin growled in his mind.
'I will hunt them all down to the very ends of creation if I must but they will pay for what they have done'. Franklin thought.
Franklin didn't know what to think at this point. He didn't think it was humanly possible to hate others so much but he did then thought about what his father and sister would think if they saw him in the state he was in now and immediately calmed himself down.
"Young lord it is good to see you are functional again. We are making for the dust as we speak I am sorry about your father young lord he was my friend and I had worked with him for a very long time but we must escape and we need you". Said Tech priestess Helena.
Franklin got to his feet and stumbled a little bit.
"Damn that drug really messed me up but I'm awake. Dildi Situation report". Said Franklin groggily.
"We are half way through the jungle. A few more days at this speed and we will meet up with the convoy in the dust. But we also have some bad news the number of enemies was incorrect they had sent more than ten we've gotten word of some of the evac transports being hit by the night lords we don't know whether they took them as slaves or just killed them. The ten that attacked Sanctuary must have just been a distraction for us to keep us from interfering with their raids. It isn't good Sarge". Said Dildi sadly.
"Damn them damn them all". Franklin whispered.
"Alright I want out of this jungle as soon as possible full speed ahead helmsman I want all weapons manned at all times we are making it out of here alive and free I will not let our people's sacrifices be in vain". Said Franklin.
"Yes Sir Sargent Franklin!". Came all those on board the Traitor's bane as they manned their posts.
"My young lord I have something for you". Said Tech priestess Helena interrupting the moment.
"Yes Tech priestess Helena what is it". Asked Franklin.
"Your father told me that this should be given to you in the chance he was killed before you came of age young lord". Said Helena revealing a box opening it to reveal an ornate bolt pistol.
"My father's bolt pistol?". Said Franklin in shock.
"It was his last wish that you get this pistol. It had killed many an alpha plus psyker until your father changed his life around he used to be an inquisitor for the inquisition and I was one of the members of his retinue. I have worked hard on the tech rites and litanies to bless and appease the machine spirit of this weapon and in doing so have awakened the machine spirit within. I do believe you will need it if you are to survive this attack". Said Tech priestess Helena.
"Thank you Helena I will guard it with my life". Said Franklin.
Helena bowed respectfully and went to her post in the engine room.
Not far behind the massive tank was the Night lord hunting party tearing through the air with their jump packs. It wasn't long until they came upon the trail left by the Traitor's bane.
"They moved through here and recently too my auspecks scanners are reading a high octane fuel exhaust in the air they're in a heavy vehicle and despite it's weight and size it's moving at an incredible speed well for a what seems to be a mobile armoured vehicle anyway". Said Augusta.
"their not far now let's wrap this op up and go home!". Said Sherman before they all took to the sky being propelled by massive jets of warp flame.
As they soared through the air the spotted the Traitor's bane speeding through the jungle on the ground.
"FOUND YOU!". Augusta bellowed in psychotic joy as he and a few others landed on the tank.
The occupants of said tank heard and felt the night lords land on the traitor's bane. And immediately armed themselves.
Franklin walked over to Sister Mary holding out one of his liberator Auto stubb revolvers to her.
"Take it Sister your going to need it. And here is where the ammo is kept and be safe". Said Franklin.
"Oh you sweet child don't worry about us we are all going home together I swear to god emperor". She said gently kissing Franklin on the forehead before loading the weapon getting ready for combat.
"Sir we've established contact with the Adeptus sororitas garrison near the boundary between the jungle and plain lands of Thousand cuts and they have acknowledged our request for help". Said Long shot.
"Send them our thanks and let them now we will be coming in hot". Said Franklin just as a chain sword tore through the top hatch of the bane blade.
Franklin held gathered his weapon all of them. His Pandora pattern military enforcer pistol which sat in his chest holster. His plasma repeater which sat beside him his heavy Auto rifle in his hands his other Liberator auto stubb pistol in back holster and both his father's blessed bolt pistol and experimental plasma pistol in the holsters hanging from his hips he was outfitted for all out war.
The Hatch of the main turret was torn off by one of the night lords outside on the tank and saw Franklin as he looked down.
"Hello Cousin". The night lord said maliciously.
Franklin answered this by aiming his Auto rifle at the chaos space marine and opened fire driving him off.
"Helena give us more speed Dildi get us the fuck out of here everyone else man the weapons and open fire!". Shouted Franklin as he continued to keep the night lord out of the tank.
"I cannot do that Franklin the Traitor's bane is running at full speed". Tech priestess Helena replied.
"There's a clearing up ahead Sarge flat terrain. We can use that to move at full speed unimpeded which will allow us to gain ground. Just keep those bastards off our backs until we reach it". Said Dildi.
"Eta to the flats". Asked Franklin.
"three minutes twenty five seconds and counting". Said Dildi.
Franklin climbed up the tank's turret and to the ripped open hatch raised his rifle and began firing at the night lords. The gunfire did little damage but forced the night lords to back away of only for a moment.
The tank hit a hill and was air born for a few moments before it hit the flat earth of the plains and then took off like a missile gaining speed like no tomorrow. But sadly the tank wasn't the only one benefiting from the lack of obstacles.
With no trees or hills to worry about the night lord hunting party could fly straight towards the tank ramming it in attempt to roll the massive vehicle over which was met with the occupants cursing at them and taking heavy stubber fire.
Which for the most part just bounced off them harmlessly until a sound of small explosions was heard. Augusta looked up at the people shooting at him and saw the adeptus Sororitas of the painful path screaming out prayers to the emperor while laying down fire on the traitors.
"The Convent outpost we've made it everyone we will be alright now keep moving forward we are almost safe!". Franklin assured everyone in the tank only to hear them cheer and pray in thanks to the god emperor for protecting them. As they flew down the road towards the main outpost barracks while the night lords were busy fighting the Adeptus Sororitas manning the front gate of the outpost.