The moon shines brightly over 191. Her treads go smoothly over the rocky crags beneath her. Her engine roars with excitement spewing out black smoke as she chugs through the night.
Her top hatch is open, and Hel pops out, leaning out of it and resting on the edge of the hatch. He scans the dark environment with a pair of binoculars. He lowers the binoculars and lets out a sigh. He retreats back into 191 and sits back in his chair.
"Anything?" Will asks
"Nothing," Hel responds, placing the binoculars on the floor.
"Well, that's better than something. Right?" Cas says, stretching his arm.
"I suppose." Hel yawns.
Silence overtakes the crew. Just then, the door separating the crew from the cargo is tried. First, it is pushed, but the door doesn't budge.
"Its a pull," Hel yells without looking at the door.
The door is pulled, and Kelkae pokes her head through the now open doorway. She curiously looks around the crew area. Hel turns around in his chair and looks at her.
"Never been in a chimera before?" He asks
"No. This vehicle is much cruder than our wave serpents." Kelkae says haughtily. "It is shameful that I am being transported in this."
"Yeah, sorry, this is the best we've got." Hel starts. "She may be ugly-"
"HEY!" Cas interrupts. "191 is a beauty!"
"Cas is right." Will agrees. "If she were a woman, I'd fuck her."
"I'd fuck her twice," Cas says, putting a fist up.
Kelkae winces at their crude language. "You have such feeling for this vehicle?"
"Of course, we do." Will confidently says. "Unlike the other regiments, we of the Steel Legion appreciate the destructive capabilities of Chimera's."
"I have never met monkeigh with such vivid feelings for an inanimate object."
"Well, then you never met Steel Legion," Hel says, spinning back in his chair. He places a hand against 191's hull. "We live and die in our Chimera's."
"Ain't that the truth," Will says.
Hel nods in agreement. He picks up the binoculars off the floor and opens the top hatch again. He pops through the hatch and is greeted by a light breeze that blows against his gas mask. He peers through his binoculars and sees a fire in the distance to the left of 191. He lowers back into 191.
"Cas, do you see that fire in the distance?"
"Yeah, I can see it, but just a little. What do you think it could be?"
"It might be the Eldar we are looking for."
Kelkae's face turns to surprise. "You're looking for Eldar?"
"Yeah. Our orders are to transport them to the frontlines." Hel says without looking at Kelkae. "Cas head towards the fire."
"Roger that."
191 banks to her left and starts to head towards the distant fire at top speed. She makes it to the outskirts of the fire in a matter of minutes.
The fire's origin is a half-destroyed wave serpent. Its hull burns in the waning night. Outside, the serpent are a group of indiscernible figures. The figures turn towards 191 as she approaches, and they take battle stances. 191 stops a safe distance from them, and Hel pops out from the hatch. He wields his bolt pistol in one hand.
"Who are you lot?" Hel shouts at the figures.
"Monkeigh, we are Eldar of Craftworld Lybraesil!" One of the figures shouts back. "We demand your service."
Hel ducks back into 191 and looks at Will. "Do you believe them?"
"They could be Dark Eldar. Did they specify which Eldar they are?" Will asks.
From behind the two men, a loud slap can be heard. Both men look behind them to see Kelkae's face buried in one of her hands. She slowly drags her hand down her face as she looks at both men with a face of complete disappointment.
"What's the matter, Kelkae?" Hel questions.
"They are Eldar. E-L-D-A-R." She says, annoyed. "We must go and greet them."
"Well, as my superior, I will go with what you say," Hel says seriously. "Do you want to take Cas with you?"
"Don't just volunteer me." Cas blurts. "Asshole."
"You're the most disposable of us," Hel explains. "Anyone of us can drive 191."
"That's bullshit," Cas says, turning in his seat. "I know for a fact that Will can't drive 191."
"I can. It's just that I'm better at aiming the turret." Will says without looking at Cas.
"Will can. The problem is that driving is all you're good at. You can't aim worth shit, and you definitely can't command." Hel explains.
Cas opens his mouth then closes it once he realizes the correctness of Hel's statement. "Fine, I'll go."
Cas gets out of his chair and heads towards the door where Kelkae stands. He gently pushes past her and unhitches the lasgun from the ceiling. He silently releases the lever controlling the ramp in the back. The ramp opens, letting a cold breeze enter 191's interior.
"Let's get this over with," Cas says with slight annoyance.
Kelkae nods and follows Cas outside 191. They slowly walk towards the figures who watch as they approach. Cas keeps his lasgun at his hips and pointed forward. He leans towards Kelkae.
"If something goes wrong, I'll distract, but you need to get back to 191." He whispers
"Nothing will go wrong here." Kelkae spits back.
Cas shrugs. "You're my superior. If you die, I die. So let's keep that from happening, yeah?"
Before Kelkae can respond, Cas stops. Kelkae just now realizes how close they have come to the figures. In front of them stands a tall, slender woman with bright red hair. Her armor is blue and white, with two wings coming out of the back outstretched to the sky. Flanking each of her sides are equally tall and slender women wearing slim white and blue armor that Cas has never seen before. In total, they number eight, excluding Cas and Kelkae.
Kelkae immediately takes a knee in the presence of the winged woman. Cas remains standing his mask covering his awe at the sight of the women. He nearly loses his grip on the lasgun but quickly recovers his senses.
"Are you the Commander of this transport?" The winged woman asks Cas.
Cas barely hears the woman as he is gripped between both fear and admiration. He takes a step back from the woman causing the women to take a step forward towards him. He tries to take another step back, but his foot snags on a rock, and he falls backward onto the ground. Cas's breath hastens as he struggles to get up.
"Answer me, monkeigh!" The winged woman shouts quickly losing patience.
"N-no, ma'am." Cas stutters out instinctively, lowering his head.
"Where is your Commander?" One of the women hisses. She faces towards the winged woman. "These monkeigh have no respect."
"Quiet sister. This monkeigh may yet be useful to us if we use him well." The winged woman says, looking at Cas. "Why does your Commander send us the-"
"Driver." Cas whispers.
"Yes, the "Driver." Does he fear us?"
"We don't fear anybody." Cas proudly says, looking the winged woman in the eyes. "He sends me because if something goes wrong-." Cas points behind him. "-that multilaser will cut us all to ribbons." His confidence quickly fades, and he lowers his head again.
"Ah, I see." The winged woman says, rubbing her chin. "Knowing this, you still came out to greet us?"
"Y-Yes ma'am."
"Admirable, but stupid." One of the women says. "Typical monkeigh strategy."
The winged woman turns her attention to the kneeling Kelkae. "You can stand now, Warlock."
"As you say Autarch," Kelkae says, standing.
"You are traveling with this monkeigh? Why?"
"These monkeigh picked me up when I was wounded," Kelkae says. "We are currently headed to the frontlines."
"I see." The winged woman says with uncomfortable glee, which sends a shiver down Cas's spine. She turns to Cas. "We will travel with you."
Cas raises his free hand into the air and gives a thumbs up. Cas lets out a deep breath and looks at the winged woman. He then looks to Kelkae. "Follow me."
The winged woman nods, and she follows next to Cas her entourage following behind with Kelkae leading the rear. Cas takes off his gas mask and lets the cold air of the night blow against his sweaty face. He takes a quick side glance at the winged woman. He is surprised to find her completely staring at his mutated side.
"That's close enough." The familiar voice of Hel pierces the quiet night.
The party looks towards the voice to find the turret of 191 pointing directly at them. The women behind the winged one take battle stances with their swords drawn.
"Cas. You alright?" Hel asks.
"I'm alright, Hel," Cas says, heading to the rear of 191.
"You must be the Commander." The winged woman says. "I am Autarch Lanariel."
"Commander Hel at your service ma'am," Hel responds. "I was told that you are Eldar? Is that true?"
"That is true, Hel." The winged woman says. "You will transport us to the frontlines. Is that understood?"
"It's understood. Our orders were to transport some Eldar to the frontlines anyway."
"Good, then there are no problems."
"No, ma'am."
Hel disappears into 191 and closes the hatch. Cas comes back around the side of 191 without his lasgun. He nudges his head towards the back of 191 to which Lanariel follows. Cas is the first to enter through 191's rear and quickly disappears into the crew area of 191. Lanariel, Kelkae, and the rest of the women take their seats in the back.
In the crew area, Cas pushes past Hel and takes his seat back in the driver's position. He flips some switches and starts up 191's engines. In an instant, 191 comes back to life and begins to move again.
The crew is silent as 191 pushes forward. Cas's mask is still removed and rests in his lap. Hel looks down at Cas, whose legs are shaking madly.
"Cas, you alright?" Hel asks.
"Yeah, Hel, I'm fine."
"You don't look fine," Will adds.
"You wouldn't feel fine if you had to talk to the most attractive woman you've ever seen."
"She wasn't that good looking," Hel says.
"You obviously didn't see her as I did," Cas says. "The moonlight was perfectly bathing her. I just can't get the image of her out of my head."
"You should tell her then," Will says.
"Are you insane, Will? She is way outta my league. I mean c'mon, I'm a damn mutant!"
"Never know till you try," Hel says in a teacherly tone. He opens the hatch of 191 and pops back out.
The sun peaks over the horizon and lights up the environment. Hel takes out his binoculars and looks through them. He slowly does a 360-degree turn. He spots something to the west. He lowers the binoculars and eyes it for himself. The object is coming closer at breakneck speeds.
"Will!" Hel shouts. "Incoming to the west!"
Will turns the turret to the west of 191 and points it at the incoming object. "Enemies?" Will asks intensely.
Hel looks through the binoculars again. This time he can make out the details of the object. A Dark Eldar raider heads towards them, its sails unfurled and standing proudly in the dawn.
"Dark Eldar!" Hel shouts. "Prepare for combat!"
Will starts to fire the multilaser at the raider. The anti-gravity vehicle gracefully dodges the shots and quickly closes the gap between the two vehicles. The raider rides right next to 191, matching her speed even at her fastest. The raider is commandeered by nine Dark Eldar one on the prow gun, one driving and seven wyches hanging off the sides equipped with a variety of melee weapons.
Hel takes out his bolt pistol and takes shots at a wych hanging off the side. She gracefully dodges each of his shots much to his annoyance. The wych changes her razor flail into its whip form and starts to slash at Hel. Hel responds by closing the hatch to 191 and retreating inside her hull.
"WILL! Take it out already!" Hel shouts.
"The multilaser ain't cutting through it!" Will shouts back.
The raider breaks away from 191 as the multilaser pelts it nonstop. The turret follows close to the raider and continues to fire even as the raider retreats. The multilaser comes to a sudden halt as it overheats. Hel pops out of the hatch again and watches the raider go off into the distance.
"Did we make them retreat?" Cas asks from below.
"Looks that way," Hel says, taking out his binoculars. "Wait….."
Hel watches as the raider reappears. This time it's charging straight at 191. Hel quickly retreats into 191.
"CAS THEY'RE GOING TO RAM US! DRIVE FASTER!"
"I'm going as fast as I can!"
191 speeds forward, unable to escape the raider. Will shoots at the raider using the multilaser, but the shots seem to have no effect on the raider's speed. In one motion, the raider rams into 191 piercing her hull and destroying her left treads disabling her. The prow of the raider enters into the crew area and pierces Cas cutting off his arm at the elbow and entering into his left side.
"FUCK!" Cas yells out as the prow pins him into the driver seat. His arm falls to the ground below, and blood starts to rush out of the open wound.
The prow of the raider quickly withdraws from 191, and the morning sun shines through the new hole in 191's hull. Cas screams out in pain as he grasps his wounds as best he can. Hel quickly pops open the hatch again and starts firing at the raider. His shots hit the gunner whose head explodes in gore as the bolt rips through it.
A wych jumps off the raider and climbs onto 191 as Hel reloads. Before he can finish reloading, he is pulled out of the hatch by the wych and thrown to the ground below. The wych enters into 191 and starts to fight with Will in the tight quarters of the crew area, all while Cas screams in pain.
Will puts up a good fight against the more capable wych but is quickly being overwhelmed by the blows. Cas grabs at the wych's legs but is swiftly kicked in the face multiple times. It all comes to an end as a sword pierces the wych's exposed stomach. She falls into Hel's seat lifeless as the sword is withdrawn from her, and the face of Kelkae greets the duo.
Without a word, Will pushes past Kelkae and unhitches a lasgun and opens the back of 191. Lanariel and her entourage, as well as Will, charge out from the back of 191 and engage the now dismounted wyches. Hel lays on the ground, knocked unconscious by the throw from before. As the Eldar engage each other, Will sneaks around and grabs hold of Hel and drags him back into the hull of 191.
Laughter, howling, and the screams of Cas fill the dawn. The clashing of blades and the grunts of women fill the air. Will heads back into the crew area with bandages and begins to tend to Cas. He wraps bandages around Cas's wounds and injects him full of stimulants. Will reaches under Cas's chair and pulls out a laspistol and puts it in his lap. He pats him on the helmet and quickly heads back to the rear of 191 to check on Hel.
As he checks Hel's pulse, Cas resumes screaming. Will quickly heads back to the crew area to be greeted by Cas being pulled through the still open hatch.
"WILL!" Cas screams in panic as he struggles against his aggressors.
Will stumbles as he tries to reach for Cas's leg. He misses the leg as Cas is pulled entirely out of 191. Will rushes to the hatch and climbs out of it only to see Cas being chained to the raider by a wych.
"WILL!" Cas yells. "KILL ME!"
Will scrambles back into 191 and picks up the laspistol off the ground near the driver's seat. He returns to the hatch only to see the raider take off into the distance, with Cas still screaming Will's name.
Will rushes to the driver's seat of 191 and tries to start her engines. Her engines roar to life, but her treads are torn. Her engines cry as she can do nothing to help her captured crew. Will slams against the dashboard of 191 shouting profanities.
Hel enters into the crew area rubbing his head. He leans against the hull drunkenly. "What happened?" He asks
"THEY TOOK HIM!" Will shouts. "They took Cas…." He whispers.
"We have to go after them."
"We can't. The treads are gone." Will leans back in the driver's seat defeated. "Repairing them will take hours, at least."
"Then we repair them and chase after them," Hel says, pushing the wyches body out of his chair and taking a seat.
"But our orders…."
"Fuck the orders," Hel says. "I'd rather die than let them have their way will Cas. Ain't that right, 191."
191 engines roar even louder as if answering her commander.
"What about the Eldar?" Will asks
"We'll just tell them we're heading to the frontline still."
Will nods in silent agreement. "Then let's do it."