Corrin sat up. He was breathing at a quick pace. His hand reached out into the darkness of the night around him. "Johnson…" There was a slight movement.
"Corrin? Corrin, by the Omnissiah, you're awake!" It was Grange. He heard a slight snap. An illuminator focused the area around them. Grange was gritting his teeth, pointing his bolt pistol at Corrin's head.
"What the Frak are you doing?" Corrin cried. Grange smiled and lowered the weapon.
"I had to make sure." He thought for a moment. "But, I stabbed you with the virus. You should be infected…"
"But I'm not. Look, Grange, it's a long story…" He looked around. "Where's Krieg?" Grange closed his eyes.
"I don't know. He disappeared. I don't know. I searched for him for a while, but I couldn't leave you." Grange said sadly. Corrin nodded. He examined his surroundings. They were obviously still in the mountains. "I thought we had lost you Corrin."
"I thought so myself." Corrin replied sadly. He stood. "Have we made any headway?" Grange shook his head. Corrin motioned for him to stand. "Then we can't rest. If Krieg is gone, he is gone. We need to move."
Grange nodded. There was a great tension. What had happened to Krieg, Corrin wondered. But he couldn't waste time looking for someone who could be dead. He raised his slug rifle from the ground. They looked at each other for a moment. They knew what had to be done. Corrin began to walk around the thin mountain paths, Grange following close behind.
Corrin closed his eyes. Had he truly talked to Johnson, or was it another trick from Riktus like the visions in the forest? He had so much to think about. He opened his eyes and halted in place. "Grange, are those…?"
"The citizens of Mercador." Grange finished his sentence. Far below on the rolling mountain plains, dozens of people lay sleeping. There were few of them, much less than before. Corrin spat. The Imperials must have attacked them, unarmed civilians.
There was a flash and several screams echoed throughout the mountains. Corrin looked to the north. Several speeding figures were descending on the refugees like a storm. Corrin didn't think. He didn't take time to reason. Before Grange could grab him, he jumped lightly onto the cliff on the mountain and slid down, towards his townspeople.
Rocks and dust flew about him rapidly. He felt hard material bite down on his skin. His teeth rubbed roughly together. With a short leap, he landed on the lush grass. His feet were shot with pain, but he ignored it. The people were screaming all around as the Imperial raiders killed their friends and family.
Corrin spun. One of the Imperials was careening towards him on a small hover-bike. The man smiled maliciously. Corrin lifted his rifle. The smile drained off the Imperial's face as Corrin pressed the trigger and dove out of the way.
The man flew out of his seat and over the mountain while his craft soared away into the rocks. Fire and stone blasted across the field. Grange appeared by Corrin's side. "You crazy bastard!" He laughed with a smile as a plasma cannon formed on his arm.
The two stood back to back, firing back and forth at the oncoming raiders. The civilians stood huddled behind them. There were too many. More and more Imperials hurtled into the small, grassed area. Corrin roared as one jumped at him. His rifle shot up and spat death into the man's chest.
"Surrender in the name of the Emperor." A low, angry voice said. The Imperials stopped. Grange and Corrin turned. Corrin knew the voice. He knew what it was before it even showed itself. A massive warrior stood before them, his bolt gun armed and pointed at their puny bodies. Corrin stepped forward.
"No," Grange said quietly. Corrin looked at him, confused. The Martian's mournful look turned to rage. "This one's…mine!" He bellowed. Corrin turned away as his friend rushed into combat with the giant. He had to protect his people.
He looked around and fired a slew of slugs into the Imperials approaching them. His gun pivoted back and forth, firing into the legions of enemies. "Lay down your weapon, Grant. It's over." A cold voice stated. The voice was right. Corrin looked to the side. Grange lay atop the body of the giant warrior, wounded. Imperials stood over him happily, pointing weapons at his skull.
"I will not surrender to you." Corrin growled. He felt something growing in his chest. He had felt it, since the lab, but never like this. Something had changed within him. His eyes flared. His hands relaxed and contracted as energy flowed through his blood stream. He felt adrenaline pumping throughout his body. "I will not." And with that, he was upon them.