Chapter VI

"Inquisitor, are you unharmed?"

Nicomedo heard brother Tullius' voice as he got back on his feet. The explosion had shook the tunnel, and thrown about everyone but the four Astartes off their feet. "I am fine, but we have no time to lose." He reinforced his grip on the power sword he was wielding, and with his Bolt Pistol aiming at the tunnel exit moved forward. Screams of Genestealers, some more human than others filled the air. Sand and dust came crawling from the central chamber, which was finally in sight. According to the scans this place was large enough to house a small building, and indeed it did. The ruin of an ancient chapel was buried here, probably after the spire had once been destroyed, during an Ork invasion over a thousand years ago, and rebuilt. Parts of the cavern's ceiling had collapsed, destroying even more of the remaining structure, as well as killing several Genestealers in the process.

The cave was about 60 meters high, and rusty stairways connected three platforms, arranged one beneath the other, which extended all the way along the walls. They once had certainly been for maintenance purposes. From these platforms one could get access to the tunnels, but most were blocked now, littered with rocks and debris. The Inquisitor's team found themselves on the middle level, same height as the chapel's roof, or what remained of it. The platform whined beneath their weight, though thankfully didn't collapse. Nicomedo looked around and saw the Brood, still stunned by recent events: many were Hybrids, more human looking than alien, though their heads were deformed, as well as having purple veins exposed underneath their exceptionally pale skin. The Inquisitor could feel their minds; confused, ferocious, vile. It was amazing how every xeno creature shared the same emotional state. Nicomedo flinched shortly, at a psychic command they received. The confusion settled and the Brood's attention was relocated towards the intruders. A burning shot from a Multi Melta brought the Inquisitor's attention back from the psychic landscape. Nadim was firing on pureblood Genestealers, who simply climbed along the ceiling, using their long claws. Three burned to ash, another two managed to doge, but the Storm Troopers shot them down, one head exploded the other fell to its death, or at least out of reach. The other three Space Marines prepared for the Brood coming over the stairway and the upper platform. Tullius took position with a Heavy Bolter, while Quintus gave more precise shots with his Bolter, a Mark II Ultra Pattern made for higher accuracy during nighttime operations, one round piercing a huge whole into a Genestealer's torso.

"Those aren't Hellfire rounds, bother." The Ultramarine noted, right before clearing the stairs from a few Hybrids, trying to come up.

"Kraken Penetrator Rounds. I figured they would do well against the Tyranid's chitin."

More Genetealers were coming up the walls, and though Nadim immolated most of them another landed unharmed on the platform. Nicomedo fired his Bolt Pistol, but it was deflected by the blue chitin. The Genestealers attention turned to the Inquisitor and he barely managed to doge one claw coming from above. Another claw came from the side, but instead of blocking, the energy sword cut right through it. Now Nicomedo stood sideways to the alien and with another cut beheaded the monster, spilling its blood over his armor and face.

"We have to move, and kill the Patriarch before reinforcement shows up!" Nicomedo bellowed over the gunfire.

The platform was already littered with the dead, but they were only about two dozen and many more were on their way. A shadow was cast upon Tullius, and he was about to turn around when a shrill scream was suddenly stopped. The Ultramarine's head turned to see a Genestealer pierces through by Hawk's Talon Pattern Lightning Claws. Maccius threw his victim aside before charging at another one, who had just landed on the platform two meters away from him; the Raven Guard was the only one to exclusively carry melee weapons.

"Brother Nadim, take the lead!" Following the Inquisitor's orders, the Salamander moved past Tullis down the stairs, Nicomedo close behind him. The stairway protested and shook as the rest followed them, Maccius and Quintus at the back, cutting down a few more enemies, who tried to pursue.

Two more Genestealers appeared at the lowest platform, and the Multi Melta burned one of them, the second only lost a foot while it leaped forward. Nadim quickly let go of his weapon with one hand, catching the Genestealer at the throat. Sharp claws scratched over the silver shoulder plate, before he broke the neck. The xeno was still moving, but Nadim tossed it aside. Nicomedo was now beside him, his energy sword pierce through a hybrid's chest. The Storm Troopers opened fire on a new group, armed with knives and old-fashioned las pistols. Bright red rounds hit the Salamander's armor only to leave black marks on his left arm. Nadim let the Storm Troopers take them; the Hybrids stood just in front of a beam on which the entire construction stood, and his Melta could destroy it with one shot. He moved down further, kicking and breaking the skull of a Hybrid coming up the stairs from the ground level. There was a loud clash, and the lowest platform suddenly inclined: Maccius had fallen through a hole in the upper platform, a Genestealer on his torso. It was missing one arm and Maccius was in the process of breaking off the other two he had gripped with his hands, while the fourth tried to cut through the chest armor.

Quintus, still guarding the stairway that had just come down form, was also having problems. "It's getting crowed up here! Shouldn't the Untouchable be doing something about this?!"

Seneca lead his squad into the cavern, where they found themselves on the second level platform at the backside of the chapel. Most of the building's sidewall had been crushed by debris from the ceiling, the bodies of Genestealers and Hybrids crushed beneath rock and metal. The surviving army was still formidable enough, though they were headed for the other side of the cavern.

"It would seem the Inquisitor has already arrived." The Apothecary noted.

"They haven't noticed us?" Cornelius wondered, watching the flashing light in the distance, likely made by las weapons.

"A Psyker like the Inquisitor must attract their attention. Cyrus, see if you can get a better position up there."

Cyrus sprinted to the staircase to their right, up the stairs, where a Hybrid didn't even get a chance to be surprised before a push crushed his very human skull. The section connecting the platform with the one where the Inquisitors squad had entered the cavern was destroyed, the responsible bolder now littering the floor, broken into several pieces. From this altitude Cyrus could see into the roof-lacking chapel. Many of the benches were mostly destroyed, though closer at the altar, ten Hybrids in long robes sat in something like meditation or prayer. The altar itself had been replaced by a hideous throne, partly made of bones, which at this time was vacant. He couldn't find the Patriarch anywhere.

"The Patriarch isn't here."

"Not in the chapel?"

Something else caught his eyes. "Behind the throne is a trapdoor. It would seem to be the only other way out."

"I'll inform the Inquisitor." Seneca replied.

Cyrus checked his surroundings, not discovering any enemy activity that was not located inside the chapel or going after the Inquisitor's squad. It was then when the trap door opened and another xeno emerged, dressed in a long purple robe with an oval high collar, cradling its elongated head. In his right hand it held a long wooden staff, a Genestealer's skull at its top, framed by two claws. It was also wearing a cuirass, which looked like it had been fashioned from bones, just like its shoulder guards. There was no doubt what this creature was. The Magus barked commands to the Hybrids gathered around the throne. One clean shot and Cyrus could take him out. He aligned his aim, watching the Magus as it moved up and down. It stopped suddenly in its tracks. Through his scope Cyrus saw the Magus was directly looking at him, eyes glowing red. He was about to pull the trigger, his finger already squeezing the small piece of metal, but he stopped before he could fire a round. Cyrus felt the alien's mind scratching at his, clouding his view along with any other sensation. He felt himself letting go of his Sniper Rifle, and instead reaching for the Bolt Pistol. His hand was shaking as he resisted and halted over the holster.

"Do not resist." Said a voice in his head, which hadn't decided whether it wanted to be male or female. "Go on, draw your pistol."

…

Taylor followed Seneca and the other Marine down the staircase. A few stairs couldn't take the additional weight and simply broke under the weight of their Power Armor. Without any trouble the group reached the floor and headed for the side entrance of the chapel, which was actually the remnant of a window.

"They've found us." Taylor followed Seneca's line of sight and saw several Hybrids charging at them, coming from the other squad's direction; someone or something had diverted them. They all wore rugs and wielded knives and las rifles, with only a handful pureblood Genestealers in their midst. As the squad was about to open fire, their radio came to life with Nicomedo's voice. "We're getting pinned on the lowest platform, and I can feel the presence of a powerful Psyker. I suspect the Magus is somewhere here; Taylor, deactivate your limiter once you are inside the chapel. I want you in close proximity in case he tries to escape."

"Understood." With that Taylor threw a grenade into the charging Brood. The Genestealer mostly got away leaping at the chapel's walls, while the Hybrids were torn to pieces. Seneca fired precise shots, but could only get two, while Cornelius burned another. A muffled scream behind him, made Taylor turn around. Two more Genestealers had come up from behind and managed to get between the Storm Trooper. One man was already torn apart by razor-sharp claws, his blood and guts spilled over his comrades and killer alike, the other one was biting another man's face of, breaking the mask and skull in the process. The other shot at the aliens, killing the latter one with combined fire, the other however still managed to cut through another one's gun and lash open his ribcage, killing him before it too fell.

"How did they get behind us so easily?" Cornelius snapped, killing of a Genestealer determined to bite through his left gauntlet. "Did Cyrus not see them?"

…

The Blood Raven gritted his teeth in concentration, summoning his entire willpower to resist the Magus' influence. He could taste the sweet copper flavor of blood, while the alien's mind cut into his like a dagger. Pictures, memories flashed before his closed eyes.

"You really thought we didn't know about your pitiful assault?" Giggled the voice. "How delightfully droll. Now why don't you go ahead and kill yourself; you are not a Psyker, you cannot defeat me like this."

Cyrus had tried to contact the others, but it was impossible to do anything other than resist, and even that became increasingly impossible. Once more his hand was descending. There was an animalistic hiss to his right, and he dared open an eye to see a Genestealer watching, standing only a meter away from him. It snarled, licking its blue tongue over its fangs, yet didn't engage.

"Do it; or my brother will." The voice spoke almost gleefully. Cyrus' fingers reached his Bolt Pistol, and though he stressed every muscle of his body, felt himself drawing his weapon. "Yes, yes, there you go. It is so simple." Very slowly and with a violently shaking arm, the cold muzzle settled against his own temple. "Just one pull of the trigger and all your worries disappear." Cyrus could sense the disgusting joy that thing was having, laughing somewhere in his mind. Blood began to pour out of his ears, as the last bastion of resistance began to crumble at another psychic assault.

"Do it!" And he pulled the trigger.

…

Taylor's shotgun tore a Hybrid with six limbs apart, as the remaining squad entered the chapel. The Crimson Fist burned a few others before another Genestealer leaped at him forcing him into melee combat once more. Meanwhile Seneca was taking on another two with his Chainsword; one attacked and was stabbed, though not immediately killed, by the Narthecium. Since this tool was designed to penetrate Power Armor it had little only effort with the chitin. The Strom Troopers had taken cover behind rocks and benches, exchanging fire with Hybrids protecting the Magus. Strangely enough their leader didn't seem to pay much attention to the fighting. The closer Taylor got to him the colder it got, and the Untouchable could see ice crystals form on the throne. While he was immune to psychic attacks, Taylor could still be affected by these environmental effects. He had seen it once before when Nicomedo had battled a rogue Psyker.

"That's enough of you." The Untouchable announced and deactivated the limiter.

Nicomedo watched as another Storm Trooper was slaughter by their enemy's las fire. Another of his men already lay at his feet, perforated by several las shots, the crimson light still flying around him. He and his four remaining Storm Troopers had taken cover behind the remains of a statue, after the squad had finally reached the floor. Maccius Armor was covered with deep cuts, especially his gauntlets, his own claws dripping with Genestealer blood. The other three Astartes looked a bit less damaged, but their ammunition was going down fast.

"If this continues I estimate we can hold out for another ten minutes!" Nadim told the Inquisitor. The Salamander had set the ground in between the two opposing forces partially on fire, keeping most their enemies at bay. Others still came from the platforms, keeping Tullius and his Heavy Bolter occupied; the stairway itself was only scrap metal at this point.

Nadim's words were grim news; they hadn't even made it into the chapel. Hopefully Seneca's squad was more successful. The Brood had hastily built two lines of barricades in order to defend the chapel, just in front of its entry, a giant metal portal, depicting a now unrecognizable battle scene, while they left the pureblood Genestealers to attack the squad. Suddenly a Genestealer collapsed not a meter away from Maccuis, who was already braced for the coming attack. It had been shot from behind. It was screeching in agony, writhing itself on the ground.

"Bad aim?" The Raven Guard wondered aloud.

"Don't think so, look." Quintus pointed at the Hybrids defending the chapel's portal: some were holding their heads, others had collapsed altogether, and only a handful was still firing. A pair of Genestealers was tearing each other apart.

Nicomedo was relieved and took a deep breath. "Taylor has deactivated the limiter. We have to attack now before they regroup!" Two grenades flew into the Hybrids barricades, and Nadim let the fire die down. With melta, bolter and las fire taking down anything that had survived, the small squad took the barricades, while Maccius ended that Genestealer squabble. "Ignore everything not in our direct path!"

Nadim practically ran down the portal, which collapsed when he slammed his body against it, and by the sound of it brought something else, living, down in return. Nicomedo could feel another powerful presence soaring up, reaching out for the Brood. His shoulder jerked forward, when a single las shot hit his armor. "Take cover!" They had barely entered, as the Brood had regained its order, resuming suppressive fire.

Seneca cut down another Genestealer, watching how the Magus held its head in obvious pain, blood running out of its nose and ears, as the Untouchable approached. Hybrids were crawling away from him, if they survived being in such close proximity. Inquisitor Nicomedo had not lied about Taylor's impact. He was disrupting the connection between the Magus and the Brood, making it easier for the Killteam to purge the aliens. Taylor was aiming his shotgun at the Magus, ready to pull the trigger, when out of nowhere a Hybrid armed with an ax attacked him. The shot missed either target, and instead the Blank used his weapon to block another wild slash going for his head. Seneca suspected that Hybrids psychic potential was minimal at best. Wasting no time, the Apothecary aimed his Bolt Pistol at the Magus. Heavily Breathing the xeno turned his attention towards him, unleashing a psychic blast wave, which threw him and Cornelius of their feet, along with Hybrids and Genestealers around him.

…

Smoke emerged from the muzzle of the Bolt Pistol, and the Genestealer screamed in agony. The entire right arm was completely inhibited and still, the hand clinged to the Pistol. Blood run from his temple, only a few drops before the wound was sealed. Somewhere in the distance the bullet had disappeared into the cavern. Cyrus stood there, panting, sweat running down his face. The entire time he'd wanted to remove that muzzle from his head, and the second the Magus had miraculously disappeared from his mind, and Cyrus' arm was tossed forward, when no longer facing opposition: it was the equivalent of a tug-of-war between two people and one suddenly letting go. The round had only scratched him.

He turned to the Genestealer that still violently shook its head. Using his left hand, Cyrus aimed his right arm, and with it the Pistol at the xeno. It felt like breaking his finger to pull the trigger, yet the Hellfire rounds hit their target, one through the head, two others through the chest. Grasping his right wrist, Cyrus made his hand let go of the Pistol. His muscles of his right arm felt like they were on fire, and would still barely move. Very slowly, or so it seemed, he picked up his Sniper Rifle and looked through the scope. He saw Seneca aiming at the Magus, who was bleeding from its nose and ears, before the Psyker hurled them off their feet. It had been too much for the Magus though, and while the Apothecary was getting on his feet, it started crawling on all fours towards the trap door.

"That bastard is mine." Cyrus growled to himself.

It was difficult to aim with a stiff arm, and the Magus had almost reached the trap door. It was shortly covered by the throne, and Seneca fired without hitting the xeno. A hand held on to the handle, pulling the body closer to the door. Cyrus pulled the trigger once. The oversized head exploded. The effect followed promptly, as Hybrids in close proximity died immediately, and somewhere at the chapel's front, the sound of fire decreased.

The Magus' death allowed the Killteam to kill every remaining Genestealers and Hybrids, and they regroup in front of the now demolished throne once they were finished with their bloody work. Nicomedo regarded the survivors: every Astartes had survived, with different degrees of armor condition. Quintus had removed his helmet, since a Genestealer had rendered it useless, and still the claws had reached his face, leaving three fine lines across his face. Tulluis had been hit in the flank, giving him a little trouble balancing the heavy bolter, and Taylor had received a las shot in his left leg, and suppressed the bleeding with cloth pieces tied around it. Only eight Storm Troopers were left, some of them injured, however all still able to fight.

"He said they knew about our attack?" Nicomedo asked, rubbing his chin.

Cyrus nodded. "Regardless, he had plenty of time to call upon assistance. It is only a matter of time before more arrive."

"Then we shouldn't waste time and end this." Seneca decided, his eyes wandering over to the Inquisitor. "It's certain the Patriarch his below the chapel?"

One more time Nicomedo closed his eyes and searched for the strong psychic presence. It took him no more than two seconds. "Yes, he's there and not alone. A handful of Genestealers are with him. I will take Maccius, Nadim, Cornelius and Taylor down with me; the rest will hold this position against the coming attack. Emperor protect you."

Seneca made the sign of the Aquila. "Suffer not the alien to live, Inquisitor."

Lady Nazahah brought the three Acolytes to a large balcony under a glass dome. She had provided them with a few weapons; both Jane and Mandrake had now two Laspistols and combat knife, while Seth was hiding a Hellpistol and gladius, borrowed from the Governors guard, underneath his coat, along with three blind-grenades. He and Jane had also taken a handful of light throwing knives each. All of a sudden Jane was genuinely grateful he'd shown her how to use them a few years back.

The small group stood in the archway connecting the balcony with a dinning room, watching two men conversing at the balustrade. One of them was bald dressed in a long violet robe with silver collar, and a silver cloth was bound around his waist like a belt. In contrast to the violet, his skin looked pale, in stark contrast to his dark eyes. The Lord Governor himself wore a dark blue suit with wide sleeves over a white shirt. Like most of the nobility on Victoria Primus he had a white, curly wig, covering his head.

"Who's the man the Lord Governor is talking to?" Mandrake asked, looking at Lady Nazahah and leaning on his cane.

"Lord Gianni Demetio." The sister explained. "The House Demetio is responsible for importing most agricultural products we require on Victoria Primus, as well as other goods from all across the sector. His House has the most influence aside from the Lord Governor's."

Jane watched the two Guards in their long robes standing behind Governor Lazzaro, and then let her gaze wander over to the three guards Lord Demetio had brought with him, dressed in the same violet as himself. Instead of face-concealing helmets, they wore hoods, and were armed with swords. It looked to the Medicae as if the Lord was challenging his superior. "His Lordship his allowed his own guards among the Governor?"

"Without him the Governor couldn't supply this planet; even a temporary shortage would lead to months long riots. Therefore Governor Lazzaro grants his family certain benefits." Jane noted with some amusement resentment in Lady Nazazhah's voice. "Does the Inquisitor suspect anyone in particular?"

"Everyone is a suspect at this point." Mandrake admitted.

"Except for the Governor's and Lord Demetio guards no one in the upper level spire should be armed."

Jane gave her a grim smile. "About any object can be repurposed as a weapon." In her long career Jane had seen many injuries caused by common household objects; for example one patient, an artist, had been stabbed with a paintbrush in the eye by a college once. It was strange, a little macabre even, to feel a pleasant sense of nostalgia at that particular memory.

"Maybe they don't have to." Seth's hand went quickly to the Hellpistol, as gunshots and screams emerged from the ballroom. "Mandrake, you're coming?" Within ten seconds the two men had crossed the room and disappeared into the corridor, more gunshots driving them on.

"What a sloppy assassination attempt." Lady Nazahah noted dryly, making Jane want to roll her eyes, but instead the Acolyte turned her attention back to their Lordships, just in time to see Lord Demetio touched his temple as if he had a headache. Even his guard, who'd stood their without moving a muscle, seemed shortly ill at ease, ever since the first gunshots.

The radio in her ear beeped, just before Jane heard Mandrake fevered voice yelling into her head. "Get to the Governor!"

Sic ignis non refert, quam magnus, sed quo incidat

It doesn't matter how large a fire, but where strikes