III
Vanguard
In the far north of Skyfall, where the snow capped, rocky peaks meet the desert below; a group of refugees from one of the North Pole's drilling facilities made their way toward the capital city of Castle Rock. It is less than three days before the wretched xenos invaders are estimated to make planet fall. These poor Skyfall civilians would be the first to die if they had not evacuated to the capital where shelters are being constructed day and night to assure each one of Skyfall's people stay safe during the impending cataclysm.
General Tahmid had ordered directly that each town that could not be air lifted to the capital or could not make it to the mag-trains before they were shut down be personally escorted by a full squad of PDF. Commissar Anwar felt this was a waste of resources and only allowed a selection of five conscripts be the escort. Of course Tahmid need not be aware of this change of his orders.
These poorly trained soldiers, clad in the traditional brown and black of the Skyfall PDF, marched several paces ahead of the hundred or so civilians behind them, leading them along the treacherous path through the mountains. One of the conscripts insisted that this way was a shortcut to the mag-train line, cutting a day from their travel time. The citizens were in no position to argue making up lost time, especially having to haul their personal belongings with very primitive vehicles and carts.
The snow fell thicker and the air grew thinner the further the refugees rose. The wind blew strong and its cold bite did nothing but slow their expedition, but still they marched on. However, they were not alone. They were too preoccupied fighting the freezing weather to notice a shadow without a body, lurking around every corner and assessing the right method of attack.
The shade watched as they grew closer to its point of origin, the stench of after-birth filling the air with its noxious gasses. Several of the refugees broke out into violent coughing fits as the toxins traveled down wind. Some began fainting or vomiting the closer they drew. Curious to see how they would react; the shade followed them for some while longer, until they finally found it. The conscripts ordered the refugees to stand back while they equipped their rifles and put on their rebreathers getting closer to the crater. They saw an empty embryonic sac that dripped with viscous fluid and vented potent pheromones into the atmosphere of Skyfall. While all five of the armed members of the group inspected the alien pod, the shade saw its window, and sprung its attack, starting with the weakest first, the elderly, and the young. The conscripts heard the screaming, charged their las guns and ran into battle to see nothing but flying limbs and bloodied snow. Some of the refugees tried to run from the specter as it mutilated and slaughtered their kin, but few escaped its fey quickness. The conscripts fired blindly but each shot was to no avail, every missed shot was another two civilians shredded apart.
From the beginning of the slaughter until the last civilian fell, no more than two full minutes had passed. Only one conscript remained, soaked in the blood and gore of those he swore to protect. The conscript desperately clawed for his rifle but his hand was crushed by seemingly the air itself. Grasping his broken hand in agony, the specter shed its chameleonic guise. The conscript saw the specter for what it really was: sheer horror given flesh. Six piercing blue eyes stared into him for several long seconds, before it vanished yet again before him and left the wounded soldier alone in an ocean gore and snow.
Ashok Tahmid took in several long moments to absorb the conscript's report, taking quick continuous puffs of his local Skyfall cigar. His dark, constrictive office filled with smoke as he continually re-read the parchment. Anwar calmly stood beside the conscript whose hand was in a gel cast awaiting further medical attention. The conscript had said very little since he entered his commander's office, only when spoken too, and even then very broken and quiet. Anwar coughed a bit and waved a gloved hand in front of his pallid face trying to clear the air around him.
"I thank you for bringing this to my attention as soon as you arrived, Private Sa'di." Spoke Tahmid, putting his cigar in his ashtray and stroking his graying beard. "We no longer require any more of your services. Until further notice you are relieved of duty."
"Th-thank you commander." The conscript named Sa'di stumbled a bit getting up and exiting the room.
"Do you think that was really a wise idea?" said Anwar sternly as soon as the door had shut.
"Boy has a broken hand and PTSD he'll be killed on the battlefield in minutes or worse get someone else killed." Argued Tahmid rubbing his temples in hopes to relieve some of the stress. "What else would you have me do?"
"I have no care about his efficiency in combat, Commander." Replied the albino man, his red eyes hidden behind dark, thin sun-shades. "He knows devastating news about the enemy and you released him into the public where he can cause untold amounts of panic."
"So what? You want me to take him out behind the office and put a plasma shot through his head?" laughed Tahmid standing and crossing to Anwar. Anwar's face did not change from its stoic, unfeeling expression. Tahmid frowned and let his shoulders drop. "Anwar you have to be fucking kidding me."
"We do what's necessary for the welfare of the population, Commander." He replied simply. "And you so often forget the power you hold with that title, Ashok."
"And sometimes you forget that those aren't just Emperor-damned numbers out there, they're damn people!" Tahmid raged driving his index and middle finger into Anwar's Aquila pendant. "Look at that symbol next time you think about rash actions like that."
Ashok stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Anwar still showing no hint of emotion turned on his heel and followed the commander out. Each going their own way across the base carved deep into the face of Castle Rock during the Age of Apostasy. The base was several hundred kilometers up the mountain face and several kilometers deep, meant for housing most of the Planetary Defense Force's aircraft, though normally quite dormant, the past few weeks have seen this mountain fortress bustling with activity, as well as many new faces and vehicles being prepped for the upcoming battle, now no more than a day away.
Several figures stood out amongst the crowds of black and brown PDF soldiers. Ten soldiers standing over three meters tall and adorning the blue and bone armor of the Novamarines. Tahmid had never been of high enough rank in the past to directly work with members of the Adeptus Astartes, and despite the grim nature of them being here, Tahmid felt a bit of excitement of having not one but two chapters of the Adeptus Astartes fighting for his home world. Though hearing of the grim event up north, he prayed they would be enough.
The holding quarters of the Triton's Web were uncomfortably small for an Adeptus Astartes, no doubt purposefully so. Thracius sat on his metal cot, with a few centimeter thick blanket they call a mattress, surrounded by metal walls connected to metal floors and caressing his now metal stump. One would think Thracius' closeness to metal and machines would prepare him for something like this, though ironically he's never wanted to be more further from the metal that imprisons him. A thick sheet of impenetrable polymer is his only window to the dark, cramped corridor that leads to his freedom. Had he still had his servo-arm or at least his power armor he might be able to break through this polymer or at least pry it open. The crew of the Web was far wiser than that however and stripped Thracius of every space marines' only identity: their armor and weapons.
Thracius felt the port on his shoulder where a bionic limb will go, if he's not executed for treason. He spent the last two days in surgery; Michel was at least kind enough to allow the Magos Aurel to give his wound a proper Mechanicus repair. After that however, he awoke in his current cell, stripped down to his sparring shirt and pants and nothing else. Thracius' dark skinned hand glided to the port in his back where his beloved servo arm was attached. The removal process still left him aching. Thracius caught a reflection of himself in the polished metal floor, the bionic eye that takes up the upper right corner of his head glowing red, a contrast from the deep blue eye on his left side. His bald, dark, chiseled head seemed to be formed in a permanent scowl. How appropriate for a Techmarine to be plagued with anger issues. He is not only a space marine but a child of Mars, how a soldier of his caliber could be the victim of temperament he will never know. All Thracius could think about was how he belonged where he was, and how he no longer deserved the title Space Marine.
"How's the bionic port taking?" a mechanical, gravely voice spoke, muffled through the polymer barrier. Thracius looked up to see Magos Aurel standing on his strange, spindly legs and holding his long Mechanicus halberd.
"Its taking." Said Thracius with his scowl forming a slight smile before reverting back to a scowl.
"Excellent news, Vice Admiral."
"No need for formalities anymore, Aurel. In case you haven't heard I've been stripped of my rank." Returned Thracius, regret and anger heavy in his words. "I'm hardly even one of the Emperor's Finest."
"If it makes you feel any better I sympathize with you Thracius." Spoke the machine-man, a hint of emotion lacing his words.
"I believe you mean empathize."
"I know what I said." Interrupted Aurel before Thracius could even finish speaking.
"What could you possibly know about my situation?" Thracius said with a mixture of offense and genuine curiosity.
"I know that neither of us belongs in the position we hold. Or in present company's sake: held."
"What do you mean?" said Thracius puzzled
"We have both done things that go against both our own moral judgment and the moral code that has been laid before us to follow. Not two days ago I personally let dozens of my subordinates die by my own hand to follow an order."
"That sort of thing happens Aurel, I attacked Priscus. Do you not understand the gravity of that?"
"I do understand, my friend. And no, it does not happen, not as often as it happens to me."
Thracius' one human eyes squinted at the Techpriest. Despite the Magos' stalwart, emotionless demeanor, Thracius sensed a darker undertone to this man.
"What I think makes it worse," He began in his eerie monotone "I have no regrets about it. Not for long that is. Soon after each atrocity has been performed I feel hardly any recognizable guilt before it completely drifts from my mind, as if those whom were unwillingly sacrificed never existed at all. I know we of the Adeptus Mechanicus are not known for compassion or emotion but I doubt other Magos are as cold and empty as I. In fact it makes me wonder how much I belong in service to the Imperium at all."
Thracius sprung up and charged at the window staring down at the wry machine-man with spite. "Those are words of heresy!" barked Thracius.
"Says the man imprisoned for violent treason." Replied Aurel, completely unimpressed with his former Vice Admiral's outburst. "There is a reason I tell you all this. Think to yourself, Thracius. Think deep and think hard. I'm sure you'll find that you and I are no more members of Imperial society than the xenos that barrel toward us as we speak."
With those last stinging words of revelation, Aurel clamored down the corridor on his mechanical spider limbs, leaving Thracius to his somber thoughts.
The streets of Castle Rock were never more anarchic than they were now. The bustling hive city hidden within the hollow mountain swarmed with triple its already over-bearing population. Shelters built not twenty-four hours ago had already been filled over maximum capacity with refugees from all over Skyfall. Local law enforcers struggled around the clock to keep the populace under control and calm, in most situations they were all but failing. Riots in the streets caused by the petrified citizens and madness in the markets where the citizens fought for what little supplies left the city could muster. Suicide and murder was never an issue more than it was now. Be it by careless neglect for one another or the low rung of society showing their truest colors. Nobel houses were stormed with starving people as the Ministorium was swarmed by protesting refugees forced to live in the streets.
Though among the chaos, one figure remained as calm and level headed as ever. The albino Commissar known as Anwar walked through the madness unhindered in his objective to reach a specific hab block. Dignity in his posture and a rigid sense of duty in his step, the tall, lithe Commissar pressed on through the anarchy.
After an hour or so of walking, Anwar finally reached his destination. The hab block was a tall, twenty story complex filled to the brim with friends and family of its occupants. Only one individual of these many unfortunate souls was in his mind. Anwar entered the lobby area, cots and sleeping bags of refugees litter the floor leaving only a small pathway to the front desk. With his hands held snuggly behind his back, Anwar approached the man behind the counter. The elderly gentleman's skin was not as tan and his hair was more brown than black, unlike most citizens of Skyfall, no doubt an effect of being born and raised in an underground HiveCity.
"I'm here to see Private Sa'di." Spoke Anwar in his best Low Gothic; even still his proper, upper-crust upbringing evident in his accent.
The old man merely looked up at the intimidating, red-eyed commissar and nodded in fear and respect. "5th floor, room 506." He stammered.
"Many thanks." Replied the strict officer, nodding and grimacing, coming off more off-putting than pleasant as he turned to the elevatus and began his ascent to meet with the Conscript.
The small cubical was dimly lit by a single glo-orb in the ceiling and was coupled with an obnoxious symphony of droning music. The metal box was littered with posters about routine safety during an interplanetary invasion and how to deal with specific xenos threats, as well as astonishing propaganda encouraging the young men and women of Skyfall to join the ranks of the PDF in their time of need. All of it was rubbish and pathetic, bold lies. Though judging from the rush of recruits, the civilians were easily swayed and impressionable.
At last the doors opened and revealed, yet again a dimly lit hallway to the 5th floor residencies. A duo of cleaning servitors droned up and down the noisy hallway meticulously making up for lack of respect the new temporary occupants have for their haven. Anwar pushed past a servitor and turned to see the embossed numbers "506". Anwar gave several rapid and harsh knocks at the private's door before standing yet again, dignified, with his hands behind his back. The door swung open slowly revealing a disheveled and still wounded Private Sa'di wearing common street clothing of Skyfall Hive civilians.
"Oh, Commissar Anwar," he stumbled quickly giving the sign of the Aquila across his chest with some difficulty due to his broken hand "I wasn't expecting you, not that I'm ungrateful."
"No need to be so formal Sa'di," replied Anwar with yet another unsettling grimace in attempt to comfort the soldier. "May I enter?"
"Oh but of course!" he said opening the door all the way and allowing the Commissar access to the small, cluttered flat, closing the door behind him. "Like I said I wasn't expecting company or I would have done some cleaning."
"Again no need to bother, I won't take long." Anwar slowly marched through the apartment, still rigid and distinguished as he observed the uncouth living conditions of the Private.
"If you don't mind me asking," began Sa'di scratching his head nervously "Why did you meet me here instead of having me meet you at the base?"
"Well Sa'di," He said turning to Sa'di with sincerity and yet another unsettling smile "I wanted to informally thank you for your services to the Imperium. To survive such an onslaught from a xenos enemy and formally report immediately to your commander is admirable for someone of your age and rank."
"Thank you very much Commissar," said Sa'di with a grateful bow "I'm honored to hear that from someone as prestigious as you."
"You're quite welcome, Private." Replied Anwar, his eerie smile fading "That being said I want you to be aware of the severity of what you know. It is extremely confidential information, lad. We can't have anyone know of what happened on that peak but you, Commander Tahmid and me. Am I understood?"
Sa'di paused, a bit taken aback by his commissar's tone of severity.
"Oh, I'd never dream of revealing such information until it's disclosed, lord." Stammered Sa'di
"Glad we're on the same page, lad." Said Anwar with one last disturbing smile and reaching out his left hand in a formal gesture, the other still firmly behind his back "I suppose I must be off then, much to do in preparation and all."
"Right, of course, lord." Without hesitation the Private reached out with his own, working, left hand in glee and respect. As soon as the two embraced hands Anwar pulled Sa'di close to his body and withdrew his compact bolt pistol with his free hand and fired two rounds into the Conscript's chest, the mighty, explosive rounds easily exiting through his back and detonating against the wall in a violent, bloody display. Blood leaked from Sa'di's mouth, his eyes wide in shock as his heart slowly stopped beating from the grievous wounds.
The young man fell limp in Anwar's arms, and the commissar released him to the ground where he lay lifeless, bleeding from the gaping holes in his torso. Still as staunch as ever, Anwar pulled a handkerchief from his coat pocket and wiped the splatter of blood from his cheek and outer coat.
"No offense, lad," coldly spoke Anwar to the corpse "Just business."
Anwar made his way calmly out of the flat and into the hall where the servitors had made it closer to the elevatus. Several occupants poked their heads out of their doors to see two splintering holes in the walls of apartment 506. They quickly withdrew when they saw the pale man in a Commissar's uniform. With his hands firmly behind his back Anwar passed the servitors on his way to the elevatus, turning only momentarily to the last one.
"You might want to avoid 506," he said "He asked not to be disturbed."
Admiral Priscus Michel stormed out of the elevatus, passing the scrambling navy officers and Mechanicus personnel as he barged his way toward the bridge. His bone and blue boots clanking heavily against the metal floor as his stride picked up from a fast walk to a jog. As he crossed a four-way corridor, newly appointed Vice Admiral Ampelius joined his side, still wearing the grim, blood-red helm in honor of his service to Adeptus Mechanicus.
"How long ago did we receive initial contact?" demanded Priscus, noticing his first mate out of his peripheral.
"No more than one hour ago, my Admiral." Began Ampelius keeping pace with his superior "The Impregnable's long range auspex picked up a pack of close knit energy signatures late yesterday. They came into visual range just a few hours ago."
"Is there a reason I was kept in the dark on all this Vice Admiral?" growled Priscus
"None that I am aware of Admiral." Coughed Ampelius, grateful his embarrassment was hidden behind his mask.
After a few brief moments of silence the two officers arrived at the helm, barging through the large steel bulkheads before they could completely open.
"Admirals on deck!" spoke the young woman, Alcyone, now appointed Rear Admiral.
"Rear Admiral, Status report." Demanded Michel sitting in his command chair while Ampelius charged to the lower level of the deck, barking orders that pertain to his duties.
"One hour ago the visual on the Tyranid fleet came into clear range, our visuals show their vessels fanning out into some sort of pincer attack." Rattled off the brunette human.
"Bring it up on the view screen." Barked Michel. He clasped a hand over his mouth as he could now clearly see the horrific fleet approaching. At the center sat a massive fleshy abomination, dwarfing the strike cruiser they sit in by well more than double. The dark blue fleshy underbelly of the flag ship is contrasted with a massive dark carapace on its top half that whose edges appear bright turquoise in the Skyfall sun. Around it swarmed half a dozen ships of similar colors, the size of any Imperial escort class ship. The majority of its size being three, several kilometer long talons made of pure bone, used for shredding ships apart in close quarters. Around the entire fleet, innumerable squid-like spores, quadruple the size of the ones they encountered days earlier. A dozen or more, thin, dark blue organisms circled the fleet: fast manta-ray creatures the size of city blocks with massive, powerful beaks and scores of bright blue eyes.
"When's our firing window?" spoke Michel finally past the fingers of his bone gauntlet.
"T-minus 13 minutes and counting, my lord." Spoke Ampelius taking his position beside Michel.
"Alcyone," began Michel his brain moving at a hyper-drive pace. "Connect to all vessels and tell them fire at all secondary vessels in 13 minutes. Shoot to kill and don't stop firing until every enemy vessel is destroyed."
"Aye, my lord." Replied Alcyone quickly connecting to the primary vox relay.
"As for us, Admiral? What would you have us do?" asked Ampelius with dignity.
"Turn the ship so our starboard batteries are targeting the flagship." Spoke Michel with determination "Once in position, send that bastard to hell in as many pieces as possible."
"Aye my lord." Responded the crew in unison.
As the terrifying Tyranid fleet closed in, all weapons of the Imperial fleet turned to face them like a knight of yore facing a terrifying dragon. The monsters that approached reacted almost immediately to this threat, sensing the movement and energy being charged up in the weapons. Almost instantaneously after Michel had relayed his orders, the thousand of spores formed a wall of flesh thousands of meters high and kilometers wide to prevent the any damage from the initial onslaught of fire. While the fleets prepared themselves, the Hive Ship began churning and groaning as hundreds of viscous embryonic sacs filled with thousands of fresh alien spawn beasts.
"Starboard batteries prepped and readied, Admiral." Relayed Ampelius.
"Bloody good." Replied Michel "Rear Admiral, connect me to the fleet's signal."
"Yes, my lord. Right away my lord." She said working hastily "Their ears are yours, my lord."
"Brothers. Sisters." Began the Admiral standing as he spoke "This day we fight a foe like no other. We stand at the brink of death and we shall not bow no matter how mighty this beast will roar. The silence of the void will know the thunder of our holy weapons and these emotionless creatures will know fear! For Skyfall! For the Imperium of Man! For the Emperor!"
Filled with the fervor of the God-Emperor the crews of each of the Imperial ships unloaded their weapons into the upcoming monstrosities. In unison the Tyranid retaliated, firing incalculable amounts of embryonic sacs and volleys of colossal, toxic barbs at their assailants. The missiles met in the no-man's-land, scores of premature explosions as biological weapons and ancient military hardware collided. Those that were not met with a rival weapon flew into the enemy fleet. Barbs of solid bone penetrated the mighty hulls of imperial vessels, filling the decks with airborne bio-toxins unlike any other. Missiles and lasbolts struck the bulk of the Tyranid fleet, utterly obliterating their pathetic spore shields in minutes leaving the living ships vulnerable to the next volley.
As the Tyranid trudged onward, closing the gap between them, the mass amounts of fire power from the rival fleets never ceased. The pincer ships fired hundreds of spores with the most potent acids at the Imperials, the mighty void shields of the starships deflecting most all. Several smaller vessels with weaker shields succumbed to the onslaught of acidic bile, easily melting through the hull upon impact sending hundreds of crew members out into the vacuum of the void. The Triton's Web and the Grim Singer unleashed devastating warheads into the thick of the Tyranid fleet, each ripping chucks of chitinous flesh from the mighty flag ship.
Only seconds after the ship had been hit, the manta creatures wrapped their bodies around the Hive Ship's wounds as if to protect or cure the wound mid-combat.
The gap between the two fleets grew smaller and smaller with every passing minute and little had been done to chip away at the mass of alien creatures. A pincer ship drew closest to the elegant Void's Cry opening its massive talons as it approached, easily powerful enough to sever the ship in half. In a daring move, the Void's Cry turned its port side to the on-coming predator and let loose a payload of volatile warheads that tore asunder the flesh of the alien beast, leaving only fractions of its bone talons remaining. Seeing the Cry's weakness, the hive ship responded and sent several manta creatures in its direction, taking full advantage of its blind spot. As the ship attempted to turn around and face the battle yet again, the manta creatures flew past at impossible speeds, rending huge gashes into the sides of the ship with their titanic beaks. The turrets of the Void's Cry attempted to defend the vessel by gunning down the monsters with its mighty las-cannons. The mantas, however, were too quick and before each turret could lock onto one of the enemies it's had already torn apart the turret. It wasn't long before the Cry was surrounded by the beasts and was literally being torn apart piece by piece. Admiral Michel and the other captains could only watch and listen as the exalted crew was slaughtered by the massive Tyranids.
"Void's Cry do you copy?" shouted Alcyone into her vox, praying for any response "Void's Cry do you copy?"
The meek brunette turned to her Admiral and merely shook her head.
"Emperor be damned." Muttered Michel under his breath. He had no time to mourn the loss of his allies, the flag ship closed in at only 100km away getting closer by the second. The titanic beast now hovered above the Web, its vile fleshy underbelly now fully visible to the Admiral and his officers. The mass of dark blue skin wrapped tightly around a quite visible bone structure. It was only in situations like this that Priscus was reminded of the true nature of these fleets; each one an individual organism, birthing other organisms to use as weapons. Las bolts struck at the underbelly of the flag ship, doing little to nothing but scar it with black smoldering pits. As Michel looked up at the abomination of nature a frightening feature revealed itself. A massive blue eye with a black, narrow, slit pupil starring directly at the ship. For a moment, Michel felt this beast looking directly at him, as if somehow, it knew he was watching it.
"Convert all power to starboard guns and rain hellfire at that damn thing." He ordered "That dumb, arrogant son of a bitch is actually showing us its underbelly."
"Admiral," interjected Ampelius "I highly advise against this. Starboard cannons are running low on ammunition as it is and if we fail to destroy it we'll leave ourselves open to an attack with no means of a secondary volley."
"Ampelius," Michel turned to Ampelius with fire in his eyes "I believe if we fail we won't have a second shot."
The Triton's Web tilted backward, preparing for one final volley before the ship-thing was upon them. Just as the batteries were angled and ready to fire, the womb creature had already prepared and launched its attack, as if it predicted their actions. A hundred orifices opened from the surface of the ships underbelly each launching a huge egg-like spore at the ship. Many of the spores fell straight past the Triton's Web though the few that hit home had no resistance, penetrating the hulls and unloading its payload of living weapons.
The ship shook violently, knocking Thracius around his cell despite his enhanced inner ear function. The room flushed red and warning klaxons fired through out the entire ship. Despite being tightly sealed Thracius could hear commotion of the chapter serfs, crew and techpriests scrambling to their stations. Thracius pressed his ear against the polymer barrier, listening carefully to the chaos.
Even with his advanced senses, he could make out little to no conversation. Though of the few words Thracius did here, one stood out the most, and it was all he needed to know how dire the situation was: "boarded."
Thracius felt a sudden need to escape slamming his full body weight against the sheet of plastic, refusing to die in a steel box like someone's pet. After several attempts, Thracius finally collapsed against the polymer, getting nothing from his attempts but a sore shoulder. Gunfire could be heard down the corridor followed by the screams of those who fought in vain. Once Tyranid board a ship there's little to nothing these serfs could do to fight it. Though trained well, without the presence of actual Astartes the ship was forfeit.
A clamor brought Thracius out of his solemn state. He stood and turned around seeing several members of the crew running for their lives, no doubt heading toward the lifeboats. Thracius pounded on the barrier as each group ran by screaming as loud as he could to get their attention.
"Hey!" he shouted in desperation, kicking the polymer "Don't leave me in here you bastards!" A few more seconds passed and a familiar face passed by, Magos Aurel. The coward, he thought, he's evacuating in a time of crisis, when Priscus needs him most.
"Aurel! Get me out of here!" he pleaded, it's funny, he thought, a space marine pleading. Before Aurel had completely passed he noticed his former colleague and stopped for a moment to gaze at his disposition.
"Aurel, come on old friend." Thracius begged "I know you can get me out of here."
Aurel stood in silence for a moment, observing the sweat running down Thracius' brow. He observed his broken posture and unusual demeanor. If he had anything left of something that resembled a human face he might have smiled at him. There was no point in saving a broken space marine, he was as good as dead anyway.
"Sorry, old friend." Those last two words were thick with sarcasm "We're not true Imperials remember?"
Rage befell Thracius as he spoke. He clenched his fist in uncontrollable anger and began punching his fist at Aurel's face, praying he can crush his skull with his bare hands before he's killed by this xenos monstrosity. Aurel again stood unimpressed, and stood their even longer as if to mock him.
"I'll fucking kill you!" screamed Thracius ripping the cot from his wall and throwing it into the polymer barrier, again, to no avail.
"You will do no such thing, you worthless whelp." Spat Aurel with a reverberating wheeze, possibly his attempt at a laugh "Regardless, I have a lifeboat awaiting my depart-"
A mass of acidic ooze stuck Aurel off his spidery limbs, leaving him writhing on the floor in massive agony, attempting to scream but his lungs were quickly filling up with noxious gasses despite his built in rebreather. A horde of chitinous, hunched over, insects-like monsters the size of wolves poured over him, the blue and black monsters scraping the ground with long talons the shape of scythes and sprinting faster than any human could run on a pair of cloven hooves. Some stopped to devour the still living Aurel, a mechanical hand reaching up for Thracius as he was being suffocated, chemically burnt and eaten alive by gnashing, razor sharp teeth. Thracius then noticed a bit of the acid that hit Aurel had splashed against the polymer, what was now thick and impenetrable seemed thin. As well, the plastic had dissolved in the center of the ooze leaving a small hole big enough to get his hand through. Not much but it was a start.
Suddenly the hellish creatures that devoured the Magos alive scattered, as if something scared them. Thracius could now see the remains of Aurel. Little living matter remained of the Magos, his entrails spilled and torn apart, littering the hallway. His skin was melted away and many of his muscles had been torn from his body and devoured. His one dead, human eye stare blankly at Thracius telling the full tale of his last moments among the living. A massive shadow filled the hall and concealed Aurel's mangled corpse in its bulk. Soon the figure appeared. It was a gigantic Tyranid beast a full meter taller than the already massive Thracius. The monster stood on two legs and bore scything talons similar to those of its lesser cousin. Its massive head covered in a crown of turquoise carapace. A second pair of limbs, if one dares to call them that connected together, holding a massive biological weapon, dripping with a steaming vicious fluid.
Thracius watched the fluid drip onto the metal floor beneath the creature, boring holes in the steel ground. He then noticed Aurel's signature halberd no longer baring an owner. The creature did not seem to notice Thracius, yet. In a moment of exemplary quick wit, Thracius kicked the polymer causing the vicious beast to turn its bright blue eyes, hooded by thick carapace, toward him.
"Come on, I know you want me!" Shouted Thracius kicking the barrier again "Come and get it! Soup's on!"
The towering beast slammed its head against the polymer suddenly, causing Thracius to jump back for only a moment before he continued his taunting. The creature scraped its talons against the plastic before finding the hole it unknowingly left. Its talon slid cleanly through the hole stopping centimeters before Thracius, who again was startled momentarily. Dislodging its black and turquoise talon from the hole the creature raised its weapon at the barrier before firing several thick globs of putrid fluid at it. A green smoke filled the room as the plastic melted slowly, growing thinner and thinner by the second. Thracius coughed a bit but his spare lung flushed the potent gas from his body long enough to stay vigilant.
Both Thracius and the creature backed up as if to prepare a bull's charge. Thracius counted down, sweating profusely, staring the creature down like a wild dog, refusing to show a slight of fear. Thracius finally reached zero and burst through the weakened barrier, bellowing in anticipation of the acidic pain. The beast was taken off guard as Thracius burst through the thin plastic, wrapping his one massive arm around the waist of the hulking creature and slamming it roughly into the wall. Quickly rectifying himself before his alien adversary could, Thracius grabbed Aurel's halberd and swung with all his might at the shins of this hoofed beast. The blade easily cleaved through the weaker tissue of the warrior beast, severing its feet from its legs causing it to collapse face first on Aurel's wretched corpse, releasing a vile howl of pain as it fell. Without hesitation Thracius raised the halberd one-handed and dropped it on the creature's neck, severing its spine and spilling vast amounts of brown-orange xenos blood.
Thracius let out a scream of pain, realizing the thick, acidic fluid had gotten all over his body in small amounts. Having no time or method to remove the fluid, he placed his barefoot against the cold, chitinous head of the slowly dying monster, and struggled using his one hand to pull the lodged halberd from the creatures bleeding neck. Mere seconds after the creature's demise, the clatter of hooves and talons on metal could be heard approaching. Using his bionic eye, Thracius zoomed in down to the end of the hall to see the horde of gaunt creatures covered in shreds of human gore and blood quickly returning. Leaving the blade still in the creature's neck, Thracius darted in the opposite direction, his hungry alien pursuers closing ground fast.
The bridge lurched yet again, sending the crew and servitors around the room in a violent display.
"Emperor Damn it, Status Report!" Michel Shouted to anyone still at their post as he pulled himself back into his chair.
"We've lost three decks to the boarding parties. Starboard batteries are reading operational but we lost a vox link to the gunners." Shouted one of the Officers.
"What about our engines? Alcyone, can you get Aurel up on vox?" Asked Ampelius pulling himself upright again.
"His vox is reading offline." She replied while reconfiguring her station. "As is most of the stern."
"Admiral we have to think quickly." Urged Ampelius looking up at the view screen to see the hive ship completely filling the screen "That thing is closing in fast. Emperor knows what happens when it gets here."
"Do we have contact with the Grim Singer?" ordered Michel, trying to think quickly.
"They seem to have taken out our primary vox relay Admiral. I'm not reading any communications coming in either and there's no way we'll get an astropath message out in time either, assuming the astropaths are alive even." Replied the Rear Admiral turning to Michel with great distress on her face "Admiral we're dead in the water."
At that moment the mighty hive ship seemed to turn with impossible speed for a vessel of its size. It was perfectly parallel with the Web now, hovering directly above it only a few hundred meters away. The crew of the bridge watched in horror as the underbelly of the vast ship split open to reveal millions of massive teeth, each several stories long. Three long, orange tendrils swung out of its maw and grasped the ship shaking it violently and pulling it slowly towards it. The sudden impending doom filled the hearts of all those who witnessed.
"By Terra," whispered Ampelius "It's going to eat us whole."
"No." spoke Michel with gusto. "No its not."
Michel stood and began barking orders just as he always had in moments of peril, like a true hero.
"How's our warp drive?" he ordered.
"It seems functional, my lord." Spoke a servitor.
"Great, initiate warp jump sequence in t-minus 10 minutes ." He said proudly. "If this xenos scum thinks it can take the Triton's Web it will have to pry its controls from my cold dead hands."
"I am your will, my lord." Replied the humanoid drone.
"Admiral, that's suicide, there's no way the ship can survive the Empyrean in its state." Intervened Ampelius "Not to mention the creature we're attached to. It could destroy us the moment we jump."
"Precisely," began Michel with a sharp attractive smile "That's why every one of you has been ordered to abandon ship."
Silence filled the bridge. Ampelius stood in shock.
"Admiral," he began "We're not going to let you die like this."
"I don't believe I made it a choice Ampelius." Barked Michel, his smile fading "You've served me for almost a century proudly. I just wish you could have inherited the Web." Michel slapped Ampelius' shoulder and gave a smile. "Where's my recaff? I don't remember getting that this morning."
The bridge was silent albeit the droning klaxons. Michel looked at the view screen and saw the maw of the Hive ship closing in, attempting to slowly devour his crew alive.
"What the hell are you all doing here?" he barked as a servitor rolled up with his recaff made with fresh grox milk. He took the mug and looked harshly at his subordinates. "That was a damned order!"
"All do respect, Admiral." Said Alcyone standing firmly "Fuck your order."
Alcyone gave her admiral the sign of the Aquila across her chest. The others of the crew, both marine and human alike stood and saluted the Admiral. Michel felt swelling pride and growing sadness as he saw the honor these brave men and women had for one another and him. He turned to Ampelius his helm removed and tossed aside revealing a tanned, bald, young-looking man riddled with scars, his armored gauntlets crossing his chest as well in the sign of the Aquila. Michel took a sip from his mug, looking Ampelius in the eyes for the first time in quite some time. Both shared a smile, well aware of the fate they and the entire bridge of the Triton's Web had chosen.
"Well then," Priscus says with a smug smile. "One betrays my orders and you all think its okay?"
The bridge laughed before being seated one last time, staring straight into the eyes of death itself and daring to say "no". Priscus stood center of his elegant ship one last time before turning to the servitor at the warp jump station.
"Override last order," he said proudly "Initiate warp jump sequence immediately."
"I am your will, my lord." The rest of the time the bridge was filled with the muttered prayers of the faithful as they were ushered to the Throne.
Kharyi Marcellus gripped his command chair as the manta creatures cut deep grooves into the Grim Singer with every swooping pass. Gripping his inner-ear vox unit Marcellus screamed at Admiral Michel as he watched the massive teeth of the alien flag ship dig in to the hull of the Triton's Web.
"Throne be damned Michel do you copy?" he bellowed with fury turning to his chief gunnery officer. "Unload Starboard cannons at that beast. Tear it to bloody shreds."
"Admiral," interjected Vice Admiral Merari Akosy "You know as well as us all that it's a lost cause, there is nothing we can do to break them free of its grasp. Beside we're surrounded! We need as much available fire as we can get."
Marcellus watched the multiple view screens and saw the graphic display on each. He watched as the remaining pincer ships tore the smaller escort vessels apart with ease, condemning thousands to fiery death or the horrific death in the void. The mantas surrounded the Emperor's Child, cutting vital weapons and relays from it with every swoop causing massive explosions to be easily seen from a distance. His gaze finally fell on the doomed Triton's Web as internal explosions began firing though out the ship caused by the slowly sinking maw of the hive ship.
Marcellus placed his hand on the gold Aquila forged onto his emerald breast plate. Vice Admiral Akosy barked orders in the obvious absence of leadership. The Admiral of the Grim Singer felt heavy and weak as these vile monstrosities tore apart his beloved vessel. He could only pray to the Emperor, pray for his might to intervene in this time of crisis.
Suddenly, as soon as the whispered words of prayer exited Marcellus' lips, a bright light, like that of the very Emperor's aura filled the room. Seconds later the entire ship lurched as a titanic shockwave spread across the fleet. Sparks shot from equipment and the crew struggled to maintain footing as they were struck by what felt like the fury of a god. The bridge went dark, the occasional sparking of equipment lighting the room. The bridge was silent, eerily silent. No shaking or warning klaxons, just the deafening silence.
"Bring up some damn lights!" Marcellus finally said after what felt like an eternity. When the auxiliary power kicked in the bridge was revealed to be disheveled and damaged. Seconds later the view screens were brought back online and primary power was restored. Marcellus stood slack jawed in awe at the primary view screen. Both the Triton's Web and the Tyranid flag ship had seemingly vanished, leaving an aura of colors and wreckage in their wake. The bow of the Tyranid flag ship the only discernable remains of the two intertwined vessels. Orange blood spilled from its gaping wound as it drifted, lifeless into the endless void. The crew rang with applause as they and all other vessels watched the remaining Tyranid ships scatter without direction, Marcellus could say nothing still to awe stricken with what had happened.
"That dumb Novamarine bastard." He said softly with a chuckle "He warp jumped."
Marcellus regained his composure and began blasting orders.
"Fire all available weapons at those wretched scums! Let none escape."
All ships followed in suit, within mere minutes annihilating the remaining, clueless Tyranid ships as they mindlessly scattered.
"Well, I'd call that a victory." Spoke an officer triumphantly. The crew seemingly went silent as this arrogant marine spoke up.
"Victory?" said Marcellus, standing up, almost offended "We lost two vital ships including a space marine strike cruiser, several escort vessels and countless lives. You call that a victory. I'd hate to see what you consider defeat."
Marcellus pushed passed the overly enthusiastic officer as he went to exit the bridge. The Admiral stopped as the bulkhead opened and turned to speak to the young marine once again.
"Besides, that was only the vanguard."