-XXIX-
"That plan would never work." commented Horatus.
"We don't know that." said Iulius.
"Just to point out, isn't this treason?" asked Achagon in a low voice unsure as if to voice such an opinion.
"They forced our hand, we need every advantage we can get."
"He is right, we have no choice. They never nothing short of hostile towards us." supported Ioras.
"I agree, they claim us dumb enough to fall for their shadow games, they will see us resolute." added Horatus anger flaring in his voice.
"Don't be hasty to spill their blood, like them or not they're still Astartes." said Ioras.
"Since nobody will, I will take the role of wisdom in this one. They can use this against us afterwards and I'm not sure we want to explain the contents of this plan to Chaplain Galieo while a hostile Chapter is breathing down our necks." said Iulius placing his heavy bolter on his knee, he had a habit of using his hands when talking.
"How will they figure it out?" said Julius as if to finish the debate.
"They won't , they would be dead." claimed Horatus raising his chainsword at shoulder high.
"We aren't killing Astartes unless they fire first." said Ioras.
"Of course, lord." said Horatus.
"Let's do this. Move!" ordered Ioras and ten marines were on the move again.
Six of them entered the trench tunnels while Achagon, Julius, Ioras and Iulius march towards the overlooking hill between the Orks and Lion Warriors.
Julius looked towards the Lion Warriors bunker and he could clearly see the Razorback with lascannons waiting idle. If they were to be discovered the long range laser weapons would cut them down.
"Time is against us." warned Julius.
"Which one?" asked Achagon scoping the Ork bikers.
Ork vehicle group was riding at neck-breaking speeds towards the Red River but slowed down to fight with several guardsmen units they encountered. The fight was quickly over and they left chopped apart Imperial corpses riddled with dakka fire behind them. Their track dust was rising high as they roamed unchallenged.
Group was mainly bikers but there were at least four buggies. Buggies were four wheeled fast vehicles but two of them had tracks on their back instead of wheels.
Julius looked at the horribly designed Ork vehicles and tried to analyse the weapons they carried. Three of the buggies had those Ork machine guns on them, bikes also had Ork machine guns but they were smaller compared to the ones carried by the buggies.
He also realised that all the red painted bikes were on the lead while the black painted rest was slower and falling behind.
"Odd coincidence." he dismissed it.
"Saw that one with the flag?" He said to Achagon pointing towards the lead Biker.
Achagon didn't reply instead shifted his sniper to the target and took the shot.
"Stinking Ork guts!" he swore when his bullet missed and instead his the leading Ork Biker in the shoulder plate.
Ork biker was a huge Nob leading his biker boyz and even the explosive round wasn't enough to topple his from saddle. The shock and the impact made him veer the bike but his expertise in riding quickly took over and he righted with bike without any further problems.
His head snapped at the direction of the shot and he barred his teeth. It was pure skill that he stayed on track when his bike went out of control. He pull the breaks all the way and turned his bike in a violent drifting to stop. He leaned right and manage to stop from the incredible speed he was riding at.
His boyz stopped the same, they realised the distress of their Nob and started shouting and swinging their choppas his towards the Spears' position.
Achagon took a second shot at the Nob. Nob turned sideways and again took the blow on his shoulderpad. His head was the target but his reflexes saved him.
Orks throttled their bikes and charged forward. The Nob let his boyz go faster then him on purpose and let them create a protective cover of bike metal and Ork flesh around him.
"Lost sight, sorry Lord." said Achagon ashamed at his failure.
"No worries, Iulius do your thing." Ioras said watching the Orks intently.
Iulius rose over the cover and started firing in controlled bursts at the Orks. His burst took one Ork biker on the chassis and blew its front wheel from the body. Ork crashed violently and his bike jumped high in air as it's awesome kinetic energy hit the ground.
Rest of the Ork bikers was able to move sideways skillfully and manage to stay away from the jumping and crashing bike.
Metal shrapnels rained all around but the bikers were not hazed one bit. The big shootas on the buggies started to return fire at Iulius but he stayed resolute even under the incoming fire.
Ork fire was unaccurate but deadly nontheless. Astartes Power Armour was more than enough to stop shoota rounds but one would never knew if his end would come as a lucky shot that is improbably but still a reality.
Several rounds hit Iulius' armour and scrathed the light-blue ceremite plates that were dimmed with dirt and dust of a dead city they traversed.
Sparks flew around lighting Iulius' eye lenses. He didn't stop firing as more dakka fire landed on his armour. One round hit him in the forehead and jerked his head backwards a bit.
"That's enough, marines, retreat!" ordered Ioras in his iron voice.
Heavy bolter fire ceased in that second and they turned to run away from the Orks.
Julius saw Razorback and at least five Lion Warriors was moving to their position. They heard the shots and obviously detected the huge dirt column the Ork bikers were making.
Ork Bikers risen the hill quickly pushing their vehicles to the limit.
"Inside now." ordered Ioras as the three marines jumped to the trenches and entered the hidden tunnels. Ioras was the last to enter.
Horatus was waiting for them inside restless.
"How'd it go?" he asked.
"All done." answered Julius.
"Move ahead, take defensive positions." ordered Ioras.
They all took cover around, guns pointing at the only entrance, waiting for the outcome of their plan.
Ork shouts and roaring of the gun engines filled the hill. Lion Warriors knew what was coming.
They took cover around but they weren't expecting Ork forces from that side of the hill. The hill was entrenched and the inital Ork attack from their flank had been dealt with.
They did not know how Ork bikers manage to find a proper way through the trenches that crisscrossed the entire hill.
It wasn't important now, they were coming.
Alpha sergeant had his heavy weapons at vantage points and had his tactical marines at cover at the flanks. Razorback with it's Stormbolter and Lascannons were at the middle creating an armoured obstacle.
"No ragtag Ork bikers can penetrate our armour." bragged the gunner marine instead the Razorback.
"Cut the chatter." shouted the Alpha sergeant and banged his fist on the side of the Razorback.
Orks reached the hill top and jumped over the trench eagerly. Enjoying the sensation of leaving the earth for a short second as they kept roaring their engines.
Dust fallen from the tunnel's ceiling as a dozen Ork bikers passed overhead it.
Julius raised his head and looked at the ceiling needlessly. His head snapped back at the door a second later when gunfire started.
Lion Warriors Tactical marines was firing full burst at the Orks. Two marines fired half thei bolter blowing two Ork bikers. Bolt rounds blew their organs and limbs as their bikes fallen to the round with their riders failing. Bike's drifted with the force. Another bikes pumping engine got hit and it blew apart. Pistons and metal shards flew all around. One piston ripped the adjudant biker's eye out and he went down losing control. Ork riding the engineless bike also lost control but his speed was dimishing fast. He died nontheless his brains and lugs blowing out as Lion Warriors shot him.
"Fire!" Alpha sergeant ordered and Razorback opened fire.
Stormbolter clattered spitting horrible death blew a biker apart, mixing flesh and metal together as the rapid firing bolter delivered a dozen bolt rounds in a half second.
Lascannons bright blue laser shone bright and found its way into an Ork buggie that just went over the trenches. buggie blew apart, its engine overheating and melting in itself. Fuel rose high burning in a huge black cloud. Ork driver was obviously burned and melted to death from the powerful laser beam but the passenger was not so lucky. He lost his grip and flew ahead of his vehicle, landing at the front of another buggie. It crushed him, the driver Ork did not care. He just ran over the fellow Ork still pushing the gas hard and shouting.
The death toll of the Orks only gave them further vigour.
"WAAAGH!" shoted the Nob reaching the battleline.
Lion Warriors burst fire fully, their heavy weapons joined in. Two heavy bolters fired deadly fire at close range. Ripping two bikers apart along with their bikes.
Bikers reached the Tactical Lion Warriors and encircled them. A brutal melee started between the bikers firing fusilage from their hull-shootas.
One biker fired full burst as he charged at the Lion Warrior. Lion Warrior survived thanks to his resolute armour. He dropped to one knee and rolled, he dodged the choppa attack of the Ork rider that was meant to hit his eye lense this way. As he rose in a full motion he unsheated his combat knife. He gripped his bolter one handed and shot at the second Ork coming behind the first. Bolter fire went wide but dakka fire did not. Rounds smashed into his knee and made the Lion Warrior buckle. Space Marine's head was an easy hit for the Ork rider. He slashed through the eye lenses and directly into the brain. An astartes was dead.
Orks charged more and more circling the lone Lions. Lions fired in bursts at the bikers trying to dispatch them. But the zeal and the numbers of Orks were not to be denied.
Lion Warriors heavy bolters was able to kill more Ork bikers but the buggies was close by.
One heavy bolter devastator fell to the big shoota fire as the twin-linked guns ripped his neck apart. He hold the ground as he was choking on his own blood then collapsed and didn't move anymore. His brother screamed in anger and fired full burst at the incoming buggie. He was enraged and lost control riddling the buggie with bolt rounds. Several metal sheets blew around as the punishment of the Heavy bolter continued. Ork driver was protected by a drilled sheet of metal but it was not enough. Seven bolt rounds ripped through the sheet and embedded themselves into the flesh. Changing mass of environment triggered the bolt rounds. Ork along with his driver seat blew inside out. Entire front of the buggie was a scrap but its momentum carried it forwards. Buggie crashed into the angry Devastator. Devastator roared and braced againt the giant force hitting him. Buggie lurched and the Astartes stood firm. He stopped the ruined buggie to dead stop with his determination and bulk. But his heavy bolter was stuck between the metal sheets and him armour.
Ork gunner loooked partly confused and partly amazed at the power of the Space Marine. His confusion passed fast as the Devastator started to rip metal apart to free his heavy bolter from the wreckage. Ork gunner shifted his big shoota and started firing at the Devastator lodged at the buggie at close range. He emptied his reserve into the marine. His power armours sheets gave away as Devastator's mouth grill and eye lenses blew apart. His head snapped back and his chestplate was cracked. Devastator was so lodged into the buggie that even though he died his corpse stayed upright. Ork gunner dismounted and ran away not caring about the fight anymore.
Three Ork bikers were encircling the Razorback and taking ineffective shots at its outer hull with their sluggas.
Alpha sergeant was trying to keep them away from the Razorback. He fired and killed one of the bikers but it was quickly replaced by another.
Lascannons fired again ripping another buggie apart to his left. Stormbolter was firing full burst at the Ork bikers fighting with the Tacticals.
Nob reached the Razorback under the cover of his Ork bikers. Ork bikers fired their hull-shootas at the Razorback with no effect other than ruining the gold-yellow paint job.
Sergeant unscheated his powersword and decapitated one Ork biker as he roared by. His bike gone out of control and crashed nearby.
Nob landed a blow at the side of the Razorback with his power klaw and the machine shook.
"Move back, rip that Ork apart with the Lascannons!" shouted Alpha sergeant but there was no reply from the crew within.
The internal sensors and comms was jepordazied and the machines spirit of the Razorback was stunned from the Ork's powerful blow.
"Furs of the Lion! I'll deal with him myself." shouted the Alpha Sergeant and charged the Nob.
Nob roared his bike but kept pressing the brakes. His wheels spun in force and threw debris at the Alpha Sergeant.
Ork Nob laughed a hearty laugh as he sprayed the Astartes sergeant with dirt from his wheel.
Lion Warriors roared and swung his powersword meaning to decapitate the Nob in one swing.
Nob roared his engines and pushed his handle forward, making the bike turn at it's front wheel. The back of the bike turned left and the Nob left the arc of the swing.
Powersword swished past burning only air with its energy field. Nob landed a powerful blow at the Alpha Sergeant's chest and shattered his chestplate. Lion Warriors one lung was bleeding internally and one of his heart was punctured by a several broken ribs. He hold firm still not letting the pain take the better of him.
He stumbled backwards unintentionally from the huge blow. A blow that would kill a normal human outright, he survived it. Despite the massive pain his body did not went into catatonic shock and his extra heart and lungs would keep him alive. However he was outnumbered, nearly all of his brothers were dead and he was greviously wounded while his adversary was not even fazed.
Ork Nob roared his bike towards the Space Marine and fired full burst shoota at him. Rounds struck through the shattered chestplate and lodged themselves inside his ribs. One round hit him in the ear blowing it away. Blood washed over the Sergeant's face as several rounds barely missed his brain but cutting deep into his flesh nontheless.
He roared and charged forward but the Nob leaned backwards and let his huge weight raise the bike's front up into the air. His engines roared as he hit the Sergeant head on.
The metal spikes and Orky decorations impailing the Alpha Sergeant in the chest.
He landed his bike and stopped but the Sergeant was still alive.
Alpha sergeant choked on blood and tried to curse at the greenskins even as he died. He grabbed hold of the metal spikes but his power left his as well as his life. He died a few seconds later choking and gurgling as his hearts bled inside his lungs. Ork Nob pointed towards the now dead sergeant.
"Get if ov dere!" he shouted at his men.
Several Ork bikers dismounted and pulled at the Sergeant. Nob roared his engines in reverse and sprayed his men with dirt as they hauled the sergeant's corpse.
Nob pointed at one of his men "You der, brin me da shina choppa." he said pointing at the sergeant's powersword with his chin.
Ork scurried over in fear and grabbed the beautiful Astartes powersword and followed in his lord's heels.
Nob pain no head to him instead throttled his engines and reached the back hatch of the Razorback.
He planted two heavy blows without dismounting at the hatch and broke a hole on it.
He detached several stikk bommas from his belt and threw the lot in the gap. He throttled forwards to a safe distance while the rest of the Orks either riden fast away from the vehicle or threw themselves ahead as best as they could.
The explosion itself was no majestic. There was not enough explosive ammo inside the Razorback to satisfy the spectacle desired of the Orks. A loud bang came and burning smoke rose from the hatched and vision slits of the Razorback.
Ork Nob rode towards the Ork still carrying the powersword.
"Gimme dat!" he roared.
Ork reared in fear and throwing the sword. Nob caught it in air and admired it's blade.
"Shinin choppa iz mine!" he roared looking eagerly at the gleaming blade. Despite the Astartes blade on the hilt the powersword was beautiful.
Nob's head exploded into a red mist as bolt round ripped it inside out.
The giant Ork along with his bike fell sideways dropping the blade.
"Not even in the darkest millenia, Ork" said Achagon, his sniper barrel smoking from bolt exhaust.
"Fire!" shouted Ioras raising his chainsword and pointing towards the Ork group.
Bolter fire started in bursts, Cussax, Ioras, Achagon, Herean and Fextus was side by side at the hill top firing at the Orks relentlessly.
Two Ork biker went down screaming.
Bikes roared once more along with the last remaining buggie.
Buggie fired its big shoota but the marines was well covered and the dakka fire punctured the ground creating dust clouds around them.
As the bikers charging Iulius was from their right atop the ruins of a once-bunker. He sprayed the Orks with his heavy bolter. Rounds blew apart wheels and toppled the Ork bikers at the front.
Buggie tried to shifts it fire at the less covered Astartes with the heavy bolter. But it was riddled with bolter fire and its gunner died as Deciaci, Julius and Horatus revealed themselves at the left of the Orks.
They were firing from with dead Lion Warriors ahead of them.
The middle group slayed more Orks as Heavy Bolter fire wounded them or disabled their vehicles. The Astartes was both uphill and well entranched. Also they had the suprise attack on their side. The Ork numbers were diminished by fighting against the Lion Warriors and the sneak attack killed their leader.
Dissent started to take root and two bikers tried to turn back and run. But the unceasing bolt fire made their trip short. They toppled not far.
Four Ork biker remained and they charged desperatly at the middle marine position where Achagon and Ioras were along with Herean, Cussax and Fextus.
Rexus revealed himself at the last moment and sprayed three bikers with burning prometheum. It stuck on Ork flesh and as the Ork screamed burned their eyes in their eyeballs.
"Burn alien." he said satisfied with his job.
The last Ork biker charged towards Ioras but Ioras did not duck as one would expect.
Instead he climb the cover and stood directly in front of the Ork biker. Biker fired his dakka at full burst but Ioras turned sideways putting his shoulderpad in the trajectory with the dakka fire.
He grabbed knelt and braced his bolter his right hand at the trigger. He fired low and blew the wheel out of the bike. The machine hit the ground and in a lever motion carried the Ork ahead.
Ork flew a second and landed beside Ioras his bike crashing to a full stop.
Ioras rose and put his boot on the neck of the dazed Ork.
"Are there more Orks in this vicinity, greenskin? Talk and I let you live." he said through his mouth grill.
"No, no, us biker boyz, no boyz. Lemme go now?" said Ork in a broken gothic.
Ioras didn't reply instead shot the Ork in the forehead with his bolter. The Ork's blood sprayed on his boot but he didn't give notice. Instead he took the magazine and fixed it again feeling and improper firing sequence in the bolter.
Squad united at Ioras' position and waitied further orders.
Julius had grabbed the Lion Warriors Sergeant's powersword.
"Trophy collecting?" asked Horatus snidely.
"Honouring the fallen." answered Julius irrated with the implied accusation of grave robbing.
They waited as Ioras extracted the precious gene-seed of the Lion Warrior dead.
"What now?" asked Iulius.
Ioras nodded his head towards the bunker.
"We arrived." Ioras said.
"I hope they're home." joked Horatus.
"They better be." said Julius joke lost on him.
The squad was tense now that there was nothing between them and the Lion Warriors.