Saeva Abyssi Chapter 14

Across the empty expanse of bare sky the Thunderchild advanced, pushing clouds of gas out of its way as it ploughed along. Her armoured flanks cut through the atmosphere with unstoppable momentum, scars displayed for all to see, but despite her wounding she remained proud and defiant. The Thunderchild was moving with intense speed and purpose, making no attempt to hide its presence at all. It was a brave charge and yet she was not headed forward, instead she had reversed her course and was now returning to her previous position.

On her bridge Captain Toran was standing proudly, observing the crew as they went about their duties. He could feel the deck vibrating beneath him and would have sworn that the Thunderchild felt more confident, more powerful and vibrant. Hevostan had finally brought all eight reactors to full potency and the ship was filled with new, vibrant life, like a colt discovering that it can gallop. Toran heard a heavy tread behind him and knew that Chaplain Wrethan was approaching. The Chaplain cut a grim figure in his skull-masked helm but his words were cautious as he said, "This is a dangerous move Toran, the Dark Eldar will not have gone far."

Toran heard the reproach but answered, "Wars are not won with timidity but bold action. We know where the enemy is so we hold the advantage."

Wrethan commented, "Then I shall pray to the Divine-Emperor for His favour, I suspect we shall need it."

Toran nodded respectfully as the Chaplain strode away, he didn't share Wrethan's religious fervour but he knew not to make any objections. Instead he inspected the bridge and called, "All stations, status report."

From the helm Furion called, "That extra power is working wonders; the helm has never been so responsive."

Novak reported from the Ordnance Pulpit, "Everything is ready here sir, just waiting for your order."

From the Gunnery Pews Jediah called, "Weapon batteries are fully powered up, it's a wondrous thing to behold Captain."

Persion reported, "No contacts yet, but there are a lot of sensor ghosts out there. Anyone of them could be an enemy."

Then Bylan stated, "+Reactors running smoothly and damage control teams are on high alert, void shields active+"

Toran looked over at the drifting form of Castabore and said, "Magos?"

"No dangerous gas emissions detected, skies are clear," Castabore reported then she looked up and said, "Since we are on a vector back to our previous location I must repeat my request to explore the unusual rock formation. The possible discoveries could be of immense worth to the Emperor and His Imperium."

Toran noted the phrasing the Magos used, Emperor instead of Omnissiah and knew Castabore was trying to appeal to his organic nature. He had to admit that he was curious about what was out there, in a life of battle a Space Marine rarely had time for the joy of simple exploration, but as always duty had to come first. Toran shook off his sentiments and replied vaguely, "If there's time Magos, if there's time. Let us worry about surviving the next few hours before we think about anything else."

Castabore sank back and Toran was left to watch bridge operations at work. The Serfs seemed cautiously optimistic, wary of danger but determined to meet it head-on. It was a good sign, Space Marines could be counted on to show resolution at all times but the crew of the Thunderchild were only human. In the blind, claustrophobic world below decks, trust and morale were everything. A crew that might panic in combat was worthless, but one that could carry out orders under fire would triumph. Toran was pleased to see that the mortals were coming to work as a team, one filled with confidence and trust. The fires of battle had united them, the shared dangers, losses and victories forging them into one unbreakable body, an alloy that would endure anything the universe could throw at them.

Toran was distracted though as he saw Persion examining a console, brow scowled in concentration and the Captain called, "Problem?"

Persion looked concerned as he said, "Captain, we're detecting movement out there. Sensor ghosts are swirling all around us, I think we've picked up a tail."

Toran gripped the rail in anticipation and ordered, "Steady as she goes men, keep us on course."

Long seconds passed and the bridge went silent, every man fretfully waiting for any sign of the enemy. Toran was staring fixedly into the Hololith, searching for the first hint of movement, any indication that the Dark Eldar had guessed their intent and were laying in wait. The tension filled the bridge, making Toran's trigger finger itch and he felt a cold shiver creep down his spine. The minutes dragged past and slowly the distant rock formations beyond the expanse came into view. Just as Toran was about to think that they had crossed the gap unmolested there was a blip on the Hololith and Persion yelled, "Contact off the starboard stern. We have a Dark Eldar frigate closing fast!"

Toran immediately cried, "Hard-to-starboard, bring the broadsides to bear!"

The whole ship rolled as the roaring thrusters heaved it about, bringing the stacked ranks of the weapon batteries around to point at the closing craft. It was a desperate race, the Dark Eldar vessel moving swiftly and effortlessly on black wings, closing in even as the Thunderchild lumbered about. Toran bit his tongue as he waited for the angles to line up and then he cried, "Give them a broadside!"

The right hull of the Thunderchild lit up as the broadside roared from its flank, a solid wall of macrocannons , missiles, plasma, turbolasers and grav-beamers all spitting fury at the incoming enemy. It was a colossal volley, the full power of the ship at last being unleashed and anything it hit would surely be annihilated. Unfortunately the Dark Eldar responded with inhuman speed, spreading their craft's wings wide and lifting them up like a bird in flight. The volley passed underneath the craft, which soared on in mocking contempt, its phantom lance gleaming with accursed power.

On the bridge Jediah called, "The target evaded, we did no damage at all."

Toran could see that for himself and the Serfs grew agitated but it was Wrethan who stepped forwards and declared, "Steady men of the Imperium. Be brave for every man must inevitably face the hour of his testing and this is ours."

With the Chaplain reaffirming their spirits the crew watched the enemy closing. This was the most dangerous moment, the foe's speed and power perilous indeed, one solid hit on the anti-gravs and it was all over. Toran stood silently as the Xeno craft dove towards them, waiting, just waiting with steely resolve, then he saw the moment was right and he shouted, "Novak, send the signal!"

In the Ordnance Pulpit Novak began shouting, "All Thunderhawk squadrons, the enemy has taken the bait! Attack, attack attack!"

From out of the billowing clouds behind the Thunderchild emerged a series of tiny darts, small black specks travelling on contrails of rocket exhaust. They flew in three waves of staggered V-shapes, riding the slipstream with their blocky prows pointed straight at the enemy. Their fuselages creaked and groaned from the atmospheric pressure, but Thunderhawks were built for combat and the reinforced armour held firm. Toran watched in the Hololith as they soared away, knowing that the ruse had worked. The size and power of the Thunderchild had been an irresistible lure but also the perfect cover. The flare of her engines and the wake of her passage had served to disguise the presence of the gunships and now the foe was too close to evade.

The Thunderhawks flew right at the Dark Eldar craft, which tried to pirouette away, tilting its wings to pull it hard to port. Yet the gunships were too close already and the pilots were not prepared to let their target flee. They pounced like eagles on the hunt, wingtips leaving swirling contrails and Turbolasers thrumming with stored power. Fitted as replacements for the standard battle cannons, they had been intended for training purposes but now served to turn the gunships into light-bombers. A flash of light heralded the gunships opening fire, it was barely a fraction of the might of the Thunderchild but it was from a much closer range and far more accurate. Spears of coherent light harpooned the Xeno craft, clipping its right wing with devastating might. Bracing struts shattered and membranes tore, leaving ragged holes in the wing that flapped free in the thick air.

The Dark Eldar did not take such an affront idly; instead they raised a forest of defence turrets and returned fire. Darts of Dark-Lance fire spat out, creating a deadly lattice of energy all around the gunships. They wove and they dodged randomly, seeking to avoid the deadly hail but so thick was the barrage that one of the Thunderhawks was clipped. Its hull was pierced by a single shot and the damage weakened its structural integrity. The Thunderhawk crumpled like a used ration tin as it was crushed down into a ball no bigger than a man's torso and the lump of metal fell away, spiralling down into the dark depths never to be seen again.

The remaining Thunderhawks blazed forward on trails of fire, eager to avenge their lost sibling and they closed to point-blank range. Once more their Turbolasers fired to tear at the same wing, carving great rents in it and causing the whole craft to wobble. The target was wounded but not dead and it responded with furious a retort. A veritable forest of Dark lance blasts rose into the turgid sky, seeking to swat the tiny gunships down. The Thunderhawks desperately bobbed and weaved in their attempts to evade, lurching back and forth but they refused to break off their attack run. They were to pay for their bravery and in quick succession three gunships were blown from the sky, flashing out of existence in brilliant balls of flame but still the remainder pressed their attack. Fire to the left of them and destruction to the right, boldly the Thunderhawks flew into the face of death and then they fired for a third time.

Spears of Turbolaser fire ripped into the right wing and this time they gouged a terrific wound into the supports. Sails tore and stanchions were sundered, causing the whole thing to rip backwards and with a horrifying screech the wing tore off. The Thunderhawks broke off and soared away triumphantly as the Dark Eldar craft went into a mad spin, doomed by the gravity that caught it and dragged it downwards. The craft's missing wing caused it to tumble, spinning it like a top as it twirled downwards. The crew inside were plastered to the bulkheads, crushed by centrifugal force and unable to do anything but scream as the increasing pressure of the depths cracked the hull. Then with a sharp snap the wraithbone hull shattered and the Dark Eldar craft imploded, crushed into a tiny ball of bone and blood.

On the Thunderchild's bridge the crew erupted into cheers and shouts of victory. Men punching the air and clapping each other on the backs as Chaplain Wrethan began a hymn of thanksgiving. Novak was grinning like a maniac and he called, "Captain, Thunderhawks report target destroyed, they request clearance to dock and refuel."

"By all means tell them to come home," replied Toran buoyantly, "And tell them that they have permission to add a new kill marking to their birds for this victory."

As the gunships returned home Persion looked up and said, "So... now what?"

Toran replied, "Now we have the time to head back and have a look at that strange rock the good Magos was so interested in."

Persion blinked and said, "Pardon me, you want to go sightseeing?"

Toran shook his head and clarified, "No, I want us to send out a recon party to reconnoitre the landscape, besides there may be a use for that rock after all."