So here's the first contribution for our monthly challenge, featuring the Steel Legion. I call it
Unity
unknown date M30
on the surface of Hesiak Prime
XVIIIth Legiones Astartes was deployed to safeguard the metropolis of Ericho against the savage hordes of the Quickkilla Clan
Cursed xenos. That was fiercer than I thought.
Boriak freed himself from debris. The grenade had hit right in the middle of his squad, nearly annihilating his entire team. He was slammed against a wall, which had collapsed right on top of him. They had hided within the ruins of a former family home, keeping an eye on the main street below. The attack came surprisingly. The greenskins were indeed quick in their assaults.
Boriak steadied himself, rising from the ground. In doing so, he trample on a small frame with an old family picture. He looked at it for a short moment. It showed a happy family during a barbecue. All of them were smiling. The sun was shining. It was a life as it should be in all of the Imperium. But the reality of war had shown them a different fate for all of them. If they were lucky, they had made their way to the bunkers. If not, Boriak did not want to imagine the cruelties to which the damned beasts were more than willing to do.
"Squad Boriak, report."
No answers. The room was a mess, nearly half blown open. He could see the remains of Jorak, scattered all across the floor and the walls. He must have taken the brunt of the explosion. Boriak tried to contact the rest of his squad via their internal network, accessible via the implanted neocorts in their heads. None answered. While trying to establish contact with anyone outside of this house, he realized that he did not get any contact to anyone of his Legion. Normally, there was a constant static deep within his head. It was the noise of thousands of thoughts and voices speaking through the Legions network. One had to concentrate to address only a handful of brothers, most likely his team. A direct conversation between two Legionnaires was nearly impossible during a battle. For these rare occasions, one had to disconnect from the network. Otherwise, it would need too much focus, which would ultimately lead to a distraction, which could turn out to be lethal during a fight.
Boriak took cover behind a still standing fragment of the northern wall, overlooking the coming assault of the greenskins. He did not know how severe this attack was to his company. For now, he was alo-
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
The voice filled out his head so abruptly that Boriak felt dizzy for a couple of seconds. He knew this voice but it had never addressed him solely before. He did not knew what he should do or how to behave. Was he the only survivor?
YOUR INJURIES ARE NOT WORSE. ONE OF YOUR LUNGS HAS COLLAPSED AND YOU HAVE RECEIVED FISSURES IN YOUR LIVER AND SOME OTHER ORGANS. NOTHING YOURE BODY IS NOT ABLE TO HEAL. DO NOT WORRY. I AM AT YOUR SIDE.
Boriak realized that the voice was also linked with his suit, reading his vital signs. It could see what he was seeing right now. A distant howl reached him. So simple, yet effective and mighty, the howl promised only bloodshed and violence in its purest forms. The greenskins were advancing. All of the sudden, he saw some of them, only a few dozens meter away from his positions.
Scouts. They are looking for resistance.
THEN WE SHALL GIVE THEM WHAT THEY ARE DESIRING. YOU GOT ENOUGH AMMUNITION AND YOUR POWERFIST TO DEAL WITH THEM. TOGETHER, WE WILL STOP THEM.
Seems like I will not run out of targets. Even more are advancing and I can see their trucks in the distance.
WAS THAT A JOKE?
Indeed it was. You are still struggling with these kind of things, right?
INDEED. I AM STILL LEARNING. MAYBE WE COULD HAVE A...CONVERSATION ABOUT THESE THINGS?
Sure. I am just busy for the next few hours but I believe that I got some spare time in the evening.
The voice did not react on his comment. Instead, he could feel the static again. It seems like the voice had separated him from the rest of the Legion. Was he the only one who saw the coming of the Orks?
YOU ARE RIGHT. I NEEDED A LOOK BY MYSELF.
Wait. That was a joke, right?
AM I GETTING BETTER AT IT?
Boriak reloaded his bolter and picked up some magazines of his fallen brothers. He took a moment to commemorate his team before rising again.
Unlocking his bolter and preparing his powerfist, Boriak, sergeant of Team Boriak, 23rd company of the Platinic Fists, he was ready to avenge his brothers. Ready to take the fight to the enemy. Ready to give his life if needed.
Yes, father. You are getting better at it.
ONE VISION
The unity of Mankind!
ONE PURPOSE
Ours to accomplish!
Edited by Kelborn, 07 March 2017 - 11:43 AM.