Epistolary Mephistoclese ordered his units to check in. "Mantis squad
reporting no contact."
"Hippo squad reports no bugs sighted."
Satisfied
that both squads were ready he turned to Sergeant Zacharias "Brother
Sergent do we have contact with our reinforcements that are supposed to
reinforce our lines?"
Zacharias spoke a few words into his comlink and
replied "Epistolary Dragon squad reports it will be in position shortly,
Predator 3-1 is topping off it's petrol tanks and ammo stores and will be
here immediately after, as of yet we have no report from our battle barge
in regards to reinforcements and have no contact with Gunship 3-2."
"What
about our air support?" Mephistoclese tensely asked.
"No time frame was
given Epistolary, but air support was guarenteed."
Suddenly a voice broke
through on Mephistocleses' prersonal com channel, "Forces stationed in
sector AA23 the tyranids are advancing on your position, I repeat the swarm
will be upon your position in moments, may the Emperor be with you all."
Mephistoclese turned to the Techmarine standing silently behind him, "Where
did that report come from?"
The Techmarine's reply was of no surprise
"Thunderhawk Gunship 1-4 pulled elements of Raider Company and their
support elements from the breakthrough for repositioning behind our lines."
Mehphistoclese shook his head, this backwards leap frogging had been going
on for days, it appeared yet another planet would fall prey to the
Tyranids. Opening up his comlink to the company channel Mephistoclese
addressed the troops under his command. "This is Epistolary Mephistoclese,
Brothers the enemy is closing in on our position."
"Hold your positions to
the last man in order to give our other brothers time to set up behind us."
"Mantis squad and Hippo squad when the enemy comes into view focus your
missile fire on the synapse creatures until the smaller ones enter boltgun
range."
"We will be receiving reinforcements shortly and Emperor willing
are going to have air support before we are overrun."
"May the Emperor
guide each and every shot you make, give me regular reports."
"Brother
Techmarine are you sure that these towers were a wise idea as opposed to
the standard bunkers?" Mephistoclese queried the Techmarine.
"In this
situation mere bunkers would quickly be encircled and neutralized, these
type of towers force the creatures not only to encircle the tower but to
either climb it or tear it down."
"Historic records show that most Tyranid
creatures are not proficient climbers and the towers allow us the luxury to
fire on the synapse creatures."
After pausing a few moments the Techmarine
adds one last thought. "The Adeptus Mechanicus also recommended this type
of defense system be tested against a Tyranid invasion."
"Let us pray the
Emperor and the Machine God do not let us down then Brother."
Mephistoclese
replied. Further comment on the novelty of towers was prevented.
"Epistolary this is Sergent Uriel, we have movement among the buildings in
front of us, multiple targets, we are preparing to engage!"
The Tyranid
swarm had arrived.
It appeared as if the buildings in front of Hippo squad had come to life,
multiple shapes could be seen moving through the rubble, then suddenly one
of the partially ruined buildings collapsed. When the dust cleared the
swarm was in full view. "Hippo reporting multiple synapse creatures coming
up our flank supported by a Brain Bug and a Screamer Killer."
"Main synapse
creature is also in view."
Mephistoclese himself could see a different
Screamer Killer along with what appeared to be Hormagaunts while behind
them stalked the synapse creatures along with as yet unseen foes. "Hippo
concentrate fire on the synapse creatures."
"Mantis squad do you have any
opponents?"
"This is Mantis we are seeing no creatures on our flank, do you
wish we leave the tower and advance on them?"
Mephistoclese quickly replied
"No Mantis, hold position, open fire with missile launcher on front running
creatures."
At that moment the brother with the launcher let fire at the
closing Hormagaunts. The missile detonated in the middle of the brood with
no visible effects. "Hippo squad letting fly..." the frag missile detonated
in front of the Tyranid warriors damaging none of them.
"Hellfire squad
stay with me and prepare to fire, they have to go through us.²
Mephistoclese told those guarding him.
The Tyranid swarm continued its advance. The warriors moving up the right
flank were carrying the fearsome bioweapons. On an unseen signal they all
raised their weapons and fired at Hippo squad. Bio blasts covered most of
the troopers, but there ceramite armor held true and only one trooper fell
victim to the venom cannon screaming as the toxins coursed through his
body. The Hive Tyrant as well trained his venom cannon on Hippo squad and
cut loose a burst again only one trooper fell to the bioweapon. The Brain
bug stopped its advance long enough to unleash a bio blast on the tower
defenders but only managed to blow away a peice of the tower. In the
distance small leathery creatures could be seen flying towards the battle.
Mephistoclese turned to the techmarine behind him again "Where are my
reinforcements?"
Before the Techmarine could answer a voice came over the
comm system "This is Predator 3-1 we are pulling up to your position on the
left side at this time, we will await further instructions."
Mephistoclese
quickly answered "Predator focus all weapons on the closest approaching
bugs do not allow them to reach our position."
"Acknowledged Epistolary
commencing fire."
Before further comment could be made a dark blue streak
flashed by the peripheral vision of Mephistoclese. As he turned his head he
realized he was looking at the missing gunship that was detailed to support
their stand. "Shockwave 3-2 where have you been?"
Mephistoclese asked.
"This is Skockwave 3-2 , we became tied up with a Harridan in mid transit
trying to sow confusion in our refueling area, we were forced to engage and
destroy it, now we are all your Epistolary."
Came the reply. Epistolary
Mephistoclese then gave them their battle orders. "Acknowledged Shockwave
3-2, attempt to circle around behind the initial swarm line and engage
those lurking in the rear."
By this time the brother marines manning the
missile launchers had reloaded and let their missiles fly. Mantis squad's
missile again struck home and this time shredded bodies of hormagaunts were
thrown in the air, but the swarm continued on. The Predator opened up on
the Hormagaunts with every gun on board, shredding more of them, but yet
they did not waver. A frag missile streaked from the battle tower Hippo
squad held and struck a Tyranid Warrior square in the chest. For some
reason the missile didn't detonate but the force of the missile was more
than enough to tear the warrior in half. "This is Sergeant Uriel, the swarm
will be in bolter range soon and we may be over run Epistolary do your
orders still stand?"
the Epistolary Librarian quickly answered "Yes you are
to stand to the last man Sergeant, any support we have will be directed to
your side."
"Stand strong and may the Emperor's light shine on you Uriel."
Quickly closing off the com channel Mephistoclese turned to the techmarine.
"Open a channel with our orbiting command ship, we need more reinforcements."
During the hail of fire and ensuing orders the swarm continued to advance.
The warriors again unleashed a volley of bio shots and this time were
rewarded with 3 marines falling to their efforts. The Zoanthrope again
fired a psychic blast at Hippo squad, but again the shot hit the tower
instead, but this time the whole structure shook from the blast. Uriel
quickly reported that in "Hippo squad reporting, the bugs may be trying to
bring down the tower, we have more casualties as well."
The Hive Tyrant
noticed the Gunship attempting to encircle the swarm's front line and
turned and let lose a volley of shots, but all went wide of the jinking
speeder. "Taking fire Epistolary, the Tyrant has noticed us."
Came the
report from the gunner of Shockwave 3-2. At the same time this message came
in the Techmarine broke in, "Dragon squad reporting in position and ready
to fire."
"I have also made contact with the command ship I have the
theatre commander on the comm."
"And the theatre commander would be?" Epistolary Librarian asked the
Techmarine.
"This is Master Metatron; Epistolary Mephistoclese, do you need
assistance?"
came the reply from the command ship.
"Ahhhh Master Metatron,
we could use the assistance of some of your Annhiliator Terminators at this
time, also we have been told we will have solid air support but as of yet
are without any, can you rectify this situation before we are overrun?" the
Epistolary quieried.
"I will transfer you to the teleporter room for
reinforcements, and will provide you with air assistance shortly
Epistolary, Metatron out."
After a few clicks came a new voice "This is
Sergeant Nagas leader of X-Ray squad please give us coordinates and a
battle situation."
Mephistoclese quickly replied "Coordinates uploaded, get
in kill as many as possible and get out before the air support arrives."
"X-Ray acknowledged." Came the tinny reply from the Terminator Sergeant.
By
this time most of the troops had opened up on the swarm. The chainsword
like sound of the Gunship's assault cannon rang throughout the battlefield
"This is Shockwave 3-2 we are engaging Genestealers in the rear of the
swarm."
On the contested right flank Hippo squad cut loose with a hail of
bolter fire, under which two Tyranid warriors staggered and fell, riddled
with bolt holes. The missile launcher again let loose with it's deadly
cargo, this time a Krak missile and that connected with a warrior and tore
it's head from it's body. This left the lone warrior with the Venom Cannon
to return fire. In the middle of the main swarm by the Hive Tyrant and his
Termagant retinue a blue light appreared and became brighter and 6 hulking
black armored shapes stepped from the light; Terminators. They all opened
fire on the Hive Tyrant and those with him. The result of the hail of
assault cannon fire and swathe of fire across them was as expected, the
termagants were eliminated to a creature and the Hive Tyrant was wounded
and enraged. The only comment from the hulking killing machines was
Sergeant Nagas' broadcast "We are solidifying our firing positions."
At
this time the Hormagaunts were well within boltgun range and Hellfire squad
opened up on them along with Epistolary Mephistoclese, and they too were
eliminated to the creature. While Epistolary Mephistoclese was changing
clips on his Stormbolter a message interrupted him "This is Dragon squad
requesting target."
He quickly looked up and realized that the screamer
killer was closer to his position that originally thought. "Dragon target
Carnifexe, maximum fire power."
"Acknowledged Epistolary prosecuting
target." and with that the full fury of Dragon company was felt.
The heavy
bolter shells rang off the beast's thick armor but the Carnifexe was not as
lucky when the Lascannon blew it clean off its feet. The Sun Gun also
scored a direct hit and almost set the creature afire but the flames went
out as it regained it's feet. Finally a smoke trail connected with the
beast's midsection and it let out a scream of rage. Unfortunatly the
Predator couldn't target the Carnifexe with maximum firepower but it did
have range on the tyranid warriors in which it mowed down two leaving
three. Mantis squad's battle brother with the missile launcher again let
fly and was rewarded by the sight of two genestealers falling to the ground
and not getting up.
The Swarm was far from out of the fight however. in front of the abandoned
building Dragon company was using two shapes burst from the ground. "Mantis
company reporting we have two spooks in our lines, they are moving to
engage Dragon company!"
Epistolary Mephistoclese radioed them "Those are
your next targets, do not let them engage our heavy weapon squad or the
center may be all but lost."
During this time the lone tyranid warrior with
the venom cannon leveled his gun at the remaining troopers of Hippo
company, who had regrouped at the top of the tower. Two bodies fell from
the tower to the ground. Hippo company was all but lost. The Hive Tyrant
was now fully distracted by the Terminators and leveled his venom cannon at
them and cut loose. Shards of deadly neurotoxin spattered over the armor
but none found its way through to the cargo inside. Through some form of
unknown communication the Hive Tyrant directed the Zoanthrope to ignore the
troopers on the tower and concentrate on the Terminators. The psychic blast
blew two terminators to their knees but didn't damage the warriors inside.
In the middle of the field the warrior leveled their wicked Devourers at
the command squad and opened fire. One marine fell screaming as a white
worm like organism ate through his armor, but the apothecary quickly rushed
over to stop the creature from killing the marine. Unfortunatly for the
Terminators at this time the Hive Tyrant sprung its trap. Suddenly from
behind its hulking body Genestealers rushed to attack the terminators. The
Tyrant and Canrifexe quickly followed them in to finish off the now nearly
surrounded terminators. Quickly 2 Terminators fell to the razor claws of
the genestealers and the bonesword of the Hive Tyrant. Nagas quickly struck
back hacking an arm off the Hive Tyrant. His brother Terminators also fell
genestealers and wounded the Carnifexe. Nagas quickly reported in "We are
about to be overrun, we are teleporting out."
Mephistoclese quickly
answered "Acknowledged brother."
Mephistoclese quickly realized he had other problems, if the Carnifexe
reached the tower it could bring it down painlessly and the middle would be
open to attack. The warriors could also bring the tower down so they had to
be stopped. "Dragon squad take out the warriors, leave the screamer killer
to me."
Dragon quickly acknowleded the call and killed the rest of the
brood. Mephistoclese relaxed and allowed his aggression to take the form of
a column of fire about the Carnifexe who released a final agonizing scream
and lay down for the last time. "Hellfire squad eliminate the
genestealers." the fatigued Librarian ordered his command squad.
The last
few remaining genestealers were mowed down in a rain of bolter fire.
Predator 3-1 sprang to life and shot around the corner of the building
practically running down the Lictor. The resulting firefight left the
Lictor dead at the base of the tank. Mantis squad engaged the other Lictor
with bolter fire and missile and knocked it to its knees, but not killing
it. The few remaining members of Hippo squad fired on the Hive Tyrant but
it shrugged off those shots like a gentle rain. As the Gunship rounded the
corner to engage the rest of the swarm a voice came over every troopers
comlink. "This is Thunderhawk Gunship 1-4 we are circling in for our first
firing run, all flyers and troops in the open withdraw from the kill zone,
Thunderhawks 1-5 through 1-20 are right behind me."
Shockwave Gunship 3-2
continued its tight turn and flew behind some hills out of the fire zone.
"Sorry for the delay Epistolary, but we were held up by Harridans and
gargoyles."
Mephistoclese radioed the Thunderhawk "The field is clear
Brother Pilot, fire at will, destroy the enemy."
Epistolary Mephistoclese
addressed the troops as the roar of battle cannons and hundreds of heavy
bolters chewed up the remaining line of the swarm. "The battle has been won
by your faith in the Emperor, prepare to be relieved by elements of
Unforgiven company."
End.
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