Defense Laser Assault
by Mark Whittaker
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In a single bound the Chaplain covered another hundred yards. The Omega Wolves drop pods had touched down a mere 6 hours ago, knocking out the local Comm-station, hopefully buying the time needed to get his marines to the Planetary Defense laser that was holding up the arrival of the remainder of the company from making their landing. Another turbo-jet assisted leap brought him in line with the Land Raider that had joined him from Squad Brothius' failed landing. The reports from the scouts began playing across his audio scanners... "We have one hardened position, surrounded by razor-wire and pasteel barriers, Brother-Chaplain. Looks to be about 3 dozen Guardsmen outside the building, unknown number of persons inside the fortification." Mid-jump, the Chaplain got his first glimpse of his target. Cursory observation revealed that the scout's observations had been correct. "Affirmative Sargeant. Move up and secure firing positions. Alpha Team hit the left flank. Team Beta hold and await my arrival." Inside the PDF facility, Lieutenant Stryker and his men were relaxed. The reports of marine activity were all from other sectors of the planet. Raising his glass of wine he quietly spoke to himself in a toast, "Better you than me", and settled in to his lunch. The Omega Wolves Chaplain spoke into his comm-link again. "Command, we are in position. Await arrival of Terminator Squad Vulgan to commence attack." "Affirmative Brother-Chaplain. Squad Vulgan is in-bound now." There was a barely noticeable *pop* from the Chaplain's right flank. The Chaplain ordered Alpha Team to take the left flank. Then he waited for the report that his marines were in position. "Squad Vulgan. Present and accounted for Brother-Chaplain. We are moving in on the enemy position and will cover your approach." "Alpha Team in position, Brother-Chaplain, awaiting further orders." Then there was a great roar as the Land Raider hauled itself into position. The sound seemingly awakening every little creature within a quarter-mile into frenzied activity. "Brother-Chaplain, we have arrived, where shall we direct our fire?" "All units, fire at will, For the Emperor!" The chaplain and his bodyguard of Assault Marines made their way straight at the enemy bunker. The Lascannons of the Land Raider easily tore through the command chimera parked just aside of the bunker. On the left flank an entire squad of guardsmen disappeared as the terminators opened fire on their position. Alpha team and the scouts moved into assault position. Inside the bunker, chaos erupted. "What the hell is that? I need a report immediately! Get those guns firing you imbeciles!" The lieutenant spluttered and bellowed, completely taken by surprise. If this was a marine attack, then he was dead. His station had no heavy weapons, and his transport was smoldering just outside the door. He was going to die. His dad told him the PDF was the *safe* place to enlist. He didn't need this. He placed his head in his hands and began to sob. "Lieutenant Stryker," a voice broke in through the station's comm-box, "this is Captain Bernard Mallory. You have been engaged by members of the Omega Wolves space marines. We are in-bound to provide support. Give those bastards hell." Looking out his viewport he saw a squad of Mordians moving into the position that the terminators had just cleared. A mighty Demolisher tank rolled in behind them. On his right, a Leman Russ jerkingly pulled itself to a halt and further along a Chimera roared across the open terrain towered the previous Defense Laser's ruins. "I am saved! Praise the Emperor" the Lieutenant blabbered. His men shot him a quick glance of disgust and returned to pouring fire into the advancing marines. All across the battlefield fire flashed. Heavy Weapons teams tore into the advancing terminators on the left flank. The mightily armored Marines shrugged off most of the fire, but two fell to krak missile fire from within the bunker. Captain Mallory and his squad poured out of their Chimera nearly on top of the scouts and Alpha Team. A quartet of flamers rained hot death on the marines, 3 marines fell in to ground. Mallory and company charged, hoping to blunt the attack on this flank. Another three marines died, and Captain Mallory and his lifetime friend Commisar Vlad beat a hasty retreat back toward their transport. The rest of the squad did not survive the engagement. Once again fire poured into the picket line of defenders at the firebase. Less effective this time as only half a dozen guardsmen fell to the marines dwindling firepower, but then came the command the Omega Wolves live for. "Engage!" With a howl and cry to the Emperor, the marines stormed the barricades. Despite all odds, the guardsmen held. Barely out pacing their pursuers, Captain Mallory and Commisar Vlad continued to draw the Marines out of the ruins. They were almost spent however, and if something didn't happen soon they would be joining the remainder of their former squad mates. All around them little pieces of earth lifted up to reveal a squad of Ratling Snipers. The barking of their guns quickly subdued a pair of the Assault Marines rapidly approaching the position. Still the marines pressed the attack. Engaging the snipers and destroying Captain Mallory's Chimera. The Land Raider crew maneuvered to get out of sight of the two Imperial Battle Tanks. And held position just inside the ruins. Across the front, the guardsmen finally collapsed. With a howl and a clash, two entire squads of the 12th Infantry Platoon were wiped from the battlefield. Unable to bring it's gun to bear in time, the Demolisher fell to the Terminator's chainfists soon afterwards. Despite a still impressive amount of fire, Team Beta moved in and locked Meltabombs onto the Defense Laser facility. With an enormous Thunderclap the facilty toppled to the ground. The few "fortunate" survivors were immediately engaged by assault marines and terminators. On the right flank, Captain Mallory gave the order for all hands to fall back and began hiking his way back to the area command post. When all was said and done, only six of the one hundred men assigned to Defense Laser A-67B-38 would succeed in joining him. The marines had attacked with trademark precision and ruthlessness. Until he had seen it for himself, Captain Mallory just couldn't accept that loyal marines were responsible for the destruction in Sector 17. There could be no question now, however, that it was marines. The question was, why?
End. |
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