Post by Soap on Feb 9, 2020 5:04:31 GMT -5
Chapter one: Whos left?
Day light began to shine through the ruined city building's as night turned to day. For the first time in ten hours, the fire of Las Rifles stopped. The Guardsmen slowly started to relax, the adrenalin of battle starting to subside. Rickshaw raised his head above the rubble he was using as cover. Surveying the near and mid distance of the battlefield.
The battlefield, that was a street, once a place the citizens of the Imperium went about their lives. Now though, buildings where reduced to rubble, the wide six lane road ruined by shell craters. Rickshaws eyes darted left to right. Smoke, dead bodies, metal hulks burning littered the road.
"Everyone, call out". Rickshaw took a moment to breath. Letting his lungs fill with air as he listened to the men call out.
"Maros here". The gruff voice called out from the left behind a burning Chimera. Lasgun held in the aimed position scanning his front. Maros wasnt the biggest of men, but he had bested many who where - including other guardsmen. He was as rough as they came.
"Kell here". Behind him. Rickshaws head turned. He didnt see him till Kell waved giving up his position. Kell was a special breed of a man. The majority of his equipment he had acquired iver this years of service to the Emperor, had been modified by himself in one way or another. His Las rifle being his pride and joy. 'Sting', as it was aptly named was like a surgical weapon of war. The las beam it fired was a narrower than a standard Lasgun, and much more powerful. Visually, it looked very different. A skeleton stock, longer barrel, and a high powered scope. Internally, high grade parts and too many modifications to list. It now had the accuracy of a sniper rifle, with three times the power of a standard rifle. Kell being so effective with it, kept the hierarchy from causing too much of a fuss about his unauthorised modifications, but had been told he was walking a very thin line.
"I said call out! Where is everyone!". Rickshaw looked around to rose to his feet. Other than the crack and flickering of fire from the burning vehicles, they was nothing but silence.
"We it!" Kell stated. "We be the last men standing". He wiped his brow of sweat and grime. "What now boss?"
Rickshaw shoulders slumped under his armour. "We need to get back to the FOB, before them bastards come for round two. Make sure you got spare power packs, then Maros, you take point".
Chapter Two: start of a long walk
As the three survivors picked their way through the ruined city, not a word was spoken. Seven Chimeras, three Leman Russ Battle Tanks, and nearly one hundered men had entered the city of Durwel a little over twelve hours ago. Taking a cautious route to their objective, the convoy was ambushed. A ten hour battle then ensued.
The day was going to be a cool one. Light clouds drifted lazily overhead, with no threat of the weather turning anytime soon. They had been a few snow storms over the last few days, and slush still sat in a few dark corners. Winter was drawing in, so if they didnt get back to the forward operating base soon, they would be a a good chance of being caught out by a turn in weather.
The men stopped short of an open space, a vehicle park. Half empty, vehicles of various sizes all showed the same condition - burnt out, bullet ridden. The shaddow of the vehicle parks building stood. Visable signs of a fire fight in the past stood out on the building, but the building stood. An Imperial aquila hung large as life on the front.
"Looks like what was the Governors office?... whats his name?.. Yarat? Larat?".
"Governor Sarral". Rickshaw interrupted Kell, ending the risk of any conversation starting. He stepped forward, Kel and Maros fell in behind. As they entered the vehicle park, the squad spread out. Maros went right, Kell left. Rickshaw raised his hand and as one they stopped moving. Maros raised his Lasgun, scanning the front of the building. Kel used his scope and took a full second on each ground floor window, then proceeded to scan the windows above.
"Is this the mission? Find and secure this building?" Rickshaw turned looking at Maros and smiled.
"Yeah, it is. It looks emptie, thats good enough for me".
"Does look very empty to me". Kell added.
"Right this is the plan, skirt round to the left, get on that motorway there". Rickshaws hand pointed at a raised road about two kilometres away. Once traffic would have crowded the road, but now, just the odd burnt out high sided vehicle was visable over that crash barrier.
"We follow it back roughly the way we came into this city, and hopefully find the FOB". And once again, without any further talk, the three moved on.
They followed the road that lead to the intersection. Straight on lead under the motorway, while left or right lead up a ramp to join the motorway, originally one was access to the motorway, the other an exit. Rickshaw give a nod to the left, and the three of them moved up using the concrete barriers as cover. Rickshaw hung back, eye watching the road they had travelled. Maros took the lead. Several vehicles lay abandoned at the top of the ramp. They look like they had been part of a collision with what was once a tanker. Just a ruined chassis remained of that, but the several other vehicles here all seemed in tacked other than external fire, and impact damage.
Kell reached the nearest vehicle and used it as a weapons platform. Using his scope he scanned the road. Beyond the crash, the road was empty to what looked to another on ramp. There a similar scene presented itself.
"Clear".
"Ok, we can take a break here. Thirty minutes. Get some food, check your kit.
Chapter three: Suprise
The road seemed to never end. Kell bitched about walking. Nobody listened. Maros had taken point, walking five or six meters ahead of the other two. He raised his arm to stop, and as Rickshaw and Kell dived left and right for cover, his head exploded. His body stayed upright for a few seconds too long, his heart still pumping not know its already dead. Blood sprayed high into the air. Rapid firing Heavy caliber rounds shattered the road around where Maros stood. Another round ripped through his body, passing through his armour as if it wasnt there. His body left the ground, falling onto its back. Kell was on his stomach, scope raised, looking for the source of fire. Rickshaw pulled the pin on a smoke grenade and threw it as far forward as he could manage, it landed three meters passed Maros, and started expelling a dark blue smoke.
'Sting' hissed with a shot. Then again. Kell froze, let air escape his lungs before drawing another breath. In, out, in, and slowly out. Another hiss as a high powered Las shot left the barrel of 'Sting', claiming another life.
"I think"... Kell paused, having a good look down range, picking out the location of the attack through the smoke.
"Yeah, we are. Clear". He pushed himself up, and by the time he was on his feet, Rickshaw was already at Maros. His body layed flat on his back, blood and gore covering the road around him.
"The bastards".
Chapter Four: A friend in need
The two followed the road for hours. Clumps of vehicles would block the road, followed by a large open space. Each environment had different potential hazards, so caution was used.
High trees surrounded the motorway. The road eased around to the left, and about one kilometre further on, a motorway bridge came into view. It was about 10 meters higher than this one, allowing sufficient space for the large cargo vehicles to pass under. Now though, it was another site of wrecked vehicles.
The distinct sound of a heavy bolter fire. Flashes of light barking from a vehicle within the wreck of vehicles. Then in reply, the side of the bridge exploded into dust as the rounds hit the side barrer. The firing stopped. The dust settled on the bridge. For the dust created, from the distance Rickshaw and Kell stood, the bridge looked like it had sustained no damage.
"Take a look Kell". Before the scope was brought to his eye, the bridge lit up. Flashes of orange light filled the edge of the bridge. The sound of Heavy Bolter returned. "Looks like we have a Leman Russ". A high pitched whine joined the Heavy Bolters.
"A Punnisher. We got a Punisher".
The firing from the bridge stopped as the Punnisher ate up the barrier of the bridge. Kell watched commentating on what was happening. Rickshaw gripped his Lasgun. "Right, that Punisher is our life out of here, lets give the bastard a hand".
A creak of metal on metal rang out as the Punisher pushed into the wrecks. Its tracks pushing with ease, then as a wracked out truck jammed, the tracks dug in and climbed over, crushing the remains of the truck.
'Sting' started letting lose. Each shot hitting its intended target upon the bridge. The Punisher paused for a second, the gatting gun winding down. The turret move to the right slightly then again let lose a barrage of fire.
The Punisher dropped back onto the hard road, clear of the wracked vehicles. The side mounted heavy bolters roared into action. The protection offered by the bridge started to give way. Lumps of concrete fell leaving gaping holes, but still the attack on the Leman Russ continued.
A flash of light erupted on the left and right of the Punisher. Whisps of smoke trailed back tonthe bridge. Kell saw another missile launcher be lifted up to take another shot, but 'Sting' stopped the effort. Butnit wasnt enough. Three other rockets hit. A grind of metal on metal and the Punisher stopped moving, its tracks destroyed.
Rickshaw had pushed forward of Kell, and offered as much cover fire as possible for the Leman Russ and its crew. Kell made every shot count, each shot a kill shot. The Punisher continued to fire everythinf it had. Another salvo of missiles hit, and quickly another followed. Flames began to lick at the hull of the tank. It was beaten, but still it returned fire.
Thump, thump, thump! The smoke launchers kicked into life. A smoke screen hid the bridge, but the flaming Punisher was still in full view. The command hatch, and rear escape hatch burst open. Smoke exited, along with two bodys. They ran away from the Leman Russ, as another salvo of missiles hit. The resulting explosion knocked them both off their feet. The Punisher creating a massive fireball, catching the tank crews clothes on fire. The man who escaped from the command hatch screamed in pain as flames took hold of this oil soaked trousers. The other crewman didnt move.
Smoke hid Rickshaw and Kell from enemy on the bridge. The moved forward with speed. The Punisher sent rounds up in the air as rounds cooked off making both men flinch. The screaming crewman had stopped by the time they reached him. His lifeless body still burning. The smell of burning filled the air, but the smell of burning flesh was overpowering.
"Lets go Kell, before we end up like him".
Chapter Five: A fine mess
The two ran as fast as their bodies could push. Past the burning wreck of the Punisher, through the smoke canisters still pushing out black smoke, and towards the bridge. It took awhile before the enemy realized two guardsmen where charging towards them, but as each of the knowticed, they began to open fire. The ground around the two runners where chewed up. They jinxed left and right, making themselves harder targets. Legs pounding, the two eventually made it to the safety of under the bridge. Both men stopped almost as one, and began sucking air into the lungs.
"That was, scary". Kell spurted out, almost laughing.
"We arnt out of the fire yet Kell" Rickshaw panted for breath.
"How the hell do we get out of this?".
"We need to get off this motorway, before they get of that bridge". Rickshaw unslung his pack, and produced a high density rope.
"Here, tie this onto a support beam, we can drop out down".
Kell tied off the rope, checked and double checked the knot, and tossed the rest of the rope over the side. Instinctively he leaned over and watched the rope drop, and fall short of the ground below.
"We got a bit of a drop off here, about four meters I guess".
"Just make sure you land on your head, cant do anymore damage to it!".
Kell climed over, taking a good grip of the rope and started to lower himself down. Rickshaw stood guard now his pack was back in place. The Punisher had stopped cooking off unused rounds, but still burned fearlessly. No sign of the enemy as yet.
Thud!
"You alright?" Rickshaw poked his head over to find Kell picking himself up.
"Your turn".
By the time Rickshaw had picked himself up from his rough landing, Kell at had a good look around the area. They could both hear vehicles and commands being shouted on the bridge, but on the ground, it was quet. The edge of the forest could be seen from where they had came, but apart from the two motorways, the ground was open. Fields streched out until what looked to be another road crossed the open country. Rickshaw produced a tattered map from his leg pocket. A finger traced a route.
"Ok, I think we are here". He pointed at a cross roads on the map showing Kell, "If thats road over there is a road, then the FOB is here, about three kiliometers down the road. If it is not the road, and its this rail line marked here, then I think we are here at this cross roads, and we are about twenty kilometres away from the FOB".
"Whats the bet it the rail line?".
Chapter Six: Bad news, worse news.
Movement was slow. The ground was soft, even boggy in places, with the only cover natural dips and rises of the uneven ground. Eventually they reached firmer ground, and to their horror, the realisation that a rail line was ahead. Rickshaw cursed his luck. So did Kell. A ditch ran next to the railway, so they took shelter, and allowed themselves a short rest. Rickshaw studied the map, gauging roughly their location. Kell closed his eyes. Fatigue taking hold. Rickshaw allowed him ten minutes before giving him a kick.
"Rise and shine, we got ground to cover".
"Just two more...". Another kick. "Get up!".
They followed the ditch, it was only half a meter deep, but give some cover. The rail line was about three meters away, the sleepers raise a little higher. The ditch must have been to protect the rail line from flooding during storm season. Right now though it was mostly hard mud, with the odd damp patch that hadnt quite dried.
"About five kilometers they should be a valley, it looks to be about 15 kilometres long".
"Ok, Is this rail in use?".
"Not up here. They is a bridge beyond the valley, pass the FOB actually, our Valkyries took it out to stop the enemy using it to move troops and supplies, long before the FOB was set up".
They continued to walk, and dawn was starting to draw in. A metalic hiss could be heard. It was very faint. Kell tapped Rickshaw on his shoulder pad, raised a finger to his lips for silence, and they both stood still. Kells finger pointed to the rail line, they both shouldered weapons and took cover. Looking back the direction they had came, in the distance a metal hulk travelled the line. Two dim white lights sat high on the front.
"Kell get down, have a look".
Kell crouched, raised his rifle and eyed through the scope. The engine was large, Cadian green, with two auto cannon turrets at either end. The trailers behind where wider. And from what Kell could see each held either two or three Leman Russ tanks battle tanks.
"Looks like the line is back in service, we got some armour heading for the FOB".
"Maybe we can get a ride!?".
"Lets find out then".
Rickshaw stepped up, from his belt he produced a flaire gun, aimed it up high, and fired. The gray streak shot into the air, then the shot ignited. A red flame burning bright, slowly falling back to the ground. For good measure, Kell realised a smoke grenade on the floor, a blue could engulfing them both.
Kell once again looked through the scope. The train heading towards them, speed unchanged. The gap between the troopers and train closing quickly.
"Its not gonna stop, why would it?".
The train was less and a kilometer away now. Rickshaw waved his hands as if that would change the drivers mind to pick up a couple of stragglers.
One hundered meters away, and the two where visually disappointed. Tired, hungry, and still a long trek ahead. Then without warning, the engine exploded into a massive fireball. The pressure lifted the two men from their feet throwing them into the trench. Shrapnel flying in all directions. The line, now damaged caused the trailers to derail. Weight and speed pushing them on into the ditch. The lead trailer pushed the engine to the right, disconnecting and sailing to the left into the ditch. It hit hard, digging in. The following trailers pushed, lifting the far end of the first up high, then crashing down, landing a meter away from the two guardsmen.
"Quick, move!"
They both pushed themselves away, while pulling each other to safety. The trailers kept coming, Lemn Rush battle tanks restraints snapped, sending them falling left and right. Rickshaw and Kell ran as fast as they could, Kell gaining distance over Rickshaw. He looked over his shoulder, seeing Rickshaw stumbling, trying to run, and then fall.
Kell ran back. The screech of metal on metal filling his head. Trailers still running down the line and inevitably crashing and derailing. Kell made it back to Rickshaw, skidding to a stop.
"Come on, get on your feet and run!".
Rickshaw looked up, beaten. "Im done, you go".
Kell took Rickshaws arm, and saw blood covering his tunic.
"Oh, nuts".
A lump of metal the size of a fist stuck out of Rickshaws side, piercing his body just below his armour. Blood was everywhere. The colour already draining from his face.
"Get back... tell them... tell them..."
And with that, Rickshaw released his last breath of air, his body losing strength and falling into Kells arms.
Chapter Seven: Alone.
Kell was motionless. Rickshaws body held in his arms. Tears ran down his face. Sorrow, shock, loneliness filling his body. Eventually he laid the dead body of his squad member, companion, no, his friend down onto his side. He stood, and took a step back. In the last 24 hours, he had lost every companion and friend he had ever had. He turned, then took his first lonely step of many, and continued his long journey.
He had taken about twenty steps when he realized he was covered in Rickshaws blood, but did a quick check of himself for injuries. No, he was fine. As good as he could be. He held 'Sting' close, and swore to make it back. He risked a glance back. The burning engine lit up the crash site. The everlong train of trailers could still be heard crashing. He could see shadows moving. Lots of them. He raised rifle and looked down his scope.
They had already spotted him. By the time he had raised his rifle, they where already aiming in his direction down the trench. Ten guns to his one. Both sides fired. Mud and stone sprayed up around him, one of them fell. Again, through his scope he saw another one of them fall with a well placed headshot. He fired again, and again. Each shot counting. Then he felt a punch in his chest knocking him off his feet. His armour had taken the damage, but he had definitely broke a couple of ribs. He rolled over and spun round to face the enemy. Now on his belt buckle, he wasin a more stable firing position,but the pain in his chest hindered his ability to hold the rifle properly. He started returning inacurate fire as the ground around him was chewed up from the enemys untrained shooting.
His scope exploded as a round penitrated the front glass, showing his face with broken glass and fragments of metal. He cursed. Changing the fire selector switch to full auto, a burst of fire headed down range. Inacurate, but still he saw bodies fall. He pulled the trigger again, a short burst, then again, until finally, the last figure fall, almost on top of Rickshaws body.
'Sting' was hot from extra work load of firing in bursts, rather than single shot as it was modified for. Kell dragged himself up and rested against the trench wall. Pain shot through his body. He looked over 'Sting'. The scope was nonexistent. He removed the remains. The pristine paintwork was chipped and scratched. He rested the rifle against the wall he sat against. Unclipping his armour, he removed the front pannel. The dent had fragmented inside, and pierced his skin. Blood soaked into his top, clinging to his body. His had fished for a med pack on his belt, then he saw a shaddow cover his feet. He looked up, just in time to see the flash of a barrel. Then, they was no longer any pain, only darkness.
Day light began to shine through the ruined city building's as night turned to day. For the first time in ten hours, the fire of Las Rifles stopped. The Guardsmen slowly started to relax, the adrenalin of battle starting to subside. Rickshaw raised his head above the rubble he was using as cover. Surveying the near and mid distance of the battlefield.
The battlefield, that was a street, once a place the citizens of the Imperium went about their lives. Now though, buildings where reduced to rubble, the wide six lane road ruined by shell craters. Rickshaws eyes darted left to right. Smoke, dead bodies, metal hulks burning littered the road.
"Everyone, call out". Rickshaw took a moment to breath. Letting his lungs fill with air as he listened to the men call out.
"Maros here". The gruff voice called out from the left behind a burning Chimera. Lasgun held in the aimed position scanning his front. Maros wasnt the biggest of men, but he had bested many who where - including other guardsmen. He was as rough as they came.
"Kell here". Behind him. Rickshaws head turned. He didnt see him till Kell waved giving up his position. Kell was a special breed of a man. The majority of his equipment he had acquired iver this years of service to the Emperor, had been modified by himself in one way or another. His Las rifle being his pride and joy. 'Sting', as it was aptly named was like a surgical weapon of war. The las beam it fired was a narrower than a standard Lasgun, and much more powerful. Visually, it looked very different. A skeleton stock, longer barrel, and a high powered scope. Internally, high grade parts and too many modifications to list. It now had the accuracy of a sniper rifle, with three times the power of a standard rifle. Kell being so effective with it, kept the hierarchy from causing too much of a fuss about his unauthorised modifications, but had been told he was walking a very thin line.
"I said call out! Where is everyone!". Rickshaw looked around to rose to his feet. Other than the crack and flickering of fire from the burning vehicles, they was nothing but silence.
"We it!" Kell stated. "We be the last men standing". He wiped his brow of sweat and grime. "What now boss?"
Rickshaw shoulders slumped under his armour. "We need to get back to the FOB, before them bastards come for round two. Make sure you got spare power packs, then Maros, you take point".
Chapter Two: start of a long walk
As the three survivors picked their way through the ruined city, not a word was spoken. Seven Chimeras, three Leman Russ Battle Tanks, and nearly one hundered men had entered the city of Durwel a little over twelve hours ago. Taking a cautious route to their objective, the convoy was ambushed. A ten hour battle then ensued.
The day was going to be a cool one. Light clouds drifted lazily overhead, with no threat of the weather turning anytime soon. They had been a few snow storms over the last few days, and slush still sat in a few dark corners. Winter was drawing in, so if they didnt get back to the forward operating base soon, they would be a a good chance of being caught out by a turn in weather.
The men stopped short of an open space, a vehicle park. Half empty, vehicles of various sizes all showed the same condition - burnt out, bullet ridden. The shaddow of the vehicle parks building stood. Visable signs of a fire fight in the past stood out on the building, but the building stood. An Imperial aquila hung large as life on the front.
"Looks like what was the Governors office?... whats his name?.. Yarat? Larat?".
"Governor Sarral". Rickshaw interrupted Kell, ending the risk of any conversation starting. He stepped forward, Kel and Maros fell in behind. As they entered the vehicle park, the squad spread out. Maros went right, Kell left. Rickshaw raised his hand and as one they stopped moving. Maros raised his Lasgun, scanning the front of the building. Kel used his scope and took a full second on each ground floor window, then proceeded to scan the windows above.
"Is this the mission? Find and secure this building?" Rickshaw turned looking at Maros and smiled.
"Yeah, it is. It looks emptie, thats good enough for me".
"Does look very empty to me". Kell added.
"Right this is the plan, skirt round to the left, get on that motorway there". Rickshaws hand pointed at a raised road about two kilometres away. Once traffic would have crowded the road, but now, just the odd burnt out high sided vehicle was visable over that crash barrier.
"We follow it back roughly the way we came into this city, and hopefully find the FOB". And once again, without any further talk, the three moved on.
They followed the road that lead to the intersection. Straight on lead under the motorway, while left or right lead up a ramp to join the motorway, originally one was access to the motorway, the other an exit. Rickshaw give a nod to the left, and the three of them moved up using the concrete barriers as cover. Rickshaw hung back, eye watching the road they had travelled. Maros took the lead. Several vehicles lay abandoned at the top of the ramp. They look like they had been part of a collision with what was once a tanker. Just a ruined chassis remained of that, but the several other vehicles here all seemed in tacked other than external fire, and impact damage.
Kell reached the nearest vehicle and used it as a weapons platform. Using his scope he scanned the road. Beyond the crash, the road was empty to what looked to another on ramp. There a similar scene presented itself.
"Clear".
"Ok, we can take a break here. Thirty minutes. Get some food, check your kit.
Chapter three: Suprise
The road seemed to never end. Kell bitched about walking. Nobody listened. Maros had taken point, walking five or six meters ahead of the other two. He raised his arm to stop, and as Rickshaw and Kell dived left and right for cover, his head exploded. His body stayed upright for a few seconds too long, his heart still pumping not know its already dead. Blood sprayed high into the air. Rapid firing Heavy caliber rounds shattered the road around where Maros stood. Another round ripped through his body, passing through his armour as if it wasnt there. His body left the ground, falling onto its back. Kell was on his stomach, scope raised, looking for the source of fire. Rickshaw pulled the pin on a smoke grenade and threw it as far forward as he could manage, it landed three meters passed Maros, and started expelling a dark blue smoke.
'Sting' hissed with a shot. Then again. Kell froze, let air escape his lungs before drawing another breath. In, out, in, and slowly out. Another hiss as a high powered Las shot left the barrel of 'Sting', claiming another life.
"I think"... Kell paused, having a good look down range, picking out the location of the attack through the smoke.
"Yeah, we are. Clear". He pushed himself up, and by the time he was on his feet, Rickshaw was already at Maros. His body layed flat on his back, blood and gore covering the road around him.
"The bastards".
Chapter Four: A friend in need
The two followed the road for hours. Clumps of vehicles would block the road, followed by a large open space. Each environment had different potential hazards, so caution was used.
High trees surrounded the motorway. The road eased around to the left, and about one kilometre further on, a motorway bridge came into view. It was about 10 meters higher than this one, allowing sufficient space for the large cargo vehicles to pass under. Now though, it was another site of wrecked vehicles.
The distinct sound of a heavy bolter fire. Flashes of light barking from a vehicle within the wreck of vehicles. Then in reply, the side of the bridge exploded into dust as the rounds hit the side barrer. The firing stopped. The dust settled on the bridge. For the dust created, from the distance Rickshaw and Kell stood, the bridge looked like it had sustained no damage.
"Take a look Kell". Before the scope was brought to his eye, the bridge lit up. Flashes of orange light filled the edge of the bridge. The sound of Heavy Bolter returned. "Looks like we have a Leman Russ". A high pitched whine joined the Heavy Bolters.
"A Punnisher. We got a Punisher".
The firing from the bridge stopped as the Punnisher ate up the barrier of the bridge. Kell watched commentating on what was happening. Rickshaw gripped his Lasgun. "Right, that Punisher is our life out of here, lets give the bastard a hand".
A creak of metal on metal rang out as the Punisher pushed into the wrecks. Its tracks pushing with ease, then as a wracked out truck jammed, the tracks dug in and climbed over, crushing the remains of the truck.
'Sting' started letting lose. Each shot hitting its intended target upon the bridge. The Punisher paused for a second, the gatting gun winding down. The turret move to the right slightly then again let lose a barrage of fire.
The Punisher dropped back onto the hard road, clear of the wracked vehicles. The side mounted heavy bolters roared into action. The protection offered by the bridge started to give way. Lumps of concrete fell leaving gaping holes, but still the attack on the Leman Russ continued.
A flash of light erupted on the left and right of the Punisher. Whisps of smoke trailed back tonthe bridge. Kell saw another missile launcher be lifted up to take another shot, but 'Sting' stopped the effort. Butnit wasnt enough. Three other rockets hit. A grind of metal on metal and the Punisher stopped moving, its tracks destroyed.
Rickshaw had pushed forward of Kell, and offered as much cover fire as possible for the Leman Russ and its crew. Kell made every shot count, each shot a kill shot. The Punisher continued to fire everythinf it had. Another salvo of missiles hit, and quickly another followed. Flames began to lick at the hull of the tank. It was beaten, but still it returned fire.
Thump, thump, thump! The smoke launchers kicked into life. A smoke screen hid the bridge, but the flaming Punisher was still in full view. The command hatch, and rear escape hatch burst open. Smoke exited, along with two bodys. They ran away from the Leman Russ, as another salvo of missiles hit. The resulting explosion knocked them both off their feet. The Punisher creating a massive fireball, catching the tank crews clothes on fire. The man who escaped from the command hatch screamed in pain as flames took hold of this oil soaked trousers. The other crewman didnt move.
Smoke hid Rickshaw and Kell from enemy on the bridge. The moved forward with speed. The Punisher sent rounds up in the air as rounds cooked off making both men flinch. The screaming crewman had stopped by the time they reached him. His lifeless body still burning. The smell of burning filled the air, but the smell of burning flesh was overpowering.
"Lets go Kell, before we end up like him".
Chapter Five: A fine mess
The two ran as fast as their bodies could push. Past the burning wreck of the Punisher, through the smoke canisters still pushing out black smoke, and towards the bridge. It took awhile before the enemy realized two guardsmen where charging towards them, but as each of the knowticed, they began to open fire. The ground around the two runners where chewed up. They jinxed left and right, making themselves harder targets. Legs pounding, the two eventually made it to the safety of under the bridge. Both men stopped almost as one, and began sucking air into the lungs.
"That was, scary". Kell spurted out, almost laughing.
"We arnt out of the fire yet Kell" Rickshaw panted for breath.
"How the hell do we get out of this?".
"We need to get off this motorway, before they get of that bridge". Rickshaw unslung his pack, and produced a high density rope.
"Here, tie this onto a support beam, we can drop out down".
Kell tied off the rope, checked and double checked the knot, and tossed the rest of the rope over the side. Instinctively he leaned over and watched the rope drop, and fall short of the ground below.
"We got a bit of a drop off here, about four meters I guess".
"Just make sure you land on your head, cant do anymore damage to it!".
Kell climed over, taking a good grip of the rope and started to lower himself down. Rickshaw stood guard now his pack was back in place. The Punisher had stopped cooking off unused rounds, but still burned fearlessly. No sign of the enemy as yet.
Thud!
"You alright?" Rickshaw poked his head over to find Kell picking himself up.
"Your turn".
By the time Rickshaw had picked himself up from his rough landing, Kell at had a good look around the area. They could both hear vehicles and commands being shouted on the bridge, but on the ground, it was quet. The edge of the forest could be seen from where they had came, but apart from the two motorways, the ground was open. Fields streched out until what looked to be another road crossed the open country. Rickshaw produced a tattered map from his leg pocket. A finger traced a route.
"Ok, I think we are here". He pointed at a cross roads on the map showing Kell, "If thats road over there is a road, then the FOB is here, about three kiliometers down the road. If it is not the road, and its this rail line marked here, then I think we are here at this cross roads, and we are about twenty kilometres away from the FOB".
"Whats the bet it the rail line?".
Chapter Six: Bad news, worse news.
Movement was slow. The ground was soft, even boggy in places, with the only cover natural dips and rises of the uneven ground. Eventually they reached firmer ground, and to their horror, the realisation that a rail line was ahead. Rickshaw cursed his luck. So did Kell. A ditch ran next to the railway, so they took shelter, and allowed themselves a short rest. Rickshaw studied the map, gauging roughly their location. Kell closed his eyes. Fatigue taking hold. Rickshaw allowed him ten minutes before giving him a kick.
"Rise and shine, we got ground to cover".
"Just two more...". Another kick. "Get up!".
They followed the ditch, it was only half a meter deep, but give some cover. The rail line was about three meters away, the sleepers raise a little higher. The ditch must have been to protect the rail line from flooding during storm season. Right now though it was mostly hard mud, with the odd damp patch that hadnt quite dried.
"About five kilometers they should be a valley, it looks to be about 15 kilometres long".
"Ok, Is this rail in use?".
"Not up here. They is a bridge beyond the valley, pass the FOB actually, our Valkyries took it out to stop the enemy using it to move troops and supplies, long before the FOB was set up".
They continued to walk, and dawn was starting to draw in. A metalic hiss could be heard. It was very faint. Kell tapped Rickshaw on his shoulder pad, raised a finger to his lips for silence, and they both stood still. Kells finger pointed to the rail line, they both shouldered weapons and took cover. Looking back the direction they had came, in the distance a metal hulk travelled the line. Two dim white lights sat high on the front.
"Kell get down, have a look".
Kell crouched, raised his rifle and eyed through the scope. The engine was large, Cadian green, with two auto cannon turrets at either end. The trailers behind where wider. And from what Kell could see each held either two or three Leman Russ tanks battle tanks.
"Looks like the line is back in service, we got some armour heading for the FOB".
"Maybe we can get a ride!?".
"Lets find out then".
Rickshaw stepped up, from his belt he produced a flaire gun, aimed it up high, and fired. The gray streak shot into the air, then the shot ignited. A red flame burning bright, slowly falling back to the ground. For good measure, Kell realised a smoke grenade on the floor, a blue could engulfing them both.
Kell once again looked through the scope. The train heading towards them, speed unchanged. The gap between the troopers and train closing quickly.
"Its not gonna stop, why would it?".
The train was less and a kilometer away now. Rickshaw waved his hands as if that would change the drivers mind to pick up a couple of stragglers.
One hundered meters away, and the two where visually disappointed. Tired, hungry, and still a long trek ahead. Then without warning, the engine exploded into a massive fireball. The pressure lifted the two men from their feet throwing them into the trench. Shrapnel flying in all directions. The line, now damaged caused the trailers to derail. Weight and speed pushing them on into the ditch. The lead trailer pushed the engine to the right, disconnecting and sailing to the left into the ditch. It hit hard, digging in. The following trailers pushed, lifting the far end of the first up high, then crashing down, landing a meter away from the two guardsmen.
"Quick, move!"
They both pushed themselves away, while pulling each other to safety. The trailers kept coming, Lemn Rush battle tanks restraints snapped, sending them falling left and right. Rickshaw and Kell ran as fast as they could, Kell gaining distance over Rickshaw. He looked over his shoulder, seeing Rickshaw stumbling, trying to run, and then fall.
Kell ran back. The screech of metal on metal filling his head. Trailers still running down the line and inevitably crashing and derailing. Kell made it back to Rickshaw, skidding to a stop.
"Come on, get on your feet and run!".
Rickshaw looked up, beaten. "Im done, you go".
Kell took Rickshaws arm, and saw blood covering his tunic.
"Oh, nuts".
A lump of metal the size of a fist stuck out of Rickshaws side, piercing his body just below his armour. Blood was everywhere. The colour already draining from his face.
"Get back... tell them... tell them..."
And with that, Rickshaw released his last breath of air, his body losing strength and falling into Kells arms.
Chapter Seven: Alone.
Kell was motionless. Rickshaws body held in his arms. Tears ran down his face. Sorrow, shock, loneliness filling his body. Eventually he laid the dead body of his squad member, companion, no, his friend down onto his side. He stood, and took a step back. In the last 24 hours, he had lost every companion and friend he had ever had. He turned, then took his first lonely step of many, and continued his long journey.
He had taken about twenty steps when he realized he was covered in Rickshaws blood, but did a quick check of himself for injuries. No, he was fine. As good as he could be. He held 'Sting' close, and swore to make it back. He risked a glance back. The burning engine lit up the crash site. The everlong train of trailers could still be heard crashing. He could see shadows moving. Lots of them. He raised rifle and looked down his scope.
They had already spotted him. By the time he had raised his rifle, they where already aiming in his direction down the trench. Ten guns to his one. Both sides fired. Mud and stone sprayed up around him, one of them fell. Again, through his scope he saw another one of them fall with a well placed headshot. He fired again, and again. Each shot counting. Then he felt a punch in his chest knocking him off his feet. His armour had taken the damage, but he had definitely broke a couple of ribs. He rolled over and spun round to face the enemy. Now on his belt buckle, he wasin a more stable firing position,but the pain in his chest hindered his ability to hold the rifle properly. He started returning inacurate fire as the ground around him was chewed up from the enemys untrained shooting.
His scope exploded as a round penitrated the front glass, showing his face with broken glass and fragments of metal. He cursed. Changing the fire selector switch to full auto, a burst of fire headed down range. Inacurate, but still he saw bodies fall. He pulled the trigger again, a short burst, then again, until finally, the last figure fall, almost on top of Rickshaws body.
'Sting' was hot from extra work load of firing in bursts, rather than single shot as it was modified for. Kell dragged himself up and rested against the trench wall. Pain shot through his body. He looked over 'Sting'. The scope was nonexistent. He removed the remains. The pristine paintwork was chipped and scratched. He rested the rifle against the wall he sat against. Unclipping his armour, he removed the front pannel. The dent had fragmented inside, and pierced his skin. Blood soaked into his top, clinging to his body. His had fished for a med pack on his belt, then he saw a shaddow cover his feet. He looked up, just in time to see the flash of a barrel. Then, they was no longer any pain, only darkness.