[Dan296]

ok i had to take a break from writing because i had finals for school. studying and all. but here u go! glad u like it.


The combined forces of the Order of the Ardent Soul and the Revilers chapter prepared to make their escape from the doomed hive. The Revilers made up the spearhead of the formation, with Chaplain Mortimer, Lord Malekai, and Sister Katrina in front of the formation. The Sororitas ringed the formation with the surviving civilians and severely wounded, which included the still unconcious Cannoness Briana, in the center. Two Revilers assault squads brought up the rear. The landing zone, in which the thunderhawks could land safely and extract the survivors, was not very far off. The danger was that it was close to were Crot Skulltaker, deamon prince of the invaders, had made his headquarters in the governers palace.
The mass of men, supermen, and woman marched off towards safety or damnation. As they walked through the battleground were they had defeated the trecherous PDF forces, the hardened defenders looked down upon the warped and mutilated men with grim expressions. The civilians, however, were not so weathered to battle and many looked sick or vomited on the massacered corpses. They walked down the long, single, steep avanue that lead from the spire to the rest of the hive. Surprisingly, there were no World Eaters at the bottom waiting to pounce. Mortimer looked past, deeper into the hive. The streets ahead narrowed into a dark, rubble and body strewn hell. That was the most direct course to the Starport. Another street went from east to west. If they turned onto it, it would lead directly in front of the Palace or far from the port. He turned to Malekai, and asked, “Should we risk it? Perhaps Crot has forgotten us…false hope I’m sure.”
“No,” replied Malekai, “Though the streets ahead are prime for ambushes, it seems less dangerous. We will be walking into the lions den either way. We’ve no choice.”
As the streets leveled out, his prediction was correct. As the convoy of humanity walked across the wide plaza, they looked toward the Palace. A mass of red and brass shifted and trod toward them, and in their midst stood a being more then twelve feet tall. Huge horns jutted from its head, and its face was warped into a bestial mask. It was clad in huge red armour, with spiked jutting out along the leg and shoulders. In between the armour plates was a thick, gore slick hide. Seemingly fused to the armour as if they were one being. Crot the Skulltaker, for it was he, unsheathed his huge, two handed glaive. Raising it above his head, he yelled something which they could not understand at the distance. The forces of Khorne lept forward, gunning the engines of their war machines and unleashing a thick plume of black smoke. The fel horde moved with renewed swiftness at seeing their hated enemy.
“By the Emporer…” whispered Katrina, “how can we stand against such a being!”
“Stand? We arent ones for foolish, hopeless stands young one.” Said Mortimer
“Aye lass,” said Malekai. He turned to the defenders and yelled, “Run! Stay together but by the Emporer make haste! Fall, and be left behind!”
they advanced across the plaza and dove into the narrow street in front of them. Korthrim stopped, and turned to his devestators and said, “We can delay them. Their armour moves in front of their infantry in their blood frenzy. Blocking these streets will force their vehicles to take the longer way around.” With that, he turned back at the buildings at the entrance and shot his lascannons and rocket launchers at the base. The devestators, taking his lead, opened fire with their own rocket launchers. Swiftly, the ancient building leaned forward and collapsed in a heap of twisted metal. Their job done, they rejoined the swiftly moving force.
They had a lead on the main chaos force, but those were not the only forces of khorne in the dark hive. Out of the many allyways and doorframes sprung many bands of cultists, PDF forces, and even bands of World Eaters. Most were cut down swiftly but the traitor marines cut a swathe through the sisters that ringed the spearhead. Mortimer redeployed his veteran assault troops and soon the attacks lessened their toll. “Excuse me honoured lords, but I must speak with you” spoke a Sister Hospitallitor.
“what is it?” said Malekai.
“Briana. Our haste is worsening her already serious condition. Though we were not sure she would recover in the first place, this will make sure of it. We must slow down or she will certainly die.”
“Leave her then. Administer the Emporers mercy.” Malekai replied coldly. Katrina gasped, and Malekai turned to her and said, “We must risk all of our lives for hers! This decision pains me, but it must be done, believe me. Tell your charges Katrina. I am sorry”
The small band of Sisters Hospitalitor took Katrinas streacher off to the side. As the band marched past, a crying Sister removed Katrinas armour and weapons and took them off in a large chest. Another layed a tank of promethium, fuel for a flamer, on her chest. They stepped back and raised a bolt pistol. “Not the pyre she would have expected,” sighed one.
Three World Eaters, axes slick with blood, lept out of the building closest to the band. Kortrim, who had been watching the proceedings, reacted quickly. As the Sisters ran back, he unleashed several rockets at the closing traitors. Missle and Traitor collided right above the fallen cannoness. An explosion rocked the street. “I think she would have liked that one, don’t you?” said Korthrim metallicaly. The sisters looked at each other in bewilderment. If the dreadnaught had a face, they would swear he would be grinning right now.
The Order of the Ardent Soul sung sad hymnals for their fallen mistress as the force marched on toward the Starport.