Eldar versus Witchhunters pt 2

[rintinglen]

With that, she jetted over to the nearest of the Exorcists, where two sisters toiled at the rear, engine covers open wide.
“How goes it, Sister Gwen,” she asked?
A short, blond sister, whose rump and legs only were visible from the outside of the tank’s engine compartment, scooted out from the confines along side the engine. She grabbed a fairly clean rag and began wiping her hands, a black grease mark smudged her cheek and another ran across her nose. A blue fleur di lis tattoo denoting 20 years service under her left eye gave lie to her seeming youth.
“Ah, Blessed Sister, truly is it written that whom the Emperor loves most, He tests hardest. I have been fussing with these filters for nearly half an hour trying to get them out to perform rites of cleanliness. Someone lacking in wisdom, if not in Grace, over- tightened the bolts back at the Chapel of the Omnissiah and I am having one vile time trying to get them out.”
Gabriella suppressed a smile with some effort and said, “I trust with his blessing you shall yet do his will.”
“It is almost done, I have one more bracket to remove and then it is just a matter of using the air compressor to blow the dust out that the Landers threw up when they took off so swiftly. A little less haste would have meant a lot less dust, “grumbled Gwen.
“That could not be helped, there were too few Landers aboard the strike cruiser to get us all down at once, and it takes a day for them to get back to the ship to pick up the rest of our sisters.” Gabriella explained patiently, knowing her subordinate’s nature. “I hope they are in time but I fear we shall be on our own until they can arrive. I suspect tomorrow we will be attacked and I want you to be clear on what we shall face. This is a raiding party that we must face. They will most likely all be mounted in swift fliers or on jetbikes. Those fliers must be your priority. Don’t waste shots on Bikes or infantry, but you and Danielle must concentrate on their transports. If you have no flier to target, then shoot their war walkers, but leave the infantry to our bolters. If we can make them walk, we can beat them. But if they get close, we will pay dearly for it”
Gwen tossed her head back, flipping her hair out of her eyes.
“Fear not, we shall not fail, I have spent the last four nights studying all that I could find on fighting these pointy-eared daemons. What words can teach, I have learned. I shall ask the Emperor to guide my sight and aim to better slay his enemies. And I shall be looking for another Mark on the Mantle.”
So saying, she gestured at the row of red markings below frame of the massive missile Launcher, smiling. 12 miniature silhouettes marked the demise of enemy tanks, mute testimony to the skill of Gwen and her Driver.
“I hope he grants your prayers and your wish, Sister, I shall pray for you tonight.”
“Gabriella boosted away, to travel to the other squads where they were busy digging shallow positions. To each she gave specific orders and enjoined them all to rest when they could. Time and again, she ended with, “The Emperor protects, praise Him.”
When all was prepared to her liking, she placed Vanessa in Charge and went over to the small chapel to pray for strength and wisdom in the coming fray. After many hours, she rejoined the command and lay down to rest.

“Blessed Sister, wake up! They come. Just as you said they would, they come,”
One of the Seraphim shouted as she struggled into the harness of her jump-pack. Gabriella swiftly pushed back her hair and donned her Battle Helmet, as the other Seraphim did likewise. They split up into pairs, one aiding the other to don the heavy jump pack and then being aided in return. Soon all were armed and equipped and Gabriella led them in a low, swift jump to cover behind one of the rocky rises that made up the only exception to the monotony of the sand. Squinting against the rising Sun’s beams, she made out several dust plumes swirling off to the east.
She bit on the mike key, and voxed to all her sisters,
“Be ready, Have Faith. Let us all say Litany number 12 as we arm our weapons.”
68 voices rang out loudly:
“Lord, our Emperor, lend us Your strength.
Make strong our arms, and keen our eyes
so that we may better rend Your enemies.
Give us of your great wisdom,
That we may shatter the schemes
Of the Unholy,
of the Heretic,
and
Of the Unclean.
Sharpen our eyes and speed our limbs,
So that we may better serve You,
Slaying all who do not love You,
Destroying all who would oppose You,
Aiding you in the fulfillment
Of Your implacable will.
All Praise Him,
With great praise,
Praise Him,
Bless our days and
When they are ended,
Bring us to him
In glory everlasting!”

As the echoes of the Litany grew silent, the high-pitched keening of the Eldar Grav-tanks could be heard. Softly at first, but steadily growing as they came nearer, the whine seemed as of some great cat-like creature wailing doom as it hunted.
They slowed, and took up positions, carefully chosen to hide them from the sister’s heavy weapons, while other dust clouds betrayed the coming of other units, fast walkers. From afar, the tall slender silhouette of a towering walker could be made out.