The deep scanning naval auspexes on the orbiting “Emperors Will”, the “Imperial Holocaust and the “Xenos Extermination” suggested that the Hulk contained as many as two hundred ships. Many were clearly of alien origin and bizarrely shaped. A dozen of the more recently attached around the periphery of the Hulk were clearly Ork in origin with their aggressively crude and makeshift but functional construction and appearance. The drives in these ships were burnt out. Across the Hulk as a whole energy sources indicated a least thirty warp plasma drives with the same number of alien drives using different principals from the Imperium to develop Warp power. Some ships were vacuum welded to each other but many showed evidence of sentient actions in their location and attachment to the Hulk. Deep scans showed corridors running in a regular grid in some parts of the Hulk, directly through separate ships that had been welded together while in other areas the there seemed to be no pattern to the corridors and in others thay ran in curves and spirals. The central agglomeration of the Hulk contained the oldest ships. The density of Xenos ships was highest in the center suggesting that one or more Xenos species had been responsible for initiating the creation of the Hulk. The oldest Imperial ships were of ancient patterns both civilian and naval. These were clustered around the core with the age of the incorporated ships decreasing the closer to the outer surface they were located although this was not an absolute rule as some old Imperial ships could be identified vacuum welded to the outer parts of the Hulk’s pack of ships.
The outer surface of the Hulk was scarred. There were blast craters including the one recently created by the Ork infestation. There were lasers scars and evidence of torpedo and other projectile weapon hits. There were weapons bulges and warped organic looking towers of unknown function dotted across the surface. Simple crude Ork style cabling and piping ran alongside advanced Xenos and sophisticated Imperial ducting and piping linking point to point on the skin of the Hulk. There were orifices for engine exhausts and given its age there were craters that could only have been form meteor impacts. There was evidence of patching some of the damaged areas indicating that some of the previous inhabitants had existed in the Hulk for some time,
“There in the outer shell of the core is our target,” stated Hawk. “The design of the ships indicates that these Imperial Naval Cruisers are at least three thousand years old. There is a strong possibility that we will be able to salvage archeotechnology that wil be invaluable to the Imperium.”
“How will we get there, Lord?” asked Captain Meddigo of the Red Hunters.
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Friday, 11 April 2008
Progressive
The skeletal remains of the gargantuan predator had the mummified remains of a naked Ork stuffed in its jaws.
“This makes no sense”, muttered Hammerhand.
“When the impossible is eliminated, whatever remains is the truth,focus on that", remarked Hawk casually.
“Captain Pilgrim, I need a review of all ships types that the fleet scanners have identified as part of this Hulk agglomerate. I also need the likely age of all known vessels and any specific identifications available from the Imperial Navy data sets”, ordered the Inquisitor.
Inquisitor Hawk was patient, cunning, secretive and remarkably intelligent as a result his chosen augmentations. If some of his orthodox puritan colleagues and associates in the Inquisition had the slightest idea of what Hawk had done inside his head he would have been declared Abominus Imperialis without hesitation particularly by the Ordo Hereticus.
“This conference is adjourned until Captain Pilgrim’s savants extract the necessary data from the imperial archives.”
Hawk left followed by his bodyguard and savant.
“What are our orders, Chaplain Arsestus?” called Sergeant Mudmilk.
Hammerhand stood even so the Red Hunters Chaplain’s bulk dominated the room. “Advance to the next bulkhead. Take samples of the beast and Ork”, ordered Hammerhand. The Chaplain stirred. Hammerhand waited for the Chaplain.
“This makes no sense”, muttered Hammerhand.
“When the impossible is eliminated, whatever remains is the truth,focus on that", remarked Hawk casually.
“Captain Pilgrim, I need a review of all ships types that the fleet scanners have identified as part of this Hulk agglomerate. I also need the likely age of all known vessels and any specific identifications available from the Imperial Navy data sets”, ordered the Inquisitor.
Inquisitor Hawk was patient, cunning, secretive and remarkably intelligent as a result his chosen augmentations. If some of his orthodox puritan colleagues and associates in the Inquisition had the slightest idea of what Hawk had done inside his head he would have been declared Abominus Imperialis without hesitation particularly by the Ordo Hereticus.
“This conference is adjourned until Captain Pilgrim’s savants extract the necessary data from the imperial archives.”
Hawk left followed by his bodyguard and savant.
“What are our orders, Chaplain Arsestus?” called Sergeant Mudmilk.
Hammerhand stood even so the Red Hunters Chaplain’s bulk dominated the room. “Advance to the next bulkhead. Take samples of the beast and Ork”, ordered Hammerhand. The Chaplain stirred. Hammerhand waited for the Chaplain.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Lots of Teeth
It had had a lot of teeth. The pict sender image showed the bony remains of a gargantuan creature.
“Sergeant Mudmilk”, ordered Hawk, “take your squad and the pict sender up to that carcass.”
The Red Hunter Space Marines advanced in hostile territory formation. The pict sender showed the vastness of the space in which they were advancing.
The images on the screen swung from side to side with the advance but the image of the skull of the massive beast with teeth as tall as an erect Space Marine lingered in the vision of the watchers.
“Hammerhand started. “What is that in its mouth?”
“Sergeant Mudmilk”, ordered Hawk, “take your squad and the pict sender up to that carcass.”
The Red Hunter Space Marines advanced in hostile territory formation. The pict sender showed the vastness of the space in which they were advancing.
The images on the screen swung from side to side with the advance but the image of the skull of the massive beast with teeth as tall as an erect Space Marine lingered in the vision of the watchers.
“Hammerhand started. “What is that in its mouth?”
Monday, 31 March 2008
Conference
Hawk was using the bridge on his assault shuttle as his master tactical nerve center. Cables snaked from the belly of the blunt armoured craft. With its heavily armoured hull and bulky weapons pods, stubby wings for atmospheric maneuvers and shielded engines there was no mistaking the ship for what it was. Beside it the pragmatic design of the Arvus Lighter that Hammerhand had arrived with seem graceful in comparison. The towering walls of the remains of the hanger in which the Orks had ambushed the first assault dwarfed both. Both ships sat in vacuum. But technical servitors had domed part of the hangar and linked the ships in the landing zones to the domes and the airlock entrances to the Hulk with atmosphere tunnels.
Cables were stapled across the undomed part of the hangar to link the ships to the manned Hulk command rooms that Hawk’s teams had activated.
Chaplain Arsestus was reporting the Red Hunters progress to the conference Hawk had called. Present were Hammerhand, Hawks autosavant, Captain Meddigo, the Colonel of the Belisimar boys and a Holo of Captain Pilgrim.
“The Red hunters Teams have opened a route through the Ork infested area to hullward. The advanced tactical squad Panther has entered the unknown section. No resistance has been encountered.”
“Sergeant Mudmilk has a datavox report which has been downloaded to the Holopict projector.”
“With your permission?” he asked Hawk.
Hawk nodded.
The image quality on the screen was superb. Hawk had made and maintained many friends within the ranks of the techpriests having supplied many xeno and archeotech artifacts without allowing them to be subjected to a full bureaucratic assessment through the Ordo Xenos. As a result Hawk’s technical equipment was always fully functional and of top specification.
On screen and with sound Sergeant Mudmilk demonstrated the vast cathedral like empty space that squad Panther had entered. Powerful searchlight failed to penetrate to the far wall of the cavernous chamber. The floor was covered in a fine dust.
“Scanners indicate that the dust is organic in origin. Only 78% probability of entirely human origin.” A background ticking noise could be heard over the link.
“Turn the pict sender on the walls and roof,” asked Hammerhand.
The walls were ribbed. Each rib rose tapering in an arc to meet others in a point on the ceiling. The walls were significantly indented between each rib.
From the rib arch points on the ceiling hung glistening white moist material, that slowly oozed fluid dripping to the floor 20 metres below.
“The atmosphere is breathable but only if you are desperate. The air temperature is only slightly above freezing. The oxygen concentration is only 10%. The remainder is carbon dioxide some nitrogen plus sulphur dioxide and a high level of complex organics as you can see from the data downloaded to your auspexes,” continued the sergeant.
“Comfortable if you are wearing power armour,” commented the Belisimar Colonel.
“Good job we can’t smell the air over there from the data you have downloaded. “The stench from the sulphur dioxide and organics must be overpowering,” commented Felix the autosavant.
“It must smell like rotting flesh of some sort,” thought Hammerhand aloud.
“What is that in the distance, rotate the pict sender clockwise 45 degrees,” commanded Hawk.
Cables were stapled across the undomed part of the hangar to link the ships to the manned Hulk command rooms that Hawk’s teams had activated.
Chaplain Arsestus was reporting the Red Hunters progress to the conference Hawk had called. Present were Hammerhand, Hawks autosavant, Captain Meddigo, the Colonel of the Belisimar boys and a Holo of Captain Pilgrim.
“The Red hunters Teams have opened a route through the Ork infested area to hullward. The advanced tactical squad Panther has entered the unknown section. No resistance has been encountered.”
“Sergeant Mudmilk has a datavox report which has been downloaded to the Holopict projector.”
“With your permission?” he asked Hawk.
Hawk nodded.
The image quality on the screen was superb. Hawk had made and maintained many friends within the ranks of the techpriests having supplied many xeno and archeotech artifacts without allowing them to be subjected to a full bureaucratic assessment through the Ordo Xenos. As a result Hawk’s technical equipment was always fully functional and of top specification.
On screen and with sound Sergeant Mudmilk demonstrated the vast cathedral like empty space that squad Panther had entered. Powerful searchlight failed to penetrate to the far wall of the cavernous chamber. The floor was covered in a fine dust.
“Scanners indicate that the dust is organic in origin. Only 78% probability of entirely human origin.” A background ticking noise could be heard over the link.
“Turn the pict sender on the walls and roof,” asked Hammerhand.
The walls were ribbed. Each rib rose tapering in an arc to meet others in a point on the ceiling. The walls were significantly indented between each rib.
From the rib arch points on the ceiling hung glistening white moist material, that slowly oozed fluid dripping to the floor 20 metres below.
“The atmosphere is breathable but only if you are desperate. The air temperature is only slightly above freezing. The oxygen concentration is only 10%. The remainder is carbon dioxide some nitrogen plus sulphur dioxide and a high level of complex organics as you can see from the data downloaded to your auspexes,” continued the sergeant.
“Comfortable if you are wearing power armour,” commented the Belisimar Colonel.
“Good job we can’t smell the air over there from the data you have downloaded. “The stench from the sulphur dioxide and organics must be overpowering,” commented Felix the autosavant.
“It must smell like rotting flesh of some sort,” thought Hammerhand aloud.
“What is that in the distance, rotate the pict sender clockwise 45 degrees,” commanded Hawk.
Sunday, 23 March 2008
The Astropath
A low dull insistent throbbing could be just about heard. It made it difficult to think unless tasks were concentrated on directly. Hammerhand blamed the throbbing for the fact that he had almost tripped and fallen twice on his way back down the corridor to the second and third control rooms they were using. In contrast to the chamber he had left the corridor’s walls and ceiling were made of slabs of a metallic alloy that appeared to have been welded together, Contrastingly the floor was lightly ribbed. That along with the cabling snaking between the control rooms that they had taken over made walking while thinking of something else a hazard. Mechanical servitors were still working on the cabling.
Hawks idea was that by combining the functions of different rooms and linking them directly to the shuttle controls it would be possible to gain significant control over the Hulk. Perhaps more control than anyone had achieved before. That in turn could lead to even greater access to the bulk of the Hulk with the release of as yet untapped knowledge. Although the cabling was not quite completed, Hawk had already ordered that the Ork infested chambers forward and hullward of their location be vacuumed as a test of the set up. The pumps were transferring the atmosphere to another of the Hulk’s areas, one that was thought to be a storage area.
Hammerhand reconsidered the conversation he had overheard Hawk having with Captain Pilgrim’s Astropath. The Astropath Xavier had been insistent he had sensed unpredictable changes in the warp ahead. He had warned Hawk that if he did not have full control over the Hulk in the next 48 to 72 hours the vortices could be expected to induce the Hulk to launch back into the Warp.
Hawks idea was that by combining the functions of different rooms and linking them directly to the shuttle controls it would be possible to gain significant control over the Hulk. Perhaps more control than anyone had achieved before. That in turn could lead to even greater access to the bulk of the Hulk with the release of as yet untapped knowledge. Although the cabling was not quite completed, Hawk had already ordered that the Ork infested chambers forward and hullward of their location be vacuumed as a test of the set up. The pumps were transferring the atmosphere to another of the Hulk’s areas, one that was thought to be a storage area.
Hammerhand reconsidered the conversation he had overheard Hawk having with Captain Pilgrim’s Astropath. The Astropath Xavier had been insistent he had sensed unpredictable changes in the warp ahead. He had warned Hawk that if he did not have full control over the Hulk in the next 48 to 72 hours the vortices could be expected to induce the Hulk to launch back into the Warp.
Friday, 21 March 2008
Space Hulk Control Chamber
The dark sooty and spongy walls of the chamber were ribbed, arcing to an apex at the centre. Lighter green and yellow stains of something had dribbled down and dried between the ribs. The room had an organic under odour as if something had died and rotted to dust many years ago in a sealed room. From the apex dripped clear fluid. The autosavant had stated this was merely condensation. Hammerhand was not so sure himself. He though that sometimes it seemed blood red as it fell but each time he examined a drop in the bucket that had been thoughtfully placed below the fluid remained gin clear. Hammerhand dismissed this consideration from his mind and refocused on the briefing. This was another of the Hulk’s so called control rooms. There did not seem to be any pattern except that from each it was possible to interface to the systems that controlled some of the Hulk’s systems. Each of the four he had seen had been unique. Perhaps even created by different species. Each offered access to different parts of the Hulk’s systems. No single room found so far had been the motherlode control giving complete control over the Hulk. He had seen only four but between the team over 30 chambers had been examined so far within the part of the Hulk to which they had access. Large areas of the enormous spacefaring body were presently inaccessible. Some contained hordes of Orks that had been trapped and needed to be dealt with. Others probably contained some even less sociable of the spacefaring species know to the Imperium. Others were simply a blank. They were inaccessible with nothing so far known about what they contained.
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Assets
Inquisitor Hawk commenced the meeting. “Let’s review our assets.”
“Two squads of Grey Knights Terminators,” Announced Captain Meddigo.
“Four platoons of Belisimar Boys with heavy weapons and Inhalers,” added Hawk. He had taken command of the remnants of the Belisimar Boys at Hawk’s order.
“The Inquisitorial assets,” remarked Hawk, “including two daemon hosts.”
“Three squads of Red Hunters Space Marines,” grunted the pale faced Chaplain Arsestus.
“Two squads of Grey Knights Terminators,” Announced Captain Meddigo.
“Four platoons of Belisimar Boys with heavy weapons and Inhalers,” added Hawk. He had taken command of the remnants of the Belisimar Boys at Hawk’s order.
“The Inquisitorial assets,” remarked Hawk, “including two daemon hosts.”
“Three squads of Red Hunters Space Marines,” grunted the pale faced Chaplain Arsestus.
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Tombstone Blues
“Sir, may I respectfully request that we immediately evacuate the Hulk”
“Why,” grunted Hawk to Hammerhand.
“The statistical records, err, such as they exist, demonstrate that despite the best organised efforts of the Imperium and Inquisition, Hulks have unpredictably and typically at the most inconvenient instant dematerium to the Warp.”
“Unpredictable they are like any living organism. Admittedly there are risks, but any engagement with the arch-enemy of Mankind and the Living Emperor has risk stamped on it.”
“Are the gains here worth these risk to all we have so far achieved”
“Look on it as another adventure, Hammerhand, you are young enough, why question this opportunity to seize control of a Hulk for the Inquisition and Imperium.”
“I do not question the opportunity nor do I wish my loyalty to be questioned. I am solely concerned that we will find ourselves at the mercy of the Hulk within the warp and in circumstances that releases the contained mobs of Orks and probably Tyranid Hordes.”
“Why,” grunted Hawk to Hammerhand.
“The statistical records, err, such as they exist, demonstrate that despite the best organised efforts of the Imperium and Inquisition, Hulks have unpredictably and typically at the most inconvenient instant dematerium to the Warp.”
“Unpredictable they are like any living organism. Admittedly there are risks, but any engagement with the arch-enemy of Mankind and the Living Emperor has risk stamped on it.”
“Are the gains here worth these risk to all we have so far achieved”
“Look on it as another adventure, Hammerhand, you are young enough, why question this opportunity to seize control of a Hulk for the Inquisition and Imperium.”
“I do not question the opportunity nor do I wish my loyalty to be questioned. I am solely concerned that we will find ourselves at the mercy of the Hulk within the warp and in circumstances that releases the contained mobs of Orks and probably Tyranid Hordes.”
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Arvus Departure
The blocky steaming shape of Arvus lighter hunched on the pad as if hiding from the bleak grey sky overhead. A light drizzle was falling. Not an auspicious start to a new venture thought Hammerhand as he ran from the rear ramp of his Chimera which had backed up to the lighter’s loading ramp.
The spaceport was still under sporadic sniper fire from disgruntled elements of the local population. The Tau had left in their own ships once it had become abundantly clear that they could no longer deceive the planet into submission.
Most of the locals seemed indifferent to their liberation and welcome to the Imperium. Some downright resented the damage to their interests, homes and families that had occurred. Hammerhand suspected much of the resentment may have been due to the exuberance with which Moloch and Caliban had executed their instructions. Both were now stowed within the lighter.
Off to the Hulk thought Hammerhand. Hawk had reinforced his forces within the hulk as a prelude to purging it and taking control. Hammerhand had been summoned to join him and leave Commissar Steele and Captain Pilgrim in command of the Imperial forces with the tasks of suppressing all resistance and completing the reintegration of the newly discovered world.
Hammerhand ran up the loading ramp of the Arvus. A solitary lasbolt crackled by missing him by a good distance and striking sparks from the toughened hull of the small space freighter. Hammerhand scarcely noticed as he was musing on the Hulk and his and Hawk’s predicament should it decide to depart.
The spaceport was still under sporadic sniper fire from disgruntled elements of the local population. The Tau had left in their own ships once it had become abundantly clear that they could no longer deceive the planet into submission.
Most of the locals seemed indifferent to their liberation and welcome to the Imperium. Some downright resented the damage to their interests, homes and families that had occurred. Hammerhand suspected much of the resentment may have been due to the exuberance with which Moloch and Caliban had executed their instructions. Both were now stowed within the lighter.
Off to the Hulk thought Hammerhand. Hawk had reinforced his forces within the hulk as a prelude to purging it and taking control. Hammerhand had been summoned to join him and leave Commissar Steele and Captain Pilgrim in command of the Imperial forces with the tasks of suppressing all resistance and completing the reintegration of the newly discovered world.
Hammerhand ran up the loading ramp of the Arvus. A solitary lasbolt crackled by missing him by a good distance and striking sparks from the toughened hull of the small space freighter. Hammerhand scarcely noticed as he was musing on the Hulk and his and Hawk’s predicament should it decide to depart.
Sunday, 2 March 2008
The Off Switch
“Just who do you think you are addressing,” retorted Hammerhand. He had immensely enjoyed saying that as he had always wanted to drive some pompous appartchik demented with it. Hammerhand blessed Hawk again for giving him these opportunities to say what he had always wanted to, to the power bullies, thugs, psychopaths and commissars.
“Your life is hostage against any deviancy. Those who question the Inquisitor Hawk’s methods must to answer to his Excellency."
“Contact Hawk now,” Ordered Marshall Vikrumm.
“The is no need as I am the Lord Inquisitor’ plenipotentiary representative on this planet with full legislative and legal powers as constituted by the Imperial Decree Inquisitorial. As such I am outside the Imperial command chain and superior to any officers of the Imperial Guard and the Commissariat.”
“What, what, how dare you,” spluttered Vikrumm.
“By order of this associate rosette and mandate of delegated Inquistorial authority I pronounce you traitor to the Emperor, may his name be revered. Do you have anything to say in your defence before sentence is pronounced.”
“Yes I have this to say in my defence,” Vikrumm snapped contemptuously as he worked the flap of his bolt pistol holster.
With a well practiced, smooth and fluidly effortless motion Hammerhand palmed his spring loaded laspistol. A new circular black rimmed orifice was created in Assault Marshall Vikrumm’s forehead. He looked astounded. Little blood tricked out as lasbolts tended to cauterise. Vikrumm fell backwards sliding across the map table. His staff were transfixed. As the back of Vikrumm’s head smacked onto the floor small pale grey gobbets of his impact dislodged brain splattered on their shiny boots.
“Staff Officer Russ, remove the mess that the traitor has got himself into.” Ordered Hammerhand. Hammerhand congratulated himself that he was now beginning to get the hang of this inquisitorial thing. He pulled Moloch’s control transmitter from his jacket pocket and signalled the control unit to bind and immobilise Moloch.
“Just ask nicely,” he remarked in a conversational tone.
“I suggest that Commissar Steele takes over for the moment while I consult with Hawk concerning a succession for the Assault Marshall”
“Your life is hostage against any deviancy. Those who question the Inquisitor Hawk’s methods must to answer to his Excellency."
“Contact Hawk now,” Ordered Marshall Vikrumm.
“The is no need as I am the Lord Inquisitor’ plenipotentiary representative on this planet with full legislative and legal powers as constituted by the Imperial Decree Inquisitorial. As such I am outside the Imperial command chain and superior to any officers of the Imperial Guard and the Commissariat.”
“What, what, how dare you,” spluttered Vikrumm.
“By order of this associate rosette and mandate of delegated Inquistorial authority I pronounce you traitor to the Emperor, may his name be revered. Do you have anything to say in your defence before sentence is pronounced.”
“Yes I have this to say in my defence,” Vikrumm snapped contemptuously as he worked the flap of his bolt pistol holster.
With a well practiced, smooth and fluidly effortless motion Hammerhand palmed his spring loaded laspistol. A new circular black rimmed orifice was created in Assault Marshall Vikrumm’s forehead. He looked astounded. Little blood tricked out as lasbolts tended to cauterise. Vikrumm fell backwards sliding across the map table. His staff were transfixed. As the back of Vikrumm’s head smacked onto the floor small pale grey gobbets of his impact dislodged brain splattered on their shiny boots.
“Staff Officer Russ, remove the mess that the traitor has got himself into.” Ordered Hammerhand. Hammerhand congratulated himself that he was now beginning to get the hang of this inquisitorial thing. He pulled Moloch’s control transmitter from his jacket pocket and signalled the control unit to bind and immobilise Moloch.
“Just ask nicely,” he remarked in a conversational tone.
“I suggest that Commissar Steele takes over for the moment while I consult with Hawk concerning a succession for the Assault Marshall”
Friday, 29 February 2008
Moloch
"Cool," exclaimed Moloch cheerfully. It was floating 10 meters above the avenue. A baneblade had appeared at the furthest end.
The avenue through the exclusively wealthy part of Lakupad town was scattered with lumps of flesh hewn from the local populace. The once white washed buildings sported a thin coat of a bright shade of blood. Moloch spun on his heels in mid air and a powerfully vivid ball of flaming white fire shot from his chest to the tank. There was a massive explosion. The baneblade rocked in its tracks, the hull mounted demolisher cannon had been ripped off.
The image on the Voxpict link blurred. "That was 20 minutes ago," grated Assault Marshall Vikrumm.
He screamed, "What were you thinking of when you released that? Inqueestitor Hammerhanded"
"If I could put your ass in front of a firing squad I would do it gleefully and pull the trigger!"
The avenue through the exclusively wealthy part of Lakupad town was scattered with lumps of flesh hewn from the local populace. The once white washed buildings sported a thin coat of a bright shade of blood. Moloch spun on his heels in mid air and a powerfully vivid ball of flaming white fire shot from his chest to the tank. There was a massive explosion. The baneblade rocked in its tracks, the hull mounted demolisher cannon had been ripped off.
The image on the Voxpict link blurred. "That was 20 minutes ago," grated Assault Marshall Vikrumm.
He screamed, "What were you thinking of when you released that? Inqueestitor Hammerhanded"
"If I could put your ass in front of a firing squad I would do it gleefully and pull the trigger!"
Monday, 18 February 2008
Garzakk's End
Garzakk's belly burst with an explosive flash of green guts and blood as the stormbolter rounds exploded inside. His legs ran on for a few more steps down the central corridor of the Hulk before they realised that he was dead.
Meddigo had detailed two squads of terminators to ambush the Orks detected re-entering the Hulk by Inquisitor Hawk’s auto savants.
The surviving Orks in Garzakk's mob surged forward towards the corridor junction from where one of the two squads had opened fire. As they did so Terminators power fisted through the corridor walls behind them and charged home slaughtering the Orks at the rear of the mob. The other squad now charged the front of the howling mass of Orks firing their stormbolters as they leap forward. The mob of Orks found itself crushed between two assaulting squads of spacemarines in terminator armour. While in normal circumstances the Orks would have been able to give a good account of themselves, here in the gloomy confines of the ribbed ancient metal walled corridor of the Hulk the Orks were pressed so closely on each other that they were unable to effectively fight back. In the center of the mob fighting broke out between Orks, biting and gouging with talons and head butting, as they were unable to swing their weapons. The terminators pressed forward compressing the writhing mobs of Orks as they slaughtered them down to the last greenskin.
Meddigo had detailed two squads of terminators to ambush the Orks detected re-entering the Hulk by Inquisitor Hawk’s auto savants.
The surviving Orks in Garzakk's mob surged forward towards the corridor junction from where one of the two squads had opened fire. As they did so Terminators power fisted through the corridor walls behind them and charged home slaughtering the Orks at the rear of the mob. The other squad now charged the front of the howling mass of Orks firing their stormbolters as they leap forward. The mob of Orks found itself crushed between two assaulting squads of spacemarines in terminator armour. While in normal circumstances the Orks would have been able to give a good account of themselves, here in the gloomy confines of the ribbed ancient metal walled corridor of the Hulk the Orks were pressed so closely on each other that they were unable to effectively fight back. In the center of the mob fighting broke out between Orks, biting and gouging with talons and head butting, as they were unable to swing their weapons. The terminators pressed forward compressing the writhing mobs of Orks as they slaughtered them down to the last greenskin.
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Armoured Column on Dirtball
The armoured column rolled forward. Baneblade after Baneblade grinding slowly across the blasted landscape. On the distant horizon their goal. The largest industrial complex on the planet and its associated towns located in a river valley area and given the tactical name Zone Zero, or double Zed to the Belisimar Chem Dogs.
Alfus and his squad rolled comfortably across the blasted heath and scrubland in a Chimera. The second landings had been successful and after the failed Tau counter attack resistance seemed to have crumbled.
Hammerhand sat in the command chimera as it followed the Leman Russ squadrons behind the Baneblades. Assault Marshall Vikrumm and his command team sat around the planning table. As Inquisitor Hawk’s representative on the Dirtball as they were calling the planet Hammerhand was de-facto part of the team.
“The enemy seem to be mainly the Xenos Tau. The locals seem human which should be expected as this world was part of the Imperium before the Heresy.”
Commissar Goldengoth was speaking.
“Once we have occupied Zone Zero I do not expect further resistance. The remaining Xenos will probably surrender in the hope of prisoner exchange.”
Vikrumm grunted his assent.
Staff Officer Russ cleared his throat, “I have the draft orders for the establishment of a base and the organisation of pacification and Imperialisation of the planet, my Lord Assault Marshall.”
Vikrumm indicated that the documents were to be placed on the table. He looked at Hammerhand.
“The glory of reincorporating this lost world will be yours, my Lord Assault Marshall,” continued Russ.
“Indeed,” responded Vikrumm with satisfaction. The glory of the deed would be the seal to his career. He turned to Hammerhand.
“How long in your estimation will it take for the Inquisition to eradicate taints of Xenos and deviation? We need to know to start assessing the logistics for this operation.”
“With respect Sir,” responded Hammerhand, “I believe the the High Lord Inquisitor Hawk does not consider this fine battle group as a force to be blunted by the tedium of occupation. He has not shared his intentions for the end of local resistance. I recommend that we immediately re-establish communications with Captain Admiral Pilgrim of the fleet and through him contact the Inquisitor.”
In other words phone home before Hawk decides to kick your fat immobile backside, thought Hammerhand.
“In any case it may take decades before the Inquisition can be confident that the isolated population on this world are able to be reincorporated."
"It will depend on how long they have been associating with the Xenos and what other deviations have taken root here during its isolation.”
And undoubtedly there are some strange goings on as I discovered through poor Zakalwe and his levels considered Hammerhand.
Alfus and his squad rolled comfortably across the blasted heath and scrubland in a Chimera. The second landings had been successful and after the failed Tau counter attack resistance seemed to have crumbled.
Hammerhand sat in the command chimera as it followed the Leman Russ squadrons behind the Baneblades. Assault Marshall Vikrumm and his command team sat around the planning table. As Inquisitor Hawk’s representative on the Dirtball as they were calling the planet Hammerhand was de-facto part of the team.
“The enemy seem to be mainly the Xenos Tau. The locals seem human which should be expected as this world was part of the Imperium before the Heresy.”
Commissar Goldengoth was speaking.
“Once we have occupied Zone Zero I do not expect further resistance. The remaining Xenos will probably surrender in the hope of prisoner exchange.”
Vikrumm grunted his assent.
Staff Officer Russ cleared his throat, “I have the draft orders for the establishment of a base and the organisation of pacification and Imperialisation of the planet, my Lord Assault Marshall.”
Vikrumm indicated that the documents were to be placed on the table. He looked at Hammerhand.
“The glory of reincorporating this lost world will be yours, my Lord Assault Marshall,” continued Russ.
“Indeed,” responded Vikrumm with satisfaction. The glory of the deed would be the seal to his career. He turned to Hammerhand.
“How long in your estimation will it take for the Inquisition to eradicate taints of Xenos and deviation? We need to know to start assessing the logistics for this operation.”
“With respect Sir,” responded Hammerhand, “I believe the the High Lord Inquisitor Hawk does not consider this fine battle group as a force to be blunted by the tedium of occupation. He has not shared his intentions for the end of local resistance. I recommend that we immediately re-establish communications with Captain Admiral Pilgrim of the fleet and through him contact the Inquisitor.”
In other words phone home before Hawk decides to kick your fat immobile backside, thought Hammerhand.
“In any case it may take decades before the Inquisition can be confident that the isolated population on this world are able to be reincorporated."
"It will depend on how long they have been associating with the Xenos and what other deviations have taken root here during its isolation.”
And undoubtedly there are some strange goings on as I discovered through poor Zakalwe and his levels considered Hammerhand.
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Garzakk Rentry
The hull airlock outer door exploded in a flare of slivers. Garzakk and his mob felt the blast wave through the Hull. A few grots lost their grip and floated off the Hulk . None of the Orks paid any attention. They were closely following the Mek's team as it lowered the next charge into the gaping scar on the surface of the Hulk where the airlock outer door had been.
Hezakk was not dumb but he was not stupid either reasoned Garzakk. He would have positioned some grots and Orks wif big shootas to cover the airlock as well as the corridor approach. What he would not have thought of was that he Garzakk was much cunninger. The airlock would be blasted through. Any Orks beyond the door would be blasted out in to the vacuum with the air rush. One of his Garzakk's mobs was positioned to slug and blast any intact Orks thrown out by the blast. Then he would use his cunning plan.
With the second blast Garzakk's Orks opened fire on the tumbling bodies. The spew of gas and debris died away. Now was the time when Hezakks mob would be building an emergency air wall. Garzakk signalled the second mobb. They carefully rolled a black nobbly cylinder over to the gash in the Hulk. Sitting on the cylinder a crazed grot in a vacuum bubble strapped to the back of the stubby winged cylinder ignited a rokkitt motor on the outer surface. With a momentary crazed wave the grot rode the black cylinder into the gash in the Hulk. Garzakk and his mob fired their rokkit boostas and jumped as far around the Hulk as they could without launching themselves into orbit. A vast convulsion shook the surface for kliks around. Several of the appendages on the surface of the Hulk shook loose in the blast with some tumbling into orbit around the Hulk over under the force of spurting gas and boiling fluids. The gash on the Hulk were the airlock had been was no longer. There was now a gaping crater where Hezakk's control room had been.
Now was the time to get back in through anuvver airlock and srtoll down the central corridor finishing off any of Hezakks mob that would not join his. He could feel himself beginning to grow again. What Hezakk the useless grot had not realised but he Garzakk had was that there were many control rooms in this Hulk.
Hezakk was not dumb but he was not stupid either reasoned Garzakk. He would have positioned some grots and Orks wif big shootas to cover the airlock as well as the corridor approach. What he would not have thought of was that he Garzakk was much cunninger. The airlock would be blasted through. Any Orks beyond the door would be blasted out in to the vacuum with the air rush. One of his Garzakk's mobs was positioned to slug and blast any intact Orks thrown out by the blast. Then he would use his cunning plan.
With the second blast Garzakk's Orks opened fire on the tumbling bodies. The spew of gas and debris died away. Now was the time when Hezakks mob would be building an emergency air wall. Garzakk signalled the second mobb. They carefully rolled a black nobbly cylinder over to the gash in the Hulk. Sitting on the cylinder a crazed grot in a vacuum bubble strapped to the back of the stubby winged cylinder ignited a rokkitt motor on the outer surface. With a momentary crazed wave the grot rode the black cylinder into the gash in the Hulk. Garzakk and his mob fired their rokkit boostas and jumped as far around the Hulk as they could without launching themselves into orbit. A vast convulsion shook the surface for kliks around. Several of the appendages on the surface of the Hulk shook loose in the blast with some tumbling into orbit around the Hulk over under the force of spurting gas and boiling fluids. The gash on the Hulk were the airlock had been was no longer. There was now a gaping crater where Hezakk's control room had been.
Now was the time to get back in through anuvver airlock and srtoll down the central corridor finishing off any of Hezakks mob that would not join his. He could feel himself beginning to grow again. What Hezakk the useless grot had not realised but he Garzakk had was that there were many control rooms in this Hulk.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
C'tan
High commander Fa'thanen sighed. Everything that had been going so well with Operation Lone Pilgrim seemed to be on the verge of being lost. The orbital defenses were bombarded out of existence after they had been revealed too early. Why had he let himself be convinced to open fire at that point? The native human population had become restive as the orbital fireworks told them that what the Tau emissaries had convinced them of previously was not exactly true. The fleet had had to be withdrawn to defend against a surprise Imperial Crusade against one of the Tau Rim worlds. His two picket system ships had vanished shortly after they had reported contact with a derelict Space Hulk approaching the system and now this. The reports he held indicated that the attack he had ordered to wipe out the isolated human imperial survivors from their recent original landing had gone bizarrely wrong long before the attack force had made contact. Devilfish exploding for no reason or colliding into and destroying other transports made no sense at all. All his slim residual resources would be required to rescue the survivors. He needed to think. Had the humans made contact with the indigenes and their bizarre system of levels. He shrugged. The Imperial Humans would stamp that cult out as soon as they took control. The High Commander shook himself he must not think like that. He needed to concentrate on the needs of the greater good.
Were the imperial humans using as yet unknown weapon systems and that was why the attack had failed or could it be sabotage Fa'thanen pondered. Hn'harduden his bumptious servant entered. He had never learned to precede his wish to enter a room with a respectful clearing of the throat before entering.
"Why are you here," demanded Fa'thanen.
"I have a message," came the unusually confident response.
"Speak then."
"By the order of the High Emperor of Terra I pronounce you foul Xenos and sentence you to die. So says Inquisitor Hawk and so do I."
The form of Hn'harduden blurred. A C'tan phase sword stabbed forward impaling the High Commander before he had time to react to his death sentence.
High commander Fa'thanen sighed and slid off the sword.
Sophia laughed and teleported. "What a useless piece of meat," she thought.
Were the imperial humans using as yet unknown weapon systems and that was why the attack had failed or could it be sabotage Fa'thanen pondered. Hn'harduden his bumptious servant entered. He had never learned to precede his wish to enter a room with a respectful clearing of the throat before entering.
"Why are you here," demanded Fa'thanen.
"I have a message," came the unusually confident response.
"Speak then."
"By the order of the High Emperor of Terra I pronounce you foul Xenos and sentence you to die. So says Inquisitor Hawk and so do I."
The form of Hn'harduden blurred. A C'tan phase sword stabbed forward impaling the High Commander before he had time to react to his death sentence.
High commander Fa'thanen sighed and slid off the sword.
Sophia laughed and teleported. "What a useless piece of meat," she thought.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Devilfish
A taloned hand punched through the bulkhead separating the seated armoured suited Tau warriors from the drive compartment of their Devilfish transport. An evil demonic visage followed. It emanated waves of unnatural horror that clung to any who saw it like a stench of death and decay. The warriors nearest to the apparition were retching as they tried to squirm themselves as far away from it as possible. They were crammed too tightly together in the transport's troop compartment to use weapons or in any way defend themselves or escape. It paused to allow them to appreciate the horror of their predicament. It spoke to them, not in words but directly and repulsively into their minds. "Canned meat I like that." Caliban launched himself into the compartment faster than the warriors could react. A spray of blood, bowels, gobbets of flesh and gurgling screams resonated around the compartment. In less than a minute Caliban was grinning, and preening itself while hovering over a layer of minced tissues awash with blood. The intercom snapped and spat. "Ah, the pilot," murmured Caliban and reached through the ceiling of the compartment. The Hammerhead lurched and spun. Caliban teleported. The Devilfish raced out of position and smashed into it partner in formation. Both hit the ground with an immense flash and explosion.
Further down the line of Devilfish and Hammerheads the same events recurred.
The sentry reported to Gann Arfur, "Flashes and explosion on the horizon, Sir, North West , sensors suggest 20 kliks distance."
"Any idea Hammerhand?" asked the Gann.
"Probably my and Hawk's pet."
"What sort of pet?"
"Our daemonhost, I let him off his leash just before I Ieft to come here. I have also asked him to bring his associate Moloch this time."
Further down the line of Devilfish and Hammerheads the same events recurred.
The sentry reported to Gann Arfur, "Flashes and explosion on the horizon, Sir, North West , sensors suggest 20 kliks distance."
"Any idea Hammerhand?" asked the Gann.
"Probably my and Hawk's pet."
"What sort of pet?"
"Our daemonhost, I let him off his leash just before I Ieft to come here. I have also asked him to bring his associate Moloch this time."
Monday, 28 January 2008
Take me to your Leader
"Take me to your leader," whispered Hammerhand with a smile in the ear of the sentry. Athelwist startled, dropped his las rifle and fumbled for his knife as Hammerhand grasped his wrist. "Easy there soldier," commanded Hammerhand. "Here is may badge of authority with the Inquisition. My rank is Interrogator."
"Please don’t tell the sergeant," gasped Athelwist.
The autosavants reported matter expressionlessly. "The Hulk’s systems report that there has been a significant perturbation of the Hulk’s trajectory. The controls are being used without understanding and as a result the divergence from an atmospheric entry path is becoming more marked with each passing minute. There are probably only 3 to 4 hours during which the trajectory can be repaired. We can influence the control systems from here but with the presence of others in the control room also using the Hulk’s systems it is unlikely that we could achieve sufficient control to ensure that a planned landing on the planet can be achieved."
Hawk demanded. "If the trajectory is not corrected, what then?"
"It is likely that the Hulk will strike the planet’s atmosphere at a glancing angle, losing speed due to atmospheric friction and as the resultant trajectory would if uncorrected pass close to the system’s sun, suffer significant heat and radiation damage before collecting speed from its passage through the solar atmosphere and if it survives this it will be ejected from the system in the directions of the Dark Marked Warp region at sublight speed reaching…."
"Enough, thank you," responded Hawk.
"It seems we either have to gain full control of the Hulk or evacuate."
"Evacuation may only be possible after completion of the planetary assault," responded captain Meddigo through Blou.
"Agreed," replied Hawk. "We need full control of the Hulk, despite its infestation with Orks.
"According the Hulk’s systems," intervened the autosavants, "there are 2 or 3 million of them on board. Almost all as ‘passengers’ sealed in other compartments controlled by the Mobs that have occupied the bridge and engine rooms."
"There is also evidence of other Xeno species on board."
"Please don’t tell the sergeant," gasped Athelwist.
The autosavants reported matter expressionlessly. "The Hulk’s systems report that there has been a significant perturbation of the Hulk’s trajectory. The controls are being used without understanding and as a result the divergence from an atmospheric entry path is becoming more marked with each passing minute. There are probably only 3 to 4 hours during which the trajectory can be repaired. We can influence the control systems from here but with the presence of others in the control room also using the Hulk’s systems it is unlikely that we could achieve sufficient control to ensure that a planned landing on the planet can be achieved."
Hawk demanded. "If the trajectory is not corrected, what then?"
"It is likely that the Hulk will strike the planet’s atmosphere at a glancing angle, losing speed due to atmospheric friction and as the resultant trajectory would if uncorrected pass close to the system’s sun, suffer significant heat and radiation damage before collecting speed from its passage through the solar atmosphere and if it survives this it will be ejected from the system in the directions of the Dark Marked Warp region at sublight speed reaching…."
"Enough, thank you," responded Hawk.
"It seems we either have to gain full control of the Hulk or evacuate."
"Evacuation may only be possible after completion of the planetary assault," responded captain Meddigo through Blou.
"Agreed," replied Hawk. "We need full control of the Hulk, despite its infestation with Orks.
"According the Hulk’s systems," intervened the autosavants, "there are 2 or 3 million of them on board. Almost all as ‘passengers’ sealed in other compartments controlled by the Mobs that have occupied the bridge and engine rooms."
"There is also evidence of other Xeno species on board."
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Frame Shifts
“Captain, arrange for the snake data umbilical of the shuttle to be located in the nearest Hulk data point,” commanded Hawk. The two autosavants began their analysis of the Hulk.
“There are two battle worthy platoons of Grey Knights,” reported Meddigo through Blou. “And there is also one Deathwing platoon ready for immediate deployment.”
Hawk thought. “And the injured, how many will be available after patching and repairing with the facilities we have here.”
Hezakk and his mob waited for Garzakk and his mob to come done the axial corridor to the control room in the Hulk. His boys were ready with choppas, rokkits, and sluggas. Master Mekk Boltzerr and Slaver Slyzakk had their grotts fighting with the alien systems of the Hulk in the control room to restore stability. The fight in the hangar, the explosive collapse of the hangar roof as well as the impacts of the assault pods and the weight of debris falling on to the Hulk from the destruction of the Ork cruisers and the secondwave had altered the Hulk's course fractionally.
Hammerhand arrived as a wave of black armoured drop pods crashed to earth around the Belisimar positions on the crater rim. He dropped his stolen speeder to ground quickly before anyone thought to target him and cautiously approached the Belisimar positions.
Garzakk and his mob were crossing the outer hull of the Hulk. The skin of the Hulk was scarred from millennia in deep space. Its outer rind was fissured. The fissured valleys were often dominated by protrusions, some of which were smooth domed. Others were mind wrenchingly twisted. A few larger ones had leathery surfaces pocked by micrometeorite impacts and venting gasses, suggesting an organic origin. Yet others were crudely mechanical and functional. The latter were often additions that generations of Orks had added. The functions of most were of little interest to Garzakk and his mob even if he could have understood them. Many contained sensors or warp controls and propulsion mechanisms. Garzakk crept through the vacuum seared industrial landscape of the outer surface of the Hulk to an airlock that he knew led directly into the control room.
Hammerhand crept on his belly to the sentry. Visibility was still markedly reduced as a result of the original bombardment throwing tons of fine micro-particles high in the atmosphere, reducing sunlight and allowing moisture to condense out. Daytime was only slightly brighter than nighttime. Inching forward he crept past the sentry and eased himself into the communication trench that ran outwards to the sentry point.
“There are two battle worthy platoons of Grey Knights,” reported Meddigo through Blou. “And there is also one Deathwing platoon ready for immediate deployment.”
Hawk thought. “And the injured, how many will be available after patching and repairing with the facilities we have here.”
Hezakk and his mob waited for Garzakk and his mob to come done the axial corridor to the control room in the Hulk. His boys were ready with choppas, rokkits, and sluggas. Master Mekk Boltzerr and Slaver Slyzakk had their grotts fighting with the alien systems of the Hulk in the control room to restore stability. The fight in the hangar, the explosive collapse of the hangar roof as well as the impacts of the assault pods and the weight of debris falling on to the Hulk from the destruction of the Ork cruisers and the secondwave had altered the Hulk's course fractionally.
Hammerhand arrived as a wave of black armoured drop pods crashed to earth around the Belisimar positions on the crater rim. He dropped his stolen speeder to ground quickly before anyone thought to target him and cautiously approached the Belisimar positions.
Garzakk and his mob were crossing the outer hull of the Hulk. The skin of the Hulk was scarred from millennia in deep space. Its outer rind was fissured. The fissured valleys were often dominated by protrusions, some of which were smooth domed. Others were mind wrenchingly twisted. A few larger ones had leathery surfaces pocked by micrometeorite impacts and venting gasses, suggesting an organic origin. Yet others were crudely mechanical and functional. The latter were often additions that generations of Orks had added. The functions of most were of little interest to Garzakk and his mob even if he could have understood them. Many contained sensors or warp controls and propulsion mechanisms. Garzakk crept through the vacuum seared industrial landscape of the outer surface of the Hulk to an airlock that he knew led directly into the control room.
Hammerhand crept on his belly to the sentry. Visibility was still markedly reduced as a result of the original bombardment throwing tons of fine micro-particles high in the atmosphere, reducing sunlight and allowing moisture to condense out. Daytime was only slightly brighter than nighttime. Inching forward he crept past the sentry and eased himself into the communication trench that ran outwards to the sentry point.
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Hangar Victory
Hawk's launch swooped down into the Hangar with fusion motor flames incinerating and hull mounted cannons blasting Orks. The remaining Orks fleeing the launch fell under the bolters of the Terminators. There was no escape.
Grey Knight Captain Meddigo plugged himself into the comms port on the outer hull of the shuttle by the landing gear. He linked to Inquisitor Hawk through the Vox-link communicator. Hawk eschewed vox linked communication directly into his own neural circuits and mind. Blou the pilot spoke for Captain Meddigo. "It was touch and go, Sir. You arrived just at the right time. When are the second assault wave due?"
"We are all that will be arriving of the second wave," responded Hawk.
"None the less we must take this Hulk."
"Report to me your strength and situation, while my autosavants interrogate the Hulks systems and formulate the best approach to taking control of the Hulk. If need be we may have to cut a deal with one or another faction of the Orks here to get neutralise them if we do not have sufficient ammunition to erase them all at the moment."
Grey Knight Captain Meddigo plugged himself into the comms port on the outer hull of the shuttle by the landing gear. He linked to Inquisitor Hawk through the Vox-link communicator. Hawk eschewed vox linked communication directly into his own neural circuits and mind. Blou the pilot spoke for Captain Meddigo. "It was touch and go, Sir. You arrived just at the right time. When are the second assault wave due?"
"We are all that will be arriving of the second wave," responded Hawk.
"None the less we must take this Hulk."
"Report to me your strength and situation, while my autosavants interrogate the Hulks systems and formulate the best approach to taking control of the Hulk. If need be we may have to cut a deal with one or another faction of the Orks here to get neutralise them if we do not have sufficient ammunition to erase them all at the moment."
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Changing Fortunes
Hezakk waved his Nobs forward as he slipped back from the whirling melee. It was not looking so good now. "Time to go," he thought. He noticed some mobs of lesser Orks hanging back. Moving over he grabbed and threw their leaders in to the fight at the same time sending his attendant grots to get his bodyguard of Nobs to fall back. Garzakk noticed the change and signalled his own mob to fall back to the bulkhead doors. Hezakk and his mob began running for the doors. Blood thirsting Orks cleared out of the way of the Boss and his Nobs but closed up ranks after he had pushed through. Garzakk realised he could not catch up with the retreating Boss. His group was blocked as it fought and pushed through the jostling mass of mobs. Blood crazed Orks struck by Garzakk's mob lashed out at other Orks. Creating a heading chaotic secondary Ork versus Ork battle. The front ranks were whittled down by increasingly devastating bolter fire from the terminator suited marines as the Orks fought amongst themselves. The massive hangar was a whirling chaos of chopping and firing and dying spacemarines and Orks.
Shouting into his mask, " Usless grot," Garzakk fired his slugga at the retreating back of Hezakk. Hezakk stumbled and fell. His Nobs grabbed him and roughly carried him throught the bulkhead door. The doors began closing. Garzakk signalled to his boyz and Nobs, "Use Rokitts." Back strapped rokkitts fired. Most Orks rose slowly at first then rapidly, mainly out of control arcing out of the hangar through its shattered roof and onto the surface of the Hulk seeking functioning airlock doors.
Shouting into his mask, " Usless grot," Garzakk fired his slugga at the retreating back of Hezakk. Hezakk stumbled and fell. His Nobs grabbed him and roughly carried him throught the bulkhead door. The doors began closing. Garzakk signalled to his boyz and Nobs, "Use Rokitts." Back strapped rokkitts fired. Most Orks rose slowly at first then rapidly, mainly out of control arcing out of the hangar through its shattered roof and onto the surface of the Hulk seeking functioning airlock doors.
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Retinue
The confines of Inquisitor Hawk's assault shuttle were cramped with equipment, retinue and by the fact that all were already vacuum suited. The atmosphere had been evacuated from the craft to ensure no delay during an assault debarkation when the craft touched down.
His retinue were strapped into crash couches welded to the floors and bulkheads of the craft. Directly ahead of Hawk, Blou Max, the pilot positioned at the apex of the chamber was massively cybernetically augmented. He appeared to have been melded with the controls he used. His rewired hands played a flight of harmonies across the keys surfaces. Data inputs were wired directly into his skull. Framed as if windows the visual map displayed on the bulkheads around Max seemed to show the void around the ship. In fact they displayed Max's visualization of the data fed into his skull. Hawk approved. At least here was someone whose thinking he could see clearly.
Behind Hawk were his three massively augmented combat servitors. Their limbs and reflexes mechanically augmented to make them impervious fighters capable of slashing rending and crushing their way through maxsteel without needing tools or weapons. They responded to the names of Ironhand, Shannar and Drutt respectively. Beside hawk were his two autosavants. These although not suited for combat were his most powerful weapons in his long struggle against Chaos. With their massively enhanced cognition and eidetic memory they were friends, advisors and libraries. Three of his acolytes also accompanied him. Hammerhand his Interrogator was heading for his designated position on the planet below. The three Explicators had armed themselves with close combat equipment including power armour, storm shields and chain swords. They answered to the names of Snap, Crack and Pop. His familiar a psychically enhanced flobber worm curled at the foot of Hawk's crash couch.
Outside flashes of light and hurtling debris from the spasmic vicious detonations of assault pods caused Max to make the shuttle slip, weave and dodge as it powered down to the surface of the Hulk.
His retinue were strapped into crash couches welded to the floors and bulkheads of the craft. Directly ahead of Hawk, Blou Max, the pilot positioned at the apex of the chamber was massively cybernetically augmented. He appeared to have been melded with the controls he used. His rewired hands played a flight of harmonies across the keys surfaces. Data inputs were wired directly into his skull. Framed as if windows the visual map displayed on the bulkheads around Max seemed to show the void around the ship. In fact they displayed Max's visualization of the data fed into his skull. Hawk approved. At least here was someone whose thinking he could see clearly.
Behind Hawk were his three massively augmented combat servitors. Their limbs and reflexes mechanically augmented to make them impervious fighters capable of slashing rending and crushing their way through maxsteel without needing tools or weapons. They responded to the names of Ironhand, Shannar and Drutt respectively. Beside hawk were his two autosavants. These although not suited for combat were his most powerful weapons in his long struggle against Chaos. With their massively enhanced cognition and eidetic memory they were friends, advisors and libraries. Three of his acolytes also accompanied him. Hammerhand his Interrogator was heading for his designated position on the planet below. The three Explicators had armed themselves with close combat equipment including power armour, storm shields and chain swords. They answered to the names of Snap, Crack and Pop. His familiar a psychically enhanced flobber worm curled at the foot of Hawk's crash couch.
Outside flashes of light and hurtling debris from the spasmic vicious detonations of assault pods caused Max to make the shuttle slip, weave and dodge as it powered down to the surface of the Hulk.
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Hulk
Launching payloads the Ork cruisers disintegrated under sustained linac fire from the 3 Imperial warships. Hawk gripped the arms of his couch as his pilot fired attitude jets at seeming random intervals to evade the scattering clusters of Ork lobba mines. Inquisitor Hawk's landing ship was designed for atmosphere as well as vacuum work. As a result it was highly maneuverable. The Assault pods crammed with the second wave of Space Marines were no maneuverable at all. The second wave disintegrated in multiple majestically soundless flashes around Hawk's ship.
In the vast hangar the battle was slowly developing a direction. Piles of fallen space marines lay across the centre of the vast airless arena. Slowly the space marines had pushed the Orks back through their awesome fire power. The Orks had become more and more entangled with each other and the dead which had prevented them from mounting a final close combat assault to wipe out the residual marines. Time was now telling against the Orks as their vacuum resistance was running out.
"Bak, yelled Hezakk waving to his surviving Nobs, "Mobbup behind da bulk heads," he screamed at his Mek made kommunicator. He kicked his grots into action to get them to alert his tiring but still blood hungry Orks.
In the vast hangar the battle was slowly developing a direction. Piles of fallen space marines lay across the centre of the vast airless arena. Slowly the space marines had pushed the Orks back through their awesome fire power. The Orks had become more and more entangled with each other and the dead which had prevented them from mounting a final close combat assault to wipe out the residual marines. Time was now telling against the Orks as their vacuum resistance was running out.
"Bak, yelled Hezakk waving to his surviving Nobs, "Mobbup behind da bulk heads," he screamed at his Mek made kommunicator. He kicked his grots into action to get them to alert his tiring but still blood hungry Orks.
Friday, 11 January 2008
Speed Mek
The Ork cruisers burst from the blind side of the Hulk. Each was a unique and brutal nightmare agglomeration of Mek madness. A core of crudely powerful propulsion around which was bolted bizarre and powerful weaponry. Impaled on the apex of each propulsion tube was a small life support habitat containing one Mek Nob and a few grots. The cruisers shoaled close to the body of the hulk. The Mek pilots gloated with their relative speed across the surface. Green taloned fingers gripped the contols mercilessly. This was the life for a speed freak Ork Mek. Anticipation of a mega death blowout at the end of the speed run made it only better. The shoal of cruisers twitched as they lined up for the attack run. Arms swung out from the sides of the craft as grots activated mine lobbas. Some mines were actively homing piloted by speed freak grots. One craft flashed and spun in a searing streak impact as it was pulled down onto the surface of the Hulk as a result of an inopportunely deployed lobba arm. Regardless the remaining cruisers lined up for their attack run. Before them lay the second wave of Imperial Void Black assault pods the fleet had launched at the Hulk.
"Signal the Inquisitor, greenskin attack ships closing on second assault wave. Evasive action immediate." Ordered Captain Pilgrim.
"Secondary batteries retrained and locked on to attacking cruisers," reported Gunnery Officer Isvista.
"Concentrate fire on those closed to the Inquisitor's ship," Ordered Captain Pilgrim, "Otherwise fire at will."
"Bugga," yelled Garzakk. He had shot close to Hezakk again but again failed to hit the useless grot.
"Signal the Inquisitor, greenskin attack ships closing on second assault wave. Evasive action immediate." Ordered Captain Pilgrim.
"Secondary batteries retrained and locked on to attacking cruisers," reported Gunnery Officer Isvista.
"Concentrate fire on those closed to the Inquisitor's ship," Ordered Captain Pilgrim, "Otherwise fire at will."
"Bugga," yelled Garzakk. He had shot close to Hezakk again but again failed to hit the useless grot.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
According to Plan
Hundreds of void black armoured assault pods powered in waves to the surface. Secondary batteries of turbo cannons from the three ships engaged the Hulk. There was no return fire from the Hulk. Turbo penetrator rounds blasted holes in the outer shell of the Hulk, penetrating the armour and into the habitat beneath. Geysers of debris spouted from the holes spewing tumbling orks and grots their equipment and debris into the void. Other rounds scoured the surface of the hulk of any defenders with cinematic patterns of mathematical explosions around the target locations for the assault pods.
Captain Pilgrim reported to Hawk, "Debris scanning indicates the Hulk is infested with greenskins, Sir"
"Seems we will be doing the job of the Ordo Xenos again," remarked Hawk.
"We need the Hulk in any case. Proceed with the assault."
"It looks as if the Orks have not mastered any of the defensive fire power that these Hulks usually carry."
Just before impact each pod instantly switched from power from rear to nose engines, adding their searing fusion flame to the scouring of the surface of the Hulk in a cruel and brutal deceleration. Space Marines groaned in their armour. They were held in place by the monomolecular threaded crash webbing that had been blessed by the techpriests before launch. The first wave of pods crunched to the outer hull of the Hulk. Webbing snapped open and Grey Knight terminators and Deathwing terminators rushed in a spreading fan of assault squads from the grounded pods, heading for the breaches in the hull. At that moment shaped charges detonated across the landing zones blasting the surface occupied by the assault for and its pods down into the mighty hangar below where the Ork counter assault waited.
"Anuvver cunnin plan and a good fight comin up," screamed Harzakk at his Nobs. "Get stuck in, chop all de humins, Now!" He waved them forward with his big choppa. All the nobs were power armour suited which gave them a prolonged stay in vaccum. They shambled forward joints wheezing in the cold vacuum of the void. They were backed up with all the killa kans and closed cabin trukks and vehicles.
It was my plan you useless over-grown grott thought Garzakk. And why dont yous let us blast them now while they are fallin and lyin' in heaps. He fired his blasta narrowly missing Hezakk and killing a grey knight struggling to stand.
"Watch wot you are doin," screamed Hezakk.
"One to me already," retorted Garzakk.
Captain Pilgrim reported to Hawk, "Debris scanning indicates the Hulk is infested with greenskins, Sir"
"Seems we will be doing the job of the Ordo Xenos again," remarked Hawk.
"We need the Hulk in any case. Proceed with the assault."
"It looks as if the Orks have not mastered any of the defensive fire power that these Hulks usually carry."
Just before impact each pod instantly switched from power from rear to nose engines, adding their searing fusion flame to the scouring of the surface of the Hulk in a cruel and brutal deceleration. Space Marines groaned in their armour. They were held in place by the monomolecular threaded crash webbing that had been blessed by the techpriests before launch. The first wave of pods crunched to the outer hull of the Hulk. Webbing snapped open and Grey Knight terminators and Deathwing terminators rushed in a spreading fan of assault squads from the grounded pods, heading for the breaches in the hull. At that moment shaped charges detonated across the landing zones blasting the surface occupied by the assault for and its pods down into the mighty hangar below where the Ork counter assault waited.
"Anuvver cunnin plan and a good fight comin up," screamed Harzakk at his Nobs. "Get stuck in, chop all de humins, Now!" He waved them forward with his big choppa. All the nobs were power armour suited which gave them a prolonged stay in vaccum. They shambled forward joints wheezing in the cold vacuum of the void. They were backed up with all the killa kans and closed cabin trukks and vehicles.
It was my plan you useless over-grown grott thought Garzakk. And why dont yous let us blast them now while they are fallin and lyin' in heaps. He fired his blasta narrowly missing Hezakk and killing a grey knight struggling to stand.
"Watch wot you are doin," screamed Hezakk.
"One to me already," retorted Garzakk.
Saturday, 5 January 2008
MALAC linac
Explosions sparkled across the slowly spinning body of the space Hulk. The swarm of small attack craft discharged their payloads across the rear of the Hulk close to the engines.The Emperors Will open fire on the closer of these craft destroying several with each blast of its MALAC batteries, matter/antimatter linear accelerator cannons. These twin linked linacs fired matter and antimatter alternately at either a target or close to a target. The blasts of energy as the highly charged balls of matter and antimatter collided were powerful enough to create transient black hole energy with warping gravity waves sufficient to disrupt most hulls within tens of kilometers. A direct hit usually resulted in the complete gravitational collapse of the target unless it was vastly large. The closeness of the engagement meant that the damage repair crews on the Emperors Will and her consorts were constantly in action.
Along with the cannonade the Emperors Will discharged her cargo of landing pods configured and crewed up for boarding.
Along with the cannonade the Emperors Will discharged her cargo of landing pods configured and crewed up for boarding.
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
Prepare for Boarding
“You are destroying my ship,” yelled Pilgrim at Inquisitor Hawk.
“Velocity matching and boarding maneuvers for the “Emperors Will”, plus the “Imperial Holocaust and the “Xenos Extermination”,” replied Hawk to Pilgrim the vox-comms servitor and the helm servitor.
“My apologies, Pilgrim, for usurping temporarily the tactical command of your fleet. There was little time. And I have also taken that into account regarding your claim of ownership of this ship of the God-Emperor.
The visual of the Hulk, on your screen, indicates a state of poor repair indicating that it is likely to contain either an Ork or Tyranid Xenos infestation. Either way if this is the case they must not be allowed to disrupt our planned actions. When I have gained control of the Hulk with the landing parties from these 3 capital ships I will have acquired a significant additional weapon. Remember the Tazim 22 action. A large asteroid was used to destroy the defenders.”
“Velocity matching and boarding maneuvers for the “Emperors Will”, plus the “Imperial Holocaust and the “Xenos Extermination”,” replied Hawk to Pilgrim the vox-comms servitor and the helm servitor.
“My apologies, Pilgrim, for usurping temporarily the tactical command of your fleet. There was little time. And I have also taken that into account regarding your claim of ownership of this ship of the God-Emperor.
The visual of the Hulk, on your screen, indicates a state of poor repair indicating that it is likely to contain either an Ork or Tyranid Xenos infestation. Either way if this is the case they must not be allowed to disrupt our planned actions. When I have gained control of the Hulk with the landing parties from these 3 capital ships I will have acquired a significant additional weapon. Remember the Tazim 22 action. A large asteroid was used to destroy the defenders.”
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