After Shocks

Emerging from the tunnel complex the surviving Chem Dogs staggered exhausted on to a blasted desolate desert terrain. It seemed as if they had been transported to another world. There were no signs of the lush vegetation and brightly coloured characterful creatures that had been there at dirt fall. The light was weak and grey. There was a heavy haze limiting visibility to a few hundred spans. Fine ash and dust swept across the scoured surface driven by gusting winds. Only due to their filtered chem inhaler systems could they breathe.

They had spent a day and a night carving a new tunnel to get out of the complex as everything within 500 spans below the surface had been pulverised by the bombardment. Alfus wondered where they were headed now. And who had thought to build a tunnel complex that could withstand an orbital bombardment. Alfus was now in charge of his squad. All that remained was five from the original ten. They still lugged their heavy bolter between them. Few squads had abandoned any of their weaponry as the Chem Inhalers prevented the troopers from losing heart regardless of their circumstances. Fingers flicked and the sergeants and squad leaders passed on the Gann's orders. They were led onwards to the position from which the defensive lasers had fired in short rushes from cover to cover.