I quickly arranged the 50 men into 5 squads. 1 sergeant and 9 soldiers per squad, 2 of the soldiers given a heavy weapon, missile launchers in this case, and 1 soldier being given a vox-caster. This would give me greater operational freedom by being able to communicate with squads that are away from the main group. what we were doing was extremely dangerous, but could end up paying dividends a thousand times over. We were continuously putting the ships augur arrays to good use and we had mapped out the myriad of tunnels that criss-crossed the inside of the mountain. We had also pinpointed the main routes used for travel by the Skaven, at least in enough numbers for the heat sensors to pick up traces of them. Some of the side tunnels lead into this labyrinth of Skaven tunnels. Still, most of them never saw use ever since we blocked them off, giving us a great opportunity to sneak into an elevated position above the frenzying horde and, hopefully with a bit of luck, do some damage to either the Screaming Bell, the rat ogres working it, or the grey seer that controlled the rat ogres.
It would be a grey seer of astonishing ability and willpower, most settling for a single rat ogre or stormfiend to function as their bodyguard and bruiser. Having multiple of them, and enough of a presence to keep them subjugated without infighting was no small feat among the most powerful of the Skaven. Shit, we were probably on our way to face off with a member of the Council of Thirteen. Those were the only Skavens with enough power and wealth to pull off anything close to what we were facing. Or worse, an organized effort by the collective council, which would turn this fight from difficult, to grueling. I couldn't rely on technology alone, I had to outwit the treacherous mutants as well. Just fantastic, I had to outsmart an ancient rodent that lived in a society built on the principles of backstabbing and betrayal, and where words like 'cooperation' are considered truly filthy.
And with me to do it, I had 50 guardsmen, against a Skaven horde numbering millions. But I also had the advantage of all the modern technology available to the Imperium and no less than 3 ships had their augur arrays completely focused on the mountain and the tunnels within. If any sort of numbers started moving towards us we would know, and I had already mapped out no less than 4 separate escape routes we could take that would lead us back to the main cavern. We wouldn't be able to hide from the Skaven, their sense of smell was far too keen for that to be possible but near the frontline, where the musk of at least a million Skaven hung heavy in the air and drowned out every other smell, we would be invisible as long as we stayed out of sight. True, there had been murmurings about wasted potential use of the augur arrays, but no one dared go against my direct orders. At least, no one that is currently present on the planet. Things would be different once the Inquisition came around to send someone to pick up that damned artifact.
On a hunch, I sent a runner to fetch my 3 Ogryns. True, they lacked in the stealth department, but if I kept them in the back, the guardsmen would have enough wits about them to clear a path at the first sign of trouble. If I were going to risk tangling with a grey seer, I was going to need something extra to pit against his rat ogres and whatever else he might be holding back for a nasty surprise. They had their improvised slab shields made of wood, big and heavy enough to function as small gates in their own right, and crude metal clubs provided by the local blacksmiths. They would make a wonderful distraction while the rest of us pulled back to a more advantageous position if we got ambushed, but like the grey seers, I would prefer to keep them in reserve to deal with any overly observant rat ogres. While even a mighty Ogryn was inferior in strength to a rat ogre, they had enough wits about them to outsmart the brutish beasts in a straight-up fight, especially when equipped for the close combat task. I didn't want to risk them using their ripper guns in the tight tunnels, the chance of the massive buckshot hitting my own little band of brave idiots was too great.
When we were ready, I quickly got us underway, the faster we got moving the less time fear and doubt had to settle in the minds of the troops. What I was doing was insane and unprecedented, but it was crazy enough to work with a bit of luck. Following the map we started the trek through the dark tunnels as silently as possible. The Ogryns always made noise, but they also sensed the tension among the rest of us and they took it to heart, giving a serious effort to make as little noise as possible. For almost 30 minutes the route took us down twists, turns, and empty stretches of cramped mountain corridor filled with strange noises and the distant sounds of both the battle at the frontline and the Skaven moving around deeper inside the mountain. More than once we had to backtrack due to the confusing design of the Skaven tunnels, and stop moving because of roaming patrols showing up on the Auspex readers, moving through other tunnels. They wouldn't be able to smell us, but if we did not stop moving, they would hear us.
Those small breaks were the worst part, standing still in the dimly lit tunnels, listening to the Skaven running through the tunnels on either side of the one we were occupying. It was difficult enough to keep the Ogryns calm, being in enclosed and dark places, the 2 things that were universally hated and feared by Ogryns, but adding just standing around to the mix made it almost impossible. I had to assign a whole squad to attend to them at any given moment, just to prevent them from either bursting into rage or having a mental breakdown, both of which would reveal us. We moved slower than I would have liked, but there wasn't much I could do about it. These were not the smooth floors of the mechanicus workers, but the rough work of the Skaven. Their excellent vision in low-light conditions made the need for smooth floors a superfluous luxury that was reserved for the few rich and powerful enough to afford such frivolous things.
We made our way, as slow as it was, and the closer we got the more noisy it became. The smell became overwhelming, a mix of rot, rodents, death, and something else. A smell of burnt ozone. So they were actively engaged in warp shenanigans at this point. We didn't have much time and I paced my men forward, faster than safety would allow, but my gut told me we were running out of time. We rounded a final corner and the wall of stench that hit me was almost overwhelming. The musk of thousands upon thousands of Skaaven, mixed with the foulness of chaos worshippers and all the filth that followed with them. There, at the end of a long stretch of tunnel, was a small plateau overlooking the entire approaching army, at least according to the augur readings. As long as I had a clear look at the bell, I didn't care about much else. Hell, I didn't care about any of the troopers with me, as long as we could take that accursed bell out of the equation, even if just for a while.
The closer we got to the small opening ahead, the smaller we made ourselves. When we were a few dozen steps away from it, I raised my hand and stopped the group. Motioning for the men carrying the rocket launchers to move to the front, they understood what I wanted. We only got one attempt. Success or failure, in either case, we would only have 10 seconds of firing and maybe 10 more seconds of panic from the sudden ambush to disappear back into the tunnel. Then we would have to go back the way we came. I had a map, and many of the men had made crude drawings and notes while we walked. When our little window of time was up, an ocean of death and mutilation would descend upon us, and our only chance was to be fast enough to get back and activate the demo charges the combat engineers had been busy wiring ever since we started this insane little expedition.
2 deep breaths to calm the nerves and I started moving at speed, the 5 men with rocket launchers trailing behind me. I left the opening and found myself on a small plateau able to hold, maybe, 80 men, so more than large enough for my purpose. I reached the edge and took in the sight below. waves of brown and black-spotted fur en route in a slow rolling motion, toward the partially collapsed tunnel. From the look of things, they had cleared an opening and were pressing forward to get through, almost to the point of infighting. Meanwhile, the screaming bell kept up its steady rhythm of repugnant energies that spread out and peaked the fury of the Skaven it hit. I saw the rat ogres and the bell, but I didn't see the grey seer on the cart. No matter, I pointed out the bell and hissed "Fire in unison, we only get this one chance!"
They rushed to the edge where they kneeled and took aim, the rest of the troops taking up positions behind them where they collectively pulled out grenades and started throwing with reckless abandon in every direction. As soon as the first frak grenade passed over the heads of the 5 kneeling men, they fired. The screaming rockets made the Skaven stop and simply observe for a moment, as they sailed through the air. They never saw them land before the first grenades went off, spreading death and chaos in the tightly packed ranks. As dead Skaven were thrown about, and the panicking survivors did their damnest to escape no matter the cost of allied lives, it only added to the fire I had ignited among the already frenzied horde. The world fell silent as I watched the missiles get closer and closer to their target, and for a single moment an ice-cold fear grabbed my heart as they reached the distance where they had exploded last time, but they kept moving and the whole thing disappeared behind a wall of exploding fire and fragments. The roars of pain and rage that rose above the chittering suggested the rat ogres had not been killed, but at least maimed, which also meant that the wooden construction holding up the bell would be taken out. As for the bell, the mountain was still standing and I was still breathing, so it was unharmed. The amount of foul psychic energy that was forced into it, would have leveled the entire mountain and surrounding area if the physical container had been damaged.
"RETREAT! BACK TO BASE!" I screamed, but even as my men turned to run, I noticed a green glow emerge from the now smoking area of impact, and warp-lightning shot out, parting the clouds and revealing the grey seer, eyes blazing green and teeth chewing ferociously on the warpstone between them, screaming incoherently as he bathed the edge of our cliff in green lighting. 20 of my troopers died on the spot while the rest sprinted for safety with me following close behind them. Arrows, knives, throwing stars, and whatever else the Skaven could get their hands on, rained down around us as we reached the small opening that led away from the plateau. I was the last to step through and as I did, my danger sense flared up for a moment before a sharp pain hit my right upper arm. One of the rectangular throwing blades of clan Eshin was sticking out of my arm and I could both see and smell the poison coating on the blade. I grabbed it and ripped it out so more poison didn't enter my system, but I had barely made it 5 more steps before the effects made themselves known.
The world started tilting, my knees gave out, my ears started ringing and every nerve in my body started firing off, obfuscating and masking my movements to myself. Someone spoke to me, but all the sounds floated together in an amalgam of sensory input, and I felt my natural resistances kick in and my body working overtime to try and fix the damage inflicted upon me. But one thing made it through the muddled and hazy fog. A screeching and shrill voice that nonetheless carried an immense power within it.
"MAN-THING! I SHALL MURDER-KILL YOU SO SLOWLY THAT THE GREAT HORNED RAT WILL TREMBLE WITH PLEASURE AT YOUR SUFFERING! MY ENDLESS ARMY SHALL FEAST-GNAW ON THE BONES OF YOUR SQUISHY-SOFT PEOPLE! YOUR PUPS WILL BE SLAVES UNTIL THE ONLY TASK THEY CAN COMPLETE IS TO FEED US! GNAWSKREEK IS THE MOST POWERFUL SKAVEN TO EVER LIVE AND WILL SEE THE END OF YOUR INFERIOR RACE!"
I was hearing the grey seer in all of his rage and fury, and he was targeting me specifically. I wanted to shout back, but I was still reeling from the effects of whatever poison they had thrown at me, and I could barely stand. Still, a single word found its way from the darkest parts of my memory, the name of a minor deity used by the Skaven as an insult, a wish to damn the receiver to the abyssal hell said deity inhabits.
"KWEETHUL!!" The effort to shout the word set fire to my lungs and made me collapse in a coughing fit, but the effects of my single word were devastating. An ungodly howl of cataclysmic rage was followed by the opening behind us completely disappearing under a new storm of warp lightning, the plateau shattering like brittle glass and chunks of the mountain itself falling away under the onslaught of psychic power. It took me minutes to recover enough to register my surroundings and realize I was being carried by one of the Ogryns, the surviving troops close around as they all ran in the same direction. I didn't see the 2 other Ogryns, but there was a lot of screeching and bellowing coming from the direction we were leaving. I had no idea how long we had been moving, or how much further we had to go, but the troops around the Ogryn carrying me seemed to be very certain of where to go as they collectively shouted and pointed whenever we had to take a turn.
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My body was fighting the poison, tooth, and nail, trying to keep me alive despite the virulent poisons rolling through my veins. It felt like fire was running through me, finding every nerve and dipping it in an acid designed specifically to make death as painful and horrendous as possible. Time became immaterial, and I faded back into pain-induced delirium. I had no idea how much time passed, or even what happened to and around me, but I sensed a lot of commotion at some point and suddenly the world flashed back into view, a different pain took over from the poison, and I felt a sudden urge to vomit violently. I only managed to turn my head before I projectile vomited, my nose started gushing blood, and I soiled myself to an extent I had not thought possible. Once I was no longer expelling fluid from my body, I noticed the syringe sticking out of my chest.
"Remarkable. Quite resilient, despite the weakness of the flesh." A machine-filtered voice said, and I whirled my head around to find a techpriest staring down at me through bionic eyes. His red robes were covered with dirt and grime and his tools showed signs of recent use, with fresh and still-drying dirt clinging to them. His many attached arms were busy moving things around on his body, putting items into a small backpack while adjusting the myriad of macrostubbers placed in various holsters. I counted 5 and a galvanic carbine, as well as the signature servo-arm of the machine cult. This one looked like it was modified for digging into rock and packed dirt. Something about this one was different though. He seemed more present, more aware than most others I had met from the machine cult and it unnerved me, especially since his focus seemed to be entirely on me for the moment.
"I told you it wasn't too late! Thank the Emperor the guardsmen who brought him back had enough wits about them to inform us of the poisoned blades of the mutants. Will he recover fully"? Idris's voice was sharp, carrying hints of worry and slight panic, but she seemed to keep it together.
"I'm fine!" I managed before I vomited again. "Well, as close to fine as one can be after having de-tox forced into your system. But it beats dying, that's for sure." I wiped a hand down my face, causing the techpriest to reach out and grab my wrist with his servo-arm.
"A digital weapon? You must allow me to study it, Lord trader!" His entire focus was on the ring on my finger, the same ring I had taken from the former governor. His eyes were whirring and clicking as he gave his undivided attention to the hidden last-resort weapon.
"In due time, techpriest, but for now, I want my arm back," I growled over the upset rumbling of my stomach that threatened to empty my bowels once more. I desperately needed a shower, a change of clothes, and someone to clean my armor. And I needed food, lots of food, as my now empty stomach was already sending hunger pain signals to my brain. When the techpriest reluctantly let go of my arm, I staggered to my feet with the help of Idris. I noticed the face she made when she got closer to me, and it made me keenly aware of my own stench.
"The troop showers. Quickly!" I muttered. I needed to gather myself, to get a hold of the situation. And get rid of my own Emperor damned stench. Idris supported me while the de-tox worked its magic and purged the last residual poison from my system. 3 more times I vomited as we walked, but finally, we were there and I didn't bother taking off my armor, boots, uniform, or anything else. The lukewarm water felt like the warm embrace of the bed I used to sleep in, back before I arrived in this universe, and for a moment, a single glorious moment, it felt like I was back in my old small apartment, taking a shower after a long days work at the forge.
But like all good things, it came to an end all too quickly. I slowly got out of my armor and uniform while enjoying the peace and solitude of the small shower stall, but I couldn't just linger here. However, given the rare opportunity of isolation, I wanted to go through my status screen.
HUMAN. LEVEL 7.
STAT POINTS REMAINING: 0
ALIGNMENT: FAITHFUL IMPERIAL++
LITANIES: 68
AUGMENTATIONS: Cybernetic lung(upgrade lvl1, Toxins/environment)
LEVEL:15868/385400
STRENGTH: 17
AGILITY: 18
PERCEPTION: 17
WILL: 24
LUCK: 33
PSYCHE: 329/500
SKILLS
FEATS
ABILITIES
RETINUE
Achievement unlocked: Compassionate commander: First in, last out, behaving like a true leader of men. In a universe of unimagined cruelty, you remain pure enough to care about those that others never notice. You weirdo. +2 Perception.
Poison connoisseur: By either miracle or freak accident, you have survived several attempts on your life through poisoning. Congratulations. 5 endurance levels toward the next tier awarded.
Mortal enemy: You have gravely insulted a being of great power. Their life now revolves around being the creator of your ultimate demise. Took you long enough.
Wait, what? I didn't ask for that! I didn't want that! Get that shit away from my status screen, shoo! Do my bidding you antagonizing system, you!
*Ding*
...
*Open message*
Boss me around again.
...
...
NOPE! Now is the time I finish this shower and get into some clean and dry clothes! I closed the status screen so much faster than I had ever opened it and tried forgetting the whole experience in the bliss of lukewarm water.
I had only managed to put on new pants and boots and have my wounds tended to when my tent flap was pushed aside and Farsyn, my navigator Primaris, came walking in with a fire in his eyes. He stared down the attendant who was busy sowing up the cut on my arm where the thrown blade had hit me. Despite my luck, it had found its way between 2 segments of the carapace plate. I had to be careful in the future.
Almost 10 minutes later I could finally put on a shirt and send the attendant away, and the tent had barely closed before Farsyn could no longer contain himself.
"There is a foul presence nearby, and I demand to know everything there is to know about it! Mutations on the ship are happening at an increased rate, heretics abound, and there is a sickening aura permeating through the warp!" His voice was shaking with frustration and anger, and it occurred to me just how much danger I was in. A Navigator was still a powerful psyker, and this one was bordering on being emotionally unstable. And it was all directed at me...
"Farsyn. If you sit down, I will tell you what I know. Rest assured though, the cause of disturbance is firmly under our control, it is in a secure location, and it is the very reason for my summoning you in the first place since I need you to nullify its presence until the Inquisition, who I have also sent word to, can arrive to take it off our hands." I lifted both hands in a placating manner as I spoke, and while not calm, then at least reassured that there was some measure of control over things. He grudgingly took a seat and stared me down.
"Speak!" He commanded. I understood the boldness, this was his realm of expertise after all.
"We found a Pandemic staff. I have it secured in an iron box, locked in a shed, and under constant rotating guard, but I need its warp presence suppressed. The mutants are using foul sorcery, but nothing we can't handle so far. They ARE in possession of a dark artifact of their own making, but it has been temporarily disabled. I hope that we can make a significant breakthrough before they can reapply its vile powers." I rubbed my forehead as I spoke, I was tired and still hungry, and I had no time for rest or relaxation. And now I had an angry psyker to deal with.
"That doesn't explain why I was not informed the moment the hideous thing was discovered! Do you understand the danger it poses to those around it? Or even comprehend-" Farsyn was building up his indignation once more, my attempt to take the wind out of his sail annoying him more than anything. I didn't allow it though.
"ENOUGH! Do you not see that I am currently engaged in combat with the enemies of the Imperium? I understand that there is a way of doing things, but you must also understand that war makes a mockery of all things traditional and rule-compliant! Yes, I could sit in here all day, sipping amasec and ordering people around to do my every bidding. But then I would be no better than the fat waste of life that I am currently replacing as Lord governor of this planet, as well as bearing responsibility for both my ship and a chartist captain's fleet of ships, as well as the collective profit AND well-being of every single soul on or in orbit around this planet! And I am the type that leads from the front, so I ask you why you have not sent word to me before if you were so worried?! Now, if you would be so kind, as to find it in your heart to appreciate the fact that I summoned not merely a member of your faction, but you directly, to deal with this disgusting dark artifact, then maybe we can start working on a solution rather than be at each others throats when the enemy is attacking the ramparts as we speak!" I lost my cool and unloaded on Farsyn, the pressure from the last few days and the close brush with death made me forget all about rank and position, and made me direct my anger at him, man to man.
The silence hung heavy in the air after my outburst and Farsyn was struggling with several emotions, but logic seemed to win in the end as he straightened his robe, adjusted the veil in front of his third eye, and got out of his seat. "I agree Lord Captain. If you would lead me to the artifact, I can assess the severity of the situation at once."
With a nod of appreciation, I moved to the tent flap, but I was stopped dead in my tracks when I opened the tent. A gaggle of retainer and minor navigators and psykers, if the unsettling energy they gave off was anything to go by.
"I didn't know what I was walking into, so I took... Precautions." Farsyn mumbled behind me, and when I looked back I saw the remnants of a cheeky smile on the serious man's face. So there was some humor in him after all. Shit, with the amount of psykers he brought with him he could have burned a path straight to the frontline and barely broken a sweat by the time he got there.
"Any of your more aggressive individuals are more than welcome to take a crack at the frontline. There are heretics among the mutants, and mutant witchcraft to deal with, and I have no proper response to such threats. Having even basic protection would do amazing things for both the results of our attacks, and the morale of the troops. So, will you lend your people's assistance to the war effort?" I turned to the Navigator and gave him a half smile. I knew what he was thinking, and he didn't hold back in letting his thoughts be known.
"I came here expecting to wrestle command from a corrupt rogue trader, and now I am contemplating lending him the forces I brought to subdue him. You are a strange man, Lord Captain, but one that I shall continue to trust. I pray you do not disappoint." Farsyn said before turning away from me, toward his retainers. A few sharp orders and a dozen or so moved toward the tunnel that led to the frontline. The significance of his using the honorary title of my rank in the Imperium was not lost on me, as it was a message to both me and those around us that I had his full support.
I began leading him and the rest of his followers to the shack that contained the iron box with the pandemic staff inside, and as we got closer I noticed many among his followers make warding signs and mumble prayers as we approached. What felt like a pressure wave of psychic energy emitted from one of the followers, and the stifling atmosphere that had dominated the area just moments before, began to recede.
"You can leave now, we shall guard the artifact from this point on," Farsyn said to the guards who looked at me. "Go see a medic before you turn in, I don't need you spreading whatever it is you caught," I said with a nod, and they hurried off toward the field hospital. The cloaked figure emitting the suppressive psychic energy slowly approached the shack we kept the box locked in and took a kneeling position. I couldn't see the person's face, but I could sense the immense concentration that was being exerted.
"I trust you have things under control here. Let me know if you or your people need anything, and I shall see it done." I said as I turned, and Farsyn made a noise of acknowledgment as he started directing his followers.
"And Farsyn, I would appreciate it very much if you would return to the ship once everything is running smoothly down here. I cannot afford to lose my Principle navigator at this moment, and I have no desire to gamble with your life by having you stay in what I consider to be an active warzone. No debate!"
"Yes, lord captain. Ave Imperator!" Farsyn bowed before he returned his attention to his duties, and I could finally have just a small bit of time to get some food and, well, maybe not some rest but at least a cup of recaf or 2 before returning to the front. with psykers on my side, I was curious as to how much better we would fare, even if they 'just' shielded my troops from what little ranged weaponry the Skaven had. I set my sights on my tent and headed back for some much-needed respite.
But of course, things were not to go as I desired, both the confessor and the new techpriest were waiting near my tent when I approached. I sighed deeply. Might as well get it over with, the sooner I was done with them, the sooner I could turn my attention to greater things.