----------------------------------------

Chapter 7

----------------------------------------

Raphaels assumption would however be proven correct, the station was deathly silent except for the flicker of the emergency

lights and Strikers footsteps. What there were however were more corpses and this time the Coven had taken their time,

blood covered the floor and limbs dangled from the wall and even the ceiling. Their owners were in an even worse state but

to Raphaels relief they were already dead. No Wracks anywhere, not even footprints in the blood.

Re-Shan was breathing heavily to prevent himself from losing his composure with fury but was still alert which Raphael

was grateful for. On their left and right respectively Varkas and Damascus covered the flanks while Cyiren covered the

rear. Each member was listening for the telltale patter of feet that would give away their foes, Dark Eldar could see through

this gloom with ease and even Space Marines had their limits. Even if they refused to believe it.

Raphael knew this was wrong, in his gut he knew it. He then realised where they would be. He subtled motioned upwards to

Damascus and Varkas who nodded and kept walking. Raphael breathed out for a second and then pivoted upwards and opened fire

with both his bolter and flamer at once. At the same time Varkas and Damascus fired upwards as well while Cyiren and Re-Shan

covered the corridors.

Raphaels instinct was proven right by the howl of the Wracks that had hidden themselves in the various hiding places amongst

the machinery in the ceiling and were about to leap upon their prey. Some were cut apart while still pulling themselves from

their hiding places and more were shot in the air. The team spread out, allowing the bodies to fall amongst them trusting

in their work that the Wracks on the ground were in fact dead.

More howls sounded from both ends of the corridor and Cyirens frag cannon added to the din as well as more Dark Eldar screams

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

of pain. Re-Shan's chainsword burst into life as he held his ground and fired his inferno pistol to thin his opponents

ranks. The team was trapped from both sides and below.

Raphael was thinking hard as to how to get out of the situation they were in amongst the howl of gunfire. The Wracks

in the ceiling were dead but more were approaching even as their fellows fell. Varkas and Damascus swiviled to support

Re-Shan and Cyiren as they prevented the rest of the team being buried in a throng of bodies. The Dark Eldar were persistant

Raphael admitted that much and it was then he realised their foe had inadvertally given them a way to survive.

"Damascus fire your gravity weapon into the machinery in the ceiling on Cyiren's side" he shouted. Cyiren pumped the charging

handle on his weapon and fired back into the Dark Eldar ranks shouting "Do you plan to bring down the whole station down on

us Raphael!?". Re-Shan for once didn't argue his point but then he was cutting apart a Wrack's chest in a fury.

"Just enough of the machinery to block of this passageway without killing us, think you can handle it Damascus?" shouted

Raphael whilest firing a hellfire round into a Wrack trying to bring a liquifier gun into the fray. Damascus scanned the

ceiling above them and nodded shouting "Everyone move up the corridor then fired into the biggest hunk of metal he could

find. It took a second but it wrenched free and wedged itself into the floor.

Varkas was laughing as he fired "And you all call me reckless, fire again brother!" Damascus complied using his skills as

a master sabotour to pinpoint the weak points in the ceiling and after a few seconds of firing the roof lurched and the

corridor above them fell, blocking off the Dark Eldars attackon that side completely. As more guns turned to the other

side of the corridor the attackers fell back.

Re-Shan fell to a knee covered in blood. Varkas rushed to aid him but Re-Shan pushed him aside as he stood back up

muttering "I'm fine, the blood isnt my own. I just got carried away". Cyiren snorted in amusement but cuffed Re-Shans arm

"Don't take those kinds of risks, I don't have the time to carry you out of here before taking his postion as pointman.

Re-Shan shook his head in annoyance but when Raphael nodded at him he stood down.

The control room was less than ten minutes ahead and doubtlessly there would be something much worse than a Wrack hiding

there. Raphael could only hope they could kill it.