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Waaargh! Hazug! Chapta 10 | |
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Waaargh! Hazug! Chapta 10 |
Warboss
Kazkal Kormag was a member of the Bad Moons clan. The Bad Moons grew teeth
at a much faster rate than other orks and so were known for their wealth,
but given his position Kazkal was rich even for one of his clan and he was
not afraid to show off his wealth. The walls of his fortress were lined
with trophies of his conquests and he made extensive use of human servants
over much cheaper gretchin. It
was one of these humans that led Hazug, Two Heads, Rell and one of his
servitors through the fortress until they came to Kazkal’s throne room
along with a pair of orks carrying a large bundle between them. There the
warboss himself sat surrounded by an assortment of other orks, most of who
were smaller than Hazug and Two Heads but still large enough to be
considered nobs. Kazkal Kromag himself however was even bigger and he was
made even larger by the bright yellow armoured suit he
wore. “Hazug!”
Kazkal called out, ”Wotcha reckon den?” “Wot?
Da mega armour? Suits ya boss.” Hazug replied. Mega armour was the most
effective and expensive personal armour that an ork could buy. The only
problem was that on Crasus Minor none of the mekboys had been able to
produce any apart from one who had used his skills as part of a plot to
overthrow Kazkal Kromag using reanimated ork corpses with the brains of
squigs implanted in them. Until now that was. “Mek
Kruggen came up with it.” Kazkal said and he glanced at a grinning mekboy
stood beside his throne. Then Kazkal strode up to Hazug and leant down to
speak directly into his ear, “Although ‘e’s chargin’ me an’ arm and a leg
for it.” Hazug
paused, realising that he didn’t actually know exactly what an inquisitor
was himself. However, he could answer the first
question. “Dat’s
not really a human boss.” He told Kazkal, looking at the
servitor. “It’s
just somethin’ dey makes to do all da stuff we’d use runts for boss.”
Hazug said, “But it can do clever stuff an’ all. Right now it’s tellin’
‘im wot we is sayin’ and if ‘e speaks den it’ll tell us wot ‘e’s
sayin’.” Kazkal
stared at Rell and the servitor. “From
da Imperium?” Kazkal responded, his eyes narrowing, “Yeah, Hazug said ya
was from da Imperium. So wot does ya want and wot is – is, wot was it? An
inquisitor?” “A
threat?” he exclaimed, “Dare aint nothin’ threatens Kazkal Kromag. Not for
long anyways. I taught da tau dat. I taught necrons dat and I taught pansy
eldar and gits like ya dat an’ all. I’ll teach ya dat again soon enough
an’ all.” “You
mean by sending your spacehulk into Imperial space?” Rell asked and as the
servitor translated his words Kazkal scowled. “’Ow
d’ya know about dat?” he asked and he looked at Hazug, “Hazug, wotcha been
tellin’ dis git.” “Nothin’
boss. ‘E already knew.” Hazug replied. “Dat’s
true boss.” Two Heads added, “Da gits ‘ave been watchin’
us.” “It
don’t matter.” Kazkal replied, “When we leaves ‘ere we’ll be takin’ so
many lads and wagons with us dat we’ll smash anythin’ dat gets in our way.
Dem two gargants alone is enough to take on an army.” “’Elp?”
Kazkal said in disbelief and he looked at Hazug, “Hazug is dis some sort
of joke? Is dis git a loony?” “Nah.
‘E’s serious boss.” Hazug replied, “I reckon ya should at least listen to
‘im.” Kazkal
turned back towards Rell. “Thank
you.” Rell said and then he began to explain about the tyrannid hive
fleets making their way across the galaxy from the eastern rim and
consuming everything in their path while Kazkal listened in silence. Then
he came to the point of his coming to Crasus Minor, “If instead of
launching your invasion of Imperial space as you have planned you were to
direct it against the tyrannids then between us we stand a better chance
of defeating them.” “I
am not asking for you fight along side the Imperial Guard or Navy.” Rell
responded before Hazug could, “I am merely asking for you to attack them
at the same time as Imperial forces do. We need not even be present in the
same systems at the same time.” “It’s
still squig crap.” Kazkal said, “I’ll take me lads into ya Imperium and
den when dese nids get to us we’ll give dem a good kickin’ an’
all.” “The
tyrannids are already here.” Rell replied and Kazkal’s eyes
widened. “Wot’s
‘e talkin’ about Hazug?” he hissed. “Dare’s
dese things called genestealers boss.” Hazug replied, “Da tyrannids made
‘em and sent ‘em out ahead of da ‘ive fleets. Some of ‘em ‘as turned up
‘ere.” “Most
probably aboard the spacehulk you are planning to use for your invasion.”
Rell added. “I
can see dat.” Kazkal replied, “But wot was dat
thing?” “I
already ‘ad a dok look at it.” Hazug replied, “’E says dat it was born
like dis. Rell ‘ere and Mayleth both tell me dat it’s wot ‘appens when
genestealers get to ya. All da lads wot grow from any spores ya release
turn out like dis and only works for da genestealers wot did
it.” This
got Kazkal’s attention. “Dat’s
right boss.” “They
will seek to usurp your authority.” Rell said, “They will establish a
rival power structure and recruit more to their cause by infecting them.
Then they will use your spacehulk to spread the contagion further until
they can guide the hive fleets towards you.” “Like
‘ell dey will!” Kazkal yelled and he turned around, addressing all of the
orks present, “Dat ‘ulk is mine!” he bellowed,” Dis world is mine! And
ya’ll all respect me authority!” then just to reinforce his point he took
a deep breath and let out a roar, “Waaargh!” “Waaargh!”
the other orks gathered roared along with him and Kazkal turned back
towards Hazug. “And
you will redirect your invasion?” Rell asked when the servitor translated
this but Kazkal just snarled at him. “Go.”
The warboss told Hazug before he repeated his order, “Kill ‘em
all.” Hazug
nodded. “I’ll
need ‘im.” Hazug replied, looking at an ork nob dressed in the traditional
black of the Goffs clan and with numerous crude armour plates strapped to
his body, including over his face. This was Gorgoga Ironface and Hazug had
worked with him and his mob of armoured orks before and knew that he could
count on him and that he was a capable fighter. “Agreed.”
Kazkal said, “Gorgoga, go with ‘im.” Then
as Hazug and his party were escorted away from the throne room Kazkal
returned to his throne and from the corridor outside Hazug’s party heard
an almighty ‘Crash!’ as the warboss sat down and the throne finally gave
way under the combined weight of him and his armour. “Kruggen
ya squig brain!” Kazkal’s voice boomed out, “Look wot ya done!” and then
there was a scream that ended suddenly. A
hole was torn in space as the starship exited the warp and began to
approach Crasus Minor. ”Status.”
The ship’s human commanding officer ordered. “As
expected sir.” The auspex operator replied, “Long range auspexes are
detecting numerous xenos craft in orbit around the
planet.” “And
what of our target Captain Hortese?” the figure standing just behind the
ship’s commanding officer asked. Though this man had human features he
could no longer accurately be described as fully human. He and his troops
had surpassed that long ago. Captain Claudius of the Deathwatch would have
stood eight feet tall even without his powered armour. This armour was
painted almost entirely black apart from the shoulder pads, one of which
was a metallic colour and heavily engraved while the other bore the blue
eagle’s head on a white background with green rim of the White Consuls
chapter of the Adeptus Astartes from which he had been seconded. Each of
his squad had been seconded to the Deathwatch from a different chapter and
the shoulder pad was the only part of their armour that retained their own
colours. “Auspex
indicates that the rogue trader’s vessel is positioned between us and the
xenos sir.” The auspex operator answered, “Range approximately fourteen
light minutes.” “Then
they won’t have seen us yet.” Hortese said, “Perhaps he’s still trying to
negotiate landing rights with the orks.” “Can
you tell if Inquisitor Rell is still aboard that ship?” Claudius
asked. “No
sir, I’m sorry but there are no indications.” The auspex operator
answered. “What
about vox emissions?” Claudius said, “Is the ship communicating with
anyone?” “No
sir. It looks like they’re trying to remain
un-noticed.” “Then
he’s not aboard.” Claudius said and he looked down at Hortese, “Captain,
that ship is to be destroyed. Commence your attack
run.” “Lord
Saval!” a voice called out from the auspex station, “I’ve got a new
contact inbound. No motion against the star field, just an engine
corona.” “Then
it’s heading right for us.” Saval exclaimed, “How did the orks detect
us?” “There’s
no ident beacon my lord.” “Yes
my lord. Processing it now.” A
klaxon sounded on the bridge of the strike cruiser. “It’s
a strike cruiser my lord!” Saval’s auspex operator exclaimed as his
systems finally identified the approaching vessel, “It’s a fething strike
cruiser!” “What?”
Saval called out in disbelief and he rushed down from his command pulpit
to look at the auspex displays for himself, “It is. It’s a strike cruiser.
But what are the Astartes doing here? They can’t have come for the orks,
they aren’t important enough.” Then he realised what the cruiser’s target
was, the reason that it on a heading directly for his ship,” Throne!
They’re going to attack us!” “Shall
we ready weapons my lord?” another of his bridge officers asked. “Crasus
Minor?” the chief helmsman asked, “But my lord, the
orks-“ “I
know about the orks.” Saval interrupted, “We don’t have the firepower to
deal with that cruiser but look at that.” And he pointed to the display
monitoring the various ork warships orbiting Crasus Minor, “The orks
do.” “Target
vessel is in motion.” “Heading?”
Hortese asked. “Towards
Crasus Minor sir.” “Speed?” “Accelerating
at two gees.” “That’s
about the maximum for a Conquest-class ship. It won’t make it before
they’re in engagement range.” Hortese said with a smile, “Stay on them and
standby to launch torpedoes.” Various
bells and klaxons sounded throughout Skorden’s warship as the large ork
strode onto it bridge. “Wot’s
‘appenin’?” he demanded, picking up a nearby gretchin by the
throat. “Boss
look.” The gretchin gasped, pointing to a flickering screen. “Gits.”
One of the mekboys on the bridge replied, “Dat’s a git ship comin'
‘ere.” “Well
da boss aint said nought to me about lettin’ any gits come ‘ere.” Skorden
said, “So I reckon we should go and smash it. Tell da lads dat dare’ll be
loot for us all.” “Boss!”
another ork yelled, “Da Iron Squig and da Broken
Tooth is movin’ out of orbit!” Skorden
snarled. Those two vessels were both powerful warships. “Lord
Saval, the orks are breaking orbit. Coming right at us.” The auspex
operator warned. “How
many?” Saval responded from his pulpit. “Looks
like nineteen of the capital ships and thirty-two escorts. All
accelerating right towards us.” “Excellent.”
Saval said, “Helm maintain current heading.” “Mister
Brey, if you have difficulty understanding my orders then you are welcome
to leave my bridge.” Saval said, “Though I would recommend you never step
foot on it again if you choose to do that.” And the officer turned back to
his station. Then Saval activated his personal communications panel,
“Engine room, we need more power for the drives. I want two point five
gees and stand by for sudden manoeuvring.” The
massive vessel continued to accelerate headlong towards the swarm of ork
ships coming out to meet it from Crasus Minor. Already the smaller escort
ships were pulling ahead of the bigger capital ships and it was obvious
that some of them would attempt to ram Saval’s ship and disgorge swarms of
greenskins into the ship’s interior. However, Saval did not intend to give
them that opportunity. “Captain
we have a firing solution.” Hortese
looked around towards the weapons monitoring stations. Then he looked back
at Captain Claudius. Though the strike cruiser was technically under the
command of Hortese, the space marine was in command of the mission itself
and he did not wish to look as if he was ignoring this fact. “Incoming
torpedoes!” the auspex operator called out. “Maintain
our heading.” Saval ordered. “My
lord.” Brey said from his post, “We must take evasive
action.” “Maintain
our heading.” Saval repeated. “Armsmen,
remove that.” Saval said as he returned his weapon to its holster. Then as
two guards moved to pick up the body he added in a loud and clear voice,
“I take it that there will be no further insubordination? No? Good. Now
maintain our heading, maximum acceleration.” Then as the crew continued to
work he took an antique timepiece from his pocket and opened it, staring
at the obsolete mechanical display. “Incoming
fire from the orks my lord.” The auspex operator called. “Still
closing from aft. Estimate impact in ninety seconds.” The auspex operator
replied. “And
the cruiser?” Saval asked. “Still
closing.” The auspex operator told him. The
crew continued to work, trying to get every last bit of acceleration out
of the ship while hoping that Saval knew what he was doing. All of them
knew that even a single hit from a torpedo could rip open the
Conquest-class ship and condemn them all to death. Worse still, if the
ship was not destroyed outright then the horde of orks coming at them from
the other direction could board their damaged ship and slaughter them all
in the most entertaining manner they could come up
with. “Torpedo
impact in thirty seconds.” The auspex operator called out, “Orks and
strike cruiser still closing.” Saval
continued to stare at the timepiece, waiting as the seconds ticked down.
Then just as the countdown to impact reached ten seconds he gave a
shout. The
sudden manoeuvre did not fool the torpedoes’ guidance system initially,
but as they began to turn to follow Saval’s starship they ran right into
the continuing fire from the orks on the other side of it and exploded
prematurely, producing a massive release of energy that temporarily
blinded the sensors of Saval’s starship, the orks and the Deathwatch
strike cruiser. “Hold
acceleration!” Saval shouted, “Shut down all non-essential systems and run
silent.” “Did
we hit them?” Hortese asked. “Detonation
confirmed captain.” The weapons officer answered
him. “That
wasn’t what I asked.” Hortese said, “I asked if we hit
them.” “Auspex
is still blind captain.” The auspex operator replied, “It looks like all
the torpedoes detonated at about the same time. We were too
close.” “Get
those auspexes working again. I want to know what’s going on out there.”
Hortese ordered. “Interference
clearing captain. No sign of the rogue trader
vessel.” “Excellent.”
Hortese said as a smile spread across his face. “Do
not be so hasty in your pride.” Claudius cautioned
him. “Captain
there’s no debris either.” The auspex operator added, “Auspexes now
approaching full function. I’m getting a reading.” Shipboss
Skorden stamped on the gretchin’s head once more to encourage the other
greenskins to fix his sensors. One moment he had been watching the fleet
close on the human starship that had bizarrely been coming closer to them
instead of running away and the next there was a bright flash followed by
static. “Goddit!”
a mek yelled and the displays came back to life. Skorden
frowned as he attempted to interpret what he was looking at. One of the
screens showed the human starship still heading towards the ork, but no
further away than it had been a short while earlier. Even given the
superior handling of human starships over ork ones Skorden knew that there
was no way that his target could have circled around to take up this
position in so short a time. The solution to this quandary came to Skorden
when a single word was shouted out across the bridge by a
mek. “Beakies!”
he yelled, “Dat’s a beaky ship!” Skorden
turned to a different screen, one that showed a magnified image of the
target vessel and he saw that instead of the bulky vessel his chip had
been charging towards there was a smaller vessel heading for them that was
undoubtedly a vessel belonging to the space marines of the Imperium and
Skorden grinned. To an ork there was no better opponent than space marines
and orks dreamed of meeting them in battle. Now Skorden had his
chance. “Target
dat vessel!” he yelled,” I wanna get close enough to board
it.” The
lights on the bridge of Saval’s starship were low and only a few displays
remained operational in order to keep power consumption to a minimum. The
lack of incoming ships and torpedoes suggested that his sudden manoeuvre
had caught both his enemies off guard and given them the slip. But he
still needed to know what they were doing. Descending from his pulpit he
headed for the auspex stations. His starship’s active sensors had been
shut down to prevent their emissions from giving away its position, but
the passive ones were still operating. “Well?”
he asked, “What are they doing?” “The
orks have held their course my lord.” The auspex operator answered, “Now
heading directly towards the strike cruiser.” “Veering
off.” Saval
smiled and slapped the auspex operator on the back. “Ha!
I knew it would work.” He exclaimed, “Now let’s get out of this system
before anyone remembers that they still need to look for
us.” “But
what about Mister Rell’s team?” one of the bridge crew asked, “They’ll be
stranded here without us.” “They
came to negotiate with the orks.” Saval said, “Let them negotiate for a
ride home as well.” “All
batteries open fire!” Hortese ordered. The strike cruiser was already
taking fire from the ork fleet, but at this stage it was light enough that
the cruiser’s void shields were absorbing them all. However, this would
not last forever and the orks had more than enough firepower massed here
to destroy a lone strike cruiser. Reluctantly Hortese turned to
Claudius. “Something
is troubling you?” the marine asked. “Exactly.
We can out manoeuvre them, but not evade them entirely or withstand their
combined firepower. We must withdraw.” “Yes
captain you must.” Claudius agreed, “But I need you to give me some time
yet.” “A
drop pod?” Hortese exclaimed, “But the planet is still more than three
million kilometres away. Those things are designed to used from
orbit.” “Then
my squad shall just have to be patient while we drift closer won’t we?”
Claudius said and Hortese sighed. The
strike cruiser shuddered as Claudius’ squad entered the hangar deck. Ahead
of them Deathwatch human serfs and half human servitors were finishing off
the preparations to the teardrop shaped drop pod that would carry Captain
Claudius and his nine fellow Deathwatch marines to Crasus Minor. Hortese
had been correct when he had said that the cramped craft was designed only
to be used from orbit and once launched the marines on board it would have
absolutely no control over where it went. “Take
your positions and sound off.” Claudius ordered as he leapt into the drop
pod and inserted his bolter into the clamp beside
him. “Vartus
aye.” “Mortium
aye.” “Greystorm
aye.” “Varrin
aye.” “Corrim
aye.” “Abram
aye.” “Slyder
aye.” “Prosnow
aye.” “Tenus
aye.” That
made all nine of his men aboard and ready and Claudius activated the
communication link between himself and the hangar control
station. In
an instant the sides of the drop pod folded up to seal the marines inside
and it lurched. For a moment Claudius pondered as to whether this sudden
movement was a result of another impact against the cruiser’s shields or
hull or because the pod itself had shifted into the launch tube. But then
he got his answer when the pod lurched into motion again only this time
far more rapidly than before as it was ejected from the strike cruiser,
aimed towards Crasus Minor. The
drop pod possessed no detection systems other than those meant for use as
it came into land to keep it clear of obstacles on the ground and so as it
flew through space the marines inside were effectively blind. All they
could do was hope that in a battle between starships thousands of metres
long a drop pod holding ten marines would be able to slip through
unnoticed. “Russ’s
beard!” Greystorm exclaimed, “I’ll never get used to
that.” “Brother
Greystorm, remember where you are.” Claudius cautioned him, “There will be
no idle conversation while we wait to land.”
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