BAPTISM OF FIRE

By Richard Walter (aka Sniper)

The dark skies of Kabal were littered by a thousand shadows. The shadows were in fact giant robots of war. The planet of Kabal was under siege by the vile forces of Chaos. Most of the heretics were cleansed when the Dark Brotherhood ordered a purging on the surface, however, some still lived.

"Alpha sector secured, proceed to T-section." A voice crackled over the Com-net. It was Oshimo, the Signals operator of B Platoon.

"Message Received, all units, this is Command Plane. Commence to Delta sector, expect heavy resistance. Proceed with second drop." Came the response from the huge Drop Ship.

All the Drop Ships in the squadron released their cargo, from the back came huge one man titans, Warhounds. Armed to the teeth with devastating weaponry, Oshimo felt save.

The first Titans of the second trop landed, still in a prone state the pilot powered up the metallic beast, it gave a Whoosh as it rose up to its feet.

The Titan strode of into the forest, crashing through undergrowth as it did. The rest of the Warhounds followed. "Second Drop has landed, Delta point secure in 15 minutes aprox." Oshimo relayed to the command plane as it climbed into the Sky.

"Men, Follow those Titans, I want to see some action." barked Captain Oto. Oshimo wondered if Oto scared the enemy as much as him, he hoped so. B Platoon rose to their feet and began to follow the huge titans, some carried heavy weapons.

"Target sited at Alpha-Gamma...Arrgghhh ZZZHHHTTT!!!" the Com-net fell silent. "Get a fix on that last message Oshimo, and I mean now!." Growled Oto.

"Sir, the message came from Alpha-Gamma Sector G, there are currently 7 other titans in the area" Said Oshimo as he checked the Console.

Sergeant Nako stopped, his Warhound titan stood ready. "Did anyone see where that shot came from?" he asked. His answer was nearer than expected.

The dark forest was illuminated for a second as a crimson bolt hurtled past Nako's side, the shot struck into Tetsou, the second in line. The hit machine went through a final spasm as it fell silent.

"There's still faint life traces from Tetsou...get a medic here now...INCOMING" yelled Yamagota, moments later he to was stuck by a crimson bolt. However, Yamagota was ready, he ejected just in time.

"Retreat, Retreat, Retreat." Nako ordered to the rest of his men. As one they ran back into the forest, Yamagota running as fact as he could.

"Captain, I've just received word that Nakos party have came under heavy fire, they have requested Air Support. Shall I bring in the Marauders?" Oshimo asked, he was frightened.

"Yes, go ahead. Men, were moving to RV Delta, from there we will meet up with A platoon. Move out." Came the response from Oto.

Oshimo received a message on the Emergency Channel "B Platoon, this is Combat Air Support. The enemy in question is a renegade Warlord titan, he is heading at 67 Km/m eastwards. We are proceeding with the strike, Over and Out". The Message was from the Marauders. Oshimo let out a terrified scream. "Eastwards is where Gamma Sector is, that's were A platoon is, that's where we are going."

The still night sky was pierced by a shriek as three Marauders shot past. In the front plane was Fighter Pilot Goto Kiichi, he scanned the area, searching for the renegade Titan, he thought that it would be easy to spot, but it wasn't. The ground rolled under the planes, as they clung to the undergrowth. Up ahead was the target, a massive hulking figure. Painted deep red it was adorned with Skulls and Motives that hurt the eye. Goto released the safety catch on the Missile release system, he waited till the icon flashed bright red before releasing the devastating payload. The Missiles of all three planes struck home, the Warlord Titan stopped moving and turned round, it tried to fire off at the planes, however they were gone. Although seriously damaged the titan marched onwards.

It reached a clearing in the forest, it knew something was wrong, but it couldn't make out what. The floor was illuminated as the Warlord scanned the area for enemies.

All around the Warlord titan, men and Warhound titans from the combined forces of A and B platoon lay in wait. The Warlord found one of the Warhounds. A shriek pierced the Air as the right leg of the Warhound fell off, moments later the rest of the Titan came crashing down.

"FIRE!" Roared Captain Oto, as soon as those words were uttered all hell broke loose. the remaining seventeen Warhounds unleashed devastating torrents of fire from their weapons. The men on the ground also fired of their heavy weapons. Oshimo looked up, something was hitting his head. He glanced up an saw round after round flying of a massive Warhound titan, the words "Grim Reaper" adorned the massive cannon from which the rounds spun. Oshimo smiled to himself.

The Warlord was now encircled in fire, it could do nothing except topple to the ground, once it hit the ground the firing ceased. The cannons on the Warhounds were crimson with over heat. "Right then. Lets get this Sod out of the cock pit" growled Oto, the area was illuminated by the massive searchlights on the Warhounds. The door flung open.

Nothing was there...nothing at all. Oshimo shuddered with fear as he looked up into the cold uncaring stars.