Ministers Of Death

By Richard Walter

Once upon a time, the Imperial Planet of Portan was a flourishing port, people came from all around the Imperium to trade and buy exotic wares, it was truly a jewel of the Imperium. The Portans enjoyed the warm atmosphere of the Jungle planet, as they lazed without a care in the world. Of course, nothing can be this good.

The Eldar came without warning, launching swift aerial attacks on the densely populated towns they showed no mercy. The siege lasted for weeks; the Portan Imperial Guard fought desperately to stem the tide of death, yet they failed.

It wasn't until a platoon of Cadian Shock troops penetrated the defence of the Eldar that there was a faint glimmer of hope. This hope was reinforced by the arrival of the seventh company of the Flaming Swords. The two allies had managed to gain valuable hours by a series of lightning raids. Now they held firm in a huge mountain valley, waiting for the inevitable Eldar advance,

A pocket of Guardians had been sighted at the right of the valley, they had to be dealt with before they became too much of a threat.

Brother-Sergeant Jartanis of the Flaming Swords turned to the Cadian Platoon Commander, Captain Denson.

"You there, Captain, take your men and cover the right flank until we have successfully left the area, if you are lucky, you may escape with your lives." This speech made the Cadian Captain angry.

"With all due respect, Sir, you are signing the death sentences of me and my men. Why don't you hold of the Eldar? After all, you're meant to be the elite force, aren't you?"

"Listen, Human. Do as I say or I will strike you down where you stand." Jartanis waited for Denson to order his men to move out, he didn't. Jartanis ordered Denson a second time, "MOVE YOUR GRUNTS NOW!"

Enraged, the Cadian marched up to the Space Marines and stared him straight in the eyes, Denson shook with anger as he drew his combat knife. Pressing it into the Sergeants chest he shouted.

"Refer to my brave men as grunts again and I will stick this knife where the Emperors light doesn't shine, understood!"

Before Jartanis could retort, the mountainous valley shook violently before a loud explosion echoed. All eyes turned to where the explosion hit; the right flank had been struck by missile-fire.

One brave Guardsman survived and had managed to pick up the radio, fighting pain he managed to speak.

"Da......Dar.....Dark Reapers......on the.....mountains in front.....Ooooohhhh S-H-I-T!!"

A second bombardment struck the area, the explosion sent charred bodies and rocks high up into the air. No one could have survived it.

Instantly, a barrage of fire echoed from along the right side. The Flaming Swords Terminators had a lock.

Brother Masanis locked on to one of the Dark Reapers. Although the Eldar was over two miles away and hidden in a dark crevice, the targeter latched onto the degenerate's with ease. Masanis looked at the screen in front of him, a Dark Reaper knelt down to reload his missile launcher. The red target changed green, a lock had been made.

Masanis waited a few seconds. On the screen, the number one flashed above the Dark Reaper, followed by the number two, then three, then four. Masanis pressed the launch button.

Four rockets flew from his Cyclone Rocket launcher and soared high into the sky. Smoke trailed from the rockets as they descended upon the target, moments later there was an ear-splitting crack. One mountain exploded from the force of the rockets, all ten Dark Reapers fell to their deaths. The Imperial Forces howled with laughter and cheered, a lesson the Eldar would never forget.

Overhead the air whined, it was the Eldar Jetbikes. Skimming effortlessly through the air, they took out key positions of the Imperial forces with ease. The heavy weapons section on the right flank fell to the sharp Eldar shurikens, short screams and hastily fired lasguns reached the ears of the Imperial allies. Now, the Eldar made way for the second heavy weapons section, stationed on the left flank. The degenerate Eldar danced in and out of the Imperiums finest, almost mocking them.

Another sound this time, a low bass sound. Denson looked upwards,

Flying through the sky was a D-130 Hercules transport plane, this type of plane is only reserved for one force, the Cadian Regimental Elite Corps. One of the most elite special forces in the Imperium.

The Eldar Jetbiker's looked upwards to, they had just enough time to see the plane open its cargo doors before the Elite Corps became airborne. Thirty of the Imperial Guards finest warriors swayed gently through the air, each one fully briefed in all forms of warfare.

With unerring accuracy the Regimental Commando's landed by the Eldar bikers within seconds of launching their aerial raid. As soon as the first soldier landed, a volley of well aimed shots flashed from the guns of the Cadian Regimental Elite Corps.

Luka Markz felt the kick of his Bolt Gun as he sent a volley of shots into an on-coming Eldar Jetbike, within seconds of Luka firing his trusty weapon the vehicle exploded into a burst of flames and sparks. The degenerate pilot fell to the floor with a heavy thud, its body almost smashed into an unrecognisable pulp.

Luka's finely honed senses alerted the Cadian to a distinct whining sound, within a heartbeat he rolled to the floor, just missing the shuriken that flew over his head, it stuck a rock, and made a dull Thunk! Seconds earlier, Luka had been firing from that position.

Using momentum, Luka carried on rolling to avoid the volley of shots aimed at his still breathing body. Pausing before he got up, Luka muttered a brief prayer to the Emperor before getting to his feet.

A Vyper Jetbike screamed forth, descending from the clouds like some form of unholy ghost. Luka dodged the hail of shurikens that inevitably followed. A burst of adrenaline surged through the body of Luka as he slapped another magazine into his Bolter.

Looking around keenly, the Vyper was nowhere to be seen, speaking to his comrades via Squad Communication's he was able to glean little information on the whereabouts of the troublesome Eldar and their despicable contraptions.

Turning around to fight elsewhere, Luka instinctively jumped as the Vyper descended once more. By luck, or by some sinister trick of the Emperor, Luka landed on the canopy of the Vyper as it pulled away into the clouds once again. Quickly, Luka grabbed onto the emergency handle situated by the rear of the canopy. At any given time, both the gunner and the pilot could be jettisoned off into the clouds. The handle was used as an emergency release system, which would leave the Vyper without a crew and Luka in a lot of trouble.

Luka's legs flapped wildly, without any stable support, the Cadian had to rely on his immense skill's to keep him from falling off altogether.

The ground beneath Luka became distant and rolled all around him, as the Eldar pilot fought to control the side-winding craft. The gunner of the Vyper tried desperately to aim a shot at the Commando.

Luka grabbed hole of the front of the canopy and pulled himself forward; smashing the glass as he did, Luka punched the Eldar pilot in the face. Bright red blood spluttered and showered from the smashed face of the pilot, the force of the blow was so strong that one eyeball fell from the smashed socket.

"Sorry pal, this is a NO breathing zone!" Laughed Luka.

Luka managed to wrap his legs around the canopy of the wildly spinning Vyper, at least he now had some form of stability. Grabbing the bloodied body of the still living Eldar, Luka hurled him from his cockpit. The piercing shriek of the falling Eldar rang out loud and long, before being cut off abruptly.

Using one more burst of strength, Luka managed to get into the cockpit, seeing the holstered Laspistol, Luka picked it up, before turning to the furious and amazed Eldar gunner. Smiling, Luka aimed the gun at the sub-human.

"He wasn't using that weapon anyway. Why do you people even bother? You die far to easily."

The air shrieked as Luka fired a succession of shots into the chest of the Vyper Gunner. The force of the shots sent the Gunner off his seat, and he too fell to his death, not before infuriating Luka with a high pitched shriek.

"Some people just don't die well."

Luka almost forgot he was in a rapidly falling vehicle, turning to the front of the vehicle, he had just enough time to shout.

"Aaarrggh! Death... the horror... the horror."

The Vyper ploughed straight into the ground and crashed right into a burnt out Rhino, the Vyper exploded into a fog of black smoke and a furious shower of fire rained down.

"Can I be killed? I'm beginning to wonder." Coughed Luka as he slowly got to his feet, apart from a bad temper, the only wounds he had appeared to be a few small cuts and bruises.

Tracing the sounds of battle, and the savage roar of Denson urging his men to fight, Luka made his way back to the front line. After about fifty meters, Luka heard a Squelching sound.

On the floor before him was one of the Eldar Vyper crew that had plummeted to his death minutes before. The body was blown right open; flesh and stomach parts were spread over a large distance.

"Hey...found your spleen." Chuckled the Regimental Commando as he carried on his walk back to the main line.

However, Luka's fellow soldiers weren't quite as lucky as he was. Juno Regan, Markus Bletcher and Dario Ganch ran as fast as they could, trying desperately to avoid the Shuriken cannon wielding Striking Scorpion exarch that stalked them.

Hurriedly, Regan picked up the radio and requested support.

"The enemy has control of the area. We are outnumbered. A little help?"

Nothing but static, Regan cursed as he flung the radio to the floor. The exarch jumped down from a forward position, with lightning reflexes, it fired a volley of shots into Regan.

Regan gasped with pain, bright red blood foamed from his mouth, and turning to his comrades he breathed his final words.

"I'm done for, it's all up to you now."

With this said, Regan breathed his last, his eyes closed for the final time.

The two survivors ran on, but the Eldar exarch was ready for them. The air hummed as the Shuriken Cannon spat once more, four more disks of sharp metal flew towards the running soldiers. Bletcher drew a sharp breath as the piercing disk span into his heart. The Cadian fell to the ground.

Ganch grabbed the falling commando, but he knew it was too late, through the bloodied mass he spotted the sharp disk protruding from Bletcher's stomach.

Dodging a hail of shurikens, the remaining Cadian managed to hide from the exarch behind a pile of rocks. Opening his backpack, Ganch thanked the Emperor.

Ganch stood back up again, in his hands was a Plasma gun trained on the sub-human filth.

"NOW who has the big gun mother-f**ker?!?" roared the Cadian in anger as he fired three bolts of plasma into the surprised Eldar scum.

All three shots struck the Scorpion hero in the stomach, the sounds of super-heated air roared loudly. The very blood of the Eldar evaporated as the immense temperature became too much for the exarch to endure. Seconds later the dried husk of the Eldar fell to the ground, still fuming in the cool breeze.

"Did I get your attention, you pasty faced sod?"

Back at the main battle-line, things weren't much better for the Imperiums finest. Denson rubbed his chin as he pondered his next move. Sergeant Jartanis was further down the line, ensuring his Space Marines were fighting the aliens wherever they came from.

"Form a small killing-zone behind the destroyed Vampire Raiders, ensure no more degenerates make it through." Ordered the Commander.

B Company of the 93rd Cadian regiment broke from their firing positions and made the dash for the ruined ships. To Denson's right, the metallic tread of the Terminators was heard, it seemed as if Jartanis had the same thoughts as the Cadian's.

Heavy Weapons teams readied carried their weapons, mostly heavy bolters and lascannons, followed by infantry squads and striding Sentinels. Denson picked up the radio by his feet and spoke through the handset. "Get me a battle report from the sniper at Alpha-Z and patch it through to Gunnery-Corporal Farx." Denson turned to a man beside him, Sergeant Gurmat.

"Where's the Ogryn Platoon?" He asked.

"Sir, at Landing Zone Wolf, most have been torn apart by shuriken fire. However, they did manage to decimate the Eldar force. The survivors want to know if there are any spare rations, and what the Emperor thought of their task."

Picking up the radio, Denson spoke to the Ogryn platoon.

"Hello, who's that?"

"Ogryn Bordrak reportin' fur duty, sar."

"Urdrag still alive?"

"Nah. Dem panzee's got 'im"

"Listen, Bordrak, the Emperor is very pleased with all of you, he says you're his best Ogryn fighters, OK?"

"Him? He's pleased wiv us?"

"Very pleased. He's watched you smash those Eldar scum. He says he wants you to go in the Chimera's and go and help the Cadian heavy weapons. You got that?"

"Yerr. On our way."

Bordrak turned to the remaining Ogryns who were busying themselves eating and drinking their rather large ration packs. All in all, there was 25 Ogryns remaining.

"Hey ladz, da Emperor is really pleased wiv us, he just said so."

The Ogryns stopped eating and looked at the jovial Bordrak who was dancing like a small child.

"Yerr, he saw us smash dem panzee gitz. He want's us ter go 'an help da big gunz. Git dis, he sayz we're iz best Ogryns!"

All the Ogryns began to dance and hug each other. A few Ogryns began to hit each other on the head with huge clubs.

"OK den lads, letz go to da big guns!" shouted one Ogryn who was hugging the corpse of a dead Eldar.

The Ogryns managed to fit into their specially customized Chimeras, though not with brawling and bellowing.

With a puff of black smoke, the huge chimeras rumbled somewhat erratically down the narrow path towards the Cadian heavy weapon positions. Part of the mountainous track came away as one Chimera crashed into it. A loud roaring chorus of laughter was heard from the other Chimera.

Banshee exarch Llavair Stardream danced through the futile Imperial defenders. It seemed as if every time she jumped and sliced, two more Guardsmen fell to the floor, cut apart by the wickedly sharp blades the Eldar wielded.

Behind her, the rest of the Banshee troupe followed, slicing their way forwards. Shrieking, they charged for the support section. Llavair watched one Guardsmen as he desperately readied his Grenade launcher, the area roared as he fired a Krak grenade straight at the Banshee's.

Llavair easily dodged, but Mythar was not so fortunate. The grenade detonated on impact, sending Eldar blood and guts high into the air, the only remains of Mythar was her smashed Banshee mask.

Llavair lunged at the Cadian responsible for the death of her comrade, the Banshee's sword struck the Guardsmen in the chest and pierced vital organs. Through gritted teeth the Cadian spoke.

"See ya in hell, Bitch!"

And with that, he was dead. Banshee Esdainn spoke to Llavair, she had spotted two huge vehicles heading this way. She had also heard a great deal of bellowing and cursing.

Gunzag steered the Chimera through the mass of dead bodies, trying to run over any injured Eldar in the process. He saw a flash of light up ahead, he recognised it as a Mortar shot. The Ogryn had somehow managed to reach the destination with the Chimera intact.

Llavair turned to her fellow Banshee's and spoke.

"Make our presence known to the Imperial Guardsmen. The Masque of Tasanis must begin."

Then Llavair laughed and bounded towards the Chimera, somersaulting for the joy of it.

The Chimera doors opened up and released the braying Ogryns. Subjecting the Eldar Banshee's to their rage in the process.

Llavair looked at the Ogryns in wonder, she had not expected a large squad of Ogryns, just more Guardsmen.

"SURPRISE!!!" howled Bordrak with laughter as he swung his ripper gun into the face of the startled Llavair. The exarch fell to the ground, beaten with such a force it took long minutes for her to get back up again.

She was ready for the Ogryn now, shrieking, she made for Bordrak.

The Ogryn screwed his face into a grimace, the piercing shriek did little to please the maddened Bordrak.

"An 'ya can stop dat bloody shrieking too!" shouted the Ogryn as he brought his boot up to meet the face of the charging Eldar. Llavair fell once more, her Banshee mask was severely smashed, so she had to remove it. Getting to her feet, she drew her two blades and began to dance towards the Ogryns.

Bordrak managed to block one of the swords with his rifle, but the second cut into his arm and sent a crimson shower of blood spurting onto the ground.

"YEEEAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!" Roared Bordrak as he grabbed the Banshee by the arms. He began to slowly pull both of the limbs outwards.

Llavair howled with pain as her muscles began to snap and rip. With a sickening tear, both arms came from their sockets. The now arm less Banshee fell to the ground, only to be humiliated by the laughing Bordrak.

"Ha ha, now wot 'ya gonna do?"

Bordrak waited a few minutes, watching the Banshee try to stand up. After a few sobs and failed attempts, the Ogryn put the Eldar to rest with a short blast from his Ripper gun.

Esdainn backed slowly away from the three Ogryns marching up towards her. She had both swords ready just in case one should make a charge at her. The Banshee felt a heavy tapping on the shoulder, turning around she was sent crashing to the floor with a well-aimed blow from Kazzag.

Kazzag had managed to sneak behind the Banshee. This incident was the first time that Kazzag proved he had a brain.

All four Ogryns set upon the grounded Banshee, jumping and stomping on her head with their heavy boots. To the dismay of the Ogryns, Esdainn died fairly quickly, though not before shrieking like a sissy.

Sathana span around on the spot, forbidding any Ogryn to come near her. Already, she had reduced Nomak to a crying heap on the floor by kicking him between the legs.

Graxkrag tried to run at the Banshee, but once again she span round, defying any to come near her.

Graxkrag was angry with the spiralling Eldar, he had wanted to get down to some serious stomping but every time he tried, the graceful Eldar cut him off.

The pirouetting Eldar mocked at the Ogryn. Graxkrag snarled as he picked up his ripper and charged straight for the Banshee.

Sathana trained both swords at the charging juggernaut. Yet, Graxkrag would not stop.

"Get sum of dis, Panzee" spat the Ogryn as he swung his gun at the legs of the Eldar. Sathana dropped both swords.

Sathana fell to the floor, clutching her hideously bent leg. Graxkrag had almost smashed the right leg of the Eldar into dust.

Graxkrag closed his right hand around the throat of Sathana and lifted her high into the air. He held her there for a few seconds before smashing her down again. She landed with a crunch. Impaled by her very own blades. Both swords pierced her stomach and were now glinting dimly, coated with the lifeblood of the Banshee.

Buinna ran as fast as she could, avoiding the hail of Ripper gun fire in the process. She could easily outrun the shambling Ogryns but to where? If she continued running then she would end up near the Cadian assault section. As she ran she spotted her one chance of survival.

An Eldar Jetbike lay a few meters up ahead; the pilot was on the floor dead, two huge holes in his back. The bike appeared to be intact. Just as Buinna reached the vehicle a heavy rock struck her in the back of the head.

Pain flashed around the Banshee's skull as she tried desperately to stay conscious. Through the fog of pain she looked towards the Jetbike, it had gone. Buinna looked upwards, standing right in front of her was the hulking form of Mugaraz, one Ogryn had finally reached her.

Getting to her feet, Buinna saw where the Jetbike had gone. Mugaraz held it high above his head, the colours of the craft world shone dimly in the light.

"Here'z da last panzee, I'll squish 'er!" yelled Mugaraz to his fellow Ogryns.

Buinna tried to aim her laspistol at the Ogryn, but it fell to the ground as she shook with fear. The Ogryn looked at little upset at this incident.

"Dat woz'nt very nice, woz it?"

Seconds later, Mugaraz smashed the Jetbike down on Buinna with all his incredible force. Blood poured from every orifice as organs ruptured and bones cracked. Buinna tasted the sickly sweet smell of blood in her mouth just before she went into a final spasm and died.

The Ogryn's had once again proved they are experts in the field of heavy handed warfare. All Banshee's had died at the hands of the Ogryn's, yet there was only three serious wounds.

Bordrak picked up the huge Ogryn radio and spoke to Denson.

"Ogryn Bordrak reportin' fur duty, sar."

"Hello Bordrak, did you succeed you mission?"

"Yus sar, we smashed 'em all."

"Any casualties?"

"Nomak got kicked in between da legs, Dugak fell on a rok 'an broke iz face 'an Kurdag got hit in 'da stomach, but none of us is wiv 'da dead. Did 'da Emperor see wot we did ta dem filthy gitz?"

"Excellent! Well done, the Emperor was very pleased with the way you fought. He said you can have extra rations when you get back to base. Now Bordrak, the Emperor especially liked you, he wants you to command the Ogryn's and stay by the heavy weapons. Got that?"

"Yes sar!" shouted the ecstatic Bordrak.

Denson turned to Gurmat and spoke to him about Bordrak.

"I remember when he first came into my service. It was during the Ceratian wars. Space Marines carried him to the medical area, he should have been screaming like a wild cat, a flesh-borer managed to lodge itself in his gut and was chewing on his body. But the Ogryn's are hard, they won't even think of dying until they've suffered enough wounds to destroy a Dreadnought. He was the only survivor of an entire platoon. Do you know he was found beating a large brood of Tyranids to death armed only with his Ripper?" The Sergeant shook his head before Denson continued.

"All around him was the bodies of dead Ogryns, they fought and died without showing fear. The thing that most startled the rescuers was the amount of dead alien scum Bordrak managed to kill. On that fateful day, Bordrak had taken a thousand plus Tyranids to their doom. And all he could think about when they dragged his corpse back was whether the Emperor was pleased and what was going to happen about dinner!"

The ground shook as yet another explosion sounded off. Giant plumes of black smoke and brown earth shot off high into the sky. That barrage came from the Eldar and it was detonated frightfully near the Imperial Command bunker.

The Imperial Guardsmen in the bunker tensed as they heard the loud explosion. The ceiling rattled as mud and debris crashed down upon it. Nervously some soldiers looked through the vision slits.

Nothing but smoke and distant gun fire met the eyes of the anxious soldiers.

"Commissar, do you think the battle's over?" A nervous looking Guardsmen dared to ask as he shook nervously. Once again he looked through the vision slit but saw and heard nothing, only the howls of the dying and the shrieks of the Eldar.

A gaunt, tall man raised his eyes from the book he was reading, and peered into space. After a while he spoke.

"Over? Soldiers, It's far from over. I've fought these bastards to many times to know that they don't give up so easily. I fought exactly the same scenario on Atacan."

The ten Guardsmen in the bunker looked at each other with wide eyed amazement. It took three minutes before one Cadian plucked up the courage to ask the Commissar.

"You was in Atacan?"

The Commissar looked at the soldier and nodded his head.

The Atacan war was one of the largest single battles ever fought by the Cadian Imperial Guard. The Eldar had taken control of a large hive world and were threatening to launch an assault on the Cadian Gate. Fully over a 100,000 Guardsmen where sent over with the order to smash the aliens. Take no prisoners and except no surrender. The battle was long and hard, each army stronger than the other. The conflict lasted Thirty-five years before a Cadian strike force managed to launch a daring raid on the main camp of the traitors. With only hours to spare, the Cadians managed to crush the heretics. Of the 100,000 Imperial Soldiers, only 546 returned unharmed. A special monument was built on Cadia and three black candles were lit in the hall of heroes.

A second explosion, this time far closer than before, shook the very building. The Cadians looked scared, Commissar Karan growled.

"Keep your faith. Use the Emperor's will as your shield if you must – he's the only form of protection we've got now."

"Commissar, I think I can figures moving towards the bunker."

"What? How many and where?"

"A hundred metres that way." The Cadian said, pointing with his Lasgun. "Don't know what, just a fast burst of colour."

"Hmm, are you sure? What did it look like? Did it carry anything?"

"Hey, I can see it too, Commissar. Seventy-five meters. Just a flash of colour followed by a whining sound." Another Cadian pointed at the same area.

"Must be the Flaming Swords assault marines." Karan spoke.

"No, look, it's 50 meters away. It's coming this way."

"Maybe its hallucination. Respirator check, sound off." Karan murmured.

"Godsan – check."

"Albarn – check,"

"Davies – check, though I'm running out, must be a leak. "

"Hadrak – "

The ground five meters in front of the bunker flashed briefly in a white flash of energy. As Karan's photo-visor darkened in response, he saw a rapidly approaching missile.

"GET DOWN!"

"I saw it again! Just before the flash. It was –"

KAABBBOOOMM!

"Saw what, Tieger?"

"Just for a few seconds – Eldar with some form of anti-bunker weapon, 25 meters up ahead, then it kind of melted into the air.

"Hey, there's more. Three of 'em and closing!"

"What? Where? I don't see any – DOWN!"

PFFOOOMMM!

A second explosion shook the bunker, parts of the ceiling fell to the ground. Davies began firing blasts from his Meltagun out of the vision slit, he smiled as he heard the distinct hissing sound followed by a shriek.

Karan eased the safety catch of his pistol and put down the book he was reading.

Marangil danced gaily through the air, grinning wildly beneath his mask. He was filled with an irresistible urge to dance a graceful rhythm of death.

The Cadians in the bunker had no chance; the troupe had already destroyed two Leman Russ'. Now, even Marangil could hardly see his companions as they danced and skipped towards the bunker, dathedi patterns shone and danced in the air like fireflies.

Marangil raced towards the bunker, he reached it just as a Death Jester finished melting away the door. To his right, a harlequin threw a grenade down the observation slit, seconds later it came straight back out and detonated by the Eldar. The torso of the harlequin was blown clean away, only the legs remained.

Running through the door, Marangil killed two Cadians in one bound, a hail of shuriken fire saw to that.

Marangil saw the Commissar and raised his catapult at the head of the officer. Karan growled as the Eldar's finger caressed the trigger.

The air hummed as the shurikens flew forth. All three stuck the Commissar in the chest, the bunker flashed briefly, seconds later the shurikens fell to the floor.

"Power-field; never leave home without it." Barked Karan as he marched up to the High Warlock – a kick sent the surprised Marangil off-balance, he fell backwards.

Karan grimaced as he squeezed the trigger of his Bolt pistol.

Two shots thumped into the body of Marangil and exploded deep inside him. Chunks of flesh and blood sprayed the wall behind the High Warlock. Within seconds he was dead.

A second figure entered the bunker, it was the High Avatar. Seeing the body of Marangil and the smoking gun of Karan, he immediately punched his harlequins kiss at the Commissar.

Tieger smashed his rifle into the shoulder of the High Avatar; a distinctly loud crack was heard. The Avatar's right arm jolted then fell at his side, useless.

Karan's eyes widened with rage.

"You!" He roared, marching up towards the Avatar. The Commissar took off the leering mask and looked at the face.

"Yirius Starharp?" The High Avatar looked at the Commissar.

Before Yirius could reply, two Harlequins jumped through the door. Albarn shot both of them with his Bolt pistol, he and Davies stood by the door firing shots at any Eldar daring to come near, the remaining Guardsmen poured fire form out of the vision slits. Soon, all the remaining Harlequins were dead.

Karan continued.

"Remember Atacan? Sector GS0-45? I do. You and your filthy Eldar cohorts wiped out my platoon, almost killing me in the process. Even after we surrendered you killed us, even the whit shield's you filthy bastard. As a final insult you defiled the Emperors standard, and burnt our Chapel to the ground. You have committed a terrible crime, of which death is only a retribution." Roared Karan

Yirius nodded in acknowledgement, sliding his right hand down to his side; he gripped his shuriken pistol, and eased off the catch.

Commissar Karan lowered his Bolt pistol. All eyes were on his. The Cadians watched with anticipation. They didn't know what to fear more – Death or the rage of Karan.

"Prepare you soul heretic." he looked at his fellow guardsmen.

"Rejoice yourselves, our faith knows no boundaries. Onward, for the Emperor."

With eye blurring swiftness, Yirius grabbed his shuriken pistol.

The air whined as a shot was fired, Yirius' arm was snapped back as the bolt shell flew into it, tearing and ripping muscles in the process.

"You tried that last time we met. It may have worked then." Karan said, showing a terrible scar on his face that ran from his right eye down to his left cheek. "But not now!"

Karan squeezed the trigger a final time.

Sergeant Jartanis screamed at his men to show some sort of order. Tactical Squads held firm instead of causing dismay among the Eldar. Devastator Squads ran forward, engaging the enemy at close quarters. A second barrage of fire ripped into the massed Flaming Swords ranks, sending whole units to their death.

It was bad enough this was happening, but to the Eldar, it was nothing short of hershey.

Jartanis emptied the contents of his Bolter into the body of an exarch. The force carried it back a considerable distance.

Speaking through the Company Come-link, Jartanis ordered the assault section forwards, using threats to install some sense of discipline in the usually stoic Flaming Swords.

Brother-Sergeant Larius and his bike unit advanced quickly over the barren landscape, their bikes reaching considerable speeds. The battling Flaming Swords rolled into view, the regular flash of Bolt Gun fire illuminated the area.

As the Assault Marines raced past them, the Flaming Swords nonchalantly saluted their brethren, for they knew full well, the bike mounted troops where the only saviours.

The Eldar advanced in a line. Behind Larius, the tactical force of the Flaming Swords advanced, ready to deal with any heavy weapons.

In front of Larius, a gaily-painted Dreadnought marched gracefully onwards. The right arm swung round to meet the charging Larius.

"Bring them death." Uttered the sergeant.

Almost before Larius had given the order, his brethren revved forth, sending down a withering hail of Bolter fire in the process.

The Dreadnoughts Lascannon shrieked as it sent a powerful burst of laser into the oncoming Flaming Swords. This shot was joined with the Melta blasts of the Fire Dragons.

Larius swerved his bike sideways to avoid the ball of energy that was sent his way. He returned fire, sending a ball of raw energy from his Plasma pistol. Turning towards his fellow marines, he slammed down the throttle on his bike and made straight for the Eldar hordes.

"FOR THE EMPEROR!"

Four bikes disappeared in a shimmering flash of energy before the Flaming Swords reached the Fire Dragons. The names of the fallen would be entered into the book of the fallen.

Lowering his Chain-sword, Larius struck the Fire Dragons like a thunderbolt.

The sergeant sighted out his target, a particularly nasty looking exarch with a fire-pike and a big axe. Larius swung his sword at a Fire Dragon, the head was blown clean away from the Eldar's body.

The Exarch was fast, jumping away from the path of Larius, it came to land meters away. The Eldar fired at the Flaming Sword, the air hissed as the shot whistled past Larius' head.

Spinning around, Larius swore that he would bring death to the foul Eldar. Slamming the throttle down once more, Larius neared his prey.

The Sergeant readied his Chain-Sword, using Bolter fire as a cover. The Exarch came into view and glared at Larius with alien eyes. The Flaming Sword kicked forth his bike, he felt his stomach lurch at the speed.

Larius was shot with a shuriken pistol, the blow stuck him in the left arm and threw him from his bike, rolling away from any danger, Larius got to his feet.

The exarch made for him with the huge axe. The Flaming Sword was well versed in the art of combat and he was able to parry the blow. A punch from Larius sent the Eldar to the floor.

A bike roared past Larius. Brother Esdarius handed the sergeant a power-sword before riding off in a flurry of Bolter fire. The Flaming Swords sergeant gave Esdarius the ritual thumbs up, before lunging for the exarch.

The sword pierced the gut of the Eldar and shook violently as the electrical burst of energy gripped the very soul of the exarch. After five long seconds, the Eldar was dead.

Then the rest of the Flaming Swords were with him, hacking and slashing at the Eldar Dragons with furious rage. The air rumbled with the sound of Bolter fire.

Brother Verian shouted to Larius and pointed with his Power sword. In the air, humans shot forward through the smoke, their screaming jump packs becoming ever louder. The second Assault force had made it through, and the tactical force would not be far behind.

Battlefield Falcon had been established.

The air whined with yet another barrage from the Imperial Cannons. The explosion struck the Eldar full on, sending fifty or so to their graves. One figure emerged from the barrage unscathed.

The form of the Eldar Avatar loomed into view of the Flaming Swords. The air around it cracked and hissed as the molten core pulsed with a lust for blood. The huge sword dripped with a steady flow of blood. The Avatar threw back its head and roared.

The Flaming Swords stood firm, not understanding the meaning "Give up".

RETURN TO RICHARD WALKER

E-MAIL THE LOREMASTER