HellFire's Wrath

They all stood around, staring at the huge holomap. Inquisitor Nahrel couldn't believe his eyes. He was looking into a map of the entire Eldar settlement on Rothan IV. It was mapped out so well that you could see the hinges on the door to the bathroom. And as Tech-Brother Naron pointed out, it had 4 screws holding it to the wall. Nahrel spoke up, "You guys are nuts. I tell you to briefly scout out the ork encampment on Variet VI, you hand me a map on paper that looks like it was done in crayon. I tell you to find the Eldar presence in this sector, and you count the screws on the lavoratory door! What the hell is wrong with you??"

"If this planet is to be invaded, we WILL be the bearers of the Emperor's Will.", spoke out Carab Cullen, Red Scorpion Commander.

"Do not doubt my brother Lord Nahrel, his resolve is my resolve. We fight together." , spoke Commander Horace Alithran, Fire Hawk Commander.

"WHY??? Just give me one good reason to let you nuts in there. Every ork purging mission I give you fools you find some excuse to pull out of and leave the Imperial Guard to do your dirty work. Yet now you want me to let you just waltz in and purge an entire planet of the Eldar inhabitants??", shouted Nahrel.

"They have wronged us.", Cullen paused briefly, then clicked on the holomap. A view of some eldar warriors came into view. "Those. They must be destroyed." he finally ended.

"What? A few aspect warriors? How can you even tell the difference?" spouted Nahrel.

"Not the individuals my lord, the aspect itself. They go by the name... 'Striking Scorpions'", as Horace spoke this name, Cullen winced, as if striken by a dagger. Horace continued, "They insult the scorpion honor with thier elvish ways, and their vile lifestyle."

"They must perish. All of them." Injected Cullen.

"Fine. Iv'e had it with you guys.. you stick together like glue, every time I try to send one of you on a mission, the other one shows up, and fouls it all up, then the both of you withdraw making me look the fool! This is your mission, fine.. but I warn you... screw this one up... If ONE marine leaves the surface before EVERY eldar on that world is dead.. your next mission is going to be indefinate hulk cleansing." growled Nahrel.

"The Emperor's will is clear, and so is my path. Thier young shall never be." nodded Cullen.

They needed no time to make plans, Cullen and Horace both knew this. They intended to do this mission with or without Nahrel's permission. It was the will of the Emperor, and they both felt it growing within their minds. Cullen and Horace called eachother brother, that was the tradition of the two chapters. Ever since the great chaos scourge in M35, the two chapters had been by eachother's side. They fought as brothers in that great war, and have ever after.

The drop was going to be simple. Between the two chapters, they would teleport over 100 terminators into the Eldar stronghold. Then they would fly the scout ships in to distract the heavy guns, while the marine force was dropped in behind them. Niether said it, but the intention was for the scout ships to take the blows of the weapons, while the marines landed. The scouts were given the larger ships, to make them.. better targets.

No speech was nessecary to prepare his brothers for battle, Cullen knew this full well.. Each of his men was fully prepared to die on that field, avenging thier chapters strongest vendetta. Thier weapons were cleaned, thier armor was purified by the company chaplain before battle, and finally, each man cut his chest with his knife. An ancient chapter ritual before battle. It was meant to get the knife used to the tase of blood, so in battle it would seek it all the better. It seemed to have worked in the past....

The eldar were fully unprepared. Mere hours before the attack did the farseer's detect the coming of the marines. They hastily made ready as the ships began to enter orbit. Weapons were mounted into place, and the tremendous anti-ship cannons were prepared. Yet they knew they would have to fight on the ground.. and they made thier best efforts of preparation there.

Suddenly the entire fortress shone with a bright blue light. "They are teleporting! Defend yourselves!!" shouted one exarch to his men. Wave upon wave of terminators coalesced out of nowhere, and began firing madly with assault cannons, multi meltas, and heavy flamers. Storm bolters ripped like thunder as thousands upon thousands of shells shot out in bitter fury killing the eldar.

The battle was not one sided however. The eldar had prepared for this contingency. Dreadnaughts appeared from hidden bunkers and began to open up on the terminators with las cannons flashing like lightning. Cyclone missles hissed like fire through the air, as they tore into the dreadnaughts, but many still stood, firing furiously...

"-----shhhhtttzzch------ brother sar---- ch-- request----- scourge-- imm--"

The scrambled transmission came across the flagship's com channel. Cullen knew what this had meant, the terminators needed assistnace immediately. The scout ships had begun thier drop, and were being chewed up.. the marines were just about ready to descend. If the terminators fell, the eldar would be able to fully man thier cannons, and many marines would die.

"Show no mercy" was the last words spoken by Cullen to his Red Scourge marines. Terminators, but trained from the beginning to be lethal close combat killers. Thier armor was the special color given only to those entering close combat. They bore the chapter insignia on blood red armor, with black fire, and they bore it well. Each terminator was armed with two deadly power claws, to symbolize the scorpion. The terminators dissapeared in a flash of light as the transporters were activated.

Terminator Captain Rollen knew his time was short, his men began gathering together to increase thier odds. They now numbered only 25, from the original 150. The dreadnaughts were looming in the distance, closing in for a good shot to finish them all off. It would come soon, and they all knew it.

"Fear not brother-captain, we all know you did your best. If Brother-Cullen knew of our plight, help would be here. We will die honorably in the name of the Emperor." blurted one marine over the channel.

Suddenly a cry came across the channel, "Patch me your view, someone.. I cant see a damn thing!!" The view he recieved was of a pile of eldar swarming over him, he was completely engulfed. "Dammit, there are too many of them.. Use the flamer.. NOW!!"

Without hesitation one of the marines nearby opened up on his own brother marine with his heavy flamer. Frying the whole mass of eldar. Every one ran off screaming, and on fire, the rest were pegged off by storm bolter fire. Only a hulk of armor remained.. motionless..

The dreadnaughts were closing in, and they all aimed thier weapons... knowing the range on the las cannon would far outreach thier own.. Suddenly one of the dreadnaughts crumpled to the ground, followed by another.. then yet another. Left and right dreadnaughts were falling. Eldar screams could be heard echoing throughout the fortress. The marines all looked at eachother in confusion, each expecting to die.. yet somehow.. they were saved. Suddenly a message came across the com channel..

"Brother Tornec, Red Scourge reporting.. where is your need greatest my brothers?"

The marines fought with extreme vigor suddenly. They very presence of the red scourge made them fight that much harder. Even after every last shell had been expended, each one of them fought to the death, swinging chain fists madly, tearing eldar bodies limb from limb. Claws tore through cannons, troops and dreadnaughts alike.. Every last terminator died in there, but each one took with him a hundred eldar foes.

Argosos Noration walked amongst the fire hawks. He alone was considered to be the true chaplain for both chapters, though the fire hawks had one of thier own, he considered himself an apprentice under Argosos. Argosos knew morale was beginning to wane. The terminators fought well, and far better then could be expected under the conditions. yet it wasnt enough.. many marines died under the fire from the fortress. And now the remaining were trenched in, opposite the eldar. Even marines get tired, and sick of sitting in a trench. Argosos knew this.. and knew he had to inspire his men.. thier will was fading fast.

Suddenly a group of warp spiders appeared. The marines hated them, they would appear from nowhere, shred thier brothers, and then dissapear, into thin air. The air was filled with monofilament thread, and marines were torn limb from limb. A few feeble shots were fired around, but not one of the spiders fell. Suddenly just as fast as they came, they dissapeared.

The men were in shambles, this was the last straw.. they felt thier resolve, and years of service fading.. they wanted only to get off this horrible world..

Argosos sensed this.. and in a flash of light dissapeared. The marines, startled, looked all around.. they couldn't figure out what had happened.. they had expected a speech.. they were truly disheartened.

Suddenly one cried out.. "Look! Across the field! Argosos fights with the Emperor's strength!"

They looked out across the scarred field. Bodies of the warp spiders were scattered everywhere. Suddenly they saw the group of spiders materialize in front of them, just as they were about to open fire, Argosos appeared from nowhere. Screams of agony could be heard as his Crozius rendered the helmets of the warriors. His digital lasers flashed brilliantly as he materialized and charged into combat over and over. One spider fell screaming to the ground as acid ate away at his armor.. acid spit from the mouth of Argosos!

The marines pulled thier knives and pistols out, and charged into the fray, nearly frenzied with battle lust. They sliced, shot, and ripped through the spiders with a totally renewed vigor. As the last spider fell, the remaining marines waited not for the order, and charged across the field, bolters flashing madly.

Jet bikes wizzed by the command post, firing madly as they flew by... marines held thier ground, solidly.. as thier commander watched his men die in droves. This battle had gone horribly wrong from the start. Where did these eldar get all this damned equipment? They were weakly armed.. a mere expedition.. suddenly they were bringing out their most potent wargear.. Phoenix lords and harlequins had even been spotted among the troops.. None of this was on the scans! The table shuddered has the angered commander slammed his fist upon it. "Damn these eldar. Damn thier ways.. TO HELL!"

Suddenly one of the jet bikes burst into flames. The another.. left and right jet bikes were dropping out of the sky.. Cullen walked out onto the field and began firing his bolter at them like possessed. He would down one rider, and consume another in fire at the same time.. one of the chapter librarians stepped out of the post.... "What the hell is going on out here.. who is generating all that psykik energy?? Commander??"

Cullen did not respond, he just fired madly.. Bikes werent even making it over the hill.. clouds of smoke and fire could be seen in the distance as they blew up. Soon the bikes stopped coming.. Cullen shouted.. "Finish them.. I've had enough of this!" The marines charged out across the field, over the hill. As they crested the peak, Cullen turned to the amazed librarian.. "Dammit.. what are you waiting for.. go help them!"

The sick bays were filled with wounded marines.. each of them crying out in pain as thier limbs were severed and bionics were implanted.. on the spot.. The carnifex had long been forgotten to the marines, the Red Scorpions no longer used it. The only death they wanted was in battle.

As soon as the last wire was in place, the marines would pick up thier bolter and walk out.. not one would rest.. save the needed sleep. They simply fought, on and on.. and the medics fought harder and harder to come up with working bionics.. One marine had hardly any of his original body left.. he was told he would have to become a dreadnaught pilot. He picked up his bolter with his remaining bionic arm, and walked out. In his computerized voice he shouted, "I will not leave my brothers in thier hour of need to wait for you medic. I have honors to perform."

Finally the battle began to shift. Cullen contacted the homeworld, and had requested reinforcements. Soon many more marines arrived.. many of whom were able to land safely. The battle was no longer a futile effort.. it was now a stalemate. Three months the marines had been trenched in on this planet, fighting vainly to stay alive. Many times did Cullen lead his men into battle, after his captains and lieutenants were all dead. Scouts were being inducted right and left to fill the ranks as hundreds died on the field. Not a single close combat troop was left, and most of the devestators had been picked off.

The landing of thier brothers was heartfelt deeply, and the battle shifted favorably briefly, but soon they were trenched in.. with little or no hope of winning. Cullen spoke to Argosos in the dead of the night, while under heavy fire, "My brother.. Give me my death rites now.. and bless the souls of all of us. I will not be tainted by withdrawl. My Emperor told me not to leave until every eldar is dead. Seeing how things fare.. I fear I my blood shall stain this field soon."

Argosos spoke up.. "My brother.. even I grow weary of this combat.. yes, I who devour my opponents on the field of battle, I who lust for battle, and kill all who cross my path. I who am the sole remaining battle priest between us, and our brother chapter. I am sick of this battle. But I will not die. To die would be surrender. To surrender to these, would be dishonor. I cannot do that. I will not die."

Hope had seem to run out. Cullen gathered his remaining forces, for a speech.. for now it seemed.. he truly needed to inspire them.

"Brother Marines! Guardians of humanity! We came to this planet to avenge a wrong. Yet we have failed. Our foes mock us, they defile our dead. This is blasphemy! We shall not withdraw! We have sat here, waiting for them to destroy us.. and they come, in droves.. and pick us off.. WE MUST ATTACK! Now! In the name of the Emperor of Humanity, pick up your arms, wield your sword.. and as you are blessed, purge the eldar from this planet. To battle!"

The tattered marines assembled themselves.. regrouped.. formed new squads.. and prepared. The fortress was ahead.. they saw it looming in the distance.. They knew.. they must reach that fortress, whatever the cost.

They charged.. Rushing like mad dogs through the eldar lines. What wasnt shot, was simply run over, and trampled to death. The marines ran like the wind.. Bolter fire filled the air.. fire and plasma shot across the earth, consuming man and elf. Towers of flame tore from the ground.. dreadnaughts fell, arms flailing madly, crushing all beneath them. The marines dashed for the fortess, slowly nearing it..

"May the blood of the land quench our thirst!" Shouted Cullen to his men as he dispatched a phoenix lord with his sword. The eldar were in ruins.. they had not expected the marines to attack.. it was totally insane.. it was the mark of desparation.

They dwindled steadily as they neared the gates.. even cullen knew deep within.. it was hopeless.

Suddenly the ground burst into flame! All around them the ground began shattering, exploding, and falling apart. The marine advance halted.. all around them the world was falling apart..

They looked up.. A huge craft bearing the Imperial inquisition insignia had begun to land. Cannons in the fortress rang out like thunder, thousands of shots filled the air, as the massive ship neared the fortress. Great guns flared from both the fortress and the ship. Great melta cannons spit death. Suddenly the hull opened, from it dropped two huge imperial Warlord titans.

The ground shook like an earthquake as they landed.. Thier great cannons furiously fired into the fortress. The marines were dwarfed by the enourmous monsters. yet each of them held up thier hands, and shouted...

"Hail the emperor! He has come!"

Nahrel grumbled as he saw Cullen... "Well... you proved me wrong.. are you happy?"

"I shall not be happy until all the Emperor's enemies are destroyed." quipped Cullen.

"The High Adeptus ordered me to bring in the big guns, after they noticed a warp conduit from the Sam-Hain craftworld. You guys didnt stand a chance down here. We were expecting you to have retreated months ago, the LAST thing we expected was to see you leading a charge..."

"I gave my word Lord.. I had no other path to take in this matter. Only the will of the emperor kept me alive."

"You lost over 1000 troops between you and Horace down here.. How you survived that long is beyond me. We almost nailed the last of you with our cannons as we approached.. Wait.. Horace.. where is he?"

"My brother has died. He died valiantly.. but I could not reach him.."

"You are the last officer in both chapters... you've managed to wipe out nearly two whole chapters in this little vendetta of yours.. I hope you are proud of yourself! Why the hell didnt you just call in the Novamarines from the next sector?? You knew damn well they were available to you."

"I will not fight with those cowards! They wear camoflauge! The color of cowardice! I am not afraid to be seen by my foe, I wear my colors proudly. I am a marine, my colors shout the order of death to all who face me....... and they Obey!"