Brutal Kunnin, page 22
< Yes, magos? > Zaefa answered, not slowing her pace. Addenbrow fell in beside her, the whirr of the tracks with which they had replaced their legs reaching a high whine as they did so.
< I am led to believe that this disruption is your responsibility?! > Addenbrow demanded.
< If by ‘disruption’ you refer to the fact you are being evacuated before the orks break into your chambers and kill you: yes, > Zaefa replied shortly.
< Orks? > There was a momentary pause, and Zaefa’s data senses detected Addenbrow scanning the noosphere. < Ah. I see. >
Zaefa didn’t bother to hide her irritation. < How in the name of the Omnissiah could you not have been aware the planet was under attack? >
< My normal operating procedure is to isolate myself from the datacasts, > Addenbrow replied, without any indication that they considered this to be an error on their part. < They distract me from my work, and other magi regularly seek my input on matters in which I am not an expert, have no interest, have not agreed to be consulted upon, or any combination thereof. It is a shame that I was not aware of the presence of orks in our system, however: Grand Genetor Yavannos and I have made a considerable study of their biology and culture. >
< Culture? > Zaefa scoffed. < Magos, this is a poor time to jest. ‘The largest ork rules’ is not the same thing as having culture. >
< I have no sense of humour, > Addenbrow retorted stiffly. < My words were completely serious. Although primitive when compared to our own society, orks when gathered in numbers do display variations which we can identify as hierarchical and, indeed, what appear to be traditions or practices specific to– >
< Do you have any insights on how best to eliminate them? > Mitranda cut in grimly.
Addenbrow considered for a few moments. < Most studies to which I have access have spoken highly of lascannons. >
< How insightful, > Mitranda muttered. They had armed themself with a power sword and a taser goad after Gavrak Daelin had fallen backwards off the gantry with their Omnissian axe wedged in his chest, but that was a combination which Zaefa felt required getting far too close to an ork to be effective. It wasn’t that she doubted Mitranda’s combat effectiveness, but she’d feel a lot more comfortable with a means to pick the beasts off at range, should they encounter any.
A new alert flashed up. It would barely have been noteworthy amidst the cacophony of other alarms and warnings that filled the air, both audible and noospheric, but its originating location was what drew it to Zaefa’s attention.
< There is trouble at the landing pad, > she said, trying to control the beginnings of a threat response inside her body. The data was increasingly suggesting that the odds were swinging against them escaping the planet alive, but she needed to remain calm, in order to make the best decisions. < The orks may have– >
The floor shook. The walls shook. The ceiling above them shook, and crumbs of rockcrete hissed down as the superstructure of the building shifted, ever so slightly.
< Something big just hit the main complex, > Mitranda declared. Zaefa didn’t need their analysis: the fact that a large part of the building had just turned to white noise and static in her monitoring confirmed it. It was a section more or less at the opposite end to where they were – and therefore closest to the orks’ main offensive – but if the greenskins were now bringing weapons to bear that could do that much damage then their peril had increased once more.
The complex took another hit, just as they passed the junction that would have led them to the primary power generation facility, and the noosphere ceased functioning, along with half of the lumens.
< Ashes of Mars! > Zaefa spat in rage and frustration, as the thoroughfare dropped into patchy light and shadow. The noosphere’s enabling circuitry was laced throughout the walls of Node Primus’ main complex, and it stood to reason that sufficient destruction would render it unusable, at least unless and until circuits could be patched and workarounds found. That would theoretically be possible, but not under current circumstances. Now, just as she was most in need of up-to-date information on the current situation, Zaefa found herself floundering in a world that was unexpectedly dark and silent. She was still receiving vox traffic and dataflows, of course, but the comprehensive picture was gone.
< There are a number of beings approaching from the direction of the landing pad, > she informed Mitranda, sifting through the available information as best she could. < I believe that they are Mechanicus who have fled from an ork advance party, but at present all I can do is track their progress through automated doors, and the length of time the doors remain open to allow them all through. >
< Acknowledged, > Mitranda replied, hefting their weapons. They all slowed, unwilling to charge headlong into an unknown situation. < Magos Addenbrow, if you have any form of personal protective equipment about your person, I suggest you equip it. >
< As you say, secutor, > Addenbrow replied. A whirring noise emanated from within their robes, and a sharp-nosed barrel emerged up from behind their right shoulder, then pivoted forwards to bring the rest of the sizeable weapon into view.
< Interrogative: what is that? > Zaefa asked in astonishment.
< It is a miniaturised lascannon, > Addenbrow replied, as a targeting device dropped over their right ocular implant. < It lacks a little of the punch and range of the Mars Mk VII, but I find it quite adequate for most circumstances. >
< It was my understanding that you were unaware of the orkoid presence here, > Mitranda said.
< I was. >
< And yet you are equipped with the very item you declared most suitable for the current threat? >
< In my experience, there are very few hostile threats that can’t be at least partially resolved by the judicious application of a lascannon, > Addenbrow said, with the faintest air of self-satisfaction. < As such, I keep one about my person whenever I may be entering into a potentially unsafe situation. >
Zaefa shot another glance at the magos, and readied her gamma pistol. < You realise, secutor, that if the access corridor to the landing pad is blocked by hostiles, we have very limited other options? >
< I do, > Mitranda replied. < Which is why we must– >
Zaefa heard the noise behind them at the same moment as Mitranda whirled, their weapons coming up. Addenbrow’s cyber-mastiff barked at the section of panelling as it slid aside near silently. Mitranda lunged at the figure that burst forth from within…
…and pulled their power sword strike a hair’s breadth before it bit into the robed body of Tech-Priest Dominus Ronrul Illutar.
< Secutor, > Illutar said in greeting, the machine flatness of his voice failing to completely hide his alarm.
< Tech-priest dominus, > Mitranda replied, withdrawing their weapon and returning to a relaxed position. < I was not aware of any access tunnel with an entrance at this location. >
< Indeed, > Illutar agreed, stepping forward to emerge fully. Behind him came Viker Yavannos, but the pair appeared to be alone. < Some information is available only to the Fabricator General. >
The few remaining visible biological components of Mitranda’s face were not particularly expressive, but judging by what Zaefa could see, if the secutor had retained biological eyes then their glare could have melted lead. < Interrogative: there are passages within this complex of which I am unaware? >
< Clarification: please refer to my most recent informational upload, > Illutar stated, turning to face Zaefa. < Lexico arcanus. The evacuation is proceeding according to schedule? >
According to my schedule, you self-important circuit-licker, Zaefa thought, then hastily double-checked that she hadn’t communicated any such sentiment in her data stream. < Yes, tech-priest dominus. However, reports suggest that the landing pad has come under attack, and– >
The closest door in the direction of the landing pad opened, and Zaefa whirled around again, raising her gamma pistol. Mitranda dropped into a guard position, and Addenbrow’s lascannon hummed as it rapidly reached maximum charge.
The flood of Mechanicus adepts, tech-thralls and flight personnel came to a shambling halt in the face of the weapons aimed at them. Then, after a second of assessing and recognition, every single one of them began clamouring.
< …orks came… >
< …had to tactically withdraw… >
< …guns of excessive size… >
< Everyone cease communicating immediately! > Illutar boomed, and for a wonder, they did. < Interrogative: have you been followed? >
There was a general consensus that no, they hadn’t been.
< Secutor, logic dictates that we must retake the landing pad from the xenos before they receive reinforcements, > Illutar declared. < Please proceed with all speed using the resources at your disposal. The grand genetor and I are fully armed, and able to assist. >
Fully armed? Zaefa felt considerably under-equipped clutching her gamma pistol, even with the armaments of her mechadendrites. It made sense that two senior tech-priests would pause in their flight to ensure that they were able to protect themselves in the middle of an invasion, of course it did. However, something had snagged her thoughts, and wouldn’t let go completely. How could Illutar have been so foolishly confident in their troops’ abilities to repel the ork attack, yet take the precaution to fully arm himself? How was it that he and Yavannos had clearly been at each other’s throats over the instructions to kill or capture the greenskins, yet now had come through secret tunnels together? It would be logical for senior tech-priests to cooperate in the face of imminent death, but where had their cooperation been earlier?
It was, of course, possible that Illutar and Yavannos had updated their data and their corresponding behavioural tendencies as events had unfolded, but Zaefa still couldn’t shake the image of how normal Kapothenis Ull’s chambers had been. How there had been no outward sign of corruption, even in his personal environment. It was clear to her that the wiles of the Archenemy could be buried deep indeed, and she still could not completely shake the notion that perhaps she had been the only untouched member of Hephaesto’s High Council. What better way for a traitorous prime hermeticon or grand genetor to sow further corruption and confusion than by conspiring to let a forge world fall, then ensuring their own safe escape in order to continue their work elsewhere?
She became aware that Mitranda had addressed her, and refocused her attention on her immediate surroundings. < Your pardon, secutor, please repeat? >
< I require you to stay close to me, lexico arcanus, > Mitranda said. < Your knowledge of the contents of the different shuttles will be invaluable should we be unable to completely reclaim the landing pad, and therefore be forced to engage in an incomplete evacuation. >
< Of course, > Zaefa responded, but she couldn’t escape the feeling that Illutar and Yavannos were both eyeing her.
Did they suspect that she suspected them?
DA FLASH GIT
Da Boffin was just clamping up the back of Ufthak’s new armour to fix it in place when a veritable cacophony of gunfire erupted from beyond the landa pad’s gates. The fusillade was accompanied by the ringing sound of abused metal, so it was fairly clear to Ufthak that it wasn’t just a fight that had broken out on the outside: someone was trying to break in by shooting the gate down.
‘Reckon it’s da humies, boss?’ Deffrow asked, readying his slugga.
‘Nah,’ Ufthak said. ‘Dey’d know how to get froo. S’gotta be some uvver ladz wot had da same idea as us about da loot, but were too late.’
The gunfire continued. The centre of the gate was beginning to warp and buckle inwards under the sheer weight of the fire that it was taking.
‘Got any idea who it might be?’ Da Boffin asked. Ufthak snorted.
‘Yeah, I reckon.’
He shrugged his shoulders, testing out the armour. The legs had needed taking in, as Da Boffin had said, and they’d had to lose the arms completely because Ufthak’s were far longer than any humie’s. That meant he’d also lost the handgunz, but he was happy enough with the shokk rifle, and he wouldn’t have wanted to not have the Snazzhammer. Besides, the rest of him was now encased in something that would make even ’ard boyz envious. It was a shame it was still a gunmetal grey, but that just meant he could give it a proper Bad Moons paint job once they’d finished looting the place…
The centre of the landa pad gate finally blew in. There was the scream and whine of ricochets as additional shots rang out and burst through, widening the aperture even more, until finally the barrage ceased. There were a few moments of relative silence, insofar as such a thing ever existed in a warzone, and then a be-hatted figure strutted through the gap between the ravaged metal gates.
Kaptin Badrukk.
He whistled through his teef, and his Flash Gitz came piling through the gap after him, each one hefting their snazzgun. They were laden down with captured humie loot, hanging from their waists and strapped to their backs, but Ufthak grinned as his gaze took them all in. Sure, Badrukk’s boyz had done well for themselves, but it was his ladz who’d hit the real muthalode.
‘“Not kitted out well enuff”, my arse,’ he chuckled to himself, looking around. His ladz had done a number on the humie stashes and had cannibalised anything that had looked even remotely like a weapon, hastily strapping or welding them together on the spot until they now bristled with just as many gun barrels as any Flash Git. Even the lone warbiker, apparently known as Bogrip, had attempted to get over the disappointment of losing his bike. He’d actually picked up the two handgunz from Ufthak’s armour, and he was now peering through the sights of one while cackling.
‘Wot’s goin’ on ’ere, den?’ Badrukk boomed, striding across the ground between the ruined gate and where Ufthak’s mob were clustered around the humie shuttle nearest to it. ‘Lookin’ after da loot for us, are ya?’
Ufthak guffawed. ‘Dat’s good, dat’s good! Shame ya couldn’t get ’ere any quicker, really it is. Fing is, see, we got ’ere first, an’ so all dis loot is ours, now.’
Badrukk’s brows went up so fast they nearly knocked his bicorn hat backwards off his head. ‘Is dat so? A buncha grot-lickin’ Bad Moons like yoo fink ya gonna just take what ya like an’ leave nuffin’ for da rest of us?’
‘Yeah, dat’s about right,’ Ufthak retorted, drawing himself up as tall as he could. Da Boffin had needed to do a quick hack job on the top of the armour too, since humies had their heads sticking out the top of their shoulders all ready to get knocked off, instead of low down between them for safe keeping, but he was still a bit taller than Badrukk, and the freebooter kaptin clearly didn’t like it. ‘And wot’s a buncha squig-sniffin’ gitz like yoo gonna do about it?’
Badrukk scoffed. ‘Is dat a challenge?’
‘Sounded like one to me,’ Ufthak told him. All around them both, orks began to ready their weapons for a good old scrap.
Badrukk’s eyes travelled down to the shokk rifle in Ufthak’s right hand. ‘See ya found yerself a gun, den.’
‘Dat’s right,’ Ufthak said.
‘I mean, if yer can call it a gun,’ Badrukk chuckled, hefting Da Rippa. ‘Now dis… dis is a gun.’
‘I’m hearin’ a lotta talkin’,’ Ufthak sneered, every nerve in his body tensed and ready to spring into action. ‘Ain’t seein’ no shootin’.’
‘Ya wanna see shootin’? Is dat right?’
‘Got me some new armour, too,’ Ufthak said. ‘Ya might’ve noticed? Fort I might give it a bit of a test. Nuffin’ too bad. Ya gun might do.’
‘Boss?’
Badrukk’s eyes narrowed furiously. ‘Oh, I’m gettin’ da feelin’ yer tryin’ to provoke me, yoof.’
‘Boss!’
‘“Yoof”?!’ Ufthak snarled. ‘I ain’t takin’ dat from some git wot’s dressed like a whole mob of madboyz! I’ll–’
‘Boss!’
‘WOT?’ Ufthak bellowed, rounding on his mob, ready to clobber whichever idiot it was who kept shouting for him. ‘Mork’s teef, I’m gonna tear yer zoggin’–’
‘Boss!’ Snagrab shouted, pointing wildly towards the other end of the landa pad. ‘Da humies are back!’ And sure enough they were, a small flood of red-and-midnight robes who had clearly emerged out of the gate they’d all disappeared into earlier. They’d made a run for it towards the shuttle nearest to them, and were now clustered together while they hurried up the ramp.
‘So dey are,’ Ufthak muttered. He looked back at Badrukk. ‘If we go an’ clobber dem, yer only gonna nick da loot, ain’t ya?’
Badrukk sniffed dismissively, and brought Da Rippa up to point at the humies. ‘Biz’niss first, innit. We stomp dese gits, and den’ we ’ave further discusshuns about whose loot dis is. Deal?’
‘Deal,’ Ufthak nodded. ‘Alright, ladz, into ’em!’
+++024+++
The blast door, thick enough to have at least a chance of keeping out the debris from an exploding shuttle, slid aside with a faint grinding noise. Zaefa’s olfactory sensors were full of the scents of unguents, oil and sweat from those around her, but she was still able to pick up the faint scent of night air from outside as a light breeze washed over them.
She also detected promethium, cordite and the stink of orks.
Secutor Mitranda stepped through the door first, their weapons extended, and Zaefa heard the faint click and hum of their targeting auspexes as they scanned the area.
< The greenskins are still here, but are clustered around the shuttle at the far end, and have not yet noticed me, >
