Infestation

Infestation

Blackness holds sway over the dark void that is slumber. Piercing through the darkness, a small flicker of light can be seen in the emptiness with a whisper echoing behind it, quickly the light begins to intensify and the whisper becoming more audible ‘Shas'ui Ko’vash can you hear me? Shas'ui Ko’vash you need to wake up!’ opening his eyes, Ko’vash sees Tanis kneeling before him as he lay on the ground.

Sensing him awake, Tanis stands back to give him some breathing space. ‘What happened? Where are we Tanis?’ asked Ko’vash ‘We’re in the desert Shas’ui. We were evacuating the vital Fio’s and Por’s from this doomed planet but we were shot down by the xenos.’ Pointing at wreaked Orca, Ko’vash saw smoke billowing from it. ‘The Kor'vre is dead. But the Ethereal, along with most of the Fire Warriors are alive… Kadik and A’drak didn’t survive.’ Frowning at the loss of his comrades, Tanis shook away the grief and extended a hand to Ko’vash ‘but they died for the Greater Good.’ finalised Tanis, tugging his arm to help lift his friend up off the ground.

Finally standing, Ko’vash bent down to pick up his Pulse Carbine, checking from the readings in his helmet that the ammo stock is full. Surveying around himself, he noted that they’ve landed at a good defence able position should they be attacked ‘Orca Gunship come… in over… Orca Gunship come in over this is Tau’s Destiny please respond’ Ko’vash pressed his fingers to the side of his helmet to better his hearing ‘this is Shas'ui Ko’vash, Orca is down, we got minimum casualties but the Ethereal is unharmed over.’

‘Understood Shas’ui, more Orca’s are on the way to pick up survivors but we’re getting readings of mass Xenos movement heading in your direction, approaching from the North.’ Using his inbuilt compass, Ko’vash turned north and saw a large dust cloud moving towards his position from beyond the horizon ‘The xenos will be arriving at your position shortly. Best sit tight for now, rescue is on the way, over.’ ‘Understood, we’ll start making a defensive perimeter to protect the Ethereal.

For the Greater for Good’ ‘For the Greater Good’ responded the radio operator before the transmission cut out.

Quickly briefing his remaining Fire Warriors of the situation, they dispersed evenly amongst the wreckage of the downed Orca, some taking cover behind the furrow that was created from the crash, others taking position on top of rocks to get a higher vantage point. Briefly looking up at the dust cloud, Ko’vash saw it a lot closer than the last time he saw it. Giving Tanis a quick nod, Ko’vash knelt beside him and zoomed in closer with his enchanted binoculars at the hills on the horizon.

Dark figures could be seen at the top of the hills before they started trickling down the slopes, covering the orange hill in blackness. Then finally coming into view, Ko’vash saw the front ranks of the swarm, most boasting a pair of two great claws while their other menacing kin hold what looked like a strange looking gun. Taking aim of the brood, the Warriors waited. ‘For the Greater Good’ Ko’vash voxed into his squad channel, ‘For the Greater Good’ echoed his Fire Warriors.

Finally his measurement system turned green, signalling that the brood was in range now ‘FIRE!’ yelled Ko’vash, and as one, he and his Fire Warriors blasted into the mass ranks of monsters, seeing them fall by the dozen from the pulse laser fire or being trampled to death by their otherwise preoccupied brethren. But still they pressed on, eager to get to grips with the Tau.

Finally within range, the Gaunt’s started to return fire, Ko’vash ducking behind cover as the fleshborers splattered against the sand embankment he’s hiding behind. But one of the Fire Warrior wasn’t so lucky, standing, screaming as the fleshborers ate their way through his chest armour and into his innards. Finally succumbing, the Warrior fell back to ground dead, still wriggling as the fleshborers continued to eat their victim.

‘Retreat, fall back behind the destroyed Orce’ ordered Ko’vash, running pass the Orca as he reloaded his weapon on the run. Resting his Carbine on a broken engine piece, Ko’vash continued his rain of fire on the Tyranids. Screeching from the skies, flying aliens on wings started to pepper the ground with bio-plasma onto the retreating Warriors, killing four and severely crippling Tanis and two other’s before being set upon by the pursing swarm. Cocking his grenade launcher, Ko’vash fired into the mass pack of Gaunts to save his fellow warriors a painful death.

The situation was turning grim, with most of his Fire Warriors dead; Ko’vash was about to retrieve the Ethereal from inside the Orca, Ko’vash started to feel the vibrations. Ko’vash turned and looked up, staring into the opening jaws of a towering monstrosity, that boasted enormous claws. Raising one claw for an attack, Ko’vash quickly cocked his grenade launcher and fired it at point blank range, flying backwards from the explosion.

Cradling his chest from the winching pain he was suffering, a great shadow covered Ko’vash. Looking up through the hole in his helmet, Ko’vash saw the beast still standing, with a gaping wound on his chest. Awaiting his fate, a great blinding flash bloomed in front of him. Shutting his eyes to protect his retinas from the blast, Ko’vash opened his eyes again to see the headless beast topple backwards.

Getting to his feet, Ko’vash turned to see three Orca’s parking behind him, with Fire Warriors spilling out of them to fire into the swarm ‘Get the survivors!’ yelled a Shas’ui, taking Ko’vash by the shoulder and ushering him into his Orca. Sitting down, Ko’vash saw the Ethereal rush up the ramp of the Orca with Fire Warriors at his heel. Finally enclosed, the Orca pitched upwards and flew for orbit.

Staring out of his window, Ko’vash stood silence as a sign of respect to his fallen comrades, witnessing the death of a planet come to fruition before his very eyes.