Sergeant Juno Felix: Yes Ma'am!
Sergeant Felix hurried to follow her commander's order, punching the keys and switches of the long-range vox in the Chimera as she whipped out the mic. All while the rest of the recon force charged guns blazing towards either glory or a place by the Emperor's side. Screaming into the microphone, she shouted.
Sergeant Juno Felix: This is Reconnaissance Detachment-3 to Army Cataegis HQ, we've made second hostile contact with the Dragon, requesting air support, ASAP!
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In the command tent, Arik Taranis was still meeting with the Mechanicum representative. The Magos had requested stridently for Mechanicum forces to be deployed for the purpose of surveying and securing the mineral, promethium and any potential technological wealth on the planet.
The Primarch tried for HOURS to reason with the Tech-Priest. Explaining that the precarious logistical state of the army would simply not allow for the deployment of the resource-intensive and infrastructure-heavy forces of Mars to be used.
He was currently in the middle of attempting to convince the representative, that it would be far more beneficial for all interested parties if the attached Mechanicum Enginseers focused on launching the Astropathic orbital station.
Arik was close to his wits end with the half-machine man when his Equerry interrupted the meeting, delivering a message.
Ghota: Sir, Reconnaissance Detachment-3 has requested air support, they have encountered the Dragon again.
Immediately turning his attention away from the still-raving cyborg, Arik swiftly gave the necessary orders to grasp victory from the clutches of defeat as he'd done innumerable times before as lord of the Thunder Warriors.
Arik Taranis: Have the flight of Vendettas on standby deploy and give them search and destroy orders for any threats to the detachment.
Seconds later, four Vendetta heavy gunships took off vertically from their landing pads and soared to bring the Emperor's salvation to the refugees of Coda Village.
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The wagon train of villagers devolved into smaller groups, rushing to avoid the Dragon's path, moving like headless chickens in every direction except toward the great beast.
However, as all others fled, the three vehicles of Minerva's small unit drove at full speed straight into the path of the Dragon.
Minerva Antioch: Give that damned SOB all you've got!
Minerva barked over the vox network, in response, the plucky fighters of the detachment unleashed everything they had on their target. Las beams streaked across the air and the Squats and Beastmen fired their plasma guns and stubbers respectively from the top of their Testudo. Even the Elves joined in the attack, launching arrows.
Their opponent though had learned from its previous encounter with the Imperials, maintaining an altitude of several hundred feet and keeping its distance from the transports.
The move prevented the monster from coming within the firing arc of the hull-mounted heavy weapons and the range of the melta guns. The small arms fire which landed upon the Dragon's scaly hide proved once again to be ineffective. Only the plasma guns managed to penetrate its natural armor and its area of effect was too small to harm the predator significantly.
The dragon retorted with its own attack, launching a fireball upon its offenders. Minerva, panic evident in her voice, hurriedly ordered evasive maneuvers.
Minerva Antioch: Turn left, NOW!
The vehicles just barely dodged the fireball, the flames licking at their tracks and wheels. Knowing they needed to deal meaningful damage to the Dragon if they wanted to make it out of this battle alive, Minerva called out.
Minerva Antioch: Nerva! Get up here with that Tread Feather, pronto!
Corporal Duilius Nerva: You got it Boss Lady!
Corporal Nerva climbed out of the Chimera's turret hatch and aimed his missile tube at the giant animal. He fired and the rocket was ejected towards its target. The Dragon anticipated the attack from the last fight however and breathing fire at the incoming rocket caused it to explode prematurely.
Minerva Antioch: Frak! Sergeant, where's our air support?!
Minerva desperately clung to her detachment's last hope for survival, but she was to be disappointed.
Sergeant Juno Felix: Still 5 minutes out Ma'am!
Minerva's face turned white. There was no way all of them were going to stay among the living in that time and she was right...not all of them, but that didn't mean some would.
Over her vox-bead, came the voice of Battle-Brother Sergius.
Battle-Brother Sergius: Lieutenant, the situation is becoming untenable, my brother and I will launch a diversionary attack to purchase the rest of the convoy enough time.
Minerva was stunned and so were the rest of the Imperials, even Rory- who was in the same transport as the Night Lords- had a shocked expression on her face. Everyone knew that the Space Marines, for all their power, were setting themselves up for one last hail mary. Minerva attempted to stop the Astartes, unwilling to lose anyone in her unit.
Minerva Antioch: Sir! With all due respect, that's suicide!
Sergius replied with a voice filled with determination and a surety of purpose that defined the champions of humanity the Astartes embodied.
Battle-Brother Sergius: So is the current course of this battle, we have no other choice, never forget Lieutenant that the Emperor protects...AND SO DO WE!
With that last declaration, the two Marines kicked down the ramp of the transport and swung to the top of the Chimera, prepared to launch themselves toward the beast.
Just as Sergius was about to order his brother to go and jump with him, he felt a tug on his left arm. Looking down, he saw the elf girl looking up at him with teary eyes. Begging in a pleading voice, she choked.
Tuka: Please, please don't go, I don't want anyone else to die!
Sergius looked at the elf girl who had so bravely approached him back in the forest village and joined the reconnaissance force into potential danger. He'd developed a strange friendship with the abhuman girl, having been fascinated by him throughout their journey. She was curious as to what lay on the other side of the Gate, and he answered her questions as best he could.
Now she was clearly unwilling to lose another friend after the first Dragon attack. As gently as he could, he removed the hands of the elf from his arm and spoke to the innocent girl far more deserving of life than he ever was.
Battle-Brother Sergius: Do not despair, little one, for it is but an illusion of the mind. This is what I was created for, your purpose, is to live the life I never could.
Turning his head towards his brother, he nodded and both of them activated their jump packs.
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Thus Did The Imperium of Mankind Fight There
FanfictionThis is a crossover between Jayfiction's excellent Imperium Ascendent and Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There. I do not own Warhammer or Gate credit belongs to Games Workshop and A-1 Pictures respectively. Image from Deviant art by hank9Y I'll be post...
