Thus Did The Imperium of Mankind Fight There

Part 25 Only In Death Does Duty End

The Night Lords launched themselves at the Dragon, setting their jump packs to full power. The exhaust from the thrusters leaving a black smoky trail behind them. They rapidly closed the distance between themselves and their foe. 

The Dragon, seeing the warriors soaring towards it, diverted its attention from the convoy to the Astartes. 

Sergeant Juno Felix: Ma'am! What are your orders!?

Minerva knew she needed to make a decision fast or it wouldn't just be the Night Lords who'd make the ultimate sacrifice today. Still, even though in her head she knew that there was nothing she could do to save the Space Marines, her heart was screaming that there had to be something. 

In the end, sometimes a leader has to make a choice to let others die so yet more could live. Minerva had been taught to handle these kinds of decisions in her officer training. She thought she'd been prepared, but now she realized that no one was ever truly ready to make those choices until they were faced with them. 

Ignoring the pain in her chest, she chose what she knew to be the least unfavorable option available to her. That knowledge didn't make her feel any better. 

Minerva Antioch: Drivers, get us out of here! 

Sergeant Juno Felix: But Ma'am- 

Minerva Antioch: I said get us out of here, NOW! 

The three armored transports turned away from the dragon, leaving the Night Lords to their fate. 

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Battle-Brother Sergius and his fellow Legionary split apart as the predator turned its maw to bring fire upon them. This forced the foul Xeno to target them individually and ensured that at least one of them would make it to strike the beast. 

His brother drew his bolt pistol and aimed for the Dragon's one remaining eye. 

The apex predator lifted its head and screeched in fury as its face was struck. Enraged, the leviathan spewed a stream of fire upon the Battle-Brother. 

The Marines's jump pack exploded as it overheated, the ceramite of his war plate was scorched black and his blood boiled inside of his body. 

To those locals who witnessed the demise of an immortal grand-gene son of the Emperor, it was the most terrible death imaginable. To an Astartes, it was but the final duty they were all destined to perform, a beautiful end worthy of a dozen sagas.

Battle-Brother Sergius, using the opening his brother created, climbed as high as his jump pack would allow before plunging down towards the monster, his lightning claws activated, sheathed with power.

The Dragon attempted to evade, but he was too close and moving far too quickly. He sliced straight through its right-wing root, severing the appendage from the creature's body. 

The beast shrieked in pain once more and fell to the ground, never to take flight again. Sergius landed and looked behind him, his transhuman sight and armor auto senses, allowing him to see the rest of the recon force withdrawing in the distance. 

His attention was drawn back to the Dragon as it raised itself onto its hind legs. The creature looked upon its attacker with utter hatred. 

Sergius attempted to activate his jump pack again, only for a warning rune to flash in his HUD, notifying him that the jump pack was exhausted of fuel. 

The Dragon opened its mouth and prepared to end the soon-to-be martyr. The Night Lord, realizing he would soon join his brother, let out the psychotic laughter his Legion was so known for and declared with all the breath that was left within him for any who might hear. 

"You have been watched, weighed, and found wanting abomination, your end is nigh...kill me while you still live xeno!" 

The Dragon obliged, and Battle-Brother Sergius was no more. 

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Tuka: Noooo! 

Tuka screamed as she watched Sergius be turned to ash by the monster that had already taken so many of her friends. She buried her face into her father's chest and cried. 

The faces of the rest of the detachment were likewise solemn, even Rory was without her characteristic smirk. The remembrancer sketched the heroic death of the Legionaries to be viewed by the future Imperial Citizens of Falmart, who would tell tales of the battle to their children. 

The glory of the Marines' end did little to balm the sadness that now hung over the unit.  

The Dragon had no sympathy for the grief the convoy felt though, and it began to chase the fleeing soldiers and villagers with massive strides. 

Sergeant Juno Felix: Lieutenant, that thing's coming right at us! 

Minerva clenched her jaw. She didn't know what more she could do. Even if they were able to escape, they would be leaving hundreds of refugees to die. 

Then, she heard the best piece of news she'd gotten since leaving base. One of her squad mates called out. 

Corporal Duilius Nerva: Look! Flyboys coming inbound! 

Flying in low, came four Vendetta heavy gunships with enough ordinance to blast an entire tank company. 

???: This is Flight Lead to Reconnaissance Detachment-3, is the area clear of friendlies? 

Taking the long-range vox's mic into her hand, she gave the order she'd been waiting for since laying eyes on that damned Xeno. 

Minerva Antioch: This is Reconnaissance Detachment-3 CO to Flight Lead, blow that frakker's soul into the warp! 

???: Roger that. 

The Vendettas unleashed the righteous fury of humanity on their target. Twin-linked lascannons and heavy bolters rained down volley after volley on the beast. Soon, its body was pocked with charred holes and the creature roared in agony. It was music to the ears of the vengeful Imperials.

Finally, a twin-linked lascannon shot hit the thing squarely in the left side of its head, burning a hole through its skull and brain and out the other side. For a moment, the ancient goliath stood there, as if unable to comprehend that its life had finally ended. 

Next, it keeled over and face-planted into the rocky ground below. 

The Coda villagers watched incredulously as the menace that had ravaged Falmart for centuries was at last slain right before their very eyes. 

Many of the civilians fell to their knees and cried in joy and relief. Others hugged their family members or friends and laughed. Some thanked the heavens above in the misguided superstition that plagued this world. 

Tuka and her father simply hugged each other and sobbed in happiness that their fallen had been avenged. 

Rory looked to the Imperials around her with an expression of bewilderment and whispered to herself. 

Rory Mercury: Who are these strange people? How is it that they wield such power? 

Then a playful smile graced her lips again and she giggled before continuing in a sing-song voice. 

Rory Mercury: This is getting interesting, very, very interesting!

The Imperials were much calmer, the Flight Leader reporting. 

???: Target eliminated, returning to base. The Emperor Protects. 

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