Secret War: The Annihilation Plague (Part 2)

Chapter 28

The horribly high-yield bolter rounds blended countless undead as the shots chewed their way. Attelus knew there was nothing they could do. If they dived for safety, it would allow the hordes to overwhelm and consume them. But the bolt rounds were soon to pulp them.

There was only one way out of this...

'Faleaseen!' Attelus couldn't help but scream from his every inch.

+Yes, I am here, Attelus, and you are lucky I have regained most of my strength!+

There was no time to think or consider the consequences. There was no choice in the matter. Like the last time, back on Omnartus, the kine shield erupted from Attelus like a sphere-shaped explosion. The blast expanded in a good three-metre diameter, and any zombie caught in it was suddenly sliced into ribbons by ultra-fine slashes of telekinesis. The bolt rounds exploded against the surface, consuming several undead who escaped the all-consuming kine shield. Attelus couldn't help but blink in shock at how large they were.

+Attelus! I will hold this shield up as long as possible. But remember! As it drains my power, it also drains your energy. You have ten of your minutes!+

Attelus remembered well when Faleaseen had used the shield back on Omnartus. He'd spent a good time unable to move afterwards. That would be the worst possible thing that could happen right now.

'Attelus!' Enandra snapped over the vox-link. 'What in the Emperor's name was that?'

Before Attelus could reply, the heavy bolter shots died away, and the Thunder Hawk's front hatch swung open.

'What in the god-emperor's name is happening now?' sighed the Palantine in quite possibly the most exasperated tone Attelus had ever heard.

Then, five Plague Marines dropped out, and their bolters opened up. The Thunder Hawk swung away and flew out of sight. The Plague Marines then began their slow, dogged advance, the hordes sweeping out of their way to make a path.

'Shit!' Attelus cried. 'Shit! Shit! Shit!'

'Damn it, Attelus, you-'

'Now isn't the frigging time, mamzel!' Attelus roared. 'We need to rendezvous and get to the tunnels and frigging now!'

To her credit, Enandra shut up, and Attelus looked at the Palantine. Their gazes met, and where he expected fear, or rage or something similar, yet much to his shock, she seemed to be gaping in abstract awe. Attelus just wished he could remember her damned name.

'Come on!' he snarled through clenched teeth. 'We've got to get back to your Canoness and the others. They aren't far away!'

The wide-eyed woman nodded rapidly. 'My apologies. We-'

'There's no time!' Attelus bawled. 'Just follow me!'

He didn't wait for a response as he slipped by her and toward Enandra and company. The shield followed him, cutting through more of the horde as he moved, and the Sisters hastily followed. Their bolter pistols barked sporadically into the crowd as the Plague Marine's shots exploded against Faleaseen's shield.

It didn't take long for them to reach Enandra and the others. Faleaseen opened the shield, allowing Attelus to approach them and inside the bubble, and they began back toward the stairs downward. Their numbers were a few less, but Satiristine was still standing, much to Attelus' relief. But much to his annoyance, many of the Sisters were gaping at him with wide eyes, just like the Palantine.

'It's a miracle,' said Satiristine.

'No. No, it is not,' said Soloston. His brow furrowed over his glasses, but whether it was in anger or concentration, Attelus couldn't know. 'It is merely a kine shield. A most powerful one, certainly, but it is just a psychic power. No miracle.'