Vex Chronicles 3: Hunt

Fight for the Archivum Magna, part II

Mendorant, New Belacruzium, Minerva's Spear

"I haven't done... anyzzing."

Hasthia removed her clawed hands from the controls. But the turret's systems still blinked. Hakkar stepped down to the brutish scalie. But there just wasn't enough space in the gun turret. How had Vex endured this?

"Whatever you did, cancel it."

Hasthia gave Hakkar a sharp glance and tried to figure out what was going on. The gun begun to swivel around and took aim. A swarm of missiles suddenly darted out towards the building. The guided swarm landed on the glass facade of the Archivum and the front disappeared behind a curtain of explosions.

The explosions hadn't even faded when an arrow-like vehicle burst through the inferno. It briefly stayed airborne before it caroled down. Gravel and grass was thrown into the air as the wings cut into the ground. But the anti-grav field feathered the fall and the Venom again rose.

Hasthia again put her hands onto the controls And this time the turret followed her command. But Hakkar stopped her before she could fire the heavy bolters.

"Are you mad, mutant! That was Vex."

Hasthia growled and her eyes drilled into the sergeant. Hakkar shuddered under her ruthless stare. But he refused to give in.

"We have a mission," Hakkar reminded Hasthia. "We'll drop any second, mutant."

"I am not one... of them," Hasthia growled out. "I bled for Ede Prime... Like you!"

Hakkar clenched his jaws. Xenos mutants had ruined his home, had killed his parents. But this was not the time for those wounds. Hakkar signaled Hasthia to hurry back to the others.

If it wasn't so painful, it could have been nostalgic. Squad Usmantis had been drop troopers before joining Vex as stormtroopers. And now they would drop again. Hopefully Hasthia had not forgotten the training...

"We've planned for this. We'll jump, break in and get to the underground archive." Hakkar's eyes wandered through the assembled men and women. "The xenos will not get the data. For Vex, For the Emperor!"

"For the Emperor," came the automatic respond from the others.

"We're close," came junior comm officer Julius' voice from the cockpit. A jerk went through the gunship as it slowed down and its vector engines shifted. But the transition was rough. Even Gerrisat had flown the gunship better...

"You're really up for it Malone?" Hakkar looked worried at the melta trooper that had rejoined the squad.

"Casing isn't done yet. But it works" Malone patted the skeletal frame of his cybernetic leg. Without the outer armor, Hakkar could see the mechanical muscles, gears and pneumatic systems of the augment. Malone had to cut down his uniform so that nothing could get stuck in the exposed mechanics.

"Dr DeLague and Vex did a fantastic job on us." Fanda patted the cybernetic leg with her own hands of metal. "We're eager to prove that the cyber troopers are ready to fight."

"Keep it together, Malone. I need you down there while Muntis accompanies Vex." Hakkar stepped towards the rear hatch and addressed his squad. "You know the drill. Aim for the bunker and secure the landing zone."

"He looks so competent, our sergeant." Sill nudged Hasthia. Hakkar rolled his eyes. But one just couldn't be angry at the half-ogryn. She had that kind of uplifting presence.

The lights switched to green and Hakkar send the first pair out. Laius and Tedlim jumped first, Gertra followed with her heavy stubber and ammo carrier Riadus in tow.