Arkhan Story Part 3

 

Arkhan and dax caught up with the tail end of the convoy as it reached the top of Over Look Peak. Silus was waiting clutching an old solid slug  rifle. "Any problems?" Dax stopped and looked back. "No Arkhan here took care of that" Dax patted Arkhan on the shoulder and carried on talking "Just 2 stragglers looking for easy pickings but they ain't looking anymore" Silus grinned he turned and looked at Arkhans face. "you should see a medic Arkhan that looks like a nasty bruise."

Arkhan touched the side of his face.  It Stung  when his hand rubbed where the ork had punched him still he'll take the bruise over the alternative. His mind hadn't fully recovered over seeing the ork. A life in the Hive had kept him oblivious to an extent. Sure he had heard stories of horrors even seen some strange sights and knew the corrupting effects of the ruinous powers but being up close to a Xeno so intent on murder. He really hoped the stories of the emperors angels were true because his planet will need all the help the  imperium can spare. 

Arkhan was one of the last to get to Over Look Peak, it was a small fortress on top of a hill sheer drops on all sides except the entrance which was a giant gated entrance way. People in what looked like PDF uniforms were hollering and pointing at people trying to find places for everyone to go. 2 PDF soldiers closed the gate behind Arkhan and Dax. Locks hissed into place and it looked secure. That was little comfort for Arkhan and the other people who had just arrived. A PDF medic ran over after speaking to Silus, he looked at his face pulled a spray out and sprayed his face. The cold caught him off guard "Hey!"

"Sorry everything is a bit rushed. That's all I Can do. All. Medical supplies are being closely hoarded now" the medic said apologeticly.

"It's OK. Understandable in the circumstances." Arkhan replied

The medic rushed off some where else. Silus waved at Dax and he in turn nodded to Arkhan. They walked over to Silus who was talking to a PDF officer.

"gentleman this is Captain Vanden the bases CO"

Arkhan had no idea what a CO was but he guessed in charge. Dax saluted

"Private Dax PDF Regiment 46 retired Sir"

The Captain nodded and returned the salute. Arkhan just nodded,

"glad to have you on board Private. No longer retired I'm afraid, welcome back. Can you fight? He turned to Arkhan.

" I can hold my own " Arkhan replied. The Captain looked him up and down suspiciously. 

" You're gonna have to. Welcome to the PDF. Both of you head over there to the stores see whats left if anything." the captain nodded at Silus and moved away into the swathe of people finding places to hide or trying to jobs. Dax slapped him on the shoulder " Great first impression ha! Let's go. Hopefully they got ammo for my rifle and something bigger for you. "Arkhan laughed.

They walked towards the stores. The official in charge of the stores was a very stressed man, small in size but loud in voice.  He was constantly telling people to take something some where or put something down or to frak off.

" What? " he asked with out even looked up from his Cogitator

"Captain Vanden told us to come and get weapons sir" Dax replied. The man stopped what he was doing seemingly impressed by the Sir comment. "Follow me though we have virtually nothing left" he got up and walked towards a think double door. Arkhan and Dax followed. The door opened into a large room clearly that used to be full and now was just a few boxes.

"Honestly all the main stuff had been taken already you guys got here too late. Have a look see what you can find and come see me so I can sign it out. That's important the everything has to be signed for order of the Departmento Munitorum" the man walke out. Arkhan doubted it was that important what with the xeno invasion. Him and Dax went to different piles of boxes. A few were empty just the packing left Arkhan found a some Las gun/pistol clips left so grabbed them. He also found a few frag grenades. Dax whistled, Arkhan looked up and saw Dax was holding a shotgun, "This should give you a better chance than that pistol at least." Arkhan went over and inspected the weapon. He had seen  and used these in the underhive. Dax passed him a bandolier full of solid slugs. These should stop and ork..... He hoped. He handed Dax most of the Las clips keeping himself a couple for his pistol. The sun shining through one of the slit windows caught something metal under a tarpaulin. Dax was ready to leave but Arkhan went over and pulled the tarp away. In a pile of dust Arkhan spotted something he recognised a heavy stubber. "Nice" he said out loud to no one in particular. Dax walked over, "Oh you were definatly raised in the under hive if you know how to use that. Must have been seized in some anti gang operation by the Arbites. Can you work that? I could figure it out but I wasn't trained on them. It would make us a bit more useful" he checked some tins next to the stubber. "it's got some ammo here" Arkhan studied the gun,

"Bit of a clean and she'll work just fine" he lifted the gun, it was a solid piece of kit. Dax grabbed a trolley, he tapped his head "Work smarter not harder" Arkhan snorted a laugh. His respect for Dax grew more and more. He thought back to when he thought Dax was just a quiet old timer never having some much. Seems Arkhan was wrong. They wheeled out their weapons, the man at the desk, pointed at them and clicked his fingers at another man. He ran over and scrawled some notes down. "Now remember if you damage anything it will be took from your pay" Dax and Arkhan laughed. They left the stores with their new toys. Outside chaos still reigned but there was less people. Seems people had found jobs or a place to hunker down. Dax spotted Captain Vanden and they walked over, "Dax sir we have weapons and await an order" the captain turned and looked them up and down. They did look quite ragtag Arkhan thought, it never bothered him so much. The captain looked at the heavy stubber, "Emperors name I dread to think how old that is. Will it work? “ Arkhan nodded," Bit of a clean and she will  be fine........ Er sir" Captain Vanden  stared off into space for a second as if trying to remember something. "You remind me of some one..... Arkhan is it?" Arkhan straightened up his natural slouch "Yes Sir Arkhan Blaide" the captain nodded slightly, "Quite. Any way go and set up on the West wall. That heavy stubber will make a good anti Air weapon. Save your ammunition for aerial threats you hear me. Every shot counts." Captain Vanden stared at Arkhan as if trying to place a face but then decided to leave. As they walked towards the west wall Arkhan spotted Shem cradling a Las gun with a few other men from the Town. Shem spotted Arkhan

" Hey Arkhan! You guys with us? " he looked terrified. Arkhan shook his head "No we are a weapon team it seems. We'll be just up there though." Shems face dropped. Dax spoke up "Look it's doesn't look good I agree but these are our friends and family. We are defending. Just rememeber that when you are worried. Trust in the emperor and he will see you though." Arkhan watched as the squad made the sign of the aguila. He felt a pang of jealousy for the faith they had. Nothing was mentioned much of the emperor in the under hive everyone was just trying to survive. Arkhan and Dax carried on walking. They got to some steps that headed up to the top of the wall. Arkhan lslungbthe shotgun over his shoulder with the strap and with a grunt lifted the stubber. Dax grabbed a few ammo tins and  started up the steps. The wall wasn't that high at least Arkhan thought, "Dax? Can I ask you a question." 

"sure go ahead" Dax said, adjusting the ammo tins in his hands. "Do. You really believe in the emperor?" Dax stopped and stared up at Arkhan he spoke low and looked around "Arkhan be very careful with what you say next. You do not want people hearing you say that kind of stuff" Arkhan was shocked, did Dax think he was some kind of deviant?