Arkhans Story Part 4

 

Arkhan answered quickly not wanting to give Dax ideas, "Throne no I didn't mean that. It's just.... Where I'm from there wasn't much time for anything like that. No one told us anything really we were just trying to stay alive." Dax nodded, "Fair enough but know this the emperor protects. Even under hivers like you" Arkhan smiled. They reached the top of walls, Arkhan stopped amazed by the view. He could see for miles! A carpet of trees was laid out before him. What a world he had missed living in that hive, around the Hive was a great scar on the land not trees just brown and clouds of dust interspersed with flashes from explosions or the cities void shields. Dax spotted Arkhan staring,
"sure is something isn't it?"
"Yes it's amazing shame about the orks Arkhan replied.
" Yes we will have to do something about those unwelcome visitors. "
Dax looked up and down the battlements. A few other heavy weapons were setting up. Their weapons looked a lot newer than Arkhans stubber but he knew how reliable it could be. He started setting up the stubber, Dax went off and spoke to some of the other PDF soldiers he returned with a bottle of oil and a some rags. Arkhan went to work on the weapon. Dax watched in amazement. "I didn't think gangers knew how to keep their weapons in good condition"
"Well we figured out reliable weapons meant more wins in gang battles. Not all of us did it but I knew it would come in handy. The guns mechanism was all clean and looked good to Arkhan. They rigged up the gun so it was attached to the wall giving them a decent range of movement with it and waited.  Arkhan stared at the battle for the Hive. We're his old gang involved? Did they even know? The under hive had little concerns for what happened higher up but this might just get their attention. That was of little concern to Arkhan now, to be honest after Razor was taken Arkhan watched the gang decend into chaos. No where near as organised and more cruel that's why he had left.  "Incoming!!!" came the call, Arkhan had no idea where from but scanned the skies while Dax checked the ammo connected to the guns. He could see lots of aircraft and was trying to focus on the closer ones. Least the Orks planes were easier to spot. Bright colours and bits hanging off them. Explosions rocked the base and he heard a weapon start to chatter. Dax looked round, "Looks like they are assaulting the gate" the smell of battle wafted across the sky. Arkhan gripped the Stubber handles in fear, this was bigger than any gang fight and he was wondering if he could make it. Dax somehow sensed this  and put a hand on his shoulder "Hey you got this. Orks can be beaten, we can do this. The Emperor protects" Arkhan nodded embarrassed that he was that transparent. "The emperor protects" he replied as he had heard people on the base say in response to that statement. Hell of a time to find religion thought Arkhan. If you are out there emperor I could really use your protection. An engine whined loud and Arkhan snapped out of his trance. He swung the Stubber round and saw an ork fighter diving at the base. "Here we go!!" he squeezed the trigger and sent a burst of bullets  into the sky. The plane got closer and flashes of lights erupted from its wings. The battlements to the right of Arkhan exploded as bullets struck the brick work. Luckily there was no one there. Arkhan adjusted his aim and fired a longer stream of bullets. He smiled when he saw the plane take damage, chunks of metal flying off the wing. The plane jinked and flew over head still shooting into the base. Arkhan scanned for new targets of which there were many. Seems they had finally attracted the Orks attention. Arkhan was itching to look at front gate but he knew where his place was and couldn't worry about the gate. The air was filled with screams, engine whines and explosions, Dax spotted another ork plane coming in for a strafe. He fired again and again. Bullets slammed into the ork plane and an explosion sent the vehicle hard to the left. Smoke erupted from the side and it lost height slamming into the mountainside below the Fort. "Yes!!" Dax yelled slapping Arkhan on the back. Arkhan smiled letting himself enjoy a brief moment of exhilaration before going back to searching for targets. The ground shook as an explosion rocked the Fort. Arkhan looked around smoke was pouring from the front of the Fort but he couldn't see any holes in the wall. He went back to spotting aerial threats. "Only shoot the ones that get close Arkhan we gotta conserve ammo" Dax yelled over the noise of Battle. Arkhan nodded as he squeezed off another burst at an orc flyer racing over the Fort. This was nothing like a gang fight Arkhan thought, this was on such a bigger scale. The Fort was being battered from air and ground, the plains around the Hive were covered in smoke and explosions. The hive rippled a blue ish haze as explosions hit the void shields. The explosions were bigger than anything Arkhan had seen so much for a quiet life away from the under Hive. A figure came bounding up the stairs, carrying 2 ammo boxes Arkhan saw it was Kahla, she was breathing heavy she dropped the boxes by Dax and Arkhan "We found some extra ammo and the Captain in charge said there was an ex ganger and old PDF member on the wall with the only gun it will fit. I guess that's you guys" she smiled and she sat down back against the battle ment. Dax took the boxes and added them to his little pile. Arkhan scanned the skies but couldn't help notice Kahlas smile. "you ok? “ he asked,
" Why Arkhan are you worried about me? I'm good just taking a breather then back to humping supplies. The Orks have hit the front gate hard as we expected but we are holding it. We've took a few hits but we are OK so far. " she slimbed to her feet and started down the stairs, she turned round" Stay safe you two " and with that was gone into the hussle and bussle of the Fort.
" Arkhan!!! " Arkhan turned his head and saw Dax pointing out an orc flyer coming at them. He pressed the trigger and the stubber burst into life, the orc flyers wings erupted in smoke. Bullets slammed into the battlements showering Dax and Arkhan with bits of masonry. Arkhan had no idea if he had hit the flyer as it shot over head.  An explosion to his right blew a wave of pressure and warm air across Arkhans face. One of the heavy weapons team on their wall was no more. Just a crater and hole on the battlements. Arkhan rubbed dust from his eyes, visions of a missile just wiping him out in a blink of an eye filled his mind. He shook his head come on! Can't think about that. He remembered what Dax had said, the emperor protects. Well he bloody well hoped so. He fired at another orc flyer as he it flew past. He noticed something at the hive, explosions inside the shields? He watched the battle for the Hive, while he couldn't see the orcs he could see the scar on the land that was the orc army firing at the Hive and ruining the land. Suddenly the hive stopped shimmering and explosions started happening all over the Hive. "Dax!! Dax look the shield has gone!" Dax looked over the battle ment "Frak!!! I gotta find the captain." Arkhan waved his hand "Go Go I got this" Dax sprinted down the stairs. Arkhan checked the guns feed and mechanisms. All  good so he went back to spotting aerial threats. He noticed most of the flyers were headed towards the Hive and were now bombarding that. Giving their little Fort a respite. Dax and Captain Vanden came up to the balcony. "Look sir the Hive shield is down! “ Dax said anxiously,
" What in the Emperors name has happened?! “ he stared at the Hive, now suffering huge explosions though Arkhan  noted now the Hive was returning fire so the orks weren't having it all one way.
Captain Vanden slapped his hands on the wall in frustration. Arkhan could see the panic in the captains eyes. He then suddenly stopped and looked more focused. "Right nothing we can do to help the Hive. We have our problems hopefully the Emperor can spare protection for us all. I need you to to help cover the front gate in time for the next rush. We need more firepower when the orcs come again besides the flyers seem to busy to notice us now!  With that the Captain was gone back into the chaos. Arkhan started to packing up the heavy stubbed and Dax started gathering the ammo. Arkhan saw the attack that had took out the heavy Weapon crew had severed access to the front gate so they would have to go back down first. They pushed their way through the crowd of people, some working sone cowering under vehicles or in corners. They reached the front gate and climbed to the battlement.  Medics were tending to some Wounded on there. Dax pointed to a place and they began set up the stubber. With the stubber set up Arkhan could have a look at the scene at the front of the outpost. It was utter carnage, dead Orks lay everywhere also some dead defenders that had fallen from the wall. Around him Arkhan saw the bullet marks and explosion scores. Man they had it rough here. Arkhan started to feel a nervousness he had never felt. He had been in life or death situations all the time but that had been in a small area and or small numbers where your wit would help you survive here it just seemed that death could reach out and touch you. It was at this point he prayed to the emperor for the first real time.  He could see Dax watching him,

"Arkhan you good man? “ Arkhan had no idea if he was..... Dax smacked his shoulder" Arkhan!! let's do this! Come on I do not plan on entering the emperors light just yet and neither do you" Dax yelled. The world snapped back into place. Arkhan shook his head, "Sorry Dax, I've just never been in anything so....... So.... big"
"Don't worry kid. All we can do is fight and keep fighting  until the end mate." Dax placed a hand on Arkhans shoulder "Kill em all Arkhan" he didn't know why but he felt a  amongst the smoke, death and carnage he felt calm. "Kill em all Dax"
He swung the stubber to cover the road leading up to the out post.  He spotted movement amongst the battlefield wreckage. Green hulking figures trying to move steathly amongst the burning vehicles and battlefield carnage. "Orks!!!" Arkhan shouted, he then fired a burst at 3 Orks using a ruined hauler unit as cover. Several bullets felled one ork. Arkhan raked the ork again with stubber fire just incase. The rest of the front defenders had opened up now, heavy bolter and auto cannon shots lashed the ground in front of the outpost catching many Orks. The Orks returned fire, a fusilade smashed into the outpost defences. Arkhan winced as bullets chipped the wall around him but he kept firing at any Orks that strayed from cover. A roar went up from the Orks and they surged forward, Arkhan was shocked at their blood lust, needlessly running into fire. Arkhan wasn't complaining, he mowed down several Orks as they ran into the open. A rocket impacted against the wall, Dax fell over with the vibrations, he quickly recovered and carried on feeding the stubber, he looked at Arkhan nervously "Last tin !!!" That's not good Arkhan thought. Some of the Orks reached the gate and started hacking at it with axes. Arkhan wasn't sure they would have any effect but still having Orks that close can't be good. He could get the stubber to get the right angle on them though. Thankfully one of the other defenders stopped firing his heavy bolter and dropped 3 frag grenades down amongst them. The force of the detonation hit Arkhan like a hard wind blowing through the underhive. The Orks at the gate were no more though. The soldier who dropped the grenades gave Arkhan a thumbs up and smiled. He then slumped over as ork bullets riddled his body. "Frak!!!!" Arkhan shouted. The Orks seemed to be pulling back as the incoming fire was lessening. The heavy bolter operator was pulling his comrade off the wall and shouting for medics. Arkhan looked at the empty cans and bullet casings scattered around them. The air was heavy with smoke and cordite. Dax lent against the wall, "Thank the emperor we don't have their full attention. We ar running low on ammunition."
"Why do they just charge like that? It's crazy" Arkhan asked, "That's Orks my friend" Dax shrugged. He showed Arkhan the last tim of ammo. Not much left in it at all. "What about that?" Arkhan pointed at the heavy bolter that was now left unaccompanied. "Good call" Dax replied. They left the stubber and moved to the centre of the wall where the heavy bolter was. The outpost still looked like chaos to Arkhan people running around  boxes laying ripped open. Casualties being dragged to the small amount of buildings. Dax pulled out an Lho Stick and lit it. "We are screwed if they bring mortars. Anything they get over the walls will hit us hard. But could be worse we could be there" he pointed at the Hive. Explosions flickered constantly. Tracer fire lashed at the Hive and from the Hive into the Ork horde. At least the Hive was fighting back Arkhan thought. Night was starting to set in now. Arkhan wondered if that would bring some quiet but he didn't think so the damned Orks seemed relentless.
Arkhan kept a close eye out for Orks as the light faded completely. A few small lights came on around the outpost. Dax stretched his legs out, "At least someone thought not to activate the main lighting. We don't wanna be lit up bright in the middle of an ork invasion"  "That sounds sensible" Arkhan replied. The adrenaline was disappearing and exhaustion was setting in it had been a long day. Captain Vanden  was walking along the battlement  speaking to the defenders. He came upto Dax and Arkhan. "Well done men. We survived one day. I'm hoping the Orks don't attack again tonight. I don't have any one to spare so can you workout a watch system for the night. I'll get some food and ammo sent up to you" Dax and Arkhan nodded. "Yes sir" Dax replied. The Captain moved on, Arkhan scanned the walls, they were running out of heavy weapons it seemed. There were definatly fewer heavy weapon teams manning the walls than this morning. "Right I'll take first few hours you get some sleep Arkhan." Dax said, relief at the prospect of some sleep hit Arkhan. "Thanks man" Arkhan moved away from the Heavy bolter found an empty magazine as a pillow and laid down. Thank the emperor it was mid summer so the evenings weren't to cold. Arkhan had slept in worst places in the under hive. He closes his eyes and tried not to think over the days events.
Arkhan woke with a start Dax was shaking his shoulder, "Your turn mate I'm beat. Not see any movement hell of a fight at the Hive still. Hopefully they have forgot about us."Dax spoke wearily his eyes were red from tiredness. Arkhan got up stretched his limbs out. It had definatly got colder as now he ached. He sat by the heavy bolter as Dax settled against the battle ment. He closed his eyes then opened them again" Oh someone will be by with food. Well that's what they said to me" he closed his eyes again and drifted off to sleep. Arkhan rubbed his eyes, the sky around the Hive glowed vivid shades of orange as the battle raged. He tried not to look to much as it played hell with his night vision. He kept sweeping the bolter sights across the front of the outpost. All quiet  so he relaxed a bit, remembering What Razor his gang leader had said. The eye spots movement don't try so hard. As he sat there he realised that the thumps and booms from the give battle were still on going his brain had just filtered them out. He heard steps coming along battlements. He turned and saw a smaller figure walking towards him, a Las gun slung over one shoulder and a sack in the other. It was Kahla, she sat next to him "Courtesy of the departmento munitorium." she handed him a tin and a cup. The tin was sealed and pulled off with a little tab. He held the cup and she pulled out a flask and poured a warm steaming liquid into it. "Nice bit of caffeine and some rations..... Don't ask how old" she smiled. Arkhan smiled as the sensation of the warm caffeine drink invigorated his hands. "How old the food or you are?" He replied, she smacked his shoulder, , "Both!" Arkhan laughed, a brief break from the grimness surrounding him.  Kahla poured herself a drink and they watched the darkness together. Arkhan put his mug down and opened his ration pack. He was so hungry he didn't even worry about age or taste just needing fuel he ate it all while trying to keep an eye on the front of the outpost. "it's almost sunrise. I best get back to it" Kahla said, she drank the last of her mug and got up. She headed off the battlements as the sun's lights started to stream over the mountains.Arkhan sipped his luke warm caffeine drink wondering what today will bring