The Truth Revealed

By the time Reynald and his men returned to the palace Major Simmons had managed to collect about two hundred more men from the PDF and a score more families. Altogether they were a pathetic remnant of the original population. After arming them as best he could he had every able-bodied person working on barricades. Reynald ordered one squad along with Mortimer and his men to serve as lookouts, the other three he had assist with the defenses. He met up with the Major to discuss what to do next,
“My lord, the armories have been broken into and looted. The scant weapons that were left have been distributed.”
“Were they not secured properly?” Asked Reynald accusingly.
“They were my lord, the doors were ripped from the wall.” He replied hastily.
“Hmm, anything else Major?”
“Most metal of any worth has been carried off leaving little of worth to make barricades. If they get through the outer palace walls we won’t hold long.”
“These walls are strong; they will be hard pressed to get through.”
“That’s where things go south my lord. They have been using some sort of plasma weapon by the looks of it.”
“Damn. Cannons specifically. How many?”
“Five. We covered three but ran out of material for the other two. One is on the east side and the other is on the south end. The south end also has a tunnel in line with it and I’m guessing that’s how they got in originally.”
The Castellan accompanied the Major to the breech to assess the situation. The wall had been indeed removed by plasma and the tunnel was too shallow to be effectively caved in.
“This breech should have been your priority Major.”
“We didn’t find it until after the other four.”
“Do you have any mines Major?”
“Ha, that seems to be the only thing not taken. We have two crates left; the rest are covering the other breeches.”
“That will do then.” Replied Reynald and he walked away.
The Templars were founded by the Imperial Fists and had the potential to create defensive plans, although this rarely happens. If there was a chance to hold Castellan Reynald and his men would find it.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Matthew and the remainder of squad Tristan continued through the tunnels annihilating another two birthing chambers. Other than the nurse beasts and random guards nothing had attacked them. As they continued on Tristan spoke up,
“It’s odd that nobody has come to get us, it makes me edgy.”
“Tristan do not let the petty minds of warp spawned beasts bother you.” Reprimanded Matthew.
“I’m not nervous by any means. I just can’t but wonder that they might be attacking Castellan Reynald and we’re lost down here.”
“I see. I share your concern brother.”
Their conversation died as they found themselves walking into a massive chamber. Instinctively every marine drew a weapon before staring in awe at what lay in front of them.
The chamber was enormous with dozens of tunnels leading into it and it was filled with hundreds of worker beasts with dozens of the large monsters lumbering around among them. Large numbers of enemies do nothing to deter Templars; neither did the stacks of ammo and weapon crates lining the walls. The thing that shocked them the most were the patchwork starships that were berthed inside the cavern.
“By the Emperor, they work fast.”
“Again we can see the genetics of the foul Orks.”
“Judging by the plasma generators that they are working with, I’d say they’re about done. What’s the plan Matthew?”
“I say we purge these beasts now while we have the element of surprise.”
“No brother Ethan, we would be overrun. As much as I desire to die gloriously killing the enemies of the Emperor we wouldn’t destroy the ships.”
“I don’t…”
“Brother, these ships pose the real threat. If they get off planet these monstrosities could spread all over the system and eventually beyond. Think of them as a plague, containment is the priority.”
“So what’s the plan?” Pressed Tristan.
Matthew looked around before answering.
“Those demolition charges. Let’s grab a crate each and create a chain leading back to this place. Judging by the amount of weaponry and other trash lining all these tunnels we’ll be able to get this whole mine complex. The ones that don’t die here we will crush in battle.”
“I like it, alright brothers let’s do it.”
The marines managed go unnoticed to where the charges were stored. However it was obvious they were not going to make it back out as two of the giants had stopped in front of the tunnel they were trying to go into. Matthew paused then drew a grenade. He lobbed it into a tunnel that had relatively few munitions crates. As soon as it blew every giant in the chamber grabbed some form of weapon and rushed to the tunnel. When the two guards ran off the squad ran into the tunnel to begin planting the charges. Tristan and Matthew planted the first charges when the two guards came charging back, not alone. The squad turned towards them in unison.
“Huh, intelligent guards, didn’t see that coming.” Roars came from don the tunnel behind them.
“They set a trap brother.” Remarked Tristan. “Shall we spring it?”
“Yes, let’s. For the Emperor!”
The charges forgotten Matthew drew his sword and pistol and charged the monsters coming from the large cave. Tristan was at his side in seconds and the pair took down the first giant with two plasma bolts to its chest. They leapt over the fallen beast and began fighting the onslaught of giants. Half of the squad joined them in their fight while the other half defended the tunnel.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Two hours before dusk Reynald and his men had finished the defenses of the palace. It wasn’t what the Castellan would have liked but it would do. He surveyed the work from the top of the outer wall and then looked over the plains as the Chaplain approached him. Silence stretched for long moments between the two warriors until the Chaplain spoke.
“The thing that separates us from the beasts is our bond of brotherhood and our faith in the Emperor.” Reynald cast him a sidelong glance. “I wish to apologize for my actions earlier, what you did was right.”
“Sometimes our rage blinds us from wisdom brother. Rage against our enemies is the Templar’s main strength. There is nothing to forgive.”
They shook hands in the warrior’s handshake, clasping at the wrist. A marine approached the pair from the ground,
“My lord Reynald, the Major posted a squad of men to guard the main tunnel; the others are posted near the wall breaches.” As if on cue a squad of PDF soldiers took up position at the breach to the left of the trio.
“Very good. These fortifications are strong and we are no longer immediately needed. Gather the men; we are going to march into that accursed tunnel to find our lost brothers.”
Further talk was cut short as a massive hand punched up through the ground and grabbed one of the men by the leg and pulled. The man’s other leg shot out at a right angle keeping him from being pulled down. Before his comrades could react, and with a loud crunch, the man was ripped down the hole. Nothing else stirred from the hole as all eyes were glued to it. At the repaired hole to the right of the marine’s a soldier was speared through the back by a massive, scythe-like talon. He was lifted screaming into the air and then launched into the palace wall as the giant attacked the barricade. The first hole opened to reveal a tunnel and more beasts.
“Chaplain, join your squad.”
“Yes, my lord.” He leapt from the wall and ran to lead his squad.
“Brothers!” Reynald shouted with a grin. “Teach these abominations to fear our wrath!”
The response was simple,
“For the Emperor!”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The battle underground was at a bloody standstill, neither side gaining ground on the other. Unfortunately for the marines the monsters had numbers on their side. Matthew thought for of a way to finish his plan.
“Brother Ethan.” He voxed. There was a pause, then,
“Yes brother?”
“Clear a path so that Brother Robert and his neophyte may plant the charges down the tunnel. We’ll cover you from this end.”
There was no response, except for the shift in the battle in the tunnel. Matthew and Tristan fell back with the other marines to create a wall of fury in the mouth of the tunnel. The others began clearing out the tunnel so that Robert could get through. It didn’t take long, it seemed as if the monsters that had attacked from behind were merely waiting and did not come from a tunnel. Once it was clear, Robert and his neophyte took off leaving the rest of the squad to fight off the ever growing horde. Through the roars, and plasma cannons, chainswords and small-arms fire one cry rang out triumphantly,
“For the Emperor!”