Gideon Bolt Pistol 54% Bolter 43% Heavy Bolter 03% Plasma Pistol 75% Plasma Gun 60% Plasma Cannon 30% Melta Gun 20% Multi-Melta 10% Missile Launcher 15% Flamer 80% Mental Demeanor Under requisition Over the next week Gideon found what the 'box' was. They would pick a marine up in 'lame duck' position, that is, when he had no power plant. Attaching a large arm to his back, they dropped him into a giant dark room. The suit was powered by a umbilical cord that ran through the suspension arm. As a simulator ran, the marine could move naturally and avoid obstacles while shooting targets that moved through an artificial enviorment. It wasn't too bad, adjusting to life on the rock. Sergai was right, Gideon's heightened senses stopped bothering him after a while. The green jelly they served everyday for food soon became a background issue, just as the wind circulating through the tunnel and brutal melee training. Finally the day came. A loud blaring horn woke the inhabitants of the rock, flooding the halls with running marines. Gideon rendezvoused with his squad in as he was running down the hall. "Get to airlock thirteen-A." Asmond had to yell over the sound of plasteel boots ringing on stone flooring. "Sir, yes sir." The marines shouted back. The air lock was a flowing mass of green figures. Armored marines ran through the giant hole four at a time, hefting various weapons. Gideon's squad were some of the first on board the battle barge. Grey plasteel girders supported black and rusted marble plating. Metal boots were ringing loudly, echoing down the large corridors. Pipes and beams stretched and rose in every corner and length of wall. The marines ran from the air lock, to their designated Thunderhawk Gunships. Next to him, soldiers in tactical dreadnought armor were being blessed, as they vanished in crackling warp energy. As Gideon stepped aboard the gunship the large bay door closed, locking them inside. "Listen up squad, a chaos fleet has engaged us in orbit around Tyros II. We are being assisted by the battleship Orion's Eye and its escort fleet. Because of this unexpected event, we are launching early. The triple suns of Tyros II are at their zenith, so you can expect the temperature to exceed two hundred degrees. Use your jump packs for insertion only, they won't have sufficient coolant to operate in these conditions for long. Most of the targets are under ground, so be cautions of where you throw your grenades." Asmond barked. Gideon felt as though he was weightless. Switching on the external view screen he saw open space, stars twinkled, overly bright with his augmented eyes. The amber colored planet was growing larger by the second. Changing the channel, he could now see the fleets in action. Large torpedoes slowly traveled the distance between ships, flaring shields as they struck. The Orion's Eye was a monumental battleship. Gigantic guns ran along its deck, flashing brilliantly as they fired. Explosions rippled along the chaos cruisers, blowing chunks from the behemoths. Flames blocked Gideon's view as the Thunderhawk entered the world's atmosphere. Heavy turbulence bucked the marines around inside the giant belly of this monster. Metal groaned in agony, engines screamed in pain. Then nothing. For what seemed like ages, Gideon could finally enjoy silence. A crack erupted from the ship as it broke the sound barrier. Small cities flashed below them, visible throught the view screen. Farms stretched for hundreds of miles in all directions. Reducing their speed, the pilots opened the cargo door. The marines were now looking out the back of the Thunderhawk in the kneeling position. They had all made at least a dozen simulated drops. The initiates were nervous, yet eager to spill their first blood. Golden grain looked like a large soft pillow from the sky as it waved back and forth in the wind. The setting suns cast a yellowish glow across the green gunship. Gideon activated his external breathing apparatus, or EBA, as they were commonly called. He breathed the fresh air in a deep, relaxing breath. It smelled of pure sweet-scented fruit. Maybe not, but it was better than the stagnant air on the rock. "Hang on, this could get a little rough." The pilot announced. Gideon closed his eyes and waited. The entire ship began to buck and shake. They had already been briefed about this. When the suns created a trianglular shape in orbit, the extra heat collided with cold northern air. It could cause massive cyclones and extreme turbulance. The reason the attack had been staged at this time of the solar cycle, was due to the harsh enviormental conditions over the firebase. Power armor was immune to such changes, but rebels had to wear special protective suits, adding to their vulnerability. "Thirty seconds to contact." The pilot announced. Gideon could feel the air raise in temperature. He switched back to his air recyclers. The air was stale, but at least it wouldn't burn his lungs. "Fifteen seconds" Asmond yelled. "Get ready." Each initiate was in front of a veteran so they could be observed on their first jump. Gideon felt pressure on his back from Sergai's hand. "Jump!" Asmond shouted while he pushed Terphyli out the large opening in the ship. One by one the squad cleared the Thunderhawk and ignited their engines. "Ignited engines" Gideon said inside his helmet. A sound like thunder erupted from his pack. Steering was as simple as leaning one direction or the other. Depending on how much pressure was put into a single turn, you could bank hard or easy. A quick spin right, and the marine could perform a barrel roll. "Move fast and stay clear of enemy fire." Asmond barely had time to say before orange darts trailing smoke screamed by them. Gideon checked the range to the target. A mile and a half was displayed under his targeting reticule. He dropped low as anti-aircraft fire whistled by his head. The main strike force was no where to be seen. Doesn't matter he thought, just focus on the mission. Buildings started to appear ahead of them. "Bowstring formation, break." Their sergeant yelled over the radio. The squad broke in two. Five arched high, five sped strait forward, hugging the ground. Gideon went low, cutting into the grain. Missiles started emerge from the buildings moving slowley, trailing grey smoke. The fields ended abruptly. Charged earth and grey ash took its place. Smoke billowed up from the ground as fires burned away at golden crops. Figures could be seen standing outside the buildings firing at the marines. Laser beams filled the air around Gideon. Occasionaly they would strike, creating a small glowing circle on his armor. The five marines above him started to descend, drawing most of the fire from the lower group. He could see Asmond unholster his plasma pistol. Gideon drew his own, wondering if it would work after Malachai's tinkering. Rolling hard left, Gidoen avoided a series of autocannon rounds. The pistol moved gently in his hand while he squeezed the trigger. White darts fled through the air towards his target. They cracked, sending sparks and waves of heat through the air. Not close enough Gidoen thought, then remembered his targeting cursor. Matching it to his weapon, it traced the pistol's movements, and remained green for a few more seconds. Gideon fired wildly at his target. |
OUTSIDE INFLUENCE VOLUME I By Brother Gideon |
TOMES OF VALOUR |
This story has been reproduced with permission from the author. Many terms used in this story (such as Space Marine, Eldar, and others) are Trademarks of Games Workshop, Inc. Their use here is not intended as a challenge to said trademarks. |
