THE BLACK ORK By ( Steve Turner ) |
SAGAS OF THE FALLEN ANGELS |
Sergeant Obsidius struck at the warlord with his gleaming power sword. The Ork flinched as the marine's blade swept through his massive black fist; two big fingers fell away. 'The warlord was waiting for us!' Sergeant Striker radioed Uzimel. Then he dropped back with the four gunners from the fray. Striker heard the sounds of bolt shells bursting over his radio. Sergeants Krokus and Obsidius dashed through the doorway. They could see the last of the Ork mob cramming into the other tunnel across the confines of the cavern. 'Striker, we're advancing on towards the rear of the Ork gang. ' Obsidius radioed. Then Krokus deftly stripped away the upper half of his terminator suit, at the same time rushing towards the backs of the aliens with Sergeant Striker. The big dark Ork leered at the remaining terminators inside the tunnel as he switched the handle of his larger warhammer into his good hand. Then he charged, swinging the hammer. The head of mallet caught most of the barrage from the two assault cannons, detonating the rounds before they could impact into him. 'Wherez Voltron?' the beast roared. Then the Ork smashed his warhammer into the helmet of the closest traitor marine, bashing it loose with the head still inside. The headless terminator staggered, colliding into the wall. Sergeant Striker grabbed a knife from his armor and cast it at the Ork. The warlord tried to sidestep but the blade sank into his thigh. The black Ork lurched, clutching at the handle of the marine's knife with his damaged hand. He wrapped his three remaining fingers around the hilt and pulled it from his leg as blood sprayed from the deep wound. The Ork threw down the blade and pulled a big choppa from a sheath strapped to his back. 'Fall back!' Sergeant Striker shouted to the gunners. 'Shoot while I try to hold him, don't worry about me.' Striker pulled his power sword from his scabbard. 'Look!' said one of the terminators carrying a cyclone missile launcher, pointing his power glove at the warlord. The Ork had turned his back to them and was ambling quickly towards the other tunnel. The Ork boss smashed into Sergeants Krokus and Obsidius, cutting the former in half with one blow of the big choppa. Sergeant Obsidius spun around and stabbed his power sword into the warlord. Then he felt the Orks behind him striking blows into his backside. Obsidius whirled around to face them, slashing a Nob's head loose. As the sergeant turned back towards the warlord, the black Ork gutted him with the big choppa. Obsidius tried to strike back, but another Nob smashed his head with a power claw. The Orks cheered as their warlord limped past them. The Ork boss dropped his choppa and pulled the power sword from his gut. Sergeant Striker picked up the assault cannon and charged into the cavern, his men right on his heels. The four Fallen Angels approached the entrance of the far tunnel and fired into the opening. 'Come on, let's go!' cried Striker. They charged into the tunnel, heavy weapons blazing. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Zed looked past the front line of terminators and saw the huge black warlord. The warlord held his big warhammer in his good hand, waving it at the terminators. The last few Orks jumped aside as their leader barreled past them. 'Step back.' Zed ordered. The commander pulled the last grenade from his belt strap and charged the black Ork. The warlord snapped his warhammer at Zed; the wild Angel parried the blow with his power sword. The warlord struck again, landing a blow on Zed's shoulderpad. Zed could hear bone crunching underneath the artificer armor. Sparks crackled as the warlord drove the head of his hammer into Zed's helmet, jarring the traitor marine's skull. Zed recoiled and swung his sword at the Ork's good hand. The warlord blocked the blow with his warhammer and grabbed Zed with his injured hand, yanking the traitor marine in close to his body. Zed kicked the Ork in his wounded midsection, and then butted his head into the warlord's face. The commander stuffed the grenade into the collar of the Ork's banded armor and pulled the pin. Then Zed spun away from the black Ork, just as the grenade detonated. A bright flash filled the tunnel, momentarily blinding the Orks. Zed immediately turned back to see that his nemesis had been knocked down from the grenade's blast. A flap of black skin hung down from the side of the warlord's face, fluttering as he laughed 'You fight like Ork, not like space marine. But still not good enough to win!' The Ork boss spat teeth from his gaping jaws. 'You even think like Ork, treacherous bastard!' The warlord swung at Zed with his warhammer. Zed grabbed his power sword with both hands, driving its point deep into the Ork. The warlord cursed, summoning the last of great strength and wrapped his arms around Zed. The black Ork's muscles bulged as he bear hugged the traitor marine, squeezing the breath from him. Zed braced himself and head butted the Ork again. Dark spots flashed before his eyes, Zed was losing consciousness. The Ork's nostrils flared as he sniffed Zed 'You not Voltron!' The Ork looked confused, while he continued to tighten his grip around Zed. The commander's entire body shuddered as spasms broke out through his body. The Ork boss lifted Zed from the floor and drove him into the wall. Zed sucked in his breath and jammed his knees into the Ork's groin. Sweat dripped from Zed's forehead, stinging his eyes. The warlord grunted then smashed Zed into the wall again, more fiercely than the first time. Zed felt his stomach heave as he vomited, but nothing came up. Then the black Ork rocked back on his feet, preparing to drive the marine into the wall yet again. Zed dropped both his legs and entwined them around the warlord's legs. The Ork toppled over, losing his grip on Zed. The commander crawled away on his hands and knees, panting as blood dripped from his mouth. Zed jumped up before the Ork could grab him and drove the black power sword into the warlord's bulging neck. Zed twisted the blade, parting the monster's head from his body. Then he grabbed the Ork's head and threw at the last of the Orks. 'Kill them all!' he commanded the terminators. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Interrogator Chaplain walked into the command center of the base with his retinue. 'What did they take?' he asked another Dark Angel, also entering from the other entrance. 'Nothing, sir. That's not all that puzzles me either. The Fallen Angels planted explosives throughout the base, but didn't bother to ignite them.' A space marine watching a video screen spoke 'There is something even stranger than that, sir.' 'Yes?' asked the Interrogator Chaplain. 'I have watched all of the events captured by the holo-vid units hidden throughout the base. Past Master Voltron managed to find and enter the mausoleum beneath the armory. He only disturbed an empty tomb, nothing else.' The Interrogator Chaplain answered 'The past master, it seems, went insane after his older brother Zed the Librarian died in the battle against the Black Ork's warband on Goliath VII. He blamed himself for not being there. However, none of us were aware of this for years. The Inquisition accused him of Chaos corruption afterwards, but couldn't prove a thing. You must have heard tales of his conquests? Apparently he's still searching for Zed's body.' THE END |
