Deathwatch 1 - Warrior Brood by Warhammer

Author:Warhammer [Warhammer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The massive tentacle thrashed through the vacuum with incredible speed, unhindered by the

constraints of air and gravity. Krelian ducked and then smashed his huge, double-headed power axe

into the sinewy tissue of the vine— the vacuum enhancing his speed. A spray of ichor and sap jetted

out of the gaping wound, freezing instantly into a rain of tiny, razor-sharp shards.

The small squad of Mantis Warriors were speckled over the barbed vine that was growing all

over the nose of the Purgation. The hull was buckled and torn where giant thorns punctured the

armoured plates, and where the continuous constriction of the liana crashed the substructure

underneath. From the bridge of the Sword of Contrition, the Space Marines looked like tiny green

insects climbing over a monstrous plant.

Krelian hacked with his axe, driving it down into the tendrils with both hands, throwing his

weight behind it to try and severe the organism’s hold on the Naval frigate. But the lack of gravity

worked against him: whilst it enabled his limbs to flash with lightning speed, it prevented him from

using his considerable bulk to press his blades home.

Looking around him, he could see the other Mantis Warriors slicing and lashing their blades

against the sprawling vinery. They were ducking and weaving to avoid the parries and swipes of the

tendrils, leaping out into space only to catch hold of one of the barbed vines and use it to swing

themselves back onto the hull of the frigate, where they would turn and slice the vine free, casting it

into the void.

The squad was arranged in a rough circle, wrapped round the main lance in the nose of the

Purgation, toiling to cut it free. Thorns and barbs were dug deeply into the array, preventing it from

firing and the lashes of the tendrils bound the barrel into immobility, so there was no hope of aiming

the thing, even if it could be made to fire.

In the bridge of the Sword of Contrition, things were not going well. The cruiser was shielding

the Navy frigate, using its own flank to absorb the stream of venom being pumped out of the

cannons of the prowling Razorfiend. The gun-servitors were working constantly, unleashing volleys

of lasfire against the monstrous organism, but they were outclassed at this range, particularly since

they were not able to manoeuvre. The Contrition needed to come about, and bring its frontal arrays

to bear.

“Captain Krelian,” called the bridge of the Contrition. “We cannot hold this position any longer.

You must get your men clear of the Purgation now.”

“Just a few more moments,” hissed the voice of Krelian through the vox. “We have nearly

cleared away this weed.”

A series of small explosions strafed around the nose of the Purgation as the mines set by the

Mantis Warriors detonated in the flesh of the terrible vine-organism. A flurry of axe blows later, and

a huge section of the liana was detached and sent thrashing into space, its tendrils working

frantically to regain some purchase on the Imperial vessel.

The lance barrel on the Purgation was suddenly freed, and power started to course into its

systems. Captain Ordius ordered the frigate

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