Ravenwing by Gav Thorpe

Author:Gav Thorpe
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Black Library
Published: 2012-11-30T17:00:00+00:00

HOLDING THE LINE

There were three main routes of ingress towards the chamber where Cassiel guarded the elevator shaft. Araton swiftly divided the squadron to cover each approach, protecting the wounded sergeant until Brother Gideon and his escort arrived. For the moment, the pirates had pulled back from their attacks and appeared to be waiting for the Ravenwing to advance further.

Annael found himself with Sabrael on the platform of a rail transit station, positioned to cover both directions where the line disappeared into unlit tunnels. The platform was not high, only a metre above the line, and devoid of cover. There were small holes in the ferrocrete, left where furnishings or other fittings had been removed and the rail was littered with debris – broken ferrocrete, tattered rags and scatters of broken bolts and tools.

Ferrocrete ceiling blocks had fallen out and broken on the rails and platform, exposing the reinforcing girders within. There was rust on the metal, a lot of rust, and Annael was not certain of the chamber’s structural integrity. Half-columns lined the walls on either side of the tunnel entrances but they appeared more decorative than functional, the plaster heavily cracked, exposing crumbling ferrocrete beneath.

On the wall opposite the pair of tracks were wooden frames, fragments of paper still fixed within, though what had been on the posters was now lost. The light fittings set at regular intervals on the curved ceiling were in poor repair, only a few of them giving out a fitful, flickering blue light. Now and then the power would fail, plunging the station into darkness for a few seconds before returning to cast jittering shadows from the immobile Space Marines.

‘The Unworthy?’ said Sabrael, referring to the term Grand Master Sammael had used for the enemy in his last broadcast. ‘What twisted minds would cling to such a title?’

‘It is fitting,’ replied Annael. ‘They have turned from the light of the Emperor. That makes them Unworthy of any mercy or consideration.’

‘I do not think it is in reference to their rebellion, brother. Unworthy hints at aspiration unfulfilled, and one does not aspire to a position voluntarily forsaken. Our enemies consider themselves unworthy of something else.’

‘Does it matter, brother?’ Annael was content to wait in silence for the enemy or fresh orders, whichever came first, and found his squadron-brother’s chatter a distraction. Even by voicing his ambivalence Annael realised he was playing into Sabrael’s desire for attention.

‘The motivations of the enemy are always worthy of consideration,’ said Sabrael, his tone conversational though his words were an attempt to sound erudite. ‘It speaks to their mindset and allows us to understand their tactics and capabilities. If we cannot comprehend why it is that our foes fight, what chance have we of knowing the means they will employ? Does their self-perceived unworthiness make them better or worse fighters? Do they hope to attain worthiness in battle?’

‘Is that not our goal?’ asked Annael, despite himself. There was some truth to Sabrael’s opinion, though it was more a quest

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