Shadow Captain - David Annandale by Warhammer 40K

Author:Warhammer 40K [40K, Warhammer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857875792
Publisher: Black Library
Published: 2014-01-15T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

The autarch and Alathannas arrived in the field just outside the Raven Guard encampment within minutes of Krevaan’s return. The two eldar rode their jetbikes to within a few metres of where the Thunderhawk Claw of Deliverance was preparing for lift-off. Krevaan was aboard with his squad. He ordered the pilot, Radost, to wait. He pulled open the side door, jumped to the ground, and strode over to the two xenos.

‘You know of the land train,’ Alathannas said.

‘It destroyed ten of my warriors.’

‘And many of ours. Autarch Eleira believes our strategies should be closely coordinated. We cannot confront the orks in a direct contest.’

Admitting the orks’ numerical and armour superiority to anyone other than his battle-brothers went against Krevaan’s every instinct of honour and pride. Denying the truth of the assessment, however, would be madness. There was no time for grandstanding. And he had never had patience for commanders unwilling to face reality. ‘I agree,’ he said, looking directly at Eleira.

She acknowledged him with a formal nod.

Alathannas began, ‘If the land train joins the main army…’

‘We are aware of the danger,’ Krevaan interrupted. ‘We are fighting to keep them apart.’

Eleira said something to the ranger. Alathannas translated, ‘With respect, force may not be sufficient.’

That, too, was true. ‘What alternative do you propose?’

‘We must make the orks choose to take separate paths.’

‘I approve of the goal. You would need to offer them something very tempting for that to work.’

‘The autarch proposes that we offer ourselves. All the eldar on this planet will ride before the army, drawing it off before the land train arrives.’

Krevaan was impressed by the daring and the selflessness of the move. The sacrifice the eldar were willing to offer was great.

It was one that would make no sense if there wasn’t something more important to the eldar than any of their lives on this planet. In the city.

For Krevaan, the conversation took on the aspect of a duel. He and the eldar were using verbal camouflage as they sought to outflank each other. Every word spoken was true, and every word spoken was beside the point. The eldar needed the orks destroyed so they could find their true target. Krevaan had come to rid the planet of the orks, but to the larger game of luring the Overfiend to the system was added the necessity of uncovering the eldar game.

‘Your plan does you great honour,’ Krevaan said. And he too, was speaking the truth, even while he thought how profoundly he distrusted the eldar motives for undertaking this action. ‘Should you succeed, have you considered how to survive that pursuit?’

‘Speed has always been our weapon. If the orks look to our annihilation, rather than to besiege the city, we will have greater scope for action,’ Alathannas said.

Krevaan visualised the territory. ‘There are gullies to the east,’ he said. ‘If they follow you there, their mobility will be compromised.’

Alathannas translated for the autarch. She inclined her head again. The ranger said, ‘We thank you for the information. You will mount an assault on the train?’

‘Yes.

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