Shroud of Night (Warhammer 40,000) by Andy Clark

Author:Andy Clark [Clark, Andy]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Deep beneath the ocean, some miles distant from where the dark waters had almost ended their mission in disaster, the Unsung crouched on a long metal gantry in the gloom of tunnel thirteen.

‘This is insane,’ said Makhor. ‘I’ve mentioned that, haven’t I?’

‘Several times, brother,’ said D’sakh.

‘And yet…’ said Makhor.

‘You worry too much,’ said Haltheus. ‘This is by far the fastest and most efficient way of reaching the hive city.’

‘Only if we survive it,’ said Makhor.

‘Haltheus’ plan isn’t without its risks,’ said Kassar. ‘But he’s right, it’s the quickest way at this stage, and we cannot afford to lose any more time. Your concerns are noted, Makhor.’

‘Well, that’s a relief,’ muttered Makhor. ‘I don’t see why we have a naysmith if no one ever listens to my objections…’

Ignoring Makhor’s dark mutterings, Kassar surveyed his warriors, assessing their readiness. The Unsung had a scattering of injuries between them, from Phalk’ir’s hidden facial burns and D’sakh’s cracked shin to the ugly wound that marred Skarle’s chest. Their armour, repainted for this mission, already looked every bit as grimy, dented, blood-spattered and scorched as it had upon their departure from Bloodforge, and several of their camo cloaks had been reduced to tatters. They clutched an assortment of weapons, some their own, some scavenged from the dead, many low on ammunition or suffering damage in their own right.

None of that mattered. They were his Harrow, his Unsung, and they would win through as they always had, without the aid of the Dark Gods. For all their flaws, corruptions and failings, they were the only ones he trusted in the entire galaxy. And that was enough.

‘Are we all clear on the plan?’ asked Kassar.

‘It’s hardly complex,’ said Haltheus. ‘Wait until the train is passing below us, then we jump, grab hold, rally to you, and ride it all the way to our destination.’

‘The vehicle is likely to be travelling in excess of one hundred miles per hour,’ cautioned Kyphas. ‘It will be no easy matter to time our drop correctly, or to land safely atop it.’

‘Are we sure that the baggage will survive this?’ asked Makhor. He gestured to where Syxx clung to Krowl’s backpack. The cultist had been firmly lashed in place with plasteel rappelling lines, and was now doing his best to avoid the biomechanical vents that drizzled hot, wet steam from Krowl’s power pack.

‘He’ll be fine,’ said Haltheus dismissively. ‘So long as he keeps his limbs tucked in and hangs on, those lines will hold him in place. And you know Krowl would go under the maglev before he let the baggage get injured when he’s been ordered not to.’

‘Besides,’ said Phalk’ir, darkly, ‘it survived drowning, and crushing. I’m sure it can survive this, too…’

‘Has anyone considered that we might not be the only ones trying this?’ asked A’khassor. ‘Stealing a ride on the maglev into the city, I mean. We may be about to leap onto a train crawling with Khorne worshippers just as eager to reach the city as us.’

‘Or Imperials,’ said Makhor.

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