2 weeks later.
Bunker Ollaneous has been reinforced and has now 2 companies at the ready for combat. The 2nd company is now ready for a counter attack. The reason we haven't been taking the initiative is that the eldar have been moving in rapid speed and are now consolidating their forces on this one eldar hub. There were a few skitarii rangers that were patrolling in the woods silently as they brought reports of eldar clustering in one space.
This would have been the right moment to strike and hit them hard while they are in the process of drilling their soldiers. To my surprise, high command has not given the order to attack the base because they would have left and find a suitable area for them to regroup and attack HQ in a better position. Instead they chose to remain; this brought the attention of the explorators.
The tech-priest sent their skitarii rangers in a silent scout mission so they would survey the ancient tech for further research. The thick and lush forest doesn't deter the mechanicus from learning this knowledge. I don't know what is their reason or motive to scout that particular area but one thing is for certain though — that we have an enemy to keep an eye on.
Castor was sitting between the benches he made just so he could relax while the Commissar was busy doing other matters. I'm simply tired from last week since that one strange battle with the eldar.
They're battle-tactics were certainly queer and odd but it didn't cause significant damage to the bunker but the attacks have been going on none-stop. They have been attacking this bunker 3 times already. It seems like they don't like their neighbor next door.
"*Yawning* It looks like the eldar doesn't like its neighbor next door?" Felix said while he was yawning. He had been awake for the entire night and now looks drowsy.
"Hey, keep it down, I'm trying to relax here too." I said sarcastically.
"Oh har har... you're the one sitting." Felix said in a straight face.
We both chuckle as we breathe a sigh of relief. We have been together for the pass week or so since the rest of our squad were prepping for the counter-attack. This was going to be a big a fight because it would give the imperials the victory we have been striving for.
The sun was rising for God-Emperor knows how long but at least it gives me a sense of warmth. I look around and expected Gebris to be eating some rations — this was the 5th time I felt like Gebris was still around.
Even though he is dead; that doesn't mean I won't forget that gluttonous man. My trauma now is getting the the better of me, I must focus so I can survive for as much as my feeble body can take. While I was lost in thought, daydreaming of when I could get home and make a family of my own. The people who are now next to take sentry position now came out of the blue and appeared behind me.
"Sir, your shifts up and you should head back to the bunker." An unknown guardsmen said.
"Haaaa~ Could we just stay here a bit longer? I wanna see the sunrise again." Felix nonchalantly said to the 3 men.
I pulled him by the collar and dragged him up, still looking sleepy as he didn't acknowledge Castor's aggressive grip. Castor was walking casually towards the metal doors until Commissar Janette called out to him. He faced at her with eyes of dread with a pale appearance on the surface of his head. The Commissar eerily marches next to the him and examined the Corporal.
"Cpl. Lorr, report." She said coldly, giving him the glare of anticipation.
"I-I am now returning to my room with my squadmate because our shift is done." I said nervously. Ever since Gebris died, Janette Ironfang was now being more and more aggressive towards her guard. It must have been due to the death of Gebris that she is acting like this but I can't tell for certain that is the case. Since she doesn't show that much emotion other than her devotion to the emperor of course.
She takes a glimpse of the slumbering Felix who is nestling in my back. Snoring in his sleep and mumbling to himself that he may avenge Gebris with rations and oiled margaritas. Tucking her hat as an expression of her shrugging — she waves her hands and turns around to the other soldiers who were dozing off from their shifts.
This made the Commissar to draw her bolt-pistol and shot one of the men sleeping, right behind his head. As his skull was blown like a mine that was never stepped on his victim. Gray-matter spilled everywhere and alarmed the other guardsman next to him in a state of alertness. What a gritty way of putting the men back up and running when they are slacking off the job. It's a good thing she didn't spotted us, otherwise Felix would have been that unlucky guardsman.
*****
I closed the metal door behind me inside the bunker. When the hatch was shut — Felix was shaking non-stop, 'Ah so he also saw it too.' I thought and I put him down so he can stand. At first he had trouble standing upright but soon got the hang of his balance and breaths palpably.
"I... I didn't know she was that kind of Commissar... What did Gebris got himself into?" Felix commented as he still adjusting to the new Janette Ironfang.
"And you have a mouth full of endless flocking ravens. You know that right?" Castor remarks, then strolls to his bunk room with the rest of his squad waiting.
"H-hey wait up, Castor! You can't leave me here!" Felix screech in delight — bringing back that carefree attitude of his.
We then reach to room 056. the designated dwelling we were assign to and feels like home, I can say for sure. Domitian was the first to greet our return and gave us a BIIIIIIIGGG hug. Next was Czevak who momentarily stop flirting with the sergeant and also gave us a BIIIIIIIIGGG hug and then seconds later he then face the Sarg again [ Ricardo Milos style ].
Who then got a sucker punched in the face which made him spin in twice — landing on the safe embrace of Domitian. Then comes after Sergeant Anya; she didn't gave us the BIIIIIIIIGGG hug were expecting, I mean we had our arms stretched so we can give her the finishing move but no, all we had was a handshake. We didn't take this so lightly so we sneered at Domitian and Czevak. In response they too sneered back at us and Sgt. Anya knew what they were going to do.
"////GROUP HUG!////" The boys said in unison and surrounded her on all sides. Her hanging breast were squeeze, her face incarnadine with a red tinged. As well as her dangling brown hair fluttering as if there was a hush of wind in the room. We snuggle together like this for 2 minutes, she then return and hug us all back.
The whole squad now withdrew their embrace and proceeded to do what they were supposed to be doing. They are expected to be ready by 0900 without anyone going awol for the upcoming counter-attack at what we believe to be the eldar headquarters. We were ordered to scout and watch if there are any eldar activity. Today was that day we head out and make our move.
*****
Aemylth was hiking over the hillside and she was ennui to the point where she didn't notice the leaves falling in front of her. It was around dusk — she thought it might be better to practice at the waterfall that was only 800m away from the webway. That place had been her favorite to further hone her skills as a banshee.
She often prays that Morai-heg would allow her to swiftly kill her enemies with one flick of a finger. Aemylth never liked fighting but she chose this path not for her but for the craftworld. Since the demand of howling banshees were up on the menu, it has been a requirement to play her part of the role in this accursed galactic space.
After a long hour in a half of walking through the dense and lush forest; she finally made it to her destination. The place was what she remembered — the water splashing, the smooth flow of the current and the chimes of the native wildlife reverberating in her ears. This was the right spot for her to practice the skills she had been longing to master but before she could do that.
She decided to relax and enjoy the serene peace she rarely takes. Stripping down her Aspect Armour that may have been a millennia old. With nothing on her — Aemylth made a dolphin dive and swam like a carefree individual with no worries to think. This makes her feel nice.
*****
Castor and the rest of his squad were sent to the forest near the eldar webway to see if there are any weak points they can exploit. Thus far Castor was now alone again since my squad just lost a man. Thankfully though Sgt. Anya would let me scan the parameter by myself. Did she finally understood that Castor can do things on his own? Who knows, it might be because she didn't want the commissariat to be impatient. Pretty typical but an understanding excuse since Ironfang hasn't been acting well.
I shook my head and focused on the mission. He was near enemy lines; he can't doze off when an eldar ranger can snipe him from the back. Too risky and too dangerous — which is why we were expected to be quick and report whatever we can find in the span of 2 hours only. This was going to be a tricky one since if you won't make it by the 2 hour mark, I would likely be shot by the commissar.
I have to make haste before I could end my life to one of my (deceased) squadmates lover. He was running fast yet very stealthy to wherever the pathways are clear to move quietly because he didn't want to be spotted by any eldar scouts.
Castor marched in a hurry so he can get out of here as quick as possible. While he was searching for the enemy — only looking left and right then proceed to check the other areas; he hears a river nearby.
Curious and most certainly eager to take scout this part of the forest — Castor nonchalantly marches towards where the sound could lead him. He finally reached to where his curiosity would get him to but stopped and scan his surroundings if there are any eldar nearby.
'None so far, *Phew* good thing there wasn't any, otherwise it would have been a different story.' He thought to himself
He step forward, pushing away the shrubs and bushes that were in the way until he reached the riverbank. It was a small yet clear stream of water flowing.
It's reflection was flickering in my face as I was in the shade of a tree next to me. It gives of a soothing feeling which I have never felt before. This planet is amazing. Throughout my adventures as a guardsman, I for one has not been this calmed and relax for most of my life.
"How about I wash myself for a bit... I am a bit dirty." He smirked to himself by the reflection of the water. He puts down his lasrifle behind a tree and takes off his gear from his head like protective visors, a mask to cover the dust in the air and finally his helmet.
Revealing his natural black hair, then scoops a handful of water and splashes it onto Castors face. Rubbing repetitively until he was finally clean from the dirt and debris from last night's skirmish.He hasn't shaved this small patch of beard for quite a while now, maybe this time he might do that today.
'It's only a little trim, there's no harm in idling.' Castor thought and grabs a knife in his pockets. He delicately shave every hair piece in his jawline until there was none. Afterwards he washes himself and clean of the cut-out hair. He looks back to himself at the water and saw a new yet clean look on his face — he momentarily leans forward and punches at the water current.
How could he have been so laid back when there is an enemy that would have no mercy on his kind. He has heard stories of eldar torturing humans just for sports and indulge in the most hedonistic ways possible.
Castor sits at the shadow of the tree and stares at the water for a good minute. Thinking about the nightmares and atrocities he had committed. He can still hear the screams of the people dying within his very eyes... The people he had loved were all dead thanks to him. Lost in thought, Castor heard the crunches of twigs and leaves. '
Someone's coming!' He thought and immediately crawls back to a nearby bush. Hiding within the forest as his only safety; Castor doesn't know if it is either eldar or human.
He just needs to hide and see it for himself. He hopes it is human so he wouldn't have to hide so awkwardly but his hopes were soon crush by the time the figure appeared out of the forest.
"It's an eldar banshee..." He grimly whispered and reaches over to his lasrifle only to realize that it was on another tree. This made him regret coming here in the first place, so he facepalms himself in annoyance. He has to get out of here but that would draw the attention of the eldar banshee — exposing his location.
Castor had 2 options: either made a run for it, jeopardizing the assault or hide there so the eldar could leave. Both options are terrible since eldar have a tenacity in every aspect. Before Castor could choose, something unexpected happened that made Him question why his kind hates the eldar.
The eldar banshee turns her head left to right, scrutinizing her surroundings until she made a nodded gesture, likely to herself. Then takes off her warmask, revealing her crimson red pupils and her white silvery hair.
Taking off the rest of her armor, stripping down what was an intimidating wargear now looked like a slender yet white skinned women. She was completely naked and so she dives at the current next to the waterfall.
Castor gaped in awe at the sight of the female eldar's silhouette. He wonders to himself why he was fighting a species to the brink of extinction. Why though? So many questions were clouding his line of thought but would soon be interrupted by splashes of water.
He looks again at the female eldar, swimming so freely. Castor stared at her for a long time, seeing her giggle and smile. She was having fun, she is enjoying the warm water and she was...
"Beautiful..." Castor mumbles to himself and covers his mouth immediately when the eldar stopped swimming and looks around her.
A twig just twitched and she heard it but that wasn't me — it was a gargantuan beast that I have never seen before. This animal, I estimated it to be 2m tall and 5m long was like the myths and legends from his homeworld. The creatures structure was more akin to a 4 legged mammal, its fur was as thick as its claws that can cut a log in half.
Its fangs are menacing as if it can knaw through any bone. It stares at the nude eldar as she dash towards her weapons that she left at the other side of the river. Castor was thinking that this might be his chance of escape.
He steps back a couple of pace's and stops to look at the female eldar struggling to evade the giant beast. She frantically swung her blade like an elegant dancer. Her figure was very appealing and very difficult to look away.
No, I shook my vigorously — she was the enemy, so why would he help an eldar scum like her to tempt him to the wrong path that god-emperor would be displease at me. There was no benefit in helping an eldar that would potentially kill me. If I leave her here then it would lessen the strain of my fellow comrades back at the bunker.
Castor turns around and grabs his things, as well as his lasrifle for departure. He had enough of indulging himself in this riverside; maybe next time he'll come back if the imperial force becomes the victors. He straps the sling of his lasrifle over the shoulder and then turns around to see if she's still fighting.
Unsurprisingly, the female eldar was still naked — jumping around and swinging her blade like the howling banshees he remembers them to be. He withdraw his gaze at her and proceeded to march back and meet up with the rest his squad.
*****
Aemylth was swinging her chainsword in the most effective way she could hit the large mammalian beast but its fur was the problem. It was covered in a thick brown and oily layer of hair in every part of its exterior.
Acting as a defense that not only her sharp blade can't penetrate through — the wildlife in this planet is frightening to behold. Not even her shuriken pistols would do any harm to this massive behemoth that towers over her like a space marine.
It tried to take off a piece of her flesh when it attempted to bite off her head but she evaded. For she was as fast as any normal creature could. The problem being is that she was determined to slay this creature with her own hands — to prove that she had made progress.
Grinning to snatch her chance to prove the exarch that she too can win a fight with an equal foe much stronger than her. Aemylths ego was cranked up to eleven when she discovers a weak spot of the monster.
"[Foolish beast, did you honestly thought you can defeat me?]" She said in Aeldari and swung's her chainsword at the monsters underbelly.
Only to be disappointed that it didn't went through the way she expected it to, for it did not show any sign of bleeding. As it was lodged deep within the fur. Noticing that it's prey attempted to kill it — the beast had pounce the opportunity to pin her down by the arm and made large scratch at the limb.
The beast eyes glared at her and licks its lips in hunger. Opening its mouth — revealing the many rows of teeth that it had. Aemylth made a grimace look and shuts her eyes closed so it would not see its horrible appearance.
Just before she accepted her inevitable death. Flashes of light were emitted through the forest, it glowed like a stream of red light flashing out of the woods. Causing the animal to tumble over in extravagant pain as it let go of the young howling banshee.
When Aemylth looked at the direction where the red flashes of light was coming from — to her surprise it was a Mon'Keigh that showed up. He doesn't look like he was here for hunting, much less only irritating the creature so she could escape.
Knowing that an inferior ape was helping her; she gritted her teeth and stabs the beast abdomen in a fit of rage. The Giant creature wailed in pain and finally falls down at the ground at its side.
The red blood was spilling everywhere, even flowing at the river. Tainting it with the oozing stream of red mucus that it was flowing through. Aemylth looked back at the forest and scan the Mon'Keigh on the other side of the river.
She tried to move but was soon hit with a strong sting of pain coursing through her body. Aemylth was squeaking and groans in unbearable feeling. Seeing this, the Mon'Keigh decided to swim towards her and made it out soaking wet as a result. Then slowly walks towards as friendly as possible, to the injured eldar and puts down his lasrifle at the riverside.
Giving small gestures that he means no harm.
Upon knowing that the Mon'Keigh means no harm; she quickly grabbed her black undersuit next to her armor and covers it around her breast. She looks at him again but this time with caution. He pulls out some white long clothe and some vile's of what appeared to be antiseptic.
Is he thinking about giving her first aid? She did not know what he was doing but since she is bleeding so much she needs to be patched up quick, otherwise if this Mon'Keigh can't kill her then maybe disease will.
The human approach with caution and gets closer to her right arm where she was bleeding from. The eldar didn't mind but instead just went along and allowed him to add some antiseptic for sanitation and bandage her open wound. She tried to hold off the screams coming from her the sting that the antiseptics brought.
Aemylth was now alright and good to go, so she tried to get but then met the protest of the human as it swings it's index finger sideways. A gesture indicating that it might mean I shouldn't walk around with a wound like that. Stupid Mon'Keigh, they know nothing of our biology so why would this one know any better.
I'll give a correction but before she could say anything — a static voice was coming from his shirt. At first she didn't know what it was but soon learned it was they're way of communicating via radio transmission. 'How simple' she thought and turns her face away from him, pouting while Castor was busy talking in his vox-comm. Not paying any attention.
"Castor, we are withdrawing now. Meet up with the rest of the platoon by 30 minutes without delay. Over." Sgt. Anya said.
"Yes, I'll be there asap: Over." Said Castor in annoyance. He gets up and grabs his lasrifle, leaving the eldar alone and he waves goodbye at her.
Aemylth on the other hand didn't waved back as well as not even facing him. She was still avoiding eye contact — staring at whatever that caught her eyes attention. This made Castor abit anxious and stops waving then swims the other side of the river without looking back.
Aemylth on the other hand finally looks at the Mon'Keigh crudely swimming. He got up and walks a few paces towards the forest; only to stop and turn around and see her face again. They're eyes locked on each other's pupils — what felt like an eternity was but mere seconds. He wonders if he can see her again; he hopes he can.
When the two finally stop looking at each other, Castor walks towards the dense forest. Disappearing from Aemlyths sight. By the time when he was finally gone. She stood up, putting on her suit and wears her banshee wargear.
Before she could put on her banshee mask; she look at the other side of the river again. Hoping that the Mon'Keigh would return but he didn't come back, so she puts it on and went back to her kind.
"Thank you..." She stuttered under the mask. Blushing without know it.