Warzone: Borhelia - a mini-campaign on the planet Boreliah in the Esenie system!
Brother Thorik leaned over the wall and risked a glance towards the eastern perimeter with his IR magnoculars. What he saw would have discouraged even the sternest soldier. In the distant horizon, thousands of creatures were advancing. An endless wave of malevolent aliens. And beyond that, towering aliens with gigantic claws, teeth and strange firearms. Thorik sighed and realized that this day would be a real test. He had been a Grey Hunter for a couple of years but all the action he had got this far was a couple of skirmishes with Orks. Stupid and noisy aliens that were low on morale and easily beaten. This was different, he thought. The Tyranids were impossible to negotiate with and had one, and only one, goal; to devour everything! He turned away and moved away to report to Captain Melann.
***
An axe splintered the makeshift table and maps and plans flew around. A Space Marine in grey terminator armour locked his eyes towards the cowering Imperial Guard officer.
-Flee, you say!? Run!? Like little… whelps!?
The Guard officer backed a step and pointed at the horizon. Fear was pulsating in his body, not necessarily from the oncoming horde. The Space Wolf commander shook his head.
-No! The alien advance ends here! In Helvunica! It ends here and now! Little Guard man, you are to defend this city and you will hold your positions. But I warn you, maggot, if you do not give us covering fire and instead start to withdraw, I will personally throw you to the xenos!
The Guard officer nodded and ran back to his senior commander. They would stand, Wolf commander Melann thought to himself. They would stand and they would give a good fight. As he looked after them he saw several detachments of Black Ravens taking positions at a ruined part of the city further away. The Black Ravens were quite interesting, he thought. They had been dealing with a rebellion on Metz and Melann had heard that they had been ruthless… even savage, in their fight against a traitor guard army. Yes, they were interesting, indeed. Even the great Lord Grimnar was asking about the Black Ravens. It felt good to have them here, Melann thought, there was something in their scent that made him feel kind of “connected” to them. He watched the Black Ravens deploy with sheer joy…
He then turned to Brother Thorik
-Thorik, my friend! Give me the latest report. I think we are about to tear those filthy aliens apart! Oh, and have you heard from that scientist… Offenbach, was it?
Thorik shook his head....
-The scientist nearly made it, but was ambushed and killed along with a detachment of our beloved Grey Hunters. The Tyranids somehow knew what way he was going...
-That’s a shame! I fear that he might have had some important information, considering the urge from Inquisitor Eisenhorn that he should deliver the data… Though it’s beyond me the Inquisition is interested in the filthy xenos. Aren’t they usually hellbent on the ruinous powers, eh? Still… it’s up to us, now! Eh, Thorik?
Master Melann smiled and lifted his enormous Frostaxe and pointed it towards two towering Hierodules that were moving relentlessly towards their position.
***
The line of Leman Russ tanks, Basilisks and other tanks lit up the dawn. The bombardment was amazing and several of the larger Tyranid creatures were hit and staggered. Sadly though, they continued to move on relentlessly. The sound of thundering battlecannons and demolisher shells suddenly stopped as the crews of the tanks reloaded. The silence was no real silence though, as a constant thumping was heard from below. The tension among the Imperial Guard soldiers was great and the disturbing sound from under their feet was very unnerving. Melann looked at the nearest guardsmen as they nervously looked around themselves.
-Aim for the big ones! Aim for he big ones!
Master Melann ordered. He listened for the disruptor beacon and was pleased to hear the humming sound. But the sound from below disturbed him, there was something very wrong here…
The bombardment then started again to hammer the oncoming Tyranid horde. As the dawn broke, heaps of lesser creatures were littering the outer perimeter of the city. The sight was both inspiring and terrifying at the same time. The Imperial Guard bombardment had been exemplary and had hit home time after time, bleeding the Tyranid army dry. But they would soon enter the city and then it would be down to the old pistol and sword. Melann looked up as a Long Fang Unit was targeted with acidic weapons from a large creature. One Long Fang fell from the ruin they occupied and he felt a pang of sadness as the brother Wolf died.
Then all happened at once! Several grates in the streets were cast aside and hordes of Genestealers suddenly appeared from below the city. The Long Fangs found themselves cornered and slaughtered by a large concentration of ‘stealers and a unit of Imperial Guard Lascannon teams were ripped apart before anyone could react. The sudden attack by the Genestealers made everyone, both guardsmen and Space Wolves hit the ground. Melann realized the danger and screamed;
-Get up, get up, get up!!! Brothers of Fenris, attack, attack!!!
Their response was instant and the Grey Hunters and Blood Claws counter charged. Limbs and heads flew as the explosive melee raged on. But the Wolves were winning! The Genestaelers could not stand against the ferocity of the Space Wolves. And when a Black Raven Assault Squad jumped in to the fray the right flank was secured… for now… Brother Melann was astonished to see the sheer ferocity of the Black Ravens and he made a mental note to himself to congratulate them later, should they… or he… survive this battle.
***
A fierce fight had started around the disruptor beacon, which had been placed in a small park. Somehow the Hive Mind realized that the beacon hindered them from attacking their enemy from behind and the sides. The mindless aliens threw themselves at the beacon, tearing and biting, but it held and then unit of Black Ravens charged and drove off the foul creatures. But even the Disruptor beacon couldn’t stop the next Tyranid threat. Next to a Land Raider the earth trembled and exploded upwards as a giant Trygon emerged screaming and hissing. It immediately attacked the Land Raider and toppled it with ease. The surviving crew tried in vain to escape the brutal monster but was instantly caught and chewed up by the Trygon. At the same time, a couple of writhing Ravagers attacked a unit of Blood Claws. They were led by Brother Enok, a Wolf Guard, and immediately went berserk and countercharged screaming. The clash was brutal, but the Ravagers couldn’t withstand the sheer amount of ferocious attacks from the young Space Wolves and were ripped apart by bolt pistols and chainswords! The battle were clearly in favour of the Imperial side now and death rained on the Tyranid attack. Master Melann found himself charged by a massive amount of small, chittering Tyranid creatures, but together with a squad of Grey Hunters, he slaughtered all of them. Then he saw a giant Genestealer across the street - Broodlord. With a roar he charged the Broodlord but just as they were about to clash, the Broodlord pulled back in front of the surprised Space Wolves. At the same time, Melann heard the Black Raven Commander, Master Ech over the vox-cast. A massive counterattack had started on the left flank and the Tyranid army suddenly started to withdraw!
***
Brother Melann strode forward to the Black Raven Master. He slowly shook his head.
-This was close Brother Melann of the Space Wolves. A close call indeed!
-Aye, Master Ragnarius. And the xenos will most certainly be back. We haven’t won anything today, really. These critters always learn from their battles. I do not think it will be any easier next time, if you know what I mean…
Brother Melan sat down on a pile of dead Genestealers and sighed with relief;
-I’ve requested more brothers. One battleforce is near enough to answer our call. I know that the legendary Grimnar himself is on his way here. I just hope he will be here in time. And… Master Ragnarius, I also have an idea… I saw you fight today… fight like… wolves! What do you say… how about we teach each other some tricks in hand to hand combat? I feel we have much in common, Master Ragnarus.
-That would be most valued, commander. We could really need to bolster our close combat tactics against these abominations… and I feel a… ehrmm… connection to you Space Wolves, commander Melann. I will certainly accept your offer!
-Good, good! We’ll sort this xenos out in no time… now, can I offer you some spirits?
The Black Raven Master nodded silently, smiled and followed the Space Wolf Master to his quarters…
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Writen by Tony Melander (2010)