White Hell

The cave was moist and warm and a humming sound throbbed malevolently. Hari Offenbach was lying behind a huge stalagmite staring at his upgraded Auspex. Frantically he read the signals and data which popped up on the flickering display. Green LED numbers on a black background were telling him unnerving facts. Facts that would change a great deal on this planet. It almost looked like the creatures in the cave were working on something… or digging, perhaps. He tried to figure out what the Auspex had detected and an idea formed in his head. Tunnels! It must be tunnels! But there was something more… other than the Tyranids digging. Offenbach felt a strange sensation in the back of his head, itching… almost like probing… and a distant, whispering voice… He had to get out of here, sooner rather than later!

Hari had been a Xenobiologist for twelve years but this assignment was the most exciting and at the same time the most terrifying yet. When he first heard about the mission he had jumped at the chance to study the most horrible abominations man had ever encountered. Oh, what humanity could learn from these killing machines… But now, in this moist cave, where fear could almost be touched upon, he wasn’t so keen anymore.

The Auspex beeped and Hari looked at it – the skin on his body prickled as he realized something was moving towards him! The humming sound was also increasing and getting almost unbearable and Hari realized that it had increased its frequency. Time to report to the Space Wolves that were waiting outside, he thought, just another peek down the cave. He picked up and put on his IR goggles and started to move nearer a large opening, just a few metres down from where he was. The Auspex went crazy and Hari suddenly felt the strange fear increase. The sensation was so nauseating and horrible that he couldn’t stand a second longer in the cave. He turned abruptly, and dropped the Auspex, which slid downwards in the sloping cave entrance. The Auspex started to beep faster and faster and the the beeping turned into a whining as it slid downwards and over the edge. The beeping then suddenly stopped. Hari knew that this was not a good sign. Throwing caution to the wind, he stood up and started to run towards the entrance. Outside there would be a Rhino waiting. And, oh my Emperor, how he wanted to be inside that Rhino!

***

-Where is the scientist?

Brother Steingrimur looked warily towards the cave entrance. He turned his head to the nearest Space Wolf, who silently shook his head. The Xenobiologist had been away for a while now, and he should really be back by now. Steingrimur scanned the entrance and noticed that an image of a running man flickered in his HUD. Behind this figure were another image of several large running creatures. Brother Steingrimur kicked into action at once;

-Brother Wolves! Something’s coming out of the cave and it ain’t wolf puppies! Get ready for evac! Stand ready and aim towards the cave entrance! And let the scientist pass before you start shooting!!

The squad of Space Wolves, years of training showing, immediately took positions almost as a machine. At the same time the Rhino moved closer and backed up, lowering the rear hatch.

Hari ran out of the cave and jumped into the Rhino and rolled onto the floor, followed by the now shooting Space Wolves who fell back into the Rhino. He was shaking and gibbering as the rear hatch closed and the Rhino sped away.

-So evil, so evil, so evil…, was all he said.

The co-driver of the Rhino suddenly swore and turned to sergeant Steingrimur;

-Brother Steingrimur, we're in trouble. The Chapter Master himself called. It seems that we have a Tyranid army behind our main force! And they are coming this way!

-But the Tyranids are behind US!, Steingrimur roared, they can’t…

-They’re all around us, we will die, die, die, die… uhmph!!

Steingrimur silenced the shocked scientist with a well placed blow.

-Brother Sigurd; stop the Rhino and let us out. We make our stand here. First priority is the scientist. He has vital data about the ‘nids. Move to a safe distance and call in a Speeder… get Offenbach away from here! Now!

Brother Steingrimur hollered to the driver of the Rhino and made an urging gesture. Already the Tyranids were hitting the thin Space Wolf line of defence with their strange bioweapons. The door slammed shut behind the trembling scientist and the Rhino roared into action, made a u-turn, a moved away.

-May the Emperor protect you, Steingrimur said with a tired voice as he cocked his boltgun and turned towards the oncoming alien horde.

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Written by Tony Melander (2009)