Heresy Bk. 02: Istvaan V

~Chapter 10~

~Nuclear Option

~Salamanders Still Live

~New Mission

Artellus Numeon and the remaining Firedrakes had become separated from there Primarch, the mass confusion of battle drawing them to help others fight for survival. From his position on a ridge, Numeon could see Vulkan and several First Company veterans turning their flamers on those traitors foolish enough to approach. Black smoke rose from the burning bodies, any parchment of cloth easily consumed by the flames.

Numeon knew they had to get back to their Primarch, but first they had to make an opening. Iron Warriors threw themselves wildly at the Salamanders defending their dropships, the siege experts wantonly charging into what was certain death, trying to drown their opposition in sheer weight of numbers. Bolter fire kicked up dust around them, several shells bouncing off Numeon's armored breastplate.

"Artellus," Vulkan said over the vox. "Evacuate those you can, we will be right behind you."

"Sir, we can't get out. Every attempt is shot from they sky," Numeon said.

"You have to try, we will provide a distraction for you," Vulkan said.

Thoughts of Ferrus Manus flashed through his mind, the Iron Hands Primarch giving his life while trying to kill his closest brother. This would end up similarly, Numeon thought, but not the same. If Vulkan gave his life, it would be so his sons would live.

"Sir, I can't ask this of you. We will find another way," Numeon said.

"There is no other way captain," Vulkan said. "We will draw their fire. When you can, evacuate."

Artellus cursed under his breath, knowing his Primarch was doomed, yet unable to argue. He saw Vulkan raise his hammer high, a shout of blind fury coming from the men around him. The Primarch charged into the Iron Warriors, crushing many and opening a hole big enough to fit a small Cruiser into.

"Load up," Numeon ordered. "We won't have this last action be in vain."

With heavy hearts, the remaining Salamanders under Artellus Numeon climbed aboard one of the last thunderhawks. As they lifted off, Numeon looked toward the Iron Warriors line, his blood turning to ice in his veins.

"Emperor's Blood," Numeon said as he opened a channel to the Primarch.

"Numeon, I told you to leave!" Vulkan said angrily.

"We are lord, you need to seek cover immediately. Iron Warriors are deploying nuclear missiles!" Numeon said.

As he said it, the first warhead lifted into the sky, an angry red plume of fire sending it arching sharply towards Vulkan and his men. Numeon pushed the gunship as hard as he was able to, the heat of the atmosphere telling them they would soon be off of Istvaan V.

An image of the mushroom cloud could be seen through the side armorglass, the sound following shortly after. Artellus, and every Salamander with him, hung their heads for their Primarch.

Jo'phor sprung the trap, catching one of the kill teams sent to hunt down the remaining loyalists between the canyon walls of their hiding place and the intense fire from his friends. Donak, Hae'phast, Go'sol and himself had managed to slip away from the landing zones, taking refuge in a narrow canyon.

When the kill team was dead, the group stripped them of anything useful. Jo'phor knew they had missed their chance to get off Istvaan V anytime soon. As they worked, a great explosion erupted in the distance, sending a mushroom cloud high into the sky.

"Now they have nukes," Donak said, approaching his friend. "Must be mopping up large pockets of resistance."

"Guess so," Jo'phor said sullenly.

"We should move, no telling if they gave us away before dying," Go'sol said.

"Just a minute," Jo'phor said, drawing his combat knife and carving the armor of the fallen traitors.

"What are you doing?" Hae'phast asked.

"Leaving a message for anyone who finds these. Salamanders still live," Jo'phor said as he carved the symbol of his legion in the armor of the enemy.

Atesh Tarsa had been busy since boarding the Sisypheum, assisting with repairs as best he could. The Night Lords ship Tenebraxis had caused damage to the rear section of the ship, bringing their escape plan to an abrupt halt.

The Iron Hands, not to be discouraged by this turn of events, had boarded the ship. Fighting through the darkened corridors, they had taken the fight to the enemy, stripping the ship of anything they could use to effect repairs.

"Try it now," Tarsa called to an Iron Hand he was helping. They had been rerouting cooling water to the reactors that power the engines, their earlier overheating having shut down the engines to prevent a catastrophic failure of the reactor.

Tarsa knew he had opened the valve, hearing the flow of water through the pipe. When he heard cheering down the corridor, he knew they had been successful. Tarsa met up with the other groups that had been helping with repairs and they all headed to the bridge.

"Prepare for warp translation," Branthan said. "translate!"

The customary tear appeared before them, real space and the warp existing simultaneously for the briefest of moments. The ship slipped calmly inside, the Geller Field activating as they breached the void between dimensions.

"We're away!" the helmsman cheered.

"Very well,"Branthan said. "Navigator, make for traitor space, deep behind their lines."

"Sir, why there?" asked Tarsa.

"These bastards killed my brothers, betrayed my Emperor, and probably killed my Primarch. We will make them pay dearly for what they have done."

~Epilogue ~

Corax survived the crash of his ship, linking up with several surviving Raven Guard and evading capture. Ninety eight days after the drop site massacre, under attack from Angron and his World Eaters, rescue came from Commander Branne Nev, brother of Agapito Nev. The surviving Raven Guard would return to Deliverance, while Corax went to Terra, seeking the council of his father.

Unknown even to him, Vulkan was Perpetual, able to regenerate his body even after death. He woke up surrounded by Iron Warriors and Emperor's Children, fighting for his life. Eventually, he was knocked unconscious and taken prisoner by Konrad Curze aboard the Nightfall. His brother tortured him for many weeks, trying unsuccessfully to kill him.

Xa'ven and Guldor, along with those survivors they had taken with them, were picked up by a White Scars Legion ship, informing them of the Horus Heresy. Guldor was treated for his wounds and the two agreed to help the white Scars find their Primarch. Guldor would be wounded again and Xa'ven killed, fighting Word Bearers and their daemonic allies. Guldor was put in stasis and returned to the Salamanders, to be entombed within a dreadnought.

Jo'phor and his men would continue to fight on Istvaan V for many months, their fate, like that of so many others, remains unknown.

Atesh Tarsa and the Sisypheum would go on to attack traitor craft and supply convoys along shipping routes, gathering intelligence along the way.

The Iron Hands were reduced in strength from over ten thousand to under two thousand. The legion would spend the rest of the Heresy rebuilding its strength. The Salamanders and Raven Guard suffered similar fates, their strength reduced to only a few thousand.

Traitor forces continue their push towards Terra, and the Imperial Palace. The fate of mankind lies in the balance.