Shield of Fate - Short Story - TheRedAuthar
Sept 15, 2022 10:54:47 GMT -5
Post by theredauthar on Sept 15, 2022 10:54:47 GMT -5
WARNING: This is a bit more sad than my usual stuff.
Shield of Fate
The world burns.
Ash fills the sky. The rain that pours down is hot and acidic, burning the paint and warning signs off the trench walls. It wouldn't be long before the trench would be up to the ankles. The trench was shoddy and uneven already, being rushed to complete. Any flooding would just increase the chance of a slip up.
The trooper sets one of the lasguns down and leans it against the wall of the trench. All four were placed. He looks around at the empty trench. There were supposed to be a few more troopers but they bailed. No reason to stick around if help wasn’t coming.
He pulls a small envelope from his pocket and opens it. Inside are his orders on a thin sheet of paper. He doesn’t have to read them to know what they say. Hold the line while everyone evacuates.
The trooper sits behind the heavy stubber mounted on the trench edge. No one else was here to claim it or say he was unauthorized so he might as well use it himself. He wipes away some of the rain with his hands.
There’s only one thing left to prepare.
Next to the stubber is a backpack. He picks it up and unzips it, checking the contents inside. He’s ready.
There’s no telling how much time passes. A few minutes, maybe a few hours. It could be days for all he knows. But he keeps his eyes on the horizon. Looking back would only make things worse. There’s still a nagging hope, a vain attempt to think positive that relief was on its way. However he knows the truth. No one is coming to back him up. No one is coming to relieve him. After all, he wasn’t supposed to even be here anyways.
He takes a swig of his flask. The amasec burns as it goes down. He’s never been much of a heavy drinker, but he didn’t want the drink to go to waste. Besides it’s been here since the beginning, fitting he should finish it finally before the end. He takes out his beige flavored ration bar, but stops, wondering how much the rain will mess up his stomach if he eats it.
Before he can find out he drops it. There. Just on the hill.
He aims the stubber towards the hill and whispers, “Come on…just a little closer.”
The first target tiptoes closer. Do they not see him? He’s not trying to hide but being alone maybe they think he’s dead.
More figures appear on the hill. Some are human. Filthy heretics.
He waits until a larger number is visible, then opens fire. The heavy stubber roars loudly before it suddenly clicks and jams. A few of the targets fall but the others take up a more defensive approach firing warning shots his way.
“Blasted thing, work!” he yells smacking the side of the weapon with his palm. It’s no use. He doesn’t have time to fix it. He grabs his Lasgun and begins firing full auto.
“Come on you fekking filth!” he shouts, “Come and get me! I’m still here!”
He fires into the moving targets. One, two, heck he actually took three down. Probably his best shooting and no one will see it. The enemy figures move closer firing again.
He dives away from the heavy stubber as it’s torn apart by hot plasma.
“Feth! Why do they have plasma guns!” he groans to no one as he pulls himself from the nasty water. Did he swallow any? Did it get into his eyes? It’s too late to worry about it now.
Popping his head back over the trench wall he fires again, slowly moving down toward the next lasgun leaning against the trench wall. Just a little closer.
The lasgun in his hands whines as its power runs dry. He doesn’t bother changing the clip. There’s none left but what's already in the four lasguns. He chucks it over the side towards his attackers. It doesn’t fly anywhere near enough to do any sort of damage, but the sudden projectile does cause them to dive for cover thinking it might explode. Too bad he didn’t think of that before. Now they won't fall for it if he did rig one to blow..
He grabs the second lasgun and hefts it up over the trench wall firing once more, “I’m still here you frakking freaks! You really think you scare me!?”
One has gotten dangerously close. They jump at him. He jabs the bayonet on the end of his weapon into the thing’s throat and fires again. Its head bursts leaving a lifeless corpse behind. Dropping the weapon and sprints towards the next one, but they’re almost on top of him now. Just a little more…
He stumbles and something burns into his left leg. He falls. The water around him turning red.
A hooded figure approaches him as one of the others retrieves the lasgun just out of his reach. Just 2 more steps…
He unhooks his backpack and begins to unzip it as the hooded figure approaches. It stabs his arm for the attempt. He screams with pain and frustration. He couldn’t even burn through 3 of the 4 lasguns.
But what else could he do? He’s just one man against maybe 12 to 14 enemies. Still he cut down a handful of them.
The hooded figure looks at him with glowing eyes, “Why do you resist, friend?”
The trooper looks down at his leg, “You shoot off my foot and stab my arm and still try to call me friend? Throne I’d hate to see what you do to your enemies.”
If they enjoyed his vain humor, the hooded figure doesn’t show it. They take the backpack from him and toss it aside. The figure’s eyes burn into his soul, “Your comrades have abandoned you. Why do you continue to resist? Submit and your suffering will be over.”
“That’s what the other guys said too,” the trooper sighs.
“If you resist, your suffering will be unbearable. Submit and I will personally end your misery short and swiftly.”
“Short and swift? Why didn’t you just say so?” he drawls, “I would have signed up for that.”
“Sarcasm at the end?” the hooded figure asks as they draw a long, curved blade.
“Just one last question then,” the trooper requests, “Before you gut me, friend.”
“One final question then.”
He laughs, “Do T’au explode?”
“I don’t understand your query.”
“I never found out, myself. But I did learn that you do.”
He drops the pin into the water just as the backpack explodes.
It doesn’t hurt after the first few seconds after the light from the explosion engulfs him. The glow kind of reminds him of how the wheat fields would reflect the sun back on Dalea. He knows this means this is it. The God-Emperor is showing him one last glance of home before he dies.
But he’s at peace with it. Because for the first time since arriving on Naris…
…Cade Lohgan realizes this was why he was here. This is why he was supposed to be here.
*************************************************************************************************************
Commander’s Log.
We did not have enough transports left to evacuate the full force. As such many of the more expendable units were left behind to cover our escape. The 404th Crimson Raiders, many of the abhuman auxiliaries, quite a few Cadian volunteers, nearly all the Penal Legion Troops, I can only wonder how many refugees. All left behind to cover our escape.
I’m sure many will abandon their posts as soon as we’re out of sight. But even if one man holds off the enemy for one second longer, it’ll be worth it.
Those who abandon their posts, I can only hope they die horrible deaths. But for those who stay and die for the God-Emperor, for their fellow guardsmen…
I wish I could shower you with medals. But all I can do is leave this Eagle Ordinary on my desk for you all to share.
*************************************************************************************************************
Cade Lohgan, along with many others died that day, holding the line for The Naris Front to evacuate for its final assault on the enemy forces. However no official imperial records acknowledge he was there. Just another soul lost during warp travel, just an insignificant statistic.
The imperium never learned what happened. Few in Valmaria even knew who he was. Just another Non-Cadian attached to the Cadian forces.
However the Carnadons record Cade Lohgan as dying gloriously in battle so his brothers and sisters could keep fighting. His status of “Whiteshield” finally being removed.
Cadia Stands.
Thanks for reading.
Since Eagle Ordinary’s Roleplay Forum never had an official ending, I had to take some liberties but I always viewed that the Finale would involve one last push after abandoning Naris.
And as such, one Cade Lohgan who was “Not supposed to be there” would not be evacuated as he had no official record of being there. I always intended that Cade would die for his friends if this scenario came about.
When more survivors from Naris started appearing I wanted to give Cade Closure, and on why he wouldn't come bumbling onto Haven. Also because of how intertwined Hera became to the plot threads I didn’t know how her story would end. So Cade got one final story out of it instead.
Hope you all enjoyed my bumbling Whiteshield First Class. And always remember when life brings you down, ask the important questions:
“Why is it always Swamp Owls?” and “Do T’au Explode?”
-TheRedAuthar 2022
Yes I know I'm terrible at writing. That's why I practice!
Shield of Fate
The world burns.
Ash fills the sky. The rain that pours down is hot and acidic, burning the paint and warning signs off the trench walls. It wouldn't be long before the trench would be up to the ankles. The trench was shoddy and uneven already, being rushed to complete. Any flooding would just increase the chance of a slip up.
The trooper sets one of the lasguns down and leans it against the wall of the trench. All four were placed. He looks around at the empty trench. There were supposed to be a few more troopers but they bailed. No reason to stick around if help wasn’t coming.
He pulls a small envelope from his pocket and opens it. Inside are his orders on a thin sheet of paper. He doesn’t have to read them to know what they say. Hold the line while everyone evacuates.
The trooper sits behind the heavy stubber mounted on the trench edge. No one else was here to claim it or say he was unauthorized so he might as well use it himself. He wipes away some of the rain with his hands.
There’s only one thing left to prepare.
Next to the stubber is a backpack. He picks it up and unzips it, checking the contents inside. He’s ready.
There’s no telling how much time passes. A few minutes, maybe a few hours. It could be days for all he knows. But he keeps his eyes on the horizon. Looking back would only make things worse. There’s still a nagging hope, a vain attempt to think positive that relief was on its way. However he knows the truth. No one is coming to back him up. No one is coming to relieve him. After all, he wasn’t supposed to even be here anyways.
He takes a swig of his flask. The amasec burns as it goes down. He’s never been much of a heavy drinker, but he didn’t want the drink to go to waste. Besides it’s been here since the beginning, fitting he should finish it finally before the end. He takes out his beige flavored ration bar, but stops, wondering how much the rain will mess up his stomach if he eats it.
Before he can find out he drops it. There. Just on the hill.
He aims the stubber towards the hill and whispers, “Come on…just a little closer.”
The first target tiptoes closer. Do they not see him? He’s not trying to hide but being alone maybe they think he’s dead.
More figures appear on the hill. Some are human. Filthy heretics.
He waits until a larger number is visible, then opens fire. The heavy stubber roars loudly before it suddenly clicks and jams. A few of the targets fall but the others take up a more defensive approach firing warning shots his way.
“Blasted thing, work!” he yells smacking the side of the weapon with his palm. It’s no use. He doesn’t have time to fix it. He grabs his Lasgun and begins firing full auto.
“Come on you fekking filth!” he shouts, “Come and get me! I’m still here!”
He fires into the moving targets. One, two, heck he actually took three down. Probably his best shooting and no one will see it. The enemy figures move closer firing again.
He dives away from the heavy stubber as it’s torn apart by hot plasma.
“Feth! Why do they have plasma guns!” he groans to no one as he pulls himself from the nasty water. Did he swallow any? Did it get into his eyes? It’s too late to worry about it now.
Popping his head back over the trench wall he fires again, slowly moving down toward the next lasgun leaning against the trench wall. Just a little closer.
The lasgun in his hands whines as its power runs dry. He doesn’t bother changing the clip. There’s none left but what's already in the four lasguns. He chucks it over the side towards his attackers. It doesn’t fly anywhere near enough to do any sort of damage, but the sudden projectile does cause them to dive for cover thinking it might explode. Too bad he didn’t think of that before. Now they won't fall for it if he did rig one to blow..
He grabs the second lasgun and hefts it up over the trench wall firing once more, “I’m still here you frakking freaks! You really think you scare me!?”
One has gotten dangerously close. They jump at him. He jabs the bayonet on the end of his weapon into the thing’s throat and fires again. Its head bursts leaving a lifeless corpse behind. Dropping the weapon and sprints towards the next one, but they’re almost on top of him now. Just a little more…
He stumbles and something burns into his left leg. He falls. The water around him turning red.
A hooded figure approaches him as one of the others retrieves the lasgun just out of his reach. Just 2 more steps…
He unhooks his backpack and begins to unzip it as the hooded figure approaches. It stabs his arm for the attempt. He screams with pain and frustration. He couldn’t even burn through 3 of the 4 lasguns.
But what else could he do? He’s just one man against maybe 12 to 14 enemies. Still he cut down a handful of them.
The hooded figure looks at him with glowing eyes, “Why do you resist, friend?”
The trooper looks down at his leg, “You shoot off my foot and stab my arm and still try to call me friend? Throne I’d hate to see what you do to your enemies.”
If they enjoyed his vain humor, the hooded figure doesn’t show it. They take the backpack from him and toss it aside. The figure’s eyes burn into his soul, “Your comrades have abandoned you. Why do you continue to resist? Submit and your suffering will be over.”
“That’s what the other guys said too,” the trooper sighs.
“If you resist, your suffering will be unbearable. Submit and I will personally end your misery short and swiftly.”
“Short and swift? Why didn’t you just say so?” he drawls, “I would have signed up for that.”
“Sarcasm at the end?” the hooded figure asks as they draw a long, curved blade.
“Just one last question then,” the trooper requests, “Before you gut me, friend.”
“One final question then.”
He laughs, “Do T’au explode?”
“I don’t understand your query.”
“I never found out, myself. But I did learn that you do.”
He drops the pin into the water just as the backpack explodes.
It doesn’t hurt after the first few seconds after the light from the explosion engulfs him. The glow kind of reminds him of how the wheat fields would reflect the sun back on Dalea. He knows this means this is it. The God-Emperor is showing him one last glance of home before he dies.
But he’s at peace with it. Because for the first time since arriving on Naris…
…Cade Lohgan realizes this was why he was here. This is why he was supposed to be here.
*************************************************************************************************************
Commander’s Log.
We did not have enough transports left to evacuate the full force. As such many of the more expendable units were left behind to cover our escape. The 404th Crimson Raiders, many of the abhuman auxiliaries, quite a few Cadian volunteers, nearly all the Penal Legion Troops, I can only wonder how many refugees. All left behind to cover our escape.
I’m sure many will abandon their posts as soon as we’re out of sight. But even if one man holds off the enemy for one second longer, it’ll be worth it.
Those who abandon their posts, I can only hope they die horrible deaths. But for those who stay and die for the God-Emperor, for their fellow guardsmen…
I wish I could shower you with medals. But all I can do is leave this Eagle Ordinary on my desk for you all to share.
*************************************************************************************************************
Cade Lohgan, along with many others died that day, holding the line for The Naris Front to evacuate for its final assault on the enemy forces. However no official imperial records acknowledge he was there. Just another soul lost during warp travel, just an insignificant statistic.
The imperium never learned what happened. Few in Valmaria even knew who he was. Just another Non-Cadian attached to the Cadian forces.
However the Carnadons record Cade Lohgan as dying gloriously in battle so his brothers and sisters could keep fighting. His status of “Whiteshield” finally being removed.
Cadia Stands.
Thanks for reading.
Since Eagle Ordinary’s Roleplay Forum never had an official ending, I had to take some liberties but I always viewed that the Finale would involve one last push after abandoning Naris.
And as such, one Cade Lohgan who was “Not supposed to be there” would not be evacuated as he had no official record of being there. I always intended that Cade would die for his friends if this scenario came about.
When more survivors from Naris started appearing I wanted to give Cade Closure, and on why he wouldn't come bumbling onto Haven. Also because of how intertwined Hera became to the plot threads I didn’t know how her story would end. So Cade got one final story out of it instead.
Hope you all enjoyed my bumbling Whiteshield First Class. And always remember when life brings you down, ask the important questions:
“Why is it always Swamp Owls?” and “Do T’au Explode?”
-TheRedAuthar 2022
Yes I know I'm terrible at writing. That's why I practice!
