MTLNOVEL Chapter 26: chapter 26
Chapter 26: Anti-Demon Tactics
"It's a communication from the surface."
Nykona Sharrowkyn answered the communication request, placing it on his chest. Virtual light and shadow projected into the air, displaying images of Bucky, Ventanus, and others.
"What's the situation with Macragge's Glory? We have assembled a large force on the surface to counter the Word Bearers' attack, but if we want to change the situation, we must retake the weapons array on the orbital platform!"
Ventanus asked immediately upon seeing Marius Gage with a broken arm.
"The situation is bad. We have lost the trace of the Primarch. Please continue to hold on." Gage understood what the surface forces on Calth meant. They needed reinforcements to airdrop onto the orbital platform and reclaim the weapons array.
"I will assign some warriors to assist you, but their numbers will be limited, Captain Ventanus. Something beyond the Imperial Truth has appeared on our ship."
"Demons. We call them demons," Hill interrupted.
"We don't know what to call them, but these creatures are unlike any xenos we have fought before. They are something far more terrifying and dangerous—manifestations from the Warp. We must use every means to destroy them."
"That's right. Those damn Word Bearers brought them," Ventanus nodded. He understood the dire situation aboard the flagship.
"Steel and fire are more effective against them than plasma or lasers. They are creatures from the horrors of the Old Night. Our conventional knowledge does not apply to them."
Bucky ended the communication. The meaning of Macragge's Glory was clear—they still needed time.
"Captain, we don't have much time. Three Word Bearers cruisers are anchored near Macragge's Glory. The void shields can't stop things moving too slowly. They are breaking through our airlocks and hull armor. We must organize a team for onboard combat."
"Continue, Sergeant." Gage's condition was improving. Losing an arm was nothing to him—he was ready for battle.
"Tell me your plan, and I'll grant you authority to summon battle-brothers, as long as you can prevent the Word Bearers from boarding our warships."
Marius delegated his power as Chapter Leader. At this critical moment, when victory or defeat hung in the balance, all means were permitted. Even if Hill was only a sergeant, as long as he was capable, he would have the necessary authority and command.
Gage realized that the punished sergeant possessed an extraordinary strategic mind—his performance was even superior to some Chapter Masters.
Calm, composed, and ruthlessly logical.
"By the way, Hill, can the power axe in your hand be used one-handed?" Gage glanced at the weapon in Hill's grasp.
"It's light enough—it's no problem," Hill replied.
Gage took the battle axe and tested its weight with a few swings.
These weapons had been taken from the Primarch's personal collection and had proven their reliability against the demons.
"Battle-brothers, we must fight our way out! Those demons are wreaking havoc aboard Macragge's Glory!" Hill shouted, leading his warriors toward the devastated bridge.
Gage followed, turning to the Apothecary.
"Brother, do you know why Sergeant Hill was punished? He is so calm and intelligent—what mistake did he make?"
The Chapter Commander did not know Hill personally, nor was he familiar with his past. But at this moment, he wanted to understand the crime of this exceptional warrior.
The Apothecary answered, "Hill was discovered by his superiors constructing theoretical models on how to defeat Space Marines. This was deemed dangerous thinking. No Space Marine should ever regard their own kind as the enemy."
"And yet, now it does," Gage said with dry sarcasm.
"Hill argued that Space Marines were the blind spot in all Legion operations, and this weakness needed to be corrected. He wanted to develop strategies to counter this blind spot."
Before the Word Bearers' betrayal, such thinking was considered heretical. But today, it was a vision of necessity.
"So his so-called crime was foresight," Gage muttered. "And now, we rely on his theories to fight back against the Word Bearers."
---
Sergeant Hill walked alongside Raven Guard Nykona Sharrowkyn.
They had only known each other for a few hours, but an instant understanding and trust had formed between them. That connection was proving crucial in their battle against the demons.
"Brother, your power armor seems different from ours—more durable, more reliable. Why is that?"
Though they fought side by side, their armors were vastly different. Hill's Mark X power armor was already covered in scars. The ceramic-steel plating barely resisted the claws of the nightmare creatures. In several places, power cables were exposed, sparking from battle damage.
Meanwhile, Nykona's power armor remained pristine, as if it had just emerged from the forges of Mars.
"Because of a friend," Nykona replied with a small smile. "A very interesting individual from the distant past—someone with knowledge long since forgotten."
"He is different from us. He has seen the greatest heights of mankind's glory. Sometimes, I envy him."
The power armor designed by Bucky had proven its reliability time and again in dangerous battles. Though Nykona did not understand all of its secrets, he knew one thing—it withstood the assaults of Warp demons without damage.
The alloy used in its construction was far stronger than ceramic steel.
"No mistakes," Hill mused, "just one moment, one action, one decision at a time."
"Maybe you can get me one of those," Hill joked enviously.
But before anyone could reply, Hill immediately issued a halt order through the comms.
Ahead, in the darkened cabin, a monstrous demon lurked. Its massive, bird-like form loomed in the shadows, crushing the corpses of its victims beneath its bulk. It was at least tens of tons in weight, its body writhing, covered in black feathers and unnatural protrusions.
Nykona's enhanced vision picked out something else—numerous tentacles slithering through the corridors, forcing their way through airlocks and bulkheads like blades through parchment.
"Suppressive fire!"
At Hill's command, the Space Marines unleashed a storm of explosive rounds. The bolt shells detonated on impact, carving deep wounds into the demon's flesh.
Then came the fire.
A wall of blazing promethium erupted from flamers, engulfing the beast in white-hot agony. The demon's inhuman screeches echoed through the ship, louder and more furious than any damage caused by gunfire.
They feared fire.
But the creature's retaliation was swift. With terrifying speed, its beak—composed of some unknown material—sliced an Ultramarine in half from shoulder to hip. His ceramite armor may as well have been paper.
More bolter rounds rained down, but the monster shrieked in defiance, growing more frenzied.
Nykona lowered his bolter, drew his power sword, and charged.
Close combat.
Hill flanked the creature from the opposite side. Both warriors wielded their power swords with deadly precision, severing the demon's writhing tentacles and carving great wounds into its body.
Power weapons were more effective than explosives.
Step by step, Hill's tactical theories were proving true.
The key was speed. They had to distract the creature while keeping themselves moving—something Nykona excelled at.
The Son of the Raven moved like a shadow, his footfalls silent even in full power armor. At times, Hill could not even see him within his helmet's display.
They fought like specters in the dark.
The battle was far from over.
(End of this chapter)
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