Storm Of Iron(科幻战争)-第21部分

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ne　of　fire　kinked
right　and　tore　amongst　the　squad　beside　him。　Four　men　were　pitched　backwards；　bright　blood　spraying　from　their　shattered　chests。
That　couldn't　be　right。　This　was　a　charge　to　glory！　Their　faith　in　the　Emperor　and　the　justice　of　their　cause　was　their　shield　against
harm。　They　were　supposed　to　be　invincible。
His　step　faltered　and　his　vision　suddenly　expanded　to　encompass　the　carnage　around　him。　Bodies　littered　the　ground。　Hundreds？
Thousands？　There　were　so　many；　who　could　tell？
Brave　and　glorious　though　their　charge　had　been；　the　rational　part　of　Leonid's　brain　suddenly　realised　its　folly。　Frantic　charges
against　fortified　positions　without　fire　support　were　the　stuff　of　legend　until　you　actually　had　to　do　it　yourself。　Though　he　didn't
appreciate　it　on　a　conscious　level；　Leonid　had　reached　the　point　that　all　infantrymen　must　at　some　point　face。
The　point　where　the　initial　surge　of　adrenaline　had　worn　off　and　the　body's　innate　sense　of　self　preservation　kicked　in。　This　was
when　true　courage　was　required　to　carry　a　soldier　the　last　few　metres　towards　the　enemy。
Leonid　screamed　and　continued　forwards；　side　by　side　with　his　soldiers；　his　blood　pounding　and　his　heart　racing。
They　were　going　to　make　it！
The　traitor　line　was　barely　ten　metres　away。
Then　it　vanished　in　a　series　of　bright　flashes；　smoke　and　thunderous　noise。
A　giant　fist　smashed　him　in　the　chest。
He　fell；　fighting　for　breath；　his　vision　cartwheeling。
The　ground　rushed　up　to　meet　him　and　slammed　into　his　face；　hot　and　solid。
Someone　screamed　his　name。
Pain；　bright　red；　razor　stabs　of　pain　in　his　chest。
He　rolled　onto　his　back　as　noise　swelled　around　him；　screams　and　gunfire。　He　lifted　his　head　and　moaned　as　he　saw　scarlet　blood
on　his　breastplate。　Was　it　his？
He　dropped　his　head　and　closed　his　eyes　as　an　immense　weariness　settled　over　him。
Then　screamed　as　he　was　hauled　violently　up　and　thrown　over　someone's　shoulder；　his　chest　spasming　in　pain。　He　saw　broken；
blood　stained　earth　bouncing　below　him　and　a　bloodstained　Jouran　uniform　jacket。
He　was　being　carried　away　from　the　trenches；　he　realised；　bouncing　around　on　his　rescuer's　shoulder；　the　world　spinning　around
him。　Nothing　made　sense。　He　tried　to　find　his　voice；　but　all　that　he　managed　was　a　hoarse　croak。
The　man　carrying　him　suddenly　stopped　and　shucked　Leonid　from　his　shoulder；　propping　him　up　against　the　side　of　a　wrecked
tank。
Leonid's　eyes　swam　into　focus。
Sergeant　Ellard　knelt　beside　him；　checking　the　wound　in　his　chest。
'What　happened？'　Leonid　asked　thickly。
'You　got　yourself　shot；　sir；'　answered　Ellard。
Leonid　looked　at　his　chest。　'Did　I？'
'Aye；　sir。　You　were　ahead　of　everyone　else　and　took　a　round　to　the　chest。　Good　thing　you　had　your　flak　jacket　on　underneath　your
breastplate；　eh？　Still；　you're　going　to　have　a　hell　of　a　braise；　sir。'
'Yes；　I　suppose；'　said　Leonid；　relief　flowing　through　him。　'The　last　thing　I　remember；　we　were　just　about　to　jump　those　bastards。'
'Well；　I　guess　our　charge　wasn't　meant　to　hit　home。　Anyway　we've　got　to　keep　our　heads　down；　because　Corde　tells　me　that　our
vaunted　Titans　are　inbound　any　minute　and　we　sure　as　hell　don't　want　to　be　anywhere　near　those　trenches　when　they　open　fire。'
Leonid　tried　to　stand；　but　pain　flooded　through　him　and　he　slumped　back。　'Imperator；　this　hurts！'
'Yes；　I　think　you　caught　it　in　the　solar　plexus；　so　just　lay　still　for　a　while；　sir。　You're　going　to　be　alright。'
'Sure；'　said　Leonid。　'By　the　way；　thank　you；　sergeant。　For　carrying　me　out。'
'Not　to　worry；　sir；　but　if　you　don't　mind　me　asking；　what　the　hell　were　you　doing？　With　all　due　respect；　sir；　you　took　off　like　a
bloody　madman。'
'I　don't　know；　sergeant。　I　couldn't　think　straight；'　said　Leonid；　shaking　his　head。　'All　I　could　see　was　the　line　of　trenches　and　how　I
had　to　get　there。　It　was　insane；　I　know；　but；　by　the　Emperor；　it　felt　amazing！　It　was　as　though　I　could　hear　and　see　everything　so
clearly　and　there　was　nothing　I　couldn't　do…　And　then　I　got　shot；'　he　finished　lamely。
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
More　bodies　began　to　join　them　as　the　distant　thunder　of　Titan　footsteps　carried　through　the　afternoon　air。　Leonid　had　never　heard
a　more　welcome　sound　in　his　entire　life。
He　pushed　himself　painfully　to　his　feet　and　shouted　to　everyone　in　earshot；　his　parade…ground　voice　cutting　through　the　bark　of
sporadic　gunfire　and　the　thump　of　explosions。
'Right；　listen　up；　everybody！　We　have　Titans　coming　in；　so　everyone　on　your　feet！　As　soon　as　they　hit　I　want　everyone　back　to　the
citadel　in　double　time　or　better。　Make　sure　we　don't　leave　anybody　behind　and　we'll　get　out　of　this　in　one　piece；　okay？'
A　few　muted　affirmations　greeted　Leonid's　words；　but　the　survivors　of　the　attack　were　too　weary　and　shell…shocked　to　respond
with　much　enthusiasm。
Leonid　turned　his　gaze　to　the　north…west；　seeing　the　lumbering　shapes　of　Titans　approaching　through　the　smoke。　Despite　the　pain
in　his　chest；　he　grinned　to　himself。
The　god…machines　would　surely　turn　the　traitor　line　into　a　maelstrom　of　death　and　shredded　bodies。
KROEGER　WATCHED　THE　slaughter　before　the　trenches　with　fierce　longing；　his　fist　thumping　against　the　side　of　his　Rhino　in　time
with　the　crack　of　explosions。　The　carnage　was　pleasing　to　him；　though　he　was　disappointed　the　Imperials　had　not　had　the　courage
to　even　reach　their　lines。　His　sword　was　unsheathed　and　was　yet　to　draw　blood。　Its　spirit　would　be　angered　if　it　was　to　be
scabbarded　unwetted。　It　took　all　Kroeger's　willpower　not　to　climb　aboard　the　Rhino　and　order　a　full　advance；　but　he　could　not　do
so　unless　decreed　by　the　Warsmith。
Kroeger　stood　resplendent　in　his　freshly　polished　armour；　the　burnished　iron　gleaming　like　new。　The　female　prisoner　he　had
spared　from　the　initial　massacre　had　restored　his　armour's　lustre；　and　though　he　still　couldn't　say　why　he　had　not　killed　her；　it　was
pleasing　to　him　to　have　a　lackey　of　the　Emperor　serve　him。　There　was　more　to　it　than　that；　but　he　did　not　know　what；　and　the
feeling　that　the　decision　had　not　been　his　would　not　leave　him。　Kroeger　dismissed　the　woman　from　his　thoughts；　he　would
probably　kill　her　within　a　day　or　two。
The　din　of　battle　echoed　from　the　valley　sides　and　the　discordant　clash　of　steel　on　steel　was　music　to　Kroeger's　ears。　For　thousands
of　years；　Kroeger　had　lived　with　this　sound　and　he　wished　he　could　make　out　the　huge　shapes　battling　through　the　smoke　to　the
west；　where　the　Legio　Mortis　grappled　with　the　enemy　Titans。　There　was　a　battle　indeed！　To　fight　in　the　shadow　of　such　creations
was　to　fight　in　the　realm　of　true　death；　where　a　warrior's　life　hung　by　the　threads　of　chance　as　well　as　skill。
Kroeger　impatiently　stalked　to　the　edge　of　the　trench's　firing　step；　watching　the　wall　of　smoke　and　flames　with　hunger。　He　cast　his
gaze　over　the　troops　that　waited　either　side　of　him；　pitiful　humans　who　thought　that　by　their　service　to　the　Iron　Warriors　they
would　be　honoured　in　the　sight　of　Chaos。　He　despised　them。
Further　west；　Kroeger　could　see　Honsou　and　his　company　of　mongrels。　Honsou　also　looked　impatient　to　enter　the　fray；　and　in　this
at　least；　Kroeger　knew　they　shared　a　common　bond。
He　heard　the　rumbling　of　powerful　engines　behind　him　and　turned　to　see　three　massive　Land　Raiders　moving　into　position　at　the
main　gateway。　The　frontal　ramp　of　the　mighty　vehicle　in　the　lead　dropped　with　a　heavy　clang　and　a　powerful　figure；　clad　in　ornate
Terminator　armour　stepped　out　into　the　red；　afternoon　sun。
Forrix　marched　across　the　steel　decking　that　bridged　the　trench　and　joined　Kroeger　on　the　firing　step；　an　ancient　and　heavily
ornamented　combi…bolter　clutched　in　his　right　hand；　while　the　left　was　a　monstrous；　crackling　power　fist。
'The　Warsmith　has　decreed　that　we　are　to　attack；'　said　Forrix。
'We？'　asked　a　bemused　Kroeger。　Forrix　had　not　taken　to　the　field　of　battle　in　nearly　three　millennia。
'Yes；　we。　I　am　an　Iron　Warrior；　am　I　not？'
'You　are　that；　Forrix；'　nodded　Kroeger　as　Honsou　strode　across　to　join　them。
'Forrix？'　said　Honsou。　'You　fight　with　us　this　day？'
'Aye；　half…breed；　I　do。　You　have　something　to　say？'
'No…　brother。　You　do　us　honour　with　your　presence。'
'I　do；'　nodded　Forrix。
Kroeger　and　Honsou　shared　a　glance；　both　equally　puzzled　and　a　little　unsettled　by　this　latest　development。　Kroeger　laughed　and
slapped　a　gauntlet　across　Forrix's　shoulder　guards。
'Welcome　back；　Forrix。　It　has　been　too　long　since　you　shed　the　blood　of　the　enemy。　I'll　wager　that　power　fist　comes　back　with
more　blood　on　it　than　even　the　half…breed　or　I　can　shed　today。'
Forrix　nodded；　clearly　uncomfortable　with　Kroeger's　bonhomie。　He　shook　off　Kroeger's　hand　and　snapped；　'Stay　away　from　me；
Kroeger。　You　are　nothing　to　me。'
Kroeger　removed　his　hand　with　exaggerated　care　and　took　a　step　back。
'As　you　wish。'
Honsou　stepped　away　from　Forrix　and　returned　to　his　position　in　the　line　just　as　Kroeger　left　the　firing　step　to　rejoin　his　company。
He　cast　furtive　glances　back　towards　the　giant　figure　of　Forrix；　silhouetted　in　the　deep　red　of　the　sky。　Something　had　happened　to
Forrix　and　Kroeger　was　instantly　suspicious。　There　had　been　a　fire　in　the　ancient　veteran's　voice　that　Kroeger　had　not　heard　for
many　centuries。
Something　had　rekindled　Forrix's　spirit　and　Kroeger　suspected　that　the　old　general　was　privy　to　some　secret　that　both　he　and　I
Honsou　were　ignorant　of。　What　that　might　be　or　how　he　came　by　it；　Kroeger　could　not　guess；　but　he　would　make　it　his　business　to
find　out。
Further　speculation　was　ended　when　a　deafening　roar　sawed　through　the　front　ranks；　blasting　dozens　of　men　on　the　firing　step　to
shreds。　Heavy　calibre　shells　ripped　apart　the　lip　of　the　trench　in　a　hail　of　fire；　sending　earth　and　bodies　flying　in　all　directions　and
a　fierce　grin　broke　on　Kroeger's　face。
Through　the　billowing　smoke　he　could　make　out　the　blurred　outline　of　what　looked　like　a　Scout　Titan。　He　jogged　quickly　to　his
Rhino；　jumping　onto　the　running　boards　and　hammering　his　fist　upon　its　roof。
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
The　Rhino's　engine　roared　as　it　powered　forwards；　following　Forrix's　Land　Raiders　through　the　gateway　and　into　the　smoke　of
battle。
Kroeger　stood　tall　and　raised　his　chainsword　for　all　his　warriors　to　see。
'Death　to　the　followers　of　the　False　Emperor！'
THREE
LEONID　WATCHED　THE　loping　forms　of　the　Warhounds　as　they　circled　his　position；　pouring　fire　from　their　Vulcan　bolters　onto　the
traitor　lines。　The　men　under　his　command　cheered　and　punched　the　air　at　this　show　of　defiance；　though　Leonid　knew　that　was　all
it　was。　The　Warhounds　would　buy　them　time　to　regroup；　but　nothing　more。
'All　units；　this　is　Colonel　Leonid。　Regroup　and　fall　back　to　the　rally　point　immediately。　Do　it　quickly；　we　don't　have　much　time；'
ordered　Leonid　as　the　deep　throated　roar　of　vehicles　swelled　from　the　traitor　lines。
PRINCEPS　CARLSEN　JINKED　his　agile　Warhound　Titan　from　side　to　side；　frantically　evading　enemy　shots　while　attempting　to
manoeuvre　into　a　favourable　firing　position　for　his　weapons　moderati。　Lie　and　Princeps　Jancer　in　the　Jure　Divinu　took　it　in　turns
to　dart　forwards　and　hose　the　trenches　with　their　Vulcan　bolters　and　turbo　lasers；　shredding　anything　that　dared　show　its　face；
before　rapidly　withdrawing　to　safety　in　the　smoke。　Their　height　made　a　mockery　of　the　protection　offered　by　the　fi