Storm Of Iron(科幻战争)-第36部分

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　in　the　shelter　of　this
trench。　They　looked　to　him　for　guidance　and　Honsou　snarled　as　he　reached　back　and　grabbed　one　by　the　neck；　tossing　him　into　the
approach　trench。　The　man　landed　hard　and；　as　he　rose　to　his　feet；　bolter　fire　shredded　him。
Before　the　body　had　even　hit　the　ground；　Honsou　spun　low　around　the　corner　of　the　trench；　firing　controlled　bursts　at　the　Space
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
Marine。　His　victim　crumpled；　his　armour　breached　by　his　shots。　Honsou's　jaw　hardened　as　he　saw　the　clenched；　black　fist　icon　on
the　warrior's　left　shoulder　guard。
Imperial　Fists！　The　ancient　enemy；　source　of　his　polluted　blood　and　cause　of　millennia　of　misery　at　the　hands　of　those　who　were
not　fit　even　to　serve　beside　him。
Blind　rage　took　Honsou　and　he　roared　in　hate；　charging　through　the　body…filled　trench；　the　desperate　need　to　kill　Imperial　Fists
driving　him　onwards。　Another　yellow…armoured　warrior　appeared　at　the　entrance　to　the　battery　and　levelled　his　bolter；　but　Honsou
was　quicker；　pulling　the　trigger　and　emptying　his　weapon's　magazine　at　the　hated　foe。
Sparks　and　earth　flew　as　his　shots　ricocheted　from　the　Space　Marine's　armour。
Honsou　screamed　in　fury；　throwing　aside　his　bolter　when　the　hammer　slammed　down　empty；　and　drew　his　sword　as　the　warrior
before　him　dropped　to　one　knee　and　took　careful　aim。
He　felt　impacts　slam　into　his　chest；　but　nothing；　not　even　death　itself　would　prevent　him　from　reaching　his　enemy。　Pain　ripped
through　him；　but　he　ignored　it；　hammering　his　boot　into　the　Space　Marine's　breastplate。　He　reversed　his　grip　on　his　sword　hilt　and
drove　it　downwards　through　the　chest　of　the　fallen　warrior；　hate…fuelled　strength　driving　it　hilt…deep　into　his　victim。
Blood　splashed　him　as　a　flaring　explosion　thundered　through　the　battery　and　another　daemon　engine　vanished　in　a　sheet　of　flames；
its　shriek　momentarily　drowning　out　the　noise　of　the　blast。　Psychic　Shockwaves　buffeted　Honsou　and　he　felt　the　ancient　malice　of
a　being　that　was　ancient　before　mankind　was　born　roar　through　him。　He　rejoiced　in　its　hate；　feeling　it　consume　him；　pouring　fresh
vigour　through　his　body　as　it　took　his　unworthy　flesh　for　its　own。　He　spread　wide　his　arms；　actinic　bolts　of　black　lightning　arcing
from　his　hands。
Destruction　ripped　through　the　battery　as　the　bolts　lashed　out；　indiscriminately　ripping　apart　banks　of　soil；　machinery　and　groups
of　soldiers　…　both　enemy　and　allied。
Honsou　revelled　in　such　carnage；　though　he　knew　that　it　was　but　borrowed　power。　Flaring　purple　afterimages　seared　across　his
retinas；　but　he　laughed；　hurling　spears　of　warp　energy　into　the　confused　mass　of　men　and　machines。　His　body　swelled　as　daemonic
power　poured　in。　His　armour　buckled　and　he　screamed　as　joints　and　sinews　stretched；　bones　cracked　and　his　jaw　stretched　wide　in
a　soundless　cry　of　agony。
More　thunderous　detonations　rocked　the　battery　and　Honsou　felt　yet　another　daemonic　presence　explode　from　within　its　iron
machine…prison。　He　dropped　to　his　knees　as　the　daemon　within　him　suddenly　withdrew；　feeling　its　hatred　of　the　newly…birthed
entity。　As　the　power　drained　from　him；　he　watched　the　two　daemonic　creatures　spiralling　heavenward；　locked　in　battle　and　fading
from　his　vision　even　as　he　watched。　He　ached　for　such　power　again；　even　though　he　knew　it　would　destroy　him。
He　groaned　in　pain　as　the　terrible　damage　done　to　him　by　the　daemon's　brief　occupancy　surged　through　his　nerve　endings。　He
pushed　himself　to　his　feet　as　the　human　soldiers　swarmed　around　him；　shooting　into　the　mass　of　Guardsmen　and　Space　Marines。
A　mad　shrieking　filled　the　battery　as　more　explosions　lit　up　the　night。　A　daemon　engine；　its　bindings　cracked　and　flailing；　howled
as　it　fought　to　finally　sever　the　magicks　that　bound　it　to　the　war　machine。　Men　were　crushed　beneath　its　bronze　treads；　and
Honsou　watched　as　its　mighty　gun　swung　ponderously　around　and　fired　repeatedly。　The　screaming　projectiles　sailed　over　his
head；　exploding　somewhere　deep　in　the　Iron　Warriors'　camp；　and　a　string　of　secondary　detonations　swiftly　followed。
Honsou　dragged　his　sword　from　the　body　beside　him；　wincing　as　his　tortured　muscles　protested。　There　were　still　Imperial　Fists　to
slay　and　he　set　off　into　the　fiery　hell　of　the　battery　to　find　them。
BOLTER　IMPACTS　RANG　from　the　walls；　almost　deafening；　and　Hawke　felt　the　impact　of　countless　bullets　hitting　the　underside　of
the　gantry。　Desperately　he　hammered　his　elbow　against　the　grille　behind　him；　firing　the　lasgun　blindly　over　the　edge。
Sparking　ricochets　spanged　from　the　torpedo　and　Hawke　filled　the　air　with　a　constant　stream　of　expletives；　expecting　the　damn
thing　to　blow　with　every　impact。　Fie　could　hear　the　metallic　thunk；　thunk；　of　boots　on　the　ladder　beside　him；　and　rolled　over　in
time　to　see　a　grizzled　face　atop　a　red　collar　appear　at　the　edge　of　the　gantry。
He　lashed　out；　his　elbow　smashing　the　man's　nose　across　his　face　in　a　spray　of　blood。　The　man's　hands　flew　to　his　face。　He
screamed　as　he　fell　from　the　ladder。
Hawke　yelled；　'And　stay　down！'　before　glancing　over　the　edge　of　the　gantry　to　watch　him　fall。　A　bullet　streaked　past　him；　grazing
his　temple　and　he　yelped　in　pain；　blood　washing　down　his　face　from　the　cut。　He　rolled　back　as　another　man　clambered　up　the
ladder。
A　bolter　shell　plucked　at　his　sleeve　and　blood　streamed　from　his　bicep。　His　hand　spasmed　and　he　dropped　the　las…gun。　It　rolled　to
the　edge　of　the　gantry　and　he　lunged　for　the　rifle；　just　stopping　it　from　falling。　Something　heavy　landed　on　him。
A　fist　cracked　against　his　jaw；　but　he　rolled　with　the　blow；　twisting　his　head　aside　as　the　man　on　top　of　him　repeatedly　punched
him。
Hawke　drove　his　knee　into　the　man's　groin　and　delivered　a　thunderous　head…butt　as　his　opponent's　shoulders　dropped。　He
hammered　the　heel　of　his　hand　into　the　man's　neck　and　gripped　his　red　overalls。　Hawke　slammed　his　head　into　the　metalwork　of
the　railings　before　heaving　him　over　the　edge。
Another　enemy　soldier　stood　in　front　of　him；　aiming　a　rifle。
Hawke　kicked　out　hard；　cracking　his　boots　against　the　man's　legs　and　shattering　his　kneecaps。　The　man　shrieked　and　dropped　to
the　floor　of　the　gantry。
Hawke　fired　a　hail　of　las…bolts；　ripping　the　man's　chest　to　bloody　ruin　and　blasting　clear　the　wall…mounted　grille　behind　him。　More
bullet　impacts　raked　the　wall　around　him　and　he　rolled　away　from　the　gantry's　edge；　finding　himself　looking　into　the　depths　of　the
torpedo's　access　panel。
How　the　hell　did　he　fire　this　bloody　thing？
He　couldn't　remember。
He　heard　more　people　climbing　and　cursed　as　he　saw　the　charge　indicator　on　the　rifle　flash　red。　Almost　empty。　He　could　see
another　soldier　had　reached　the　top　of　the　ladder。　He　snatched　the　late　Guardsman　Hitch's　pride　and　joy　from　his　belt　and　rammed
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
the　full　length　of　the　Jouran　fighting…knife　into　the　man's　neck。　Bright　arterial　blood　spurted　from　the　wound；　drenching　Hawke。
He　frantically　wiped　his　eyes　clear；　scrambling　back　towards　the　torpedo　and　ramming　the　knife　back　in　its　scabbard。
Gunfire　sounded　from　below；　but　none　of　the　shots　seemed　to　be　directed　at　him。　He　risked　another　furtive　glance　over　the　gantry
and　saw　that　the　armoured　giant　had　killed　his　remaining　soldiers。　Perhaps　they　hadn't　been　keen　to　meet　the　same　fate　as　their
comrades。
Hawke　grinned　suddenly。　He　didn't　blame　them。
'You　are　braver　than　I　took　you　for；　little　man；'　said　the　Chaos　Marine；　mounting　the　iron　ladder。　'I　will　honour　you　with　the　most
brutal　death。'
'If　it's　all　the　same　to　you；　I'll　pass　on　that；'　shouted　Hawke；　firing　his　lasgun；　but　the　weapon　was　useless；　his　shots　bouncing　from
the　warrior's　burnished　armour。　He　searched　desperately　for　something　to　use　as　a　weapon；　his　gaze　finally　falling　on　the　one　thing
he　knew　would　finish　this　bastard　off。
But　how　to　use　it？　What　had　Beauvais　said？
Strike　the　rune　of　firing　upon　the…
The　what？
He　bit　his　lip　as　he　heard　the　warrior　climbing。
'To　hell　with　it；'　he　said　and　closed　his　eyes；　reaching　inside　the　access　panel　and　hammering　his　open　palm　against　the　exposed
runes；　switches　and　buttons。
Nothing　happened。
'Emperor　damn　you！'　Hawke　screamed　in　frustration。　'You　useless　pile　of　worthless　junk！　Fire；　damn　you！　Fire　you　bastard！　Fire！'
As　the　last　word　left　his　mouth；　a　rumbling　tremor　filled　the　chamber；　klaxons　blared　and　a　series　of　lights　began　flashing　at　the
chamber's　top。　Hawke　opened　his　eyes　and　laughed　hysterically。　Of　course！　The　Chant　of　Awakening！
Sudden　heat　filled　the　chamber　and　steam　flashed　up　the　walls　as　powerful　rocket　engines　began　igniting　sequentially。　He'd　only
gone　and　bloody　done　it；　hadn't　he？
As　the　heat　in　the　torpedo　room　suddenly　leapt　upwards　he　realised　his　danger。　The　ladder　was　sure　as　hell　not　an　option　and　he
cried　in　relief　as　he　saw　the　duct　exposed　by　the　shattered　grille。　He　didn't　know　where　it　led；　but　was　sure　it　had　to　be　better　than
here。
'Well；　Hawke；　my　lad；'　he　whispered；　'time　to　get　going。'
Swiftly　he　crawled　towards　the　duct；　pushing　his　lasgun　ahead　of　him。　It　was　easily　wide　enough　to　accommodate　him　and　he
slithered　inside。
Something　tugged　at　his　fatigues。　He　turned　and　cried　out　as　he　saw　the　Chaos　warrior's　loathsome；　mechanised　claw　snap　shut　on
his　ankle。
The　giant　was　too　large　to　enter　the　duct；　but　the　claw　would　soon　pull　him　out。
'If　we　are　to　die；　we　will　die　together；　little　man；'　promised　the　warrior。
'Guess　again；'　snapped　Hawke　as　he　drew　his　knife　and　sawed　through　the　throbbing　power　cables　that　ran　from　the　claw。　Black
oil　and　hydraulic　fluid　spurted　out；　and　the　claw　jerked　spastically。
Its　iron　grip　slackened　and　he　kicked　it　clear；　powering　along　the　smooth　metal　duct。　With　every　passing　second　he　expected　a
bullet　in　the　back；　but　none　came。　Vibrations　rumbled　along　the　duct　and　he　pushed　his　muscles　harder　than　he　would　have
believed　possible。
Hot　steam　billowed　after　him。　Sweat　poured　from　his　brow　as　the　aimbling　of　rocket　engines　grew　behind　him　and　the　ductwork
creaked　as　it　expanded　in　the　burgeoning　heat。
Suddenly　there　was　space　above　him。　He　pulled　himself　from　the　duct　and　slung　his　rifle　over　his　shoulder　as　he　found　himself　in
what　looked　like　a　vent　chamber。　Other　ducts　fed　into　the　chamber　and　another　ladder　ascended　to　a　circle　of　reddish　sky　high
above　him。　He　leapt　onto　the　ladder；　climbing　as　fast　as　he　could；　hearing　the　rumble　behind　him　build　to　a　full…throated　bellow；
like　a　mighty　dragon　waking　from　its　slumbers。
He　climbed　and　climbed　as　the　roar　built　below　him。
Geysers　of　scalding　steam　flashed　past　him。
The　heat　was　intolerable　and　he　gritted　his　teeth。　His　skin　blistered；　but　he　shut　out　the　pain；　putting　one　hand　above　the　other　and
pulling　himself　onwards。
Hawke　reached　the　top　of　the　ladder　and　moaned　in　fear　as　he　felt　a　blaze　of　heat　rash　towards　him　and　searing　orange　light　flare
around　him。　He　shouted　with　one　last　herculean　effort；　hurling　himself　over　the　lip　of　the　vent　and　rolling　aside　as　a　fountain　of
fiery　exhaust　gasses　exploded　behind　him。
Hawke　squeezed　his　eyes　shut；　and　rolled　away　from　the　heat　until　he　was　sure　he　was　safe。　He　gasped　for　air　and　pushed　himself
into　a　sitting　position；　opening　his　eyes　in　time　to　see　the　torpedo　roaring　through　the　sky　on　a　pillar　of　fire。
Guardsman　Juliu