Storm Of Iron(科幻战争)-第39部分

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representative　of　the　Adeptus　Mechanicus。　Piet　Anders　took　out　a　bundle　of　thin；　twine…bound　cheroots；　the　kind　Vauban　had
enjoyed；　from　inside　his　uniform　jacket　and　offered　them　around　the　table。　All　the　Jouran　officers　took　one　in　honour　of　their
former　leader；　but　again　the　Space　Marines　declined。
Once　the　drinks　were　poured　and　the　cigars　lit；　Leonid　raised　his　glass；　sweeping　his　eyes　around　the　regimental　colours　and
shields　mounted　on　the　wall。　So　many　men　had　garrisoned　this　place；　so　many　forgotten　heroes。　He　promised　himself　that　Prestre
Vauban　would　not　go　unremembered。
'To　Castellan　Prestre　Vauban；'　toasted　Leonid；　raising　his　glass。
'Castellan　Vauban；'　repeated　the　officers；　draining　their　amasec　in　a　single　gulp。
Leonid　took　a　draw　on　the　cheroot；　coughing　as　the　acrid　smoke　caught　in　his　throat。　A　few　chuckles　greeted　his　discomfort。　They
all　knew　he　disapproved　of　such　vices。
'Gentlemen；'　began　Leonid；　grimacing　in　distaste　at　the　smoking　cheroot。　'It　has　been　over　three　weeks　since　this　siege　began；　and
though　it　has　been　hard　and　we　have　seen　good　friends　fall；　we've　given　these　Chaos　scum　a　bloody　nose　they'll　not　forget。
Regardless　of　the　eventual　outcome　of　this　battle；　I　want　you　all　to　know　that　you　have　done　all　that　honour　demands　and　I　am
proud　to　have　fought　beside　you。'
Indicating　the　Space　Marine　on　his　immediate　left；　Leonid　continued。　'Captain　Eshara　informs　me　that　the　Imperium　is　now　aware
of　our　plight；　and　that　relief　is　en　route　to　us　even　as　we　speak。　Captain　Eshara　expects　aid　to　arrive　within—'
'Fifteen　to　twenty　days　at　the　most；'　said　Eshara；　his　voice　clipped　and　regal。　'Fortunately；　there　is　an　Adeptus　Mechanicus
astrotelepath　way…station　less　than　twenty　light　years　from　where　we　picked　up　your　distress　call　and　naval　vessels　are　within　easy
reach。　The　alert　code　we　encrypted　in　the　communique　will　ensure　swift　reaction。'
Smiles　broke　out　across　the　table　and　hands　were　shaken　in　congratulation　as　Leonid　pressed　on。　Aid　is　on　its　way；　but　in　order　to
maintain　discipline　I　do　not　want　that　fact　to　become　common　knowledge。　When　the　soldiers　ask；　tell　them　only　that　we　are
expecting　to　be　relieved；　but　not　when。　Make　no　mistake；　the　enemy　will　now　be　more　determined　than　ever　to　avenge　their　defeat
in　the　battery。'
'Your　castellan　is　correct；'　said　Librarian　Corwin；　leaning　forward　and　steepling　his　fingers　before　him。　His　face　was　still　drawn
and　pale　from　the　effort　of　shielding　the　Jourans　from　the　Chaotic　energies　of　the　war　machines。
'The　guns　you　destroyed　in　the　battery　were　more　than　simple　weapons　of　war；　they　were　imbued　with　terrifying　daemonic
entities；　conjured　into　the　machines　with　the　blood　of　innocents　and　diabolical　pacts　made　with　the　Ruinous　Powers。　The
destruction　unleashed　in　the　battery　will　have　caused　many　of　those　pacts　to　be　broken　and　the　Iron　Warriors　will　need　blood　to
restore　them。　Our　blood。'
'You　know　a　great　deal　about　the　Iron　Warriors；　sir。　Is　there　anything　you　can　tell　us　that　will　help　us　fight　them？'　asked　Piet
Anders。
Corwin　nodded；　saying；　'The　Iron　Warriors　are　amongst　the　most　terrible　foes　the　Imperium　has　ever　seen。　Once；　ten　thousand
years　ago；　they　were　counted　amongst　the　Emperor's　most　favoured　sons；　his　best　and　bravest　fighters；　but　they　became　bitter　and
twisted　as　the　long　wars　of　the　Great　Crusade　continued；　their　own　desires　taking　precedence　over　their　duty　to　the　Emperor。
When　the　Great　Betrayer；　whose　cursed　name　I　will　not　speak；　rebelled　against　our　lord　and　master；　the　Iron　Warriors　renounced
their　oaths　of　loyalty　and　joined　him　in　war　against　the　Emperor。　Much　of　the　truth　of　these　days　has　been　lost；　but　what　is　true　is
that　the　Iron　Warriors　desecrated　the　holy　soil　of　Terra；　using　skills　honed　by　constant　warfare　to　breach　the　walls　designed　by　our
holy　Primarch；　Rogal　Dorn。　The　biggest　mistake　you　can　make　is　to　underestimate　the　Iron　Warriors。　Yes；　they　have　suffered　a
grievous　blow　with　the　loss　of　their　daemon　engines；　but　they　will　find　other　ways　of　striking　back　at　us。　And　we　must　be　ready
for　them。'
'Librarian　Corwin　is　correct；'　stated　Leonid。　'We　must　do　everything　we　can　to　be　ready　for　when　they　come　at　us　again。'　He
pushed　back　his　chair　and　stubbed　out　the　cheroot；　rising　to　circle　the　table　with　long　paces。
We　need　to　get　the　parapets　repaired　so　we　can　put　men　behind　them　again。　We　need　to　remount　the　guns　on　the　walls　as　I　have　no
doubt　that　they　are　digging　fresh　trenches　towards　us　even　now　and　I　want　them　hammered　every　second　of　every　day　and　every
night。'
'I　am　not　sure　if　we　have　the　ammunition　stockpiles　to　maintain　such　levels　of　expenditure；　Colonel　Leonid；'　pointed　out　Magos
Naicin。
Leonid　didn't　bother　to　mask　his　contempt　for　the　magos。　'Naicin；　when　I　want　your　input　I　shall　ask　for　it。　Understand　this：　the
more　powder　we　burn　now；　the　less　blood　my　men　will　shed　when　the　final　assault　comes。'
Turning　from　the　magos；　he　said；　'I　want　the　platoons　in　each　battalion　divided　into　shifts；　six　hours　on　the　walls；　six　hours　off。
The　men　are　exhausted　and　I　want　the　soldiers　manning　the　ramparts　to　be　at　their　best。　But　drill　them　hard　in　manning　the　walls。
When　an　alert　signal　is　given；　I　want　every　soldier　on　the　walls　in　an　instant。'
Anders　and　Kristan　nodded；　taking　notes　on　their　personal　data…slates。　Princeps　Daekian　scribbled　one　last　note　before　asking；
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
'What　can　the　Legio　do　to　help？'
Leonid　glanced　down　the　table。
'I　don't　know。　What　can　the　Legio　do？'　he　growled。
Daekian　stood　stiffly；　clasping　his　hands　behind　his　back。
'Until　the　enemy　cross　the　outer　walls；　not　a　great　deal；'　he　admitted。
'Then　what　use　are　you　to　me？'　snapped　Leonid。
Daekian　continued　smoothly；　as　though　Leonid　had　not　spoken。　'But　if　the　enemy　do　carry　the　walls；　we　can　cover　your　retreat　to
the　inner　curtain　wall　more　efficiently。'
Seeing　Leonid's　sceptical　look；　Daekian　smiled　grimly；　'Wall…mounted　guns　can　be　quickly　bracketed　and　destroyed；　believe　me。　I
have　two　Warhounds　left　that　will　not　prove　so　static。　Warhounds　are　not　tall　enough　to　be　targeted　from　beyond　the　walls　and
will　provide　the　best　fire　support。　The　Reavers　and　the　Honoris　Causa　will　need　to　remain　behind　the　curtain　wall　or　they　will　be
destroyed　before　battle　is　joined；　but　they　give　you　a　powerful　reserve　for　a　counterattack。'
Daekian　paused　before　continuing。　'You　are　a　proud　man；　Castellan　Leonid；　but　I　know　you　are　wise　enough　to　see　the　truth　of
this。　Do　not　let　your　anger　towards　the　Legio　blind　you　to　the　sense　of　my　words。'
The　muscles　bunched　in　Leonid's　jaw　and　the　colour　rose　in　his　cheeks。
Captain　Eshara　rose　to　his　full　height　and　stepped　between　the　two　officers。
'Castellan　Leonid；　might　I　interrupt　here？'
Leonid　nodded　and　returned　to　his　seat；　lacing　his　hands　before　him　as　Eshara　circled　the　meeting　table；　collecting　each　officer's
marching　cane。　Each　thin；　silver…topped　cane　was　a　purely　ceremonial　affectation；　carried　tight　under　the　left　arm　by　the　officers
of　the　regiment　during　marching　drill。
When　he　had　gathered　enough　of　the　canes；　he　returned　to　stand　beside　Leonid's　chair；　handing　him　one。
'Break　it；'　he　said。
'Why？'
'Indulge　me。'
Leonid　easily　snapped　the　cane　in　two；　placing　the　splintered　wood　on　the　table。
The　Space　Marine　captain　handed　him　another。　'Again。'
'I　don't　see　what　this　has—'
'Do　it'commanded　Eshara。　Leonid　shrugged　and　snapped　the　second　cane　as　easily　as　the　first；　laying　the　pieces　next　to　the　others。
A　third　cane　was　broken　before　Eshara　picked　up　the　six　pieces　lying　before　the　commander　of　the　Jourans。　He　gathered　them　in　a
bundle；　bound　them　together　with　the　twine　from　the　cheroots　and　handed　them　to　Leonid。
'Now　try　to　break　them；'　he　ordered。
'As　you　wish；'　sighed　Leonid；　gripping　the　thick　bundle　and　twisting。　He　grimaced　with　the　strain　as　he　tried　to　break　the　pieces；
but　without　success。　Eventually　he　was　forced　to　give　up　and　tossed　the　unbroken　bundle　onto　the　table。
'I　cannot；'　he　admitted。
'No；　you　cannot；'　agreed　Eshara；　picking　up　the　bundle　and　placing　his　hand　upon　Leonid's　shoulders。
'When　I　look　around　this　room；　I　see　men　of　courage　standing　firm　in　the　face　of　the　most　dreaded　of　foes　and　it　fills　me　with
pride。　I　have　fought　for　longer　than　any　of　you　have　been　alive。　I　have　faced　enemies　of　all　kinds　and　fought　beside　some　truly
great　warriors。　I　have　never　been　beaten；　so　listen　well。　To　do　battle　in　the　service　of　the　Emperor　you　must　understand　that　you
are　part　of　an　unimaginably　larger　war　and　that　you　cannot　fight　for　yourself。　That　way　lies　damnation　and　ruin。　Together　you　are
stronger　than　adamantium；　but　if　you　do　not　stand　as　one；　you　will　all　be　broken　like　these　canes。　Castellan　Vauban　knew　this。　He
may　have　been　angry　with　certain　decisions　that　were　made　in　the　past；　but　he　knew　not　to　put　his　own　feelings　before　the　welfare
of　his　command。'
Eshara　marched　to　the　Jouran　regimental　flag　and　lifted　it；　tracing　his　finger　along　the　hand…stitched　lettering　of　the　embroidered
scroll　at　its　base。
'Your　regimental　motto；　Castellan　Leonid：　Fortis　cadere；　cadere　non　protest。　Tell　me　what　it　means。'
'It　means；　〃the　brave　man　may　fall；　but　will　never　yield〃。'
'Exactly；'　said　Eshara；　pointing　down　the　table。　'And　Magos　Naicin；　is　〃Strength　through　Unity〃　not　one　of　your　order's
aphorisms？'
'One　of　many；'　conceded　Naicin。
Eshara　nodded　towards　Princeps　Daekian。　'Princeps？　Your　Legio's　motto　if　you　please。'
'Inveniam　viam　aut　faciam。　It　means；　〃I　will　either　find　a　way；　or　I　shall　make　one〃'
'Very　good；'　nodded　Eshara　returning　to　his　seat。　'Do　you　all　understand？　I　have　been　here　but　a　short　time；　but　already　I　see
division　amongst　you。　Such　petty　squabbling　must　be　put　aside。　There　can　be　no　other　way。'
Leonid　looked　at　the　unbroken　bundle　of　canes　before　him　and　rubbed　his　hand　across　his　unshaven　jaw　before　rising　to　address
his　men。
'Captain　Eshara　speaks　with　a　truth　and　clarity　we　have　lost。　Gentlemen；　from　this　moment　on；　we　are　a　brotherhood　united　in　our
holy　cause；　and　I　will　have　words　with　any　man　who　dares　put　that　brotherhood　asunder。'
Leonid　marched　towards　the　end　of　the　table　to　stand　before　Princeps　Daekian；　who　rose　from　his　seat。　The　Castellan　of　Hydra
Cordatus　drew　the　sword　Daekian　had　given　him　and　bowed　as　he　presented　it　to　its　rightful　owner。
'I　believe　this　belongs　to　you；'　he　said。
Daekian　nodded；　proffering　his　hand　to　Leonid。　'You　keep　it；　Castellan　Leonid。　It　looks　better　on　you。　I　have　another。'
'As　you　wish；'　smiled　Leonid；　scabbarding　the　sword　and　accepting　Daekian's　grip。
The　two　men　shook　hands　then　Leonid　rounded　the　table　to　face　Magos　Naicin。
'Magos。　Any　help　you　could　give　us　would　be　gratefully　received。'
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
Naicin　stood　and　bowed。　'I　am　your　servant；　colonel。'
Leonid　shook　Naicin's　gloved　hand　and　nodded　his　thanks　to　Captain　Eshara。
Perhaps　he　could　hold　this　brotherhood　together　after　all。
TWO
HONSOU　KICKED　OVER　a　blasted　chunk　of　rubble。　Squatting　on　his　haunches；　he　picked　up　a　handful　of　rock　dust　and　let　it　spill
through　his　mechanical　fingers。　The　new　arm　pleased　him　mightily；　it　was　stronger　and　more　robust　than　his　own　had　been。　It　had
originally　belonged　t