Storm Of Iron(科幻战争)-第49部分

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reserves　of　energy　dwindled。
His　very　soul　was　being　drained　as　he　fought　to　destroy　this　monster。
The　Avatar　spread　its　arms　and　gave　vent　to　a　shout　of　hatred　that　shook　the　very　walls　of　the　bastion　with　its　fury。　A　rippling
whirlwind　of　raw；　red　hunger　swept　from　the　Avatar's　armour；　spreading　throughout　the　breach　like　the　pressure　wave　of　an
explosion　and　scything　through　every　warrior　within　a　hundred　paces。　A　lashing　storm　of　hate…fuelled　energy　whipped　around　the
interior　walls　of　the　Mori　bastion；　and　every　man　touched　burst　apart　in　an　explosion　of　red；　his　blood　swept　up　in　the　etheric
whirlwind　as　it　howled　back　to　the　Avatar　at　its　epicentre。
The　Avatar　swelled　to　monstrous　proportions；　its　armour　creaking　and　groaning　as　it　sought　to　master　the　energies　ripped　from　the
deaths　it　had　just　caused。
Dry；　fleshless　husks　surrounded　it；　Iron　Warriors；　Jourans　and　Imperial　Fists；　their　vital　fluid　drained　to　feed　the　monster　that　had
killed　them。　The　Avatar　rose　to　its　full　height；　towering　in　the　breach；　its　armour　and　weapons　blazing　with　barely…contained
power。
Only　one　figure　remained　standing：　Librarian　Corwin；　his　knees　buckled　and　the　sacred　sigils　on　his　armour　little　but　faded　scorch
marks。　He　supported　himself　on　his　staff；　swaying　unsteadily　as　the　Avatar's　pounding　footsteps　crashed　towards　him　across　the
breach。
'Not　dead　yet；　psyker？'　roared　the　Avatar；　raising　its　sword。　'Soon　you　will　wish　you　were。'
Corwin　looked　up　into　the　blazing　eyes　of　the　Avatar　and　saw　death。
The　Avatar　swung　its　sword；　the　passage　of　the　iridescent　blade　cutting　through　the　fragile　veil　of　reality　with　a　dreadful　ripping
sound；　like　tearing　meat。
A　black　gouge　torn　in　the　walls　separating　realities　opened；　filling　the　air　with　sickening　static；　as　though　a　million　noxious　flies
had　flown　through　from　some　vile；　plague　dimension。
Librarian　Corwin　closed　his　eyes　and　died　without　a　sound　as　the　Avatar's　blade　split　him　in　two；　both　halves　of　his　body　sucked
into　the　black　tear　opened　in　space　and　time。
The　Avatar　feasted　on　the　slaughter　it　had　caused；　sensing　the　oceans　of　blood　yet　to　be　shed　through　the　gateway　its　sword；
bloated　with　death；　had　torn　in　the　world。　Galaxies　of　billions　upon　billions　of　souls　awaited　harvest　and　feeding　to　the　Blood
God。　There　were　realms　where　the　time　it　had　wasted　here　was　but　the　blink　of　an　eye；　where　there　were　slaughters　that　would
perhaps　one　day　assuage　Khorne's　hunger。
The　Avatar　laughed；　knowing　that　such　a　thing　could　not　come　to　pass：　the　Blood　God's　hunger　was　a　depthless　ocean　and　would
never　be　sated。　New　life　and　new　purpose　thundered　through　the　bulging　fabric　of　its　armour　as　the　pull　of　fresh　souls　suffused　it。
Larana　Utorian　continued　to　scream　inside　her　mind　as　she　saw　the　eternity　of　slaughter　that　lay　before　her；　and　all　the　deaths　to
come。
She　screamed　because　she　realised　that　some　vile　part　of　her　soul　desired　this。
Without　a　backward　glance；　the　Avatar　abandoned　Hydra　Cordatus　to　its　fate；　stepping　through　the　dark　portal　to　a　time　and　place
beyond　mortal　understanding。
An　age　of　battle　awaited；　and　it　had　time　without　end　to　be　part　of　it。
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
HONSOU　SCRAMBLED　UP　the　slopes　of　the　breach；　his　blood　afire　with　killing。　Iron　Warriors　gathered　at　the　crest　of　the　breach；　the
rocks　there　enveloped　in　clouds　of　explosions　pierced　with　stabs　of　flame　from　some　unseen　weapon。　Already　he　could　tell　that
the　gunfire　had　to　be　coming　from　a　Titan。
Forrix　saw　him　coming　and　waved　him　forward；　shouting　over　the　din　of　the　sawing　fire　of　the　Warhounds'　Vulcan　bolters。
'We　cannot　go　further！'
'But　the　guns　of　the　bastion　will　cut　us　to　pieces　if　we　stay　here！'　retorted　Honsou。　'We　must　carry　the　breach！'
Forrix　pointed　through　the　smoke　to　the　shadowy　outline　of　the　Mori　bastion　and　Honsou　suddenly　noticed　the　complete　absence
of　any　sounds　of　battle。　No　gunshots；　no　screams　of　wounded　men　and　no　clash　of　steel　on　steel。　Only　then　did　he　notice　the
slowly　shrinking　wound　torn　in　the　air　that　hung　in　the　breach；　a　veil　of　stars　glittering　from　beyond。
'What　in　the　name　of　Chaos　is　that？'
'I　do　not　know；　half…breed；　but　it　is　where　Kroeger　has　gone。'
'I　don't　understand；'　said　Honsou　as　the　shimmering　vision　faded　to　nothingness。
'Nor　I；　but　the　whereabouts　of　Kroeger　is　the　least　of　our　worries。　We　need　something　to　shift　these　thrice…damned　Warhounds。'
As　if　in　response　to　Forrix's　demand；　the　thunder　of　something　impossibly　vast　slamming　against　the　earth　shook　the　ground；
loosening　giant　rocks　from　the　breach。　The　massive　vibration　hammered　through　the　ground　again　and　Honsou　turned　as　he　felt
the　presence　of　something　ancient　and　fearsome　approaching。
More　rocks　tumbled　downwards　from　the　breach　as　the　tempo　of　the　thunderous　impacts　grew。
The　smoke　parted　and　the　Dies　Irae　limped　from　the　smoke　and　strode　towards　the　citadel。
HIGH　IN　THE　command　bridge　of　the　Warlord　Titan；　Honoris　Causa；　Princeps　Daekian　heard　the　excitement　in　Princeps　Carlsen's
voice　even　over　the　vox；　and　smiled　with　grim　resignation。
'It's　the　Dies　Irae；　it's　mobile　again。　Emperor　knows　how；　but　it's　coming　straight　for　Vincare　bastion；　princeps！'
Carlsen's　warning　was　unnecessary；　Daekian's　forward　observers　had　already　reported　the　appearance　of　the　corrupted　Emperor
Titan。　He　could　sense　the　unspoken　desire　of　Carlsen　to　come　and　join　the　fight　against　the　Dies　Irae；　but　even　a　cursory　glance　at
the　tactical　plot　told　Daekian　that　Carlsen's　Warhounds　were　best　employed　covering　the　breach。
'Hold　fast；　Princeps　Carlsen。　Stay　where　you　are；'　he　ordered。
'Aye；　princeps；'　replied　Carlsen；　his　disappointment　plain。
Daekian　expertly　walked　his　Warlord　through　the　gateway　of　the　inner　wall；　ducking　the　Titan's　massive　head　to　avoid　losing　its
carapace　weapons。　The　two　Reavers　that　followed　him；　the　Armis　juvat　and　the　Pax　Imperator；　were　smaller　and　passed　below　the
gate　without　trouble。　All　three　Titans　had　undergone　hurried　repairs　after　their　first　engagement；　but　none　was　yet　fully
operational。
Daekian　had　faith　in　his　crews　and　the　fighting　spirit　of　the　Honoris　Causa；　but　he　had　made　his　peace　with　the　Emperor　before
climbing　to　the　bridge　of　his　Titan。　He　had　long　known　that　it　would　come　to　this　and　though　he　was　sure　it　would　mean　his　death；
he　was　honoured　that　it　would　fall　to　him　to　avenge　Princeps　Fierach。
Already　he　could　see　the　effect　the　Dies　Irae　was　having　on　the　battle。　Imperial　troops　were　streaming　back　in　terror　from　the
gargantuan　apparition　that　had　emerged　from　the　smoke。　The　Imperial　Fists　fell　back　in　good　order；　even　the　Space　Marines
realising　the　futility　of　standing　before　this　beast。　Their　ramparts　were　no　protection　against　such　a　towering　monster；　able　to　cross
the　bastion　with　a　single　step；　able　to　obliterate　the　walls　with　a　shot。
Daekian　cursed　as　the　troops　fled　beneath　him；　unable　to　step　forward　for　fear　of　crushing　whole　platoons　beneath　his　tread。　The
Dies　Irae　had　reached　the　third　parallel　and　was　barely　seconds　away　from　reaching　the　walls。
'Moderati　Issar；　take　down　that　abomination's　shields！'　he　yelled；　raising　the　massive　foot　of　his　Titan　and　praying　that　the　men
below　would　get　out　of　his　way。
'Engineering　deck；　give　me　slow　striding　speed。'
He　watched　as　flaming　traceries　of　staccato　gunfire　pumped　from　his　carapace…mounted　Catling　blaster；　the　high　velocity　shells
ripping　across　the　body　of　the　Dies　Irae。　Bright　pulses　flared　as　void　shields　collapsed；　but　Daekian　knew　that　it　would　take　more
than　the　gatling　blaster　to　finish　this　beast　off。
The　Armis　Juvat　and　Pax　Imperator　spread　out　to　his　flanks；　firing　as　they　went；　as　he　gracefully　manoeuvred　the　Honoris　Causa
through　the　mass　of　fleeing　troops。　A　massive　explosion　threw　up　chunks　of　rockcrete　as　the　enemy　Titan's　plasma　annihilator
opened　fire　and　vaporised　a　corner　gun　tower　on　Vincare　bastion；　melting　the　rockcrete　of　the　walls　and　causing　them　to　sag　under
the　intolerable　heat。
Daekian　grunted　as　he　felt　shields　collapsing　under　the　weight　of　fire　from　the　Dies　Irae；　cursing　as　he　swung　his　Titan　left　into
the　bastion；　stepping　over　the　lines　of　entrenchments。
His　monstrous　foe　was　before　him；　and　a　cold；　lead　weight　settled　in　the　pit　of　his　stomach　as　he　clearly　saw　the　terrifying　form　of
the　Dies　Irae　over　the　jagged　top　of　the　broken　ramparts。　Its　body　was　blackened　and　scorched　by　fire　and　its　head　was　a　molten；
dented　mass；　green　fire　blazing　from　behind　its　single　remaining　eye。　Gunfire　blazed　from　its　weapon　mounts；　sawing　through　the
ramparts　and　hammering　the　Titans　of　his　battle　group。
The　Armis　Juvat　staggered；　a　round　from　the　enemy　Titan's　hellstorm　cannon　defeating　its　shields　and　clipping　the　knee　joint　of　its
left　leg。
'Armis　Juvat　and　Pax　Imperator；　brace　for　firing！'　shouted　Daekian　as　he　increased　speed　and　thundered　towards　the　bastion's
flank。
The　princeps　of　the　Reavers　planted　their　Titans'　feet　squarely　on　the　ground　and　unleashed　a　deadly　volley　of　fire　at　the　Dies　Irae。
The　enemy　Titan　returned　fire　as　it　continued　to　advance。　Daekian　initialised　the　linear　accelerators　that　powered　the　Volcano
cannon　and　took　command　of　the　weapon　himself。　Not　that　he　did　not　trust　and　respect　the　Moderati　who　controlled　the　weapon；
but　if　there　was　to　be　a　kill　shot；　he　would　be　the　one　to　make　it。
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
Another　shot　from　the　Dies　Irae's　plasma　annihilator　blew　apart　a　further　section　of　the　wall　as　it　stepped　down　into　the　ditch；
crushing　hundreds　of　corpses　with　every　ponderous　tread。　He　flinched　as　a　flare　of　bright　light　to　his　side　briefly　illuminated　the
bridge　and　he　craned　his　neck　to　see　what　had　exploded。
The　Armis　Juvat　toppled　backwards；　the　top　half　of　its　upper　body　blown　away。　Geysers　of　plasma　fire　spilled　from　the　ruptured
reactor　as　the　slain　Reaver　crashed　to　the　ground。　The　Pax　Imperator　was　suffering　under　the　barrage　of　fire　from　the　daemon
Titan；　but　was　still　fighting。
'Void　shields　failing；　princeps！'　shouted　Moderati　Issar　as　a　volley　of　shells　struck　the　Honoris　Causa。
'Full　speed！　We　must　close　with　the　monster　before　we　suffer　a　similar　fate！'　replied　Daekian。
Less　than　a　hundred　metres　separated　them　now　and　Daekian　could　make　out　the　terrible　damage　Princeps　Fierach　had　managed
to　inflict　on　this　warp…spawned　beast　before　being　dragged　to　his　death。　Huge　steel　plates　were　crudely　welded　across　the　Dies
Irae's　midsection　and　all　manner　of　auxiliary　mechanisms　had　been　grafted　to　its　legs　to　allow　it　to　move。
Fire　from　the　gatling　blaster　blasted　off　more　of　its　void　shields　and　as　Daekian　saw　a　single　shell　explode　against　its　upper
bastions；　he　knew　that　the　beast　was　stripped　of　its　infernal　protection。
He　pushed　the　Honoris　Causa　forward　and　raised　the　volcano　cannon。
'This　is　for　Princeps　Fierach；'　he　snarled　and　fired。
He　watched　the　searing　beam　of　unimaginably　powerful　energy　streak　towards　the　Dies　Irae's　head；　knowing；　even　as　he　fired；
that　the　shot　was　true。
His　triumph　turned　to　disbelief　as　the　beam　struck　on　a　void　shield；　repaired　at　the　last　second　before　impact。　The　Dies　Irae
ground　its　torso　towards　him；　the　white…hot　barrel　of　its　plasma　weapon　aimed　directly　at　him。
'Evasive　manoeuvre