Storm Of Iron(科幻战争)-第50部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！

ground　its　torso　towards　him；　the　white…hot　barrel　of　its　plasma　weapon　aimed　directly　at　him。
'Evasive　manoeuvres！'　he　bellowed；　even　as　he　knew　it　would　be　too　late。
The　Honoris　Causa　lurched　sideways　as　the　plasma　bolt　fired。
Princeps　Daekian　ost。
The　shot　impacted　on　the　Warlord's　volcano　cannon；　instantaneously　vaporising　the　weapon　in　a　seething　ball　of　plasma。　The
explosion　ripped　up　the　Titan's　arm；　the　adamantium　structure　flashing　molten　in　a　heartbeat。
Daekian　screamed　in　agony；　convulsing　as　the　flashback　from　his　arm's　destruction　flared　along　the　mind　impulse　link。　Blood
streamed　from　his　nose　and　ears；　but　he　kept　true　to　his　course；　striding　towards　the　hazy　outline　of　the　Dies　Irae　through　the
smoke　filling　the　command　bridge。
He　reached　the　walls　at　the　same　instant　as　the　Dies　Irae；　the　raised　ground　inside　Vincare　bastion　bringing　him　level　with　his
foe's　head。　The　Pax　Imperator　circled　around　to　his　right；　its　carapace　running　with　plasma　fire　and　limping　as　its　leg　joints　trailed
streamers　of　white　sparks。
Daekian　lashed　out　with　the　Honoris　Causa's　one　remaining　arm；　his　battle　claw　slamming　against　the　Dies　Irae's　chest。　The
massive　Titan　rocked　back　under　the　powerful　blow；　swinging　its　arm　against　the　lip　of　the　bastion　and　smashing　through　the
rockcrete　and　hammering　into　the　Honoris　Causa's　upper　leg。
Daekian　felt　the　leg　crack　and　heard　the　screams　over　the　vox　from　the　engineering　decks。　He　had　moments　at　best。
He　swiped　again　at　his　gigantic　foe；　ripping　the　armour　plating　away　from　the　Dies　Irae's　belly　as　it　pummelled　his　wounded　flank
with　its　arms。　It　lurched　backwards；　attempting　to　protect　its　now　vulnerable　reactor。
The　horrendously　damaged　Pax　Imperator　charged　into　the　fight；　its　chain　fist　ripping　through　the　upper　bastions　of　the　Dies　hae；
its　blade　shrieking　as　it　tore　downwards　towards　the　war　machine's　bridge。
The　Dies　Irae's　barbed　tail　swung　and　pulverised　the　knee　joint　of　the　Pax　Imperator；　shaking　loose　its　chain　fist　and　staggering
the　mighty　god…machine。
Daekian　watched　the　Dies　hae　turn　and　hammer　the　barrel　of　its　plasma　annihilator　into　the　bridge　of　the　Pax　Imperator　and　fire　at
point…blank　range。
The　upper　half　of　the　Reaver　vanished　in　a　searing　blast；　enveloping　the　two　battling　Titans　ains　of　the
Pax　Imperator　crashed　over　the　walls　of　the　bastion　into　the　ditch；　huge　plumes　of　black　smoke　trailing　from　its　burning　hulk。
But　its　death　had　given　Daekian　the　opening　he　needed。
He　rammed　his　battle　claw　against　the　heat…softened　midsection　of　the　Dies　Irae's　reactor　chamber；　through　the　wound　first
opened　by　Princeps　Fierach。　He　roared　as　he　punched　through　into　his　foe's　guts；　gripping　its　nuclear　heart　in　his　iron　grip　and
crushing　it　with　all　his　might。
HONSOU　WATCHED　THE　battle　between　the　enormous　war　machines　through　the　drifting　haze　of　smoke；　willing　the　majestic　form
of　the　Dies　Irae　to　smash　its　inferior　foes　to　scrap　metal。　He　sheltered　in　the　lee　of　the　breach；　his　armour　dusty　and　bloodstained。
His　frustration　grew　with　every　explosion　above　him。　They　could　not　force　the　breach　like　this。
He　watched　as　the　leviathans　struggled　on　the　far　bastion；　their　battle　shaking　the　ground　as　though　a　powerful　earthquake　gripped
the　world。　'Forrix！'　he　yelled　over　the　din　of　shells　exploding　at　the　crest　of　the　breach。　'One　way　or　another；　this　battle　will　soon
be　over。　It　is　time　to　withdraw！'
Forrix　shook　his　head；　sneering。　'I　should　have　known　your　cowardice　would　finally　come　to　the　fore！　We　stay　and　take　this
breach。'
Honsou　felt　his　anger　flare　and　gripped　Forrix's　armour；　shouting。　'We　have　to　go！　The　attack　has　lost　its　momentum　and　the
enemy　will　be　regrouping　behind　the　walls。　We　only　reinforce　failure　if　we　stay。　There　will　be　another　time！'
For　a　second；　Honsou　thought　Forrix　was　about　to　rebuke　him　again；　but　the　fury　drained　from　his　eyes　and　he　nodded；　turning
without　a　word　and　scrambling　down　the　breach。
Honsou　followed　him　and　the　Iron　Warriors　retreated　from　the　walls；　falling　back　to　the　ditch　in　disciplined　groups。　As　he
clambered　over　an　iron…bar…studded　chunk　of　rockcrete；　the　day　was　lit　by　a　terrible　brightness。　The　sky　was　bleached　of　colour
and　everything　before　him　was　bathed　in　the　blinding　light　of　a　star。
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
The　Dies　Irae　was　enveloped　in　a　dazzling　ball　of　incandescent　fire；　huge　sprays　of　plasma　gouting　from　its　belly。　The　enemy
Titan　with　the　burning　white　eyes　had　its　fist　buried　in　its　guts；　tearing　and　destroying　the　magnificent　daemon　machine。　Locked
together；　the　two　Titans　wrestled　to　escape　each　other's　grip；　the　ground　heaving　with　their　battle。
As　Honsou　watched；　a　terrible　groaning　rent　the　air　as　the　two　machines　rocked　past　their　combined　centre　of　gravity　and　slowly
began　to　fall　towards　them　into　the　ditch。
'Run！'　he　shouted；　all　thought　of　a　disciplined　retreat　forgotten　in　the　face　of　this　new　danger。　He　sprinted　past　the　ravelin　and　leapt
up　the　rubble　slopes　of　the　ditch　as　the　two　war　machines　slammed　into　the　outer　face　of　the　curtain　wall　between　Vincare　bastion
and　the　gate。　Their　massive　bodies　scraped　down　its　face；　trailing　flaming　sheets　of　burning　plasma　and　ripping　another　great　tear
in　the　walls。
Honsou　scrambled　over　the　lip　of　the　ditch；　desperate　to　reach　the　safety　of　the　earthworks。　Forrix　ran　alongside　him；　his　new
bionics　enhancing　his　speed；　despite　the　Terminator　armour　he　wore。
The　two　Titans　slammed　into　the　ground；　the　impact　throwing　Honsou　from　his　feet　and　hurling　him　forward。　He　smashed　into　the
top　of　the　earthwork；　rolling　over　its　top　as　a　river　of　plasma　spilled　from　the　ruptured　reactors　of　the　Titans。
Burning　plasma　flooded　the　ditch；　incinerating　the　corpses　that　filled　it　in　an　instant。　The　Primus　Ravelin　was　destroyed；　crushed
beneath　thousands　of　tonnes　of　armaplas　and　ceramite。　Huge　flames　and　geysers　of　magma…hot　steam　ripped　along　the　ditch；
vitrifying　the　rocks　throughout　its　length。
Razor　sharp　chunks　of　white…hot　debris　rained　down　inside　the　citadel；　one　shard　from　the　Honoris　Causa's　bridge　section
hammering　through　a　section　of　ramparts　less　than　five　metres　from　Castellan　Leonid。
Both　war　machines　thrashed　weakly　in　the　molten　soup　that　filled　the　ditch；　grappling　to　the　last　as　the　searing　fires　consumed
them。
The　first　attack　had　failed。
FIVE
CASTELLAN　LEONID　POURED　himself　a　glass　of　amasec　and　drained　his　glass　in　a　single　swallow。　He　set　down　the　glass　on　his
desk　and　sat　on　the　edge　of　his　bed；　his　entire　body　aching。　He　winced　as　stitches　from　a　dozen　shallow　cuts　pulled　tight　across　his
arms　and　legs；　rubbing　his　temples　in　an　attempt　to　ease　the　pain　of　the　last　few　days。
Such　a　miracle　was　beyond　his　powers。　He　poured　himself　another　glass；　looking　through　the　armoured　loophole　in　the　tower's
wall。　A　dim　glow　still　radiated　from　the　dying　plasma　fires　in　the　ditch　where　the　two　Titans　had　fallen　and　he　raised　his　glass　to
the　light。　'Here's　to　you；　Princeps　Daekian。　May　the　Emperor　watch　over　your　soul。'
He　drank　the　fiery　spirit　and　briefly　considered　pouring　another。　He　decided　against　it；　knowing　he　had　much　to　organise　before
morning。　He　rubbed　a　calloused　hand　through　his　hair　when　a　knock　came　at　his　door。
'Come　in。'
Brother…Captain　Eshara　ducked　his　head　as　he　entered　the　room；　pulling　up　a　sturdy　chair　from　beside　Leonid's　desk　and　sitting
opposite　the　citadel's　castellan。
The　pair　sat　in　a　companionable　silence　before　Eshara　said；　'Your　men　fought　bravely　today。　They　are　a　credit　to　Joura；　and　your
kin　would　be　proud　of　you　all。'
Seeing　Leonid's　sadness；　he　added；　'I　was　grieved　to　hear　of　Major　Anders's　death。'
Leonid　nodded；　remembering　the　awful　sight　of　an　Iron　Warrior　casually　butchering　his　brave　friend　in　the　Primus　Ravelin。
'As　did　yours；　captain。　We　all　feel　Brother　Corwin's　loss。'
Eshara's　face　was　lined　with　sorrow；　'I　do　not　pretend　to　understand　what　happened　in　that　bastion；　but　I　believe　he　gave　his　life　to
save　us　all。'
'As　do　I；'　replied　Leonid。
Reports　of　the　battle　in　the　Mori　bastion　were　confused　to　say　the　least。　The　infirmary　building　was　awash　with　soldier's　ravings；
telling　of　a　giant　warrior　killing　everything　in　the　bastion　by　his　voice　alone　and　a　whirlwind　that　fed　on　blood。　Luckily；　Leonid
had　been　able　to　scotch　these　wild　tales　before　they　had　reached　the　remainder　of　the　garrison。
'Tomorrow　will　be　the　last　day　will　it　not？'　asked　Leonid。
Eshara　didn't　answer　and　Leonid　thought　he　was　avoiding　the　question；　but　the　Space　Marine　had　merely　been　considering　his
answer。
'If　we　do　not　pull　back　to　the　citadel's　inner　wall；　then；　yes；　it　will　be。　We　have　less　than　four　thousand　men；　virtually　no　heavy
guns　and　three　breaches。　The　wall　is　too　long　and　we　cannot　hold　everywhere　at　once。　We　will　make　it　a　thankless；　bloody　battle
for　our　enemies；　but；　ultimately；　the　citadel　will　fall。'
'Then　we　will　give　up　the　outer　wall　and　fall　back　to　the　inner　citadel。　The　wall　there　is　unbroken　and；　despite　its　irregular
coverage；　we　still　have　the　protection　of　the　energy　shield。'
Eshara　nodded。　'Aye。　The　sacrifice　made　by　Princeps　Daekian　has　bought　us　some　time　to　regroup；　and　it　would　be　best　if　we
begin　now。'
'I　will　issue　the　orders　immediately；'　stated　Leonid　pouring　himself　a　last　glass　of　amasec　and　taking　out　his　vial　of　detox　pills。
He　swallowed　one　and　shook　his　head　at　the　dreadful　taste；　placing　the　vial　on　the　desk。
'I　have　observed　your　men　taking　these　pills　as　well；'　noted　Eshara。　'Might　I　enquire　as　to　what　they　are？'
'What；　the　detox　pills？　Oh；　of　course；　you　do　not　need　these　do　you？　Well；　I　don't　suppose　any　of　us　will　need　them　any　more
really。'
Eshara　looked　puzzled　and　said；　'Need　them　for　what？'
'Well；　it's　the　air　here；'　explained　Leonid；　waving　his　hand　around　him；　'It's　poisonous。　The　Magos　Biologis　of　the　Adeptus
Graham　McNeill　？Storm　of　Iron？
Mechanicus　provide　these　pills　to　keep　the　men　from　getting　sick　from　the　toxins　in　the　air。'
Eshara　leaned　closer　and　lifted　the　vial。　He　shook　out　a　handful　of　pills　and　took　what　seemed；　to　Leonid；　an　unnecessarily　deep
breath。
'Castellan　Leonid；　are　you　aware　of　an　organ　unique　to　the　physiology　of　the　Space　Marines　known　as　the　neuroglottis？'
Leonid　shook　his　head　as　Eshara　continued。　'It　is　situated　at　the　back　of　the　throat　and　is　capable　of　analysing　the　chemical　content
of　anything　we　ingest　or　breathe。　If　need　be；　it　can　shift　the　pattern　of　my　breathing　to　divert　my　trachea　to　a　genetically　altered
lung　better　able　to　process　the　toxins　in　any　given　atmosphere。'
Eshara　replaced　the　vial　on　Leonid's　desk　and　said；　'I　am　afraid　you　have　been　misled；　my　friend；　because　I　can　assure　you　that　the
air　on　this　planet　is　quite　harmless。　Unpleasant　to　breathe；　yes；　but　poisonous？　Most　definitely　not。'
LEONID　LET　HIS　anger　grow　with　each　step　that　took　him　towards　the　Machine　Temple；　situated　deep　beneath　the　citadel。　He
clutched　the　vial　of　detox　pills　in　his　left　hand；　his　laspistol　in　his　right；　as　he　made　his　way　along　the　antiseptic　corridors　that　led
to　the　lair　of　Arch　Magos　Amaethon。　Captain　Eshara　was　beside　him　and　his　honour　guard　of　carapace…armoured　Guardsmen
marched　in　step　behind　him。
Now　he　knew　why　Hawke　had　not　sickened　and