The side door of Mountainfang slams open. Bolts tear out of the opening of the Razorback, cutting down those few Orks unlucky enough to be trailing behind. Five Wolves charge out of vehicle, one bearing two pistols at the head. “Brother Kalle, clear out those rooted Grots.”
The Wolf, bearing a Flamer in hand, gives a sharp nod. Running a few meters forward, the Rout lets loose a furious blast of Promethum-fuled flame. The Gretchin shriek as some scamper to get away; those unlucky few left char to the bones under the intense heat and flame.
The Hunter bearing the pistols levels his weapons on the Orks closest to them. “Full salvo! Leave none standing!”
The Routs level their Bolters on the Greenskins, squeezing out a precise and quick volley of shots. Bolts catch legs and arms, blowing the limbs nearly off. Boyz drop to the snow before many can react. Howls of retreat echo through the air as those left alive flee for their lives.
*
Haldis stares at the sudden arrival of additional Routs, jaw hanging as low as his helmet will allow. After a few seconds of gaping, the Pack Leader clears his throat and sets his jaw, walking towards the new Hunters. “Brothers, you have my thanks. Your arrival was most timely in our success. I was unaware there were other Vlka present on this moon.”
The leader of the Hunters holsters his two pistols before removing his helmet. His graying black beard is shorter than most of Haldis’ pack, cut with a neater trim. A glowing metal eye sits in place of the Hunter’s right eye, a sharp contrast from the yellowing brown natural left eye. “As was I.I am Aren Crimsongaze, acting Pack Leader of this portion of the Snow Gear Pack. And you are?”
Haldis bows his head. “I am Haldis Starblade, Pack Leader of the Moon Fangs Pack.”
Aren shifts his gaze to Haldis’ shoulder pad. “And what quarry are Bloodmaw Hunters tracking out on this moon?”
Haldis looks back over his pack. “Our mission is a simple one; we’ve been charged with clearing out the five outposts in Snowbear Pass and determining their readiness for Imperial usage.”
Aren raises his one good eyebrow. “And Wolf Lord Redmaw saw it fit to send Hunters on such a mission?”
“And what is that supposed to mean Ironwolf?” Gier snarls, “Are you suggesting we are incapable of performing such a duty?”
“Quite the opposite, actually.”
The Moon Fangs turn towards the voice; an Iron Priest bearing a single servo-arm steps from Mountainfang, resting the head of his Thunder Hammer on the side hatch. “Such a simplified task seems more fitting of an Astra Militarum recon squad; not a Vlka Fenryka Hunter pack.”
Kalle, drumming his gloved fingers on his Flamer’s Promethium tank, nods ad the Iron Priest. “Brother Gearfall makes a valid point. Why would a Wolf Lord send a pack on such a basic mission?”
Manger picks over his runes scattered on the ground. “Something is hidden from us. Perhaps there is more to this mission than simply a recon mission?”
“Brother Stareye did seem to give that impression when he told us of this assignment;” Orn muses softly, “I think the Wolf Priest knew a bit more about what was going on than he let on.”
“Or that more was to be going on than any of us are aware of.” Arvid folds his arms, “If he truly knew what it was we were to face, I doubt he would have left us in the dark.”
“Regardless of our mission,” Haldis holds his hands up, turning his gaze back to Aren. “I pose the same question to you. What is one of Wolf Lord Iron Wolf’s packs doing on this moon? And what happened to the rest of you, seeing as you have an acting Pack Leader?”
Aren looks away, snarling. “Wolf Lord Iron Wolf sent us here to investigate a legend one of our Rune Priests uncovered. It spoke of an ancient Fenrisian cruiser used by the founders of the Iron Priests. Wolf Lord Iron Wolf hoped we may uncover lost technology used by our forefathers in our never-ending war in the name of the Allfather and Russ.”
Gearfall steps forward. “After we landed, we noted a sharp decrease in the effective range of our Vox. Brothers Crimsongaze, Ironfist, Forgecaster, Frostrunner, Blacktail and I were assigned by Pack Leader Gearmaw to establish a base of communications. The rest of the pack ventured into the Bearfang Mountain Range to establish a forward camp. That was three days ago, and we’ve yet to receive word from them.”
“And you’ve yet to go after them to find them?” Gier sneers at the Iron Priest. “What kind of Rout just up and leaves his packmates like that?”
One of the Snow Gears shoves Gier, his black ponytail swaying in the breeze. “You bite your tongue! I’ll not have any bad word spoken of my packmates.”
Gier crouches down, but Orn grabs the Wolf’s arms before he can pounce. “Take it easy Gier; this is no place for a fight.”
Aren glares at the Hunter. “Tell me Bloodmaw, what would you have us do? Venture into those mountains and risk being lost like our Brothers, no word back to our Wolf Lord on our fate?”
Gier returns the glare, but as the Ironwolf’s words set in, his posture relaxes. “I still don’t like it,” he murmurs, looking away.
“None of us do,” Kalle muses, “but until we can at least get word to our Wolf Lord, there’s little we can do about it; no matter how flat the terrain, Mountainfang‘s Vox are not strong enough to reach orbit.”
“We’ve recently come into possession of a modified Rhino with increased Vox capabilities; it’s been able to send messages into Orbit.” Haldis gestures into the Outpost. “I’ll take you to it; you can get in contact with your Wolf Lord with it.”
Aren cracks a small smile. “Thank you Brother Starblade. I’d appreciate it.”
* * *
Haldis leans against Skychanter, arms folded over his chest. “It doesn’t make any sense Brother Suncaster; why is it so hard to get a message off this moon?”
Havard shrugs. “Maybe it’s the Bearfang Range causing problems. I’ve heard Iron Priests complaining before about mountains decreasing Vox range effectiveness.”
“But even large stationary structures built specifically in such proximity to the range having the same problems?” Haldis shakes his head. “It doesn’t seem right.”
The two Routs turn their heads as the Skychanter‘s back hatch falls open; Aren steps out, replacing his beaked helmet. “At least High Orbit knows about what’s going on. They are currently deciding on the next course of action; seems we must stay together until that decision comes.”
Haldis nods, “I’ll have Brother Rockaxe keep an ear open for that Vox transmission.”
Aren bows his head. “Even so, I feel proper thanks are in order. After my pack encountered one of the Outposts north of here, we were beginning to lose hope we’d ever make contact.”
Havard nods grimly. “Pack Leader Starblade and I were just discussing that. We felt it odd that none of the Outposts we encountered had Vox transmitters strong enough to make it into orbit.”
Aren leans in a little closer. “You mean the other outposts to the south are like this one?”
Haldis shakes his head. “Well not as well fortified, but for the most-” He sits up a little straighter, and looks directly at Aren. “What do you mean ‘like this one’? What was the Outpost to the north like when your pack arrived?”
A heavy silence falls between the three until Aren clears his throat. “To be perfectly honest Brother Starblade…I think it might be better if you see it for yourself.”
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