Hetalia40K(Tears of blood) : WAAAAGH!

“WAAAGH!”    

It is the 41st millenium.

The Imperium of man stretches far and wide across the stars, filled with untold billions of souls and a million worlds. Vast beyond imagining, it rules with an iron fist greating it's enemies with bloodshed... For they are many.

The ever present threat from expensionist xeno races. Rebels. Heretics that abandon the sacred emperor in favor of the ruinous powers. Daemons with a a thousand names and much more would see the Imperium crumble from withing and without.

But under the banner of the God-Emperor of Man, the forces of the Imperial Guard, the mighty Adeptus Astartes and the holy inquisition fight to preserve the race of man from it's enemies.

It is their continued sacrifice that keep the dreams and hopes of an entire race alive.

For in the grimm darkness of the far future, there is only war.

******************************************************************************************

A fine evening to a fine day was taking place before Francis Bonnefoy. Sitting as he was on his palace’s balcony, in-between sips of rare wine, he admired the way the setting sun reflected on the surface of the world’s buildings and factories all the while the people he lorded over continued to toil away in them, building the machines of war that kept them safe, accounting and storing data and information or simply doing whatever odd work needed doing.

And as he placed his high quality booted feet on a stool as he sunk into his chair, he remembered how the planet used to be before his coming.

A wasted paradise overrun by filthy Orks, all due to the failures of the previous governor to actually govern the planet in a functional manner. When Francis had arrived, it was as the admiral of a fleet of warships hoping to relieve the embattled planetary defence forces only to have to bombard ruins and wage a cleansing war.

Now, Europa primiris was the official capital world of the Europa sub-sector in the Segmentum Ultima, a center of culture and industry as well as a bulwark of human civilisation and order in the depths of space. Whatever threat appeared, whatever war was waged around it, Europa had always stayed loyal, functioning and safe.

Indeed it was something to be proud of. Guard regiments and armies would often be pulled back to his world to wait reinforcements, using the local manpower and industry to further the imperial cause… And using the unfortunate feral Ork problem still lurking deep in the woods as training. Men from such places as Cadia, Armageddon and Krieg were currently in his barracks doing just that, fighting and training alongside each other. This made Francis smile the most, not only was he helping the regiments directly, but also offering them the chance to better their relations with each other!

The man took another sip of wine as a cool breeze began to blow trough long, blond hair. He enjoyed every moment of the sun’s heat upon his skin combined with the cooling factor of the breeze as he simply sat there and closed his eyes.

“My lord?”

Francis’s eyes popped back open in an instant as the tiny voice of the servant made itself heard. Irritated as he could be to be disturbed, he did have duties and not tending to them would be a breach of the trust placed in him by the adeptus terra and by extension, the emperor himself. Getting back on his feet, he turned to the female secretary.

“Yes?” He asked with a charming smile.

“I’m sorry to disturb you sir, but General Braginski insisted that you come see him.”

Ivan? What could he possibly want to tell him that was so urgent?

“Very well, then. I guess there’s no point in keeping the good general waiting.” He sighed. “but in the meantime have someone put this bottle back in it’s place.” He continued, gesturing to the open wine bottle and glass sitting on a pristine silver tray.

The servant nodded in understanding as Francis stepped trough the doors into his palace. It was one of the last remaining original buildings left from before the re-conquest and apart from renovations, it showed. The craftsmanship was beautiful, even with the high standards set by the Imperium.

After much walking and a few elevator rides, Francis arrived in the war room. Located deep within the bunkered bowels of the palace, it was where the planetary defence was commanded.

Ivan stood over a massive planning table surrounded by communication and surveillance posts for the rest of the staff, all of which fed information to the table.

Ivan lifted his head towards the great armoured doors as they opened and Francis walked in. Francis could notice that the ordinarily happy character had a worried look on his face, which, in turn, worried him.

“Sir, you should come and take a look at this.” Spoke the Vostroyan.

“What is it, Ivan?” Asked Francis as he walked over to the table. Ivan pressed a series of buttons and a series of different maps began to appear one after the other. It quickly became clear that these were not “different” maps, but rather different magnitudes as he quickly gazed upon the map of the Europa sub-sector.

“This,” spoke Ivan as he zoomed on one of the distant planets of the sector, “is what it is.”

“That, Ivan, is a minor mining world.” Chided Francis, which earned him a slightly scornful look from the general.

“A minor mining with which we have lost all contact, sir.” Came Ivan’s harsh reply.

“And sitting on the edge of a small Orkoid empire… I see.” Francis muttered as he looked more closely at the world in question.

“Should we alert segmentum command?” Asked Ivan,  a slight hint of worry in hid voice.

“Yes… of course.”  Francis trailed a bit as he thought. It really could be anything from a communications malfunction to sabotage to a full on daemonic assault…. Although that one would have been painfully obvious.

“Ivan,” Francis’s voice was now much louder and firm as though he had made a decision,” alert the Segmentum fleet and ask them to send a detachment to investigate. In the mean time, work the sensors around the clock but don’t raise force readiness. There’s no point in wasting resources for something that we don’t know about and could end up being nothing.”

Ivan nodded in agreement and made a quick note of it in his data-slate as Francis examined the map further until he felt comfortable with his course of action. It’s not like he had a fleet of his own to investigate with.

“And what of our own Ork problem?” Asked the governor turning away from the table and facing the general.

“Same as before. The planetary defence forces are guarding the major settlements and the expeditionary force are sweeping the vermin deeper into the wilderness. If they keep up like this, we won’t have a problem any longer.”

Francis chuckled quietly at the thought before looking back at Ivan. “Unfortunately, old friend, we both know that they’re bound to leave for their destination sooner rather then later. Just keep them informed if the Orks launch another raid on one of the outlaying settlements.”

“Very well, governor.”

All things said, they both walked towards the thick metal doors in silence as the staff and servitors worked dutifully at their stations and as they went trough the many corridors. Francis stepped into the elevator first but soon both men stood there in silence save for the low humming of the elevator.

“Oh, and I was thinking of inviting your family over to dinner tonight. Would it be possible?” Asked Francis with a smile as he broke the lingering silence.

“ More then possible, sir. I think my wife and daughter will both be thrilled.”

“Well, then I suppose I’ll see you tonight, then!”

“Indeed, sir. I look forward to it!”

************************************************************************

The infernal buzzing of the alarm next to his bed did not agree with the combination of fine alcohol and a long, lively evening and the result was a massive developing headache that could not be made to diminish with any amount of digging his head into his pillow.

Inevitably, he caved in to the demands of the damned machine. Fortunately for both him and whoever called, his wife was as asleep as a log.

“What is it and be quick about it!” He grudgingly growled as he rubbed his eyes only to be greeted back by the unemotional voice of a servitor.

“Lord General, your presence is required in the command room.”

“Why?” He growled in frustration,” and by the god-emperor, it better be a damn good reason.”

“I am not at liberty to say via vox comms.”

That bad? If it was that important, then he had to go down there no matter how early in the morning it was. If somebody was to drop the ball, it certainly wouldn’t be Ivan Braginski! After eating a very light breakfast and donning his uniform he exited the room Francis had granted he and his wife for the night and made his way trough the many corridors to the restricted elevator. Thank the emperor he was already in the palace!

The way down was slow, it always had been that way but this time it felt worst. Nevertheless he reached the bottom of the of the palace’s armoured bunker structure and walked out the door into the many corridors. As he approached, the servitor turned and fixated him with his lifeless eye.

The mechanical beings always gave anyone not out of their minds shudders, and for good reason. They looked truly horrific and this one was no different. It’s hardly covered torso was a dark mixture of flesh, metal and wires. It’s legs had been replaced with tracks that connected to the waist. And it’s face was halfway covered in metal, which included a big mechanical eye.

“Lord commander…”

The voice from the soulless machine-man startled Ivan back to the bisness at hand as he walked to the command table.

“What is it, servitor?”

“Lord General, a space hulk as entered the system. It has been identified as the ’Carcass of the saints’, missing from imperial records for 9.492 standard years. Additional vessels seem to be operating in proximity as well as what appears to be asteroids. Sensors show possible signs of Ork constructs upon their surfaces. They are on an orbital intercept course for Europa primaris .”

Ivan dropped in the chair nearest to where he stood. Now he knew what had happened to the mining world. It wasn’t just a communications problem, it was something much, much worse… And it was heading straight for them now. Even worst, he was looking at it heading for them and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do. All of the compounding horror crystallized itself into a curse and a prayer,  “Mars and Terra….”

The room was filled with silence, save for the low whirring of the servitor and the humming of computers and Ivan’s own breathing as he sat there with his head buried in his hands, both elbows propping him up against the table. For a while he stayed so, thinking, fighting off his despair with his duty as a servant of the emperor. His thoughts always went to his family and to how they would fare in the upcoming apocalypse.

If Europa was to remain an imperial world and if anyone was to survive, it would all fall down to courage and duty. They would have to face off the horde until help arrived, or they all died to the last men, woman and child. That was the cold, hard truth of a cold and hard galaxy.

Ivan slowly drew a long deep breath and exhaled just as slowly in an effort to calm his nerves. He couldn’t afford to have his mind clouded, not now. “How long until it reaches us?”

“Estimates are of one standard day.”

“Call the governor and activate the emergency beacon. Recall all patrols and issue a stand-bye order to all forces on the planet. Order the engineers to begin fortifications immediately!”

“Understood, Lord General.”

************************************************************************

Francis stormed trough the heavy metal doors , in full military regalia for his rank and walked up to the Vostroyan general, whom was still sitting hunched over the table.

“Ivan, what is the meaning of this?”

Ivan turned the chair around to face his old friend and brother in arms. The startled look on Francis’s face contrasted greatly with the resigned and stern looking general.

“There is an Ork Waaagh heading straight for us.”

“WHAT!?” practically shouted Francis,” are you sure of this?” he continued only to have Ivan stare directly into his eyes with a scowl. The answer was a silent but deafening yes.
Francis paled at the news. “How… How long do we have?” He asked as he took tentative stapes towards his comrade.

“A day, maybe less. I haven’t given the evacuation order yet as to not panic the population and give them time to riot or emperor knows what else. The troops are also on stand-bye.” Spoke Ivan as he left his seat.

“And where are you going?” Asked Francis as he gave way to Ivan as he passed him.

“I’m going to set up my command center in the starport and oversee it’s fortification. You would do well to do the same with this place as well as securing communication lines with me and the supply depots. Actually, send troops to fortify the plaza as well.”

“Ivan!” Protested Francis,” I was an admiral, not a ground commander! And besides, I haven‘t seen combat in 10 years!”

Ivan spun on his heels immediately and walked back to Francis with contained frustration. At any other time, he would have understood, but now, neither he or the people could afford to.

“You’re also the governor of this world, which makes you the head of it’s planetary defence forces. All I need you to do is coordinate with them and the imperial guard forces now under my command,” he spoke with a calmness that anyone who could read trough masks would have seen trough,” need I remind you that I haven’t seen combat for the past 10 years either? We still have sworn our lives to the service of the emperor and now is the time was have to make good on that oath, come what may.”

“You ounce asked me if I was prepared to go all the way,” continued Ivan,” now I ask you.”

Francis reached for the heavy medal hung around his neck, squeezing it long and hard as he closed his eyes and remembered glories long past, years spent in service and the sacrifices he had to make. The answer to Ivan query came by itself.

“Yes. Yes I am prepared to go all the way, my good general.”

Ivan nodded briskly before continuing towards the metal doors but stopped as he glanced back at Francis.

“One last thing. My family…”

“As they were my own.” Interrupted Francis, giving his companion a much needed reassuring smirk, for which he was given a grateful nod by Ivan before he left for good, leaving Francis alone with the servitor, staring lifelessly at the governor as he waited a command.

With a heavy heart and body, Francis fell into a chair,” Emperor save us,” he murmured. Not that mere prayers would help any of them.

Orks didn’t leave survivors.

************************************************************************

The imperial guards under Braginski watched with horror and bewilderment as their few ships battled out with the crude Ork constructs and looted vessels all the while as they waited behind their lines, fortified to the best of their abilities with what they had at hand: Boxes, abandoned vehicles, rubble, anything that could be used to fortify their position with was used short of digging out the streets…yet.

The orks had already landed, Ivan knew. Already he could hear the shelling in the distance, and the faint glow of re-entry into the sky as rocket-propelled meteorites crashed into the surface, unleashing their deadly cargo.

The loud thunder of one such things brought everyone’s attention to the skies again, as it was engulfed in flames and then continued it’s way in a trail of smoke, oblivious and impervious to all that stood in it’s way, as it smashed a small imperial ship in half and kept going trough a building, eventually crashing nearby.

Ivan tensed his grip on the chainsword in his hand, this was no accident. For all their simple and brutish manners, Orks weren’t stupid. Behind him was the spaceport, the fastest way for them to get re-enforced. There were going to be more.

His men and women watched in sheer horror as his prediction came true, with dozens upon dozens of them dropping from the skies like rain.

Ivan stepped unto the barricade, so that all eyes would be on him. He slowly gazed at each of his soldier before taking a deep breath.

“Soldiers! Listen to me now. Don’t let these xenos strike fear into your heart! We are the imperial guard, we are the emperor’s hammer! The survival of the Imperium and of this world depends on us, so make our emperor proud!” He roared. In that instant, all their attention was on him, their lord general, and towards their duty to mankind. Ivan could only hope that it would stay that way ounce the enemy came.

And came it did. A wave of monstrous green-skinned creatures poured into street, screaming their WAAAGH! battle cry at the top of their lungs in pure bloodlust. The wave quickly ran towards the puny human defenders, brandishing bloodstained cleavers and axes in their un-bridled fury.

“HOLD!” Ordered Ivan, taking cover behind the sandbags and metal crates besides his soldiers. All pointing their lasguns, heavy bolter turrets and autocannons at the charging mass.

Ever closer by the second, the berserkers kept on, when, suddenly, Ivan stood up, brandishing his sword in one hand and his laspistol in the other. “FIRE!”

Everyone unleashed a barrage of rounds and laser blasts, wounding and killing a great deal of the frenzied horde and not stopping for the smallest of moments.

But alas, the greenskins aren’t so easily stopped.

The ones behind the fallen simply jumped over the dead and kept on, reaching the guard’s position.

Firing his pistol at the blob of green and teeth, Ivan killed one of the Orks in front of him…..Only to have the one directly behind it lung at him, axes flashing. His chainsword revving in his hand, he swung at the creature’s bowels, the chain’s teeth biting into the flesh, sending chunks of meat everywhere as it dug and ripped and tore deeper into the inhuman monster.

Barely finished with his opponent, another challenger appeared whom was no match for the leader of men. And then another, and another. The whole line was being flooded, of the 60 that Ivan had lead into that street, hardly half was alive… And that number was dropping considerably even as he slew beast after beast.

Finally, the wave subsided, but not before the orks took more of his troops. The street was left a carpet of dead bodies tangled in barbwire and torn limbs floating on a river of blood, most of which came from his own men. 60 imperial guards in a fortified line with heavy weapons against what Ivan had calculated to be nothing more then 30 orks….

Ivan never had any illusions tough. This had been only but the most minor of skirmishes, and such were the sacrifices asked of the imperial guard. The battle for control of the planet was a whole other beast that even a lord general forged in war such as he could only hope overcome. In the days to come, the courage and skill of his troops would be put to the test.

All he could do now except his duty was to place his fate in the emperor and hope that salvation would come and that the men would not falter in their duty, lest they all fall into darkness.

************************************************************************

Sergeant Arthur Kirkland ducked back into the crude trench as fast as he could when he saw the large rocket heading for him.  The impact sprayed him with dirt and slight amounts of rubble, but, undeterred, he got back up just as fast and started firing his gun. His squad was spread all over the length of it within shouting distance, firing madly at orks, ducking and dodging bullets, dumb rockets and light artillery fire.

They and the rest of their company was the last thing keeping these orks from entering the residential units. So far, the gap between the factory complex the orks were shooting from had been enough of a buffer. But all knew it was but a matter of time before they’d have to pull back into the buildings behind them.

Anger and frustration rising from this situation, he pulled down the young man next to him with him as he took cover.

“Corporal Williams! Where the hell’s our support?!”

The young, violet eyed man stared at his superior trough his glasses.

“Sir, command is withholding support until they can better determine where to use it.” Replied Matthew.

“Khorn’s blood! Tell them I know a perfect place where they can shove it! I need support NOW, I’ll use anything they can send!” Raged Arthur in between shell explosions inches away from him. With a quick nod, the corporal set out to relay the message, but as he did another soldier came running, screaming.

Sergeant Kirkland turned to the newcomer and recognized him immediately.

“Philippe, what in the emperor’s name are you doing--”

“Killa Kan!”

Arthur was filled with horror as he looked across the no man’s land and saw the crude ork machine advancing with it’s spider-like legs, bringing it’s machine gun and chainsaw to bear.

The sight of the sizable killing machine approaching relentlessly towards them was enough to panic the guardsmen, as despite their concentrated fire, it kept on advancing.

“Whatever happens, hold your ground! Cowards will be shot!” Ordered Arthur, not a hint of doubt or fear in his voice… Though he felt quite the opposite.

The machine had nearly reached the outskirts of the trench. Already, guardsmen where being killed by the rounds flying from the machine guns, and Arthur was preparing for it to tear them all apart limb from limb.

It was then that a miracle came, so well timed that it couldn’t have come but from the emperor himself.
 
The air whooshed  as an earth-shaker shell flew in towards it, hitting the mechanical abomination.

The blast knocked Arthur and those next to him back a few feet, laying him flat on the ground. But, as disoriented as he, he saw the results.

The robotic killing machine had been torn apart by the blast.

They looked forward and saw the ork positions being hammered by shells, greatly reducing the volume of fire coming from them, if not cancelling it altogether.

“I guess command changed their minds.” snarcked Philippe, as he and Matthew helped their sergeant up.

“I guess you’re right, Philippe.” He replied  ounce on his feet.

Then, suddenly, the earth began to rumble as the sound of tank tracks could be heard grinding in the distance. The squad held their breath and hoped that these were imperial guard tanks and not ork ones.

Their hopes came true when a squad of Leman Russ tanks and a chimera emerged from the distance and took up formation in front of them, the chimera parking itself between them and the trench.

The chimera’s loading ramp descended allowing the un-board captain to come out.

“Sergeant Kirkland! It’s good to see you! I feared that we wouldn’t have come in time.” Expressed the captain.

“And I was worried that me and my men had been left to dry, captain Beilschmidt. Obviously, I was mistaken.”

Ludwig chuckled as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “It’s those damn orks! There’s rubble everywhere so tank movements are near impossible and there’s just not enough artillery to cover everyone. Still, you made it. But I have to ask, where’s your lieutenant?”

“Dead, sir. I think.” Replied Philippe.

“You think, private?” Replied Ludwig, a slight harsh tone of  in his voice.

“Took a rocket in the chest, wasn’t much left to identify.” Replied the young guardsman, stoic.

“I see… Damn it! That’s the third one so far, this company will run out of officers at this rate!”

“Well, let’s hope they find competent replacements for ounce.” Remarked the sergeant.

“AH! Good to see even the xenos can’t rob you of your sense of humour.” Laughed the captain, “ stay put. I’ll try to get you more troops but I can’t promise anything. By tomorrow, we may be all cut off from everyone else on this rock.”

“That bad?” Asked Matthew.

“Trust me, corporal, you don’t want to know just how bad it is.”

The captain turned around and stepped unto the ramp to the chimera.

“My men and I are part of a push by command to drive the orks out of as much of the city as possible. Be ready to provide assistance if I call on you, but in the meantime do as I said and rest, you’ve more then earned  a short pause.”

“Aye, sir.” Replied Arthur with a salute, which was returned to him.

And in that moment, Ludwig returned to his Chimera and left with his tanks as Arthur turned to his men.

“Alright, you’ve heard the captain so we can’t afford to much about. Tend to the wounded, check your gear and get some rest. Looks like we’ll be in it for a while.”

************************************************************************

Lord-commissar Gilbert Beilschimdt stood before the thick iron, hesitating to knock. Finally, he resolved himself to do so and the door promptly opened, revealing the armoured giant on the other side: captain Alfred F. Jones of the Crimson Fists space marines.

“My lord, I hope I’m not interrupting.” He respectfully said.

“No, not at all!” Smiled Alfred, taking a step back from the door to allow the much smaller human to enter his quarters. Even though, as the leader of a company, he had access to his own battle barge, which was now travelling along with the imperial fleet, the captain had gone on-board in order to devise the best joint strategy… And to raise moral among the troops. And if the emergency beacons coming from Europa were anything to go by, they would need it.

Few things had such an impact on guardsmen as the sight of the epitome of human strength and resolve, and the knowledge that one such as he would lead the charge alongside them. And with the grim news of what was happening at their destination, they would need all the help they could get.

“So, what can I help you with, commissar?” Asked Alfred after sitting down in a seat.

“Oh, I don’t need help, I just wanted to thank you personally for coming with us. I know you had no obligations but chose to. It’ll be a great honour to serve with you in the field.”

Alfred chuckled. “No, commissar. The honour is mine. It is a privilege to help those who sacrifice so much to keep the Imperium safe.”

The commissar nodded humbly before turning towards the exit, walking towards it. He hadn’t made more then two steps when he was stopped by the space marine.

“Excuse me, commissar, but…. You seem unusually mellow for, well, someone of your rank and stature. The rank of Lord-commissar is not easily reached. Is something bothering you?”

Gilbert took a deep breath and turned to face the captain ounce more.

“It’s just…. I have a brother on europa I. And given what is happening there, I cannot but be worried.”

“I understand your anguish perfectly, commissar. I too have lost many dear battle-brothers, both from my chapter and others, to the hands of the orks. Emperor willing, your’s will be fine. And if he is not, then his death will be one of many avenged.”
Gilbert raised an eyebrow at that last line. The usually pleasant and cordial Alfred had changed his tone and stance when he spoke it. Curious, he decided to ask.

“What do you mean?”

The captain simply looked into the eyes of the Albino commissar before answering.

“Are you aware of the definition of the word ‘nemesis’? It is the distribution of appropriate punishment trough an equally appropriate agent, personified in this case as an angry engine of justice and vengeance: me.” Alfred spoke, while his tone did not show it, it was evident that a great anger boiled inside of him.

“Kilgor despoiled the sacred bodies of the other space marines sent after him, claiming their skulls as mere trophies… And I swear that *his* skull will take pride of place in my battle barge.”

************************************************************************

The ork giant that was Kilgor, the ‘rippa o’ flesh’ as he was called, stood upon the wreckage of an imperial fighter while his other orks gathered around him. He turned his mostly mechanical body around to better face his subordinates.

“Ye see dat, boyz!? Didn’t I promise ya da greatest WAAAGH! of you’z lives!? An’ dis ain’t bu da start! First, we crush da humies ‘ere, then we finish ‘em on da other roks, an’ then we build da biggest, greatest WAAAGH! That’s eva been seen by any good an’ propa ork! Then we show’z dem Tau an Eldars not ta mess with da orks! We show everyone that da orks are da best an’ meanest and da of ‘em all! Whadda you say!?”

The response was universal, all the orks present channelled all of their inherent fury into one, giant roar. Brandishing their cleavers, axes, guns, flamethrowers and other weapons while stomping their feet in unison, shaking the earth as they cried for what they were bread to do and what they craved the most above all else… It was *all* that they craved for.

WAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!