Opowiadanka Omadana

Gratus braced himself to have a better firing position. His bolt pistol with last eight rounds and combat knife weren’t much sufficient weapons but there were no others to choose from. He remained still for a moment reversing his grip on the blade’s handle. His visor’s display informed him that in this position he has approximately 95% of accuracy. That’s a headshot for the incoming enemy, Gratus thought. No matter who or what comes through that gate it’ll feel the Emperor’s holy bullet in its brain. Gratus’ reverie suddenly vanquished as a loud howl filled the chamber. The brutal figure standing next to him articulated a sound no human being was able to repeat. It was a wolf’s howl. The fellow Astartes clad in similar power armour spat curses in language Gratus couldn’t understand. Then the brute made several swings of his chainsword fighting invisible enemy. The tension in him was growing fast. ‘We are both the Emperor’s subjects yet we are so different in behavior’ thought Gratus’ hope when the time comes he won’t do anything irrational’. Suddenly the gate broke. Seconds after a chorus of guttural voices filled the chamber. Firs orc who emerged through the gate died instantly of Gratus’ perfectly-aimed shot. Second orc fell as well, his head smashed to a red pulp. Gratus was aiming for a next victim when the blood claw charged into the fray with the oaths of slaughter in the name of Russ. It was already too late to stop the berserker and in an instant he was upon the orcs hacking limbs and cutting of heads. Since the wolf was in the line of fire, there was nothing else to do but engaged the enemy hand to hand. Gratus cursed and joined into the fight, his bolt pistol and knife ready to inflict a great amount of pain and death.