Tag: 40k

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (11)

Timothy felt a sharp jolt through every fiber of his body. Exhalation but with a mix of dread. Finally, he would make it back it his home planet, back to the Alpha. And bloodletting and women too. It had been far too long.

But the threat from the Tyranids is grave. Everybody and everything he had ever loved or known faced destruction. His homeworld faced losing all of its life and being transformed into a dead rock. No more hive cities and even its toxic atmosphere would be no more. But if it were to be the end, it would indeed be glorious. A battle to the end against the Empire’s ultimate adversary.

The Emperor’s Representative wretched croaky voice brought him back to the moment.

“We’ll reach Uisneach in just a few days. The Alpha has been notified of your arrival. The world’s population is being enlisted into the armed forces. You are to lead the planetary defense, for the glory of the Emperor.

You will face a large Tyranid force. Plans are already in place should it look like to planet may fall. The Empire must persist no matter the cost.”

Timothy suddenly found himself talking.

“Uisneach will not fall.”

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (10)

The day that Timothy would never forget started just like the dozens of ones before. Opening his eyes, the care-bot was there by his bed awaiting any instructions. Timothy had planned to ignore it just like every other day. His compact room had long felt more like a prison cell.

But then it spoke –

“The General has instructed you to visit his quarters in two hours. This directive has been given the highest priority.”

The thought of seeing that mass murderer sickened him. But, it was the will of the Emperor and he would obey.

“Get me up,” he commanded.

The robot meticulously went through the required routine. It gave Timothy time to think but he could think of nothing for the General to want to see him

Two hours later he was entering the General’s lair in his battle chair.

The room stank of decay. The General was standing there waiting for him in the middle of the room. His face was almost skeletal and he was draped in black cloth.

He began to speak.

“Do not be shocked by my appearance. I have been away from the Emperors life force for too long.

I have seen the hatred in your eyes. But I did what needed to be done for the good of the Empire and Emperor. It has largely been successful. There is just one hive ship of menace left and it’s next target is Uisneach.”

Timothy feels what little muscle he has, has grown tense. He wants to open fire to save his home.

“But there will be no Terminatus of Uisneach. Wheelchair Wars has become known throughout the Galaxy. Therefore the planet must be defended and that is what I want you to do.”

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (9)

For the next few weeks, Timothy failed to leave his room. The blank canvas of its walls was his only entertainment. He did not talk to his men and spoke as little as possible to his care-bot who nevertheless insisted on giving him updates.

Timothy remembered the first time he had heard about the Terminatus decree. He was young at the time and it was from his father. It was something that he could barely conceive and it had immediately sent a shudder down his twisted spine.

Over the years he had learned more. Some people had told him that the Emperor would never actually do such a thing. Others told him that it had already been done to many worlds. That even a billion human deaths would mean little to the Emperor. Such says seemed almost heretical to him then but now he knew better.

Each time he heard that robotic voice of his care-bot, it had news of another world that had been turned to dust. Fortunately, most had only been barely hospitable in the first place. Thousands of lives were lost instead of billions. But that wasn’t always the case.

“Timothie, nneeww report. Termminnatus Sigma 214568.”

His dreams had become nightmares. All he could think about was all the families that were being obliterated. All the sons watching their mothers and fathers being disassembled before their eyes. All he could have hope for was that they were quick deaths.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (8)

The General continued to speak, his scarred face barren of emotion.

“And yet the enemy must be stopped. The Tyranids cannot be allowed to simply cut a swathe through the Empire. You, Timothy, confirmed what I already knew. The best way to destroy this enemy is by depriving it of what it needs most – life to gorge on. It might not stop them here but we will gradually sap their strength till they are no more.

Prepare to fire the Terminatus missile.”

There were audible gasps from those on the bridge.

“Prepare to fire, that is an order.”

Timothy began to sweat, and his heart raced. But there was nothing he could have done or said to change what was about to happen.

“Fire,” the General commanded.

Timothy looked out. A white speck hurtled away from the ship towards the beautiful blue and green planet. Deathly silence gripped the bridge.

Then it seemed to disappear into the green haze for a few seconds.

Perhaps, it had failed Timothy had thought.

But then the first dash of red appeared and it began to slowly expand. Timothy left the bridge to return to his dour quarters. He knew what was about to happen and couldn’t just sit and watch it. Over the next few hours what was once a thriving world would become a barren rock devoid of all life.

All those men, women, and children, their homes and dreams would be no more.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (7)

It only takes the Robocarer a few minutes to get Timothy up, much faster than his father ever could. Of course, it is devoid of any love or banter. It is method, mechanical in doing what is required before it places him in his battle chair.

It gives him time to think about his drunken conversation. Something about it fills him with foreboding. The General will do the will of the Emperor no matter the cost.

Now sitting in his chair, he dreads what the future may hold.

He drives out of his room and it into the turbo life. It is a fluorescent white, as if valiantly trying to will hope itself into existence.

The door opens and Timothy enters the command centre. The first thing he notices is the stench from the commander. It is all pervasive. There a myriad of computers with flashing screens manned by people in white suits. In the centre is a translucent screen showing a blue and green planet. The odd large city on its surface was visible in places under its clouds.

“Good, you are here Timothy. I wanted you to see this. This planet Anubis 1034z is the next target of the Tyranid. A huge chunk of their armada will shortly arrive. As you can see it is lush and green, a hyper habitable planet with a large populations. For weeks, I have pondered how it could be successfully defended. Now, from our conversation I know that it cannot.”

No Timothy thought. This was not how he envisaged it being interpreted.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (6)

Timothy awoke in a bed many hours later, His head was aching and his stomach felt like convulsing at any moment. It was a small, sparse room enclosed by steel. His robocarer had been diligently waiting for him to wake.

“Do you want to rise, Sir?”

“No, just push me over in the bed onto my other side.”

Timothy almost lurched as he was gently moved. That was some great ale, he thought to himself. The general had not spared the good stuff and that was a good sign of respect.

He tried to close his eyes but it made him feel worse, like a motion sickness from feeling the ship traveling through the warp.

“Are we in the Warp? he asked his robotic company.

“Yes, the ship entered it shortly after your return,” came the reply.

Eventually, though he could no longer keep his eyelids open.

“Timothy, Timothy. You must rise. Your presence is being sought on the bridge,” the robot said in an almost manic repeating cycle.

Timothy realized that he had dozed off once again. Hours must have passed. At least, he was feeling much better save for a thirst.

“Yes, you are authorized to get me up.”

That was all that he had to say. The robot knew how to do the rest and quickly too.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (5)

It entranced him. The sheer scale of the human empire and all the different career opportunities in the army. So, he joined the Imperial Fleet and longed for war. At first, he thought that it would never happen, that all the battles were happening on the far edges of the Empire.

“But Trachtus five changed everything for me Timothy. Did you hear what happened there?”

“No, I didn’t,” Timothy replied, listening intently.

“A hole opened in the warp just outside the planet. The voices of chaos swayed the people and the 41st quadrant army against the Emperor. They were quickly reinforced by chaos marines. Such an abomination could not be allowed to stand.

We were sent to take back the planet. It was a very bloody experience, the resistance was fierce and durable. I lost so many good friends. I didn’t really understand war till then. Ninety percent of the population were against us.

As you will appreciate they all had to die. It was not something I had ever envisioned, killing women and children. other soldiers didn’t bother me. But it was the Emperor’s will.

I never hoped for war again because now I truly understood what it meant.”

Timothy noted the ominous tone in his voice.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (4)

“Tell me of your battles with the Tyranids Timothy. I want to hear it from you.”

Timothy who was already feeling the effects after he downed a second shot replied, “Even from the first defeat.”

“Oh yes, it was the Emperor’s will that you would survive that battle. Tell me everything.”

Timothy then regaled the Emperor with the tales of battle, how he cheated death and discovered their weakness. The General was an avid listener, silently taking in every word he ushered. His mouth was ajar as Timothy came close to death.

“Thanks, Timothy, you’ve confirmed what I had already thought.”

“Where are they from?” Timothy asked unsure if he was over-stepping?”

“Only the Emperor knows. It is speculated that it’s outside this galaxy but why now..”

The General shook his head from side to side.

The conversation then shifted to other lighter topics. The General had been born into a military family on Sirius XXIII. A wild world with dense rainforest and mountain ranges, its human population is very small; an ideal training ground for a young boy. There were countless trees for him to climb and brothers to fight. Then as an adolescent, he was taught all about the Emperor and his mission for humanity.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (3)

His personal quarters were large, with his own sleeping and dining area. Timothy could see a luxurious double bed out of his peripheral vision to the right and a small round table at the center on a marble floor.

“Please park yourself up here,” General Ham said pointing to the table.

Timothy did so and General Ham took a seat beside him before he continued.

“I always wanted to meet a participant of Wheelchair Wars. It made your planet Uisneach legendary in vast tracts of the quadrant. I’m from the planet Herodtus and the latest recordings of the battles of Uisneach were always eagerly anticipated.

And now to have probably the most famous of all the warriors in front of me. It is a special day. But not that you have now twice faced the Tyranid menace and lived to tell the tale.”

“Thanks, General you are too kind,” Timothy replied taken aback by the praise.

“You’re own record precedes you General and it is an honor to be on your ship.

“Would you have a Dworfian whiskey with me, soldier?”

“Indeed, I would.”

The General went and poured himself a glass and left one on the table for Timothy.

The robotic arm reached out from the right side of his wheelchair and brought it to his lips.

It was ghoulish and tasted of strong vinegar but he smiled and said, “Splendid.”

Pegasus Part 35

This was the first time I had ever been thoroughly drenched.

“Stop complaining, you’ll be fine. It will be over in a few minutes. And anyway, you’ll dry out in the heat anyways!” Tabitha yelled back.

It was so weird to have water running down my face when I was not in the shower. Hopefully, it was not a harbinger of things to come.

Then, I thought I saw something amongst the dense trees.

“What was that?”

For a moment I thought my heart had stopped, and I realized that some rain should be the least of my worries. There was a wild, dystopian world out there.

“Don’t worry, this is an exclusion zone. You are safe,” Tabitha said matter of fact.

A few minutes later the beating rain stopped. I should have been happy but couldn’t shake an eerie feeling.

Then the trees gave way and we started going uphill, then onto a pathway with steep, sheer rock walls on either side.

Then I heard a murderous, bizarre sound from behind me. I quickly looked behind me.

Fuck, it was one of the monsters. It stood about my height on its hind legs with great white sharp teeth.

“Run, run as fast as you can.”

It was gaining on me and my legs couldn’t go any faster.