It had indeed been a great victory. At least for those on Iridion 5. But at a galactic level, it was somewhat meaningless. It was a remote barely hospitable planet close to the edge of galactic space. Yes, there were its mineral resources but there were millions of other systems to mine before that would ever become problematic.
If every soul on that planet had died, the Emperor would not have felt a thing and cared even less. It took time for the crushing truth to reach Timothy. He was awarded medals of course but there was a bitter taste once he understood the bigger picture..
Strategic fortress worlds had fallen in the quadrant to the Tyranids, all life having been subsumed. Billions of human lives were lost. Worse, the orcs had started a new campaign and a further handful of worlds had fallen to chaos.
Nobody else knew it. But the Emperor had had enough. Nobody could match his ruthlessness. It was not by accident that he had maintained his throne for thousands of years.
Months passed before Timothy received his orders. They came as a huge relief. The planet’s atmosphere was beginning to sicken him, his skin growing blotchy like the natives. He was to board the imperial ship Al Berta. Hopefully, this would bring him closer to Uisneach and his beloved Audrey.
Timothy’s eyes opened widely on seeing the Al Berta warship for the first time. It was a magnificent white color armed with three large ray guns and smaller cannons on each side. It was a thing of true beauty but also capable of immense destruction. This was the Emperor’s flagship in the quadrant.
He decided that it was worth the wait of weeks waiting for a passing freighter ship to bring him to his destination. Now finally, he would get a chance to set foot on it. His shuttle docked in a landing bay to the rear. On finally setting foot on the ship, he could see that the ship contained hundreds of smaller fighter vessels.
He was greeted by a pale woman in an elegant red dress whose long black hair almost touched the ground despite her tall deposition called Tauric. She was General Ham’s assistant.
“General Ham has requested your immediate presence,” she said sternly.
“Of course, I will go this minute. My men can be shown to their quarters.”
She directed an individual close by to accompany the men.
They then made their way across the vast landing area to the lift where she gave him a brief explanation of how it functioned three-dimensionally to bring you anywhere on the ship. It would of course be switched off in the event of the ship being boarded or infiltrated by an enemy.
It only took seconds before he was entering the General’s Chambers where she left his side.
General Ham was there waiting for him in an immaculate green uniform. He was old with white hair and two long scars on each side of his face.
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 in 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 only 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.”
“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.
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.
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.
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 into the turbo life. It is a fluorescent white as if valiantly trying to hope itself into existence.
The door opens and Timothy enters the command center. 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 center 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 population. 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.
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.
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 sayings 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.
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.”
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.”
All of Timothy’s former confidence and exuberance returned in the coming days. Finally, he would be back on his homeworld and there was a glorious battle to look forward to. That part though increasingly worried him. Even as he drilled his loyal troops in the shuttle area, negative thoughts and those bordering on chaos kept entering his mind.
Would he be able to watch the obliteration of his world if commanded?
If the Emperor was truly all powerful surely he could snap his fingers and put the enemy out of existence?
He knew such thoughts were heresy. But still they came.
Instead he tried to think of the positives. Of seeing his father and Audrey again.
He patiently waited till the day came that he could set his wheels on Uisneach once more. And he knew that it had arrived when the summons to the bridge came.
He drove out onto the bridge in full military regalia with all his medals proudly strapped to his chest.
But then he stopped his wheelchair stunned, his mouth ajar at what he saw in front of him.
It was Uisneach and yet it wasn’t. He recognized the two megacities protruding from the planet but other things were so different. He had expected to see a barren, poisoned world but there were lush forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields covering the planet with ostensibly human settlements dotted throughout. The sea was a deep blue hinting at abundant marine life.
“Not what you expected to see, is it?” the ambassador croaked.
It was as if his heart had been pierced by a bullet. Except, this wasn’t a physical pain that he was experiencing but something far worse and it pulsated through every part of his being.
The ambassador continued.
“You have been away far longer than you thought. All of our journey has not been through the Warp. Not that you noticed. Some of our journey was done at light speed. Time went far faster for the people of Uisneach than it did for us. Everybody that you ever knew on that planet is long dead.
I have seen it in your eyes- questioning the wisdom of the Emperor. Perhaps, now you will understand the better not to question him.”
A million different thoughts swirled through Timothy’s head. Sweat dripped from his forehead as his body temperature rose exponentially. He was in his battle chair. All he had to do was to turn on its weapons and he could kill everyone on the bridge. But it would achieve nothing.
He latched onto the thought of saving his home world and tried to block out any other thoughts.
Then he simply said.
“I serve the will of the Emperor.”
For a moment time seemed to stand still. All eyes were on the Ambassador.
Then he finally replied in a slow monotone.
“Very well. A shuttle has been prepared. It will bring you and your men to the planet’s surface. Glory to the Emperor.”
Timothy gripped the controller tightly before he adeptly turned his wheelchair around. Just a few minutes later he and his men were on a cramped, aging shuttle and entering Uisneach’s atmosphere.
The thud of the landing came as an immense relief. It was not unknown for someone whose allegiance to the Emperor has even been slightly questioned to be involved in an unfortunate accident.
A moment later the shuttle bay door began to open. A gentle breeze entered the shuttle. It smelled of flowers and vitality, alien to the Uisneach he once knew. He ordered his troops to leave the shuttle as warm rays of sunlight hit their cheeks. The chirping of birds could be heard as Timothy’s wheels hit the asphalt.
He was surprised that there were no roaring crowds. Instead a welcoming partying of men and women, some in battle chairs and some not were in front of them. The familiar banner of the Omega was hoisted up on a pole. Timothy’s eyes welled up with pride.
Timothy brought his battle chair to a halt a few feet from the welcoming party. A tall muscular man kitted out in body armor and carrying a large laser on his back began to speak.
“Timothy, welcome home! Everyone here already feels like they know you to some extent. Everybody has seen the replays of your most famous battles fighting for the Omega. You are also family to a significant portion of us, including myself.”
Timothy had intended to let him finish speaking but just found himself blurting out –
“Family?”
“Yes, family. All those women you had during your prime fighting days sired many births. Then after you left, any trace of you was highly valued and your offspring sired many, many more. Not just on this planet but throughout the sector. For instance, you are my great three times grandfather. So, you are not just here to defend your homeworld but also your progeny.”
For a brief few moments, Timothy was stunned but he regained his composure.
“Well, I better get to it. There is a war to be won.”
“Follow me. The planet has much changed since you were last here I’ve told. The air wasn’t even breathable.”
“Indeed and I had been hoping to use that to our advantage. Those plans will have to change.”
They led him into the heart of the city. It was clear that everything had changed utterly from when he was last there. There was a natural smile on the people’s faces, they looked radiant and full of happiness in their immaculate white robes. The floor and walls looked like marble and the entire place was well lit. It smelled of the roses that were interspersed along each corridor. And this wasn’t the upper echelons of the city. Not even close, not that that seemed to matter. There were elevators dotted around the place with people coming and going as they pleased. It was strange. The people felt free. Timothy felt an intense pride in what had been achieved.
It wasn’t long before the fingers started to point at Timothy and his entourage. First, it was just the younger ones, and the older ones looked somewhat stunned. Then the furious clapping started. The crowds grew thick. It reminded Timothy of his great victories, and yet it seemed a different world, if not a different universe.
After a few minutes, they reached an international train transportation system. An open carriage was waiting for them. It was wide and spacious. Once, they were inside the doors automatically closed. It quickly transported them into the heart of the huge city. It was swift, even faster than what it had been centuries ago.
When the train stopped, they were led out into a large cavern. Timothy struggled to believe his eyes. The walls were covered in live video streams of strategic positions throughout the planet. Then in the distance after an array of desks and computers was what was the main console.
Timothy powered his wheelchair forward not quite sure if he could believe his eyes and then whispered.
“You have a planetary defense system?”
The tall, muscular man walked up alongside as the clattering of shoes against the floor, and the sound of computer keys getting pressed fell silent.
“Yes, we do. After my election..”
“Election!”
Timothy immediately activated the armaments on his wheelchair and prepared to fire. Never before had he heard such heresy. Only the Emperor or his ambassadors can appoint leaders.
“Before you fire, there are certain things you should know. Firstly, we are of the same blood. I am one of your many descendants. Secondly, we only began elections after the Emperor gave up on this world. The ambassador on this planet left once he saw the Tyranid fleet head in this direction.
This world was on the precipice of disaster but then we thought of Wheelchair Wars and that our heroes would never just give up.”
Timothy’s finger was almost on the button to fire but it never went further. The wheelchair returned to its normal state.
“My name is Timothy The Younger by the way.”
The name caught him off guard and he merely nodded in agreement. He looked around and could not see the face of his enemy. And anyway, the Tyranids had to be stopped. Surely, this would be the will of the Emperor
Their leader spoke once more.
“Perhaps you would like to rest? There has been much for you to take in.”
Timothy looked over at his loyal troops who were waiting patiently at the rear of the large cavernous chamber. His mind was made up in an instant.
“Yes, please show me and my men to our quarters. There will be enough time for war.”
“As you wish.”
Timothy thought that was the end of the surprises but he was wrong. Even the residential units were splendid with ample space, and marble floorings, and the furniture was of the finest wood. He instructed his carebot to lay him on the bed. It was made of the finest cotton. And this wasn’t an exceptional quarter. An ordinary family had lived here. They had been moved to make way for him. And each of his men had something similar.
After a few minutes, he realized there would be no offering of women and drink. How times had changed? He slowly drifted off asleep.
The days passed and Timothy and his troops grew to know what was a new world. Timothy was continually impressed. It had progressed beyond anything that he had expected. The only thing that bothered him was most of the progress was made after the Emperor’s grip on the planet had been loosened. This was not the way it way it should be. It was thought that the Emperor was the savior of humanity.
It was something of a shock that women were now treated on a par with men. In the latest wheelchair wars, they tried to reduce the bloodletting as much as possible. The poor’s health needs were met almost as much as those of the rich.
The Emperor’s ship had never left orbit. He sensed the nervousness of the people. They feared his return only slightly less than that of the impending Tyranid invasion. On a trip to the surface, he saw people pointing to its proximate location in the now blue sky.
He wondered if one of the Gods of Chaos was at work in the World but they were far from the Warp and the telepaths among his troops sensed nothing. A terrible truth dawned on him. They were doing better due to the Emperor’s absence.
He decided to rid his mind of such thoughts by focusing on the planet’s defense. After learning more, he was now quietly feeling more confident.
The planet had multiple lines of defense. The first was its multiple-battery orbit guns dotted around the planet. They were the best Timothy had ever seen. Almost too good. Who were they to be originally used against?
Then there was the planet’s federal army, which consisted of a land force, a navy, and a space force. The best troops in the land forces were modeled on the Space Marines and had undergone body augmentation and were fitted with the best lasers and blasters that money could buy.
The navy consisted of hundreds of battleships, aircraft carriers, and corvettes. The space force had nearly a thousand advanced fighters but no large ships.
There was also a territorial army, a large reserve force containing millions of men, albeit much more lightly armed with mostly machine guns and rocket launchers.
Finally, there were the militia. These had the poorest equipment and consisted of the young and old who were able to fight.
Now, it was a matter of finalizing exactly how the planet’s defenses would be used with the planet’s President.
The President had a vast array of advisors none of whom had ever seen combat. Still, he listens to each of them attentively. He had summoned Timothy to his war cabinet over two hours ago. Still, he had barely the opportunity to speak among the chatter of economic support and financial precariousness. They didn’t seem to be getting the dire nature of their situation.
They were dressed in suits. None of them were carrying weapons apart from Timothy. A rookie mistake. There could be a Tyranid sleeper agent among them.
Eventually, he snapped.
“We need to discuss our war strategy. This other nonsense can wait.”
The room immediately went quiet.
The President met his eyes.
“Yes, you are right. These issues can be dealt with by those who survive.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to recommend the following strategy and the relevant preliminary must be put in place at once.”
There were gasps and murmuring as he went through it.
The President then spoke.
“Timothy, we value human life here. We can’t just sacrifice such vast numbers.”
“Then you and everyone here will die Mr. President. The Tryanids do not feel pity or remorse. They feel nothing at all. All they do is consume world after world mercilessly. And this world will be next if you don’t follow my advice.”
A few days later, news filtered through that the Tyranid swarm had entered the star system. In just a few hours their attack will have started. The Ambassador’s ship had left orbit.
Timothy felt so alive. Life felt good. The faces of dread on those around him could not quell his spirits. This was what he had been born to do.
He went straight to the command to view its screens of what was happening across the planet. Uisneach’s generals had been well informed of exactly how matters would progress. It had been a shock for them at the meeting when he informed them that Tyrranids in human form were already walking among them. They were here to sew dissent among the masses and to launch suicidal attacks on critical infrastructure such as the power grip and key communication installations just prior to the main attack.
They had listened. Their doctors postulated that they could be rooted out through a blood test. A backstory was then fabricated about the population needing to receive a vaccine. What followed was a series of attacks against the injection centers. Horrific pictures were beamed across the planet of fathers carrying blood-soaked children in their arms and of mothers wailing over small bodies. But from a military perspective, it was a total success. Nothing of military or strategic value had been lost, and the Tyranid first wave had been extinguished.
Timothy found himself hitting his pen off the table as he waited hour after hour in the control room for the battle to begin. An update was given every thirty minutes on the Tyranid fleet. It became that their whole armada would be involved.
The latest report told him that the Tyranid fleet had entered orbit. But he didn’t need the update. The gasp from those around him as the images from the multitude of cameras positioned all over the planet dimmed one after the other.
This was what he had been waiting for. The planet’s military leaders were all on the console in front of him kitted out in full military attire.
“Fire the planetary defense and do not stop until the enemy has been defeated.”
Timothy glanced over at the display to his left. It showed that the large guns were cutting a swathe through the enemy fleet. Then their response came.
The skies grew darker still as large and small explosions began to pulverize the surface of the planet, especially close to its two megacities.
Timothy once more turned to the console. The military men mostly looked stern and determined but others were nervously twitching.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for. Keep me updated at all times.”
The Tyranid menace rained down from orbit in ever heavier waves. A long-orbit satellite, already the last functional confirmed that they were committing their entire fleet. Life on this planet and possibly thousands more now hung in the balance.
Screams of panic came from outside. Timothy had the large metallic doors sealed.
Timothy could see the intense fighting throughout the planet. Some minor fortifications had already fallen. But Timothy had ensured that a nasty surprise awaited the seeming victors. The fortifications were all rigged to explode. It was merely a matter of pressing a button on his screen. Alien and human life incinerated in an instant.
Another even nastier surprise was the use of the atom bombs. These were strictly prohibited as a threat to stability, not only under the Emperor but every other Empire in the galaxy too. But Uisneach as a free world had forged its own path.
The President had argued against their use but Timothy had convinced him that it was the only way. Of course, he had insisted on a limit to the number that would be used fearing that the planet would be left a toxic wasteland. Timothy had nodded dutifully, then ignored him.
The Tyranids had formed large biospheres near the largest cities. Timothy had heard about these super monsters before. They had to be stopped before they tore down the defensive positions. He gave the order for the first thirty nuclear missiles to launch.
Some of them target spaceships in low orbit. For a few moments, the room went deathly quiet. Then large cheers went up as one large mushroom cloud and then another rose into the atmosphere. Timothy immediately ordered the next round of missiles to be prepared. But the Tyranids changed their tactics pulling their ships back from low earth orbit and spreading out on the ground.
Timothy banged his hand on the console. The hive mind had altered its tactics. The majority of the Tyranid forces now inexplicably move towards Timothy’s position. Tyranid spies must have relayed details of the defense network before they were exterminated.
For the first time, Timothy surveyed his surroundings and felt fear. Not for himself but for everybody else. This would be a very bloody and long battle. He roared out the command “Contingency 21 (a).”
All non-military personnel were to be evacuated through secret tunnels under the huge mega city. Most would not get the opportunity to use them but that is all he could do.
Wave after wave now attacked the city. Defensive artillery cut a swathe through them but some of their forces managed to enter the lower levels of the city. Timothy viewed the close-quarter fighting that ensued. Humans were being ripped apart piece by piece but occasionally taking a Tyranid with them.
Hours passed and the massive number of casualties only increased. Inch by inch, the Tyranids went forward. The ultimate war of attrition continued and they were now closing in on his position.
Timothy ordered the larger metal door to be opened and summoned his most loyal troops. The ones that he had fought with on Irideon 5.
They had been kept in reserve for just when the fighting was most intense. Maximus immediately saluted him and gave him a tactical update.
“Overall the city’s defense is holding up. The use of tactical nukes has helped greatly However, a sizable Tyranid force is approaching our current position. I recommend a tactical retreat.”
“That is not possible Maximus. If this position falls, we lose the war. It must be defended to the death.”
Maximus nodded in acknowledgment.
Timothy knew that this might be the last time to see them. But this was not the time for goodbyes.
He re-entered the control and ordered it sealed.
The battle ebbed and flowed throughout the planet. Some cities had already repulsed the attack and were now on the offensive.
Closer to home, his troops were fighting valiantly but suffering greatly. It pained him to watch his valued troops slain one by one. After another few hours, it became clear both sides were close to exhaustion.
Then there was a large bang on the steel door. The people in the room gasped. The enemy was at the door. Timothy looked at his monitors covering the vicinity. A large six-legged Tryand was the sole survivor. Everyone and everything else outside that door was dead.
Timothy sized up his options. The Tyranid would eventually get through the door. Then an important shield in the event of artillery fire or even orbital bombardment would be useless and immediately be fatal.
Therefore the monster must be confronted.
He knew that the fate of this world and many others now rested on his demur shoulders so he gave the command –
“Open the door.”
For a brief moment, they were hesitant to comply.
But that changed once I activated the wheelchair’s weapons systems.
The people crowded to the rear of the large cavernous room.
The banging stopped as the door slowly opened and then the Tyranid slithered in once it was able to, its stench engulfing the room.
The six-legged monster prepared to pounce.
Timothy bobbled back and forth as his heavy machine guns fired.
Blood splattered from the Tyranid and it darted from left to right.
Timothy turned with the creature mowing down many of the civilians and many of the computers in the process.
But the creature was spent, many of its limbs now blown off as it curled up and died.
Timothy stopped firing and ordered the door closed once more.
One of the survivors limped to do so.
“Did the Tyranid injure any of you?”
Two women hobbled forward, their legs lacerated.
“Shoot them.”
One of the officers shot them on the spot before they could even plead for their lives. No chances could be taken.
Timothy went to a control panel that was still functional. The planet’s forces were in the ascendancy.
Over the next few hours, the battle moved decisively against the Tyranids. Their ships tried to land on the planet as a desperate last measure, perhaps attempting a rescue of sorts so they could still attack a different planet but the orbital defense cannon tore one ship after another to shreds.
Timothy stared at his screen astonished. The ambassador’s ship had returned to orbit and was seeking to open communications with him.
He pressed the button to accept.
Immediately, the decrepit Ambassador appeared in a holographic display – I see the Tyranids have been stopped as willed by the Emperor. It is now important that his dominion is once again established over this planet. You are to seize the planet’s civilian leadership and have them summarily executed. Long live the Emperor.
Timothy paused for a moment and then said – Long live the Emperor.
A moment a blast from the orbital defense cannon blasted through the Ambassador’s ship tearing it to pieces.
Gasps of shock went around the room.
Timothy had given in to chaos. The people had done so well without the Emperor, that he couldn’t just stab those who remained in the back after such a heroic battle against the Tyranids. The Ambassador likely hadn’t yet contacted the capital world about the outcome of the battle. He would have waited till full control was re-established. It could be a full thousand years before the Emperor truly knows what has happened.
Timothy looked down at his hands. He expected them to look different. He had just annihilated the Emperor’s representative and all of his troops that were on the ship. He expected a physical change but maybe that was just more nonsense to keep people under control.
He stayed at the helm for a few more hours. The remaining Tyranid forces were now the hunted and being cut down without difficulty. It was time to activate his escape plan. The President would never forgive his large-scale use of nuclear weapons and he expected arrest once the civil authorities were back in full control.
Hence, he had developed the escape when he had been given full control. A spaceship was waiting with his trusted care-bots in one of the lower decks of the city. Instinctively, he knew now was the time.
He commanded that the large door be opened. Then saying nothing he simply drove out. They could figure out the rest themselves.
Once outside, the smell and scenes of death were everywhere. Partial human bodies and Tranid corpses were littered everywhere. Fortunately, his wheelchair had a setting for tracks and he was easily able to drive over it all. It was tough though when he recognized some of the faces.
Those faces would be etched into his mind with all the others that fell with him during battle. Some tears rolled down his eyes as he continued his lonely journey. There was a deathly silence apart from the intermittent sound of gunfire.
Thankfully, the lift that would bring him to the depths of the city was still functional albeit covered in blood.
“Floor 122”, he commanded.
The lift descended for several minutes.
The lift door opened revealing a Tyranid right in front of him.
It lunged at him. The wheelchair’s automatic defences kicked in leading to immediate machine gunfire that pushed the monster back. Shaken, he nevertheless drove forward. Horrible shrieking came from it before it slumped lifeless to the floor.
Timothy could see his ship now and his wheelchair raced to its destination. The loading bay automatically opened creating a ramp and then closed once he was inside.
His care-bot automatically activated.
“Do you need a wash, sir? There’s much dust and other detritus on you?”
“Not till we’re off this world.”
He immediately went to the control panel. The care-bot strapped down his wheelchair and then itself. A few moments later they were leaving the atmosphere. Timothy looked back at a planet ablaze but there were still pockets of green and blue here and there. All that destruction but there was still hope, especially without the Emperor.
Then he had a moment of clarity about what he should do next. He would bring Wheelchair Wars and the fight against the Emperor to the Imperium. Now, to find a planet in a different quadrant so that he can start again.
Mark's Writing Corner 