Nest

If you had to pick between ranged or close combat, what would it be?

The smart choice would be range, kill the thing that needs to be killed before it even reaches you. But that's no fun.

"Sir, good luck down there."

A logistical personnel got me ready to go diving. He didn't really give me anything, just a reminder of my directives as well as something to keep track of my movements to carve out my area to use as a map. A marker as well to mark the nest or Queen. I faced one of 13 tunnel entrances. Looking around, the teams varied. Some were full of Rangers, Fencers, or Wing Divers; most were mixed. Even some Air Raiders were in the mix.

A small outpost, guarded by spare units of the mentioned military occupations. Furthermore by heavy vehicular support like Blackers or Nixes: the former being a standard tank and the latter being this world's mech.

I turned back to him, "save it for the others."

Arrogant but not unfounded. He just shrugs. I plan to keep a stoic, strong appearance. Only my closest people will see my true self.

Seeing as the others were triple checking gear and plans, I headed in– making me the first.

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The damp air the atmosphere provided. The silent trickles of water droplets hitting the floor. The slight echo my foot projected as I walked deeper into the nest. I had no support gear like night vision; it was unneeded since it was built into me, attributed by my draconic side.

I can't speak for the rest of the nest, but this narrow tunnel has enough room to fit in about a dozen Imperial Guards without creating complications. Given I'm underground, best to keep my explosive combative nature down to a minimum.

I held the Heavy Cannon on hand, chamber loaded with a primed case, mag full to the brim, and rockets ready to be unleashed.

With my heightened senses, I knew I was coming to an opening. Five more minutes and here I am. My presence hindered, I scanned the room. Swarms of previously founded insects so no new types yet. The room was large, too large for me to get an accurate sense of the layout. A web of paths and tunnels– ceilings, walls, floors; just seeing all the possible paths makes it hard to differentiate from up to down… for a normal human.

My directive is the Queen, so I just have to trace the presence that is the most threatening. There~ the furthest tunnel from me– what luck. Gives me more time to eradicate these worthless spawns.

—Ding!

Can't forget to share it with the boys.

A distortion in the air, fiery particles, then heavy boots marching in rhythm. The four veteran marines marched into existence right before me.

"Hope you didn't miss us too much Sire," Dembit jokes.

Decorated from head to toe in ornate fashion, showing his importance. The base of the marine's power armor was the same, the color scheme never changed. The four marines just had more bling compared to before. Their helmets, however, did change. The Bladguard, Sternguard, and Vanguard helmets changed into that of a full blown dragon. The Terminator Veteran however had a more Radahn inspiration in looks, which quickly was overcome by horns and spikes, giving it a more dragon feel.

While the armor was slightly altered for the three, the Terminator's resembled closer to the more well known and iconic look for these behemoths of men. Just in the Chapter's color scheme.

"We'll met to you as well Dembit," I chuckled.

He carried with him the non-standard equipment for a Bladeguard: Storm Shield, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword, and a Frag. 

The others also sported non-standard equipment, meaning not something normal veterans would field. As an example, a normal Bladeguard would field a Power Sword instead– a Heavy Bolt Pistol instead of a Bolt Pistol.

Aze being this group's Sternguard Veteran: just had a normal Bolter, Bolt Pistol and a couple of Frags.

Xarvass had a standard Assault Marine get up: a Chainsword, a Bolt Pistol, and a Jump Pack.

Frymrorth had a Storm Bolter, which is standard for a normal Terminator Vet, and a Power Fist. No Teleport Homer or throwables.

Even though their class changed to that of a more resilient occupation due to me naming them, I'll have to help them unlock the rest of their gear.

"We await your will, Lord Primarch." Frymrorth with his deeply mechanical voice awaited orders.

The four with their new get up were ready. I can sense them itching to test out their newly acquired genetic upgrades and newly obtained gear. No longer just normal marines.

"Good. We've been tasked with locating this nest Queen. I've already traced her location, all we have to do–"

"Is find their location," Dembit finished for me.

—Bonk!

Aze came up to Dembit and smacked up across the back of his head, "Don't interrupt him, Brother Dembit."

The man himself could only give a restrained chuckle. The other two shook their heads in their brother's shenanigans.

"It's alright Aze."

Aze gave Dembit a look. His dragon helmet hiding his facial expression, but all knew he was bearing Dembit a new one, "If you say so, my Lord Primarch."

"We follow your lead, Sire," Xarvass said, getting us back on track.

"Good," I assured, "be as loud as possible."

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When we entered the room, all hell broke loose. It was the mark of no return. At least for a while. Aze had superb accuracy even amongst his brothers. Xarvass was unmatched in close combat. Frymrorth was a stable bulwark against the horde and Dembit stood his ground and provided support as best he could. Mostly keeping insects away from Aze. I, on the other hand, fought mostly in ranged combat as we made way towards the tunnel that had the Queens trace within.

Each kill from me was quickly met with the siphoning of the items. This quickly got me more Legion Points than I could count. Well I don't have too, the system does it for me.

A symphony of discharge, the bassy feel of melee combat, we were alive.

"HAHAH!" Xarvass let out a hearty, almost a diabolical laugh, "you feel that brothers?" He asked, firing his Bolt Pistol a couple of times before decapitating an unfortunate ant that got too close.

"Whatever do you mean, Brother Xarvass?" Aze asked amidst a volley fire, hitting heads in all.

"The thrill of combat– the feeling of having your backs secured by others– the feeling of fighting by our father's side." Xarvass clarified, slicing a Red Ant in half before putting two rounds into another.

"Aye Brother Xarvass," Dembit shared in his sentiment, "nothing like bonding amongst our fallen foe."

"Heh, Aye as well Brother Xarvass," Aze

The way my marines were having a swell time while exterminating xenos brought a tear to my eye. Cracking a smile, we picked up the pace. We could fight for multiple days straight, but not the other humans. 

"Xarvass, carve us a path!" I ordered.

He responded by flight, only to slam down below to the nearest bridge. Aze, Frym, Dembit and I followed suit, landing on bits and pieces of ants and spiders alike. Xarvass was already carving away against the grind. The sight invigorated Dembit,

"Aze, I'm heading up."

"Aye, Brother Dembit. Your blade could use some new paint."

Holstering his Bolt Pistol, he full sprinted– shield up. Xarvass power swinged to diagonally cleave an ant. He turned around, sensing danger, only for it to pass as Dembit shield bashed the ever living shit of a spider that thought well of coming in at close range. That left the spider in a grotesque state and unmoving.

"Don't get too lost Brother Xarvass." Dembit instructed.

"Ahaha! I can afford it with you by my side." Xarvass remarked.

Dembit shook his head before quickly blocking a spray of webs. "Crazy fool," Frymrorth uttered.

Frym had the highest fireate before all of us. Hip firing the Stormbolter, he would occasionally backhand any alien that came too close. Which was a rare occurrence in the back to midline. Aze focused on supporting the frontlines, often going for spiders due to their sticky nature. The Black ants that would shoot acid were secondary in threat.

I relegated myself to be in the back with Aze. The thump of the Heavy Cannon in synchronization with Everyone's Bolters stimulated my senses.

The horde of alien insects didn't let up, neither did we as we made it to the tunnel.

"They're never ending!" Frymrorth complained.

"Almost there, Brother."

At this point, we switched the front to the back and the back to the front. Frym stayed in his central position the entire time. As one might have guessed, our pace was fully dictated by Frym. Not blaming him for it's no trouble, his armor was just slower than standard power armor.

"Frymrorth, on me. We'll secure the tunnel a good ways to give ourselves breathing room. Aze, Dembit, and Xarvass: man the entrance. Make sure nothing comes and bites our asses from behind."

"Aye, Sire!" 3x

"Aye, my Lord!"

By bolter fire we made quick work of any nearby insects. Usually three to four shots were needed by any Bolter based weaponry. Mine needed nine or so. Frym had it easy, a small burst and two or three giant insects and arachnids were eliminated.

Why I prefer melee: I just one shot them.

"I don't detect any more scum, Sir." Frymrorth relayed to me.

I double checked myself… all clear besides behind us. The three are holding well. With the tunnel temporarily secured, they needn't worry about flanking attacks.

"How are we to do this? I can still hear the bolter fire from here," Frymrorth asked in a concerning matter. No matter how much we boast taking on legions, there's only so much five people can do. Not saying we're losing, more or less concerned about time.

"Frymrorth, scout ahead. Keep pushing forward until you find another opening or are too out gunned. I will not lose you this early in life, Frym." I ordered.

He chuckles, "worry not my Lord, I will not graces you with the loss of a son. Thank you for worrying about us." Frym responded.

I watched his deparcher before turning back.

I returned to the three, only to see Dembit hold up a Red Ant by stinger. It was skewed by the abdomen.

It twitched, "Ugly bastard."

—Bang!

Dem ended its existence by way of Bolt Pistol to the head. Seeing a marine with a spear tail was badass to say the least, but to have something dangling from it was metal as hell.

—Screech!

A sudden ant crawled from underneath the bridge, full throttling towards the busy Dembit.

—Pierce!

A long stinger splattered the head of the ant, going limp as it fell below.

Dembit looked to and fro between the bloodied stinger and Xarvass.

"Take your own advice," Xarvass sassily commented.

~Chuckle~ "Aye," Dembit responded heartily.

Rounding up the three, we rendezvous with Frymrorth.

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If the tunnel wasn't so linear, it would still be easy to find by the amount of bodies left behind. He quite literally painted the entire tunnel– from ceiling to the floor.

The four double check their gear before pressing forth towards our goal.

20 minutes later…

"That's a big fucker," exclaimed Aze.

"I second that," Frymrorth remarked.

We spotted the nest; hundreds of mobs and ads, thousands of eggs. Before them was big mama herself. The Queen was as large as a skyscraper, transparent wings on the back and long legs. The Queen was nothing to joke about. The worst thing would be her spray attack, which is her basic attack too. A large area of effect mist of acid; not fun in tight spaces like this.

"What should we do?" Dembit asked.

The Queen was a major threat. I would be fine, but my Veterans would be damaged.

To attack or to wait for reinforcements… speaking of

—Bleep!

Activating the marker, I tossed it aside– near the entrance to the room. That should let the others know we found the nest and such.

I look back at the room, really big. Enough to fit a large town or a small city. Crawling with insects, arachnids, eggs, and the Queen. The terrain is bumpy– the eggs aren't helping either. Furthermore, the moment we get closer to the entrance, I have this gut feeling the Queen is immediately going to spray.

A sigh escapes me.