Ragnar knelt down to examine the makeshift escape route. The dirt was scattered around the outside of the hole in a circular pattern, with most of it gathered around the hole's edge. Smoke still hung heavily in the air. The sick stench of promethium residue assaulted Ragnar's senses.
'This looks more like something erupted out of the ground.’ Ragnar stated.
'I would imagine that some sort of directional explosive, possibly a melta-bomb charge was placed on the ground, it burnt through the dirt and bedrock until it reached the abandoned mine, igniting the promethium fumes,' Cadmus explained.
'You seem to know a lot about how these intruders were able to escape, commander.' Torin's tone was more interrogatory than curious.
'Not really, Space Wolf, it's merely what I would have done.'
'It doesn't matter how they got there, that's where they went and that's where we're going,' Ragnar stated.
'I think not, Wolfblade Ragnar. My men will handle this from here,' Cadmus countered.
'Fortunately we don't take our orders from you Commander Cadmus,' Ragnar retorted.
'Of course, I would never dream of giving you or any of your fellow Wolfblade orders. I was merely assuming that you would wish to search the palace to ensure that no other kill teams were present to endanger the life of Lady Gabriella. She was
undoubtedly their target. However, my men will endeavour to fill your shoes in your absence.'
Ragnar wanted nothing more than to simply reach out and remove the arrogant smirk from the commander's face, but the point he made was undeniable. The Wolfblade were honour-bound to serve House Belisarius, which only made the situation that much more frustrating.
'Of course commander, you are correct.’ Ragnar agreed. 'The Wolfblade's place is beside Lady Gabriella.'
'We can't just let them go, Ragnar, we must follow them.’ Haegr stated.
'My blood is up as well, my friend, and I too long to finish this fight, but our first duty is to see to Lady Gabriella's safety.’ Ragnar replied.
Torin nodded his head in agreement. Haegr merely snorted his compliance.
Ragnar turned, looking back towards the defence forces, several of whom had started to recover and were leading those still affected to medical personnel. The Administratum building that had been set alight by the plasma fire raged on, fire teams working to bring the blaze under control. It was quite apparent that the Wolfblade was not needed here. Their duty was to locate Gabriella and to ensure that she was safe.
Ragnar moved to leave, heading in the direction of the palace. Torin walked beside him.
'You'll make a fine politician Ragnar.’ Torin said with a grin.
'Great, now I've got to take your insults as well.’
'Well, that was a good bit of exercise.’ Haegr commented.
'I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Haegr.’ Torin replied.
'Did you see how those Dark Angels ran when they realised that they faced the mighty Haegr of the Wolfblade?' Haegr continued.
Tes, I did. You should be most proud of yourself.’ Torin quipped.
'I've never driven a foe underground before! That's a first even for me. I can't wait to tell Magni.’
Ragnar stopped in his tracks. He had sent Magni to alert Commander Cadmus, but he had not been with the defence forces. Where was he?
'Torin…?'
'I'm thinking the same thing, Ragnar.’ Torin replied.
Ragnar and Torin broke into a run, heading straight for the palace, both worried that the presence of the Dark Angels was just a distraction.
Ragnar activated his comm.
'Magni. Magni, respond!' There was no reply.
Earlier, Ragnar had felt as if he and the Wolfblade were being manipulated. What if he was right? The role of the Wolfblade was to serve and protect the members of House Belisarius. Although Ragnar always said he was in exile, he knew it was more than that. He knew that Logan Grimnar himself had sent him here. If he had been manipulated he would not only have failed the Wolfblade, he would be failing Logan Grimnar too.
Ragnar's stomach tightened as they entered the atrium, reaching the steps to the second level instantly. In two bounding leaps he had cleared the
: 'airs, moving to the hall that led to the main conference chambers.
Just as they were about to reach the entrance to the hallway Magni and Gabriella emerged, bringing the trio to an abrupt halt.
'Magni, we sent you to alert Commander Cadmus. We expected you to come with him,' Ragnar scolded.
The comms were down so I went to the command centre but he wasn't there. He was apparently on a night training mission with his elite regiment,' Magni replied. 'I was on my way back, when I ran into Lady Gabriella.'
'Once he had informed me of the situation, I instructed him to assist me,' Gabriella explained.
'Now, why don't you fill me in on the details to this point?'
Ragnar took a moment to gather his thoughts.
'As you are aware, we discovered a small team of Astartes attempting to move through the palace compound.'
'Dark Angels, Lady Gabriella,' Haegr interrupted.
Torin placed his hand on Haegr's shoulder.
'Sorry, Ragnar,' Haegr apologised.
Ragnar nodded his acceptance and continued.
We began to stalk the Dark Angels through the parade ground when they fired upon us.'
They opened fire on you!' Gabriella's shock was undeniable.
'Yes, it was after that that we moved to engage them. During this engagement Cadmus and the planetary defence forces were able to surround our position, cutting off their escape route, or so we believed.' Ragnar paused.
'So they managed to escape?' Gabriella asked.
'Yes, Lady Gabriella. Using Blind grenades, giving them just enough time to blow open an access point into the abandoned mines below the city' Torin replied.