"Those filthy bastards are coming! Prepare for battle!"
At the sentry's shout, the Blackflame mercenaries resting in the cave immediately got to their feet.
The former armed blood thralls from Transia and the veterans who had retired after the Battle of Blackflame Pass rushed to the cave entrance like tigers scenting blood. Colonel Ron shoved a bottle of water laced with alchemical potions into the half-dead Brigadier General Fraser's hand, grabbed the saber and Blood Eagle Claw rifle beside him, and hurried over.
His prosthetic left leg activated its combat protocols as he ran. With a series of clacks, concealed flamethrower nozzles unfolded, then blasted him into the air. He swooped into battle in a cool, flaming spinning kick, knocking down the first filthy gnoll thug to rush into the cave. A jet of fire, fueled by a special oil, ignited and roasted the creature into a charred lump.
With a cigarette butt clenched between his teeth, Ron blew out a smoke ring. He drew his saber in a reverse grip with his left hand, then raised the Blood Eagle Claw in his right and opened fire, laying down a burst of covering shots. The mercenaries behind him began suppressing the enemy with a coordinated barrage from their various weapons.
Several burly warriors charged in full armor, looking like thug fighters as they wielded large-caliber Iron Hammer Guard trench guns. They joined their colonel in close combat. The most notable thing about these warriors was that, like Ron, they were all missing limbs.
Even the least injured among them had replaced a few fingers with unfeeling steel.
This wasn't some damned "initiation ritual" from the Mechanicus. Their injuries were proof that these veterans' long and glorious careers in war were not yet over. Every one of them had a score