"Do not fear, brothers! We're here to help you!" A voice rang out from far behind them, carrying the distinct distortion of amplification.
Then beams of light, their full forms impossible to make out, streaked over Wood's head. Though he could not see the dazzling explosions, the violent shaking of the barricades alone made it clear that these blasts were anything but ordinary.
Reinforcements had arrived! This was wonderful!
Wood's spirits soared. Offering his life to the Golden Throne would have been glorious, but if he could survive, he would never give up.
Behind Wood's position, a special rapid-response force composed of humans and Aeldari emerged from a temporary Webway portal.
The commander of this force was none other than Mar, who had narrowly escaped with his life from the Tyranids and Orks.
A slender Aeldari woman stood beside Mar, holding an exquisitely crafted sniper beam rifle.
"Lanya, your aim is incredible. If it were me, I couldn't hit every shot from that distance."
Mar's praise made Lanya's face beneath her helmet flush slightly. She could not help inwardly complaining that the monkeys really were too direct and simple when expressing their feelings, leaving her at a loss for how to handle them.
"Smooth talker. Go help your own people."
Though Lanya's words were not particularly pleasant, her tone was gentle, devoid of anger or reproach. Mar immediately sprang into action, taking the lead in the charge.
Lanya kept her eyes fixed on Mar's back, using her sniper beam rifle to eliminate any enemies that threatened him.
The roar of engines came from above. Looking up, they saw several hundred T'au battlesuits flying at low altitude toward them.
It seemed Wood's request for aid had not been in vain. These blue-skinned xenos had extended a helping hand.
"For the Greater