Advance (II)

With the sound of footsteps, Okan and the remnants of his force crossed over from the middle of the strongpoint. They had spent the entire day repelling the Greenskins' advance, their proud black breastplates and heavy war blades clogged with foul-smelling clots of Greenskin flesh and blood.

"What a fine meeting, Sergeant Okan. How are things?"

Okan caught his breath and replied,

"We're holding the line, sir, but I doubt we can keep them out for much longer. I swore to hold the breach until the last bullet is spent."

Volan sighed.

"Well, at our current rate of fire, that probably won't be long. Have you received any word from our allies?"

"Not since they ordered us to abandon the hill. Their communications channel has remained sealed."

"They were so cautious that they insisted on holding the high ground and piling defense upon defense there, while we fight and die right under their noses."

Okan shook his head, then pointed toward the positions already occupied by the Orks.

"Looks like they brought their artillery too."

Volan looked up at the hill overlooking the fortress. Sunlight made the gleam of the Orks' silver horned helmets and the long barrels of their newly emplaced heavy guns all the clearer. As the consequences of their allies' inaction became increasingly apparent, the hard man of steel began cursing again.

"Why are they delaying? Those guns could crush us in an instant."

And they had all noticed that if those elite Ork Guards were here, then another presence had to be nearby as well.

"If Guk himself is here, what does that mean? There must be a reason behind their hesitation."

Suddenly, a deafening blast interrupted their conversation, and a section of the fortress wall collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Okan looked toward the rising