Forever Loyal to the Commander

Waaaagh, my ass!!!!!!

Phoros cut down a Greenskin with his sword, then raised his gun and fired. A Melta beam blasted out, burning the fallen Greenskin to ash.

He stepped coldly over the pile of ash and swept his gun across both sides of the mine tunnel.

They had cleared half of the second level. The front was secure; the rear remained.

They had rescued the children from some of the cleared cages, and the medical team was administering nutrient solution to the people inside.

Phoros glanced at the children. Once he was sure they were all right, he turned back to the battlefield.

At this pace, they would finish clearing the second level soon.

Then his communicator suddenly chimed.

Phoros switched his gun to his other hand, took a moment to pull out the communicator, and frowned at the display.

The Ultramarines.

Why were the Ultramarines contacting him now?

Frowning, Phoros answered. "Astartes Lamenters Chapter, communications established."

"Ultramarines Chapter, communications established."

An Ultramarines company captain spoke rapidly from the other end. "Chapter Master Phoros, the Emperor protects. We've detected Skargel's fleet turning back toward Slaughterhouse Three. They're moving fast. Estimated arrival in roughly one hour. We advise you to evacuate immediately. Repeat, evacuate immediately!"

Skargel's fleet contained large numbers of Kroozers, modified asteroids, and a heap of battered Space Hulks.

The one consolation was that a Battle Moon was a top-of-the-line luxury, a colossal creation only a handful of the Bonebreakers' mightiest warlords during the Beast War could field. Skargel was a powerful regional warlord, but he had not reached that level.

Even so, the size of an Ork warlord's main force was terrifying.

Once the Ork main force returned, they might not all get out alive.

Phoros stood still and looked across the second level of the mine.