Will you pipe down Doc bellowed as Toyeka continued to grumble over the wound he had received from the Escher Matriarch. Whilst it could never be described as having healed nicely the wound had closed and it certainly didn’t stop the aging Squat from moving when he needed to. Anyway how did the crotchety old squat know when there was an ash storm outside anyway let alone that his wound throbbed every time there was one, they were miles inside the hive!
Having returned to the settlement following their recent clash with the Cawdor the squats had invited a number of trader to put together bids for equipping the squats with hazard suits. The cannabilistic Cawdor saints had tried to set everything they could see afire and he didn’t want to be caught wrong footed again. Anyhow Doc hoped that his recent actions had bought goodwill enough from these underhivers to ensure they would offer him a fair price, as he slid another bolt shell into his weapons magazine he mused to himself that it probably wouldn’t.
Entering the open space the crew had secured as a compound the underhive traders strode forth to meet him. All but one with forced grins plastered to their mismatched faces whilst their underlings struggled up under the weight of the containers that housed their wares for inspection. As soon as the containers were opened The squat bemoaned the quality of the suits, they looked inadequate to protect from sunburn let alone the checmicles the Cawdor were throwing around. Just as Doc rounded on the closest trader the explosion of blasting charges echoed around the space and muliptle holes were blown through the docks facing wall of the warehouse. With a whoop and the rattle of automatic gunfire the orlocks of the Crucible crew streamed through the openings.
Immediately the members of the star helix crew that were at the meet dashed into cover to retrieve and secure the supplies there. They couldn’t sit idle however as they quickly realised the Crucible crew were here to destroy instead of pillage. Eagerly Dashing forward the Prospect Aivastaa got caught out of position as Ern T Big’s heavy bolter opened up and downed the hapless squat. Doc joined the fight from the flank as The wrecker Zaati leaped forward to throw incendiaries at the claim jumper and his techbot helper.
Seeing the squats fall one by one the crews nerve broke but the presence of Doc held the nerve of most of them though Laisak turned and ran.
Dusting himself off the prospector downed the wrecker with a bust of pistol fire leaving Doc to return fire on the Orlock leader. Despite a perfect grouping of shots on full auto the Orlock leader stood and looked more mad that hurt.
As the combat continued on the left flank tensions in the centre rose as the orlocks destroyed more equipment sa they crept forward. Finally making their move they poured though a doorway only to face Grumpy and his meltagun. As the steam cleared Toyeka stood dumbstuck as the Orlock arms master strode through the open doorway, his combat shotgun blazing scoring a direct hit on the squat and propelling him back off his feet. Thankfully the squat armour held and as he scrambled to his feet the disbelief in the orlocks eyes turned to horror as the meltagun was levelled against him then fired.
With his Gang Fleeing as quickly as reinforcements arrived Doc dashed forward to put an end to the conflict. After a desperate tussle the Squats powerfist struck the orlock cleanly across the jaw and removed him from the fight.
With the last of the salvaged tech removed from the battlefield the squats retreated knowing they had one the conflict but still reeling from the cost.
