Chapter 1417: Sons of the People Liberate Vala Star (3)

The three of them advanced along the street.

On both sides of the street were the crude buildings of the Orcs; Orcs rushed out from windows and doorways, only to be struck down by Sebastian's Bolter, burned to death by Soladin's Psionic Flame, and cut down by Karakesi's Chainsword.

Corpses paved the entire street.

"Heavy weapons ahead."

Soladin spoke up suddenly.

Sebastian stopped in his tracks; at the intersection ahead, the Orcs had set up a Heavy Energy Cannon.

The muzzle was aimed in their direction.

"Kakesi, left flank; Soladin, right flank; I will break through the center."

Sebastian gave the order.

Kakesi flashed into the alley on the left, Soladin flashed into the alley on the right, and Sebastian continued to walk forward.

The Orcs fired the cannon; the Energy Beam struck Sebastian's chest, leaving a scorch mark on his Power Armor.

He raised his Bolter and fired continuously; the Orc gunner's head was blown apart, and a large hole was blasted into the loader's chest.

Seeing their attack was ineffective, the other Orcs began to scatter and flee.

Kakesi rushed out from the left alley and cut down two Orcs.

Soladin walked out from the right alley, Psionic Lightning striking the fleeing Orcs.

Deep within Buluo Fortress, in the Human slave cage area.

Iron cages were stacked in rows, containing Two-legged Sheep about to be executed or sent to the mines.

In the center of the cage area, a massive iron pot was set over a fire.

Boiling water churned in the pot, and steam rose.

An iron crane hung from a beam above the pot; an iron chain hung from the end of the crane, and a gaunt Human was tied to the lower end of the chain.

An Orc overseer stood by the pot, gripping a long whip in his hand.

He grinned, revealing his Liaya, watching the descending Two-legged Sheep.

"Another Two-legged Sheep. Into the pot! Boil it until it's mush to feed the other livestock!"

Several Orc warriors nearby burst into laughter.

The slaves by the pot watched numbly; they were accustomed to death, and the next one might be themselves.

The crane descended slowly, and the heat from the boiling water washed over the slave.

His eyes moved slightly, but his heart had long since given up.

The sound of an explosion came from outside the cage area.

The Orc overseer frowned.

"What was that sound?"

The sound of explosions grew closer, accompanied by gunfire and the screams of Orcs.

The Iron Gate of the cage area was smashed open, and several Orc warriors retreated inside, firing back as they ran.

Their faces were full of fear.

"Those red-armored Two-legged Sheep are attacking! We can't stop them! Everyone is dead!"

The Orc overseer raised his large gun.

"What are you panicking about? This is the cage area, they wouldn't..."

Before he could finish, the wall on the side of the cage area exploded.

Rubble flew, and smoke and dust filled the air.

A bright red figure walked out from the smoke.

The Power Armor was stained with Orc blood, a Bolter held in hand, and a Chainsword hung at the waist.

A helmet obscured the face, with only a cold light shining through the slits of the eyepieces.

Sons of the People Space Marine, Matus, a warrior of the former Ultramarines Legion.

He saw the iron cages in the prison area, the large pot boiling with water, and the Human descending on the crane.

Matus raised his Bolter and fired two shots.

The Orc overseer fell to the ground, and the Orc warriors nearby were also struck.

Several Orcs in the cage area tried to resist, but were shot dead by Matus one by one.

He walked to the crane Control Console and pressed the reverse switch.

The crane rose, and the slave was pulled back from above the boiling water.

The iron chain rose slowly, and the slave was hoisted back into mid-air.

Matus walked to the pot and kicked it over; the boiling water splashed onto the ground, and steam filled the air.

He walked directly beneath the slave, looked up at the thin figure, and lowered him down.

Matus caught him; the slave's body was impossibly light; he placed him on the ground and crouched down.

The slave's eyes were still half-open, his pupils unfocused.

"You are safe."

Matus said, but the slave did not react.

Matus removed his helmet, revealing a young face.

He reached out and patted the slave's shoulder.

"You are safe; I am a Human, here to save you."

The slave's eyes slowly focused, looking at Matus's face.

"You are... Human? Not... not an Orc?"

Matus nodded and said.

"I am a warrior of the people; we have come to eradicate the Alien and rescue you."

Tears welled up in the slave's eyes, and he wept silently.

Matus stood up and faced the slaves in those iron cages.

"I am a Space Marine of the Sons of the People Chapter, acting under the Emperor's command to eradicate the Orc on Wala Star and rescue my Human brethren. You are free; this planet will be liberated!"

A deathly silence fell over the cage area.

The slaves looked at him, their eyes filled with confusion, fear, and disbelief.

Matus walked to the nearest iron cage, used his Chainsword to cut the lock, and the cage door opened.

"Stay here and wait for orders; the follow-up Steel Legion will meet you outside the city."

Matus then spoke into the communication channel.

"Matus of the Third Company reporting: the cage area is secured, approximately three hundred Human brethren rescued; require the Steel Legion to come in and provide support."

A voice came through the Communication Device.

"Received. The Armageddon Armored Regiment has entered the fortress and will arrive in twenty minutes. Continue your advance and rendezvous with the other squads."

Matus turned off the Communication Device and looked at the slaves.

"There are Orcs outside, but they have been mostly cleared out. You will be picked up by the Steel Legion's armored vehicles shortly. All nightmares have ended, and you will receive the Emperor's protection."

Matus looked at the slave who had stopped crying and asked.

"What is your name?"

"Isaac."

Matus said.

"Isaac, what did you do?"

Isaac said.

"I was a teacher before, but after the Orcs came... I was nothing."

Matus said.

"In the future, you will be a teacher again, teaching children to read and write. Tell them the Orcs were defeated by Humans."

Hearing Matus's words, a glimmer of light appeared in Isaac's eyes.

The roar of engines came from the south; the Armageddon armored vehicles appeared at the end of the street, and an officer poked his head out from a vehicle.

"This is the Third Battalion of the Steel Legion, ordered to meet our brethren; get on the vehicles!"

Isaac was helped onto an armored vehicle, and he sat in the compartment, leaning against the cold Steel wall.

He could not believe he was still alive; it was simply insane.

Matus stood beside the armored vehicle, looking at the slaves in the compartment.

"Once you reach the rear, someone will provide you with food, water, and clothing. Recover well, and when the war ends, you can go home."

Isaac opened his eyes.

"Home? Is there still a home?"

"Yes, Humans do not abandon their brethren, and the Emperor does not abandon you."

Isaac did not know who the Emperor was, but he remembered the name.

The armored vehicle started up and drove toward the south.

Isaac sat on the armored vehicle and heard the slaves beside him whispering to each other.

"Who are those people? Red armor; I've never seen it before."

"I don't know, but they saved us."

"They said the Emperor sent them. Who is the Emperor?"

"The Emperor's men saved us; the Emperor is a good person."

Isaac opened his eyes.

He would never forget that bright red figure, and those warm, powerful hands that pulled him out of hell.