Operation Phoenix: ...And Hell Followed With Him

*ALICE IN CHAINS "Rooster" _Dirt_

"Computer, give me layouts of the locations of Atlanta's Sewer Mains"
"The sewers, sir?"
"Yes, the damned sewers!  I don't have much time, dammit!"
"Of course."

A map of the sewer system flashed on his HUD, and Sheridan immediately
fomulated his plan as he ran into the A-1 Auto Salvage back lot.

<Be careful.  He probably has a trap planned for us.>
<Of course, Sergeant G'jacz.>

Two exo-armored lizards went in through the front entry way, while the
other two circled around.

<It's a veritible maze in here.  Where is the quarry?>
<Sensors are being baffled.  Too much interfernce.  Hang on, I'm
getting a reading from behind that wall of destroyed vehicles>
<Let's check it out>

One trooper circled around the wall while the second lept to the top,
just in time to see a plasma grenade detonate at the bottom of the
stack.  The X'hirjq on the wall had the time to leap off, and get
picked off by Sheridan's Heavy Plasma gun.  The one who attempted to
circle the wall of crushed cars didn't even know what hit it, or
rather, what crushed it.

--
V'getz cursed her luck.  Only 2 exo-skeleton troops were left.
Fortunately, the three medium units would be there soon enough.  Those
two only needed to hold out a little longer.

--
"Computer, plot the course those lizards have been chasing me on."
"Of course."
A map showing a city-overview with his course highlight flashed of
HUD.  And was fairly easy to see he was being herded back towards the
Stadium in a round-about fashion.

"Okay, where is the nearest sewer main entrance?"

--
"Lord Charn'El, The X'hirjq send more troops after Sheridan."
"Of course.  Their turing up the heat a little.  Naturally, were they 
throwing their full weigth at him, he'd be quite dead by now.  Hmmm...  
perhaps I'll give you two a quick lesson in how to beat a Khornate in a bit."
"My lord, Sheridan is leaving the salvage lot..."

And the Lyrans went to another roof-top to view the battle.

--
<Commander, the quarry has fled the "salvage yard">
<Continue pursuit.  The medium units will join your position in
roughly 30 seconds>

*Metallica "Trapped Under Ice" _Ride The Lightning_

The two remaining scouts ran back onto the street, and shot the
bars which sealed the old sewer main.  They were rewarded with a
deafening explosion and missing appendages as the cleverly concealed
plasma bombs detonated after their vibration triggers were activated.

<Hah.  The terran thought we would fall for that trick again.>
<Yes.  The terran is quite laughable.> 
<Let's continue on, but be careful>

With that, the lizards entered the sewer tunnel.  10 seconds later, the 
medium scouts arrived in the area and found two exo-armored troopers dead 
from what appeared to be electrofied claw-wounds.  They disintegrated 
their two fallen comrades. 

<Commander, the last two scouts are dead.>
<A CURSE UPON HIM!  BRING ME HIS CORPSE!>
<By your command>
Two entered the dark sewer, while the third followed Sheridan's trail
from the streets.

--
Sheridan popped his head from a manhole cover, and was promptly nailed
by an ion blast which cracked his helm and caused black ichorous blood
to flow from his temple.  He fell down into the black water and ducked
under quickly enough to avoid reciving even more ion blasts.  He swam
for a short way and found a side tunnel a few feet under the surface.

He said a prayer to Khorne as his suit filled with the sewer water
that he didn't need to breathe as his hand slid down to the pommel of
Icingdeth.

He waited until the X'hirjq had passed a way, then swam back to the
manhole where he had been shot at.  He climbed up the ladder and
whistled.

As the X'hirjq turned, weapons at the ready, he activated the
magnesium searchlight and directed it at the X'hirjq and their light
sensitive eyes.  They hissed in momentary pain as the polarizers on
their suits kicked in.  Then they noticed something else.  They could
no longer move and their armor was being crushed by incredible
pressure.

Looking at where Sheridan was, they saw the hilt of a sword sticking
from the ice.  They remembered that sword from their briefings.  It
was Icingdeth, the frost blade.

And Sheridan had perfect beads on them.

They fired their plasma cannons as Sheridan dropped from the ceiling, all
guns blazing.  Three shots were solid hits on Sheridan, but the
X'hirjq, who were now breaking free of all the ice, were 
reduced to particles by the assault of hyper-velocity shells, plasma 
bursts, bolt missiles, and grenades, as well as the asphalt (and medium 
class X'hirjq battle armor) that fell on them after the explosions 
collasped the sewer tunnel.

The remaining battle armor didn't have time to react before it was
nailed by a hail of plasma and melta grenades, cracking the armor and
boiling the trooper inside.

"Computer, give me suit status."
"Grenade launchers are now exhausted, storm bolter is at 45% maximum
ammo, assualt cannon is a 6% ammo, generator on plasma cannon has been
rendered inoperative due to enemy fire, armor integretity 42%, power
reserves 34%."

"Good, we've got a date with destiny at the stadium.  Let's go."

--
To Be Concluded in "Fade To Black"

--
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Sheridan Iscarius, Daemon Prince in the service of Lord Khorne
Shardik The Feral (NYAR!) of the Cursed Earth Division of the Maenads of 
     the Holy Albino
Warrior Poseiden Hephaestus of the Doberman Empire, Weapon's Tech/WEDJEE
Major General Sheridan, N.O.R.A.D. Standard Military Units, Legion Of Doom
St. Moire Erasmus, Patron Saint of The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Motion
Residing with the Kindred Children in the House of Eternal Night
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"Do not waste your tears.  I was not born to watch the world grow dim.  
Life is not measured in years, but by the deeds of men."
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                               UP THE IRONS
And remember... Jesus loves you, Cthulhu thinks you need A-1 Sauce
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