- epilogue -

Punching in the number-combination that would take the rusty elevator all the way down to
the main hangar the remaining marines could not really grasp the fact that their mission
was over, and more importantly, they were still alive.

Several minutes past as the elevator continued its decent and the whole cage shook from
the intense bursts of explosions far above their head. Inside their head they all saw how
an explosion ripped the elevatorchords and that they would all fall to their death but
this day it seemed they all was on the good side of lady luck.

Arriving to the hangar their worst fear came true. All other companies had assumed them 
dead and left. All three boarding crafts were already heading back to Earth and
there was no way to establish any contact with them as the marines had to drop all
equipment not vital to their escape.

So this was how it would end. Instead of taking their last stand back to back deep within
the hulk the would now have to meet the same end in this godforsaken hangar.
Why did they fight? Why did they run? It had all been in vain.

And so it came to them, one ship would be left behind. That which contained their dead 
brothers still loomed not far away awaiting its annihilation. Perhaps it could still
fly or at least contain a functioning radio device. They still had hope.

The old gothic boarding craft 'Devastator' was far to smashed up to go anywhere. Falling
pieces of steel had damaged the hull making the marines only hope the radio comminication
in the cockpit. To their amazement it still worked.






When the distressignal reached the other ships the could not believe what they heard. 

The battleship closest to the Hulk gave full effect to their trusters and headed back
towards the hulk to save their brothers of war.

The news to Commander Vecko Borgia that the men behind the destruction of the hulk was
still alive and on their way home was most welcome. It always felt much better to give
the medals to the soldiers themselves rather than to their widows.

For the heroes still alive from this endevour, who several times had gazed death in
the eye, the arriving battlecruiser was like a gift from the heavens.

Before the genestalers had reched the hangar all surviving marines was evacuated and
on their way home and hopefully the Space Hulk exploded way before the tyranids reached 
the dead bodies of those who they were forced to left behind.

Looking back apon the exploding hulk they all thought for themselves how lucky they
were to have been able to escape and survive. Right now they did not care about any
medals or other missions. They just wanted to get home.

- THE END -
.
