It was impossible to aim, and the recoil was sufficient to require a weapon mount. But at that range it was also hard to miss. Rounds thudded into the orks, slowing but not stopping them. Then one’s head was shorn from its shoulders, and two more fell, legs crippled by the barrage.

But the lead ork proved indomitable, wading through the bullets like rain on a summer’s eve. It was close enough to seize the barrel, tearing it from Shard’s grip with one hand and tossing it aside, even as it raised its crushing cleaver.

I urged Iwazar to it, focusing the holo-projector into the tightest beam, aiming it squarely at the ork’s beady eyes. It howled at the blinding light, staggering, its blow tearing into the rock-like root inches from Shard’s shoulder. She was already rising, unsheathing her sabre, the blade a thin and fragile thing against the marauding greenskin.

Until her thumb slid across a switch, and a halo of blue light engulfed the sword.

The ork abandoned its wedged cleaver, reaching for the knife tucked into its belt just as Shard swung her blade two-handed, the blow aimed at the creature’s side. Strong as she was, I doubt it would have penetrated more than an inch if not for the power field wreathing the blade. Instead, it tore through the towering ork, carving deep into its sternum.

Its fist lashed out, knocking Shard sprawling and into the swamp. As she disappeared beneath the waters it sought the blade embedded in its side. Steam was rising from the wound, but the beast’s bulk made it unable to reach the handle.

It gave up and glared at the swamp water, seeking some sign of Shard. But the sun had almost set, and the foetid swamp was opaque in the half-light. As it searched, the beast did not see her crawl beneath the surface, circling behind it. It did not see when she rose from the quagmire, uniform stained black but eyes blazing. One of her arms hung limp, perhaps dislocated by the ork’s blow, but with the other she seized the sabre’s handle, twisting it savagely. The ork roared in pain and fury, blood bubbling from its wound as it sought to turn and face her. But she matched its movements, staying behind it even as she wrenched the blade back and forth, tearing open the ork’s flank. It spun sharply, almost lifting her from her feet, but still she clung to the blade, driving it deeper. She must have reached the lungs by now, but still the beast refused to die.

Suddenly it surged forward, tearing the blade clear. Shard fell back, scrabbling to her feet even as the monster turned, its chest a bloodied mess. It lunged towards her, but she clambered up the tree’s massive roots, her feet slipping against the bark, one shoulder still hanging useless.