The metal titan slowly creaked to life. Its gears and parts slowly creaking as it started to drag its own weight and the weight of the 10 wagons behind it. Sparks flew from the wheels as they ground against tracks. The Indomitable Spirit had awakened and soon it would be off from this doomed hive. A fresh wave of the traitor cultist pushed themselves into the station. What little resemblance of order broke down and people pushed themselves onto the train. Often crawling on top of one another in a frantic effort to board the train. Many of them would get crushed under the weight of one another.
In this mess Cardinal Ymmaldez found himself cramped and pushed from one place to another. Trying to find his way to the front of the train and away from the constant volley of las-fire and bullets. The cardinal yelled his stature but nobody seemed to mind. Not even the few arbites he passed gave him but a glance as they moved through. It was a different experience for the cardinal. The holy father was used to receiving attention and service with but a snap of his fingers. Now with this looming darkness over all of them, he was forced to make do as the commoners had.
Sister Clementine herself had taken commanding the PDF forces on the train. Aiming their weapons at the most grievous threats. The concentrated barrage of lasfire held the cultist at the doorway. Cutting down great swaths at the choke point. As the train began to move, a smile formed underneath her helm. “About time this damn thing started moving! Keep at that door!” She yelled at her vox. The soldiers happily obliged. Giving the xenos a taste of their own medicine. Still though their ranks seemed endless.
The train slowly picked up pace. Her massive form pushing out of the station itself. A great flock of people moved to chase her. Some fortunate enough to board her. A great many more left behind as the genestealer cultist managed to swarm themselves inside. As the Indomitable spirit exited the station, their greats pleas for help were replaced with blood-curdling screams and gunfire. Then there was silence. Suddenly the cardinal found himself the center of attention. The thousands of eyes on board the front-most wagon now looking at him. Father Ymmaldez knew they were all looking for an answer. It took him a good minute or so before he responded.
“We have been spared from destruction.” He spoke in a voice low. Full of anguish and grief. “Only through the valiant effort of our martyrs however. If we are to make it to salvation, we must act as selflessly as they have. The Emperor does not ask for much. Only that we remain loyal to one another. Humanity must rely on one another least we fall prey to the xenos. The Emperor protects.” This was hardly the time for a sermon but he did not have the words to comfort this people. All he had was a speech to harden their spirits for the long trip ahead.
In the front engine sister Orine took one of the servitors. “Gather all the techpriest to the engine bridge this instant. No excuses from the technophiles.” He told it in a stern and rigid tone. She wanted every member of the Mechanicus in front of her to measure the gravity of the situation they were in. She wanted to know how many people were on board, how much supplies they had, how many men at arms were ready to defend the engine and how long the trip to the other hive would take. Now she wasn’t guarding the Cardinal anymore. She was guarding an entire throng of refugees. She prayed to the Emperor in silent that she could handle just a Herculean task.