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You know Ice... you should probably start a new thread for Book II.

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The wisps of sound dissipated into the endless lines of artifacts and dilapidated war machines. Head down, the dark figured darted amongst the floating hulks and around the drying pools of blood. She tried to stay in the shadows as much as she could. She never understood why her master kept this part of the compound so brightly lit. It agitated her to no end.

A snarl came to her lips as she leapt over the corpse of a decapitated guardian. She wondered if it was kept so bright just because it agitated her. No, she thought to herself, she wasn’t that special. At least she hoped that was the case, his attention was not something she was hoping to ever receive. Where ever his focus was pointed, things ceased to be.

Some day she’d put him in his place and she’d control the lights along with every lying traitorous being in his cabal, but…….. her snarl returned, not today.

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She suddenly stopped. She stood tall but kept her head down. She gazed at the floor in waiting. He was in front of her with his back to her. The tiles by her master were burned and some were melted. The smell of burning flesh and smoldering stone was emanating from the pit. To his left several of his court members stood looking over the empty burned out depression. Two Sslyth and a Medusae hastily departed past her along with several males from the warrior cast. All of them walked past her without any hint of acknowledgement.

She waited in silence and studied the surroundings that she could see while keeping her head down. There were half a dozen fresh kills nearby, all warriors from her masters Cabal. “Only six,” she thought to herself, he must be in a good mood despite his personal collection having been invaded by the corpse emperor’s lackeys.

A pair of bare feet silently walked nearby. She knew who it was the instant the smell of sweet violence crept into her nose. She opened her hands so she would be prepared to quickly grasp her knives on her back if needed, but the need never arrived. As quickly as the wych arrived, she departed.

“What news do you bring me?” a strong voice commanded. A hint of annoyance and displeasure rimmed his words. She lifted her head to see her master still facing away from her. His unarmored back was glistening and youthful. His curling tattoos writhed across his back like headless serpents. A black face mask hung on a chain made from the hair of alien children under his right arm. It had been a long time since he had removed the mask from his ancient face.

She lifted her head to look at the back of his. The Incubi that stood nearby studied her as they always did. Their long curved blades held at the ready in their white gloved hands.

“The fleets have moved and our agent is ready,” she stated with as little emotion as possible.

“Finally,” he hissed. He let the word linger while he held his hands out to his side. He clenched his fists and moaned with pleasure. “Move the Ceaseless End into position. Send a message to my commanders, their reward for our successful raid will be another, more extravagant raid. This time the monkeigh of the Imperium will fill our prison ships.” He looked down into the burnt out pit before him once again. The slightest hint of amusement ringed his final words, “send word to our agent, the Cabal is coming.”

Oooh so Dark Eldar are the main threat this book, this should be fun, very fun indeed.

 Knightley wrote:
Oooh so Dark Eldar are the main threat this book, this should be fun, very fun indeed.

Indeed! Do you think I should start a new thread for book 2?

My personal opinion is no, You master piece should stick in once place so that all it's glory can be read.

It also helps keep book one being read, if you start another thread, you'll get a more concise feel for each book this is true, but unless the new reader then goes and finds the older book(s) the thread will fall down the page list and finally off the first page (Front page is where it belongs!)

Ultimately I would subscribe in a heart beat to a new book thread if you decide to create one.

P.S. Can't wait to see how you write the Dark Eldar battles, the really captured the fluid graceful movements, perfected by ruthless killers.

Chapter 1 – the Reckoning

The hall erupted into raucous applause as Tarvu, the first captain of the Ice Angels, finished a tale of yet another victory. The cheering of a thousand space marines shook the tables and rattled the utensils. This rare gathering was one that the marines of the Ice Angel chapter would never forget. A Reckoning had many practical applications but for all involved, the memories of the event would outweigh any organizational use. Bonds were strengthened, kinship revisited, and the awe inspiring site of an entire chapter would temper the spear that was the Ice Angel Chapter.

A Reckoning was held only when the majority of the chapter could gather. The territory that the Ice Angels covered along with their Imperial requirements to share some of their expertise with other chapters, made them typically spread far and wide. This was one of the largest Reckonings on record but even now the seventh company was away along with several small units, each with missions of their own. In the history of the Ice Angels, the entire chapter had only gathered for war once.

Captain Razzik thought back to his first Reckoning when he was a newly initiated brother into the chapter, surrounded by heroes and marines of legend. Today he’d get to speak amongst the captains. He gazed at 1st Captain Tarvu, the master of ceremony, and admired the 1st Captain’s theatrics. He was setting the scene of another great space battle the 1st Company had recently been through. The heavily augmented marine commanded the audience of the chapter as he elaborated on his company’s actions on the cusp of battle. He wove his tale in the center of the hall on a raised dais, meeting the eyes of his brethren as he spoke to all around him.

The story was fantastic and spoke of true heroism. He spoke of the death of the enemy and the valor of the fallen. The room exploded into cheering as he went into detail of Brother Shwatarna removing the head of a greater demon of chaos amidst a sea of traitorous marines. Tarvu pointed out to where the Shwatarna stood, entombed in his dreadnought. Thirty other ancient brothers stood around the perimeter watching the feast and speaking when spoken too. This was one of the only times they were awake for anything other then war.

The room continued to buzz as Tarvu turned and went back to his throne amongst his brothers. Servitors spilled into the tiered hall bringing more food and drink for the chapter. Razzik heard his glass being filled and the clank of trays as steaming meats and savory cheeses once again covered the tables.

He didn’t pay any attention to the servitors or the marines around him as they chattered and exchanged stories. His mind was lost in thoughts about the past and the unknown future. His body shook as a slap on the back from Shar-Vashu tore him back to reality. Razzik looked up to see the burly form of the 6th Captain grinning down at him.

“Razzik! You look lost within yourself.” He said with a smile and a chuckle. “I know you must tell your tale next, “he paused for a moment, “but do not let it weigh on your hearts any longer. Let what he stood for and what he did be a lesson to us all, eh?”

Razzik gave him a nod and raised his glass, “to the Fallen and the Frozen,” he toasted with a forced smile.

“TO THE FALLEN AND THE FROZEN!” Shar-Vashu yelled. The room quaked with an echoed response.

Shar-Vashu winked as he went back to his seat. Razzik was watching him head back when he caught the gaze of Chapter Master Duggon from across the hall. The Inevitable had a cold stern look on his face, like a father judging his son. Razzik held the gaze and waited for him to speak but the Inevitable looked away when another Inevitable ask him a question.

Razzik surveyed the new spread of food at his own table as he half listened to conversations being held around him. He grabbed several fruits and a still smoking leg that smelled of dozens of spices. He sank his teeth into the succulent meat and looked out over the room. All of the battle brothers including the newest neophytes sat together in long tables. Every Ice Angel wore only a plain unadorned black robe. In a Reckoning there were no rankings or insignia’s allowed other then the colors of the units in which you’ve served. On Razzik’s black robe the ice blue of the chapter was braided with the purple hue of the Ashurbani down the sides.

Above the marines and their tables were three empty tiers of dark marble that ringed the room. Ice blue aquila’s adorned eleven separate sections. When the tales and feasting ended the marines would be reorganized and take their place in their assigned section. Razzik looked over to the lectern above the 10th Aquila. Soon he’d be there and his company would be behind him.

First, however, he had to relive the death of Captain Ruusa. He had to tell the final tale of the second captain so the chapter would know how he lived and how he died.

Very cool insights into how the Ice Angels preform gatherings. I had always imagined they were more likely to have lower rank gathering and high rank gatherings, yet I cannot for the life of me explain why.

I really do like the additions of lore and history in the passage, particularly "To the Fallen and the Frozen" hearkening to much earlier passages of how the Ice Angels, when under the black rage are contained.

A very interesting new rank/detachment "The Inevitables" I suspect they are a first company or honor guard rank/detachment?

Question however, you mention "In a Reckoning there were no rankings or insignia’s allowed other then the colors of the units in which you've served"
Would a Sargent be promoted to Captain if he has only been in one unit his entire life? I would have though having a breadth of service across multiple units would garner more respect when having to lead a company? Or was the part of the strife that Razzik was having to deal with, he didn't have the breadth of experience when he was made captain (seeing as Ruusa perhaps did?)

Eagerly awaiting his eulogy of Capt Ruusa.

I really liked this entry Ice. Great way to launch Book 2. The Captains tale should be a good one!

Thanks guys. I liked exploring this side of the angels. Knightley, I think I need to add some clarification to the color thing. All of the Marines after becoming brothers have the ice blue line. No other color is given until they reach the veteran level. In my story only two squads are veteran level. The Uttuakki and the Ashurbani, orange and purple. In Razziks case he has been in several different squads before joining the Ashurbani. Now to your other point, he is viewed as being under qualified for the Captain position but he has been in multiple units just only one was a veteran squad with a color.

That will be brought up in a later segment.

With a quiet thump he closed the final book in his reclaimed collection. He took one last look at the faded red cover of the tome. “The Defiance of the Last Knight” was the title. He pondered on what he had read as he watched a distant mechanicum lander breach the confines of a hanger. Lazily it crept away from the sprawled compound of the Mechanicum and entered the cloud cover. He monitored its slow progress until it entered the atmosphere. The massive flier was only a spec in the distance by the time he looked away and reviewed the scene below him.

It was fantastic. The magnificent view was one that artist would strive to replicate. Poems would be written about such majesty. The Mechanicum fortress was primarily underground and hidden in the mountain range to his right. To his left the forest took over with its colorful red, orange, and yellow hues. In the far edges of the forest he could see the tops of the human castle that claimed dominance over the region. Further ahead of him still he could see the shattered remains of several city spires that at one time held millions of people in their towering forms.

His mountain perch was the ideal location to see all that was around him and it was a sight he’d never forget, yet the beauty and the magnificence of the scene hid something. That something was why he was here. That something was why he hated the scene before him and the entire planet. Then again, he has hated every planet he has ever visited.

A shift of dirt and rock to his right reminded him that he wasn’t alone. He glanced over at the gray robed figure who sat in the back of the rocky alcove. He wondered what the figure was thinking and what prayers were being repeated. Despite him spending half a decade next to the quiet tormented figure he still knew little other then his name, Micus. The Unknown, they called him more often then not. Currently he was mouthing another prayer and his face was tight in concentration, occasionally his face would twitch and his body would tremor. It was clearly one of his better days.

Approaching foot steps heralded the arrival of another companion. The dirty marine wore a brown cloak over his maroon and gold quartered armor. He gave a small acknowledgement before securing his range optics into a protective pouch.

“It is finally time for us to rejoin the others. You have everything Xerin?” he asked to the brown cloaked marine.

“Yes Sergeant Mortifex,” he responded.

Mortifex snorted at the formal response before turning to Micus. “Let us get off this wind blasted mountain.” He hoped for a response from the quiet marine but Micus merely stood up, fidgeted with his belt and adjusted his gauntlets the same way he did every hour.

With a head shake he put his book back in his collection and secured the bag over his shoulder and under his back pack. Once he was done he took a final look over the serene valley. Xerin stood next to him and took in the view.

“This is the last possible sector for it to be in Sergeant. Where shall we start?” Xerin asked.

“We move to the city spires to set up camp. We’ll see what the others have uncovered first before planning our next move,” Mortifex motioned to move out. Xerin and Micus began to walk down the steep treacherous path back down the mountain. Mortifex took one last look at the picturesque valley. With a sneer he looked away. Pretty or not, he couldn’t wait to get off this filthy planet.

Not going to Lie. I read this four times, just to soak it all in.

1. Fantastic piece which introduces three new characters and potentially more, as hinted by meeting up with others.
2. Sets some personalities/quirks with the new marines
3. Sets the current scene with a new planet, lush and scenic
4. Has a vague yet interesting mission, there is something out there they have been searching for and they've been searching for a what would seem a long time.

Question: Will you be uploading pictures to the front page (similar to book one) of the marines who are introduced into this book?

I hadn't planned on putting up more pictures but now that you mention it, I really should. I need some ice Angels on there to. I'll work on that.

I'm glad you like it thus far btw.

Very nice scene there Ice. Enjoyed it very much... looking forward to the next installment.

A deep resonating bell signaled the end of the first feast. Servitors and human staff cleared off the tables with quiet efficiency. The jovial tone in the room fled the room as quickly as the plates and empty dishes were carried away. When the last door closed Chapter Master Duggon stood from his table. He looked up to the dais as the 2nd company badge was illuminated from within the dais.

Per tradition he waited for the second captain to rise, but after a minute he turned to the Chaplain of the 2nd company.

“Cyaxeres, Chaplain of the 2nd Company and Collector of Debts, who will speak on behalf of the fallen?” Master Duggon said with stoicism.

“Razzik, Captain of the 11th Company and Veteran of the Ashurbani, will speak on behalf of the 2nd Captain, my lord,” Cyaxeres responded with a bow.

Razzik stood from his seat. The space marines of the chapter made no noise as he slowly walked around his table towards the center of the room. Over a thousand marines were in that massive chamber and not one of them moved or made a noise, to do so would be a great sign of disrespect for the fallen. The oppressive nature of the silence was a great testament of how loved the 2nd Captain had been.

As Razzik’s foot falls echoed through out the chamber he found himself mentally wandering away from the task at hand. In a moment that seemed like an eternity he replayed his entire time with Ruusa, from the moment they met on the Rage to the moment he laid his corpse on the floor of the ork Rokk. Razzik thought on how Ruusa acted, he treated others, how he was liked and how he fought.

The same thoughts replayed through his head that he had thought on for the past few days. When the mental escapade ended he found himself standing before the dais. He reached into a pouch on his belt and retrieved a data crystal. He set it into a port near the floor and above the dais a perfect image of Captain Ruusa hovered. Razzik looked up at the armored marine. Ruusa carried a double bladed axe in his right hand and storm shield in his left. He looked off into the distance. The image had been taken right before Ruusa had departed the Frozen Rage for the last time.

The 3d image began to rotate for everyone to view. As it did Razzik read some of the many quotes etched in Ruusa’s armor and shield.

“Know thy duty. Know thyself.
Know thy brothers. Know thy past.
Know thy enemy. Know the unknown.”

Razzik stood up on the dais with that phrase in his mind. He looked out at the brothers before him. He could name many of them but there were still many fresh faces and even some older ones he had yet to meet. As he took in the sight he looked up the ring of dreadnoughts. He looked at Ancient Brother Frakkatazuli, the oldest being in the room. He was one of great power and knowledge. Razzik looked forward to hearing his stories of Sanguineous and the times before the chapter was even its own entity.

First however, he must do his part. “My lord, I, Captain Razzik, will speak on behalf of the fallen,” he said with a bow. Duggon gave a head nod to begin. Razzik met the gaze of Cyaxeres for a moment before he cleared his throat.

“Ruusa, Captain of the 2nd Company, Champion of the Mantle, Keeper of the Vale, Master of the Axe, Destroyer of Warlord GoNobz, Eradicator of Hive Fleet Gwendel.” Razzik shook his head, “The list of titles Captain Ruusa has obtained is one of a true hero and legend of the chapter.” He paused and took a deep breath as he looked around once again.

“The history of Captain Ruusa is long and glorious. In the Halls of Ice, his tome is still being written. I will not give you the full history of Captain Ruusa today because I do not know it all nor can I give it the justice it deserves. Instead I will tell you what I do know.”

Razzik paused, gathering his thoughts, “Captain Ruusa was the ideal Ice Angel. He embodied what it was to be of the Ice and the Mantle. Know thy Duty. Know thyself. Know, your brothers,” Razzik looked around and hinted at a smile when he saw his old squad mate Hunzuu. “Know your past, your enemies, and know the unknown. This was what Ruusa strived for. He led the second company, and every company before that with purpose and the desire to know.” Razzik looked up at the image of Ruusa once more. He pointed the quote on his shield. “Duty! Is engrained into us all. Knowledge of our enemies, we have countless vaults filled with, and we constantly thirst for more. The past is often shrouded in darkness but ours is untarnished and clear as Ice. Know Thy Brothers! This Reckoning is one of the many ways we further know one another.” Razzik looked back up to the shield. “Know the unknown and Know thyself. To some of us those two are the same thing yet Knowing thyself is the most important of them all. Of all of these simple ideas, what do each of us spend the most time on?” Razzik waited and looked around the room.

“Ruusa, above all else, knew who he was and what had to be done, just as our Primarch Sanguineous did. They both knew when the ultimate sacrifice was needed. Ruusa defied death long enough to give a warning to us all. Had he not, I and several of the second company wouldn’t be here before you to tell you his tale.”

The words lingered and Razzik watched them sink in. Veterans nodded in agreement. Neophytes absorbed and contemplated the words. Razzik realized that the words he had spoken were truly for him more so then the chapter. He vowed then to not let his apprehension of captaincy get in the way any more.

“The greenskins had been fighting the Imperials for seven months before the second company arrived……….” He began to retell the events that led up to Captain Ruusa’s last mission and relive the last moments of the beloved captains demise.

Epic as Always! Love the start to Book 2!

Great installment Ice. Interesting to see how Ice Angel culture handles this.

Any chance of spoilering all of Book 1 into a single post, so that those who want to start following you with Book 2 can catch up on it easily?

Also, is this what you would call a "self titled" work?

I will see what I can whip up next time I'm on my computer RiTides. Thanks for checking out book 2.
I guess this would be self titled, sure.

Gitsplitta, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what the angels would do. I hope the effort comes across.

Thanks Master Azalle!!

For those of you who didn't read book one or want a quick refresher on what occurred. Check this out.

That brings us to book two. I hope that paints a nice little picture to where we are today but I have to say I had to leave A LOT out. If you'd like a pdf or similar file for book one RiTides, please let me know.

Does any one else have anything to add to that recap?

Yeah... what happened to Inushi?

The Tale of Inushi in book 1



How is that Gitsplitta?

Ah, very nice. Succinct, to the point, wraps things up nicely. Thanks Ice!

I was just teasing... but it works anyway.

The journey down the dark side of the mountain was quiet and uneventful. It would have been harrowing and treacherous for a normal human, but for three power armored genetically altered humans it was like any other training exercise, minus the gun fire, timer, or unrealistic objective.

When they reached the tree line, the mountain side became easier to traverse. The additional cover also meant they could pass back to the sunny side and head in the direction they wanted. For hours they moved. No idle banter or questions were exchanged, merely the sense of duty and the focus on their respective tasks. Xerin watched the sky for mechanicum spotters, Micus concentrated on not going insane, all while Sergeant Mortifex led the way.

Through the night they moved as they passed through the forest and into the jungle. Multiple times Mortifex thanked the Emperor for his power armor as giant bugs and 12 legged spiders assaulted him. The dense jungle was home to all manner of creatures and plants. All of them were larger then what any Terran would consider “normal”.

After two days of marching they stopped to eat and update their positioning. Micus found the darkest place, ate several nutrient bars, and quickly fell into one of his deep trances. Xerin inspected the immediate area. Mortifex took out his long range communications array. After several minutes he had set up the quad pod device and was prepared to send out several short bursts of information into the sky. Mortifex tried to discern the suns location through the canopy but resorted to checking his time device on his wrist display.

The noise of the jungle began to ebb. Mortifex found himself watching a three foot scorpipede burrow itself into the moist earth at the base of a tree. The eerie silence settled over the area like a dark cloud preparing to unleash its wet cargo.

Mortifex quietly drew his combat blade. He scanned the area around him. The broad leaf plants and bulging tree roots limited the distance of his vision. The massive trees cast dark shadows from their high reaching canopy.

When Mortifex turned to meet the glowing visor of Micus he paused. The unmarked marine had his large power sword in both hands. The red hilt was a stark contrast to his bland outfit. Micus slowly looked up. Moritfex followed his gaze.

Silently in the canopy above him moved a creature with disturbing purpose. Its tentacles stretched to great lengths to grasp the next pair of trees. As the center of the creature past above him, Mortifex saw chitinous armor encompassing the rhino sized body mass.

Mortifex thought back to his readings. A series of books scribed by a Master of Biologis came to mind. He trudged through his memory attempting to remember what this creature could be and more importantly how he could best deal with it.

Before he could classify the tree traveling monster, his vox line opened and the calm voice of Xerin spoke. “A hunting party is approaching from north east. Hide.” The short phrase sounded extremely loud to him but he knew nothing outside his armor would have been able to hear it.

With a curse on his lips, Mortifex grabbed the communications array and hid his armored form in some leafy undergrowth. Within seconds the quad pod device was collapsed back into its condensed form and thrust into some foliage next to him. Knife in hand he waited.

A soft rustling of undergrowth came from his right. Mortifex stayed completely motionless as he caught glimpses of a tall human. The camo covered man was as tall as a space marine but unarmored. He carried a thin blade across his back, several smaller weapons on his chest and a crossbow in his hands. He warily walked past Mortifex, while scanning the area. He stopped just in front of Mortifex’s position. He moved some leaves with his foot to examine the area the quad pod had just been standing when a guttural shout came from behind him.

The man dove forward with astounding reflexes out of Mortifex’s line of sight. A tentacle smashed into the ground where he had just been standing. When the tentacle quickly recoiled up, all manner of plant and rocky debris went with it.

Another man came leapt in from Mortifex’s right. This one was even bigger then the first. In fact, he had to be the largest person Mortifex had ever seen. He carried a crossbow attached to a line that he pointed up at the creature above them. The seven foot harpoon that sat in his crossbow shot forward with a deep twang.

The sound of several other similar sounds echoed nearby. Rustling in the forest echoed all around him as more guttural commands were issued. The deep voices of the ogryns seemed to restart the noises in the jungle.

Mortifex watched as the largest of the men before him threw a cable around a root and activated a winch. Within seconds several others kicked in. A gurgling screech came from above followed up the sounds of breaking tree limbs. The two men leapt away as a large branch tumbled into the space between trees. The larger ogryn laughed and spat as he pulled out an ornate weapon that looked similar to a pick ax.

The giant stepped out of sight and Mortifex risked taking a better look above. He moved one of the larger leaves above his head so he could see where the creature would fall. The tentacled monster was about to loose the fight against the metal lined harpoons and winches.

It was twitching and jittering. Countless smaller limbs that ended in barbed talons were slashing at the air around a slobbering maw in the center of its mass. A glistening wet tongue was being pulled out by a harpoon from behind Mortifex’s position.

When the creature fell it would land right in front of Mortifex’s position. He quickly thought on his options. He didn’t want to reveal himself or his men, not like this at least.

Oooh tension, The land squid was harpooned and is now being 'landed" as it were.


Small question about this passage "When he quickly recoiled up, all manner of plant and rocky debris went with it." is the second word supposed to be 'he'? or should it be 'it'

All that aside very cool passage and I want to know what goes 'down'

See what I did there.

FIXED! Thanks Knightley.

Very clever...........................

I like it Ice... very exciting!

Life on Mortimon Secondus – Volume XXXII
Trapstar: According to earliest found records these flowering tree based echinoderms eat insects. 1700 species were documented during the 33.14 crusade, The Reclamation of the Haver Cluster. Often these colorful creatures were placed near entry ways to homesteads to help with the abundant number of insects. Creatures ranged from five to eleven limbs. The largest documented was nearly three meters from tip to tip. Average size for more common Trapstar 50 cm…….

The passage materialized in Mortifex’s thoughts as he watched the behemoth tree horror tear half of a tree off in its failing attempt to stay in the canopy. The description was closer to anything else that came to mind but size was inaccurate as was the prey.

Mortimon System: Historical Synopsis and Imperial Tithe Record
Post ork incursion, plant life on Mortimon Secondus began to grow at a rapid pace. Xenos spores corrupted areas especially around the desert plains were the ork warbands continued to roam after their……………

“Ork warbands remained only in the southern hemisphere.” Mortifex thought to himself before thinking else where in his readings.

………..after the defeat of the tyranid splinter fleet in the Mortimon System, wildlife in all neighboring planets began to mutant and in nearly ever case become aggressive in nature. Largest known infection zone: Mortimon Secondus, Wyrdmire continent, located in the northern hemisphere. Despite bi-decade exploratory missions, no confirmed Tyranids have ever been……….

With an internal grunt Mortifex began to envision what other jungle wild life may lurk nearby ready to kill him.

The mutated Trapstar tore off another massive limb before beginning its rapid decent. Mortifex didn’t move. The creature tumbled through the air as its tentacles grasped for any other trunk or limb. When it finally hit the earth the ground shook and Mortifex had to grab onto the trunk behind him to keep himself steady. The Trapstar hissed in anger as its armored tentacles began to right itself. Mortifex watched intently as countless smaller limbs began to twitch and once again reveal the fleshy maw of the creature. Its tongue was still held to its side by a blood covered harpoon.

A scream from his right preempted the ogryn attack. Half a dozen giants rushed the Trapstar; each carried a sharp pointed ax. The pointed blades were longer then his arm. Mortifex watched with morbid curiosity as the axes struck through the exoskeleton and bit deep into the flesh of the creature.

One of the ogryns fell too close to the tongue of the creature and with amazing speed was pushed towards the smaller limbs. In seconds the ogryn was eviscerated and shoveled inside the mouth of the creature. The efficiency of the process was astounding to Mortifex.

“Sergeant, a hovership is approaching from the west,” the voice of Xerin spoke in his vox.

“Disperse. Continue to rendezvous, begin vox silence,” Mortifex commanded.

He didn’t know where Xerin or Micus were but he trusted they would follow mission parameters. Mortifex kept his eyes on the ogryn attack and the thrashing Trapstar as he knelt down to reach the communication array. He was half way down when an armored tentacle came down right at him. He launched himself left, moments before the heavy limb crushed the foliage he had been using as cover. The thick tree trunk he was in front of shook from the impact.

Mortifex came up from his roll and was shocked to meet the gaze of the tall human he had first seen. The man held his loaded crossbow and was staring at Mortifex in amazement. They were the same height but the dirt covered white armor of Mortifex made him appear twice as wide. The sound of the incoming hovership entered Mortifex’s ears. Without giving the human another thought he turned and ran at full speed.

Being seen by a native was easily corrected. Being spotted by a mechanicum ship would jeopardize the entire mission. Mortifex entered his combat trance as he ran. He registered the sounds of victorious ogryns turn into screams of warnings as the hovership lowered itself into the canopy above the fallen trapstar. He wove through the jungle putting as many trees and bushes between him and the renewed combat as he could.

He ran for sixty seconds before melting back into the jungle. He knelt at the base of a tree behind a thick fern. The sounds of combat were distant and waning. He knew it wouldn’t take long for the Mechanicum to claim their prizes.

The nearby shuffling of leaves alerted him to the presence of another being. He thought at first it was one of his marines but then heard several other footfalls. Too careless for one of his fellow astartes, he thought to himself. After a few more moments Mortifex caught a glimpse of a dirty boot to his left. It was a simple design, leather, no metal. The fern was hiding nearly all of the being, but he knew it had to be the human whose gaze he had met.

A sharp brief whistle pierced the air. The human crumpled to the jungle floor. They met each others gaze one more time as the human looked up from his prone position. This time, however, the human was loosing all feeling and entering a comatose state. Mortifex wondered if he should end his life before it got worse, but then again how could he judge whether or not the human deserved one fate over the other.

The comatose human and Mortifex stared at one another for several seconds before a hovering servitor came by to pick up its cargo. The entire time Mortifex wondered what kind of servitor the human would be turned into. By the time the human was gathered up and the servitor began to fly away he had located the passage he was looking for in his head. With perfect memory he recalled the section he had read months ago.

Red Bind: Status updated on Mortimon System, 121 years after previous Inquisitorial visit: After the plague ravaged the agricultural world the fourth planet was converted into a much needed prison world. Mechanicum facilities were created at both poles to begin servitor conversions. For eighty seven years they produced millions of servitors, until the planet was utterly destroyed by the cleansing of the orks that ravaged the system. The mechanicum relocated to Mortimon Secondus yet the prisons were never rebuilt. Ships still bring subjects for conversion but the Mechanicum facilities are producing only a fraction of what they were creating before. According to recent Munitorium orders, Mortimon Servitors are viewed to be the highest quality weapon servitors in the Imperium. Per Magos Vendenstrope, the ogyrn clans send the weak and sick to be “healed,” believing the Mechanicum Servitor conversion a worthy honor if unable to join the ranks of the Mortimon PDF.

Mortifex risked a glance around his tree at the departing hover servitor. The tall human hung limp upside down. Mortifex scanned the jungle around him, patiently waiting. He was unwilling to make any further movements. A crack of thunder echoed overhead. Within seconds rain began to pierce the thick canopy. He couldn’t hear the hovership over the rain so he waited even longer. He didn’t mind the delay. It gave him more time to think.

* * * * * * * * *

You are doing extremely well!

If you sent me a printable pdf version, I think I'd read it...

I don't spend enough time on my computer for that to ever happen on dakka, sadly !

Thanks Asherian Command.

Ygg's, I can make that happen, at least for the first book.