The sound of explosions pummeling the city scape boomed within the escape tunnel. Squee clutched at her iron pin chained to her neck and shivered in the freezing cold as the snot running from her nose solidified. The urchin was covered in fifth and hard black dirt was packed under grimy broken fingernails. There came the sudden braying of the mutants standing at the entrance. Squee pushed down into the shadows hiding from them. They sniffed about as the fiends began to enter the tunnel. Slowly the mutants spread about searching for new victims. The taller one illuminated an electronic torch casting the yellow filtered light upon the floor. Squee clasped at a small rock with her other hand and threw it across the beam. It crashed against the far wall then fell against the floor. Quickly turning to investigate the mutants stared into the darkness looking into the blackness. The urchin bolted from her hiding place running into the tunnel.

Squee ran hard as she disappeared blending into the blackness. The cold air burned as she gulped it in through her chaffed lips. Her soft soled boots padded quietly along the broken cobbles of the floor. She could hear the mutant pack reacting to her rapid movement. The thin beam of yellow tinted light skewered the surrounding void but missed her. Deeper and deeper she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. Hot salty tears ran down her dirty cheeks smudging them. Still clutching the iron pin she turned the corner at the first junction.

The sounds of the big mutants in pursuit filled her ears as the monsters howled and snorted. She could hear their gun fire as it exploded against the walls chipping away the ancient stone and lit up the immediate area. Her lungs burned and her little legs ached but fear drove her on into the heart of the darkness. Squee ran into a different tunnel as she approached another junction but could not shake off the mutants whom sounded much closer now. They continued to fire their weapons and chipped stone showered onto her face as she ducked underneath a hanging conduit. Squee could hear their iron shod boots crashing against the floor behind her. She saw a small crawl hole and leapt into it burrowing into the tight confines. The crawl way was damp and filled with wet sewage. Squee pushed along the bottom twisting about as she quickly worked her way into the void. The large mutants couldn't fit inside and she smelled their rage as they yelled with hateful fury. Suddenly there was more gun fire just as she reached a corner and pulled herself through the tight jam. Bolter shells smashed into the area she just left showering her with pulped filth. Squee took a moment to catch her breath and wiped away the sludge on her face with her free hand.

Squee listened to the mutants gibbering to one another in anger while she caught her breath. Slowly she began to crawl away slithering through the tight space. The filth filled the air with an arbitttor of foul odor that brought tears to her eyes. The sound of the mutants began to dim as she continued to crawl on her belly through the crawl space. It was a bit warmer and cold sweat broke out soaking her back.

Squee continued to crawl along until reaching a point where the space opened enough so that she could sit up. She put her back to the wall and let out a short sigh while rubbing her hands against the front of her pants in a vain attempt to remove some of the filth. Taking a stocking cap from a pocket in her coat she pushed up her long blonde hair underneath it as she pulled it down tight against the top of her head. A brief trace of light played across the floor then vanished. She looked up to see there was a grilled hub just above her.

++ ONBOARD THE BATTLE CRUISER INDOMANITUS ++

The Space Marine looked upon his sole battle brother and grimaced inwardly. His one arm was truncated by a huge power fist which digits he involuntarily curled and uncurled as he slowly inhaled the fetid air. His other gauntlet clutched at the spiraled hilt of his long force sword sheathed in an admantium brace clustered with fine gem stones gathered from across the galaxy and scriptures of unspeakable chiseled runes. His dark face was pitted from a gout of acid blood sprayed from the killing wound to a giant Broodlord he had slain within the deep confines of a space hulk long ago. Tightl fitting cables seated into the psychic hood shone with a green ember and seemed to twist about like a nest of hungry serpents. His armor was pitch black from head to toe except for the shoulder pads. One sported the ancient symbol of the Deathwatch while the other was umber toned depicting the great seal of his Chapter the Doom Warriors. The Librarian's name was Ustis and etched across the top of his broad chestplate.

The other Marine was also a member of the Deathwatch and originally was a master artisan Techmarine from the Storm Lords Chapter. Sparks of blue electricitty played along his metal teeth when he spoke. "I can no longer be of service to you or this ship." he spat at Admiral Goffunstein. "My work is done."

Goffenstein snarled as he looked up at the imposing figures. "You'll do as I say by decree of the Imperial Navy. There is still much work to do..."

Ustis slowly lifted his gauntlet from the sword. "You will abide by our agreement. We are here in lieu of the Black Ships to seek a potent young psyker. We must make planet fall within the next hour."

"Two Astartes versus the hordes of Chaos filth?" Goffenstein questioned rhetorically. "You won't stand a chance."

"We are all that's left of our kill team. It will be enough." said the Techmarine.

+++

Ustis and the Techmarine stood within the launch bay. Five drop pods were primed for an orbital drop. Four were empty filled with both chaff and explosives. Each drop pod was black as soot with no outer markings. The Techmarine limbered open a gang plank and they entered, one on either side strapping themselves into the hardened bulwark. Cranking the inner haft the Techmarine slowly raised the plank and it sealed into its outer seams.

"We are ready." said Ommegang the Techmarine into his microbead. "Commence the launch." He silently worded thanks to the Emperor as he activated a series of glowing runes with his bionic hand.

Both Ommegang and Ustis wore their helmets. They could feel the vibration of the huge bay doors opening then slowly the five pods began to drift down naturally attracted by the pull of the planet's lethal gravity.

- Just prior to arrival -

Imperial guardsmen rapidly fell back as they broke from the fight. A Riptide that had just destroyed a Leman Russ vaulted over the burning wreck and lets loose a large blast incinerating many of closest guardsmen. Rockets fired down from its targeting array vaporizing more. Overhead three Tau Barracudas flew over strafing the broken mob then quickly passed over. Teams of Crisis Suits followed in the wake of the Riptide hovering above the burning ground.

The lone Commissar fired his bolt pistol into the skull of the sergeant as he ignited his power sword. "Get back into this fight!" he shouted over the battle din. "We must not let the enemy advance!" Burst cannon fire ripped through the nearby guardsmen shredding them into pieces of bloody flesh. Holstering his bolt pistol the Commissar drew forth a grenade hurling it at the advancing Crisis team. The grenade pinged off the armor of the Tau commander harmlessly exploding beside them. There was the electronic whir of their burst cannons as they auto sighted the human.

"Have faith!" shouted the Commissar as he broke from the ruined barricade charging straight at the Crisis team. Burst shells exploded to his left and right as he dodged. His sword shot out and skewered a drone severing the command link causing it to tumble. He grabbed a hold of the rim using the automaton for cover. The Riptide was bearing down from behind strafing the Commissar with more rocket fire. An explosion knocked him to his knees and dark spots filled his vision. He looked up to see the Tau commander leveling its fusion blaster straight at his head then came an eerie sound off to his side.

Emerging from thin air five Marines clad in pitch black armor plates strode beside him. One of the Astartes carried a heavy bolter holding it at his hip firing on full auto. Another drone exploded as a miniature rocket blasted it apart. The Commissar could feel a heavy gauntlet grasping him by the shoulder lifting him back up. The Techmarine threw him aside then punched into one of the Crisis suits, the servo arm ripped into the xenos armor like foil instantaneously pulping the Tau inside. Ommegang tossed aside the inert husk as he fired his plasma pistol at the towering Riptide. The Techmarine yelled at the humongous battle suit to draw its attention.

There came a steady hum that quickly grew in pitch resonating above the constant battle din. Ommegang spoke into his microbead to the other members of the Deathwatch kill team "The Barracudas are returning for another strafing run."

Ustis silently mouthed runic words calling upon the warp to cloak his kill team again. One by one they vanished including the Commissar just as the low flying Tau gunships sped over them. A salvo of rockets from the heavy bolter lanced upwards striking the canopy of one Barracuda exploding against the armored cockpit. The gunship veered off striking the flyer to its left and they both blew apart as they crashed into each other. The flaming wrecks burst into the ground below obliterating several clusters of Tau Crisis suits. The explosion threw Ommegang clear of the blast driving him hard into the ruined ground. He watched in silence as two of the indicator runes etched into his inner visor representing other members of the kill team suddenly extinguished. All that was left was himself, Ustis and brother Lochen manning the heavy bolter supported by the suspensor belt.

Ommegang righted himself and watched as the surviving Tau panicked. Removing a meltabomb from the webbing on his utility belt the Techmarine moved towards the Riptide. The humongous battle suit had taken some damage from the explosion but appeared to still be fully functional. Quickly attaching the magnalocks onto one of it's legs Ommegang activated the charge and stepped away from the coming blast. The Riptide swatted at the meltabomb then it exploded vaporizing the leg. It ignited it's jetpack in an attempt to right itself but tumbled over falling down.

Ommegang registered his internal sensors as he scanned the giant suit while it still flailed upon the ground. The infrared spectrum revealed where the pilot was located within the bulky suit. Lifting his power axe above his head the Techmarine drove the spiked end into the armor puncturing a weak point spearing through it with cold fury. Suddenly the Riptide lay still no longer thrashing about the ground. Ommegang pulled his axe loose as he stepped back to watch making sure the pilot was dead.

"I've recieved a message we are to immediately return to the battle barge for a new assignment." said Ustis over the comm link. "Brother Lochen will remain here in our place. See to it the Commissar makes it back safely to our lines."

"Aye Ustis." replied Lochen.

"You're a brave one." said Ommegang to the Commissar.

There came the shrieking sound of an Imperial Storm Eagle breaking through the subsonic barrier as it appeared above. It's VTOL engines inclined as it dropped into hover mode lowering a boarding plank.

I have to say I have enjoyed reading what is there so far. Would like to see more of the guard mentioned, anyway exalted!

Thanks !

More to follow soon !

++ WITHIN THE REALM ETERNAL ++

Gigantic beings covered in long fur and plates of dull grey power armor knelt down before the giant sitting upon a throne of skulls, their feral glowing eyes averted.

"I need the blood of the witch child for the sacrifice." He snorted as he rose from the throne. His iron shod boots crushed skulls as he stepped up. "You have failed a simple task and failure comes with a price." Long sharp claws extended from the bare fingers of the Wolf Brothers' exalted champion. In the blink of an eye the champion snatched a power axe from beside his throne striking one of the attendants square in the head. The axe cut deep through the hard skull spilling grey matter and blood. As the attendant began to topple over the champion snarled striking out with an armored boot kicking aside the dead Marine. "Let this be a lesson to you all." His voice was harsh and grated as the rough syllables poured out from his fanged maw. "Should any of you fail again I won't be as lenient."

Letting loose a wild cry like a wolf Gotvold howled in anger. "I will go this time." he snarled. "Felix, Arnn and Wubba shall attend me. You are my best warriors." Gotvold threw aside the axe as he stepped down from the high mound of skulls. His eyes blazed red for a moment as his face momentarily twisted into the shaped of a wolf sneering with long slick fangs. "I need her blood and can still smell it's sweet scent." He snapped his fingers.

Two large Wolves rose up from beside the the throne, one dark as night, the other white as a snow flake. "Pox and Venom shall lead us to the witch child. Their smell is keen as can be." Strolling down to stand at either side of Gotvold the wolves were as tall as large men. The champion ran his fingers through Venom's fur leaving a wet streak of crimson gore.

Wubba had a strange look in his eyes that caught the attention of Gotvold. "What's bothering you now?" he asked.

"I sense a disturbance in the warp. Something isn't right... I sense Imperialis." Wubba rolled his eyes back as he ran his tongue over his fangs. "There could be a trap."

"Is that what your inner daemon tells you?"

"Yes... They come from far away." Wubba's pupils expanded until his eyes were pure black and his face morphed into a wolfish snout. "We can smell them."

"Good to know." said Gotvold. "We shall play along as if unaware until they reveal themselves. Are they Astartes?"

"Yes indeed..." growled Wubba. "Though few in number. We sense a recent loss."

Gotvold smiled for a moment as he ran the palm of his left gauntlet over a dueling blade. "More skulls to be taken in name of Khorne. Alfather Russ would be proud."

+++

Squee awoke from her deep slumber and rubbed her eyes. The air was cold again as she sat up in the darkness. She listened attentively but heard nothing to indicate there were any mutants close by. She stood up on her tip toes pushing on the grate above her. It was heavy but slowly it budged loose then Squee pulled herself up through the opening finding herself back towards the beginning of the man made cave. She could see the two moons shining through the nebulous clouds and the stars were bright. Many fires burned along the distant landscape and she could hear people screaming from far away.

Something jostled about in a pocket. Squee reached and pulled out a black and white little mouse. "I know you're hungry Fortius. We can go take a quick look in the pantry but then we must leave here. I fear the mutants will be back soon again." The rodent's black eyes twinkled and it nudged its soft nose against her finger. Squee put the pet mouse back as she made her way into the tunnels.

Squee wiped her face clean with a fresh cloth and watched her mouse nibbling on the last piece of cheese. She had burned her clothes to erase any scent the mutants might smell in exchange for a fresh jump suit and new boots. Squee pressed the activation rune and watched in silence as the news vid began to play on the miniature screen.

"Citizens all must evacuate the city. Drop ships await you in Aurora." The vid screen turned grey as the coordinates began to play over and over. The vid screen lit up again displaying a series of scenes depicting planetary guardsmen fighting the rebel cultists. Squee memorized the coordinates then turned off the video.

"Mum said not to trust the news casts..." said Squee to Fortius, "it might be the enemy playing a trick." She carefully picked up the mouse and put it in a deep pocket petting its head. Squee lifted the pack filled the last of the rations and looked out from the mouth of the tunnel. The sun was just breaking the distant horizon filling the war torn landscape with an umber glow. She saw the seemingly endless bodies of the dead piled high down upon the high plateau. Fires burn here and there spreading the conflagaration across the broken city.

+++

Gotvold had boarded the lightly armored dropship sitting in the pilot compartment with Wubba. He scanned the icons quickly ready to lift the ship and begin the hunt. One of the smaller less prominent icons flashed orange catching his eye. It pulsed hypnotically unlike anything he had ever seen. Gotvold felt his eyes go heavy as he relaxed his grip on the flight stick. The little icon seemed to whisper to him blotting out everything else. 'Open your mind...' a thickly accepted voice called to him.

Otvold let the secret voice continue, his curiosity had been stoked. The words came harsh and offensive. 'I will cut loose your balls and hang them from your skinned and crucified body.' The sudden image of burning broken skulls falling from a high cliff entered his mind. 'You are a whelp from a failed successor Chapter unfit to lead in battle. You stink of filth.' The Chaos champion smashed a clenched fist into the control panel crushing the winking icon. Sparks blew out across the console.

"What was that?" Wubba howled, irritation seething in his feral voice. "We cannot lift the ship now." grunted the possessed. Unbuckling his safety strap Wubba rose in fury from his seat grabbing Otvold by the neck. His muscles grew tense as steel as he began to twist the champion's skull.

"Stop now!" commanded Otvold as he clutched at the Chosen's huge arms trying to break the strong locking grip. The pair thrashed about the cabin crushing sensitive controls in the wake of their struggle. "It was a trick by the coming Astartes warlock."

Wubba's grip relaxed then he threw Otvold through the cabin door.

thanks for that - good read and enjoyed it

It's not over yet and has a long way to go.

: )

+++

The sky rumbled as the drop pods descended through the cover of night. Each pod landed in a staged wide pattern crashing down into the heart of the enemy formation. The first pod to hit on the outer perimeter erupted into a fire storm of burning shrapnel cutting through the cultists like a wave of burning death. The next three pods ignited simultaneously. The ensuing blast of elongated destruction consumed the very earth eliminating everything in their wake of devastating death. The last drop pod landed in the very center of the formation. It's doors lowered and two Astartes emerged into the open then Ustis mouthed the spell shrouding them in a cloak of unseeing. "Let's go!" he said to the Techmarine Ommegang.

"There." pointed the Librarian gesturing towards a bunker on top of the plateau. "We must make haste. There is no time to lose. I can see her up there."

"Can she sense you as well?" replied Ommegang.

"I doubt it because of my psychic hood shielding my mind. It's possible but unlikely." said Ustis,

"Can you hail her from here?" questioned the Storm Lord.

"No. While I can detect her presence she has shielded her mind."

"Okay then." said Ommegang as he carefully stepped over a pile of burning debris. There was nothing left of the first drop pods to land except for the charred and twisted frames. One of his iron clad boots came down hard crushing the fragmented skull of a burning cultist laying prone against the burnt soil.

+++

Squee stood on top of a stool peering over the command console inside the underground bunker. She had let out her mouse and it sat beside a blinking rune nibbling on a dried bit of leftover morsel. "Mum said to arm the bomb if it looks like there's no hope left at all." she said to Fortius, the little rodent wiggled its soft nose nudging against her hand. Squee began to push a series of activation runes in a precise sequence. A warning beacon chimed as she pushed down the last one.

"Code red alert. Code red alert. Execution code required."

A holofield appeared beside the panel displaying a series of empty spaces. Squee pulled a strip of paper from her pants pocket and slowly spread it out. One by one she typed each character then pressed the final activation rune.

"Code black alert. Code black alert. Detonation sequence commenced.."

The holofield shimmered then a countdown timer appeared.

"It's all set now." said Squee to her pet as she picked him back up.

Squee sensed a new sensation. Something slowly pulsed within her mind like twin beating hearts. At first the pulse was asynchronous then it became periodic. She closed her eyes and focused on the sensation blocking out everything else. At first she experienced disorientation and felt nauseous. Slowly the feeling of unease dissolved and she felt at peace. The heart beat was strong and rhythmic in a soothing fashion. Squee realized someone else was attempting to contact her. She panicked for a moment but quickly stilled herself and waited.

"Hello..." came the voice. The tone was calm but stern. She listened but did not immediately reply. "Hello..." it came again. "We have come to help you."

Squee broke off the connection and began to weep feeling a series of violent spasms rack her body. "Why would anyone care?" she thought to herself. Visions of the dead filled her mind. Squee swept away the tears and attempted to compose herself. The countdown timer thudded.

+++

Ommegang spoke to Ustis "My augury scanner detects the rapid approach of enemy fieldcraft. It may intercept our course."

"I sense a disturbance in the psyche of the warp child when our minds touched. She is under great duress." The Librarian broke into a rapid charge moving like quicksilver over the war torn ground. Ommegang matched his stride step for step. They could feel the earth begin to rumble as the jets fired overhead. A great dark shadow passed over them as the Storm Eagle roared by. "We are close and they do not sense our presence. We are still cloaked. We must press harder!" The two Marines ran so hard they began to see black spots appear before their eyes and their lungs started to seize on them. Ustus could not afford to do anything else but concentrate all his effort on each speeding step. Deep hate for the traitors fueled his will. He felt his hearts beating like giant drums inside his ears. Breath ceased to come as he stumbled. Both the Librarian and Ommegang stumbled to the ground just as the rear landing hatch on the gunship sprang open. They panted beside each unable to move following the great exertion as they lay upon the rocky soil.

The first of the Wolf Brothers emerged from the hatch and one howled. "I smell the blood of Imperialis!" it cried.

Gotvold sprang out drawing a pair of immense power swords. "Yes..."

Ustis calmed his mind as a huge dose of combat drug straight injected into the main artery. His senses immediately returned strong as ever. The traitors were already beside them sniffing about like a pack of wild mongrels. Suddenly one exploded into a mist of red death as Ommegang brought down his thunderhammer. Ustis revealed himself in the image of a gigantic Griffon. Lightning bolts flew from the tips of its outstretched claws striking in phantasmic attack at the Wolf Brothers.

"Cursed be the loyalist warp spawn!" cried Gotvold as he lashed his swords at the illusion then the ground shook as the monstrous being of Wubba pounced down from the hatch drawing fully upon his daemonic essence and powers. Gotvold felt his fangs begin to extrude as the wolfkin within uncoiled releasing its utter devastation...

Then it was gone along with the scent of its powerful spoor. "To the bunker now!" ordered Gotvold. "The treacherous psyker has fooled us again."

Wubba roared as he ripped open the bolted outer chamber doors throwing them to either side as if they were nothing more than foil. "I can see the footsteps of the Librarian so steeped is he in the warp." The large imprints left by the huge boot soles blazed like soul fire inside the tunnel. "Follow me down!"

Eustis lead them quickly through the tunnels. The Librarian could sense the girl was close to the surface, fortunately not deep below. Ommegang carried his combi plasmagun at his hip while scanning their aft movement for any sign of the traitors. Eustis could sense they were very close now as they rounded a blind corner. The tunnels were silent except for the cadent sound of their boot soles constantly hitting the hard stone ground.

"We won't be able to go round the Wolf Brothers when we come back around." said Ommegang. "They will be ready this time."

"It is imperative we reach the girl first. There is no telling what those scum would do." Eustis replied.

"Of course." said Ommegang. "The large one looks to be the most troublesome to me."

"Yes indeed most certainly." agreed the Librarian. "That one is touched by the warp... demonically possessed. You could smell it like burning sulphur."

"I noted they are lightly armed. If we can form a barricade we should be able to take out a good number with gunfire."

"Well then keep an eye out. I must focus on the search. We are so very close now."

Ommegang dropped an automatic mine charge behind him as they continued through the tunnel. "A present for them plus it will alert us to their imminent approach."

They both grinned for a moment.

"How many rounds does your combi have?" Eustis asked Ommegang.

"The plasma barrel is fully charged."

+++ Aboard the Strike Cruiser Mourning's Glories +++
"My Lord we have detected the arming code for an Exterminatus level detonation from the planet surface." reported the navigator.

Goffenstein steepled his fingers together as he sat upon his command throne. "How long until detonation?"

"It could be anywhere from less than an hour to the next zenith. The signal is deeply coded and we can only partially decipher the binary signal."

"We must send an extraction team immediately. The Commissar is to head it." replied the Admiral.

"That's a death sentence." said the navigator.

Goffenstein bristled "Not necessarily. I have given the order now see to it." he snapped back.

"Aye my Lord it shall be done."

+++

Wubba came first around the bend in the tunnel. He had grown in stature since the first altercation levitating above the ground as he sped forward. His face took the form of a snarling wolf's head with row upon row of serrated fangs extended from his open jaws. Wubba howled like a Wolfkin as his serpentine eyes sighted the two Imperialis.

Ommegang lifted his combi plasmagun and slowly squeezed the doubled pair of triggers engulfing the possessed in a superheated blast of searing plasma. The Daemonic essence within Wubba flared to the surface soaking away the burning energy. Ommegang then struck the Wolf Brother across his skull with his thunderhammer. Wubba faltered for a moment then the daemonic quickening raced through his blood lifting his spirit. Ommegang's servo arm caught him by the neck slamming him hard into the wall. Wubba braced his muscles as he rebounded driving his lightning claws free from his gauntlets.

Ommegang head butted the possessed then smashed him again with a cuffed blow from his thunderhammer. The Wulfkin howled in frustration as his claws clattered harmlessly off the black plates of void hardened artificer armor. There came the sudden pain of the sharp blade of Eustis' force axe paring through Wubba's chaotic armor cutting effortlessly through the skin and sinking deep into the bone. The Librarian silently lipped the command phrase to activate his axe. Wubba felt his very soul begin to slip away sucked through the rend in his pierced armor. It happened almost instantaneously and then all that was left was the smoldering daemon within. It screamed like a wailing banshee smashing aside the Techmarine in a fit of bestial rage.

Eustis' eyes blazed red with psychic energy as he released an offensive spelling repelling the daemon. He heard Ommegang grunt as the Techmarine slowly lifted himself up. There was a wide crack in his chestplate and a pauldron had been torn loose. The Librarian's eyes blazed again as he cast an ancient spell of exorcism learnt long ago on Terra. The daemon hissed as it slapped him aside unraveling the spell in a fit of blind black rage. Eustis covered himself with a kine shield taking the brunt of the savage blow. ++ Get up Ommegang... I need you. ++ Suddenly the Techmarine was beside him again slamming down his thunderhammer double fisted square into the daemon's leering face. It fell back raking away chunks of the wall to stop its fall.

Again Eustis spoke the spell of exorcism. Ommegang threw himself in front of the daemon absorbing the next blow. The Librarian smiled as he felt a click within his brain as the trained neuronic pathway fired transmitting the spell into warp space. The daemon screamed as a warp hole opened sucking it from the very fabric of reality.

"Those daemons are tough." said Ommegang as he righted himself.

"Absolutely, yes indeed." agreed Eustis.

+++

Squee listened to the muffled sounds of the intense battle just outside the shut hatch door. She heard bolters thunder and chainswords cry. Suddenly there came a sucking sound along the seal of the hatch first pulling loose debris and dust through the cracks. It continued until Squee could hear the very air leeching through the rubber gasket. Clutching Fortius to her chest the young girl slowly backed away from the hatch as she felt the pressure begin to slightly lower and the temperature dipped. The hatch cringed as it started to buckle. One by one each bolt shot loose like a bullet fired from a gun ricocheting around inside the chamber. Involuntarily Squee generated a kine shield as a thin drop of bright red blood ran from one nostril. Finally the hatch moaned as it came loose imploding upon itself. Squee forced herself to relax as she focused on maintaining the barrier. She could feel the soft fur of the mouse nestled in her hands, it's whiskers brushing against the skin.

The large looming figure of a Space Marine superimposed itself within the void left behind by the destroyed hatch door. The Astartes wore bright red lacquered armor with bronze patterns of dragon interleaved along the surface. Half his face was bionic with a gleaming green eye lense fitted into the half face plate. His half mouth attempted to strike a smile but turned into what looked like a grimace. His gauntlets were open to either side as he levitated over the smoldering remains of burning debris. ++ Hello ++ he telepathectically spoke within Squee's mind. Polished gemstones embedded into his armor glowed. ++ I have come to take you away from this nightmare ++

"I don't know you." said Squee as she mentally bolstered her kine shield. "Don't talk inside my head."

"Like you I am a psyker. You are very young with little experience. Psychic powers are things such as you creating an invisible wall to protect yourself. It is very dangerous to use the gift untrained and you are at serious risk." said the Astartes.

"Who are you?" asked Squee.

"My name is Phobos. I am from an ancient Legion who mastered their psychic powers. We can help you learn how to use yours safely. You will be with others like you.

"Those outside want you for their own purposes... It won't be pleasant if you are taken by either party. I won't force you to come with me. It's your choice." said Phobos.

"This world is going to die along with everyone on it." said Squee.

Phobos looked around the chamber intently taking in everything quickly. "You've armed the Extermantius protocol. If you come with me there is still time." His half face softened a bit and his half lips formed a true smile.

"There is somebody else who came to save me and I trust them. I must talk to him first before i can decide." said Squee.

Another image began to project through the barrier entering the chamber. A large pair of wings unfolded revealing the astral projection sent forward by Ustis. He had adopted the form of the a Griffon again snarling its gaping beak in a psychic shriek directed at the Thousand Son. It blasted the Sorcerer knocking loose dust from the ancient armor. ++ Step away from the child ++ Ustis shrieked again knocking down Phobos for a moment. ++ Now ++

The Sorcerer's half mouth turned into a downward arc as he frowned. He stretched out his arms letting forked bolts of lightning play between the fingertips of his gauntlets. Phobos struck like a hammer directing at thought blast at the Griffon. Ustis closed his wings shielding himself from the attack.

"Please stop fighting!" cried Squee. Tears ran down her cheeks as she huddled in a corner. "I'm scared and you've frightened Fortius."

Slowly the apparition of the Griffon unfolded dissolving back through the barrier. Phobos stood alone.

Phobos contained his psychic energies turning to look back. He found the room empty. The countdown timer began to rise in volume as it ticked off the final moments. Warning klaxons chimed in as the barrier opened revealing the tunnel opening leading up to the chamber. Outside was empty as well except for the wind caused by the exchange in temperature. Phobos pulled forth his auspex and looked upon the glowing green screen. There was no sign of any life nearby.

Phobos incanted the spell of levitation quickly guiding himself towards the summoning node. Klaxons mounted every 20 meters were pulsing with the doomsday alarm. "Maybe it had all been a trap." he thought to himself as the walls began to vibrate and cracks appeared rupturing through the surface. A huge piece of masonry came loose from the ceiling nearly crashing into him. Phobos shut out the external sounds and touched a chakra gaining a deep reserve of energy. His form sped like a bullet guided through the maze of death.

As Phobos finally made his approach to the point of egress the ceiling buckled and caved in around him drowning out the sounds of the wailing klaxons. The summoning point was so close but barricaded by the large falling debris. The Sorcerer spun in place shifting from one side of the panel to the other avoiding the rain of sudden death. A point of light emitted before him like a single ray of light cutting through a dense cloud in the night. Quickly it expanded opening into a cone of safety shielding him from ruin. A gloved hand emerged from the opening. ++ Take my hand ++ came the soft telepathic voice. Phobos reached out and grasped it hard with his bionic hand. The grip was surprisingly strong pulling him up into the cone of light. Once within the sounds of the explosions attenuated until there was utter silence. He looked up into the emerald eyes of a beautiful young woman clad in a tight black body suit staring down upon him. Long red hair floated around Her face framing it like a nimbus. ++ Who are you ++

Phobos crosses over the inner portal of the boundary finding himself in a strange new surrounding. The female stands off surrounded by a cadre of Astartes clad in black plate and wear the emblazoned icon of the Deathwatch upon their shoulderpads. One of the Marines towers over the rest with a servo arm attached to his backpack. There is also an old Commissar wearing an eye patch and fitted with a bionic arm. The female has a silver pendant with the symbol of the Inquisition embossed pinned to her stiff collar. It was the same one worn by the girl he suddenly remembers...

++ It is I, Squee... I remember your words rung of truth and compassion that fell day upon the tomb world... You meant your best in your own way... So I vowed to come back amd save you when I could ++

Squee extends her gloved hand towards a contraption looking somewhat similar to a teleporter.

++ Much time has passed since then... A beacon has been armed to call your cabal here... My party and I will be long gone by the time they arrive... Do not attempt to follow and do not mistake compassion for weakness... I could have left you there but chose to ignore the warnings from brother Ustius. We now have a secret we share and my favor is done ++

Thoughtful...

It can end now or move on to the part 2. What I can say is it will only get better if there is some interest.

Thanks for the comment - it means a lot.

Part 2!

You got it !!!

 Dozer Blades wrote:
You got it !!!

Yay!

Part 2 Ancient Terror

The Storm Eagle gunship slipped through the low clouds cutting through the deep valley running between the high snow capped mountains. The air was frigid and frost covered the ground. The gunship was pitch black with no identification markings. It's VTOL engines righted themselves as the Storm Eagle came to a rest hovering in place beside an ancient ruined temple. Slowly the boarding plank lowered and a party made their way down. Squee wore a crafted mask covering her face. Beside her were members of the Deathwatch kill team including the Librarian Eustis and Techmarine Ommegang. Two of the Astartes carried plasmaguns.

"This is where it started." said Squee. Skulls taken from eldar had big bronze spikes driven through them securing them across the closest wall of the temple. Broken pieces of Wraithbone littered the ground providing an eerie psychic residue.

Hmmmm... What s change?!

You'll have to keep reading to find out.

Inquisitor Squee strode into the outer confines of the temple. Ommegang monitored his auspex closely watching for any sign of life. The two Deathwatch Marines armed with the plasmaguns moved forward switching over to auto fire mode. The air was still freezing cold. Hoarfrost covered the ground sparkling under the moonlight. Squee stepped inside the temple passing through the broken doorway.

An Aspect shrine stood in the center with the armored suit of a Striking Scorpion mounted upon the tomb wall. The surface of the armor constantly changed colors attempting to blend into the ambient background. The Scorpion's Claw laid at its side open and unfurled.

The rest of the kill team entered the temple surrounding the suit of alien armor. "Kasun Meh." said Squee through her face mask in perfectly spoken eldar dialect.

The lenses of the Scorpion helm began to glow red and the claw limbered.

Some of the Deatwatch were placing down motion sensors and other recording devices. The hover of the Storm Eagle just above the temple was deafening and dust knocked loose fell from the ceiling creating a dreary mist playing through the midnight twilight like a ghostly mist. "It's an Exarch suit." said the Inquisitor into her comm bead.

"Be careful." replied Eustis. "They can be quite deadly."

++ Then we must remove the sting ++

Suddenly the Scorpion thrashed about as the suit's color changed to livid green. Faster than the blink of an eye the Aspect freed itself from the shrine bolting into a living ram. Precision shot plasma crossfire clipped it cutting a burning groove across the brow of its tall helm. "Don't destroy it unless absolutely necessary!" commanded Squee.

I thought Squee was a cute little girl!

Author's Note

The second part of the story takes place roughly 20-30 years in the future. Squee has been trained by Ordos Xenos to control and refine her psychic powers. She has reached the level of an Inquisitor and the kill team from part one is her retinue along with the Commissar.

Let me know if you have any questions.

I see.

The Exarch's mandiblasters came online targeting the Inquisitor as it quickly closed the distance between them. Squee imagined a superheated forge blazing as her body automatically stiffened. The Mandiblaster shells ricocheted off into a random wall stitching it apart. Squee levitated up into the air spiraling over the Exarch just as it drew into striking range. The Aspect countered by running up the wall then launching itself into a tight spiraling course towards her like a heat seeking missile... Sensing the sure kill then realizing it was passing through her body just like thin air.

ooooh...

One of the Deathwatch fired a snare catching the Scorpion by surprise. The net constricted dropping its prey upon the floor. It fought with all its strength as the kill team watched the Exarch rolling back and forth in a fit of great anxiety. Squee put her boot against its neck shooting a heavily drugged dose from her needle pistol. The dart punctured through the armor piercing through the skin. The Scorpion fought the venom but slowly lost its vigor then collapsed.

Yes... Get 'em!

"I am detecting an inbound eldar warhost approaching the immediate area." said Ommegang.

"Load the xenos onboard the Storm Eagle." ordered the Inquisitor. "Make haste."

Quick! Run!!!

The air above began to stir as swollen shapes of eldar dropships loomed down. A gigantic war construct came crashing down landing close to the kill team as the last of them were boarding into the Storm Eagle. The hatch folded into itself and the gunship pivoted in place firing lsscannons and missiles into the Wraiightknight. Chunks of armor exploded as the missiles struck at point blank range gutting the war construct helmet which held the eldar pilot inside. The Wraithknight stumbled then toppled over. "Everybody strap in tight." said Eustis. The Storm Eagle ascended vertically into the cloud cover.

+++

Ulthwe Crone World

There was a low under lying hum to the wraith tombs. Left unguarded. A wraith tower loomed above the graves reaching into the pitch black sky. The wraith constructs lay within their unworldly graves devoid of any feeling. The paths to the webway portals had been sanctioned preventing any from entering the void tombs.

A lone figure entered the dire scape cowled in umbrance of death.

The figure had emerged from the hatch of a freshly fallen life pod. Lingering trails of death shrouded it as it made its way amongst the specter tombs.

Hmmm...

"They say you can't see the coming evil in a child when it's born." said the assassin. "How could they have not seen it in you though?" She stood silently beside the grave of Eldrad. Her boot sole scuffed the packed dirt. "The tarot portended I'd be betrayed by a comrade here... So I came alone."

There came the dull throbbing hum of a warp gate opening granting egress into the crone world. Stepping back into the shadows the assassin blended into the background hidden within the dark shadows. Thunder rumbled overhead as the storm came casting shards of frozen hail down. The icy wind cut like a knife with the howl of a crazed banshee. The first of the seer council stepped across the boundary entering real space and time. The Warlock drew its singing spear holding it forth like a vile serpent uncoiled and ready to strike. More Warlocks followed in its path circling around the open portal. Finally the four Farseers appeared each accessing their immediate environment.

A sudden bolt of lightning flashed illuminating the hidden figure of the Cullexus assassin. The seer council immediately knew collectively they had been compromised. The psychic conduit through which they communicated was filled with interference separating them from one another. The Cullexus drew forth a gloved fist revealing serrated metal claws which she wrapped tightly around the ghost helm of the closest farseer. They felt powerless and despondent. The claws quickly cut through the wraithbone like paper then penetrated the skull slicing through the grey matter. Flicking her claws to rid them of the brain the assassin moved in silence towards her next victim. The Warlock screamed in abject terror attempting to back away but the Cullexus was much too fast driving the sharp tips of the claws deep into the gut then severing the spinal cord just about the pelvis. The Warlock seemed to separate and the scream was silenced by the rising howl of the wind.

Wow!!! Man, are culexus assassins that strong?!

Easily !

So, they can defeat Space Marines?

With one blow.

What about a titan?

Whipping her pistol from its holster the Cullexus first targeted another Warlock putting a single round cleanly through one eye hole of its ghost helm exploding out through the back of the mask. She then turned in place fanning the pistol blowing out the kneecaps of the second Farseer then gutted the last Warlock. The Cullexus holstered the pistol as she walked towards the crippled seer.

The assassin stood before the last seer looking down upon it. The Farseer could feel the anti psychic charge spilling off the Cullexus. It felt like heat waves pouring off her slowly starting to cook his skin. Reaching down the assassin pulled the ghost helm loose throwing it to the side. "I want to see what you look like." she said. The heat continued to intensify and the seer could feel it's skin starting to shrivel and flake away. His tongue swoll filling his mouth. The pain was incredible.

Ouch!!!

+++ Onboard the Battle Barge Reclaimed Vengeance ++

Squee watched in complete silence as the medical sevitors completed the operation fitting the cyber brain into the hollowed out skull of the Striking Scorpion Exarch. A long pair of shiny prongs deftly fitted the organ inside the cranium. The facial muscles of the eldar twitched involuntarily as it lay still upon the operating plank. It's brain had been carefully removed and sacked in an open incinerator leaving nothing left, not even a single ash. Blood smeared swabs covered it's face as they servitors began to stitch the skin back again leaving no scars.

Oh! Man, this is brutal! Just like the Imperium.

+++ Just prior to the air drop on Crone world X9 +++

Sergeant Gannon of the Howling Griffons first company quickly looked down upon the pendant given to him by his mother just prior to leaving for the rituals of initiation. She had said it would offer protection and help keep him alive in the most trying of times. The silver pendant had been crafted into the shape of the imperial aquila with bright red rubies for the eyes. Gannon had never seen her again after that evening nor knew her fate. He lifted his thunderhammer testing its weight. His gigantic shield rest upon his other arm.

The female inquisitor stood upon a stool so she could see over the podium at the front of the vast drop chamber at the bottom of the stormbird. Her voice was strong and carried. A rare bird indeed thought the terminator sergeant. He felt a sudden pulse as the drop ship let loose a salvo of ordnance to soften the enemy just prior to the drop. The many Marines all held up their right fist and banged them upon their chests in unison with the Inquisitor. Her speech was quite powerful and striring. They then began to stomp their boots in place upon the flooring in anticipation.

Aaaah...

Sergeant Gannon remembered his pre combat briefing. The Howling Griffons first company had been selected for the mission by the highest ranking members of Ordos Xenos. Inquisitor Squee debriefed him along with several other officers. The Deathwatch Librarian Eustis stood beside her wearing a suit of black terminator armor along with another Librarian from the Blood Angels chapter. The son of Sanguinius wore a white cowl draped over his bare head which cast dark shadows across his face and his eyes blazed like lightning from time to time. His force staff rest upon his ornate shoulderpad gripped by his large bare hands. Squee told them his name... Erastus.

They would first pummel the ancient eldar city with massive amounts of ordnance from apogee surrounding the old crone world followed by a swift assault to finish off any survivors. Later he remembered watching the flares erupting across the planet surface from the flight deck of the stormbird. He couldn't imagine much that could survive such a savage pounding but the eldar were survivors if nothing else. They would take nothing for granted. Every last eldar must die.

One by one the large party stepped onto the teleporter chamber each close beside each other. The Techmarine Ommegang personally manned the control station saluting them as he began the ritual of teleportation. Gannon could feel the tingling buzz as the teleporter warmed up. Particle by sub atomic particle was unfolded and separated into a photon beam. His mind went suddenly blank. He was used to the experience having teleported into battle so many times.

The teleportation beam rolled over the battle debris focusing on a spot of open ground beside a burning edifice. One by one each of the Howling Griffon terminators slowly materialized. They had been chosen to serve the campaign due to the high grade of Martian earthstone used to fabricate their armor. The heavy metal was quite rare and had proven to be resistant to psychic maledictions. The helardly of the standard bearer lofted up displaying the ancient melee griffon standing erect, its claws dug into Terrain soil. The last of the ten man squad appeared and they formed into a circle holding up their broad stormshields. Next the two Librarians materialized then finally Inquisitor Squee. The air was heavy with burning ash and explosions were all but continuous appearing in the not too distant horizon.

Cool!

"Look to the east." said Squee. The Imperial war party turned in perfect unison to see a troupe of Harlequins bounding over the wasted debris quickly converging on their location.

"The enemy can see us uncloaked. We have trained many times for this engagement." said Erastus. The Harlequins continuously morphed into one bright shape after another and their masks took on terrifying forms. "Close your eyes and keep them shut. Use your other senses as we trained you."

Sergeant Gannon closed his eyes. He could immediately sense the troupe, the enemy was only one bound away. His mind focused hard as he dropped down into combat stance. This had been portended by the Inquisitor. Suddenly they were surrounded on all sides and some of the more daring Harlequins leapt inside their circle. The xenos moved so fast it was impossible to track them. It seemed like an age for him to lift his hammer and it came down slowly striking the Shadowseer squarely across its midsection. The head of the hammer exploded pulverizing the xenos instantly.

The Blood Angel made a sudden move bursting at amazing speed matching then exceeding the surrounding Harlequins. His staff came about like the talon of a mantis. One by one it cut through one Harlequin after another. The outer tip of the staff traced a jagged line like a bolt of unbound lightning. Eustis released a nova catching the enemy off guard. Gannon could sense the xenos dissolving until none were left.

"Perfect." whispered Squee as Gannon opened his eyes again.

The Imperial war party repulsed several consecutive strikes from the Harlequin war host. Finally the Harlequins were slaughtered to the last Mime...

Squee lead them through the burning wreckage. The dual Suns blazed in the sky, one to the east rising and one to the west descending. The eldar were utterly defeated not one left alive. Ahead they spied a rising zenith on the horizon. Totems were lined up one after another with polished skulls of the fallen laid from top to bottom. As they reached the inner sanctum the immediate area grew silent. They saw a high throne forged from gleaming bronze and upon it sat a giant.

"I am the Skulltaker." said the Khorne Herald. To either side stood a Bloodthirster, their wings extended fully erect. Rank and file of many many Bloodletters crouched down upon the steely floors of the open Chaos temple. "Welcome to your doom. There is no turning back now."

Suddenly the skies grew dark until purely pitch black as Imperial ordnance rained down upon the unholy temple. One explosion after another tore through the very fabric of reality and the near by web way portals collapsed one after another. The ordnance continued to drop in a crescendo blotting out all other sound in a hyper sonic assault.

Finally the assault came to an end. The very air vibrated pulsing with livid energies from the bombing. There sat the Skulltaker still surrounded by his host of greater daemons. "We are cut from the fabric of the warp."

to the last mime? Like that one a lot.

"We must attack immediately." said Eustis. "Before the fodder of their lesser daemons can reform again in the material plane."

One of the two greater daemons launched up into the blood red sky. It carried a huge double headed axe and soared up above them. The Khorne Herald had left its throne and was mounting a metallic behemoth snorting gouts of super heated flame from its nostrils. It drew a long double edged sword brandishing it by its side. The Skulltaker grinned for a brief moment then spurred its mount lurching forward.

Inquisitor Squee stood still inside her shielded bodyguard. Her mind grew cold as ice as she touched the warp. Hoarfrost spread along the ground surrounding the Imperial war party and icicles grew long sinking down from the trailing edges of their stormshields. Squee reached into the frigid ether groping at a confluence of energy. She felt deep pain wracking through her body and grew stiff as the warp began to channel through her blossoming up above. A pinpoint of blackness appeared just above them then slowly opened into a vortex of doom as the soaring Bloodthirster shot down from the sky like a lightning bolt. Blood dripped from the Inquisitor's left nostril and her aretcic vein throbbed. The vortex snapped up like a fly trap capturing the greater daemon. It's mighty runes etched deeply into its bronzed armor glowed in an attempt to disrupt the vortex but they were not enough to overcome the ancient doom.

Brother Eustis turned to look down upon the Inquisitor. Squee looked wilted and her face was drawn tight. "That was very powerful my friend." he said softly to her as he gently placed an arm around her for support.

"Look to the temple." said Sergeant Gannon. The air seemed to shimmer and swell.

"Daemonkin are inbound." Erastus snorted. "I sense they are channeled through the other greater daemon. It must be excised from the physical realm." The Blood Angel then leapt towards the temple in one bound landing upon it.

Nice. Love the detail.

Erastus landed hard vaulting straight at the Bloodthirster. The greater daemon was amused "So brazenly wanting your death... Khorne would take you." Swinging it's long flail the razors wrapped tightly around both of the outstretched arms of the Blood Angel. Erastus grunted as the heavy metal began to slice though the armor like foil then straight through his flesh and bone. The Bloodthirster laughed again in a taunting way then it noticed the Librarian was not fitted with any of the typical psychic paraphernalia normally fitted for the Astartes.

Erastus grunted again as the ends of his arms hit the deck, his gauntlets clutching at empty air. His visage boiled as waves of pure hatred shimmered off his blood red armor, gouts of blood spurting from his open bleeding elbows. The air grew super heated boiling away any trace of blood then the greater daemon watched intently in silence as quickly molecule by molecule the fallen limbs dispersed then re assembled back in place.

Erastus frowned as he struck out with his force axe cleaving through the Bloodthirster's armor. Spinning in place he showed the back of his neck. There were two gaping holes at the base showing white spine. "Once upon a time that is where the butcher's nails resided." The head of the force axe struck upwards with blinding speed catching the greater daemon upon the chin.

The Howling Griffons started to spill over onto the temple floor as Eustis levitated them up and over the barricade. Skulltaker was nowhere to be seen. The remaining Bloodthirster roared in frustration stranded by itself. Squee generated a kine shield to buff the terminators' stormshields. Sergeant Gannon watched intently as Erastus fought the greater daemon.

"Erastus you are a World Eater!" shouted the last Bloodthirster.

Bolts of lightning shot from the stretched fingertips of the Crimson Librarian, his eyes were pure black. "I was but Angron is a traitor. The Emperor guides my hand. The Aquila fills my soul. The Heretic must be purged." Erastus phased through the greater daemon distorting it's temporal placement within the corporeal bounds of finite reality.

"Angron was betrayed."

"He is insane and always was. This is for the betrayed at Ivstann."

Erastus pulled the greater daemon through the warp hole with him as they abruptly vanished from the corporeal plane of existence. They shimmered in the warp casting black shadows across each other. Untold numbers of daemonic lesser entities filled the void bristling around the astral form of the Bloodthirster. "You have sacrificed yourself." it said, it deep voice resonating across the frozen vacuum.

"I have been here before." replied Erastus as he projected an interlocking series of kine shields cutting his astral projection off from the daemons.

"You are one of us." said the Bloodthirster. "We here are all denizens of the warp. You know it well... Embrace your true inner being."

"Angron saw to it all his Librarians were slain during the Heresy. Whilst it is true there is a small part of me that is like you all that really matters it what's in your heart and mind." replied Erastus.

The greater daemon suppressed a snarl. "You have set yourself apart. Khorne would have you by his side. Exceptions can be made for true champions such as yourself."

There was a sudden flash of ectoplasmic energy as the Librarian unleashed a mountain of rage consuming all the lesser daemons. "I am the hand of the Emperor!"

"Now there is just you and I." said Erastus across the frozen void. "Because there is a part of me like you I can affect you unlike other psykers... And I will." The Librarian cleared his throat then continued. "You were happy enough to try taking my arms from me - and then you dare to offer me an alliance? Don't insult me again." Erastus focused his mind visualizing a storm of utter destruction.

"I did not know how empty was my soul until it was filled by the light of the Emperor."

The Bloodthirster frowned. "So be it lackey. You shall know my unbound rage!"

Khaban the Bloodthirster watched as the astral projection of Erastus transformed into a golden angel casting a bright crimson hue that transfixed the darkness. Waves of unbridled energy poured off the angelic form.

The warp grew even colder until all residual matter in the surrounding area collapsed. There was only the frozen pitch black and the shining angel. Khaban could feel the hate coming off the golden armor in intense waves that rivaled even that of the Blood God. It seeped into the core of his very being tearing at the interwoven layers of ectoplasmic fabric. Khaban felt pain for the first time and roared in anger.

"Right is might!" came the cherubic voice which filled the void like a choir.

The greater daemon gathered itself and soared up towards the angelic form lashing at it with his long flail. The spiked chains passed harmlessly through the spectral form. Khaban gnashed his fangs grinding them in angst and frustration feeling trapped by the clasping grasp of the holy light burning away at his very being then all went dark.

Part 3 The Ancient

Erastus gathered himself as his astral form collected again. The warp region was devoid except for himself. He spied a hidden beacon emanating nearby. His form flowed through the ether as he moved closer to investigate. It was a doorway to another realm. Focusing his mind once more he sent a short message back to the Imperial war party and then waited.

+++

"Contact has been established with Erastus." said Eustis over the cyphered vox channel. "It is time to prepare the Infinity Gate." Eustis paused for a moment to collect his thoughts after scrying into the void. "The portal has been located. We must hurry while the warp is still."

Immediately the Howling Griffons began their true work laboring to construct the teleporting device, taking the delicate parts from hidden casks they carried. It was quickly assembled.

Squee dropped to a knee running her gloved fingers over the runes of teleport array. "The Infinity Gate creates a tunnel through both time and space to any other point including parallel universes. Through this dark technology we can cross over the warp and arrive at the location Erastus has found. It is the entrance to an ancient city that existed aeon upon untold aeon before the time of man. Legend shrouded in secrecy tells of an elder race composed of great beings that once controlled this very universe."

"We will carry the body of Erastus so he can be reunited with his soul. Sergeant Gannon has selected his brethren that will accompany us on this journey." said Eustis. "The rest will remain to guard the Infifinity Gate so that we can return."

+++

The Infinity Gate was fully assembled and Squee began to enter the coordinates for the jump location. The runes flashed red at first then began to glow pulsating in a spectrum of throbbing dull blue. Emerald colored rays flashed out shooting up into the night sky. "We will have to enter two at a time in pairs. You will arrive just inside the portal. Remember that traveling via the gate can cause momentary confusion and even a brief loss of some memory. Once you have crossed over the threshold into the forbidden city wait there for the rest of us to arrive. Brother Eustis will cross over first with Erastus' body." instructed the Inquisitor.

The Doom Warrior bent over lifting up the body of the Blood Angel then stepped through the boundary consumed by the contained ether. The rest of the party watched in utter silence as Eustis began to slowly dissolve disappearing from their view.

+++

Eustis fetl his body deconstructed by the gate each molecule separated and channeled into a beam shot across the void. His self sense was ripped apart and he lost all sensation. The Tachyon beam breached through the ether piercing the warp and lanced through the remote portal. One by one each particle of his being was re assembled at the subatomic level seamlessly reconstructing his physical self. Eustis' mind re awoke. His mind was clear and there was no disorientation.

A tightly gripped gauntlet clutched at his arm violently. Eustis turned to see Erastus looking him squarely in the face. "This place will be the death of us. It is corrupt and filled with a panoply of hatred. We must turn back now and abort the mission. Nothing good will come from this unholy ground. I have studied the murals here. The elder race we came here to investigate is mad beyond our collective level of reasoning. It is perverse. Failure is imminent. We must turn back now."

"Time is nonlinear when gating. I have been waiting for your arrival for over fifty years. A ghost amongst the ambient residual core left here by the ancients. You come in search of knowledge and secrets. You will find only horror and sheer madness. I stole myself away mediating upon nothingness to steel my mind. The Infinity Gate was a gift from my Chapter to aid you upon your quest. There is still time to avert the imminent disaster. Heed my words and warn the rest. I am departing now. We have no business here." Erastus frowned then donned his helm stepping away back towards the portal. His shape became fluid like quicksilver seeping into the core of the portal and then he was gone.

+++

Inquisitor Squee listened intently as Eustis debriefed her. "It would be akin to heresy to leave now that we just arrived. Blood Angels are well known for their brashness. We can't really confirm anything Erastus told you." she replied.

"He seemed quite sincere and I sensed nothing wrong in his psyche." Eustis said. "We should at the very least take some precaution."

"You are old and wise my mentor." Squee smiled. "The potential we can unlock here is unknowable. Many would give their very lives to be here amongst us. We come in search of things to aid the Imperium and weapons to defeat our enemies."

One of the newly arrived Howling Griffons approached them. The terminator was bare headed and had a solemn look. "Sergeant Gannon is not well." he said.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Squee.

"The sergeant is in a state of unconsciousness and cannot be awoken." said Brother Asche.

"It is said that the fell powers of Chaos originated from this very place." said Squee. "Unlike Eratus I have no qualms or fear. My faith is true."

Eustis spoke out "Our faith is what sets us apart and our belief in the divine cleanses us. That said Squee do not be so rash to dismiss what the Blood Angel told us. If not for him we would have never reached here. You saw what he accomplished and his faith is strong too. I am with you all the way but it's prudent not to be overly zealous. Our faith will be put to the test. A little wisdom can go a long way." Eustis bowed his head and made the sign of the Aquila. "I will be beside you every step of the way. We are not fanatics nor were we ever. We are here to observe and report back what we experience."

"We must journey now to the very heat of this ancient city." said Squee.

They took a moment to look around and absorb the immediate area. A shelf of high mountains capped in snow bordered the furthest region. The land was broken and covered in a thin dust of ground bone. A whirling mosaic of silver mirrored images broke the surface in a long slow spiral progressing towards the outline of a sunken cityscape several miles off towards the distant horizon.

"My eyes are blind." said Gannon. The terminator sergeant was reawakened standing on the outer edge of the spiral path. "The Emperor took my sight so I cannot see the evil here. I will fight though."

"What do you see Sergeant?" asked the Inquisitor.

"Nothing." said Gannon. "You will learn to smell it too soon enough. It is all that is here."

The search party marched along the spiral trail into the heart of the descending darkness. Silent arcs of forked lightning flashed across the the heavy voided ceiling. The path lead them past of the remains of others who had come and perished. There were the remains of eldar and fallen legion. The dead had been flayed apart and scattered beside the sparkling path. The broken armor of Death Guard lay transfixed upon toppled pillars. Their helmets were cracked open exposing parched skulls. A filigreed force stave of heavy iron was wrapped around a crooked crossbar.

There a came a heavy voice that sounded like gravel from just beyond the steep hill covered in glittering gemstone. "Who comes?"

Squee quickly looked up at Eustis silencing him with her hooded eyes. "We are from the Inperium of mankind." she said.

"Many others of your race have come before you. Identify yourself."

"I am Inquistor Squee and this is the Librarian Eustis of the Doom Warriors." Squee then named those of the Howling Griffons in attendance. "We are members of the Ordo Xenos, an organisation known as the Imperial Inquisition.

"Who are you?" asked Squee.

"I am the Guardian." said the voice then a gigantic being covered in a tattered trailing cowl rose up on top of the hillock. "Other races have come and it has never ended well either. What do you want and why are you here?"

"I am not here to answer questions. I am here on a quest I was trained to succeed. My mind is focused like a laser beam so I can eradicate any enemy. You are xenos... You are scum!" Squee's voice took on the tone of command. "The enemy must be eliminated." A fusion beam suddenly erupted from a digital ring the Inquisitor wore breaking the thin artificial seal. The beam cut through the center of the hill vaporizing the top. Huge fragments exploded hazing the immediate area. Squee self levitated moving to the the forward point of her party. "If you are not with me you are against me."

"Puny impudent female." replied the Guardian. "You are overconfident... Like the others who came here before you in search of whatever it is you think you need. You will find only pain and death." The giant lifted a palm and in response the ground exploded all around sending the Deathwatch apart like rampant beings.

Eustis immediately leveled the team riding through the shockwaves. "You too have much to learn." The Librarian answered in return simultaneously ricocheting back the energy blast. For a moment the Guardian was obscured but only briefly re-appearing in full strident return. Eustis floated up swiftly like a bird of prey circling the predator.

The giant stumbled then automatically self righted.

The Guardian

"I can tell you what you find here." said the Guardian as it unclasped it humongous fists. "The Illuminati are long since deceased. Their spoils of war cover the city grounds towering and spilling into their abandoned palaces. All who have come before you died horrible deaths worse than anything you could ever imagine. There are things here left behind you could never even imagine and drove many to sheer madness."

"Our minds are steel traps." countered Squee. "We come not for ourselves but for the benefit of our race. We are incorruptible."

The Guardian guffawed unleashing ionized energy beams from his outstretched hands. Squee immediately reacted raising a kineshield that encompasses her party. They could feel the acid heat from the attack as it leeched through the psychic ether working its way quickly down upon them.

"This place is sealed off from the warp." the Guardian said through a sneer. "Soon the residual vestiges of your psychic battery will be gutted dry."

"Yet brother Erastus claims to have waited 50 years for our arrival." said Eustis. "His power level never waning."

"Attack!" came the cry from sergeant Gannon. The blind terminator lead his men in a shield wall counter formation striking at the Guardian. Their thunderhammers rose in perfectly timed unison then descended punching into the enemy. The Guardian ended his immediate attack gathering his hands into a pair of humongous fists crashing against the raised stormshields. The punches boomed like thunder thwarted by the shields then the Howling Griffons swung again in counter attack.

Inquisitor Squee focused upon an ancient lore no longer practiced in modern times. Her brow broke in sweat and her eye grew pure white as she silently mouthed the words. The enemy began to shimmer as his form started to buckle from within. Striking with renewed vigor the thunderhammers blunted against the giant's skull denting the hardened brow. Eustis drew his force axe swinging the head between the giant's eyes splitting the dense skull.

The Guardian moaned then burst apart spraying the area with long thick ropey tendrils of slick black ectoplasm. Eustis snapped his fingers setting the emulsion on fire burning it to ash. "It was not humanoid." said Eustis knocking the spent ash from his armor. "It took our form to fool us."

"Let us continue onward." Squee replied. "Fear not the monstrosity's retorts. We have come this far. Look upon the barren grounds of those before whom were slain."

The kill team took time to check their armor for any damage and rest a moment from the incursion. Sergeant Gannon squatted and made a silent prayer to the Emperor. The sky was the hue of soft red with no clouds. A silky breeze blew blowing small clouds of dust about the path.

++ Some time passes as the kill team journeys further towards the lost city. The path is open and they meet with no further resistance finally arriving at the outer boundary of the city ++

"My sight had returned but it is not like before." said Sergeant Gannon.

"How is it different?" asked brother Eustis.

"I can see into things now and the true nature is revealed." Gannon replied.

"You have changed." said Squee. "There has been a transformation."

"This is possibly what Erastus warned me about prior to his departure." Eustis walked over looking directly into the sergeant's eyes. There was a dull glow from within and the orbs were bronzed over. "While I sense no immediate taint this could be a direct effect of the warp."

"I am true to the Emperor." replied Gannon steadfastly. "My soul is pure."

"We have no experience in this realm and do not know how it can affect us. Obviously this change must have come about due your exposure here." Eustis turned to face the rest of the Howling Griffons. "Does anyone else feel affected or different in any way?"

The veterans all shook their heads in unison.

"Tell me what you see when you look at me." said the Inquisitor to Gannon.

"I see what I have always known. You are strong willed and fully believe in yourself with absolutely no doubt whatsoever. Your will is adamantium to all others."

"We will have to keep a close watch on Gannon." Squee spoke telepathically to Eustis. "This does not bode well."

"Finally some doubt?" questioned the Librarian.

"There is no doubt in my mind but taking cautionary measures is obvious. I sense this is only the beginning of the sergeant's transformation."

"Maybe it would be better to give him the Emperor's blessing now." said Eustis.

"We don't know for sure how his battle brothers would react and I sense they trust him... They have served together for well 100 years."

Eustis closed the secret conversation "Keep an eye on him at all times. If you sense danger you know what to do."

"Someone or something is headed our way." said the Howling Griffon named Axel.

Everyone turned to see the shrouded figure of a large man approaching them. The sun was low casting a dark shadow across the figure obscuring him.

"Who goes there?" said Axel in a hard grunt.

"My name is Argobeth." replied the stranger. He was no more than 15 meters away having come over a hillock that had obscured his approach. As he stepped closer the image presented was that of a Space Wolf with a long white beard carrying a staff. His face was covered in runes tattooed across his brow and cheeks, his face had a deep dark tan and his eyes sparkled soft brown.

"Halt." said Gannon. "He is not what he seems."

"I have chosen to take a form that Is familiar to you to help set you at ease. I have much to tell. It has been a long long time since any outsiders made it this close to the cityscape. I come in peace."

Squee rested her gloved hand on the grip of her inferno pistol. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"It is something we have never known before my Inquisitor." Gannon bursted forth. "I can see you no longer trust me implicitly as once you did but heed my words and be cautious with this creature. It is something totally different than what we just fought but it is also extremely dangerous."

"I thank you personally for having bested the Guardian. I know it was no small task." said Argobeth as he ever so slightly bent a knee. "There is much I have to tell. You have eradicated a construct recreated by themselves to maintain the demise of our master race when in fact they were originally created to serve us. I am the last of my kind and will share with you everything I know. Come with me and I will show you."

Squee smiled. "Can you tell me what is this?" The Inquisitor drew forth a long tuff of black fur knotted to a golden broach. Casually she tossed it to Argobeth.

Argobeth caught the trinket with a gauntleted hand turning it over as he examined it. His eyes drew slant for a moment. "I can't say."

"It was taken from a demonically possessed member of the Wolf Brother known as Wubba. They were the only successors of the Space Wolves which you have taken as your guise. I have no love for them myself even though they are one of the more well known Chapters of the Astartes. Personally I find them quite duplicitous and cunning. They are not to be trusted by any outside their clan. Of all the Chapters they in fact have the highest number of those that fell turning to the unholy path of Chaos." Squee held out her gloved hand with the palm up. "Return it to me."

Argobeth tossed it back. "You will come to know why I took this form soon enough. I apologize it's not to your liking but heed you not to take it as a negative sign. If you like I can take another form."

"I don't care how you look." Squee replied. "It is your manner that concerns me."

+++ A long time ago when Brother Eustis was a young Doom Warrior just attaining the junior rank of Librarian... Fighting in the Crimean campaign against Black Legion. The vast bulk of the war was fought in the blazing sands of the Pandemnic Desert. There was an uneasy alliance with the Black Wolf Great Company of the Space Wolves. Rumors spread amongst the Doom Warriors that a good number of the wolves had turned traitor rather than die after being cornered by the Black Legion vanguard. To make worse the Wolf Lord had slain the Doom Warriors' Chaplain in an honor duel. Eustis is called upon to make things right...

Eustis coolly looked Vonegan in the eye. "It was an honor duel, which you lost then killed our Chaplain Kessel. I have been told the killing blow came when his back was turned. Kessel drew first blood." Eustis lifted his helmet over his bare head then let it drop. The gorgets hissed as they automatically interlocked into the armored neck plate. Next he drew his force axe igniting the fractal edges. "I can sense your shame."

Vonegan bared his fangs. "Don't be rash Doom Warrior! Kessel met his match for once. His death was inevitable." The Wolf Guard ran his tongue over his fangs. He could still taste the hot bile. "We were insulted and Kessel paid the price."

"Our Chaplain won the duel splitting your left cheek then you stabbed him the very moment he turned his back." Eustis read Vonegan's mind replaying the tragic event. "There will be justice here and now." Blue flame erupted along the edges of the force axe and sizzled.

"Why can't you just let it go?" Vonegan was almost shouting he spoke so loud. "Must I slay yet another Doom Warrior? It is our honor at stake not yours." His eyes blazed as he spoke.

"The transgression will not go unaccounted." Eustis dropped to one knee then righted himself. "To the death."

"You have a death wish." snarled Vonegan. "We are surrounded by the worst of the traitors and this is what you. You are sowing the seeds of our own destruction." The Wolf Guard's pointed fangs projected from his lips glistening under the full moon. "I apologize for the death of your Chaplain. We wolves, we never apologize but there you have it. My battle lust got the better of me." His eyes grew slanted and the irises dilated shining like black polished metal.

"Honor comes before everything else." said Eustis, his words cold as ice. "I foresee your death here and now."

Vonegan felt the hair on the back of his neck stiffen then the Wolf Guard activated his huge power fist bringing its core online. "I could bludgeon you to death but there is no time to be wasted."

Eustis made the first move coming in quickly slinging his axe from left to right. Vonegan's power fist while more deadly was slow and cumbersome in comparison to the lightly crafted force axe. The fractal edge cut through the Wolf Guard's pauldron like foil. Vonegan countered with a head butt. The Librarian lowered his skull in perfect unison as their foreheads smashed into each other. Blood began to quickly flow from each seeping into theirs eyes, temporarily obscuring their sight. Eustis spun away as the Wolf Guard slammed down his power fist in an attempt to smash the Doom Warrior. Reversing the grip on the long haft of the axe Eustis drove the blunted end of the axe into Vonegan's lower torso with such force it cracked the armor. Cables hidden underneath the rented armor came loose spewing gouts of brackish fluid. Following through with a blinding riposte the head of the axe caught Vonegsn square against the the chin cracking some of his teeth. The Wolf Guard howled with rage while he spat out the broken caps.

Eustis frowned as his hatred surged. Vonegan felt his ears close followed by intense pressure on his brain pan. Tears of blood began to leak from the corners of his eyes. The Doom Warrior slapped him across his face with the open palm of his gauntlet cracking a cheek bone and smashing the nose. "Doom doom doom." The pain was super intense. "Doom."

Eustis rolled away then struck again cutting through the cybernetic elbow. The power fist slid to the ground with a dull thud. Vongegan's bloated tongue popped out from his mouth as the Wolf Guard sought in vain to breath. A thin red scar freshly cut across his forehead opened the flesh. "First blood."

"You have won the duel." came another voice. A Wolf Priest stepped from behind moving between Eustis and Vonegan. "Let it be now."

The Doom Warrior came to a sudden halt relaxing some of the pressure on his grip to the force axe. The blue tendrils of etheric energies dampened but did not extinguish. "Alright then... He has learned a lesson."

"Forsooth." said the Wolf Priest. "We must return our attention to the battle. We will perish if the infighting continues." Servitors came forth to the aid of the fallen Wolf Guard staunching the bleeding wounds and administering healing balms.

++ Back to the present time line... ++

Eustis looked squarely upon Argobeth. "I know you looked familiar."

Squee opened a telepathic rapport with sergeant Gannon...

++ Sergeant Gannon I know you disdain the use of psychic powers but I need to see inside your mind now so I can see what you see. I am asking your permission to do so. ++

The Inquisitor heard the equivalent of a feral grunt followed by silence then Gannon replied "You may do so Inquisitor but let me warn you, you won't like what you see and it could lead to sheer madness."

++ I'm willing to take that chance. It is imperative I access the situation at hand. You will feel a moment of disorder. ++

Squee looked into the mind of the Howling Griffon. She involuntarily shuddered as his thoughts took corporeal form. Gannon was on the very brink of insanity. Only his extreme level of practiced discipline held the madness at bay. Quickly she erected equipotential shields to maintain a safe barrier from the more intense forms of dangerous thought. Next she began to sort through the chaos looking for what she needed to know. It was horrifying but she continued to process the raw images splayed across Gannon's id. Carefully she filtered the content paring away that which was irrelevant.

Having found what was needed Squee then looked for the cause of Gannon's blindness and new sight. She found a canker rooted to his soul slowly devouring it bit by bit. Focusing her supreme will like a chirugeon the Inquisitor fashioned her force like a sharp scalpel and began to excise the rot. The canker fought as it was sliced apart then Squee banished it back to the warp.

Withdrawing her mind from Gannon after waiting to make sure the rot had been wholly absolved she felt the sergeant was at peace agsin. ++ You are free now and cured. ++

"Argobeth we need time to consult with each other alone." said Squee. "I propose we meet you at the gate to the city in two hours."

"You wish to be alone?" replied Argobeth. His voice had taken on an unnatural din seemingly angered.

"Yes we do. We have much to learn from you and all the time in this realm. Do you mind"

"So be it." said Vonegan's doppelgänger. "I shall await you at the gate." Argobeth turned away proceeding to make his way back over the hillock.

Squee waited for several minutes to pass then one of the terminators used his auspex to confirm the immediate area was clear. Eustis then raised a hardened kineshield to seal them off from the alien environment.

"I have seen things as they truly are through the eyes of sergeant Gannon." said Squee. She involuntarily shivered then composed herself. "There was once an ancient race that existed long before mankind. They existed even before the eldar and Necrons. This place was their home from wit they originated. Finally they evolved to the point of reaching near perfection and looked to find a new universe, one which they could build a new home and re establish the order to their own liking. There was a catch though... Before they could leave this universe they had to cleanse themselves of all their flaws and negative energy such as feelings of hate. To do so they shed these things to leave behind and that became an entity unto itself. This was the creation of evil as we know it and gave birth to the very seeds of Chaos. It grew to despise them for leaving it trapped here and began to scheme it's revenge. The foresight of the ancient ones gave them the vision to see what would become so they erected a Guardian... A being powerful enough to act as a warden and trap the evil one here. Over the aeons of time the Guardian slowly began to dissipate. This is the being here we first encountered and destroyed. The direct consequence is the evil one is finally free once more and is already beginning to wax.

"I hate to say it but this is our fault and we are responsible. We were warned by Eratus but I chose not to heed his advice. The creature whom calls itself Argobeth is the collective total of all the bad things left behind by the ancient ones.

"In my mind there is no other course but to rectify our mistake the best we can. It may well cost us our sanity or even our very lives. We must make it right or die trying."

Eustis spoke "There is still time to leave this realm via the portal offered by the Infinity Gate leaving the entity trapped here. I believe we have fulfilled our mission seeing you have discovered the root." the Librarian said to Squee. "We can report what you've found and let the council decide the best course of action. Don't think me a coward. You've admitted that there is some truth to what Erastus told us. We have no idea what we are up against here."

Squee frowned. "I wouldn't feel right leaving now."

"Put your feelings aside for now and look at this from a purely logical view." said Eustis.

"I can't and even from that stance it's not possible to draw a definitive conclusion." Squee gripped her hands into fists. "Brother Gannon what is your opinion."

"Speaking openly I know myself and my battle brothers here have seen more than intended for a Space Marine. I have a suspicion what could occur to us upon return to the Imperium." Gannon replied. "We are here now. Maybe the best course is to finish what you've started."

Eustis broke in "I know it's highly irregular but I think we should take a vote to determine the majority consensus if there is one."

"So be it." said Squee. She drew a stylus from her belt. "Each of us in turn will draw one line in the ground. A line over yonder is a vote to stay while a line here is to go." Squee cut the first line then handed the stylus to the terminator beside her. One by one they each drew a line, some to the right and others to the left.

There was an even number of votes when the stylus was finally handed over to the Librarian. Eustis then cast his deciding vote. "So by the smallest consensus there is a greater desire to leave. Will you honor this Squee?"

"Indeed I shall." she said.

- author's note -

We are at a point in the story where it can be concluded shortly or continue on... what do the readers want ?

So no interest in the continuation of the story ?

:sadface