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Chapter 7 - Darkness

As the Frozen Rage silently slipped back into real space the engines had one final burst before going dark. All the lights were extinguished and the ship slide through space like a shadow in the dark. Every man, woman, and machine on the ship was on high alert. The marines were armored and the guns were primed. No Imperial Ship had made it to the Kota System and returned in years.

The bridge of the Frozen Rage was a bustle of activity, but it was quite chaos. Everyone knew their roles and like the Ice Angel Chapter, efficiency was paramount. Only two marines stood on the bridge, Captain Razzik and Chaplain Cyaxeres. They watched and listened to the crew and reports.

Commander Seluku sat in his throne wired directly into the ship. He felt the cold bite of space on his skin as if the hull was his own. He absorbed all of the information from every crewman on the ship and in turn felt their nerves as they searched for their enemies. As he was bombarded with information Seluku calmly took a breath before mentally requesting a follow up. Everything checked out as planned. Commander Seluku was where he knew they would be and just like Razzik had planned, there wasn’t an ork in range of their weapons.

Seluku opened his eyes and peered at Captain Razzik. “We are clear my Captain and outside the Kota System. No reports of enemies in range. Scanning servitors are en route to planets.”

“Keep everyone on alert until we have responses from our servitors.” Razzik responded as he paced the bridge.

With out any other word Commander Seluku closed his eyes and went back to work, it would be several hours before they received any response from the servitors, but for the time being they were safe and unnoticed floating in the darkness outside of the large Kota system. Razzik sent a message to his sergeants then continued to pace the bridge.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

With a faint whirring sound all of the planets in the Kota system revolved around the massive sun at its center before coming to a stop. The holographic image of the sun was the size of Razzik’s chest but all of the other planets in the system varied from the size of a fist to an eye. For a few minutes Razzik had wandered around the holographic projection taking in what he was seeing. Around the perimeter of the black walled room were all of the sergeants and members of command on the Frozen Rage, dispersed within them were some of the guest marines and naval officers. The only other person within the projection was Commander Seluku. He stood perfectly rigid like a bodyguard, right next to the tiny projection of the Frozen Rage.

Captain Razzik walked amongst the planets and approached an area somewhere between the fourth and fifth. At first glance it appeared another planet was there, but upon closer inspection it was actually a conglomerate of ork vessels. The ork rokks, hulks, and other vessels sat in such away that they almost looked like another planet. Razzik examined the formation and the vessels. The number of orks in just that area was unimaginable.

Finally Razzik sauntered over to Commander Seluku. Along the way he noticed all of the other vessels of various sizes floating in space between the other planets. The Kota system was choking with orks and the planets were churning out everything a Waaaaagh would need to destroy dozens of other systems.

“Flag the enemies.” Razzik said as he turned to look at the system from the perimeter. With a thought a servitor activated the label system in the holographic projection. The view of the Kota System was instantly filled with red enemy symbols, it filled the system with red clouds of data. Several members of the officer staff gasped at the startling number of enemy tags.

“Add planetary orbits, enemy movements, and give me a calendar.” After every request from Razzik the servitor whirred and added another image onto the projection. Soon the floating ships and planets were all set on long lines. Across the floor was the calendar. Along the orbits small dates appeared to show when movements would reach certain points. Razzik turned to Commander Seluku and the image of the Frozen Rage. Commander Seluku peered at Razzik before giving him a slight nod.

Razzik looked around the room at his staff before speaking again, “Some where in this system is the information we need to prove to High Command the Dark Eldar are apart of this Waaagh.”

Razzik looked back to Seluku, “Suggestions?”

“From the moment the reports began to filter in I’ve been studying the information.” Commander Seluku began, “We’ve been here three days and the orks are stationed all around the system. Every planet has a heavy ork influence, except the first which is completely inhospitable. There are more ships and rokks in this system then all of the other systems being affected by the ork invasion combined.” Commander Seluku began to slowly wander in the projection.

“From what we saw before on Rokk Mekaroid the Dark Eldar were hidden within the rokk, I would assume they’d do the same here as well.” The monotone voice of Techmarine Philosir stated.

Razzik looked at the wise marine weighing his comment, “There must be a better way to narrow our search then looking at every Rokk, or planet for that matter.”

Brother Jaska of the Marines Chrysemys stepped forward from the perimeter and moved slowly passed Commander Seluku. Jaska examined a dark area of space. “If the Dark Eldar were hiding in the rokk away from the Orks, maybe we should be looking at an area where the orks aren’t.” Razzik moved across the room to join him and noticed that there was an area where the orks were not patrolling nor were there any enemy tags. In the space were some gas anomalies, but nothing that would prevent ships from passing. He nodded his head at the assessment, then began to notice the hordes of vessels between the Frozen Rage and the empty space in the system. Even with the skills of Commander Seluku, getting to that point unnoticed was impossible with a ship their size.

Captain Razzik began to tap his chin at the puzzle. After a few silent minutes Muttabriqu spoke up, “When were the other crusader fleets arriving and beginning their counter attack?”

Philosir looked at his datapad and responded, “The first fleet would have arrived three months ago in the Yuzin System. The last fleet would have arrived in the Jilda’Kajind System near the same time we arrived here.”

Captain Razzik smiled as Muttabriqu looked his way, “How long would it take for a ship to travel from the Yuzin System to here?” Razzik asked.

Philosir tapped away on his datapad before responding, “It looks like it would take a ship around four months.”

Razzik nodded and he began to think about what would happen once that ork vessel arrived here. “So when our first fleet arrived in Yuzin, the orks would’ve sent a runner to here. That should stir up the Waaaagh I’m sure. Let us wait and see what happens when they get here then. The Emperor may yet grant us a path.” Razzik turned back to Jaska and the dead zone. “Seluku get us half way to the outer orbit and anchor us. We need to see which of the orks are going to be attempting to stop the Emperors Crusades.”

“It shall be done.” He said with a bow.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

With several slaps and a churrchunk, all of the various weapons in the room touched the floor. The final sound brought a hidden smile to Cyaxeres’ face. He looked out at the Shattermantle PDF that complimented the naval security force, the Tundra Foxes. It was tradition that all planetary defense force recruits take a tour on a naval vessel before beginning their time in the true PDF force on Shattermantle.

The PDF men and women of Shattermantle on the Frozen Rage were still young; many had never seen more then a few skirmishes. Only a few select veterans were spread amongst the numbers. Cyaxeres recognized a handful of them. Cyaxeres rarely got involved with the PDF but he knew morale was his job. Every Imperial soldier, Astartes or not, would be asked to lay down his life for the Imperium and that time may be soon. When Cyaxeres had entered the hall he had seen the change in the PDF and he knew he had made the right choice in coming down.

Now that the PDF commanders had finished their drills, all three hundred PDF stood at parade rest. The Company Commander introduced Cyaxeres, but he knew everyone in the room was already aware of who he was. For a moment the room was awkwardly silent. Finally Cyaxeres turned to the Company Commander, “Thank you Commander.”

Cyaxeres once again looked out over the assembled soldiers. He towered over all of them especially in his black power armor. Cyaxeres stepped away from the command staff and began to wander amongst the Tundra Foxes. As he approached them they would stiffen or avert their eyes from the fearsome visage of Cyaxeres. Only the veterans would give a look of defiance, Cyaxeres would smile at himself as they did. Eventually he returned to the front and when he did he removed his helmet so that all of the assembled soldiers could see his face. For some, his stern face was no different then the skull helmet of his position.

“Commander, your Tundra Foxes appear to be well drilled.” A smirk began to creep on the face of the company commander’s face. “However,” Cyaxeres paused,”I smell fear.” Cyaxeres glared out across the soldiers. He began to speak in a hushed tone. “Fear is something I am very familiar with. Fear is a useful tool, but there is something you need to know about fear.”
“Fear follows us.”
“Fear stalks us.”
“Fear can control us.”
“Fear sleeps with us, eats with us, and surrounds us. FEAR is everywhere!” he took a dramatic pause and with passion in his voice continued.
“But Fear is only an emotion. Fear can go away. Fear can be ignored. Fear can be stopped. Stopped with Faith! Faith in the Emperor and Faith in mankind!” he shouted. The atmosphere in the room was completely different. Cyaxeres looked around the room; the PDF no longer averted their eyes at his sight. He let his words sink into the soldiers around him. Finally he continued in a more somber tone.

“The Frozen Rage has brought us all over the God-Emperors domain. She is the only way we can return to our home. For next few weeks I ask one thing of you all. Protect her. Do not let any xenos set foot on her. If you can do that for me, I promise I’ll find a way for us to get out of here and return to Shattermantle.”

The Tundra Foxes responded with shouts of approval, the company command swelled with pride at their unit. Eventually Cyaxeres gave the sign of the aquila. All three hundred Tundra Foxes went silent as they saluted. He held the sign and let the lingering effects of his words waft around him. He then turned and left the hall. As he walked away from the hall he realized the speech may have been as much a benefit to the soldiers as himself. A determined look crossed his face and he set off to visit with the Ice Angels stationed around the ship.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“These Ice Angels and their unorthodox methods and command structure are very disappointing. Guilliman would be furious at these sons of Sanguinius.” Kvothe spat. The other two marines in the room rolled their eyes knowing what would soon start. “The Codex Astartes specifically states the chapter master and his command lead the chapter, not some council of librarians. This is bordering heretical the way they…..”

Honored Brother Inigo stood up startling fast, his chair flew behind him. It clattered across the floor before stopping against the wall. He glared at Kvothe and pointed. “I am TIRED of all of your complaining. Where in the Codex does it say that annoying your fellow marines is a good idea?”

Kvothe titled his head at the question, “It does not state that, per se but……….”

“Then keep your mouth shut! You will not be able to change the Ice Angels nor will you be able to change any of our attitudes about the situation.” Inigo added while shaking his finger at Kvothe. Kvothe simply stood up and grabbed his helmet off the table. He glared at Honored Brother Inigo once more before exiting to small room.

Inigo mumbled some words under his breath before walking over to his Thunder Hammer. The hammer was laying on its case; a velvet cloth covered the head of the revered weapon. Inigo motioned to pick up the weapon but paused before and gave a prayer to the Emperor. He then sighed and instead walked back to the table. Brother Nefas was at the table with his bolter. Honored Brother Inigo watched Brother Nefas disassemble the bolter with lightning speed. When he was completed he moved over to a small chest. He gingerly picked up the chest and sat it on the table next to the bolter.

Honored Brother Inigo realized he had never seen this chest before, yet he had shared this small suite with him for months now. The chest seemed simple enough but something about it made him incredibly curious of its contents.

Brother Nefas was a gaunt marine from the Sinners Chapter with fine grey hair and dark grey eyes. His armor was jet black, his helmet bright white, the only color on his armor was a red aquila on his chest. He looked up at Brother Inigo as he opened up the chest. The wooden device opened with a whir and a click. Inigo began to sit up so that he could peer over the lid at its contents, but the look from Nefas made him stop.

Nefas took out several items from the chest, all of which appeared to be parts for a bolter. He quickly reassembled the bolter with all of the new parts. In a matter of minutes the standard pattern bolter was now a heavily customized weapon with a pistol grip. “Non timetis messor” was inscribed on the low profile scope and two barrels, one on top of the other, poked out the front. Finally Nefas took out four clips and an ammo drum from the chest.

Brother Inigo recognized the four clips but the drum had no markings on it other then a red aquila. He realized he was on the edge of his seat, the sight of the transformation was enthralling and he was dying to know what the other ammo was. Brother Nefas gave a faint smile as he moved four of the clips from the table onto his person. The drum disappeared into a pouch on his hip.

With a prayer on his lips Brother Nefas picked up the weapon, “May the Emperor bless my bolter and guide my rounds.” He then kissed the stock and looked at Honored Brother Inigo. Inigo sat with his mouth open. Slowly he began to grin at the thought of watching Brother Nefas slay the Emperors enemies.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The holographic room’s servitor was twitching at all of the activity. The ork ships were departing from all over the system. The amount of warp activity was rippling space as hulks, looted ships, and rokks activated their warp drives. It hadn’t even been 24 hours since the messenger ship arrived. The orks had clearly been ready to get into battle. Grand Master Warlord Gazzbat Boomfoot, as he called himself, had sent out a system wide message and like rounds in a heavy stubber the orks shot out into space.

As the red threat indicators began to disappear across the system, Razzik found himself being drawn to the area of darkness Jaska had pointed out. After a few minutes of staring a bright flash took his attention away to another area just outside of the fourth planet. Razzik watched the tail end of an explosion. He raised an eye brow. “Back up seven seconds.”

The holographic image rewound and Razzik watched intently as the rokk exploded. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. “Stupid Orks,” he added before turning towards the largest cluster of ork vessels. They were spreading out away from each other before disappearing into the warp.

Razzik watched for several hours before the number of warp flashes began to slow down. According to the holographic image nearly eighty percent of all of the ork vessels in the system had departed. Razzik began to say a prayer to the Emperor as he thought about all of the other crusading armies and the Imperial Forces that were tasked to stop this force. These orks were too well organized for his liking. Then again, when did an ork not speed at the mention of a good fight?

“Commander Seluku, resume our voyage. I’ll be on the bridge shortly.” Razzik said into his vox.
“Affirmative Captain,” Seluku responded.

Within a few seconds Razzik witnessed the image of the Frozen Rage begin to move and a thin blue line appear behind the image. “Let the hunt begin.” Razzik said as he turned and departed the room.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As Razzik stepped onto the bridge he was immediately hailed by Lieutenant Arwia. By her station were several other high ranking naval officers along with Cyaxeres. At the sight of Razzik approaching many officers bowed and stepped away leaving him alone with Cyaxeres and Arwia.

“Captain we have a problem, another ork vessel recently appeared in the system not far from here. It is close enough that it may pick up our signal. It does appear to have minor battle damage.” Arwia stated as she swiftly pulled up a distant view of the vessel.

“We may be able to commandeer the vessel or get a smaller ship from there. It would make our passage through the system easier.” Cyaxeres added.

“I would never trust an Ork vessel! I think we should destroy it and continue with our plan.” Commander Seluku quickly added from across the bridge.

“Clearly the Emperor has granted us this golden opportunity. I suggest we…..” Cyaxeres paused at the look from Razzik. The bridge was suddenly silent.

Razzik looked down at the screen. The ork vessel was half the length of the Frozen Rage but very squat, almost as if it had hit a wall and compressed. Razzik then looked to Cyaxeres. Razzik was about to give his command when he hesitated, the weight of such a decision suddenly weighing down on him. “What would Ruusa do?” he thought to himself.

“How far is that ship from us?” he asked Arwia.

A smile creeped onto Cyaxeres’ face as Lientenant Arwia responded “Current speed eight hours.”

“Which means we could be there in three if we hurried,” Razzik quietly said to no one in particular.

“We take the vessel. Seluku gain speed and bring us along side. Cyaxeres prepare the train!” Razzik shouted. As the members of the bridge spurred into motion he seemed to gather confidence in his decision. Cyaxeres slid on his skull helmet and strode out of the bridge. Razzik took one last look down at Arwia’s station. The ork vessel was beginning to look like a solution, not a problem.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The primary Ice Angel hanger was a flurry of activity. Servitors loaded up the Thunderhawks and checked systems. Weapon mounts were coming up out of the floor to prevent any intruders. Klaxons could be heard as various doors opened and cargo was moved. Techpriests and adepts gave their prayers before each Thunderhawk was woken. As they moved towards the last Thunderhawk, the lights in the hanger suddenly switched from white to red. The huge hanger doors slowly opened and the two ends of the hanger became curtains of pitch black.

Standing on a balcony over looking the hanger was Chaplain Cyaxeres, Captain Razzik, and a colorful crew of marines. Below them on the hanger floor units of Ice Angels were beginning to move to their respective transports. As they began their individual unit pre-battle ceremonies, Razzik turned around to face 11 marines, each from different chapters.

“Some of you are about to witness the fury of the Ice Angels for the first time. Our methods have been used by our chapter and it’s predecessors for centuries. It may not be your own, but when you are a part of my force you will follow the commands given. Rank in your previous chapter is irrelevant here.” Captain Razzik looked at each marine in turn, spending an extra few seconds on Brother Kvothe and his meltagun. “We’re commandeering this vessel, be extra careful what you shoot.” Brother Kvothe looked offended at the thought of hitting anything other then his target. Razzik smiled at the reaction before issuing his orders.

“Inushi and Aquilum you’re with Gamma force. Jaska and Kvothe you’re with Delta. Pyrox, Vetov, Reven, Walters, Nefas, Evrard, and Inigo you’re with me on the train.” Razzik slammed his helmet down and nearly every marine followed suit. “The Emperor Protects,” he added before marching off. Brother Desai was about to question the orders but a look from the Chaplain stopped him. After the marines took off towards their respective vessels, only Brother Desai and Cyaxeres stayed on the balcony. Cyaxeres walked over and placed his hand on Desai’s shoulder.

“Not yet Desai. Not yet,” was all the Chaplain whispered.

Brother Desai looked into the skull mask of the Chaplain. Anger filled his mind, not at the Ice Angel Chaplain, but at himself for allowing his rage to take control. With a deep breath and a concentrated force of will he calmed himself down. Cyaxeres was right and he knew it. Finally with a slow nod Cyaxeres removed his hand and walked off towards the awaiting train. Brother Desai stayed on the balcony and watched the marines down below prepare for war.

He saw Inushi and Aquilum board one of the Thunderhawks. As he watched, his eyes began to wander around the hanger. Eventually he became transfixed with the void that loomed just outside the hanger, the cold darkness of space in which all things floated.

Even as the sounds of the engines firing up filled his head, he stared out into the void. To Desai, it wasn’t the darkness that bothered him. It was the cold. On his home world he spent most of his time around lava and searing heat, nothing like the frozen wasteland of the Ice Angels homeworld. Time seemed to slow down as a chill crept through his bones. Brother Desai began to notice the slow thump of his hearts. He began to remember what Cyaxeres had shown him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In silence they walked. Desai was still full of inner turmoil from stabbing the statue. He couldn’t believe the rage had taken him in that place of beauty. Cyaxeres lead Brother Desai through a virtual maze of corridors he had never seen before. Finally they came to a series of doors, all of which Cyaxeres entered in codes or keys to open. After they passed through two sets they entered into a large room where a dozen servitors all armed with multi-meltas stood watch. Cyaxeres moved to the next door and began to say several phrases while entering codes into a pad. As he did, Brother Desai looked back and what he saw disturbed him. The servitors along with hidden wall guns were all aimed at the door they were opening, not the door they came through. These lines of defenses were meant to keep people in, not out. With a loud hiss the double doors slid open. A frigid burst of cold air nearly knocked Brother Desai over. Cyaxeres gave him a side long glance before heading into the freezing room.

After a moment of hesitation Desai followed him into the dark sub zero room. After taking a dozen steps the doors behind them quickly closed, their speed was alarmingly quick. “What is this place?” Brother Desai asked as he looked around at the columns of ice, at the base of each was a blank alabaster plate. Cyaxeres continued to walk through the room in somber silence. The constant sound of moving frigid air was only interrupted with their foot falls. Frost was quickly forming on their robes.

Eventually Cyaxeres came to a stop and looked up into a deep blue column of ice. Brother Desai took a few quick steps to catch up. At the foot of the column was a frost covered name plate, only the last “u” could be seen. Beneath it was a large bladed hooked spear. When he looked up, he saw what Cyaxeres was staring at. Inside the frozen column was an Ice Angel. He was in a pristine suit of white power armor.

“The Black Rage, Brother Desai, affects us all.” Cyaxeres began while continuing to look at the frozen marine. “All Sons of Sanguinius are forced to deal with the rage at one point or another. Some chapters hide their rage and view it as an affliction, a disease. Others urge on the Black Rage and believe it a gift from Sanguinius. We believe the rage is a test, a test given to us by Sanguinius in his final moments. All Ice Angels fight the urge, the hate, the need to blindly slaughter friend and foe, but the strong prevail. Those that fail the test dawn the white armor and are frozen until they can unleash their fury at the enemy.”

Brother Desai looked away from the frozen marine in self contemplation. His hands and feet were beginning to go numb from the extreme cold. Cyaxeres gave him a moment before continuing. “We all have a choice to make Brother Desai, whether to fight or give in to the rage.”

Desai looked at Cyaxeres and was about to speak when the old chaplain slowly shook his head and with a sigh spoke. “I believe you’ve already made your choice.”

Cyaxeres took one final look at the frozen marine before he began to walk back towards the entrance. Brother Desai took one last look as well before hustling after the chaplain. As he passed the other columns he noticed they were all empty.

When the door finally closed behind him the feeling in his extremities quickly returned. As the pair walked, once again in silence, Desai couldn’t help but wonder if his name would soon be on one of those alabaster plates.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Brother Desai gently shook away the cold as the memory of his visit with Cyaxeres left his thoughts. However his thoughts were soon filled with questions, one of which he couldn't answer. Brother Desai leaned over the balcony to try and get a better view, "Why are they bringing a vindicator?" he asked himself. The question dangled on his lips as he watched the heavily modified siege engine roll onto the awaiting Thunderhawk.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Thunderhawks slid through space at maximum speed, timing was crucial. Ahead of them the navy was already attacking the ork vessel, behind them the Frozen Rage was closing the gap.

The lumbering ork vessel had released its own fighters and was firing back with all of its guns. The Imperial Navy had already engaged and was concentrating their attack on one side of the vessel. Releasing their pay loads in concentrated areas they silenced many of the ork guns. The concentrated fire from the navy decimated the number of firing guns on that side. The ork vessel began to slowly turn to bear other weapons but the Imperial Navy easily out maneuvered it and rolled with it. The ork fighters were many but the entire fury of the Frozen Rage had been released, they stood little chance.

Without any given command the Imperial attack craft began to move around the vessel towards the other side. The ork craft pursued firing violently in their wake. Like clockwork the four Thunderhawks and their escorts arrived with only minimal resistance on the now damaged and empty side. The Thunderhawks landed at predetermined points on the ship and unloaded a different brand of weapon, Ice Angels. Once the marines were away the Thunderhawks and their escorts departed and joined the Imperial Navy in the destruction of the Ork Fighters.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aquilum smiled in his pink and yellow skull helmet as he watched the Ice Angels at work. Within seconds all 18 marines had departed the Thunderhawk along with a vindicator, the Crystalfist. Moving on a special magnetized track the Vindicator was plowing towards the nearest anti-space craft gun. The marines followed in a semi circle behind it. Inushi and Aquilum were hanging on to the vindicator acting as an extra set of eyes for the crew of the tank.

After a few minutes they skirted around an area of damaged hull and approached their first anti-space craft gun. It was a long double barreled weapon mounted in a very bulky red box. It appeared to have limited turning radius, but what it gave up in movement it made up with rate of fire. It was currently firing at the distant Frozen Rage that was still approaching. Inushi looked up at the menacing black ship. They only had a few more minutes before the Frozen Rage would be in position.

Suddenly the Crystalfist came to a halt and shuddered slightly as four grappler arms, one on each corner, stretched out and further magnetized it to the hull. “Preparing to fire,” the gunner said. Inushi and Aquilum pushed off the tank and activated their boots. It seemed that the second the last marine stopped moving and took position the tank fired its first round.

Inushi had seen a vindicator fire more times then he could remember, in his head he could hear the sound that it should be making, but out here in space the only indication he had was the push back he was witnessing and the tremor that he felt through the hull of the ship he was attached too. He peered over to the anti-space craft gun, on land it would have been out of range for a vindicator, but in space the massive siege weapon fired straight at it. At the base of the closest barrel the ordinance hit. It punctured the outer protective hull and then exploded inside. The resulting explosion was spectacular. Various types of metal shot out into space along with a handful of unfortunate orks that suddenly found themselves in the vacuum of space. Inushi watched as several secondary explosions followed suite.

“Come on Mantis, the quicker we can take these out the better.” Bel Hando said. Inushi didn’t realize that after the shot had been fired, the vindicator picked up its support anchors and was ready to move out once again. The marines were already moving towards their next target. Inushi hustled to reach the vindicator that impatiently waited.

“Gamma, something is happening between your position and Beta. Move forwards and report.” Lieutenant Arwia said to them in their vox. The eighteen marines and the Crystalfist adjusted their course and began to head that direction. They came over a ridge in the hull of the ork vessel. “By the Blood!” Bel Hando whispered.

Before them was a cavernous shadowed area, but slowly growing out of the darkness was a barrel, a barrel to a weapon that could fire rounds larger then Thunderhawks. Even the might of the Vindicators wouldn’t be able to penetrate the thick black barrel. As the light began to hit the growing barrel an archaic paint job could be seen. “MOrKs NoSe” it said in sloppy orange paint.

“HA!” Aquilum said as he read the words. Several of the Ice Angels looked his way. Bel Hando looked at the barrel once more before looking up at the Imperial Vessel that was now pulling along side of the ork, the Frozen Rage was getting into position. “Rage, this is Gamma, a gigantic weapon is emerging, requesting fire support.”

As the words left his lips a small explosion burst from the under side of the Frozen Rage. Like a snake launching at its prey the seven pointed arrowhead of the lead train shot through space. Behind it was a long cord still attached to the Frozen Rage.

“Gamma, fire support is a few minutes out.” Lieutenant Arwia responded over the vox.

Bel Hando looked down at the still growing barrel. “Rimsin, do you read me.” He spoke.
”Shwando, this is Rimsin.”

“Move and disable the weapon immediately.” He quickly responded as he began to move forward. The Crystalfist moved forward and as it reached the lip of the dark cavern it launched its grapplers once again and pulled itself over the edge. The squat barrel of the vindicator then pointed at the base of the barrel and began to fire. Seconds later on the other side the cavern the vindicator with squad Rimsin followed suite. Explosions lit up the base of the black pit and in response the giant weapon, MOrKs NoSe fired. The shockwave shot debris into space, nearly every marine adjusted their stance to stabilize. Bel Hando stood mouth open as he watched the round leave the barrel like a comet towards, not the Frozen Rage, but the umbilical like cord of the Train.

The transport aspect of the Train was an armored building moving down the cord like a rocket and as it flew down the cord Bel Hando saw that the round was on a perfect intercept course. The resulting explosion shook the hearts of all of the marines on ship.

“No, by the Emperor NO!” Bel Hando shouted as he looked away. Aquilum, who was still looking down at the base of the huge barrel finally took notice and looked up. “What did I miss?”

Flooded with emotion Bel Hando paused before he noticed that Aquilum didn’t change demeanor. Bel Hando looked up and saw that the armored train that contained the bulk of the Ice Angel force was still chugging down the cord. “The Emperor Protects Bel Hando, we still have a job to do.” In his huge powerfist hand he grabbed one of the back chains that grappled the Crystalfist to the hull. “Crystalfist disengage grapplers and readjust to your 10.” He said into the vox. Bel Hando shook his head trying to piece together what just happened.

The tank didn’t respond. Aquilum looked over to Bel Hando who still stood in confusion as to how the train survived. It took a moment before Bel Hando realized he was looking for assistance. Bel Hando looked over Aquilum’s shoulder to see what he was getting at when he noticed a small glass area in the wall of the cavern across from them, “Crystalfist, do it.”

Without hesitation the tank disengaged the grapplers and turned to its left. From their new position the crew quickly spotted their target and fired. The round passed through the glass but the typical explosion didn’t follow. Bel Hando looked over at Aquilum, he returned the look. He shrugged and began to respond when a hail of gunfire began to pepper them. Across from them the vindicator with Squad Rimsin exploded. Orks were moving up the walls towards them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The transport section of the train was an octagon shaped building riding down the cable that would soon connect the two space ships. The front came down to a blunt point and the cable passed right down the center of the octagon. Near the rear of this armored building was a small control room. Inside was a lone space marine facing a wall of small pic screens, a bank of switches, and a plethora of flashing lights. Tech Marine Philosir was firmly attached to a throne that was built into a small pillar. His many servo arms waited patiently over panels until needed. Piloting the train was as simple as knowing when to go and when to stop, but more importantly he waited until the separate arrowhead front section connected with the ork vessel.

Cyaxeres chanting in the vox, the rumbling of the armored train, the chatter of the escort ships, nothing was breaching Philosir’s attention. All of his focus was on one particular monitor and the rapidly depleting number at the bottom of the screen. When that number hit zero the arrowhead would penetrate the ork hull and the cable would be connected. Nothing else mattered or even existed to Philosir as he focused solely on that number. As the number dwindled his hands and extra arms began to creep closer to the controls. At their current speed Philosir would have no more then ten seconds to realign the train.

Suddenly the escort vox got louder and a shout to the Emperor broke his calm. An explosion outside shook the armored train violently. Dozens of lights flashed and several screens went blank. Philosir flipped several switches and cycled through his camera views until he found a working camera that showed the outer hull of the train. Only one escort ship was now flying alongside the train. “Shield one report.” Philosir said into the now quiet vox.

“Shield one is gone! So is two and four!” Shield three responded with a shocked expression.

“What happened three? I’ve lost a lot of my instruments.” Philosir calmly asked.

Shield three began to respond “I don’t know, I couldn’t see what h…….” but Philosir tuned him out when the distance meter dropped to zero and turned green. The arrowhead had penetrated the hull and was penetrating deep into the ork vessel. As it did it expanded like a blooming flower to hold onto the ork vessel. Philosir took the first two seconds to determine how to spin the train. With lightning speed he then flicked a dozen different switches and pushed several buttons. The train spun around the cable to align perfectly with the arrowhead section. In the final two seconds before connection the reverse boosters kicked in slowing them down.

The octagon shaped building slammed into place on the now expanded arrowhead front section. Expansion foam began to cover and seal the seam between the two sections when the six floors of Ice Angels in the transport were released from their harnesses. The assault was about to begin.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“I would have preferred guard duty.” Inigo said to Nefas over the din of the gun fight.

Nefas fired five more rounds in quick succession before ducking back around the bulk head. With smooth efficiency he reloaded his custom bolter and with a satisfying click he looked over at Inigo who waited next to him patiently gripping his thunder hammer in both hands. After only a few minutes of running and intense combat Inigo was covered in gore and bile from the dozens of creatures he had slain. Behind Inigo several other Ice Angels were moving up to join their position.

“Inigo, do the Sons of Hades not teach you control? You should learn to ignore it.” Nefas said as he pivoted on his left foot and swung around the bulk head. Targets immediately filled his sight and he began to fire in short bursts at the orks down the hall. The crescendo of thundering hooves slowly approached them.

“I don’t even think the Emperor could get over this smell.” Inigo whined.

“Two incoming,” Nefas stated as he ducked back behind the bulk head, the sound of hooves nearly upon them. Inigo leapt next to the Sinners marine and swung his mighty hammer just as an ork boar boy rounded the corner at full speed. With a juicy crunch, like an over ripe fruit falling from a tree, his hammer connected with the head of the massive boar. The boar collapsed and slid across the hall sending the ork careening into the dented wall. The second boar boy was right behind the first, snout lowered he rushed straight towards Inigo. Nefas was firing on full auto as the boar connected with Inigo.

Inigo was knocked back down the hall from the impact of the boar, but when he looked up the boar and the ork rider were both dead. Nefas was once again looking around the corner bringing up his bolter to fire again, when a sudden cacophony of gun fire erupted from their right. Another unit of Ice Angels with orange weapons came running down the hall past their position. Nefas added some covering fire as Inigo got up.

Nefas watched the orange unit, the Uttuakki, move down the hall. With Angelic grace the front two slashed, punched and destroyed as the other seven covered them at every hall. After they passed the next intersection the tactical unit with Inigo and Nefas got their signal and moved up after them to explore and cleanse another section of the ork ship.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“SQUIGS!” A marine yelled from his left.

All down the wide expanse of the cargo hold, cage doors were being flung open by the fleeing orks. Squig snakes, squiggoths, squig hounds, squigpions, horned squigs, there were squigs of all shapes, colors, and sizes were snarling, growling, and running. Captain Razzik took in the scene from his slightly elevated position before sending signals to his sergeants.

“For the Emperor!” He shouted as he began to run down the slight grade into the growing horde of squigs. Ice Angels on both sides of him ran forward laying down a torrent of fire into the seeming endless waves of squigs.

The approaching wall of hungry vermin broke against the wall of Ice Angels and with little resistance the Ice Angels pushed through the squigs. On the far side of the cargo pen the majority of the orks were exiting through a large set of double doors. Only a handful of brave, or stupid, orks stayed behind with their beloved pets.

The Ice Angels continued their push when an ork war cry pierced the sounds of combat. The cry made many Ice Angels pause to evaluate. Some of the squigs flattened their little ears at the roar of ork voices. Out of a side archway a stream of orks riding boars burst into the cargo hold. With an ork waaaaagh on their lips they rode into the hail of Ice Angel gun fire.

Razzik removed his foot from the carcass of a squig he had just crushed and took a defense position behind his shield as the first boar boy approached. Moments before the massive boar was in range, flames erupted all around Captain Razzik. Squad Ashurbani was around him creating a wall of flames. Boars and their riders were screaming for brief seconds before melting onto the filthy floor. The smell of burning promethium was barely over powering the stench of burnt fur and melted flesh.

The first several rows of boars had been liquefied, but the sight only enraged the still flowing river of boar boys. Over the melting carcasses came the first boar that Razzik had encountered in decades. With a quick side step and an axe deflection from his shield Razzik punched into the side of the boar right through the leg of the ork rider. The power fist pulverized what it hit including the internal organs of the running boar.

Razzik quickly found himself face to face with another boar, but this one had a headless rider. A short jab to the cranium of the beast ended its miserable life. The next boar fell from a round through the eye before reaching Razzik. Without looking to who fired the shot Razzik took a quick glance around the cargo hold, the boars in the immediate vicinity were dead or dying, but the boars that had reached the tactical units at his flanks were still slashing and hacking at the Ice Angels. Without the use of power weapons the ork boar boys were proving to be tough to stop. Razzik was about to issue an order when a massive purple squig seemingly came out of no where to land on the marine next to him. The squig had instantly crushed the marine to death with its massive bulk. It stood on two massive legs the size of an average space marine, on its back was an ork with a double barreled gun barking fire into the air. Squad Ashurbani began to fire and slash at the beast. With only its mouth and its bulk as its weapon the creature lunged forward to bite at an Ice Angel. When Razzik looked again only the legs remained of the veteran Ice Angel of the Ashurbani. With a howl of anger he took two quick steps to bring his fist at the squigs knee, but at the moment he swung the squig leapt up into the air. It’s powerful legs vaulting it and its rider over the heads of the nearby Ice Angels to once again crush a marine that didn’t dive far enough out of its way.

The jumping squig let out a loud squeal before it lunged at another marine. The marine narrowly avoided the gaping maw. The ork on top of the squig held on for its own life as the squig bull rushed a nearby group of marines. All of the marines got out of the way but a red armored Blood Angel. Calmly he raised his plasma pistol. The weapon repeatedly discharged glowing balls of death into the squigs face. The squig pulled up from its rush and began to dance around as the plasma ate at its flesh. The ork rider was thrown off its back and was promptly dispatched by a combat knife to the neck. Brother Reven continued to fire his plasma pistol as the nearby Ice Angels showered the dancing squig with bolter rounds. The tough hide of the squig stopped many of the shells but the onslaught eventually took it down.

The battle continued for a few more intense minutes before there was a slight lull. As the last few boars, orks, and squigs were put down, Razzik began to move forward with the remaining Ashurbani at his side. The other units were moving up as well, only a small contingent stayed behind with Attikusu. In his white ornate armor he revived many marines and helped them get back into the battle. On several occasions he gave marines their final blessing as he took there geneseed in order to create another generation of Ice Angels.

As Captain Razzik approached the large double doors the timer in his HUD expanded for a moment, it then minimized back into the corner. Unit reports began to filter in. The next train was docking with Philosir, the Tunda Fox reinforcements were about to arrive. Cyaxeres had encountered a pocket of cyber-boars that were slowly him down greatly. The orks and their pets were putting up stiff resistance but still the Ice Angels continued to purge the vessel. In space the Imperial Navy had cleaned up most of the ork fighters.

Reports continued to come in as another ork war cry could be heard building behind the double doors. The marines formed up in front of the door in a crescent waiting for a signal from Razzik. Captain Razzik stopped twenty feet from the door and raised his shield. He continued to filter through the reports. He could hear the orks running towards the door. In every marines HUD a yellow symbol appeared. As the doors flew open every space marine aimed their weapons, but didn’t fire. The orks charged towards the awaiting marines with axes, clubs, and random pieces of equipment. Razzik noticed a flagged report from Seluku. Razzik began to read the report out of one eye as the first ork got within four steps, the symbol in every marines HUD suddenly disappeared.

Like a tsunami leveling a village, the gunfire laid down the rows of orks. By the time the orks had realized their folly it was too late to retreat. Around the crescent formation every fourth Ice Angel stepped forward into hand to hand while the others covered. Razzik continued to read the report as his marines destroyed the orks.

The first thing the Navy had hit was the orks communications systems but the astropaths on the Frozen Rage are detecting a surge of psychic energy coming from the ork vessel, the ork weird boyz must be killed before they can send a message to the other orks in the Kota system.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“This is not very entertaining.” Aquilum said as he ducked back behind a piece of damaged hull. To his immediate left were Inushi and the black vindicator, the Crystalfist. Every six seconds, like clockwork, it fired towards the advancing ork walkers. Further left was the handful of survivors from Beta. To Aquilum’s right was the remnants of Gamma. Squad Shwando and their heavy weapons were cleaning up what the Crystalfist didn’t destroy or send spiraling into space. As the orks continued their cumbersome march the strange mix of kans and dreads fired all sorts of shells, shrapnel, rockets, and even the occasional laser beam. In the distance behind the Ice Angel position, the towering train could be seen protruding from the ships hull.

Aquilum peaked over the thick piece of hull he was using as cover when he noticed a large walker was coming over the ridge, it was bigger then the typical dreads orks create. Its left arm was some bizarre barreled contraption that was covered in cords and tubes. Its right arm ended in what looked like a grinning battering ram. On both of its shoulders were glass cockpits in which grots manned heavy weapons. As he monitored the newest walker, the Crystalfist fired another explosive round. It hit a smaller four armed dread in the chest and when the flash dissipated nothing remained standing on the hull. The area between the Ice Angels and the newest walking ork creation was now full of floating debris from dozens of ork walkers.

As the Ice Angels began to see the newest threat the Shwando began to fire their heavy bolters and multi-melta at the kans in front to clear a firing lane for the Crystalfist. The bolters weren’t the greatest anti armor weapon but the combined fire took out the first few kans as the Crystalfist fired again. This time the shell went straight at the huge walker. Right before the point of impact some sort of shield flashed and the vindicator round reflected away out into space.

“What was that?” Inushi swore.
“It must be shielded, try again.” Bel Hando added from his prone position in cover, his combi-bolter of little use against all the heavy armor. In response the mega dread opened fire with its shoulder mounted grot weapons. The rounds danced across the Ice Angel line, one managed to find the shoulder of Brother Baris. Swearing, Brother Baris let go of his heavy bolter and quickly pulled out expansion foam to fill the crack in his armor that was venting vital air. As the heavy bolter floated in space Brother Rattmu, the newest member of the squad, came out of cover and took the heavy bolter. He straightened out and locked his arms. He now held a heavy bolter in each hand and when he pulled the triggers the dual streams quickly found one of the shoulder glass bubbles. The shield and reinforced glass held against the river of bullets but the grot inside had some sort of panic attack and stopped firing the gun. Eventually some of the rounds got through and cracked the bubble. The grot quickly died as the air escaped his cramped position.

The huge dreadnought took notice and swung its barreled arm towards Rattmu’s position. Seeing this he took cover along with the other marines nearby. At the end of the dreadnoughts gun three orbs began to spin around the barrel. Suddenly the end of the barrel produced a black inky cloud but no projectile could be seen.

Several Ice Angels poked their heads out from cover when a massive black cloud appeared over and around Brother Baris and Brother UbuZa. Their screams were loud and brief as the cloud turned into frantic snotlings that had been warped into their position. Some of them had even appeared inside the armor of the Ice Angels. Helplessly they watched the two marines claw at their own armor as the snotlings materialized in their bodies. Thankfully their deaths were brief. Bel Hando didn’t finish watching them die before issuing new orders and renewing the attack. The remaining marines opened fire and the Crystalfist fired again. This time the reflected shot went into a neighboring walker, several smaller kans were destroyed, one was sent into space as its munitions reacted and exploded.

The mega dread continued to shamble forward as it fired once more, this time the vindicator was targeted. The inky cloud appeared near the rear of the tank when the first yells could be heard over the vox.

“GET OUT OF MY TANK!” Timigiratee the gunner shouted. Suddenly the rear door and top hatch flipped open and the bodies of snotlings shot out. Timigiratee poked his head out of the top hatch with three snotlings in one hand and his bolt pistol in the other. He threw the bodies of the snotlings towards the relentless swarm of walkers before ducking back into his beloved tank and closing the hatch. After the hatched closed a colorful string of curses could be heard over the vox from Timigiratee when Zarva, the driver calmly spoke, “Snotlings took out fire control. We’ll need a few minutes.”

Aquilum watched the sight with slight amusement before a thought came to him. Without hesitating he came around the hull he was still taking cover behind. Inushi watched him get up and begin to run towards the oncoming ork walkers. Without thinking he got up and followed. “Covering fire!” Aquilum said in his best Bel Hando impression. The marines from Beta and Gamma came out of cover and began to spray fire at the walkers.

Aquilum ran as fast as he was able in the zero gravity environment directly towards one of the four armed ork contraptions. The walker altered its stance as the covering fire began to pepper it. One of its claw arms was preemptive and struck ahead of the yellow and pink marine. The sharp sheers pierced the hull of the ork vessel and as it did Aquilum stepped on the back of the claw and jumped at the dreads top hatch. He grabbed onto the top of the dread with his hands and propelled himself over the dread towards the rubble of one behind it. Inushi caught onto the strategy and dove under the dreadnought kicking off the dreadnoughts legs like a swimmer pushing off a wall. The two passed through or around several surprised greenskins before reaching the towering mega dread.

As Aquilum floated at the mega dread, the dreadnought twisted the gun away from him and instead pointed the massive battering ram at him. Aquilum’s vision was soon filled with the grinning end of the pneumatic device as it quickly shot out at the Emperor’s Fool. Inushi saw the yellow and pink marine go limp as the ram quickly moved back like an armored piston. Small fragments of yellow and pink armor shot out into space. Inushi floated towards the dread under the rams shadow. He took another glance at his fellow marine and noticed the marine was actually hugging the face of the ram. When it finally returned to its original position Aquilum tried to move around the ram towards the dreads cockpit, but the ram quickly shot back out taking Aquilum with him; only his super human grip kept him holding onto the ram as it shot out and stopped. The remaining shoulder mounted grot fired its gun down at the ram and Aquilum.

Inushi was now near the mega dreads crotch. He began to climb up the back of the dread when he noticed a lot of tubes leading to a large barreled container. Inushi took out one of his krak grenades, primed it and stuck it behind some of the tubes before continuing his ascent. The dread trembled for a moment when Inushi noticed hundreds of dead snotlings were floating in space all around him. He looked below and noticed the barrel was wide open and the tubes were floating out behind the dread.

Suddenly the mega dread began to turn around and stomp in circles looking for its assailant. As it turned around several of the remaining walkers began to shoot at Inushi but the rounds reflected off of the shield protecting the mega dread. The shoulder mounted grot began to shoot back, confused as to why the dreads were shooting at a fellow ork walker. Another explosion soon ripped through the mega dread which made the walker cease to move. When Inushi reached the grots little bubble he thought he could almost feel the grots high pitched scream vibrating the glass as he flipped several latches and opened the cockpit into the void. The grot died instantly and floated away, but Inushi was already moving back down the dread trying to find cover away from the other walkers.

“Where are you Aquilum?” Inushi asked as he looked around the dreads feet.

Inushi could hear a grunt in the vox, before Aquilum’s gruff voice replied, “inside this contraption. I have to repair my armor. Hurry up and kill everyone else.”

“Hang onto something.” Timigiratee spoke over the vox through gritted teeth. The Crystalfist finally fired its massive siege gun again. The round passed a few kans before colliding with a dreadnought not far from the now motionless mega dread. A handful of dreads were torn apart from the blast. Bel Hando took the moment to redirect his units fire. Soon the marines and vindicator had cleaned the last few moving walkers. By the time Inushi moved back down the dread to the hull Aquilum was coming out of the inner workings of the mega dread. “What?” Aquilum asked as he saw Inushi’s look. The bright yellow and pink quartered pattern was broken up by a huge mass of the hardened orange sealant foam on his chest. The concrete like foam was also covering a section of his left leg and shoulder.

Inushi stared at Aquilum for a second before responding, “How are you alive after that hit?” Aquilum paused before walking back towards the Ice Angel line, “Apparently the Emperor found I was still entertaining enough to keep around.” He said back at the green armored Mantis Warrior. Inushi shook his head in disbelief before hustling to catch up. “That was insane Aquilum, what were you thinking rushing out into the open to assault a dreadnought like that?” Aquilum didn’t respond and kept walking.

Inushi stepped next to Aquilum and grabbed his arm. Aquilum paused and looked down at the Mantis Warriors hand. “That dreadnought had to be stopped before it took out the vindicator or more Astartes.”

Inushi let go as Aquilum began to walk away again. “That’s it? It had to be stopped! That was your reasoning for getting up from cover, running straight at a dreadnought into a tactical death trap in hopes you can stop it with your one melta bomb?” Inushi held up his hands and looked around, “That’s ridiculous!”

Aquilum took a deep breathe that could be heard over the vox before looking at the young marine. “Inushi, why did you follow me into a tactical death trap?”

“I……” Inushi began before looking down at his feet. Aquilum smirked and walked back to the Ice Angel line. Inushi stood in silence, his mind racing. “I have no idea.” He whispered to himself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Pyrox, Reven, and Evrard, go with Sergeant Suqqa and Squad Kujara, now!” Razzik shouted as rounds ricocheted off his armor and shield. The orks were pouring down a wide ramshackle staircase that was quickly becoming slick with ork blood. At the base of the stairs Captain Razzik stood stoically issuing commands as the marines slowly pushed against the waves of orks. Protecting him was squad Ashurbani and several of the guest marines, including Commander Vetov of the Emperor’s Tears who defended his flank like a second shield.

As several affirmative blips crossed Razzik’s HUD, Squad Kujara broke from their cover, ran up some of the stairs, and then through a side door. The gray fire angel, green dark angel, and red blood angel followed right behind the eight man black tactical squad under the hail of oncoming ork fire. The eleven marines came to the first intersection and took a brief pause as the point marine Balathu, peaked around the corner before issuing a hand signal. The unit continued on with the three guest marines bringing up the rear.

Running from corner to corner the unit moved, after checking several empty rooms and dispatching some wandering orks they came to a wide hall with two sets of black doors. Seconds before they reached the doors, the left one flew open and a handful of dark green orks exited into their hallway. The quicker Ice Angels blasted at the orks as they came out. The first few orks absorbed many bolter rounds before falling like discarded garbage only feet from the front Ice Angels. As the last ork stopped twitching, the marines waited either for a command or another target.

For a moment that seemed to stretch for an hour the marines stood aiming at the open door, waiting. Sergeant Suqqa’s sixth sense was tingling so he waited, not issuing a single command until the other black door flew open. With practiced ease the marines addressed and fired at the incoming orks. As they did, orks began to once again pour out of the first door.

An intense few moments of fire led to the death of many orks, but when larger and well armed orks began to move through, the tide quickly changed. Their tough hide and sheer bulk gave them the extra distance they needed to reach the first kneeling Ice Angels. Brother Pwanzu and Brother Bleeki where chopped down from axe wounds before a flash of light cut through the hall way. Brother Thukoo’s lascannon beam passed through a half dozen orks momentarily halting the assault. Only one ork screamed in pain as they all fell to the floor, but the remaining standing orks merely gritted their teeth and charged again. In these brief seconds Evrard powered up his mace and moved to engage with Brother Reven at his side. The remaining Ice Angels covered the pair as Pyrox began to adjust the settings on his gray plasmagun.

Evrard met the first ork with a downward swing that pulverized the orks skull. As the ork fell, Evrard spun to his left and when the mace came back around it met the side of another ork who was midswing. The ork continued its swing but only managed a glancing blow before succumbing to the wound from the glowing mace. Evrard shrugged off the hit to his massive shoulder pad before raising his bolt pistol at the next pair of orks and firing off a few quick shots. To his right, Brother Reven danced with a one eyed brutish ork that wielded a crude halberd made from bones. When the ork miss stepped Brother Reven jabbed with his chainsword that went through the orks throat, the blade growled and sputtered for a moment before removing the orks head from its spine. Brother Reven removed the blade and flung some of the gore off of it before bringing up his plasma pistol.

“Center” a grumble of a voice could be heard in the vox. Evrard stepped to his left and Reven tumbled right just milliseconds before an oversized ball of plasma from Pyrox’s weapon flew down the hall obliterating all in its path. As the orb of destruction took its toll on the orks Pyrox magnetized his smoking plasmagun on his back and charged at the remaining greenskins.

As Pyrox grappled, Evrard crushed, and Reven sliced, the unit of marines made the final push towards the pair of doors. Reven was first to reach the left door frame and peak through. After the quick look he spun around the corner to engage another incoming ork. The surprised greenskin was dispatched by a plasma ball to the chest. Before the ork had even hit the floor Pyrox was running past. With a powerful leap he flipped towards the last ork in the room. The ork fired several loud rounds before Pyrox’s feet connected with the top of the orks skull. With a sickening crunch the force pushed the orks head down between its shoulder blades killing it instantly, as the ork spasmed and fell Pyrox tumbled away into a crouched position.

Slowly Pyrox stood up over his latest victim and inspected the room they were in. It was a small chamber with an open back door and a spiral staircase leading up. Orks could be heard above them. Reven began to point towards the stairs with his plasma pistol when a static pulse came over the vox. The staccato of bolter rounds and the sizzle of the lascannon were heard before Evrard chimed in.

“Sergeant Suqqa has been incapacitated.”

Pyrox and Reven looked at each other before moving back through the black door. By the other black door an Ice Angel, Balathu, knelt over the limp form of Sergeant Suqqa. The motionless marine had substantial battle damage to his armor and helm but only a handful of wounds, one of which was a spear through one of his hearts. His other heart would keep him alive but he had already gone unconscious in order to sustain himself. The kneeling marine looked over his shoulder at the waiting marines. “We need to get him to Attikusu.” Balathu stated.

As blood dripped off Reven’s chainsword Pyrox stepped forward. “Take him and your lost brethren back to the main force, we will forge ahead and report back.”

Balathu glanced at the squad that he was now leading. When his look got to Thukoo he stopped, “Thukoo and Kuri, go with them.” Balathu picked up the body of his Sergeant and looked back to Pyrox, he waited a moment as if to say something before turning to walk away. The other two remaining tactical marines from Squad Kujara grabbed the other down marines and began to head out. Without looking back Balathu said, “The ice falls.”

Thukoo and Kuri responded in unison, “Our foes will shatter.”

Reven looked to Pyrox just as Evrard turned his green helmet his way. Pyrox realized they were waiting for him to lead. With the weight of command back on his shoulders he turned to the room with the stairs, “Evrard point, Kuri rear.” Pyrox thought to himself how odd it was to be in command of a unit such as this.

“move” he quietly added.

The instant the syllables left his lips Evrard was running towards the stairs with Reven on his heels. The five man unit was quickly moving up the spiral stairs and as they ran up stairs Pyrox thought back to his chapter that he hadn’t seen in decades. The Ice Angels had attempted to send a message after his rescue but the Fire Angels were a zealous crusading chapter on an unknown mission in an unknown system. It may be another several decades before he would ever catch up to them.

When Pyrox breached the top of the stairs behind Reven, he thought back to some of the battles he had led his old unit into. As Evrard created a bloody path through the waiting orks Pyrox fired his bolt pistol and engaged an ork attempting to flank Reven, but the engagement seemed subdued as Pyrox’s mind continued to relive some of his own past. The memory of his old unit brought Pyrox back to his time with the Dark Eldar, watching his men being sacrificed one at a time brought him to a new level of combat awareness. As Pyrox had done many times before, he filtered out his anger and hatred to gain a level of tranquility. After each kill he recited a prayer to the Emperor, and even though it was seconds before each kill he always finished his prayer before the next ork died. For a few moments Pyrox felt as if he was once again with his old chapter, the precision of the Ice Angels and relentless power of the two other angels reminding him of how true Astartes should fight. In this heightened awareness he turned in time to witness Evrard duel with three orks wielding massive two handed chain blades. Pyrox aimed to fire his last round, as he did so one of the orks managed to land a blow on Evrard’s side. The sudden jolt from the orks blow nearly knocked Evrard over and the time he spent keeping himself up was all the time the other orks needed to land additional blows. Their smoking chainblades dug through his green power armor tearing into his side, shoulder, and backpack. As his body was being eviscerated Evrard continued to fight, his powermace connected with one of the orks skull before Evrard lost his arm. He punched out with his other hand putting it through an orks eye, but the ork behind him continued to push the giant buzzing blade into his back. Pyrox watched in awe as the Dark Angel primed his remaining grenades and threw them behind him. “FOR THE EMPEROR!” Evrard shouted as the explosion rocked the room and sent him flying.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Brother Walters brought up his green glowing power sword just in time to deflect a blow from an ork chain blade. The ork kept its momentum going and tried to bull rush the power armored marine, but Brother Walters was familiar with the maneuver and smashed his bolt pistol into its chin. With a roar of pain and hatred the ork fell onto his side, he attempted to bring his chain blade to defend himself, but Brother Walters had already anticipated the move. A short side swipe took off the orks arm at the elbow and a quick jab ended the orks life, but before Walters could enjoy his small victory another ork barreled into him from behind. He crashed onto the filthy floor with an unarmed toothless orks, his bolt pistol was sent flying and his powersword slid into a pile of boar fecal matter.

As Walters lay prone, the toothless ork repeatedly slammed his head into the floor. The strength of the ork was unbelievable, after only a few hits Walters’ helmet was smashed and both eye lenses were shattered. Brother Walters tried to reach the ork on his back when a juicy thud removed the weight of the ork. Walters quickly spun around to see Inigo standing over him, thunder hammer in hand.

“Damn orks broke my helmet!” Brother Walters exclaimed as he unsecured and pried off his busted helmet.

Brother Inigo chuckled as he crushed the skull of a nearby wounded ork, much of the gore splattered the already filthy Son of Hades marine. “I apologize for not getting here sooner,” Inigo sarcastically responded, “but I’ve had many orks to crush.”

With a shake of his head Brother Walters stood up, his broken helmet still in hand. He looked around to see the Ice Angel unit had already moved ahead and only Brother Nefas stayed behind with Inigo and himself.

With a look of disgust, Brother Walters threw down his red and black helmet and began to search around for his weapons in the filth. “Damn Ice Angels, don’t even have the courtesy to assist a fellow marine! GAH!” he yelled and kicked the body of a dead ork.

Brother Nefas tilted his head and hissed a quite response, “They have a mission to fulfill and I do not think you are meeting their standards.”

With a look of shock he stared at the gaunt Sinners marine. Brother Nefas stood motionless his custom bolter held casually in his hands. Suddenly Brother Inigo burst into laughter and slapped Walters in the back. “Come on Walters, lighten up! What would you expect from these Sons of Sanguinius? They just watched you get beat by a toothless ork!” He shouted and laughed as he walked towards the distant sound of bolter fire and chainsword motors.

Inigo had taken a few steps towards the door when Nefas reached down and pulled out a discarded power sword. “I believe this is yours.” He said as he held it hilt first towards the red and black marine. Walters slowly took the blade, all the while staring at the Sinners marine. “I don’t particularly care for your criticism, Sinner,” he said through gritted teeth.

Nefas turned and sauntered away, “I don’t particularly care for you, Red Talon.”

As Nefas left, Brother Walters looked around for his bolt pistol mumbling curses and complaints. When he finally found his bolt pistol the barrel was bent beyond repair. With a sigh he put it in its holster and looked around once more, “Emperor, why did I volunteer for this?” For a few seconds he stood hoping to hear a response, but per usual Brother Walters was left with only his thoughts and complaints.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the wide metal corridors of the ork transport, the sounds of battle were deafening. Motorized blades, rumbling engines, clashing weapons, and gun fire of all calibers betrayed the numbers of marines fending off the masses of orks, squigs, and boars. Waves of yelling greenskins had clashed with the Ice Angels led by Cyaxeres, but they were pushed back and back again, back until the true threat reached the battlefield.

“What are you doing Nefas?” Honored Brother Inigo shouted over his shoulder. Several yards behind him Brother Nefas was stacking several ork bodies on top of a hairy giant dead boar. Inigo side stepped a charging boar and close lined the rider before crushing the orks jugulars with a quick jab. The boar crashed into the pile of bodies before being systematically shot in the head by the silent Sinners marine.

As Nefas adjusted the recent boar body he paused to look at the gore covered Son of Hades marine, “Preparing.” was all he said before climbing up the pile of bodies.

Inigo was about to question the odd response when a tingle ran down his spine, he turned back down the ork filled corridor to see a fresh wave of boars round the corner, but this time the boars weren’t typical specimens. These boars were modified. Wheels, treads, metal limbs, chained horns, and built in guns, the modifications were astounding even to the two hundred year old space marine. It wasn’t their look that amazed him, it was the sound. The perfect combination of motors and snorts, grinding gears and hooves, the orks were shouting as well but the boars and their cybernetic parts were all Inigo could focus on. As the cyboars closed the gap, the orks on foot parted to let them pass. Not all of them made it out of the way, Brother Walters took the opportunity to move up next to the motionless Inigo.

“I do not feel good about this situation.” Walters said, “They appear to be well armored.”

“Then shoot them where they aren’t,” Nefas quipped. Walters moaned at the remark when Nefas quickly vaulted on top of the pile of bodies. “Keep them off of me Inigo” he added as he pulled out one of his special ammunition clips. Inigo gripped his thunder hammer tightly in both hands as he grinned. To his right the Uttuakki were digging in and Cyaxeres was shouting words that got the Ice Angels all fired up. The gap between the boars and marines was closing fast. As they neared, time began to coalesce into a broken rhythm of combat maneuvers.

Brother Nefas had reloaded his customer bolter and flipped several switches adjusting the settings before he leveled it with both hands. Sensing the oncoming command he began to fire the exact same instant Cyaxeres gave the order. The Ice Angels opened up attempting to slow the armored cybernetic boars, but none of the Angels were as effective as Brother Nefas. His special armor piercing rounds were not only going through orks and boars, they were also passing through weapons, armor, and even the floor. The amount of destruction in those first few seconds was amazing, but only the charging line in front of Nefas was truly affected by it. The cacophony of gun fire was soon replaced with the clash of weapons and bodies. The line quickly turned into pockets of marines fending off the massive boars and their green-skinned riders.

“FOR VULKAN!” Brother Inigo screamed as he swung his hammer up from the floor into the metal chin of an armored boar. Its back legs were a single wide wheel propelling it forward right into the motion of the charged hammer head. The impact knocked the boar back onto its rear wheel sending the ork backwards onto the chain horns of the next boar. As Brother Inigo brought the hammer back around Brother Walters slid onto his knees in front of Inigo and jabbed his powersword into the jowls of another oncoming boar. The powered blade tore out the boars neck but the ork rider swung what looked like a large wrench down at Brother Inigo hitting him in his massive shoulder pad. Sparks and paint were sent flying into the air. Brother Inigo staggered backwards as the boar bled out and collapsed onto its surprised rider. Meanwhile, Brother Walters leapt to his feet to punch at the next incoming boar. Inigo regained his footing and risked a glance back at Nefas who was silently standing on his pile of bodies, waiting.

Walters tumbled away from a boar with a spiked face plate as Inigo jumped over the plate to crash into the screaming boar boy. Inigo jammed the hilt of his hammer through the orks skull. The ork fell taking the reins to the side sending the boar careening away from Nefas’s pile of bodies towards a group of tactical marines. Brother Walters witnessed this from the corner of his eye as yet another boar approached, but this time the boar was covered head to hoof in metal. The armored ork wielded a massive pole arm with three chain blades whirling in different directions at the end. As the boar lowered its head to collide with the waiting space marine the ork screamed a war cry that shook the floor.

The triple bladed pole arm came at him from a horizontal swipe. With few options to him Brother Walters tumbled once again, barely leading the whirling chain blades and dodging the metal spikes of the mechanized boar.

When Walters stood back up the mechanized boar was face down in the pile of bodies beneath the feet of Nefas. The ork rider was screaming in rage and pulling himself out from under the armored boars body when Walters saw the gaping hole through the boars skull. Brother Nefas slowly lowered his bolter, steam and heat was wafting from several points along its body.

“I’m out” He said as he ejected the spent clip from his bolter.

The massive ork stood up clumsily as if he rarely was on his feet and swung his massive chained weapon at the Sinner marine. Brother Nefas back stepped and slid down the back side of his pile of bodies easily avoiding the swing but leaving Walters relatively alone with the massive ork. The ork was quite possibly one of the largest he had ever seen standing several feet taller then even Brother Inigo, its corded muscles twitched with excitement and hate. Nevertheless Walters twirled his powersword and charged the back of the green monster. Surprisingly the ork spun and back handed him with enough force to send him flying further away from the closest marines.

Walters landed on his side and the force jarred his blade out of his hand once again. He rolled onto his back and grabbed a nearby ork axe when the whirling chain blades of the giant ork came down onto his out stretched arm. Walters grunted through the flare of pain when he pulled out his bolt pistol with his one remaining arm, at point blank he pointed the damaged weapon in hopes something would prevent his impeding doom. The remaining rounds shot out of the twisted barrel but not one hit the orks drooling face, the ork simply laughed and brought back his weapon. Black smoke belched out of the engines powering the chains as he revved the blades into even faster speeds, Brother Walters could do nothing to escape the orks wrath but scream in defiance.

Wide eyed he watched the triple chain blades descend towards him, he could smell the exhaust and feel the vibration through the air, he could almost feel the pain before he had been hit when a flash made him turn away. The sound of the engines filled his head as he opened his eyes, the chain blades were embedded into the floor right next to his head, the ork was screaming once again but this time in pain. One of the orks hands was nothing but a bloody stump. At Walters feet lay a sizzling thunder hammer. The ork turned in time to meet the charge of an enraged Honored Brother Inigo, even one handed the greenskin batted the space marine away, but Inigo would not be so easily stopped. He got back up and charged again just as a new black armored marine entered the scene. With an augmented scream from his skull helmet Cyaxeres thundered up to the massive ork. The ork managed to evade the first swing of Cyaxeres’ crozious and pull out an ork blade to block the next. As he did, Inigo came back to flank with a wide combat knife. Even one handed and surrounded the ork was a powerful foe, like a caged animal it lashed out to keep its enemies at bay. After one sloppy swing Inigo lunged forward jabbing his combat blade deep into his side, Cyaxeres followed suite mashing his crozious deep into the orks chest. Organs burst and bones shattered but still the ork bellowed. A wet thud finally silenced the ork and as the green monster toppled, Cyaxeres and Inigo looked upon a one armed Brother Walters holding a crackling thunder hammer.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cyaxeres reached out and grasped Walters’ good arm, “The Emperor is watching you Brother Walters.”

Brother Walters looked at his shattered arm and his discarded bolt pistol lying on the ground, “The Emperor works in mysterious ways if he is.”

Without further words Cyaxeres turned away to check on injuries, the Uttuakki had pulled through with minor injuries but the tactical unit the guest marines were accompanying was down to only a few able bodies, the severely wounded were already heading back towards the train.

Walters peered down at the massive ork specimen he had slain, with a deep sigh he looked over at Inigo and meet his gaze. Inigo removed his helmet, his beard instantly filling out to make his head seem larger then it actually was. He grinned and held out his hand; Walters placed the thunder hammer in the waiting palm. Walters opened his mouth to speak; Inigo cocked his head as if he was listening attentively. “Thanks Inigo,” was all Walters said. With a chuckle Inigo patted Walters on the shoulder and gazed down at the massive body. After just a moment he saw the black armored Sinner marine approach. Without taking his gaze off of his brethren, Nefas pulled out one of his standard clips and reloaded his bolter. Walters wiped some of the ork gore from his exposed face, “something wrong Nefas?”

With a quizzical look Nefas stared at the damaged and beaten Red Talon marine, “hmph, I saw you die by fire. Interesting,” he cocked his head.

“What?” Inigo and Walters asked.

Nefas simply shrugged and stepped past the massive body towards the remaining three members of his tactical unit he was accompanying. Inigo rubbed his chin and looked at Walters and instead of speaking he simply chuckled.

A sudden crack pierced the air, weapons were raised and Walters quick stepped over to his discarded power sword. Grots and snotlings began to run down the hall towards them, the cracking continued by ork shouts. Cyaxeres stepped forward ahead of the marines and pulled out a combat blade in his off hand, as he did every other marine did the same. The small green skinned creatures streamed forward like vermin in front of a brush fire, with terror in their eyes they attempted to assault the space marines and some attempted to run right past them. The marines slaughtered them. Cyaxeres began to push forward along with several members of the Uttuakki, Walters and Inigo did the same. The marines waded forward against the shin high torrent of miniscule creatures most of which couldn’t even harm the armored marines.

Walters jumped and landed on a handful of grots, he kicked and stabbed, punched and chopped, each motion ending the miserable life of his victims. Inigo wasn’t too far away his thunder hammer hitting the floor and sending dozens of them flying into the air screaming. After one particular impact a grot flew into the air and grabbed onto Walters shattered arm. With a quick jab he ran the little grot through. As the body slid down his blade a flash of metal caught his eye. He swung a low swing to momentarily give himself some room to see the floor. Spotting the grot body he noticed a small canister attached to the creatures body, without hesitation he spun and shoved Inigo with all of his might. Caught off guard by his brothers move, Inigo took several quick steps to keep from falling, he was mid turn when the first explosion rocked the hall way.

Several others quickly followed suite, the flames eviscerated and cleansed the hall way. A handful of marines were thrown to the side, Cyaxeres shield flared a brilliant blue, Inigo protected his face but sections of his beard went up in smoke. When he lowered his arms he stared at the twisted body of Brother Walters. A distant ork cackle could be heard down the hall. Inigo stepped forward and knelt before the body of his lost brother. Cyaxeres and Nefas were soon by his side.

“He jumped on the bomb,” Inigo whispered.

With a mental thought Cyaxeres crozious thrummed with power, “We will avenge him,”

“NO!” Inigo shouted. He turned to look up at the skull mask of the chaplain, hatred in his eyes and smoke wafting off his beard, “I will avenge him.”

Inigo carefully closed the eyes of Brother Walters and took one final glance before standing up. He nodded to Cyaxeres who returned the gesture, the chaplain raised his crozious and all the marines took off down the hall with only vengeance in mind.

All but one….

Nefas stalked up to the body and looked at the marine; he knelt down and rubbed some of Walters burnt flesh with his black gauntlet. “I hope the God Emperor finds you worthy, Red Talon.” Nefas smeared the ashy flesh across his helmet, just below his left eye. “You lasted longer then expected.”

Nefas stood up and stepped away from the body, “We will meet again” he whispered as he hustled to catch up to the other marines.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Brother Jaska slowly walked around the Ice Angel position, his ancient green eyes observing a tactical squad, Squad Rah-Apsu holding their position. The hull of the ork vessel was layers and layers of armor plating, but the surface looked more akin to a junk yard with pipes, damaged armor, and random bolted down machines. After the train had connected the two vessels, several mobs had assaulted their position but the hull was now occupied only by the marines and corpses, even in space the battle was quiet, the battle was now raging only within. A shadow passed over his position which made Jaska look over his shoulder, another car of the train was docking, bringing the train up to five cars all together.

“I didn’t know chapters still used boarding trains until earlier today.” a voice said with a clear tone of disgust.

Jaska didn’t have to look to know who it was that was speaking. Only one marine could sound that condescending. Jaska closed his eyes and took a deep breathe of the cool air his suit was providing. A red armored marine stood a short distance away but because of the vox he sounded as if he was within arms reach.

“Torpedoes are what are typically used and recommended.” Brother Kvothe said. “Fast, brutal, but more importantly they do not risk the larger space bound vessel.”

Memories of boarding missions and tactical plans crossed his mind at the mention of boarding torpedoes. “but they aren’t nearly as armored,” Jaska whispered as one particular nightmare was brought back to life.

Kvothe began to walk towards Jaska, as if being closer would emphasis any point he was about to make. As if his chapters honor was on the line Kvothe spout out research and debates on why torpedoes should be used instead of the boarding trains but Jaska didn’t hear a single word of it.

Brother Jaska continued to think about other things until the continuous droning of Kvothe stopped, the silence creeping into his helm like a cool night’s breeze. He slowly turned his head towards Kvothe, oblivious to what he had last said, “Do you know why the Ice Angels use boarding trains?”

Kvothe tilted his head slightly at the question, his dark blue helm reflecting some of the star light. “No, but I’m sure you will tell me,” he responded with a sigh.

Jaska looked back at the armored train embedded in the ork hull. He looked up at the five cars stretching out into space like a misplaced tower and then to the motionless form of the Frozen Rage. After a moment of thought he once again regarded the red armored marine next to him, Brother Kvothe was highly decorated with a purple tabard and a plethora of ribbons, terminator honors, and an inquisition badge, his meltagun was magnetized to his side ready to deal death at a moments notice.

“Efficiency, Brother Kvothe,” Jaska responded before looking back towards the Ice Angels and continuing to patrol.

Kvothe began to respond but Jaska quickly cut him off with his calming deep voice, “How many times can you fire the same boarding torpedo?”

“Once.”

“How many torpedos would you have to fire to transport the same number of men as we have today?”

“Well that would depend on the size…..”

“Kvothe…” Jaska quietly said, but his voice wouldn’t penetrate the words coming out of Kvothe’s tireless jaw.

“….. and further more…” Kvothe finally trailed off as Jaska turned his back to once again regard the train.

Without looking back Jaska smiled at the silence, “Are you familiar with boarding train designs?”

“Only those stated in the Codex Astartes, the ones of ancient designs that are deemed unfit for…..”

“Kvothe!” He interrupted while turning around, “Does that look anything like one of the boarding trains you’ve ever seen before?”

The Shadow Sanctus marine stared at the towering transport device and noticed how different it was from any he had ever seen or read about, not only in design but sheer size. The massive transport was covered with armored plates attached with elaborate suspension systems to absorb and deflect explosions and fire, it also had dozens of propulsion systems to steer itself during its travels through space, this wasn’t a simple armored drop pod on a chain. Kvothe’s gaze soon followed up the massive cable and when he saw the Frozen Rage his enhanced vision regarded the rows of doors that most likely held boarding torpedoes, instead of honoring Jaska with a response he instead began to watch a contingent of Tundra Foxes moving out onto the hull to hold the marine position. Both marines stood in silence as the guardsman began to bring out gun emplacements, finally a message came across their HUDs.

“Ah, change of plans Brother Kvothe we will finish this debate later.” Jaska spoke while drawing his plasma pistol and adjusting a setting, Brother Kvothe nodded his head in agreement before heading over to their new way point.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The plan was simple, its execution was precise. The engineering area of the ship was already under firm Ice Angel control. The remaining fight only lay near the bow of the ship between Razzik and the cornered ork captain.

In the engineering room Brother Shu-Takii had already begun taking apart and adjusting some of the controls the orks had been using. Everything in the room was painted a different shade of red and on the floor was a huge metal grin. The remnants of squad Kujara were posted around the room; several were moving ork bodies while others were guarding the entrance. Brother Nefas sat away from them all in a dark corner watching and listening while reconfiguring his bolter. On the inside of the nearest bulk head stood Honored Brother Inigo with his eyes closed. His beard was partially burned away and his armor was doused in blood from orks and other creatures. He leaned forward on the haft of his hammer, the head of the mighty weapon laying level on the floor. The pulsing energy that the weapon discharged had cleansed the weapons head of ichor but now that the energy had dissipated the scratches and damage could be easily seen.

As Nefas examined Inigo from afar he realized just how similar the weapon was to the marine. The battle fury had left him, the moment of near life and death had passed. Now he stood sentinel, a monument to the empire, a living engine of destruction waiting for its next use.

A deep sigh escaped the sentinel marine and slowly, he opened his eyes. With one massive gray gauntlet he scratched his chin and reexamined his surroundings. When he caught the eye of Brother Nefas his mouth went back to its nearly perpetual smiling position. The Son of Hades picked up his massive hammer and walked towards the shadowed corner.

With a muffled thud the hammer once again hit the floor only a few inches from Brother Nefas. The bearded giant leaned forward and smiled at the black armored Sinner.

“What?” Brother Inigo chuckled.

Nefas unclasped his helm and removed the only white and silver piece of armor that he wore. His gaunt features the opposite of the marine in front of him. Nefas looked down at the smear on his helmet. “I have only known you for a short time, but until a moment ago, I had only ever seen you smile. Is that a Sons of Hades trait, or just you?” he hissed quietly.

His words hung in the air between the two marines, after a few moments Inigo chuckled once again. “Sons of Hades are from a series of worlds full of smoke and fire, hammers and echoes. In those filthy dark places you learn to fight, to survive, and to never give in! That is not only the trait of the Sons of Hades, but of Vulkan.” His smile grew wider at the mention of his primarch. “As for the smiling, that’s all me,” his grin widen until its corners were hidden beneath his shaggy beard.

The pale features of Nefas turned for a moment into amusement before Brother Inigo spoke again. “Only when I pray does my smile evade me.”

“I too, do not smile when I pray” Nefas began.

“HA! So you never smile then?” Inigo bellowed.

Nefas looked past Brother Inigo and paused, “I will when my job is done and I stand before the Emperor.” His quite voice was nearly lost in Inigo’s response.

“Then I will pray for the Emperor to be prepared for your visit!” he nudged a gauntlet against the armored shoulder pad of Nefas. With that gesture he turned and began to assist the Ice Angels with their clean up, laughing and chatting with the other marines as he did.

Nefas watched from the shadowed corner and wondered when that day would come. He still had so much to do.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

With a satisfying crunch the orks skull caved in between his electrically charged fingers. As the greenskins brain matter splattered across the floor and his boot, Captain Razzik looked up at the fleeing orks. Casually he threw aside the remnants of the orks head and walked down the hall. Ahead of him Vetov of the Emperor’s Tears was tearing off a screaming orks arm before silencing him with the razor bottom edge of his shield. Sergeant Hunzuu was next to Vetov reloading his handflamer while watching the orks turn and flee.

All around Razzik the Ice Angels were finishing off their kills and preparing for the next onslaught. No orders needed to be given, only the wounded were speaking as they reported their injuries to their superiors. After only a few minutes the capable marines were moving on, only Attikusu the Sanguinary Priest and his “honor” guard stayed behind dealing with the wounded.

In these moments in between battle Razzik would filter through reports of his units and squads. Blink clicking through submenus he would learn who was still fully functional, missing, wounded, or in the Emperors Grace. Several units were well below half strength including his old unit the Veteran Ashurbani. Attikusu now had nearly twenty marines around him that had all suffered grievous wounds. Before moving out Razzik looked back at the white armored Sanguinary Priest, his twin power scimitars were strapped on his back and he was removing the prized gene seed from one of the fallen. The kneeling priest was surrounded by his honor guard. Those marines still blessed with life yet taken from the front lines, several of which were missing limbs. One marine was drenched in so much gore and blood Razzik didn’t recognize him from this distance, but in the marines one arm he still held a bolter ready to dispense death as only an astartes could.

Razzik’s gaze dwelled on the one armed marine for another second before returning to the task at hand. One final push and this ship would be his. The orks would pay for the wounded and when he was done the dark eldar would pay for the death of Ruusa. Razzik began to grind his teeth at the thought of dispensing judgment on the xenos that he so hated. In a blur of ocular motion he issued orders. Two of the smaller units immediately pushed forward along the sides of the wide hall. After seven seconds Razzik took a step forward along with thirty other marines. They could have walked shoulder to shoulder in the hall but they took up a standard assault formation formed around the front point marine, Captain Razzik.

The hall would take them to the bridge of the vessel but he knew there was another threat still lurking in this metal behemoth. At the thought of fighting the ork weird boyz he felt a slight wave of heat pass over him, as if a flamer had been shot over his head. He concentrated on the sensation when a forward unit reported an ork assault as bolt fire echoed around the curve of the hall.

The Ice Angels ran forward to join their brethren. In seconds they passed through a large blast door and saw the two small units of marines by opposite walls fending off a growing wave of greenskins. A huge green armored Nob several heads taller then any space marine was pointing and shouting orders, at the sight of the thirty marines running towards him he smiled a toothy grin. His curved yellow teeth were the size of combat blades and when his grin turned to a snarl the horde of greenskins had an instant change of demeanor.

Razzik tingled at the unspoken challenge from the green armored ork and as he plotted his first few moves he closed the distance between them. Five paces away the ork howled, his deep voice a powerful surge of sound, “SNEAKY GITS!!!!!!!!!”

As the Ice Angel Captain deflected the first of the long armored punches from the ork, the marines around him opened fire. Several ranks of orks were laid flat by the fire, some of the more powerful weapons took out multiple orks at once, but in those few seconds their focused fire was on their forward flank. When the rear guard of the angels saw the orks emerging from side doors it was too late to stop them. The floor shook as several small devices exploded. The huge blast door behind them didn’t hesitate to drop into the floor as its supporting chains were shredded by the explosion. The metal floor rippled from the impact of the giant doors and through it all Captain Razzik relentlessly attacked the ork in front of him. The nob wore a kind of chainmail with heavy armor along his arms. The charged fists of the greenskin were bigger then a marine’s head and on several occasions Razzik could hear the ork chuckle as the captain narrowly avoided every attack.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Attikusu, the sanguinary priest, carefully removed the geneseed from the last of the fallen. With a prayer on his lips he tapped several buttons on his narthecium attached to his wrist, the small device traveled up his left arm into his shoulder pad. The precious geneseed was then locked away in a near impenetrable compartment on his back. Attikusu stood and bowed his head as he looked down at the most recently lost battle brother.

As he looked around at the fallen marines, the nearest living marines bowed their heads in silent respect as they always did. Attikusu was about to speak when a distant crash made every living marine in the hall look down its length. An eerie silence filled the wide body strewn space. A tingle started at his toes and slowly trickled up his body, Attikusu took several steps forward. Each marine pointed their weapons in various angles waiting, something was wrong.

Only Attikusu was moving, the white armored Priest took several more steps before coming to the edge of the loose defensive circle. The twenty marines stood sentinel when a wave of heat seemed to reach them and dissipate. Ahead of them a crackle of energy tore through reality. The marines all bore their weapons waiting for a target when a blinding flash of light gave them pause. Where there was open area, now stood a mob of orks. Their face paint and colorful armor a stark contrast to the solid black armor of the Ice Angels. In the center of their midst was a small group of misshapen orks, their bodies coursed with energy that appeared to jump from ork to ork. In unison the energized orks shouted, light poured out of their eyes and mouths.

The Ice Angels opened fire. Attikusu calmly watched the orks as he pulled out from behind his back, two slightly curved powered blades. A mental command was given and they thrummed with power. He stepped to his side and looked at his enemies over his right shoulder.

Over the roar of guns and crackle of energy he pointed one of his scimitars and shouted, “BLOOD FOR BLOOD! MAKE THEM PAY FOR THE FALLEN!”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Around Razzik and the green armored nob, there was a near continuous blizzard of blood and limbs. The rear unit of Ice Angels had pushed back towards the fallen door and flanking orks. They had contained them in the side hall ways and Razzik smiled behind his helmet as the ranks seemed to thin out in front of him behind the nob.

His smile didn’t last long when several urgent reports came in and Attikusu’s bluish signal began to blink in his HUD. The realization of what had occurred startled him and for a moment he backed off the ork. The nob, however, didn’t give any ground. In fact he bull rushed the shielded space marine. Razzik hid behind his shield but was soon knocked over onto his back as the ork used his bulk to throw him down. Razzik grunted as he slammed into the flooring. The ork pushed his advantage and knelt over the prone marine. An armored green fist came down the moment Razzik punched back and their two hands collided knuckles to knuckles. The two powerfists met with an explosion of energy and light. They repelled one another with such a force that the ork stood back up and turned side ways. Razzik blinked away the pain and brought up his shield as the ork brought down the same fist once again. His shield crumpled under the pounding and soon his left arm was holding what looked like a deformed piece of scrap metal.

For a brief moment the pounding stopped, Razzik tossed aside his shield just before he saw the ork jump into the air. The giant treaded boots of the ork came down on top of Razzik. His triple lungs screamed in pain as they ceased to have room to function, the crushed breast plate was the only thing keeping him alive under the orks bulky form.

Razzik stabbed at the armed boots with his knife to no avail. His powerfist had also ceased to function. He continued to flail at the legs of the ork but could only watch the ork scream and yell as the pain grew stronger and stronger. Razzik closed his eyes as a scream attempted to flee his lips.

A sudden shift in weight allowed him a take a deep breathe. Commander Vetov had launched himself at the ork. The green armored behemoth had pivoted on Razziks chest in order to knock the marine aside. Several other marines had also stepped up to fire point blank, staying just out of reach as they fired. In seconds nearly a dozen bolt weapons were firing at the creature. Sergeant Hunzuu stepped up and unleashed his hand flamer up into the face of the ork. The nob continued to scream its hatred as its flesh began to melt off its face. As the burning creature stepped off of Razzik, the Ice Angels pounced. Chainblades, power weapons, fists, and knifes struck at the ork. Hunzuu, was battered aside and two other marines took powerful hits from the ork before it finally succumbed to its wounds.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The nearest marine screamed a short burst of agony before collapsing onto the floor, his burnt husk smoking like freshly cooked meat. Attikusu danced away to his side taking the head off an ork with graceful ease as he passed. The orks were abnormally powerful from the weirdboyz presence and against the weakened marines the battle was going poorly. Attikusu fully concentrated on his dance knowing full well that the marines he had spent so much time keeping alive were dying around him. His anger was eating at the edge of his focus.

A one armed, gore covered, marine slid across the floor towards him on his knees, from a near prone position he blew the face off an ork attempting to engage Attikusu. The white priest returned the favor and twirled over the prone marine and sliced the chest open of another ork with both swords.

“We must kill those psykers!” the one armed marine shouted as he awkwardly reloaded with one hand, using the body of an ork to prop up his gun. Attikusu quick stepped over to another ork and lopped off his leg before he could take the life from another prone marine, Attikusu continued to move from ork to ork dancing and leaping through the air. He was trying to get closer to the psykers, when a small group of orks rushed him simultaneously. He danced away trying to stall long enough to determine how to best kill them, when a nearby explosion showered him in gore. Attikusu didn’t blink or pause; he took the moment to slash out with his powered blades. They easily cut through armor and flesh. The priest’s sixth sense tingled and he dove to the side. A column of light passed through where he was just standing to eviscerate one of the orks. An ork weird boy screamed in anger and it seemed to charge him with even more power. He pointed out a crooked finger when his hand began to glow with renewed energy.

As the power built within him a red chainsword flew through the air into the orks gut. The teeth of the blade continued to whir and like a bloody drill it burrowed itself into the orks flesh. With energy augmented screams the power built up inside the dying ork until it was too much. The weakened ork exploded and the sudden evacuation of power took out several of the nearby weird boyz.

A beam of light from a side hall way passed through another weird boyz face. Attikusu sliced open three more orks before he saw who was assisting his wounded force. Brother Reven was firing his smoking plasma pistol as the gray armored Pyrox tore the arms of a standing ork. Thukoo was aiming his lascannon as Kuri shot into the flanks of the orks.

The small group of four marines took out the unprotected psychers before the other orks had realized they were being flanked. As the last psykers fell the remaining orks turned and fled. Attikusu nodded his gratitude towards the guest marines and their fortunate timing as he put away his swords. He looked down once again at the fallen marines, with a sigh the narthecium slid back down his arm.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The marines around Razzik were once again marching down the hall towards the bridge. Relief passed over Razzik when Attikusu’s symbol abruptly stopped throbbing and returned to a positive battle status. A stack of picture icons appeared along the top rim of his HUD, a few blink clicks later and he witnessed the carnage that Attikusu had just lived through. While thinking back to the “honor” guard he had left with Attikusu, Razzik shook his head.

“The Emperor Protects” he quietly spoke to himself.

“The Emperor Protects” Vetov echoed.

Razzik hadn’t realized that the marine from the Emperor’s Tears chapter was marching right beside him. The quartered black and blue armor of Vetov was battle damaged and dirty, the bottom half of his storm shield was dripping in orkish blood.

As the marines rounded a corner Razzik spoke to Vetov. “Your assistance against that nob was most appreciated.”

“I didn’t think I would get the opportunity to assist you so soon.” Vetov hesitated, “I didn’t realize how reckless you would fight against these orks.”

Razzik shot Vetov a glare, but didn’t speak. He knew what the Tear was getting at. Razzik was a tactical expert and that last fight had left a sour taste in his mouth. A nob had nearly killed him because he recklessly assaulted the ork alone. Meanwhile a secondary unit had assault his Priest. Within seconds a dozen other strategies passed through his mind, Razzik nearly stopped moving at the realization of how he had acted further sank in.

A private vox channel opened between the two marines, “Thank you for your bluntness Vetov. I didn’t realize how much my anger has clouded by vision.”

There was a moment of silence between them as the group of marines came to another hall way that opened to their left. The bridge was just around the corner. “This is not how I…” Razzik started.

“I know.” Vetov interrupted.

The entire group of marines paused at the intersection as the rumble of a vehicle began to shake the floor. The screams of orks grew louder and a panicked mob of greenskins ran around the corner at them. The Ice Angels murdered them with bolter fire as the black form of a vindicator tank drove from their left and slammed into a wall in front of them. A dozen orks were pulverized in the collision.

The top hatch flew open as the white helm of Timigiratee poked out from the tank known as the Crystalfist. “The Bridge is clear, sir!”

Razzik gave the marine a quizzical look, “How did you get into the bridge?”

The question seemed to throw the gunner off guard, “As you ordered Captain.”

“I didn’t order you to storm the bridge with a vindicator?! Who went with you?!” Razzik was both agitated and curious at the thought.

“Inushi, Aquilum, Jaska, and Kvothe, sir.” He responded without hesitation.

Before the gunner of the Crystalfist had finished his short sentence Razzik was storming past the vindicator towards the bridge, the other marines quickly followed. When the last one passed, the vindicator backed up slightly and turned 180 degrees. It then followed behind the marines leaving a trail of smeared ork parts.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In under a minute Captain Razzik rounded the final corner to the bridge. During the 49 seconds it took him to arrive he thought about what needed to be asked and what should be done. The punishment for falsifying orders was steep but this wasn’t done by one of his marines. Or was it? Captain Razzik more then ever wished Cyaxeres or Ruusa was with him so he may ask for their opinions, but he didn’t have that luxury at the moment.

As Razzik strode onto the bridge he was met by the salute of the four guest marines. The floor was riddled with bodies and as Razzik took in the scene he envisioned each of the marine’s path. According to the kills Inushi, with his long power sword, had moved left taking out four orks before sending his sword through the seat of another ork now crumpled on the floor next to a dimly lit screen. Jaska had moved right firing his plasma pistol at orks near the rear of room while tearing through two orks and beheading a third, the splatter patterns gave away the chainsword kills.

In the center of the room laid the largest corpse, next to it stood Aquilum, but as Razzik approached he saw the wound that had slain the creature. It wasn’t from Aquilum’s fist or storm bolter but from Brother Kvothe’s meltagun. Razzik looked down through the ork’s skull, then to the rear wall of the room. The perfect shot had passed through the ork and into the back wall between two large screens.

Razzik looked at each marine in turn before he turned back to the Ice Angels at the door. ‘Combat squads, clear the area’ he issued as he sent an update to Philosir, Cyaxeres, Seluku, and Attikusu. Sergeant Hunzuu and the other officers nodded and turned, they broke into smaller units and began to search for enemies.

As the last Ice Angel left the room he returned his focus to the guest marines that hadn’t moved. Jaska stood proud, his dark red armor still dripping from ork splatter. Aquilum removed his own helmet and spoke as he did, ‘Excellent strategy Captain. I knew the Emperor smiled upon us when you told us to take the ships bridge.’

Kvothe shook his head in disbelief before speaking, ‘Creating your own entrance near the bridge while the main body fights off the ork horde was very intuitive.’ The Shadow Sanctus marine seemed reluctant to praise the unorthodox plan but it did work without error.

Captain Razzik turned to look at Inushi, but the Mantis Warrior seemed distracted by his own thoughts and simply nodded at the Captains look. Aquilum began to clean off his helm with a chuckle, ‘Shall we go hunting before your Angels take all the fun?’

‘Indeed,’ Razzik paused and stared at Aquilum, ‘but first I need to know. How you did you falsify an order in our system?”

“What order was falsified?” Aquilum responded with a look of surprise.

“The order to take the bridge with four marines and the Crystalfist,” Razzik retorted.

‘Captain,’ Aquilum looked shocked, ‘you wound me. I would never falsify an order. I will tell you when I plan on going against your orders.’

Razzik absorbed the words but realized that Aquilum was blunt enough to do something like that. ‘Then who……’

Jaska stepped forward and stood with his arms behind his back, ‘I did Captain.’

The guest marines looked between each other shocked, Razzik simply adjusted his stare.

‘Aquilum, Kvothe, Inushi, go with the Crystalfist and make sure it makes it to the hanger safely.’ Razzik’s stare didn’t leave the red armored marine.

As the order was issued Kvothe saluted and left the room with Inushi not far behind. Aquilum measured up both remaining marines before he placed his helmet back on. He then casually stepped past the marines and left the bridge.

The two marines left on the bridge stood in silence before Razzik spoke, ‘Explain yourself Jaska. Why did you create an order to attack the bridge?’

‘Given the circumstance and resources available to me it seemed a wise decision. We could take the bridge while the orks were away trying to stop you. We would then be able to move forward with your plan to search the system quicker. Timing was paramount so I created an order in such a way that would move the needed tools immediately.’

‘Falsifying orders in a combat zone….’ Razzik started to speak.

‘I’m aware of the penalty Captain. Punish me as you see fit.’ Jaska interrupted.

Captain Razzik took a deep breath and let the marines words sink in. ‘In any other situation I would but if you ever do that again.’ The end of the sentence lingered for a moment before the older Marines Chrysemys responded.

‘Yes Captain.’

* ** * * ** ** * * * * * * * *** * * * **** * * * *

“I do not agree Razzik.” Sergeant Muttabriqu stated through gritted teeth. His helmet was still on yet Razzik could sense the stare that the veteran sergeant was giving him.

Captain Razzik turned and looked out upon the hanger in front of him. The tiny hanger was too small for a standard thunderhawk, only Philosir’s specialized hawk adjusted to the fit the space. In front of the hawk sat a large treaded vehicle. At first glance it looked like a weaponless land raider. The heavily armored moveable piece of tech sat like an shelving unit, hatches and doors all open and ready to be filled. A handful of servitors worked near the device.

“Muttabriqu, my decision is final.” Razzik said without looking back at lone marine next to him.

Muttabriqu shook his head, completely dumb founded. “You are out of your mind. In a matter of days you will need all of the marines you can get and yet you are sending the one still intact, most experienced unit…. behind!”

With a sigh Captain Razzik started to turn back to face Muttabriqu when a small winged symbol appeared on his HUD. Razzik accessed the winged symbol and a scroll bar of black pic screens appeared across the bottom of his HUD. With a slow whir the large device on the deck began to open. Several rows of small bay doors on the top of the device could be seen pointing up. When they stopped moving a swarm of servo skulls exited the device. Each one silently hovered to a various position around the hanger. One of the servitors that was plugged into the device, adjusted several settings when the black screens in Razzik’s HUD suddenly activated. Razzik, along with every other Ice Angel, could now view what the servo skulls were seeing.

Two other winged icons appeared in his HUD as the servitor released two other kinds of hovering servo skulls, one version had a built in bolt pistol the other had six minute legs used to deliver or install various items. At the moment they all carried frag grenades.

The servo skulls had deployed into hundreds of small units, with another swarm of the carrier skulls forming closest to the device. With a final thought, the servitor activated them all and they flew out the hanger to search the ship for hiding orks, rogue squigs, and anything else that wasn’t human or marine, only twenty or so of the carrier skulls remained. The other servitors had already begun to hand out deployable cameras to those that stayed.

As the servo skulls flew out of the hanger, Razzik looked back at Muttabriqu. He knew that the distraction in the hanger wouldn’t stop Muttabriqu or change his attitude one bit.

“You are correct Sergeant. I do need all of the marines I can get. However, a unit that can protect an entire ship needs to stay behind on the Frozen Rage. A unit that excels at rapid recovery needs to stay behind to pick us up once we have our proof. AND most importantly this unit needs to operate alone.” Razzik raised his hand to silence Muttabriqu as the veteran sergeant attempted to speak.

“Sergeant, given the choice of units at my disposal, what unit best fits that description?” Razzik watched Muttabriqu’s reaction. He knew that Muttabriqu came to the same conclusion and was thinking extremely hard to find a fault in his logic.

“Muttabriqu, you command one of the best veteran units in the chapter. You followed Captain Ruusa loyally and without question. I know you believe that you should have been the newest captain in the chapter….” Razzik paused for a moment, “at times I do too, but the Council chose me as the twelfth Captain and I don’t pretend to understand or question their decision making.”

Muttabriqu stopped shaking his head and chuckled at the comment. The Council did work in mysterious ways, yet the chapter had survived for millennia. At Razzik’s words Muttabriqu finally realized that his anger towards his fellow marine was unjustified. Razzik didn’t ask to be the Captain, he was ordered to be the Captain.

With a final sign of the Aquila he nodded his head. “Captain, I will gather my men and depart on the last train.”

Razzik returned the sign and watched as the veteran sergeant marched away. Deep down inside he hoped this wouldn’t be the last time he would see a member of the Uttuakki. With grim determination Razzik marched back towards the bridge, the next phase of his strategy was about to begin.

Chapter 8 – The chance

Captain Razzik stood face to face to the green brute. The muscular ork’s yellow teeth glistened with moisture, his black and yellow checkered hat sat slightly tilted on its head. The ork wore a cross between a sneer and a grin as if it were always about to tell a joke before killing something. His little red eyes were sunk into his skull but they followed Razzik’s every move. Around the orks throat dangled a set of dusty goggles that the ork would never again have a use for.

“Wat u’ fink… Kap’n?” the ork spat. The simple words brought a smile across Captain Razzik’s face.

“Taller. He should be taller.” Razzik spoke as he looked to his left where Tech marine Philosir stood amongst a riot of equipment. The floor on the bridge was covered with hundreds of cables and nearly a dozen Imperial staff worked on rigging and adjusting the controls on the ork ship. The ship was currently under control from the engine room, the Angels hadn’t wasted any time once they had loaded the ship with their necessary equipment and staff.

As Razzik looked back to the ork in front of him, the image wavered briefly before growing several inches taller.

When the holographic image of the greenskin finally completed its readjustment Razzik looked up into the eyes of the brute and nodded his head.

“That’s better.”

The image once again wavered before disappearing completely. The small device on the floor quickly folded into itself creating a disk with an inner ring of slowly fading lights. Philosir walked over and unplugged himself from it.

One of his servo arms picked the disk off the floor and slid it into a compartment on his back as several other cords detached from various devices around the room. Two small servo skulls floated over to Philosir and perched on his shoulder as the tech marine collected his things. Several Imperial officers watched in awe as the Ice Angel absorbed his needed tools.

When the tech marine’s servo arms clicked back he gave a simple nod to Captain Razzik, then to several other officers on the bridge. As he finished, he followed Razzik out of the bridge past two Ice Angels guarding the entrance.

After only a few minutes of walking Razzik broke the silence. “Are you sure they will be enough?”

Philosir stopped and regarded his superior. “Captain, I have calculated every variable to determine the optimal unit size for this mission and given the options of viable troops to be a part of this mission. I have no doubt that I have picked the best marines to accompany me.”

Something itched at the back of his mind. The entire situation bothered him like a tickle in his throat. There had been no suggestion of this side mission before and nothing that Razzik could recall prompted this sudden quest. Now matter the internal argument he gave to himself he knew that he had to trust him. The ancient Tech Marine thought differently then him and even though his gut was telling him this wasn’t right. He forced himself to swallow his issues and allow it.

“Fine, we will continue our course as planned.” Razzik eventually said before continuing on his path towards the hanger.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As the air lock slowly slid open the two marines stepped out onto the hanger. Two ork transports sat in the center of the space like squat beasts ready to pounce. Both were painted with sloppy red paint and armored with an excessive amount of metal panels. The closer of the two had a small row of missiles above the front open hatch. Standing in front of the gaping entrance to the ship was a group of colorful marines and four servitors. At the sight of Razzik and Philosir entering the hanger, several of the marines gave each other final words before walking away.

By the time Razzik and Philosir crossed the empty space there stood only Chaplain Cyaxeres, Desai, Aquilum, Inushi, Reven, Pyrox, Hunzuu, and Shar-drasha. The servitors around the ship finished their work reinforcing several plates and attaching some Imperial surprises before walking and scuttling away. As they did Cyaxeres raised his voice in prayer, every marine lowered their head and reaffirmed their loyalty to the Emperor. As he finished he too turned and walked away, Brother Desai looked at each marine in turn before he followed the grim chaplain out of the hanger. The non Ice Angel marines placed their helmets on and began to enter the ork vessel. Razzik stepped over to Sergeant Hunzuu and Shar-drasha as Philosir entered the vessel to complete the necessary tasks before take off.

His two old squad mates already wore their helmets and each had a hand flamer on their hips. As the hint of promethium wafted into his helm Razzik was reminded of his old days as sergeant of the Ashurbani. The images of lost marines slowly took over his thoughts.

Shaking the images from his thoughts, Razzik held out his hand, “may the Emperor protect you, my brothers.”

Shar-drasha responded and grasped Razzik’s fore arm. Hunzuu did the same shortly there after but paused slightly.

“What is it Hunzuu?” Razzik prodded.

Hunzuu leaned back slightly with his hands across his chest, “permission to speak freely Captain?”

Razzik snorted at the formality. “Of course Hunzuu.”

“I do not like this one bit. Going on a pertinent side mission I’d be okay with, but sending us on a mission that will most likely have no relevance.” Hunzuu shook his head in disbelief at his own words. “I don’t like it Captain.”

Razzik took a side glance at Shar-drasha as he sighed, “I understand your reservations but Philosir believes the stations data systems are still active. They may have been recording and gathering information throughout the entire ork invasion of the Kota system. This data alone could give us a great advantage in this crusade.”

The look from both of his battle brothers didn’t change.

“That’s not what is truly bothering you, is it?”

“No Captain….” Hunzuu started.

“Please Hunzuu, amongst us there is no need for formal titles.”

Hunzuu nodded his head reluctantly, “Razzik, I don’t like the idea of going on any mission with these other marines. They fight well, but they aren’t of the Mantle.”

As the truth came out Razzik found himself nodding his head before he realized what he was doing. “You need to trust me. You need to trust them. We all follow the same Emperor.”

Hunzuu and Shar-drasha shared a look before turning towards the ship. Razzik knew how they felt and no matter how much he wanted to believe his own words, they felt hollow. Watching his two old squad mates enter the ship he realized just how much he would prefer to be battling along side them leading with his actions, not leading them away with his words.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The rumble of the ship was unsettling. Inushi shifted in his large bucket seat as the ork transport continued to shake. The moment Philosir had activated the thrusters, Inushi felt as if he was about to crash. The more the feeling of doom filled the back of his mind the more he got angry at Aquilum. The yellow and pink armored marine sat across from him grinning like a fool. Inushi chuckled at the simple thought. Aquilum, one of the Emperor’s Fools as he called himself, sat on the same vessel, going through the same stress and dealing with the same Imperial hypocrisy. Thinking back to his own foolish actions that led him this situation, Inushi leaned against the metal seat. The advice of Darius Stone, his mentor, seemed like ancient history.

“Feel better?” Aquilum asked.

Inushi didn’t respond, instead he reached up and removed his helmet. A lock of black hair fell in front of his eyes as he stared down at his helmet. The green helmet was a standard Mantis Warrior helm, its slight insectoid lines and larger eye lens gave it a menacing visage. It had several new scratches from recent battle but as his sight slowly crossed the floor he saw Aquilum’s torn up armor and realized how well he had managed.

Aquilum’s armor was dented and missing a lot of paint. After his last run in with an ork mega dread he had had to replace his chest piece. The action was so recent he hadn’t had time to paint it. The matte gray of the base coat made the pink and yellow from the rest of his armor look even more ridiculous.

“You are being awfully quiet as of late Inushi, something on your mind?”

Quiet? Inushi hadn’t realized it but after he boarded this vessel he hadn’t spoken a word to Aquilum.

“Seriously? The silent treatment? Should I tell you a joke or something?” Aquilum badgered him.

“EMPEROR NO!” Hunzuu yelled from several seats away. “Your jokes are atrocious.”

Reven and Pyrox chuckled at the response as Aquilum continued to grin and watch Inushi.

With measured control Inushi began to softly speak. The rumbling of the ship seemed to subside as Inushi spoke and despite their super human senses the other marines leaned in to listen.

“When I was a mere scout learning the ways of the astartes, my master gave me a piece of advice that greatly influenced me.”

Inushi waited and looked around; Aquilum opened his hands and shook his head in agitation at the dramatic pause.

“What was the advice?”

“Don’t talk to pink and yellow marines.” He responded.

Reven, Pyrox, Hunzuu and Shar-drasha burst into laughter as Aquilum’s grin returned.

As the laughter subsided the others began to talk amongst themselves. Slowly Inushi leaned forward and spoke directly to Aquilum.

“An important step to learning is understanding what you already know.”

Aquilum’s grin slipped away as he thought on the statement.

“What then, do you know?” he asked.

“I understand my enemies, their strengths and their weaknesses. I have trained to deal death and avoid it in nearly every condition. I know how to serve the Emperor and have done so my entire life. I have seen the power that has been granted from that faith.” He looked back down to his helmet. “Yet here I am on a ship headed towards some outpost, monitoring a chapter that I haven’t heard of before, alone and away from my kin. All because an Inquisitor told me I had to, all because I spoke my mind on the Iron Torch.”

With that he set his helmet down on the empty seat to his right and stared into the eyes of the bald headed marine across from him.

Aquilum stared back, waiting. Eventually he spoke.

“Sounds like you need to listen to your mentor a bit more then.”

A shocked look crossed Inushi’s face. “How so?”

“You are only concentrating on one aspect of your mentor’s wisdom. You know many things,” a huge grin crossed Aquilums face,”but it sounds like you don’t know how to keep your mouth shut.”

Inushi gave him a disapproving look.

Aquilum continued to grin as he looked around for a moment before speaking again, “Are you trying to keep your mouth shut from now on? That’s fine, gives me more opportunity to talk.” Aquilum opened his arms and spoke louder.” Besides, if you hadn’t spoken your mind you wouldn’t have been able to meet me and seen this lovely part of the universe.”

Inushi rolled his eyes as Aquilum chuckled once again, maybe silence was a better option.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

After a slow deep intake of air Inushi ended his meditation. While his eyes were closed he ran through the ancient Mantis Warrior rites of awakening. He breathed through his nose assessing the various scents of marines and machine. He listened to the strange rumble of the vessel he was aboard and the sounds of his fellow astartes. The deep rasp of Pyrox, the cavernous inhales of Aquilum, and the near silent wisps of sound from Reven told him they still sat in the same positions. Slowly he opened his right eye. Then he opened his left. Without moving his head he examined his surroundings. The three marines nearest to him all appeared relaxed, deep in reverie, despite the upcoming mission.

Far to his left near the door to the bridge sat Hunzuu and Shar-drasha. Both sat straight up against the wall and wore their helms. They sat across from each other with their hands resting on their weapons. Unlike the other marines the two Ice Angels appeared like traps ready to spring.

With a prayer in his mind Inushi slowly began to stretch out his limbs. He worked his neck, arms, and then torso before stretching his legs and standing up. Throughout this process the other marines awoke and started their own awakening rituals, all except Aquilum. He continued his own deep trance. Inushi cracked a smile as he noticed that even in his meditative state Aquilum’s mouth was twitching as if he was about to speak.

Inushi stepped away from the other marines to an open cargo area next to the exit ramp. The area was large enough for several bikes to park next to each other, but not large enough for a rhino. In this space he drew his katana. He held the hilt of the weapon in his right while resting the blade in the palm of his left. Along the blunt edge were the names of its previous owners, Inushi read each one before stopping at the last name, Darius. He thought back to his mentor for a moment before returning to his inspection.

The blade edge was still razor sharp but marks marred the blades ridge. He thought back on the recent battles with the orks. He envisioned the movements of his blade and concentrated on the attacks or parries that resulted in damages.

The light steps of a marine ended his concentration. Inushi turned around to see Reven approaching. The red armored Blood Angel stopped a few steps away and looked at Inushi’s blade.

“That is a marvelous blade Inushi. “ Reven spoke as he adjusted his auburn hair. ”It looks like it has a history.”

Inushi returned to his sword, “It does indeed. There are only a few blades with a history as long as this one left in my chapter.” His gaze returned to the last name on the sword. “Some day I will add my name to its edge and pass it to a new member of the chapter after they have passed their rites.” His words trailed off as the weight of these missions returned to him.

Reven smiled and placed a hand on Inushi’s shoulder. “I’m sure you will.”

Inushi looked into the deep blue eyes of Reven and for once realized how ancient the Blood Angel must have been. They weren’t the vibrant eyes of an initiate or the focused eyes of a trooper, they were the eyes of a commander. For a moment Inushi wanted to ask Reven a hundred questions, but the ork vessel momentarily shook before the engine noise died down.

An emotionless voice echoed in all of their voxes, “Suit up.”

Reven removed his hand and smiled as he reached down for his yellow helmet. Inushi watched the Blood Angel walk away and he realized how little he knew of the venerable marine. With a steel hiss Inushi sheathed his blade, locked it in place, and hooked his helmet on his head. He looked at the marines checking their gear and he vowed that he would learn more about them all. He may not have a lot of time left to do so.


* * * * * * * * * * * * *

With surprising speed the ramshackle side ramp swung open. The loose contents in the chamber were sucked into the void and for a brief moment every marine casually held on to support beams to prevent being sucked outside. After the vacuum of space claimed the interior of the Ork Kroozer the marines climbed onto the starboard side of the vessel. Tech marine Philosir was the last to exit, a long cord trailed behind him back into the cargo hold they were in only a few seconds before.

Inushi glanced to the other marines; with the exception of the Ice Angels, they all seemed rather apprehensive of the plan. As his gaze fell on Aquilum, Inushi realized that even Aquilum’s typical joyous suicidal tendencies were subdued by the thought of what was about to occur.

Inushi looked to his left over one of the stubby wings on the Kroozer. The ancient Imperial outpost was built like a floating tower in space, but now it was nearly twice its original size. The orks had added to the tower countless other compartments and bays. Some additions appeared to be ships that were permanently attached. Overall the bloated station bristled with guns and red icons of a grinning maw.

The Kroozer was on approach to a hanger surrounded by what appeared to be metal planks that formed an open mouth. Inushi could clearly make out small vessels inside the well lit hanger when Philosir’s voice filled his vox.

“Beginning the roll,” his monotone voice stated.

Inushi along with several other marines looked towards the rear of their vessel when it violently shook and the glow from the rear lessened. Parts and shrapnel flew out into space as one of the rear boosters exploded. The Kroozer began to veer off course. Inushi and the other marines were all squatting on the side of the vessel holding on to anything they could reach just in case extra parts flew off. The Kroozer continued its spiral away from the hanger but still towards the station. After two full rotations, the flat voice of Philosir returned.

“Move in three, two, one, now.”

The seven marines jumped off the ship the moment the command was given and the starboard side faced the station. Mere seconds after they did so, a second explosion blew a side panel spraying more debris and chunks of the Kroozer in every direction. Inushi tried to follow the path of the Kroozer but his vision was obscured as he past several huge bulk heads that jutted out from the station and he entered total darkness. Inushi twisted around and only caught outlines of his fellow marines before he engaged his helmets night vision. They were silently entering what appeared to be a docking station for massive vessels to refuel and rearm in.

Inushi was taking in his surroundings when a way point appeared on his HUD. He caught only a glimpse of the point before he had landed behind a short ridge separating him from his destination. With a fluid motion that he had done countless times he drew his plasma pistol. Pyrox landed on the ridge thirty yards away, Shar-drasha came down behind the next ridge. In silence he continued to stand looking all around for any response. He assumed at any minute panels would move and orks would swarm but it never happened. Even as Shar-drasha walked over the ridge Inushi waited.

Shar-drasha jumped from the side of one ridge, twisted and stuck to the ridge closest to Inushi. The Ice Angel then continued to move over the ridge with haste. Inushi took one final look before following after him. Over the ridge he saw that Philosir had already removed a large panel that could hide a rhino. Behind the panel was some sort of maintenance tool bay. Hunzuu and Pyrox were already moving in as Inushi approached.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“You feel that?” Aquilum said with a hushed voice through the vox.

Inushi paused for only a brief moment to reevaluate his senses. “Feel what?” After his response he returned to his climb. The lightless maintenance shaft continuously vibrated from the huge power cores stored around them. His dark vision granted by his helmet allowed him to see the marine above and below him but no more.

“The gaze of the Emperor is upon us. I can feel it.” Aquilum spoke back in quite tones.

Inushi shook his head and looked up at the marine above him. The boots of Reven continued their steady climb. They had been climbing for nearly an hour in silence until Aquilum decided to share.

“Do you always have this feeling Aquilum? The Emperor is all seeing.” Reven eventually responded.

“All of the Empire is in his vision, in his peripheral vision, only on rare occasions can you feel his gaze. The focus of his consciousness is watching to see if we stay true to our words and true to him.” Aquilum chuckled. “And hopefully we amuse him.”

Near the top of the rising line of marines was Pyrox. With a voice that sounded more akin to an earthquake he rumbled a laugh at Aquilum’s words. “How could he not be amused? We jumped off a pirated ork vessel as it exploded to land on an ork held imperial station so that we can sneak through a maintenance shaft, all so that we can check ancient Imperial records that may or may not be useful.”

There were a few chuckles but the unit quickly fell back into silence, only their hand and footfalls breaking the constant hum of machinery. Meanwhile Inushi dwelled on the words of Aquilum, “hopefully we amuse him” he kept hearing in his head.

Of all the chants, prayers, psalms, hymns, and ancient quotes he had heard throughout his life, never had he heard of anyone trying to amuse the Emperor. The absurd notion reminded him of the doctrine the Mantis Warriors follow, the ancient martial lore and the rigid training regime, yet everything he did and strived for was for the Emperor. How could another astartes, another child of the Emperor, have such a backwards view of the divine leader of the human race?

Inushi was lost in his own inner argument when the climbing stopped. Inushi leaned out to his right to see past Reven. Two small lights glowed brightly for a brief moment as a pair of servo skulls lifted off of Philosir’s armor. The tech marine was at the top of the chain holding onto the ladder while one of his servo arms examined a door behind him. The lights faded as quickly as they started as the two servitors disappeared down a pair ventilation ducts that perforated their maintenance shaft.

For a few minutes they waited until Philosir chimed in, “This is it.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Slowly the door opened. In darkness the tech marine quietly stepped through the door way. With every step he took forward another marine exited the door behind him and quickly fanned out into the small chamber. The room was in disarray. Tools were strewn about and dozens of cables dangled from the ceiling to cross the room and disappear into other devices and wall crevices.

After only a few steps Philosir stopped in the middle of the room examining the work of the orks. Pyrox crossed the room to the only other door having to take several awkward steps to pass over large piles of electronics. He put away his plasma gun and leaned up against the door.

For several moments the unit remained vigilant, all watching Pyrox. With a simple hand gesture several weapons lowered, Reven and Inushi crossed the room to stand right behind Pyrox and the door. Philosir strolled across the room and with a mere thought sent floor plans to the marines with HUDs. To Shar-Drasha, Hunzuu, and Pyrox the level they were on appeared on the left hand side as a faint red outline. A green line highlighted the path they were to take.

“We will pass through the left hand doors. Move forty meters forward and take another left. After the third arch way there will be a chamber on our right. That is our destination.” Philosir stated to the other marines.

Pyrox slightly turned his head and grumbled. “Exit strategy?”

“That will be revealed soon enough” the monotone voice of Philosir responded. Inushi exchanged glances with Reven.

“Brother Pyrox if someone tries to open the door, do not let them in. We must now wait” Philosir paused mid sentence, “four minutes.” With that thought concluded, one of his servo arms bent and shifted towards the top of his back pack. Inushi saw the movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to watch the black and red armored Ice Angel. The single servo arm pulled out a large serrated circle no thicker then a power swords edge and slightly bigger then his head. Only a single bar crossed the diameter of the blade. The lone bar seemed to expand and then elongate until it was nearly the length of Inushi’s leg. The entire alteration took no more then a few seconds. Philosir reached out and grabbed the unique weapon just below the blade with his left hand.

Inushi had been around dozens of Techmarines during his life as an astartes, but the technology of Philosir seemed to surpass anything he had seen before. For a fleeting moment Inushi looked at Philosir in a different light. Something about the tech marine seemed to set him on edge. Inushi closed his eyes when the dull rumble of running boots could be heard in the distance. Muffled shouts could be heard but not understood. He strained to hear what they were shouting, the deep voices of orks created a dull ache of sound.

“Correction, we move in 58 seconds.” Philosir added. Unbeknownst to Inushi, a timer appeared in several HUD’s. Pyrox began to slowly rock in place. Inushi watched the Fire Angel pulse back and forth. It was a minute motion but Inushi felt a slow seep of energy build within him. He focused on the movement and was soon rocking in time. In the last few seconds the voice of the gray armored angel rumbled a chant at a subvocal level.

“Emperor grant us gifts of silence, in return we bring you gifts of violence.”

With that the door swung open. They were instantly bathed in a red throbbing light, but Pyrox was off like a hunter killer missile seeking its prey. Inushi and Reven were right behind. They moved with practiced ease and passed like flakes of snow in the wind. Without slowing Pyrox moved along the path given to him. Through the left hand doors and forty meters forward they moved. The halls were filthy and brimmed with garbage and scrap but there wasn’t a single ork in sight.

Inushi was looking down a side hall when a crunch was heard in front of him. He whipped around and saw Pyrox removing his gauntlet from the skull of an unarmed ork that was attempting to get off the floor. With only a slight pause he lowered the body back to the floor before continuing. The red pulsing lights seemed to make the ork blood glow.

The unit approached the third arch and no other orks had been spotted. Pyrox passed through the large open door way and entered the expansive room to his right. Inushi was right behind him, followed by Reven and the rest of the unit. The room had a level of grime that made the chamber feel more like a cave then a room in a space station. Various colors of fungus grew along two of the walls and a huge mob of bed rolls sprawled across the floor.

The large room was octagonal and directly across from their entrance was a closed door. It didn’t appear that the door had been used in decades. Several shredded banners leaned up against the bulk head and a deep purple grin had been painted to the right of the door.

Pyrox walked up to the door and inspected it. Inushi noticed that his demeanor looked a bit deflated. Philosir was walking over to a support beam. Shar-drasha and Hunzuu were posted by their entrance. Aquilum wandered the room inspecting the walls and the bed rolls.

“Am I missing something or is there truly nothing here?” he added after only a few seconds of inspection. Pyrox stalked the room before stopping next to Aquilum, “there aren’t even cursed greenskin to bring the Emperors justice upon.”

Philosir did not respond, he simply magnetized his axe to his thigh and began to climb the support beam with the help of his two clawed servo arms. Upon reaching the peak of the room he let his servo arms hold him in place while he manipulated a panel in the ceiling. After only a few seconds the panel slid away and a small device lowered into the room about 12 inches. It looked like a replica of an upside down building with a wide array of ports along its sides. Without hesitation a handful of cords shot out from Philosir immediately into the device. The device began to hum.

The throbbing red lights suddenly stopped and returned to their normal dirty yellow glow. Philosir looked down at the marines in the room, “that is surprising.”

Nearly every marine in the room exchanged glances until Aquilum spoke up, “What does that mean?”

“Standard Emergency Imperial Protocol, red throbbing lights indicate an immediate threat to the station or its staff on board.” Philosir began.

“Yes yes yes, I believe we are all aware of the protocols. What does it mean for us?” Aquilum quickly interrupted.

“It means that the fires on the level above us and the level below us have been extinguished, hence the lights returning to normal levels. Either I must reprogram my algorithm for ork response time to fires or I need to adjust the settings on my servo skulls.” Philosir responded while returning his concentration on the device in front of him.

“How much time will you need Brother Philosir?” Sergeant Hunzuu asked while peering down the hall outside the room.

“I am downloading several decades of information and sifting through it all. If I don’t find what I need first then it will take me nearly 15 minutes to obtain everything. Now I must concentrate.” The tech marine pulled himself closer to the device.

With a throaty chuckle Pyrox looked at Aquilum, “prepare yourselves brothers. The greenskins are returning.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inushi knelt in the darkness of the octagonal room next to a support beam. With his combat knife casually held in his right hand he watched the other marines go into hiding as best they could. Shar-drasha was to his left behind the next support beam. Hunzuu was across the room in a similar position. Inushi could hear the return of Pyrox and Reven, their footfalls crunching on shattered glass and broken plastics. Philosir hadn’t spoken or moved in four minutes and during that time all the other marines, except Aquilum, had shattered every light in the room and several in the hall just outside it.

The pair of marines entered the room. “The nearest lift just arrived.” Reven spoke in hushed tones. He then knelt directly across the entrance from Inushi by another support beam. Pyrox paused in the archway looking for a spot to pounce from when Aquilum walked up. The Emperor’s Fool held a massive ork banner in each hand. The banners were caked with a similar level of grime and blood as the room’s floor. Aquilum stopped near the center of the room and placed a banner pole in front of each foot. He lowered the poles only slightly to create a curtain to stand behind. The heavy banners brushed the floor merely ten feet from Inushi.

Pyrox quietly stepped around the banners and got down on his hands and feet right in front of Aquilum. As the banners ceased their movement Pyrox adjusted slightly to see through a tear near the bottom of the banner.

From Inushi’s angle he could clearly see Aquilum but Pyrox was hidden by the banners. Only with his night vision on could he see fragments of Pyrox through the plethora of holes in the banners. As Inushi looked for Pyrox his eyes were drawn to the thick banner closest to him. It depicted a massive ork with guns for hands and an artillery gun on his shoulder. Inushi studied the shredded bottom of the banner trying to decide if the ork was standing on tanks or had guns for feet.

The high pitched voices of small greenskins floated into his ears. He instantly filed the image of the banner away and concentrated on the sounds. There were several voices all trying to talk over one another. One by one they came into Inushi’s view. A score of grots walked towards the entrance.

Oblivious to the darkness they strolled into the entrance when a shout from down the hall echoed.

“Who smashed’n Bizz’s ead in?” the deeper ork voice asked. An odd muffled growling could be heard as the voice spoke up.

All of the grots immediately turned towards the deeper voice except a single lone butt scratching grot slowly walked open mouth towards the banners.

“Bizz?” “He dumb.” “I did it!” “I’ate’dat’git!” “I’ungry” “Lets go steal’is teef!”

The grots all spoke at the same time as they started to jog down the hall towards Bizz’s corpse. The never ending gibbering continued as they left. Meanwhile the lone grot continued to stare at the banner. Drool began to drip off his bottom lip as he scratched his butt.

The lone creature opened his mouth even further as if his miniscule brain was trying to remember how to speak. Inushi, along with every other marine in the room watched intently when a gray arm reached between the banners. In one clean motion the hand grabbed the grots head, crushed it, and pulled it behind the banners. The entire movement was fast and silent. The banners resettling into their position was the only reminder of the grots demise.

CRACK

A single gun shot snapped every marine’s attention to the hall. Even Philosir, who up until now had been motionless on the ceiling, tilted one of his ocular devices.

“Get off me boy! Is teef is mine!” the deep voice shouted. “Go git’em Squiggles!” With that, the muffled growling was replaced by an odd barking. The sound of scampering feet and high pitched squealing was followed by a swarm of grots running past and into the room. A four legged squig was right behind them dragging a chain.

As they entered the room they all ran for cover. Inushi smiled to himself as a trio of grots stumbled over themselves and hid next to his motionless form. The squig had gotten a hold of one of the grots, its screams cut short as its head disappeared down the squigs throat.

Inushi didn’t see how many grots ran into the room nor could he see where all of them had hidden but none of the marines were in reach of the squig hound. A slight crack came from the banners as the hound whipped his head towards the banners and began to sniff the air.

Without taking his eyes off the hound, Inushi silently lifted up his combat blade above the heads of the grots crouched next to him. The hound slowly crept towards the banners, its sniffing nose and whimpering grots the only sounds in the room. The beast had a huge lower jaw that nearly hit the floor as it crept forward a low growl began to gurgle in its throat.

Without a whisper, a familiar gray armored arm reached out and grabbed that disproportionate lower jaw and with a yelp the hound disappeared into the banner. Inushi quickly lowered his knife into the skull of a grot and repeated several times. He could hear the work of other marines around the room but couldn’t see specifics. Suddenly a single grot ran past Reven’s position towards the entrance.

One of the banners dropped with a crash, the metal bar across the top crushing the helpless grot a foot from the light creeping from down the hall. Pyrox held the bottom of banner and Aquilum looked down at him. They exchanged glances when Pyrox lifted the heavy banner back up. The body of the still twitching grot rose up in the air still attached to the banner pole.

“Oi! Squiggles must’a’git a biggin.” Several voices laughed at the words from down the hall.

“SQUIGGLES!” the voice shouted.

“HEY, Com ere!” it continued.

The foot falls of heavy boots echoed down the hall. When the boots first hit shattered glass they slowed.

Crunch, crunch,

Crunch.

“Squiggles?” the ork said quietly as it rounded the corner and peaked into the room. The tiny eyes of the ork scanned the room and for a moment Inushi thought that the ork was looking at him. Suddenly the body of the grot loosened its hold on the banner and fell with splat onto the floor. That was when the ork turned back towards the hall and shouted its last words, “Any o’yous got a light?”

In the span it took the ork to turn its bald green head back around, Reven had taken three strides and put his combat blade through the orks skull, its gold hilt touching the orks temple. Reven held the ork up, but could do nothing but watch as the orks large caliber pistol dropped and clanked on the floor.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Reven swiftly dragged the ork body across the room and threw a bed roll over top of it. He then returned to his position. His timing was perfect. The same instant he ceased moving a trio of orks came into view. They were in the shadows of the hallway but none of them were approaching the entrance to the darkened room.

The largest of the three looked into the darkness, almost as if he could make out the outline of the banner. The greenskin wore a torn vest with what appeared to be a woman’s undergarment tied around his head. A lone wide blade hung from his thick black belt. He gulped in air as if his nose didn’t function.

“Lobnots? Com out ere.” He shouted in between gulps of air. The other two boys bobbed their heads as if it would summon the missing ork.

At the lack of response the larger ork puffed his chest and looked at his two fellow green skins that flanked him.

“Yous two, go find him.” He pointed into the room.

The two boys looked from the darkness, to each other, to the larger ork, and then back to each other. “Uh, boss. I’s don’t sees him.” The right ork said. The other ork grinned and bobbed his head some more. The larger ork whipped his head, gulped in some more air and then snarled at the boy that had spoken. The larger ork slowly unhooked his choppa.

The boy stepped back, “Maybes we could find em with a light doe”

“Yeah, Lobnots asks for da light. Maybes he waitin fur one.” The other ork piped in while continuing to bob his head.

The larger ork chewed his next deep breathe and then lowered his choppa. He looked between the two boys and then shook his head. “Which a yous has da lights?”

The boy on the right wore a pair of yellow trousers with dozens of patches. He immediately began to scan his pockets and patches while the other boy with a sleeveless trench coat and short shorts watched with intensity.

“Hey, whats you doin!?” a shout from down the hall echoed.

“None of yous biddness, you BLOK’EAD!” the large one shouted.

“What was dat?” the voice down the hall retorted.

From Inushi’s position he couldn’t see what was approaching but could only hear the steps of heavy boots. The shouting began to intensify when an equally large ork stepped into view and got into the other orks face. They shouted and pushed each other. Other orks and grots began to wander towards the scene like carrion feeders to a battle.

Soon punches were being thrown and teeth were being knocked out. The other orks cheered and shouted. Inushi watched, unblinking, waiting. The two orks were on the floor, the moment one would get the upper hand the other would poke an eye or bite an arm and the rolling would continue.

The loud sounds of cheering seemed to resonant through the walls and soon Inushi couldn’t see past the rows of greenskins cheering on the edges of the darkness. As the fight dragged on Inushi looked towards the other marines, trying to get an idea of what they were thinking. Pyrox was still hidden beneath the banners, Hunzuu had his hand flamer at the ready, and Reven still held his knife. With little regard to stealth Reven switched hands with the knife and grabbed a grenade off his belt.

Inushi moved to do the same when a loud shout seemingly abolished all other sounds.

“GET OUT OF MY WAY!” dozens of orks shrunk down at the loud shout. The two greenskins on the floor got off of one another and quickly jumped to their feet. Once again Inushi couldn’t see what was approaching but it had a mechanical whirr to it.

The seconds dragged by as the slow methodical steps got closer. Inushi was leaning forward as far as he dare; trying to see what was nearing the arch way to their room. Orks were shuffling out of its way, whatever it was.

Finally a massive suit of metal and wires stepped into view. It was wider then a terminator and covered in strange contraptions. The face of a dark green ork looked down from the center of the mechanical suit. A bright green grot sat on its shoulder sneering down at the orks as if it were boss.

“Which A yous” the wired ork paused as if lost in thought “did it?”

Inushi watched every ork look around at everything in sight other then the walking mechanical ork. Finally the large ork from the prior fight puffed his chest, gulped some air, and stepped forward.

The ork contraption leered down at him. The ork open his mouth to speak but instead pointed to the dark room that the marines hid in. Suddenly Inushi was facing a score of greenskins.

With a grunt that sounded like a leman russ engine back firing the ork took a labored step to square up with the arch way. The other orks crowded around and peered in with anticipation.

“Is one O my boys in dere?” the small beady red eyes of the ork scanned the darkness. The bright green grot leaned forward and continued to sneer, this time at the darkness. Another grunt from the behemoth and his left arm folded in a very jerky motion. The closest orks jumped aside as the arm reached up and behind the walking suit. Hydraulics hissed as the arm returned to its previous position, this time holding a cylinder with dangling wires and a tiny seat on the top.

The entire armored suit shook slightly as the jerky movements of the arm placed the cylinder on the floor. The nearest orks were staring open mouthed at the cylinder. Several rubbed their hands with excitement.

“Gub.” The ork hiccupped.

At the sound the bright green grot climbed down the armored suit and jumped onto the cylinder. With a quick jerk a little pole popped out of the top of the cylinder in front of the seat. Two small petals bobbed on its side. The grot stuck out its tongue as it began to petal the contraption with all its might. After a dozen revolutions of the petals, the cylinder began to hum. The grot took on a crazed look as the center section of the cylinder started to flicker with a dim light. As the grot picked up speed the light grew brighter. The strobe light it created bathed the room and the marines when Inushi saw the red form of Reven step out and toss his primed grenade.

Time slowed down as Inushi’s singular focus traced the grenade through the air. The strobe light seemed to highlight the mat silver finish of the small device.

Ting……..

Ting…..

The grenade bounced twice towards the throbbing light. Inushi could fully visualize the fragmentation grenade running through its priming cycle and preparing to explode.

Inushi closed his eyes for a brief second when a thump preempted a surprisingly muffled explosion. When he opened his eyes the ork behemoth held the eviscerated corpse of another ork over the grenade blast. The ork smiled as the strobe light illuminated Reven’s red armor and yellow helm.

“Humies” was all ork said as the hall way erupted into cheering and chaos.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

An avalanche of sound rippled through the air as scores of orks were drawing blades, clubs, and pistols, shaking with excitement, or screaming with bloodlust. Several were already stepping into the room unable to control the sudden urge to fight. The massive ork in the center of the entrance continued to smile. Gub the grot cackled manically as he pedaled the strobe light at a furious pace.

As the horde approached Reven drew his chainsword and brought it to his head in a quick salute to his oncoming victims. Hunzuu and Shar-drasha stepped out of cover ready to unleash flames. Inushi reached for his plasma pistol with his right and tossed a frag with his left into the hall.

The blast of flames scorched the first dozen orks. Inushi was unable to see what damage the grenade caused if any. The orks didn’t seem to care but continued to shout and shove their way into the room over the still burning corpses of their fallen. In their frenzy they ignored the dual banners standing in the center of the room and the orks went either right for Reven and Hunzuu or left for Shar-drasha.

With a side ways roll Inushi came out cover directly in front of Shar-drasha. Inushi fired off two rounds of plasma before Shar-drasha unleashed another jet of promethium. The twitching orks flailed about before falling, further lighting up the room with their melting bodies.

In Inushi’s peripheral vision he saw the wave of greenskins meet Reven and Hunzuu. Inushi drew his katana and powered up the curved blade. Two more blasts of plasma tore through several unarmored greenskins right before Shar-drasha unleashed yet another blast.

Mere seconds into the engagement and the floor was carpeted with liquefying bodies in front of Inushi, some of which were still dealing with their own demise. Bed rolls and ork waste all along the floor was also ablaze. Inushi glanced over to witness the dance of Reven and the punishing grace of Hunzuu before another wave of orks rushed towards in. The mechanical ork entered the room behind them wielding a sleek contraption that glowed with a violet hue. Its non-ork design instantly hit a disturbing chord in Inushi’s thoughts.

The flashes of the strobe light seemed to slow as Inushi stood. He envisioned the nearest orks move before bringing up his katana to deflect the first oncoming over head blow from a choppa. Inushi side stepped and batted away a green fist before slicing his katana across the chest of the ork. The blade bit deep spraying an arch of blood into the air. The ork stumbled and was pulled back by another frenzied ork that leapt at Inushi. The greenskin attacked with a metal pipe that crashed down into Inushi’s shoulder. The blow would have removed a normal humans arm but Inushi merely noticed a strong tingling sensation. With both hands the ork swung left to right. Inushi ducked under the blow and spun around leading with his katana, dividing the ork into two pieces.

Before the top half of the orks body had hit the ground, Inushi was thrown off balance by an ork round that ricocheted off his other shoulder. A round bounced off his thigh, while another two skimmed off his helm and back pack. Inushi attempted to bring up his plasma when Shar-drasha stepped up and let loose another torrent of promethium.

The gun wielding ork went down along with several others. As the flames died down Inushi and Shar-drasha stood before the mechanical ork wielding the long sleek device. Not waiting to witness the weapons power Inushi dove towards the wall. A silent beam of energy passed over the space he had vacated.

With haste, Inushi got back up and scrambled towards the ork to stop it from firing again. Two steps and he leapt into the air bringing his katana back for a forward thrust. The mechanical suit the ork was wired into rocked as the green marine landed on the orks chest. With lightning speed he thrust forward his blade and then gasped as it was deflected by an unseen force.

Inushi hesitated at the surprising tech built into the suit. The millisecond it took Inushi to regain his focus was all the ork needed to grab a hold of him and smash him into the floor like a toy.

Air evacuated his body at the impact and Inushi didn’t need to look to know his backpack was badly damaged. On instinct alone Inushi did a side roll to avoid a boot the size of his chest when a heavy cloth shrouded his vision. Several loud clangs followed by an abnormally loud scream of agony. When Inushi crawled out from under the banner he saw Aquilum tearing off electronics and crushing the shoulders of the mechanical ork with his powerfist. Pyrox was unleashing a stream of super heated bolts from his plasma gun keeping the orks at bay in the hall way. Inushi couldn’t see the mek boys screaming face as the pole of one of the Aquilum’s banners was embedded into the back of the ork and heavy cloth dangled in front of its face.

Another burst of fire from Hunzuu pushed the orks back further into the hall as he stepped towards the arch way. Pyrox and Reven stepped up as well. Aquilum continued his removal of equipment from the ork as Inushi observed that the ork, which was still screaming, had ceased moving.

“Aquilum! I think it’s been disabled!” Inushi yelled at the yellow and pink marine.

Aquilum paused and stepped around the mek boy. The banner still dangled over the face of the ork. Screams of pain and anger continued as Aquilum slid aside the banner just long enough to see the furious visage of the now disabled ork. At the sight of the marine, the ork burst into a string of curses that even Aquilum stepped back from.

“Well then.” Aquilum recoiled, surprised by the extensive vulgar vocabulary of the ork and let the banner cover up the orks face once more.

DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA

Loud and sustained fire came from the hall way as Pyrox jumped back into the room.

“More incoming and these are actually equipped.” Reven quickly spoke.

“Inushi get Shar-drasha’s flamer, now!” Hunzuu demanded as he reloaded his smaller hand flamer.

Something about the command bothered Inushi as he spun around to see the crumpled form of Shar-drasha. Inushi walked over to the fallen angel and paused for a moment. Nearly a third of the marine’s body had vanished and the rest appeared to have been fried. Smoke casually wafted off the body. The sight upset him. Not because the marine had fallen but because he hadn’t noticed until now.

Inushi took one last look, stepped over the body, and retrieved the flamer. Gun fire from the hallway erupted once again as he saw the form of Aquilum looking at the corpse. Their gazes met, then as one they brought up their weapons and approached the arch way.

Above it all the form of Philosir watched, the first of many plugs began to detach from the device and return to the tech marine’s chest.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inushi’s hand was vibrating. He looked down at his trusty Mk III plasma pistol. The glow of the ancient device was still strong, but it vibrated in his hand as if a creature was trying to escape. The royal purple of the stock and the mirror silver of the barrel gave him a sense of pride. He slid it back into its holster and thought of the first time he rebuilt the device and claimed it as his own. The memory filled his thoughts for a flickering instant before he refocused on the situation at hand.

“Here they come again!” Hunzuu shouted as the war cries of the orks grew in intensity.

Inushi drew Shar-drasha’s flamer up to his chest and took his position next to the still motionless, still screaming, mechanized ork. Aquilum was several steps ahead of him and finishing his reload when another surge of orks crested the room once again.

The marines let the first few greenskins enter the room before Inushi and Hunzuu lit up the ones behind. Aquilum, Reven, and Pyrox met the orks in hand to hand. Chain blades roared, axes bit into armor, a pink powerfist pummeled, and in the center of it all the gore covered form of Pyrox removed limbs and disabled greenskins.

Inushi and Hunzuu stopped flaming and moved up to the flanks of the battle as more greenskins rounded the corner into the room. With the flamer attached to his hip he drew his katana and lunged forward. The long blade effortlessly pierced their flesh and as the orks pushed he found himself able to pierce through more then one ork at a time. Unfortunately the swell of orks began to push the marines back. The slain stood standing as they were held up by the second ranks of orks before being pushed forward towards the marines.

With a backwards hop Inushi swung in an arc in an attempt to keep the orks at bay, all while he monitored Aquilum to his left. The Emperor’s Fool was bludgeoning his opponents with his storm bolter in between shots and punching with his pink powerfist. However even he was slowing stepping back. Inushi jabbed at several orks trying to get between him and Aquilum. The line had to hold or they would be quickly over run.

Looking past Aquilm Inushi tried to see Reven, but only caught the glimpse of his yellow helm. He felt confident in Revens abilities as the near constant fountain of blood gave him an indication of how he was managing.

After another quick jab from his katana Inushi side stepped around the form of the disabled ork. Not far to his left the wall of orks opened up as if they were giving birth. The form of Pyrox tumbled out, deceased orks dropped over one another as Pyrox rolled back onto his feet. His right arm dangled at a strange angle before Pyrox gave a swift jerk, placing it back where it needed to be. Reven and Aquilum both stepped back to protect the Fire Angel, which in turn forced Hunzuu and Inushi to close in.

Inushi fought within reach of the disabled ork but he saw several grots running under its legs. An ork was also squeezing between the ork and wall. Inushi lowered his guard for a moment as he imagined the future of the battle and what the effects this would have on the fight.

An object that he didn’t see coming stuck his helm. The shock and strength of the blow pushed him back several steps. His helm suffered major damage and his head throbbed. Inushi swung at another arc and tried to reclaim the ground he had lost but the orks pushed in. The powered katana sliced and dismembered. The greenskins didn’t relent. Inushi reached for the flamer and brought it up to chest level. The satisfying squeeze of the trigger initiated a disappointing sputter of flame. In milliseconds Inushi’s focus zoomed in on the tank of the flamer and he saw the hole evacuating its last occupant.

As if they sensed weakness in the room the greenskins pushed with renewed excitement. Inushi was forced to take several steps back as he had to engage more and more enemies. Aquilum tried to get involved but there were too many of them and he had his own issues. The line began to fold in on itself and the marines found themselves backing up against the rear wall.

Inushi leapt into the air so his foot could reshape an orks face. Before his two feet had returned to the ground he had unsheathed his combat blade. Katana in his left and knife in his right he tried to push back. His anger at his situation fueled his swings. Inushi dropped two foes simultaneously as a flash of sharpened steel came at him in as an upward thrust. Inushi was forced to bend into a crescent shape as the sharpened steel blades of a power claw closed in the air where his stomach had been.

Four blades, six hydrolic lines, left handed, well kept, one large ork glyph, the word “Nutsnippa” was inscribed on the thumb blade. Inushi absorbed it all. His focus was so intense he ceased to hear.

The claw retracted and Inushi swiped with his combat knife. The knife scraped across the body of the claw but the damage was superficial. The two nearest orks were still falling from their own wounds as the short form of a hunched ork came into view behind them. The one eyed ork had no neck and no facial expression. Its blank disposition tugged at a nerve that further upset the Mantis Warrior. Without hesitation Inushi went for a downward slice with his katana as the ork deflected with a short bladed hatchet.

Anger continued to fuel his swings as Inushi attempted a forward thrust with his knife. The short but extremely muscular ork tilted just enough to avoid the thrust. Inushi glared as his combat knife sliced the simple vest the greenskin wore. Now over extended Inushi’s glare turned into a look of shock as the initial pressure of the claw began to close around his stomach.

Inushi’s focus was drawn into the one blood shot eye of the ork. There was no fear in that lonely eye, no pain, no joy, nor was there a hint of anger. Inushi felt his focus slipping as he stared at the eye. The red eye blankly stared back.

Inushi knew that time would return to its normal speed at any moment. He knew that sound would return to him like a crashing thunderhawk, but worst of all he knew that death was approaching. The abdominal pressure turned into pain as the claws breached his armor and cut into flesh.

Time returned with a vengeance and the next few seconds were a blur. One moment he was preparing to die the next he was being pulled back to the wall. The powered claw snapped shut with only four tips of blood in the space before him. Aquilum took a blow to the chest after saving him but held his own while Inushi regained his footing.

Another two orks swung at Inushi. His reflexes alone saved him. His retaliation was swift but as they fell with deep gashes and missing limbs, more moved in. Inushi frantically looked around for the one eyed ork as he fought, but he was no where to be seen.

The volume of the battle was ear shattering but some how a single voice pierced the shroud of noise. The joyous scream of victory from Aquilum brought on a quizzical expression from Inushi. But before he could ask he saw the answer. The red armored form of Philosir was dropping from the ceiling. Arms out stretched, paper thin axe in hand, servo arms wielding weapons he had never seen before, the tech marine plummeted into the throng of orks like a meteor breaching a pond.

Inushi couldn’t see the landing, but when a monotone shout to the Emperor breached his ears, the marines pushed back.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HRRUUK, one of the tech marines servo mounted arms barked. The guttural sound reminded Inushi of the war cry the armored simians from his home world would scream. The floor trembled from the explosion and yet another wave of sound smashed into Inushi.

The explosion paused many of the orks mid-combat. The marines didn’t hesitate to take advantage and in moments another row of orks were collapsing to the floor. Sensing the change of pace in the battle Inushi leapt forward over the small wall of bodies in front of him to engage the now confused greenskins.

Aquilum and the other marines had the same idea. Orks began to panic and flee as the row of astartes began to retake the room.

HRRUUK, the tech marines arm barked again. This time Inushi was able to witness the weapon in action over the mob of combat between him and Philosir. One of the tech marines arms ended in a claw with a wrist mounted barrel. A thin tube ran from the barrel down the servo arm to disappear into the massive back pack of the tech marine. Inushi examined the blast as it occurred. Given the results of the blast it had to be some sort of explosive akin to the grenades on Inushi’s hip, albeit Philosir’s blast was larger then any grenade Inushi wielded.

He wanted to review the weapon once more but a surviving ork decided to interrupt his concentration and take a swing at him. Inushi dodged the lazy swipe and retaliated with a two handed slice that dropped the ork to the floor. Inushi looked down upon the greenskin and watched as its final gurgle escaped its lips. When he looked up Philosir was completing a full revolution with his two handed axe, leaving a trail of tumbling body parts.

The chuckles of Aquilum floated into Inushi’s ear. Pyrox ran past Inushi chasing fleeing orks towards the hallway with Reven and Hunzuu right behind him. Philosir calmly walked over to the motionless armored ork and began to remove the bizarre elongated weapon that took the life of Shar-Drasha. Inushi took a deep breath and surveyed the room. The floor was littered with corpses, many of which were on fire. The room glowed from the chemical flames. The stench of death and burning promethium had slowly been creeping through his helms filtration system and was getting stronger with each intake of air.

“Report,” Philosir requested as he finished removing the weapon. He held it up, closely examining it before removing some ork additions to the weapon.

“Nothing from the left but I hear them.” Reven stated after a glimpse down the hall.

“I can see a dozen down the right side waiting.” Hunzuu followed up.

“Prepare to move,” Philosir added before leveling the weapon in his right hand, one of his servo arms was holding the weapon from underneath to steady the gun. In his left hand he held the axe. Inushi blinked twice before he realized the axe had minimized for one handed use. Two of the three remaining servo arms opened and closed near the floor occasionally nudging bodies as if they were checking for life signs.

Aquilum stepped up to Philosir and the mechanized ork. With his powerfist he pushed aside the still hanging banner past the face of the ork. The ork had stopped screaming in anger and pain but still looked furious. Aquilum didn’t acknowledge the ork, instead he stared at Philosir waiting for a response.

With a side glance at the armored suit the tech marine slammed his axe into a panel to the side of the orks face and the unseen force field popped. Without further action he stepped away. The furious ork dropped his jaw and for a moment had a pitiful look across his face. Up until the point Aquilum’s fist pulverized it.

“That’s for Shar-Drasha.” Aquilum whispered. Inushi mumbled a prayer to the Emperor as Aquilum roughly cut the bottom half of the ork banner off. He then removed the top half of the banner from the pole, swung it over his back, and attached it to his back pack. The heavy fabric brushed the floor and the corners sizzled as they smothered some of the flames on the floor. Aquilum turned and nodded to Inushi. Inushi had seen many marines take battlefield trophies as reminders of their past, but he could only shake his head at the hideous filthy banner now adorned by a pink and yellow armored marine.

A hardly audible whistle began to build from the device in Philosir’s arms. The pitch began to rise and the subtle violet hue brightened. With several quick adjustments it continued its whistle. Hunzuu bounded across the room to gather the remains of Shar-Drasha. The fallen Ice Angel made every marine in the room grit their teeth, only Pyrox spoke a simple prayer for the fallen.

Philosir stepped closer to the entrance of the octagonal room. Two of his servo arms picked up mostly whole ork bodies. They held them in front of the red armored marine like bloody robes waiting to be cleaned. The sleek device peaked between the limp bodies bathing the two bodies in purple light.

With a final look at the marines through his plethora of optical units Philosir spoke, “Follow me.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The red armored marine smoothly moved into the hall way dangling his meat shields in front of him. The greenskins didn’t hesitate to fire from both directions as he did. The tech marine ignored the fire, turned to his right, and marched down the hall. Rounds plunged into the ork bodies, some even ricocheted off the servo arms of the tech marine but he didn’t slow. Pyrox was the first to move firing to the left with his plasma gun before following right behind the tech marine. Hunzuu, carrying Shar-drasha, and Reven were next. Aquilum and Inushi moved out together, both firing their weapons to suppress the orks to their exposed flank.

Philosir didn’t slow or alter his course, nor did he fire. He continued down the hall wading through the incoming fire like he was in a blizzard. Seeing the approaching marines, more and more orks came out of cover to fire their weapons. It seemed that nearly every arching support beam revealed at least one greenskin. Side arms, double barrel rifles, some even threw spears and shoes, but Philosir marched on. The majority of the ork body in his right servo arm tore off and plummeted towards the floor from the hail of fire. Before the bullet ridden flesh hit the floor Philosir unleashed his newest weapon. A massive pulsing orb of energy flew down the hall disintegrating all material it hit before dissipating near the end of the hall.

Inushi was firing backwards when Philosir’s silent weapon went off but when the cadence of gun fire turned into a handful of screams he knew something had changed. With a side glance he looked past the line of marines, the hallway of orks ahead of them had turned into a collection of ork pieces. The handful of survivors were fleeing and ducking around corners leaving their weapons behind. Pyrox had stopped for a moment, almost in shock at the display.

After firing the weapon Philosir dropped the remaining ork meat shield. His servo arms retracted as much as they could while holding the sleek weapon that had ceased its purple glow. He began to lean forward and pick up speed; soon he was sprinting down the hall. The other marines immediately followed, all except Pyrox who still paused in the hall. Inushi nudged him as he passed and the Fire Angel immediately broke into a run.

“He shouldn’t have….” Pyrox’s rough voice grumbled before trailing off. Gun fire from behind them picked up as the distant orks began to break from cover and pursue.

While running Inushi examined Pyrox once more. The devout fire angel looked deflated for a brief moment before he shook his head and began to run even faster, easily catching up to Philosir at the front of the line.

Around three corners and a long hall way they ran. They entered a large foyer with flashing red lights and a bank of massive elevator doors. One opened up to their right as they ran exposing a mob of well equipped boys. The greenskins opened fire and shouted as the marines ran past. Inushi felt the ricochets as several rounds glanced his back pack. Aquilum was right behind him, he could hear the marine chuckle as they fled. A large explosion tore through the ceiling above them from a poorly aimed missile.

“Clearly they don’t know the Emperor protects.” Aquilum chuckled.

A voice chimed through the stations intercom system, “DA HUMIES HAV’SCAPED!”

“I don’t recall hearing the intercom before,” Aquilum spoke as they ran.

At the front of the line Philosir spoke, the monotone voice filtered through the vox, “the intercom system only works in select areas of the old station.”

The ork mobs behind them continued to pursue but the greenskins were not as fast the astartes, only their shouts managed to keep pace with the marines.

Philosir led the marines through the ancient Imperial station at full speed before coming across a door, easily five marines wide and taller then a vindicator. Philosir slowed and weapons were drawn, the door opened automatically as they approached. A pair of orks in the adjacent room didn’t have a chance to view the marines before they were cut down by plasma and bolt rounds.

The room before them was a massive spiraling stair case going both up and down. From their current position it looked as if it went more up then down. The expansive room had wide steps large enough for dreadnoughts and even service walkers to traverse. A skilled rhino driver could probably take the armored personal carrier up and down the wide stairs. The center of the room was a vast chute of open air. A slow breeze pulsed up the stairs. Philosir continued to march into the room before speaking.

“Spread out and jump.” The monotone voice of Philosir stated before he launched himself into the center of the room. Hunzuu altered his path slightly and jumped to the right. Reven stepped on the very edge before doing a forward flip, pushing himself further into the open center of the room.

Pyrox slowed down near the edge. Aquilum laughed, “For the Emperor?” he laughed as he jumped.

Inushi slowed and turned to face Pyrox. The Fire Angel looked down at the plummeting marines, who were landing only four floors down, the heavy footfalls denting the floor where they landed.

“We shouldn’t be using xenos technology Inushi. It leads us further from the Emperor’s teachings.” Pyrox grumbled.

Inushi looked quizzically at the Fire Angel. This wasn’t the ideal time for an Imperial doctrine chat. “Didn’t you use xenos technology to free yourself and the Ice Angels from the Dark Eldar? “ Inushi asked.

The sounds of orks behind them grew louder. Pyrox looked down at the marines below them then back at Inushi. “That was different, and I was wrong in doing so. Nor did I have a choice.” He spat. Inushi was thrown off guard by the sudden surge of anger from the Fire Angel. “I have repented for my sins.” He added in a quieter tone.

“How come now Pyrox, I don’t recall you having an issue when we took an ork kroozer?” Inushi pushed.

Pyrox thought on the words and looked away. Gun fire from behind them made Inushi draw his plasma pistol back out. He turned to see the growing tidal wave of greenskins filling the hall behind them. A sea of anger and blood lust rushing towards them waving weapons and screaming insults. A few of them were firing wildly. In spite of the situation, Inushi showed no fear as he looked back to Pyrox.

“Come Pyrox, we can continue this debate after we escape this station.” The Mantis Warrior spoke to the Fire Angel.

Pyrox nodded and jumped down the four floors near the waiting marines. Inushi took one last look at the greenskins before he jumped. A side door flung open between Inushi and the oncoming horde as he leapt backwards into the air. A lone ork peaked around the door. A single red emotionless eye met Inushi’s gaze before he passed the floor, landing four floors down a moment later.

* * * * * * *

“waaaaaaaaAAAAAAAA” splat was repeated several times behind Inushi as he advanced away from the spiraling staircase room. It seemed that quite a few orks thought they to could fall four stories, land on their feet, and not hurt themselves. Even the marines hurt themselves, but it was a mere inconvenience that now their legs and backs had a dull ache.

Inushi rounded the first corner behind Aquilum when he noticed Hunzuu kneeling a few feet away. The Ice Angel had pulled out his remaining grenades along with the few that were still attached to Shar-drasha. He was meticulously lining them along the wall. Aquilum had stopped near Hunzuu with his storm bolter drawn. He gave Inushi a long stare. Inushi knew he had questions about his delay. He met the stare of the Emperor’s Fool briefly but instead of responding he turned back to peer around the corner.

He couldn’t see them yet, but he could hear them. It was only a matter of seconds before a horde of greenskins poured down those steps towards their position.

“Why have we stopped?” Inushi asked.

“We need to slow them down.” Hunzuu responded as if annoyed by the discussion.

Inushi decided against further speaking. Instead he leaned against the corner, only one eye peaking down the hall. He watched the shadows grow in the staircase room. A few grenades will hardly slow this mass down. The sounds continued to crescendo when the massive automatic doors slid closed. Inushi could still hear the orks but he didn’t take his eyes off the door when he was tapped twice on the shoulder.

Spinning on his heels he turned and ran to the next corner. Aquilum and Hunzuu were in front of him. Thirty yards ahead and around the next corner Pyrox had rigged a similar set up. Inushi looked down at the grenades as he quickly passed. They appeared to be standard issue fragmentation grenades with an elaborate cap with several switches and some sort of port.

Pyrox jumped up from his position and noticed Inushi’s look. “Not your typical frags Inushi.” He spat quietly. “Nothing these angels use is standard.”

The words sat in Inushi’s thoughts. The tone from Pyrox indicated he didn’t approve. Inushi mentally filed that comment away. Inushi was creating a list of things to discuss once this mission was over.

He and Inushi ran down a long hall passing a handful of ork bodies and closed doors when they came upon a similar arch way they had defended before. Inside sat another filthy octagonal room, a purple squig larger then a marine lay bleeding out in the center of the room. Reven was wiping gore off his gauntlet. Philosir was on the opposite side of the room plugged into a large circuit panel.

KACRACK, the sound echoed down the hall.

All except Philosir turned towards the hall way. Aquilum peaked behind them. The quiet voice of Philosir gave them all something else to focus on. “The moment this door opens we go in. If the orks get past the second blast before the door opens, do not let them see you and DO NOT FIRE.”

Inushi holstered his plasma pistol. He slowly walked across the room. To his left he examined Reven. The Blood Angel stood proud, his red armor showing minor battle damage, mostly blood splatter. He gave a small nod as their gazes met.

Next he passed Pyrox. The gray armored Fire Angel knelt behind the large squig, his head was down. Inushi knew Pyrox was lost in prayer. Unlike Reven, Pyrox’s armor was heavily scratched, torn, and dented. The Fire Angel had several minor wounds but nothing that would slow him down.

After several more steps he stood before Philosir and Hunzuu. The tech marine held the sleek weapon vertically across his back with two of his servo arms. His other hands manipulated what appeared to be a melta bomb. Hunzuu stood opposite the relatively small closed door, the partial form of Shar-drasha carefully sat on the floor. Hunzuu was combining two nearly empty hand flamer canisters.

KACRACK

The second explosion sounded twice as loud as the first. The screams of greenskins made him smile slightly. Hunzuu placed the two canisters back into their protected compartments just behind his left arm pit, when the wall behind him seemed to rumble.

The sounds of orks down the hall grew. Inushi could hear them pounding on doors and slamming open others. The voices were quickly multiplying.

Philosir turned and strode over to the squig as the door opened. The door was no larger then a fully armored marine. It revealed a small room that Hunzuu was already moving into with Shar-drasha.

Inushi moved to the door and stood sentinel as Reven and Pyrox silently moved passed him. The sounds of orks shouting grew closer. Aquilum passed Inushi and into the room. Philosir took his modified melta bomb and placed it in the fresh wound that Reven had created in it, only a thin black cord dangled out of the squigs flesh. With little sound he turned back towards Inushi and towards the room. His servo arms passed the weapon over his head and into his waiting hands. The tech marine stood before Inushi and nodded with his head to move into the room.

Silently Inushi stepped into the room with Philosir right behind him. The door rumbled shut making more noise then any of the marines had made in the past minute. Shoulder to shoulder they stood, Philosir had his servo arms at odd angles above him and the sleek weapon leaned in the corner. The tech marine pivoted and Inushi could hear some switches move when the entire room rumbled up.

Directly in front of Inushi was Aquilum. The half pink half yellow helmet of the Emperor’s Fool was turning left and right. Inushi could tell he was going to speak any second. “Up?” he questioned.

“Yes.” Philosir responded. The room seemed to pick up speed.

KABOOM

The room vibrated slightly from the explosion but continued its journey up.

Despite the explosion Inushi could tell the simple response was bothering Aquilum. He looked around the tight room at the other marines before rolling his head back to Philosir.

“What’s next, more stairs going down?” Aquilum added.

Without hesitation Philosir responded. “Negative. The ship that we’ll be taking is located near the top of the space station.” He paused for a moment. “The ork commander’s ship.”

As the last words left Philosir, Aquilum met Inushi’s gaze once more. Despite the helmet on his head, Inushi knew Aquilum was grinning. It seemed the worse Inushi felt the more Aquilum enjoyed himself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bzzzrt.

The tech marine grunted the sound. At first Inushi thought it was a tech marine version of a scoff but it may have been a word in another language. The other marines cocked their heads at the sound in the confines of the room. “That will be inconvenient.” Philosir added.

“What will…….” Reven began to say when the elevator violently shook from an explosion just under their feet.

A second later the elevator stopped, “Everyone out,” Philosir commanded as the door slid open revealing a storage room. In the darkness they evacuated the elevator. As soon as Inushi had space he pulled out his plasma pistol and headed towards the damaged entrance to the room across from the elevator. He was half way there when the elevator burst into flames from another explosion. Inushi spun around at the blast. Everyone had exited the elevator but the explosion had knocked Hunzuu over, the remains of Shar-drasha had crashed to the floor.

Reven helped Hunzuu up and then looked down through the open doorway into the elevator shaft. The flaming remains of the elevator were still plummeting down the shaft. He then looked back into the room at the marines. “How did we survive the first blast?”

“The missile hit and destroyed 68.” The monotone response had a hint of sorrow that took Inushi by surprise.

“What, or who, was 68?” Inushi asked while joining Pyrox at the exit to the storage room. The sliding door was bent and looked unused.

Philosir rearmed himself with the sleek weapon in his servo arms and his ax in his left hand. Pyrox stepped aside as the tech marine reached the door way and grasped the handle. The red armored marine was prepared to slide open the door when he slowly raised his head. The other marines were right behind them and prepared to move, but all listened intently at his response.

The monotone voice of Philosir spoke quietly, “68 was my conflagration servitor I created 128 years ago on Shattermantle. It was under the elevator so I could see.” He slowly tightened his grip on the door. “68 just saved our lives.”

Suddenly the door slid open. The movement was so quick and powerful the door crashed off its track and tumbled into the corner of the room. Philosir lowered his head and marched forward with the marines fanning out behind him into a larger cargo hold full of debris and the remnants of wagons and tanks.

A low grumble of sound exited Philosir as he moved. Inushi didn’t understand binary but he recognized the sound tech marines and mechanicus priests used to communicate. After only a dozen steps the small group of marines slowed behind Philosir. His servo arms drooped slightly and he paused. Inushi exchanged glances with Pyrox and Aquilum before Inushi took the initiative and stepped past the red armored marine. The other marines adjusted slightly to cover all angles to their position.

Inushi was studying the custom helm of the tech marine when Philosir seemed to inflate as if he had taken a deep breathe. Philosir didn’t look at Inushi but spoke directly into Inushi’s vox so no one else could hear him.

“We will chronicle the lost at a later time Inushi. There is no time for such emotions.”

Inushi looked past the tech marine at the others and opened his mouth to speak, but his mind was over charging his thoughts. Instead he nodded in compliance unable to sort out what should be said. Philosir hefted his weapons once again and stepped around the Mantis Warrior. Inushi caught a side glance from the tech marine as he passed. His next steps were long strides that preempted another run.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Slowly the gurgling ork slid off Inushi’s Katana. The power from the blade had already cauterized the wound but it still sizzled as the body fell to the floor. Inushi could hear his fellow astartes finishing off their targets as he reached down and removed his combat knife from the orks throat.

The gray form of Pyrox bolted past.

As the blood covered blade came out of the ork he examined the wound. He had missed with his throw by an inch. Inushi thought back to his throw. He reviewed his stance, his position, the environment. He relived the throw.

Hunzuu jogged past and crushed the skull of a nearby wounded ork before continuing on.

The screaming ork was running right at him. The blade was thrown like the millions he had thrown before. His hand ended in the right position, he wasn’t off balance, yet he had he missed his target. He relived the throw once again. He could hear the voice of Aquilum in the distance. Slowly he watched the blade turn end over end in the air.

“Inushi!” the yell was paired with a shove from Aquilum. Inushi put a hand down to prevent himself from falling.

Aquilum stood over him. “Let’s go.” With a disapproving look the yellow and pink marine pursued the other marines. His heavy ork banner cloak hung behind him like a tower shield. “Don’t fall behind the rear guard Inushi.” He added with a chuckle. “I assume you Mantis Warriors do learn standard tactics at some point.”

The back handed comment didn’t register to Inushi. He was trying to shake his head of the perfect throw obsession. He took a few steps with weapons in hand when Aquilum turned around at the next intersection to check on Inushi.

An unseen shot rang from a side hall and the cloaked form of Aquilum tumbled to the floor.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

End over end his knife tumbled through the air. The trajectory was perfect and the spin was precise. The joyous ork was about to vault over a body when the knife plunged into its temple. Death was instant. The look of joy froze on its face as it fell forwards adding yet another corpse to the intersections collection.

Two other orks stepped on their fallen comrade to pounce on the prone form of Aquilum. Inushi reached for his plasma as the first leapt towards Aquilum. The ork never reached the fallen marine. A yellow foot kicked out and stopped the ork mid flight, it collapsed screaming in pain from its crushed ribs. Its fellow greenskin however stabbed down with a long curved blade. Aquilum rolled away from the ork and onto his knee. He bunched up his cloak in his right hand and with a quick jerk the heavy banner cloak deflected the next swipe from the ork.

Inushi slid into the intersection on the dirty floor firing his plasma at the ork and several more that were approaching. Two dived behind corpses while the one in front of Aquilum and one other fell from the plasma bolts. Another gun shot responded from further behind the orks. Inushi felt the round pass his helmet and plunge into the top filter section of his back pack. The already damaged device was now useless as the filtering system sparked and shut down.

Aquilum brought up his storm bolter.

“Damn greenskin took out my knee.” he spat. “I’ll cover.” He added through gritted teeth.

The twin barrels barked repeatedly. The nearest orks that were hiding behind corpses died before they could return fire. The bolt rounds exploded through corpse flesh before finding their victims.

Inushi helped Aquilum up while he fired. Inushi grunted from the weight as Aquilum leaned on him for support, his pink powerfist was over his shoulder. The Emperors Fool was a massive marine but even then he seemed much heavier then he looked. Aquilum kept firing as the two began to quickly hobble down the hall after their comrades. Two orks rounded the corner and shot at them, Inushi felt the muffled impacts from the rounds that hit Aquilums banner cloak. “By the Emperor you’re heavy.” Inushi grunted again. Aquilum fired behind them once more as he began to laugh in between his grunts of discomfort.

Ahead of them Reven rounded the corner and provided covering fire as they past. Aquilum continued to chuckle. “I don’t know what this ork banner is made out of, but it weighs nearly as much as I do.”

The hobbling pair rounded another corner and passed Hunzuu who was keeping a handful of orks at bay in a side room. Reven followed up from behind. With a simple shoulder tap Hunzuu left his position and joined them.

The sounds of gunfire ahead of them began to increase in volume. One of the weapons was deep, powerful, and consistent in its cadence. Its slow methodical firing demanded his attention. Inushi realized that the fire wasn’t from his fellow astartes weapons. He began to run through his mental list of guns. The rate of fire was close to that of an auto cannon but the caliber was larger.

Inushi furrowed his brow as he exited the long hall way and over looked an expansive vaulted gallery. Giant storage doors that typically held valkyries lined both walls, but most were missing or broken by the initial look of them. The majority of the floor was covered in mechanical bits. Parts of trucks, tanks, planes, ships, weapons, and unknown equipment were strewn about in tall piles. One door to the right revealed the hull of an in progress war plane, the turret from a baneblade sat directly over the cockpit. One wing was in a crane waiting to be attached. At the other end of the gallery was a door painted in thick red paint. On the ceiling of the room a ramshackle series of bunkers were crammed in between the massive beams. It appeared as if the spine of the room had a cancer that spawned mismatched barrels and platforms. Each clump of guns pointed down into the room. The first bunker held a trio of barrels that took turns firing down into the room. The other clumps of guns appeared to be unused, for now.

“What is he doing?” Reven shouted as he came up behind him.

Inushi looked out into the room ahead of them. Darting in between piles was the gray form of Pyrox. Leaping over boxes, swinging under weapons, often changing directions, the Fire Angel was constantly moving. The trio of guns above them was slowly tracking the Angel but every time the weapon boomed, Pyrox had already moved on. Inushi began to study the weapon, its design, and the sound it made.

“Philosir is to our left. MOVE!” Hunzuu shouted as sounds of chasing orks behind them grew closer.

Reven, Aquilum, and Inushi headed that way. Quickly they came up to Philosir who stood behind a massive pile of what looked like pieces of a ships hull. He held his sleek weapon in his arms. His servo arms held up a mix of scrap pieces above his head. They formed a metal scrap camouflage netting above his head. The remains of Shar-Drasha were by his feet.

Inushi glanced around. Hunzuu hadn’t followed them. As he glanced around, both Aquilum and Reven came to the same realization.

“He has another target to attend to.” Philosir answered the unspoken question. He then dropped the scrap around him and with a gentle sweep a servo arm picked up the fallen Ice Angel. “We must move. Our ship lies behind the red door and we’re almost out of time.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“Humies n’da Kaptains bay! Get up ere boyz. Some killin needs dun!” the harsh voice shouted across the speaker system. With the loss of his backpack filter system the stench of greenskins had invaded his helmet and Inushi could taste the airborne squig spores. Despite the words being shouted and the filth he was inhaling his entire focus was on getting across the gallery as quickly as possible without taking the attention of the ceiling mounted cannons. For several minutes they had traversed the gallery scampering from junk pile to tank hull. Shouts and war cries of orks were blending together to form a constant hum like cheering at a Jaagfooli match. The main cannon had continued its tracking of Pyrox across the gallery but it hadn’t fired recently. From the sound of it Pyrox had engaged some orks somewhere in the gallery. Nearby shouts continued to waft towards the marines as they moved.

With a quick hand gesture Philosir ushered Reven, Aquilum, and Inushi forward. As they reached a stack of barrels Inushi risked a look over the top to check on the main ceiling cannon. Deep down inside, Inushi hoped it was broken but another part of him thought it was simply looking for unengaged targets. Currently it pointed straight down under itself unmoving.

The twin barrels of a storm bolter went off next to Inushi’s helm. He snapped to his left to see the form of an ork fall into a pile of scrap above them. Its chest was a crater of shredded flesh. Before words could be exchanged another weapon discharged behind them in rapid succession. HRRUUK! HRRUUK! HRRUUK!

The monotone voice of Philosir calmly spoke in between the grenade blasts, “Go through the door in the back corner as quick as you can. I’ll distract.” The marines hefted their weapons, they couldn’t see the door they were supposed to take and the back wall of the gallery was another 80 yards away but the orks were gathering. “NOW”

Philosir came clearly out of cover and moved around the barrels towards the sounds of fighting orks. His slender weapon sending silent orbs of energy into small groups of orks that wandered nearby. The miniature wrist mounted weapon continued its odd bark, lobbing grenades over piles of scrap.

Reven was the first to move. Inushi slung Aquilum over his shoulder, grunted under the weight, and took off as fast as he was able. Aquilum adjusted his filthy banner cloak to cover them both and continued to look for targets.

They hadn’t gone far before the ceiling cannon began to move. Inushi rounded a corner to see the tail end of Revens dance. His chainsword was spinning itself clean as the last of three orks collapsed to the floor. Reven didn’t look back as he continued.

Inushi glanced up to the ceiling at the cannon. It was now pointed to where Philosir had headed. Inushi lowered his head and continued on. There was nothing he could do. He hated the feeling but he had his own objective. Two more steps and he was rounding a pile of tank treads. The stack was nearly three times his height.

A familiar boom echoed through the room. Inushi continued to follow Revens path when the sound of tearing metal and falling debris breached his concentration. Aquilum laughed, “Thank you Hunzuu!” he said as he fired his storm bolter at some approaching orks. Inushi didn’t need to look up to know the ceiling mounted cannon was wrecked. The familiar boom echoed once again and Inushi compared the sound to his mental list of weapons. It was the resonant boom of a long barreled Baneblade cannon. The sounds of falling debris preempted the screams of scattering orks.

Inushi passed the tank treads and came across Reven who stood on a detached dozer blade. Several grots were cheering on a huge squig that was trying to devour the Blood Angel. The two legged monster was taller then a terminator and dominated by a giant maw. The yellow squig was already bleeding from a half dozen wounds in and around its mouth but it still sneered and bit at the quick Angel of Death.

Inushi stopped and brought up his plasma pistol. A single shot took the squig in its massive side. It wasn’t enough to kill it but it gave Reven the opening he needed to leap and send his chain sword through the left eye socket of the giant squig. Reven let go of the blade right after he set it on auto. He landed on his feet and rolled away to his side. The squig hopped around from foot to foot and bellowed in pain as the blade pulled itself further and further into its brain pan.

In mere seconds the blade had vanished through the squigs ocular cavity creating a geyser of grey matter. Reven didn’t move to retrieve the blade but ran on grabbing a piece of pipe as he did. Inushi holstered his gun and held onto Aquilum with both hands as he moved to follow.

Past two more piles they ran before they reached several rows of missile shell casings. Most were waist height and standing straight up. They provided no cover for the running marines and as they traversed the rows they saw thirty yards to their right a collapsing pile of sheet metal. Scampering across the flood of metal was Pyrox. On hands and feet more like an animal he grabbed and kicked himself forward trying to escape the landslide of heavy material. Dozens of orks were trying to follow him but the shifting scraps made it difficult to maintain any kind of footing. Halfway between Inushi and Pyrox, Philosir strode between two unmoving heavily altered sentinel lifters. The sleek weapon was held by two of his servo arms above his head. In his real arms he still held the broken form of Shar-Drasha.

For a flickering instant Inushi was struck with a sense of hope as he saw his fellow astartes fleeing across the open rows of shell casings towards their exit. Philosir was providing covering fire to Pyrox as the Fire Angel struggled to stand and continue on his path. Reven was already across the plain of low cover and in a few more strides Inushi and Aquilum would be as well, but that lingering sense of hope was quickly destroyed as nearly every isle as far as Inushi could see released a flood of greenskins.

As Inushi broke into more substantial cover he couldn’t shake the mental image of the cascading wall of orks behind him. Aquilum fired at the tailing orks as Inushi chased down Reven. The lost feeling of hope churned in Inushi’s gut. As he ran on, a sense of calming confusion resonated in his soul. Sound dissipated and even the stench of orks and machinery dissolved from his senses. He was not afraid. Space marines had no fear, yet he was disturbed.

Inushi ran past scores of dead orks, smashed squigs, even a motionless sparking killa kan. Aquilum had smashed his storm bolter into a closing ork and pulled out Inushi’s plasma pistol as a replacement yet Inushi ran on. He ran on in a focused haze. He had lost all concept of the larger battle around him.

Only when he rounded a final bend did he come out of his trance. A deep chant pounded in his ears as he fully realized they were near the end of the gallery. Reven was ten feet ahead of him running towards a large ork nob. Several of the orks comrades were already bleeding out on the floor but Inushi came into view the moment the nob swung his giant axe in an upward arc. The swing was perfectly timed. Reven tried to skid to a halt but was moving too fast. He leaned back trying to soften the blow but the blade scraped across the top of his chest plate and bit into Revens yellow helmet as it passed upwards.

The Blood Angel fell backwards onto the floor. His pristine yellow helmet now had a deep gash across its left side. Blood had fountained out of the torn helm, the left optical unit was shattered.

As the ork repositioned his feet he brought up his axe to confirm his kill. As the axe descended Reven rolled to his right. The force of the axe was enough to embed it deep into the metal floor. With several quick jabs Reven wounded the orks abdomen as he got up. He then stepped back long enough to remove his helmet. His face held a canyon shaped wound. Inushi couldn’t tell if any part of his eye remained under the already caked blood but he did know Reven was far from done.

The ork bellowed a cry and ran towards Reven. The Blood Angel tossed his broken helmet into the orks face, giving him the precious moments he needed to send his pointed hand into the orks throat. The tough greenskin managed to punch Reven once before they embraced in a tight hold. The ork tried to get in a few elbows and a knee but Reven muffled the blows and held out long enough until the ork succumbed to his wound.

Reven released his hold and the greenskin crumpled to the floor. Inushi met the one eyed gaze of Reven before looking over the Blood Angels shoulder. Not far away was the door that Philosir spoke of. Inushi nodded that direction and Reven moved towards it.

“What is that blasted chanting?” Aquilum said with disgust and a grunt of pain.

As the Blood Angel left, Inushi regarded the chanting that was still pounding in the air. It was a simple three beat chant repeated over and over. He couldn’t make out the words but all pursuit behind them had ceased.

“When did you last see the others” Reven asked while reaching the door and cranking the circular handle? The door heavy door slowly opened in towards the gallery.

Inushi shook his head in shock as he realized, he couldn’t recall anything after passing the rows of shell casings. Thankfully Aquilum spoke up, “I heard Philosir’s weapon discharge a few more times but I haven’t seen any one else.”

No verbal response came from Reven but Inushi got the impression the Blood Angel didn’t have any other information on the other marines. As the door finished opening up Reven stepped through plasma pistol first. A quiet whisper escaped the angels lips, “only an ork.”

Inushi adjusted his grip on Aquilum and stepped through the doors threshold. The sight on the other side made both marines pause. The giant hanger on the other side opened directly into space. An unseen force field protected them from being sucked into the void but that peril was over shadowed by the unbelievable craft perched on the deck of the hanger. In the center of the hanger filling the space between invisible field and giant red hanger door was an ork vessel like no other.

The majority of the ship was a giant rectangular engine. Inushi knew it was stripped from any number of Imperial vessels but typically an engine of that size was used to move vessels fifty times larger then what he was looking at. Underneath the massive engine was a pair of crew compartments straddling a gatling blaster. The six barreled cannon was typically wielded by titans and used to take out large masses of lightly armored vehicles. Currently the marines were staring at the front of the vessel.

Reven closed the door behind them and shot one of the hinges with his plasma in an attempted to slow down pursuers. Inushi headed towards the massive engine when a ramp lowered from the closest crew compartment.

“Welcome aboard the…….” The voice of Hunzuu paused over the vox before adding a chuckle, “Da Sped Bump”

Aquilum spat, “stupid orks.”

With all haste the three marines moved towards their new vessel. As they crossed the hanger the giant engine flared to life. The deck trembled from the might of the engine. Inushi wondered if the entire station could move from the power it could produce.

After passing a pair of bodies they reached the ramp and realized how little there was to the vessel other then the engine above them. The section under the cockpit was a single hall way to a cargo hold. An identical hall way was across from the gatling blaster had a cockpit to gun controls. A thin passage connected the two identical sections of the ship right over the stationary barrels of the gatling blaster.

Upon nearing the cockpit their voxes opened up. “Get the main door open. Immediately” Philosir spoke in an urgent monotone.

Reven knew something was said by Inushi’s body language. Hunzuu came out of the cockpit in a hurry. “Inushi man the gatling blaster. Reven with me.” He demanded as he ran past. Reven took off right behind him. Inushi set Aquilum down to let him hobble towards the cockpit. Then he too ran, except he took the side passage towards the gunnery chamber.

As he reached the gunnery chamber he sat at the left chair and scanned the myriad of buttons. The control panels were a wired mess most of which was painted brown. A single red button beckoned Inushi. With a fist he smashed it down and the entire cockpit came to life. Scanning around he saw a lone auspex attached to a lever in between his legs. A thick silver tape held it in place. A single switch was on the side and underneath was a large trigger. Inushi flipped the switch and he felt the secondary engine built into the gatling blaster begin its warm up sequence. A targeting array appeared on the window facing out. The auspex screen began to glow and it began to fill from left to right. A light purple number began to count down from 60. A side glance revealed the gatling blaster begin to rotate.

“death is warming up” Inushi thought to himself.

In front of the ship Reven and Hunzuu sprinted towards the wide hanger door. Each went to a different side looking for opening controls. Reven reached his first but realized the orks had reworked his panel to be useless. Hunzuu on the other hand flipped the only functional switch on his panel. The door slowly began its ascent up the wall. The two marines were thirty yards apart on opposite ends of the giant door.

With a glance the auspex read 49.

The red door rattled and creaked as it lifted up on its ancient tracks, but the sound fell on distracted ears. An over powering chant poured through the open door way. Despite being in an air tight chamber Inushi heard the chant as if someone next to him was shouting at him.

RIP-PER-SHINS
RIP-PER-SHINS

The auspex read 37.

The massive hanger door revealed a combat Inushi hadn’t expected to see. The bloodied form of Pyrox was battling a giant warboss in a semi circle of thousands of frenzied orks that cheered madly. As far as Inushi could see into the gallery, endless rows of watching orks drooled and shouted in excitement. Philosir had his back to the door and was slowly backing up. The tech marine was limping and had taken serious damage. One servo arm was being dragged across the hanger floor all of his other servo arms were missing. His sleek weapon was no where to be seen only the body of Shar-Drasha remained in Philosir’s hands. Hunzuu moved to follow the tech marine.

26

Inushi concentrated on the battle before him. The warboss Pyrox fought was taller then any ork he had ever seen. His legs alone were as tall as Pyrox. The warboss also looked disproportional but as Pyrox deftly dived away from a sweeping kick Inushi could see why. The bottom two thirds of the ork was mechanical and Inushi understood the name all the orks chanted. Surrounding both of his calves and upper thighs were rings of whirling blades. The pattern they wove was overlapping and deadly. It was almost beautiful in its intricacies.

8

Pyrox attempted to dive again from another downward stomp of the ork but the wide legs glanced the gray shoulder of the Fire Angel. He tumbled to the side near the orks as they cheered even louder.

“Only a few more seconds” Inushi spoke to himself. He watched the Fire Angel struggle to get up. Deep down inside Inushi knew he wasn’t faking. The warboss stomped over to the fallen marine and held out his hands, the crowd once again cheered in victory.

2

A small panel in the floor opened up near the down ramp to the ship and a single red eye caught Inushi’s attention. The blank stare of a power klawed ork looked towards the open ramp. Philosir and Hunzuu were still backing up and unaware of the orks infiltration.

1

Inushi instantly thought of the wounded Aquilum in the other half of the ship. His mind raced. The auspex chimed. He shouted into the vox a warning to Aquilum. For a millisecond he thought of racing to his aid. The warboss dropped a knee onto Pyrox as Inushi compressed the trigger on the back of the auspex.

The first round exited the gatling blaster and directly into the tall ork. The boss instantly turned into red mist as the round passed through him. One of the whirling legs flew into the crowd eviscerating a handful of orks but Inushi was too late. Only the extremities of Pyrox remained twitching on the floor.

Four other rounds exited the gatling blaster into the crowd before the orks realized what was happening. Inushi yelled as he continued to spray the hordes of orks with gatling fire. Every round killed scores of orks but in their battle lust they charged through the open door towards the ship. A thirty yard wide carpet of greenskins now faced Inushi and his gatling blaster.

The auspex twitched with every explosion from the blaster. Inushi felt the power at his control but the massive shells were designed for use against columns of vehicles, it was not a precision instrument. He fired into the front ranks trying to cover Reven as he retreated but Inushi could only yell as waves of ork fire hit the red armored Blood Angel. Reven staggered as rounds passed through him. He valiantly turned to unleash one last volley of plasma into the throngs of orks but took a dozen rounds as he did. The ancient Blood Angel fell to the floor and was soon lost under a wave of greenskins.

To Inushi’s right Philosir was running up the ramp when Hunzuu took several shots to the back. He tumbled onto the ramp but pulled himself inside as the door began to close. Inushi continued to fire. As orks poured fire into the boarding ramp. Gatling round after round passed through ranks of orks creating trenches of mists and gore, but within seconds the endless swarm filled the gap and continued forward.

Seconds later the ships engine flared and “Da Sped Bump” began to leave the deck. Quick foot steps behind Inushi reminded him of the greenskin on board. Spinning off the seat Inushi turned to see the power klawed ork. The ork stopped three steps away from Inushi as if he wanted to speak but instead he met Inushi’s gaze. No words needed to be exchanged. The orks powerklaw, the Nutsplitta, dripped with blood. The orks hatchet had flecks of pink paint on it.

With a slow exhale Inushi voided his emotions and let his consciousness expand into the moment. Neither combatant blinked or moved. Inushi could feel the ship turning and then picking up speed as the engine above them shook the entire vessel. The light of the hanger was soon replaced with darkness as they passed the barrier into space, only the dim lights of the cockpit illuminated the pair. They measured each other up for what seemed an eternity but when the ork moved Inushi moved to meet him. Inushi didn’t have his combat knife any more and the cockpit didn’t give him enough room for katana usage so he engaged bare fisted.

A chop of the hatchet was disarmed by a preemptive jab to the forearm. A gut shot with the klaw was deflected by an elbow. A mantis warrior head butt was softened by a perfect weave. The powerklaw came in again but Inushi grabbed the casing of the klaw with both hands. He was then unable to avoid the followed three punches from the orks off hand but in the meantime he tore off the hydraulic lines of the klaw disabling the klaw from further function.

The two separated from each other when quick foot falls could be heard coming from behind the cockpit. Inushi didn’t know who was approaching but the ork knew he was running out of time. In a flurry of aggressive swings the ork moved in pushing Inushi back towards the gunnery chairs. Two successful blocks turned into an unsuccessful grapple and Inushi soon found himself on the floor. The ork pinned him down and had him in a lock, his arms rapped around his head. Only his armor protected him from the ork as the greenskin grunted and strained to try and remove Inushi’s head. His neck tightened against the strain from the muscular ork.

CRACK

A single shot pierced the cabins struggle. Inushi collapsed to the floor as the headless ork released its grip and fell to its side. Inushi took several deep breathes and gathered himself before he shook his head to look up. He hoped to see Aquilum’s wide grin but only saw the black and purple helmet of Hunzuu looking back at him. With a cold nod he turned and headed back the way he came. Inushi collapsed back to the floor.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inushi sat cross legged on the floor of the gunnery cock pit with his back to the gatling control seat. The ork vessel was out of weapons range of the station before the orks had scrambled a single fighter yet Inushi stayed close to the gatling blasters controls. They were being pursued but were not in immediate danger, according to Philosir the ship was faster then any others in the system.

As Inushi sat, his battle endorphins and combat stims slowly wore off. His body was beginning to feel the dull aches of battle as he meditated on the floor. Muscles trembled and tensed before allowing Inushi any sort of release. He had survived the ordeal on the station mainly unscathed but the loss of his fellow astartes throbbed in his head.

While sitting on the floor, letting his body unwind, he mentally revisited the mission. It replayed as a torrent of images meanwhile words from his unit floated through the timeline of the mission. The leap through space, the ladder climbing, hiding in the darkness, then the fighting began. “Amuse the Emperor” Aquilum had said. The loss of Shar-Drasha and the surprise Inushi felt led his mind to the bizarre weapon Philosir had used. “using xenos technology” the voice of Pyrox added. A single red eye. The running, the elevator, the explosion, images slowed before him as the form of Philosir stepped away. Inushi didn’t hear Philosir’s voice but he saw the sorrow at the loss of his servitor. Running, stairs, gun fire, the form of Aquilum collapsing to the floor “Amuse the Emperor.” The image of Aquilum collapsing replayed in his thoughts, the sound of gun fire echoed in his head. The gunfire began to evolve, it deepened and sped up, and soon Inushi was reliving the last moments of their escape. The firing of the gatling blaster, he could hear the auspex beep and feel the vibrations in his hands. The image of Pyrox being eviscerated flashed before him. Reven been torn to shreds by bullet fire soon followed. A single red eye once again lingered in his thoughts.

Inushi took a deep breathe, filling his lungs with recycled air. He opened his eyes and looked over at the dead ork next to him. The ork that killed Aquilum was now a headless pile of flesh. Inushi thought about how he’d nearly lost his own life to the greenskin yet Aquilum had intervened. A distant voice made him blink several times. He looked down to his helm he hadn’t recalled removing. He placed it back on his head.

“Inushi, come join us in the cabin.” The voice of Hunzuu asked through the vox.

A simple vox click let the Ice Angels know he was en route. With another pause he got off the cabin floor.

Chapter 9 – The Beasts in the Mountain

The room was a storm of activity. The industrious marines quickly detached, moved, packed, stacked, and rolled everything they had spent the past few days using. Amidst the controlled blur of deconstruction a lone figure sat in a massive throne.

The throne wasn’t his, yet he was in charge. The men around him were obeying his commands, yet he didn’t feel worthy enough to issue them.

He leaned back into the corner of the tall backed chair staring at his helmet that rested on a wide arm rest. He rubbed his chin with his left hand. Despite it being encased in armor he could feel the stubble on his chin. In his right hand he casually held a pic screen. It looked miniscule in his white powerfist.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breathe filling all three of his lungs. Slowly he emptied them one at a time. A small organ attached to his wind pipe analyzed the air he had breathed. He could taste the lingering death, the scent of squigs, and the tang of weapons fire. When he opened his eyes again they refocused on his helm. The purple eye lenses returned his gaze.

A single blink of light caught his attention. He changed focus to the pic screen. He saw a simple topographical lay out of the third planet in the Kota system. The screen automatically zoomed in as it blinked again. He didn’t change his focus as the screen zoomed in once again. With a final adjustment the topographical map showed a shoreline and a mountainous region, several large lakes dotted the landscape amongst the oddly shaped mountains. The Ice Angel emblem appeared in red at the center of a tear shaped region.

As the map was permanently added to his memory he lowered the screen and returned his gaze to his helmet. The room seemed to get slightly darker when he realized someone was in his light. He turned to his right to see a marine looking over at him. He held a large case in each hand.

“This is the last of them Captain.” He said before walking out of the room.

Captain Razzik was lost in the labyrinth of his thoughts as he watched the marine exit the bridge. The voice of Second Captain Ruusa echoed around his consciousness, the words made no sense but he knew they were Ruusa’s. Razzik relived conversations with Chaplain Cyaxeres and the Priest Attikusu, even Sergeant Muttabriqu appeared. Their mouths moved but the voice of Ruusa continued. As the storm of images subsided and the voice of the deceased Ruusa dissipated, a crackling image of Techmarine Philosir took over.

The most recent in the string of memories dominated his thoughts. Every department of his mind focused on the tech marine. Philosir had appeared battle weary. His meticulously maintained armor was heavily damaged.

Razzik knew Philosir had to of seen intense combat to appear that broken. Yet when he spoke, the same monotone voice echoed. No hint of his feelings, no inkling to explain how damaged he was, simply the same monotone voice he had used in every conversation Razzik could recall.

“……………we were successful……”

“only three of us……..”

“…………..Dark Eldar”

“third planet…….”

“……………we were successful……”

“……intense pursuit……”

“only three of us……..”

Key phrases repeated in Philosir’s monotone voice.

Around the image of Philosir, pictures of the lost marines appeared like one of his pre war reports. The cold efficient side, the Ice Angel side of his mental process removed the fallen marines from his list of assets.

With great mental effort he pushed aside the images and sat up from his throne. He looked around the room one last time. The ork monitors were dark. The speakers were silent. He turned in front of the throne and witnessed the guards outside waiting for his approach. For a moment he truly felt alone, but as his body adjusted so did his hearing. Distant sounds seemed to get louder as he involuntarily focused on them.

The creaks of the ship, the footfalls of the marines, the quite words of his men formed a cadence in his head. He reached for his helm as the sounds grew in his thoughts. He looked down into his helm. The multiple layers of metal and plastics would protect him in battle. The reinforced multi-lock seal would provide safety in the void. The filtration system would cleanse the air his body couldn’t normally withstand.

However, as he looked down at the helm he paused. No part of his helm would protect him from the weight of command that it represented.

The pic screen in his other hand flashed several times, the entire screen hesitated on black. As he brought the screen up it zoomed out. The third planet was now only a marble amongst a black back drop. Over a dozen red icons popped up on the screen. Dotted lines formed behind them to show trajectories. Amongst the ever-growing red dots, a lone blue icon floated like a lifeboat surrounded by abyssal drakes. Every path on the screen led to the third planet.

As red icons continued to appear further and further away he thumbed the off switch.

Captain Razzik looked at the open passage ahead of him. He looked back to his helm. This was it, he thought to himself. He didn’t like the odds, nor did he like how he got there, but he knew what had to be done. He was the eleventh captain of the Ice Angels, if he died, he’d die for the Emperor.

In one fluid motion he slammed the helm onto his reinforced collar. With several clicks and a hiss it sealed him in. With one final deep breath he took a step forward. He walked tall as he approached the door.

“For Ruusa” he whispered as he approached the door way.

“For the Emperor!” he shouted as he passed through.

“For the Emperor!” the guards shouted as they fell into step behind him.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

In the darkness he waited. Waiting for allies, waiting for enemies, he’d forgotten what he was standing in that hall way for, so he stayed, waiting.

He stood next to a tall row of gray crates, leaning against the wall of a narrow corridor. A servo skull twitched on the floor not far from him. It didn’t twitch often, but every time it did he glared at it and his muscles tensed. He wanted to stalk over and crush the remaining life out of it but he knew it was already dead. Tentatively his eyes wandered away from the skull and he reviewed the hallway past him. Bits of cranium and electronics were scattered across the floor to his left from a half dozen crushed or slashed servo skulls.

His gaze traveled down the hall to a series of openings when he felt a slight tremor through the wall and floor. The tremor was followed by a distant grumble, as if someone had poked a fur squig from a deep slumber. The grumble grew until reaching a deep somber tone.

He knew the sound. The engines were at maximum strength. He remembered the feeling. The ork transport was moving as fast as its engines would allow.

The grumble sputtered and paused before roaring louder and settling back into its previous tone. He continued to concentrate on the distant sound when the closer sounds of footfalls disrupted his thoughts.

A leather armored greenskin stepped into the hall way from his left. His massive arms were covered in glyphs and scars. His trousers were covered in belts and straps from which countless teeth, shell casings, and bones dangled. After several more steps he stood amongst the servo skulls bits, only a few feet from the row of gray crates.

“Deh-floaty skolls is gone boss.” The ork quietly spoke, his beady red eyes darted to and fro.

After a moment of silence the ork stepped back as a taller greenskin stepped out of the darkness. His dark gray camouflaged pants had all sorts of belts and straps on them, but instead of teeth and shells he had a string of stikk bombs and two pistols. A bandolier of knives hung across his bare green chest, twin choppas were strapped behind his back.

The taller greenskin looked past the ork in front of him before speaking. “Da Humies is scared of us now, deh can’t get us all. Go get da boyz Grazgab. Is time to’r’take da ship.”

The smaller ork smiled and quickly ran off.

The servo skull twitched on the floor once again. The taller ork, once again alone, took a single step and picked up the servo skull. The ork closely examined the human skull. The cranial cavity was full of metallic bits and tubes. Several wires dangled from the bottom of the skull and while the ork examined it, he traced his finger along the huge gash that ordained the side of the skull. His choppa had pierced the side of the skull and bit deep into the core of the skull.

He manipulated the skull in his hands and looked into its face. The dimmest of lights could be seen in the right eye socket.

He thought of all the deaths the little skulls had caused. The deaths of Slog and Ironjaw were most recent. A similar skull had dropped a frag grenade on Ironjaw who then threw it at Slog. The grenade went off mid air between them and killed them both.

He shook his head at his lost boys. He needed to do something. The scattered greenskins were running and hiding, “We’s need to fight like orkses, not hide like da humies” he mumbled to himself.

Ork boys began to file into the corridor ahead of him. He heard them bickering and pushing each other to get closer to him. They were still determining their own order of rank. He looked out at his new mob.

“Oi! Listen up! We’got all deh skulls dead!” He spiked the skull in his hand onto the metal floor. Parts flew off as it bounced several times. It would never twitch again. “Deez humies tink dey better den us.” The orks shook their heads with anticipation; they were already sucked into the taller orks words.

He slowly walked through them. The orks let him pass. As if leading a herd of animals, they followed him down the hall which opened into a larger foyer near an elevator. As he entered the open area he looked around at the growing horde of greenskins.

“We need to show dem’ittle humies who is boss around’ere.” He drew is choppa and shook it above is head. Orks all around him imitated his actions. “Dis is my ship now!” The orks shouted with excitement. “DIS IS GUBBLEFUZZ’S SHIP!” The orks shouted even louder.

“We’s need to chop’m’dead!” Spittle flew as he shouted.

“WE’S need to crush der faces.” He gritted his teeth.

“WE’S need to break da heads!” his eyes dilated as some unseen force energy grew about him. The orks all around began to tremble with excitement.

“WE’S need to KICK’DER SPLEENS!” Shouts of spleen kicking erupted from orks in the crowd.

All manner of greenskin continued to approach the growing mob. Orks, grots, even squigs seemed unable to resist the pull of Gubblefuzz’s words.

“WE’S NEED TA KILL DA HUMIES! FOR MORK’ND’GORK!”

The orks responded with their own roar.

“TO DA BRIDG!” The words exploded out of him as if he had been holding them back all his life.

Gubblefuzz drew his other choppa and ran off in a sprint. He felt touched by Gork, or possibly Mork, the mischievous one. He couldn’t remember which was which. Either way, visions of him sitting on the captain’s chair swam in his head. He growled and shouted with excitement as the growing mob of greenskins followed right behind.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Prepare your men, wave one departs in approximately thirty six minutes.” Captain Razzik ordered as he reviewed his sergeants. Each one acknowledged the order and began to withdraw to their units. Razzik watched as Shar-takazz and Balathu exchanged a few final words before going to separate ships. Bel Hando of course boasted the upcoming death tally of his unit as he walked away from Lugalbanda who shook his head. Assault sergeants Bandik and Holoc marched away in step, Razzik knew despite their cold demeanor they were excited to fight side by side once again. For a brief moment Razzik felt a sense of pride in his men.

The thought made him pause, they were hardly his men. They may not be his for much longer. Instead of dwelling on the thought he continued to watch as each unit began their pre-battle rituals.

Sergeant Shar-takazz of squad Rimsin reiterated some tactical advice before beginning a prayer. Bel Hando of squad Shwando laughed and made some jokes with his devastator unit that laughed heartily. Combat leader Balathu of squad Kujara reviewed orders and spoke with the few remaining members of his unit before inspecting the squad’s lascannon with Brother Thukoo. Sergeants Ardorach and Maranu reviewed defensive positions they would soon be defending with their two tactical units.

Razzik continued to monitor the marines of second company as he began to make his way past a conglomeration of black Ice Angel vessels. Tanks were already loaded. System checks were being run. Servitors were loading the final crates of equipment. Every Ice Angel on the ork vessel was in the hanger, only a handful of servitors were elsewhere on the ship.

The front loading ramp of a thunderhawk closed as he passed. Twin vindicators slowly rose up behind the cockpit to fit snug under the vessels long tail. Razzik observed Zarva reviewing his tanks connection before climbing into the Crystalfist.

After passing a storm eagle running a final weapons check, Captain Razzik found himself in front of the most gaudy Imperial vessel he had ever seen. The quartered yellow and pink made him pause and chuckle to himself. It didn’t seem that long ago when Aquilum landed his personal ship on the deck of the Frozen Rage.

The handful of marines sitting in front of the unique vessel stood up from their own tasks as he approached. Nefas stepped up and met the Captain. His white helmet had an ash smear under its eye.

“Razzik,” he said with a slight nod.

Razzik nodded in return and reviewed the dark band of marines. Brother Kvothe in his dark red armor stood tall, his purple tabard swaying slightly in the hanger’s artificial air. Next to him was the massive Honored Brother Inigo. He moved his arms and neck in some sort of stretch. As he worked his arms in circles he appeared even larger. His gray armor was still dull and filthy from his recent ork battles. Brother Jaska met Razzik’s gaze briefly before returning to his dismantled plasma pistol.

Inigo cleared his throat before speaking, “Thank you Captain for allowing us in the vanguard.” He looked around at the other marines before settling his gaze on his thunder hammer. “Reven, Aquilum, Shar-drasha, and Pyrox will be avenged…… soon.”

“We will ALL avenge the fallen Inigo. Together as one force of righteousness we will destroy all in our path.” Thoughts of Ruusa’s death flashed before he spoke again, “but first we need to get off this ship and find our rendezvous. Follow the Icemaul in. The weather will provide cover.”

Razzik looked up at the bizarre ship once again. It had the general appearance of a storm eagle, but the massive under hull turret felt disproportional. The squat vessel had three wide wings, but where the fourth wing should have been a long black engine protruded. A lone purple missile hung under its only upper wing.

“She’ll get us down without any issue Captain.” Nefas said with confidence. Razzik could only smile as he took a final glance at the contraption. The words Emperor’s Coinpurse were carefully written in black under the front cockpit.

“May the Emperor guide you Brother Nefas.” He added before saluting to the gathered marines. The guest marines finished their prep and loaded into their ship as Razzik walked away.

He walked in silence for several minutes before he found himself near the back wall of the expansive hanger where a lone black raven sat. Razzik stopped and watched Chaplain Cyaxeres kneeling before an upside down drop pod that hung behind the rear hatch. Brother Desai sat cross legged across from Cyaxeres quietly repeating the Chaplains prayers. A feeling of awe slowly crept into Razzik’s thought as he watched the scene.

The small drop pod hung like a dangerous chandelier. It was bright white and sealed, wisps of smoke curled away from several lines that connected the pod to the raven. Feelings of repulsion and sorrow oozed at the edges of his mind trying to oust the serene sight.

“Sanguinius watch over you” Razzik absently said as he pried his gaze away from the white drop pod. The mix of emotions dissolved before creeping further.

He checked the countdown along with several status reports on his HUD as he approached a trio of marines near an inner bulk head. The bulk head was full of scrap metal and melted together to form a clog of welded debris. Only the smallest squigs or occasional grot could breach the scrap wall.

As Razzik nodded at his marines a damaged servo skull floated out from the scrap wall. Sparks shot out from the skull as it hovered at an odd tilt. The small anti-grav unit whined as it attempted to maintain the skulls elevation. It sputtered twice and took several dives before landing in the waiting hands of Brother Shu-Takii.

The black armored Ice Angel examined the skull closely, his pack mounted light illuminating the skull. He probed the skulls damaged side like an apothecary preparing for his first cut. Without taking his eyes off the skull he turned and stepped over to a black and red land raider chassis.

Shu-Takii stepped into the open side hatch as Captain Razzik stepped closer to the tank. The vehicle was one of Techmarine Philosir’s creations. It was wider then a typical land raider, but it had no side armament, no front armament, and it only had room for six marines inside.

“Muuniafhwa onwo apso taz’shinii” was written on the side of the tank. The ancient space tribes of Shatt-el-Hai having held onto the phrase for generations found a fitting place on the side of the tank.

Captain Razzik thought on the ancient phrase as Brother Shu-Takii emerged from the tank. Seeing the captain he approached while examining a thick pic screen he held in his left hand. He stood next to the captain to revere the unique tank.

Captain Razzik checked off several status reports before he spoke, “Is it ready?”

“Yes Captain, MOAT is ready. The machine spirit seems almost, anxious.” Shu-Takii said before leaning slightly closer to the captain.

“This will be the first time MOAT has been in battle in several decades.” He added.

Razzik at first was surprised but as he thought back he recalled the handful of times he had seen Philosir use the land raider. Its auxiliary uses were extremely valuable yet its lack of fire power kept it from the front lines. The rolling armory, known as MOAT, held enough ammo and equipment to keep the second company running for prolonged battle but only a lone twin linked autocannon meant its front line uses were limited.

“I’m sure Philosir will be glad to see his prized creation in the middle of the defensive wall.” Razzik said while Shu-Takii nodded his head in agreement.

Without further word Shu-Takii looked back at the pic screen in his hand. With a few finger taps the wide landraider rumbled, its engines shaking the deck for a brief moment. Shu-Takii took several steps while tapping the screen several more times. MOAT began to move across the hanger towards its awaiting Thunderhawk.

“Captain, a word please” the voice of Attikusu entered his vox.

A simple acknowledgement was all he returned as he hastily moved across the hanger towards a well protected room protruding from the back wall. Inside, the Sanguinary Priest Attikusu stood with several servitors and two other marines. A horde of wires lay across the floor and fed into a wall of pic screens.

The white armored priest gave a side way glance at Razzik as he began to speak, “There are seven ships in the immediate vicinity. The largest has attempted to hail us but is holding its position.”

Razzik examined several screens that crudely outlined their positions. With practiced ease he mentally drew up a map of the surrounding ships, he added in updated lists of other incoming vessels and arrival times. Numbers of possible enemies in relationship to ship size filed away in the back of his head.

“Anshar, send out an updated report to all the sergeants of projected numbers. Zaltu, alter the timing of wave two by minus three minutes. Once completed take what we need and get to our ship.”

“Yes sir” both Anshar and Zaltu said in unison. Razzik looked at Attikusu, their gazes met and as one they turned and walked out of the fortified position into the expansive hanger. They walked for several minutes when they met up with Cyaxeres. The skull mask of the Chaplain a grim reminder of his role in the chapter.

“What is on your mind?” Razzik said.

“You” Cyaxeres blatantly replied. “Your plan does Sanguinius proud,” he quickly added, “but something continues to trouble you.”

Cyaxeres paused and closely watched Razzik’s response. Despite wearing his helm both Attikusu and Cyaxeres were aware of Razzk’s surprise.

Sixty seconds were left on his HUD. The gigantic hanger door behind the three marines slowly opened, all eight sections slid out in separate directions. The southern hemisphere of a blue and green planet stretched out before them. Thick black and white expanses of cloud flashed with distant lightning as the doors finally stopped moving.

Engines of the first wave blasted. The sound would have been deafening had they not had their helms on. Ships began to leave the deck. Landing gear retracted. As the number in his HUD ticked down they approached the invisible bearer between them and the void. In rows they blasted out into space as the counter stopped at zero.

Two separate timers replaced the previous count down.

Razzik felt the entire ork vessel rumble as it slightly changed its trajectory.

With a sigh he regarded his elder fellow marines. “The mission that our tech marine suggested and he under took was successful.” He looked out at the world below him once again. “Yet it feels some what suspicious. Where did he get this information or knowledge of the outpost?”

Attikusu and Cyaxeres absorbed the words but did not respond.

“It also costs us valuable lives, and for what?” He shook his hands towards the planet, “another destination in which we’ll inevitable loose more lives.”

“We were created for war Razzik, loss is” Attikusu began.

Razzik spun around and interrupted, “I am fully aware of our purpose.” A hint of anger seeped into his voice.

Cyaxeres stepped next to the captain to observe the view, “What would you have us do then Captain Razzik? Run? Head back to Shattermantle further disrespecting our chapter?”

Razzik shook his head, “Sometimes I wonder if we should have.” Both Cyaxeres and Attikusu shook their heads. “My first prolonged mission as a Captain may be my last. The lives of an entire company may be lost all because I followed orders. These Imperial bureaucrats will never respect us.”

Cyaxeres scoffed, “that may be true, but the soldiers and the generals will. Think how they will view us when we return from the Kota system with Eldar heads in a sack.”

Razzik looked down at his hands as the second wave of ships began to fire up their engines. Attikusu took a final glance at Razzik before he ran towards his awaiting ship. Cyaxeres stayed for another brief moment before he turned and sprinted towards his ship.

Within seconds the next wave of Ice Angel ships were leaving the deck. Razzik watched them go; only two vessels remained in the hanger.

“But is that worth our sacrifice?” Razzik continued. “How many must die only to prove a point?” He clenched his fists as he headed towards his ship.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After running and yelling through most of the ork transport Gubblefuzz was now only feet from the bridge to the ship he now claimed as his own. Orks had flocked to his call but the energy that had built behind his charge was slipping from his grasp.

“Where b’da humies, boss?” a nob named Kronkin asked once again.

Gubblefuzz looked around at his boys scrambling to maintain the short term control he’d mustered over them. “Deys hidden from us. Lets check out da bridge and see wheres dey at.” He spat.

Kronkin eyed him closely, measuring up the equally massive greenskin before nodding.

The wave of greenskins pushed forward, spilling into the bridge like water exiting a broken damn.

Inside the bridge, the screens were all dark. The massive captain’s chair was empty. Gubblefuzz didn’t like it one bit. He walked over to the nearest panel and mashed the key board, unfamiliar with how to work this kind of machine. Nothing happened. He mashed again, anger quickly taking over, still nothing. He then punched it with his gauntleted fist.

Sparks flew as the screen shattered and his fist went into the panel.

“HEY! Dim monitors don’t like bein beat’n.” A bent over ork shouted.

Gubblefuzz stalked over to the shorter ork. He wanted to throttle him, smash in his face, and stomp on his spleen six times but he knew the shorter ork would be useful. Mekboy Gogglenuts was the only remaining mek on the ship and Gubblesfuzz’s only chance of repairing what the humies had destroyed.

“Ok den, get’em up and running. Nows!” Gubblefuzz demanded. “Yous boys! Go look for da’humies” he added while motioning to all the other boys on the bridge.

Several orks began to clear out of the bridge, a gaggle of grots began to dismantle one of the screens closest to the captains chair. Gogglenuts followed several large bundles of wire across the floor before finding what he was looking for and pulling several tools off his belt.

Gubblefuzz turned and saw that Kronkin was in the captain’s chair. HIS, captain’s chair. “Whos’said yous can sit in my chair?” Gubblefuzz shouted while pointing his thick crooked finger.

A grin crept across Kronkins face as Gubblefuzz stepped towards the seated greenskin.

“Dis chair?” Kronkin asked while pointing at one of the arm rests.

Gubblefuzz slowly pulled out his two hooked blades, the scrape of metal demanding the attention of the remaining orks in the room. Kronkin continued to smile as his left hand drifted down to one of the pistols on his hip.

The two orks were about to attack each other when one of the screens crackled to life. In unison they turned and saw the gray static on the screen, blurred shapes randomly piercing the snowy fuzz.

The head of Gogglenuts peaked out from behind a loose panel in a wall. He looked over at the screen then disappeared back inside. Several grunts and groans followed. The screen blinked on then off several times, static grew in intensity then vanished. A loud thunk came from behind the wall when the screen reactivated, the side of another ork vessel filling the view.

“Look! Reinorkments!” Kronkin said.

Orks grinned, several even cheered, until Gubblefuzz shouted. “STOP DA SHIP!”

The view of the other ork vessel was getting closer. It quickly filled the screen. Orks scrambled, ran into each other, some even shot each other, only Gogglenuts continued to work, but it was too late.

Somewhere in space a pair of Ice Angel Ravens sped towards the planet. In one of them Captain Razzik watched the collision of the two ork vessels, smiling as the first of several warheads detonated.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The violent shaking of the Emperor’s Coinpurse slowly ebbed as the trajectory began to level out slightly. Inigo released his grip of the plush pink arm rests and looked up at the monitor above his head as the string of numbers and information ceased. The exterior cameras were redeploying now that reentry was complete.

When the screen finally lit up, a dark haze filled his view. The cloud cover they were in was thick. He couldn’t make out any shapes even though several other Ice Angel ships were nearby. Using a switch he flipped through the set of cameras. Every one of them revealed the same oppressive cloud cover.

Eventually he stopped flipping through the views and settled on the under nose camera. Impatiently Inigo looked around the unique ravens lounge. A small table sat between him and an empty chair. A weapons locker was to his left next to the hallway to the front of the ship. His only companion in the rear compartment was Kvothe. The red armored marine sat across from him in a fuzzy yellow chair that was embedded in the wall. He was reclined and harnessed in. He hadn’t spoken in minutes. Probably praying, Inigo thought to himself. More likely he was reciting the Codex Astartes that he often quoted.

The monitor above Inigo flashed a dull light gray. He looked up at the monitor once again in hopes of something coming into view. The flashes continued sporadically as the sound of rain hitting the hull of the ship began to echo throughout the cabin. Quickly the rain intensified as did the frequency of the flashes.

The lightning continued revealing only clouds until the vague angle of a mountain side came into view. The clouds loosened their grip on the ship as the streaks of light continued to illuminate a massive mountain, its bare rocky form looming sentinel to his ships port side. The wall of stone was barren rock without a hint of foliage or construction.

The Ice Angel vessels ahead of them would have been invisible had he not been able to see the light of their engines. The large thunderhawk, the Icemaul was directly in front of them. The triple engines of the ship were the only constant source of light on the monitor.

As he focused on the engines of the thunderhawk, it began to bank around the mountain and descend into a valley. Seconds later the Emperor’s Coinpurse followed. As they rounded the mountain and began their descent, Inigo could hear secondary systems on the ship kick on.

The whirr of a motor brought a smile to Inigo’s face as he switched through several camera angles to the targeting camera attached to the under slung cannon. For a fleeting moment Inigo wished he was in Jaska’s seat handling the cannon but then he thought about how much quicker he’d be able to deploy and put his hammer to use from his current seat.

With another banked turn, this time to their right, they leveled out once again. The camera view was now nearly straight down. Twisted sickly trees dotted the wasted landscape of the wide valley floor. As one particularly bright flash illuminated the scene, Inigo could make out a wide trench that was filling with the downpour. Shredded metal could be seen scattered amongst the murky liquid.

Suddenly the under slung camera view was nothing but water. Inigo felt his body began to release chemicals as the timing for action drew closer. He knew it wouldn’t involve him yet, but the excitement nevertheless activated several glands in his skull and in his lower back. His vision sharpened and his muscles twitched slightly. Absentmindedly he stretched out his arms and hands.

As suddenly as the water filled the screen it disappeared. Scraggly trees and giant boulders could be seen as they began to bank at a sharp angle. The cannon adjusted slightly to cope for the maneuver as the first ork vehicle came into view. A bright flash filled the screen as a dull boom filled the compartment.

The Emperor’s Coinpurse slowed down as the under slung cannon found another vehicle and fired again. The additional sounds of gun fire outside seeped into the cabin.

“Target spotted” Kvothe said as he stared at a different monitor that Inigo couldn’t see.

Inigo looked over at Kvothe silently demanding more information.

“Camera seven” Kvothe added.

The time it took to tilt his head back to the ceiling of the room he had switched to camera seven. The port side wing camera revealed the battle below them during their banked turn.

A single raven had landed near a rocky out cropping. Inigo could make out shapes moving towards it. Several explosions lit up the nearby area as the entirety of the situation was revealed. Dozens of ork bodies were hurtled into the air but hundreds more could be seen running.

Inigo switched to camera eight as it exited camera sevens view. The raven was hovering off the ground and slowly moving away from the rocks. The racks of bolters and twin linked plasma cannons on the raven dished out a near constant stream of fire.

The raven took off towards the fleeing thunderhawks, while the Emperor’s Coinpurse along with the smaller vessels in the first wave made another pass over the orks.

Small arms fire could be heard pelting off the ships armored hull in between the dull boom of Jaska’s cannon. The banked turn lasted for a few more seconds before they leveled out in the same direction of the thunderhawks.

With a burst of speed they departed the valley. The roar of the rain on the hull and the thrust of the engines replaced the sounds of battle. The whirr of the cannons engine could be heard briefly as it resumed to its non combat position.

Inigo looked back to Kvothe, a part of him wanted to strike up a conversation with the Shadow Sanctus marine, but when the thoughts of the upcoming one sided conversation darkened his mood he decided to wait until Kvothe initiated it.

“What do……” Kvothe began when the ship took a sudden lurch the starboard side. A nearby explosion sounded as if it were in the compartment with them.

“Kvothe, get to the top mounted cannon.” Nefas commanded.

Kvothe slammed the orange button on his harness release and vaulted out his seat. He sprinted down the hall to a ladder built into the wall and climbed up into the top mounted cannon. He was almost into the small weapons compartment when the ship took a sudden nose dive. The impacts of heavy caliber rounds pounded the hull.

As the roof mounted twin linked assault cannons came online Inigo found the corresponding camera. In the darkness it was hard to understand what was fully going on, but when the lightning flashed he could see the thunderhawks in the distance and the streaks of rounds from various air craft around them.

The ork vessels were few, but the Ice Angel ships were primarily transports. They evaded what they could but ultimately continued on their course. The advanced astartes weapon systems fired at the ork fighters as they approached with little success.

With a quick motion the twin linked assault cannons turned 90 degrees to port. Inigo watched as the rounds pounded into a passing ork vessel. A millisecond flash revealed several rounds bursting an engine before the passing vessel disappeared from view.

After the first successful shots though, Kvothes accuracy seemed to diminish as the orks continued to fly by. Several minutes passed before the ship rose steeply only to dive once again in between to tall peaks.

A near explosion rocked the ship after a row of tracer rounds exploded an ork fighter. Inigo switched cameras to the front nose camera once again to reveal the rendezvous position.

The valley was shrouded in a near impenetrable darkness. Even the flashes from the lightning above seemed unable to touch the valleys floor. The only indication of the valleys bottom was by following the controlled stream of tracer rounds from a single twin linked cannon.

Inigo watched intently as the cannon fired in sporadic bursts, each time in a different direction. As the Emperor’s Coinpurse began to slow down and lift its nose in preparation to land, Inigo began to also pick out the dimming lights of other landed air craft.

A quick release of his harness and Inigo was out of his seat. Thunderhammer in hand he took two powerful steps and turned towards the rear hatch. He held onto one of the grips above the hatch in his left hand while a pre-battle cant escaped his lips. His battle smile crossed his face as he finished.

The sounds of Jaska and Kvothe could be heard behind him as they completed the shut down of their respective systems. The voice of Nefas spoke into the vox, “Orders are in, secure landing site then proceed to the ridge south, southeast.” The rear hatch broke its seal and began to open, “Inigo, we’re right behind you.” Nefas added.

Inigo leapt out of the vessel and was moving before the hatch touched the ground.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Inushi watched as the Ice Angels filed out of the raven and immediately dispersed into the darkness. The dim light given off from the interior of the raven was minimal but more then enough for the superior senses of the astartes to function. The sounds of heavy weapons fire, hard rain, and Imperial thrusters invaded the chamber. Damp air wafted into the raven, it smelled tangy and acidic. After a brief few seconds an Ice Angel returned to peer into the open hatch, water streamed off his pitch black armor. Before he had spoken Philosir and Hunzuu were on their feet.

“Clear” he stated as he turned and pointed with two fingers past the open hatch. “MOAT is sixty yards over.”

Philosir was moving in that direction leaving Hunzuu behind with only Inushi. Inushi didn’t follow or get up. He waited. For a moment he leaned back into his chair before Hunzuu stepped further into the raven. Inushi turned to see the crumpled form of Shar-Drasha on a long piece of metal. Next to the fallen marine on the same piece of metal was a large murky opaque bubble. An occasional glimpse of pink or yellow would dance on the bubbles edges but it never revealed what was inside.

“Come Mantis, we’re not finished yet.” Hunzuu spoke while reaching down to grab the edge of the metal makeshift gurney.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

In a slow fluid motion Inushi stood from his seat, stepped over, and squatted down. He grabbed onto the piece of metal and with a nod from Hunzuu lifted up his end of the metal plank. After a moment of readjustment they stepped in time, down the hatch and out into the darkness. The hatch closed immediately behind them.

After they exited the storm raven Inushi paused and looked all around. His enhanced dark vision allowed him to see his immediate surroundings perfectly clear but not much further. The rain fell in heavy droplets that left a haze near the ground from their impacts.

Inushi and Hunzuu stood in an empty, perfectly square lot. Several heavily damaged buildings lay crumbling nearby. They looked ancient but vaguely Imperial in design. Inushi held the plank behind him and felt a slight nudge from Hunzuu.

Without further instruction Inushi picked his path and marched off. The sounds of thrusters and occasional weapons fire could be heard in the distance in every direction. As they marched, several vessels flew overhead. Inushi didn’t attempt to see what kind they were, instead he focused on moving and keeping the gurney level.

After passing the remains of a stone perimeter wall, Inushi and Hunzuu entered the edge of a wide tiered courtyard. An expansive broken street crossed the center in front of them and intersected with another road. The intersecting road cut up the tiers and at its top tier a weaponless land raider sat. For a brief moment Inushi caught a flash of light coming out of the raider. A door quickly shut preventing any further light to escape but in that moment Inushi caught a flash of red. Long double barrels suddenly barked from atop the raider that Inushi hadn’t seen. They tracked an unseen foe across the sky before once again going silent and disappearing into the darkness.

“Wait, “Hunzuu commanded.

With several quick head turns Inushi reevaluated the courtyard. To his left the road continued past piles of rubble where buildings used to stand. To his right the skeletal remains of two warehouses still battled the elements. Ahead of him the squat land raider sat several tiers above them. All around him rain continued to pour. He did however hear a low sustained thruster blasting away.

He began to look up when the forms of Ice Angels dropped from the sky. They used their jump packs in a single short burst to land safely in the courtyard. Within seconds the empty courtyard held twenty Ice Angels. One landed directly in front of Inushi. He was a bit taller then him and wielded two lightning claws. They were powered down at his side. His helmet had a third lens in between and slightly above his two eyes.

The marine gave him a curt nod before he turned along with nine other marines and they jumped to Inushi’s left. The other ten went to his right. As quickly as they arrived they departed leaving him alone with Hunzuu and the heavy rain.

Without further pause Hunzuu spoke again, “Go, we need to get to MOAT.”

Inushi stepped forward as he felt Hunzuu pushing forward with the gurney with haste. “Hunzuu, what’s MOAT?”

“The raider above us” Hunzuu added. They were now almost jogging up the roads incline towards the vehicle.

Inushi was curious and almost asked another question about the raider when another set of thrusters, this time much louder, could be heard behind him. Soon the sound of moving stones across ancient pavement could be heard amongst the deep hum of the engines. As they reached the same tier as MOAT Inushi risked a look behind him. The empty courtyard they left behind was now filled with a hovering thunderhawk. Two vindicators were being released from their rear harnesses. They moved the moment they hit the broken remnants of the road.

A shaft of light distracted him as he turned back towards the land raider. An open door invited him in and Inushi entered. Hunzuu carefully navigated his end of the gurney so they entered without hitting the reinforced door frame.

Once inside Inushi was shocked at what he saw. The interior of the raider instead of being filled with rows of seats or weapon systems was filled floor to ceiling with white smooth tiles that dominated the front and rear of the tank. Each was smooth with no rivets, no handles, and only a single symbol. The interior was also very bright, almost to a clinical level. The white tiles seemed to intensify and reflect the light leaving no shadows around the gathered marines.

Two other marines were in the tank, a tactical marine that Inushi didn’t recognize and Philosir. They stood across from him by the only other door. A rack was extended into the hall way and Philosir was depositing his broken servo arms and shattered weapons into an empty shelf. As he did so two servo arms on the ceiling of the tank were refitting Philosir with a new power pack. Instead of his previous four servo arm configuration a heavy flamer and missile launcher were being activated above his shoulders.

Hunzuu began to lower the gurney behind him. Inushi lowered his end and looked around, still trying to absorb and understand what he was seeing. Meanwhile Hunzuu stepped over and lightly touched a white tile. It slid out into the hall way next to the gurney. With care Hunzuu lifted up the remains of Shar-Drasha and set him in the bottom compartment of the rack.

When he was completed he stepped over the gurney towards the opaque bubble, he hesitated, trying to determine how best to move it.

“I will move him Sergeant. Rearm yourself and get to your unit” the monotone voice of Philosir commanded. Hunzuu turned around to another rack and tapped the end panel. A small box opened and racks of promethium canisters were easily accessible, below it were pairs of grenades. Inushi watched Hunzuu closely. Inushi could see a difference in Hunzuu’s demeanor as he switched out a shoulder pad at a second rack. There was a swiftness in his actions. He seemed relived to be returning to his squad, or maybe to be getting further away from the last mission. Inushi knew the last mission still left sour taste in his mouth.

After several minutes Hunzuu was outfitted, the racks closed themselves as he finished. He then stepped towards the door, before he slid it open he looked over his shoulder at Inushi. Inushi waited for him to speak but instead he slid open the door and stepped into the darkness.

“Plasma pistol correct?” the other tactical marine said. His sudden nearness seeming to jump start Inushi’s thoughts.

He turned to the marine. His helm had a secondary scope on its side and he had a back pack mounted search light. The marine stepped to the same rack that Hunzuu had been at but when the marine touched the panel it revealed plasma pistol cores.

He grabbed a core and tossed it to Inushi who easily grabbed it mid flight. He attempted reloaded his purple pistol but the core didn’t fit properly.

“Oh, I apologize Inushi, “he then stepped over and took back the core. Inushi watched as he applied some pressure and released a side bar on the core. The marine then handed it back.

“We manufacture our own cores, its not quite standard issue.” The marine hesitantly added. He traded a look with Philosir before changing the subject. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Shu-Takii of tactical squad Rimsin” he quickly said. He then looked over at Philosir who was approaching the opaque bubble. “I’m training to be one of the chapter’s tech marines.”

Inushi was about to respond when he caught Shu-Takii’s gaze and turned to watch Philosir bend down and carefully pick up the bubble. The shifting edges made it appear as if it were liquid. However, when Philosir touched its edges his hands didn’t pierce its outer edge.

Slowly he began to move it towards the waiting rack. It was a snug fit, but it was clear the shelf was designed to hold the wounded, or dead. The entire transfer took only seconds but Inushi memorized the moment, he would never forget that eerie sight. The tech marine finished placing the bubble on the rack and without a touch or action it slid back into the wall. Inushi came out of his reverie as the tile stopped moving. His mind wondered of its inhabitant’s fate.

Without another word the red armored tech marine turned to another rack. It hissed slightly as it slid out and revealed an array of shields along with a lone serrated power axe. Philosir grabbed the axe and attached it to his hip. He then hefted up the shield. Lights on his missile launcher and heavy flamer began to blink before going dark.

Philosir turned his head, both backpack mounted weapons turned and followed his gaze, he turned again and they once again followed his movement. With a slow motion he returned his gaze to Inushi.

A lone square pedestal emerged from the center of MOAT. An array of electrical ports and docking stations lined three of its side, yet the third side was perfectly smooth. As the pedestal reached its full height the smooth side opened from the top. Philosir stepped over and looked inside.

Inushi couldn’t see what was inside from where he stood but his interest was peaked. He lifted his chin to attempt a look when Philosir reached up to his helmet. The red helm had minor damage but several lenses on his secondary optical units were broken. The bottom edge of his front grill was also mashed in.

With several clicks he removed his helm.

Seeing the true face of a tech marine was always a unique experience, but seeing Philosir’s mechanical augmentations took him by surprise. His cranium and neck were black metal, his mouth appeared more like a minute speaker from a vox caster. As fascinating as the mechanics were though, Inushi found himself transfixed with Philosir’s eyes. The tech marine still had his organic eyes. His nose and ears were flesh as well, but Inushi couldn’t take his gaze away from his those orbs.

They were the lightest blue, bordering on white, yet they had a depth that gave him a wizened look. Inushi didn’t know what to say, but when Philosir hefted another helm out from the pedestal Inushi looked away as if ashamed.

“I am probably not what you think a typical tech marine looks like, am I?” The monotone voice of Philosir sounded incredibly out of place after staring at his face. “I have seven different optical units on my armor and the audio augments have the capacity to sense bugs burrowing beneath my tank, my olfactory unit can discern every chemical compound in the air around us, yet none of these augmentations….” He paused,

“None of them can ever truly replace my real senses.”

Philosir then placed his new helmet on his head. The identical helm clicked into place.

In the few seconds Inushi had glimpsed the marine under the amazing red armor, his vision of the tech marine had been forever changed.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The crunch of pavement, the splashes of boots in puddles, the small unit of four marines ran through the light rain with no regard for silence only their haste to reach their destination. After rounding a waist high wall of worn mortar, Nefas slowed to a typical engagement speed.

He raised his custom bolter, a long curved magazine hung from the bolters stock. Kvothe and Jaska followed his lead raising up their own weapons. They fanned out and explored the small alley way quickly while Inigo watched behind them.

The rain had slowed substantially to a slight drizzle. The clouds were still thick but a light gray could be seen in between mountains in the horizon. Dawn was making its approach but for the moment Inigo was still using his night vision. The details were not clean enough without it.

He moved down the alley way after his squad mates before stopping to check again that nothing was behind them. The sounds of footfalls breaking the dull hum of falling rain were all he could hear in the near vicinity. The occasional growl of engines could be heard in the distance but like the rain, the ork vessels had also subsided allowing the astartes vessels to land and set up defenses.

Inigo knew that they’d be back but for the time being the astartes appeared to be alone in the mountaintop crater they had landed in. It was filled with abandoned ruins and scraggly trees. Some sort of facility had been housed here but there were no hints to its original use.

When he finally turned back around he saw Jaska ahead of him looking down a hole in the ground about the size of his head. Kvothe was past him monitoring some ruins while Nefas was continuing ahead.

As Inigo approached Jaska, the Chrysemys marine stepped away to follow Nefas. Inigo looked down the hole in the ground as he past. Even with his dark vision he couldn’t see far into the hole, but it didn’t appear to have any water in it. The depth of the hole had to be excessive to have not been filled during the nights down pour.

With hammer in hand Inigo turned. The moment the hole was exiting his peripheral vision something made him pause. He froze. He glanced ahead at Jaska who was at another hole peering into its depths. Kvothe was to his left staring down at the floor of some ruins. Nefas was around the corner out of sight.

Inigo turned back to the hole. He once again didn’t see anything, only the wet stone surrounding the hole and a small trickle of water that cascaded into it. Regardless he felt as if something was watching him. He stared at the hole with hammer in hand before the feeling subsided. Without further investigation he continued on. Kvothe and Jaska were already moving ahead.

The trio of marines rounded the next corner to see a thin road that ended at the edge of the mountainous crater they were in. Wrecked buildings and tumbled walls lined both sides of the street.

The rubble on both sides of the street was easily three times the height of all the marines. A unit of Ice Angels was perched amongst a ruined wall thirty yards ahead. Inigo could make out five of them. They were rearranging the rubble stones to a better defensible position. The wall was being reinforced with an extra row of stones as well as giving the Ice Angels a kill zone ahead of the building in case something landed in the courtyard just beyond their position.

Nefas was crouched only a few steps away near the entrance to an expansive building, possibly a warehouse or storage facility. The front wall was gone; the only hint of its existence was the angled floor that ended when it met the gravel of the road. The remains of the remaining walls showed that the building was windowless but as Inigo approached with Jaska and Kvothe something bothered him about the rubble.

Jaska had stopped behind Nefas and was looking up instead of down. Kvothe held his meltagun to his chest, still searching for enemies.

“I wonder what was in that building.” Jaska asked to no one in particular.

“I do not” Kvothe said, clearly his agitation by the straying from the mission parameters was bothering him. “Our objective is up ahead.” He pointed with a tilt of his head.

The other marines ignored him and continued to look around. Inigo took a final glance at his surroundings. He noticed there were another half dozen bottomless holes in the ground around them in the street and in front of the building. He then reviewed the building once again.

The black armored Sinner marine laid on his side and stuck one of his gauntlets under the solid ferrofoam floor that wasn’t flush with the stones from the road. The light weight material was nearly impervious to weathering but it was dented and damaged in several places. Jaska stepped forward to look over a part of the damaged wall that was waist height. He then looked up at the higher part of the rear walls. Kvothe continued to look towards their objective as if a higher power would punish him for the delay. With a loud agitated exhalation he took a more sentinel position around the investigating marines.

“There is no rubble in the room except at the rear, and the walls look as if they had blown out.” Jaska spoke before stepping back away from the building. “Fascinating“he added as he moved further around the corner. Kvothe moved to monitor him but was continuously looking around. His alertness was truly impressive, Inigo thought before chuckling to himself. It was the first time he had been impressed by Kvothe.

Inigo shivered slightly as a cold chill tickled the back of his skull. Nefas got up and knelt at the edge of the floor, he grasped the edge of the floor with both hands. “Help me Inigo” he requested.

Inigo mag locked his hammer in place as he stepped over and knelt beside the lithe marine. Inigo’s corded muscles strained as he and Nefas lifted up the edge of the floor. The solid piece of ferrofoam slowly rose up. Jaska and Kvothe returned to help as they saw that the floor was coming up in a single piece. As the floor reached head level, Inigo adjusted his grip and with a final grunt lifted it up above his head straightening his arms and legs. The sheer size of the light weight material made it heavy but Inigo held it in place even as the other three marines let go.

As they did they all looked at a giant hole that the floor had been covering. The black chute disappeared into nothingness before them. The hole was nearly the size of the warehouse. A land raider could have dropped through the hole and only scrapped the sides with its out stretched lascannons.

The four marines stared down into its depths, their night vision allowing them to see a rough yet perfectly round bottomless pit. After a minute of study the marines one by one stepped away, only Inigo stood tall holding the floor above his head. The sneaking feeling that he was being watched itched the back of his ears, but no matter where he looked into the pit nothing would meet his gaze.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

He felt the eyes upon him. He knew they were watching him. They wouldn’t meet his gaze but he could feel them. He could hear the whispers of their voices as they spoke about him. His body temperature was higher then normal, his sweaty palms irritated him. Occasionally his muscles tensed with sudden tremors. His armor felt stifling and tight, he wanted to remove it.

He continually adjusted the grip on his chainsword as he rocked back and forth. His breath exited his body in short bursts. He couldn’t focus and every prayer he recited he couldn’t complete. Something was horribly wrong. As if some one was trying to remove his mind from his body, he ached. He shook his head and turned away from the rows of marines. His head pounded and he couldn’t help but rapidly blink as he looked into the mountaintop crater below him.

In a moment he could only see blackness and the faint outlines of rubble or the wings of ships, but with each blink his eye sight seemed to improve. One moment he was looking at a tall warped tree, then the top most branch, then a piece of bark on that branch, then he was peering into the water droplet that was slowly beginning to tip over the edge of the bark. He witnessed the graceful decent of the water orb as it rolled over the edge.

He drew in a slow deep breath. The anticipation of the droplets demise sent a sensation of intense pleasure through his body, yet as it fell the feeling morphed. It changed into something more sinister. It wasn’t fear. He knew no fear. The feeling was akin to dread. It crept through his bones; it passed through his nerves, and into his soul. The instant the droplet hit the puddle he blinked and it sounded as if an explosion had gone off under his feet.

He took several steps back as if he had witnessed a blast but when he recovered he looked back. The tree was two hundred yards away. He couldn’t see the puddle. He realized he was holding his breath before a calming voice seemed to remind him to breathe.

“Desai?” Cyaxeres calmly spoke.

“It’s happening, isn’t it” Desai quietly asked as he bowed his head. Thoughts of the Ice Angel encased in white armor and frozen solid flickered before him.

Cyaxeres took several steps over to him and stood, looking down at the mountaintop crater. Dawn was approaching but its gray lines had only begun to pierce the cloud cover.

The chaplain nodded his head, “It won’t be long now.”

“How can you tell?” Desai questioned even quieter then before.

Cyaxeres slowly reached out and placed his hand on Desai’s white shoulder pad, he absentmindedly checked the straps on Desai’s jump pack. They turned and their gazes met. The corvus helm of Desai’s and the skull helm of Cyaxeres were close as if they were about to exchange secrets.

“Every marine is different Desai, but chaplains are trained to see the signs.” He paused and looked away. “Have you ever heard the language of the Pure Blood tribe?” Cyaxeres asked.

The name rang a bell. Images of barbarians on a desert waste land came to mind, but nothing more. “No, I haven’t” Desai said as the fleeting images passed.

Cyaxeres let go and turned away, he pulled out his ornate bolt pistol. It was ice blue with a gold barrel yet unlike the chaplains armor it had no writing, no sigils, or markings, only a black purity seal.

He checked the chamber before looking back at Desai. The feeling of dread returned to Desai in force at the realization of what the pistol was used for. Their gazes met one last time before Cyaxeres spoke, “You’re speaking it.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The door closed behind Shu-Takii after he exited the vehicle. Techmarine Philosir was standing by the pillar in the center of the room. He was staring down at the pillar; his heavy flamer and missile launcher were aiming straight ahead. The pilot light on the flamer emitted a soft blue glow.

Inushi had backed himself into a corner; one of the doors was to his right, the other directly across from him. For several minutes he had stood ready for action but silently wondered what he would be asked to do next.

Without ceremony or warning the pillar unleashed two dull gray data crystals. Philosir removed one and held it up while putting the other in a belt compartment.

Philosir looked to the crystal then to Inushi. He put the crystal in another belt pouch but didn’t take his gaze off of Inushi. The pillar melted back into the floor.

“Was it worth it?” Inushi asked as the pillar finished sliding back into the floor.

“It is rare when the gathering of knowledge is not” Philosir said as he stepped past where the pillar had been. “Had we not we would have had to search the entire Kota system.”

The lights suddenly went out inside MOAT. The outer door opened and Philosir motioned to exit the vehicle. Inushi didn’t hesitate. He always preferred the wilds over the small interior spaces of ships and tanks. Upon exiting he saw that dawn was approaching. The rain had finally stopped but the cloud cover was still in thick patches above them.

“Where exactly are we, any ways?” Inushi asked while a low raven flew over and began its landing sequence further to their left.

“The third planet in the Kota system, Glossinai” Philosir said while leading Inushi away from MOAT towards the descending raven. Inushi couldn’t see where it was landing. It was several tiers above them and behind another crumbling wall.

“In the local dialect it means, the cage.” Philosir continued as one of the patrolling ravens swooped over head, a white drop pod still hung from beneath its tail.

Inushi followed Philosir for several minutes as they followed up a road that was cut into the tiers. When they arrived on the top most tier Inushi saw the skeletal remains of several large buildings ahead of him. The walls were thick but large swathes of mortar had been blown away. Two roofless hangers sat occupied with Ice Angel vessels to Inushi’s right while in the distance to his left he could make out several units of Ice Angels surrounding a large tunnel entrance that was built into the crater wall.

The tunnel caught Inushi’s attention but before he could look at it again the sounds of approaching steps brought him back to the situation at hand. In front of Philosir strode Captain Razzik, Vetov, and a seven man unit of Ice Angels. The marines held standard white bolters, two of them held larger heavy bolters. They had spread out examining the local area while Razzik strode up to Philosir. Vetov stood several paces behind Razzik, his powerfist and shield casually held at his sides.

“Here is everything I gathered from the Imperial Outpost.” Philosir said while handing out a lone gray data crystal.

Razzik held out his hand and accepted the data crystal. He slid it into a port on his belt. Inushi watched closely as the captain regarded the tech marine once again.

“Why here Philosir” Razzik asked?

“I highlighted several sec..” Philosir began.

“I’m sure you did, but I’d rather you tell me.” Razzik demanded. I hint of annoyance in his voice.

Philosir seemed to stiffen at the strong words before he began to speak.

“This out post was owned by the Coalition of Mineral Brokers, or COMB, as they advertised. This post was created to mine out the ore under this dormant volcano, but mining here proved to be treacherous. The number of lost workers would have shut down the facility but a cavern of ancient design was breached during one of the last scheduled days of production.”

“In response COMB sent in a team of experts along with nearly a hundred soldiers.” Philosir paused.

“The last report said they had located xenos artifacts but no further report was ever sent. The facility had gone dark. A week later a single unit of COMB’s elite was dispatched to investigate. When they arrived they found the facility was heavily damaged. All 578 employees were gone and there were no bodies only blood splatter”

“The planetary defense force was notified immediately and the report slowly crept through the chain of command until the report reached the Kota Imperial Governor. He however didn’t get a chance to read it because the orks had assaulted the system and the station that housed the governor was over taken by Master Warlord Gazzbat Boomfoot. Meanwhile Commodore Warlord Gitsplitta da Great was heading here to Glossani.”

“What happened to the investigation unit?” Razzik asked after a moment of contemplation.

“Unknown.” Philosir quickly responded.

“Did you locate any information in regards to the gaseous anomaly between Kota three and four?” Razzik prodded.

“Affirmative. The region was routinely avoided after several major ship malfunctions occurred as they passed through the anomaly. However, despite routine investigations nothing could pin point the…………..” His monotone voice suddenly stopped when Razzik waived his powerfist to stop.

“Our best lead is an unanswered report from a non Imperial sanctioned coalition?” he questioned.

“Captain, of all the information given this seemed the most logical place to begin our search.” Philosir stated.

Inushi monitored the exchange with great interest. The Ice Angel unit had surrounded the pair in a defensive circle while Vetov had always stayed a few feet behind Razzik. The ever vigilant Commander Vetov of the Emperor’s Tears looked fearsome. His bionic eye gave him a condescending look. For a moment Inushi wondered what Vetov was feeling right now. Inushi had often wanted to ask the commander what it was like being the last of a chapter that is believed to have been destroyed.

The pause in the conversation hung in the air uncomfortably before Razzik spoke again.

“Very well Philosir, I trust your judgment.” Razzik said with forced commitment. “Let us not waste any more time,” Razzik added before he turned towards the waiting squads by the tunnel entrance.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Razzik had only taken a few steps before an icon on his HUD flashed with an incoming message. He continued to march as he accessed the icon.

“Captain, ork convoy spotted on a pass southwest of your position.” Raven six, known as the Ebon Shard, chimed in over the vox.

In Razzik’s HUD the sixth raven’s icon flashed while he spoke.

“Likely attack vector?” Razzik asked.

“Initial surveys only reveal a single path up the mountain which leads around to the north side of the crater. Should have an ETA after we make another pass,” The Ebon Shard responded.

“Send report to myself and Raven five once done, Razzik out.” With several blink clicks he pulled up Raven five and Sergeant Bandik, “Sergeant, send Beta Shard to Raven five. Raven five once report from Raven six has been received drop them off at a look out point between us and the convoy. We need eyes on the targets.”

Captain Razzik immediately received two affirmative blips. He rearranged several other units in the crater over the course of the next several paces.

“Philosir, take Inushi to the north side. Fortify and set up some charges on the pass.” Razzik commanded.

Inushi gave a quick salute that Razzik didn’t turn to see. Philosir stopped and watched as the Captain, Vetov, and the other marines continued on their way. Without further comment the tech marine marched off down the tiers towards the north end of the crater. Inushi fell into step behind him.

* * * * * * *

Desai witnessed the departing tech marine along with the Mantis Warrior. He observed the marines around him stoically waiting for the moment to act. Yet as he studied the approaching Captain and his retinue, a sudden flash of heat slammed into Desai. He nearly fumbled his chainsword. Cyaxeres watched him intently. The grim chaplain still held onto the ritualistic blue bolt pistol. For several seconds Desai fought an internal struggle that left him breathless once again. He closed his eyes tight as if it would help stop the madness. His chest pounded as flashes of battles of epic proportion commandeered his senses. He could hear the screams of the dying, he could smell the rotting flesh, and his own skin felt as if it were oozing off his body. A sense of grief hammered at his soul as the images flashed before him each one worse then the last. The mental battles slowly morphed and turned into images of war torn fields. Nothing remained but death. Countless bodies filled his thoughts, the bodies of enemies, the bodies of civilians, the bodies of friends, every where he looked he only saw death. Desai looked down at himself as he stood upon edge of the crater. He was covered in the blood of everyone he had fought for and against.

Through gritted teeth he removed his helmet and dropped it onto the ground next to him.

“Desai,” Cyaxeres said.

The Sky Warden didn’t hear him. The coolness of the early morning air massaged his face as he took a deep breath. He realized that death was here as well. He opened his eyes to gaze upon the dark crater before him.

“DESAI” Cyaxeres said again as he stiffened. Over thirty Ice Angels were now watching the Chaplain and the white armored Sky Warden.

Despite the shouting chaplain though, Desai heard nothing. The crater before him was filled with the bodies of the fallen. Without warning Desai crouched down, he didn’t know what he was doing but something in that crater was calling to him. Something in that crater needed him. Something in that crater needed to be killed.

Cyaxeres lunged at Desai, but the Sky Warden leapt into the air while igniting his jump pack.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inigo stood staring down into the pit before him. He held the floor of the building above his head, but the sneaking feeling that something was watching him wouldn’t depart.

“Inigo, lets go.” Nefas casually requested. Inigo looked over his right shoulder and noticed that the other marines had moved down the street past the next building. As he turned back towards the pit, a glimpse of red flashed in his peripheral vision. He focused on the spot where he thought it had been. It was almost as if he could make out a shape. Was it a loose rock, or a piece of metal, he couldn’t determine what it was. Nevertheless, he adjusted his grip so that he could begin to lower the heavy floor slab.

He had just begun to lower it when a white marine slammed onto the floor above him. The sudden weight took the floor right out of his hands. It slammed down back into place. A deep resonating crash echoed from all around them almost as if the mountain itself was issuing a warning.

* * * * * * * * *

Inushi stood perfectly still as the deep boom echoed from beneath his feet. All around him he could hear the sound escaping from cracks and crags in the ground. He gazed at Philosir and the surrounding piles of rubble while slowly drawing his katana and plasma pistol.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Razzik turned towards the tunnel before him as the boom seemed to linger about the gaping darkness. Unlike the marines around him, he looked towards the tunnel with intrigue. Without comment or command he strode towards the entrance.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inigo was knocked back by the dropping floor and as he looked up from his prone position he saw Brother Desai. The Sky warden was helmet less. His black hair was pulled back tight against his skull. His pale skin was tight over his face as he gritted his teeth and stared down at Inigo. His stare was not one of camaraderie; but one of hatred.

The realization that Desai may not be himself made Inigo weary of his situation. He reached for his hammer but Desai darted forward. His speed was stunning, yet when the blow should have landed Inigo witnessed a flash of light as Desai’s chainsword met a speeding bullet that deflected his swing.

Unphased by the failed attacked Desai swung again but this time his chainsword met the shocking end of Cyaxeres’s crozius. The Chaplain had landed right over Inigo’s head and was shouting in some language he didn’t understand. The possessed strength of Desai began to push the crozius towards Inigo’s face but the Chaplain cross punched Desai in the side of his head. Desai seemed to shake his head in disbelief, blood spilled out of fresh wounds for an instance before they healed. The crazed look dissipated from his face.

Inigo quickly got up as Desai stepped back in shock of what he had done. He looked at the chainsword and bolt pistol in his hands. He promptly threw both of them aside. Cyaxeres kept speaking in the foreign tongue, but his tone was quieter. Inigo could tell he was trying to calm the troubled Sky Warden.

For several intense moments Cyaxeres held out his weapons in a nonoffensive stance. Desai had continued stepping backwards until he was on the floor slab once again. He was mumbling something beneath his breath and slowly shaking his head.

As suddenly as he had landed he stopped moving or speaking. Desai looked up and tilted his head as if listening intently to the area in front of him.

With a whisper of a voice he spoke, this time Inigo understood him.

“Do you hear it my brothers?” he slowly looked around meeting the gaze of the marines in the area.

Inigo heard nothing as he concentrated on his hearing. He didn’t take his eyes off of Desai, but the back of his neck tingled. A dull rumble began to grow beneath his feet.

“It’s coming for us.” Desai said louder, the crazed look crept across his face. Cyaxeres raised his bolt pistol and took aim at the white armored marine.

The rumble intensified and came from all around them. Every crack in the ground, every hole in the street, and every gap in the rubble emitted a sound. Rocks began to shift and several precarious walls tumbled over as the mountain itself began to vibrate.

“DEATH!” Desai shouted as he held his hands above his head and looked to the sky. The sun was peaking out from amongst the mountainous sky line. “IS HERE!”

All around the marines in the crater, winged creatures flew out of the holes in the ground. They formed long columns of black that poured out of the holes like smoke. One such creature clipped Inigo’s shoulder and drew a deep gash across the ceramite armor. Inigo was shocked at the damage the small creature had done, but he didn’t dwell on it because the rumbling in the ground was growing louder still.

His gaze swept from the clouds of creatures to Desai who was shrouded by the creatures for a moment before he was flung into the sky like a rock over a geyser. A gigantic creature had flung the floor aside and catapulted the marine away. Inigo was astounded at the beast’s immensity. It continued to pour out of the hole with frightening speed as if the ground had been its prison it desired to escape.

The armored column of flesh seemed to have no end, but when it finally stopped exiting the ground, Inigo found himself looking up at a toothed maw that could consume a land raider in a single gulp. Countless rows of armor piercing teeth lined the four triangular parts of its open mouth. In the span of only a few seconds several hundred feet of plated worm had exited the hole, swaying in the wind like a carnivorous plant preparing to strike.

Without thought Inigo feel into a side stance, hammer held behind him, looking up at the beast. An unseen smile crossed his covered face, “Let the avenging,” he spoke to himself as the hammer head crackled with energy, “begin.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Razzik heard the screeching swarms and the rumble of worms bursting out of the ground. A torrent of gun fire responded with its own roar. Battle cannons, demolishers, hundreds of bolters, and grenades of all kinds rocked the crater. Reports piled in to Razzik, his incoming report feed quickly blinking red as the queue began to over flow. Amongst the carnage he could even hear the howl of engines firing up. The various planes were leaving their parked positions in order to avoid the colossal armored worms.

Razzik was fully aware yet he knew, without a doubt, that the second company knew what needed to be done. Instead he continued his march towards the tunnel before him. High up on the craters edge the swarms and worms hadn’t reached them. He hadn’t given any commands to the units around him and several marines seemed tense without orders. Razzik noticed the hesitation in the back of his mind but when a new sound began to echo from the bowels of the tunnel he pushed it aside and issued a formation order. All the marines around him took position.

He was flanked by two units on each side, the front row of marines knelt so the back could shoot over them. They were in a loose formation with room in between for the rear units to rush in with blades.

The sounds from the tunnel intensified, instead of the reverberated jumble of noise, the echoes coalesced into whoops and sharp trills. From the depths of the tunnel came a murder of giant creatures of various colors and sizes. They were all quadruped in form and larger then the marines. Initial visuals gave Razzik the thought they were from an avian genetic line. They were wingless and ran on long legs. Curved blade like beaks snapped with anticipation. Dull muted colors of all kinds could be seen amongst the different creatures. Each had two pairs of beady red eyes staring lustfully at the marines.

Razzik and the marines around him disregarded the wall of sound or the growing number of enemies before them. Each marine only saw their targets, weak points at joints, eyes, or throats. After only a few seconds of assessing, the marines opened fire and the first wave faltered under their explosive rounds. Most of the front row fell but to Razzik’s surprise they struggled to continue on instead of lying down and dying. They seemed to disregard their wounds, only the head shots truly stopped them.

A missile streaked past Razzik and exploded through the chest of one particularly large creature, but the creature managed to take several more steps towards the marines gurgling its anger before falling to the ground.

Annoyed by the extra effort the monsters were taking Razzik charged forward with Vetov on his heals. The waiting marines matched his charge.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Cyaxeres leapt away as Inigo kept his eyes on the towering worm before him. The screams and bellows of alien creatures were filling the air when the marines all around the crater opened fire.

A billowing column of the dark winged creatures swarmed around Inigo. He swung his hammer in wide arcs felling them in twos and threes yet their sheer numbers got to him. He felt their scratches and bites as they tried to find a weakness in his armor. He felt surprising pressure as they flew into him. His super human strength alone kept him upright as a near continuous stream of furry winged creatures rammed into him.

He rolled back to his side and when he came up he found himself across the street from Kvothe. Kvothe’s meltagun repeatedly fired into a similar column of creatures. Each round of melta passed through a dozen of the creatures leaving twitching remains scatter about the broken street. The column momentarily dissipated from the repeated fire.

“KVOTHE LOOK OUT!” Jaska shouted.

Inigo watched as the towering armored worm came down head first into the ground over top of Kvothe. It struck the ground as hard a crashing thunderhawk. The ground shook like it had been hit by an artillery shell. Chunks of road buckled and a nearby wall toppled. Inigo took two steps and swung at the side of the worms’ mouth with all his might. With a roar he connected just behind the outer jaw of the worm. It felt like he was hitting solid rock, not a living creature. Nevertheless the impact sent deep cracks across the side of the creature; small bits of its hide fell off onto the street.

Inigo stepped back, disappointed with his attack, but with a grin he swung again as the worm continued its grinding into the street. A pair of the flying creatures flew by digging deep gashes in his back pack as he shielded himself. He prepared for another massive swing as the worm lifted itself back up with surprising speed. The creature had left a deep crater in its wake. All that remained of Kvothe was pulverized flesh and shredded bits of armor.

“Inigo, get to the hole! Hit it there!” Nefas shouted as Jaska moved up firing his plasma pistol at the base of the worm.

Inigo peered over to Nefas further down the street before he moved up. The Sinner marine was kneeling in the street over a chest. It was the chest he had seen in his room full of ammo. “Where did that come from?” Inigo thought to himself before turning and running towards the worm.

Jaska’s plasma fire was melting the worms armor and when Inigo took his swing, the exoskeleton of the worm exploded outwards from the impact. The worm shuddered in the air and thrashed about momentarily before adjusting to attack where Inigo was standing.

The worm began to swivel in the hole so that its wound wasn’t facing the Sons of Hades marine. Jaska continued to fire at different points as the worm did. Inigo focused on the weaker plasma hits as he struck the worm again and again.

The worm shuddered and began to sink back down into the hole when Inigo was showered with bits of armor and flesh. One particularly large chunk smashed into his helm and shoulder forcing him to lean on a waist high pile of rubble to avoid falling. From his leaning position he gazed up at the worm and saw that the top end had been blown off. The worm fell over onto its side away from Inigo, crashing down onto the ruins of several ruined warehouses.

A rising thunderhawk had appeared several streets over and its battle cannon was swiveling away from the fallen worm. Its defensive weapons were firing in every direction. There was a near constant flow of falling flesh underneath the ship as the flying creatures were hit by hurricane and heavy bolter rounds.

Another swarm of flying black winged beasts flew at Inigo as he witnessed the Thunderhawks ascent. Inigo swung his hammer cleanly connecting with one of the small beasts as globs of super heated plasma shot past him. The handful of remaining winged beasts flew up and away.

Jaska approached, scanning the skies for another wave. Inigo did the same. Dawn was now fully illuminating the crater. Above the ruins of the structures worms thrashed about and the flying swarms coalesced around ships and dove down at marines. There had to be a dozen of the colossal worms, lashing out from the ground. Some were to far away to attack any of the Angels or their vessels but others were smashing themselves onto the unfortunate raven or unit of marines.

With a side glance Inigo looked over to Nefas once again. The marine’s bolter was in a unique configuration with a second grip at the end of the stock before the short barrel. Several sights were mounted on the top and other side.

The chest Nefas had opened a moment before was no where to be seen. Inigo watched as the Sinner stepped down into the broken ground to the remains of Kvothe. He knelt over the largest conglomeration of the marine and dipped two of his fingers in the bloody pulp.

A nearby thrashing worm made Inigo turn towards the enemy and when he looked back Nefas was approaching. Blood was smeared on his white helmet from ventilator to left ear.

“Follow me.” He commanded as he began to run past the bulk of the dead worm nearby. Jaska didn’t hesitate to follow. Inigo took one last side glance at the remains of Kvothe before following behind.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Inushi crushed another flying creature in his fist. Before discarding the limp form he looked down at his small adversary. It had tiny eyes and large ears. Very miniscule but incredibly sharp teeth lined its long beak like jaw. On its wings were dagger thin bone spurs that could scratch power armor. It reminded him of the giant quad winged bats of his home world.

With disgust he tossed the body over his shoulder and looked for another target. In front of him was the veteran unit, the Ashurbani. Their flamers were proving a great asset against the swarms of flying beasts. The veterans had formed on a large pile of rubble, shooting gouts of flame into the sky. Burning vermin plummeted to the ground like comets entering the atmosphere.

To Inushi’s right was one of the two vindicators. The Crystalfist had already defeated one of the large worms, its demolisher cannon piercing through the armored hide and exploding it from the inside. It was now navigating past a recently destroyed building heading towards its next target.

To Inushi’s left was the gravel road that exited down the craters exterior. A low flying raven hovered over head towards the Crystalfist. The raven’s weapon systems were clearing out a large swarm of the fliers as the vindicator got into position to fire.

Inushi turned away from the scene of destruction towards the hunched form of Philosir. The tech marine was examining the remains of the other vindicator. The tank was upside down but mainly intact. The pilot and gunner had both survived and were standing next to Philosir. Inushi could easily tell they were angry. They hadn’t fired once before their tank had been flipped by an emerging worm. Its massive corpse lay next to the tank.

“We are never going to hear the end of this.” One of them said while quickly turning away from the tank. He pulled out his pistol and fired at some approaching fliers. Each round killed one or more creatures. He fired the entire magazine and not one flier reached his armor or landed on his flipped tank. Slowly he reloaded his white bolt pistol.

“I can already hear them laughing.” The other said while shaking his head.

“Shattermantle’s Wrath will be up and running once we get her back on her tracks.” Philosir began, his monotone voice speaking very quickly and concise. “She’s angry, and damaged, but the main systems are still functioning. Once the Crystalfist returns have Zarva roll you back onto your tracks. In the meantime assist the Ashurbani.”

Both marines saluted as Philosir stepped away from tank. He marched over to the exploded worm. On the way he paused and looked up into the sky. A swarm singled out the tech marine and dove down at him. Philosir responded with a frag missile and a long discharge of his heavy flamer. Ash and cinders floated down from the sky when he was done.

Inushi followed behind the tech marine. Occasionally he fired into the sky with his plasma pistol when a swarm flew directly over head. When he was within arms reach of Philosir a swarm surprised Inushi and attacked him from behind. He felt the impacts and heard his armor being torn up. The little beasts screeched as they smashed into his recently replaced backpack and shoulder pads.

Philosir turned and fired his heavy flamer directly over Inushi’s head. Involuntarily he ducked down. Seconds later Philosir turned back around and without comment began to investigate the worm.

“What are you looking for?” Inushi asked.

One of Philosir’s ocular units regarded Inushi as he responded, “Anything out of the ordinary.”

Inushi looked around at the giant worm and the rubble that surrounded him. He witnessed another worm burst from the rubble covered streets. Marines scattered to avoid the falling debris as trees and rocks were hurtled into the air from its entrance. A storm eagle flew by launching a pair of missiles into its flank tearing a giant gash into the worm’s side before it fell over. It had died nearly as fast as it had emerged.

“What’s ordinary?” Inushi thought to himself. He wondered what the tech marine could be looking for. He wondered how long he’d be on this worm filled mountain. Most of all he wondered if he would ever get some answers.

Philosir began moving towards the mouth of the dead worm. He walked around the front of the worm. The mouth was wide open. As the tech marine gazed inside the creatures inviting jaws Inushi stood next to him. The sounds of another approaching swarm tickled the back of his thoughts. He pivoted and fired his plasma pistol as Philosir sent another gout of flame at an incoming swarm. When they were done they returned to the gaping maw.

Inushi could see down the worms throat to where the demolisher round had exploded. The round had entered from the left creating a chest size entry hole. To the right was the exit wound, a vast uneven wound that a unit of marines could easily pass through. Light was shining into the worm’s long body through the massive hole in its skin illuminating the debris it had consumed.

Philosir stepped onto a section of the lower jaw and reached for his axe.

Inushi’s curiosity was peaked at this. Philosir had found something but as Inushi scanned the inside of the worm he saw nothing but slick gray flesh, giant teeth, and stone debris. The red armored marine began to walk on the jaw further into the creature’s throat.

The loud whine of engines made Inushi turn. A raven was trying to pull itself free of a worm that had bit down on its tail wing. An assault squad was descending out of the sky towards the worm, melta bombs and krak grenades in hand. A swarm was following the assault unit. One of the marines suddenly altered his trajectory. He was battling several of the fliers as he tumbled through the sky. Instead of landing near the worm his squad was assaulting he fell some where between the worm and Inushi.

He didn’t see the marine’s landing but ran off to assist. Not even an astartes could have landed that fall uninjured.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“SQWUAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

The giant avian quadruped screamed as it stood up on its hind legs. Its front two claws scratched at the air before they came crashing down onto Captain Razzik’s raised shield. Two talons reached over the top edge of the shield as Razzik held his ground, the strength of the creature was greater then he anticipated. Razzik looked up into the bird’s four eyes and saw nothing but fury. Reports from Sergeants and pilots in the second company continued to flash in his HUD, several of which had urgent tags as he strained to maintain his shields protective position.

Bolter fire from Brother Grax plunged into the birds flank and the dark feathered beast released one of its talons from Razzik’s shield. In response Razzik pushed his shield wide and stepped forwards. The bird lashed forward with a razor sharp beak as Razzik reached with his white powerfist.

A flashing report from Raven six floated atop the stacks of updates awaiting his attention.

Razzik grasped the bottom beak and wrenched the birds face aside when the top beak came down onto his gauntlet enclosed fingers. A screeched exited the creature as the charge from the fist fried the nerve endings in its face.

A long leg punched Razzik in the side hard enough to knock him away from the bird. He landed in a kneeling position with his shield dug into the ground. In his right hand the large bottom beak of the creature was still held in his grip.

The screeching bird took a step forward, its top jaw flailing about, as another bolter round from Brother Grax penetrated the side of its skull and exploded out the other. Before the body had hit the ground Brother Grax was firing at another target.

Captain Razzik stood and brought his shield up quickly scanning the skirmish in front of him. Vetov and a dozen others engage with close combat weapons as the others continued to support. Several marines were wounded but not out of the fight, only a single marine was critically injured. Attikusu, the Sanguinary Priest, had already been notified.

With a simple blink of an eye the report from raven six came up in his HUD. Images of the ork convoy flashed. They too had become under siege from the winged creatures and the flightless beasts the second company was fighting. The short video clips depicted battlewagons and trucks rolling over the four legged monsters. Shots of the flying swarms eviscerating scores of orks were some what satisfying, but Razzik pushed any emotion aside.

“Raven five, belay previous order.” Razzik commanded. An affirmative blip crossed his HUD as he returned his focus to the birds in front of him. A vicious flock of them were still engaged with his marines.

As he absorbed the action he saw Sergeant Maranu disembowel one bird as he sliced off the leg of another. Brother Thukoo sent a beam from his lascannon through several birds still exiting the tunnel. Sergeant Shar-Takazz leapt off the corpse of one bird onto another, jabbing his lightning claw into the bird’s neck before sending super heated plasma into the back of the birds skull. Brother Kuri and Balathu battled several birds side by side with combat knifes and chainswords.

With uncanny efficiency Razzik analyzed the scene and before he had drawn another breath charged back into the fray, exactly where he was needed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inigo was running full speed along the side of a crawling worm; its bulky form was more then three times his height. Its methodical movement was propelling it towards the tiered side of the crater where the Shwando were positioned. Up ahead Inigo could see the heavy weapons from the devastator unit firing in concentrated firing lanes at other targets. Sergeant Bal-Hando was firing his combi-flamer at the swarms as the heavy bolters in his unit eviscerated the flying swarms.

“Hit it!” Nefas demanded “bring it to us” he hissed through the vox.

Inigo didn’t see the logic in the command but in the next step he let his grip slip on his hammer away from the head down the long metallic shaft. Without looking he grasped the very end of the hammer. In his next step he brought up the hammer and grabbed it with his other hand. The next step included a side swipe into the flank of the worm.

Embedded rocks and dirt fell off the worm’s side. The impact cracked the hardened carapace of the worm. The damage began to fill with a slow bloody ooze, however the worm didn’t seem to notice. Disappointed with his results Inigo planted his feet for another swing before the front of the worm casually reached up in the air.

The toothy maw of the worm opened as it contorted over itself. Inigo envisioned the bloody remains of Kvothe as he sprinted towards Nefas and Jaska.

Nefas was in the middle of a road thirty yards away next to a giant hole the worm had emerged from. The black armored marine was adjusting several settings on a flip screen built into his bolter. Jaska knelt beside him with a stack of ammunition drums. Each was large enough to hold an entire belt of ammo for a heavy bolter.

The mountain suddenly shook as the worm crashed into the ground directly behind him. Inigo nearly feel as the ground beneath him trembled. After several awkward steps he continued running. Nefas finished his adjustments then pointed his bolter towards Inigo and the worm.

Inigo didn’t need to look to know the worm was right behind him, but for some reason he was more concerned with Nefas and his bolter. It appeared as if it was aimed right at him.

He didn’t have a moment to voice his concerns before the bolter opened fire. A bizarre purple flash was accompanied by an electrical crackle. A stream of bullet casings spewed out the side of the weapon and cascaded to the ground. Inigo experienced a moment of intense shock as his mind prepared his body for the inevitable gun shot wounds. Yet it never happened. Inigo nearly fell at the realization that Nefas was shooting directly at him yet no bullets were hitting him. In fact there weren’t any bullets in the air.

Nefas wasn’t moving or shaking as he fired. The weapon gave off no recoil. With a loud clank the weapon ceased firing. Nefas hit the body of the weapon with a satisfying slap to disengage the drum. It fell as Jaska handed him another drum. With a fluid motion he slammed the new one into place. A split second later the purple flashing resumed.

The pair of marines depleted the second drum and reloaded a third before Inigo reached them. As he did Nefas stopped firing, adjusted his stance, and closed the small flip screen on his bolter. A long cord dangled from the stock to the side of his helm. He unplugged himself and let the cord reel itself in.

Inigo was astounded and confused. The feeling of imminent peril departed as he realized the sounds of the charging worm were gone. He quickly spun around. The worm was fifteen yards away and collapsing to the ground. Its armored form showed no signs of bullet wounds.

As its body stopped moving Inigo took a step towards it, a wave of blood and shredded flesh oozed out its slack jaws. The blood pooled around the worm’s mouth while Inigo looked on.

“Inigo, come. There is still much to do.” Nefas hissed. The quiet voice of the gaunt marine beckoned him.

After a moment of further observation Inigo turned from the scene and headed towards Jaska and Nefas. The pair of marines were staring down the expansive hole in the road. Jaska took a step closer, leaned over, and jumped it.

The sounds of power armor grinding on stone echoed out of the hole. Nefas paused to regard Inigo.

The two marines were both tall, even by marine standards. Inigo, however, was covered in corded muscle. He smiled and chuckled to himself as he regarded Nefas. The thin marine moved with purpose and seemed to be perpetually ready to strike.

“Still smiling Honored Brother Inigo?” Nefas asked.

The use of his official title made Inigo laugh before he responded, “Am I dead yet?”

Nefas cackled softly before stepping right up to the edge of the hole. He cautiously examined the steep incline of the dark pit.

“See you at the bottom,” Nefas spoke while making a small jump over the edge. Inigo watched the lithe marine lean back as he slid down the side of the incline into the waiting darkness.

The sounds of the sliding marine continued for several moments before they became too distant. Inigo laughed to himself as he thought about what he was about to do.

He took a final look around at the mountain top crater. Ice Angel vessels circled around the mountain. Several were beginning to land once again. The swarms of small fliers had dissipated and as far as Inigo could tell there were only a few worms still fighting.

The site of a distant worm being taken down by a unit of Ice Angels on jump packs made Inigo think of the worm Nefas had just killed. Sunlight was pouring down onto the worm’s corpse. Blood and gore still oozed out of its mouth.


“I wonder what’s next,” Inigo asked himself with a chuckle. He left the question unanswered as he leapt into the hole and slid down after Brother Nefas and Brother Jaska.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

After making his way through a ruined building Inushi found himself overlooking a recessed courtyard. There was a chest high wall surrounding the space and several dozen trees lined the perimeter. Their gnarled forms were bent with dark patches of withering leaves.

Inushi jumped through a window opening that hadn’t seen glass in years into the courtyard. At the far end lay the crumpled form of an Ice Angel. He was face down in the mud and a score of the small fliers were diving down at his armored form.

As fast as he could, Inushi crossed the courtyard with his katana in hand. The swarm of fliers dispersed as he approached, several even grazed him as they fled. When Inushi stood over the form only two of them were left. They had found cracks in the marine’s armor and were attempting to nibble at his bare flesh. With a well place swipe the two beasts were both split in two.

Inushi took a final glance around the area before further examining the marine. His jump pack was smashed, as if he had landed on it. Inushi looked back over his shoulder into the courtyard, there were several heavy indentations in the stone work from where the marine must have landed and bounced. In the far corner lay his white chainsword.

The sounds of startled breath from below Inushi made him quickly step aside. The marine was coughing. Inushi sheathed his katana and carefully rolled him over to get him out of the mud. He gingerly leaned the marine back against the stone wall of the courtyard.

“What’s your status brother?” Inushi asked.

The side of the marine’s helm was torn and scratched but still in one piece, only some of the rebreather connections were damaged. The marine moved one arm slowly in a weak attempt to remove his helm. Inushi stopped the marine’s hand and then carefully removed the helm.

It slowly came off and Inushi set it down on the other side of the marine. His pale face was caked in dried blood; the minor wounds were already sealed.

“My suit has lost power and I think my back is broken.” The marine spoke through gritted teeth, “I won’t be awake much,” his eyes fluttered for a moment. Inushi knew the Angel would go into a coma while his body tried to repair itself, but this marine would need aid in order to heal properly.

Inushi knelt over the prone marine to check for other wounds as he called for aid through the vox. One of Attikusu’s assistance gave a curt affirmative.

The sounds of an approaching swarm made Inushi quickly stand. He scanned the tree line when a white armored assault marine landed in the courtyard like a feline hunter. His armor was covered in the blood of various species. His face was torn and full of anger.

“Desai!” Inushi said surprised to see the marine. It had been a long time since they had spoken. “Come to protect the fallen?” he asked.

The Sky Warden took several steps away from Inushi and slowly picked up the white chainsword of the wounded Ice Angel. The sounds of the distant jump packs and muffled explosions made Inushi look to his left.

Without warning a screeching flying bat came out from a nearby tree and smashed into Inushi’s helm with alarming force. The creature quickly flew away but his green helmet was damaged from the attack. He felt the area above his left eye lens with his gauntlet, the gash was through several of the protective levels, had it hit his eye lens he may have gone partially blind.

“By the Emperor that was close,” Inushi spoke. When he looked over, the courtyard was empty.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Razzik opened his powerfist allowing the birds limp head to fall over to the side, its neck burnt and crushed. Razzik stood tall and quickly confirmed he wasn’t immediately threatened. He scanned incoming reports as Vetov walked back over to his side. Brother Venthu stood nearby cleaning his combat blade on the neck feathers of a decapitated bird. The others Ice Angels had dispatched the remaining birds and two Squads had moved into the tunnel entrance. The last few marines from those squads were jogging out of his sight around the first bend.

A private vox icon blinked in his peripheral vision. The icon morphed into a red winged ice shard, the symbol of an Ice Angel tech marine. Razzik thought about Philosir momentarily before he noticed Venthu. The marine was extremely focused on the neck stump of the decapitated bird. With ease the combat squad leader of Squad Plafwu sliced down the spine of the bird. Two other marines came over and watched the biopsy. Venthu sheathed his blade and pulled back the skin over the bird’s spine. Sunlight reflected off a network of ultra thin wires that could be seen woven through the bird’s muscles and along the creature’s spine.

The vox request from Philosir blinked again. Razzik hastily moved over to Venthu with a sense of urgency. Vetov and several others were also instantly intrigued. They all looked on as Venthu revealed more of the complex network of wires. Razzik reached down for the birds head. After a slow tug he pealed the skin back only a few inches. The wires ended at the base of the bird’s skull. He tore off the skin of the bird’s cranium and palmed the birds head in his powerfist. With unnecessary force he crushed its skull. Gore splattered off his armor and flew into the sky. Razzik removed several pieces of broken skull to unveil the intricate set of wires that were meshed through out the bird’s brain. A sense of annoyance seeped into Razzik’s thoughts.

“Scan the rest of it,” Razzik commanded. Two auspexs came out and began to run a spectrum of scans. Brother Grax pointed to an area before the creature’s hind legs below the spin. Venthu drew his combat blade again and made several deep cuts. Two marines pulled back bones and muscle as Venthu continued to slice. Loud cracks and the sound of tearing flesh dominated everyone’s attention.

After only a few seconds the flank on the beast was removed and the group of marines saw several small devices, each no larger then a marine’s finger. They hung beneath the spine in orderly rows, each containing a vial of vibrant liquid. Brother Venthu sliced off one of them and handed it to Razzik.

The request from Philosir blinked more urgently once again. With a sigh he opened up the private link, “The avian quadrupeds are wired,” Razzik began.

There was a brief pause, “Yes, so are the worms.” The monotone voice responded.

Captain Razzik tilted his head towards the cave entrance. He dropped the small device as Venthu handed him another, slightly larger one. Razzik tilted it in his hands and opened up a visual connection with Philosir.

A grunt of binary escaped Philosir as he examined the images. “It appears to be a transmitter. I found a similar one along with worms back.” He added.

“Can you determine where it’s transmitting?” Razzik asked.

“Negative,” Philosir responded. Razzik dropped the device and shut down the visual link along with the private vox. His annoyance level grew. He looked over to the cave entrance. The marines around him stopped examining the bird. Venthu cleaned his blade once again.

With a simple blink click Razzik opened up a new vox channel with Cyaxeres, Attikusu, and Philosir. “Status Update,” he demanded.

Chaplain Cyaxeres spoke first, his deep voice was preempted with a grunt of effort, “Two primary enemies remain, and they are being dealt with.”

Sanguinary Priest Attikusu responded next, “Our flank is secure, wounded have been treated.”

Philosir spoke last, “The road entrance is being fortified with worm corpses. We’re prepared to handle incoming orks.”

“Squads Rimsin, Rah-Apsu, Plawfu, and Kujara are accompanying me into the tunnel.” Razzik began, “Philosir send remaining servo skulls for additional eyes in the dark. Cyaxeres, you will assume command if we loose vox connection.

Two affirmative blinks returned, yet Philosir did not respond. Razzik began to walk towards the cave entrance, waiting for the tech marine to speak again.

“Captain, MOAT is picking up additional signals from orbit. The orks are mobilizing.” His monotone voice quickly spat the report.

With two hand gestures the marines around Razzik broke into a run into the cavern, only Vetov stood nearby, patiently waiting for Razzik to follow.

“Prepare MOAT to send a message to the Frozen Rage once some sort of adequate proof has been located,” Razzik demanded as he strode towards the cave behind his men. “Philosir,” he paused.

“Yes Captain,” the Techmarine immediately responded.

“Do not let a single ork get past you into this crater.” Razzik commanded.

A lone affirmative blip flashed on his HUD.

* * * * * * * * * *

Captain Razzik stood next to Vetov and regarded the marine. The bionic modified astartes had not left his side since they had landed on the crater. He showed only superficial damage on his armor and shield. The quartered blue and black of his armor seemed dull against the Ice Angels brilliant blue trim.

Vetov returned the captain’s gaze, his bionic eye emitting a soft glow. “Soon, the Emperor will grant me my vengeance Captain.” The slow somber voice of the Emperor’s Tear seeped out of the marine. “Very soon,” he added while turning his head towards the cave. The first wave of servo skulls flew over head quickly disappearing into the darkness of the entrance.

The two marines turned in unison towards the entrance and strode towards it. “How can any one truly tell what the Emperor grants us Vetov?” Razzik asked as they took their first steps into the darkness.

“Everything granted to us is by the Emperor’s will Razzik, do not doubt that lesson.” The darkness enveloped them as their dark vision activated.

Razzik knew he was heading down a path he had argued with Vetov before but instead of holding his tongue he spat out a question, “Did the Emperor grant you years of pain of suffering at the hands of Dark Eldar and the loss of your entire chapter Commander Vetov?”

Vetov stopped in his tracks. Razzik continued on.

“Yes, I believe he did.” Vetov began, his voice softly betraying the emotion behind his cold exterior, “I believe my chapter had fulfilled their destiny, yet I still have something to achieve.”

Any feelings of annoyance at Vetov or their situation quickly fleeted as Razzik felt the deep emotion behind Vetov’s words. Razzik paused but didn’t turn towards the Commander of the Emperor’s Tears. He didn’t agree with his beliefs, but he respected Vetov’s dedication to the Emperor. One side of him wanted to correct Vetov’s beliefs, yet the other side of him wanted to praise his faith. Instead Razzik stood in silence unable to do either.

“Come Captain; let us see what the Emperor has granted us.” Vetov added before stepping up to the Razzik. The two exchanged a simple nod before they trotted off further into the darkness.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Inushi stood in the center of the courtyard scanning the tree line. He was looking for the Sanguinary Apprentice that was on his way to examine the downed Ice Angel, but as he monitored the surrounding area the hair on his neck began to tingle.

He had learned a long time ago to trust his instincts and he felt as if something was closing in on him, or watching him. He knew in his soul that something was awry. The ancient teachings of his chapter quickly floated to the top of his consciousness. With practiced ease he adjusted his aura of perception. The sounds of distant gunfire and the circling vessels dissipated from his thoughts. His breathing slowed down and he stood sentinel. His hands rested comfortably on his weapons as time slowed and he entered the stance of the mantis.

Surrounding the courtyard the trees slowly swayed as the breeze rustled the leaves before him. The smell of decay and moisture filled his lungs as he focused on his senses. The sound of creaking of wood, the ripple of water puddles, all of it was absorbed while in his unblinking position.

As he became fully aware of his surroundings the low whistle of a falling objective rose to his attention. In the blink of an eye he drew his katana, activated its power field, and spun around. The cutting edge passed through a shoulder pad into the arm of a white armored marine.

Inushi, however, lost his momentum from the spin as he tumbled backwards from the impact of the falling marine. The two rolled over one another before they painfully crashed into the corner of the courtyard.

Time violently reasserted itself as he looked up into the crazed face of Desai. The Sky Warden was covered in blood and bits of the flying creatures. He was sitting on top of Inushi, pinning him down with his legs. Inushi was momentarily stunned as Desai revved a white chainsword and pulled it out of Inushi’s chest. Copious amounts of blood sprayed into the moist air.

Desai didn’t take his glare off of Inushi as he spat a traitorous curse in a foreign tongue and raised the chainsword for a downward thrust. The incoming strike seemed to bring Inushi out of his brief shock and he batted aside the sword.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The teeth of the blade scraped off Inushi’s shoulder pad as he lashed out at Desai.

“DESAI! What has done this to you?!” Inushi shouted as he struggled to bat away and block Desai’s flurry of attacks. Blood splattered the inside of his helm with every word. Combat stims were flooding his system now even as his shredded secondary heart ceased to function.

After a blur of movement Inushi managed to grab the wrist of Desai’s chainsword hand. He held it off to the side as the white armored marine repeatedly punched down at him with his other. Desai’s punches though were weakened from Inushi’s earlier katana slice, the gaping wound still sizzling from the powered blade.

The Sky Warden growled as Inushi blocked another jab and retaliated with a cross punch that shattered his lower jaw. In response Desai, seemed to tremble with rage. He screamed as he repeatedly head butted Inushi.

To his surprise his helm began to buckle, but as it did he witnessed an equal amount of damage being done to Desai’s face and forehead.

Inushi attempted with all his might to escape Desai’s pinned position. He kicked forward and punched again, but Desai’s relentless assault didn’t slow. Eventually Inushi managed to grab Desai by the neck to halt the maddening attacks of the Sky Warden. The two marines stared at one another, their gazes locked.

The body of Desai was above him but the eyes weren’t the eyes of the astartes he had spoken to before. Hatred, seething hatred seeped out of the marine. Inushi felt immense pity for the Sky Warden in that instance. He didn’t understand what could have happened. Even when Desai pulled out his combat blade with his weakened arm and plunged it into Inushi’s side; he felt sorrow for the marine. As the pain washed over him Inushi didn’t release his grip or his gaze upon the bloodied Sky Warden.

“What madness, “he coughed, “has taken you?”

Inushi felt his limbs begin to tremble from the strain of holding back the enraged Sky Warden. Blood dripped off Desai’s face onto Inushi’s helm and when the Sky Warden pulled out his combat blade and held it out to the side for another strike, Inushi let go of Desai’s neck to block the incoming strike. The Sky Warden slowly leaned closer.

His face was a beaten, his jaw was shattered, he was speaking but Inushi couldn’t make out any of the words. Desai pressed forward with over whelming strength and soon Inushi found himself pinned completely under the Sky Warden, his face was inches from his, blood still trickled from his face wounds but Inushi saw the wounds were already beginning to close.

“By the Emperor’s grace Desai,” Inushi began when the barrel of an ice blue bolt pistol tapped the top of Desai’s head.

“His Will be done,” the deep voice of Cyaxeres said as the bolt pistol discharged once into the top of Desai’s skull.

Inushi witnessed the pistol move, he saw the barrel flash, yet Desai didn’t flinch, his hateful gaze never wavered. In fact Inushi felt Desai press down on him even harder before the pistol discharged once more, then a third time.

As blood, skull, and grey matter fell on to Inushi’s face, he saw the hateful gaze from Desai finally dissipate and for a fleeting second he saw something else.

Regret.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inushi laid on the broken floor in quiet meditation as his body began the healing process on his minor wounds. His chest was numb from injected drugs and his side still throbbed from the deep stab wound. His secondary heart would need to be replaced along with several other organs after they got off this planet, yet the Emperor had spared him for now.

For several minutes he listened to Cyaxeres finish his litanies over the now dead Sky Warden, Desai. He heard the approach of Attikusu’s apprentice, Dwarvik. The white armored priest landed near the fallen Ice Angel and began inspecting him immediately.

“May the Emperor guide your soul and may you spend eternity by his side.” Cyaxeres finished before slowly standing. “Farewell Brother Harv’wen Desai.”

Cyaxeres bent over and retrieved the white chainsword and Inushi’s powered katana. He examined the long powered blade as he turned towards Inushi.

The Mantis Warrior felt the chaplains imposing aura the moment his gaze fell upon him. Without opening his eyes he held out a hand towards the chaplain. Cyaxeres reached down and grasped forearm to forearm with Inushi and effortlessly pulled him up.

Inushi released his grip and removed his damaged helm. He attached it to his hip as he stared at the void black armor of the Chaplain. Several frozen vials of blood adorned his armor and the standard skull motif decorated his knees and elbows. The gaze of his piercing sapphire eyes silenced him before he spoke.

“Are you still battle worthy Mantis?” his deep voice began.

Without thinking or blinking Inushi nodded his head.

“Good, go reinforce the crater road.” He commanded as he handed over the ornate katana.

The moment Inushi grasped the hilt of the sword Cyaxeres stepped back and turned. A sudden burst of dual jets propelled the Chaplain into the air.

Inushi wanted to stop him and ask him questions about Desai. For a brief instant he thought about calling out to the chaplain but instead he watched the Ice Angel disappear behind a large pile of rubble before he jumped again towards the crater road. As he followed the chaplain’s movement the distant clouds ahead of Cyaxeres crackled and changed color.

Ork drop ships pierced the clouds and plummeted behind the other side of the mountain. One particularly large projectile look more like an asteroid then a ship and as it passed out of view, Inushi witnessed it shoot out yellow jagged lines of energy to all the surrounding vessels. Their fall was temporarily slowed, except one that burst into flames and another that suddenly veered into the side of another mountain.

The bizarre falling ships registered in Inushi’s mind but Desai and Cyaxeres still dominated his thoughts.

The sound of Dwarvik approaching brought Inushi out of his reverie. The Ice Angel leaned in close to examine his chest and side wound. Without words or questions he injected a long needle directly into Inushi’s side. A burst of heat radiated through his body before a strong cooling sensation calmed his mind. The powerful drugs made his hands tremble yet the throbbing pain and numbness in his mind cleared.

Dwarvik watched the wounds before turning back towards the unconscious Ice Angel. With both arms Dwarvik gingerly picked up the angel and prepared to leap away.

“Can you please explain what happened to Desai?” Inushi quietly asked as he did.

The Sanguinary apprentice paused, glanced over at Desai, and looked back to Inushi. He thought for a moment before looking away.

“It appears to be a gunshot wound to the head,” he spoke before jumping away towards the tiered side of the crater with the Ice Angel body in his arms.

Perturbed by the obvious answer given by Dwarvik he regarded the fallen form of Desai once again. He took a slow step towards the bloodied marine. If he had been a Mantis Warrior his armor and weapons would have been stripped and his corpse burned, yet here the Ice Angels left him fully armored forever to rot in this empty courtyard.

Inushi thought about picking up the body and adding it to the others that had fallen in this mountaintop crater but something in his soul told him to leave it alone. Instead he knelt over the body.

“I do not understand what curse took your body Desai,” he began as he closed the marine’s eyes. “I hope the Emperor does not hold it against you, “with a loud sigh he stood,” but I hold no ill will.”

Inushi watched the body in hopes of some response but knowing that none would come he tried to clear his mind.

Without another glance Inushi turned in the direction of Cyaxeres and the crater road. The loud engines of ork creations rumbled in the distance as more drop ships continued to plummet all around the mountaintop crater. Ice Angel vessels fired at them as they descended yet many still passed unharmed.

In a swift practiced movement he sheathed his katana. After a few shaky steps he departed in a steady jog through the building he had used to enter the courtyard. He never looked back on the fallen form of Desai and despite his urge to ask; he would never discover what made Desai turn on a fellow Astartes.

Chapter 10 –Museum of the Forgotten

Captain Razzik lightly jogged down the ever descending tunnel. His HUD illuminated the growing tunnel system that Philosir’s servo skulls quickly explored. Commander Vetov ran beside him, his bionic leg gave off a faint whine with every long stride.

After only half an hour the tunnel complex had been vastly explored by the servo skulls. The giant worms had turned the standard drill pattern into a chaotic mess of interwoven tunnels and dangerous caverns. Dead ends were darkened in his HUD and many servo skulls were already doubling back. A large chamber was highlighted by a soft gray icon and as he ran towards the distant room Squad Rimsin confirmed servo skull 12398’s initial findings.

With super human speed orders were sent and blips from the tactical units in the tunnels showed the change of movement of his men. All of them were now moving at full speed towards the chamber. With no regard for stealth the Ice Angels thundered down the tunnels. The echoes of power armored boots hitting rock filled the wide melta bore pathways.

After rounding another bend Razzik and Vetov came across an expansive gateway chamber. Reactivated glow globes floated lazily near the ceiling of the chamber. Excavating equipment still lay strewn about, many of which were heavily damaged. A dozen chutes opened beneath them and one excavator lay on its side, partially consumed by a hole. The bodies of quadruped avian creatures dotted the chamber and small flying beasts occasionally darted from tunnel to tunnel above their corpses.

Squad Rah-Apsu was beginning its descent into one of the holes. Squad Kujara entered from a side tunnel and ran towards the same hole but instead of entering they began to move equipment and excavating machinery to form a defensive perimeter around the chute. Two of the marines stood over the hole with bolters raised.

The final member of Squad Rah-Apsu began his descent as Razzik and Vetov arrived. Mi-Luqua Vaz, of the Kujara unit, stood over the chute watching the ceiling for enemy swarms. Razzik and Vetov mag locked their shields and quickly followed after the climbing squad. The angle of the tunnel was nearly vertical but very rough and easy to scale for the super human marines.

The growl of an excavator’s engine rumbled above them as they climbed. Captain Razzik could already imagine what the chamber will look like when he returns. Clear firing lanes and an easily defensible position. Already the map on his HUD was being altered as the marines blocked off tunnels with the equipment and pushed the damaged machinery into tunnels to limit the number of entrances.

Razzik could hear the thump of marines landing on rock below him as he climbed and after only a few more handholds he too pushed away from the wall and fell the final few meters to where the tunnel was flat enough to run instead of climb. Vetov landed next to him half a breath later and the two marines were once again running at full speed through the tunnel’s darkness.

The map in Razzik’s HUD minimized and slid to the side as images from Squad Rimsin and several servo skulls took over. Razzik already had a partial tactical lay out of the vast subterranean chamber before he had arrived.

Squad Rah-Apsu was behind boulders and rubble in prime elevated position to provide cover with their two heavy bolters. The marines from Rimsin were further in the chamber spaced between more rocks and a heavily damaged transport vehicle. Razzik and Vetov ran full speed up a final incline as they left the tunnel and entered the cavern. With precise timing Rimsin advanced and the members from Rah-Apsu broke from cover to provide fire if needed.

As the marines advanced, Razzik concentrated on the bizarre lay out of the cavern. All of the tunnels and the man made entrance were contained to the end in which he entered. The other end was swathed in darkness that he couldn’t yet discern. No servo skull had passed through the darkness and returned.

In between the entrance and the darkness, racks of large vertical cylinders lined the floor; each was large enough to house one of the massive burrowing worms. Along the walls were rows of cages. A thick chemical smell emanated from the banks of those dark containers. Syringes and vials lined the edges of every surface of the cages. Long cords descended from each cage and wound further into the cavern through the blackness. The racks seemed to extend out from the curtain of darkness at the other end of the cavern. A lone crystal floated amidst the murky wall of darkness. The powerful light from the crystal easily illuminated the cavern before him, yet no shred of light pierced the darkness that held the embedded crystal.

Razzik slowed as he past the first tall cylinder. Vetov was right behind him. The members of Rimsin were advancing down other pathways between the cylinders. The tall canisters blocked all lines of sight between him and his other marines, only his HUD gave him any idea of where his marines were.

Above the rows of cylinders and wall cages, the brightly glowing crystal larger then Razzik’s chest floated. Razzik’s attention was drawn to it as he approached. It was well out of his reach and gave off a faint hum.

A red rune flashed in Razzik’s HUD. He reflexively raised his shield. Zaduga, a member of Squad Rimsin, flashed the red sword, meaning he has an enemy contact. Captain Razzik expected to hear gun fire as he pulled up Zaduga’s helmet cams, but the shot never came.

Zaduga was in one of the outer most paths between cylinders and the cages. The cages were stacked three high and in one of the bottom row cages a quadruped bird was laying prone. Its breathing was labored and it was in a pool of ichors. A lithe harness was draped over the bird and wires snaked out of it into a panel near the cages door.

“Leave it,” Sergeant Shar-Takazz commanded.

“Wise choice Sergeant,” Razzik added before removing his feed from Zaduga. Razzik gazed up at the floating crystal once again. He took several more steps before coming to the last cylinder in the row.

The crystal above him pulsed with a dark inner light yet it exuded a cleansing yellow light throughout the cavern. His gaze switched from the crystal towards the curtain of darkness before him. Captain Razzik leaned forward to get a closer look. Upon closer inspection the vertical sheet in front of him seemed to wave and shift like oil over a pond.

“Captain, “Vetov softly interrupted.

Razzik looked back at the Emperor’s Tear, and stepped aside. Vetov focused on the wall as he approached and plunged through the wall of darkness. Captain Razzik hesitated before opening up a private channel with Vetov. He had expected the marine to scan the wall or throw something through it first, not walk right into it. The wall had enveloped the marine with out noise or any visual change.

For several seconds Razzik held his breath, expecting his vox to crackle or some sort of signal yet none came. A feeling of dread began to ooze through his being. What happened to Vetov? Why wasn’t he responding? Why did he do that? What idiot would see an unknown xenos murky wall of darkness and walk right through it. Razzik began to feel his surprise and shock turn into anger.

He could feel his agitation begin to manifest physically as he opened and closed his white powerfist. As he contemplated his next tactical orders the chest and head of Vetov leaned through the shadowed wall.

“Next room is clear. Vox doesn’t pass through the portal Captain. I suggest a relay unit.” Vetov spoke before leaning back through the curtain.

As the torso of Vetov disappeared back into the wall the build up of agitation dissipated, yet a shred of annoyance still lingered. “Rah-Apsu, hold your position. Rimsin and Kujara advance,” Razzik thought to himself as he issued orders with simple vox symbols. His HUD was already responding as affirmations and movement could be seen as marines disappeared through the black curtain. Servo skulls streamed overhead.

“Plafwu, we will need you at the black wall to provide a relay, vox cannot pass through the barrier.” Razzik reevaluated his orders and waited for confirmation from Squad Plafwu, they were still advancing from else where in the tunnel system. Razzik patiently waited for a response and while he did he thought about Vetov. What was it about that marine that was getting to him?

A simple affirmative crossed his HUD from Sergeant Maranu of Squad Plafwu. Razzik calculated an estimated arrival time and once again examined the curtain wall. Satisfied with his commands he stepped into the murky wall of darkness.

* * * *

The sound of another approaching vessel forced Inushi to slightly lean back. His head sunk back further into the shadows between rocky outcroppings. His arms and legs were tiring from his held position six meters above the road. Despite his injuries he stayed motionless as a small ork trukk rumbled past, a half dozen greenskins screamed in excitement from its open bed.

“Lightly armored truck with six orks,” Inushi voxed up to Cyaxeres and Philosir. That was the ninth vehicle to pass his position. Inushi didn’t know what the tech marine had planned at the top of the crater but thanklessly he continued to report in with details of any ork vessels speeding up the lone mountain pass.

Sun light poured down over the top of the crater mountain and for miles Inushi could see the orks plummet from the sky. When not reporting ork movement on the mountain pass he stared up at the disorganized shower of vessels, half of which plummeted to their deaths.

Some of the ships were overloaded planes that disgorged scores of orks upon landing; others were drop ships that housed all manner of tanks, walkers, boars, and squigs. One particularly large vessel was held aloft by dozens of bloated giant squigs used as balloons. Inushi was observing the vessels lazy approach when missiles from a storm raven ignited the gas filled squigs which sent the gondola crashing towards the valley floor.

Inushi twitched as his weakened body requested he move from his position. The drugs coursing through his genetically altered physique gave him a small degree of comfort but the internal damage still aggravated him. Inushi took a deep breath and tried to calm his body. For the eleventh time he listed the damage to his body.

“Chest wound, damaged secondary heart, sliced biscopea, side wound, ruptured preomnor, shredded Oolitic kidney,” he began. The words filled his thoughts and he began the mental journey to find his inner peace. For several minutes he calmed himself and forced himself to relax. The familiar mental exercise taught by his chapter before he had become a full battle brother began to give him more relief then the drugs in his veins.

Another engine growl made him stop his wound tally. He waited for the next ork vehicle to approach. The engine was distant yet louder than any other that had passed his position. The thumping of massive cylinders and the grind of metal on stone continued to crescendo. The rocks around him began to shake as the entire mountain side seemed to tremble at the approach of the vehicle. Inushi used the small wiry tree in front of him as a focal point as he tried to maintain his motionless state. Even as the tree swayed before him he still held his position, his Mantis Warrior training in stealth telling him to trust the shadows.

The shaking and engine noise continued to increase. The sound was astounding. Inushi couldn’t imagine how anyone could ride such a vehicle into battle without becoming deafened by the sound. The boulder to Inushi’s left began to loosen and shift as the ork vehicle finally came into view. Pebbles from above, fell onto his armored shoulders and back. The few leaves on the wiry tree shook off. Inushi watched the last one fall as static filled his vox.

From his right came the immense tracked vehicle. Each metal link in the tread was as wide as his chest and protected by multiple layers of metal plating. A plethora of squat cannons huddled together on the front of the slow moving tank. Behind the wall of guns was a compartment topped with barricades. Dozens of orks stood about waiting for a target to fire their large caliber guns at. Yet as the orks scanned the road ahead and the mountain from above him, none noticed the motionless space marine hidden within arms reach of their side armor.

As it passed, Inushi could feel the power field the metal behemoth emitted. His vox was useless at the time being and Inushi did nothing but wait as the tank climbed the mountain path only feet from his position. The stench of engine oil and leaking plasma assailed his nostrils with every breath.

Suddenly the boulder to his left loosened and he nearly fell from his position. The wiry tree toppled as a side sponson from the tank knocked it over. The tank finished passing his position and Inushi saw the truth of the slow moving vehicle. It was the engine to an ork land train. The next car held a similarly tall barricaded platform but on it were turrets of different shapes and sizes. The next car rumbled into view and he saw a row of looted basilisk cannons pointing up into the sky. The fourth car was the largest by far and as the engine sounds lessened the sound of shifting stone took over.

Inushi dared to adjust his position to look further around the rock to his right and when he did he saw the fourth car was wider than the others, so wide that it was scraping the side of the mountain. Without hesitating he released from his position mere seconds before the wide platform dislodged the stone and sent it rolling after him.

The six meter slide turned into a tumble and only his super human reflexes kept him from being crushed under tracks or between the twin boulders chasing him down the short drop. In order to avoid the boulders he scampered forward near the front of the fourth train. His bulk forced him to move side ways as the room between the vehicle and the rock face wasn’t wide enough. After a few frantic moments of keeping his feet on top of the tracks he grabbed a handhold on the armor over the tracks. The mountain wall and falling debris filled the air with dust and grit. Inushi’s emerald green armor quickly became gravel gray.

Without warning the car titled drastically away from the mountain, the other side of the fourth car clearly hanging over the edge of the road. Inushi found himself ten feet off the ground and very exposed. Shouts of thrown orks and dislodged machinery filled the air. Inushi debated about letting go but as he looked ahead he saw the train ahead was still on both tracks and the next car was the last. The treads beneath him continued churning and the train moved forward and as quickly as it tilted up it slammed back onto the mountain road.

The motion proved too much for Inushi’s precarious grip. He fell off the armored side and crashed into the mountain wall. His innards screamed in pain at the impact as he slid to the ground next to the tracks but soon under the wider midsection of the fourth car. As the train trundled over him Inushi looked around to see what was next. The instant the fourth car was past he vaulted up and got in front of the fifth car. The two cars were an arm span apart from one another and connected by a massive metal joint surrounded by chains.

Inushi lightly jogged between the two cars, easily keeping pace with the slow moving train. He was studying the connection between the two cars when a gun shot rang out from above. Peering down from the platform several levels above him was a grot with a sawed off revolver. His eyes were wide with either glee, or terror, Inushi couldn’t decide. Nevertheless Inushi didn’t need to hear the small greenskin to know he was shouting for others.

As quickly as he could Inushi pulled himself onto a small platform protruding from the fourth car. With his left he drew his plasma pistol and with his right he threw open the heavy metal door.

Bullets slammed into the platform behind him as he stepped inside the red lit compartment. His super human sight adjusted in a millisecond and he thanked the Emperor for that, yet he cursed his luck as the room’s contents filled his vision. Surrounding a single row of belching machinery stood a mob of well armed, angry greenskins.

The greenskins bellowed their greeting as Inushi responded with plasma bolts into the two nearest orks. Before their corpses hit the floor he was moving towards the machinery, with his plasma pistol spewing death and his power katana lit with the Emperor’s wrath.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The step through the black curtain wasn’t at all what Razzik anticipated. He felt as if he needed to concentrate on moving each part of his body. His mind focused on the simple task of moving forward, but his legs and arms felt no real resistance. On the eve of feeling concerned he exited the strange black substance and found himself standing in an expansive vaulted room. His HUD went blank as it began a rebooting process. Before the first stage had completed Razzik had visually located his marines. Vetov stood forty yards ahead of him by banks of smooth black pillars. The two units of Ice Angels had spread around the strange room awaiting orders.

Slowly icons from Ice Angels in the room appeared in his HUD again and his maps adjusted to what lay before him. The long room had several dozen galleries branching off from its sides and the only door appeared to be off to his left in the center gallery.

Dark purple ambient light reflected off well polished xenos equipment and architecture all around him. Sets of tracks lined the floor away from the black portal. Bundles of cords snaked throughout the tracks towards the walls like serpents towards prey. As Razzik examined his surroundings he noticed many of the marines were cautiously aiming their weapons up. Dangling from the ceiling were scores or more of mangled corpses. They hung from hooks and chains, some were upside down others were speared through their sides. They all seemed humanoid in shape but their bodies were disproportionate and battered, their faces all covered in metal masks. Above the bodies, a multi-leveled honeycomb ceiling loomed.

Witnessing the bodies spurred Razzik into action. The list of tactical unknowns was growing faster then he wanted and he knew the longer they lingered in this place the longer the rest of his company would be fighting the hordes of orks.

“Rimsin open that door. Kujara, confirm we’re alone in this room.” He ordered as he moved towards Vetov. The ancient stench of stale death seeped through his filtration system as he propelled himself forward.

His first few steps felt lighter then he expected. Razzik checked the pressure setting on his power armor. The gravity was lighter then the other side of the curtain. It was lighter then a standard Imperial vessel. The blackness was some sort of portal, and it was becoming blatantly obvious they weren’t on Glossinai any more.

In front of him Vetov was studying the pillars intently and Razzik could see why. Massive bundles of cables exited the honeycombed ceiling and into the pillars. Bizarre crystalline panels protruded from the smooth black pillars. With a side glance Razzik watched as squad Rimsin moved towards the only noticeable door. A flock of servo skulls hovered above their heads waiting for an escape so they could begin to explore once again.

“Definitely xenos Captain,” Vetov spoke as he neared. “I don’t see a way to activate it.”

Razzik scanned the pillars as sounds of the opening door echoed throughout the room. The servo skulls sped through the opening, Razzik’s HUD map immediately began to expand as they hovered in every direction.

Faster then a running astartes the skulls spread. Shar-Takazz and Squad Rimsin held their position outside door waiting for targets. Razzik ceased staring at the pillars to examine the growing map of the structure they had entered.

The third tactical unit, Squad Plafwu, silently breached the black curtain to Razzik’s left when the sound of shattering glass echoed from his right. The yellow sword icon appeared in Razzik’s HUD indicating movement.

Vetov and Razzik ran towards the source. When they reached the side gallery they saw Brother Kuri standing before a shattered wall panel. His combat knife was held back defensively and his bolter almost casually pointed at a body embedded in the wall. The frail tortured form of a middle aged woman hung on hooks. Scars covered her body with an almost artistic design. A handful of tubes connected her back to the wall. A lone purple cord drooped down and plugged into a silver laced skull cap.

Vetov examined the woman. Razzik examined the cage. As they stared at her, her body twitched, her left arm flailing out like a startled child. Memories of Dark Eldar captivity flooded Vetov’s thoughts. Without activating his powerfist he punched the next panel, then the next. Around the gallery he went shattering black glass and filling the room with echoes from the shards bouncing across the floor.

Each shattered panel revealed another human, old, young, male, female, there was no pattern to who was captured, yet all of them were dead,. All of them except the one twitching in front of Captain Razzik.

* * * * * * * *

Razzik’s HUD map continued to expand as he examined the incapacitated woman. The servo skulls split off at each intersection and explored each open room as they passed, but the skulls were beginning to miss areas as the number of rooms and corridors continued to rise exponentially. If there was any sort of pattern to the growing map it was beyond Razzik’s comprehension.

As the illuminated map continued to shrink to scale the immensity of the complex began to sink in. Scenarios and tactical options begin to run through his mind at a mid battle pace. When Razzik’s focus changed from the HUD back to the woman he found himself staring at the silver mesh skull cap.

With haste way points were set on the map with simple eye clicks, squads Rimsin and Kujara flew into motion moving to their given tasks. No enemies had been spotted but he still considered this place very hostile.

Razzik checked his timer. It had been 129 seconds since Brother Kuri shattered the first panel.

Vetov quickly walked up to Razzik and stood close, his chest mere inches from Razzik’s left shoulder pad. “All of this death is recent.” He whispered, “some of these corpses still drip with warm blood.”

A thought coursed through his brain and an image flashed in his consciousness. A dying avian quadruped came to mind. Without a word he stormed past Vetov into the large center room, the black curtain dominated the far end. Squad Plafwu was positioned near the wall, spread out in pairs. Far up the wall of darkness the other half of the crystal he had walked under pulsed with the same eerie light.

”Brother Grax, go back through the wall between those two tracks. Give Squad Rah-Apsu an update then end of the life of the wounded bird in the nearest cage. Report back immediately.” Razzik commanded as he pointed to the tracks he was referring to.

Brother Grax and another marine dashed through the wall as Razzik turned back to Vetov and the woman in the wall.

“Why kill it now?” Vetov began as the woman buckled in intense pain. Her closed eyes clamped even harder as if they could squeeze the pain away. Her entire body trembled while she screamed out. The pain seemed to climax as she thrashed within her broken wall panel.

The screams of pain and the sounds of death were not foreign to any of the marines there, yet neither Vetov nor Razzik moved as she was overwhelmed with pain. Razzik could tell Vetov wanted to intervene yet he didn’t.

In Razzik’s HUD Brother Grax returned, a task complete icon flashing over Squad Plafwu.

Finally Razzik stepped forward to end the woman’s suffering. He reached with his white powerfist when her thrashing ceased. Blood slowly dripped from her eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. The pain had been so intense it alone had killed her.

Razzik gave Vetov a side glare before storming off, “all of these people were wired into the creatures we were killing.”

Vetov looked around, and then back to the deceased woman, “they felt all of their pain……” He trailed off. “We killed them.”

Vetov snapped to attention before jogging after Razzik his powerfist crackled as he activated it once again. “This is disgusting! By the Emperor” he began to get louder with each word before Razzik held up his fist to cut him off.

Captain Razzik had stopped moving near the door exiting the gallery; his attention once again was back on the mini map in his helmet, except this time a new icon was blinking. One of the servo skulls had located a faint astartes beacon several floors up.

The blinking icon gave Razzik a faint smile. No one could see it under his helmet but for the first time in his captaincy Razzik felt as if the Emperor may have turned to look upon him. All of the running and shadow chasing, all of the grasping at weak clues may just have truly led to something.

“Sergeant Maranu, notify squad Rah-Apsu. Send word to Cyaxeres to bring in the Rage.” Captain Razzik commanded, “Venthu, Grax, and Benquanli with me.”

Waypoints were adjusted for squad Rimsin and Kujara, their icons on his HUD moving towards the beacon.

“Come Vetov, let us see what else this place may hide for us.” Razzik spoke as he hefted his shield and moved towards the gallery exit, Venthu, Grax, Benquanli, and Vetov close behind.

* * * * * * * *

The bridge of the Frozen Rage was a place of constant motion and noise. Servitors were always chiming in with reports. The Astropaths were frequently calling down news from the warp. The scores of humans that formed the bridge crew were in a perpetual rotation between stations.

Among all the commotion a lone space marine sat. Brother Miqit of the veteran unit the Uttuakki sat cross legged on the floor, an island of calm surrounded by the swirling sea of movement. His orange meltagun and helmet paint was a stark contrast to the bridges grays and blues of the machinery and floor.

In his power armor he sat, with his helm on his head. Once in a battle zone Ice Angels did not remove their helmets unless necessary. Despite being away from battlefields and technically outside a battle zone but on its border, Miqit kept his on.

For the past nine hours he had sat on the floor, back straight, arms loose on his legs. The commotion of the bridge, the distant hum of the Rage’s engines and the minute vibrations of the ship had all blended with the rhythm of his hearts and the methodical breaths of his lungs. In this trance Miqit had waited.

He waited for two things. The first was a message from Muttabriqu about another training session. The other was a signal from Cyaxeres. It had been weeks since the Frozen Rage had gone dark on the fringes of the system and he knew his battle brothers were all anxiously awaiting for the sign from Cyaxeres to pick them up.

Miqit was deep in his trance when an itch slowly altered his rhythm. He didn’t notice it at first but he began to feel the nuisance alter his calm, as if a rock had been thrown into his still pool of consciousness, the ripples were disrupting more and more of his thoughts. Something had changed the atmosphere on the bridge. Instead of focusing on that change he focused on what it meant.

Unceremoniously he stood up, quickly locating the man he was looking for and to his surprise the man was looking for him. A well kept middle age man approached with a note in his hand, his thick beard hiding his neck but not his sly grin.

“Is it time, Ensign Budrow?” Miqit asked as he looked down upon the communications officer. The Ensign didn’t respond, he merely handed over the note. A simple line of code was written on it.

“Muttabriqu, Cyaxeres is requesting immediate evacuation” he spoke into his vox after reading the simple text.

A simple affirmative blip showed up in his heads up display. Miqit nodded to Ensign Budrow who quickly returned to his post. The bridge was already picking up its pace. They all knew what was about to happen. Commander Seluku issued a ship wide alert to man stations and before Miqit had departed the bridge the engines were increasing output. The dark cold ship was finally permitted to wake up. Once at full speed and with all systems on, the Imperial vessel would quickly be spotted as they penetrated the Kota system. The speed in which they rescued the rest of the company and departed would determine their survivability.

Miqit marched into an open lift as his orders came in. Reflexively he reached out to hit one of the hanger floors but he held his action for a moment as he realized Muttabriqu issued an order he had never received before. Staring at the floor buttons in the lift, as if it was his first time, he located the button he had never pressed. An all familiar bing accompanied its use, but the destination was very different then the other hangers.

Instead of heading into the depths of the Frozen Rage to the various hanger floors he was ascending to a very specialized, very rarely used area. He was heading towards the lone functioning iron cyclone class vessel left in the chapter, the Zephyr Glacier.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Progress through the unknown complex was swift and quiet. Captain Razzik and Commander Vetov moved as a pair while Grax and Venthu mirrored them. Brother Benquanli always stayed in the middle, ready to bring his plasma gun to bear where needed.

The marines covered one another at each intersection and stayed on high alert as they moved. They passed dozens of closed doors, wide hallways, bizarre xenos statues, and countless banks of black glossy panels similar to the ones in the room they first arrived in.

Their path was rarely straight and they often would round a corner to take one or two steps up as if the complex was built on an angle. Razziks enhanced memory made it possible to recall his path perfectly but the strategic difficulties the winding paths and multiple levels created made him thank the Emperor for creating servo skulls and his heads up display.

The servo skulls continued to expand throughout the near endless array of vaulted rooms, winding hallways, and art filled galleries. The sheer volume of information made Razzik cease monitoring their overall progress as they expanded and instead focused on the one floating skull near the beacon that had sparked his actions.

They were only a few hallways away when their movement was halted. Brother Venthu was at point when he signaled to stop. His icon flashed that he heard movement. Razzik saw him pointing towards a door across a foyer to his left. Benquanli and Grax moved right, behind a statue of a xenos female wielding a glaive. Razzik moved right behind Venthu with Vetov at his side.

The foyer was adorned with couches and benches, low tables and various lights that emitted shades of chartreuse and mauve. A lone wide platform dominated the center of the room. It was covered with models and grotesque figurines, clearly some sort of game.

None of the marines flinched or moved as the double doors slowly opened like a beast yawning at dawn. Guns were ready and Razzik altered his stance to launch himself forward when a familiar astartes stepped out.

Honored Brother Inigo exited the room, his thunder hammer held in both hands across his chest ready to strike. Jaska and Nefas were right behind him with guns up. Inigo strode forwards and paused, staring up at the ceiling then looking around. Jaska moved to his right quickly taking cover behind a plush bench. Nefas began to move left when his gaze met with Razzik’s from across the foyer. His elongated bolter was sporting an under slung second barrel.

“Well met Captain,” he spoke across the room. For a moment they stared at one another before Razzik stepped around from Venthu. He let his gaze pass between the three marines before responding.

“What are you doing here marines? You were ordered to assist Cyaxeres,” Razzik questioned.

“Inigo fell into a worm’s tunnel and we went after him.” Nefas responded without hesitating, “The tunnel led us to a room with a black wall which brought us here.”

Razzik listened to Nefas while watching Inigo. The gray armored Son of Hades avoided his gaze and instead monitored Nefas. Razzik let the words linger. It seemed suspicious that Inigo would have fallen into a worm hole and not been able to climb out.

The silence continued, Nefas unmoving and Inigo doing everything to avoid Razzik’s cold stare. After a few more seconds members of Squad Rimsin arrived. If they were surprised to see the other astartes they didn’t show it.

The arrival of the other squad completely redirected Razzik’s thoughts. Despite a part of him wishing to inquire about Inigo falling into a worm hole, he dismissed it and headed off in the direction of the beacon once more. Three more marines could easily turn many battles, regardless of their honesty, he thought to himself as they fell into formation behind him.

* * * * * * * *

As the mob of greenskins surged towards him, Inushi dodged to his right towards a row of large machinery that dominated the room. The vibrating engine like columns sat squat on the floor and reached up through the level above. The greasy columns belched smog and oozed out heat which Inushi felt on his exposed wounds.

Inushi moved between two such columns with haste. He was still gathering his bearings when he exited the other side of the columns to find himself in front of three orks. Each one was as tall as Inushi but they were as wide as terminators. They wore no armor and wielded no guns, but the hammers and tools they held aloft would more then suffice in killing Inushi.

Knowing that speed was his only advantage he stabbed the center ork with his katana, letting the keen edge slice deep into its abdomen. With his off hand he fired his plasma pistol into the face of the ork to his left. When the inevitable swing from the right ork came down he dodged left over the flailing faceless ork.

Inushi took several steps before slamming into another approaching ork with his shoulder. He was quickly running out of space to maneuver as more and more boys were moving to flank from his left. These smaller boys looked anxious to try and get their first kill of the day. Inushi fired behind him at the wounded ork, hearing the familiar sounds of screaming ork and sizzling flesh. With his katana he parried a curved pipe then leapt into the air to avoid a downward slice from a massive wrench.

Spinning around he deflected the hammer from the remaining larger ork, but the force behind the hammer rattled the floor forcing Inushi to pause and regain his balance. In that brief amount of time Inushi felt the weight of two impacts on his backpack and shoulder. He swayed from the attacks but used the forced movement to lower himself and then spring forward under the next attack. He crashed into the stomach of a surprised ork and knocked him back into a corner. The ork elbowed Inushi’s back pack as the Mantis Warrior brought up his katana. He quickly pushed away from the greenskin while the blade cut deep. The ork bellowed as the blade passed through the orks groin up into his stomach then out his shoulder. The two pieces of the ork fell aside like sandbags, the weight thudding down onto the filthy engine room floor.

Instinctively Inushi side stepped as he turned around. With his back to the corner he stared down the next wave of orks. They had paused just out of reach. The xenos filth were always herded by the largest and strongest and the remaining were now waiting for someone to initiate the charge.

Inushi widen his stance as he stared down the wall of greenskins before him. Six were now in front of him giving him no means to escape. Others were still piling in from behind them. They were shouting insults and drooling, their red beady eyes all staring. Inushi knew he only had a few seconds before they would lunge, like a green wall of anger falling on its victim.

With a swift motion he sheathed his plasma pistol and drew out his combat blade. Now that he had a blade in each hand the words of his training master came to mind. The stern voice of Darius Stone rumbled in his head. Inushi twirled his blades to keep the orks at bay just a moment longer as he shifted into a stance of the mantis.

He felt the movement of the land train and the breath of his enemies and when they yelled their fury and charged, he met them head on.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The Ice Angels moved with cold efficiency. The sergeant of squad Rimsin with his white two bladed lightning claw along with four other tactical marines, none of which Inigo had met before, moved forward first. No orders were spoken nor had he seen any hand gestures. The marines all fell into place into perfect formation. Inigo studied their movements and once again wished his chapter had this advanced HUD system that the Angels employed. Captain Razzik and Vetov moved next, the slight whine of Vetov’s bionic leg was the only sound Inigo could hear once the black and blue quartered marine rounded the corner.

Squad Kujara then moved to follow. The six members broke into two groups of three. One tactical marine in the first group had on a bizarre skull helm and another wielded a lascannon. They too moved without any noticeable orders.

Inigo witnessed the Angels move and until he took his first step he didn’t realize how quiet they were. He paused after his step almost ashamed of the sound his boot made. None of the Angels paid him any heed as he did. Jaska and Nefas continued following the second unit and Inigo stayed close to them, his thunder hammer easily swinging in his gray gauntlets. They may be quiet, he thought to himself, but he was by far the strongest space marine in the group.

Inigo noticed that Nefas nearly matched the skill of the Ice Angels in stealth as they moved. Jaska was able to keep up but occasionally scuffed the floor. Inigo could have kicked each wall as he passed and been just as quiet.

Behind him followed three other tactical marines, one with a plasma gun, another with a green power sword sheathed at his hip. They were spread out taking extra precautions that nothing was following them, waiting at intersections as they passed and pausing by doors confirming nothing would surprise them from behind.

The bizarre xenos compound continued to bother Inigo as they moved. What xenos would create this seemingly endless maze of rooms and stairs, fill it with semi-living tortured humans, and then leave? He smiled to himself as images of him crushing the enemies of the Emperor floated through his mind.

After passing through the black wall and arriving here he had felt as if he were on some sort of ship, but as they continued exploring he began to see more and more exposed rock. The majority of it was sculpted to fit seemingly into the architecture but in between rooms or halls the raw stone could still be seen. According to Jaska it could easily be some sort of asteroid station or even stones brought on board to remind the xenos of home, but Inigo disagreed.

The Sons of Hades marine had spent years underground on his home world working in the forges. He had chiseled stone into art and tempered steel into weapons. After becoming a neophyte in his chapter he then mastered his craft and worked with more exotic substances such as ceramite and adamantium, yet his favorite medium for crafting had always been the stone from Hades. His forge father often told him that he had an innate ability when it came to using stone. That same natural talent was telling him that the stone walls they were passing were natural, yet in his gut he didn’t feel as if they were in space or underground.

The conundrum briefly crossed his mind before the thought of his forge father brought back his wide smile. Forge Father Dorvelo, was one of the oldest, most gruff, and heavily scarred marines Inigo had ever set eyes upon. His ancient wisdom had been training Sons of Hades neophytes for nearly a century. His deep booming laugh was one that he hoped he’d hear again.

Another floor scuff made Inigo glance ahead at Jaska as the red armored marine slowed to examine another wall panel. He briefly looked but didn’t touch before moving again. He seemed to notice Inigo’s gaze and their eyes briefly met. With a nod Jaska rounded a corner ahead of him. Inigo wanted to speak with him and Nefas but they were constantly moving and flanked by Ice Angels.

Nefas’s earlier response to Razzik had surprised him, but what really shocked him was his inability to correct it. The conversation played out in his mind once again as he continued to move forward. They traversed another purple lit gallery, this one was full of medical looking examination tables sunk into the floor, and each was surrounded by a circle of chairs or couches. Pierced corpses and helmed bodies hung from the ceiling. Several swayed slowly as if they were incapable of sitting still even in death.

The gallery narrowed to a hall way that took a hard left. The walls turned to rough stone as the path moved up. The darkness of the hallway was brief as they took several steps up into the largest room they had yet seen. It expanded as far as Inigo could see to his right and approximately one hundred yards to his left. The room was lit by thousands of floating lights; each cast their illumination straight down into the room. Within the vast room were an astounding collection of creatures, weapons, tanks, motionless people, and all manner of objects. Inigo slowed substantially as he lowered his hammer and tried to absorb what he was seeing.

The Ice Angels continued to move as if oblivious to the contents of the room, soon Inigo stopped in one of the side isles with Nefas and Jaska, each transfixed on various objects nearby. A damaged wooden chariot sat on a plinth to his left, the statue of a wounded two headed lizard lay curled on the floor to his right, above him hovered a bar that a dozen different banners hung from. In front of him was a tank of murky water in which gems glittered in its depths, a small creature skittered amongst the sparkles. Behind his immediate exhibits were countless other devices, nearly all alien but some struck a familiar cord in shape and design.

Before he could make any connection Nefas walked past him and the murky tank towards a tall floating conglomeration of machine and flesh. Mesmerized by the determination of the Sinner marine Inigo followed. At arms length away they stopped and examined the monstrosity. A mechanical floating base was the lower half of the giant person. Its forearms were replaced by gruesome weapons of archaic design. Its torso was a mountain of muscle so tight that it looked as if it would explode outward at the slightest touch. The face of the creature was covered by a tight barred helm. All down its spine were glass vials of pastel liquids.

Inigo looked up at the face mask wondering what lay behind the tormented façade. Inigo stalked around the contraption before turning to look around the expansive hall once more.

“Marines, would you care to join us?” the voice of Razzik chimed in his vox. Inigo could hear the annoyance in the Captain’s question.

Jaska began to move towards the Ice Angel position. Nefas took a final glance around the hall before slowly moving to follow. He purposefully waited for Inigo to catch up. The Sons of Hades marine’s long strides closed the gap quickly. Inigo looked down at the lithe Sinners marine as they walked between statues of wounded beasts and destroyed machines.

“Have you seen anything like this before Inigo?” Nefas asked, his voice merely a whisper.

“This place looks like a museum, a really twisted museum.” Inigo responded as he saw a wide cannon laying on two wide treads. The design was not one he was familiar with.

“How about these contraptions,” Nefas asked again.

Next to an ancient rack of barbed weapons hovered another muscular creature. Her hands had been replaced by a massive flail and a pincer that was as long as Inigo’s arms. Once again her face was covered by a helm, only a single eye slit adorned the helm that was bolted directly onto her face. Her ragged hair poured over the helm and down her back. The vials gave off a faint ozone smell as he neared. Plates of some metal unknown to him had been nailed into her body, across her breasts, arms, and abdomen. Artistic scars and brands dotted her overly muscular frame.

The similarities to the first muscled monster were apparent and more so when Inigo noticed there was more then these two. Scattered between the weapons, tanks, statues, and various items hovered these things. Some were up in the air between banners, others were near the floor. All were motionless and quiet but each was an explosion of violence waiting to be triggered.

“No, thankfully I haven’t. Have you?” Inigo added as he picked up his pace, suddenly aware of the potential peril he was in.

“Yes,” Nefas responded as they passed a dripping weapon encased in a black tinted box. Runes swirled around its base in some foreign language.

They passed a broken quadruped walker, it had a vaguely Imperial design but wires dangled out of it like someone had torn out its innards. On the other side hovered yet another mountain of muscle, silently waiting.

Ahead of them lingered the Ice Angels, set up in a defensive semi circle. They were near a wide double door. A shattered Imperial Aquila was built into the wall above them.

Nefas walked past the first pair of Ice Angels towards Captain Razzik, “Hope they never begin to move Inigo, or we will all be visiting the Emperor sooner then we’d like.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Razzik closed the vox with Sergeant Maranu after giving him another update to pass along to Cyaxeres. He took another look around while he impatiently waited for Shu-Takii to complete his examination of the double doors. Nefas and Jaska were nearby quietly examining one of the floating hulks. Ice Angels were paired off taking what cover they could behind works of art, massive broken weapons, and other items that reminded Razzik of war trophies. Inigo stood in the open a few yards away staring deep into the cavernous room.

“What can you tell me Shu-Takii?” Razzik asked as he stood over the kneeling marine. The tech marine in training had several long flexible probes snaked out around the door trying to examine the hinges and all other aspects of the door, in his left hand was a large auspex running a serious of diagnostics. Above him a servo skull silently waited to enter the closed room.

“The signal coming from inside is an old one, possibly from a teleport or distress beacon. Either way it’s emitting Imperial codes on hundreds of frequencies, many of which I’ve only seen on the oldest of devices.” He paused and sighed, “The door itself is air tight. It does show some sign of use, but nothing recent,” Shu-Takii continued. “It is made of several layers of marble with a metallic core. All my scans lead me to believe it is an actual Imperial crafted door, only the materials in the frame match the xenos architecture around us.”

The probes around Shu-Takii began to recoil as he stood up. “We could easily destroy the door if needed, but I see nothing out of the ordinary with it.”

“Very well,” Razzik responded. He checked several reports that Sergeant Maranu sent him before his gaze returned to the door. He wanted nothing other then to reach out and open it, but the years of tactical experience throbbed in his head like a sore muscle. He wanted to be free of this place but everything about this complex, even down to the gravity felt wrong. An Imperial door with an Imperial emitter in an alien unexplainable seemingly endless compound screamed trap.

Brother Nefas stepped closer and cleared his throat; “If I may give a suggestion?” he began.

Razzik glared at him before issuing an order that everyone could hear, “Rimsin plant charges on the nearest hulks just in case this is a trap.”

The tactical unit broke from their positions and began to place primed grenades on exposed flesh. Razzik watched for a moment before looking back to Nefas, “What do you………… suggest?” he spat.

The white helmed Sinner marine quickly responded, “Your tactics continue to prove correct Captain. You have already followed through with what I was about to suggest. Please pardon my interruption.” He tilted his head as he hissed.

“Captain,” Inigo added from his sentinel position. The Sons of Hades marine spoke without turning to regard the Ice Angel or the Sinner. He continued to look further into the hall as he continued, “May I also plant several charges. I have extra to spare.”

Razzik regarded the marine from the side but saw no reason to deny the request. “Certainly, Honored Brother Inigo. Place them and return. I’m opening this door the moment my men are finished.”

Nefas and Razzik stood next to one another as the gray armored Sons of Hades purposefully walked away. He passed several hulks and was soon out of sight behind a towering treaded vehicle covered in scales and bones.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Right downward block, left thrust, side step away from low kick, jump knee tuck followed by part-the-seas swipe. Inushi’s frame of mind was focused down to each swing, each muscle movement. There was no flourish, no fancy sword play, not a single motion was wasted. The orks pressed in, shoving one another to get closer to the green armored Mantis Warrior. His space was minimal. Footing became hazardous as the floor became a carpet of greenskin bodies. Blocked slice, lower shoulder to deflect axe, tilt body, head butt, upward cut with off hand, accept punch to left ribs. Step back, push off wall, dodge under over head chop. Inushi didn’t even have time to remember the lessons on “damage management” as he fought the intense melee. He could only act on instinct and the ingrained muscle memory that decades of training had given him.

The smog in the room was thickening as the columned engines continued to leak filth into the air. The stench of open wounds and cauterized flesh hovered around Inushi like a cloak.

Large greenskins pushed forward the front lines of orks into Inushi’s whirling blades. His katana speared through two orks to his right, his left hand pinned above his head, the ork bodies were pressed up against him jamming him into the corner. Over his left shoulder a pinned ork was screaming in pain and anger. Inushi responded with a glancing elbow into the orks face. The bodies continued to press. The movement wrenched the katana from his hand as the dead bodies to his right contorted and fell before him. An ork with a chest the size of a promethium barrel stepped over them, his steel cleat boots sinking deep into the ork carpet. Inushi attempted to fall towards him to make some space but the ork grabbed him with amazing speed for such a bulky figure. The greenskin held him up right with one hand and punched with a spiked gauntlet. The short wide blade pierced through his shoulder pad. The green ceramite absorbed and dispersed the force of the blow but the blade still bit deep into this shoulder. Inushi gritted his teeth in pain as the blade dug to the bone.

The dark blade went back. Inushi witnessed the blood, his own blood, fling off the blade as the blade ceased moving back and began to speed towards him once again. He couldn’t move to fully avoid the blade and the ork was too strong to block. As the gauntlet approached he brought up his combat blade, it was too late to deflect the short blade but it still dug into the orks forearm.

Inushi felt every millimeter of pain as the orks punch bent and cracked his already demolished chest plate, the blade sinking deep into his chest. The ork snarled in victory as blood sprayed out from the wound. He didn’t even get a chance to see Inushi pull out his plasma pistol and melt the orks head off of its shoulders.

The orks paused, stunned from witnessing their largest member being beheaded.

Inushi fell to his knees as the ork released its grip. Slowly he stood back up. His bloody combat blade was in his left hand and purple plasma pistol in his right. Warm blood hemorrhaged out of his chest before the wound sealed up, his super human anatomy was trying to work over time. He silently muttered a prayer when Inushi saw the momentary fear in the faces of the remaining orks. He had reached the point where they may break and run.

“None of you can stop me!” he slowly shouted. Theatrics were not his forte but he knew how grave his wounds were. He had to try.

The orks looked from one another before the next largest raised his choppa to scream. It wasn’t the response he was looking for.

Inushi prepared himself to die when his world exploded.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Inigo took slow strides as he wandered the great hall. He didn’t know where he was going but he felt as if he had a destination. After every couple of statues or bodies, tanks or weapons he would pause. Before he could question what he was doing something would pull at him. Something distant yet familiar would tug at his soul. This urge led him passed more bizarre battlefield like wreckage. Inigo felt like he had been wandering for hours yet only minutes had passed. When he paused yet again, the urge returned but this time he resisted. The questions in his head finally overcoming the simple urge to investigate the unknown. The pull didn’t intensify, it didn’t force him to move, it was simply there for him to feel. Inigo knelt and placed his right hand palm down on the floor. He held his breath and concentrated. For several seconds he didn’t move, nearly becoming another one of the countless statues that filled the cavernous room. His twin hearts were the only sounds he could hear, yet he waited.

A simple pulse passed beneath the ground after a minute of waiting. Inigo stayed motionless until it passed again. It was as if the ground beneath the floor was alive with its own distant heart beat.

Logic and rules dictated that he immediately report to his superiors, but Inigo disregarded those thoughts and continued to move. His slow strides once again carried him further away from the Ice Angels and his companions.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Am I dead?” Inushi thought to himself. He could see only darkness before him. His entire body throbbed and he could hardly move. A high pitched ringing answered his question. Slowly the ringing subsided enough for him to utilize his senses once again. He was face down on the floor. He felt the pressure of a lot of weight on his back and legs. His left arm was numbed beyond recognition, either it was severed or the pain killers his armor automatically gave him had completely blocked the nerves from communicating with his brain.

The ringing subsided a bit more, just enough for him to hear distant gun shots and explosions. Several closer gun shots went off and an ork grunted before crashing to the ground nearby. Inushi felt the debris behind him move slightly from its fall.

Inushi began to try and adjust enough to turn his head but his body resisted. After several attempts he managed to push himself up, just enough to turn his head to his right. His head pounded at the movement, he slammed shut his eyes trying to clear his head. He could feel the demands of his body to give in and rest. His Larraman organ was gearing up to put him into a coma so that his body could focus on healing but Inushi refused. At the edge of his peripheral vision he could see light. Not the artificial light from the interior of the ork land train but the light from the sun over Glossinai.

The clanging sound of boots quickly surged through the room. Chainswords could be heard revving their small engines. Metal shifted and gun fire ensued, the sounds moved on into another compartment away from Inushi. He wanted to speak but the marines continued on before Inushi could attempt to alert them.

Pounding in Inushi’s chest echoed through his body as the Larraman organ sent out waives of chemicals to knock him out and attempt to heal his wounds. His eyes began to feel heavy. He soon lost feeling in his legs. A soothing cool sensation tickled in his brain as the chemicals began to shut him down.

Another set of boots landed in the room with him. He tried to fight the chemicals, to resist the oncoming coma, but he was too tired, too weak from all the wounds his body may not be able to recover from.

The footfalls came closer, they didn’t sound like the others that had passed. It may not be another marine he thought to himself. He concentrated on keeping his eyes open. He couldn’t move but he would at least die staring into the face of his assailant.

Metal sheets quickly moved aside. Inushi could hear them move but didn’t feel anything. His entire torso was numb. Something grabbed him and rolled him over. Despite the numbness, agonizing pain coursed through his body before the chemical coolness surged through him once again. Above Inushi the familiar helm of Philsoir looked down at him.

The bright sun gleamed off the tech marines red armor. Optical units on his shoulders and back pack twitched as they gathered all the visual data they could. Inushi’s vision was blurred and he couldn’t focus on anything other then the Ice Angel. He tried to speak but the only sound coming from him was the wheezing of his breathing.

“Inushi, excellent work clearing out the engine room.” The tech marine stated before standing back up. He reached back for his axe while hefting his shield back into place. “Your work here is done. The land train will be under our control shortly.” He paused for a moment before looking past Inushi. “May the Emperor protect you.”

The Techmarine then turned and walked away. Inushi was unable to speak, turn his head, or move any part of his body. His head swam. He couldn’t fight it any longer. He could only stare up with numb detachment as his eyes slowly shut and the sound’s of the tech marine’s foot falls slowly faded away.

* * * * * * * * * *

Cautiously he stood. Inigo looked ahead and began to move. The pulse that he had felt before passed once again. He felt the pulse pass through him as if he had an extra heart in his chest pumping out of rhythm. He quickly scanned around trying to find some clue as to what it could be but only broken artifacts and statues surrounded him. His step quickened as he searched for some clue as to what was causing it. He came to stand before another statue of a naked dark eldar slaying some unknown xenos.

The pulse passed again. He looked to his right. There was a clearing surrounded by the floating muscular death machines. Without hesitating he moved towards it. He grasped his hammer in both hands as he approached.

Dozens of the xenos creations floated around a recess in the floor. His pace slowed as he neared the edge to fully see what lay below. He stopped within arms reach of two massive motionless creatures. They were as twisted as all the others he had seen but he ignored them completely as he focused on what slumbered in the pit.

“It can’t be….” He mumbled as he lowered his hammer in awe.

Words crackled through his vox, the distant voice of Razzik requested a status update that he didn’t register. Inigo couldn’t take his eyes off the beast before him.

Forty feet below him at the base of a tiered pit lay a slumbering behemoth as big as a Thunderhawk. It was a two headed lizard like creature with six legs. A long thick spiked tail curled along its right side. Dark red spines lined its back, each taller then a space marine. The two heads were laying side by side, curved teeth jutted up from its expansive jaws.

“Dark and deadly like the pits of Hades,” Inigo recited the phrase common on his home world. “It can’t be,” he said once again. The beast was exactly like the ancient linnorms from his home world. Images and artwork filled his mind as he thought back to everything he had heard about these ancient and revered monsters, but the last was said to have been slain thousands of years ago.

As he examined the creature he noticed the extensive tubing and wiring embedded into the creature’s chest and neck. The pulse passed through him once more as his vox crackled. Inigo ignored the private request from Jaska.

Without taking his eyes off the creature he climbed down the tiers. After only a few tiers he began to feel the heat radiating off the beast. It was said their touch could melt stone and as he approached he began to wonder if it truly could.

As he got closer, the warmth intensified to a point that his MK VI armor cooling systems activated. When he stepped down to the final level a part of him noticed the elaborate metal flooring that the linnorm laid on, another part of him noticed the bank of machines behind him, built into the bottom tier. His main focus though couldn’t tear itself away from the monster.

Taking the few final steps, he approached one of the heads. Its teeth were as tall as he was. Its lips were as thick as his legs. Its eyes were bigger then his chest. Inigo was mesmerized by the sheer size of such a creature. He slowly reached out with his left hand and touched the beasts long jagged snout.

His mind reeled from the touch as images tore through his consciousness like a hurricane. He frantically tried to catch any of the blurred thoughts as they scattered through his brain. Melting stone, intense heat, falling darkness, valleys of green death, a flying city, a human rebellion, a fallen gargant, the images flittered so fast he forgot many of them after he saw them, but they continued unabated. A mental flood gate had been released and he was drowning in the currents.

Suddenly the pulse, the heart beat of the creature he was touching, surged through his body and forced him to relinquish his connection to the beast. A final image lingered and faded, like a falling snow flake it drifted from focus. Inigo took a sharp intake as his body tingled, the image disappeared but like a bright flash the after glow lingered and in it he saw himself. He saw himself dying on field of red clay surrounded by metal skeletons.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Inigo can take care of himself if he is so inclined to leave the unit!” Razzik quickly spat. Nefas began to speak before Razzik interrupted.

“This discussion is over.” Captain Razzik said with a finality that silenced both Nefas and Jaska. The Marine Chrysemys and Sinner exchanged glances as Razzik turned to Vetov before returning his gaze to the door. He took several steps up to it and reached out his hand.

“Vetov, Nefas, and Rimsin with me,” Razzik commanded as he grasped the one of the door handles. “If anything moves….. kill it,” he added as he pulled open the door.

The door quietly opened. Razzik stepped in as Vetov pulled opened the other door. The servitor hovered through the opening. Nefas was right behind Razzik with the members of Rimsin quickly moving in and panning out.

Beyond the door was a crowded room that widened the further back it went. Bright clinical light emanated from scores of floating glow orbs. Long isles led through the room that was lined with displays and weapon racks. Banners were strung together in the low ceiling like a near endless ribbon.

The members of squad Rimsin had taken positions at the beginning of each isle awaiting further instructions. Captain Razzik had lowered his shield and paused in front of a pristine suit of Mark II power armor that stood like a guard at an Imperial palace. Nefas and Vetov were by his side examining the nearest objects and banners.

“It appears we have located the Imperial section of the museum,” Nefas quietly hissed, intrigue oozing from each of his words.

Vetov stepped between two Ice Angels to look at the first display in the long line. A Mark IV back pack hung from the top of wooden case and a dark green velvet cloak draped underneath. The cloak covered a small ledge on which laid a phobos pattern bolter. Lions roared across the body of the weapon and ancient gothic writing decorated its magazine.

“These, these are relics,” Vetov began “displayed in a xenos trophy room.” He stepped past to look at the next item in the row, a rack that held a sniper rifle. The next was a black templar tabard. The next display was a commissar’s hat with a pair of auto pistols. “We must reclaim them for the Imperium,” he added with a look of disgust.

Razzik stepped past the suit of armor and began to wander down the next isle over. A terminator chainfist that had clearly been ripped off the terminator hung in an open rack. Underneath it on a separate shelf was a needle pistol of exquisite design; a small box of needles sat opened aside it.

Nefas began to follow Captain Razzik. “I disagree with Commander Vetov.”

Captain Razzik paused to look back at the Sinner marine.

“What? Nefas, your chapter must have revered artifacts. Items that have been in your chapter’s armory of countless ages,” Vetov retorted.

The Sinner marine didn’t take his eyes of off Razzik but responded to the comment, “we do, yes.”

“If one of those items is lost, it can break the spirit of the chapter. Can in not?” Vetov questioned, but continued before waiting on a response. “Entire crusades have been started just to reclaim lost banners or ancient items.” Vetov continued, “Imagine what allies the Ice Angels could make if we returned some of these to their rightful owners!”

Razzik took his gaze from Nefas before looking over the isle at Vetov who was now standing by a wide rack of shoulder pads, each from a different chapter. “We first locate the beacon some where in this room, then, we’ll discuss moving the relics.”

With a simple blink command the Ice Angels moved down the isles, quietly traversing the room like darkness chasing the setting sun. Captain Razzik fell into the formation with Nefas at his heels, only Vetov held his position.

Vetov looked at the collection of shoulder pads. He took a few steps and closely examined a black grenade hovering in a crystal case. An inner argument raged in his mind, but the voices in his head were rendered mute when he looked up and saw a ragged banner strung in the patchwork ceiling. The black and blue quartered fabric was dominated by a golden eye. A lone golden tear drop fell from its inner edge.

“The banner of the first…..” he whispered.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Razzik strode past bizarre blades, unique guns, and an amazing conglomeration of gear, but his focus was solely on the servitor that slowly traversed the room. The human floating skull silently hovered through the room scanning the contents with only the basics of analysis. Its last command, to locate the source of the signal, consumed all of its limited mental capabilities.

The skull slowly passed a reaper auto cannon that leaned on a shelf before it dropped in altitude. It circled around an open area at the rear of the room. There were several benches in a wide circle and the skull made several rounds before holding its position inches above the floor in the center of the floor.

Razzik stood sentinel as he watched the servo skull finish its passes and stop. Unlike the rest of the room the floor was metallic and unclean. Dried stains surrounded a round panel that the servo skull hovered over.

“Shu-Takii, is the signal coming from the floor?” Razzik questioned as he noticed the tactical marine examining his auspex.

“Affirmative, the distress beacon is under that panel.” Shu-Takii adjusted several side dials before continuing, “that panel should lif……” he paused mid sentence. “Captain, there’s an astartes under there.”

“Get it open,” Razzik commanded without a shred of emotion. Shu-Takii stepped forward and knelt before the panel while Zaduga moved to assist. Shar-Takazz approached with his plasma pistol to cover the panel as they worked. The servo skull hovered up to observe.

Shu-Takii began to get out various tools to inspect the panel before Razzik stepped forward, “We don’t have time marine, just open it.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Vetov witnessed the Ice Angels move throughout the room, each taking up a strategic position or moving down the various isles with the captain. As they spread out he stared up at the banner once more. He studied the manner in which they were strung up. If he climbed the nearest shelf he could reach it and break it free from its fastenings, so he hoped. With that in mind he examined the nearest shelves determining which would better hold his weight.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inigo casually strode around a partially destroyed contemptor dreadnought when he came in view of an Ice Angel. The marine had his bolter trained on him instantly. After a slight nod he continued his watch.

Several more steps took Inigo away from the dreadnought and closer to a hovering hulk. A krak grenade was stashed between its shoulder and neck. The grenade made him think back to the pack of charges he had left else where in the museum.

Three more Ice Angels came into view before he saw Jaska and the wide open double doors under the Imperial Aquila. The red armored Marine Chrysemys approached the moment he saw him. He stood a few paces away, took a side glance at a nearby motionless giant, and then back to Inigo.

“What took so long?” Jaska promptly asked.

Inigo began to answer but paused, he didn’t know where to start.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Okay, ready” Shu-Takii stated before issuing a yellow icon by his name in the Ice Angel’s HUD’s. The icon blinked three times, then twice, then once before it dissipated and he pulled up the panel.

It didn’t move far before the screaming began and the panel stopped only partially open. The triple lungs of an astartes bellowed in pain. The smell of blood, bile, and suffering wafted up from the cracked open panel.

“Zaduga,” Shu-Takii calmly requested. The other marine grabbed the other side of the panel and the two of them wrenched it open with all their might. A wet crunch echoed through the room moments before the panel jammed itself at 90 degrees, like the top hatch on a rhino. The hole in the floor contained an unarmored astartes who was tightly held in place, only the top of his shoulders and his head could be seen, the heavy mechanical augmentation on his skull and shoulder were easily visible. His screaming stopped only to be replaced by a racking cough that spat out blood. Blades from the underside of the panel were dug deep into his neck and upper shoulders.

The bloody astartes quaked slightly before looking up at the Angels around him. Razzik saw the utter despair in his remaining eye, this marine was broken and beyond repair, he thought to himself. The mechanical arm and side of his face were heavily damaged. Razzik could see where a lot of the mechanics were melted and fused to the side of the hole he was in.

With visible effort the marine let out a faint whisper in high gothic. “You should not have come here.”

The lights in the room then suddenly went out, the museum went dark. Reports from the tactical marines back at the black curtain indicated that the entire complex had done the same.

The marines around Razzik silently adjusted their stances and switched to night fighting modes before the marine in the floor spoke again, his accent thick with dread “they are coming.” The inevitability in his voice weighed on Razzik like thick smog but with a single defiant grunt it dissipated before he could dwell on it. “Let them come, I have a fist to show them,” he snarled.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Razzik knelt and stared at the marine in the floor while focusing on his HUD display waiting for any sign of an enemy. The tortured astartes was frantically looking around as if his tormentors would materialize around him at any second.

“Why have they kept you alive?” Razzik quietly asked, more to himself then to the marine. The marine’s one good eye regarded Razzik as if he had just noticed him for the first time.

“She likes books,” he responded before fidgeting and looking around once again.

“Who is she?” Razzik prodded after a long pause.

“The Mistress,” all of this is hers. “Don’t touch it or she’ll be ANGRY!” he shouted. His lips quivered and he shut his eyes as if he were about to be beaten.

Razzik stood up and looked around. “Squad Rimsin, Brother Nefas, have any of you seen any books?”

The marine giggled maniacally for a moment as the five members of squad Rimsin all sent a negative symbol across his HUD. Nefas shook his head without removing his glare from the giggling marine. Razzik took one final look around before he slowly brought his gaze back to the floor. He took several steps backwards and sat on one of the benches. It was too small for his bulky form but he sat on it any ways, the stone bench cracked under his weight.

From his sitting position he couldn’t see anything below the marine’s eye, the bionics in his head encompassed not only his other eye but a good portion of his skull. “So Book, why does she like you?” Razzik asked to the marine. The marine glared back at him, a plethora of emotions rotated across his face before he ended on sorrow. He looked down at the small tube he was stuck in, his shouts replaced by a calm aged voice and with a whisper he explained.

“She tells me of her conquests, the death of the Imperium. She tells me of the corruption she incites, the self inflicted destruction she causes amongst the Empire. All of the terrible deeds she has done that no one knows of.” He tried to look away, “No one but me.”

“All I fought for……..NO!” He snapped up, hatred poured out of his face, “This is another trick. I’ll tell you nothing!” The next few sentences were filled with growls and incoherent shouts.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The darkness in the expansive room was thick, even his mechanically granted dark vision seemed to struggle with the blackness that engulfed them. Inigo held his hammer high in both hands ready to strike, slowly he crept back towards the door way. Sounds of a shouting marine floated out of the door way, Inigo caught only a handful of the words. He wondered what was going on.

Jaska was at his side, his plasma pistol at the ready. The Ice Angels were in positions near the door all facing the gallery of monsters that still stood or hovered in their motionless state.

A sound tickled at the edge of his hearing. It sounded like a deep breath that didn’t end. Inigo couldn’t locate it. Several other Ice Angels perked their heads up as well; they must have heard it too.

In the distance, to their right there was a slight metal scrape. It was a slow high pitched metal on metal sound, images of swords being rubbed against one another filled Inigo’s mind.

A growl gurgled from their left, another distant scrape echoed from the right, a heavy step ahead of them demanded their attention. Inigo struggled to locate where the sounds were all coming from when he began to see movement. Distant helmets of various designs and sizes could be seen, red light oozing out of their eye slits. In between statues, next to a broken tank, he caught a glimpse of the closest one. It was a hovering creature designed for nothing but death, its face covered in a slotted mask, both of its arms ending in spiked chains, like spines, that twitched along the floor. Scars and vials covered its bulky form.

All around him other, similar, creatures stood but they still waited unmoving, their masks still dark. Inigo and the other marines continuously monitored them as they waited for the active giants to get closer. The combat leader of Squad Kujara, Brother Balathu, was first to break the silence amongst the marines, “Captain, we have multiple contacts, possibly three to five of them are now awake.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Prepare to blow the charges and ready for immediate departure” Razzik commanded to Balathu. The marine in the floor was still babbling about not upsetting the mistress. “Shu-Takii how quickly can he be removed?”

“NO!” the marine in the floor shouted before his demeanor shifted once again. Shu-Takii shook his head, “not fast enough Captain, “he responded.

The voice of the marine in the floor quietly whispered, this time it was full of pity and sorrow, “please get me out of here” he added, his one eye briefly connecting with Razzik’s gaze. The sight of a pleading marine disgusted him.

Razzik waited for several heart beats before he flashed an icon to the sergeant of squad Rimsin. “You have done your duty marine,” Razzik said to the marine in the floor. Shar-Takazz knelt opposite Razzik behind the marine. Curved twin lightning blades surged with power as Shar-Takazz got closer. “It is time for your finally journey,” Razzik continued with a slight nod.

The small glimpse of the sane side of the tortured marine vanished and the shouting returned. Shar-Takazz grasped the top of the marines head with his right hand and then sawed through the marines neck and bionics with his lightning claw. The motion was swift, but the shouts of the dead astartes lingered well after Shar-Takazz stood, head in hand.

“Shu-Takii, secure the head. Protect it at all costs.” Captain Razzik took a final look at the corpse in the floor. Signals were sent to the members of squad Plafwu back at the wall that they were returning with their objective in hand.

A sudden crash was heard in the room with them. Captain Razzik spun around and saw the form of Vetov picking himself up off the floor. The quartered marine had a massive banner draped over his shoulder. A collapsed shelf lay crumpled to his left; several space marine helmets were strewn across the isle. A bare spot in the patch work of banners showed a red light quickly fading to black.

Captain Razzik gritted his teeth in anger and stormed down the isle towards him. The other marines followed him towards the exit.

* * * * * * * * * *

Inigo heard a crash from behind him in the room with the Captain. He was about to turn to determine what happened when the nearest giant began a low growl. It wasn’t moving, but Inigo knew it soon would. The growling began to get louder, several bucket sized vials of lime green liquid emptied into the giant’s chest. A red eerie light began to ooze out of its helmet. Slowly, as if it were attracted to him, the giant turned its head over then down to stare directly at Inigo. Behind the giant the menacing red lights of others slowly turned to locate their prey. The growling began to grow the death machines were activated. Inigo found the weakest spot on the giant and prepared to strike.

“Captain, I suggest an immediate departure” Brother Balathu hastily said through the vox. “More are awakening. In fact, all of them are awakening.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

“YOU FOOL! Do you know what you’ve done?!” Razzik shouted as he shoved Vetov towards the door. The Emperor’s Tear stumbled back, oblivious to anything other then the banner in his hands that he had recently torn down. He seemed distant as if lost in his own vision.

Ice Angels slowed behind Razzik waiting for orders as the Captain watched Vetov. The marine held up the banner and finally met the stern gaze of Razzik. “Do you know what this is?”

“I DON’T CARE what it is; you woke up the entire facility!” Razzik began to respond as he got closer to Vetov, his temper quickly dissipating.

“DON’T CARE?! This is the banner of my chapter, the banner of the first company! It is more valuable........” Vetov retorted.

“Then my MEN?! NO, it is not!” Razzik responded while approaching him once again.

Vetov pointed at Razzik with the banner draped over his shoulder. Before he could speak, Razzik punched him in the chest with his powerfist. No power was behind it but it shoved Vetov further back towards the open double doors.

Razzik quaked with anger as he took a deep breath, he paused a few steps away from Vetov who was beginning to return the furious glares. “We are leaving Vetov and you will not take that cursed banner with you.” The growling from outside the room was getting louder. A score of high pitched claps went off as the installed grenades went off. Falling body parts echoed through the room for a brief moment, but the growling continued to crescendo. Razzik knew that they were quickly running out of time.

“You don’t command me Captain,” Vetov spat “The Emperor brought me here. The Emperor knew I would find my banner. He knew I would return it and my chapter back to their former glory. You don’t understand, Captain. You have no faith!” Vetov began to step back towards the door arms spread wide looking up to the ceiling. He halted a few steps from the threshold and gave a final glare back to Razzik over his shoulder, “You will not separate me from this Razzik. I will not let this banner out of my sight, not again. This is a sign.”

Vetov then turned towards the door. Razzik quickly stepped after him, his temper lost at the disrespect Vetov was showing him. Razzik reached out to grab him as Vetov reached the threshold. As he did a sharp crack echoed through the wall as long spears pierced the ceiling downwards at incredible speeds. A blinding flash tossed Razzik backwards off his feet. A split second later he was on his back looking up at Nefas and Zaduga. The two marines assisted Razzik up into a sitting position where he stopped them. The flash was from the iron halo fused into his helmet, the protective field shunting him away from danger.

The door way and surrounding area ahead of him were now a jungle of spiked bars that stretched from ceiling down into the floor. Vetov was pinned down in the center of it all, one bar pierced his collar bone and passed though his torso while several others went through his arm and oddly bent leg. He was motionless in an unnatural near squat position.

Razzik shook off the marines trying to help him and looked at the mortally wounded Emperor’s Tear. Vetov was held in place by the bars, his body unable to cope with the damage and quickly shutting down. Razzik expected to hear some final words, some grunt of defiance, perhaps even a prayer, but instead he heard only a final wheeze from his shredded lungs. Vetov stared at his bloody banner willing his one functioning eye to stay open even as death came for him.

“Looks like you got what you wanted, Vetov.” Razzk whispered.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Razzik closed his eyes for a moment. When he reopened them he took a final look at Vetov and the horde of metal bars. He would never forget the image of the dead marine, despite the anger he held towards the marine. The death of the Emperor’s Tear, as sudden as it was, seemed to instantly calm him and trigger something in his head. Death indicated the battle, which brought back thoughts of his entire predicament. Suddenly the weight of command forced out any lingering emotions, it was time to act.

A report blinked in his HUD from squad Plafwu, they were under attack. “Status” he demanded.

“Captain, the bodies hanging from the ceiling are awake and are attacking us. Their cause for activation is unknown.” Sergeant Maranu quickly responded. Gunfire could be heard behind his words. Within seconds Razzik also heard gun fire from the other side of the bars.

“Hold your position. We are headed to you with haste.” Razzik responded to Sergeant Maranu, he closed the line before waiting for a response.

Razzik stepped to the nearest bar. He tested its strength with his powerfist. The bizarre metal didn’t move or react despite his super human strength. He then charged up his fist and punched it. He’d carved through tanks with similar punches but the bars simply sparked their defiance. Not enough time, he thought to himself. Nefas was at his side trying to move another bar while Shu-Takii stood near with the head in a light metallic box.

The growling from the other side turned into incomprehensible roaring. He could see Inigo engaging one of the giants. It was slow and cumbersome but its razor claws carved through the floor as if it were clothe. Other marines were behind muscular corpses attempting the slowly awakening murder of giants that approached from three sides.

“Brother Balathu I need you,” he said as he reached over to Shu-Takii and the box. Shu-Takii handed over the small metal case without question. Razzik held it in his left hand testing its balance. On the other side of the bars Brother Balathu approached stopping inches from the bars.

Captain Razzik took a few steps to his left. There were twelve feet of evenly spaced bars between him and Balathu. With a prayer to the Emperor he lobbed the box through the vertical bars. It flipped end over end centimeters from bars on both sides before being easily being caught in Balathu’s waiting hand. Razzik switched to a private channel with him. “That is our salvation Brother Balathu. Do not stop until command has it.” Razzik switched to an open channel so that all the marines including those at the wall could hear him. “Squad Kujara, Inigo and Jaska, move to extraction point as fast as possible. NOW!” The marines instantly broke into a run, guns firing only to slow down enemies in their path. Inigo and Jaska led the way.

Razzik watched them depart as he continued to speak, “Balathu carries the information we need. It must make it out of this cursed labyrinth at all costs. Squad Plafwu, bring in Rah-Apsu for support and notify Cyaxeres. Hold the wall as long as possible. Squad Rimsin and I must find an alternative route.” Razzik turned towards the six marines in the room with him before speaking to everyone one final time. “If you are overrun at the wall,” he paused, “close the curtain.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The gaze of the captain passed over each of the marines before he spoke, “These bars are going to take more then the two krak grenades we have between the seven of us, but according to Vetov, the Emperor led us here.” His gaze went down the isle before him, “perhaps we can find something useful. Look for anything we can use to get through these bars and while you’re at it stow whatever relics you can carry without encumbering yourself. “

The marines split up down the isles. He watched them quickly analyze weapons and items. He witnessed Nefas pause in front of a very wide weapon rack. Razzik moved over to the end of that same isle to see what he was examining. On the rack were scores of bolters, each one a master piece in its own right. Nefas knelt down with a large chest open before him. Razzik was intrigued but blinking icons in his HUD tugged at his attention.

He switched his focus when he realized that the servo skulls that were still exploring the vast complex were beginning to die off. The alertness of the compound was total and even the far off servo skulls were being picked off by traps, waking beasts, and tormented people. In the span of a few seconds the number of skulls was cut in half.

Quickly he switched them from their exploration mode too their hidden surveillance setting. Servo skulls still died and disappeared off his HUD becoming only distant way points as they looked for hiding spots in dark areas or recessed ceilings.

Razzik altered and zoomed out of his maps view. He adjusted the settings with practiced blink clicks and attempted once again to gain a better feel for the complex. The numbers of rooms and halls was staggering. The sheer angles and lines of the construction tore out the idea of any ship he had ever seen or heard of. If it were some building he had no concept of how it would support itself. He firmly believed they were underground some where. The number of servo skulls continued to dwindle from his HUD and soon only two were left in addition to the one inside the room with him.

He zoomed back in to look for alternative routes to the curtain when a blade slamming on metal broke the constant growling behind him. Slowly he turned to see one of the giants on the opposite side of the metal bars. It nearly filled the door way. Its helm gave off a faint red glow. Drool or some other ichors dangled from the base of the helm.

The giants hands had been replaced by wide blades, each as long as Razzik’s arm. He watched as the giant hit the bars several more times, sparks illuminating the darkness that surrounded them. The growling grew louder as the bars continued their defiance.

“Captain, “Nefas spoke from directly behind him.

Razzik turned away from the giant even as others crowded behind the first attempting to get closer to the astartes on the other side of the bars. Nefas stood only a few feet away, a bolt pistol was on each hip and a bolter was attached atop his back pack. In his hands he held the unusual custom bolter he always carried.

“How far did your servo skulls explore? I may be able to assist in locating another route, if you would share your information.” Nefas hissed in his quiet voice. Razzik listened to the marine as he happened to glance behind Nefas. The wide weapon rack was void of every single bolter.

Nefas’ question lingered in Razzik’s mind yet his curiosity about the rack tickled the back of his head. “Where did your chest go?” he absently asked, as a chill passed over him.

“Captain, the servo maps?” Nefas asked again, ignoring Razzik’s question.

“Yes of course,” Razzik responded as if in a daze. Seven blink clicks later a copy of the elaborate maps were sent to Nefas. The Sinner stepped aside as Shar-Takazz walked up from the next isle over with a large spiked grenade in his hand.

A smile crossed his face as Razzik took a closer look at the ornate explosive and forgot about his conversation with Nefas.

Shar-Takazz offered over the grenade as he spoke, “Captain, I believe this may be of use.”

“Excellent work Sergeant,” Razzik said in awe as he gently took the artifact. “Rimsin, finish reclaiming your items and move to the back of the room.” He watched as the marines finished stowing their items with care. He saw an ornate glaive, thick cloaks, a half dozen blades, and a pair of volkite cannons Shu-Takii held in each hand. They then swiftly took positions at the end of isles furthest from the bars leaving Razzik momentarily alone.

The blade handed giant was still attacking the bars as other giants crowded in trying to bash, clamp, and drill through the door frame and wall to get to the marines. The attacks from the giant were increasing in tempo. Clearly they were still waking from their slumber.

Razzik looked down at the grenade. He had never actually held a vortex grenade before. In fact his knowledge of how they worked was very limited, only the ancient texts spoke of their uses. As he studied the grenade he recalled the stories told of the simple and total destruction the vortex weapons were capable of. He located the activation switch as he squared up his feet. With a prayer on his lips he looked at the giants once more, their chorus of growling and moaning was intensifying as they returned his vengeful gaze.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Inigo ran through the darkness with Jaska and the others on his heels. He could feel the release of stimulants in his body as his twin hearts pumped. The giants all around him were slow moving as they woke from their slumber but each one seemed to be faster then the last. With a leap Inigo departed the ground, easily avoiding a side swipe from a spinning blade. His hammer descended into the face of an oncoming giant. Sparks and brain manner exploded outward from the connection seconds before he collided with the hulks upper torso. The hovering behemoth casually floated backwards. Now headless it violently shook, its spinning blade chewing through the floor and a nearby statue of a decapitated feline.

Jaska passed him along with two other Ice Angels as he regained his footing. Inigo paused to assess their situation before moving on and in the split second it took him to regain his gait he found himself at the rear of the pack. Beside him ran a marine with a lascannon. A skull helmed marine took up the rear.

“THUKOO!” the combat leader with the case up ahead shouted. The lascannon marine instantly stopped and shouldered his weapon. The skull helmed marine protected his right flank by deflecting a long metallic whip with his bolter while Inigo found himself batting aside a carapace covered claw from the lascannons other flank. A searing burst of light illuminated the immediate area. Another growling voice turned into a gurgling cry of pain, or was it pleasure, he couldn’t tell.

The lascannon sprinted forwarded once again and Inigo found himself the last in the line of fleeing marines, only the skull helmed marine ran along side him. Inigo laughed heartily as the full effect of his body’s combat drugs filled his senses. The rush of battle always cheered him up.

Up ahead, the first marines were fighting two giants attempting to cut off their escape. The other marines ran past the combat into the hall that led them into the museum. Inigo witnessed a marine fill one of the giants with bolter rounds but in its death throes it lashed out with its drill arm. The marine didn’t have time to dodge or even deflect the oncoming blow. The whirling blade passed through the center of his stomach and out through his back. The bloody drill continued to spin even as the giant collapsed to the floor, its hovering capabilities shutting down.

An Ice Angel paused to check on the fallen marine but the downed Angel waived him on while pushing himself off the now motionless drill bit. As Inigo ran past, the wounded marine drew out his bolt pistol in his bloody off hand and gave covering fire. Inigo expected to hear swearing or praying or general yelling but to his surprise the Ice Angel fired both of his weapons at oncoming giants in cold silence. Death was upon the marine and he knew it. He embraced it with the same efficiency in which he lived, using every moment to the benefit of the chapter.

Inigo entered the wide stair way leading out of the museum. The skull helmed marine still stayed next to him as they ran.

“Angel, what was that marines name?” Inigo asked as they moved.

“Brother Bel-Bwuu” was his short curt response.

Inigo ran on waiting for more but as he realized there wouldn’t be any he spoke again, “I’m Honored Brother Inigo and since we are destined to run together, “he chuckled” I’d like to know your name as well.”

The unit of marines exited the stairs and entered into the next dark hall way before the Ice Angel spoke again, “My name is Mi-Luqua Vaz.” They ran on for a moment before he spoke again. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Inigo laughed at the absurd timing and politeness of his words.

Without warning the hall way ahead of him erupted with motion. Wide floor tiles shot upwards like pistons in an engine of war. Ceiling tiles plummeted downwards like comets. The unexpected motion caught the marines off guard but none of them were seriously damaged. The blunt force of the tiles wasn’t enough to crack through their power armor, but one marine had his arm pinned to the ceiling while another had fallen and was pulling his leg out from under it. Marines assisted one another as their sudden run was halted by a jungle of pillars.

Inigo and Vaz began to hastily squeeze their way through the pillars as the marines unpinned themselves and continued on. Angels gathered up and began to run again as Inigo wedged himself between the last two pillars. His broad shoulders and massive chest making his progress the slowest of the marines. Jaska and Vaz helped pull him out the last few feet. He nodded his thanks as he heard the tidal wave of growling enter from the stairs they had come from.

The three marines gripped drew their weapons but hesitated to act. Between the square tiles they could see the giants that were chasing them had continued to speed up as their dormant state wore off. Inigo began to laugh despite the sheer ferocity the avalanche of flesh was emitting. “Good luck with that!” he shouted with a chuckle, “Stuck behind their own traps,” he turned to leave as the first of the giants approached the jungle of pillars. His laughing quickly stopped as the sound of retracting tiles filled the hall. He looked over his shoulder at the departing tiles and the oncoming giants.

“Damn,” was all he muttered as he broke into a sprint.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Visions of giants disappearing from reality filled his thoughts as he pulled back his arm for his throw. His thumb touched the activation switch built into the vortex grenade. At the pinnacle of the backward motion he pressed the button. His arm began to move forward, but half way through the motion he realized the button hadn’t moved. Awkwardly he followed through without releasing the grenade.

“SHAZBOT!” he swore as he quickly adjusted his footing to keep from falling. He took the grenade in both hands, once again examining it to uncover its secrets. The clanging of blades and flesh on bars and the walls was still intensifying. He activated his helmets audio muffling system so that he could concentrate. It dramatically cut back on the noise as if he was suddenly submersed in water.

The seconds felt like minutes as he closely examined the grenade. A dull crack pierced his noise canceling system and Razzik was forced to look up. One of the bars had been broken, but not like he had imagined. It had been torn out of the mechanism that forced it from the ceiling. The cracking sound was from the metal snapping into pieces. The other giants seemed to take notice and were soon putting forth their efforts at the ceiling of the bars. Several other bars soon followed suit.

Razzik’s sense of urgency wanted to reinstate itself as he witnessed more bars dislodged but before he could look down at his grenade a brilliant explosion of light erupted from behind the giants somewhere in the museum.

Every single giant paused and looked to their right. Razzik ceased the noise cancellation system to try and catch any clues as to what could have created that bomb like light effect. The area had gone deathly silent, even the giants had stopped growling and mumbling with anger. The dark museum was now glowing with flickering light coming from beyond Razzik’s view.

In that silence a yell began, at first he didn’t even register it because of the low frequency but as it grew another voice joined it. The two toned scream had such power that the floor shook. Weapons fell off racks, statues toppled. Non-hovering giants and marines alike adjusted their stances to avoid from falling. Razzik turned the noise canceling back on but it didn’t seem to help. He shut his eyes and screamed in defiance as the trembling rattled his entire body.

When the screaming stopped a rumbling replaced it. It reminded him of a hanger deck when all the ships started their engines. At this point nearly all of the giants were now moving away from Razzik towards the light, their own muffled noises returning as they moved towards the unknown.

Razzik looked back to the grenade still in his hands when he realized he had the perfect window for escape. The flickering lights from in the museum suddenly grew in brilliance. In fact, the museum lit up brighter then when all the glow globes were on. Razzik finally located a hidden ring at the base of one of the spikes on the grenade. With a satisfying click it turned and he was able to press down the activation button. He deactivated his armors noise cancellation system so he could hear the sound of the vortex grenade when he realized an oppressive silence had over taken the room.

Slowly Razzik raised his head. The museum was still glowing but there wasn’t any growling. There wasn’t even rumbling. He stared ahead waiting for some clue as to what had happened to the giants. He scanned his armors sensor settings. Nothing had changed except the amount of light in the area and the temperature.

“Forty degrees?” Razzik thought to himself.

Several deep thuds tore him away from his rising temperature gauge. A distant crash echoed from the hall. The rumbling began again and Razzik witnessed a jet of white hot liquid shoot horizontally across the barred doors opening. Instinctively he shielded his face with his arm. When he lowered it he saw the thick ichors from the jet melting through statues, bodies, and the floor with ease. Razzik’s temperature gauge had spiked again. It was now nearly seventy degrees warmer then when they had entered the room.

The thudding grew nearer and a shadow fell over the door way. Razzik was shocked with awe as a jaw bone and the bottom half of an eye filled the door way. The iris was wider then he was tall and it was looking right at him.

Captain Razzik had battled countless bizarre creatures and not once shown any fear in the line of duty but something about that eye held him in place. He wanted to move. He wanted to throw the grenade right at the reptilian eye but he couldn’t. As he watched the eye move silently away he realized that his death was imminent. The front of the creatures long snout pressed up to the door way. Razzik saw the volatile liquid cascading down the creature’s throat. He saw it erupting into flames between man sized teeth before departing its mouth.

An explosion of light blinded him as heat washed over him, sensors shattered, and several armored systems overloaded. When Razzik opened his eyes Nefas was on top of him and they were across the room in a heap at the base of a shelf. A path of melting shelves and relics was only a few feet away. The bars were gone and the mouth was moving away so the eye could look in once again.

Nefas sprang up off of him and without a word, sprinted along the outside wall towards the back of the room. Razzik saw the vortex grenade in Nefas’s hand as he ran. Razzik began to get back up when the eye peered in once again. It scanned the room before falling on Razzik once again. The rumbling restarted but this time Razzik didn’t hesitate to flee.

With surprising speed Nefas reached the rear of the room. He threw the vortex grenade into the hole that contained the decapitated body of the insane marine. Nefas then dove away as did the other nearby marines.

The thin shaft that had recently held the body of a marine suddenly ceased to exist. A perfect twelve foot wide sphere of material had, without fanfare, vanished. No noise, no light, no awe inspiring explosion, the grenade simply displaced material to the immaterium.

“CAPTAIN!” Shar-Takazz shouted from the other side of the hole.

Razzik dove forward into a shelf as a jet of lava like phlegm melted his previous position. He rolled over to see that the wall hadn’t even been able to stop the liquid. It destroyed the metal and stone alike. All around him a wide assortment of gear laid strewn about some of which had magnetized to his armor.

“DOWN THE HOLE, NOW!” Nefas commanded as he jumped feet first into the black pit in the floor. Marines scrambled to follow. Shar-Takazz waited by the hole for Razzik to get up as another jet of liquid shot into the room, this time on the other side of the hole. Not needing further motivation he shuffled on all fours towards the hole. He nodded to Shar-Takazz who then jumped into the void. A few seconds later he was doing the same, except head first.

* * * * * * * * *

A squat beam of light flew over head and the crash of a giant brought a smile to Inigo’s face. He could hear a surge in their angry growling and incomprehensible shouting. Up ahead he saw Thukoo and several other marines pausing by a bend in the hall to provide some covering fire. Thukoo began to move as Jaska and Vaz passed the position.

Inigo chuckled to himself as Thukoo, who was carrying the massive lascannon, began to run faster then him. The marines were now moving in two bunches. The combat leader was up ahead with four others. Inigo was trailing the other bunch with Jaska, Vaz, Thukoo, and another two.

The growling behind the marines began to build once again. The tsunami of sound continued to crescendo and soon marines began to look around as a two toned roar over came all other sounds. Inigo risked a glance as they ran down a wide hall. The giants behind him were slowing and looking around. Their movements were twitchy as if the scream was overloading their thoughts.

Jaska ran closer to Inigo. He gave Inigo a side glance that gave away his question before he had spoken.

“No, it’s not the giants. Keep running!” Inigo shouted. He didn’t even know if Jaska or the others could hear him but his word and actions seemed to focus the marines nearby. They once again moved ahead as fast as they could even as the crescendo continued and the ground began to shake.

Inigo had no doubt what was making that sound but decided to keep his information private for the time being. It would only lead to more questions.

Finally, without warning or fanfare, the roaring stopped. The sudden lack of ground shaking noise left a dull ringing in his ears.

In the next few minutes they had passed the area that Jaska, Nefas, and he had joined up. It seemed like days ago when they opened that door and entered the lounge area. Inigo wondered how much further they had to go before reaching the wall the angels were heading too.

They rounded another bend into a pitch black expansive area full of chairs and tables that looked diabolical in nature, especially through Inigo’s night vision. He approached Vaz to ask how much further, when torrents of clear liquid began to shoot out from hidden nozzles in the walls and ceiling ahead of them. The front group of marines took the majority of the gel like fluid and they instantly slowed down. Two marines fell over as the thick gunk hardened to a heavy paste, then to a ferrocrete like material in mere seconds. Inigo and his group came out unscathed, at least until the harpoons hidden in the lofty dark ceiling began to drop down.

The forearm sized barbed projectiles fired down in tight knit groups. Thin cords connected the projectiles from their firing mechanisms hidden in the ceiling. The barbs plunged into tables and chairs, armor, and gel. Electrical currents coursed down the long cords and soon sparks erupted as the hardening gel spread the current around to all who stood on it. Those in the front group of marines not breaking free of the gel were now thrashing as the barbs sent their incapacitating currents streaming into their armored forms.

After the burst of energy the barbs began to lift up their hooked victims back towards the ceiling. Inigo and his marines ran in to aid them. Jaska fired his plasma pistol into mechanisms in the ceiling while other marines went about cutting the strong cords with their knives and blades. Inigo used his hammer to shatter the now solid gel that held some of the marines in place.

The marines were sluggish and dazed but quickly recovering as their super human anatomies abolished the after effects. Clearly the voltage of the barbs wasn’t set to handle the modified astartes.

“Maul, you look terrible,” Vaz said to a marine that had an extra layer of armor because of the hardened gray matter encompassing his body. A dozen barbs were stuck in the gel across his shoulders and back.

“Remind me to beat you when this is over,” the marine sarcastically responded as he attempted to dislodge more of the hardened material from his armor. It broke away in large chunks of gray rubble.

“Let’s move” the combat leader said as he picked up the box and unstuck his foot from the floor. The box was surprisingly untouched by the gunk.

“Balathu, movement up ahead,” Thukoo said as the party turned towards their exit.

Inigo didn’t see anything at first but soon pairs of red eyes could be seen in the distant darkness. He slowly moved forward as the gunk covered marines struggled to get to their weapons. As the eyes got closer Inigo began to analyze what they could be. The pairs of eyes were lower to the ground then the giants, many of them weren’t even as tall as a space marine. There numbers were steadily growing as the long hall way ahead of them filled with running humanoids. He drew his hammer as a smile crossed his face, the anticipation of the incoming waves of enemies bringing on a fresh wave of excitement.

The combat leader held the box in one hand and a chainsword in his other. He stepped up behind Inigo, “Son of Hades, would you clear us a path?”

“Absolutely,” Inigo grinned.

Without waiting for further word he jogged forward. The people running at him were similarly masked but not as modified as the giants. They were scantily clad and wielding cruel blades and hooks. As they entered optimal range, bolter and pistol fire streamed around Inigo. Inigo surged forward as the dead collapsed in front of him.

He stomped over several of them and let his hammer crush the life out of the next. Inigo rolled forward like a boulder down a mountain, it didn’t matter what part of him hit mindless aberrations, they were knocked aside with crushed limbs and shattered bodies. Each of his side swipes would hit multiple enemies before he reversed his flow and swung back around. Despite the damage he was causing, the drooling men and women continued their onslaught, jumping and stabbing with reckless abandon. They scratched and clawed, stabbed and jabbed, as they died. Inigo took dozens of glancing hits in the first minute before a systematic burst of fire began to match his swinging rhythm of attack.

Inigo smiled as he realized the Ice Angels had been studying him to better determine how to accompany his method of combat. Well placed gun fire always covered his exposed flank at the extremes of his swings or when he altered from side to overhead attacks.

The battle waged on for minutes as they fought through the torrent of bodies. Inigo didn’t waiver or slow as he forged ahead like the prow of a ship cutting through waves. The hall turned into a foyer with multiple exit halls and paths. Glow globes were still lit above him in the lofty ceiling. The sterile light surprised Inigo, up until the gun fire started.

The marines had broken into the room, fanning out like a wedge. Thukoo and a marine with a plasma gun held back taking aim where their superior weaponry was needed. Inigo hadn’t seen the gun positions until it was too late. Crystal shards, razor thin discs, and all manner of coated projectiles flooded the room at random from hidden alcoves in the walls and above the halls.

The scantily clad horde was only a diversion. They had walked into another trap. Inigo witnessed waves of the weapon wielding humanoids fall over from the sporadic fire. He brought up his hammer to protect his face as a stream of crystal shards passed over him. The projectiles broke apart upon impact, only one pierced the joint by his elbow. A moment of searing pain made him grit his teeth before the pain was removed from his thoughts.

For a moment Inigo had no immediate targets. He scanned the room and saw the number of gun nests surrounding the room. Each was a separate alcove with a person physically attached to their weapon. Guns and flesh had melded into a bizarre amalgamation of pain and pleasure. Some were bent back in ecstasy as if firing their weapons was some sort of release. Others were screaming their hatred through long barrels that spat all manner of projectile. Inigo couldn’t understand their words but he could feel their intent. He once again cursed whoever did this to these creatures that were once human.

Another shower of razor discs hit the floor next to Inigo. He dove to the side to avoid the torrent of spinning metal. He heard the continuous thumping of metal on floor before a change in tone made him look back. The Ice Angel plasma gunner had taken several to his leg and back as he fired at the alcove behind them. The marine fell face first to the floor.

“Inigo, Jaska, Venthu, Vaz, clear out that hall,” Balathu, the combat leader said as he pointed towards their exit. Fire continued to rain down on them as more crazed people ran at them. Thukoo and the others systematically took out the gun alcoves while assisting the fallen plasma gunner. A handful of guns had already been silenced but dozens still fired, their streams of death hitting marines and enemies alike.

Jaska ran forward with Vaz at his side, Venthu was right behind, his green glowing powersword crackling with pent up energy. Inigo moved to follow as more twisted humanoids ran into the room from side halls.

The four marines fanned out and met the masked people with the Emperor’s fury in their hearts. They slashed and hammered, shot and pummeled the crazed minions that assaulted them from three sides.

Corpses quickly piled up around them and the floor was thick with bodily fluids. Inigo swept his hammer out in a wide arc to keep some minions at bay. Vaz was to his left reloading his bolter. Once he was done the marines pushed forward once again. The path exiting this room was another twenty feet away.

With an overhead smash Inigo crushed the skull of an incoming woman with two curved sickles. She collapsed next to Inigo but before her body hit the ground a skinless feline barreled into Inigo.

He crashed to the floor and slid into a pile of body parts. The feline bit down on his forearm as it tried to pin him to the floor. In such close quarters his hammer was worthless so he punched and kicked and tried to roll out from under the cat. In response, the feline lashed out with an extra pair of arms that ended in long sword like talons. One hit the floor but the other pierced Inigos backpack right past his head.

The red eyed cat let go of his forearm and bit at his face but a razor disc from an unknown gun ricocheted off the floor near him and into the side of the cats face. The feline tumbled away from the hit. Inigo didn’t hesitate to get up and finish the cat off.

“Where in Hades did that come fro…..” Inigo shouted before another cat barreled into him and knocked him back over.

This time Inigo continued the roll and ended up on top of the cat that lashed out with four paws and two talons. Inigo concentrated his effort in destroying the cat’s throat. When he finally hit his mark his fist past through the skinless front of its throat and he crushed the spine of the cat into the floor.

Getting up again Inigo saw Vaz shooting in short bursts into incoming creatures while Jaska held his flank. When his gaze passed over Venthu, he knew it was too late. A pair of quadruped avians had surrounded him and when he darted forth with his sword, a quick snap of a beak separate his hand from his arm. He cried in pain as he fired off his bolt pistol, but without the blade the birds easily moved in for the kill.

Inigo could only shout in frustration as the two birds removed his other arm and then began to eviscerate his chest plate. He ran over to him as Vaz and Jaska moved to assist. Inigo and Jaska dealt swift revenge to the birds while Vaz knelt down and held Venthu’s head with one hand. The marine tried to spit out a few final words but could only twitch as his body hemorrhaged blood and organs onto the floor. Vaz gently laid his head back down as the fallen marine went limp.

Jaska jumped back to block another incoming cat as Vaz stepped over to retrieve the fallen power sword. As he did another stream of crystal projectiles frantically passed over the area. Two hit Jaska in the back pack while another pierced Vaz’s shin guard where he had previously been damaged.

The sharp whine of venting plasma cut the air nearby. Inigo turned to see Balathu and Thukoo, but Thukoo was wielding a plasma gun. The cords from his lascannon were shredded and dragging on the floor behind him. One more marine, the one Vaz had called Maul hobbled right behind him with an unconscious marine was over his shoulder.

“We need to get out of here!” Inigo shouted as he turned once again towards the exit. Waves of enemies still ran out of the various hall ways towards them and he prepared to repel more skinless cats, scantily clad crazies, and gawking razor beaked birds.

The marines were in a loose configuration around the wounded when the ground began to shake. The twisted creatures continued to advance but the shaking slowed them down.

“By the throne!” Balathu shouted as he tried to stabilize himself while shooting at the enemies that moved in to surround them. A group of crazed humans with whirling flails stumbled at him from one side while a pack of cats assailed Inigo and Jaska from the other side. A larger then normal avian rushed in from behind with a trio of smaller birds. Vaz and Thukoo combined their fire at them to keep them at bay.

Inigo crushed the skull of the first cat but took deep slashes across his right leg and arm from another. Jaska’s chainsword cut off the arm of the first cat in a shower of sizzling blood but the cat batted aside the follow through. Jaska put two rounds in the cats head before another cat leapt into the air at him.

The ground continued to shake as Thukoo was knocked aside by a flail and stomped on by bird, he stabbed at the birds flank before firing a super heated blast of plasma into its throat. The plasma gun was smoking, its barrel and coolant systems on the verge of over heating.

Inigo slew the last cat in the immediate area and stepped over to help Balathu who single handedly fought back a gaggle of the drugged people. Inigo took several blows from curved blades and spiked flails as he intervened but each swing of his hammer shattered the bodies of the enemy.

The ground a dozen feet away from them began to change in hue. Steam began to hiss out of unseen cracks and stress fractures that grew by the second. Light broke through the ground and shot up into the room. Without thinking Inigo turned and grabbed Balathu as he did. “GET BACK!” he screamed as loud as he could.

An instant later molten lava spew into the air. Chucks of the floor melted in the air as a creature of epic proportions penetrated the room. Inigo and the other marines were washed away by the surge of rubble and debris. Heat poured over them as if the door containing a ships plasma generator had been flung open.

A two toned booming scream issued from the monsters two heads. Super heated liquid shot out of its mouths and covered scrambling enemies and the gun alcoves. Inigo and the other marines got up and witnessed the monster partially emerge itself from the floor. It easily reached up to the ceiling, its massive body dominating the room. Horns and bony ridges adorned its expansive hide. Its dark carapace was back lit by an internal furnace. It seemed as if its skin was so hot it was made of lava and some how contained by the bony plates that covered its body.

Thukoo jumped up and raised his plasma gun to fire. Inigo pushed it away so he couldn’t take the shot. “Wait,” he spoke. At the sight of the magnificent beast, calm over took him. His blood lust was sated and he could only stare open mouthed as the Linnorm melted half of the room with one head while consuming birds, cats, and people alike, with the other.

Not knowing what he was doing Inigo stepped forward. Jaska reached out to stop him, “No my friend, its okay.” Inigo said as he glanced back at the red armored marine.

“How do you know that?” Jaska retorted.

Inigo thought on that a moment before responding, “I don’t.” He chuckled at his honest reply, then turned and slowly stepped towards the giant reptilian behemoth.

The eating head tossed back the corpse of the large bird and swallowed it whole. When it was done it quickly swung back and stared at Inigo. The other head spat out one last blast of lava like phlegm before it too swung around and stared at Inigo.

Inigo could feel the unease of the marines at his back. He didn’t know why he was approaching the Linnorm, yet he kept taking steps towards it. One of the heads was sniffing at him, smoke billowing out of its nostrils. The other head shook in the air as it stepped up and down with its front claws. The ground shook at the movement. When the two heads reconvened they were side by side. It was like staring down two landraiders with all their guns pointed at him.

Cautiously he took another step. The heat was intense. His armor was running at maximum capacity attempting to keep him cool. Sweat poured off his brow and he wanted to remove his helmet. One of the massive heads stretched a little closer, its forked tongue whipped out of its closed mouth. In the blink of an eye the tongue passed on both sides of Inigo. He stopped and stared, unsure of what else to do.

“What are you doing Inigo?” Balathu quietly spoke, concern dripped in between his words. Inigo hadn’t realized how far he had walked. The combat leader was fifteen paces behind him.

Without answering Balathu, Inigo raised his hand out just like he had before. The two heads of the Linnorm continued to stare. With one rumbling step the monster got closer and the giant maw of the nearest head turned so that the massive reptilian eye could look at the marines and Inigo, without its snout in the way.

The eye itself was taller then Inigo. In that eye Inigo saw his reflection. His armor was heavily damaged. Shards and discs were embedded in his gray plate and blood splatter covered his entire body. Behind him he could see the handful of remaining marines, each sporting their own wounds. When he saw the box still tightly held in Balathu’s hand, he tightened his jaw and stood tall. He attached his hammer to his back and with both hands removed his helmet. Sweat poured off his face into his matted beard as the intense heat pummeled his skin. When he looked back up he stared at the Linnorm. He knew what he had to do.

“I don’t know why I know this, but I know you can understand me.” He began, his deep booming voice echoing in the suddenly quite room. “You’re going to help me.” He demanded.

The two heads recoiled and shook the room as they bellowed. Fire spat into the air. The simple motion seemed to ignite something deep within Inigo. He felt a surge of energy within him like nothing he had ever felt.

Inigo drew his hammer back out and with two hands slammed in onto the floor. Sparks shout out as mason cracked and splintered. “I FREED YOU BEAST! YOU OWE ME!” Inigo screamed, his voice overtaking the searing noise caused by the two spitting heads.

With unnatural speed the two heads flung back to face Inigo. Lava dripped out of one of the maws and sizzled on the floor. The other head laid itself on the floor and slid closer to Inigo, the sound was like rubble tumbling down a hill. The eye looked right into him as the head rested. Inigo felt like his soul was being laid bare before the beast, but instead of waiting for the Linnorm to finish its examination Inigo stepped forward and touched the beast like he had when it was at rest. This time, Inigo thought about what he wanted to happen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The fall was short. In Razzik’s mind he expected to be tumbling into another large cavern. Instead it was quite the opposite. After crawling and diving into the hole in the floor he fell into a small tunnel. Blinking lights along the tunnel illuminated the quiet space.

Razzik lifted his head to take a quick scan of the filthy tunnel he was laying in. One hand went to his shield as a precaution. Squad Rimsin was all around him picking themselves up or examining the gear they had recently relinquished from the room above them, only Zaduga and Nefas stood sentinel watching down the thin tunnel they were in. Shu-Takii was sitting with a volkite cannon lying across his lap. Shar-Takazz stood over Razzik with a hand out.

He took the hand and as he got up he noticed the complex set of wires, tubes, and boxes that were magnetized to his armor. He ignored them and studied the area around him. The smooth walls were dotted with machinery and equipment. It reminded him of the small places between rooms on starships, the hidden areas between decks. Razzik could easily reach out with both hands to touch both walls simultaneously. The smell of stale air and dust twirled in the air. Clearly no one had been in here in a long time.

A slight tremble rattled some of the machinery. Every marine in the tunnel drew weapons and pointed them up. The hole above him was still glowing from the melting equipment and walls. None of them breathed or moved, until the glowing seemed to subside and the trembling seemed to dissipate.

“What the jek was that thing,” Zaduga whispered. When Razzik looked back at him he met his stare. Zaduga was one of the many Angels that hailed from the tribes of the Shatt-el-Hai, a gigantic asteroid belt in the same system as Shattermantle. The old term was one of the few things that they held onto after becoming marines. After a second past Zaguda added “Sir” to his lingering question.

Razzik chuckled at the old expletive and ignored the formal “sir”. Despite his rank he still felt more like a sergeant then the captains he’d fought under for decades. Captains like Tarvu, Shar-Vashu, and Ruusa, for a fleeting moment Razzik wondered if he’d ever be revered like they were.

“I don’t know Zaduga, but I plan to get out of here before we find out more about it.” Razzik said as he regarded his HUD map to determine where they were. According to what he was seeing they should be standing in a room the size of a hanger deck, not a filthy tunnel. “That’s bizarre,” he spoke to no one in particular.

Assuming there was some sort of error, Razzik found the nearest space between rooms that could contain a tunnel such as this. He created a simple path towards the nearest stairs upwards which should take them near the museum. From there it was back tracking to the curtain walls. As Razzik examined the path he realized just how much further they would have to go in order to get back. “Time to move out Rimsin, we have a long way to go in order to get out of here.” Razzik took a step towards where Nefas was standing.

“Captain,” Shu-takii began from his sitting position. The volkite cannon was opened in front of him, “may I have one more minute before we leave. I believe I can get this operational if I….”

“No,” Razzik interrupted. “Time is dwindling and we need to get back to the….” His voice trailed off. He stopped moving and witnessed some of the wiring that was magnetized to his chest plate was twitching, like a leech looking for a patch of skin.

“Captain, that wiring harness is moving across your back pack.” Shar-Takazz said from behind him. Razzik could hear the slight scraping of metal on ceramite.

Slowly Razzik raised his white powerfist. There were several ornate tubes connected to the wires and they were rearranging themselves. Intrigued by what he was seeing he stood still. His first reaction was to shake his hand and try to remove them but as the tubes connected to one another a symbol started to form on the tubes. A black skull within a pointed circle, pale green lights studded the skulls eyes. The plates that created the symbol on the tubes began to reorganize themselves and the symbol began to morph. The sight peaked his curiosity.

A high pitched whine suddenly pierced the thin tunnel. Everyone turned to regards Shu-Takii. He still sat on the floor with the volkite cannon in his lap but the dark weapon was now vibrating with new life. A volatile glow illuminated Shu-Takii as the coils along its back seemed to suck in the light from around him.

“Philosir will be excited to see these, “Shu-Takii said as he closed up the panel on the guns side. He drew out a cord from a rear panel and plugged it into his chest. Lights blinked momentarily and he reached down to flick one switch on the side of the cannon. Silently the ancient weapon floated up and hung in the air at elbow level. Shu-Takii stood up next to the gun. He turned and picked up the other identical cannon that had been lying next to him.

“Less then sixty seconds and I’ll have the other one operational Captain.” The Techmarine in training stated.

Impressed by Shu-Takii’s skill and speed he nodded an approval to the marine.

“Zaduga, scout down the tunnel and see where it leads. Nillahfin, head the other direction and do the same. Report back in sixty seconds.” Razzik commanded. Instantly confirmation blips crossed his HUD as they silently moved in opposite directions. Shar-Takazz and Barru stood on opposite sides of Shu-Takii. Razzik gave a glance to Nefas who was by himself standing between two machines the jutted out of the wall. He was motionless as if deep in thought.

A click on Razzik’s fist made him look back down. Five barrel like tubes were now side by side along the outer side of his powerfist. The skull symbol was gone and now a blue winged ice shard adorned the tubes. The Ice Angel chapter symbol was a perfect replica of the one on his chest.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“……. location… repeat……. is your…..”

Broken sentences pierced the vox. Razzik tried to respond but he had no way to tell if anything was being received.

“……traps……” was the last he heard before the vox cut out. The crossed head set symbol blinked by Balathu’s icon along with all the other icons for squad Plafwu, Kujara, and Inigo.

“We shouldn’t be out of range. What is happening?” Razzik asked to the marines around him. No one answered. Shu-Takii was rapidly resetting and activating the second cannon. Razzik watched his docile fingers delicately replace several parts and in less than sixty seconds the second gun was floating in front of the Ice Angel. Two cords connected the guns to the user.

The second whined as it charged up. Shu-Takii tinkered with some settings while Zaduga and Nillahfin reported back.

“Tunnel continues on Captain, no exits.” Zaduga replied first.

“The tunnel continues on this way as well Captain,” Nillahfin began, “but I’m hearing activity up ahead.”

“Elaborate Nillahfin, what do you hear?” Razzik requested. He was already heading that direction. Shar-Takazz and the others moved to follow.

“Sounds like ships and” Nillahfin paused mid sentence, “and screaming?”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The marines hustled down the tunnel. They passed bizarre bone colored machines, rings of pastel light, and panels of exquisite detail. Occasionally shafts of light would pierce the fabric of the walls and ceiling. As the marines ran on, the thin corridor became round, then triangular, then to a wide oval shape. Through out their traveling Razzik studied his HUD map trying to determine where they were located, but the further they went the less accurate he felt the maps were.

Eventually they rounded a bend and saw Brother Nillahfin. The area of the tunnel he was in was shorter then he was tall so he was kneeling with his helm up to a panel covered in dull gems and rows of concave glass inserts.

“I don’t hear anyth…” Razzik began when Nillahfin raised his hand to silence the captain.

For a moment the marines stood in silence. Razzik closely regarded the tactical marine as he waited. His bolter was mag-locked to his lower back with the standard issue combat blade at his hip. On his other hip was a trio of very small pistols, to small for astartes hands, but incredibly ornate. One looked similar to a needle pistol; the other two were unknown designs. Across Nillahfin’s chest was a bandolier with various knives and daggers, each one looking more ceremonial then functional. Razzik began to kneel down when he caught a glimpse of a hilt on the opposite side of Nillahfin’s backpack. He stopped when the whine of engines crept in from the distance.

He hesitated as the engine sounds grew and separated. They sounded close and there had to be several dozen of them. Razzik narrowed his eyes as he ruled out the engines being Imperial. They were high pitched whines of xenos make, not the rumble of an Imperial vessel.

The engine noises suddenly died down and several voices began to yell back and forth. Razzik didn’t know what dialect they were speaking but it was fast and it oozed through the air like a poisonous cloud.

“Eldar,” he sneered.

“Dark Eldar,” Nefas corrected. His voice was a hissing whisper in the claustrophobic tunnel.

Razzik turned to look at Nefas but the shoulders of his men blocked the view of the Sinner marine. “Do you speak it?” He quietly said over the vox.

“Some. They speak of intruders in the,” he paused, searching for the right term, “masters hall.” Nefas said the word with disgust; clearly what they said meant more then just a master.

The engine sounds whistled with renewed power. They sped away as quickly as they arrived. For a minute the marines knelt, quietly listening for more.

“Nillahfin does the panel move?” Razzik finally asked. Nillahfin responded by reaching out and trying to shift the panel. He pulled, pushed, and tried to slide it in every direction he could think of. The panel didn’t budge or give. Nillahfin grunted with effort as he tried to push it open with both hands, his feet were braced against the other side of the tunnel behind him.

“Captain, may I try?” Nefas hissed through the tunnel.

Nillahfin stopped trying the panel and gave a side glance to Razzik. With a simple nod Nillahfin shuffled further into the tunnel while staying in his kneeling position. The other marines parted to let Nefas through. He knelt before the panel and closely examined it. For a minute he didn’t touch anything, he simply studied every detail of the dull gems and the glass inserts. A cool breeze wafted through the tunnel as Razzik watched Nefas.

The Sinner marine cocked his head, as if reading something side ways. He reached out with both hands and carefully splayed them across several gems and a glass insert. He didn’t touch any of them until his hands were arrayed just right. With steady hands he pushed forwards into the gems, his thumb was the last to touch and he applied minimal pressure to a glass insert with it.

Gems pulsed with an inner light for only the briefest of moments before the panel split into a handful of jagged pieces. The pieces were still attached at the edge of the panel to the wall and they opened like a flower at dawn, hinging outwards and spreading out to reveal another tunnel, a much larger tunnel.

Where an ornate panel once was, an opening into another passage way now loomed. Nefas looked back to Razzik before he stuck his head out. After a quick look around he came back in, “Looks clear, I don’t see anyone but there is another tunnel nearby that is well lit.”

Razzik didn’t want to go through that panel. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t like this entire situation and the fact that Nefas knew how to open up that panel didn’t help. It led to more questions he was saving for a future conversation with the Sinner marine. Tactically he knew he should explore around this opening to try and find a way back his other marines but he still didn’t like it.

With reluctance Razzik gave the order, “Fine, Nefas then Nillahfin, standard breach protocol.”

Nefas pulled himself through the portal with Nillahfin right behind him. Razzik saw hesitance in Nillahfins movements and that was very uncharacteristic of any Ice Angel. Standard breaching tactics were drilled into every Ice Angel. The training was ingrained into the chapter’s soul. A tactical Ice Angel mastered the techniques before branching out to any other specialty.

Yet as Razzik moved to follow he couldn’t help but have a mental flinch as he saw Nillahfin pull himself through the portal and stand on the wall surrounding the portal. Peaking his head out, Razzik saw Nefas was already moving towards the next tunnel along the wall while Nillahfin waited for Razzik to fully emerge.

As more then half of Razzik’s body exited the smaller tunnel and entered the larger, gravity seemed to alter itself. It was a subtle difference but when Razzik stood up and looked down, the floor contained the portal.

An opening in a wall opened through the floor in another area. Razzik’s head swam with the impossibilities of it all when Nefas vox clicked twice. He had spotted something. Razzik quickly looked around before moving. The tunnel was wider then a land raider and full of curves. There wasn’t any dirt or rocks or markings of any kind. In both directions the tunnel twisted giving him very short visibility, possibly 100 yards from one curve to the next. He felt incredibly exposed.

Now that Razzik was out Nillahfin moved to follow Nefas. Shar-Takazz emerged next. One by one they cleared the portal and followed Nefas. Shu-Takii and his floating cannons came through last.

Silently they approached the open chute in the floor that Nefas was kneeling by. He signaled three hostiles. Razzik peered over the lip to confirm. Twenty yards away along the walls of the chute stood three spindly dark eldar. One was twirling a hooked sword in the air while another watched. The third paced back and forth. Gravity was clearly working in mysterious ways in these tunnels.

Razzik slowly lowered himself and looked back at his marines to issue orders through hand gestures. He began to point when movement caught the corner of his attention. The portal they had come through was gracefully closing back up. He could do nothing but sigh as the petals of the portal sealed themselves back up and disappeared into the wall. After he blinked there was no sign that there had ever been an entry point through the floor behind him.

With a mental sigh Razzik issued his orders with quick efficiency. Already Shu-Takii’s cannons were silently floating towards the edge of the chute.

Across the vox Razzik began to explain to Nefas his role in capturing one of the eldar, but before he could finish. The discharge of ancient cannons ripped through the silent corridor. The sound was a mix of a plasma hiss and a scream of terror.

Nillahfin, Zaduga, crested the lip with Shar-Takazz as Razzik looked over to Shu-Takii. Two bolt shots rang out at the same time, before a clear signal was issued. There were no survivors.

The entire exchange took less then four seconds.

“hmmm, “ Shu-Takii said with surprise, “ the system these Volkites use to handle mental commands needs some fine tuning. That or they have very aggressive machine spirits, or both.” He turned to Razzik as the guns lowered closer to the ground like whimpering pets. “I apologize Captain.”

Razzik didn’t respond, merely walked over the edge of the tunnel into the chute to look at the sizzling remains. Two eldar had been reduced to smoking armored legs while the third had taken two bolt rounds to the midriff. Three spiked boards lay inert not far away from the corpses. Razzik had seen Eldar ride the bizarre contraptions into battle before. The absurdity of them made him shake his head.

“Zaduga and Nillahfin, scout ahead and find out what’s creating this light.” Razzik commanded as he got even closer to the corpses. The scantily clad dark eldar wore turquoise bits of armor on their shoulders and tattoos on everything else. With one last head shake he began to jog away, the others followed suit. Nefas stayed a moment longer to dirty his armored fingers in the Eldar’s blood.

After ten minutes the voice of Zaduga calmly spoke through the vox. “Captain, you won’t believe this.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The rubble strewn cave was silent. When Squad Rah-Apsu first arrived and orders were given they quickly made a chest high wall of stone while vigilantly monitoring the black curtain at the other end of the cavern. The racks of cages hung vacant across from them and the only movement was the occasional visit from a member from Squad Plafwu.

Sergeant Shu-Baranathi had been trying to piece together what was happening on the other side from these visits and relaying the information to Chaplain Cyaxeres. It didn’t make any sense to him so he repeated the information verbatim and kept his mouth shut as Cyaxeres retaliated with questions he couldn’t answer.

“I do not know Chaplain, “he repeated countless times before Cyaxeres would close the channel.

In between the visits, the silence of the cave would set back in, like an oppressive blanket trying to smother the flames of his soul. Shu-Baranathi would speak to his men and pace back and forth but he always ended up back in the center of the line, feeling the same annoying silence.

Finally Brother Harcos from Squad Plafwu broke the black plane and alerted them to an alarm triggered on the other side. Enemies were dropping from the ceiling and springing from walls. Shu-Baranathi responded with an affirmation that he understood and forwarded the message. Finally he would have something to take out his annoyance on, yet after Brother Harcos disappeared back into the blackness nothing came through the wall. Harcos returned several more times to relay vital information about the retreat and the order to call in the Frozen Rage. After each visit Harcos would turn and vanish back through the curtain.

This entire situation reminded Shu-Baranathi of a combat simulation, except this simulation was all build up. He knew there was a serious battle on the crater toped mountain above him. He knew there was a serious battle going on only sixty yards ahead of him on the other side of the curtain, yet here he stood, in the annoying silence. His mind began to wander as he waited. He could sense the agitation in his men, even from Old Telqla who was fidgeting with his heavy bolter.

Without warning or cause, Shu-Baranathi’s gaze was drawn up to the glowing crystal high up the curtain wall. “Did something change?” he thought to himself. “Was it pulsing with purple light before, or was it blue?”

As if the crystal was answering his questions the racks shuddered and moaned, like a chill had passed over them. Shu-Baranathi leaned forward over the impromptu stone wall; his backpack mounted signum pivoted back and forth looking for targets.

The marines to his right and left seemed to tighten up. The agitation was instantly replaced by the battlefield calm they were trained to reach instantaneously. The racks shuddered once again and began to retreat back into the curtain. They rumbled and scraped rock as they slowly retreated.

“Oh, this can’t be good,” Telqla spoke.
“Bel'Dingethe and Tock'Menuri, move up to the wall to assist Plafwu’s fall back.” Shu-Baranathi quietly commanded.

The two marines stepped around the rock wall and jogged down the slight decline towards the retreating racks. They stood next to one another at the end of the center rack and slowly followed it.

A screaming humanoid passed through the wall between the left most isles. A heavy bolter round exploded in its chest before it had taken its second step into the cavern.

“First blood,” Vadàsz said to Old Telqla who responded with a grunt. The younger marine was about remind Old Telqla of his current kill tally when two Ice Angels broke the curtain.

Brother Harcos was supporting a wounded Angel. Bel'Dingethe and Tock'Menuri were at their sides protecting them within seconds.

“We’ve been overrun.” Harcos stated as he began to climb the hill with his wounded brethren.

Shu-Baranathi was about to ask several questions when the wall rippled at one end with more of the crazed humans. Gunfire erupted along the line as the remaining marines from Squad Plafwu exited the wall. Sergeant Maranu was last to come through the wall and he did so on his back with two tortured souls on top of him.

He crashed onto the ground while gutting one of the humans with his chainsword. The other was knocked aside and taken out by a bolt shot. The racks were now half way back through the curtain.

“Where’s the Captain and the others?” Shu-Baranathi asked Sergeant Maranu as the waves of enemies continued to push through the wall.

Maranu parried several jagged blades while he responded. “The Captain was separated with Squad Rimsin. Combat leader Balathu has the information we need but we lost contact with his squad only seconds ago.”

As the heavy bolter fire quelled the scantily clad humans Squad Plafwu made a defensive ring as they fell back towards the hill and the rock wall.

“How did this rabble force you to fall back?” Old Telqla gruffly added in between bursts of heavy bolter rounds.

“These aren’t the problem,” Sergeant Maranu retorted as he skillfully carved the head off another victim.

Through the wall came another wave of enemies, this time floating giants joined them. Shu-Baranathi didn’t need to issue orders or mention what needed to die first. The six men in his unit all targeted the nearest giants and opened fire. Squad Plafwu continued to fall back up the hill firing on the faster running humans. By the time the first giant had fallen, the drugged humans had already reached the retreating marines.

Shu-Baranathi tossed one of his frag grenades before reloading his bolt pistol. The quiet cave was now full of screaming people and weapons chatter. He analyzed the scene of carnage before him as a small part of his brain wished the annoying silence would once again return.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The crashing of stone on metal, the brief screams from the dying as they were melted from molten phlegm, the constant intense heat that oozed up from the linnorms body in air rippling waves, Inigo’s senses were assailed by a riot of noise and visual confusion. He lay on his side behind a bony ridge that crested the front of the linnorms back, like a castles notched battlements. To his right Jaska and the other marines did the same.

After the marines climbed the thunderhawk sized creature, it bellowed and took off down a small side hall. The marines braced for impact as it crashed in the smaller pathway but the creature pressed through the hall, melting the walls and pushing everything out of its path.

As the monster created its own path the marines spoke to one another over the vox. Inigo didn’t pay any attention to their words. His focus was lost to the rhythmic undulation of the linnorms long body. From his vantage point Inigo could watch the simple yet incredibly powerful motions of the six legged creature. The bony plates protecting its armored back fit together like a loose puzzle and as some would spread apart others would tighten together. The super heated flesh under the thick plates glowed dimly through the cracks.

The crashing sounds the linnorm created slowly faded away. The screams of the crazed people, rabid avians, and other monstrosities sounded like a world away. Inigo felt his sweat beading up all over his body as his power armors cooling system failed to maintain its combat temperature. Inigo chuckled to himself as the familiarity of these sensations clashed with the absurdity of it all.

One of the floating images the linnorm had forced upon him lingered at the edge of his consciousness. He couldn’t grasp the image or fully recall what it was, yet something taunted him like an unseen sniper.

Inigo’s vision suddenly darkened like a long blink without him closing his eyes. The linnorm took several more steps and screamed out both heads before abruptly stopping. Inigo slid up against the battlements.

“Hold your fire!” Balathu commanded across the vox.

The marines to Inigo’s right stood one by one. Inigo was the last to move. He grasped the bony ridge and pulled himself up. The two heads of the linnorm were flanking an Ice Angel position. From his elevated position he could easily see the 11 marines that held up bolt weapons of various calibers from behind a raised rock wall. Three wounded angels were propped up against a back wall, only one was conscious enough to wield his bolter. The corpses of giants, floating monsters, crazed humans, and drugged avians were piled up outside the wall.

“Care to explain what this is Combat Leader?” one of the sergeants asked.

Balathu began to speak but Inigo interrupted, “Sindithaxinum is his name.”

Every marine on the back of the linnorm slowly turned to regard the Son of Hades marine. Inigo wanted to say more but he was still shocked he knew the linnorms name. Jaska was the only marine that didn’t seem to give him a questionable glare.

One by one the marines turned back towards each other or the marines down below behind the rocky wall. The two heads of the linnorm lifted up to look at the marines on its own back, at least that’s what Inigo thought. A crackling sound, similar to vox static came from behind him. Inigo turned to see the floating crystal in the black curtain pulse thrice; each pulse a different color. It was then smoothly pulled back into the black curtain. A light hiss filled the air for a brief second as the curtain collapsed around the point in which the crystal departed.

“Captain…..” Inigo heard a marine mumble as the portal ceased to exist. The light from the crystal was now replaced by the dull glow from the linnorms super heated body.

Casually, one of the linnorms heads moved closer towards the marines on the hill. Its forked tongue darted at the end marine. The marine still held his heavy bolter pointed at the linnorms gigantic maw in a motionless pose. The other head began to smell the air with his tongue as well, but it was above the marines sniffing at some of the chutes in the ceiling.

The marines on the back of the linnorm began to climb down while the linnorm tongued in every direction. The giant heads twitched. Inigo stayed atop the linnorm staring at the emptiness the curtain had left in the vast cavern. He began to chuckle to himself as a feeling of excitement oozed up from the linnorm below him. Jaska glanced once again at Inigo before stepping closer as if to speak.

“Jaska! Inigo!” Balathu shouted from below.

The shout tore the emotion out of Inigo. He looked back over the bony ridge in front of him at the marines.

“You entered the complex through another portal didn’t you?” Balathu asked as he looked up, the box containing the head was still firmly held under his arm. The other marines were gathering up the wounded and preparing to move back to the surface. “There may yet be another way that Captain Razzik and the others can escape,” Balathu continued.

The Son of Hades thought back to their descent into the mountain. It seemed so long ago but it had been only this morning. He recalled some of the twists and turns of the descent and them fighting off the flying bats and a pair of quadruped avians. As he ran through their path a moment of clarity hit him. He turned back around towards where the curtain once was. It now revealed the other half of the cavern, the half that Jaska, Nefas, and he had entered through.

“We entered through the same portal, but from the other side,” Jaska began before Inigo could speak. “That tunnel over there is where we came through,” he added while pointing to the far side of the cavern.

Slowly Jaska lowered his arm and turned back towards the Ice Angels and Inigo. “It saddens me greatly to say, but I do not foresee how Nefas and the others will ever be able to escape that place.”

Jaska’s blatant statement sucked any hope the Angels had out right out of the cavern. Inigo saw the despair hit several of them for only a fleeting moment before their focus was turned back to the task at hand. With renewed speed they picked up their wounded and began to head back up the tunnel in which they had entered.

Inigo watched them leave. None said another word. None even looked back at Jaska and Inigo as they stood atop the protective back of the linnorm.

“Well Son of Hades, shall we follow?” Jaska asked without removing his gaze from the tunnel the Angels had filed out through.

Inigo pondered the question while a tingle coursed up his back. He reached up and removed his helmet again. He mag locked it to his upper thigh and then ruffled his sweat soaked beard. The two heads of the linnorm looked to one another in silent conversation and when one of them looked back at Inigo, that feeling of excitement returned. This time an insatiable hunger accompanied the sensation. His mouth began to salivate.

“I think we will meet up with the Angels in due time,” Inigo chuckled. “I think Sindithaxinum would like to feast on some greenskins first.” In response the linnorm screamed another one of its two toned earth quaking calls. Jaska and Inigo both fell from the vibrations of the armored body they had been standing on. Before either could think about getting back up it leapt forward at one of the tunnels. Inigo took one glance at the confused marine next to him before letting out a deep belly laugh.

“This day continues to get more interesting, doesn’t it?!” he shouted as the linnorm burrowed itself out of the mountain at a steep upwards angle.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After Sindithaxinum broke the outer crust of the mountain, it paused, partially exposed to the cool mountainous air. Inigo and Jaska both pulled themselves up so they could attempt to ascertain their location. Inigo used visual keys and his memory to determine what side of the mountain they had emerged from. Jaska used his highly advanced HUD system, similar to what the Ice Angels used.

A deep calm voice spoke through the vox, “Are you able to take out the road that rings the slopes of the mountain?” Chaplain Cyaxeres asked.

Inigo laughed heartily to Jaska and himself, he then spoke directly to Jaska, “not even a welcome back or what are you riding? These Angels are a bit stiff, aren’t they?”

For a moment Inigo thought he was going to get a chuckle from Jaska but the Marines Chrysemys simply looked back at him and then out at the view. The linnorm had broken out of the mountains earthen hold about seventy yards up its side. The sun was setting and dusk was already upon them. The valley was laid out before them in the dimming light. Greenskin landers and wreckage were randomly strewn about. The hordes of infantry and vehicles were moving at various speeds towards the small access road that spiraled around the mountain off to Inigo’s right.

The linnorm was sniffing the air. Its tongues rapidly sampling the particles in the valleys cool air. One head turned towards the nearest concentration of greenskins heading towards the road. The other pointed towards a giant squiggoth that stood motionless amongst the waves of xenos. A fortress was strapped on to its back, turrets and what looked like a trebuchet dotted the bricked platform.

“Chaplain Cyaxeres, I’m not sure our companion here can be controlled, but I’ll try.” Inigo eventually responded.

“Sin?” Inigo started, unsure if the linnorm minded a nickname, “do you think you can take out that road over there to help protect our compatriots at the top of the mountain?” One of the heads casually gave him a one eyed glance as Inigo pointed to the road. Phlegm drizzled out of its mouth and struck the ground, melting through a boulder.

The other head shot a pillar of flame into the darkening sky. The six legs propelled the linnorm out its newly created tunnel. Inigo and Jaska held on to the bony ramparts as the behemoth ran down the side of the mountain. In seconds it had covered the seventy yards, crashing through scraggly trees and knocking boulders out of its way. A mild landslide followed it down the hill.

As they reached the valley floor, Inigo could still see the thousands of lights from ork vehicles and the mobs of greenskins streaming to his right. Inigo couldn’t see the base of the road any more but he knew where it was.

Both heads were now closer to the ground as the linnorm continued to move. The heads were both pointing them towards the giant squiggoth. Guns started to light up from dozens of vehicles as they fired and tested their range against the linnorms moving position. “Not going to take out the road is he?” Jaska asked when the first set of shells erupted nearby. Dirt and rocks were flung into the air.

“Nope,” Inigo responded to Cyaxeres and Jaska as the linnorm reached the first group of orks, eating pairs of them with each bite while the other head melted off the front of a battlewagon from twenty yards away.

The battle cries of the greenskins as they charged the massive two headed linnorm were soon replaced by screams of panic. Sindithaxinum hardly slowed down as he cleared a flaming path through hordes of orks and vehicles that didn’t get out of its way fast enough.

The giant squiggoth slowly turned its massive horned head towards the oncoming linnorm. It bellowed a deep tone as it began to move towards the linnorm. The gun emplacements on its back opened fire. Inigo and Jaska ducked down behind the bony ridges as several shells hit the linnorm. The rocky plating that covered its back cracked and buckled. The linnorm gave a grunt after the impact but didn’t slow down.

As the distance closed the linnorm increased in speed. Within thirty feet the squiggoth lowered its head to swing up its heavily spiked horns. The linnorm didn’t give it a chance. One head spat forth its lava phlegm while the other bit at the squiggoths neck with surprising quickness. At close range the guns on the squiggoths back were all but useless except for the forward mounted short range cannon. Inigo saw the barrel being lowered. He could almost hear the orks shouting to adjust the gun faster. A split second before the gun fired the linnorm belched another round of lava directly at the cannon, the resulting explosion blew off the front of the platform.

With its face melting and its neck shredded on one side, the squiggoth gave a gurgled gasp before beginning a slow collapse onto its side. Orks jumped off the platform many of which were then crushed by the falling creature or the tumbling fortress.

The linnorm began feasting before the body had settled. With brutal efficiency the linnorm consumed the body of the giant squiggoth. Inigo was disgusted and impressed by the sight but he didn’t have time to ponder the rhino sized bites before screaming engines erupted around him.

Jaska fired his plasma pistol into the air as ork boys on crude jump packs landed in droves on the back of the linnorm. Inigo removed his hammer and smiled as the familiar weapon hummed with life. In seconds the two marines were in hand to hand combat with a mob of greenskins. They came at them with short barreled guns that made more noise then damage, sharpened blades of all designs, and even the occasional powered tool.

“Explosives!” Jaska shouted as he shoved a dying greenskin off his gore covered chainsword.

Inigo crushed the skull of another greenskin before getting the opportunity to see the orks clamping a pair of demolition charges onto the linnorms back. There were too many orks between the astartes and the charges and neither Jaska nor Inigo had any grenades or anything useful to stop them.

Three more orks charged at him. With his back against the bony ridge he could do nothing but bat aside there attacks and counter with his humming thunder hammer. Images of the charges tearing through the linnorm’s backside filled Inigo’s head.

He shouted the linnorms name, “SINDITHAXINUM!”

The dim light of the valley was then brightened as twin jets of burning death spat a cross pattern across the linnorms back. The two heads were flanking Jaska and Inigo and they were shooting their molten flames at chest height. As quickly as they arrived the orks were knocked off.

Jaska ran forward at the flames. Inigo stood in shock but the linnorm adjusted to miss the red armored marine. A lone ork was laying down on the linnorms back, grasping onto one of the plates and attempting to set off the charge. With a low swipe Jaska carved the orks skull in half as he slid into range.

Casually he walked back towards Inigo while he wiped off his chainsword. “It seems Sindithaxinum is not immune to its own breath.” Jaska stated. The twin heads turned back towards their meal.

A loud crunch echoed from behind them as the linnorm tore a leg off the squiggoth. Inigo ignored the sound as he pondered Jaska’s words.

Jaska put his chainsword away and checked his plasma pistol as he looked out at the dimming valley. Orks were now in a panic as they ran in various directions. The largest were attempting to regain control but for a moment the linnorm was free to consume.

With a side glance Jaska sighed, “If the linnorm was immune to its own breath it would have spat its death all down its own back to cleanse it of the orks. Instead it shot at a level that would allow it to hit them but not its own hide.”

Jaska then squared up to Inigo and grasped the bony ridge with his right hand, “More importantly, it is listening to you. Your warning may have saved its life.”

Inigo grunted in agreement to all of Jaska’s statements before turning to regard the twin heads at their meal. What remained of the squiggoth was a bloody stain on the ground, some iron covered horns, and a melted face.

The heads once again sniffed the air. Inigo braced for the sudden movement he now knew would follow.

“How long until the Frozen Rage arrives?” Inigo asked.

Jaska held his hand to his helm as the linnorm took off towards a smaller group of giant squigs and their handlers. Ork guns were beginning to fire again as some control was regained in a corner of the valley.

“Around twenty seven hours,” he responded before grabbing onto the ridge with both hands. Riding the linnorm was proving to be much more treacherous in the open valley.

Inigo responded with his standard chuckle, “Perfect! Plenty of time to eat some more greenskins, eh?”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

All through the night and the following day Sindithaxinum rampaged and feasted. Inigo grew more accustomed to the movement patterns of the linnorm and by the following dusk he was able to predict the linnorms movements by watching the twin heads bob and weave. Meanwhile, Jaska concentrated on the battle atop the mountain. Throughout the day he relayed the information to Inigo.

The Ice Angels had secured an ork land train that had a void shield generator. They were using it to protect the ground forces. The Ice Angel air force had strategically with drawn in mass. Their return would coincide with the arrival of the Frozen Rage.

As the sun began to touch the mountains in the horizon the linnorm took a long pause. It found an area that was getting hit directly with the suns rays and sprawled out. Both of its heads faced directly into the sunlight.

Inigo and Jaska looked around for orks or any sign of a threat before they too took a moment to relax. They had been on this planet for more then thirty six hours now and hadn’t rested or eaten.

Jaska instinctively cleaned his plasma pistol while consuming a nutrient enriched wafer, his red helmet was mag locked to his thigh. Inigo slowly walked around Sindithaxinum. He examined the linnorms armored form and saw all of the damage it had taken throughout the night. Cracked armored plating, several deep gashes, and wounds that oozed a bright orange fluid, adorned its body.

Despite all of the wounds the linnorm received, it hadn’t slowed down or given any signs of pain. As Inigo passed under one of the necks he saw another deep gash, but this one had a piece of metal stuck into it. Inigo reached out to grasp a metal spike that was painted red. It looked like it was from the front of a tank.

Using both hands Inigo pulled the arm sized metal piece out from between two pieces of carapace. One of the heads gave a slight hiss but showed no other sign of discomfort.

“Inigo, “Jaska began, “Cyaxeres requests we join up with them on the mountain. I’ve sent for a pick up.” Inigo didn’t respond but continued his tour of the linnorms massive form.

Jaska watched the Son of Hades marine for a few minutes before going back to his diligent weapon cleaning. His chainsword needed some new teeth and the handle was bent. After seven minutes of adjusting he revved up the chainsword once again. It was better but far from perfect.

In the sunlight he could see a bizarre triple winged plane. The Emperor’s Coinpurse was heading his direction. Jaska paused as he watched the plane approach. As it neared it effortlessly spun around and opened its rear hatch only a foot off the ground. Jaska stood on the back of the linnorm and put away his weapons.

“Shall we?” he asked as he took twenty steps and leapt off the back of the linnorm.

“I think I’ll let you go alone this time Jaska.” Inigo said. The words seemed distant and Inigo’s voice seemed confused.

Jaska halted his approach to the waiting ship. He didn’t turn back to regard the marine, “are you positive?” He asked over his shoulder, hoping for a different response.

Inigo chuckled, “positive? No, but Sindithaxinum is. We have work to do here on Glossinai.”

After several breaths Jaska took the final steps towards the yellow and pink quartered vessel. As he stepped into the vessel it lifted off once again. Jaska turned to look at Inigo one final time. The Son of Hades marine was standing by the linnorms flank, staring off into the distance.

“Honored Brother Inigo, it has been a pleasure,” Jaska said as the door closed.

Inigo didn’t respond he merely nodded his head. Deep down inside he knew he had made the right decision yet a part of him still wanted to leave with Jaska.

His thoughts wandered around the visions he had seen and the decision he had made when dusk ended and night fall settled in. Inigo could hear the roar of thunderhawks and the weapons fire from orks chasing after them.

A flash of light from up above made him look up. Sindithaxinum did the same. A previously unseen ork space vessel erupted and split in two. The pieces slowly tumbled into the atmosphere and plummeted into the distance. Inigo stared into the night sky trying to spot the Frozen Rage, or gleam any sort of insight to the battle in space but a dark cloud was hanging over the mountain top before him. Flashes of lightning danced throughout the billowing mass.

“That’s no normal cloud,” Inigo murmured to himself.

As the sections of the cloud gave away, a black vessel could be seen entering the atmosphere at a slow descent. The atmospheric disruption gave it a misty veil and an eerie glow, but as it ceased its decent it held its position above the crater toped mountain.

In the moon lit darkness Inigo could see the magnificent Ice Angel vessel. It was wider then the mountain top and had a smooth long prow. The entire top half of the vessel was adorned with gun towers, landing platforms, observation decks, and other countless buildings. The sides of the ship were smooth and only broken by shallow turbines each the size of a landing bay and parallel to the ground. The underside of the vessel was a jungle of weapons platforms all streaming fire down around the mountain top.

The floating city held still amongst the clouds as the Ice Angels retreated from the mountain top into its many holding bays. In between flashes of light Inigo could make out giant cords lifting up damaged vessels, land raiders, and other heavy equipment the Angels had brought to the planet. For fifteen minutes he stared at the city amongst the clouds.

Another flash from space heralded another falling ork vessel. This one was much slower in its descent but Inigo could only smile as gravity won its tug of war versus the space faring ship. The graceful destruction was peaceful from this distance. The explosions were silent and the plumes of fire were various shades of blues and oranges. For many minutes the ship cascaded into the atmosphere, a tumbling jumble of ever growing debris.

As the ship broke into countless pieces Inigo looked back to the floating city. The cords were being recalled into the vessel and the gun fire was intensifying. The scene was eerily familiar.

After many more minutes Inigo finally took his eyes off the action in the air. The linnorm had ceased watching some time ago and was now observing Inigo.

“Sin, I don’t know what I’m doing here, but something tells me you do. There is nothing in regards to giant ancient lizards in the Codex Astartes so I hope the Emperor sanctions the use of linnorms.” Inigo said. He laughed at his own comment but was slightly disappointed when the linnorm slowly turned away to regards the floating city without any sign of amusement.

Inigo chuckled to himself once more before sitting back behind the two heads. He looked down at his damaged armor and his faithful thunder hammer. He had no remaining grenades and only a single clip in his hardly used bolt pistol.

Without any other words the linnorm slowly picked itself up and turned around. From Inigo’s sitting position he witnessed the last glimpses of the flying city as it left the atmosphere. With methodical steps the six legged linnorm continued its slow pace around the mountain. Inigo thought on the Ice Angels he had fought with as he stared up into space. He remembered each of the marines that had fallen, but most of all he thought of the fleeting images his mind couldn’t hold onto. For the briefest of moments he thought he could hear the cries of the weak and the prayers of the faithful. The sounds of shackles echoed in his mind.

With those lingering thoughts in his mind, Sindithaxinum sped up its pace and burrowed into the ground.

Chapter 11 – Deals and Transports

The captain’s quarters were cluttered with piles of books, star charts, xeno’s trinkets, and dirty laundry. An unmade bed was built into the corner of the room. A lone blue light illuminated its empty sheets. Several dusty weapons hung in a wall mount not far from a giant wooden desk. The dark wood of the desk had a deep sheen with purple hues. A dozen drawers of various sizes perched on each side of a simple wooden chair.

On that chair sat a man.

In one hand was a mechanical device no larger then his palm. Its screen was dominated by the current time in a greenish light. In his other hand he held a pic screen. The frame was well worn and chipped but the glass was meticulously clean. On the screen a five second image played, over and over. A beautiful woman was flanked by two giggling children. A swaddled infant was in her left arm. At the three second mark she leaned over to kiss a handsome man with tiered red facial hair and a sly grin.

At the five second mark the man smiled and gave her a side glance.

The image then reset and the giggling children began again.

The man in the chair stared at the picture. His thoughts were jumbled and confused. His emotions were lost and distant. The morning was always the hardest.

The device that glowed with the time switched to read five o’clock. For a split millisecond it rang, but the man in the chair was prepared and had his thumb on the button to halt its morning audio attack. He took several deep breaths to focus his attention to his morning rituals.

He sighed as other devices in the room activated and began their morning preset tasks. Lights in the room began to slowly brighten. He set down the timing device and gingerly placed the pic screen back on his desk. With both hands he then grasped one more frame. This one contained a still picture, old style, as his crew called it.

A shapely woman in a gray flight suit stood smiling. Her red hair was tight in a bun atop her head and the slightest crack at a smile dotted the corners of her mouth. A single medal adorned her simple flight suit, a red circle with a blue diagonal line.

The man smiled at the picture and then rubbed his thumbs across the raised writing on the frame, “Captain, My Captain” it said.

Gently he placed the picture down next to the pic screen and several others. He leaned back in his chair as a cup of Trinian Kik hovered across the room towards the desk. The smell of warm fortified grits wafted through the air as a wall panel slid open to reveal his piping hot breakfast.

He sipped his Kik as he retrieved the grits. The large wooden desk lit up with internal lights as his morning report arrived. A red circle with a blue diagonal line dominated the first screen as it waited to be activated.

“Captain Fybblywhyp Quip – passcode – IhatetheImperium1.” He annunciated.

A confirmation blip flashed on the screen before a plethora of charts, space maps, inventory checklists, and crew vitals popped up all over the top of the wooden desk. From the captains seat they seemed to float above the table. He glanced across them as he shoveled the bland grits into his mouth. After he finished he gave several hand gestures too slide aside the nonessential information. What were left were the star maps and a list of messages from his crew.

“Right on schedule,” he said to himself as he examined the map.

With a smile he stood from the desk, the screens sank back into the top of the dark wood. He didn’t stay to watch the system go into hibernation; instead he walked across his quarters to pull out some clothes.

He grabbed a pair of gray slacks, a black belt, and a well worn shirt. After he donned his apparel he opened up a taller wall locker. He grabbed several items to stow in his pockets. As he grabbed a time piece on a chain he paused. Hanging in the locker was his dress suit, a royal blue dress coat with matching pants. He reached out and felt the end of a sleeve, memories flashed across his mind.

He turned his head to look into a small mirror attached to the back side of the locker door. For a moment he saw the man he once was, spiked red hair, exotic facial hair, sharp chin, and sly grin. As he chuckled at the mental images of how he once was, he blinked and he saw an old man staring back at him. The red in his hair was fading and his sharp grin was now hidden under a bushy beard that reached the top of his chest.

“Oh Fybblywhyp,” he said as he looked back to his captains dress suit, “it’s our last mission before retirement. I think we need should finish this like we started.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Radio silence was something Razzik often appreciated but as he traversed the downward slope of the tunnel he wished there was some other noise to distract him. Ahead of him the tunnel flattened out and a soft glow illuminated the jagged rocks. Razzik couldn’t see the marines that were hidden ahead of him but the combination of their response and the radio silence had set him on edge.

Nefas and the others felt it to. No commands were necessary when this level of dread dominated everyone’s attention. They weren’t afraid, that emotion was robbed from them along time ago, but the sense of danger was hovering thick in these sharp rocks.

Silently they carefully descended the tunnel. Stones protruded from the floors, ceiling, and walls like jagged teeth. Cover was plentiful but as the tunnel ended and the next cavern began he wished he had more.

Zaduga and Nillahfin were well hidden between boulders and rocky outcroppings. Both were on the shadowy side of their respective rocks and kneeling as low as their super human frames would allow. To their left the cavern opened up into unimaginable proportions. The bottom was too deep to see and the distant cavern wall was lost in darkness. Glowing towers that hung from the ceiling could be seen in the gloomy distance. The spires reminded Razzik of the hive worlds he’d seen and fought on countless times.

To their right the smaller cavern opened into a spiky rock garden that ended at a glossy black wall several hundred yards away. The wall was glowing with turquoise runes and dotted with massive circular bladed doors. A handful of them were opened, revealing well lit hangers. The ceiling before the wall was covered with millions of barbed chains. The chains swayed in the casual breeze of the tunnel.

Razzik thought he could make out people in those chains but he didn’t have a chance to further examine them. Zaduga clicked his vox as he spotted an intruder. Everyone melted into cover.

Sixty eight seconds later a ship flew past. With surprising speed and agility it flew towards the wall and into the largest of the walls opened doors. The deep maroon of the ships hull seemed to bleed into the air as it flew. Its six wings each ended in graceful hooks that looked capable of tearing through other vessels. Front hull mounted thrusters kicked in as it disappeared in the wall.

Zaduga crept over from his hiding spot and quietly spoke, “I believe that wall is the outside of the complex we were just in. I’m picking up the faint signal from a skull.”

Razzik switched his attention to his HUD map. He saw it too. The dark unmapped area that showed his current position was now aligned with the distant sensor edge of a servo skull. He blinked clicked the map around to gain some better perspective. One of the lower open doors contained the lone servo skull.

“How is that possible?” He whispered to himself. He zoomed out of the map and let it do some physics recalibrating. The vast complex was now being bent in unnatural ways in order to compensate for the side tunnel he and his marines had taken.

The hand of Nefas reached out and rested on his shoulder, “Captain, this will become much easier if you stop trying to make sense of it all. Not all laws of physics apply in this place,” he hissed.

Razzik looked over at the hand as he thought on Nefas’ words, “This can’t be the warp. We’d all be dead. What other place is capable of ignoring the laws of nature?”

“The webway,” Nefas responded.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“MOVE” Razzik shouted as another volley of crystals, discs, and black globs of destruction were sent their direction. Shu-Takii’s volkite cannons laid some suppression fire as the seven marines broke from cover while the fire lessoned.

Razzik didn’t know how or who had spotted them but before they had even reached the wall, gun fire from above had highlighted their position. Within minutes all manner of Dark Eldar were descending upon them. Razzik had to force out the questions lingering around Nefas’ response as he focused on surviving this situation.

They had entered through a low level hanger door with Nefas and Razzik in the front. A trio of lithe warriors in turquoise ornate armor met them. The front woman twirled mid air and was about to slash with her sickle like blade when Razzik barreled into her. Nefas sent two shots into the chest of a male that held a long barreled rifle that smoked with a purple haze. The third lashed out at Razzik with a long whip as the Captain punched his powerfist through the females face into the floor. The whip coiled over Razzik’s back pack before the tip dipped down and scored the side of the Captain’s helmet. Nefas adjusted his sight as Nillahfin lunged past him with a long shafted power axe. The dark eldar leaned away from the slow attack. There was a loud shunk as the power axe bit deep into the floor. The lithe xenos laughed but before he could send the whip forward again Nillahfin struck with a left hook. The dark eldar collapsed to the floor from the solid hit.

WHOOSH

The sound of Barru’s missile launcher filled the hanger as Nillahfin pried his axe from the floor and then decapitated the injured dark eldar.

“We need to keep moving,” Razzik said as he quickly got up, his powerfist crackled as the gore and blood sizzled off the oversized gauntlet.

Zaduga ran past with Shar-Takazz by his side. Nefas and Nillahfin were next. Captain Razzik waited for Barru to finish reloading before they too ran away from the hanger door towards a side hall.

“We’re almost there Captain. Where shall we go once we’re there?” Shu-Takii asked.

Razzik pondered the question as he ran. He glanced at his HUD map at the lone servitor skull in this sector that they were approaching. The shouts and whoops from behind them were closing much faster then he would have preferred. Racing against any kind of eldar was always a bad idea.

“Riders incoming, “Barru stated as he turned around and tucked himself up against the wall. His missile launcher fired a frag missile as the first rider flew around the corner. Barru missed but the missile detonated against the door frame and shattered into the next two riders.

The first rider stood on his hover board and sped up as he first made eye contact with the marines. His skill was truly amazing. He managed to jink past the next bolter shots and zoom forward perpendicular to the ground. The rider headed straight towards Captain Razzik. Razzik raised his storm shield and prepared for the imminent impact but the rider less hover board flew over him down the hall. When he lowered his shield he saw Barru wielding his newly acquired hooked glaive. The hook was embedded in the dark eldar’s chest and the xenos was violently shaking as electricity fried every nerve in his body.

The next group of riders was met by the increasingly dangerous fire from Shu-Takii’s cannons. When a rider, board, or wall was hit by the volkite shots, fire would burst forth and shower the surrounding area. Flaming riders screamed as they spun out of control and slammed into the walls of the wide hallway.

The screams continued as Razzik continued his run. They ran up an incline in a loose formation. At the top of the smooth incline they stood in a wide circular tiered room. It looked like a staging area that led to several other hangers. Statues of helmed eldar dominated the dimly lit room. Floating, hidden amongst the equipment that lined the ceiling, was the lone servitor.

Razzik wanted to study his map to try and decipher their quickest escape but Dark Eldar were every where and more were coming. He briefly thought of what he had seen as they reentered the complex. Clouds of raiders and even larger vessels were headed towards the glossy compound wall.

Shaking the memory from his mind he concentrated on the task at hand. The tiered room had over a dozen different entrances, each was larger then a land raider. Two entrances were large enough for warhound titans to march through. Razzik headed towards the nearest statue for some cover as he examined his HUD. Only half of the tunnels had been explored before the alarms had begun and the floating servitors had gone into hiding.

Nillahfin, Zaduga, and Shar-Takazz opened fire at enemies at the bottom of the incline they had entered from.

“Captain, the foot soldiers are arriving in mass. We need to move.” Shar-Takazz said in between his plasma pistol fire.

“Yes thank you Sergeant,” Razzik said through gritted teeth mildly annoyed at the obvious statement. “Hold them off for just a moment. I need to find the nearest portal.”

Barru sent a frag missile at an upper tier entrance as a gaggle of masked screaming humans came pouring forth.

Shu-Takii walked towards a separate side entrance as sounds of more Dark Eldar echoed. He held up his combi-bolter as his volkite cannons hovered above his shoulders. As one the three guns opened fire.

Frantically Razzik studied his HUD map. He panned over and out. He looked for any sign of a similar room or similar design, anything that would give him a hint as to where they needed to go. He thought about just randomly picking a side hall that hadn’t been explored but this complex was simply to vast, too much was at stake.

A cold chill passed through Razzik while weapons fire spattered off the statue he was hiding behind. A flash of light from an explosion made Razzik blink several times before a moment of clarity washed over him. He saw a side door several floors up flanked by the same glass panels. He marked it on his HUD and sent the servitor to scout as the weapons fire around him increased.

Razzik lifted his shield and ran towards the next statue to look up at the exit. A dozen warriors were taking position to the left of the exit.

“BARRU!” Zaduga yelled. Razzik turned to see the heavy weapons marine get showered with crystal shards. He fell to the floor as several punctured his power armor.

“Shu-Takii clear us a path towards that exit,” Razzik commanded as he moved towards the fallen Ice Angel. Barru reached out for his dropped missile launcher as Razzik arrived. Another volley of shards approached but Razzik protected them with his storm shield. Flashes of light burst forth as his force field engaged.

When Razzik looked up he saw Shu-Takii quickly moving to adjust his heavy weapons. Razzik pulled Barru into cover, he was injured but he’d live. The weapons fire from around the room suddenly ceased.

“Captain, they’re retreating.” Shar-Takazz stated.

“Do we have any targets?” Razzik commanded as he scanned the massive room and its many entrances.

Five negatives blinked across his HUD. Razzik responded by setting a new way point.

Shar-Takazz, Zaduga, Nillahfin, and Shu-Takii ran full speed towards the nearest stairs to begin their ascent to the level that would lead them away. Razzik magnetized his shield to his back and picked up Barru before running after them. The marines took steps three at a time, leapt over bodies, and rubble from a statue. In less than sixty seconds they were up three floors and heading towards the appropriate exit.

That was when the roar started. From nearly every tunnel the sounds of screaming, excited xenos echoed. Razzik risked a glance down below as swarms of dark eldar on hoverboards first entered the massive room. Hordes of foot soldiers came next. Razzik then saw the tunnels on the second floor spew forth warriors and scantily clad women that danced as much as ran.

Ahead of him Nefas arrived at their tunnel first. He dove across the entrance of the exit and sprayed full auto down the tunnel. He slid the rest of the way across the entrance on his side. The return fire was sporadic.

Shar-Takazz and Zaduga didn’t slow as they rounded the corner firing snap shots. Shu-Takii and Nillahfin followed right behind. A few seconds later under a hail of fire from nearly every direction Razzik entered the same tunnel.

The dimly lit path was full of bodies. The tactical unit was still pushing forward cutting down the xenos with precision fire. Twenty feet away, Nefas knelt in the center of the hall way with a closed chest before him.

“Nefas, get up. There isn’t any time for this,” Razzik shouted as he ran. Nefas didn’t respond as he whispered some unknown words.

With a quiet prayer Nefas opened the chest as Razzik approached. “Captain, I will hold them off. I will then be right behind you. Do NOT look back.”

Razzik didn’t dwell on Nefas’ words. Instead he shook his head and ran on as fast as he could. Carrying Barru his heavy foot falls crushed the fallen dark eldar beneath his armored feet. At the end of the tunnel he nearly slid in a slick puddle of ichor.

“By the Emperor,” Barru said, his words trailing off as the lights dimmed around him. Razzik noticed that Barru was looking behind him down the hall towards Nefas.

Before Razzik rounded the bend he paused long enough to look back. The Sinner marine stood in the hall with his hands held outwards. All around him scores of bolters hovered in the air as even more hovered out of the open chest on their own accord. As the hall fell into darkness Razzik noticed a faint red glow that connected each of the bolters to the open chest on the floor before Nefas.

Screaming Dark Eldar on hover boards swarmed the entrance like a cloud of flies descending on a corpse. As the first xenos entered the tunnel, the bolters in the pitch black hall opened fire.

No amount of jinking could save the Dark Eldar against the wall of bolter fire. Razzik stood in amazement as the hall way lit up from the hundreds of bolters that now hovered and fired at the incoming xenos. The sound of so many firing weapons engaged his sound dampening system. In near silence he watched bodies, hover boards, and alien devices get torn apart by massed fire.

“I told you not to look back,” Nefas hissed across the vox.

Razzik whipped his head to the side to see Nefas standing a foot away from him in the darkness. His eye lenses were glowing with an inner red light.

The cacophony of bolter fire continued down the hall as the two marines stared at one another. Barru looked back and forth between the two.

“What just happened Nefas?” Razzik began.

“What does it look like?” Nefas retorted as his eyes continued their glowing. He then stormed off after the tactical marines.

“Looks like you’re still full of surprises,” Razzik said to himself. He watched Nefas move down the hall between the corpses. He then looked back at the floating bolters. He exchanged a glance with Barru. The injured marine shrugged his shoulders. Without wasting any more time they followed the other marines. Up ahead, Shar-Takazz and the others were still fighting.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Three more halls, then they were at the area Razzik hoped would lead to their escape of this nightmare realm. Razzik couldn’t hear any more bolter fire from behind him. He wasn’t sure if he was to far away now, or if the floating guns had ceased firing. What he did know was that nothing had come up from behind them. He thanked the Emperor for that as he ran up a steady incline.

By the time they passed the first side hall the path had slowly become less and less building and more and more rock. The dull glow globes were becoming fewer and the space between them greater. An occasional door was built into the wide stone pathway, but all were closed and silent.

When they reached the second hall no source of light could be seen ahead of them or behind them. A distant echo of the pursuing Eldar occasional bounced off the walls, catching up to the retreating marines.

While running Razzik took the time to further examine his map. This side hall actually looped back around to another section of the main complex, but their destination was near the loops furthest point. An unfinished area on the map met the apex of the loop and Razzik began to wonder what killed the two servo skulls that met their demise at the cavern just past the hall he hoped would be their exit.

Razzik thought on the wide list of enemies he’d seen in this complex when Nillahfin, who was running point, skidded to a halt. Their destination was in sight. Using the dark vision his armor granted him he could easily see banks of glass panels that were stacked on top of one another, several of which were open and vacant. Opaque octagons lined the ceiling above them. Wires dangled in the corners of the rocky ceiling. In between it all was a double door, nearly identical to the one they had exited through earlier in the day.

Nillahfin reached down and picked up half of a servo skull. It had been cleaning sliced. The other half was ten feet away in pieces. Many of the mechanical bits had fallen off after being sliced.

Cautiously, but quickly Shar-Takazz and Zaduga moved forward. Shu-Takii moved to Nillahfin to take the servo skull. After a quick scan he dropped it to the floor. “Not enough to salvage or even get an idea what killed it Captain.”

Razzik nodded as he pressed forward, Barru was still in his hands. They took a defense formation around the double door as Razzik set the wounded Barru down. The marine had lost feeling in his legs but he still gripped the missile launcher and was very alert. Razzik hoped he’d be able to get him out of here before the combat stims and pain killers wore off and the coma set in.

Zaduga checked the door. It didn’t budge. Shu-Takii stepped up to try. Small tools and camera’s emerged from his armor. Razzik watched him work as he concentrated on the silence.

Nefas stood nearby staring down the hall ahead of them. The darkness seemed to get even thicker past the furthest glass panel. Razzik switched through several settings trying to get a better view but it appeared that patches of the wall and ceiling had been replaced by a black nothingness.

A lone grunt from Nefas was all the warning he heard before figures leapt out of the inky darkness before them. Men, at least in form, silently moved towards them at astonishing speeds. Their skin was broken by trenches of inner light and dull flames of green and purple danced about their coal black skin.

The marines opened fire, but many of the shots hit nothing but ghosts and shadows. The few rounds that hit flesh dissipated their targets with a burst of inky blackness. Within seconds the rune skinned eldar and the black armored Ice Angels were in hand to hand combat

Razzik barely blocked the first swing with his shield as a long hooked broadsword came whistling down at him. The Dark Eldar’s white hair dangled over his face. Razzik caught only glimpses of the dark voids where his eyes should have been.

The deep purple hues of the warriors runes flashed randomly as the two fought. Razzik continuously blocked with his shield but every time he attacked with his powerfist the warrior would dodge or jump aside.

A grunt of pain came from Razzik’s right. He risked a glance. Zaduga was on the ground with frosty patches on his black armor. The Ice Angels leg had been cleanly severed just above the knee.

As the shadowy Dark Eldar leapt into the air to finish the kill, a red ball of death collided with him. The vile xenos disappeared into shadow but not before flames erupted from the collision.

In that brief shower of fire, Razzik saw how vastly they were outnumbered. The broadsword wielding Eldar began to speak as if he saw Razzik’s thoughts. His voice was only a whisper in the air, but despite the discharge of weapons and the clanging of weapon, he could hear the words clearly.

As his smooth words corrupted the air, Razzik was grateful he couldn’t understand him. A phlegm filled cackle gurgled out of the Eldar’s mouth as he leapt back away from Razzik. Instead of launching a counter attack he stood waiving his sword around, attempting to taunt the eleventh captain of the Ice Angels.

A long burst of bolter fire dissipated a group of approaching Eldar from Razzik’s left. Nefas ejected a round drum that clanged off the floor. Razzik heard him reload but didn’t get a chance to see it before three dark skinned warriors materialized out of the darkness between them.

Nefas took a deep gash across his upper thigh as he fell away from their attackers. Razzik gritted his teeth as a vibrant green blade bit through his shoulder pad into his upper arm. The wound was minor but the pain was intense.

Razzik swung out with his powerfist and followed with a shield bash. One of the creatures fell back with a shattered face but disappeared before it hit the ground. The hook bladed warrior lunged at Razzik once again. They collided and tumbled to the floor. They fought to get a hold of one another on the floor for a brief moment before the warrior launched himself off of Razzik. He tucked and flipped in the air. At the top of the maneuver he straightened out and pointed his sword down at Razzik. As he fell back towards the Ice Angel Captain, Razzik punched forward with his powerfist.

The series of tubes that now adorned his powerfist erupted with bolt fire. Many of the rounds past through the dark figures body as if it weren’t there at all, but the other exploded upon impact, shredding the Eldar’s body back into nothingness.

Without warning the hall way erupted with bright blinding light. The marines kept firing with closed eyes as their vision adjusted. All of the dark skinned warriors were gone. There were no bodies, not even weapons. Razzik blinked several times before turning to the source. Barru was still leaning up against the wall on the floor. He had sustained yet another wound and his missile launcher had been cleanly sliced in half. Next to him on the floor was an object glowing so powerfully he couldn’t look directly at it.

“Neat….” Barru began as he slumped to the side unconscious.

Nillahfin was quickly by the downed marine’s side and his new contraption. The marine had sunk into a coma from the fresh wounds and the dissipating drugs.

Click click, chink. The hall way echoed. Shu-Takii stood back from the double doors, his tools returning to their positions. “We’re open,” he stated.

Nefas stepped past Shu-Takii and threw open the doors. The Sinner marine limped into the room with his gun at his side. Razzik sighed as he saw a similar crystal floating in the room.

“Everybody in. Shu-Takii get that crystal operational. Shar-Takazz, lets bar this door,” Razzik commanded. Everyone hustled to their tasks as they sent affirmative blips through Razzik’s HUD. Zaduga and Barru were carried into the room. Lastly Razzik came back into the hall to grasp the glowing device. As he turned it in his hands he saw what looked like a modern flash grenade but it had a built in pedestal with a series of dials lining the base. With a twist the device shut off, allowing the utter darkness to return. Instantly the coal back Dark Eldar reappeared and ran forward. Razzik spun the dial back and they disappeared as fast as the light cleansed the hall. For a moment he looked down both halls. A distant whine of hover boards and the patter of running feet could be heard echoing off the long halls.

Cautiously Razzik stepped into the room. The double doors closed behind him.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The first few minutes in the dusty, unused room, were spent looking for anything and everything that can be used to barricade the doors. Zaduga and Barru were placed by Shu-Takii who was so intently focused on a group of control panels that even his cannons were now resting on the floor like a pair of resting pets. While he focused on trying to activate the crystal high up near the ceiling, Shar-Takazz, Nillahfin, and Nefas ran around moving crates and putting as much between them and the door as possible. Razzik started to move an object when something in the deepest darkness of the room seemed to shift and solidify. Without a second thought Razzik reactivated the light Barru had used only moments ago.

The lock was broken from Shu-Takii’s entrance but the doors were heavy and barbed. Multiple heavy metallic crates were pushed up against the door when the first xenos attempted to get inside.

Nefas reached for his weapon but for the moment the doors didn’t budge. As the Dark Eldar shouted and the number of attempts increased, the marines gathered whatever else they could. Several gun shots punched the door but they held.

Tension in the room was mounting as the number of objects they could move and set against the door dwindled. In under three minutes, crates, cages, desks, and chairs were pushed up against the door. One metal table was on its side to protect Shu-Takii while he worked. The marines were then spread out around the room, preparing themselves.

Outside the door, the shouting was replaced by a quiet conversation that only the super human ears of an astartes would be able to notice. It was too quiet to understand but Razzik could only guess as to what they were planning.

Captain Razzik scanned the room closely as he whispered an old Blood Angel hymn to battle the Ice Angels taught their neophytes. Sergeant Shar-Takazz, who was closest to the door, paced back and forth. He was moving silently, flexing his lightning claw and twirling his combat knife. He had a cloak folded up under his back pack and a large satchel full of rectangular shapes, most likely books. At one point Shar-Takazz stopped mid step, his knife effortlessly slid back into its sheath and his hand reached for his holstered plasma pistol. For a moment Razzik expected an explosion or something to happen to the door, but before it did, the Ice Angel sergeant resumed his pacing.

Over the decades with the Ice Angels, Razzik had heard of Squad Rimsin and its honorable sergeant, yet they had never fought together. Often Razzik thought many of the stories of the sergeant were blown out of proportions, as they often do when a group of astartes get together, but as he thought back to the fighting he had seen with Shar-Takazz lately, he was beginning to believe in more of the tales.

With that thought he looked over to Nillahfin. The tactical marine was kneeling near several open glass panels. They offered little protection but did block line of sight to most of the marine. The marine had his bolter up to his chest. In a split second, he could be sighting down his bolter. Another clip was in his other hand, waiting to be loaded.

As the Captain’s gaze passed Nillahfin and moved towards Zaduga and Barru, several loud thuds were heard on the door. They only had a few more seconds before the charges were set and exploding.

Razzik was aware he didn’t need to ask, but he did any ways, “How close are we Shu-Takii?”

The tech marine in training was standing behind one of the metal tables, Nefas was at his side. The two were conversing about the control panels. They seemed to be having a heated debate. Razzik studied Nefas as he watched them converse. He opened his mouth to speak when a voice from outside the doors began to speak. It was in High Gothic and spoken perfectly.

“Astartes! There is no escape from the room you’re hiding in.” The male voice continued. Razzik clenched his fist and drew his shield as the person went on. “And you can not expect to defeat me,” the voice chuckled.

Razzik looked over to Nefas and Shu-Takii. The Ice Angel was working the panels; several buttons were now lit up. Nefas met Razzik’s gaze and motioned to respond.

A smile crossed Razzik’s face as he drew breath to speak, “and why not? We’ve defeated everything else we’ve found in this vile complex of filth. What makes you so special?”

The voice beyond the door laughed heartily at Razzik’s response. “I could bore you with my title and tell you about the hundreds of marines I’ve slaughtered but something tells me, you, like all the rest of your dim witted kind, won’t be able to pay attention long enough to understand it. So I’ll cut right to the point.” He spat.

“You can not escape, you have no where to go, BUT you don’t have to die here,” the voice stated. Razzik was turning towards Nefas as the voice continued to babble about offering them a chance to fight for glory in the gladiator pits.

“Will this work?” he whispered.
“Maybe, but it will take time to charge.” Nefas stated.
“How long?” Razzik asked.
“Unknown,” Shu-Takii responded.
“Any idea where this will take us?” Razzik added.
“Negative,” Shu-Takii stated while Nefas shook his head.

When Razzik turned back towards the door he realized the voice had ceased talking.

“How much time do I have to think about it?” Razzik calmly asked.

A growl of frustration came from beyond the door, “I just told you.”

“My apologies, I wasn’t paying any attention to what you were saying,” Razzik stated. “Can you repeat all of that again?”

Curses that began in Gothic and turned into xenos were spat against the door. Razzik got a moment of satisfaction before sounds of grinding stone were heard from around the room. He didn’t have a moment to focus on the sounds when the charges around the doors went off.

The majority of the doors melted under the charges while the debris fell back into the room.

The marines didn’t hesitate to open fire.

* * * * * * * *

Captain Quip stood in front of the small mirror for several minutes staring at himself. His old captain’s coat fit perfectly just like the first time he put it on. His beard was now neatly trimmed and tidy. It took him several extra minutes to achieve the desired effect but once he was done his sly grin turned into a chuckle.

“This suit is still ridiculous Captain,” he said to himself sarcastically. After a long pause and a plethora of lost thoughts he stared at himself once again.

“It’d be a shame to not get at least one more use out of it,” he said before he enthusiastically retrieved his necessary items, tools, belt, las pistol, collapsible carbine, and customary rapier.

As he strapped on the various belts and pocketed the assortment of gadgets he reached into an inner jacket pocket. In it was a ring. He slowly removed it from his pocket and exhaled.

The ring was simple, a red metal band. It had signs of minor wear and a pair of dents on opposite sides.

“yeah,” he shook his head, “I’ve put this off long enough.”

He slid the ring onto his index finger and strode out of the room. He still had a handful of things to do before he could fully retire. “Time to get the hardest one out of the way,” he said as the door silently slid open.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Three monitors, 178 buttons, seven switches, and one microphone. Kavu knew what every single one of them did, most of the time he didn’t even look at the buttons any more. He had studied them and experimented with all of them until he was their master.

People were always telling him how he should move to a bigger ship, he could easily work for any of the outer rim corporations, but he always laughed at the notion. “Their all daft and proper,” he always said. “None of them will let me drink on the job any ways,” he’d always say with a belly laugh.

Now he reclined with his feet up on a side panel. A mug of “xenos piss” balanced on his overly large gut. In a half daze he would dream of what could have been, what should have been. Then he’d snort and remember how much he hated to work. Slowly he reached to his dark yellow drink. He stared down into its shallow depths.

“Why did you have to ruin my life?” he asked. With a single gulp he finished his drink, the all to familiar burn soothed his throat. “Why do you have to taste so good?”

The time on the center monitor flipped to five. A series of automated systems ran their diagnostics. Kavu didn’t bother to watch them as the reports came in. Nothing had changed. He could tell. He always knew if something was wrong long before the computers told him. The ship would tell him if it was in pain.

After the final diagnostics had completed three quiet chimes rang. Out of habit Kavu turned to regard the final report. Everything looked normal. They were right on schedule.

“Hey Fatty!” a voice from up above shouted.

Kavu rolled his eyes at his companion’s words, “What is it now Vard?” He looked at his empty cup wondering why it was still empty.

“Did you run the extra scan for the Captain?” he asked as he peeked down from the balcony above him.

Kavu smacked his lips lazily and continued to roll his eyes, “No, I don’t see the point of it. The rock didn’t get up and move.”

“It may not have moved, but what if its been run over by stealers, or greenskins? You don’t want us to land on an infested station without being properly prepared. I mean what if…” Vard continued.

“ALRIGHT. Shut up already. I’ll run your damn scan.” Kavu responded with a scoff.

He mumbled continuously as he pressed several buttons and flipped a single switch without looking at his station. When he was done he got up off his well worn seat and slowly meandered over to the cabinet near the entrance. The shelf at one time held weapons. Now it was full of empty bottles of various size and shape. A lone dark green glass bottle held a slosh of alcohol.

“Come to me my precious,” he said as he poured out the last of its contents into his mug.

Three chimes alerted him to his completed scan. With one hand rubbing his chin he returned to his chair. With a side glance he checked the report.

“There’s nothing on your damn sca…” he said before his brain realized other wise. “Really,” he whined, “so much for a quick final stop” he mumbled as he leaned in to reread the report.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“There is no way you can beat me again,” he said behind his bulbous helmet.

His muffled voice was met by a muffled laugh. “If you’re so confident put some money down,” the other helmed figure said. Her laugh continued when his muffled taunts suddenly ceased.

“50 clinks,” he spat.

“Wow, 50 clinks. I could probably find that in the lounge between the seats,” she said as she crossed her arms. “You’ll give me 1,000 clinks after I whoop you,” she then took her seat at the end of the thick table. Lights lit up as her armored gauntlets fell into place and all of the nodes connected. The other nine chairs blinked, waiting for any one else to take a seat and join.

The man across from her stayed standing. He looked down at the woman as she prepared for another round, “and what do I get when I soundly crush you? I know you don’t have 1,000 clinks to spare.”

“Listen crop duster, there is no way you’ll defeat me.” She said as she leaned back getting into position for her chosen suit.

“That didn’t answer my question Sybyl,” he said as he assumed the same cocky position she had just held.

“Whatever Zim, you can call whatever you want. I don’t care,” she said. She chuckled at the thought. They had played every version of this game and the newest one had proven to be even more addictive then the others. The two of them were evenly matched but she was on a hot streak. She wondered why he was being so ridiculous all of the sudden. He rarely took any bet that she often threw at him.

Slowly Zim adjusted his helmet and took a laid back position at the other end of the table. He paused with both hands above their needed connections. “Okay Sybyl, after I defeat you….” He paused mid sentence as he connected his gauntlets to the chair to start the simulation, “you have to take me on a date.”

“Wh......bu….. hmmmm,” a plethora of broken syllables escaped her lips as she tried to conjure up a witty retort, but before she could think further the game started. She felt the cool breeze on her skin as her consciousness was inputted into the game. Her mind raced on Zim’s words. They had known each since they were little kids, why had he suddenly asked her for a date.

She powered up her battlesuit and took the first few steps forward as her suits systems checked off. She tapped three buttons on her left wrist to choose her weapons.

A plasma blaster, burst cannon, and a missile pod materialized on her arms and left shoulder. All guns, she thought to herself. It was her favorite way to play.

* * * * * * * * * *
Sybyl jumped her suit from roof top to roof top, scanning the cyber cityscape after each landing. She knew he was hiding somewhere. It was his favorite tactic. He’d hide with his shield drone and twin linked missile pods and wait until he had a lock.

Using her heads up display she had picked out his most likely hiding places but each one she checked left her empty handed. He was purposefully hiding from her longer then usual. Zim knew how much she hated to wait. Patience was not a virtue she had an over abundance of.

“Damn you Zim, quit toying with me,” she whispered to herself. “Show yourself Zim!” she shouted after checking yet another empty position.

His response was a simple chuckle. She was tempted to detach from the game, walk across the room, and punch him but she would loose the bet if she did.

Instead she went back to her scanning and patrol of the city. As she walked across one of the larger buildings in the sector she caught a glimpse of movement in a cathedral several blocks away. She stared in the direction of the movement before plotting her course. She launched herself into the air and across the street. She ran across the roof and jetted over to the next building. Her burst cannon spun up to speed as she made her final jump off the building down into a courtyard. She took cover behind an ornate tomb that glistened in the cyber sun.

The office building in front of her had massive windows that she could easily fit through in her bulky suit. She spotted something moving in the shadows from inside. She readied herself to attack, when a shadow passed over the reflective surface of the tomb she was using as cover. Instinctively she dove to the side.

A loud crack rang from her previous position. Sybyl spun to see Zim in a similar suit but wielding a sword and a fusion blaster. He was already aiming his blaster when Sybyl dove again, this time behind a vehicle half the size of her suit.

“Tricky bastard,” she mumbled to herself.

As the small two wheeled vehicle vanished before the blast Sybyl darted for better cover. She returned fire with her burst cannon as she made several jumps towards better cover. Zim silently charged after her.

Sybyl ricocheted off a building to hide behind a large transport vehicle. She peaked around the front end to see Zim heading right at her. He fired his blaster and melted the front end of the vehicle.

Instead of fleeing Sybyl leapt straight up to land atop the back half of the transport. She fired her plasma and missile’s at him. The plasma blast took off his suits fusion blaster arm and the missiles erupted at his feet. He dove past the ruined transport she stood on into the nearest building.

He crashed through wall on his side.

Sybyl burst into laughter at the sight.

“I hope you have those clinks ready Zim,” she chuckled.

“I’m not dead yet Sybyl,” he retorted.

She sighed, “Fine, I’ll just….” She began as carbine fire erupted across her back.

Her missile pod went inactive from the fire as she jumped forwards and spun around midair. A gun drone was floating out of the building next to the courtyard. She smiled at the ingenuity of her friend.

She got into a position to take out the drone when Zim burst through the same wall but farther down. Sword high he pounced on her.

She contorted just in time to avoid the killing blow but lost a leg in the process. Her suit shook from the impact and when she tried to jump away her trajectory was all wrong. She hit a building three stories up before plummeting to the ground.

The gun drone began to fire again after she crashed to the street. Her heads up display erupted with a light show that spelled her imminent doom.

She growled as she tried to scamper away but her systems were failing faster then she could move. Suddenly she was crushed down into the road. Zim was standing atop her suit.

“Game over Sybyl, I hope you’re ready to pay up,” he said as he lifted his sword.

“I’m not dead yet, “she retorted.

“You’re both dead,” another voice kicked in. Zim was blasted right off of her and another blast completed destroyed her suit a moment later.

As their scores were posted they felt the release of the games life like restraints. Their heads up displays vanished and they were once again back in the gaming room aboard their ship.

Sybyl’s eyes met Zim’s before they both turned to see at the table between them a figure in a royal blue dress suit. He removed his helmet so they could both see his sly grin.

“Wow kids, great game,” Captain Quip said sarcastically.
“Shut up dad,” Sybyl said as she took off her gauntlets.
“Good idea with the drone decoy Zim,” Captain Quip said after laughing at Sybyl.
“Thank you Captain, “Zim said with a slight head bow.
Fybblywhyp stepped around the table and placed a hand on Sybyl’s shoulder, he opened his mouth to speak before looking back at Zim.

“Zim, can we have a minute,” he asked?
“Oh, ah, yes, certainly Captain,” he responded while frantically looking around for his morning brew and his tablet. “Sybyl, I’ll..” he paused, “I’ll talk to you later.” He quickly departed the room almost tripping on a chair leg in the process.

Sybyl chuckled at the clumsy departure of her long time friend, “after all these years he is still intimidated by you,” she said before returning to gaze at her father.

“I don’t know why, he has been a part of this crew longer then most and I treat everyone on this ship like family.” Fybblywhyp said with a shrug.

“It may have to do with the fact that over the years you’ve killed many of the people in your, family.” She responded with a raised eye brow.

“Unfortunately my crew has grown substantially over the years, and you know how I feel about liars and traitors,” he said with a sly grin.

They both chuckled and for a moment they fell silent. Captain Quip thought back on all of the people he had executed. He hated that part of the job, but being a successful Captain in the rim systems had always been tricky. Respect and family, those were two ideas that he strived his crew to emphasis on but despite working for a such a reputable corporation he still had to set an example from time to time.

“I don’t know how you do it dad,” Sybyl whispered. Fybblywhyp refocused on his daughter. “You’ll figure it out Sybyl. They respect you just as much as me.”

She scoffed, “I’m sure some of them do but how do you get eight hundred men, women, kroot, tau, mutant, and whatever Huvv is, to follow you like they do. They adore you!”

Captain Quip grinned, his red tiered facial hair turned up making the grin even bigger. He leaned in to get closer before looking around to see if anyone was around. Sybyl leaned in to listen when Fybblywhyp finally spoke, “I have no idea.”

She rolled her eyes again before they both broke into laughter.

As they laughed, Sybyl caught sight of the red ring on his finger. She reached for his hand to inspect it. She looked at him with a question on her face. Fybblywhyp took a deep breath to release the story he had been practicing for the past several decades when his wrist device pinged, “Captain, you need to see this immediately,” the voice of Kavu spat.

Sybyl’s eyes lit up with excitement. Fybblywhyp sighed. His speech will have to wait a little longer. Together they turned towards the door to head through the ship towards the bridge.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Good idea summoning everyone Kavu,” Captain Quip said as he glanced around the tiered bridge to all of his senior officers. On the main monitor the entrance to the Elsy’vesith loomed. Parts of the large broken moon had been sculpted into colossal alien artwork. Before the Tau had ever discovered the gas giant that the moon orbited, something had dwelled here, but despite all the research and investigating from all the races in the Tau Empire, no one knew anything other then the broken moon and its “art” were ancient beyond all reckoning.

The two halves of the moon were connected by flowing stone pillars thousands of kilometers long. Cracked and damaged pieces jutted out into space as if they were reaching for the other pieces of the destroyed moon that still floated nearby. Every time Fybblywhyp looked upon them he saw something different. Some almost looked like arms or legs, others looked more like maws on long necks.

Surrounding the main entrance were countless vessels. It was the most traffic Captain Quip had ever seen at this port. The majority of the vessels were of Tau make but several were from other races that dotted the fringe system.

Fybblywhyp could easily waste an entire day studying the ships that moved around the entrance, but he had cargo to drop off and he was on a schedule.

“Kavu take us in,” Captain Quip commanded.

Kavu responded by spinning in his seat and massaging the buttons before him. The ship purred as they picked up speed towards the gap that formed the entrance to the Elsy’vesith.

“Sybyl, take Huvv and the entire Juv’sep La’Rua to secure payment. Driln, prepare all the cargo for deployment and get every ship mobile once she gives the word,” he smiled at his daughter who nodded at Driln, the grumpiest yet most efficient Tau pirate he had ever met.

“Boolosh, see what we can get for those artifacts we found on Wefnef IV and see what jobs we can pick up. Rekk,” Captain paused as he looked at his chief engineer, “get what ever it is you need,” he said as he waived his hands in the air.

“How much can I spend Cap’n?” he asked with a gleam in his eyes.

Captain Quip tilted his head, “Rekk, buy what we need to keep the ship at optimal efficiency.”

Rekk gave a sloppy Imperial salute, still smiling from ear to ear.

“Oh and Rekk,” the engineer stopped smiling as if he had been caught doing something wrong, “no more missiles, bombs, or explosives.” Quip said while pointing his finger.

Rekk sighed; he gave a look like his favorite kroot hound had just died. “Fine,” he spat.

The lone kroot on the bridge was taller then all of the humans on the ship and, like always, he was in the darkest part of the room, watching. Captain Quip turned to regard the shaper for the small contingent of kroot that worked for him. “Thead, bring four of your kindred. You’ll be with me.” The kroot gave a nearly unperceivable nod followed by an affirmative click.

Captain Quip gave a long sweeping look at his senior officers and the members of his bridge. He had personally recruited each of them. They came from different worlds and different races, yet they all worked side by side under his command. His unique crew was the reason for his success and he knew it.

After this week long stop at Elsy’vesith he planned on handing over command to his daughter and retiring. “Retiring,” he thought to himself with a chuckle. He had made enough money to settle down on some quiet corner of the universe. He hadn’t decided where yet, but he was already excited about starting up another garden. His last garden was the talk of the town, up until the Imperium came and destroyed nearly everything he loved.

“Clearly we’ve arrived at Elsy’vesith at a busy time. This may be my last stop as your Captain but that doesn’t mean you can get sloppy on me.” He paused and gave another glance to Rekk. “Dismissed,” he stated with a clap.

He fiddled with the ring on his finger before Thead stepped into the middle of the room to stand before Fybblywhyp. The kroots plumes were adorned with gold and black jewels. He wore a bandolier of knives and a pistol that was shaped like an axe. His lanky body was hidden under custom black armor that Boolosh had made for him years ago.

“Captain,” he began with a nod. The room fell silent as the Kroot Shaper spoke in his thick accent, “you have been an excellent employer.” He offered up a four fingered hand that the Captain shook with a grin. “I am glad I have not had to eat you,” he added as they released the forearm to forearm shake.

Thead gave another slight nod before turning to depart the bridge, his long strides quickly leading him out of the room. Fybblywhyps grin grew even larger as members of the bridge and several senior officers snickered at the Kroots bizarre compliment.

The next several minutes were filled with other compliments and kind words before each member of his senior staff left the bridge to their assigned duty. When only the two dozen bridge staff remained, the Captain walked over to the railing before the main monitor. The pillars of Elsy’vesith were looming around them as their ship navigated the wide shipping lane. After they rounded one of the largest pillars that connected the two halves of the broken moon, the vast station of Elsy’vesith could be seen sprawled out before them. Lights of all colors dotted the various habs and domes that the Tau had built, but they only covered a small fraction of the ruined labyrinth that first attracted the Tau to this shattered rock.

Fybblywhyp often wondered who built them or why they were ruined, but he was content with the knowledge that he’d probably never find out. As they approached their assigned location, several side monitors awoke. Images of departing vessels flared to life on each one of them.

“Captain,” Vard spoke down at him, “you were right. I found the Fragrant Eclipse on the far side of the main lane.”

In response, another side monitor altered to show a distant Tau Il’porrui class starship. The Fragrant Eclipse was a beautiful vessel of sweeping lines and elegant curved wings. He always marveled at the flagship that his old friend O’Foosho had obtained.

Fybblywhyp snickered at the upcoming conversation he knew he would be having with O’Foosho.

“He still can’t believe you’re retiring, can he?” Vard asked as if he could read his mind.

“Not at all,” Captain Quip responded.

“I’m sure he’ll give you the whole, for Greater Good speech again, won’t he?” Kavu said in his Tau mocking accent. Other members of the bridge crew snickered at Kavu’s words, but Fybblywhyp knew he was absolutely correct.

“Wish me luck,” he nodded as he turned for the bridge door.

“Aye Captain,” Kavu and Vard said as he departed.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Quip walked alone through the halls of his ship. He was lost in the thoughts of future conversations as his body carried him to the shuttle that waited for him. The walk took fifteen minutes but to him it seemed like he had blinked only once before arriving. After that last blink he paused to regard the shuttle that was warming up before him. He grinned as he thought of all of the missions he had run with that piece of junk. The Final Wisp was its current name, but that changed every time he was spotted doing something illegal in the Imperium.

At the loading ramp Thead and several other Kroot were clicking and twitching at one another as they entered. Quip only understood a handful of Kroot phrases but it was physically impossible for him to say anything in Kroot other then “Go Away!” which sounded to him like a sneeze.

Fybblywhyp attempted to take a step forward when his palms began to sweat and he went rigid. He was instantly agitated as he stood unable to move any muscle in his body. He gritted his teeth as he tried to force his way out of it. His eyes began to rapidly blink and he slowly regained control of his upper body. He closed his eyes and concentrated.

“You’re almost there Captain,” a sweet voice said from behind him. He could feel the light touch of finger tips on his shoulder.

The Captain began to growl as he strained. Suddenly he lurched forward. His body was once again under his own control and he panted for several seconds before turning to see Sithri patiently waiting behind him. The small beautiful woman wore her usual black leather tunic, black cape, and black combat fatigues. An excessive number of straps and buckles adorned the outfit. A simple gray bag was hanging over one shoulder.

“You really are improving Captain,” her silky voice purred.

“It only took me ten years to get this far,” he said as his grin returned. She returned the gesture with a simple nod and a sinister smile. Her amber eyes demanded his attention for a fleeting moment. Captain Quip was about to ask what she was doing when she turned back towards the hanger entrance. The quiet sounds of drones approached.

Six floating devices each the size of a dinner plate entered the hanger surrounding a robed figure. The robes were brown and non-descript. His face was hidden beneath the heavy fabric.

“Fybblywhyp,” he said with a raised hand to interrupt any spoken words. The dark leathery cracked skin of his palm was briefly seen before disappearing beneath his robes, “before you lecture me again about my importance, I must tell you about…” he began with his high pitched voice.

“Yes you can join me Jecht,” the Captain spoke over him.

Jecht fumbled and swallowed the next few words before giving pause. He was clearly caught of guard by the Captains willingness to allow the ships lone navigator to leave.

“Thank you Captain. I brought my drones and asked Sithri to join me as added protection.”

“Very wise as always Jecht,” the Captain said with a nod. He then stepped back and motioned for them to pass. Sithri and Jecht walked towards the shuttle with the hovering drones.

The Captain took a deep breath as he watched them board the vessel. Those two individuals had been paramount to his success over the years. Jecht was the sole reason he was able to traverse the warp. Something that O’Foosho and every Tau captain were very envious of. Sithri, well Sithri was a psyker that scared the heebees out of him. Her mere presence was often all that was needed to make negotiations go his way and more then once she had saved his life.

Despite all of her value he often wanted to get rid of her completely. Psykers were dangerous. He had seen what they were capable of. Yet every time an opportunity presented itself that would get him as far away from her as possible he resisted. Not only was she part of his crew but she reminded him of his past well before all of the smuggling.

A chill passed over his body as the screams of his dying wife and kids bubbled up inside of him. He clenched his fists and fought his tortured memories. Tears welled up in his eyes. He felt the red ring on his finger and concentrated on it. The screams dissipated and the parting images of the black ships and burning continents scampered out of his mind.

A lone tear slid down his cheek as he regained his composure. He realized he was staring at the deck ahead of him. He glanced to his left and right to see if anyone had seen him. He was alone in the hanger besides the waiting ship, at least he thought. He hesitated after the first step as he met the amber gaze of Sithri who waited at the base of the ramp.

She knew his past. Whether he wanted her to know or not, she knew. For the longest time it pissed him of to no end but now, now he felt sorry for ever having to share his burden.

* * * * * * * * * *

Elsy’vesith was an ancient ruined labyrinth that countless races had investigated and built upon. When the Tau had arrived an abandoned Imperial outpost became the beginning point for their small trading outpost. Now the station was a sprawling maze of compartments each connected by shuttle tubes or long halls that vehicles traversed so they could quickly move between the ancient chambers built within the rock of the broken moon.

After docking and disembarking Captain Quip and his conglomeration of escorts headed straight into the commons, an oblong room that was attached to every other major center of the station. Along the way O’Foosho had requested a meeting with his usual verve. As the party past through a maze of bulk heads and past a Fire Caste security check point they finally arrived in the commons.

The chamber was full of people of all races. Lines were formed by the various exits as tau, humans, slaan, zentaurs, and kroot alike waited for the hover trans to return or waited for the Crawler Tour to start its daily run around the outside of the station. Tau Fire Caste security held several check points and hundreds of drones hovered above the crowds.

In the center of the chamber, around several kiosk map drones, a Riptide stood tall. The dark brown suit occasionally turned to look around the room. It dwarfed everything around it; even the vehicles that carried dozens of people at once looked small next to the armored behemoth.

Seeing the Riptide along with so many drones made Captain Quip pause, it was very rare to see this kind of security at the trading center. Then again, Elsy’vesith was substantially more crowded then usual. Scenarios as to what could cause such an influx of traders came to mind as a shout pierced the nearby crowd.

“Here he comes Captain,” Sithri stated well before anyone could see the portly Tau.

O’Foosho was floating forward in a reclined chair drone. Several drones flanked him with cool refreshments. A dozen Tau in dark brown fatigues jogged around him forming a perimeter that soon included Captain Quip and his escorts.

“El’Quip, it is SO good to see you. It truly has been too long,” O’Foosho began with large hand gestures that almost looked like he was trying to fly.

“Indeed,” Captain Quip responded with a bow. Despite the flamboyant behaviors of O’Foosho, he always paid him as much respect as he could muster. O’Foosho did lead the entire water caste for this sector, which often meant Captain Quip was employed in one way shape or form by the heavy set Tau.

“PAH, enough of that,” he said with a dismissive hand wave. “Come come come, you and your crew are all welcome at my tower for as long as you’re staying. We have much to chat about and I have a fresh shipment of Wasa’Voo.”

Before Captain Quip could even respond, the floating Tau turned and headed towards a lavish hovership that several score of people could comfortable embark upon. Along the way, a member of the Tau fire team handed him a tablet drone. The flat device gave out command codes and keys for all of Captain Quip’s crew so they could all enter and enjoy the hospitality of O’Foosho freely.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The grinding sounds coming from the wall grew in volume and pitch as the Dark Eldar poured through the hole where the doors used to be. Shu-Takii with his Volkite Cannons and Zaduga with Barru’s missile launcher fired into their midst. Shar-Takazz leapt into action engaging the few that survived the initial heavy weapons fire. Nillahfin patiently waited taking shots to help cover Shar-Takazz. Razzik stood with his shield up and watched.

In the first seconds scores of Dark Eldar had perished but they kept coming and Shar-Takazz was forced to fall back. The volkite cannons floated high above Shu-Takii’s head to fire down into the incoming xenos. Fire was now burning all around the blasted door and along the corpses of their enemies.

The smell of weapons discharge and burning flesh quickly thickened in the air. Razzik saw cracks beginning to form along the wall on opposite sides of the blasted door. They would be through in less then a minute.

Nefas was suddenly at his side modifying his gun with amazing speed.

“I’ll handle this side Captain,” he said as the barrel in his gun tripled in size and a belt dropped out from his back pack. Razzik responded by shouting and charging to Shar-Takazz’s side.

“FOR THE MANTLE AND CAPTAIN RUUSA!” he bellowed as he crashed into a group of heavily armored Dark Eldar that had gotten around the whirling form of Shar-Takazz. The white helmed black armored Eldar carried long curved blades with multiple grips along the dull side of the blade. They were incredibly fast and agile like everyone in the Dark Eldar race, but just like their rest of their xenos kind, they died quickly within the powerfist of Captain Razzik.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fybblywhyp stood outside the orange and teal hovership listening to O’Foosho brag about his trading exploits while his guards and drones loaded up the vessel. Thead and his Carnivores sniffed the air and paced nearby. Sithri was speaking with one of the Tau Fire Warriors with Jecht and his guard drones standing right behind her.

The sounds of O’Foosho began to blend into the ambiance of the room as Quip scanned the vast chamber before them. He spotted groups of his crew efficiently moving about their business, boarding various vessels, and chatting with traders. At one of the cargo control desks he saw his daughter along with Zim and their guards. He swelled with pride as he noticed the confused look from the Tau water cast employee and the wide smile coming from his daughter.

O’Foosho began to lift into the air as the hover drone he sat upon raised up to enter the craft. Quip watched the chair drone enter along with several Fire Warriors. He turned back to his own crew to gather them in when he saw Blind Jecht, the navigator, pointing out into the crowd with a sense of urgency. With his other hand he tugged on Sithri’s tight leather sleeve.

Captain Quip tried to spot what he was pointing at but he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

Sithri was listening to the old navigator before she turned to look past Jecht at Quip. She shook her head in confusion.

“Jecht, what are you so excited about?” Fybblywhyp asked as he approached. Thead stalked nearby to listen in.

“No, it can’t be. It isn’t possible. How could that show up? Was it always like this?” Jecht was rambling incredibly fast. “We should leave. Nothing good could come from this.”

Fybblywhyp concentrated on the robed navigator before meeting Sithri’s gaze. She looked just as confused as he felt.

“Captain,” Jecht shouted as he spun around and got within inches of his face. Thankfully his heavy robe covered all of his face except his mouth. His breathe smelled of cinnamon and dough. “Something is happening. We have to seek shelter immediately!”

“What are you talking about?”

Jecht growled with frustration, knowing that they couldn’t see what he could see with his third eye. “I can’t explain it but something is about to break through the fabric of space in this chamber. “

“Have you seen anything like this before?”

“Only in my nightmares,” Jecht frantically responded.

At this point Jecht was nearly hysterical and Captain Quip was scanning the room trying to find some clue or hint as to where this tear in space could appear. Thead and his carnivores were already loosening weapons and preparing themselves for anything. This in turn alerted the Tau Fire Warrior Guards.

“El’Quip,” the mellifluous words of O’Foosho came from behind him, “What is going on?”

* * * * * * *

“It’s opening!” Shu-Takii shouted as he picked up the unconscious form of Barru. The crystal above them was casting shades of teal and turquoise as a black curtain appeared as a line from the crystal to the floor. It was only as wide as a hair at first but it was steadily growing.

Captain Razzik didn’t have time to extrapolate the speed in which it was opening. He was busy fending off the nearly endless stream of Dark Eldar that were screaming into the room.

To his left the sounds of grinding stone ceased as a drill bit the size of an astartes chest burst through the wall. It pulled back and was replaced by giant claws that began to tear down the stone wall. Nefas targeted the opening and fired four grenade sized shells in rapid succession through the hole. Beams of bright light flashed from the hole as one the claws fell into the room without the rest of the body.

“Pain engines are coming through the walls Captain,” Nefas hissed as he adjusted the belt feed for the next four rounds.

Captain Razzik blocked another two strikes from the long blades of his opponents as he protected Shar-Takazz’s flank. The lightning claw and plasma pistol that Shar-Takazz held were both smoking from use and his armored form was covered in deep scratches and embedded shards from Dark Eldar weapons.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“THERE!” Sithri spat as she pointed to a point near the Riptide.

O’Foosho and everyone else looked in that direction to see a floating crystal seem to pierce reality and hover perfectly still in mid air. The map kiosk drones and the Riptide were both oblivious to the crystal at first but a Fire Warrior beneath it pointed up to it and within seconds a wave of alertness washed over the Tau of the fire caste.

“We need to clear this room immediately,” Captain Quip stated as he looked away from the crystal at the groups of his crew scattered around the giant room.

“But El’Quip, we don’t know what it is or even what is does,” O’Foosho began as he pressed several runes on his floating chair. “Perhaps this is another of Elsy’vesith’s mysteries opening up before us.”

“Nothing good comes will come from this Captain, nothing.” Jecht reiterated as his voice trailed off. He rubbed his hands together anxious as to what may come next.

“We should clear the room O’Foosho until we know what we’re dealing with,” Captain Quip demanded as he spotted his daughter from across the room.

“Bah!” he dismissed with a hand wave, “Let us see what happens shall we,” O’Foosho said as he floated his chair up to get a better view over everyone’s heads.

Captain Quip gritted his teeth and quickly alerted his entire crew through his wrist communicator. He saw heads turn throughout the room as the various crew members acknowledged the message and quickly began to head towards the shuttle bays.

“Let’s get out of here,” Captain Quip commanded to his companions.

Sithri and the Kroot were all taking their first steps when Jecht cried out, “IT’S TOO LATE!”

A black beam shot from the crystal straight towards the floor. It stopped at the floor and began to widen like a curtain opening at the beginning of a show. People nearby began to back up cautiously. The Riptide stepped away as its weapons loaded themselves. The handful of Fire Warriors took cover behind several drone kiosks.

The first thing through the portal was a floating skull. It hovered near the crystal. Guns from across the room trained on the skull and waited but before commands could be given it reversed back into the black wall.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Atmospherics check out Captain,” Shu-Takii stated as he hefted the body of his fallen comrade.

“Get to the curtain and out as soon as we can fit!” Razzik commanded as he began to fall back. The Dark Eldar were still pushing forward. Streams of fire bounced off his armor and off his shield. To his left Nefas was firing his last group of shells at the next pain engine that was squeezing through the wall. The grinding noise on the far side of the room was stopping.

Nillahfin got up from his crouched position and moved towards Shu-Takii and the curtain as a screeching orb came out of an unseen weapon. It hit the brightly glowing grenade that was providing the protective light in the room.

A single blink later and they were plunged into darkness.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fybblywhyp pulled up an open link to his crew members on Elsy’vesith and on his ship. “This is your Captain, red alert. Commons has been breached by an unknown force. Everyone back to the ship!”

The voice of Kavu was the first to respond, “What was that?” he casually asked.

“Kavu get my ship to combat alert NOW!” He wasn’t in the mood for his back talk.

The curtain was widening at an alarming speed. Across the oblong room people stared dumb founded by the bizarre appearance of the wall and crystal, only Fybblywhyp’s crew were moving away. At least until the first poisonous shard pierced the curtain and embedded itself in the chest of a nearby trader.

As the Tau grasped at the shard and looked around in shock, a heavily armored form slumped through the curtain.

Captain Quip gasped at the sight of the armored humanoid. He was the only one in the entire room that had seen a similar figure before. The Tau were aware of their existence but only Fybblywhyp had seen what they were capable of.

He raced over to O’Foosho and shook his chair violently. The floating drone purred in agitation as it tried to keep the leader of the water caste level, “FIRE EVERYTHING INTO THAT PORTAL!”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After Shu-Takii tossed Barru through the curtain he turned around to help Zaduga. Nillahfin covered them both at the very edge of the darkness. Shar-Takazz continued to back up at Razzik’s side when a Dark Eldar flipped over them both. The tightly armored Eldar wielded a chained segmented sword and a curved dagger. Skulls and bones were woven into his lavender cloak.

At the site of this figure the Dark Eldar pushed the attack, heedlessly throwing themselves at the space marines. Razzik side stepped a downward slice away from Shar-Takazz. He could have slain the white helmed Eldar but instead took the split second to see what the cloaked xenos was doing.

Nillahfin was falling back through the curtain with several deep gashes in his chest and helmet.

Shu-Takii was grasping Zaduga and was about to push him through the curtain as the Dark Eldar kicked aside Zaduga’s bolt pistol with impossible speed.

Razzik took a cut to the leg as payment for his distraction. He had let the sight pull him away from the immediate threat. He cursed his failure to concentrate as an unknown weapon round passed between him and Shar-Takazz. The blast vaporized a row of Dark Eldar all the way back to the door.

“That came from the curtain,” Razzik said to himself.

Both Razzik and Shar-Takazz leapt away from the curtain towards Nefas. Razzik turned to see the cloaked Dark Eldar’s segemented sword tighten up to form a solid blade. He then plunged it through Shu-Takii’s chest.

Zaduga was prone next to Shu-Takii. The volkite cannons fell to the ground at the death of their user.

The Dark Eldar stood near the curtain and smiled at the three standing marines. Weapons fire erupted from the curtain behind the Eldar, but he seemed to not mind. The unknown weapons fire tore through the other xenos behind him but it only seemed to excite them. The survivors ran through curtain. A pain engine pushed through the wall towards the opposite side of the curtain to vanish within its black depths.

Razzik eyed the Dark Eldar. He could sense the marines at his side. He could almost taste the fury that Shar-Takazz was emitting at the loss of his squad mates. He whispered through his vox, “We must get through that curtain.”

The Dark Eldar continued to smile as he gracefully fell into a combat stance. Shar-Takazz growled and leapt at him. Nefas moved to flank and Razzik charged forward with his shield and white clenched powerfist.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The fire power that a Tau force could muster was a sight to marvel at but the fear of seeing a space marine still chilled Captain Quip’s bones. Two dozen fire warriors, forty or so traders, and the lone Riptide fired at the curtain from opposite sides. Drones were entering the chamber and heading towards the black portal.

The return fire was sporadic at first but then a floating twisted aberration exited the portal on the side opposite the Riptide. People screamed and fled at the sight. The Fire Warriors stood their ground at first, but when their weapons seemed incapable of slowing it down, they too began to retreat.

Finally the Riptide’s missiles took down the floating beast, but this distraction allowed many screaming men and women to exit the portal and into the front ranks of Fire Warriors.

Captain Quip watched the unfolding battle but couldn’t get the image of the space marine out of his thoughts. He ignored the incoming messages from his officers. He forgot about his daughter and his crew as fear gripped him. It was a primal fear that shook him to his core.

The memories of a red armored space marine walking through fire paralyzed him. The marine was ignoring the flames that burned all over the building and around him. He stepped up to Fhybblywhyp and looked down upon him. He felt like a child at the presence of the gigantic engineered super human, “We’re taking your wife and children,” the marine said in a deep voice, “if you refuse,” he paused and leaned closer, “millions will suffer.”

Fhybblywhyp couldn’t move or speak, he could hardly think.

A distant voice trickled into his dream like state, the voice was familiar. “Captain,” it whispered. “Captain, come back to me,” it demanded. Finally the memory broke as his genitals exploded with pain.

He was curled on the floor holding himself, rocking back and forth. Sithri stood over him.

“Sorry Captain, you didn’t respond as quickly as I would have preferred,” she said over the din of gun fire.

Captain Quip grunted in pain, “did you have to kick my first mate?”

She gave him her usual sinister smile, “it worked didn’t it?”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Dark Eldar ducked under Shar-Takazz’s lightning claw upper cut and stabbed him in the side. Shar-Takazz stumbled into another Dark Eldar and they both fell through the curtain.

The cloaked Dark Eldar broke apart his sword back into its segments and sent them wrapping around Nefas’ gun. When the Eldar yanked it back, the gun fell into shredded pieces. Nefas screamed in defiance as he slashed with his combat blade. The Dark Eldar laughed and deflected the angry slash.

Razzik then barreled into the Dark Eldar and they slid across the floor. He tried to get a hold of the Dark Eldar with his powerfist so he could crush the life out of the xenos scum but the Eldar was simply too fast. He was always able to dodge, block, or parry any attempt he made to reach him. Before they could slide to a halt the Dark Eldar threw the heavier astartes off of him. He passed through the curtain and crashed to the floor on the other side.

On this side, Dark Eldar were fighting Tau, humans, and kroot in a massive chamber. A space marine hand was dangling through the curtain in front of him. The hand wasn’t moving but Razzik grabbed it and pulled with all of his strength.

The collapsed form of Shu-Takii and his deactivated cannons were pulled through the curtain. To his right Zaduga dragged himself through. Captain Razzik didn’t know how the marine was still alive.

It sounded like Dark Eldar were still pouring through the other side of the curtain. Razzik attempted to determine what to do next when he was knocked over as the flying form of Nefas exited the curtain right into him. The two of them tumbled to the floor. Nefas was on top of him and was motionless. Razzik didn’t have time to examine him before the smiling cloaked Dark Eldar casually walked through the black wall. Other Dark Eldar ran past them towards the scrambling Tau.

The cloaked Dark Eldar stepped onto Nefas with one leg which in turn pushed down on Razzik. In perfect high gothic he spoke, “You would have had so much fun in my gladiator pishhhhh.”

His sentence was interrupted by the swift foot of a giant mechanized suit that punted him back through the curtain. Razzik, at first, thanked the Emperor. He then regarded the massive suit that stood before him. It pointed a gun the size of a rhino APC down at him when a thought came to Captain Razzik. He pointed at the crystal and shouted. “SHOOT THE CRYSTAL!”

He hoped it understood his words.

The small camera like head of the suit swiveled over to the crystal. It brought its massive gun to bear and in a flash the crystal ceased to exist along with the wall of blackness.

* * * * * *

Captain Razzik stood passively amongst the bodies of his comrades. The battle quickly faded around him as the Dark Eldar were out gunned by the Tau and the other forces in the vast chamber. The giant mechanized suit before him kept its rectangular barreled cannon aimed at him while he watched.

“When I die before the hands of my enemies,” Razzik began to recite a verse from the litany of death to himself as the suit vigilantly watched him and his gaze returned to the large weapon.

Razzik studied his HUD while he recited the words. His armor had sustained multiple breaches but his iron halo was still functioning. His faith in the Emperor told him it would protect him, but he wished it wouldn’t need to be tested verse the cannon that was held before him.

According to his HUD Barru, Nefas, and Nillahfin had succumb to their regenerating coma’s. Shar-Takazz and Zaduga were both conscious but heavily wounded and laying on the floor. Shu-Takii was their only possible loss.

As the minutes rolled by the number of guns aimed at Razzik steadily increased. He was soon surrounded by a mixed force of Tau, humans, and other xenos he had never seen before. They all kept their distance and formed a large circle around him and the tall Tau battle suit.

Finally a smaller battle suit leapt over the wall of warriors into the circle. It was still taller then Captain Razzik but substantially smaller then the giant suit he first encountered. It was the same dark brown as the others but it had additional stripes painted on the camera like head and chest. A gun was strapped to each of its arms and a cluster of antennas were clustered on one of its shoulders.

It moved gracefully across the floor towards him. When it was within three paces it stopped and raised up one of its weapons.

Razzik continued to stand casually.

* * * * * * * * * *

Fybblywhyp stared at the astartes. From his vantage point he could easily see the ever increasing ring of guns that surrounded him. Quip had stood silently watching the battle unfold while trying to control the emotions that boiled inside of him. O’Foosho hovered nearby and was speaking Tau into one of his communicator devices when several phrases tore Fybblywhyp’s gaze away from the space marine.

“You’re going to do what?” Fybblywhyp asked as he reached for O’Foosho’s chair drone.

“Think of it El’Quip! We have a live space marine. One of humanities finest warriors! We could learn so much from it.” O’Foosho excitedly rambled on while Quip shook his head adamantly. Seeing his head shaking O’Foosho turned his chair to look directly at Captain Quip.

“How can this NOT benefit the Greater Good?!” O’Foosho loudly retorted.

The question echoed around the two of them. Fybblywhyp took a step back as his mind raced. He looked left to see Blind Jecht and Sithri. The psyker nodded her head. She knew what he had to say. He looked back to O’Foosho when he heard hurried footsteps from his right.

“Father,” Sybyl said as she burst through the crowd. Her guards were right behind her and she looked unharmed.

“I told you to get back the ship,” he quietly spat as she hugged him.
“We were cut off by the Tormenters and I can handle myself just fine,” she said with a cocky grin.

Fybblywhyp glared at her with look she had rarely seen. She took a step back, confused by his reaction. Without further comment he turned back to O’Foosho.

“O’Foosho,” he took a deep breath,” you do NOT know what you’re dealing with,” he began.

The floating Tau waved his hands dismissively and looked around, unphased by his words. He attempted to turn his chair drone away when Captain Quip grabbed it with both hands and pulled at it so he could get closer to the leader of the water caste. O’Foosho’s guards raised weapons at the disrespectful display.

“LISTEN TO ME!” he shouted.

Taken back by the sudden change of mood by one his favorite traders O’Foosho waved off his guards and looked at Quip.

“If you harm those astartes, the others will find out. It doesn’t matter how safe you think you are. It doesn’t matter where you go. The rest of them will come for you,” Quip quickly spoke.

O’Foosho absorbed the words for a moment before quietly responding, “I know you humans are raised on stories of their powers and capabilities but most of them must be myths. They are no angels El’Quip.”

Captain Quip let go of the chair drone and looked down at the floor. He breathed heavy and clenched his fists as O’Foosho hovered nearby. The red ring on his finger caught a flicker of light and he took a side glance at his daughter before looking back at the heavy set Tau.

“No O’Foosho, they are no angels. That’s true. They are demons. Terrible creatures designed to do nothing but destroy. If you do not let them leave…” he paused as his hands trembled, “they will destroy your family, your home, and the planet you live on. AND that is not some story or some fable. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!”

Captain Quip was quaking with emotion. He barely could contain the hurricane of fear, anger, and remorse that stormed in his soul. Tears swelled in his eyes and hatred filled his fists. After a few silent moments he regained a miniscule amount of control over his internal agony. He knew his reaction was creating a profound effect on those around him.

He heard the gasp of Sybyl and several others. He reached out to grab his daughter’s hand. She was the only thing that he had escaped with all those years ago. He couldn’t stand the thought of watching so many people he cared for taken away from him. Not again.

“Please,” he whispered as he shook his head. “How would that benefit the Greater Good O’Foosho?”

The sector leader of the water caste sat back in his chair and tapped his fingers together. He chewed his lip deep in thought. The emotional display from the most successfully trader he knew had surprised him.

For what felt like an eternity, the Tau pondered what to do. He looked over to the lone standing space marine. The black armored super human could help them better understand the human elite that often stepped in to defeat the Fire Caster when battles erupted between the Tau and Imperium, but then again, what if El’Quip was right.

“Very well El’Quip,“ he said with another hand flourish. “I agree that they should leave unharmed.”

Captain Quip sighed and visibly relaxed.

O’Foosho then smiled and leaned forward, “Where do you plan on taking them?”

Fybblywhyps eyes widened, “What?”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

O’Foosho didn’t need to explain himself once the shock of the question wore off. There was no ship faster then the Benevolent Aberration and Captain Fybblywhyp Quip specialized in trading with the Imperial worlds that bordered the Tau frontier. He was the ideal candidate for the task.

Before he left the presence of the Tau leader he snapped out a string of orders to his officers. The storm of emotions had now vanished from his façade as the job was suddenly laid out before him. Sybyl and her guards completed their trades and paid extra to have the goods moved immediately. Blind Jecht along with the majority of the other crew members still on Elsy’vesith finished their tasks and went back to the ship.

Sithri, Thead, and a score of his best soldiers stayed to meet the Space Marines that were still surrounded by the Fire Warriors.

The standing marine had hardly moved since his arrival. Even after two of his comrades slowly rose from their prone positions, he stayed passive.

As Captain Quip strode through the Commons his mind focused on what he should say to the genetically modified super humans. He wondered what approach he should take. He didn’t want to show any fear but he wasn’t sure he could hide it from the armored monstrosities. On several occasions he had to force himself to continue moving as he neared the marines. They were huge and imposing figures. Fybblywhyp would have trouble reaching to the top of their wide shoulders without the use of a stool. Their black armor was damaged and scorched, dented, and broken. Some of their injuries looked fatal yet they still stood defiantly before the masses. Xenos blood caked all of them and if he hadn’t seen one of them killed all those years ago he would have thought them unstoppable killing machines.

The marine that had been standing the entire time watched over his comrades before turning to regard Fybblywhyp. The black armored marine didn’t appear to have any weapons other then a white powerfist but that seemed to make him even more imposing. He showed no fear despite being surrounded by enemies with nothing but his fists. Captain Quip was only a few steps inside the ring of warriors but he felt like a naked child before the armored warrior before him. The Tau battle suits stepped back as Captain Quip and his posse approached.

He got as close he dared before stopping and looking up into the purple eye lens of the marine.

“Greetings Astartes, I am Fybblywhyp Quip, Captain of the Benevolent Aberration.”

He paused hoping to get a response from the marine but the armored super human continued to silently stare down at him.

“Ah…. very well, I’m heading to Imperial space as soon as my ship is ready. I’m assuming you’d like to return to wherever you’re from…” Fybblywhyp thought about being a bit more diplomatic but realized it probably wouldn’t help… “So I’ll be taking you with me.”

The room was ghostly silent for the next minute until finally the marine took a final look at the battle suits and Fire Warriors around him then to Quip.

“That would be excellent. Thank you Captain Quip,” the marine gave a slight nod while his deep voice boomed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Razzik assisted Zaduga into the webbing on the wall of the cargo hold. He strapped him in and whispered some words of encouragement. The marines leg had been severed just above the knee in addition to a handful of bullet wounds. The bleeding had stopped within seconds of the leg injury and it was already scabbing over. Razzik knew the marine was heavily drugged but as long as he needed he would be able to count on the marine.

“Just a little longer brother, stay with me,” Razzik whispered through his vox. Zaduga gave a single nod before beginning a meditation to help him focus. As helpful as these traders have been they were still working with xenos and can’t be trusted.

A few spots down Shar-Takazz was secured on his section of the bench. He stared across the room over a floating cargo drone at the humans that were accompanying them. Razzik took a few steps over to the sergeant of Squad Rimsin.

The marine had a nasty wound in his side. His breath was raspy. It sounded like a lung was collapsed. Several armored plates on his arms were heavily damaged or missing. His helmet was smashed in and one eye lens was cracked. Despite all of those injuries Shar-Takazz was still signaling full combat readiness.

With a side glance Razzik looked across the cargo hold to the crew that Shar-Takazz stared down. There were twenty two humans all together spread around the room. Nearly all of them looked like grizzled veterans yet Razzik could sense their trepidation. They hadn’t seen a real space marine before and he could sense their fear.

With a sharp clap the cargo drone ceased moving and sank partially into the cargo hold floor. An aged human with massive fore arms and silver hair got up from his kneeling position.

“There we go,” he said to himself as he pushed aside a silver lock of hair from his face. He checked several straps that were holding the bodies of the injured marines in place before taking his own seat a few places down from Shar-Takazz.

Captain Razzik studied this man closely, Boolosh, was what Captain Quip had introduced him as and he was the only human in the room that showed no fear. In fact, the elderly human seemed intrigued by the super humans and their gear.

“We’re about to take off sir, you may want to take your seat,” Boolosh said to Razzik who was still standing between Shar-Takazz and Zaduga. Razzik stepped over to the palate of unconscious marines, ignoring the words of Boolosh.

Without further warning the cargo ship slowly rose from its position and took off from Elsy’vesith towards their ship. Razzik had no trouble keeping his balance on the rumbling floor as the ship moved from one gravity center into space.

During their short trip Razzik closely examined each marine that lay before him. Nillahfin was deep in his healing coma, but he was struggling. He had many injuries and several wounds didn’t close properly. Razzik knelt closer and smelled one of his chest wounds. The stench of Dark Eldar poison was detected from his suits enhanced systems. Razzik gave a short prayer before he stepped over to Nefas.

The Sinner marine had taken several stomach wounds along with a blade to the base of his neck. Upon closer inspection they looked worse then they really were. Yet Nefas was deep in his coma. He wondered if he had suffered additional unseen wounds or was the victim to yet another unknown Dark Eldar weapon.

Next was Brother Barru who was deep into his trance. He needed medical attention as soon as he could get it or he wouldn’t last. With another prayer he stepped over to the still body of Shu-Takii. “You would have been an excellent tech marine,” Razzik said in the native tongue of Shattermantle. Razzik rested a hand on the marine’s chest as he thought about the pivotal role Shu-Takii had played in their escape. While he was reminiscing, the icon in his HUD for Shu-Takii shifted into a yellow transitional icon.

A smile crossed his face as an encrypted message appeared in a side queue.

* * * * * * * * * *

“How’s our new med bay coming?” Fybblywhyp asked as he paced back and forth on his bridge. People were hustling all around the crowded collection of rooms that made up the bridge.

After several seconds Vard reported back, “Hygeia stated that it’ll be ready in ten minutes, they are having trouble reactivating some of the older machines.”

Fybblywhyp looked at the cargo ship icon lumbering along its path towards his ship; ten minutes would be cutting it close. He had taken his much faster transport to get things ready for their newest “cargo”. On the screen around the lumbering cargo ship, he could see other vessels were speeding back with there own typical cargo. His crew was handling the sudden change of plans quiet admirably. At least that’s how it looked on the screens. He admired their quick responses but couldn’t help but notice the unease around him on the bridge. He had seen them in many sticky situations but this one was different.

With a deep sigh he resumed his pacing as he ran through his plan once again. He had already plotted their course. Once everyone had returned and the fueling ships were completed they would be on their way. He hated to leave with such haste but the thought of keeping space marines on his vessel any longer then needed continued to unnerve him.

He opened up a private channel to his ships chief Engineseer. “Are we sure the doors will open Rekk?”

“YES! How many times must I tell you? The last repairs I did personally. They will open if you need them too.” Rekk closed the line with disgust.

Fybblywhyp had learned to trust in Rekk’s capabilities but he had a tendency to be forgetful about important aspects of repairs. On more then one occasion plans had taken unexpected twists because of malfunctions that Rekk had claimed to personally see too.

Captain Quip prayed that there wasn’t going to be a need to open those doors, but he didn’t see any other alternative. How else would he be able to kill a squad of space marines?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“Captain,” Shar-Takazz quietly said through the vox.

Razzik opened his eyes from his meditative trance. He looked over to the door to the medical bay where Shar-Takazz was on watch. The space marines exchanged hand gestures. Someone was approaching. Razzik smoothly got up from his seated position and headed over to the door.

It had been 31 hours since their arrival on the Benevolent Aberration. The wounded had all been tended to and they were now resting and recovering. He was greatly concerned for Nillahfin and his grave wounds but he was still hanging on for the time being. Nefas also concerned him, his wounds seemed minor yet he struggled even more so then the others.

After the medical staff had been ushered out of the room the space marines had begun their watch. Razzik expected Captain Quip to visit them but an entire day had passed and they hadn’t been disturbed except when food and drink were delivered to them.

The quiet hours had given Razzik plenty of time to replay the past few days in his thoughts. In chronological order the battles played through his mind. His commands and plans were analyzed and critiqued so he could react faster and more efficient next time.

As he ran through the mental exercise he reread all of the reports he had received before he passed through the first black curtain. He prayed to the Emperor that the remnants of Ruusa’s second company escaped the planet.

“Captain Ruusa, what would you have done?” Razzik asked himself. Ruusa had been an Ice Angel Captain for over a three hundred years and he had been elevated all the way through the ranks to second captain. Razzik had been the eleventh captain for less then a year and he may have already destroyed all that Ruusa had created in the second company.

That thought, that burden, weighed heavy on Razzik’s genetically altered physique. “Emperor, what else could I have done?” he repeatedly asked himself. He thought about speaking with Shar-Takazz but the sergeant of squad Rimsin was the very embodiment of cold efficiency. Small talk probably wasn’t tolerated within his unit.

As Razzik reached the smooth silver doors, a trio of knocks sounded from the other side.

“Enter,” Razzik requested.

The doors hissed open and the weathered form of Boolosh stood before them. He was alone and unafraid of the two towering space marines.

“Captain Quip wishes to speak with you, sir,” Boolosh stated.

A moment of silence hung in the hair between them all. Finally Razzik nodded and stepped through the door. Shar-Takazz closed the door behind him. Boolosh motioned with one thick arm which direction to head and he took quick steps to keep up with Razzik’s large strides.

They walked for several minutes without speaking before Boolosh cleared his throat. Razzik slowed his strides to look at the human.

“I hope your men are recovering well,” he hesitantly began the conversation.

“Most of them, yes. Thank you,” Razzik said absentmindedly. His concentration was on the ship they walked through. He hadn’t seen it from the outside and it was proving to be substantially larger then he had first anticipated. It had an Imperial feel to it, but the lay out was heavily altered from any standard patterned ship he knew of. They had also passed quite a few crew men who all stood far off down the side halls. Razzik noticed several of the crew weren’t human. His teeth clenched at the thought of spending time with any xenos.

“Boolosh, tell me about this ship,” Razzik asked

Boolosh gave a short chuckle, “I won’t tell you anything about m’lady without you answering a few of my own questions.”

Razzik stopped and turned on the thick armed human. He looked down upon him. Typically a normal human, even those in the military would flinch or give in at the close proximity to a marine. Boolosh simply grinned up at him and crossed his arms.

“An answer for an answer,” he added.

For a moment the two of them stared at one another, Boolosh grinning with his yellow teeth and Razzik looking down at him like a mountain ready to crush a shrubbery.

The thought of wringing the information out of Boolosh did cross his mind, but given the fact that armed personal were most likely not far away and he was on an unfamiliar vessel he decided against it.

“Very well Boolosh,” Razzik’s deep voice boomed, “me first.”

“Not until you at least give me your name, sir,” Boolosh said with a slight head tilt.

With a sigh Razzik turned back and resumed walking, “I am Razzik, Eleventh Captain of the Ice Angel Chapter.” Boolosh scampered after him.

He grunted with satisfaction as Razzik gave in to his inquiry. It was clear that Boolosh was beginning to enjoy himself.

“My turn Boolosh, tell me about your ship?” Razzik quickly asked.

“That isn’t much of a question Razzif,” Boolosh retorted.

“It’s RazziK,” he sighed, “what class is this vessel?”

“I have no idea,” Boolosh responded.

Razzik spun on his heels to look at Boolosh once again, Boolosh shrugged his shoulders, but under Razzik’s stare he finally sighed and began to cough up at least some information, “Captain Quip found the remains of some derelict Imperial vessels years back and he then spent a lot of time and money rebuilding them into this fine vessel.” He began to raise he hands and shake his head, “I don’t know, we’ll say it’s large. Yes, large class. Not huge or gigantic, but large.”

A group of humans rounded the corner ahead of them and upon seeing the space marine, they turned and fled through the nearest door leaving behind most of the things they were carrying. Boolosh ignored them.

“What exactly do you do on this ship Boolosh?” Razzik asked.

“Whoa, it’s not your turn.” Boolosh glared,” How many Tormentors were on the other side of that doorway thing you came through?”

Razzik smiled in his helmet before speaking, “Countless,” he spat. “What do you do on this ship Boolosh?” he asked again.

“I am a bit of a hoarder, I guess you can say, but I primarily collect relics and then sell things plus I do a bit of cooking and a lot of tinkering,” Boolosh rambled.

They turned into a tall archway into a larger hall. At one end a large group of armed men and women stood along with a handful of Kroot. Each stiffened at the sight of Razzik. He paused in the entry way next to Boolosh.

“This is it?” Razzik asked.

“It’s not your turn Razzif,” Boolosh interjected. He then took quick steps to get in front of Razzik. “Are you going to hurt my Captain?” he asked. The yellow grin had disappeared from his face; an aura of seriousness replaced his previous silly demeanor.

Without tilting his head Razzik looked down, “that depends if I can get what I want,” he honestly responded. He found himself surprised with his own response, “What does your Captain plan for my men and I?”

Boolosh paused and considered the question. He looked over his shoulder at the waiting armed men and women before returning his gaze to the armored giant before him. “Only the Captain and the Emperor know that,” He paused once again before looking past Razzik as if he could see right through him. “What I do know is that the Captain is a good man. He’s been the best boss I’ve ever known and I’ve known many. He treats us right, like family.” Boolosh then focused on the purple lens of Razzik’s helm. “He cares about his crew, just as you care about yours.”

“When the Captain asked me to escort you to the m’lady here, I almost shat in my pants from fear.” Boolosh reached out and tapped Razzik’s armored stomach with his middle finger, “but after I saw you look over your wounded, I couldn’t help but think about all the stories about the Armored Angels of Death and Destruction.” He paused and chuckled, “you don’t seem like any harbinger of doom to me.”

The last phrase lingered between them for a moment. Boolosh seemed satisfied with his response. A sense of disappointment hovered around Razzik yet the fact that Boolosh mentioned the Emperor in that way slightly changed his opinion of the man before him.

“Clearly, I’ll have to work harder to maintain our image,” Razzik said with a slight head nod.

After that Captain Razzik strode past Boolosh towards the ornate double doors at the other end of the hall.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“The Vezda System! I don’t even know where that is,” Fybblywhyp exclaimed as he scrolled around on his holographic tablet. He could name every system in the spiral arm that he had spent a life time traveling and trading.

Captain Razzik was about to explain where it was when Kavu spoke up, “here it is.”

The hovering image of the spiral arm in which they were currently located panned out and over to reveal that the Vezda system was in the next spiral arm of the known universe. It was further then anyone in the room had traveled, except for of course Razzik.

Fybblywhyp Quip glanced around the room in shock. The absurdity of Captain Razzik’s request was mind boggling. After it finally set in Captain Quip leaned forward. Across from the very large table sat Razzik, twelve feet away. “Do you have any idea how long it would take for us to get there?”

The cold stare from the massive figure didn’t flinch or waiver. He held up the small map before him. “If this time table is correct, then you’d be able to get me there faster then any Imperial vessel that I’d have to wait for at the border colony you proposed to dump me on.”

“There is no way I’m going to,” Fybblywhyp began with a pointed finger.
“How much?” Razzik interrupted.

There it was. The one question all rogue traders and border captain’s love and hate. To Captain Razzik money was something he never dealt in, he much preferred to intimidate and kill. It proved to be a quicker solution most of the time. He didn’t know what to offer Fybblywhyp so instead of waiting for the conversation to make its way around to this inevitable conclusion he cut straight to the chase.

Fybblywhyp’s brain worked over time. The scale of the trip there and back was longer then anything he had ever worked with and on top of that he would have to deal with the space marines that much longer. He would also be loosing out on countless other opportunities for his crew. “Damn it, I was supposed to retire,” Fybblywhyp thought to himself.

The silence was stifling in the wide conference room. Captain Razzik had already threat assessed everyone in the room. He had created seven scenarios in which he could dispatch everyone with minimal time from start to finish. Every scenario depended on who acted first. He kept his stare on Fybblywhyp but he often found himself listening for movement from the black armored Kroot that paced by the door behind him. The small woman in the far corner also intrigued him. She looked lethal, it was something in her stare. She appeared unarmed but some inner part of him knew she was the most dangerous target in the room.

In the opposite corner another woman stood. She wore a flight suit and carried several pistols. Her red hair was tight behind her head. Razzik put her low on his priority list but at a second glance he noticed a resemblance to the Captain Quip.

Slowly he shifted his gaze over to her. He could see her stiffen at the simple movement. The pacing behind him stopped. The sound of tightening hands on leather tickled his inner ear. Across from him Fybblywhyp glanced over his shoulder at the woman. The tension in the room seemed to grow.

“Captain Quip,” he slowly began, “I’ve already explained the importance of me getting back to the Vezda System.” He slowly stood up. His intimidating form dwarfed everyone in the room. Even the twelve foot wide table looked ridiculous beneath him. “I need to get there as fast as possible, by any means necessary.”

Several crew members scooted back from the table trying to get away from the marine. The one named Kavu spilled his drink onto his lap and his jaw went slack. The smell of urine wafted in the conference room.

Fybblywhyp found himself beginning to relive a nightmare before his words returned to him, “I’ll work up a travel promissory note,” he stammered.

“Excellent,” Razzik stated as he relaxed and casually lifted his hands from the table, “please keep me informed of our progress. I’ll stay with my men during the duration of the trip.”

With that he turned for the door. The black armored kroot eyed him closely as he past.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Man when you read it all in one go, it really is such an epic tale!

Edit; also I'm back at work now to regular internet access, and hanging out for more Ice Angel story!

Chapter 12 – The Gathering

“Your work here is done.”

The words rang in the distant reaches of his thoughts. He wanted to look for the speaker but he felt like he was submersed in thick mud breathing through a tiny straw. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t see. The only thing he could hear was the echo of the sentence in the distance.

“Excellent work clearing out the engine room,” the speaker said again, this time closer.

He struggled and strained to move, to make even the slightest sound. He tried to open his eyes but only darkness was given to him to see.

“The land train will be under our control shortly,” the speaker went on. The monotone voice suddenly sparked an image in his mind. The Tech marine, yes. He knew that voice. The Ice Angel tech marine was nearby. If only he could get to him?

“May the Emperor protect you,” the monotone voice said before the sound of footfalls drifted away from him.

“NO!” he screamed to himself. “You will not leave me like this.”

With renewed strength he stretched every sense to the max. He tried to move every muscle in his body, willing each corded gene altered fiber into action. Slowly, like the beginning of an avalanche, parts began to move. He felt his fingers begin to twitch. They were touching a warm smooth fabric. His left heel slowly slid back as his knee moved and he felt the same smooth fabric. As more and more muscles began to react he felt organs in his chest spasm, his lungs suddenly expanded as he gasped for air. The reaction sent shards of sharp pain piercing his mid section. Through the pain he gritted his teeth and let out a growl.

His ears finally registered the noise and with it a slowly growing collection of hums, whirrs, and beeps.

As the pain subsided and his senses began to return to him he found the voice of his mentor, Darius Stone, returning to him. “Calm yourself neophyte. You must learn to master your emotions. The Mantidae patiently wait for the precise moment to act. Do not forget your anger or your hate, instead control it. Use it. Only when you have mastered this, will you be a true Mantis Warrior.”

Repeating those early lessons, Inushi began to remember. He remembered the fighting. He remembered the orks. He remembered the smoke and the heat. He remembered the words of the tech marine before he walked away and left him.

Slowly, after a long deep breath, he opened his eyes. The smell of incense wafted through the med chamber. Without moving his head he looked to his right. He could see several servitors standing perfect still. One was right next to his bed, tubes and wires exited the servitors body and into his own. His vision trailed to the foot of the bed. A few feet away on the opposite wall a small shrine was built into an alcove in the gray metal of the wall. A handful of melted candles were on its edge. Behind them he saw his sheathed katana leaning in the corner.

To his left by a large open arch way, the cold dark form of a contemptor dreadnought stood. It was gray and unpainted. It had no arms and had no iconography. It was completely inert.

At the sight of the dreadnought he clenched his fists, the pain in his chest momentarily flared up. “Was that suit meant for him?” Dreadnoughts were honored by every chapter. True veterans of countless battles would be interred in them to continue fighting for centuries to come, but no astartes ever hoped for that fate.

As he loosened his grip on the sheets he looked down at himself. He realized he still had both arms and hands, he even felt his legs. He could feel aches from all the limbs he was created with.

The sudden realization that there was way too much of him left to be placed into a dreadnought sat in. He lifted his head to take another look at the dreadnought. “If that’s not for me, is someone in there?” Inushi thought to himself.

In response the head of the dreadnought looked up from the floor to meet his gaze. The smooth helmet of the dreadnought had yellow tinted eye lenses. After a brief silent exchange it then tilted to look back at the floor.

“I will take your silence to mean that you do not recognize me?”

The familiar voice sent a wave of grief and shock through Inushi’s system. He opened his mouth to speak but paused to think on his words. The transition from able bodied marine to dreadnought has not been known to be easy.

With a forced smile he laid his head back down on the contoured head rest of his bed, “Gray does not suite you, but I do agree on your choice of eye lenses.” His smile turned genuine as he watched the dreadnought lift its head to once again meet his gaze.

“These Ice Angels don’t have anything in pink,” the dreadnought responded.

Inushi smiled again, “it is good to see you Aquilum.”

He waited for a witty response but the dreadnought, Aquilum, only gave a short mechanical grunt.

* * * * * * * * * *

The room was cold, just like the rest of the Frozen Rage, but the somber sight before them gave the room an even colder feel then usual. Seven ornate coffins lined the center of the storage museum like space. Close and locked chests accompanied several coffins. Every chest and coffin was in its own right, a master piece. The handles were hand carved bone. The sides of each container were etched steel with wooden inserts or elaborate stone work. Each cover was decorated with the motif that best described the marine that lay within. It was obvious they were crafted by true artists.

Despite several of the coffins being empty, the symbolism still hung heavy in the room. A few steps from the wide doorway, two marines stood solemnly admiring and remembering the fallen. Jaska was in a dark red robe, a lone green braded rope held the robe close around his waist. Next to him Inushi stood head down in prayer. The Mantis Warrior was in the green robes of his chapter. It was the first time he had been out of the med bay since his return to the Frozen Rage several months ago. He still ached and moved slowly but he wanted to pay his respects as soon as he was able. The pain reminded him that the Emperor still had things for him to do, while the tasks for the others were complete.

For several minutes Inushi prayed, when he finished he looked up with heavy eyes. He slowly went to each coffin to admire the craftsman ship and think upon the marines that lay within.

“We’ll be back in the Vezda system soon Inushi, do you recall what the Inquisitor asked of us?” Jaska quietly asked.

The question seemed out of place to Inushi. It almost perturbed him how the marine would pollute this moment with a question such as that.

“Of course I remember, I swore to her, same as you,” Inushi eventually responded.

Jaska went down the line and casually looked at each coffin, “I have written up a full report in regards to the Ice Angels and their actions. I also included information in regards to the fallen marines here in this room. I however, did not witness the fall of several of these marines. You were there when Pyrox and Reven fell on the ork transport. Were you near when Brother Desai was sent to the Emperor’s side?”

Inushi tried to hide his surprise at the direct question, the images of the tormented Sky Warden flooded back to him before he could muster an honest response. His regrown heart was still tender from the replacement surgery and the wounds inflicted by Desai had already left their scars. “Yes, he fought with unmatched skill and ferocity before falling amongst the worms and denizens of that cursed planet.” Inushi did not look over at Jaska while he spoke. He kept his gaze on the white and light blue coffin of Desai. Aches in his chest flared up as he spoke. He took several deep breaths to calm himself.

The memory of his last encounter with Desai lingered in his thoughts. He vividly remembered what had transpired. That confused brief moment where Desai turned on him, left him wanting to speak out, but he knew better. Cyaxeres had said enough with very few words. The sense of confusion and the image of Cyaxeres looking down at him brought him back to the present.

Jaska stood on the opposite side of Desai’s coffin. “It will be up to you and I to determine the fate of the Ice Angels.” Inushi finally met the gaze of the Marine Chrysemys. Unanswered questions hung in the air between them, “Nefas is lost to us along with Inigo. Aquilum is going through the traumatic conversion to a dreadnought. I doubt the Inquisitor will accept his words. That only leaves you and I.” Jaska explained.

For a moment Inushi stood and pondered Jaska’s words. “How do you know what the Inquisitor will or will not accept Jaska? And why do you seem so concerned with my part in this. You’ve seen how the Ice Angels fight and act. I’m honored to have fought with them and witnessed their methods. Few could have done what they did and returned with as much. I see no cause for concern with the Ice Angels. I will not brand them heretic or anything but faithful to the Emperor and I don’t see how anyone could say otherwise.”

It was then Jaska’s turn to consider the words spoken between them. He stepped down to the first coffin. It was dark green with a sword wielding robed angel adorning its cover. Brother Evrard was etched into a silver band below the angels flowing robes.

“They hide much from us Mantis,” Jaska whispered. “They have many secrets and…….”

Inushi rolled his eyes and scoffed, “every chapter has its secrets Jaska. Our responses to our Inquisitor should be based around what we’ve seen not the dark unknown that the Inquisitors like to dwell upon.”

“It sounds like you don’t agree with the Inquisitors and their methods?” Jaska retorted.

“We are space marines,” Inushi began, “we fight with bolter and blade. They fight with words and shadows. I do not agree or disagree with their methods. I merely wish to avoid them entirely.”

The finality of his words made Jaska lean back, he took a final look at Brother Evrards coffin before turning for the exit. “Very well Inushi,” Jaska stepped through the door before giving a final look back, “do not forget all that we’ve lost and what we still stand to loose.”

Inushi watched the dark skinned marine depart and leave his line of sight. For several minutes he continued to stare at the open door way. His last statement puzzled him. Jaska and Inushi hadn’t spoken much during their time together with the Ice Angels but he seemed off to him. With a heavy sigh he looked back down at the coffins.

“Evrard of the Dark Angels, Reven of the Blood Angels, Walters of the Red Talons, Sergeant Pyrox of the Fire Angels, Desai of the Sky Wardens, Kvothe of the Shadow Sanctus, and Commander Vetov of the Emperor’s Tears,” Inushi paused after he recited each name, “may the Emperor guide you. You will not be forgotten.”

With a final respectful bow he turned and departed the room, the door servitor turned off the lights and quietly closed the wide doors behind him.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“Let me know if you need anything else Razzif,” with that Boolosh departed the room. The door closed behind him with a quiet hiss.

Razzik noticed Shar-Takazz’s annoyance at the incorrect pronunciation of his name. The ignoring of proper protocol also agitated Shar-Takazz along with nearly every other aspect of Boolosh. Razzik, on the other hand, had begun to enjoy Boolosh. He was an unusual human that prayed to the Emperor with a bizarre outlook. He found a strange sense of camaraderie with the man.

“Heretic, traitor,” Razzik could already hear the phrases that would brand Boolosh if he were in Imperial Space.

Shar-Takazz glanced at the stack of tools and food Boolosh had deposited. He then turned and checked again on Nillahfin. The wounded marine was having trouble breathing and had continued to worsen. They didn’t have the means to save him and the chances of him making it the entire trip seemed highly unlikely. It angered Shar-Takazz and saddened Razzik. Slowly suffering is not the way any one wanted a brother to go.

Zaduga, with one leg, had woken a few days ago along with Barru. Both began cleaning weapons and repairing gear using the items Boolosh had brought. They had already completed some battlefield repairs but needed additional items to fully restore the ancient weapons they had looted from the xenos museum, at least the ones they knew how to restore.

Behind them Nefas was still unconscious. His wounds had mostly healed but he still would not wake. Next to him the form of Shu-Takii was on a table against a wall. He was fully armored and laying on his side. His back pack was plugged into a converter which was plugged into the wall. A lone cord came out of his chest into an auspex.

Razzik assisted separating some of the tools and handing them to Zaduga. A needle rifle was disassembled next to him. The task of cleaning and repairing the weapons had given the marine a needed focus. The loss of a limb was common among marines and Zaduga had not once complained but Razzik could see how aggravated he was at being less efficient for the time being.

Shar-Takazz walked over to the wheeled cart that held various containers of food and drink. He removed his gauntlet and helmet. He took a small portion of everything to test for poisons. Methodically we went about checking the ingredients and then closely examining the cart along with the containers with an auspex. It was difficult to poison or drug an astartes but Shar-Takazz was ever suspicious.

As everyone took about their tasks Captain Razzik stepped over to the collection of items they had retrieved and taken with them. There were several cloaks, a half dozen blades, pistols, rifles, the volkite cannons Shu-Takii had used, a glaive, and a bag full of books and trinkets Shar-Takazz had filled.

The bag had been emptied and its contents were organized next to the tough maroon cloth of the bag. The trinkets varied in sizes and shapes, many were situation in the “unknown” pile. Next to the trinkets the books were stacked on top of one another. Razzik read the binding of each, but only understood a couple of them. Most were in languages he didn’t understand or recognize. After a brief examination of the ones he understood he opened one book written in low gothic, it was a diary of some sort.

Razzik turned to step away when a shimmer of gold caught his attention from within the maroon sack. He set down the diary and carefully opened up the bag. The mundane sack was made up of a tough material that showed no sign of damage or age. As he looked inside he saw intricate gold inlays, almost as if the interior of the bag was a wired device of some sort.

At the bottom of the bag was a black metal bound book. It had a wired design that almost matched the interior of the sack.

“Is something wrong with this last book?” Razzik asked.

“What book?” Shar-Takazz responded.

“The book that’s still in the bag,” he added.

“I emptied the bag Captain,” Shar-Takazz retorted without looking up from his work.

Razzik reached in and pulled out the book. It was very heavy and warm. He held it out for Shar-Takazz to see. “This book.” He added.

The sergeant of squad Rimsin looked up and gave a perplexed look. “I don’t know how I could have missed….”

His sentence was suddenly interrupted by the sharp intake of air from Nefas. Everyone in the room snapped to attention to see Nefas contorting on his table. His arms were wide and his head was tilted back as far as his neck would allow. The gaunt space marine was gasping for air and his limbs trembled. His eyes were wide and solid red. Razzik was the first to act. He leapt over a table and pushed equipment out of the way to get to Nefas’s side.

In the few seconds it took him to cross the room the violent spasm from the marine ceased. He crashed back down onto metal surface and then rolled to his side right off the table. Razzik slid and caught the marine’s upper torso before he could hit the hard metallic floor.

Razzik looked down at the face of the Sinner. His eyes were still solid orbs of red, blood trickled from his mouth and nose. His breathing was still frantic but his red eyes stared up at him with a commanding intensity.

For several seconds they stared at one another, the crumpled form of Nefas looking up at the solid armored Ice Angel Captain. The other marines in the room were motionless. Each had reached for the nearest weapon but they all waited. Indecision gripped the room, even Razzik was quiet. He wanted to speak. Hundreds of question flittered in his mind, but those red orbs kept him from speaking.

After a long blink Nefas looked back at Razzik, the red orbs had returned to the normal dark grey Razzik had first expected.

Slowly Nefas reached for the edge of the table and pulled himself up. Captain Razzik assisted him and took a small step back. The other marines in the room watched closely, not one had taken their hands from their weapons.

“Are you okay Nefas? We were unable to revive you.” Captain Razzik slowly spoke, watching Nefas’ reaction. The Sinner appeared very weak. He leaned on the table for support.

As Razzik studied Nefas he watched the gaunt marine return his gaze before beginning to look around, examining his surroundings. “That was not how I expected you to waken?” Razzik added.

Nefas returned his gaze back to Razzik. “That was not how I wanted to awaken,” he bowed his head as if in apology. For a brief moment Razzik thought he saw a glimpse of gratitude, but before the marine spoke again his face hardened and he tightened his jaw. His dark grey eyes were void of all emotions, only the calm calculating look Nefas usually had.

“Captain, you have proven to be very useful.” Nefas stated. “I think it is time I answered a few of your questions.”

The thought of getting some answers pleased Razzik but the tone in which Nefas stated bothered him. “proven to be useful” He thought on those words, something felt very out of place.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Prepare for reentry,” Commander Seluku stated as he absentmindedly hit several switches in his arm rest. The silver braids of his neuro links shivered slightly as he sent out commands throughout the ship and looked over to the armored Ice Angel standing next to him.

Inushi stood off to the side watching the Commander of the vessel and Sergeant Muttabriqu of the Uttuakki. He felt the distant warp drives deactivate and the ship lurch forward as if it were emerging from a deep pool to take its first breath. The monitors around the bridge switched from their system reports to their normal external camera view.

“Weapons active,” the deep voice of a man spoke.
“Sweeps are online,” a woman stated.
“Drives at 30%,” another added.

The bridge quickly became of symphony of reports. Seluku absorbed it all. Inushi listened but focused on the images on the screens.

In the distance the Iron Torch loomed upside down. Ships glowed and flashed as light reflected off their moving hulls. A wave of information appeared on the screens. Vessel tags, trajectory lines, a torrent of dull figures were added as on overlay on the screens. Muttabriqu was casually looking at each monitor. Inushi watched from a distance to see what ships were left to garrison the Iron Torch while the bulk of Imperial force was at war. He recognized several but most were unknown to him.

As the ship around him bustled with activity he continued his scan of the monitors. A familiar blue icon blinked on the next monitor over. Muttabriqu opened his mouth to give a command when Commander Seluku’s voice pierced the cloud of verbal information.

“Incoming message from the Herald of Sanguinius,”

Muttabriqu paused. Inushi turned to look at the veteran sergeant. For a brief moment a look of shock passed over the Ice Angels face before being replaced by the cold demeanor the angels all seemed to share. With a slight turn Muttabriqu regarded the Commander of the Frozen Rage, “I’ll take the message in the War Altar.”

Before Seluku could respond Muttabriqu was heading off the bridge past Inushi. He gave a slight nod as he did and Inushi fell into step right behind him. Naval guards and staff bowed and saluted as they passed by.

The War Altar was the adjacent room on the top floor of the multi-leveled bridge. It took only a few moments before they were passing through the iconic Ice Angel wings that adorned the black double doors. Servitors activated the necessary lights and screens as they entered.

Muttabriqu stood in the middle of the room and waited for the encryptions and security protocols to finish before he opened the line with the other ship. The process took only a few seconds to complete but Muttabriqu seemed to be very distant throughout that time. Inushi watched from the corner of the room by the door. He stood with his hands behind his back. It was the first time he had donned his armor after his serious injuries. The tech marines and artisans of the Frozen Rage were forced to replace parts of his damaged armor and it was greatly improved from what he had previously worn, but it didn’t feel right. Ice Angel armor was created with void warfare in mind. Mantis Warrior armor was created for stealth and silence. Both used Mark VI variants, but he knew he had to adjust his armor before it would once again be they way he wanted.

Without any warning the main bank of screens lit up and the form of a marine in blue mark III armor dominated them all. He wore a hood over his head and his face was hidden behind a golden mask. Inushi couldn’t see his eyes but he could feel the gaze of the marine. He didn’t need to see any of the iconography to know he was looking at an Ice Angel Librarian.

Muttabriqu bowed his head, “Greetings Inevitable Shar-Kallii,” he stated.

“Greetings Sergeant Muttabriqu of the Honored Uttuakki,” he quietly began. His voice carried an intense authority that demanded Inushi’s utmost attention. It was clear this marine was high ranking, simply by his tone. “It is good to see you have yet to visit the Emperor’s side.”

Muttabriqu bowed again, “I feel the Emperor still has much for me to do before I make that trip.”

Inushi watched the exchange between the two and noticed a slight smile pierce the façade of the librarian.

“Muttabriqu, do you recall the last conversation we had?” Shar-Kallii began.

The Veteran sergeant stiffened and narrowed his eyes. The memory clearly hadn’t been a pleasant one, Inushi thought to himself.

“Of course Inevitable, it was the day you and the council had promoted Razzik to eleventh captain.” Muttabriqu responded calmly. It was clear by his posture that he didn’t agree with that decision.

The librarian nodded, “indeed. Now, just as before, I can sense your anger in our decision. I do not need to explain myself to you, but you must know it was for the good of the chapter. Captain Razzik has an important role to play in our future.”

There was an uncomfortable pause in the air at the mention of the captain. Muttabriqu took a deep breath, “Inevitable, Captain Razzik has been lost. He went on a mission to…..”

Shar-Kallii lifted a white armored hand and tilted his head.

“I am aware he is not with you,” he shook his head, “you do not need to explain. I’ll let him do that when he arrives.”

Muttabriqu bowed his head once more. Inushi tried to contain his surprise at the Librarian’s words. He listened intently hoping the librarian would explain but the conversation between the two Ice Angels seemed to end.

Slowly the hooded angel tilted his head, “who is the warrior that shares the War Altar with you?”

Muttabriqu motioned to join him in the center of the room. “This is Brother Tano Inushi of the Mantis Warriors; he is one of the marines the Inquisitor sent with us.”

“AH, the warrior in green.” Shar-Kallii’s voice trailed off as if some divine puzzle piece was just handed to him. Inushi felt as if that statement had an implied meaning he was missing.

“Greetings Inushi, I regret that we are not meeting in person but I hope the second company has been honorable.”

“I have learned much and it was been my honor to fight along side them,” Inushi responded as diplomatically as he could.

Without further comments or questions the Inevitable turned back to Muttabriqu, “Sergeant, notify the Iron Torch that you have returned but do not send any reports or any information until Captain Razzik returns. Once completed gather your Uttuakki and join me on my ship. We have much to discuss.”

“Yes Inevitable,” Muttabriqu bowed.

“Brother Inushi of the Mantis, please notify the warrior in red that Captain Razzik will return to us with all of his men.”

Despite the battery of questions that assaulted his thoughts Inushi nodded his head, “it will be done.” After that the screens went blank. Both Inushi and Muttabriqu continued to stare at the fading monitors.

“Muttabriqu, how does he know about Captain Razzik?” Inushi asked before considering the possibilities.

“Are you familiar with the gifts the Emperor granted Sanguinius?” Muttabriqu eventually asked without altering his gaze.

“Of course, he was a true angel of death.” Inushi remembered the early lessons that he memorized even before becoming a full fledged battle brother. “The Emperor granted Sanguinius wings in which to fly across the battlefield. No one could match his combat skills. It was said that he could even see his opponent’s strikes before his opponent knew he was doing them.”

Muttabriqu nodded and turned, “Indeed. Sanguinius was gifted the ability to glimpse the futures and even see the paths various decisions could create.” He sighed and paused for just a moment. Inushi wondered if he should continue to list the wondrous abilities that Sanguinius was said to have. Before he could continue though Muttabriqu focused on Inushi, he seemed to be evaluating him. A tingling sensation passed over him, almost like he was entering a combat trance when every move could determine your fate. He felt no danger but all of his senses were intensely focusing on this moment.

“That ability is one that still appears in the Ice Angel blood line. That ability is one that the Inevitables, our guiding council, still use today.” Muttabriqu added before staring at Inushi with an authoritative glare. The weight and power of the words passed between them and Inushi could do nothing but continue to stare at the Ice Angel as the responsibility of that knowledge sank in. He didn’t know why Muttabriqu so openly answered his question.

The idea of a psyker council leading an astartes chapter fascinated him, then again there were reasons psykers weren’t chapter masters. The benefits of future sight were certainly obvious and he had heard of psykers with similar powers. That knowledge however, only led to more questions. He opened his mouth to speak but decided against it when he saw the determined look on Muttabriqu’s face.

Instead Inushi gave a salute, “If I may take my leave Sergeant Muttabriqu, I’ll go visit the warrior in red.”

Muttabriqu returned the salute, but did not respond. Inushi turned and quickly left the room, he was already thinking about the upcoming conversation with Jaska. He decided before he reached the double doors that he would keep most of his new knowledge to himself.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Razzik stared at Nefas. Unblinking, fists clenched, his power armor’s cooling system had kicked in as his twin hearts beat with fury. He had never wanted to hurt a fellow marine more then in that moment. It took all of his mental fortitude to hold his anger in check.

His mind raced as he tried to reevaluate everything that had been said since Nefas woke up and began to divulge his true purpose for accompanying the Ice Angels on their quest. He still couldn’t believe it. He felt betrayed. He had been deceived and worse then that, he was now being blackmailed.

With a short exhale through his nose his mind crashed to a halt. Psyker or not, Nefas was unarmored and in a room full of Ice Angels on a ship that wasn’t even Imperial. They could take him out before………

Razzik couldn’t hide the look of shock that crossed his face. The ideas he was entertaining were traitorous. No matter how much he disliked Nefas at that moment, no matter how much he wanted to remove his head from his neck, he would not. He took a deep breath and consciously forced himself to open his fists and return to his passive stance. His mind continue to race as his anger subsided, it wasn’t just Nefas that agitated him, it was the feeling of helplessness that he realized he had been harboring all along.

The Inevitables chose him to be the next captain and he had no other option but to accept. He had no other options but take over command of the second company once Captain Ruusa was slain. He could only accept his sentence set upon him by the Inquisitor Vervin. And now Nefas…

Another slow breath left his lips before he refocused on Nefas. “This is blackmail Nefas,” he said while trying to keep his anger from boiling back up.

“Call it what you will Captain. I am still giving you a choice. You can do as I say and help me or I can tell the Inquisitor exactly what she wants to hear.” Nefas hissed.

“You work for the Inquisition! How do I know you won’t just do that when you’re done with me,” Razzik retorted.

“You have my word Captain Razzik that you’re secrets will be kept with me and me alone. When my mission is complete you and your men will be released from their duty with honor. I guarantee that. On my honor and my life.” Nefas spoke with words without blinking or hesitating and for several seconds, Razzik believed him.

Razzik waited and looked away. He looked at Shar-Takazz then to several others before speaking again, “are you going to tell me that you will lie to your Inquisitor just to guarantee our aid in your quest?”

The dark gray eyes of Nefas narrowed, “she is not my Inquisitor. Vervin is merely a power hungry bureaucratic amateur. She doesn’t even know who I am.” his voice was full of venom as he mentioned Vervin. “Nor will I lie to her, I’ll simply leave out the subtle questionable things you Ice Angels have always done. Besides, I work for another, someone with more authority then she’ll ever be able to claim.”


The room fell silent as Razzik pondered the implications of what the Sinner had said. Realistically he only had one option and he hated Nefas for it.

“Very well Nefas. Myself and the men of my company will assist you for as long as you hold up your end of this arrangement.”

The feeling of helplessness weighed on his shoulders as he said the words. Captain Razzik met the stare of Nefas. The thin pale marine’s face slowly turned to a smile, “Excellent Captain. Together, we will stop the Dark Eldar menace.”

Nefas stepped past Razzik towards a cart with food and drink. Razzik slowly looked at each Ice Angel in the room as the Sinner began his feast. The Angels showed no outward emotion as they met Razzik’s stare. Shar-Takazz gave a small approving nod before going back to his business.

Finally Razzik uprooted himself from his standing position and moved back to his corner. He grabbed one of the books along the way to take his mind off of the feeling of dread that hung around him. When he looked down he saw he’d picked the black metal bound book that no one else had seemed to notice.

* * * * * * * * *

“Anything else Captain?” Razzik asked as he placed his hands on the table to get up.

“No, that was all” Fybblywhyp responded as the Ice Angel stood up to his full height. No matter how many times they met, the genetically modified human still scared him.

Razzik took a final look at the occupants in the room. Sybyl was seated to Fybblywhyp’s right. Sithri was standing in the dark corner as always. Thead was by the door behind the space marine with his claws on the hilts of his blades. When Razzik finished his sweep of the room he looked back at Fybblywhyp, “when we arrive I’d like to extend my gratitude for your assistance. On my homeworld it is tradition to have a feast with your allies upon the completion of a long mission. Would you join me upon my ship?”

Before Razzik had completed his request, Fybblywhyp was mentally shaking his head. There is no way he’d take a single step on a ship full of space marines. He’d rather be naked, covered in sweet sap, and dropped into a Vespid Den before sharing a meal with an astartes.

He leaned forward to speak when Sybyl reached out a touched his arm. “Father, I would really enjoy to see a real space marine ship.”

The shock of her request left him speechless and stunned. Her complete lack of fear in this situation also disturbed him.

Before Fybblywhyp could respond Razzik spoke once again. “Not all space marine ships are created equal Sybyl Quip. Many are nothing but cold brutish vessels with a singular purpose but an Ice Angel ship is so much more. Our ships are designed to not only be superior to other vessels of similar sizes but to be a functional work of art to show the true glory of the Emperor.”

Fybblywhyp didn’t believe a word of what Razzik said but he could see how Sybyl’s imagination was already attempting to picture it.

Razzik switched his gaze from Sybyl back to Fybblywhyp. “I will send you the docking instructions after I’ve arrived on my ship.”

The Captain of the Benevolent Aberration watched the space marine leave the room. Boolosh was quickly at his side walking with him back to the temporary med bay. The guards were soon behind them both, keeping their distance from the pair.

The shock was slowly wearing off when Sybyl moved to speak. “I can not wait to see that ship. I wonder how much it costs them to run a….”

“NO!” Fybblywhyp yelled as he slammed his fist on the table. He nearly shocked himself at how much emotion had quickly welled up within him. “We will not be going to his ship. Razzik and every other marine are not to be trusted. We will leave as soon as those marines are off our ship and we have our payment.”

Sybyl looked as if she had been slapped. “What is wrong with you?” She dared to ask. Fybblywhyp spun and gave her a glare that silenced the room. His own daughter talking back to him like this, he narrowed his eyes. If she wasn’t his only blood she’d been on a way to an open airlock.

After a slow exhale he hissed, “I told you Sybyl. Imperial agents discovered our family had psykers so they came to collect them. When they refused a fight broke out and every Imperial agent was dead. Then the black ships came. They brought psykers of their own but it wasn’t until the space marines arrived that……….” His voice trailed off as he saw Sybyl shaking her head in denial. “None of them are to be trusted.” Fybblywhyp added.

“I hear you, Captain,” she used his title which unnerved him, “and I heard you before, but I think you’re missing an opportunity here. Captain Razzik hasn’t given us any trouble and he has agreed to all of the terms you’ve given him.”

“After we have our payment, this ship will be mine. You’ll be retired on some rim world busy with your garden.” She sneered at the thought, “I see an opportunity here. Imagine how much astartes must pay for their supplies.” She looked around at Sithri and Thead, “Think of the fame, of the action! Think of the money!” She leaned forward, “I could command not only this ship, but an entire fleet. With our contacts and connections, it would be easy.”

“No, this is not up for debate Sybyl.”

“And why not?” She spat and leaned forward, “People said not to hire Kroot, but you did. They told you you’d never be able to trade with the Kashnians, and you did. Time and time again you’ve rebelled against what others have told you.”

She paused for a brief moment, “how many times have you said to not judge any alien until you’ve met them and worked with them. Hell, how many members of our crew did others called psychotic and untrustworthy?”

Fybblywhyp was speechless. She was calling him out. All he could do was shake his head, “Sybyl, this is different.”

“How?” she interrupted. “Was Captain Razzik the one that destroyed our homeworld?”

Fybblywhyp took a deep breath and sighed. He had always known Sybyl was ambitious, but this……. This was not what he had ever expected.

“No, but….”

“He already stated his ship is different then other space marines, maybe he and his men are different then the ones that murdered the rest of our family. Why can’t we at least give him a chance?” She calmed down as she finished her question and all eyes settled in on Captain Quip.

He stared back at her, and for once he truly felt like he needed to retire. He understood her logic and realized she was right. He had no real proof that Captain Razzik and his men were monsters or demons like he had always believe, but his gut would not shake the feeling of dread.

“It seems your mind is set and we will be there soon,” he looked back down at the table unable to come up with any reasonable argument. “You can leave and do what you will.”

Sybyl nodded and turned to depart the room.

“I will not be going with you though,” he added before reached the door. She hesitated but didn’t look back as she left the room.

Thead and Sithri exchanged glances with one another, neither knowing what to say or do. When Fybblywhyp finally took his gaze away from the table he stared at the open door, his eyes lost in future possibilities.

“Sithri, I want you to go with her when she goes. Do whatever you need to do to protect her. Shi-Thead, my friend, I want our best human guards to go with her as well. Everyone else I want on red alert and fully prepared for anything suspicious.”

The two nodded in acknowledgement before they left.

Finally alone, he took off the red ring on his index finger and slumped into his chair. He rotated the small band of metal absentmindedly. “It wasn’t supposed to end this way,” he kept telling himself. He tried to think of his retirement. He forced himself to picture the dream he had spent so long creating but the fear of reality kept beating it away.

“Damn,” he cursed. Slowly he got up and took a final look around the room. He rubbed his face trying to think of anything other then his daughter. He then couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t sure if it was out of fear or out of the realization that she was exactly like he was back in the day.

They will arrive in two days. His mind raced to think of something that would take her away from this dangerous path but then again, nothing ever stopped him once his mind was set.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Inushi watched Jaska absorb his words. He heard a simple grunt of acknowledgement and caught a glimpse of skepticism as Inushi finished giving his message. Without any other sound Jaska went back to his data slate.

For a minute Inushi stood motionless in his green armor waiting for Jaska to add anything but when he continued to give him the silent treatment Inushi slowly turned and left for the door. The spartan room had several shelves decorated with several clumps of ragged books. As he past the bed a dull gray data crystal caught his attention. It was plugged into the beds data jack. Something in the back of his head tingled but he didn’t dwell on it.

He left the room and let the door slide shut behind him. The barrack section of this floor was relatively quiet, only servitors and the occasional naval staff could be seen walking around.

Inushi was about to head to the training halls when a floating servo skull bobbed in front of him. A miniscule pincer held a scroll. The skull hovered in front of Inushi’s face for a few seconds before releasing the scroll. The Mantis Warrior effortlessly grabbed the falling piece of parchment before it passed his waist.

“Come and visit me in my workshop when you’re able. I want to check on your armor fitting” was all that was written on the note. The icon of an iced over cog adorned the corner. It was the stamp of Techmarine Philosir.

In a blink of an eye Inushi had read the small piece of parchment and was moving towards the engineering sector of the ship. He looked forward to speaking with Philosir about his armor, he needed it modified. It made too much noise for his liking.

* * * * * * *

It took Inushi several hours to get across the Frozen Rage to the engineering section in which Philosir kept his workshop. Despite the elaborate lay out of the warship, Inushi couldn’t help but notice the built in choke points and kill zones that he walked through. Even as he approached the first security check point at the entrance to engineering, he couldn’t help but feel like he was entering a heavily guarded fortress. The strong scent of incense hung in the air like a welcoming cloud. Towering figures flanked the giant iron gates that protected the sacred machines within the core of the Frozen Rage. At first glance they looked like ancient statues carved from the dark stone of a moonlight mountain. At second glance, he saw the large caliber weapons they held looked very functional.

Inushi was not allowed past the first check point, instead he was forced to wait for an escort. His green armor was a stark contrast to the ice blues and blacks of the Ice Angel staff, the reds of the mechanicum, and the light gray of the Tundra Fox PDF. He noticed the suspicious looks that both man and machine gave him as they went about their business. Guests were rare in the deep recesses of the ship.

Quickly though, the hustle of the area turned into a Mantis Warrior training exercise. He noted the entries and the exits. He studied the ranks of members that departed each one and which areas seemed of little use or high importance. He also took note of the strength and defensibility the next fortress wall had cleverly hidden.

He was already imagining what some of the floor and ceiling panel traps hid when the heavy ponderous footsteps of a dreadnought approached. The blank unarmed form of Aquilum strode towards him. Inushi noticed that the contemptor body in which he was entombed had seen some recent work. Wires dangled from several access panels.

“Greetings Aquilum,” Inushi said with a nod.
“HELLO MANTIS….. erm, *STATIC* ……..amn blessed machine…….. *STATIC*” the dreadnought rocked back and forth as if an internal being was thrashing about.

With a loud click, the static ended, “there, that’s better. I apologize Inushi, I’m still adjusting to my new,” he paused, “armor.”

Inushi couldn’t help but feel a hint of sorrow for his friend. The frustration in Aquilum’s voice reminded Inushi that Aquilum still wasn’t himself. Over the past few weeks the Emperor’s Fool was beginning to regain some of his personality and that made Inushi feel better about Aquilum’s predicament but he wondered if the jolly Emperor’s Fool would ever fully return to his old self.

“Philosir has been running diagnostics on the armor and myself. I have passed the first three thousand four hundred and eighty three tests,” Aquilum trailed off as he looked past Inushi.

“Excellent!” the gray dreadnought said too himself as he took a ponderous step. Inushi jumped away as he was nearly crushed by the massive armored leg. “It has arrived!” The excitement was obvious in Aquilum’s voice.

The dreadnought took several more steps to intercept an incoming cart that was pulled by treaded servitors. Inushi jogged behind him. His curiosity was peaked as the cart stopped before the towering dreadnought.

Aquilum looked down at the open topped cart then back to his armless form. “Inushi, please open it. I have to see it!”

Without further question or comment Inushi leapt onto the cart with ease. It tilted slightly under his armored weight but stayed upright. In the cart was a massive container that multiple space marines could easily lay down inside. Inushi went to the front of the cart and opened up one side of the long rectangular box. In it was a stack of bright pink fabric. “YESSSSSSS,” the dreadnought whispered.

Inushi reached over to open up the other side. A stack of yellow fabric filled the remaining half of the container. He couldn’t contain the grin that was forcing itself onto his face. He looked up at the emotionless eyes of the dreadnought. Maybe there was still some hope for Aquilum.

“Inushi, can you assist me? I do not think I would be able to dawn my new robe without arms.” Aquilum’s voice boomed.

A monotone voice cut in before Inushi could respond. “Aquilum, the robe will be on soon enough.”

The partially armored form of Philosir was standing behind them both. He crossed his arms as he stopped near the towering dreadnought. Six spider like tool arms were tucked behind his back, waiting to spring into action with the slightest mental command.

The yellowed eye lens of Aquilum looked down at the floor in disappointment.

“Come Aquilum, let us finish our diagnostics. Then we will sanctify the armor and adorn it with your proper colors. You will wear your robe when the machine spirit of your ancient suit has bonded with your mind.” As Philosir finished, he held out one hand to send Aquilum back to his workshop. The dreadnought didn’t say anything else but seemed to sulk as he walked away.

Philosir stepped closer to Inushi as the dreadnought walked away. The cart with his robe followed behind him.

“If I can keep him focused it shouldn’t be too many more days before he is ready for his first training session.” Philosir turned to look at Inushi his light gray eyes demanded his attention. “I would like you to be there when it is time.”

“Of course,” Inushi quickly responded, “whatever I can do to assist Aquilum shall be done.”

The eyes of Philosir lingered on Inushi’s face before he stepped back and began to scan Inushi’s armor. Without any warning a cable leapt out from Philosir and clicked into a data port in Inushi’s chest. “How is your new armor functioning?”

Philosir tilted his head as several of the tools on his back slowly snaked into action. Two came up over his head while another came around from under his left arm.

Inushi squared up with Philosir, “it is excellent mark six armor, but it is not built for my style.” The departing form of Aquilum caught his eye once more, “I too need to bond with my armor and I have some requests for further alterations.”

The tech marine stepped back as his tools ceased their inspections and the chest data hook up retreated. Philosir cocked an eye brow but said nothing. Inushi was unsure if he had offended him or if he was curious at his request.

“Of course Inushi, but before we step into my workshop, isn’t there something you needed to tell me?”

A blank look was all Inushi could give, he thought back to his conversations wondering if there was something he had forgotten.

“Am I not too a warrior in red?” Philosir said with open arms. The corner of his eyes seemed to smile at him as his monotone voice spoke. Inushi chuckled as he heard the words of Shar-Kallii in the back of his mind.

“I guess that is true, you too are a warrior in red.” Inushi hadn’t even considered Philosir when he had listened to the librarian’s words. He opened his mouth to reiterate what the librarian had said but stopped himself. “How do you know I spoke to Shar-Kallii?” He asked with a pointed finger.

Philosir nodded and motioned to walk. “When on my ship I pay close attention to what is happening, especially when an Inevitable calls in.”

“I probably do not need to tell you what he said then, do I?” Inushi asked as he kept pace with the tech marine.

“Actually, I think you should relay the message personally,” Philosir requested. His response puzzled Inushi before Philosir spoke again, “just in case the Inevitable asks.”

* * * * * *

Captain Razzik looked over at his companions. Shar-Takazz and his squad were fully armored. All of their gear was stowed away in compartments or attached to them in some way shape or form. The volkite chargers were attached to the motionless form of Shu-Takii. Nefas stood in a dark corner in meditation. His white helmet was muffling the soft whisper of his prayers.

Outside the door all of the marines knew that a large contingent of Captain Fybblywhyp’s warriors waited to escort them to the hanger. Razzik didn’t need to see them to feel the tension in the air. There was no doubt in his mind that he and his men could kill them all if necessary but he hoped it didn’t come to that. He didn’t want to take the chance of any more injuries. Nevertheless they were prepared.

He knew once they reentered real space what he would do but there was still a tickle in the back of his mind as to what Fybblywhyp would do. A normal person would have gone mad with the possibilities. Captain Razzik turned it into a simple matter of probability.

A familiar shudder quaked through the ship. The sound of the warp engines began to die down. He waited for the sound of the real space engines to kick in, but a substantially different engine noise kick in. Razzik thought about the possibility of tau modifications being ingrained with the Imperial frame. The thought intrigued him and disgusted him.

For several minutes nothing happened. Razzik looked down at the communications device Boolosh had provided him. It was still on. He hadn’t crushed it with his super human strength.

“If we are where we should be, we should have gotten hailed already,” Sergeant Shar-Takazz casually mentioned while reconfirming his new blades were still attached to the tight bandolier across his chest.

“I’m sure the Iron Torch and its defenses attempted to make contact as soon as we reentered,” Razzik stated as he walked over to the armored form of Shu-Takii.

He placed a hand on the marine’s chest. The commincator flashed in his hand. “Captain Razzik there is a Captain Muttabriqu on the coms for you,” the voice of Fybblywhyp stated.

Razzik was thankful that he had his helmet to hide his shock. “Captain Muttabriqu? I see you didn’t waste any time taking my place” Razzik said into the device with a hint of amusement.

“Do not forget Brother Captain, you are now the 10th Captain of the Ice Angels. The Inevitables granted me the 11th Captaincy once they heard of Captain Ruusa’s death.” There was a pause on the line between the two before Muttabriqu spoke again. “Welcome back Brother Captain, I hope the Sons of Shattermantle among you are graceful.”

“Their grace is unrivaled except by one.” Razzik responded with a simple phrase to point out that one marine is down. His specific words gave Muttabriqu all the information he would need. “It will be good to be back on my ship,” he added.
“We are en route and will be there soon. Be vigilant Brother Captain.” Muttabriqu said.

“You as well,” he added.

With that the comm went silent.

A new shudder rippled through the room. The marines looked around as the floor quaked. An urgent encoded message flashed across his helmet. Captain Razzik grabbed for a device on Shu-Takii’s belt. Shar-Takazz was instantly at his side. Razzik was unable to manipulate the device properly because of his powerfist but Shar-Takazz took it from him and nimbly placed the two pieces on Shu-Takii’s. A cord dangled between the two.

The floor shook again, several pieces of medical equipment fell off shelves. There was a hydraulic hiss of air as well hidden seems in the floor began to quickly shift. Wall panels continued to shake as unseen engines fired up. Within seconds the floor began to reveal the jagged line of a hull door.

“Is it ready?” Razzik calmly asked Shar-Takazz.
His response was a simply nod as he held up a wired box with a yellow button.
By this time Nefas was next to them both. “What are you doing with your dead companion?”
Captain Razzik didn’t respond, instead he pressed the yellow button and the two wired pieces on his chest along with a previously attached device on his back jolted the limp space marine with incredible force.

Shu-Takii sat up right as his backpack generator whined at the overcharge it received. He slid off the table and nearly fell. Razzik held him upright. The volkite cannons were once again floating but only inches above the floor like wounded pets at their damaged master’s side.

“How much time do you have Brother?” Razzik asked as Shu-Takii pushed past him.

Shu-Takii stared at the floor as the last panels folded into themselves. He quickly strode across his side of the room to one of the quaking panels. He pointed at a panel on the other side of the room and gave the signal to remove it. Once Barru was in motion Shu-Takii pulled off the panel with two hands. Inside was a complex machine of non-imperial design. Shu-Takii took a split second to examine it when the floor shook again. He reached out and forcibly removed an armored purple box in the corner of the revealed wall. Sparks shot out at as he did. The engine shut down immediately there after. He held up the device and Barru took a glance before he did the same. All of the other vibrations quickly shut down in sequence.

“Is he still dead?” Nefas asked again as he pointed at Shu-Takii.

Razzik didn’t have time to respond when the door to the medical bay exploded in at them. Gunfire quickly followed.

* * * * * * * * * *

The fire fight had too many variables to properly determine the outcome so he ceased his mental exercise. He looked down at the two armored purple boxes he had in his hand. He took a deep breath before looking at Boolosh. Around him the other marines were semi-armored. Weapons and gear were still lying around the room.

“Thank you for your honesty,” Captain Razzik said as he looked at the paneled floor. Boolosh finished replacing the wall panel. No one would know it had been disturbed.

“I do not know if he would have ever used it Razzif, but I think his judgment is clouded because of a previous encounter with a space marine.” Boolosh added as he picked up his tools. For a moment he stared off into space, “I think the Emperor still has plans for you any ways. It’d be tough to fulfill much of anything while floating in space eh?”

Captain Razzik could only nod as he determined his next course of action.

“We arrive tomorrow, I’m sure the Captain will try to get you off of his ship as soon as possible,” Boolosh said as he slowly walked towards the door. He reached the door when Razzik finally spoke again.

“Boolosh, once we are there I will be inviting Sybyl to my ship for a feast, make sure you come with her.” Razzik commanded.

The definitive tone by Razzik made Boolosh pause, “Don’t worry Razzif. I’ll never miss a good feast.”

After that Boolosh left the room leaving the space marines by themselves again. Shar-Takazz and Nefas both eyed Razzik but the room stayed silent. He began to think again on the likely hood of Fybblywhyp ejecting his marines into space.

* * * * * * * *

Captain Fybblywhyp collapsed into his chair. His mouth fell open as he stared at the decking in front of him. “It’s not working Cap’n.” The frantic words echoed in his head. He shook his head hoping this was all a nightmare. When he opened his eyes the scene hadn’t changed. His palms were sweating. He looked up at the monitors. Sixteen Ice Angel vessels were barreling down on him. Further in the distance, vessels twinkled in a relative sphere around a station tagged the Iron Torch.

Fybblywhyp and his ship were very distant from the picket line around the station but the Ice Angels were anchored outside the Imperial ships as well. It was as if they knew they were coming. Before the Benevolent Aberration had even finished cycling down the warp drives the Ice Angel fleet was in motion towards them.

They would hardly have enough time to spin the drives back up to speed before the Ice Angels would be on top of them. He thought on his previous commands.

“Without slowing down, we dump the cargo, then jump right back out of the system,” he thought back on what he had told the handful who needed to know.

“Captain, there is still no sign of activity from the marines.” Vard stated.

His words cut through Fybblywhyp’s mental panic attack. “Maybe they hadn’t noticed my failed attempt to jettison them all,” he began to think to himself. He switched one of his arm rest monitors over to a grid of drone cams that surrounded the halls around the room in which all of the space marines were still in.

“Captain Quip,” the voice of Razzik cut through the ships communicator. Fybblywhyp shivered at the sound. Dread crept into his bones.

“My fleet is on its way. Do we have permission to head to the hanger?” Razzik asked calmly.

Hope shoved the dread out of his body, maybe nothing worked, perhaps the initial floor tiles didn’t even move. The possibilities flashed through his mind as he slid the microphone over to his face.

He cleared his voice before activating a rune on his throne, “Of course Captain Razzik. There is an escort outside your room. They will lead you to the hanger.” He looked back to the grid of drones. He watched the doors open. Captain Razzik casually stepped out of the room with the other marines right behind him. Two marines were being carried while another was using another marine as support. Despite the obvious injuries, each was a ceramite tower of destructive force. Fybblywhyp swallowed hard at the sight.

Boolosh quickly moved up and led them towards the hanger. Thead, along with his Kroot, and nearly every member of the ships defensive force followed them.

He didn’t blink as he watched them move from one screen to another.

For several minutes he watched with anticipation as the space marines and their guard envoy moved through the ship towards the nearest hanger. When they arrived the ships guards and fire warrior teams spread out around the entrances to the empty hanger. They had predetermined positions behind barriers and firing points. The doors to the hanger were all open but only Boolosh, a handful of human guards, Razzik, and his marines were actually in the hanger. All of the others stayed in the halls behind cover.

Fybblywhyp took his gaze off of the hanger room scene to look at the perfectly symmetrical attack pattern the Ice Angel ships had taken. In under an hour he would be surrounded by a blizzard of Ice Angels. He should have had more time then this.

The sight of the oncoming wave of vessels gave him pause. Options flashed through his mind. All of his experience of captaincy told him it was over. Somehow he had lost control of his own fate. He hated it but he had to see this one through. He couldn’t flee before they would be in weapons range. He couldn’t warp jump before they were in weapons range. He could lower the fields around the hanger and flush the marines along with a handful of his guards into space but images of Captain Razzik punching through the halls of his ship stopped him.

He felt the despair of it all crash over him yet the tension of the situation dissipated like a late morning fog. It was truly out of his control now.

“Kavu slow the ship and align us with the incoming Ice Angel vessels,” he commanded. He didn’t need to see Kavu to know the change of plan had surprised him. Fybblywhyp heard a glass set back down, “whatever you say captain,” Kavu responded.

“Captain Quip,” the powerful voice of Razzik echoed again, “thank you for your services. Once I’m aboard my ship arrangements for your payment will be made and the plans for the feast will begin.”

The words hung in the air for a moment. Captain Quip stared at the armored form of Razzik on the monitor in front of him. He was lost in thought for a moment before he responded, “Thank you Captain Razzik. I eagerly await your response,” he lied.

A weak grin returned to his face. He rubbed the red tiered facial hair while his thoughts continue to spiral, “perhaps we’ll still make it out of this one,” he thought to himself. The mental phrase didn’t grant him any comfort.

A private comm link flashed on Fybblywhyp’s throne. He grabbed one of the ear pieces. It slid into place as the voice of Rekk mumbled on the other end.

“What happened in there?” Fybblywhyp asked quietly.

“The floor tiles had moved Captain. The doors didn’t open but the tiles moved. I’m about to……” Rekk stopped.

Fybblywhyp thought the line had been cut before Rekk cleared his throat.

“The receivers for the door are on one of the tables.” Shock stunted his words as he spoke. Fybblywhyp didn’t need any further information. He ended their conversation by removing the ear piece. The grin melted off his face. His gaze turned back to Captain Razzik, his future was now in the hands of that space marine and there was no doubt in his mind that Razzik knew what he had tried to do.

* * * * * * * *

Razzik and his marines had their helmets on. They each stood impassive as he had commanded. All of their weapons were sheathed or mag locked to their sides. He could feel all of the eyes still on them and up until the Thunderhawk entered the hanger he could hear the soft hum of the drones that hovered in the shadows.

A black Thunderhawk roared into the hanger at a slight angle in order to fit through the open hanger doors. He smiled at the approaching ship. If Captain Quip was afraid of space marines then what he was about to see could possibly send him into shock.

All Thunderhawks were treasured vessels within the Ice Angel chapter. They each had their own history, unique layout, and personality. Of all the Thunderhawks in the chapter though, the one that hovered before him had a special place amongst the chapter’s history.

The Forgotten, was a shade of black that reminded him of deep space. It was a menacing vessel with only a single blue Ice Angel icon above the front jaw like doors. It had fewer weapons then all of the other hawks in the chapter but its unique underwinged plasma batteries and turret mounted volcano cannon always seemed to do the job. The rest of the sleek transport was smooth with well hidden seams that made it look like it was constructed from a single piece of black alloy.

Captain Razzik smiled an instant before the retro jets activated and it halted its forward progress. He looked over at Boolosh who stood next to him. Before the thunderhawk had even touched the decking, the doors swung open as the air around the vessel crackled. In a flash, a unit of assault centurions materialized on each side of the vessel. Boolosh jumped back at the sight of the siege drill wielding space marines.

They were already spreading out as metal plates slid out from the opening jaws of the vessel. The first metal plate stepped onto the hanger the moment the ship touched the metal floor. To the untrained eye the metal plates looked like an extension of the vessel but to Razzik and his marines, they knew that those plates were Ice Angel boarding shields.

After only a few seconds the plates ceased moving. Captain Razzik took a few steps forward as the front two marines of the shield line broke rank to allow a plumed Ice Angel in iron armor to step through. Razzik kneeled before the marine as he approached.

The plumed marine had a thunderhammer across his back and a boarding shield in his left hand that was covered with purity seals and oath papers. He stopped only a few steps away from Captain Razzik.

“You no longer have to kneel before me Captain Razzik,” the marine’s deep voice boomed.

Captain Razzik stood up and looked at the red eye lens of the marine. It had been a long time since he had seen the Boarding Master, Bel Quapoo. In another chapter he would be known as the master of recruits but the Ice Angels hadn’t used that title in a very long time.

“Boarding Master, it has been too long,” Razzik began before Bel Quapoo waived his hand.

“Don’t start any of that reminiscent bullmalarkey, do you remember nothing that I taught you? Get your men on the Forgotten, Captain.” The Boarding Master commanded and the Ice Angels responded.

Shar-Takazz and the others picked up their gear and their wounded and marched up the ramp onto the ship. Nefas followed. Captain Razzik held the gaze of the Boarding Master for a moment longer. He wondered if he could sense the smile on his face.

They broke the mutual gaze before Captain Razzik turned to Boolosh.

“Thank you for your hospitality Boolosh. I hope to return the favor shortly. Please make sure Sybyl Quip will be ready,” he asked with a slight head nod.

Boolosh could only mouth several nondescript words as Captain Razzik strode behind the shield wall. Within seconds the shield wall melted back into the vessel and the assault centurions were teleported back on board.

The Forgotten lifted off the deck and slid backwards into space at the same angle it entered in. The ship hadn’t been on board for more then a minute.

The Thunderhawk turned and blasted its jets back towards the waiting Ice Angel vessels as soon as it was free of the hanger. Bel Quapoo opened up a private vox channel with Razzik as it did.

“Good enough?” Bel Quapoo asked.

Razzik gave a positive grunt. “Did you leave the package?” Razzik retorted.

“Right outside,”

“Perfect, “Razzik quickly responded.

Suddenly the private vox ended and the Boarding Master spoke to everyone on board, “PERFECT?! WARP NO. Next time I land my ship to pick you up, you better be moving before I touch the ground. You hear me SERGENT Shar-Takazz?!” The Bel Quapoo spat. “How am I supposed to show these neophytes how it’s done when my veterans can’t even get on their rescue boat without a written invitation?” he continued.

The private channel opened back up. Razzik spoke first, “much better” he added with a smile.

The deep voice of Bel Quapoo suddenly changed tone, “thank you Razzik, it is good to see” he quietly responded. The Boarding Master was then moving back through the crew compartment making sure everyone was properly strapped in. Captain Razzik smiled as he watched Bel Quapoo continue to yell at the Ice Angel neophytes on the ship.

* * * * * * * *

“Captain Razzik the shuttle is inbound,” the monotone voice of Tech Marine Philosir echoed from a floating vox caster. “At current speed, ETA seventeen minutes,” he added.

“Thank you Philosir,” Razzik said to the floating vox servitor. He adjusted his dress uniform and once again looked at himself in the glass before him. The purple Ashurbani icon adorned his right breast, underneath it listed all of the other units he had ever been a member of. The tenth captain pin was a winged silver X on his right collar. He realized that he had worn the eleventh captain pin on his dress uniform once and that was the day he received it.

He preferred his power armor but certain circumstances required another set of protection. In the codex astartes, the ancient words of Guilliman spent entire chapters on the subject of diplomacy, dress code, and etiquette. They were chapters Razzik was not particularly fond of.

The thought of spending less time fighting and more time talking was about to annoy him when the glass doors slid open. He strode out into a massive chamber. To his right and left four floors of open space lined the long room. The hall could hold the entire Ice Angel Chapter but it currently contained only a fraction of it.

As Razzik approached the mass of armored marines, the deep voice of Bel Quapoo shouted and a solid clang of ceramite on ceramite echoed throughout the chamber. No other sound followed until Razzik found himself standing next to the Boarding Master.

Before him fifty marines stood in solid black armor. They had no Ice Angel iconography, they had no squad markings, they had no purity seals or stylized equipment. They were standing at attention ten abreast and five deep, each carried a white bolt pistol and a white chainsword.

Loosely arranged around the black armored statuesque marines were groups of more tenured Ice Angels and even more neophytes that were in simple black robes. Chaplain Cyaxeres stood next to Chaplain Mutallu quietly speaking to one another. In stark contrast to all of the black armored figures, a small conclave of white armored Sanguinary Priests prayed with knelt heads behind the block of motionless neophytes. Inevitable Shar-Kallii was in his ice blue power armor surrounded by a herd of chapter serfs anointing and chanting as they graced his venerable war gear. Razzik saw Shar-Kallii reach out to take his well known broken blade.

Captain Razzik was still taking in all of the details of the other marines in the room when Bel Quapoo spoke again.

“NEOPHYTES!” he let his voice echo around the chamber. Razzik could tell that Bel Quapoo loved to hear his own deep voice. The Boarding Master held out his empty hands and a wicked grin crossed his scarred face.

“TODAY,” he paused before lowering the tone of his voice,” the Emperor smiles on you all. Not only does the Tenth Captain grace your presence BUT he has granted you the test you have been waiting for.” He let the words lingering in the vast chamber before he quickly spat out their mission. “In approximately thirty minutes we will be teleporting onto an enemy vessel. Your units will be issued further orders upon arrival and scored according to our satisfaction. Kill points and objective completion speed will be compared with ammo usage and injuries to your unit. The death of a member will instantly disqualify your entire unit.”

Bel Quapoo flared his nostrils and widen his eyes at the thought. He then began to pace before the sentinel marines. “The ship is to be claimed. Collateral damage will be held against your score. The enemy is varied and prepared. They are xenos loving traitors who have been corrupted by Tau and their ilk.”

“For those who reach a satisfactory score, you will be awarded your Ice and a place amongst the brethren. For the rest of you,” he stopped mid sentence and chuckled a low grumble, “you know what that means for the rest of you.”

He didn’t let them dwell on that thought before orders to squads were given and the fifty marines turned to march towards the teleportation chambers deep inside the Herald of Sanguinius.

Captain Razzik watched them file away in unison step. Shar-Kallii and the Sanguinary Priests completed their preparations before they too left the chamber. The unarmored neophytes were led back to the training halls. The remaining Ice Angels went about their business, but many caught Razzik’s attention and gave a distant nod or salute.

Left to himself he strode down the center isle. He marveled at the architecture of the room, the hand crafted statues that lined the walls, each a perfect representation of a note worthy Ice Angel. Above him a transparent panel lined the length of the room. Distant ships and stars sparkled over head illuminating the expansive area.

A side pathway cut into the lowest tier on his left. Razzik took a final glance at the space before walking down the isle. He passed several servitors and a maintenance team before exiting the long hall. One of his old friends waited outside. Sergeant Hunzuu of the Ashurbani was in his dress uniform. On his right collar was the runic icon for sergeant while on his left collar the purple symbol of the Ashurbani was stitched into his collar. Instead of the lone ice blue of the chapter running down his sleeves he had a parallel purple stripe that showed his veteran status just like Captain Razzik.

“Hunzuu!” Razzik smiled as he approached.

Sergeant Hunzuu stiffened and saluted, “Captain Razzik” he added before allowing a smile to show.

“It is good to have you back Captain,” Hunzuu added as they gave a warriors greeting, forearm to forearm.

“It is good to be back. It was a rather interesting detour we took to get back here, was it not it?” Razzik asked.

Hunzuu’s smile dissipated, “I have heard little of it thus far.” The simple phrase seemed sharp to Razzik. The Captain gave a quizzical look to Hunzuu before he raised an eye brow.

“Sergeant, do you have something else to add?” Razzik added before motioning him to move. The two walked side by side as the bustle of the avenue they walked flowed around them leaving them unimpaired as they headed towards one of the many hangers.

“You should have taken the Ashurbani with you on your mission,” Hunzuu began. “Squad Rimsin has an admirable reputation as does Sergeant Shar-Takazz but….” Razzik interrupted with a hand wave.

“This again,” he shook his head, “How many battles did I lead you into before I became captain and you still argue with me.”

“I did not once argue with you during an engagement nor will I in the future, but now,” Hunzuu hesitated as if lost for words. He shook his head as if to start the conversation over. “You are my Captain and I will pledge my squad to you which ever company you lead.”

Razzik gave him a quick side glance before looking forward again. He wondered if he had missed something while he was away. Further conversations would be had between the two of them, but now wasn’t the time. They had a dinner party to attend too. Around one last bend and they were met by several Naval aids in dress grays and one more marine. Epistolary Librarian Bel Baraxati was waiting just inside the hanger bay. He stared out into space through the void barrier. His silver hair was long and held in a band behind his head. His skin was flawless and ivory in color. He was taller then both Razzik and Hunzuu and his muscular frame seemed to be accented by his dress uniform.

Of all the librarians in the chapter that Razzik had dealt with Bel Baraxati was the one he preferred. The pragmatic librarian was relatively young but he spoke with aged wisdom. That wisdom would award him the rank of Inevitable some day, at least in Razzik’s mind. The librarian’s unique talents had proven to be a great boon to the chapter despite the Inevitables over looking him for multiple advances within the chapter.

Quietly Bel Baraxati turned and gave a slow salute to Razzik and to Hunzuu. “Captain Razzik, you honor me with your request.”

“It is well deserved Brother Librarian.” Captain Razzik responded with a curt salute. “If I could have my way I’d have you in my company, but that is a matter that we’ll need to go over another day. Time is of the essence and we have a few things to discuss before our guests arrive.”

* * * * * * * *

When the shuttle finally broke the void barrier Razzik stood slightly ahead of Bel Baraxati and Hunzuu. They watched the shuttle slowly hover through the hanger. The brightly lit chamber was a bustle of activity as repairs continued and cargo was constantly unloaded and reloaded. Banks of turrets within the hanger sat inert, only a handful tracked the shuttle’s lazy trip.

After several minutes the ship gently settled on the decking before the three marines. It powered down and sat low on its hydraulic legs. A side hatch hissed as the armored door slid down to form its own stairs. When the first person stepped out onto the stairs a solid clang echoed from behind Razzik and his two companions. Twenty members of naval security slapped their lasguns to attention.

Boolosh was the first to exit the shuttle. Behind him came Sybly Quip, Sithri, and thirteen others. As Sybyl approached, her retinue spread out behind her, only Sithri and Boolosh stood by her side. Razzik passed his gaze over each person as they stopped to take in their surroundings. Sithri along with four others kept their gazes forward. He could see the tension and alertness of experience in their stances while Boolosh and the other guards seemed distracted with the grandeur of the hanger they stood in.

Razzik smiled, “welcome to the Herald of Sanguinius. Is Captain Quip joining us?” he asked as he looked back to the shuttle.

Sybyl grinned. Razzik could see her father in that sly look, “Captain Quip decided it would be wise to stay on the Benevolent Aberration. The crew gets rather restless when surrounded by Imperial warships. He did however send his regards and hopes your wounded marines have fully recovered.”

Something in Razzik’s mind told him that wasn’t entirely the truth but he decided not to dwell on that. Instead he gave a simple nod in thanks before introducing Bel Baraxati and Hunzuu. Sybyl then introduced each member of her retinue.

* * * * * * *

Captain Fybblywhyp stared at the holographic image of his ship surrounded by Ice Angel vessels. The inner ring of warships were all larger then his own. The second ring of warships were all larger then his own. He shook his head trying to take his mind off of the predicament he was in. He rubbed his red hair and tried to find someone to blame other then himself but when that failed he slowly exhaled and walked over to the cabinet that contained his spirits.

After retrieving his drink he sat in his quarters, alone. He stared at his old desk. He flicked his finger in the air to shuffle through the long list of files he kept in his personal record, minutes past before he found himself staring at old pictures of himself. He opened images of his first shuttle, the Star Duster. He couldn’t help but smile as he thought back on that pile of junk he flew for the first year after leaving the Imperium.

A message icon flashed in a separate holographic display. With his left hand he reached out to the hovering icon. The icon dissipated into a short phrase from Vard.

“Power surge from the Herald of Sanguinius.”

“So it begins,” he whispered to himself. He closed out the message without responding and took a swig of his drink. He sloshed it in his mouth, savoring the subtle sweetness of the drink.

* * * * * * * * * *

Raucous laughter erupted within the room. Boolosh retrieved his drink and clinked his glass with Razzik’s before taking a large gulp.

“I was unaware my peril brought you so much enjoyment Boolosh,” Razzik said as the laughing died down.

“Oh Razzif, it wasn’t the peril that brought my joy. It was that fish suit kicking the murderous eldar into the portal that did.” Boolosh chuckled again before having another sip.

A quiet chime echoed throughout the room. The main doors swung open as a gray robed marine stepped inside. Razzik tried to hide his disdain as Nefas entered the room. A complex burgundy stitching lined the base of his robe and sleeves. Around his neck a red gem sat in a silver chain. The gaunt marine looked almost ill compared to the chiseled Ice Angels already in the room.

Nefas strode through the dinner party directly to Razzik. Sybyl and Boolosh both watched him approach.

“Greetings honored guests, I am Nefas Sennafim.” he held out a ghostly pale hand to Sybyl. “You must be Sybyl Quip.”

She gave a pleasant smile before accepting his hand, “I am indeed,“ she responded, “you were one of the marines with Captain Razzik, correct?”

Razzik watched the slight look of confusion slide off of Sybyl’s face as she conversed with Nefas. He looked past Nefas to see Hunzuu by several of Sybyl’s guards. The two marines met eyes. Hunzuu responded with a slight head shake. The unspoken question as to why Nefas was here was agitating.

“It is true and that is why I am here. I wanted to personally thank you for carrying us across the void.”

A second chime tolled throughout the room. A well groomed naval officer entered the room. He cleared his throat and paused as everyone stopped to look in his direction. “Honored guests and Honored marines, please take your seat, the feast is about to begin,” he said with a bow.

A pair of back doors opened up to reveal several naval staff entering the room. Behind them a train of servitors came pushing carts of steaming meats and covered dishes. Razzik glared at Nefas once again as people shuffled over to their seats along the lone table in the room.

He approached close to Nefas and spoke in an almost subvocal tone that only another astartes would be able to hear. “Why are you here Nefas?” he growled.

Nefas responded with a nonchalant look, “I wanted to see if she was worthy,” he hissed louder then Razzik would have preferred.

Razzik narrowed his eyes, “are you questioning my decision as to how”

“MY ship is run?” Nefas interrupted. “Don’t forget Razzik, the Aberration is to be my vessel and you will be working for me.” He let the quiet hissing settle in before returning to his crooked smile. He then waived over to the table. Razzik noticed Hunzuu and Bel Baraxati closely watching them both.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Alarms chimed, broken reports were sent in, cries for help fell on deaf ears. Fybblywhyp watched from his captain’s quarters as the Ice Angels passed through his ship. He didn’t know how they got on board but one minute his hanger was empty, the next minute wave after wave of marines were invading his ship.

He watched them pass from one drone cam to the next. They spread through his ship like liquid violence, quietly jogging and killing everything in their path. He knew it would only take them a few minutes to control every major system on his ship.

With blade and pistol they pounced on his crew, his family. Men, women, aliens, and drones he had spent years with. They were all being systematically eradicated. “I’m clearly in shock,” he told himself as the complete lack of emotion sank in like a paper weight on his soul.

Fybblywhyp looked at the pistols at his hip. He removed them and sat back at his desk. He watched a Tau fire warrior unit get rushed simultaneously by five marines. The tau snapped off a few shots before they were cut down by gore covered chain blades.

“Captain, respond!” Kavu shouted before a juicy sound cut through the link. A side glance was all Captain Quip gave to the camera’s on his bridge. They were already dead.

The marines finished their dirty work on the bridge before several took up stations at the controls. Fybblywhyp rubbed his face as a light blue armored marine walked onto the bridge. Unlike all of the other marines he was covered in badges, seals, and icons of all colors. He wore a golden mask that looked like it once was a thing of beauty but on that marine it was terror in metallic form.

The blue armored marine looked around the room before looking up into the camera. Fybblywhyp shivered. The marine quickly left the bridge, alone. Fybblywhyp switched monitors to the view outside his quarters. A carnivore squad was in position outside. Thead was in the middle of them all, his dark blades already in his hands.

Captain Quip rubbed his arms as he realized his room was getting colder. On the monitors he could see the breath of the kroot. The ice blue armored marine strode around the corner with one hand held up before him, the mist in the air began to form into panels of ice before him.

The kroot raised their guns and several fired. Ice sheets shattered mid air. The marine continued to walk forward. Thead shouted a charge and the kroot leapt forwards, but Fybblywhyp could only gasp as many of the bird men froze mid stride and crashed to the floor breaking into frozen chunks.

Thead was the only one to reach the marine. In a fluid motion the marine pulled out a broken metal blade, it couldn’t be more then six inches long but by the time Thead attacked with his two blades the marines broken blade had become a jagged ice shard longer then the marine’s arm.

Fybblywhyp had never seen Thead loose in combat or even take a substantial wound but it was obvious he was out matched. The Ice Angel wielded the blade in two hands while a floating translucent ice shield hovered around him. Thead attacked and attacked, his blades were parried or deflected each time. The marine held his ground and silently continued his impervious defense. Thead shouted threats in his native tongue when their blades locked for a brief moment. The marine cocked his head before the hovering shield passed between their faces and exploded outward at Thead.

The kroot stumbled back and brought up his blades in a blind defensive posture. With unbelievable speed the ice blade of the marine thrust directly forward into Theads stomach. The kroot froze in place as the marine held the blade perfectly still. He then broke the blade leaving only the metal hilt and the jagged six inches of metal in his hands. The remainder stayed frozen within Thead’s crackling frozen form.

Fybblywhyp stood from his chair, straightened his uniform, and turned towards the door as it opened. The marine filled the entry way. His armor and golden mask was covered in intricate detail and a fine layer of frost.

Slowly the marine crossed the room to stand within an arms reach of Fybblywhyp. “Greetings Captain Quip, I am the Inevitable Shar-Kallii.” The marine held up a white armored glove between them. Once again the mist in the air seemed to coalesce, but this time only a spec hovered above the marine’s hand. Fybblywhyp was incapable of moving or even speaking. He could do nothing but stare at the spec that shimmered in the light of his room.

“Captain Razzik sends his regards and extends his gratitude for your services.” Shar-Kallii reached out to take Fybblywhyps hand in his own. The spec of ice lazily floated like a snow flake onto his hand. “He hopes the Emperor can see past your faults to what you could have been.”

Captain Quip looked up into the golden mask of the marine. When he returned his gaze back to his hand the spec of ice had been replaced with a dot of blood.

“Good bye Captain Quip, may the Ice be with you.” Shar-Kallii said as he turned to leave.

A cool sensation passed up his arm into his chest before his heart froze solid. He had several seconds to endure the screaming pain before he collapsed to the floor.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Food and drinks from over a dozen different worlds were brought out to the long table. A thick space marine, Brother Sensax, accompanied the food. He wore his black body suit and a utility belt, but instead of weapons and war gear it contained knives, gloves, a thin lighter, and various other kitchen utensils. Brother Sensax introduced himself and then began a well orchestrated unveiling of each dish. Flying winged cherubs flitted around the table and took away the metallic covers as he proceeded. At one point Sensax lit a dish on fire that burned with a purple tint for a few seconds. Perfectly sliced flanks of a delicate meat still simmered in a sauce that made Razzik’s mouth water, each one had the Ice Angel chapter symbol seared into it.

Quickly and efficiently Brother Sensax explained the last few side dishes before he gave a deep bow. The floating cherubs hovered down to the center of the table and began dishing out whatever the guests pointed at.

Razzik sat the head of the table and watched the scene unfold. The other marines were spread out amongst Sybyl’s entourage. A naval aid walked around the table pouring glasses of Sinthill Tithe into glasses made of ice.

Razzik waited until everyone else had been served before he took his share. He then lifted his ice glass and lightly tapped it with a jeweled fork. Everyone looked up from their colorful plates to Captain Razzik, “It is an Ice Angel tradition that after a successful mission, we dine with our allies, trade stories of our successes, and remember the fallen. Before we begin our feast and our tales, I’d like to say that I feel that the Emperor has brought Captain Quip, his crew, and the Benevolent Aberration to us for a higher purpose.” He then raised his glass, “may we all prosper from our continued friendship”

Glasses clinked together as marines and humans alike nodded in approval, except Nefas. His gray eyes stared unblinking at Razzik as he spoke. Razzik didn’t let him faze him; instead he sat back down and began to evaluate his food options. His caloric intake and protein needs came to mind before he chuckled to himself, he knew his super metabolism would compensate and that it was rare to be at a feast that Brother Sensax had catered.

Grunts of satisfaction and exclamations of delight frequently echoed throughout the room as the guests and marines enjoyed the cornucopia of foods. The three Ice Angels efficiently consumed more food then the entire human entourage all while trading stories. Sybyl and Boolosh went back and forth with Hunzuu and Razzik while Bel Baraxati spoke with several of the human guards. The dark woman named Sithri kept to quiet as she ate a plate of fruit and vegetables. Nefas on the other hand continued to eat only meat in between asking questions about their ship.

“This is amazing Razzif. I never knew you giants were such accomplished chefs.” Boolosh said with a mouthful of food.

“The father of our chapter, Sanguinius, was the Emperor’s angel.” Razzik said to Boolosh, “he taught us to master the art of bolt and blade. He taught us to master all aspects of war, but more importantly he taught us that the creative side in all of us is just as important. Through that creativity we keep the darkness at bay and become true beacon’s for humanity.”

Boolosh nodded enthusiastically as he enjoyed his mouthful. Razzik thought of the curse his progeny gave them as well but pushed it aside befre returning to his guests.

“Sybyl, did you mention that you’ll be captain soon?” Razzik asked as a naval aid filled his glass with a vibrant green liquor.

Sybyl dabbed the corner of her mouth before she responded, “This trip was to be my fathers last before his retirement. I will then become Captain.”

Nefas quickly interjected, “have you been preparing for this day?”

She tilted her head at the question, “of course, who hasn’t dreamed of command? I’ve always envisioned myself leading a fine group of people to fame and glory.”

“Will this be your first command?” Nefas asked with narrowed eyes.

“I’ve led many missions for my father but,” Sybyl began before Nefas interrupted, “but never your own ship?” Nefas spat.

With a sudden intake of breath all eyes quickly turned to Sithri. She stared through the table at a point unseen. “He’s dead,” her head shot up to Captain Razzik. “You killed them all, the entire crew,” her voice grew in anger. Her eyes became fathomless pits of liquid night before a look of shock crossed her face. Her jaw went slack.

Razzik looked to Bel Baraxati who calmly looked at her with unblinking eyes of white steel.

“What is the meaning of this?” Sybyl said as she gripped her fork and knife with angst. “What are you doing to Sithri? Is what she said true?” The other humans reached for weapons. Hunzuu continued to eat.

Razzik lifted both of his hands to calm the party, “do not act harshly Sybyl, there are some things you need to know about your father, but first let me tell you that Sithri is fine. Bel Baraxati is simply making sure she doesn’t act out of anger and hurt any one unnecessarily.”

He looked at the two psykers while they had their one sided battle. Bel Baraxati continued to stay calm while Sithri sweated under the mental strain of trying to break free from his psychic grasp. She was powerful but nothing compared to the trained psyche of a space marine.

When Razzik looked back to Sybyl, she appeared nervous but willing to listen. “Sybyl, your father decided to try and kill my men despite my complete willingness to cooperate on our journey.” Razzik gave her a stern commanding look, “your father has paid for that decision with his life.”

“However the Emperor does grant some forgiveness to those who aid the Emperor’s finest,” Razzik looked to Boolosh who gave a blank stare.

Razzik was about to speak again when bolters floated up behind all of the human guests in the room on dark purple clouds of psychic energy.

Nefas cleared his throat, “Captain Razzik, you are correct. The Emperor does grant forgiveness, but let us leave that decision to him.”

Before Razzik could say anything or even get up from his chair sixteen bolters discharge in rapid succession. Sithri was the first, Sybyl was the last. The eviscerated bodies of the humans and their shredded remains slumped onto the table and slid onto the floor. Four space marines in full power armor surged into the room looking for hostiles along with a full unit of naval guards. Razzik had flung back his chair and stared down to the still seated Sinner. The hovering bolters sunk beneath the chairs and table dissipating into the darkness. Razzik thought he heard a quiet click of a closing chest.

“What in the WARP was that?” he shouted as he approached him.
“She was a traitor and making her captain would have been a poor decision,” Nefas calmly began as he went back to eating his plate of succulent meat.

“That was yet to be seen,” Razzik said.

Nefas met the gaze of Razzik, “perhaps, but it wasn’t your decision to make.” He forked another piece of meat from the center of the table and placed it on his plate. He picked off a piece of bloody scalp off of it before slicing it the grilled meat into bite size pieces. He took a bite and savored it as he slowly chewed. He closed his eyes.

Razzik exchanged glances with Bel Baraxati and Hunzuu. The armored marines still stood with bolters trained on Nefas.

Nefas let out a grunt of enjoyment, “you were right Razzik. The Emperor has truly blessed us when he delivered your Ice Angels and the Aberration to me.” He opened his eyes to pick out another piece from his plate, “we have much to accomplish.”

The Sinner did not once look at Razzik or the others, he continued to eat. Razzik stood over him at a loss. He didn’t want to eat any more especially now that the table was covered in body parts and gore. His mind raced all while he kept his urges to order his marines to fire in check. He knew Nefas was going to get the Inquisition off of him but after what he saw, he wasn’t sure working with Nefas would be any better.

* * * * * * *

On the deck lift of the Frozen Rage, Captain Razzik stood surrounded by Ice Angels in full battle plate. Chaplain Cyaxeres in his black mark VI armor and leering skull mask. Techmarine Philosir in his custom red power armor was without his multilimbed servo harness but his axe, now in halberd form, was held up right. The recently promoted Captain Muttabriqu was in his corvus pattern armor, the orange of the Uttuakki remained on his helmet under his new iron halo.

“Last time Brother Miqit came with us,” Razzik said to the group as they waited for the doors to open so they could enter the main hanger.

“We were also accompanied by Pyrox of the Fire Angels and Vetov of the Emperor’s Tears,” Cyaxeres made the sign of the Aquila before adding, “May the Emperor guide them.”

The monotone voice of Philosir rattled. “Our cousins died well.”

That phrase rolled around in Razzik’s mind. He thought about all of the marines that had been forced upon him. Nefas, Jaska, Inushi, and Aquilum were all that remained. The three marines had departed earlier leaving Aquilum on the Rage so he could complete his conversion therapy and machine spirit bonding. Razzik’s mind soon turned to personal updates and unit organization. He had been up most of the night mulling over reports.

When the deck transporter reached the proper hanger, the eight panel door in front of them unlocked and opened. First with a slit across the middle horizontally, then the panels pulled back, each in a different direction. The main hanger of the Rage was a bustle of activity. Servitors and naval staff were preparing for a special cargo while over a hundred Ice Angels stood in ordered lines.

When Captain Razzik stepped onto the deck each of the Angels slammed to attention. The sound raised his spirit as it echoed around the hanger. Razzik saw Sergeant Hunzuu near the end of the line. It wasn’t that long ago he was standing in that position. Now he walked down the corridor of space marines as a Captain.

A familiar vessel waited in the hanger, the Emperor’s Path, one of the Iron Torches shuttle craft. Last time the ship took him to the Torch he was sent on a crusade because of a bias Inquisitor. Now the same shuttle takes him to meet that Inquisitor once again to report their findings. Razzik smiled at the fact that he was able to make it back for any kind of meeting, let alone with valuable intelligence. He narrowed his eyes as he thought on the up coming meeting. He hoped Nefas was good for his word.

The shuttle waited with open doors for them to board but they paused outside the shuttles wing span.

The roar of triple engines and retro jets thundered through the hanger as an Ice Angel thunderhawk entered. Captain Razzik and his entourage lined up to face the blunt craft as it settled down next to the shuttle craft. Servitors and members of the mechanicum waited nearby to tend to the vessel once it was ready.

As the machine crackled and steamed the front access point opened. A small group of Ice Angels marched out. They wore their armor and their weapons. Behind them chapter serfs carried their belongings on wheeled carts. The five Ice Angels stopped in two parallel lines between Razzik and the thunderhawk. Two tracked caskets exited the craft next.

Sergeant Ruqum of the Assault Squad Labushi sang a prayer to Sanguinius for all to hear as they past. The two caskets continued past Razzik and then down the corridor the rest of the company had formed.

No one else spoke as Ruqum finished the prayer and the caskets passed out of the hanger. Razzik thought back to when he was forced to send nine Ice Angels to other chapters to replace the marines that volunteered or were forced to join his company. Five had returned alive, two returned in caskets, the other two were on their way back. The loss of Dtril and Utaan weighed on Razzik. He had chosen the nine marines and told them to leave. Not one had complained or argued as they were each shipped out to separate chapters but when he discovered two had fallen in battle away from their brethren he felt more then just the weight of command.

Razzik thought on the report from Kadakrazz. The marine was sent to replace Nefas from the Sinner chapter, but there was no Sinner chapter to go to. Kadakrazz wound up assisting an Imperial Guard regiment and single handedly saved them from certain destruction.

Cyaxeres stepped forward and greeted the marines. Razzik looked forward to the stories that would be told and the experiences that would be shared. Ice Angels often aided allied chapters to share their expertise, strengthen bonds between the chapters, and enrich the Ice Angel chapter by learning from the other chapters. This was originally a punishment placed on the Ice Angels but has turned into a sacred duty over the centuries. Unfortunately, when Inquisitor Vervin forced this act upon him it did not feel like any sacred duty but a renewed form of punishment determined to weaken the Ice Angels.

Chaplain Cyaxeres spoke to each marine and exchanged words with each before he spoke to the assembled company of marines.

“Sons of Sanguinius, our brothers have returned,” the Chaplain began. Razzik half listened as Cyaxeres spoke to the company. The returned marines walked down the hall of black and blue armor. They exchanged many head nods and welcoming words. Razzik watched it all through a silent filter. His thoughts had wandered back to the impending journey he was about to take. Inquisitor Vervin was back on the Iron Torch. Nefas and Jaska were already there along with all of data they had collected. Razzik wondered what to expect from the meeting for a fleeting moment before Cyaxeres turned back towards him.

“It is time Captain. Let us depart.” The cold voice of Cyaxeres commanded. Razzik and the others nodded and stepped towards the Emperor’s Path.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Razzik sat in the lone chair big enough to hold his armored bulk. He stared forward past the empty desk in front of him. Wall shelves contained back lit models of Imperial vessels. Seven battleships, eighteen frigates, one grand cruiser, four ironclads, three escort ships, two cruisers, and a mechanicum vessel unlike any he had ever seen. He committed the names and images of each to memory. When he had examined the last one he started to study them again and then again.

According to his retinal display they had been in this room for one hundred and thirty eight minutes. No one had spoken to them since they were led and left in the office. Cyaxeres, Philosir, and Muttabriqu stood behind him. None of them had spoken for fear of unseen eyes and ears. Patiently they waited in contemplative silence.

The small room was brightly lit. The floor, walls, and ceiling were a light gray similar to nearly every Imperial vessel. The desk was dark silver in color and completely solid. Razzik knew Philosir had spent most of his time studying that desk from across the room. It looked plain to Razzik but he didn’t take anything for granted.

Razzik was seven models into his reexamination when the door behind them opened. Razzik casually looked over his shoulder. Inushi stepped in, alone. His helmet was mag locked to his thigh. His green armor was immaculate and his katana was sheathed. The smell of mechanicum blessed lubricants wafted into the room.

Inushi looked to each of the marines before walking into the room to stand next to the desk. “Captain.” He said as he turned to look at Razzik, a look of disgust crossed the Mantis Warriors face.

“Things are not what they seem,” Inushi started before Razzik raised his hand to silence him.

“I am fully aware Inushi, there is no need to explain.” Razzik interjected. “Do you know when the Inquisitor will be arriving?”

A raised eye brow was Inushi’s response before he shook his head. He then stepped to the side.

The conversation died off as Razzik looked down to his powerfist. The wired harness that had magnetized itself to his armor in that bizarre room of Imperial artifacts was now fully integrated into his armor, even going as far to alter his HUD. None of the techmarines had been able to give him any reason. “Blessing of the Omnissiah,” they had said when no other explanation was given. The unauthorized alteration to his armor perturbed him but the usefulness of the minute weapons system proved to be extremely valuable.

Images of the hail of fire it unleashed came to mind before a door finally opened from a different corner of the room. Inquisitor Vervin stomped into the room. Her face was a snarled visage of disgust. She wore tight yellow armor and a red cloak. Her slick black hair was tight behind her head in an ornate hair band. Razzik slowly stood to salute the Inquisitor, the others followed his lead.

She looked up at the marine and sat behind the desk, “sit.” She spat as she opened a drawer to remove a steel bound scroll case. “Please have your men remove their helmets while in my presence Captain,” she added without looking up.

Razzik gave a simple hand gesture and the three other Ice Angels removed their helmets.

Nefas and Jaska walked into the room next. They entered from the same door Vervin had entered. Jaska’s armor was pristine and adorned with several new purity seals. His helmet was different then before, it lacked the mouth grill that his previous mark VI armor had. Nefas wore his black armor without any apparent weapons. His white helmet was lock onto his thigh, his emaciated face almost had a hint of color in it for once.

The Sinner gave off no outward emotion before he too stopped next to the desk. The small room was now cramped with seven power armored space marines, each were within an arms reach of the next.

Inquisitor Vervin didn’t look up or around as she slowly separated the two ends of the case. A clear plastic film was pulled taught when the two pieces were twelve inches apart. It appeared void of all marks until she began to read it. Wherever her retina’s pointed the plastic film illuminated words, graphs, and images. When she moved past them they would dissipate back into the clear plastic. Faster then any unaugmented human could, she read the scroll. When she reached the center of the plastic film the writing and icons began to scroll up. The pace continued to quicken until it matched her reading speed. The tempo in which she absorbed knowledge was astounding even to Razzik, he assumed only Philosir would be able to keep up. Ignoring the scroll, Razzik focused on her. He started with her tight hair and hair band. He determined that some of her hair, if not all of it, was synthetic. He was already aware of her altered eyes and soon quickly saw the well hidden data ports in her neck. He was only able to see her body suit from the chest up but he had no doubt it was laced with hidden compartments and miniature devices. He continued to study her as she read the lengthy report.

When she finally reached the end of the report she met the indifferent gaze of Captain Razzik. With her left hand she reached out and depressed a panel on the top of the desk. Eight candles rose from well masked portals on the desks smooth surface. When they reached the proper height a wall cubby opened to reveal a cherub servitor. The small winged child machine fluttered to the candles and lit each one with its built in arm lighter. When it was finished it departed back into its place of hiding.

The entire time the candles rose and the cherub flew, Razzik and Vervin stared at one another.

“Why in the Emperor’s Name,” she growled” have you returned with this pathetic excuse for a report?” Inquisitor Vervin began as she dropped the scroll device onto the desk.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“Razzik, why did I send you to the Kota System?” The Inquisitor sighed as she rattled off her question.

“To determine our loyalty,” Razzik responded instantly all while containing his annoyance at her lack of respect to his title.

She paused and chewed on his response for a moment, “not entirely, Captain.”

Vervin leaned forward and took a deep breath. Razzik could sense she was about to release the verbal flood gates. With a snarl she glared, “I sent you to the Kota system because you claimed that Dark Eldar were somehow working behind the scenes of this massive ork incursion. You claimed that you found two space marines maimed and in their custody through out this process. Vetov claimed he was betrayed and given to the orks as a gift. Pyrox claimed he was captured and slowly experimented on along with all of his men. YET all across the systems NO one has seen any other signs of the Dark Eldar. NO ONE!”

She rapidly tapped her fingers on the metal desk after she slammed back into her seat. She quickly tilted her head to look at everyone in the room. She pointed at each Ice Angel before ending with Razzik. “Why? No, wait.” She shook her hands. ”WHAT gives you the right, or the authority, to come into this systems largest war council on the eve of deployment with guesses and hints. You had no evidence of anything,”

Through gritted teeth Razzik interrupted, “I had my word and the word of Pyrox and Vetov.”

“Fantastic! The word from half a space marine, a tortured Fire Angel, and yours.” She spread her hands wide in disbelief. Razzik stayed silent.

“I gave you the opportunity to redeem yourself, “she started.

“You tried to get us killed,” he retorted. She half smiled, “yet here you are, with most of your company, according to this report. Speaking of which, what?” She shook her head and looked to the non Ice Angels in the room. “What is this supposed to show me? How does this prove anything? You went to the Kota system, killed some orks, you commandeered a transport, infiltrated a space station, fought some giant worms, and returned.”

“We uncovered a webway portal and fought through a dark eldar facility. Clearly the dark eldar are on these planets probably weakening them before ork attacks. They are most likely guiding them to where they want. The Dark Eldar are behind this,” Razzik added with unwavering confidence.

She looked back to the scroll case on the desk, “Can I ask why none of that is in the report?”

A look of confusion past over him before he looked to Nefas. The Sinner raised a single nonchalant eye brow before turning to Inquisitor Vervin.

“The Ice Angel report was altered before it was given to you,” Nefas hissed without making eye contact with the Inquisitor.

“What?” Razzik and Vervin shouted in unison. “How dare you? That’s treason!” Vervin added as she quickly stood up, knocking back her chair.

“Do not worry Inquisitor Vervin, the full report has been sent to the proper authorities. Authorities more,” he hesitated as he looked for the right words, “more qualified.” He added with a hiss.

“More qualified!” She shouted. Her face lit up with anger. “You will be executed for your..” She began as Nefas smoothly stepped forward and slammed his hands down onto the metal table with super human speed. His face was void of emotion.

Every door around the room flew open as Inquisitorial soldiers armed with meltaguns took aim.

Nefas stared down at her and she stared back. She curled her lip into a sneer that would make servitors turn and flee. Razzik watched intently. Nefas maintained his cold façade as he began to speak.

“Inquisitor Vervin, Ordo Hereticus, Inquisitorial mediator to the war council and adjudicator to the Hoko’Chi trials, cerulean level agent underneath Inquisitor Bandenhof, you do not have proper authority in matters of Ordo Xenos. Nor do you have the experience to do anything useful in this war. Therefore I will lend you my expertise.” Vervin looked as if she was about to explode. “You will apologize to the Ice Angels and grant them the supplies they require. You will then grant me access to everything I need to begin the next stage of my quest.” Nefas quietly hissed. “Once that has been completed we can leave this matter behind us.”

Razzik saw a hint of confusion on her face amongst the hurricane of fury that was welling beneath her skin. “On whose authority, Sinner?”

Nefas leaned back away from the desk, where his hands had just dented the metal table a small chest sat. He opened it up. For the first time Razzik got to view the inside of the simple chest. A red velvet material lined the chest but it looked empty and shallow except for a piece of rolled parchment and a small device. Nefas handed the paper to Vervin and then clipped the device onto his armor. When it was correctly attached he pushed a button and holy symbols to the Inquisition rose to the armors surface like predators coming up for air in murky water. The stylized I crept up from the depths of his left cheek until the left side of his face was dominated by a red I.

Slowly she unraveled the parchment. The manila, well worn paper, contained a solid block of writing surrounded by intricate sigils and runes. Razzik only caught a glimpse of it before she held it in a way that no one else could see. She reached back and pulled the chair back under her. She slumped back into it as the fury fled from her face like leaves in a strong wind. The chair looked too big for her frame as if she had diminished in size.

With her right hand she handed back the parchment. With her left she rubbed her temple.

“I think you have something to say to Captain Razzik,” Nefas requested as he took the parchment and carefully placed it back into the chest.

She tightened up at the words and gave a brief glare to Nefas before sitting up. She straightened her body suit before clearing her throat.

“Captain Razzik, I apologize. Please allow me to assist in your resupply,” she stated with only a slight hint of anger.

Razzik looked from Vervin to Nefas then back to Vervin. “Thank you Inquisitor, that is most gracious of you,” he couldn’t help but give her a small smile.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Distant flashes of light heralded the arrival of new Imperial vessels in the distant space around the Iron Torch. Razzik saw the flashes but they were too far for him to glean any information on the arriving ships. He waited to see if others would accompany them. Three others appeared in rapid succession a split second later.

A bulky gray ship approached from his left, another Imperial transport, and most likely carrying personnel. He watched as it fired retro jets to alter its approach. His mind conjured up what he should have heard but at times like these silence was exactly what he wanted. The ship slid into the hanger underneath the void deck he stood on, it reminded him of glaciers floating on water.

A small part of him thought on what his senses were telling him but his attention was primarily focused on the future. The Ice Angels as a chapter were always trying to delve into the mysteries of what lay before them. The Inevitables, with all of their talents and gifts, strived to honor the Emperor and Sanguinius by guiding the chapter to endless battles and a never ending list of victories.

Captain Razzik, however, couldn’t help but feel like he was being sent on a side mission out of the Inevitables grand design, a mission that his actions created yet did not control. No matter how many times he replayed the death of Ruusa and all the following decisions in his mind. He came to the realization that given each situations parameters he had made the best strategically optimal decision, it however didn’t feel that way.

The words of the late Commander Vetov came to mind, “you are never lost. The Emperor is always there to guide you.”

“The Emperor is watching,” the gravely voice of Pyrox echoed.

Razzik’s mind focused on a bright star in the distant black veil of space. He stopped replaying the past and returned to what came ahead of him. The Litany of Tomorrow whispered in his mind.

After a single breathing exercise and he focused on what he knew, in several hours he returns to the Herald of Sanguinius. Tomorrow he will meet with the captains, chapter master, and the Inevitables. Several days of reports and squad reformatting will occur. In a week the chapter will have a Reckoning. It has been one hundred and eleven years since the chapter last held a Reckoning. He looked forward to the gathering of the chapter. Razzik had just become a brother in the Veteran Ashurbani at the last Reckoning and it was a sight he would never forget.

Nearly every Ice Angel gathered to hear of the different companies exploits. Stories were told and brotherly bonds were strengthened. Being a widely scattered chapter meant that these meetings were rare and very valuable. Captain Razzik looked forward to the week long feast, but more importantly he wondered which units would be assigned to the 10th company.

The red icon of Nefas flashed in the corner of his HUD. He mentally thanked Philosir for the warning. He knew he’d be seeing more of Cousin Nefas or Captain Nefas or Sergeant Nefas. Razzik realized he didn’t know what his official title was.

Slowly he turned around to see the doors behind him open. A light flashed as the void deck security doors opened and the armored form of Nefas approached. Razzik watched the magnetic footfalls of the Sinner in utter silence.

Razzik opened his mouth to thank him for getting the 2nd company out of harms way from Inquisitor Vervin but he held his tongue. Nefas had not mentioned once about where they were going or what they had to do in exchange for his aid. Ever since Vervin had been dismissed he had been nothing but helpful.

“A helpful Inquisitor today is a knife in the back tomorrow,” the wise words of Captain Ruusa rang out in his mind.

“Enjoying the view Captain Razzik?” Nefas asked as he walked up next to Razzik, both stared out into space admiring the sparkling darkness.

The following silence was Razzik’s response. The two black armored marines watched a ship fly out from the hanger that dwelled below them. It was a bulk lifter that could carry several score of Imperial battle tanks or even a squad of super heavies.

“The Benevolent Aberration will be converted and prepared to depart in six weeks. We will depart immediately afterwards. In the mean time, forward your supply request to Jaska and I’ll make sure they are delivered to the Rage as soon as they are ready. ”

“I will send Jaska the supply list,” Razzik paused,” but do not send them to the Rage.”

Nefas turned his head to regard the Ice Angel, “and where would you like them delivered too?”

Razzik continued to look out into space, “To my ship, the Shattered Peace. The Frozen Rage is part of the second company and after the Reckoning the second Captain will lead them from there.”

“I hope the Shattered Peace can do what will be asked of it,” Nefas hissed. Razzik could tell this slight alteration annoyed Nefas. Razzik smiled at the thought.

“Let me know what needs to be done and I’ll let you know if she is capable of it,” Razzik responded in the hopes he’d get an idea of what to expect.

Nefas turned to face Razzik and placed a hand on Razzik’s shoulder pad. Razzik resisted the pressure from the smaller marine to turn and face him. “It better be everything I need Captain.” Nefas pointed with his other hand. Razzik finally turned to regard the Sinner.

“The Emperor and I need your company or this entire sector may be in greater danger then you can imagine.” Nefas stated. His eye lens glowed with a hint of red at the words.

He then let go of Razzik’s shoulder and walked away.

Captain Razzik watched him leave and pondered his words. “What was Nefas hiding? What could possibly threaten the entire sector?” The unspoken questions agitated Razzik. The lack of information agitated him more. Being led around like a blind servitor was unfitting to a space marine captain.

He turned back out to the vastness of space hoping to catch a glimpse or even a hint of what tomorrow would bring him but all he could see was darkness.

Ice - What a great accomplishment brother. Well done sir, well done

Woot! Thanks Azalle. It was a lot of fun and it feels great to have that edit done. I found as I reread through my book the amount of editing I had to do decreased with each chapter. The beginning took the longest hands down. I like having all of it posted next to each other as well. It does take forever to scroll down to the bottom.

Now that the book is as complete as I want right now. What do you like and dislike about it? After Adepticon I'll probably start on book 2. Please give me some feedback so I may work on an even better sequel.

Geez, almost a month since my last post and no feedback. I'm going to assume all of your minds are so blown by the awesomeness you just read that you can't formulate a worthy response.

I highly doubt that but it sounds funny.

In other news Adepticon is around the corner. Any one excited for book 2 to begin?

Sorry Ice, kinda lost track of what was new & what was a re-edit.

Everything has been the edit as of late. There won't be anything new until next month. I'm hoping to be onto the next page by then.

I for one and super excited, Book one was a whirlwind (see what I did there) of awesome, space battles, brutal hand to hand, swathes of bolts firing all over the show. Book two... well lets say it has a lot to live up to - just don't Matrix: Reloaded on it....

 Knightley wrote:
I for one and super excited, Book one was a whirlwind (see what I did there) of awesome, space battles, brutal hand to hand, swathes of bolts firing all over the show. Book two... well lets say it has a lot to live up to - just don't Matrix: Reloaded on it....

Speaking of book two. I'd like to post a little something to get us ready for book two. HOWEVER, i'd like it to be on the next page. Please posts some responses on here until we can get to a roll over. Thanks!

GENERIC RESPONSE #253 NOT FOUND

ABORT

RETRY

FAILED








Though i may be rather quiet, Im always reading when there are new posts, Ice!
See ya tomorrow, and I look forward to the new book!

Roll over come my way.


*shakes dice*

*edit* Dangit, snake eyes

I dont remember if its 20 or 30 posts per page...

The one time I WANT a rollover and it doesn't happen.

itll happen, itll happen.

Besides, I need something to kill time while paint dries xD

Round two for roll over!

*edit* failed again

Roll over!

We'll need 30 for roll over.

This is #22

Number 23 then?

Okay team. Get posting! Perhaps we need a topic. Oh I know, Ice Angels.

Go! Post amongst yourself.

I for one cannot wait a moment longer until new GMS marines feature in the grand epic that is the tales of the Ice Angels!

They're about due for a new wave, yeah? Some marines seem to have the life expectancy of a Guardsman around here...

Indeed. I've got 10 more GMS to include in book two. 10! How exciting is that? I don't remember how many were in book one but only four made it through the book.