The Conquerer
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
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a little story about my Chapter. not finished yet, but will finish faster with encouragment.
Crucible
chapter 1
"Those are your orders Sergeant" Captain Vrexon firmly stated as he turned and left the briefing chamber, leaving Rocan alone at the large table. Rocan had been desperately trying to get the captain to assign another squad to the mission. He didn't want such a pointless assignment to be his first. it was one best left to the Impierial Guard or the Centromar Defense Force, not the Emperor's Finest.
Rocan had only that week been promoted to Sergeant and given a squad of his own. Both he and his men wanted, and had been hoping, a real assignment. the rest of the 3rd Company was headed to Praxis IV to put down an Ork uprising, but his squad had just been given the most boring assignment in the Galaxy, for a Space Marine. They and 2 squads of scouts were to take the Strike Cruiser "Garth's Fury" and investigate a recently discovered solar system that was believed to have a long lost human colony on it. Rocan's squad had been hoping to kill greenskins, it would be their first experience fighting in their new power armor and they were itching for action. Rocan knew how they felt and that they would be sorely disappointed when they found out what their first assignment was.
Rocan went down to the Coliseum where his and many other squads would be training and exercising.
He stopped just before entering and gazed upon the architecture of the large doorway that led to the arena. Two massive 8 meter tall statues stood guard on either side of the gate. The one on the right was the of the Emperor, the one on the left was of the Primarch, Rogal Dorn. The great building had been built many millennia ago when the Grey Templars has first come to Centros and chosen it as a homeworld after centuries as a fleet based chapter. How many centuries was not known.
The Grey Templars knew very little of their founding, but they did know this, They were Sons of Dorn. Unlike the Impierial Fists, the original founding legion, the Grey Templars had not lost the Sus'an Membrane or the Beltchers gland as the fists had. It seemed that instead of losing their organs the Grey Templars had lost their History. They knew not from which founding they were from although they knew it was before the Age of Apostasy as there was one record in a damaged data file that hailed from that time that mentioned the Grey Templars participating in a battle to capture a Navy Admiral loyal to Vandir. This Date file, although damaged, is one of the Chapters most precious artifacts and its techmarines are constantly trying to unlock its secrets, if any remain.
Rocan wished there was some artifact, some information that would comfort him in his disappointment. Chaplain Prium would get an earful at Mass that night.
He entered the arena.
On his left around 2 dozen Initiates were engaged in a Bolter drill on the firing range, to his right the squads of Sergeant Unwurth and Sergeant Jagon were fighting in a mock battle with swords and shields. Unwurth, mockingly called "Unworthy" by his fellow sergeants, but never to his face, was looking on as his men were being soundly thrashed by Jagon's squad calling out advice to his men. Jagon was, as usual, polishing his Silver Helmet. Jagon was, as the honor was called, a "Silver Helm", a Veteran Sergeant, one who could wear Terminator armour if he chose to. However he had passed on the option to join one of the 3rd companies Veteran squads and instead preferred to remain leading his own Tactical squad. Yet the option was still there and, although he professed to be a humble man, he did more than his fair share of flaunting his Silver Helmet.
Rocan made his way over to where his Squad was dueling with each other in a fighting pit.
Drakon and Larker were both stripped to the waist and each armed with a wooden long knife and a buckler. to the untrained eye the 2 giants would have seemed like immobile statues doing nothing, but the trained eye could tell much was going on. they were sizing each other up, looking for an opening, watching and waiting.
Larker made the first move. Without so much as a sound he shifted a pace to the left and charged. Drakon responded with a shift to the right allowing Larker to pass beside him and with the cruel precision he was known for rammed the pommel of his dagger into the small of Larker's back.
Larker rolled with the punch and quickly turned to face his opponent, but Drakon was quicker. Before Larker had resumed his fighting stance he had Drakon's knife at his throat.
"The Winner is Drakon" stated a Marine at the edge of the pit who had been refereeing the bout. Markhor was taller than either Drakon or Larker, but he was slimmer. While Drakon and Larker were both from the Death World of Kral, a world of unending Jungles and shallow seas full of voracious predators, Markhor was from the Desert moon of Ferium, a low gravity environment where the people were tall and lithe, but despite appearances were tough and hardy.
Rocan clapped his hands, "Excellent reflexes Drakon". "I think you should however stop pitting yourself against Larker!" "Next time you will fight me"
"I would be Honored to face you" Drakon bowed as Rocan entered the pit. "Shall we do it now?"
"No, we have other things to discuss"
"Did we receive orders Sergeant?" asked Fraxion, who was sitting on a bench on the slope of the pit along with the rest of the squad, Xervion, Malarian, Seth, Julius, and Achilles.
"Yes we have" "We, along with Scout squads Theta and Gamma, are to take the 'Garth's Fury' and investigate the rumor of a long lost colony on a recently discovered solar system about 4 weeks Warp travel away"
A wave of bewilderment rippled through the squad members faces.
"What about Praxis IV?" queried Julius.
"We are to perform out mission and, once done, go to Praxis IV and support the Company. Now Suit up, we leave in 3 hours"
The "Garth's Fury" was an old vessel. It dated back to M34 and had originally been an Armageddon class Battlecruiser until the chapter had acquired it late in M35. A rebellious Admiral had taken control of several systems and, without the inhabitants knowledge, was withholding imperial tithes for himself instead of sending them to the Administratum. Only when the tithes were missed by the ever efficient Administratum was he exposed. The Grey Templars took part in his apprehension and, as compensation, took possession of many of his former commands, much to the protestation of the Segmentum Fleet command.
The ship retained the many powerful guns that she had had as an Armageddon class cruiser with the addition of prow bombardment cannons to make her more suitable to the needs of Astartes operations.
It had been a month since they had left Centros and Rocan had just wakened from his state of suspended animation. the rest of the squad was still in slumber, but would awaken soon. Rocan was met by Apothecary Cystican.
"I trust you are well" said the venerable warrior. Cystican was well over 300 years old and was 13% bionic. His left leg having been lost during a boarding attack against an Eldar vessel. Despite his age he was as spry and vigorous as any battle brother.
"Suspended animation always leaves me a little stiff"
" There is a meal waiting down in the Great hall. eat and then go and exercise, the vessel will exit the warp shortly. I will awaken the others"
Rocan proceeded down to the Great Hall. As was customary for those coming out of suspended animation there was a great pot of soup laced with chemicals to help reawaken the body after the long period of inactivity.
After he had finished the soup, Rocan went to the armory and preformed a routine of calisthenics called "The Scorpion's Dance"
he then went up to the bridge.
Captain Kastor was where he always was, sitting at the helm. Of course the fact that he was hardwired into the life support chair that was the helm made it unlikely he would be anywhere else.
" I see you have awoken" Kastor vocabulated through the Vox speaker on the front of his support unit.
"How long until we exit the warp?"
"About 40 minutes, we should exit 45,000 Kilometers out from the Star and be able to reach orbit of Planet 115-04 within 12 standard hours"
Rocan returned to the Great Hall and, after his men had finished their meal and exercises, he led his and the scout squads in their prayers in the Chapel in place of a Chaplain. After prayers were concluded they went to the armory to began preparing their equipment.
"Captain calling all hands", was heard over the ships Vox, "Garth's Fury' has attained orbit over planet 115-04"
"All right men listen up, I want everyone in the great Hall for Briefing in 5 minutes. I'm going up to the bridge" Rocan said to his men.
Rocan stepped onto the bridge. "What's the situation Captain?"
"We are in orbit above the planet. There is signs of human habitation, no descernable Tech level, assumed primitive, but there are also signs of Ork infestation, predominantly on the southern continent while the Northern one has only a few patches of Ork infestations"
"So we will investigate the Northern continent first"
"Techmarine Argus has Thunderhawk 1 ready and waiting in Hanger 2 to carry you down"
Rocan arrived in the Great Hall. his squad was standing at attention in their battle plate, Jacon carried the squad's flamer while Julius hefted the large missile launcher. the scout squads were also present, Squad Theta had Sniper rifles and a missile launcher, Squad Gamma was equipped with Bolt pistols, combat blades, and a few shotguns.
Rocan looked them over and explained the situation to them, he was feeling better now that there was a chance of real combat.
"The northern continent has signs of human inhabitation, the Southern seems to be predominantly overrun with Greenskins. Our mission is to establish contact with any human inhabitants and bring the Emperors light to this place that has been so long in Darkness. there is a great chance that we may have a chance to purge orks before this mission is over. So be prepared to fight for the honor of the Chapter, the name of Rogal Dorn, and the Glory of the Emperor"
His men were obviously enheartened by the prospect of battle.
"Form up, the Thunderhawk is waiting in Hanger 2" Rocan said. the 3 squads formed up and made their way to the Hanger.
Chapter 2
Rocan felt the acceleration of the Thunderhawk press him back in his seat as it left the Hanger. The G-forces of the descent creating the feel of Gravity in its absence. after several minutes the Thunderhawk's acceleration halted and the false gravity ended.
"There is a large promontory on the Southern tip of the Northern continent, Auspex indicates several large human settlements at the mouth of several rivers and some inland" Argus informed Rocan.
"Then we should head for that location, Do you have the Linguistical servitor ready?"
"it is fully functional and ready to translate" Argus flatly stated. the Monotone quality of Techmarine voices and the utter preciseness of their speech always unnerved Rocan, but Argus was less so. He had only been a Techmarine for a decade or so and his voice box was still organic. His voice at least sounded natural. Rocan was glad to have him along.
The Thunderhawk began its descent. the craft trembled under the forces of the atmosphere. an intense roaring sound much louder than the baritone voice of the engines. Rocan was thrown forward in his restraints.
"1 minute until we slow to atmospheric speed" Argus stated.
That minute seemed like an eternity to Rocan.
"Atmospheric speed reached" Argus informed as the Rocan and all the other marines slowly settled back into their restraints.
"What is our position Techmarine?" Rocan asked.
"326 Kilometers from the nothern continents southern tip, a deviation of 13 Kilometers further then my calculations. ETA over the target location 10 minutes"
"Good" Rocan said as he looked back at his men. the Scouts were talking amongst themselves. This was the first time many of them would be stepping foot upon an unfamiliar world.
A warning Klaxon began blaring.
"What's wrong Argus? Rocan asked.
"Auspex has detected massive numbers of Greenskin craft sergeant. There are at least 1,000 of them" Argus stated with just a hint of emotion in his voice.
"Have we been detected, are they heading towards us?"
"No need to worry Sergeant, they are sailing ships not fighter craft. The Orks here are simply primitives, Feral orks. There is a small island ahead that will afford an excellent view of the fleet as well as the Northern continents coastline"
Argus set the Thunderhawk down on the Island. it was small, no more than a few hundred feet wide, but its flanks were made up of giant sea cliffs hundreds of feet in height. The Ork fleet stretched out across the sea like a blanket. The chanting of the monsters could be heard over the pounding of the surf and roar of the wind.
"The Orks are attacking that Human city over there" a scout exclaimed as he peered through a set of binoculars.
"It's a fully fledged Waaagh" Dracon said as he stood on the edge of the cliff face.
"Are we going to aid the settlement sir?" asked another scout.
"Yes, we are Initiate", Rocan smiled as he said it, "Argus, hail the 'Garth's Fury' and have Captain Kastor bring the ship into bombardment position over the main portion of the ork fleet and wait my signal. We will deal with the orks who have made landfall"
"With great haste Sergeant" Argus said in a slightly less monotone voice.
They all reentered the Thunderhawk and made for the city. it was protected by an immense wall at least 30 meters in height and was situated at the mouth of a river. the river bisected the city and flowed into the sea through a hole that was built into the wall. this hole was covered by a portcullis and was clearly a way to access the city by ship. the city was surrounded by Greenskins who were attempting to scale the wall with ladders and siege towers while pounding on the cities gates. Massive catapults were hurling boulders the size of Ogryns at the walls, which were beginning to crumble in places. Arrows from attacker and the besieged alike filled the air.
"Argus, strafe the Ork siege equipment and then set us down on that hill northeast of the city. the one overlooking the whole beach. I want everyone to see us land." Rocan was immensely pleased with the situation.
The Thunderhawk had been traveling several hundred kilometers above the Ork fleet, but as they approached the middle of the ork fleet Argus took the Hawk into a steep dive. The Turbolaser sounded once and a massive ork warship, at least 30 meters in length, that was just beaching itself on the sand vanished in a flash of white fire and the sound of thunder. nothing was left except an area of steaming water and boiling glass.
A stunned stillness came over the battle. the stillness was punctuated by the sound of the Thunderhawks engines as it pulled up a mere 100 meters over the ork fleet. the silence was broken by the throaty roar of Heavy Bolter fire. Ork ships shattered under the precise bolter fire of the Thunderhawk as it approached the shore.
The Turbolaser spoke again and an ork catapult disintegrated along with dozens of Gretchen and orks manning the impossible construct. the Heavy bolters took a heavy toll on the hordes of orks as it swooped over the churning swarm. Ork Arrows streamed into the air in a vain attempt to bring the strange visitor down. Argus brought the Thunderhawk over the Ork war machines and dropped the Thunderhawks bombs. the ork contraptions were destroyed along with hundreds of Orks.
Argus approached the hill. there was a rocky outcropping at the summit and rocks strewn all down the sides of the hill.
"Kastor reports that the cruiser will be over the target zone in 15 minutes" Argus chimed in over the vox as the marines exited the Thunderhawk.
"Alright, I want Squad Theta to take up firing positions on the rocks at the top of the hill. Julius, take the Missile launcher and go with them, Dracon, Xervion, Malarian, Seth go and cover his tail and support with missile fire. everyone else with me" Rocan headed down the hill and took up position behind a large boulder.
"What should I do with the Thunderhawk?" queried Argus over the Vox.
"Strafe the orks landing on the beach and prevent them landing reinforcements. Keep me informed of the Cruiser's progress"
Rocan looked over the battlefield. a portion of the ork army had turned away from the city and were now headed towards the hill. Rocan felt a backwash of pressure as the Thunderhawk left the hill and headed towards the city. a few seconds later the crack of sniper rifles and 2 thumping sounds indicated that Squad Theta and Julian had found targets. 2 Missiles flew overhead and landed among the orks streaming towards the hill and detonated. the blasts each ripped at least a dozen orks apart. the sniper rounds dropped orks here and there.
Scout Squad Gamma had taken up positions to either side and slightly behind Rocan and his men. Rocan opened up with his Combi-flamer and Bolt shells sped towards the Greenskins, his men opened up alongside him. the orks were so tightly packed each shell killed multiple greenskins, it was impossible to miss. Round after round was sent into the oncoming green tide. the ork line faltered in its advance, the bolters has slowed them, then the Orks in the rear ranks pushed the line forward, over the bodies of the dead, toward the Warriors from the Sky. the Orks gained the foot of the hill, then the scouts opened up with their Shotguns and Bolt pistols, the marines up the hill added their guns to the fight, the Orks line was driven back, not because they were fleeing, but because they were dying faster than they could advance. then the orks surged forward again, more had come from the beach and walls, to the best fight.
Rocan had just slammed a fresh magazine home and opened up on full auto, dozens of orks died. Rocan looked to his left, Jacon was shooting orks with his Bolt Pistol. Rocan caught Jacon's eye, It was time, Rocan thumbed a switch on his Combi-flamer and Jacon hefted his flamer. The orks were less than 10 yards away, 8 yards, 5 yards.
Rocan and Jacon both pulled the trigger on their weapons. 2 gouts of flame bathed the hillside in flaming promethium.
At least 50 orks were caught in the conflaguration and turned into living torches. Rocan drew his powersword, but he needed it not. The flames were too much for the Orks. they fled down the hill and toward the beach, trampling over those too slow to get out of the way.
The Space marines continued to fire into the ranks, but Rocan ordered them to halt.
"Conserve your ammo, they may be back for more. It is the way with Orks"
Then a transmission came over the Vox.
"The 'Garth's Fury' is almost in position over the target area. We await your direction" the Captain voiced.
" I want Bombardment cannons into that ork fleet. all targets are Seaborne, don't hit the city. We can mop up the remaining orks on the land"
"Bombardment cannons primed in 5 minutes" came the reply.
Rocan turned his attention towards the city. He saw a large column, at least 5,000 strong, of humans marching towards the orks on the beach who were attempting to get their ships cast off. Some were riding horses, others were riding strange Saurian beasts the size of Landraiders. The rest were on foot. They were well armed, for what was obviously a Feudal world, with chainmail and some plate armor on the cavalry. they had Weapons of iron and steel, swords, axes, and Hammers. Mounted Bowmen rode on the flanks and banners of all colors imaginable flew above their ranks.
The humans formed up and began to march towards the orks on the beach. the Thunderhawk flew overhead and the entire host flinched. Argus bought the Gunship to rest near the foot of the hill. the marines and scouts gathered around it. Argus exited alongside a Linguistical Servitor.
"We had best warn those we have saved to avoid the water. the Shockwave from the bombardment will cause waves at least to within 30 yards of the Thunderhawk" Argus said as he drew near.
"Yes, let us go warn them"
the Marine formed ranks and approached the vanguard of the great host. a battalion of Horsemen rode up. they all leveled their crossbows at the marines. a man who was obviously the commander by his extravagant uniform spoke to them.
"Falin dren ulin, Arnist en Bruknest?"
Argus gave a command to the Servitor. it whirred as it processed the strange language. a few seconds later the Servitor said"
"Who are you, Gods or Men?" clanked the Servitor
"We are not Gods, but we come as the messengers of one. Our master, your father, the God Emperor of mankind sends his greetings to his long lost children. Rejoice in your return to his blessed embrace. We must speak with your commander immediately" Rocan gave the greetings that were customary when faced with long lost human colonies. The Servitor took a minute to process the long list of words. the Horsemen had hard-bitten look on their faces, the look of expert warriors, but Rocan could see the fear in their eyes and he could smell it from their sweat.
The Servitor translated the words Rocan had spoken. the leader replied.
"Aradin an fyrst int aren ki Bakon. Hei rod, un ti jin Limt"
"Aradin is preparing to battle the Orks. Wait here, we will tell him" the Servitor translated.
the commander and 2 horsemen rode off towards the battle line. the rest of the men lowered their weapons and backed off a few meters. 10 minutes later the commander returned followed by a large group of armored knights surrounding one of the Large reptilian beasts.
they halted and a man dismounted from the large saurian. a dozen knights also dismounted and formed up around the man. they approached and parted to allow the man to see us. He was tall for a human, almost the height of a marine, he was clad in exquisite plate armor covered in silver and precious gems and he had a sword at his side. although he carried himself in a dignified manner Rocan could smell the fear emanating from the man. He was just as scared as the rest of his men to be confronting the giants that had come in and single handedly routed the orks.
"Untilian jini yi….ulin endi har yi Birthin"
"Untilian tells me, you wish to speak to me Lords" translated the servitor.
Rocan told Aradin that he needed to withdraw his men away from the sea. That he would call down the power of the Almighty God Emperor to destroy the orks, but that if his men were near the sea they might be destroyed too.
Aradin turned and said something to a man behind him. the man took a horn and sounded 3 long blasts. He was answered by 2 quick blasts from a far horn among the host.
"The 'Garth's Fury' is ready to destroy the orks Sergeant" came Captain Kastor over the vox.
"Hold until I give the word. I am waiting for the inhabitants to remove their forces form the beach"
"Waiting for your order, brother" came the reply.
By the time the humans had moved their forces away the orks had gotten most of their ships launched. Only a few stragglers remained behind on the beach.
Aradian came near Rocan and said something. the Servitor translated.
"The Orks are getting away. we could have destroyed many of them on the beach"
"Patience Aradian. they will all perish by the power of my master" replied Rocan. Into his Vox Rocan spoke. "Kastor, it is time"
"all guns fire, purgation spread" came the reply
as Rocan stood there beside the leader of these lost humans he looked up into the sky. The army gasped as 8 contrails of fire became visable. then a beam of purple light stabbed down from the heavens into the sea.
a plume of steam rose up around it.
the 8 Bombardment cannon rounds crashed into the middle of the ork fleet. the blast wave knocked many of the humans to the ground. a boiling wave of water crashed upon the shore, it was filled with the burning wreckage of hundreds of ships and the bodies of thousands of orks. it crashed against the walls of the city, but the walls held before its fury. another beam of purple light, and another, and another. the wave reached within a few meters of the army and then it flowed back to the sea, leaving in its wake a twisted wasteland of broken ships, dead bodies and muddy ground.
"Purge the Alien….cleanse his stain from the earth" came the voices of every marine over the vox. Rocan watched as the sea boiled alive those few orks who had survived the Bombardment.
A great mist rose up from the sea. soon the walls of the city were just a dark form in the mist, barely visible through the fog. the Human host was making their way back to the city, Rocan heard them singing through the mist. Aradian and his bodyguard began to sing as well.
Rocan asked the Servitor to translate. Rocan was amazed as it did.
"Praise the Guardian who protects us, He who is lord of the Heavens.
As he is master of the Stars, so is he also master of earth.
Praise the name of Great Father" they sang.
"These people must have once been part of the Impierium, they praise the Emperor", Argus stated, "The planets location must have been erased from impierial archives"
"They sang 'Guardian' in the song", Rocan mused, "that is a song they already knew"
Aradin came over to them.
"Tonight we will have a great feast to celebrate this victory and you will be the guests of honor. Warriors of the Guardian", he said through the Servitor, "Will you Come with us?"
Rocan nodded and told Argus to bring the Thunderhawk closer to the city and join them as they entered.
They began to march towards the city and came upon a road. as they advanced Companies of troops formed up behind and in front of them. others were to either side, all were amazed by the strange warriors. 20 were human enough looking. 10 were utterly strange as they walked in complete silence, their armor making not the slightest sound save for the slight crunch of pebbles beneath their boots.
As they approached the gate into the city the Thunderhawk swooped in close and landed nearby. The Humans recoiled as what for all intents and purposes was a strange otherworldly beast set its great bulk down near them. The Marines halted and waited as Argus left the Thunderhawk and joined them. Then they continued on into the city.
The gate was strongly built and beautifully decorated with carvings inlayed with gold and silver. Rocan halted as he looked upon the carving. it was of a massive square creature with 2 short legs. From its left hand fire spewed as it crushed an Ork Warboss in its grip and from its right bolts of magic flew. it was surrounded by Orks, their arrows bouncing off its hide as they cowered in terror. Behind it a host of the Humans fought alongside it, a figure on a horse seemed to be leading the humans.
Aradin spoke and the Servitor translated.
"You look upon the face of the Guardian. long has he slept in the Great Temple. one day he will awaken, as he did during the days of Hrarjack the Conqueror, and he will lead us to destroy the orks once and for all and there will finally be peace in the land. Prehaps that day is near, maybe you will witness his reawakening"
Jacon drew close to Rocan and said "if I didn't know any better I would say that 'Guardian' is a Dreadnought. Marines must have come to this planet at least once"
"Indeed!, MkV, Pre and Mid-Heresy" Argus spoke
"We will see" Rocan said as they continued into the city.
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