Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

"Awaken, Hectoris, said the voice. It was cool and clear. That of a women. Hectoris turned around. Time flowed differently here. Things further away moved faster than those closer, and things blurred as he spun around to face the Daemon. He was whole again. His arm was never severed, his hammer in his hand, shield upon his arm. The Daemon stood before him. Beckoning. Waiting for him. "Come with me, " it said.

I arrived at the prison area and already heard the sounds of agony an almost soothing sound.

I arrived at the cell of the leader of the lectatio divinatus group.
And greeted my brother sehiratu ''how is he?''

Sehiratu said. ''he has been resisting but i have succesfully gotten almost all the names of the members.''

After looking at them i said.''Thats good i will show them to my terminator sergeant he is a very ''precise'' marine and will torture them to get back to the emperors light.''

After that i walked off to sergeant Hectoris's room.

"Walk with me, Gannicus" Aloysus said. "Tell me about yourself, and feel free to ask me any questions you may have."

The Daemon moved in closer to Hectoris. he was bound to his position by invisible bonds. She whispered. "Come to me, Caeciliussss..."

With a feral Roar Caecilius broke free. The Daemon was caught unprepared, and screamed as Hectoris grabbed her and broke her over his knee. A sound caused him to turn.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

He turned to see anoher beast of the warp. It was no women, no seductress. It was a devil-spawn, skin as red as blood. Fangs jutted out from its maw and curving black horns curled from its head. It had a ragged black blade impaled into the non-ground, for there was no space in here. Only direction. The beast plucked his sword and strode over to hectoris. Hectoris swung his blade, but the Daemon easily countered. He tried to strike again but found the black tip pressed to his throat, burning with a heat to rival that of the Avatar.

My master is please with you, Caecilus, "it said. "Unlike your kin, you have resisted the temptations of his most loathed enemy, and serve his purpose with gusto. Your rage and battle lust, as well as your martial prowess, has seen you favour. He has instructed me to come here to tell you, that he has, a proposition for you."

"And who is your master?" Hectoris replied.

___________________________

Hectoris was woken by Rephosus. The devastator said tyhat cultists, ones who despise the Emperor and worship false gods. He was asking guidiance on their punihment. Under normal circumstances it would be Fulgrim or one of the Lord Commanders who would decide their fate.


"Take me to them, now." Hectoris arose and followed the novice, wearing only the cloth skirt he had slept in. On his way past he grabbed his blade.

"Contact the techmarines. Have them bring the prisoners an assortment of melee weapons. And then enjoy."

(edited:: I had two drafts and put up the wrong one sorry)
Gannicus body remained rigid as Aloysus addressed him. He was not accustomed to such a greeting. His past squad was lead by a rigid perfectionist who insisted on harsh punishments to insure he gained the best if his men.
A brief pause passes before he responded but when he did he did so in a respectful tone "Sir, yes I am Griffith Gannicus. It is a honor to be accepted into your squad sergeant Alloysus"
his stiff body relaxed as he walked alongside his new sergeant.
"well sir there is little to say about myself. I live to serve the emperor. In my previous squad I excelled in hand to hand combat which resulted in me being granted my power axe and a place nearly always arms length from our enemies" he smirked a little with the idea, it was not pride but joy reflecting on such things.
"questions?.. Well sergeant Alloysus my only possible questions must be in regard to the knights of basilisk. I have heard little of your squad sir and must admit am curious to learn more"
He was more curious if the Sargent was told what had happen a couple days ago, his failure in protecting his brothers.. And those things.. Those pale skinned horrors that slaughtered his squad mates.

"I haven't had any trouble with this monster, but I have had strange dreams. Im beginning to feel like I don't belong here, like my true brothers are all gone. Like I am a lone wolf prowling in the shadow of another pack." Nero admitted, wondering what type of reaction he would get

Segari had awoken from his slumber. He didn't bother getting his armour on, opting for fine silk robes. He turned on the vox caster with Bequa Kynska bellowing out music. He wondered where Rephosus was considering he had not talked much with the boy since their return.

He forgot the thought and proceeded to cut some fruit from the world they had visited. Remembrancers had collected it for him along with a number of other plants and wildlife. For now Segari would enjoy himself, for he knew of the ordeal to come.

Hectoris decapitated the cultists, before spinning and punching another's head from his shoulders. The last cultist, armed with a combat knife, stabbed him in the back. The wound was but a scratch, not a few millimeters deep. Hectoris turned and waited for the heretic to strike again. As he expected, the traitor rushed forward. Hectoris simply stuck out his sword and the cultists impaled himself. Of the 20 cultists who had been imprisoned, 12 had fought. The others were huddled in a corner, covered in the blood of those that had fought. The bodies were lying on the ground. It had taken little more than a minute to kill them all.

"Please, m-m-m-my lord," stuttered an elderly man, "w-w-w-we m-m-m-meant n-n-no harm. W-w-we just-"

He never finished. Hectoris had been ignoring Hhim. At that point Hectoris had picked up a stormbolter and spray rounds into the roup, killing all of them, but one. A young women. Quite attractive by human standards. Blood frothed from her mouth as she tried to crawl away. Hectoris sprayed another few rounds into her. He was about to turned away and then stopped. He turned back and emptied the nearly full magazine into her body alone. He had enjoyed that little, excersise, if it could be called that.

Hectoris turned to Rephosus, who had been standing at the door, watching.

"Send someone to clean that filth up, I am going back to bed."

"You wish to know about my Basilisks?" Aloysus replied. "We have the honour of being the finest linebreakers in the 9th, possibly the Legion, a reputation we have fought hard for. Your close combat abilities will be a fine addition to our ranks, and I expect great things from you, as I do of all of my squad. I personally have been a Basilisk for nearly 200 years and I have led the squad for almost 60. We take whatever the enemy can throw at us, be it troops or tanks and through our perfection we prevail. We aim ever higher, as our Lord Fulgrim expects."

"Is there anything you would like to tell me, Gannicus? I know your old squad was destroyed in combat, and you mustn't blame yourself for that. Remember, you can tell me anything, and I will always give you any and all of the help and support I can. If there is nothing more you wish to ask or tell me then you may retire, and I will see you for drills tomorrow."

Dreph found the Captain of the Ship.

"Where are we headed to, brother?"

The captain checked the dataslate.

"A planet known as Pyrona, apparently. The citizens there have reported sightings of strange men, made of living metal."

"I see..."

Dreph made an announcement to the 9th company.

"Attention brothers! We have our next target. Expected arrival time is 15 hours. End announcement."

Dreph cracked a grin. He was all too familiar with the creatures on Pyrona.

After contacting the shift commander to send some men to clean up, i walked towards the shooting range.

While walking i ran into sergeant aloysus he was talking with someone i hadn't seen before i said. ''Good day sergeant Aloysus is this the new member to your squad.'' As i looked at him i saw a power axe and i said to him. ''Hello i am devestator brother rephosus are you the new member to the basilisks ?''

Rephosus approached them as they passed through the corridors. ''Good day, Sergeant Aloysus, is this the new member to your squad?'' he asked. "It is indeed. Gannicus, meet Rephosus of the Archers of the Rayven Devastator squad, currently serving under Sergeant Segari. He is a fantastic recruit and a good shot. I have my eye on him, although I suspect he is headed for service as a Techmarine." Aloysus said

Gannicus listend to his Sargent speak listening to each word with care as was in his nature to do so. He silently nodded to acknowledge he was listening until the Sargent was done speaking. "Thank you Sargent Alloysus, I will Do my best for the squad and to live up to both yours and lord fulgrims expectations."
He had no more questions. He relaxed pushing his worried thoughts to the back of hid head where they belonged.

Soon he found himself introduced To Reposus.
Gannicus faintly smiled extending his arm/hand in greetings "Greetings brother, As my new Sargent has said I am Gannicus the newest of us brothers to be part of the Knights of Basilisk." "tech-marine? That is a noble endeavor, if that is your aspiration I hope to see it come to pass"

As Hectoris drifted into slumber, he found himself back in that same place. The distorted world. There was no she-creature there this tiome. Just the red skinned beast, with a ragged black sword. Hectoris was unarmouredand clutched only his sword.

"Welcome back." said the Daemon.

"I have questions for you, beast.."
"As you wish."

"What are you? Where is this? Who is your master? Who are you. And what is this proposition?"


"Many, many questions. Let's start with the first one.

We, my kin and I, even the she-creature you slew here last time, we are all the same. Individuals, but subject to the whims of our master. The last time civilisation found us, they called us "Daemons". Daemons of Chaos. You and your people seemed to call tus that to. Your gene-uncle, of the grey armoured warriors of your own kin, they found us days ago. They called us that too."

Hectoris tried to ask who he spoke of. The "Daemon" silenced him. Apparently his questions were asked and were being answered.

"Secondly, you have been here before. This is the Warp. This is where spirit and emotion resides and sleep brings the innermost thoughts to the forefront. So you come here, if you are summoned or are strong enough to.

Thirdly, my master. He has gone by many names. Your grey armoured brothers have not yhet named him. Eons ago he was called Kharnath by his followers. His name is unimportant. He is a God of the Warp. of Chaos. He is the Blood God and Lord of Battles.

I, have also gone by many names. You may call me what you wish, but I would prefer Scarspite.

Finally, the main event!" The Daemon swung his sword up to rest across his shoulder. "But first, a chal...."

______________________

Hectoris was woken by the sound of Captain kalar over the ox system on board the ship. 15 hours untill they landed on the next world. Hectoris rolled over and tried to regain sleep. He was shortly disturbed yet again by a servitor. The servitor just managed to avoid getting smashed to the ground, by the ill tempered veteran space marine, just about saving itself by handing him a recording. It was Lord Commander Eidolon. Fulgrim wanted to see him in his quarters immediately.

With a groan, Hectoris rolled out of his cot and dress in a fine silk robe made of the purest white fabric, lined with the deep purple and shing gold of the Legion. Before the latest conquest such things would have made him take notice but right now he disliked the soft matierial. hectoris walked past the servitor, shoving it away, before making his way to the armour. There, he exchanged his robe for his new suit of armour. It felt much better to wear.

Then, he amde his way to the Primarch's personal chambers, where few were permitted to go uninvited, and only the Emperor and his sons were permitted to enter unannounced. Even the Emperor would still have to make an appointment to get in, was a common joke around Hectoris' squad. As he stood at the staircase, four of the Pheonix Guard, Fulgrims greatest warriors and personal guardians, flanked him to escort him to his destination.

After exchanging pleasantries with gannicus i decided i should come to the subject at hand. ''So brother i hope you are ready for battle we will most likely be deployed as the first line of attack.

That means 50% chance of completely no help. Also hard fighting if we make a small fault all of us will die that is why we must be perfect.

I know you area a very capable soldier and i have seen your combat record. But i just wanted to inform you now if you would excuse me gannicus, sergeant alloysus i will have to report to the armory.'' After making a small bow to the sergeant i left

I felt haunted by the deamon only this time it felt different and a voice whispered about knowledge of the universe.

Aloysus bid farewell to Gannicus and headed towards his armoury. Once he was in his armour he voxed his squad "Prepare for planetary landing, eta 15 hours."

Gannicus kept his silence listening to the advice and instructors of his battle-brothers. He was well aware of the 'challenges' they could face in the war they waged but appreciated this warning he was receiving.
He nodded "understood."
They all went their sperate ways. Gannicus always had a dull calm before missions something like 'the calm before the storm' but it was a little different now. He felt at ease after the brief encounter with his Sargent and Devestator Reposus.
"15 hours.." he was still in his armor and carrying his axe. His plasma pistol was destroyed in his last 'go around'
"bolters and bolt pistols it is"
Speaking to himself was a bad habit, not speaking to his battle brothers was a worse one he had to overcome being in a new squad.
He placed his helmet back upon his head, the red runes Taking life within. He marched himself to the area they would meet to proceed with the mission, maybe he would find a good bolter.. Perhaps a scope?

Dreph came to the armoury to prep his equipment and to request any weapons that may be needed for the mission ahead. He stumbled into Aloysus whilst searchding for the master of the forge.

"Greetings, Sergeant."

Aloysus put down the powered glaive that he was holding. Dreph then picked it up and began to inspect it.

"Indeed, Captain. Do you have any idea what we are facing? I need to pick my weapons."

Dreph placed the sword in the scabbard, unaware of the great powers that lay within.

"We are headed to Pyrona, a key Forge World. Residents have reported strange creatures made of living metal attacking them, and it is up to us to save them."

Aloysus thanked Dreph for the information, and went back to rummaging through the weapons.

Dreph was captivated by the blade, however. He looked across it's gleaming blue metal, and at the glowing runes.

Dreph, finished, went to his room, and there he fainted. He came to a place not unlike the realm of the Serpent, where he was met by a great 2 vulture headed creature.

"I am Fateweaver, Captain. My master has been watching your acts with great interest."

The devastator sergeant made his way to the drop pods. The ship was alive with activity preparing for the massive assault against the forge world. His new squad was prepared to decimate any that came with range. He had adopted a lascannon from the armory, blessing it with the appropriate rites and cleaning rituals. Still he carried his hand crafted blade by his side.

Segari still frantically searched for Rephosus. He would need him as his two newly initiated marines were fresh, and he would need his experience. His command of his troops were lately proving disastrous and he would not fail again in the coming campaign.

Edit: Double post.

Hectoris met with the Jaded Watch for the first time since Hectoris had embarked upon that special mission. Magnus Malvarian and the other 3 stood waiting in the bridge. Whereas the others were descending via Drop Pod to initiate a planetstrike attack, the Watch were being held in reserve untill the machine men revealed themselves. They would lock onto a teleport homer, of which Sgt Aloysus, Antioch and Captain Kalarb were all carrying, and act as counterattacking force, the hammer to the anvil. Hectoris carried his new shield. His other one had been destroyed by the Eldar war god. This new one was a perfect circle and bore his personal herealdry, a reward for his bravery and self sacrifise. His entire squad were also kitted with new armour. It was top of the line "Tartaurus" pattern Terminator Armour, the best armour yet made. The machimne men they were fighting were said to carry weapons capable of stripping the armour from a tank in seconds and their guns could be in one of two forms, either firing bursts of electricity or green energy pulses.


Fulgrim had contacted him before battle. Apparently these were the same creatures from whom the device that had been on the pommel of his sword had been stolen. He was told to be careful.

Speaking of which, he needed to find his sword. He asked a nearby Techmarine. Apparently the captain had it. He was travelling via Drop Pod along with the Knights of the Basilisks. The Techmarine said he saw Dreph heading for his quarters for meditation. Hectoris grumbled but silently made his way there. He was becoming increasingly moody of late.


As he approached door B32-Alpha, Dreph Kalar's room, he slowed and knocked. He waited for the answer but none came. Hectoris entered, checking to see if the Captain was in or just too deep in thought to notice.

"Captain? Sorry for the interuption..."

He saw the Captain passed out on the floor.

"Kalar!" He opened a vox channel to the Apothecarium. "Get an Apothecary here. I am with Captain Kalar, he appears to be unconcious. Room B32-Alpha."

I walked to the drop pod bay with my newly adopted autocannon. I decided i should report to the master of the forge and i turned around.

Just before i entered the forge i saw sergeant segari and i stopped in my tracks i bowed down and said. ''Its a honour to meet you again sergeant would you mind accompanying me to the forge i have something for you. ''

The Knights of the Basilik were strapped into their drop pod, their weapons stowed. Sergeant Aloysus had his combi melta in a rack above him, his combat knife on his right hip and a new power sword from the armoury on his left hip. The drop pod lurched as it was lifted into the launch bay, pointing to the Forge World below.

"Launch sequence initiating: 3 seconds to launch" Blared the internal vox.

"Knights of the Basilik, today we fight to free this planet from the scourge of AI technology. Our opponents are mindless automatons, fearless and without mercy. This will be a hard fight, but we shall prevail. We are the knife edge that shall lead the Legion's advance, and our Lord Fulgrim himself watches us!" Aloysus said.

"2 seconds to launch"

"We have amongst us a new brother, and we welcome him with open arms. He joins us on our journey to perfection, and we shall be forged in battle into true brothers, in fire and steel. He shall do us proud, and I honour him!" Marius shouted.

"1 second to launch"

"Children of the Emperor!" Thundered Aloysus.

"Death to His Foes!" Came the bellowed reply, and with a mighty kick the Knights of the Basilisk were sent hurtling towards the surface of the world below.

Faberon's heart was pounding as it always did, always had done on the journey to the drop pods. It had been too long since he had seen a creature burn from his burning promethium. It had been far too long since he had battled at all, and he had been growing mad with the wait. He turned the final corner to his drop pod.
He had even been getting images flashing into his mind.
He opened the door to the drop pod.
Images of women-daemons.
He pulled the straps round himself.
Daemonettes.
He checked his flamer for the last time.
And they had seemed at once evil and perfect to his mind's eye.
He locked closed the straps.
They were emotion.
He checked how many of his squad were here so far.
Raw feeling.
6 including himself, 4 to go.
What power could be found within such raw emotion?
3 to go if his sergeant was off on a special mission again.
Surely nothing could be better than that kind of power?
The remainder of his squad slowly trickled in. By then he had stopped noticing. He was waiting for battle. Death. Blood. Adrenaline. The essence of battle. The essence of power. The essence of she who thirsts.
The pods launched. A smile crept over Faberon's face.

"If you agree, mighty psychic powers will be at your command."

Dreph considered the proposal.

"Why am I so impressive?"

"You are always striving to manipulate the world around you. My master has been needing emissaries to strengthen his cause, and you have proved an ideal candidate."

Dreph was liking the sound of this.

Then black.

He opened his eyes to see the Apothecary hanging over him.

"Are you alright, my lord?"

"I am fine. Direct me to the Drop Pods. This planet won't save itself!"

"Rephosus we barely have enough time to look at the armory, we are about to make our landing" Segari noticed the disappointment on his face.
He placed his hand on the young marines shoulder,"I am sorry, but this planet needs us right now". With that he turned with his sqaud and headed for the drop pods.

"Come with me Captain,"£ said Hectoris. "By the way, I need my balde back." He indicated the blue power sword.

Kalar smiled as he handed back the sword and they set off for the drop pod bay.

I entered the drop pod and put my autocannon above me and with 2 bolt pistols in my hand i prepared for the drop.

I voxed quickly to captain kalar. ''sir what is the precise location where we will deploy? ''

The drop pod rocketed towards the surface, the marines laughing and joking.

The pod was rocketing down with incredible speed

I felt different like something was watching me and then i had a vision a huge monster almost mechanical but also with shifting flesh and with a strangely human like voice

It said ''mortal come to my said i will bring you all the knowledge of all the machines you will command all the technology this universe has to offer and you will live eternal machine will fuse with you and you will be supreme''

I looked at it but before i could answer i felt the impact of the drop pod. I stepped out and regrouped with sergeant aloysus.