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Ok so I have Finally read everything and WOW - MORE Please - You are an awesome author.

Thanks drizzcat! I appreciate it. What was your favorite part so far?

oh my goodness. SOO Much to catch up on. Ugh 3 hours here we go....

 IceAngel wrote:
Thanks drizzcat! I appreciate it. What was your favorite part so far?

Everything - It is an Awesome EPic Story and I look forward to Reading more.

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 look 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.”

Sorry for taking so long to comment Ice. I've been picking up most of your updates on my phone recently and I *hate* reading your fine fiction on that damn little screen. Really messes with my imagination.

I'd wondered what had happened to Philosir & co. I like where this is going... should set up to be a very interesting sequence of events.

Thanks Gitsplitta. I was wondering if anyone still read these, but then again, i think a lot of people are generally busier this time of year. I certainly am.

Yeah, and you've got to figure that *at most*... 1 in 10 comment... probably a lot less. Especially when it's something like this where there's no paint job to critique.

Not to be left out, but Ice I wouldn't miss a post. Love the turn this took, I didn't even think about philosir either when he said the warrior in red.

I have the Thread Subscribed. Still Loving the story - Wishing you would write faster - lol

Thanks guys. Drizzcat, I wish I could write faster too. Unfortunately the ideas in my head like to float around and simmer before I can dish them out on dakka.

Azalle, I'm glad it surprised you. We shall see what happens with this little side story. I still have a lot on a side burner with Philosir and Inushi.

As I finish up this book, which characters do you guys particularly like and why? I have my favorites but I often have a lot more knowledge about the characters so I want to see what you guys like.

Good lord, Gitsplitta I did this post on my phone and it took 5 times longer then it should have. Huge pain!

Yeah, the quality of my response posts has degraded considerably since I've had to rely on my phone more and more.

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. “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 masters 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.

That Bastard!

Had to know something like that was coming...

Yeah! intrigue!

Also small spelling note "A normal person would have gone made with the possibilities" Should it be " A normal person would have gone mad with the possibilities"

Thanks guys. Good catch with the word error too.

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 Fybblywhyps 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.

He 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.

Busted

Hehe I like the word play of a blizzard of Ice Angels, that was a nice touch.

Pretty good passage, leading us up to what should prove to be an eventful dinner party with some potentially pissed of marines.

Great entry there Ice. Nicely done. Tension you could cut with a knife...

Excellent! I'm glad you guys liked it.

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 a lighter weapons payload 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.

I always wondered what the neutered marines did with their packages... now I know, they leave them in the ships of people they want to intimidate. Like the horses head in "The Godfather"...

He's making them an offer they can't refuse

“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 chamber 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.”

An a$$-whoopin' approacheth...

Those xenos loving scum! lol this will be good!

It looks like they will still be having dinner after alll

Tonight they dine in.... Hell!