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.

Everyone knows that Vanilla cake is the best, those Templars have no taste in cakes

 War Kitten wrote:
Everyone knows that Vanilla cake is the best, those Templars have no taste in cakes

Ultramarines where always vanilla, just because its a non codex flavour.

Ohh shots fired, shots fired. There is going to be a space marine cake cameo now

There's gonna be a BT vs. UM scrap over the cake. This'll be interesting. Might have to send the BT's some cataphractii terminator plate to make them happy.

 jhe90 wrote:
I like how a simple wedding derailed a entire crusade, and everyone forgets a entire planet basicly died.

But wedding lol

Until chazz posts his story, I haven't killed the planet

Archarus stared at the sky, unable to decide which color it truly was. Blood red clouds blotted out a pus green moon that now orbited it, but lightning and warp currents tore the moon asunder each night, and come morning it was reborn; orbiting the planet once more as if it's demise never took place.

"Archarus, more of the Rotted come to us, seeking to lose our hold on this forsaken planet." The Warsmith recognized the voice as Voorhees, a raptor which had earned his favor by his ability to perform night raids to gather more slaves to help quench the abyss that was the forge's thirst for fresh workers. Not that much more slave gathering could be done, now that the population was dying in droves; either by the daemonic incursions taking place, or from the pure warp energies scalding the planet.

Archarus saw an opportunity out of this though: to fortify the planet, and have a nigh on untouchable fortress that stretched through the whole planet so that he could launch raids from to hinder the crusade further.

"Let Nurgle's welps come. Let them die and appease the Blood God in their foolish attempts to kill us." Archarus replied, and double checked that his storm bolter was loaded.

If you're talking about Gailor Prime it popped into the warp briefly, and then popped right back out of it. You could be referring to another planet though for all I know.

Oh, I was unaware that it went back into the materium. I'm a little behind on certain aspects of what's happening due to misreading and missing some people's posts accidentally from time to time. Well, gak. Anyone opposed to some mad scientist tech so I can kidnap another world into the warp?

As long as you're not opposed to other forces trying to stop you, then I'd say go ahead. See what the others think though.

Yeah, I'd be surprised if people didn't try and stop an Imperial world getting taken into the warp. And, it could be my wedding present to the bride and groom. One less world they have to worry about.

You could say that Archarus and his men were teleported to a different planet in the warp when Gallor Prime went under?

That way, no more worlds need be send into the warp, and you get your warp fortress world (which could pages back into reality at a choice moment?)

That... is a pretty genius solution. I planned on having daemons and random chaos followers assault it quite often to hinder it as well, which I showed with Nurgle sending an invasion force over.

Dont worry 2BJ1, I am also very behind on the story, so far that I just said "Screw it, we're nuking the place"

 2BlackJack1 wrote:
That... is a pretty genius solution. I planned on having daemons and random chaos followers assault it quite often to hinder it as well, which I showed with Nurgle sending an invasion force over.

That could work. Immune to conventional attack but chaos is not, so still potentially can be lost to warp forces and such. ?

That's why I had my old force killed off. I had no idea what was going on, so I had my old guys killed off so I could start fresh with the new.

I mean, Imperial forces could in theory attack the planet too, but once Archarus works his Iron Warrior magic it'll be pretty hard to fight. Especially since they'll have daemonic allies too.

As for a chance of it getting lost in the warp, that's a good possibility, as is a bigger, badder army shows up and kicks Archarus out. It is the warp, after all. A lot of different things could go wrong.

Commissar Jack Sheppard was patting down some of the creases of his Commissars uniform. In his ready room sat two of his three groomsmen. Sheppard had asked Cadet Alenko to be his best man. Though the young man was quite literally short handed, he would not turn the opportunity down. Captain Reiner wore a tuxedo, the burly ruffian cleaned up surprising nicely, though he refused to shave for the occasion. The Captain handed Sheppard a flask spoke with a laugh “You know that if you run Jack, me and have this ship would be forced to kill you.” The Commissar took a swig “I wouldn’t worry about that, if I so much a flinch during the ceremony Petra will slit my throat.” The captain smiled “Not to mention that Ulf character, he seems completely invested in this. The Templars aren’t as cold as they would have the rest of Imperium believe.” Sheppard took another sip of the strong brew and spoke “Speaking of the Emperor’s finest where is my last groomsmen.” Cadet Alenko gave a one armed shrug, “He should be here now.”

Commander Caleb Axton entered the room, his power armor freshly repaired and repainted. “Sorry I’m late, chapter business.” Sheppard grinned “I’m glad you can join us Commander.” Captain Reiner gave a glance to his grandfather’s pocket watch and spoke “We should leave now less we all be late.”

The Templar’s chapel was truly impressive. The Stain-glass windows of the cathedral depicted the God Emperor towering above his nine primarch sons. The star lite of the void pierced through the glass and heroically illuminated the great church. Sheppard stood at the alter looking to all those gathered before him. It felt to him as if the entire crusade was present, what was to be a humble ceremony conducted by Marshall Karak had evolved into a huge ordeal. The wedding was actual pushed back four days to allow for envoys to arrive and for Karak’s army of serfs to make preparations. The bulk of the individuals were the survivors from Sheppard’s company and those of Petra’s Light Brigade Knights. The Knights all dawned their armor they were an impressive sight in comparison to Sheppard’s Paragon’s who were still filthy from the battle on Gallor Prime. Sheppard looked across the room and saw many familiar faces.

Governor Pavus had some cuts but was still far better off than many of the survivors. His two body guards Sandor Braddock and the Ogryn Ruck sat at his side, the Ogryn took up a few seats, and blocked the view of those behind him. Among the ranks of Knights was Knight Captain Garrod Petra’s dueling partner in the tourny, one of the few knights who stood up for his fellow knight captain. Lord General Kruger Zonand sat at the side of Marshall Karak, the general had come as soon as he heard about the loss at Gallor Prime, he wanted an accurate calculations of the losses. His presence at the wedding was a detour before he holds council with the heads of the crusade. There were also Individuals who Sheppard had never met, but recognized on reputation alone, like Captain Julius. The Marine was heading the task force to find and retrieve Captain Aurelius, though their mission has proved less than fruitful so far. Commander Ajuran was in present as well, extraction would not been possible without the support of his men, Sheppard really needed to make it a point to thank the Commander personally.

A part of Sheppard felt that all this festivity to be completely inappropriate, so many had died on the planet’s surface. But Sheppard understood why so many had clung to this moment it was the sole distraction in a time of great sorrow. Everyone even complete strangers to both the bride and the groom wanted to bask in the light heatedness of the moment before returning to the grim reality of their existence. To help everyone forget the Serfs had pulled all the stops.

Petra entered the the church and the Faustian honor band began playing “An end to arms” Traditional of Faustian military weddings. The retinue of Serf’s worked rigorously round the clock until the morning of the ceremony to prepare the gown. The artisanship was that you would expect from agents of Space Marines, and that is masterful. She had intended to wear her new suit of armor however when she learned just how much the serfs slave to make the dress, it felt wrong not to wear it. Though this was the first time she had ever worn heels, and as such felt awkward and uncomfortable in walking in them, so she discarded them and wore her combat boots. At her side was Ulf the Black Templar that would give her way. She walked down the aisle passing her subordinates, they were mostly happy for her, though still there were those who turned their nose up at her. Sheppard looked at his soon to be wife, he realized this is the first time he saw her wearing something that wasn’t either her armor or her off duty fatigues.

She then reached the alter where Sheppard and the Chaplain stood.

Judge Thaddius of the New Order Stood at the center of the alter. He attended at the request of Marshall Karak, though he thought this whole ordeal a waste of time. The right to conduct marriage ceremonies was technically in his realm of power though it was a power he never had reason or opportunity to exercise before. Thaddius spoke his voice booming throughout the cathedral “Who brings this woman to wed.” Ulf spoke “I do, Brother Sargent Ulf, of The Black Templars.” The Judge looked to Petra “Approach Knight Captain” When Petra reached her position the chaplain began his monologue “Sons and Daughters of the Emperor, we gather here today to bear witness to the marriage of Commissar Jack Sheppard, and Knight Captain Petra Zorah.” The Agent of the new order spoke “Does the Best Man have the rings.” The Cadet with his only hand removed the box from his coat pocket and handed it to the Chaplain. The marine spoke “Take these as a symbol of your unending love, may they serve as a reminder of all you fight for.” Thaddius turned to Sheppard “Do you Lord Commissar Jack Sheppard in full view of our holy Emperor and his faithful Pledge your undying love and loyalty to this woman.” Sheppard nodded “I do.” The chaplain then turned to Petra “Do you Knight Captain Petra Zorah in full view of our holy Emperor and his faithful Pledge your undying love and loyalty to this man.” She smiled “I do.” The Judge spoke “Than by the power granted to me by the Emperor and The New Order I declare you Husband and Wife.” Sheppard and Petra kissed as The crowd applauded and the band began to play. The couple then left the chapel.

The wedding reception was something else, Karak had a cache of vintage four-hundred-year old wine that he offered to the reception. And the cake an eight-foot-tall monument to chocolate and frosting. Julius had a slice and Karak approached him from behind and patted the marine on his shoulder pad “How are you enjoying the cake Captain.” Julius smiled “It is good, though I must say I prefer vanilla.” Karak had personally selected chocolate, Karak made a mental note of the marine’s poor taste.

Commander Axton found a moment alone with Sheppard in a shadowy area of the reception room. “You remember earlier when I told you I had chapter business?” Sheppard laughed “I thought that was just an excuse for your tardiness.” Axton’s face was unusually grim “I got a message from my Chapter’s home world Honorum. Chapter Master Arkantos is dead, all the Captains must return to elect a new leader.” Sheppard raised an eye brow “There is a chance you will become chapter master.” Axton nodded “Yes, but that is highly unlikely, I suspect the remaining captains won’t look fondly to a Commander who only has a third of a company at his command. But that is not why I tell you this, me and my men leave on the morrow I’m offering you and Petra the chance to come with us, a chance to escape the inquisition and this doomed crusade.” Sheppard sighed “Thank you Axton, I truly appreciate the offer, but I will not run. Not from the Inquisition, and not from whatever horror this crusade may let hold.” Axton nodded “As you wish Sheppard, I am honored to have served with you.” Sheppard smiled “Oh come on, I got a feeling we will see each other again. The universe has a strange way of putting men like us where we are most needed.” Axton smiled “Perhaps Sheppard perhaps.”

Several hours of feasting, drinking, and drunken dancing later the party had come to an end, and Sheppard and Petra left to their chamber. Sheppard entered the door way with Petra wrapped in his arms. But they soon discovered they were not alone. Gazing out the window of the room was Captain Titus. Sheppard yelled “Really, you are going to kill us on our wedding night.” Titus almost laughed but the marine kept his composure “Relax, if I intended to kill you, you’d be dead by now.” Petra reached for the shiv she had tucked away in her garter belt “I don’t suppose you’ve come to congratulate us.” Titus turned away “In a way I suppose I have.” Titus handed the two each a letter. Titus spoke as the two opened the letter “In recognition of your valiant effort on Gallor Prime, I have deemed your penance paid.” Sheppard was confused “Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why. We failed to prevent the orks from opening the vault.” Titus spoke “You served valiantly down there, the Imperium needs more men like the two of you. My pardon does however come with one stipulation. You must continue to serve the emperor in whatever capacity you see fit.” Sheppard nodded and the black armored marine began to leave, Sheppard called out “Titus, where will you go.” The Ultramarine paused and spoke “Our work in this sector is over, where we go next is classified.” Sheppard spoke “I wish you well wherever you find yourself.” The marine left without another word.

Sheppard looked to Petra and spoke “I realize Titus may have killed the mood, but if your still up for it…” The knight captain threw herself at the Commissar, not even the Inquisition would steal this night from them.

Another great story Chazz. I liked how you managed to include mine and jhe's cake debate in there. Hopefully I can write a decent story about searching for Aurelius

Great chunk, and good fellas style, any wedding presents are safe at a wedding full of space marines lol

Good chunk, its nice to throw the crusade off track abit at times. And Shepard may have a tempery job offer :-)

So what next for templers? Hunt for the acting captain?

New Order Judges be like, "This was part of my job description?"

I never made specific note of it, but all Judges are technically captains as well. Not sure if Thaddius really had something better to do or he's just an arse..

 jhe90 wrote:
Great chunk, and good fellas style, any wedding presents are safe at a wedding full of space marines lol

Good chunk, its nice to throw the crusade off track abit at times. And Shepard may have a tempery job offer :-)

So what next for templers? Hunt for the acting captain?

I have some ideas for that. If chazz will let us know who exactly took him (i have my suspicions) then I can try and write something up. Perhaps a UM and BT joint operation?

 War Kitten wrote:

 jhe90 wrote:
Great chunk, and good fellas style, any wedding presents are safe at a wedding full of space marines lol

Good chunk, its nice to throw the crusade off track abit at times. And Shepard may have a tempery job offer :-)

So what next for templers? Hunt for the acting captain?

I have some ideas for that. If chazz will let us know who exactly took him (i have my suspicions) then I can try and write something up. Perhaps a UM and BT joint operation?

Spunds a good idea, long as no one has to bake a victory cake lol
plus two battlebarge are always better than one. Unless there against you lol.
I can add two strike cruisers and some modified destroyers too :-)

I think we should roll off for what happened to our acting captain, I'm not even sure if the remnants have him, if he is stuck in the warp, or what. I guess I'll take the numbers this time.

Well. I'll take 45 to try and find Aurelius if we're pulling numbers

I'm writing a little something about the Acting-Captain and his whereabouts at the moment, I'll try to get it online as soon as possible but real life is doing its best to prevent me from writing much

 Ezra Tyrius wrote:
I'm writing a little something about the Acting-Captain and his whereabouts at the moment, I'll try to get it online as soon as possible but real life is doing its best to prevent me from writing much

Me and you both

The Sorcerer was nearing exhaustion. He brought his staff up and slammed it down again, impaling the squealing form of a Bloodletter over and over until the foul creature dissolved into ash. He, and the small group of Astartes who had accompanied him to the Vault, had spent the last few hours (or were it years?) fighting a frenzied daemonic horde which had followed them all across the alleys and hallways of this strange place in the Warp. He had abandoned the thought of mentally mapping the maddening geometry of their surroundings, as even he could not predict in what way the walls and floors would shift and turn.

But there was one thing he could do while he was here, and that was tracking a certain individual who had also stumbled into the Warp when the Vault was opened.

I’m coming for you, Aurelius.

They were close to his position now, his psychic aura a bright golden light within the dark and multi-coloured currents of the Warp.

The daemons kept coming however, and the Sorcerer knew the others could hold out so long. The Night Lord was struggling to keep a pack of Daemonettes off of him, while Tel Asag was locked in mortal combat with several Bloodletters, his mad laughter audible even over the clattering of their weapons. The Commander himself was wrestling with a Juggernaught, slamming his fists into the beasts’ head, while a Terminator from the Apocalypse Company shredded scores of zombies with his autocannon. A group of Screamers came screeching from above, but were cut down by bolter and plasma fire from a Black Legionnaire and a Steel Brethren marine.

It was time to put an end to this.

The Sorcerer took a deep breath, before silently whispering incantations in an ancient tongue, his staff glowing brighter with each passing second.

Finally, with a great roar, he brought down the staff once more, his words sending the daemons reeling.

“BEGONE, INFERNAL CREATURES!”, he shouted, as his staff detonated into a bright wave of light, scorching the daemonic forms of their assailants. Several agonized shrieks filled the void, before all became silent again.

Panting, the Sorcerer looked around at his companions. Most of them had sustained minor injuries, mostly scratches and bruises intermixed with a few nasty gashes, but Tel Asag had been severely wounded by the energy the Sorcerer had unleashed.

However, before the Sorcerer could even inquire after his injuries, the Astartes’ body rapidly starting healing itself, parts of his flesh knitting themselves together before their very eyes.

“So, possessed after all, Asag!”, the Steel Brethren remarked. “You owe me a meltagun, brother”, he spoke excitedly to the Black Legionnaire, who shot him an angry glance.

“I’m afraid it’ll take more than that to kill me, Sorcerer”, Tel Asag grinned, blood-stained fangs glistening menacingly as the Sorcerer approached. “I applaud you for trying, however.”

“Watch your tongue, brother Asag, or our good Sorcerer might give it another shot”, the Commander laughed, wiping some blood off of his sword. “Tell me, old friend, are our targets drawing near?”

The Sorcerer closed his eyes and peered into the Warp once more, looking for the Acting-Captain’s trace amidst the madness coiling around them. His purity stood out like a sore thumb in the sickening layers of corruption they had been wading through.

However, his bright aura attracted the servants of the Dark Powers like moths to a flame, and so his form was constantly moving, delving deeper in the depths of the Warp, as he fought more and more daemons coming to consume his soul.

But they were close now, so very close. And getting close to the Acting-Captain also meant coming close to their second objective.

“He’s causing quite the commotion down here”, the Sorcerer remarked, as he turned back to the Commander.

“Not that we expected anything less”, the Commander replied, smiling widely. “The Ultramarines are a tenacious lot, much like their Father.”

“So it seems. Now, onwards, before we lose our good Acting-Captain again”, the Sorcerer spoke, as he marched forward into the dark halls once again.

The small group ran through a few more twisting alleys and corridors, blasting a few daemons that had been left alive in the Acting-Captain’s wake. Eventually, they came at the gate of a great hall, where their quarry had finally come to a halt.

They found the Acting-Captain brought to his knees, amidst the dissolving bodies of a myriad of daemons, a greater daemon of Khorne roaring its praise to its lord as it went for the killing blow.

Without hesitation, the group poured every round of ammunition they had into the massive creature, burying its agonized screams in hails of bullets and fire. Tel Asag leapt on top of the raging Bloodthirster and tore its throat out with his teeth, wrestling the creature down even as the others fired into the daemon’s body with everything they had. The Bloodthirster howled, the sound guttural and slurred, grabbing the Word Bearer from his head and throwing him into a wall. It then tried to lash out at the others with his axe, but the Commander struck first and cut off its hand, before ramming his sword into its head.

Eventually, the great beast’s existence was ended when the Sorcerer unleashed a storm of lightning upon the Bloodthirster’s body, electrocuting it until its flesh started dissolving into ash. The group was exhausted, the battle seemingly having lasted ages. For all they knew, it might just have.

They gathered around the unconscious body of Acting-Captain Aurelius, the group expectantly looking at the Sorcerer for the next part of the plan.

“Ah, Acting-Captain Aurelius… we finally meet in person”, the Sorcerer spoke softly, as he unclasped Aurelius’ helmet. “I must say, it took me a long time to find you”, he continued, as he produced a long, odd-shaped syringe from a small pocket on his belt. “The right combination of genes, the right environmental factors… all to provide the perfect genetic sample…”, he murmured, as he slid the syringe in the Acting-Captain’ exposed neck, carefully extracting a sample of blood from the Ultramarine’s veins.

The room trembled, as strange forces were pushing and colliding with eachother beyond the room they were in.

“Sorcerer, this reality is collapsing on itself. We must leave, at once”, the Commander spoke, slightly unnerved by the situation.

The Sorcerer finished the extraction of the sample, putting the syringe away again, before lifting the Acting-Captain over his shoulder.

“Agreed. I shall open the portal”, he replied.

“And what of our guest?”

“I’ll take care of that. Make ready to leave this place, old friend.”

“You don’t have to say that twice”, the Commander grinned, motioning his men to prepare themselves for extraction.

The Sorcerer whispered another incantation, his words ripping open a small hole inside this reality towards their desired destination. His brothers quickly stepped through, not wishing to remain in the hellish domain of the Warp any longer than necessary.

The Sorcerer was the last one through.

“Come now, Aurelius, we’re going for a ride”, he grinned, as he stepped into the wormhole.

As they were gliding through the whirling vortex, the Sorcerer lifted Aurelius from his shoulder, and held him up with both hands, bringing the unconscious Acting-Captain to eye-level with him.

“It’s been a pleasure, Aurelius. I’m afraid we have to part ways here, but don’t worry; we’ll meet again soon enough…”, he whispered softly, before slowly letting the Acting-Captain go, sending him tumbling out of the vortex and back unto the surface of Gallor Prime.

Lord General Kruger Zonand gazed up at the black armoured Astartes array before him. He counted at least twenty-five, some in various suits of armour. Six were adorned in midnight black Terminator plate, whereas another six had jump packs strapped to them. Five stood arrayed in lighter carapace armour, their faces obscured by thick woollen masks. The only emblem the warriors shared was the silver shoulder pad, and the sigil of the Ordo Xenos.
At their head stood Watch-Captain Titus.

Zonand summoned the voice he used when addressing Astartes. "Captain, you requested my presence?"

"Yes, Lord-General. It is time the Deathwatch left the crusade."

Zonand stared, dumbfounded at Titus' words. "No, Captain, you-"

"We must, Lord-General. We are required elsewhere."

"But the crusade is not finished! We have only scratched the surface of the xenos threat pressing our borders. One of our worlds just got pulled into the warp, and hamstrung our operational strength. And one of my commanders is gone. Missing. In. Action. The only thing keeping our morale in check is a fething wedding! And you think now is a good time to leave?"
A purple vein throbbed in Zonand's forehead. He instinctively reached for the flask of amasec at his hip. He'd come to rely on it's liquid courage far more in these troubling times.

"On the contrary, Lord-General," Titus replied smoothly. "This is understandably a troublesome time for the Imperial coalition-"

"You're DAMN RIGHT IT IS!" roared the Lord-General. "HOW WOULD YOU UNDERSTAND? YOU CAME IN HERE UNANNOUNCED, BLEW UP AN ENTIRE BLOODY PLANET, WHICH CAUSED HAVOK WITH MY TROOPS, AND FAILED TO STOP THE BLOODY GREENSKINS GETTING IN THE BLOODY VAULT! AND YOU LEAVE NOW?"

"Silence yourself, man!" Titus bellowed back. Zonand shrunk back from the Watch-Captain's rage. "The Deathwatch were never here for the good of your men, or your crusade! We are here for the good of the Imperium, and every person within it."
He stooped down to the quivering General's face.
"Do you have any idea how many strings I pulled to stay attached to your crusade? To assist your forces in even finding the vault? And getting your commanders out in one piece? They say an Astartes lives a thankless life. Pray tell me, what about one from the Deathwatch? What thanks do we get? We go in, eliminate your problem, leave, and do it all again. And again. We do as we are ordered, Lord-General. Just that our orders seem unthinkable to others. Don't pretend like we don't see it: the other commanders stand aside from us. What we do is not good. It is not honourable. But it is necessary."

Titus exhaled. So did Zonand.

"We will be leaving, Lord-General. If it pleases you, I have pardoned the Commissar Jack Sheppard and his associates. A wedding gift, if you will. Men like him are needed for this crusade in our absence.
Keep your commanders close to you. I have not long seen such a group of individuals working for such a cause. I pray, for your sake, it succeeds.
But your circle is broken. Acting-Captain Aurelius is missing in action. Find him, Lord-General. Dead or alive. There is something destined about that Ultramarine. We cannot tell what it is, but perhaps time might.
Good luck."

Titus began to leave, his men marching into their Thunderhawk to take them back aboard the 'Necessity'. Titus was just on board when Zonand found his voice again.

"Courage and honour, Ultramarine."

"I am no Ultramarine, Lord-General. I am of the Black."

"Good hunting, Titus."

"Stay alive." Titus replied with a wry smile.

Contacting Crusade Command...
Contact made.

Chaplain Trajan, ranking officer of Strikeforce Praetoria, reporting.
We have heard the news of our Acting-Captain's disappearance, and it is with great sorrow that we acknowldge Hadris Aurelius has been declared Missing In Action. The Ultramarines Chapter Council have been informed.

Until such a time that our Acting-Captain and his retinue are returned to our command, or we are given fresh deployment orders, Strikeforce Praetoria shall henceforth be attached to the command of Captain Julius, of the Ultramarines 3rd Company. We shall assist Julius in reclaiming our commander. Enclosed is a force roster for his benefit:

-Tactical Squad Vorolanus
-Tactical Squad Octavian
-Tactical Squad Solinus
-Assault Squad Ixion
-Devastator Centurion Squad Tirian
-Sternguard Veteran Squad Dramorian
-Terminator Squad Vitruvilus
-Terminator Squad Hector
-Vindicator Siege Tank "Immobius"
-Vindicator Siege Tank "Valiant"
-Vindicator Siege Tank "Ignatus Maximus"
-Predator Battle Tank "Templar's Faith"
-Whirlwind Artillery Tank "Thor"

We live to serve.

Chaplain Trajan, Ultramarines 2nd Company, ranking officer for Strikeforce Praetoria
Transmission ceased.

Captain Julius pounded his fist into his desk, the report had come back that yet another search for Brother Aurelius had come up empty. The news soured the last bit of the good mood he had left over from the wedding of Commissar Shepard and Knight Commander Petra. Chaplain Trajan of the 2nd Company had informed him that until the Acting Captain was found, alive or otherwise, that they would be under the command of him and his company. He wasn't ready for this. He had come to this sector expecting to lead his company into battle alongside his brother Aurelius, just like in the old days when they had fought side by side. He hadn't expected to be thrust into command of both his company and Aurelius'. "No matter" he thought. "I will rise to this challenge just like I rose to taking captainship of the 3rd after Captain Namaan went to the Emperor's light". 'Still' he mused 'I wouldn't mind if Aurelius was found quickly, he needs the command experience more than I'. As he sat there contemplating this Librarian Veho ran into his office. Annoyed at the interruption Julius snapped 'What? What is it now? Yet another failed search?' 'No Captain' the Librarian replied 'We've picked up Aurelius' signature on Gailor Prime, It's weak, but definitely there'. Julius sat there for a minute and thought. 'Could it really be him' he wondered. He shook himself mentally and immediately got onto the company wide vox and began issuing orders. He ordered Tactical Squads Brutus and Solinus, along with Assault Squad Ixion to full readiness. He would take no chances with recovering Brother Aurelius. As he ran down the hallway towards the launch bay, Julius ordered Librarian Veho to send a message to Marshall Karak of the Black Templars. The man had been as close to Aurelius as anyone outside a Marine's own chapter could be, and Julius believed that the Templar would want to assist in his recovery.

*Later*

As the Thunderhawk shot down towards the surface of the ruined planet, Julius received word from the orbit, the Templars were dispatching a Crusader squad under Sword Brother Lucas to assist him in the recovery effort. "Brother-Pilot, time to destination?" Julius shouted over the roar of the engines. "30 seconds Brother-Captain" came the shouted reply back from the pilot Brother Volaris. Julius nodded to himself in satisfaction, Aurelius would not be spirited away from them this time, not if he had anything to say about it. As the Thunderhawk came in for a landing Volaris shouted back into the compartment "This is about as close as we can get Brother Captain, Aurelius' signature is just up the hill there!"

Julius nodded and walked down the assault ramp just as the Templar's Thunderhawk came in for a landing right next to the Ultramarines. Out of the Thunderhawk came 10 Black Templars in full armor. The one in front jogged up to Julius, "Brother Lucas I presume?" Julius asked. The Templar nodded and replied "Aye Lord". "Let us get going then" Julius replied "before this damnable planet shakes itself apart." The planet shook at that moment as if to reinforce Julius' words. Both the Ultramarines and the Templars raced up the hill where they found Aurelius lying battered and bloody amidst a clutch of rocks. How he had gotten there Julius did not know, as the final battle had occurred nearly half a continent away. Julius shook himself mentally again, this was not the time to doubt providence. Throwing Julius over his shoulder the Marines raced back down the hill to the waiting Thunderhawk, just as they reached the bottom of the hill they heard a noise. A noise that chilled them all to the bone.

Over the crest of the hill came a flood demons. Knowing they couldn't possibly fight them all off Julius curtly ordered a retreat, racing back into the Thunderhawks they managed to lift off just as the first of the foul spawn of chaos had reached the bottom of the hill. As the Thunderhawks ascended back into orbit, Julius took another look at Aurelius, who was now being tended by the Apothecary, Julius wondered yet again what had happened to him. He tiredly stood up and walked over to the Apothercary "How is he?" he asked. The white-armored Marine did not respond for several seconds. "He seems to have gone through the wringer Captain" came the eventual reply "I have found several severe injuries and he has yet to regain consciousness" the apothercary continued on clinically "assuming he survives then he'll be in surgery for several days to fix all the damage done to him. Julius nodded and sat back down. He was alive, and that was enough for him.

As the Thunderhawk landed in the bay medical staff and servitors took Aurelius away under the supervision of the Apothecary. "Let his men know that he has been recovered" Julius softly spoke to Sergeant Brutus, who had followed him down the ramp. "Even if he dies today at least they will know that he has been found" Brutus nodded silently and jogged off to carry out his order. Julius himself walked to the bridge so he could send a message to Marshall Karak to tell him the same.


So there's' my first attempt at writing a (semi) long piece of fluff. Let me know what you guys think. I'm really terrible at describing combat, so I tried to avoid that here. And Jhe, you now have a named squad commander (Sword Brother Lucas) if you wish to write some stuff from his perspective to augment what I have here. Aurelius has been found alive, but will he recover from his injuries and the subsequent treatment by the Remnants?

Not bad at all, we all have our own styles so don,t worry about it. None of us are nyc times best sellers!

And wounded, could work out if we follow his gaining control of crusade plot line. Serving as best he can despite recovery from the battle.