My first time so go easy on me brothers
Techmarine
Chapter 1
The stars, that was the first thing that Tolin noticed when he came to, that and the pulsing pains shooting up his left side where the shot had taken him at the battles climax. Tolin looked up at the stars and wondered why he had never seen them this bright or vivid before. Some looked to be falling to earth they were so bright and a few even moving in the heavens to the sound of thunder.
Battle fever thats what it was, the older tribe members talked of it when a man was wounded unto death, or gripped by a rage even wounds would not stop. His hand probed his left ribs distantly, moving over his shattered bones and burned flesh without concern, like the mangled ruin belonged to someone else.
Several flashes lit the darkening sky and the stars seemed to move faster and with purpose, moments later rumbling thunder filled the sky. Without clouds the thunder should not be here at all, or so spoke the lore of the tribal elders, this much noise sounded like the smiths of the tribe hammering great iron for armour. A stabbing pain in his back brought clarity to Tolins mind and the desperate situation he was in; turning his head he could see war party bloods all over the forest floor and most of them in pieces. That was the work of the red and bronze armoured giant that Tolin was lying on. Next to him Brenarth his blood sibling lay cut in half, sightless eyes glazed in fear. Fear was healthy and a kept a warblood alive and out of odds that only a fool would go against, but when the forest outcast filth rose out of the ground around his group screaming hate and the red giant with his death weapons hollering madly, thought went out the window and the work of the knives and smoke guns began.
The battle played itself out in Tolins mind as flashes and stop start images, the giant leaping up and hacking apart the lead eight man team in heart beats, smoke gun detonations, the gleam of wet blood on gunknives. Screaming men cutting each other down without pause or mercy. The armoured giant charged down the column cutting apart anyone standing after the first volley, and the men of his tribe, noted for their ferocity, leaping to combat the great threat before them and being tossed aside like childrens playthings, but Tolin still leapt with them. The armoured warrior cut through two men, one his brother, with a spiked and chained axe before hitting Tolins raised gun. The impact shattered the weapon and threw him several feet away bruised and bloodied. Grasping his belt knife, the only weapon left to him, Tolin jumped again to his feet as a knot of warriors fought the screaming behemoth. Waiting until the giant was fully engaged and no longer charging, Tolin ran at the beast, for thats what he assumed him to be as no man ever grew so big or looked so malformed unless it was something new from the forest filth cult.
Tolins charge carried him past the axe and he grabbed the warrior by his chest armour, as at the same moment he felt a massive tearing in his side. Screaming his brothers name Tolin rammed his knife through the glazed slit in the bladed helmet, past the eye and into the brain. The roar the beast made was incredible, as he thrashed around with his weapons flailing still killing anything within reach. Tolins last memory was of holding on to the armour and feeling the world tilt and fall away.
Staring at the slain giant as a way of focusing through the pain, Tolin noticed the designs and brass on the armour, while extremely fine, also was pitted with age, old dents and scratches. The signs and symbols were the same as the ones the filth wore on their banners which was odd in itself. The forest cults had only been troubling the clans for the past dozen sun cycles but this baroque armour look much older than that. The armour fitted together in a way that was highly unusual, it was all covering for a start, Tolin could not see any part of the wearer not even under the arms where the breastplate was sculpted to allow movement, how did it work and which smith made it. Pain washed over Tolin again and he felt himself blacking out, losing focus and the last of his strength ebbing away, movement was beyond him now and at the edge of consciousness heavy solid steps growing louder
The squad moved through the trees moving towards the recent sounds of battle. No vox was needed to control the troop; they were well practiced in the arts of battle and manoeuvre. Reports of a push through the forest by cultists had seen the tactical squad dispatched to investigate, hold or destroy any forces of unbelief in the area. Twenty metres ahead brother Fairdron stopped and tensed the sudden stop anticipated and read by the rest of the squad. After a pause of only seconds Brother Fairdron stood and motioned to Sergeant Tromas to follow into the clearing that opened ahead.
Skirmish order Sergeant, battle debris ahead, tribesmen, cultist filth and a traitor marine, I also hear laboured breathing.
Understood brother, terminate any cultists and investigate the traitor. Sergeant to squad.take up scouting positions I want to know what happened here. Vox clicks answered him. As he moved a whisper of movement behind him made the sergeant turn to see the company command squad moving up fifty metres behind him.
As you were sergeant, we have had other reports of traitors and are here to reinforce the position. What do you have for me? Sergeant Thomas drew himself up to attention before the awesome presence of his company commander master Huon.
A local tribe has engaged a cultist warband and a traitor my lord, Brother Fairdron is investigating as we speak and the squad is searching the local area.
Lead on brother Sergeant, let us see what this benighted rock has to show us.
The group moved onto battle site noting that tribesmen and cultists lay embraced in death, hacked by swords, axes, guns and even teeth. The tribesmen fought well, Tromas noted, taking on a larger party and stung by ambush at that. In the centre of the battle stood brother Fairdron. He turned at their approach, looking unsurprised by the presence of the command group.
Master, Sergeant this needs your attention As the group approached the bodies lay thicker upon the ground and in greater damage. Eviscerated carcasses lay everywhere, limbs and sundered weapons no match for the raw inhuman strength of the traitor marine who lay in their midst.
Sir, its as reported, World Eater marines are on Hargan, this one is dead but its the manner of its death that I think you should see.
Master Huon and sergeant Tromas moved forward together across the clearing, knowing Fairdron was a veteran and not troubled by trivialities. As they closed on the corpse the rank stench of old blood and death assailed their sinuses, the marines enhanced senses swamped by the millennia of carnage the traitors armour and weapons had seen. They then saw what had surprised Fairdron; on the armour of the World Eater lay the body of a young man, not much more than a boy holding the hilt of the bayonet protruding from the visor of the marines helmet.
Are you telling me Brother Fairdron that this boy killed the World Eater?
My lord it is as you see, the knife belongs in the boys empty scabbard and he attacked from the front to place it. It seems that the thrice accursed one attacked down the column and killed at least fifteen of them before dying to this action here with another two dozen around him. Whats more the boy lives. At those words a marine in white armour stepped forward to kneel by the boy and plugged his narethium in to his torso.
Bolt pistol round passed clean through lower left side of the rib cage missing the heart but ripping the lung and shattering the ribs my lord, he can be saved if you wish it, he may provide information, if I act now.
But to what end apothecary Dreer, we leave no survivors to witness the accursed traitors voiced Sergeant Tromas.
Steady sergeant, one this skilled or lucky may have a future, the emperors hand guides and the Lion watches. Few unaugmented warriors could stand against these blasphemous heretics hand to hand, fallen from the emperors grace. Save him apothecary and let the chaplains look him over, a mind wipe or death awaits him if he is found wanting.
Dreer patched in other items of his arcane equipment into the boy and he groaned and turned his head to the white armoured astardes next to him.
Ware the filth, its a trap whispered the boy, his eyes cleared for a moment and he looked at the white figure kneeling over him. Youre an Angel of death, the legend warriors of the lord of all. Armour, your armour how does it work the boy coughed up a clot of blood and passed out as the opiates and arcane Fluids swamped his body.
That one wont go easy, if he can ask questions like that with a bolt round in him commented Brother Fairdron.
Indeed brother, and the trap warning was well said, we are done here, Sergeant deploy flamers and meltas, cleanse the area and remove all corruption, and well continue the sweep through the forest, the boys warning strikes a chord in me, this could be an advance party that could not miss the opportunity for battle being led as they were by a World Eater.. We will also bring down the scouts to give us a forward presence closer to the mountains and another tactical squad I think; the assault squads will await further developments. Apothecary Dreer you may return to the Lions Shield in the scouts thunderhawk, any information you gain from the boy forward on to me. I need to formulate a strategic overview of the situation and have no wish to talk to the PDF officers to get it, the less they know of our work and numbers the better.
As you wish, master.
A lack of feeling in his body coupled with a rhythmic vibration in his head woke Tolin from his enforced stupor. His mouth felt sticky and the rusty taste of blood coated his tongue. After a few moments his hearing returned and a low rumble filled his ears, it was not a noise he was familiar with and so he struggled to open his eyes and see where he was. After some time Tolin realised that the rumble had changed to a high pitched whining sound with a muted roar holding a constant tone behind it and he could not remember hearing the change. He struggled harder to open his eyes soon knowing that sleep was claiming him yet again.
Steady boy spoke a deep yet pleasant voice If you continue to struggle Ill have to dose you again and the effects are most unpleasant. As the boy drifted off again Dreer returned his attention to the narthicum and the details it displayed. The boy was still critical but stable, his arts keeping the human alive despite the damage done to his fragile physique. With the touch of a few runes a new scan was performed upon the boy. This one as important as the last. Toxins trace nil, compatibility quotient 97.8, corruption/degradation level 0.56, age terran standard 12. This last nugget of information made Dreer smile. Age appropriate and lucky, he must be blessed by the Lion to have fought a traitor and be rescued by the chapter. Dreer read on as the information vital to his chapter scrolled across the rune screen in his hand. So the body is willing and able but the mind is yet to be determined mused Dreer to himself. His vox chimed as the pilot requested his attention.
Thirty seconds to embarkation Apothecary, make ready. Dreer responding to the warning of the pilot, locked down the shock cart and put the boy into a suspend cycle while he was transported to the Lions Shield apothecarium.
Moments later the Thunderhawk docked and the ramp lowered to the ground. Dreer strode out of the ship and spoke to a recessed alcove in the docking bay.
Medicae protocols 23, cleanse, prep and transport. Dreer stood back as three medical servitors trundled out and entered the ship. The shock cart was rolled out of the thunderhawk and stopped in the bay. The servitors then proceeded to remove all clothing from the boy and dump it in an incinerator built into the torso if one of the servitors. One then lifted the boy clear of the cart and began to roll him slowly over, as the third servitor moved one of its mechanical limbs and sprayed a fine mist over the figure and cart, clearing any infection and corruption left on the boy after his encounter with the world eater. This was routine work and left to servitors, marines were almost impervious to any form of natural disease but there were a large number of chapter serfs and crew on board vital to the safe running of the ship and their safety was paramount in a situation like this. As the cleansing was complete the servitors replaced the boy on the cart and began to move him to the apothecarium.
Dreer turned and made his way to the ships command deck. So World Eaters were the enemy here, again the Dark Angels were on hand to deliver justice and the Lions wrath. The work must be completed swiftly but with care so he could return to the surface. Although an honoured member of the chapter apothecary, he was first and foremost a marine and with a marines thirst to wipe away the stain on the astardes honour. His musings on the tasks ahead led him to the command deck of the strike cruiser, upon entering he made an automatic bow and salute to the statue of the Lord of the Dark Angels cast in steel and studded with gems and then walked forward to meet the brothers stood before him in the outer sanctum of the bridge.
Hail brothers, in the Lions name spoke Dreer as he stepped up to the battle dais in the centre of the bridge. The first marine to respond was dressed in black power armour with his helmet affixed to his belt webbing.
Hail to the Lion indeed brother, what news from the surface? We received the request for reinforcements and a message that you would be returning to the ship, but not why. Chaplain Skerens stern demeanour and ridged mode of address did not trouble or worry the apothecary, as they had been brothers in the scouts and also in the 8th reserve company before there respective skills had taken them to other areas of the chapter.
Hail and welcome brother, whispered the mechanical vox voice of the other brother attired in splendid blue power armour of the Librarium. Epistolary Faulk was an intimidating marine by anyones standards. Well over seven feet tall and with an air of menace that was only enhanced by his skill as a psyker, the force halberd held in his hand and the implants that covered half his face, the legacy of his destruction of a sorcerers cabal some seventy years ago.
What brings you back so soon; word no doubt from our esteemed company master, if my guess is not to far from the mark.
Apothecary Dreer saluted them both in a gesture of respect and answered I do indeed bring word and in person so that word does not spread or the transmission is not picked up by our erstwhile allies or enemies. The World Eaters are active on the world below and we have a survivor from the first encounter with them, more than that the youth in question slew the berserker in hand to hand combat and Master Huon requests that he be screened for information, also if found acceptable for noviate training.
Killed a World Eater in hand to hand, the stuff of legend for a scout and even more so for a human. I take it he will have already passed the physical screening of acceptance Chaplain Skeren asked with a quizzical expression.
That can wait for now as can the boy, how did the world Eater get here, there is no hulk in system and Ive sensed no rituals of warp summoning below us of the magnitude needed to summon a warband from the Eye of Terror .Epistolary Faulk turned to face the inner sanctum of the command bridge, Captain Larren, we may have another renegade strike force hiding in system, and our two escorts are over due by several days now are they not?.
The sound of hissing pistons and the humming of an energy field preceded the boom arm gliding out of the command sanctum. The man that sat upon the command throne was heavily augmented and hard wired into the ships systems, his voice issued from a vox box on the thrones armature. That is correct honoured Librarian, but we had put the delay down to warp time diffusion, a normal occurrence. Standard sensor scans have also yielded nothing out of the ordinary. The captain closed his eyes briefly and an order was issued and heard by the bridge staff. Sensor sweep level Alpha 5, shields to readiness, weapons to standby, alacrity is the virtue of the moment. Captain Larren opened his eyes as there was a chorus of affirmatives from the bridge staff. There is only the battle debris in orbit from our last action against the three rebel transports and auxiliary cruiser my lord that much is certain. I will make every effort to find the enemy; the Lions Shield will be ready.
As always the ship is yours to command, as a precaution the assault squads will be made ready and deployed around the ship, World Eaters excel in boarding actions and its their preferred methodology in ship to ship actions. Captain keep us informed of developments.
As you wish my lord.
Brothers let us see to the prisoner down below Faulk spoke sternly
Prisoner Brother Librarian, asked Apothecary Dreer,Is he not an applicant to the chapter.
That remains to be seen Brother Dreer, and under the purview of the Librarium and Chaplaincy we will decide.
Techmarine
Chapter 1
The stars, that was the first thing that Tolin noticed when he came to, that and the pulsing pains shooting up his left side where the shot had taken him at the battles climax. Tolin looked up at the stars and wondered why he had never seen them this bright or vivid before. Some looked to be falling to earth they were so bright and a few even moving in the heavens to the sound of thunder.
Battle fever thats what it was, the older tribe members talked of it when a man was wounded unto death, or gripped by a rage even wounds would not stop. His hand probed his left ribs distantly, moving over his shattered bones and burned flesh without concern, like the mangled ruin belonged to someone else.
Several flashes lit the darkening sky and the stars seemed to move faster and with purpose, moments later rumbling thunder filled the sky. Without clouds the thunder should not be here at all, or so spoke the lore of the tribal elders, this much noise sounded like the smiths of the tribe hammering great iron for armour. A stabbing pain in his back brought clarity to Tolins mind and the desperate situation he was in; turning his head he could see war party bloods all over the forest floor and most of them in pieces. That was the work of the red and bronze armoured giant that Tolin was lying on. Next to him Brenarth his blood sibling lay cut in half, sightless eyes glazed in fear. Fear was healthy and a kept a warblood alive and out of odds that only a fool would go against, but when the forest outcast filth rose out of the ground around his group screaming hate and the red giant with his death weapons hollering madly, thought went out the window and the work of the knives and smoke guns began.
The battle played itself out in Tolins mind as flashes and stop start images, the giant leaping up and hacking apart the lead eight man team in heart beats, smoke gun detonations, the gleam of wet blood on gunknives. Screaming men cutting each other down without pause or mercy. The armoured giant charged down the column cutting apart anyone standing after the first volley, and the men of his tribe, noted for their ferocity, leaping to combat the great threat before them and being tossed aside like childrens playthings, but Tolin still leapt with them. The armoured warrior cut through two men, one his brother, with a spiked and chained axe before hitting Tolins raised gun. The impact shattered the weapon and threw him several feet away bruised and bloodied. Grasping his belt knife, the only weapon left to him, Tolin jumped again to his feet as a knot of warriors fought the screaming behemoth. Waiting until the giant was fully engaged and no longer charging, Tolin ran at the beast, for thats what he assumed him to be as no man ever grew so big or looked so malformed unless it was something new from the forest filth cult.
Tolins charge carried him past the axe and he grabbed the warrior by his chest armour, as at the same moment he felt a massive tearing in his side. Screaming his brothers name Tolin rammed his knife through the glazed slit in the bladed helmet, past the eye and into the brain. The roar the beast made was incredible, as he thrashed around with his weapons flailing still killing anything within reach. Tolins last memory was of holding on to the armour and feeling the world tilt and fall away.
Staring at the slain giant as a way of focusing through the pain, Tolin noticed the designs and brass on the armour, while extremely fine, also was pitted with age, old dents and scratches. The signs and symbols were the same as the ones the filth wore on their banners which was odd in itself. The forest cults had only been troubling the clans for the past dozen sun cycles but this baroque armour look much older than that. The armour fitted together in a way that was highly unusual, it was all covering for a start, Tolin could not see any part of the wearer not even under the arms where the breastplate was sculpted to allow movement, how did it work and which smith made it. Pain washed over Tolin again and he felt himself blacking out, losing focus and the last of his strength ebbing away, movement was beyond him now and at the edge of consciousness heavy solid steps growing louder
The squad moved through the trees moving towards the recent sounds of battle. No vox was needed to control the troop; they were well practiced in the arts of battle and manoeuvre. Reports of a push through the forest by cultists had seen the tactical squad dispatched to investigate, hold or destroy any forces of unbelief in the area. Twenty metres ahead brother Fairdron stopped and tensed the sudden stop anticipated and read by the rest of the squad. After a pause of only seconds Brother Fairdron stood and motioned to Sergeant Tromas to follow into the clearing that opened ahead.
Skirmish order Sergeant, battle debris ahead, tribesmen, cultist filth and a traitor marine, I also hear laboured breathing.
Understood brother, terminate any cultists and investigate the traitor. Sergeant to squad.take up scouting positions I want to know what happened here. Vox clicks answered him. As he moved a whisper of movement behind him made the sergeant turn to see the company command squad moving up fifty metres behind him.
As you were sergeant, we have had other reports of traitors and are here to reinforce the position. What do you have for me? Sergeant Thomas drew himself up to attention before the awesome presence of his company commander master Huon.
A local tribe has engaged a cultist warband and a traitor my lord, Brother Fairdron is investigating as we speak and the squad is searching the local area.
Lead on brother Sergeant, let us see what this benighted rock has to show us.
The group moved onto battle site noting that tribesmen and cultists lay embraced in death, hacked by swords, axes, guns and even teeth. The tribesmen fought well, Tromas noted, taking on a larger party and stung by ambush at that. In the centre of the battle stood brother Fairdron. He turned at their approach, looking unsurprised by the presence of the command group.
Master, Sergeant this needs your attention As the group approached the bodies lay thicker upon the ground and in greater damage. Eviscerated carcasses lay everywhere, limbs and sundered weapons no match for the raw inhuman strength of the traitor marine who lay in their midst.
Sir, its as reported, World Eater marines are on Hargan, this one is dead but its the manner of its death that I think you should see.
Master Huon and sergeant Tromas moved forward together across the clearing, knowing Fairdron was a veteran and not troubled by trivialities. As they closed on the corpse the rank stench of old blood and death assailed their sinuses, the marines enhanced senses swamped by the millennia of carnage the traitors armour and weapons had seen. They then saw what had surprised Fairdron; on the armour of the World Eater lay the body of a young man, not much more than a boy holding the hilt of the bayonet protruding from the visor of the marines helmet.
Are you telling me Brother Fairdron that this boy killed the World Eater?
My lord it is as you see, the knife belongs in the boys empty scabbard and he attacked from the front to place it. It seems that the thrice accursed one attacked down the column and killed at least fifteen of them before dying to this action here with another two dozen around him. Whats more the boy lives. At those words a marine in white armour stepped forward to kneel by the boy and plugged his narethium in to his torso.
Bolt pistol round passed clean through lower left side of the rib cage missing the heart but ripping the lung and shattering the ribs my lord, he can be saved if you wish it, he may provide information, if I act now.
But to what end apothecary Dreer, we leave no survivors to witness the accursed traitors voiced Sergeant Tromas.
Steady sergeant, one this skilled or lucky may have a future, the emperors hand guides and the Lion watches. Few unaugmented warriors could stand against these blasphemous heretics hand to hand, fallen from the emperors grace. Save him apothecary and let the chaplains look him over, a mind wipe or death awaits him if he is found wanting.
Dreer patched in other items of his arcane equipment into the boy and he groaned and turned his head to the white armoured astardes next to him.
Ware the filth, its a trap whispered the boy, his eyes cleared for a moment and he looked at the white figure kneeling over him. Youre an Angel of death, the legend warriors of the lord of all. Armour, your armour how does it work the boy coughed up a clot of blood and passed out as the opiates and arcane Fluids swamped his body.
That one wont go easy, if he can ask questions like that with a bolt round in him commented Brother Fairdron.
Indeed brother, and the trap warning was well said, we are done here, Sergeant deploy flamers and meltas, cleanse the area and remove all corruption, and well continue the sweep through the forest, the boys warning strikes a chord in me, this could be an advance party that could not miss the opportunity for battle being led as they were by a World Eater.. We will also bring down the scouts to give us a forward presence closer to the mountains and another tactical squad I think; the assault squads will await further developments. Apothecary Dreer you may return to the Lions Shield in the scouts thunderhawk, any information you gain from the boy forward on to me. I need to formulate a strategic overview of the situation and have no wish to talk to the PDF officers to get it, the less they know of our work and numbers the better.
As you wish, master.
A lack of feeling in his body coupled with a rhythmic vibration in his head woke Tolin from his enforced stupor. His mouth felt sticky and the rusty taste of blood coated his tongue. After a few moments his hearing returned and a low rumble filled his ears, it was not a noise he was familiar with and so he struggled to open his eyes and see where he was. After some time Tolin realised that the rumble had changed to a high pitched whining sound with a muted roar holding a constant tone behind it and he could not remember hearing the change. He struggled harder to open his eyes soon knowing that sleep was claiming him yet again.
Steady boy spoke a deep yet pleasant voice If you continue to struggle Ill have to dose you again and the effects are most unpleasant. As the boy drifted off again Dreer returned his attention to the narthicum and the details it displayed. The boy was still critical but stable, his arts keeping the human alive despite the damage done to his fragile physique. With the touch of a few runes a new scan was performed upon the boy. This one as important as the last. Toxins trace nil, compatibility quotient 97.8, corruption/degradation level 0.56, age terran standard 12. This last nugget of information made Dreer smile. Age appropriate and lucky, he must be blessed by the Lion to have fought a traitor and be rescued by the chapter. Dreer read on as the information vital to his chapter scrolled across the rune screen in his hand. So the body is willing and able but the mind is yet to be determined mused Dreer to himself. His vox chimed as the pilot requested his attention.
Thirty seconds to embarkation Apothecary, make ready. Dreer responding to the warning of the pilot, locked down the shock cart and put the boy into a suspend cycle while he was transported to the Lions Shield apothecarium.
Moments later the Thunderhawk docked and the ramp lowered to the ground. Dreer strode out of the ship and spoke to a recessed alcove in the docking bay.
Medicae protocols 23, cleanse, prep and transport. Dreer stood back as three medical servitors trundled out and entered the ship. The shock cart was rolled out of the thunderhawk and stopped in the bay. The servitors then proceeded to remove all clothing from the boy and dump it in an incinerator built into the torso if one of the servitors. One then lifted the boy clear of the cart and began to roll him slowly over, as the third servitor moved one of its mechanical limbs and sprayed a fine mist over the figure and cart, clearing any infection and corruption left on the boy after his encounter with the world eater. This was routine work and left to servitors, marines were almost impervious to any form of natural disease but there were a large number of chapter serfs and crew on board vital to the safe running of the ship and their safety was paramount in a situation like this. As the cleansing was complete the servitors replaced the boy on the cart and began to move him to the apothecarium.
Dreer turned and made his way to the ships command deck. So World Eaters were the enemy here, again the Dark Angels were on hand to deliver justice and the Lions wrath. The work must be completed swiftly but with care so he could return to the surface. Although an honoured member of the chapter apothecary, he was first and foremost a marine and with a marines thirst to wipe away the stain on the astardes honour. His musings on the tasks ahead led him to the command deck of the strike cruiser, upon entering he made an automatic bow and salute to the statue of the Lord of the Dark Angels cast in steel and studded with gems and then walked forward to meet the brothers stood before him in the outer sanctum of the bridge.
Hail brothers, in the Lions name spoke Dreer as he stepped up to the battle dais in the centre of the bridge. The first marine to respond was dressed in black power armour with his helmet affixed to his belt webbing.
Hail to the Lion indeed brother, what news from the surface? We received the request for reinforcements and a message that you would be returning to the ship, but not why. Chaplain Skerens stern demeanour and ridged mode of address did not trouble or worry the apothecary, as they had been brothers in the scouts and also in the 8th reserve company before there respective skills had taken them to other areas of the chapter.
Hail and welcome brother, whispered the mechanical vox voice of the other brother attired in splendid blue power armour of the Librarium. Epistolary Faulk was an intimidating marine by anyones standards. Well over seven feet tall and with an air of menace that was only enhanced by his skill as a psyker, the force halberd held in his hand and the implants that covered half his face, the legacy of his destruction of a sorcerers cabal some seventy years ago.
What brings you back so soon; word no doubt from our esteemed company master, if my guess is not to far from the mark.
Apothecary Dreer saluted them both in a gesture of respect and answered I do indeed bring word and in person so that word does not spread or the transmission is not picked up by our erstwhile allies or enemies. The World Eaters are active on the world below and we have a survivor from the first encounter with them, more than that the youth in question slew the berserker in hand to hand combat and Master Huon requests that he be screened for information, also if found acceptable for noviate training.
Killed a World Eater in hand to hand, the stuff of legend for a scout and even more so for a human. I take it he will have already passed the physical screening of acceptance Chaplain Skeren asked with a quizzical expression.
That can wait for now as can the boy, how did the world Eater get here, there is no hulk in system and Ive sensed no rituals of warp summoning below us of the magnitude needed to summon a warband from the Eye of Terror .Epistolary Faulk turned to face the inner sanctum of the command bridge, Captain Larren, we may have another renegade strike force hiding in system, and our two escorts are over due by several days now are they not?.
The sound of hissing pistons and the humming of an energy field preceded the boom arm gliding out of the command sanctum. The man that sat upon the command throne was heavily augmented and hard wired into the ships systems, his voice issued from a vox box on the thrones armature. That is correct honoured Librarian, but we had put the delay down to warp time diffusion, a normal occurrence. Standard sensor scans have also yielded nothing out of the ordinary. The captain closed his eyes briefly and an order was issued and heard by the bridge staff. Sensor sweep level Alpha 5, shields to readiness, weapons to standby, alacrity is the virtue of the moment. Captain Larren opened his eyes as there was a chorus of affirmatives from the bridge staff. There is only the battle debris in orbit from our last action against the three rebel transports and auxiliary cruiser my lord that much is certain. I will make every effort to find the enemy; the Lions Shield will be ready.
As always the ship is yours to command, as a precaution the assault squads will be made ready and deployed around the ship, World Eaters excel in boarding actions and its their preferred methodology in ship to ship actions. Captain keep us informed of developments.
As you wish my lord.
Brothers let us see to the prisoner down below Faulk spoke sternly
Prisoner Brother Librarian, asked Apothecary Dreer,Is he not an applicant to the chapter.
That remains to be seen Brother Dreer, and under the purview of the Librarium and Chaplaincy we will decide.
