The Omnis Arcanum slammed out of the warp, entering realspace at an almost perfect trajectory for beginning orbit around Ursidhe-ka. The ancient vessel neither groaned nor rumbled as it entered reality once more, leaving the massive, purple wormhole behind.
“Well done, Navigator,” the Chapter Master said as he stood on the bridge of the Battle Barge. “Prepare the ship to enter a geosynchronous orbit. Give me auspex on the surrounding atmosphere, I need to know who else is here.”
A chorus of “Yes, M’Lord,” sounded from the bridge as the Chapter serfs began working furiously at the consoles.
“Keep me posted on any findings,” Gabriel Angelos instructed. “I must speak with my advisors,” he told them, stepping away from the bridge, and heading deep within the depths of the ship.
Chapter Master Angelos walked towards his office with great strides. To any mortal man, he would have been a majestic sight. In truth, it was simply how he walked.
Opening the door, he found Librarian Lazarus and Chief Librarian Anteas waiting for him. Chaplain Baltus stood in the corner, as imposing as always, along with Captain Aren of the Fourth. Young Apple Bloom was there as well, he noticed with a smile. How she convinced them to let them in, he’d never know, yet here she was.
Fine, let her sit in and watch, perhaps she’d learn something. “Very well, let’s begin, shall we?”
A series of nods went through the room, and Lazarus spoke first. “This is Ursidhe-Ka, an Eldar exodite world. By all rights, it should be classified as a feral world, but the presence of primitive Eldar makes it notable. The Eldar here have abandoned their own antiquated technology, in favor of even simpler things, stone spears, simple las weapons, and the like. The natives, however, are not our main focus. Information gathered through the Warp tells us that the Alpha Legion has come here, for reasons not yet understood. There are no known Imperial settlements on the surface, so if nothing else, we can assume they are here for the Eldar.”
Gabriel nodded. “Captain Aren, our quarry?”
The Captain of the fourth company nodded. “The motives of the Alpha Legion, once again, are impossible to guess. What we do know is where they have been. We have chased these Legionnaires since Calderis. This, by any logical account, would suggest that they are indeed after us, that this is a personal attack against the Blood Ravens. Of course, the truth is harder to divine, since the forces of Chaos do not follow logic. This could be an attack against us, or it could be some demented tactic of a diseased mind.”
Gabriel nodded again. “Then perhaps the best course of action is not to walk into the trap.”
The captain nodded. “An exterminatus is a possibility. I doubt much can be taken from this world for the Imperium.”
“I beg to differ,” Chief Librarian Anteas said. He knew Captain Aren from his own service in the Fourth Company under Captain Davian Thule before his internment into a mighty Dreadnaught. He was recently promoted to Chief Librarian after...an opening appeared.
“No, Chapter Master, before the Imperium discovered the planet to be inhabited, a cursory scouting mission revealed a number of artifacts found on the surface. After checking the reports on the findings of this expedition, I found a tablet. This tablet that depicts figures that appear very similar to the Eldar hieroglyphs found on Rahe’s Paradise before its fall.”
A sudden silence fell over the office.
“Are you suggesting there may be a link between these Eldar and the alliance Azariah Vidya formed for the safety of the planet?” Gabriel asked, referring to the Chapter Master and Chief Librarian that acted as their saint.
“It is possible,” Anteas replied. “And that possibility is more than enough to keep any kind of Orbital bombardment from being viable.”
Gabriel nodded. Any history of their Chapter, no matter how trivial, must be found and recorded for the glory of the Chapter. This was not an opportunity they could miss. “So then,” he said, “if this is a trap, then our enemies have at least found some enticing bait.”
Chaplain Baltus spoke up. “Possibly for the best. There is no greater glory that to bring justice to the enemies of the Emperor.”
The Chapter Master nodded in agreement, before his eyes fell on the helmeted xeno. “What of you, Apple Bloom. What do you think?”
She blinked, and shook, like she was caught off guard. “I...um…”
Gabriel waited, and all eyes fell on her.
“Well…” she began, hesitantly, “perhaps...the best thing to do is to begin a total assault of the planet.”
Gabriel raised his remaining eyebrow.
Everyone else gave her incredulous looks.
“I...I say this because, while our enemy follows no logic, we do. They know this, and there have been numerous accounts of the enemy using this to their advantage. Now, I have been told that the Litany of Fury will be here shortly, am I correct?”
Gabriel began to smile, and nodded.
“Well,” Apple Bloom continued, “if they are to arrive, our enemy does not know this. This gives us the advantage. A total assault will make it appear that we are being rash and over extending ourselves, but if we can spring the trap of the forces of Chaos, then they will not expect the forces on the Litany to attack them. A trap for the trap.”
Gabriel smiled larger. “If we are to fight a force that does not follow reason or logic, then perhaps the mind of the Xeno will provide insight. What do you think, Captain Aren?”
The captain of the fourth smiled and shrugged. “A good of thought as any. If the Third and the Ninth were to back us we would certainly have the manpower, but a trap for a trap does have a sense of poetic justice about it.”
“Any objections?” Gabriel asked.
There were none.
“So be it, begin loading the strike cruisers.”
A knock sounded on the door. “Enter,” Gabriel said.
The door opened, and a serf shuffled in. He was like a dwarf walking into a room of giants, and barely had room to stand between the massive armor plates of the Space Marines. “Auspex reports two ships in orbit. Both appear to be strike cruiser class ships.”
Gabriel nodded. “Then we’re even. Is that all?”
The serf shook his head. “There was, very shortly, a third signature. At first, we thought there was a problem, but the techmarines report that they are not malfunctioning.”
Gabriel frowned. “This does not bode well…”
Captain Aren spoke up. “Is there a problem?”
“Possibly,” Gabriel answered said. “It’s either nothing, or, it’s more Eldar.”
---=][=---
The proud, red thunderhawks of the Blood Ravens touched down on the forested planet, and Apple Bloom and her squad of Tactical Marines stepped out onto the surface.
Already the Blood Ravens forces were beginning to set up HQs. Temporary buildings of adamantium walls and ceramite floors were being laid in place by heavy-lifting servitors, and bolted in place by the techmarines.
Apple Bloom’s mechadendrites mindlessly checked her bolter as she took an instinctive look around the clearing. The trees were massive, deciduous trees, with broad, green leaves, which reminded her oddly of apple trees. Beyond the trees lay a heavy woods, with its leaf-covered floor giving way to infrequent stone paths, carefully manicured by Eldar hands if she were to guess.
“Is that who I think it is?” a voice said behind her. She and her squad turned to see a number of white-helmeted marines approach.
“Aldwil?” Apple Bloom called.
The veteran marine laughed. “I thought it was you!” Aldwil said as he led his squad to meet hers.
“Of course it’s me!” Apple Bloom said with a smile. “Name another Space Marine with four legs!”
Aldwil laughed again as he got closer, and embraced the earth pony marine. “Look at you, eh? Tactical marine already? It seems like yesterday you were arm wrestling the scout-sergeant, now look at you!”
Apple Bloom laughed, before pushing the marine away. “Well where have you been, huh?” she asked.
“Busy delivering the Emperor’s Justice wherever it may be needed,” Aldwil said, laughing again.
One of the marines behind him gave a loud, annoyed sigh.
“Oh, enough of that, Icarthus,” the veteran said. “AB has done well, and you know it.”
Apple Bloom smirked, and shook her head. “It’s good to see you again, Aldwil. It’s been too long.”
“It has been too long, indeed.”
“Hail, young AB,” a new voice called from the squad.
“Hameal!” the pony cried, before pouncing on the marine.
Hameal, the marine that remembered for her, grunted as his arms was suddenly filled with a one-and-a-half ton suit of power armor. He staggered, before recovering, and held her in his arms, laughing all the way. “It is good to see you too, AB.”
Lazarus raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, and what am I, huh?” Aldwil said to the pony. “Chopped Grox liver?”
“It’s not often I get to see my older brothers,” Apple Bloom said, “and Hameal least of all.”
Hameal shook his head, before letting Apple Bloom down. “Nonetheless, a running leap into an embrace is not behavior befitting a space marine.”
“True,” Apple Bloom said, “but if I am allowed anything, it is the right to embrace my brothers.”
Aldwil shook his head. “Is this is what happens when I leave you alone too long?”
“Well then, perhaps you’d like to join us and right the wrongs of your absence?” Apple Bloom offered. “We could catch up as we perform the Emperor’s work.”
Aldwil held up his hand. “I’m afraid not. Chapter Master Gabriel needs my squad to defend the scouts against any chaos forces they’ll come across. Hopefully, we’ll draw them out, and begin the fight in earnest then.”
Apple Bloom removed her helmet, and looked up at him with the biggest puppydog eyes possible. “Pwease…?”
Aldwil stared at her for long second. “Now, you see, this is why the Emperor did not let women into the Adeptus Astartes. If, somehow, I can say no to that face, I’d have to face the power armor.”
Apple Bloom laughed, before replacing her helmet. “Get thee gone, Trilion, the Emperor protects.”
Aldwil nodded. “The Emperor protects,” both he and Hameal said, before turning back to their squad.
Apple Bloom then turned to her own squad. “Come, let’s not waste time.”
---=][=---
Sorcerer Festerus and Captain Kraagan stormed through the jungle, followed by a small squad of Legionnaires.
In the opposite direction of the temple they were looking for.
The Obscura-sot still followed them, and Kraagan had used a carefully constructed code language to make the sorcerer and small squad aware that they were indeed being followed. Once they knew, Kraagan marched them forward. This would provide an excellent opportunity to get the Emperor’s Children to start fulfilling their part of the plan.
One of the Chaos marines, a scout sent ahead, quickly returned to the squad. “Captain, Captain! I have news!”
“Speak, Legionnaire,” Kraagan ordered.
“Sir! It’s the Blood Ravens!”
“Right on time,” Kraagan thought with a smile.
“They’ve built an HQ on the target,” the scout told them. “And there is a force coming this way.”
Kraagan cursed. “How did they even get here?”
The scout opened his mouth to reply.
“No, nevermind. That’s not important. The important thing is what do we do with the Blood Ravens.”
“We don’t have time,” the scout answered. “They’re almost upon us.”
Kraagan cursed. “Alright, begin to fall back.”
And that was all he got to say before the air was suddenly filled with bolter fire.
“Get down!” Kraagan yelled as he shoved the sorcerer down.
Alpha Legionnaires began returning fire, bolts flying through the thick foliage, ripping leafs to shreds and tree trunks to splinters.
They fired in random, chaotic volleys with perfect discipline. They aimed with amazing accuracy that spoke of their skill.
They had their orders, and they were willing to die for them.
And the Emperor’s Children Marine watched, eyes wide and itching for more of that sweet, sweet nectar. Yet, even so, his withdrawing mind picked up the importance of everything he heard.
This was...this was…
He needed more obscura.
Kraagan stood, amid of storm of bolts. The orders he had given his men were simple. Kill all but two of the Blood Ravens. Enough to get the corpse-worshiper’s attention, but not enough to make it seem like they were setting a trap.
The Legionaaires did not give ground as the Blood Ravens continued firing, not one step backwards was taken. They stood, out in the open, letting bolter fire rain down on them from the trees.
A Chaos marine fell, and then a second, a third. They all fell, wordless, onto the leafy ground. Kraagan had hoped that there would not have been this many deaths, but they were necessary deaths, if it meant that the Blood Ravens would follow.
Another Raven fell.
“Sorcerer! Prove your usefulness!”
Festerus answered with a screaming skull of warp energy.
The skull smashed in the Blood Raven line, destroying some marines, while swallowing others whole.
It was enough. “Fall back! Fall back!” Kraagan yelled.
There were four members of his twelve-man excursion left, including himself and the Sorcerer.
Losses were heavy.
But they were worth it.
As the Legionnaires ran, the Blood Ravens stayed behind. Only two remained, and the bone-white helmets shone next to their bright red, shed blood in the filtered sunlight.
---=][=---
After another long hit, and an even longer trip brought on by Obscura, the Emperor's Children spy returned to Vulek.
“Well,” the Debaucher asked, “what did you find?”
The Obsucra-sot shook his head, trying to shake the depression of his crash away. “I know where it is…” he mumbled.
“Where what is?” Vulek asked.
“I dunno...but the Alpha Legionnaires want it…”
Vulek rolled his eyes. “So, where is it?”
“Where’s what?”
Vulek groaned. “The thing! The thing that the Alpha Legionnaires want!”
“The Blood Ravens have it,” the Obscura-sot said.
“What?!” Vulek roared, vein bulging in his tentacled head. “The Blood Ravens! What are they doing here?!”
“I dunno.”
Vulek growled in frustration. “So now we have to fight the Blood Ravens and the Alpha Legion for a prize we don’t understand!”
“Nah...we don’t.”
Vulek groaned. “Yes, we do, because I am not letting those Legionnaires pull the wool over our eyes.”
“Nah...I mean...we don’t need to fight the Legion, they’re not going for it.”
Vulek blinked. “What? Why?”
“They think if they run off, we’ll notice...they don’t want us to know.”
There was a second of silence. “So...they aren’t going to fight the Blood Ravens because they’ll think we’ll notice and we’ll try to stop them?”
The Obscura-sot nodded again.
And then Vulek smiled. “Well it seems like the Eldar will have to wait then, won’t they?”
Unbeknownst to either of them, a cultist sat crouched behind the human-skin tent of Vulek’s command center. He smiled as he listened to the other commanders, neither surprised, nor impressed by their total lack of discretion.
Lord Kraagan would be most pleased.
Everything was going just as planned.
---=][=---
Gabriel sighed.
This was a most devastating blow.
An entire squad of veterans, almost completely wiped out. Some terrible power must’ve been at this battle to destroy them like this. One of the two survivors, Icarthus, had confirmed that a sorcerer had been on the battlefield.
He shook his head again. This was not a promising start.
At the very least, they found their quarry. The bodies of the Alpha Legionnaires were being piled up, their power armor and weapons would be processed later to be sent to the Adeptus Mechanicus for purification and purging, as they required. For now, however, his attention was on the wearers.
They had no markings about them, held nothing that gave their position away, the only real information that was of any use was the tracks leading westward. They had a lead, and the Blood Ravens had worked with much less than that, he knew.
Still, the loss of what amounted to eighty marines in a single encounter. These could not be mere Legionnaires. No, this spoke of immense skill and experience, ancient marines, certainly.
“Chapter Master,” a marine said, approaching him.
“Speak, Marine,” he answered.
“We have found another survivor. It is Hameal Siras, he is alive, but gravely wounded, he needs to be entered into a dreadnaught immediately.”
Ah, some hope at last. “Do so, and do not tarry.”
“Yes, sir!” the marine replied, saluting before running off to instruct the apothecaries.
And then a new sight caught his eyes. Apple Bloom, the young marine walked calmly through the field, towards the bodies of the dead veterans.
She paused as she stood over the body of a particular marine, Aldwil Trilion.
Gabriel watched as she removed her helmet, and stared down at the body.
Her lips moved, and Gabriel heard her.
“I will...I will avenge you, Aldwil, I swear I will.”
Gabriel sighed. Well, at the least, they had their lead.
---=][=---
Kraagan stood over a massive holomap.
Icons marking the Blood Ravens, the ork, and the Eldar forces all stood proudly against the topography, along with special markers for the Emperor’s Children and the location of the Infinity Gate.
Between them all, a massive crater. The landing site of a not-so-small meteor that left many miles of blaster earth. It had been overgrown after centuries of peace, making it almost invisible from orbit, with all but the ancient fortress of stone at its lip as the only mark of its existence.
Of course, that was about to change.
He had already sent a squad ahead with heavy flamers and orders to clear the crater. Burn everything, and leave a massive open space.
It would make the perfect location for the assault.
Yes, everything was going just as planned.
---=][=---
“All hail the martyrs! On their blood is our Imperium founded, in their remembrance do we honour ourselves.”—Imperial Thought of the Day.
Alright, boys and girls, I'm back. After a short break to get finals done, I am ready to get back to writing.
"Whee!"
Next time, the Gargant marches for the Waaaaaaagh!
"Waaaaaagh!"
Orkz iz da best!
"See youz later!"
Heh...bye, everyone.