The Second Legion.
Part 1.
" The Rebirth"
Ultramarine Strike Cruiser Implacable Leading Imperial task Force. Orbiting Planet Elysia.
Captain Tyrus Claudius, Ultramarine 6th company, cast a baleful glance at the planet below him. He had not wanted to come here, had protested this assignment, and still didn't want to be where he was. However, he was Ultramarine, a son of Gulliman, and of the one Emperor of mankind. He may not have liked his mission, but he was sworn to carry it out. The Implacable, its escort of two Cobra Destroyers, and ships from the Imperial Fists, Space Wolves, and the Adeptus Minsistorum had recently arrived in the Elysia system to investigate the planet, so recently re- discovered by the abation of a massive warp storm that had rendered this segment of the galactic north unnavigable for thousands of years. Elysia was a massive planet, three times the size of terra. From orbit, the Marine could see two continents, wavy white clouds, and blue water. he found himself feverently hoping that the inhabitants of the world were receptive to the message of the Cardinal aboard the Battle cruiser Dominus Deo, because he had no wish to see so beautifull a world reduced to a dead rock by the Virus bombs he knew to be nestled in the launchers of the Inquisition cruiser two ships back. "It is a lovely world" These words came from the Ultramarine Libarian next to him. Lucius Severus had served the chapter faithfully for over 279 years, and his presence here indicated two things to the young Marine officer. One, he was being evaluated, and two, Marenus Calgar expected the Libarians Formidible abilites to be needed. " It is indeed, Libarian Servus" the Captain replied. " On such a world, I forsee no need for such a large force." The Libarian didnt look at him, but Claudius could feel his smile. " It is always good to be prudent, Captain" the Libarian replied. " the forces of Chaos are anything, if not well informed. They may well be waiting for us." " Still, Libarian Serverus, would not a smaller force be more able to discern the ideology of the populace?" " Perhaps, but they would not be able to survive hostile intent." "You speak wisely, as always, Libarian." Claudius acknowledged. Serverus smiled, and stepped away from the viewport. "Captain, I will require members of your Company as my honor guard." " We will be honored, Libarian." A Power armored Marine came around the corner. he stopped short, and saluted. " Brother Captain, Honored Libarian, We have made contact with the Inhabitants of the planet. They have greeted us in the name of the most high Emperor, and bid us welcome to their world. Inquisitor Jacman has requested that yourselves and an honor guard join the landing party." "Convey our intention to do just that, and alert Veteran Sergeant Tiberius to have his squad meet us at Thunderhawk bay 4, along with Brother Ancient Scipio" Claudius replied. The Blue Armored marine saluted, and departed to carry out his orders. " It seems we have a pretty puzzle here" Serverus said as they walked toward the lift that would carry them to the Thunderhawk bay. " Here we have a planet cut off from the Imperium from before the Heresy, that welcomes us with open arms. It seems too good to be true, does it not, Brother Captain?" " Indeed it does" Claudius replied. " Thus we shall go with bolters in hand, to carry either the Emperor`s benign welcome, or his rightous Fury."
ThunderHawk Steel Fist
The Flight of 4 Gunships decended through the clouds of the planet in a shallow left bank, scanning for any hostile threats. They had detected three contacts, but these had turned out to be Marauder Bombers who had taken up position ahead of them, and led them down to the spaceport. Steelfist was the third Thunderhawk in the flight. Leading was the Justice, Inquisitor Jaccman`s personal Transport, which carried the Inquisitor, and his body guard of Adeptus Soritas. Next came the Pulverizer, carrying Captain Azov of the Imperial Fists, and his Honor Guard, as well as; Claudius was sure, a Predator Annhilator for heavy support. Trailing the Steelfist, was the Wolf`s Eye, Personal transport of Wolf Lord Ulric Banehammer, and his honor guard. The Marauders pulled away as the four ThunderHawks flared for landing, Each one covering the other until it was saftely down. As the Justice`s Ramp came down, two Squads of Soritas debarked and spread out in a crecent, just beyond the nose and tail of the Thunderhawk. The Rear ramp of the Gunship swung down and a Chimera transport roared off. Seconds later, Justice lifted off, gaining altitiude to circle around and cover the Pulverizer as it came in, to deploy it`s load. First off were Captain Azov and his 2 squads of Terminators, then the bulky hull of the Predator Annhilator. Like Justice, Pulverizer lifted off, and joined the Black trimmed Inquisition Transport in the figure eight orbit over the space port. Aboard Steel Fist, the nose came up as the power came off and the gunship settled onto its skids. In the Cargo bay, Claudius looked around at his men. " Ultramarines, dismount. Pattern Alpha Six Vee." He ordered. First off the Dropship was the hulking form of Dreadnought Three as Brother Ancient Scipio was designated. The Cyborg swiveled back and forth, scanning for danger. When it was satisfied that the way was clear, only then did it speak in it`s amplified, grating voice. " No threat detected." Veteran Sergeant Tiberius led his squad of the Dropship, falling into flanking positions on either side of the Dreadnought. The two Terminators on the flanks carried assault cannons, while those closer in carried flamers. The Sergeant himself was armed with Lightening claws and a powersword. He waited at the foot of the ramp for the Libarian and the Captain to join him. Once they had, he lifted his hand, and signalled his readiness to the Imperial Fist officer in front of him. " Squad Tiberius,Advance" The Chimera lead off, flanked by the black armored Sisters of Battle, followed by the Predator, flanked by two Terminator squads. Dreadnought Scipo followed, with Squad Tiberius bringing up the rear after the captain and the Libarian. " What about the Wolves?" Claudius inquired. The Space Wolf Thunderhawk had not landed, and was still circling the spaceport. " The decision was apparently taken by the Inquisitor to keep them off the ground, and as a quick reaction force..." " ... and to keep them away from the sisters" Claudius finished. The Emnity between the Soritas and the Sons of Russ was well known. "We`ve got inbounds" Scipio rumbled. Moving over the plastecrete was the massive shape of a Imperial Baneblade Super Heavy tank. Flanking the monster was a coloumn of yellow armored figures.With his marine enhanced eyesight, Claudius was able to make out the black clenched fist emblazoned on their shoulder pads. The Baneblade stopped 100 meters from the Imperial forces, the Power armored figures continued jogging closer until they were less than 5 meters away. They definitely bore the markings of the Imperial Fists Chapter, but all wore MK6 style "Corvus" Armor. The leader, who wore a holstered force sword on his side, unclipped his helmet, stowed it on his hip, and stepped foward. " Greetings in the name of Our most Exalted Emperor! I am Captain Tybalt Zurov commanding the 5th Company Expedition force. I bid you welcome to Elysia!" Captain Azov stepped foward, raising his right gauntlet and returning the salute. The two Imperial Fist Marines then clasped hands. " Well Brother Libarian" Claudius whispered, " do you detect the taint of chaos in their words?" " I do not" the Libarian replied. "Neither does the Inquisitor" " Forgive my Impatience, Visitors" Zurov was saying," but I believe that we should head to the Command bunker, where introductions can be properly made." "Forgive our reluctance." The Inquisitor spoke up. " but we seek clarification. what is your purpose here?" The Imperial Fists officer cocked his head to the right. " We are here, Lord Inquisitor, at the orders of our Primarch, and the One Emperor of mankind. We are here to protect the homebase of the Second legion"
Command Facility. 30 minutes later
The Black haired Imperial Guard officer announced himself as General Silas Axel. He greeted each person in turn, bowing deeply before the Cardinal, and saluting the officers in proper fashion. " Tell me," the General said, as he returned to his seat, " How goes the Great Crusade?" Claudius blinked. " The Great Crusade?" the Cardinal stammered. Fortunately there was no time for an answer because the rest of the General's staff filed in. In five minutes the respective members of the landing party had been assigned to their opposite numbers, leaving Cladius, Azov, Serverus, and Zurov in the room with the General. " General, you spoke of the Great Crusade" Serverus began. " What do you wish to know?" The General smiled. " I'm interested in knowing how my Division made out on Cadia. I ended up here with a company while the rest of my division was sent to Terra for shipping out to the Cadian Gate." Severus looked at Claudius, who stared back blankly. Here was a man speaking of events 10,000 years prior like they had just occurred. " I am unfamiliar with you division," the Librarian replied. "Perhaps if you could tell me the units name?" " Forgive me" Axel replied. " I commanded the 7th Elysian Armored Division. We were raised at the behest of the Lord Horus, to provide support to the Second Legion." At the mention of Horus, The Air went Deathly still. Claudius could sense the Librarian unleashing his psychic powers on the officer scanning for the taint of Chaos. He himself, dropped his hand to the hilt of his bolter, ready to tear the officer apart in a hail of explosive shells if he made the slightest threatening move. " General Axel," Serverus said softly. " The Great Crusade was ended over 10,000 years ago." The General blinked, once, twice, and just stared. It was the Imperial Fist Captain who spoke. " What Jest is this, Brother?" " It is no jest, I assure you," Captain Azov replied. " But how can that be? We were sent here ten years ago.." " Ten thousand years have passed, Captain" Claudius said, " you were cut off by Warp Storms for that time" " But surely we would have aged." " Who can understand the vagaries of the Warp?" Serverus replied. " that can be ascertained later. What is essential now is to bring you up to date on what has transpired. But First, What is your Mission here, and the size of your force?" " As I have said," the General answered, " A company of my division, Captain Azov`s marines and a Terminator Squad from the Sons of Horus are based in this city. The Rest of the planets cities are defended by local Guard Regiments" " Sons off Horus Terminators?" Azov interjected. " Under Veteran Sergeant Trask" Zurov replied. " They have distinguished them selves well in the battles we have had against the Orkish survivors of the Hulk which crashed here 2 years ago." Claudius's mind was spinning. Here were men, professing to be servants of the Emperor, but unknowing of the betrayal of the Heresy. And they professed to be guarding the home world of the lost second Legion. It was almost too much for him to process. Thankfully the Librarian was unfazed by the new information. Claudius watched as he began to tell the General what had Transpired over the last Ten Thousand years. When Serverus mentioned Horus as the Traitor, Claudius saw shock and horror on the faces before him. When the Libarian spoke of the Emperor entombed in the golden throne, General Axel fell insensible. It was many hours before the Librarian finished his grim tale. When he had. No one said a thing. It was Zurov who found his voice first. " All this time. We knew nothing." " He must be awakened" The Marine captain looked at the General, who sat, tears running down his cheeks. The Imperial Fist nodded gravely. " Brother Librarian, Brother Captains, would you follow me, Please." One by one, they filed out of the General's office. As he passed the desk, Zurov whispered a few sentences to the officer out side, who nodded and rose to enter the General's office. " His men will take care of him" was the entire Marine said.
Claudius could hardly remember the route to the underground cavern. But they were there, before the great Adamantinum door with the Double headed imperial seal. Standing before the door was The Inquisitor his local counterpart, his Honor guard, the Cardinal, and 5 Terminator armored troops. It took a second for Claudius to realize that these must be the Sons Of Horus Terminators that Zurov had spoken off, but they wore armor not colored like any of the Traitor Legions he had ever fought. At the sight of Zurov, the Terminator sergeant stepped forward and saluted. " Brother Captain, Veteran Sergeant Trask reporting!" " Stand down, Trask" Zurov ordered. The Terminator saluted again and stepped away from what was obviously an access terminal. Zurov stepped forward, and typed in a code. With hardly a hiss, the massive door slid apart. "Before we enter," Zurov said, " I want to explain something. You will be entering the Chamber of the Second Legion. You will be in the Presence of the Primarch himself. If what you have told us is true, he will know. Likewise, if you have lied, he will know. Now, follow us" Gripping the hilt of his Sword, Claudius followed Serverus and the Inquisitor into the Giant room. It was a Stasis chamber, he saw immediately. Wall to wall it was stacked with clear glass pods; each containing what was obviously a fully formed Space Marine. Servitors scuttled about their tasks, paying no heed to the visitors. " This room holds the First and Second Battalions of the 2nd Legion" Zurov was saying. "2000 Marines, frozen in stasis, until the cure for the malady that afflicts them can be found. There are four other rooms like this, each housing two battalions. The full strength of the Legion is just over 10,000 Marines." The Captain stopped talking for a second to wipe away the tears from his eyes. " Like their father, the Second Legion is afflicted by a bizarre muscular disease that wastes their bodies, rendering them comatose in 100 years. We have managed to slow down the degeneration by meshing the marines with bionics, but that is only a temporary solution. This is why the Emperor chose to move the legion back to its home world, from its positions on Mars. He hoped to find a cure for what was costing him his son." Zurov fell silent as they neared the central stasis pod. In the pod was a giant of a man. Claudius had seen holo-images of the Primarchs as a marine Initiate, but this man was not only tall, he was broad at the shoulder. Black Skinned, and bald headed, he floated, suspended in a clear amniotic fluid. Even at the distance they stood, Claudius could feel the power coming from the man, even in this state. Next to him, Serverus gazed up in awe on the visage of the unconscious Primarch. Then he dropped to one knee, and bowed, followed seconds later by the rest of the retinue. Zurov punched in a code at a second terminal, and the stasis pod began to hum as the null field was raised. Distantly, Claudius realized that the Captain would have had to be a Tech Marine for all the fluency that he displayed with the articles of the Machine god. The fluid drained away with a hiss, and then there was a dull crack as the pod split open. Light flooded the area, as the machine god purified it`s offspring. From the Light stepped a massive figure. A Servitor moved up, draping a robe around the Brawny nakedness. " Tybalt" The Primarch spoke in a deep growling voice. " What has happened this time? Is it Orks? Or have my brothers come to pay me a visit?" " My Lord, these are officers of the Imperial Fists, Ultramarines, Inquisition, and Ecclesiarchy." Zurov replied. " Is it my birthday again?" the Primarch replied with a faint smile " Does Brother Rogal send me gold plated Bolter shells again? Will Rouboute finally return my copy of The Emperor's Lives?" " Primarch," Serverus was the first to speak. " I am Librarian Lucius Serverus, Ultramarine 6th Company." " Rise Librarian." The Primarch ordered. " Do not kneel to me. I am not deserving of such honor. I have been asleep for the last ten years. Surely more of my brothers are deserving of such adoration." " Forgive me, Primarch, but you are incorrect." Serverus replied. " You are the only one left of your Brothers." In the light, the black man went pale.
Planet Elysia
Two Standard Weeks later
From his position on the Ramparts of the Fortress, Captain Claudius watched the troops of the Second Legion 3rd Battalion drill with members of the Planet Guard. The Marines, clad in their Black, Silver and Red Armor, were shoving back one flank of the Guard Regiment's line, while their Armor raked the center of the Line with dummy rounds. Standing next to Claudius was the commander of the 3rd Battalion. Battalion Master Van Lien was in the third stage of the malaise that affected all those who bore the Primarch`s Gene seed. Unable to leave the Tactical Dreadnought Armor that gave him mobility and respite from the pain that wracked his body and contorted his muscles in unnatural shapes, Van Lien nonetheless stood ready to fight at the side of his Primarch. " The Guard has improved" Van Lien Rasped. " Last time we ran a joint exercise, it was over in Twelve minutes." Claudius turned to look at the marine next to him. Mostly hidden in the Terminator Armor, only his head was visible. Crowned by Black spiky hair, the most distinguishing feature on the marine's angular face was the vertical scar running from his forehead to his jaw. " Ork Axe?" Claudius asked, indicating the scar. Van Lien smiled. " Yes, on Ystavann" he replied. " We went against Warboss Uglag ul Rakka, I think his name was. My Terminators and I teleported in to his Nobz, but I landed too close to the beast himself." Claudius noted the frank tone in the officer's voice. Here was a man who had fought at the side of the Emperor, yet there was no sign of pride or vanity about him. " Tell me of the Great Crusade," Claudius asked. Van Lien turned and looked at the Ultramarine officer next to him. " We were assigned to pacify the North of the Segmentum Obscurium. Our Fleet embarked from Elysia, heading for the Planet Lucent, to pacify it from a Khronate Cult. We delivered the Emperor's justice to the vile cultists, and moved on. 212 worlds in 110 years. Three times we assisted brother legions, Five times we were assisted by Brother Legions. On Amadeus XI, We aided Lord Logar`s Word Bearers in the destruction of a renegade Fortress. Our Primarch fought side by side with Lord Logar on the Bastions of the fortress, and both saved the other's lives. On Carden Prime, where I earned my Terminator Honors, We lost 20% of our Armored Support to Ork Fighta Bomberz`s, before Battalion Master Kreig led our assault marines against their bases." The Marine paused in the retelling to observe a squad of Devastators battling with an Infantry squad. " We fought well, Ultramarine," the Marine concluded in a dead voice. " Now we seem to have fought for nothing." Claudius looked away as Van Lien turned away. " You cannot know how it pains me to hear how my brothers have fallen." Van Lien continued. " Lord Horus? I fought alongside him and the Emperor at Rellis. He gave me this Sword" here the Marine Commander indicated the engraved weapon hanging at his side. " Lord Logar was a frequent guest at our Lord's table in the last days before the affliction." Van Lien closed his eyes for a moment, and sighed long and deep. " Now if I must face my Brothers on the field, how am I to do it with anything but sorrow in my heart?"
Primarchs Quarters
Inquisitor Jaccman was faced with a Quandary. At best, he had discovered the lost Second Legion, and it's missing primarch. At worst he had caused a rift that might tear the struggling Imperium apart at the seams. " The Problem is this" Jaccman sighed as he looked at the face of his opposite number, Inquisitor Debeers. " It may well be that by returning the Lord to the Imperium, we could provoke a civil war, as those who seek to redress crimes, real or imagined by the High Lords of Terra, promote Him as the new leader of the Imperium. He has the lineage, I will not doubt, and that alone is dangerous" " Let your mind be at peace" The Primarch spoke from the richly furnished bed where he lay listening to the two Inquisitors discuss the situation. " I have no desires to rule. That honor belongs to my father, and who he deems fit. All I want is to serve his memory and the memory of my brothers." " That may be so," Debeers replied, " but we must still force your lineage as a Primarch. All the Records of the Legion will have to be transferred to the fleet for the trip to Terra. There must be no doubt to who you are." " Nathan, you worry like an old woman" The Primarch chided. "No my lord, I worry as you're friend, and your aide." The Inquisitor replied, and then grew thoughtful again. " How many will you take to Terra, Sire?" " I believe a standard Company will be sufficient." The Primarch replied. " How long did Chief Apocathary Stryker say I had before I have to go into the suit?" " Another six months" Debeers replied. " Then we shall move quickly" The Primarch said. " Nathan, take Vikram with you when you go to the Command post. Tell Captain Jarrick to have his men ready." The Inquisitor nodded. " And your Honor Guard?" he inquired. The Primarch half sat up in the bed. " That is a question you already know the answer to, Nathan. Veteran Sergeants Trask, and Lorenz. As it has been since Terville." Jaccman looked at Debeers who made a gesture indicating that he would tell him later. " Very well, Lord Primarch, We shall leave you to your rest now." " Thank you Inquisitors. I shall see you at the Evening meal." Both Inquisitors rose and bowed before leaving the room. As soon as the door was closed, Jaccman turned to Debeers. " Treville? That's a City on Chros V." "Indeed," Debeers replied. " That is where the Primarch fought his last battle before the Affliction.
***Flashback***
Bolter fire sang off the hull of the Land Raider as the Giant Troop Carrier thundered through the Debris of what had once been a small town. The Dark Eldar had struck hard, here, capturing most of the inhabitants, and subjecting them to heinous torture. But the aliens had lingered to long in their games. Now the 1st Battalion of the Second Legion had arrived, and now they were the Hunted. 20 Land Raiders, each Carrying two squads of Terminators formed the fist that had torn through the Eldar lines. Behind them came 30 More Rhinos, carrying the Power armored troops of the Battalion. Low over head swept the Land Speeders and the Thunderhawks, carrying Assault Marines and Devastator Squads. Coming in on the flanks was a sight worthy of the heavy Armor regiments of the Imperial Guard; Predator, Whirlwind and Vindicator Tanks, in squadrons of Four, firing on the move. Within the Troop bay of the Lead Land Raider Thunderclap, The Primarch completed his litany of Battle and looked up. The ten Terminators of his squad stared back expectantly. He smiled and nodded, and as one the Squad relaxed. With a Deep breath, the Leader of the Second Legion Put on his helmet, sealing himself within its armor. " One minute to Drop," The Voice of the driver echoed through their headsets. As one the Primarch and his Bodyguard stood. The LandRaiders Lascannons flared and a Raider Transport Erupted in Fire and Smoke. A Predator fired, its Autocannon barking, its target, a Reaver Jetbike swerved away from the shells, and into the Path of a LandSpeeder`s Multi Melta. Thunderclap crested a small rise and the forward ramp came down. Immediately the Primacrch and his Guard ambled off, into the heart of the Eladar Lord`s position. Skull Faced Incubi darted in, their blades clashing with Power Swords and Force Axes. Stormbolters and Flamers Began to sing their own litany of Death as the Primarch led his Bodyguard through the Eldar ranks toward the Lord. The Primarch`s Axe sang as it cleaved through the body of an Incubi. Even before the twisted alien's remains struck the ground, the giant warrior was slashing through a second Incubi with his Lightening claws. Diverting his attention a fraction, he used his psychokinetic ability to hurl a twisted Grotesque away from Veteran Sergeant Goren, and into a hovering Talos. He ducked and pivoted, avoiding a slash from a Mandrake, and rammed the butt of his axe into the Aliens face. Bone shattered, and he fired his Auxiliary Stormbolter into the creature's head, vaporizing it in a cloud of Blood and other fluid. Quickly he looked up, there was a Wycch between him and the Eldar lord, but she disintegrated, struck by a hail of Autocannon shells from Marine Herax`s Assault Cannon. The Pain, when it came was so sudden that the Primarch had no time to Scream before he was lying on the ground, contorted in agony. All around him, the men of his Guard were twisting and writhing in a parody of their Leaders pain. Recognizing the opportunity, the Dark Eldar closed in for the Kill. From his Position 1000 meters away, Inquisitor Debeers saw his Primarch and friend collapse. He shouted into his Com-net for the Tanks to close in and support, even as he bounded over, joined by Veteran Sergeant Trask, and Veteran Sergeant Lorenz and their Squads. By the Time the Last of the Eldar had been dispatched, Seven of the Terminators in the Primarch`s honor Guard were dead. The others lay severely wounded, in a half circle around the Warrior they had tried to protect even in their Agony. Apocathary Stryker arrived minutes later, to find the Primarch contorted in agony as his muscles spasmed and twisted. Quickly he did what he could, administering drugs so that the Primach fell unconscious. Only then were the men able to straighten out their leaders limbs, and he was rapidly evacuated by ThunderHawk to the Orbiting Battleship Warspite. Even as the Thunderhawk lifted off, More marines and Imperial Guard were being deployed to the Battlefield. Aboard the Warspite, Apocatharys and Adepts of the machine god labored for hours over the unconscious and supine body of the Primarch. While his troops smashed the Dark Eldar remaining on planet, the primarch lay helpless, in the throes of a raging fever. Finally, after a week of fruitless treatment, the legions Second in command, Battalion Master Greig made the decision to leave the battle zone, for the closest medical facility. The Warspite and her Escorts jumped for Macgagge, leaving General Theodore Rand and the 11th Rigel Armored Guard to mop up and secure Chros V. After a Week of travel through the Warp, Warspite entered the Macagge system. While the Slow Battleship moved in system, the Primarch, Apocathary Stryker, and two other Churgeons, Veteran Sergeant Trask, who had appointed himself the Primarchs Honor guard, in the interim, and Inquisitor Debeers boarded a Fast Cutter and made full speed for Ultramar.
The best healers and Apocatharys of the Ultramarine legion worked for two full days on the Primarch. All they achieved was the reduction of his fever, and his regaining of consciousness. After a month of prayers and observation, the decision was made to shift the primarch to Mars, where the Adeptus Mechanicus could assist in the search for a cure to his malady. Seven weeks later, the Warspite arrived in Terra space, and the Primarch was taken before his father.
**End FlashBack**
Part one A
Firing Range. Lower Levels of the Fortress.
The thunder of an Assault cannon informed Libarian Serverus that one of the Ancients warriors was at practice. Having no pressing matters at hand, he stepped through the double doors, and entered the firing range. There was indeed a Dreadnought standing at the firing step. It wore the Black and Silver colors of the Second legion, and the banner projecting from its back bore the name "Anton". The Dreadnought was firing at large steel targets set 1000 meters down range. With each burst of shells, the targets were chopped apart, or knocked over, a testament to the ancient's accuracy. Standing next to the Dreadnought, was the crew cut figure of Veteran Sergeant Trask. Serverus walked over, observing the byplay between the Dreadnought and the Terminator Sergeant. They seemed to have a connection that belied the normal relationship between troops and Dreadnoughts Serverus was used to. " Honored Ancient, Veteran Sergeant" Serverus greeted the two. Both turned as one and bowed in unison. " Target Practice, Brothers?" the Librarian inquired. Trask nodded slowly. " The Primarch has ordered us to be ready to the trip to Terra." The Sergeant explained. " We're trying to get Brother Anton's Targeting system refined." " It looks refined to me. Brother Sergeant" Serverus observed. " Correction." The Dreadnought spoke in a Grating rumble. " Assault cannon targeting off by .03 of a meter. Weapon recalibration required." " You are still a perfectionist," Trask said, rapping the Dreadnought on the left arm. " You two were in the same squad" Serverus said, understanding. " Yes, until two years ago," Trask confirmed, " then Anton decided to take on an Ork Lungbursta. Got it with the Power Fist, and it got him with the Ripper claws." The Librarian smiled at the rough, familiar manner that the sergeant spoke. This man bore no taint of Chaos, despite his heraldry from the vilest of the Traitor Legions. In fact, Trask bore the weight of an entire Legion's Treachery. " How did you come to be seconded to this Legion?" Serverus inquired. The Veteran looked away.
** Flashback**
The World Of Plovis lay near the edge of the Segmentum Obscurium. On this world had sprung up and flourished a Cult to the Chaos God Khrone. The Khrone cultists had over taken the Government and now the few disloyal citizens had been corralled like animals in the Hive City of SoulFall. To this World came the 6th "StormHammer" Battalion of the 2nd Legion, aboard their fleet, led by the Battleship Vanguard and the Battle Barge Invincible. The Skies above the Planet were darkened as defense Lasers and orbital Cannons traded fire. Realizing the power of the Worlds Defenses. Battalion Commander Barlett had chosen to make a Drop pod assault on three main targets. 3rd Company, 6th Battalion would strike the South Pole Battery of Defense Lasers. 2nd Company, 6th Battalion would seize the North Polar batteries, and 1st Company, 6th Battalion would take the Spaceport to the west of Soulfall. At First, everything went according to plan. The Drops were made under the cover of an Atmospheric storm that fouled the sensors that the Cultists relied on to track the orbiting ships. Moving swiftly, Barlett led 1st Company in a rapid attack that overwhelmed the Cultists guarding the Spaceport. Even as Captain Furov and Second Company Battled among the laser silos at the North Pole bases, Thunderhawk Gunships carrying the 4th and 5th Companies were dispatched to Soulfall to reinforce the Battalion Commander's position. Meanwhile, Captain Gergen and his Marines shot their way into the South Pole Laser silos, and captured the command center. Then, Disaster. A Cultist Detonated a Krak grenade in the fusion generator that powered the North Pole laser sites. The Blast obliterated the site, wiping out the remaining cultists, and the Marines of the 1st Company. At the South Pole Bases, only the violent and efficient shooting of the Marines saved the base from the same fate. But hardly had they secured the facility, than they were beset by waves of screaming, Blood mad cultists. At Soulfall the situation was no better. 5th Company had hardly deployed its Whirlwinds and Devastator Squads, than the thin 1st Company line was hammered by thousands of Cultists. Barlett and his Terminator Squads were like the rocks on the shore that the Cultists broke themselves against. Supported by salvoes of Cluster missiles from the Whirlwinds, and direct fire from the Predators and Vindicators, they repelled the first waves of blood made Khronates. Desperate calls for support brought the 8th and 9th Companies to the Space Port. Their Land Raiders moved right to the line, where their Lascannons and twinlinked bolters could support the Marines on the Lines. In 50 hours the situation had changed drastically. 1st and 3rd Companies were on the ground, and under siege. 2nd company was destroyed. 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th Companies had joined the ring at the spaceport, while 6th and 7th Companies were enroute to the North Pole Base. The 6th Battalion was being assaulted by upwards of 1 million screaming devotees of the Blood God. From space, the Guns of the Invincible and the Vanguard hurled fire into the Throngs of Cultists. The Imperial navy Carrier Soulsword launched her Marauder bombers for constant raids on the Cultists bases. The Entire Planet exploded into war. After a week, Astromomican calls brought relief. The Battleship Warspite, Flagship of the Legion Fleet and her Task Force arrived. And with them came the BattleBarge Emperor's Fury, Flagship of the Sons of Horus Legion. Sergeant Trask was one of 500 Marines from the Sons of Horus that were transported to the Warspite to join the 1st Battalion assault. He was assigned to the 1st Company, which would join the 1st company of the Second Legion in a relief attack on the besieged North Pole Base. In the Drop ship Bay, the Second Legion Primarch and Lord Horus where in animated discussion. Trask could not hear what they were saying, and he was devoting his attention to the Litany of Preparation he was intoning over his Bolter. Then it was time to Drop, and Flights after Flight of Gunships and Drop Pods sped towards the planets surface. Right out of the Pods, the Marines were under attack. Trask and Squad fought like madmen, firing until Bolters ran dry and then because there was no time to reload, used them as clubs. Thankfully, Trask had taken the initiative to equip Bother Milus with a flamer, and he cleansed a dozen cultists with righteous fire. With that respite, Trask and squad were able to consolidate towards their Primarch and his Guard. With their Primarch and his Great Runesword at the head of their line, the Sons of Horus punched a wedge in the Cultists lines. Then from up ahead, came a sight that Trask, and indeed, every marine from the Sons of Horus would remember as long as they lived. Eight Black and Sliver ThunderHawks swept in, low over the Battlefeild in line abreast formation. They were so low that their Windblast tore several unfortunate cultists apart, such was the Violence of its passing. Out of the Hull and rear Doors of the lead 4 leapt the Black and Red Armored Terminators of the Second Legion's First Company. Led by their Primarch, distinctive by his Silver winged Helmet, and Black bladed BattleAxe, ThunderBlade, they landed amongst the head of the Cultist throng. The next four Thunderhawks deployed Giant, roaring Land Raiders and Predators Annihilators, which hit the Ground, crushing Cultists below their threads, and revving off, over and into the bodies of the Heretics. Trask ran and fired with the rest, but the armored drop had crushed the heart of the Cultist force. By the time the Sons of Horus reached the dropsite, the Primarch of the second Legion was standing atop his personal Land Raider, waving his Battle-Axe and leading the rest of his troops in a litany of Praise to the Emperor. Two days after the battle, reports arrived that a large force of Cultists fleeing the Second Legion forces moving out of Soulfall were retreating in good order toward the North Pole Base across the 5 kilometer wide Isthmus. The Cultists were reported to have a number of Daemons in their ranks. 1st Battalion, mounted in its Rhino's and Land Raiders sped off to intercept them. The Primarch and his Guard went on ahead in Thunderhawks, along with Horus and a company of his Marines.
Standing in the Hull Door of the Gunship, Sergeant Trask took a deep breath and gripped his Bolter in gauntleted hands. The Scene before him was one of utter Chaos. A barrage of Cluster and Plasma warheads from the 1st Batallion Whirlwinds had savaged the Cultists. As they milled about in confusion, the Armored Vehicles had crashed into their Flanks and head. They had tried to fall back, and then the Second Legion warships in orbit had unleashed a thunderous bombardment that had severed the Isthmus, creating a 1000-meter Gap. The Thunderhawk pulled up and Trask leapt off, a prayer on his lips. As his feet touched the ground, he leveled his bolter and fired, cutting down three wide-eyed cultists in sprays of Blood. Next to him Brother Lus stepped forward, triggering his Flamer. Screaming Heretics disappeared in the flamer's hungry jet, as Brothers Anton, Mcade and Gorn charged forward, Chain swords singing. Trask had no idea how many he had killed when he found himself face to face with the towering, hunched winged figure of a Khrone Bloodthirster. Shock froze his limbs and the Daemon got in the first blow. Only the fact that his bolter had gotten in the way of the Greater Daemons axe saved his life. The weapon was rent in twain, but his chest plate took minimum damage. Still he was hurled back, landing on his back a dozen meters away.
Brother Lus fired his Flamer at the Daemon, engulfing the creature in flame, the Creature shrugged of the inferno, stepping forward and rending the marine in two with a mighty blow of its axe. Then it turned its attention to the Fallen Sergeant, raising its Axe, drool pouring out of its mouth. Trask tensed himself awaiting the Fatal Blow, but it never came. Looking up he say a black Armored figure standing between him and the daemon. The Marine slashed at the Daemon with its Lightening claws, and the creature roared in pain and rage. As Trask staggered to his feet, the figure, which he recognized as the 2nd Legion Primarch, swung his axe in an overhead arc, slashing the daemon's head from its shoulder. As the body crumpled to the ground, the Primarch turned to Trask and offered him a hand to help him to his feet. " Are you alright, Sergeant?" " Yes, Lord Primarch.Thank you" " Think nothing of it, Sergeant. It would not do for me to let one of my Brother's marines die." With that, he was gone. Hours later, after the battle Trask was resting against a rock, mediating when the Two Primarchs walked by. Snippets of their conversation reached his ears. ".I tell you The SweBears are close to 8 meters tall." " Horus, Swebears have never grown that tall." " But think of the look on Robute`s face! He`ll stop talking about that damn Ambull for sure" " Horus, you have to let it go." " I will not be bested by a Beast!" " Oh very well Brother. Nominate a second from my ranks, and we shall hunt your Swebears." "Your Librarian" " Maximillian?" " Yes." " Very well." The Primarch stopped and turned, catching sight of Trask. "Sergeant Trask, How are you doing?" " Well Lord" " Good. Perhaps you would like to join me on a Swebear hunt?" "I would be honored Lord"
***End Flashback***
Legion Flagship Warspite Entering Terra Orbit. One Month Eight Days Later.
Debeers gave his ceremonial uniform a final Tug, as he fidgeted before the Door of his Primarchs quarters. The month long journey had reduced him to a nervous jumble. After hours of Briefings with his counterpart Jaccman, and the UltraMarine Librarian, and countless Purity tests, he was as ready as he would ever be. And he was afraid. After 10,000 years, this was not the Imperium he had served. Beneath his armor, the Inquisitor shuddered. Behind him the door opened, and the Primarch strode forth. Clad in his Black Terminator Armor, he stood, 9 feet tall, with his silver edged helmet in his hand. Automatically, Debeers bowed, but the Primarch waved the gesture away. " Are you ready, Nathan?" " As you command, Lord" " Then let us go." The Inquisitor Fell into step two paces behind his Primarch as they walked down the hallway towards the lift that would take them to the Thunderhawk Bay. Neither said a word.
Imperial Palace Landing Pad A-09
Cannoness Savitch stood squinting into the sky as the tiny speck grew into the familiar shape of a ThunderHawk Gunship. Behind her, in perfect ranks, clad in their Blue and gold Armor, stood 100 of her Battlesisters of the Order of the Jeweled Amytheyst. They were awaiting the arrival of the Expedition commanders who had been dispatched to Elysia. The Cryptic message received by the head of the Adeptus Terra had thrown the Palace into chaos, as messages flew back and forth between the High Lords and the Ecclesiarch, and the Space Marine masters. In fact, Three of the Marine Masters had arrived just days earlier, Logan Grimnar of the Space Wolves, Marneus Calgar of the UltraMarines, and Vladimir Pugh of the Imperial Fists. They stood back with their honor guards and the High Lords as the Thunderhawk Dropped nearer to the landing dock. The First thing the Canoness noticed was the non standard Camouflage of the craft. It didn't wear traditional Chapter Colors, instead having a silver belly, black upper hull and red tipped wings. As the Gunship flared for landing, the Canoness made a subtle gesture to her second, who gave a handsignal for the sisters to present their arms. Ostentatiously a gesture of respect, it also meant that if the company of Battlesisters had to fire, all they had to do was drop the barrels of their various weapons. The Thunderhawk touched down 10 meters away, without a sound, save the hiss of its Engines. As they spooled down, A hull door opened, and a ramp issued forth to the ground. Canoness Savitch studied the Thunderhawk. In addition to its unfamiliar heraldry colors, it also bore a gold "II" embossed behind the crew cockpit. Under the cockpit itself was a gilt edged plate, with the words "THUNDERWING" etched in black. But the strangest embelem was the sigil, bearing a sword shattering a stone on the lower portion of the nose. The hull door opened, and out stepped Inquisitor Jaccman. The Cardinal and his staff followed him. Then the Ultramarine, Space Wolf and Imperial Fist detachments stepped out of the Gunship and flied down the ramp. They stood on the right, opposite the Inquisitor and the Cardinal. The First Booming foot fall told Savitch that what was coming off the Gunship was a dreadnought, But even she was unprepared for the sight of the Cyborg lumbering down the Ramp, backed by a squad of Terminators, all wearing the colors of the Pre-Heresy, Sons of Horus Legion. At a Barked Command the sister's leveled their Bolters, but a barked order froze them in position. The Ultramarine Librarian strode forward. " Hold your fire sisters" Librarian Serverus shouted. " There is no Heresy here!" " What is the meaning of this?" High Lord Arus shouted back. From behind the Dreadnought stepped a figure that Canoness Savitch would not soon forget. He stood a full head above the Terminators, clad in Ornate Black, Red armor, with Silver, winged helmet. His left Gauntlet bore a twin barreled Storm Bolter on the back of the vambrace. His Right bore a Lightening Claw. A holstered Axe, with a blade as black as night hung at his hip. He gave of an Aura of such power, of mastered Deadliness, that the Canoness had to fight herself not to kneel. The Giant unclipped his helmet, and stowed it on his left hip. Black as night with Piercing blue eyes he stood before them. And then he spoke. " I am Janus Krosfyah, Paerator of Elysia, Primarch of the Judicator Legion, and Servant of the one true Emperor of mankind. I have returned to the Home of my father, to the service of the Imperium of Man."
Ultramarine Strike Cruiser Implacable Leading Imperial task Force. Orbiting Planet Elysia.
Captain Tyrus Claudius, Ultramarine 6th company, cast a baleful glance at the planet below him. He had not wanted to come here, had protested this assignment, and still didn't want to be where he was. However, he was Ultramarine, a son of Gulliman, and of the one Emperor of mankind. He may not have liked his mission, but he was sworn to carry it out. The Implacable, its escort of two Cobra Destroyers, and ships from the Imperial Fists, Space Wolves, and the Adeptus Minsistorum had recently arrived in the Elysia system to investigate the planet, so recently re- discovered by the abation of a massive warp storm that had rendered this segment of the galactic north unnavigable for thousands of years. Elysia was a massive planet, three times the size of terra. From orbit, the Marine could see two continents, wavy white clouds, and blue water. he found himself feverently hoping that the inhabitants of the world were receptive to the message of the Cardinal aboard the Battle cruiser Dominus Deo, because he had no wish to see so beautifull a world reduced to a dead rock by the Virus bombs he knew to be nestled in the launchers of the Inquisition cruiser two ships back. "It is a lovely world" These words came from the Ultramarine Libarian next to him. Lucius Severus had served the chapter faithfully for over 279 years, and his presence here indicated two things to the young Marine officer. One, he was being evaluated, and two, Marenus Calgar expected the Libarians Formidible abilites to be needed. " It is indeed, Libarian Servus" the Captain replied. " On such a world, I forsee no need for such a large force." The Libarian didnt look at him, but Claudius could feel his smile. " It is always good to be prudent, Captain" the Libarian replied. " the forces of Chaos are anything, if not well informed. They may well be waiting for us." " Still, Libarian Serverus, would not a smaller force be more able to discern the ideology of the populace?" " Perhaps, but they would not be able to survive hostile intent." "You speak wisely, as always, Libarian." Claudius acknowledged. Serverus smiled, and stepped away from the viewport. "Captain, I will require members of your Company as my honor guard." " We will be honored, Libarian." A Power armored Marine came around the corner. he stopped short, and saluted. " Brother Captain, Honored Libarian, We have made contact with the Inhabitants of the planet. They have greeted us in the name of the most high Emperor, and bid us welcome to their world. Inquisitor Jacman has requested that yourselves and an honor guard join the landing party." "Convey our intention to do just that, and alert Veteran Sergeant Tiberius to have his squad meet us at Thunderhawk bay 4, along with Brother Ancient Scipio" Claudius replied. The Blue Armored marine saluted, and departed to carry out his orders. " It seems we have a pretty puzzle here" Serverus said as they walked toward the lift that would carry them to the Thunderhawk bay. " Here we have a planet cut off from the Imperium from before the Heresy, that welcomes us with open arms. It seems too good to be true, does it not, Brother Captain?" " Indeed it does" Claudius replied. " Thus we shall go with bolters in hand, to carry either the Emperor`s benign welcome, or his rightous Fury."
ThunderHawk Steel Fist
The Flight of 4 Gunships decended through the clouds of the planet in a shallow left bank, scanning for any hostile threats. They had detected three contacts, but these had turned out to be Marauder Bombers who had taken up position ahead of them, and led them down to the spaceport. Steelfist was the third Thunderhawk in the flight. Leading was the Justice, Inquisitor Jaccman`s personal Transport, which carried the Inquisitor, and his body guard of Adeptus Soritas. Next came the Pulverizer, carrying Captain Azov of the Imperial Fists, and his Honor Guard, as well as; Claudius was sure, a Predator Annhilator for heavy support. Trailing the Steelfist, was the Wolf`s Eye, Personal transport of Wolf Lord Ulric Banehammer, and his honor guard. The Marauders pulled away as the four ThunderHawks flared for landing, Each one covering the other until it was saftely down. As the Justice`s Ramp came down, two Squads of Soritas debarked and spread out in a crecent, just beyond the nose and tail of the Thunderhawk. The Rear ramp of the Gunship swung down and a Chimera transport roared off. Seconds later, Justice lifted off, gaining altitiude to circle around and cover the Pulverizer as it came in, to deploy it`s load. First off were Captain Azov and his 2 squads of Terminators, then the bulky hull of the Predator Annhilator. Like Justice, Pulverizer lifted off, and joined the Black trimmed Inquisition Transport in the figure eight orbit over the space port. Aboard Steel Fist, the nose came up as the power came off and the gunship settled onto its skids. In the Cargo bay, Claudius looked around at his men. " Ultramarines, dismount. Pattern Alpha Six Vee." He ordered. First off the Dropship was the hulking form of Dreadnought Three as Brother Ancient Scipio was designated. The Cyborg swiveled back and forth, scanning for danger. When it was satisfied that the way was clear, only then did it speak in it`s amplified, grating voice. " No threat detected." Veteran Sergeant Tiberius led his squad of the Dropship, falling into flanking positions on either side of the Dreadnought. The two Terminators on the flanks carried assault cannons, while those closer in carried flamers. The Sergeant himself was armed with Lightening claws and a powersword. He waited at the foot of the ramp for the Libarian and the Captain to join him. Once they had, he lifted his hand, and signalled his readiness to the Imperial Fist officer in front of him. " Squad Tiberius,Advance" The Chimera lead off, flanked by the black armored Sisters of Battle, followed by the Predator, flanked by two Terminator squads. Dreadnought Scipo followed, with Squad Tiberius bringing up the rear after the captain and the Libarian. " What about the Wolves?" Claudius inquired. The Space Wolf Thunderhawk had not landed, and was still circling the spaceport. " The decision was apparently taken by the Inquisitor to keep them off the ground, and as a quick reaction force..." " ... and to keep them away from the sisters" Claudius finished. The Emnity between the Soritas and the Sons of Russ was well known. "We`ve got inbounds" Scipio rumbled. Moving over the plastecrete was the massive shape of a Imperial Baneblade Super Heavy tank. Flanking the monster was a coloumn of yellow armored figures.With his marine enhanced eyesight, Claudius was able to make out the black clenched fist emblazoned on their shoulder pads. The Baneblade stopped 100 meters from the Imperial forces, the Power armored figures continued jogging closer until they were less than 5 meters away. They definitely bore the markings of the Imperial Fists Chapter, but all wore MK6 style "Corvus" Armor. The leader, who wore a holstered force sword on his side, unclipped his helmet, stowed it on his hip, and stepped foward. " Greetings in the name of Our most Exalted Emperor! I am Captain Tybalt Zurov commanding the 5th Company Expedition force. I bid you welcome to Elysia!" Captain Azov stepped foward, raising his right gauntlet and returning the salute. The two Imperial Fist Marines then clasped hands. " Well Brother Libarian" Claudius whispered, " do you detect the taint of chaos in their words?" " I do not" the Libarian replied. "Neither does the Inquisitor" " Forgive my Impatience, Visitors" Zurov was saying," but I believe that we should head to the Command bunker, where introductions can be properly made." "Forgive our reluctance." The Inquisitor spoke up. " but we seek clarification. what is your purpose here?" The Imperial Fists officer cocked his head to the right. " We are here, Lord Inquisitor, at the orders of our Primarch, and the One Emperor of mankind. We are here to protect the homebase of the Second legion"
Command Facility. 30 minutes later
The Black haired Imperial Guard officer announced himself as General Silas Axel. He greeted each person in turn, bowing deeply before the Cardinal, and saluting the officers in proper fashion. " Tell me," the General said, as he returned to his seat, " How goes the Great Crusade?" Claudius blinked. " The Great Crusade?" the Cardinal stammered. Fortunately there was no time for an answer because the rest of the General's staff filed in. In five minutes the respective members of the landing party had been assigned to their opposite numbers, leaving Cladius, Azov, Serverus, and Zurov in the room with the General. " General, you spoke of the Great Crusade" Serverus began. " What do you wish to know?" The General smiled. " I'm interested in knowing how my Division made out on Cadia. I ended up here with a company while the rest of my division was sent to Terra for shipping out to the Cadian Gate." Severus looked at Claudius, who stared back blankly. Here was a man speaking of events 10,000 years prior like they had just occurred. " I am unfamiliar with you division," the Librarian replied. "Perhaps if you could tell me the units name?" " Forgive me" Axel replied. " I commanded the 7th Elysian Armored Division. We were raised at the behest of the Lord Horus, to provide support to the Second Legion." At the mention of Horus, The Air went Deathly still. Claudius could sense the Librarian unleashing his psychic powers on the officer scanning for the taint of Chaos. He himself, dropped his hand to the hilt of his bolter, ready to tear the officer apart in a hail of explosive shells if he made the slightest threatening move. " General Axel," Serverus said softly. " The Great Crusade was ended over 10,000 years ago." The General blinked, once, twice, and just stared. It was the Imperial Fist Captain who spoke. " What Jest is this, Brother?" " It is no jest, I assure you," Captain Azov replied. " But how can that be? We were sent here ten years ago.." " Ten thousand years have passed, Captain" Claudius said, " you were cut off by Warp Storms for that time" " But surely we would have aged." " Who can understand the vagaries of the Warp?" Serverus replied. " that can be ascertained later. What is essential now is to bring you up to date on what has transpired. But First, What is your Mission here, and the size of your force?" " As I have said," the General answered, " A company of my division, Captain Azov`s marines and a Terminator Squad from the Sons of Horus are based in this city. The Rest of the planets cities are defended by local Guard Regiments" " Sons off Horus Terminators?" Azov interjected. " Under Veteran Sergeant Trask" Zurov replied. " They have distinguished them selves well in the battles we have had against the Orkish survivors of the Hulk which crashed here 2 years ago." Claudius's mind was spinning. Here were men, professing to be servants of the Emperor, but unknowing of the betrayal of the Heresy. And they professed to be guarding the home world of the lost second Legion. It was almost too much for him to process. Thankfully the Librarian was unfazed by the new information. Claudius watched as he began to tell the General what had Transpired over the last Ten Thousand years. When Serverus mentioned Horus as the Traitor, Claudius saw shock and horror on the faces before him. When the Libarian spoke of the Emperor entombed in the golden throne, General Axel fell insensible. It was many hours before the Librarian finished his grim tale. When he had. No one said a thing. It was Zurov who found his voice first. " All this time. We knew nothing." " He must be awakened" The Marine captain looked at the General, who sat, tears running down his cheeks. The Imperial Fist nodded gravely. " Brother Librarian, Brother Captains, would you follow me, Please." One by one, they filed out of the General's office. As he passed the desk, Zurov whispered a few sentences to the officer out side, who nodded and rose to enter the General's office. " His men will take care of him" was the entire Marine said.
Claudius could hardly remember the route to the underground cavern. But they were there, before the great Adamantinum door with the Double headed imperial seal. Standing before the door was The Inquisitor his local counterpart, his Honor guard, the Cardinal, and 5 Terminator armored troops. It took a second for Claudius to realize that these must be the Sons Of Horus Terminators that Zurov had spoken off, but they wore armor not colored like any of the Traitor Legions he had ever fought. At the sight of Zurov, the Terminator sergeant stepped forward and saluted. " Brother Captain, Veteran Sergeant Trask reporting!" " Stand down, Trask" Zurov ordered. The Terminator saluted again and stepped away from what was obviously an access terminal. Zurov stepped forward, and typed in a code. With hardly a hiss, the massive door slid apart. "Before we enter," Zurov said, " I want to explain something. You will be entering the Chamber of the Second Legion. You will be in the Presence of the Primarch himself. If what you have told us is true, he will know. Likewise, if you have lied, he will know. Now, follow us" Gripping the hilt of his Sword, Claudius followed Serverus and the Inquisitor into the Giant room. It was a Stasis chamber, he saw immediately. Wall to wall it was stacked with clear glass pods; each containing what was obviously a fully formed Space Marine. Servitors scuttled about their tasks, paying no heed to the visitors. " This room holds the First and Second Battalions of the 2nd Legion" Zurov was saying. "2000 Marines, frozen in stasis, until the cure for the malady that afflicts them can be found. There are four other rooms like this, each housing two battalions. The full strength of the Legion is just over 10,000 Marines." The Captain stopped talking for a second to wipe away the tears from his eyes. " Like their father, the Second Legion is afflicted by a bizarre muscular disease that wastes their bodies, rendering them comatose in 100 years. We have managed to slow down the degeneration by meshing the marines with bionics, but that is only a temporary solution. This is why the Emperor chose to move the legion back to its home world, from its positions on Mars. He hoped to find a cure for what was costing him his son." Zurov fell silent as they neared the central stasis pod. In the pod was a giant of a man. Claudius had seen holo-images of the Primarchs as a marine Initiate, but this man was not only tall, he was broad at the shoulder. Black Skinned, and bald headed, he floated, suspended in a clear amniotic fluid. Even at the distance they stood, Claudius could feel the power coming from the man, even in this state. Next to him, Serverus gazed up in awe on the visage of the unconscious Primarch. Then he dropped to one knee, and bowed, followed seconds later by the rest of the retinue. Zurov punched in a code at a second terminal, and the stasis pod began to hum as the null field was raised. Distantly, Claudius realized that the Captain would have had to be a Tech Marine for all the fluency that he displayed with the articles of the Machine god. The fluid drained away with a hiss, and then there was a dull crack as the pod split open. Light flooded the area, as the machine god purified it`s offspring. From the Light stepped a massive figure. A Servitor moved up, draping a robe around the Brawny nakedness. " Tybalt" The Primarch spoke in a deep growling voice. " What has happened this time? Is it Orks? Or have my brothers come to pay me a visit?" " My Lord, these are officers of the Imperial Fists, Ultramarines, Inquisition, and Ecclesiarchy." Zurov replied. " Is it my birthday again?" the Primarch replied with a faint smile " Does Brother Rogal send me gold plated Bolter shells again? Will Rouboute finally return my copy of The Emperor's Lives?" " Primarch," Serverus was the first to speak. " I am Librarian Lucius Serverus, Ultramarine 6th Company." " Rise Librarian." The Primarch ordered. " Do not kneel to me. I am not deserving of such honor. I have been asleep for the last ten years. Surely more of my brothers are deserving of such adoration." " Forgive me, Primarch, but you are incorrect." Serverus replied. " You are the only one left of your Brothers." In the light, the black man went pale.
Planet Elysia
Two Standard Weeks later
From his position on the Ramparts of the Fortress, Captain Claudius watched the troops of the Second Legion 3rd Battalion drill with members of the Planet Guard. The Marines, clad in their Black, Silver and Red Armor, were shoving back one flank of the Guard Regiment's line, while their Armor raked the center of the Line with dummy rounds. Standing next to Claudius was the commander of the 3rd Battalion. Battalion Master Van Lien was in the third stage of the malaise that affected all those who bore the Primarch`s Gene seed. Unable to leave the Tactical Dreadnought Armor that gave him mobility and respite from the pain that wracked his body and contorted his muscles in unnatural shapes, Van Lien nonetheless stood ready to fight at the side of his Primarch. " The Guard has improved" Van Lien Rasped. " Last time we ran a joint exercise, it was over in Twelve minutes." Claudius turned to look at the marine next to him. Mostly hidden in the Terminator Armor, only his head was visible. Crowned by Black spiky hair, the most distinguishing feature on the marine's angular face was the vertical scar running from his forehead to his jaw. " Ork Axe?" Claudius asked, indicating the scar. Van Lien smiled. " Yes, on Ystavann" he replied. " We went against Warboss Uglag ul Rakka, I think his name was. My Terminators and I teleported in to his Nobz, but I landed too close to the beast himself." Claudius noted the frank tone in the officer's voice. Here was a man who had fought at the side of the Emperor, yet there was no sign of pride or vanity about him. " Tell me of the Great Crusade," Claudius asked. Van Lien turned and looked at the Ultramarine officer next to him. " We were assigned to pacify the North of the Segmentum Obscurium. Our Fleet embarked from Elysia, heading for the Planet Lucent, to pacify it from a Khronate Cult. We delivered the Emperor's justice to the vile cultists, and moved on. 212 worlds in 110 years. Three times we assisted brother legions, Five times we were assisted by Brother Legions. On Amadeus XI, We aided Lord Logar`s Word Bearers in the destruction of a renegade Fortress. Our Primarch fought side by side with Lord Logar on the Bastions of the fortress, and both saved the other's lives. On Carden Prime, where I earned my Terminator Honors, We lost 20% of our Armored Support to Ork Fighta Bomberz`s, before Battalion Master Kreig led our assault marines against their bases." The Marine paused in the retelling to observe a squad of Devastators battling with an Infantry squad. " We fought well, Ultramarine," the Marine concluded in a dead voice. " Now we seem to have fought for nothing." Claudius looked away as Van Lien turned away. " You cannot know how it pains me to hear how my brothers have fallen." Van Lien continued. " Lord Horus? I fought alongside him and the Emperor at Rellis. He gave me this Sword" here the Marine Commander indicated the engraved weapon hanging at his side. " Lord Logar was a frequent guest at our Lord's table in the last days before the affliction." Van Lien closed his eyes for a moment, and sighed long and deep. " Now if I must face my Brothers on the field, how am I to do it with anything but sorrow in my heart?"
Primarchs Quarters
Inquisitor Jaccman was faced with a Quandary. At best, he had discovered the lost Second Legion, and it's missing primarch. At worst he had caused a rift that might tear the struggling Imperium apart at the seams. " The Problem is this" Jaccman sighed as he looked at the face of his opposite number, Inquisitor Debeers. " It may well be that by returning the Lord to the Imperium, we could provoke a civil war, as those who seek to redress crimes, real or imagined by the High Lords of Terra, promote Him as the new leader of the Imperium. He has the lineage, I will not doubt, and that alone is dangerous" " Let your mind be at peace" The Primarch spoke from the richly furnished bed where he lay listening to the two Inquisitors discuss the situation. " I have no desires to rule. That honor belongs to my father, and who he deems fit. All I want is to serve his memory and the memory of my brothers." " That may be so," Debeers replied, " but we must still force your lineage as a Primarch. All the Records of the Legion will have to be transferred to the fleet for the trip to Terra. There must be no doubt to who you are." " Nathan, you worry like an old woman" The Primarch chided. "No my lord, I worry as you're friend, and your aide." The Inquisitor replied, and then grew thoughtful again. " How many will you take to Terra, Sire?" " I believe a standard Company will be sufficient." The Primarch replied. " How long did Chief Apocathary Stryker say I had before I have to go into the suit?" " Another six months" Debeers replied. " Then we shall move quickly" The Primarch said. " Nathan, take Vikram with you when you go to the Command post. Tell Captain Jarrick to have his men ready." The Inquisitor nodded. " And your Honor Guard?" he inquired. The Primarch half sat up in the bed. " That is a question you already know the answer to, Nathan. Veteran Sergeants Trask, and Lorenz. As it has been since Terville." Jaccman looked at Debeers who made a gesture indicating that he would tell him later. " Very well, Lord Primarch, We shall leave you to your rest now." " Thank you Inquisitors. I shall see you at the Evening meal." Both Inquisitors rose and bowed before leaving the room. As soon as the door was closed, Jaccman turned to Debeers. " Treville? That's a City on Chros V." "Indeed," Debeers replied. " That is where the Primarch fought his last battle before the Affliction.
***Flashback***
Bolter fire sang off the hull of the Land Raider as the Giant Troop Carrier thundered through the Debris of what had once been a small town. The Dark Eldar had struck hard, here, capturing most of the inhabitants, and subjecting them to heinous torture. But the aliens had lingered to long in their games. Now the 1st Battalion of the Second Legion had arrived, and now they were the Hunted. 20 Land Raiders, each Carrying two squads of Terminators formed the fist that had torn through the Eldar lines. Behind them came 30 More Rhinos, carrying the Power armored troops of the Battalion. Low over head swept the Land Speeders and the Thunderhawks, carrying Assault Marines and Devastator Squads. Coming in on the flanks was a sight worthy of the heavy Armor regiments of the Imperial Guard; Predator, Whirlwind and Vindicator Tanks, in squadrons of Four, firing on the move. Within the Troop bay of the Lead Land Raider Thunderclap, The Primarch completed his litany of Battle and looked up. The ten Terminators of his squad stared back expectantly. He smiled and nodded, and as one the Squad relaxed. With a Deep breath, the Leader of the Second Legion Put on his helmet, sealing himself within its armor. " One minute to Drop," The Voice of the driver echoed through their headsets. As one the Primarch and his Bodyguard stood. The LandRaiders Lascannons flared and a Raider Transport Erupted in Fire and Smoke. A Predator fired, its Autocannon barking, its target, a Reaver Jetbike swerved away from the shells, and into the Path of a LandSpeeder`s Multi Melta. Thunderclap crested a small rise and the forward ramp came down. Immediately the Primacrch and his Guard ambled off, into the heart of the Eladar Lord`s position. Skull Faced Incubi darted in, their blades clashing with Power Swords and Force Axes. Stormbolters and Flamers Began to sing their own litany of Death as the Primarch led his Bodyguard through the Eldar ranks toward the Lord. The Primarch`s Axe sang as it cleaved through the body of an Incubi. Even before the twisted alien's remains struck the ground, the giant warrior was slashing through a second Incubi with his Lightening claws. Diverting his attention a fraction, he used his psychokinetic ability to hurl a twisted Grotesque away from Veteran Sergeant Goren, and into a hovering Talos. He ducked and pivoted, avoiding a slash from a Mandrake, and rammed the butt of his axe into the Aliens face. Bone shattered, and he fired his Auxiliary Stormbolter into the creature's head, vaporizing it in a cloud of Blood and other fluid. Quickly he looked up, there was a Wycch between him and the Eldar lord, but she disintegrated, struck by a hail of Autocannon shells from Marine Herax`s Assault Cannon. The Pain, when it came was so sudden that the Primarch had no time to Scream before he was lying on the ground, contorted in agony. All around him, the men of his Guard were twisting and writhing in a parody of their Leaders pain. Recognizing the opportunity, the Dark Eldar closed in for the Kill. From his Position 1000 meters away, Inquisitor Debeers saw his Primarch and friend collapse. He shouted into his Com-net for the Tanks to close in and support, even as he bounded over, joined by Veteran Sergeant Trask, and Veteran Sergeant Lorenz and their Squads. By the Time the Last of the Eldar had been dispatched, Seven of the Terminators in the Primarch`s honor Guard were dead. The others lay severely wounded, in a half circle around the Warrior they had tried to protect even in their Agony. Apocathary Stryker arrived minutes later, to find the Primarch contorted in agony as his muscles spasmed and twisted. Quickly he did what he could, administering drugs so that the Primach fell unconscious. Only then were the men able to straighten out their leaders limbs, and he was rapidly evacuated by ThunderHawk to the Orbiting Battleship Warspite. Even as the Thunderhawk lifted off, More marines and Imperial Guard were being deployed to the Battlefield. Aboard the Warspite, Apocatharys and Adepts of the machine god labored for hours over the unconscious and supine body of the Primarch. While his troops smashed the Dark Eldar remaining on planet, the primarch lay helpless, in the throes of a raging fever. Finally, after a week of fruitless treatment, the legions Second in command, Battalion Master Greig made the decision to leave the battle zone, for the closest medical facility. The Warspite and her Escorts jumped for Macgagge, leaving General Theodore Rand and the 11th Rigel Armored Guard to mop up and secure Chros V. After a Week of travel through the Warp, Warspite entered the Macagge system. While the Slow Battleship moved in system, the Primarch, Apocathary Stryker, and two other Churgeons, Veteran Sergeant Trask, who had appointed himself the Primarchs Honor guard, in the interim, and Inquisitor Debeers boarded a Fast Cutter and made full speed for Ultramar.
The best healers and Apocatharys of the Ultramarine legion worked for two full days on the Primarch. All they achieved was the reduction of his fever, and his regaining of consciousness. After a month of prayers and observation, the decision was made to shift the primarch to Mars, where the Adeptus Mechanicus could assist in the search for a cure to his malady. Seven weeks later, the Warspite arrived in Terra space, and the Primarch was taken before his father.
**End FlashBack**
Part one A
Firing Range. Lower Levels of the Fortress.
The thunder of an Assault cannon informed Libarian Serverus that one of the Ancients warriors was at practice. Having no pressing matters at hand, he stepped through the double doors, and entered the firing range. There was indeed a Dreadnought standing at the firing step. It wore the Black and Silver colors of the Second legion, and the banner projecting from its back bore the name "Anton". The Dreadnought was firing at large steel targets set 1000 meters down range. With each burst of shells, the targets were chopped apart, or knocked over, a testament to the ancient's accuracy. Standing next to the Dreadnought, was the crew cut figure of Veteran Sergeant Trask. Serverus walked over, observing the byplay between the Dreadnought and the Terminator Sergeant. They seemed to have a connection that belied the normal relationship between troops and Dreadnoughts Serverus was used to. " Honored Ancient, Veteran Sergeant" Serverus greeted the two. Both turned as one and bowed in unison. " Target Practice, Brothers?" the Librarian inquired. Trask nodded slowly. " The Primarch has ordered us to be ready to the trip to Terra." The Sergeant explained. " We're trying to get Brother Anton's Targeting system refined." " It looks refined to me. Brother Sergeant" Serverus observed. " Correction." The Dreadnought spoke in a Grating rumble. " Assault cannon targeting off by .03 of a meter. Weapon recalibration required." " You are still a perfectionist," Trask said, rapping the Dreadnought on the left arm. " You two were in the same squad" Serverus said, understanding. " Yes, until two years ago," Trask confirmed, " then Anton decided to take on an Ork Lungbursta. Got it with the Power Fist, and it got him with the Ripper claws." The Librarian smiled at the rough, familiar manner that the sergeant spoke. This man bore no taint of Chaos, despite his heraldry from the vilest of the Traitor Legions. In fact, Trask bore the weight of an entire Legion's Treachery. " How did you come to be seconded to this Legion?" Serverus inquired. The Veteran looked away.
** Flashback**
The World Of Plovis lay near the edge of the Segmentum Obscurium. On this world had sprung up and flourished a Cult to the Chaos God Khrone. The Khrone cultists had over taken the Government and now the few disloyal citizens had been corralled like animals in the Hive City of SoulFall. To this World came the 6th "StormHammer" Battalion of the 2nd Legion, aboard their fleet, led by the Battleship Vanguard and the Battle Barge Invincible. The Skies above the Planet were darkened as defense Lasers and orbital Cannons traded fire. Realizing the power of the Worlds Defenses. Battalion Commander Barlett had chosen to make a Drop pod assault on three main targets. 3rd Company, 6th Battalion would strike the South Pole Battery of Defense Lasers. 2nd Company, 6th Battalion would seize the North Polar batteries, and 1st Company, 6th Battalion would take the Spaceport to the west of Soulfall. At First, everything went according to plan. The Drops were made under the cover of an Atmospheric storm that fouled the sensors that the Cultists relied on to track the orbiting ships. Moving swiftly, Barlett led 1st Company in a rapid attack that overwhelmed the Cultists guarding the Spaceport. Even as Captain Furov and Second Company Battled among the laser silos at the North Pole bases, Thunderhawk Gunships carrying the 4th and 5th Companies were dispatched to Soulfall to reinforce the Battalion Commander's position. Meanwhile, Captain Gergen and his Marines shot their way into the South Pole Laser silos, and captured the command center. Then, Disaster. A Cultist Detonated a Krak grenade in the fusion generator that powered the North Pole laser sites. The Blast obliterated the site, wiping out the remaining cultists, and the Marines of the 1st Company. At the South Pole Bases, only the violent and efficient shooting of the Marines saved the base from the same fate. But hardly had they secured the facility, than they were beset by waves of screaming, Blood mad cultists. At Soulfall the situation was no better. 5th Company had hardly deployed its Whirlwinds and Devastator Squads, than the thin 1st Company line was hammered by thousands of Cultists. Barlett and his Terminator Squads were like the rocks on the shore that the Cultists broke themselves against. Supported by salvoes of Cluster missiles from the Whirlwinds, and direct fire from the Predators and Vindicators, they repelled the first waves of blood made Khronates. Desperate calls for support brought the 8th and 9th Companies to the Space Port. Their Land Raiders moved right to the line, where their Lascannons and twinlinked bolters could support the Marines on the Lines. In 50 hours the situation had changed drastically. 1st and 3rd Companies were on the ground, and under siege. 2nd company was destroyed. 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th Companies had joined the ring at the spaceport, while 6th and 7th Companies were enroute to the North Pole Base. The 6th Battalion was being assaulted by upwards of 1 million screaming devotees of the Blood God. From space, the Guns of the Invincible and the Vanguard hurled fire into the Throngs of Cultists. The Imperial navy Carrier Soulsword launched her Marauder bombers for constant raids on the Cultists bases. The Entire Planet exploded into war. After a week, Astromomican calls brought relief. The Battleship Warspite, Flagship of the Legion Fleet and her Task Force arrived. And with them came the BattleBarge Emperor's Fury, Flagship of the Sons of Horus Legion. Sergeant Trask was one of 500 Marines from the Sons of Horus that were transported to the Warspite to join the 1st Battalion assault. He was assigned to the 1st Company, which would join the 1st company of the Second Legion in a relief attack on the besieged North Pole Base. In the Drop ship Bay, the Second Legion Primarch and Lord Horus where in animated discussion. Trask could not hear what they were saying, and he was devoting his attention to the Litany of Preparation he was intoning over his Bolter. Then it was time to Drop, and Flights after Flight of Gunships and Drop Pods sped towards the planets surface. Right out of the Pods, the Marines were under attack. Trask and Squad fought like madmen, firing until Bolters ran dry and then because there was no time to reload, used them as clubs. Thankfully, Trask had taken the initiative to equip Bother Milus with a flamer, and he cleansed a dozen cultists with righteous fire. With that respite, Trask and squad were able to consolidate towards their Primarch and his Guard. With their Primarch and his Great Runesword at the head of their line, the Sons of Horus punched a wedge in the Cultists lines. Then from up ahead, came a sight that Trask, and indeed, every marine from the Sons of Horus would remember as long as they lived. Eight Black and Sliver ThunderHawks swept in, low over the Battlefeild in line abreast formation. They were so low that their Windblast tore several unfortunate cultists apart, such was the Violence of its passing. Out of the Hull and rear Doors of the lead 4 leapt the Black and Red Armored Terminators of the Second Legion's First Company. Led by their Primarch, distinctive by his Silver winged Helmet, and Black bladed BattleAxe, ThunderBlade, they landed amongst the head of the Cultist throng. The next four Thunderhawks deployed Giant, roaring Land Raiders and Predators Annihilators, which hit the Ground, crushing Cultists below their threads, and revving off, over and into the bodies of the Heretics. Trask ran and fired with the rest, but the armored drop had crushed the heart of the Cultist force. By the time the Sons of Horus reached the dropsite, the Primarch of the second Legion was standing atop his personal Land Raider, waving his Battle-Axe and leading the rest of his troops in a litany of Praise to the Emperor. Two days after the battle, reports arrived that a large force of Cultists fleeing the Second Legion forces moving out of Soulfall were retreating in good order toward the North Pole Base across the 5 kilometer wide Isthmus. The Cultists were reported to have a number of Daemons in their ranks. 1st Battalion, mounted in its Rhino's and Land Raiders sped off to intercept them. The Primarch and his Guard went on ahead in Thunderhawks, along with Horus and a company of his Marines.
Standing in the Hull Door of the Gunship, Sergeant Trask took a deep breath and gripped his Bolter in gauntleted hands. The Scene before him was one of utter Chaos. A barrage of Cluster and Plasma warheads from the 1st Batallion Whirlwinds had savaged the Cultists. As they milled about in confusion, the Armored Vehicles had crashed into their Flanks and head. They had tried to fall back, and then the Second Legion warships in orbit had unleashed a thunderous bombardment that had severed the Isthmus, creating a 1000-meter Gap. The Thunderhawk pulled up and Trask leapt off, a prayer on his lips. As his feet touched the ground, he leveled his bolter and fired, cutting down three wide-eyed cultists in sprays of Blood. Next to him Brother Lus stepped forward, triggering his Flamer. Screaming Heretics disappeared in the flamer's hungry jet, as Brothers Anton, Mcade and Gorn charged forward, Chain swords singing. Trask had no idea how many he had killed when he found himself face to face with the towering, hunched winged figure of a Khrone Bloodthirster. Shock froze his limbs and the Daemon got in the first blow. Only the fact that his bolter had gotten in the way of the Greater Daemons axe saved his life. The weapon was rent in twain, but his chest plate took minimum damage. Still he was hurled back, landing on his back a dozen meters away.
Brother Lus fired his Flamer at the Daemon, engulfing the creature in flame, the Creature shrugged of the inferno, stepping forward and rending the marine in two with a mighty blow of its axe. Then it turned its attention to the Fallen Sergeant, raising its Axe, drool pouring out of its mouth. Trask tensed himself awaiting the Fatal Blow, but it never came. Looking up he say a black Armored figure standing between him and the daemon. The Marine slashed at the Daemon with its Lightening claws, and the creature roared in pain and rage. As Trask staggered to his feet, the figure, which he recognized as the 2nd Legion Primarch, swung his axe in an overhead arc, slashing the daemon's head from its shoulder. As the body crumpled to the ground, the Primarch turned to Trask and offered him a hand to help him to his feet. " Are you alright, Sergeant?" " Yes, Lord Primarch.Thank you" " Think nothing of it, Sergeant. It would not do for me to let one of my Brother's marines die." With that, he was gone. Hours later, after the battle Trask was resting against a rock, mediating when the Two Primarchs walked by. Snippets of their conversation reached his ears. ".I tell you The SweBears are close to 8 meters tall." " Horus, Swebears have never grown that tall." " But think of the look on Robute`s face! He`ll stop talking about that damn Ambull for sure" " Horus, you have to let it go." " I will not be bested by a Beast!" " Oh very well Brother. Nominate a second from my ranks, and we shall hunt your Swebears." "Your Librarian" " Maximillian?" " Yes." " Very well." The Primarch stopped and turned, catching sight of Trask. "Sergeant Trask, How are you doing?" " Well Lord" " Good. Perhaps you would like to join me on a Swebear hunt?" "I would be honored Lord"
***End Flashback***
Legion Flagship Warspite Entering Terra Orbit. One Month Eight Days Later.
Debeers gave his ceremonial uniform a final Tug, as he fidgeted before the Door of his Primarchs quarters. The month long journey had reduced him to a nervous jumble. After hours of Briefings with his counterpart Jaccman, and the UltraMarine Librarian, and countless Purity tests, he was as ready as he would ever be. And he was afraid. After 10,000 years, this was not the Imperium he had served. Beneath his armor, the Inquisitor shuddered. Behind him the door opened, and the Primarch strode forth. Clad in his Black Terminator Armor, he stood, 9 feet tall, with his silver edged helmet in his hand. Automatically, Debeers bowed, but the Primarch waved the gesture away. " Are you ready, Nathan?" " As you command, Lord" " Then let us go." The Inquisitor Fell into step two paces behind his Primarch as they walked down the hallway towards the lift that would take them to the Thunderhawk Bay. Neither said a word.
Imperial Palace Landing Pad A-09
Cannoness Savitch stood squinting into the sky as the tiny speck grew into the familiar shape of a ThunderHawk Gunship. Behind her, in perfect ranks, clad in their Blue and gold Armor, stood 100 of her Battlesisters of the Order of the Jeweled Amytheyst. They were awaiting the arrival of the Expedition commanders who had been dispatched to Elysia. The Cryptic message received by the head of the Adeptus Terra had thrown the Palace into chaos, as messages flew back and forth between the High Lords and the Ecclesiarch, and the Space Marine masters. In fact, Three of the Marine Masters had arrived just days earlier, Logan Grimnar of the Space Wolves, Marneus Calgar of the UltraMarines, and Vladimir Pugh of the Imperial Fists. They stood back with their honor guards and the High Lords as the Thunderhawk Dropped nearer to the landing dock. The First thing the Canoness noticed was the non standard Camouflage of the craft. It didn't wear traditional Chapter Colors, instead having a silver belly, black upper hull and red tipped wings. As the Gunship flared for landing, the Canoness made a subtle gesture to her second, who gave a handsignal for the sisters to present their arms. Ostentatiously a gesture of respect, it also meant that if the company of Battlesisters had to fire, all they had to do was drop the barrels of their various weapons. The Thunderhawk touched down 10 meters away, without a sound, save the hiss of its Engines. As they spooled down, A hull door opened, and a ramp issued forth to the ground. Canoness Savitch studied the Thunderhawk. In addition to its unfamiliar heraldry colors, it also bore a gold "II" embossed behind the crew cockpit. Under the cockpit itself was a gilt edged plate, with the words "THUNDERWING" etched in black. But the strangest embelem was the sigil, bearing a sword shattering a stone on the lower portion of the nose. The hull door opened, and out stepped Inquisitor Jaccman. The Cardinal and his staff followed him. Then the Ultramarine, Space Wolf and Imperial Fist detachments stepped out of the Gunship and flied down the ramp. They stood on the right, opposite the Inquisitor and the Cardinal. The First Booming foot fall told Savitch that what was coming off the Gunship was a dreadnought, But even she was unprepared for the sight of the Cyborg lumbering down the Ramp, backed by a squad of Terminators, all wearing the colors of the Pre-Heresy, Sons of Horus Legion. At a Barked Command the sister's leveled their Bolters, but a barked order froze them in position. The Ultramarine Librarian strode forward. " Hold your fire sisters" Librarian Serverus shouted. " There is no Heresy here!" " What is the meaning of this?" High Lord Arus shouted back. From behind the Dreadnought stepped a figure that Canoness Savitch would not soon forget. He stood a full head above the Terminators, clad in Ornate Black, Red armor, with Silver, winged helmet. His left Gauntlet bore a twin barreled Storm Bolter on the back of the vambrace. His Right bore a Lightening Claw. A holstered Axe, with a blade as black as night hung at his hip. He gave of an Aura of such power, of mastered Deadliness, that the Canoness had to fight herself not to kneel. The Giant unclipped his helmet, and stowed it on his left hip. Black as night with Piercing blue eyes he stood before them. And then he spoke. " I am Janus Krosfyah, Paerator of Elysia, Primarch of the Judicator Legion, and Servant of the one true Emperor of mankind. I have returned to the Home of my father, to the service of the Imperium of Man."