Brothers of the Sword
Episode 2: A Band of Battle Brothers
A/N: H'lo all. This here is a repost/edit of a story I had started earlier and then broken up into episodes, since it suits my writing style better. Some Things That Must Be Mentioned Before People Review This Story:
On the subject of female Space Marines: Yes, I know Games Workshop says they don't exist. This is fanfiction, so I don't care. I wanted to see the interplay of characters, and she came to me in a flash of insight. And she's still a badass. So just let it go and read.
About Marine's inner monologue: I know some people have the tendency to portray marines (male or female) as total badasses all of the time and immune to any emotion except rightous anger. I prefer to think of them as men, who, although eleveated to extrordinary positions through science, training, and conditioning, are still men, with all of the emotions, desires, and needs thereof. That's why I've portrayed them like this. It goes hand in hand with the female Space Marine thing.
Anyway, read on and enjoy. Thanks.
It pained Gladius to see his friend in this state. Colias had once been proud, tall, and handsome, or at least as handsome as a three hundred year old veteran can be. Now, half-entombed in an ornate metal coffin attached to a giant machine, with pipes and wires of all sorts attached to different parts of his body, the librarian barely looked human.
Despite the honor it conferred, the dreadnought sarcophagus seemed unfitting for one such as him. The young master Gladius knew little of the technological mysteries surrounding the interment of one's body into a Living Dreadnought, but he did know that psychic powers could no longer be used within the adamantium shell. The machinery was unable to support that kind of energy. Colias had lost, besides most of his life, the thing that made him especially great in the Emperor's service (and in his own mind). Still, his old friend would live on, and for now, that was enough for Master Gladius.
The techpriests and apothecaries hovering around the sarcophagus finally sealed the cover of the coffin and stepped back. They had been working for hours- welding, bolting, cutting, inserting wires, praying, chanting, and spreading incense. They were the most honored disciples of the machine god in the entire Dark Angels chapter of the Adeptus Asartes, and it was for this reason they were chosen for this most holy of tasks. A Living Dreadnought was a giant, mechanical walker designed as the most powerful armor in the galaxy- and to become the pilot of one was one of the greatest honors that could be bestowed upon a space marine. Since the pilot had to be in a nearly-dead state, only those who had fallen in battle and were great heroes in their own right were ever given that glory. In the adamantium coffin placed in the center of the machine, the nearly-dead marine would be able to live and serve the emperor for thousands of years longer than he could expect to survive normally.
Colias, after his victory over the C'Tan, had quickly gained the status of chapter hero and his nomination for interment had gone unchallenged. Soon after his fall, he was rushed to the orbiting spacecraft, his life barely sustained by the apothecaries, and had begun interment. It was now finished.
The chief techmarine of the chapter went behind the dreadnought, said another prayer, and typed a command into the keypad next to the engine. The engine slowly came online and lights on various parts of the machine flickered to life. It stood up off the pedestal it had been mounted on with its short armored legs. It swiveled the torso for a moment, as if looking around to gain its bearings, and then stopped to face the group of marines standing in front of it. The Vox-Coder activated and a deep voice emanated from the depths of the machine. The voice was lumbering, as if its owner was very tired and was laboring to speak.
The silence…the voices…why can I not hear them? Am I alone, at last?++
The dreadnought 'looked around' again, and took a step forward. It made a clanking sound that could be heard throughout the ship. It paused again, and then moved its left arm. This was a massive construct, consisting of a large metal canister with four large "fingers", one opposite the other. The dreadnought rotated this now, rapidly, and then stopped. It faced the marines once more.
I see…I am honored… yet saddened. I can only hope that I may still be of service to the chapter. It will be my only happiness, now.++
"Behold," said the Grandmaster of Techmarines, who was among the crowd gathered before the behemoth, "The living dreadnought Colias. May your faith, perseverance and righteous actions inspire our hearts and minds to greater feats of glory for the Emperor and the Lion, and may you continue to serve for many millennia."
…I thank you, brother. This… is where I will stay?++
The marine nodded. "Yes, venerable brother."
Ah…then I must contemplate… my duty. If it would please you…I would like…to be alone.++
"As you wish, venerated one. Brothers." The apothecaries and techmarines bowed their heads at the grandmaster's command and with him in the lead, filed out a blast door, which opened automatically at their approach. The last marine in the line paused outside the door, noticing that the Master Gladius had not moved.
"Are you coming, Master?" inquired the marine.
The terminator turned to face the lone marine. "In a moment, brother. You may go." The marine bowed, and left, leaving Gladius and the entombed Colias. Gladius suddenly moved towards the dreadnought and kneeled on one foot. He had just realized that Colias would rather die with his powers than live without them, but it was too late now. The deed was done- he would serve as a dreadnought until he or his life support machinery was blown asunder in combat. That would probably be a thousand or so years from now.
"Forgive me, brother. I only sought to help you serve better." He looked at the floor, trying to find some absolution from the sin that brought his friend such sadness. He found none. He hadn't expected to.
We both… know that you did this… for yourself…++
Gladius knew it was true, and he knelt as low as his armor would allow. The dreadnought backed up from where it was standing and sat back down in its pedestal. Various hoses and connectors arose and linked with the machine, feeding it power and information.
Arise… my friend. You will have… my forgiveness. But you…must earn it. I… have a task for you.++
Gladius stood up and stared at the gilded cover of the sarcophagus. It was embossed with the image of death, robed, standing atop a mountain of skulls. Its wings were outstretched and one hand was held high in the air. The hand held a sword, from which lightning shot out in all directions, and it was driven through a horned skull. Above this was inscribed 'ANGELVS TENEBRAE' and below the image a scroll reading 'COLIAS' was chained in place. At the very top there was a small slit with a crystal lens inside that glowed red faintly. Despite the eerie beauty of it, Gladius saw none of it. He couldn't help but see the face of his old friend. It wore a frown.
"Anything, my brother. Name the task, and it shall be done."
You… must find me… a replacement. I have… checked the records… of the chapter… and there are no…junior librarians. Nor are there… any scouts… with psychic potential. You must… search worlds until… a suitable citizen… is found. Then you will… have my forgiveness.++
"Very well, brother. I will do this; by the Emperor's Name I will. You, and He, deserve as much."
Indeed. Now… I feel tired. I think… I will take… a nap. Goodnight… brother.++
With these words, most of the lights on the dreadnought flickered off. A display next to his pedestal showed that he had entered hibernation, to be awakened at the next battle zone.
Brother Gladius left the armory swiftly. He knew he could get this approved- Colias wasn't the only one who had gained honor in the chapter as a result of the battle against the Necrons. Some of the other masters might object to his taking their forces, but Grandmaster Azrael was sympathetic to such causes, and understood what it was like to have a sacred mission. Even without the help of the chapter master, Gladius was sure he could pull this off. Rank did have it's privelages.