"My lord, Company Master Antilochus has requested your presence at the Citadel."
"I thank you, soldier."
As I step into the rhino that accompanied the detachment of Imperial Guard I think about how I ended up on this planet.
Just after the victory on Thuneris IV I was promoted to sergeant we received word that a small group of inquisitors were heading to Thuneris VI to investigate reports of the local wildlife decreasing in numbers. They required a company of Astartes to help them with security. It was only after we met up with them that we learnt that they were from the Ordo Xenos. The other's among 3rd company thought they had the chance to fight against the forces of the warp, perhaps even the Fallen Angels. Some said it wasn't a worthy task of the Dark Angels but the higher ups insisted that it was some thing that had to be done. We also learnt that 6th company had also come along. A total of two hundred space marines had been assigned to this; I recognized that this was a threat that would require a large amount of strength. Chaplin Azeol also understood this. When we arrived here we didn't see anything odd, just a dense forest world with cities scattered around the planet, we were stationed at the capitol, Farkanis. The guardsmen said that everything was calm, less attacks from the native animals, other than that the only thing that was noticeable was the slight increase in planetary temperatures. It has been two months since deployment and some of my men are getting agitated, saying that there is nothing of interest on this planet, no point in being here. But I always remind them that this was ordered by a Company Master, a member of the inner circle.
I realised that I had reached the Citadel, I had thought to my self the entire trip here. I collected my sword, bolter and helm from the bench. As I raised the helmet to my bare head the back door of the rhino opened to let in a bright ray of light. I step out with bolter in right hand and sword on my hip; guardsmen hurry around the courtyard, all of them with some sort of objective, I count only 15 Astartes, others would be inside or on the city wall. Brother Vilkas came up beside me,
"May I hold your bolter, sir?"
I handed it to him without a word, he's one of the oldest men in 3rd company, still wears his mk6 armour, whereas I have moved onto mk8. I hurried to the central room of the Citadel. When I arrived there was another two Astartes in the room, Company Master Antilochus and Sergeant Kalkan.
"Remove your helm sergeant; I want this to be quick but no need for formalities."
I place my helm on the table in front of me. I looked across at Kalkan, the sergeant of 4th squad, had his black hair pulled back leaving his forehead bare with the exception of the aquilla tattooed on to the middle of it.
"Sergeant Kalkan, Sergeant Malcron, I'm sure you both are very interested to know exactly why I have requested your presence here. I am tired of waiting, you will lead your squads into the forest to the east, and you will be accompanied by a platoon of guardsmen and an Inquisitor. You will keep going until you reach the 500km mark. As for mechanization your squads will have a rhino each, feel free to let your Battle Brothers arm themselves how they see fit. If you find nothing send a vox message back and return."
"But if you get the chance, find a way to kill the Inquisitor."