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Silver Knights ~ Gladius I
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Battle Barge Salacia. Reductus Sector. Segmentum Tempestus. 997. M41
"The situation is not good on Daeron Primaris,'' Skyes began. As the command meeting progressed he finally got the chance to deliver his own petition about a half-hour after the meeting had started board the battle barge Salacia.
Inquisitor Sykes was a slender, middle-aged man of exceptional build for his age. His patrician features were framed by a silver goatee. He wore grey robes with the silver icon of the Alien Relations branch at the front.
The command room of the Salacia was filled with the various members of the Imperial hierarchy. Guard commanders, Navy Admirals, Sororitas officers and Astartes champions all gathered at data-platforms or were represented by hololiths.
Here was Grand Marshal Calston of Cadia, in charge of four different army groups across the Leviathan warfront. There was Lord Admiral Rooks, the veteran commander of Battlefleet Reductus and the victor of Valtek's Nebula. Here Knight-Commander Valerian and Knight-Commander Qoyon, both of the Silver Knights.
Of course they paled next to the glory of the Emperor's favoured.
Roboute Guilliman was present in holo-form, transmitting from his own flagship via- holoith. His form dwarfed everyone else, clad in magnificent artificer-forged armor with the great gauntlets of Macragge encasing each immense fist.
Sky and Sea were also present. The slender forms of Lady Amphithoe and Lady Esin sat before the central data-table. Both were clad in artificer-forged power armor. Each piece had been hand-crafted by the finest artisans of the Emperor's Children and the White Scars.
It was an immense honor to be in the presence of the Emperor's daughters. Sykes himself was a big admirer of Lady Amphithoe's own work. He even had an Chemos original painting on his own estate back on Agrippa Minor.
"As you all know, after the victory at Tarsis Ultra we were able to successfully reestablish communications and move to engage the Tyranids before they could gain much headway into the southern edges of the Segmentum Tempestus,'' The Inquisitor continued.
War. War on a scale not seen since the Great Crusade ten millennia ago. The entire southern edge of the Segmentum Tempestus was aflame with the fires of war. Eighty chapters under the leadership of Roboute Guilliman and Lady Esin fought the Tyranids alongside Guardsmen beyond number.
The mighty war machine of the Imperium hard arrived a few months after Tarsis Ultra. The Imperium had done its best to evacuate its citizens out of the path of Leviathan, but the Hive Fleet had consumed hundreds of worlds and had gorged itself to frightening proportions
Primarchs Angron, Mortarion, Russ and the Khan had all departed with reinforcements. But it would take a month at least before they could arrive. Rumors had it that Senshi Saturn was seriously being considered for active use.
"But I would like to draw your attention to Daeron,'' Sykes pointed to the planet on the holo-map.
"The situation is in jeopardy on many planets,'' Calston pointed out.
"This one is special. I've read reports. Daeron was studying Tyranids genetics correct?'' Esin asked, leaning forward.
"Yes. It was an Ordo Xenos research site in conjunction with the Biologis branch of Mercurians. They were dissecting and studying Tyranids bodies as to figure out how to develop weapons to defeat them,'' The Inquisitor told them.
"Why did they not evacuate then?'' Amphithoe asked.
"They underestimated the Tyranid advance. They came far too quickly ahead of calculations. Once the Tyranids attacked the planet it became difficult to evacuate the warzone through the Tyranid fleet,'' Sykes reported.
"So what do you propose?'' Calston asked.
"Assistance from Astartes if possible to help evacuate.''
"I would be inclined to help, but all forces under my command are either engaged against overwhelming numbers or simply too far away.'' Guilliman told him.
"My lord this data is vital,'' Sykes begged.
"How vital are we talking?'' Calston asked.
"Data for the Scylla Project. Data that could help turn the tide of the conflict.''
The Scylla Project. A brainchild of the Ordo Xenos's brightest minds to research weapons against the Tyranid threat. Such a thing was necessitated due to the Tyranid's own freakish adaptive abilities and unique biology.
"I have an idea. Some elements of the Silver Knights are moving in as part of the first wave of reinforcements. I suggest diverting Kill-Team Gladius to Daeron,'' Amphithoe suggested.
"Gladius….. isn't that Vandius's team?'' asked Quyon.
"Oh, that Captain, the one with the bionic eye,'' Esin drummed her fingers lightly on the holo-platform. She had also fought alongside her lover's Silver Knights before, and had only good things to say about them. The Talassar-born officer was one of Amphithoe's best troubleshooters who had quite a reputation for himself.
Oh, she knew Vandius quite well from his archived profile and service record. Hundred and sixty-four years old, most of that time spent in the Ultramarines and the Silver Knights. He was a former member of the First Company and the Ultramarines Honor Guard before transfer and had served in a leadership position in a kill-team ever since.
He also had a reputation as a rather unforgiving commander who drove his men to excel. There had been more than one clash with his fellow Silver Knights about matters of protocol and combat doctrine in the field. The man certainly told his mind to his peers and held little back.
"His name has crossed my desk,'' frowned Quyon.
"I like him,'' Amphithoe told the Knight-Commander.
"My Lady…Vandius has a reputation,'' Quyon informed her.
"A sterling reputation of victory you mean,'' Valerian responded.
"Forgive me Lords and Ladies, but could you clarify please?'' Sykes asked.
"Strike Team Gladius of the Silver Knights, commanded by Knight-Captain Marcus Vandius of the Ultramarines. Currently operating out of an Arrowhead class stealth frigate, Pegasus,'' Valerian told him.
"And he can retrieve the data and the survivors?'' Sykes asked.
"Certainly. Marcus is nothing if efficient,'' Primarch Guilliman told him.
"It's settled then. Tech-Priest, prepare a transmission to Marcus as soon as his ship is in range?'' Amphithoe turned to address to a nearby Tech-Priest.
"Yes milady.''
The silver giant walked down the hallway of the Pegasus. He paused at a door and waited for the integrated scanners to confirm his identity. After a moment the doors chimed and he was admitted entrance into the holo-room.
A brown-haired woman in blue robes sat at a lectern in the corner of the room. She fiddled with some controls before turning around and nodding to the Silver Knight. She flipped a few more switches and observed the data-board.
"It's ready Lord Vandius.''
"Thank you Shayera,'' The Knight-Captain replied. He had a broad, rather unremarkable face save for a single finely crafted bionic replacement left eye that glowed a faint blue. Three scars twisted over and around the skin surrounding the eye, the legacy of the genestealer that had taken it. His brown hair was shaven closely as per Macraggian military tradition.
His armor was a masterfully forged MKIV plate replica, updated and modified with additional command features and an improved communications suite. One shoulder pad was black, depicting a silver moon and trident, representing Serenity and the Senshi that commanded that particular sub-chapter of the Silver Knights, Lady Neptune. The other shoulder guard depicted an azure "U'' set on a silver field.
The symbol cap was a token of his former chapter, it was quarried out of rock cut from the Macraggian mountains around the Fortress of Hera. His breastplate depicted an eagle-winged trident. His silver armor was engraved with words and script copied from the Codex Astartes itself. He wore the cingulum, the Ultramarines honor belt, from his waist.
He stood before the central holo-altar as the Pegasus finally came into short-range transmission. Rapidly the light flickered before him to reveal the images of Lady Amphithoe and Esin.
"How may I serve you my Lady?'' Vandius asked, his voice calm and composed as he stood stock still, like some sort of silver statue.
"Marcus it's always good to see you. Your services are required,'' Amphithoe told him warmly.
"Yes, the Tyranids, I know. My team is ready and eager,'' Vandius nodded.
"Your team is needed at another place actually. Here at Daeron Primaris,'' Amphithoe gestured. A data-field appeared shimmering in the light as Vandius's trained eye took time to study the various figures within.
"Has something come up?'' The Ultramarine asked carefully.
"A rescue and extraction operation,'' Neptune told him.
"Daeron ….that's a Mercurian world is it not? Am I to assume we are the only ones available?'' Vandius asked with the feeling he already knew the answer.
"Not quite. You will be retrieving the scientists and data. I will be heading the overall mission with a half-company of White Scars and a dozen Kasrkin brigades to finish the evacuation,'' Esin said.
"Lady Esin? You will be present? I am honored,'' It was not often that Vandius had fought under Lady Esin's command.
"I've been stuck on this ship too long. Cabin fever. Good to get out,'' Esin mused.
"However there is one present matter in addition to your deployment. You need a replacement Librarian.'' Amphithoe told him.
"Urios's loss was unfortunate,'' Vandius lamented.
"I have a suitable candidate from my chapter of Silver Knights.'' Esin told him.
"Who?''
" Glycon Dovah of the Salamanders,'' Another brief holo-image appeared with the profile of the Marine in question. Vandius studied it briefly.
"When will I be meeting him?
"Soon.''
"I'll make preparations then,'' Vandius told them.