Angels Lament
Hello there and thank you for taking the time to read today's chapter of Angels Lament, I hope it is able to at the very least entertain you and give you a fun little pass time if nothing else. I hope to be able to get the next chapter out in the following two weeks so here's to hoping that time table remains accurate.
Chapter 23: Angel Wrath Part III
Antros had been prepared for when the Mortal Commander activated the emergency processors, and because of his preparation, he had been able to shut the valves before they unleashed their harvesting chemicals. This allowed Antros's brothers to secure and save each person with the right amount of care. With Ancient Moriar himself joined in on the heroics as he saved a mortal child from the ensnarement of the Collector's Cells.
The sight of the mighty and rightly feared Dreadnought dotting over a mortal child bringing a smirk to Antros's face as he observed the scene. But the smile quickly faded as Antros looked upon the prone form of Commander Shepard, the 'Citadel Hero' being revived by the apprentice Medicae. The Commander was coming around but she was still delirious, the poor woman mumbled incoherent nonsense as the Medicae saw too her.
The Commander's beloved had finally been freed as well from his cell, and though Antros was no Apothecary, he could see the man was in dire straits. His lower body exposed as his armor had been burned off by the volatile chemicals. The skin that had made contact with the Collector's fluid looking as though it had been dumped into a chemical vat.
The worst damage had been done to the man's legs, with his feet barely recognizable as having once been fully formed appendages. While his upper leg was less damaged it was still in terrible condition, the skin looking tender even from where Antros stood. Sanguinary Priest Albinus was tending to the poor man and doing his best to stabilize him, the Apothecary administering bio-boosters and bandaging the soldier's legs.
As Antros watched his brothers and the mortals work he thought about what he had let occur, his thoughts clouded by emotion he knew not what to do with. 'I feel regret for causing his maiming, but it was not a pointless occurrence. I made Shepard panic so deeply so that when she recovers and sees what she caused she might understand what her uncontrolled feelings will cause, but on an even greater scale than this. While yes I could have saved the Mortal from his injuries this would have made my actions without purpose. But with his great wounds Shepard will learn her mistake. Though I will have to live with the weight of his maiming, as I live with all of my decisions that result in such suffering, at least with his suffering others will not have to suffer even worse fates.'
Antros's grime thoughts of reflection were cut short as the voice of Brother Donotriel called for him over the Vox. "Chief Librarian, Squad Beltos reports success in their Primary Mission Objective, they are now moving for extraction on the Northside Hangar Bay, where Squadron Helios will pick them up."
Antros nodded somewhat absent-mindedly, but he understood what was being said to him.
Donotriel continued a moment later, his voice more direct. "Should we see the Mortals to safety or leave them to get back to their vessel?"
Antros let out a heavy sigh as he set his thought to the side, after a second he answered his voice neutral. "We will safeguard the Mortals. I still sense something hunts them here."
The lively voice of Lieutenant Tolmeron entered the Vox then. "Then should we not search out these would-be predators? Surely that would ensure these mortals survive while allowing us to return to The Angel's Retribution all the sooner."
Antros answered quickly enough his words carrying his mind's foresight. "They will come to us, it is merely a matter of waiting for them. But In the meantime Brother Lieutenant, you may have your squad watch the entrances once the last of the mortals are freed."
"As you will, Chief Librarian." Responded Tolmeron
The Brothers in Squad Tolmeron doubled their efforts to free the imprisoned. With the first mortals that were removed from the cells finally awakening. Their first moments after regaining consciousness were anxious ones as they took in their new and dreadful surroundings. Antros witnessing the Mortal woman, Joslyn, crying tears of joy as her son awoke from his slumber. While others reunions weren't as heartfelt as the mother's reunion, but all were joyous in some manner.
After the last cell had been broken and the last mortal freed, Antros let his mind slip, slowly letting his Psychic Nature envelope his mind, allowing him to see small glimpses of what might happen next. Most of the time the Fragmented Images were incomprehensible, though Antros was well experienced in forcing them into what he needed to know. But these visions he saw now, they were far too clear and precise, clearer than was even normal in this reality. There was something wrong with them, and Antros already had a notion of what it was.
Antros on instinct shut his mind out from the warp, his body shuddering slightly at the process. In the same moment as he returned to his body Antros opened a Vox Link with all of his present Brothers, both in the room with him and aboard the full ship. Antros's voice was quick, but his words were clear, his tone as serious as the grave. "Brothers be on guard! The Enemy prepares to strike us, and have begun employing Psychic Interference to hinder my ability to see what they are preparing. Active Orders are to move to extraction, but to remain vigilant, for anything lurking in the shadows. To Squads Beltos and Alender, should you encounter foes in a high concentration you are to report it and pull back and leave this vessel do not attempt to slay them all these may be traps laid by the Enemy."
Antros's message pinged to have been received by the other squads, their sergeants and commanders answering a moment later reaffirming they had gotten Antros's message and would perform as he directed.
Once his subordinates stopped replying Antros turned to look at the rooms other entrance, the corridor the foul Husks and Collectors had retreated down some time ago. Though he couldn't Psychically Sense that anything was coming from the corridor, his greatly enhanced hearing and the Auto-Senses of his suit more than made up for it, his ears detecting the sound of feet pattering on steel, while his Auto-Senses picked up a massive spike in biological signatures coming from deep within the unlit corridor.
Upon recognizing this Antros again neurally-commanded his Vox to open, saying the instant the click sounded as the vox unit activated. "Brothers form up, we have creatures approaching from the west corridor."
Some of the Blood Angels had already noticed the growing noise and had already been moving and preparing for the incoming attack, but once ordered directly all Astartes within the Chamber came alive with activity. Antros quickly ordered a rudimentary battleline be created, commanding the Tacticus and Assault Squads to act as the wall that would meet the Collectors ilk. Antros then ordered the Aggressor and Devastator Squads, along with Tolmeron's personal retinue of Veterans to safeguard the Mortals and to see them out of the fight and to an extraction point he had yet to call upon.
Along with the Mortals would also go Ancient Moriar, who would act as their primary shield as they escaped while the other Astartes protected their flanks. Sanguinary Priest Albinus would also go with the mortals so he could ensure the stability of Kaiden Alenko, as well as to ensure all further injuries were seen as they escaped. The human fighters would also go with this group, their additional firearms while redundant would at least help guarantee the Mortals spirits and haste.
Antros was thoughtful for a moment after ordering all this his mind clearly focused on thinking of the best way to extract both his brothers and the Mortals, while also securing his repayment to Kaiden, for letting him he struck down in such a way unbefitting a mortal warrior who had sacrificed as much as him. 'While escorting them to the Normandy would be the most positive outcome allowing us to ensure some of our capabilities remained out of the public eye, it is also the most inefficient and dangerous path to take, as it would require us to cross the whole length of this cursed vessel again. As well as this would leave my Brothers and I to have to hold the position until a squadron could pick us up. But the only other manner that would allow all of them to escape and ensure my own Brother's safety is to extract us all through the Termite Transporter. It would be cramped, yes but It would be the safest and closest route to take, as well as in doing this I might be able to give some chance to the Mortal Kaiden Alenko. While yes this Galaxy's medical accomplishments are great, they are still nowhere near the heights the Mechanicus and our Imperium have achieved.'
Antros quickly thought this all over in the time it took for the last of the Mortals to be at their feet and ready to move, though some, in the case of those longer exposed to the paralyzing liquid along with N7 Alenko and Commander Shepard were being carried either by imprompt made gurneys or in the arms of a Blood Angel. But with his mind made up and his resolve strengthened Antros ordered his Brothers on their heading, saying in a clear voice through his helmets powered speakers. "Brothers, you will escort the civilians and the Mortal Warriors to the Termite Transport, where you will await the rest of us to meet with you once you are safely aboard."
Antros then turned his head down to the huddled and scared mob of Human Normals and said to them in the same voice. "Innocents, you all will have the great honor of being the first of your people to step forth on a sacred vessel of my people. The Angel's Retribution, she is called. You may see many marvelous or strange things while within her mighty hold, but I would ask of you that in repayment for your rescue that you say nothing of what you see aboard her. That is all I would ask of you, and that you listen to what my Brothers here and aboard the vessel instruct you to do, as it is not only to help us but also for your safekeeping. Do my requests sound agreeable?" Antros added flair into his voice as he asked his final question, hoping his words would find some honest people's hearts, though he knew the small chance that any of them would truly stay quiet about what they saw.
The crowd of people answered disjointedly with most saying their agreement to the 'terms' Antros had given them, while Antros detected the human mercenary grumbled a low collection of curses under his breath at the end. But Antros paid that little attention to the foul-smelling bounty hunter, though some part of Antros's mind wished he had also ordered the man back to the Normandy with the traitorous Xenos. Though it was too late now for that thought so Antros refocused his mind in the same breath and turned to his brothers that had formed a protective circle around the Mortal mob of civilians.
Saying once he looked at them, giving a side glance to the Human Normals as he spoke to ensure their attention remained on him. "You all will be under the protection, and Command of my Brother Lieutenant, Tolmeron. He is a compassionate warrior and an experienced officer, if you do as he instructs and in a timely manner, I promise you all will return to your homes safely."
Antros noticed the sound of the Collectors approaching, the noise now seeming to be perceptible to the Mortals. This caused a wave of concern and a series of fearful gasps to leave the crowd. Antros quickly spoke again saying his final orders to his brothers in a way both they and the Mortals could understand. "Go now and remain by one another, as I do not leave people behind." Antros internally screamed as he realized an accursed Xeno was witness to what he said.
But before Antros could regret saying such civil things in the presence of an alien, especially of this galaxy's deceitful species, a turian from the hideous look of the creature, he pressed his mind into reciting a combat hymn under his breath. The words calming his thoughts while also sending his mind and body into a battle rhythm. As Antros prepared for the coming fight Tolmeron quickly pushed the Mortal crowd to follow him and their other escorts, the large warrior doing his best to instruct the civilians on what to do should they be attacked, all the while leading the procession of people and Astartes. The Lieutenant doing admirably in his new mission.
As the last of the fleeing mortals and escorting Aggressors rounded a faraway corner Antros heard the roar of a Bolter as the first enemies came into sight down their main corridor. Antros turning instantly to face the incoming foes. The hallway had no artificial lighting forcing the Astartes to rely on either their enhanced vision, or on their suits Auto-Senses and Auspex systems. Even with this slight hindrance, the Blood Angels were far more experienced in fighting in even more uncooperative conditions, making these opening seconds of the battle hardly recognizable as a struggle. Bolters barking and firing their explosive shells into the darkness, screams of dying creatures returning back from the darkness.
While the lighting was minimal Antros could still see movement in the shadows, his eyes actively tracking at least a dozen targets, with the light provided by the Bolter rounds as they connected with targets exploding on impact adding more than enough light for Antros to get a basic understanding of what was racing towards them.
For the most part, it was the same as all of the Collectors offensives, a large wave of creatures coming at them with varied support troops intermingled with the horde. More elite units, such as Guardians, Warriors, and Captains being the real opponents to watch for. While the Drones were simply there to bolster their numbers while giving the enemy something else to focus on as they relentlessly charged. But unlike all the rest of the Collectors foes, Blood Angels were well trained for dealing with such fights, their weapons fire disciplined and combat doctrine ready to stop them.
But something seemed off, to Antros, some part of him was yelling at himself, offering a warning that something was not normal about this engagement, and that the Collectors had something else planned than just their normal and old tactics.
…
Tolmeron had hoped to stay with the Chief Librarian, when their foes came at them but that had not been the case, to his warrior spirits despair. But Tolmeron would be diligent in his present quest, the lives of his mortal charges sacred to him, and to his honor as a Blood Angel. With his present mission be the extraction of the mortals and of his Brethren. A mission with its own glory that was equal in its splendor with the valor earned in battle.
Tolmeron pressed forward, his body poised for an assault that could come at any time. The lieutenant leading his charges and brothers from the front his eyes searching the oncoming corridors with a scouts precision for any possible threats. For now, he saw nothing but the continued expanse of the Xenos ships underbelly, the ship itself seeming to have been designed more like a Hive than a true warship, this making its traversal with wounded, incapacitated, and frightened men and women a far harder undertaking. With the ships strange and erratic slopes and passageways slowing the Mortals that were still reawakening from their imprisonment aboard this foul and corrupt ship.
Following on Tolmeron's heels were three of his personal guards, brothers he had fought nearly a full century and a half with, their courage undeniable and their dedication unquestionable. Swiftly after them was Ancient Moriar, the Venerable Dreadnought taking up over half of the space in the corridor, his body placed as such to act as a barrier in the defense of the mortals. The Ancient's chassis-mounted-spotlight casting away the darkness that lay before their path, this having been done for the mortals so they could have some understanding of their present heading.
After the mighty frame of Moriar came the first group of mortals, the fighters, and the crew of the Normandy. They were an assorted lot including one Xenos presently amongst their ranks. The crew was in a miserable state, their morale low and their strength even lower, many of the worse off stumbling somewhat aimlessly through the ship their only guide being those that surrounded them. The fighters were in much the same state as their fellow crew members, their only difference being their own varied training and unique spirits giving them enough of a second wind so that they still knew fully where they were headed and what they still might need to face.
Next came a duo of Brothers in the Aggressor Squad, their Gravis Pattern Power Armor outfitted with Assault Bolters, a newer model made for suppression and annihilation. These Brothers had their weapons trained on anything that might be used as an entry point. Including the air ventilation system junction that their suits Auspex were able to pick up through the floors and walls. Though no enemies had been detected through the walls. Then during times when the procession was not within the tight confines of the main corridors and in the open halls and rooms, the Aggressors had the responsibility of being on overwatch on any threats that could arrive from below or above.
Following quickly after those heavily armored Blood Angels was the final grouping of Mortals, those civilians who had been discovered in the Collectors processing pens. Like the other group of Human Normals, they were varied, mainly in age, compared to the other grouping from the Normandy, but all were human. This group was the most unnerved as well as the main cause for their slow progress, as they were merely civilians, and therefore had no training or past experiences to draw upon to get them through what was happening. With the group now was a Novice Brother Apothecary, the Young Astartes doing his best to see to the arising problems faced by the weaker mortals while still ensuring the group moved.
Swiftly after them came the final three groups of Astartes, the rest of the Aggressors Squad, the Tacticus Squad, and the Devastators Squad. The three squads staying on high alert and continually scanning behind themselves to ensure there were no enemies coming from the rear.
The group had just passed through a large chamber, and were entering into a smaller corridor on the right side of the room, the strange openness and size of the previous room, as well as its dark coloring and lackluster lighting making their new surroundings, feel constricting and claustrophobic in comparison. This had no real effect on the Astartes, besides forcing them to be packed closer together, but its impact was felt wholly by the Human Normals.
Tolmeron pinged their location on his command auspex, the information telling him they were only a little less than 200 meters away from the Termite. The Lieutenant quickly relayed this info to his subordinates and pressed on with renewed interest as they were drawing so close to their goal, and to safety for the mortals and his brethren.
…
The Collectors first waves had proven to be more coordinated than Antros had originally expected, their fire well disciplined. Their weapons fire was so accurate and overwhelming that cracks and holes had begun to form in some of the primary Ceramite plates, but the secondary layers had held meaning no true injuries or suit damage had been dealt. Antros' own left Pauldron marked heavily, its once intricate and lavish design of a battlefield now pockmarked and cracked beyond recognition. The battle had progressed little otherwise, with the endless horde of Collectors continuing to spill forth as Antros and his brother's held the line against the foul Xenos.
As the battle continued Antros received a Vox Communique from Lieutenant Tolmeron tiling of his success in reaching the Termite. The report also telling of how no enemies had been encountered on their path to the Termite. This point did not go unnoticed by Antros even as he fought on against the foul creatures swarming around him and his Brothers. The Chief Librarian dedicated a small part of his mind to theorizing on what could be the reason for the lack of enemies attempting to stop the fleeing group. Especially when their original target of the Mortal Commander had been within that group. But these theories were continuously halted as the battle waged
The two squads of Tacticus Marines had begun to pull back to the chamber's exit, the Astartes taking turns offering cover fire for one another as they fell back. As they performed this the Assault Marines, Sanguinary Guards, and Librarians held the main horde at bay, cutting the cretins to ribbons. Finally as the last Tacticus Marines formed up at the door the Sergeant sent a Message Hymnal of the squad's completion of taking the ordered position at the exit.
But as the message pinged in Antros's ears so did his emergency klaxon system, alerting him to a newly approaching threat. Antros immediately summoned his tactical display, the map of his surroundings with enemy and friendly signatures covering it forming instantaneously in the corner of his helmet's display. On the tactical map was a rapidly growing red blip symbolizing a large grouping of enemy bio-signatures quickly entering scanner range from Antros's rear.
Antros swept wide with Vitarus a wave of warpfire cascading from the blade, the flames burning a mighty swath of the creatures away until not even ash remained of their corrupted forms. The warpfire passed through all Blood Angels like it was hot air, the tidal wave of fire pressing on and burning all else, including the substance of the vessel, causing the material to warp and twist as the flames cascaded over the surface. The large grouping of Collectors that were burned away allowing Antros line of sight on the new swarm of creatures incoming from where he had meant to evacuate through. The unsightly cretins swarming down the dark corridor hoping to add their horde to those already attacking the Blood Angels.
The Tacticus Marines who had been at the exit immediately picked up on the enemies coming from behind, the Astartes turning in an instant before letting their bolters roar their vengeance upon the creatures. The Horde's advance all but stopped in its tracks as the Marines fired Fragmentation Bolt Shells into the swarm, the ammunition blowing up before impact sending dozens of high-velocity shrapnel pieces towards the wider group of Collectors. But even with concentrated fire and well-disciplined aiming the Horde of Collectors pressed on shortly after being momentarily halted.
Antros while this occurred fought off another small group of the Collectors Shock Troops, his mind quickly gathering its thoughts on what to do next. 'Both exits are now being held by Xenos Forces. While we could push through our original path it may result in needless injuries and possibly, if we underestimate our foes, the death or severe injury of one of my Brethren. As our Armor is beginning to break under the constant hammering of the enemy. Therefore I must think of another more preferable escape route.' Antros then commanded his armors Auspex to do a scan for any other routes for them. His scan found that a small corridor passed directly underneath them, his suit reporting the tunnel connected to a lifter shaft not a hundred meters away.
The Chief Librarian quickly concluded his deliberations after his findings and barked an order to Sergeant Taluis of the Assault Marines. "Place a charge there," said Antros, sending a location ping to the Sergeant as he continued to slice through a trio of Collector Drones.
"As Ordered Chief Librarian." Responded the Sergeant the bestial roar of his Chainsword silencing after cutting a pouncing Collector in half allowing the Officer to do as he was ordered.
The large warrior used his great bulk and enhanced strength to force his way through a small group of regrouping Collectors. His massive frame smashing them all aside he pushed beyond them and drew near to his objective. Upon reaching the alien grate the Sergeant reached to his left side, quickly strapping his Bolt Pistol to his side before moving his hand back across his body to where more of his armaments lied, such as his grenades. As he did this he revved his Chainsword and brutally hacked three approaching Husks apart, the tortured creature's screams echoing in the Sergeants ears. The noise was barely as horrendous as many of the monsters of home, but the knowledge that those creatures once had been normal humans caused a righteous flame to flicker in the Blood Angel's Chest. The Sergeant silently vowing to avenge the innocent taken to become such creatures.
Amidst the screams and shrieking of the Collectors there came an Roar of Song as the Blood Angels began to sing an ancient battle cry, a song with its creation dating back to the birth of their Legion, back when the Sons of Sanguinius had yet to even be reunited with their Primarch and back to when they were known by the moniker of the Revenant Legion. Songs that echoed a singular unflinching and powerful roar that spoke of a fighting spirit that could war to the ends of the universe and beyond. The Sergeant joined his voice into the song as he grasped the charge in his left hand inspecting it a second to ensure it was the right explosive.
Etched along the side in High Gothic was a single word, 'Melta'. The Sergeant read the inscription and primed the grenade instantly. Quickly crouching and placing the magnetic clap to the ground before immediately standing again and forcing his way through another small group of Collectors. After making it about five meters away the Sergeant heard the sound of the grenade go off, and the hiss of the alien material as it vaporized from the Melta charges heat.
Once looking back and verifying the charge had broken through the floor the sergeant opened his comms saying once the unit clicked on. "Charges planted and successfully detonated, Chief Librarian. Awaiting further instruction."
"Great work Brother Sergeant, now prepare your squad to hold our position as the rest of our brothers go through our new route. Once the Tacticus Asartes go through your squad will follow. Then you and my personal squad will lead our forces along that path, understood, Sergeant?" Answered Antros quickly following his praise with another series of commands.
Instead of responding verbally, Sergeant Taluis sent an affirmative ping through the vox, rather the veteraned Astartes focused on revving his sword and smashing the sacred blade to eviscerate a Collector Captain that had drawn close to attempt to produce a Drone Swarm to harass the Blood Angels. The commander creature let out a feral screech as the Chainsword began to cut him in twain.
After that Antros sent the command for the Tacitus Squad to make a run for their new path, the Squads officer replied immediately with an affirmative and then prepared his Brothers for their assignment informing them quickly of how they would be moving and in what order they would be following. The orders intermingled with efficient displays of martial and firearm prowess as the Tacticus squad continued to unleash flurries of bolts and fury at the encroaching enemies the squad had line of sight on.
Once the Collectors had been pushed back an adequate amount the Tacticus Marines quickly moved the Sergeant bringing up the rear, his dual Heavy Bolt Pistols barking our fiery retribution at all of the Collectors and Husks that attempted to follow after them. Finally, after the whole squad reached the break in the floor they one by one inserted down the hole their bolters ready to respond to any new threats that might emerge from the dark tunnel they now entered. After only a minute the whole squad of ten Astartes were down and proficiently scanning their surroundings of the tunnel network.
The small corridor was only large enough for a Primaris Marine the ceiling only a few centimeters away from scraping the Astartes heads. While the width of the tunnel was only sparsely wider meaning that only two Blood Angels could stand shoulder to shoulder and not have their prowess jeopardized. The Tunnel itself wasn't lit, though the Astartes Power Armor and naturally enhanced vision could be seen plainly, with the only foreseeable use of the shaft being either for a small railway system for transport of items and soldiers, or for the tunnels to be a basic ventilation system. Though the latter theory could have been untrue as there were now visible fans or other systems for air ventilation. The walls to the corridor were smooth and more metallic than those from above, with there being far less of a biological component than other areas of the ship.
After the Tacticus Marines were down Antros and his guard came down followed quickly by Sergeant (Name) and his Squad of Assault Marines. Once everyone was below the Collectors began to try and pursue down and into the hole, but the Tacticus Marines were prepared and quickly suppressed the entrance as the rest of those now within the tunnel readjusted themselves, and performed necessary maintenance and rearmament. Such as administering repair kits to their armor by using small handheld welding and repair tools to patch small holes and seal cracks formed in Ceramite plates. While also reloading firearms and chanting rudimentary prayers meant to help preserve and safeguard equipment and weapons such as power weapons and Chainswords, of which many were now dulling or overheating from their constant use.
These repairs and rearmaments took only a second and soon the group was off Antros and Sanguinary Guard Nikolaus taking point at the front of the group as they ventured further into the dark tunnels. Antros and all his brothers taking note of the sudden fact that their pursuers had halted in their attack as no more of the craven filth attempted to follow them down into the tunnels. After moving for around two minutes the tunnel quickly widened and split into three separate paths.
Antros's Auspex scanning each corridor for life signs before surveying the terrain and matching the new data with the maps taken by the Blood Angels Strike Cruiser when they had initially scanned the Collector Vessel. Antros's suit deciphering that they were about nearing the part of the Collector ship that the Blood Angels scanners hadn't been able to penetrate near the center of the Collector's vessel. Antros quickly deciding on their path before taking the tunnel on the left, leading deeper into the vessel with a plan of his own in mind.
...
It didn't take long for the force of Angels to reach the end of the tunnel they had taken. The end came somewhat abruptly after a few dozen twists and turns, where the path simply ended, the black metal that made the walls suddenly forming in front of them as they rounded yet another corner. Antros's suit was able to roughly estimate their location, as being only a hop away from the black spot on the original scanners. This same Black Spot Antros now desired to find the truth of. Antros could sense something in the center of the vessel, something powerful, he had sensed it even before exiting the warp it was so potent. Whatever it was Antros knew it was malevolent as the essence he could feel coming from it echoed with the screams and pain-filled wails of innocent Mortals doomed to miserable and gruesome deaths.
Antros had originally planned to avoid any attempt to see what was causing the sickening aura and destroy it from afar after saving the Mortals with the might of the Imperium. But now with his original plan of escape momentarily halted he had decided he would confront whatever lay at the center of the vessel. Though Antros knew not if he would try and slay it himself or if he should still have the Strike Cruiser destroy it once he had gotten to know what the aura was caused by, after leaving the accursed ship of the Collectors.
Now though with such little distance now between the Chief Librarian, Antros could sense so much more about the being that lay beyond him. It was powerful, nearly as powerful as some of the greatest Daemons Antros had ever fought. But it was also weak in a way its psychic defenses seeming more fragile than a child Psyker. The barriers were so weak in fact Antros had to hold his abilities in check so that he could not peer into the entity, for fear of the openness being a trap.
Another thing Antros could tell about the being was its evil, as now beyond the veil of suffering the entity projected Antros could sense something of the creature's emotions. They were bleak and dark, with the only other discernible thing about its feelings being an ingrained belief in itself. Though the specifics of this were too enclosed in the entity for Antros to dare press deeper.
Whatever the Being was, Antros knew only one more thing of it, his own loathing of it, and all that the being stood for, with its mind so blatantly alien even an untrained child psyker could detect it. Antros dared look no further for now though, as he knew well of the deceits that Aliens and warp-borne entities possessed. With this more know Antros made yet another decision, he would not attempt to fully confront the creature at least not now as there was too much else he was required to do for him to dare risk so much to try and defeat such an entity.
Once finishing his psychic observations of the horrid creature Antros looked back to his Auspex generated map and planned where he would take his brethren next.
Hello and Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter of Angels Lament, I hope it was enjoyable and entertaining at the very least. And if you feel able I would be very grateful if you would take the time to write a review and tell me what you thought, or even any criticism you had to do with the story.