Loran and Ballanar arrived at the launch bay with plenty of time to spare. Already waiting for them was the possessed librarian. Looking around Loran could see the bay was now bustling with serfs and tech adepts as they prepped the two Thunderhawk gunships for departure.
"Wise librarian welcome to Achilles squad," Loran announced as they crossed the vast space to greet their fellow possessed.
"Thankyou Taber, it is an honour to serve with an esteemed blade master. I look forward to seeing you in action." Razor laying on the pompous Astartes chatter thick for all present to hear.
Making a small gesture to the launch bay doors Razor met up with the other Astartes at a small viewing window that was relatively free of potential listeners. Loran quickly used the time to speak plainly to her two accomplices. "The others will be here soon. Well done getting yourself on board Razor, too bad you got the veteran squad invited too."
Razor flashed a sideways glance at Loran, his annoyance obvious at the statement."It is true they make things complicated, we will just have to be extra cautious to make sure they don't get deployed until the rest of Achillies squad has joined our ranks."
"Easier said than done," interrupted Ballanar, "that moon will be crawling with cultists, planetary defense forces and Mantis Warriors, How do you suppose we avoid all of them before we reach the relic?"
Before either of the others could reply Loran heard, "hey Taber!" shouted across the room. Turning to face the doors she could see Oritar and his heavy bolter heading their way. "I can't wait to shut this one up," Loran thought as he approached.
"You guys are early, I thought I would be the first one," Oritars mood oddly good as always.
One by one the other members of Achillies squad arrived along with Gregorio's veteran squad and the now lone inquisitor. Chaplain Kyranos had already departed to board the nova frigate and last to arrive was Captain Coro himself.
Both squads stood at parade facing the captain and each approached in ranking sequence to receive a seal blessed by the chaplaincy and in turn the Emperor. The seal Bound them in an oath to stand by their brothers and complete the mission even if it should cost them their lives. An oath Loran and co did not plan to uphold at all.
With the seals affixed and the Thunderhawks fuelled and checked over the time was now. each squad boarded their respective gunships and the launch bay cleared as the engines roared to life. Without anymore ceremony, the Astartes pilots raised the Thunderhawks and launched out of the bay at a reduced speed than normal to compensate for their human passenger.
Sergeant Achillies instantly connected his armour with the external cameras of the Thunderhawk. Even the Astartes eyes couldn't see far in the void. such distances were mind-boggling to comprehend and could leave lesser men a babbling mess, but what he could see was the moon far off in the distance its edges glowing as the systems sun lit up the opposite side.
"What do you see sergeant?" asked Apollo.
"Nothing," Achillies replied, "not a thing between us and the moon. Credit to you librarian, it looks as if we will land unopposed. All that we can do now is wait."
Hours went by and each Astartes sat braced in their restraints, all deep in meditation over the mission ahead when suddenly Artorias spoke. "We are going to pass the point of no return distance on the Thunderhawks fuel capacity and Thunderhawks are too big to dock on nova frigates. How are we to return?" He was perplexed at how this had not been mentioned at all before now.
The rest of Achillies squad all came out of their meditations at the raising for such a question, each looked to Artorias then to the librarian and waited for an answer.
Razor had spent the hours flicking through a book he had taken from the librarian's personal collection. It was titled to contain secrets of the warp but the more Razor read the more he realised the imperium had no real clue about the magnitude of power held within the immaterium. Looking up he calmly stated "there is extra fuel on the veteran's gunship, once we land both ships will be refilled for the trip home.
At that moment a red light lit up the inside of the dropship signalling that everyone should buckle into their restraints for landing. fortunately for the inquisitor, they were landing on a moon and not a planet, meaning there was no real atmosphere to break through and only a vast eco shield that was generated over the moon to keep oxygen from the super hive that covered the surface from escaping, forever being recycled to be breathed again.
As soon as the Thunderhawk touched down with a familiar thud Achillies squad was on their feet and at the door to disembark. Achillies voice crackled through the vox "We seem to have gone undetected, let's get this over with quick. Remember this mission is considered classified by the Ordo Malleus. Should we make contact we leave no survivors and we take no prisoners."
