I apologize in advance, I promised action, and there is none. But at least the prelude has been taken care of, so I can guarantee that next chapter is the dock skirmish.

I also took the opportunity to introduce the OC that will replace Slate Wilson, Saul Khan. I will be slightly rewriting a few chapters to incorporate the change.

Hope you enjoy this. Don't forget to review, please.

Beta is Shadeslayerx.

40k and RWBY are Games Workshop and Rooster Teeth respectively.

Within the confines of Beacon Academy's staff section, only one office was occupied this early in the morning. The lone occupant of the Spartan-esque room was Titus, who was busying himself with rites of maintenance on his bolter. The weapon lay across an iron table, as he worked to apply various amounts of lubricants and cleaning oils, muttering prayers of appeasement as he did so. All the while, his thoughts dwelled on the coming engagement. Although he did not expect much of the White Fang's military capabilities, their new ally gave him pause.

The description junior provided fit that of the Thousand Sons, the Tzeentchian Sorcerers of the Chaos Legions. But was this just a rogue Marine of a major player? And if the latter, how far did this go?

After a while of such maintenance and thoughts, Titus picked up the bolter and departed from the crowded room, encountering the re-caff addicted Doctor Oobleck at the end of the hall. "Well, this is unexpected. What brings you here this early in the morning?"

"Weapon maintenance. And yourself?"

The Doctor took a sip from his mug before responding. "I've been helping Glynda make her rounds. One never knows if some students are up causing trouble."

Memories of young Winchester came to mind, particularly the moments where Titus caught him harassing and fighting with his fellow students. Such arrogance would only serve to divide in a desperate war for survival. But at least he was working to fix that since Forever Fall, unlike the Astarte's last trainee Sicarius. But that was irrelevant as he had pressing matters to attend to. "Very well then, I'll let you continue on with that. Take care, Bartholomew."

"And you as well, Titus."

With that, Titus made his way past the Doctor out of the office block and out of sight, right as Professor Glynda Goodwitch showed up. "Was that Titus just now?"

Oobleck turned his attention toward the Deputy Headmistress. "Why yes, it was. Why, did you miss him?"

The teasing way in which he said it caused Glynda to blush as she responded. "N-no, I was merely seeking to inform him of the new arrival currently in his armoury."

"Oh? Is that the only reason?"

"Bartholomew Oobleck! What you are insinuating is completely ridiculous! I may appreciate his professionalism and calm persona, but that does not mean I've developed a romantic interest in a colleague!"

With that, the disciplinarian of Beacon stormed off, leaving Oobleck by himself once more as he took another sip from his mug.

One thing was certain: Titus hated using the damn lift.

Unfortunately, this was still his best method of ascending Beacon Tower as the stairs were too small for an individual of his stature. He just wished that it wasn't so cramped.

He quickly shelved that train of thought upon arriving at his armoury where, to his surprise, he found Ozpin conversing with a man he recognized as a tech marine. Bearing the heraldry of the Ultramarines upon his left shoulder and the iconic skull and gears of the Mechanicus on his chest plate, helmet, and right shoulder panel. The blue and gold colours unique to his chapter complemented the rest of his armour. But what stood out was the four mechadendrites attached to his power pack, the two on his left wielded a plasma pistol and plasma cutter, while the other two were attached to a hydraulic clamp and a flamer. And resting in his right gauntlet was a large halberd with a blade bearing the Mechanicus symbol. It was at this moment that he noticed Titus' arrival. "Captain Titus? You're alive?"

Given the circumstances of his disappearance, Titus was not taken aback by such a question. "I'd assume so, Techmarine."

The Techmarine nodded in understanding before he responded. "Of course, Captain. I am TechMarine Octavius, assigned to the UltraMarines 4th Company."

It was at this moment that Ozpin decided to depart, bidding Octavius farewell before turning to Titus. "Feel free to use the stairs on the way down. They're far sturdier than you'd think."

With that, Ozpin disappeared behind the lift doors, leaving the two Astartes alone as Titus broke the silence. "Tell me, Octavius, what events have transpired since my disappearance?"

"After the siege of Graia, Chapter Master Calgar declared you a martyr. Your statue has actually been erected back on Mccragge."

Titus couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at this statement. But nonetheless, there was one more thing that he needed to know. "Who now leads the 2nd Company?"

"Cato Sicarius now fills the captaincy of the 2nd Company."

This gave him pause, for the man's arrogance was already troublesome when he last saw him. And he had a feeling that it has not improved over the years. But he could worry about that later. "You have my thanks for telling me this, but there is a confirmed Chaos presence that needs to be dealt with."

With that, he moved to store his bolter before retrieving a bolt pistol and power sword while Octavius tightened the grip on his weapon. "Heretics on this world?! We must purge them immediately!"

Titus quickly responded to that declaration as he readied to depart from the armoury. "That is what I intend to do. Now follow me, I'll give you the details on the way."

The two Astartes then departed from the armoury, taking the stairs (which really were far sturdier and wider than Titus originally thought) to save time.

Saul Khan strode through the halls of Beacon, his tiger ears twitching in agitation as he grew increasingly worried. Two of his trusted friends, his teammate Daniel and Blake from Team RWBY, have disappeared in Lower Vale. Such a revelation was disconcerting since when he last saw the two in question, they were engaged in a bitter dispute within the Beacon courtyard. And though he did not catch most of their dispute, one statement from Daniel filled him with dread.

"At least you weren't the Fang's fucking lab rat!"

This sole statement provoked an onslaught of questions. Had Sienna really fallen so far in her quest?

No, his sister may be a minor Faunus supremacist, but she would never go that far. Nevertheless, this certainly explained why his teammate had been acting agitated the past few days. But he feared that if he and the others did not find them quickly, the consequences would be terrible. He was brought out of his terrible musings as he entered Beacon's courtyard by a familiar, stern voice. "Mr Khan."

This cause the tiger Faunus to halt in his tracks and turn around to find Professor Titus coming towards him, and right behind him was another giant of a man bearing similar armour and colours, but possessing a massive array of cybernetic enhancements. The two of them some came to a halt in front of him as Titus continued. "May I inquire as to where you are off to in such a hurry?"

Seeing no reason to deceive him, Saul gave his answer. "I and my team are heading into Vale along with Teams RWBY and JNPR to search for our companions Blake and Daniel, who has been missing since last night."

After a brief moment of thought, Titus responded. "While the two of us have some business of our own in Vale, something tells me that you'll need all the help you can get. We will aid you in the search. Now let us be off."

Such an answer caused Saul to sigh in relief as the trio began walking. "Thank you, sir. Your help is appreciated."

Titus merely waved it off as he responded. "You're gratitude is unneeded, although I do need to know the nature of their disappearance."

With that, the huntsman-in-training went into detail, starting with Daniel's condition the past few days, including how he began to grow irritable along with frequent small panic attacks. His lack of sleep and sudden self-isolation were certainly not helping him.

Then he got to Blake, who just yesterday had gotten into a nasty spat with Wiess regarding the White Fang, and hot is escalated to the point where she accidentally revealed her past ties to the organization.

This last statement caused Titus' cybernetic companion to visibly tense until Titus gave him a stern look and shook his head, prompting him to relax once more. Then, seeing that there would be no trouble from him, Titus spoke once more just as they arrived at the airship dock where the rest of teams ASGD, JNPR, and RWBY were waiting. "If what you say is true, then I have a theory as to where at least Ms Belladonna might be. I will inform you if I see her."

The others were shocked that Titus decided to help them but they were not complaining. It was at this moment that Ruby gasped in excitement as she saw the new guy, or rather, his weapons. "OH MY GOSH, YOUR WEAPONS ARE SO COOL!"

Taken slightly aback by her excitement, the Techmarine nevertheless nodded and responded. "Well, it seems that you are well-versed in weapons."

He then followed the others onto the airship before he remembered to introduce himself. "My apologies, I am Octavius, Techmarine of the UltraMarines 4th Company."

With that, he extended his hand in greeting, a gesture the young Reaper returned. "Ruby Rose, it's very nice to meet you."

"The feeling is mutual. Now if you don't mind me asking, what exactly is your weapon of choice?"

Ruby beamed with joy at this question as she proudly displayed her baby. "Well, I have my pride and joy, Crescent Rose. She happens to be a combination of..."

Her explanation was cut off by the passenger doors closing as the airship took off into the city, all the while, a lone figure hid in the bushes, witnessing their departure.

Meanwhile, in an abandoned warehouse situated in the seedier parts of Vale, a lone figure stood to the side as various White Fang members scurried around him. Towering above the Faunus, the sorcerer was clad in Astartes power armour of dark blue with gold trim that, at first glance, took on the appearance of flames. His helmet was topped with an ornate crest, while robes of blue and gold were draped over his armour. In his left hand rested an ornate staff, while in his outstretched hand was a ball of ethereal energy which he used to view the Loyalist's departure from the School. All this through the eyes of the Rubric Marine he sent to spy on them. Though having seen enough, he willed the Rubric Marine to depart and the orb in his palm to dissipate before his mind brought up unpleasant memories. The screams of agony his brothers produced as the Rubricae Amendum took effect. The soul-crushing despair as all his efforts to free his legion from the flesh change, only to curse them with something far worse. The look of disapproval from his 'Primarch' merely filled him with rage that built up until he heard a familiar voice. "Ahzek?"

He turned towards the source of the voice to find the mint-green haired Emerald Sustrai. The dark-skinned girl wore a dark green tube top attached to white straps wrapping around her shoulders. She also wore a pair of white pants with brown leggings along with a brown belt. Her red eyes looked at him with concern as she walked towards him. "Is everything alright?"

Her concern was touching.

Although Ahriman would never admit it out loud, he did take a liking to the girl. So he decided to ease her worry. "Everything is fine, Emerald. I merely have a task for you."

The thief visibly brightened up at this. "Whatever you need, I'll get it done."

This cause Ahzek to chuckle in amusement. "I know you will. A Mr. Tuckson has considered defecting from the Fang. Would you be a dear and persuade him otherwise?"

Emerald nodded eagerly at his request before turning around and departing. Left alone once more, the sorcerer made his way towards a trio of Bullheads where numerous White Fang grunts were busy gearing up. "And now, I have a raid to oversee."

The one taking Cinder's place has been revealed as Ahzek Ahriman, whom I have plans for. BIG plans.

Again, I hope you enjoyed this. I'd appreciate reviews very much.

I do not own 40k or RWBY.

One final note, unless enough of you all request a pairing, the older women of Remnant will just fail in getting Titus' attention (if you know what I mean).