Angels Lament
Thank you to all the people who have Favorited, Followed and Reviewed the previous chapters. And hopefully, you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed making it. Now without further ado let us begin the next chapter of this story...
Chapter Three: Guardian Angels
There stood only two, solitary, Sanguinary Guards outside the Arx Libracon. Both had been assigned to the Chief Librarian by the Chapter Master himself, the ancient and wise Lord Warden of the Imperium Dante. Both stood poised and ready to jump into action any second. But no mortal could detect it, to them they would simply appear as two lifeless golden statues. Both were encased in their Artificer Armor, with that on they appeared to gleam like twin stars, bright and radiant. Despite his readied posture, Nikolaus, the guard on the right, was also enjoying the sights around his post. He was studying the alcoves and statuary. They had been carved by some of the Chapter's best sculptors. Most were of the champions of the ancient Legion the Blood Angels and her successors had come from originally. On one Plinth stood Azkaellion the first-ever Sanguinary Guard, fighting a Carcodon. On another stood Raldoron the only ever Legion Master after the death of their Primarch and the first Chapter Master after that. Raldoron was fighting a twisted member of the Black Legion on his plinth.
The rest were of the heroes who had perished in the 'Devastation of Baal' as it was now being called by the wider Imperium. On one plinth stood Reclusiarch Ordomel, he had died trying to fight a Carnifex so that Chapter Master Dante could kill the Swarmlord. He had succeeded in taking the Carnifex with him with a well-placed Krak Grenade. The Sculpture of Ordomel portrayed him in the claws of the Carnifex fighting to the bitter end as he had in the fight. Nikolaus had seen it himself on the battlefield, back then he had only been an Assault Marine.
The statue next to Ordomel was the last Exalted Herald of Sanguinius Madelus. He too had died fighting for Baal. The Sculpture portrayed him being clawed and dragged down to die by a swarm of Tyranids, but it also described a fiery spirit in him that fought to the bitter end. He had died in the last offensive against the horrible monsters of Hive Fleet Leviathan, where the last of the Angels had meant to die, cutting off the head of the serpent. Luckily though for the Blood Angels their bell had not yet been rung that day, for in the last moments of the fight. When only so few Blood Angels remained the Avenging Son arrived. Lead directly to Baal by the might of the Emperor's light. He had brought the wrath of the Emperor and the Primaris Marines upon the Leviathan for even daring to slay the sons of his most stalwart and loyal child. Roboute Gulliman had slain the last of the screeching host of monsters and saved the last of the sons of his long lost brother.
After the conclusion of the battle and once most of the Arx Angelicum, the Blood Angels Fortress Monastery, had been rebuilt Gulliman enacted three edicts. The first was the Ultima Founding, giving the Blood Angels the resources and machinery to create their own new Primaris Marines. The second was naming the Blood Angels Chapter the protectors of the Nihilus Realm and distinguishing their Chapter Master as the Lord Warden of all Imperial forces. The final edict had been called the Reform, it was a complete reconstruction of the Codex and battle doctrine of the Astartes. One of the major reforms in the edict was on how Chapters would be organized and the implementation of the newly rediscovered and reworked wargear, like the Mark X power armor. After making his reforms Gulliman left the Baal System and returned to the Imperium beyond the Great Rift to fight off the other threats that had reared their heads there. That had been many years ago now but it was still fresh in Nikolaus's mind. The image of the Avenging Son dubbing Dante the Lord Warden and the ceremony naming the Blood Angels and the line of Sanguinius as the Protectors of Imperium Nihilus. Both memories were still ingrained into Nikolaus's mind and as vivid as the day they occurred.
Nikolaus was roused from his memories by a sound. The noise was barely perceptible even to his enhanced hearing, but it was there. In the next nanosecond, he recognized the sound. It was of a little girl crying, quietly but loud enough for him to hear. Nikolaus and his brother Donotriel instantly reacted, more on instinct than thought. Both taking defensive stances ready for whatever might come. Nikolaus opened his vox and spoke to his brother Guard his voice laced with worry for the mortal that was crying. "Stay and Guard here brother I will check on the mortal."
A simple head nod was Donotriels only response, as he took up formation at the front of the door. With his elder brother's approval, Nikolaus charged forward down the hall. He came to a stop as he rounded a corner and entered into another corridor. The crying had gotten much louder since Nikolaus had begun down the hallway. Down the corridor, there was no one, that he could see. Most of the halls of the Sanguine Spirit were now empty only small groups of the crew and scions could be found every now and then. This was caused primarily by the massive amount of wounded and killed crewmen and women. It was so bad that the Chapter Thralls and Astartes had to help with the repairing of the Star-Fort.
The hall Nikolaus was now marching down was eerily silent, with the exception of the sobbing he could still hear in the distance. As he walked the noise became easier to locate. It appeared to be coming from one of the smaller corridors meant for maintenance crews. As Nikolaus approached he slowed his pace as to not startle the small child. After another few moments, Nikolaus stood before the maintenance shaft the sobbing was coming from. He saw a tiny child huddled against the wall. She was dressed in an oversized worker suit. It was covered in red marks. Nikolaus could already smell what it was, Blood. She was shivering whether from cold or fear he couldn't tell. She was faced away from Nikolaus and she hadn't seemed to notice him yet. Nikolaus quietly and quickly got down onto his knees and made his approach to the maintenance shaft. Nikolaus realized how he might look with his death mask so he quickly commanded the seals to release. His helmet gave a snap-hiss as the seals disengaged. Nikolaus set his Encarmine Greatswordon the ground next to him so he could retrieve it if the need arose. He then reached to his head and slowly and reverently took the Death Mask off of his head. He set it down with utmost respect and care because of the symbolic power of the mask.
After Nikolaus set down his helmet he looked back to the child. She was still crying and was still shivering. Now that his helmet was off Nikolaus realized how cold the hallway truly was, he could see his own breath. Nikolaus shook his head and looked back to the child that needed his help. He couldn't fit down the maintenance shaft, at least not in his armor, so he would have to get the child to come to him. Nikolaus readied himself and said his voice as soft as silk. "Little One?"
The little girl whirled around and looked the Astartes in the eye. Her face was covered in grime, dirt, and dried blood and tears ran freely down her cheeks. He realized she could be no more than 5 or 6 Terran years old. Nikolaus could also hear her heartbeat go from somewhat steady to erratic in an instant. She began to try and crawl away not looking where she was going too afraid by the sudden appearance of the giant Astartes. Nikolaus quickly put up his hand and said. "I mean you no harm, Little One." He spoke honestly enough for she stopped and looked him up and down, fear still written across her face. Nikolaus continued talking hoping that would help the child. "I am of the Blood Angels, Child I mean only to help you."
The little girl spoke finally her voice barely a quivering whisper but it was enough for Nikolaus to hear. "My Da told me of the Angels. How they saved him from the monsters once. And how they always were there when you needed them." Her face suddenly became angry and her voice aquistory, she shouted, or as much as her dehydrated and quivering voice could allow her too. "Where were you when my Da and Ma needed you! The Monsters took them away!"
Nikolaus felt a pang of sadness in his heart at her acquisition, he knew what she must have meant. Her parents must have died in the Daemon incursion. She must have been traumatized by the appearance of the foul Warpspawn, the death of her parents and ran off to hide. But one question persisted in Nikolaus's mind, 'How could she have survived the sight of the Daemons. Most Mortals, especially the young, are driven mad or outright killed by the sight of Neverborn. So how did she survive.' Nikolaus made a quick decision and said. "I am sorry we were not able to save them, Little One."
The Child's anger dissipated and her face became heartbroken again. Tears fell readily down her cheeks and her lower lip quivered. She clutched her knees and pulled them close then she screamed out. "Ma! Da! Where are you?!" She shouted this several times each even more raspy and tired.
Each time she shouted it Nikolaus felt his heart ache evermore. Nikolaus extended his right hand into the maintenance shaft and said. "Please, come with me, Little One. I wish simply to help you." after a long moment of the child trying to regain control of herself she finally stood up, on wobbly legs. She slowly made her way towards Nikolaus leaning on the wall for support as she walked. When she was within arms reach Nikolaus helped to support her with his hand as she walked out of the little corridor. Once she was out Nikolaus gently hefted the child up and into his arms. He then opened the Vox link in his ear saying in a deathly serious voice. "I need a Medicae at my current position. Make sure to bring food rations and water. Leave immediately."
Almost immediately a response came, the voice feminine and concerned. "At once, My Lord." Nikolaus cut the comm there and looked back to the child he cradled in his arms. She was beginning to show signs of extreme exhaustion, and her body was shivering even more from the cold.
…
It took some time for the Medicaes to arrive. They rounded the corner in a full sprint their medical bags following in their wake. Once they could see the child in the Sanguinary Guards arms they somehow got a second wind and ran faster to meet them. Nikolaus slowly and carefully walked to meet them, careful not to move the little girl too much. She had been slowly getting worse since Nikolaus found her, and now she was barely even awake. When Nikolaus was finally within a few meters of the running medics he lowered himself to one knee and gently lowered the small child to the Adamantium floor. The Medicae's went right to work, checking her for any injuries or other ailments. The older of the two Medicaes began rummaging through his bag for specific items. While the elder rooted around for what he needed the younger Medicae checked the child's responsiveness, by asking her questions and seeing her response.
The Elder was dressed in his dark green military standard-issue jumpsuit with the symbols of a sergeant on his shoulders along with a Red Cross. His face was wrinkled and worn down, though his eyes were bright with life. While the Younger was in a Baal red jumpsuit, she had a blue cross on both her shoulders. She had youthful features, though a rad burn on her left cheek showed her heritage of Baal. She had a kind face despite the scar and her eyes were filled with compassion for all life.
When the younger Medicae got close to the child she called out her voice barely a raspy whisper. "Ma?" She grasped out to the Medicae with a weak hand.
The medic took the child's hand and said. "I'm here, child. I'm here to help you." She then asked holding up a hand. "Can you see how many fingers I am showing you?" She was holding up 3 fingers just a few inches away from the child's face.
The little girl simply showed 3 fingers on her left hand. She then tried to speak but no words came out just a horrible rasp. Her eyes lit with fear as her body failed to correctly respond. She panicked and began to try and thrash, but for her efforts, her body barely responded. Her arms and legs slowly shaking back and forth. She tried to cry for help, but only more rasping noise came out. The female Medicae turned to her teacher and the two got into a serious discussion about what to give her to calm her. While they talked Nikolaus knelt back down to the ground and looked the child over, a strange sense of worry was in him as he knelt. She slowly turned to look back at him, fear written across her face. Then for only a split second, Nikolaus saw a purple glow sprout from her eyes. But as quickly as it appeared, it vanished and her eyes returned to being the color of bright amber.
Nikolaus closed his eyes and let his thought envelop him for a moment on what to do. 'So, she does appear to be a Psyker. She could pose a possible threat by not being able to control her abilities. But… But did I really see her eyes shine with the Warp? I must be certain that she poses a threat before I dare to cast such a sentence upon her. Besides, there are many Librarians here that could train her in how to use her powers safely. I shall tell the Chief Librarian of her once I know more. He will know what is best in this matter, far better than I.' Nikolaus opened his eyes, his mind made up on the matter. He looked back down at the child, fear still filled her eyes. The two Medicae still were deep in discussion. Nikolaus had now grown impatient with the two mortals, especially since it was now interfering with the well being of the child. So he yelled at them his voice strong and loud. "Figure it out, you fools!" Nikolaus glared at the two and they shrank under his sight. He then said his voice more controlled but still laced with rage. "Help her!"
The female quickly regained herself and got to work she grabbed a bottle out of the Elder's bag, it was filled with a clear liquid. While she took out a plastek tube and needle she uttered. "My apologies, My Lord." She then knelt over the small child and said. "You will be okay child, I promise." The girl was clearly losing consciousness now her eyes losing focus of what they saw and they began to flutter closed. Nikolaus was about to roar at the mortals for her death but then he heard it the child's heart, it still beat with life. He let out a sigh of relief and turned back to the Medicae. She had now inserted the plastek tube into the girl's arm and was in the process of hooking the bottle to it.
Nikolaus quickly realized what it was, an IV, full of a saline drip, meant to revitalize the child and get her body what it so desperately needed. He nodded in approval to the Medicae and, but she was too busy to notice. She and the older Medicae, who had finally regained himself were moving the child onto a stretcher they had brought with them. Once the little girl was set upon it they looked back to the Astartes for his permission to leave. Nikolaus nodded immediately, and the Medicae set off post-haste. He watched as they disappeared into the distance and only then did he look away.
…
Nikolaus had now returned to his post at the Arx Libracon. Some time had passed since he had returned. But though his body stood guard Nikolaus's thoughts still remained with the child and her health. She had seemed so weak when he had found her, all he wished, for now, was that she could get better. Her being a Psyker only added to his worry, she could accidentally harm others or herself if she was not careful. He would have to talk to Chief Librarian Antros soon. All that he had to now was wait. But he still couldn't help himself losing patience for the meeting to end.
It took another three hours for the meeting within the Arx to adjourn. When it did the Libracon's void shields powered down and the doors were thrown open wide, unveiling the splendor of the chamber within. The walls were made of beautiful Baalite red granite and a tiled white and black marble floor. Each tile was uniquely designed by the best artisans within the Chapter. Along the walls ran row upon row of Bookshelves, containing an assortment of tomes, books, scrolls, dataslates, and holostones. At the back of the Chamber was the entrance to the Angelic Vault. None were allowed in but the Chief Librarian and his equerry or a select few members of the Chapter. Within the Vault was a collection of chapter relics and wargear, and many other tools or knowledge. Beyond that was the Forbidden Crypt, it contained many ancient dangers such as forbidden knowledge and the weapons or creatures the chapter had no true way of destroying. Things such as Daemonhosts, monsters, Xenos, or other abominations that the galaxy held.
Back in the main portion of the Libracon, at the center of the chamber lay a circular table made of finely polished blue slate, with an ancient Baalite oakwood top. The table was surrounded by Adamantine thrones, all made uniquely, and for the proportions of Primaris Space Marines. At the far end of the table facing the main entrance was the Throne of Antros. It had been made by the Chapter Master himself, as a gift to Antros upon his elevation to Chief Librarian. On its back was an image of Mephiston facing the two Greater Daemons of Chaos. Mephiston was wreathed by a mighty firestorm, with black wings extending from his back giving the Lord of Death an angelic visage. Mephiston's face was pulled into a snarl, showing the wrath all sons of Sanguinius were capable of. Within the Firestorm above Mephiston's head was the Angelic face of the Primarch his face roaring at the Daemons for daring to stand before his son. The two Daemons were shown cowering from the light and wrath of Mephiston and Sanguinius.
The Librarians were scattered all throughout the massive chamber speaking amongst each other in hushed voices. Worry written on their faces. The Lamenters Librarians with their yellow and checkered heraldry upon their cobalt blue plates stood out among the sea of red. They stayed around the main table talking the Librarians of the Blood Angels. Among these differences were the hauntingly red and black eyes of the Lamenters. Though this portrayed them as Daemons they were in fact Angels of light, even more, compassionate than many of their brothers. They were renowned for their heroic acts and selfless behavior.
Nikolaus scanned the room looking for Antros so that he might speak to him. He needed to ask the Chief Librarian's permission to be excused to go to the Medical District. Nikolaus found the Chief Librarian still in his seat, hands interlocked before him, his face was contorted in deep contemplation. He was dressed in a crimson robe with golden accents. His Gyrinx was by his right side, her head poking out above the table, purple eyes shimmering with the Warp. Rhacelus stood on Antros's left side his face neutral and disciplined as always. He was dressed for war like most of the Librarians, his armor dented and cracked. Though despite this he still looked intimidating, his glowing blue eyes piercing all who met them.
Nikolaus pushed through the crowd of Librarians, trailed after by Donotriel. Nikolaus gradually made his way to the table, he had to circle around the back way. Once he was just a few meters away from the Chief Librarian he called out. "My Lord Antros?" The Chief Librarian didn't seem to hear him so Nikolaus called out again louder. "My Lord?!"
Antros's head whirled around his face deathly serious. For a moment Nikolaus hesitated, he worried that the Chief Librarian had read his mind and knew of the little girl. Nikolaus did wish to tell the Chief Librarian, but only on his own terms, once he had discovered if she even was a Psyker. So it was to his great relief that Antros's face turned from deathly tense to neutral in an instant. He then said his voice tired and sounding like his mind was again elsewhere. "Yes, Nikolaus, what is it you need, Brother?"
Nikolaus collected himself quickly and said. "Chief Librarian." Nikolaus slammed his fist into his chest plate in salute and bowed. "I require your permission to leave your side."
Antros's brow knitted in confusion and he said. "What is it you require to do?"
"I have need to check on someone within the Medical District." Replied Nikolaus evenly.
Antros turned back to the table and waved his hand in dismissal, saying. "Then go there, My Brother."
Nikolaus bowed to the Chief Librarian and saluted him. He then turned and made his way out of the Arx heading to where he needed to go.
…
Nikolaus marched quickly down the hallways and corridors not taking a moment to admire the pleasant sights. He had to see what had become of the child. After some time he finally made it to his chambers, he had already summoned his Thralls so that could perform the rituals of disarming. Nikolaus wanted to truly meet the child out of his panoply of war as to not frighten her. So he entered his chambers and looked around the room. Within the center of the chamber stood five Thralls, all facing Nikolaus their heads bowed in reverence. Nikolaus walked to the center of the room and took a knee and bowed his head, allowing them to reach his helmet. The two closest Thralls walked up to Nikolaus's head. They both took up the end of the helmet. Nikolaus commanded the seals to release and the helmet answered. The two Thralls took the Death Mask off slowly all the while singing hymns and offering prayers to Sanguinius and the Emperor.
Once the helmet was off they gently wrapped it in oiled linen fabrics. After that, they took the Death Mask to the Armor Stand in the corner and placed it upon its head. They continued this process until finally all of the Artificer Armor was upon the stand and off of Nikolaus's body. He then gave them the Encarmine Greatsword. The weapon was so large that it required three of the Thralls to carry it to the granite weapons case. Where they set it into its Adamantine sheath upon the backboard. Nikolaus then had the Synth Skin peeled away and taken to be washed. He took a quick shower in the Bathing Chamber and then dried himself off even faster. He was growing ever more impatient about seeing the child, he had to know what she was. It was for some reason was eating him up not knowing. So after he was dried and dressed he dismissed his Thralls and left the chamber. Nikolaus was dressed in a bright red tunic and black trousers, the colors of the Chapter. He took with him a sheathed Power Gladius and an Astartes sized Hellpistol. It had been given to him by a squad of Stormtroopers he had saved many years ago upon the world of Septa. They had been kind enough to give him the gift as a sign of gratitude. Ever since Nikolaus has carried it with him as he moved around the galaxy, more as a good luck charm than a hard and true weapon of war.
…
Nikolaus walked down the corridors at a brisk pace heading straight for the Medical Wing from his chamber. He passed dozens of statues, memorials, and altars dedicated to the lost. He passed by armories, engine rooms, mess halls, hydroponic farms, and hundreds of living quarters. But Nikolaus paid it no mind he had to get to the child and found out the truth of her nature. If she was a Psyker he would bring Antros to her and let him decide her fate, if she wasn't he would request to take her on as a serf. After all, she possessed no true family left, so he would take it upon himself to raise her. Nikolaus has grown strongly attached to the girl in the short time he had met her, and he felt for her. He too had lost his family at a young age to a band of mutant raiders from the great salt wastes. He had been saved from the mutants by a squad of Blood Angels who had been passing by aboard a thunderhawk on their way to the Place of Choosing. They had saved him and offered him a chance to join them. With no family or loved ones left Nikolaus had gladly taken their offer. He would now offer his help to this poor child.
After quite some time of walking, Nikolaus began to notice the extreme silence of the halls. Of course, there was the sound of the ventilation shafts and engines, but one sound was entirely absent. The sound of people, the shuffle of boots, the sounds of repairs, or the open or hushed chatter of conversations. Nikolaus understood most of the crew were at the far end of the ship where the Star-Fort needed the most repairs. But still he had not encountered anyone, not even a single servitor had crossed his path. This caused him so slow his pace a moment, he let his enhanced senses overwhelm his mind. He still could see no one or hear anyone, but it was what he smelled that was distressing. The smell was one he knew very well, blood. The millisecond he detected the scent his brain began pumping adrenaline into his system. His already powerful senses were heightened further. Nikolaus gripped the hilt of his Gladius and ripped the Hellpistol from its holster.
Then he heard it, a guttural shriek. It came from a maintenance shaft behind him. Nikolaus spun around in an instant pistol pointed directly at the gap in the wall. Then he heard it again, a slightly different shrill roar more high pitched than the last. It came from behind him again. Then another shriek came from another vent followed by another and another. Soon he was surrounded by a chorus of monstrous shrieking. Nikolaus weighed his options. 'Run away? Negative I'm surrounded by these things. Fight my way out? Of course, for I am an Astartes, I am the bulwark against terror.' Nikolaus stood up straight, closed his eyes and again let his senses envelop his mind. He pointed the pistol to the floor and waited.
It didn't take long for the first creature to show itself. Bursting out of a vent to Nikolaus right. He opened his eyes and got his first sight of these creatures. Their body was reminiscent of the human form, but elongated, gaunt, and horribly distorted. It's skin was hairless, leathery, and pale drawn tight on the bones. It's hands were misshapen and tipped with beastly black claws. Though it's face was the worst part. Pitch black pupil-less eyes that echoed with the touch of the corruption of Chaos. It's mouth was oversized and filled with razor-sharp red fangs, permanently stained the color of blood. The human-like vermin stared at Nikolaus for a long moment, looking him up and down, as if it was sizing him up. Then, it charged. It sped forth letting out a feral shriek and face contorted into a monstrous grin.
Nikolaus feigned a counter charge, but at the last second, he spun out of its way. He was testing the capabilities and intellect of the creature. It was slow to react, almost as if it had barely understood what he had done. It shrieked again and charged hands flailing around in his general direction. Nikolaus dodged, again and again, the creature becoming all the more enraged every moment he continued to live. Then another creature arrived, it was smaller and more deformed than the last. Where the first one's flesh was tight and sinewy, the new creature's skin hung loose on its bones its body was bloated and discolored. It was slower and clearly diseased. It began to try and roar but all that came out was a flemy mess of gurgling sounds. It tried to charge but it was slow and out of breath, due to its illness.
Nikolaus now having decided he was done messing with the vermin quickly dispatched the new arrival. A well placed Las shot to the head ending its miserable existence. The first cretin roared, enraged at the death of its fellow beast. It charged one last time, for its effort, Nikolaus bashed its face to a pulp with his fist. It crumbled to the floor like it's comrade, dead. Then Nikolaus heard more shrieks coming from the Maintenance shafts and vents. He gripped the pommel of his blade again, just as another Hullghast ran from its hiding place. It jumped up to slash him with its claws, but Nikolaus tore the Gladius from its sheath and bisected the creature mid-air.
More howling followed the death of the last Hullghast. Before its body even fell to the floor three more of the cretins ran from the crevices. Some were more similar to humans than the others but they all still contained the omnipresent taint of the Immaterium. The three Hullghast's ran at Nikolaus. He dodged to the right and sliced the head off of the closest vermin. It's head rolling on the floor before it even knew what happened. Nikolaus brought the Hellpistol up and pointed it at the nearest Hullghast, it's head disappeared in a red mist of evaporated flesh. It's body slapping on the floor a second later. The last Hullghast made to charge at Nikolaus but he counter charged. He smashed his shoulder into its chest with all his might. He heard a sickening crunching sound the moment he made impact. The creature's face contorted into one of pain and it gave a sad gurgling sound and died its body crumbling to the Adamantine floor.
Nikolaus's superhuman senses detected the rest of the creatures just before they could strike. Seven more Hullghasts and three Ghilliam came out of the shadows. The Ghilliam were far more human-looking but their bodies still showed the telltale signs of corruption. Gaunt features, teeth now resembling fangs, and eyes that echoed with the warp. They sickened Nikolaus, that the human species could be brought so low by the Dark Gods. But it also gave Nikolaus a fire in his chest, one he would unleash upon these vermin. The Ghilliam carried crude weapons like broken pipes and scraps of metal. But Nikolaus cared not what weapons they carried, he was a holy warrior of the Emperor and Sanguinius, he would fight any of mankind's foes, gladly. While the creatures were still crawling from their hiding places like roaches he roared forward charging into their midsts. He slashed and cut, he bashed and he slammed, and he shot out bringing The Angel's Wrath upon the mutants. They fell shrieking and mumbling curses. But he cared not for he was simply giving them their reward for turning their backs on mankind and the Emperor.
It only took 5 seconds for the creatures to be staining the floor with their corrupted vitae. Nikolaus sheathed his blade and snorted in disgust at the creatures. He stood tall knowing he had brought vengeance upon the corrupt. Once Nikolaus was over the pressure of battle he went to the closest cogitator and opened up a vox link. He spoke sternly into the unit. "I need a decontamination squad to my location now. Ensure that weapons and guards are brought with them. And inform the Admiral she will need to assign a Huntmaster. There are Hullghasts and Ghilliam parading about the corridors stalking what few crew remains."
The response was quick and it came from an unsure and juvenile voice. "Are you sure of this, My Lord?"
Nikolaus decided to be kind to the most likely young and inexperienced Ensign so he responded as kindly as he could. "Yes, Ensign. I have just been the attempted food of a gaggle of the vermin. So yes I am sure that there will be more throughout the Sanguine Spirit. Now please dispatch the communicae to the Admiral so that the correct precautions can be taken to ensure the crew's safety."
The Ensign hesitated a moment but eventually, he said. "Of course, Lord. I shall send this along the chain of command."
The Ensign was about to cut the line but Nikolaus quickly interjected saying urgency in his voice. "No, Ensign. You will take this news directly to her. She will understand when you tell her. This is far too important and critical for it to go through the information grapevine. So I am ordering you as an Astartes to takes this directly to her."
The Ensign was quiet another moment before he responded. "She'll have me flogged if I do that, My Lord."
Nikolaus had to hold himself back from yelling at the Ensign, but he quickly responded his voice now containing an extremely serious edge. "Ensign. People's lives are at stake. The Emperor will forgive you for breaking the chain of command and so will your Admiral, but they will not forgive cowardice. Do this now!" He couldn't help himself from barking out the last order.
The Ensign replied immediately saying his voice shaking a little. "On the double, My Lord." The Vox then picked up the sound of running feet. The Ensign was in such a rush he had forgotten to disconnect the line. Nikolaus shook his head a small smile finding its way on his lips.
Hopefully the last distraction out of the way Nikolaus set off once again to the Medicae District.
…
On his way there he ran into the Decontamination Squad. They were 50 people strong not including the 10 scions who sent with them. They were dressed in so-called 'taint suits'. The suits themselves were a complicated entanglement of one part hazmat suit and another part a collection of holy wards and purity seals. They bowed to Nikolaus and he returned the gesture out of kindness and respect for their treacherous task. The squad pressed on and so did Nikolaus both off to complete their own responsibilities.
I have to give a big thank you to biolaj1998 for his permission to use his character, Nikolaus. And a big thank you to Henri9897 and Toraach for their help in proofreading this chapter. Thank you all so much for reading my story and please feel free to Review, it lets me know that you guys want me to continue.
