Tales of the Amber Vipers Chapter 324
Howling Griffons marched across the dock with their heads held high. They did so under the watchful eyes of Storm Heralds and Amber Vipers. Twenty-one Primaris Marines had survived their dreadful injuries, now they were being escorted from the Serpens Rex. They had been stripped of armour and weapons, left to walk in coarse shrifts, but their pride had not been dented. They strode as if on the parade ground, utterly assured of their righteousness. Simple defeat was not enough to humble them.
Coluber addressed their leader, "Your weapons, armour and gene-seed have been loaded onto your gunships and sent to your ship. The Storm Heralds have volunteered to escort you away, and then shuttle you to your own ship, once out of gunnery range."
Sergeant Cottas was the senior surviving Howling Griffon and growled, "We shall not forget this insult."
"I am not fool enough to allow you access to armed gunships near my base. Be grateful I saw fit to return your armour and weapons."
Cottas glared, "You think this appeases us?! You have shed the blood of Mancora, stolen our relics. From this day to the end of time there will be a blood feud between the Howling Griffons and Amber Vipers!"
But Coluber retorted, "The tanks and guns are spoils of war, claimed as victor's due. As for the rest; you broke the parley, you waged war upon fellow Astartes, do not project your shame onto us."
"Words will not aver your doom; the scions of the Proud Eyrie will declare a crusade against you!" Cottas snarled.
But Coluber scoffed, "Your Chapter Master is about to be up to his neck in a crapstorm of trouble. Ryneon killed an Archmagos, in cold blood. The Adeptus Mechanicus will not overlook this. The Howling Griffons will have to bend over backwards to avoid a retribution fleet being sent to Mancora. You had better start dreaming up some excuses on your voyage, lest you wish to see your precious Proud Eyrie ringed by Titan legios. You shouldn't be surprised to find Ryneon thoroughly disavowed and declared a renegade by the time you get home."
Cottas glared in silent fury, then spun on his heel and marched into the gaping doors that led to the Storm Herald's ship. Coluber knew this feud was far from over, but was content the Howling Griffons would be far too busy to do anything about it. Their immediate future involved a lot of tense confrontations with Mars, and they would be hard-pressed to avoid dire censure. Plenty of time for the Amber Vipers to disappear into the vast expanse of the galaxy.
Coluber turned to face his companions. Shrios stood at his side and with them were Captain Toran and his aides. Inquisitor Varrel had at last freed himself from confinement. The Ordo Xenos would not be happy about his treatment, but Coluber was prepared to deal with that. Last of all was Posix, the glittering Magos fuming irately. Coluber had worried he would be exacting some dire revenge, but Reddam had found him cowering in a broken lift-cage. Posix looked outraged, but Coluber feared him not. The Magos acted brave with backup but when isolated proved a coward, all bluster, no bite.
Toran stepped forward, "It is time we made our departure too."
"May the Emperor light your way on the Warp's tides," Coluber replied.
"I was mistaken to doubt your spirit, you are true servants of Terra, if odd ones."
"I shall forgive your error, you fought well."
Persion cut in, "Where is Ferrac?"
"The Battle-Captain is engaged with more pressing business," Coluber replied.
"Shame," Persion sniffed, "Tell him, if he dies, I get the first claim on his axe!"
Smyth sniffed, "You have a better one already."
"Not the point, I want a trophy," Persion laughed.
Novak chimed in, "And I want a rematch with Maru, we never proved who is the better Dreadnought."
Toran shook his head, "Just for once can you not embarrass me in front of our allies?"
Coluber's lip twitched but he turned to Varrel and asked, "I trust our agreement holds?"
Varrel looked vexed but replied, "As promised, the Deathwatch shall open its doors to your Chapter, Amber Vipers will wear the Black and Silver. And recruits will be despatched from the Adeptus Astra Telepathica. You will have psykers aplenty to train as Librarians."
"Good," Shrios commented, "About time Maru had some apprentices to whip into shape."
Coluber took a data-crystal from his belt and handed it to the mortal. Varrel took it eagerly, his sour mood lifting somewhat. The STC for the Fang knife, given to seal the pact with the Ordo Xenos. Whatever discomforts Varrel had suffered paled in comparison to this. To be the man who brought an STC to his Ordo would catapult him into lofty regions of power, where the air grew thin and the mightiest of the mighty played their games.
Posix however found his voice, "This is an affront!"
"You take issue?" Coluber asked calmly.
"All STC rightfully belong to Mars!"
"You lost, get over it," Shrios snorted.
But Posix spat, "The Forge Synod will not stand for this insult. Rest assured our retribution will be swift and certain. When I tell them what has occurred here the Amber Vipers will be finished!"
He would do it, Posix was exactly the kind of odious wretch to hold a grudge. He wouldn't dare risk his life, but as soon as he felt safe he would start plotting revenge. Posix would say anything to bring a Mechanicus fleet back with him, he'd probably enjoy seeing the Serpens Rex shatter under their guns. Thankfully Toran had anticipated this.
Toran calmly said, "Tell me, Inquisitor, have you given any thought to the means of production?"
"Pardon?" Varrel blinked in confusion.
"The knife, the Deathwatch has earned the right to use it, but who shall forge it for you?"
Varrel frowned, "Surely the Watch-Fortresses forges can do so."
"Inefficient," Coluber sighed, "The Forges of Mars are far superior."
Posix's head snapped back and forth, "What are you two playing at?!"
Toran explained, "Someone has to manufacture the knife, it strikes us that Mars is ideally suited for that task. If the Forge Synod guarantees exclusive use to the Ordo Xenos, the Inquisition may be prevailed upon to let your Forges make it for them. And for he who brought an STC back to Mars..."
"The rewards would be lavish," Posix breathed.
"And why would I consent to that?" Varrel demanded.
"Your star is in the ascendant," Coluber argued, "An Inquisitor-Lord could do with high-ranking friends among the Mechanicus. Think of it as cultivating a future asset."
"I see..." Varrel grinned with a calculating glint in the eye.
Posix mused, "If the STC is produced on Mars, nobody will care where it is used. This is... acceptable. I shall not seek retribution, but expect no further boons from Mars. You are on your own!"
"I do not require your aid," Coluber sniffed, "But I do have another gift. Loaded on the Thunderchild is the Amber Viper's overdue gene-seed tithe. Do make sure it reaches the Martian gene-banks. You shall also find the Blood Raven's Progenoids in cryo-storage. We have no way to return them to their Chapter of origin, so had best be added to their own tithe."
The entire proposal had been Toran's idea, and the two had thrashed out the details over the last few days. Now Coluber drew the other data-crystal and presented it to the Captain. Toran had vowed to prevail upon Belisarius Cawl, and cite the terms offered by Castabore. Forge-tenders to repair the Nest, crews for Amber Viper's ships, all in exchange for the Laser Destroyer STC. It was a significant measure of trust, but Toran's word was his bond, Coluber knew for a fact the Captain would hold to his promise.
"Take this with my blessing," Coluber offered.
"I shall ensure it is delivered to Cawl," Toran vowed, "Along with the terms proposed by Castabore. Cawl will agree, I am sure, his dream of the Repulsor Executioner will compel him."
Persion chimed in, "You'll actually be able to shoot someone with that Battlebarge!"
"How do you know about that?!" Coluber snapped.
"Your vox-encryption needs work," Persion grinned.
Toran spoke over him, "Here we must part ways, but I shall expect to see you again, on the battlefield."
"I shall fight for the Imperium to my dying breath," Coluber said.
"For Terra, and the Living Primarch," Toran farewelled.
"Ave Imperator," Coluber declared.
The Storm Heralds formed up, marching through the vast doors that led to their starship. The envoys followed, leaving the Serpens Rex entirely. The Thunderchild would sail some distance, then transfer her passengers to their various craft. The doors slid shut as the booming echoes of docking clamps began to ring loud, announcing the departure of the Storm Heralds. The launch of a capital ship was no swift process, so Coluber did not stay to watch.
The Chapter Master turned and strode away, leading Shrios from the bay. The Apothecary seemed vexed, "If we are obliged to send a portion of our gene-seed to Mars, our recruitment cycles will be slowed."
"There was no way around that," Coluber sighed, "But our material gains outweigh the sacrifice. We have working ships, tanks, power armour manufactories. We are stronger than ever, and will grow stronger yet."
"You think Cawl can restore the Serpens Rex to full functionality?"
"A fraction would be an improvement," Coluber affirmed, "But first we must meet Ferrac."
Their walk soon brought them to a landing bay, where gaggles of Chattels laboured. They arrived just in time, for Thunderhawks sat on the apron, steam rising from their void-chilled surfaces. Mortals worked the frames, securing weapons and engines as blessings were performed over the weary craft. Viper's Bite and Poisoned Fang, the lonely gunships that had served since the Time of Exodus, but they were no longer alone. Alongside them Dread Omen and Hellhound steamed, engines clicking as they cooled. The two gunships still wore Blood Raven iconography, but that would change, soon they would bear the snake and goblet on their flanks.
Ferrac and various squads were lounging about the open ramps, boasting of their deeds. The Battle-Captain seemed jubilant; his merriment obvious. Coluber marched up to him calling, "Ferrac, how were the pressing concerns?"
"They fell like ninepins!" Ferrac laughed, "I barely had to fire a shot. A few threats and the crew folded, all too eager to serve new masters. I left a couple of squads to ensure they didn't try to sail off, but I doubt we'll have any trouble."
"What did you just do?!" Shrios growled suspiciously.
"The Blood Raven's Strike Cruiser," Coluber explained, "Just sitting off our Starfort's bastions, without a port to sail to. It seemed such a shame to leave it unclaimed."
"You stole a Strike Cruiser off the Blood Ravens?!" Shrios gasped.
Coluber grinned, "Their ship, their Thunderhawks, even the armour off their backs. Let Posix take their gene-seed, to keep him quiet, but the rest is ours."
Ferrac snorted, "I thought you crazy to allow the Howling Griffons to live, till I realised it kept the Storm Herald's attention fixed here."
"They certainly kept Toran busy," Coluber chuckled, "He never suspected I was looting the Blood Raven's corpses!"
"And he walked off still thinking you were being generous," Shrios chortled.
Ferrac gestured at the gunships, "We doubled our air support, and we got the Erudtoe as well!"
"Quaesitor Eruditio," Coluber corrected.
"I'm not bothered enough to memorise that!" Ferrac guffawed.
Coluber was well pleased, "Despite our losses we have grown in so many ways. Our material strength soars, hard-won experiences have taught our youths much and our manifests boast new tanks, aircraft and ships. Maru even has the seeds to start a Librarius. Such momentous days demand celebration. We must gather the whole Chapter together to mark this triumph. It is time for the laurels of victory to be handed out!"
