Chapter VI

Stephen sat stock still, listening to the hum of the Thunderhawk's engines. One hand rested on his lap, clenched into a fist. The other hand rested atop Eva's, while her other hand held tightly to the Imperial Aquila around her neck. Normally, there would have been dozens of Astartes, Sororitas or Militarum, possibly all of them inside the cabin. However, as it was, the two of them were alone and had ample room to think upon what Adrian Verantas, Emissary Imperatus had told them in their private council.

Eva couldn't help but feel as though she had committed an unforgiveable sin. She had devoted her life to the Emperor, to doing his bidding and slaying his enemies. However, it seemed that now, to do so, she needed to reject her vows as a Sister of Battle. Or did she? Could she behave in the way she must without rejecting or at least violating her vows? She truly hoped so.

Stephen was far less conflicted. He was convinced that they could play the part of a "divine couple" without giving into their baser instincts. It wouldn't be easy, but it could, and would, be done.

A rumble and thump told them that they had reached their destination. Stephen stood but stopped when Eva did not follow.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his brow furrowing in concern. Eva did not respond. She simply stared forward with blank, haunted eyes. "Eva, what's wrong?"

"You know what's wrong," whispered Eva, after a pause.

He wasn't certain that he did. Just before boarding the gunship, she had mentioned that she was conflicted. When he had asked why, she had said that she didn't understand how "this" was even possible. How could something so "alien" be the solution to their problem?

It had confused him that she had chosen the word "alien" instead of "heretical". Maybe she was warming up to the idea and was no longer afraid of her feelings. Still, she was obviously conflicted over whether or not they were acceptable.

He knelt beside her. "I'm not sure that I understand," said Stephen. "But please, help me."

Eva looked at him, sideways. Then she said, "Can it possibly work?"

"Us, you mean?"

"No the Kriegers and the Iron Guard. Of course, us!"

Stephen was slightly taken aback by her enthusiasm. "I don't know," he said, after a moment. "I don't have all the answers. But we can give it a try. That is, if you would like to."

Eva tried to answer, but couldn't find the words. Stephen smiled at her and it was so warm and caring that any doubts or concerns she had had disappeared. She had been asking herself so many questions about herself and Stephen. Now, only one remained unanswered: Was she still in love with him?

The answer came instantly and without a shred of doubt. It was an unquestionable and irrefutable… yes.

Eva leaned forward and touched foreheads with Stephen. Her stony expression melted away and a warm smile took its place.

"Oh Stephen," she said, softly. "Son of Albert, Emperor's Champion, Battle-Brother of the Black Templars. I love you."

"I know," he said, warmly.

She understood the meaning.

"Pardon me," said Brother Aadne, the Techmarine pilot. "But we've arrived."

"Thank you, Brother Aadne," said Stephen, trying to hide his annoyance.

Eva loosened her restraint harness and together they disembarked. The embarkation deck was abuzz with activity, but that was nothing new. Thunderhawks arrived and departed by the minute. Marines, crew members and servitors rushed about performing various tasks. The roar of engines and cry of voices melded together in a cacophony of sound. Stephen and Eva ignored it all and strode directly towards the exit door.

As they passed through and the door trundled shut, Eva took a moment to take in the quiet.

"That's wonderful," she sighed.

"Indeed," agreed Stephen.

They entered the lift and Stephen pressed the sequence of runes. As the lift began its upward climb, Stephen placed a hand onto the rail. Seconds later, he felt something touch his hand. He looked and smiled when he saw Eva's hand resting on his.

"How do you think the others will react?" asked Eva, after a moment.

"To us, you mean?" asked Stephen.

"Of course. They won't be ecstatic, I'm sure."

"We'll simply have to break it to them slowly."

"But how?"

"We may have to make this up as we go. There isn't really a manual for this type of thing."

"Fair enough." After a moment, she grabbed him by the gorget and pulled his face level with her's. Before Stephen could react, she placed a kiss on his lips. Stephen smiled.

"Well…" was all he could say.

After a few seconds the lift stopped and the door opened. Eva moved her hand away, not rudely though it surprised Stephen.

"Let's break it to them, slowly," said Eva, with a smile.

Stephen nodded in agreement.

They took the hallway directly in front of them and followed it to the end. There, they came to another massive door. Unlike the one on the Persephone, it was the dull grey of gunmetal and its only adornment was a roll of honor embossed into its plating. All told, four hundred seventy-eight names, including Stephen's, were carved into the door. Though he did not know all of them, Stephen did know most of them.

"Who are these men?" asked Eva, reading some of the names. Darius van Daan, Marion Henslich, Aaron van Johanne and many others covered the door. It was a memorial.

"The ones who fell… on Cadia," said Stephen, somberly.

Eva did not ask further. Even as she spotted Stephen's name near the door's center. The two stepped forward as the door ground open.

Inside the strategeum, a mixture of Astartes, Sororitas and Militarum stood around the hololith.

Iona was also there, though no other Mechanicus were present, save a single Servo-skull. It had a rotary gun barrel for a mouth and Eva knew him at once.

"Daylic-191," said Eva. "It's good to see you."

"Sister Eva," said the Skull, in the closest facsimile of surprise its voice could generate. "There were rumors that you had been slain. I am relieved that they were only exaggerations."

"Not as much as you might think."

Stephen shook his head, he couldn't believe her. He turned to his battle-brothers. "I'm certain that you've heard what happened, eh?"

"Suffer not the heretic to live?" demanded Ryker, leaning against the hololith with his arms folded, staring Stephen down.

"So, you've already heard about that?" asked Stephen, smirking sheepishly.

"I'm certain the entire fleet does. What was going through your head, Stephen?"

"Darius III."

The other Templars sighed, knowingly.

"I…see," sighed Ryker.

"What happened on Darius III?" asked Eva, overhearing the conversation.

"The planet was given Exterminatus," said Iona. "An Ork Waaagh had taken it over."

"That is a lie," growled Dunstel, the memory bitter in his mind. "It wasn't the greenskins who caused it."

"Then, who was it?" asked Eva. "And why was the world destroyed?"

"There were rumors that an heretical cult had taken root on the planet, and we were sent to investigate," said Stephen, morbidly. "The world had once been known for being a haven for heretics and blasphemers. Once we arrived, we learned the truth. The planet was a hive world and its underhive was rife with gangs. One of these gangs was dealing in stolen xenos tech, mostly Eldar. And they had become so powerful and influential that we had no choice but to deliver the Emperor's justice upon them."

"Did you?" asked Iona.

"There was no need. The PDF, Arbites and Darian Rifles beat us to it."

"Darian Rifles?" asked Eva, unfamiliar with the name.

"The local Militarum regiment," said Dunstel. "Skilled and pious. Once they learned of the xenos tech, the flooded the underhive with the blood of the criminals. And all the while chanting prayers to the Holy Emperor himself. It reminded me of…"

"Us?" finished Ryker, rhetorically. Eva, the other Sororitas, Iona and several Guardsmen laughed.

"But how do the Carcharadons factor in?" asked one of the Sisters.

"They arrived shortly after we did," said Stephen. "They learned the same truth and were given the same mission."

"What happened?" asked a Guardsman.

"When they found the criminals, the PDF, Arbites and Militarum did their job," said Stephen. "But before they could do more, the Carcharadons slaughtered them, without a word of warning."

"What?" cried Iona, her voice becoming static as it rose.

"And once they were finished with them, they moved on to the rest of hive city Zenith. Once that was done, they obliterated hives Maxim, Apex, Primus, Alpha and Centrum. And they certainly would have continued on had we not stopped them."

"How did you manage that?" asked another Guardsman, a Cadian. "The Carcharadons are wicked little bastards from what I hear."

His comrades backed away and the man immediately regretted his choice of words.

"Strength of numbers," said Dunstel, as if he hadn't heard the insult. He had, but felt it was appropriate. "We had five companies, they had only two. They had fired their ammunition stores dry. Thanks to the Darians, we had scarcely fired a shot. We were healthy and well-rested, they were exhausted from committing genocide. For the first time ever, I believe, they faced a predator who was bigger, stronger and more energized than them."

"So, what happened?" asked Eva.

"We took them prisoner for a few days," said Ryker. "Until Inquisitor Taijo Asashi arrived."

"Fitting." Eva had known Inquisitor Asashi. A member of Ordo Hereticus, he had accompanied the Ebon Chalice on many campaigns. He was, in her opinion, on of the best officials of the Inquisition. No heretic, traitor or other foe of the Imperium escaped him. But above all, he was one of the best at keeping those who were loyal in line. Not just regular humans, but trans-humans as well. Astartes of all stripes respected and feared him. And they knew that if they ever crossed him, they would be facing their own doom. However, the one thing that truly set him apart from other Inquisitors was his view on Exterminatus.

While he did not despise it entirely, he was by far more hesitant to authorize it than most. Eva had once heard him say that "Judgement is for the Emperor alone." And to her knowledge, he had only ever approved its use, thrice. It appeared that Darius III was one of those times.

"Once he arrived," continued Ryker. "He heard our testimony and ordered decimation of the Carcharadons' ranks. Their captains tried to refuse, but were warned that if they did so, the entire chapter would be declared traitors. Twenty of them were executed."

"They were then ordered to leave the planet," said Stephen, a hint of anger in his voice. "But as they did so, they opened fire on both of our Battle Barges."

Startled gasps and murmurs ran through the room.

"Blasphemy!" snapped the Cadian Trooper, his face blood shot.

"Maybe so," nodded Dunstel, quietly agreeing. "And before anything could be done, they disappeared into the void."

"And that wasn't even the worst part," said Ryker. "The Inquisitor asked us to see the hive cities that they had laid waste too. We had not seen them ourselves and nothing could have prepared us for what we were going to witness. It was almost… heretical."

"The hives were nearly leveled," said Dunstel. "And the bodies were strewn everywhere. Some were impaled on spikes and the heads of PDF, Arbites, and Guardsmen were hanging from spears, five apiece. And the blood… it was so thick and dried that our footsteps sounded like they were walking through packed snow. And the blood on the walls made it look like they were half-painted with it."

"It was as if the cursed World Eaters had been there," said Ryker, his rancor rising. "As if the bastard Primarch Angron had worked his craft."

"Brother Sergeant," said Dunstel, firmly, but not harshly. "I don't believe it proper to call a Primarch such."

"My apologies, but I was merely trying to get my point across."

"I understand. And sadly you're right."

"And these weren't traitors or heretics or even xenos," grumbled Stephen, his anger replaced by sadness. "These were loyal Imperial citizens. They zealously defended their world from heresy and corruption, sacrificing their lives in the process. And these… 'Astartes' murdered them because they, and I quote, 'Got in the way'!"

To everyone's surprise, Stephen was weeping.

Eva put an arm around his waist in a comforting gesture. "Calm yourself, Champion," she said. "It is all in the past and, as much as we would desire too, we cannot change it."

Stephen wiped his eyes and nodded.

"So the Exterminatus was an effort to cover this up?" asked a Sororitas.

"Basically," said Ryker. "Only six hives were destroyed and none of the remaining twenty-four hives knew why. So the story about the Ork Waaagh was invented as an excuse to order a planetwide evacuation."

"And once that was done," continued Dunstel. "All of the remaining Imperial vessels virus bombed the planet and blasted it with lance batteries. After six hours or so, the planet was dead."

"And that was the end of Darius III," sighed Stephen, sadly. "The people were relocated to other worlds, the Rifles were absorbed into other Guard Units. And any knowledge of blessed Darius III was erased."

"Ironically," added Dunstel. "It's now overrun by greenskins."

Ryker coughed emphatically.

"What is it Brother?" asked Dunstel.

"I was just wondering," said Ryker. "Should we be discussing this information so openly?"

"What do you mean?" asked Stephen.

Ryker pointed to the Militarum officers and the Chaplain and Champion knew his meaning at once. The information they were divulging was, in fact, highly classified. And was only to be spoken of in the presence of Inquisitors, Astartes and members of the Ecclisiarchy, which included Sororitas. However, Militarum were only allowed to be informed of it under "special circumstances". Otherwise…

"Hold on," said Stephen, gesturing for the other Templars not to draw their weapons.

"What choice do we have?" asked Dunstel.

"We can't begin our campaign by slaughtering a tenth of our officers. I'm not certain that our commanders would approve. Not only that, but we would have to explain ourselves and that might cause more harm than good. After all, Darius III isn't exactly common knowledge, even amongst the Inquisition."

"Do you have another idea?" asked Ryker, legitimately curious.

"Possibly. Dunstel, would you draw your crozius, please?"

Dunstel's eyebrow arched, but he drew the symbol of his authority without protest.

Stephen pointed at the nearest Guardsman, a Mordian Iron Guard. "You, step forward," he ordered.

The man looked to his comrades before taking a cautious step forward. "Sir?" asked the Mordian, standing at attention.

"What is your name, son?"

"Captain Balor Frainz, sir."

"Captain, did you hear everything my comrades and I were saying?"

"About Darius III, you mean?"

"Of course."

"I'm going to assume that's a rhetorical question. All of us heard it, sir."

"Well, you should also know how dangerous that knowledge is."

"Sir?" The man's voice was barely there.

"This information is highly classified. And only Astartes, Inquisitors or Ecclisiarchy are allowed to know it."

The man's eyes widened and Stephen smelled something. As he tried to determine the odor's origin, he spotted the dark patches under the man's arms. He wasn't surprised to see him sweat, he knew what the consequences of such knowledge were. He was also grateful that it was only sweat and not something… less sanitary.

"T-then what's to become o-of us?" stammered the Captain.

"That all depends," said Stephen, placing a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder. "Can we be certain that this knowledge will not leave this room?"

"I promise," said Frainz. "I won't tell anyone."

"I believe you, but I'm going to need a more… tangible sign of your fidelity." He turned to the other Militarum officers. "As well as yours."

"What must we do?"

"Dunstel, please step forward."

Dunstel did so, with a smirk. Now, he understood Stephen's plan. He placed the pommel of the crozius on the deck and held it upright by the Aquila's wings.

"Kneel," said Stephen. Frainz did so at once. Stephen gestured to Eva who came to stand at Frainz's left side, while Stephen remained on his right. Both placed a hand on the Captain's shoulders. "Place your right hand on the Chaplain's crozius."

Frainz did as he was bidden.

"Captain Balor Frainz, of the Iron Guard of Mordian," said Stephen. "Do you swear by the Holy Emperor and the Blessed Primarch, that any secret knowledge you have learned within this chamber shall not be spoken of outside its walls?"

"I do," said the Captain, his voice regaining strength.

"And do you swear by this symbol of the Chaplain's authority and the laws of the Ecclisiarchy, that you will carry this knowledge to your grave?"

"I do."

"And do you swear, by the honor of the Black Templars and the sisters of the Ebon Chalice, that should any one of your fellow Guardsmen divulge this knowledge, that you and your fellow oathtakers shall immediately silence them by all means necessary?"

"I do." The captain's voice was now filled with grim determination.

Stephen nodded. "And thus you have sworn." He pressed the captain's hand into the Aquila's beak.

The captain grunted as the sharp surface pierced his hand. As he withdrew it, a drop of blood glinted in his palm. A matching drop rested on the Aquila's beak.

Frainz nodded to Stephen and Eva, then rejoined his delegation.

"Next," said Ryker, with a hint of humor.

For the next hour, Stephen administered his hastily prepared "Oath of Moment" to every Militarum officer present. He also requested that Iona and Daylic block off their memory of the conversation. To only be accessed in the presence of one of those in attendance.

As they finished, Dunstel broke the silence.

"Now that we're done committing treason," he said, sarcastically. "I believe that it is time to discuss our part in this campaign."

"Agreed," said Stephen.

Dunstel pressed a series of runes on the hololith's lecturn. A map of the Imperium Nihilus appeared. A reticle then fixed onto the Ghoul Stars before magnifying the area to replace the map.

"Our target is here," said Dunstel, as another reticle highlighted a small grey planet. "This is Titan Nocturnas. An Imperial Knight world and home to House Titane."

"I've never heard of them," said Eva.

"Nor have I," said Stephen.

"Nor I," said Ryker. "Who are they?"

"Most in the Imperium haven't heard of them," said Dunstel. "They are very much loyal, but they are also… I wouldn't say 'embarrassment', more of a…"

"Dirty secret?" suggested Frainz.

"For want of a better term," agreed Dunstel.

"But why is that?" asked Ryker, the sentiment echoed around the chamber.

"They love fire," said Dunstel, with a groan. "And when I say that, I mean that they treat it as an aspect of the Divine Emperor, himself. And as a result, their homeworld is… scorched."

"Is that why the world is grey?" asked Frainz. "All the ash?"

"For the most part, yes."

"How do they live on such a world?" asked one of the Cadians.

"I am unsure," responded Dunstel. "Perhaps much like our friends on Krieg."

The Kriegers straightened in acknowledgement.

"Of course, we will not know for certain until we arrive," continued Dunstel. "Our mission is simple: recruit them into our crusading force."

"If they don't set us alight, first," said Frainz, voicing the concerns of all present.

"Have faith, Captain," advised Stephen. "Have faith."

"Though, I would highly recommend that we carry our flamers," suggested Eva.

"In case we need to fight?" asked Frainz.

"In case we have to prove ourselves," said Ryker. "If they love flames so much, we might need to convince them that we do as well."

"Very well," sighed Frainz, his voice shaking.

"The coordinates will be sent to each vessel in the flotilla within the hour," said Dunstel. "And we will depart at twelve hundred hours, tonight. Are there any questions?"

The room remained silent.

"If not then, Militarum you are dismissed. Emperor keep you. Sisters and Templars, you stay. We have a matter to discuss."

The Militarum departed and as the doors shut, all eyes turned to Stephen and Eva.

Do they know, already? wondered Eva.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Possibly," said Serrilda. "But we are hoping that you can clarify for us."

"Clarify what, exactly?"

"We know that the both of you were in a private conversation with the Custodian," said Ryker.

Stephen glared at Dunstel, who shrugged admissively.

"Yes, we were," admitted Stephen. "What of it?"

"Well, whilst you were both in conference with him, we received some rather peculiar orders."

"How so?"

"We were informed that half of the Templars were to be assigned to the Saint's Embrace. While half of the Sisters were to be assigned to the Ardent Blade."

"Oh? But wasn't the Militarum also assigned to the ships?"

"Yes, however, on top of that, the two of you were to be assigned quarters next door to one another."

"I see." Stephen didn't really. Even knowing the urgency of his and Eva's survival didn't make the situation seem less incredible. Thankfully, it was about to become quite clear.

"And they were required to be connected," finished Ryker.

The room fell silent. Eva's jaw dropped, while Stephen blinked rapidly.

"What?" Stephen finally asked.

"Your quarters were required to be connected," repeated Ryker. "No explanation was given and we were hoping the both of you might provide one."

Stephen looked to Eva who mouthed, "Slowly." Stephen nodded.

"Well, I'm certain that by now all of you are aware of our… particular situation."

"You're blessed by the Emperor," said Ryker, causing Stephen to roll his eyes.

"Yes, that's true. But it seems that his blessing has its limits."

"What do you mean?" asked Dunstel. Everyone eyed them with confusion.

"In our long lives," inserted Eva. "We have perished many times. However, it seems that we have been deceased at the same time only twice during this period."

"And therein lies the problem," added Stephen.

"Do tell," encouraged Serrilda.

"According to Adrian," continued Stephen. "A member of the Imperial Astropathic Choir received a vision. I won't bore any of you with the details, but the simple version is, if we should both perish at the same time again, then that's it."

"That's it?" questioned Dunstel. "Do you mean the Emperor's grace will be spent?"

"Withdrawn, more like," said Eva. "And not just from us, but also from the Primarch as well."

"Guilliman or Dorn?" asked Ryker, disquiet in his voice.

"Dorn," said Stephen, his voice a sad whisper.

"I believe, I understand," said Dunstel. "I believe, we all do."

"I hope so," said Eva, eyeing Stephen who returned her knowing glance.

"If this was from an Imperial astropath," said Serrilda. "Then it is certainly a vision from the Emperor himself. And we must do our utmost to ensure its proper outcome."

"Don't go overboard, if you please," suggested Eva.

"Pardon?"

"Don't forget, this campaign's primary objective is the recovery of the STC. Our survival is secondary, possibly even tertiary."

"But if you don't survive, won't the campaign fail?"

"What she means is, don't go out of your way to defend us," clarified Stephen. "We are trained soldiers, after all. And the last thing we need is legions of fanatical meat shields taking bolter rounds and chainsword strikes for us. Or worse, from us. We are more than capable of defending ourselves, barring recent events, that is."

"Of course, Stephen," agreed Ryker, everyone staring at him for using Stephen's proper name.

"Thank you, Ryker." Now everyone stared at Stephen for the breech in protocol.

"We had best report to our vessels," said Dunstel, breaking the tension. "We have preparations to make."

The others filed out, while the Chaplain motioned for Stephen and Eva to remain.

"There's more to it," said Dunstel, once the trio was alone. "Isn't there?"

"What do you mean?" asked Stephen, trying not to sound flustered.

"Don't play ignorant with me, lad. I've seen the looks you two have been giving one another."

Eva tried to keep her expression neutral, but the cold tingle in her cheeks signaled that her face had lost all color. Her own emotions had betrayed her.

Stephen was the same story. His face was pale and his limbs were beginning to tremble. Normally, he would have been curious as to the source of his nerves, but he knew what it was this time. And he wasn't ready to deceive the Chaplain.

"Yes, there is more," he said, exchanging a look with Eva. "However-"

"You don't want to talk about it?" ascertained Dunstel.

"No," said Eva, with a hint of shame.

"I understand. But I warn you, don't let your feelings distract you. We've already seen the consequences of that."

The statement made both Eva and Stephen feel like school children being reprimanded by a virtuous headmaster.

"Do you understand?"

"Of course, Chaplain," said Stephen.

"Yes, Chaplain," said Eva.

"Good," said Dunstel, satisfied. "You are dismissed."

The two of them could not leave fast enough. They fled like two youths who had been caught making love by an instructor. It wasn't until the doors of the lift clanked shut did either of them even react.

"Emperor preserve us," exhaled Eva, sinking to the floor.

"Are you alright?" asked Stephen, leaning against the wall.

"It seems that we've already been found out. So much for breaking it to them slowly."

"Don't worry. Dunstel is quite a bit more perceptive than the others. To an annoying extent."

"Well, if he does know, it's only a matter of time before the others do as well."

"I couldn't say. But, yes, undoubtedly."

"So it's best, then, that we stick to our intended strategy."

"I would say so, yes."

Stephen sat down beside her and Eva took his hand.

"Eva Reinarr," said Stephen, his voice warm. "Sister and Canoness of the Ebon Chalice, I do so love you."

Eva leaned in and kissed him. "I know," she replied.