The Second and Ninth Legions
The Eldar craftworld sailed through the void in silence. From afar, the massive vessel was magnificent; as much an expression of Eldar art and culture as it was their means of travel and shelter. Up close however, its flanks bore the marks of battle; burned hulls, ruined turrets and whole sections that were torn wide open; the living environment within sustained only by some craft of the xenos.
Farther behind the craftworld was a warship, a titanic monster in its own right, but tiny when compared to the xenos craft. Its sword-like shape enhanced its martial appearance further, lacking any of the elegance curves and aesthetic ornamentation of the Eldar craftworld. It bore the colours of deep ocean blue and the grey of an approaching storm. Other vessels of similar shapes and colours with different varieties of size accompanied it, some of them as big, but most of them were smaller. But there was no mistaking the first vessel's status as the alpha.
This was the Eternal Storm, flagship of the Storm Lord.
II II II
Admiral Jabet sat upon his command throne as he oversaw the pursuit of the Eldar vessel. He was a grizzled man with a mane of grey hair. His aging skin was dark brown, a trait common for one who had grown up in the Yndonesic bloc. His stern face looked weary, but his dark eyes were sharp and alert. He listened silently as reports streamed in from the bridge crew, nodding in acknowledgement and giving out commands when necessary.
They had been pursuing the Eldar vessel since they had left Kalaborn. The Imperial fleet had managed to inflict damage on the craftworld as it escaped the system, but since then, the xenos had managed to stay ahead of the Storm Eagles. The fleet had only managed to inflict sporadic and minor damage on the vessel since then.
Jabet pursed his lips. He had fought many void wars against the Eldar in his long service in the Imperial Navy, but he had never fought against one of their craftworlds before. In his experience, such a massive vessel should not be able to manoeuvre so swiftly without tearing itself in half, yet the Eldar craftworld had done just that, pulling off evasive moves that should be impossible for its bulk, allowing it to evade the worst of the Imperial weapons fired at it, and only taking superficial damage. Against his will, Jabet found himself admiring them.
A shadow fell over him and he knew without looking that it was the Storm Lord. The admiral stood, bowing to Thorondor. The Primarch waved the gesture aside and got straight to the point.
"Just how are they still able to evade destruction, admiral?" asked Thorondo, not in anger, but genuine curiosity.
"Their vessel is able to pull of manoeuvres that should have torn it apart," answered Jabet. "Our gunners have been recalibrating the guns, but the Eldar vessel continues to foil their best efforts."
Thorondor nodded thoughtfully. "Attacking them from one direction makes it easier for them to evade our attacks."
"That is true, my lord," agreed Jabet. "The best thing is to attack them from two fronts, as we've been trying since the start of this chase, but they are staying ahead of us to prevent this from happening."
"Can we board them?" asked the Primarch, his right hand clenching as though to grip the glaive that wasn't there.
"They're too far for boarding pods, my lord," answered Jabet. "Plus they'll have to shoot down anything we send at them."
Jabet looked Thorondor in the face briefly before averting his eyes to prevent himself from being overwhelmed by the Primarch's gaze. He spoke slowly, as though knowing it was futile.
"My lord, under the circumstances, perhaps it would be better to abort the pursuit," suggested the admiral. "In open void, catching the Eldar ship would be a near impossible task."
Thorondor smiled at the admiral and Jabet knew the Storm Lord would not yield.
"The Eldar have committed a great injustice upon the people of Kalaborn, admiral," said Thorondor. "They demand justice. Continue the pursuit. If we can't catch them in open void, then we'll corner them someplace soon."
Admiral Jabet nodded. "By your will, my lord."
II II II
The size of Kalaborn had required the involvement of four Storm Eagle companies: the First, Second, Eighth and Ninth, some eight thousand Astartes all-together, not including the Storm Riders. Initially it was considered to be application of excessive force, given the inferior number of Eldar and the local populace's active participation in the campaign against their xenos oppressors. At the start of the campaign, the Eighth and Ninth Companies had been held in reserve.
When the Orks had arrived however, they were swiftly called to battle.
Now, following the conclusion of the Kalaborn campaign, the First, Second and Eighth Companies were involved in the pursuit of the Eldar craftworld, while the Ninth had been assigned to mop up on the planet. Each Company was a small fleet in its own right, as each one functioned semi-autonomously; still subject to the authority of the Storm Lord and the Emperor, but otherwise generally allowed great independence. In that regard, they were similar to the Space Wolves.
The Captains of the Second and Eighth companies were waiting in a briefing room. The Captain of the Second Company was Azan, a taciturn man who had served the Legion for nearly as long as Asghar. He had a weathered face with the dark brown skin common to one who had been born in the Yndonesic bloc on Terra. His dark hair was bound back into a ponytail and his hard mouth was hidden behind a thick beard.
The Captain of the Eighth Company by contrast, was a much younger man. Captain Wira had earned his rank just a few months before the Legion had found its Primarch. Like Azan, he too was from the Yndonesic bloc. Next to the veteran captain, Wira looked almost boyish with his bright eyes, clean-shaven face and medium-length hair that was a tad too glossy for one whose life was dedicated to war. Azan knew however, despite his youthful appearance, the younger captain was a veteran of many campaigns himself; otherwise he would not have earned the rank.
Still, it didn't stop Azan from giving Wira a hard time for no other better reason than to amuse himself.
"Your thoughts on this whole pursuit, captain?" asked Azan, deliberately emphasising the title mockingly.
Wira caught it and his eyes narrowed a little. "I've had my men battle-ready right from the start; we'll be ready for anything."
"I asked what were your thoughts on the pursuit, captain," said Azan slowly, as though talking to an imbecile.
Wira scowled. "To be honest, having three companies pursue the Eldar seems to be overkill, especially considering that we've beaten the xenos and there are other campaigns that require our attention."
"But the Eldar have transgressed by enslaving an entire human civilisation, surely punishing them for that is worth our attention?" asked Azan, his face grim.
"Of course, but –"
"Furthermore, the Storm Lord himself commanded that this be so," continued Azan, his voice threatening. "Do you question his judgment?"
"Of course not!" snapped Wira angrily. "Stop twisting what I say! All I did was –"
"Are you teasing Captain Wira again, Captain Azan?"
The two captains turned at the voice and saw Asghar and Gwaine entering the room side by side. The First Captain was nearly a full head taller than the Lightning Rider, who was easily the shortest in the room. Yet there was no denying his authority or his presence, which easily rivalled Asghar.
As they entered, Azan studied them intently. Aside from the height difference, there was the skin colour; Asghar was dark, and Gwaine was pale, almost bone white.
The vast majority of Terran-born Astartes in the Storm Eagles had come from the Yndonesic bloc. Their dark brown skin contrasted greatly with the Tempestans' own pale complexion, which was the result of living for years with minimal exposure to sunlight due to the Eternal Storm. Unlike the other Legions, which recruited exclusively from their Primarch's homeworld – save for the Thirteenth Legion – the Storm Lord had continued recruiting from Terra in addition to recruiting from Tempestas. No one could be certain why, but the majority of the Terrans compatible with the Second Legion's gene-seed were the people from the Yndonesic bloc. There were humans from other parts of Terra, but they were few and far in between. Asghar himself was from the Achaemenid region, the only Astartes who was neither from Tempestas nor the Yndonesic bloc to hold a command post in the Legion. As a result of the Storm Lord's recruiting policies, the Storm Eagles had swelled their ranks greatly, bolstering the existing twelve companies' numbers. There was already talk that new companies may be formed in order to better organise the Legion.
"Azan, Wira is a fellow captain. Stop picking on him," said Asghar in the Legion's battle-tongue.
"With all due respect, First Captain; I can handle him myself," replied Wira in the same language.
Due to the Storm Lord's close relationship with the Wolf-King, the Primarch of the Second Legion had in many ways emulated the Sixth Legion's modus operandi. One of main things that had fascinated Thorondor had been the use of different languages by the Wolves of Fenris when in peace and when at war; Juvjk, called the heart-cant and Wurgen, the war-cant. The Luna Wolves also employed Cthonian to communicate during battle. As a result, Thorondor had set out to develop a battle-tongue for the Storm Eagles. The Tempestan language was very similar to Gothic, so instead, the Storm Lord had turned to the Yndonesic origins of the Terran-born Astartes Storm Eagles for help.
While part of the Imperium, the people of the Yndonesic bloc had strongly retained their own regional identity, including their language. Its true name had long been forgotten, so it had simply been called 'Yndonesic'. Since then, it had become the battle-tongue for the Storm Eagles, and everyone who served within the Second Legion was expected to be fluent in it.
Asghar shot Azan a disapproving look which was ignored before he continued.
"The pursuit of the xenos will continue by Lord Thorondor's will. The people of Kalaborn will be avenged. However, he understands that there are other campaigns the urgently require our attention. The First Company along with the Storm Riders will continue the pursuit. The Second and Eighth are free to leave."
Azan and Wira considered this silently. They had been keeping their men battle-ready since the start, but there had been little need for them as the Eldar vessel had continued to stay out of boarding range. This had become a void-battle, and unless they could get close enough for boarding action, or were boarded themselves, the Astartes had very little use in such situation.
"Did Lord Thorondor command us to leave?" asked Azan.
It was Gwaine who answered. "It was simply an offer from the Storm Lord. You are free to leave, but you may remain if you wish."
The two captains considered once more. At times, they found themselves wishing that their Primarchs would phrase such things as a command so that there was no room for doubt. There were other campaigns to be won, honours to be earned, and yet...
It was Captain Wira who decided the matter. "While we are currently not needed in the pursuit, the Storm Lord may have use for our ships. The Eighth will remain, until commanded otherwise."
Azan frowned. "Hmph, I suppose the brat has a point. Our ships may prove useful. The Second will also remain."
Asghar and Gwaine hid their amusement as Wira shot a glare at the Second Company Captain.
"Which brings us to the next matter," said Gwaine briskly. "The Fifth Expedition has encountered a human civilisation not far from here. They have rejected compliance and have the Imperial Army forces bogged down in a stalemate. They have requested Astartes intervention and we are the closest."
"This, I'm afraid, is an order from Lord Thorondor," said Asghar. "He has ordered the second captain to offer to stay with the pursuit to go and handle this." He stared at Azan, a small smirk on his face. "That means you'll be going, Azan."
Wira shot a grin at the senior Captain, who scowled at him.
"Wipe that smirk off your face, boy," snapped Azan. "I go to win more honours for our Legion!"
"You are right of course, Captain Azan," replied Wira, sighing even as he placed a mocking emphasis on the title. "I suppose I must be content to merely bask in our Primarch's presence."
Azan growled as Gwaine chuckled while Asghar shook his head at the banter.
II II II
The pursuit continued for two more weeks by Terran reckoning, and still the Eldar craftworld managed to stay ahead somehow.
Eventually, what brought the chase to an end was the appearance of another Imperial fleet.
It had come tearing out of the warp, every ship painted in bloody crimson, right into the path of the Eldar vessel, surprising the Storm Eagle fleet and no doubt, the xenos themselves. A quick vox message had been transmitted to the newly-arrived fleet and within moments, they had the craftworld encircled.
Damaged and surrounded, the Eldar of Kalaborn were doomed.
Lances of energy tore into the craftworld from all sides, quickly tearing through void-shields and the hull, setting the interior ablaze. The attack continued, ripping the vessel apart as a school of predator fish takes apart a larger wounded prey.
The Eldar sent out pleas for mercy, none was given. They had sought to make humans their slaves, to treat them like cattle and now the wrath of the Emperor of Mankind had been brought down upon them.
The Eldar of Kalaborn burned.
II II II
The Eldar craftworld burned silently in the void, slowly breaking apart as the integrity of the massive vessel collapsed from the damage inflicted upon it. The chase had lasted nearly a month and a half, by Terran time.
The people of Kalaborn had been avenged.
Watching the xenos ship fall apart with a smile of satisfaction, Thorondor waited for his officers to provide more information on the newly-arrived Imperial fleet. One of them handed a data slate to Admiral Jabet, who nodded in thanks before studying it.
"My lord," said Jabet. "It appears that we have just been aided by the Ninth Legion."
Despite its long and illustrious history, the Second Legion had never fought alongside the Ninth before, thus there was little insight that the veterans of the Storm Eagles could offer. But more importantly, it was the Ninth Legion that Thorondor knew had recently been reunited with their Primarch.
Intrigued, he gave the order to open a communications channel with the other fleet.
"My deepest gratitude for your timely arrival, my brothers of the Ninth Legion," said Thorondor, once it had been done.
They waited for a moment before a reply came. The voice that came over the vox-speaker was strong and clear but also contained a dutiful humility that nevertheless echoed a sense of power and majesty that Thorondor had only sensed in the Emperor before. He began to wonder...
"It is an honour for the Blood Angels to be able to aid our brothers in Second Legion," answered the voice.
"Blood Angels?"
There was a pause. "That is what we are called now."
"I see," Thorondor considered for a moment before continuing. "I have heard that you have been reunited with your Primarch. Is this true?"
Though he could not see the speaker, Thorondor could sense the smile in his voice. "This is true. You are speaking to him now, my brother."
Thorondor's smile widened. "So you are Sanguinius?"
"I am, brother Thorondor," answered the Ninth Primarch over the vox. "Horus has often of you."
"And he spoke to me of you," returned Thorondor. "Perhaps it would be better for us to meet face-to-face."
"Indeed, brother," answered Sanguinius. "If you will grant me permission, I will come to your ship within the hour."
"Permission granted," answered Thorondor. "I look forward to meeting you, brother."
There was a chuckle over the vox that nevertheless sounded musical to all who heard it despite the vox-crackle.
"And I you, my brother."