Shadow of a Doubt
Chapter 18
The Legion coloured Astartes looked at Kyreg, the telltale signs of private vox communiques clicking back and forth. Those of the XX Legion would walk to in front of Kyreg and their leader seemed to pause for a moment before speaking. "You are accompanied by the XX Legions Lernaean. I would know who you are first." Kyreg paused for a moment before letting the holographic projection of the blackshield armour fade to reveal the dusk blue underneath. "I am Commander Kyreg of the 8th Shroud. And I believe that you are all in the same boat as me. Abandoned by Legion and Primarch alike. Abandoned by the Imperium at large but your loyalty to the Emperor remains strong." At his words, the XX Sergeant and the other XX Legionnaires all went on a knee in front of him.
"I am Sergeant Daygis, Asgeir Squad of the 12th." Kyreg nodded and looked towards the others. At his words, the Luna Wolves Captain went down on a knee as well. "I am Captain Ikanis of the 45th Luna Wolves Company." The XII Legionnaires would kneel as one. "Sergeant Atilius, of the War Hounds 91st Century." The Legionnaires of XV would not kneel, instead bowing their heads lowly. "I am Sergeant Tarquin of the Armitara 9th Company." Kyreg nodded and gestured for them to rise. "Honour is done brothers." The Legionnaires rose and the Thousand Sons stood straight again, each of them looking at him. "Tell me, truthfully. Swear it on the Emperor and the Golden Throne. Do you mean what you said?" The Luna Wolves Captain would ask, stepping forward towards the Commander.
Kyreg nodded as he faced the XVI Captain. "I meant every word Captain. We, all of us are products of the Great Crusade. Those of the fallen legion that still remember the Oaths we took as we marched out from Terra onto the void crafts of the Great Crusade. Thousand Son, be not afraid to scan my mind and see the truth." Sergeant Tarquin nodded and his compatriots all closed their eyes as the grounds around them frosted over, and Kyreg let out a cry as his nose began to bleed inside his helmet. He was steadied by the hand of Thobor who nodded at the Thousand Sons to continue. A few moments later, the frost quickly disappeared and the XV Sergeant nodded. "It is the truth. I am honoured Commander to see your memories. I am not worthy." Kyreg shook his head and put up a hand to reassure them before taking off his helmet. "The psyker, the one who brought the daemons here. I am seeking to hunt him down and slay him. However, I do not know the state of the space port and my sensors indicate the ship he is on has launched so I will need to follow him once again. There are choices left to you all. You can remain here and sell your services for repairs. Or you can come with me. I do not answer to the High Lords of Terra, we all know they are mortals prone to their own greed. If you shall once again walk under the Emperors Aquila, then come with me."
After a few moments of thoughts and discussion on private vox channels, Captain Ikanis stepped forward. "Commander, we are unanimous. We will serve." Kyreg smiled and nodded. "Tell me Captain, have you ever met Captain Tiryanos of the 75th Company?" The Terran born Captain tilted his head and nodded. "Yes. The 75th were noted for ship boarding actions. The Primarch often used them as the spear tip when a ship boarding was required." The War Hound Sergeant growled in approval, for it was a way of war they approved of. Kyreg smiled broadly and took off his armoured left gauntlet, displaying a tattoo that went over his entire hand onto the rest showing an eye inside of a massive shield. "I served under the Shield Captain when I was a new Initiate of the XX. He granted me the honour of the Shield Bearer mark when I departed for my own legion." Kyreg would place the gauntlet back on as one of the legionnaires bearing a volkite charger and a power axe would walk up to him before smashing the flat of his power axe against his own left armoured arm. In reply, Kyreg grinned. The other Legionnaires around them tensed for a moment but Kyreg broke out into a rich laughter. "Captain, this legionnaire here. He's not from the 45th is he?" Ikanis shook his head. "In that case, I will know your name Legionnaire." The Astarte standing in front of him and removed his helmet with a grin. "I am Legionnaire Orthuris, 75th Company Tyrannis Squad."
"May your blade arm strike true." Kyreg began. "And your shield arm undefeated." Finished Orthuris. The two grasped each other's forearms in a warriors hand shake. Ikanis looked at the Commander questioningly. "Tyrannis Squad was the personal command squad of the 75th Company. Under Captain Tiryanos, it is the squad I served in. He did me much honour by allowing me to serve directly under him and Orthuris here is a veteran." Ikanis would grin under his helmet and nodded. Kyreg placed his helmet back on and gestured towards the exit. "Come with us then brothers."
Kyreg would nod at Sergeant Lefias and led the contingent back towards the exit where they would make their way onto the Kilo Zeta. "What of your terminator brethren?" The Warhound Sergeant would ask but Sergeant Daygis would answer. "It is a tradition amongst the XX Legion, brother." The sound of loud crumps could be heard as well the sound of Volkite discharges that would ring through the hallways. A few moments later, Sergeant Lefias led Taleon through the docking port entrance. Kyreg smiled underneath his helmet. "No witnesses, Brother Warhound. No enemy shall glimpse the Fangs of the Hydra and live to tell the tale." Atilius chuckled in approval. "I believe Commander, you have captured the spirit of the XII quite well." Kyreg smiled as the pressure door was closed and the blast doors to the inside of the vessel was opened. "I'm afraid brothers, there will be no pomp like the time of the Great Crusade to greet you." He stated simply as they would walk into a large hallway that held a multitude of serfs attending to their duties as well as sentry servitors who at a thought command from the Commander, scanned the new additions and added them into a log of non-targets. "Sergeant Fratis. Please have Ladon show them their new quarters as well as the relevant areas. Legion Officers, we shall conduct a briefing in six hours. If you have need of ammunition, please let Sergeant Fratis know. He will communicate with our tech marines."
The double doors to the war room opened up and admitted the new additions to the Kilo Zeta. The Thousand Sons had been tested by Thobor as well as the potent powers of Sergeant Yingr and were found to be clean of any taint. Their tales were recorded down in the Annals of the Ship as remembrance. Then the Thousand Sons had spread throughout the others and tested them. The Warhounds had balked at this but the Kyreg's orders were not negotiable. In times like this, everyone must be tested. The Thousand Sons and the Alpha Legionnaires had accepted it without complaint, but the Warhounds and the Luna Wolves had grumbled; of course the Warhounds had grumbled the most. It was quite obvious why the XVI and the XII had adapted their Terran given names of their legion, to separate themselves from those of their Legions that had fallen. It was also their Legions that had abandoned them and the Emperor in the paths they walked. The Alpha Legionnaires had been born of Terra, not a member of the first two thousand as Kyreg and the 8th were but in the later recruitment drives that had expanded the XX. The Wolves had a mixture of Cthonian and Terran, while the Warhounds were all Terran as well. The Thousand Sons, they were born of Prospero and the rubric had also healed their flesh changes; their psyker power protecting them from becoming the automatons that now formed the bulk of the XV. Geneseeds from the dead had been recovered and labelled as separate, and placed into the stasis fields of the Apothecium.
"Welcome to the war room gentlemen. And Warhound." Kyreg began. Atilius grinned a savage smile while the others chuckled. "I know that the times of the Legions have gone past but it is my belief that martial discipline must still stand. The adherence of your ranks still in this time makes me believe you all understand the importance of this as I do." He looked around to see nodding confirmations. "Good. Sergeant Daygis, I have a feeling that Asgeir will integrate the best." The Sergeant nodded. "Yes Commander. We are the Headhunter squad of the 12th. The rest of our Harrow, they are either dead or followed the Warmaster into treason so only six of us remain." Kyreg nodded. "Very good then, we shall add Asgeir to the XX strike force."
"We are Icarius, made up mostly of the former 45th Company. There are seven of us that remain. The rest of the 45th is in the company of the Lupercal now." Captain Ikanis stated as he undid his helmet to reveal a regal face with the gang tattoos of Cthonia.
"I lead Kanis, and there are nine of us. We were one of the few Terrans that still remained after our Genefather was reunited with us. The butcher's nails were never implanted into us, for we have always been ignored as Warhounds within the XII. We watched as our brothers sought the implants in order to share a commonality with our Primarch and ignored the truth; Angron never cared about anyone in his Legion." Kyreg nodded at his words, he could understand the loss of brotherhood. He had felt it when he ordered half his company to fire upon the other half to ensure that his company was not drawn into the side of the Warmaster.
The last one to speak, the Thousand Son Sergeant bowed his head again. "Commander, I lead Anpa, of the XV's Ammitara Cult. We are the assassins of the Thousand Sons." Kyreg nodded in appreciation of such a squad. "I suppose that it is my turn. We are of the 8th Shroud, the remaining loyalists that have survived the past few millennia in order to carry out the Emperors will. We do as we did when we were set apart as the Trefoil, slaying the Emperors enemies from the shadows. We are composed of a heavy assault squad as you have all seen, as well as three Seeker squads and a single Armoured Fang. An armour troop, if you will. Of course we have on board contingents of air assets and transport. This is a vanguard class strike cruiser, first produced by Mars and gifted to the 8th when the XX was first expanded and sent to the void to bring the Emperors Imperial Truth. So I ask this of you all then, how do we integrate the command." He would look around at the Astartes gathered around him in search of an answer.
"Perhaps the answer lay within our own Legions." Ikanis answered thoughtfully. Kyreg gestured for him to go on. "You outrank us all Commander, and we are onboard your ship. My suggestion is unconventional, to be frank. My rank is unimportant, there are no companies to command only squads. Give me two Warhounds. I shall give to Atilius one of my veterans, one of my apothecaries. The numbers are evened to eight per squad. Integrate with me the Anpa, or give me one of your Seekers and integrate the Anpa into your formations. Thus we will have three spears, one hidden spear, one armoured spear and one assault spear. Combine that with air support assets and I believe we will have a rather formidable battle formation." He would look over at Atilius who nodded in thought, having taken off his helmet as well to reveal a bald Astarte with leonine features and a multitude of scars. "The Wolf speaks sense, Commander." He nodded in agreement. "And we do lack an apothecary in Kanis." Kyreg nodded at the exchange. "So be it. Tarquin? Which formation do you wish to be integrated in?" The Sergeant thought about it for a moment before replying, his helmet having been off since he had boarded the ship, his tanned skin standing in contrast to the paler features of the others in the room. "I believe it is in our best interest to integrate with you Commander. That way the assault spear will have an XX formation in it as well." Kyreg smiled and nodded at the others. "Very well arrange the exchanges. Now the issue of command. Who shall command the assault spear?" Ikanis and Atilius both looked at each other. "I believe the Captain to have sufficient spirit akin to ours to command." The Warhound Sergeant answered and gave a vicious grin to the Luna Wolf Captain. "You honour me Sergeant." The Captain replied with a salute, his armoured gauntlet striking his breastplate with a loud thud. Atilius returned the salute with a smile on his face as well.
Kyreg smiled as he walked into the training hall, the sounds of blade on blade could be heard for once. The 8th did not have the numbers to make true use of the training halls, or the range. Sergeant Rythor ran his squad through the range the most, as Kyreg's duties prevented him from heading to the range too often. Centurion Maygis was standing off to the side, the newly acquired tech adept Kretis by his side as servitors unloaded boxes in front of a group of Luna Wolves and the two Warhounds that were seconded to him while in the training cages, Atilius was busy shouting encouragements at the Luna Wolf apothecary who seemed to be conducting himself quite well in the ways of the Warhounds. His opponent was the Warhound named Caedmon who seemed to be one of the top notch warriors of the Kanis. So far, they seemed to be evenly matched as the two trained with deactivated chain axes. They were both in full power armour except for helmets and none of them seemed to have landed a hit on each other yet. In some ways, Kyreg was unused to having a full demi-company on board again. He would approach the two tech adepts and listened in on their conversation with Captain Ikanis.
"Phobor pattern bolters are relics in their own right of course, but their unique calibre size means that these shells are newly produced. For now, I have produced the standard ones used by us. We call them Cainite bolt rounds, and they consist of a melta tip at the end that is meant to destroy armour. Behind it is an adamantium rod that forces a pressurized charge of mutagenic acid into the wound, the force of the impact creating a wound cavity inside the target except this time, the wound cavity is filled with the acid that destroys tissue behind it. It was made for use against power armour. Now this round is excellent for use against power armoured Astartes as well as unarmoured targets. However against tactical dreadnought armour, we use Kraken rounds. Increased charge and an adamantium solid tip, those will punch through terminator armour consistently. The Cainite bolt rounds were made to be used by sniper rifles as well as stalker bolters, a slight hiss the only sound of the melta discharge. It is a stealth operation armour piercing round. However, I understand this may not necessarily be perfectly suited to your needs so I took the liberty to have the same ammunition press produce Kraken rounds as well. The Autocannon rounds for Kanis have also been modified. As the autocannon lacks the full hitting firepower of a stormbolter or an assault cannon, the solid slug shells have been modified. It is the same type of ammunition that we use; they contain a solid tungsten tip with a massive explosive charge built in. of course this makes the round heavier so to compensate, inertial dampeners must be installed onto the autocannons to compensate for the much higher rate of recoil involved. We have found these rounds effective against power armour, unarmoured targets as well as light vehicles." The Luna Wolf Captain was nodding as he examined the ammunition.
"I hope the Centurion is not boring you too much, Ikanis." Kyreg proffered as the Captain looked up with a wolfish grin. "The Centurion is telling me that you possess the capacity of ammunition production as well as the ability to modify ammunition to be more lethal. I assure you Commander, I am anything but bored." The Commander chuckled and gestured for the Centurion to go on, the tech marine having a rather annoyed look on his face the same as when he has been interrupted.
"Volkite batteries, we possess plenty of. The recharge process is straight forward as well. Unfortunately they must be recharged on board the ship itself as we do not possess any field chargers. Grenades, we make use of blind, krak and frag grenades as well as those that I'm afraid are not suited to be used by non-Alpha legionnaires. For that I apologize but it is simply the Legions way." Ikanis didn't look offended at all at the mention of weapons that would not be given to him. He understand quite clearly that each legion had their own traditions. "Now then, heavy bolter rounds we have many of but we rarely use them ourselves. The ones that we do use are mostly Kraken rounds or regular bolter rounds. You see it is our belief that if a heavy bolter must be used in war, then let it must be used in a manner to be able to kill any infantry that would dare wander into our path. We do not use specialist rounds for the heavy bolter because of that. However you will notice that I have placed many drum magazines to be made available to your forces. That is because when fire power is required, we will equip ourselves with drum magazines where the long bursts will not empty our magazines so quickly. Of course the shells are smaller but you are able to sustain a much higher rate of fire. And in emergencies, sickle magazines can still be used. You may wish to consider the tactical implications of this method."
Kyreg would chuckle and waved his leave towards them, he could see that Sergeant Fratis was talking to the other legionnaires and the Alpha legion's newest recruits could be seen intermingling with the veterans, discussing tactics and weapons use as well as learning from the Crusade veterans. Walking over towards the drill cages, he could see that Aygres the apothecary was shaking hands with his opponent, having been judged killed after a strike pushed him back to the cages and the Warhound veteran facing him simply charged them axe first. "Looks like you're already trying to break your new apothecary." He commented as Atilius would clasp his forearm in a warriors greeting. "Ah Commander, it is a fine time for you to visit us. We are much more disciplined than the World Eaters of Angron ever were. However, assault has still always been in our blood as Warhounds. As the Emperor willed it in the creation of our Geneseeds, he perhaps deemed us worthy to give us more blood thirst in our blade arms." The Warhound was unapologetic yet he had a much more regal bearing than the World Eaters that Kyreg had met. "Well as long as you don't break him in your practice cages. I'm not sure Ikanis would be so willing to give up his other apothecary if he knew that you simply needed firewood." He replied rather drily, watching as Aygres nodded while Caedmon was demonstrating to him the finer points of a full frontal assault by chain axe. "I am surprised though Commander. You seem to walk around in a state of confusion it seems. I would wager that you do not know why you are here." The Warhound grinned as Kyreg looked at him with mild surprise on his face. "Do not think my brothers and me unobservant even if we are of the XII."
"You are correct. I am unused to an entire demi-company. I counted our numbers earlier, and we number forty four Astartes in fighting formations, with another sixteen in support formations, and of course another eight in the armoured formation. We are a full demi-company of Astartes. More than I had hoped. Of course we also have initiates on board, and geneseeds to be implanted with geneseeds from all of the Legions present except for the Thousand Sons. In a year, we may have a full fighting company on board the ship for once. Do not mistake this for any negative feelings I have, but I have not commanded a full company since.." "Since the Heresy." The Warhound Sergeant finished for him. Kyreg nodded and smiled slightly. "I am simply unused to this even though I know that together we will reap great glories in the Emperors name." Sergeant Atilius grunted in approval. "An entire company of Astartes. Do you remember the glories we earned in the crucible of battle during the Crusade when entire companies of us went to battle?" With a grin, Kyreg nodded. "I still remember the majesty of when entire companies deployed alongside the Emperor in battle, forcing compliance across the many worlds that were ruled over by xenos, or by tyrants who would not surrender to the Imperial Truth." The Warhound chuckled deeply and saluted him with his fist slammed against his breastplate before turning to push two more of his Warhounds into the training cage.
Kyreg found himself wandering deeper into the ship where he seldom travelled; the domains of Sergeant Yingr. He made his way deeper into the bowels of the ship, walking past serfs who bowed to him as well as Gamma 6-7 soldiers who saluted him as they stood watch in various strategic sectors. Finally, he would walk through a large set of double doors made up of plasteel with names carved onto it. Successful initiates earned the right to etch their names onto the door when they came back as full Astartes. As he entered through the doors, he could see Sergeant Yingr standing there with Nahun beside him, both fully armoured and carrying a large steel shock prod. In front of him were over seventy initiates that remained, divided into teams of five and armed with wooden sticks. They wore only grey robes and they were arrayed against each other in fights. Each team held a single token, and it provided for a single warm meal. He remembered this test well; those who did not possess tokens at the end were subjected to the cold protein gruel while those who possessed tokens were given a hot meal of real food. He remembered the meals as mountains of seared fish, or grox meat with large quantities of starch to go with them. Of course he also remembered the mucus like protein gruel that he consumed for most of the sessions. So far, the Initiates seemed to be doing well; they were ignoring territories and instead constantly on the attack. Some initiates chose to bundle together and assault as one. Others spread themselves out and would sacrifice a few just to strike with surprise from the rear. Sergeant Yingr saw him and nodded a greeting before calling the Initiates to order. The Initiates quickly stood to attention in their groups of five as the Sergeant would approach the Commander and bowed, Nahun behind him bowing as well.
"How is this batch doing?" The Commander asked quietly as he examined the young boys standing together. The Sergeant thought about it for a few moments. "There is a dozen that I am unsure about. But the rest of them, I have high faith in them. The time for implants shall come soon I believe. The dozen I am unsure of, I must test them further." The Commander thought about his answer for a moment. "I trust your judgement Sergeant. We cannot blindly implant as we did during the Crusade, each must be of strong morals and judgement before they can be given the priceless geneseeds." The Sergeant nodded in agreement. "Of course Commander. The process has been refined thankfully, and I have the highest faith in the ones that make it to implant." With a slight tilt of his head, Kyreg would gesture towards Nahun. "How about your apprentice? What do you make of him so far?" The Sergeant smiled underneath his helmet as he replied. "He is quite capable. Still inexperienced of course but he is learning fast. I have high hopes that one day, my role can be duplicated by him to speed up our training process for new initiates but also to increase our intelligence scans." Kyreg nodded before bidding them both farewell. As soon as he had turned, he could hear the Sergeant ordering the Initiates to step forward and account for their tokens. There were triumphant cheers and muted disappointments of course, and it brought cheerful memories to him as he remembered his time as a new Initiate on Terra where the drillmasters had been far crueller yet emphasized the bonds of brotherhood with every lesson taught.
The bridge was abuzz with activity as the tracker had begun moving faster, moving indeed faster towards the Spinward Front. Specifically, the heading seems to align with a warp travel plotting towards a planet known as Orbiana. The planet was registered as a Feral world, with no real significant value except for perhaps resources underneath the planets core and the people on the planet. Kyreg looked at the plotting and nodded, giving the order to the bridge staff. "Follow them there. Maintain stealth shielding, the Emperor expects."
The former Inquisitional vessel had flown right past the inactive orbital defence platform and put itself into orbit where multiple flights of Thunderhawks had flown down to the planet itself. Down on the planet, the only real forces present were those of the Severan Dominate, whose red armoured human soldiers maintained a small presence on the planet. Of course the Thunderhawks would avoid the strong holds and flew into an uncivilised region in the heavy mountains regions that stuck up beyond the thick jungles underneath, it's only occupants the uncivilized tribesmen who sought shelter from the screaming steel birds that flew into the sky itself.
Two months later
The Kilo Zeta broke out of warp transit in full stealth cloaking and floated towards the planet. In that time, the Legionnaires on board had been greatly prepared for the possibility of a war. Not just any war, but a war of vengeance. Kyreg stood on board the bridge of his flagship and looked through the viewports of the strike cruiser, his left hand tapping the armoured edges of his power suit with impatience. Beside him stood Captain Ikanis who smiled as their journey had finally brought him to where their target is. The order given was simple.
"Load bombardment cannon. Target the Inquisition vessel." Centurion Maygis ordered as he stood at the control dais in the center of the bridge. "All weapons battery, power up. Full torpedo spread, plasma and las cannons to be powered up."
"Plasma and las cannon powered up. Torpedoes loaded and primed, firing solution plotting. Bombardment cannon, shell is being loaded." A serf spoke up from his control console. "Target is drifting, minimum power detected on board." A scan few moments later, the firing solution confirmation was given. "Fire solutions plotted. Bombardment cannon loaded. Orders my Lord?"
"Fire all weapons. Destroy that vessel." Maygis gave the order. In a few seconds, blasts of plasma the size of small buildings were launched at the vessel, while over twenty four torpedoes were fired in support. Then the bombardment cannon fired. A massive shell was flung towards the strike cruiser.
"Impact, five minutes." A serf announced. Kyreg watched as the munitions deployed hit the Inquisitional cruiser, the vessel becoming engulfed in a ball of flames as multiple systems were destroyed and erupted in a cascade of explosions. The vessel broke apart into multiple pieces before another spread was ordered fired by the tech marine. The torpedoes were fired in scant moments, the spread of warheads flying out into the debris field and detonating against the many pieces of debris and scattering them, making a massive hole in the debris field for the Kilo Zeta to move through with minimal shield hits. Nodding in satisfaction, Kyreg turned and began to make for the loading bays. He was followed by Ikanis who was voxing his assault spear into action as well. When they had made their way to the loading bay, Stormbirds were already waiting, with their engines warmed up. Beside them stood the newly furnished Legionnaires of Kyreg's small force as well as Kyreg's 8th. Along with the 8th stood Anpa, their armour having now also been fitted with the holographic active camouflage systems that the 8th wore as standard. Alongside them stood Coyote Squadron, one hundred and fifty of the human troops that had been recruited from Tyven V now split into five platoons. They now stood in dark coyote brown uniforms with splotches of tan and green camouflage in fractal stripes in carapace armour and full faced helmets with advanced targeters over their eyes. In their arms were clasped bullpup hotshot las guns or hotshot volleyguns, along with hellpistols strapped to their thighs. Grenades were clustered around in belts around them, and they stood with the ease of veterans now. The training process had been brutal but they had produced elite drop troops ready now to die for their Astarte masters.
Behind each platoon from Coyote Squadron stood a G 6-7 Special Mission Unit, each equipped with the equipment that had served them for decades. Kyreg nodded as he gave the order. "Holding pattern only. Gungnir, Xythos and Anpa will conduct reconnaissance of the targets set out." The bridge had traced multiple heat gatherings, and the largest one was the one they were going to recce. They had so few information on Mikhail, except that he was a psyker of some power. This time he was trapped on the planet and the contingency plan had already been set. Cyclonic torpedoes would be launched from the ship and the planet would be razed of life, doomed to be re-made into a dead planet after its atmosphere had been burnt to nothingness. Kyreg gripped his combi-stalker bolter and entered one of the Stormeagles there waiting him followed by Gungnir and Anpa. The Thousand Son Sergeant looked over at the Commander and gave a thumb up followed by Sergeant Rythor. The order was given to take off, and the Stormeagle was quickly launched out of the launch bay and ejected into the void where it quickly shielded and began to glide down towards the planet. Vox orders could be heard from on board the Kilo Zeta as the assault spear as well as Coyote Squadron quickly mounted on board their transports and were launched into the void as well, their vehicles powered down as they began to drift down towards the planet. The Human Coyote and G 6-7 troops were given dosages of sleep medication that would put their body into a state similar to the sus au membrane sleep adapted by the Astartes, auto-injectors loaded with stimulants stood ready to go by a single order to awaken them into battle readiness. Underneath his helmet, Kyreg grinned. It felt good to go to war with numbers again.