Shadow of a Doubt
Chapter 20
The women looked at the Legios Astartes Commander and impaled their blades into the dirt blade first as well with the except of a single tall red haired woman with a sleekly featured face and fine red eyebrows, who walked forward and would tap the flat of her blade against the shoulder pauldron of the Commander. Behind them, the Legionnaires of the 8th looked at the Commander in wonderment. The women would have been handsome if not for their shaven heads and the single top knot that rose high above them, with tattoos on their cheeks and foreheads. They had ferocious visages, honour scars of warriors decorated their hands and forearms.
Feeling the tap of a blade on his shoulder pauldron, Kyreg stood and bowed to the woman, the woman looking at him questioningly before he brought up his hands and twisted his fingers in Thoughtmark.
I am honoured to meet you, Sisters. He gestured towards their leader. Their leader, smiled in surprise and responded back in the same gestures. You are of the XX. Yet you do not strike at us. He shook his head and responded. I am of the XX, loyal to the Emperor on the Golden Throne. I am loyal to him now as I was when I walked alongside him during the Great Crusade. Just as you did, Sister. The woman smiled even broader and nodded at him before giving a gesture. They each wore a collar around their necks, decorated with expensive gems and the symbol of the Aquila in glittering titanium and each depressed a button.
The Thousand Sons unfroze and breathed out a deep breath of relief, gasping for air even through their helmets while Thobor got up slowly, shaking his head of stupor.
I sense the truce in your words, Alpha Legionnaire. So tell me then, why are you here? Do you seek to disturb our tranquility? The woman signed back, tilting her head questioningly. Kyreg nodded as he signed back. I am afraid I have no choice. I was not aware of who you were, only that the tribesmen told me of hags, of witches in the woods that terrify them. But I see that you are no hag, no witch. You are the rarest gift to be bestowed upon the Emperor's empire. The woman looked at him in amusement, as she turned to look back at the other women. Who do you think we are then, Legionnaire? She would ask while the other women behind her curled their lips in amusement. You are the Nullmaidens. The Sisters of Silence, scorned by the High Lords of Terra even though you once walked alongside the Emperor and accompanied him to every battlefield he walked upon. The woman looked at him as he signed back, and nodded. Do you call us to war then? Tell us of why we should come with you Legionnaire. We have been truly scorned, left scattered across the Emperors domain when we once stood beside him in the palace of Terra under the Himalayan mountains and accompanied him in his spread of the Imperial Truth. Kyreg tilted his head thoughtfully for a moment. I call you to war once again for the same reason I do. I am scorned by the Imperium for the colours I wear. I am scorned for the sins of my Genefather. Serving under my command are those of the Warhounds, the Thousand Sons, as well as Luna Wolves. All those whose genefathers have betrayed the Emperor, and all those who wear colours belonging to Legions that turned from the Emperors Light. She made an amused face as she looked at him and tilted his head. And yet you still fight for the Emperor. Tell me then Legionnaire. Tell me what fuels your fight. Kyreg took off his helmet and looked at the woman in the eye as he signed to her.
We fight because we are not beholden to the Imperium. We fight because we are beholden to the Emperor himself. You do not need to fight for the Imperium, for we do not. We however are the loyal Legionnaires of the Emperors Legios Astartes. Even when our own Legion turn from His light, we shall continue on to reap glories for Him. The Imperium is ruled by the High Lords of Terra, who are but mortals. They look to their own greed, their own machinations in order to achieve their own goals. The Custodians stand by and guard the Emperor but they do not involve themselves in the rule of the Imperium. The Legios Astartes was created to bring the Emperors Will to the stars. Even millennia after, we will obey that order. She nodded at his reply and conversed with her sisters in a few words before nodding at him. We shall return, Legionnaire. My sisters and I will hold our own council.
The women would enter back into the house and Kyreg stood outside, and waited for their decision. He stood unmoving, even hours later when the sun had began to set but he remained. The door opened and the four figures walked out, ancient relic bolters in perfect working condition clamped to their power armour, the Vratine armour a dark gun metal grey while in their hands they held the curved Charnabal sabres in their hands. Full face helms covered their heads this time, except for their top knot which remained high on their helmets. Walking in a single line towards him, they stopped one foot away from the Legionnaire Commander before as one; they lowered themselves to one knee. The woman who conversed with him before bowed and held her blade up to him. He would nod and bowed before saluting them back with his armoured gauntlet on his breastplate, the salute of the Legion. The Sisters stood up and sheathed their blades as one.
I am Oblivion Knight Catriona. These are Sister Superiors Isibeal, Bedelia, and Liadain. We are the last of our cadre of the Lupi Titania. Kyreg's fingers and thumbs danced in small intricate patterns as he responded. I am Commander Kyreg, of the XX Legions 8th Harrow. I will accept your sword and call you back into service as the Emperors darkness. I ask you now, will you walk with me in the Emperors shadows, to destroy and crush those who would attempt to obstruct His Light? As one, they responded, bowing their heads in assent. We shall be your hallowed edge in the Long War. We shall serve you as we once served the Emperor, until your duty is done or until death claims you. The Lupi Titania shall serve you once again Commander.
Kyreg nodded before turning around, the Sisters shouldering their bolters and walked back towards where his fellow Astartes were. Seeing all this, the other legionnaires all bowed their heads at the return of their Commander. He nodded before he looked over at the four sisters and frowned slightly before taking off his own cameoline cloak, Xythos following his lead and taking theirs off as well. He would take all four and expertly attach them onto the power armour of the Sisters, who tilted their heads at him. We fight the war of the Shadows. You must be hidden from the enemy's sight, to strike when the application of force is at their weakest point. Catriona nodded in assent before moving to form around him. With a gesture, the battle group reformed and began to advance towards the large gathering of forces on the map that had been detected by the Strike Cruiser, the information uploaded to his tactical display.
Etanes watched with satisfaction as his Word Bearers advanced, divine words of worship pouring from their vox grills towards the puny weak human soldiers who sought to slow them down. Etanes held his Crozius up high and roared out the words of the sacred texts as blood was spilled, his men cutting the puny mortals apart. He waded through the battle line, his Crozius swinging and crushing a human's skull while his bodyguards had their axe rakes whirring as soldiers were hooked in with the opposite end of the axe rakes, before their hearts were ripped out of their rib cages and held high for a second. Drawing the dark power sword at his waist, Etanes sliced a mortal in half, the body parts flying to the ground while the soldiers blood erupted out of his body in a cloud of crimson droplets. As another human charged him with a bayonet screaming, he kicked the soldier right in the gut, shattering ribs before the human fell onto the ground, Etanes crushing his skull in as he walked over him, paying the human no thought. Behind them, the human soldiers were trapped, as the Raptors lead by the Huntmaster screeched out their screams out of their external vox speakers, scattering the mortals even as their chainswords cut through the weak, purging the battlefield of the weak retreating cowards. Soon the battlefield was covered in blood and Etanes watched on with satisfaction, no casualties of course. At the start of the assault of the military base, the Raptors had attacked the command center, crippling the defences before the attack even began before the rest of them attacked and surged through the leaderless defensive lines, his Word Bearers cutting through the las gun armed mortals the way a tank would cut through a building made of glass.
As per his orders, as many prisoners were taken as possible, with most of them unconscious. That mattered little that would suit his purposes. Every prisoner they had captured so far would be brought forward and shoved onto the bloodstained earth as their executioners revved chainswords and chain axes. He held up a hand, his army quickly stepping aside as his sorcerer Zikarsin stepped forward. The Word Bearer sorcerer looked over at Etanes, who gave him the gesture to go ahead with a nod. Viprus stood with his blade drawn, looking over at Etanes who waved for him to go on. The Sorcerer began to chant as Viprus flew through the prisoners, killing each prisoner with a perfect single thrust to their breast, the blade impaling their hearts and cutting through them in a perfect kill. The Sorcerers chant soon borne fruit, the blood of every slain collected and convalesced into a single dug out pool in the middle, a pool dug out in the shape of the eight pointed star of the Pantheon. The blood collected bit by bit, before turning black and quickly began to be drank into the earth itself, black roots and tendrils forming in the planet itself as it began to force its corruption into the planet itself bit by bit. A large black octopus shaped creature was formed, growing bigger bit by bit. Etanes nodded and chuckled before gesturing for the Sorcerer to continue. Soon, each Word Bearer stood around the warp creature whose screams filled the air as it grew, its tentacles reaching into the planet while the remaining beast men around them howled into the air as they too could feel the change coming. Etanes smiled underneath his helmet and roared his approval as the creature took more and more solid form, the trees around it dying as it absorbed their life energy. Then, the next batch of prisoners were shoved forward to around the creature who grasped them with long black tentacles and drained them of their life force, the corpse withering to dust after a few moments.
Kyreg looked at this scene and snarled underneath his helmet. "Strike Force Zeta, strike coordinates uploaded. Expand all ordinances. Assault spear, heavy resistance expected. Taleon, the Lernaean is to deploy on my signal." After fifteen minutes, the four Stormhawks and the two Firehawks flew past, the Word Bearers looking up as hellfire missiles and vengeance missiles hit the parade ground of the military base the Word Bearers were using as a sacrifice ground, the world enveloping into flames. Multiple passes were done as auto cannon and heavy bolter rounds impacted into the target zone, shredding apart ceramite and flesh. However after the smoke clear, purple warp powered shields stood around a large amount of the Word Bearers, their leader looking up at the sky seemingly before turning around and opening up a portal where their troops began to march through.
"We cannot let them escape, in the name of the Emperor strike them down, for the honour of the Crusade and the Emperor!" The order was given quickly, and the Astartes opened up. Rounds met ceramite armour, Word Bearers falling to the ground with massive wound cavities in them while their leader glanced over at the striking Astartes and grinned before the Sorcerer beside him launched large blasts of black energy to detonate amongst them. At the last minute, the Sisters turned off the restraints around them. As the Thousand Sons and Thobor fell to the ground in pain, the warp blasts disintegrated before it could cause them any true injury. Seeing this, their leader seemed to say something before stepping through the portal with the sorcerer, the Word Bearers turning to engage them. Bolt rounds flew through the sky, Kyreg and the 8th taking cover amongst the shrubbery, pinned down by the discipline precise fire of the traitor Marines.
"Strike now, strike for the Emperor, for Terra." He yelled into his vox and a quick blip return acknowledged him on the vox. Within moments, heavy bolter fire ripped through the ranks of the attacking Word Bearers as dreadstrike missiles struck the warp beast as the Stormbird touched down behind the Word Bearer formation, pouring fire into the enemy lines before Captain Ikanis dismounted alongside Sergeant Atilius. "For Terra, strike them down!" He roared out as the Legionnaires opened fire on the Word Bearers behind them, advancing towards them in a spear formation, Ikanis leading the charge while the Warhounds roared out their anger through their vox speakers, bolters firing and detonating against the armoured forms of the Word Bearers before the ceramite spear slammed into the defending traitor marines.
Ikanis swept his blade down through the helmet and skull of a traitor who dared to sully the Emperors domain with his filthy presence. Beside him, the Warhounds revved their chainaxes and sliced through ceramite and flesh alike, the rear of the Word Bearers defensive formation no match for the combined fury of two of the most celebrated assault oriented Legions cut through their lines. Kyreg ordered a charge, the Sisters charging alongside him as they drew their Charnabal blades in fluid motions, their collars activated again as the Thousand Sons drew powered kopeshes while power axes and power swords were drawn by the rest of the stealth spear. In a single strike, the Word Bearer battle lines were severed as they shrugged off bolter hits to their power armour, Kyreg's power field deflecting bolter shots as the stealth spear surged into the Word Bearer lines. His phase sword cut through armour as if it wasn't there, slicing through enhanced organs as he disemboweled traitors and mutants alike, the Sisters beside him dancing through the enemy lines with their long curved blades flashing in the sunlight, corrupted Astarte blood soon spraying into the air as ceramite met ceramite.
Kyreg slammed his pauldron into a Word Bearer Sergeant who snarled at him and tried to raise his chainsword before a flash of the phase sword cut off the traitor's limb. The traitor scrambled for a grenade but before he could activate it, Kyreg thrusted forward and impaled the traitor between the eyes with his phase blade, slicing outwards as grey brain matter and brain fluids flew out, the Word Bearer dropping to the ground dead. Catriona sliced her blade through the chest armour of a Word Bearer before with screams of fury, she cut the marine in half, the body falling onto the ground with a soft thud and in two parts before she stabbed the blade down, impaling the marine through the eye with the point of her blade. However, the Word Bearers began to retreat and fought back as well, stalling before turning tail and running through the portals. Kyreg cursed as he looked over the battlefield. There were many casualties on both sides, although thankfully they were all injuries. Even amongst the Word Bearers, there were many limbs sliced off but very few dead traitors. The Word Bearers were not initiates either, and parried many of the furious assaults by his forces, before retreating into the portal. However the creature was growing larger and larger, and Kyreg knew it was only a matter of time before it grew to full maturity. Ordering a retreat, Kyreg led the combination of his forces further away although not before tossing a target marker next to the warp damned creature, the small tube transmitting coordinates towards anyone that could lock onto it. He would push them further and further away before relaying up to the Kilo Zeta.
"Bombard cannon, two rounds. Melta torpedoes, full spread. Position has been marked through target marker. On my mark." He yelled into the vox as he led his troops further and further away until they were at least twelve kilometers away. "Find cover." He ordered as he dove behind the gully of hills, ceramite bodies hitting stone as injured Astartes were thrown over into the ditch, and healthy ones jumped in. "Fire!"
In orbit, the bombardment cannon was prepped. A round had already been loaded from the engagement earlier so Maygis gave the order to ready another round. At the Commanders order, he ordered the cannon fired. The first shell flew down towards the planet through pinpoint coordinates, the machine spirit making miniscule corrections as the large melta round flew through the planet's atmosphere and impacted dead on; the round exploding right next to the warp creature as the military base was turned into a firestorm. The second round flew down to the planet a few minutes later, landing in the crater of the first one and detonated as it cut through and liquefied concrete and stone, turning dirt and grass into ash. It was utterly incineration as the power of both rounds ripped through the creature, its tentacles turned into warp ash by the powerful Strike Cruiser rounds. The melta torpedoes impacted moments after, hitting concrete and stone, detonating in the former Severan Dominate military base and turning the former base into one large two kilometer long crater. Nothing remained, but Kyreg knew better than to be optimistic.
"Orbital scans indicate warp storms have stopped, Commander. Target is destroyed, I believe you hit it at the right time." Maygis reported, the ships sensors picking up the anomaly at the center of the military base. "Good shooting Centurion. Give my regards to the crew." Kyreg replied before standing up and sighing for a moment. Ikanis and Atilius walked up to the Commander unhelmed, with large grins on their face. "You fight a good battle Commander." The Lunar Wolf Captain said in congratulations while Atilius simply smacked Kyreg on the shoulder pauldron and grinned. Kyreg looked at the two and smirked slightly before taking off his helmet. Even the forests around them had signs of the damage caused by the bombardment shells, splinters stuck in tree trunks and branches shorn off by the wind caused by the explosives used even this far away.
"Commander, we have detected a single life sign moving rapidly towards one of the Severan Dominate bases." Maygis informed him, the tech marine on board manipulating a dozen servitor skulls that fed information back to him of the battle which took place on the ground. "Send visual to my helmet display." Kyreg ordered as he quickly helmed himself on again. He saw Mikhail riding on a motorcycle towards the base, his warp powers disguising himself as a Severan Dominate officer even though he could not change his face. This is who they were here for in the first place. "Understood. Send us Kilo 4 for pick up." The Centurion acknowledged his command and quickly sent one of the ships in orbit down to the planet.
After a short wait, the dusk blue Stormbird flew down and quickly opened its ramps, Kyreg ordering his troops on board as he himself ran on board and strapped himself in quickly. In moments, the pilot had the gunship up, the other Astartes on board looking at him questioningly. "This is the one we are here for, someone dangerous with knowledge that cannot be set loose. We must stop him, find out why the Word Bearers were here and how are they involved. We do not have time to plan and plot so my orders are simple. We will head to the Severan Dominant military base, and we will take it with force. We will form one spear tip and storm the base, and we will stop the traitor from getting on board a vessel."
The Astartes all nodded in acknowledgement as well as the Sisters of Silence who gestured back an acknowledgement. The Stormbird flew through the air, approaching the military base. Servitor skulls fed Kyreg visuals of the escaping traitor, Mikhail having already entered through the gate. With a growl, he ordered the pilot to fire right into the gate. Heavy bolters and las cannons were targeted right at the gate as the Stormbird flew over the military base. The multiple heavy bolters on the gunship quickly engaged heavy weapon platforms while the Stormhawks and Firehawks flew strike missions with autocannons blaring away as the Legionnaires dismounted. "Shock formation, form the spear tip around me and advance." He ordered as he fired in rapid succession as he advanced forward, the targeter on his helmet ensuring kills even as he charged forward followed by his brothers. The human soldiers fought back with las rifles and heavy bolters, but any heavy bolter set ups that were detected were terminated in a flurry of bolter rounds as well as autocannon shells fired from the gunships buzzing over the base in tight attack patterns.
Las rounds glanced over his power armour and the occasional hard round would ricochet off his armour as he charged forward towards where the vehicles were stationed. Beside him, the Sisters of Silence fired in long bursts from drum magazines, their shots stitching through enemy barricades and sandbag defensive positions while the Astartes that formed the spear tip fired at any troops that got too close to defenses. In a matter of moments, the assault had carried through the base with mortal bodies lying on the ground, some in pieces as the explosive bolt rounds fired by the Sisters punched through their frail flak jackets.
A rocket flew by only to be deflected by Kyreg's power field, the rocket detonating harmlessly in the air but Kyreg turned left and fired a quick double tap, the two rounds destroying the mortal that had fired it as well as the loader beside him. "We're almost there, almost there." Roars of affirmations answered his words as he led them through a gate that now had dead red armoured soldiers cut apart. As the assault force charged through the airfield, he looked up just in time to see the Aquila lander and fly off, somehow weaving in between the gunships punishing the air base with heavy fire. He gave a quick gesture and Gungnir squads Brachus quickly loaded a tracking round and fired, giving the thumb up to the Commander after he confirmed the round hit. Kyreg could only sigh as he looked up at the vessel flying away into the sky. With a heavy sigh, he ordered the human troops to land and cleanse the base. A few minutes later, gunships poured out of the sky and the Coyote Squadron troops landed and began their assault. The assault was precise, with G 6-7 Special Mission Units assisting them. The Severan Dominate soldiers didn't stand a chance as hotshot las rounds cut through their armour while the Coyote Squadron troops moved forward using cover and fire, as well as the ample fire support given by the gunships.
Kyreg growled as he slammed his armoured fist against a concrete pillar, crumbling it into chunks in frustration. He quickly moved forward and looked over at the tracker inside his helmet. The information had been relayed up to the Strike Cruiser, and he was sure that Centurion Maygis was keeping excellent track of where the Lander had gone to. However, it was another failure.
As the military base quickly was overrun, there were those who surrendered and would try and hold their hands out without weapons and Kyreg ordered that their surrenders be taken. As the two dozen or so soldiers left were taken aside and placed under armed guard by the Coyote Squadron soldiers, the dozen casualties sustained by the human troops would be carefully loaded onto a separate Stormeagle, to be given proper funerals on board the ship. That was something that was always carefully maintained no matter the circumstance. He knew that to fight alongside of the Astarte Legionnaires was a guaranteed path towards death but he also knew that from those on board, the mortals served with dedication. A proper funeral is a small thing in return.
"Sir, there are tribesmen approaching the base." One of the G 6-7 soldiers stated with a casual salute, one which Kyreg nodded at with a small grin. The soldiers of G 6-7 has been through hell and back with the 8th, their ancestors having served with distinction since the Crusade Era. Even on board now, there were gene tube born Geno soldiers who were created from DNA supplied by the soldiers themselves in order to create children that would be raised from birth to know war. By the time the children had grown to be adults, they were already seasoned special forces operatives. Unfortunately, they could not implant gene tube humans, as the geneseeds would not adapt and neither would the human bodies, making it a waste of life and geneseed. Kyreg would look over at the destroyed gate and see the Shaman leading a massive pack of feral humans. Kyreg took off his helmet and smiled in greeting to Quidel, whom he saw leading the massive pack. Behind him he could see other Shamans of different tribes. As he walked towards the gate, Quidel called out to him. "Angels of Star God! I have loyal servants of the Star God here with me." As one, the group of warriors all bowed down deeply, Kyreg gesturing for them to rise.
"You have done well Quidel. Now I have one more order to give you and one request for you. Take this large tribe, make your home here. Guard it against those who would not obey the Emperor. And my request, I wish to take from your tribes, young boys who I will make into Angels of the Emperor." Kyreg called out to the entire gathering. Quidel bowed again. "Angels give tribes much honour. Take from us boys and make them Angels." Kyreg gestured, and apothecaries from the different Legions present quickly began to make their way through to different boys, testing them with their equipment to ensure genetic matches. Finally, over two hundred boys were taken and the Shamans bowed again. "I will be back onto this world, Quidel. In my absence, I will name you Chief Shaman. Rule over your people, unite the tribes, and ensure this world remains loyal." The new Chief Shaman bowed and went to one knee. "Tribes will serve Star God. Tribes will die for Star God."
Kyreg gave them a nod as two Thunderhawk Gunships landed, as well as a few Stormbirds. "Officers, we depart this planet and we will give chase." Affirmatives rang back as the Legionnaires boarded the vessels. The Thunderhawks were loaded up with the aspirants, and they roared back into orbit. Kyreg smiled a little; at least they were able to find more aspirants. It sweetened the bitterness in his mouth from his failure to capture the rogue Interrogator once again. He had sworn an oath to Inquisitor Gregori, in exchange for his services and he will see that fulfilled.
Sergeant Yingr looked at the Commander approvingly. "Excellent choice, Commander. I believe these aspirants will do quite well, as feral world ones often provide strong stock." Kyreg looked at the Sergeant and smirked at him. "That might be the longest sentences you've ever said to me, Yingr." The Sergeant shrugged nonchalantly while Nahun beside him seemed to chuckle a little. "You laugh Nahun, yet you forget that you are still an apprentice." Nahun thought about it for a moment. "You are right Sergeant. But it's not often to see you being poked fun at." The Sergeant looked at him for a moment before breaking a rare smile, surprising even the Commander. "Commander, I have high hopes for the future. After all, we are a strike cruiser with Astartes on board again. Perhaps soon, an entire company can be fielded. Maybe even two. If I may offer some advice?" Kyreg looked at him for a moment and shrugged. "Sergeant, you have never failed to remind me that you were my Training Instructor, and that you will never stop being able to teach me so you might as well go ahead." Cracking a small smile, the Sergeant bowed his head slightly. "You are too kind, Commander. Perhaps a larger ship is needed. The Strike Cruiser can be kept and used, but maybe a battle barge." He shook his head for a moment and sighed lightly. "Sergeant, where am I going to find a battle barge?" Sergeant Yingr smiled at him and tilted his head the way he used to when teaching a valuable lesson. "You are aware, Sergeant, that Tyven V possesses the capacity to produce one? I took the liberty of having one made in your name when we were still on the planet." Kyreg closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head.
"You have too much of the Primarchs in you, Yingr. Yes, it would be a valuable addition to our forces, but you know that it will take us a long time in order to produce and staff one." Sergeant Yingr nodded and bowed his head slightly. "That is why I ordered the SDF crews of the Tyven V fleet to begin training on battleship simulators. Personnel can be provided for from the Tyven V planet." Kyreg paused for a moment and nodded. "Very well then. Depending on where we end up in.." "That is another matter too Commander. We have many initiates, but enough suits of armour or geneseeds." Kyreg narrowed his eyes slightly at the interruption. Of course very few people would even try to, much less get away with interrupting the Commander. Sergeant Yingr was one of four Astartes that could do so with ease. "Have you ever heard of a planet called Gothyr IX?" The Sergeant asked him before guiding him to a table where a large map was shown. "Gothyr IX is in the Macharia Sector, of the Segmentum Pacificus. It is a world belonging to the Adeptus Mechanicus, and on the planet, it's used to produce large amounts of refined minerals. However, underneath it is something that has been locked away since the Warmaster turned away from the Emperors light." Kyreg tilted his head at this information and nodded slightly, gesturing for the Sergeant to go on.
"It holds items made from before Ullanor, suits of power armour. And geneseeds, geneseeds from all the legions. The suits of armour are hidden underneath in the core of the planet almost along with the geneseeds in stasis. The current Mechanicus has no idea what they hold underneath, merely that there are certain sections that they do not have access for and that it is because the Omnissiah does not wish certain sections to be accessed. It's because they lack the Legion era access codes programmed into it. There are countless geneseeds from our Legion, from the XVI, the XII, and even the XV. Of course should we choose to, we can take geneseeds from the other legions as well? There are full suits of power armour along with arms furnished that was designed as an emergency reserve in case something went wrong. However during the Crusade, it was little known and therefore never used. It's existence went with the Emperor onto the Golden Throne, and it's records were destroyed or lost."
Kyreg looked at the Sergeant with curiosity. "Why do you know of this then, Yingr?" The Sergeant took off his helmet and set it on the map table before smiling. "Who do you think came up the idea of this? It was a reserve. Imagine if the Great Crusade did not start well, and we took casualties too many, too often. Even entire Expeditionary forces have come back to Terra or to other planets in order to resupply, to refuel. However now to replace Astartes, you lack the resources to. The Emperor or Malcador would be hard to reach of course, being on Terra or with one of the other Expeditionary Fleets. So how does an entire company of Astartes get replaced? It does not. I championed the idea to Malcador and he spoke to the Emperor at length about it, and the project was started. For every ten suits of power armour created, one suit was sent to the reserves. For every twenty geneseed produced, one more was sent to the crypt where it was held in stasis. The planet was chosen as it had no strategic value, so even if it was attacked, it would be a pinning action rather than taken. The Tech priests of Mars claimed it after, and began building on top. However, we can have a great victory, with gene seeds as well as power armour, not to mention the large quantities of processed and refined minerals for our ships forges and armoury."
Kyreg grinned at the prospect and nodded. "Very well then, we shall set course for Gothyr IX. The expansion of our force must be of utmost importance if we are to serve the Emperor." The Sergeant nodded and bowed his head. "The Emperor Expects."