Tales of the Amber Vipers Chapter 293

Maru Kysoto had to admit that Castabore knew what she was doing. His mechanical body moved with surety and precision he had not experienced in many millennia. The joints were steady, pistons smooth and his Atomantic reactor hummed with satisfaction. The brigands he had thrown in with had done their best, but that fell far short of the hallowed rites a Dreadnought required. They could grease gears and replace armoured plates, but the mysteries of the Mind Impulse Unit, the throb of his reactor and the Spirits of his sensorium were beyond their crude skills. Truly Archmagos Castabore had made him good as new.

Maru desired solitude and moved into the recently cleared sections of the Serpens Rex. Once he had called this starfort home but for years it had been a mausoleum to dead Brothers. The ruffians who squatted in the ruins thought themselves masters but barely comprehended the scope of what they held. The Serpens Rex hid potent weapons and devices unique in the galaxy, Maru had not told Coluber of these, he was not worthy to wield them. That was only part of the issue, these hoodlums did not respect the majesty of this place, the legacy of victory and stubborn loyalty it represented. For thousands of years had Brothers striven for perfect purity, committing themselves mind, body and soul to the cause. Coluber's louts did not understand such values, even those who studied at his feet. No, Maru was alone in the universe, last of the true Amber Vipers.

Weighed down by morbid thoughts Maru made his way to the Mortuary deck, where the statues of dead heroes dwelt. He opened the doors with a psychic shove, his power as sharp as it was vast. He slowed as he entered the space, Sensorium painting every face in perfect detail, even the ones beyond the range of a mortal eyeball. Nottaru, founder of the Chapter and the hero who had stood firm against treachery unimaginable. Haranzo, who mediated for ten days and ten nights on the route to victory then took up his spear and killed an Ork Warboss with one perfect cast. Shangan, the Tiger of Cadia, who slew a dozen Champions of the Black Legion, before being killed by no less than Abaddon the Despoiler himself. Museshi, the peerless blade, undefeated in duels and author of the 'Way of the Sword'. Legends forgotten to all: save Maru.

Maru paused before the statue of Nottaru and uttered, "Though your bones are dust and your name become myth, know I shall never forget you." The statue did not reply, stone was not in the habit of speaking, so Maru moved on. He trod between the rows of coffins, wending a path between the honoured dead. Many he knew by rote, others were mysteries even to him, but all were worthy of remembrance. Maru walked among giants of history and honoured their deeds, it made him proud to inherit such a legacy, but sad to know when he passed those legends would be lost forevermore.

At last his wending steps brought him to the oldest and most significant of templums ringing the perimeter and here he paused. The empty vault lay in darkness, the names etched into the floor lost in black shadow and the frescos on the wall barely visible. Maru lit a stablight and illuminated the scene, revealing the battle that defined the Imperium. The greatest hero of all stood proud, fighting to the bitter end despite the impossibility of victory. He reminded Maru what it meant to be an Astartes, as he had inspired his Brothers for millennia. The perfect warrior, the perfect life, an example to all, in Maru's opinion.

It was then that Maru realised that he was not alone. A presence flared into existence behind him, within the boundaries of the Mortuary deck. This was not possible, Maru's psychic awareness was omni-directional, none could sneak up on him, save one who could shroud his mind. Maru knew who had intruded on his reflections before he even turned, and sure enough found Auriga standing quietly among the dead. The Blood Raven stood silently, mind flickering as he cast off his aura of invisibility. A subtle display of power that in other circumstances would impress the warrior-poet, but today sparked anger.

"What are you doing in here?!" Maru snarled.

"I sought to speak to you," Auriga replied in a solemn voice.

"Then seek me at the Conclave, I will not have my Brother's rest disturbed by the likes of you!"

"What I have to say is not for the ears of others."

Maru sneered, "I see your intent, you want me to whisper in Coluber's ear for you. You seek to sway me to your cause, with honeyed lies and whispered promises. You cannot sully this place with your debased greed. I shall not have it."

Auriga's response was surprising, "You think I care who claims the STC's?"

Maru was given pause, "You don't?"

"Ordo Xenos or Ordo Hereticus, this faction of the Mechanicus or that faction, it's all the same to me."

Maru was stunned to hear that, "You escort Inquisitor Velpecula."

Auriga looked pained, "A marriage of convenience only. I needed her Rosette to get on board but I am not here for the Conclave. No, the true reason I volunteered was to speak to you."

"For what purpose?" Maru probed distrustfully.

Auriga didn't reply straight away, he bowed to the statue of Nottaru then stepped past the Librarian-Dreadnought to enter the templum. He took in the walls with a sweep of the eye, then lowered his eyes to the floor and read aloud, "Shabran Darr, Commander Abdemon, Ullis Temeter, Huron-Fal, Ehrlen, Tarik Torgaddon, Garviel Loken… Saul Tarvitz. Such mighty names, such dangerous names, the heroes of Istvaan III."

"What do you know of such things?!" Maru hissed.

Auriga replied, "I know your Brothers were wise to put this templum in their most private place. Few would understand such an honour being given to the sons of traitors."

"They were not Traitors," Maru growled, "They were the betrayed. The first to die in the fires of Horus' rebellion, the defiant few who stood against his madness. Beset by virus bombs, apocalyptic firestorm and the assault of their accursed kin, still they stood firm and fought to the last Marine and the last drop of blood. Led by the peerless hero Saul Tarvitz they held the might of four Primarchs at bay for months, buying precious time for the Most Glorious Emperor to muster his loyal Legions."

Auriga nodded, "I do not judge, such heroism should be remembered for all time. Your Brothers were right to memorialise such noble champions… though few today would understand it. Guilt by association is the way of the Imperium."

"What is it to you?" Maru pressed.

Auriga turned to face the Dreadnought and said, "Do you know of my sorrow?"

"You have not seen fit to tell me," Maru replied.

"A sorry tale," Auriga sighed, "When the Cicatrix Maledictum opened the bulk of the Blood Ravens Chapter was trapped in Imperium Nihilus, but the Fifth Company was deep in Imperium Sanctus. Such a nightmare, woe enough to break our hearts. We resolved to return to our kin, to fight with them if they lived or die by their graves if they had fallen. As soon as the Warp stabilised we attempted to cross the Nachmund Gauntlet, but were denied."

"It was my understanding that the passage was stable," Maru interjected.

Auriga sighed, "Stable if only, terrible hosts contest the Nachmund Gauntlet, armies of dread power and fearful aspect. Some Imperial fleets slip by unnoticed, others fight through, but many more are beset by fell foes and never heard from again. Our crossing was contested, we lost half our Company and Brother-Captain Juthar died holding back a horde beyond counting. His last command ordered me to withdraw before we were obliterated."

"I sense a point closing," Maru prodded.

"Indeed, the Nachmund Gauntlet is denied to me, but there are other ways across. I seek your aid in crossing the Cicatrix Maledictum and returning to my Chapter."

Maru snorted, "I have neither the means nor the will to do so."

But Auriga sighed coldly, "Wrong on both counts. You do have the means and you will aid me."

"How do you know these things?"

"Knowledge is power, and the Blood Ravens guard it well. I have come to know much of you Maru, I have found the leavings of your Brothers and walked past their graves. I am well aware Coluber's brigands are false Amber Vipers, not born of your blood, they assume titles not meant for them. You have more tolerance for their shameful greed than I do. As to the how, I have learned there is a relic in your vaults, an artefact forged by the hand of Belisarius Cawl, one with the power to bridge the great rift."

Now Maru snorted in derision, "You speak to the wrong Marine. Cawl's inventions were thrown through the Gates of Perdition, to gather dust among the horrors of the Dark Age of Technology. They are guarded by Coluber's watchdogs, the Cerberii, and they will not release their charges for anyone."

"Then I suggest you find a way," Auriga pressed.

"For what reason would I aid you?"

"For the truth of Nottaru, and the origin of the real Amber Vipers."

Maru froze in shock, "You know nothing of that."

But Auriga smiled, "I know the reason you honour Saul Tarvitz is not for respect alone, but for the blood ties you share. He is your kinsman, he and Nottaru hailed from the same Legion. The Amber Vipers are born from the Emperor's Children; you are a son of Fulgrim!"

"We were betrayed!" Maru snarled, "Posted far from the front, garrisoning a remote sector from the Serpens Rex. The first my forefathers knew of the Heresy was when the Traitor warlord Jubila came to Nippour IX with treachery in his hearts. He greeted us as old friends and then set alight the palaces and armouries. Fleeing with scornful laughter at the carnage he wrecked. Honoured Nottaru gave chase, learned of the Heresy and made war upon his Traitorous kin. My ancestors fought the Traitors, they fought for Terra in the dark places of the galaxy. Through the Scouring and the Second Founding the Serpens Rex was a bastion of loyalty and the bane of Heretics. They continued to fight under a new banner when the names of the Traitor Legions were no longer tolerated in the Imperium."

"A bittersweet tale," Auriga sighed, "But it will not save you, should it become widely known."

"You seek to blackmail me!" Maru accused.

But Auriga replied, "Dishonourable yes, but from dishonourable deeds come victory. Do not pretend it has ever been different. Tell me the Inquisition would overlook a son of Traitors drawing breath, tell me Coluber could stomach standing next to one of Fulgrim's gets. Sordid and base your new friends may be, but to tolerate this, even they would not stoop so low. They would rip you out of that chassis, come down here and smash every statue, burn your templum and leave your memories to wither."

"This cannot be," Maru protested.

"But it is," Auriga stated, "You must aid me, or see your Brother's memories disgraced."

"But you demand treachery of me!"

Auriga took something from his belt and held it up, a sealed capsule, inscribed with many runes, "I do not offer threats alone, but the prospect of hope. I told you I have visited the graves of your dead kinsmen and found much, your teachings, weapons and armour, and this. In the Narthecium of a slain Apothecary, sealed tight against the ages, the genic legacy of a true Amber Viper."

"Gene-seed," Maru's vox-hailers wheezed, "It cannot be, it was all lost."

"Not all, one specimen remains," Auriga corrected, "One pair of Progenoids, the last of the real Amber Viper's legacy."

"Blood of my Brothers," Maru exclaimed, "Our gene-line can live again, give it to me!"

"Patience," Auriga chided as he snatched the Canopic jar away, "Patience. First you must agree to my terms."

Maru was caught in an impasse. He was contemplating betraying Coluber and breaking into the most secure vault in the Serpens Rex, an act of treachery that could never be forgiven. Yet before him dangled the faint prospect of his Chapter living again. His Brothers, his true brothers, they could live again. The pride and dignity of his lineage could be reborn. Maru could stand with his kinsmen once more, what were Coluber's pretenders compared to that? What did he owe to thieves and brigands when his real Chapter needed him?

"You ask me to break my given word," Maru lamented.

"I hold in my hands the past and future of your Chapter," Auriga countered, "With a word I can cast down your history and snuff out your tomorrow, or I can bring it back to life. One relic from beyond the Gates of Perdition, that is all I require, a small price to pay for what I offer. Make an accord with me and the real Amber Vipers shall be restored. What is your decision?"

Maru hearts were torn in twain but there was only one answer he could give, "We have an accord."