Chapter II
It was now evening onboard Adrastos, as the ship was making for Victoria Primus through the warp. The Briefing Room was hexagonal room, its walls covered with currently black monitors, a strategium table at the center, and during these late hours rather crowed; almost a dozen people had gathered there, half of them Veterans of the Adeptus Astartes. Sergeant Cyrus knew most, having been on mission with them before, like Sergeant Nadim on a campaign against the Dark Eldar, or Dusk-Wraiths as the Salamander had called them. Nadim, like his entire chapter, had obsidian-black skin and blazing red eyes, his head was clean-shaven, while his chin showed bright red stubble. Said Sergeant was currently talking with a brother from the Crimson Fists, Cornelius. Different from the rest, this would be his first mission with the Deathwatch. Like most Marines, his brown hair was close-cropped, and there was a long scar crossing his face horizontally, beneath his eyes.
Cyrus' attention switched to the Inquisitor's Acolytes, standing at the opposite side of the room and strategium table, keeping their distance from the Astartes. They were four, one of them a woman wearing the white uniform-robe of the Officio Medicae over a black body glove, with auburn hair and green eyes, talking to a man in a dark brown coat, his hair long, black and messy; along with the dark rings around his bright blue eyes, he seemed somewhat shabby. Cyrus noticed a cybernetic around his neck, almost like a collar. Behind them, leaning against the wall, stood another man about the same age, his head clean-shaven apart from a black close-cropped stripe, as if he had chopped off a mohawk. He also had a goatee and a brown eye, while the other was green. The last was a broad-shouldered man, who dwarfed the others by at least a head, instead of hair his head was covered with scars. His grey eyes were cold and derived of emotion, both his hands were cybernetic.
Only moments later the Inquisitor arrived, followed by the Ultramarine Apothecary Seneca, a man with many studs implanted on his temples, with short white hair and an even shorter, well-trimmed beard, as well as a fifth Acolyte, like the Inquisitor well dressed, very slender and long brown hair that was bound together into a ponytail. He appeared to be the Inquisitors Interrogator.
Said Inquisitor took his place at the strategium table in the room's center, the Apothecary beside him. "My Lords, welcome aboard the Adrastos. I am Inquisitor Basil Nicomedo and as you know, I'll be leading this Kill Team during the coming mission on the imperial world known as Victoria Primus." He activated the strategium table, where a holographic simulation of a Hive-planet appeared. "The Ordo Xenos has been informed of a Genestealer infestation, which must be eradicated. Genestealers are Tyranid life-forms, the vanguard of their Hive-Fleets, infiltrating and destroying the infrastructure of a world over months or years, when not stopped. These xenos are about the size of a man, with six limbs, usually use powerful claws, vicious teeth as their weapons and they possess a tough exoskeleton that can even withstand bolter-fire to a certain degree. In battle they are extremely fast and agile, preferring sneak attacks and hunting in larger packs. There is a hierarchy within their Cults or Broods, which include human hosts, Hybrids and Genestealers. They are all psychically-linked to each other, which for us means that they won't fear us and are more coordinated than one might expect from such feral looking beasts.
The Brood is led by a so-called Patriarch, the first and original Genestealer of the brood, through which all other are linked. It is a very powerful psyker, more intelligent and much larger physically than other Genestealers. Once the Patriarch is killed the Cult will be thrown into disarray, making it our primary objective to take it out as soon as possible, along with the Magus, another potent psyker, relaying orders to the Brood's members across the planet."
Inquisitor Nicomedo turned to his Acolytes behind him. "For this reason we will be joined by my Acolyte Horaz Taylor once we take the battle to them." The man in the coat and the collar around his neck nodded in recognition, a grim smile on his lips. "He's an Untouchable, his presence is almost insufferable to psykers, even deadly to the most powerful ones. His abilities should disrupt the psychic link between the xenos, giving us an advantage when we attack their nest. Said nest's location is currently unknown, though through information gathered by our sources on Victoria Primus it is deep within the spire Obsaepio; we will land there and my Acolytes will locate the nest, as soon as we arrive on the planet."
Apothecary Seneca took the word. "Currently we are unable to plan our attack, however prepareyourselves for battle in close quarters. The Inquisitor informed me that we'll be receiving a specimen at our arrival, and then I will exemplify the nature of our enemy; medicae Pravin has given us the med bay for this purpose. We will deploy as soon as the nest has been located and analyzed."
About half an hour after the meeting, the canteen of the Adrastos was almost empty that night; the room was dominated by three long tables, where the Inquisitor, his Acolytes, officers of the Adrastos, and now seven more Astartes, took their meals. Right now three people sat at the center table, with everything else in the room lying in shadows. Jane Pravin and Seth Nelson sat across from Sergeant Nadim, who other than his battle-brothers still felt a certain connection to common people, and had not retired to his room yet. The three had decided to get acquainted; the two Acolytes had never talked with a Space Marine before, at least it hadn't been idle conversation, and the Salamander was willing to build some trust. They all would face vile xenos, and he wanted to know how dependable and experienced the Inquisitor's Acolytes were. Once they were down there, in the Spires of Victoria Primus there would be no room for doubt or mistakes.
Besides, Sergeant Nadim was a man who enjoyed a good conversation, and his battle-brothers shared little to nothing with one another. Both Pravin and Nelson had presented themselves with little timidity when it came to Astartes, so following a casual exchange of words after the briefing, they had parted from the crew and gone to the canteen, the closest thing the ship had to a common room.
Nadim had just told them about Nocturne, and tried to convince them that his unnatural skin color was normal for his chapter, when Taylor entered the canteen, a large glass bottle in his left hand. Jane recognized it as Amasec , a potent alcoholic liquor popular across the Imperium, and thanks to the Inquisitor perhaps, a pricier and finer brand. Seth had noticed it as well and raised a questioning, but not dismissive eyebrow.
"Thought you wanted to keep that till after the mission?"
The Untouchable shrugged. "I'm to go down into the Genestealers' lair, so I can give the Magus the biggest headache of his vile life. My chances of getting out of there in one piece are not reassuringly high, so I thought to myself: If not today, I never get to it." He looked at the small group expectant. "What? No happy cheers? This thing cost a fortune! Not my fortune, but…"
Jane stood. "I get the glasses. My Lord?"
The Marine nodded, as Seth examined the bottle closer. "We haven't had a drink together since Vindobona. Ah, that frozen hell; can't tell you how much I don't miss that place." He mused with a moony smile.
"What are you complaining about?" Taylor asked as he sat down. "It's Brennan whose hands froze off." Jane had removed said hands as soon as they had reached the Adrastos, while the rest had completed the mission, hunting down an alien specimen, some believed to be connected with Tyranid Hive-Fleets, but evolved independently.
"At least no one died…that time." The mood between the two men had suddenly dropped." Nice knowing ya by the way." Seth mentioned, after a few moments of silence, trying to sound sympathetically.
His friend scoffed. "Dear Emperor, if I die, I'm making sure you're coming with me."
"Why?" This time he sounded slightly worried. "If it's because the Take him, his flesh is more tender!- incident, when we met that Kroot clan, I should mention you're not exactly claiming the moral high ground between us two."
Seth's words were met with a chuckle. "And don't you forget it."
The Salamader shook his head. In this small circle they seemed so without inhibition, despite his presence, which was quite congenial after years with Battle Brothers of different chapters, who kept mostly to themselves. Though not participating himself, he felt quite entertainment. Nadim admitted to himself that he missed his chapter, his brothers, the daily routines and Nocturne; the hostile volcanic planet he called home. The Salamanders were maybe the only chapter, which continued to interact with the people of their homeworld. Until Jane returned with four glasses, they all remained silent, so the Marine picked up the conversation again, when she placed them on the table.
"So, you're the Inquisitor's medicae?" Nadim asked Jane, as Taylor dealt the drinks.
Jane nodded and sat down between Seth and Taylor. "I stitch these guys back together, or help Nicomedo questioning suspects." The last part was underlined with a remorseful tone. "When you know how to save people, you know how to hurt them as well."
"Guess that wasn't your idea of a medical carrier." Seth snickered, which she replied with a grin.
"I guess that wasn't my parents' intention when the send me to the Officio Medicae in the first place either. Well, it's not like any of us chose to be with the Inquisition."
" 'cept maybe for Mandrake." Taylor noted. "Psykers don't really get the free-roaming card in life."
"Neither do Untouchables." The man glared over to Seth, but then sighed in recognition and returned his attention to the Amasec.
Nadim regarded him with curiosity. "I must admit, I've never met an Untouchable before."
"I'm afraid your Librarians wouldn't be too thrilled about my company, milord." A sad smile appeared on his face. "Actually, no one is thrilled about my company, not in a good way at least, though the inhibitor lessens the effect somewhat." He tapped on the cybernetic around his neck. "Even to someone without psychic abilities I can be rather discomforting, prompting hostility towards me. That's what got me into the hospital in the first place, where Jane here patched me up, and Nicomedo found me…well, us."
"And he took you both with you?" Nadim wasn't familiar with the recruiting methods of the Inquisition, though it seemed clear that he didn't leave his Acolytes much choice in the matter.
"Yes, he kinda needed a new medicae after his last didn't do so well, taking an Orc spalta to the chest." Seth explained.
"And how did you join his Operatives?"
"Let's just say it was during a campaign against the Eldar. I was with my squad behind enemy lines, and well…command sort of completely forgot about us. No communication, supplies, nothing. So, after weeks of sneaking through that Emperor forsaken forest, I ended up the sole survivor, desperately trying to make my way back to my comrades at base." He stopped to drink some of the Amasec. "I honestly rather randomly stumbled over the Inquisitor; he and is current Acolytes at that time were fighting off a small group of Eldar aspect warriors, and Nicomedo had taken a shurike to the eye, hence the cybernetic he's got now, so naturally I shot some xenos, trying to chop his head off. After the fight he allowed me to tag along, and when the mission was over he gave me the choice to either join him as an Acolyte, or take a bullet to the head, for secrecy sakes." Seth emptied his glass and refilled it, giving Jane a suggestive look. "It seems we both have been victim to bad timing." Under the table a hand wandered to her thigh.
Her reply came in a calm, almost passive manner. "Hands off, or I'll help you to a life chastity."
A pair of hands was raised to the air in a defensive manner. "Right!"
"Come on, Jane." Taylor interrupted. "He didn't get laid in a quite a while."
She gave him a dry smile. "If you want to take one for the team; go ahead."
It earned her a chuckle from the Untouchable. "I pass."
"Thank you." Seth replied, and emptied is glass in one go.
With a smile on his lips, Nadim listened amused to their conversation, but had yet not failed to notice a figure standing in the shadow of the doorway for the past two minutes. "I believe it's time for me to depart. It was a pleasure meeting you all."
"My Lord." Jane said and nodded as a goodbye, as did the other two.
Nadim left the canteen and met with his battle-brother, waiting outside. "Sergeant Cyrus, you could have joined us." He addressed his fellow Sergeant.
Like Nadim the Blood Raven still wore his armor, though his face betrayed no emotion. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You wouldn't have. We were just getting acquainted with one another; I thought one should know the people he'll be fighting alongside."
A corner of Cyrus' briefly twitched upwards, probably the attempt of a smile, a rare sight, considering he kept most emotions well hidden. Even for a Space Marine Cyrus was a man of few words, but when he spoke he was sharp-tongued and cynical, which wasn't earning him much favor. As far as Nadim could judge him, Cyrus didn't care much for his popularity or glory for that matter; no, he seemed to care more for the success of a mission and the lives of his battle-brothers. Other than most Astartes the Scout Sergeant didn't prefer head on attacks, rather flanking maneuvers and tactics most of their brothers found cowardly or at least incongruous. Nadim however was pragmatic, as taught and embraced by the Salamanders, and saw value in unusual tactics. Besides Kill Teams were small by design, and not meant to draw much attention to themselves, like any institution of the Inquisition.
"I'm afraid the Salamanders are the only ones, who still feel somewhat connected to the people of the Imperium." Cyrus noted as they continued along the vacant corridor.
Nadim shocked his head. "A shame other chapters have alienated from their people."
"If you say so."
"Do I sense judgment on your part?" Nadim cocked an eyebrow.
"Was I being too subtle?" Came the calm response.
The Salamander sighed, but gave Cyrus a sympathetic smile. "Maybe it's for the better you don't care much for casual conversation. Why do you dismiss the notion of interacting with those under our protection?"
Cyrus though about his answer. "We no longer belong among them; our duties center on warfare, the pursuit and elimination of the enemy. Different from them we have no life alongside. As we proceed we lose much of what they would consider human, the battles become simpler, purer, methodical and it should be; all the horror we face in centuries of war. We can endure more than normal men, but we are not without limits. No matter what chapter we're from none of us remains unaffected by the deaths of our brothers.
The death of civilians is unavoidable in war, and it is pointless to dwell on their fates; it doesn't help them, and makes things more complicated for us. It just simpler to keep a distance and fulfill your duties, and not be in conflict with trying to save as many as you can." The Scout Sergeant turned his head to Nadim. "But don't mistake it for complete indifference; I'd rather see them survive than die, however I have learned that no matter what, you'll never be able to help them as much as you what to."
"How very pragmatic."
"I was under the impression that it's approved by the Promethean Cult."
"Yes, and you have seemed to mastered self-reliance as well as isolationism… Now how about that self-sacrifice for others; an opportunity appears to be presenting itself very soon." Nadim mused.
"I wouldn't solely rely on that if I were you."
Seth waited until the footsteps of both Astartes had vanished before he spoke. "I have to admit, this Space Marines seemed more human than I originally thought, contrary to the servitor-like personality I'd expected them to have."
"Servitor-like personality?" Jane asked, looking at Taylor questioning, who simply shrugged.
"You know, formal, cold, emotionless; but rather than programmed to sweep the floor, programmed to pull the trigger on anything that thinks eight-pointed stars are fashionable or possesses a green skin complexion."
The three laughed. This happened before every mission; they would sit together, drink, talk, and gamble, most times Lucien Brennan would join them. Not much of a talker, but a hell of a gambler, he had emptied their pockets on several occasions; thankfully Brennan was a better winner than Seth. The former guardsman loved rubbing his victories in their faces, while the bounty hunter only showed a smile, before buying them all drinks. A nice gesture at first, but it caused them to lose even their last coins in the following games, once the booze kicked in.
Just as the laughter ended, footsteps announced their next guest. "Seems I'm late." Brennan noticed, picking up Seth's glass, emptying it before the man could voice his protest, but seeing as the bottle was empty, he kept his mouth shut for once.
"We had a nice talk with Sergeant Nadim." The medicae told him.
"Well." Seth began to clarify. "More like, we talk and he listened. He contributed very little, mostly ask stuff and even that was short lived."
She shrugged. "He could hardly share internal information about his chapter; we of all people should know. Besides; it's surprising he talked to us at all."
Her words were met with a nod of agreement by Taylor. "Plus I could add Nocturne to the worlds I never want to visit."
"So," Seth turned his attention back to the Bounty Hunter. "What makes you turn up late for our traditional drink?"
"Tried to sleep, pain's coming up again, and no Jane, I don't require painkillers." He lifted a hand to clarify. "Unfortunately sleep seems to elude me." Brennan growled.
"Probably because it has met you before." The former bounty hunter glared over the Seth but remained silent and continued into the kitchen. "Oi, where are you going?"
Before passing through the door at the other side of the room Brennan turned his head shortly. "I keep a stash in the caboose, where it stays cool, unlike some others."
Seth put his chin in the palm of his hand, his expression showing a bit of annoyance. "That never seems to get old." He growled; he hadn't been stashing bottles in his rooms for years.
Jane stood and padded Seth's shoulder. "You have to admit you were quite the drinker when we first met."
"I had issues."
"Join the club." Taylor chuckled. "It would seem Basil attracts our kind of people. Compared to other Inquisitors and their Acolytes, we must seem quite unsuitable for our line of work."
Brennan rejoined them at the table with another bottle in his hand. "Anyone else?" They all gave him their glasses, which he filled before they held them up for a toast.
"To another suicide mission again." Seth announced.
Taylor gave a wry smile. "I thought it's been redubbed to another "glorious mission"."
"Whatever makes you sleep at night." At the sound of clinking glasses, the clock struck 02:00am.
solamen miseris socios habuisse malorum
It is a comfort for an unfortunate to have companions in his misfortune