Mass Effect: The Hammer of War

by IX404

When fighting against Tyranids on a far flung Civilized World, Primaris Space Marine Marcus Tyrellus expects it to be like every other day in the Imperium of Man. Little does he know is that, he, and a few others, will soon be working to save another universe from destruction at the hands of an ancient foe.

1. A New World Awaits

Hello everyone. I am IX404 and welcome to the pilot chapter of my Warhammer/Mass Effect crossover.

I recently got interested in Warhammer 40,000 thanks to some videos that I spotted of the franchise. Since then, I've been studying up on the lore, though I am, by no means, an expert. As such, I got interested enough that I decided to write a crossover for Warhammer and Mass Effect. If you want to help me learn more about the Warhammer 40,000 franchise as a whole, then please help me learn. I'm always open to learning new things.

Now, while there will be some 'grimdark' elements in the story, I intend to bring out some lighter hearted moments in this crossover. As such, you will see some of the OC's I created for this crossover change as time progresses. A story where the characters don't develop, in my opinion, is stagnant and uninteresting, so I do what I can to avoid that kind of situation.

Either way, I hope that you enjoy the pilot chapter of my crossover. Any feedback and reviews that are constructive are more than welcome here.

Also, updates for this story will not be frequent, as I want to work on other crossovers that I'm doing on my profile. That way, I do not end up burning out my creative impulses in the process. Between updates, you can check out my other crossovers on my profile. I highly recommend by BattleTech/Mass Effect crossover 'BattleTech: The Mass Effect', as well as one of my newest crossovers, a Myst/Riven - Mass Effect crossover known as 'Mass Effect: Ages of Myst.'

As always, leave a review and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Mass Effect or Warhammer franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of BioWare, Electronic Arts, Games Workshop, etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.

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Segmentum Ultima

Accidera Quintus

109.M42

If there was one thing that Battle-Brother Marcus Tyrellus had to admit, it was that it was ironic that they were in the current situation that they were in right now. Here he was, inside the armory onboard the Rath's Honor, a Battle Barge that was one of the oldest serving in his Chapter: the Scourge of The Xenos. As for said situation, it was a battle that would prove the difference between this world remaining in the hands of the Imperium, or falling to one of its greatest threats.

The foul Tyranids and the Ruinous Powers of Chaos, Tyrellus thought, his hands tightening around the Bolt Rifle magazine he had, causing the tough metal to creak. If there was one thing that made the Primaris Space Marine angry, it was the mere mention of those two enemies of the Imperium. He had fought and killed more than a few Tyranids, especially their warrior spawn, with the weapon he had at his disposal. As for the Ruinous Powers… well… there was no explanation needed for why he hated them so much.

His anger induced thoughts were interrupted when an armored hand touched the one that was clenching the magazine for his Bolt Rifle. "Take care now, brother," a voice that had a robotic twinge to it, said to him. "I would rather that you did not damage your weapon, least of all the means to feed it. The Machine Spirit inside would be greatly displeased."

Looking up, Tyrellus saw the person that the hand belonged to. The man was large, with the modified Mark X Power Armor he wore making it clear that he was a Primaris Space Marine, like Tyrellus. The difference here was that, unlike Tyrellus' armor, which was an Ultramarine blue in color, this armor was a bright, crimson red, with the shoulder pauldrons having two symbols, the omega symbol that was the identifying mark of the Ultramarines, and a black and white cog with a red eyed skull on the other, with a similar symbol on the chest and waist armor. That identified that Space Marine as a Techmarine, a Space Marine that was trained by the Adeptus Mechanicus in the maintenance rites for all technology.

Sighing, Tyrellus said, "My apologies, brother. My thoughts were… distracted. I was thinking ahead of our latest mission against the Great Devourer. It makes me angry to hear those words uttered."

As Tyrellus released his hold on the Bolt Rifle magazine, the Techmarine said, "It is alright, brother. I understand the hate and rage you wish to direct against the enemies of the Imperium. I have felt it myself more than once. My best advice is that you take care not to lose yourself to this rage. It has claimed more than one battle-brother in the past."

"I understand," Tyrellus replied, his rage abating as he wrestled it under control. "Thank you, brother, for your wise words."

"You need not thank me," the Techmarine replied. "I am merely doing what I have been asked to do. Which reminds me…" Reaching into his workshop, he pulled out a weapon.

To a normal human being, it would've resembled a massive grenade launcher with an elongated barrel, a magazine in lieu of a revolving drum, as well as a pistol grip. It was larger than most rifles, and it's black and silver surfaces gleamed in the light of the battleship's fifth armory. On one side were a series of tick marks that had been painted into the metal, a few Purity Seals, as well as the symbol of the Ultramarines.

While most wouldn't have recognized this weapon, Tyrellus immediately knew what it was. It was a Cawl Pattern Mk II Bolt Rifle, the latest evolution and variation of the highly revered Bolter. One pull of the trigger would release .75 caliber bolt rounds that were capable of piercing through armor, before exploding with great effect inside of a target.

The weapon itself was greatly revered by all Space Marines for it's reliability and killing power. While more complex than a simple Lasgun or Autogun that a Guardsman might use, it was certainly more effective, and the sound it made when firing was terrifying to any enemy on the other end. While many foes could stand up to an Autogun or a Lasgun, they didn't stand against a Bolter, least of all a Bolt Rifle.

As he looked at the weapon, Tyrellus remembered a piece of literature that the Primarch he served, Roboute Guilliman, had once written on the Boltgun, and all iterations thereof. "To a Space Marine, the boltgun is far more than a weapon; it is an instrument of Mankind's divinity, the bringer of death to his foes. It's howling blast is a prayer to the gods of battle."

Truer words could not be said, Tyrellus thought as he retrieved the weapon from the Techmarine, his bare hands brushing over it's surfaces. This particular Bolt Rifle was an Auto Bolt Rifle, which was fitting for Tyrellus' line of work: close quarters combat, though he was more than skilled enough to use it at range. As he handled it, he asked, "Is the Machine Spirit inside pleased with your work?"

"Quite so," the Techmarine replied, his tone making it clear that he was quite happy. "It was in great need of cleaning and maintenance. The Machine Spirit was asking me to help it ensure that the weapon would function properly. After I cleaned it, and replaced any broken parts, the Machine Spirit was weeping with joy at the care that it received from me. It is more than eager, now, to bring death to the enemies of Man."

"And my Heavy Bolt Pistol?"

"The same as well."

"Good, good. I would be a very poor Space Marine if my equipment was not well cared for. Say, what of my Power Armor?"

"It is ready for use. However, you will not be using the Phobos variant today, brother."

"Why, if I might ask?"

"The Lieutenant will inform you when you arrive. You will also know the reason why we have come to this world. As such, I have prepared a suit of Mark X Tacitus Power Armor for your use."

"I see," Tyrellus nodded. After a moment, he said, "Very well, brother. Thank you for your service. I will not forget it anytime soon, if at all."

"You are welcome, brother. Shall I begin the process of armoring you?"

"Yes," Tyrellus replied.

. . .

A few minutes later, Tyrellus was with his fellow Battle-Brothers in one of the many drop pods that the Third Company used. As he waited for the pod to begin it's drop towards the planet surface, he checked his Auto Bolt Rifle one more time, mostly out of habit. Nearby, other Battle-Brothers did the same, though all were confident that the enemies of Man would not be prepared to face them in battle.

As he waited for the drop to commence, Tyrellus remembered the briefing that he had been given before they had boarded their drop pods. According to the Lieutenant that commanded their squads, the planet they were over, Accidera Quintus, was about to come under attack from a Tyranid Splinter Fleet, with the system now suffering fully from the 'Shadow in The Warp', a psychic phenomena created by the Tyranids that prevented all means of psychic communication to the rest of the Imperium.

Worst still was that, in an instance of very bad luck, a group of Chaos Cultists had sprung up on the Civilized World. While the Planetary Defense Force that was present was able to eliminate most of the Cultists, the survivors of the earlier purges had congregated on the continent of Corenia in order to perform their dark deed. According to intelligence they had gathered, these were cultists that worshiped Khorne, the Chaos God that reveled in slaughter and war.

That foul monster, Tyrellus thought, clenching his Bolt Rifle even harder than he usually did. He had engaged in battle against cultists worshiping that particular Chaos God before, and it wasn't a pretty affair. More than once, he had to put down cultists that cackled madly from a Chaos induced battle frenzy. He'd even taken on greater Chaos Neverborn, and had survived to tell the tale.

His thoughts were interrupted when the vox-caster in his helmet activated. There was a bout where they heard someone clearing their throat, before a deep and gritty voice spoke, a voice that Tyrellus recognized as Sergeant Borellus. "This is Sergeant Borellus speaking. I have been informed as to what our orders are.

"As per our mission here, we are to stop a Chaos Cult from turning this world into a Daemon World. As such, we have been directed to the continent of Corenia in order to stop this tendril of the Ruinous Powers. Our mission is to break through the enemy's rear and reach what our Chapter-Librarians have confirmed is a Warp Gate.

"Once we have reached the Warp Gate, we will do whatever is necessary to destroy it, at all costs. Be warned, brothers, a tendril of the Great Devourer has come to this world. We will be battling Tyranids, in addition to the Cultists that are present. Let none stand in the way of the Emperor and his divine will! We march for Macragge!"

"We march for Macragge!" Tyrellus roared, along with dozens of his fellow Battle-Brothers. There was nothing that brought more joy and honor to him than doing the will of the Emperor of Mankind. As they prepared for a drop, he began to softly recite the Litany of Devotion.

"Where there is uncertainty, I shall bring light," he whispered. "Where there is doubt, I shall sow faith. Where there is shame, I shall appoint atonement. Where there is rage, I shall show it's course. My word in the soul shall be as my bolter in the field." A moment later, their drop pod was launched.

For most people, the sudden acceleration would've been enough to kill. For a Space Marine, and a Pimaris Space Marine at that, it was well within their limits to survive. As it were, Tyrellus felt his stomach flutter as the pod began to zoom down towards the surface of the planet. It will not be long now, he thought. Soon, I will be fighting against the enemies of Man.

As they dropped, he could hear a faint roar that indicated they were entering the atmosphere of Accidera Quintus. As they dropped, he had a feeling that something bad was about to happen. It wasn't long before that feeling was proven to be the right one.

Suddenly, without any warning, the pod lurched to the right, with a loud CLANG indicating that something had hit it hard. "Guilliman's blood!" a Battle-Brother shouted. "The Tyranids are throwing themselves against our drop pods!"

"Remain calm," Sergeant Borellus told the others. "It will take far more than that to -" Before he could finish, the pod was hit with such force that one of the doors was ripped open. Before anyone could react, Tyrellus felt something wrap around his chest, before he was pulled out. "TYRELLUS!" Borellus roared.

Tyrellus promptly saw what was trying to kill him: a Tyranid bioform that was attempting to make short work of the pod. Roaring with effort, Tyrellus raised his Bolt Rifle and fired. The howling wind nearly drowned out the roaring report of his Auto Bolt Rifle, while the .75 caliber bolts zipped through the air at speeds that would make even a bullet envious.

Fortunately, his aim was true, as the bolts tore into the Tyranid, tearing off the tendril that held him in place, with one bolt going straight through it's eyes and into it's brain. The Tyranid screeched, a loud, grating sound that would've made Tyrellus wince if not for his Lyman's Ear. As it were, he had a more pressing matter: the fact that he was free-falling.

Grabbing at a falling Jump Pack, he quickly put it on before angling his body downwards, so that he rushed towards the ground at high speed. Using the exhaust thrusters on his armor's power pack, he angled himself towards the drop pod's landing destination, since they were not far above the ground. The altitude counter on his helmet's HUD wound down to 5,000 meters, then 2000.

At one kilometer above the ground, he fired up the Jump Pack, while throwing himself into an upright position at the exact same time. He grimaced as the Jump Pack protested it's rough treatment, while his enhanced organs fought to keep him conscious. Too fast, he thought as his vision darkened. If I don't slow down enough, I will be killed upon impact. Even Space Marines can die from falling from a great height.

Fate, however, was on his side, as the moment he reached the ground, he was traveling slowly enough that he would survive, with no injury and damage to his armor. As soon as he landed, he rolled forwards, with the Jump Pack falling off of him at the exact same moment. Nearby, he felt an earth-shattering vibration in the ground that indicated the drop pod had landed at the exact same time.

As he got up, one of the Battle-Brothers in the pod came over to him. "Brother Tyrellus!" he shouted. "Are you uninjured?!"

"I am fine," Tyrelllus replied. "I slew the beast and made a safe landing."

"You are fortunate. Few have survived an attack like that."

"It appears as though the Emperor has other plans for me," Tyrellus replied.

"Indeed," another Battle-Brother nodded.

"Quiet down," Borellus growled. "We have a ways to go. According to the auspex in my helmet, we are five kilometers away from the Warp Gate. The Tyranids, however, have forced the Cultists back to within five hundred meters of the Warp Gate. Expect heavy resistance."

As the others moved out, he said, "Damned Xenos. That was a new tactic on their part. I was worried for you, brother."

"So was I," Tyrellus replied. "At least I silenced the Xenos scum before it could inflict any more damage." Checking his Bolt Rifle, he said, "Shall we kill more Tyranids?"

"Certainly."

. . .

For the next two hours, much of their progress was spent killing Tyranid Hormagaunts and other Warrior-caste Tyranids, while getting to the Warp Gate in question. The area they were in was a lightly settled region of the planet, and as such, consisted of dwellings made from local materials. As they got closer to one of the smaller cities, where there was more modern construction, things became more wrecked and damaged.

The area they were traveling through now was mostly urban environment, with buildings that had been smashed into pieces as a result of the invasion. Guardsmen were fighting for their lives as they desperately fought to hold back the tide of Tyranids that sought to consume the entire planet. Even with their Leman Russ Tanks and Baneblades, it was a task that was quite difficult.

The arrival of the Space Marines, however, had made things much easier on the defenders. Strategic positions that had been out of reach were now attainable, and the seeming unstoppable foe now had a rival that could equal it. As such, progress towards their objective was slow, but steady.

As they got closer, Tyrellus heard the sounds of Bolters off in the distance: a percussive bang that was accompanied by a menacing roar. "Look out!" he shouted as a Tyranid Hormigaunt charged at a Battle Brother. His warning came just in time, as the Battle-Brother shot multiple bolts into the xenos, killing it quickly and efficiently.

Continuing on, they soon found their progress being slowed, and not just by Tyranids. A bolt of Warp-Lightning zipped past them, with one of the squad being hit square in the chest. While the Battle-Brother was unharmed, the Chaos Psyker wasn't, as Tyrellus managed to land a clean hit on the chaos-addled minion's head, blasting it apart in a shower of blood and brain matter.

The combat grew more and more intense, until they reached the frontline between the Chaos Cultists and the Tyranids. Now, the fight was a massive free-for-all, with bolter rounds, bullets, laser beams and living ammunition being hurled everywhere. A bullet struck Tyrellus' helmet, barely making a dent as it ricocheted cleanly away.

Taking cover, he fired more bolts at the enemy, killing a few of them before ducking back down under. "Heavy fighting up ahead!" he shouted. "The Cultists are attempting to prevent us from moving forwards!"

"We have to push through!" another Battle Brother shouted. "We cannot allow the Chaos Cultists to succeed!"

"I will deal with their leader!" Borellus shouted. "Tyrellus, you and two others will deal with the Tyranids that attempt to get at us. You two, come with me! We must stop the Cultists NOW!"

With their plan set, all six Space Marines advanced, weapons barking loudly. For the Tyranids and Cultists, it was a literal slaughter. A cultist screamed as his arm was blown off by a bolt, the crudely made armor he wore doing little to stop the diamantine tipped round. A Tyranid Hormagaunt that tried to get close ended up dying, it's head exploding in a gory mess of blood and brain matter as a bolt punched through it's armor.

It wasn't all one sided, however. Tyrellus snarled as a bioform zipped past him, cutting a part of his undersuit open as he fight. Ignoring the pain as his cells mended themselves, he pushed on. Hearing a loud cry, he turned to see a Battle Brother being consumed by a Carnifex, the tank-sized Tyranid quickly wrenching the Battle-Brother's head, killing him instantly.

"Brother, NO!" Tyrellus shouted, horror lacing his voice as the Tyranid swallowed the Space Marine whole, armor and all. Growling in a pleased manner, it promptly set it's sights on Tyrellus. It charged, roaring loudly as it pursued him.

"I will not meet my end, foul creature!" Tyrellus shouted. "Not by your hand!" At the last second, he rolled to the right, with the Carnifex's head smashing into a large slab of ferrocrete. While it's face went through, the barbs on it's head caught on the material, keeping it's head stuck in place. Were it not for the chaos that was the battle, Tyrellus would've found it amusing.

"Tyrellus!" Borellus shouted. "We are at the Warp Gate! Get over here now!" Running over once he was certain the Carnifex was stuck, Tyrellus caught a glimpse of the Warp Gate in all of it's foul glory.

There it was, right in the middle of what used to be a bustling plaza for the citizens of the planet. It was a massive and ugly thing, the metal and flesh that formed it's frame being a dark red to pitch black in color. Magenta beams of warp energy were focusing into it's circular center, courtesy of towering columns that connected to the Warp Gate. Blood coated the ground like water in a river, with Tyrellus frowning as it touched his armored boots.

Such foul evil, he snarled inwardly. What would possess these mortals to even obey these Chaos Gods in the first place?! Either way, I intend to destroy this wretched monument to Chaos.

Borellus, who was nearby, was currently shooting at more Chaos cultists, while the other three Battle-Brothers were doing the same. As Tyrellus came over, Borellus shouted, "Where is Moretus?!"

"Consumed by a Carnifex!" Tyrellus shouted. "It will soon pursue us!"

"Guilliman's blood! Are you certain?!"

"Yes! I cannot stand up to such a creature on my own!"

"We will face it together. For now, help me deal with these cultists!" For the next two minutes, the Space Marines fought long and hard to keep the Cultists at bay, while they waited for a Brother-Librarian that Borelllus had summoned, Brother Librarian Leratus, to come and destroy the Warp Gate.

As they fought, Tyrellus heard a loud roar. Looking to the left, Tyrellus watched as a Tyranid Warrior came towards him. He was only just able to free his hands up before it charged, it's claws being stopped by his armored hands.

Space Marine strength contested with the strength of a Tyranid, with man struggling against beast. As he struggled, Tyrellus realized he was being pushed towards the Warp Gate. Fighting all the harder, he felt a surge of strength as the Sinew Coils in his muscles activated. Even then, he found himself being pushed closer and closer to the Warp Gate.

"Tyrellus!" Borellus shouted.

As he fell closer, he spotted the Carnifex from earlier charging at them. With a loud roar of effort, he threw the Tyranid into the Warp Gate, before firing at the Carnifex with his Heavy Bolt Pistol. "If I die today, I shall take you with me, Xenos SCUM!" he roared. The gunfire drew the Carnifex's attention away from the others. In an instant, it charged, smashing into Tyrellus in an instant.

While it had succeeded in engaging him, it had fallen for his trap. In charging at him, it not only smashed him through the Warp Gate, it followed him in as well, while destroying the very Gate in the process. In an instant, the Warp Gate collapsed in on itself, with a pathetic flash of light marking the moment the Warp wound closed, with reality reasserting itself.

While it didn't have much of an effect in the physical world, the destruction of the Warp Gate had an immediate effect in the Warp. Tyranids fell to the ground, shrieking as the Warp Surge seared their brain cells, before ultimately killing them. At the same time, the blood that had coated the ground vanished, leaving only bare dirt and rock.

"TYRELLUS!" one of the Battle Brothers shouted. "NO! IT CAN'T BE!"

Before he could charge forwards, Borellus, accompanied by Leratus, came and said, "There is nothing we can do now. He is gone. He gave his life to help defeat the enemies of Man."

"Foul Xenos scum!" the Battle Brother roared. "I will restore the honor of our fallen Brother through the death of our foes!"

. . .

What the others didn't know, was that Tyrellus wasn't dead, not yet at least. Instead, the Space Marine was tumbling ass over teakettle through the Warp as he and the Tyranid fought each other. They fell ever deeper into the Warp, with non-gravity/gravity pulling them down/up through the warp. All around, Neverborn screeched and howled, eager to see the fight going on.

Tyrellus continued to fight with the Carnifex, their weightless bodies continuing to hurtle through the Warp. "I will not be consumed by you!" Tyrellus roared as the Carnifex snarled at him. "For the Emperor and the Primarch! Die, xeno!" With that, Tyrellus reared back a foot, and kicked the Carnifex in the face – hard. As soon as it was away, he blasted it with his Bolt Rifle. The Carnifex's head, beaten and damaged by countless other munitions, practically exploded. It's corpse drifted away in the gravity/non-gravity of the Warp, even as the Neverborn surged towards it, eager to feast.

While it was pleasing to him that the Carnifex was dead, he knew he was next. At least I will die, fighting for the Emperor and Guilliman, he thought as the Neverborn closed in. He closed his eyes, both to shut out the madness of the Warp and in preparation for his own death.

Death, however, never came for him. In an instant, the near-deafening gibbering and screeching of the Daemons in the Warp fell silent, with only the sound of a quiet wind in his ears. Opening his eyes, Tyrellus found that he was lying down on some kind of golden floor. Looking up, he could see a gold-white barrier of Warp energy that held the Neverborn back. He could barely see them howling and roaring in rage and, much to his surprise, fear.

He was about to ask what had happened when a voice said, "Battle Brother Marcus Tyrellus. I have need to speak with you." The voice was imperious, like that of a strong ruler, but it was also kind, like a father speaking to a child. Turning around, he saw a person that he'd never thought he'd see.

The man was huge, standing at around the height of two Space Marines. His armor was gold, with accents of red and white on the chest, arms and legs. Beautiful symbols and runes were carved into it's surface with loving care, as though the armor was more of a work of art than a tool of war. It was the man's face that had Tyrellus' attention though. Bright gold colored eyes gazed at him, with a face that seemed to constantly shift in appearance, while the man's black hair was held in place by a gold circlet around his head. The man's expression was neutral, though it also radiated an aura of kindness, as though he had once been a father.

The moment Tyrellus saw the man, he immediately knew who it was, though he was initially suspicious. The Ancient Enemy can disguise itself as something good and noble, he remembered. As such, he hurriedly began to prepare to utter various litanies in order to pierce through any deception that the Chaos Gods might create.

Apparently, the being knew what Tyrellus was thinking, as moments later, he felt the touch of the being's mind on his own. To his relief, he didn't feel the festering taint of the Neverborn. Instead, the energy he felt was warm and comforting, as though he was at rest once more. That finally confirmed what he was seeing. "My Emperor!" he gasped, bowing moments later to the very being that ruled the Imperium of Man.

"Arise, my child," the Emperor of Mankind said to Tyrellus, with the Space Marine quickly getting up.

"Forgive me, for my doubt," Tyrellus replied. "I was concerned that this was some trick of the Neverborn."

"There is no need to do so," the Emperor of Mankind reassured Tyrellus. "You were right to be doubtful; however, as you now know, you have nothing to fear. I have seen your prowess in battle, from the time you became a Space Marine, all the way to this present moment. You have done much in your life, Tyrellus, even if you have not adhered strictly to the Codex Astartes."

"You know of my perceptions of it?"

"Indeed. There is nothing inherently wrong with your beliefs, however. A good soldier knows when improvisation is necessary. Many Space Marines have fallen because they were too inflexible when faced with new, and unusual, situations."

Sighing with some relief, Tyrellus asked, "What is it that you need of me, my Emperor? I am ready and willing to perform your will."

"An excellent question, one that will be answered now," the Emperor smiled. "Tell me, Tyrellus, what do you know about our Universe as a whole?"

"Not much," Tyrellus replied honestly after a minute of thinking. "Aside from what I was trained for, I have little idea."

"An honest answer," the Emperor replied. "What if I were to tell you that there are other Universes, with some like our own, while others are very different?"

"Since you are the Emperor, I would believe you. If I heard it from someone else, though, I would be skeptical without proof."

"An excellent answer, Tyrellus, one that is pertinent to why I have called you here. Beyond our Universe lie a number of parallel ones, ones that exist alongside our own. The Warp is not just an alternate dimension that exists within our own universe.

"It is a part of the void between all universes, a void that not even the Ruinous Powers have learned to fully control as of now. I learned of this when I was entombed on the Golden Throne, when I felt a world brush against our own. Ever since, I have been exploring these new worlds, while fighting the many horrors of the Warp. That is why you are here now: you must save one of these worlds."

That surprised Tyrellus, enough that he let out a noise of shock. "Why me?" he asked. "Why me, when there are others that are more worthy?"

"Because you are unique," the Emperor replied. "You have not allowed the horrors of war to harden you completely, and while you have fought the Tyranids, you have not fought very many of the other races yet. As such, you are in a unique position to do what I need of you.

"There is a world where Man has achieved great technological progress. It is a world where many Xenos races exist, and one where Man has made alliances and partnerships with these Xenos. But, it is a world that is in danger."

"Of the Ruinous Powers?"

"While they will become a threat in due time, that is not the threat that this world faces, my child. A darkness comes every fifty thousand years to consume all life in the galaxy, a darkness that threatens to do the same once more. You, Tyrellus, are to venture into this world, and help the defenders of Humanity and the galaxy destroy this darkness once and for all.

"Seek out the one named Shepard, and assist him in his efforts. Crush this darkness, and protect the innocent life that resides within this galaxy. Do this, and you will be returned to the world that you have left."

While many would've balked at such a mission, Tyrellus, like all loyal Space Marines, did not hesitate to accept. "I shall do your will, my Emperor," he agreed, bowing as he did. "But I cannot do such a task on my own. It would be like attempting to move the mountains of Macragge on my own."

"You will not be alone," the Emperor reassured Tyrellus. "Now go, my child. Do my will in this brave new world."

With that, the Emperor quickly, but gently, rendered Tyrellus unconscious, with the Ultramarine falling into a deep slumber. Once he was protected from the denizens of the Warp, the Emperor created a rift in the Warp, opening it wider until it was wide enough for him to fit through, before protecting the rift in Anathemic energy, driving away the Neverborn before they could get their slimy claws onto it.

With a wave of his hand, the damage to Tyrellus' body and armor melted away, with the Space Marine and his armor being undamaged, and his body uninjured. With another gesture, the Space Marine's body drifted through the Warp Rift. The last thing Tyrellus heard in his sleep was the Emperor saying, "I will always watch over you, my child."