Raised with Honour
Adeptus Astartes training grounds.
Skull probes take there positions, ready for the fight that is about to commence.
This is the fight of the initiates. Here they will truly be tested to the death, this is the way of the space marines.
"Initiates gather. Today shall be the day that you and I, will find out if you have got what it takes to be a true space marine. You shall be fighting each other on even ground, and only your skill, knowledge and faith shall hold you firm."
"Librarian, the training grounds, are ready."
"Initiates to your designated sectors, and gear for battle."
As the initiates head for the sectors, anxiety starts to seep, into their minds. Reaching the end of the corridor, each initiate headed of in their designated directions, not knowing the fate that was awaiting them once they were on the training grounds. The corridor leading left went to the Crimson sector, and the path to the left led to the Navy sector. Each representing different team colours.
"Initiates, you will be wearing, suits of Mark`8 power armour, and be wielding standard bolters.
This will therefore make it a battle of sheer skill, teamwork, and courage. Initiates, to the battle ground.
As the initiates took their positions, the Librarian, took his seat high above in the viewing platform, ready to survey the initiates. As he awaited for the battle to commence, He felt a shiver run down his spine. It was unusual, he had only once before felt this sensation, during his time as a space marine. That was the day his contingent had been ambushed. But surely not here, and more worryingly how would they of come to arrive here. Instinctively, he shouted, "get the initiates out of their now, ready the guard, prepare for assault." And as he uttered the last word, a blazing aura of red filled the battle ground below.
"ALERT, ALERT, all stations prepare for battle", the initiates stood on the battle grounds not knowing what they were about to face.
The initiates progressed into the heart of the training grounds. As the Crimson initiates reached the centre of the training grounds, Chaos horror squads surrounded them. Gunfire erupted. Horror squads dropped, but were instantly replaced by more and more of them, but they just stood there taking round after round. Then the horror squads returned fire. Crimson, where no match for the chaos forces. Several initiates managed to break through, but the rest were immediately cut off, there was no chance for the remainder of Crimson, as the chaos forces bared down upon them, their doom was impending.
Meanwhile, Navy had not yet received word of the devastation that the chaos forces and inflicted. Navy had split itself into three individual fire teams, and were advancing onwards together, making sure not to expose any of the flanks, and the rear. Alpha team was at the head of the group, being lead by a one Matthew Varges, Bravo covering the sides, and Charlie guarding over the rear flank, being lead by Garham Conway.
Navy navigated through the training grounds swiftly, and effectively, always making sure to work together as one. However they were not alone. As Navy approached a clearing in the forest, they were abruptly halted, as Matthew heard footsteps coming towards them at a fast pace. Navy took their positions. As they stood ready for battle, they saw the remnants of what was left of Crimson.
"Hold your fire."
"Why should we not fire Matthew?"
"Because, by the looks of it, they're not trying to attack us, what do you think?"
"I understand your point, but the objective is to attack the enemy, and frankly, they are the enemy."
"Do I have to come up there and sort you out space marine!"
"Conway, do not worry, the emperor is smiling down on this soldier, he is only questioning something that does not make sense to him, or in fact to the imperium."
"Enough of your talking Matthew, get on with what you were doing."
"Okay, okay. You there halt!"
"Please don't shoot, whatever you do don't shoot."
"What, in the emperors name happened to you?"
"It was the chaos, they... they... killed everyone. We are all that is left of Crimson."
"Chaos, that is impossible. It must be part of the training programme."
"But our objectives were to attack you lot, not any chaos."
"I don't understand how your men died. If it was part of the training programme then they shouldn't of died, they wouldn't pit us against real chaos forces would they?"
"Not to butt in or anything, but you do remember who we belong to right?"
"Yes, but even so, they surely wouldn't expect us to learn how to fight against the forces of chaos, it is completely against the imperium."
"Not to worry you or anything, but they where literally behind us, so we should get going before they find us. Oh yeah and another thing, these weapons are carrying live ammunition."
"What, live ammunition. So they were going to pit us against each over to the death."
"Can we work with you?"
"It seems the most logical solution. Plus we could use your knowledge, on these chaos forces. And another thing, what did you come across?"
"Brother, as of yet we have encountered only horror squads."
"In that case NAVY, BE READY FOR COMBAT!
Navy and Crimson pushed onwards knowing that eventually they would come across the forces of chaos.
As the rest of the space marines moved further into the heart of the training grounds, they were soon to bare witness, to the horror of the chaos forces present. All that could be heard around the area, was the screeching sound of the hell talons engines from above.
"Conway get your ass here now."
"What's wrong?" Beckoned Conway.
"There's something up ahead of us, and by the look of it, we're going to have to split up into two groups."
"So what exactly is your plan then?"
"I'll take Alpha and the first division of Bravo, and you lead Charlie and the remaining men."
"Great, this should be fun."
"Alpha, Bravo-1, report to me now! The rest of you proceed to Initiate Conway."
As the two new groups formed, they were unaware of the problems that lay ahead.
Matthew and his force proceeded onward, an unnerving chill swept through all of the men, but none dare not to lose concentration, knowing that one mistake, could easily lead to the fall of their fellow brethren.
"HALT!" Matthew ordered.
"You four scout ahead, and report back your findings."
The four soldiers, proceeded as instructed. A few minutes later only one soldier returned.
"What happened?" commanded Matthew.
"We were ambushed sir... Chaos..."
"Johnson, come quickly!"
"What are your orders Varges?"
"Apply first aid upon this soldier."
"I'll do my best, but I can't promise anything."
"Just do your job, and all shall be well."
"Sir! Movement ahead." Shouted one of the space marines.
"Space marines, hold your ground. Protect Initiate Johnson and our injured brother. PROTECT YOUR BROTHERS!"
"FOR THE EMPEROR"
The space marines formed a tight pack around the injured space marine. Silence, there was nothing but the sound of the wind in the trees. Then from out of the shadows came the horror squads.
"OPEN FIRE! BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, HOLD YOUR GROUND!"
Bolter fire lit the surrounding area. The chaos forces returned fire, and an epic fire-fight ensued.
"This is Matthew Varges, we are under attack from chaos forces. Initiate Conway do you read?"
"Copy that, this is Initiate Conway. What are your co-ordinates? Over."
"We are two clicks south of the western most lookout tower, over."
"Received, we are en-route, e.t.a. two minutes."
"Copy that, we'll hold out till your arrival."
Matthew Varges and his force fought on relentlessly, ducking and diving in and out of cover, trying to avoid fire. But nevertheless, they continued on against the ensuing chaos forces.
Initiate Conway eagerly rushed to his friends side, longing for battle. The chaos forces are now easily outnumbered by the arrival of Initiate Conway and the rest of the space marines.
"Hey Conway, where'd you find those heavy bolters?"
"We found them amongst some dead space marines, looked to be a heavy task unit, not sure how they came to their demise though."
As the last of the Chaos forces are wiped out, a blinding aura of red envelops, surrounding the space marines. As the red aura fades, all that can be seen were Chaos forces.
"We're not going to be able to kill all these chaos forces. Initiate Conway, direct your specialist units to punch a hole in their lines."
"Right away! Skipper, direct your task group on the right flank of those horror squads."
"Affirmative sir, unleashing hell!"
"Come on marines, let's tear them to pieces."
As Initiate Skipper and his specialist unit opened fire, heavy bolter fire ripped through the chaos lines.
"Now, move through here, go now brothers."
The space marines pushed through the hole they had created. As they had just pushed through, Matthew heard the sound of a Valkyrie fly over ahead. As Matthew turned to see how the last survivors were doing, two drop pods smashed down upon the heads of the chaos forces, spreading blood and flesh around the landing site, leaving the trees coated in the tainted blood of the warp, and limbs strewn about the floor. The drop pods opened, and from within came two Dreadnoughts. As the dreadnoughts started fighting, an imperial guard Valkyrie landed on the other side of the chaos forces, and from within came several squads of Kasrkin units.
"Space marines, open fire upon the chaos forces, send them back into the pit of hell, from hence they came."
A renewed vigour spread across the space marines, knowing that they had a much greater chance of purging these chaos forces. The space marines charged towards the chaos units, trying to get as many bolter rounds into their enemies, before engaging in close quarters combat. Space marines smashed into the chaos units lines, tearing and ripping chunks of flesh from the horror squads, as soon as the first wave of space marines had charged in, they formed a line, waiting for the rest of the chaos units, who were charging towards them. As the chaos units charged closer and closer, the space marines dropped to the floor, and in doing so, the heavy bolter teams, had a clear line of fire. Opening fire, the chaos forces were met by round after round, of endless fire power, and all that could be heard was the sound of empty bolter cartridges hitting the floor. As the chaos forces came to within ten metres distance to the space marines, the heavy bolters ceased fire, and the space marines in front stood, awaiting the chaos forces. The imperial guard Kasrkin units took formation and halted the chaos forces from being able to retreat. Dreadnoughts literally ripped the chaos units in half, throwing each body half at their fellow kind. And as if appeared from nowhere, was the sight of the librarian, wielding a thunderhammer, vaulted towards the centre of the remaining horror squads, and smashed the thunderhammer into the face of the chaos unit in front of him, knocking to the ground. And with one more swing of his thunderhammer, the chaos forces were no more. Brushing aside the last remaining body of the chaos forces, the librarian stands to attention, readying himself to address the remaining initiates.
"Space marines, Imperial guard, I wish to commend you for this valorous task that you undertook and initiates, I hereby from the power of the imperium confirm your successful training from Initiates to Brothers, I wish also to promote Matthew Varges, to the title of sergeant, for his valorous efforts, and for his unique leadership abilities. I also wish to promote Garham Conway to the title of sergeant, for his strong mind, and for his true un-wavering bravery. This however I feel will lead you two down different paths. I wish also to bestow upon the heavy bolter task unit, the titles of heavy weapons specialist. But heed my words, this shall not be the last times your names are heard, for you space marines, are truly a unique breed. Your names shall be heard amongst the four corners of the galaxy. And for this, I now welcome you to the imperium."
"FOR THE EMPEROR!"
And the end of battle, bought the feeling of joyous triumph, over the space marines mortal enemies. And yet even though Matthew Varges, and Brother Conway and the space marines upon the training grounds, were likely not to see one another for many a year, there paths were truly entwined, and it was because of this, the future of the imperium would eventually lay in the outcome of their fate.
(A/N 2217 words this chapter, read and review please, standard disclaimer all characters are OC)