Tales of the Amber Vipers Chapter 429
"I hear the Regent has sent an Astropathic transmission," Thaddis mused.
"Great, another dirty mess he wants us to fix for him," Ferrac grumbled.
"Such is our lot in life," Reddam sighed.
"Doesn't have to be," Ferrac sniffed.
"Explain," Reddam pressed.
"We've spent more than enough blood for that arrogant blowhard, we should consider telling him to get Frakked. Then disappear into the darkness of the galaxy, maybe even return to Imperium Nihilus."
That gave Reddam pause, for the idea had its merits. The Amber Vipers had been Guilliman's dirty war operatives for some time, doing the necessary but dishonourable tasks the high and mighty Ultramarines couldn't be seen doing. To break from those onerous labours and fight where they will sounded tempting, but Reddam had chosen not to follow that path. The Amber Vipers would not run from their responsibilities under his watch.
Reddam drew in a breath and said, "No, we cannot shirk our duty. We have our missions, distasteful as they are, duties no other can be trusted to carry out. Though it may weigh upon our hearts the missions we perform are of galactic significance, the effects of our actions ringing across the stars in ways we shall never know. We will endure the shameful glances of others and carry on, sure and certain that we are needed."
Thaddis grinned, "Plus travelling back to Nihilus would mean employing the Corposant."
"Urgh no," Ferrac grimaced, "That hash of mismatched parts is the only way to travel the stars that's actually worse than the warp!"
"So back to being the Regent's whipping boys," Thaddis sighed.
But Reddam corrected, "Not only that, there are many worlds overlooked by the Crusade, whole planets left to burn by sector-governors and Lords Militant. We shall fight for them, when no others will. The Amber Vipers will bring the Emperor's wrath to those who need it most."
"So long as they can pay us with resupply," Ferrac grinned.
"So it's decided," Reddam agreed, "We remain as we are, though I shall put together a couple more Crusader Hosts. Lieutenant Tarkus reports great success in his far-ranging expeditions, the Chapter grows stronger as we spread our numbers wider. Once we have our own Primaris our strength shall be increased tenfold."
Thaddis mused, "Tarkus... he'd make a good Strike-Captain, don't you think?"
"A question for another day," Reddam chided as the squads started to file in.
The Captains were waiting in a large feasting hall, one of the Serpens Rex's many unused spaces. Millennia ago the original Amber Vipers gathered here to celebrate great victories with fine repasts and eloquent poetry readings, or so Maru said. Reddam's brothers may share their name, but little else. Large trestle tables had been laid out, piled high with salted Grox-meats and roasted tubers. Stacks of beer cans had been arranged, filled with the potent brew the Chattels fermented in the lower reaches. Basic fare but plenty of it.
Rose coloured pillars had been strung with paper chains, and some fool had climbed the austere statues of millennia dead heroes and placed cardboard hats on their heads. Probably Snakelets, though Reddam wouldn't put it past some of Secundus either. A cyber-cherub, scrounged from some Governor's abode in a forgotten campaign, floated overhead, playing a tune that Reddam privately considered a recording of two Felinid Abhumans mating in the night.
The Captains themselves stood on an elevated dais at one end, looking over the squads as they filed in. All were clad in simple shrifts, their bare arms exposed for all to see. Scars aplenty were on display, marks of valour and triumph. Reddam noted the easy comradery among them, the Brotherhood that bound them tight. He would not know such open honesty again, as Chapter Master he must stand aloof and all would speak to him with reverence. Actually scratch that, Ferrac was sure to be as offensive as ever, no matter their respective ranks. Reddam wondered if that was why Coluber put up with him for so long, it was an ugly friendship but honest.
Once the squads found their seats the dignitaries walked in. Maru Kysoto, gloriously restored in all aspects. Keru... Ericthonius, who'd taken pains to refashion himself into a semblance of a Redemptor Dreadnought, at least externally. Then Hasak, bearing a large casket. Finally Berio, the only one in armour, the Cerberii's body so entwined with his many cybernetics Reddam doubted he could remove it.
"Hail Reddam the Sage!" Maru declared, "Soon to be Second Chapter Master of the Amber Vipers, lord of the Serpens Rex and swift sword of the Most Glorious Emperor!"
"The sage?" Ferrac muttered under his breath.
"Shut up, that's an order," Reddam grunted, "Hail Chief Librarian! Hail Forgemaster! Hail Claviger!"
Under the eyes of all the party ascended the dais, moving around so the crowd could see. Some three hundred Amber Vipers watched on as the investiture commenced. Some among them had demanded ritual ceremonies to mark the transition, those who cleaved to Maru's philosophy that is, those who embraced Ferrac's ways merely saw it as a good chance to feast. Reddam saw both points of view, but respected the Chapter must come together and be forged anew.
Maru declared, "Ancient trials await the Master of the Chapter, passed down from antiquity. Tests of strength and fortitude and resolution. Only when they are complete will Reddam be the unquestioned Chapter Master!"
"Ancient rituals my arse, you made this up yourself," Ferrac snorted.
"Your brain may be too small to understand but those who know better speak truth," Maru countered.
Ferrac retorted, "I am jealous of all the people who haven't met you."
"Wisdom has been chasing you, but you have always been faster," Maru rejoined.
Reddam cut in, "Cease yapping for once! Ferrac I expect this from, but why in the name of sanity do you encourage him Maru?"
Maru's torso turned slightly, "Among my lost kinsmen the art of verbal sparring was considered as important as swordplay. True we engaged in debate of higher learning and political nuance, but it could get personal at times. The rabid Mastiff is the only one who engages me so, low though his skill is, it is comforting to be reminded the old ways persist... I thought you all knew that..."
"Throne preserve us," Reddam grunted, "What's first?"
Berio opened the casket Hasak was holding, "Take this ring and count to five."
"That's it?" Reddam snorted, "No, seriously what's... argh!"
Reddam grasped the ring, expecting no resistance but was surprised when the grey circlet within proved nearly impossible to shift. The casket was supported by anti-grav motors, nullifying the weight. Reddam had to get both hands about it to lift the edge even a hair, and his muscles nearly popped from the bone as they took the weight. Eyes watering, knees buckling Reddam heaved the grey circle out of the box, clutching it in trembling arms. His fingers were going to rip out of his hands but he held firm, grunting through gritted teeth, "One... two... threefourfive!"
He dropped the impossible weight back into the box as he shook his numb hands, "What the Frak was that, compressed Adamantium?!"
"Yes," Berio replied, "The same stuff they build Battlebarge internal bracing out of. Hypercompressed then dropped on supergravity worlds for five centuries to let it set."
Maru lifted his voice to utter, "He proves his strength, let the trial of fortitude commence!"
Berio produced another box from somewhere and said, "Put your hand in this." Reddam eyed him warily but did as bid, only to feel sharp fangs sink into his wrist. He pulled back, seeing puncture wounds in his skin and purple threads gnaw at his veins. Instantly his genhanced body burned hot, as his Oolitic kidney went into overdrive, and his secondary heart engaged. His body was trying to flash purge the poison, but the effects were already being felt.
Reddam swayed as the room began to spin, and sounds rang like they were underwater. Sweat beaded his brow and his throat was closing. Reddam felt dizzy and sick and nearly toppled over, but refused. He would not be bested by some animal's bite; he would not be shamed so. Despite the feeling his head was wrapped in a wet blanket and his face was burning he stood upright, every fibre of his being focussed on not falling over. Seconds crawled by, or perhaps minutes, Reddam lost track, but then his head began to clear and his body slowed its frantic efforts to save him.
"His fortitude is proven!" Maru declared, "Now shall be tested his resolution!" From a side door trooped a foursome of Chattels. Upon their shoulders were long beams and from them a cauldron hung. Within bubbled a thick substance, treacly and sweet smelling. Reddam didn't recognise it for a moment, then realised it was amber, boiling amber freshly heated. Twice as hot as boiling water, and far more lethal.
"Within this cauldron rests a serpent of iron, you must retrieve it by hand," Maru declared.
"Frak, now I know you're making this up," Ferrac muttered.
"I'm not going to do that," Reddam hissed, "As Chapter Master I'm drawing a line. Consider it banned."
"You're not Chapter Master till you do it," Ericthonius chided.
Reddam didn't answer, looking over the sea of expectant faces. The squads were watching him, and if he faltered he'd lose all respect in their eyes. He saw among the crowd Tebes and Joffel, his long-suffering squadmates. He had not led them as well as he should, he had failed to see the rot in their midst, the Traitors hiding in plain sight. He should have seen; he should have smelt the Heresy festering under his nose. He'd failed them once, he could not fail them again, not his two closest Brothers.
Eyes fixed on the faces of his dearest kin Reddam awaited till the cauldron was set down, then before he could rethink it he plunged his naked arm into the boiling amber. Pain, searing pain enveloped his left arm, so hot raw flame couldn't have hurt more. Reddam thrust downwards quickly and closed his scalded fingers around something hard, then yanked it out. Extracting the symbol hurt even more, treacly amber clinging to the skin even as it sloughed off. Reddam's arm was but exposed muscle and withered tendon as he threw the iron snake to the ground.
Instantly the Chattels hurried forward, applying soothing pain balms and anointed oils to wash the burning amber from his limb. Reddam couldn't feel it, his nerves had died below the elbow, but where skin met burn was a ring of agony, nerve ending flaring in torment. Anti-septic wadding was bound around the mutilated limb, as morpha was injected via an implant socket. Reddam abided in silence, cursing mentally, even for an Astatrtes this damage would take weeks to grow back.
Thaddis offered an opened beer, "Nicely done."
Reddam snatched it in his good hand, "Keep smiling and I'll make it mandatory for all Captains from now on."
Ferrac snorted, "I thought you were going to ban it?"
"Hell no, if I have to do it then my arsehole successors can damn well do it too!"
Laughter rang loud as Maru declared, "He is proven! Let all pay homage to Reddam, Chapter Master of the Amber Vipers!"
"Hail Reddam!" the crowd bellowed.
"Hail," Ferrac, Thaddis, Maru, Ericthonius and Berio roared.
"Hail Brother," Tebes and Joffel echoed in Reddam's Lyman ear, "Well done."
Reddam lifted his beer to the crowd and declared, "As we began so shall we continue, fighting as no one else can, in the dark places forgotten by the high and mighty. For those without hope, we are their saviours, for those with no one else to turn to, we shall be there. The lost, those forgotten and abandoned by uncaring lords, have their champions in us! Merciless to the foe, ruthless in battle and leal to the very end. The Amber Vipers pledge anew: cold hearts, fast blades, and unbreakable in our loyalty to each other!"
End of Book 1
Afterword
The Amber Vipers began as an idea for a modern version of a Blackshield force but have grown in ways I never expected. The fact they themselves didnt know what they wanted to be lent the story an aura of discovery and missteps that made it a voyage of epic proportions. From the start I wanted the Amber Vipers to be bigger, bolder and outright weirder than my Storm Herald stories and in this I think they succeeded. They have faced some wild threats and really got into the dark corners of the galaxy that deserve a lot more attention, Imperium Nihilus especially should have had a dozen novels by now, delving into the pure insanity of the dark half of the galaxy.
I am concluding this phase of the Amber Vipers adventures for now, but if I want to return at a later date will start a whole new arc with new POV characters.
Many thanks go to you the reader for sticking with this tale, especially those who have sent me modelling ideas and paint schemes. Some have raised that without Primaris the Amber vipers are not competitive on the tabletop so i made sure to end it with the option open for Primaris to be included. With their new forgemaster the Amber Vipers now have access to the full range of Primaris units and vehicles. As to how to play them within official rules, numerous suggestions have been made. The one that worked best was to use Dark Angels traits with Imperial Guard allies. Battleline squads represent Primus Cohort, Ravenwing rules represent Secundus and allied Guard units and tanks and planes represent Tertius and the Snakelets. Good fortunes to those who wish to take the Amber Vipers to battle for the Emperor.
Thank you for reading. Ave Imperator!