Fame Cimex Chapter 26

High over Angle's Redoubt the defences were slowly being prepared, massive starforts were test firing their shields and gun crews ran through endless drills. Armsmen practiced counter-boarding techniques while Techpriests blessed and sanctified the artefacts and devices of war.

Clouds of minefields were repositioned for maximum effect and dormant Torpedo launcher platforms deployed, these tiny specks were totally defenceless but since they would tear themselves apart the second they launched their deadly cargoes it hardly mattered. Flights of fighters and bombers swam through the void, rehearsing their formations while system defence boats and Defence Monitors gathered together and ran scenarios. Meanwhile in various dockyards the battered Imperial Navy was being refitted, hasty repairs being fashioned while magazines and stores were replenished with unseemly haste. Fresh crews were also being brought on board, press-ganged scum from the depths of the Hive Cities being beaten down and manacled to the guns where they would probably die in service to the Emperor. This was typical behaviour of the Imperium, where human life was cheap and manpower spent as heedlessly as Promethium or Lasgun packs.

The orbital defence was as strong as anybody could hope, hundreds of thousands of men waiting and ready to meet the foe. Yet what no one could know was whether this would be enough to withstand the horror that was bearing down upon them. The Tyranids were coming and all knew that this battle would decide the fate of every man woman and child in the system, if not the Imperium itself.

Striding along one of the Starforts were a trio of Space Marines, briskly inspecting the preparations and touring the defences. There were many such groups spread out around the defence platforms, conducting a thorough assessment of the preparations before the battle commenced. Many naval officers and crew gave them resentful glares, irked by the Transhuman's presumption but these orders had been countersigned by the Admiral himself, so there was nothing to be done. This particular party consisted of Captain Toran and Sergeants Furion and Priyar, they had come together following their tours and were making reports. Toran was speaking saying, "Preparations seem to be going well, we are as ready as we can expect to be."

Priyar seemed less confident and said, "I am not so sure, these men have spent their lives sitting on guns that have not been fired since their great-grandfathers were swaddling babes. Genuine combat experience is rare and the SDF hardly attracts the cream of the Navy."

Toran replied, "It is what it is, we shall have to trust in the hearts of mankind or failing that the whips of the Commissars to keep them steady."

Furion replied, "Any Commissar who needs a whip to keep order doesn't deserve the rank sash."

Toran replied, "It is not like we have a lot of other options right now."

Priyar asked, "What of our own preparations?"

Torna answered, "Our ships took a lot less damage than the Navy, we are ready and able. The Strike Cruisers are keeping a watch on the outer perimeter while our Battle-Barges are held in reserve."

Furion inquired, "What of the Companies?"

Toran answered, "We know the Tyranids will land significant numbers on the surface no matter what so the majority of the Chapter will deploy under Captain Jossat to meet them there. However Third Company is to make its stand on the Light of Terra, while Fifth Company will be stationed on the Thunderlord alongside Chapter Master Gorgall himself."

Furion said, "Will the Guard and the Navy accept our lead?"

Toran said, "Officially the Navy and the Guard is being led by its own Admirals and Generals, but in practice they have agreed to a compromise. The orders will be issued by their officers but the words will be those of Chapter Master Gorgall."

Priyar did not look satisfied and said, "The surface war is a sideshow, we should concentrate our forces in orbit, taking out that last Hive Ship is everything now."

Furion shook his head and said, "We cannot abandon the people to the whims of fate, the surface war must be fought or we abandon our duty to Humanity and the Emperor."

Toran stated, "We must each be ready to fight as required, the orbital war is ours to prosecute and we will triumph."

Furion eyed the Captain and said, "Do not be so confident, this battle will be costly, great sacrifices will be required of you."

Toran paused and said, "Is not every Astartes always ready to lay down his life for the Emperor?"

Furion sighed and said, "That is not what I meant, to fight and die is easy but are you ready to make the hard choices that are to come?"

Toran realised that Furion was referring to their previous conversation about failure and said, "I have made my peace with Captain Laryen's death, I will not hesitate to make sacrifices if victory demands it."

Furion replied glumly, "That is easy to say, but the actual deed is harder than anyone is ever prepared for. We may face choices between honour and victory that few ever have to make."

Toran was quiet for a moment then said, "The Navy… you do not expect them to survive this battle."

Furion nodded and said, "Casualties will be terrifying, but we cannot pause nor stay our hand. If it comes down to it could you leave brave men and good friends behind to die, if by doing so you could strike the fatal blow to the foe?"

Toran swallowed and said, "Victory requires sacrifice, as the Primarch is my witness I will not allow compassion to weaken my resolve. I will do whatever is required, I will be as hard and stern as Rogal Dorn himself in the battle to come."

"Throne, you two are in a morbid mood," interjected Priyar changing the subject, "Anyway where are the Smoke Jaguars, I thought they were joining us for this inspection."

Toran replied, "Shade-Seer Imix said something about performing a ritual observance, he requested a hold for his Marines to use."

Furion said, "I admire their skill and cunning but our cousins have never been ones for holding lines and reckless charges, will they stand with us in this battle?"

Toran stated, "That is what we are about to find out."

While they had been talking the three of them arrived at the hold in question and were surprised to find no guards outside, the door left open and inviting. They proceeded inside expecting to find a Company of Space Marines making their preparations but the hold was surprisingly quiet and empty. They pressed onwards, looking for activity and then behind a small door they heard voices. The trio wandered over cautiously lest they offend their guests and peered inside. What they found was a small auxiliary chamber, only a dozen metres to a side, bare and bereft of decoration. Stood within Imix was holding out a large goblet before him, roughly hewn from stone and filled with a noxious liquor that filled the air with its taint. Each of the Astartes was cutting his palm with a dagger and squeezing their enhanced blood into the goblet, mixing their essence with the liquor and chanting in a debased form of the Gothic language.

Toran's lone organic eye went wide at the sight, for it resembled some form of tainted dark rite but he held his tongue. Many Chapters had strange and barbaric rituals but that did not impugn their loyalty, his own Chapter was hardly in a position to criticise another's beliefs after all. Toran watched silently as the Smoke Jaguars drank from the Goblet one by one, each staining their mouths with blood making them look like savage cannibals. Imix was the last to drink; he drained the cup then lowered it before declaring, "By this blood and by our oath, none shall escape our sight."

The four others replied, "Vengeance will be ours."

Imix finished by saying, "In the name of Primarch Corax and the Sun-Emperor."

Then as one they cried, "Victoriam Venandi!"

Then the group broke up and shuffled out, passing the waiting Storm Heralds without a word. Toran waited for them to move off then stepped into the alcove, where Imix was tidying away the artefacts of his ritual. Toran said, "I apologise for interrupting your rites Chief Librarian."

Imix did not seem concerned as he replied, "Not necessary, our ritual was just concluding, we are blooded and committed to the hunt now."

"I see," said Toran not really following the Shade-Seer's logic, "We have come to discuss our strategy for the upcoming battle."

Imix nodded and said, "My Marines are prepared to fight as you see fit, the Silent Hunter will sail under your flag and share the danger with you. We have chosen a Batab, a War-Leader, to stand in my stead and represent us."

It took a long moment for that to sink in and then Priyar blurted out, "Wait, you do not intend to be present at the final battle?"

Imix raised an eyebrow and said, "I thought you understood, those who you have just witnessed have another role to play. There is a threat that cannot be ignored, a creature on the surface that thinks it can prey upon the high and the low alike, a monster that kills babes in their beds and stalks the weak and defenceless. We are to descend to the planet and engage in a sacred hunt, this monster must be brought to justice."

Furion sounded horrified as he said, "You would leave the battle against the multitudes to go hunt down one creature?!"

Toran found he had to agree with the Sergeant and said, "Shade-Seer, I too must protest. The true battle will be in orbit and we need every single Astartes on the line, your power may mean the difference between victory and defeat. Perhaps once the battle is won we can indulge such luxuries, but not now."

Imix sighed wearily, clearly having had this argument before and said, "You do not understand our ways, the spirit of Corvus Corax lies heavily upon us, his need for vengeance burns in our blood. Istvaan V, the Carinae Retribution, the Scouring: ever the Primarch thirsted to bring down those who preyed upon the weak and helpless, to end tyranny in all its forms. We must follow in his footsteps; none can be allowed to think themselves beyond justice."

Furion said, "But…"

Now Imix sounded angry as he growled, "You forget that we are not yours to command, the Smoke Jaguars are a sovereign and proud Chapter and we will fight as we see fit."

Toran hesitated, the Librarian was right after all, the Smoke Jaguars had been incredibly accommodating so far but they were allies not servants and he could not risk losing their support right now. He slowly said, "I apologise my friend, all must make allowances when two cultures meet. Your right to fight where you choose is inviolable; I shall not stand in your way."

Imix glared for a moment then sighed and said, "If it will soothe your tempers then consider that the Cities below are wracked with fear and panic, the people cower in terror at the prospect of the killer in their midst. The defences are currently weak and hollow, but if we can bring word that this monster has been brought low it will quell the panic and put steel back into the spines of the common man. We need them to stand proudly in the coming battle, we need them to think that they can win."

Toran nodded for it made an odd sort of sense, he wasn't happy but there was nothing to be done right now. He looked at the Shade-Seer and said, "Very well, is there some form of ritual salutation I can offer?"

Imix smiled and replied, "We normally just say, Good Hunting."

Toran held out his hand Imix took it as the Captain said, "Very well then, in the name of Him on Terra: I wish you Good Hunting."