Sanguinius, Angel in the Darkness Chapter 7, a warhammer fanfic

Chapter Seven

…

"Sanguinius. It should have been him. He has the vision and the strength to carry us to victory, and the wisdom to rule once victory is won. For all his aloof coolness, he alone has the Emperor's soul in his blood. Each of us carries part of our father within us, whether it is his hunger for battle, his psychic talent or his determination to succeed. Sanguinius holds it all. It should have been his…,"

…

Two months, that's how long it takes to train the recruits from all over the villages and City Hubs to a fighting force that can at least "fire in a straight direction" as Mira so aptly says it here at Eden Forward Operating Base a few leagues away from Liknik. It is good enough for Sanguinius at the moment however. The mortals after all would be facing mostly the cultist hordes while Sanguinius deals with the Chaos Astartes themselves at Liknik.

Finally after what seems to be an eternity of waiting, it is finally time for Sanguinius' to move his pieces in this game of regicide for the salvation of this planet. He cannot wait longer. Time has already derailed him from the recruitment effort all over the villages and City Hubs to gather this large of a force to claim the capital of Liknik back for the Imperium. Cadian scouts of the Tenth Light Infantry are reporting that the Cultists and the Chaos Astartes have already started to trickle slowly from the large Spires of the Capital and are forming up to go to the countryside. Sanguinius deduced that the servants of Khorne probably have finished the last survivors of Liknik and are about to search the rest of the planet for more Blood and Bone for their perverse deity.

He mourns for those that died on Liknik, but there is a reason that Sanguinius has not started his invasion of Liknik sooner. He needs sufficient numbers, especially against Chaos Astartes and he needs to train them to at least an acceptable level. Or rather at least the Cadians have to train them. Sanguinius for the most part has been involved in logistics. The manufactorums of Othellon and Mitras after all, along with Allanas churns up flak jackets, lasguns, tanks, light infantry vehicles, heavy weapons and all that the army gathered by Sanguinius' needs for this invasion. Sanguinius is no Guilliman, but he is a Primarch and he has the skill in logistics like all his brothers which is leagues better than any mortal logistician.

He has also been keeping up with morale. The very sight of the Great Angel slash Holy Saint is enough for the basic recruits to have hope again. So Sanguinius makes it a habit to fly around the camp and land among the common man and woman giving off some of his feathers or touching the heads of those who are bowing and scraping in worship and prayer to him. None of them yet has put two and two together that he is a Primarch. Sanguinius does not have the heart to tell them at the moment. Maybe once Liknik is taken, he can be honest about it. The last thing he needs is the perception and focus of everyone change at being in the presence of a son of the god-Emperor. That would mean more kow-towing and more fanaticism which despite Sanguinius' best efforts, still bothers him a lot.

The two months also has seen an upgrade of Sanguinius' war-gear. The City Hab of Allanas has a dozen sets of Sororitas Armor. Relics of fallen Sororitas kept in the Hab when the Order of Flaming Tears once saved this world from a Dark Eldar raid. The Sororitas are buried here at the outskirts of Allanas and a Shrine has been erected where their wargear has been put into display as a reminder. The Tech Priests of Mitras with a unified decision with the other Tech Priests of the two remaining City Habs agrees to melt down the Sororitas armor and forge it in a singular one that would be able to fit Sanguinius' large bulk.

Thus here is Sanguinius' feeling once more a little like himself since the days of the Great Crusade clad in Ceramite golden inlaid power armor with the pelt of the first predator he killed acting as a sash to it. He now looks at least the part of a savior and has the tools to making it happen. The ever trusted Teeth of Baal rests at his hip while a large double sided bolter, able to switch between automatic shooting and shotgun versions is at his left. It is not the Spear of Telesto but it will do for now.

"Your holiness," Mira bows at him from where Sanguinius is waiting looking at the large map of the City of Liknik provided for him by the Adepts of the other City Habs.

"Captain," Sanguinius nods his head back in greeting. "Is everyone ready?" he asks turning away from the map to the woman who looks ready for battle with her flak jacket secured and a brown headband keeping her usual pony-tailed hair in a bun.

"Yes your holiness. Everyone is marshaled and ready for you," says Mira.

"Then fall in behind me Captain. Let us inspect our troops shall we?" smiles Sanguinius regally as he walks out from the top veranda where his main office is situated here at the Forward Base. The ledge he steps out on overlooks the entire Forward Operating Base and Sanguinius is greeted by a wall of cheers as he emerges from his office. The entire Thracian militia army below is cheering at the sight of him, a golden clad figure almost glowing in the morning at the very top with the purest white wings. For the people below, he is a symbol of hope, a symbol of strength and a symbol of victory that is to come.

With a powerful flap of his wings, Sanguinius lets himself hover over the air overlooking the masses of humanity down below. Compared to the usual Astartes legions that he has been used to commanding, the view in front of him is not much. Yet despite it, he has to admit that fifty thousand recruits is still a sight, especially as ordered as they are right now. Mira and the Cadian Tenth have done great work in whipping the recruits some semblance of discipline in the short amount of time they have been given.

"Soldiers of Thracia," Sanguinius does not shout but he doesn't need to for his voice is loud and clear. The soldiers below hush into complete silence at his words.

"Today, we liberate your capital, Liknik from the traitors that are holding it," says Sanguinius letting his eyes hover from the right to the left of the gathered crowd. "Today, I expect all the best from you, just as you would expect the best from me. I admit that our task ahead is not the easiest. We would be facing madmen, beasts, cultists, mutants, monsters and demons, and yes; we will also be facing Traitor Space Marines. I will not sugar-coat the danger that we are about to face. Yet we march, hold to the courage inside your heart, what defines us is not the weapons that we bear, or even the training that we learn, but rather the spirit that is inside our souls. All of you are volunteers here today. You answered the call of the Emperor, the call of freedom. Come with me soldiers of Thracia. Come with me and let us show this honorless cur that this planet, this planet is our home!" finishes Sanguinius in a confident tone making the entire crowd cheers at his words. Horus might be the greatest of diplomats of his brothers all, but Sanguinius is the greatest as an orator.

"For Sanguinius! For the Great Angel!" shouts one soldier before being followed by the others around him and again and again until the whole regiment is shouting the same cheer.

"For Sanguinius! For the Great Angel!"

The crowd roars continuously making Sanguinius raise the Teeth of Baal atop his head. "For the Unity! For the Emperor! Today we march!" he roars out loudly this time making the entire crowd once more roar crazily as Sanguinius flies to the first of the convoy of Chimeras, Leman Russ Tanks and Rhinos. He espies Captain Mira waiting for him alongside Gred and Forge.

"Captain, I thought you are still at the top of the Veranda," comments Sanguinius as he makes himself comfortable at the back of the lead Rhino.

"I made myself scarce as you are making your speech your holiness," shrugs the Captain. She is familiar enough with him that she's no longer scraping and bowing every moment like before. It is refreshing for Sanguinius to say the least. "Great words by the way your holiness. I am confident that every one of those recruits would be willing to run into the face of danger after your words,"

"I prefer them living than dead," says Sanguinius looking back to the long convoy of vehicles which the recruits are boarding being supervised by Cadian Sergeants. Nearly all of Mira's company has been promoted to an officer by Sanguinius to take charge of the Thracian recruits. Technically it should have been Astra Militarum officers that should be doing the promotions, however seeing that this is Imperium Nihilus and the likeliness of getting into touch with higher command somewhere close to null. None objected to the field promotion given to them by the Saint.

"Many would die on this campaign," says Mira, her violet eyes staring at the troops loading into the Aerial Troop Carriers.

"I know, but that is why we are heading out first with the first company. I need to bring to me as much as those Khornate Berserkers as I can so that the other landing points can put on a beachhead," says Sanguinius with a weary sigh. Death in war is always acceptable. It doesn't meant though that he would revel on it or be indifferent to it.

"For the record your holiness, I protest this kind of action. As strong as you are Lord Sanguinius, you would still be facing off against an untold large number of traitor Space Marines," says Mira looking at him pointedly. "We cannot lose you, I am afraid that if you fall, then this planet would be lost,"

"I will not fall Captain, take heart in that," says Sanguinius simply in reply. "At least not here today. Besides Mira, that is why all of you will stand with me. You and the volunteers will have the honor of keeping the enemy at bay and prevent me from being overrun,"

"Three Hundred soldiers would not be enough to stem the tide of Chaos Space Marines your holiness," says Mira this time with a little heat. "Even with heavy weapons in tow,"

"The Emperor Protects Mira," says Sanguinius simply playing the Captain's faith against her. There is no point in continuing the discussion. Sanguinius already has decided that this would be the course of action that he will take. "Have faith in him, and also have faith in me,"

The Captain simply gives off a frustrated hiss in reply before going silent. She maintains it for a few seconds and might have spoken if not for Gred and Forge suddenly climbing atop the Rhino, bowing their heads at Sanguinius.

"Your holiness, the Thracian First Company of Volunteers is loaded into their Chimeras. We are ready for the first phase of your plan my lord," says Forge.

"Then let's get this liberation started. Inform the Captains and other officers of the Regiment to start heading to their breaching points. Make sure to remind them that they need to wait at least for an hour before they start their attack," says Sanguinius to Gred who immediately tinkers with the vox radio at his back relaying Sanguinius orders to the rest of the regiment.

"Let us go, driver, lead the convoy to the main entrance highway of Liknik. I will await all of you there alongside the rest of the First Company," says Sanguinius to the mortal at the wheels who nods before turning on the engines of the Rhino with a loud roar as the mechanical beast comes awake. Immediately the Rhino is moving out of the entrance of the Forward Operating Base fast towards the looming Spires of Liknik far ahead.

"I will see all of you there at the gate," says Sanguinius picking up the three satchels of melta bombs that Mira and her soldiers prepared beforehand. "Don't be late,"

"Your holiness!" Mira's voice makes Sanguinius pause as she looks at the Captain whose eyes are that of concern. She opens her mouth as if to say something before thinking better of it as her face turns to a sterner expression. "Fair winds your holiness,"

"Thank you Captain," Sanguinius replies simply before opening his white wings and takes to the skies.

Down below Sanguinius can see the entire base of Eden bustling with moving convoys heading to four different directions. It is Sanguinius' plan they are following. Sanguinius direction to retake Liknik back from the forces of Chaos is simple. The city is surrounded by a large stone wall probably created beforehand since time immemorial. The Planetary Governors throughout the ages obviously maintained it since it is well renovated and are bustling with defenses. There would be no getting through the walls. The scenario that Sanguinius moves is simple. There would be four different groups at four different causeways. Liknik has five main gates and the remaining four would be the breaching and staging point of the rest of the Regiment supported by tanks and vehicles. Valkyries with support troops would be on station would be rotating providing cover and troop reinforcements. They would start at the sides and collapse to the main Spire of Liknik retaking the main roads and swathes of the city. The main gate however is where Sanguinius would breach and make a stand with the First Company of Volunteers.

There is a reason for that.

Traitor Astartes would be the main problem for the soldiers under his command. They would cut through the mortal soldiers with ease. Of that Sanguinius is sure. That is why he needs to keep their attention on him. He plans to be the bait for that. That is why he heads out first. Sanguinius would demolish the main gate of the city's entrance and make his stand there. The servants of Khorne, both Chaos Astartes and Khorne Berserker's would be attracted to his presence there and would charge him for a fight. If it is anyone else but the servants of Khorne this would not work, they would expect a ploy. Sanguinius however is confident that a year and two months of having no blood and skulls offered to their deity in great amounts. They would not be able to think clearly as they focus their attention on him. This would clear the way for the rest of the invasion forces to mop up mostly cultists and daemons as they create their staging points. The three hundred of the First Company Volunteers would be the support of Sanguinius. They would keep him from being outflanked and outmaneuvered through sheer force of number by the servants of Chaos.

"At least I have the weapons and the armor for making such a stand," thinks Sanguinius as he angles his flight towards the looming city of Liknik coming closer. He doubts the golden flak armor that he wears before for starters would be able to survive. The previous armor of his has been put into a pedestal by the mortals at Mitra and are probably being worshipped by already as a holy object. The thought of it falling as such makes him shudder.

Sanguinius is confident of his abilities, but it is always reassuring to have the proper wargear for such confrontations such as this. Primarchs might be mightier than any Astartes ever might hope to be, but even they can be brought down in sufficient numbers. With his new ceramite upgrade and with the Teeth of Baal, Sanguinius is assured of the test that he is going to undergo.

The city of Liknik draws closer and closer and Sagnuinius' wrinkles his nose. Unlike the City Habs which only has one or two or three Spires, Liknik has dozens, taller and wider than that of the smaller City Habs. Countless houses and streets can also be seen at the area like mazes connected to main roads, all heading to the Central Spire as the center. There is no burning smoke coming from the city, but even this high up Sanguinius' sensitive senses are overwhelmed by the smell of rotting viscera and spilled blood. The servants of Khorne have obviously been busy slaughtering the citizens of Liknik to the last man, woman and child.

From the distance high in the air, he can see the main entrance of the city where great traffic might once contain. However right now the great gates are standing closed and there is no sign of traffic anymore. Empty Four-wheeled sleds and slain herds are scattered all over the highway and there is no sign of life except for the few cultists "guarding" the top of the gate. They are oddly milling while a pair of them he espies through his bird's eye view are fighting while their companions are cheering them head on.

Sanguinius is ready to dive down to them and enact the first part of his plan when he feels it; an alien probe touching his mind. Sanguinius is no gifted Psyker like Magnus, but he and all his brothers know how to detect and guard their minds against psychic attacks. It is part of their education at Terra by their father before they are set out to their legions to join the Great Crusade. The Emperor after all knows that the last thing the Imperium needs is a Primarch going haywire with his mind subsumed by someone else and being a threat to everything he built. Ironically his fears did come true, just not the mind control one.

At the moment however Sanguinius throws barriers in his mind to stop the alien probe from diving deeper in. He is just ready to block it fully when a crystal-like voice snaps inside his head:

"A good effort Son of the Anathema, but have no fear from me. I am Farseer Elindra of the Exodite world of Paragia. I pose no threat to you son of the Anathema. I have travelled far and waited long to finally meet you,"

"You are making a grave error entering my mind Eldar witch," growls Sanguinius in reply keeping his guard up inside his mind, only letting words trickle through his mental defenses. "You and your kind are not welcome here!"

"And here I thought I am talking to the noblest of all the Anathema's sons," the Eldar witch's tone is scoffing. "I've already iterated that I am no enemy of yours. In a manner of speaking, I am here as your ally. I oppose Chaos as you do son of the Emperor. And I thought you would be glad of the help especially against the odds that you will be fighting against,"

"I need no help from you Xeno!"

"You are an intelligent one, not like the rest of the Mon-Keigh you are leading. Are you really confident fighting off the servants of Chaos with your current weapons? Or would you prefer wielding the ones that you have been used to before?" asks the witch snootily.

"What are you talking about?"

"Find me down below and you will see," the voice of the Farseer recedes and an image of an oasis flashes in Sanguinius' mind a few leagues away from Liknik and surrounded by a wasteland.

It does not take long for the Great Angel to find it. His eyes rake the horizon and he soon sees it, a marble of blue in the brown of emptiness that is the wasteland. His eyes however narrow at the figure leaning on a rock. With great beats of his wings, Sanguinius lands in front of the figure throwing dust around him.

It is an Eldar alright, Sanguinius deduces, dressed in what seems to be a breastplate made of bones painted in red and white, her pale skin gleams through the showing stomach which is uncovered. Her greaves and elbow guards are also made of animal bone with feathers of blue and red on it. The thigh skirt she is wearing is also studded of bleached white bones and hardened leather with feathers again on it. Her legs are showing with only her greaves guarding it. The face like many of her kind is fair in human eyes and her fiery red hair is in a top-knot above her head. Her face is painted with red paint like claws of an animal giving her a ferocious but serene look. At her hip is a jagged sword that might once have started life as an animal tooth. At her back is a simple wooden spear. Sanguinius does not trust her one bit. He has faced Aeldari during the Great Crusade. Powerful in technology and physiology both, the Aeldari is a formidable opponent that one must always take great care when dealing with. Their plots have plots on them, and no kind gesture is ever as it seems.

"Greetings son of the Emperor," she says, this time with a melodic tone. Sanguinius does not detect a hint of hostility on it but he does not let his guard down. "I am glad you have come,"

"Where is the rest of your retinue witch?" asks Sanguinius looking around as if the rest of the Seer Council of this Farseer would appear.

The Eldar smiles showing her fanged teeth that are sharp. "I do not have one Reborn Primarch. I have waited for nearly three centuries here for you, hiding and living on this world. Your very presence would change the fate of many and I am here to aid you the best I can,"

"You do not mean that?" snorts Sanguinius. The idea of this Eldar volunteering her services almost laughable. "How do you know that I am a Primarch? How do you know that I am here in this world?"

"The weaves of Fate spins in many ways Great Angel," the Eldar Farseer says again, her fair visage hiding secrets that only she knows. "Yet I have seen it, your arrival here, the changes that you are to make, the things you are about to do, the things you can't do unless I intervene. That is why I am here, to aid you in your journey. Your achievements in the future would secure not only the billions of lives of the Imperium in this part of the galaxy, but also prevent the deaths of many an Aeldari. You must survive, and you must succeed," she smiles again this time knowingly. "Trust me, none of my fellows agrees on me in this one,"

"And how would you do that?" scoffs Sanguinius. "You are just one Eldar Farseer, what can you do to aid me right now? The servants of Khorne would rip you to pieces if you accompany me to where I am going,"

"Maybe, I can start earning your trust by giving you this," the Eldar Farseer throws a wrapped long item at the Primarch who deftly catches it. The cloth drops and Sanguinius' eyes widen at the sight of the weapon, for weapon it is at his hands. If he is mortal, he might have looked gobsmacked. As it is, his expression is simply one of small surprise at the thing he is holding which is thrumming with power.

"Witch, by the Emperor, how did you get your hands of the Spear of Telesto?" asks Sanguinius looking in no small amount of wonder at his personal weapon that has been lost for ten thousand years.

….

Author's Note:

So another chapter is done. Hope you all like the surprise. Yeah, so Sanguinius has a new…..companion…ish that obviously no one would trust or like. I hope you people enjoy this chapter. Next up the retaking of the Capital city of Liknik.

Little question, what shuttle craft is capable of breaching space to the outer void that is of Imperial make?

As usual please review, for your reviews are the song to this writer's heart. I really enjoy reading reviews.