Damage Control – A Dark Angels Story

By: Jason Rose

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Prologue

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            Interrogator-Chaplain Tagas stood at attention. He faced the massive, wall-mounted televisor. The entire screen, and thus, the entire wall, was filled with the talking head of Commander Azrael, half covered by the bone-white hood of his robe. Tagas glaced sideways, out of the wall length window that occupied his chambers. He looked out at Renus, the small, blue and green orb drifting through its orbit around its star. Tagas’ ship, The Firewing, had been sent to this small, forested moon by the Inner Circle. Although they had not informed Tagas of the reason, it would not befit a Space Marine to question orders. “It has come to the attention of the Inner Circle,” Azrael’s booming voice snapped Tagas back into focus, “that Grand Master Crinius, of the Grey Knights, has been dispatched by the Inquisition to cleanse Renus of the taint of Chaos. While Chaos’ grip on the moon is faint, Renus is a vital choke point to the Segmentum Solar, and the Imperium cannot take any chances with losing it.” This, Tagas already knew. It would only take a whisper of Chaos on Renus to scare the Inquisition into action. Still, Grey Knights? It seemed like overkill to Tagas – like swatting a fly with a sledgehammer.             Azrael continued, his powerful voice echoing off Tagas’ spartan living chambers. “The Inquisition knows that a Traitor Marine is leading the Chaos worshippers. What they do not know, however, is that this Traitor is one of our... ‘burdens.’” He practically hissed the word, not bothering to hide the seething hatred from his voice. “We fear that an Inquisitorial investigation that gets too close to this... ‘Traitor’ would learn too much. You, Brother Tagas, are to take a small strike force to Renus’ surface. You are to capture the Traitor and bring him back to The Firewing to administer the... ‘proper atonement...’ before Crinius can get to him. If Crinius gets to the Fallen first, you must ensure that no commanding officer leaves that moon alive.” There was a dreadful finality in his words. His voice dropped and he raised his gaze, revealing his sharp, blue eyes. “They are alarmingly close to unraveling our past, Brother Tagas. We must contain this as much as possible. Do not allow word of our secret shame to leave that moon! The Emperor protects!” “For the Lion!” Tagas replied. He bowed as the transmission was cut.

            Tagas sat down on the stool at his simple, stone table and glanced at the azure sphere once again. He was smiling behind his skull-shaped helmet. He had been assigned to damage control! This was no small-fry mission; this was big. Surely this meant that he would be promoted to Master of Sanctity soon! The Inner Circle had yet to replace Tagas’ predecessor and mentor, Interrogator-Master Tobias, Emperor rest his soul. He had fought bravely and took down several of those Ork Bikers before he was gunned down by their rattling machine guns. Tagas grinned with satisfaction. The surviving Bikers had managed to win a Pyrrhic victory when they ganged up on a lone Chaplain, but they had dropped quickly when they faced a full squad of holy Bolter fire. Tagas sighed. That had been only two months ago. He stood up again and headed for the door. It was time to assemble his strike force.

            Linus was polishing his Lascannon casing with holy oils and ointments when the command went out to assemble in the Hall. Carefully placing the Lascannon back in its place in the trunk at the foot of his cot, Linus rushed out of his quarters and down the narrow hallway. He reached the Great Hall just as Chaplain Tagas began his opening prayers. Linus’s feet clacked on the cold, stone floor. Two score Space Marines were lined up in two columns, ten to a row. They were in the center of the Hall, facing the podium on the center of the wall. The gothic arches and flying buttresses above them marked the remarkably high ceiling, some hundred yards over their heads. Chaplain Tagas was on the dais, pacing from one end to the other, his eyes fixed on his Brother Dark Angels. Behind him, the Great Banner hung on the wall, ancient and glorious. Other sacred relics were hung on the walls or sealed in glass cases around the Hall. Linus sidled between two, larger Marines in the fourth, final row. He could barely see over the head of the Marine in front of him. Linus sighed quietly and brushed some of his blonde hair out of his eyes.
            He was small for a Marine, standing only six and a half feet high. Despite this, he had proven his innate skill with heavy weapons early in training, and was eventually given the job of Lascannoneer in his Tactical Squad. Some of the older Marines objected to this, claiming it wasn’t right for a Battle-Brother fresh out of the 10^th Company to be trusted with a sacred Lascannon. But, those in command had decided it was worth the risk. After all, hadn’t he proven them right time after time? Why, just a few months ago, he had blasted the front armor of an Ork-looted Leman Russ Battle Tank. The tank had been several hundred yards away, but Linus kneeled and took aim. His shot rang true, and the cyan bolt of energy had pierced the ammo hold of the Russ, reducing the tank to a slab of molten metal and flames. By putting the tank out of commission early on in the battle, he had probably saved a dozen of his Battle-Brothers’ lives. It had been heroic enough for Chaplain Tagas to award Linus with his first purity seal. As the opening prayer finished, Linus realized that he had been chanting the prayers along with his Brothers.
            A large hand clasped Linus on the shoulder. A deep voice said, “Late again, eh Linus my boy?” Linus realized with a start that the large Battle-Brother next to him was Sergeant Gazardiel. Gazardiel, or ‘Grizzly,’ as he likes to be called, was the decorated veteran of a hundred battles. He looked more like a Space Wolf than a Dark Angel. He had a large, unruly head full of grey hair, which flowed into a full grey beard that dropped to his waist. He had the same commanding presence as the other veterans, but without any of the formality. He talked with the Scouts in the 10^th Company as freely as he talked with Chaplain Tagas. Linus had to admit that he probably respected Sergeant Grizzly as much as he respected Chaplain Tagas, which was a lot. Gazardiel had a bionic leg – specially crafted so that he could continue to lead his jump packing Assault Marines after his injury. He aquired it during the Adamia campaign. The Dark Angels were facing an entire platoon of traitor Imperial Guard. Gazardiel had led a small squad of jump pack Marines behind enemy lines, and led a vicious charge on their unprotected rear lines. The charge went well, but there were far more Guardsmen than the Ravenwing had reported. The Marines felled the Guardsmen by the dozen, but for every traitor that fell, two more took his place. Soon, it was just Gazardiel against two dozen angry heretics. With his Power Fist, Grizzly cut the Guardsmen down five at a time, but eventually their sheer numbers dragged him down. By the time Gazardiel was rescued and the Apothecaries got hold of him, he had lost a leg and a lot of blood. He survived only because he was an especially hardy Marine. He loomed over Linus now, his long, tan face smushed into a large grin. “I swear, did they stop teaching neophytes how to tell time in basic training?” He chuckled, and Linus couldn’t help but laugh with him. They both turned their attention to the Chaplain.

            Tagas paused before beginning his sermon. “Brothers! We have been called upon to purge the galaxy of a most hated foe!” His mighty voice echoed off the vast walls of the Hall. “Many of you have seen first-hand the malevolent forces of Chaos. Some of you have even faced the hated Traitor Legions in battle! However, today we face an opponent so deadly, so rare, that even I have not faced a foe quite like it! Brothers, today we face Grey Knights!” While the Marines showed no outward response, Linus knew that their minds were reeling like his own. Grey Knights? Were they not the purest of the pure, the semi-secret Chapter of Marines commanded by the Inquisition for the very purpose of fighting Chaos? How could they have become corrupt? Was it even possible? Tagas continued, “Yes my Brothers! We face a force of Chaos so powerful, it has broken even the iron will of Grey Knights! They are fearsome opponents, to be sure, made even more fearsome by the twisted powers of the Warp. However, we shall not cower! We shall not turn and flee! Why? Because we are Dark Angel Space Marines, and we shall know no fear! We fear no Evil, for we are fear incarnate!”

            Linus felt his heart swell with pride. He was a Space Marine! He shall know no fear! He knew that he and his Brothers were stronger than the Grey Knights. Did they not fall to Chaos? Does that not prove their weakness? Chaplain Tagas looked around the room. “Now, Brothers, join me in the Catechism of Hate. ‘While vile mutants still draw breath, there can be no peace. While obscene heretic's hearts till beat, there can be no respite. While faithless traitors still live, there can be no forgiveness...’” Linus chanted along, allowing himself to get worked up. No faithless traitor will live if he can help it! The Marines finished their prayers and headed for the Drop Pod bay.

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The Battle

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            Sergeant Raseth gave a hand signal and the Marines fanned out into formation. They had been scouting for several days now, and there had been no sign of the enemy. The Dark Angels Drop Pods had pelted the surface of Renus almost a week ago. They had been shot all over the moon, the plan being to fan out and locate the enemy before calling in backup to take out the threat. The enemy hadn’t left the moon; The Firewing would have certainly spotted any shuttle launches. It was just a matter of time before the Angels established the enemy location and eliminated them.

            Linus peered through the trees and he set up his Lascannon. They had come to the edge of this forest two days ago, and they were still in it. It must stretch on for miles, Linus realized. There was a ruined stone tower only a few dozen yards in front of them. Linus and his squad remained behind the treeline, waiting for their Sergeant to give the OK. His Battle-Brothers were kneeling or standing behind the trees in a fan shape in front of him, their Bolters poking out from behind the tree trunks and out from the undergrowth of ferns, scanning the horizon for a threat. His preparations finished, Linus muttered a prayer to the Emperor and the Machine-God before activation the Lascannon. It hummed to life, crimson energies playing around the power cell and muzzle. Uttering the proper incantations, Linus slowly turned the power dial on the casing. The gentle humming turned into a high-pitched whine as the scarlet energies lightened to lavender, then bright azure. Sergeant Raseth waved the barrel of his Godwyn pattern Bolter to signal his squad to advance. ++Careful, men. Brother Rodiel’s Auspex is picking up something...++ he sub-vocalized over the local comm-net.
            Sure enough, the Marines spotted their prey – straight ahead, coming around the tower, close to a dozen Grey Knight Space Marines were marching through the forest, crushing twigs and leave beneath their bulk. There was a blast of static as Sergeant Raseth patched into their comm-link. ++...ere is no sign of Chaos in the Southern Forest, my lord. We have swept through the woods twice, and found no trace of Warp-Taint.++ The reply came, as thunderous and imposing as a rushing Land Raider. ++Very well. Remain at the Ruined Tower. I shall join you momentarily for the launch. Patch your coordinates to the shuttle for dust-off. I shall alert the Sisters to meet us for our departure. ++ Linus knew that they could not allow the Knights to send that signal – they did not have enough manpower to take on an Imperial shuttle and ten Grey Knights. ++Very good, my lord. Maximus, over and out.++ Linus looked to Raseth, who gave him a steady nod. Linus took aim...

            He knew better than to take a snapshot – while there was no harm in doing so with a Bolt Pistol, with a Lascannon it would just waste his carefully charged shot and require him to reload the power cell. The quite yell of the Lascannon was increasing into a full-on shriek. The Grey Knights could not help but hear it. They looked at the Dark Angels position with surprise. ++Sneaky gits! Why couldn’t we pick up their presence?++ Another Grey Knight responded, ++Must have psykic shielding! BROTHERS! CHARGE!++ Five of the Knights rushed through the woods towards the Dark Angels, trampling logs and bushes like they were made of paper. Five of the Knights remained in the distance, guarding their Sergeant while he patched in the request for a shuttle. Raseth patched in a request of his own. ++Brother Chaplain! We have spotted the enemy at coordinates... Gamma-Beta-Gamma! Requesting support!++ Chaplain Tagas’ voice rang clear over the comm-link. ++Affirmative, Brother Raseth. Keep them on the ground until we get there! Till the Lion reawakens!++

            ++Till the Sword is Reforged.++ Raseth responded. Linus breathed slowly, trying to steady his arm. The foolhardy Knights weren’t even zigzagging – they were rushing head-on! It was an easy shot. FREEEM! The Lascannon’s piercing shriek cut through the air as the bright cyan bolt struck the closest Grey Knight in the head. His headless body slumped forward and hit the dirt hard, sliding along the forest floor from the momentum of his charge. His four Brothers did not even flinch.

            As Linus brought the barrel of his Lascannon down to charge up another shot, he heard the familiar roar of a Rhino engine. Turning his view away from the charging Knights, he saw Sergeant Marnius’s Rhino crash through the foliage 40 yards down the tree line. Brother Dumah, the Plasmagunner for Marinus’s squad, poked his head out of one of the top hatches on the Rhino. He brought his M35 ‘Magnacore’ Plasma Gun out and steadied it on his shoulder before letting loose with a blast of superheated plasma. The bolt struck the leg of one of the charging Knights, melting flesh and bone and reducing his armor to molten slag. The Knight fell face forward into a shallow creek and stopped moving. The Rhino continued to rush at the Knights to intercept their charge.

            Suddenly, there was a loud crack like a whip and a bright flash of light! Linus turned to see a third squad of Grey Knights not four feet from his squad’s position! Raseth’s voice yelled through the comm-link, ++They must have teleported in! Take them down, Brothers!++ With a start, Linus realized that the Grey Knights Sergeant wasn’t calling in his shuttle – he was calling in reinforcements! As if to drive that point home, the massive, unmistakable shape of a mighty Land Raider crashed through the trees into the clearing, opposite of the Rhino. Dozens of Bolters blazed on either side of the potent vehicle while a wicked looking twin-linked Assault Cannon on top sent a shower of shells towards Marnius’s Rhino. The trio of rushing Grey Knights continued their reckless charge toward Linus and his squad. Unfortunately Linus had other things to worry about. Raseth drew his combat knife, and the squad followed suit. He bellowed “CHARGE!” and Linus and his squad rushed headlong at the disoriented Deep Striking Knights. They smashed eye lenses and stabbed bodies, kicking and smashing with the butts of their Bolters when their knives got stuck in the Knights. Before the Knights could react, Squad Raseth had wiped them out.

            Linus placed his boot on the head of a fallen Grey Knight and yanked his knife out of the side of his skull, wiping the blood off on the leaves on the ground. Linus recognized how lucky he was. Had the Knights teleported in only a few feet further away, they would have been able to orient themselves in time to open fire on Raseth’s squad. Mumbling thanks to the Lion, Linus took up his Lascannon once more. He risked a quick glace away from his weapon to take in the situation.

            The Land Raider’s salvo had chewed through the front of the Rhino, stopping the APC dead in its tracks. The condition of the Rhino left little doubt as to the fate of the crew. Linus breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the rear door drop and Squad Marnius stumble out unscathed. The Land Raider had come to a stop behind the ruined tower. Its front hatch had opened and the tank had disgorged its cargo – four Grey Knight Terminators! No, three Terminators, Linus corrected himself. One of them was clearly superior. He had no helmet, and had a face that seemed to be chiseled from solid stone. He had short, black hair and cold, penetrating eyes. In one hand, he held a humming halberd, its blade glowing with a soft, green aura. In the other, he clasped a large hand cannon, covered in small writings and skillfully adorned with elaborate ornamentation. He had a large, red cape that flowed down his back and danced around his ankles. Surely, this was Grand Master Crinius.

            Crinius and his bodyguard advanced methodically towards the husk of the dead Rhino and the disoriented Dark Angels coming around the wreckage. Sergeant Marnius barely had time to open his mouth before the Terminators opened fire. They stomped towards the pinned Marines while their Storm Bolters blazed away. Crinius’s Cannon threw bolts enveloped in crackling psykic energy. These fell bolts blasted through trees and rocks without halting, like hot knives through butter. Not even the Dark Angels’ Ceramite armor could halt their flight – the bolts entered and exited the Marines’ power armor without slowing down. Four Dark Angels dropped before the shaken Marines could react. Most of them acted instantly, as their training had taught them. They dropped to one knee and returned fire, each Bolter letting off a series of four-shot salvos. It was too little, too late, and the Terminators were there before the Marines could organize. Sergeant Marinus had time only to yell, “BROTHERS, PREPARE FOR CLOSE COMBAT!” before the Terminators were upon them.

            It was a sight to behold! The Terminators were equipped with power-halberds, much like Crinius and they used them to devastating effect. However, that was not what caught Linus’s attention. He saw that the Grey Knights were able to utilize their wrist mounted Storm Bolters shockingly well in melee combat! Linus knew few Marines who could use even a standard Bolter effectively in close combat, but here were three men who were using Storm Bolters in a melee like they were pistols. It was demoralizing and awe-inspiring at the same time. In short order, the combat was over, and not a single Dark Angel was still standing. To Linus’s surprise, the Marines had been unable to injure even one Grey Knight Terminator! He did not expect them to triumph, but he also did not expect them to be massacred! Linus’s respect for them moved up a notch.

            All of a sudden, there was a howling sound coming from the sky. A Drop Pod, dark green with the winged-sword emblem on the side, fell from the sky and struck the ground, sending a storm of dirt into the air. Within seconds, the doors blew off and Brother Midael came stomping out, his blazing Assault Cannon letting out a steady thump-thump-thump! “FEAR NOT, BROTHERS! I HAVE AWOKEN ONCE MORE!” came Midael’s hollow, metallic voice from the speaker on his hull. Crinius and his bodyguard were taken by surprise, and the angry stream of Assault Cannon fire chewed through one of the Terminators’ armor, lifting him up off the ground and sending him smashing into the side of the tower. There was a great *THUMP* as the mangled Knight hit the stone masonry and fell in a heap at the base of the tower.

            Linus slapped a second power cell into his Lascannon and slowly charged the gun. As the energies changed from red to blue, Linus looked up to see a second Rhino blast out of the flora. As it drove by, he was relieved to see the mark of the Chaplaincy on the side of the APC. If Chaplain Tagas was here, then they were much more likely to prevail! The Rhino turned sideways and skidded to a stop, its rear and side doors opening to eject Sergeant Mazekiel’s squad. Chaplain Tagas was with them. The smoke launchers on the roof of the Rhino spewed forth a heavy, obscuring mist, hiding the Marines from sight. The Marine-shaped silhouettes barreled out of the Rhino and quickly took up position, four standing Marines behind four kneeling Marines. Tagas was next to the squad leading them in a war chant. Sergeant Mazekiel yelled “FIRE!” as the war chant hit a crescendo.

            Half a dozen Bolter muzzle flashed brilliantly as the squad opened fire on Crinius and his remaining two bodyguards. One Marine from Mazekiel’s squad added his flamer’s fire to the wall of bolts, and Mazekiel and Tagas added their Bolt Pistol shots to the attack, as well. The wall of firepower blazed through the smoke, revealing the Dark Angels in all their glory. Chaplain Tagas recited the Scriptorus Munificantus and the Dark Angels chanted replies. Tagas’s voice rang clear and strong, even over the deafening roar of fire the squad was unleashing on the Grey Knights. “There can be no bystanders in the battle for survival!” Squad Mazekiel finished the verse in unison, “Anyone who will not fight by your side is an enemy you must crush!” Most of the shells found homes in the armor of the Terminators. Some clanged off, but most impacted and exploded into large craters of cracked ceramite on the armor plates of the enemy’s Tactical Dreadnought Armor. The Terminators’ once implacable advance was slowed at first by the mighty salvo of righteous Bolter fire. Then, they were stopped altogether – it was all the Terminators could do to remain standing against the divine onslaught of the Dark Angels’ relentless fire.

            A Bolter shell struck a weak spot on the arm of one Terminator, the force of the impact knocking the Terminator around. A second shell collided with the eye lens of the  Terminator’s helmet. The shell cracked the lens, and seconds later, it exploded inside the helmet. The Terminator’s helmet was blasted out of shape from the inside, and he fell to the ground like so much scrap metal. Blood oozed out of the misshapen helmet’s broken eye socket. After a few seconds which seemed like an hour, Squad Mazekiel stopped their barrage. “RELOAD!” bellowed Mazekiel. The Dark Angels never once stopped chanting with the Chaplain.

            Linus realized with a start that he had finished prepping his Lascannon while he was watching Squad Mazekiel’s awesome and righteous inferno of gunfire. He focused his sights on Crinius. Through the scope on his Lascannon, he could see the accursed Grand Master shooting wildly while he charged at the Dark Angels. He was desperately trying to halt the impending follow-up attack from Mazekiel’s squad, and was attacking the Dark Angels while they reloaded. He moved alarmingly fast for a man in Terminator Armor, and Linus had trouble drawing a bead. He opted instead to aim for the single, slower-moving bodyguard. FREEEM! The Grey Knight fell, minus the left half of his torso.

            Linus removed his gaze from the fallen Terminator towards the three Grey Knight Marines still running towards his squad. They had gotten frighteningly close to Linus’s position, and now they raised their wrist-mounted Storm Bolters at them. The shots ripped through the foliage around Linus, and he heard a crack as the chest plate of one of his Battle-Brothers was shattered and a grunt as he fell. Risking a glance back, Linus saw that Brother Kilinus had acquired a nasty chest wound, and was not moving from the blood-splattered spot where he had fallen. Linus feared that even his advanced Space Marine healing abilities could not save him. He would have to teach those Grey Knight sods what it means to attack Dark Angel Space Marines!
            Linus’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burst of chatter on the comm-net. ++This is Whirlwind Modius. Vengence payload is loaded and ready to fire.++

++Ravenwing Land Speeder Rasius arriving from high altitude. Where do you need us, Brother Chaplain?++

++Devastator Squad Estidius in position. Setting up Missile Launchers and Plasma Cannons.++
++This is Sergeant Gazadiel! Assault Marines performing a high altitude drop from Thunderhawk ‘Tubiel!’ Prepare for arrival in three... two...++

            Reinforcements had arrived! Linus looked for signs of these newly arrived forces. He heard, rather than saw, the Whirlwind tank park behind a mass of vegetation. To his left, he saw the Devastators loading their powerful Krak Missiles and powering up their ancient Plasma Cannons. Looking to the sky, he saw the Land Speeder coming down to his right, and the mighty Sergeant Gazardiel with his five Assault Marines hitting their retro-boosters to land further to his right, beyond the Speeder. The Knights were not without reinforcements of their own! A Rhino, marked with the insignia of the Sisters of Battle, roared out from the forest like an enraged beast. The Rhino was hurrying towards the Chaplain and Sergeant Mazekiel’s squad.

            The Assault Squad landed and Gazardiel took in the situation at a glance. He roared, “Take the fight to them, Brothers! Take them from the flank!” He flexed his Power Fist as he and his squad pushed off the ground and took to the air. They did not fly, so much as they jumped long distances. Some Marines kicked off of tree trunks, others grabbed vines to control their jumps as they raced towards the Sisters’ Rhino. A voice sounded on the comm-link, ++Gazardiel, this is Ravenwing Land Speeder Rasius. We’ll cover your approach, Grizzly!++  Grizzly’s voice responded, ++Roger that, Rasius! Let ‘em have it!++  The Heavy Bolter on the jet black Speeder opened fire on the Rhino, but the transport’s hull held steady.

            Chaplain Tagas and Mazekiel’s squad had finished reloading, and were now pushing forward, unloading their magazines at Crinius. Shell after shell richocheted off of his armor – it was all he could do to remain standing. Soon, the Dark Angels were only a few yards away. Tagas stopped chanting prayers, and cocked his head towards Mazekiel’s squad. “Brothers! On my mark!” It was now that Linus noticed the Venerable Brother Midael looming behind Grand Master Crinius. Tagas pointed his Crozius Arcanum, buzzing with crimson energy, at Crinius. “CHARGE!” Midael stomped forward and swung his Power Claw at Crinius. Crinius brought his halberd up just in time to parry most of the blow, but he was still knocked back several feet. Chaplain Tagas leapt at Crinius, swinging his Crozius Arcanum and firing away with his Bolt Pistol. The Battle-Brothers behind the Chaplain roared and charged as well.

            Crinius was a blur of silver and green and blue, swing his halberd left and right while blazing away with his Psycannon. He parried the Chaplain’s attack, and brought his Psycannon up to blow the face off a nearby Dark Angel Marine. Sergeant Mazekiel jumped over the corpse of his Brother, unloading bolt after bolt at point blank range before bringing his Power Fist up into Cirnius’s gut. Crinius cringed and took some steps back. His guard down, Tagas swiped with his Crozius Arcanum. His holy badge of office sliced easily through the waist of the Terminator armor, drawing blood. Crinius showed no visible sign of injury, though the copious amount of blood flowing from the cut showed it to be a  grievous wound indeed.

            Crinius turned to face a charging Dark Angel. He sliced the Marine’s Bolter in half with a flick of his halberd before landing a heavy blow with his gun hand. They was a sickening crack as the Marine’s helmet fractured and buckled. He stumbled back before collapsing, spread eagle, on the dirt floor. Crinius spun around just in time to block another of Tagas’s attacks. He landed a sharp kick to the Chaplain’s chest that sent him stumbling back. As Crinius raised his halberd to land the finishing blow, Midael’s Power Claw came down onto Crinius’s head. There was the whining sound of ceramite bending, then the snap of it cracking. Midael lifted his arm for a second, before bringing it down again. Hard. This was enough to smash Crinius to the ground. His broken body lay in a heap on the forest floor.

            The Land Raider began backing up in an apparent attempt at getting away. Before Tagas and Mazekiel could chase after it, the Sister’s Rhino and the remaining Grey Knights rushed in from around the crumbling tower. They stood in the path of the Dark Angels, but they would not stop Brother Midael! He stomped forward and took a swing at one of the Knights, who rolled out of the way. The Sisters piled out of their APC and opened fire on Midael, Tagas, and Mazekiel’s squad. The shots rang off of Midael’s heavy armor, and for a second it looked as though he might withstand all that the enemy could throw at him. Then, the Land Raider, still reversing, opened up with its Hurricane Bolters, Assault Cannon, and Multi-Melta guns. Strong though he was, Midael’s armor plating could only take so much punishment. Some of the Bolter shells smashed into his back-mounted power plant, sending out a blast of smoke and flames. His movements slowed until he was fully stopped, a statue of metal, frozen in the midst of a furious charge.

            The threat of the Dreadnought’s assault eliminated, the Sisters and Knights turned their attentions towards the Chaplain and his Marines. Tagas was quick to respond, “Brothers! Quickly! Return fire!” The Dark Angels snapped off a few shots while they backed away. “Behind the fallen Rhino!” Tagas ordered, as one of the Dark Angels standing next to him took one of the Sisters’ shells in the back of the knee. He fell back, and a second shot took out his head before his body hit the ground. Hunkered behind the burning husk of the dark green Rhino, things looked grim for the Chaplain and his brethren. Then, Grizzly’s gruff voice came through the comm-link loud and clear, ++This is Assault Marine Squad Gazardiel coming in from the West! Just hold out a little longer, Brother-Chaplain, we’ll get those traitorous wenches!++

            Tagas knew that Grizzly and his boys could take on the Sisters. He couldn’t let that Land Raider get too far away, though. “Quickly, Brother Mazekiel! The Land Raider! Brothers, provide covering fire!” Mazekiel nodded as he powered up his Power Fist. Arcane energies flickered across the knuckles of the ancient weapon. As one, the Marines ran out from behind the Rhino hull, Bolters blazing away. Mazekiel ran around the other side of the crippled Rhino and leapt onto the hood of the retreating Land Raider, pounding the hull with his Power Fist. Meanwhile, the Ravenwing Land Speeder let loose a salvo of covering fire for the advancing Assault Marines. The Heavy Bolter shells buried themselves deep in the torso of a Sister before exploding, ripping her in half. Seeing the Sisters distracted by the Marines and Land Speeder, Linus took the chance to fire his Lascannon at the Sisters’ Rhino. The cyan beam shot out and struck the Rhino in the side, burning a hole in the Rhino’s hull before the transport was ripped apart by explosions seconds later. Those false Battle Nuns could no longer flee. There was no escape! As if to drive the point home, the Devastators opened fire on the disoriented Sisters. The Krak missiles slammed into two Sisters, disintegrating them in a blast of fire and red mist. The Plasma Cannons spat large balls of blue Plasma at the bunched up Sisters and Knights. The Knights and two more Sisters were lost in the ensuing azure blasts. All that remained of them was two smoking craters. The surviving half dozen Sisters were not prepared to receive the furious assault of Gazardiel and his Assault Marines. They landed a couple of meters away and charged the Sisters on foot. Chainsword met Bolter, battle knife, armor, and flesh and the Assault Marines swept over the Sisters. Gazardiel swung a punch with his Power Fist, knocking a Sister off her feet and into the air. She smashed into the side of the tower and collapsed in a heap at its base. He spun around to parry a knife attack from another Sister with his Fist, before bringing his Bolt Pistol to bear and dropping the attacking Sister with a single shot to the face. Within seconds, the Sisters lay dead at the feet of the Marines.

            Tagas’s voice sounded over the comm-link, ++Dark Angels! In the name of the Lion, do not allow that Raider to escape!++ Sergeant Raseth motioned his squad forward, so Linus could reposition himself to get a clear shot at the Land Raider. He glaced around the battlefield as he hustled towards the forward position. The last three Grey Knight were fast approaching Grizzly and his Assault Marines. Sergeant Mazekiel was still holding onto the front of the Land Raider landing blow after blow onto the hood. His mighty Power Fist had so far failed to do more than startle the crew inside. Still it was enough to shake up the Land Raider’s crew and they ceased fire for a while. Seeing that the Raider was about to get away, Grizzly roared and jumped towards it. He flexed his Power Fist in mid-air.

            The Land Raider crew must have regained their composure, because the guns blazed to life again. The remaining two Marines in Mazekiel’s squad were caught off-guard and were mowed down. Tagas managed to roll behind the burned-out Rhino. Linus set up his Lascannon and prepared another shot. The last three Grey Knights moved to intercept Sergeant Grizzly. They raised their Storm Bolters and opened fire on the jumping Assault Marines. A stray shot struck the left jump-vent of one of the jumping Marines. It caught fire and the Marine spiraled off into the trees, a thick line of black smoke trailing behind him. They landed, but before they could jump again, the Grey Knight charged them. Their glowing halberds hummed as they swung at the Dark Angels. The Assault Marines drew their chainswords and a swirling melee ensued. A Knight tripped a Marine with the handle of his halberd, then plunged his blade into the chest of the fallen Marine. Another Grey Knight’s halberd sliced through the chest plates of two Assault Marines, before a third Marine lunged at him from the side. They both hit the ground and rolled, but the Marine was faster and quickly buried his whirring chainsword into the chest of his rising opponent. The chainsword halted a bit before slowly chewing first through the Grey Knight’s chest plate, then his chest. Sergeant Grizzly’s Power Fist crumpled one Knight like he had punched a tin can. The third Grey Knight wielded a power sword, and swung it with grace. His blade sliced off a Marine’s arm before taking his head, then spun around to parry an angry chainsword.

            Linus frowned behind his helmet. The Assault Marines were not sweeping through these Knights like they swept through the Sisters. He counted five of his Brothers felled by the radiant weapons of the Knights. Grizzly was the last Assault Marine standing. However, the Dark Angels had downed two Knights themselves, leaving the sword-wielding Justicar to face Grizzly alone. A quick glace to his left told Linus that Sergeant Mazekiel had finally been thrown from his perch atop the front of the retreating Land Raider. Linus took aim and carefully squeezed off a shot at the Land Raider. However, the battle-scarred hull of the monstrous tank withstood the mighty Lascannon beam. Cursing to himself, Linus turned back to Grizzly and the Justicar.

            Neither man had moved. IT seemed that they were sizing each other up. The Justicar had the advantage of speed – Grizzly’s Power Fist would be slow to swing compared to the Grey Knight’s lightning-fast power sword. Suddenly, both men charged each other at once. Grizzly brought his Fist up and grabbed the blade of his opponent, and allowed the Justicar one moment of surprise and fear before his fired off three shots, point-blank, into the Knight’s stomach. Even Grey Knight armor could not withstand three Bolter shells at that close range. Grizzly let go of the sword, and the Justicar slumped to his knees before toppling over on his side. He did not move again.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Epilogue

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

            Linus stood at the door of Chaplain Tagas’s chambers. He drew a deep breath and reflected on the past few days. It had looked as though the Land Raider would get away, despite the Dark Angels’ best efforts at stopping it. Then, as if in response to Linus’s doubts, a Dark Angel Thunderhawk gunship had swooped down from the sky, Heavy Bolters blazing away. It had fired a missile at the retreating tank, blowing off the left track guard and stopping the beast dead in its tracks. The rumors circulating the barracks claimed that the Land Raider crew had been interrogated by Tagas for two full days after the engagement.

            Linus hesitated. Was he really afraid of his Brother-Chaplain? No, Linus reminded himself, he was not afraid of the Chaplain. He was only afraid of what he might say. Linus knocked on the heavy, oak door. “Come in.” came Tagas’s calm, deep voice. Linus entered. “Good evening, Brother-Chaplain. Might I have a word with you?”

            “Of course, Brother Linus. Is there something troubling you?” Tagas asked.

            Linus hesitated. “Yes, Brother-Chaplain, I’m afraid so. You see...” Tagas remained motionless, waiting for Linus to finish.

            “You see, I have been having doubts. About the mission a few days ago.” Linus finished quickly. “I know Commander Azrael said that those Knights and Sisters were traitors, and I do not question his wisdom. But, when we were fighting them, they did not... not seem like traitors.”

            “How do you mean, Brother Linus?” asked Tagas, earnestly. “It is just that, well, the Sisters. They were chanting.” Tagas raised an eyebrow. “They were chanting hymns. To the Emperor. And those Knights... did they not wear purity seals? The Land Raider was properly maintained, and there were no heretical symbols or writings on any of their equipment. Though I want to believe our Commander, I cannot help but feel as though we have made a terrible mistake and killed men and women who were still loyal to the Emperor.” Linus realized that he had been staring at his feet and quickly looked up at Tagas.

            Tagas was leaning back in his chair now, his arms crossed across his armored chest. He was looking at Linus thoughtfully. “It is not shameful that you fear to do injustice. Nor is it too terrible that you fear a mistake has been made. After all, such things have happened in the past. Doubting our Supreme Commander is dangerous,” he paused, “but it is not heretical, nor is it damning. However, you underestimate the depth of the Great Enemy’s guile and trickery. The forces of Chaos have been known to disguise themselves with the appearance of loyalty. Surely you know of the heinous Traitor Legion of the Word Bearers?” Linus nodded. “They commonly approach undefended worlds under the guise of loyal Space Marines, and claim to bring the ‘true’ word of the Emperor. They conduct an atrocious charade of Imperial Dogma, and lead the world into ruin. Of course, the rituals they perform and the worship they direct are aimed at the fell Powers of Chaos, and not the Emperor, but most citizens of the Imperium do not know any better.” Linus nodded again. He did know of the Word Bearers and their twisted mockery of Imperial Dogma. They told the people that they were worshipping the Emperor, but they were actually leading the people into worship of the Dark Powers in disguise.

            “Is it not possible,” Tagas continued, “that the foe we faced four days ago used similar tactics? Could they not have dressed and behaved as loyal Imperials to throw us off?” Tagas smiled as Linus though on this. It made sense. After all, hadn’t it caused Linus to doubt his superiors? Was that not a first step towards Chaos? And besides, who was he to question the actions of a man as great as Commander Azrael, a man centuries older than him. Linus looked up at Tagas. “Yes, Brother-Chaplain. I think I see it now. I was fooled by the deceit of Chaos, and I now request penance.” He lowered his head.

            Tagas paused for a few seconds before responding. “You should not feel as though you have failed, Linus. You have merely... slipped. Surely you will be far more cautious when facing the foul forces of Chaos?” Linus nodded. “Then this is not the end, but a new beginning! Linus, you have slipped. However, by recovering from this slight, you will emerge stronger than before. Your faith will be rekindled! This is an opportunity to better yourself and your service to the Emperor. Take it.” Linus saw what Tags was saying. He knew he would not allow himself to be tricked by the petty feints of Chaos again! Then, the Chaplain was right – this was a new beginning, a new chapter in his service to the Emperor. “Thank you, Brother-Chaplain! I see the truth in what you say!”

            “Good,” said Tagas. “Then you can begin to re-strengthen your faith. Your penance shall be five days of fasting and meditation, followed by three days of prayer.”

            “Yes, Brother-Chaplain. Thank you!” Tagas smiled and nodded. Linus kneeled, rose, and exited the chamber. He knew he could find the Emperor’s light again. He would not fall to Chaos so easily! He headed straight for the meditation chamber.

            Tagas leaned back in his chair and sighed. Poor boy, he thought. His heart was in the right place, as was his mind. Unfortunately, they were in the right place at the wrong time. Tagas gazed thoughtfully out of his window at the azure orb that was Renus. Perhaps he will ascend to Deathwing someday, and then he will understand. Surely he had it in him; Tagas could see his potential quite clearly. Perhaps someday, he’ll understand. He’ll understand why loyal men and women had to die, and why Dark Angels had to kill them.

THE END