Chapter 8

“Brother Alacanon, it is Grand Master Gabriel,” said the Captain of the Praetorian of Caliban. The pictcaster came to life and the grim visage of the Grand Master of the Deathwing, the most honored First Company of the Dark Angels Chapter, filled the screen.

“Brother, time is of the essence. I will transport to your ship in 10 minutes. Assemble the Deathwing members of your company.”

10 minutes later on the chapel deck …

Gabriel spoke to the assembled Brothers, all in their bone colored robes. “Brother Alacanon, assembled members of the Deathwing, it is my understanding that a growing menace has been centered on this sector of space. Your own observations here in the Amicus Cluster confirm that. Unfortunately members of the Inquisition have also noticed this anomaly and have dispatched both the Templars and Ultramarines to investigate. Several other chapters of the Adeptus Astartes have also started moving forces to this sector.”

“Brothers, we must move swiftly and decisively here. Our secret is not safe. This traitor to the Emperor and the Lion must be caught and interrogated. Several other companies of our Brothers are doing the same in near by systems. As I speak a fleet of ships of the Black Templar chapter are assembling on the fringes of this system. Their intentions are unknown but can be guessed. They seek to eradicate the menace themselves.”

“I must continue to organize out chapters’ response to these sightings. I will leave behind Brother Israfil and his Mortis Dreadnought as your guide and to assist you as he can. I shall also leave 10 brothers of the First Company and their ship Lions Pride. Go quickly and remove our problem. Leave the rest of the heretics to the Templars, they know what to do.”

“For the Emperor and the Lion!”

“Until the Sword is reforged” intoned the Brothers.

As the Brother filed out Gabriel took Alacanon aside. “Move swiftly against this traitor. Use all your might, subtlety is no longer our ally. I need you and your men to further this fight. I feel we have a larger problem then a few Fallen.”

“I will do as you ask Brother Gabriel. I will send Brother Sariel down now and follow him at once. Whoever is down there e will not slip through our grasp.” Alacanon gave a short bow to the most revered of Grand Masters and Gabriel took his leave.

Brother Israfil and the other members of the Deathwing took their place in the landing bay. Few of the Battle-brothers had seen one of the legendary Mortis dreadnoughts of the Unforgiven and they all came to see him. Brother Israfil understood and patiently waited as space was made in the ships dreadnought bays. The other Brothers and their Tactical Dreadnought Armor took their places among the assembled Angels of Death. Brother-Captain Alacanon stepped to the front of the assembly and raised his arms. The bay fell silent.

He spoke. “Brothers, we have a grave duty before us. This planet has fallen under the sway of a dark and evil force. This wretched being, this heretic, this servant of chaos must be eradicated. His works must be razed and his followers destroyed. As you know our scouts are already engaged on the planet. We will go down and assist them. Then we will march on this chaos spawns citadel and burn it down. We shall drag him out and exact the Emperors punishment on him.”

The Brothers chanted “As it was, as it shall be, as it always will be. We cleanse the universe in the name of the Emperor and the Lion.”

“We must leave the cleansing of the heretics followers to our Brothers in the Adeptus Astartes, the Black Templars. Our revered Grand Master Azrael has other tasks for us and has sent Brother Gabriel to guide us. We must work quickly and decisively. Go now and make ready, we drop on the hour!”

“It is the will of the Emperor and the Lion,” chanted he Brothers.

Alacanon spoke to the Chaplain, “Brother Sariel, take Squad Leonius and lead us down.”

“I am on my way Captain” and Sariel strode off toward the assault marines.

“Captain” called Alacanon, “contact Brother Lucian and tell him I need him here, as soon as he can. The Necron problem we will leave for another time.”

“It shall be done Brother-Captain” said the ships captain.