|
Page 1 of 2 “Captain,
incoming courier message sir, omega four priority.” Captain Valen Myr turned in
his chair, taking the data tablet from an orderly and perusing the contents.
“Damn” he muttered under his breath and handed the tablet back to the orderly.
“Ensign Foebus” He addressed his communications officer, “Have brothers
Bellamy, Thom, DeMegar, Dein and Lord Denvir meet me in the briefing room.” The
younger officer nodded his acknowledgement and hurriedly pushed buttons on his
console. Captain Myr took a brief look around the bridge and exited into the
main corridor. He walked purposefully, glancing here and there for signs of
idle brothers, lack of maintenance and general condition of his command. Though
his command was a unique one he ran a ship that the word tight would be an
insult to. The battle cruiser “Mitternacht” was the most well maintained,
inoperative battleship in the known galaxy or so her captain would have it.
Though she had no engines, and hadn’t moved other then a bit of spatial drift
now and then in millennia, her mission was no less important than the
battle-scarred hulks of her more illustrious adaptes cousins.
Discuss this article on the forums. (5 posts)
Everything about the Mitternacht appeared new, from the
mirror waxed deck-plates to the ebony black of her hull, so dark it was merely
a void in the billions of stars that stretched on beyond infinity. If you were
actually close enough to make out her hull, you would notice vast landing bays
in the cavernous openings where her engines once lay. Batteries upon Batteries
of defensive weaponry gleamed darkly from her hull, as Imperial Valkyries flew
in formation around her flanks, running lights off, like phantoms reaching for
the souls of unwary passerby. She was no longer a mobile terror as her sister
ships were once designed, she was a battle fortress cloaked in darkness but no
less deadly. The Mitternacht. Home of the 7th Dark Angels Company, and Strike
Force Vindico Militaris.
Captain Myr reached the briefing room, and entered
glancing around at the familiar faces already seated and awaiting his arrival.
First Sergeant James Bellamy, face almost indistinguishable from the horrible
puckering scar of an old plasma burn nodded at his commander and gestured
towards the only empty seat in the small briefing room. “Lord Denvir extends
his apologies sir” he rasped in the telltale manner of a marine whose voice has
been restored via the “gentle” ministrations of the empire’s techmarines. “He
was discomfited by the maintenance records on his landspeeder and decided that
took priority over your briefing” Captain Myr grimaced, face relaying the
disgust he felt at having a superior officer decide his particular command made
an excellent office, but habitually reminding Captain Myr of his own self
importance by deciding what matters were and were not of interest to him. “Very
well First Sergeant” Captain Myr said, “Seal the room.” First Sergeant Bellamy
touched a control on the large central table and the hatch sealed itself shut,
while the machine spirit of the Mitternacht herself checked the room for any
leaks, holes or listening devices. “The old girl says all secure sir” he
finally grated after a few moments.
“Very well gentlemen, let us begin. Let us start with your
reports” He gestured for the First Sergeant to begin. First Sergeant Bellamy
touched a control on the table and a holographic chart sprung up from the
center virtually blanketing the room in charts and graphs. “Essentially sir,
all this bullshit says is that though 7th company is 2 tactical squads under
strength, our boys are primed and ready to vaporize whatever you throw them
at.” Captain Myr nodded, and glanced though a few of the charts briefly before
dismissing them with his own control console. “What of the Scouts from 10th
company?” Captain Myr asked, a bit of disdain in his voice “They send us the
most useless pukes they had on the rock yet again?” Bellamy twisted his face
into what Valen assumed was his approximation of a smile, and made a sound like
rusty bolts being shaken in a fuel drum, his technical equivalent of laughter.
“Brother Sergeant Larson has em pretty much whipped into shape, they have been
doing stealth training for the last 6 weeks and some of em can actually shoot
something other than their comrades now.” Valen nodded his approval, and turned
to the chair right of his First Sergeant. “Adept Thom, do you concur in the
First Sergeants report?” Codicier-Adept Varjis Thom glanced up, and for the
first time in the meeting quit scribbling on his parchment, his piercing gaze
fixating on his commander. “Your first sergeant is quite correct sir,” he began
slowly, each syllable sounded out concisely and eloquently phrased into what
sounded more like poetry then common conversation. “The readiness reports are
quite accurate, and my own staff has both checked and confirmed them for
perusal.” The scribe slowly cleaned off his archaic quill and set it on a
filigreed stand next to sheaves of parchment, and stood touching a control on
his own console with one delicate ink-smudged finger. The Holo-display
flickered to life again showing screen upon screen of precisely formatted text.
“I also have compiled the Vindico Militaris History Volume MXXVII for the
secret archives, as well as the clandestine copy for transmittal to the rock.”
Valen nodded at the apparently frail old man, slowly scrolling through a few
paragraphs.
If you first glanced at Varjis Thom, your first thought
would be to help him across a transport surface, the thought of fearing him the
farthest thing from your mind much less the thought of him actually being a Space
Marine librarian. Valen knew differently, his powerful psychic powers and
fearsome battle prowess witnessed on numerous worlds against numerous foes.
Outside his power armor he was a passionate scholar and probed ancient
mysteries with his morning nutrients. He was also the company historian, and
his diligent and objective record keeping made his archives one of the most
valuable tactical libraries available anywhere. The Secret archives of 7th
Company were only available to the company commander, and the librarians who
wrote in it. They offered in addition to the tactical and personnel history of
the company, communiqué history with the rock, conjecture, theory, side notes
and a chronicled history of the hunt for their fallen brothers.
“Excellent as always Varjis” Valen said, turning to the
next two members of their conclave, “My dear brothers, what have you to
report?” The only two marine chaplain siblings he had ever heard of glanced
over as one, they had an uncanny synergy between them, and paired in combat
they were a force that a demon prince would consider fleeing. Although they
both had differing combat styles, there was a strange mirrored effect from the
brothers though they be battlefields, even worlds apart. Veldrane DeMegar being
the younger generally preferred to lead his elite assault unit deep into enemy
territory on the wings of jump pack technology, striking at the heart of an
enemy unit, while his elder brother Kerijolm generally halted any enemy advance
with an elite detachment of deathwing terminators. “Sir,” Kerijolm began, “the
deathwing assigned us are as always, ready to be the hammer of your fury and
crush whatever obstacles are in the path of our forces. We are at full strength
and the men are beyond ready.” Kerijolm gestured for his brother to speak with
a nod. “Valen” the younger brother began, drawing a reproachful glare from his
elder brother for his familiarity “My Assault units are also ready to serve,
though the last assault on Minas 4 has left me a squad short, we still have 3
operational squads which should be sufficient for all but the largest
campaign.” Valen nodded his approval; things were as he expected, slightly
strained, but still formidable.
“Marjis” Valen addressed his Master librarian, “what have
you to report?” Marjis Dien, one of the most talented librarians that Valen had
ever seen rose to his feet in utter silence, his eyes fixating upon Captain Myr
as though he was privy to the hour of his death. “My lord” the voice that came
from his terminator armor was unusually soft, as though he carried the full
weight of the universe’s secrets on top of the ponderous armor. “ We have seen
signs of great stirrings in the universe, events coming to a head, prophecies
fulfilled, and the crushing grip of some unseen menace slowly slipping around
outside our vision. We await your orders.” Captain Myr sat thoughtfully for a
moment, pondering his reports and phrasing his thoughts in his head before he
spoke. His bright blue eyes closed for a moment and he shifted in his chair,
thinking of the classified documents that beget this meeting.
*************************OMEGA
FOUR****************************
EYES ONLY: MYR, VALEN -CAPTAIN 7th COMPANY COMMANDING
REPORTS OF FALLEN 100 IN VICINITY OF SECTOR 4 VERIDIAN
SYSTEM
*BREAK*
PROCEED WITH RECONNAISSANCE OF SECTOR PAYING PARTICULAR
ATTENTION TO PLANET VERIDIAN 7
*BREAK*
REPORTS FROM EARLY RECON SUGGEST MULTIPLE XENOS PRESENCE
IN SECTOR
*BREAK*
A INTERCEPTED REPORT FROM MARS INDICATES THE SUSPICION OF
AS OF YET UNDISCOVERED STC MATERIALS IN SECTOR
*BREAK*
ADAPTUS MECHANICUS RECON TEAM EXPECTED IN AREA AVOID IF AT
ALL POSSIBLE.
*BREAK*
RECOVER ANY STC MATERIALS FOR TRANSPORT TO THE ROCK AND
ELIMINATE ANY XENOS THREAT
*BREAK*
FOLLOW UP ANY RUMORS OF FALLEN 100 AND REPORT BACK TO THE
ROCK IF CONTACT IS POSITIVE
*BREAK*
IF FALLEN 100 PRESENCE CONFIRMED DO NOT REPEAT DO NOT
ENGAGE CALL FOR REINFORCEMENT TROOPS FROM THE ROCK
*BREAK*
ACKNOWLEDGE UPON RECEIPT
CHAPTER MASTER – DARK ANGELS
-END MESSAGE-
******************************************************************
Captain Myr opened his eyes, and started to begin relaying
the contents of his dispatch to his staff, when he noticed a flashing red light
on his console. “First Sergeant” Valen said “Someone is tampering with the
seals on the bulkhead door.” James Bellamy produced his bolt pistol, and tapped
the small control panel on the inside of the door. Instantly he lunged through
the door grabbing a shadowy figure lurking outside and slamming them violently
to the deck inside the room. The figure made a muffled sound as his head
reverberated against the brightly polished floor and started to make a sound
before becoming VERY quiet as First Sergeant Bellamy’s bolt pistol pressed
against the back of his head. “Let him up Jamie” Valen said stifling a smirk,
“it seems Lord Denvir decided to attend the briefing.” Lord Malice Denvir,
looking somewhat shaken managed to pull himself up haughtily, brushing
imaginary dirt off his robes before whirling on Captain Myr with fury in his
eyes. “Your Lackey will be reprimanded I assume, demoted something like that of
course?” He scowled at Valen “Surely you don’t encourage the assault of
superior officers in your ragtag group of vagabonds, if I am not mistaken the Codex
Astartes does not permit this sort of thing…. even one of your breeding should
know that” Valen gestured at his First Sergeant, “Lord Denvir, We are always
exceedingly suspicious of spies and traitors, and the first sergeant was merely
attempting to properly secure the airlock when we found someone lurking
outside. If you had used your authentication code before opening the door, no
doubt there would have not been a misunderstanding. I suggest commending First
Sergeant Bellamy on his bravery and dedication to duty, rather than
reprimanding him for attempting to keep a secure area, secure….” Lord Denvir
seethed in visible fury for a moment, and suddenly all vestiges of control were
lost… “Captain Myr, My authentication codes have been useless from the moment I
have arrived on board this derelict space hulk!” Around the room eyes narrowed
at the insult, but Lord Denvir seemed not to notice or care. “I have seen your
logistic staff work and the lack of discipline and lack of breeding is evident
among your entire crew, do not think for one moment all of this will not be
included in my next report to the rock captain, and if you value your command
you might be better served by enforcing a bit more discipline among your men.”
“Lord Denvir,” Valen spoke softly, face not betraying for
a moment the murderous rage carefully controlled at the slander of his command
and his ship “Remember that in fact it was you who, selected to base your 2nd
Company here, both for its location and the ability to service your entire company’s
worth of landspeeders and bikes. If you are dissatisfied with its amenities,
you may request also in your next report to be re-based, perhaps the rock is a
better location for one of your stature, and clear superiority to common
vagabonds such as ourselves.” Lord Malice looked about haughtily for a moment,
glaring around the room. “Perhaps I might have been too hasty in my speech, we
all are but small under the gaze of our lord emperor’s sight. He sees all and
forgives much, I shall save my wrath for the better deserving” Lord Denvir
flounced over to the empty chair and seated himself upon it, acting as though
naught were amiss, despite the angry tension surrounding him. “Shall we
continue then Captain?” He asked, steepling his fingers under his chin. “Of
course, Lord Denvir, might we also trouble you for a readiness report?” Valen
said dryly.
Lord Denvir stood, gesturing broadly with his hands, “The
ravenwing are, despite your substandard maintenance facilities and poorly
trained personnel, are at full battle strength, ready to speed down the
emperor’s enemies and crush them with tire and bolter. Furthermore…” Valen made
an abrupt gesture with his hand, “that will do Lord Denvir, for we have a
mission of the utmost importance, that we require your unique services to help
accomplish” Valen relayed the contents of the dispatch to the staff, and opened
the floor for any questions. “Surely my ravenwing are better suited for this
mission then your slow, ground-borne troops” Lord Denvir said gesturing at First
Sergeant Bellamy’s power armor. Captain Myr silenced his first sergeants
unspoken protest with a glance and replied, “ Of course Lord Denvir, Your
ravenwing are Ideal for this mission, please have a mission loadout and
manifest ready by 0600 tomorrow.. That will be all” Lord Denvir stood, “Well
Captain, I admit I must have misjudged you, you are clearly perceptive to
realize your troops are to slow and ineffective for this mission, and are very
wise to pass this mission to a better suited company.. “ He stepped to the
door, “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a mission to plan” and promptly
walked into the door. “His Lordship needs to unlock the door sir” Veldrane
quipped trying not to laugh. Lord Denvir glared, then began struggling with the
door lock. “Allow me Sir” said Marjis, and the door opened with an inaudible
click. After the angry lord left, the door barely closed before First Sergeant
Bellamy burst out with “Captain are you serious?!” he pounded the glassteel of
the table with his gauntleted fist, “You are just giving away our mission to
that… that… foppish motherfu…” Valen cut off his first sergeant with a glance
and slowly stood…
“Of course not Jamie,” Valen smiled “But we need his fast
attack units. We don’t have time to waste in a pissing contest if Cypher is
indeed afoot.” Valen addressed the whole room for a moment.. “Gentlemen, after
2nd company is safely away, muster your units and prepare for battle, we leave
for the Veridian system in 72 hours.”
And so it begins….
|
