The corrupted magos stepped onto the Stormbird’s ramp. It groaned under his weight.
“Darioq-Grendh’al…” said Marduk.
“That is the last of the warheads,” said Kol Harekh. “You have established the teleportation link?”
“Of course,” said Marduk.
“Kol Badar’s plan is a good one. See that it is enacted successfully.”
Marduk glared at Ekodas’ Coryphaus.
“You have what you came for,” he said. “Now get off my ship.”
Coadjutor Gaius Aquilius of 5th Company looked back and forth between the gathered White Consuls, reading the tension upon their faces. While he knew rationally that, as Coadjutor of Boros Prime, it was only right for him to be involved in the discussions of its defence, he still felt out of his depth amongst the senior battle-brothers and captains, let alone in the presence of one of the Chapter Masters and a high-ranked Librarian.
The discussion was taking place high within a three-kilometre-tall spire that protruded above the Kronos star fort, orbiting Boros Prime. Floor-to-ceiling observation portals granted a panoramic view across the orbital bastion. From here it resembled an immense cathedral city, bristling with defences. More than twenty-five kilometres from side to side and octagonal in shape, it was the largest construction of its kind in the entire sector. Hundreds of shuttles and transports darted over its superstructure like tiny bees around their hive. Docking arms extended outwards around the orbital fortress, coupled to more than a score of battlecruisers and heavily armoured mass transports. For all the majesty of the view, none of the White Consuls paid it any mind, intent as they were upon the holograph. The tension in the room was palpable.
“Relays confirm it,” said Chapter Master Titus Valens. “It is the Sword of Truth. It is approaching at combat speed, bearing directly upon us.”
“The Sword of Truth was lost. This is clearly a ploy,” said Ostorius, his arms folded across his chest. “We should target it and bring it down as soon as it comes into range.”
“It is one of our own,” protested Aquilius, “One of the three battle-barges of our noble Chapter. We cannot destroy it out of hand.”
Ostorius threw him a glance.
“You have much to learn, Coadjutor,” he said. “The enemy are cunning. This is a trick.”
Aquilius bristled to be spoken to in such a manner in front of the senior Consuls.
“We must be wary, but I will not authorise its destruction out of hand,” said Chapter Master Titus Valens. “We have had no confirmation of its loss to the enemy, and it is one of ours. Marcus? Your view?”
“I agree with Ostorius,” said Marcus Decimus, Captain of 5th Company, stroking his grey beard thoughtfully. “We have to suspect this is a ploy. Our hubris has already lost us too many battle-brothers.”
“Agreed,” said Titus Valens. “We underestimated the foe. I do not intend to do so again. The Trajan Belt massacre shall forever tarnish my honour. And yet, we feared the Sword of Truth lost. Now, it appears before us. If there is a chance that there are battle-brothers aboard, I dare not destroy it out of hand.”
“The last we saw, Brother-Captain Augustus was attempting to disengage by manoeuvring the Sword of Truth into the Trajan Belt,” said Sulinus, Captain of 3rd Company. “As unlikely as it seems, there is a chance that he managed it.”
“And successfully evaded destruction in the last month?” said Captain Decimus. “Without making any contact with us in the intervening time? I cannot see that happening.”
“Perhaps her communications were knocked out in the engagement,” suggested Sulinus. “I know it is unlikely, but it is possible. Do we take that risk?”
“It’s a fool’s hope, Sulinus,” said Captain Decimus.
“For all we know, Captain Augustus is still onboard and alive, along with Throne-knows how many battle-brothers. Can we in all faith destroy the ship if there is even the slimmest chance of that?”
“Epistolary Liventius?” said Chapter Master Valens, turning towards the blue-armoured Librarian stood alongside him. “Can you confirm that for us?”
Liventius nodded, and closed his eyes, touching the fingertips of one hand to his temple. Aquilius felt a disconcerting prickling sensation at the base of his neck, and he shivered involuntarily.
Aquilius held all Librarians in awe and reverence, for they were masters of powers the like of which he could barely conceive. Liventius’ face was heavily lined and drawn, as if all the moisture had been drained from his flesh. He leant upon a tall force-halberd, a weapon charged with a portion of his awesome psychic mastery. His hairless scalp was pierced with diodes and wires connecting him directly to his psychic hood.
Holding the rank of Epistolary, the highest attainable for an Astartes Librarian barring Chief Librarian, Liventius was held in high regard amongst the Chapter, both for his fearlessness and skills in battle and his potent psychic abilities. His wise council was greatly respected by battle-brother and Chapter Master alike.
The Librarian opened his eyes a moment later, and Aquilius felt the prickling sensation dissipate.
“There are battle-brothers alive onboard,” he confirmed.
“Captain Augustus?” said the Chapter Master.
“I am not sure,” said the Librarian. “Maybe. Something clouds my vision.”
“More proof that this is nothing but a ploy of the enemy, surely,” said Ostorius.
“Perhaps,” said Liventius, “but there are White Consuls alive onboard the Sword of Truth. Of that there can be no doubt.”
“How many?” asked Chapter Master Valens.
“More than thirty,” said Liventius.
“Are they in control of the Sword of Truth, or are they imprisoned upon it? Has the enemy kept them alive merely to use them as living shields?”
“I cannot say,” said the Librarian.
Aquilius looked out of the towering observation window, but the Sword of Truth and the ships closing in behind her were still well beyond even his enhanced vision. In his mind’s eye he imagined the White Consuls battle-barge ploughing towards the Kronos star fort, explosions and coronas of light flashing upon her flank as the enemy targeted her. Even considering firing upon the noble vessel felt like sacrilege, let alone doing so if there were any White Consuls still alive on board.
“Sword of Truth closing at eleven hundred kilometres,” blurted a mechanised servitor hardwired into the operational panel of the Kronos deck.
Aquilius’ gaze took in the expanse of the Kronos star fort, bristling with laser batteries, cannons and torpedo tubes. Its architecture was studiously practical, yet still pleasing to the eye with its militaristic, classical aesthetic. Protected as it was with immense armour and copious layers of void shields, Kronos was virtually impenetrable, and with such potent defences, nothing short of an entire battlefleet would pose a threat.
The curve of Boros Prime could be seen out of the observation window, and its beauty briefly distracted Aquilius. Blue atmosphere gave way to the sprawling continents below, which the Kronos station watched over like a benign god, ready to unleash its fury upon any who wished the planet harm.
It was unfathomable to Aquilius that the enemy would dare attempt a frontal assault upon the planet or the star fort itself—Kronos would obliterate any such attempt, surely.
Aquilius’ gaze moved back towards the holo-screens. They showed the Sword of Truth being pursued by one massive battleship—the Crucius Maledictus—three strike cruiser-sized vessels and a handful of smaller craft. The enemy were harrying the valiant White Consuls battle-barge, and he saw flashes of colour that indicated the Word Bearers ships firing upon the Sword of Truth.
One of the smaller enemy ships disappeared from the screen.
“Look!” said Aquilius. “The Sword of Truth retaliates! One of the enemy ships has been brought down!”
“Sacrificial,” said Ostorius. “They seek to fool us.”
“Even if that is the case, I do not believe that we can ri
sk it,” said Brother-Captain Sulinus.
“White Consuls battle-barge is in range of orbital cannons,” said one of the grey-uniformed Kronos personnel. “Do we take it down, sir?”
Chapter Master Titus Valens balled one of his hands into a fist in frustration.
“Damn them,” he said. “They know that we cannot gun down one of our own, not with battle-brothers still living on board.”
“They know that, and use it to their advantage,” said Ostorius. “They are banking on us having just this dilemma. If we shoot it down now, then we take back the advantage. It is what the enemy would do were they in our situation,” said Ostorius.
“And that is what sets us apart from them,” said Epistolary Liventius severely.
“I do not believe that Augustus would want us to compromise Kronos for his well-being, nor those of any of his brothers,” said Decimus.
The Chapter Master sighed, the weight of responsibility falling to him. While Ostorius was the Proconsul of the Boros Gate system, in the presence of his captain and one of the White Consuls Chapter Masters, his authority naturally deferred to them.
“Let it get closer,” said Chapter Master Valens after a moment, “Lock gun batteries on the ship. One false move, and we destroy it. But I will not order its destruction until we know, not with battle-brothers on board.”
“The closer the Sword of Truth gets, the more damage it could potentially achieve,” said Ostorius.
“Our shields can absorb anything that she could unleash,” said Sulinus.
“What damage could the Sword of Truth do to this installation if it rammed it?” said Decimus. “That would bypass our shields, wouldn’t it?”
“The damage would be negligible,” said one of the Kronos officers.
“Scan the Sword of Truth for evidence of atomic warheads,” said Chapter Master Valens.
“The scan reads negative,” said the officer a moment later.
“Are you sure?” said Ostorius.
“One hundred per cent accuracy, sir,” said the officer.
“Thank you,” said Ostorius. “At least that is something.”
“Send a flight wing out to meet the Sword of Truth,” said Titus Valens. “Order them to cripple her engines if she does not slow her advance.”
“Incoming transmission,” announced another of the Kronos personnel.
“Bring it up,” said Ostorius.
The screen crackled with static before the bloody face of Captain Augustus of 2nd Company flashed up. The linkup was rough with interference, but it was irrefutably the captain.
“…under heavy fire… immediate assistance…” came the accompanying vox-stream, as patchy and unclear as the visual feed, “…immediate assistance, repeat… half company still live… transmissions failure…”
“Well, that settles it, then,” said Sulinus as the link dropped.
“With respect, brother-captain, I think you are mistaken,” said Ostorius.
Aquilius could scarce believe that Ostorius was so bold as to speak in such a way to a captain. Ostorius was an honoured veteran, true, but he was far down the line of command from a company captain.
“That was Captain Augustus, Proconsul,” said Sulinus hotly. “We were inducted into the Chapter from the same sub-hive. I’ve known him since childhood. I’d recognise him anywhere.”
“The Sword of Truth is within firing range,” came a warning report.
“Continue to hold, but keep scanning her for any evidence of weapons powering up,” said Chapter Master Titus Valens. “I will not fire upon our own until it is beyond doubt that this is an enemy trick.”
“The Word Bearers continue to fire upon the Sword of Truth, but their ships are holding back,” Sulinus noted, nodding at the vid-screens. “They are wary of our weapon systems, as they should be.”
“Nor are they attempting to descend towards Boros Prime,” said Decimus.
“They are not stupid,” said Ostorius. “As soon as they attempted that, we would obliterate them. Nothing can descend on Boros Prime without coming into range of Kronos.”
The Sword of Truth was looming ever larger, ploughing towards the star fort at speed. Explosions detonated upon her bow as the Word Bearers continued to direct their fire towards the ship.
“Distance five hundred kilometres,” came a servitor’s voice.
“Get that link with the Sword of Truth back up,” said Valens. “I want contact with 2nd Company.”
“Trying, sir,” came the reply. “We are having trouble establishing a link. There might be a communications malfunction at their end.”
“Keep trying,” said Valens.
“She is not slowing down,” warned Ostorius.
“Order the flight wing to target her engines on my mark,” ordered Titus Valens.
“In doing so, my lord, we leave her at the mercy of the enemy,” said Sulinus. “It’s as good as a death sentence.”
“Two hundred kilometres.”
“What is Augustus doing?” said Chapter Master Valens. “Control malfunction?”
“The Sword of Truth’s shields are still up.”
“She is too close,” said Valens. “Take out her engines.”
“Sir! The enemy ships are accelerating en masse! They are within range and coming fast!”
“Fire upon them,” said Chapter Masters Titus Valens. “Bring them down. All guns.”
“Torpedoes have been launched towards Kronos.”
“They’ll not get anywhere near us,” said Sulinus dismissively.
“Sir, the flight wing is taking casualties. Do we continue to cripple the Sword of Truth?”
“Keep at it,” said Valens.
“One hundred kilometres.”
“Any readings of heat build-up in her weapons?”
“No, sir,” came the reply from an officer sat before one of the scanner arrays.
“Another of our escorts is down! The Sword of Truth’s engines are at fifty per cent, but it will not be enough! Fifty kilometres, and closing! She is going to hit us!”
Warning klaxons blared through the star fort, warning of immanent impact.
“We have to take it down,” said Ostorius, urgently. “It poses too much of a risk!”
“No!” shouted Captain Sulinus. “We cannot! Our brothers are aboard that ship!”
“We cannot risk Kronos!” said Captain Decimus. “Twenty seconds to impact!”
“May the Emperor forgive us if we are wrong,” said Chapter Master Valens. “Take it down.”
Hundreds of cannon turrets, each the size of a Titan, rotated towards the incoming battle-barge, but the Chapter Master held off from giving the order. The utter wrongness of killing a brother Astartes was ingrained in them all.
“Transmission! It’s the Sword of Truth!”
“Hold your fire!” shouted Valens as the blurred image of Captain Augustus of 2nd Company again flashed up.
“…lacking reverse thrusters… malfunction… not fire, attempting emergency…” the captain was saying.
“Torpedoes closing. Commencing defensive barrage.”
“Lance batteries locked and ready to fire upon encroaching enemy fleet, sir!”
The dark void of space lit up as the first incandescent beams of energy stabbed towards the incoming Word Bearers ships.
“Ten kilometres! Five!”
Aquilius’ eyes widened as he stared out of the deck window, watching the rapidly approaching battle-barge.
“Sir?” called one of the deck officers suddenly. “What is it?” said Ostorius. “Teleport signature!”
“What? Where? Onto Kronos? Our jammers are operational, aren’t they?”
“Not onto Kronos, sir! The signature is locking onto the Sword of Truth.”
“What are they doing?” asked Decimus, his eyes narrowing.
“I don’t know,” said Ostorius. “Scan the Sword of Truth again, officer.”
“In progress, sir!”
“One kilometre!”
“Sir! We are reading… Throne! Sir! Massive readings of atomic warheads aboard the Sword of Truth!”
“Guilliman’s blood, they’ve teleported them across,” said Ostorius, the colour draining from his face.
“Is such a thing even possible?”
“Apparently so.”
“Five hundred metres and closing!”
“Bring it down!” shouted the Chapter Master.
Aquilius looked out of the observation window towards the battle-barge, looming large and coming in fast. Turrets began to fire upon it, but it was already too close…
“Throne above,” he breathed.
Half torn apart from close-range cannon fire, but still coming, the Sword of Truth ploughed into the side of the Kronos star fort. The timed warheads that had been teleported across into her holds detonated and the battle-barge’s plasma core exploded in a blinding corona.
Marduk smiled from within the dead flesh of the White Consuls captain. As the Sword of Truth ploughed into the side of the immense orbital bastion, mere seconds before the atomic warheads that had been teleported across were detonated, Marduk retreated from the corpse. Without his spirit animating it, the dead body collapsed to the floor moments before being consumed in the immense explosion.
The Dark Apostle slammed back into his body aboard the Infidus Diabolus, and he felt a moment of dislocation before full control and feeling returned. He stood, and moved forward to observe the destruction.
Through the forward bridge observation portal he witnessed the massive explosion upon the enemy star fort, engulfing several enemy battleships that had been sluggish in disengaging from their docked positions. Secondary detonations rippled outwards from the point of impact, rolling flames bursting into space briefly as oxygen vented before being sucked inwards, hungering for more air to feed upon. Bulkheads would be crashing down within that massive orbital fortress, isolating shattered decks.
[Word Bearers 03] - Dark Creed Page 15
