by Lee Lightner
‘My name is Lieutenant Paulinus of the Hyades defence forces.’
The Chimera crashed through the palace gate. Electrical sparks bounced off the hull of the transport as wires were severed and torn from wall conduits. The bent and twisted gate gave way to the war transport,
wrapping itself around the nose of the Chimera until it was dragged under the tank’s persistent treads. Leaving its metal victim behind, the Chimera careened across the circular entrance road, tearing across the flower garden in the centre. A wave of dirt and vegetation flowed out of the garden splashing onto the pavement. The vehicle erupted from the opposite edge of the garden, losing speed before finally coming to rest on the front steps of the palace entrance.
The rumble of the drive system of the transport roared and then suddenly went silent, as if accepting that it had travelled as far as it could. Pressure seals gave way, sending jets of trapped dust and dirt from the hatch’s seam as the internal atmosphere equalised pressure with the exterior environment. Hydraulic cylinders hissed as the rear hatch began to lower. The sound of metal against metal screeched in defiance, as if announcing that a long awaited dignitary had finally arrived. Slowly Ragnar and Jeremiah stepped from the vehicle, taking up positions on either side of the rear door, covering the deployment of the rest of the passengers. Haegr, Nathaniel and Elijah followed closely by Torin fanned out as they leapt from the Chimera.
The palace grounds appeared abandoned but untouched thus far by the conflict that surrounded them. The city outside the old walls was a different story entirely. Columns of smoke rose into the sky in the city surrounding the palace compound. The air was filled with the sounds and the scents of combat. The streets were devoid of activity, and paper and
other rubbish rolled across the ground, pushed along by the warm breezes. Grave concern crossed their faces as the sights and sounds reinforced their determination to bring this conflict to a quick end.
The Space Marines bounded up the steps towards the main palace doors. Torin and Nathaniel took the rear, watching for signs of trouble. As they entered the palace foyer, they discovered that the palace had been evacuated. Tables and chairs were overturned and papers lay strewn about the floor. The main power was out. Emergency lights dimly lit the rooms and corridors.
Ragnar directed the others swiftly through the palace. Gabriella should be in the command centre in the lower levels. When they had left the palace Magni had been with her and he could only hope that in the confusion that was still the case. So far however, attempts to contact him had been unsuccessful. Ragnar hoped it was just Cadmus’s electronic jamming or promethium interference.
When the Wolfblade had first arrived, Ragnar had reconnoitred as much of the palace as he could, attempting to commit as much of its configuration to memory as he was able. He felt more comfortable and in control when he knew his surroundings. The hallways seemed longer and more maze-like than he remembered, but he knew it was just a trick of his mind.
His concern for Gabriella was distorting his perception. He needed to regain his focus, control his emotions. Ragnar cursed under his breath – he should never have left Gabriella’s side.
The mixed squad of Space Marines had almost reached the command centre elevator when Ragnar scented blood. As he rounded the last corner before the elevators, Ragnar found the source of the scent. Bodies of the House Belisarius Guard were sprawled out on either side of the elevator doors. The stench of blood and burnt flesh hung heavily in the air. Ragnar summoned the elevator as the rest of the group examined the bodies.
‘They were caught by surprise.’ said Torin.
‘How can you tell?’ Elijah asked.
The elevator doors opened, and the group entered the lift. ‘They never drew their weapons,’ Ragnar answered.
Torin and Haegr nodded. ‘If it was their trusted commander, why would they?’ Torin replied.
Elijah, Nathaniel and Jeremiah exchanged quick glances. Jeremiah subtly shook his head, not wanting to be noticed. He could not tell the Space Wolves their secret. Until this night, Jeremiah’s perception of the Space Wolves was that they were barbaric, more interested in their next tankard than concepts like duty and honour. Ragnar and the others were proving that his beliefs may not have been wholly accurate.
The elevator came to a stop as the door slid open. Ragnar’s senses were instantly assaulted by the overwhelming array of olfactory stimulus present in the command centre. The six Space Marines entered the room. Static danced across every display console, bodies of the House Belisarius Guard were everywhere, and another corpse lay in the midst of them. Ragnar
did not need the scent to know that it was Governor Pelias.
Ragnar continued to scan the room. His relief grew when he did not see Gabriella’s body amongst the carnage. That relief fled from him as his eyes crossed to the body at the far side of the room.
‘Magni!’ Haegr shouted as he ran across the room.
Their young colleague was slumped against a wall. A trail of smeared blood stretched across the floor from where he had dragged himself. Haegr fell to one knee, sliding to Magni’s side. Magni was clutching the burnt, curled remnants of his right hand to his chest. The plasma fire had cauterised the wound, slowing his blood loss. The stump that was now his left leg was an entirely different matter. Plasma had burned completely through his leg melting away power armour, flesh and bone. Severed arteries, strips of muscle and tendons hung from where the knee and lower half of Magni’s leg were once attached. Blood had pooled around him where he rested.
‘Magni, come on lad! Say something.’ Haegr pleaded.
Magni’s voice was weak and raspy. ‘By Russ, please don’t let the last thing I hear be your whining, Haegr.’
Magni slowly raised his head. His skin was ash-grey and dark circles surrounded his eyes, giving him a deathly appearance. ‘Cadmus is a traitor. He took Gabriella. I failed the Wolfblade! I failed her!’
‘Try not to talk about it, lad. Save your strength.’ Torin said.
Torin looked at Ragnar, and his eyes spoke for him. Ragnar knew that Magni would not survive. Torin
turned to the other bodies, unwilling to watch as his fellow Wolfblade passed on. Ragnar saw anger and rage in Torin’s normally calm eyes.
Ragnar felt the same way. To die in the service of Russ and the Emperor was how every Space Wolf expected to meet his end: on his feet facing the enemy. To be betrayed in this way was a death almost beyond a Space Wolfs comprehension.
Ragnar knelt next to the young Blood Claw. He saw that Magni was in great pain. Ragnar wished he could ease the lad’s suffering.
Magni slowly raised his eyes to meet Ragnar’s. ‘Ragnar, Cadmus had a message for the Wolfblade.’ He paused, labouring to get his breath. ‘He took Gabriella, and he will kill her… kill her if we… don’t…’ Magni took another deep painful breath.
‘Take your time, Magni. What does he want from us?’ Ragnar wanted him to stop and save his breath and to rest, but they had to have every detail, everything that Magni knew.
Magni fought to carry on speaking. ‘I’m sorry… Ragnar… the Dark Angels… He said he’ll kill her if we don’t… eliminate… every Dark Angel on Hyades… must kill… them all.’ Relief crossed Magni’s face as he finished.
Ragnar leaned in closer. ‘Where was he taking her, Magni?’
Magni shook his head slowly. ‘I… don’t know… but… he knew… Space Wolves… were coming… counting… on it, killed everyone… evil.’
Ragnar wiped blood from Magni’s face. The youngest Wolfblade struggled to stay conscious. He
looked up at Ragnar, fighting to keep his eyes focused.
His body was failing. Space Marine bodies were designed to withstand almost any injury, to survive poisons and toxins, and they were immune to virtually any disease. Their respiratory systems allowed them to survive without oxygen for extended periods of time. Special organs were implanted to change the composition of their blood. This normally enabled their blood t
o coagulate almost instantly. Even with all these genetic manipulations Space Marines were not indestructible. Sometimes, in cases like Magni’s, without immediate medical treatment, the enhancements weren’t enough.
‘Ragnar… you did… the right thing! I just… wanted you to know that…’ Magni’s body slumped to the floor as his life drained away.
Ragnar reached out and brushed Magni’s hair off his face. Slowly sorrow grew to anger in the hearts of the Space Wolves. Their battle-brother was gone.
Ragnar rose and turned from Magni’s body, reaching out and placing his hand on Haegr’s shoulder.
‘Cadmus has Gabriella. We must find her and bring her to safety.’ Grim determination filled Ragnar’s voice.
Haegr crossed the room towards Jeremiah. ‘Sounds simple enough, we just have to eliminate all the Dark Angels.’ he said, raising his boltgun at the Dark Angels captain. ‘And we might as well start right here.’
Gymir the IcE-Fisted, ancient warrior of Fenris, stood in the centre of the street, his hulking mechanical
form towering over the officer of the Hyades defence forces. The officer’s platoon had scattered amongst the rains, in an attempt to hide from the Dreadnought. On his command, Lieutenant Markham’s troops emerged from their hiding places. Gymir’s targeting system locked on each one in turn. Should the need arise, they would be quickly cut down.
‘Mikal, I’ve encountered and secured planetary forces,’ Gymir’s voice came over the comm system.
Mikal and his Grey Hunters quickened their pace through the city streets. Reaching Gymir’s position in under sixty seconds, they surrounded Lieutenant Markham’s forces. Mikal approached the lieutenant. He needed to coordinate with the defence forces, but this officer was not what he’d expected. There were many unanswered questions here on Hyades.
‘Lieutenant Markham, My name is Mikal, Wolf Guard to Berek Thunderfist.’ Mikal extended his hand, engulfing Markham’s.
‘We were attempting to coordinate defensive efforts with the commander of the planetary forces. We were en route to the palace when our Thunderhawk was shot down.’
Mikal caught the scent of fear coming from Markham. Normally this reaction was not unexpected when dealing with forces from the Imperial ranks. However, Markham’s reaction was different. Markham’s demeanour changed when he mentioned the planetary commander.
The lieutenant met Mikal’s gaze. ‘Commander Cadmus is a traitor,’ he said, rage and betrayal dripping from his words.
The commander of the planetary defences a traitor? Explain yourself, lieutenant,’ Mikal said.
‘Cadmus intentionally fired an artillery barrage on our position. He was trying to kill the Space Marines. He would have killed us all were it not for them,’ Markham explained.
The Space Marines saved you?’ asked Mikal.
Yes, sir. Just before the barrage hit, some of the Space Marines managed to throw several of my men to cover. The others attempted to shield them from the blasts with their own bodies,’ Markham answered.
‘Please, lieutenant, start from the beginning.’ Mikal gestured for Markham to follow him out of earshot of the defence forces.
The lieutenant walked beside Mikal. The Dark Angels dispatched a kill team to infiltrate the palace prior to the invasion.’
‘Have we established what the kill team’s objective was?’ Mikal asked.
‘We all assumed that Lady Gabriella was their target.’ Markham was growing more comfortable as he answered Mikal’s questions.
‘Lady Gabriella is on Hyades?’ Mikal was familiar with House Belisarius, Lady Gabriella and the ancient pact between Belisarius and the Space Wolves.
Yes! She anived only a few days ago with a contingent of Wolfblade from Holy Terra.’
‘Please go on.’ The lieutenant continued to relay his tale of treachery to Mikal as they moved through the streets towards an abandoned Administratum building. As it was still relatively intact, Mikal decided that this would be the best location to establish a command post.
He dispatched two battle packs of Grey Hunters to locate and establish communications with their Wolf Brothers. When completed he would be able to create a command and control centre from which he could direct his forces in the defence of Hyades. Once the Space Wolf forces were organised he would ask for Lieutenant Markham’s assistance in identifying and locating the loyal planetary troops, giving him overall command of all the Hyades defence forces.
Across the city Space Wolves and Hyades defensive forces linked up to establish a definitive perimeter. The tide was turning.
Ragnar leapt to his feet, grabbed Haegr’s boltgun, and forced it up. Craters created by boltgun rounds trailed across the ceiling. Jeremiah, Elijah and Nathaniel drew their weapons. Torin growled and drew his sidearm. Dark Angel squared off against Space Wolf. Ragnar stood between the two groups, arms raised, trying to exert his will on a situation that was fast spiralling out of control.
Eyes darted from friend to foe, each one trying to ascertain the next move. Fingers tensed on triggers. The standoff between the Wolfblade and the Dark Angels seemed to last forever. Ragnar looked from Jeremiah to Haegr. Everything would be decided by the actions taken in the next few seconds.
‘Haegr, Torin, drop your weapons,’ Ragnar ordered.
‘Magni is dead because of their treachery, Ragnar,’ Haegr roared. Ragnar could hear the beast in his giant friend. The wolf was dangerously close the surface.
‘Cadmus is the enemy here, Haegr. It was his treachery that killed Magni.’ Ragnar fought his own rage at Magni’s
death but it was not Jeremiah and his team who had killed their battle-brother.
Torin was the most controlled Space Wolf that Ragnar had ever known, never allowing even the slightest hint of the beast within. The brother he had always relied on to be the voice of reason and calm held his bolter on Elijah and Nathaniel. He could see the rage in his eyes, almost as a reflection of the madness that was all around them. He could not believe that after everything this was where they had ended up: at each other’s throats. He gestured for Torin to lower his weapon. Torin looked blankly at him, as if he didn’t know who he was. Then Ragnar could see rationality returning to his eyes. Slowly, Torin lowered his boltgun and Ragnar knew that his friend was back.
‘Ragnar speaks truthfully, Haegr. I mourn Magni’s passing as well. Cadmus will pay for his treachery. This, I swear by all the frozen hells of Fenris.’ Torin walked over to Haegr and placed a hand on top of Haegr’s weapon. We don’t do what Cadmus demands.’
Haegr turned in disgust from his brothers. The decision rests with you Ragnar, just be certain it’s the right one.’
In a very short time, Ragnar had learned that Jeremiah was a man of his word and held honour above all else, in direct contradiction to what he thought he knew about the Dark Angels. Treachery and deceit were the ways of the Dark Angels, or at least that was what most Space Wolves believed. Jeremiah’s actions thus far indicated otherwise, but he had not been completely forthcoming with Ragnar on the subject of Cadmus. He had told Ragnar that he was unable to discuss the details
of his mission because of loyalty to his brethren. That was something that Ragnar himself would do if the roles were reversed.
Things were different now. It was no longer the Wolfblade versus a Dark Angels kill team. From the Chimera, they had seen the assault landing of the Space Wolves. Recognising the symbol emblazoned on the side of the landing craft, Ragnar knew that the great company of Berek Thunderfist was planet-side. Here on Hyades, two of the Adeptus Astartes’ greatest Chapters were at war.
Ragnar raised his hand, pointing a finger towards Jeremiah. ‘It’s time for answers, Dark Angel. If we are to survive this, you must tell us the truth.’
‘I’ve told you all I can, Ragnar.’
‘No! You’ve told me all you’ve chosen to,’ Ragnar corrected the Dark Angel.
Jeremiah knew Ragnar was right. There was more to Cadmus than he was saying, but his hands were tied.
He could not divulge the commander’s true nature.
Two Chapters of Space Marines waging war meant nothing compared to what would happen if the terrible secrets of the Dark Angels were revealed. Ragnar had proven himself to be a man of conviction and courage, a far cry from the barbarian that he expected a Space Wolf to be.
Jeremiah weighed the situation up in his mind.
He could not reveal to Ragnar the whole truth. Perhaps however, he did not need to. He might be able to tell some of what he and the Dark Angels knew without betraying his Chapter.
You are correct; I have chosen to withhold some of our information in regards to Cadmus.’
‘Jeremiah, do not betray the honour of our Chapter!’ Nathaniel protested.
Jeremiah held up his hand to silence Nathaniel. The history of distrust between our Chapters is long. In a very short time, I’ve discovered that the mutual distrust we share for each other may be unwarranted.’ Jeremiah stepped towards Ragnar. ‘I will tell you what I can and nothing more.’
Well, get on with it, then.’ Haegr shouted at Jeremiah.
‘Haegr.’ Torin warned, realising that Haegr wasn’t helping the situation.
All mis cloak and dagger makes my head hurt.’ Haegr walked towards the elevator shaft. ‘I don’t know why Ragnar was so excited about getting back into the galaxy anyway! Doesn’t seem any different than Holy Terra! Everyone has a secret.’
Torin followed Haegr to the elevator. ‘Ragnar, I’ll take Nathaniel and Elijah and maybe we’ll reconnoitte the rest of the palace.’ Ragnar nodded in agreement.
‘Nathaniel, you and Elijah should go with Haegr and Torin.’ Jeremiah’s words were more a request than an order. Nathaniel looked concerned as his gaze passed from Jeremiah to Ragnar and back. Jeremiah crossed the floor to stand next to his oldest warrior.
‘Do you trust me?’ he asked.
‘I always have.’ responded Nathaniel.
Then trust me now, brother.’ said Jeremiah.
