[The Psyker]

(For now I am going to concentrate on the main characters aspect. Second cycle of posts I'll introduce our opponents the insidious Dark Eldar! Also posting order is first post. And when everyone posts that will be the established order.)

Mere hours had passed and already Father Librarian Josephus had convened with the other Father Librarians of his Ordo. A swift decision was made and Josephus was given full autonomy over his squad. It wasn't rare for the Ordo to operate without consent from the chapter master. But out of respect Chapter Master Kyras was alerted of the action. Blessings and wishes for swift victory were exchanged before the same codicer that had found him in his psychic stupor was called to assemble the six epistolaries that were going to accompany him on this most important of undertakings.

The codicier had done as he was instructed, alerting each Epistolary and instructing them to assemble in the main antechamber of the Sanctorium Arcanum. Braziers filled with incense burned slowly, releasing its sweet scents into the hazy air. Banners chronicling the achievements of the Ordo and the Blood Ravens as a whole hung emblazoned in gold and precious jewels. In the further chambers rested all the knowledge collected by the Blood Ravens during its inception. Even further in the very core of the batlte barge Litany of Fury, stood the Beacon Psykana. Josephus stood at the center of the antechamber, his mind mingling with the Psykana in ways only a primary psyker such as himself could. It was if he could almost hear the very will of the God Emperor pulsing from the beacon. His reverie was broken only when the codicier humbly stepped forth and cleared his throat. Josephus looked at the astartes and nodded his head, the codicier stepped forward and spoke in a clear and confident tone.

The epistolaries that you have requested are assembled. Shall I formally introduce...

No need, I have studied them already. Codicier Yarnon, I thank you for your service. You may mediate in your cell or visit the hypnocell for a lesson in the emperors works. Glory to Him on Terra. Glory to the Great Father.

Glory to Him. Glory to the Great Father.

Codicier Yarnon walked past the assembled Epistolary with his head bowed. Once the younger astartes was gone Josephus began to pace infront of the assembled squad, stopping in front of each one and speaking in a clear verbose tone. His words were meant to inspire them, for the mission they were about to undertake could very well be the end for each and every one of them.

Each of you have been selected from the librarium of our illustrious chapter. Do not get too inflated with this decision by the collective Father Librarians, it is an honor to be included in the Ordo Psykana. But it is also certain death in the face of our enemy. Yet to die in the emperors service is our ultimate goal...

He continued his stride past each marine, stopping at the end of the line and glancing up at Lucius. The mans aether blue eyes told Josephus everything he needed to know about the man, his perceptive tendrils gleaning Lucius' very biography if you would.

Lucius Ol'thaka. Your very presence here is a boon to our Ordo. Even under the sickness of Nurgle you continued to battle on the fields of Kartos. You are a stalwart codex abiding marine and have earned the right to be here. I would have no other Epistolary follow me into the jaws of chaos.

Josephus then took a few steps to the next marine. He came eye level with the biggest astartes in the squad. He looked up at the man and his pure white eyes. He felt Aurio reaching out with his perception and deftly avoided the astartes perception, speaking out as he did so.

Aurio. The biggest member of our squad. His accolades are few but he aim to change that in these coming days. Do not discount this marine, I have seen him in battle. His litanies and devotions to the emperor are an inspiration to every one within earshot.

The next marine was an athletic and patrician, the pretty boy of the squad. He took a short look in this marines eyes and nodded his head. He felt the potential that Pericles housed inside his unassuming frame.

Pericles Orate. Always meditating, always searching for knowledge in the litanies and librarium. One day this epistolary will be a Father Librarian, as dedicated to the chapter is he.

He took another few steps and came to face with an astartes who was both man and machine. Thantos was an amazing specimen, having survived a Mawloc attack and still have what it takes to serve.

Thantos. The most vicious fighter in our squad. Let us go back to Aldria Prime. And let us revisit the tradgedy at Truvia VI. Through both of those hard fought battles we find Thantos as the inspiration behind both victories. A fine astartes in the eyes of The Emperor.

The next astartes he faced was one Epistolary Mirakia. The man was a native of the Kaurava system, a survivor and a potential librarian. Although his psyker powers were of primary classification, his control was of a secondaries.

Mirakia. I know little of you my friend, but Librarian Triskon has told me good things of you... I expect a great many more. Devotion to the emperor being chief among them. I will be keeping an eye on you.

Josephus turned and faced the last of the epistolaries, his lips drawing into a smile. Here stood Epistolary Aaron, the first member picked from the pool of codicers. He held special promise in Josephus mind, a stout and studious member of the librarium.

Epistolary Aaron. Your potential is great and I have seen you in the Librarium many a cycle. Your knowledge of the forces of chaos rival even brother Orate and that is an achievement among one so young. Brothers, this will be Epistolary Aarons first time in battle against our traitor genus... We must be mindful to let him slay as many of these taitors as possible. He has many accolades to earn.

With his appraisal of the squad complete he walked back towards the center of the line and turned to face them. His eyes were shadowed under the shadows cast by his psychic hood. He looked like a grim master of death sent by the Great Father himself to destroy his enemies. The precious crimson jewel began to pulse as he spoke.

We are to undertake a mission on a Ordo Hereticus battle barge. A band of Thousand Sons traitors eliminated the Sisters of Battle on board. We do not know if they have slain the inquisitor on board, so we must find him. The ship was carrying a page from the cursed Book of Magnus to an Ordo Hereticus disposal facility. Our mission is thus... We are to find the page from the Book of Magnus, destroy it and dispose of the Sorcerers guiding the ship twoards Kaurava system. We leave in one standard hour. Prepare yourselves mentally and go through your rituals of equipment. We will assemble in docking bay theta. Dismissed my brothers.

Josephus turned and started back towards the depths of the Sanctorium Aracanum. As he walked the rays of light from the luminus lamps made the strands of his adamantium mantle gleam with each step. Moments later he had disappeared into the Sanctorium. A short walk brought him to his cell, a waiting lexicanum and two servitors flanking him bowed as he entered. He made the sign of the aquila and bade the Lexicanum stand. He had relinquished his ancient suit of artificers armor to the ministrations of the servitors and he was pleased with the lustre his armor had taken on. He unclasped his mantle and shed it into the waiting arms of the Lexicanum who had anticipated his very movments and acted accordingly. As the young astartes hung Josephus' mantle the servitors began the task assigned to them. Every neural plug was lubricated and applied with a scented salve that would harden as the neural plugs were inserted. Fragrant oils were applied to his head before the servitor began the slow process of shaving the Father librarians scalp. The other servitor began a generous application of the scented oil among Josephus arms, legs and abdomen. The lexicanum had produced a box from underneath Josephus' armor stand, bringing it infront of Josephus and bowing with the box extended upwards as if the astartes was offering a sacrafice.

You may...

The Lexicanum nodded and used his thumbs to crack the ancient wormwood box, opening it all the way to reveal the blood drop shaped stone of the deepest carmine. It was pulsing as it sensed Josephus' psychic signature, reaching out to him in a desperate plea to reconnect with the man. This was a stone that had been crafted from a very rare and robust shell of diamond. It was filled with the blood of the Great Father Azariah Vidya, one of two. The second was held by the Chapter Master Azariah Kyras. The Lexicanum sat where he was, unwavering as the servitors began the slow process of building Josephus' blessed armor peice by blessed peice. Once he was fully armored he stood up and reached down, lifting the Great Fathers essence with both hands. Gently he placed the relic in the center of the chapter symbol. Two servo clamps on each side of the symbol extended to clasp the relic tightly in place. Immediately Josephus sensed the psychic energies mingling his own, boosting them in a sense. He waved the servitors out of his cell, and with a perceptive command the Lexicanum wrapped Josephus in the adamantine mantle.

My weapons...

The Lexicanum again nodded and turned, crouching down and wrapping his hands around two archaic iron rungs and pulled with a grunt of strength. A seemingly solid block of granite detached from the wall and slid back a ways before the Lexicanum stopped and then lifted on the rungs the heavy stone lid comming up and a final push from the Lexicanum revealed a moulded case for an ornate and finely crafted bolter and a chainsword that looked to be of eldar craft. Pnuematic arms lifted the weapons from the specially crafted moulds, both the Lexicanum and Josephus feeling the chainswords psychic eminations. The father librarian reached down and look the bolter in his left hand and the scorpion chainsword in his right. A prayer was offered up to the Emperor, a humble request that his weapons would function correctly in order to dispense his holy fury. With his preparations done he brushed his mantle to the side and attached his bolter to the magnetic pad at his left thigh. The chainblade was placed at his right using the same device, giving Josephus the look of an avatar of death. Josephus then bade the lexicanum to replace the weapons locker and return to his meditation. The Father Librarian would then make his way to the departure bay Theta, making sure that the thunderhawk was correctly configured for the boarding action.

 

[Captain Stillios]

Aurio winced as the Father Librarian evaded his curious probe and staggered back as his eyes began to burn as they usually did when great power was used nearby.

When Josephas left Aurio retreated slightly to the back of the room then knelt and drew Siloe and Ilea placing both before him.
Drawing on a sliver of his power Aurio slowly levitated Ilea into the air before his eyes then let the image of his mothers dead face enter his mind while at the same time stripping the weapon down to its componants and lowering them to the floor, next he grasped Siloe's hilt and let the image of his Father, one of his killers throats still held in a death grip, enter his mind and the blade shattered in two.

Laying the pieces on the floor, Aurio opened his mind fully to his memorys as he did before each battle.

He rushed through the low roofed corridor with only rage and hatered in his kind, a dark figure stepped out into the hallway then collapsed as Aurio hurled his knife over-handed through his throat

At the memory of his first kill he opened himself completly to his power and lifted both his weapons into the air...

Alerted by the first mans death the other four jerked to their feet as Aurio stood siloueted in the door way, hands moved to holsters but then Aurio was among them, ducking a right hook from the closest Guard Aurio swung his hammer around two-handed crashing it into the mans left leg sending him screaming to the floor.

As the memory continued Ilea's components slowly started to reasemble.

Aurio turned quickly and took a straight right to his left shoulder sending him back slightly, then he did the unexpected thing and instead of moving back as the Guard expected Aurio stepped forwards and headbutted him as hard as he could, the Third man slumped forwards his head resting on Aurio's shoulder. The Fourth man however had his pistol out now, spinning, Aurio hurled the Thrid body onto the Fourth causing both to fall to the ground

Ilea now became whole except the barrel which hovered an inch away from the rest of the gun.

Looking around Aurio saw that the first man had his knife in his throat and had already bled to death, the others however were still alive, two were still concious. Aurio went over to the Fourth man and smashed down his hammer on the Guards wrists disarming him then dragged all three still living men into a row on the floor

"For my Mother" he hissed as he brought the hammer smashing down six times onto six legs shattering all of them.

"For my Father" he said then shattered six arms.

Standing over the Fourth man Aurio sneered "Tell me where your employer is and I might let you live" the man desperatley glanced over to an antique lasgun, "Thank You" Aurio retched then spat in the mans face before smashing the hammer down onto all three heads smashing them all to pulp.

"For Me"

The barrel slid home and Ilea hung in front of him glowing faintly as Siloe'e shards glided closer together.

Stepping over to the lasgun Aurio saw that it was actually some form of pannel, placing his right hand onto the trigger and pushing Aurio felt the wall swing open slightly revealing an old decrepid man with long brown hair standing in front of him

"Brave boy, but if death is all you have for me then I am afraid I am un impressed" the Old Man wheezed

Reaching forwards and grabbing the Mans hair Aurio held him at eye level and forced him to look into his eyes.

"Oh I will kill you, but not before you learn somthing, you will learn the meaning of fear" Aurio hissed menacingly then he did somthing that shocked even him, he looked into the mans mind and found the spark of fear that dwelled there, then he multiplied it, building it and building it untill eveything in the Man's maind was eclipsed by terrible fear of everything, slowly his hair became as white as Aurio's eyes and he fell to his knees
"Please....please just kill me..." were the last words of the old man
"Oh not yet" Aurio smiled and kept the man alive for over an hour before both of them collapsed to the ground

Siloe's shards slapped together and reformed instantley.

Before passing out from exhaustion Aurio had one last thought.
'Father, Mother, you are avenged...'

Both weapons fell into his hands as he rose to his feet ready to face whatever was thrown at him, only then did he relise that he had not sheilded and some of the others may have seen flashes of his memories, quickly he raised his sheilds again and sheathed his weapons.

 

[emporershand89]

The Father Librarian walked off to go take care of business that was none of Mirakia’s concern. Mirakia had felt the mind probe from the Librarian and had welcomed it. Mirakia held no secrets, being a loyal servant of the Emperor, and a zealous fighter in battle. However, he was sure the Librarian had seen his unchecked hatred hidden deep within Mirakia’s mind.

Mirakia had returned to his chamber after the meeting to await further orders and to practice his swordsmanship. Although a Librarian, Mirakia was also an warrior, and as such was a follower of the ways of the blade. He practiced his own form Kashindo, the “one strike kill” method. Mirakia preferred to kill the enemy with one strike to save himself the effort and to increase his deadly accuracy.

Mirakia drew his treasured sword Narsil te Emperor, “Light of the Emperor.” It had been given to him by the Father Librarian after Mirakia proved himself in battle, and was probably Mirakia’s most treasured possession.

Mirakia went through the movements, drawing slice, upper cut, double twirl with a down cut, sudden strike, and return to the scabbard. As he flowed like a river of deadly force,

Mirakia fell into a battle trance when he often went to dwell upon life. In this private sanctum even the Father Librarian couldn’t reach him, a place of his own. Mirakia started thinking about the upcoming mission and his duty to the Emperor.

 

[The Psyker]

(Thats the ticket. Stillios nailed it with a description of what drives his character...)

 

[deathbringer]

The hood shrouded the Father Librarian's face yet even the dim view of his new mentor could not shroud the bubbles of pride that were welling within him. He had been chosen, of all the epistolaries he had been chosen for this mission, he had been chosen to see the stars. Enemies of the emperor beware, he was on a mission, armed with knowledge, he went out to protect it.

His hand curled around the eldar relic at his hip feeling the warmth flow through his fingers and he closed his eyes, the long slender bony fingers curling easily around its hilt. He had not named it yet, choosing to wait, to name it by deeds and not meaningless hopes, and now he had the chance to earn titles for blade and body.

The libraries were no place to gain prestige, yet already his talents had begun to show,whispers of praise followed him through the alcoves and amongst the shelves. He suppressed a small satisfied smirk, indeed he had potential, his greatest love, a beauty beyond compare had told him so, had lit a flame that could not be doused.

The father moved along, wishing to speak words to each of them, wishing to bring new confidence into there minds, yet he avoided the groping tendrils of their minds with deft ease and Aaron's eyes narrowed, what secrets was he witholding, what horrors was he keeping behind those solemn grey eyes.

Then he stood before him and the eyes washed over him, to pin pricks of calm in the sea of gloom that masked his face.

Epistolary Aaron. Your potential is great and I have seen you in the Librarium many a cycle. Your knowledge of the forces of chaos rival even brother Orate and that is an achievement among one so young. Brothers, this will be Epistolary Aarons first time in battle against our traitor genus... We must be mindful to let him slay as many of these taitors as possible. He has many accolades to earn.

He bowed his head in respect and to hide the grim smile at the father's words. This was high praise indeed from one so respected, yet it was honest and deserved, if he did say so himself. He felt as if he knew so much yet so little, the whole maelstrom of the stars was soon to be laid bare before him every sight, every scent a new experience, more knowledge gained.

New possibilites mingled with the words as he realised, he would be given a free reign, for indeed he had many trophies to earn, a first kill to gain, powers to unleash and new secrets to gain. Yet which amongst the tainted brethren would he face

We are to undertake a mission on a Ordo Hereticus battle barge. A band of Thousand Sons traitors eliminated the Sisters of Battle on board. We do not know if they have slain the inquisitor on board, so we must find him. The ship was carrying a page from the cursed Book of Magnus to an Ordo Hereticus disposal facility. Our mission is thus... We are to find the page from the Book of Magnus, destroy it and dispose of the Sorcerers guiding the ship twoards Kaurava system. We leave in one standard hour. Prepare yourselves mentally and go through your rituals of equipment. We will assemble in docking bay theta. Dismissed my brothers.

His breath caught, sorcerors of the thousand sons, astartes with millennia of experience, untold and forbidden sorceries plied there minds. Indeed such acolades could be won here, his potential reached and exceeded by watching the delicate twists of the warp the sorceror's and his loyal brethren used. He did not doubt his ability, no sir, he could destroy a traitor for his mind was strong, fresh and young, supple. Yet indeed one could say his skills were rough, unhoned, untempered by the first clang of war, the first scream of death, the first howl of agony, the first taste of true pain, the chance of his own death overwhelming.

Yet in truth his humanity had died once only to be reborn through love and devotion, his spirit had soared from the ashes of captivity to burn strongly with self belief once more.

For it was she, the love of his life, love born through admiration, a love he would never see again, but a love that had given him the strength to become what he was, that still gave him the strength to draw further upon the warp, to challenge his mind to new heights.

He snapped from his reverie as the father walked away, striding purposefully into the darkness, the dim lights causing the jewels and strands of metal to glint and glimmer, flickering like candles in the wind.

His armour was already ready, upon his person, still new and fresh, its weight comforting and familiar amongst the excitement of new possibilities.

He slipped to his knees twisting into a position of meditation, his thoughts slipping away the blankness of his mind growing as he pressed emotions away from him.

A single thought erupted as he repeated the words of his mantra, the rythmic beat of the complex curls of tongue and lips forcing him to slide into emptiness. A single thought burst to the fore

"If knowledge is to be guarded, why are we destroying this page"

The startling blue eyes closed, lids sliding slowly shut and his brow furrowed a little before the thought slipped away leaving nothing but his own mind, a sea of tranquillity, an ocean of calm.

 

[heartslayer]

"Lucius Ol'thaka. Your very presence here is a boon to our Ordo. Even under the sickness of Nurgle you continued to battle on the fields of Kartos. You are a stalwart codex abiding marine and have earned the right to be here. I would have no other Epistolary follow me into the jaws of chaos."

the words of the Father Librarian should have brought a smile to Lucius' face but instead he stayed totally Emotionless, and thought about the battle that was soon to ensue, just as these thoughts crossed his mind the Father Librarian addressed the six of them

"We are to undertake a mission on a Ordo Hereticus battle barge. A band of Thousand Sons traitors eliminated the Sisters of Battle on board. We do not know if they have slain the inquisitor on board, so we must find him. The ship was carrying a page from the cursed Book of Magnus to an Ordo Hereticus disposal facility. Our mission is thus... We are to find the page from the Book of Magnus, destroy it and dispose of the Sorcerers guiding the ship twoards Kaurava system. We leave in one standard hour. Prepare yourselves mentally and go through your rituals of equipment. We will assemble in docking bay theta. Dismissed my brothers."

Lucius walked back to his chambers and began his pre battle rituals he first removed his Mirrorsword and Triskele from their resting places high up on his wall in ornately manufactured moulds that held them in place with voice activated servo clasps he then proceded in his ritualistic blessings over his weapons which began with him ordering a servitor to bring him his sealed goblet of the blood of the Howling Banshee exarch he had taken the Triskele from and dipping his weapons into the blood, and reciting prayers to the emperor and to the spirit of the exarch, these prayers consisted of him asking for the blessings of the emperor and that the weapons would work to the utmost capability in battle. After doing this he placed the triskele in its specially made holster, and attached the Mirrorsword to his right hip.

He then began to prepare himself mentally by Meditating and focusing his mind, he closed his eyes and sat cross legged on the floor, pushing himself between the enumerations to prepare himself, and after going through all of the enumerations he opened his eyes and began to practice with his psychic powers moving the items in his chamber around with the flick of his wrist or the movement of his eye, he then focused his mind on himself and began to levitate.

Now having completed his Rituals he recited one last Rite of Battle and left his chambers and headed off to Departure bay theta, walking in silence the whole time.

 

[Deus Mortis]

Thantos and his fellow Epistolaries had been gathered in their Father's chamber, to be prepped for what their mission was to be, or Thantos assumed. As a standard battle brother, he had been present at many battle briefings. But this was different, he was different. But for better or worse he was here, and he had a duty to fulfill. Thantos listened to the quiet whining if servos and gears in his lower body, even at he rolled his jaw. The man-machine, that's what he was. Well for the most part. There was still a part of him that was nothing and everything, there and not, good and evil, and all these things without being paradoxical. Even when he was wearing full battle armour, the scar on his chest seemed to burn through to the surface. But here, in nothing but his standard robes, Thantos felt nervous. Honestly, frighteningly and powerfully worried about what the Father Librarian would make of him. Then he entered, and Thantos bowed his head, in a mixture of shame and reverence. Josephus spoke to each of them in turn, and Thantos listened with his head bowed, absorbing his words of encouragement to each of them, and taking not of how he viewed each of them. Then Father Librarian spoke to him "Thantos." he said, and his head snapped up and looked into his hazy grey eyes. The seemed to make Josephus' true thoughts or intentions, and Thantos was suddenly aware of how bare his emotions and feeling were to the Librarian. "The most vicious fighter in our squad. Let us go back to Aldria Prime. And let us revisit the tradgedy at Truvia VI. Through both of those hard fought battles we find Thantos as the inspiration behind both victories. A fine astartes in the eyes of The Emperor." Thantos was shocked b the Father's last statement. Ever since Truvia he hadn't really though of himself like that, and most reinforced that view by treating him with distrust. To have a veteran and a librarian, one who could know the hearts and minds of men say such a thing was and honour to him, and he breathed quietly "Thankyou sire" If Josephus heard him, he took no notice, as he continued his praise of the marine gathered here.

Once he was done he addressed them as a whole. "We are to undertake a mission on a Ordo Hereticus battle barge. A band of Thousand Sons traitors eliminated the Sisters of Battle on board. We do not know if they have slain the inquisitor on board, so we must find him. The ship was carrying a page from the cursed Book of Magnus to an Ordo Hereticus disposal facility." Thantos gritted his teeth. He had fought against aliens and heretics alike, but none made his blood burn with the fires of rage like the traitor Astartes. These were marines that had been given the gift of fighting side by side with the Grand Father, the Emperor, and still had turned from his light. Of all of the traitor scum, they were the worst. "Our mission is thus; We are to find the page from the Book of Magnus, destroy it and dispose of the Sorcerers guiding the ship twoards Kaurava system. We leave in one standard hour. Prepare yourselves mentally and go through your rituals of equipment. We will assemble in docking bay theta. Dismissed my brothers." Thantos bowed politely to the Father Librarian and turned and walked in silence down the corridors of the battle barge. Everyone else was going back to their chambers to prepare, and he would to. But first, he had been requested to see Chaplin Palmarius for yet another purity screening. At first it had offended Thantos to be insinuated as being a traitor, but he was becoming accustomed to them now.

The Reclusiam doors were open and there were a dozen or so battle brothers already in there, dotted in the rows. At the head of what could only be described as a shrine, Palmarius stood, vigilant as ever. Thantos walked straight to The front, and Palmarius ushered him through a door, and he followed, and the Chaplin closed the doors behind them. The room was dimly lit by candles which burnt sacred incense. As he inhaled the fumes, Thantos could feel his chest burn in purity. It was a soothing pain, similar to the alcohols he had occasionally consumed as a mere mortal. "Fresh torrments for me today Brother Chaplin?" Thantos asked equally in jest as in resentment. "No Brother, merely test which you shall overcome." Palmarius responded calmly. Palmarius walked over to and ebony table and picked up a vial of purple liquid. He also took an ornate chalice and poured the liquid into it. He then passed it to Thantos "Drink Brother, and let the fires cleanse you" Palmarius said solemnly. Thantos did as he was commanded, and drank. A fire of pain over-took his senses, and Thantos gasped. He dropped to the floor his back hunched and his hands digging into the floor. A fresh wave of pain struck him, and his back arched at an unnatural angle, and he howled towards the ceiling in pain. "Brother, step through the blinding pain, and into the Emperor's light!" Palmarius commanded. Thantos screamed again, and fell to the floor. "It hurts so much!" He gasped between cries of pain. "Do it!" Palmarius said indifferently. Thantos gritted his teeth, and put his hands on either side of his body, and lifted it a foot of the floor. Even though the pain was blistering, Thantos brought his knees into his chest so his feet were flat on the floor.. Then, with every ounce of energy n his body, Thantos stood up slowly, and even as he did so, the pain subsided. He was still gasping for air, but he was now at eye level to the Chaplin. "What has that taught you?" Palmarius asked calmly, satisfied that Thantos had passed the test. He swallowed and then spoke "Control. With enough force of will, all obstacles can be over-come."
"Well done. You are dismissed Brother Thantos. Knowledge is power"
"Guard it well!" Thantos finished the war cry of the Blood Ravens. "Blessings of the Immortal Emperor on you mission, and let his light keep you from the darkness" Palmarius finished, and with that he opened the doors, and Thantos walked out of the Reclusiam and to his quarters.

In his quarters, Thantos started to don his full battle armour, and as he did so recited a lithergy he had heard once in the Reclusiam as a scout.
"Without the Dark, there can be no Light,
We have purpose"
Thantos stepped into his creaves, and locked them in place. The horned skull present on the knee cap, and almost glowing with an eerie light. On the right thigh was a winged droplet of blood, symbol of the Blood Ravens.
"Without the Lie, there can be no Truth,
We have purpose"
Thantos fastened his belt around his waist protector. The buckle was another skull with the rams horns, but was dissected by a lightning bolt and had red gems for eyes.
"Without the War, there can be no Victory,
We have purpose
Without the Death, there can be no sacrifice,
We have purpose"
Finally locking his chest plate in place, Thantos glanced down at the aquilla on his chest, covered by chains that a normal man would regard as heavy, but Thantos barely registered their weight. They were covered with symbols and icons of warding, as if to bind the mark on his chest to him.
"Without the Hope there can be no Future,
We have purpose
Without the Loyalty there can be no one chapter,
We have purpose"
Thantos slid on his final gauntlet, and set to work locking his shoulder guards in place. On had a large book chained to it, covered with scribble and almost illegible writings on the pages. It was the Book of Osendari, an ancient tome Thantos had found in ab deserted Ecclesiarchy shrine on Truvia. The pages had been scorched by the heretics fire, b Thantos had rescued it and given it to the Librarium as it contained what he pervieved at the time to be incantations. And now it was given back to him. And the other had the chapter symbol, the Blood raven.
"Without the Emperor, there is nothing,...
And we would have no purpose"
And with that, the probes from Thantos' psychic hood plunged into his skull, and the Wraithbone core relived the constant pressure of the predators of the warp. Thantos walked over to his weapons on their stands. Ignis, his flamer, and Devoveo, his force rod. Ignis was ready, but Devoveo needed some minor preparations. Thantos laid Devoveo down on the floor and sat in a meditative position. He allowed the power of the warp to flow through him, and he passed it into his force rod, which acted like psychic battery. Slowly the staff levitated off of the floor and spun around in concentric circles as Thantos poured powerful magics into it, ready to face the foul sorcerers of the Thousand Sons. He was going to need every advantage against the millennium old warlocks...

 

[Lord Ramo]

Pericles walked into the librarium behind his other squad mates. Or so he assumed, they would be part of a new squad. The Venerable Father Librarian had requested their immediate presence, and the need for six brothers must mean that the need was great indeed. Pericles stood along with his brothers arrayed in front of Father Librarian Josephus. He told them why they had been summoned and reviewed each of the brethren arrayed in front of him.

"Pericles Orate. Always meditating, always searching for knowledge in the litanies and librarium. One day this epistolary will be a Father Librarian, as dedicated to the chapter is he."

Pericles merely nodded to the father librarian. It was true that he spent a large proportion of his time dedicated to the search for knowledge and his meditation. He did however spend the rest of the time honing his combat abilities whether that was with his mace Tacet or the holy bolter he used to blast his opponents into the void. He felt a moment of pride as Josephus said that one day he would be a father librarian. It would be an honour if he could join their exalted ranks one day.

He felt the psychic presence from the rest of his brethren, consuming all that was around them. He could feel his own psychic potential inside of him. These were the things that Pericles felt, waiting whilst Josephus praised the other marines. He knew that he would get to the crux of the matter soon enough.

"We are to undertake a mission on a Ordo Hereticus battle barge. A band of Thousand Sons traitors eliminated the Sisters of Battle on board. We do not know if they have slain the inquisitor on board, so we must find him. The ship was carrying a page from the cursed Book of Magnus to an Ordo Hereticus disposal facility. Our mission is thus... We are to find the page from the Book of Magnus, destroy it and dispose of the Sorcerers guiding the ship twoards Kaurava system. We leave in one standard hour. Prepare yourselves mentally and go through your rituals of equipment. We will assemble in docking bay theta. Dismissed my brothers.""

Pericles gritted his teeth together. He had fought the Thousand Sons before, and considered himself adept to fighting them. The Sorcerer's on board of the battle barge would be truly formidable, like all Thousand Son Sorcerers. However it wouldn't be a problem, he was confident that the squad could handle them. However the real fight would be trying to reach them. The automaton like bodyguards that protected them could take a lot of punishment, the most effective way was to destroy them utterly.

He bowed to the Josephus before he left the room, heading for his quarters. As he entered he immediately set about his preparation. He meditated for a short period of time before donning his holy armour. He felt at home in his immense artificer armour, engraved and ornate. It had served him well and he knew that it would save his life more than once in this upcoming mission. He pulled up his psychic hood, to enhance his power and to help block out the whispers of chaos. They were ever constant, trying to lure powerful psykers to their cause.

He picked up his holy weapons next. First his bolt pistol that he placed in a holster on his side. He hoped he wouldn't have to use it, but then again how many mission had he have to use it? Too many for his count. Next he pulled his Holy Bolter out of its container, blessing the weapon. He lifted it psychically in the air while he retrieved its scope. He attached the scope and placed his bolter on a sling, finally placing it on his shoulder. Finally he turned to Tacet, his powerful and deadly force weapon. He lifted it in the air and marvelled at its beauty. He held out his hand, and the weapon sung through the air. He smiled and placed it on his belt. Silence he thought, aptly named. He looked to the engraving on his left gauntlet, A moment of Laxity Spawns a Lifetime of Heresy.

 

[The Psyker]

Exactly one hour later the entire squad was summoned and assembled in a three man pillar formation. The embarkation deck Theta was aflame with action, servitor crews ferried supplies to various ships. The squad was led towards a strange looking Thunderhawk Gunship. It had fewer weapons, but what remained looked ferocious none the less. The inside had been modified to carry the squad and a medicae bay. All extra space was taken up by compact teleportation generators, seven in all. This ship was designed for insertion only, painted a dull gray for limited visibility in the black of space.

Father Librarian Josephus stood at the front middle of the formation, marching them in perfect step twoards the craft. Standing amongst three of the senior Father Librarians was Chapter Master Azariah Vidya, holding in his hands a tall golden standard. Wrapped in a fine golden woven twine was a standard. They all stood stock straight, like statues carved from the deepest carmine stone inside the Reclusiam. As soon as Josephus halted the squad he made the sign of the aquila to the Chapter Master. The gesture was returned and then two of the father librarians stepped forward and even with hands encased in ceramite they took hold of the small tassles and gently pulled them. The three Father Librarians spoke in unison, sounding as one as the banner gently began come down from its rolling.

The banner unfurled, showing the symbol of the Ordo Pyskana. An ancient tome was spread wide on a plinth of blood red rock, the pages told of the Great Father Azariah Vidyas exploits and the beginnings of the Ordo Psykana. Above was the chapter symbol, encrusted in obsidian jewels that shone with a gleam. In the center was a large carmine tear drop woven from the most striking of red silks. Azariah Kyras stepped forward and presented Josephus with the standard, bowing his head as he did so. Josephus stepped forward and repeated the gesture. Once the standard switched hands the three Father Librarians stepped to one side. Chapter Master Kyras again made the sign of the Aquila and spoke in a booming voice.

We present to you the standard of The Ordo Psykana. Guard it well Father Librarian Josephus, for it will serve as an inspiration to the entire squad when things look most dire. Your squad is a fine group from the Librarium. The Chosen is what the Father Librarian would like this squad to be named. I agree! For you are picked among the librarium for your potential. You who are about to embark on this undertaking I and the entire Blood Ravens Chapter salute you!

Chapter Master Kyras and the Father Librarians gave the squad a respectful namaste. After this was done Kyras and the Father Librarians turned and made way twoards the battle barges Librarium. Father Josephus stepped turned on a heel, facing the squad. The look on his face was one of pride, HIS chosen were to go into battle and serve The Emperor on a most daring of tasks. He nodded and turned back around, giving the sharp order for them to march up the ramp. The standard was handed to a servitor drone that stood to the left of the entrance. The order to secure was given and Father Librarian Josephus watched as his squad complied with haste. Once all the Astartes were secured the Father Librarian would stop infront of each one, checking to see if weapons were stowed correctly and grav harnesses were fastened tight. As he did this he decided to go over the boarding plan with the crew.

We have much honor riding on our shoulders this day my brothers. For today the Chapter Master has entrusted us with the Ordo Psykanas' banner. We are its honor guard, should I fall in battle against this insidious foe Brother Pericles will take the standard of the squad. Brother Thantos, as senior you will take leadership until the mission is completed. The warp stirs, but shows me little of the future reguarding this undertaking... But that will not happen... We are all comming back to a heroes welcome aboard the Litany! Am I correct brothers? When we are close to the rogue ship we will activate the teleporation beacons that have been issued to you prior to entering the embarkation deck. I will percept the exact location of insertion and we will teleport. Its that simple my brothers, although we can expect HEAVY resistance once aboard. I want to hear everyone dispensing the Emperors justice once we are on the ship. Let us depart my brothers. Victory Awaits!

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Aboard the Ordo Hereticus Battle Barge Rictus...​

Lord Magnus will be pleased with your efforts Aspiring Sorcerer Heotep... Bring the page to specified location and once there we will concert our efforts into bringing a Prince of Tzeentch into this mortal coil. The sacrafice will be the inquisitior. His mind is ripe with power...

The Sorcerer on the other end howled a rasped laugh that sounded almost like the gurgling of some foul liquid. Heotep turned away from the flect' that had been projected through a puddle of imperial blood. Among him stood his retinue of twenty Rubric Marines. Heotep was a gifted sorcerer, through his will along controlling the entire retinue without the assistance of any other Aspiring Sorcerers. They stood stock still in their sealed suits of armor, reanimated ash destined to battle in the name of Tzeentch for the rest of their miserable existance. Ornate killing machines with no will of their own, created when Ahriman cast the Rubric of Ahriman. Yet this small force managed to take over an imperial battle barge, destroy the entire Adeptus Sororitas force aboard and take the Inquisitor alive. Heotep was going to have fun flaying the Imperial alive, slowly milking the man of all his secrets before offering what was left to Tzeentch.

My Lord...

Heotep turned to face a much smaller, mutated imperial cultist. He was dressed as a maintainence worker, well what was left of his imperial uniform told as much. The cultists' hair was sparse among his skull, the flesh of his face had began to sag in a most ghoulish way. His eyes now glowed with the ruinious powers, having fully embraced The Changer of Ways. The mutant bowed and took a step back, his voice low as not to disrespect his patron.

We have finished the rites of sacrafice. The Inquisitor is being prepared as I speak.

Heotep nodded his head, obviously pleased with how fast things were progressing. With a quick sweep of his hand he sent the cultist back to his endevours. It seemed as if the visions he had were merely illusions, nobody would stop him once they summoned the Daemonic Prince of Tzeentch. He sat down on the main control throne of the battle barge, looking over his Rubric squad. In the center of the bridge sat a containment field, inside was a page of untold age that depicted the rituals and procedures related to summoning a Daemonic Prince. Four especially ornate Thousand Sons stood guard over the field, sickly looking weapons and cursed bolters clutched in each hand. Heotep rested his gauntleted hands on both knees, a dry laughter escaping his lips.

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Aboard the Thunderhawk Gunship six hours later...​

What the Thousand Sons had failed to realize is that they were playing right into the Blood Ravens plans. Father Librarian Josephus sat in the gravity couch, restrained by his grav harness as the Thunderhawk continued towards the Battle Barge. Stealth systems were still keeping them below the barges scanners and auspex units. Built to elude even the most complicated of scanner technology the steath generator was, and so far it was working perfectly. Six minutes had ticked by since the ready rune began to chime in each marines comm unit, the coresponding symbol flashing in each marines visor. Josephus palmed the grav harnesses release pad, pulling himself from the grav throne. His steps were sure and practiced as he went about priming all six teleportation generators. The steady thrum of the generators assured Josephus that they would work, they had to work.

We are moments away brothers. On my mark release from the gravity thrones. Activate your beacons and stand infront of your teleportation generator. Once your teleportation generators rune glows your are to press the panel and teleport. Once this is done we will teleport onto the battle barge and proceed as planned. I wish you luck brothers, strike hard and strike fast. There are no loyalists on this barge, anything moves we are to eliminate it. Ready? MARK!

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Now aboard the Battle Barge Rictus...​

Josephus waited for the squad to rise and do as instructed before activating the safe guards on each generator. The runes began to flash one by one, Josephus pressed his rune panel as soon as it lit up. The world seemed to warp around him, the lights began to stream about him and solid objects began to blur. Through the immaterium he and his men drifted, using his perception to guide them aboard the battle barge Rictus. For what seemed like hours on end they would drift through the primordial realm, although it was mere seconds in actuallity. Suddenly the scenery would change from the green and black swirl of the warp into the pitted metal walls and utilitarian layout of a launch deck. Nausea followed and was suppressed quickly by his post human metabolism. Josephus drew his bolter and quickly scanned the area, supprised to see that they had teleported right into the middle of a group of cultists gathered around a makeshift altar dedicated to Tzeentch. Sisters of Battle that had been slain were mutilated and hung in a macabre around the crude shrine, each one of the cultists were chanting and raising autoguns in crys of exaltation.

SLAVES OF CHAOS! PREPARE YOURSELVES TO RECEIVE THE EMPERORS JUDGMENT! SQUAD OPEN FIRE!

The Father Librarians bolter began to spit out death at the first cultist to turn and raise his weapon in defense. The first round hit the man square in the chest, the sickening smack of wet flesh followed by the satisfying sucking sound of the cultist trying to take in air. Two more bolter rounds slammed into the man, exploding into his stomach and sending him sliding to the feet of his fellow chaos servants. The cultists seemed to turn as one, each of them induvidually mutated. Some now sported the heads of lizard like beasts, claws resembling a bird of preys as well as many other distinct mutations. The ones that were armed with autoguns began to open fire, sending a wall of rounds twoards Josephus and his squad. The ones that did not possess an autogun took up anything around them to use as weapons and charged blindly twoards the group.

FORM UP AND FIRE MY BROTHERS! AURIO I WANT YOUR MELTA GUN UP FRONT! THANTOS, FLAMER UP AS WELL! I want to smell cooked cultist NOW!

Rounds pinged and bounched off his armor, runes flashing in his visor as the cultists continued to lay down a steady stream of fire. The volume of projectiles was beginning to become more than an annoyance. Josephus took a few steps back, firing his bolter all the while. He located a stack of plasteel crates and gave the order to take cover using his auto senses. The corresponding rune would flash across the entire squads visors. Josephus crouched behind the edge of a crate and continued to lay down covering fire for his brothers.

 

[The Psyker]

Sorry for the delay gentlemen. My girlfriend came over to spend a few nights so I am posting when I can. You know how it is!

 

[emporershand89]

(OCC: so do we fight now??)

 

[The Psyker]

(Yeah. The squad has been transported aboard the battle barge. We're currently in the process of clearing the embarkation deck of cultists. I am figuring about one hundred heretics were in worship when the squad transported onto the barge. Pretty much post what your character does once he transports, this cultist slaughter is just us dipping our toes into the water. We're diving head first once the second cycle of posts are up.)

 

[Lord Ramo]

Pericles marched behind Father Josephus, mace rattling at his hip. They walked into a hanger bay where the Chapter Master stood with two other father librarians. He was impressed by the sight, who wouldn't be. However he had spoken to most Father Librarians before, and had even met the chapter master in person. He stood still as stone as the standard of the Order Psykana changed hands.

Soon they marched onto the awaiting transport, a heavily modified steed to hold teleport bays and the such. As Pericles took his seat Father Librarian Josephus began to talk. We have much honor riding on our shoulders this day my brothers. For today the Chapter Master has entrusted us with the Ordo Psykanas' banner. We are its honor guard, should I fall in battle against this insidious foe Brother Pericles will take the standard and leadership of the squad. But that will not happen... We are all comming back to a heroes welcome aboard the Litany! Am I correct brothers? When we are close to the rogue ship we will activate the teleporation beacons that have been issued to you prior to entering the embarkation deck. I will percept the exact location of insertion and we will teleport. Its that simple my brothers, although we can expect HEAVY resistance once aboard. I want to hear everyone dispensing the Emperors justice once we are on the ship. Let us depart my brothers. Victory Awaits!

Pericles was honoured to be chosen as the venerable Father Librarians chosen one, to take command of the squad if Josephus fell in battle. However he knew that he wouldn't fall. None of the Blood Ravens would fall, yet there was some disturbance in the warp. Maybe I will fall, if so then I will die for the Emperor.

We are moments away brothers. On my mark release from the gravity thrones. Activate your beacons and stand infront of your teleportation generator. Once your teleportation generators rune glows your are to press the panel and teleport. Once this is done we will teleport onto the battle barge and proceed as planned. I wish you luck brothers, strike hard and strike fast. There are no loyalists on this barge, anything moves we are to eliminate it. Ready? MARK!

Pericles abandoned his grav throne and gently floated over to his teleport. He waited until the generators runes glowed before hitting the activation button. He closed his eyes for the briefest of seconds, before he came crashing down onto the deck. Behind him Josephus bellowed at the chaos scum that surrounded them. Josephus gave the order to fire and Pericles raised his bolter. He opened fire rounds shredding through so many cultists, their measily return fire pinging gently off his armour. He kept up his field of fire, mowing down any who neared him or the squad.

Soon the amount of fire would start to penetrate his suit of blessed armour, so with this in mind he found some cover in the form of crates, next to Josephus. He fired, still taking down targets.

 

[heartslayer]

We are moments away brothers. On my mark release from the gravity thrones. Activate your beacons and stand infront of your teleportation generator. Once your teleportation generators rune glows your are to press the panel and teleport. Once this is done we will teleport onto the battle barge and proceed as planned. I wish you luck brothers, strike hard and strike fast. There are no loyalists on this barge, anything moves we are to eliminate it. Ready? MARK!

As he teleported Lucius felt the presence of many beings surrounding them in the warp, then they appeared in the Embarkation deck of the battle barge to find himself surrounded by a hundred or so cultists, the very sight of these worshippers of chaos sickened Lucius to the stomach and with an upwards flick of his right arm he used his psychic abilities to activate the gauntlet mounted launcher for his triskele and watched the deadly blade decapitate three cultists in one great arc before returning to the resting spot on Lucius' Gauntlet.

Lucius Drew his mirrorsword and awaited the father Librarians orders and firing his triskele repetitively not wanting to break the line. He watched as one cultist after the other fell at the hands oh his blessed Triskele and smirked at the ease with which these cultists fell, he let out a scream of hate 'Where are your beloved gods now, you traitorous scum'

 

[Captain Stillios]

Aurio felt the familiar feeling of warp transition for what seemed like eternity and a second at the same time untill he appeared aboard the Traitors ship on the far right side of the line, rising he saw that the squad was faced with almost one hundred cultists.

Even before the Father Librarian ordered the squad to fire, Aurio drew Ilea from behind him and opened fire into the mass of heretics before him reducing them to piles of molten slag.
Suddenly a group of what looked like a dozon cultists appeared to Aurio's right and crashed into him causing him to take a step back and knocking Ilea from his grasp, this allowed more cultists to swarm him and force him off balance and to his knees.

Blows crashed onto his chest, shoulders and helmet threatening to knock him to the floor, he new if that happened then he was as good as dead, Aurio grabbed one cultists head and dragged him in the way of an incoming crowbar all the while trying to think of a way to get out if his situation and get enough room to draw Siloe.

And then it came to him....

An idea that he had only seen used once before by a Librarian of the Sable Swords chapter, as he used his body to try to hold off the cultists his mind was hard at work slowly opening himself to the warp and letting power surge through him.

"Where there is uncertainty, I shall bring light" Aurio murmured

He sent trails of energy out into the room gathering a little heat from many source's such as the air, the cultists, his brothers and many others.

"Where there is doubt, I shall sow faith" Aurio grunted with the effort, he had not realised the effort this would take.

He recalled the questing trails back into himself and began to bind them together.

"Where there is shame, I shall point atonement!" Aurio said loudly the strain evident in his voice as the power surged within him and the cultists beat on his mighty form.

He bound all of the threads of power together into a cacoon of power.

"Where there is rage, I shall show its course!" Aurio yelled over the roar of weapons fire and the cultists chanting.

He sent the cacoon cascading over his armour untill it fit like a glove.

"My word in the soul shall be as my bolter in the field!" Aurio roared over the din being heard clearly by all in the room
"FOR THE EMPEROR AND THE UNKNOWN PRIMARCH!!"

And he ignited the energy.


Fire many times hotter than Ilea's fire enveloped him, dozens of cultists were burned and more drew back in fear as Aurio strode forwards finally drawing Siloe and diving into combat as fire streaked up his blades surface, sweeping his burning sword left and right cutting and cleaving many cultists Aurio realised that he had held his part of the line and better, he had forced them back and now had ample room to fight without the fire.

But somthing was wrong, when he tried to smother the flames they burned brighter, when he tried to reduce the energy they blazed hotter, panic hit him, why would they not go out, the fire now started to burn through the shield he had placed around himself and he could feel the heat as warning signs lit up on his HUD.
Aurio looked over at the Father Librarian for guidance but he was to busy fighting the Heretics to help, using a monumental effort Aurio managed to reduce the fires intensity but agony still coursed through him.

He felt himself rising slightly from the ground as wild energys lashed out around him, somhow Ilea found its way back into his hand.
'The alter...destroy it' he thought desperatly, pulling Ilea up to his shoulder and aiming carefully down the sights Aurio calmed himself, waited for the brief moment in between his duel heartbeats and pulled the trigger as he fell to his knees, the fires sputtered and died as the melta blast hit the shrine and melted it to ash, seeing his work was done Aurio dragged himself behind the crates which the Father Librarian fad indicated and wearily provided supporting fire to tired and drained to do much more.
'I hope one of the others an heal me'

 

[emporershand89]

Mirakia’s world rematerialized in a flash of light and before him kneeled hundreds of cultists in the middle of worship to their fowl gods. Rage started to fill Mirakia, and the Father’s command to open fire didn’t help quell it either. Mirakia tuend his plasma pistol on whole groups of cultists that came streaming towards them as water falls from the skies of Terra. Each cultist he killed gave a sense of satisfaction to his tortured soul, allowing him peace in the work of the Emporer. He advanced as he saw Pericles and Lucius dive into combat, slaughtering cultists in droves for the Emporer, and the father librarian began smiting the unholy with the psalms of the Emporer on his lips.

Mirakia attached his pistol to his mag belt and drew Narsil te Emporer, activating the rune as he cut a particularly well armored cultists in half. Moving along he cut, stabbed, swiped, backhanded, and skewered the unholy enemy; chanting his favorite verse. “A spiritu dominatus, Domine, libra nos, from the lighting and the tempest, Our Emperor, deliver us. From plague, temptation and war, Our Emperor, deliver us, from the scourge of the Kraken, Our Emperor, deliver us.”

It was then he saw Aurio go to his knee. He had blasted the unholy shrine of the Chaos god Khorne to pieces, but it seemed to have drained him. He slunk against some crates(makeshift bleachers) where he was slowly being surrounded by cultists. If help didn’t get to him soon, things would go badly for him and the rest of the squad. Mirakia dug deep within himself, finding the power he needed, and sent it reeling towards Aurio. Aurio didn’t even flinch(which surprised even Mirakia) as the lightning formed a barrier around him, protecting him from the advancing cultists.

“Now face me, you cowards who would kill a wounded lamb, but not fight a wolf. Fight me now, in the Emporers name!!” Hearing this, the cultists charged as one at Mirakia, intent on gutting him in the name of their foul gods. Just what I needed, Mirakia thought as he let the barrier drop. Summoning all the power he had he created a wall of blue, crackling power and hurled it at the cultists.

Most didn’t even have time to react as the wall picked them up and smash scores of them into the opposing wall. The bay became empty, the wall opposite Mirakia covered in so much flesh and sinew that it dripped into a small pond at the bottom. Mirakia ran over to Aurio, putting his hand on his armor and slowly letting what remaining power he could spare flow into him and help him heal.

 

[deathbringer]

(Just protocol in the rp forums is for OOC posts to be editted into a post of placed in the recruitment thread)

3 gods stood before him, pillars of knowledge, immense power lay within those 6 eyes, power he would one day emulate, pillars he hoped to one day cast in the shadow of his magnificance. Yet the day was far away centuries of learning, of trials and tribulations were to come before he could reach such magesty.

They spoke in unison these 3 sires of old the chapter master loudest of all his voice clear, the commanding strike a hammer upon steel, his words clashing upon his ears boring into his very soul. The banner rippled slightly as he swelled at the thought of fighting along side it, nay he would not let the banner fall, for to do so would be an insult upon his honor.

He half wanted to reach out to touch the fine twine that comprised it, to trace fingers along the intricate weave that ran together like strands of fate. He wanted to touch them, to feel the weight of the hands that made this symbol of strength and power. Yet the banner was clamped in the father librarians hand, straight in his iron grip and Aaron knew that none would touch it friend or foe, whilst it remained in the fathers charge.

His eyes remained resolutely forward his hands frozen at his side yet his mind swelled with lust, lust to touch that sacred relic, lust to bask in its glory, lust to exceed and superceed his forebears. The newest page of his life's saga flickered before his eyes, unspoilt white parchment, the smell of youth,freshness wafted across his mind. Yet above it all a drop of blood red ink lingered, poignant, read to fall at his slightest touch.

____________________________________________________________

His hands new the workings of the generator and he waited for the rune to flash, his beacon activated, he was ready. Mounting excitement pounding adrenaline seeping through his mind heightening his sense. A bead of sweat rolled down the his temple glistening translucent over the pale skin snaking down towards the flushed skin of his cheeks bones, red with anticipation falling from the delicate point of his chin to spatter upon the floor.

The rune flashed inviting and he felt the thump of a fist as the father hammered upon it.

His own hands moved, slowly, pale ghostly fingers rising
His chest heaved inside the armour, anticipation a dog desperate to be set loose

With ceremonial slowness he raised the psychic hood over his head, the edge blocking his peripheral vision. He was in a tunnel, and the tunnel lead to the flickering light of the button

His hand snaked out faster, eager a greyhound that has started the chase it flashed towards the button, then stopped halted by the weight of hopes and dreams.

Was he ready for this?

His finger stabbed outwards, a knee jerk reaction, a personal impulse

Yes...
_________________________________________________________

He arrived last screams, the bark of bolters and blood spattered the floor, glistening red liquid seeping from the open chest of a cultist.

He froze his eyes fixed upon the torn lifeless heart, another soul culled in the name of the imperium. He was held motionless for a moment by the intensity the sudden furious assualt of sights and sounds, the tang of pain and violence that rippled through the air underlined by the sour sweetness of eternal oblivion.

He stared in horror at the beaked form of a cultist the toppled forward bloodgushing from between its eyes its corpse twitching the spasm of its foot knocking the dismembered limb of a valiant sister whose face was stretched in horror her lips torn away to leave a gaping maw.

He swayed slightly as an autogun round crashed into his chest, mbedding itself within his power armour and his head twitched jerking towards a cultist whose eyes were fixed upon him, his hands frantically working to slam another magazine into the weapon. Aaron's piercing blue eyes were ice, beautiful freezing cold pools of emotionless void.

The bastard had shot him. For the first time he realised his bolt pistol was in his hand and he raised it aiming carefully at the cultist whose hands had stopped working, his eyes frozen in horror intoxicated by the intensity of his gaze. The pistol cracked as it fired, the recoil a live puppy wriggling in his hand yet his arm was strong and the shot whipped past the cultists left ear.

Confusion seeped through him, he had missed, yet instinctively his aim was recalibrating his arm moving almost of its own accord and he pulled the trigger his eyes fixed upon the cultists widening eyes.as the bullet lanced through the air towards him.

The left eye of the cultist, a murky dark brown seemed to buckle the round dissappearing in a spatter of blood and the cultist dropped, toppled out of sight, the autogun clattering upon the floor, the sounds swept away in the vengeful howls of the accursed and the righteous screams of his brethren.

the first kill.... it was done, that single left eye blooted the purity of his saga and a new beginning was written.

_____________________

A voice rang breaking the stillness, over rding the clamour and the loud blast aspistol bucked again the shot tearing into the mdirff of a culitst as he pushed forwards to join the mass of his brothers


FORM UP AND FIRE MY BROTHERS! AURIO I WANT YOUR MELTA GUN UP FRONT! THANTOS, FLAMER UP AS WELL! I want to smell cooked cultist NOW!

Aaron turned staring, his pistol laying down round after round into the seething mass of mismatched parts, mutations and torsos blast after blast wrenching at his should as he stared around at the carnage which suddenly blossomed in a wreath of fire and he turned to see brother Aurio lost in a mass of flame which seemed to build and build and he felt his panic, his sensing dread as he lost control of the mass momenarily.

"Dickhead" thought aaron, his thoughts crystal "using sorcery beyond ones powers was a sign of incompetence, a sign of stupidity"

His little "act" had left the father's plan compromised, their progress initially hatened by the lancing flame that had enveloped there flows slowed by a wounder brother and now relying soully upon the might of the brothers flamer. His hand sprung to the melta at his side his bolt pistol sliding back onto his belt and he sprung forwards into the gap left by their brother his own melta gripped firmly in two hands he felt its familar weight as he aimed into the throng

"Eat this" he grunted as he pressed down the trigger send a lance of white flame into there midst

 

[The Psyker]

(Since Deus isnt posting until August 9th his character is going to be left in the embarkation deck as a rearguard until he is able to post once more... And another note is some of you guys are unleashing some powerful attacks. You know who you are. Keep in mind that you are only epistolaries so it'd be very difficult to unleash those kinds of attacks, and the abillity for a psyker to heal someone is unheard of. So keep those points in mind.)

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- Embarkation Deck/Central Corridor -​

It had all happened so fast... All of his fellows that had been sent to the embarkation deck to worship. Having been instructed to build mutilate and build a foul altar to Tzeentch and chant a foul sounding supplication until summoned once more. They were beginning the ceremony of offering the flesh of the dead to his new patron god. Already Paulus could feel the creeping change that had began to manifest in a few of his fellow worshipers. They were amalgations of reptillian and bird like parts. A grosteque menagerie of half human creatures all dedicated to The God of Ruinous Change. The ceremony was in its mid stages, the chants becoming faster and the palapable evil in the air growing ever stronger. That is until the whip crack of energized air and the smell of ozone powerful enough to mask the stench of blood and corrupting flesh. The cultist turned around and could'nt believe his eyes, Astartes appearing from nowhere right before his eyes. In the next few seconds Paulus could feel his pulse pounding inside of his skull. Immediately he could feel beads of sweat begin to form on his face and forehead. It had gotten considerably hotter since the astartes began to appear. He slowly picked his way through the back row of worshipers until the distinct sound of a bolter opening up interupted the ritualistic chanting. Now he broke out in a full run twoards the small emergency hatch that led to a corridor that would lead them to his masters. Ducking through, a mass of bolter shells followed him and pinged off the bulkhead as he passed into the relative safety of the huge corridor. He started off in a frenzied run, his mind set on alerting the Thousand Sons of the intruders. All the while he ran he continued to scream out warnings to the hidden masters that concealed themselves in sorcerous shadow.

THE CURSED EMPERORS ASTARTES HAVE COME! DOOM WILL VISIT UNGH...

Paulus looked down at his stomach and through the haze that started to fill his eyes he picked out distinct features of a bolter. A sickly looking bayonett extended a few inches from his lower back, vital fluids dripping from the chaos marines blade. His face contorted in a look of painful disbelief, why did his masters turn on him? He groaned once more as the blade was shoved forward and wrenched the other way in two quick motions. He fell forward onto his knees, the vitae beginning to flow up his throat and pool in his mouth. He could mutter no words as he bled out, finally falling forward onto the boot of a Thousand Son. The bolter weilding sentry had found a cultist running from battle and decided to offer his cowardly spirit to the warp. The Rubric Marine slowly marched forward twoards the sound of battle, the Aspiring Sorcerer controlling the number of marines in the area seeing everything that his squad saw through the psychic manipulation used to control the cursed suit of sealed ash. As he walked the Rubric Marine was flanked by three other astartes like himself. Cursed to do the Aspiring Sorcerers bidding without question they continue to walk on, their disembodied voices sound even more eerie through the suit vox. All of them began to chant supplication to Magnus and yell out sorcerous curses as they continued to make their way to the embarkation deck...

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- Embarkation Deck -​

Josephus continued to lace the line of defending cultists with practiced bursts of fire. Every bolter round found its mark, mass reactive shells sending bits of cultist about the immediate area of the embarkation deck. The return fire was brutal and whittled away at the stack of crates that Pericles and himself had taken cover behind. He had not expected these cultists to be there, but then again the sorcerers of the Thousand Sons was throwing up perceptive barriers against him. He could'nt get a psychic read from the cultists, relying on his auto senses to tally the enemies number for him. He heard the sharp whistle of Lucius' Triskele blaze through the air and the sickening thump of the blade dismembering and decapitating all cultists in his way. He watched the young astartes draw his mirrorsword and look to Josephus. The Father Librarian merely held up his left fist as to tell Lucius to hold his position, yelling over the deafening clap of autorifle and bolter fire.

Steady Brother Lucius! There will be plenty of time for your blade to taste blood! Keep your triskele whistling my brother, you are slaying our foe thrice over with each throw!

He turned to Pericles and used Astartes battle sign to signal for him to throw a grenade... That is until he heard Aurio began to chant a verse that had once spilled from The Emperors holy lips himself. It was too late for Josephus to percive the Epistolaries actions until Aurio threw himself out into the line of fire. He stood up and yelled for the battle brothers in cover to lay down even more fire against the cultists. He heard the grenade the Pericles threw explode near the back line of cultists throwing chunks of flesh and limbs all around. He patted Pericles on his ceramite shoulder plate in congratulations and then an intense heat that sent a psychic imprint in his minds eye. He was about to dive into the fire and pull the brash young astartes from his foolish errand when he saw Mirakia step forward and perform an equally foolish display of his minds pent up power. He felt the other sorcerers aboard the ship rejoice in the sheer power of the warp that the Blood Ravens exuded. At this rate they would be able to turn half of Josephus' squad easilly. He read Brother Aarons mind clearly as day, noting that the young one had a bearing of leadership. He chastised Aaron through thought, his voice ringing harshly in the young mans head.

Brother Aaron. I will see some discipline! Even though two of our fellow battle brothers decide on cavalier tactics does not mean you can give them rebuke. Although I do agree with some of your words... We will speak like that no more. Understood?

The Father Librarian waited until Mirakia and Aaron eliminated the last of the cultists. The stink was evident even though the oxygen recycling filter was working as hard as it could to filter outside contaminants. He stepped out of cover and walked towards Aaron, patting him on the shoulder plate as well. He seemed pleased with the members of his squad that decided NOT to break battle discipline. On the other hand there was Mirakia and Aurio, the firebrands of his squad. He motioned for Pericles and Thanatos forward, the latter had arrived a few moments after the battle started and took cover expertly picking off cultists with disciplined fire.

Brother Pericles and Brother Thanatos... Pick through the dead and kill any survivors. Once finished, Pericles will form up with the rest of the squad and Brother Thanatos will stay behind as a rear guard. No complaints Thanatos, you're the one that is going to make sure we all get out of here alive. Brother Aaron, you have made your first kill. I commend you on the nature of your first victim in the battle against chaos. I hope this is one of millions that fall beneath your bolters divine fire! But for now I need you and Brother Lucius to cover the entrance, anything that comes through the door is dead. Do you two understand? Brother Aurio... Brother Mirakia. I will have words with you NOW.

Josephus stepped to the side, a good ways away from the group before turning to face the two epistolaries that had followed him and stood shoulder to shoulder in a relaxed stance of attention. Josephus narrowed his eyes while he looked at the two. Pacing back and forth while speaking in a most annoyed tone of voice. His presence was magnified tenfold by his ancient suit of power armor and the chapter banner now afixed between his shoulder blades by a magnetic slot for just such an occasion. He had holstered his bolter on the mag pad located just below his waist, crossing both arms whilst he paced back and forth.

Never in all my five hundred years serving the chapter have I seen such a foolhardy use of your abillity. You've taken everything you have learned and spat on it. Never again will I even so much as hear a rumor that you've used the Divination of Flame. Otherwise you will be censured and stripped of your rank in the librarium. I am talking to you Brother Aurio! And Brother Mirakia... I know you were defending a fellow battle brother. But I eschewed the use of psychic energies for a reason. We are fighting a sinister foe that will bend your powers against you, turn you to chaos and turn you against your brothers. I've seen it happen to even the best of librarians. As punishment I SHOULD make you stay here as rear guard. But I... NO we need you two to follow orders to the T and unleash your pent up energies only when I give you leave to do so. We are Blood Ravens, not a sorcerous rabble like our foes... Now get back in formation, and do not try any stunts like that again.

By the time Josephus had finished his lecture both Pericles and Thanatos had finished with the mercy killings. He signed for the squad to form up in a staggered pillar pattern, falling in the front next to Pericles. Lucius and Aaron stood next in the collumn postion. Mirakia and Aurio next. Josephus gave the order to commence and started to walk forward. He drew his ancient Scorpion Chainsword and compressed the rune where his index finger rested. The blade gave an eerie whirring noise as he primed the weapon for battle. Moments later the squad would come into the corridor via the gaping bulkhead that was malfunctioned and unable to close. He halted the squad a few moments later, feeling a ripple in the psyche that permeated the battle barge. As he forced himself through the psychic fog he realized a chilling revelation. The Rubric marines had been obscured by shadow, and thus luring the squad into a perfect spiders web. The Father Librarian turned to tell the rest of the squad to be carefull when the angry coughing roar of a chainsword crushed the uneasy quiet that had fallen over them. It was only through luck raw and pure did Josephus lift his blade to deflect the deformed teeth of the chaos chainblade with his own eldar chainsword. He was thrown of balance at the prodigious strength the Rubric Marine possesed. He roared in anger as he gained his footing and pushed off meeting the Rubric Marines blade with his. Sparks flew and motivators hissed as both blades fought to overpower one another. Behind the rest of the squad four more shadows melted away from the wall and the rubric squad fell onto The Chosen for some brutal melee.

 

[Lord Ramo]

Pericles whipped around the corner of one the crates offering protection for him and Josephus and fired his holy bolter, watching as more and more cultists were reduced to gore and gristle. He nodded his head approvingly and moved back into cover as the measly return fire increased in tempo. He looked over at Josephus who signalled for him to lob a grenade. He tore one of the krak grenades from his belt before standing and priming it. "MEET THY DOOM TRAITORS!" He bellowed throwing the grenade past the damaged form of his brother Aurio. He felt a pat on his shoulder and turned to look towards Josephus. He had impressed the Father Librarian with his following of orders.

He watched as the last of the cultists fled from the mighty Astartes. Pericles stood, slinging his weapon of death and awaited his superiors orders. As soon as he received orders to go and kill all the injured cultists. He moved forth nodding his head to Josephus as he passed him. When he chanced upon any injured he would simply stamp on their heads, crushing them underneath his foot. He moved through them, stamping upon each and every head. He was glad that Josephus had placed the honour of taking over, if anything should happen to his superior, though Pericles would make sure that nothing happened to him. He would rather die then allow his commander to die.

After he finished this he moved over to the rest of the squad awaiting at the door. They passed through it, leaving Thanatos behind to guard their rear. He passed through, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. It was difficult for him to use his powers to help though, feeling the raw power of the chaos that was at work here. He slipped his mace into his hand, just as Josephus was attacked by a rubric marine. Four more attacked from the rear cutting off any line off retreat. Pericles immediately charged straight towards one a prayer to the Emperor on his lips. He swung his mace in an ark straight towards it, just to have it blocked by a long cruel looking dagger. Pericles leapt to the left, his mace flying straight downwards trying to find a weakness he could employ.

 

[emporershand89]

Never in all my five hundred years serving the chapter have I seen such a foolhardy use of your abillity. You've taken everything you have learned and spat on it. Never again will I even so much as hear a rumor that you've used the Divination of Flame. Otherwise you will be censured and stripped of your rank in the librarium. I am talking to you Brother Aurio! And Brother Mirakia... I know you were defending a fellow battle brother. But I eschewed the use of psychic energies for a reason. We are fighting a sinister foe that will bend your powers against you, turn you to chaos and turn you against your brothers. I've seen it happen to even the best of librarians. As punishment I SHOULD make you stay here as rear guard. But I... NO we need you two to follow orders to the T and unleash your pent up energies only when I give you leave to do so. We are Blood Ravens, not a sorcerous rabble like our foes... Now get back in formation, and do not try any stunts like that again.

Mirakia felt the punishing embrace of the Father Librarians psychic and knew we was going to be punished later for his choice to go against orders. Still, I am a loyal servant of the Emporer, and will do what’s necessary to defeat my enemy, he thought hoping he wouldn’t have to cross the line again. He fell in as the squad moved out of the embarkation deck and into the hallway, following the lead of the Father Librarian.

Mirakia was thinking of why exactly the Father needed to restrict his curse even though it could be used against the foes of the Emporer. Then he felt a slight ting in the psychic weave of the ship. He was just about to prod when a wicked serrated chain sword descended on the Father Librarian, who barely deflected it with his eldaric weapon. Suddenly four shadows detached themselves away from the wall behind Mirakia, he pulled his plasma pistol and put some shots into the closest one. The shot went right through the figure as he was made of nothing but darkness.

“Have at thee, scum,” Mirakia roared as he pulled his blessed Narsil te Emporer and ran into the fray at the figure, intent on finding a way to kill this new foe.