Two Terras

Council

A day before the Imperial Guard lands...

Ustalvar watched the Imperial Guard Lander's release their moorings and descend. He turned back to the assembled captains and lieutenants, he looked over them. It was strange to see the firstborn captains dwarfed by their subordinates. The Primaris Lieutenants towered a full head above their superiors, but held the attitude of new recruits. Ustalvar strode into the gathering, silencing the mutters between Captains and Lieutenants. "Brothers. It has recently come to the attention of our astropaths that the light of the Astronomicon is gone, They say it is because of our location in time but I say it is a sign, a sign that the Emperor is testing us. His beacon is gone because He wishes to find our weaknesses and our fallacies, He wants us to now our limits. And surpass them." Ustalvar paused, letting the moment sink in. "I know many of you were not appreciative of the order we have received, to abandon our long vigil to enter the Dread Stars. I know many of you were infuriated at the machinations of those vile Eldar, the machinations that have trapped us far from our Lord." He turned to regard every man, every wizened and aged face. Every prideful, arrogant, yet hopeful face. "I speak to you now. Forget those childish follies, and regard this as a trial of blood and fire. An assessment of our will, an examination of our faith." The Astartes nodded and murmured agreement. All but one. He stepped forward, facing the Chapter Master. Captain Durist of the 5th Company spoke in his baritone voice, the echo of the room projecting it to all. "You speak madness my lord, we are trapped in another time and space altogether. The Emperor is not watching, he does not even exist at this point. My Chaplain has interrogated one of the natives. He says the year is 2050."

Ustalvar stopped, he looked straight at the captain, Ustalvar took a step forward. His lieutenants paused as well, feet shifting and stepping back. Ustalvar shot them a glance, but they were not his priority. "What? I ordered that mortal to be sent to me. Not for you to take her." Durist stood his ground. "We had to check for purity, never has the unclean set foot on this vessel my lord. I'd like to keep it that way." Durist was calm, but Ustalvar was not. Durist was an exemplary warrior, but Ustalvar was better. Durist never saw the fist that connected with his unhelmed nose coming. He fell back with a cry, blood spurting from the wound. His lieutenant moved to help him up but Durist shoved the fellow Astartes off. The blood flow stopped in seconds, Astartes physiology clotting it instantly. Ustalvar took a deep breath, but muted its sound. "Bring the mortal to me immediately, then report for penal duties." Ustalvar looked at the lieutenant closest to Durist. "You. Take his place." Ustalvar then looked to the other. "I respect your loyalty to me, but a lieutenant who does not trust his direct superior has no use to me. See that this never occurs again." Ustalvar then turned to the rest of the assembled Astartes. "Prepare your men, orders will be dispatched soon."

Presently...

Brother Beloph sat still, silent. His sword rested on his knees, the censer in his hand wafted small streams of smoke along the blade's edge. "Holy weapon, awaken. Holy instrument of war, bring death to my foes. Holy blade of my Emperor slake your thirst with the blood of His enemies." Beloph muttered. He finished the ritual and clipped the censer to his belt, still wafting sweet smoke. He stood, tabbard shifting and his armor made miniscule growls. The Bladeguard Veteran placed his helm and shifted the hood of his robe to cover it. He took up his blade and shield before exiting his room. "Finished brother?" Shamnail asked, the fellow Bladeguard wore no helm, instead favoring his hood. Beloph nodded and both men strode to the launching bays, mortal deck crew pressed themselves against the walls to make way for the two giants. Beloph ignored them, but Shamnail looked at one and smiled. "Do you love the Emperor?" He asked, the small man nodded profusely. Beloph stopped and looked back. "Leave the poor man alone Shamnail. We have a war to wage." Shamnail turned away, leaving the mortal cowering in his wake. "You're no fun brother." Shamnail pouted, but they both walked on without incident. 

Beloph strode up the Ramp and faced the imposing form of Veteran Sergeant Saphaal, he stood with a Mk VII helmet in place of Beloph's standard issue helm. Saphaal had crossed the rubicon primaris years ago, going from a firstborn marine to an enhanced Primaris Marine. "You're late." He growled. Beloph nodded and bowed his head. "Apologies, I will not let it happen again." His response satisfied Saphaal, so they both sat down inside of the Thunderhawk's spacious hold. A squad of ten Intercessors joined them shortly, behind them trooped a squad of Aggressors. Beloph recognized the face of Brother-Sergeant Silenus. Sepal stood immediately, embracing Silaeus. "Brother! It has been to long." The two old marines sat beside each other, and began to reminisce over old glories. Both had crossed the Rubicon, and while their physical forms had changed their minds remained solid. Beloph only half listened, instead speaking in quiet tones with Shamnail. Finally, the Thunderhawk shuddered and began to rotate. Beloph settled in for the atmospheric drop but as the ramp closed it halted. Beloph spotted the black clad armored form of a chaplain, though the mans name eluded him. A quick scan from his helm gave him a name however. Chaplain Kiraman walked in and sat beside Beloph, silent menace radiating from him. Then heavy footsteps rocked the Thunderhawk, the hulking form of a Redemptor Dreadnought ducked in the hissing percussion of his macro plasma cannon making Beloph's hair stand up. "Move over little brothers." Shamnail and his big mouth responded, "And why would that be old man?" The Dreadnought paused and half turned to Shamnail. "I have been awoken from a particularly good dream involving two Sisters of Battle." Shamnail said nothing, but a smile began to crease his features. The Dreadnought sighed heavily. "Twins they were."