Rosetta - A Warhammer 40,000 Story

Part IV

Celestian Rosetta sat there in the confines of an Aquila lander with the rest of her squad. With her, the squad now numbered eight and served as Lady Mirabel's bodyguard and command squad in the field.

She inspected her bolter with contempt while Praetor laid his massive head on her lap. In the week since her promotion, the two have grown fond of each other. It would seem that Praetor loved Rosetta almost as much as he loved his master.

He yawned as Rosetta removed the clip from her hallowed weapon and found ashes, soot and dirt. She put the clip on the great lion's mane without any reaction from the bored lion. Then she reached into a pouch on her side and drew a small, metallic brush.

As she cleaned her gun, the others all checked their weapons and equipment in the same manner. The place was silent save for the constant rumble of the ship's engines. They did little to show emotion in such times instead each warrior primed herself for battle.

It was an eerie experience for Rosetta. Never before has she experienced such independence. Then again, never before was she permitted such autonomy. Life as a Celestian differed drastically from the regimented life of a Battle Sister.

In many ways it was disturbing. Many of the habits that had been drilled into her all her life were now merely expected instead of ordered. Even her duties were relinquished to those supposedly bellow her.

She cringed and shook her troubled mind of it. She blew away the last of the mess and pulled the trigger repeatedly to test the gun. She whispered a prayer of blessings to the weapon as it worked perfectly.

Then she turned her gaze to the vision port behind her. Through it, she could see the golden light of the morning sun shined through the tiny slit in the wall. She inspected it closer to view the battle raging far below.

The darkened surface flickered and flashed with the light of hundreds of detonations. The war for Helios boded well for the Imperial forces across the planet. None could expect any less of them. Now Mirabel aims to cut the head off of the snake.

The door to the cockpit opened and out came Mirabel herself. Fully recovered and battle ready. As she stepped into the light Rosetta took her clip off of Praetor and loaded into her bolter. Soon all arose to their feet. Praetor himself rose to watch his master keenly.

"Sisters, our mission is a most important one. Both the Ecclesiarchy and the Inquisition have requested the aid of our holy order. Our mission now is to seek out and capture one of these mysterious Guardian Knights and bring them to the capital for... Interrogation."

Rosetta donned her helm and stayed silent and still but the others grew restless.

"Ugh, they're heretics traitors humanity and his holy light why must we spare them justice?" Ranted one Celestian.

"Easy, Lara. We all know the plan. Have faith, we will have justice... but first, they must be brought to heel. To combat these heretics, the Ordo Hereticus has intervened. This is an honour Sisters. Be vigilant Sisters. Our foe is most nefarius in nature." Mirabel proclaimed.

She paused as she watched the Aquila lander dove through the clouds. All went dark and red lights all around the compartment lit up. In the red-lit troop compartment, everyone stood at the ready as they faced the rear assault ramp.

Through a hail of pitiful musket fire, the landers swooped in fast and low. Heavy bolters blasted away at pathetic defences as they landed on the keep. Without delay, the ramps dropped, thirty-six Celestians poured out onto the roof alongside the Canoness and her beast.

Firing Meltas directly into the floor and jumping through the resulting holes they rushed their way down the tower. Bolters and flamers held the enemy at bay while they blew through floor after floor to reach the great hall which was usually placed at ground level.