The Astalan Crusade

[Marshal Varas Mortez]

Marshal Mortez stood on the bridge of his ship, the strike cruiser, the Divinus Viator. He gazed out of the main viewing screen. His eyes focussed on the planet below, its large areas of dark green predominant from orbit. The world was Astalan III and it was primarily an agri-world, they had been received a distress call and had come to investigate.

A figure walked up beside him, and stood to his right. The new figure did not utter a word, merely stood there in silence. Eventually Mortez turned to look at the man beside him.

Chaplain Isaac was an imposing figure, his face was heavily scarred and his shaved head just added to his menacing appearance. He was and Mortez had been fighting together for many years.

“Brother-Chaplain Isaac, are the men ready?” Mortez asked. Isaac nodded his head.

“Yes Marshal, they are in prayer and the neophytes are fastening the weapons to the initiates. They will not lose their tools of death during the battle.” Isaac said smiling slightly.

“Very well prepare the Thunderhawks, leave squad Lucan and Mordred aboard ready for deployment by drop pod, and do the same for Jarold.” Mortez said. “We may need the ancient before the days is done.” Mortez said, speaking of brother Jarold. Isaac nodded before turning and walking from the bridge.

 

Varas Mortez of the Black Templar’s had been in the Emperors service for over a hundred years. His combat abilities were matched only by his tactical acumen. He was often seen as very grim and ruthless however it was these qualities as well as a good relationship with his men that had led to his elevation as Marshal over fifty years earlier.

His strength and skill lent themselves well to him in close combat and he had earned the respect of his men many times over, leading by example at the front of the conflict where the most danger was.

 

Mortez walked towards the launch bays, passing where the strike cruiser’s drop pods were kept. The squads of Lucan and Mordred were standing beside them ready to mobilize if needed. They bowed their heads as he approached and he nodded to them, at recognition of their show of respect. “My brothers, it cannot be known what will occur on the planet surface. Chaplain Isaac shall remain on the ship with Safir and his squad of the sword brethren. He will relay the order if you must deploy. Think upon the words of Chaplain Isaac, his, is the wisdom of the crusade. No Pity, No Remorse, No Fear!” He shouted, and the war cry of the chapter was roared back, he smiled grimly. The men made their way into the drop pods and Varas turned and left heading towards the main hanger.

 

More of the warriors of the crusade stood beside the Thunderhawks awaiting his orders. A group of figures in black power armour stood to the side of the room, the red crosses and white cloaks marked them out as his sword brethren He nodded to the members of squad Khiron who returned the gesture. Mortez walked over to them and the nine men fell in around him without a word and they headed onto one of the Thunderhawks.

 

The rear ramp was raised and the gunships roared up to full power and they left the ship with a lurch as they plunged into the void. Varas walked up and took a seat behind the pilots. They greeted him as he took up a position standing behind them and looked through the cockpits window and saw the planet begin to approach rapidly. The view turned bright orange as they entered the planet’s atmosphere, the pilots used their instruments to find the main city where they would be landing. The ship sped over the landscape towards the planets capital. Even though they were not expecting trouble the thunderhawk stayed near the ground to avoid detection and to present a harder target.

 

As they arrived at the city, they looked for a large plaza in which to land, the Thunderhawk touched down and the rear door was lowered. Mortez and the squad walked from the ship, weapons drawn looking for signs of trouble. There was no sign of anyone however. Brother Rachmiel used an auspex to check for any signs of life but found none.

“Nothing here Marshal.” He said via the squad vox channel.

“Execute search pattern sigma.” Varas said allowing brother Marius to go first, he moved forward swiftly and the group made their way to the governor’s palace. The streets were empty, all the shops closed and there were no people, the auspex continued to show no signs of anyone as they moved through the city. The thunderhawk flew overhead making passes of the city, it too could not find any signs of life.

As they got closer to the palace, Marius voxed back that he had found something. As they caught up they saw, hanging from gallows that lined the street were men, women and children, their bodies naked and daubed in crude sigils from blood.

“I don’t like this.” Khiron said grimly via the speakers in his helm.

“Nor do I.” Varas agreed. The squad all had their weapons drawn, be that chainswords, or the blades of lightening claws. Varas adjusted his grip on his combi-melta, whilst his eyes scanned the buildings.

The dead lining the street continued to increase in frequency, until the street sides were lined with the bodies of the executed.

As they reached the square before the imperial palace they saw it was surrounded with the bodies of the local population, all hanging from sturdy rope. In the courtyard were the wrecks of pdf tanks, the hulls burned out.

“Chaplain Isaac, launch squads Januus and Ixion.” Varas sent via vox.

“Yes Marshal.” The chaplains voice answered clearly.

The marshal and squad Khiron continued forwards and up the blood stained steps up the imperial palace. Inside were the remains of the guards, torn apart, their weapons lying beside them. The walls were scarred with damage from a fire fight, all of the marines recognised the damage caused by bolters.

“The traitors have been here.” Marius growled his power sword wreathed in energy.

They made their way to the governor’s throne room, as they entered, they fanned out to cover the room and they saw the governor. His hands legs had been nailed to his throne, so he could not escape. The killers had then murdered his family before him, and the governor had been forced to watch. At least this is what Varas surmised from the gory remains before the throne, those of women and children. The governor had then been sliced apart slowly and his flesh was now all but flensed from him. Blood covered the room and the men of squad Khiron could almost hear the screams echoing from the walls.

Outside thunderhawks could be heard landing, squad Ixion came running in, the crusader squad drew up short as they saw the scene before them. Squad Januus could be heard roaring and they appeared on the balcony as they shut off their jump packs.

“By Dorn, Januus muttered as he looked at the scene, his plasma pistol held in his hand, his chainsword sheathed at his side.

 

“Marshal?” Isaac’s voice came across the vox.

“Brother-Chaplain?” Varas replied as he walked over and examined the governor, a middle aged man who looked to have been of a fair build and fairly strong. Amongst the dead were soldiers of the pdf, presumably bodyguards to the governor and family.

“A distress call has been sent from Astalan V, they say they are under attack from chaos astartes, asking for any help at all. It is a broad wave transmission.” Isaac said.

“On our way.” Varas growled as he turned from the scene, the assembled men looked to him for an order. “To the thunderhawks, back to the Divinus Viator, time to send these traitors to their doom.”

[Marshal Varas Mortez]

Like? Dislike? Hi :)

[Marshal Soloman Vauler]

at first it seemed like a lead up to a battle in the palace and i was disappointed. but when it turned to another world and the idea of full scale deployment the story all came together just nicely. pretty good fluff you have going there i would love to read more.

[Marshal Varas Mortez]

Thank you, there shall be another installment. I thought that the first bit, leading to an anti climax was an interesting start though, sort of builds it up and then its not what you think.

Its not quite there yet, a bit like walking through a ghost town :rolleyes:

[Marshal Soloman Vauler]

i love the whole ghost town thing... dont know what it is but it makes reading fun. its good as ... dont get me wrong i just didnt know what to expect which is also good. my advice whould be that some parts are over discriptive " speaking of brother Jarold, who was interned within the armoured sarcophagus of the dreadnought. " just ancient Jarold would work and keep the story flowing. i would also love to see minitures for these chars .

[Marshal Varas Mortez]

Edited the bit about brother Jarold, cheers for the feedback :) Your right it does make it flow better and allows a more interesting part for him later.

 

The minatures do exist, if this continues for a while I will upload more and images.

[Marshal Soloman Vauler]

much nicer flow... your keeping me waiting to know more now lol. (i like dreds) i actualy wanted to make my dred either a chaplin or.....as ive never seen someone do this, make my dred a former apothecary... sound cool?

[Sons ov Maginahar]

double cc weapon dread----interned Emperor's champion!

[Marshal Varas Mortez]

Emperors champion dread sounds great. Once I get the pile of work done I have I will sit down and take a smash at a continuation.

[Marshal Soloman Vauler]

WOOOOT 2 handed dread power sword now that would make a *WHOOSH* as its swung... don't know yet trying to think of a few different things for dreads but an ancient sounds quite revered maby even venerable