The Silent Sword

[TheOneTrueZon]

I've been posting parts of this background story in various forms from Crusade's page and a couple other forums, but I thought I'd put it all here in one place for some feedback as well. The format wanders from log entries to narrative, mostly I've been using the 40k world as a means of practicing writing within the frame of something with a deep, rich background as a jumping point for ideas on other projects.

 

Thanks for reading, and all comments welcome!

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/318097-the-silent-sword-crusade/

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/318102-the-logs-of-inquisitor-valdena-the-silent-sword-crusade/

 

 

+++++ CLASSIFIED REPORT 67.9843.01+++++

 

Inquisition Log #41.999.7981:001C

HLT Direct Edict Classified Authorization / INQ-UC / AA-BLTMP_HLBR

File Custodian: Inquisitor Valdena

 

With permission granted and directed by the High Lords of Terra, details regarding inquiry into the following charges as outlined:

 

Black Templar use of Pariah Gene descendants

(ADT DOC-Complaint: 41.998.4326:235Z)

Black Templar unauthorized use of Adeptus Mechanicus property - Stormbird Squadron VI

(ADMC DOC-Complaint: 41.999.5812:023)

Black Templar unauthorized use of Adeptus Astra Telepathica property - Aegis Deus

(ADAT DOC-Complaint: 41.999.0124:957)

 

This evidentiary document has been created post facto from surviving documents and other evidence gathered by my tenure of service which included first hand accounting of the creation and tactical implementation of the SILENT SWORD CRUSADE, of actions taken by Adeptus Astartes High Marshal Helbrecht of the Black Templars (herein referred as HLBR), Reclusiarch Grimaldus (herein referred to as CHGR), also of the Black Templars, and various subordinate individuals of aforementioned C&C structure.

 

The remainder of this document are my personal findings in regards to the curious occurrences leading to the founding of the Silent Sword Crusade, its use and alleged abuses against various Imperial agencies. It will be noted now that this was compiled without oversight or permission of the Adeptus Terra or Adeptus Ministorum and all documents cited herein is done so under the prerogative of the HLT to supercede any classified status claimed by the Ordo Redactus.

 

ARTICLE A:

Within the deep records of Ordo Heretics and it’s earlier incarnations in the Inquisitorial order have led me to believe that Amendera Kendel and other members of the Silent Sisters were brought into the founding of the Inquisition by actions taken by Malcador the Sigilite and Nathaniel Garro. Although never fully named as such in any known document after the events of the Horus Heresy, remaining inquisitorial records indicate female instructors which led to the finest witch hunters to be produced during or since the founding of the Inquisition well into the 800 years leading into the creation of the Ordo Hereticus.

 

“Silent and unrepentant in her methods, it was by the grace of her instruction that I was able to live and fulfill my service as an Inquisitor of the Imperium.” - Inquisitor Vexo Vindi Victus (ca 22.M33)

 

More importantly, as described, most ordained Sisters of Silence, as their title suggests, were sworn to silence, though hardly barred from the written word, some of them became quite prolific in their otherwise succinct but poignant after-action reports and observations.

 

“…and as such it is my recommendation along with >redacted< that training progress in secret on >redacted<. Furthermore I strongly protest to the constant meddling by the Ministorum, which has resulted in only impeding progress. I will not cede any trainees to the projects under the oversight of Culexus. We fight in the light, not in the shadows. Sigilite was right in his efforts to bring the remains of the sisterhood into this new part of the Imperium; however, our order is still called to a higher purpose as given by the Emperor himself, his light that may never die through our eternal vigilance. Never forget we stood in defence of Terra where most trembled to stand. To avoid any further taint by Ministorum hands, my most trusted coven of sisters set out in the Black Ship Aegis Deus to continue our fight, upon your own word, I trust you and you alone to see to it that they will not be interfered with. A great saddness weighs upon me, my Sisters never to be seen by my eyes again in this life, but in spirit I know they will pursue the path beset upon our destiny…”

 

This scrap of an transcribed originated from an instructor, this passage seemingly written by the very hand of Kendel, though sworn to silence, could say volumes in the written word.

 

It must be stated that this record indicates either a complete disregard for protocol or the ineptitude of the Ministorum and Ordo Redactus as a whole - most likely both - in that the location of the secret training facility for inquisition witch hunters is redacted, but no censor of details regarding an independent splinter cell of the sisterhood existing under it’s own charter? Perhaps the Ministorum regarded the sect so small and insignificant, not worth denial, redaction or comment. In either case, more questions than answers.

 

Further evidence suggests that the sisterhood survived on for many thousands of years in relative anonymity on a small number of worlds, in particular Cadian Prime and areas of Segmentum Ultima. It isn’t until the first war for Armageddon that I find actual evidence of the continuing lineage. Records indicate that during the cleansing following the first war for Armageddon, a small portion of hive residents were completely free of taint when all others fell to the infliction of chaos. Further investigation produced this summary record of interviews with a number of citizens exhibiting the traits of the Pariah gene:

 

“Subjects of inquiry exclusively female originating from Helsreach Hive. Gene sampling produced anomalous results which require further investigation and samples have been expedited to the nearest forge world for testing by Mechanicus representatives. Questioning of subjects via psykers completely unviable. Psykers attending or administering interrogation of subjects reported extreme discomfort while in their presence. Subjects possibly warp-resistant and show no sign of being compromised by chaos influence.”

Though Armageddon was nearly entirely wiped clean by the Grey Knights during the Months of Shame, I have found evidence that this lineage continued. The record of this surprising fact became clear in the last months of the Third War for Armageddon before the season of fire, as accounted in Article B.

[TheOneTrueZon]

ARTICLE B

>LOG 53.940.1< / >audio recording started by sub-dermal implant by user HV<

-background noise of gunfire-

TYRO: Reclusiarch Grimaldus, I have a report coming in via wide-beam for you from the northern sector PDF garrison bearing the authorization code of a Inquisitor.

CHGR: Put it through…. A battle report from a Inquisitor, today is a day of many surprises.

TYRO: Yes Reclusiarch, the line is open.

CHGR: Identify yourself.

HV: Inquisitor Valdena of the Ord… >static<

CHGR: What of the Imperial forces?

HV: >static interference throughout< Gone, Reclusiarch, there are no remaining Imperial Guard at this position, but the Titan legions are proving their worth. I have an urgent request - there’s something about one of PDFs of Helsreach that has proven very effective. There is evidence they are descendants of Pariahs, Sisters of Silence.

CHGR: The Sisters haven’t been in existence since the first days of the Great Crusade.  

HV: I’m here under special charter, Reclusiarch.. >sound of close explosion< ...OLD THE LINE! >gunshots and ork screams< ...Pardon the interruption - during the first war evidence was found of a group of women immune to the taint of Chaos. One of the garrisons here consists of Blanks consisting of their direct descendants.

CHGR: That is interesting indeed Inquisitor, but this does not concern my order, much less while we're under siege.

HV: Is it not in your interest to have warriors descended of the greatest witch hunters known in the history of the Imperium? You know the rarity of Pariah gene, somethi..

CHGR: ..I know of the dangers Pariahs can pose, regardless of their use against psykers. Your claim is greatly exaggerated Inquisitor, but the fate of this PDF force is not for me to decide, your report is noted, and if you choose to remain you have my authority to command that garrison since the Imperials have all but retreated from that sector. Otherwise evacuate the hive area immediately, if you intend to live another day.

HV: Yes Reclusiarch, understood. May the light of the Emperor protect you.

>END OF LOG<

 

>TRANSCRIPTION OF INTERCEPT< / >recorded by HV via Inquisition LP encrypted tight spectrum scanner<

>BEGIN TRANSCRIPT<

::PASSIVE SCAN REPORT - ‘CHGR_SIG_REQ’ ACTIVE::

::INTERCEPT NOW ACTIVE::

CHGR: Servitor, Merek Grimaldus hailing Eternal Crusader, requesting immediate line to High Marshall Helbrecht.

SERVITOR: line confirmed...encrypting...connection accepted...connecting...

HLBR: Reclusiarch Grimaldus, report.

CHGR: Hive Helsreach is holding and the temple has been secured, but I have news from an agent claiming to be a Inquisitor under special charter that was observing the northern front. She believes a garrison of alleged Blanks there are descended from a line of Pariah gene seed.

HLBR: I find that unlikely. How can you vouch for this Inquisitor’s claim, Reclusiarch…

CHGR: Her evidence is valid, verifiable traces of Pariah gene seed, I’ve seen the test results first-hand. She brought them to me under the guise of our interest, but she obviously has a stake in this somehow with the Ordo Hereticus. A kill squad in the area also reported their right flank being held by PDF garrison which did not retreat after the Imperial line collapsed. The after-action report indicated the remaining PDF forces was a garrison comprised almost entirely of female civilian volunteers.

HLBR: If the northern front holds and they survive this, you are ordered to extract them and bring them to the fleet for further examination. Actual viable cultures of the Pariah gene is a valuable asset, if not of use to us the Inquisition will have a place for them within the Sororitas

CHGR: Very well, High Marshall.

HLBR: Your orders are to maintain your current defense formation, create a secondary line one click out from the primary and re-establish the FOB, techmarines will be dropping elements of 5th company to the southern pass after the next orbital bombardment, which will comm….

>SIGNAL LOSS<

>END OF TRANSCRIPTION<

 

>LOG 48.090.1< / >audio recording started by sub-dermal implant by user HV<

HV: Reclusiarch, I formally request that I stay and help in the defense of the Temple.

CHGR: Denied, the next transport leaves soon Inquisitor, you will be on it.

HV: Your orders are meaningless Reclusiarch, you know my mandate.

CHGR: Indeed, all the more reason for you not to die here. Your precious PDF forces are being extracted as we speak, under orders that you filed yesterday, I suggest you accompany them. Disobeying your own order wouldn’t reflect well on an otherwise untarnished service record.

HV: You faked an order! What could you possibly hope to gain from…

CHGR: You forget yourself Inquisitor. Thus far your contribution of intelligence has benefitted the Chapter’s defense of this hive. You stumble close to the line where you become an hindrance. The Temple of the Emperor Ascendant will be held at all costs, Inquisition present or not. We will not tolerate any meddling.

HV: Fine, I wouldn’t dare defy the will of the Templar.

CHGR: Lastly, it may have been overlooked by Commissar Sarren, but I know you’ve a got a sub-dermal recorder. If you hadn’t proven your worth several times over during this crusade I would have ripped it out myself weeks ago. Take that fact with you, Inquisitor.

HV: Th...thank you Reclusiarch for your discretion.

CHGR: There are plans in motion to ascertain the usefulness of the blanks you found, if our will prevails I may ask of the High Mashall permission to allow you to continue your charter.

HV: Very well, in that case I pray to the Emperor that the walls of this temple hold, Reclusiarch.

CHGR: The protection of my Astartes will only go so far Inquisitor, I suggest you leave immediately.

HV: I can handle myself. Fight well Reclusiarch…

>END LOG<)

 

>LOG 54.010.2< / >audio recording started by sub-dermal implant by user HV<

-sound of secure door entry and the heavy footsteps of power armor as HLBR enters-

HLBR: Let’s make this quick Inquisitor.

HV: I won’t take more than a few moments of your time High Marshall, I appreciate you meeting me in person on short notice, the Inquisition highly values your Chapter’s work on Armageddon.

HLBR: Flattery. How quaint.

HV: Then let me be direct High Marshall, I wish to join Reclusiarch Grimaldus when the Aegis Deus comes on-line...

-long silence-

HLBR: I will forget the insolence of your playing to know Chapter operations, which you well know is classified outside of my command, and when I find who told you this they will be ex-communicated from the order, Inquisitor. As for you…

HV: I will save you the trouble, Merek Grimaldus, it is Reclusiarch Grimaldus who ordered me to join the garrison just before the Imperial Guard pulled out and forced me to leave Helsreach with the survivors. My requisition of order from you is actually a mere formality, out of respect. My mandate comes none other than from the High Lords of Terra, and is beyond reproach. My position is well validated and recorded, you can see for yourself if you please.

-another long silence-

HLBR: If Grimaldus recovers from his injuries... I see you cannot be swayed Inquisitor, what was it, Valdena? I can only assume you are the one who alerted us to these alleged Pariahs?

HV: Not alleged, confirmed, High Marshall, I have the results of the testing done after the First War, and current field tests which verify the continuance of the lineage..

-pause as HLBR scans over documentation shown by HV-

HLBR: Very well, you have my authorization. Is that all?

HV: Yes, High Marshall. Happy hunting and may the Emperor bless you.

>END OF LOG<

ARTICLE C:

>CLASSIFIED COMMAND REPORT< / >Acquired by HV via CHGR<

T: High Marshall Helbrecht / F: Reclusiarch Grimaldus (TRANSMIT #906.5-10E)

RE: Aegis Deus Online / Silent Sword Progress

• Confirmed reactor hot, all systems nominal and first round of shakedown flights under way.

• As commanded, proceeding to location THETA after in-system shakedown completed.

• All verified Pariah gene descendants on-board have passed pre-flight.

• Training commencing on schedule of 178 Neophytes, 22 inductees found insufficient for implantation and reassigned to ship systems.

• Observations and testing show the presence of the Pariah gene in all volunteers but generational degradation of gene seed only allows a greater than usual resistance to warp influence, but not to the factor rumored to be attained by original Sisters of Silence. Regardless, this gives these Neophyte recruits the same resistance to warp as that of a psycho-treated and battle-tested veteran within our order.

• Monitor of usual channels still shows no sign of the Ministorum knowledge of the formation of this experimental Crusade, if we maintain the current security levels this should be easy to maintain until actual action is deemed possible by this force after appropriate training.

• The oddly helpful logistical support provided by the Inquisition does require mention, due to that very fact. Inquisitor Valdena appears to be genuinely dedicated to training the Neophytes in psyker hunting arts. I was particularly impressed she was able to produce a copy of the Psykana Occultis. I do not question her loyalty to our cause, though she still insists we continue to remove any mention of her actions in further reports from the command chain on progress, save myself. At this time I have no qualms over mild report censure to keep her happy, and will continue with this action with your approval, High Marshall.

• My next report will be filed before we make our jump to location THETA.

>LOG 67.460.9< / >audio recording started by sub-dermal implant by user<

HV: My shuttle will be arriving shortly, how many decided to come?

CHGR: We could take 200, and 178 of them are fit to fight, the rest are getting assigned as crew to the Aegis.

HV: Only 200? There were almost 370 women left in that garrison, why did…

CHGR: Helbrecht said 200, so I took 200. If this ends up being a viable Crusade we’ll go back for the rest. As soon as you arrive we’ll depart for the Forge World which has the supplies we’ve requested.

HV: Wait - they actually agreed?

CHGR: For a sample of the derived Pariah gene seed, yes, almost too gladly. However if officially queried they will deny any involvement and will file a complaint with Terra saying we stole them.

HV: How nice of them. Well one can’t look a gift Stormbird in the mouth.

CHGR: Your speech is beyond me, what does that mean Inquisitor?

HV: Nevermind, old Terran proverb. The Aegis is on our scopes now, beginning our approach.

>END OF LOG<

[TheOneTrueZon]

The hall of relics in the Eternal Crusader was vacant as he ordered, the servitors has done their duty and the eternal flames of the vigilant had been tended. High Marshall Helbrecht strode into the chamber and bowed his head to the grand statue of Dorn. After a long moment of thought, he turned to the waiting vox-coder servitor and spoke his orders for Grimaldus.

“Heed my words well Reclusiarch, proceed to Theta with the Inquisitor, but observe closely. No matter the deeds this one has done in our favor, you cannot yet assure there is another motive at work here. The very nature of their order demands it, and as such I find it impossible that we can trust anyone of the Inquisitor Ordos, ever. Must I remind you of Vinculus, or Vandire, the Templar blood spilt to wash away the taint of chaos from renegade Inquisitors and their like. If you continue on with this alleged ally, you may doom this endeavor before it even begins. I have given this Crusade everything it needs to succeed. If it fails, the dishonor will be yours to bear and yours to resolve. I can accept no margin for failure from the Reclusiam, much less you. We must hold the line against the coming chaos. Do what must be done, you above all other know your duty. Helbrecht, out.”

Grimaldus considered the words of his Lord in the quiet sanctity of the Reclusiam chapel within the Aegis Deus. The words rang true, and wise, as they should. The Inquisition was as contrary to the Templars as the forces of Chaos themselves. Yet Inquisitor Valdena proved she had a stake to play, a rare element that seemed to have the intention of actually fighting the darkness by all means necessary. The Reclusiarch meditated long on his next action. The will and light of the Emperor led him to his decision. If she was truly devoted then she has nothing to hide.  

Valdena knew something wasn’t right. She’d been among the Astarte before, but never in the company of Black Templars, but their stoicism had become even more resolved of late. This bunch were truly vigilant in following their orders of not paying attention to the Inquisitor amongst them. That task was easy enough. She knew Grimaldus was watching her constantly, but didn’t think anything of it. Her every action and word was on trial to the Templars. She hadn’t seen or heard of the Reclusiarch since first meeting upon arriving, but felt the presence of judgement wherever she went. The confidence she wore was purely born from the fact that her real secrets were of no consequence to these Astartes. She hoped. Often she mused to herself on how they lived entirely outside of the system which initially created them and their devotion to the Great Crusade. In so many ways, at their core, they held many of same beliefs as the Ordo she served. She always found that to be a testament to the Emperor’s will, letting these warriors exist in all these various ways, yet still all driven to the singular means to the end of protecting humanity. But always, she knew a reckoning was at hand. What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object.

Training was starting and progressing, and the Templars were absolute in their regimen. When she wasn’t training the Neo’s in the foundations of hunting and knowing psykers, she was ordered to her private little bulkhead quarters nested deep in the forecastle of the ship, an unblinking servitor watching her door at all times. The ever-present reminder that she was there only by the grace of Helbrecht himself. It was not the sword brethren to question their lord, however that did not mean she came and went as she pleased.

The shakedown trials of the ship were almost done. Most of the Neos were already starting phase 2 implants and begin the real rigors of the training which would truly turn them into Astartes. It was then, amid the clamor of crew preparing for jump, that two fully armored Templars, Sword Brethern no less, awaited her as her bulkhead door opened. She feigned calm as best she could.

One of the marines stepped forward, bolter in hand but not pointed at her yet.

“Follow us, no deviations. Move.”

Simple enough, she thought. If they wanted her dead she’d be dead, that was going for her.

She mapped the route they were taking, counting the turns, the steps, noting how many Marines and crew she saw. Then suddenly stopped, and were before a black door, just like any other thousands of pressure doors on this cruiser. This one bore the mark of a comms array. The door hissed open, her escort motioned for her to go in. She stepped forward without hesitation as the two Marines took guard at the door.

A bare room, the stink of ozone and toxic cleansers. Reclusiarch Grimaldus stepped forward from the dark of the opposite wall, the skeletal grin of the unmistakeable deathshead helm grinning back at her.

“This can be a short, but important conversation, Inquisitor. However if I am unsatisfied, this will become uncomfortable, for you.”

She knew there was no point in lying, the biometrics cannot be easily fooled, even with her training. She also had no idea what he was about to ask or say, which made it hard to predict and react. The years of service to the Inquisition bestowed her with a wealth of knowledge that could be twisted into something heretical in the absolutes the Templars held. Her mind reeled at the possibilities of what was to come next.

“My lord has allowed you to participate in this Crusade. But we cannot accept your loyalty at face value. The time has come for you to answer for your transgressions, Inquisito...”

“What transgress…” her words were cut off by the sharp crack of a crozius coming to life in the Reclusiarchs’ hand.

“You may speak when I allow it.”

Valdena said nothing, holding her calm and keeping her eyes squarely focused on the red lenses of the deathmask. She immediately felt the depth of her situation, the trial by fire she knew would come was here, but not like this.

“You will satisfy my inquiry or there will be nothing left you,” he said with a chilling casual tone.

Still, she held clam, looking ahead at her singular judge and jury, waiting for what surely will be her doom.

“State your full name and rank.”

“Arin Solara Valdena, High Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus.”

“Answer simply, are you of the Xanthites?”

“No.”

“Who commands your conclave?”

“I have no conclave, but in the past have served under many Lord Inquisitors and conclaves in the course of my duties.”

“What is your mission.”

“My mission is to search for Pariahs, Reclusiarch. So that they may serve in Inquisition.”

Time slowly ticked by in her mind as he went through an endless stream of questions about the structure of the Inquisition before he finally came to something substantial.

“Why did you go to Armageddon?”, Grimaldus asked finally.

“My research led me there.”

“What is this research?”

“Evidence that a Sisters of Silence splinter group may have come to this system after the rest of their order disbanded and became part of the Inquisition.”

“How did you obtain this information.”

“I have contacts within the Inquisition and Minitorum that grant me access to ancient archives.”

“To what end, why do you seek their descendants?”

“They are powerful defense against the warp. Regardless of their dominance or purity.”

“Then why give them to us. Why did you solicit me to save them.”

“Because you were there. I had little option, I arrived on Armageddon a mere week before the Inquisition Astros began picking up signs of Ghazghkulls fleet mobilizing. Another month and I had barely scratched the surface of what I was looking for and Ghazghkull was nearly knocking on the doorstep. I finally came upon the blanks in Armageddon just before the siege began. No one else would have been able to help me. It could have been the Salamanders or Ultras for all I care, I just needed to get them out.”

“Extraction from Armageddon isn’t what I asked. Again, why give them to us.”

“Because what better than when a shield can be made also into a weapon?”

Grimaldus just sat there silent, he was done asking her to explain further. She sighed deeply and answered in full.

“Blanks get used a shields for Inquisitors against psykers, but over time I have grown tired of seeing these assets being misused and tossed away like yesterday’s trash. Blanks should be trained as warriors. They’re so rare, and completely misunderstood.”

“The sororitas have shown they are willing and capable of these duties.”
“Yes but they are a defensive force. They defend the shrines and chapels, but hardly ever take the offensive measures required unless pushed.”

“Then your Ordos should have received them regardless of your personal convictions. Surely at this point someone in the Inquisition knows of what you found on Armageddon.”

“IF anyone from the Inquisition knew about this to any extent, I’d be excommunicated in a heartbeat. But if I have a proven result, a Crusade of Templars comprised of blanks? That could change the wider view of how blanks are used.”

Grimaldus stood suddenly, the sound of the bulkhead behind her opening.

“This concludes my inquiry. The apothecary will administer the remainder of this interrogation Inquisitor. Consider it an honor upon yourself that you have made it this far.”

He stepped out briskly as an apothecary and two skull servitors took their place before her. A cold chill ran down her back as she felt a slight pinch on her neck. She tried to hide her surprise, but knew instantly there was another servitor behind her, and that it just stuck her with what surely was a truth serum.

“We will begin by reviewing the full line of questioning by our Reclusiach,” the apothecary said.

“State your full name.”

In what seemed like days later, and very well could have been, Valdena slept and rested as best she could while resuming her teaching of the Neophytes.

A week after the Aegis had made it’s jump to location Theta, her encrypted comms displayed she had a new message. She opened the holo message as the vox stream began.

“Your report surprises me, High Inquisitor Valdena. But then again, what can I expect from the Hereticus.”

The way she spat out the name of her order, an acrid punctuation, made her feel ill of what she was about to hear. She had come to expect this of Helynna Valeria. Regardless of her achievements, it hardly made her less of a b***h. In the depths of the Aegis Deus, the Inquisitor gazed back at the holo with morbid curiosity to the orders she knew she was about to disobey.

“The number of descendants you found on Armageddon negates every theory to date. At this point, how doesn’t matter anymore. You’ve set the path, by the Emperor you better see it through. I’m counting on this force to serve a purpose for the Inquisition. The Grey Knights are useless to me, let them have their daemons, but the heretics among us will continue to wither our cause if left unchecked.”

She spoke of Darkhammer. It was too convenient to say that Inquisitor was consumed by the warp, that he was bent on undoing mankind from within, but that was not her mission.

“Continue as planned. Remember, the Templars owe me. Valeria, out.”

The holo image of Helynna Valeria flitted into non-existence as she sat for a moment, contemplating her options. Her mission for so many years she had been to seek and find Pariahs. Gave them to the Inquisitors to be nothing more than living shields at times. Following orders, furthering the cause. Then she heard the stories of the Sisters of Silence. The more she dug, little by little she discovered the trail, finally leading to the carrot Valeria dangled before her.

“They owe me,” Valdena whispered under her breath mockingly, “what a b***h. YOU owe ME Valeria.” Distant relative or not, she was beginning to regret ever getting involved.

She knew the Templars weren’t entirely responsible for The Howling, no one could have predicted what killing Cacodominus would do to the Astros, but she will never be swayed from having someone to blame for the initial loss of the dimensional forge.

“Servitor, record this response and encrypt,” she chose her words carefully, and then her eyes unfocused as she stared into nothing.

“Proceeding as planned. The Astartes trust me completely. You will have your strike team Lord Inquisitor Valeria, by the Emperor’s will I shall not fail you.”

It was an easy lie.

[TheOneTrueZon]

The nightmares never stop. The reek of dried blood, human and orc, hung in the air as the constant reminder of bad death. The din of battle fogs the sound, but the great weight of the nightmares shakes the ground. Tells of it’s coming, inevitable, inescapable. It smells the fear, piss and sh*t from our battered defenses. From the choking smoke of ruin they come loping with red eyes wild with rage. The berserk do not suffer the timid, and to see them run drives them madder still. The nightmares come faster and faster. They are on them now. On her. Friends gurgle screams suddenly from choking throats filled with their own blood. They are consumed, they are trampled into gristle, they are nothing but dried blood on hard cold ground.

The sound of the next cycle’s reverie yanked Nakano from her uneasy sleep. Even now, with a bolt pistol hanging from it’s holster inches away, lying in the berth of a Black Ship surrounded by Black Templar Marines, the nightmares still came to her. The searing anger that knotted up behind her chest every time she thought of those invading Orcs filled her waking life. It seemed fitting that they should haunt her in sleep as well. She had convinced herself that it was just a fact of life now, that there would be no cure for the horror she fought through. The lives lost and friends killed before her eyes, helpless. Sorrow into anger, anger into rage, rage into sorrow again. She begged for the sorrow to leave, but keep the anger, keep the rage. She wanted to save that for her revenge someday. And as she thought all this, she was going through the routine of squaring away her bunk, getting dressed for training and standing to attention as their Astarte trainer, Brother Marius, entered to begin their regimen. But her thoughts betrayed her, and as she dwelt upon the past her face became aware of suddenly contacting the floor. The pain soon followed as her vision went white for a moment, followed by the bellow of Marius.

“Neophyte Nakano, you were 1.2 seconds late in coming to attention when I commanded. Get up.”

Holding tightly to her will, desperately trying not to groan, she picked herself off the cold plasteel floor that bore her offering of blood.

“You mind wanders Nakano,” Marius continued once she was standing, “you lack focus, and it will kill you if I don’t do it first.”

And then he was gone, turned and walking away down the line inspecting the rest of the neophytes in line.

“Today we begin with a walk, move out!”

To Brother Marius, a walk was a brisk run that lapped the Aegis Deus three times, followed by drills, then tactical analysis, more drills, study of historical battles, then close combat drills, sometimes a class by Valdena. Somewhere in there they fit in shoving down protein packs and hydrating on stale recycled water when they weren’t field stripping bolters. At the end of the cycle Nakano was finally allowed to report to the apothecary. A minor topical for the swelling and a chewable to re-set the teeth Marius shook loose when he shoved her to the floor.

The neophytes in her cycle had one time unit to themselves before lights out. Vicca had rigged an old console readout to display video feed from the archives, tonight her and few others were watching battle cams of a massive LRC spearhead from M39 taking on 5 orc gargants. Nakano was lying on her bunk staring at the ceiling, the sedatives from the topical turning the burning ache of her face into a dull tingle. Xin walked up and sat on the edge of her kit case and gave her a smirk.

“Brother Marius has it out for you.”
“Don’t I know it,” she answered slowly through the haze of pain killer. The sound of cheers came from those watching the vid as a gargant exploded gloriously.

“When you wake up, it’s hard not to see how you look at cycle-start. Like you just went to war again,” he trailed off for a moment, lost in his own thoughts and memories, “you need to know that you probably saved more of our lives than the ones lost in Helsreach. At least among us. If we make it through training we’ll have every chance to get back at the greenskins. But you have to make it out of here first, hear me?” He patted her on the shoulder and managed a smile, “nod if you can understand what I’m saying.”

Nakano nodded slightly, and mumbled back a terse thanks and rolled her back to him, ending the conversation. More cheers from the vid watchers. She heard Xin walking away and then let out a low sigh as she let her mind drift against her better judgement, not sure if it was the sedatives or her subconscious, and thought back.

One does not brag about being from Helsreach. Not even before the first invasion. It mattered only because of its output, of its measure of production, not the wealth of population. Yet from that brutal grind came greatness. Nakano came from the Daughters of the Emperors Hope Orphanage, like many of her current companions & survivors. Plucked from the street by those silent nuns, she found herself in good like-minded company. Supposedly born under a bad sign, a child unwanted, all abandoned and shunned for one reason or another. No one knew how the members of this peculiar order came to Helsreach, but they seemed to have always been there in the background, minding their own business, tending to the little. Perhaps they were small enough that no one ever thought to pay attention to them. Nakano never heard the headmistresses ever utter a single word, not even in anger. Her ancillaries themselves only ever spoke in dire consequences. And in the months before the invasion which would alter Helsreach forever, their mysterious disappearance confused her all the more. Did they leave because they knew what was coming? Then why leave all their adopted children behind? Could they really have been actual Sisters of Silence?

Nakano knew there would be little she’d ever be able to know for sure. The more she learned the less certain she became of everything. She had been so confident before the war, so self-assured from growing up under the strong hand of her caretakers. Even when the walls of Helsreach fell, her garrison held and fought longer than most. And then the Inquisitor, Valdena. What an odd lot she turned out to be. Now it seemed all too convenient, her showing up just before the invasion. The stranger in the big hat came to the garrison commander. Plainly commanded she would be attached to their unit to observe. Observation quickly turned into fighting, and then leading as the chain of command whittled away. Many times she was saved by the many tricks and weapons of the Ordo Hereticus, stuff unlike anything she’d ever seen. Inquisitor Valdena saved lives, led well, and in the end saved as many as she could given the circumstances. Gave them a second chance at life, and possibly vengeance. But now Nakano wondered why, why save this group of orphans and outcasts. Blanks. A new word, one she sensed she’d better get used to. It was all happening too quickly for her, all too unreal. One moment clinging on for dear life shooting xenos point blank in the face, scooped up by Stormravens, brought upon the Eternal Crusader itself before being processed and boarding the Aegis Deus and offered a chance to be a Black Templar. Before the orcs came she had never seen the Adeptus Astartes except on badly compressed vids of some distant world fighting a war for people she’d never know or care about. The moment she saw them first hand is etched into her mind forever.

The wall in their sector breached two days after the first section fell. Their garrison was slowly getting parts of other PDF groups falling back. Two slabs of rockcrete had fallen perfectly in front of Bunker 83-B to make a formidable kill zone. The orcs had no other way get at the bulkhead to the underground sanctuary where millions waited out the war. There were few options other than bringing the entire block down on them, which would deny them the slaughter they so deeply desired. Three waves tried to crash through the gap. Three times they held. The orc numbers seemed unending, but the focused barrage on the choke point held them back for a time. The withering fire wore down the gap, the the rent bodies began to pile so high it began to give the wretched beasts a means of cover. The fourth wave was different, and now they faced the terror of greenskin armor. A lone Lehman Russ Vanquisher took five scrap-tanks down before suffering a fatal strike that popped it’s turret off like a toy. The garrison’s fire superiority was gone, and the defenses began to give way to the pummeling of artillery. Suddenly the lead orc tank erupted into a fireball of intense heat, raw iron peeling back in orange melting sheets. Through the billowing smoke five black figures screamed through the air. Landing before the gap, the Assault Marines took a defensive position while the Sergeant came before the garrison and called out to whoever was in command. Valdena came forward and exchanged some quick words before a signal from his battle brothers turned his attention back to the gap. Another wave incoming. Incensed at the destruction of their battle wagons, the orcs were now in an all-out frenzy for revenge. The lead Marine called out to the Inquisitor, pointing at our garrison.

“This position can hold. We will take their charge head-on, give us suppressing fire!”

Hi bolt pistol drawn and chainsword primed, he took to the air in a quick burst, was through the gap and with his troops. They all turned to face the coming wave, and they looked among each other. Nakano wondered what they were saying in that moment before they charged.

She picked up her lasgun and charged through the gap, her compatriots of the garrison behind her, and Inquisitor Valdena running at her side. A bolt of silver gleamed in the Inquisitor's Condemnor combi-bolter as the group passed through firey ruins, past the mouth of the gap and into the street full of broken carnage. Nakano could see both ends of the block choked with the ruins of armor, the north end was the orcs, the south was the smoldering ruin of a IG blockade. The Marines were almost upon the orcs when Valdena began shouting orders.

“Nakano, take your squad and cover the east side of the street, don’t let the Marines get flanked!”

Valdena turned to her Nakano’s friend, Herod, and started to tell his squad to cover the west side when he suddenly burst into a cloud of red mist. Valdena dove for cover and turned back to the stunned volunteers.

“Don’t stop! MOVE! Cover their flanks, go, GO!” she screamed.

Valdena was dancing among the tracers getting the garrison in position as the orcs began to pile past the rubble of their tanks. Only then did the adrenaline truly kick in, and time slowed just enough that Nakano watched the Marines in a brief glimmer of a glorious moment of battle. Such brutal, precise poetry. No movement wasted, every strike placed for maximum effect. They cut the orcs like paper, parried and fired bolt pistols with a grace she had never known possible. Sparks flew from the glancing hits upon the black armor, now stained with the thick oil of xeno blood. Still the orcs pressed, Nakano called out targets and with each trigger pull prayed to the Emperor that they’d survive the day. The group protecting the west flank took a direct hit from a grenade and was no longer there. The invaders saw their chance and charged the right flank hard. The inquisitor saw it too. A gold orb with a blue flashing light took a high arc towards the oncoming swarm, and burst into a white cloud. The orcs at the front of the charge stopped in their tracks, suddenly befuddled. Valdena had used a psychotrope grenade, and the beasts began to turn on each other. The ones who got the gas turned and raged at the others behind them, causing a moment of chaos that the Marines seized all too gladly.

“Now’s our chance, mow them down!” Valdena commanded with renewed hope.

Nakano’s aim was true, as was her company. Soon, the tide had turned. The final stroke came as two Baneblades came upon the fight as they sought the fate of the fallen blockade, and quickly turned the remains of the orc charge into pulp.

The Marines didn’t linger.

“You fought well Inquisitor, though your methods lack honor.”

Typical Marine, Valdena thought. Always something.

“If the result is dead xenos, I’m all for it. Your honor is well intact, Battle Brother. Where does the war take you next?”

“The war is everywhere Inquisitor, you waste time with such questions.”
“Wait, can you give Grimaldus my report as I requested?”

The Marine stood quiet for a moment, Valdena wondered what would come next.

“I cannot raise him on vox. We take our leave. Fight on Inquisitor.”

Nakano watched as Valdena spoke to the Marine, the Templar standing more than a foot taller than her. The unflinching bravery of the Inquisitor was amazing to Nakano. Being able to speak to such warriors would have left her speechless before such might.

As the Marines strode away to the next fight, one of the Baneblade commanders came to Valdena.

“You’re in command here?”, he seemed unphased by the presence of the Ordo Hereticus.

“Yes, I am High Inquisitor Valdena of the Ordo Hereticus.”

The commander stiffened slightly and remembered his place.

“How can I serve the Inquisition,” he said plainly.

“Report, what’s the status of this sector.”

“We’re falling back on all fronts. The docks are falling, but there’s word more Marines dropped into that area and are holding. Our orders are to defend this position at all costs. Reinforcements from two other armored divisions are en route. We’re turning this choke point into a stronghold. By the Emperor we’re going to make them pay.”

The commander and Valdena talked more details as the ground beneath them began to tremble. The Guard commander sprinted back to his tank in a panic, Nakano overheard him yelling into his vox trying to find out if it was a friendly titan or not. Valdena looked worried for the first time. A xeno titan this far into the Hive spelled a certain kind of doom for them all. A moment later the legs of a Warhound strode by a block south of their position. Their perimeter guard had arrived.