Inquisiton/Marine Short Story

[CommanderJarak]

Hearing the roar of the Thunderhawk gunship behind him, Inquisitor Lord Bifidus began to walk towards the Fortress Monastery of the Crimson Skulls First Company. Even though he was not a marine, he was a member of the Crimson Skulls Inner Circle, having proved himself in the battle for the very Emtec System. A splinter fleet from Hive Fleet Kraken had been threatening the system, and even though all ten companies of the Crimson Skulls were there, they lacked the experience to easily defeat the Tyranid threat. When Bifidus had heard of their plight, he rushed to their aid. He arrived there just as the Crimson Skulls were pulling back to the major planet in the System, Tallon Prime. With his experience against the Great Devourer, he was able to quickly instruct the marines of the Chapter in the ways of disposing of the minions of the Hive Mind. Had it not been for his input, the Crimson Skulls would surely have been wiped out, and since then his friendship with the Chapter Master, Jarak Animus had only grew stronger.

 

As Bifidus and his retinue approached the main doors, the two imposing power armoured figures parted to let him through. His mission today was to pickup a group of marines who were ready to be elevated to a higher rank. In the Crimson Skulls, in order for a marine to rise to a rank above Battle-Brother they had to serve a term in the Deathwatch under Lord Bifidus. Bifidus took command of other Ordo Xenos strike teams as well, but he preferred to be leading a pure Crimson Skulls strike force in, knowing that they could handle themselves against the foul beasts of the Hive Mind.

 

Bifidus knew the way to the Training ground like the back of his hand, and when he arrived, Jarak was already waiting for him. They embraced each other as Brothers, Jarak being all too careful to not crush the smaller Inquisitor. Jarak then asked what the next mission would entail. Bifidus replied that there was a Genestealer cult embedded quite strongly on the Hive World Diulo. Jarak trusted Bifidus, and in all the years since the invasion of their home world, no Crimson Skull had died under his careful watch. Bifidus spun and shouted out to one of the Chapter Serfs, "If you want to keep that hand move it now!" Suddenly, the hooded being tried to leap towards the serf, being restrained only by the two acolytes holding it back with chains.

 

Bifidus strolled towards the creature and removed the hood, to reveal a Hormagaunt with cybernetic implants. He turned to face Jarak, who was very clearly shocked at the Inquisitor bringing the foul beast in, and said "Don't worry, it won't bring any more of it's kind here, I have removed it from the Hive Mind, now we just need to figure out how to train it." Jarak replied, " Isn't this slightly radical?" Bifidus just shook his head and answered, " No more than my colleagues who use Xenos weapons and technology." Jarak nodded his agreement, and the Crimson Skulls slide into radicalism began with the simple gesture. Jarak then pointed out the sergeants-to-be, led by a Veteran-to-be, and said,

[Brother Sergeant Alasseo]

Pity you ran out of time: that is such a cliffhanger as is- I hate that sort of thing, but the story is cool (so far at least).

[lord calgar]

So far so cool.

[ironloki]

Sounding pretty good. I particularly likes this bit

 

They embraced each other as Brothers, Jarak being all to careful to not crush the smaller Inquisitor.

 

 

:D

[CommanderJarak]

Thanks for the input guys, nice to see my second short story getting such a warm reception, after my first short story got 4 veiws and no replies.

[Interagator Chaplain Lucius]

Very interesting, I have never seen that tactic of warfare used in a marine chapter I can't wait to see the next part it is facinating. Good job by the way :D

[CommanderJarak]

By style of warfare, do you mean the chainsword through the head? What can I say, my marines like their chainswords/stolen Xenos blades.

[Brother Sergeant Alasseo]

For information about 'stealer cults, I recommend the collections Deathwing, What Price Victory and (I think, long time since I read it) Into the Maelstrom.

 

Aside from that, you might try the various necromunda bits on the web: there may be the background for 'stealer cults there.

 

I'm liking it much better now that that part is finished

[Brother-Librarian Akritedes]

Yep, What Price Victory has an excellent intrigue bit with an Inquisitor taking down a genestealer cult. The main character is, in fact, a...second gen hybrid? I think, all I remember is that he's smarter than most other hybrids of his generation, and things only get more interesting from there. Great piece, I think. Pity most of the rest of the book was bad.