Thursday, May 5, 2011

Paratus

The primary briefing theater aboard the Wrath was an impressive sight with enough room for an entire company in standard armour, and four massive nests for the Old One's in their Dreadnaughts to be included in such briefings.  Today however the incense wreathed around the five massive armoured forms of Sergeant Stephland and his Squad, the Fist of the First.  Seated behind the massive terminator armour was Apothacary Elyas and Tech Sergeant Cristos.  All were attentive, with their helmets off, except Yse who as far as Octavian knew, was unable to remove his helmet, which was not uncommon for a Tech Marine.

Looking each in the eye he intoned the rites that initiated the ancient cognators in the briefing room's holo-projector, and after a moment, a shaky image resolved itself after a moment, of the Gladius Destroyer Summa Sapientia

"Brothers, we have been through a great trial.  And there are more to come... however the Sapientia has suffered at minimum a gellar field failure... but it is possible some of the fiends that have plagued us for years had somehow gotten aboard - or simply that other warp creatures have.  She translated with us, so there is hope, though there are no life signs - our Brother's who were aboard should have been in armour yet, and they may have put themselves into statis.  Even if they have not survived, recovery of their gene-seed is of paramount importance, if we are to survive as a Chapter." the Heir apparent began as he tapped a few commands into the cognator

The image on the holo shifted, zooming into the port docking hatch.

"All of the exterior portals are reading as closed and locked, and there are many rents in the hull, but after a short descussion earlier with the Magus, and the Admiral - we have determined that entry through one of the docking hatches would be the easiest, and prevent any further damage to sections of the ship that may still be under pressure.  You will take a Thunderhawk, hard dock with the hatch, and if possible, access the ships cognators to grant access.  If not, you will cut your way into the ship.  Once aboard your goals are straightforward."  He swept a hand towards the image, "Recover our brothers, and any other survivors at best.  At worst, recover their gene-seed, and determine the salvagability of the Sapientia.  However, the survival of your team is of the utmost importance.  We cannot afford to lose the lives of *any* of our brothers, and certainly none of your geneseed, at this venture.  We will maintain a Teleport lock on the entire team if at all possible - but it will fall to you my Brothers to make the hard choices, as always."

"Captain... I understand your reasons, but... honor dictates that if we can reach those brothers we *must*." Sergeant Stephland stated solemnly.

"I agree.  But today you must weigh the value of their lives against the Chapter as a whole... and as weak as we are, we cannot spend our lives for honor alone.  If we are to rebuild, we need every brother who can serve to stand with us. Until we have claimed a new recruiting world - that is the stricture we must live under." Octavian replied, sadly.

"I understand."

"I am sending the seven of you, because I can send no fewer."  He nodded, "Are there any other questions?"

Silence reigned, except for the occasional crackle from the holo-projector.

"Then may the Emperor watch over you.  Sergeant Stephland, the mission is yours."

"Yes Captain." Marius replied as he stood, and slid his arm into the heavy flamer's control column which magnetically locked to his armour with a snick, "Brothers, make any final preparations you require, our departure is in fifteen minutes."

Solemn nods were the only reply as each Marine stood up and locked his helmet into place, and hands checked wargear by feel and memory.  Finally Sergeant Stephland looked to his Captain, "We'll bring them back, sir."

"I have no doubt."  Octavian replied as Marius locked his helmet into place.  "May his eyes be on you."

"And you, sir." 

With that, the entire terminator squad turned as one, with impressive grace considering their side, and trooped out of the theater towards the forward docking bay.  Behind them, the Apothecary and the Tech Sergeant both nodded to thier Captain and then fell in.

There was little more that he could do, short of joining the mission himself - and there was far too much yet he had to see to before he could finally consider resting for the first time in a month.  Turning he headed in the opposite direction, on his way to the bridge to monitor the mission.

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