The Beginning

by Ozymandias

The planetary governor paced nervously across the room, waiting for the Ambassador to arrive. Although his planet, V’run, had many such trade deals with the Dark Angels, the thought of them orbiting his planet in their huge monastery always scared the hell out of him. It was just something about those super-men that put him out of ease. He looked at the time but quickly looked up again as the messenger announced the arrival of the marines. By the emperor, it’s Azrael himself, the governor thought. “Master Azrael, we had no idea it would be you that would be joining us. If we had known, the preparations would have...”

“Don’t worry governor,” the Grand Master assured him, “My men and I do not require any special treatment.” Behind the Grand Master, the governor could see the robed figures of Master Thaddaeus, sombre as he had been for the last five years, ever since his withdrawal from the Neuvian campaign; and Brother Chaplain Asmodai, whose skull mask face did nothing to ease the governor’s discomfort, as well as several bodyguards and a young, if you could call sixty young, librarian.

The governor told the Dark Angels of the recent civil war in a nearby system. It seemed fully half of the planetary defense force had turned traitor. He was sending several regiments to quell the rebellion that had already devastated two major populace centers. The talks went on from there to what the Dark Angels needed and what they were willing to give as payment for the goods. It was concluding as a young messenger came rushing in.

“Sirs, it seems an unidentified fleet has just entered the Megiddo system. We will have an uplink on the vessels soon.” A holo-image popped up from the table showing the rebel fleet. “ It seems that it is comprised of several capital ships, many escorts, and one battlecruiser, the *******.

Suddenly Thaddaeus broke his long silence, “What did you say.”

“The ***** sir.”

Thaddaeus looked at Azrael, who shook his head, answering Thaddaeus’ unasked question. “But that’s his flagship!” pleaded Thaddaeus.

“We cannot afford to get involved right now on one of your vendettas,” rebuked Azrael. Thaddaeus looked his superior right in the eye and stormed out of the meeting room.

Almost unaware of what he was doing, the governor timidly asked, “I beg your pardon, but who is he.”

Asmodai answered his query: “The **** is the flagship of Lord Zellaire, a rebel warlord of some prominence and position.” What he didn’t tell him was that five years ago he clashed with a force led by Thaddaeus in the Neuvian system, caught in the midst of a coupe by a chaos cult. Thaddaeus was captured by Zellaire and that gave him a deep scar on his face and an occasional limp. He was later rescued by the Deathwing, but he still endured excrutiating torture. They both exhausted themselves and their armies in a war of attrition and ended both having to evacuate the system. The system was devastated in the process and although the cult was finally suppressed, there was little left saving. Thaddaeus blamed himself for the devastation and since then had never been the same.

“I am sorry, but I can only spare a few regiments of my V’run guard,” said the governor, “And my boys, tough as they are, can’t go head to head with a rebel marine force that size. We would need your help and Thaddaeus’ as well.”

“That’s what I am afraid of,” murmured Azrael.

* * * * * *

Interrogator-Chaplain Ignatius watched his friend, Master Thaddaeus, pace one of the many halls on the Rock.

“He has to let me lead a force to Megiddo. Zellaire will only get stronger and stronger if we can’t contain him!”

Thaddaeus was fuming, Ignatius had not seen him this passionate since the last time he faced Zellaire.

Ignatius’ wise voice filled the chamber, “Patience, Brother. Let us await a decision.”

“I can’t just sit back and let Zellaire destroy again. Azrael does not know him like I do, he doesn’t know how he thinks.”

“Lord Azrael is wise, he will make the right choice in this matter. Don’t let your personal hatred stand in the way of reason.”

Thaddaeus paused midstride, considering his friend’s words. He was right, he always was. If he didn’t keep his anger in check this whole affair could end up like the Neuvian campaign. His conscience couldn’t handle more innocent deaths. That is, of course if Grand Master Azrael let him lead a strike force. Azrael entered the room a few moments later, breaking the tense silence, “I am sending the Rock to the Megiddo system, we are going to get involved.”