[40K] Sanctus Ager?

[Honsou]

To:
a) Upstage Ossai
b) Get things going
c) Spread the word

Here is "Sanctus Ager?" at its current point of progress. Watch this space for more to come soon!

===

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Sanctus Ager++

Sergeant Izak watched the man scramble up the slope, climbing over the rugged rock formations up the long, steep incline. Izak grinned, the man's attempts at progress had amused him for some 5 minutes or more; made all the more entertaining by the lofty rank of the hapless climber. The Space Marine turned away from the man scrambling up the hill, resuming his watch over the rough grasslands and rolling hills around the peak; it would be a minute or two before the climber reached the flat top that he and his brethren stood upon.

The thought of the man's imminent arrival brought a thought to the Sergeant's mind, and he glanced toward the center of the flat-ground atop the peak, where stood a small chapel to the emperor. Little more than a single storey high, the chapel was small, and the cracked stones, glass-less windows and overgrown stone steps showed that this place had been long forgotten by most on this world.

Indeed, it had been lost to the chapter until only a few days ago, when a Librarian had come across it's location in an old document. At the shrine's base knelt a Space Marine, clad in the shining golden power armor of the chapter, a heavy black cloak draped across his shoulders. With sword unsheathed, and held in offering to the immortal spirit of the Emperor, Brother-Captain Ylsidar knelt in silent prayer. It was clear to Izak that he would need to delay the approaching man, for none should disturb the captain while he was in prayer.

"Ah, finally, finally!" The out of breath voice, over-loud in contrast to the silence that had held sway atop the hill for some hours, since the Captain had begun his prayers. Sergeant Izak quickly turned away from the temple, heading for the new arrival, ensuring that he positioned himself between the new arrival and the chapel as he moved. He was pleased to see that the other Space Marines present had also shifted their positions so as to block the man's approach without appearing to do so, and yet still remaining their vigilant watch over the surrounding lands.

Hushing his voice, as best a towering Space Marine accustomed to calling out orders across the din of battle can, Izak spoke: "Administrator, welcome. Please, be considerate, for our Captain is in prayer."

"That is not my concern, I must speak with him immediately!" The man's voice was as loud as it had been before, perhaps more so now that he was regaining his breath. "There are important things I have to say to him, so please step aside!"

The man took a step forward, forcing the Sergeant to take a step back to remain at a proper distance. "Administrator, one cannot disturb the captain while he is in prayer, it is an affront to Him."

"Then you had best ask him to conclude his prayer immediately! I wish to speak to him, and on this world I am the most senior officer of the Imperium. Go, tell your Captain I demand his presence immediately!"

Again the Administrator stepped forward, but this time the Space Marine did not step back, standing his ground and staring down at the man that stood before him. Typical, an over-blown, self-important fool that felt he had some right to interfere with the business of the Adeptus Astartes.

The Sergeant was about to speak again, to chastise this fool with some harsh words, when he felt a touch on his armored shoulder. "It is alright Sergeant, I thank you for your vigilance, but this place is silent, I hear not the whisper of the Emperor's will. It seems the ages have taken their toll, or perhaps He has forsaken this place."

Izak nodded, obediently stepping aside. "Of course, Brother-Captain Ylsidar." With a subtle hand-gesture he indicated to the other Marines to resume their previous duties, and give the two men some privacy.

Ylsidar smiled, having heard the entire conversation between the Sergeant and the Administrator, and observed Izak's gesture to the others. Izak was a fine warrior, but more than that, a promising leader; Ylsidar was sure that Izak would lead a company of the chapter one day. Turning his mind to more pressing matters, the Captain turned to the man stood impatiently before him. "Well then Administrator Dozeman, what is it that you seek of me?"

The Administrator drew himself up to his full height, clearly a habit intended to intimidate the men around him. On the Space Marine Captain it was woefully inadequate, as Ylsidar towered above the man, and the centuries had imbued him with a strength of character that was as immovable as his faith. The Space Marine smiled inwardly.

"I have come to protest your presence here Captain! I was not informed of your intentions the proper time before your visit! There is no reason for your presence! It is unacceptable, our rules do not just exist for..."

The Captain stopped listening, withdrawing into the confines of his mind, letting the Administrator continue his rant. It was clear enough, the man was afraid that the presence of Space Marines meant trouble, or worse, that he would lose the power he had worked so hard to gain. It was not uncommon among planetary governors on these remote worlds, he had seen it before many times; petty but expected.

Barely moving his eyes, Ylsidar looked around his men, most of them facing away, out toward the surrounding plains. Despite the superficial look that they were unaware of the conversation behind them, to the Space Marine Captain it was obvious that they heard every word, and found some amusement in the blustering speech the Administrator was passionately delivering.

The Captain wasn't sure why, but in a split second he decided that the man had been given enough time to bluster. Looking down at the man, he spoke out in measured tone. "And what, pray tell me Administrator Dozeman, makes you presume that we answer to you?"

The calm words stopped the speech in mid sentence, shocking the man into silence. Noticing this, the Space Marine continued, "Now that I have your attention, let me assure you that you have nothing to fear from us. We are drawn to this place for reasons of our own, our business is not with you, or even the people of this world. Please, be on your way, Administrator, and may the Emperor's will ever guide you."

Without further words, he captain turned away, and walked back toward the chapel. The Administrator was an annoying, tiresome man, but Ylsidar sensed no malice in him, no taint or corruption, only the limitations of a small-minded mortal man.

Suddenly he found himself missing his place on the homeworld, among the stars that the Chapter directly ruled on behalf of the Emperor. On those planets, the people had learned from the presence of the Chapter. Would that he could return soon.

Pushing aside such thoughts, he turned around, to see the Administrator beginning his descent from the hill-top peak. Just then, in the distance, a small cloud of dust caught his eye.

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Sanctus Ager++

The deep throbbing growl of the Thunderhawk's powerful engines slowly faded, as the engines switched into idle, the dust settling around the landing gear. With a loud creaking noise, the Thunderhawk's forward door began to come open, lowering slowly to the ground revealing a Space Marine standing within.

"Captain, ready to leave?" The words were shouted, but rang clear as the engines finally faded to a purr. The Captain smiled, for the man who had arrived aboard the gunship was First Sergeant Adral, a trusted friend who had served with the Captain for many decades now.

Ylsidar nodded, and waved the two squads of marines arrayed behind him on, the silent instruction to board and prepare for departure. The Captain however did not lead the way, instead stepping aside and letting Sergeant Izak lead the men aboard.

Recognizing hesitation in the captain's actions, Adral jumped down from the gangway, dropping to the ground and moving up beside Ylsidar. In a quiet voice, with the familiarity of so many years as comrades, he spoke. "Something troubles you Brother?"

Ylsidar nodded slowly, thinking about what he felt. "I cannot explain it Adral, the Emperor's presence is silent at the shrine. I renewed the blessings, and for many hours I prayed, but I did not feel his touch."

"It may well be nothing, perhaps it is best to consult the Chaplain upon our return home, or even to contact the Master Chaplain?" The reply was calm, thoughtful and level-headed, as Ylsidar had come to expect from the Sergeant.

"You are most likely right, Brother." He nodded as if to convince himself, before turning toward the waiting Thunderhawk. "Let's go, we have dallied long enough on this world."

The Sergeant walked swiftly up the ramp, followed closely by the captain. Just over half way up the ramp, the captain turned around once more, to look out over the rolling hilly plains that stretched out around them, his eyes lingering on the raise in the distance that was the peak of the emperor's shrine. He was just about to turn around, when another cloud of dust caught his eye.

There had been dozens of them, they had streaked across the horizon at great speed for an hour or so, before the Space Marines had left the chapel. Then, just as suddenly as they had started, they stopped. This one was different though, it seemed that it was coming toward the Thunderhawk, and it looked close enough to be seen properly.

"Quickly, Binoculars!" He held his hand stretched out backward, into which a quick thinking Izak had quickly placed his own set. Raising them to his eyes, Ylsidar focused on the approaching object. There it was, a rapidly moving courier vehicle, of the kind most commonly used by Planetary administrations, where the limited size and non-existent weaponry was less of an issue than the high speed.

Adral stepped down beside his captain once again, "What is it?"

"Whoever they are, they seem in a terrible hurry to reach us. We shall wait." The captain turned to the First Sergeant, "How many of your men did you bring with you?"

"2, I did not see a need to bring any more than that." The Sergeant made a non-commital gesture, "The rest are engaged in training, meditation and prayer, as it should be."

"Do not worry Adral, 2 will be enough. Station them at the wing-tips of the Thunderhawk, as a precaution. Then we shall wait." The Sergeant nodded, "Sir." Turning back to the Thunderhawk he waved his men out, quickly explaining, then pointing them to their positions.

It did not take long for the vehicle to arrive. As it came to a halt, and the driver's hatch popped open, Ylsidar half expected it to be Administrator Dozeman with some blustering foolishness about departure procedure. Out of the vehicle stepped not the Administrator, but a thin, well built man who wore the uniform of an Imperial Guard Colonel.

Ylsidar was about to greet the man, when the colonel spoke, before even he had completely extracted himself from the vehicle he had arrived in. "Captain, I am fortunate to have arrived before you left, the God-Emperor must have hastened my way."

The man had finally entirely untangled himself and stood before the Space Marines, continuing on in slightly rushed tones. "I am Colonel Tellic Fazel of the Imperial Guard's 64th Verdat Regiment, I..."

Ylsidar cut across him, curious as to the man's reason for being here. "You are a long way from home Colonel, a very long way."

"Indeed Captain, I was sent here on a routine operational training and observation course. It seems however that the Emperor has another task in mind for me, which brings me here Captain. I fear this world is not as peaceful as it seems; there is an uprising under way. Even now, treacherous members of a citizen army have seized the gates of the capital city, and I fear they have substantial support."

Ylsidar was quiet, surprised by this turn of events. His mind rapidly flew over the news he had just heard, considering it's implications. "What of the Planetary Governor, Administrator Dozeman? Is this his doing?"

The Colonel shrugged, "Dozeman is a weak minded fool, obsessed with writing and implementing ever more useless protocols. I doubt he is aware that anything is going on, that is if the rebellion has not yet reached his office doors."

The captain thought quickly, coming to a decision in the blink of an eye. He gestured at the Thunderhawk, "Come Colonel, you shall come with us, we will have need of your knowledge." The men headed up the ramp, followed closely by the two Space Marines that had been guarding the Thunderhawk. "Well, it would seem our duty is clear. We must make for the capital, and find out what drives this rebellion, how far it has spread."

"I believe I can answer that captain, at least, in part. They rise because they do not see the Imperium's strength. Once this was a prosperous, important world, but with the depletion of mineable resources in the adjacent sector, there are few shipping routes in this region. With the passing of time, the prosperity of this world has all but disappeared, and seems beyond reach to it's people. They believe they can do better for themselves, if they free themselves from the Imperium." The colonel paused for a moment, then added "It is not hostile, it is misguided."

Ylsidar looked intently at the man, learning his innermost feelings from his eyes, before he slowly answered. "To raise arms against the Imperium, Colonel, is always hostile, for whatever reason it may be done."

"Heretical even, captain.", the Colonel interjected. It was clear enough to all that this man's faith was strong and pure. At this moment, Adral chose to interject, "Colonel, we do not share your faith." The remark seemed to confuse the officer, who stumbled in his answer. "But...do you...do you not worship the God-Emperor?"

Captain Ylsidar smiled, cutting across the exchange just as Adral was about to reply, "As a father, Colonel, not as a god." At that moment any further discussion was cut short as the Thunderhawk's engines came to life, a furious roar that shuddered through the vessel's frame, jolting the passengers as the craft began to lift from the ground

Standing near the hatch to the cockpit, Captain Ylsidar shouted up to the Thunderhawk crew: "Make best speed for the capital, stay high until the very last moment, and land as close as possible to Goverment House! And contact the homeworld, inform them of the situation."

He turned back toward the compartment behind him, looking over his men. They were fine warriors, but if the rebellion spread even half as quickly as was to be expected, then his small force of 23 Space Marines, and a lone Imperial Guard Colonel would not be enough.

The engines roared once again, speeding them on their way toward the capital. The captain looked around while he found a seat. The odds did not matter, these were his men, Space Marines of the 3rd Company of the Vorpal Dragons Chapter. They would do their duty.

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

The Thunderhawk's engines roared as the craft settled heavily onto the open plaza in front of Government House. Standing in the cockpit, Captain Ylsidar looked out at the empty square, seeking to fathom the world beyond the viewscreen. Turning away, he dropped down into the main compartment to rejoin his men, each patiently waiting for the Thunderhawk's forward door to open. Looking around, Ylsidar considered saying some words, instantly realizing it was unnecessary. Instead, he moved forward as the door finally opened, leading his contingent of Space Marines forward.

Ylsidar did not look behind him to ensure that his men were taking up the proper positions, knowing that Adral would have briefed them in detail, and each would obey his orders to the letter. Instead, he bounded forward, moving with long strides toward Government House.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Government House, Agora Majoris++

Administrator Dozeman was sitting in his office, looking through a report that an aide has brought in only a few minutes ago. The report dealt with the details of minor repairs to a secondary water processing and storage plant in the Ager Minimus Tertius, one of the smallest and most insignificant farming communities on the planet. The administrator had already filled several pages of notes for new protocols on the dataslate lying on the desk in front of him. Just as he was about to add another thought to the list, the doors crashed open.

Standing in the doorway was Brother-Captain Ylsidar, flanked by two Space Marines. Next to the captain, seeming infinitely short in comparison, stood a man that Dozeman did not recognize, clad in the uniform of an Imperial Guard Colonel.

"Administrator." The captain did not wait for a reply, nor did he explain why it was that, despite his earlier words with the planetary governor, he was now standing in the man's office. Without a moment of hesitation, the Space Marine continued. "Tell me, are you a traitor to the glorious Emperor, or are you a fool unworthy of his care?"

The Administrator was, once again, shocked into silence by the captain's words, managing only to stutter something unintelligible about reports and many duties. While the man floundered, unsure of what was going on, Ylsidar came to a halt in front of his desk, looking down at the governor with contempt. "Are you aware Administrator", the title was used almost sarcastically, "that even at this very moment your world has risen against the Imperium? Are you aware that as we speak, the capital is taken?

Before the Administrator could open his mouth to utter a reply, Colonel Fazel re-entered the office, having returned the the outer office as the conversation began. "Captain Ylsidar! I have located the command and control room." The Space Marine captain looked up, "Where?"

"Down the end of the hall, through the side-door from the outer office." As he spoke, he nodded the general direction he meant. "It seems the majority of functions are routed through there, including Imperial Guard deployments. We might be able to figure out what's going on from there."

Ylsidar nodded, "Good thinking Colonel. Lead the way." As he spoke he grabbed Dozeman by the scruff of his coat, and none too gently. "You are coming with us."


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

Sergeant Izak let his gaze sweep along the length and breadth of the plaza, identifying any possible tactical considerations. So far their arrival did not seem to have been noted, but he was not known for being careless of tactics. Having surveyed the plaza, he turned his attention to the Space Marines, who had taken up defensive positions around the Thunderhawk and Government House.

Izak nodded in satisfaction. Under the circumstances, they had deployed well; he only hoped that the lack of heavy weapons would not become an issue. Even a single Heavy Bolter would have gone a long way toward making him more comfortable with their situation. He shook the thought off, they would have to do without.

Looking around one more time, Sergeant Izak walked down the steps, taking up position with the other Sergeant, between the two squads.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Government House, Agora Majoris++

Bracing himself, Captain Ylsidar threw his entire force against the door, smashing the power-sealed lock mechanism into fragments, and sending the armored door flying across the room beyond. When the group had arrived, it was discovered that Dozeman had not bothered to memorize the necessary codes, forcing this more drastic approach.

Ylsidar lead the way into the large room, followed by Fazel, Sergeant Adral and his two men, one of whom was still half-carrying, half pushing Administrator Dozeman. It was Colonel Fazel that voiced the thought that immediately passed through each of their minds: "Why is it empty?"

Just then, a young man stepped into the room, from the duty-kitchen, intended to supply the extensive staff of a command and control center. Seeing the new arrivals, the man stopped dead in his tracks, dropping the mug he held in his hands. From his reaction, and the way he stared at Ylisdar, it was clear the young man had never seen a Space Marine before.

It was some seconds before anyone spoke. Captain Ylsidar looked him up and down; the man could not have been more than 19 years of age. Noting that he wore an Imperial Guard uniform bearing the colors of Kolinum Singularis, Ylisdar spoke: "I am Brother-Captain Ylsidar, of the 3rd Company of the Vorpal Dragons Space Marine Chapter. Who are you, are you the duty officer?"

The young man stammered, for a few seconds, eventually gaining self control with an obvious effort. "I...I...I'm. I'm R-recruit O-Officer Tarrits. I don't know...who is the duty officer. I'm...supposed to report to General Vandrer. Gytan Vandrer?" The young officer was clearly unsure, intimidated by the Space Marines' sudden appearance.

"Don't worry son, relax." Colonel Fazel walked over to Tarrits as he spoke, putting a calming hand on his shoulder. "Do you know where we might find General Vandrer? Where we might find any of the staff on duty today, for that matter?" His tone was soothing; unlike the Space Marines he to had known the anxious fear that the young man was experiencing, he to had been a young, unexperienced officer once; overawed by seniority and in particular the Emperor's glorious Space Marines.

Colonel Fazel looked over at the Space Marines, "Captain, with your permission, I will talk to the young man." Ylsidar, recognizing the Colonel's intention, nodded in return and walked over to the central status display, intending to discover the information they were looking for.

Knowing the young officer's fears, Colonel Fazel removed his jacket, laying it aside so that Tarrits was not intimidated by his rank. "Come, sit down here son. There's no need to be worried. I'm Tellic Fazel, why don't you just start from the beginning..." Fazel stopped for a second, thinking, and then added "Do you want something to drink, another mug? No? Ok. Well, start at the beginning son..."

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

Brother-Captain Ylsidar looked up from the piles of dataslates that lay on the desk before him. The group had been in the command and control center for almost an hour now. Glancing in the direction of the far corner of the room, near the duty-kitchen, he saw that Colonel Fazel was still in conversation with the young officer; who seemed alot calmer than he had been when they first arrived. Ylsidar shrugged and returned to his intense study of the dataslate he was holding in his armored hand.

"Captain?" The voice of the Colonel brought Ylsidar's attention back. Looking up, he threw an inquisitive glance at Fazel. "Colonel? Found something out?"

"Seems so, Captain. Young Tarrits mentioned a single-frequency transmitter, used to transfer large amounts of information to forward command centers. We could use it to keep informed." The Colonel indicated the status display that stood alone in the center of the room.

"Perhaps it could be retuned, to hinder the efforts of any who may have turned against the Imperium." The captain turned to look at the young officer, who seemed more composed than he had been. "Where is this transmitter?"

"On the roof, my lord. It can be retuned from over there..." As he spoke, he pointed at a communications terminal fitted against the back wall of the room, at the furthest point from the door.

Ylisdar nodded, turning toward his First Sergeant, "Adral, retune the transmitter, and arrange for some sort of data-receiver." Adral nodded and went to carry out his orders, with the professionalism and expertise that one could expect from such a veteran.

Ylsidar was quiet for a few seconds, listening to the sounds of Adral undertaking his assigned task, before looking to the Colonel once again. "We must find a way to discover more of this uprising; we must know what forces there are available to us. We should..."

While Ylsidar spoke, Colonel Fazel cleared his throat meaningfully, causing the Space Marine to pause. "Colonel?"

"Captain, I believe there may be a simple way. In the uprising on Rophanon, General Bylthe, unable to establish the scope of his forces, simply ordered all forces to converge upon a series of objectives; then waited to see which obeyed and which did not." The Colonel paused for a moment, looking around the room. Seeing the general Command Communications Terminal, he headed over to it, continuing on, "Could we not try something similar, Captain?"

Ylsidar smiled. "You are well read colonel. It is a sound plan." Turning toward Sergeant Adral, he continued, "Sergeant, does that terminal store the necessary communication codes to do what the Colonel is suggesting?"

A few moments passed before Adral gave his reply "It does Brother. We can send the necessary orders from that terminal." As he spoke, the Sergeant pointed at another work-station.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

Sergeant Izak, his back pressed up against the building behind him, reached up and quietly deactivated the locking mechanism on his helmet. He slowly lifted it from his head, attaching it to his belt. Looking across the wide plaza, he saw the other Space Marines holding position, while he and two others snuck around the edges of the open square, to scout out the surrounding area.

With his helmet safely out of the way, Izak returned his attention to the task at hand. Slowly leaning away from the wall and, exposing his head as little as possible, he twisted, trying to see the road around the corner.

It was quiet, and empty, no one and nothing in sight. Pulling his head back, much the way that a giant turtle retracts his head into his armor, Izak looked over to the other Space Marines who were scouting the nearby area. Raising a hand to gain their attention, he made several quick gestures, silently imparting their orders to continue on and scout several city blocks in all directions.

Sergeant Izak watched the two for several seconds, until both disappeared from sight down the roads leading away from the plaza, before himself stepping out around the corner. Ducked low, he began moving quickly along the block, staying close to the nearest wall as he went.

As the sergeant moved, his eyes darted back and forth, taking in everything there was to see, paying attention to every detail from the cracked plascrete under his armored boots to the dark windows that towered several storeys above him. Up ahead, the road he was moving along opened out, as if to form a small square before continuing on it's way. Slowing down, the Sergeant looked around for somewhere to hide in order to observe the square unseen.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Government House, Agora Majoris++

Captain Ylsidar waited, kneeling and his hands resting on his weapons, at the end of the corridor. Behind him crouched Colonel Fazel, Sergeant Adral, the young Imperial Guard Recruit Officer Tarrits, and the cowed Administrator Dozeman.

The minutes passed slowly, and the quiet seemed almost oppressive to the small group waiting for the return of the two Space Marines from First Sergeant Adral's squad. They had gone ahead, to confirm what Ylisdar feared, and to locate the office of the Planet's Military Commander, General Gytan Vandrer.

In his mind's eye, the Space Marine Captain went through everything he had seen on this planet, trying to decide on his next course of action, one that was not dictated by the situation of the time, for he disliked being moved to act by necessity. Worse, there were so many questions left unanswered.

The captain's train of thought was interrupted by the return of the two men he had sent out. Kneeling down on either side of him, facing outwards in a defensive posture, they began their report.

Once the report was complete, Ylsidar was quiet for a minute or so, thinking carefully. The two Space Marines had indicated that Government House seemed deserted, many of those who should have been on duty were absent, while others seemed oblivious to the world around them. Worse, the majority of the staff from the Planetary Defense Forces could not be located, their offices were empty. It was disturbing news indeed.

Suddenly reaching a decision, Captain Ylsidar stood up. "Come, we have done what we can here. We must return to the others, and head for the assembly points." He turned to look at Recruit Officer Tarrits, "Will you serve the Emperor this day?"

The young man nodded, still awed by the captain, and indeed the other Space Marines. Colonel Fazel gave the youth a reassuring smile, then turned to follow the Space Marines. "Let's just hope that the Imperial Guard will answer our call."

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
+Agora Majoris++

Sergeant Izak crouched, ducked into the shadow of what appeared to be some sort of public announcements display, in a position overlooking the square. He had been there, unmoving and silent, for some minutes now. All had seemed quiet, at first, unnaturally so. The houses themselves seemed as if they stood empty, and nowhere was there to be found any signs of life. Then, just as the Sergeant was about to turn away to return to Government House, that had suddenly changed.

First a few men, moving quickly, had entered the square hurrying on their way. Soon, they were followed by a larger group, and now a steady stream of men was passing through the square at pace, heading off to an unknown destination.

From his vantage point overlooking the square, the sergeant kept a keen eye on the column, for despite the lack of any evidence that these men were soldiers, their comportment was that of troops, and their movement seemed disciplined and coordinated. He watched as group after group hurried by, keeping a rough tally in his head of their numbers.

It was then that the low rumble of approaching engines reached his ears, catching his attention. Leaning forward from the shadows slightly, Izak strained his ears to try and identify them, and their number. He did not have to wait long.

In less than a minute, the source of the engine-sounds became apparent, as a column of trucks, the sort used to transport routine cargoes in remote areas of the planet, rolled into view.

It was not their presence that caught the attention of the Space Marine Sergeant, but the symbol that was emblazoned upon the sides, and bonnet, of each truck. A large triangular shape, within which was housed a smaller triangle; not unlike a stylized P, blazing in bright yellow against the dull off-grey background of the trucks.

Then, as the last truck drove past, it all stopped as suddenly as it had started and the square was deathly quiet once more. Sergeant Izak waited a few minutes, to make sure there was no one around to observe him, before he crept out of the shadows and began on his way back to his Battle-Brothers at Government House.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

Colonel Fazel watched as the Thunderhawk, engines roaring, lifted its bulky frame from the ground, and reached toward the sky. It was a somewhat disconcerting feeling, to watch their only real means of escape leave the group behind.

"Colonel?" The voice belonged to First Sergeant Adral, and it brought the colonel suddenly back to reality. Glancing around the men in the circle, he smiled apologetically, embarrassed at having allowed himself to become distracted. He cleared his throat, "Sergeant?"

"The Communications Array, Colonel?" Adral prompted. in the tone of voice a man so naturally adopts when forced to reiterate a point. Fazel nodded, "Of course. The array is located in the 5th quarter, near the South Gates to the city. As I remember it had only a few firing positions as defenses, but I don't know what sort of guard detail it has."

"What about the power supply?" Captain Ylsidar threw the question in, clearly thinking to disconnect it in order to hinder communications on the planet, now that the Space Marines controlled the Government House communications systems, which operated on an independent grid.

The colonel shook his head in response. A moment later he added, "It is connected to the planetary power grid, the only way to disconnect it would be to knock that out..."

At this, Sergeant Adral cut across the colonel, "So we take out the planetary power grid."

"No Sergeant, the only way to do that is to destroy all the power plants on the entire planet, they are spread far and wide, and many of the back-up generators are located in secret, and well protected, installations; to prevent the power grid from going down."

The two argued on, back and forth, for some time, while Captain Ylsidar withdrew into his own mind, considering all that had been said. After some minutes, he looked up to find the two men still heatedly arguing about the best way to take down the communications array.

Ylsidar liked the Colonel, the man had a brave heart, to stand up to a Space Marine like that. Glancing over at the young Tarrits, a smile came to the captain's face. The young officer was staring at Colonel Fazel, an expression of both horror and admiration on his face.

Turning his attention back to the two arguing men, Ylisdar spoke, his tone conveying a sense of finality. "Enough." The two men immediately stopped speaking, waiting for the captain's decision.

"We will make for the array, and attempt to destroy its alignment sensors, that should disrupt communications until they can be fixed." Motioning at one of the Space Marines, he continued, "Get everyone ready to move out."

The Space Marine nodded, and turned to obey his orders, while Ylsidar continued issuing orders. "Adral, before we leave here, transmit orders to all Imperial Guard formations to converge on several locations- make them at least 3 or 4 klicks apart, and as far away from our path as you can reasonably manage. Everyone clear?"

The men in the circle nodded agreement as Ylsidar stood up. "Good, then we must be on our way."


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

Colonel Fazel walked alongside Tarrits, a few steps behind Captain Ylsidar. It was clear enough the young man was still in shock over witnessing anyone argue with a Space Marine. He smiled inwardly, he had seen his fair share of Space Marines in his time, but had always found them to be aloof. These men seemed to be different, almost as if they valued his presence, or perhaps were simply accustomed to working alongside others.

His train of thought was suddenly interrupted as Captain Ylsidar raised his hand, fist clenched in the air. As one, the Space Marines around Fazel and Tarrits went to ground, kneeling and facing outwards in a defensive posture. Following suit a second later, Fazel moved over to the Space Marine Captain. "What is going on, Captain?"

"Something is coming." Everything was quiet, and the minutes crawled by with painful slowness. Fazel could feel his heartbeat, and could hear the soft breathing of the men around him as they waited.

Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the sound of safeties being clicked off. A second later, they clicked on again, as the target stepped around the corner. Sergeant Izak had caught up with the group. Making a beeline for Ylsidar, the Sergeant stopped only very briefly to pat one of his men on the shoulder. Even before the man had knelt down, to be joined by First Sergeant Adral, Ylsidar spoke, "Report Sergeant."

Fazel listened intently to the report, trying to commit the information to memory as he always did. Something caught his attention, something was amiss with what the Sergeant had said. It took the colonel a moment to figure out what it was, before he interrupted the Sergeant. "This symbol, what did it look like Sergeant?"

Izak looked at the man for a second, then shrugged and leant down to draw the emblem he had seen on the trucks in the dirt on the road. As the Sergeant finished drawing, Ylsidar looked over at Fazel, "Do you recognize it, Colonel?"

Fazel nodded, slowly. "Populi." Shaking his head, the colonel continued, "It was...a militia of sorts. The suggestion was that the Imperial Guard should train formations of Citizen Militia. One of the reasons I was sent to this planet was to observe the training to report on the feasibility of the system for use in the Verdat system."

"What happened?"

Fazel gestured at the symbol etched in the dirt. "A citizens militia has the interest of the citizens at heart, not the interests of the Imperium."

Ylsidar nodded slowly, thinking this new information over. "How many were trained?" A thoughtful, perhaps even pained, look passed across the Colonel's features, before he answered: "Thousands."

Cutting back into the conversation, Izak voiced his observations. "At least 3000 were in that column Brother-Captain, and I believe heavy equipment."

Ylsidar nodded, and suddenly stood up. "Then we have less time than I thought. We must move." Without waiting for a response, he whistled and raised his hand, signaling the men onward.

The group moved off, moving at a faster pace than they had before. Still, the watching Fazel saw that the Space Marines remained as on their guard as they had been before.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

The group had moved at a fair pace, making good time through the oddly deserted city. Now, however, they stood upon a rise that looked down over the 5th Quarter. Now, they had found signs of life. Now there was a new problem.

Below, the Adeptus Arbites compound was under siege.

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

The air was filled with the sounds of battle, the whine of bullets, the deathly chatter of heavy weapons, the whisper of lasguns, even the whistle of mortar shells. This symphony of war was interspersed with the pitiful cries of the wounded; and the odd thud that one imagines as bodies fall to the ground.

Colonel Fazel was prone, hidden from the combatants below, atop the ridge, looking down at the battle through a pair of high power binoculars. The open area in front of the gates to the Arbites compound fixed his attention, for all across it were strewn bodies in dull grey uniforms, each emblazoned with a stylized capital P.

Further back, behind some makeshift barricades crouched the survivors of that first assault. At first it had seemed that the charge might succeed, as the mass of men surged forward toward the gates. But then as they seemed so close to their goal, from above the walls of the compound the Arbites had risen as one to pour a hail of death and destruction into the throng of men below.

The men atop the ridge had watched, transfixed, this display of martial power, as the ranks of the Populi forces had been cut down, hundreds falling in the seconds before they broke, and fell back. Even now, the firefight continued, as the attackers cowered behind their makeshift protection, firing blindly toward the compound, while the Arbites picked them off from atop their walls.

Even as the Colonel watched, however, more men were massing for a second assault. Even within their fortress, the Arbites would not last long. His observations complete, Fazel crawled away from the ridge, remaining prone to avoid detection, heading back down to the others who were waiting.

Rejoining the circle, he knelt and began to draw what he had seen in the dirt. While he did so, he delivered his report. "They have heavy weapons for certain, at least four heavy bolters. Here, here, here and here." As he spoke, the colonel tapped the locations, marked with an X, on his sketch.

Pointing to another location, squarely in front of the compound gates, he continued. "They seem to be setting up a lascannon of some kind here, I suspect they intend to blow open the gates before the next assault.

"Then we do not have much time. We must move." Ylsidar seemed concerned as he spoke, clearly the number of heavy weapons available to these rebels worried him as much as it did Colonel Fazel.

Pointing at the map, Ylsidar continued, issuing his orders with the confidence that centuries of command gains. "Hard and fast, we break through here", he tapped the map as he spoke, "and try to break through to the gate before they can cut us off. Adral, you and your men are with me, as are you and Tarrits, Colonel."

The men addressed acknowledged their orders quietly with a nod, while the Captain continued. "Sergeant Izak, you will lead the attack, go straight for the first of the bolters, use it to give us covering fire. Sergeant Danan, take your squad to the left, set up firing positions on the right side of the compound gate, we will need to withdraw under suppressing fire."

Captain Ylsidar looked around the men, into the eyes of each. "Everyone clear? Good. Move out."


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Precinct Court 'KolSin AgMa'++

Arbitrator Metian crouched against the parapet, all manner of weaponry tearing asunder the air above him from the fire of the attackers below. Beside him lay the slumped figure of Judge Agitian, his life claimed by a traitor's gun.

Looking along the parapet, Metian could see that the Judge was not the only one who had fallen. Too man, far too many, of his fellow Arbites had already fallen, lying unattended where they fell.

As he watched, Arbitrator Metian saw Lord Hedikkannen, Marshall of the Court of the planet Kolinum Singularis. The man was a pillar of strength, running from wall to wall, from patrol to patrol, giving encouragement to his men.

Metian felt his courage rally as he saw the Marshall run along the wall, stopping every few steps to fire down at the enemy below. He seemed as a hero of legends, fearless and invincible in the face of the enemies of mankind; but fate is a cruel friend.

Suddenly, as Metian looked on, Lord Hedikkannen stopped, motionless and silent, out in the open. Time seemed to slow as round after round, underpinned by the deep roar of heavy weaponry, found it's way into the Marshall's chest. The impacts drove him back, first one step, then another. A look of surprise found its way onto his face. And then, then he fell. It was so that Lord Aino Hedikkannen, Marshall of the Court and Judge Lord, died.

Metian was as if paralyzed, helpless, and unable to look away. He felt the cold fingers of fear reach into his chest, and lock his heart in an icy grip. His stomach felt like a bottomless pit, and the white veil of panic threatened to descend upon him. Fate had conspired to take from under him the steady floor of faith. The realization hit him: they were all going to die.

It was in that moment, in a way that Arbitrator Metian would never be able to explain, that he found his strength. His life was no longer his, he was already dead. He could not say why, but the realization gave him strength.

Standing up, turning toward the enemies beyond the walls, he raised his weapon and fired. In that moment he saw the Space Marines charging forward, breaking asunder the enemy lines on their way to the compound gates.

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Precinct Court 'Kolsin AgMa'++

Colonel Fazel opened his eyes slowly, wide awake yet wishing that he were still asleep. He felt the cold stone wall behind him, and the light night breeze on his cheek, as he looked around the dimly lit courtyard. It was nighttime still, and there lay a silence over the Arbites compound that oddly contrasted the chaotic noise that had been so ever-present mere hours ago.

Fazel was about to stand, when he remembered the young Tarrits, asleep with his head cushioned against the colonel's thigh. As gently as he could, Fazel lifted the young man's head and gently repositioned it so that he could slide away.

Standing up, Fazel looked around the courtyard again just as Captain Yslidar entered the courtyard. Ylsidar, seeing that Fazel was up and about, immediately changed course and headed over to him.

The Space Marine reached out to the Imperial Guard officer, grasping the man's shoulder lightly in brotherly recognition, and he spoke in hushed tones so as not to wake the men who slept fitfully all around the courtyard. "Colonel. Are you sufficiently rested?"

Fazel responded to the captain's query with an odd gesture, part nod and part shrug, as if to signify that one could not expect to be well rested in these circumstances. It was all that was needed between the two men, for both knew well enough of the rigors of war.

"Very well. We have located an old emergency tunnel leading in the right direction, from the lower archives. It predates much most of the surviving records on this planet, it is unlikely they," as he said the word, Ylsidar gestured vaguely beyond the walls toward the foe, "will be aware of it. We leave an hour before day-break."

Without any further words, the space marine nodded to the colonel and walked away to find his men. For a moment, Colonel Fazel considered calling out to him, but something within him held him back, unwilling to risk discovering what it was that had worried the captain so. Instead, he turned back to his young charge, still quietly sleeping. Fazel smiled, "Sleep an hour more, my young friend."


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Precinct Court 'Kolsin AgMa'++

Fazel woke to the sound of explosions and gunfire, and all around him the buildings were shaking at repeated impacts of heavy weaponry. Jumping to his feet, he grabbed his weapons and helped Tarrits to his feet. Looking around quickly, the Colonel tried to get his bearings.

The light that was slowly beginning to filter through to the courtyard told him that dawn was still some time off, it seemed the Populi forces had not wanted to risk loosing their prey. Another round of explosions ensured a swift end to his deliberations, as pieces of rockcrete and ferroplast went flying. Fazel saw several men, Arbites by their uniforms, fall dead, their bodies mangled by the shrapnel. "Quick, into the compound. We must find Captain Ylsidar. Follow me."

To the young Tarrits, events flashed by as if in a dream, as they hurtled through corridors, the sounds of battle ever close on their heels. Here and there, isolated patrols of Arbites fought the surging tide of Populi forces, desperately holding off their foe at each corner, stairwell and cubbyhole. They were grasping at straws, and with each passing minute dozens fell.

It seemed as if hours had passed when the survivors regrouped at the entrance to the escape tunnel, only some minutes after the initial attack. Though Arbitrator Metian, the highest ranking survivor among the Adeptus Arbites, had gathered all the men he could, there were pitifully few left.

Colonel Fazel was relieved to see that there were no space marines missing from their number, and he greeted Ylsidar with a quiet nod. Fazel glanced around, trying to get a quick count, just as Metian spoke: "Captain, Colonel. There are more of... my men not far from here." His voice trailed off, and he looked to the space marine for an answer.

Ylsidar, however, shook his head slowly. "We are out of time, we cannot wait any longer. They sacrifice themselves that we may carry on the fight." The captain turned toward the other arbites, raising his voice slightly and pointing toward the emergency tunnel. "Go." A moment of hesitation among the men prompted a second, louder, "GO!"

A third command was not necessary, and the men quickly jumped into the tunnel, following the marines, who had moved as one at the first command. Ylsidar turned to face the Tarrits and the Colonel. For the briefest of moments, Colonel Fazel saw an expression of pain and regret in the captain's eyes, an expression that haunted him as the followed Ylsidar along the tunnel.

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

The sun had already begun its long descent in the futile fight against the night as the weary group scrambled up to the surface from the emergency tunnels. It had been a long march: mile upon mile they had trudged through the darkness, always following the man in front.

But, here they were, back on the surface. And it was daylight. Fazel stretched his back as he looked around, he was glad to be out of the cramped confines of the tunnels and back out in the open streets of the city outskirts.

The crash of a metal grate closing caught Fazel's attention, and he turned around to see what was going on. It seemed the the tunnel from which their small group had ascended had been sealed. Turning around, he saw Captain Ylsidar coming toward him.

"How far are we from the array, Colonel?" Centuries of experience allowed the space marine captain to consider only the issue at hand, hiding his discomfort at having left so many men behind to die. Even the veteran Colonel Fazel could not see through to the marine's real thoughts.

Fazel, dismissing such concerns, looked around, searching for some landmark to go by. He hesitated a moment before he replied. "Ah... two blocks away, behind those buildings over there." As he spoke, he pointed in the direction they had to go.

"Very well, Colonel." Waving vaguely to the men gathering behind them, "Move out." Without turning to check, knowing the men would follow, Ylsidar moved off.

As the men trudged along, Ylisidar retreated into his own mind. Truly, he hated leaving any man behind, but they could not afford to delay, for there was a long battle ahead of them yet. First, the array... and then? The thought troubled Ylsidar, for he was uncomfortable without a plan.

Ylsidar smiled inwardly, perhaps he should have accepted that offer to become an instructor on the Homeworld; life would be easier. Now he really did smile, for in truth he knew: this was his place, the Father willed it so.

Pushing aside his train of thought, he looked up. There was the array, it was time to go to work.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

Recruit-Officer Tarrits crouched hidden behind a public announcement terminal, trying to sort through the overwhelming mass of thoughts in his head. It had been only a day since Ylsidar and his men had burst through the door to the command center, and yet so much had already happened. Things were moving too fast for him to keep up. At least Colonel Fazel understood.

The Colonel was a kind man, firm but friendly, even fatherly. He understood. A sudden bout of nostalgia overcame the young man as he thought of his father. It had been some time since they had spoken, over three years. They had not spoken since he had defied his father's wishes, and signed up for the Imperial Guard.

Tarrits wished he could see his father again, he wished he could see all his family again. Perhaps if he survived this, he would be able to go back, to explain. Perhaps Fazel would come with him, make them understand.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. Spinning around wildly, Tarrits saw that it was Colonel Fazel who had come over to check on him, the consultation must be over.

"Easy son, easy." Fazel rested his hand reassuringly on Tarrits' shoulders. "Are you ready? Do you understand what you're orders are?" Tarrits nodded in response to both, as Fazel continued; "Ok. Remember, keep your head and don't panic, you'll get through this just fine." Looking into the young man's eyes, the Colonel smiled reassuringly and moved off to take up his position.

Passing Ylsidar on the way, Fazel stopped briefly when Ylsidar spoke. "His first battle?" Fazel nodded by way of reply, "Yes. This must all be hard for him, but he is a brave kid." Both men moved on, and Fazel looked back at Tarrits, whose nervousness was showing. He truly felt for the young man, he still remembered his first battle.

A loud bang put a halt to any further nostalgia, as Captain Ylsidar fired a flare into the air, the agreed signal for the attack. Without hesitation, Fazel broke into a run, unholstering his weapons as he went, heading for the array.

Elsewhere on the plaza, Tarrits was running forward, sidearm forgotten in it's holster. Either side of him, several arbites kept pace with him. Although he did not know for sure, he thought that Fazel must have asked them to keep an eye on him.

Tarrits looked up; the array seemed so far away, but he knew that it could not be more than a hundred meters. He ran on, heart-beat pounding in his ears, following the lone figure of Ylsidar, whose golden power-armor was glorious under the mid day sun.

Ylsidar was alone in the sunshine, the men following behind him all but forgotten as he focused on the array, as he charged ever onward, covering meter after meter with his powerful stride. 30 meters, 25 meters. Surely the defenders would emerge soon, to bring battle to their charge. 20 meters, 15 meters, 10... there!

The defenders streamed out of the doors that lined the front of the array, weapons in hand, and took up positions along the railing that separated the array from the market square. A mere second later, Ylsidar slammed into them, power weapon making a mockery of their pitiful defense, his shining power-armor shielding him from harm.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris++

Standing by the doors to the array, Tarrits looked around. Bodies were scattered around, on the steps, on the platform. He had watched in amazement as Ylsidar, like a warrior from some legend of old, had slammed into the defenders, felling a dozen or more in mere seconds. The battle had almost been over by the time the others reached the communications array.

The sound of occasional Bolter fire could be heard from within the building, as the Space Marines moved room to room, eliminating any surviving defenders. Outside, meanwhile, the Arbites had set to work clearing the bodies, laying them in neat rows in the square.

Colonel Fazel stepped up next to the young man. "Imperial Guard, each and every one of them. I fear matters are far worse than we feared."

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris, Communications Array++

Tarrits stood over the body of the man he had just killed, a Lieutenant, apparently the commander of the troops that had defended the array. He stared down at the man's white face, unable to move, unable to think. What had he done? He had killed him. Killed a man... a Lieutenant, a superior officer!

Tarrits tried to move, but his body did not heed his commands. Instead, he stood rooted to the floor, staring blankly at the young man at his feet, slumped against the wall.

There was no blood. It seemed odd, but Tarrits had expected blood. Instead, a single blackened scorch mark burned on the man's chest, through his uniform, marred the oddly peaceful scene. Why was there no blood?

The scene replayed again and again in the young officer's mind. He saw as the Lieutenant tripped and fell, he saw the man scramble backwards, away from the weapons leveled at him. Tarrits saw the fear in his eyes, the desire to live. And then he saw himself fire.

"W-w...what have I done?" He asked the question of no one in particular, and his voice was horse and uneven, barely able to say anything.

"You have brought the Emperor's Justice." Captain Ylsidar's unexpected words startled Tarrits, causing him to spin around in terror and surprise. When he turned, Tarrits found himself looking into the deep green eyes of the space marine. Several long seconds passed, in which Tarrits could almost feel the space marine reading his very soul.

Then, the moment passed, and Ylsidar began to turn away. Stopping, he turned back for just a moment, as if he had just decided upon something. "You did well." With that, the captain turned and walked away, down the corridor, leaving the young officer staring blankly at the space where he had been.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris, Communications Array++

Tarrits awoke with a scream, panting heavily and drenched in sweat. Clasping his head in his hands, he fought the tears, fought off the nightmare. Rocking back and forth in his own embrace, the young man felt a touch upon his shoulder. Looking up, he saw the friendly face of Colonel Fazel.

"Easy son, easy." The Colonel's voice was light and friendly, even fatherly. Gently lifting the young man's head with a hand beneath his chin, Fazel saw the glistening tears on Tarrit's cheeks. Fazel smiled, "It's alright son, there is no shame in tears."

Tarrits just stared back at the friendly face before him, the friendly face that offered him comfort, offered him support. Stammering, he forced out the words. "Hallway... Lieutenant. I-I k-killed him. I..." His voice trailed off.

"It's never easy, son. It is never easy to take a life." Seeing that Tarrit's eyes darted involuntarily across the room to where the space marines slept, Fazel smiled. "Well... maybe for them."

Fazel was quiet for a few seconds, as he settled himself more comfortably next to the young man. Then, with a second of contemplation, he spoke again. "I still remember the face of the first man I killed, even now.

Tarrits stared at the colonel, his expression incredulous, as if he could not imagine that a decorated veteran like Fazel would be plagued by such thoughts. Fazel smiled, "It's true."

Reaching under his jacket, the colonel brought out a small flask of hot coffee. "Here, drink some of this, and I'll tell you about it. It's only from field rations, but it's the best we could find." Tarrits took the flask and sipped, letting the warmth seep through him.

Offering the flask back to the colonel next to him, he sat back against the wall. The colonel took a sip, and launched into the story.


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris, Communications Array++

The morning light was creeping over the horizon, through the open front doors of the communications array. Outside, at the railings, a lone Arbites sentry paced up an down, up and down, up and down.

Fazel watched, almost mesmerized, as the sentry paced up and down. He listened to the steady beat of boots on the permacrete, and watched the bright light that was climbing toward the horizon. Tarrits had fallen asleep an hour or two ago, and Fazel let him sleep. He would have to wake him soon enough, anyway.

All around the room, the men were beginning to stir from their sleep as the light found them. Elsewhere in the communications control rooms, he knew, Ylsidar and his sergeants were pouring over the information they had found.

All this was familiar to the colonel, and yet somehow an unknown. The colonel contemplated his life, realizing that strangely war was always so. He was no longer young, he had lived a full life: he had seen many planets, many battles and many wars. Maybe when this was all over, it would be time to retire.

The hiss of a powered door interrupted Fazel's thoughts. Looking up, he saw that Ylsidar had entered the room. Clearly, the day was about to begin.

[Honsou]

++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Agora Majoris, Communications Array++

Colonel Fazel stood at the railing that guarded the array's large doors, looking out over the plaza, where the men were gathering. He could see the surviving Arbites, lead by Arbitrator Metian. Among them, at Fazel's request, he could see Tarrits, checking his equipment under their supervision.

Fazel turned his thoughts to the space marines as he looked over to them. There was something different about them; Fazel had seen many marines in his time, but never had he encountered any like these. They seemed at ease around others, it was as if they were accustomed to, even valued, their presence. They smiled, even joked, and yet they remained calm and composed.

Ylsidar stepped up beside him, interrupting the train of thought. "Colonel. The maps we found in the array suggest that the city gates to the south are under repair; it seems some sort of explosion-"

Interrupting, Fazel confirmed the information. "Indeed Captain, there was a power conduit explosion there a few months ago. The gates themselves remained unharmed, but the surrounding defenses, including part of the wall, were destroyed. As far as I know the repair work was still on-going."

"Good. We will make for the city gates then. It seems the planet is in complete disarray, we were unable to discover whether any units responded to our orders to converge. We've set charges in the array, if they did not know we where here before..."

Ylsidar left the sentence incomplete, both men knew only too well what it meant for them. His face betrayed the hint of a smile, and a moment later he slapped the railing with his armored hands. Raising his voice, he called out to the men assembled on the plaza. "We're headed for the southern city gates, expect resistance. Move out."

Without further words, he jumped the railing, and moved to join the men. Scrambling over the railing, and landing somewhat haphazardly, Fazel followed suit. "Too old for this..."


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Outskirts, Agora Majoris++

Arbitrator Metian looked around the faces of the men kneeling in a semi-circle around him, his men. The realization was almost painful, for in it was the knowledge that this handful of weary men were the only survivors of the Adeptus Arbites. Metian swallowed deeply, fighting back the rising panic in him as he thought of the many dead.

Aino Hedikkannen; dead. Judge Agitian; dead. Lady Klixa; dead. They were all dead, and now it fell to him to lead these men, these 23 survivors.

At least, now, they were better prepared. With the help of Colonel Fazel, Metian had organized the surviving men into two patrols. One he lead himself, the other he had entrusted to Arbitrator Kedannen. From the same world as Lord Hedikkannen, the Arbitrator was a level-headed fighter who had been preparing to become a Judge.

As Metian's thoughts turned to the man, he turned to meet his gaze, finding a calm confidence reflected within them. Kedannen grinned, hefted up the Shotgun in his hands, and spoke in his native tongue. "Vapen och ammunition, vapen och ammunition."

Metian smiled, a new determination flowing through him. Indeed, with the weapons and ammunition that they had gathered at the communications array, they would make the rebels pay. It looked as if Kedannen was about to say something further, but the arrival of Colonel Fazel and Tarrits put a stop to it.

"Arbitrator, are you and your men ready?" The Colonel's voice was businesslike but friendly. Without waiting for a response, he continued: "We are ready, you understand your orders?"

He glanced around the men, seeing the determination in them, and nodded. "Good. See you on the other side." Fazel clasped the Arbitrator's shoulder as he spoke, and then headed back the way he had come, to rejoin the space marines, leaving the Arbites to their assigned task.

Metian watched his back as he walked away, mentally preparing for the task at hand, before turning to face his men. Under the direction of Kedannen, they had checked their weapons and taken up positions. "Let's go."


++Planet Kolinum Singularis++
++Outskirts, Agora Majoris++

Tarrits ducked behind a heavy slab of permacrete, that one of the space marines had turned over for cover with unbelievable ease, and listened to the heavy lasfire that was blasting the area all around him. In his hand he held his laspistol, which the colonel had modified using components taken from the array. It looked strange, but Colonel Fazel had promised that it would see him through.

Gripping the weapon tightly, Tarrits took a deep breath of air, as if it was his last, and stood to fire at the enemy. The weapon in his hand whined torturously as it fired, sending a volley of deadly fire toward the entrenched foe. Ahead, he could see the space marines as they dodged from cover to cover, firing their bolters in quick bursts as they went, lasfire burning the air around them.

Jumping over the barrier, Tarrits ran forward, firing his weapon as he went. Although he would never be able to explain it, in this moment he felt focused, he felt alive. He felt as if the Emperor himself watched over him as he charged forward, firing blindly at the enemy, their shots leaving him untouched.

And then, as if time stood still, he was flying backwards through the air. As if lifted from his body, young Tarrits watched as he was hurled backward through the air. As he slammed into a stack of permacrete blocks, Tarrits' world went dark.