Post by Ranger Dude on Dec 26, 2005 8:37:42 GMT -5
Shaitan!
The Marines were a sight to see falling from the sky like bright silver tears, their jump pack thrusters igniting intermittently to slow their descent. Brother Chaplain Lucifer stood out in his black armor, descending faster than the others, Brother Sergeant Shaitan right behind him.
“Brethren. We are in a hostile situation. There have been reports of eldar holed up somewhere in this vicinity. We need to get in, deal with the problem, and get out. Is that understood?” All heads nodded at the Chaplain’s words. They all knew the delicacy of the situation. Anything that would pull the Chaplain away from his charges in the Shadow Company would be serious.
“Keep your eyes and ears open. Be alert for anything. The last squad to come through here never came back.” Shaitan’s words were unnecessary. They all knew that the recruits had walked into a trap, and that they could be too.
The marines started moving forward in controlled leaps and bounds, spread out to cover the most area. The slightest sound drew attention from brethren, and they looked ready to shoot even the slightest threat.
“Brother Chaplain. Sarge. You might want to look at this.” The Marine was waving them over frantically.
When the two officers arrived, they were presented with the sight of two scouts, staked out and eviscerated. They were unrecognizable.
“Burn them. There is nothing we can do for them now.” Chaplain Lucifer then went on to recite the litanies for fallen brothers. Shaitan and the marine went about arranging the bodies more comfortably, and igniting them. When they were done, and the bodies were no more, they moved on, more aware then before.
The attack came without warning. Many red clad armored fiends flying at them with weapons raised, screaming as they came.
“BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!”
Two marines fell to the onslaught, and the rest were quickly surrounded. Khorne Berzerkers were everywhere, with demons and heretics among them. The tide seemed endless. The marines fought valiantly, taking all comers. One of the two fallen managed to rise up on his elbows and started firing his bolt pistol from where he was. His brethren could tell he was going to die, but he was going to die fighting.
Despite the valiant efforts of the loyal children of the Hawk, they were outnumbered significantly. Shaitan started chanting in his head, “My faith in the Emperor will protect me,” while slashing out with his lightning claws at any heretic that came near.
Suddenly, a huge form lumbered forward. The Blood-Thirster screaming in challenge. Brother chaplain Lucifer, knowing his brethren did not stand a chance against such a beast and so many others, charged. The fight was momentous, both parties dealing out much damage. The Marines, fighting on, watched as best they could. They saw their chaplain take more hits than could be taken by even the greatest of their heroes. With a mighty swing, the Blood-Thirster cleaved him in two, but as he did, Lucifer exploited the opening, and smashed the demon’s head with his Crozious. Both fell.
Shaitan, seeing his commander fall, rushed to his body, as did all of the other marines. They formed a circle, protecting his body. While the other marines fought valiantly, Shaitan kneeled at his side.
“Do not let these fall into the hands of chaos. May our Emperor guide you and keep you safe.” With these words, and holding out his Crozious and Rosarious, Lucifer died.
Taking the badges of office, Shaitan recited a litany, tucked them on his belt, and stood. Letting out a mighty cry, he straddled his fallen comrade’s body, and lashed out at all enemies within reach. He could feel the red thirst coming on, but he cared not. In his head, he continued to chant, “My faith in the Emperor will protect me.”
One by one, Shaitan watched his brethren fall, but he fought on.
“My faith in the Emperor will protect me.”
As night fell, Shaitan fought on alone. Heretics surrounded him, and he took grievous injuries, but he knew he had to keep the Crozious and Rosarious away from them. He fought on.
“My faith in the Emperor will protect me.
“My faith in the Emperor will protect me.
“My faith in the Emperor will protect me.”
“I am here my child!”
Shaitan started out of his reverie with the sound of the voice in his mind. He felt his body fill with energy and love. He suddenly knew how the Primarchs had felt all of those times talking with their lord. He was exhilarated. The Emperor had heard him...and responded.
“I listen and obey my celestial lord,” was Shaitan’s only response.
“I am only a man.”
“But you are a god!”
“No, I am but a man.”
“If that be so, then you are a great man with much power. Power to protect mankind.”
“That is true, but mankind has faltered and strayed from my dream. I am powerful, but my power is thwarted by my own people. But you do not thwart my power. My power to protect is yours. Fight on. Embrace your rage. I will be here when you need me.”
“Yes my lord.”
With that, Shaitan fought on. He felt all of his wounds close up, but he did not think on it. He fought and killed with renewed energy. He let out a bellow of rage, and embraced the red thirst. All the time chanting in his head, “My faith in the Emperor will protect me.”
He lost consciousness of his actions.
“STOP!”
The Emperor’s voice rang clearly in his head, and he obeyed. He watched as two eldar rangers and a marine scout all walked forward, and then he collapsed, happy that he had performed his duty.
“Yes, My Lord!”
“How is he doing?”
The Apothecaries looked up at the words of their commander. “He is better than one should expect after his ordeal. In fact, he is in better shape then when he left. All of his wounds were closed over and healed when we found him, though he bears many more scars than before. On the other hand, he does refuse to relinquish the Crozious and Rosarious. He claims that it is his duty to hold them.”
“I will talk to him.” With that, the Captain went to Shaitan’s bedside. “How are you doing?”
“I am fine Brother Captain. Better than I have ever been.”
The captain looked at Shaitan very thoughtfully. “I am going to ask you a question. I want you to answer me truthfully. Will you do that?”
“Have I ever lied?” was Shaitan’s response.
“Did the Emperor speak to you?”
“Yes!”
“I believe you. Many would not, but I do. You have held onto the Crozious and Rosarious. I believe that that is your right and it is your calling. Take them up with pride. Consult the artificers for your armor and other equipment. Report to me when you are done.”
“Yes Sir!” Shaitan saluted.
The Marines were a sight to see falling from the sky like bright silver tears, their jump pack thrusters igniting intermittently to slow their descent. Brother Chaplain Lucifer stood out in his black armor, descending faster than the others, Brother Sergeant Shaitan right behind him.
“Brethren. We are in a hostile situation. There have been reports of eldar holed up somewhere in this vicinity. We need to get in, deal with the problem, and get out. Is that understood?” All heads nodded at the Chaplain’s words. They all knew the delicacy of the situation. Anything that would pull the Chaplain away from his charges in the Shadow Company would be serious.
“Keep your eyes and ears open. Be alert for anything. The last squad to come through here never came back.” Shaitan’s words were unnecessary. They all knew that the recruits had walked into a trap, and that they could be too.
The marines started moving forward in controlled leaps and bounds, spread out to cover the most area. The slightest sound drew attention from brethren, and they looked ready to shoot even the slightest threat.
“Brother Chaplain. Sarge. You might want to look at this.” The Marine was waving them over frantically.
When the two officers arrived, they were presented with the sight of two scouts, staked out and eviscerated. They were unrecognizable.
“Burn them. There is nothing we can do for them now.” Chaplain Lucifer then went on to recite the litanies for fallen brothers. Shaitan and the marine went about arranging the bodies more comfortably, and igniting them. When they were done, and the bodies were no more, they moved on, more aware then before.
The attack came without warning. Many red clad armored fiends flying at them with weapons raised, screaming as they came.
“BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!”
Two marines fell to the onslaught, and the rest were quickly surrounded. Khorne Berzerkers were everywhere, with demons and heretics among them. The tide seemed endless. The marines fought valiantly, taking all comers. One of the two fallen managed to rise up on his elbows and started firing his bolt pistol from where he was. His brethren could tell he was going to die, but he was going to die fighting.
Despite the valiant efforts of the loyal children of the Hawk, they were outnumbered significantly. Shaitan started chanting in his head, “My faith in the Emperor will protect me,” while slashing out with his lightning claws at any heretic that came near.
Suddenly, a huge form lumbered forward. The Blood-Thirster screaming in challenge. Brother chaplain Lucifer, knowing his brethren did not stand a chance against such a beast and so many others, charged. The fight was momentous, both parties dealing out much damage. The Marines, fighting on, watched as best they could. They saw their chaplain take more hits than could be taken by even the greatest of their heroes. With a mighty swing, the Blood-Thirster cleaved him in two, but as he did, Lucifer exploited the opening, and smashed the demon’s head with his Crozious. Both fell.
Shaitan, seeing his commander fall, rushed to his body, as did all of the other marines. They formed a circle, protecting his body. While the other marines fought valiantly, Shaitan kneeled at his side.
“Do not let these fall into the hands of chaos. May our Emperor guide you and keep you safe.” With these words, and holding out his Crozious and Rosarious, Lucifer died.
Taking the badges of office, Shaitan recited a litany, tucked them on his belt, and stood. Letting out a mighty cry, he straddled his fallen comrade’s body, and lashed out at all enemies within reach. He could feel the red thirst coming on, but he cared not. In his head, he continued to chant, “My faith in the Emperor will protect me.”
One by one, Shaitan watched his brethren fall, but he fought on.
“My faith in the Emperor will protect me.”
As night fell, Shaitan fought on alone. Heretics surrounded him, and he took grievous injuries, but he knew he had to keep the Crozious and Rosarious away from them. He fought on.
“My faith in the Emperor will protect me.
“My faith in the Emperor will protect me.
“My faith in the Emperor will protect me.”
“I am here my child!”
Shaitan started out of his reverie with the sound of the voice in his mind. He felt his body fill with energy and love. He suddenly knew how the Primarchs had felt all of those times talking with their lord. He was exhilarated. The Emperor had heard him...and responded.
“I listen and obey my celestial lord,” was Shaitan’s only response.
“I am only a man.”
“But you are a god!”
“No, I am but a man.”
“If that be so, then you are a great man with much power. Power to protect mankind.”
“That is true, but mankind has faltered and strayed from my dream. I am powerful, but my power is thwarted by my own people. But you do not thwart my power. My power to protect is yours. Fight on. Embrace your rage. I will be here when you need me.”
“Yes my lord.”
With that, Shaitan fought on. He felt all of his wounds close up, but he did not think on it. He fought and killed with renewed energy. He let out a bellow of rage, and embraced the red thirst. All the time chanting in his head, “My faith in the Emperor will protect me.”
He lost consciousness of his actions.
“STOP!”
The Emperor’s voice rang clearly in his head, and he obeyed. He watched as two eldar rangers and a marine scout all walked forward, and then he collapsed, happy that he had performed his duty.
“Yes, My Lord!”
“How is he doing?”
The Apothecaries looked up at the words of their commander. “He is better than one should expect after his ordeal. In fact, he is in better shape then when he left. All of his wounds were closed over and healed when we found him, though he bears many more scars than before. On the other hand, he does refuse to relinquish the Crozious and Rosarious. He claims that it is his duty to hold them.”
“I will talk to him.” With that, the Captain went to Shaitan’s bedside. “How are you doing?”
“I am fine Brother Captain. Better than I have ever been.”
The captain looked at Shaitan very thoughtfully. “I am going to ask you a question. I want you to answer me truthfully. Will you do that?”
“Have I ever lied?” was Shaitan’s response.
“Did the Emperor speak to you?”
“Yes!”
“I believe you. Many would not, but I do. You have held onto the Crozious and Rosarious. I believe that that is your right and it is your calling. Take them up with pride. Consult the artificers for your armor and other equipment. Report to me when you are done.”
“Yes Sir!” Shaitan saluted.