Part VI The pathway they were in was a high-arched hall, with deep-set sconces every few meters, each holding a flickering dim light. It was not flame, but had apparently been design to mimick fire in its color and appearance. The red tinge of the light blurred the line between object and shadow, despite their suits' autosystems, so that each step onto a darkened floorpad was laced with trepidation. Sealed doors led off at random places, left and right, but none showed any sign of previous entry so they passed them by. The hall twisted and turned, curving sharply left, then left again, then right, and Ezekial was glad that his armor's computer kept track of their location. There was room for three Marines abreast in the corridor, with enough space between them for some freedom of movement. Ezekial was at the left front, a pace or two in front of his men. They had traversed roughly the same distance as Lucius' squad had gone down the other hallway when they finally found evidence of Baronus' missing men. The corridor widened here, entering almost a separate room although it had no doors readily visible. It was simply a wider hallway, with two dead Marines in it. Upon first sight of them, Ezekial's men snapped to full alert, fanning out along the edges of the room, weapons at the ready. Ezekial knelt down to examine the dead soldiers, whom he quickly identified as Brothers Mikail and Pluvius. They lay spread-eagled on the floor, and from the smaller details he could see, it seemed likely they had been taken by surprise. Someone had fought back, though, because there were three dead metal-skinned natives scattered near them. This sorely perplexed the Sergeant, for in all of their previous encounters with them the small Mrabans had been peaceful. For the most part, the mute abhumans had tried to stay out of the war's way, although many had been killed by both sides. That some of them should so aggressively attack and kill two Space Marines meant that either he had misjudged their nature, or that there was more at work here than met the eye. That they should even be capable of killing his men was almost unbelievable in its own right. But once again, the evidence of his eyes was indisputable. Ezekial was beginning to dislike this planet, where all of his preconceived notions were being cast aside. His curiosity, however, was raging for satisfaction. How did the natives kill two Marines so quickly, and silently? Why did Baronus not call for assistance? Where was he now? Ezekial had no ready answers; the dead men provided nothing. Ezekial turned Mikail over, getting ready to summon the Chaplain to commend their souls to the Emperor, but stopped abruptly. Mikail had not been killed by grasping hands or teeth after all, as the Sergeant had assumed. No, those wounds were obviously the result of bolter fire! But the natives never used weapons, and both of the dead men's guns were fully loaded; Ezekial could see that at a glance. Someone had shot Mikail and Pluvius at close range, from the front. The thought of Baronus and Torius murdering their brothers-in-arms never even crossed Ezekial's mind. The only possibility remaining was that there were other men inside the City of Might with them. He was certain the wounds were caused by boltgun, and not shuriken, fire; the distinctive ripping effect was too unlike the fine Eldar method to mistake. Jerking his thoughts into motion, he called for Vicconius. "Interrogator- Chaplain, your services are required. Use caution," he added unnecessarily. Vicconius would be as careful as a battering ram, but just as dangerous to any foes he met. Ezekial straightened up and went over to inspect the dead metal natives. Someone had killed his men with a bolter, but the three Mrabans had apparently been done in without visible harm. The other four Space Marines still stood in readiness, electronic eyes glowing anger at the outrage perpetrated on their kin. Vicconius arrived in short order, and quickly surveyed the scene. "By the Emperor's blood," he rasped, "what has happened?" Ezekial let the Chaplain take it all in, then said, "Commend their souls, brother. Though their death disgraces us all, they do not deserve our execration. There was treachery here." Vicconius knelt, murmuring his lament of the lost, gently touching the dead Marines' armor here and there. At last he raised his head, uttering his final blessings on their souls, then stood back up. "Brother-Sergeant," he asked, carefully controlling his voice, "what do you still here? Why have you and your men not tracked down Torius and Mikail's slayers, and extracted our revenge?" Ezekial was ready for the criticism this time. "Brother Vicconius," he answered, "I could not rightfully leave them here without seeing them blessed by you first." They would have vengeance, he swore silently, but it would be done with order and method, not by blindly rushing in. "It would be best to know as much as we can of what we may be facing inside these walls before moving on. Who fired the bolt gun that killed Torius and Mikail, and why do not the Mrabans show outward signs of death?" Vicconius smoldered while Ezekial patiently explained. "You ask 'why this' and 'why that' far too often for any good to come from it, Sergeant. You should be leading the hunt, even now, not speaking of it." Ezekial fumed, feeling the familiar guilt turn once again to anger. He could not think when angry, though, and despite what the Chaplain said now was a time for thinking. If they pressed forward without thought, they would surely meet the same end as Baronus' men had. Ezekial knew Baronus, and knew that he was not given to incaution; that this had happened at all was testament to the rapidity with which it had occurred. "There is a dangerous foe in these tunnels," he hissed, "something with the ability to strike without warning. No Mrabans did this work!" "Then we must find this monstronsity and destroy it, to fully secure this building for the Emperor." Vicconius' faith was matched, as Ezekial well knew, only by his stubborness. The Sergeant gave in. He did not fear the work ahead, but carelessness with his command rankled him. He would not waste his men's lives. "Lucius, take the rear. We advance with vigilance, series alpha two." Such conservatism did not sit well with Vicconius at all. Striding to the fore of the corridor, he practically shouted, "We are Dark Angels! Death has been given to us unwanted, and our retribution is sure! Brother-Sergeant Ezekial, you are young in your service to this Chapter. Thusly, I will lead you and your men, that you may see our vengeance carried out swiftly and justly by my example." His Crozius flaring brightly, he gestured the soldiers in line. "We shall proceed at double-pace, thereby taking the enemy by surprise. Onward for the Emperor! We are their doom!" Shocked by the loss of his command, Ezekial shamefully fell into place. Vicconius was well within his rights as an Interrogator-Chaplain to usurp his authority, but Ezekial had always thought him too much a friend to do so. His men, less introspective than himself -- and less given to guilt -- followed the Chaplain readily. Of course Vicconius was right: now was not the time for caution. Again, his curiosity had betrayed him. And yet, still, he could not help but wonder what had happened. Why did they not hear the bolter fire? Possibly due to the sharply winding corridors. But why had Baronus not sent for assistance? They found out a few minutes later, when they stumbled across the bodies of Baronus and Torius. Tramping recklessly down the darkened hallway, they were almost on top of them before Vicconius stopped. They barely had time to assume a defensive posture as Vicconius moved ahead to investigate when the attack came. |
REDEMPTION By Kelly L'Roy |
TOMES OF VALOUR |
This item has been reproduced without the permission of the author. It's use here is not intended as a challenge to the original authors copyright and is reproduced here for the sole purpose of enhancing the Dark Angel spirrit and the warhammer 40,000 experience. Sadly all attempts at contacting the author have been unsuccessful and the original site where this was published no longer in existence. The story has been too invaluable to the DA community to be simply lost in the warp and therefre been reproduced here. If Kellt L'Roy happens to read these pages, please contact by email. |
