CAPITAN BRUTUS EPATHUS - MASTER OF RITES - ULTRAMARINE 6TH COMPANY
"Spear of Calth, this is Severian, actual. Over", came the voice over the ship to ship vox.
"Severian, this is Spear of Calth, actual", replied Captain Epathus from his command position On board the Ultramarine's Strike Cruiser. "Sensorium arrays indicate we will be at your position in 6 standard hours, Captain. Courage and Honour!"
"Courage and Honour" came the reply.
Stepping off from the disembarkation ramp of his Thunderhawk transporter onto the gridded floor of embarkation bay 4 in step with his trusted second, Sergeant Decius, a veteran of several centuries of battle, came Captain Brutus Epathus, Master of the Rites of the Ultramarine Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes cut in imposing sight.
His artifier wrought power armour hung with medals of honour, slung over his shoulder was his weapon of choice an ancient Thunder Hammer that had seen battle during the great crusade and his laterally crested helmet was clutched under the crook of his other arm.
Waiting to greet him standing infront of an honour guard made up of 1st company veterans was Lord Executioner Numitor and the Master of Relics, Sinon.
All three Captains banged their fists into their chest plates three times in the old Terran custom that only the Ultramarines still used as a greeting.
"Brothers, we have much to discuss."
The three Ultramarines Captains stood around the command hub on board the Serverian, one of the Chapter's Battle Barges. Around them were many servitors, command staff and trusted veterans.
After a tense few moments frowning at a data slate Captain Sinon of the 9th Company spoke "Our Astropaths indicate that Dark Angels and Space Wolves have already landed on the planet and that Blood Angels are a few days from the system. Lord Admiral Tiberius predicts that we are around 18 standard days from the target. Which means well have to fight a war and tidy up the mistakes they make before we arrive".
"Then we had better make sure we get this one right first time Brothers" added Captain Numitor.
A wry smile crossed Epathus' lips "Do not worry Brothers a plan is forming. Remember what Sicarius and Ixiom did at Hybraxus 4?"
"Epathus, when we arrive in the Lastrati system let me speak to the other Chapters. The Dark Angels do not like you and Numitor has all the tact of a Carnifex" suggested Captain Sinon, Master of the Relics as the pair strode through the corridors of the Severian.
"That was just a misunderstanding" countered the other.
"You put their Chapter Master and two of their Captains in to the Apothicarion. One of them, Gideon is on the planet we are heading to".
"Is it my fault Dark Angels do not know how to duck? When a Thunder Hammer swings at your head you duck!" grinned Epathus.
"Has Chief Librarian Tigurius finished with the Inquisitors after the incidents with the Traitor Legions?" asked Sinon changing the subject.
"Not as far as I know.
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Chaplain Varro Scrippa strode into the arming deck armed with his crozius arcanum raised "Brothers, it is time to make glorious war in the name of the Emperor of Mankind. May death be brought to his enemies. May they know our name and fear us. For we are their doom".
He paused a few moments to let the mood build before bellowing in his clear, deep voice "The Company Captains have chosen me to lead the vanguard. I will not fail you. We are to land at co-ordinates hera-espandor-alpha-44 and secure the location by any means necessary. The most vile of foes stalk this world. We will make them see the error of their ways with the holy boltgun and chainsword. For the Primarch and the Emperor. For Maccragge!"
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The two Ultramarine vessels approached the planet Lastrati at unusual attack vectors. The larger of the two, the Battle Barge Severian took a standard low orbit pattern but the smaller vessel, the Strike Cruiser Spear of Calth hit the planets atmosphere side on with its prow upturned at a dangerous oblique to both the planet and the other vessel.
Once in low orbit the drop pods and attack craft where launched from the Spear of Calth at the capital city almost side on to the planet rather than the usual angle.
With split second timing the destroyer laser batteries on board the Severian raked deep gouges in the city missing the surface bound forces by inches.
The deep attack angle allowed the Ultramarines to slam into the planet mere moments after the devastating ordinance crippled enemy resistance.
"Serverain, this is Scrippa. Hera-Espandor-Alpha 53 has been brought to compliance. Hera-Espandor-Alpha 44 has been pacified. Sergeant Decius reports no resistance" spoke the Ultramarines Chaplain into the vox system. "Sergeant Octavian will have Hera-Espandor- Alpha 55 taken within the hour. Have Pentanus on alert code 2 for Hera-Espandor-Alpha 67. Over".
"Scrippa, this is Severian, actual. Recieved. Relief forces will be readied for insertion" came the crackled response.
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