Icelos stood there, taking all of the Apothecary's words in. He was speaking the truth and it scared Icelos a little, questioning his beliefs were always a hard thing. After letting several seconds pass without the Apothecary, continuing Icelos spoke up. "What do you mean you can heal my mind? As I had said before, little Hypno-therapy has clouded my mind."
<Sirius Jules - Medbay> The Apothecary disappeared for a moment, returning with a little metal case and opening it, putting the empty case under his left arm while his right held a hardcopy of the Codex Astartes, no original handwritten one of Guilliman though. "The Codex guides an every Astartes, whenever you don't know what to think, it's teachings will return you on the right path. The path of duty. Guilliman did never forced the Codex upon all Legions to only break them up so nobody could have no more power, but to make the Imperium stronger. A thousand Astartes per chapter, with a total of a thousand chapters, across the entire galaxy. So far more efficient. And yet even that was not the true goal. The goal was to finally unite Astartes in spirit." Sirius offered the copy to Icelos as he spoke further. "Every Astartes knows of it's existence, even after them it is called. It is as much part of us as our two hearts. Teaches us how our body works, why our body works, why we are the chosen and Angels of Death. Not just the tactics, not just information about our wargear. But why we were made, why we live, why we are the super-elite of the Imperium. We don't live to fight and die. We live to fulfill our duty as Humans of the Imperium. And if you can embrace that and accept that you are a mere human with a sense of duty, then you will realize what the true meaning of an Astartes is. Since the only reason the Imperium is falling apart is because the sense of duty is amiss. If not even we Astartes can embody duty, then how can we expect it of Governors, Administrators, the Imperial Navy and Astra Militarum? Whenever you have doubts, show never further than the Codex." The Apothecary smiled with pride as the book still was offered.
OOC I think I should be the one apologizing "Have it never occurred to you that the Inquisition's fleet arrived a little bit too soon, in a quite convenient moment? Or how those Alpha Legionnaires ran away just before the battle's end, the trace of their ship lost right before our pursuers arrived in the system? And what I've managed to read from Draconion's report, it seems that the ritual for summoning the Greater Daemon was finished long ago before we assaulted the Keep, it only needing some final substance to manifest before it got buried under all that snow." "So I agree with you, most of the things were a lie because we were playing on our enemy's tune. Sadly, I realized it far too late and that is my fault, the blame I'm taking right now. I also believe this was their endgame because there are few in the Ordo that are dealing with the Unholy Alliance, but I must admit I was the most vocal one, for one of their members killed my old friend, the Inquisitor who led my original Deathwatch Team. And like I said earlier, I also believe they are only an interlude for something far more dangerous than just couple of heretics running around which means that this sacrifice we are taking at the moment, is not big sacrifice at all." "As for you, I'm not mad or angry with you. Actually, you've proven yourself to be quite capable and pure of heart, which is a trait most people in His Imperium are lacking at the moment. So, where do we go from here?" EDIT <Jannika @Uriel1339 > "I was taught that a rivalry is a good thing, my dear Son of Guilliman. And don't you be afraid, we are on friendly terms, because if we weren't, we wouldn't even be having this conversation," Jannika grinned at Sirius, showing her white teeth. Was she serious or not was irrelevant, obviously some people never change.
Fenix sat in the cantina, waiting for the Tech-Adepts to finish with Dart's more delicate repairs. The skull was cracked, but the data cortex appeared mostly undamaged. However like most things with the Adeptus Mechanicum, it was anyones guess when they would be finally finished. So she sat in casual attire for the first time in public, seeming to no longer care if the crew saw what she looked like. Going on the run from the Inquisition tended to unhinge most. So Fenix decided to get drunk and wait for something else to go terribly wrong. "Another Emperor's Finest... I want to savor the irony." She said to the one refilling her drinks.
<Medbay> Icelos took the book softly and starred at it for a moment. He had never actually looked over it. Usually it was the Captains and the Chapter master's who would refer to this and even then they took the information with a grain of salt. Although Icelos had expected something different from the Apothecary. "Oh, uh, Thank you Apothecary. If you do say this will hone my mind, then I will read it. I have only actually seen a copy of it once, so I do not know what to expect. But... Thank you." Icelos said with a confused soft voice. As he put the book inside his robe, he brought his arm back to bear. "Will I need to come in further for my injuries or will this be necessary enough to heal it." <Canteen> "I hid it because I do not... did not deserve to bear the Livery. I betrayed my faith in the Captain, and even with no proof, he was tossed away on my word. Like as if his past deeds held no value! They would need me back, oh how their Ancient leaving them is such a dishonor, a just one for my Company's arrogance!" Icelos scolded with a angered tone. While he didn't mean it, everyone in the Canteen heard his voice. He now again was standing, looking eye to eye with the White Scar. He quickly turned his face from a angered frown to a soft smile. He had been caught up in the moment and didn't really mean to yell at his brother. "Excuse me for my arrogance. I did not leave them as a happier attitude then most. They would take me back, because they need me. In the several years in the Deathwatch, I don't think anyone but the few know I left, as it would cripple morale. Then again, they could execute me for abandoning them. My Chapter has made an example of higher figures then me." Icelos replied softer this time. Trying to keep himself from sounding angry.
<Sirius Jules - Corridor> "Rivalry is good, as long as it brings strengths forth. But not if it is like rivalry between Raven Guard and White Scars or like Ultramar and Minotaurs where one can simply not rely on the other. It is obvious that in our position all is a bit different, especially in our current situation. I simply wanted to assure you, that the Codex values Duty higher than grudges, and so do I. Even if I only wish to protect you out of duty and not because I like you. At least you know, I will protect you." The Apothecary had to smile a bit at the behavior of his colleague, he knew that she was aware of her talents and never was afraid to make sure everybody knew how proud she was, and even if it was just represented in that grin of hers. <Sirius Jules - Medbay> "You should be able to heal on your own. And if you ever have questions or want a guide through the Codex. You know how to contact me." The man bowed slightly and then put the metal case back into his office before marching off to the Bridge where he really wanted to go before being interrupted.
<Jannika & @Uriel1339 Sirius Jules> "Good to know," she nodded as she finally reached her cabin. "And I will of course, protect you as well. Oh come on Serious, why are you being like this all of a sudden? We split, so what? We haven't become heretics just because one incredibly shady Inquisitor says so. Everything is the same, the difficulty bar has just been risen a bit, that's all. I'm a Minotaur girl, like you know, and there we've shot on other Astartes for much lesser transgressions than summoning a Greater Daemon or enslaving half of the populace of a Hive World. So whatever you might think, this is not really a new thing for me. At least that's my opinion on it. Now I'm going to sleep for 24 hours, don't you dare awaken me even if the ship's on fire. Perhaps that just we need..." she grumbled as she shut the door behind Sirius, jumping on her bed with the next step and falling asleep moment later. <Canteen - Kajar & @Xaphen Icelos> "So what do you believe then and what will you do? When we prevail here and our task is done, will you go back and seek forgiveness of your old flock? Or is that life behind you now?" Kajar asked as his finger ran down the length of one of his paired swords. The bartender simply shrugged as he poured her another glass of liquor, it was Valhallan Vodka. Served cooled of course. "Ma'am, if you continue drinking like that I think we'll need to stop quite sooner than we thought to get that supplies we need," he tried to make a joke, seeing the woman was not in one of her best moods. Although, it's not like he knew her other facial expressions since this was the first time he saw her without armor.
<Sirius Jules - Corridors> He remained silent until she went inside and sighed slightly. "If it was just the difficulty bar having gone up." The man said to himself and wandered off to the Hangar. On the way there he would have some time to think what to make of all this, or better said what to make of the others. He was the one being used a more or less Renegade for over a decade, he was used to it ever since the incident after Ruvorn in which he had not even a choice in. But he followed his duty and had prevailed. A sign of the Warmaster himself that the Codex never was wrong. Never. But this crew... They don't follow out of duty. They follow due to a charismatic leader, blinded by his duty and taking it as theirs. This failure to realize to follow someone without worry and concern is troubling the Apothecary in his very essence. Especially since Kill-Team Lightbringer was no better, having followed Krauz blindly. And this Son of Guilliman was thankful for that, since those events brought him to his true duty, even though it is through a death oath, he knew it is his calling. He is not following anyone anymore but his own goal. He has ascended to a true Human of the Emperor. But.... This crew? No... They were as blind as the Emperor himself was toward his own children. And he would ensure to make them realize they should not follow Marmaroth just to follow him, but because they know it is right, because it supports to fulfill their duty to stop the Unholy Alliance. For oh so many it might seem like the same thing, if truly it is not. With Marmaroth on the edge of going mad, somebody had to make sure this group was not becoming servants of chaos.
"If it true that the inquisition is corrupt, which is likely given the 'convenient' events, then I shall follow you. Since there is now no chance to save my family's name without finding the culprits in this massive plot, I have no other choice to redeem the name Marshal. But even if you find it in yourself to let me do that, the other members of the crew? I am a traitor to them, which is true. Amphreal at least would see me hanged, I'm guessing that everyone else has the same opinion."
"Take heart, Uncle," says Draconion as he turns his subtle senses to inspecting the conversion chamber for defects, "I personally took charge of an Vermillion-level astropathic sending to Nocturne, using the power of the entire choir to do so. I have no idea if it has reached, but there is at least hope that Lord Tu'shan and Master Vel'cona will know what has transpired here. The entirety of our mission archives went with it, too, so there's nowhere that shady Inquisitor Fel can squirm if he wants to press charges. If we don't die doing this, we'll have a chance of going home someday, so long as we stay true to the Emperor." Satisfied at length that the conversion chamber is sound, he then connects it to a pyrum fuel pump and places the whole setup inside of a reinforced stress testing silo to assess its soundness under expected operating conditions. Injecting pyrum fuel at high pressure, he triggers the melta reaction cascade by operating the circuitry remotely. Immediately, the setup hums and glows a brilliant white as the pyrum fuel begins violently shedding neutrons, knocking neutrons loose in adjacent molecules as the reaction propagates itself. Keeping an eye on a live summary of the chamber conditions, Draconion decides that all is well and, with the press of a button, terminates the reaction, carbon control rods soaking up the excess neutrons while injected liquid nitrogen dissipates the excess heat. Hearing Feron's own praise of him, he nods in humble acknowledgement. "Thank you, Uncle. My...fire, as you put it, has been as much a hindrance as a help. My father was a quiet man, and I half take after him. My mother's people, however, are restrained, but fierce and jealous of their honour, and I was taught to be the same way by my grandfather. Even so, it was only after my ascension to the Chapter that I truly developed a temper. I have been told that my geneseed comes to me through many forebears from one of the Pyre Guard - exactly which one, Vulkan alone knows. But we all know what our Father's Terran sons were like - more fire, more fury than any of the Nocturne-born. I certainly feel its call in my soul...it feeds my gift, lending me power and fury to burn brightly where all other flames would have long died out, but it forever threatens to rage out of control, also." Removing the conversion chamber from the stress testing silo, he presents it to Feron. "I can definitely see you as an excellent Master of Recruits. It was said of Cyrus of the Blood Ravens that he was more cunning than any gave him credit for, by refusing promotion to higher rank or more prestigious companies, for, in his position as a Veteran Scout Sergeant, he could shape the future of an entire Chapter according to his plans. Even so, the Chapter would be missing out in a fine battle captain...or even a Chapter Master." He pauses and smiles briefly at the thought. "Were I a Chapter Master, I would be right glad to have you as First Captain, closest in honour and council. But as you say, your genius is almost certainly in shaping the heroes of the new age." His face turns sombre as he ponders Feron's discussion of the situation at hand. "I myself trust Marmaroth, though I can see how it is easy to doubt him. Not so long ago, I myself had doubts, and so did Inquisitor van Morten before his death. In fact, he asked me to investigate Marmaroth for signs of corruption shortly before the Gelorn mission. It was that, ironically, that led me to trust Marmaroth. As far as I can tell he is not corrupt, but Emperor-touched. Certainly, a beneficient power is upon him that guides him. How do I know this?" He pauses and heaves a sigh before continuing, evidently finding it difficult to recount what follows. "Up to this point, he has been the only living soul in the galaxy who knows that I am visited by...visions. I do not think I have ever told you, but the Warp and I have something of a twisted relationship. Long before I came to the Angelfall, early in my Deathwatch service, I was sucked into the Warp, not once, but twice during the same mission. Both times were catastrophic failures of psychic power usage, and both times should have meant my death and damnation. Instead, I was miraculously saved. The first time around, I fought my way through minions of all four Ruinous Powers, only to fail at a riddle from minions of the Changer. At the very moment that I was about to lose my mind and perish, I was granted a vision of Holy Terra, the song of the Astronomican resounding in my ears and the Golden Throne rising above the blue-green of Terra-That-Was. And then I was shown a vision of Vulkan - Great Vulkan himself - standing at the Anvil of Fate." Draconion takes a breath, steeling himself against the memories before continuing. "The second time round, I was saved by...I can only describe it as a dragon. A great, night-black dragon, Uncle - the size of a battle-barge, with wings that stretched out of sight either way, that scattered the endless hordes of Ruin before it and ate daemons for sustenance. It took me on its back and showed me great and terrible visions - of past or future, I do not know - before I was cast back into the Materium. Since that time, I have been visited by those apparitions at intervals, often during scryings, deep meditation or near-death experiences. Oftentimes, they offer guidance, albeit in cryptic ways. You remember the mission on Sombor? I received a premonition of Philitite's - or whatever his real name was - betrayal, though I could not place it in context at the time. I received another visitation from the great draconic patriarch when I was fighting the power of the Plague God for my life and very soul - I know Sirius Jules removed the physical manifestation of the warp leech from my body, but it was the dragon that sundered its Immaterial parasitic connection to my soul. Of that, I have no doubt." Draconion blinks and stares into the distance for a moment, considering his words. "All this, I have never told a living soul. But when I was summoned to Marmaroth's chambers right before the Eldar incursion, he looked me in the eye and told me...he knew. He did not describe every single vision I have had, but he told me enough to leave me in no doubt of his guidance by a higher power. And so I trust him." He spreads his hands in a gesture of wry concession. "I know, Uncle, this is hardly convincing to someone who does not deal with the Warp on a daily basis. So consider the facts - at every turn, we have fought genuine servants of Ruin. On Sombor, we put an end to an outbreak of the Zombie Plague and a summoning ritual. On Gelorn, we found deeply entrenched corruption that had wormed its way in over a long period of time, the same as on Onpuku. The same again happened on Knosos - an entire company of Astartes was corrupted, their geneseed sacrificed to summon a creature of the Plaguefather. At every turn, we have seen the hand - and often battled the warriors of - Alpha Legion, the most insidious of the Traitor Legions. Does it not stand to reason that Marmaroth has indeed uncovered a far-reaching conspiracy and leads us to uproot it before it is too late for the Imperium?"
