Zuriel immediately stood at attention when summoned by their new Knight-Commander, a powerful and intimidating figure. Zuriel chuckled slightly at Diabel's comment. @Colapse "You are no witch dear brother. Nay, you are a son of the Angel, just like any other." He then stood beside Sergeant Savarel before bowing and giving the sign of the Aquila to their commander. "We Templars are yours to command Knight-Commander, ready to purge the galaxy of the kin-slayers, and the vile creatures they serve. As long as we stand, the purity of the Imperium shall remain!" He cringed slightly when Savarel mentioned their old Legion name. He hoped this division would drive apart their tight knit fraternity, but either way, the Sanguine Templars would prove their worth as successors to Sanguinius. "Who faces our retribution first Commander?"
Slightly intimidated by the appearance of their new commanding officer Viserys straightened and listened to Gilad's rant. He wasn't against destroying the targets set before him but he would prefer slaughtering Emperor's Children or Word Bearers. Keeping silent the Assault Marine listened to his brothers, waiting to hear the responses from Captain Gilad.
@DeranVendar @Colapse @Avenging-Angel @TechCaptain @Jolojose @Keidivh Gilad raised his hand to Diabel, "The name Witch does not refer to pyskers. It is a name we call the servents of the god of trickery. The cowards that hide behind plans. Those who seek the knowledge to which their eyes have not the right." Gilad lowered his hand and placed it behind his back as he then continued, "Now, let us get down to business. As you all have heard by now, most of the traitor legions are in full retreat back to the Eye of Terror. This, on its own, sounds like a good thing, however; they are carving a bloody and horrific path back to it. They kill millions of innocent and faithful followers of the Imperium. This is something I can not sit by and watch. It is time for the enemies of man and it's purity to be shown the weight of their crimes." The Captain then walked over to a table and brought up a holo image of a large planet. The majority of the surface was covered by water, but one large island, that was surrounded by smaller islands was clearly visible. "This planet is known as The Angel's Promise. It is a Shrine World dedicated in honor of a unknown, fallen saint of the Blood Angel's Legi...Chapter. The story goes, that long ago before the Ninth Legion was given the name Blood Angels during the Great Crusade, this world was under the control of a xeno's race that used the human population as slaves. These slaves were forced to construct twisted shrines to an unknown, -divine- being. In return for the faith shown, they would receive ancient knowledge. While in search of the next planet to bring back under the control of the Imperium, a Ninth Legionnaire Captain and twenty others under his command, stumbled upon this planet. They sent out a signal of the planet's location to the nearest fleet and awaited instructions. While waiting, however; they watched as the people of the planet were forced to do twisted things. The captain could not stand by and watch as humanity suffered, and so he ordered his men to attack the xenos. Much of what happened during the battle has been lost to time, but what is known is that after the battle had concluded, the captain, who was severally injured, was the only remaining Astarte. In his final breath he spoke the words, "This planet and her people shall never again be oppressed." The planet was then given the name The Angel's Promise in remembrance of the sacrifice given that day that the people may be freed." Galid then sighed as he leaned forward, placing both hands on the table and spoke in a heavy voice, "The planet's namesake is now threatened. A splinter of the Thousand Sons legion has broken off from their fleet and made planetfall. What they are doing there is unknown, but if the legacy of the planet holds any weight then it is safe to assume it has to do with the xenos' knowledge or technology. Regardless, as sons of Sanguinius we are obligated to ensure this planet's safety and that of her people. The purity of this world and its people must remain untainted by the touch of chaos. As such, the entire Seventh Company is to be deployed there to ensure the safety of the planet. Now, what are your questions?"
Haimon thought about it dor a second. It seems having actual training keeps him a little more focus. " Splinter size, terrain of likely combat, size and elements of protected sites, Deployment type and formation, and primary objective of this mixed squad, sir?"
Zuriel gritted his teeth at hearing that these twisted witches were defiling a sacred shrine world, dedicated to a Blood Angel no less! This outrage would not stand. Zuriel would see each and every one of those kin slayers dead for their heinous crimes. Zuriel had but only one question, "How long before we bring retribution?"
"Basically, I'm interested in all those things Haimon mentioned as well," Diabel replied, not entirely convinced with Captain's earlier remark but he let it go for the moment, focusing on the mission at hand, "With one more addition. Since the Thousand Sons are notorious for their use of the art and can be quite unpredictable now that they threw their lot with the powers of Chaos, you'll need a strong psychic presence on the ground as well and as soon as the 7th makes landfall." "It's not entirely in my power to suggest such thing but I believe me and the rest of Squad Savarel must be first on the ground. We all have dealt with the warp sorcery before and besides having personal experience, I have bested one of the Magnus' Sorcerers on Terra which makes me a prime candidate to go and secure the landing zone for the rest of our force and clear it of any foreign influence," Librarian said. Perhaps he sounded a bit arrogant and boastful, but that never reached his tone because in truth, he was perhaps more than others aware what the situation required and intent on not making a mistake of underestimating the scions of Prospero.
"As Brother Haimon said I'd appreciate a full situational and environmental appraisal. Give us the vanguard or the most important task you have at hand and it shall be done. " Savarel knew his men and knew them well, even if he didn't a fool could read their desires right now. It played perfectly into his own desires as both a man and a space marine. Ever since being raised to a full line Sergeant and becoming apart of an order, both new and old in many different ways, his old thirst for approval and recognition had blossomed into something even stronger. The mere praise and accolades of surviving Terra as mere scouts hadn't been enough, he wanted and needed more; for both himself and his brothers. They would be the best there could be and none would stand before that. Greatness could be claimed and everyone of them would bask in it, use it.
@DeranVendar @Colapse @Keidivh @Jolojose @Avenging-Angel @TechCaptain Galid shook his head, "Though you may have accomplished some things on Terra, the job you wish shall be left to the first squa..." A voice from behind the squad, cut the captain off before he could finish, "I think brother Diabel's idea will be the best. After all, missions such as these are the reason we have allowed this squad to remain together." Upon looking to the voice, the squad would see a large figure covered in black armor. From his shoulder pauldron hung many purity seals, while from his back and up over his head was a book with chains that held it open. Over the book was the symbol of the Sanguine Templar. In his right hand was a force axe with a long pole that could touch the ground as he walked. Perhaps others may have seen him in passing when they were Blood Angels, but Diabel knew exactly who it was....Zaphen. Galid looked to the figure, "I do not believe that is you call, Chief Librarian Zaphen. Furthermore, there are far more experienced squads in my company who can handle this job." Zaphen laughed slightly as he walked past the squad to Gilad, "Actually, given the nature of the foes we fight Grand Master Tathamet himself has given me command over this mission. So, this squad shall be the to deploy first, Captain." Gilad's frustration was clearly visible towards Zaphen, "So the failure of this mission lays on you head, Zaphen." Gilad then left the room without another word. Zaphen then took a deep breath before he turned to face the squad. "Sorry about that. This mission is far to complicated to leave in others' hands." He looked to the squad as he paced around, "In all honesty, there is not many details we have on the planet, or this -splinter- force that has arrived on planet. What we do know is that after detecting this so-called splinter force, we lost contact with the planet...completely. It seems a far to convenient vale has be cast over the planet. I would say it is safe to assume that that vale is from the traitorous sorcerers. I honestly wish I had more for you all to work with, but alas I do not. So in tradition fashion of your squad, you will be thrown into the unknown to complete a mission far greater than you experience may warrant. Regardless, I do believe fate has far greater plans for you all then dying on this planet," Zaphen seemed fairly serious until the last sentence which he said with a slight laugh. "The planet could already be destroyed by the time we reach, though I hope that is not the case," he said as he took a control from his side. He then clicked a button on it causing all the locks on all the doors in the room, and a slight humming to project out from the control. "Now that we have some privacy, you will be let in on some knowledge as to why they have gone to that planet," he said as he walked over to the holo image of the planet. The image quickly vanished and the holo image of a spear, that looked very similar to the one Diabel used on Terra appeared. "This is a relic force spear known as the Blood Oath. What the legend of the savior of this planet fails to mention, is that the captain was a supreme alpha level psyker and that those twenty other Astarte with him were pyskers as well, though not near as strong. This relic was his weapon, which was given to him by the Emperor himself. I understand that Diabel has experienced what a weapon of this type can do first hand. Its power, in the hands of traitors, will cause the death of untold thousands if not millions. This is what they will be after, I am sure of it."
@Colapse | "Are you ready to lose your other arm Diabel?" The conflict in the Palace hallway was something Viserys would never forget, seeing his brother vapourize the daemon-thing with the spear he'd obtained.
Diabel couldn't help but smile once he first sensed, then saw Zaphen with his own eyes. This was the man who guided him ever since he discovered he had affinity for the art, who taught him how to channel the rage within him and unleash it in most spectacular as well as subtle way. Zaphen was his mentor and, in the absence of Sanguinius, the closest thing he had to a father and him becoming a Chief Librarian only went to show how potent his powers were and how deep did his knowledge go. "Hm, I was an inexperienced psyker at the time of the Siege and could only scratch the surface of the art but even then I was able to unleash the power of such weapon which means that a trained mind could wreak great havoc when in possession of such holy weapon," Diabel agreed, "However I don't think it'll be that easy for the Thousand Sons to take it. There was something within the spear I found in the Palace that talked to me, like an inner voice that understood my need and my purpose so I reckon the Emperor put potent wards on it that would allow only few to be able to use it to such extent. I guess these defenses can be broken eventually, but they would need time for that especially now that they have fallen to the corrupting influence of Chaos." "My point is - if the Thousand Sons manage to acquire the relic before we get there they most certainly won't be able to use it right away which means we'll have a chance to deal with them in our own fashion," the Librarian concluded and nodded to Viserys, "Gah, I have more faith in my abilities now Brother Viserys and more sense to know not to take a random artifact and use it just like that. However even if it comes to that, I'll just use my bionic arm so that one gets blown to hell once again," he laughed. "Thank you for the honor you bestowed upon us," Diabel turned around and sent a telepathic message to his mentor, "We will not fail you."
