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Fallen
Sept 26, 2004 5:32:23 GMT -5
Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Sept 26, 2004 5:32:23 GMT -5
Originally posted by SlaaneshBen
"AVE IMPERATOR!" roared Commmander Dante in the massive hall on Baal. "AVE IMPERATOR!" his men roared back to him, each man cheering the newly promoted Brother-Captain. His chest puffed up with pride as the ceremony concluded. He shook hands with Dante, who offered a few kind words of advice, before sending him away with the Emperor's blessing. He went back to his seat, a vision of pride upon his face. "Brother-Sergeant Talsop," he said, smiling. "Brother-Captain. Celebrations are in order. I believe the 3rd Company has the right man for the job," said Talsop. "I can only do as the Emperor's hand guides me, Brother-Sergeant. Though some of us are blessed by His hand more than others," replied Brother-Captain Verhesser. Both men laughed, though somewhat emptily. If the total truth were told, the two men disliked each other. Talsop had always been the more consistent soldier, performing at a consistently excellent level. All of his combat reports were exceptional. Verhesser was a complete contrast. Doing little by the book, his tactics were often reckless and held little regard for himself or his men. Yet he had won promotion, even though, it was whispered, it had been his mistake that had cost the life of the previous Brother-Captain. "Regardless Brother, let us hope our current Brother Captain lasts longer than the last," said Talsop, the true meaning of the comment barely veiled. "Aye Brother. And let us hope the men underneath the Brother-Captain know their place in battle, and how to take orders," snarled Verhesser, his riposte stinging and venomous. The two men glared at one another for a few moments, before parting company. *** An angel raises it's sword in final defence, but to no avail. The hand of Chaos falls, and all is black. *** The visions were becoming more frequent. Almost each night they would visit him, and haunt his dreams. Each time the same vision - Sanguinius, his Lord, Father and Primarch, struck down by the vile hand of the Traitor. Something bothered him however, about the visions. An aching doubt nagged at the back of his mind. Something was wrong about the visions. Something was inconsistent. Something was wrong. He shook his thoughts away. Everything he had just considered was against the creed. Against his Chapter. Against the TRUTH. The savants finished helping him with his armour, and he went for morning prayers.
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Fallen
Sept 26, 2004 5:36:03 GMT -5
Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Sept 26, 2004 5:36:03 GMT -5
Originally posted by SlaaneshBen
Memories. They echoed around his head. Not his own, however. Memories of the long since past. The wind in his face as he soared high on angel wings. Memories of wars and crusades, the face of... Could it be? His thoughts straightened themselves. Such thoughts were heresy. Such thoughts would ensure his soul to damnation. Back to the here and now, he watched the bolter drills with little interest. The third company was the best in the chapter anyway; Verhesser carried on watching, his interest drifted fully away by this time. His mind wandered once again. This time, before him, a massed battle. Below him, a holy gate, one which he knew he must hold. Above he circled now, and before him, IT. A daemon, roaring it's rage. He charged it as he was charged. The two clashed in midair, one of his hands holding an axe back from him, his own sword held in a vice like grip. Both flew higher, and with malicious intent he headbutted the creature, then spiralling down with the stunned creature, he broke it's spine upon his knee. With a victorious shout, his men around him re-invigourated, he ordered his men past the gate. With a massive crash the gates closed. "Captain Verhesser!" called out the Battle Brother before him. Verhesser snapped back into reality. "Yes Battle Brother?" he said, his voice still a little distant as he came back round. "We are ready to proceed to tactical training. Bolter drill has been concluded. The serfs are administering the rituals of santification on the weapons," "Very good Brother, carry on," replied Verhesser, his mind spinnning with the possiblities. The things he had seen. The TRUTH. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
"I love it when you humans talk dirty," - Vaith Osis
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Fallen
Sept 26, 2004 5:40:24 GMT -5
Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Sept 26, 2004 5:40:24 GMT -5
Originally posted by SlaaneshBen
Why had he been chosen to see these things? Verhesser wrestled with his own mind. He would have to see a Chaplain - was he losing his sanity? The counsel of Brother Chaplain Hosteun would placate him. It would settle him, centre him. Allow him to refocus. He walked through the halls of the Fortress. Images of Sanguinius were everywhere. Massive golden images, smaller sculpts in bronze, pictures and huge stained glass windows with his image upon them. He looked at the huge statue before him. Gazing up, he noticed something he had never seen before. Looking closer... No. It couldn't be. Even GREATER heresy from his own mind. NO. He would not listen, would pay the images before his eyes no heed. He continued onwards, his mind screaming at him, in a voice not of it's own. IT IS A SIGN. A SIGN FROM HIM, YOUR PRIMARCH. A SIGN FROM THE GOD EMPEROR.. "Brother Chaplain Hosteun, it is good to see you," said Verhesser, bowing his head reverently. "Brother Captain Verhesser. It is good to see you in fine health. How can this lowly servant of the Emperor aid you?" "I have been seeing... visions...." "The Black rage has not taken you Brother," "Thank you Brother Chaplain. I seek only peace in my mind at the minute. I have seen visions of Sanguinius... His younger days. His victory at Ultimate Gate. I.. am not sure what they mean," "It is obvious to me, that Sanguinius and the Emperor have some higher purpose for you. Who knows? It is not for me to predict the will of such beings," the Chaplain spoke, yet the words seemed not to be his own. Verhesser paused for a few seconds, tryign to discern the words. Finally, he spoke. "You flatter Brother Chaplain. I thank you for your kind words. They will steel me in the times ahead," he replied. Brother Chaplain Hosteun looked a little confused as Verhesser made his way from the Chapel. The look of confusion was quickly exchanged for a look of concern. *** "Brother Sergeant Talsop, might I take a few moments of your time," said Hosteun, as he entered the bolter firing range. Talsop turned, smiling. "Brother Chaplain, how may I aid you?" "I spoke recently with the new Brother Captain. He is... disturbed by visions of our Primarch and Lord Sanguinius. It is not the black rage... Something different stalks him. Perhaps I am being paranoid. Either way, I entrust unto you the task of watching him," "Aye Brother Chaplain, I will do as you bid," replied Talsop with a grin, patting his bolt pistol with a smile. "Nothing so rash and crude, Brother Talsop. Just with your eyes will suffice," "Very well Brother Chaplain, I will follow your counsel," *** Chosen. Him. The Chaplain had said as much. His mind raced with the possibilities. Chosen for what purpose? What greater task? It had to be true now, now that Hosteun had virtually confirmed it for him. Divine inspiration, divine guidance, now guided his hand for sure. His every decision was that of the Emperor, the same decision Sanguinius would have made. He smiled. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ”The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
"I love it when you humans talk dirty,”<br>- Vaith Osis
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Fallen
Sept 26, 2004 5:42:40 GMT -5
Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Sept 26, 2004 5:42:40 GMT -5
Originally posted by Inquisitor Addendorff
Just behind Hosteun, a scout was laying into his target with a heavy bolter. He was shaking the bolter as it neared the end of his ammo, literally feet away from the target. Once the bolter spouted out it’s remaining heavy bolts, the scout bashed at the target with the hallowed weapon.
‘You should see to him, Brother-Chaplin.’ Said Talsop nodding over to the scout’s position.
‘Brother!’ shouted Hosteun. ‘Save your wraith for the real enemy!’<br> As Hosteun attended to the scouts, Talsop attended his own squad. Brother-Captain Verhesser’s visions fading into the back of Talsop’s mind.
A veteran of many battles, Talsop’s squad was one of the best. Except for the new guy, Amerada. Newly promoted, he didn’t have the edge the others had. He could shoot, he could shoot like hell. If honest, Amerada was the best shot in the squad. He was, right now, correcting Adeon on his long-range stance. Talsop didn’t really trust Amerada, but he was happy the two were helping each other.
On the battlefield they were complete opposites. Amerada was a good shot, but lacked aggressiveness at close range. Adeon, on the other hand, was a monster in close combat, able to beat Brother-Captain Rosstern of the second company on the assault course, much to the amusement of the third company. But couldn’t shoot a Hive Tyrant if it was more than three hundred feet away.
The rivalry between the two companies’s remained healthy, after all “There’s nothing wrong with a bit of competition”, as Brother-Sergeant Pelisses once said.
Pelisses assault squad would often not be seen until the crucial part of the battle. It was a knack he had, harassing the enemy until he really needed or ordered somewhere else. They were swooping overhead now, practising strafing the ground with bolter fire.
Talsop’s chest swelled with pride. It was indeed an honour to serve the Emperor, and noble Sanguinius, in such a vast, effective fighting force.
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Fallen
Sept 26, 2004 5:45:03 GMT -5
Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Sept 26, 2004 5:45:03 GMT -5
Reply author: SlaaneshBen Replied on: 06/03/2004 22:55:49 Originally posted by SlaaneshBen
Close combat drills. Verhesser adored them. "AGAIN!" he roared, swirling his blade confidently. The marine opposite, a Brother Marine by the name of Yssryian, stood up, wiping a little blood from his lip. The marine smiled, and prepared himself in an en guarde position. Verhesser did the same, lowering his stance slightly, grinning manically at his opponent. The two clashed swords, both aiming for a quick end to the spar. Pushing their swords together they came face to face. Verhesser released his pressure and pirouetted, sending his opponent off balance and flailing forwards. With a swing Verhesser advanced, but a with a concerted effort Yssryian parried the blow aimed for his back, and the two spun back to their original stances, their side reversed. This time Verhesser stepped backwards, blocking each blow as it came at him, smiling at the ease at which he could do this. He ducked under another determined swing, rising through the marines separated defence and connecting with a solid uppercut. The stunned marine staggered backwards a litle. "There, there, there, there," laughed Verhesser as he feigned killer blows on the vulnerable marine. The marine came forwards again, but Verhesser again parried his blows with relative ease, deflecting them deftly aside or dodging them completely. Finally, Verhesser twisted his body into offence, launching a tirade Yssyrian could barely contain. Bulling forwards, Verhesser opened a chink in his determind defence with a flick of his sword, open a route to ending the bout. "And THERE," said Verhesser with a grin as he connected with the winning blow, a harsh elbow to the face. The marine was clattered to the floor, his nose exploding with blood and a tooth flying from his bleeding lips. Yssryian lifted his head, before thinking better of it and laying down for a few moments, breathing heavily. "Think not bad of this bout," laughed Verhesser, pulling his comrade from the floor, "You were beaten only by the better man, and what can one do against such odds?" He grinned devilishly. Yssryian smiled weakly at the arrogance of his superior, before nodding his concession. "Excellent. Well done Brothers, the 3rd Company shall soon a force even the Emperor and Sanguinius themselves would have been proud of!" roared Verhesser. His men roared their approval back. "Break for evening prayers," called out Verhesser, before going his own way back to his quarters. It had been so easy. So easy. He had never found it so easy, especially against one of his own. He had always been a renowned swordsman. Perhaps that was it. He was at the top of his game. Yet the strength of his opponent had been so meagre in comparison to his own. Yes. He had never been any significant amount stronger than his brother marines. He was more skilled. Yes.. That must be it. It must be linked to the words of the chaplain. Chosen.. Even the Chaplain had said as much. CHOSEN.. Him. It was beginning to manifest itself, whatever IT was. That was what it was. IT. ME. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ”The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
"I love it when you humans talk dirty,”<br>- Vaith Osis
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Fallen
Sept 26, 2004 5:47:24 GMT -5
Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Sept 26, 2004 5:47:24 GMT -5
Originally posted by SlaaneshBen CHOSEN. YES. CHOSEN. YOU. CHOSEN. YOU. CHOSEN."ARGGGHHH!" Verhesser screamed as he awoke, sweating and breathing heavily. As much as he didn't need much sleep, the tortured dreams he experienced making the sleep he did get worthless. Every night, the same dreams recurred over and over. Steps in a forsaken place. The gibbering laughter of those lost and damned. Epic conflicts with a brother, those who were once allies. More steps, taken with assured confidence. A door ripped open to reveal.... IT. The face of horror, terror, corruption, violence, decay, decandence; evil. A brief struggle, the exhileration and exertion of combat. Then pain, unimaginable pain, throbbing and echoing louder. A last defiant act of bravery, before darkness. The dreams haunted him, but something nagged at him. Something was wrong about those dreams. Something was being.... held back. Covered up. Yes, believeHow could Sanguinius be felled as easily as that, by such a weak coward? A man who turned to those who are darkest, in a moment of absolute stupidity and utter selfish egotism? Sanguinius was much more than him. A saviour who flew on white feathered angel wings, who smote down the Emperors enemies before him. YESCould it be... Could he still be alive? Is that the falsity? The lie? The reason for his chosing. YESHe would uncover the truth of Sanguinius, the truth... He was alive. PERFECT.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ”The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
"I love it when you humans talk dirty,”<br>- Vaith Osis
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Fallen
Sept 26, 2004 5:48:19 GMT -5
Post by MagusKariusPrelune on Sept 26, 2004 5:48:19 GMT -5
Originally posted by SlaaneshBen
Verhesser slunk reverently onto his knee. The 3rd company would soon be seeing active service once more. The whole company was in the chapel, saying final prayers. The Barge would soon be ready to depart. A system had gone up in flames, Verhesser had been told. The brief was simplistic enough; pacify the system. The PDF had been routed, but were still offering menial resistance against the threat. It didn't matter to Verhesser what the enemy was; ork, traitor, eldar. In the end, they all died the same. He would slaughter whatever held the system thrall in the name of the Emperor, of Sanguinius, maybe even... in his own name. Dare he put his own name into the same bracket as those... yet? Verhesser allowed himself a self satisfied grin as he continued with prayers. The last passage was intoned, and the warcries of the 3rd Company echoed around the huge chapel. Verhesser glanced back at Talsop, who's glare bored into the back of his head like a drill. Verhesser sneered back, before standing up straight, and addressing the Company as a whole. "Brave Brothers of the 3rd Company!" he roared, allowing his echoing words to raise the shouts of approval from his brothers, "This day we leave our homeworld, and go to meet the enemy in the field of conflict. KNOW THIS BROTHERS! THE EMPERORS HAND WILL GUIDE US THROUGH THIS TIME! THE HERETIC, THE XENOS, THE DAEMON! IT MATTERS NOT, FOR WE ARE THE 3RD COMPANY, BLESSED WARRIORS OF THE BLOOD ANGELS! BLESSED SONS OF SANGUINIUS! IT MATTERS NOT, IF WE FACE THE HERETIC, XENOS, DAEMON, FOR OUR VICTORY IS ALREADY ASSURED! AVE IMPERATOR!" finished Verhesser, holding his sword high in salute to his men. In his mind, the name of the world echoed. Something colossal was going to happen there, the feeling echoed with his heart and soul. Aliestra IV. That planet held something for him. A legacy. His legacy. His legend. I CAN TASTE YOUR EGOTISM, AND IT IS DELICIOUS.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ”The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
"I love it when you humans talk dirty,”<br>- Vaith Osis
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