Heartbreak117

  In the Imperium's culture, the Sisters of Battle are highly respected figures, receiving respectful bows or salutes whehey go. Yet, there be no one more revered than a Space Marine walking among mortals. Apanying the Samander Chapter Master and his Chief Librarian, ess Superior Elyzabeth Fortier amusingly noted how the on Cadian civilians and soldiers went on their knees, making the holy Aqui signs, much to the wryness of the Samanders near her. Though the Samander Space Mariry to return their defereure with kind nods, it does get bothersome for Tu'shan and Vel'a with hoeople are paying their respect.

  "It would seem that you two are famous." Elyzabeth dares a jest, much to the chagrin of the two t Space Marines.

  "That is putting it mildly, ess Fortier." Tu'shan replies with a kind smile, though one see that it's a tired one.

  "This is why I like my library more than this... Public setting. If I had a for every time I have greeted the Cadians back, I would have been a hundred s richer." Vel'a sighs. "But as, we are the Samanders, it's ingrained in our blood to be upstanding figures."

  Passing through another row of saluting Cadian Guards, whispering 'His Angels', the group of three make a turn toward an open-air proving ground.

  "It's a shame that Archmagos Cawl 't join us today. I thought he would have found it in his io spectate young Ein in her marksmanship petition. She does seem to be special in his view." Tu'shan says as their armored steps echo across the matte pavement of Cadian infrastructure.

  Elyzabeth replies. "The Archmagos Dominus is taking an i in some of Ein's works with the local Techpriests. I barely traheir speech, but it goes along the line of upsg some of her theories and designs to see if they apply them to the rest of the Astra Militarum and the Navis Imperialis at rge. It's nothing short of ambitious, and will properly take some time, however, so the Archmagos properly decided to start the endeavor immediately."

  "A fasating development." Vel'a ents. The Samander Chief Librarian looks skyward while saying. "With the Ark Meicus Iron Revenant in orbit of Cadia, it's safe to assume that any and all manufacturing effort will be swift and effortless. It appears that this is one of the many reasons She has brought the Dominus here."

  "It's highly likely that is the case, brother." Tu'shan nods. "Whenever Belisarius Cawl goes, the Iron Revenant follows. If we're to modernize aire p's worth of soldiers, the Ark Meicus will be indispensable, both as a fighting ford a mobile fe world."

  "I re that the Archmagos Dominus' presence will be instrumental in quickly updating the Cadian Shiments' arsenal. His and his fgship's presence will surely influehe power scale in the Cadiaor, and perhaps even beyond." Elyzabeth gives a jecture as they e up to a raised ptform that overlooks the Cadian Guards' proving ground.

  "Since Cadia Prime is so close to the Eye of Terror, supplies are in stant demand." Tu'shan hums. "Huh. Now that the Iron Revenant is here and is no doubt manufacturing everything a fighting force would need, Cadia will soon bee a focal point for many military units to vene. Imperial Guard Regiments, Battlefleets, and even Space Marine Chapters will heh use Cadia as a strategic logistical hub, thus bolstering the p's already impressive defenses. I don't know about you two, but I see this development as not just an opportunity, it's also the first signs of a troubling time to e."

  Both Elyzabeth and Vel'a nod seriously. After their honored meeting with the Emperor, they've e to terms with the moal task at hand. If there's trouble afoot, then they will be ready to safeguard the Imperium's future, even at the cost of their own lives.

  Now that they're oform, however, it's time to stop this train of discussion and start a new one. ing to a stop in front of them is the current el of the Cadian 8th Regiment, Ein's superior officer and a el with clear martial prowess in his posture.

  "Milords and Lady!" The el with dirt brown skin and distinctive scarred head salute. "el Mustahim of the Cadian 8th, at your service!"

  The Samanders nod at him, with Elyzabeth stepping up to say. "At ease, el. I see that the Regiment is in a very spirited mood today."

  The el nods, turning to look down at the proving ground where a variety of petitions are taking pce. The tests are not limited to only marksmanship as expected but are expao enpass a wide range of field activities and sarios. "To ehe 8th are always fit for duty, we regurly host supetitive events to hone our tradecrafts iween deployments. Sometimes, we even iher Regiments to participate to exge valuable experiences."

  "It's good to see such devotion in upholding the light of the Imperium." Tu'shan gives his sincere pliments, seeing the dedication the testants dispy in the field.

  Members of the 8th pete in fairness, bringing out all of their will and irength in a dispy of martial arts, athleticism, dexterity, and many more. It's rare to see such a cohesive sight of humanity's most beautiful elements in a gaxy full of wars. Yet, there's an uny wroo it, a missing element that is validated by Patisavorae stepping out from behind the el.

  "I believe there's trouble afoot, milords and dy." Tsavorae directly says. "Ein's unit is not in the proving ground, And the Corporal herself is o be seen."

  "What?" Elyzabeth frowns in arm while the Samaense up in attentiveness.

  Before el Mustahim wonder about what's going on, Elyzabeth swiftly asks. "3rd Ptoon, 1st pany of the 1st Battalion, are they on the roster for today's QRF?"

  Hearing the seriousness in Elyzabeth's void the chilling looks of the Samander Space Marines and Patine near him, el Mustahim nods swiftly.

  "They're deployed as part of a QRF Patrol to iigate one of the anomalous sites that appeared a couple of days ago. So far, none of the sites report baything of notes, and today the QRF units should done iigating the st of such sites."

  Elyzabeth steps forward. "And you don't think that this should be known by us in advance?"

  "Orders from the Governor Primus, midy. We're not to invenience you with some unknowns after your ret arrival aurn to Cadia." Mustahim answers bitterly. "The Guards are to handle everything silently."

  "And why is that, el Mustahim?" It's Tu'shan who speaks up this time.

  "Milord, I would like to say that I do not know but the facts stand that this reeks of politics. If you don't mind me speaking crudely, then I will say that my men and womeepping into the unknowns with little to no backup." Mustahim replies with a clear distaste for his directives. "I have safety s for the QRF Patrols, but I fear that this ain't a normal rodeo for them and the safety s alone won't be enough."

  Vel'a nods. "The close proximity to the Eye of Terror means that ead every single anomaly should be carefully scrutinized by everyohe Governor Primus' strange directive could spell a series of misfortune for the Cadian Guards."

  "Now that we're in the known, does the Governor io interfere with us again?" Elyxabeth questions Mustahim.

  "Given that there's no instru about this sario from the man, I believe I immediately brief milords and midies with all the detail we have." el Mustahim says. "I also immediately arrange for transportation if needed."

  "Depending ouation, we will use my Chapter's Thunderhawks for redeployment." Tu'shan interjects.

  el Mustahim nods. "Of course, Milord. I also have our Valkyries escort yunships if required. Please, follow me to the Regiment's trol room. Since you have asked for the 3rd Ptoon, we view their progress there."

  Respectfully, Mustahim leads the group away, with his aide running ahead to prep the area for the VIPs' arrival.

  Elyzabeth asks while on the way. "Do we have a pict link with the unit?"

  "We do, Midy. roject what they see on one of the ss." Mustahim replies dutifully.

  "Good, we track their situation easier that way. If there's nothing wrong, then we rest assured. If not, we immediately sortie." Tu'shan nods as their footsteps disappear into the Regimental Headquarters.

  Heartbreak117