He sat alone in the small holding cell, stripped of his armour and left with nothing but a plain brown serfs robe, Akhom sat crossed legged in the middle of the small cramped cell. A cell meant for holding heretics awaiting ‘questioning’, he snorted at the mere thought of being questioned it was common knowledge to an Astartes that captured heretics were not so much question but given to a psyker to have their mind pulped for information before being vented into space. Was he to share in this fate? A noble son of Sanguinius, a loyal and faithful servant of the God-Emperor to be disposed of in such a shameful manner?

Regardless of what fate was to be his Akhom would meet it like any Son of the Angel would, his head held high and devotion to his Primarch and Emperor upon his dying breath. He remembered the impromptu trail he had been dragged to, forced into a spot light by a pair of black armoured Terminators from a chapter he did not recognised. He had not been able to see is questioners, hidden in the shadows and raised above him, he had been able to figure out which chapters two of them hailed from though the third had at the time and even still alluded him. He thought back to their lines of questioning trying the make sense of what they were after.

“You are of the Lamenters correct?” Spoke the first questioner who if Akhoms guess was right hailed from Chogoris, so was likely a White Scar or one or their successors. One thing to note this questioner was not taking this seriously.

“I am Brother-Apothecary Akhom of the Lamenters.” Akhom spoke with pride, he know not the show weakness here.

“Very good, you take pride in your heritage. I approve.” The first questioner spoke again his voice complimentary.

“Stop hammering the heretic brother.” The second questioner spoke up, his voice was haughty and filled with false superiority Akhom could not place. “Lets us just hurl him out the airlock along with the rest of his ilk we picked up, save ourselves the trouble.”

Akhom ground his teeth in rage at that biting back a retort, how dare this obnoxious Astartes judge him and his brother, after all they had dealt with had they not heard of their noble stand during the Warmaster ninth black crusade? Corinth Campaign? OR standing stead fast against Hive fleet Kraken? Clearly he had not.

“We are not here to question their loyalty to the Imperium.” Spoke a third voice, this one was unique his voice as deep and smoothing one that could only belong to a son of Nocturne, Akhom found piece in this fact as the Salamanders shared many traits with his chapter about protecting the innocent.

“Very true.” Spoke the first questioner again. “Tell me Akhom, if given the chance to serve again even if it meant submitting to our ways would you?”

“For those we cherish, we die in Glory.” Akhom spoke his voice swelled with pride as he raised his head high. “This is the battle cry of my chapter, we fight for the people of the Imperium not the Imperium. I would gladly die for the innocent be it under your command or being declared Excommunicate Traitoris, I like all Astartes of the Lamenters would gladly die for that cause.”

“A good answer.” Spoke the third questioner, his voice indifferent.

“But let see if your conviction holds heretic.” Growled out the second questioner.

For many hours Akhom was questioned, about his chapter his faith in the Imperium and were his true loyalties lay. It was clear to him each of the three were playing a role, deciding his fate and that of his brother based on his answers. The first questioner seemed to have already decided he and his chapter were innocent and could be of use, while the second was ready to condemn them as heretics. It was the third questioner Akhom was wary of, he would sometime agree with the first while at other provide evidence supporting the second, Akhom could only hope his words would lead them to make the right choice.

Akhom was broken from his thought as the stone grey bulkhead to his cell slid open to reveal a black armoured battle-brother with his left arm and pualdron painted silver. Slowly the figured entered the room a winged dagger icon on a dark green background visible on his right pualdron. His right hand rested upon the toothed hilt of a power sword while his left clutched a data slate.

“Apothecary Akhom of the Lamenters?” The marine spoke, casting his critical gaze of Akhom.

“I suppose you are to be my executioner then?” Akhom sighed as he rose to his feet. “So be, if I am to die I shall die on my feet.”

Akhom was taken aback by the marines chuckling as he shook his head.

“I suppose in one way I am, but not how you would expect.” His voice was filled with mirth as the marine turned gesturing for Akhom to follow. “You will need to properly outfitted for what is in store, now come brother.”

Akhom glared at the figure and refused to move.

“NO!” Akhom roared. “I have had no answers since me and my men surrendered ourselves to you! I will not submit further until I am told what has happened to them and what is our fate!”

The marine chuckled and turned to face Akhom again his hand still resting on the power swords hilt.

“I suppose I should introduce myself at least. I am Brother-Keeper Elyas, I serve Captain Khajog for a singular purpose.”

“And what,” Akhom spat his voice laced with venom. “Purpose is that?”

“The recruitment of loyal Astartes into our sacred cavern, aboard this strike cruise.” Elyas spoke his voice filled with pride as he extended a hand outwards into the corridor. “Beyond this door we are all Brothers bound in Service to Khajog until such a time as we are released to return to our parent chapters. Our goal is singular and the most noble, we fight that which other chapters do not and safe guard the Imperium against the greatest Xenos threats.” Elyas gave Akhom the full measure of his stare as he spoke the final words. “We are the Deathwatch and we offer our hand to you Brother-Apothecary Akhom, to fight once more with honour and for the citizens of the Imperium. Do you accept?”

Akhom stood shocked, he had only one choice before him, and he knew what it was.

Author's Note

This bonus chapter was so much fun to write. And I got it done quicker then I expected.

I hope you all enjoy this look on how Akhom joined our merry band.