Chapter Six: Blood, Iron and The Wolf Pt2

Thick oozing biomass dripped from the walls, pooling upon the flesh coated floor of the corridor, it was a quagmire of putrefaction and stolen potential that gave the Tyranids life. Such raw genetic material seeping into the very structure of the Hulk was not a sign that offered much hope. As it was clear the digestive pools, a Tyranid bio-construction used for converting biomass of both the fallen Tyranids and their enemies into genetic code for the Hive Mind to twist and pervert into new monsters for its ever growing swarm, were over flowing with biomass such a overabundance could only mean the Tyranids would have ample bodies to drown any imperial world in and still have untold billions to spare.

The thundering footsteps of the four Astartes came to slow and deliberate halt as they reached the mouth of the corridor as it opened out into a large waste filtration centre, though empty of the any such waste it was instead the heart of the Tyranid nest.

Yngvar snorted in total disgust at what was before him, it assault is every sense with its total perversion of the physical more so then any other horror he had faced in his long years of service, a guttural snarl escaped his throat as behind his helmet he subconsciously bared the fangs all Space Wolves had, for he could sense something lurking below the thick pulsing membrane of organic broth that bubbled within the pit.

“Disgusting Xenos filth.” Yngvar spat threw gritted teeth as he subconsciously tightened his grip upon the hilt of his chainsword thumbing the trigger bringing the blade back up to full speed, after its lull in use.

Before Yngvar could utter another word the membrane atop the viscous organic slop tore, a wet sloshing noise not to dissimilar to that of meat sliding from the bone echoed around the chamber as large bladed fingers punctured upwards gripping the edges of the pit. With an insultingly slow motion the beast pulled itself up through the membrane, to bring its sickly yellow eyes level with the four Astartes.

Hot wet bio matter slurry dripped down the creature’s armoured carapace some drops falling back into the pool it had dredged itself up from while others landed upon the ribbed decking that the Astartes occupied. Now within full view the Astartes could see that this beast, this Tyranid was their primary target. The insidious controlling abomination of life that lead the Tyranid swarm that infested this Hulk and threaten the Imperium, before them stood a Tyranid Norn Queen.

“SLAY IT!” The words left Yngvar’s throat with such rage and hatred they sounded more like feral howl of a wolf.

With his order given Yngvar charged forward launching himself at the Norn Queen the last of the bolt rounds in his pistol firing away at the beast, the Norn Queen roared its challenge back at Yngvar. Hot sticky mucus flying free from its alien maw at it stooped down low content to spear Yngvar upon the massive needle like teeth that filled its hideous mouth, though Yngvar and his brother were ready for such a strike.

Though Yngvar had charged straight towards the Norn Queen Kestyr and Khordel had moved to flank the beast similarly pouring the last of their bolt rounds into its armoured hide, the bolts bit deep into its armoured hide exploding just below the surface. Each explosion launch chunks of alien flesh and bone into the air causing but this did little to faze the Norn Queen for such surface damage was nothing to it.

Though the incendiary grenade pitched forth by Xavier had a more last and damaging effect. Unlike his brothers Xavier had not charged the Norn Queen, he had instead remained directly near the entrance his weapons holstered so he might propel the grenades he had saved for this very moment with greater accuracy. And accurate he was for his first grenade landed square in the Norn Queens open mouth bathing the vulnerable inside of its mouth with the cleansing flame of ignited promethium.

Letting out a pained screech the Norn Queen had been stalled just enough for Yngvar to close the gap and draw his chainsword up across the beasts left eye spilling its vitreous humour across the floor. Rearing backwards the Norn Queen roared bringing its two long clawed hands down towards Yngvar intent on squashing him into a bloody pulp, rocking back onto his left foot Yngvar brought his chainsword up into a guard position to deflect the blow and leave the Norn Queen open for a retaliatory strike.

Yet just as the Norn Queen had reached the maximum momentum with his clawed hands a series of Vengeance bolt rounds slammed into its wrists exploding in a shower of plasma discharge, ripping large gashes deep within the Norn Queens flesh. Tracing the trajectory of the bolt round Yngvar and his brothers saw that up high stood a pair of Marines, battle brothers they knew and recognised, each having served alongside them under the command of their Brother-Captain.

Growling in pain and rage the Norn Queen threw its head back and screeched once more, but this time is was not a screech of pain but a call for aid from every Tyranid organism within the depths of the Space hulk. With its throat momentarily exposed the two marines upon the upper walkway took this chance to deliver a withering hail of weapons fire. The first marine whom held a combi-bolter tightly in one hand began pouring the last of his Vengeance rounds into the Queens throat, while his companion gripped the trigger of a conversion beamer charging up his shot.

The Norn Queen reared back in pain as the bolt rounds lanced threw the tender flesh of its throat, deciding it enough was enough The Norn Queen swung for the two marines upon the walkway. A normally killing swipe as both mariners had no escape was averted as a krak grenade exploded mere centimetres from its outstretched arm.

“AKHOM, LORCAN! OFF THE PLATFORM!” Xavier roared as he ripped another krak grenade from the several laced about the combat webbing across his breast plate before pitching high up into the chamber above the walkway. With a thunderous boom the grenade exploded wrenching the walkway from its brackets bringing it lurching forward and into the Norn Queens right wrist.

The kinetic motion of the walkway being such that it pierced straight threw the Queens wrist before imbedding itself in the far wall pinning one of its arms and limiting the range of attack the Norn Queen had at its disposal.

“We are glad for the reinforcements Brothers.” Yngvar nodded to both Akhom and Lorcan in turn. “But I fear this foul Xenos has called for its brood to come to its aid.” Spitting the last part in disgust Yngvar pulled the plasma grenade Elyas had entrusted him with. “We finish this now even it costs us our lives!”

Lorcan nodded in agreement before pulling from his belt several scavenged bolter magazines from his fallen brothers. “We will not have long Yngvar, now where is the brother-captain?” As he spoke Lorcan tossed the magazines to Khordel and Kestyr while Akhom handed a few from his belt to Xavier and Yngvar.

At the mention of Elyas Yngvar sighed and placed an armoured hand upon Lorcan’s shoulder. “He is dead my friend; he gave his life to hold off a Trygon. He died a noble death.”

Though most would have been shocked by such news Lorcan was not, always the pragmatic one requiring direct proof he merely snorted disapprovingly at the notion of such a thing happening. “Were it so easy. Elyas has survived worse, back before Captain Khajog fell, he and Elyas held back a Nurgle plague horde alone for three days straight, it is highly doubtful an over grown bug could kill him.”

“Either way it’s a moot point now we have to finish this thing now!” Kestyr barked gathering everyone’s attention back to the Norn Queen which was currently attempting to wrench its trapped arm free. Though this was only one concern of theirs as the noise of scuttering Tyranids could be heard nearing their location, though luckily only to avenue of entry presented themselves for which the approaching Tyranid horde to assault from.

“Akhom, Khordel both of you on over watch now! Nothing gets in!” Yngvar barked as he pointed at both entrances earning a nod of acknowledgement from them both. “The Rest of you with me! We are slaying this beast!” his chainsword thrust upwards into the air Yngvar let loose a savage rallying war cry before pointing the sword squarely at the Norn Queen. As one the battle-Brothers of the Deathwatch answered Yngvar’s war cry with their own, each being instilled with the same fury and zeal that the Space Wolf possessed.

Launching himself forward Yngvar fell upon the Norn Queen, his brothers of the Deathwatch not far behind. His fury was unmatched as he ripped deep wounds into its bony hide, Yngvar fought like a being possessed by the primal beast that lurked within the heart of each Son of the great wolf.

He would fight and he would win. For his Primarch, His Emperor and His friend... His Brother-Captain.

Trudging through the dense foliage of the Ever-free forest was once seen as an arduous and perilous venture for a pony, even a princess. For the beasts which lurked within saw the little ponies as nothing more than a tasty snack to placate their ravenous stomachs for a time, yet for the Princess of the night and the Elements this was now a moot point with the singular figure of Elyas now amongst their group the beasts saw them no longer as easy prey.

A joyous smile plastered across her face as Princess Luna could not be happier; one of her brother’s sons had acknowledged who she was and shown her reverence. Something she had never been shown before, even after her redemption, her subjects still feared her their new found respect during the court room summits merely that a curtsy. But now striding beside her, his head held aloft proudly was the single being that had. Luna shock her head once to clear her it, she needed to ask this noble soul of her eldest brother, though she had never met him either physically or mentally like she had her father nor two of her brothers mentally and one briefly physically.

With a deep breath Luna glanced up at Elyas her voice full of conviction and barley contained curiosity. “Elyas was it?” A simple nod was her response to his name something he had only given once, a smile graced her lips as the single nod being a sign to continue. “I must know, what has become of my brother? Your gene-father, does he still live?” Her question had drawn the ever eager ears of Twilight and her friends as they to wished to know the answer.

Elyas did not respond right away, instead he continued walking for a few more agonising answerless minutes before reaching a small clearing and stopping. Fearing that she had offended him Luna went to speak again, to retract her question yet Elyas simply raised his hand to stop her words. Gently with a grace one would not expect her one so large and built for war Elyas brought himself down to one knee, to their height.

“Before I answer your question Lady Luna I have one of my own.” A slight blush spread across Luna’s cheeks at the sincerity she heard within his voice, such respectful words were a welcome surprise. “Why is it that your companion.” He raised a finger to point at Fluttershy who had been trailing at the back let out a fearful gasp before attempting to hide behind Dash. “Cower such, I mean you know harm.”

Before she could answer Rainbow Dash cut in with her normal ill thought out response. “Well no dur! You look like an evil monster!” Having finished her little outburst Rainbow immediately realised what she had said and like her friends gulped in fear, all feeling Elyas would react violently to such a comment.

But to their surprise Elyas merely chuckled at the outburst before placing his boltgun down gently next to the stump he was sitting on. “Miss Fluttershy come forth.” With a single motion of his hand he beckoned for Fluttershy to step forth, slowly and whimper of fear Fluttershy shuffled forward, emerging from behind Rainbow Dash.

Gently and timidly dragging her feet along the ground she stepped towards Elyas her head hanging low as tears threatened to spill forth from her eyes, whimpering as she came to a stop before Elyas her imagination began to create the horrific image of Elyas reaching out and snapping her neck before brutally butchering her friends and Princess Luna. Yet what happened surprised and slowly calmed her down easing her fear away, she felt Elyas’s large fingers gently role across the top of her scalp in a soothing motion.

“Calm yourself young one.” His voice was just loud enough for her to make out. “I mean you no harm.” Slowly Fluttershy began to relax, sinking to her knees as the gentle motion of his hands calmed her down.

Elyas chuckled to himself and slowly stopped fixing his gaze on Luna again. “You wish to know of my Primarch? The first born of the God-Emperor?” Pausing briefly watching as Luna and Twilight nodded eagerly. “I never knew him, saw him fight or grace the battlefield with his presence. Tales of him are passed down from brother to brother his memory is kept alive within the chapter and our successors.” Tilting his head back Elyas’s gaze drifted upwards towards the sky. “As one of his sons I like my brothers try to embody all he was, we strive to be greater then ourselves free from limitations that bind and control us.” Elyas looked back down locking his gaze with Luna. “We strive to be the sword that thrusts forth into the darkness and the shield that mortals might shelter behind.”

Her face was awestruck as was that of Twilight and her friends, their brains slowly processing what they had just heard. Questions swelled within their minds but none dared voice them for the singular reason that they felt their questions would feel inadequate after who Elyas had spoken about his gene-father. All save for Pinkie-Pie as in typical fashion she’d be focused on something else.

While she had heard what Elyas had said and mentally filed it away under ‘Party planning information for Ely’s welcome to Equestria party’ Pinkie had found her attention focused on the hilt of Elyas’s sword. To her mind it did not match Elyas, his armour was sleek and refined like that of a knight form the little foal stories she often read to the cake twins. His helmet specially stuck out to her with its two curve wings rising into the air it was truly elegant to behold, something she thought Rarity would use as inspiration for a new design. Not wasting anytime Pinkie Pie shot her left arm into the air gripping it with the right in a childish attempt to stretch it further, bouncing in place acting like she was in a class for young foals trying to get the teachers attention to ask a question.

“Mister Elyas!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly tipping forward “Misteeer Elyasss!”

Elyas rolled his eyes behind his eye lenses before turning his gaze to Pinkie Pie, she was unlike any young one he had encountered save for one. Elyas recalled a young child psyker he’d encountered while serving with a rather eccentric inquisitor, it had been an experience to say the least. The psyker child had been so enamoured by him and Khordel at the time that he followed them around asking irritating questions, but Elyas had found the child’s want for knowledge as something to encourage. Knowing he would likely regret it anyway he gestured for Pinkie to ask her question.

“Why does your sword look different?” Pinkie uttered in a completely innocent voice, as she did her friends and Princess Luna all turned to give her varying looks of worry, shock or horror. Rarity like always took her reaction to the extreme, by materialising a red fabric with a golden trim couch so she could ‘faint’ in the most dramatic fashion of falling backwards and draping her right arm over her eyes. Ignoring this Pinkie continued. “You armour is so sleek! Like a knight from all the ponytales I read to the cake twins. OH did I tell you about the twins yet?!? NO! No I haven’t, you’ll love them!” Briefly pausing Pinkie shock her head to refocus herself, “and your sword just looks so feral and brutal, not like you! Was it a gift? Did you win it at a fair ground? DO you have fairs in space? ARE THERE SPACE FAIRS!?!”

Elyas let out a deep laugh shaking his head slowly as Pinkie Pie once again began rambling with her questions. He looked down at the hilt of his power sword and drew it from the scabbard holding it up high, the moonlight reflecting off its ice blue blade. It was a dual blade etched with tribal runes running down the blade to the hilt, Elyas smiled warmly at the soft etheric blue glow from the inscribed runes he knew their meaning and was grateful for it. The hilt however was what stood out the most, for were one would expect a winged dagger icon much like his chapter symbol to be the main artistic flare of the hilt. There was the stylised design of a wolfs skull leading between the blade and grip, the grip was wrapped in a soft red silk ending in a wolves canine upon the swords pummel.

“You wish to know about my sword?” Elyas turned his gaze back to Pinkie who was eagerly nodding. “Truth be told the blade is not mine, but something that belongs to a close friend of mine. Someone I consider a true brother though he is not of my chapter.”

He paused and gave the sword a single swing in an arc motion as if to test its stability before laying it across his lap. “It’s named Wolfsbane.” Elyas spoke his voice calm and hush as he ran a hand down the blade. “It has served me well for many years as both a instrument against the enemies of the Imperium and a symbol of kinship between the Dark Angels and Space Wolves.” Elyas paused noticing Luna’s eyes widen at the mention of the Wolves, he turned towards her and chuckled.

“It is a common practice when companies of the Space Wolves and any from a chapter descended from the Lion, to honour our gene-fathers and the brotherly rivalry they had. We engage in a dual of honour, two chosen champions fight till first blood to keep our Primarchs memory alive and our brotherhood strong.” Elyas paused briefly putting the sword back into its scabbard before gently rubbing the toothed pummel. “Wolfsbane was the result of a foolish Wolf’s pride. At the time he was the chosen champion to partake in the duel, I was the stand in for ours.” Elyas sighed “While my opponent Yngvar was a seasoned warrior of his chapter. He took offence to the fact I was taking the original champions place. So he wagered this sword against my helmet.” Elyas tapped the side of his helmet. “I only agreed to the bet with my company captains approval, and what a dual it was.”

Elyas rose from his seat and paced around almost in the memory.

“Were normal bouts would only last minutes and hour at the most, we duelled for two days. Neither one us willing to back down, it was youth against skill, experience against determination. I am reluctant to admit I only won because Yngvar made a mistake.” Elyas chuckled and stopped looking up at the full moon. “When he handed me Wolfsbane I swore an oath to him. A Dark Angel giving an oath of a Space Wolf, my battle-brothers were astonished but it was something that needed to be done. I swore that i would honour this blade until my dying breath and should we meet again it should be the wager for another dual. We have met three times since then and each time we have duelled and each time I have put him flat on his ass.” Elyas turned to look back at Luna and the elements. “So to answer your question Miss Pie, this blade is the symbol of a bound forged by a rivalry and the kinship of myself and Yngvar. That is why it looks different to my armour.”

To say this answer was something unexpected would have been an understatement, all seven of them were utterly astounded his words had resonated with them all. Though Luna did not think of him as a monster nor could see him as anything but the embodiment of nobility and her father’s will. The Elements of harmony, or more specifically Rainbow Dash and Applejack had seen Elyas as nothing but a monster based on his physical appearance and how he had reacted to Princess Luna before discovering who she was. But now they saw him for what he truly was, a sword for which to strike against the darkness they could not hope to stand against, a shield for which to protect and guard them against the threats from beyond the stars but above all else it he was something Luna needed.

Both of them as well as the rest of the elements knew Luna has struggling to fit into society and was by many still seen as a mare in the moon, yet here stood someone created for war in the image of one of Luna’s nigh mythical older brothers and was treating her with reverence, respect and kindness. It was sweet to see and not one of them could disagree.

“I feel we have lingered her long enough Lady Luna.” Elyas turned towards Luna and offered a hand to help her stand, Luna having during his tales of the Lion and his blade sat upon a nearby tree stump.

It watched them move through the forest, the logic centres of its programming calculating the threat vectors of all eight subjects before it. It would categorize and determine its targets in threat order highest to lowest making its base programming of guarding the master crypt easier.

The highest threat vector was Elyas, visibly armed with the strut of a warrior and confidence to back it up, he’d have to die first. The rest were negligible, only three of them were any real threat with their connection to the warp.

Again it tried to connect to the crypts matrix to report the situation and request support, and like every time before hand there was no response from the matrix at least. Recycling the software it readied a second request but stopped as slowly several returns pings filtered back, first only a couple but with building speed the pings shot up entering the thousands. Yes these pings would do, they’d make eliminating the threats.

Sending back the activation codes and marking the targets in elimination order, it faded back into shadows and waited.

Yngvar gritted his teeth in rage this foul Xenos beats had proven a worthy foe, after the withering assault form bolter rounds, grenades and chain weapon strike its entire hideous chitin coated hide was littered with wounds. Each wound pouring thick viscous bile onto the deck.

Wailing in pain the Norn queen thrashed about flailing widely swiping in every direction attempting to hit both Xavier for the continuous stream of grenades slamming into hits hide ripping wide bloody gashes exposing its soft innards and Kestyr who complimented the newly formed opening with precise shots from his bolt gun. The combination of grenade explosion and mass reactive shells had kept the Norn squarely focused on them both, giving Yngvar and Lorcan the time they had need to scales the Norn Queens back, their climb had not been one to leave the Xeno’s brood mother unscathed for both Astartes had taken no care in the grizzly wounds they had carved into its back to provide them leverage as they climb.

Now perched upon the ridges of its neck Yngvar imbedded his chainsword deep into the Norn Queens neck as he prepped the plasma grenade for use.

“Yngvar save the grenade.” Lorcan groaned wearily as he gripped the hilt of his power axe currently embedded in a neck spine of the Norn Queen “We’ll need it to destroy the Hulk.”

“Then how do you propose we kill this disgusting thing brother?” Yngvar growled out in frustration, he had no patience for Lorcan and could never understand why Elyas put up with him. “A bolt round to the skull won’t even phase it!”

“We drop that onto its head.” Lorcan raised a gauntleted hand point towards a large cylinder ribbed with wide metal cooling bands held in place by some buckled and bent gangways with arc bands of purple electrical discharge zipping across exposed wiring.

Yngvar let out a groan of frustration, turning to Lorcan glaring from behind his helmets eye lenses. “You want to drop an Emperor forsaken warp core on it.” Yngvar pauses letting out a growl of frustration. “WHILE WE ARE IN THE WARP!”

“Yes.” Lorcan turned around looking down towards the platforms locating Akhom, only taking a few breath seconds Lorcan spotted him propped up against a door way firing his combi-bolter single headedly into the hall.

With a growl Yngvar placed the plasma grenade back onto his belt and ripped his chainsword free from the Norn Queen’s neck. “Well then we had better prepare to remove ourselves from this Xeno’s back.”

Nodding Lorcan wrenched his axe free from the neck spin before proceeding the slide down the Norn Queens back, as he neared the pool of bio-matter the Norn Queen was still partially submerged in Lorcan kicked off the servos in his cybernetic legs and power armour whining under the strain and launching his bulk form the Norn Queen. With a grace and skill not expected for someone of his bulk Lorcan landed in a low crouch, gripping the handle of the pistol mag-locked to his waste Lorcan rose to his feet spinning around the pistol aimed towards the Norn Queen. He depressed the trigger sending an arching lance of thermal energy cascading into the Norn Queen back, it screeched in pain as the thermal radiation scorched its delicate internals.

It’s attention now focused on this new threat the Norn Queen spun around slamming its clawed hands down towards Lorcan, with such ferocity and murderous intent it left him barley enough time to roll out of the way. Rolling out the way Lorcan glanced up to see that Yngvar was still upon the Norn Queens back but he was not making any attempt to remove himself but rather he was climbing further up its head.

“Oh what in the Emperors name is he doing?!” Xavier snapped his gaze shifting from the Norn Queen to Lorcan, a frag grenade prime in each hand.

“I have no idea cousin” Lorcan responded no surprise evident in his voice as he watched Yngvar pull himself onto the chest of the Norn Queens head. “But whatever he’s doing is not our concern, we need to get that damaged warp drive to fall onto this Xenos filth.” Lorcan jutted a finger up towards the warp drive.

Xavier followed his finger and let out a low chuckle thumbing the activation triggers on his grenades. “And I thought Yngvar was crazy!”

Atop the Norn Queen Yngvar widen his stance, wedging his feet between the grooves formed by the chitin. He gripped the hilt of his chainsword tightly with both hands holding it high into the air.

“IN THE NAME OF THE WOLF KING! WE SLAY YOU!” roaring to the heavens Yngvar slammed the chainsword down into the Norn Queens skull, tearing deep into its hide. With a single swift motion he pulled backwards wrenching the chainsword free leaving a deep oozing gash upon the Xeno’s skull.

Letting out a pain durge the Norn Queen thrashed about trying to dislodge Yngvar from its head, its attempts were met with failure as Yngvar once again imbedded his chainsword into its skull using it as support. Yngvar reached around to his back and drew the bolt gun strapped in place, extending his arm downwards Yngvar angled his bolt gun towards the front of the Norn Queens head. Squeezing the trigger Yngvar sent a torrent of mass reactive shells streaming towards the Norn Queens eyes, the bolt shells impacted across the Norn Queens face causing only superficial damage.

“Xavier!” Yngvar bellowed over the screeching of the Norn Queen. “Grenades high!”

With a single nod Xavier angle backwards and pitched both frag grenades high into the air, as the grenades flew Yngvar holstered both hit chainsword and bolt gun before charging off the end of the Norn Queen armoured head. Hurling his arms out before him Yngvar caught the two primed frag grenades Xavier had launched directly upwards and within a single fluid motion propelled them directly up into the. The grenades slammed into the buckled metal walkways supporting the warp drive, two thunderous staccatos echoed as the grenades detonated warping the walkways and causing them to buckle as the weight of the warp drive become too much for them to support.

With a sickening screeching of metal upon metal the warp drive lurched forward, briefly the drive snagged as it attempted to drop down before continuing its drop. The drive hurtled downwards the encroaching shadow falling over the Norn Queen. The Xenos hurled its hands upwards catching the warp drive as it fell halting its descent. Fortunately thanks to a combination of the minor wounds littering its arms and body the Norn Queen was only able to hold the warp drive in place and not hurl it off.

“We need support their are to many of them!” Khordel’s voiced was strained as he slammed his Crozius into the skull of a charging Termagant while Akhom fired around him with well place bolt shells.

“Then it is time to ends this!” Yngvar once again pulled the plasma grenade from his belt and depressed the activation stud. “My brothers, it has been a true honour.”

“YNGVAR NO!” Lorcan gestured for him to stop. “There must be another way!”

Ignoring Lorcan’s pleas Yngvar put all his effort behind the swing launching the plasma grenade towards the warp drive suspended by the Norn Queens hands. The plasma grenade detonated just mere millimetres from the warp drive, with a thunderous boom, a cloud of blue plasmid vapour hung in the air around the warp drive.

The warp drive began to violently shudder and whine, purple bolts of electricity rippled outwards striking the walkways and walls leaving scorch marks. The warp drive itself began to shudder and whine violently before several large ruptures split along its outer shell, bathing the chamber in an etheric purple, pink and white light. A loud high pitched whine tore through the chamber as the light exploded outwards blinding the six Deathwatch battle brothers. As quickly as the light filled the chamber it faded, the chamber was now empty of the six Deathwatch marines with the only trace of their presence being six scorch marks upon the ground.

Fortunately the Norn Queen did not escape unscathed, a sickening squelch echoed as the chamber was flooded with the chittering mass of the Tyranid swarm. Instead of finding the six Astartes the Tyranids swarm was greeted to the sight of the now dead Norn Queen, for when the warp drive had gone critical and bathed the chamber in purified warp energy it had taken the Norn Queens head and hands for its efforts. With the Norn Queen now dead the link to the Hive Mind was severed for the Tyranids forcing them to fall back on their baser instincts of survival. Across the space hulk swarm of Tyranids turn on each other, each vying for dominance, they would rip each other apart then turn on the space hulk causing it to fragment inside the warp.

Their mission was a success, at what the Imperium would mark as costing the lives of several battle-brothers the Deathwatch had saved the heart of the Imperium.

Yet the last six had been plucked from deaths embrace for a greater cause by the progenitor of their progenitors. They were to serve a grander purpose, one that reunite them with who they thought lost.

Author's Note

And here it is a full chapter...That took me two years to write.

God I feel like a sumbag.

But anyway enjoy, as always.

I'll try to get chapters out at a better pace then two years.