What We Do Is Right

48 Hours Until Tyranid Hive Ships Arrive

    “Alright I need twelve las-cannon batteries up right away, let’s move it, men! You there, I need a fresh supply of dragon bolts in each and every heavy bolter, get as much as they’ll give!” barked a Arithias. I lugged a heavy bolter turret with me, hoisting it up onto its emplacement, as he instructed various battle brothers to perform numerous tasks.After placing the bolter turret, I ran back over to Arithias.

    “Corvane, I’ve just received word that the Captain would like to meet with you and Sergeant Ziliag. Urgent. Get to the Thunderhawk gunship stationed at LZ Echo, he needs you on the bridge right now. Fetch Ziliag, I’ve got a lot of work to do down here,” said Arithias matter of factly.I nodded at him, dashing down the long corridors of Canterlot Castle.

Celestia had advised Dac’tyr not too long ago that if there was any place to make a stand, it was here. With limited forces, and war materiel, Dac’tyr had devised a plan nothing short of sheer lunacy, or at least that’s what the others in my squad have told me …

“Ziliag! There’s no time for questioning brother, just accompany me to LZ Echo!”, I hollered at him, not slowing my run. He seemed confused for a moment, but conceded, leaving his heavy bolter in the hands of another veteran devastator marine. We proceeded down the winding staircases, and out onto a makeshift landing pad on one of the open air gardens of the castle. Waiting for us there was Thunderhawk nine.

I raced to the side door of the Thunderhawk, prying it open, and holding it open for Ziliag who entered quickly. I stepped inside the dim cargo bay, shutting the door behind me, and taking a seat as the pilot leaning in the doorway to the cockpit shut the door. The engines roared to life, their promethium fuel jarring the whole ship as it began to elevate.

“So, Corvane, mind explaining what in the name of Holy Terra is so important that we abandon the defenses?” Ziliag asked, quite impatiently.

“Well, to be honest I’m not entirely sure my friend. Arithias informed me Dac’tyr wanted an audience with us, and far be it from me, and you especially, to deny the Captain his wishes.”

“I suppose you’re right … Still, I don’t have a good feeling about this Corvane. Ever since the Tyrannic wars I’ve had my doubts about the leadership of the Astartes … Dac’tyr is a good warrior, and a great leader, but I’m still wary of him  ever since …“ Ziliag stopped short, catching himself. We don’t talk about what happened on Prandium.

“It’s alright brother, I accept your concerns, and although I know I cannot know of the hor--”

“Then don’t you dare speak, Corvane!” Ziliag pointed a finger at me accusingly, and shouted in a snarling tone. Ziliag’s red eyes raged for a moment, before they went much paler as he looked at his outstretched arm. He eyed it with accusation and mistrust, retracting it slowly as he gripped it with his free hand. “I … I’m … I-I just …“

    “It’s okay, Ziliang, we shall speak of this no further.” I said intently. Ziliag remained silent the rest of the ride, wearing a somber expression. Within minutes we arrived back in the hangar bay of the strike cruiser.

    “Alright, out ya go, I’ve got squads to move,” the pilot shooed us out through the Thunderhawk’s bay door. We hurried off of the gunship, as twenty tactical marines, loaded down with supplies boarded Thunderhawk nine.

    “Let’s hurry, Ziliag,” I said urgently. He remained aloof, even as we dashed towards the lift. Perhaps I had overstepped my boundaries just a bit much this time. Slamming the upward button, the railings closed as we stepped on board. I removed my helmet, and clipped it to my belt, glancing at Ziliag who was beginning to regain his composure.

    I took a deep breath, the lift zooming upwards, the gates opening quickly as we hit the top floor. We stepped out from the lift, making our way down a narrow hallway that led into a garden area with high, arched ceilings. Progressing through the place of meditation, we found ourselves at the foot of a door twice the size of a space marine, and four times as wide. Tapping an access panel quickly, the doors retracted slowly, their ancient mechanisms grinding away, the door slipping into the recesses of the ship.

    Ziliag and I looked at each other for a moment, our expressions conveying the same feelings of suspicion as we entered. Stepping into the lavishly decorated bridge stunned us. Every piece of machinery was of the highest quality, rimmed with gold and the markings of the Emperor. A group of servitors shambled around, adjusting knobs and dials, while two tech marines attended the holo displays.

    “Greetings Space Marines, we have been expecting you. The Captain is in his personal quarters. Please, follow me,” , a third tech marine advised. He gestured with the mandible-like arm attached to his power pack to the left. He started off, and we followed compliantly. Rounding a corner where a servitor was hard at work monitoring the Augurs, we came into view of a solid gold door adorned with the green emblem of the Salamanders Fourth Company.

    The techmarine left us just when the doors to the private block abruptly forced themselves open, retracting sideways with haste. Inside, Dac’tyr sat upon his command seat, speaking with the most unexpected of men at his side.

Beside the Command Chair stood a Grey Knight. Instinctively, both Ziliag and I kneeled in an instant before such a prominent astartes, for it was believed by many that even Grey Knight troopers outranked even captains.

“Rise my brothers, for he is but a messenger. His name is Lucius Temperus, and he is not here at present. He has amplified the signal strength of his warp holo transmitter, and this is how he appears before us. He bears grim news,” spoke Dac’tyr solemnly. We returned to standing, bracing ourselves for the revelation.

“Corvane, Ziliag, I regret to inform you that the two Praetors Of Orpheus Companies Dac’tyr requested have been lost in a warp storm, along with half of the regiments that had joined with them. Currently three regiments of Cadian Shock troops remain en route, but as your captain has informed me, even then you cannot match the might of even two hive ships,” Lucius spoke firmly and without emotion.

“Pardon me sir, but why does any of this concern us?”, Ziliag inquired, narrowing his eyes.

“It doesn’t. Not you at least. But it does concern Corvane. I called you here with him knowing that he would need your assistance in his task,” the captain spoke authoritatively.

“And what would that be Dac’tyr?” , Ziliag asked, snarling ever so slightly.

“Your task, Corvane, is to assemble the six ponies you first encountered beside Princess Celestia. From what we’ve discussed, they possess an incomprehensible amount of psychic power. If we can determine a way to use it in the defense of the castle, we’ll be able to hopefully disable the synapse commanders, long enough for the Guard to arrive. Outside of that, we’re left with only one option … One I have feared I would be forced to enact … “ Dac’tyr trailed off. He rose from his seat, striding over to a small lift that could fit perhaps four marines. He gestured us to come aboard, and we obliged, but not before eyeing the Grey Knight. The Knight nodded, before he vanished, the holo transmitter signal fading.

Entering the cramped lift, Dac’tyr operated a holo panel, the lift jerking abruptly downward as we were consumed by darkness. Only the glowing red light of our eyes illuminated the darkness, along with our power armor’s glowing points. In silence, we descended  until we stopped at a door aglow with red energy. Emblazoned on the adamantium door was the visage of a dragon, cloaked in silver.

I instantly knew why Dac’tyr had brought us here. The door responded to the captain’s touch, slowly revealing an expansive room as the door retracted upwards. Inside the room were weapons, relics of generations past. Thunder hammers, power swords, artificer armor, all were present, illuminated in the glow of bright floodlights. All but one item that is.

At the very end of the high ceilinged room, was an imposing figure, shrouded by darkness.

“I apologize for lying to you Corvane, and you especially Ziliag, but I have called Ziliag here for a great purpose as well. I could not divulge the true reason with a Grey Knight listening, for they would never condone this, even in such dire times. No, I have called you here to settle something once and for all,” Dac’tyr spoke sternly, but apologetically, striding toward the behemoth figure. Ziliag followed him, while I remained near the lift, observing the two respectfully.

“Ziliag, I cannot repair the irrevocable damage done to you during the Tyrannic wars, nor can I condone the actions made on Prandium. Some things cannot be altered, and for that, I am sorry. But what I can do is offer you the honor of becoming my chief advisor.”

Ziliag stared at Dac’tyr, with a mix of anguish and disbelief upon his face. Quickly composing himself he inhaled deeply, before letting out a great sigh.

“I accept, commander. And I thank you wholeheartedly for your apology,” said Ziliag in a  gracious, yet troubled tone.

“Excellent. Your first task as my new advisor … “ Dac’tyr paused, the floodlight behind him bursting to life “is to provide me with the counsel on the activation of the Iron Dragon. To you, he is Brother Sokhar Bray’arth.”

Ziliag’s white hair draped across his face as he looked down in a brooding state. Then, suddenly, overcome with rage he struck out abruptly, bringing his fist mere inches from Dac’tyr’s face before abruptly stopping.

“How dare you show this to me? How dare you show me the one I couldn’t save? What gives you the right to torture me like this?” Ziliag exploded, scorning Dac’tyr.

“I understand you and Sokhar were very close Ziliag …”

“You’re damn right we were close! But that’s not the reason I don’t want to see him, not because of some petty fight everyone always assumes made us part ways. No, it wasn’t that at all. He was the one I couldn’t save. It’s all a big joke to you isn’t it Dac’tyr? Just toy with my emotions why don’t you! But you keep forgetting something Captain. Something, very important. Some us are still human. Sure we might be genetically enhanced to the point of post humanism, but I’ll be damned if I ever once considered relinquishing my humanity, and you know that!” said Ziliag, speaking frantically and passionately, his eyes raging with despair and pain of the memories.

“Ziliag … I didn’t--”

“Of course you didn’t mean to! Why would you cause me anguish intentionally? But that doesn’t change the fact of the matter. I can’t ever look at Sokhar again, for the shame is too great, and the bond shattered into too many pieces. Dac’tyr, with all due respect, I served under that man on Prandium, upon those blood soaked fields, and I didn’t, not even for a second, consider leaving him behind when he was injured by a ravener. My squad and I dragged him to safety, even as the planet collapsed …” Ziliag began to tear up, a rare, if not unheard-of occurrence among Space Marines.

“And then … when we were trapped on the moon of Ymgarl … fighting those wretched genestealers in those blasted tunnels, my men had to drag me away from him … I can still see the crashing of his thunder hammer upon those beasts to this day. The haunted look of the acceptance of his fate was too much to bear. And even as I kicked and screamed, my squad restraining me, I knew that I could’ve saved him, If I had only stayed. He would still walk among us … if not for my betrayal. If only I could’ve at least said I was sorry ...” Ziliag finally ended his rant, exhaling loudly, his eyes’ glowing visage dimming significantly, his fury subsiding. Dac’tyr remained silent, contemplating what Ziliag had said, before he looked up at the most  Venerable Dreadnought.

“Well then, Ziliag, why don’t you tell him yourself,” Dac’tyr said, operating a small holo panel beside the dreadnought, as mechanicus wires plugged into the walker, before slinking out of the power sockets.

The dreadnought’s burning eyes were the first light to be seen upon the behemoth. Slowly but surely, the chassis powered up, it’s hunched over state straightening up, the servos whirring to life. Ziliag stood in a state of disbelief at the massive walker. From where I stood, the boom of the dreadnought’s ancient voice shook me through my armor.

“Greetings, Dac’tyr. Hello, old friend.” Sokhar said, rotating his head first to the captain, and then to Ziliag.

“Sokhar, I-I … I just wanted to say I was sorry for what happened on Ymgarl … It was all my fault …” Ziliag stammered, trying to find the right words.

    “There is no need for apologies my friend. It was my decision to stay, if you had stayed, we would have both ended up dead , or nearly so. I did what the chapter expected of me, and no man, no xenos, not even the God-Emperor himself I dare say, will convince me otherwise. Lay your guilt to rest Ziliag, for there is none to be had with me,“ boomed Sokhar, with the same ancient voice Ziliag had told me of many times before.

    “It’s not just that Bray’arth, it’s … I’ve been so selfish all these centuries. I’ve known that you survived Ymgarl ever since the rumors of a new Iron Dragon all those years ago began to circulate. I knew, in my heart, that there was none other more worthy of it than you. But in my blinding shame, I neglected you, refused to speak to you, for fear of being judged for my dishonorable actions … But most importantly, I couldn’t face you, because you were my friend Sokhar, you were my guide in a war torn world , and when that vanished, I was lost, broken for a long time … And for that I am sorry. I not only abandoned you on Ymgarl, but for all these centuries as well … “ Ziliag said passionately, trying to reconcile his actions.

    “Ziliag, you didn’t abandoned me, you simply needed time to contemplate what happened on Ymgarl, which I might add, you could have done nothing to stop. Still, what you see as abandonment, I see as true brotherhood. People who abandon each other never come back Ziliag, and although it’s taken you all this time, you have returned, and that is all that matters. “ Sokhar said, peering down at Ziliag. He was right. Even after so much time had passed, their friendship had never faltered. If that isn’t devotion, nothing is.

    “I-I … Thank you brother. You have eased my mind, if only for the time being. I can’t forget what I’ve done to you, and despite what you say, I will hold myself responsible for the misdeeds perpetrated. But the very fact that you have given me the benefit of the doubt, tells me it is time to begin to reforge our alliance. Whether I live or die, my sins shall know retribution, Sokhar …” Ziliag said, choking back emotion, and finishing his speech forcefully, unwavering in the statement.

“Ziliag, I understand you have always been stubborn, and so what I say now may not change your course of actions, but hear me, a time of great struggle is upon us, for I have been woken from my eternal slumber for more than just a reconciliation. And for now, we must put aside the past, leaving no trace of it behind us, if only for this one battle. So in the coming hours, there will be no betrayal, no loss, no misguided feelings of traitorous deeds. There will only be brotherhood, there will only be you and me, and the rest of your brothers against the galaxy. For on this day, we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, even as all hell bears down upon us, “ Sokhar boomed, approaching Ziliag slowly.

“You haven’t changed a bit my old friend, from the way you speak to me, to the way you were always head and shoulders above the rest … Alright, I’ll do it. It’s about time I lay my fears to rest, even if it is a bit late,” said Ziliag, his expression beginning to perk up.

“If there is one thing I have learned in this world, through all the destruction and death, it’s that it’s never too late. And I agree, you haven’t changed a bit either, you self - righteous buffoon,” Sokhar said jokingly, chuckling a bit as he did so. It was strangely frightening to hear a dreadnought laugh.

“Bah, this old face has got a few more scars than I would’ve liked, but still the same old Ziliag.”

“Right then, I hate cut you two short, but we need to get moving. Sokhar, Ziliag, I want both of you on the ground in 5, there’s a drop pod right underneath where Sokhar was just standing. It’ll be cramped for two, but I want the rest of the company to learn of your reawakening as soon as possible. As for you Corvane, as I explained I need you to rally the Elements of Harmony, and bring them to the Chaplain. Celestia offered to bring them, but I felt it would be beneficial if you gained their trust first. Although their leaders have put their fear of us killing them to rest, it isn’t exactly easy to see past our visage. And from what Celestia has told me, all-out war hasn’t plagued Equestria for quite some time. It is only reasonable to assume the inhabitants of this world still don’t trust or understand us, or our intentions fully. This is where you come in Corvane. I have watched you grow as a Space Marine, and above all, you have exhibited what I value most in a Salamander. Compassion, and empathy, make you no less of a warrior, if anything, they make you that much better as a protector of Mankind. This is why I have assigned you this task,” Dac’tyr said, turning to face me, whilst giving me a look of approval.

I didn’t know what to say, so I simply nodded humbly. Ziliag and Sokhar walked back onto the platform where the dreadnought has slumbered, as arches of metal rose from the floor. Walls were placed onto the framework of the arches by servo arms that dangled from the ceiling. The blow torches welding the piece together worked in unison, with an iridescent blue glow. In no time at all, the drop pod was lowered down by a lift into a small launch bay below, where the freshly constructed pod was prepped for insertion. The area where the drop pod had once been sealed itself with adamantium walls, leaving Dac’tyr and I alone in the hall of relics.

“One last thing before we go Corvane. I would like you to know that aboard this strike cruiser are enough Centurion Warsuits to equip half the company. As you know, they only come in two variations, and we have plenty of Devastator suits. This means that you, Ziliag, and every other Devastator marine will receive a suit. I understand you have only trained with these pieces of equipment, and have never field tested them. I get that, but in this time of need, we must use all the available resources at our disposal. The reason I’m telling you this is because the Princesses requested a personal bodyguard , and Devastators are perfectly suited to the role, “ Dac’tyr said, striding over to me before continuing.

“But that’s not the end of it Corvane. When we first dropped onto the planet, several marines were killed, and one of them was a devastator sergeant. You have only fought with us for a century, but in that short time, you have proven yourself worthy of promotion. Do you, Corvane Valorus, accept command of the First Devastator Squad of The Salamander’s Fourth Battle COmpany?”

I was speechless. I had always thought myself an outcast, my overly empathetic disposition a hindrance, and yet here I was, being offered the chance to lead my very own squad. I jumped at the offer.

“Yes sir, of course I accept. I would like nothing better than to serve the Chapter in a greater way. But I must confess sir, I’m not doing this for you.”

Dac’tyr tilted his head slightly, giving me a confused and suspicious look.

“I’m doing this for Equestria.”