The waves crashing against the hull of Specter was a repetitive and lulling sound. It reminded Sargent Descartes of his home world, Siculum III. An ocean planet used to farm one of the most valuable resources for the Imperium of Man, Water. Ag'ag VII reminded him of the soft sunrises and gentle currents found there. He lived as everyone did there. Upon the islands formed by the underground volcanoes. To this day he still did not understand why his chapter recruited from his home world. It wasn't a Death World, as many historians called them. It didn't have a group of hardened warriors desperately grasping for life. There were no rituals of combat to decide who would be accepted and therefore remembered and who would be forgotten. No, the ritual was a solemn affair. One of inner reflection and peace. A trial of mental endurance.
Signums flared on his overhead display. The mission was running over time. This could cause complications. Descartes ordered the rhino to stop and he exited the top hatch. He panned his vision around the Rhino, five feet of gentle liquid life surrounded Specter in every direction. Rockets of steam shot out from the surface at random intervals, the planet exhaling excess heat. The sky was a dimming red color and it's primary star could be seen on the eastern skyline. A sight of beauty he knew he might never see again in his extended life. A dull ball of fire with a curled tail leading into The Maw. The system would be plunged into complete darkness within the next two hundred years according to his calculations. When that happened this planet would turn into a rock of ice perfect for mining. Descartes breathed deeply and exhaled slowly before signalling the person in charge of this mission.
"The transport will be arriving in five minutes for evac Inquisitor." Descartes said calmly into his vox.
"I understand Sergeant. Thank you for the update." replied Inquisitor Joaquin as he continued to examine something in the distance.
He hopped off the Rhino onto a shallow part of land nearby. It had been several months since Inquisitor Joaquin had requisitioned his company. Months of training and thoughtful hours. The Inquisitor was researching something dangerous. Descartes knew that. He also knew not to ask about it. His twin brother Amenlin, Captain of this company, had acknowledged the authority provided to the Inquisitor through his personal guard. A Custodian of the Aquilan Shield.
Descartes looked to the east, his auspex highlighting the Inquisitor. A small hunched man of a more scholarly demeanor. He was not built for combat, but he had a dangerous look in his eyes. A coldness that could cause even a space marine like himself to question his method of attack. It was just then that it happened. A loud deafening crack that caused his systems to spike and blood do flow from his ears. He could still hear just fine as the suit was linked directly through his Black Carapace but he knew he would need time in the regeneration vats when he returned to the ship in orbit. Laughter echoed through the skies and with a blur the Custodian beheaded the Inquisitor and began running full speed toward the Rhino.
The Custodian was a sight to behold. Sculpted by the hands of the Emperor himself. Likened to the Primarchs of old. His speed was blinding and mesmerizing a the same time. Descartes snapped out of his trance just in time to see the Thunderhawk landing, Specter began racing for the Thunderhawk as water shot up from the ground in molten steam around them. He ran to the Thunderhawk arriving just as it started to lift into the air. The Custodian was still one-hundred yards out as the Thunderhawk began preparations for it's assent, sirens blazing.
Seconds later the Thunderhawk was nearly thirty feet into the air. Descartes radioed that they needed to go back down as they were abandoning the Custodian. The system replied that the Custodian had ordered the assent. Upon looking back to the Custodian a golden light shimmered through the water, no on top of the water. The Custodian was running on top of the water. He ran with the speed of an attacking shark and launched himself into the air. Just like lightning that his augmented senses and tracking struggled to keep up with, the Custodian launched himself into the air and clutched the still lowered docking ramp then pulled himself up and into the bay. The bay door began to close. A glance past the Custodian revealed what was happening to the planet.
The planet seemed to be separating evenly as if designed to do so. Water draining into the new voids. A crafted design of an epic scale. A design none should see. The hatch sealed and Descartes turned to see the Custodian before him.
"Know that this is the Emperor's will Sergeant Descartes." The Custodian said before the hum of his glave gave away his intentions.
It was over before Descartes could even signal for help. A smooth cut from one end of his neck to the other. His vision started to blur and he struggled for breath. He felt the vibrations of rapid bolter fire through the deck for a few seconds before his brain began to struggle for survival and images of his home world flashed before him. He smiled.
Beauty. Pure beauty, and peace.
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