Chapter 5

He woke up from a deep sleep. His breath was heavy and uneven.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had a wet dream. Yet here he was as evidence was slowly spreading in this underwear.

Claude sighed. Quickly showered and changed clothes. He had to admit that Captain Vallerie was highly attractive and alluring woman. Yet, he had to stop these feelings from developing any further.

He quickly donned his combat armor, took his rifle and pistol and walked out into the ever-changing landscape that is Primus 2. The newly named planet that held so much strategic importance for the imperium.

The Swarm, vast and without mercy attacked at opportune moments. Dragging away few marines at a time.

He approached the lookout and asked, “How many tonight?”

“Four attacks. One marine missing in action.” The guard recited.

“To quote someone famous, Fuck.” Claude exclaimed.

“Quote who, sir?” The marine asked puzzled.

Claude saw the man’s odd expression and shook his head, “Never mind trooper. I was just making a lame joke.”

“Captain,” he heard someone calling him from behind, an another trooper running toward him urgently.

Claude turned his head to see a fully clad combat marine stop before him breathe deeply, obviously deeply concerned about something.

“Yes?”

“We need you, someone from up high sent a Psyker.” The man whispered.

Claude’s eyes went wide with shock and awe.

He expected it, but still the news wasn’t good. The Imperium’s many magic users were usually reserved and welcoming, creepy nonetheless with their use of supernatural, yet Psykers were the only ones that seemed to lack any kind of empathy. Usually Psykers were sent to combat only as a last result. They were indispensable to the Imperium, only going to these combat areas when there were no other choices. Or the Imperium’s Space Marines were about to be defeated.

The Captain never met a Psyker that hasn’t terrified him. Cold and calculating for lack of better words, they were an un-emotional vessels of destruction.

Claude was welcomed by the odd man in the command room. As soon as the man met his eyes he knew he was dealing with a psychopath. The man looked at everyone like they were his lambs brought for slaughter. His personal test subjects.

The man was dressed in black and looked at objects in the room with a deep disturbing stare. Picking up one at a time and staring at it for few moments, then carefully setting it down where it was. Sometimes he would lean his head from side to side and proceed to look at another like he was evaluating every object for its purpose.

The man’s black robes were dragging on the floor as he walked from one spot to the other. On his chest there was a tiny emblem of Psykers of the Imperium.

Psykers’ job differed from person to person. Chapter to chapter. Sometimes in times of great need a person would be called upon to enact their vicious attacks on the enemies of the Imperium. Often decimating their foes on the battlefield. Other times their mystical energies would be used to direct the attack of the Empresses’ mad dogs. Some of them shared deep connections to the Empress, others firmly believed in the Warp.

A dark clothed man started to speak, a dreary, mellow voice escaped his lips, “I was sent here, be the high lord of Terra to judge these beasts in the name of our Empress. It would seem that you have had a hard time with several beasts in particular. Care to explain?”

His voice sounded charming and Claude had to stop himself from divulging any confidential information only privy to the members of his Chapter of marines. His honed senses telling him the individual was highly dangerous.

“We’ve encountered an entity that none of us can best in combat,” Claude carefully explained, “The creature is highly intelligent, never attacking when disadvantaged. Always standing behind hordes of lesser bugs. What makes this opponent dangerous is his ability to judge the battlefield. The bastard is smarter than any beast we’ve encountered. Also we suspect the structure in the sky is somehow changing the planet’s creatures.”

“Let me ask you this, captain. How come you haven’t charged their position and taken the structure from them? What about destroying it from the orbit?” his mellow voice echoed.

“High Lord strict orders. We keep this position and stay put.” Claude said.

The man looked at him oddly, “Strange. I hope you have proof of his orders.”

Claude went to his data chip and extracted the command from the High Lord.

Claude watched as the man’s eyes widened, any other sign of emotion was devoid from his face, “Very well. Duly noted. Now, by the words of Her Majesty the Empress. I hereby order you to gather your troops and take that structure.”

Claude stiffened, saluted “Yes sir.” And went out the door barking orders as he was walking through the camp.

The plan was quickly set in motion. The Imperial navy would take care of the hordes of insects by sending their air support and burning the Swarm to a crisp.

The Space Marines entered a giant transport designed to breach and kind of wall. The force of impact would propel the heavy ram through anything. Even thick walls of dreadnaughts would torn asunder by the ram’s astounding power.

Before they knew it the ram easily tore through the structure’s walls and ended embedded deep in its insides.

One by one 40 brave marines emerged from the ram’s insides.

“Brothers we’re in.” Claude spoke through his helmet.

As soon as he spoke those words a terrible scream echoed through the structure’s halls.

“INTRUDERSSSSS,”

The scream sent shivers down their spines, “What is that?”