+++Chapter 1+++
Governor Aurelius Hekon gripped the balcony's safety railings tight as the wind swirling around the upper levels of the main spire buffeted against him. The fizz and crackle of the void shield enveloping Duron Hive drowned out all sound, but from his elevated viewpoint the artillery shell impacts were all too evident rippling across the shield like stones hurled into a pond. Through the yellow void shield haze he could make out the enemy lines, infantry and armour dug in, patiently waiting for the inevitable shield's collapse. Far to the rear he could see the massive enemy artillery pieces launching barrage after barrage, their shells pounding into the shield slowly battering it into submission. Turning back towards his office door, for a moment he glimpsed his reflection in the plasti-glass, his aquiline features were already stretched from so many years of service, but now appeared gaunt and pasty, the odd strand of grey all that was left of his hair. His black dress uniform hung from his frame, hardly appearing as the finely tailored clothing it was. Like everything in recent times on Avengis, his appearance was depressing.
The door slid open and Aurelius slumped into his highbacked leather chair, the familiar musty smell of old cracked leather devoid of it's once calming effect. Despite it's small size his wooden panelled office had a sense of grandeur, sculptures of Primarchs and other great heros were mounted on pedestals in each corner, on three of it's four walls hung ancient paintings depicting the Emperor and his Primarches battling across the Imperium, but taking pride of place on the wall opposite his desk was a golden aquila shaped weapon rack, upon it an officer's highly polished and intricately patterned Cadian standard Laspistol and Powersword, momentos from Auerlius' glorious past. But to Aurelius the room just felt empty, nothing but the stagnant aura of defeat hanging in the air. For eight years long years they had been battling Propheti Malussi and his rebel army, a losing battle leading to today where Duron Hive was all that remained under Imperial control. Hardly a suprise he thought, from the outset Aurelius had known they were outmatched, their survival depended on a response to their Astropaths distress signals. There had been no answer. With a sigh Aurelius picked up the data-slate again, a report from Tech-Magos Ivanex. He still didn't understand most of the techno babble, but the end result was clear. The shield would collapse within a week.
The intercom mounted into his desk beeped the yellow rune flashing, Aurelius touched the respond rune. "Yes, Morgan?"
His aide replied in a nervous hurried manner. "I know you said not to be disturbed sir, but there's uhm.. there's someone here to see you sir, I.. I think you'll understand."
"What do you mean 'someone', who the hell is it?"
Aurelius could almost here Morgan flinch through the com. "... I'm sorry sir, I.. I have tried, but he's just arrived unannouced and will not give his name to me, he says it's.. it's for your ears only. But believe me sir you will want to see him."
Aurelius opened his desk's central draw and drew a Needle Pistol in his right hand, shuffling his chair closer to the desk he held the pistol out of sight under the desk and flipped the safety catch off.
"Send him in Morgan."
The door swung open and the visitor stepped into the room. Aurelius dropped the Needler in shock. Before him stood a hero of legend, a battle brother of the Adeptus Astartes, a Spacemarine. The giant was fully enclosed in a suit of mk7 power armour camouflaged in matt greens, from his belt hung a black cased Plasma Pistol, an intricate looking Auspex and a variety of different sized containers and pouches. The armour's dull blue eye visors glared at Aurelius and for a moment the marine stood still, Aurelius felt himself give an involuntary shudder of fear gazing up at the armoured warrior. The marine raised his hands to his head and with a click and hiss of escaping air removed his helmet and placed it on the desk, revealing a face just as imposing. The marine's broad features were emphasized by a nose flattened from too many impacts, a thick diaganol scar ran from the left side of his shaven head to the point of his chin, but his most startling feature was his eyes sparkling with cold animal cunning, the eyes of a predator. The marine reached into one of his belt containers and took out a small black cube, carefully he placed the device on the desk and touched a red rune on it's side. Aurelius felt a tingle of static pass through him as the cube begun to emit a low humming sound. Seeing Aurelius' terrified expression the marine grinned.
"It's a dampning field, worry not. It ensures our privacy." He paused for a moment. "I am Sergeant Klast of the Shadowhawks and for a price I offer you our assistance."
"A pr..pr.. a price?" Aurelius spluttered, his brow creased in confusion. "But we are the Emperor's loyal servants!"
"But we are not Governor Hekon."
For the first time Aurelius noticed something wrong with the marine's armour. There was no Imperial eagle across his chest, no codex markings, no chapter symbol, nothing. Not a sign of Imperial allegiance anywhere. Instantly his mind was filled with horror stories of traitor marines, there was no hope now, he knew he would die now and the city with him. Then something else sunk in, there was none of the telltale signs of chaos, the marine appeared untainted, his armour as pristine as those he had seen back in his days as an Imperial Guard officer on Cadia.
"I.. I don't understand."
"And you need not. All you must know is you are in dire need of assistance and we will provide it, assuming payment can be agreed." Klast's voice was calm and patient, ill fitting with his massive bulk.
Aurelius face twisted into disgusted snarl. "We do not deal with heretics and traitors!"
Before Aurelius even realised Klast had moved he was dragged out of his chair and held dangling over the desk in a grip of iron. Breath wheezed from his mouth as Klast's armoured gauntlet crushed into his throat, the marine's face contorted in an angry grimace. Drawing Aurelius face close to his, Klast spat "AND WE DO NOT DEAL WITH BLIND ZEALOTS!!!" and hurled Aurelius back into his chair.
Aurelius lay there sprawled, breathing hard the air raking through his bruised throat. Klast rested his hands on the desk and leaned over, instantly appearing calm and serene, as if the violence of seconds ago had never occurred.
"I am no heretic, Governor Hekon. A traitor? It was us who were betrayed... But that is the past now, you're history lesson will have to wait. For now you have more pressing matters to attend to. Chaos knocks on your doors and only we can save you."
Aurelius forced himself to sit upright and the words rasped from his throat. "What is it you want?"
"First, you will make no communication of our presence. Our Librarians are monitoring your Astropaths, any off planet communication will be intercepted and will have grave results." Klast's eyes bored into Aurelius', the 'results' all to clear. "Secondly, our payment is simple. We require access to the vault on sub level 17B."
Aurelius frowned. "There is no sub level 17'B' "
Klast laughed, reminding Aurelius of the rumble of distant thunder. "Of course there is Governor. Every world has secrets, some more than others." The humour drained from the marines face, the cold predator returning. "Regardless of your choice today, we will be entering that armoury. But your choice decides if that will be as payment for saving your people or by more direct methods..." The edge of the desk splintered as Klast forced his fingers through the hardened wood clenching his power armoured fists.
Aurelius rested his chin on his chest, closed his eyes and breathed deep, giving himself a moment to think. He knew without aid they were doomed, but the thought of accepting help from these traitors instantly turned his stomach, though he had a nagging feeling this was a liftime of Imperial doctrine reacting. Looking up at Klast he could sense no taint of chaos, just a proud Spacemarine offering help. Reasoning with himself he pondered on how Klast became so angered at being called a "heretic" and the offer to save them from chaos. As Governor he had a responsiblity to his people and the Emperor, if there was a chance of saving Avengis, it's people and resources he must take it. He had no choice.
"Sergeant Klast, I have no option but to accept your help. I won't pretend I'm comfortable with this, nor do I understand or trust you." He rubbed the now purple bruising on his throat, grimacing as he swallowed. "But the Emperor moves in mysterious ways.. you have my agreement and my word."
Klast straightend up, revealing great rents in the desk where his fists had crushed the wood. Eyes flicking from the damaged desk to the armoured behemoth before him, with suprise Aurelius noticed for the first time the marines power armour's servos were utterly silent, his armour made no sound. "Good. We will keep you informed of progress, you will be contacted soon with regards to our payment. Now I must return to my brethren and inform them of your decision."
Klast reached over, touched the rune on the dampening field device and replaced it in it's belt container, Aurelius felt his ears pop as the field shut down. Klast walked to the door before Aurelius spoke again. "Sergeant Klast, something just occurred to me. How did you get past the powerfield and get into here without being detected?"
Klast looked round, a wry smile on his lips. "Governor, I am a Shadowhawk, you only see me now because I allow it."
By Bootae