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[Domine Nox]

It had not taken long for Legion, Spuds, D'ex, Priest and Joker to meet up as they made their way towards the location Nosk had given them. The power on the level had been knocked out, and what emergency lighting there was flickered meekly. This was much more comfortable surroundings for the Night Lords. A sure sign that they were getting closer. Amidst the killing ground. The deck was slick with copious amounts of spilled human blood.

"Your men do good work." Legion said, admiring the passage turned abattoir. Joker growled in reply.

"Wait. The shadows. They live. Death stalks the darkness. Death and retribution. Everlasting doom." Priest chanted, suddenly rigid. One hand shot out and grabbed D'ex's arm, who wrenched it free irritably.

"Priest, this is how we fight. We are the death that stalks the darkness." Legion assured the Word Bearer.

"No." Priest said, shaking his head fervently. "He is." So saying he pointed down the hall. The Night Lords could barely make out a figure that blended in with the darkness. As they peered there was a sudden soundless flash. Spuds was ripped off of his feet, hitting the ground spewing *CENSORED* onto the deck.

"Assassin!" Legion shouted, taking cover and signalling the others to do the same. Joker took off down the hallway towards the shadow clad figure. Joker's rage did not kick in, however, as it seemed that with each step he took forward the smaller man stepped away. Finally Joker stopped and the man just disappeared leaving him standing confused and alone. When he made his way back to the others they were helping Spuds to his feet. The Night Lord leaked foul smelling fluids, but seemed no worse for wear otherwise.

"Did you get him?" D'ex asked when he saw Joker had returned.

"No." Joker replied, his voice full of self recrimination.

"He will be stalking us then." Legion said.

"What is an Imperial Assassin even doing here?" D'ex asked. He turned on Priest. "You seem to know so much, Word Bearer. Why is there an assassin here?" Priest shied away from D'ex shaking his head much like a little kid that was nervous. "So now your ramblings mean something, and you will not explain?" He advanced on Priest.

"D'ex we should be greatful we even got a warning."

"Grateful? He is a warp tainted, crazed moron." D'ex began jabbing at Priests chest. "Well, Word Bearer? What do you have to say? Where is your faith now?" His finger got three good jabs before Priest went from shying away to snarling rage. Priest pounced like a wild animal grabbing D'ex's hands and biting towards the Night Lords face as the man struggled to defend himself from the surprise attack. Legion struggled to try and pull them apart. Finally Joker lashed out with an armored foot, slamming the ceramite boot into Priest's jaw with a loud crack. All went still.

"My apologies. " Priest said wiping the blood that issued forth from his mouth.

"See! He is a wild beast." D'ex said.

"He is a beast on our side." Spuds pointed out.

"I do not care about your opinion on this matter. If there is an assassin on board, who is to say what else is out there." Legion snapped, trying to restore order. "We need to regroup with Sergeant Nosk, and get off of this cursed ship." The others nodded in agreement, settling the matter.

**********************************************

"Lord Othrim." Came Nosk's voice through the vox.

"Yes, Sergeant." Othrim's whisper of a voice responded.

"We have received word that there is an Imperial Assassin on board."

"An assassin? I see." Othrim stood from his throne and paced. The battle in space was slowly slipping away from him. Only his considerable tactical knowledge allowed Silent Shadow to keep ahead of the Imperial's attacks and in the fight. "You should expedite Sergeant. Gather your men and disembark as soon as possible."

"Understood lord. I shall ensure we are back on board as swiftly as possible." Nosk replied.

"Excellent." Othrim said. "And Sergeant. Save only what you can."

"Ave Dominus Nox." Nosk replied before the line went dead.

[J NOSK36]

I like it, possible deaths?

[Armoured Priest]

Sorry dex.

[Yapay38]

Read. Loved.

[Talon Lord Othrim]

I feel the need to comment after another round of great writing, Nox your doing great work

[Gerhart]

They get better and better, well done.

[Domine Nox]

Nox and Yapay were ghosts. Silently they moved about the halls preying upon patrols of guardsmen as they traversed the ship, keeping the crew steadily on their toes and unaware where the Night Lords were actually holed up.

"Nox, we are getting out of here. Now." Came Nosk's voice through the vox.

"Understood, on our way." Nox responded. "Yapay, it is time to go." Yapay unclenched his powerfist letting a pulped guardsman fall to the ground with a wet splat.

"We are leaving?" He asked incredulous.

"That is the word." Nox responded, starting to leave the most recent scene of carnage.

"We are running away?" Yapay asked again, a bit more edge in his voice. Nox paused, turning slowly.

"So it would seem, Yapay. I am no more pleased about the situation than you. We do not have all the information, however, so we are going to follow orders." Nox slowly advanced on Yapay as he spoke, waiting for an argument.

"Follow orders." Yapay spat the words. "We are not soldiers anymore. Our Legion is lost. This ship could be ours. The Imperial dogs here will fall before us and we can spread the message of fear farther." Nox's armored fist shot out connecting with Yapay's helmet, jarring the Night Lord.

"You will not speak against the Legion again, Yapay. Our brothers have lost their way. It is our duty to stand strong, and unite them so that we might vindicate our father and stand against the duplicity of the corpse Emperor." Nox's words rang with conviction and Yapay grumbled to himself rather than follow the argument further.

"Very well, brother Chaplain." Yapay said. The title causing Nox to flinch internally, as he knew full well that was Yapay's intent. It was then that Nox's helmet display picked up movement.

"Hold." No sooner had Nox uttered the warning when Yapay let out a grunt. Turning Nox saw a small trace of blood dripping from Yapay's ceramite armor. Yapay wasted no time in opening fire down the passageway. His bolt pistol rang loudly as the muzzle flashes illuminated the hall. The silent attacker ducked out of sight. "It seems we have become the hunted." Nox said. "Are you all right?"

"I will be when I find that mortal and rip out his spine." Yapay snarled. Nox examined the wound, he was no Apothecary, but it was best to check before they moved. There was no hole that he could see.

"That was not an Imperial." Nox observed as they mobilized from their location, keeping on the alert.

*********************************************

Nosk took point with Spuds holding up the rear as they moved together towards the hanger. It seemed Nox and Yapay's campaign of terror across the ship was working well in their favor as they encountered only scattered groups. No longer were the Imperials dug in for a holding action. The seven Night Lords made quick work of the few patrols they came across. Nosk had been wary upon hearing report of an Imperial Assassin. He held a great distaste for their ilk. An assassin had taken his Primarch, a cowardly act by a weak man. There had been no sign of the assassin as they progressed. Nosk saw no reason why the new comers would provide false information, but he was not as trusting as Nox about his fellow Night Lords and so kept an eye on them.

"Not much farther to the hanger." Baek reported. "Do you think they realize we are evacuating?"

"No." Legion chimed in. "If they knew, the Imperials would have focused their strength between our initial position and the hanger, set up a trap."

"It is not too late for a trap to be set." Nosk pointed out. "Stay alert."

**************************************************

Varren paced back and forth in the room. Myriad bolter shells scattered the floor, and the smell of death was everywhere. There had been a holding action here. By his estimation there had been between three and five Excommunicatus Traitoris holed up here. What he found most remarkable was the lack of evidence of any taint. As an Inquisitor of the Ordo Maleus he expected to find the chamber rife with the corrupt energies of the warp, but there were none. If he had not been told they were Excommunicatus Traitoris, he would have sworn this was a squad of Space Marines.

"Curious." He said aloud. Two figures entered the chamber. One was clad in black, bearing a high-powered Exitus Rifle. The other wore a heavy robe, with the hood pulled low. In his hand was an incredibly, entirely not human, rifle.

"Ah, Orrin, Markov you have returned. News?" He asked, keeping the mood light. The black clad figure spoke first.

"Encountered five Excommunicatus Traitoris on route to this chamber. They grouped up with two more here and went on the move not long ago. A study of their movements and squad size suggest that they are headed towards the hanger to debark."

"I see. Orrin?" Varren asked nodding as he took in Markov's report.

"I discovered two more in sector 8. In shadowing them I must conclude that they too are headed towards the hanger." The robed figure reported in an airy voice.

"Then we should ensure that they get a proper send off." Varren said icily, drawing his weapons and moving quickly out of the chamber followed closely by his companions.

***********************************************

When Nox entered the hanger, it was still. After the fire fights and stalking the mortals through the shadows it was eerily quiet. Yapay was close on his rear, their armored foot falls ringing out in the chamber. Entering from a separate door they saw the others.

"It seems we will be leaving without a fuss." Yapay remarked. The two units met up near the Stormbird.

"I trust you had little trouble, Nox?" Nosk asked. "You did well in striking fear into the weaklings." He gave Nox a pat on the shoulder. Nox merely nodded.

"I have a reading." D'ex said suddenly. Immediately guns were at the ready. The Night Lords scanned the room looking for any sign of movement. Legion saw it first. Just barely visible from their vantage point a barrel, pointed his direction. As the shot rang out Legion grabbed Yapay and pulled the surprised Night Lord in front of him. The powerful round smashed through Yapay's gorget and ripped through his throat. With a gurgle Yapay slumped the to ground. Two more figures emerged from cover. One bearing down on them, the other taking up a firing position.

"Baek, deal with the sniper." Nosk ordered.

"On it." Baek responded, hefting his plasma cannon. Before Nosk could issue any other orders he saw that everyone was moving steadily as a unit. Nosk moved to the cockpit to start up the Stormbird in case this was the prelude to something bigger.

Nox and Legion sprinted towards the robed figure setting up a firing position, powerswords crackling into life. Nox had seen what Legion did, but there was no time to confront him now. Suddenly there was a hail of fire from their attacker. No sound. No evidence of shooting. Just a sudden flurry of impacts on their armor. Most of the shots struck true, but the determined Astartes charged onwards. As they closed the distance the figure tossed down its rifle, and drew two slender blades which, then leaped to life crackling with powerfields.

"He does not stand a chance." Legion said, his voice full of confidence.

"Perhaps." Said Nox, slowing his pace. Legion continued the charge. Bracing to shoulder the smaller man and end the fight quickly, Legion was taken by surprise when the robed figure spun quickly aside. The twin powerswords slicing into Legion's side. Nox moved in then, to find his attacks deftly parried. The smaller figure was very good, but he was Astartes.

************************************************

Meanwhile Joker and Priest ran to meet the oncoming Inquisitor. The grizzled man grinned as they charged, bringing a pistol to bear. Joker, still in control of his senses shoved Priest and dove aside as the inferno pistol shot superheated where they had just been standing. Priest was on his feet first, chainsword revving held in both hands as he rushed forward. Nonchalantly the Inquisitor drew his own blade. The sword was black, it seemed to almost have a depth inside of it, and the edges shimmered unnaturally as it traced an easy arc out and up. With one stroke he sliced Priest's chainsword in half. The Word Bearer barely backed up in time to avoid the back swing as it sliced the air. By then Joker was on his feet, and he snarled. He could feel his grip slipping as he ran at the inquisitor not even bothering to draw his weapons.

**************************************************

Nosk had started up the Stormbird and was cycling through the routine as quickly as he could. The Talon Lord had said time was of the essence. He glanced back and could hear the sounds of combat and see Baek's plasma cannon discharging superheated balls of death.

"Time to go." Nosk called over the vox. He would give them a moment, but no more than a moment.

**************************************************

Nox was quickly abondoning finesse in favor of power over the robed warrior that seemed to dance around his attacks. Even with Legion's assistance all they seemed to be accomplishing was keeping the small figure on its heels. Then Nox saw out of the edge of his vision Legion strike not at the robed attacker, but at him. Legion's blade sliced into Nox's knee, causing him to stumble. With that momentary lapse the small swordsman thrust, Nox only barely managed to deflect the blow taking the sword through the collarbone instead of the chest. Legion then returned his attention to the enemy taking off their arm at the elbow. The figure's scream of pain was cut off by Legion's bolt pistol firing into their face, eradicating it in a shower of blood and gore.

Legion offered his hand to Nox, but Nox ignored it and slowly got to his feet, not even bothering to remove the impaled sword.

***************************************************

Joker's charge on the inquisitor was met with a supernaturally swift thrust. The black blade went through his armor as though it were butter, slicing through his stomach and coming out the back. Joker felt a twinge of something as the blade entered him, but he could not identify it amidst the swelling fury that boiled over him. He slammed his helmet into the inquisitor's face, shattering the man's nose and a few teeth. Then suddenly he was moving through the air, slamming to the ground a several feet from where he had been standing. The inquisitor turned and ran as the doors to the hanger began to flood with imperial troops. Joker stood to give chase, still confused as to what had happened, when Priest grabbed him.

"No let him go. Save the shard. Save what you can." Priest rambled. The Word Bearer then removed the black blade from Joker's stomach and marveled at it. When it was taken out Joker could not help but feel that there was something wrong with that sword.

"We are leaving now. If you are not on, you are left behind." Nosk voxed. The Stormbird flaring into life. Joker and Priest got aboard followed by Nox and Legion. At the ramp Nox stopped and grabbed Legion's arm.

"What was all that?" Nox asked, motioning to Yapay's body lying there barely alive as blood flowed out of him, and the hanger.

"What?" Legion asked, as if the question was a joke. "We do what we must. Night Lords are survivors. As if you would not do the same to save yourself." Legion smirked as the Stormbird began to lift off.

"No we are not survivors." Nox said. "We are brothers." In a flash his bolter came up and fired a round point blank into Legion's face. The armored body slumped to the deck and rolled down the closing ramp into the hanger before the Stormbird soared out into the void towards the Silent Shadow.

[Yapay38]

Lol bye Legion.

[Gerhart]

Good part, a bit of frustration released there? Your battle scenes are awesome, taking note my friend.

[J NOSK36]

hahaha i love this so much

[Armoured Priest]

Oh no yapay! You became a meatshield!
And now I got a new shiny sword.
Awesome as you always do good sir!

[Domine Nox]

Varren watched as the Stormbird took off from the hanger and departed. As he stemmed the blood issuing forth from his nose he made his way to Orrin's destroyed remains. It was a shame to lose the Eldar ranger, he had been a capable and reliable companion. It took only a glance to know that nothing could be done to save him. Reaching down he plucked a small gem from the ruined corpse, an Eldar soul stone, a device that was supposed to keep their soul so that it might never be absorbed by the demonic powers of the warp. Tucking it away into his belt he made his way to the other body.

Standing over the motionless giant armored form he examined it for a moment. Astartes pattern powerarmor bearing the symbol of a fanged skull with red bat wings. It seemed that the traitor marine had been slain by a bolt round to the face at extremely short range.

"Dissention within the ranks I see." Varren said aloud as he circled the massive cadaver.

***************************************

The flight from the Imperial cruiser back to the Silent Shadow had been a near disaster. On board the Night Lords had no idea the scale of the damage being wrought around them, but the scene had become alarmingly clear. The Silent Shadow was limping desperately as it traversed its various attack patterns. Only Nosk was able to take in the daring flight back under heavy fire as the others braced for impact or struggled to stabilize Yapay as his genehanced body slowly failed to stem the massive blood loss from his throat.

The trip from the Silent Shadow's hanger to the apothecarium was frantic. Baek and Nox hefted Yapay's limp form down the halls. When they arrived Baek attempted to use the skills Yapay had shown him to save their brother.

"It is no use." Baek said defeatedly, his hands soaked in Night Lord blood.

"No, we lost one brother to selfishness. I will not lose another." So saying Nox hefted Yapay's form and moved as swiftly as his armored bulk would carry him. When he arrived at the Tech-Adept's door he charged on in and slammed the body on the mechanical man's work table.

"Save him." Nox's tone brooked no argument. The Adept looked over the marine's form and then then up at the steely deathmask of Nox's helmet.

"Very well."

**********************************************

Once the ship had translated into the warp Nosk was summoned to the bridge. Nox had been summoned as well, but did not come.

"We encountered more resistance than expected." Nosk reported on the bridge as Othrim surveyed the damage report. "I stand by my original statement that this was an ill advised venture." Othrim nodded silently. Nosk decided to simply press on in his report. "In addition to the Storm Troopers on board, there was also an Inquisitor and retinue. We also lost two of our number in the extraction."

"Two of our number?" Othrim inquired.

"Yes, Talon Lord." Nosk affirmed. "Yapay was struck down by the Inquisitor's Assassin. The other was leading the squad we retrieved, brother Legion. He was slain by Nox."

"Really?" Othrim asked, leaning forward and steeping his fingers. "What were the reasons for this?"

"None that I could surmise, Lord." Nosk reported.

"I see, and he does not respond to my summons."

"Lord, he is currently with Yapay. Him and Baek believe they might be able to save him." Nosk reported dutifully.

"What of the others?"

"Brother D'ex seems a capable and excellent addition to our ranks. I have my doubts about Spuds and Priest."

"Priest?" Othrim arched an eyebrow.

"Yes, Lord." Nosk nodded. "None know his name, but he responds to Priest. He is a Word Bearer, and not entirely in his right mind. It is my belief that he may be touched. Spuds is very clearly touched by the ruinous powers."

"So we have gained more of the fallen." Othrim said despondently. "So many have lost our father's teachings." Rising from the throne he pushed past Nosk. "Thank you for the report Sergeant. Inform Nox that he is to see me as soon as he is able. Othrim's tone belied the understanding of his words.

[Yapay38]

Lol touched. What gave you that belief?

[J NOSK36]

Loved it! Great work Nox

[Yapay38]

Waiting...............

[Armoured Priest]

Heheheh, it' not a bad touch.

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk

[Domine Nox]

Nox strode through the halls with steady strides as the thrum of the ship surrounded him. It was good to have a degree of stillness after the battle frought hours that had preceded. He had only left Yapay moments before. The body being manipulated by the Tech-Adept they had stolen away him from. The adept had assured him that he could save Yapay's life, and Nox was willing to trust in his skills.

He was currently headed to meet with Talon Lord Othrim. Nox knew the Talon Lord was less than satisfied after he had refused the initial summons, but saving one of their own was more important. The other Night Lords had started to go about their own rituals in the down time. Joker had locked himself away in his chambers. Baek was familirizing himself with he Apothecarium, accepting his role as their new Apothecary in Yapay's absence. Nox had not seen Nosk since their return to the Silent Shadow. The newcomers had also been scarce. The doors to Othrim's chambers slid opn with a slow hiss.

"You called, Talon Lord?" Nox asked as he stepped inside.

"How is Yapay?" Othrim asked, rising from his position on a simple spartan cot.

"There is still a chance that he will be saved." He shot a glance at Othrim. "You will have another weapon at your disposal."

"You think me so unconcerned?"

"I think you less then unconcerned." Nox interrupted. "I presume Nosk has already told you of the loss of Legion, one of the newcomers."

"Yes." Othrim said simply as he strode over to examine his own armor that stood motionless within the chamber. One hand reached out and delicately touched some of the details upon its finely etched surface. "I was also told that you killed him. Certainly surprising considering your devout loyalty to the others."

"He was self serving and disloyal." Nox said matter-of-factly.

"I see no fault in this. So you cost us a valuable member and capable brother to satisfy your own personal views." Othrim observed, turning to face Nox who stood stoically under the Talon Lord's gaze.

"Our strength matters more then my views on the matter, understood." Nox said, nodding slightly. "I should have considered this when Kyron and you vied for power." Othrim smiled at Nox's words.

"Nox you always have been a clever one, and stoic in your duties as a Chaplain." Nox remained silent, unsure what to make of the Talon Lord's unexpected praise. "I want you to keep an eye on Joker, and some of the new blood. I hear they have been tainted by the warp."

"It is as you say." Nox nodded, willing to accept this task as he fully concurred with the Talon Lord's concerns. "I shall watch them, Talon Lord."

"That is all." At the dismissal Nox turned on his heel and departed. It pleased Nox that despite the cold calculating approach Othrim had to those on board the Silent Shadow he held true to the tennants of the Night Lords. No faith, only action.

********************************************

"Whispers. Whispers in the shadows. No more silence. No more darkness. I can see. No alone. Never alone." Priest chattered to himself in one of the chambers that had been made available to him. The Word Bearer sat, still clad in his power armor holding the black blade before him as he stared into its depths. The door was sealed, and no light shone in the room, but Priest's eyes were fixed upon the blade. The darkness drawing him in. He had sat there for untold minutes simply staring and whispering.

"Power. Strength. Whole. We can be whole. Nothing unreachable. Stars, planets, souls all within our grasp." Priest started to foam at the mouth, never moving. His armored fists squeezing the weapons hilt tighter and tighter until pain began to seep into his hands. Priest smiled as the glorious pain washed over him, egging him on to squeeze even tighter. So many sensations washed over him and Priest felt for the first time in a long time, like himself. He smiled as he brought the blade closer to his face seemingly to be listening to an unseen voice and nodding occasionally.

"It will be perfect." He reached out and licked the edge of the blade, slicing his tongue and spilling his own blood.

[Yapay38]

I always knew you had it in you priest. lol

and as always.

[Armoured Priest]

Sooooo, how do you know my RL?

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk

[Siddicus]

You like deep throating swords priest?! Wtf!