[HH] Divine Retribution

[The Death Masque]

Divine Retribution
The Horus Heresy -HH

-Dramatis Personae-

The Arch Angels

Augustus Ragnarok 'The Modest'
The Primarch of the Arch Angel Legion

Arthur Nero
First Captain of the Arch Angel Legion

Rogerus Maximus 'The Dragon'
Captain, 2nd Company of the Arch Angel Legion

Markus Keelor
Captain, 3rd Company of the Arch Angel Legion

Edmondus Constans 'The Lion'
Captain, 4th Company of the Arch Angel Legion

Robertus Cuthbertus
Captain, 12th Company of the Arch Angel Legion

Willielmus Septimus
Captain, 17th Company of the Arch Angel Legion

Non-Astartes Imperials

Lord Commander Julius
Commander of the Imperial Army Forces attached to Agustus's Legion

Remembrancer Petrina Visas
Chosen to record the as of yet unrecorded campaign of the Arch Angel Legion, reluctenty accepted by Augustus.

Mechanicus Adept Ralvon
Mechanicus Representative accompanying the Legion and is in charge of maintaining their war machines and robots.

The Merican Resistance Movement

Othos Luc
Leader of the Movement

Mara Luc
Othos's wife and 2nd in command.

Chapter One

Cyclopean Magnus, Rogal Dorn, Leman Russ, Roboute Guilliman, names that would be forever remembered throughout the history of the Impeium, names that shaped the histroy of the Imperium. Petrina Visas, a young woman of 23, possessing a slender body of normal proportion, dark brown hair, cut short to tuck behind her ears and slightly curl at the base of her neck, her face showing her youthful beauty and innocence. She was restraining the urge to jump up and down in unmeasuerable glee as she was the first Remembrancer ever to record the campaign of the II Legion, the Arch Angels. The name Augustus Ragnarok was rarely mentioned on Terra and she couldn't wait to meet one of the Primarchs, but she didn't know what to expect from him. He was mostly shrouded in a cloak of mystery, refusing to ever take Remembrancers along on the 76th Expedition, but he finally agreed when the Council of Terra made it an order. She had heard about some kind outburst from the Primarch, something about loyalty issues on his part. Despite her glee, she was a little afraid too; the Primarch hated the idea of the Remembrancer program, saying they should all be given a gun and made to fight... or was that Leman Russ? She couldn't answer her own question, but she remembered a piece of advice given to her before she left; the attitude of the Astartes was usually a reflection of the Primarch. Looking back, she had seen a mixed group of personailities from the Space Marines she had seen on her way to the Primarch's private chamers. She had seen two Astares having a casual conversation, ending with a joke, a loud bellow of laughter coming from both of them at the end. The Marine who had escorted her, was a polite one who held a friendly chat with her on the way, asking her casual things like which part of Terra she was from, and how long she had been a Remembrancer. Another was a little more rude, staring at her with a vemonous look as she passed by him, hearing him mutter something under his breath...

As time moved on, she found herself becoming more and more nervous with each second, she even started pacing and chewing on her finger nails. She cussed, she had hoped she'd gotten over her nasty nervous habits. She couldn't help it though. Amidst her pacing, she nearly walked into a large object in her path. Had she nearly walked into the wall? No, this was moving and making noise.

"You know, you wouldn't be the first person to stare." Came a powerful voice. Petrina jumped back and looked up. Before her stood a demi-god, a giant amongst lowly men, clad in velvet purple and grass green trimmed armour plate, decorated with golden patterns, a pair of golden wings reaching from the back of the demi-god's back, curling towards each other, but the tips not touching. The shape made a halo imagery behind his head, that perfect face and fair brown hair, cut short but rather messy. His features without a single flaw, his mouth, his nose, his eyes... were looking straight at her. Those piercing green eyes that seemed to stare right into her and reveal her greatest secrets. He was truly a handsome man. Her thoughts returned to focus when the giant made a small 'ahem' noise. She shook her head, still recovering from the effect his eyes had on her. He spoke again. "If you think that was weird, you should meet my brother, Horus."

"H-Horus?" His brother. This was Augustus Ragnarok? She had not imagined such a sight. The Primarchs deserved their reputation.
"Yes... Horus. You know? The Warmaster?" He rose an eyebrow at her. She just mentally screamed to herself. Even his eyebrows were perfect!
"Of course, forgive me my lord. I was just left a little..." She froze up again. Damn her nerves!
"Stuperfied?" He gave a heavy sigh. "Wouldn't be the first time milady."
She was surprised to hear him formally announce her and managed to speak again. "Yes, stuperfied. I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be so... god-like."
"God-like?" His tone changed, he now sounded rather cautious.
"S- sorry, poor choice of words my lord." He became rather aware of his tone changed and was afraid she might of ruined her chance to record the Expedition's campaign.
The Primarch looked at her and broke out into a loud hearty laughter. Petrina was confused. He'd just turned from solemn and brooding to a cheery, friendly giant. Whatever just happened, it was infectious. She began to smile and cheer up herself. He was having her on this whole time, and she had to admit it was funny herself. Her embarassment and nerves disappeared before this loud laughter, which was beginning to die down.
"Don't threat milady, I always treat guests with the utmost respect. I wouldn't be a gentlemen if I didn't. And don't worry about the 'god-like' comment, there are actual morons who think the Emperor is a god! Absurd! Even my father says he's not a god. But some people, eh? Quite frankly, I see anyone with this 'Lectitio Divinitatus' crap, I'll throw them out the air lock for such stupidity."
"Quite, milord."
"Don't call me that."
Damnit! You've blown it!
"Please, call me August." Augustus bent over, and placed his hands onto her shoulders, giving her a light shake. "Remember that, August. Not milord, or Commander, or master, or any of that crap. Leave that for the men under my command. You aren't either a man, or under my command. I will treat you like an equal." An equal? Well, her assesment of him was that he was very cheerful, modest and tolerant person, and she found she really liked him too. He had a kind of aura around him, a charisma that would leave the masses speechless, and listen to whatever he had to say. She wondered if the other Primarchs were the same, since she knew Horus was so charismatic that the even other Primarchs would listen to him.
"Well, okay August. I would love to get started if that's okay by you?" She asked politely, offering the same respect he had shown her.
"Of course! I just got out off a meeting, and I'm positively bored! Maybe retelling a past story will entertain me." He sat himself down a large chair with a soft looking red velvet pillow. He crossed his arms and motioned to Petrina to sit herself down. Petrina looked around for a free chair, finding on tucked in the corner of the room. It was cushioned, but it wasn't as comfortable as the Primarch's chair. She didn't complain at the risk of sounding rude.
"I think it'll be the people who read your Legion's history who will be entertained, August. People are interested in hearing about the Arch Angels, seeing as how there isn't anything about you and your men. Why is that?" Petrina adjusted herself on the chair, and looked at the Primarch's reaction. He rubbed his chin and smiled.
"Well... the Great Crusade is bloody. We are on a journey of enlightenment, and last time I checked, enlightenment didn't involve killing. I'm a war machine, Petrina. I will fight, and I will ensure a peaceful future for mankind. A future that I will have no place in. When there are no more enemies to fight, no more wars to wage, no more misguided souls to bring to compliance, I will of done my duty and there will be no more reason for me to exsist. The reason, before you interupt with the words, 'that doesn't answer my question' is that I'd rather they, the citizens of the Imperium, didn't know about my involvement in such a bloody campaign." The smile had faded from Augustus's face and was replaced with a solemn, thought-filled face instead. Petrina leaned foward.
"But people want to know about the Great Crusade. People want to hear about how the valiant armies and Astartes of the Imperium risk death nearly everyday to bring the Imperium into golden age. This is the stuff of legends! The people love heroes!" The remembrancer had found herself raising her voice in excitement, and tried to calm herself down. She looked to August who was smiling.
"I must apologize, Petrina Visas. I've been told I'm too modest at times. Very well. If the people want heroes, then there are plenty amongst the men of the II Legion."
"And you?"
"Fine... you so wish. i'll be a hero too."
"Thank you August. Now, tell me of your latest campaign."
"Okay then. Let's see, it was on a planet we designated seventy zero four..."

The Stormbird rocked upon the atmospheric breach, causing everyone on board to get knocked about in their cage seats. Rogerus sat contently in his seat, safely secured in, his bolter clamped into place above him. He looked to either side of him, catching glimpses of the Knights accompanying him on the Stormbird. They all wore the same velvet purple plate armour, reminding him of a wine beverage back on Zion. Amongst the purple was the grass green trim, the purple and green being royal colours back on Zion before it was brought to compliance by the Emperor, while Lord Augustus was still it's king. He remembered that day. His country had made a truce with Augustus's after a long and drawn out bitter conflict, eventually after a cermonial marriage their two countries obtained a peace never seen before in a hundred years. He looked back and remembered the day he first saw August. A giant and his own Knights were skittish to face him in open combat, and how right they were. He'd seen him cleave through dozens of of his men before the war was over, and that was just with the out dated technology of Zion's darker days. After the war ended, the two became friends and with another three great Knights from neighbouring provinces he formed the Zion Council. The arrival of the Emperor marked a new era for Zion and Augustus complied without resistance, recognising his father in the flesh. Trusting the wisdom of their leader, Rogerus didn't regret speaking out off turn against compliance. Back then, he was but a mere man, but now he was an Astartes, a Knight of a greater Empire, the Imperium.

"Okay, listen up everyone." The Primarch's voice came over the vox, every Astartes looking up to listen. "This is your standard crushing shield, so you know what that means. Strike hard and rigid. Don't let the enemy get any ground over you." Rogerus's company will execute the hidden sword to remove the corrupted and ignorant leadership of this branch of mankind. Without them to spread their lies, the citizens will have no choice to accept compliance. Remember, the crushing shield and hidden sword are tactics that cannot exsist without the other. Work together and we will claim another victory for the Great Crusade. For Zion and the Imperium."

"For Zion and the Imperium!" Every man aboard the Stormbird repeated the words in unison after the Primarch and silence fell upon the innards the craft again. 4 Stormbirds were heading down to the planet's surface all together, accmpanied by serveral detacthments of Imperial Army soldiers and two Titans of the Legio Mortis were already planetside, bombarding the city's defenses, to allow them through. The ship rocked rocking from atmospheric breach and was now gliding towards the surface, Rogerus lifted the cage up and got out off his seat, holding onto a nearby bar to support himself. He reached out and unclamped his bolter from it's hold, his men started to do the same, some fumbling and nearly falling over. Conversation sparked and laughter was heard over the roar of the engines. The ship shook violently and pilot's voice was heard over the vox.

"We're under anti-air fire! I'm launching missiles to counter!" Rogerus moved his way to front of the bird, and forced his way through the blast doors of the cockpit, trying to stop himself from falling over from all the turbulance the ship was under. He stood next to the pilot's seat and held onto a bar just above his head.

"Try and bring us closer to the buildings. The streets are wide enough to fit a Stormbird. The buildings might provide cover."
"It'll be a tight squeeze, sir." The pilot wasn't taking his eyes of the sky just to look at the Astartes, in the fire like this, if his focus was disturbed for a second, it would be a nasty end to the Great Crusade for the men aboard this Stormbird. "But I don't see any alternative."
"Good man. Reduce the speed if you feel that would help, but try to keep us lower enough to avoid that anti-air fire."
"Yessir!" The craft dropped and Rogerus was nearly thrown up into the air by the inertia. The bird was now flying low in the streets below, it's after quake causing every window behind it to smash in a flurry of glass shards.
"Sorry about that sir, got a little carried away."
"No worries, nothing I couldn't handle... Look, there. That open space there. It looks like a park. Drop us off there." The pilot look confused. There was no where he could land, there were too many trees in the way.
"Sir?"
"We'll jump."

The hatch with a mechanical groan, slowly opened, and projectiles started coming at the Marines. Serveral enemy soldiers had found the Stormbird and were now trying to bring them down before they managed to get out. But the Astartes had never seen this enemy before and they hadn't seen them. They'd only seen the Imperial Army's soldiers. The Arch Angels leap from the access ramp and hit the ground with a dull thud, flattening the ground beneath their feet. The enemy were still firing, but Rogerus could see the fear in their faces. They'd must of never seen 7 foot tall, fully armoured gods of war before. Rogerus and his men beared their bolters and fired a round each, many of the enemy having the instinct to jump out off the way, but one was too slow and his torso exploded into a cloud of red, and splinttered bone fragments. The reminder of them started firing again, frantically, after seeing one of their friends blown to little peices. The Arch Angels started to fire again, taking another three out in the next slavo of fire, one having his whole head blown off by a bolter shell. The survivors turned and fled, dropping their weapons and disappearing down the street. Rogerus wasn't disappointed. He didn't expect much from these men. His men had suffered no injury, the projectiles having little effect against their ceramite armour. Rogerus gave the signal to advance, and the ambience in the background told him the crushing shield was already in full swing. Before they set off, Rogerus took note of the gear worn by the enemy. Simple clothing with patterns in green, and brown colours, no disernable armour plating on them at all, it was not wonder they'd managed to rip through them so easily. They took off, leaving the bodies to rot.

The role of the hidden sword was to make the final blow while the enemy were distracted by the crushing shield. The final blow would be against this planet's corrupt leaders and the the citizens would have choice but to accept compliance and rule under the Emperor. They had to be quick and remain hidden from the eyes of enemy, while the crushing shield was the opposite, forcing it's way through and making the perfect distraction for the sword to strike. Rogerus knew his role and reframed himself from engaging any enemy he saw, the Primarch was relaying on him to preform his duty and do it well. Recon of the area, had marked down what seemed to the top polictica building. A small building in comparison to their Imperial cousins. Rogerus took a scan of the building, registering serveral heat signs inside, one sat down surrounded by the others, they all seemed to be engaged in a conversation, but at this range, Rogerus couldn't hear them. He signalled for his men to move foward and get closer to find a way in. The doors were guarded by two soldiers, and the captain gave the order to engage. His team ran in and caught the attention of the enemy, who before they could raise their weapons where taken down by bolter fire, one taken two in the torso, his chest cavity exploding and his limp body lurching into the white wall behind, slamming into it with a meaty crunch, splattering a pool of blood on it and falling to the ground with a dull thud. The other had his leg blown off, falling to the floor in what had to be agony. He seemed to have died of shock though, sparing him the pain of a missing limb.

The inside of the 'palace' as they had marked it... was surprisingly plain compared to Imperial administratum buildings. It appeared so alien. The entrance hall was a cream walled room with a light blue and white tiled flooring. White columns lined the outside of the room, while various paintings and busts were sat between them. The ceiling was white washed, with small circular lights sat in small alcoves. Nothing like Imperial arcitechture... Rogerus made a note to suggest to the Primarch that they have this building demolished and rebuilt to Imperial standards.
"Let's go. We have a heart to stab." The captain spoke through the filters in his helmet, making his voice appear deeper than what it normally was like. The squad began to move foward, when the wooden doors across from them burst open, numerous black clad soldiers came through, boasting different armour and weapons, moving with a syncronisation the captain had only seen in highly trained Imperial Army units. They lined themselves, weapons pointing at the Arch Angel squad, while the one in the middle spoke.

"Do not move, or we will open fire!" This man was speaking Imperial Gothic... or they might of called it something else. Rogerus had no intention of spilling more human blood today. He stepped foward, and the soldiers across from him tensed, but their leader remained calm and collected. Rogerus took his helmet of and placed it at his side, and he began to speak to his enemy.
"I am Captain Rogerus Maximus of the Arch Angel Legion, of the Imperium of Man. Lay down your weapons. We have no intention spilling more human blood this day. Surreder to compliance and join the Emperor's Imperium." Rogerus spoke calmly, and softly. Even though Lord Commander Julius had said there was no point in talking with their leaders, calling them short minded simpletons, he always though the Commander was quick to judgement. The enemy leader chuckled at the captain's words and his men followed in the laughter. The captain clenched his fist and gritted his teeth in a buidling angry rage.
"You know... On my world, it's rude to laugh at people when they're being serious."
"Oh really? Well I don't give a damn about how they do things on your world! This is our world! And we aren't going to submit ourselves to a bunch of nutcases who think that we're going to join this 'Imperium' because of some coot named the Emperor! He really must be some kind of idiot to think tha-" The enemy leader was cut short as he was thrown into his fellow black clad soldiers, a large smoking red crater sitting amongst his black clothing. Rogerus stood with his bolter in hand, his eyes taking on a very serious and angry look. The Emperor had saved his world from the ravages of planetry war, and anyone who insulted the Emperor was forfeit to death. The enemy opened fire, their weapons seemingly more powerful and round punched through his chest plate, hitting him hard. He grunted from the flash of pain, but his wound had already stopped bleeding thanks to his gene-enhanced body. His own men opened fire with their bolters, taking two down in a mess of bolter shells and blood clouds. The others scattered, firing precisely. Rogerus looked on as one of his squad mates were taken down by these powerful projectiles, several of them punching through his helmet. The captain cursed as the large body of the Astarte fell and shattered the tiled floor beneath him. The others started firing more harder, working to avenege their fallen brother. The black clad men fell quickly, no amount of armour or cover being able to weather the rage of an Astarte.
"Men, let's bring an end to this war."

The rest of way was bloody, anyone getting in the way of the Astartes was cut down by power or chain swords, the squad living a trail of blood and gore, mutilated bodies and chopped off limbs. Rogerus had to clean blood of his visor mulitple times, but he was intent on ending this conflict as soon as possible, even if it was as bloody as possible. He grimaced at the thought of having to kill all these people, but it was clear they were too steeped in their own ignorance to accept compliance willingly, they source of it had to be destroyed for the sake of these people to accept the coming Golden Age of the Imperium. He smashed down a pair of wooden doors, splintters flying in all directions and doors falling down with a dull thud against the plush carpet. The room was quite spacious, a wooden desk sat near the back the room, a wall with a large flag behind it depicting a large bird with a snake clutched in it's talons. It was quite a magestic image, a noble animal fighting against that which was commonly associated with evil and malice. Rogerus entered the room, but it seemed even smaller when he had walked in... He scanned the room with his eyes, and caught sight of a figure by the window, looking out at the devestation that the Imperial Army had brought this city. He was enshadowed and the captain couldn't see his face, his back to him. The figure was the first to speak.

"Are you the leader of these... barbarians?"
"I lead no barbarains." Rogerus frowned at the choice of such a word.
"Civilised people do not attack a soceity that has exsisted for thousands of years. You are nothing more than war moungers." His voice had become angry and full of rage.
"You left us no choice. We are here to unite the human race. You refused to join in humanity's destiny. You were hostile to those who offered you a Golden Age."
"And so you come down and slaughter their people!?!" He turned from the window, his face showing the anger that was in his face. He was a tired, old man with white hair, wearing a simple garment one would expect to see on an Imperial citizen. Rogerus approached, but the man did not back down.
"Are you the leader of this civilsation?"
"Yes."
"Surrender. And the rest of your people will be spared."
The old man scoffed at the words of the Astartes. "And submit ourselves to the will of some dictator!? I'd rather die!"
"That is an option."
"I want to see your leader."
"That is not an option at this moment."
"Your leader. I want to see him now!"
"Call the Primarch..."

"But sir?" Sergeant Serjaris stepped from the group. Rogerus always respected and valued the opinion of his good friend and turned to face him.
"Yes Ser?"
"Our orders are to kill him and effectively destabilise their government."
"Call it a last request. Call Lord Augustus."
"Right away Roger." Serjaris left the room to contact the Primarch.
"He'll be here soo-" His attention was drawn to the sounds of something outside, a screehing of something. There was a white flash as the window shattered, and Rogerus saw the body of the old leader ripped to peices by the thousands of glass shards. Rogerus raised his arm to protect himself against the shards that came his way, despite the ceramite armour doing the work for him. He lowered his arm and saw the corpse of the the plnet's leader laying at his feet, multiple shards in his back, his clothing and flesh torn up and a pool of blood congealing under him. Rogerus cussed and looked out the window, eyeing a group of men, dressed in what were nearly rags. However, with them was an Arch Angel Captain, Edmundus Constans of the 4th Company and a member of the War Council.

The War Council had gathered, and Augustus Ragnarok was with them. The situation was being accessed, but Rogerus still was sure what had happened.
"Basically, the man you saw was a decoy Rogerus. Othos here, is the leader of a band of rebels who say his people has accepted compliance. They've offered to help if it brings their people to compliance faster." The Primarch explained the situation to Rogerus, who's confusion began to clear up. He looked to Othos, a young man with dark hair and a light build. He held an Imperial Lasgun in his hands and next to him was a woman who looked just a bit younger than him, she held a las pistol in one hand. They'd must of gotten them from the Imperial Armies.

"Eye, your men have equipped us with enough to take the entire planet on our own." The War Council laughed, the primarch being the loudest of them.

"So then lad." Edmondus spoke up first from the laughter. "Do you know where we can find the real deal?"
Othos's mood darken at the mention of the planet's leader, who was as good as dethroned anyway. "That coward ran off at the first sign of your invasion! He headed north to Sanctuary. It's a heavily fortified military base. He's got an entire bunker there. A nice luxerious one with all the things he'll ever need while we sit out here and die! He's no leader!"

"He sounds like a great guy... Let's crush him and everything he holds dear." Rogerus had always found Markus Keelor funny, even if some of his jokes were a little insensitive at times.

"Send the Army I say. It's not like a city or anything. They should be able to handle it." Robertus Cuthbertus, Captain of the 12th Company was always a little too strict in the way he handled things. He considered a lot of things below him and his hubris was not befitting of an Arch Angel at times. However, most of the time he was right.

"Send in the 17th Company. This is a heaviliy fortified base, not a tea party. Primarch, my Company is ready to execute the will of the Emperor upon these misguided fools. We will not fail." Willielmus Septimus, Captain of the 17th Company was one who Rogerus respected greatly. The perfect example of how an Arch Angel should be.
"If we do all the work, people will think the Army is useless Will." Robertus intergected.
"Not true. The Army will go as well, but the 17th Company will lead the assualt." Willielmus also had a comeback to Robertus's out bursts.
"It's decided then. The 17th Company will lead the attack on this Sanctuary." The Primarch interrupted Robertus before he could speak again. "We will prepare for this later. I have a visitor to meet in the meantime."

"So what happened?" Petrina was fully immersed in the story being told to her by Augustus, and she realised she was sitting on the edge of her seat in excitement. Augustus smiled, polishing the guantlet of his armour, having taken it off half way through his story.
"That part of the story hasn't even happened yet."
"You mean..."
"Yes, the planet we are over is seventy zero four. Or as the residents call it, Merica."
"Like the Ancient tribes of Merica back on Terra?"
"Yes. We think they came here before the tribes however."
"They must be a very old civilisation then."
"And now, reunited with their cousins... Mostly."
There was a knocking at the door, Augustus turned and softly said; "Come in." The door opened and an Arch Angel came in, in full plate with a sheathed sword at his side. Now that she looked back, all the Arch Angels she'd seen had sheathed swords, armoured or not. This Marine was fair haired and his face another example of perfection, save for the scar on the right side of his face.

"The 17th Company reports it is ready to go milord." He spoke and shot a look at Petrina, an apathetic one, but she could tell he didn't like her pressence here.
"Excellent, Arthur. Tell them I'll be done soon." The Astarte bowed and left, leaving Augustus and Petrina alone again. "Miss Patrina, after all this ends, I suggest you talk to Williemlus Septimus about the assualt. He'll be more than happy to talk you, so don't worry. Now, I must get ready for the preparations. The time before a Company leaves for battle is considered time of honour and self-search. We make our oaths and give our respect. You may watch if you wish. If you feel that it'll help you paint a picture of the Legion."
"August, it'd be my honour."
"Excellent. And don't mind Arthur. He's a warrior at heart and considers himself the best art there is. If he stares at you, stare back. He'll back down in the end." Augustus chuckled lightly, Petrina also couldn't help but laugh herself.

-End  

[DecemberFury]

Suprisingly awesome story. I like the details in your story, I'd love to see more from you my friend. *thumbs up*  

[Colonel-Commissar Gaunt]

This rocked Death o.O This had all the things that make short stories great. Although I felt your Space Marines seemed a bit carefree this hardly took away from the great read you just provided. Nice job.  

[Hoxtalicious]

Another one of those "secret first founding chapter" things that I detest. It is well written but you are both copying heavily from the first Horus Heresy book and trying to stamp on your own image of how marines should be.