1. Chapter 1 (1/1)

"o, emperor, in wrath rejoicing at bloody wars, fierce and untamed,

whose mighty power doth make the strongest walls from their foundations shake.

all-conquering master of mankind. be pleased with this wars tumultuous roar.

delight in swords and fists red with alien, and the dire ruin of savage battle.

rejoice in furious challenge, and avenging strife, whose works with woe embitter human life!" emperor's champion heraldus roared. "go

others! to your drop pods! and rain the emperor's absolution upon the foul heretics!" "no pity, no remorse, no fear!" marshal lombardi's crusade force roared back. from my place in the centre of my fighting company, my voice was drowned out by the initiates around me.

as we moved towards the pod launch bays,

other includus found me. "are you ready neophyte?" he asked in his usual gruff tone. "you chose an interesting time to come to us neophyte, not many have their first field lesson within their first week with their instructor." i stopped in my tracks. "i will be serving?" i asked, "i haven't even met the rest of the squad." a feral grin crossed his unhelmeted features. "you are a black templar now, neophyte, so you should be prepared for the unexpected." donning his crusader helmet, includus started walking again. as i hurried to catch up, he turned his head and stated, "you have been granted an opportunity here to forge a name for yourself, don't waste it." by now we were entering the launch bay and as we clambered into the drop pod and i was swallowed by the darkness of its interior i thought to myself, "by the emperor i swear. i will not waste this chance!"