The Culling of the Void

“Brother Nathe-Zor, hurry up with your operation.” An Ultramarine ordered, clad in

black Power Armour, except his shoulder pauldron.
“I need more time to extract the Gene-seed, Battle Brother, I shall not leave
Lu’en’s legacy behind.” A White Scar apothecary responded, as he was over his
fallen brethren, from the Mantis warriors chapter, trying to operate under heavy
fire.
“I will cover for you.” Responded a Storm Warden, as he braced his Heavy Bolter and
let it burst to pin their enemies. Momentarily it looked like it worked, but soon
it seems that the swarm arose from their hidings and proceeded to pin the Space
Marines again with their fire.
“Sorcerers!” shouted in the intercom the Space Wolves Assault marine, as he
witnessed the robes that they have already encountered one times too many and
costed them their comrade.
“Stay on the ready Battle-Brothers, we will make haste for the eastern corridors,
to escape this ship before…” a grand explosion cut short his words, as the ship
seems to have been hit.
“What was that?” responded the Space Wolf.
“It seems that someone or something has engaged with this ship. The mission
debriefing has not mentioned any reinforcements!” mentioned the apothecary, while
pausing his operation to check with the xeno ship’s stolen data.
“Nathe-Zor, finish with the operation. We shall make our last stand here, and face
both enemies if need be!”
A second blast forced half of the xenos pinning the Kill-team to run towards
another location of the ship. This however gave the Deathwatch the opening they
needed to overcome their opponents and make a run for the hangars, to escape.
There, they witnessed a battle between Space Marine forces, clad in grey armour,
and the aliens, many of whom laid butchered as the tide of these savage Astartes
did not leave any survivors.
While seeking an escape route they witnessed a fierce battle between 2 aliens
sorcerers a Librarian Space Marine, who stood over another alien corpse. The
sorcerers struggled to overwhelm the Astartes with their powers, as he would
swiftly kill one ray of lightning. The remaining alien, seemingly more capable and
experience in battle, was able to resist that lethal electricity. Distracted
however by the approaching Deathwatch kill team, the sorcerer failed to notice the
Librarian’s advance, leading to a fatal strike with his force sword. It looks like
he did indeed notice the kill team, as he regarded them with suspicion, before
running of to another location of the battlefield, leaving the Kill-Team with an
open route for their escape.
---
There is a vastness when you delve into the void, far away from Terra’s light, a
darkness deepest than your worst fears and desires. Many grow mad at the
uncountable months or years stranding at the absolute nothingness, even Astartes
sometimes may struggle.
Not all however… for the Carcharodons Astra chapter, those who were deemed worthy
of this eternal duty, is nothing but a mere constant state of existence, as they
search for their next prey, in the deep space. Far away from any “Imperial Creed”,
they travel on constant vigilance, and with their bloodlust sheathed, ready to
befall any unfortunate being that would pose a threat on the Imperium of Man, a
secret and unknown Crusade, as countless foes have been rendered obsolete and
shattered, unbeknownst to anyone within the confines of the Imperium.
Now, within the Scylior, one such Astartes awaits orders. Many of his battle-
brothers have passed through him, yet he remains still, one might as well mistake
him for a statue for it has been days since he was summoned and, with no other
duties to do, he answered the call of his Chief Librarian, The Pale Nomad.
At last, he was approached.
“How long have you been waiting?”
The Astartes raised his head a bit to regard his superior, the very one that
summoned him before answering.
“As long as it is needed, Kumu Hanohano.”
The Pale Nomad did not smirk or scoff at the way his pupil addressed his respected
teacher, as his gaze wandered off to the vast corridors of the ship.
“Come, follow me.” He finally responded, and the two marched through the ship,
until they reached the Chief Librarian’s inner sanctum, his quarters.
“On the latest reports with your company, you seem to have engaged in combat versus
a small xenos fleet of uknown origin. In fact, it seems like nothing was left
standing in their ship’s ruins. Your company captain has commended you for your
patience and ferocity while using your gifts. He mentioned that these xenos were
able to harness some of the Warp for their own sorcerers of some kind.”
The Astartes did not respond to the pause made by his superior, rather he nodded as
to reassure his mentor that he pays attention.
“You know, your captain was not the only one to take notice of your actions. It
seems that a Deathwatch squad was also deployed for some reason.”
“The xenos were Tau-affiliated, Kumu Hanohano. They were going to reinforce their
position on this sector.”
“I see. How much would you say that you contributed to this mission?”
“The amount that was expected of me, Kumu Hanohano.”
“It seems that this amount was enough to gather the interest of the Deathwatch, and
have requested for your enlistment to their forces.”
A brief silence occurred, as the two Space Marines drew breath to the news that the
Chief Librarian was announcing.
“I have known you since you were but a promising savage, Mangō Mohowao, harvested
from that Emperor-forshaken wasteland of a planet. One with a Willpower that
reminded me of my initiate days. I know that you are thinking long and hard for the
answers that both of us seek, as you have helped me to the best of your ability.”
“Kumu Hanohano, do you wish me to answer their call?”
“I do not wish for it, but I will give you my blessings if you do.”
The young Librarian then, stayed silent a bit more, as he thought deeply regarding
the Deathwatch. He evaluated the valuable experience that he would acquire through
them, even if the very machinations and orders that move each Deathwatch mission
eluded him. He has witnessed the distrust that the Imperium shows to his chapter
many times. He is no stranger to accusations of disloyalty, even if he always let
his actions speak, rather than his words. Perhaps this would be one such action,
yet again.
“Then, I shall answer the call, and with your blessings I will bring honour to our
Chapter.”
“I know you will, my pupil. I know you will.”