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Hello Again!

Firstly, apologies for not posting regularly, my life has shifted up several gears with work and at home so war-gaming has been put on the back-burner.

Secondly, Apologies for not having any models to show you! I have barely had the time to buy new stuff let alone build or paint!

However, all is not lost! as a long term project I am writing a story around the Blades of Fire Chapter

The Story told via an interrogation between Squad Leader Alexandros and Inquisitor Tiberius, with these interrogation sequences linking the parts of the story together. At the moment I plan to have 3 main segments to the novel - the first will detail the chapters history and how they turned renegade, the second part will introduce Alexandros properly and show the struggle between the two factions and the third will be a climactic campaign and ultimately explain how Alexandros ended up a prisoner

Heres a little teaser

Prologue

 

He awoke.

He was still in his cell, still in the darkness, still a prisoner. His wounds were healing well, he was thankful for the assistance of the Imperial Guard medical staff for he doubted that, even with the constitution granted to him by his geneseed, he would not have survived without them. They were not unskilled, if a little sloppy with some of the sutures and stiches. The scars would serve as a reminder to him. He thought back through his actions that had lead him to this point, the victories and sacrifices, his purpose.

There was a disturbance outside that distracted him from his thoughts; footsteps and voices. He could not make out their words but there was surprise in their tones, and urgency. A new voice spoke, then silence. After a while a crack of light appeared at the doorway, a sight he had seen before with the many interrogations he had endured but this felt different. He would wait to see what events unfolded. After all, he wasn’t going anywhere.

A figure appeared in the doorway, silhouetted but the brilliant light from outside, his arm moved slowly and switched on the lighting system. His eyes strained as light flooded the room. It was several moments before he could make out the details of his surroundings, the figure had placed a small tome on a desk that occupied the centre of the cell, and had moved to the far corner near the door. The uniform was familiar to him, the face was not. The figures rank insignia and other regimental markings on the uniform betrayed that he was Junior Officer and that had had some specialist training and had proven himself in battle. The soldier stood motionless and seemed not to notice him, the pair waited in a long silence. After an what seemed an extensive amount of time another figure entered the cell, he wore a dark, heavy robe with a hood that obscured his face, he noticed it bore the symbol of the Imperial Inquisition, specifically the mark of the Ordo Xenos.

Ordo Xenos? He doubted himself for a moment but he confirmed with another glance. What was the Ordo Xenos doing here in the aftermath of a Chaos Insurrection? And why is this one interested in interrogating him? He would have to tread carefully, and think about his words, both spoken and unspoken.

The robed man took off his hood, and revealed a handsome, youthful looking man, although it seems that ages was catching up with the man, his hair was greying and his face began to wrinkle at the eyes and forehead. The man gestured for the Soldier to leave, and so the soldier did sealing the cell door behind, leaving just the two. Then the man spoke.

“You are Squad leader Alexandros, Space Marine, Blades of Fire Chapter, Excommunicate Traitoris…”

His voice was deep, authoritative, commanding. The man moved to the desk and placed his hand on the tome that had been placed there. Alexandros remained still, trying to glean more information from the man. The man was well built; his hair was short and dark. Alexandros also noticed that the inquisitor had aural amplification replacing his left ear, with what appeared to be burns down that side of his head and neck. The man also walked with a cane, although it seemed that he did not rely on it for mobility.

“You are undaunted by the presence of the Holy Inquisition, despite your status as a traitor. Perhaps you have had dealings with the Inquisition prior our present meeting?” 

The man was being very…. Diplomatic with choice of words, subtlety hinting at greater knowledge of events. This unsettled Alexandros

The man paused, awaiting a response

“Do not be concerned, it appears we have a…… mutual acquaintance”

The Inquisitor produce a small medallion form his robe, a medallion that Alexandros recognised

“I have been sent as a way of settling accounts, and to assist you on your mission, if you’ll allow it”

Alexandros allowed himself to relax a little, although he still did not fully trust the man in front of him, he trusted that medallion and he was grateful to know that his friend had not abandoned him

“But where are my manners? I am Inquisitor Lord Tiberius of the Ordo Xenos. I have heard of your exploits, both in this theatre and previously”

He picked up the tome off the table

“I will ultimately need your report on current events, but first there is the small matter of your loyalty…”

“Do you think me a traitor, My Lord” Alexandros finally spoke

“I do not make decisions based on rumour and speculation in matters of import such as this. In circumstances such as these one must go to the most reliable source available, in this case to the person most deeply connected to the subject matter. I have never underestimated the potency of simple…”

“Interrogation, my lord?” Interrupted Alexandros

“….Questioning” Tiberius corrected “At present your entire chapter has been branded as traitors, however I am compiling a report that may make some headway in differentiating between those who have fallen, and those whom still fight for the Emperor”

Alexandros sighed “What knowledge do you seek, My Lord?” he asked begrudgingly

“I need to know of your history, and that of your chapter” replied the Inquisitor “I know Space Marines keep such knowledge hidden from prying eyes, and although I will not force you to share such intimate information, You should be aware that this report will greatly aid your mission”

“Before I tell you about myself, or the state in which my chapter now finds itself in I must first tell you of our past, our greatness and our glory. So that you may know just what we have lost” Alexandros said as he took a seat at the table.

“You have my full attention” replied Tiberius, tome and quill firmly in hand

That's all for this time, hope you enjoyed it

NFTR

Coldsteel