Chapter Three

Raphael and the squad stood on board Thorn's personal ship The Storm of Resolution, an ugly but well armed hulk of a vessel

which Thorn boasted about being custom built. Raphael saw Varkas trying not to scoff at Thorns obvious vanity. The rest of

the team knew there was much more than simple granduer at play.

"Well, Striker" said Thorn with a hint of contempt in his voice "There is much in the works for the five of you, not all of

it will be simple extermination much to my disappointment of course".

"What missions did you have in mind my lord?" asked Re-Shan. Thorn looked at him, his eyebrows furrowed "Whatever I tell

you to do Salamander" he said.

Re-Shan showed no emotion at this but Raphael knew from harsh experience that Re-Shan had taken that in no other way than

personally. "Ah well" Raphael thought "he'll just get into an argument with Cyiren and then he'll be fine".

"In any case I have an assignment for you all as off now, follow me". Thorn strode off with the team behind him, he

activated a holo-projector in the next room. Raphael flashed back to the Black Dragons briefing rooms but snapped himself

back to focus as Thorn started to talk again.

"This is XC-0092, otherwise known as Planet Calderis. Currently there is a great deal of upheaval but no war has broken

out, not yet in any case."

"Is there evidence of Chaos corruption sir?" asked Damascus, Raphael that noticed everyone had gripped their weapons

tighter at the mention of the possibility.

"No, nor any trace of Xenos taint. Merely an incompetant governor mixed with a lack of food" said Thorn simply. Re-Shan's

eyes narrowed at the casual tone Thorn took at the situation and was about to speak but Cyiren punched him in the arm

to stop him.

Thorn continued speaking "However the Alpha Space Station has fallen silent, all attempts to reclaim it have been met

with failure." He brought up a projection of the station, it resembled a fortress more than anything else with enough

macro-cannons and other weapons to level the planet below with ease.

"And you believe Xenos are involved, why else would we be here?" said Raphael. Thorn frowned at him "Indeed, now then

your objective is to find out what is going on in there and exterminate everything on the station".

"And if we find survivors sir?" asked Varkas. Thorn looked at him with narrowed eyes "I miss the days when I was as naive

as you Marine, trust me there will not be anything alive. Especially once you are finished here".

Varkas bowed his head "Yes sir". The team knew each others histories well, Cyiren and Re-Shan's actions during the Third

War of Armageddon, Damascus's extensive experience against the T'au and Varkas operations against the Eldar of many

different Craftworlds. Varkas was far from naive and the team knew it but said nothing.

Thorn turned to Raphael again "You have your mission, now go". Raphael and the rest of the team saluted then they all

turned to leave. Raphael patted Varkas's shoulder to reassure him and fell in step with Cyiren "You were oddly quiet

brother" said Raphael as they made their way to the airlock and armed themselves.

"So what?" asked Cyiren. "You speak your mind brother, no matter the circumstance" replied Raphael.

"He's right you know" said Re-Shan with a grin. Cyiren glared at him "this doesn't concern you Salamander, be silent".

Re-Shan laughed as he holstered his Infernus pistol "As you wish". Raphael shook his head but continued to talk

"Cyiren you know fully well you can speak your mind, I won't bite your head off about it".

"Very well, I have an objection to this mission" stated Cyiren. Raphael was confused "What is the issue?" he asked.

Cyiren breathed out "Raphael the planet is on the verge of tearing each other apart and we would hand a space station like

this one to a governor who would use it to enforce order rather than actually resolve the planets issues".

The entire team including Raphael were stunned. Re-Shan took the opportunity as he always did "Why brother, you do care"

Cyiren pulled his middle finger at him to much sniggering then continued "I don't wish to return to this backwater system,

Sargeant". Varkas snorted in contempt "That sounds mre like you" to which Cyiren stonily ignored.

Raphael cocked his combi-flamer then replied "Brother, I don't give the orders" Cyiren nodded "Yes I know".

A metalic clicking sound was heard. The ship had docked with the station.