The Lion Roars Out in the warp the main body of the Dark Angel fleet neared its destination. Telepathic signals passed within the command ships of the fleet. Tactical doctrine taught by Jonson, insisted on being prepared for all eventualities, especially during the highly dangerous time of exiting the warp space. The prearranged telepathic signals had not been received from the "Angelus Lionus". Following long established protocols, the fleet diverted their exit vector away from that of the "Angelus Lionus" and its screen. Arriving at the periphery of the Caliban system the massive fleet exited the warp amidst a panopoly of swirling energy. Void shields activated immediately In all ships. Sensor augers started automatic sweeps. Gun batteries and missile bays activated to acquire potential threats. Thunderhawk gunships readied in their hangar bays. A single merchant cruiser lumbering along the edge of Caliban space was immediately identified, tagged and intercepted by Thunderhawks. As the captain of that freight cruiser was brought aboard the "Pride of caliban" for questioning, a massive cloud of space debris was detected around Caliban. Shortly thereafter the destruction of the lead ships and their sacrifice in destroying the orbital defense stations became known. Individual items of debris were identified from their radiometric signatures allowing accurate assessment of the preceding events. These were confirmed by the captain of the freight liner, who further described tales of rebellion. Tales of betrayal and treachery. Once again the Dark Angels were facing treason perpetrated by the most trusted of their brethren. But this was different. This was within their own ranks. Luther had betrayed them! His ambitious mind had been an easy pray for the powers in the warp. They had slowly imbued him with the craving for ambition and achievement. His vanity had been his down fall. He had come to believe that Jonson had left him behind in order to belittle him while the primarch covered himself with glory. He hadn't realized the great importance of maintaining a secure home base, and he had been left in command simply because he was the most trusted and capable lieutenant Jonson ever had. Little had he known that Jonson planned to hand over command of the Dark Angel chapter to him after the restructuring process. Luther had used his capacity for eloquent speech to slowly drive the dark Angels on caliban and most of the population away from belief in the emperor and the lion. He had convinced them that they had been forsaken and betrayed by the emperor and their primarch. Knowing that the few system defense ships would be no match for the Dark Angel fleet, he had banked on destroying the lion in a sneaky, treacherous and surprise attack. Fortunately for the dark Angels, belief in the emperor and the decision to send the "Angelus Lionus" ahead saved the legion of another grievous loss. Jonson's rage was unparalleled. He did not care that the attempt was on his life. He was aghast at the depth of treachery within his own home. Reacting with the speed of a man possessed he rapidly gathered his command group and set about in motion a plan of attack. None of the traitors would be spared. He would personally lead the assault on his own home fortress monastery. As he grimly spoke to the gathered members of his command staff, his face was grim with determination. His eyes shone with fury. Clad majestically in his deep green armour Jonson was a sight to behold, his flowing golden hair contrasting with the deep colours of his armour. His personal weapons hung at the ready, the lion sword at his waist and a master crafted bolt pistol on his right. The lion shield lay loosely strapped to his back. The Dark Angel fleet separated in to three contingents with practiced ease. Two swung to straddle the green globe that was Caliban. Within an instant a deadly barrage of missile, torpedoes and ordnance was flying towards the surviving few orbital stations and docking station. They then took orbital positions over the planet and began the systematic bombardment of every known and identified fortress monastery and military installations. Anything that was of remote military significance was culled with massive volleys of bombardment cannon. As the defenders of Caliban vainly tried to retaliate with defense laser fire, the traitorous Angels were busy consolidating their fortresses. They had expected a planetary assault on all their fortified bases as they had thought the primarch would not dare inflict terrible injury on his own home planet. The fury with which Jonson launched his massive bombardment took them completely by surprise. Unable to comprehend the vicious tactics of their erstwhile Primarch many perished within the rubble of their fortress monasteries, buried alive by the edifices of their treachery. As the two prongs of the fleet distracted and pummeled the defenders in to submission, the third flew directly towards the planet. As the ships entered the stratosphere of the planet hundreds of drop ships were discharged. Some were dummies and decoys while a few carried an elite group of fighting force. The drop ships carrying the ground assault force thudded on the rock ground of their home planetwith little return fire to oppose them. The orbital bombardments had been utterly effective. Without another word the Primarch of the Dark Angels leaped out of the leading drop ship closely followed by his bodyguard. They had landed with pin point accuracy within striking distance of Luther's command post. The assault force deployed in to tactical formation and rapidly advanced towards their home base, the largest citadel on Caliban. As the defenders of Luthers command recovered from their initial shock, vicious firefights broke out. But despite the defensive battlements and emplacements, the Lion was all but unstoppable. His fury lent him strength as he became an avatar of death, the lion sword coming alive in his hand as he carved a bloody path to the citadel. The weapons of the "Pride of Caliban" were firing directly at the citadel, destroying huge areas of the outer walls and causing massive breaches. The green armoured Dark Angels poured through the breaches, their banners unfurled and death spitting from their weapons. No quarter was asked and none given. In the shadows of the massive battlements, brother fought brother. Blood mixed with sand and kindred spirits assaulted each other with uncontrolled rage. Down familiar walkways and doors they fought. Chambers that brought fond memories were deranged beyond recognition. Statues and imagery of the emperor had been battered down. The honoured dark Angel emblems effaced. The assaulting Dark Angels redoubled their efforts as they stormed like an unstoppable juggernaut towards the central chapel, the Tower of Angels. As they blasted the outer doors, the Lion signaled his men to form a perimeter outside. He would face his brother alone. The concern on the faces of his honour guard was clear as daylight, but they obeyed as a spacemarine would. And then the Lion, Primarch of the dark Angel Legion, First born to the emperor of mankind, stepped through the hallowed doorway in to legend. Brother..FriendBetrayer! In the command room two men faced each other. Each stood still taking stock of the other. The handsome primarch of the Dark Angels stood majestically, his flowing golden hair discoloured with battle dust. The ornate sword in his right hand held lightly. The winged helm that he had worn had been removed and was cradled in his left arm, as he locked eyes with the man who stood before him. What he faced was far different from the warm, and good hearted brother-marine he had left behind to guard his home world. As he looked at Luther he realized that this was not the honourable man he had called brother. Clad in black power armour and wielding the sword that the Primarch himself had gifted to him, Luther stood with an arrogance born of treachery. Unnatural energy oozed within him, distorting his noble features. His eyes were dark soulless pits. His voice was a revolting hiss of venomous words. The venerated symbols and iconography of the legion had been crudely removed from his ornate armour. The Primarch realized that he had lost his friend and brother and spoke for the last time! "Brother! Friend! Betrayer!" Both realized what that meant and without further delay moved in to combat stance. The purity of the Lion Sword weighing against the Dark might of the Black Blade. Not a single word was uttered as blood brothers lunged at each other. The Primarch was a demi-god amongst men and dwarfed even the superhuman spacemarines, but Luther had been insuffused with the unnatural energies of the dark powers. They struck at each other in the material world as well as in the psychic realm. It was a battle of physical strength as well as their indomitable will. Energy crackled as the pure white energy of the Lion sword clashed with the dark power suffusing the Dark blade. Thrust and parry! Sweep and block! The battle raged for hours and as they fought their physical and psychic shock-waves tore at the edifice around them. Massive plascrete columns swayed like weed in a storm. Huge chunks of adamantite came tumbling down rocks in a landslide. Yet the brothers fought on. The Lion fought with the fury of a man betrayed. Surprised at first by the strength and power of his erstwhile brother he fought like a man possessed. He fought for his legion and his world. He fought for the soul of his brethren. Luther may have been equally matched in strength and skill and even more by the deeds of the dark powers, but did not have the righteous resolve of the Primarch. |
CHAPTER V THE DAMNATION OF CALIBAN Chronicled By ( Shadow Guard ) |
APOCRYPHA CALIBAN |
This entire section is one attempt to describe the long history of the Dark Angels in a linear form. Every known piece of history and event based on GW publications has been written in my own words and linked together in a reasonably plausible manner by additional fiction. This is in no way the official GW version nor is it in anyway an attempt to infringe on their IP. There are many versions of imperial history buried within the sands of time and this is but just one of them. Read on if you dare! |
