Shuttle A-3L20 Tarthos Airspace

The carnage was evident on the tiny viewscreen that rose up before the two seated figures. Smoke drifted lazily into the air and fires on the edge of the cities burned brightly. Though unlike previously these weren’t fires set by looters or of destruction, but organised pyres. Black armoured figures moved from transports to the fires disposing of something. That something wasn’t evident to the men watching the screen, but they both could guess.

The camera drones skirted moved away from the edge and began their journey into the city. Patrols of Warhost marched through the streets and smaller bands of Talon company weaved through narrow passages going from door to door ensuring nothing was missed. This was a city on lockdown.

A look of displeasure creased the face of the man by the window and his fist curled in his lap, but no words found their way into his mouth as he watched the view before him. The other figure, however, was at no loss for words.

“What has he done this time? First the prisoners and now…this,” Sanguinius glared as the viewscreen passed over covered bodies. “It’s gone too far this time. He’d best have an explanation or we’ll end him there and then. Pilot, how long till we arrive at the Cathedral?”

“Ten minutes, sir.”

“Make it quicker,” the snap of the Proconsul’s voice echoed around the chamber and that was the last sound the occupants made until the cathedral came into view.

Audience Chamber Ragnos Cathedral Tarthos

The doors to the audience chamber were thrown open. Two Talons walked into the room, followed by the Consul and Proconsul. Four more Talons brought up the rear and the doors began to slide shut once more. Their footsteps echoed across the chamber as they made their way up to the dais where three chairs sat, and upon these chairs, three figures rested. A Twi’lek, Umbarran and a fake human stared as the entourage approached.

Bentre stared at his wife, who in turn stared back before turning her gaze elsewhere. Something caught the corner of his eye and his attention turned upwards as a figure wielding some sort of bow moved along the upper viewing area. Curious he watched the figure move out of sight before he threw his gaze to the opposite viewing area and froze. The Talon behind him stopped before colliding and the hubbub caused even Sanguinius to pause and turn, before following his second’s gaze.

There stood above them stood the Lord of the Keibatsu and the rest of the family. The other prominent members of House Marka Ragnos stood around them and they all stared down. No friendliness or compassion was directed towards the pair and for the first time, Sanguinius felt he had entered hostile territory.

“I assumed this would be a private meeting with the Summit of your House. Not a spectacle with so many onlookers. Were you too afraid to face what was to come alone Kojiro?” Sanguinius snapped towards the central chair. A loud raucous laugh echoed back in reply and the Quaestor of Marka Ragnos pushed himself from his chair and moved to the edge of the dais.

“More I invited them to observe what was to come. I do not fear you, nor your lapdog. It’s why I chose Ragnos’ own path. Why I refused to have us betray the Iron Throne, and why I ordered what has occurred here,” the clone sat upon the edge of the dais and inspected his nails before looking up and continuing. “I will not allow this house to be tarred as traitors and heretics. Nor will I allow it’s ranks to be split by those who wish the Brotherhood harm and those who would see it prosper.”

“So you would set about slaughtering civilians? Murdering loyal men and women loyal to Sadow. You become a traitor to your Clan, in order to avoid being a traitor to a Grand Master who probably doesn’t and won’t ever know your name?” The Consul stared at the clone. “For what?”

“For the future of Ragnos, to ensure we have a future. All these people here call Ragnos home and want to see it prosper. Those elements that were put down would have caused strife and discord in a time we can not afford,” Kojiro pushed himself to his feet and moved back to his chair, seating himself. “We have an enemy at our doors and I’d rather see the enemy before me than worry about the enemy we might face from within. An enemy you caused by setting the House against the Throne. I stand by my decision and I will do it again if need be.”

Bentre moved around the back of his consul and stared up at the three chairs and directly at his wife. “And what of you Tasha? How do you see this whole mess? Do you agree with these twisted ideals? Where do you stand in all this?”

The Twi’lek rose to her full height and looked into the Proconsul’s eyes.

“Blood, tears, and sweat have gone into the making of this House and I have protected it faithfully against all who dared to oppose it. Everyone has made regrettable decisions at one time or another. I do not agree with everything that has been done, however, I will stand with protecting the House and those within. I want to see Marka Ragnos rise above its previous desolation and become a stronghold for future generations. If blood has to be spilt then so be it. If I am a traitor, then let it be said I was never a traitor to my House.”

“A traitor you are, and a traitor is all you’ll ever be,” Sanguinius muttered quietly. The challenge to his authority had gone on long enough. “I’ve not come here to bandy words, Keibatsu. Your continued affront to my orders has gone on long enough. You slaughter innocents, you betrayed your Clan and you betrayed my trust. I was wrong to ever give you a chance.” Sanguinius turned and stalked away from the dais.

Bentre stared at his estranged wife, disappointment and anger bubbling beneath the surface. “You will regret your choices, Tasha.” the Battlelord moved to follow the Entar.

The Talons fell in around him, escorting them out of the room. They came to a halt as Sanguinius stopped by the main door.

“Your actions have created a divided Clan, Kojiro. But then, you always cared for little more than pleasing one master after another. You’re nothing but a mad dog let off their leash.” Sanguinius shook his head, “No…you’re worse than that. Your murderous ways will only set the populace of Orian against us.”

Kojiro arose from his chair, anger clearly showing on his face, “They will not dare such a thing. Order and stability will keep Tarthos under our control.” his booming voice echoed around the cathedral. Cheers met his words, but most of those present in the hall kept their silence.

“So be it,” Sanguinius smiled and walked away. Marka Ragnos would learn that their defiance would not in their best interest. Not while he had the Warhost under his control.

---

The fiction thread is here

So, Februarch report is here!

This was supposed to be released by the end of February but given I was near bedridden for two weeks with the full-blown flu, then work experience followed by general mehness I think done quite well. I must offer a thank you to Tasha and Sang for helping me get this fiction finished. Writer's block is crap.

So what has happened? Well Muz, Armad and Etah claimed the top three spots. So I wish to congratulate them, huzzah! We had a few entries, and those we did have were excellent. Though we ran into an issue with the combat writing and gaming competitions. Two things I may have to reassess in the future. There appeared to be a communication breakdown with no one responding to the questions that were asked in the Telegram channel and with the removal of Pazaak the quick and easy access to gaming has vanished.

None the less.

We've come to a head with the upper summit. This was a story we were working on behind the scenes, a small civil war between the Houses to spice things up as time goes on. I guess the question some might have is why did we go and slaughter our own citizens and troops. The simple answer is we had numerous ties floating about that had no place of stories to go to. The camps for undesirables, the Lotus and Inquisition and having no real police force to help Tarthos. So we have tidied up for a cleaner start to the year and better ability to create new stories without worrying about past stories. Especially with the Collective looming!

For our own future storylines, Armad and I will be working on Chapter 2 in the coming months. Tasha is working hard on developing a story for the Night Hawks and competitions that begin in April. There's also whispers on the wind about an incoming clan event.

I'd like to thank Armad for updating our Ragnos history on the wiki and creating a page for Talon Company. I think overall we have caught up with ourselves from after the war. So all that's left to do is wind up this belated report and say well done to everyone who took part and I look forward to introducing you to our new enemy in the future.

One last thing before I go, our awesome Aedile Armad put out his report here.