Minerva Antioch: Thank the Emperor! We made it!!!
The convoy cheered as they passed the perimeter walls of the Imperial base which had been built up significantly in their absence. The soldiers were overjoyed to be safe within Imperium controlled territory at last after all the debacles they had survived through by the skin of their teeth.
The refugees and the apostle who joined them along their fantastical journey exited the armored vehicles and looked around in amazement. None of the Falmart natives had ever seen a place like an Imperial fortress before and though much of the facilities were still being assembled, what had already been built was more than enough to amaze the ignorant feudal worlders.
The outer walls were ten meters thick and thirty meters tall with new building modules being added to increase their dimensions further. In front of them, hidden underneath the soil, were thousands upon thousands of anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines. Yet further ahead of them were dense entanglements of barbed wire.
On top of the fortifications could be seen artillery pieces such as the Earthshaker, mainstay of Imperial artillery formations, with heavier Bombards, light mortars, Thudguns and the advanced Manticore Missile Launchers.
Poking out from inside the formidable barriers were the barrels of innumerable heavy guns of dizzying variety.
Heavy bolters, multi-lasers, lascannons, rocket launchers, plasma guns, even examples of rare emplaced heavy volkite weapons could be seen. Should any attacking force make it past these, multi-melters and heavy flamers were present as well to incinerate whatever that was lucky and unfortunate enough to make it to the base of the walls.
The newcomers didn't just see the base, they heard it as well.
The site was a cacophony of activity, soldiers, menials and Saderan POWs worked feverishly to raise new structures. Auxiliaries, mostly of the standard Imperial Army, practiced on designated training grounds with abhumans while tanks maneuvered into prepared positions before firing practice shells at sand berms piled up for target practice in the distance.
Overhead, patrolling Thunderbolts performed overhead CAP flight missions from the newly finished airstrip.
Lelei: So, this is their fortress [https://img.wattpad.com/2600e40b532294a850219c843b113f61aed5b3d8/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f504455754a495646477464786c513d3d2d313339373730313836312e313739613738393334373637383531343534353338323731333430312e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Lelei: So, this is their fortress.
The sorcerous spoke softly, barely heard over the thrumming of engines and marching boots.
Master Cato: Oh My, Oh My! OH MY! This is all simply wonderous!
Master Cato exclaimed.
Rory: It's quite large.
The chosen of Emroy stated evenly. She gazed upon the military compound with equal parts curiosity and thoughtfulness.
Rory joined the convoy mostly out of excitement for a new experience. Having lived for over nine hundred years meant that other than killing and alcohol, there was little that thrilled her anymore.
That and she was genuinely concerned for the poor villagers that'd been forced to flee their homes. She had no qualms with slaughtering bandits or anyone she considered an enemy, but even she, someone infamous for blood lust, had morals.
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However, as she witnessed the power of this " Imperium '' and the valor of its warriors which ended the reign of terror of the Fire Dragon that'd feasted upon the people of Falmart for generations in less than half an hour...she began to ponder.
What was the ultimate goal of these people? Were they any different than the Empire she'd been so disillusioned with? If this was just what a small party of them could achieve, then what was their full strength?
Now as she saw their bastion, these questions rang louder in her mind.
Minerva POV
Minerva Antioch: It's good to be back behind friendly lines.
Minerva said after leaving the Chimera with her sergeant.
Sergeant Juno Felix: Sure is Ma'am, but I'm afraid High Command won't be treating us kindly because of our little...escapades. Especially with the...absence of our Astartes complement.
Both women lowered their heads in silence for a moment. Minerva clenched her fists.
Minerva Antioch: You don't have to remind me like that, I failed, just say it.
Minerva said tersely.
Sergeant Felix was about to reassure her CO when Private Luken called out.
Private Fen Luken: Ma'am, I think we're in some serious hot water.
Turning her head in the direction Private Luken was looking, Minerva felt her stomach sink.
Coming towards them was a full squad of Marines of the 7th Legion of the Ninth Formation led by a Marshal-Sergeant, hefting boarding shields and bolters along with a platoon of forty Veletaris Solar Auxiliaries.
Refugees POV
Tuka: Look Father, those must be Sergius's cousins he told us about.
Tuka was greatly saddened by Sergius's death and hadn't spoken much after the battle. Hodor comforted his daughter as best he could, but he too felt disheartened.
They had lost so much, their ancestral home, many of their lifelong friends and new ones as well.
However, upon seeing the Space Marines Tuka's face lit up. After the detachment saved her village from the Fire Dragon's attack, she spoke to Sergius and he answered some of the questions she'd asked about who and what he was.
He told her that he was just one of an entire legion of brothers, led by their father, the eighth son of their Emperor. He went on to further explain that there were 19 other legions besides his own and they were made up of warriors like him, his cousins, each one commanded by a son of this seemingly all-powerful Emperor.
Tuka, fascinated by the warrior's tales, had wished to know more, but the chance never came as the recon unit was preoccupied with their escort mission and had little time to entertain her curiosity. With his death, it looked as though she would never be able to learn more of him..until now.
Tuka: Let's go meet them father!
Hodor: Tuka, wait!
Hodor ran after his daughter, eagerly rushing towards the towering, armored Angels of Death.
Sometimes, it was truly incomprehensible to him how his daughter could be over a century old and still act so immaturely.
Minerva POV
Minerva gulped down the mass that was rising in her throat as the combined Astartes and Solar Auxilia force stopped in front of her detachment.
She saluted the Marshal-Sergeant as professionally as she could, given the tense atmosphere and the cold sweat forming on the back of her neck.
Minerva Antioch: Sir Astartes! May I be made aware as to what brings you before my unit?
The Marshal-Sergeant did not answer her query, simply staring at her with his oppressive visage. The Marines red helmet lenses seemed to pierce into her very soul, judging her for all that she'd done.
Then, the warrior lifted his gauntleted hand to his helm and removed it, revealing his face. It seemed to be made from stone, stubborn and unyielding with hardened features that were characteristic of the Solar Wardens.
He was evidently about to speak before being interrupted by the voice that sounded like that of a... teenage girl?
Tuka: Excuse me Sir, may I speak with you?
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The Space Marine Legion organizational structure in Imperium Ascendent is that of various specialized formations.
For example, a member of the First Formation would be an elite warrior who is experienced in every type of operation and has access to the finest weapons.
The Ninth Formation specializes in defensive battles.
Companies from each of the formations combine to form Chapters. Alternatively, a chapter may be made up entirely of one type of formation should the need for such a unit arise. When multiple chapters sized units combine into one army, this forms an Astartes Cohort.
A link to Jayfiction's post on how the Space Marines operate is posted in the comments.
Comments would be appreciated