video 01;

[autocratic]

--And here we are. What an intricate device it is, and its design is solidly made!

[ On the screen stands a young looking woman in regal red, bright garments. The device is placed at a distance so that the feed can transmit her entire body, and she looks vaguely amused. She gestures with her hand at the surrounding areas, and the slight smile on her face nearly drops entirely. ]

Yet this land I stand upon... Truly, how times have made this land that I once knew as Britannia to fall so low. It is a tragic sight, to think that it was once a part of my Empire, but I get the feeling that the world beyond the Moon Cell is exactly as how this place appears to be. Why, it does not feel as though I have left my own realm at all.

[ And at that, her eyes narrow and glisten with a sharp look. ]

But I know this is not the case. This... Initiative has torn me apart from my Master, and that is a sin I cannot forgive, despite how courteous they were to my presence and readily answering my queries. Hah! Then again, perhaps my situation is punishment for the sin of defeating a misguided Savior to leave the world as is. Yet I do not regret my actions one bit.

So tell me, those who came before, how goes this war that we are all unceremoniously made to participate in?

Comments

[priad]

There are many who claim such things. I haven't been impressed. Does it span the stars?

[ He shrugs his shoulders. ]

I've fought in far worse. I've won in far worse.

[autocratic]

Your claims of victory can be equated to just the same. [ Huffs. Rather than boasting on past claims - even if she would love to do so - she's aware those halcyon days are long by and little evidence to show for it. A pity. ]

That said, how have the battles been? [ Getting a feel for what they're supposed to be fighting against would be a good start. ]

[priad]

So you say. But I've yet to see anything approach the glory of the Imperium of man, that spans one end of the galaxy to the other.

Giant beasts, and foul, corrupted undead. Nothing particularly impressive. I suspect the latter was caused by a fellow transport, rather than our erstwhile foe, however.

[autocratic]

[ Her eyes narrow, but she merely crosses her arms. ]

And what do you seek by telling me of that? You insult the validity of my Empire and expect me to be in awe of the supposed glory of your own? I seek information on this land; do not bore me by prattling on of your floating kingdom.

[priad]

A fair response, I'll grant you that.

[ He pauses a moment, and says. ]

Do you have a relative clad in blue, who comports herself as a knight?


[ He shakes his head, dismissing the question. ]

Nevermind that, it isn't important. As for information on this land, what do you wish to know?

[autocratic]

If you are speaking of my doppelganger, no. This is the first that I have seen know of her. We share the same designation of class and face, but nothing more.

[ To quickly lay that matter to rest for now, she'll move onto the other question. ]

What is the state of our forces? I have already been given knowledge on this world and what it comprises of, but I'm aware these summonings have been happening for some time.

[priad]

Rather dreadful, if you are asking of the Initiative. It seems poorly organized and while there are some men and women of military or law-enforcement experience it seems the majority here are children, more likely to get in the way than to fight effectively. Even so, I've made a list of capable soldiers which I can pass on to you if you like. "Information is victory" as Roboute Guilliman wrote.

[autocratic]

[ That finally gets a smile to appear on her face. ] A universal truth that remains strong here. Superb. Yes, I would like to look upon this list.

[priad]

[ Priad forwards her the list. The names include Richard Sharpe, tony Stark, Gray Fox, Eddie Riggs, Duncan, Rookie, Samus Aran, and Jim Raynor. ]

There are others, but I found these notable. I am Priad of Ithaka [ Now there is a place name that might sound familiar, though his sea-bound moon and the Greek Island are two different things. </small.]

[autocratic]

[ The name is familiar and makes her arch a brow in interest. And temporarily forgetting about that list-- ] The island that is said to be home to the hero Odysseus? What a stroke of luck for you to have been born on that land!

[priad]

The name sounds familiar. Was he a notable of the phratry? There are 10,000 years worth of heroes to our name, and I will admit with shame I do not know them all, as I am not a Librarian.

[ He shifts and removes his helm, exposing a dark-eyed, pale face with plaited black hair, his features quite beautiful by most standards, generally described as looking as a hero should. ]

I am proud of my heritage.

[autocratic]

You hail from those shores yet know not of that famous hero? Librarian or not, his is a story that anyone who deems to call themselves a warrior or adventurer should know!

[ She notes his fair features, but not knowing one of her favorite Greek heroes is just... harrumph. She's gonna fume a bit in surprise and irritation. ]

Hmph. There is a library here open to anyone who cares to take a look, yes? You should peruse those shelves when not in combat. Perhaps there are several anecdotes that have survived all this destruction for you to have thorough knowledge on venerable heroes such as he.

[priad]

How would those shelves have the history of the planet Ithaka, and the brotherhood of the Iron snakes? [ He looks a bit puzzled for a moment. ]

If you know his story, I'd be willing to listen, you know. I know several venerable heroes, from Seydon to Autocholus to captain Phobos.

[ Yeah he doesn't quite get she's referencing an ancient greek myth yet. ]

[autocratic]

Planet... You do not mean the island that lies within the Ionian Sea?

[ Well, at least they're on their way to understanding each other a bit better. ]

[priad]

No. Is the Ionian sea a cluster of stars?

[autocratic]

[ DRAMATIC SIGH. ] Forget this matter. It is far and away from your interests as the distance between our planets must be.

[priad]

As you wish.

And... well, yes, the planets are quite distant from one another, but my blood is that of Holy Terra originally, as it is for all humans.

[autocratic]

Holy Terra? Is what your people call "Earth"?

[priad]

Yes, though I consider that name almost vulgar.

[autocratic]

Care to divulge why?

[ Looking bored now. ]

[priad]

Certainly. It is our blood home. A mother to us, of a sort. We revere it as the place of all our ancestors, those that first reached out to and conquered the stars. And, it is the resting place of Him on Earth, the God-Emperor. He sits upon his golden throne and is a beacon of light so our ships can navigate the darkness between stars, ever vigilant against the dark powers that would turn humanity into nothing more than food, or worse.

To not term it holy would be almost an insult to the sacred ground from whence we sprang.

[autocratic]

[ Saber hums a thoughtful sound as she listens to his spiel. All this talk about the God-Emperor... hm, no, she'd rather not equate to Christianity, even if some things did sound similar. ]

So you're a part of a militarized, religious sect?

[priad]

I hold the honorable rank of Brother-sergeant of Damocles squad, yes.

[ Well there is another legend hanging right over him. ]

We are all warrior monks, you could say. We fight, we pray, we serve in whatever capacity we are needed.

[ Basically, he's militarized space catholic. ]

[autocratic]

[ She briefly wonders if he knows the significance - at least to its origins - of that word he just used, but considering he doesn't even know of Odysseus... yeah, she's not holding out for much. ]

To whose tenants? And needs?

[priad]

The tenets of the Codex Astartes, the holy tome penned by our progenitor, Roboute Guilliman 10,000 years ago. It is a book of tactics, martial philosophy, and military organization. Or rather, I should say, books. The entire tome takes up a large library on Macragge, or so I am told.

And the needs, well, we fight for all humanity, and the Emperor of humanity. We don't hold allegiance to any particular governor of a planetary system. We go where we will, and kill who we must, to paraphrase a comment from my pale brothers in the Raven Guard's first company.

My phratry, the Iron Snakes, protects the star cluster known as the Reef Stars from the incursion of Chaos, Orks, and the Primuls.