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]

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.

[autocratic]

[ She has to smirk at his description of how his order moves about. ]

You sound more like an organized, religious band of mercenaries than ones tied to any kingdom. At the very least, you are not completely lawless, due to your codes.

[priad]

In a way, that isn't an inaccurate way of describing us, though I should clarify we don't do what we do for money, but rather out of honor. Many years ago we chose to protect the Reef Stars, and the kingdoms and empires that have sprung up within it simply call us for aid as our clients. We receive nothing in return but gratitude.

Our weapons and armor are provided by the Mechanicum, and the brothers and serfs of the chapter come from our home on Ithaka.

[autocratic]

Then I suppose the Initiative should be called lucky to summon one as yourself with such a repertoire.

[ Really, she's interested in his world, but the disappointment that sprang up from the misconception on Odysseus and Ithaka is still weighing down. That said-- ]

That will be enough for the day. You have given me a piece of what I sought for my question. You have done a great service.

[priad]

As you wish. I will say one thing further, however. My name is Priad of Ithaka. Would you tell me your name in return?

[autocratic]

You may receive that much, then. I am a Heroic Spirit of the Saber Servant class. It has been enlightening to talk with you, monk of Ithaka.

[priad]

I'm glad of it, though that sounds like more of a description than a name.

[ He slides his helm back on. ]

I shall see you again, I hope. Perhaps on the field of battle?