Tactical Training Ground No. 7 was a vast space enclosed by thick alloy walls, filled with movable cover, targets, and simulated obstacles.
The air carried the faint scent of metal grinding against metal, cleaning agents, and lingering traces of gunpowder from the bolt weapon firing range.
Cold overhead lights illuminated the ground as brightly as daylight, their glare casting a hard sheen across dark gray armour plates.
Ten warriors clad in the Word Bearers' distinctive dark gray power armour had already assembled in formation.
Their stances were immaculate, like ten steel statues, though subtle differences remained.
Nine of them bore relatively few service studs and honour markings on their armour. They were fresh recruits who had just completed all their augmentation surgeries and been formally assigned to combat units.
Frank and Perseus stood among them, gripping their bolters tightly and facing forward. Beneath their helmets, however, their eyes occasionally darted toward the training ground's entrance, betraying the restless blend of anticipation and nerves peculiar to new Recruit.
At the end of the formation stood a particularly striking warrior.
His power armour was a deeper, slightly matte shade of dark green, and his shoulder plate bore the Insignia of a fire-breathing lizard, the symbol of the Eighteenth Legion, the Salamanders.
He was a Salamander sent to learn and exchange experience under an agreement between the Primarchs. He stood in silence, steady as a Mountains, maintaining just enough distance from the Word Bearers to convey cooperation without surrendering his Legion's distinct identity.
According to the Word Bearers' traditions, these newly inducted warriors would serve in the Seventh Chapter for years, even decades, tempered by countless wars and Butchery. Only after they had shed their inexperience and become seasoned veterans capable of operating independently would they be transferred to other Chapters or promoted