Sandalwood Order, Captain Isas

Footsteps rang through the Battle Barge.

They were heavy and steady, with a metallic quality unlike the tread of the Word Bearers Warriors.

Each step fell with measured precision against the steel deck, producing a crisp, solitary echo that seemed out of place.

The Mortals crew in the corridor felt the unseen pressure first.

They instinctively pressed themselves against the cold bulkheads, clearing a wide path for the towering figure.

As he passed, a scent of cold metal, old leather, and something darker and harder to name—something like an ancient forest—washed over them. The loyal servants of the Imperium held their breath, their throats tightening, not daring to make a sound.

Heads bowed, they stole awed glances at the uninvited visitor.

Even the battle-hardened, devout Adeptus Astartes of the Word Bearers abandoned their usual composure and watched him closely.

Wariness filled their eyes. The giant moving through their sanctum made his identity unmistakable through his bearing, his equipment, and the air about him: he was no brother of their Legion.

The newcomer was exceptionally tall, even for a Space Marine.

He wore the deep-black Power Armour of the Dark Angels. Its design was ancient yet finely wrought, and wear along its edges spoke of a long history of war.

A rough hood of pale linen covered the upper part of his Helmet, casting his face into shadow. Only two cold points of light showed at the Visor.

An archaic Power Sword hung at his waist. Ancient Caliban runes on its scabbard swayed gently with his stride.

Every detail about him marked him as a warrior of the First Legion, renowned for its mystery, independence, and might.

In the heavy silence, a figure planted himself in the middle of the corridor like an iron tower, blocking the Dark Angel's path.

It was Chapter Master Seras. His imposing frame was encased in dark-gray Power Armour marked with the Word Bearers' Insignia and scripture, a stark contrast to the newcomer's black.

He wore no Helmet. War had etched itself into his stern face, and his sharp eyes met the two cold lights beneath the hood without flinching.

"In the name of the Word Bearers, halt, brother of the Dark Angels." Seras's deep, forceful voice broke the uneasy silence with unquestionable authority.

"State your name and purpose. Why have you boarded the Unyielding Faith without notice?"

The Dark Angel stopped. His hood lifted slightly, as though he were studying the man blocking his way from within its shadow.

His voice emerged through his Helmet's speaker, cold and clipped, with an innate distance. Every word seemed precisely calculated, leaving no room for question or dispute.

"Company Captain Isas, the Guide of the Sandalwood Order, Dark Angels Legion."

"Company Captain Isas," Seras repeated, his gaze growing more searching.

The Word Bearers and the Dark Angels were both the Emperor's Angels of Death, yet they could hardly have been more different.

The Dark Angels were the Emperor's first creations: powerful, mysterious, and fiercely protective of their secrets and ancient traditions. Their warriors' individual prowess and tactical skill were said to be surpassed only by those of the Thousand Sons, masters of sorcery.

They often acted alone, keeping both their honor and their secrets to themselves.

The Word Bearers, under Primarch Lorgar's guidance, placed greater weight on brotherhood and shared faith.

Their Legion was a close-knit family. Each warrior's strength joined the whole, and together they put their Primarch's teachings into practice.

"Then, Isas," Seras said, stressing the man's title and reminding him whose territory this was,

"I would like to know what brought you and your... Order to this remote region, and why you boarded our ship uninvited. As far as I know, this area is not under the Dark Angels' jurisdiction."

Isas's hood shifted almost imperceptibly. Perhaps he had given a slight nod; perhaps he had merely adjusted his stance.

"The Dark Angels have our own reasons and our own principles. We have no need to report every detail of our actions to another Legion."

His words remained cold, tinged with an arrogance Seras could only take as a provocation.

Anger surged through Seras. He could almost feel the joints of his Power Armour strain as he clenched his fists.

By the usual way Adeptus Astartes settled such friction, he would have been well within his rights to demand that Isas meet him in the training grounds and answer the insult in a duel.

His loyalty to Lorgar and his resolve to defend the Legion's honor churned in his chest like molten rock.

But Seras drew a deep breath and forced down the anger threatening to erupt.

He remembered his Primarch's teachings. He remembered what was at stake.

Giving in to his temper might jeopardize his Primarch's greater plans. The muscles in his face tightened, but his voice stayed remarkably calm. "Mind your words, Company Captain Isas. This is a Word Bearers vessel. Respect goes both ways."

Isas fell silent for a moment, as if weighing Seras's restraint.

At last, he spoke again. His tone was just as flat, but what he said changed everything.

"We detected an anomalous, powerful energy fluctuation here. We came to investigate. Nothing more."

He paused briefly, choosing his next words. "And we have brought a weapon. One that may help you explore the Ancient Structure before you."

The mood in the corridor shifted. Wariness sharpened in Seras's eyes.

Isas continued, offering what sounded like cooperation but came with conditions. "You may take the structure. The Dark Angels have no interest in claiming it."

"But once you have secured it completely, our Legion must receive full copies of all technical data inside. After that, the structure itself will be yours to do with as you please."

The sudden offer landed like a boulder in still water.

Cooperation? Or another way to watch us and take what they want? What are the Dark Angels really after?

Chapter Master Seras stood motionless, his mind racing as he weighed the hidden meaning and cost of this unexpected "aid."

"Very well. We agree."

The sudden voice made Seras and Isas turn. Lorgar had appeared behind them without either noticing.