Chapter Master Maturio resolved to stand with the "lucky" Crimson Tide Chapter through thick and thin, to atone for his repeated betrayals of the blood of Sanguinius.
The warship Mother of Tears sought to "atone through service," charging furiously at the Ork warships fighting one another in the star system. She barged into the battlefield with brute force, vowing to purge every sin.
Every battlefield was a one-sided slaughter, except in one place.
"Brother Iron Face, why do I feel like Terminators aren't all that impressive?" Inside the Hive City, the Blackshield warriors led by Iron Face had just received their Terminator Armour. They had happily set out to "kill some Xenos and get used to the new outfits," but had taken considerable casualties.
Any attempt to advance by relying on their thick armour met with concentrated attacks from the enemy. Purestrain Genestealers' claws could breach Terminator Armour, throwing cold water over the excited warriors.
The warriors successfully pushed into the Underhive. After a bout of intense fighting, they repelled the Genestealers' counterattack and rested briefly at their positions.
"How many casualties?"
"Fourteen Terminators and twelve in regular Power Armour wounded. Most just took a claw through them. Nothing fatal."
"Why are the Terminator casualties so high?"
"Terminator Armour is too bulky and not agile enough. It's hard to gain an advantage against nimble enemies in close combat, but the firepower is strong enough. The Terminators' kill counts might be more than double those of ordinary warriors."
"Tell the brothers to take it easy. We finally found a good Chapter. Don't survive running away only to die before you can enjoy yourselves." That was what Iron Face said, but he charged faster than anyone.
*How many years had it been since I wore an antique like Cataphractii-pattern armour? How many