Inquisitor Kryptan and Captain Stern

Space Marine Captain Stein looked out upon the desolation. For three days the Imperial Guard's heaviest weaponry had pounded the forest of Ymnar. Where trees had once grown in unbroken ranks now there was thick red mud and wood pulp. Scorched craters pock-marked the landscape and massive rocks lay where exploding shells had tossed them. The ground still smoked, and Captain Stein guessed that it would be hot to the touch. Her was grateful to be insulated from the heat and stench by his burdensome Terminator armour.

"Is it done?" he asked, almost to himself, "Is it really over?"

"Over!" exclaimed the other man, "Captain, it has not yet begun."

Inquisitor Lord Kryptman pointed to the south. His gnarled hand clicked and buzzed as prosthetic tissues and osteo-steel stetched and spun. Captain Stein caught a flash of brilliant scarlet upon the brass finger ring that adorned the bio-constructed hand. The Inquisitorial Seal.

"I see them Inquisitor," said the Space Marine Captain. His vision, though many times keener than that of an ordinary man, strained to reveal tiny movements in the distance. Gradually, as if responding to a common signal, the tortured soil moved, pushed up from some as yet unseen force.

"It won't be long now Captain," Kryptman warned, "I know these enemy. You can't kill them with guns and swords. Send the Confessors and the Chaplains to their station, and let every warrior prepare for the greatest battle of his life."

"Daemons...," exclaimed Stein, "may the Emperor protect us!"

Inquisitor Lord Kryptman nodded. "Aye Captain - faith is the strongest weapon in your armoury now."

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