The Wayward Son

Following behind Kallius and Seiras, the Astartes of Kill Team Calamity made their way through the ship looking for the mess hall. Random troops would freeze up and salute them with awe as they passed by. Some gave them cold glares, and others gossipped wildly about why armoured space marines were just wandering around the ship.

Seeing as how they were still in their armour, Seiras knew that it was going to cause quite the scene when the seven Astartes just randomly walked into a mess hall to get food. Thankfully they didn't have their weapons with them, because Emperor knows what kind of scene that would cause.

"Emperor, protect us..." Seiras said in preparation as he led the group into the large dining facility. As he expected, EVERY single person in the room immediately stopped talking, eating, and moving as they noticed the Deathwatch Marines enter. The large mess hall went deathly silent in less than a few seconds.

Seiras looked over at Kallius and whispered, "Lead the way, Sergeant..."

The Blood Angel nodded as he moved in first to the line. The troops in line in front of them all dispersed immediately and some of the younger ones looked so nervous that they just went to attention and saluted them.

"At ease, guardsmen...shipmen...we're just getting dinner. Don't mind us," Kallius tried to explain and ease the awkward tension in the room. Several of them calmed down and went on their way, but everyone was still staring. Seiras briefly glanced around the room and heard everyone starting to gossip about them.

The various reactions were all on opposite ends of the spectrum. Most of the guardsmen and ship crew appeared amazed, but a few looked somewhat annoyed or angry to see them. Seiras couldn't tell if it was because of the Inquisitorial seal on their armor, or if it was just because some of them didn't like space marines.

Considering how different guardsmen and Astartes were across the Imperium it spoke to reason that some of them had good or bad experiences with space marines and that all of them were going to have different opinions on the Inquisition as well. Seeing Deathwatch usually was a bad thing for regular people as it meant they were about to be neck deep in conflict.

Upon making eye contact with a table full of Stormtroopers, Seiras noticed them all give him short nods of acknowledgement. 'They must be part of the assault mission to go with us,' Seiras discerned as he nodded back.

The Tempestus Scions were all sitting isolated from the regular guardsmen and shipmen. Many of them looked tough, disciplined, and serious. They were not as reactive to seeing the Astartes as the rest of the crew was. Seiras did not know much about the Imperial Guard, but he did know that Stormtroopers were highly disliked by the regular guardsmen. It showed considering the huge gap around them on their part of a large table.

The people and servitors working behind the food line immediately began to cook faster as one of their leaders rushed to greet the space marines, "My lords...we...I apologize if we offended you. I had no idea we would be making food for space marines. Please, if there's anything you would like just let us know and we'll cook it ASAP. I-I don't know what you guys like."

"There's no need to stop what you're doing already. We'll just have what everyone else is eating...except maybe a few portions more. We're not picky," Kallius explained with a calm charisma. The workers seemed to relax after he did so.

"O-of course my lord. Once again please accept my humble apology for not being prepared. I am a failure as a cook," the worker said remorsefully.

"There's no need to apologize, good man. You're not expected to know everything or be perfect. Your duty is respectable and we appreciate your willingness to see us fed," Kallius replied empathetically.

His friendliness and empathy radiated throughout the workers there as they all began to beam with a bit of joy that a Space Marine was nice to them. Seiras always admired the Blood Angel sergeant for things like this. Kallius had a way with others that made the librarian wonder why he wasn't a Captain or a Chaplain. They had known each other the longest out of the entire Kill Team, and in that time Seiras had seen Kallius defuse tension time and again.

"They're so amazing...the Emperor's Angels eat mess hall food too?" One the guardsmen in the hall said with a star-eyed grin.

"I'm so glad I waited until this shift to eat," one of the shipmen said as she eyed the Astartes with enthusiasm.

Seiras heard a variety of other comments similar to those, but a sour faced Guardsmen shook his head as the people around him praised the Astartes. He whispered to a nearby buddy of his, "Pfft...fuckin mutant freaks getting their asses kissed all the time. Reminds me of my last tour,"

It was a muttered whisper to one of his buddies, but space marine hearing was very good and thanks to his Psyker enhanced senses, the librarian heard it clearly. Viggo being a space wolf likely heard it as well as some of the others. The space wolf didn't seem to care, as he was probably used to comments like that for his wolf like features, but Seiras on the other hand did care.

The Librarian made it a point to look at the guardsman who said it and stared at him. It did not happen often, but part of him always felt a bit annoyed when normal people would say things like that about space marines. However being a seasoned veteran, the Blood Raven had enough restraint and discipline to never say anything back. That being said, he still wanted the guardsman to know he heard him.

The insulting guardsman's buddy looked petrified as he elbowed him and pointed at Seiras. The guardsman who insulted the Astartes noticed the librarian staring at him. Seiras wasn't sure what kind of look was on his face, but the guardsman became terrified when he saw the Blood Raven staring from halfway across the room.

"Why do you guys look so scared all of a-" another guardsman asked them until she noticed Seiras was staring at their table and listening to their entire conversation from many meters away.

"Did that freak hear me from across the room?" the man whispered shocked. It was completely obvious that the Blood Raven did because now everyone at the table noticed Seiras' death glare.

"Leon, you dumb fuck...those are Deathwatch Astartes...Spec Ops Space Marines...they came with the Inquisitor. Don't talk shit. They have super good hearing you know and could kill you with a punch," a nearby guardsman whispered to the one that insulted the Astartes.

"Been nice knowin ya, Leon...what kind of an idiot insults a space marine?" another guardsman whispered from across the table to the man. It was clear that the one across the table was a higher ranking sergeant of some kind. The other people in the Mess Hall didn't seem to understand why Seiras was staring at a table until they all turned towards it and noticed the fearful look on Leon's face.

It was completely obvious now that the man had said something insulting and was heard. Half of them expected the space marine to go over and say something, but he didn't. Seiras simply looked back at the line and followed his Kill Team through it.

"Those guys aren't even human..." the guardsman, Leon, said quietly to his sergeant.

The guardsman sergeant shook his head, "You're right, Leon...they aren't. They're the Emperor's Angels. They dedicate their entire lives to war and they gave up their humanity so that we could keep ours. You should be more appreciative of their sacrifice."

Leon seemed somewhat remorseful, "I guess I never thought of it like that. I'm just tired of people alway praising them and forgetting about us. We still go and fight the same battles and enemies, but we're not super mutants with power armour and super weapons. They're no better than we are,"

"You'd rather they didn't exist then? The Emperor created them. Are you saying he was wrong? I for one like knowing that we have Angels watching over and helping us. Sorry your ego can't accept the fact that they get praised more than us," the sergeant shook his head.

"It's not my ego, sarge...I just wish people would appreciate us more, you know?" Leon said with a downcast stare.

"They do, Leon. But seeing an Angel is just a reminder of the Emperor's vigilance. Do you know how rare it is to see a space marine? Be thankful you even got to see them in person," the sergeant said sternly.

Seiras decided to tune out of their conversation as he moved behind Gregorius to the food line. One by one the space marines moved through the line to get their triple serving of food. It wasn't anything special, and to be honest, Seiras had no clue what half of it even was. He did not eat normal food very often. So to him it was simply a meal that he actually got to eat.

After the space marines got their food, they all looked around for somewhere to sit. The Mess Hall was thankfully quite large with good spacious areas between the tables. Most of their options looked impractical to sit at as they were either too small or very likely to break from the weight of their power armour. Many of the room's inhabitants stared at the Astartes anxiously wondering where they were going to sit if at all.

Luckily Seiras spotted a large metal table built into the ground which looked far sturdier than the others. It was also a bit isolated which seemed to suit his preference perfectly. The Blood Raven gestured for the others to follow him there.

It seemed kind of ridiculous for them to sit at a table in power armour or terminator armour, but thankfully the table looked like it would work out for them. They all sat down extra carefully, making sure they didn't damage the sturdy built-in steel table as they began to eat.

Seiras knew it must have looked crazy to the military personnel in the mess hall. Seven armoured Astartes were eating chow hall food at an oversized lunch table essentially. He had no idea how the table was supporting all of their weight, but chose not to think much about it.

The Salamander techmarine, Nemias, seemed to share his concern about the table and spoke, "It seems to be an officer table built for armoured personnel...the support structure goes into the floor. I'm amazed that its structural integrity hasn't given out yet. This table must have additional functions. It was clearly repurposed in the past."

'I wonder if we should have left our armour in the quarters? Are we going to upset some people by sitting at an officer's table?' Seiras wondered to himself as he watched his space wolf brother, Viggo aggressively attack his food. Every slight movement caused a creak which was no doubt due to his heavy weight in his terminator armour. The Space Wolf had the most experience at eating normal food out of all of them.

"Maybe we should have left our gear in the quarters," Nogemo said as he seemed to be having the same thought as Seiras.

Sergeant Kallius looked at him and frowned, "Perhaps...but we need to be ready at all times. This is fine."

"Is it appropriate for us to sit here though?" Nemias asked, "I think this is their officers' table,"

"Who cares what they think...I'm not moving for them or taking off my armour on an Imperial Navy ship just to eat. Besides this is the only place to sit in here," Gregorius muttered.

"Eating in Terminator armour is difficult..." Decimus said as he struggled to pick up the undersized utensils to eat his food. Finally he just gave up and picked up some slab of meat with his index finger and thumb. He dropped a few pieces and crushed several other parts of food on his tray. He immediately crushed part of his tray and growled to himself.

The Terminator seemed to be getting frustrated and soon took a break to watch how Viggo was eating so effectively in his terminator armour.

Viggo shook his head dishearteningly, "Shame we can't drink...makes me miss Fenris. What's eating without drinking? I don't have any Fenrisian Ale with me."

"You can drink after we complete the mission brother Viggo." Kallius said as he calmly ate his food.

As he expected, Seiras saw the congregation of onlookers still staring. A nearby table looked like they were trying to pressure one of their friends into approaching the Astartes.

Finally they succeeded as they motioned for a timid female guardsman to walk up to the group. Her friends all seemed to be giggling and grinning as they watched her clumsily approach the space marines at their isolated table.

Some of the guardsmen from earlier were shaking their heads and making death gestures as if she was asking for trouble by approaching the Space Marines. Seiras could even see a few of the Stormtroopers facepalming at her for it.

"Umm hey, space marines. Uhh...how are you doing? It's nice weather we're having yeah? You guys sure look cool in your armour. Umm I," she stuttered fearfully through a sentence trying to find something to talk to them about. It was clear that she was nervous beyond belief, and their various reactions were no doubt making it worse.

'Nice weather? What is this shipwreck of an introduction? Why is this girl over here? I thought I scared everyone in here from talking to us?' Seiras thought confused.

"I mean, well we're on a ship so there isn't really weather right? Haha, I mean it's just nice out... I mean around here right now...on the ship. You guys are really big," She continued saying random things.

'This is so hard for me to watch...what is she a little girl?' the Librarian wondered as the female guardsman blushed embarrassedly at the now laughing onlookers. Her face was super red and she looked like she was about to die from embarrassment.

"What possible reason would you have to talk to us, guardsman?" Seiras asked somewhat bluntly. He wasn't giving her a mean look or anything, but his tone definitely seemed to frighten her somewhat.

She didn't speak for a few seconds which was understandable and stared at Seiras with wide eyes. Although her introduction was quite embarrassing and pitiful, Seiras still found her to be braver than some of the other guardsmen who couldn't even make eye contact with the Astartes without looking away.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to bother you guys. I just wanted to talk to you, Blood Raven," She said shamefully looking away, "I...I should go. Sorry for wasting your time, space marines."

'She knows I'm a Blood Raven? Most guardsmen don't know all of the chapter symbols. Maybe she's from Sub-Sector Aurelia?' Seiras thought confused.

"She wanted to talk to you...Blood Raven," the Salamander Nemias laughed quietly after the female guardsman was out of their range.

Seiras watched her sit down and bury her face in embarrassment from her laughing peers. The librarian looked at Nemias and shook his head, "Don't even say it, Nemias..."

"Another admirer for our librarian haha. You're the one she approached. I'm surprised she had the courage to after you stared the room into submission," the Salamander chuckled.

"Maybe Seiras is her type," Viggo chuckled. Of all the members on their team, Viggo and Nemias had the most understanding of how normal human behavior worked. Their chapters were well known for interracting with Imperial guardsmen and civilians. Seiras had a decent understanding of people, but not nearly as much as they did. This was mostly due to his aloof nature as a librarian.

Seiras let out a low displeased growl, "That's not even funny..."

"Ha, that reminds me of last time. Wasn't that guardsman a female too? No wait...it was a female commissar. Remember when she got mad at Seiras for complimenting her fighting skills?" Viggo chuckled.

Nemias chuckled, "I remember...and then Seiras just told her that he thought she was 'interesting.'"

Seiras lowered his head and sighed, "Just stop..."

"Hahaha! That's right, and then she said, 'Are you interested in me?'" Viggo laughed heartily.

The techmarine let out cybornetic echoing laughter as he nodded, "Seiras told her that she was the most interesting woman he had seen in years and that he admired the way she wielded weapons and authority. He told her that he'd be even more impressed if she could wield his weapon."

Viggo laughed almost hysterically, "The funniest part is when she said, 'I could wield your weapon if you really want me to,' and Seiras told her, 'you're going to need two hands and a lot of stamina to wield my force sword.' Then she just said, 'Later in private,' and all of the Guardsmen cheered for Seiras after she left. That was such a great mission."

The Salamander chuckled as he looked at Seiras, "I find it ironic that brother Seiras, who seems to not care about normal people, is very good at getting them to like him."

"I don't see what's funny about this. Why do you tell this story all the time?" Seiras said unamused as he looked between the Wolf and the Salamander.

Viggo and Nemias couldn't help but snicker and laugh at Seiras again as the others all sat in silence. Although nobody from other tables could hear the space marines' conversation, they could certainly hear the space wolf laughing.

"I'm surprised you remembered all of that considering you were blackout drunk..." Seiras sighed.

"It was a victory celebration with the guardsmen, Seiras. A Fenrisian tradition," the Space Wolf countered.

Gregorius cocked his head confused, "Brother Seiras actually said those things to a commissar?"

"Yeah, and he wonders why the Imperial Guard on that mission liked him so much. They all said he was the 'greatest man' they had ever seen for being able to seduce their commissar," Viggo laughed.

"I did no such thing...besides, I don't see how that applies here. Why would that girl want to talk to me? She doesn't even know me or have a reason to talk to me," Seiras changed the subject.

Decimus seemed to be sharing Seiras' attitude at the situation as he looked over at the gossipping guardsmen, "Why is it always the female ones that approach him first? Are normal human women less fearful than men?"

"I'd certainly say so," Gregorius nodded, "Sororitas are living proof of that. They're the only females besides female Inquisitors and commissars that aren't useless unfortunately. I still can't fathom what her reason for approaching brother Seiras was."

"This happens a lot when Seiras is around. Was it some kind of attempt at courtship?" Decimus asked uncertainly.

"Who knows what that was all about...I'm a librarian and even I can't figure out how normal people think. I think maybe she's from sub-sector Aurelia. She knew I was a Blood Raven," Seiras said shaking his head.

"Oi, you lot are really lost aren't ya? The reason this always happens is because Seiras is too damned pretty for a space marine," Viggo laughed.

Seiras narrowed his gaze, "I'm what now? This is the first time I'm hearing this. The idea of a space marine being attractive to a normal person is ridiculous."

"Now that he mentions it, you are probably attractive to them. You certainly were to that commissar. I distinctly remember her face was flushed," Nemias noted.

"You're imagining things. It most certainly was not," Seiras replied bluntly.

Viggo chuckled at his denial, "Well she certainly wasn't acting very Commissar-like around you. They got high discipline and bearing. So it doesn't take a genius to figure out what that was all about, haha."

"I don't know why you two always have to go there. This running joke has gotten really old," Seiras replied with a serious expression.

"Blood Angels are a good judge of beauty. What do you think Sergeant Kallius? Is Seiras good looking for an Astartes?" Nemias asked.

Kallius turned towards Seiras for a moment, "Let me put it this way...when Seiras and I met for the first time, my fellow Blood Angels in the first company mistook him for one of us when his chapter was looting a Space Hulk."

"Of course you met Seiras when he was looting a space hulk, haha," Viggo laughed in amusement.

"What? Your Chapter brothers know him?" Nogemo asked curiously.

The Blood Angel nodded, "Yes, the first company knows him. He assisted us in recovering gene-seed while his chapter was looting a space hulk. This was before either one of us joined Deathwatch. Seiras got along surprisingly well with our first company, which is surprising since our first company doesn't like many other chapters."

"So they thought mistook him for a Blood Angel because they thought he was good looking?" Nemias clarified.

Kallius nodded, "Yes, they did."

"That still does not explain why normal human females would be attracted to him. How is he attractive to them? What defines being attractive anyways? I would assume most would think the opposite of Seiras since he's a psyker and an Astartes." Gregorius asked as he looked at Seiras.

"Normal humans don't really know what librarians are. I doubt anyone in here knows he's a psyker. They aren't exactly common. My chapter only has about 20 or so. To normal people, Seiras is probably just an attractive Space Marine I imagine," Nemias added.

"If you say so," Gregorius noted as he looked at Seiras again.

The Librarian had an aesthetic masculine face with a strong jaw, medium length white hair that came down the sides of his psychic hood and sea-green eyes. A large jagged scar could be seen from the side of his head all the way across his right cheek. This scar intersected with another one down the side of his eye. He also had two small metal plates on the sides of his head near his ears where the librarian's skull had no doubt been modified to accept psy cables. Hair still seemed to grow around them oddly enough which made them blend in better. Seiras also had two gold service studs embedded in the side of his forehead which denoted two centuries of service in his Chapter.

"What does his appearance have to do with that girl coming over here? What attracted her to him?" Decimus asked Viggo.

"It's all about presence and physical features I think...although the girls on Fenris have different likes than these little wimpy girls around here. I remember the last time this happened a girl came up to Seiras said he had pretty eyes and was cute. It's stuff like that I think." Viggo explained.

"Cute?" Gregorius repeated confused as if the word was some type of evil alien term.

The librarian shook his head, "Please stop retelling everyone this nonsense...it's bad enough I can't forget anything, I don't need to be reminded constantly. My appearance doesn't mean anything."

"Regardless of that, I fail to see anything special about Seiras other than him being a librarian. Librarians in general aren't even necessary. My chapter doesn't have librarians...they're pointless if you ask me," Gregorius noted.

"Well Seiras is pretty decent as far as sorcerers go. I wouldn't call him pointless. At least he fights like a warrior," Viggo defended him.

It was unusual to see, because Seiras could still vividly remember how long it took for him and the Space Wolf to start getting along. He hoped Gregorius would eventually settle into the team, but being its newest member and a Black Templar, he knew that would take a while. Being a librarian on a Kill Team with chapters that hated psykers was a very interesting predicament.

"Seiras, doesn't your chapter have a lot of librarians? Our librarius mentioned something about it once before. Are librarians more valued among the Blood Ravens?" Kallius asked changing the subject.

The Blood Raven nodded, "They're highly valued among my chapter. We have several assigned to each company usually. The numbers have changed over the years, but we have a lot more than your chapters do. If we're counting the Acolytum and the Lexicanium in training then we had 62 librarians last I heard. Before...the Tyrannid attack in Sub-Sector Aurelia we had more, but a lot of the higher ranking Epistolaries died. We always have at least two Codiciers per company and usually Lexicanium and Acolytum assigned to them and the Company Chaplains. Our Librarians work closely with our Chaplains."

"I imagine that is not a coincidence. Who better than to keep a vigilant watch over psykers than a chaplain?" Gregorius interrupted.

"I'm sure you're correct about that brother Gregorius, but we have had a librarian chaplain before too. It's very rare, but every couple of centuries a special librarian distinguishes himself enough to hold another title as well as his librarian one. It's a great honour..." Seiras said distantly.

"A librarian chaplain? That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard...those two positions are far too different for one individual to hold. Not to mention, it's an insult to the Emperor for a librarian to be a chaplain. It sounds like your chapter is nothing but a sorcerer cult," Gregorius said disapprovingly.

"Like I said, it's very rare...but some of my chapter's greatest heroes achieved a similar duality. It's not impossible. We've had Captains who were librarians, Chief Librarians who were Chapter Masters, and we've even had one Librarian who was a Reclusiarch as well," Seiras shrugged.

"Don't tell me you want to be the same? I would never take you seriously as a librarian AND a chaplain," Gregorius replied rudely.

"Relax, Gregorius, I highly doubt someone like me would be suitable for the task. All I was saying is a prestigious and loyal enough librarian could achieve it," Seiras responded calmly.

"Maybe in that crazy psyker cult you call the Blood Ravens...but nonsense like that would never fly in my chapter. So who were you then before joining Deathwatch, Brother Seiras? You must have been someone important in your chapter if you were able to impress the Inquisition and get selected for a Deathwatch Kill Team," Gregorius asked.

"I was an Epistolary in the first company and was part of a special team called the Corvidae Ordo Psykana. Before that I served in the fourth company as a Lexicanium and eventally a Codicier. Captain Thule, Epistolary Anteas, and Chaplain Mikelus were all my commanding officers then. When I went to the first company, the team they put me in was a special psyker team. We would often perform secret missions for the Chief Librarian and Chapter Master. It was during that time that I met Sergeant Kallius as well," Seiras explained.

"So if you were from the Blood Ravens' first company before joining Deathwatch, then why don't you wear Terminator armour?" Gregorius asked.

"Mine was badly damaged in the last campaign. Terminator armour is pretty rare in my chapter. Only the most prestigious first company veterans usually get to wear it...and even then, not often. We only ever wear it for special missions. I gave mine to our techmarines to repair. I'm sure they've probably fixed it by this point, but I haven't returned to the Chapter in years. It's not a major concern for me right now and I'm sure my brothers need it more than I do," The librarian replied.

"How did you get those scars on your face?" the Black Templar asked as he continued to examine the Blood Raven.

"Is this an interrogation?" Seiras said somewhat annoyed.

Kallius looked at Seiras' defining facial scars, "I remember when you got those scars. That Eldar sure did leave a mark on you, Seiras."

"So it was a xenos that did it?" Gregorius asked.

Seiras nodded, "Yes, an Eldar did it."

"Not like it mattered much...now Seiras just looks more manly. All he needs is a beard and even the girls from Fenris might like him...even though he's not a wolf and he's a bloody sorcerer. Seiras' pretty ass could use a few more scars," Viggo said as he stuffed food down his mouth again.

Viggo himself was very much a space wolf in appearance. He had long auburn hair pulled into twin braids on either side of his face with a large ponytail holding up most in the back. A large and surprisingly well groomed beard was also present as well. It was long, but not ridiculous like some space wolf beards were. As it was common among space wolves, he had pale yellow eyes and fangs. He had many scars like all of them, but his most noticeable one was a scar from cheek to cheek and over his nose.

Sergeant Kallius had a strong and very handsome face with parted short blonde hair, ocean blue eyes, and a surprisingly unscarred appearance. The only prominent scar on him was a large slash across his throat which was no doubt the work of a blade. Like most Blood Angels, he had the angelic beauty of his gene-father Sanguinius. Nevertheless, he was definitely the one who looked like he had seen the most battle. The seasoned veteran had eyes that were distant and looked like they told a long and painful story. He was the second oldest marine on their team, but did not wear any service studs.

Seiras looked over at his Salamander brother, "Your scars are from an eldar too right, Nemias?"

"Dark Eldar. Trust me there's a big difference. This was given to me by a Cult of Stife Wych," Nemias clarified as he stared down at his food as if deep in thought.

The Salamander techmarine had many cybornetic enhancements including a built over visor on one of his eyes. Two large cross shaped scars covered and converged over his cybernetic visor which likely indicated the wych cut it out. Nemias had a darker skin tone like most Salamanders, a bald head, and a normal dark red eye. Despite his cybornetic attachments and scars, he still looked rather friendly and approachable. His techmarine armour also had tech arm extensions coming from the back which had a large number of utility uses.

Seiras shook his head, "I hate Eldar...of all the xenos in the galaxy, they're the worst."

"Glad we can agree on that...Eldar are insufferable and deserve nothing short of genocidal exterminatus. They're more arrogant than any xenos I've encountered. Probably more so than all of them combined," Gregorius spoke with intensity.

Gregorius had short black hair, a strong jaw, and a bit of stubble. His eyes were a light shade of bluish grey, and he had several burn scars on his face. Despite his apparance, he still would be considered attractive by human standards if he wasn't always scowling. He seemed to be radiating a permanent hatred that would no doubt make anyone who wasn't a space marine uneasy around him.

"Agreed...the things that their race does to mankind is unforgivable. Vulkan himself despised them wholeheartedly," Nemias said approvingly.

"Which variety do you think is worse brothers? Craftworld Eldar, or Dark Eldar?" Seiras wondered.

"They're all the same as far as I'm concerned," Gregorius said hatefully.

"Craftworlders are a joke compared to Dark Eldar," Nemias said shaking his head, "I'd like to see you fight an Incubus or a wych and tell me they're the same, Gregorius. They're the only ones that fight like warriors. The rest just run away whenever Astartes show up."

"I don't know, Nemias...some of those Howling Banshees are pretty mean. Striking Scorpions are strong warriors as well. The rest of them are skittish cowards though," Seiras replied.

"It all depends on the Craftworld I guess. You have fought Biel-tan and Ulthwe right? They're some of the deadliest craftworlds, so I suppose they might have some warriors who don't break in one hit. That being said, if I had to compare a craftworld banshee to a dark eldar wych I would say the wych is far more deadly. Most of them barely fight in actual armour because they're so hard to hit," Nemias replied after swallowing a large chunk of food.

"Harlequinns are the worst of them all. I lost many brothers to a pack of those creatures. I also got several of my scars from one of them. They're the only faction of Eldar that both Craftworlders and Dark Eldar do not cross," Kallius interjected.

"I hope you killed that Harlequinn fiend," Nogemo said anxiously.

Kallius nodded, "I did...to avenge my brothers I ripped out her heart and butchered the rest of them. They are like glass cannons. Deadly, but extremely fragile."

Seiras knew better than the rest of his brothers how this probably happened. Being a veteran Blood Angel, Kallius like many, suffered from mild effects of the Red Thirst and went into a rampage to wipe them out. The two of them had known each other the longest, and Seiras had seen Kallius and other Blood Angels fall into this bloodlust. He had enough respect and knowledge on the matter to not to ask about it as he simply pat the Blood Angel on the back, "Good on you, Sergeant Kallius. Suffer not the xenos to live."

Viggo looked up from his meal and laughed, "What's with all of you getting cut up by Eldar? Was that some hidden requirement to be on this kill team...because that's where my biggest scar came from too."

"What kind of Eldar was it?" Seiras asked.

"I don't know...it had wings and it flew around me like a bug tryin to sting me," Viggo laughed.

"Swooping Hawk?" Seiras asked.

"Why are you asking me? You think I know what they're all called? I ripped his wings off and stomped on his head until he died. Stupid xenos squealed and died like a bug," Viggo laughed

"Regardless of what kind it was, this just goes to show that Eldar are never to be trusted or underestimated...period. They should always be killed on sight without pity or mercy. There is no honour and no empathy within the husks they call souls. Eldar only care about themselves," Kallius replied sternly.

"At least we can deal with Eldar relatively well. They're weak and they break like sticks. Necrons and Tyrannids on the other hand aren't so fun for psykers to fight and are damn near impossible to take out without heavy firepower or strong power weapons," Seiras sighed.

"Well it's good you're melee trained then. That's the only reason I don't consider you a wimpy little sorcerer, Seiras. Sometimes I think you'd make a good Grey Knight," Viggo said with a grin. It was no secret to any of them that Seiras hated being compared to the Grey Knights as he had a similar fighting style as them.

"Don't even compare me to those high and mighty bastards." Seiras muttered to himself in annoyance.

"Tau are the only race I hate more than Eldar," Kallius said darkly changing the subject.

Gregorius cracked a fist, "Tau...I almost forgot that those things even existed...you want to talk about a vile and pathetic xenos race."

"I've never fought them before...but I know wolves who have," Viggo said as he stopped eating for a moment.

"Neither have I. From what I've heard, they sound easy to defeat," Nogemo added.

Seiras turned to look at the Blackshield curiously, "You think so? They're relatively easy to kill up close, but the problem is they run away and hide more than Eldar. It's the equivalent of wiping out vermin from a hive."

"I'll take your word for it then," the Blackshield replied.

Seiras stared at him for a moment afterward. Although he would never mention it aloud, Seras was always suspicious of the Blackshield. Partly it was because Blood Ravens disliked having secrets witheld from them, and Nogemo was full of them. It was Deathwatch policy never to question a Blackshield's past as most came from traitor chapters, but Seiras would often cross-examine his companion in the hopes that he would one day find out. Nogemo did not talk much as opposed to the rest of them, which only made him more mysterious. He was the second newest member of Kill Team Calamity other than Gregorius but was undoubtedly the oldest.

The Blackshield Marine, Nogemo, was remarkably unscarred and untainted looking despite being a from a traitor chapter, which made it unlikely he ever fell to chaos. This was a defining feature that allowed Seiras to mostly trust him. He had copper skin, piercing aquamarine eyes and was bald. He looked very seasoned and wise, and was likely the oldest marine on their team. Oddly enough, he was the largest space marine in their group, even larger than Decimus and Viggo in terminator armour. That in itself alway struck Seiras as odd becuase the two terminators were fairly large for Astartes as it was. Nogemo had a calm and commanding presence, but was definitely unusual. Nobody in the kill team actually knew what his former chapter was, but given the Blackshield's unquestioning loyalty and skill in battle, they all trusted him well enough. Despite his suspicions of the man's past, Seiras valued him as a battle brother.

"Why do you hate Tau more than Eldar, Sergeant Kallius?" Nogemo asked curiously.

Kallius shook his head, "They corrupt Imperial Citizens and try to indoctrinate them with some strange ideology called the Greater Good. Greater Pacification would be a better way to describe it. They make humans part of their empire, but force them into the lowest tier of their societies and force them to fight on the frontline for their xenos overlords. What's even worse is I heard that they sterillize humans they capture so they cannot reproduce. It's a cowardly and cancerous race that should be removed from the galaxy. Any race that seeks to subjectify and enslave humans to its philosophies is worse than even chaos."

"The Imperium enslaves and brainwashes its own citizens all the time. I fail to see how it's any different when some minor xenos race does it. You don't see the hypocrisy there?" Nogemo said shaking his head.

Kallius sent him a fierce glare, "It's NOT the same, Nogemo. The Imperium is far from perfect, but it preserves mankind. Those who cast aside their faith in mankind for the greener grasses and pretty lies promised by a xenos, cannot count themselves as human any longer. It's the equivalent of rejecting the Emperor's vision for a united humanity."

"Sergeant Kallius is right," Gregorius nodded, "we cannot trust an alien species to have our best interest at heart. Only a heretical fool and an indulgent coward would allow another race to control their destiny. You're already on my bad side, Blackshield...don't start making me think you're a xenos sympathizer!"

"I'm not, but I can understand why some people in the lowest common tiers of society would think that way. The Imperium has changed a lot over the millennia, but it has endured time and again. This xenos race hardly sounds like a threat. They can't be that big if we're not fighting them right now," Nogemo noted.

"Currently, they're a small empire, of little more than a few hundred worlds in Segmentum Ultima. They are on the border of Ultramar. In the grand scheme they're no threat to the Imperium at large, but they are aggressive expansionists who need to be put down at some point," Kallius continued.

"We should be thankful the Emperor wiped out many other races in the Great Crusade...or we would see dozens of species like them roaming the stars. They don't sound like much of a threat to me, so I don't think you should get so worked up over this," Nogemo replied.

"I fought Tau during the Kronus Campaign with Captain Thule...and several other times with the Ultramarines. They're about as arrogant as Eldar, but far less dangerous. They rely on machines and technology to fight...but they lack real killer instinct. The cowards won't even fight you up close. They are physically pathetic as melee fighters so they only shoot from afar and run. Like I said, before...they're vermin both literally and figuratively," Seiras added with a disgusted look on his face.

"They don't fight in melee combat? How can you even call that a threat? The wolves are probably their worst nightmare then..." Viggo said seriously.

"They don't even know a thing about Psyker powers or the warp either. They never saw my powers coming until it was too late. I killed a lot of them during that Campaign. I slaughtered them with ease," Seiras said drifting into deep thought.

"I never asked you, Seiras, but do you happen to know a marine named Cyrus from your chapter? He was the only other Blood Raven I ever knew personally in Deathwatch besides you." Kallius asked curiously.

Seiras nodded, "I did...he saved my life before. He is quite the deadly scout. He recommended me to the Inquisition for Deathwatch. Said I had a way with outsmarting Xenos."

"He had quite the iconic headful of hair if I remember correctly. Is that common among Blood Ravens?" Kallius wondered with a hand on his chin.

"Not really...at least I don't think so. Although he always did try to sell the rest of us on having hair. He eventually talked me into growing mine out. I was bald for the first century of my service," Seiras chuckled as he felt his white hair.

"It's hard to imagine you bald, Seiras. Every Blood Raven I've met has had hair," Kallius said as he stared at his comrade.

Decimus looked around at all of his Kill Team brothers and changed the subject, "You know I never thought much on it, but why do all of you have so much hair? Does that not make it difficult for you to fight?"

Nemias laughed at his random question, "Hey now, I'm bald too, Decimus. You're not the only one without hair around here."

Decimus was the second largest member of their group after Nogemo. While mostly it was due to his Terminator armour, he was still quite large for a Terminator when compared to Viggo. Decimus also had the strongest jawline many of them had ever seen. He was completely bald with many facial scars and had a slightly tanner complexion than the rest of them, except Nemias. Strange tribal markings also covered part of his face, and his eyes were a fiery amber color. Decimus was the most intimidating member of their group followed closely by Gregorius and then Viggo.

"Same here. There's nothing wrong with being bald. Some of us can pull it off quite well," Nogemo chuckled.

"I only do it because it helps me fight better. I don't know how Viggo fits all of his into that Terminator helmet," Decimus said looking at the other terminator.

"It's called being a Space Wolf. We're pretty much good at everything. We usually don't even wear helmets, but Deathwatch insisted that I started to so I make it work. It might be easier if I start braiding it though," Viggo laughed.

"Why not just cut it off?" Decimus asked.

"You wouldn't understand, Decimus. Hair and beards are important to Wolves ya know," Viggo said proudly.

"Don't even try to talk me into going bald again, Decimus," Seiras stated.

"Being bald is not so bad. I mean some of us can pull it off better than others. Nogemo certainly pulls it off the best. In my case its just convenient not to worry about it. The last time I had hair, it got caught in all my tech attachments. Other parts just got burnt off so it's just easier to be bald for me," Nemias replied.

"Enough about hair. I want to know how an Eldar gave Seiras those scars," Gregorius changed the subject as he looked at the librarian.

"I remember how he got it. It was before you joined the Kill Team, Gregorius. Some Banshee with an executioner spear cut through his helmet and face twice. She looked prominent compared to the others. I remember her calling Seiras by name when trying to kill him," Decimus answered for him.

"Why did that Xenos know his name? And what do you mean she was prominent?" Gregorius asked curiously.

Seiras shook his head, "It was a Howling Banshee Exarch from the Craftworld Saim-Hann. It was pretty obvious because the cloth on her armor was red. She also had hair the color of fire. It was almost a golden orange. If that doesn't distinguish her from regular banshees, she was also carrying an executioner and I'm pretty sure only their exarchs carry those."

"You seem to know a lot about eldar for someone who claims to hate them. How did this exchange occur to begin with?" Gregorius asked disapprovingly.

"Well it very strange honestly. We were on a mission to assassinate an up and coming ork warboss when those eldar showed up. Call me crazy, but I think they were there to kill me specifically. The exarch that cut me knew my name as Decimus has stated. I guess one of their Farseers thought I was dangerous or something," Seiras explained.

"Don't play dumb, Seiras. Just tell him the whole story. Tell him about your discovered treasure..." Nemias chuckled with amusement.

"They were after some artefact that brother Seiras recovered right?" Decimus asked.

"Something he found no doubt...a new gift for his chapter." Viggo said shaking his head with laughter.

Gregorius looked at him suspiciously, "Did you steal some xenos relic they wanted, brother Seiras?"

The librarian shrugged, "Steal is such a harsh word. All I had that they wanted was just some old stuff I found decades ago on Typhon Primaris."

"Stop being elusive, Seiras...tell him the truth. He's going to find out eventually. Better now than later," Nemias insisted.

"Find out what?!" Gregorius asked darkly.

"So I found a spirit stone with some ancient, dead Eldar in it as well as some type of Eldar tech device with maps and database information. I was on a secret mission to investigate the crashed craftworld beneath the jungle of Typhon Primaris with our techmarines for anything useful," Seiras clarified.

"Your psyker loving chapter sent you to loot a crashed craftworld? What kind of heretical order is that? You approve of this, Decimus?!" Gregorius repeated quietly with a disapproving look on his face.

"Let him finish the story...it's not as bad as it sounds," Decimus replied.

"After my Investigation and discovery-" Seiras tried to continue.

"Looting," Viggo interrupted him with a cough.

"Discovery...I found those things there and spent decades trying to decipher the data device. It became clear I wouldn't be able to figure it out on my own, so I tortured the eldar in the Spirit Stone with warp energy and forced him to tell me how to work the device. I used it and the eldar in the stone to eventually decipher their stupid language a bit. It was also good for picking up their version of vox transmissions so that we could better outmanuever them. I'm not the most technologically gifted, but I eventually got the hang of how to use their technology against them. I have a base understanding of their technology and language because of it and I could use the stone to power their things of theirs. I kept it a secret for a long time from most of the chapter, but it helped me a lot in fighting Eldar throughout my campaigns. I suppose that might explain why the Eldar wanted to kill me...and why the Ordo Xenos was interested in recruiting me." Seiras whispered only loud enough for his fellow space marines to hear.

"That's heresy messing with Xenos tech...and speaking to one in a soul stone. Are you out of your mind, brother? That's evidence enough for being a heretic. I've seen men die for doing less than one tenth of that. How in the Emperor's name did you get away with it?" Gregorius whispered darkly. Luckily it wasn't loud enough to draw attention from the ship crew in the mess hall.

"Are you calling me a heretic, Gregorius? I guarantee I've killed more enemies of mankind than you have. I've fought Orks, Eldar, Tau, Tyrannids, Chaos Marines, Daemons, and even Necrons...you're not one to judge me for being a bit proactive in countering xenos tech. The Inquisition does it all the time. Part of the reason I got accepted into Deathwatch is because of my insight into the Eldar. The Inquisition already knows about it. You cannot defeat an enemy that you do not understand. I am a librarian and it is my duty to understand and collect knowledge for the betterment of my chapter and mankind itself," Seiras said quietly.

"Your former chapter master was a proactive librarian too from what I heard...and we all know how that turned out. You're lucky the others like you, Brother Seiras, but I will be the first person to kill you if I ever see you committing heresy like that in front of me," Gregorius hissed darkly.

The Blood Raven glared at him, "Do you know how many of my own chapter brothers I had to kill to purge the corruption within the Blood Ravens? Brothers I fought alongside for nearly two centuries died by my hand. That heresy will forever stain the honour of my chapter, but those of us who remain cannot be counted among the unfaithful. My faith has been tested far more than yours. You would do well to remember that the next time you think me unloyal to the Emperor or the Imperium, Gregorius."

"Curious psykers always dabble in heresy. Your faith will be tested even more, brother. I will make sure of that," Gregorius said threateningly.

"That's enough...I will not hear any more of this. I trust Seiras with my life...and if you wish to remain on this team, you must as well, Gregorius," Sergeant Kallius interrupted quietly.

The Black Templar gave Seiras a hard stare before nodding at Sergeant Kallius, "As you say, Watch Sergeant...if the Inquisition allowed it and the rest of you trust him then I shall tolerate his existence. Back on the topic of the Eldar, what ever happened to those Saim-Hann assassins? Did you kill them all?"

"They got away unfortunately...but that's not surprising considering all Eldar know how to do is run away when they're fighting real opponents." Seiras said now speaking at normal volume again.

"Saim-Hann is known for hit and run tactics. That's not too suprising," Nemias added.

Gregorius shook his head hatefully, "Xenos cowards. So what happened to the Spirit Stone and the data device then?"

"I gave the data device to the Ordo Xenos after I downloaded all of the information off of it for my chapter. I neglected to mention that to them. The copied information was left with the Librarius. Captain Angelos seemed especially interested in it. As for the stone, I kept it." Seiras explained.

"You did?" Gregorius asked darkly, "Why? Where is it?"

Seiras reached onto a chain off of the waist of his armor and picked up a a red fist sized stone, "It's right here..."

"I always wondered what that thing was. The Inquisition lets you keep it?" Gregorius asked disbelievingly.

"After giving them a translated dataslate of Eldar Knowledge, yes. The Ordo Xenos were very grateful. They said I could keep the stone," Seiras explained.

"That's unprecedented. They must have really liked what you gave them then, because I have never heard of the Inquisition allowing something like that. Not to mention, why did you even want to keep the stone?" the Black Templar asked.

"It powers Eldar technology...and I can use it for a lot of different things," Seiras replied.

Kallius shook his head, "It's no wonder the Eldar wanted you dead for having something like that."

Gregorius shook his head, "Does it talk?"

"Only Psychically...and only if I force him to. I haven't talked to the stone in about ten years," Seiras replied.

"How in the name of Holy Terra are you able to get away with so much borderline heresy? You're probably the luckiest idiot I've ever met." Gregorius said shaking his head.

Gregorius and Nogemo were the newest members of their Kill Team and were the only ones that did not know about this already. They both stared at Seiras with varying degrees of disbelief. In Nogemo's case, he actually seemed impressed, "You can speak the Eldar language?"

"Not in the overly complicated way they do, but I can speak it in a basic way. More importantly, I can understand it...having perfect memory and psychic abilities helps a lot in that regard," Seiras elaborated.

The Blackshield nodded approvingly, "I can see why the Inquisition values you then. I've never heard of a space marine learning a xenos language."

"It's heretical...am I the only one who thinks this is a bad thing? How is he immune to the consequences of doing this kind of thing?" Gregorius asked disbelievingly.

Viggo shrugged, "Good question. I've been asking that for years, but so long as he doesn't go xenos loving on us then I don't really care."

"Seiras is no heretic...the Ordo Xenos has personally granted him permission to study aliens because of that information he gave them. Under normal circumstances it would be full fledged heresy, but since the Inquisition allows it, I don't see a problem," Decimus added.

"I think it's very intelligent to do. Eldar would never suspect an Astartes to know their language. You continue to surprise me, Seiras. I'm glad I got put on this Kill Team with you brothers," Nogemo said with a smile.

"I'm already regretting it," Gregorius said shaking his head.

"Umm...excuse me," a voice interrupted the space marines from their conversation.

The seven Astartes looked over at the new arrival who was obviously a ship officer of some kind. He had a twinkling excitement in his eyes as he nervously met their gazes.

"Can we help you?" Seiras asked.

The officer nodded his head, "Forgive me for interrupting you my lords, but I was just wondering if it would be okay to ask you a few questions. I've never seen space marines before."

"We get that a lot, Lieutenant is it? Have a seat, I don't mind answering some questions." Nemias checked the officer's rank before gesturing for him to sit down. The mess hall seemed to refocus all of its attention towards the Astartes again. They were likely all shocked that the space marines let the low ranking officer sit there with them.

The officer sat down next to Kallius and looked over the enormous super humans with awe. He took a moment to take in their appearances and finally spoke, "When I was a kid, my parents used to tell me stories about space marines. I always kind of thought they were just tall tales and exaggerations to boost Imperial morale. Seeing you guys in person is something else though. You're every bit as huge as the stories say you are."

"You thought space marines were a tall tale?" Viggo asked surprised.

"Well...I knew they existed, but I had no idea you were actually as big as the stories said you were. The idea of a human being almost two and a half meters tall and completely muscled and armoured always seemed crazy to imagine. I just assumed it was an exaggeration. I see now that it wasn't," the Lieutenant explained apologetically.

"What kind of decadent world are you from that would allow for such a ridiculous idea to cross your mind? Who else do you think gets anything done in our endless wars? Who else conquered the known galaxy in the name of the Emperor during the Great Crusade? Why would you think we were lesser than that? Why would you think we were anything like you? We do-" Gregorius replied rudely before being interrupted.

Kallius held up his hand, "That's enough, Gregorius. No need to be hostile."

The lieutenant appeared somewhat frightened by the Black Templar's utter lack of mercy or empathy. He was no doubt relieved that the other space marines weren't as mean.

Viggo quickly eased tensions as he chuckled, "The Imperium's a large place, it's understandable if you haven't seen space marines. Don't mind Brother Gregorius...he's an asshole as the guard would say and doesn't talk to normal people much."

"I...see," the officer said as he looked over at the glaring Black Templar.

"So you had questions?" Seiras got the conversation moving again after an awkward silence. Half the mess hall seemed to be doing their best to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"How does one become a space marine? How did you transition into an Adeptus Astartes?" the lieutenant wondered.

"We're chosen as children or adolescents if we're tough enough and compatible. A lot of the process is classified for obvious reasons, but we become Astartes after puberty and before early adulthood usually. Adults can become space marines, but it's nearly always fatal. Only those with pure human genes can become Astartes as well. So you'll never see an abhuman or a mutant become one. Women cannot become Astartes as well due to an incompatability with the process. This is in part due to the fact that it's based around the Emperor's genetics and he's male," Kallius replied.

The man seemed amazed, "I also heard that space marines don't age the way normal people do. How old are all of you?"

"Most of us here are over two centuries old. Gregorius here is about 150 I believe. Decimus is three centuries old, and I myself am 413 terran years specifically," Kallius answered.

The officer and many of the guardsmen eavesdroppers nearby all gawked at their ages.

"So it's true then...space marines are immortal?" the man asked with amazement.

Kallius shook his head, "In theory yes, but the average space marine will die in battle after several centuries. My chapter master is over a thousand years old however. Some in the Imperium are also said to be thousands of years old in dreadnoughts. Although that isn't very common as older space marines are typically trusted with more suicidal mission."

"So then the rest of you guys are young for space marines?" the man asked fascinated.

"When one becomes a space marine, things like age don't matter anymore. We're all going to die for the Emperor eventually. It's only a number to us. One used to determine our years of service to our chapters. An Astartes is typically considered a veteran when he's reached 200 years of service," Kallius answered.

"So you're 413? You only look like you're in your early thirties. You must be distinguished," the officer said to Kallius. It was clear that he liked the Blood Angel the most out of all of them.

Kallius simply nodded, "Yes, I was part of the First Company in the Blood Angels."

"That's remarkable. You must be able to do and experience so much with all the time you have to live. I'd love to have a longer life like that without having to get juvenat treatments," the officer said with amazement.

"It's not like we're Terran Nobles living decadently for centuries with their juvenat treatments and all the money and time in the galaxy to waste. We fight all the time! Only the strong willed can endure that kind of eternal duty. Constant warfare, eternal vigilance, and eventually death in the name of the emperor. That is the life of an Adeptus Astartes. Don't you dare assume that we're living like those pompous, bored nobles from whatever world you're from!" Gregorius said somewhat annoyed.

The officer flinched at the Black Templar's words.

"Gregorius here is actually quite young for a Deathwatch marine...it's pretty uncommon seeing anyone under 200 getting picked as most don't distinguish themselves enough within their chapters before becoming veterans. He's quite the melee specialist though. Forgive his aggression. Long decades of constant warfare makes people act differently," Kallius said off topic hoping to calm down Gregorius. The Black Templar's nasty mood eased up slightly as he simply looked away.

"So Deathwatch is a type of space marine chapter?" the officer asked as he tried his best to avoid Gregorius' gaze.

"It's a specialized militant group of the Inquisition that falls under the Ordo Xenos. It employs uniquely talented space marines. Every member is individually chosen from chapters all across the Imperium. It's a special duty in which one serves in the Inquisition's mission to purge the xenos, the heretics, and anything else regular guardsmen, stormtroopers, or space marines can't handle. We are specifically what's called a Kill Team," Kallius explained.

"So you guys are like spec ops space marines? That's incredible!" The lieutenant said with awe.

"That's one way of putting it I guess..." Nemias said with a shrug.

A much larger gathering of people seemed to be slowly getting closer. Seiras looked up and saw the female guardsman from earlier and her friends whispering to one another. The woman pushed her friend to try and talk to the Astartes for her this time.

The fact that they were talking to the officer made the guardsmen and shipmen less terrified to try talking to the Astartes again. The female guardsman from earlier finally convinced her friend to approach Seiras.

"So, I have a question," the female guardsman's friend interjected as she approached the Blood Raven confidently.

Everyone stopped and looked at her for interrupting them and then stared at Seiras awaiting his response. Seiras knew what she was going to ask as so many females were always curious about it.

"I'm sure you do..." Seiras said distantly as he mentally prepared himself for the question that regular people loved to ask. The original woman that spoke to him sat at her table watching anxiously and avoiding his gaze.

"So do space marines have children and familes?" the guardsman managed to ask properly unlike her stuttering friend from earlier.

Seiras let out a long exaggerated sigh as he looked at her, "Why do you even want to know that?"

"Well...just curious is all. It's not an offensive question is it?" she blushed and looked away with embarrassment.

Half the room seemed to be focusing on Seiras for an answer to that question. Half of the guardsmen there were amazed that the woman even had the gall to ask him something so personal.

"This is a question that Viggo or Nemias should answer. I'm done explaining this to every curious guardsman or civilian we talk to," Seiras said looking at his space wolf brother.

Viggo cleared his throat and spoke with a hearty amusement, "To answer your question, guardsman, we usually don't have children. The only time you'll see a space marine with a child is if they have one before they become a space marine...but it's not that common for adults to become space marines as the mortality rate is nearly always fatal. Since I'm a Fenrisian, it's a bit more common on my planet. I myself have some descendants. I believe Nemias here is a great great grandfather as well. It is most common among Salamanders I believe."

She seemed a bit frightened by the space wolf's feral appearance.

"So then most of you don't have families or wives?" she asked slowly as she looked at Kallius and Seiras.

"Not really...the only family most space marines have is our battle-brothers. Initiates sometimes have families and children, but they almost always outlive them. Brother Viggo here has outlived his family for generations I believe. We don't really have time for anything other than fighting or training, so it's not a common thing to see with older Astartes. I can't speak for every chapter though...some do have familes," Kallius answered as profressionally as he could.

She frowned, "So you guys don't ever..."

'Here it comes...the sex question. Can I just have one conversation with normal people that doesn't bring up this topic? Is that all regular people think about? Thank the emperor and that indoctrination training for shutting down our sex drives. It must be so distracting to constantly think about that. At least the Adepta Sororitas don't ever ask this kind of nonsense.' Seiras thought annoyed.

"No we don't...we're bred for war, not love and reproduction. Such distractions lead one to impurity and weakness. We do not experience intimacy for it is easily exploitable. The Emperor created us to be the perfect warriors...and a perfect warrior needs no woman or children to cloud his mind or distract him. We live for the emperor and for the glory of our primarchs. We find true love in our duty to mankind. That's something you would never understand little girl," Gregorius answered before she could finish her question. For once, Seiras was thankful that the Black Templar interrupted to explain.

She seemed a bit put off by Gregorius' rude and dismissive attitude, but nodded fearfully, "I understand...thanks."

As a librarian, Seiras could read people's minds if he wanted to and decided to try and probe hers out of curiosity. He didn't like to do it often as most of the time people could tell, but he was curious to know what she was thinking. He stealthily and lightly focused on her surface thoughts.

"I never knew space marines were a bunch of asshole virgins. It's a crime to be that attractive and have no regard to women at all. How do they live for hundreds of years without having sex? I'd die if I went one year without it. They're so big...I wonder what it'd be like if I-" she thought as she stared at Seiras, Kallius, and Gregorius.

The man immediately stopped reading her mind as it went lewd really quickly. She was wondering about their biology, and that's all Seiras needed to hear before blocking out her thoughts. He never understood why some females were so fascinated by space marines. Astartes were literally giants compared to normal humans.

Seiras was not very knowledgable on how courtship or sexual attraction worked in human society as he had been trained to be a space marine since he was a young teenager. What he did know however, is that regular humans weren't very sexually dimorphic in size. Males were obviously stronger and larger, but not by a crazy margin. Space Marines were too different from normal male humans for a female to find attractive biologicially...at least that's what he thought.

Maybe it was some kind of reverence for them being Angels of the Emperor? He did not really understand how or why this woman and others before her found him appealing in such a way. Seiras wasn't even used to associating beauty with the way a person looked. To him beauty was a shrine world, a finely crafted weapon, or the honour guard armour that his chapter's first company got to wear. It was most certainly not something he associated with his battle brothers, with females, or even with his own appearance. Nobody's appearance really mattered to him at all.

'It must be primal and instinctual now that I think about it. In times of peace females are more attracted to androgynous mates that are similar to them...but it times of war and danger they find stronger, tougher, and larger mates more appealing because it satisifes some base animal need to feel protected. Maybe that's why they think I'm appealing? Is it some kind of feeling of protection or dominance i give them? Am I really as attractive as the others say I am? Whatever...No point in dwelling on something that doesn't matter at all. I'm thankful I don't have to experience lust or desire in such a way,' Seiras concluded mentally.

"I'm done with this...I'll see you all back in our quarters," Gregorius said standing up and walking away to drop off his food tray to several cleaning servitors. The towering Astartes frightened the nearby guardsmen and shipmen as he pushed one aside that was in his way.

It wasn't an overly strong push, but the guardsman still went flying back nearly falling to the ground from the slight push. Seiras read the guardsman's mind as Gregorius didn't bother apologizing, "Space marines are fucking strong...why'd that asshole push me so hard?"

Gregorius left the Mess Hall leaving the other six space marines to awkwardly sit in silence for a moment.

The officer sitting at the table with them spoke up nervously, "I apologize for bothering you guys so much. I did not mean for anyone to offend your friend. It's just a rare opportunity to actually see a space marine, let alone talk to one."

"Your questions were fine...it was her question that was childish and stupid," Kallius said calmly to the officer as the female guardsman returned to her table.

"Don't worry about it, Lieutenant...this isn't new to us. For some reason we attract a crowd everywhere we go. I have no idea why," Seiras said casually as he finally finished his food.

The sound of heavy thuds caught everyone's attention as a dozen or so individuals stomped into the mess hall. They were clad in black power armour and a lot of them had cropped white, blonde, or black hair.

"Adepta Sororitas..." Seiras said shaking his head.