The Old Captain

[Saint_Bepis]

Chapter 1: Captain Nemo

​

Situated in the northern portion of the Ultima Segmentum, in what was formally known as the Imperium Nihilus before the closure of the Cicatrix Maladictum sits the Watch Fortress of Mortguard. It is held under the command of Watch Master Agathon and serves as a strike force against the Tau invasions, Necron Lords, Genestealer Cults, and the occasional Ork WAAGH. While the battles that the Deathwatch fight are against some of the most dangerous foes the Imperium face; There is one soul on that station who stands apart from all his brothers on the station and yet he commands immense respect from all those who live on it. His name is Nemo for he gave up his name in when he joined. He stands alone in his room with his armor still on save his helm revealing a wizened face that would be more proper on an old mortal than a member of the Emperor's Angels. His eyes scanned over a pile of reports, committing the details to memory. One might be forgiven for thinking that such an old man was not up to the task, but Nemo finished his reading with ease and promptly began to draft new orders for the soldiers under his command. This was just a day like any other except a ship had just landed and a letter was being delivered.

There was a knock on the door to Watch Captain Nemo's room. The old marine simply looked at his door and with a small grunt stood up from his chair. He grabbed his helmet from off the table and placed it atop his head, sealing his face within the ceramite plates. After a moment of darkness the HUD lit up and began loading the software. Nemo grabbed a large wooden cane from beside his desk and slowly made his way over to the door. As he approached, the heavy metal slid up and opened. Standing at the doorway was a mortal serf who stood nervously at attention only breaking posture after Nemo returned the salute. The white mask muffled his voice, but the young man was clear enough to understand even with Nemo's slowly degrading hearing.

"Watch Commander Agathon had summoned you my Lord Captain. He says its urgent." The mortal's voice was quiet and slightly shaky, but still loud enough to be heard.

"I am not your Lord, mortal. If it is urgent, then I may be required to return to combat. Grab my pistol from its plinth and bring it to me." With the proclamation given, the two walked into the room on the far side, just past the bed was a small almost ceremonial stand upon which sat a plasma pistol it was a simple black gun, with only the muzzle and cooling vents holding a silvery sheen. The top of the weapon glowed a dazzling blue almost like looking into a pool of water. The weapon was freshly loaded as the glowing gases held in the ammo reservoir pulsed energetically like a small sun. In the hands of the serf, it was almost the size of a rifle. He brought it over to Captain Nemo who was busy sheathing an elegant looking sword on his hip. He grabbed the pistol from the mortal and its magnetically locked onto his leg right next to the sword. When Nemo was ready he spoke to the serf: "Thank you mortal, now take me to the Watch Commander."

The walk to the Commander was far longer than it would normally take for your average marine. The slow gait of the Watch Captain combined with him wearing his wargear made for a sight that caused even the most unflappable members of the Deathguard to begin whispering. Some even stopped him to ask what was happening only to receive a dismissal. Watch Commander Agathon stood in front of a large circular map of the Ultima Segmentum. On the map several spots were marked with various icons and in different colors. Surrounding the map were various cogitators each one manned by a member of the Martian Priesthood wearing their distinct red robes and some even being followed by a servo skull or a wielding a mechadendrite. The Commander looked up from his map as the Captain entered. By his side was a rare sight that commanded the presence of almost all in the room. A soldier stood there clad in resplendent Auramite plate from head to toe with a plume of red fur flowing from the top of his pointed helmet. Upon seeing the arriving Captain the Custodian stepped forward and before the Watch Commander could say anything, addressed Nemo.

"Watch Captain Nemo. Registration Number 3." The golden one's voice boomed over the din of those in the command center stopping everyone in their actions and silencing all noise. The question was spoken almost as if it was a demand. Yet Nemo responded almost sounding even older if that were possible. "I am he."

"By Order of the Lord Sigillite, your penance has been completed. You are to be reinstated with a chapter of the Adeptus Astartes at the earliest possible convenience. You are free to keep any weapons you wish to take with you and are ordered to leave Watch Fortress Mortguard immediately upon having gathered the items that you wish to take with you." The proclamation stunned all within the room. Not only had the Lord sigillate been dead for ten thousand years, but an order had been given to reinstate old man Nemo. The thought was so inthinkable even the Watch Commander was stunned into silence a look of shock appeared on his face. The golden giant turned and left his mission obviously completed.

It wasn't until he had completely walked out of sight that the room seemed to spring back into action. Agathon turned towards Nemo with a stunned look on his face.

"Never would I have thought I would see the day that you would be recalled, I had thought that you would outlive me as well. Nemo, you may take with you your armor I'll requisition it from whatever chapter you end up rejoining. A ship will take you to wherever you wish."

"I require usage of the Astropathic Choir first, Watch Commander. I need to ascertain the location of the Vigil. I am aware that they operate primarily within and around the Tempestus Segemntum, however Kill Team Ultimus encountered them on the border of Ultima Segementum 25 years ago fighting a war against a splinter fleet of Hive Fleet Behemoth that was en route to a genestealer cult that we were in the process of purging. Kill Team Leader Diocletian, included mentioned that they expected to remain in the area for the next 50 years to "ensure the destruction of the Tyranids and their spawn." The old man's declaration only caused confusion to appear in the eyes of the Watch Commander.

"You intend to join the Red Scorpions? And here I thought that we would finally gain a hint as to the origin of your gene-seed. Speaking of which, you requested many times to have your Progenoid gland harvested and held in case of collection by Terra. Will you be taking them with you?"

"The Red Scorpions are of my blood, but they have strayed partially. I must go to correct my brothers. I will be taking the gene-seed cultures with me for usage by the Le-Chapter. I believe by my last count I had 527 cultures harvested with 19 sent to Mars for purity monitoring. Have you required the usage of any of them?"

"We have only used eight by my count. You will be given the other 500 upon your leaving. I will send word to Choirmaster Morel to prepare the choir. Will you require any help in collecting your belongings?"

"The only possessions I have are the weapons on my waist although if you could send a serf to collect and distribute the responses I have penned to the kill teams under my command, I would be grateful. They should be on my desk."

"Of course. Best be off then captain. I will have your departure prepared for when you return." He turned and summoned a mortal over to him with a gesture and as Nemo walked out of the command center, began giving orders. "Mortal retrieve the parchments on the desk from former Captain Nemo's quarters and alert a cleaning team to preserve the room as is. From this moment onwards I will declare the room off limits except for maintenance crews. Scribe, make certain that my orders are transmitted throughout the Fortress. I intend to remove the room from active use until a new Captain can be promoted. Watch Commanders Sevrion, Maxen, and Thrax will assume command of Nemo's kill teams to replace the teams they lost in combat."

"It will be done my Lord." The Serf and Scribe said in unison and moved off to perform their duties.

"Sergeant Marael, report to my quarters immediately and bring with you the package I spoke of." Agathon spoke into a vox unit built into his armor and a voice answered. "I will be there shortly Watch Commander, however the project has yet to be completed." The voice seemed apologetic but much emotion was lost due to vox interference. "Then work faster Sergeant, your deadline has been reduced to an hour." The vox shut off with a harsh static and crackling sound and a Tech-Priest moved immediately to Agathon's side.

"My Lord," He spoke in a pleading voice. "Please allow me to appease the machine spirit of your sacred armor's vox. It has been crying out for days now and I fear anymore waiting on this issue will cause more damage than can be undone."

"Very well Magom. This will be more annoying than detrimental. Can you perform the required rites here or will I need to remove my armor?" Agathon seemed resigned as he questioned the red robed priest

"Canon dictates that you need not remove your armor, but you have put off your required maintenance for far too long and Magos Vaella has ordered me to remind you that she will not allow you to continue operations if you continue to delay the required canticles and blessings to the machine spirits. She has threatened to force your armor to walk you down to the temple should you continue to prove uncooperative." There was far too much amusement in the voice of the priest for the Commander's liking even if he could admit that the visual of his armor ferrying him along was funny.

"Very well then, let us depart swiftly. Scribe. Inform Captain Seraphus that he is to continue monitoring the operations against the Tau until I return and if anything, major is to come about then he is to contact me immediately." The Captain began walking away from his post intentionally keeping a pace far faster than a mortal's walking speed. Space Marine and Tech-Priest walked quickly with the mortal running after the Captain who merely calmly walked to a nearby lift and descended into the depths of the fortress. A smile was visible to all as he watched Magom desperately try to keep up with the much larger man.