Blood and Honor: The Saga of Thaddeus Valen

Chapter 2: The Crimson Dawn

The year was 930.M30, a time of unparalleled conquest and turmoil. The Great Crusade, a galaxy-spanning campaign led by the Emperor of Mankind, aimed to reunite the scattered remnants of humanity under the banner of the Imperium. It was an age of heroes and legends, of towering Primarchs and their indomitable Legions.

Sanguinius, the Primarch of the Blood Angels, stood among the greatest of these heroes. Tall and majestic, with wings like those of an angel, Sanguinius was a beacon of hope and nobility. His golden hair and piercing blue eyes reflected both his grace and his unyielding resolve. Despite the horrors of war, he maintained a serene and compassionate demeanor, inspiring his sons to fight not just with strength, but with honor and virtue.

The Blood Angels, under Sanguinius's command, were known for their discipline and artistic inclinations, but also for the dark curse that plagued them—the Red Thirst. This insatiable bloodlust lay dormant within each Blood Angel, a constant battle between their noble ideals and the savage hunger that threatened to consume them. Yet, it was a secret closely guarded, known only to the Astartes themselves and a few trusted allies.

Thaddeus Valen, now a full-fledged Astartes, stood ready for his first real mission. The target was a rebel-held system, a once-loyal world that had turned its back on the Emperor. These rebels, emboldened by unknown forces, had begun to spread dissent and chaos, threatening the stability of nearby sectors. Intelligence suggested the involvement of ancient, malevolent entities, further complicating the already dire situation.

The mission was crucial for the Blood Angels. Sanguinius himself had emphasized the importance of maintaining order and loyalty within the Imperium. Any rebellion, no matter how small, was a direct threat to the Emperor's grand vision of unity and peace. The Blood Angels were to be the hammer that would crush this insurrection, restoring order and demonstrating the might of the Imperium.

As Thaddeus prepared for deployment, he couldn't help but reflect on the gravity of their task. The rebels were once fellow humans, now twisted by treachery and sedition. The Blood Angels were not just warriors; they were the Emperor's justice incarnate. Thaddeus knew that to falter in their duty would mean more than just failure; it would mean the spread of chaos and the erosion of everything they fought to protect.

Standing in the armory, Thaddeus donned his crimson armor, the power armor that marked him as one of the Emperor's chosen. Each piece of the armor was a blend of advanced technology and ancient craftsmanship, designed to turn a mere mortal into a living weapon. As the helmet sealed with a hiss, Thaddeus felt a surge of purpose. The trials he had endured, the transformation he had undergone—all led to this moment.

The drop pods were ready, their interiors lined with the symbols of the Blood Angels and the Emperor. Thaddeus joined his brothers, each one a paragon of strength and loyalty. The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose was palpable, a bond forged in the fires of war and the ideals of their Primarch.

Before they boarded, Thaddeus glanced at the image of Sanguinius painted on the wall of the embarkation deck. He felt a profound sense of duty and honor. This was their mission, their chance to prove themselves worthy of the legacy of the Blood Angels.

The command came, and the drop pods' doors began to close. The familiar clang of metal sealing them in darkness was accompanied by the rumble of engines. As they descended towards the rebel world, the anticipation grew. Thaddeus knew that this mission would test them in ways they had never imagined, and the shadows of an ancient threat loomed ever closer.

With a final jolt, the drop pod broke through the atmosphere, the countdown to deployment echoing in the confined space. Thaddeus clenched his fist around the hilt of his bolter, ready to face whatever awaited them below.

The PlanetFall

The descent was turbulent. The drop pod shook violently as it tore through the atmosphere, the sound of burning metal and roaring engines filling the confined space. Thaddeus gripped his bolter tightly, the weapon a comforting presence in the chaos. Around him, his brothers prepared themselves, their faces hidden behind the emotionless visors of their helmets. Each one a paragon of strength and resolve, ready to face the horrors that awaited them below.

The pod's internal vox crackled to life, the voice of Sergeant Kael cutting through the noise. "Prepare for landing! Stay sharp, brothers. The Emperor watches over us."

With a deafening crash, the drop pod slammed into the ground, the impact jarring but expected. The doors burst open, and the Blood Angels surged out into the blinding light of the alien sun. They were greeted by the chaotic sounds of battle—the sharp crack of lasguns, the roar of bolters, and the screams of the dying.

The world they had landed on was a verdant jungle, lush and teeming with life. But the beauty of the landscape was marred by the signs of war. Craters pockmarked the ground, and the bodies of fallen soldiers—both human and alien—lay strewn about, a grim testament to the conflict that had already begun.

Thaddeus moved with practiced precision, his bolter at the ready as he scanned the surroundings. The rebels were here, somewhere, hidden in the dense foliage. And with them, the ancient threat that had corrupted their hearts and minds.

Thaddeus Valen: "Stay close, brothers. We must secure a perimeter and hold until reinforcements arrive."

The squad moved as one, their movements fluid and coordinated. Thaddeus felt a surge of pride as he watched his brothers in action. They were the Emperor's finest, and they would not fail.

As they advanced, the jungle came alive with enemy fire. Lasbolts and primitive projectiles whizzed past, impacting the Blood Angels' armor with little effect. Thaddeus returned fire, his bolter roaring as he laid down suppressive fire, forcing the rebels back.

Sergeant Kael: "Thaddeus, take point! Clear us a path to that ridge!"

Thaddeus nodded, moving to the front of the squad. He advanced cautiously, his senses heightened. Every rustle of leaves, every flicker of movement was a potential threat. The rebels were cunning, using the terrain to their advantage.

Suddenly, a figure burst from the undergrowth, a crude blade raised high. Thaddeus reacted instinctively, his bolter barking twice. The rebel fell, blood spraying from the wounds. Thaddeus felt a pang of regret—it was a child, barely older than he had been when he first saw the Blood Angels. But there was no time for sorrow. War spared no one, and hesitation could mean death.

Thaddeus Valen: "Contact front! Keep moving, we can't let them pin us down!"

The squad pushed forward, the resistance growing fiercer with each step. Thaddeus's muscles burned, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But he pressed on, driven by duty and the knowledge that his brothers depended on him.

They reached the ridge, taking cover behind the rocky outcrop. From their vantage point, they could see the rebel camp below—a sprawling complex of hastily constructed fortifications and makeshift bunkers. The enemy was well-entrenched, and breaking through would be no easy task.

Sergeant Kael: "We need to take out their command structure. Thaddeus, you're with me. The rest of you, provide covering fire."

Thaddeus nodded, steeling himself for the assault. This was it—the moment of truth. Together, they would bring the Emperor's justice to these traitors. He glanced at his brothers, their faces hidden but their resolve clear. They were the Blood Angels, and they would not falter.

Thaddeus Valen: "For the Emperor! For Sanguinius!"

With a battle cry, they charged down the ridge, bolters blazing. The rebels met them with a hail of gunfire, but the Blood Angels pressed on, their armor absorbing the brunt of the attack. Thaddeus moved with lethal grace, his bolter tearing through enemy ranks.

As they closed in on the command bunker, a figure stepped out to meet them. Clad in ancient, corrupted armor, the rebel leader radiated an aura of malice and darkness. This was no ordinary enemy—it was a Chaos worshipper, twisted by the foul powers of the Warp.

Thaddeus felt a chill run down his spine. The presence of Chaos confirmed their worst fears. This rebellion was not just a matter of sedition; it was a corruption that threatened to spread and consume all in its path.

Sergeant Kael: "Thaddeus, with me! We take him down, now!"

They engaged the corrupted leader, a brutal melee of strength and skill. Thaddeus parried a blow aimed at his head, countering with a powerful strike that dented the enemy's armor. But the Chaos worshipper was relentless, his eyes burning with unholy fire.

Thaddeus Valen: "In the name of the Emperor, you will fall!"

The battle raged, with the clash of weapons and the roar of bolters echoing through the jungle. Thaddeus fought with all his might, every strike fueled by his faith and determination. He knew that they had to win, for the sake of the Imperium and the honor of the Blood Angels.

Thaddeus and Sergeant Kael charged towards the corrupted leader, the very air around them seeming to thicken with the presence of Chaos. The rebel leader, his armor twisted and corrupted by the dark powers of the Warp, swung a massive axe with unnatural strength.

Thaddeus Valen: "For the Emperor! For Sanguinius!" Thaddeus roared, his voice filled with unyielding determination.

The clash was brutal. Thaddeus parried a blow aimed at his head, countering with a powerful strike of his bolter, firing point-blank into the enemy's chest. The corrupted leader staggered but did not fall, his eyes glowing with unholy fire.

Sergeant Kael: "We end this now, Thaddeus!" Kael's voice was a battle-hardened growl as he struck with his chainsword, the weapon biting into the corrupted armor.

The leader of the rebels, a Chaos champion, fought back with ferocity. His axe met Kael's chainsword in a shower of sparks, and he lashed out with a force that sent Kael staggering. Thaddeus moved in, his bolter blazing, but the Chaos champion was relentless, his movements a blur of dark energy and violence.

Thaddeus Valen: "We will not be stopped!" Thaddeus shouted, his voice carrying over the din of battle. He swung his bolter like a club, the weapon's weight adding to the force of his blows.

The Chaos champion snarled, his voice a guttural hiss. "You are but pawns of a false Emperor. You will all perish!"

Thaddeus felt the weight of those words, but his resolve did not waver. "We are the Emperor's angels. We bring his light to the darkest places."

With a final, desperate surge, Thaddeus and Kael struck in unison. Kael's chainsword cleaved through the Chaos champion's arm, while Thaddeus's bolter shattered the helm, revealing a face twisted by corruption and hatred. The champion fell to his knees, a look of disbelief in his eyes as his lifeblood poured out onto the jungle floor.

Sergeant Kael: "It's done. Well fought, Thaddeus." Kael's voice was grim but filled with pride.

Thaddeus Valen: "We fight for the Emperor, always." Thaddeus's words were a vow, a promise of his unwavering dedication.

The battlefield fell silent, the remaining rebels either fleeing or surrendering in the face of the Blood Angels' relentless assault. Thaddeus looked around at his brothers, their armor scarred but their spirits unbroken. They had faced the darkness and emerged victorious.

But the battle was not without cost. Many of their brothers lay dead or wounded, their sacrifices a stark reminder of the grim reality of war. Thaddeus's heart ached for them, but he knew that their deaths were not in vain. They had fought for a cause greater than themselves, and their names would be honored.

Sergeant Kael: "Secure the area. We need to regroup and prepare for the next phase." Kael's voice brought Thaddeus back to the present.

As the Blood Angels set about their tasks, Thaddeus couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The presence of Chaos was a dire omen, one that hinted at darker threats lurking in the shadows. He knew that they would have to remain vigilant, for the enemies of the Imperium were many and relentless.

Thaddeus Valen: "We must be ready for anything," Thaddeus murmured to himself, his eyes scanning the horizon. "For the Emperor. For Sanguinius."

The Red Thirst

As the Blood Angels secured the perimeter, the jungle around them seemed to pulse with a sinister energy. Thaddeus could feel the weight of the recent battle pressing on his mind, but another sensation gnawed at him—a burning thirst that he had come to dread. It was the Red Thirst, a curse that plagued the sons of Sanguinius.

Thaddeus Valen: "Stay focused, Thaddeus," he muttered to himself, trying to push the growing hunger to the back of his mind.

Sergeant Kael noticed the tension in Thaddeus's stance. "Valen, report."

Thaddeus Valen: "The area is secure, Sergeant. But...the Thirst...it's growing stronger."

Kael's expression darkened. "Remember your training. Do not let it control you. You are stronger than this curse."

Thaddeus nodded, but the urge to unleash his fury was becoming harder to suppress. He looked around at his brothers, seeing the same struggle in their eyes. They were all fighting their own battles against the Red Thirst, a battle as fierce as any they faced on the battlefield.

Suddenly, the air was filled with the sound of distant screams. Thaddeus's senses sharpened, and he could smell the coppery scent of blood on the wind. The rebels had regrouped, and they were launching a desperate counterattack.

Sergeant Kael: "Form up! We need to hold this position!" Kael's voice was a rallying cry, pulling the Blood Angels into a defensive formation.

Thaddeus raised his bolter, his vision tinged with red. The rebels surged forward, a mass of frenzied attackers driven by desperation and madness. The Blood Angels met them head-on, their disciplined volleys cutting down scores of the enemy. But the sheer numbers were overwhelming.

Thaddeus Valen: "For the Emperor!" Thaddeus roared, his bolter spitting death at the advancing horde.

As the battle raged, Thaddeus felt the Red Thirst clawing at his mind, urging him to abandon his bolter and engage in brutal hand-to-hand combat. He resisted, focusing on his training and the teachings of Sanguinius. But when a rebel broke through the line and charged at him, something snapped.

Thaddeus dropped his bolter and drew his chainsword. With a feral snarl, he met the rebel's charge, the chainsword revving to life and tearing through flesh and bone. Blood sprayed across his armor, and Thaddeus felt a savage joy rising within him.

Sergeant Kael: "Valen, control yourself!" Kael's voice cut through the haze of bloodlust, a reminder of his duty.

But it was too late. The Red Thirst had taken hold, and Thaddeus was lost to its fury. He fought like a berserker, his chainsword carving a path of destruction through the enemy ranks. He no longer saw comrades or foes, only targets for his insatiable rage.

The battlefield became a slaughterhouse, and Thaddeus was at the center of it, a whirlwind of death and destruction. His brothers fought to keep the line, but they were also struggling with their own inner demons. The rebels, seeing the Blood Angels' ferocity, faltered and began to retreat.

As the enemy fled, Thaddeus stood amidst the c*****e, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His chainsword dripped with blood, and his vision slowly cleared. He looked around, seeing the horror on the faces of his brothers. They had won, but at what cost?

Sergeant Kael approached, his expression a mix of concern and resolve. "Valen, you fought well, but you must learn to master the Thirst. It is a part of us, but it does not define us."

Thaddeus Valen: "I...I will, Sergeant," Thaddeus said, his voice trembling with the effort to regain control.

Kael nodded, placing a hand on Thaddeus's shoulder. "We are the Blood Angels, and we fight not just against our enemies, but against ourselves. Remember that."

As the sun began to set over the jungle, Thaddeus felt a sense of dread settle over him. The battle was over, but the war within him had only just begun. He knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, both external and internal.

931.M30

The Great Crusade and Rising Tensions

The Great Crusade was in full swing, with the Emperor's Legions spreading the light of the Imperium across the galaxy. However, beneath the surface, discontent and suspicion simmered. The Emperor's return to Terra and his secretive project had created a rift between him and his Primarchs. Many, including Horus, the newly named Warmaster, felt abandoned and mistrusted.

Thaddeus Valen, now a fully-fledged Astartes of the Blood Angels, had heard whispers of discontent. While the Blood Angels remained steadfastly loyal to their Primarch, Sanguinius, and the Emperor, the undercurrents of unease within other Legions were hard to ignore.

The Blood Angels continued their campaigns, bringing the Emperor's light to the darkest corners of the galaxy. It had been a year since Thaddeus Valen was reborn as an Astartes. The Blood Angels had been engaged in various missions, quelling rebellions, and reclaiming lost worlds for the Imperium.

Aboard the Redemption of Baal

The Redemption of Baal was a majestic vessel, a fortress in space. Its hull was adorned with the sigils and heraldry of the Blood Angels, and its corridors echoed with the hymns of the Emperor. The ship was equipped with the most advanced technology the Imperium had to offer, and its armory held a vast array of weapons and armor, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.

Thaddeus and his brothers stood in formation aboard the Redemption of Baal, listening to their commanders. After one year on that planet, Thaddeus had proven himself countless times. During this year, he heard that the Emperor had returned to Terra and was planning something significant, yet he hadn't shared it with the Primarchs, which caused some tension. He also heard from the commanders that Lorgar and the Word Bearers were scolded and forced to kneel before the Emperor.

Tensions and doubts crept into the minds of many. No Primarch or Astartes should doubt the Emperor. If He did something, it was for a reason. "We must focus on uniting the galaxy," Thaddeus thought to himself.

The Word Bearers, led by Lorgar, had always been deeply spiritual, venerating the Emperor as a god. This devotion led to their chastisement when the Emperor, who promoted a secular vision for humanity, discovered their practices. Forced to kneel and repent, the Word Bearers' faith was shattered, and they began seeking new ways to fulfill their spiritual needs, setting the stage for darker influences to take root.

Captain Raldoron addressed the gathered Astartes, his voice steady and commanding. "Brothers, we have received new orders. A greenskin horde has been detected on the planet Gorgona Secundus. We are to engage and eliminate this threat before it can spread. Prepare for immediate deployment."

On the Surface of Gorgona Secundus

The Blood Angels descended upon the war-torn surface of Gorgona Secundus, the ground shaking beneath the impact of their drop pods. The air was thick with the smell of burning promethium and the guttural roars of Ork war cries. Thaddeus and his squad advanced through the dense jungle, their bolters ready.

Suddenly, an enormous Ork Warboss, clad in crude but formidable armor and wielding a massive power klaw, emerged from the foliage. His eyes glowed with a savage intelligence as he bellowed a challenge to the Blood Angels.

Ork Warboss Garlog Skullcrusher: "Humies! You'z in Garlog's turf now! Time ta die!"

Thaddeus tightened his grip on his bolter, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and