Catechism Of Hate by Gav Thorpe

close to being destroyed; we, the light of the Eastern Fringe, the heroes of Ultramar, the sons of Roboute Guilliman, protectors of the Codex. We are the first amongst a thousand in the minds of a trillion trillion men and women and our light guttered and almost died - on our own world!
    'We endured but there is a wound inside my soul that will not heal, and its pain is more bitter than any scar on my face and any puckered mark upon my body. It is an injury that cuts me to my core, virulent with the putrescence of failure that lights a fever in my heart. I hate the tyranids as water hates fire, and I would be the same and extinguish their presence with mine.
    'To hold on in a glorious last stand is as equally pointless as retreat. A Space Marine owes it to the Emperor and the Imperium to give his life only at great cost to the enemy. To await one's fate, to accept a death without meaning would be cowardice. I know the tyranids well and know how to hurt them; the Ultramarines will attack!
    'The task is daunting, but that is no reason not to attempt it. Remember this simple truth: Hatred finds a way. Where love for our brothers and Emperor might ultimately falter, hatred perseveres for eternity. It is the Emperor's greatest gift to us and we have nurtured it in our hearts these long years of disgrace. Set aside your doubts and know that hatred will see us revenged upon this foe.'
    'Hail the Emperor!' roared Dacia, slamming his fist to his chest in salute. 'Praise the primarch! Honour the Chapter!'
    The cry and salute were echoed by the other Ultramarines. There was a growl to the sergeant's voice as he stepped up close to Cassius. Dacia dropped to one knee. Behind him, the rest of the command followed suit, paying obeisance to their commander.
    'Show us the foe and we will slay them for you, brother. Forgive us the doubts of these past days.'
    'There will be no more doubt,' Cassius said, laying a hand on Dacia's bowed head, 'only death.'
     

CHAPTER VIII
     
    THE ULTRAMARINES MOUNTED up, full squads in the Rhinos, five-man combat squads in the heavily-armed Razorbacks. They headed slightly north of west, away from the Minoran Gradient, directly towards the volcanic uplands where the tyranids had made planetstrike. Behind the Ultramarines, Cordus Via was lit by the flicker of bolt-rounds and the blinding blast of the Titans' weapons as Ultramarines and Legio Fortitudis continued the pretence of defending the settlement, drawing the tyranids away from Cassius's line of advance.
    Smothered by the dark, the engines of their transports growling, the Space Marines were kilometres away when Cassius received a final signal from Princeps Jasyn. The Titan commander's tone was hushed.
    'No more defensive fire registering from Cordus Via, Chaplain. The last of your warriors has fallen. They took a heavy toll of their foes. We will honour their sacrifice.'
    'They will be remembered,' replied the Chaplain. 'Join the defence of Plains Fall, princeps. You have the gratitude of the Ultramarines.'
    'We will incinerate Cordus Via before we depart, to ensure the bodies of your dead are not defiled by these hideous creatures. We will re-arm and return. The Legio Fortitudis will lead the counterattack when Arka commands it and we will be reunited soon enough, Chaplain Cassius. May the spirits of your weapons stay true and may the Omnissiah grant you his divine knowledge to destroy this enemy.'
    'Ave Imperator dominus,' Cassius said before closing the link.
    He moved from the front of the Rhino to the main compartment, where Dacia and his squad were sat on the benches to either side; the seven surviving veterans were acting as honour guard to the Master of Sanctity. Cassius crossed to the rear door controls and lowered the ramp halfway. Above its rim could be seen the glow of Cordus Via burning on the horizon as Dominatus Rex turned its volcano cannons on the waystation. The depot ignited with a huge fireball that raced into the air, illuminating the