September 1st 2186
I am here, in orbit above Menkent with the rest of the high ranking members of the 117th. Chapter Master Efren called an emergency meeting with everyone of the 117th Salamanders. As I arrived, I was expecting to be greeted like we normally are, loud explosions and greetings over the comms but not this time. This time was different, quiet, too quiet for the 117th. Me and my crew drifted closer, the only sounds were our ship drifting in space and the quiet breathing of my crew. We docked near the rest of the ships and I tried to call out to them, All silent. I looked out at the Flame of Liberty, Lieutenant Ghost’s ship. It was silent, very unlike my Lieutenant. I drifted closer and spotted the Mother of Democracy, Captain ThunderBowelz’s ship. He was always so loud and made his presence known but this time his ship was quiet, no rowdy war cries from his ork crew, just silence.
Immediately over the comms came Chapter Master Efren. I knew he would know something but his voice was different. His voice came through the comms as strangely calm and distorted. He spoke, saying “Welcome, my beloved Salamanders. Today we come together as siblings to talk about the Void. As we all know, we recently were on the frontlines to defeat the Void but when I was there, it spoke to me. The Void was calm and beautiful, letting me see things I’ve never dreamed of. As of now, the 117th Salamanders are defecting from the Freedom Alliance and are joining the Illuminate and the Void. Those of you who will join sound off.” Suddenly almost half the fleet started blaring their horns. My crew looked at me with fear as I stared out the windows at the fleet. Efren came over the comms again. He said “All who disagree will end up like the traitorous Rupture Captain Flyin and the 7th Komodo’s.” My ship received a message and inside was the destroyed battle grounds of the 7th Komodo’s, their flag still flying even when damaged. My crew froze in horror. They looked to me and saw me standing still, looking strong as ever but under my helmet, I was scared. Scared that I lost another home to this Galactic War. Immediately the ship became under fire along with other ships in the fleet. I ordered the crew to jump to hyperspace as fast as possible. I ordered them not to shoot back. I saw other Salamanders manage to get away and before we could jump to space, I heard Efren over the comms again. He said “You traitors can all run, but the Void will find you.” Still in his calm voice as if he didn’t just fire upon his own brothers and sisters.
The blue light of hyper space covered the deck as we managed to get away. The crew looked to me again and I spoke, “Prepare relays and locate any Salamanders who haven’t been corrupted and call out to our allies in the Freedom Alliance. Tell them to send aid to help rescue the 117th.” I immediately walk away to my personal quarters. I took off my helmet and collapsed on the floor as I tried to take deep breaths. I looked at my desk and saw the photo I took with my friends at my Captain’s Ceremony. I looked at my calendar and saw the date Sept 11th circled. Sept 11th was the day I joined the 117th, exactly one year ago now, my anniversary.I sighed and promised to the photo that I would save my siblings, no matter the cost so we can celebrate properly. I put on my helmet and said, “May the Emperor guide me. Onto the Anvil siblings.”
