A Rebirth

*they fall back to the ship*

*As they do so Narick is hit by a sniper, and several devastators open up on them, pinning them.*

Cador grabs narick and pulls him into cover

"Well fuck!"

*Aequitas is pinned with Snarl and Scorn.*

Aequitas: Fuck, fuck, fuck.....We need to help them.

scorn pulls out a two handed power axe while snarl pulls out a pair of power swords

Aequitas: Um...those aren't going to be much use against heavy weapons.

"Which is why..."
*he throws some kind of grenade. it detonates. its not a normal grenade though. it fills the optics on the astartes helmets with static, allowing the two to close with them very quickly and get hacking

*Aequitas rushes over to Narick and Cador.*

Aequitas *picking up Narick*: Give me a hand! We can't leave his equipment to be captured by the Imperials and....I don't want someone to have to tell his family we left him.

Cador: Dont worry lad, I got him *helps him pick him up*

they see several assault marine squads incoming however

Tileon *near the ship, his squad blaring away at the assault marines*: COME ON!! WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED!!

at which point
a squad of big meganobz tellyport inbetween the marines and the men
and get hacking at the astartes

*Aequitas helps Cador haul Narick back to the ship as Tileon and his squad cover the two neophytes.*

Cador checks for a pulse as the two dash back to the ship at full speed
Scorn: NOW THIS IS MORE LIKE IT!

*So does Aequitas....his arm drops sullenly.*

Tileon: COME ON YOU IDIOTS, OR WE'RE LEAVING WITHOUT!!!

they get aboard

Aequitas: He's...he's dead.

cador puts an arm around Aequitas as the ship lifts off

Aequitas: Just...fuck...things were going so well...

"Its okay. It wasnt your fault"

Aequitas: Yeah...I know...just...fuck....Shouldn't have been him. Should have been someone of lower rank....*It's clear his Yutegan logic is warring with his human nature.

he still has his arm around him
he pulls him close
"Let it out Kid. It'll feel better in the long run"

Aequitas: I'm fine...*He gets out from under Cador's arm and take Narick's body to the infirmary to be properly stored.*

Cador: *before he goes* Kid....if you ever want to talk...i'm here

Aequitas: I'm fine. There's a perfectly logical answer to this....I just need to find it.

he just nods

*He leaves to take Narick's body to the infirmary.*

Tileon *to Cador*: So, now what?

"Now we get back to consortium space *sighs* dammit I should have seen that sniper"

Tileon: You couldn't have known. Hell, he did his job damn well. Didn't even see where the shot came from.

he sighs

Tileon: Right...I'll tell the pilots to set a course for home...we need to get our findings to the Council. *Leaves to tell the pilots to get them home.*

he goes to the infirmery

*Aequitas has just finished working with the doctors to store Narick's body.*

"Hey kid"

Aequitas: What is it?

"We're headed home now."

Aequitas: Good.

"You okay?"

Aequitas: Frankly? No.

he sighs
"I understand. I've been where you are now"

Aequitas: Yeah....it's just...I can't find a logical reason for why him...I...fuck...

"I know. Look let me tell you something they probably dont tell you at the university. In battle, who dies has no logic to it. its usually who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Its the hardest part about war. But its something we all have to deal with"

Aequitas: No....they do...they just...*sighs* This is the difference between you and me and Yutega and Templum. We're taught how to deal with this....you and they had to deal with it since you were young.

he walks over to him
"Dont blame yourself. it wasnt your fault"

Aequitas: I know it wasn't....and I'm not blaming myself...just...don't know how to do deal with this. They train you how to deal with a squad mate dying but....Guess you're just never ready for the real thing...

he puts a hand on his shoulder
"Look. I know this is hard. If you need anything from me, you let me know, okay?"

Aequitas: Yeah...I will...I...I'm going to get some sleep, try and...I don't know...

"Good idea. get some rest. clear your head"

Aequitas: Yeah....*He leaves for the ship general quarters.*

*....meanwhile with scorn and snarl i guess*
Scorn: *sharpening his axe* well we finally got to spill some blood. that was fun
Snarl: yeah....shame about the boss though. 
Scorn: shoulda found that sniper and took his head. Made him pay
Snarl: yeah...next time

*Aequitas walks past them.&

Snarl: hey....aequitas was it?