Warhammer 40k : Space Marine Kayvaan

The lead Sister of Battle, a stern woman named Elizabeth, arched an eyebrow at the remark. Her cold, commanding tone cut through the air. "They disembarked earlier. You must be Marlborough. Let's find a private room to talk. There's much we need to discuss, Deputy Commander."

While this was happening, far away in the jungle, Kayvaan and Darius were carrying out their mission. Earlier, the Valkyrie transport had hovered just above the treetops. The moment the hatch opened, the two scouts leapt out, disappearing into the dense canopy. By the time their boots hit the ground, they were invisible, thanks to the advanced camo-cloaks they wore. These holy garments, paired with their black bodygloves, made it almost impossible to spot them, even if someone stood a few feet away.

"Captain, are you there?" Darius's voice came through the vox-link, low and steady.

"I'm here," Kayvaan replied. "Switch to the new variable frequency band for our communication. I've sent the channel details to your link."

"Got it."

"Good. Switch now," Kayvaan instructed. A brief burst of static filled their earpieces before the connection stabilized again. "Testing, testing. Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear," Darius confirmed.

"Perfect. Let's begin. Check your equipment," Kayvaan ordered.

Darius pressed his back against a large tree trunk, pulling the camo-cloak tighter around him for additional cover. Carefully, he began a meticulous inspection of his gear, piece by piece.

Kayvaan, ever the pragmatist, was obsessed with equipment. He believed that the defining trait of humanity wasn't just intelligence but the ability to wield tools. For him, superior equipment could compensate for any disadvantage in strength or skill. He often referenced the Mechanicus creed: "The flesh is weak, but the machine endures."

Every mission demanded customized tools, and Kayvaan ensured no detail was overlooked. For this particular operation, he'd equipped Darius with a Stalker-pattern bolter, modified for long-range engagements and fitted with a high-powered scope. The weapon, while simpler than the armaments used by veteran marksmen, was still a challenge for an inexperienced Neophyte.

Darius had been training relentlessly with it, spending hours each day disassembling and reassembling the bolter, practicing his aim on the range, and running simulations under Kayvaan's watchful eye. Despite his dedication, he was still struggling to master its full potential. The bolter's effective range extended to over a kilometer—far beyond what Darius was accustomed to.

Next was a black-painted carbon steel combat knife, razor-sharp and capable of piercing flak armor. Darius also carried a compact med-kit containing silk sutures, a small tool hook, and a box of spray-on coagulant agent. The kit also included stim-pens and three detoxification phials—rare and valuable items that could neutralize most toxins.

Additional gear included spare power cells for their stealth systems, three remote-controlled det-packs rigged to release a potent gas capable of sedating a grox, and a silenced autopistol loaded with toxin-coated rounds. Each tool had been chosen with care, ensuring they were ready for anything. 

"Inspection complete. All equipment is working perfectly."

Kayvaan chuckled, his tone relaxed. "A good start is half the battle, as they say. And we've got a good start. Now, stick to my instructions and head southwest. Stay low, watch your step, and leave no trace. Remember, we're dealing with an Eldar Ranger here. They can kill you before you even realize they're there."

Darius moved cautiously through the dense jungle, but it was far from easy. Every step seemed to betray him—branches snagged his gear, brittle twigs crunched underfoot, and the rustling grass left an unmistakable trail. Even startled birds fleeing into the canopy made him cringe.

Kayvaan's voice came through his vox-link, half amused and half exasperated. "Darius, you might as well carry a big, bright banner that says, 'Here I am! Please, shoot me!' Can't you move a little quieter? And watch your feet! What was that? Did you grow ogryn feet overnight? Breaking a branch like that in a jungle is like firing a flare—it's loud enough to wake the dead. Even a half-deaf scout could find you."

"Sorry, Captain," Darius replied sheepishly. "I'll try harder."

"Not just try harder," Kayvaan said, his voice turning cold. "Try to stay alive. The Eldar Ranger isn't just some sniper; they're an expert. And they love picking off amateurs like you."

Darius swallowed hard. "Do you think I'll have to fight?"

Kayvaan snorted. "Fight? You've been training for what—a month? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Don't underestimate the enemy. Just because they aren't human doesn't mean they're stupid. On the contrary, they're far more cunning than you can imagine. You're not ready for combat—especially not sniper warfare. For now, just watch, listen, learn, and ask questions. That's your mission this time."

"I understand, Captain," Darius said, pressing forward. "But… I have a question."

"Then ask it. Don't waste time."

"Is it really safe for us to talk like this?"

"Do you think your full-face helmet vox is some cheap knockoff? Don't worry. As long as we're not directly in front of the enemy, talking quietly won't get us killed."

"Got it." Darius hesitated before continuing. "What exactly is our goal? Are we just here to attack the Eldar from behind, capture a few, and leave?"

Kayvaan's voice held a note of approval. "Good question. I'm glad you're thinking ahead. I already explained the mission details—so, tell me. What do you think? Should we help the Inquisitor capture a few Eldar, scare off the rest, and let the Mechanicus magi get back to their archaeology?"

Darius frowned. "I… I don't know. Something feels off about all this."

"More than just off—it's downright strange," Kayvaan muttered. "What are the Eldar really up to? If they wanted this planet, they wouldn't just send a few Rangers. A few dozen of them couldn't hold this place even if they wiped out every Imperial soldier here. And if they're trying to lure reinforcements, their bait is pathetic. A border world like this? No one important cares about Fort Gallan. And the Rangers—they've just trapped the defense forces inside without doing anything noteworthy. So, what's their endgame?"

Darius asked quietly, "Then… what's our plan?"

"We find out," Kayvaan said firmly. "Making the right call depends on solid intel. Without it, even the best strategist is just guessing. That's our job as scouts—to gather intel. Now let's figure out what those Eldar are up to."

With a clear objective, Darius felt a little steadier. Soldiers were trained to focus on the goal, and once that was set, the rest boiled down to execution. "To figure out what the Eldar are doing, we have a few options," Kayvaan continued. "First, we can grab one and interrogate them. It's simple and effective—when it works. The problem is, Eldar are stubborn, and getting them to talk usually takes someone like Inquisitor Elizabeth."

Darius nodded, though Kayvaan couldn't see him. "What's the second option?"

"Track one of them," Kayvaan said. "If we follow them long enough, we're bound to learn something. But that's easier said than done. Tracking an Eldar Ranger is like chasing a shadow in a hurricane. Still, it's worth trying. If we succeed, the intel will be far more reliable than anything we get through torture."

Kayvaan paused before adding, "And then there's the easy way."

"What's that?"