Ajax heaved the five foot by five foot stone block atop the last along with Dornus. In the hot sun of the day the scouts had decided to remove their armour and upper clothing, thick, waxy sweat dripping down their bulky torsos as if it were raining the stuff.

“Tell me the servitors are finished with that last shop!” Dornus called to Ajax.

“Sergeant! How’s the last structure doing?!” Ajax called over to Arphestus, who was working along with Teriun and Zanal.

“All locked up and ready, just waiting on you whelps!” Arphestus boomed back with a chuckle.

Ajax turned back and doubled the pace her lifted the blocks. Dornus did much the same, almost throwing the blocks atop one another. Ajax threw up the last grey cube and jogged to the wooden beams that would make up the roof. Dornus followed quickly behind with another beam and ran up the side of a newly constructed wall to face each other. The duo aligned the beams into grooves and leaned them together to meet in the middle to make a link. The process was repeated five more times in under two minutes before they both leapt down and dusted of their palms.

“Never thought I’d be doing a servitors job before becoming a servitor.” Dornus said wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“Aye, shame we shot the city half to shit, then we’d have the serfs to do our job for us.” Ajax replied before slumping down with the rest of his squad.

“I forgot to ask, what was your final count?” Ajax asked Dornus.

“Two hundred, twenty seven.”

“Mighty fine numbers.”

“Hundred and eighty myself. Would have had more if that damned Razorback hadn’t interrupted.” Zanal huffed, the squad agreeing with a resounding ‘aye’.

“What of our losses? And civilian casualties?” Teriun asked in his quiet tone.

“Two battle brothers dead, eleven wounded. Twelve civilians dead by the hands of those bugs, dozens injured. Heard one battle brother died from over fifty of the insects tearing at his throat. The other apparently was crushed beneath one of the larger warship collapsing on him.” Arphestus recalled.

“Argh, poor way to die, a shame indeed.” Zanal added while twirling an Aquila pendant in his fingers.

The scouts turned to the sound of heavy footsteps to find a squad of four marines and Chaplain Diomedes walking the footpath leading into town. The chaplain carried his crozius Arcanum as always, but instead of his plasma pistol carried a wealth of scrolls, books, ointments and incense for his burners. Among the squad a retinue of serfs, servitors and artificers followed as well as a pair of servo skulls. The civilians that had mostly kept to themselves, remaining within the safety of their newly repaired homes, emerged. The few turned to a dozen, then thirty and soon most of the town was watching the holy man walk to the centre of town.

The civilians crowded about the chaplain marine as he stood atop a large ceramite pedestal his serfs had brought with them, a battle brother taking a place at each of the platforms corners, but still leaving enough room for ten or more natives to stand at each edge.

“Citizens of ‘Ponyville’! The greatest victory won during the past engagement is yours! While we do sweep away the enemy with flame and blade, so did you sweep away you fear! It was you who did hold to their courage, who did share such courage with your friends and families! And together you weathered the storm of savages and brutes, together you stand victorious this day! Such spirit does not go unrecognised or unrewarded by the Emperor, and so do I declare, on behalf of the reclusium of the emperor that this town be blessed with imperial privileges!”

“You tools for harvest and construction shall be the finest our forgery has to offer! Your roads guarded by the ever watchful eye of the chapter! Your town hall shall bear the imperial sigil, so that no filth shall taint your homes! A chapel shall be raised near your towns’ river, and shall provide sanctuary to all and any who seek it! Let the divine word speak this lands purity, and let his eye see it to be true!”

“He sure knows how to rouse the masses.” Dornus said.

“That’s probably why they made him chaplain.” Arphestus huffed.

A group of civilians, at least half of them children started walking towards Ajax and his squad. The lead adult was a magenta coloured female carrying a sky blue box, while many others carried tin boxes. Ajax could already smell baked goods, and wasn’t looking forward to turning them down, he could use something to eat.

“Hello there! Me and some others thought you’d perhaps like something to eat and drink. I’m not sure what you’d like, but we have quite a variety.” The purple woman proposed, opening the blue box, revealing it to be some form of portable cooler.

“Sorry miss, we’re not permitted the luxury of eating unless given leave-“ Arphestus began.

“Brothers! Did you leave your manners in the stars?!” Diomedes boomed from across the street.

“Sorry sir, but we have not been given leave.”

“Consider yourselves relieved! Now please, everyone, this is a time for celebration!” The chaplain roared in zeal as he gestured to the winged serfs that welded an intricate golden statue of an Aquila clutching a scroll above the entrance to the town hall.

“Drinks all around then.” Arphestus said shrugging to his squad.

The civilians handed out a variety of bottled drinks and baked goods out to the hulking scouts. Dornus caused a fair few gasps as he skipped the intricacies of in screwing a bottle of juice and simply bit the glass container off with a sharp crack, spitting the broken glass out harmlessly. The rest kept some sense of courtesy and practised their manners well. The crowd that grew ever larger also grew ever louder and more invigorated.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“All the theories that have surfaced so far have been simple guesswork, and personally I see any and all of them as likely as the last. The work of daemons is an uneasy and deceitful trail to follow, something few have ever mastered. And, unfortunately, it is those few who we have needed to call for. As much as their methods are cold, their results are undeniably exemplary.” Titus said, walking at a slow pace beside Celestia.

Celestias’ expression hadn’t changed from being deeply concerned for a while now, a feeling Titus could understand very well. They rounded a corner, closing the distance to the matriarchs’ throne room at a mediocre pace. Titus was pleasantly enjoying the well crafted decor of the natives’ castle, its interior not all too unlike his own, heavenly white stone walls climbing high above them both in great arches. It was good that he had found time to talk to the princess alone; he believed she should be properly briefed on the situation they both were in.

“I have a feeling you’re not going to tell me who these experts are.” Celestia stated with a cringe.

“Even if I truly knew who they were, I doubt I’d have the authority to tell you. This organisation is very illusive, all but a shadow that lingers behind the bulk of our forces.”

“Great. Uh, Captain...if you don’t mind.” Celestia noted as she slowed to a stop, facing Titus as she stood with her hands locked together.

“I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank you. To thank all of you. After what you’ve done your people are welcome to Equestria at any time.” Celestia said, a warm smile beaming at Titus.

“Thank you for your cooperation princess. And there’s no need to thank us, especially it still could have been us that caused all this in the first place.” Titus replied with a helpless shrug.

“Hey, you were caught up in events you couldn’t have avoided. You kept to yourselves where others would have stolen and enslaved. And above all your men died for our city, for our homes. There’s no way we can ever truly repay you.”

“Actually I think there is. You can grant me mercy as I make a fool of myself before your gracious lords and ladies.” Titus replied with a grin while Celestia held back a giggle, the two of them continuing there walk.

“Ah, politics. The bane of any commanders’ life, especially for one as unnaturally long as my own. I tell you Celestia, I’ve been breathing for one hundred and eighty years and walked upon the soils of nearly fifty worlds and there is one thing that never changes; the unbearable chore that is politics.” Titus growled as the throne room reached his sight.

“Oh stop complaining, you’ll be surprised at how easy this can be. And I doubt you’ll have to do much talking since I’m here.” Celestia reassured.

The two walked into the throne room, a wide hall akin to the size of a vehicle bay. Stained glass windows as tall as the ceiling ran the length of the hall, depicted strange yet pleasing pictures of planets, moons, suns and stars. On the marble floor ran a pink and magenta carpet that led to the throne. The throne was impressive, Titus wished he had one; which made him keep a mental note to inform the artificers to construct him a new throne. At the foot of the short set of stairs leading to the golden chair stood a collection of what Titus assumed to be politicians and nobles. Ten in all, some dresses in purely formal attire, others in what could only be guessed as the latest fashion trend. One Titus recognised to be Celestias’ sister, Luna, and another to be the young Captain Shining Armour.

Shining Armour. Titus had on multiple occasions try to wrap his mind around how their society chose such strange names, but ultimately came up with the same solution; he didn’t question what was not his to understand. The native hierarchs aside from Luna took a deep bow as Celestia walked up and passed them, the princess striding up the stairs to take a seat in her throne. Surprisingly enough the natives then turned and took a second bow, only this time directed to the alien captain, even Luna smiled as she gave a firm tilt of the head. Titus saw it only fitting to return such courtesy and took a short bow himself.

“Right, is everypony here? Good. Now I hope you’re all in good health and that our space marine acquaintances have repaired any damages you may have suffered during the conflict. Well then, I think now would be a good time to turn our attention to Captain Titus, and he will explain what his force’ plans are for the foreseeable future.” Celestia finished gesturing to Titus.

Titus was caught off guard and turned to Celestia with a surprised look on his scarred face. Celestia responded by shrugging, a dumb look on her snowy features. Titus shook his head with a helpless grin and turned back to look at the hierarchs.

“Since our forces have tracked the daemonic presence all the way to the griffin lands in the north we cannot be certain how far their influence may stretch. Due to such dangerous and uneasy circumstances we must keep Equestria under a lockdown and curfew effect. All citizens are to be within their homes by nine pee-em, no exceptions. Regular inspections will be carried out by chaplains and librarians through your streets as a security measure. Cargo travelling into the country will be thoroughly checked, and visitors will be turned away with no exceptions.”

“Know this; the works and tricks of daemons are infectious and formidable, nearly unnoticeable to the eyes of mortals. To maintain security where we have no permission to search is of the upmost importance, and we will need your cooperation to achieve this. Watch your neighbours, friends, families and even yourselves with great care, the dark influences are like a plague and must be extinguished as soon as they can. If you notice unusual or disruptive behaviour from anyone, report it to the nearest Astarte and clear the area. And finally, do not under any circumstances impede or disrupt the work of the Adeptus Astarte, not even when you have news of a possible daemonic presence.”

“With all this regimes in motion we can expel any threat hiding within your cities. As soon as we can confirm this country is free of taint, we shall begin our cleansing routines throughout the globe. Every empire, tribe and village will be inspected heavily in order to root out any more daemons in hiding. While we take up such a mission a portion of our forces will keep watch over the country from outposts spaced roughly ten kilometres apart, anything travelling in and out of the borders will be detected and either inspected or destroyed.”

Titus finished his speech with ease, leaving a long silence after he had spoken. A few seconds after he had finished Shining Armour raised his hand.

“Speak.” Titus said with a nod.

“This things, uh, ‘Demuns’ or whatever, how did they even get here in the first place. It’s just, I’ve never even heard of them until now.” Shining Armour asked.

“Well I doubt any craft has landed on this planet otherwise someone would have gotten word of it. So I’m guessing someone has summoned the creatures to this plain of existence. You must understand captain, daemons are not like living creatures that are born in this life, they are energy made from emotion and psychic fabric. They exist only in a realm parallel to our own, like an afterlife of sorts, being moulded from the hopes, hatred and fear of mortal beings. However such otherworldly creatures can be called and pulled through to this realm through the means of incantation, or more likely, a sacrifice.”

“So my guess is that many years ago, perhaps thousands, a cult of desperate individual summoned a daemon to your world by offering a mortals life as sacrifice. If the act was committed within the past couple of years then perhaps the daemon had survived in hiding amongst a society, most likely influencing its choices and ambitions. However I believe the one I have slain had been amongst the griffins for many years. To sustain its presence on this world it would need to feed of sacrifices and souls of the living, so this would mean the griffins have been in league with the dark powers for a while now, of their own choosing or out of fear I cannot tell.”

Shining Armour and the others showed a slideshow of expressions; confusion, concern and fear being the primary ones Titus picked up the most. Even the princesses looked at each other, keeping calm faces, but Titus could smell their fear just as well as the others.

“And w-what do these things look like?” A noble mortal dressed in a purple coat with a high collar asked, his voice quivering slightly.

“I will not lie; daemons are normally very unpleasant to lay eyes on. They will inspire fear and panic into your hearts. However there are very simple means of defence against these creatures. Fear, anger, jealousy and sorrow are all what daemons are made from, and to emit these emotions will only draw it nearer to you. It will be most likely that you will only encounter a mediocre sized daemon alone, anything larger, and my space marines will most likely already be fighting to banish it. Considering this means you only need to extinguish your fears in order to repel the monster. A common technique is to kneel whilst holding a item of spiritual importance such as a pendant, ring, photograph or book and speak words of reassurance to yourself. Fill your thoughts with calming memories of loved ones or enjoyable moments you have experienced and the daemon will become somewhat blinded to you, having nothing catching its scent.”

The mortals all nodded enthusiastically at the captains’ words, some even writing them down.

“I hear thou servants’ art constructing chapels and shrines throughout Canterlot and Ponyville. We are not complaining, but whateth is thy significance of such structures?” Luna asked softly.

The captain had noticed how much better the acclaimed ‘princess of the moon’ took to him and his space marines. This pleased Titus greatly; there was little worse than a matriarch with a grudge.

“Ah yes your highness, they hold a great significance. Such structures are extremely effective repellents to daemons, the holy influence of our Emperor holding enormous sway over the creatures. The runes, gargoyles and relics held within ensure the buildings immunity to daemonic presence, and even discourages and weakens daemons that wander to the land they are situated on. The shrines hold ammunition and weapons, while the chapels are places of sanctuary and shelter. We urge your populace to visit such chapels regularly, and are welcome to pray to whomever they worship or love within their walls.”

Once again all those present took notes and shared pleased expressions. However a great disturbance rang through the hall, an echoing roll of thunder along with a low booming sound. All those present looked around in fear, even the princesses, but not Titus. Titus kept his stony face expressionless and turned to one of the stained glass windows to see a flock of dark shapes in the sky. The others followed his gaze and turned to see the strange objects in the sky. The group turned and began rushing to the far doors to go outside, Titus calmly following them.

They reached the doors and rushed through into the balcony that looked out over the vast plains and towering mountains of their country. However the focus of that moment was on the skies. Above the plains and mountains floated at least forty titanic ships, ranging from the size of Canterlot to the size of the mountain the city hung from. Four ships were so large they must have spanned the length of the grassy plains beneath them, fifteen kilometres from bow to stern. One floated within the centre of the rest, a behemoth of a craft, a machine with no peer. Even though it was easily a mile in the sky and half a dozen kilometres away the group still couldn’t take in its vast mass easily.

The ‘Emperor’ class flagship was bristling with weapons of all sizes, enough firepower to turn the country to ash in under half a day. A mighty city sat atop its deck, easily twenty Canterlots’ all gathered under the watch of an enormous statue of a praying, hooded angel. Its plough was a pure white trimmed with a gold that magnified the beauty of the sun a thousand fold. The dozens of lesser ships all floated about it like flies hovering above a grazing bull.

A full six minutes passed with the mortals and princesses alike staring up at the fleet, mouth hung loose in the utter inability to comprehend such machinery. Celestia then slowly turned to Titus her eyes locked forward all the way while her mouth remained fixed open. Titus turned to the princess, raised an eyebrow and shrugged, paying her back for earlier. The princess couldn’t find the words to put to such a sight, a sight of such power and majesty wasn’t meant for mortals to ever fully get used to let alone see for the first time without drooling like an infant. Titus turned and took a slight bow while gesturing an open hand to the fleet.

“The Halo Skulls chapter; at your services my fair lady.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The large bulk of frigate ‘Fist of the stars’ fit beside just like its sister had done the day before. From the four hangar bays at its port emerged a loading ramp that met the edge of the docks furthest walkway. The giant blast doors cried their warning as they slowly slid open, fog lights illuminating the inside as if it led to the gates of heaven itself. From the doors marched two five by ten columns of space marine, their footsteps in perfect synchronicity. At their rear marched two squads of five cream helmed veterans, and at their rear marched a squad of five terminators. But before them all marched a squad of six.

Five were clad in golden trimmed power armour, adorned with a vast variety of honour scrolls, purity seals and warding sigils. The Astarte at the centre of the group walked slightly ahead of the rest, his adamantine mantle and loincloth fluttering as he walked at what would be a run for any mortal. His armour was ling with gold and crafted to the finest capabilities of the finest artificers, his stature undeniable. His face was old and lined with more scars than any would think possible, making him look his age. Four service studs sat riveted into the forehead of his skull along with an imperial Aquila between his eyebrows. His head was bald, yet two thick sideburns flared from either side of his head, the hair starting a fiery red before ageing to a light grey.

At the other end of the docks’ walkway stood Captain Titus, behind him the princesses and nobles from earlier. Titus stood at attention like a statue, his hands fixed to his sides and chin locked slightly upwards. The astarte picked up his pace as he neared Titus, and looked almost as if he was going to charge the captain. Not thirty feet away did the Astarte break into a jog and slam into Titus, his arms swinging wide to wrap him in a tight embrace. Titus relaxed and allowed himself to grin as he threw his arms over his Chapter master and returned the unnecessary display of affection.

“I thought I’d lost yeh all m’boy.” Chapter master Freadium breathed before letting Titus go and pulled back, placing his hands on the captains’ pauldrons.

“Yeh think yeh can just get outta your scrollwork by getting gobbled up by a warp storm, yer crafty lad!” Freadium chuckled heartily, patting Titus on the shoulder.

“It’s good to see you again my lord. We were wondering if you’d ever show up.” Titus replied, beaming wide.

“Eh, we decided teh take the scenic route.” Freadium said laughing as his arms dropped to his sides.

Freadium eyes caught sight of the group behind Titus, most notably the two princesses.

“And these must be the lot Isaac told us about.” Freadium started before walking up to the princesses, taking their hand and bowing to one then the other.

“A pleasure tah meet the booth of yeh. And yeh have me thanks fer lookin’ after this horrible lot! My apologies fer dumpin’ all the ones we’d had enough of on yeh!” Freadium boomed, turning his wide smile towards Titus who in turn had been grinning for far too long now.

“Aye, hope they didn’ cause a mess.”

“A pleasure to meet you, uhm.....” Celestia courtly began.

“Chapter master Freadium Baron, lord of the Halo Skulls. Consider my astartes and machines at your request Miss...”

“Oh, Celestia, Princess Celestia. And this is my younger sister, Princess Luna.” Celestia replied to the giant warlord, placing her hands on her sisters shoulders.

“How doth thou do?” Luna replied with a slight curtsy.

“Well me fair Princess Luna and Celestia, should yeh find yerself in need of our services, your voice will be heard. Though I fear our resources will be in full use soon and fer a whoil by the looks of et.”

“We fully understand, and I assure you that we shall deliver our full cooperation.” Celestia reassured.

“That’s mighty fine of yeh milady, we’ll do our best to get this all over and dun with as soon as we can. Now! I ain’t had a bloody bite teh eat in a week after worryin’ about this one over ‘ere! So ‘ow many daemons do I have to catch to get some bread an’ wine?!”