[You stand motionless, expressionless, as you slowly spread your massive arms, crisscrossed with plasteel interface ports.]
[A white-haired tech-sergeant maneuvers the servo arms of his power pack, methodically installing the base components of your power armor.]
[You have received an ancient Saturnine-pattern Terminator armor set, a gift from the Chapter Master.]
[A heavy Adamantium exoskeleton encases your body.]
[Countless electro-muscle fibers link to your plasteel interfaces, granting mobility to the black ceramite plating.]
[As additional layers of reinforced ceramite are installed, a myriad of probe sensors gradually connect with your neural pathways.]
[Finally, when you don the metal helm—shaped like a canid beast, yet engraved with the gaping maw of a shark—]
[The low hum of the augur array comes to life.]
[Motion sensors and threat detection systems activate at your command.]
[This Terminator armor, far more formidable and complex than standard power armor, elevates your combat capabilities to a new level.]
[With the process complete, the tech-sergeant asks if you wish to have a personal totem painted onto your shoulder plate.]
[This is a favored pastime among the Space Sharks, though engraving battle honors requires Chapter authorization.]
[After some thought, you instruct him to paint a wolf's head.]
[The tech-sergeant stares at you in confusion.]
[He asks what a "wolf" is—whether it is some ancient animal totem.]
[Unable to help yourself, you remove your helmet with a sigh, explaining what a wolf looks like.]
[Not long after, you emerge from the mid-deck chamber, expressionless, with a grotesquely twisted beast now emblazoned on one shoulder plate.]
[You decide to change the totem later—perhaps to a Void Kraken next time.]
[At least then, the white-haired tech-sergeant might have some basic frame of reference.]
[You return to the lower deck.]
[You assign Spongi to guard your personal quarters and ensure he is provided with rations.]
[With the Chapter fleet well-stocked with supplies, a little indulgence is permissible—especially since these rations come from your personal allotment.]
[You enter the training hall, meeting your recon squad for the first time.]
[They are mostly silent Astartes warriors.]
[Only a few familiar faces approach, offering brief words of congratulations on your acquisition of the Terminator armor.]
[You pay it no mind.]
[Gathering your thoughts, you deliver the orders from Chapter Master Tyberos.]
[You are to accompany Third Company Captain Shavan.]
[Your destination: the Atagatis system, within the Carrion Stars, to conduct a blood tithe trade with the Ashen Claws warband.]
[Since Chapter Master Tyberos will personally oversee the Gray Tithe exchange with the miserly machine-lords,]
[Your escort duty falls instead to Librarian Te Kahurangi.]
[In the second week, the White Maw, a Tyrant-class cruiser, bursts from the turbulent, treacherous warp.]
[The Geller field stabilizes, returning the ship to calm.]
[The ever-present Warp entities have, once again, failed to breach its defenses.]
[You have arrived in the Atagatis system.]
[A chaotic expanse littered with asteroid fragments and drifting wreckage—an ideal refuge for void pirates and renegade warbands.]
[Through your helmet's vox-link, you receive orders from Captain Shavan.]
[You instruct your squad to prepare for landing.]
[You rendezvous with Captain Shavan.]
[And for the first time, you meet Librarian Te Kahurangi.]
[Encased in Terminator armor, you execute the Chapter's formal salute.]
[To your surprise, a faint smile touches the Librarian's pale, gaunt face.]
[Such open expression is rare among the Space Sharks.]
[You board a Thunderhawk, en route to the Ashen Claws' stronghold on Atagatis Prime.]
[A warning from Captain Shavan:]
[The Ashen Claws Astartes are difficult to deal with—faithless warriors who fight only for themselves.]
[You grin, baring shark-like teeth.]
[Lowering your gaze, you inspect your bolter and chain-axe.]
[As time passes, the Thunderhawk descends toward the planet's barren, dust-choked surface.]
[You and your squad leap from the drop bay first.]
[Bolters primed. Chainswords ready to roar to life.]
[Your augur array and auspex detect an Astartes clad in black-and-red warplate—flanked by thirty mortal warriors.]
[These humans wear crude furs yet wield Lock-pattern bolters.]
[You raise a hand, signaling your squad to stay alert.]
[You step forward, initiating first contact.]
[He introduces himself as Saex, a sergeant of the Ashen Claws' First Company, here to receive the Carcharodons.]
[Turning, you report this to Captain Shavan and Librarian Te Kahurangi.]
[Under Saex's escort, you proceed to the Ashen Claws' stronghold: the Lost Eyrie.]
[You remain on high alert, fingers tight around your bolter's grip.]
[Your path winds through jagged mountains, past roaring forges and food storage vaults.]
[You witness unusual sights along the way.]
[Mortal warriors dining alongside Astartes.]
[An Astartes in close quarters with a mortal woman.]
[After multiple grav-lifts and a maze of subterranean tunnels,]
[You finally arrive before the great hall—its doors marked by warband sigils and a black raven.]
["Captain Shavan of the Carcharodons, halt here," Saex says respectfully.]
["You may enter with a select few. The rest must remain outside."]
[Shavan and the Librarian exchange a glance.]
[Te Kahurangi departs with his apprentices.]
[Shavan turns to you, his jet-black eyes locking onto yours.]
[You understand at once and step in line behind him.]
["Stay alert," his voice growls through every Space Shark's helm.]
[Expressionless, you tighten your grip on your bolter.]
[You and Shavan stride into the fire-lit great hall.]
[Across the chamber stands a towering figure in battered Terminator armor.]
[The warlord of the Ashen Claws—Nehart.]
["You Carcharodons have some nerve coming here for business,"]
[His pale face, framed by long black hair, remains emotionless.]
["That bastard Tyberos stole my lightning claws. Tell me—how will you repay that debt?"]
[At his hoarse, anger-laden voice,]
[Your bolter lowers slightly, while your other hand drifts toward your axe hilt.]
[With an opening this volatile, the blood tithe trade may be doomed from the start.]
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