Editing Exodus (Rising Sons) (section)

===Chapter 3===

Inquisitor Octavianus stood as the bow of the Imperial ship ''His Just Punishment'', a colossal ship that dwarfed the two escort vessels at its side. Of all the testaments to the Forge Worlds of the Imperium, ''His Just Punishment'' is one of the finest. Nothing embodies the power of the Golden Throne quite like a retribution class battleship. Whilst she was somewhat lacking a little in elegance and craftsmanship her purpose remained frighteningly transparent for all. Divine retribution.

The fleet had previously visited the planetary system of Sekai, the capital of Sub-Sector Yamato, part of the greater Segmentum Ultima. On that world, in front of a court of Khans, Shoguns, Senators and Priests he had declared the end of the Rising Son's rule of the sub-sector. He couldn't help but smirk at the thought of how the surviving Rising Sons had practically fled their home-world, rushing away from the Yamato sub-sector as quickly as they could; less Octavianus change his mind.

But there was yet judgement to carry out. 

As the fleet left the warp, the Inquisitor finally gazed upon the barren ruins of Tojo for the first time with his own eyes. If he felt pity or remorse for the people of that dead world, the cold glare of his blue eyes gave nothing away. ''His Just Punishment'' drew closer to Tojo itself, positioning itself above the planet. He turned his gaze away from the doomed planet, removing the Inquisitorial Insignia from around his neck. Reciting some obscure prayer, he placed the Insignia into the console beside him and turned.
“By his will.” He whispered.

The planet of Tojo has been part of the Imperium of Man since a time long since lost to the Imperial archives. A beautiful world, terran world filled with lush forests of every possible shade of green, while wild rivers flowed freely from the feet of colossal mountains that disappeared into the very clouds. It was also a densely populated world, the last survey done found a population of almost fifteen billion people. The majority of the planet's population were born and raised to die as part of the fanatical Imperial Ashigaru Regiment. 

It was not always like this though. Long ago, the Guardsmen of Tojo were founded to fight and die fighting against an unknown foe in a war which ended before the troops could ever be shipped out. Having been trained to act as little more then meat shields for Space Marine chapters such as the Raptors and Ultramarines, the men and women of the Ashigaru, indoctrinated to be fanatical in their lust for self-sacrifice, overthrew the planetary governor and proclaimed a military dictatorship. 

After thorough checks by the Inquisition of the Ordo Hereticus, the regime was found to be free of guilt and thus allowed to remain in power. What followed was the widespread conscription of the planetary population. Wives and husbands, parents and sons, brothers and sisters; all were torn apart as part of the conscription polices of this new, fanatical regime, doomed to never see each other again.

But all that was gone now, the Necron assault that had struck Tojo had ripped the flesh and soul from the planet, leaving only a barren, airless rock in its wake. 

The population had been utterly destroyed, the fortunate only having to suffer a quick death from Necron weaponry that stripped flesh from bone, molecule from molecule, in an instant. The less fortunate were kept alive for purposes known only to the Necron and perhaps few members of the Inquisition. Another proud planet of the Imperium had fallen.

Even from the deck of ''His Just Punishment'', Inquisitor Octavianus could see the magma bleeding from the planet like blood from an open wound. Orange and yellow lines covered the surface like the maniacal scribbles of a child. Tojo began to burn brightly, as if placed upon its very own funeral pyre. 

The sound of footsteps behind Octavianus made him turn his head, only to see Brother-Captain Basillius of the Grey Knights approaching. The pair nodded their heads in acknowledgement at each other's presence, before turning to watch the destruction of a world. 

Octavianus began to speak:
''“I have served our god the Emperor for longer then I can remember. I've seen the most horrific monstrosities and have fought daemons so vile in appearance that mortal men would be driven insane at a glance. Orks, Tyranids, heretics and daemons have all been felled by my blade, or have met death at my bolt pistol. Yet, if there is but one thing that truly terrifies me, it it seeing a planet being destroyed. This is the third time I have witnessed such an event... I doubt I will ever get used to it.”''

Basillius said nothing as he watched the two-stage cyclonic torpedo begin to penetrate Tojo, tearing through the crust of the planet like a power sword through flesh. The surface erupted into a blazing furnace of inconceivable heat. Although he knew it impossible, Octavianus could swear he felt warmth against his pale, gaunt face. Then the furnace subdued and for a moment Tojo looked like most planets did; peaceful.

It was the turbulence Octavianus felt first, almost causing him to loose balance. The entire ship began to shake. Octavianus quickly grasping for a rail lest he fall. The explosion itself soon followed;Tojo was gone.

''“The Emperor protects”'' Basillius coldly stated, before turning around and leaving the Inquisitor.

''“The Emperor protects...”'' Octavianus whispered to himself, simply starring out into the darkness of space. 

[[Category:Rising Sons]]