"I must confess, Chaplain, that I am at peace within the Deathwatch."<br/><br/>Sovreign was kneeling in front of the might skull adorned Chaplain, who's helmet seemed to glare accusingly on anyone who approached. As the only Space Marine in the Deathwatch he had a schedule of meetings in the Reclusiam outside the normal in between missions of the others. After all, you couldn't trust a Mantis Warrior to uphold his spiritual integrity for more than a week at a time. The sins of Khoisan Neotera and<em>his</em>Mantis Warriors still reverberated through the chapter, their homeworld taken away from them, slowly dying with each Brother that died on the battlefield. And oh did they die. Driven almost insane by their fervor and ferocious will to redeem themselves the Mantis Warriors threw themselves on anything that they were pointed at. Ever since the Badab War they had dedicated every free moment that they could muster to hunt down Lufgt Huron. It had been considered a great step in the right direction when Sovreign had been accepted into the Deathwatch.<br/><br/>"What do you mean, Brother?"<br/><br/>It was incredible what the simple change of tone in the Chaplain's voice had wrought. Just now he had been holding a sermon in a very grave and inspired tone, hellfire and brimstone on his lips as he chastised the Marine for his past sins. Now instead there was an encouraging, almost fatherly tone.<br/><br/>"Among my fellow Mantis Warriors, we are always questioning ourselves and each other. Anyone could be a potential traitor, anything we do could be considered wrong and be the last drop that spills out the goblet that is the chapter. Here in the Deathwatch I know what I am doing is right. There is no wrong in the Deathwatch, for it is guided by far wiser hands..."<br/><br/>He was very much unprepared for the slap that the Chaplain administered to him, the clap of it echoing down the monastery vaults. A trickle of blood leaked out of the corner of his mouth. Chaplain Caelus was one of the most strict of his position, having come from an illustrious two centuries in the Dark Angels chapter.<br/><br/>"Never confuse what is right for irresponsibility, Brother! Be ever vigilant of the heresies that dwells in the heart of man and the mind of the Space Marine, for it is devious and leaks into every crack of the mountain. You are right to be suspicious of everything you do, Mantis Warrior. Would it be only that all chapters were as vigilant, there would have been no Badab War. Never forget that, Brother Sovreign! Always be vigilant!"<br/><br/><hr/><br/>It was these words that rang through his head now as he stood at attention with his Brothers before the Captain. Be ever vigilant. He looked around. How many within their ranks held dark desires and rebellious seeds in their hearts? Sin was never as obvious as one wished it to be. None had seen anything wrong with what Khoisan and Huron did, not even when they renounced the rule of the Imperium. Their blind devotion had been to the chapter rather than the Emperor. Could the same thing be said about the Deathwatch. Held in reign by the Ordo Xenos, an organization that didn't think highly of those that questioned their motives. Against such a draconian beast he could only stand fast and follow his heart and judgement. Ever vigilant.<br/><br/>Next to him stood Astelan on one side and Cerias on the other. Both represented the most devout of the Emperor's servants, those that studied every word of His lips and every deed He had done. How likely was it that one of these two would be the kind of sinners Caelus spoke of? That they secretly held ill thoughts. Obviously they were not blatant worshippers of the Ruinous Powers, but it all begins somewhere. Just a little seed of deceit, just like with Lufgt Huron, Goge Vandire and Horus himself. They had been devout servants as well. But seeds get in everywhere. Perhaps at this moment, Sovreign felt as if he had found his call, that something within him whispered to him. It wasn't a seed of deceit that whispered, it was one of quiet piety. Perhaps it was his role to like Caelus watch for such things and encourage his fellows to ignore the call of the Deceiver.<br/><br/>Even so, he held his tongue. Calling out to the Captain was unnecessary. A simple nod would suffice.