"...a Space Marine cannot die. Without death, pain loses its relevance."<br/><br/>The final words of the Apothecary's Creed left Kantor's lips, quietly, reverently. Opening his dark blue eyes once more, the Black Templar rose from his kneeling position in front of the Thunderhawk, and found that he had now been joined by five of his brethren. He had heard each one approach, his heightened Astartes senses never resting, but he still took the time to look at each of his companions, giving each a small nod of greeting. They were not his sword brethren from the Black Templars, and as such they would never see completely eye to eye in all things, but they were still his brothers in arms, his fellow Space Marine, all recruited to the hallowed Deathwatch, and as such, they deserved his respect regardless.<br/><br/>To his immediate right stood brother Sovreign, of the Mantis Warriors. Though his chapter was often regarded as borderline traitors by the more zealous Space Marine chapters, Cerias liked the crimson-haired Tactical Marine. He carried himself with honor and fervour, despite the heavy burden of scrutiny placed upon his chapter. The Mantis Warriors had fared better than their fellow chapter in the Badab War, the Lamenters, who appeared to have been cursed with terrible luck by the Emperor, and had seemingly been eradicated when they crusaded directly into the maw of Hive Fleet Kraken. Cerias wished no such fate upon the Mantis Warriors. He gave Sovreign a short nod, and a slight smile.<br/><br/>To his left stood brother Astelan, a Tactical Marine from the Guardians of the Covenant, and brother Belepheron, a Devastator from the Ultramarines. Both were sturdy and dependable warriors, men Cerias knew he could trust to get the job done. In particular the blond Tactical Marine had favour with Kantor, as he could appreciate the deep zeal with which the Guardians of the Covenant studied their Primarch. And though the Ultramarines were not as deeply fanatical as his own chapter, none could question the martial merit of the Devastator's brethren. Though the Black Templars themselves did not employ the squads of heavily armoured fire support like most chapters, and prefered to slaughter their foes up close, Kantor was tactically minded enough to appreciate the need for both a steady bolter and a roaring heavy bolter, and as such, they were both welcome additions to the squad in his mind.<br/><br/>Another man Kantor was glad to have with him was brother Kester, the Storm Warden. The large Assault Marine, wielding his massive sword, was certainly a daunting prospect for anyone wishing to stand in the way of the Deathwatch squad. Like the Black Templars, Kester likely favoured the joy of plunging a blade through an opponent's flesh, and feeling the splatter of blood on his armour. Cerias would have wished to roar into a vicious melee on the wings of a jump pack as well, but as the only Apothecary in the squad, he had overcome this wish, his tactical sense well aware that he would be better suited in a supporting role with his trusted bolter. Still, knowing that a capable swordsman would be bringing the Emperor's justice to the enemy up close and personal made him feel a little better, and he greeted the Storm Warden with a respectful nod.<br/><br/>The only Marine in the squad that Cerias Kantor didn't particularly care for was the last arrival on the deck, brother Leonatos of the Blood Angels. The Black Templar felt his muscles tense slightly as the Librarian walked up to the other marines and stopped a little away from him. The Black Templars had no care for psychers in their midst, and Cerias least of all, having lost several close brothers to wielders of the Ruinous Powers. Those who wielded the Warp could not be trusted, and Cerias was ever vigilant in regards to the Blood Angel, though he would not let in jeopardize their mission in any way. He would still work as best he could with the Librarian, but that didn't mean he had to like him. And he would not hesitate to take action, should the Ruinous Powers attempt to use the Librarian as their puppet.