Artellus Numeon - Into the Ruinstorm: As gratifying as the eradication of the Death Guard had been, the encounter on "Rampart" had put an unwanted light on the Charybdis’ voyage. As the Salamanders had feared the landing ships of the Death Guard had been able to transmit a distress signal which had not only reached the Necrotor, but had been relayed by the light cruiser to its overlord, Commander Malig Laestygon. Unknown to Numeon, other traitor legionaries had also been tracking the Charybdis’ progress -- the Word Bearers Dark Apostle Quor Gallek -- the infamous "Preacher," in whose service Xenuth Sul had been. Both traitor forces had by now taken interest in the Charybdis and were more or less aware of its precious cargo.A further unknown variable had been introduced in the equation in the form of Kaspian Hecht, the mysterious "Angel of Rampart." As a precautionary measure, Kaspian Hecht was interrogated by the suspicious Sergeant Zytos, but to little avail. As a Knight Errant of Malcador the Sigilite, Kaspian Hecht acted with sanction of one of the Imperium's highest authority, and was also able to testify that Terra still stood -- however he was not at liberty to divulge the details of his mission. With little other way than to take Hecht along with them, but most importantly, it was a situation in which Artellus Numeon took absolutely no part. Almost as soon as stepping back on the Charybdis the former First Captain had taken up his isolation, watching over Vulkan's casket. Tempers flared between Numeon and Sergeant Zytos regarding Numeon's lack of leadership and his fixation on Vulkan's rebirth, the two Astartes briefly turning to fists instead of words. Numeon's faith in Vulkan's rebirth had begun to tell, as slowly more and more warriors of the Pyre were convinced of their inevitable success at the end of their voyage. This optimism was, however, soon crushed when the Charybdis’ first warp-translation failed. Unknown to the Salamanders, Quor Gallek had worked foul rituals to further disturb the Warp and track the Charybdis. Despite the measures taken by Epistolary Ushamann, the Charybdis’ Navigator was almost immediately overwhelmed.This unexpected warp-drop however severely crippled the Charybdis, stripping it of Void shields and depriving it of its weapon, sensors and propulsion systems.The Charybdis was effectively drifting defenceless in space, which likely motivated the crew of the Necrotor -- which had stayed close by -- to launch a boarding assault. Worse yet -- the warp-drop had also opened every door on the Battle Barge, releasing Kaspian Hecht from his confinement in the interrogation cells. As the Pyre was mobilized to defend their ship and Primarch against the Death Guard, command naturally fell to Sergeant Zytos, Numeon being reluctant to leave the Primarch's side. Firstly Zytos went to confront Kaspian Hecht which had, as suspected, left the interrogation cell. Putting up no fight, Hecht convinced Zytos to let him help with repelling boarders for his continued freedom.Where as the Imperial Fists are undoubtedly considered as the masters of void-warfare, every Legiones Astartes is trained in this matters and excels at boarding actions. The Death Guard were no exception to this. Their assault, when it came, was well organised, targeting the key compartments of the Charybdis. They did not however, count on the Salamanders' tenacity. In the Enginarium, Techmarine Far'kor Zonn had established a tight line of defence which successfully held back the first assault. When the Death Guard advanced further in the corridors, they triggered a cluster of proximity mines which effectively sealed off the Enginarium. Thus secured, Zonn could now work unimpeded on restoring the power to the ship. Meanwhile the true target for the Death Guard's assault was identified when Numeon confronted a five-man Seeker Squad of Death Guard trying to reach Vulkan's casket. Ambushing the first one, leaving him impaled on Draukoros, and killing a second one with his ornate Bolt Pistol, Basilysk. Using the impaled Death Guard as a meat-shield to cover himself from the return-fire of the remaining Death Guard. Raising the alarm by vox, Numeon retreated back into the cargo-hold, Basilysk on full-auto, wounding a further Death Guard Astartes before it clicked empty. With Draukoros still impaling the first Death Guard, this left Numeon effectively unarmed save for Vulkan's Sigil, which while shaped as a hammer, made for a poor weapon. Looking out from cover upon hearing no sound of pursuit, Numeon realised the two remaining Death Guard had put the time to good use erecting a Teleport Homer.In a sudden flash of blinding light, a monster appeared amidst the cargo hold, an aberration somehow resembling one of the dreaded Deathshroud Terminators which made up Primarch Mortarion's personal Honour Guard, a Cataphractii-armoured Terminator equipped with twin Lightning Claws, monstrous and likely degenerated. The monster charged, heading for the casket. Numeon did likewise, hoping that Vulkan might rise when threatened, or rather, that he would be able to wield the Primarch's legendary warhammer. The two remaining Seekers were forgotten, the Terminator became the sole object of Numeon's concerns. Reaching the sanctum before the lumbering Terminator, Numeon valiantly stood in its path, the Sigil gripped firmly in his hand. The Terminator-abomination charged. Numeon stood his ground, calculating his blow for maximum effect, but prepared to die in defence of his Primarch. The Terminator roared, charging Numeon, which swung the Sigil bellowing his Primarch's name. Seconds before his blow connected, the Terminator was struck by a high impact mass reactive bolt round in the back, blowing out a chunk of ablative armour. Another bolt round from behind blew out the Terminator's knee servo, making his footing unsure -- the Terminator stumbled, eyes still fixed on the arrogant Salamander which stood in his way, ready to crush him. But then the Sigil struck the Terminator's solar plexus, crackling the Ceramite, caving in the breastplate and shedding adamantium as easily as skin. Mesh, muscles, bones and organs were destroyed by the blow as the Terminator's mass abruptly came to a standstill. The monstrosity was dead before it even hit the floor. No blood marred Vulkan's Sigil -- a true miracle. Zyos who had witnessed the entire scene stood still in fascination, whispering words he had not dared voicing until them, "Vulkan lives..." Lightning quick, Kaspian Hecht came out of the shadows, loosing two shots which missed Numeon by a small margin before killing the two Death Guards Legionaries sneaking up on him from behind, thus saving the First Captain's life.With the Primarch's chamber now secured, the boarding assault had been held in check. Soon afterwards, Far'kor Zonn signalled from the Enginarium that power had been restored, enabling the Charybdis to strike out at the much smaller Necrotor and annihilate it with a single broadside. Thus forged anew in the fire of their first battle, the sixty-six members of the Pyre gathered together in solemn communion within the Igneum -- the Hall of Relics of the Charybdis. There the fate of the grey Legionary, Kaspian Hecht was debated. Hecht had surprised them with an unusual idea -- instead of looking for the Pharos or the light of the Astronomican to guide them through the Ruinstorm, the Charybdis should look to itself, and the hope and faith radiating from its crew, to forge their own path through the terrible Warp Storm. While Hecht's loyalties were still being discussed, Numeon joined the gathering and settled the matter, formerly recognizing Kaspian Hecht as their fellow battle-brother. The Death Guard's assault on the Charybdis had Numeon finally accept the leadership bestowed upon him by his brothers -- until Vulkan's return, Numeon would lead the warriors of the Pyre. He would take up the mantle of Master of the Legion.