Cloud Runner sat enthroned and looked down upon his visitors. His people were drawn up in long
ranks in the great lodgehouse, forming a corridor along which the Space Marines advanced warily.
They were led by a Captain and a Librarian. From the doorway, the huge armoured form of a
Dreadnought performed overwatch. Cloud Runner found comforting the sight of that old,
familiar form.
Original story by Bryan Ansell and William Kingadapted by Bernard Slama March 16th, 2008
Cloud Runner sat enthroned and looked down upon his visitors. His people were drawn up in long ranks in the great lodgehouse, forming a corridor along which the Space Marines advanced warily. They were led by a Captain and a Librarian. From the doorway, the huge armoured form of a Dreadnought performed overwatch. Cloud Runner found comforting the sight of that old, familiar form.
Cloud Runner was glad to see them. Since Lame Bear's death, he had felt very alone. He spotted several familiar faces among the oncoming Dark Angel warriors. Memories of the old days in the Chapter House flooded back. He took three deep breaths, touched for luck the ancient, white-painted Terminator suit beside him and then spoke. "Greetings, Brother Sky Warriors.""Greetings, Brother Ezekiel," said the Marine Leader suspiciously. Cloud Runner rubbed his facial scar-tattoos with one gnarled hand, then grinned. "So they made you a Captain, eh Broken Knife?""Yes, Brother Ezekiel. They made me a Captain when you failed to return." He paused, obviously waiting for an explanation.
The Marines stared at Cloud Runner coldly. It was as if he was a stranger to these grim youths, or worse, a traitor. He remembered the first time he had stood among Marines and, for the first time in long years, became aware of their uncanny quality. He felt isolated and uneasy.
