A green armored man paced in front of a squad of jump packed wearing marines. He nodded his head slowly, cradling his helmet in the crook of his arm. A smile on the mans face. He turned to the squad, "You are marines yeah?" The squad growled and thumped their chests with their gauntlets, all in agreement. The pacing marine smiles broadly. Looking towards where the captains and commanders congregated, discussing their battle plans and tactics. The pacing Marine chuckled, "Then if you be Marines. Who do you protect? Nocturne?" The marines in the squad again growled and grunted in affirmation. Pot'Apher the pacing marine chuckled, "How about Prometheus?" The squad clasped their fists and thought of home. Pot'Apher nodded, "Then you be Marines. But who do you fight for?" One of the Marines in the squad steps forward, "For Mankind." Another Marine stepped forward, "For Terra." They both brandished their close combat weapons at him. As if challenging Pot'Apher to say otherwise. Pot'Apher raised his own Thunder Hammer at the squad nodding, "For the Emperor on his Golden Throne." The Squad grunted again a resounding yes. Pot'Apher nodded, "Truly you are Marines."

Pot'Apher nodded, "Enough of my theatrics now brothers. We've all been here before. Everyone of us has fought in more battle then we can number. Some of us against the Greenskins. Some against the Eldar, or the Tau. The Necrons. It matters not. Starting today we fight our cursed brothers. Those who gave their souls to the Ruinous Powers so many centuries ago." Pot'Apher again looked to the captains and the commanders. He nodded slowly. Then raised his hammer again, swinging it up over his shoulder. Turning back to squad, "Say your weapon rites, ask the chaplains for absolution, and make ready. Make sure each and everyone of you has a full compliment of equipment. We are Vanguard, we may end up being part of the first group in." Pot'Apher turned then knelt as one of the Minostorum priests approached. He made the sign of the Aquila across his chest, whispering praise to the Emperor as the priest began to pray over him and the squad with him.