Everything was a blur when Brutus awoke. The first thing he saw was a steel ceiling, and a bandage over where he was shot. He slowly rose in the bed and looked around the room. Chains attached to the walls held up the bed he sat in, and besides a toilet and porthole the room was bare. He set his feet on the cold steel floor, and attempted to stand. His legs wobbled and felt weak, but he stood using the wall as a support. He made his way to the porthole, and outside there were stars and planets in the distance. He was in space. Suddenly he heard heavy footsteps coming down the hallway, and the door opened.

Brutus turned to see a man in bluish white armor. He had the same armor as the figure that had captured him, and one shoulder plate bore an identical horseshoe symbol. However, on his other shoulder plate was reddish skull with wings attached to it. His chest plate varied slightly from his captor as well; instead of an eagle it was a heart with wings. The man in the armor was around forty years old judging from the wrinkles, though they were very small, with sandy blond hair. His green eyes seemed surprised to see Brutus up and about, "Ah you're awake at last." He then looked to his side, "Go fetch Captain Cordus."

Brutus held fast and looked at the stranger, “Who are you?" then he spotted an odd device on his arm, and backed away fearful of what it did.

"Calm down kid, I'm not going to violate the Codex Astartes of my chapter. I am Flavius the of this Apothecary Ultramarine squad."

Brutus slowed his breathing, ‘Ultramarines? He had heard of them before, but he had never seen one in real life.' Before he could ask another question a heavier set of footsteps echoed down the hallway.

A man appeared behind Flavius, who stepped out of the way and bowed before the man. This man had a commanding presence like no other. His serious and fierce dark *********s only added to his presence, and his hair was short and kempt so there was no way to avoid his stare.

"So Flavius, will is he able to start his training?" The man asked.

"I do not know Captain Cordus as I have not run the test on him yet." Flavius replied.

Brutus froze, and glared at the man. This was his captor, this Captain Cordus, and his anger grew as he curled his hands. He would do anything to slug him and beat him down, but he remembered the last time he struggled. When he had a gun, and how well that worked out for him.

Cordus must have noticed his anger as he dismissed Flavius asking to be alone. "Sit, Brutus we have much to talk about." he said as he motioned to the bed. Brutus stood defiant, and Cordus sighed, "Tell me Brutus how much do you know of the Imperium? The God Emperor?"

Brutus stared at him in disbelief, "What don't I know about the Imperium or the God Emperor who watches over and protects the Imperium?"

Cordus nodded, "Then you surely know of the Adeptus Astartes or the Emperor's angels of death?"

Brutus nodded once again, "I do, but why are you asking me this?"

"If you know of us then why did you resist me when we first met?"

"What do you Adeptus Astartes do whenever you show up! You take people away! I didn't want to leave! I had my friends that I had to protect!" What he last said rekindled his rage, and he took a swing at Cordus, who stepped out of the way causing Brutus to fall to the floor.

"Still you resist me even if you know I am from the Ultramarine chapter. Though I admire your undying loyalty to your fallen brothers." Brutus tried to get up, but he was too weak so instead he glared at Cordus, who met that glare unflinching, "I am offering you a chance to form a new brotherhood with the Ultramarines. To become an angel of death for the god Emperor and slay his enemies."

"What’s in it for me?" Brutus asked, "Why should I risk my life?"

"You will be more than human, and achieve a longer life. Furthermore you would be serving a worthy cause as the Emperor's sword. You will protect billions of men, women, and children." Brutus remained silent, and Cordus then understood what he wanted, "You can have the vengeance you desire."

Brutus eyes lit up with interest, and he managed to rise to his knees, "What must I do?"

"You must overcome everything we throw at you. No matter what we order you do it. If we order you to kill your fellow brother in arms you will do it. You must prove yourself through various trials, and never fail."

"I'll do whatever you ask....sir." Brutus said as his eyes seemed to flare with strength, and he stood saluting Cordus.

"Very well. Flavius! He is in your hands now." Cordus said as he walked out, and Flavius bowed before him again before stepping back into Brutus' room.

"Well it seems he has taken a liking to you." Flavius commented as he held up his arm with a special tool on it. A syringe rose from within the tool, "Hold out your arm please." Brutus did as he was told, and Flavius stuck his tool in the exposed arm. There was a slight prick, and then blood began to fill back into the syringe. After a moment Flavius withdrew the syringe from the arm, and Brutus looked where it had been. There was only a small hole and very little blood dripped from it.

"So what is that anyways?" Brutus asked pointing at the object on his arm.

"This?" Flavius said, "It is called the Narthecium, and it is basically my medical kit. Anyway that is it for the blood test, now I'm going to ask you a series of questions, and I want you to answer them truthfully."

"Alright, go ahead."

"First question, do you have an insatiable blood thirst?" Brutus shook his head, and Flavius continued, "Lets say you were attacked by an enemy with intent to kill what would you do?"

"Kill them of course."

"Painfully or swiftly?"

"Swiftly, you never know what else there is coming at you. But if it is a painful death then that’s a bonus."

"Next question, do you charge into battle or set up a careful plan."

"Careful plan every time there are still unforeseen elements, but with a plan you can react to unexpected events much better.”

"I see. Final question, If your battle brothers were in danger, and you had a chance to save them, would you take it?"

"Of course I would there cannot be a man left behind, and I would do everything in my power to help them."

Flavius stood nodding his head, "Well Brutus we're done. Now get some rest, and you can explore the ship tomorrow on your final day of rest. This will give me time to process the results, and after tomorrow, depending on the results, we will begin procedures." Then he moved for the door, and before it closed he turned to face Brutus, "Oh one last lesson. My experience as an Apothecary has taught me one thing. You can't save them all." With that message the door closed leaving Brutus to ponder what Flavius said, and his new future.