...although I found a great many of the Astartes in whose company I spent time to be quite cordial (with the notable exception of the Kapihe Riverhead, though I shall refrain from belabouring that point further) there were very few whom I could say might genuinely be called friend.

Astartes are capable of many things, but it is my belief that their very physiology precludes the formation of the mutual bonds of affection which are a prerequisite for friendship to develop, for what good is affection when the primary purpose of one's existence is to deal death? 

This is not to say that Astartes cannot forge relationships, for the bonds of brotherhood and loyalty which bind them in their service are plain writ so plainly that even a blind man might see them and I would even go so far as to say that I have seen some particularly charismatic Astartes commanders inspire such levels of reverence in their brethren that one could consider it broadly analogous to adoration, but friendship, particularly with non-Astartes is a different thing entirely.

In all of the years I would come to spend among their kind, there is perhaps only one Astartes then,  whom I might truly describe as a friend and that was Dordji Baskoro of the Inanis Barones IV compagnie. Born of Siklon, a world of storm-lashed oceans located in the Kr’nhsk system of Morqub that has sired generations of hardy and belligerent folk for whom might makes right and tribal feuds can run long beyond the lives of those who began them; Dordji was what in ages passed might have been regarded an advocatus diaboli. Quite whether this was a role appointed him by his Chapter Master or just his natural demeanour I could never quite tell, but in his desire to draw out the truth, I felt an immediate kinship. 

Upon our first meeting, he was unusually talkative - at least compared to the Argyntum Stellae I had come to know, being happy to tell me much of himself though he would almost always follow answers to my questions of him by drawing forth answers from me in return. There was I suppose a somewhat transactional nature to our relationship to begin with then, he enquiring more as to civilian matters and I more so to martial ones but before too long, we would, when his duties permitted of course, simply talk as men, occasionally over kyndhiwæsi though more frequently kī for not long after our acquaintance Dordji intimated that Astartes metabolise alcohol at such a rate as to render it virtually impossible for them to become intoxicated, rendering its consumption rather pointless for them (though on occasion I was able to persuade him to sample a little and somewhat to my amusement he noted it was not entirely unpalatable).

As an aside, since learning of this, I have heard rumours that some Chapters of Astartes, including the Lupi Siderum have gone to great pains to craft libations which can overcome their transhuman biology for a time, though on the matter of whether I am prepared to give such suggestions much credence I currently remain undecided.

On balance, I suppose one must acknowledge the possibility that I may have been little more than a novelty or curiosity to him, but there was a sincerity to our conversance which ultimately has me believe otherwise and it is one of the reasons I felt his loss so keenly when word reached the Hikialani in the waning months of the Sorrowful Years. I had by then a great many reasons to dislike the Imperium into which I had been born but as the prelude to Operation Gauntlet played out, robbing me of my friend was perhaps foremost among them... 

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.

...there were many places within the fuāvaa to which my warrant permitted access, some of which could even be visited unbidden by those of the Legion. It was rare however that I would venture to the pons armatura unless invited. In truth, this was not something I had much quarrel with, for to witness Astartes training is scarcely different to witnessing them in battle and I have already expended much ink in articulating my feelings as to such experiences. 

Nevertheless, shortly after the shipwide vox of the Hikialani chimed to mark the meridiem shift change, I found myself surrounded by the clash of arms from a dozen or so training cages. Holguine one of the Legions' Armigers with whom I was, quite thankfully familiar, had bade me wait a moment while he directed two of his subordinates to attend Eteroa who had approached desiring to exchange the dulled gladius he had been practising with for a pair of falchyon. Holguine had intimated to me as I had met him that while the training decks were rarely completely unused, he had noticed a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of combat drills being run.

I'd like to imagine I was sufficiently inured to the sights and sounds that assaulted my senses as a result of my previous visits to the armatura as to not flinch noticeably as impacts rang out and warriors, some of whom I recognised, narrowly evaded the slashing limbs of the combat-harnessed servitors at the heart of each cage, though I cannot say for sure that I was entirely successful. 

Whether my discomfiture had been discernible to Holguine or not, as I stood alone awaiting his return I was quite distracted, such that I did not hear the footfalls that heralded the approach of a warrior clad in unfamiliar pale green and white warplate and I was quite unaware of his presence until his hand fell none to gently upon my shoulder.

Apropos of nothing he turned me to face him, an expression of what I took to be amusement upon his face it is true then! he exclaimed, I had heard tell of the pet the Stars keep, but until I beheld you there, I did not quite believe it. Evidently he was amused, for he began to laugh. It was not a pleasant sound and I glanced about hoping to catch the eye of one of the Argyntum Stellae whom I knew, or to see Holguine returning, but the bulk of his armour, which despite my shock I noticed was emblazoned with a star clenched in a blackened fist obscured any I might call friend from view. 

His laughter ceased as suddenly as it had begun. You are the one that remembers. It was not a question, but I made to voice an affirmation nonetheless. He cut me off before I had the chance. Mark this well then he said, gesturing to the simulated combats about us as he did so War approaches and not a moment too soon. For too long our blades been sheathed, but now the One Who Has Returned calls us to his side and we will show him our worth. Now is our time and we will outshine even the brightest Stars in our glory... He paused and as he did so I noticed that for all that his approach had been unasked for and despite the harshness of his tone he was not looking upon me unkindly. Perhaps he was simply unused to interaction with non-Astartes? 

My curiosity began to outweigh my apprehension but before I could enquire as to whether this was the case he continued: We are a patient by our very nature, for e'er have the Seven Pillars cautioned against rash action - but know that I relish the chance to show your masters how we make war. He paused again. As I think about it now, I suppose he was giving me a moment to commit his words to memory. Do you need more from me to have heard this? he asked. To know me perhaps... he shrugged, his armour growling as it amplified the gesture or is that not important?

As he shifted, I could see Holguine was hurrying back across the deck towards us, a look of concern writ across his face. I spoke then, lest the opportunity be lost. I have heard your words Sir, and marked them well, but their rememberance would be more thorough if I could know you.

And thus it was that upon the pons armatura of the Hikialani that for a time at least, I knew Tiguaak of The First. Born of Hyperborea and invested by Vox Volnoscere. He was not wrong in his boast that war was coming for the initiation of Operation Gauntlet would be announced within days of our meeting and I have wondered more than once if he had somehow been privy to some advanced knowledge of that fact...

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.

 ...as one might expect, none emerged from the Sorrowful Years unchanged for much would be transmuted within the crucible of their passing. Alliances alloyed and reforged. Others sundered or called into question. 

Recuperation, much needed in some quarters would come to give way to malaise for the Astartes are bred to make war and a lack of it does not become them. Sparring and combat drills were of course run regularly upon all vessels throughout the fleet but as Raskail explained to us as we undertook an early cycle perambulation about the starboard outer skin corridors of the Hikialani, such efforts are ultimately akin to trying to keep a blade sharpened with a crumbling waterstone.

It was fortunate then that as Candlemas passed, preparations were already underway to raise the Argyntum Stellæ and their allies to a full war footing again. With the benefit of hindsight, such preparations seem much more obvious, as long absent Kill Teams and Oki-hāmau cells were recalled, materiel was withdrawn from stockpiles for distribution and attaches bearing summons were dispatched to call forth those who would stand true with Volnoscere. At the time though much was shrouded in secrecy and masked by obfuscation so as to keep our enemies blinded to our intent...

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.