++ Chamber Borealis ++

...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.