Those gathered would have to wait for a moment, because almost the second the last volunteer shuffled in so too did the Ladies of The Light.
Three hundred, and eighty-four strong each Sister's armour gleamed in the spaceport's harsh light. Each step was in lock, every Sister was armed with sword, and bolter, many also carried heavier weapons. Promethium Throwers, long range rifles, Heavy Bolters, and even Lasguns, they marched in The Emperor's light, each face was set in rigid determination, but some unplaceable quality made them look ethreal.
Anglic. And there in front of them strode Helisma, tallest, and noblest all of all.
She made her way over to Cain, her Sisters forming ranks behind her, and snapping to attention. She looked to hero, and nodded. It was more than time. Spinning in her heels she spun to greet the volunteer force. She paused, eyeing each, and every soldier she could. When satisfied she nodded to herself, and cleared her throat.
"Here me now! Her voice cut through the noise of the port like Hellfire through bugs. Crisp, and refined, it rang with Grace of true Bride. If she had looked angelic before, there was no mistaking it now. Her voice was divine wrath itself.
"You who have gathered here today, have done so because you have felt a calling of True Need." Passion began to consume her tone. "For glory, for honour, for The Emperor, or for our Lost Lady.." Helisma drew her blade from its ornate scabard, its delicately carved steel glinting in the light.
"But we Sisters.." a quick flick of her free hand, and a Sister behind her broke rank, coming up beside the Maiden. She carried a massive, hand carved box of solid gold. It beamed in the light, the countless Purity Seals dancing in the breeze. "Have come for but one reason."
"We come not because we must," her booming voice shriveled a little, growing somber. "But because it is in our hearts. Because we would gladly bare our Holy Husband's name to the corner of this realm, or any other! And with it,"
Her vox carried her hushed whisper across the port.
"We bare aloft The Lost Lady's Light," the Sister beside her carefully opened the box, a violent, blinding orange light errupting out. She held it up for all to see, the flaming shards of Arnoria's blade carefully resting within.
Helisma bowed her head in respect, and picked her vigour back up. "Into any darkness, any danger, any fate! To sunder Shadow!" She shouted with all her heart, vox unnessicary at this point. "So that it may bring forth the Sun on a new day, a red day, a day in His Glory!"
She let it hang for a second, eyeing her troops.
"So we ask, nay, demand no less of you," she turned back, looking at her Sisters for a moment. "For each Sister here who marches to bring light to the darkest of stars...Knows it may be the last time she ever answers.."
Helisma allowed the grim news to settle in a little. She wanted only sure soldiers.
"But we go to this and gladly! We will stand, facing down the black void of our enemies! With The Lost Lady's burning clear in our hearts, and a song of glory in our hearts!" She raised her sword, which now looked very plain, and then lowered the tip into the box, as was her right.
Immediately the blinding orange flames consumed it. She eyed it with reverence, turning back to the troops, and pointing it at them
"We shall sing, even as armor is wrent, blade is shattered, and all mags are spent!" Perhaps it was merely a reflection of a ship, but as she shouted, tears biting at her eyes, it almost looked as though she had a faint halo. "Should our strength fail our cause, our Emperor, our Light.."
She held her blade up, both hands gripping tightly, the blaze obsecuring her face.
"We shall fight still. If we should carry our Light, unto it's final rest, we will not despare.." Tears fell freely, she shouted now will all her heart. "We will sing on, so that His Glory may reach His ears, even in his slumber," She knew the truth, but this was not the place. "And pray only that He is moved enough to return us to his side..."
She took a deep breath, shething her sword. She spoke calmly now.
"So I give each of you this honour, for none outside our closest Sisters, save Commissar Cain, have been allowed to see it's light. So I ask now that only those who truly feel it's cause, it's flame inside them, join us in battle.."
She snapped to attention, nodding.
"If you would not give your life solely in the name of Emperor, and our Lost Lady, please leave, and feel no shame."
And now she waited.