Chapter 1.
<->
I was playing Space Marine 2 again. Everybody on the internet was dissing out assault class, but armed with power fist, I consistently finished missions as leader by number of kills.
I felt great, my two hearts beat with excitement, as I crushed a head of bug-like xenos.
Something wasn`t right.
I looked at my power-fist, it was a relic, pilfered from a burning church at the end of Reunification war, resized and refurbished, it served me well since, for almost twelve years, well into Great Crusade…
I closed my power fist and admired strange blue metal of the ancient weapon. I was a devout Christian, born and raised in orthodoxy family.
I was Imperial Herald, Astartes taken from my family at 8 years old, I was raised to believe in Imperial Truth, to cast down false gods and repent for the sins of my dead family who dared to oppose the Emperor.
I was a simple man, living humble life on Earth in 21st century.
I was a superhuman warrior, one amongst the Legion of the humble servants of the Emperor, sent to the galaxy on the Great Crusade to cast down Shadows of the Old Night. I felt the weight of jump-pack on my back, it's turbine mechanism felt as another pair of limbs ready to take me to the sky. My twin hearts boomed again.
I was… attacked. My right hand moved, almost without conscious input, in reflex, honed by hundred hours in the game… my arm moved in reflex action honed by hundreds training days and my bolt-pistol barked twice, ending lives of two disgusting bug-like xenos.
I… might have been gone crazy.
No! There should be rational explanation! The Imperial Truth says so! The obvious explanation is ROB – hundreds of fanfics I've read says so.
For a moment I marveled at the Wonders of the Ancients technology. Humanity lost so much and yet! There is hope! The Emperor will lead us to the Golden Future!
My sergeant tucked me to the ground, saving my life. He screamed in my helm-covered face:
"What are you doing…"
He didn`t finished what he wanted to say. Some sort of projectile catches him in his neck.
I gathered my thoughts and called on company frequency:
"I need a medic!"
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Four hours later I was sitting in apothecarion of our ship in orbit, nervous about the sergeant. Apothecary Georg finally exited the operation theater and was coming closer, he was cleaning his hands with some rag. It should be antiseptic.
"Sergeant Merigold was wounded too heavily," said the apothecary, "We are preparing him for internment in dreadnought."
He knew it was my fault. I didn`t answered. After a moment apothecary harrumped and continued.
"But I worry about you too. You're still in shock. This is abnormal. We shall run some diagnostic."
"No, this is not medical problem… I need to talk to captain Sheldon."
Before the apothecary could insist further, the automatic door hissed and said Captain – commanding officer of 12th Company of Imperial Heralds Legion and overall commander of our little detachment in this system, entered apothecarion.
"What the hell happened down there," he started with snarl.
"Captain, we need to activate Gellar Field immediately."
"We're in real space." he reminded me. He was so surprised what he even stopped in his gait.
"This is critical." I answered with hard desperate stare.
He stared back in answer and then snarled.
"This better be important."
Several short commands through the vox and I felt it. The buzz in the back on my head and behind my eyes, that was my constant companion since the "episode" on the surface of xenos-ridden planet, has finally quieted.
"Captain, I… I went through psychic awakening."
"Then your unnatural shock is understandable," interjected Georg.
"You shall be transferred to Librarium," Captain Sheldon said with another hard stare.
"It's not all… and not that important. I predicted the primarch. I saw the world he will land upon. Our primarch is in danger. The world, planet is named Colchis, it is old world, it's coordinates shall be in our archives. It is held by malicious cults. They will saw to maul and mold our primarch into their instrument." I have stumbled over words, trying to convey information, that maybe we weren`t too late, that maybe we can arrive in time.
There was shock and disbelief on the face of my fellow marines. So, I dropped metaphorical (and metaphysical) bomb.
"His name will be Lorgar Aurelian."
They both flinched from me. They felt it, the weight of Truth in my words.
<->
Chapter 2.
Pretending to be a psyker was a great idea!
Even if it was an impulsive decision at the time, it was certainly inspired. Nobody was questioning source of my knowledge, or my erratic behavior. And when metaphysical weight of our Primarch' name hit them? They wholly believed what I AM a psyker. It was a neat explanation of all my strangeness and unreasonable actions.
Captain Sheldon pulled all Astartes from the planet below for emergency meeting, due to the new information. Yes, purging xenos is important, but finding Primarch? That is strategic value: ABSOLUTE.
I was currently the only one psyker in the Company, so I was automatically moved to the position of librarian and there was no other librarians to check on me. Or teach me. Or tell everybody what I am faking it.
Due to the importance of my new position and the information I had bring to the command attention, I was moved to Command squad. Basically, at this moment it was me, Captain Sheldon, apothecary Georg, sergeant Lutein and Chaplain Case-yoh.
Case-yoh was a jokester, a rarity in our rather dour Legion. He was promoted to Company' Chaplain from sergeant position of second squad two days ago, after xenos revealed themselves, by tearing apart our previous Chaplain.
Case-yoh was also connoisseur of lewd and bawdy jokes, often shocking mortal crew and soldiers of the Imperial Army he fought alongside. And infuriating many of his brothers. It was like double cringe to tell such jokes amongst asexual space marines. Most didn`t even had a context for such jokes being children when they was Ascended into Astartes.
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We gathered at the bridge of our strike Cruiser. Flotilla in which Twelve Company was serving was small. Just our strike Cruiser "Vengeance" and two escorts – "Watchful" and "Fearless". Almost eight hundred Astartes was on cruiser, and approximately hundred was on each escort, headed by the Company' lieutenants.
A humble beginning of Great Crusade. But this was enough for most target and Company already participated in Compliance of thirteen planets. After one of which we got our escorts.
But this wasn`t important right now. Captain has called lieutenants on other ships and mortal crew established vox links, so captain cold talk to the whole company. He was informing them about change of plans, due to critical information about possible place where our own primarch can be found.
I wasn`t listening to what he was telling, a horrible sense of premonition smothered my senses.
And then screaming had started. It was coming through the vox from our escort ships.
"They didn`t had their Gellar Fields activated?" I asked in horrible realization, already knowing answer deep in my right heart.
"No." answered Captain, who started to realize what is happening.
"Order them to activate their Gellar fields," I quickly addressed our ship captain, who was in command of flotilla in navy aspect of things in this campaign.
After several tense minutes and erratic vox communication and an abrupt lessening in screaming, an officer from mortal crew reported what "Watchful" crew has successfully activated Gellar Field and unknown xenos attackers has simply vanished.
But the attack on "Fearless" still continued. Screams still streamed from vox. I was paralyzed with indecision. With weight of what I`ve done. Not done. I should have warned them… my mind drifted.
Meanwhile, Captain Sheldon was moving with efficiency, organizing Company to reinforce "Fearless" and prepare for contr-abordage action.
"Wait," I said breaking my stupor and spiraling thoughts through sheer force of will. I shall warn him. I shall.
"Do you have any information about the adversaries?" Sheldon asked impatiently.
"Yes. They are psychic creatures, predators of the warp. Ranged weapons are ineffective against them, except for meltas. Melee weapons is critical, blunt power weapons such as power hammers and power mauls are must have. Greandes are also shall be effective." I quickly said remembering my experience from playing Space Marine. It night not be true here… But I was the only one here with any knowledge. My words will shape belief of my brothers and because of psychic nature of the Enemy they can become Truth. No, they must become Truth for us to have fighting chance.
Captain looked angry, but quickly relied my recommendations to Company' quartermaster to outfit our boarding party and to the fighting force on "Fearless".
"Come," Captain Sheldon called and we followed him to Stormbirds dropships. "Sergeant Lutein, stay."
"W-what?" surprise colored sergeant' voice.
"You will stay on this ship. And if we don`t return, you shall carry this critical information to the rest of the Legion and to the Emperor Himself. The planet where Primarch can be found and what there is psychic xenos who don`t want for us to find him. Ensure what Gellar Field is kept at all times."
"Yes, Captain." Lutein dutifully answered. He was unimaginative, but loyal to a fault. He will carry the knowledge. And even if I die, the history will change. Lorgar will have a chance to stay pure. The Imperium, Humanity will have a better chance against the Choas.
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In just six minutes four hundreds of Astartes plus we as a command squad was mobilized, armed and in Stormbirds on our way to "Fearless".
I found myself praying. Just in my thoughts. My ancient human part was faithful. I found it extremely ironic what I was isekayed into currently most atheistic Legion. And yet, I prayed, to the only God I knew. Jesus Christ. I prayed for mercy for the Fallen, for salvation for living. Some may say what praying is pointless, especially in this age and time when the Emperor is not worshipped yet, when churches of Terra are all burned down, in grimdark sci-fi unoberse without any proof of Christ existence… yet, we are about to face literal demons. They are not of Dogma I followed in the distant past, yet it doesn't matter. My Faith is my shield. And if Sororitas can do this, so shall I.
"Woah," my concentration was broken by an exclamation from Case-yoh, "You really is psyker! You are glowing!" he clarified, "What are you doing?"
"Trying to help. Now, excuse me, I need to concentrate."
"Ok." He agreed in his thick Pacifika accent, but I felt his attention. He might be a Chaplain, a face and a Champion of our Company. But he also now have other duties. Like putting down rabid psykers.
Still, it was unexpected, somewhat elating and very worrying what my silent prayer has noticeable effect. Yes, it helps to sell my status as a psyker, but it also means what there is enough eldritch warp stuff going around for Faith to have a visually noticeable effects.
It worried me. Collective belief in Imperial Truth of our whole Company and the rest of flotilla should have been enough to suppress warp shenanigans. I feared what my Isekai was noticed y some big-shot daemon prince or something. We was certainly not ready for that kind of attention.
Astartes brain is amazing, even if my currently was heavily concussed by the isekayed second mind being smashed in. Didn`t expected such logical conclusions.
But we already was arriving and a short additional prayer renewed a faint golden glow around my armor. I put my helmet on. Things was moving so fast for me, I stil have my jumppack with some leftover fuel and didn`t replenished my bolt-pistol ammunition.
Still, I had another four hundred Astartes with me, we shall steam-roll the opposition. Right?
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We landed in the hangar uncontested. Picture of destruction has met us. Stormbirds burning, servitors teared apart.
There was no mortal crew bodies.
"Company all," I speak through the vox to the whole boarding party, "Possible mind-altering effects of the enemy could have comprised the mortal crew, or simply drive them mad. Move with caution."
"Psykers," cursed some marines, they looked at me apologetically. "Xenos,' cursed others. The Legion dealed with the psykers in the past, we all was trained for anti-psyker tactics. Not all of us had experience.
There was a lot of interference on the vox channel. Still, astartes serving on this ship, was still holding and organized defense on the bridge. Captain coordinated with them and sent a hundred marines to reinforce them. The rest he led to Enginarium. It was critical to activate Gellar Field. Reports said what some tech-priests was still holding with their servitors and some crew members.
We moved quickly and three minutes later we had found a pocket of resistance. Several ship' guards with some shotguns in bloodstained uniform. They was understandably very nervous.
Before they could answer the Captain' demand of report they was butchered by a couple of Bloodthirsters. Daemons was fast. Even this smallest daemons of Khorne known to me from playing the first game was damn fast and lethal. They killed mortal men in less than three seconds and was upon us, fortunately meltas did quick work on them.
Seeing their weapons working shall reinforce belief and affect daemons, I thought idly, continuing our way to Enginarium. Yet, this attack… they didn`t knew what we will be here. They didn't expected to find our boarding party. Did prayer really helped? But now enemy knows what wee here and it means…
"Prepare for ambush!" I said at the same time as Captain. We have the same revelation even if we have different ways to think it.
And ambushes started. Our lines was thinned because of corridors of the ship. Still, initial surprise helped and Captain Sheldon was able to organize squads and continue advance.
Yet the only opposition we and other groups has met was those khornate daemons, which looked like a twisted eldars on fire. And beside that pocket of guards, we yet to meet other crew members. Or find their bodies.
It worried me too.
Something scratched me. Not my body, my mind. A prayer teared from my lips in reflex. The scratching stopped. Thank God, modern people can not recognize this ancient language. Or I would be in serious troubles. Some of my brothers looked at me funny. But I want to think what they thought I just sweared or something.
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Soon, we have reached Enginarium. Due to corridors and multi-prong advance, Captain has organized, our command squad was not engaged again. Until now.
We has found where the bodies went. They was here. Already rapidly decayed and yet moving. They was pouring into the main entrance to Enginarium.
"Flamers!' Captain reacted fast.
Two dozen marines equipped with flamers stepped forward and bathed the undead horde in cleansing fire.
But deep in the fire a figure laughed. It voice was buzzing and sludge-like. In it`s left hand was a tall stuff with a bell atop it. In it`s right a rusted horrible thing pretending to be a weapon.
It laughed at fire and it was too far to use meltas.
It was laughing and laughing and laughing… and I could hear it with my soul.
Thank God this chamber was tall. My jumppack roared and with another prayer on my lips I jumped into air, shooting from my bolt-pistol. I have led with my power fist like hundreds time before. And I punted it in the chest. My power fist went through, we both didn`t expected this.
I stumbled and blocked thing's worm-sword with my bolt-pistol. I shoot it in the face, while still holding the pistol. And then let it go, decay was devouring my loyal companion. The horrible horrible buzzing thing roared in triumph in its bubbling voice full of phlegm. And then roared in pain and turned to ash in less than a second. A Golden Flame devoured it, as another desperate prayed teared away from my lips.
I do not know if the Emperor is The God, but when I read the Last Church, I've seen the Emperor in the same as the last priest – I thought him as my God.
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I stumbled in sudden exhaustion, but both Captain Sheldon and Chaplain Case-yoh was were to support me.
"I do not know what you did, but keep doing it!" said Chaplain jovially. I was so happy what time of dour Chaplains hasn`t started yet. I liked the funny guy.
The Captain just nodded, he has noticed what the undead rotting shambling horde ceased to exist. Now there was only dead mutilated bodies around us. He commanded and organized advance again, leading forces of Legion like efficient warmachine that it was.
I was the uneven element. I was the one that didn`t fit.
I shaked my head and whispered another prayer to clean my mind. I might be executed for being faithful believer later, fighting daemons is now.
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We continued advancing. There was several other ambushes by khornate lesser daemons and some entryways was clogged by dead bodies, but meltas and flamers and couple of power hammers dealed with it. There were losses and almost all hammers were was now in new wielders hands, but we advanced.
Soon we reached Gellar Field Generator chamber. Our Command squad wasn`t first to enter it. It was 14th and 18th tacticals who entered. 14th was killed by lightning, I saw flashes from the corridor. 18th got pinned down and half of marines was flung around by telekinesis. I saw colorful purple circles spinning around their bodied, the circles was full of eldritch symbols. I heard two-toned voice. I knew what we will see. And yet, we must advance. The rest of the Company started to pour in the Generator Chamber and taking cover. But there was not enough of it. Some had boarding shields and tried to shield their brothers from purple magic missiles. Some even succeeded.
We entered the chamber behind them. And I immediately saw the problem. There was forcefields. Several of them. First – a blue sphere, covering two headed tall bird-thing with a magic stuff. Second – a wall of blue light, dividing the chamber. Third a green dome, covering a group of tech-priests at the main console.
"Any ideas?" asked Captain grimly.
We glanced at each other and immediately had understanding. Is this the unity of Astartes Brotherhood? Not important right now.
"First, Captain, take a squad and lead them to tech-priests, tell them to pray."
I felt Captain' heavy stare even through the helmet. This was against his belief. Against our Legion belief. Against the Imperium Doctrine. Against the Imperial Truth.
"About the Enemy. They are psychic creatures. Your belief, your force of will is what shapes your interactions with these warp predators." I continued, "And their prayer shall enforce and concentrate their belief in how reality works and that will weaken that thing."
Captain nodded and started to command.
"I will need Chaplains help to deal with that thing," I pointed at the bird-thing with my head, "He will be necessary."
Captain stared at me for a moment and I felt his inner struggle. Ultimately, he decided to trust me. He certainly had a great trust in his brothers.
"Oh, I thought you don`t loike," giggled our Chaplain. What a scary man.
We looked at the Captain and he nodded. And tuned away, taking squad number 3 with him to make a run for tech priests.
I took Chaplain' left hand in my own right, and said.
"Run with me."
And dear God, Emperor, we run. I was praying constantly. A golden glow around me growing. And it even started to spread to Chaplain. We4 evaded what magic missiles we could and tanked those we couldn`t. the golden glow around us weakened them and our powerarmors reported minimal damage. In seconds we reached the force-field wall. While it stands neither daemon, no tech-priests could be reached.
"Together!" I cried and we both jumped at the same time, not letting go our hands. We struck the wall at the same time. Me with my ancient power fist, he with his spiky power maul.
The golden glow spread from our weapons and started eating at the blue wall. We struck again and it broke. Not wholly, but there was now numerous breaches in it. Enough for us and for Captain' group to go through. And so, we renewed our charge.
The tall two-headed bird-thing daemon turned it's attention to us. It struck with it's stuff and I found myself sliding back with a screech of metal. My powerarmor' boots teared through metal of the floor. They was glowing from sudden heat. But somehow I has parried that strike enough to stay alive. Unfortunately I couldn`t but let go the hand of my brother-Chaplain. He was thrown away and bounced several times and rolled until he stopped in a heap on the floor, somehow behind the daemon.
At least it stopped to shoot at our brothers.
It laughed at me. It mocked me. And jeered and promised secrets. I tried not to listen to me. But hate flooding my veins, was breaking my concentration. It was breaking my inner prayer routine.
This is the end. I am just some stoopid iseakyed moron, who faked being psyker and thought what can CHANGE future for the better, but couldn't save his brothers form even a simplest plot…
I saw my brother-Chaplain stirring.
The sorcerous wall behind me broke with a sound of crying as orderly choral of tech-priests rose. Gun fire started to pour into Tzeenchinan daemon.
It was mostly unharmed, but it roared in anger and struck the floor with it`s stuff. In a wave of unreality dozens khornate daemons teleported in and immediately started to charge at us. But Captain and the rest of brothers was with me and forming firing lines. I wasn`t alone.
"About the Enemy."I pitched my voice, willing for Chaplain to hear my words, even if his helmet's vox is broken," They are psychic creatures. Your belief, your force of will is what shapes your interactions with these warp predators." I smiled taking my broken helmet off. I looked at the Chaplain and said: "No lube."
He grinned in answer and the daemons around us recoiled. They was khornate spawns and I knew what they are constantly fighting daemons of Slaanesh in the warp. Enacting lewd joke has invoked echoes of their many defeats. It made them vulnerable to certain attacks. I believed this, Chaplain was now anticipating it, daemons will react and will be punished.
And, oh, yeah. Chaplain followed my half-joke exactly as I knew he would. By inserting his power maul into daemon' behind through sheer power and then activating forcefield. But, well, daemons deserve it.
The bird-thing screeched at the sudden and rude attack. It raised it's stuff for another spell and I thoughtlessly stretched my right hand trying to catch it before it struck, to stop it.
To save my brothers. Because they are my brothers. And I love them as a brother.
And I sopped that stuff. I don`t know how I did it. But I stopped it. From twenty meters away I hold it with my force of will with my whole being with power of my soul. I held it.
I held it until Chaplain has teared his power maul up messily almost bisecting the thing in the middle.
"Activate Gellar Field! Now!" screamed Captain at tech-priests and then... There was no more daemons around us.
We won.
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I regained consciousness four days later. I was checked by both apothecary Georg and the ships Astropath. I honestly forgot about the little guys. Turns out I wasn't faking being psyker. I really have telekinesis and can predict future.
But there was bad news. Very bad. Even though "Watchful" has successfully activated Gellar Field, it was plan all along. They was attacked by pink things of Slaanesh aspect. Someone among the crew was corrupted.
Yesterday, after a ship wide series of sabotage and explosions… "Watchful" has entered the warp. Without Gellar Field on. I feared, I knew it in my hearts, what Gal Vorbak is inevitable. The Cycle must end.
