My nephew has said to me what I should write down my dreams
Drabbles and Dreams
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Death to Kyubey
- Location
- Russia
A\N. This is a scary dream I had after watching one and a half episode of Madoka Magica, after which i can not make myself watch the rest or anything linked to it.
It was an ordinary summer morning. I was on my way to work, dozing in the train carriage. It looks like we've reached the next stop, because the noise has stopped. Dust motes danced in the warm sunlight. Strangely, I couldn't feel the movement of people around me through my slumber. Did I suddenly oversleep my stop and end up at the depot? Again.
With a great effort of will, I opened my eyes and looked around anxiously. At first, I didn't understand what exactly I was seeing. It took me a moment to realize that the specks of dust were not moving. I was just suddenly mesmerized by their golden beauty. The fact that the front of the wagon looked like a special effect from the Matrix - like an explosion frozen in time, huge razor-sharp metal sheets twisted like the petals of a blooming giant flower - did not deserve my attention at all.
"...you will become a magical girl and you will be able to save them all!" – someone's cheerful voice continued to convince the eight-year-old girl sitting on the bench to my left in the carriage. I remembered how she and her mom sat next to me before I dozed off.
"Really? Really, really?" she asked.
I continued to watch the shimmering gold dust with fascination. At the very edge of my field of vision, to the left of me, I could barely see a strange, moving white spot.
"All you need to do is to sign a contract with me," the white spot continued convincing the girl.
A vague doubt arose in my heart and quickly blossomed into a real horror. I knew what was going on right now. I saw it in a dream. In one of those dreams that show me the future, but forgot about. Until now. I was not someone like Dresden, I was not a real wizard, no one took me as an Apprentice, but the Power, inherited from many generations of my ancestors, bubbled in my blood. And here, now, in this magically distorted place, I could do a lot more than usual.
This Power allowed me to turn my head slightly and look at the little white creature. I felt the blood of the millions crying out for revenge from the shadow, spreading from his paws. They shouted to me in disembodied voices about the true nature of this creature. About the Price that is taken for the fulfillment of the Wishes. The vengeful voices of millions of dead magical girls told me what Kyubey is really doing, what his Operators want, why and how exactly they do it.
My horror continued to grow far beyond what I thought I could feel.
The girl started talking at the same time as me.
"I agree," she said.
"I remembered everything," I said.
I said the next words at the same time as Kyubey. I didn't listen to what he said. I was just screaming internally. But I whispered out loud: "God help me!" because in this situation I could only hope for His help.
White light flooded everything around, time slowed down even more and in the light of the poor girl's annihilating body, I saw a flickering black dot of microportal.
Kyubey rushed towards it, and my left hand shot forward, trying to grab his tail. I do not know what motivated me. It seemed to me that he stopped, at least he turned his head and looked at me. But I couldn't say that I had managed to catch him. Everything was melting into white light. Only the silhouette of Kyubey, his black eyes and the indescribability of a rapidly expanding portal, shining with impossible colors of magic, remained visible. I was quickly losing the feeling of my body and couldn't feel anything below my neck.
Kyubey raised his paw and was about to do something, I don't know what, but he didn't have time, because from the other side of the portal something ... someone began to watch us. I felt his Gaze. I remember the gleam of his golden armor, I remember the rustle and soft feathers of his six wings, I remember the light of his face. I felt countless hands lifting the three of us and placing us on idea of the floor, in the middle of an immense White Hot Room.
Despair and insane hope blossomed inside my soul, I turned to what was left of the poor girl's body – just a few white sparks. Her soul was visible as a vague silhouette around them. The unfortunate girl does not know that she sold her Soul, her body and all the magical potential not only of herself, but also of all her descendants! All so that Kyubey could gain access to the "Control Panel of the Universe" and cancel Entropy for the race of his Operators for another century or two. Her body will be burned in the process. And replaced with an artificial infertile clone, created by the Operators. Her soul will be torn out of her body and placed in a phylactery. Her magic will be spent fighting Entropy and she will receive the pitiful remnants from the process of annihilation of her own body. The energy costs of fulfilling her Wish and teleporting an artificial body through space and time are negligible for the Operators compared, to their fight against entropy.
I thought about how terrible and unfair it was. That Humanity should not lose kind little girls so that an alien civilization of Kyubey Operators could prolong its existence at such a bloody cost, and I wanted to shout this to an Angel. But he's already read my mind. I felt the soothing touch of His palm. I still could not wholly perceive it completely.
I felt that at the same time, Kyubey was telepathically telling to the angel what he was in the right. About their right to the girl's magic, that they had signed a contract. We were both assured in our righteousness.
Kyubey got the access. He did something that I couldn't see, couldn't perceive, couldn't wrap around with my mind, but I realized that he had postponed entropy for his Civilization for another couple of centuries.
"Can't I do anything about it?", I asked the Angel mentally, "Can't all of this be solved?!" I couldn't express my feelings, my righteous anger, my impotent fury, I couldn't put them into words.
The angel looked at me. And in the next moment, I saw the world around me as if through his Eyes. I raised my six wings. I raised my angelic sword and looked at Kyubey, I saw his true nature and opened a portal through space and time to his City. Sparkling with crystals, metal and magic. I hovered above it and did not feel any strong emotions from it's inhabitants. My Legion hovered behind me. I condemned this City and found no reason to let them live after all they had done. I have unleashed my wrath, the Orbital strikes of the Heavenly Cleansing Flame and the Legion of Angels on this City.
An indefinite time later, in the burning ruins, I has found the Last Operator, who placed his spirit, his phylactery, in the body of another Kyubey clone and whispered in his long ear, raising my fiery sword: "The Cycle must end."
I opened my eyes. The train has reached the next stop, mine will be in two more. The girl who was sitting next to me, was enthusiastically telling her mother something, following her to the exit of the carriage. Everything was fine, there were no strange distortions, or a smell of magic in the air. Everything that happened was just a strange crazy dream, clearly because I didn't sleep enough last night and watched too much anime instead. I folded my six wings more carefully so as not to touch people around me and got more comfortable in my seat.
It was an ordinary summer morning. I was on my way to work, dozing in the train carriage. It looks like we've reached the next stop, because the noise has stopped. Dust motes danced in the warm sunlight. Strangely, I couldn't feel the movement of people around me through my slumber. Did I suddenly oversleep my stop and end up at the depot? Again.
With a great effort of will, I opened my eyes and looked around anxiously. At first, I didn't understand what exactly I was seeing. It took me a moment to realize that the specks of dust were not moving. I was just suddenly mesmerized by their golden beauty. The fact that the front of the wagon looked like a special effect from the Matrix - like an explosion frozen in time, huge razor-sharp metal sheets twisted like the petals of a blooming giant flower - did not deserve my attention at all.
"...you will become a magical girl and you will be able to save them all!" – someone's cheerful voice continued to convince the eight-year-old girl sitting on the bench to my left in the carriage. I remembered how she and her mom sat next to me before I dozed off.
"Really? Really, really?" she asked.
I continued to watch the shimmering gold dust with fascination. At the very edge of my field of vision, to the left of me, I could barely see a strange, moving white spot.
"All you need to do is to sign a contract with me," the white spot continued convincing the girl.
A vague doubt arose in my heart and quickly blossomed into a real horror. I knew what was going on right now. I saw it in a dream. In one of those dreams that show me the future, but forgot about. Until now. I was not someone like Dresden, I was not a real wizard, no one took me as an Apprentice, but the Power, inherited from many generations of my ancestors, bubbled in my blood. And here, now, in this magically distorted place, I could do a lot more than usual.
This Power allowed me to turn my head slightly and look at the little white creature. I felt the blood of the millions crying out for revenge from the shadow, spreading from his paws. They shouted to me in disembodied voices about the true nature of this creature. About the Price that is taken for the fulfillment of the Wishes. The vengeful voices of millions of dead magical girls told me what Kyubey is really doing, what his Operators want, why and how exactly they do it.
My horror continued to grow far beyond what I thought I could feel.
The girl started talking at the same time as me.
"I agree," she said.
"I remembered everything," I said.
I said the next words at the same time as Kyubey. I didn't listen to what he said. I was just screaming internally. But I whispered out loud: "God help me!" because in this situation I could only hope for His help.
White light flooded everything around, time slowed down even more and in the light of the poor girl's annihilating body, I saw a flickering black dot of microportal.
Kyubey rushed towards it, and my left hand shot forward, trying to grab his tail. I do not know what motivated me. It seemed to me that he stopped, at least he turned his head and looked at me. But I couldn't say that I had managed to catch him. Everything was melting into white light. Only the silhouette of Kyubey, his black eyes and the indescribability of a rapidly expanding portal, shining with impossible colors of magic, remained visible. I was quickly losing the feeling of my body and couldn't feel anything below my neck.
Kyubey raised his paw and was about to do something, I don't know what, but he didn't have time, because from the other side of the portal something ... someone began to watch us. I felt his Gaze. I remember the gleam of his golden armor, I remember the rustle and soft feathers of his six wings, I remember the light of his face. I felt countless hands lifting the three of us and placing us on idea of the floor, in the middle of an immense White Hot Room.
Despair and insane hope blossomed inside my soul, I turned to what was left of the poor girl's body – just a few white sparks. Her soul was visible as a vague silhouette around them. The unfortunate girl does not know that she sold her Soul, her body and all the magical potential not only of herself, but also of all her descendants! All so that Kyubey could gain access to the "Control Panel of the Universe" and cancel Entropy for the race of his Operators for another century or two. Her body will be burned in the process. And replaced with an artificial infertile clone, created by the Operators. Her soul will be torn out of her body and placed in a phylactery. Her magic will be spent fighting Entropy and she will receive the pitiful remnants from the process of annihilation of her own body. The energy costs of fulfilling her Wish and teleporting an artificial body through space and time are negligible for the Operators compared, to their fight against entropy.
I thought about how terrible and unfair it was. That Humanity should not lose kind little girls so that an alien civilization of Kyubey Operators could prolong its existence at such a bloody cost, and I wanted to shout this to an Angel. But he's already read my mind. I felt the soothing touch of His palm. I still could not wholly perceive it completely.
I felt that at the same time, Kyubey was telepathically telling to the angel what he was in the right. About their right to the girl's magic, that they had signed a contract. We were both assured in our righteousness.
Kyubey got the access. He did something that I couldn't see, couldn't perceive, couldn't wrap around with my mind, but I realized that he had postponed entropy for his Civilization for another couple of centuries.
"Can't I do anything about it?", I asked the Angel mentally, "Can't all of this be solved?!" I couldn't express my feelings, my righteous anger, my impotent fury, I couldn't put them into words.
The angel looked at me. And in the next moment, I saw the world around me as if through his Eyes. I raised my six wings. I raised my angelic sword and looked at Kyubey, I saw his true nature and opened a portal through space and time to his City. Sparkling with crystals, metal and magic. I hovered above it and did not feel any strong emotions from it's inhabitants. My Legion hovered behind me. I condemned this City and found no reason to let them live after all they had done. I have unleashed my wrath, the Orbital strikes of the Heavenly Cleansing Flame and the Legion of Angels on this City.
An indefinite time later, in the burning ruins, I has found the Last Operator, who placed his spirit, his phylactery, in the body of another Kyubey clone and whispered in his long ear, raising my fiery sword: "The Cycle must end."
I opened my eyes. The train has reached the next stop, mine will be in two more. The girl who was sitting next to me, was enthusiastically telling her mother something, following her to the exit of the carriage. Everything was fine, there were no strange distortions, or a smell of magic in the air. Everything that happened was just a strange crazy dream, clearly because I didn't sleep enough last night and watched too much anime instead. I folded my six wings more carefully so as not to touch people around me and got more comfortable in my seat.
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Mad As Liao
- Location
- Russia
A/N. Crazy idea born after reading some good Battletech fanfics, while naping on metro.
This story of mine has started typically for such kind of Isekai. A random meeting, a suspicious offer, there was some booze involved. Except I denied what I wish adventure. I said what I was too old and fat for that.
And now I have found myself old and fat and in very different place and time and body.
I am Chancellor Maximillian Liao and I am absolutely screwed. I was doomed from the very the beginning.
Then I regained my conscious for the first time in this world full of suffering, death, petty nobles, endless war and beautiful giant battlemechs, it was onboard of dropship on the way to Terra.
The ships doctors diagnosed me with a stroke and pumped me full of good drugs and some emergency implants, to quickly help me regain fighting conditions. For a fat politician.
I do not know what went wrong, I could not remember circumstances of the Isekai process fully, but I suspected some petty grievances.
Anyway, me and the old Crazy Max was smashed together into a single person and none of the halves was at full 100%. Honestly, not even 50%. I didn`t remember enough to run Successor state from the Liao half. And I was sure what the many campaigns in Stellaris from my 21st century-self would not help.
I knew a little about this world. I knew what The Wedding was coming from the Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries playthrough, I knew about coming Clan Invasion from some lore video by Tex about Tukayyid – God that was fun, I played HBS game, but that was almost entirety of my knowledge from 21st century.
Chancellor part knew more. And it was horrified at what was coming.
Good thing I was already in medbay, so I was saved from cardiac arrest.
Due to medical concerns, my existential crysis and horrified realisations was seen as consequences of my illness. I was half delirious when we landed on Terra and let my wife to arrange things. The fact what I couldn`t remember her name was a clear sign of my "stroke" and bringed great worry to her and my staff.
But the Duty of the Chancellor can not be evaded. It must be upheld, no matter how ill I was. Our enemies shall not learn about my condition.
The Capellan doctors may have performed miracle behind the closed doors of my terran mansion. I think it`s mine. Eh, the State and Me are interchangeable.
I fully regained my senses and control over my body only when it was Time. I was about to be sat in my limousine to travel to the Wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner.
I stopped and gestured to head of my security to come closer.
"The security of my discussion with my wife shall be ensured", I said to him quietly.
"It shall be done," maskirovka Captain has answered.
I nodded and get into car.
There was many things I could do in the current situation. There was many things I wanted. But after days if delirium and inner crysis one emotion burned brighter than others in my breast.
It was Love. Love to my Country. To Capellan Confederation.
I was Crazy, I know.
But I knew what I couldn`t win through reasonable means. The canonical divide into several countries was the best possible outcome and it was achieved only with Comstar fuc*ry. And even that was agony for decades.
And I wasn`t up to the task in the current state, if I was honest with myself.
The Captain get in the car, when we started moving he engaged some anti-spy tech, filling the salon with white noise and closed window to the driver compartment. My wife became even more nervous and wrung her hands. She tried to say something, but I stopped her by speaking first.
"I shall tell you why this has happened. Why the stroke, why I almost went into cardiac arrest." I held my hand stopping her questions, "When we entered the system, on our way to Terra, I received a critically important information from a source that shall remain undisclosed. My gambit against Hanse Davion has failed and I didn`t received information about it, until it became too late. This… this whole charade, this wedding, is a trap. Their first target, at which both States will strike, will not be Draconis Combine.' She gasped at my words, but I continued, "It will be our beloved Confederation. And I do not need to tell you what we will unable to stop them with the forces we have. Especially, considering what we are here and we will be unable to coordinate the answer efficiently. We…"
She took my left hand fearfully. And I covered hers with my right.
"I have a plan. Desperate one. But it shall work. It will break their momentum. You… you will not leave this limousine when we will arrive to Comstar Cathedral. You will remain in the car and will go to the dropship."
"But!.."
"Promise me," I bring her hands to lips and kissed them, the remnants of Max in me really loved this haughty woman, "Promise me, what you support Candace as my Heir. In this new circumstances, only she can save Confederation." I carefully, tenderly, took both her hands in mine, "Now, allow me to see you, for the last time."
She was smart woman, she got the implication what I did not expected to return form The Wedding alive. We spent the rest of the time until arrival in silence. This tender touch was all I could afford for her. For Max. And their love.
When we arrived, I got out of the car, received a ceremonial vibroblade from the Captain and put it on my belt. The weapon was functional and perhaps the only thing I arranged right, while in delirium.
"The circumstances has changed," I informed the Captain, "My wife will not join us."
I looked around and flinched. How could I forget? Candace was here with us, she has arrived in a different car. No matter, the plan still should work with minimal correction. I looked at my secretary, who quickly joined my side and said, measuring path to the doors of Comstar cathedral.
"Arrange for press when I arrive at the top of the stairs," I said looking at the big stairs. I`ve noticed Coordinator Kurita and Jaime Wolf starting a scene, luck was on my side, "I wish to tell few words. Ensure immediate broadcast."
The aide bowed, but I already started to move. Jaime Wolf can be a funny addition to the scene I has planned.
I have come closer when their confrontation has already ended. The furious Wolf has gave the swords of his fallen friend to Coordinator to deliver to his family, figuratively kicking him in the "face" of his honor. Takashi Kurita definitely was on the edge of the stroke of his own.
"Impressive. Colonel" I greeted him.
"Chancellor," said the magnificent bastard.
"I am in need of additional bodyguard today and I wish for you to accompany me. Can I hire you for today," I smiled at him, "The price I offer is the prank I am planning, it's gonna drive Coordinator mad or to stroke." I smiled again at the taller man.
He huffed and thought for a moment.
"Bargained well and done. Contract accepted. But you better deliver on your promise. Chancellor."
"Oh, I will. Colonel."
We nodded at each other and continued our rise up the stairs, I was satisfied to see press gathering in greater numbers up there.
When we finally reached the platform before the doors of the cathedral, my secretary has directed me to the prepared stand. My bodyguards, Wolf and Candace trailed behind. She was hiding her worry well.
I saw reporters from many news channel. Mainly for the Capellan Confederation, but all was ready to catch my words. The secretary signaled what broadcast will start. Now.
"My dear citizens," I has started my planned speech, "I shall confess. For many years has I led our beloved Confederation through perils of Succession Wars, I sacrificed much against improbable odds to achieve impossible victories. But, again, I shall confess, it was not enough. The state of the galaxy has changed. And for Confederation to survive the coming darkness, I shall sacrifice the only thing I still have in abundance. My pride," I turned away from pedestal and gestured to the Captain to come closer. I put my sword out of my belt and then shrugged my rich overcoat. I've put the overcoat in the hands of captain and turned to microphones again, "I shall fix my mistakes and atone for my sins," the auditory of reporters was very quiet, perhaps someone else come behind me, "I proclaim my daughter Candace Liao as my Heir. In this changed galaxy only she can lead Confederation to victory." I've turned to captain again and said quietly to him, "Colonel, bring my daughter to Sian, ensure what when the time comes, she will ascend to the Celestial Throne. Depart immediately."
The man was trusted for a reason and deserved a rise. He will fulfill my order.
"Yes, Chancellor," he bowed, turned away and proceeded to Candace.
But I already turned back to microphones and didn`t listened to commotion.
"The man can have anything if he is willing to sacrifice. The question is what to sacrifice and why, for what ideal. And here, today it is time for my final sacrifice. Of pride. To save my beloved country. Hear me, Inner Sphere! Hear me, the galaxy! I, Chancellor Maximillian Liao, officially rescind the claim of my House to the title of First Lord of Star League. And officially cast my vote for Katrina Steiner, Archon of Lyran Commonwealth, as the new First Lord of Star League. Because in the face of the coming darkness only united humanity can survive! I also, officially invite Eridani Light Horse regiment, in their role as the SLDF Remnant, to discuss taxes."
The crowd of reporters before me and the gathering crowds of guests behind me was starting to scream, but I continued at quickened pace.
"Now, I know what I have no trust from the other House Lords and accumulated quite a lot of hate by my actions. Therefore I end my term as the Chancellor of Capellan Confederation and rescind my citizenship. Let your hate and vengeance fall on me only and not on my former country. Now… now, it is up to you, Hanse Davion," I turned to look if he or other House Lords has snuck on me to listen to my speech. Yep, he was there. And now on cameras. "What are you ready to sacrifice, to see your future son on the throne of Star league?" I chuckled and ignored raised voices and turned to microphones and reporters again. "And finally, the reason why I am doing this!" The crowds somewhat quieted on my almost scream, "Five days ago I received critical information from a source that shall remain undisclosed. The aliens plan to invade Inner Sphere and enslave us all, "I said with normal calm tone, "And they are already among us."
Quicker then the eyes can see, I teared my sword from its sheath and throw it and nearby camouflaged Comstar' invisible Nighthawk powerarmor-wearing soldier. Operative? ROM-Operative? Doesn't matter. What matter is what my boons and gifts and skills was enough to nail them to the wall and their figure become to reveal itself in cascade of lighting and broken optical camouflage. On live TV. Then the armor catches fire, because at the death of operator inner pyropatrons started to fulfill their function to deny example of Lostech. But for audience it looked very different. There was silence.
I turned to Primus of Comstar who was nearby. Probably not the main one, but it will work.
"And it is your order fault what they has found us!" I screamed at him in full voice. Then, I turned to Hanse and Melissa. Oh and Katrina was there too! "In you place, I would have left immediately. Terra is compromised."
I took a glass of water from the speaker's stand and threw at other invisible powerarmored Comstar Operative I felt nearby. Water outlined them in their scary armor quite nicely.
"You`ll not take me alive!" I screamed again in full voice.
I have noticed another sword on one of my remaining bodyguards belt and went for it. Before anyone could react I've got my hands on it and prepared to decapitate myself. My crazy actions today will shatter the Cycle of Hate with fear and already has changed the history. And, honestly, I wasn't a good person and didn`t wanted to deal with consequences of my actions. Reincarnation was real, I have nothing to fear. And with my death I will drag the hate Liao name has accumulated into a grave.
I made a strike. It secretly reminded me about that episode of Frieren… and this was journey to end.
Jaime Wolf has catched my hands and started to drag me away amidst the panic. He was laughing.
"Sorry, Chancellor, but you have hired me and by Kerensky' blood, you have delivered the payment!"
This story of mine has started typically for such kind of Isekai. A random meeting, a suspicious offer, there was some booze involved. Except I denied what I wish adventure. I said what I was too old and fat for that.
And now I have found myself old and fat and in very different place and time and body.
I am Chancellor Maximillian Liao and I am absolutely screwed. I was doomed from the very the beginning.
Then I regained my conscious for the first time in this world full of suffering, death, petty nobles, endless war and beautiful giant battlemechs, it was onboard of dropship on the way to Terra.
The ships doctors diagnosed me with a stroke and pumped me full of good drugs and some emergency implants, to quickly help me regain fighting conditions. For a fat politician.
I do not know what went wrong, I could not remember circumstances of the Isekai process fully, but I suspected some petty grievances.
Anyway, me and the old Crazy Max was smashed together into a single person and none of the halves was at full 100%. Honestly, not even 50%. I didn`t remember enough to run Successor state from the Liao half. And I was sure what the many campaigns in Stellaris from my 21st century-self would not help.
I knew a little about this world. I knew what The Wedding was coming from the Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries playthrough, I knew about coming Clan Invasion from some lore video by Tex about Tukayyid – God that was fun, I played HBS game, but that was almost entirety of my knowledge from 21st century.
Chancellor part knew more. And it was horrified at what was coming.
Good thing I was already in medbay, so I was saved from cardiac arrest.
Due to medical concerns, my existential crysis and horrified realisations was seen as consequences of my illness. I was half delirious when we landed on Terra and let my wife to arrange things. The fact what I couldn`t remember her name was a clear sign of my "stroke" and bringed great worry to her and my staff.
But the Duty of the Chancellor can not be evaded. It must be upheld, no matter how ill I was. Our enemies shall not learn about my condition.
The Capellan doctors may have performed miracle behind the closed doors of my terran mansion. I think it`s mine. Eh, the State and Me are interchangeable.
I fully regained my senses and control over my body only when it was Time. I was about to be sat in my limousine to travel to the Wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner.
I stopped and gestured to head of my security to come closer.
"The security of my discussion with my wife shall be ensured", I said to him quietly.
"It shall be done," maskirovka Captain has answered.
I nodded and get into car.
There was many things I could do in the current situation. There was many things I wanted. But after days if delirium and inner crysis one emotion burned brighter than others in my breast.
It was Love. Love to my Country. To Capellan Confederation.
I was Crazy, I know.
But I knew what I couldn`t win through reasonable means. The canonical divide into several countries was the best possible outcome and it was achieved only with Comstar fuc*ry. And even that was agony for decades.
And I wasn`t up to the task in the current state, if I was honest with myself.
The Captain get in the car, when we started moving he engaged some anti-spy tech, filling the salon with white noise and closed window to the driver compartment. My wife became even more nervous and wrung her hands. She tried to say something, but I stopped her by speaking first.
"I shall tell you why this has happened. Why the stroke, why I almost went into cardiac arrest." I held my hand stopping her questions, "When we entered the system, on our way to Terra, I received a critically important information from a source that shall remain undisclosed. My gambit against Hanse Davion has failed and I didn`t received information about it, until it became too late. This… this whole charade, this wedding, is a trap. Their first target, at which both States will strike, will not be Draconis Combine.' She gasped at my words, but I continued, "It will be our beloved Confederation. And I do not need to tell you what we will unable to stop them with the forces we have. Especially, considering what we are here and we will be unable to coordinate the answer efficiently. We…"
She took my left hand fearfully. And I covered hers with my right.
"I have a plan. Desperate one. But it shall work. It will break their momentum. You… you will not leave this limousine when we will arrive to Comstar Cathedral. You will remain in the car and will go to the dropship."
"But!.."
"Promise me," I bring her hands to lips and kissed them, the remnants of Max in me really loved this haughty woman, "Promise me, what you support Candace as my Heir. In this new circumstances, only she can save Confederation." I carefully, tenderly, took both her hands in mine, "Now, allow me to see you, for the last time."
She was smart woman, she got the implication what I did not expected to return form The Wedding alive. We spent the rest of the time until arrival in silence. This tender touch was all I could afford for her. For Max. And their love.
When we arrived, I got out of the car, received a ceremonial vibroblade from the Captain and put it on my belt. The weapon was functional and perhaps the only thing I arranged right, while in delirium.
"The circumstances has changed," I informed the Captain, "My wife will not join us."
I looked around and flinched. How could I forget? Candace was here with us, she has arrived in a different car. No matter, the plan still should work with minimal correction. I looked at my secretary, who quickly joined my side and said, measuring path to the doors of Comstar cathedral.
"Arrange for press when I arrive at the top of the stairs," I said looking at the big stairs. I`ve noticed Coordinator Kurita and Jaime Wolf starting a scene, luck was on my side, "I wish to tell few words. Ensure immediate broadcast."
The aide bowed, but I already started to move. Jaime Wolf can be a funny addition to the scene I has planned.
I have come closer when their confrontation has already ended. The furious Wolf has gave the swords of his fallen friend to Coordinator to deliver to his family, figuratively kicking him in the "face" of his honor. Takashi Kurita definitely was on the edge of the stroke of his own.
"Impressive. Colonel" I greeted him.
"Chancellor," said the magnificent bastard.
"I am in need of additional bodyguard today and I wish for you to accompany me. Can I hire you for today," I smiled at him, "The price I offer is the prank I am planning, it's gonna drive Coordinator mad or to stroke." I smiled again at the taller man.
He huffed and thought for a moment.
"Bargained well and done. Contract accepted. But you better deliver on your promise. Chancellor."
"Oh, I will. Colonel."
We nodded at each other and continued our rise up the stairs, I was satisfied to see press gathering in greater numbers up there.
When we finally reached the platform before the doors of the cathedral, my secretary has directed me to the prepared stand. My bodyguards, Wolf and Candace trailed behind. She was hiding her worry well.
I saw reporters from many news channel. Mainly for the Capellan Confederation, but all was ready to catch my words. The secretary signaled what broadcast will start. Now.
"My dear citizens," I has started my planned speech, "I shall confess. For many years has I led our beloved Confederation through perils of Succession Wars, I sacrificed much against improbable odds to achieve impossible victories. But, again, I shall confess, it was not enough. The state of the galaxy has changed. And for Confederation to survive the coming darkness, I shall sacrifice the only thing I still have in abundance. My pride," I turned away from pedestal and gestured to the Captain to come closer. I put my sword out of my belt and then shrugged my rich overcoat. I've put the overcoat in the hands of captain and turned to microphones again, "I shall fix my mistakes and atone for my sins," the auditory of reporters was very quiet, perhaps someone else come behind me, "I proclaim my daughter Candace Liao as my Heir. In this changed galaxy only she can lead Confederation to victory." I've turned to captain again and said quietly to him, "Colonel, bring my daughter to Sian, ensure what when the time comes, she will ascend to the Celestial Throne. Depart immediately."
The man was trusted for a reason and deserved a rise. He will fulfill my order.
"Yes, Chancellor," he bowed, turned away and proceeded to Candace.
But I already turned back to microphones and didn`t listened to commotion.
"The man can have anything if he is willing to sacrifice. The question is what to sacrifice and why, for what ideal. And here, today it is time for my final sacrifice. Of pride. To save my beloved country. Hear me, Inner Sphere! Hear me, the galaxy! I, Chancellor Maximillian Liao, officially rescind the claim of my House to the title of First Lord of Star League. And officially cast my vote for Katrina Steiner, Archon of Lyran Commonwealth, as the new First Lord of Star League. Because in the face of the coming darkness only united humanity can survive! I also, officially invite Eridani Light Horse regiment, in their role as the SLDF Remnant, to discuss taxes."
The crowd of reporters before me and the gathering crowds of guests behind me was starting to scream, but I continued at quickened pace.
"Now, I know what I have no trust from the other House Lords and accumulated quite a lot of hate by my actions. Therefore I end my term as the Chancellor of Capellan Confederation and rescind my citizenship. Let your hate and vengeance fall on me only and not on my former country. Now… now, it is up to you, Hanse Davion," I turned to look if he or other House Lords has snuck on me to listen to my speech. Yep, he was there. And now on cameras. "What are you ready to sacrifice, to see your future son on the throne of Star league?" I chuckled and ignored raised voices and turned to microphones and reporters again. "And finally, the reason why I am doing this!" The crowds somewhat quieted on my almost scream, "Five days ago I received critical information from a source that shall remain undisclosed. The aliens plan to invade Inner Sphere and enslave us all, "I said with normal calm tone, "And they are already among us."
Quicker then the eyes can see, I teared my sword from its sheath and throw it and nearby camouflaged Comstar' invisible Nighthawk powerarmor-wearing soldier. Operative? ROM-Operative? Doesn't matter. What matter is what my boons and gifts and skills was enough to nail them to the wall and their figure become to reveal itself in cascade of lighting and broken optical camouflage. On live TV. Then the armor catches fire, because at the death of operator inner pyropatrons started to fulfill their function to deny example of Lostech. But for audience it looked very different. There was silence.
I turned to Primus of Comstar who was nearby. Probably not the main one, but it will work.
"And it is your order fault what they has found us!" I screamed at him in full voice. Then, I turned to Hanse and Melissa. Oh and Katrina was there too! "In you place, I would have left immediately. Terra is compromised."
I took a glass of water from the speaker's stand and threw at other invisible powerarmored Comstar Operative I felt nearby. Water outlined them in their scary armor quite nicely.
"You`ll not take me alive!" I screamed again in full voice.
I have noticed another sword on one of my remaining bodyguards belt and went for it. Before anyone could react I've got my hands on it and prepared to decapitate myself. My crazy actions today will shatter the Cycle of Hate with fear and already has changed the history. And, honestly, I wasn't a good person and didn`t wanted to deal with consequences of my actions. Reincarnation was real, I have nothing to fear. And with my death I will drag the hate Liao name has accumulated into a grave.
I made a strike. It secretly reminded me about that episode of Frieren… and this was journey to end.
Jaime Wolf has catched my hands and started to drag me away amidst the panic. He was laughing.
"Sorry, Chancellor, but you have hired me and by Kerensky' blood, you have delivered the payment!"
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A humble bearer of word (wh30k idea)
- Location
- Russia
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!"
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.
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!"
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.
A humble bearer of word (wh30k idea). Chapter 2.
- Location
- Russia
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 in in my hearts, what Gal Vorbak is inevitable. The Cycle must end.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 in in my hearts, what Gal Vorbak is inevitable. The Cycle must end.
A humble bearer of word (wh30k idea). Chapter 3. Pure pathos begins.
- Location
- Russia
A/N. This should have been just first part of chapter 3, but it grew out of proportion and i really need to sleep, so i decided to post it like this anyway. Warning: Memes and references inbound.
A/N. really hope i didn`t fumble it.
The information my "visions of the future" has bringed is absolutely critical. So far there was only one Primarch found – Horus Lupercal and Luna Wolves was absolutely insufferable about it. Just the name of the planet being known will embolden our Legion and the Emperor with his vast and ancient knowledge will have much easier time reaching it and dealing with potential daemonic interference.
The memories of what I decided was my past life does contained the knowledge about what it was Alpharius who was actually found first, but the elusive and secretive superspy' existence was neither known nor helpful right now.
While I was unconscious Captain Sheldon and the rest of Company run themselves ragged. Fearless was reinforced and it's repair was underway. Techpriests, with help of some marines, has searched for all the information about Colchis in our ship archives. Surprisingly, they had found something. We had approximate coordinates of the planet. From approximately five thousand years ago. From a trade manifesto and a tourist booklet. But it was something. We added it all to the message. Captain Sheldon took me and Chaplain Case-yoh, along with techmarine Martellus to visit on-board astropathic choir. Martellus was the one who has found the tourist booklet' scan in the archives of ships techpriests. I knew what our ship was old and built on Jupiter shipyards during M38 from cobbled together parts from older ships… but this was a lucky find. And I can go down paranoid route, but it would be really unproductive right now.
Astropath Jerry. I liked this little man. He was an unexpected ball of wholesome. He served as a head of the astropath choir which consisted of his family – his wide, his two teenaged kids and father of his wife. It was understandable what psykers seek company of other psykers and will create families with them, but the fact what they had served together on the same ship? That was unexpectedly heartwarming to see. And their familiar bond let them endure hardships of warp much better, as far I can feel. That reminded me…
The bond of legionaries. I felt it in the battle aboard Fearless. I knew about it from two sources – first the rumors and reports about Astartes from the Twelve Legion War Hounds and how they could anticipate and support each other, achieving great results in battles through unbreakable unity of their ranks. The second was from past life – reading Roboutian Heresy and how World Eaters psykers could use that bond to greatly enhance their own abilities. We wasn't the Twelve Legion, but I felt that bond and with psychic stuff – imagination is a limit. This can give me an edge when something happens. And in absence of other Astartes Librarians, I can try and learn from these nice astropaths. I have no pride and I don`t care if someone look down upon me because I learn from mortals. I resolved to talk to both Captain Sheldon and the astropaths after the Message will be sent.
When the tired Astropaths reported what the message was sent, I let out a sigh of relief and immediately asked to stay and learn from them. Sheldon was kinda surprised but allowed it. The astropaths was surprisingly accommodating and I learned about them being family and basics of Empathy as a psychic discipline while we were resting around a table with some tea. They were surprisingly normal. I vowed silently to myself to ensure what they are treated good and if I ever have an ear of a Primarch and through it the Emperor's, I would petition for a better treatment for psykers Imperium wide. I knew what was coming in the future - Nikea and all the other bad stuff. But, if Lorgar can be saved in time, it will change things for the better. I believed in it. With all my hearts.
And maybe we will be able to change other things and help other Primarch s. In history I remembered, Lorgar and Angron was real friends.
My train of thought was interrupted by an emergency signal. Captain reached me through the vox in my armor. Some brothers looked at me this morning as if I was paranoid to wearing armor everywhere… they just didn`t knew yet about the many dangers around us. And it paid right now. And I was regretting everything.
There was a warp storm brewing. Navigator of the ship – Michael of noble house which name I can not pronounce has detected a small warp storm brewing around the star system we was in. it was small and concentrated and we noticed it only because we was inside of it and he doubted what the rest of the galaxy, i.e. the Emperor, will notice it soon. The storm was locking us in the system. It will throw possible reinforcement. And most importantly:
"We can`t be sure what our message went through," I interrupted Sheldon. It was rude, but I couldn't hold back.
"Navigator said what the message was swallowed by the warp storm. He saw it happening."
The words of captain struck me n the heart. Figuratively. I held back a really rude swear word with practice form a distant past from another life with quick prayer. Thank God, I put helmet on and tuned vox off. Seems what the Astropaths didn`t noticed.
I sighed in my helmets vox to make express my emotions to other officers afterward. They was really understanding. Hey, I could feel that! Oh, God! I could feel it. I am really am a psyker.
"What are our options?" Captain Sheldon started emergency planning session.
"Our Primarch is in danger, we shall go to him. Or at least go through storm so we can get the message out." Boldly proclaimed Case-yoh.
"We can`t be sure it will not be swallowed again. This was a deliberate enemy action."
This idea was harder to swallow. Many of my brothers still wasn't aware of even the limited knowledge I had time to share. The idea what "xenos from the warp" are advanced in their own ways was still alien to many. Pun not intended.
"We can just stay put and wait or scheduled reinforcements." Offered someone.
"And how long shall we wait? We have rations for thirty years, but these storms can afflict reality for thousands of years and any reinforcements will have little chance to get through to us."
The discussion went for some time in that manner. I desperately tried to think about something, anything. I felt despair, it looked like my chance at making this galaxy a better place was if lost…
My right hand shot to the side to catch a nurgling. A sneaky filthy little thing. I immolated it with my hate and by imagining a cross inside the space it's ethereal body occupied. I didn`t saw it with my fleshy eyes. It wasn't materialized in the first place. I watched as its ethereal inner organs ruptured and it's ugly little body exploded in my hand, turned to ash in the beautiful radiance of the golden cross, existing as an eternal idea.
I have no idea how I have done it, but I shook a sheen of very real ash from my armor. I felt the Eyes, lining up my brain, bleeding. Their gaze unfocused peering in the warp around me. There was no increasing in pressure in my skull. No medical emergency which systems of my armor could register.
I suppressed another swear, being psyker was hard. Astropaths around me let out a sigh of relief and immediately looked much healthier.
"We're compromised," I said in the vox, "but no longer. And as ancient treatises on warfare says - if you can attack, then you should attack. We can attack. This storm have a source. And if we enter the storm, they will not be able to resist the chance to snuff us out. Personally. We just have to make this game interesting to them. Because, you shall have no illusion, this entire situation, all our agonizing, heck, all the suffering humanity endured during the Old Night – is just a funny game to this warp predators. And they want it back. We shall not let them."
"Unorthodox," there was many emptions in Captain Sheldon' voice.
"I see no other option."
"We don`t know…" Captain Sheldon started and then his quick mind surmised situation, "Losses will be horrific, even if we succeed."
Lieutenant Acaranth interjected:
"Both Mechanicus onboard and the Noble Navigator report what they start to notice time anomalies in the system. The storm slows time. We can be locked here potentially for centuries and didn`t notice it."
We all have a moment of silent realization and firming our resolve.
"Fearless must stay," Captain Sheldon started spewing orders, "Sixteen men is all I can spare. If we will perish in the storm, you will inform the rest of the Legion. Through astropatic message, if the storm dissipates. In face-to-face meeting, if the reinforcements will manage come through. In any case, Emperor shall learn about this. You will have the hardest mission – to wait. In potentially compromised and damaged ship, with severely depleted and potentially compromised crew. But, if we fail, you shall endure and deliever the message.
Sergeant Argal was the new Acting Commander of Astartes onboard of Fearless. I didn`t envy him.
There was other orders. Other discussion about preparing our ship for it's possibly last voyage. There was more recommendation from me. But in several hours we will enter the warp. Normally we would need several days to travel to edge of the star system first. Not so in the system in the middle of warp storm.
We had a little time before our very own Suicide Mission on Impossible difficulty. God I hope we have enough plotarmor to pull this madness off. The potential danger are insane, I could have doomed all of us, going by half remembered ideas and wiki-notes from a life which could as well be a psychic madness induced dream.
God, preserve us! Please!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Before we entered the warp, I had a few hours to myself.
In silence of my own room (hey, I have a room of own now and bunking with the rest of squad in barracks), I have contemplated my new bolt pistol. I needed new one after my previous loyal companion was lost to daemons. That was my second, he served me since the Unification Wars. My first one was lost after my first Bartle. It was a silly story, I dropped the pistol into some a chasm in what was France in the distant past and couldn't get it back... it was a very silly story.
Bolt-pistol – a standard sidearm. For Librarian and assault marine both.
Previously, I was doing maintenance on my armor, I didn't have enough time for a full paint job, but I painted pauldrons with symbols of Librarium so everybody could know about my new role.
While paint was drying, I was contemplating my new bolt-pistol. The new model was more sleek, ergonomic and much lighter.
I was contemplating my new bolt-pistol to just take my thoughts away from what is coming. Astartes knew no fear and the process of ascension eliminates many memories of it. Further training and indoctrination also helps. But I received a lot of memories. A lot of fear. Including fear to fail to change the future to the better.
Fear to fail. Fear is a mind killer, as the old book says.
I took a bolt-shell in my hands and looked at it. I knew it was size of can of redbull, as internet described it, but in my hands it was like a regular bullet. This reminded me about a silly scene from a silly movie I watched in another lifetime... I've got a knife and started etching a cross on the side of shell, very carefully to not detonate it accidentally.
Fear might be the mind-killer, but Faith is the armor of soul - shield against the fear.
________________________________________________________________________________________
"What are you doing?" Sheldon suddenly asked. In my meditative concentration, I didn`t noticed him entering. My hands wanted to shook and drop the knife and the bolt shell with half-etched cross, but I was Astartes and I held. And even if I had noticed him entering, I wouldn`t have enough time to hide my crime. Sixteen bolt-shells, etched with crosses stood as a battery on my maintenance table in plain view.
The gaze of the Captain said it all. He knew. He knew what I was a faithful man in the most atheistic Legion, specialized in religion-purging. So, I started talking.
"They target our Legion specifically because we literally fight for the souls of Mankind to spread good ideas, to suppress wrong ones."
Captain closed the door behind him.
"I am listening."
"They are warp predators, creatures from the Realm of souls and thoughts, they are being of psychic energy, they are intrusive thoughts made manifest. So, we can overwhelm them with memes. And religious ideas are the most basic and purest memes of goodness in my opinion. Pretty pathos, I know it's cringe. But it needs to be pure pathos to beat all those rabid intrusive thoughts. Just weapons will not be enough to defeat them."
The captain took out his own bolt-pistol – a pretty thing with some gold filigree and red script, a gift he received at his promotion ceremony from the Legion Master.
For a moment I thought what this will be the end of story – being shot immediately after the discovering of my crime, before I could corrupt the rest of the Legion with my religious nonsense. Captain would be in his right. He even had a reason to suspect me – psykers often go mad. Even Astartes one can be lost to madness and mutation.
Captain put out magazine from the pistol. And took another from his belt pouch and placed both on my table.
"Work on these ones too," my silent shock was obvious so Captain continued, "Make no mistake, there will be investigation afterwards. And probably tribunal and you might be executed for harboring such leanings. But here and now, I choose to trust you and you religious nonsense. Will it work?"
"I din`t… I don't…"
"Will it work?" he asked with a harder stare.
"It will," I firmed my resolve and answered resolutely, "it will work because I believe it will work. It will work in your hands because you have choose to believe in me. And it will kills the creatures of the warp because you will believe it can do so. You have to believe for it to work."
I don`t know what he was thinking, but eventually he nodded.
"I will be awaiting you on the bridge in two hours. We will be entering the warp then. Don`t forget to bring my new improved ammunition with you."
I nodded a little dumbly. He nodded in answer and left with quiet: "I should go." That was quite a rollercoaster of emotions if I can say so myself.
Welp, back to work. I have just enough time to finish working on all that ammunition before it is time to don the armor and move out. To battle.
The destiny of Mankind, of the whole galaxy depends on us! For real!
Fuck, I am so not ready for all of that! Should have kept my mouth closed. I really hope we have plotarmor.
God, help us all!
A/N. I don`t know how it has happened, but Captain Sheldon apparently has turned into Captain Shepard wh30k edition. Secretly it is him who is the main character now. He stole the lead role from SI. But of course i will continue to write from SI point of view.
A/N. really hope i didn`t fumble it.
The information my "visions of the future" has bringed is absolutely critical. So far there was only one Primarch found – Horus Lupercal and Luna Wolves was absolutely insufferable about it. Just the name of the planet being known will embolden our Legion and the Emperor with his vast and ancient knowledge will have much easier time reaching it and dealing with potential daemonic interference.
The memories of what I decided was my past life does contained the knowledge about what it was Alpharius who was actually found first, but the elusive and secretive superspy' existence was neither known nor helpful right now.
While I was unconscious Captain Sheldon and the rest of Company run themselves ragged. Fearless was reinforced and it's repair was underway. Techpriests, with help of some marines, has searched for all the information about Colchis in our ship archives. Surprisingly, they had found something. We had approximate coordinates of the planet. From approximately five thousand years ago. From a trade manifesto and a tourist booklet. But it was something. We added it all to the message. Captain Sheldon took me and Chaplain Case-yoh, along with techmarine Martellus to visit on-board astropathic choir. Martellus was the one who has found the tourist booklet' scan in the archives of ships techpriests. I knew what our ship was old and built on Jupiter shipyards during M38 from cobbled together parts from older ships… but this was a lucky find. And I can go down paranoid route, but it would be really unproductive right now.
Astropath Jerry. I liked this little man. He was an unexpected ball of wholesome. He served as a head of the astropath choir which consisted of his family – his wide, his two teenaged kids and father of his wife. It was understandable what psykers seek company of other psykers and will create families with them, but the fact what they had served together on the same ship? That was unexpectedly heartwarming to see. And their familiar bond let them endure hardships of warp much better, as far I can feel. That reminded me…
The bond of legionaries. I felt it in the battle aboard Fearless. I knew about it from two sources – first the rumors and reports about Astartes from the Twelve Legion War Hounds and how they could anticipate and support each other, achieving great results in battles through unbreakable unity of their ranks. The second was from past life – reading Roboutian Heresy and how World Eaters psykers could use that bond to greatly enhance their own abilities. We wasn't the Twelve Legion, but I felt that bond and with psychic stuff – imagination is a limit. This can give me an edge when something happens. And in absence of other Astartes Librarians, I can try and learn from these nice astropaths. I have no pride and I don`t care if someone look down upon me because I learn from mortals. I resolved to talk to both Captain Sheldon and the astropaths after the Message will be sent.
When the tired Astropaths reported what the message was sent, I let out a sigh of relief and immediately asked to stay and learn from them. Sheldon was kinda surprised but allowed it. The astropaths was surprisingly accommodating and I learned about them being family and basics of Empathy as a psychic discipline while we were resting around a table with some tea. They were surprisingly normal. I vowed silently to myself to ensure what they are treated good and if I ever have an ear of a Primarch and through it the Emperor's, I would petition for a better treatment for psykers Imperium wide. I knew what was coming in the future - Nikea and all the other bad stuff. But, if Lorgar can be saved in time, it will change things for the better. I believed in it. With all my hearts.
And maybe we will be able to change other things and help other Primarch s. In history I remembered, Lorgar and Angron was real friends.
My train of thought was interrupted by an emergency signal. Captain reached me through the vox in my armor. Some brothers looked at me this morning as if I was paranoid to wearing armor everywhere… they just didn`t knew yet about the many dangers around us. And it paid right now. And I was regretting everything.
There was a warp storm brewing. Navigator of the ship – Michael of noble house which name I can not pronounce has detected a small warp storm brewing around the star system we was in. it was small and concentrated and we noticed it only because we was inside of it and he doubted what the rest of the galaxy, i.e. the Emperor, will notice it soon. The storm was locking us in the system. It will throw possible reinforcement. And most importantly:
"We can`t be sure what our message went through," I interrupted Sheldon. It was rude, but I couldn't hold back.
"Navigator said what the message was swallowed by the warp storm. He saw it happening."
The words of captain struck me n the heart. Figuratively. I held back a really rude swear word with practice form a distant past from another life with quick prayer. Thank God, I put helmet on and tuned vox off. Seems what the Astropaths didn`t noticed.
I sighed in my helmets vox to make express my emotions to other officers afterward. They was really understanding. Hey, I could feel that! Oh, God! I could feel it. I am really am a psyker.
"What are our options?" Captain Sheldon started emergency planning session.
"Our Primarch is in danger, we shall go to him. Or at least go through storm so we can get the message out." Boldly proclaimed Case-yoh.
"We can`t be sure it will not be swallowed again. This was a deliberate enemy action."
This idea was harder to swallow. Many of my brothers still wasn't aware of even the limited knowledge I had time to share. The idea what "xenos from the warp" are advanced in their own ways was still alien to many. Pun not intended.
"We can just stay put and wait or scheduled reinforcements." Offered someone.
"And how long shall we wait? We have rations for thirty years, but these storms can afflict reality for thousands of years and any reinforcements will have little chance to get through to us."
The discussion went for some time in that manner. I desperately tried to think about something, anything. I felt despair, it looked like my chance at making this galaxy a better place was if lost…
My right hand shot to the side to catch a nurgling. A sneaky filthy little thing. I immolated it with my hate and by imagining a cross inside the space it's ethereal body occupied. I didn`t saw it with my fleshy eyes. It wasn't materialized in the first place. I watched as its ethereal inner organs ruptured and it's ugly little body exploded in my hand, turned to ash in the beautiful radiance of the golden cross, existing as an eternal idea.
I have no idea how I have done it, but I shook a sheen of very real ash from my armor. I felt the Eyes, lining up my brain, bleeding. Their gaze unfocused peering in the warp around me. There was no increasing in pressure in my skull. No medical emergency which systems of my armor could register.
I suppressed another swear, being psyker was hard. Astropaths around me let out a sigh of relief and immediately looked much healthier.
"We're compromised," I said in the vox, "but no longer. And as ancient treatises on warfare says - if you can attack, then you should attack. We can attack. This storm have a source. And if we enter the storm, they will not be able to resist the chance to snuff us out. Personally. We just have to make this game interesting to them. Because, you shall have no illusion, this entire situation, all our agonizing, heck, all the suffering humanity endured during the Old Night – is just a funny game to this warp predators. And they want it back. We shall not let them."
"Unorthodox," there was many emptions in Captain Sheldon' voice.
"I see no other option."
"We don`t know…" Captain Sheldon started and then his quick mind surmised situation, "Losses will be horrific, even if we succeed."
Lieutenant Acaranth interjected:
"Both Mechanicus onboard and the Noble Navigator report what they start to notice time anomalies in the system. The storm slows time. We can be locked here potentially for centuries and didn`t notice it."
We all have a moment of silent realization and firming our resolve.
"Fearless must stay," Captain Sheldon started spewing orders, "Sixteen men is all I can spare. If we will perish in the storm, you will inform the rest of the Legion. Through astropatic message, if the storm dissipates. In face-to-face meeting, if the reinforcements will manage come through. In any case, Emperor shall learn about this. You will have the hardest mission – to wait. In potentially compromised and damaged ship, with severely depleted and potentially compromised crew. But, if we fail, you shall endure and deliever the message.
Sergeant Argal was the new Acting Commander of Astartes onboard of Fearless. I didn`t envy him.
There was other orders. Other discussion about preparing our ship for it's possibly last voyage. There was more recommendation from me. But in several hours we will enter the warp. Normally we would need several days to travel to edge of the star system first. Not so in the system in the middle of warp storm.
We had a little time before our very own Suicide Mission on Impossible difficulty. God I hope we have enough plotarmor to pull this madness off. The potential danger are insane, I could have doomed all of us, going by half remembered ideas and wiki-notes from a life which could as well be a psychic madness induced dream.
God, preserve us! Please!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Before we entered the warp, I had a few hours to myself.
In silence of my own room (hey, I have a room of own now and bunking with the rest of squad in barracks), I have contemplated my new bolt pistol. I needed new one after my previous loyal companion was lost to daemons. That was my second, he served me since the Unification Wars. My first one was lost after my first Bartle. It was a silly story, I dropped the pistol into some a chasm in what was France in the distant past and couldn't get it back... it was a very silly story.
Bolt-pistol – a standard sidearm. For Librarian and assault marine both.
Previously, I was doing maintenance on my armor, I didn't have enough time for a full paint job, but I painted pauldrons with symbols of Librarium so everybody could know about my new role.
While paint was drying, I was contemplating my new bolt-pistol. The new model was more sleek, ergonomic and much lighter.
I was contemplating my new bolt-pistol to just take my thoughts away from what is coming. Astartes knew no fear and the process of ascension eliminates many memories of it. Further training and indoctrination also helps. But I received a lot of memories. A lot of fear. Including fear to fail to change the future to the better.
Fear to fail. Fear is a mind killer, as the old book says.
I took a bolt-shell in my hands and looked at it. I knew it was size of can of redbull, as internet described it, but in my hands it was like a regular bullet. This reminded me about a silly scene from a silly movie I watched in another lifetime... I've got a knife and started etching a cross on the side of shell, very carefully to not detonate it accidentally.
Fear might be the mind-killer, but Faith is the armor of soul - shield against the fear.
________________________________________________________________________________________
"What are you doing?" Sheldon suddenly asked. In my meditative concentration, I didn`t noticed him entering. My hands wanted to shook and drop the knife and the bolt shell with half-etched cross, but I was Astartes and I held. And even if I had noticed him entering, I wouldn`t have enough time to hide my crime. Sixteen bolt-shells, etched with crosses stood as a battery on my maintenance table in plain view.
The gaze of the Captain said it all. He knew. He knew what I was a faithful man in the most atheistic Legion, specialized in religion-purging. So, I started talking.
"They target our Legion specifically because we literally fight for the souls of Mankind to spread good ideas, to suppress wrong ones."
Captain closed the door behind him.
"I am listening."
"They are warp predators, creatures from the Realm of souls and thoughts, they are being of psychic energy, they are intrusive thoughts made manifest. So, we can overwhelm them with memes. And religious ideas are the most basic and purest memes of goodness in my opinion. Pretty pathos, I know it's cringe. But it needs to be pure pathos to beat all those rabid intrusive thoughts. Just weapons will not be enough to defeat them."
The captain took out his own bolt-pistol – a pretty thing with some gold filigree and red script, a gift he received at his promotion ceremony from the Legion Master.
For a moment I thought what this will be the end of story – being shot immediately after the discovering of my crime, before I could corrupt the rest of the Legion with my religious nonsense. Captain would be in his right. He even had a reason to suspect me – psykers often go mad. Even Astartes one can be lost to madness and mutation.
Captain put out magazine from the pistol. And took another from his belt pouch and placed both on my table.
"Work on these ones too," my silent shock was obvious so Captain continued, "Make no mistake, there will be investigation afterwards. And probably tribunal and you might be executed for harboring such leanings. But here and now, I choose to trust you and you religious nonsense. Will it work?"
"I din`t… I don't…"
"Will it work?" he asked with a harder stare.
"It will," I firmed my resolve and answered resolutely, "it will work because I believe it will work. It will work in your hands because you have choose to believe in me. And it will kills the creatures of the warp because you will believe it can do so. You have to believe for it to work."
I don`t know what he was thinking, but eventually he nodded.
"I will be awaiting you on the bridge in two hours. We will be entering the warp then. Don`t forget to bring my new improved ammunition with you."
I nodded a little dumbly. He nodded in answer and left with quiet: "I should go." That was quite a rollercoaster of emotions if I can say so myself.
Welp, back to work. I have just enough time to finish working on all that ammunition before it is time to don the armor and move out. To battle.
The destiny of Mankind, of the whole galaxy depends on us! For real!
Fuck, I am so not ready for all of that! Should have kept my mouth closed. I really hope we have plotarmor.
God, help us all!
A/N. I don`t know how it has happened, but Captain Sheldon apparently has turned into Captain Shepard wh30k edition. Secretly it is him who is the main character now. He stole the lead role from SI. But of course i will continue to write from SI point of view.
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