I.

“The Emperor protects.”

The planet Argus Tertius, third planet of the Helstróm system of the Segementum Obscurus.
It wasn’t a truly big planet, nor was it a really important one in all points.

Aside from the regular amounts of fresh recruits for the Imperial Guard or the Imperial Tithe of course.

It was a planet with up until now surprisingly lush forests, clean oceans, some more or less hot desert zones and a population around six billion souls.

The technological standard was like most planets within the Imperium of Mankind.

Steadily pacing on the spot. Never advancing. Never taking a step back. Almost never.

Every city had large districts consisting only of manufactories, constantly pumping out a stream of every imaginable product to keep the planet and connected with that, the unmeasurable war machine that was the Empire running. Ranging from standard tech from laser rifles to whole tanks, armor for the guard, food and maintenance supplies.

The population was loyal to the God-Emperor. In the whole history of the planet, there had only been half a dozen smaller rebellion’s, mostly started by the oppressed mutants that made the main forces of the manufactorum workers. Just once, there had been a governor that thought he could deceive the Adeptus Administatorum by lining his own pockets. Needless to say that the situation was quickly corrected by a force of the Imperial Guard, namely the 301.st Battalion of the Harakoni Warhawks.

All in all, one would stand correct with the statement that the population of Argus Tertius was used to live by Pax Imperialis, the Imperial Peace.

Living, working and dying for the God-Emperor.

Untouched by the tainting presence of chaos.

Unscathed from the brutish Orks and their world quaking Waaagh!´s.

To far away for the honeyed lies of the Tau and their “Greater Good”.

Not connected to the web or hiding artifacts of the treacherous Eldar.

Miraculously unnoticed by the countless tentacles of the hive fleet.

Just a planet of six billion hard working, Emperor-fearing human souls. Only protected by the Planetary Defense Forces and three Sword-class frigates that were constantly stationed around the planet.

An absolutely irresistible target.

"INCOMING!“

The alarming shout made its way through the defense line. Soldiers in black plate armor and red uniforms manned their respective stations behind sand bags, piled up debris and burned out vehicles. Hellguns leveled, the soldiers starred into the no-man’s-land that stretched in front of them.

Barbed wire stretched between countless small craters which marred the outskirts of Faiths Arrival, the medium sized spaceport the 401.st Inquisitorial task force was using as a foothold right now. On top of all that, thick, black smoke wafted lazily around, obscuring the view.

Vague shapes appeared in the smoke. Stumbling, constantly moving towards the defense line.

The soldiers stiffened up visibly.

A woman in dull metallic power armor stood at an impromptu command post, overseeing the front line. A at the hemline tattered red cape billowed around her figure and likewise did her orange hair. Her gloved right rested on her swords hilt, tightening ever so slightly which each step the shapes took forward.

“Ready yourself soldiers! Wait until they breach the smoke and then be ready to unleash hell upon them!” a gruff looking sergeant with a scarred face and a buzz cut yelled at the right side of the woman.

“Ready for the dance Drake?” inquired Rayla Nor.

The sergeant took himself a few second to answer but with a thin yet certain smile “Of course Lady Nor. They will be sorry to ever set a foot onto this world.”

Content with her followers answer Rayla watched Drake check his equipment, giving his heavy saber a few swings and adjusting his HEL-laspistol. Tugging her single, long braid behind her left ear, the Inquisitors eyes wandered to Crux.

The mutant man was at her side, always a few steps behind her, slightly at her left, clutching his trusty shotgun with his strong hands. Rayla allowed herself a small smile. Despite his hump and his speech defect he had been a loyal servant since their fateful encounter on Kalisto Primus. He would follow her naked into the Eye of Terror if she wanted him to.

“Ready Crux?”

The mutant bowed respectful, causing his more or less ill-fitting armaplast armor to clatter.
“Yes Mistress. Crux is ready. Emperor protects!”

Heavy footsteps drew Raylas attention. Outside her small commando post, which was nothing more than a higher located piece of terrain surrounded by some more sand bags and barbed wire and covered by an urban style camouflage net, a pair of black armored woman with platinum white hair came to a stop. Rayla recognized both of them immediately. To the right, Sister Pinea, her polished Godwyn-De´az bolter at the ready and to the left Sister Ursula. The later was presenting her perfectly maintained heavy bolter while establishing eye contact to the Inquisitor, a red lens of an auspex gleaming over her right eye. Like Crux, Ralya had recruited both Sisters of Battle on Kalisto Primus.

“Lady Nor?” the Retributor Sister asked.

“Ah, yes? Do you have something for me?” Rayla answered a tad hastier and less authoritarian then she had intended to.

The Sister of Battle bowed her head slightly “Indeed. All troops have taken their designated posts and are only waiting for your orders. At your command, we shall clean this planet from the infestation that came upon it!”

“In His light we shall march, armed with His righteous fury and His blessing as our armor.” Pinea chimed in, the fire of fanaticism in her eyes, shifting between Rayla´s armored form and Crux, rankly glaring daggers at the mutant.

Rayla noticed the fierce glares the younger Sister of Battle gave her follower with an inward sigh. >>That´s an upbringing by the Schola Progenium for you.<< the Inquisitor thought. Then she noticed someone was missing. “Where is Sister Ilene?”

°°°

To her left and her right, black and red clad soldiers inched away slowly.
She did not care.
Thick smoke hid the battlefield and the enemy in front of her.
It did not matter.
Soon enough the foes of humanity and His divine will would show their wretched face and she would be there to meet them. Head on. Bringing down her blade, unstoppable, passing His judgment among them.
Ilene let out a controlled breath.
Soon she would be able to repent.
A breeze tugged at the blood red cloth of her mask. With a nearly automated motion, she adjusted it, causing the chains on her body to clatter. The masked woman kneeled down and closed her eyes. Then she started praying, her raspy voice merely louder than a whisper, yet it was strong and unwavering.

“A spiritus dominates.
Domine, libra nos.
From the lightning and the tempest,
Our Emperor, deliver us.
From plague, deceit, temptation and war,
Our Emperor, deliver us.
From the scourge of the Kraken,
Our Emperor, deliver us.
From the blasphemy of the fallen,
Our Emperor, deliver us.
From the begetting of daemons,
Our Emperor, deliver us.
From the curse of the mutant,
Our Emperor, deliver us.
A morte perpetua,
Domine, libra nos.
May you bring them only death.
May you not spare them.
May you not reprieve them.
We beseech you, destroy them.”

“Truly inspiring, really. I still get Goosebumps whenever I witness you Sisters doing this.” A voice, slightly stretched by a respirator mask, from behind her said.

Reopening her steel gray eyes, Ilene stood up and turned towards the voice. A lone soldier stood there, an Imperial Guard standard issue flame thrower hanging loosely from its strap around his shoulder.

“Charon.” the Sister Repentia acknowledged the troopers presence.

A stray gleam of light reflected from the blue tinted visor of Charons helmet.
“Wow, that was almost a hint of emotion in there. And here I thought, all your feeling were reserved for swinging this” he motioned towards the humongous chainsword that was leaning against a nearby wall “and yelling at your pitiful enemies.” He gave a low whistle as the woman lifted the weapon that was used to destroy vehicles, slay monstrous creatures or lesser enemies in droves without much more than a grunt. Again, Charon could not resist giving Ilene a survey. The lithe body of the Repentia was covered in scars, some old, some newer. At least those parts of her body that was not covered by her mask, the sleeveless red tunic or the black, corset like armor protecting her midsection. He would probably never know what drove her to take her vows but again he thought to himself what a shame that was. Then again, he had witnessed what the fallen Sister of Battle was capable of and as sure as all Greenskins were mushrooms, Charon would not want to miss her and her roaring Eviscerator in the front lines. Or find himself on the receiving end for that matter.

“May I ask you a question?” Ilene asked out of the blue.

“Eh, sure, why not?” Charon replied more than a bit surprised. “Shoot.”

The Repentia Sister did not turn towards the inquisitional trooper, instead fixating her gaze on an unknown spot of the smoke cloaked no-man’s land. “Why is it that you always try to engage me in conversation? All the other members of Lady Nor´s forces are trying to avoid contact with me as much as possible and rightfully so. So answer me trooper, what is your agenda by doing this? What do you hope to achieve?”

“Sheesh, my reasons to talk to you?” the soldier kicked a small piece of debris away “Well, first of, there is no agenda or something like it. You just seemed like you could use some contact, that´s all. Day in, day out you do nothing but hiding away somewhere in the ships bowels, doing the Emperor knows what. Never talking to anyone, except maybe the Lady Inquisitor. You´re secluding yourself. That’s not healthy. It’s…”

“It is exactly what I am supposed to do! This gown,” Ilene gestured with her free hand alongside her body, her Eviscerator comfortably resting on her shoulder “is the gown of repentance, not the gown of making new social contacts. I am supposed to pray and fight until the Emperor allows me to die. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Charon was about to respond as a soldier along the defense line yelled out:

“CONTACT!”

Without any more words, Ilene started walking towards the oncoming battle.

Charon chuckled under his helmet as he ignited the pilot flame of his weapon and followed the Repentia Sister.

°°°

Rayla reached the front line as the first figure broke through the smoke, her bolt pistol and power sword ready. Sergeant Drake, Sister Pinea and Crux stood with her. Sister Ursula had positioned herself on higher grounds, on top of the nearby hull of a burned out Chimera troop transporter to be able to use her heavy weapon with most efficiency.

The figure was a human, a ragged looking man somewhere around his forties. He was more stumbling than walking, several dark stains on his dirty clothing indicating that he was most likely wounded.

A civilian?<< Rayla gazed at the approaching man.

“Praise the Emperor, other humans!” the man yelled out “Don´t shot, don´t shoot for His mercy! I´m unarmed, please don’t shoot!”

More humans came out of the smoke. Man, woman and even children, all in varying ages. Some were heavily wounded, others surprisingly unscathed.

The presence of the civilians left a foul taste in the Inquisitors mouth. That doesn’t fit her enemy’s usual behavior.

“Halt!” Drake yelled suddenly “Stop right there. Another step closer and we will mow you down were you stand!” To underline his statement every trooper took aim.

The first man stared flabbergasted. “W-what? But we are civilians; we have woman and children with us. Some are badly injured…”

“And even if you were the planetary governor, it would change nothing!” Now Rayla yelled back, having regained her composure “Every city is under siege by the enemy by now and the chance that a bunch of untrained and unarmed civilians could escape them, let alone find a way to reach this landing zone are zero!”

“But you… aren’t you supposed to protect us? You are the Guard for Heaven’s sake!” the man shouted, growing more and more desperate. Some other civilians, mostly man, joined him, pleading for help.

Steeling herself Rayla took a step forward, shouting with every ounce of authority she could muster “No! I am Rayla Nor, Inquisitor of the Ordo Haereticus, leader of the 401.st task force. We are here to confront the xenos that are tarnishing this planet and to learn the reason why. Everything else is secondary. You will stay right where you are until we say otherwise. We will concern ourselves with your predicament later!”

“But we need help… right now… we…” the man yelled desperate.

“We should use him as an example Lady Nor.” Drake suggested. “His dead would… what the frakk is THAT?”

Right before them the body of the man suddenly started to convulse violently. Dark blood started pouring out of his mouth and his eyes, while sharp looking bones began to pierce his skin, all of his muscles shifting under his skin like a nest of snakes. With a long wail of unspeakable agony, the deformed man started running towards the defense line.

“Bring him down!” Rayla and Drake yelled nearly in unison.

Several hellguns came to life, sending red spears of death towards the target and likewise did Pineas bolter. The laser beams cut into the abused flesh, literally vaporizing big chunks of the man´s body but it didn´t stop him. Rayla watched as a precise volley of bolter rounds hit the former human being square in the chest.

A weird mixture of rage and relief played over the tormented victims traits.

Only milliseconds later, the man exploded more violently then the bolter rounds could have caused, sending gore and sharp bone pieces everywhere.

“Daemon!” hissed Pinea.

“Sorcery!” half yelled, half wailed Crux.

“What in the warp was that?” Drake asked.

Then, every remaining civilian started a mad dash towards the defense line. Most of them were showing the same changes like the man only moments earlier.

Cursing the ones responsible for the unpreventable, Rayla took aim.
“They are changed. All troops, OPEN FIRE!”

And her men did. The disciplined soldiers met the rush with a massive wall of laser fire, cutting down less of their targets than expected. All along the line, special weapons joined the massacre. Plasma guns unleashing white hot death and grenade launchers covering several targets at once with deadly shrapnel.

From her higher position, Ursula was pulling the trigger of her heavy bolter, sending methodical volleys of large caliber explosive rounds into their targets. The Retributor Sister’s weapon was cutting a bloody path but the changed civilians kept pressing on.

Eventually the first breached the last perimeter, close enough for the flamethrowers and melta guns to finally join the song of death and destruction. Hissing tongues of cleansing flames set tortured flesh ablaze and rays of unimaginable heat turned their targets into nothing but ash. Far and between, some troopers even flung a frak grenade into the incoming enemies.

“Hold the line!” Rayla yelled on top of her lungs, unloading her bolt pistol in rapid succession into the assailants next to her. As the rounds turned her targets into bloody clouds, two men and a woman rushed at her. The three humans were wailing in agony, only the white of their eyes visible. With not enough time to change the clip, the Inquisitor holstered her gun and griped her sword with two hands, bracing herself for close combat. Rayla met the first man with a downward slash of her weapon, cutting the man open from his right shoulder to his left hip, the force field covered blade slicing through muscle tissue and bones without meeting resistance, ending her opponent’s life. Using the momentum of her initial attack, Rayla then brought her blade back up, beheading the woman. It was in that moment she realized her mistake.

The headless body in front of her shivered violently and exploded, coating Rayla in blood, chunks of meat and bone shrapnel. The sudden spray of blood blinded her while most of the bone fragments were stopped dead by the power armor she was wearing. Blinking, she tried to clear her eyes, taking a step back. All around her the fight continued. She heard the sharp hissing of the laser weapons, the yelling of her soldiers and the meaty detonations of the human turned bombs. Squinting Rayla tried to locate the third of her attackers. Through the veil of blood and tear fluid she saw the man as he flung himself at her. In vain she tried to bring up her sword to impale her opponent on it as a shotgun thundered twice at her left, knocking the changed human back and off his feet. A red and black blur then came down on the fallen man, ending his life with a volley of hissing high energetic laser beams.

Crux was acutely aware of the battle around him. All around him, the soldiers of his Mistress were dishing out ruby colored death. The mutant saw one of his enemies going down after a headshot from a hellgun vaporized half the man’s head and felt a twinge of envy. His own shotgun was far from that level of efficiency or accuracy. Then again, it was simple and trusty, which was all he needed. Crux leveled his weapon at the incoming attackers, ready to contribute his part in lead.
Just a bit closer.
To his right he saw his Mistress firing her pistol into the rushing bodies, only to engage three of the Imperium´s enemies in close combat. Crux smiled as he witnessed with how much ease the Inquisitor defeated the first two but that smile quickly vanished as the woman Rayla beheaded a moment ago exploded in a shower of gore, maliciously blinding the Inquisitor and opening a path for the third foe. Instantly Crux brought his own weapon to bear, pulling the trigger once and then again for good measure. The first shot stopped the man and at the impact of the second, he was knocked of his feet. The man’s body had not touched the ground properly as Sergeant Drake stepped in front of Rayla, pointing his HEL-laspistol at the man’s stomach, vaporizing it in a hail of laser fire.

Sergeant Drake watched with satisfaction as the troopers all around him disposed of the last changed civilians. No one had breached the line.
“Good work there Crux.” he told the mutant that was fumbling with spare shells to reload his weapon. At his praise, the hunch bag smiled widely only to somber up rapidly, performing the imperial Aquila gesture over his armored chest as a proper response to the sergeant.

“Ewww, this is disgusting!” Rayla complained, wiping her face clean with the edge of her cape.

The weathered trooper chuckled at the behavior of his leader. “Ah, come on Rayla, it can´t be worse than those Nurgle cultists back on Kasr Volst. Remember all those pits, filled to the brim with rotting corpses, puss and blood?”

The Inquisitor stuck out her tongue “Bleeegh, don´t remind me.”

“Milady.” A voice gathered the Inquisitors attention. A trooper with a flamethrower stood at attention a few steps behind Raylas group. Drake recognized the man instantly.

“Charon! Were the frakk have you been?” the sergeant barked, closing the distance to the weapon specialist. “You are designated to Lady Nor´s personal group, which means your sorry ass has to be at her side all the time, not just when you feel like it!”

The trooper shifted on the spot. “Sorry sarge, I really tried but on my way I got slightly distracted by a bunch of warp-shit crazy human bombs.” he said while pointing to the blackened muzzle of his weapon.

Drake poked his gloved finger against Charon’s torso armor “You´re just one lucky son of a bitch that Lady Nor is not one to have you court marshaled!”

Rayla sighed before addressing the flamer wielding trooper. “While we’re at it Charon, any casualties I should know of?”

The black armored trooper shock his head “No Milady. Some soldiers suffered minor wounds when bone shrapnel hit a body part not protected by armor but nothing critical. The medics are at it as we speak.”

Satisfied with the information, Ralya took a com device out of a bag from her belt and activated it. “Attention troopers, this is Rayla Nor speaking. You all did well but we must not dawdle. This planet is still under attack and there are still the ones responsible for what happened with this unfortunate souls hiding out here. Gather the equipment and get into the Rhinos. We´re moving out!”

°°°

Silence filled the streets of the city Aurora. Every HUB block, every manufactorum and every street laid in thick, nearly graspable silence.
The huge twin doors of the local cathedral of the imperial savior were opened wide, showcasing the rich baroque décor of the holy place. Frescos made of fine marble lined the walls and rows after rows of statues depicting countless imperial heroes and saints looked down on the empty wooden benches that filled the large prayer room. A huge altar dominated the head end of the place. It was a huge block of marble, covered with hundreds of candles, thick layers of wax covering its sides, a mute testimonial for centuries of loyal worshipping.

The sound of heavy combat boots interrupted the silence as a lone figure skidded to a halt at the wide open gates. It was a man clad in the typical armor of the Imperial Guard, painted in a grey urban camouflage pattern over a black uniform, identifying him as a member of the local planetary defense forces. Blood trickled from a cut over his left eye. A hounded expression on his face, the soldier more stumbled than run past the benches and towards the mighty altar. Like a child would hide under the kitchen table or under its bed after its parents had caught it with the hand still in the cookie jar, the man cowered behind the solid block of marble.

He would be safe here.

Those… things… that were lurking outside would not dare to search for him inside this holy place.

No.

This was a place of worshipping the Emperor after all. He would not allow such vile creatures in this sacred place.

Or would he?

Just as the lone soldier felt his pounding heart had started to calm down, he heart a bone chilling sound.

The sound of bare feet on the polished marble floor. Bare feet with sharp claws instead of nails that scraped over the ground with every step, slowly walking inside the cathedral.

Hunting.

The man’s hand shot to his side, were his autorifle should have been. It was not there. He suddenly remembered dropping it while running for his dear life.
The soldier felt sweat build up on his forehead as he clenched his fingers around the stairs he was sitting on. They were inside. Oh merciful Emperor, they were inside!

The sound of the steps stopped. Now, instead there was sniffing.

It was trying to catch his scent!

Hearing the sniffing, a reflex kicked in that was as old as the humanity itself, hailing from a time when humans had been nothing but helpless prey to superior predators.

The soldier hold his breath.

Deep down, he knew that holding his breath was useless when that thing on the other side of the altar was able to detect him by his scent but he could not help it. It was just like back in his childhood, when he and his friends had played hide-and-seek in the city’s outskirts. Back then, he used to hold his breath too, ever time his friends would come close to his hiding spot.
It had never worked out for him. Every time, he had held his breath until the urge to breath had been overwhelming, causing him to loudly gasp for the life giving element and to finally give away his hiding spot.
He knew it would end like this too.
Preventing it was so simple, yet so unmanageable.
Breath.
Just breath!
These simple words spun around in the guardsman’s tortured mind.

The thing on the other side started moving again. Towards the altar. Towards its prey.

The man’s lunges were burning, screaming for oxygen. Just one little breath, he heard himself thinking. His hands shot up, covering his mouth and pinching his nose shut. He heard the scratching of claws against stone and a low metallic grinding as a razor sharp blade was dragged along the altars surface. A shudder ran down the soldier’s spine, causing his eyes to stray only to be caught by his vambrace. The grey surface was coated with a thin layer of rime. Above him, the soldier heard the thing shift its weight as it was by now surely crouching on top of the altar. A quick glance at the opposite wall confirmed it. A cowering shade had appeared on top of the altars shade against the wall.

Slowly but surely the need to breathe, to deeply inhale no matter what, became unbearable.

The temperature dropped further, causing the rime to spread over the uniforms sleeves.

His vision started to get blurry, while his heart hammered against his ribcage.

Every moment now, the thing would notice him, the man was sure of that.

Every moment.

Now!

The soldier closed his eyes. He did not want to see it coming.

But nothing happened.

Another second passed and he was still alive. Dizzy but alive. The shade was gone.
Hesitant the guardsman let go of his mouth and nose, allowing himself a painfully slow and overly controlled breath through the later.
After listening for a while and not hearing anything, the soldiers inched closer the altars edge. For a second he hesitated to follow his plan but he had to know if the thing was gone for good. He needed to get away from this cathedral, away from this city, away from this planet and away from this sector, just to be sure.
No, a voice inside his mind told him, only away from this city. Go find another regiment, tell them what happened here! Return with more troops and then blast those things and their friends back to where they came from!
But first things first.
Slowly, the soldier peeked around the corner.

No claws where there to greet him, no blade dug itself into his brain. Just an empty cathedral laid before his eyes. Suppressing a scream of joy, the man pulled himself back into a sitting position behind the altar and froze.

Right in front of him, merely an arm’s reach away sat crouched down a creature born from a nightmare. The things whole skin was like condensed darkness, literally swallowing the light that shone on it, causing it to radiate a chilling cold aura. Weird glyphs shone from within in a ghostly green light, as a heavy contrast to the black skin. Bone white, long and unkempt hair formed an unruly mane atop the creatures head. Around his lower body, it seemed to wear some sort of… skirt? Indeed, some kind of skirt but it was made out of a weird material.
A familiar symbol catched the guardsman’s eye. An imperial Aquila was emblazoned on the creatures skirt! With that, the horrid truth dawned the man: that things skirt was made out of human skin! Ripping his eyes away from the macabre article of clothing, he noticed a wicked looking blade resting in one of the beast´s hands. It looked similar to a razor, only at the size of a machete. And then, finally the guardsman´s gaze rested on the vile creatures face. Or for that matter, the empty space it had for a face. For some reason, it reminded the lone human of a puddle of oil. The surface was constantly moving, pitch black and abysmal.
It was bizarrely captivating.
The creature inched closer. When its face was only inches away from the soldiers, the blank surface of the creatures face suddenly rippled like a disturbed body of water. A portion of the “skin” were the mouth should be located ripped open like a bursting wound, revealing thin yet sharp looking predator teeth and the same ghostly green light like that of the glyphs pouring out of its throat.

Before the creatures jaws reached his throat, the soldier finally opened his mouth and took a long, deep breath.

°°°

[Two hours later]

A convoy of black painted Rhinos with red highlights at the front section and the unmistakable sigil of the Inquisition in bright white on their side hatches crawled towards the city Aurora.

The tension aboard the Rhino “Reliable” was thick enough to be cut with a knife. Inside the sparsely lightened passenger compartment, a platinum haired woman was glaring daggers at a hunch bag who tried his best to prevent eye contact, while a gruff sergeant was sharpening his combat knife for emergencies; a weapon specialist was maintaining his flamethrower, occasionally swapping tools with another platinum haired woman that was busy cleaning the ejection mechanism of her own weapon and at the rear end of the compartment, a masked woman was kneeling on the floor, silently praying.
Finally, a woman in dull metallic power armor had enough.

“Fine. Spill it.” Rayla leaned herself towards Pinea, giving the Sister of Battle an annoyed glare.

The addressed woman answered with a part confused, part frustrated look. “P-pardon Lady Inquisitor?”

Inhaling deeply, the orange haired Inquisitor gestured with a gloved hand towards Pinea. “It is obvious that there is something on your mind Sister. And with the success of this operation in mind, it would be better for all of us if you finally say what’s troubling you.” Rayla watched her counterpart squirm in her seat, fiddling with her rosary.

“It is… nothing Inquisitor Nor. Really… nothing.”

Huffing Rayla pinched the bridge of her nose. “Sure. And Khorne is the god of love and tolerance! Do I need to remind you that you have sworn loyalty AND honesty to me Pinea? I could just order you to tell me what troubles you but I would prefer not to. You are part of my retinue. We need to trust each other. If you cannot tell me what´s on your mind, how can I trust you to cover my back on the battlefield?”

“…”

“Speechless now, aren´t we?” Rayla said casual. Retorting to that kind of psychological trick to handle a member of her own retinue was something she disliked strongly but if she had learned one thing from her late master then it was that sometimes one had to do things one was uncomfortable with in order to reach the goal. Questioning ones oaths and loyalty could work wonders.

In a gesture of defeat, Pinea throw her black armored hands up. “It is… it is him!” she practically hissed, jabbing her finger in Crux direction.

The mutant suddenly discovered a very intriguing bolt at the compartments floor.

“It is not my place to question your decisions Inquisitor but why do you insist to keep a tainted one around? What do you see in him? What can he do that every able bodied, believing and pure human cannot? His existence alone is a mockery of the natural order. Every fiber of my being demands to purge him!” the Sister of Battle spat with a good portion of venom in her voice.

“You are quite right Sister. It is not yours to question my decisions!” the Inquisitor replied with a cold voice. “But that point of yours is really interesting. So, basically, your opinion is that every mutated being should be killed right?”

“Yes.” Pinea finally said in utter conviction.

Closing her eyes with an understanding smile, Rayla opened her arms in an inviting manner. “Well then Sister, take your weapon and kill me.”

“What?” Pinea was flabbergasted.

Still smiling, Rayla opened her eyes “Well, I am a psyker Sister Pinea. A mutant. A being unworthy to live, judging by your words. So please, take up that weapon of yours and end me. Purge my tainted soul and spare the universe my wretched presence!”

“Rayla, I think…” Drake tried to intervene but Rayla cut him short.

“No no, it´s quite right dear friend. The Sister did have a point. Although it moves my tainted soul that you care for me enough to try to prevent me being rightfully purged.” she said in a mock tone.

“What? I… but… no! Lady Nor, I did not mean to… “ the young Sister of Battle stammered.

“All right then, I make this easy for you.” Reaching for her holster, Rayla pulled out her own bolt pistol, put it in Pineas hand and pointed it at herself.

Pineas eyes darted from the gun in her hand to Raylas face and back.

“Well? Do it.” The Inquisitor said calmly.

Panic and confusion spread on the female warriors face.

“Milady, I think it’s enough.” Charon spoke up.

“No. It is not. Do it!” Rayla said again.

Pinea started to tremble visibly.

“I agree with him Rayla. You made your point. Stop this now.” Drake said and stood up, attempting to end this madness.

“Stay where you are sergeant!” Rayla hissed as a response, causing the weathered veteran to practically freeze in mid-motion. Then, she turned her attention back to the Sister of Battle in front of her. Rayla could see the conflict raging inside Pineas head.

Ursula watched the unfolding scene attentively.

“Well?” Raylas gaze bore into Pineas.

Pineas heart raced, she could feel her hand shake. Her trigger finger twitched ever so slightly.

Seconds seemed to stretch into lifetimes.

Everyone inside to passenger department was dead silent.

Finally, Pinea slumped down in defeat, letting go of the pistol which Rayla quickly stowed away in its holster again.

Sergeant Drake let go of a breath he had not noticed he was holding until now. Relieved, he sat back down into his seat, grumbling ‘I´m getting to old for this.’ in his nonexistent beard.

Charon simply stared slack jawed, which was luckily obscured by his helmet and respirator masc.

At Raylas side, Crux displayed his relief with a silent ‘Thank you’ to the Emperor.

Sister Ilene just went back to her prayers after a nearly invisible nod in the Inquisitors general direction.

And Sister Ursula put on a small smile.

Noticing that, Rayla addressed the Adepta Sororita. “You don’t seem surprised by the outcome Sister Ursula.”

“Because I am not, Lady Nor.”

“How comes?” Rayla inquired with a hint of curiosity.

With a calm smile, the older woman simply responded “Faith.”

Suddenly, a violent explosion shook the whole Rhino. Rayla slammed a hand onto the intercom. “Status!” she barked.

“We´re under attack!” came the answer after a burst of static “Our right chain took massive damage. We´re effectively disabled. Rhinos “Vengeance”, “Pilgrim” and “Foehammer” destroyed! No survivors! Remaining troops are returning fire.”

“All right. Open the back hatch and cover us, we´re going out. The Emperor may be with you.” Rayla instructed her driver. Turning around, she found every member of her retinue ready for battle. Ilene and Charon were waiting right by the hatch, the Repentia´s Eviscerator rattling in sync with the hissing pilot flame of the specialist’s flamethrower. Sister Ursula checked her auspex by tapping the scanner slightly, Drake took up his saber and pistol, ready to charge out. Pinea simply took up her bolter, loading it and switching the safety of. Behind her, Rayla heard the characteristic noise of Crux´ shotgun getting readied.
Taking up her own arms, the Inquisitor watched the large hatch at the back of the transporter open. Instantly the sound of fighting and dying man flooded the small compartment.
Once the hatch had fully opened, Ilene charged out, bellowing a mighty battle cry, Charon close to her heels. Ursula and Drake nodded to Rayla and charged out too.

The Lady Inquisitor took a deep breath and followed suit.

°°°

Several hundred kilometers above the shimmering orb of Argus Tertius, Commander Flavio Johm starred through the thick bridge window of the “Tabula Rasa” which separated him from the frozen darkness of space.
Under normal circumstances, the seasoned naval officer would take enjoyment in the countless myriads of stars and the busy but quit atmosphere of the Dauntless Class light cruisers bridge.
But these weren´t normal circumstances by all means.
Just then, the battleship's bridge was bursting with action. Com officers were shouting, trying to supply the gun captains with usable information’s about possible targets, while the gun captains were coordinating their respective crews at the starboard and larboard batteries.
Klaxons were constantly blaring, adding their own share to the cacophony of battle.
Flavio squinted his eyes or rather his left eye. His right eye was a more functional then aesthetic, green glowing bionic implant thanks to an encounter with Orc freebooterz early in his career. There, out in the dark void, a pair of blurred arrows flashed through his field of vision, followed by a deep rumble that run through the whole ship as a broadside was fired at the nimble star fighters that were constantly zooming around and firing away the cruiser. Turning around the Commander addressed his second-in-command “How´s the situation out there Volstag? Did we hit them? I want some good news!”

Turning away from an ensign he was talking to, Ship Master Boris Volstag faced his superior. The always sour look on the sturdy Valhallan´s face was supported by his eccentric, long moustache. “Nyiet Commander. Those gebrit xenos are fast. The gunners have trouble keeping up with their movements.” the man answered with his heavy, accented voice.

“Dammit!” the tall Cadian cursed loud, venting his frustration by smashing his fist against the grey steel wall of the bridge. After a moment, he collected himself, straightened up and took a deep breath. “What is with the “Bane´s Redemption” and the “Dawn”? Were they able to take out the corsair frigates they were aligned to hunt down?”

“Well, no confirmation until now. It seems they put up quite a fight.” The second-in-command answered uncomfortable twisting one end of his moustache between his fingers.

“Are you telling me that two Sword-class frigates were not able to destroy a pair of flimsy xeno frigates Ship Master?”

“Those… flimsy frigates took out the “Secutor” in a couple of minutes Commander.” Volstag offered thoughtful. “What they lack in durability, they make up with speed and some unholy punctual firepower. And do not forget about those diavolsky fighters out there, gnawing at our ships hull.”

Facing the bridges window again, the Commander rubbed his chin and stared into the endless void. “That’s another thing that leaves a foul taste in my mouth old friend. Those fighters are clearly Ravens. It is impossible that they came from one of the frigates.”

“You think that there´s another ship hiding out there?”

“Probably. A cruiser if I were to guess. Torturer-class most likely, for they are known to carry a small fleet of fighters and boarding vessels.”

The Ship Master harrumphed. “That would be trouble, da?”

Turing his head, Commander Flavio Johm gave a small grin “Only if we let them get in our back. Would be a crying shame if Lady Nor would succeed down there, just to find her own ship barley more than drifting grave, lovely decorated with our blood and guts, wouldn´t it?”

Ship Master Boris Volstag returned the smile “Da commander.”

“Then lock on those xenos and blast them out of this galaxy!”

“Aye aye!”

°°°

Rayla was greeted by a volley of projectiles hitting her square on the chest but the power armor deflected every single one. After taking a surprised step backwards, Rayla scanned her suroundings in order to get a picture of her current situation.
Her convoy had been attacked after reaching the outskirts of Aurora. To her surprise, the three burning Rhinos were the only visible signs of battle. The Inquisitor had suspected to see at least a good dozen corpses of the local PDF´s, some destroyed Chimeras or at least blood stains at the walls and streets but no signs of an armed conflict at all.
It was almost as if each and every human just had disappeared.
Instantly, Raylas gears started to spin at top speed, trying to find possible solutions for this mystery.

Maybe teleportation? Possible but unlikely.

Some kind of mind control? That was more like it but something about this theory seemed not fully right.

Could the city’s population have surrendered to the invaders? Now that was ridiculous!

The remains of her troops had left their transporters in order to defeat the enemy. The troopers were using every available cover. Some even had entered the ground and first floor of the surrounding houses or took position in the alleyways between, filling the air with a thick net of red laser beams.
A burst of dark energy ripped open the street in front of the Inquisitor, finally bringing her attention towards her enemies. Up in the sky, two sleek vessels were circling around their prey like hungry predators. The hulls were black with ice blue accents at the egdes, curved spikes protruded from the sides and long rams sparking with deadly energy decorated the prow of the clipper like skimmers. Fin-like Aether sails, open decks filled with xeno warriors in segmented armors, long scythe-like blades attached underneath the vessel and a deadly prow mounted heavy weapon completed the picture.

Raiders. The typical transport vessels of the xeno species known as the Dark Eldar.

Several salvos from the Rhinos stormbolters found their targets but each time the explosive rounds pinged of the armored hulls or passed right through the Raiders as the whole vehicle seemed to flicker out of existence for a second, only to re-materialize a heartbeat later.

The lean, dark armored xenos on board of each Raider seemed to enjoy themselves greatly, judging by the way some of them were clinging to the hull of the skimmers, only hold in place by a chain hooked to their armor and some were even holding onto the rails with one hand, firing their long and deadly rifles one-handed into the mass of inquisitorial troopers below them. The gunners of the prow weaponry contributed their part with astonishing accuracy given the high speed the troop transporters were moving at.

Rayla threw herself forward and behind the burning hull of a Rhino, dodging another volley of dark energy. Coming back on her feet, the Inquisitor witnessed several of her troopers break down, clutching parts of their bodies that were only covered by their red uniforms. Some were shaking violently, others lay still and yet others seemed to have lost complete control, thrashing around, screaming on top of their lungs in unspeakable agony. Internally cursing the wretched xenos and their poison coated ammunition, Rayla saw a shot from a plasma gun hitting one of the Dark Eldar in the mid-section, resulting in the mortally wounded enemy falling headfirst from the Raiders open deck and towards its certain death. The vessels gunners retaliated with a volley of dark energy rounds, literally vaporizing not only the trooper with the plasma gun but also half a dozen more in the immediate surroundings.

This was far from good. Rayla looked around to access her situation. She had already lost around forty men and four Rhinos and her enemies were only down one. But she refused to lose here!

Sergeant Drake rushed up to her. “Rayla, we´re getting minced here! Our hellguns can’t scratch the Raiders and the plasma guns are to slow to be effective. We need something bigger!” the veteran shouted.

Activating her com device to contact Sister Ursula, the Inquisitor smiled “Way ahead of you old friend.”

°°°

Archon Kaeris Hellwrath leaned back into her lavishly luxurious throne that was dominating the bridge of her personal cruiser, the “Wraith of Commoragh”. All around her, her loyal kabalites filled the ships bridge with efficient activity. This raid had been far too easy. The clumsy Chem Pan Sey and their even clumsier battleships had been almost too willing to take the bait she had offered them in form of the “Shin´Tach” and the “Malevolent Spirit” after attacking them, leaving the planet without protection. Well, there had been the local defense forces on the surface but they had proven themselves as pathetic as usual.
Together with her allied forces, consisting of Morla Bladebane and her Wyche’s Cult of Quarrel, several mercenary factions, like Hellion gangs and Scourges, her army had swept away any form of measly resistance her prey could offer.

Sipping wine from her chalice, made from the skull of the planetary governor´s daughter she graced the nervous looking kabalite in front of her with her attention. “Yes? Why do you think it would be wise to pester me? Can´t you see that I try to enjoy myself?” Kaeris asked, her voice smooth and casual.

The warrior, a male she had picked up from the lower levels of Commoragh, like many of her half-born, straightened himself in order not to appear weak, for weakness was only befitting for prey. And prey did not last very long in the Dark Eldar society. “My Archon, you instructed us to inform you once every raid team was back aboard so we could initiate our withdrawal from this system.”

Pitch black eyes bore into his own over the edge of the bone chalice. “So, I take that every team is back yes?”

“Well, not exactly my Archon.” The warrior admitted with a hint of sweat on his face. “The last two encountered a rather small military convoy in the outskirts of the city the Chem Pan Sey called Aurora and… it seems like they had let their bloodlust get the better of them, resulting in an attack on said convoy…”

Archon Kaeris Hellwrath put her chalice on the arms rest of her throne, never letting her eyes wander from her subordinate. "How many enemies did this convoy consist of?".

“Roughly one hundred my Archon.”

Kaeris nodded slowly. “I see. And remind me, what was my last order again?”

“To return to the “Wraith” without any delay.”

The Archon stood up slowly and made a step towards the warrior. “And instead of doing so, twenty of my men decided to attack one hundred Chem Pan Sey, completely ignoring my orders?” she asked, her melodious voice unwavering.

“Yes my Archon.”

“But every other team is back aboard? Including our allies?”

“Yes my Archon.”

Putting her slender hand on her kabalites pauldron, Kaeris circled around the man. “Well, I thank you for your service then.” She whispered in his ear in a low and husky tone. Seconds later, a silver blade protruded from the warrior’s stomach, causing him to collapse in a twitching heap, slowly bleeding to dead at his Archons feet.

Wiping her blade clean Kaeris addressed her Ship Master “All stations get ready to open a portal to the web. We´re leaving this system, I can´t stand its smell any longer.“

“But my Archon, what about the other frigates and the two remaining raid teams?” the Ship Master asked, eyes wandering between his superior and the corpse to her feet.

“What about them?” Kaeris purred “The first seemed to have failed to destroy their assigned prey and the others ignored my order of withdrawal. Let them rot here. Now set the course!” she snapped with a sudden one hundred eighty turn of her tone.

“As you command my Archon!” the Ship Master rushed to confirm her command.

Draping herself back on her throne, Archon Kaeris Hellwrath took up her chalice again with a smile. The haul from this raid would help her a great deal to cement the position of her cabal amongst her rivals back home in Commoragh. She guided the macabre chalice to her lips and took another sip.

°°°

Sister Ursula stood calm amidst the raging battle, her heavy bolter secure in her armored hands, shots from splinter weapons ricocheting of her power armor. She followed the course of one of the Raiders and took aim. The weapons of her brothers-in-arms may be too weak or slow to cause real damage to the xeno vessels but her own was a different story. Inquisitor Nor had tasked her with the destruction of the enemies transporters and she would take them down without fail! The Sororita let out a breath, resulting in a small cloud in the suddenly chilly air. Starring puzzled at the condensed breath in front of her, Ursula managed to dodge the jagged, silver blade that was aimed at her throat only by a hairs wide. Regaining her orientation after two quick steps back, Ursula faced her attacker. There, just were she had stood, a creature with bone white hair and a skin like condensed darkness covered in glowing, green runes pulled itself out the shadow of the surrounding buildings. Steeling herself for the coming, the Sister of Battle yelled as loud as she could “Mandrakes!”

The Mandrake literally shot forward, its gleaming blade held high to meet its prey.

Not budging a mere millimeter, the Retributor pulled the trigger of her anti infantry weapon. Roaring the heavy bolter came to life, sending a hailstorm of high explosive rounds towards the rushing monstrosity. But the fist sized rounds passed right through the xenos body like it was made of mist, impacting the ground behind it.

Ghostly green flames came to life in the Mandrake´s free hand and with a simple gesture, the dark creature lobed it at the Sororita. The flames hit Ursula’s left pauldron and although it did not even pierce the outer layer of the armor, the woman felt a biting cold spreading all over her arm and shoulder. Grunting in defiance, she pulled the trigger anew, sending more bullets towards her assailant but with the same effect like before. Another ball of phantom flames hit her, this time her exposed leg and again Ursula felt the paralyzing cold spreading through her body.

The Mandrake took the final step and closed in to the foolish woman that tried to fight back against her demise. The beast’s lower face ripped open violently, revealing its mouth as the Mandrake let out a soul piercing wail of triumph. Then it brought down its blade, aiming to bury it in Ursula’s forehead. Only to be violently tackled and send sprawled into the dust. Coming back on its feet, in an act of superhuman agility just a second later, the Mandrake hissed, exasperated, trying to identify its new opponent. The last thing the dark being saw was a huge, roaring chain blade coming down and cleanly cutting it in two.

Shaking of the last remains of the crippling cold, the Retributor´s eyes meet those of her savior. In front of Ursula stood Ilene. The Repentia´s body was covered in several dozen cuts from both, blade and claw, her breathing was heavy and the mask that normaly covered the upper half of her head was torn in several places, revealing bushels of her short, platinum colored hair.

“Are you still able to fight?” Ilene asked, shouldering her massive weapon.

“Yes. My thanks.” Ursula replied “It was a blessing from the Emperor for you to be close to my position, so you were able to defend me.”

“Well, that and it was logical for them to take out the only weapon truly able to take their skimmers down.” A new voice chimed in.

Turning around, both women saw Rayla and the rest of her retinue jog over to meet them. The Inquisitor and her followers wore visible signs of battle. Dirt and sweat was covering Rayla´s and Drake´s faces, Charons armor and uniform showcased light damage, the muzzle of Pinea´s bolter was black from use and a small trickle of blood was running down Crux´ face.

Jamming a fresh clip in her bolt pistol, Rayla addressed her followers “Okay, here´s the plan. We´re going to secure a perimeter around Sister Ursula and buy her enough time to take down the Raiders or at least, force them to retreat.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Drake agreed.

“So shall it be.” Pinea said. “None shall pass our lines!”

“I hate to be that guy but we have company!” Charon half shouted, reading his flamethrower as half a dozen Mandraks climbed out of the shadows all around the small group and indicating by the continuing screams of dying troopers, there were a lot more out of sight.

“Alright, protect Sister Ursula and push back those monstrosities. For the golden throne!” Rayla shouted, starting to fire at the approaching xenos.

“For the Emperor!” every member of her retinue shouted as an answer.

Ursula took a deep breath. Everyone was depending on her now and by Terra, she would not fail them! One of the Raiders flew a low turn in an attempt to offer the passengers a better line of fire. The Sister Retributor smiled and lined up her heavy bolter, silently praying “Guide my hand Emperor, let my aim be true.” Then she pulled the trigger.

°°°

“Commander! The fighters are retreating!” Ship Master Volstag shouted over the noise of the battleships bridge.

Commander Johm spun around nearly instantly to face his Ship Master. “Track them! They lead us directly to our mysterious ship!” the higher ranged officer barked.

“Ship Master, the long range scanners have detected a ship! It suddenly appeared in the planets outer atmosphere and it´s leaving!” an nearby ensign shouted, never letting his eyes of his monitor.

Johm rushed to the side of his subordinate, wildly cursing. After a quick check of the glowing monitor, the Commander addressed his crew “Set a course to intercept the enemy. By the Emperors righteous fury, this xeno scum won´t be able sneak away this easily! To all gun crews, ready for ship to ship combat. Full charge on the lance battery. I want to give them hell as soon as we are at maximum range!”

“Aye aye sir!” the whole bridges crew bellowed as one.

°°°

Rayla cursed as another volley of her bolt rounds harmlessly passed through an approaching Mandrake. Abandoning her gun by holstering it, the Inquisitor instead reached out with her mind. She focused, condensing the immense yet flighty power of the Immaterium in her free palm. Her assailant however seemed not willing to wait for the woman to finish, instead the creature jumped forward, swinging its sickle like weapon in silvery arcs at her. Parrying the attack with her own blade, Rayla thrusts her hand towards the Mandrake. “Be gone!” the Inquisitor shouted, white soulfire lighting bursting forth from her armored palm and striking the monstrosity in front of her. The Mandrake wailed in agony as the psionic attack rendered the defenses of its half immaterial body useless, tearing it apart until noting but its blade was left. >>Well, one down and a dozen to go.<< she thought dryly and lunged herself at the next Mandrake, her crackling power sword held high.

Thundering, round after round left the muzzle of Ursulas heavy bolter and most of those rounds detonated, impacting the until then so evasive skimmers hull. The frail transporter swayed in its path as it’s damaged anti grav engines started to spew black smoke. The Sister Retributor allowed herself a grim smile as the Raider lost high rapidly and finally crashed into a building only to explode in an impressive cloud of fire, shrapnel turned pieces of white hot metal and burned body parts. The Sister of Battle was about to repeat the procedure with the other skimmer as a pair of Mandrakes jumped at her from her own shadow. Ursula tried to react but a hissing tongue of fire intercepted the Mandrakes and forced them back, leaving them vulnerable for a precious moment. A bolter barked as rapid fired salvos tore into the pitch black bodies of the xenos, dissolving them into nothing. Turning her head, Ursula found herself facing Pinea and Charon.

“A masterful shot sister.” complimented the younger Sororita.

“Yes, think you can repeat that?” the inquisitorial trooper chimed in, pointing in the rough direction of the last Dark Eldar vessel with his thumb.

Taking aim at the remaining Raider, the older Sister of Battle nodded nearly unnoticeable.
“Without a doubt!”

°°°

“My Archon! A Chem Pan Sey battleship is approaching us. Should we destroy it?” a female kabalite addressed Kaeris nervously from her seat.

Arching an eyebrow, the Archon sat up straight on her throne. “How far away are they?”

“Out of range for both, us and them.”

“Then ignore them. Their battleships are cumbersome beasts. Before they have reached us, we will long be gone. Proceed with opening the portal!”

“As you command my Archon.”

With a pleased smile Kaeris watched through the bridges window as a small, shimmering rift started to open in the very fabric of space itself right in front of her ships nose. Jade green phantom flames seemed to flicker around the forced portal as it grew wider in order to allow the Torturer Class cruiser passage to the web way.

°°°

“Dammit, they are escaping! Are we in reach yet?” Commander Johm snapped impatiently as he gazed out of the bridges window, fixating the small, glistening dot he knew it was the wanted Dark Eldar cruiser.

“No sir, still a few kilometers for our prow battery.” One of the gun captains answered.

“Fire it.”

“Excuse me sir?” the gun captain asked confused.

“I said fire the lance battery! We don’t have to destroy them with the first salvo; we just need to startle them until we are in reach for a broadside. If we are lucky, we can destroy their engines or cripple them otherwise.” the Commander explained, his eyes always fixated on the enemies’ ship.

“Aye sir!” The gun captain saluted and hurried to execute Johms orders.

°°°

“Emperor damn them! This one had learned!” Ursula yelled angrily as the last remaining Raider danced through the hail of fire she was sending towards it. This time the vessel took barley any hits as the skimmers pilot navigated it closer and closer and those hits it took mostly seemed to pass through it harmlessly. The Sister of Battle could already see the warriors aboard the anti grav transporter swing their weapons triumphantly as the lean vessel zig-zaged forwards in high speed, gliding barley three meters above the ground.

Parrying the slash of a razor-sharp machete with his saber and retailing with a laser volley in his opponent’s face, Sergeant Drake said “Looks like they aim to drop their troops on our heads to get us in close combat after tank shocking us. Probably hope to slice some of us open with the blades underneath the Raider too.”

“Well, that’s nothing we want hn?” Rayla asked rhetorically, cutting of the arm of a Mandrake that had tried to get in her back by circling her. The creature howled, clutching its wound and retreated into a near shadow. “Drake, try to get the drivers of the Rhinos on the com, they must use their storm bolters to cover us while Sister Ursula takes out the Raider.”

The gruff veteran nodded “At once Lady Nor.”

Aboard the Raider, the gunner of the vessel decided to bring his weapon to bear in order to tenderize the prey before the boarded warriors would be delivering the death blow. With sharp hisses, the disintegrator cannon came to life, sending a volley of dark matter rounds towards the foolish Chem Pan Sey.

°°°

The “Wraith of Commoragh” shook violently, causing Kearis Hellwrath to jump from her throne as klaxons started to blare. “What in the seventh hell was that? Status?” she screamed.

“It´s.. it’s the Chem Pan Sey my Archon. They… had opened fire on us.” The same female kabalite as before answered the question, her voice heavy with disbelief.

“What?” the Archon bursts out “But we are clearly out of reach, not even they could be that dumb! Did they hit something at all?”

“No my Archon, the “Wraith” is unharmed.” The kabalite said.

Suddenly another kabalite screamed “The portal, they had hit the portal!”

Rushing to the bridges window, Kaeris starred into the darkness of space and onto the flaming portal. The dark energy that was forcing open the rift in the fragile fabric of space was wavering violently, gusts of phantom flames sprouting out of it like the hot breath of a gargantuan beast. Her voice unwavering despite the drops of sweat on her forehead, Archon Kaeris simply stated “It is collapsing. The energy from the primitives weaponry must have disturbed the portals own energy flow.” Mere seconds after she had said it, the damaged web way portal shrunk in the blink of an eye to the size of a small dot not bigger than a fighter only to explode a heartbeat after into a rapidly expanding sphere of sickly green flames. Kaeris did not flinch or scream as her ship was swallowed by the unleased energy.

°°°

Commander Johm watched the Dark Eldar cruiser being annihilated by the detonating portal. What a lucky stroke it had been that the salvo from the lance battery had missed the ship but hit the building portal. Up until now, it had been unknown that the portals used by the Dark Eldar to enter and exit the web way could be destroyed by sheer force. This was a new insight that could prove itself very valuable in the future. However, the Commanders cheer was cut short as the explosion not died down but kept on expanding until it was only seconds away from the “Tabula Rasa”. Turning to the next handle, Johm yelled on top of his lungs “Brace for impact!” Seconds later the imperial vessel was swallowed by the explosion.

°°°

On the planet’s surface, the bloody battle between man and monster came to an abrupt and confusing stop. Rayla retreated a few steps from her momentary opponent just to be sure as she noticed that everything around her suddenly had gained a greenish glow. Looking up she saw the reason. The whole sky was filled with an endless sea of green flames that were rapidly coming closer.

“What´s that? Some kind of new weapon?” Charon asked, fear clearly in his voice.

“Wretched sorcery!” spat Pinea.

Rayla could do nothing but stare and the endless wall of green flames rapidly approaching the planet’s surface. “Emperor have mercy on our souls.” the Inquistor muttered. Then the explosion reached the surface of Argus Tertius, phantom fire washing over continents, oceans and cities, swallowing everything in its path.

°°°

In the magical land of Equestria, in the small town of Ponyville to be precise Twilight Sparkle sat on her favorite balcony in her new castle and gazed at the upcoming night’s sky with a smile. Dawn court just had ended and Equestrias newest princess finally had time to indulge herself in a hobby of hers she had been forced to neglect way to long, at least in her opinion.

Stargazing.

From a balcony of her very own castle. The lavender alicorn giggled and rolled the words around in her mouth as if to taste them. “My own castle. My castle. My. Castle. It still feels weird but it is real.” she said to no one in particular. With a heavy sigh she added “Still, it’s a crying shame that the Golden Oaks library ended up as a bunch of charcoal. Just when I finally had figured out the perfect system for all the books.” A solitary tear stole itself from Twilights eye at that thought and at the same time, the hot flame of anger started to burn inside her chest. All those books were now lost forever! Sure, none of them had been nearly as precious as the scriptures stored in the Canterlot archives but nonetheless some of them had been pretty old. At least they had kicked Tirek´s flank back to Tartarus for this unforgivable crime against knowledge!
A strained grunt brought the ex-librarians attention back to reality. Spike, her reptilian number one assistant and best little brother in the whole wide world had entered the balcony with a small tray wagon in tow.

“Okay, we´ve got some chips, hay fries, dip, crackers, some more dip, a box of cupcakes and a big bottle of carrot juice straight from the fridge. Oh and this assorted bowl of gems for me. Looks like we are good for a nice night of stargazing.” the green and purple drakeling announced, sounding satisfied with his preparations.

“What would I do without you, Spike?” Twilight asked, amused, eying the mass of unhealthy but delicious treats before her.

Spike plopped down with his bowl of gems next to his big sister figure and shrugged. “Dunno, starve? Or even worse, live healthy?”

Chuckling Twilight levitated a chip out of its bowl, dipped it in a thick, red dip and took a bite. Her taste buds were instantly assaulted by a sweet and yet spicy aroma. “Wow, this stuff is good. What is that? I think I taste peppers, tomatoes, some spices and yet it is really sweet at the same time.”

Chomping down a claw full of gems, Spike smiled “Good hn? Got that at Sugarcube Corners when I bought the cupcakes. Pinkie said she was sure you would like it. Although she did not want tell me what ingredients she had used.”

“Pinkie Pie made this? I would have never guessed she would make other food than sweet stuff.”

“Jupp. Surprised me too but hey, we talk about a mare who combines cupcakes with hot sauce.”

“Don´t remind me. I needed to drink two whole liters of milk to neutralize all this capsaicin after mistaking the hot sauce for punch back then.” Twilight grumbled, memories of her first day in Ponyville livid in her mind.

Spike softly punched Twilights foreleg. “But you had to admit that was really funny Twilight.”

“Yeah, funny if it’s not your tongue that nearly melted Spike.” Twilight huffed and decided to begin her stargazing instead of bickering around.

Ah the simple yet highly demanding joy of stargazing, Twilight mused. Hobby and relaxation to some ponies, passion and destiny for others. The bookish alicorns look lingered at the now empty surface of the moon for a while. Princess Luna’s namesake shone with a tranquil yet powerful light. >>To think that everything that had happened in my life along the course of the last years had begun with a legend about the moon. Had I not read this old story about Nightmare Moon and her return, I would probably never had met any of my friends. We would have never ventured into the Everfree to stop Nightmare Moon, never had found the elements and became their bearers.<< Twilights thoughts carried her away from her original plans for tonight >>I wonder if somepony else would have done the things my friends and I had done instead or would we all vegetate in eternal darkness by now?<<

“…that normal Twilight?” a voice from besides her disturbed her musing together with a tug on the equines shoulder from a scaly claw, covered in just a little bit of salvia and a lot of gem crumbs.

“Eh? Sorry Spike, you were saying?” the scholar turned princess answered sheepishly.

The young dragon gave a small grumble and then pointed at the nights sky. “There, right between ‘the Minotaur’ and ‘the Griffins Talon’. One moment everything was normal and in the next, there was… this. Did you, by any chance know if Luna wanted to make a new addition to the nights sky? Cause this is really freaking me out for some reason.” Spike said, shivering from the top of his spines to the tip of his tail for emphasis.

Following Spikes lead, Twilight soon found the source of her little dragons concern. There, right between the two celestial constellations was something new. It was faint and seemed to flicker like a candles flame in the wind but it was unmistakably there. It looked somewhat like an entirely new star had appeared on the star speckled blanket that was Luna´s domain. Only this star shone in a sick green light which reminded Twilight fatally of the flames changelings produced when dropping their disguise. Maybe this was the reason for Spikes bad feeling? “No Spike, I don´t think this is Princess Lunas doing. I can´t really describe it but I have a weird feeling too. This color reminds me to much of changelings for my liking.” the Princess of Friendship admitted. As she stared at this new and mysterious ‘star’, Twilight felt her fur slowly but surely rise and pressure was building at the root of her horn, sending rouge sparks of magic along the appendance. Shaking her head to let the unwanted pressure deflagrate the bad feeling Spike had mentioned started to make its way in Twilights stomach too. This whole situation felt so… unnatural for some reason the mare could not grasp.

“Hey, what’s going on? Is it… growing?” Spike asked anxious, huddling up against Twilight to regain his feeling of security.

Wide eyed the lavender alicorn starred at the green dot. Spike was right! This ‘star’ or whatever it was grew visibly in mere seconds. And then, it vanished.

Twilight blinked. Once. Twice. The mysterious apparition was gone without a trace. Not even the uncomfortable pressure in her head was left and her fur was likewise back to normal.

“This was beyond weird.” Spike stated. “Think we should tell Celestia and Luna?”

Twilight nodded slowly, her eyes still glued to the spot where the ball of greenish light had been just seconds before.

“I have a really bad feeling about this Spike.”

Author's Note

Aaaand the bumby ride begins.^^
I was really itching to try a MlP/W40k crossover myself. Lets see how this will play out hn?

Ah, and another small thing: its kinda hard to find all the correct terms I need so if one of you should notice that I dont use the correct term for something, feel free to write it on a brick and throw it at me.
That would be mighty nice of ya.

Enjoy reading. Toddles~