The End is the Beginning

Alone on a patch of dry ground in the swampy terrain, an armour clad figure of azure and gold stood still, meditating about the events leading up to this moment. His ornate staff, a tool for enhancing his unspeakable energies, laying discarded in the mud; burnt out and no longer humming with power. But that isn’t what’s troubling the Sorcerer of the Thousand Sons. What drew his attention is not the fact that they were cut off from their respected warband; nor is the idea of being surrounded by the most despicable and hated of allies he had the misfortune of sharing this misadventure with.

Makaan’s mind is concentrating on the absolute silence about this world. Not for as long as he dare remember that there ever exists such a thing as this beautiful calm quietness. No Psyker is spared from the endless wailing from the warp; no amount of protection of distance can choke the noise. And yet, this tranquility is what’s most disturbing. He having endured many occasions of being dragged through warp rifts, intentionally and otherwise, but never had he been so disoriented from the experience.

The warp storm is definitely gone; being stranded on this planet for a day more than proves that point, but whether or not this is a world controlled by the Imperium will take some time. However there is a strong sense that their trouble is deeper than merely being on the wrong planet. Makaan’s power being inert is evidence of that, but he will not be disclosing that to his allies any time soon.

‘Those servants of the false Emperor had a Psyker among them’, he thought, reliving the events before reaching the point where recollection ends.

‘No,’ he replies to himself. ‘It is not possible for one man, a measly sanctioned Psyker to summon a rift as potent as one made by an Aspiring Sorcerer. ‘

Then he remembered the protective dome the Psyker summoned. How it started out weak, but grew stronger with every lightning strike from the warp storm licking the surface of Medusa V. Then something from the sky rained down to release all the energy, doing Tzeentch-knows-what. The full scope of their situation has not been fully realized for many hours after the energy release when he regained consciousness in this deafeningly quiet world.

The Death Guard and their minions immediately went about reconnecting with those scattered throughout the forest while he made considerable effort to isolate himself from their involvements. Only in solitude can he truly find out why he can’t even lift his staff from the mud.

Stumbling from the forest, one of the Followers of the Plague interrupts the sorcerer.  He is a shadow of his former self, a rotting husk from the war on Medusa V before reaching its crescendo. Makaan turns to glare at the cultist’s intrusion, not wanting to hear what this cretin has to say.

“What matter of importance requires you to disturb my meditation?” He growls, giving no effort to mask his venom.

“A thousand pardons sorcerer,” the heretic said, wheezing with every other spoken word. ”But my Lord wishes to share with you that they’ve found the Imperials.”

“They survived?” Makaan said, genuinely impressed that those untouched by the Immaterium can live through the experience. “And what does your Lord plan on doing with them?”

“Lord Ignatis is sending forward every able follower to storm their position.”

“And your Lord is abandoning his brethren yet to accounted for?” He added, mildly amused by their disregard of their own.

“We will return to our task once we finish them off. Our Lord believes that they are disorganized, leaderless and alone as we are; vulnerable and presents an easy target.”

“That is very unwise to assume, but I will not question your Lord’s wisdom.” Makaan said, mockingly. “And what will Ignatis have me do?”

“Lord Ignatis wants to inquire about reconnecting to the warp, a task that should be no problem for the likes of you.”

“Of course,” he lied. “I will seek out your Lord when I conclude my meditation. Also tell him that I will be addressed as ‘Makaan’ if he wants to court my service.”

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Pinkie Pie bounced merrily through the outskirts of Ponyville following the source of that strange noise that zoomed overhead moments ago. At first she thought it’s a hot air balloon, but quickly abandoned the thought when the sky filled with the roar of turbo fans after zipping by.

‘I wonder why that thing’s heading for Cloudsdale,’ she thought, seeing the great formation of clouds in the distance.

Suddenly the aircraft appeared again. Bursting out of the clouds, the olive coloured aircraft soared above her. Pinkie stares in awe at the machine, comprehending how it can achieve flight with its wings locked stiff. Disappearing into the horizon, Pinkie felt a little frustration that she cannot greet the newcomers.

“Twitcha-twitch-twitch-twitch,” Pinkie said aloud, her twitching tail warning her of a falling object, she dashed for a spot under a tree.

Looking up, she caught a glimpse of something crashing into the same tree she stood under. Tumbling down, something large and olive drab landed with a splat in front of Pinkie Pie. She gave a yelp of surprise, trying her best to distinguish what this creature is. It looked like a minotaur at first glance, but dismissed the thought when she trot closer.

“I wouldn’t get close to that thing if I were you,” Rainbow Dash said from the tree tops. “Actually, do whatever, it’s passed out.”

“Hey Rainbow Dash!” she exclaimed, pleasantly surprised by her arrival. “Who’s your friend here?”

“It’s not my friend; I just saved its sorry hide when it fell through the clouds.”

“That’s very nice of you Rainbow,” Pinkie said, poking the creature’s helmet. “I’m sure they would be very grateful for the rescue.”

“I hope so, because they’ve got a lot of explaining to do about the damage they caused in Cloudsdale. Anyway, you wanna help me drag this thing to the hospital, I heard something broke on the way down. ”

“Awe, poor thing. Sure I’ll help you out Dashie.”

Sharing the weight of the creature between them, they start the long trek towards the Ponyville Hospital. To pass the time smoother, Pinkie Pie began commenting about the creature’s particulars.

“Rainbow Dash?”

“What.”

“Haven’t you notice that we don’t even know what this creature actually looks like?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s just that every inch is covered by something or another. The face, the mane, tail or anything; everything seems to be covers by something thing stiff maybe even metal.”

“I’m pretty certain that it has none of those features, but I suppose you have a point. That would explain why it’s so heavy. I think I saw lights on its backpack a while ago.”

“Gasp! Do you think it could be a robot?!”

“Definitely not a robot, it was saying stuff before I caught it.”

“Did it sound like a guy or girl?”

Considering Pinkie's question, Rainbow Dash tries to discern it's gender solely on it's voice.

“Ya know, I'm not sure," she finally said after a moment of pondering. "The mask kind of muffled everything it was saying so I can’t tell.”

“I really wish I can ask why it’s wearing so much protection, the breathy tubes looks cool and all, but this seems a bit excessive. “

“Well once it wakes, feel free to ask.”

The hospital was coming into view and a pair of security guards were swiftly approaching.

“This fella took a really nasty fall and I’m not sure what broke,"Rainbow Dash explains to the guards. "This guy is from that thing that flew overhead not long ago.”

The guards acknowledged and haul the lump stranger into the lobby where it can move to Intensive Care. During the exchange a small booklet fell from one of the pockets from the backpack. Pinkie Pie picked up the book and waits for Rainbow Dash to finish describing to the attendants what had happened.

“These guys here don’t know what this thing is either,” Dash groaned. “Makes me wonder if we have an alien in our hooves.”

“Hey RD, check this thing out,” Pinkie said, holding the book up to her friend. “I think this belonged to that person.”

Rainbow Dash looked at the title underneath what looked like an aquilia with two heads.

“’The Imperial Infantryman’s Uplifting Primer’, say that one ten times fast,” Rainbow commented, but quickly resumed reading before Pinkie took it literally. “Van Grothes’ Rift Edition.“

Catching on to a brilliant idea, she shoves the book back into Pinkie’s possession.

“Bring this to Twilight immediately,” she shouts as Pinkie smiles, knowing where this is going. “I’ll go look for Fluttershy to hear her two bits on what she thinks this creature is.”

Dashing off to Fluttershy’s cottage, she quietly hopes that these were aliens; that would be so awesome.

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“And the thing was huge!“

Pinkie Pie arrives at Twilight’s library and right away started to recall what had happen.

“But it didn’t seem scary at all. So we brought it to the hospital, we found the book and now Rainbow Dash is going to ask Fluttershy about what she thinks.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Twilight said, keeping her full attention on the book.

Flipping to the first page, she stopped at an ominous warning printed in bold and bordered with a grim skull to push the warning forward.

By order of the Departmento Munitorum

This guide book and the documents contained within must not fall into enemy hands.

Failure to ensure this document’s safekeeping carries the penalty of death.

368/Publis Custodes Imperialum/579

Her blood went cold at the thought of a simple book carrying such dire consequences. What in Equestria would bestow such harsh punishment on something simple as a book? Turning a few more pages, Twilight finds something that might be important.

“Oh Pinkie Pie, it looks like her name is Sketch,” she exclaimed, but her excitement turns to confusion when she continues reading.

“Serial number: 8157-389-42-1? Rank: Corporal? Born: Vendolant Hive district 11744, 314975M41? Call Code:  Union, Juno, Tetra? Any of this ringing a bell Pinkie?"

“I have no idea,” Pinkie Pie said, blissfully unconcerned.

“Maybe there’s a table of contents somewhere,” Twilight sighs. “Oh there is!”

The next page turns to the content’s list, on the opposite page had a picture of a winged figure in decorative armor, hovering above a column of faceless figures with a banner header reading ‘Vitae Morte’. Unsure of what that means, she scans the table of contents.

“’Chapter 4: Imperial Guard vehicle recognition charts’, this might help us identify what that thing is. Let me just find that page.”

Twilight turns to that section and levitates the book in front of herself and Pinkie. What they found is an array of silhouettes, many of which bore absolutely no resemblance to what they seek, but there were a few that looks very similar.

“Marauder?” Twilight asked, naming off the first silhouette with wings.

“Nah, the wings weren’t that long,” Pinkie answered. “Nor was the tail so ridged. Ooo, how about a Thunderbolt.”

“The fuselage wasn’t that short from what I can tell from here. And the wings seemed to have tipped downward. Ah! Here we go!”

Turning another page, Twilight spots a shape that shares the most resemblance to the aircraft.

“The Valkyrie assault carrier is a twin-engine attack craft used for rapid aerial insertions and drop missions,” she read. “Modifications to the chassis or fitting can fulfill other various roles from vehicle transport to logistical missions. A Valkyrie utilizes vectored engines for vertical take-off and landings, making this the ideal aircraft for operating in uneven and/or dangerous terrain.”

“I still couldn’t picture what they’re trying to do,” Pinkie pondered. “If this is their way of saying ‘hi’, this is a very strange way of accomplishing it.”

“Or perhaps they are trying to learn about us before they visit us,” Twilight replies as she browse the rest of the book. "Maybe if I learn more about them, we’ll figure a way to make this easier for the both of us.”

Without knocking, Rainbow Dash burst through the front door, causing both ponies to leap in fright.

“Guys! Fluttershy’s gone!” Dash shouts over their protest. “There’s something there that you need to see! Come on!”

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“Is our specimen’s X-ray developing?” asked Doctor Stable.

“It will be ready in a moment,” replied Nurse Coldheart. “And why are you referring to our patient as ‘specimen’?”

“Because I have no idea of what else to call it,” the Doctor said, almost afraid of what he’s saying. “Nowhere on Equestria have I ever seen anything so strange, and frightening.”

A table at the corner of the room lays everything they were brave enough to remove from the specimen. Surprisingly, the strange backpack, the largest item they successfully removed, was the easiest. Alongside it were a collection of unidentified trinkets and loose items, a long rectangular-ish tool with a barrel, both shoulder guards and the helmet with its mask still attached. The medical team is unable to remove the carapace, because it fits tightly on the abdomen and probably protected that general area from any trauma from the drop.

Removing the helmet had been an interesting experience, the attendants in the room were mesmerized as were they bothered by what the features on the specimen’s head. The creature was mostly hairless, a long scar stretching from the right cheek and disappearing somewhere in the only place where hair grew.

“Who knows what this poor creature’s been through,” commented Nurse Sweetheart. “Stitching a scar that large shut must have been terrible.”

“I have a feeling the scar is only the tip of the ice berg,” Doctor Stable said solemnly. “That gear we removed is most definitely for protection, and I don’t even want to know what its protection against.”

“Doctor! The X-rays are done!” exclaimed Nurse Redheart.

“Well, let’s see it then,” Doctor Stable said, flipping on the display lights.

Sticking the X-ray photos on the wall, everypony recoils in horror at the images displaying before them.

“What in Tartarus is that?!”

“Is that metal bar the only thing holding that femur together?!”

“Who in the right mind thinks stapling bones together is a good idea?!”

“Is this what they call shrapnel?!”

In the commotion, Sweetheart fell with a flop, feinting from the disturbing photos. The other Nurses exchange glances at the patient, still out cold, on the operating table.

“Are we sure it’s even alive?”

“There is a pulse, and it’s still breathing,” Doctor Stable said, trying to return to his calm attitude. “I’m not entirely sure of what we can do other than making sure our specimen hasn’t sustained a concussion.”

“I’ll begin prepping the CT scanner once I help Sweetheart up,” said Coldheart, helping Sweetheart out out of the room.

“Thanks Coldheart, I’m going to double check the restraints before we move the specimen again,” Stable said, tugging the straps. “Nurse Redheart, can you summon security, just in case?”

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“Sentinel, Insurgency Walker,” Twilight read aloud as Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash examine the prints left on the ground. “Lightly armoured mechanized units crewed by a single pilot. Sentinels usually fulfill reconnaissance and fast attack function. Useful in rough terrain where tracked vehicles are prohibited.”

“So they’ve been here already,” Rainbow Dash said, worrying for their friend Fluttershy. “We should go in there after them! Come on who’s with me?”

“Cool your jets Rainbow. We can’t go after them hastily,” Twilight said trying to convey the weight of how important this is. “We might trigger a hostile reaction from them and all our efforts will be for naught! “

“What makes you think they’ll just attack you without knowing you?” Rainbow asks, frustrated with Twilight's indecision.

“Because of this,” Twilight said, holding up the book for emphasis. “I’ve only read a hoof-full of pages and everything in it suggests that they don’t take too kindly to anyone but their own; and even that is a fragile friendship, if you could even call it that!”

“What! Are they Tartatus-bent on fighting anyone and everything they don’t like?”

“Precisely, and making sure we don’t get off on the wrong hoof is of dire importance!”

“If we can’t go in after them, then what do you suggest we do?” Rainbow Dash said deplete of argument.

“Maybe if we ask Sketch nicely, she can take us to them,” Pinkie suggests.

“That actually sounds like a good plan,” inquires Twilight, noticing an entry on Vox-Casters. “Or maybe she can open a channel with whomever’s encharge and I can speak with them.”

“Wait, that was a she, Rainbow Dash asks. “And her name is Sketch? How did you- oh.”

She stops after seeing Twilight holding up the book again.

“Let’s giddy up!” Pinkie Pie said joyfully. “I really want to give her a proper welcome to Ponyville.”

“Actually Pinky, maybe you should leave that to Twilight,” Dash advises. “You’re overly flamboyant attitude might scare her.”

“Awe, not even my welcome wagon?” Pinkie pouts.

“Definitely no welcome wagon,” Twilight sighs, trying to perceive every means of damage control.

While she understands that Pinkie Pie's intentions were suppose to be friendly, she didn't want to take any risks of Pinkie ruining their standings with a potentially intolerant empire. They’ve made it partially through the market district in Ponyville when Pinkie Pie stops dead in her tracks, staring at the direction where they just came. Twilight and Rainbow Dash halts as well and approached their friend.

“Hey Pinkie, what’s wrong?” Twilight asks.

“Shhhh, do you hear that?” Pinkie said quietly.

One by one, Twilight notices everypony in the proximity stopping what business they were conducting and succumbing to confusion as she began to hear light popping noises traveling through the air. Suddenly a low rumble erupting in the distance, emanating from the Everfree Forest.

“Yes,” Twilight wispers. “I hear it.”

‘dakka dakka dakka’

The cacophony of sounds steadily grew, without rhythm, only chaotic crackles and booms. The shrill and strident screams are much more subtle than from a couple nights before; but without the storm to buffer the noise, it was impossible for anypony not to notice.

“Come on girls, double time,” Twilight said trying to get her friends attention.” Let’s get to the hospital before things escalate.”

The market residents watched with dread and sought for shelter afterwards, fearing what clash is taking place in the Everfree Forest.  Rapidly approaching the hospital, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinie Pie were confronted by the same two security guards, this time their expressions are of distress.

“Thank Celestia you’re here!” one of the security ponies said. “The patient you brought in woke up and is extremely uncooperative.”

“Take me to her,” Twilight answered, trying to put on her brave face.

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Sitting in the middle of an empty room, Sketch makes another attempt to free her bindings. Shaking in her chair, she realizes that they’ve pretty much have her firmly secured to the seat. The only part that doesn’t seems tied down are her boots, unfortunately there isn’t enough slack to free herself, or even move.

“Emperor forgive this embarrassment for being held prisoner by a bunch of ponies,” she grumbles.

Grateful that these ponies are not threatening torture, yet, she began to rethink about the Colonel’s mission.

‘That reconnaissance mission went on fine before that idiot Lieutenant fouled up at the last minute, ejecting me into the sky,’ Sketch bitterly thought to herself. ‘Still, I better fight on and what better way of gathering intelligence on these ponies other than firsthand experience.’

‘But no,’ She interrupted her thoughts. ‘I can’t be meddling with ponies. I am a soldier of the Imperial Guard! I am better than this.’

The door opened and two more ponies clip-clops into the room. The pegasus that rescued her and a unicorn. Remembering that unicorns are this world’s equivalent of Psykers, she wills herself to alertness incase repelling any mind attacks were necessary.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle, the unicorn said. “And I believe your name is Sketch, am I correct.”

Sketch said nothing, unwilling to surrender any information, the least she can do to uphold the integrity of the guard.

“We would like to ask you a few questions, like how you got here and how to find your friends,” said Twilight, trying to be discreet.

“The only thing you’re getting from me is my name, rank and serial number,” Sketch spat back. ”Which is Cor-“

“Corporal Sketch, yes I know,” Twilight interrupted. “Serial number 8157-389-42-1, I found out from this book here.”

The unicorn levitates her copy of the Infantryman's Uplifting Primer between them and her stomach fell as if she is falling off the Valkyrie all over again.

“I also learned that you are from Vendolant and your Commander’s name is Colonel Constantine,” Twilight continued, oblivious to how tense Sketch is getting. “It must be a pleasant place, and how’s the weather there at this time of the year?”

‘This is got to be a sick joke,’ Sketch thought to herself. ‘This unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, is saying things that will more than convict me of treason!’

“Alright,” Twilight persists. “Your call code is Union, Juno, Tetra, whatever that means; and your attached Commissar is Commissar Holt.”

“Stop reading!,” Sketch pleas, frighten by how much this unicorn knows. “Give back my book!”

“I will give it back after I finish reading it,” Twilight replies, not comprehending the weight this book has over the guardsman. “It’s a really fascinating read I might add. There is some amazing stuff in those pages.”

Desperately thinking of a way to get Twilight’s attention away from that book, Sketch thought of something else that might attract this pony’s affinity for books. Doing so will deviate from protocol, but whatever it takes to get that book back without killing her for it.

“I’ve got plenty of other books other than that old thing,” Sketch said, trying to downplay the value of that book. “That book you have there has a lot of private information that would get me into deep trouble if you delve any further.”

“Oh that order of the Departmento Munitorum thing,” Twilight suddenly realizing why she wants it back so badly. “Well, we do not want to be enemies; we would really much prefer to be friends. I’m trying to learn more about your background so we can proceed from there. If you are willing to oblige, I will make this easier for the both of us.”

“Yeah, we’re not enemies,” Rainbow Dash said, jumping into the conversation. “If we’re friends, then there’s no need to worry about those silly rules.”

‘These ponies have absolutely no idea,’ Sketch thought, astonished by their unrestricted lenience.

A great majority of Imperial officers will not tolerate any deviation from regulations and there were always Commissars on duty to enforce their harsh and unforgiving rule. Thinking about what the Colonel said prior to the mission, and the unicorn’s offer of cooperation with that common goal, she concludes that it will be necessary to disregard Imperial regulations for the time being.

“Fine, as long as I get that book back after this,” Sketch said, calmer, but still distraught by how easily the unicorn won her cooperation. “Be glad that my Colonel also wants to learn more about you too.”

“Really? That’s great!” Twilight said excitedly.

There was one final blast of sound from the battle in the forest that penetrated through the hospital. Opening a window, Twilight and Rainbow Dash poked their heads outside to listen.

“Hey girls! Pinkie shouted from the courtyard. “The ‘sploading stopped!”

True to her word, the Everfree Forest was silent once more, a thin trail of smoke puffing above the tree line indicating where the battle was held.

“What’s happening out there,” Sketch said, still tied down to the chair. “Are my comrades in trouble?”

“I think your friends are fighting or something,” Rainbow answers. “It’s been going on for almost twenty minutes, before it finally gave out. “

“So they finally decided to show their ugly faces," Sketch said under her breath.

"Excuse me?" Twilight asks.

You really want to know who we’re fighting?” Sketch inquires.

“Of course we do,” Rainbow Dash said exasperatingly. “Twilight said we want to know everything about you, and your enemies are also part of the deal.”

“Right,” Sketch replies. “Release me and I’ll tell you all about the Fourteenth Legion.”

Freed from her restraints, she thought for a split second to make a break for the exit, but diminishes the idea after thinking of how that would accomplish nothing. If the Death Guard were attacking their base, she can’t return on her own.

“Alright sit down, it's story time,” Sketch said with humor and seriousness. "Hope you’ve brought a change of pants."

“What are pants?” asks Twilight.

“Nevermind”