Edits made: Setting of Jacques' trial.
Proper reasons for his trial.
The use of the term 'Kemonos.'
Chapter 1 – Aftermath
One thing worse than ten thousand Venomian troops standing ready to invade Corneria, it is about a hundred human Space Marines. Barbaric and fanatical to their so-called 'God-Emperor', they go out of there way to make sure that when they land on a planet, they make sure there is nothing left but a pile of floating rocks that at one time used to be called a world. And sometimes they even make sure that there is nothing left at all. As long as these armour-clad, invincible madmen of the theocratic Gothic Imperium of Man exists, there will never be peace amongst the stars.
- Anonymous Kemono Quote
If there was the one thing that the people of the Lylat System, a collection of a few dozen alien worlds and species of anthropomorphic beings; scientifically labelled as Kemonos but commonly known as 'furries'. Dreaded more than anything else in the universe it would the humans of the oppressive Imperium of Man. For thousands and thousands of years it as stood as the largest ruling empire in the whole known universe. Controlling over a million worlds, each one the homes of millions to billions of people, it is a force to be reckoned with. It's Gothic-theocratic/fascist ruling government and even the term 'human' is not taken lightly in non-Imperial/human territories, where it's own species and populace looked at the human race with suspicion and hatred. This was the case of Lylat, whom for thousands of years it's own ruling government and the Imperium has shared a shaky truce, which could shatter at any moment.
It is not surprising, as no other species' military can match the might of the Imperial Guard. Drawn from the million controlled worlds, it consists of ordinary men marching shoulder-to-shoulder, lasgun in hand as they fight to keep safe the Imperium and it's people. While the monolithic Space Marines were feared by Lylat for their superhuman strength, the Imperial Guard was feared for it's numbers, which it would practically swarm over the battlefield like a flood, and wash away anything that got in it's way. It was feared that one day the Imperial Guard would attempt to move in on Lylat, wipe out every 'furry' that opposes them and take it over, ending the mostly tranquil existence that was Lylat.
What was considered to be the centre of any human's universe and a mystery to Lylat's top scientific minds was the Imperial homeworld of Terra. A massive city world and the birthplace of humanity, it has stood as the epitome of humanity's accomplishments, knowledge and existence for millions of years. The first of the million Imperial controlled worlds, Holy Terra was near if not completely impregnable to direct attack. With the multitudes of orbital defence, battleships and minefields standing ready in case anything that was inhuman dared set it's foot or craft within the boundaries of the Segmentum Solar, the cradle of human civilisation. Even Terra's own moon had been converted into a powerful gun battery, which was instrumental towards the defence ten thousand years ago during it's most horrible conflict.
For those who lived on this fortress planet, in the most secured system of planets in the entire universe, they considered themselves to be the safest people there is, knowing that the Emperor of Mankind himself resided on this world. In the colossal Golden Throne, where even in his state of living death he watches over his loyal subjects, scattered through out the universe, and where else his psychic beacon may stretch over. The Emperor has been the cause of most scepticism in Lylat, with questions such as the fact that does he even exist? Is he really a God? Or is it just a ruse to keep the humans in line so it's own government can oppress them?
Whichever the case, one of Imperium's former citizens was beginning to doubt his own government, even more so, as he sat in his cell in the largest prison there was on all of Terra. He knew his time would soon end, and all because he had tried to live up to both his own ideals and that of the Emperor. The Imperial Inquisition, which was charged with keeping the faith amongst the Emperor's subjects, thought of him as a massive threat to the state, and he in kind suffered by their hands nearly a lifetime ago, which he had never forgave them for nearly taking his life away.
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"What about your…vow to me?"
"You have shown me that you can protect yourself far more than I ever could. And you have Fox to defend you if you are unable to. You must understand this."
"I do…but I'm going to miss you."
"I will miss you as well, Krystal. I will never forget you."
"I love you, brother."
"Sister."
The subterranean and maximum-security wing of the prison was a depressing place. It's walls was lined with nearly thousands of cells and the only light came from the perpetual torch lights. Inquisitorial Stormtroopers, specially trained purebred human Guards under the control of the Inquisition, patrolled the numerous corridors carrying their hellguns uncomfortably as they listened to the silence of the prisoners. Many of them were exhausted after their daily flogging, and where they wasting away at having spent nearly most of their existence down below, having dared speak against the Inquisition and, according to the Inquisitor Lords, the Holy Emperor of Mankind himself.
One of these prisoners, in his own cell at the very back of the prison, kept his massive muscled frame in shape with continued push-ups, knowing he wouldn't be getting any fresh air any time soon. His Power Armour has been confiscated, leaving him only in his blue-ultramarine coloured slacks. His whole body still ached slightly after his massive flogging just hours before, where he did give his tormentors the pleasure of hearing him scream, even just grunting in pain.
Nevertheless he pitied them. He thought, 'They just do not understand.'
All the while his faith in the Emperor was still strong, where he believed he owed him his life after his massive loss nearly a lifetime ago. He sat down on his bunk when he heard footsteps approaching his cell; he exhaled softly, knowing his time had now come. He regretted nothing of what he had done and was determined to die standing up for what he believed in. Like how humanity should survive in this cruel universe.
He heard the locks of his large cell door retract, where he stood up to face whomever it was that will accompany him on his final work. The metal doors slowly opened to reveal two Inquisitorial Stormtroopers and an Inquisition Lord. Jacques frowned slightly, seeing who it was through the darkness, where the Inquisitor's sharp smile pierced through the shadows.
"Inquisitor Mordecai Toth," Jacques greeted, eyes narrowed.
The black-skinned, psychically gifted Inquisitor smiled, "Good to see you again, Jacques Jeàn Mortensen of Eden. How long as it been, my lad?"
"Twenty-three years," Jacques replied, trying to hold back the contempt.
"That would seem about right, Mortensen," Toth agreed, "Well...your time has come."
Jacques's face became that of disinterest, "Are you here to escort me to my final judgement?"
Toth nodded and frowned, "Yes. If you would kindly follow me, the Emperor's Holy Inquisition awaits you."
Jacques nodded and he stepped through the door out of his cell. He held his head high despite having a pair of lasguns trained on him, one of which jabbed him in the back and he bit his lip slightly as it caused him to ache a bit. He was led through the torch-lit corridors, hearing the moans of the other prisoners of the cells he passed. Soon he reached a large staircase where an elevator greeted him at the top.
Two more stormtrooper were present and they saluted Toth as the large elevator door they were guarding opened. Jacques, the stormtroopers and Toth stepped into it. The doors slowly closed, where Jacques took one last look at the prison that was his home for all of this month. He surprisingly didn't lurch forward as the elevator rocked suddenly and begun it's ascent upwards. Jacques was curious as to what had been happening during his incarceration.
He refrained from reading Toth's mind out of respect, but didn't mind looking into the psyches of the stormtroopers. He frowned, sensing how they felt about him: A heretic, a traitor to the Imperium, and to them more disturbing…a xeno-sympathiser. For that, he felt sorry for them, knowing that their ignorance would never allow them the chance to know what life really had to offer.
His thoughts were interrupted when the elevator doors opened, revealing an elegant looking hallway, where Grey Knights, the military arm of the Inquisition, lined the walls. They turned their heads to look at Jacques as he stepped out the life, accompanied by Toth. The stormtroopers stayed in the lift and disappeared from sight as the doors slowly closed.
"Heretic walking," a Grey Knight sergeant called out, where one could easily notice the contempt in his voice.
Jacques could sense the Grey Knights anger for him as he strode past them towards the massive doors, where he knew what laid on the other side. A High Conclave, where each and every one of those Inquisitors would be out for his blood, with an Inquisitor Lord overseeing the proceedings and making sure his condemnation goes as planned.
He could hear the grinding of gears as the massive crystalline doors opened to reveal a large chamber, where the Inquisitors stood high above him in a circular balcony stretching around the length of the chamber. The Inquisitor lord sitting on his throne and watching Jacques step out into the light. Immediately, the chattering and contemplating of several Inquisitors assaulted his tuned ears, before they held their tongues to look down on Jacques with much contempt.
Jacques recognised the lead judge Inquisitor, it was Lord Fyodor Karamazov, the most dreaded and hated of all the Inquisitors. The old man looked down at Jacques with a frown, as if he wasn't surprised to see him here. He saw Inquisitor Toth stand behind him, where his eyes shifted around the balcony above.
"Members of the Holy Inquisition of the God-Emperor," Toth begun loudly, "I bring before you Sergeant Jacques Mortensen, Ultramarines 1st Company."
Karamazov stared at Jacques as he sat up from his seat, where his midget cherub assistant handed him a scroll. He opened and slowly browsed through it, taking his time reading every little detail of Jacques' supposed crimes. This took him close to an hour, when he was finished he lowered the parchment and stared straight down at the Marine.
"Sergeant Jacques Jeàn Mortensen, 1st Company of the Ultramarines," the old Inquisitor begun, "Why I am not surprised to see you here? You stand accused of illegally scrutinising with foul xenos forces, both Kemono and Eldar, threatening the integrity and well being of your legion, the Adeptus Astartes, the Imperium and all of humanity."
He narrowed his eyes.
"How do you plead?"
Jacques returned the frown, as he stepped forward and allowing the Inquisitors to further study him. Toth smiled, seeing that he was about to demonstrate his defiance before the Inquisition itself, and that it would be interesting.
"I plead guilty," Jacques responded surprisingly, "I justify my actions towards the Imperium's continued survival."
Gasps and murmuring sounded off around the Inquisitors as they watched the proceedings, surprised that he would say such a thing, which was a first for the Inquisition, except Karamazov.
"Well, it would seem this will be a short trial," the Inquisitor Lord indicated, slightly smug, "But just for the record, do you wish to explain yourself?"
"Gladly," Jacques said, "Yes, I did associate with aliens. Like you just said, I did associate with the Kemono of Lylat, but it was out of the necessity to survive and preserve the Gene-seed long enough to be reunited with my chapter. As for the events of last month, it was necessary for the continued survival of the Imperium…"
"Like you just said," Karamazov pointed out, mirroring what he had said, "But what possessed you to even accept their help?"
Jacques responded, "It was in desperation, Inquisitor. If I, and indeed those under my command, did not accept the Eldar of Ulthwe's help in eradicating the Tyranid grip on Medusa II, we would not have lived long enough to complete our objectives…"
"Yes, yes, yes," another Inquisitor said nodding, "And destroying the Hive Mind. But you dared side against the escaped Eldar witch known as Taldeer, the same witch responsible for the incident on Lorn V? And allowing her to escape?"
"I do," Jacques replied, "Why do you think I took full responsibility for my squad's, and my chapter's, actions in allying with the Craftworld?"
The Inquisitor, surprised at Jacques' defiance, turned to Karamazov, who sat back down and looked through the scroll, until he found something interesting. He smiled; eyes lit up in glee, seeing this as the final nail in Jacques' coffin…
"Is it true that for a time, you were stationed in Lylat way before you were stranded in Lylat last year?" Karamazov asked, "That accursed, Chaos-tainted system, where the Ultramarines to deployed to claim Cerinia and it's populous?"
Jacques nodded, but infuriated over the terms 'accursed' and 'claimed', "That is true. But I do not see how this has got to do with…"
"You became close to the Cerinians," Karamazov explained, still reading from the parchment, "And when the 2nd Company was recalled and replaced with a detachment of Imperial Guard, you requested your captain that you would stay put to safeguard the Cerinian royal family. I'm thinking, and so is the other Inquisitors, that your time spent with the Cerinians and in the Lylat System has clearly slowed your mind."
Jacques shook his head, "That is not true. I attained knowledge in fighting the Forces of Disorder and put it to good use during the battle of Papetoon last year."
"Nevertheless, you think more of fighting alongside aliens than you do with your own kind," Karamazov said, "We read your thoughts, young Mortensen. Why do you think of aliens as your equals?"
Jacques face was expressionless as he stared up at the Inquisitors, before his hand found itself grasping the necklace around his neck, where upon contact he remembered who it was that gave it to him…the only person he held dear to himself, his best friend in the entire universe. Toth's eyes widened, upon sensing his thoughts, as did some of the other psychically gifted Inquisitors, where one whispered into Karamazov's ear, whose eyes widened and he looked angry. He glared down at Jacques.
"I know you can read my thoughts, Inquisitors," Jacques said, "But I will tell you straight from my own mouth that I was raised with the ideals of life. That all forms should co-exist as one, and they should each respect one another upon this plane of existence. We are no different."
To Toth, it was amusing to see the horrified faces of every single Inquisitor in the courtroom, where each and every one of them wanted to run down there and tear Jacques apart. Karamazov's face seared with anger as he hands appeared to tear his scroll up without him knowing. To him, this Space Marine and his ideals were too dangerous. But his knowledge on alien races, especially those that lived within the Lylat system, was even more detailed than the book of Xenology .
He shook his head and focused down at Jacques, making sure to let him see his anger.
"Do you even care that you on the trial for your life?" Karamazov demanded angrily, "That you are being judged as a heretic?"
"I do, Lord Inquisitor," Jacques responded calmly, "Before you I show no fear."
"Why is that? I wish to know why."
"I have no reason to fear you, for it is the Emperor that should judge me."
"You should be afraid. We could have your gene-seed removed slowly and painfully, and have you burned alive at the stake in some busy street corner on some hive-world," another Inquisitor reminded him, "Do you still want to serve the Imperium and the Emperor?"
"Yes," Jacques said, "But I believe knowledge of, and co-existence with, other species is necessary for humanity's survival. And that was necessary for Medusa II and it's population's survival. As well as all those other times throughout the Imperium's long existence."
Karamazov nodded, beginning to understand what he was saying. He knew that Jacques' had the right intentions. Indeed if it wasn't for the Eldar's appearance on Medusa II and his calling upon their aid to stop the Tyranids from destroying the planet's massive power plant, Terra would have been open for attack, as the Medusa system was not that far away from the Imperial throne-world.
But still…
'This man's ideals is too dangerous,' he thought, rubbing his chin, 'But his knowledge on the xenos is…indispensable.'
Another Inquisitor leaned into to whisper, "For the sake of the Emperor, we should get rid of him. His ideals are disturbing to even think about. Emperor knows how many people may come round to what he has to say and believe."
Karamazov frowned, "I would blame whoever it was that put those ideas into his head. This Marine is too valuable, both for his knowledge and the immense power that he has repressed within his frame, but…"
He then sighed and rubbed his forehead, trying to vent his frustration and a growing headache.
"He is dangerous, after all. And that he is the only link between us and…Eden."
A look of panic crossed over the other Inquisitors, the each of them having heard that name: Eden. A name, which they hope, they would never have to hear again. Karamazov looked down at Jacques, whom he could sense the defiance with him. His eyes focused on Inquisitor Toth, where he looked back. Karamazov raised his eyes brows and indicated Jacques with his eyes, where Toth then nodded.
"Mortensen," Karamazov boomed as he stood from his throne, "We have judged that your faith is pure in the eyes of the Emperor and your cause is noble in nature. This is all proven through your service to the Imperium and that you have safeguarded your fellow man and the Emperor's realm. But unfortunately we deem your ideals as heretical and they can never be made a reality. And that is what makes you the Imperium's most dangerous individual."
Jacques eyes widened, where for once he was beginning to feel doubt. He then shook his head, closing his eyes tightly, before opening them again and focusing back on Karamazov and the rest of his judgement.
"We have no choice but to sentence you to Arco Flagellation."
And with that the Inquisitors couldn't hold back the smirks and evil smiles, which spread over all of them, having got the verdict they desired. If posterity wasn't present they begun cheering joyfully, and jeering at Jacques. He kept a straight face and stared straight at the Inquisitors high above, showing no drop of fear.
Karamazov narrowed his eyes, "Since you still yearn to serve the Emperor amidst your heathen beliefs, you shall. Only that you will no longer be in control of yourself, rather of those who require your services as the juggernaut Space Marine you are…namely the Inquisitorial forces who will forever strive to safeguard our Imperium and all of humanity from the foul presence of the heretic."
"By the authority granted by the Imperial Administratrum, the Ministorum, and the Ecclesiarchy – Holy Church of the God-Emperor of Mankind, may he himself have mercy on your soul."
Toth then gripped his daemonhammer, where he took a step forward towards Jacques, where he reared himself to swing his mighty weapon. Jacques knew what was going to happen once he woke up, but he dared not try to act, knowing that his death and unfortunate resurrection as a Arco Flagellant would keep every one of his friends safe from the Imperium's wrath. He could only take in his last breath and cross his arms.
'Remember me, Emperor of Mankind,' he thought, 'You must understand and know that my beliefs and my cause are just. Surely, you would see that, my Master.'
And with that, Toth swung his hammer and it clipped the back of Jacques skull. He fell forward flat on the marble floor, where he begun to feel the darkness creep in around him. He gritted his teeth as he felt a concussion gnaw at him, before he grew lax as he rolled over on his back, looking up at Toth, who looked down at him with vehemence, though he could some pity in his eyes.
"Krystal," he said softly, her beautiful cerulean smiling image the last thing he saw, before his eyes closed and he grew lax, the sounds of people cheering being silenced in his mind upon being rendered to unconsciousness.
Karamazov turned to his cherub assistant, where he crossed his arms and frowned.
"Take this down."
The Cherub immediately began to write away at the scroll, as Karamazov begun to dictate to it.
"Send Mortensen to be processed on Titan. The Grey Knights and the Adeptus Mechanicas detachment there can 'tend' to him. They are to make sure he can never be a burden towards the Imperium ever again."
He then exhaled painfully, his migraine still eating away at his head.
"By the Emperor," he mumbled, "I need a drink."
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Trillions of light years away and slowly drifting through the blackness of space that was the Lylat System, the Great Fox passed by the pieces that used to be Falconia as it fired up it's engines and begun to fly away from the sector. Fox McCloud sat in his chair on the bridge, where he reconfigured his personal computer as he thought about the events of today.
"Hey, Fox?"
He turned to his side to see the cerulean vixen Krystal, Cerinia's last daughter, where he smiled warmly as he gazed at her. She returned the smile, where Fox promptly blushed, where then quickly suppressed it.
"Yeah?" Fox responded.
"Any word from Peppy?" Krystal asked, "He said he'd be here in time for the memorial."
Fox downcast his eyes and shook his head, "Sorry, Krys. I don't think he'll be coming."
Krystal shook her head sadly, "It's not like him to miss Falco's own day of mourning."
The avian himself Falco then stepped onto the bridge, saying as he sat down near a terminal, "Try being the head of the entire Cornerian Military for a day, and you'll see that it's take up your entire life."
Obviously startled, Krystal said loudly, "That still isn't a really good reason why."
"Anyway, any signs of conflict in this part of the universe?" Falco asked, "A hostage crisis? Bank robberies? Floods…anything? I can't take any more of this peaceful living crap?"
"Sorry, Falco," Fox replied, stretching his arms above his head and yawning, "It's utopian season once again."
Falco chuckled and scratched his forehead, "Well, I'll be glad when Venom decides to take another potshot at universal domination."
Krystal smiled and stepped out of the bridge, where Fox switched off his own personal computer, got off his seat and stepped out, following suit; leaving Falco alone on the bridge. He looked out over the stars through the window, where it's own glorious image raised his spirits a little, and the fact that is was great to be alive.
Still…
'Jeez, I wish frog-boy was still around,' he thought, then begun to add sarcasm, 'He'd say something ridiculous and I'd counter it. Boy, these are glory days indeed.'
Fox traversed the hallway down to his quarters, passing by what used to be Peppy's room, followed by ROB MK-III's closet, then by Krystal's room. He smiled when he passed her door, where inside she herself sat on her bed, eyes focused in deep meditation with her staff situated on her lap. She opened her left eye, sensing Fox had passed her room, where she exhaled.
Fox opened the door into his room and flopped onto his bed, where the door closed itself behind him. He had so many things running through his head, he had to imagine he was nowhere else in the universe but in his own world just to sort to sort them out. He sighed as he switched off, feeling himself float in a state of dark bliss that was his own private world.
'Alright,' he thought as he smiled.
It had been a year since the attempted Chaos takeover of the Lylat System, and life had returned completely back to normal…a bit too normal. Mass conflict had all but disappeared from the face of the system and what seemed to be a new dawn of peace was evident…and that there was no place for the Star Fox team to exist here.
Peppy, his long-time mentor and oldest friend, had left the team just after the destruction of Papetoon, to take over leadership of the Cornerian Defence Forces from General Pepper. The general had resigned due to his near life-threatening stress and alcoholism brought on by the Imperial intervention, which had caused the destruction of Papetoon. Peppy was the obvious choice to become his replacement because of his previous experience with the military in his days with James, before they forged Star Fox.
Falco had become nearly withdrawn following Papetoon, having been shaken immensely since the encounter with the Orks, the forces of Chaos and possibly the most dreaded of all, the Imperium. He was almost a shadow of his former self, where even though he did not let up with his cynicism and wisecracks, he did begin to take things a whole lot seriously. And on this day on the anniversary of his planet's destruction he was a husk, where he would spend most of the day listening to his Death Metal CDs, or known as 'those god-awful tunes' by Slippy. This excluding when he was up at observation silently watching his planet's debris float by, where he would mutter silent prayers.
A/N: I believe the music Falco possibly listens to sounds like the rock band Bolt Thrower…which are also fans of Warhammer 40,000 by the way.
Slippy had left the team months ago, having decided to join his father Beltino in the Cornerian Research & Development, which Fox had come to accept as a great career choice. He was also happy for him, having heard he was dating some girl named Amanda and Slippy had yet to reveal her to him and the remaining members of Star Fox. In fact he was (understandably) incredibly surprised that Slippy would even get a girlfriend.
Things had been very slow and steady with Krystal, as the both of them were now dating and feeling their love for one another steadily grow day by day, well at least he felt it did. The both of them agreed to just take it slow knowing that even though they were closer than ever before, they weren't keen on rushing ahead and spoiling something so prospective like their romance. She would spend most of her time also in her room in deep meditation, as if trying to reach out to someone…
…and that someone Fox guessed would be Jacques Mortensen, the former Heavy Weapons Specialist of the team, whose time with Star Fox was brief, but definitely memorable. Ever since his departure the atmosphere on the ship was generally moody, even at this time of peace. Fox couldn't help but worry what would have happened to him once he returned to the Space Marines and the Imperium, fearing they might persecute him for his ideals.
He then shook his head of his thoughts and returned to reality, leaving his little fantasy world. He was glad it wasn't one of his terrible nightmares, which has been plaguing him ever since the destruction of Papetoon. He looked over at the window, hands resting behind his head. He exhaled softly and smiled, before looking back up at the ceiling.
'At least we have peace, now,' he thought, trying to think of something good that had come out of all this, 'Ah…!'
He groaned.
'Who am I trying to kid?'
Meanwhile Krystal eyes were closed tightly in a frown as she sensed something rather…unsettling. It was nothing she had ever since before, and by the feel of it was close. She winkled her nose as she focused deeply.
'What is this I am sensing?' she thought, 'It feels…odd.'
She focused somewhat more deeply, trying to find the source of this strange aura that she swore she could feel envelop her in complete and utter coldness. She shivered slightly, beginning to sense that this was…
Krystal…Her eyes shot open, "Jacques."
Silence.
"Jacques?" she queried.
She closed her eyes and focused even deeper, trying to recapture that mind link she swore she had just established with her spiritual brother, but to no avail. But suddenly, she sensed a strange that felt very unnatural…which was becoming close to feeling like it was evil. Krystal's eyes twitched from behind their lids. She then gasped.
'No…it can't be!'
Well it is, Princess Krystal!
Krystal's shot open and she cried out as she heard that from the back of her mind. She almost fell off his bed, but instead leaned back on her bed, her staff cluttering onto the carpeted floor. Her eyes were wide as she thought like that something had invaded her mind.
'You? I know you!' she thought, panicked.
Relax, Your Highness, the rough, evil sounding voice reassured her, It seems I have caught you at a bad time. Perhaps when the time comes when we meet once again we will talk openly. But for now, you can enjoy your peace for as long as it lasts in this miserable system. So I bid you good day.
As quickly as this unseen force struck her, it removed itself from her mind, leaving Krystal gasping on her bed. She then turned on her side and promptly fell on the floor, where she grunted in pain. She then reached for her staff, where she gripped it tightly, and feeling it's energies recover her gradually. She sighed and rolled on her back.
'What just happened?' she thought, exasperated, 'It couldn't have been him?'
She then rubbed her forehead, feeling a migraine coming on.
"Could it?" she asked herself.