Chapter Twenty-One
"They are big! They are green! Their weapons are so primitive! They don't understand the need of tactics. They cannot be controlled and near impossible to be manipulated. The Triumvate call them Greenskins and Orks. They are the strongest of the foes that I will ever face in my lifetime,"
-Rear Admiral James Shepard
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Immaterium
Cana currently isn't sure whether she felt that she had the best luck of her entire race or the worst. Being an Eldar, she's very familiar of the Immaterium of course. Almost all Eldar are with their natural infinity of psychic control. It is their greatest strength and weakness back at the old world where Slaanesh dwells. Strength due to the fact that once trained properly, any Eldar have the capability on using warp craft to beat into smithereens even the best of the Space Marines at times and weakness since it is the reason that their entire race is damned beforehand.
That's the reason why the society of the Eldar Craftworlders is so rigid. It's too easy to get drunk with the continuing usage of the power of the Warp and exposes them even more to the attention of She-Who-Thirsts. Being a Seer herself before, she could properly attest to that feeling of being familiar with the Warp. Despite even the strictness of their society, Cana like every other Eldar could still feel the presence of the Imaterium at the back of their head.
However she had never expected to enter in her lifetime the real world of the Immaterium, the realm where beings that cannot be understood or needed to be understood lived. The very thought that she's standing currently at the place where the souls of her brethren that had failed to be saved through their soulstones are devoured by She-Who-Thirsts is enough to make her nauseous.
"Cana are you alright?" the gentle hand of Laerys' touched her shoulder calming the former Seer of Atailoc and prevented her from completely puking her breakfast this morning. If there's one thing that her species hated more than anything is seeing their pride take a hit after all. And completely puking with her informal lover watching at the moment is a big point for Cana.
"I-I'm fine," waved off Cana keeping her thoughts down as she coughed once or twice to get the feeling of lodged throat off of her. "I'm just not used on whatever happened at the Golden Throne," she lied as she tried to focus on her current surroundings.
The former Warlock immediately got the fright of her life as out of nowhere a two-headed red snake the size of a small mouse burst from the ground and tried to tear her foot off. Before the bite however could make contact with the skin of the stunned Eldar, it burst into white flames making the snake roll around a few seconds screeching in pain before it completely dissolved into ashes.
"W-what is that?" demanded Cana glaring accusingly at Laerys' who only had an eyebrow raised questioningly at her.
"That," began the daughter of Isha. "Is the representation on the Immatrium every time someone lies. Did you just lie to me Cana?"
Shame-faced and caught red-handed, Cana just bent her head down so that her long hair might hide her inflamed cheeks. "Yes, I'm sorry I lied when you asked me if I am alright. It's not the travel method that bothered me. It's this place; so many of my kind had lost their entire beings here Laerys. I-I'm afraid," she admitted.
The former Warlock of Atailoc can't help but blush a bit as the soft and smooth hands of Laerys gripped her own in comfort. It has always confounded her that despite near perfect on wielding a spear and staining blood on the ground, Laerys' hands never had the callousness that hers had.
"I'm sorry if my insisting caused you any discomfort Cana," said Laerys' stroking the top of her right hand that she held. "We could go back if you want. I just thought you would want to see my mother personally," she suggested.
"Well I-," Cana paused for a moment as what Laerys' said sunk in.
Like all Eldar she wanted nothing more than to see their goddess personally ever since the news broke out that Isha is finally free from the clutches of Chaos and is currently here on this new world watching over them. Sure the mother of healing may not be as powerful as Khaine or Asuryan, the King of the Eldar gods. But it's infinitely better that they have her or no one at all. It helps that every Eldar loved her and honored her. Many of her people still sing songs about her sacrifice when she was tortured by Khaine during the War of the Heavens and later to be taken by the claws of Slaanesh and Nurgle. Even now many still wept for her suffering and daily honored her for her life. There are those though (which is a very small faction) that are still scowling saying that the captivity of their Eldar goddess had just been transferred from the Chaos gods to the Corpse god of the Imperium.
Cana herself though disagreed with them. Sanguinis, the result of the union between the eternal companionship of Isha and the Emperor is proof of that. The Primarch Angel despite being stern in countenance with dealing on the daily politics of the Triumvate when he's present at the Immaterium is completely likeable in every aspect. The people, both Eldar and Imperial love him and the Protoss respected him. Unlike his sister who is rigid as a pole and an airhead (on the outside), Sanguinis is practically like a willow with his character enabling him to flow through the different cultures of the three races with ease. The opinion of the Eldar on him born from a loving family also increased since the Angel won't shut up about how close the relationship of his mother and father commenting and relating it to everyone who would listen every time he saw a couple. At least that's what Cana hears about. She's not just high enough on position and rank currently to know.
She knew that she had then to make a decision and she already made it in her heart she knew. She may not be a Warlock anymore but the Path she took left its mark on her and Cana is no coward. It takes an infinite amount of courage after all to bed Laerys, a daughter of their goddess and endure her ministrations. Surely facing her fears won't that be much of a problem.
Clutching the hand of her lover tightly, Cana only smiled softly at her. "Don't worry about me Laerys' I can handle my fear enough. Take me to your family,"
As Laerys' beamed brightly and warmly sending butterflies to the Eldar woman's stomach, Cana can't help but feel the courage she is mustering worthy enough effort to face her horror on nervousness on staying in the Immaterium even if it is just only to see the daughter of Isha dragging her by the hand now that happy
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Space Station Ajax, orbit above Roma
"And lift!" Laetri and Maila grunted as they hefted the last of King Regis' packs toward the cart where the rest of the baggage that the retinue that would go to the Citadel are piled.
"Thank you for the help Farseer and you too my girl," chuckled the old man leaning on his cane. "It's good to see you younglings taking all the work. Makes these brittle old bones of mine jealous,"
Laetri only rolled her eyes as she tucked a lose strand of her black hair that had fallen from the elaborate braid she had behind her ears. "You're very welcome King Regis. And trust me you're not that old,"
"Could have fooled me," the old king of the Lucii chuckled good-naturedly leaning far heavier on his cane than the last time that Laetri has seen her making the Farseer immediately worried for his health.
"Are you alright my lord?" asked Laetri going beside the King immediately helping him balance himself back as he let off a tired sigh.
"I've been feeling a little off the weather for a few days," admitted the old man as he straightened himself up before looking warmly at the concerned face of the Eldar Farseer. "Don't worry my dear. I won't drop dead anytime soon. My people and young son still needs my guidance on the upcoming years,"
Laetri only looked unconvinced. Regis like most of the Lucii ignored the upgrades pertaining the aging process that the Imperium offered and the Protoss refined preferring to live their lives the natural way. Whereas an Imperial Citizen can live up to five hundred if he has the money, a regular Lucii citizen lived the normal less than a hundred years lifespan that all humans had.
Sparing a glance at the window pane seeing clearly the three different sized ships that would be taken by the leaders of the Triumvate alongside the small fleet of Protoss and Imperial vessels that would be "visible" during the entire trip towards the Citadel, Laetri can't help but worry over the old king of Lucius.
"Are you sure that you'll be okay for this trip my lord?"
"As alright I will be on my old age I guess," answered the old king before letting a gentle smile touch his face as he placed a comforting hand at her shoulders. "Don't worry about an old man like me Laetri, as I've said before. I have no intentions on dying just yet, but what will come to be will be and I won't run away from it. You and Maila are still young on your race's standards and one day when you are old and grey like me. You will know what I meant my dear,"
Laetri only stared in a deadpan manner at the aged monarch. "You're really set on going aren't you?"
King Regis only laughed at her inquisition. "You know me enough to guess my answer Laetri. Now help this old man to the elevator and I will take it from there,"
"As honored as I would be on helping you my lord. I am needed somewhere at the moment. Farseer Amondeer and Alana is waiting for me at their ship," Laetri informed quite saddened as the old king's face fell. She knew as well as him that they both enjoyed each other's company very much. "Though I believe Maila would be more than happy on walking you back to your ship," she added knowing that the fondness that the aged monarch had for her extends to her student also.
"If she doesn't mind," chuckled King Regis as Maila who had been listening on the conversation at the side immediately bounced in to hold the arms of their old human friend steady.
"Come my lord, I believe Governor Constantine is waiting for you inside the ship already," said Maila pulling the arms of the old man towards the direction of the elevators that leads to the entrance of the Imperial ship where the Governor is waiting.
"I'll see you around Laetri," the King of the Lucii said inclining his head respectfully at her which the Eldar Farseer reciprocated before walking off.
Watching the two walk off towards the entrance where the rest of the Imperial entourage are putting the final touches, Laetri went her own way heading to the Eldar lines. Her friendship with the King of the Lucii runs deep. It started long ago when the Triumvate is still young and despite the endorsement of both Isha and the Emperor on forcing the two races to give up old grudges and cooperate, the two are still completely wary over one another.
She met King Regis during one of her expeditions as representative of Daltyr. It was during attending his wife's funeral that she really met him and his son, Noctis. Apparently for some reason Maila (who had taken to follow Laetri everywhere that time) and Noctis got into a scuffle as little children are wont to do when adults are busy discussing "adult things" and forced King Regis to scold the heir of his throne and Laetri to chid Maila on behaving. For some reason instead of being irritated at having Eldar guests as most Imperials do at that time, King Regis welcomed them both and even entertained them with an invitation to his solar; for some reason the aged king took a shine into the both of them and they become regular visitors at Insomnia, the capital of the planet Lucius after that meeting. The aged king explained later that since he had no daughters to call his own, he had come to look at her as a surrogate daughter and Maila (who is as fond as the king as he is to her), as his granddaughter. Ever since then she had come to visit him regularly until the incident with Cana where she had to postpone her visits as she kept an eye on her best friend.
"Farseer Laetri," the familiar voice of Farseer Amondeer brought Laetri out of her musings as she lifted her head and found that she had finally arrived at the Eldar finished with their packing unlike the Imperials and are preparing to board the transport ship docked on the side of the Space Station, waiting to take them directly the Light of Asuryan, the Eldar Void Stalker that would be taking them to the Citadel.
Approaching the Head Farseer of Atailoc with a small bow, Laetri's face however broke into a grin as she noticed Alana standing beside Amondeer wearing the familiar Eldar robes over her slightly bulging belly. The Protoss captain had taken to Eldar robes instead of the usual golden armor she wore ever since she had shown signs of her pregnancy. Thankfully the Eldar and the Protoss share the same opinion about aesthetics. Anything less than that and Laetri knew that Alana would never had worn the given clothing.
"Laetri," the familiar kind double voice of Alana echoed inside Laetri's head and the Farseer only smiled as she stepped forward and embraced her pregnant friend. "I'm glad you're here," Alana chimed as she squeezed Laetri's hands slightly with an eye smile. "Goodness only knows I need the companionship on this journey,"
At her side, Laetri could properly hear Amondeer snort muttering something like: "What am I then? Chopped liver?"
Ignoring the ruffled Head Farseer of Atailoc at the moment, Laetri only smiled back at her Protoss friend. "I'd rather be here. I won't trust anyone else to look after you at all. Though I must say that the paperwork waiting for me when we get back would be quite enormous," said the Farseer in a worried manner.
Alana only gave her what could be equivalent to Protoss as a smile. "Don't worry Laetri. I'll have Amondeer handle it. He's doing nothing but fawn over me like an overprotective bear anyway. This would do him good and take him off my back,"
An indignant "hey" from their back is promptly ignored by the two females who walked with the rest of the Eldar as they boarded the transport vessel.
Making sure that the pregnant Protoss gingerly sit alright at her chair, Laetri only just then plopped herself down beside her friend. She could see Amondeer sit down beside the other Council members of Eldar Farseers who only gave her an appreciative nod and a loving look at his pregnant mate.
"It's quite the fleet gathered eh?" chimed Alana bringing Laetri's attention to bear on her as the two of them watched through the windows of the transport where you could clearly see the small fleet assembling, a mixture of Imperial, Eldar and Protoss ships.
"It is," agreed Laetri as she also surveyed the scene outside their transport.
This is the third time that the Space Station Ajax got a massive gathering. The once run-down station that occupied only the barest needs is now clean and looking very organized than its old self. Outside and connected to its many ports is the renowned Emperor's Fury, the capital flagship of the Imperium going up to five and a half kilometers in length is truly an imposing sight with all the guns that would be able to tear an enemy ship into pieces in seconds on its broadside. Alongside two Dicator Class Cruisers that would be the guards of the Retribution Class Battleship, they would be the ones carrying the Imperial entourage.
Alongside it is the more elegant vessel of the Protoss, the Spear of Adun larger than even the Emperor's Fury in all its seventy-four kilometer glory floated. The Protoss after years of repair and hard work have finally succeeded on making the ark ship that brought them on this galaxy space worthy again. Laetri can't help but be amused as he remembered Alana telling her that it's taken at least a decade of shitting before the animals that provided the Solarite, which is the fuel of the massive Protoss ship provided enough fuel for it to be functional again. Beside the Spear of Adun is a conglomerate group of Void stalkers and Carriers which looked really miniscule compared to the massive ship. They would be its honor guard on the meeting with the Citadel representatives.
And floating beside them in a small group are the Eldar ships that she and the others are heding to. The Light of Asuryan which is only half the size of the Emperor's Fury looked terribly inadequate alongside its five Dragonship escorts. However Laetri and the others knew better. Smaller they may be, but the Eldar vessels pack enough lethality that they would be able to rip the Spear of Adun into pieces before the massive ship could even zero on them. After all the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
"Quite a show of power isn't it?" commented Alana who after all this time had been silent as she also stared at the gathered fleet. "Makes me wonder if we are planning to negotiate with these species or pummel them into submission,"
Laetri only gave his friend an equivalent of a mental nod in agreement. "Maybe a bit of both Alana, maybe a bit of both,"
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Unknown location
Soft silent foot falls follow one another as the black clad figure in fatigues moved silently over the white walls. His mission is simple, retrieve the kidnapped Ambassador that belonged to the humans' of this galaxy. Normally something as easy as this would be something that would be given to a Vindicare for a simple retrieve mission, but apparently the human ambassador must be someone of importance since the intel comes from the Primarch Sanguinis himself which is a complete rarity all the same. Thus the responsibility of this mission fell to the Inquisition rather than the usual Assassins.
Las pistol held loosely on his hand, the Inquisitor moved as silent as a wraith ghost over the white walls. On his earpiece he could hear his Harlequin companion giggling madly followed by the sounds of squelching and pained grunts. She must already be starting on her murder spree over the guards and would probably get everyone's attention.
Breaking cover, the Inquisitor followed the location of his map which he stole from one of the "omni-tools" that belonged to one of the guards they took outside. The asteroid base he and the Eldar infiltrated isn't that hard. There are only a few dozen rooms and three inter-connected hallways. Any idiot could guess that wherever the prisoner may be held, it would be the central chamber which is a little bit cut off from the rest.
Reaching the aforementioned double doors, the Inquisitor grinned at the prospect of not meeting any guards yet. The Harlequin truly is masters of the killing art. Thermal vision through his goggles could see that there are at least four people inside. Three it seems are bent over a console and talking to one another while one is sitting at the chair writhing. He'll bet his entire banking coffer that the one in the chair is the one who he is supposed to rescue.
"This is Inquisitor Gale, subject located moving in to engage. Harlequin Tana, secure the transport that will get us off this rock. I'll meet you at the hangar once I've secured her,"
His companion only replied in small giggles that is the only indication that Gale had knowing that she got his message. Tapping the earpiece once more to turn it off, the Inquisitor took a deep breath as he stood up facing the door and with one Herculean effort kicked it open sending the lock flying and hitting one of the men inside. Wasting not one second less, the Inquisitor moved in las pistol ready. A couple of blasts later and the sound of knife hitting flesh are heard inside followed by silence.
"This is Inquisitor Gale, targets neutralized. I've got the prisoner. You better get that evac ready Tana,"
More giggling was the Harlequins' only reply.
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Alchera, Amada System
The rustling come closer and Taldeer can't help but tremble violently as the overlarge meaty hand pushing aside twig leaf and vine come closer than ever to her head. Stealth is no option now. If she remains where she is and do nothing, the large brute's hand would find her head easily and will pull her out of her hiding place either by her hair or neck. She had to fight even if it means a large chance of being defeated.
Pulling the bone knife from the makeshift belt on her hip, Taldeer waited as the meaty hand inched a little closer with the stealth as large of as a three legged elephant. For someone of her caliber despite heavily malnourished and wounded, it was terribly easy how to aim the knife even without looking.
Whatever the alien is roared loud and hard outside in pain as the bone knife pierced hard without warning bypassing armor, hide, skin, tissue and bone before exiting from the other side pinning the hand completely to the rock beneath.
Taldeer however did not expect the large alien to pull his hand in such powerful reflex that the hiding place of the wounded Eldar are torn apart literally causing the surprised Farseer off balance as she crashed to the snow in a small heap even as the large alien howled in agony as it clutched its hand, the knife still sticking on it.
Before Taldeer could regain her senses or bearings though, a large hand suddenly grabbed her from the neck and lifted her cleanly off her feet choking her. Eyes wide in pain and agony, the Eldar can only glare at the most squashy and ugly face that she had the displeasure to see. It's obvious that the alien is grinning even as it yelled something to its hurt companion who had walked towards the two of them glaring hatefully at Taldeer while still holding his hand minus the knife.
Panic immediately filled Taldeer as they spared a glance at her body eyeing her appreciatively before speaking to one another again in their guttural tongue. She needed to know what they are talking about and she needed to know now.
For the first time ever since she arrived here on this cold forgotten world, Taldeer used the entire potential of her abilities and dove into the minds of her assailants to discern what they are talking about and what their intentions on her will be.
What she found nearly made her faint. Images of what appeared to be a club where female aliens are dancing wearing skimpy robes on stage as the men hollered and called them. She could see men paying so that some of the dancers would come to them and sit on their laps as their hands then wandered over the dancer's body. Looking at it alone and its entire vulgarity nearly made Taldeer puke. They're planning to sell her there as some kind of prostitute. Apparently they haven't got it in their heads that she's not a regular species of their "community" after all.
The already ruptured mind of the Farseer cracked even more and her body moved on its own accord as it thrashed and kicked with all its might. A lucky kick caught her assailant's jaw who roared in pain as in reflex dropped her to clutch his mouth where her boot planted itself.
Before Taldeer however could make good on her escape, the Eldar Farseer only had a second to see a massive shape barreling towards her and a massive shadow approaching her face faster than she could wink. Taldeer can only close her eyes in anticipation of the blow before a massive pain erupted from the side of her head and Taldeer felt herself free flying in the air before face planting on the cold snow of the ground.
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Iyanden Craftworld
Farseer Indarion paced his quarters on what only could be a thousandth time as he worried for Ela Ashbel. He can't help but fear for the young Farseer's life. Iyanden is bad enough as it is for someone like her who is being shunned. What more of Biel-Tan? That Craftworld is practically the worst place for her currently especially since Biel-Tan is the more militaristic of the entire Craftworlds put together. Unlike here in Iyanden where she might be under his protection, she would there under the cold eyes of Farseer Macha who had claimed responsibility of her well-being since Ela Ashbel doesn't have a Craftworld.
Indarion can't help but fear even more for the blonde Eldar knowing very well that Macha is one of the Farseers who have voted that they strip her of her rank and privileges. He had seen Macha glare at Ela with the same hate as the ones that shame her every time she attend to eat on the gathering Hall. To entrust her care to someone who would turn a blind eye as the Eldar there bully her around or even hurt her is plain insane in Indarion's opinion. Macha could simply turn a blind eye and Ela Ashbel would be nothing but food for the wolves that would tear her to pieces.
And Indarion could do nothing about it since the Council that governs the Craftworlds as they head for their hopeful escape route is adamant that Ela Ashbel be removed from his care.
He scowled thunderously as he thought about them. It's no big secret that they hated the blonde Eldar for what she did and looked down upon her and her sacrifice. The idiots simply can't cast down their pride enough to see the big picture of what Cana did.
Still fuming, Indarion sat down on his study as he reached for some paper and a pen. He may not be the one to care for her anymore, but he sure as hell won't be stopped into writing into her and help her out if she needed the help.
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Orbit, Ruins of Arcturus Station
James' Shepard let off a breathe of relief as the last of the Batarian ships passed the supposed "wreck" of his ship. The battle of course on space was lost. The Alliance fleet that had been stationed there had been left in ruins. Still, James felt damn proud of his fleet despite them losing. They had taken down Batarian ships twice their number and even managed to inflict massive damage on their fighters that the ground units below that managed to fortify themselves and activate the planet's defense systems won't have to worry about bombers making a run on them.
"Ensign, report," spoke James to whatever that is left of his crew that managed to wiggle into their suits before the cockpit vented atmosphere and spaced the rest.
The moment the enemy fire overwhelmed his ship's shields and tore a hole through the bulkhead, he managed to throw in the flag just on the right time and gave the order to shut down all systems, even life support and let the badly damaged ship float around over the ruins of the rest of the fleet. Sure it is cowardly, dishonorable and selfish, but at least it saved his crew and that's what matters. Even they did not think badly of him when he gave the order.
"Main cannons are offline sir and the thrusters are damaged. As of now we are simply sitting ducks sir," reported the officer once he finished checking his console.
"So we cannot run and we cannot fight," said James' thoughtfully rubbing the stubble on his chin. "I guess the only option that we can do is hide here and wait for the reinforcements of the Alliance to arrive then,"
"Will they come sir?" asked one of the younger officers looking panicked.
"Of course they will come," answered James in a reassuring tone to his crew. "Our battle here lasted an hour and a half. More than enough time for the ones who evacuated below to send a distress call to Alliance command. I'm pretty sure that a fleet is already put together to relieve us here. Though they would obviously be late since we have no warning whatsoever about the invading fleet, but they will be here. We just had to hold on,"
James watched silently as his crew let off sighs of relief at his little speech and relaxed a bit. He himself is glad that they managed to survive. Thankfully the Batarians didn't send squads to check the wreckage for survivors or loot. This was an invasion plain and simple and not the usual raids that the Batarians do. This is obviously ordered by the Hegemony itself.
The Admiral's thoughts however was cut off as without warning three massive asteroids the size of small moons bypassed their wreckage and headed towards the planet causing the crew to cry out in alarm as their ship bumped some of the larger debris thanks to the force left behind by the asteroids heading towards the planet below.
For a second he thought he heard someone shouting about "Waaaggghh!" as the nearest asteroid passed by but the Admiral just shook it off as imagining things thanks to space air and adrenaline rush. Had he paid attentioned more, he would have noticed that the asteroids are being pushed by hundreds of small makeshift rockets as it entered the atmosphere.
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Another chap done. Please review. Thanks for the support of this story readers. Last call whether Taldeer would be exposed to the Citadel or not. Poll is on my profile. Please review. We're past 600 guys. We're almost there. Hihihihi. Guys like last time I said, I didn't exactly play all Dawn of War, I just played Soulstorm and that's it. I only liked the lore that's why I made this. Any mistakes you might find. Don't bash me too hard.
THE ORKS ARE BACK IN TOWN!
PS: Thanks for the help about the last chapter though Im still confused as to how Orks fight. Will they be using axes and clubs or big machines and guns. Opinions please on a fight between Alliance military and the Orks.
PS: There is a big difference between Imperials and Mass effect humans as could be described on the next chapter. This would convince some of the more skeptical ones as to why human-Eldar relation is a bit possible on this universe.
PS: Ill be taking a break after this chapter since I would try to finish Bells of Aiedail five chapter story. Please don't be disappointed readers.
PS: I love ya all readers and supporters. Thank you very much for supporting.
"AND FOR THE LAST TIME: I….AM….A….GIRL! DON'T CALL ME DUDE! CAUSE IM NOT A GUY!"