The Forgotten Primarch of Chaos

by Montymouse

The Emperor created twenty Primarch Generals to lead the Imperium, one was created in secret but was thought to be lost until now.

25. 23 Repercussions I

Ranma/Warhammer 40K/Sailor Moon/Tenchi Muyo Crossover Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½, Warhammer 40K, Sailor Moon or Tenchi Muyo OVA. Ranma 1/2 belongs to Lady Rumiko Takahashi. Warhammer 40K belong to Games Workshop. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. Tenchi Muyo 'Ry-Ohki' belongs to Kajishima Masaki. This story was created solely for entertainment and fanfiction purposes. No profits are gained from this written fanfiction.

' ' – Thoughts

- Telepathic Speech

" " – Speech

The Forgotten Primarch of Chaos

By Montymouse

Chapter Twenty Three – Repercussions (part one)

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"The path of the Warlock wends along the past, present and future alike. His mind is free of the constraints of time and his destiny and promise are merged into a single state of being."

Quote Historicus Ostalan Varus

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Timeline . . . somewhere in the 42nd millennium Location: the Empyrean a.k.a. Warp Space

Eldar Shadow Class Cruiser - Fhianna Rethol

In the glittering darkness of the inner sanctum, deep within the bows of the Fhianna Rethol, a lone warrior sat cross legged in a tranquil meditative state of mind. Crystallised rune etched stones were scattered around the warrior, spiralling and spinning on their own accord. Each of the stones glinted with a shimmering light, pulsating with psychic energy as they cast a kaleidoscopic reflection throughout the shadowy sanctum. The spectrum light highlighted lone warrior's inhumanly elegant facial features and dark ebony hair. His thoughts were tuned to the recent major events happening throughout the shattered universe. Abaddon's Black Crusade against the Imperium Forces was finally halted, for the time being. The foolish Mon Keigh was claiming it as a magnificent victory in the name of the Emperor of Mankind. Yet Warmaster Abaddon and his remnants forces of Chaos controlled many of the worlds around Cadia. Unfortunately most of his war fleet was destroyed. A minor victory the Warmaster could claim. Once again, the Eldar were forced to intervene, playing a crucial role in desperate fight against the chaos forces. Great warriors of Ulthwé had fallen during the campaign, one notably was Farseer Ulthran. Eldrad Ulthran perished when he was caught upon a Blackstone Fortress which he was trying to stop destroying a planet known as Cadia. The fortress vanished into the Warp. A tragic lost for the dying race of the Eldar.

A faint chime echoed in the shadowy sanctum. Without moving his body stance, the warrior slowly opened his eyes and gazed across the inner sanctum. A faint telepathic link was established and the concealed entrance of the sanctum opened to reveal a fellow warrior. The bright light outside silhouetted the fragile slim guest's body against the doorway. It was an Eldar Farseer, a powerful psychic warrior. He could tell by the delicate elfin features and the marking on the Eldar's robes and cloak. The warrior also noted that the Farseer was in full wargear with the exception of the Ghosthelm.

No words by mouth were exchanged between the two Eldar warriors as they communicated telepathically.

Has the preparation completed, Farseer Kelmon? The warrior mentally communicated.

The Farseer nodded understandingly. Aye, we are prepared. The expedition fleet has been gathered as you requested, Warlock Ketshamine.

Including those who follow the path of the Warrior . . . the Dark Reapers and Fire Dragons? Ketshamine inquired.

They have been summoned and they have responded to our calling. Kelmon responded. Ketshamine could faintly detected animosity and fear on mentioning those two warrior castes.

Then it begins Ketshamine glanced at nearby runic stone, And very soon.

Already the nightmare was starting to fade and that in itself was worrying. For you see, Ketshamine was once a Farseer, trained in all forms of augury including the interpretation of dreams, trained to remember them and not to forget. He has sense a mysterious power was at work here but doubts clouded his mind as it wasn't the power of the darkest of sorts. Still the dreams was troubled Ketshamine. He was too experience and cynical to simply ignore it. He did not doubt that the future he and Farseer Ulthran once shared. It was one of the many probability lines that radiate from this certain point in time and space.

Warlock Ketshamine, there something else you should know. Kelmon interrupted as she had more pressing matters on hand.

Ketshamine looked up, shaking off his current thoughts to address the Farseer. He nodded to continue.

We have detected a massive vessel entering into our long range sensors. The vessel is unlike any we have seen up to date. We have very little information to form a conclusive analysis. We do know that the vessel is of Terra construction dating back to the dark ages of Technology . . . Kelmon reported as she continued on.

Where are they heading? I need to know now. Ketshamine suddenly interrupted the Farseer.

The Warlock needed to know where this vessel was heading as up to his knowledge very few ships ever venture this far including Eldar ships as they were very susceptible to the warping effects of the Empyrean

Kelmon nodded, slightly annoyed at his interruption but nevertheless obey his request.

The vessel is on a direct path this sector of the Empyrean . . . do you suspect they know of this webway portal? Kelmon inquired.

Impossible, Ketshamine responded. They are unable to comprehend the mysterious of our webway portals nevertheless able to find one.

They are approaching us, nevertheless, Warlock Ketshamine.

Ketshamine was concerned about this turn of events. The warp portal they were guarding was of vital importance to his mission as this was a direct link to the space region unexplored. It was deemed forbidden by the ancient Farseer. Eldar Ulthran knew that this warp gate was the link to his vision and ignores the forbidden seal. He ordered this sacred mission to be entrusted to Ketshamine before his demise. Ulthran was convinced that the future of Ulthwé was at stake here and they needed to find out the truth before it was too late. Ketshamine now knew what he had to do.

If they approached immediate area of the warp portal . . . use whatever necessary to stop them at all cost. They must not discover the location of this forbidden portal. If necessary destroy it as soon as my strike force has entered. Ketshamine ordered.

'Their weapons are inferior against our ships so destroy them.' Ketshamine thought confidently.

Aye, your orders will be carried out. Kelmon exited the sanctum.

The Warlock sat in silence for a few moments. The stone that he glanced earlier drew his attention. He decided to probe into the future one more time. Using his innate psychic powers, he moved three crystallised stones that were in front of him into a simple pattern, drawn in by his psychic signature and pattern. Ketshamine narrow his eyes slightly, gazing into the runic inscription on each of the three stones.

The first stone was the sign of the Craftworld which meant involved future of Ulthwé.

The second stone was red in colour unlike the crystal clear one. A bad sign as it inscribe the sign of Slaanesh, the devourer of souls. Ketshamine cursed inwardly as this was the worst out of all the omens.

The third and final stone was the sign of chaos, the outcome was uncertain. Ketshamine needed to clarify the signs before he read deeper into meaning of the stones. He quickly drew in another stone within his vision into the complex pattern.

The rune of the Emperor was visible.

It gave Ketshamine pause for thought. 'Hmm . . . would the race of man turn either to Slaanesh or fight against it.'

The Warlock straightened himself up slight and closed his eyes. He bowed his head forward slightly and cleared his mind, reaching out to touch one of the stones through telepathy, in an attempt to see more of the future. Blurred vision blasted into his sights causing him to lurch his head back slightly until one of the visions slowed down for him to gain insight of a fragment of the future. Then he saw it. He saw a desolated city and a human army. He saw a daemon with four arms, two human, two ended in pincers. He saw a bleeding warrior wielding a sword of light clash with the daemon. He saw another man and female fall dead. Swooping Hawks were soaring into the sky. He saw a female dark haired warrior standing on roof of a nearby building watching the fight below with a look of uncertainly. Ketshamine saw the daemon turn to look at him with bright jewelled eyes. Pain exploded in hi head. The vision faded.

Ketshamine clutched the side of his head as the psychic feedback has caused severe discomfort. After a few moments, the Warlock rose to his feet and picked up his Witch Blade and gracefully walked across the sanctum.

His mind was now troubled as ever now.

XXX

Adeptus Astartes Mobile Fortress Monastery - Sanctuary

A grim face Primarch of the Space Wolves, Leman Russ gazed silently across the bridge of the mobile fortress monastery at the swirling voids and black holes of the immaterial warp space on the main viewing screen. The recycled air seemed a little dry and needed the change, Leman Russ thought as he made a mental note to adjust the problem. He then gazed down at the surveyor stations through to the arched transepts. Space Marine officers were working alongside with the motionless lobotomized creatures known as servitors. The servitors were efficient and dedicated to the program they were given, focused on the tasks and parameters, ignoring everything else that was happening. Leman Russ resisted the urge to pace the length of his command bridge. It would not do to communicate any lack of faith in their course of action, despite his grim reservations of travelling through the unknown regions of the warp space.

Would the protections in place hold out against the predators that lurked in the immaterial space?

The surveyor panels displayed the last known coordinates of Lord Sanguinius battle barge. His thoughts then turned to the massive spacecraft they occupied; the mobile fortress monastery reminded him of the great mobile station Phalanx. The Phalanx was the Imperial's Fists fortress monastery. It was roughly the size of a small moon, its foredeck could dock a dozen cruisers and its superstructure was a towering forest of spires interlaced with flying buttresses. It shone like a small star and its likes had not been seen since the Dark Age of Technology. Leman Russ knew for sure that the Mobile Fortress Monastery through restricted access of the computer's core systems that the Sanctuary was actually based on the designs of the Phalanx along with a couple of modifications and upgrades. Father or the Emperor oversaw the massive task with the help of Rogal Dorn and Fabricator General of the Mars, head of the Adeptus Mechanicus. A thought was raised, during Horus Heresy; the Fabricator General of Mars allied himself with Horus, the Warmaster of Chaos. So why didn't the Fabricator General tell Horus of the construction of the Mobile Fortress? Surely a craft would have aided Horus against the Emperor. Russ shook his head as it was one of the mysterious.

"Lord Leman Russ." The Space Wolves Primarch turned around.

Standing before him was a red robed priest of the Cult Mechanicus of Mars. He was a devoted priest of the Machine God. The marking and insignias of the skull and cog symbol of the Adeptus Mechanicus was clear to see on his robes. His facial features were completely hidden by his long hood and breathing mask gear. The Tech Priests are actually human in almost every aspect thought they often have many mechanical components like the priest standing in front of him. Very little of his body remained biological as replacing parts who have served it usefulness with mechanical components was common amongst the Adeptus Mechanicus. Like the saying goes, a man's worth is only the sum of his knowledge – his body is simply an organic machine capable of preserving intellect.

"Something to report Adept Magnos Vos?" inquired Russ as he address the appointed head of the Cult Mechanicus stationed on the Mobile Fortress.

Vos nodded. "The machine spirit is reawakening to his subconscious, Lord Russ," he said, his voice slightly distorted by the digital voice box.

Leman Russ raised an eyebrow followed a piercing gaze at Vos. He was clearly agitated by the Tech Priest answer. "Why is that suppose to mean?"

Magnos Vos calmly walked over towards the complex array of runic buttons, switches and levellers behind Leman Russ. He quickly interlinked with the core system with his subconscious mind as row after row of statistical data was uploaded and displayed on the screen. Russ could not make head or tail of the statistical data being displayed due to the speed it was being read and the complex jargon symbols associated with the data.

"Lord Leman Russ, the machine spirit will require another twenty three hours, twenty five minutes, fifty two seconds in order to optimal levels for the next displacement warp jump. Giving the margin of error is less than zero point two." Vos stated in a slightly robotic fashion. It is estimated a further two jumps is required before we break the parallel barriers into order to reach our destination through conversational means, Lord Leman Russ."

'This is taking forever,' thought Russ, gritting his teeth in impatience.

His frustrations were mainly down to the numerous delays and the inaccuracy of navigating through the immaterial warp. The Tech Priests of the Cult Mechanicus were working alongside side with the Techmarines of the White Scars and the Iron Priest of the Space Wolves in order to speed up the process of refinements and upgrades. Steady but slowly; most of the major core systems were bought online with priority going towards propulsions, weapons and navigational systems. Servitors were constantly working non stop to ensure efficiency and that power were rerouted to key locations and systems. Magnos Vos finished compiling the data and disconnected himself from the console. He turned to face the Space Wolves Primarch.

"In name of the Machine God, we are doing everything we can accordingly. It is stressed that we must not rush despite the urgency in fear that we might risk the anger of the mighty machine spirit. As this ship is designed and based on Dark Age Technology, we do not truly understand the working of this fortress. Its core systems have never been studied, duplicated or copied by the Cult Mechanicus and . . ." Magnos Vos started to go into full lecturing mode which immediately started to tick off Leman Russ. .

"Be gone, Magnos Vos." Russ ordered, refraining himself from knocking the Magnos out.

"As you wish, Lord Leman Russ,"

After spending a few moment to slimmer his anger, Leman Russ decide to check on his fellow brother Primarch by walking across the command bridge towards the central station. Russ then saw who he was looking for standing in front of an ochre sphere rotating lazily above the hololithic display plate, projecting within the centre of the command station. As Leman Russ got closer, he notice the sphere was an imagery of watery world with large continental landmasses. The hololithic image of the planet flickered and jerked occasionally as the grainy static washed through it. Two Space Marines in tactical dreadnought suits commonly known as Terminator armour stood at either entrances of the command deck.

The man he was looking for was Primarch Jaghatai Khan of the White Scars renowned for his lightning fast tactics and ferocity in assaults.

"Brother Khan, it's going to take forever for this damn ship to get moving. We been travelling for what seems to be months now and we are still nowhere near our destination." Russ exclaimed his frustrations. "We are going to miss everything if we continue at this rate." Leman Russ had temporary forgotten that the concept of time was lost in travelling through the immaterial space.

The White Scars Primarch seemed to ignore the Russ rants as he seemed preoccupied with the hololithic display. The imagery of the watery planet switched to a large scale image of a long range sensory scan. The hololithic image was unclear and slightly distorted.

"Did you hear me?" Russ demanded.

He was about to asked again when suddenly Jaghatai Khan smashed the console with his fist, causing the hololithic systems to project a perfect detailed map of sensory feedback.

"I heard you the first time, Brother Russ." Khan answered with a hint of annoyance. Without turning to face his Primarch brother, Khan slowly circled the hololithic display, his ceramite boots ringing on the stone flags floor.

"Someone is trying to stop us," Khan muttered under his breath. "I can feel it in my bones! The guiding spirits are in disarray!"

"Do you know who?" Russ said as his superhuman hearing heard it clearly. Khan shook his head.

"I do not but someone or some force is delaying us. The ancient webway gate Brother Sanguinius used to pass through has been destroyed. Fortunately we have received confirmation that Sanguinius vessel has indeed reached his destination. It was received a few hours ago from an encrypted beacon signal."

"Isn't that a good thing? Russ inquired.

"Generally yes, unless he encounters trouble over there. He has no reinforcements of such to aid him." Khan ran his gauntlet glove over the console. "He is for now on his own."

"I see," Russ took a look of seriousness.

"Do you think he has found our lost kin?"

"Most likely," Khan answered sternly.

"What do you think this fledging Primarch is going to be like?" Russ asked, as he had reserved feeling about this new forgotten Primarch if was the genuine article.

Khan was silent. The humming and beeping of machinery was the only sound to be heard.

"We shall see," Khan said contemplatively. "I withhold my judgment until I actually come face to face with this Primarch either with a hand of friendship or a sword to his heart.

Russ raised an eyebrow. "As long as he doesn't turn out to be like Jonson, dirty cheating bastard," he thought darkly.

"Fine, if you want to keep your opinions to yourself." Russ grumbled. "When we get there, he definitely is going to have an army of loyal followers, ruler of his own planet perhaps. I suppose us going to have mighty feast upon our arrival. Then I'm going to kick his ass to see how good he is." Russ said gleefully.

Khan sighed inwardly. "Is that all you think about, fighting? I do not think that the Emperor would approve such actions. He would have alternatives to approach him."

"Perhaps," Russ said, "but he isn't with us, so we going to represent him. The Emperor has entrusted us to retrieve him and I'm not going to fail."

Khan paused for a moment before nodding to Russ statement.

"Brother Russ, do you about Sanguinius condition?" Khan asked, changing onto a completely different subject. He knew for certainly one of reasons why the Blood Angels Primarch decided to take matters into his own hands.

"Huh, what do you mean?" Russ replied. "What wrong with him now?"

Jaghatai Khan was about to explain to Russ when . . .

The proximity sirens and warning alarms began blaring to signal battle stations. There was a fury of actions and movement on the command bridge as everyone assumed to their stations.

"What the name of Fenris?" Russ exclaimed at unexpected alert.

Jaghatai Khan was immediately on the intercom demanding explanation as a warning message flashed across the main control screen.

WARNING: INCOMING TORPEODES SALVO

"Thirty seconds till impact!" a Space Marine Officer announced.

"Where the hell did those come from!" exclaimed Russ.

"Never mind that, brace for impact!" Khan shouted.

The sophisticated automatic defence grid for the Fortress Monastery was already activated as soon as the incoming ordnances were picked up on its long range sensors. The ship was unable to evade or take emergency action such a wide torpedoes salvo due to the current state of the ship. Void shield generators began to charge up to maximum peak efficiency levels. The targeting navigational matrix began to locate and mark each and every one of the torpedoes salvo. The information was quickly transferred to close turret defence grid which allow the turrets to independently track the torpedoes based on information from the matrix. A total of thirty torpedoes were registered and locked.

"Twenty seconds till impact!"

As soon they got within two hundred metres, the optimal range for the turrets to fire, anything closer would cause significant damage to the ship's superstructure. Ten seconds later, all hell broke loose as thousands of shells ripped into the salvo, which detonated in a huge barrage of fire and shrapnel. The Monastery shook from the multiple explosions from the torpedoes salvo and turrets firepower.

"Heh . . . that was easy," Russ grinned, thinking it was over. The torpedoes salvo was defeated.

"Don't be so hasty, whoever is out there means business," Khan stated as he checked the sensory range. "We must punish those that dare to attack us."

"Surveyor control!" shouted Khan as he took command, "Give me a full amplification sweep of the immediate area. I want to know who is out there. Also I want a damage report now!"

The Space Marine officers hurriedly relay Khan's orders without hesitation to the various stations. Khan placed both his gauntlet hands palms down on the console as he read the damage control from various levels of the ship.

"All hands battle stations!"

"Sire, there nothing there!"

"Long range scans show nothing!"

"Minor damage to the structure armour hull, fire control underway, void shield generator at full output . . ."

Khan closed his eyes as he thought of plan of action. He had a short amount of time before the unknown attacker would strike again. His could feel it in his soul that they were approaching something that their unknown enemies did not want them to find otherwise why they would attack out of a sudden.

"Fire Control, all Nova batteries fire at these specific ranges coordinates." Khan ordered using the estimate direction of where the torpedoes were fired.

"We are going to flush them out! Show them the Emperor's Wraith!"

Russ couldn't agree more as he left the command bridge to attend to prepare for assault. 'At last some action.'

XXX

Eldar Shadow Class Cruiser - Fhianna Rethol

Farseer Kelmon watched on the crystal view screen of the torpedo salvo defeated, causing little or no damage to the actual vessel. She cursed bitterly just in time when a barrage of Nova shells suddenly lit up darkness of space. Massive vibrations of nearby explosion caused the Fhianna Rethol to shudder violently. The rest of the Eldar fleet was in the same predicament as barrage strike the fleet.

Kelmon almost fell but manage to grasp on a nearby support rail as battle information rushed in.

"Evasive action now!" exclaimed the Captain of the Fhianna Rethol.

"How could they find out where we were?" the Captain inquired as he was sure that the fleet was out of their range and undetected.

"They do not know where we are, Captain, otherwise we would have suffered more." Kelmon steady herself. "Those barbaric weapons are powerful enough to damage our fragile ships even by glancing hit."

The Eldar Captain brought his fist down on the console and cursed under his own breath as more explosions rocked the ship.

The Tarus Moon has lost its void shielding and taking damage, attempting to disengage! The Captain of an Eclipse Class Cruiser reported.

The Blade of Ulthwé has multiple superstructure damage, returning fire. The Captain of a Shadow Class Cruiser reported.

"Eldar Nightshade and Hemlock Destroyers are on standby, awaiting further orders."

"All ships manoeuvre and attack!" the Captain ordered.

Kelmon watched Warlock Ketshamine and his strike vanish into the warp portal. She looked towards the Eldar Captain and wondered if he had underestimated the firepower of this mysterious vessel. Kelmon glanced at the another screen to see two Shadow class escort ships appeared behind the unknown vessel as they rolled and dived in breathtaking shoals, shimmering like tropical fish. The escort flicked through the energy beams and lances. Two Eldar Cruiser engaged the vessel on it's portside but were taking on heavy punishment as weapons batteries were ablaze like infernos along the massive length, dousing their ships with unrelenting tirades of firepower.

"Captain," Kelmon shouted. They were still in the direct line of fire of this vast vessel.

"We must . . ."

She didn't have time to finish what she had to say when suddenly everything lit up in a brilliant white.

Warlock Ketshamine watched the ghostly dance of colours and form across the wraithbone viewing bay of his Eldar craft seeing the crude monstrous Mon Keigh vessel lumber into position. He watched as the Fhianna Rethol took a direct hit. A Nova shell smashed through the armoured compartment like it was paper and detonating within, causing a devastating chain reaction. Ketshamine knew that their souls would be food for the warp so there was no used praying for them. Ketshamine quickly turned to another screen to see most of his strike force vanishing into the webway. With a final glance at the raging battle, Ketshamine ordered his ship to depart into the labyrinthine webway. He was unsure about their final destination but knew that it held some importance to his nightmares.

XXX

Elsewhere . . .

Drifting aimlessly through the region of cold space was a rogue Cobra Class Destroyer. Moving along broadside with the lone spacecraft was two Adeptus Astartes Strike Cruisers. Inside the destroyer, blood red light bathed the control bridge, alarm bells ringing throughout the ship, Sparks and jets of hydraulic fluids spurted from shattered control panels. Heavy sounds of gunfire were heard everywhere as invaders teleported directly onto the Cobra Destroyer.

The desperate crew fought valiantly against the invaders. It was a helpless cause as marble white coloured Space Marines in tactical dreadnought armour stomped through each section of the ship, eliminating all that comes into their path. The crew already knew who the invaders were, Space Marine Terminators from the Deathwing Company of the Dark Angels Chapter. There was Storm Bolters blazing, lightning claws cackling with raw energy and Thunder Hammers thunderous heavy against compartment doors and hatches. Dozens of dark green Space Marines rushed in to securing the compartments and prisoners to be taken back to the Fortress Monastery 'the Rock' for interrogation.

In the shattered command bridge, there were only two individuals, a ragged looking human and a giant of a man in black armour, a Space Marine judging by the bulk and armour. Everyone else had fled in terror or killed in the ongoing fire fight. The giant held the human officer against a damage console, a bolt pistol waved dangerously in his face.

"Repent, Traitor! Tell where he is!" A skull faced warrior demanded, holing the renegade officer by the scuff of his tattered uniform towards his ornate death mask.

"Where is Fallen Angel One-Zero-Zero?" The giant warrior shook the human to get some answer out of him.

"Go to hell!" the renegade officer spat in his face in defiance. "He is our saviour, don't you see!"

The giant warrior slammed him against the control console.

"Heretic!" the giant warrior shouted.

"I will never tell you!" the human shouted, gritting his teeth. The renegade officer struggled valiantly against the warrior death grip. Without warning, he was thrown at full force against the wall by the giant warrior. There was a heavy thud as the renegade's back was broken upon impact.

"He knows nothing of who we seek, Brother Chaplain Akkad," said a deep voice behind the giant warrior.

Akkad glanced over his left shoulder to see a pale white robed and hooded figure standing in the doorway, his hands hidden within the sleeves of his robes. Akkad turned around to face the figure, it was clear to him from the size and bulk, he was a Space Marine. Akkad could hear the sounds of battle from elsewhere in the ship. Dark green armoured figures dashed along corridors. The hooded Space Marine stepped through the doorway; he did not pull back his hood which completely concealed his identity. Akkad studied the hooded Space Marine, seeing him stopped to look at the broken officer for a few seconds before turning his attention at him.

"This human know nothing, I sensed that he was telling the truth for once in his miserable life," the hooded space marine said in a calm voice.

"Traitors, all of them, traitors," Akkad said venomously as he hefted his bolt pistol and unhooked his weapon of choice from his belt waist, a Crozius Arcanum with the sole intention to continue his search.

"Brother Chaplain Akkad, wait."

Akkad stopped but did not turn around to face him. He already knew that the hooded figure was a member of his chapter, he was an Epistoleries classed Librarian, an experienced and dangerous warrior in both body and soul.

"Brother Librarian Zamiel, I am listening."

"I cannot sense his presence here or anywhere else on this ship, I believe that your search for Fallen Angel one-zero-zero will be in vain," he said.

"Impossible, we had a reliable source that he was on this ship. No other ship in this sector was detected nor did this destroyer stop at any remote planets." Akkad argued.

"Nevertheless," Zamiel said, "Supreme Commander Azrael has issued the order for immediate withdrawal for you and your men. All Fallen Angels captured are to be secured and transported back to the Fortress Monastery for interrogation and to repent their actions. You will be there personal escort until then. Do I make myself clear, Brother Chaplain Akkad?"

The Dark Angel Chaplain seemed to be either infuriated or annoyed at the order, Zamiel observed, he couldn't tell underneath his death mask. Akkad eventually nodded as he reluctantly accepted the new instruction from Azrael.

"Very well, Brother Zamiel," Akkad glanced over his shoulder. "I must know who will be conducting the interrogation of the Fallen?" He inquired as he wanted a proficient Chaplain in this sinister area of expertise in charge. He also knew not to question or have doubts on the orders given to him from any member of the inner circle.

The reason behind his inquiry was that during the surprise teleportation raid on this ship, Chaplain Akkad and the marines under his command had managed to capture three Fallen Angels, the rest were killed in the fire fight. It had been established that the crew and the Fallen Space marines on this ship where known to have links to the traitor known as Fallen one-zero-zero. He was believed to be responsible for many acts of instability across the Imperium, and as such is hunted by the Dark Angels with zeal even greater than that reserved for 'normal' Fallen. The Fallen Prisoners might prove an insight or offer a clue of where he was and most importantly where was his next destination.

There was a silence pause which seemed to last for hours but was in fact only a few seconds as Zamiel gave the name of the interrogator in charge.

"Interrogator Chaplain Brother Asmodai," Zamiel said reluctantly in a low tone. His name alone would make his enemies take their own lives than fall into his hands due to his fearsome reputation.

Akkad nodded, seemingly satisfied with Zamiel's answer.

The Dark Angels Librarian watched him spun on his heel and marched off further into the ship. Zamiel was about to move when he heard a low groaning sound. Withdrawing a heavy bolt pistol from beneath his long robes, he turned towards the renegade officer that Akkad had dealt earlier. It seemed that he was still alive, thought Zamiel as he pointed the pistol at the renegade officer's head. He watched him struggle to move in morbid fascination.

"Traitor," he whispered coldly and without remorse as he pulled back the trigger to fire a single bolt round.

"The search goes on until all the Fallen has been captured as deemed by the inner circle."

XXXXX

Timeline . . . Twentieth Century, Present Time

Location: Japan, Okayama Region . . .

Sasami Jurai Masaki shivered as she tried wrapped herself more in her light blue jacket. She hadn't expected the weather to be this cold as high up here as she walked at a brisk pace down the path. In her hands was a small picnic basket that was given to her by her older sister to Ranma Saotome and Ryoga Hibiki. She was supposed to do so but as soon as she saw them sitting at the top of the long flight of stars that led up to the Masaki shrine. Sasami was overcome with apprehension that she averted her direction down a small path rather than continue onward. Her mind was clouded with thoughts that she didn't know where she was until she looked up.

A soft gentle smile appeared as she had found herself in a familiar area. It was a small clearing where there was a large and ancient tree in the centre of a large moat of sparkling clear water. White paper strips were fixed to its branches with words of meaning scribble on each and every one of them. The only means of crossing without getting wet was by using the three large stone steps.

Ry-Ohki who had accompanied her was standing right beside her as she looked up at Sasami with a slightly confused look. Perhaps her plan was a bit too much for Sasami, Ry-Ohki thought quietly.

"Miya?" asked Ry-Ohki as the Cabbit tugged on her dress, wanting to know what was going on.

Sasami glanced down and smiled softly. She didn't say anything as she walked up towards the tree and place the picnic basket on the ground. She knelt down and clasps her hands together and prayed respectfully. The whole pace had an air of peace and serene rarely had back in the Masaki household.

Suddenly without warning, Ry-Ohki scurried in front of Sasami as she happened to see something behind her that needed Sasami's attention.

"Miya Miya!" Ry-Ohki exclaimed whilst making hand gestures to tell her.

Sasami looked at her companion confusingly, wondering what has gotten into her.

"What is it, Ry-Ohki?"

"Miya!" exclaimed slightly louder, tugging on her dress to stress the importance of what she was trying to get her point across.

"Ry-Ohki, I can't understand you if act like this," Sasami sighed and glance at the picnic basket. "You wouldn't understand, Ry-Ohki. I just can't ask him . . ."

"Ask me what, Sasami?" a very familiar voice said behind her.

Sasami felt her heart stopped upon hearing the voice. She hadn't expected him to be here.

'It can't be . . .' she thought in disbelief. The look on Ry-Ohki's face confirmed as the Cabbit had a paws across in her face.

Sasami held her breath as she turned around, she felt her heart flutter as she was face to face with the person she had been avoiding. He was just like she had imagined him to be with his confident smile and trademark pigtail. He had a white towel around his neck, indicating that he just came back from training with Ryoga.

"Ranma," she said under her breath and glance downwards before looking up at him.

"What are you doing here?"

Ranma grinned. "I was about to ask you the same, looks like you beat me to it."

"Miya, Miya," Ry-Ohki greeted enthusiastically.

Ranma smiled and waved at the Cabbit. "Hi there, sorry, I don't have any carrots on me."

Ry-Ohki looked disappointed which quickly made Ranma to act.

"I promise to get you some next time, okay?" Ranma said. Ry-Ohki face lit up instantly.

Ranma smirked at averting the mini crisis as Ry-Ohki scamper towards Sasami. Having a Cabbit that could transform into a massive spaceship with the power to level a few city blocks on your side was generally a good thing. Ranma then turned his attention at Sasami as he walked towards her. Suddenly without warning, Ry-Ohki quickly made her exit and scurried off into the nearby bushes.

"Ry-Ohki, wait!" Sasami shouted but it was too late, she was gone.

'Traitor," Sasami thought as she sighed and smiled gently at Ranma.

"Ranma, you still haven't told why you are here?" she asked.

"Well, you see . . . err . . . I just finish sparring with Ryoga and . . . you were there and, I thought we could you know, we could . . ." Ranma tried to explain as he subconsciously started to scratch the back of his head.

Sasami giggled at his awkwardness. "You just wanted to talk to me, didn't you," she finished for him.

"What?" Ranma denied at first before dropping his shoulders and bowing his head.

"Yeah," he admitted as he looked her straight in the air. "So what are you doing here?"

In the blink of an eye, Sasami produce the picnic basket that she carried with her. Ranma was slightly taken back at the speed as she held the basket in front of her.

"I was supposed to give you this, Ranma. Well, I thought you might be hungry after your training session," she explained quickly, forgetting that it was supposed to be for Ranma AND for Ryoga.

"Oh, well thanks, Sasami. You know, you didn't have to go through the trouble of preparing the picnic basket, we could have gotten a bite to eat at the Masaki household," Ranma said with a warm smile.

Sasami blush slight red hues on her cheeks at his compliment.

"Well, you see I wasn't the one who," Sasami tried to explain but was cut off when Ranma took the picnic basket off her hands.

"Oh, wow," Ranma said happily when examined the contents of the basket.

"You think of everything, Sasami, thanks. Come on, it better to share, there is more than enough food for the both of us." Ranma said.

Sasami simply sighed contently, seeing the expression on his face. She just couldn't tell him that it was her sister who made it. She also had the strangest feeling that she was being set up by her sister and Ry-Ohki.

"Oh, all right," Sasami said as she sat right beside Ranma. "Here, let me help you out with that."

A few moments later as Sasami sat down next to Ranma and poured out a flask of soup into a mug, she smiled as she always enjoyed his company.

"Here, eat up, it'll do you good," Sasami said as hand him the mug of soup.

Ranma thanked her and blew into the mug before sipping down the thick broth. It tasted good. Thick root vegetables mixed with fine stock probably most likely chicken. The soothing warmth from the soup spread throughout his body. Ranma proceeded to drink down the whole cup in a second. Sasami smile pleasantly as gazed at him for a little longer.

"Is something wrong?" Ranma asked.

Sasami blushed as she caught red handed. She averted her attention to avoid eye contact and this rising redness to her face. Ranma chuckled lightly, feeling completely at ease with her. He decided to avoid more embarrassment for her as he extend his mug out to the young girl.

"Another refill?" asked Sasami.

Ranma smiled as he nodded. She reached out and took the mug from his hand, her fingers lightly brushing the edge of his hand. Ranma happened to notice her. She was pretty and on the edge of blooming into a beautiful woman that could rival any of his fiancée easily. As she finished off his second helping of soup, Sasami wrapped a scarf around her.

"That was delicious, your cooking is right up there with the best," Ranma commented.

Sasami smiled but shook her head slightly.

"Thank you but I wasn't the one who made the soup." She admitted.

Ranma wipe his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Oh?" he asked surprisingly.

Sasami giggled. "It was my sister," she answered, noting the slight confusion in his eyes.

Ranma's expression changed as realisation kicked in. "Ah, now I get it . . . you instructed her?"

"At first . . . she beginning to get the hang of it of it now," Sasami giggled as she recalls the numerous attempts to get the basic cooking right.

'Much better than Ryoko,' Sasami thought quietly.

Ranma nodded and gazed up at the tree ahead of them. Sasami took a brief glance at him then at the tree. She made up her mind to ask him right here and right now.

"Ranma," Sasami said wistfully as she turned to look straight into his eye. "Do you remember what you said to Sanguinius back in Nerima?"

"Err . . ." Ranma couldn't help but have a bad feeling on where this line of conversation was going.

"You told him something back then when he asked you about us." Sasami paused as she recalls what he said.

"You said that I was like . . . your little sister."

"I did?" Ranma said half heartedly.

Sasami nodded acknowledging. Ranma looked at her for moment as he remembers the awkward conversation in Nerima when Sanguinius inquired about the nature of his relationship with Sasami. How did she know about it, a thought popped up in Ranma's mind but the pensive look in her eyes confirmed that she knew first hand, she must have overheard him, it was the most logical conclusion he could think of.

"Yes, Ranma, that's okay. I can understand why you said it." Sasami added.

Ranma blinked, slightly relieved but also feeling disappointed and sad about her statement for reasons he couldn't fathom. Sasami wasn't finish with the topic as she plucked up the courage to continue.

"I was wondering . . ." Sasami began to say, avoid direct eye contact.

"Do you still think of me as a little sister you always wanted?" she asked to finally confirm her feared assumption so that she could now moved on with her feeling, no matter how much it hurts. She now hoped that she could finally get over it and besides it was her second crush on someone and now that she was twice spurned perhaps she would . . .

"No, I don't," Ranma firmly replied, true to his feeling for once.

She would find love a third time lucky and . . . Sasami blinked, her mind stopped working for a second as she could not actually believed what he just said. She immediately snapped her attention towards him. She had glimmering hope in her heart that she didn't misheard him during her musing.

"What did you just say?" Sasami moved closer toward him, gazing more directly into his eyes.

Ranma was slightly taken back by her actions and moved his head slightly. He saw something in her eyes . . . hope. He knew that his next move would either bring great joy to her or crush it in one swift move. Remembering what Ryoga had said to him back then, he knew that he couldn't afford to play around with her feeling or risk losing her forever.

"Ranma, please answer me," Sasami pleaded, she reached out and placed her hands on his chest. She just wanted to know.

Ranma sweated a little and even coughed slightly. Sasami suddenly realising her actions, backed off.

"I'm sorry, Ranma . . . I shouldn't have . . ." Sasami immediately turned her back against him and started sobbing slightly.

As soon as he heard her crying, Ranma was at a lost. The sight of Sasami in tears struck deep within his soul almost breaking his heart. Slowly but surely Ranma reached out and touched her on her shoulder.

"Sasami . . . please, please don't cry. It's not your fault . . . I should have been more honest with my feeling. Back then in Nerima, I didn't know if I should trust Sanguinius. I couldn't tell him my true feeling about people I care strongly. Otherwise my enemies would use them as leverage against me." Ranma was relieved that she stopped crying but she still wouldn't turn to face him.

"What about Akane?" Sasami said softly. "You have to save her more than any of your other fiancées."

"Akane Tendo?" Ranma said with a hint of surprise but quickly recovered. "Well, she was public knowledge everyone knew . . . no thanks to Nabiki and the two village idiots. Now, I think of it . . . probably have more to do about my honour than anything else."

Sasami giggled a little which Ranma was glad as she finally turned around to face him. She then had a serious look on her face, anxious as he still hasn't answered her question.

"Ranma, if you no longer think of me as your little sister, then what am I to you?" She held her breath slightly waiting for his answer.

Sensing that Ranma wasn't going to reply or answer, she began to speak her heart out.

"Ranma . . . I . . . I . . . I . . . Lo . . ."

Ranma halted her kindly by putting his finger on her lips. Sasami looked confusingly at him, wondering why he stopped her. Ranma looked at her and smiled, shaking his head slightly.

"Please don't," Ranma said softly.

Sasami blinked and nodded understandingly as Ranma removed his finger and smiled.

"Why not, Ranma?" she asked and regretted asking him when she saw sorrow and sadness in his eyes.

Ranma deeply sighed as he reminisces about his life.

"In Nerima my fiancées have all admitted they loved me at one point, did they mean it . . . no, not one bit, they all wanted to use me for their twisted purpose without me having a say. Those three simple words really don't mean anything to me anymore. It sounds more like an insult now."

"I hope you understand," he said quietly, looking down at the grass. "I do know that I don't consider you a sibling, an arranged fiancée or just a friend, it's much more than that . . . I just need a little time." Ranma said with a faint reassuring smile.

Sasami nodded as moved closer to Ranma. She rarely had seen this side of him. She wanted to know him more and to be part of his life no matter what happens. Sasami then reached back and unclasped a crest pendant along with a silver chain around her neck. She placed the pendant and silver chain in her hand and smiled.

"Ranma," she said as she thought of something after listening to him.

"Yes, Sasami?" he said as he turned his attention from ground towards her.

"Here . . . please have this as a token between us." Sasami said as she took his right hand and placed the pendant in his open palm.

Ranma examined the penchant closer. He noted that it was certainly different in design, craftsmanship and size compared to the blue crystal pendant that Tsunami had given him. Sasami smiled as she began to explain the significant of the pendant.

"It has been in the trust of my family since the . . . the war," she said, her soft voice nervous and pensive. "It has been so from generation to generation of the Juraian Royal Family. Mother, I mean the second crowned Queen of Jurai was the one who pass this pendant to me."

Ranma felt the pendant in his hand pulse and whisper between his fingers. Ranma looked at Sasami confusingly followed by a raised expectation.

"The second crowned Queen of Jurai gave you this?" he repeated her statement.

Sasami nodded acknowledging. "Yes, it was my mother Misaki . . . it was on her provision of the future. In her way it was a means to secure the royal line of the Juraian bloodline. She has privately entrusted this royal heirloom to me rather than the first crowned princess and my sister, Ayeka Jurai. Mother says she how can you say it." Sasami paused to remember the exact words, mother used to describe her. "Ah, yes, a bit of a tempered prude when it comes to meeting new people. Mother says the pendant holds great significant within Juraian society, she says to give it to someone you want to be with."

Once again, Ranma has missed the importance of her subtly chosen words.

"Explain it again. I can't see why this has something to do with me. It's nice and all, but shouldn't you give it to someone that part of your family bloodline." Ranma inquired.

Sasami Jurai looked up into Ranma's swirling blue eyes fretfully. Perhaps she should define it a little clearer about the purpose of the pendant. She gestured towards the penchant in Ranma's hand, pointing out the marking and the royal crest.

"It is written in the sacred acts of the Juraian society that those destined to assume the throne of Jurai should possess this penchant, a symbol of recognition like the twin marking on my forehead," Sasami said as she brush away a strand of her blue hair revealing the prominent triangular marking.

"This penchant must not fall into the hands of usurper or tyrant individuals, only those who are worthy and noble are allowed to possess such a royal heirloom. It was a safeguard against those who would rule for selfish reasons."

Ranma was beginning to catch a glimpse an understanding of the far reaching political dilemma attracted to the simple penchant.

"I entrust the pendant to you. I have chosen you, Ranma Saotome," Sasami smiled weakly as she closed his hand gently.

"Wait, a second, shouldn't you be giving this penchant to Ayeka, err . . . isn't she the first crowned princess of Jurai. Shouldn't she be the one destined for the throne of Jurai after your mother and father?" Ranma inquired, the uneasy feeling he had earlier was nothing compared to the one he was having now.

Sasami sighed a little and hesitated a little. "Can you keep a secret?" Ranma nodded.

"It was decided by the Queens of Jurai, Funaho and Misaki shortly after my sixth birthday that I would be the one to assume the throne of Jurai than my older sister in the eventually of something were to happen. I do not know or told the reason behind it. Only Funaho and Misaki know the true reason for the decision. Ayeka is unaware of the situation as far as I know."

"And you give the pendant to me?" Sasami nodded to Ranma's question.

"Then I cannot accept it," Ranma said with a heavy heart. Sasami's expression turned to a look of sorrow and sadness like the light within her had been extinguished.

"I see . . . I'm sorry . . . I was a fool to believe you accept the pendant. I'm sorry for wasting your time. I will be taking my leave now . . ." Sasami said tearfully as she quickly rose to her feet.

"Wait!" Ranma shouted as he quickly reach out his hand and caught Sasami's arm in slight panic and desperation. He held the pendant in the other.

Sasami took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She wouldn't turn around to face him to would listen to what he had to say, his sudden actions filled her with the slightest hope.

"I said I wouldn't accept the pendant because of the political implications involved." Ranma explained. "Although I wouldn't accept the pendant, I didn't say I wouldn't accept you and who you really are, Sasami Jurai Misaki. Give me some time to think . . . there is no need to rush, we have a long future to look forward to."

Sasami nodded and smiled warmly. "Ranma, when you have finally made your decision, would I be the first to know?"

Ranma nodded firmly and grinned confidently.

"Yes, you will be the first to know, I promise, Sasami," Ranma winked at her.

Sasami caught the subtle gesture as she gazed into his eyes, searching for any signs of deception or guilt. Seeing none, Sasami dived happily into Ranma's open arms. She hugged him tightly. Ranma was actually surprised at the amount of strength she was putting.

"Thank you, Ranma." Sasami whispered in his ear as he returned the hug.

"I just . . . wanted to know how you feel about me, that all," Sasami admitted.

After a few moments, Sasami released her hug and gazed at Ranma with an affectionate smile. She beamed at him brightly as she sat upright beside him. She then clasps his callused fingers and sighed contently. It was like a heavy burden was lifted from Sasami's shoulders. She hoped in her heart that he would choose her when he finally made his decision. Perhaps she could ask Tsunami if she could do anything to help persuade him, Sasami thought.

"Ranma," Sasami said.

"Yes, Sasami?" said Ranma, feeling like he had done the right thing.

"Are you scared of the things to come?" Sasami asked as she gazed up at the tree.

Ranma didn't have the chance to reply when the peace was suddenly shattered by the roaring thunder that echoed through the woodland. Sasami immediately latched onto Ranma's arm frightened by the sound. Ry-Ohki who was hiding in the bushes scurried out to meet them.

"Miya!" exclaimed Ry-Ohki as the sound also scared her.

"Ranma, I'm scared," Sasami said in a frightened tone as the sound reminded her of the events in Nerima.

Ranma rose to his feet as he helped Sasami to her feet, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and drawing her protectively. Ranma looked up at the sky as a large craft appeared out of the tree line.

"Don't' be afraid. I won't let anyone harm you, Sasami," Ranma said in a soft tone to assure her. Sasami nodded, she knew that he meant every word of it. He always made her feel safe and secure under his protection.

"It's him." Ranma said solemnly.

XXX

Location: Japan, Nerima District

Japanese Self Defence Force Civilian Camp . . .

This morning, JSF troop convoys began to thread down south of Nerima. Rumours that the Blood Angels had disappeared in that are were confirmed by Military intelligences. A thousand men and a dozen of battle tanks were sent from all over Japan military command. Earlier the Japanese Prime Minister had issued a statement that all was well in Nerima and United Nation intervention was not required or deemed necessary. Kicking dust, the troop carriers and tanks rumbled through out the bombed building, damaged commercial buildings and destroyed homes. The Blood Angels Company stationed in the southern part of Nerima had departed to join their remaining Battle Brothers on the Battle Barge that loomed over the planet.

The reinforcements was a welcoming sight for the beleaguered JSF soldiers as they had suffered huge casualties due to ineffective of their weapons and tactics against the towering nightmares of destruction. Thousands of citizens who were evacuated from the homes were waiting patiently at the designated civilian camps for the all clear sign from military officials for them to return back to their homes. Surprisingly the citizens of Nerima were very tolerant of the cramp conditions in the civilian camps, eager to see what was left of their homes and also if their super premium 'Nerima' insurance package would cover this sort of thing.

Many of the soldiers who were relieved by the reinforcements began to write letters or online journals which in it, they describe the worst parts in details of the battle such as demonic creatures appearing out from the shadows or mechanized giants killing without mercy. Those soldiers who survived the ordeal would never forget that day and many requiring psychological treatments as the soldiers were found to be waking up in the night or daybreak, sweating and screaming as memories of the battle resurfaced. In some extreme cases, soldiers would go into a complete breakdown; others . . . would go on a murderous rampage, screaming out some of the chants used by their enemies.

In one of the overcrowded civilian camp, Nabiki Tendo was returning from the military media tent when news that some of the civilians were allowed back home reached her ear. She immediately set out to confirm this. The delicate information network that she had carefully laid out in Nerima many years ago was in a complete shambles as most of her key operatives were dead, missing or gone AWOL.

"Damn them all," Nabiki grumbled as her attempts to let her family out of this hellhole was refused despite offering them bribes.

"Idiots, all of them . . ." Nabiki muttered, "They won't even tell me anything."

Nabiki started to wonder if they were going to remain here for the rest of their lives as been days since they were transferred to this camp. The reason for their transfer was for their personal safety but Nabiki knew the truth when she was with Cypher. It turns out that a soldier who was serving in the front lines against the chaos hordes was 'possessed' by a demon kinda like in one of those bad horror movies, Nabiki thought as she strode across the muddy path down to her designated tent.

As she entered the large tent, Nabiki glared venomously at her snoring father and the giant panda.

"Heh, some good those two are," she muttered as she notice the empty bottles of rice wine and ramen pots around them.

"It's going to one of those days, I can feel it," Nabiki sighed deeply.

She notice her younger sister sitting on a comfortable bed along with a set of clean clothes which Nabiki had spent ages bargaining and bartering with other civilians to get hold, only for it to be giving to Akane by her father.

"Nothing but the best for dear sweet Akane," Nabiki muttered in a sarcastic fashion as she looked down at her own attire.

She was still wearing elements of her school uniform. Her normally short hair was now longer and in tangled mess. Not even the money that Cypher gave to her was any good as all the ATM machines and banks in Nerima were still out of commission. As she started to approach her sister, Nabiki accidentally to knock over her school bag, spilling out the contents.

Nabiki cursed a few choice words under her breath as she crouched down to pick up her stuff. She happened to pick up a small Polaroid picture of Cypher she took for her database system. It wasn't a bad a picture she thought as she gazed into the picture longer than necessary.

'I wonder where he is now. I hope he is okay,' Nabiki wondered for no apparent reason.

She blinked and immediately shook her head as soon as the thought popped up. Cypher was simply a business partner where agreement was arranged that all. There was no mutual attraction between them, she didn't even like him, he just a dumb jock like Ranma or Ryoga or even Kuno. She said trying to convince herself of the fact but ever since he saved her and the way he handle himself in a conversation, she was beginning to think more and more about him. He had an air of mystery that intrigued her more than she initially thought.

'Damn it, Nabiki, you don't like him. He isn't different from those idiots from school,' Nabiki mentally berated herself. She subconsciously slipped the picture into her skirt pocket rather than in her bag.

She then picked up the data disk that Cypher also gave to her relating to Saotome-Tendo agreement specifically Ranma background and blood history. Looking up at her sister who seemed to be moping about like her father and not doing anything, Nabiki smirked evilly as she glanced down at the disk then at her sister. She quickly rummaged through her other bag that she kept hidden from the others. It was the bag she managed to slip through military security and necessary for her business 'activities'. Pulling out an electronic K3000 personal organiser and an external disk/card reader, Nabiki crouched down and explored the contents on the disk.

Spending a few moments decrypting and reading some of the highlighted pages, Nabiki glanced over her shoulder to where Genma and her father were, still asleep.

'Better now than later,' Nabiki thought as she walked up to her sister. Her electronic organiser held out of sight.

Akane Tendo hearing someone approaching looked up at her sister.

"Oh, hi Nabiki," she said as she cuddle a soft toy. Nabiki's smile faltered just a little. She had spent most of the day hurrying about the camp getting the basic and her younger just spent the day doing nothing at all!

"Hi, sis," Nabiki replied.

"No luck?" Akane said, "Oh well, there always tomorrow I guess. Anyway, there isn't much food left, so I guess there is one more thing for you to do. You were always the organised one," she said as she looked out through the tent window.

Nabiki had a shaking clenched fist but refrained from doing actual bodily harm to her younger sister. Although she couldn't produce a large mallet from nowhere like Akane could, Nabiki wished she could for this one time just to knock some sense into her pretty stubborn mind. Nabiki sighed, Akane was right about one thing, and she DID inherit her mother's smarts and intelligence. Kasumi clearly was the one to inherit her gentleness, superior cooking and cleaning skills. Akane on the other hand, well she inherited the rest that was left over . . .

Nabiki coughed into her hand. Akane turned around and look up.

"Anyway . . . listen about Ranma Saotome, there something you should . . ."

"So where is that idiot?" Akane snarled. "He should be here, suffering like the rest of us. I bet he ran away like he always does."

Nabiki simply rolled her eyes up.

"Do you know?" Akane looked up at her sister with accusing look.

Nabiki steeled herself. "Listen, sis, I don't know where he is but . . ."

"But what?" interrupted Akane, "Ever since I was engaged to him, he never ever been faithful to me, not even the times I was nice to him."

'She being nice?' thought Nabiki sarcastically, 'sure you are.'

Nabiki then notice that Akane was going into the full denial and hate statement version 5.1 about the Tendo/Saotome agreement. Nabiki shook her head softly as she shoved her organiser into her hands.

"Akane read this!" Nabiki said, almost losing her patience and cool composure.

"What is this?" Akane said, not sure what to make of it.

"I tell you once you read it all!" Nabiki said.

After a few moments . . . a few more moments . . . an hour later . . .

"Akane, you do realised the implications of this information I am showing to you which is free of charge, no strings attracted, no small prints and blood pact involved?" Nabiki said with a serious tone.

Akane didn't reply as she stared at the document being displayed. Nabiki arched an eyebrow; she didn't expect this type of reaction from her younger sister, more like the opposite in fact.

"Err . . . Akane?"

Nabiki sighed and waved a hand with genial dismissal. She decides to explain it to her sister.

"Don't worry sis, I got everything under my control. I arranged everything to be in our favour." Nabiki said coolly as she approached the topic in a business like manner. "It's like we killing two birds with one stone, we get rid of this ridiculous arrangement marriage off your hands AND become financially secure for the rest of our lives, once I told father and gotten rid of the freeloading ass off our hands. There no need for you to . . ."

"I love him," Akane whispered in low tone of voice. It was so low that it would be missed easily.

Unfortunately for the Ice Queen of Nerima, those three words was an ice breaker. She heard it so clearly that it won't make a difference if Akane just screamed those words into her face.

Her icy demeanour faltered, confusion fleeting across her features.

"To . . . do . . . anything . . . what?" Nabiki said, not quite hearing what her younger sister had just said. "WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"

Akane held back the tears as she confessed to her sister about her feeling for him. Not giving a damn of the consequences of telling of this startling revelation. Nabiki was confused . . . no . . . totally confused about Akane complete turnaround in attitude to Ranma Saotome.

"I love him, Nabiki," Akane admitted honestly for the first time. "I understand now, Nabiki. I was just too stubborn and foolish for my own good to realise, now it's too late for me to do anything." She said as she started sobbing quietly.

Suddenly Akane looked up at her sister with a glimmer of hope.

"Nabiki, help me please, I don't care how much it cost, please help get Ranma back for me! I really do love him!"

As Nabiki gazed into her sister's eyes, she couldn't help the feeling of uneasiness. She was completely at a lost of what to do. Nabiki rubbed her forehead in frustration as her options were limited due to binding contract with Cypher. The Tendo and Saotome agreement was arranged on the basis that the two clans were to be merged into one by bloodlines. Right now, she just wanted to find a quiet hole and stay there till hell freezes over . . . then again . . . it probably has.

'Akane, you are such an idiot!' thought Nabiki. Her frustration was further added when she thought of her father would 'react' to this.

"Please help me Nabiki." Akane said as Nabiki sighed deeply.

'I was right . . . it is one of 'those' days.'

Elsewhere in the world . . . China

Mount Phoenix. The mountain fortress and last bastion of the fable winged humans. Barefoot and dressed in a loose fitting silk robe. Saffron stood on the marble floor of his balcony outcrop at the highest summit of his mountain fortress. From there, he looked out across the mighty slopes of his home. The air was thinner but clean and crisp unlike smog filled human cities. A gentle breeze rushed past him as Saffron looked up at the stars, as he often did when in search of guidance. The stars shone brightly and sparked with life. The sky was perfect, cloudless against a perfect blanket of tiny lights

"Foolish humans, they do not understand the natural beauty and tranquillity of this world," Saffron's mood darken at the thought of those human settlements that had began to ruin the natural landscape.

Saffron raised his hand against face and breathed a heavy sigh. He had other matters to concern himself rather than ponder the rational minds of these petty humans. He was a divine ruler of his people; his authority was absolute in Mount Phoenix.

Earlier, Saffron had spent the last three hours in his private audience chamber with his senior members and advisors. They informed him of the recent events and news that had happened during his absence in Japan. Although nothing serious was reported to him. He had express serious concerns when scouting reports from warriors Masara on the recent activities from the Musk Dynasty was displeasing news. The temporary ceasefire between him and Prince Herb still remained, and has done so for three seasons. Saffron reminded himself that the ceasefire could easily be broken but he was determined that he wouldn't be the one to do so. Also the report from the south by Koruma was a concern where he informed him that ALL the Elders were present for in the village with the exception of Cologne who had left early to go back to Japan. Saffron knew in his mind that a meeting of this importance for all the Elders to be there was rare. Something was going to happen, he could feel it in his soul, and it was simply a matter of when and how. As a precaution, Saffron had ordered to double the number of sentries outside Mount Phoenix and to report anything directly to him.

After the gruelling meeting, Saffron did something he had enjoyed since he was child. He took a bath. It was one of the rare luxuries he could fully indulge in. An hour soaking in the hot springs of Jusenkyö, he had his long white hair was oiled and combed out by his female entourage in waiting. The oil and herbal treatment kept his face smooth and refreshed and his mighty white wings cleanse of all grease, blood and dirt. Washed, oiled, scrubbed and anointed. Saffron felt cleaner, revitalize and reinvigorated than he had for months. His smooth skin and feathers tingled. The perfume from the oils and herbal treatment adorned him seemly noxiously sweet. He felt light and confident, like he could jump up, break open the heavens with his hands and never come down.

Saffron gazed out over his fortress home and smiled. There directly down below was red coloured spacecraft used to take him back to his home safely. The craft had the insignia of a pair of black wings and a huge blood drop superimposed on its tail and short wings. The iconic symbol of the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter, feared throughout many worlds in their own universe. Saffron had a feeling that it could do the same here in this world. Saffron looked up at the sky again and saw a linear constellation of stars very familiar to him when he was a child, he had long since forgotten the proper name of this formation but it bought to him a sense of calmness in this short period of chaos which was to behold him and his people.

As Saffron was staring up at the sky, he began to wonder. Something that Lord Sanguinius had mentioned to him, every time he spoke of it, he spoke with pride and passion, the Emperor of Mankind.

Was he really that awe inspiration that Sanguinius was talk about the Emperor with such emotion and passion? Were the legends and myths about him true? How could one man unite all the people of Mankind under one banner? Saffron questioned himself as in his long experience many civilizations has risen and fallen under his watchful eye. He had seen the unification of China under the Han and Jin Dynasty and subsequently their downfall shortly afterwards. It was difficult to keep order in this continent, let alone the whole planet or the entire galaxy. Saffron at first had a hard time believing all of this that the Emperor kept the order under one banner, the Imperium. And that his Primarch Generals such as Sanguinius could police the vast empire safe especially against the influx of their darkest and oldest enemies. What he happens to witness in Nerima, he surely but slowly starting to believe in what Sanguinius has told him. Another thing that bothered him was Sanguinius keen interest in the young human warrior, Ranma Saotome. Although he could sense there was a strong between them, he definitely did not look or acted like the noble andhonourable Primarch of the Blood Angels.

"Sire," Saffron slowly glance over his shoulder to see than turning around. It was one of his loyal guards knelt before him, his head bowed respectfully.

"Captain Garus of the Blood Angels has arrived and wishes to see you in private," he said in a low voice.

"Where is he now?" inquired Saffron.

"He is currently inspecting the barrack quarters that we have given to the warriors that Lord Sanguinius has given us.

Saffron was silent as he rested his bare hands on the balcony rail and looked down below. His eyesight spotted the second Blood Angels space craft in the forest clearing in the darkness yet he could clearly see like it was in daylight.

The Elite Blood Angels Space Marines that was stationed here under the orders from Lord Sanguinius weren't hard to miss in the Phoenix community, standing out like a soar thumb amongst his people, easily towering over them. Despite their bulk of their armour and size, Saffron and many of his own warrior cadets were surprised at how graceful and easily they moved especially when the commanding sergeant of the Blood Angels offered to train his elite band of warriors in hand to hand combat. Saffron laughed as soon as the sparring fight took place, most of the Space Marines did not possess the ability of flight like their Primarch so most of the Phoenix warriors simply dodge and evade from the Space Marines reach. Many of his senior warriors laughed at the amusing display. The Sergeant quickly pointed out that his men would not have a problem with this as they would simply blast them out the sky in a real combat situation. With a small demonstration of their targeting and ranged accuracy, it didn't take long for them to silence the critics. So when it came down to actual close combat with the Assault Space Marines, it came obvious that the Phoenix warriors lacked the power or strength to match the Blood Angels Space Marines blow by blow even for Masara and Koruma. What they made up for lack of strength and power, they made up with determination and aggression which the Sergeant actually praised them, well according to Koruma. Saffron wasn't sure.

"Sire," the loyal guard asked.

Saffron turned around and looked down at the kneeing warrior who was acting as his personal aide due to Kiima's absence. He had dark brown hair and tanned skin. His wings were slightly tinted coloration on the feather tips.

"Your name, young one," Saffron asked gently, out of the blue.

"Koran, son of Kirin," he answered without stuttering. Pride clearly in his tone of voice.

"Rise, young one," Saffron had a stern expression. He remembered who Koran's father was. He was a fine warrior which he had served faithfully until his tragic death when a Musk ambush party claimed Kirin's life during a routine patrol. Koran was only five then. Koran rose to his full height slowly, his head down.

"Look at me, Koran."

The young Phoenix warrior gradually raised his head. Saffron could see the nervousness in his dark brown eyes.

"That's better," Saffron expression softened slightly as he placed his hand on Koran's right shoulder. The young warrior glanced at Saffron's hand before looking straight into Saffron's brown eyes.

"You are becoming more like your father. He would be proud of you and how you have grown if he was alive today." Saffron spoke softly.

Koran nodded and bowed slightly. "I am honoured, sire."

"How is your mother?" Saffron asked.

"She is doing well," Koran replied. "She has found a new mate." He added.

"And you are fine with this?" Saffron asked, sensing some tension in Koran's voice.

Koran paused ever so slightly. "She has found happiness." He replied sternly.

Saffron decided not to press the matter and changed the topic.

"Lady Kiima spoke well of you. She was impressed, and it takes a lot to impress her. You have exceeded her expectation and with a few more years of hard studying and training who know what you may become."

"I am not worthy, lord."

"Nonsense," Saffron waved a dismissive hand. "You have the mark of a leader and you might even lead a warrior group of your own, one day." Koran was quietly amazed, such praise from him were rare and was determined to make sure that he didn't do anything to break the view that Saffron had of him.

"Sire, your response to Captain's request," Koran said.

"Tell the Captain, I will accept his request and that I will see him within the next hour. You are dismissed, Koran," Saffron stated and turned to face the balcony.

Koran took a step and bowed. "Yes, sire." He said and exited.

Saffron took a deep breath and sighed. Saffron rested his clawed hands on the balcony rail. There was a low rumble. Then a distant flash and followed by another rumble.

"A storm is brewing, a bad sign indeed," Saffron whispered as thick clouds started to amass in the south east, thunderbolts streaked in the distant. Saffron then heard a tapping sound. Rain, heavy drops of it, was beginning to fall. Saffron pondered the thought for a moment before turning in.

XXX

Location: Nemesis, Daemon Fortress of Nemesis

Deep within the fortress dungeon was a large cavern which a sinister laboratory lurked. The laboratory floor was rough and irregular, random structures and scaffold built upon one another with mortuary and surgeon tables, some occupied, some not scattered in a haphazard fashion around the chamber. Black robed mutants threaded their way through the cavern, scuttling forwards on an assortment of wildly differing forms of organic and machinery parts. Some came on spidery organic limbs, others on long assemblies of stiles or poles.

There in the centre was a large elderly looking man, his body seemingly frail and weak beneath his human skinned stitched overcoat. The man bored scars of massive self inflicted surgeries. Multiple long spidery arms hung over the man was an eclectic mix of blades, claws, vice like clamps, bone saws and whirring cranial drills. The man was the most feared within the Imperium not because of his feats in battle but more to what he specialised in. His name had become a curse to the Adeptus of Earth as his pollution of mankind's gene pool has become ever more apparent to the worlds he came in contact. He would leave in his wake a world populated by hordes of mindless debased shambolic monsters that were once human.

The man goes by many names. On the world of Dimmanmar, he is known as the Chem-master, on Arden IX and in the Bray system h is called Manflayer, to the wretched tribes living among the ravaged hives of Paramar V he is the Clonelord. His services within the Eye of Terror was highly sought out for as they needed cloned warriors and slaves by the score to replenished their numbers but most of all they needed the precious progenoid gene seed organs to create more Chaos Space Marines which he and only he could provide them with. He has negotiated a delicate position with each of the Traitor Legions. They each needed his services but he refused to aid any one Legion more than other. In this way his safety has, thus far, been assured.

He once held the position of lieutenant commander of the Emperor's Children at the time of the Heresy but unlike the majority of the Space Marines, he did not dedicated himself to the Chaos God of Slaanesh, preferring to act independently and carrying out his own agendas.

His name is Fabius Bile also known as the Primogenitor.

The Primogenitor stared at the gently spinning planet before him on the hololith. He was actually a bit inquisitive as to why the Archmage of Tzeentch was so interested in this blue watered planet. To look upon it, it was nothing remarkable, merely one inhabited world among million in the galaxy. Its bleak green surface, arrayed with streaked weather patterns and slate blue oceans, looked like the countless other words that he had visited before implementing his life work on the population. His interest grew more and more as he received more data on the planet's population composition. He formed the name with his thin grey lips as he recognised something he consider prized commodity within his line of work.

"Psykers," Bile whispered.

Mewling Chaos spawns and mutants jangled their chains as they sensed their torturer/master thoughts and withered. Bile glanced over his shoulder which caused his hunchback assistants to slither and resumed back to the master's work.

"Put me down, you filth!" someone yelled, interrupting Bile's thoughts.

Bile turned around slowly to see a young brown haired girl struggling and resisting against her captors. She was held at least a foot off the ground by two huge blue, yellow Space Marines who acting in a rather robotic like fashion. Their vice like grip on the girl preventing her from escaping as the Chaos Space Marines remained silent at the front entrance to the laboratory cavern. Bile made his way slowly towards the two guards recognising the insignia and glowing visor eyes that they belonged to the Thousand Sons legion.

"Speak up, Sons of Magnus the Red," Bile said, leaning on his skull cane for support.

"A gift from Archmage M'Kachan," one of the guards spoke in a hollow lifeless tone.

Bile nodded, understanding the message from the Daemon Prince of Tzeentch. Bile examined the girl from head to toe, her brown hair was a mess and her blue outfit was a torn and dirty.

"So she is the one?" he asked and clicked his fingers. Two servants responded to their master's calling and approached the Thousand Sons Space Marines and the girl they held.

"Affirmative, Lord Bile," the other guard responded this time. The girl in question levelled a pain death glare at him which Bile ignored completely.

"Hmm . . ." Bile studied her features carefully, memorising them for later use.

"She will do nicely. Bring her over there," Bile commented. The girl spat in defiance in Bile's face.

"You bastard, let me go at once!" she screamed and once again resisting valiantly against her captors.

Bile reached and wiped away the saliva from his cheek. He then licked the palm of his hand and looked at the girl in question. A sadistic smirk appeared on his features.

"My, a fiery one she is. She must clearly not know of my reputation or what I am capable of." Bile commented and commanded to his servants. "Take her to the restraining table immediately."

"What are you going to do with me?" the young woman exclaimed as she was dragged to the restraining table.

Bile didn't answer as he had matters that needed his attention at the moment. The young woman struggled helplessly in the grip of the tall armoured monster as she was forcefully laid on the table and strapped into place. She saw the horrific sights within the laboratory as she witnesses the hellish cavern gruesome activities. There were dismembered bodies, human and animal specimens in jars, huge vats of clouded liquid which she could just make the silhouetted human figures as fluids.

"Ah, yes, Ukyo Kounji," Bile said as he made his way over towards the young girl. In his hand was a large folder containing information apparently relating to her.

"How do you know my name?" Ukyo demanded.

"Through this," Bile showed her the large file. Ukyo took a glance at the folder and cursed bitterly as she recognised the handwriting.

'Damn you Nabiki!' Ukyo thought angrily.

"The information I have here is very detailed which makes my work easier and yours a living hell." Bile explained, "Now be a good patient and stay there, it will only take a few moments to find the necessary ingredients."

"Screw you!" Ukyo shouted.

Bile shrugged as he turned towards his workstation in the laboratory. Ukyo struggled in vain against her restrains, trying as hard as she could. She notices something that caught her eye on her right. Ukyo ignored the working of the underground cavern as she focused on the female strapped to the table. There was something about the way she was dressed that was ringing alarm bells in her head. The dim light didn't make it easer for Ukyo to see her facial features. Her clothes seemed to have some dried bloodstains especially on the kitchen apron . . .

Ukyo's mind stopped for a single second as recognition was clearly etched across her face.

"Kasumi Tendo," a single voice was uttered as she recognised the person on the restraining table.

"Why is she here? She done nothing wrong, she innocent! What have you done to her, you bastard?" Ukyo exclaimed, resisting against her restrains and clamps.

Bile stopped momentarily in his work, glancing at the unconscious brown haired young woman who was strapped to the mortuary table next to her.

"I haven't done anything to her. She is merely in a deep slumber, unfortunately the sedative I used on her will wear out within the next few hours, then her nightmare will begin," Bile explained and turned his attention back at Ukyo.

A crooked smile appeared across his frail features as he could see the fear of dread quite clearly.

"Her fate will be nothing next to yours," Bile grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. One of his many spidery arms with a crude cutting saw attachment moved closer towards her.

"Do not struggle," Bile warned her as the saw attachment moved towards her left arm.

"Get your damn, filthy thing away from me, you monster!" shouted Ukyo, struggling in vain. "I'm going to kill you, you bastard! Ranchan will save me just you wait, and then you regret it!"

Bile paused before responding with a hint of mock surprise. "Ranchan? Oh you mean that Primarch whelp, Ranma Saotome."

"Yeah, he is going to save me!" Ukyo exclaimed.

Bile chuckled a little. "This isn't a fairytale, young girl."

It was rare for a test subject to show this much defiance and resistance as a thin needle extended from beneath the saw attachment. Like a scorpion tail, the needle stabbed through Ukyo's chest. Ukyo's eyes widen slightly as she felt her arms and legs becoming limp. Within seconds, her struggles had ceased and felt into an artificial unconsciousness. Bile felt the presence of his laboratory hooded assistants.

"Take her. Preparing the operation table according to M'Kachan specific requirements, I will attend shortly," Bile ordered with serious tone.

As he watched the two assistants unclamp the restraining belt and bolts and dragging the young woman towards another part of the laboratory. Bile returned his gaze to the gently revolving image of Earth on the hololith. A sinister smile across his face as he contemplated his next part of his agenda, keep true to his personal policy of not over extending his service to one employer.

TBC . . .

XXXXX

Author Notes: A Point of Beginning/Cut off Points

Ranma ½ - The fic takes place BEFORE Ranma and NWC goes off to Mount Phoenix to fight Saffron. Ranma is unaware of Nodoka. Lord Saffron has not been defeated. Ranma has already beaten most of his rivals e.g. Prince Herb, Prince Touma, Taro. He learnt and knows almost all the Saotome School of techniques including the forbidden techniques scrolls and those used by Ryü Kumon.

Tenchi Muyo – The introduction of this particular anime takes place a year after 'Ry-Oh-Ki' OVA had ended.

Sailor Moon – During middle of the first season of Sailor Moon against Queen Beryl and her four Dark Generals, the timeline is a little messed up and off compared to Ranma ½ and Tenchi Muyo so don't expect it to be accurate. Just the following changes, Sailor Uranus and Neptune are introduced early. Hotaru is still with his father along with his assistant. Usagi Tsukino has NOT met up with her future daughter at any point. Most of the attacks used by the Sailor Senshi kinda vary between two seasons.

Warhammer 40000 Universe – Difficult to pinpoint with accuracy, what I can say is that it takes place before Abaddon's thirteenth black crusade against the Imperium and is currently underway and at its end as the story progress, meaning more characters and enemies are freed up to take part.

Final note . . . read and enjoy this fic, and let me know what you think of it.

The Administration will accept and process all reviews, comments and constructive criticism. The Inquisition will purge all flames with righteous fury.

Version 1.0 24/07/06