Slayer's Vengeance

Within the winding metal halls of the battleship, countless people diligently and faithfully do their jobs in the Emperor's name. Imperial Guardsmen patrolled its halls, ever vigilant of intruders and Xenos spies. Techpriests performed prayers and maintained the ship's machinery, following the will of the Omnissiah. Medicaes and Sisters Hospitallers tended to the wounded, praying they will live to fight another day for the God-Emperor. And countless people manned their stations on the ship. Astropaths guiding them through the Warp and Realspace. The Captain and many others on the bridge coordinated the work effort on the ship's bridge. Countless gun batteries on the ship's sides ready to fire at first sight of the enemy. A Company of Salamander Space Marines with their Captain, ready to burn heretics and Xenos with their Flamers' Holy Fire. All faithfully follow the Lord Inquisitor's crusade against the vile Orkz for it is the Emperor's Will.

Outside of it, numerous escort ships accompanied the battleship. A total of fifteen ships escorted the battleship; Consisting ships of Claymore, Cobra, and Sword-class cruisers and corvettes, all grouped together in five. Another battleship named the Carmine Revenant accompanied the Slayer's Vengeance; An Oberon-class Battleship fitted with diverse armaments such as Attack Craft, torpedoes, Lance cannons, and Weapon Batteries to deal with any possible threat. It was commanded by a familiar friend to Garett. A researcher of Monsters, An Arc Mage, and a close friend to Garett during his early days as an adventurer.

A woman with short yellow hair and dark green eyes. Anelle Olore was a devout scholar and mage through her studies and the teachings of a Naga. She was tasked with revising the Guild's Monster Manual information on Goblins and asked Goblin Slayer for help since he was a specialist in killing them. When she suggested to Goblin Slayer research goblins to help fight them, he refused and was against the idea. From her studies, she knew the world was a game board for the Gods and it was her goal to leave it towards the edge of the world. She found it inside a dark tower infested by ghostly wraiths of goblins. With Goblin Slayer's help, they fought and climbed through the tower's six goblin-infested floors. At the sixth floor, it housed a door towards the world's beyond. She thanked Goblin Slayer for his help and rewarded him with her Spark Ring before entering the door and into the world beyond.

She doesn't know how long it has been since she went through the door; But when she first woke up, she found herself in a hospital and was greeted with the familiar face of Garett. The first thing she noticed was his attire; Gone was the scrappy armor he wore and replaced with a regal military uniform with an insignia of a two-headed eagle and a skull rosette. She asked what happened and where she is. Garett told Anelle that he found her unconscious on a civilized planet plundered and ravaged by Ork Pirates, whom he dealt with brutal efficiency. He told her about the Imperium, the Inquisition, and the many Xenos threatening the Imperium, mostly emphasizing on the Orkz. She was surprised to see him holding a high position within the organization he worked for. Garett offered her a position in his army; To join his crusade of vengeance throughout the galaxy. Naturally, she accepted the offer and had many to catch up on the years they were apart.

Anelle was introduced to Garett's Kill-Team, his party that accompanied him on his adventures. She found each of them interesting in their own way. She and Garett's companions swiftly became friends afterwards, bonding through story sharing and training. Anelle was put into the Imperial Navy Schola Progenium for training on leadership and commanding her own battleship. She was a swift learner and passed her rigorous training after a year and a half. Garett gave her command of the Carmine Revenant after her graduation. She now proudly wore her Navy uniform with the rank of Captain, overseeing the many souls inhabiting her ship.

To the Imperium, she was a Psyker and her magical abilities were trained under a critical eye, becoming more powerful than ever before. This also caught the attention of many priests and psykers as her abilities did not originate from the Warp, keeping a close surveillance at her during training. The research never progressed after her graduation from the Schola Progenium and being under the Inquisitor's protection made them scrap it. A few continued the research in secret, hoping to find the secret of her power and harness it for the Imperium and the Emperor.

The fleet orbited around an Ork planet recently destroyed by Inquisitor Garett's fleet. As Lord Inquisitor, he had the authorization to call in an Exterminatus, total destruction of the planet and all life inhabiting it. It was done with a Atmospheric Incinerator Torpedo; It ignited the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the planet and seared all signs of life from the world. Countless Orkz burned and many others came with them as the planet was purified by the God-Emperor's Holy Fire. This wasn't the first time Garett authorized an Exterminatus, having done it many times when a world is beyond saving and the Orkz must be purged before they could become more of a dangerous threat. Garett felt satisfied seeing countless Goblins burn before his eyes as his team watch in horror on what he had done. They don't what to say about it and Garett told them that is was a necessary action to end an impending threat.

The fleet remained in orbit as the Techpriests had to do maintenance on the engines and weaponry before leaving. Most mind their own business as they waited for maintenance checks to finish. Some performed training drills on simulated scenarios on the ship. Others went to the ship's cathedral to pray to the Emperor for guidance. And others just did leisure activities, mostly gambling, testing their mettle against each other, and lounging at the bar. At the ship's bar, two Xenos and a Squat lounged and drank alcohol together as their faces reddened from drunkenness.

Nao the Eldar chugged a large glass of Amasec wine down her throat, taking large gulps before breathing out in drunken delight as she wiped her mouth clean. Slamming down her glass on the bar's counter, her head lazily rested on the counter with her mind in a drunken daze. Her two friends, Barry and Bangle, are also drinking with her. Barry drank a more exotic and stronger alcoholic beverage; Bangle ate high-quality cheese with his alcohol. The other patrons at the bar merely stared at them before minding their own business, wondering how those three had gained a Lord Inquisitor's trust to be his aide.

"Ugh..." Nao groaned, letting out a soft burp, "I feel dizzy...". She felt her stomach growl and her bile coming up to her throat. She swallowed hard, preventing herself from vomiting as she let out a huff of breath and a sickly groan.

"Give it a rest, Nao..." Barry said, taking another gulp of his beer, "You've drank too much today... Get some rest..."

"I agree with our short-stout friend. You should rest for tonight." Bangle said, agreeing with the Squat, "You're close to poisoning yourself if you drank more."

"I don't care!" Nao slammed her hands on the counter and raised her head, eyeing the bartender, "Bartender, pour me another!"

The bartender poured her another glass of Amasec wine. Nao picked up her glass and drank it in one gulp, breathing out a groan before resting her head on the bar's counter again.

"What has gotten into ya, las?" Barry asked Nao whose dazed and half-lidded eyes stared at him, "Having a bad day? Or is it something involving Inquisitor Beardcutter?"

"The second one..." Nao said in a lazy tone, "Ever since he became Inquisitor, I hate how he no longer cared about the rules I made whenever we go on Goblin quests back then. And I'm using poison and explosive arrows. I feel like a hypocrite."

"It makes sense." Bangle said, "He technically outranks all of us and no one in the Imperium questions an Inquisitor like him. I'm sure he just wants what best for us and his soldiers."

"I don't know..." Barry wondered, "Is he right up on his mind? I mean he called Exterminatus on multiple worlds infested by Orkz. Those worlds could be retaken by a whole armada, yet he decided they were beyond saving."

"I trust his judgement." Bangle said, taking another bite from his cheese, "Since we first met him, he hasn't changed at all. He is still the same old Goblin Slayer we knew, formulating plans and brutally murdering Goblins for the Emperor and the Imperium."

"Whatever..." Nao shakily stood up from her seat, wiping her mouth clean with a hand, "I'm going to bed... I've had enough for today... See you guys tomorrow or whenever I woke up from my hangover..." She waved goodbye to her friends, stumbling a few times as she balanced herself from her drunken stupor.

"Should we help her?" Bangle concerningly asked the Squat, "She's too drunk to find her way to her quarters."

"She'll be fine." Barry assured the Lizardman, "I've seen her drunk many times and she always found her way." The two then heard a loud thud and saw Nao bumped face-first into the door before she opened it, rubbing the bump on her forehead.

"Most of the time." Barry sweatdropped, "But don't worry, she can manage herself... Besides, worst thing could happen is her passing out on the corridors. Should that happen, we can just carry her to her room."

"Fair point." Bangle understood, taking another swig from his glass, "How are the others from the Guild?"

"Same old, same old." Barry said, "Sara and her colleagues managed logistics and recruitment of Garett's army; Sara is completely swamped by paperwork, even when her colleagues helped with the workload. As for the adventurers, from what I've heard from the Inquisitor, they've joined the Rouge Traders; Seeking glory and wealth from the unknown."

"What about Yui?" Bangle asked about the Sister Hospitaller, "How she's been for the last week?

"She's been spending most of her time in the medical wing and I've seen her praying in the Cathedral, seeking guidance from the God-Emperor." Barry answered, "It's mostly the same for everyone. Following their daily routine and all other things they do."

"True...True..." Bangle said, "What are your plans for the future? I personally haven't thought of it as of now."

"Me neither..." Barry answered, "I really never had any plans set apart from retiring when I get too old. Besides, Life Extension Technologies like Chemical Rejuvenation would help my aging body in combat and in life after the military."

"I'll drink to that and hope when the fighting is over, we'll find a better life beyond war." Bangle raised his glass as Barry did the same.

"Cheers!" The two said as they clinked their glass mugs together, drinking the alcohol as they softly laughed as they spent the day drinking together.

Lord Inquisitor's Office

Inside Garett's office, there sat the Inquisitor with multiple holographic screens of recruit candidates and information on their training. One screen showed the fleet's current status and the status of his flagship. The Techpriests were almost finished with their maintenance checks and are ready to warp-jump to their next destination. Also in his office, there sat Yui Daviau. Garett's faithful companion since their first meeting. The Sister Hospitaller drank tea as she conversed with the Inquisitor. Her duties were completed for now and she had finished her daily prayers to the Emperor. It has been quite sometime since they last talked to each other. Knowing Garett, he is usually a man of a few words; But when it comes to serious matters, he is direct and on-point on his questions and answers.

When it comes to killing, he never waste any opportunity to kill Orkz and Goblins he could see. Guardsmen of his army and many others from different planetary systems recognize him as a Hero of the Imperium, even if he doesn't want to be recognized as one. She knew that he is only doing this so that nobody would feel the pain he experienced as a child; Losing family and home, unable to do anything because they were powerless. Even if it meant committing a planetwide genocide. She still wondered if her old goddess would approve of her and his actions, even if they were justified. She was told the God-Emperor of Man was the one true god that walked the earth and all others are false and mere icons of false worship. It made her question her faith and her magical abilities as the Ecclesiarchy deemed her a saint after she miraculously healed a wounded soldier's leg. Was her goddess merely a false god to lull people's fear of death? Were her prayers meant nothing? Was everything taught to her a lie? Was her previous faith an entire lie? The words of the Ecclesiarchy made her question everything and they convinced her to abandon her old faith and embrace the God-Emperor's light.

Ever since the day she devoted herself to the God-Emperor and joined the Orders Hospitaller, she accompanied Garett on his battles and tribulations. Wherever they go, Orkz and Goblins are found everywhere, even in worlds deemed to be uninhabitable. Suffice to say her faith encourages her to kill all Xenos threatening the Imperium, with the training given to her by the Sisters of Battle, she killed countless greenskins alongside the Inquisitor ever since his days as a lone Guardsman.

"Looking for new recruits for your army?" Yui asked the Inquisitor

"Hm..." Garett nodded, looking through multiple profiles of new recruits, determining their combat skill and background before joining the Imperial Guard.

"Are you taking rests, Slayer?" Yui asked, concerned about Garett's health, "You're not overexerting yourself from work, aren't you?"

"I'm not." Garett answered, "I take rests whenever I could from my duties."

"That's good." Yui said, taking a sip from her tea, "Any news from Aya McClain? It's been years since we last heard from her after she became the Ecclesiarch on Holy Terra."

Aya McClain, formerly known as Sword Maiden and Archbishop of the Supreme God, was one of many Clerics taken in by the Ecclesiarchy after freed by Rogue Traders from the Necron imprisonment. She was reluctant to abandon the Supreme God and was met with harsh treatment from other priests. She learned Faith and Religion controls the Imperium and its countless people. Worship of any other god apart from the God-Emperor will be met with excommunication, branded as a heretic, and converted into a Servitor. With a heavy heart, she declared the God-Emperor as her only god, casting out her old faith. In the last three years, using her experience as an Archbishop, from a simple Preacher to the new Ecclesiarch of the Imperial Cult, Aya had the most influential seat of power and faith as one of the High Lords of Terra in the Senatorum Imperialis. With her influence, she launched Wars of Faith against the Orkz and the Armies of Chaos ravaging the split Imperium. Aya had entrusted Garett to carry out his mission in the Eastern Fringe with resources provided by the Ecclesiarchy.

The Faithful and Devoted obeyed her command, blinded by their worship. She has no control over the outcome of the war and could only trust her followers, Lord Inquisitor Garett being the most trustful to her. Her abilities as a Cleric had been under heavy scrutiny by her fellow lords and Psykers. Her pale blue eyes are still blindfolded, not wanting to see much death and suffering that was ever-present in the Imperium. She learned from the mistakes of previous High Priests, especially the infamous and insane Goge Vandire; Whose name rightfully deserved to be forgotten by the Imperium. Her guidance and words had swoon the other lords into making meaningful decisions that helped turn the favor in the Imperium's struggle against Chaos. Her reforms and acts had improved countless lives on many worlds and the Imperium's armies.

She came into contact with the Mechanicus' Fabricator-General of Mars, political leader and high priest of the Cult Mechanicus. A long and arduous debate followed as the two high priests debated about reforms and innovation of technology within the Imperium. The Mechanicus are enslaved in the past of old technologies and its recovery. Most have lost their ability to innovate and create new tech. Aya reasoned to the mechanical high priest to let go of the past and asked them if clinging onto it is what the Omnissiah wanted for its followers. The Fabricator-General thought about her words and questioned their beliefs. After processing her words in their cold logic, they reluctantly agreed to her reforms, stating the Mechanicus may have been trapped in the past for far too long. The Fabricator-General proclaimed to entirely halt the search of past technologies and devote their efforts into innovation for it is what the Omnissiah wants for its followers. Most Tech-Priests were reluctant but they obeyed as it was the will of the Omnissiah.

Now, she leads the faithful and shepherds the young under her care on Holy Terra. Aya cared about the lives of many and Garett shared her sentiment, sparing them from the pain they experienced. Her thoughts always wonder to the Slayer she cherished as her savior and personal friend, praying to the God-Emperor for his safety and guidance in his endeavors.

"No, there hadn't been any..." Garett said, still looking through numerous profiles for recruits, "She mostly asked for updates on our progress in this war to eliminate the Goblins in the Eastern Fringe."

"I see." Yui said, "Slayer, I want to ask... What will you do when the conflict ends and peace came? When the wars are over?"

"I'll retire and spend the rest of my days in Kommicus V with Brittaney." Garett stated, "If there are still Goblins in the universe even in peacetime, I will hunt them all down until none are left. Once they're all gone, I'll retire for good."

"That's good. When the wars are over, I'll stay with the Orders Hospitaller." Yui said, "The sickly and elderly needed special care. And the children too... The future generation will learn of our struggles and hopefully achieve an everlasting peace in the galaxy."

"Peace will only exist if all that threatens the Imperium are dead, especially with the greenskins." Garett said, "I do not care for the other races, whether they be Tyranids or Chaos itself, only greenskins are the biggest threat to this galaxy. A hero can easily deal with the Armies of Chaos and many others."

Garett thought about the Heroine who defeated the Demon Lord years ago on their old world. He wondered if she escaped the Necrons and found a new life in this turbulent galaxy.

"I'll be taking my rest, Slayer." Yui stood up as she finished her tea, setting down the porcelain cup with a Servo Skull taking it for cleaning, "May the Emperor's light guide us in life..."

"And in battle." Garett softly said, the Hospitaller taking her leave; Not before taking one last look at the Inquisitor before heading to her quarters.

Garett continued his search until he came upon four interesting individuals. In their profiles, they were described as unusual by their trainers and their peers. What caught Garett's attention was their abilities as described by their profiles.

The first was a young Guardsman named Matt. Neck-length blonde hair, blue eyes, medium skin, and wearing the standard Guardsman Flak armor. He wielded the standard Guardsman equipment consisting of a Lasgun, Laspistol, a Combat knife that doubles as a bayonet, and an additional six-foot tall Chainsword. He was described as an optimistic and happy-go-lucky person who always see the positive things in life. What's unusual about him was his unnatural strength. A Commissar in charge of training young recruits described him having the strength of a Space Marine after seeing him lift the front of a Chimera. He was placed under surveillance and medicaes are constantly running tests on his strength, searching for its source.

The second was a young Psyker named Natalie. Back-length ginger hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and wearing red armored Psyker robes. She wields a Force Staff common to most Psykers where they channel their power. Many described her as intellectual and urbane, knowledgeable about most things in the Imperium. In her profile, a Primaris Psyker described her control over the Warp at the level of Alpha Class at a young age. She was most proficient in the Pyromancy Discipline. Despite her proficient control over the Warp, she had not shown a single Warp taint ever since her powers awakened. Much like the first one, she was place under heavy surveillance with an Inquisitor overseeing her should a Chaos Daemon or the Warp corrupt or consume her.

The third was a young Commissar-in-training named Lance. Red auburn hair, dark red eyes, medium skin, and wearing the standard Commissar's uniform. He wielded the standard Commissar's weapons of a Bolt Pistol and Chainsword. He was described by his peers as a 'by-the-book' person; Following regulations and protocols whenever he took charge of a unit during training. A Commissar and Tech-Priest had caught him creating an Abominable Intelligence and many weapons he made in secrecy. One of these was a fusion of a Laspistol and sword named a Gunblade. Numerous blueprints had also been recovered by Tech-Priests and were examined, one of which was a design of a legless Imperial Knight that hovers off the ground. The Tech-Priests are holding him in custody on Mars and awaiting punishment. This suggests him to be more well-versed in machinery than most and was able to create an AI in secrecy if not for him caught in the act.

The fourth was a young Catachan named Anna. Vibrant green hair and eyes, and fair skin. She wore a green tank top and tight camo pants. She wielded a compound bow much like Nao with different types of arrows. Fellow Catachans described her as adventurous, daring, and lucky; A prodigy in survival in their planet with the career of a Jungle Fighter laid out for her. A strange ability she developed in her training was her ability to tame the dangerous wildlife of Catachan. A veteran Jungle Fighter recounted her taming an adolescent Catachan Devil who she named "Fiddler" after the slang the Catachans call the insectoids, namely "Fiddlers". Her training was being overseen by a Jungle Fighter and her taming had been tested on many animals, all were successfully tamed by her alone.

This interested the Lord Inquisitor and called Sara on a Vox-caster.

"Sara..." Garett greeted the administrator, who was surprised by the sudden call.

"Y-Yes, Lord Inquisitor?" Sara recomposed herself, "Anything you require?"

"I want these four recruits to be in my army." He sent their profiles to her Servo Skulls, displaying them in a holographic screen. "Contact the different organizations holding them and if they ask, it is under Inquisition business and their assessment. Have them transported to the ship as soon as possible."

"At once, Inquisitor Garett!" Sara said, "I'll notify you when they've arrived."

"Thank you." Garett thanked her, closing the Vox-caster, "Now then, where to next?"

Garett looked over the sector map, plotting out their next course and predicting where Orkz will attack next. Thinking ahead of most in strategy and ever vigilant of foreseeing numerous threats that may fall on him. Whether they be Orkz or Chaos, he will always be five or six steps ahead.

Slayer Vengeance's Engine Room

Tech-Priests of different ranks prayed and performed maintenance on the ship's engines, appeasing the machine spirit within it. Servo Skulls and Servitors also performed maintenance and guarded its halls from any unsuspecting intruder. They were on the final stages of maintenance checks and are reciting final prayers to the Omnissiah before informing the Lord Inquisitor.

A loud 'Thud' and 'Clang' reverberated throughout the engine room. Tech-Priests are put on high alert and drew their weapons. Their Servitors prepped their weapons and ready to fight intruders. They searched the premises and found three unconscious individuals whose garments indicate they're from a Feudal world.

All three were young girls and their appearance indicated they have been through a heavy battle.

One had dark cyan-colored eyes and long black hair, with a single strand pointed upward, decorated with a light blue headband with bows at the ends; Wearing white robes with a silver chest-plate armor, gloves and boots. Beside her was a black longsword with a golden handguard, planted on the floor.

Another had dark blue hair and indigo-colored eyes, wearing a white cloak with cat ears and blue and black robes. On her hands, she held a staff with a purple crystal encased in a silver topper with a flame design.

The third is a tall, voluptuous woman with long black hair and jade-colored eyes, wearing a short blue overcoat covered with a pair of pauldrons, a leather outfit showing cleavage, and a metal collar with a shield at the center; Her waist and legs are covered in armor. A sword in its scabbard hangs from her left leg.

The Tech-Priests are confused as to how these three got into the ship. Their Warp-sensitive sensors went on high alert as they realized the three were tainted the Warp, possibly being dragged through it and fought Chaos Daemons. They swiftly bounded the trio in adamantium cuffs and Warp-restraining collar for the suspected Psyker. The Servitors carried the trio to the Brig and their weapons taken by the Tech-Priests. A Magos Tech-Priest informed the Lord Inquisitor about the trio and are told they are dealt with. The Lord Inquisitor informed them, the crew, and the fleet to prepare to warp-jump to their next destination as soon as the maintenance finished. He will see the three girls for himself, bringing along a few Psykers and Priests due to them being Warp tainted.

The fleet flared its engines to life and warp-jumped to their next destination; A planet named Armageddon where a Commissar and an Ork Warboss fought for its control and were now chasing each other throughout the Segmentum Ultima.

A/N: That has been chapter four! More insights on where some characters have been in the galaxy.

As usual, please leave a review as it helps me write better and criticism is appreciated.
See you next Chapter!