Hi, there fellow imperials!
Hope you're having an amazing day!
So here we are with a new chapter, this one was a real challenge to write, since it happens in two different timelines and contains the first lemon scene of this entire story. It is as well the first sex scene I write so I was pretty insecure while writing this part. So that's why it took so long for me to finish this one.
I apologize for the time it took to finally post the eighth chapter, but I'll try to maintain a proper release schedule on the next ones, releasing a chapter every two weeks, that would amount to two chapters per month. If I'm inspired this routine can be changed to more chapters per week/month.
Also thanks to all that gave this story and this first-timer writer a chance, I just want you to know that I value a lot what you reader think about my work if you want to leave a review, comment or PM feel free to.
Now without further ado, let the curtains be pulled enjoy the show...
The Calling Part VIII
Opening interview log...
Interrogatory #1
Subject: Erick Clarke, Imperial Number: 83284821234218348992138828-ABA-661;
Interrogator: Inquisitor Albus Eburnus, Imperial Number: 2321244453567775680098890-UAI-671;
Year: 1001.M41;
Terran Month: November;
Terran Day: 11;
System: [REDACTED];
Sub-Sector: [REDACTED];
Location: Interrogation chamber 7.
"*Click* This is Inquisitor Albus Eburnus, first interrogation with unit 661. We are located in the system *[REDACTED]*, sub-sector *[REDACTED]*, interrogation chamber 7. Starting interrogatory now!"
[Room filled with silence]
"Unit 661, before we start I have to make you some control questions, to properly analyze your reactions to when you are being truthful or lying. Is that fine by you?"
"Fine by me."
"Alright. First, I need you to answer these questions truthfully. What's your parent's name?"
"Kane Clarke and Erika Schwarts."
"What's your full name?"
"Erick Clarke."
"Age?"
"Twenty-nine years old."
"Alright. I think that's it, now I need you to answer these questions with lies okay?"
"Ok."
"Whats is the color of Cadia's grass?"
"Blue."
"Are you even human?"
"No."
"Who killed you?"
"...An Ork?"
"Good, very good. Now we can start with real questions. The first question is: How did you meet the sister of battle known as Silviya?"
[The room is filled with silence for some seconds]
"We met in the S1 line, behind the Citadel in Davos region. Last operation before..."
[Once again the room is quiet]
"Before?"
"Before the Fall of Cadia."
"What was a sister of battle doing in an imperial guard line?"
"She was there alongside some other sororitas. Including her squad Celestine Fury."
"What they were doing there?"
"They were there to help evacuate the maximum of guardsmen's lives as long as they could."
[Scribbling of a feather pen against paper can be heard]
"Okay, but in the reports written by the Order of Our Martyred Lady on that day, they planned after the rescue, that they were to sacrifice themselves to buy time for their escape."
[Inquistor takes a deep breath before continuing]
"However, she survived. How did that happen?"
"I saved her..."
"Right...and why did you save her?"
"I don't know...it seemed right I guess?"
[Scribbling can be heard again]
"How did you managed to save her?"
"A bombshell fell near her, detonating and sending her flying on the air. As soon as she was on the ground I ran to her position and dragged her back to the thunder hawk."
"She was using power armor?"
"Yes."
"How did you managed to drag her with such heavy gear back to the rescue ship?"
"I don't know, I just did. Not gonna lie though, she was pretty heavy."
[Once again the sound of the writing pen can be heard]
"Alright. The ship that you were in was the Battleship Duty Eternal, correct?"
"Correct."
"So while on this ship, Silviya joins your squad, am I right?"
[An hesitant tone can be heard in 661 answer]
"Yes."
"How did she managed to transfer herself to your team?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying. She told you how didn't she?"
[Erick speaks with hesitance in his tone]
"Yes, she told me how. Sometime after we arrived on *Solar Macharius*."
"Good. So you were aware of her task with the hospitallers?"
"After telling me how she managed to get on my unity, she told me about her mission."
[Scribbling]
"Now back to the time you both were on the battleship. Her left leg was still injured from the shrapnel of the bombshell, am I correct?"
"Yes."
"What she used to do while her left leg didn't heal?"
"She pretty much stayed in the living quarters, praying and meditating."
"Is that so? Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
[The noise of a folder of papers can be heard as it is dropped on the table]
"Take a look at these images if you will. They were taken by one of the surveillance servitors, on one of the corridors near your working station at that time."
[A shocked gasp can be heard coming from 661]
"How...?"
"Did you know that Silviya stalked you when you were on working duty?"
[There is silence for some seconds]
"No, I had no idea."
"Alright. How much time it took for her to have a full recovery?"
"One week."
"Didn't you find it strange that such a deep wound healed so fast?"
"No."
[The sound of the inquisitor pointing to a photo above the table]
"This photo was taken in the next cycle after your first day of work. She is walking normally in this picture. Did you know that she could already walk at this point?"
"...No."
"So I want to know what happened in between these two cycles. Start talking about your first day of work until this very moment."
"It all starts with..."
Present time:
Erick is worn out from all the moping he has done in this kitchen. He is at it for eight hours now, anytime soon Jenkins will arrive to relieve him from his working station.
Rookie's shift is almost done too. They'll probably eat something before leaving. The last time both traded words was only to say how tired and hungry the two were.
There he comes, private Jenkins arrives together with a woman in guardsman attire.
"Hey new guy, you can go. It's my shift now."
"Alright."
Erick proceeds to give the mop to the guardsman in front of him. They speak again with the guardsman with the officer cap, before leaving their working area. Soon after he and Rookie are leaving the kitchen area.
"Wait a minute Erick."
The boy leaves him right next to the exit door of the cafeteria kitchen area, a minute passes before he returns with a package of dry crackers.
"Now we can go."
Leaving the kitchen behind, both guardsmen are greeted by a cafeteria filled to the brim with Space Marines. Most using casual clothes, and others using grey power armor, but without the backpack or the helmet.
Erick and Rookie choose to eat the package of crackers on the stairs in one of the many cafeteria exits, on their way to these stairs, some Astartes are staring at them.
While going through the many cafeteria tables filled with the hulking warriors, both soldiers maintain their eyes fixated on the ground. As soon as they leave the crowded area they search for a more private space where they can eat without the very intimidating stare of the space marines.
They sit on the first step of a stair with a very large number four painted on its walls next to them. Rookie opens the package, takes one biscuit before giving the package to Erick, so he can too grab one.
Both guardsmen eat in silence, before the younger soldier questions him.
"So how was your first day of work?"
"Terrible, it sucks."
Erick ends his comment with a little laugh while eating one cracker.
"So Rookie you spent a hell of a lot of time inside that kitchen, what leads me to believe you just did a double shift am I right?"
The boy could only shamefully nod in response to Erick's question. Rookie then turned an inquisitive gaze towards Erick.
"So...how did you end up in cleaning duty?"
Erick raises his prosthetic arm.
"This and my transfer to unit 38th."
The boy could only say a little "Oh" while staring at his left "arm".
"If you don't mind me asking, how did you lose your...arm?"
"It was a bolter round, tear out my arm like it was a dry twig."
He laughed at his own comment, earning a small laugh from the young soldier right beside him. But their conversation is cut short by a hulking presence right in front of them.
It is a space marine, wearing greyish armor, with one of his shoulder pads being yellow with a black wolf painted on it. The man is bald, having piercing brown eyes, and has a light brown beard. In its hands is a very big metal tray, with something that Erick could only guess is a huge piece of meat.
The man stares them down, before going to Erick's side and sitting on the stairs just like the two guardsmen. The moment he sits on the step beside them, the ground beneath them shakes a little, the super-soldier then starts to slowly eat the contents on the metal tray settled on his lap in silence.
Both soldiers stare at him with awe and shock, since who could've imagined that an Astartes would sit beside them and eat casually as if it were nothing?
The man is taking a bite of a huge piece of meat, he wipes his mouth with his left hand. He slowly turns to look at the staring guardsmen, then to the pack of crackers on Erick's hand. Noticing this the guardsman raises the package of crackers, offering some for the Astartes.
The Space Marine takes a look at it, then with his huge right hand, he grabs the small package, tears it open above his metal tray, the crackers falling on a big bowl, filled with what appears to be tomato soup. What he does next surprise the two soldiers.
He picks up this bowl filled with soup and crackers, settling on the ground next to Erick, the super-soldier than with a very low and stoic voice says to them.
"Share and eat."
Erick and Rookie exchange unsure looks before taking the bowl, proceeding to eat. Once again the trio is silent the only noises that can be heard are the noise of chewing meat and the munching of crackers. But the silence is broken, as Erick decides to offer some of the food he and Rookie are eating.
"Do you want some?"
The Astartes stops mid-bite to look at the guardsman, before simply shaking his head side to side in a clear sign of "no". Suprignsinly as soon as he gulps down the chunk of meat, the space marine speaks once again.
"I don't like tomato soup. You two can have it."
Both guardsmen nod thankfully at the weird and yet kind gesture of the Space marine. Silence resumes as they return to their eating, time passes as they finish their meals, the unknown Astartes raises himself from the ground metal tray in hand, he turns to both soldiers and with a simple wave of his left hand, goes away to somewhere else in the cafeteria.
Rookie turns to him with confusion in his voice.
"Well, that just happened..."
"Yeah...anyway, I must go now. I have to go to my living quarters to check on Silviya."
Both men stand up, Rookie with the empty bowl in his hands bids him farewell. Each soldier going on their own way.
The journey back to deck 45 is eventless and pretty much in silence. As soon as he arrives in living quarters 12, he is greeted by the already open door. There are a few soldiers inside, but most are occupied either resting or talking to other guardsmen.
He gets near the bed where he last saw Silviya and there she is, the only detail being that she is on her knees praying. Remembering her rule about not interrupting her prayer time, he decides to not disturb her and leave to the washrooms, to clean all the sweat off his body and clothes. So tip-toeing he leaves the area without bothering the sister of battle.
Opening interview log...
Interrogatory #1
Subject: Silviya, Imperial Number: 83284123124534566756873233-EVA-727;
Interrogator: Inquisitor Albus Eburnus, Imperial Number: 2321244453567775680098890-UAI-671;
Year: 1001.M41;
Terran Month: November;
Terran Day: 11;
System: [REDACTED];
Sub-Sector: [REDACTED];
Location: Interrogation chamber 8.
"I've talked with unit 661. And I questioned him about this."
[Noise of a finger tapping at a photo]
"He didn't know about it. Care to explain to me what happened between you having a wounded leg, to a fully healed one in the spam of one fucking day?"
[Silence fills the room]
"Answer my question sister! I expected the guardsman to be uncooperative but it's you that is being a true hassle through all this interrogation."
[Still silence from the sororitas]
"If you won't talk ill be forced to shock you. Would you like that?"
[Silence]
[The sound of high electricity shock fills the recording as well as painful groans coming from Silviya]
"So will you answer it now?"
[Silence]
"If you don't start talking in the next three seconds I'm going to the other room, to make your little "partner" squeal."
[Silence]
"One."
[Silence]
"Two."
[Silence]
"Three..."
[The sound of the footsteps of the inquisitor can be heard, before the sound of a metal door being opened]
"Wait...I'll talk."
[The sound resumes as the inquisitor walks back into the room]
"Answer my question then, sister."
"I received help."
"What do you mean with "receiving help"?"
[An hesitant tone can be heard on Silviya's voice]
"Sometime after Erick had gone to his working duty I received a visit..."
Silviya woke up startled as someone shook her shoulders, she woke up fist drawn ready to punch the possible threat, but she is surprised by the face of Brisedes staring right at her.
"By the Emperor Brisedes, you should know better than to wake me like this."
"Shhhh! We need to be quiet, they mustn't hear us."
Both sisters take a look around them, seeing the living quarters almost empty, no one is paying attention to them. Silviya turns to Brisedes, clenching her eyes at the hospitaller in front of her.
"What are you doing here Brisedes?"
Brisedes is taking a syringe with a deep red liquid out of a pouch on her belt.
"Canoness Hannira sent me."
Tapping it, she starts to get next to Silviyas wounded tight. But before the hospitaller could inject it the other sororitas pulled her left leg away.
"What is this? What are you trying to do?"
"Calm down. This is a regenerative stimulant, it will make your body regenerate faster."
At that Silviya's eyes widen.
"This type of medicine is only used in critical condition patients. Why use such a drug on me?"
Brisedes ignored her question and grabbed her left leg, holding it in place, and quickly injected the red liquid onto Silviyas bloodstream. The hospitaller pressing the hole left by the needle, so her blood could coagulate.
"Hannira's order. She wants you fully recovered as fast as possible."
Silviya stares inquisitively at the other sister.
"Why?"
At that the hospitaller clearly flinched, her eyes looking around, hesitant to turn her gaze to the militant sororitas.
"Brisedes, what is happening?"
"She had a vision, and it involves your guardsman."
At that the sister of battle almost jumps out of bed, looking shocked and fearful at Brisedes.
"What!?"
"It was one cycle ago, according to Hannira she was sleeping, when she supposedly had a dream with him."
Oh fuck. That's bad, really bad, if Hannira decides to inspect him she will most certainly see that he is a normal guardsman. And this dream is probably just that, a dream. Her lie will certainly be revealed.
Brisedes puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"But don't worry I got you covered. She originally wanted to inspect him herself, as well as sending me alongside your little group. However, I managed to convince her to do otherwise."
To that Silviya could only widen her eyes in shock, convincing a canoness of something is a pretty difficult feat. She can only look with awe and respect towards the hospitaller.
"...How?"
Brisedes lets out a small laugh before answering.
"A lot and I really mean a LOT of talking. Anyway, she wants someone to keep a close eye on him, and here is where you come to play."
The medical sister takes out a folded piece of paper from her robes. In it is written unit's 661 entire working schedule.
"You must follow him, observe every step, interaction, and anything out of place you must report back to her. Sorry, but was either this or an entire squad of hospitallers dragging him back to the canoness."
Silviya closes her eyes letting out a small sigh.
"...Okay. How do I report back to her?"
"When they are sleeping or distracted, go to her office, the meetings will happen there. Remember to report every single detail. Also one more thing..."
Brisedes pauses while looking at her apologetically.
"The stimulant has a side effect. We usually don't worry about it since most of the people that we apply this drug are either unconscious or in too much pain to care."
Oh no. Silviya's eyes widen with worry, what kind of side effect such a drug could have. Her mind starts to wander to possible bleak scenarios, but her reverie is cut short by the voice of the hospitaller.
"The regenerative process will give you a strong urge to scratch the wounded area. Don't do it, you must endure."
Brisedes pauses as she takes a deep breath.
"Scratching it could lead you to further damage the wound, and that would prompt your body to regenerate that as well. Causing a loop, where you damage the healing wound, and your body starts to heal it back, and as a consequence, the urge starts once again."
Okay from all the possible scenarios this is not so bad, it could be worse.
"How long till the wound heals?"
"It will take twenty-four hours to be almost fully healed. And forty-eight hours for a full recovery. Also, they mustn't know that your leg is healed."
"Why?"
"Because it would blow this entire operation...Plus you would have to confess everything to him, and I think you don't wish to do that."
Yeah, she's right. It would be a disaster if he discovered everything right now. If the punch made him mad, imagine her betting his life on HER PLAN.
"Alright. I'll keep quiet."
"Good..."
Brisedes got up to leave the room, but before leaving she turns to her and with a serious tone says.
"And Silviya..."
Silviya turned to look at her once again and let out a short hum in response.
"You owe me one."
Before she could say anything the hospitaller left. And as soon as Brisedes left her wound started to pulsate, a heavy urge to scratch it filled her neural receptors.
Well "scratch" what she thought before, this is going to be hell.
Interrogation chamber 8:
"So sister Brisedes injected in you a regenerative stimulant, for your leg to heal faster so you could spy on unit 661 is that correct?"
[A moment of silence]
"Yes."
"And why the resistance in divulging such information?"
"Sororitas codex, chapter twelve..."
[The voice of the inquisitor cuts Silviya short]
"Paragraph six, verse two "Any member of the Adeptus Sororitas are strictly forbidden of divulging any information about inner matters to someone outside the order". Convenient is it not?"
"What is convenient?"
[A fist slamming the metal table can be heard]
"It's convenient that you use that as an excuse for withholding such information from me, an INQUISITOR! But you didn't have such reservations about sharing this same information with 661."
[Silence permeates the interrogation room]
"I see confusion and worry in your eyes sister. I know what you must be thinking and yes, he told me that you shared this exact information with him."
[Silence once again]
"I would highly advise that you be more cooperative from now on if you don't wish to have your rank stripped from you and that I ship you as a repentia on the next craft to the farthest system from this shit hole."
[The sound of papers being moved on the metal table can be heard]
"Now let's start again. I question and you answer, got it?"
"Okay."
"I'll ask one more time. Why are you so resistant to sharing this information?
"Because it could further incriminate me."
"And why would that be?"
"Because the real reason I went through all this trouble... it's because of him. My last orders were to sacrifice my life for the imperial guard, but Erick saved me, refusing my original duty."
[The inquisitor clap his hands loudly]
"Now we're talking! And what's the correlation between protecting him and this information you just shared?"
"At the time it seemed like the only way I could redeem myself from my failed mission."
[Furious scribbling can be heard]
"Next question..."
Present time:
After a warm and refreshing bath as well as wearing clean clothes, Erick is going back to the living quarters while humming a little tune. Soon after entering the room, he is surprised to see Silviya still in the same position.
The sister is still on her knees on the ground, her hands joined together in a clear sign of prayer. He considers touching her shoulder, but remembers her warning, to no disrupt her when she's praying. So he chooses the sensible option and leaves her alone, so she could finish her prayers.
Erick goes back to the same spot that in the prior cycle he slept, and just like last time, using his trenchcoat as a pillow he supports his head in the huge metal bin as he is consumed by fatigue after this long working shift.
Interrogation chamber 8:
"Now after Brisedes injected you with the stimulant, what did you do?"
"I stayed on the living quarters, unable to do anything. All my willpower was spent on controlling the urge to scratch my wound."
[The scribbling continues]
"When was the next time you met the guardsman?"
"Some hours after the side effect of the stimulant subsided."
"What happened in this meeting?"
[There is a deep breath coming from Silviya]
"He was talking to Sarah, another member of our squad when my presence cut their conversation short."
[Furious scribbling can be heard]
"What was the conversation about?"
[Hesitance is present in Silviya's voice]
"Their relationship."
"What kind of relationship?"
[Discomfort can be felt in the sister's voice]
"Romantic relationship."
"So were they lovers?"
"It's complicated..."
"What do you mean by that?"
"They were not in a relationship...but they were already intimate with one another."
[More Scribbling]
"I want details, what exactly they were talking about?"
[Silence]
"Is that really necessary?"
"Yes, it is. Now give me details or else..."
"Fine. They were talking about..."
Silviya had been praying the entire time since the side effect took place. The only thing maintaining her hands and mind occupied enough so she doesn't give in to this hellish urge is a prayer to Saint Celestine requesting strength and will to endure it.
To be honest, at this point she is considering this a fitting punishment for all her late transgressions. Failing at her mission, lying to a canoness, and betting the guardsman life in her quest for redemption, all severe sins committed against the holy creed. But the entire mental effort to not give in made her fall asleep on her kneeling position.
She woke up with feet brushing past her, probably some guardsman passing through, and then is when she realizes that she is on the ground still in a praying position. Another thing that she notices is that the scratching urge had severely subsided into a faint pulsating one.
If Brisedes is correct she must have gone through some hours of it, since the side effect is now pretty tamed compared to before. She raises herself from the ground, feeling pain as she stands up, but managing to support herself on her left leg.
The drug really stimulated her regenerative process, since she can already at least support herself on her left leg, however, while her wound is not completely healed she mustn't strain it with unnecessary effort. So Silviya opts to still use the crutch to walk.
Taking a glance at her injury through the tear on her pants she can see that it is almost entirely closed. Now turning her gaze to the door she decides to look for 661 since probably a lot of time has passed since he left for work duty. The battle sister unfolds the paper that she received from the hospitaller taking a look at his working schedule.
"Cleaning duty?"
She says to herself while raising one eyebrow. Why would a leader of a specialized unity be selected for such a crude and minor job?
Analyzing the sheet of paper she sees that in the first cycle is kitchen duty, the second cycle is administration hub, third cycle cargo bay area, fourth deck's thirty until forty-five, fifth armory, and sixth kitchen again.
So assuming this is his first cycle of work he is probably in the cafeteria or near it. Silviya with the crutch under her left arm leaves in search of 661. Managing to limp faster with her now rapidly healing leg.
She turns into the corridor outside deck 45, but what the battle sister sees as soon as she passes through the bar gate surprises her. 661 is beside Sarah the two walking into the corridor that goes to other decks. Strange...why would the two walk to such a location?
Silviya follows the two, maintaining a safe distance all the while. 661 is with his usual clothes the only difference now being that he has what appears to be a very primitive prosthetic in his left stump, and Sarah is using the same clothes and gear that she used on the day that Cadia fell, her lasgun strapped to her back.
The two happily chat while walking beside each other. She must find out what is happening between those two. They go through some decks before stopping in one of the large corridors that leads to others decks. Silviya stops in the wall near them, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Here is fine. We can talk here without interference."
"So what do you wished to talk about?"
Half of Silviya's face I sticking out, trying to look at the scene. Sarah is holding 661 hands. The female guardsman's entire face is red with shame.
By the Emperor what is happening?
"About us...and that night."
Us? That night? What is happening? Her mind can't stop swirling with questions.
"Oh...right. So where do you want to start?"
"Let's start with what happened that night. Do you regret it?"
By Saint Celestine holy blood what is happening right now!? Regret what? Oh no, they are not talking about that...right?
"No, I don't regret it."
"So why then you avoided talking to me after it? Or avoided being alone with me since then?"
At that 661 flinched settling his eyes on the ground. His entire posture was downcast.
"I didn't know how to react. It all happened so fast that I feared..."
"Feared?"
"Feared that I crossed a line. I'm your squad leader, my purpose is to lead Gamma squad into battle not having sex with one of my subordinates."
By the EMPEROR! She cannot believe in such severe misconduct on 661 part, he must be a leader first and foremost and what he just confessed to doing with his subject is a TREMENDOUS offense on his part. Silviya didn't think that her squad leader could be such a pervert.
"Pffft...I'll let you know that everyone in our team was expecting something like this. Even Commissar Garret was expecting that we hooked up at some point."
WHAT!? A commissar allowing such improper behavior among his line is PREPOSTEROUS. If she was with them at that time she would be sure to properly punish both of these shameless guardsmen as well as this incompetent commissar. Thirty lashes with a flaming whip on their calves would be very a fitting punishment.
661 lets out a small discreet laugh at the redhead's comment.
"I dint know that...Are you serious?"
"Yeah. Actually, they betted on the amount of time it would take for us to finally make the relationship official."
The male guardsman widens his eyes in clear shock.
"But we never had a thing! The only time that we...well...acted like a couple, was that night."
"You can't fool me silly...the way that you look at me, and I looked at you speak volumes. Is at least what Emeritus used to say."
At that 661 expression turns from shocked to one of clear confusion.
"Really, Emeritus? Don't you mean Sigilus?"
"Nope. Emeritus, even he could figure out what was brewing between us."
The redhead in one instant turned from a friendly posture to a very serious one, even putting some distance between her and the other guardsman, letting out a small "ahem" before speaking.
"Now to the other topic at hand."
She takes a deep nervous breath before asking.
"What is your answer to what I said that night?"
At that, the male guardsman could only look at her with a nervous expression. He is going to answer, his mouth is hesitantly opening to give her an answer. No! She won't allow that her leader to indulge himself in such depravity.
Interrogation chamber 7:
"So 661 answer me this. Did you have any type of romantic relationship with one of your subordinates, before Silviya?"
[Erick answers with anger in his voice]
"How many times I have to tell your people that nothing is happening between me and Silviya?"
"I think that you are lying. But before we get there, I wish that you answer my question 661."
[Erick groans impatiently, but soon enough he lets a deep sigh]
"Yes, her name was Sarah."
[Scribbling can be heard]
"I want details of your affair with Sarah."
"What details?"
"Everything 661."
[Another deep sigh coming from the guardsman's mouth]
"All started on the day I entered Gamma squad, we hit off pretty well. Just like me, she was just transferred, so we were pretty new to the whole thing."
"Go on."
"As the timed passed and people around us were..."
"Dying?"
"...Our bond got stronger, but when I became a leader, I decided to put a halt to it. Trying to maintain things respectfully between us."
"So when did you went from that to actually banging her?"
[Uncomfortable silence]
"It was on a night op..."
Three months before the fall of Cadia...
Erick is dozing off with the imperial binocular on his eyes, he and Sarah are probably staring at the abandoned imperial line for at least six hours now. The aforementioned is located a mile away from them, by a cliffside
He hears the comms coming to life as Sigilus voice breaks the silence, which prompts him to automatically composed himself up.
"Chief any movement yet?"
"Negative. Nothing yet."
He lets a small yawn before questioning the other guardsman.
"And in your position?"
"Nothing yet."
"Let's keep watch then. We still have some hours to go before leaving this place."
"Roger chief."
The vox channel turns off as Sigilus cut the transmission off. Silence fell once again, as he resumed to peer at the line through the binoculars. Peering the barren lands in front of him with the binoculars, Erick now only sees the now lifeless abandoned line.
Time passes slowly as he keeps staring at the same area with the binos, his mind starts to wander off again, sleepiness coming to his eyes. He is just about to fall asleep as his eyes close one last time, the fog of sleep settling on his mind, but he snaps out of it with a gentle shove of Sarah.
His mind coming back from the daze caused by boredom, Sarah then turns to him and with a playful whisper says:
"Don't sleep. I was already bored staring at your sleeping face for three hours now. One more hour of it, ill get this laspistol and shoot my head with it."
Erick smiled and teasingly whispered back without taking his eyes out of the binocular.
"So you were staring at my face for three hours? I know that I'm beautiful but I'm not that beautiful to waste three hours looking at me."
Suddenly the atmosphere changes as Sarah utters her next words with seriousness, which surprises Erick.
"To me, you are that much beautiful."
She is a very teasing and flirty person, but at this very moment, she is being deadly serious. At that, he can only take his eyes of the binoculars to look at his companion right beside him.
Her cheeks are red with shame, her eyes are filled with discomfort, but with determination as well, she looks intently at his eyes. Erick is no fool he knows very well what the redhead feels about him. They were never just "friends", there was always a romantic undertone to their relationship.
Some time ago he would consider pursuing a romantic relationship with her, but his duty as a squad leader prevents him from seeking such endeavors.
Is not only immoral to do such a thing, but as well as completely inappropriate. Erick is no longer a common soldier, he is a leader, so for the betterment of the team, he must maintain a certain distance between personal relationships and professional ones.
With his left hand scratching the back of his head, he starts with an apologetic tone.
"Look Sarah...we can't do that."
She slides her body closer to him, her face getting close, staring at his eyes with annoyance.
"And why is that? We've been through so much together. What reason would you give me, to not give us a chance?"
He closes his eyes, moving his right ring finger and thumb to massage the bridge of his nose, tiredly, since he already knows what will happens next.
"We've already talked about this. I'm your leader first and foremost, so having such a role prevents me from having a subordinate as a lover."
She clenches her eyes, cheeks now red with anger.
"Who the fuck would care about that? No one in this entire regiment could give two fucks about who is banging who."
Erick now uses his right hand to massage his temples, soothingly, trying to contain his rising temper. The guardsman sighs deeply, as he answers.
"But I care."
"Why though? If no one cares about that?"
Losing his temper a little the man opens his angry eyes to the female guardsman beside him.
"It's against our codex and I will respect it, even if no one cares about that."
Sarah moves even closer to him, her face only centimeters away from his. Her eyes darting between his eyes and his lips, with a sultry voice she teases.
"You know what? I think that you are afraid."
At that, he could only scoff. Fearing Sarah in any way shape or form is ludicrous, he already fought bloodletters and flesh hounds, why would he be scared of her?
Cant, she understands that such a relationship is forbidden by their own rules. Even if no one cares about such relations, he does care. His father taught him well on obeying rules and orders, and the importance of said orders. If she doesn't get that, it's her problem, not his.
If he wasn't a leader he would give them a chance, but the reality is different from that. So he will uphold the codex, even if that costs their bond.
"I don't think so, why..."
Erick is cut short as the redhead's lips crashed onto his. He didn't have time to react, as her tongue started its assault, wriggling and exploring all around his mouth. The passionate kiss was starting to cloud his judgment, but in the last second before surrendering to her hot smooth lips, the guardsman pushes her away from him.
The man is panting, his heart is beating quickly in his chest. He can feel his mouth getting dry as his mind gets lost in trying to grasp what just happened.
The redhead is panting as well, her cheeks blushed, with a predatory glint on her eyes. She is looking intently at him, Erick decides to give her a piece of his mind about what she just did.
Frowning, he puts his finger on her face, and with the best disciplinary
voice, he asks the female guardsman.
"What has got into you!? According to our codex, I could get you killed for this!"
The female sniper doesn't even flinch at his words, she just keeps staring at him, with that same hungry eyes. Sarah keeps switching her stare between his eyes and lips, apparently ignoring his disciplinary speech.
"Are you even hearing me? Sexually harassing your superior is a huge transgression, are you crazy!?"
Taking him completely out of guard the redhead pounces on him, making him fall on his back on the sandy ground. She is straddling him, with her hands holding his arms in place, once again moving her face centimeters away from his. With a warning tone, she whispers closely to his face, the warm breath leaving her mouth hitting his face.
"I am crazy. Crazy for you...and I'm tired of waiting for you to do something."
Erick's eyes widen with shock and panic as he realizes what is about to happen. Once again her lips crash down on his, her tongue assaulting his mouth, wriggling around.
What he wanted to do right now was to push her away and get the hell out of there before the situation got worse, but unfortunately, what his body wants is exactly this. And to be honest, what his body wants is what he truly desires.
Erick had fought this feeling since he received the mantle of leader of the Gamma squad. Building walls to shield himself from her and his own urges. But all of that came tumbling down as soon as she pinned him on the ground and started to roughly kiss him.
His conscience is long gone, his tongue starting to battle hers for dominance, the mouth fight is violent as they aggressively kiss each other. Sarah bites more than once Erick's lower lip, her kisses are desperate, hungry, her tongue can't stop exploring his mouth.
However, all good things must come to an end as they separate their mouths to breathe. Sarah raises herself again, still straddling him.
"I've been waiting for so long for this..."
She then starts to slowly unbutton her guardsman fatigues. All the while Erick could only dumbly stare as Sarah undressed right in front of him. His heart is racing, it feels like it will jump out of his chest, he is eager but at the same time nervous.
After finishing unbuttoning her shirt, she takes his right arm from the ground and pushes under her now loose garment. Sarah guides his hand through her torso, starting in her lean stomach, before going upwards, feeling her ribs as his hands travel further.
All the while she stares at Erick intently, observing his every reaction. His heart is beating even faster now. He nervously gulps down some saliva as he can only look at where his hand is going, but everything goes to a halt when he feels it.
A soft and warm feeling on his right hand, he moves his fingers around feeling the soft round object on his hands, it fits perfectly within his hand. He had never touched something similar to this, so this is what a woman's breast feels like?
As he moves his hand around her left tit, he hears Sarah's breath becoming elaborated. Her face becoming even more flustered as he touches her. Erick then realizes something.
"Wait, why are you not using a bra? Were you already planning this?"
In response, she takes his other arm and quickly puts it on her right breast. With now both of his hands "occupied", he can only leave his mouth ajar looking at the developing situation.
She lowers her head, so her face can be next to his. And with a whisper on his left ear, she replies:
"Shut up."
His eyes widen, as her lips once again meet his. This time she releases her hold on his arms letting him do as he pleases as they passionately kiss.
He moves his hands in a circular motion, while still roughly kissing the women above him. Feeling the little nubs between his hands Erick decides to do a little experiment, using his fingers he starts to focus on touching her nipples.
The moment he touches them, Sarah lets out a small sigh inside his mouth. Realizing that this is probably something very pleasurable for her, he starts to intensify his circular movements around her areolae, which promptly makes her sigh some more.
All the while she is hungrily kissing him, he pinches and gently pulls her nipples, earning even more sighs from the redhead. This goes for a while until they break apart once again to take a breath.
They lock eyes as they pant together, Erick can only see lust and genuine affection in her eyes, this turns him on, even more. He sits making her now be on his lap as he stares at her, with his face centimeters away from hers.
With a meek voice that he never heard coming from her, showing all her fragility at this moment, she tells him:
"It's been a long time since I did this with someone, so...take it easy alright?"
Erick is feeling unsure, while this has been a great and pleasurable experience, he doesn't want to do something that maybe they will regret. Even with all that is happening between them right now, he still hasn't decided on giving them a chance. If he agreed to it, they would be happy, but this behavior is unacceptable according to their codex.
A romantic relationship between two soldiers is frowned upon by command, but at least is acceptable, considering a child could bloom from it, boosting the imperial army numbers. Also since they are in Cadia, bonds like this are not even frowned upon, since most of its populace are the result of guardsman relations.
Now a relationship between an officer or squad leader and a subaltern is an entirely different beast. Since such relationships bring a myriad of problems and let's be real what would any individual think when they learn that the person leading them has a lover amongst them? That he will treat her differently than the rest, give her privileges and whatnot. This is only an example of the many problems that come from such relationships.
He knows that for Emeritus and Sigilus that wouldn't be a problem, but for him, his track record is very important. He proud himself of his achievements as a guardsman as well as having a spotless career, just like his father once did.
Sarah gets her face close to another kiss, but he grabs her shoulder, holding her in place.
"This is a bad idea...I'm your leader, and we shouldn't be doing this."
The female guardsman only puts her finger on his mouth, preventing him from uttering another word. She looks at him with a sincere smile, as she caresses his cheek with her other hand.
"Just let enjoy this night. What comes after we will figure out together. Okay?"
For some reason that he couldn't grasp right now, he can only dumbly nod as she pushes him back on the ground. Once again with a flirtatious tone, Sarah simply says.
"I would let you take charge, but since I know is your first time and you are very hesitant about this, just let me guide you."
He stays quiet as she gets up, all the while making eye contact with him. She then starts to unbuckle her belt, as soon as she manages to take the accessory off she bends down gripping the waistband of her cargo pants, slowly taking the garment off exposing her lean legs with a small scar on her left knee.
At last, the female sniper removes her combat boots, allowing her to finally cast aside her pants, she is now only in her undergarment with the opened shirt. Erick widens his eyes in awe, Sarah is beautiful, carving in his memory each and every corner of her body that he can see in the dark. She is using black lace panties, a bold choice for a guardsman to make.
Some seconds pass in silence as Erick admires her beauty, which prompts her cheeks to flare once again in shame. However, she quickly got down, straddling him once again. The redhead starts to fumble with his tactical belt, having trouble unbuckling the heavy accessory. But soon enough he feels the relief of pressure in his waist, as the leather belt comes off.
With both hands, she grabs the waistband of his cargo pants, and before he could react she quickly pulls everything away, taking the garment alongside his trousers, leaving him completely exposed.
Sarah stops to stare at his "manliness", completely mesmerized by it. He even gets a little discomfort with her stare. Erick lets out a little "ahem" so he can get the redhead's attention back. She shakes her head as if trying to break some hypnotic spell.
"Oh right. Sorry...is that it's been some time since I saw one of "this"."
At that the man could only laugh on his head, recognizing now her hesitance on the matter, it looks like he isn't the only one here having trouble grasping the situation. But he opts to not say anything, that could ruin the moment.
His small laugh is cut short as Sarah surprises him by quickly grabbing his penis with her right hand, making Erick let out a small gasp. She raises her body a little, so she could align her body with his shaft.
"Unfortunately we got to be fast since we are still in the middle of an operation. I wish we could do more foreplay but this will do."
She pushes her panties aside making his gland be in direct contact with her very moist birth canal. Then slowly the female sniper starts to lower herself onto his pole. Both letting out a small groan, as Erick feels her warm cavern embracing his member.
She slides down until the hilt, opening her eyes to look at him as they are joined together. Sarah caresses his cheeks while Erick picks one of her hands delivering a small tender peck on it, after receiving his tender kiss she lets out a small gentle smile. But the tender moment ends as without warning Sarah slowly raises her hips, and then in one swift motion slide down again, making the guardsman under her, close his eyes in bliss.
She repeats the process. raising herself slowly, but going back in full speed. Its one of the best sensations he had ever experienced, feeling her wet moist walls rub onto his manhood with each one of her thrusts. Soon enough she starts to speed up her riding movements, the speed of her movements causing Erick to roll his eyes in sweet bliss, and Sarah to bite her lower lip stifling her moans.
Her walls are tightening on his shaft making him double his efforts of holding his climax. Sarah is staring right at him with the same predatory glint as she bounces on his cock, then everything comes to a halt, her hips ceasing their movements. Erick's eyes open in confusion, he whispers to her, still huffing from all the pleasure he was feeling not so long ago.
"Why did you stop?"
Her only reaction to his question was to lower her torso onto him. Making her face be centimeters apart from his, the predatory glint now giving place to a loving gaze. With her eyes locked onto his, she says with the most passionate voice he had ever heard from her.
"Let's cum together, like this."
He doesn't even have time to react as her lips once more met his in a frenzied dance of tongues. Her riding movements resuming now in full speed and force. The frenzied movement of her hips was maddening, Erick tried to keep up with her, but due to his inexperience he couldn't do much besides focusing on holding his own climax, so he didn't came before her.
Sarah laid down on him, making him feel her breasts through his shirt. She was starting to moan loudly in his mouth, her body heat turning him on even more. The walls around his manhood are even more wet and warm, making the matters worse for his self-control. Now he can feel these walls clenching on him as if wanting to make him cum as fast as he could.
Sarah's breath became even more erratic as she closed her eyes, separating her mouth from his, the aforementioned lies open, as she let some moans leave her lips. Something is happening down there, he can feel the erratic movement and clenching of her warm walls around his cock. The frenzied bouncing doubling the friction of her moves. All his willpower ends when her vagina walls clasp tightly around his gland, making him bust his load inside her.
Her body instantly shivers as she feels the warm liquid feeling her insides. Sarah stays on top of him, still joined together, her body quivering with each contraction of his penis.
For him, this was one of the most pleasurable moments in his life. Nothing can come close to what he just experienced, he is breathing heavily, enjoying the warmth of her walls around his rapidly softening member, looking at her eyes, as Sarah stares at him intently. He can clearly see she wants to say something.
They stay in silence, both enjoying their post-coital bliss, some moments pass before she delivers a small gentle kiss on his lips.
"I love you, Erick."
The moment was cut short for the guardsman as he widened his eyes in shock and fear. One sentence coming to his mind "Oh shit".
Sarah is no fool, she quickly notices his reaction to her words. Making her stare change from loving to worried.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Erick needed an excuse asap. Before he ruined this moment.
"No, you didn't say anything wrong."
He stated while sighing. The redhead quickly dismounted as she stared doubtfully at her leader. Feeling the cool air hitting his private areas, the man decides to pull his cargo pants back once again. With her over-analytical gaze still set on him she questions:
"So if I didn't say anything wrong, why are you reacting this way?"
He sits up, buckling his tactical belt, trying to maintain his eyes locked on the accessory.
"Which way?"
"This way!"
She frowned, pointing an accusing finger at his face.
"Like if you were scared or something..."
Erick tries to hide his reactions from her as he stares at the ground.
"I'm not scared. I'm just surprised, okay?"
Silence fell between the two as Sarah starts to button up her guardsman fatigues. The pleasurable moment is now far gone, in its place a discomfort silence. Sarah finishes putting her clothes back, all the while staring in the opposite direction of Erick, making him face her back.
"She is clearly pissed off", thought the guardsman. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and with the best reassuring tone, he can manage right now, he tries to talk with the female sniper:
"Look is a lot for me right now. I won't act as if I didn't hear what you just said. But let me think this through first okay?"
Sarah turns to him a small smile on her lips.
"I know...I may allow you to "think this through", but remember if you take too much time to actually give me a proper answer ill have to either give up on you or..."
She turns a teasing gaze to him, getting her face near his while maintaining her stare.
"I'll have to get the answer out of you..."
He doesn't even have time to react as she gives him a small peck on his lips.
Interrogation chamber 7:
"...and that's it. Anything else?"
[Scribbling noise finishes]
"Actually yes...did you two talked about what happened on that fateful night?"
"When we were on Duty Eternal, we ended up talking about it. Was after my first working duty."
[Scribbling noise resumes]
"How did this talk went?"
"Fine until Silviya showed up."
"Oh...can you elaborate?"
"We were talking when suddenly..."
Using a hand to scratch the back of his head, Erick sighs. He would be lying if he did not think about that night through all this last 3 months. Even avoiding being alone with her, to escape this talk. But now that they are here on Duty Eternal, and that both are the last survivors of their squad, things just got more complicated.
She deserves an answer though. It's time to finally put an end to this tension between them.
"Ye..."
He is cut short by an all-familiar booming voice behind him.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?"
Oh shit, Erick can only wish that he is having a nightmare since if this voice belongs to who he thinks it belongs to, that could be a problem. The guardsman pulls his fatigues collar, trying to ease the pressure of the garment on his neck. His mouth is dry, he turns towards the approaching sister as he tries to lie to her.
"Well we are talking about our working duties, isn't that right Sarah?"
The redhead nervously nods her head while trying to put on her most friendly and fake sincere smile as possible.
"Ye-ah...That's right! Talking about our working duties!"
The sister of battle started to march with her right leg while using her crutch to assist her wounded left leg. She stomps her boot angrily on the metal ground as she approaches the two.
"Don't play dumb with me guardsman! I heard everything."
Oh...She did hear what they were talking about, talk of a shitty situation. Erick can only fear what she will do now with this information.
The soldier puts his hands on the air, in a mock surrender gesture.
"Okay, okay. I'll admit you caught us red-handed. Just...please keep this a secret."
Silviya was now right beside him, and with a scoff, she starts to poke his chest, hard. Making his thorax hurt with each thrust of her finger.
"Keep this a secret? The gall you have to ask this from me."
The angry sororitas now put a finger right at his face, her black pointy nails centimeters away from his right eye.
"You know exactly what I should do, right?"
At that Sarah got beside her, and with panic in her voice tries to reason with the sister.
"It was my fault! I forced myself upon him. If you must report someone..."
She is cut short by a slap on her cheek from the sister of battle. The aforementioned now looking at her with murder in her eyes.
"No, it is not. Even if you danced naked in front of him, he should have refused your advances. He is a leader, so he must behave like one."
Sarah puts her hand on her now red cheek, shock still on her features. Seeing the red mark on the redhead's face made Erick angry, putting his hands down, and crossing his arms, he frowns while staring at the sister.
"Remember what we talked about? Of using violence to solve your problems within this squad?"
Silviya slaps his face hard now, imprinting her hand on his face. A red mark identical to the palm of her hand now on his right cheek.
"Oh don't you start! What I just learned about you two is completely improper and I'm confident that this kind of behavior is forbidden by your codex!"
Silviya heavily sighs, and then with a warning tone whispered:
"I could report you to a commissar you know?"
Erick's eyes widen in a panic knowing too well that while he probably wouldn't be killed by this. It would probably stain his impeccable record, which he takes pride in, as well as transferring Sarah to another unit to end the supposed "affair". Both were terrible if it were to happen.
"No don't do it, please! I know I messed up, but I can promise you that it won't happen again. What can I do so you won't report us?"
Without skipping a beat, Silivya raised one finger while answering:
"First: from now on you two will have a strictly professional relationship. If I catch one of you doing something improper this is going to get reported to the first commissar I lay my eyes upon."
Raising a second finger she continues:
"Second: I won't take my diligent eyes from you guardsman, I'll keep watch on all of your actions. And should you make such shameful actions again, I'll report you, but also third..."
A third finger is risen, as the battle sister finish her speech:
"Third: If you misconduct in any way, I'll punish you myself. Not according to your guardsman punishments. But according to mine, got it? "
Erick now scoffs at her words. Right the other two he gets it, but being punished by her? She is his subordinate right now, and he isn't a big fan of being scolded like a common soldier by someone that is under his leadership.
"I'm your leader, you can't punish me."
Silviya in a quick motion slaps him hard, making him lose his balance and fall on his butt. When he looks up towards the sororitas, he can only see a cold and firm stare in her eyes.
"I can and I will."
Silviya has this aura that when she is being like that is almost impossible to refuse something. At least he is not used to dealing with someone like her to refuse such actions. He doesn't understand this irrational fear his feeling towards the sister but her entire demeanor makes him comply with her demands.
"Fine! Fine okay, I accept your conditions as long you don't say anything."
The sister of battle stops turning her gaze at him, and with a heavy frown states.
"From now on, I'll sleep with him. To make sure that both of you won't try to sneak behind my back while I'm asleep. Also if you try anything 661 while on working duty, I'll know. So behave."
This only makes him gulp. Erick doesn't doubt her promise, imagining her going around the ship torturing everyone just so Silviya can know what he is up to. So for the betterment of all is better if he just does as she says right now.
Interrogation chamber 8:
"So after abruptly cutting their "talk" short, what did you do?"
"I ordered Erick to follow me."
[Scribbling resumes]
"And then?"
"I punished him."
"What do you mean with punishment?"
"I gave thirty lashes with his own belt on his calves."
"The sororitas punishment for uncalled sexual behavior..."
"That's correct."
"But why did you punished him with the light penance? Since if you were to punish him according to your codex, you should have made use of a flaming whip."
[Tense pause]
"I didn't have a flaming whip with me so I improvised with what I had."
"...Okay."
[The sound of flipping pages]
"Before we continue, I need details of this last interaction of you two. So...continue from where you left off."
She turns around once again determined to go back to their living quarters, using the crutch to move quickly as she can to the end of the corridor. Without turning her gaze to both guardsmen she says in a warning tone.
"661 follow me."
Her stare is fixated in front of her a heavy frown on her face. She can hear 661 footsteps right behind her. Both start walking back, as they are interrupted by Sarah that runs beside her.
"What are you doing? Where are you going?"
Silviya looks angrily at the female sniper, as the redhead tries to keep up with them.
"It doesn't concern you."
Sarah tries one more time to stop Silviya, trying to grab her arm, but the sister simply pulls it away. Now the sororitas is staring emotionless at the female sniper.
"If you try to grab my arm again...I'll break yours."
Both guardsmen gasp in shock, Sarah's expression goes from worried to fearful. Good, she doesn't have any patience left to deal with any crap coming from her. Silviya resumes her walking, 661 right behind her, by the sound of footsteps only he is following her.
Her intention was clear with her threat, to make the annoying redhead leave them alone, so she can proceed to discipline this perverted soldier. Now that the coast is clear, she goes back to their living quarters, through all the way, they stay in silence.
Arriving right in front of their door Silviya waits beside the door as 661 opens it with his access paper. Once the door is open she waits for him to enter first, as she follows close behind. The room has a few guardsmen laying around, probably in their rest time.
Some of them take their eyes of their current activities to glimpse at them but is fewer people than it usually is. They are probably getting used to her presence.
They arrive right in front of the bed shared between her and Sarah, 661 is in clear confusion as I stop to analyze his reactions.
"So...why did you bring me here?"
She points out to his leather belt, without saying a word. The guardsman stops analyzing her gesture, looking at his belt and her.
"You want me to take my belt off?"
Without even blinking and keeping her emotionless stare at him, she shortly yet firmly answers.
"Yes."
With confusion still in his features 661 proceeds to unbuckle his tactical belt. As soon as he ends undoing the buckle Silviya extends her hand, waiting for the soldier to give the accessory to her.
He reluctantly gives her his belt, with pouches and everything. Clearly not understanding what is happening. The sister clenches her hand around it, as she proceeds to detach the pouches around the belt, slowly she drops to the ground each pouch, with her still emotionless stare on him.
As soon as she finishes, she orders slowly but with all the authority she can muster.
"Kneel on the bed."
He clenches his eyes in further confusion, opening his mouth, trying to say something that she can't quite get it yet. She just smacks the leather belt on her other hand, making a slapping sound. With her still emotionless eyes set on him, she says with seething anger.
"Now."
661 hesitantly kneels down on the ground in front of the bed, putting his elbows on the mattress. Looking inquisitively to her, he asks:
"Okay, what now?"
Silviya can't deny, she will enjoy this. Seeing him on his knees ready to be punished reminded her of the many times she did something bad on the convent.
Strangely enough, remembering these times brings her a sense of nostalgia. As a sister, she always wondered what it would be like to punish someone for their transgression. But since she is a regular sororita, she isn't allowed to punish someone, at least not without the blessing of a canoness.
"Pray guardsman."
661 is still unsure of where this is going and just complies with what she ordered. He joins his hand with his hook one as a small prayer starts to leave his lips.
What in the Emperor's name is happening right now? From all the things he went through with Silviya this by far is one of the tensest and strange moments in their short relationship. He is trying to focus his mind on the prayer he is doing.
Erick can hear the sound of Silviya grasping one of the bedposts, probably trying to support herself. Soon after he hears the sound of leather being stretched right beside him.
Silviya starts to chant something that he can't understand. And then everything comes to a halt as he feels the metal buckle of his belt hitting his calves, hard.
The instant his brain register what just happened he yelps in pain. But he is cut short by her angry and authoritative voice.
"DON'T STOP PRAYING! OR IT WILL BE MORE THAN THIRTY LASHES!"
The soldier instantly resumes his prayers as another quick and hard blow is delivered to his already sensitive calves. Once again he yelps in pain mid-sentence.
"LOUDER! LET THE EMPEROR HEAR YOUR WORDS OF REPENTANCE!"
Erick is now in full-blown prayer, almost screaming the words, as the sister resumed her weird chant followed by another blow. Each strike is more potent than the last. His calves are hot with each painful strike.
This goes for a while, blow after blow. Silviya delivers her wrath in her swings against his legs. His mind is numb with pain, his throat sore from his loud prayers. He lost count of her blows on the tenth strike, he can feel his calves sensitive from the scratches on his calves caused by the metal buckle of his belt, the pain and need to keep praying, make him forget to keep counting.
And then all comes to stop as she lashes out one last time screaming at the top of her lungs:
"AND WITH THIS ACT OF PENANCE, MAY YOUR HEART BE TRUTHFUL ON YOUR REPENTANCE, AND THAT SUCH TRANSGRESSION WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN."
If all of the other blows hurt, this one takes the fucking cake. The metal pin finally breaking his skin and drawing blood. He doesn't even have the energy to scream in pain at this last hit. His head falls down on the mattress, hearing the labored breathing of Silviya probably tired from all the swings done on his legs.
"Your penance is complete."
He is huffing with his head on the mattress. His mind is too occupied with feeling pain right now. He feels Silviya sitting on the bed beside his head, her voice now instead of angry and authoritative is simply calm, as if what just happened didn't occur.
"Rest. You will need strength for the days to come."
And just like that, she laid down with her arms crossed under her head staring at the bottom of the mattress above them. He reluctantly and painfully raised himself from the ground, his legs still sore from all the beating. Erick climbed the bed settling himself beside her, staring at the bottom of the bunk above them. An uncomfortable silence settling between the two.
Interrogation chamber 8:
"So that's it?"
"Yes."
"Now for the last question...I want to know more about the rebellion in deck 44."
"Okay, where do you want me to start?"
"First from where we are in your story to this event, how much time has passed?"
"Seven cycles."
"What were the events that lead to it?"
"It begins with..."
So hope you like it, I tried my best on this highly experimental chapter. But I believe I managed to do a good job on this one;
The next one is already ready, I should post it the next Monday since I just waiting for my beta reader to give the okay to post the chapter;
Once again thank you for coming this far, hope to entertain you more, have an amazing week God bless.
