Chapter 5 - Face to Face
Across the vast camp they set in the mountain, Urzog strode, its bearing exuding the confidence and authority of who knew its own importance.
And how could it not? Urzog was one of the biggest and strongest Nobz of this Waaagh!
No... It was THE biggest and strongest Nob on this planet – and if anyone argued against it, they were welcome to prove otherwise! -
The deferential and submissive stances exhibited by the other orks, both of its tribe and the feral gits, when it passed near them only fueled this conviction.
As it marched towards Rokscorcha,the Warboss' flagship that brought them to this planet, temporarily turned into a fortress during its repairs, Urzog looked around its surroundings: many gretchins and boyz were clambered over Battlewagons, Wartrukks, Gunwagons and several other vehicles, some holding welding torches that spewed sprays of blue-orange sparks, intent on giving repairs or improvements, while others loaded them with crates of weapons and ammunition, which they carried with undeniable glee.
The native boyz, not capable of working on the mechanized machines, were mostly tasked with feeding and training the countless and various types of Squigs and Squiggoths, under the strict supervision of the tribe's runtherds.
Urzog barked in thunderous laughter, soon followed by others doing the same, as it watched one of these stupid gits getting torn to pieces and devoured by an Orkeosaurus, after going too close to the beast while it was eating.
Everyone who wasn't tending the war machines or the weapons, performed the actions that every ork did in their free time: eating, sleeping or fighting.
And, paradoxically, it was this last one that was starting to worry the Nob.
Urzog liked a good fight as much as every living ork worthy of its name, but the number of brawls and brutal altercations was rising exponentially: several between the feral orks and Urzog's comrades, but most broke out from the native greenskins fighting each others, with feuds millennia old slowly starting to resurface.
The boss had managed to establish and maintain order among the warring tribes, but these months of general inaction - save from the few surgical strikes on the smaller human settlements – were beginning to take a toll: if nothing was done quickly, the tension would soon reach a critical point and a massive intestine war would erupt before the planet was completely conquered.
Hopefully its findings would prompt the Warboss to quit stalling and march towards the human city.
He reached the open entrance in the back of the ship and, after being allowed access by the guards outside, Urzog ventured inside, plunging into the vast spacecraft like a vermin on a mangled corpse.
To an observer from another species, Rokscorchawas a shabby, defective rattletrap that only had the vague, approximate shape of a space vessel.
To Urzog and any other greenskin that had laid eyes on it, Rokscorchawas a pinnacle of Ork ingenuity: only Kill Wrecka, the flagship of Ghazghkull Thraka, which the Nob had seen several years prior, when the boss had allied itself with the self-proclaimed Prophet of Gork and Mork, was more impressive.
Urzog navigated across the labyrinthine tunnels, shafts and corridors that formed the interior of the space vessel with great ease, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if the ork could do it with its eyes shut.
None of the native greenskin was to be found there, a fact which filled Urzog with vast relief: this place was where the last, great war machines, the ones that had survived the separation from the rest of the fleet during warp travel, as well as the crash on the planet, were guarded with utmost care; there was no need for that bunch of stupid savages to get close, and possibly break these powerful engines of war.
After several minutes the Nob reached what passed itself off as the command deck of this ship, where two Mekboyz and their gretchin slaves were making sure everything was still functioning and operational, paying most of their attention to the red button in the main cockpit, the one that made the vessel reach its maximum speed. Urzog didn't stop there, however, instead climbing some rusty metal stairs that linked the command bridge with another chamber: the Warboss' personal room.
Urzog was confident of its strength and proud of its influence in the tribe, but when it laid eyes on the being, sitting on a stone throne in the center of the room, the Nob was reminded of the hard truth.
Of who was the true master of this Waagh!
Gurzag, the Hoarder.
The large warboss wore massive steel boots and its arms and legs were enclosed in metal supports, its movement assisted and enhanced by pumping and hissing hydrams. Its armored torso piece was painted pitch black. Its right hand was sheathed inside a vicious power stabba, while its left one gently stroke the enhanced kustom shoota in its holster.
The head was enormous; a keraunographic lightning mark sprouted from its scalp, that descended on the left side of its face, until meeting a steel plate covering its lower jaw.
The title it had wasn't earned without reason.
Its vast chamber was filled with skulls, weapons and spoils of wars acquired from dozens of battlefields across the galaxy.
Bloodstained uniforms of the Mordian Iron Guard, grav-chutes belonging to the Harakoni Warhawks, and several other prized items from countless Imperial Guard regiments.
Crimson pauldrons, with the clenched, clawed gauntlet of the dreaded Red Corsairs, placed next to white ones, the ebon raptor of the Emperor's Storm Chapter portrayed on them.
The last remnants of alien species brought to extinction by Gurzag and its Waagh!, like the ornate, electric pincer employed by the king of the Zael'ens, a race of crustacean xenos which had been masterful wielders of electromagnetic weapons.
These and many more made up the "collection" of this eccentric greenskin.
But its two most cherished treasures were always next to Gurzag, never leaving its side.
On its right shoulder, the skull of a large beast acted as a spauldron, one that didn't belong to any ordinary creature.
A Hive Tyrant.
Killed by Gurzag on the jungles of Guxelea. Its chitinous plates and bone structures had been impressive, surpassing any metal plate the warboss could find. It was no wonder that the ork had used it as part of its armour.
Around its neck, held by a metal chain, hung a glimmering red gem, plucked from the corpse of an Eldar.
The warlock had led a kill team of Striking Scorpions that, despite being vastly outnumbered by the greenskins, had plunged deep into Gurzag's Waagh!, carving a bloody trail like a spear on tender flesh. She had reached the Warboss itself and had brought it to its knees, her psychic lightnings the reason of the ork's scars.
Random chance hade sealed her fate: a stray bullet, ricocheting on her helmet, causing her to flinch for a single instant, right before the killing blow, had turned the table, the ork leader immediately seizing the opportunity to pierce her heart with its power weapon.
Looking directly at it always unsettled Urzog: the cursed thing seemed to turn brighter or dimmer each time the Nob laid eyes on it, never being always the same.
As if it was somewhat alive...
"Wat do yer want, Urzog?" The demand came with a low rumble, but it shoke the ork to its core as if it had stood straight next to a Supa-Kannon.
"Ungrudd an' his boyz have failed to krump da 'umie spy."
"Br'n Ungrudd da me. I need ta teach dat incompetent git a lesson."
"Well... Ungrodd iz dead. As are da rest of da boyz. We found the' korpse kut 'n af. By a big stabba."
And there it was.
Just as Urzog finished uttering those words, letting their meaning sink for a moment, the Nob saw it.
Its boss' eyes widening and almost lighting up, like red stars on the dark sky.
Its mouth forming a huge, vicious grin.
Urzog knew that look. Gurzag had found something interesting and peculiar.
Something the ork wanted to add to its stack of trophies.
"Well, it looks like we have a strong 'umie on dis world..."
"Boss, 'da 'umiez know uv our presence. I fink we shoul-"
"Shut ya trap, ya git. No need ta state da obvious." the boss interrupted, already knowing what its subordinate wished to do. "Besides, we were gunna start our attack today anyway. 'Da weapon iz finally ready. I am gunna to it right now."
Excitement rushed through Urzog at the prospect of the upcoming battle, and it increased tenfold upon hearing its boss' next command.
"Urzog, gatha 'da Boyz an' begin 'da march towards 'da 'umie city."
The Nob gave a vigorous nod and made to leave, but not before hearing the only thing that would dampen its otherwise boundless enthusiasm.
"Wun more fing, Urzog. 'Da strong 'umie dat kilt Ungrudd. It's mine. Yer betta rememba 'dat..."
⁓
Rays of light, heralding the rise of the sun, filtered by the bars on the small window of Ruby's cell, landed on the sleeping girl's face.
The few traces of tears left reflected the light when illuminated, creating small sparkles, like diamond dust, in her fair skin.
The direct contact with Kanrilia's star disturbed her slumber, forcing her to slowly open her eyes.
It took her a short, yet painful, moment to scan her surroundings, which made her think back on everything that had happened to her recently.
A long, heavy sigh followed, born from that recollection of events.
While still processing her current status, she picked up the low but growing sounds of walking, slowly approaching her position.
She quickly tried to tidy herself up, starting by wiping her face from any trace of tears. She was putting her rumpled clothes in order when the metal door of her cell opened wide and loudly.
Two guards, dressed exactly like the ones that brought her here, appeared outside the door. The helmets covering their face and the lack of any form of distinctive mark or individual trait, made it impossible for Ruby to determine whatever they were the same ones of the previous day: to her they might as well have been casted all in the same mould.
"Move." Said one of the sentinels, with a voice like a foghorn. "They are waiting for you."
Having no reason to refuse, she complied and passed the threshold of her cell door, letting the second guard grab the handcuffs locked on her wrist. She was then escorted out of the chamber where she had passed the night, and the three began crossing a vast number of corridors, hallways and antechambers. The place was as labyrinthic as it had been the previous day, and Ruby had no idea if she was moving towards the external segments of the fortress, or if she was venturing further in its depths.
After several minutes, that felt interminable to the huntress, they seemed to finally reach their destination.
The new area appeared like a long narrow hall, studded on both its side by metal doors closed shut. No sound came from most of these rooms, but from some of them muffled sobs, pleas of mercy and shrieks of pain managed to escape these steel blocks and reach the girl's ears.
They were bringing her to some sort of interrogation room, where they weren't afraid to employ more "brutal" methods of questioning…
Ruby quickly considered her options: she hadn't resisted capture and so far, apart from putting her in prison – it was reasonable to assume that this is what this place was - for a night, they hadn't hurt her in any way, be it physically or psychologically.
If that was soon going to change, however, she would certainly not let them do it: she was pretty confident that, if the need arose, with a bit of focus, she could use her Semblance to free herself from her manacles, slip past the two guards and escape, possibly taking one of their weapons with her, in order to avoid relying on her admittedly mediocre hand-to-hand capabilities.
"-on't understand why you would waste time with her, when more pressing matters are at hand."
"I understand your perplexity, Judge Alulim. I assure you this conversation won't last long and it won't steal precious time from our upcoming meeting."
The dialogue interrupted Ruby's train of thought, and the girl realized that they were stopping in front of one of the doors, slightly cracked open compared to the others.
One of the Arbites pushed the door completely, urging the girl to enter.
"Sir, we brought the prisoner." he announced to the occupants of the room.
The sight that presented itself to her was that of an austere space, barren of any kind of furniture, with the exception of a table and 4 chairs, two on opposite sides of the desk, and the other ones attached to the right wall, near another door.
Four of these seats were filled by the current occupants of the room, bar one: on one of the table chairs there was a man, with a long white beard, wearing the same type of uniform of Ismail, while on the two seats on the wall sat two women.
One was a mature lady, wearing a long black coat, with red linings and cuffs, and a large peaked cap, black as the coat, with a red bam above the brim. Her stern and sharp glare, that she directed at Ruby the moment the huntress had entered, was the thing that remained most embedded in the girl's mind, reminding her a lot of the one displayed by Professor Goodwitch when she was angry.
The other was much younger, more or less only a lustrum older than Ruby: she was wearing a simple beige robe, with a hood covering her face; she was leaning on a long staff, at its top the double-headed eagle, that Ruby had come to understand being the symbol of this "Imperium", above a golden eye.
The young huntress didn't miss the way this hooded girl reacted when she saw her entering the room: a small gasp escaped her mouth, eyes widened and entirely transfixed on the silver-eyed girl. She shyly averted her stare the moment her action was noticed, but Ruby saw that she kept glancing at her from time to time.
The only figure not seated was standing in front of the bearded man, his back turned on Ruby. He was dressed exactly like the two guards escorting her, but his stance and figure reflected the authority he clearly had. The look he gave when he faced her was so intense and hateful that she honestly believed he would have taken the gun in his holster and straight up shot her, right there.
She couldn't understand what she had done to warrant such hostil- WAS THAT A FLYING SKULL?!
She tried her best to keep herself calm, but a small squeal still escaped her mouth at the sight of a skull, equipped with several mechanical appendages and a red cybernetic eye in its right socket, hovering lazily above their heads.
Fortunately, her little "eep" seemed to have gone unnoticed.
"Fine. Have it your way." said the mean-looking man. "I will see you soon, general."
He then turned to the two sentries. "You two wait outside. If the general needs anything, follow his orders as if they were mine."
"Yes, my lord." They nodded in unison. Having said that, the judge exited the room, not without casting one last evil eye on her, soon followed by his two subordinates, who closed the door behind them.
"I apologize for the behaviour of Judge Alulim." began the general. "He is extremely dedicated, and one of the best Arbites I had the pleasure to meet and work with. Though in my opinion, his zeal can be a bit exaggerated at times: if one of the Holy Nine Primarchs appeared in front of him, I wouldn't be surprised if he judged him guilty of some crime." he added, clearly amused by the unlikely scenario.
"Please, have a seat, Miss Rose."
After sitting in front of him, the man resumed speaking.
"Since we know your name, it seems only fair that we tell you ours, as well: I am Eskender Kastriot, Lord General of the Arbanian Janissaries regiment." he presented himself, confirming the guess Ruby already had in regard to his identity.
"Over there, we have Commissar Merneith, and Zahra, the Primaris Psyker assigned to our unit." he continued, pointing at the two other women in the room.
The young girl had several questions floating on her mind: what was this Imperium; why had they imprisoned her; what exactly were the green monsters, these "orks"; and many, many others. But all these had to wait in front of the most pressing one.
"Is Ismail alright? Have his injures be treated?"
Her words seemed to elicit a light, soft chuckle from the general. No mockery could be detected from it, however. On the contrary...
"You had been imprisoned, and the first question you ask is not about you and your well-being, but that of someone else, one who is practically a stranger?!" he exclaimed, staring right into her silver eyes.
"I like that. Selflessness is one of the greatest virtues there is."
Ruby didn't know what to make of this old military leader complimenting her: something deep in her heart told her he was someone she could trust. But then she reminded herself that many others had looked trustworthy at first, only to betray that faith.
"To answer your question yes, sergeant Ismail is stable and recovering, thanks entirely to your action. He spoke at great length and fervently of you: the young, brave girl that saved his life, dispatching with ease a group of greenskins, including one of their elites."
The general's words brought relief and a bit of embarrassment, just like the next ones generated in her doubts and uncertainty.
"He claims you are a huntress, one of the mercenaries and hired guns the planetary Governor employed before our arrival, coming from the planet of Remnant."
Her indecision was justified: should she lie and claim what Ismail said was true, pretending to be part of this Imperium?
Or just come clean and tell the truth?
Both options had possible negative consequences: faking, especially when she had no idea about the culture, habits and traditions of this galactic empire, would lead quickly to mistakes, exposing her as a liar and thus untrustworthy; on the other hand, if she told the truth, they might simply not believe her, maybe even thinking that she is crazy – she couldn't honestly blame them if they did - .
What had happened recently on Atlas, especially with General Ironwood, came to her mind and Ruby noted how the two situations were slowly starting to resemble each other in some aspects, eerily so.
Ironically, fate didn't let her any choice in the matter.
"But that is not the truth, isn't it? You are not an Imperial mercenary, and whatever planet you come from doesn't belong to the Imperium." he stated unceremoniously, stopping any line of reasoning in the girl's head.
"I'm not claiming this because we didn't find your name in the record, detailing the off-worlders employed by the Governor or by one of Kanrilia's holding companies and noble families, nor because of your unique equipment and abilities.
Bureaucracy and administration can be quite sloppy and sluggish, especially in a backwater, frontier world like this one. And while your appearance and belongings are quite... unconventional, I experienced first-hand the immense variety of custumes and lifestyles present within the Emperor's domain."
Ruby listened closely to Kastriot's words, unsure of how could she respond to this.
"What made me sure of this was seeing how your reactions to certain aspects of our Imperium were completely out of the ordinary: when you heard of terms and concepts that are pretty well established in the mind of every imperial citizen, at least one that doesn't live in a primitive feral world, like Holy Primarchs, Adeptus Arbites, commissar, psyker, and so on, you showed signs of confusion and uncertainty, typical of one who has no idea what any of those words mean."
Ruby froze upon hearing the last part: had she been that obvious, her state of confusion that apparent?
Almost as if he was reading her thoughts and doubts, the general clarified his statement.
"Your eyes widened and your eyebrows rose, which are signs of surprise, especially towards something unexpected and never experienced before. You also shrugged your shoulders again and again, which indicates indecision and lack of familiarity.
In your case they were pretty minor, almost imperceptible to anyone who doesn't know what to look for, which in itself shows that, despite your young age, you had training and experience, that shaped your actions and improved your self-control."
His words, said in a calm and collected manner, made her pretty self-aware, and despite the situation she found herself in, she couldn't deny that it was helpful getting his insight.
"Well, expect the servo-skull..." he then added, unable to conceal the smirk in his face.
Oh, they noticed, Ruby thought, her checks blushing to the point that they became fit for someone with her name. The giggle let out by the girl named Zahra, even if promptly stopped by a glance of the commissar, didn't certainly help...
"You are a highly skilled non-imperial warrior, who is also a psyker." Kastriot's tone suddenly shifted, any trace of levity in him disappeared completely, soon followed in the young huntress and the rest of the room.
"I'll be frank with you: any Imperial high officer facing a situation like this one would take "drastic" measures, to stop you and prevent any possible harm you could cause." he stated, the meaning of that pretty obvious.
"And in other circumstances I would probably have done so too. But your behaviour, your deeds and the particular situation we find ourselves in, prompt me to try a different, more unorthodox, action: I want to give you the benefit of the doubt.
I want to trust you."
The moment he uttered those words, Ruby knew, almost instinctually, that he was being sincere.
And that helped her decide how to respond to his next words.
"So, tell me, Miss Rose: who are you, really?
Where do you come from, and how did you find yourself on the Imperial world of Kanrilia?"
A liberating sigh escaped her mouth, and she matched his interrogator's gaze with equal intensity and earnestness. Well, here goes nothing...
"It was not a lie when I told Ismail that I am a huntress, and that I come from Remnant…"
She told the general and his two aides about herself and her world, trying to be as concise as she could while still giving the basic information.
It was also useful to her, as she learnt a bit of her listeners by how much interest they were showing to various topics: when she talked about the Kingdoms and the Academies, the general and the commissar were more focused; the subject of Huntsman piqued everyone's attention, but it was hard to miss the look of curiosity and wonder on Zahra when she mentioned Aura and Dust.
Of course, you cannot describe Remnant without mentioning the Grimm: hatred and abhorrence radiated from the three Imperials like heat from a sun when hearing about the soulless, bloodthirsty monsters which seek only mankind's extinction.
To corroborate her words, she also told them that among her belongings, which Kastriot confirmed being safe in their possession, there was her Scroll: if they could recharge it, they could find inside texts, images and videos that would give them tangible proof.
In the end, the topic shifted towards how she had gotten on Kanrilia, far from her home.
Ruby didn't speak of the major revelations she had received from Djinn, about the gods and the relics – though she told them the Grimm were led by an immortal witch named Salem -, so when she described that event, she avoided mentioning Ambrosius: she simply said that they were bringing people to safety through a portal that linked two different regions of Remnant and, during the following battle, she fell from its safe path into the unknown.
She expected to not be believed on this one, but while Zahra showed confusion when speaking of the portals, she could instead detect a hint of recognition in the eyes of both the commissar and the general.
Almost like they had experienced something similar…
When her tale was over, complete and utter silence filled the room.
She had expected anything, from questions and inquiries, to straight up refusal of her words.
Instead, Kastriot simply stood up and, after giving a nod to the two women sitting near him, asked Ruby to wait there for a moment. He then entered the door near the chairs, soon followed by Zahra, Merneith and the creepy flying skull, leaving Ruby alone, with only the company of her thoughts and worries.
⁓
"Well, that was quite a story, wouldn't you agree?"
The three Imperial officers were all intent on watching the young, silver-eyed girl from the one-way mirror in the adjacent room, when the general spoke.
"Sharifa" he continued, turning his attention to the commissar. "You are far better at judging people than I am, so I greatly value your opinion on this matter.
Do you believe what she said?
Do you think she is lying?"
The commissar remained quiet for a moment, replaying the previous conversation in her mind, in order to find even the slightest trace of deceit and falsehood. She then shook her head and gave her answer.
"No Eskender, I don't think she is lying. There are things she hasn't told us, either because of private reasons or time limitations, but otherwise I believe what she said.
Still, it would be better if we had actual evidence. We should tell High Enginseer Restion to open her data-slate, like she suggested."
Kastriot nodded to her old friend. He then motioned to the skull hovering nearby, grabbing its attention.
"Servo-skull, analyse recording for any sign of the prisoner lying."
Clicking and whining noises were at first its only answer, before words came out from its vox-casters.
ANALYSING… NO ODD EYE MOVEMENTS AND EXCESSIVE BLINKING DETECTED… NO STIFF POSTURE DETECTED… NO SHIFT IN VOICE TONE DETECTED… NO CHANGE IN HEART RATE DECECTED… CONCLUSION: SUBJECT IS TELLING THE TRUTH. MARGIN OF ERROR: 1,87%
"Yeah, that was my take as well." Kastriot concluded, agreeing with both the answers presented to him. He then turned his focus on the other woman in the room.
"You have been quiet for a while, Zahra. I would like to hear your opinion as well."
The hooded woman, her attention entirely transfixed on the young girl, didn't seem to have heard the man's words, nor any other since they entered that room.
"Beautiful" was the only thing she said, a small whisper told mostly to herself.
"Well yes, she is quite pretty , but that's not what I asked you." Eskender responded with a teasing tone, an amused grin forming on his face. All while Commissar Merneith pinched her nose in frustration.
His comment seems to wake the mutant from her stupor.
"Wait, that's no- I mean- I wa- ugh." she stuttered and babbled, much to her superior's amusement. She then took a deep breath and calmed herself enough to continue.
"I was actually talking about her soul."
That sentence quickly regained the focus of the room. The general, once again serious, uttered a single world.
"Elaborate."
"It's...It's difficult to explain to someone who doesn't feel the current of the Ether." She pondered for a moment, trying to put into words something that for her was as instinctual as breathing.
"Imagine every soul as a flame: some are greater and some are smaller, depending on their psychic potential, but all have a thing in common: they are in constant flux, as if at the mercy of a wind that constantly blows: some grow larger, to the point of spreading without control, while others grow dimmer or are snuffed out." she then turned her gaze to Ruby.
"But not hers: hers is completely calm, as if inside the glass of a street lamp, keeping her safe from the elements.
It could be due to her world's unique psychic technique, this "Aura" she talked about, but I... I have never seen anything like it before... her light..."
Sharifa and Eskender looked at each other, not able to entirely grasp the scope of the psyker's words, which in the meantime had begun staring at the huntress again.
"Is she in danger of corruption?"
The question was asked by Merneith, as it was to be expected considering her role.
Zahra turned on the older woman, her expression showing complete certainty in what she was about to say.
"The temptations of the Great Enemy are more likely to sway and taint me, you, the general and every person of this planet, far before they are even capable of corrupting her."
A statement like that, against superior officers, would have normally provoked strong reactions. It was a testament of how the two held her opinion in high regard, that the only response it invoked was acceptance and reflection.
The three remained silent for a moment, then Commissar Merneith asked what everyone else would have in that moment.
"What do you plan to do with her?"
The answer wasn't as straightforward as she expected, however.
"Servo-skull, play the last communication sent by Lieutenant Bajramaj."
AFFIRMATIVE ... LOADING MESSAGE ...
From its red eye, a projection came into view in front of the three imperials. The figure presented was in various shades of red, and the quality was not optimal, with the image going out of focus several times, but it was easy to make out the countenance of the lieutenant.
"My lord," the recording started "I'm here to inform you that, after a more detailed exchange with sergeant Ismail, I can give you an estimate, like you asked, in regard to the remaining time we have before the greenskins reach Epidamnus: between 4 and 6 days, with the latter being the most optimistic guess, while the former the worst, and more likely, one."
The news left the two women, which were hearing it for the first time, speechless: a small gasp left Zahra's mouth, while Sharifa gritted her teeth so hard, that it looked like they could grind adamantium.
"Communications from the Carrack Transport Solar Flameconfirmed what we feared: the damage on its engines, after our translation from the Warp, are pretty extensive.
Captain Lebanon is pushing for the essential repairs he and his crew are able to perform, but for the moment the vessel is halted in the outer region of the system. Even in the best-case scenario, they won't be able to reach Kanrilia's orbit before most of the ork army reaches the city."
The implications didn't need to be openly addressed: the Imperial forces would not have orbital support in the upcoming conflict, be it for evacuation of at least a small portion of the population, or for the limited, but still useful, bombardment its few macro-cannons could provide.
"In addition, the astropaths, both the ones present on the planet and the one on the Solar Flame, are still trying to reach out for help, but so far to no avail: for all intents and purposes, we are isolated from the rest of the Imperium."
A short, tense moment of quiet permeated the room.
"I will provide further details in the upcoming meeting, to you and to the rest of its members. May the Emperor protect us."
The recording's projection ended, and the general began walking towards the exit.
"We are running out of time, and we are on our own."
In his tone it could be detected a sense of finality, but not surrender. He stopped for an instant, right in front of the threshold, his hand on the door handle.
"It's true, the Emperor protects.
But only the resourceful, those that use everything they have to do their duty."
⁓
About ten minutes may have passed since her three interrogators left, but it felt like days for Ruby. When the door, from which they exited, opened, she was surprised to see only general Kastriot entering the room.
As the man approached her, she took those instants to outline the impression he left on her.
More than his physical aspect or his behaviour, his eyes were what truly left a mark: they belonged someone who had experienced a lot, who saw terrible things.
But despite all that, a fire was still there, a conviction that never wavered.
Others she had met in the past had possessed a similar look, though not all of them had shared her beliefs…
"Miss Rose, I personally see no reason to keep you in custody: not only you have showed that you don't pose any danger to the citizens of this world, you also saved the life of one of my men, something I am deeply grateful for.
I just want to know, before we release you: what are you going to do, once you walk out of that door?"
The answer seemed beyond doubt: of course, she would find a way back to her friends, back to her worl-
She stopped that train of thought almost as soon as she started it: how was she going to do that?
How will she find a passage off-world?
How would it work?
Who would she ask for help?
Almost sensing her hesitation, Eskender gave answers to some of her questions.
"I assume you wish to find a way back to your home world, which is understandable.
Unfortunately, the only ship capable of travelling beyond this world, the Solar Flame, the same one that brought me and my regiment to this world, is currently stuck at the edges of this system, currently incapacitated to leave.
You won't be able to wait on Kanrilia for another vessel to arrive, either: in a few days, a massive ork incursion, several orders of magnitude bigger than this world's defences, will reach this city. Even with our presence, the prospect is pretty grim…"
Visions of those green monsters, forming an army without end, took shape inside the huntress' mind.
The destruction they would unleash…
Flashes of the Fall of Beacon and the invasion of Atlas resurfaced as well, while thinking of that.
"But this is not your battle."
In that instant, all other thoughts ceased at the sound of those words.
What.
"You are not an Imperial soldier and citizen, so this war does not concern you. As a sign of thanks for your actions, I will allow you access to one of the few flyers that brought us to this planet: it will escort you back to the Solar Flame and, once it is possible, you can leave this system aboard it."
That's-
"I will inform Captain Lebanon of you and your situation. He is a good and dutiful man: you can trust him in helping you find a way home, or at least direct you to someone who can.
What do you say?"
"You are going to stay here…" Hers wasn't a question, rather a statement of fact.
"Of course." he answered, like he was stating the most obvious thing in the world.
"We are the Imperial Guard. We fight the Emperor's foes, but most importantly, we defend Mankind, till our last breath.
That's our sole duty.
That's our greatest desire."
That struck a chord inside her, his words resonating with her own beliefs.
Someone following cold, unfeeling rationality would have agreed and accepted the general's offer: this wasn't her fight.
But the moment she considered that option, she heard the scream of pain that Ismail let out when he was wounded.
The cries of men, women and children, the refugees on Epidamnus who had lost everything.
The growling laughter of those orks, amused by the pain and suffering they inflicted.
How could she leave?
How could she run away when there were people suffering right in front of them?
How could she look at herself, if she abandoned them?
If she stayed, and the situation was as desperate as general Kastriot claimed, she would likely not survive.
She would likely never see her friends and family again.
But that was true for all the men and women, bravely fighting these monstrous foes, till the very end. And if there was even the slight chance her presence could aid them...
She was a Huntress.
She fought for what was right, and she protected those that couldn't protect themselves.
This was her sole duty.
This was her greatest desire.
"Sir, I want to help."