VanStalker

by DarkBlade the Damned

This is a crossover of Vandread and the DeathStalker novels by Simon R Green. Chapter 9. Tensions amongst the crew reach boiling point causing Hibiki and Tam to flee the Nirvana.

6. VanStalker Chapter 4 Part 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Vandread or DeathStalker.
Vandread belongs to Studio Gonzo.
DeathStalker belongs to Simon R Green.

VanStalker Chapter 4: Part II

INS BlackSword: Some time in the past, in far orbit of Khrishnaar Prime

Lieutenant Tamorasp Naghanashar walked warily through the corridors of the BlackSword. The footing was treacherous. As he walked he had to be wary not only of the obvious debris that littered the ground, but of the floor bulkheads and the very gravity he walked in. The ship was so severely damaged that it was literally hanging together by threads. Battle damage had warped the bulkheads making them unstable and prone to collapse. The anti gravity generators, what few remained, were fluctuating with the effort of maintaining gravity for the entire ship. The result was that there were pockets where gravity faded in and out. And those were just the most obvious hazards. The hardsuit, the heavily armoured spacesuit, he wore was designed for hazardous environments. Still he had no wish to test the suits limits, or to find himself blown into space by a sudden decompression, relying only on the measly beacon mounted in the suit to attract attention. With all the crap floating out there right now it could be years until they found him.

It had been 8 hours since the BlackSword disobeyed orders and led the fleet in the attack on the transmutation platforms. With so many ships following the BlackSword's lead, Rear Admiral Haynes had, had no choice but to order the rest of the fleet to follow. With the fleets force shields sabotaged it had been an insane attack. But it had largely succeeded. Of the ten platforms that had been ready to destroy the civilian population of Khrishnaar prime, only two had survived long enough to fire. Three had been destroyed as they prepared to fire. Their directional arrays crippled, in the same way the BlackSword had knocked out the platform Damocles 3.
Provided with no other outlet, the massive energies generated by the platforms had been channelling back against the very platforms that had created them. The resulting explosion had blown the platforms apart. Four others had been damaged by long range disrupter fire, delaying them from firing long enough for the fleet to restore their shields and move in to cripple the platforms. And one had been rammed by the dying starcruiser Champion, as its captain desperately sought to fulfil his mission the only way he could.
But despite the fleet's efforts, two of the platforms had fired. Meaning that at best estimate at least two billion civilians had died in the attack. That combined with the losses the fleet had suffered left their victory tasting like ashes in their mouths.

Tamorasp brushed away floating bits of debris and even what looked like a few body parts as he made his way forward. He had to walk careful, ensuring that the magnets on each foot had a good connection before he took his next step forward.
The BlackSword had suffered terribly in the attack, but surprisingly she wasn't the worst off. The unpredictable nature of Captain Croder's manoeuvres and the sheer surprise of the initial attack had put the defenders off balance. Some of the other ships in the fleet hadn't been as fortunate. Of the hundred ships that had taken part in the attack, the Champion, Defender, Heritage and Falcon had been destroyed with all hands.

Another fifteen were as badly damaged as the BlackSword, dozens of others had received severe but repairable battle damage. Considering what they had done their losses had been light. But that wasn't the point. This mission had been planned to ensure the destruction of the platforms before any could fire, with little or no loss to the Fleet.
One of the first lessons taught at the academy was that no battle plan survives contact with the enemy. But that was cold comfort in the face of the death and destruction they now saw around them.

Tamorasp sighed deeply as he sealed a bulkhead door behind him. This section of the ship was almost undamaged, the air clear, the corridors bright and clean. Despite that he didn't remove his helmet or his suit. Right now he preferred the additional security they offered. The inspection had not gone well.

Once the fire's on board had been put out and the remaining crew members secured Captain Croder had ordered Tamorasp to make a damage assessment of the ship. That was his task now as damage control officer. Commander Izikiel Calavin and the entire main engineering staff had died in the explosion that destroyed the BlackSword's primary engines. That left Tamorasp as the most qualified officer. Part of him wondered if that would mean he would also be promoted to replace the XO, another part of him scoffed at the notion. A dead ship didn't need a crew, and whether he liked it or not that was what the BlackSword now was. Her engines were gone, her hull had more holes than a Swiss cheese and what little armour she had left was as thin as tissue paper and would be even less effective at preventing further damage. There had been hope that she could be towed back to a space dock through hyper, but Tamorasp now knew that was impossible. The primary bulkheads were already warped, a hyper jump would cause them to snap like dry kindling and the rogue energies in hyperspace would tear the ship apart. No the best the fleet could hope was to salvage her for usable parts, as a ship the BlackSword was dead.

The thought saddened Tamorasp. He had served on the BlackSword for five years, ever since he left the academy. The ship had become a home to him. Lovingly he laid an armoured hand against a nearby bulkhead.

"I'm sorry old friend. I wish there was some way to save you, but those bastards did too much damage. But at least take comfort in this. You served us well. You held together even when all the odds said you should have fallen apart. We can only pray that when our times come, we will be able to fulfil our duty as well as you did."

His hand lingered there for a long moment, before it was rudely interrupted by a beep from his comm. implant.

"Lieutenant Naghanashar, report to the captains quarters. Lieutenant Naghanashar, report to the captains quarters immediately." The voice was harsh and artificial and Tamorasp's lip curled in dislike as he heard it. Someone had obviously found time to unpack and boot up the back up AI. But hearing its harsh and inhumane voice only caused him to miss the rich baritone of Malthus. Malthus the AI they had had to purge, yet another death to lay at the feet of the bastards that had done this to the BlackSword.
Tamorasp was tired, he had been working for almost ten hours straight without rest. All he wanted was a hot shower, a hot meal and eight hours sleep. Hell right now he'd settle for a drink of water, a ration bar and a half hour nap in his hardsuit, something he knew he was far more likely to get. A tiny part of him was tempted to ignore the summons, but he quashed it. Tired as he was he was still an Imperial officer. So he moved to answer his captain's summons.

The Captains quarters were located close to the bridge. That was unusual. Most Captains preferred to take one of the more luxurious officers suites located closer to the hull, where the rooms were larger and equipped with armourplas view ports to provide a view of the space out side. But Captain Croder long ago selected a small cramped cabin close to the Bridge and the core of the ship, and made it his own.
It was unusual, but no one was going to tell a captain how to behave on his own ship. Tamorasp pondered this idly as he made his way through the fairly intact and comparatively well lit corridors. This part of the ship had been the least damaged. Being close to the centre of the ship it was on of the best protected areas on board. Had the Captain realised that when he chose it? Almost certainly. As with everything else the Captain did, he put functionality before ascetics or decorum. Tamorasp smiled at the thought, and then composed his face into a careful mask as he nodded to the marine on duty outside the captain's door.

"Lieutenant Naghanashar reporting to see the Captain." The marine nodded his head respectfully.
"He's expecting you sir. Go on in." Tamorasp gave the marine another nod as he passed through the now open bulkhead and heard it close behind him.

Captain Croder was seated behind his desk, apparently scanning a report through his comm. implant. Tamorasp brought himself to attention before the desk. The hardsuit clanked dully as he saluted, the helmet tucked under his arm.
"Lieutenant Naghanashar reporting as ordered Sir!"

"At ease Lieutenant. I have been going through your damage report. A little rough but very thorough."

Tamorasp's eyes widened slightly. "But sir those were just my notes. My report is incomplete, I haven't had time.." Croder looked up and waved away his comments.

"I am aware of that Lieutenant, but I wanted a chance to look through you report and have the opportunity to query you before you move on to your new assignment."

Tamorasp blinked rapidly at the unexpected news.
"Sir, what new assignment?"

Croder turned his attention towards Tamorasp, staring directly into the younger mans eyes.
"We recently received word from the fleet. Data we have retrieved from the captured platforms and starship's indicates that the Church Militant had deployed a sizable armed force down to the surface of Krishnaar Prime. Their purpose appears to have been to mop up any survivors from the platforms. Now the Admiral is concerned that they may attempt to use this force to complete at least part of their mission by attacking nearby Khrishnaari settlements. We only have a rough idea where the Church forces may have been deployed and unfortunately there are several major population centres in that area. Therefore the admiral has decided to send down marine guard details to defend the cities until we can pinpoint and mop up the church forces. Even with the losses we have suffered, we still have twenty five marines who are fit for duty, and I note that a single pinnace somehow survived intact in boat bay three. What I lack is an officer to lead them. Major Gomez and his subordinates were in the secondary fire control centre when it was destroyed. So that leaves you."

Tamorasp struggled hard to keep the surprise from his face. It was difficult, firstly there was the news itself. Secondly was the amount of information. From the normally taciturn Captain it was the equivalent of a speech!"

"Me Sir? But I'm a deck officer not a Marine."

"In your file you are listed as a having a SwordMasters rating, is that correct?"

Tamorasp nodded. "Yes, Sir."

"Then you are more qualified than anyone else who is fit for duty at the moment lieutenant. Drop that hardsuit off at the armoury and report to boat bay three, the marine detail will meet you there. I have authorised you to draw your personal weapons and any additional weapons and equipment as you see fit from the armoury. Dismissed!"

Croder turned away and went back to reviewing reports. Tamorasp made no move to leave. After a moment Croder looked up in annoyance. Before he could repeat the order Tamorasp spoke out.

"Sir with respect I believe that my place is here on this ship!"

Croder's face hardened in anger. "Are you questioning my orders Lieutenant?"

Tamorasp stood unflinching staring at the wall behind the captain's head.
"Sir, I am the acting damage control officer of the BlackSword. I believe that my duty is to my ship at this point in time. Surely the marines can be placed at the disposal of officers from the other ships?"

As he watched the captains face tighten with anger, the eyes flashing. Tamorasp forced himself to remain immobile, to stare straight ahead and weather the storm that was coming. But just as suddenly the look faded and the captain leaned back in his chair. His voice when he spoke was almost melancholy.

"You know Lieutenant, there's a reason that I never rose past my present rank. It's largely because unwilling to play the politics necessary to receive a rank above Captain. But that doesn't mean that I haven't learned anything about how the game is played. What do you think will happen once we link up with the rest of the fleet?"

Tamorasp struggled to form a reply to the unexpected question, but was cut off by Croder before he could speak. "I'll tell you what will happen. As soon as we get back to the fleet Rear Admiral Haynes will call for my court martial, and possibly that of the entire bridge crew."

Tamorasp started to protest, but was cut off wordlessly by Croder.
"He has a right to do so. We disobeyed a direct order, and none of you attempted to stop me. That I will be court martialled is a certainty now. But I can still protect my crew from that fate. The other bridge officers are too wounded or junior to attract Haynes's attention. But with the deaths we have suffered you are know the second ranking officer on this ship. As such you are another target for Haynes. By assigning you to the marines you will be effectively distanced from me. Hopefully enough to avoid his attention."

Tamorasp stood shocked for a long moment before he replied.
"Sir, I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I would prefer to stay with the ship. Even if that means facing court martial with you."

Croder made a sharp motion with his hand, dismissing the comment.
"What you prefer makes no difference Lieutenant. Your duty is to the empire. Right now that duty means you are needed on the planet below." Croder suddenly narrowed his eyes as a thought entered his head.

"You are from Nepalla Lieutenant?"

"Yes Sir" Tamorasp was leery of this new change in topic, he could feel where it was going.

Croder stared idly around the room speaking reflectively.
"Few men achieve a SwordMasters qualification in this day and age. Of those that do a surprising number come from Nepalla. Interestingly while we receive an abnormally high number of recruits for the marines from that world, we get very few ship officers from there."

Croder's eyes suddenly snapped to Tamorasp's face with an intensity that was shocking. "Are you afraid of the dance Lieutenant?"

Tamorasp stared back at the man before him. If he was surprised by the captain's cryptic comment he gave no sign of it.

"I am afraid that I will like it too much sir. I fear letting go to it completely"

The captain stared at Tamorasp. He seemed to understand the equally cryptic response. Finally he spoke "I always thought that you had it in you to be a good officer Naghanashar. Your actions today prove that I was right. I understand your fear of this duty, you may not believe me but I do. But there is a reason for what you have been taught. In this day and age the skills you have are not as accepted as they once were. But the times are changing again, and you may soon be very glad of what you know."

Croder stared at the young man before him, when he spoke his tone was gentle.
"You know what the Church militant is like. You know that there is no reasoning with them. Most of them will die rather than surrender or be captured. Do not hesitate to use all you know against them. That is what your duty requires of you." Tamorasp dropped his gaze to the floor, when he spoke the words were resigned.
"Yes Sir."

Croder nodded satisfied, the young man may not like what he was being asked to do, but he would do it anyway. He looked up again when he noticed Tamorasp had not yet left.

With slow and careful deliberation Tamorasp brought himself to attention and gave a perfect, formal parade ground salute.
"Sir, it has been an honour to serve with you

Croder rose from his desk. He returned the salute with equal formality.
"You served with honour Lieutenant Naghanashar."

No further words were needed. With a final nod the two men parted company for the last time.

The armoury was a hive of activity when Tamorasp reached it. Centrally located and heavily shielded it was one of the few areas of the ship that had survived almost intact. As such it was now overcrowded as crewmen attempted to obtain access to still working parts and machinery jealously guarded by the marine sergeants and non-coms on duty. Tamorasp soon had personal experience with just how in demand equipment was. No sooner did he start removing his hardsuit then it was almost torn off him by a waiting crewman. By the time Tamorsasp started looking for the sergeant in charge of the armoury the now suited crewman was already walking out.
Tamorasp finally spotted the marine sergeant engaged in a vigorous discussion with two techs. He moved towards them and pushed the techs out of the way to stand before the armoury counter. One of the techs started to protest hotly, before he caught sight of the officer's uniform and shut up. The armoury sergeant looked at him, obviously displeased, but he was too professional to let it enter his voice.

"Begging your pardon sir, but if you would be so good as to wait a minute while I finish up with these men."

Tamorasp shook his head suddenly. "I'm afraid not sergeant this is a priority."

The sergeant stared back at him impassively. "Sir right now everything is a priority, but I'm afraid I cannot let you.." Tamorasp abruptly cut him off.

"Check you comm. implant sergeant. I have received a priority order from the captain. I'm going with the squad to the planet below and I need to draw equipment."

The sergeant's expression glazed over for a second as he accessed his comm. implant.
When he looked back at Tamorasp his tone was brisk and businesslike with an underlying current of enthusiasm.
"You're going down to the planet sir?" Tamorasp nodded. The sergeant smiled, then turned and gathered up a load of parts from under the bench before him. The sergeant spoke as he placed the pieces down.

"I gathered this up for you when the order came down sir. This is a suit of half armour. Basically it's a chest plate, thigh plates, greaves and vambraces. Not as good as a full suit of marine armour, but a fair bit lighter and it won't inhibit your movement as much. Force shield bracelet is built into the left arm vambrace."

Tamorasp looked over the armour. It wasn't new, but it was in excellent condition. Each plate appeared sound and well rounded to turn a swords blow. Nodding in satisfaction he stared to buckle the pieces on, starting with the chest plate.

"Perfect sergeant just what I was looking for." The sergeant nodded satisfied. "I also pulled a command helmet for you sir. Has all the standard features, rebreather, compass, extra vision modes. It's also got a boosted set of comms."

Tamorasp paused in buckling on his armour to pick up the helmet. It was smooth dark and featureless. Lifting it he tried it on, ensuring that it sat tightly over his head, making sure that all the functions worked and that the rebreathers filters were clean. Again he nodded satisfied.

The sergeant looked pleased and hefted a weapons belt. "I took the liberty of drawing a second disrupter for you sir, as for the sword I checked it myself. It's a good solid blade with a keen edge. " Tamorasp glanced over the weapons quickly then looked up.
"Thank you for the disrupter's sergeant but I have my own blades, would you mind drawing them from storage for me."

The sergeant looked surprised for a moment and then moved away to comply. While he was gone Tamorasp drew the hand disrupters from their holsters, checking the charge on the energy crystals and the feel of the weapons. Both appeared to me in good condition, not that he had expected anything else, but it paid to be sure. After a short while the sergeant returned. In his hands was a long scabbarded sword with a baldric and a small black box.

As he placed the sword on the table, Tamorasp drew it a few inches from its scabbard and tested its edge. Razor sharp, just as he had left it. Satisfied he sheathed it and settled the baldric over his shoulders. The blade hung down his back, the cruciform shape of the hilt rising over his right shoulder.

The sergeant stared at the weapon with a look of slight distaste. "Sir if you'll listen to my advice you should take one of the more standard blades. That weapon of yours may look big and impressive but in a fight you may find it too big and heavy to use effectively. Especially if things get tight."

Tamorasp smiled, it was good advice.
"Thank you sergeant, I appreciate your advice, but I'm comfortable with this blade. I'll keep it for know."

The sergeant shrugged unconvinced. "I suppose you know best Sir. That was all we had under your name, except for this box." The sergeant held out the indicated box. It was made of plain black metal. A sliver plate was embossed on the lid. The box was roughly 15 inches long, 5 inches wide and about 3 inches deep. Other than the sliver plate it was completely featureless.

"I have no idea what it is sir or how you open it. If you like I could check with.." Tamorasp raised his hand, silencing the sergeant. Reaching out he caressed the black metal of the box. Then he took it from the sergeants unresisting hands and placed it on the bench top. Leaving forward he placed his right hand palm down on the sliver plate on top of the case. For a long moment nothing happened then there was an audible click. A slender seam appeared in the sides of the box. Tamorasp reached forward and flipped open the lid. For a moment he stared at the contents, then he reached within and drew it out.

It was a knife in a scabbard. The handle was black and silver. The scabbard was sliver and dark crimson. The knife was about ten inches long and oddly shaped. For the first two inches from the hilt it was straight. From there on it bent forwards at an acute angle. The blade thickening to twice its size, before tapering down to a point. Tamorasp could hear the sergeant hiss in surprise as he saw the knife, but he ignored him. Grasping the scabbard with his left hand he drew the blade with his right. He drew it slowly taking time to critically view the edge for any imperfection. There was none. He drew the blade fully and examined it in detail, hefting it in his hand, making slow cuts and jabs to test the weight. Finally he was satisfied, but before returning the blade to its scabbard he rolled up his left sleave exposing the underside of his forearm. Then he drew the blade vertically down the forearm, making a shallow cut from which blood flowed freely.

From where he stood watching the sergeant could see a faint pattern of white lines running vertically along the forearm. A pattern of scars, each one mimicking the cut. Finally his curiosity getting the better of him the Sergeant asked.
"Sir is that a.. " "A Kukri?" Interrupted Tamorasp. "Yes sergeant it is. My grandfather gave it to me."

The sergeant stood speechless, Tamorasp silently re-sheathed the kukri, then he attached it to the weapons belt and buckled on the belt, checking that all the weapons were within easy reach. Finally satisfied he glanced up at the sergeant as he began to buckle the force shield vambrace over his left arm.

"What weapons have the marines been equipped with?" The sergeant shook himself and looked at him in surprise. "Sir? Gunnery Sergeant Abbot said he took the equipment you requested him to. He said he had your authorisation sir!" "Did he now?" Tamorasp looked around the room. Then he shrugged his shoulders and turned to pick up his other equipment. "Thank you sergeant, please take care of the necessary paperwork." With no further words he gathered the rest of his equipment and made his way down to the boat bays.

The boat bays were a wreck, like the rest of the ship. Instead of the normally immaculate open space with carefully parked shuttles and pinnace's the deck was littered with debris. Scattered pieces of equipment and the shattered bodies of small craft lay strewn over the deck. But standing in a cleared area stood a miraculously intact pinnace. The craft looked hard used. The fuselage was covered with dents and the paintwork was in a sorry state, but as he drew closer Tamorasp realised that he could not see any damage to the critical areas. The fuselage appeared t be intact, and though dented there was no obvious damage to the engines or antigrav units. Tamorasp wondered how this pinnace had survived the destruction that had been wreaked on its brothers in the bay. For that matter it was a wonder that the bay itself was intact. Or rather that the force shield generators that served as the main bay doors were. He suddenly realised that all that lay between him and the cold void of space was a set of possibly damaged force shield generators, on a ship with a failing power source. He unconsciously increased his pace towards the pinnace.

As he neared the small craft he admired its still sleek lines, although he did not slow his pace. The craft was long and narrow, with delta shaped wings that closely hugged the main body. Studding the wings and the hull he could see the muzzles of small disrupter cannon, each mounted on individual turrets. He could also make out racks for other ordinance, missiles and bombs, but these were presently empty. A pinnace was a muti-role attack small craft. They were used to scout areas of space, board hostile vessels, make attacks against ground based targets and to land troops. For their size they were heavily armed and designed to take a fair degree of punishment. Therefore it likely that this one would still be ready to fly. Suddenly Tamorasp noticed something odd. There were no flight crew. Normally the bay would have been swarming with technicians maintaining and prepping the boats. The mess on their normally immaculate decks should have had them swarming like an ants nest that had been kicked over. Finally he noticed some movement at the rear access ramp of the pinnace and headed over that way.

Suddenly a gruff cracked like a disrupter shot through the relative quiet of the bay.
"Get a move on you pack of apes! We're on a schedule and by God we are going to meet it or you're going to regret it."

Tamorasp smiled at the unmistakable sound of Gunny Abbot's voice. The Gunnery Sergeant was the senior non com on board the ship. He was feared and respected through out the ship. Even those who didn't work with the marines had heard of the gunny. So Tamorasp was mildly surprised to hear a voice call out in protest.
"Come on Gunny, give us a break. The fleety's not here yet. What's the rush?"

Tamorasp winced in anticipation of what was to come. There was suddenly a loud slap quickly followed by a dull thud. "One more comment like that Simmons and I'll give you a break all right. RIGHT ACROSS YOURE USELESS SKULL! Now shut up and get back to work. And as for any of the rest of you who may be pondering the answer to Simmons questions, let me save you the trouble and answer them for you.
We are in a rush because the fleet has ordered us to rush.
We are in a rush because there are church militant down on the planet below, and as marines it's our duty to show those pussies how real soldiers FIGHT!
And most importantly, you are in a rush BECAUSE I FUCKING SAID SO.
Now get a move on ladies, because with or without the fleety we are leaving on schedule."

"Glad to hear it Gunny." Commented Tamorasp mildly as he made his way around the pinnace's rear. The area to the rear of the shuttle was filled with marines. They were all in motion moving crates of equipment up the shuttle ramp from the neat racks below. But the area was dominated by a single figure that currently stood with its back to Tamorasp. It was clad it the trademark black battle armour of the Imperial marines. The figure was not short, but it was so broad that it appeared almost squat. Nevertheless it spun around to face Tamorasp with surprising swiftness at the sound of his voice.

"SIR!" Tamorasp brought himself to attention and returned the Sergeants salute.
"Report" "The marine detail will be ready for duty by the assigned deadline Sir!" Tamorasp nodded to the rigidly at attention figure.

"At ease Gunny." The figure relaxed marginally. Tamorasp noticed that many of the marines had stopped what they were doing and were staring at the scene. Unfortunately for them Gunny Abbot noticed too. His head turned to face them like a disrupter turret tracking its target.
"What are you looking at? BACK TO WORK." The marines frantically scurried back to their assigned tasks.

"So Gunny what's our status?" "Loading is almost completed Sir, we will be ready to head out in five minutes." Tamorasp looked at the crates and the moving marines.
"Ahh yes I'm glad to see you received my order to gather the equipment from the armoury. Why don't you run down the list again?"

If Gunny Abbot had any reaction to the irony in that comment he hid it well.
"Yes Sir. Each marine has two disrupter pistols in addition to their disrupter rifles. Other armour and weapons as standard. We have five portable disrupter cannon, five cases of hand grenades and twenty pallets of land mines."

Tamorasp whistled under his breath at the inventory.
"What did you do Gunny clean out the armoury?" "We'll need it more than them sir." "Truth. Where are they bay crew, why aren't they helping with the loading?" Sergeant Abbots stare turned harsh for a moment.
"They're dead sir. Most were working on the boats when the shields went down.
The rest got crushed by the boats when we went into extreme manoeuvring.
The few that survived are in the sickbay. Someday maybe some of them will walk again."

Outwardly Tamorasp accepted the comment impassively. But inside he cringed. Of course the boat bay had suffered just as badly as the rest of the BlackSword. He had been the damage control officer he should have known that. But when you were dealing with a flood of information it was all too easy to forget that those figures represented real people and real damage. His inspection of the ship should have made him realise that.

Uncomfortable he tried to change the subject.
"I'm surprised there's a single pinnace left intact." "It was locked down in a maintenance bay for a standard overhaul." The Gunnery Sergeants responses were professional but they were also clipped and terse. Tamorasp reached a decision.
"Come with me Gunny, I want to inspect the pinnace." Then without waiting for a reply he turned and started walking back towards the front of the pinnace.

After he felt they were out of earshot Tamorasp turned around to face the Gunnery Sergeant. The man stood silently before him. His face a mask.
"Alright Gunnery Sergeant, permission to speak freely."

"Sir? I didn't ask to .." Tamorasp held up his hand to stop any further response. " That's enough excuses Gunny. There is something on your mind. Even I can tell that. Now we are about to drop into a potential hot zone so if you have any doubts or questions tell me now. That's an order."

The sergeant stared at him impassively for a minute then he began to speak.
"Very well Sir. Out of a company of one hundred I have twenty four marines who are not wounded or KIA. My men have been in action for ten hours straight. Many of them are still in post combat shock. Now I am ordered to make a combat drop, in a damaged pinnace into a potentially hot landing zone. I don't have a problem with any of that. I'm a marine that's my job. What I have a problem with is being told that I will be under the command of a Fleety with no ground combat experience who will end up getting my men killed!"

Tamorasp listened to all of this impassively.
"I agree with you Gunny." The sudden look of surprise was the first true expression he had seen on the gunnery sergeant's face, but he ignored it and pressed on.
"I'm a bridge officer, not a marine officer. I have no experience in leading men in ground combat, so I don't intend to try. I will act as liaison with command on the ground. The will give their orders to me and I will leave it to you as to how best to implement them. But that said I am the senior officer Gunny. If I give you an order I expect you to obey it. Are we clear?"

"Sir, yes sir." The gunnery sergeant appeared mollified if not pleased. Well they didn't have to like each other as long as they could work together.

"Now Gunny, anything else you want to cover before we move out?"

The gunny's gaze was suddenly fixed on the hilt of the sword above Tam rasp's shoulder. "Sir I would recommend that you get rid of that blade and draw a standard one from stores. It may be nice and dramatic but I doubt that the church goons are going to be impressed at the size. There's no way you'll be able to use it effectively. You'd be better off with a standard blade."

Tamorasp smiled as the gunny unconsciously echoed the supply sergeant's advice. "Someone already gave me that advice Gunny. So I'll tell you what I told him. This is my blade. I feel comfortable with it, so it stays. Now any other complaints over my equipment?"

The sergeant was plainly displeased but he started to glance critically up and down over Tamorasp's equipment. "Well sir the rest of your gear looks ok. Someone in supply must have given you good advice. I still think you should…"

The sergeant's voice abruptly cut off. His gaze was suddenly fixed on the kukri, the long curved dagger at Tamorasp's belt. When he spoke again his voice was tinged with disbelief.
"Sir are you entitled to wear that?"

Tamorasp looked up suddenly, locking gazes with the sergeant with an intensity that blazed. "If you know what this is then you know that no one is "entitled" to wear one. That right must be earned as I earned mine. Through blood and steel."

Their gazes locked and after a moment it was the sergeant that looked away. "Sir that sword you carry, did you learn to use it…" "The same place I earned my kukri Gunny. I grant it's an unusual blade, but it suits me."

The sergeant stared at Tamorasp, but now his gaze was questioning tinged with respect. "If you earned that sir, then you must know a fair bit about ground combat."

Tamorasp shook his head slowly and started to move away. Back towards the rear of the pinnace. He could hear the sergeant following behind him.
"I've had plenty of training at fighting sergeant, but fighting and leading are two different things and I have never drawn another's blood with my blades."

The sergeant's voice reached his ears, a slight hit of concern in it.
"Is that going to be a problem sir?" "I guess we'll find out."

By the time they reached the rear cargo ramp the pinnace was fully loaded. Soon after they sealed the ramps and strapped in for the flight down. As the senior officer Tamorasp took a seat in the cockpit with the pilots. There was nothing for him to do up there but at least he could access the pinnaces comms and sensors. As they dropped down towards the planet Tamorasp reached out through his comm. implant and accessed one of the rear cameras. He could see the receding shape of the BlackSword behind him. From here the damage looked even worse. The entire ship was riddled with holes. Not a single part of her hull appeared to have survived with out some kind of damage. The sight saddened him more deeply than he would have thought possible. He shut down the view and leaned back in his chair, hoping to catch a few minutes rest during the flight. He did. But he could not escape the feeling that one chapter of his life had just been closed. And a new one was about to begin.

Infirmary of the Nirvana: The present

Paiway the purple haired nurse of the Nirvana roamed through the ships infirmary. She was the only medical officer present. Duero was still on his sleep cycle and wouldn't turn up for a while yet. That meant that until he did she was the senior medical officer again. She was in charge. She had the power. She had the responsibility. She had never been so bored in her life.

There was absolutely nothing to do. Very few of the crew had suffered any injuries in the last battle against their mysterious enemy. Most of those who had had long ago left the infirmary and Duero had strictly forbidden her from going near the only patient that remained. Something about how she needed to be careful around him, that he was still an unknown.

Paiway sighed and sat back on one of the vacant beds. There was absolutely nothing to do. Duero kept the infirmary spotless and in perfect order. So there wasn't even any cleaning to do. The though shocked her. That she was so bored she would actually be glad for cleaning as something to do. What really annoyed her was that she couldn't go out on the ship and do some Pai Checks. The last time she had done off while she had been on duty she had received a stern talking to from Duero. Paiway had complained to Magno about the man, but to her utter shock she had taken his side. While she may not have really cared what the man thought she didn't want to anger the commander so she was stuck here with nothing to do until Duero showed up. If only there was something interesting in here. But it was just the same old infirmary with nothing new or interesting in it. Then her gaze fell upon the curtained off bed.

Paiway looked around quickly and smiled. Well she was the senior medical officer present. It was her job to check on all the patients and make sure that they were all ok. Stealthily she grabbed her camera and made her way over to the curtained bed. Slowly she pulled back the curtains to reveal the figure on the bed. She gazed around intently and noticed… absolutely nothing new.

Tam still lay there in his bed. The steady rise and fall of his chest the only indication that he was still alive. Other than that and the steady beep of the monitoring machines there was no other activity. Paiway was disappointed. She had hoped that something exciting would have happened so that she could do a Pai check. But there was nothing here but a man, and all the crew had gotten used to seeing them by now. Then her gaze settled on Tams waist.

Soon after the men had come on the ship a rumour had started spreading that they had some king of weird tube it their crotch. Dita had even tried to have a look, but all the men got really weird when she asked to look there so no one had ever been able to find out the truth. Paiway realised that she had a perfect opportunity to find out.
Eagerly she reached out with her right hand, her left holding her camera close to her face.

"And now the Super Idol Paiway team prepares to conduct the greatest Pai Check ever!" She couldn't wait to see if the rumours were really true. Her hand reached the top of the blanket and she was just about to pull it down when.

"Paiway! What are you doing?"

Paiway jumped and turned around at the sound of the voice. Quickly she tucked the camera behind her and tried to look innocent. She relaxed a little when she saw who it was.

"Oh Barnette, Jura. I .. I was just." Paiway looked around frantically trying to think of an excuse.
"I was just checking on the patient."

Barnette and Jura moved across the room towards her. A slightly surprised look on their faces.

"Checking on the patient?" commented Jura. "You mean that you actually know how to use all these weird machines Paiway?"

The young nurse flushed. "Of course I do. After all I am the senior medical officer." As things stood at the moment it was not technically a lie. Paiway just neglected to mention the fact that the moment Duero came in the door he was the senior medical officer.

Barnette looked pleased. "Good I'm glad to see that that male doctor isn't pushing you around Paiway."

Paiway didn't comment but if she was watching Barnette would have noticed her flush slightly. Barnette's attention however was fixed on the bed Paiway was standing by.

"So who's your patient? I hadn't heard that any of the crew had been… Oh." Barnette had finally gotten close enough to notice the figure lying in the bed, and to notice that it wasn't female.

Jura also noticed the figure for the first time. "Eeekk. Oh how ghastly. I hope I never get sent here. I couldn't bear to think of myself looking that terrible." The busty blonde finally stopped her tirade and seemed to notice the figure in the bed for the first time. "Wait a minute isn't that?"

"Yes" cut in Barnette "its Tam. That man that appeared out of nowhere."

"But how'd he get that badly injured?"

Barnette shook her head in exasperation. Paiway provided the explanation. "Jura didn't you hear by now? He was injured fighting off some machines that got on the ship during the last battle."

"Well I heard that he had been injured, but I didn't expect something like this." "Typical for a male." Said Barnette. "He probably let himself get that badly hurt on purpose. Now he'll be sitting in here recovering until we get to Majere."

"Oh no." Chimed in Paiway "According to Duero he should be fully recovered within a few days."

Barnette turned to her in shock. "What! Paiway that's impossible. I saw the wounds he received during that fight. There's no way he'd be almost fully recovered in just a few days."

"Oh you don't trust my medical opinion? Let me show you." The young nurse was still sensitive to the fact that she didn't know as much about medicine as the male doctor. Now she saw an opportunity to show two of the senior pilots just how much she knew. She again neglected to mention that this knowledge had come from Duero in the first place.

Turning she moved to the control board by the bed and started typing in commands. After a few false tries she managed to pull up the images she had seen Duero looking at earlier.

Proudly she pointed these out to Jura and Barnette. "Now as you can see, this picture shows all the bones in the man's arm a few days ago. Notice how they're all cracked and broken? Now this is the one currently. As you can see that have all come together. There's only small gaps now. In a few more days these should be fixed and he'll be ready to go."

Jura was staring at the screen with a faint look of disgust. Thinking of broken bones didn't really appeal to her. Barnette on the other hand had a look of astonishment on her face. "That's incredible."

Paiway smiled pleased at the reaction. "You think so. Here let me show you something else the doctor found on the man. Even he thought this was really weird." Paiway turned around and started looking at the controls again. However before she could pull up the second image a voice range out across the sick bay.

"Paiway!"

Paiway, Jura and Barnette looked up in surprise. Duero was striding across the sickbay towards them. His long legged stride rapidly covering the intervening distance.

Paiway started and looked guilty. "Duero. What are you doing here?" The male doctor stared at her impassively. "I decided to come in early to check on the patient." His attention then turned to Barnette and Jura. "I'm sorry but I am going to have to ask you to leave. We are not permitting visitors at this time."

Barnette reacted angrily to being ordered by a man, even politely. "And just what gives you the authority to tell us what to do on our ship?"

Duero reacted calmly to her outburst. "Your captain gave me that authority when she made me the senior medical officer on board this ship. If you have a problem with that take it up with her. I will put a call through to the bridge so that they can connect us if you like."

Barnette seemed about to do just that when Jura stepped in. "Come on Barnette, we need to get going anyway. Meia's scheduled another practise session this morning and we'll have to hurry if we don't want to be late." That said the blonde pilot started to make her way to the door. Barnette scowled for a second, then seemed to shake it of and turned to follow Jura. The male doctor would keep for the moment. Beside she had gathered some interesting information. She would have to share it with the right people as soon as possible. No one should be able to heal that fast. It was unbelievable. Whatever this man was he may represent a greater threat than they expected, and they would need to be ready.

Back in the sickbay Duero turned to Paiway. "Paiway just what were you doing showing Tam's x-ray scans to them."

"They just came in to see how he was. I thought I'd show them how much better he was getting. The way you showed me."

Duero sighed in exasperation. "What about patient confidentiality Paiway?"

"What?" asked the young nurse looking confused.

"As a physician, as a medical officer you have a duty not to disclose the details of a patient's illness or injury to anyone else without their permission."

Paiway looked confused. "But you showed them to the Captain, the sub commander and Miss Gascognue."

"As the senior officers they had a right to know that and it was my duty to tell them. Anyway how did you know about that? I didn't notice you here when they came in."

"Umm" Paiway glanced around nervously. In truth she had been hiding in a storage cupboard. Doing the important job of performing Pai checks. And of avoiding any work that Duero had for her. But she couldn't tell him that. Fortunately at that moment she was saved by the voice of a newcomer.

"Excuse me?"

Duero turned around. A young woman in the uniform of the register was standing in the doorway of the sickbay.

He turned and moved towards her curiously. "Yes? Can I help you?"

The young woman appeared to grow more nervous as he approached, but gathered herself and replied.

"My name is Elysia. I was just wondering if, that is, I just wanted to see if Tamorasp was alright."

Duero stared at her mildly. "Elysia. You were here a few days ago weren't you? I treated you for shock."

The young woman nodded her head in response. Duero remembered her now. She had come in just before the last battle suffering from a mild case of shock. It had been an easy case, the most difficult thing about it had been convincing her to let herself be treated by a man. Since she was one of the crew that was suspicious of men why was she so concerned over Tam?

"Can I ask why you want to see Tam?"

"In the register, he was the one that saved me from the falling crate. I never thanked him for that."

Duero nodded understandingly. "I see. Well I'm sorry but Tam isn't in a fit state to receive visitors right now."

"Why? What's wrong with him?" Elysia looked up at Duero her eyes tinged with concern.

Duero thought for a minute before replying. "He was badly wounded when the machines boarded the ship. He still hasn't recovered from his injuries."

"But I heard that he destroyed the machines easily."

Duero looked at her surprised. "Where did you hear that?"

"Just talk around the ship."

"Well as usually the talk appears to be wrong. I don't know how he managed to destroy those machines but whatever he did nearly killed him. He still hasn't woken up since they brought him in here."

"Oh." Elysia hadn't realised that Tam had been so badly wounded by the machines. The other women had talked about him as being dangerous. But he had nearly died fighting to defend them. Him. A man. Their natural enemy. It just didn't make any sense.

Looking at her Duero mistook her confusion. "If you like I can let him know you came by to thank him when he wakes up."

Elysia looked back at him. "Thank you but no. But can you please let me know when he wakes up. I'd like to thank him in person."

"Certainly." Elysia smiled shyly at the doctor then turned and left.
Duero stood there watching her go for a moment. That had been unexpected. He had considered her one of the women on the ship that was completely against men. Perhaps he had been mistaken. Or perhaps attitudes on the ship were changing.

………………………………………………………..

Later in the day Duero received another visitor from Tam, this one expected.

"Duero! Has there been any change? Is he awake yet?"

Duero turned to see the figure of Hibiki in the door way of the sickbay. The youth's entire body was tense. He was breathing deeply. He had probably run the entire way from the launch bay when his shift ended.

"Hibiki they're is still no change. He hasn't woken up yet."

Hibiki looked disappointed. He was about to say something further when a young female voice rang down the corridor.

"MR ALIEN?"

A look of mild panic crossed Hibiki's face.
"Oh no not her again. I thought I'd lost her." Then despite his apparently tired state the youth took off down the corridor again, moving at commendable speed.

Duero shook his head slightly at the now familiar scene. Sure enough minutes later a cute redheaded girl tucked her head round the corner of the sickbay door.

"Mr Alien? Oh Mr Doctor, have you seen Mr Alien?"

As a physician Duero felt compelled not to lie.

"Yes Dita. He was here a few moments ago but he just left."

"Mr Alien was here? Why? He's not sick is he?"

Duero smiled at the redheads concern.
"No Dita he's not sick. He was just checking on Tam."

"What Tam's sick?"

Duero was slightly surprised. "You know Tam?"

The redhead nodded. "Yes Dita met him a while ago. He promised to tell Dita about where he comes from when he remembers."

"Did he now? Well I'm afraid you may have to wait a while longer. He's still recovering from his injuries."

"Oh" Dita seemed momentarily crestfallen. Then she suddenly perked up again. "Dita knows, she'll get something for Tam to help him feel better."

And saying that she took off down the corridor. Duero was about to call after he to tell her that he didn't know when Tam would recover. But she was gone before he could speak. Bemused he turned to stare at the figure in the bed across the sickbay.
Tamorasp, my friend I wonder if you have any idea of the effect you seem to be having on this ship. …………………………………………………………………………………

Sometime in the past: On the Surface of Khrishnaar Prime.

Lieutenant Tamorasp Naghanashar stood on a newly raised berm of earth and stared out at the alien landscape before him. A vast expanse of orange tinged jungle stretched as far as the eye could see beyond the cleared area of brown dirt that surrounded the berm of earth on which he stood. Overhead the sun shone down through a pale green sky. He enjoyed the sun while he could. On the horizon the grey shapes of storm clouds, threatened to bring rain and a storm of a very different kind.

Tamorasp breathed in deeply. The air had a strange taste to it. Strange earthly smells and an alien spice mixed with the faint moisture that heralded the approaching storm.

"If they're coming they'll be coming soon." Tamorasp turned and regarded the ramrod straight figure of Gunny Abbott beside him. In his black battle armour the Gunny appeared like a pillar of granite. The only failure in the similarity was that the Gunny was much less yielding.
He nodded sharply.
"I think you're right Gunny."

With all the wildlife in the jungles out there it was impossible to use scanners to locate approaching church troops. Especially if they were cutting down on energy emissions to avoid detection. Furthermore the approaching storm looked to be a bad one. If it was severe enough it might prevent the fleet's pinnaces from being able to bring in reinforcements or provide air support. The perfect opportunity for the church troops to attack.

Tamorasp dropped his gaze to the earthworks just below the berm. "At least we have made good use of our time." A series of trenches expanded outwards in ever widening circles from the berm. Straight lines linked the trenches one to the other. He could see the figures of marines moving in their battle armour, which was now liberally covered in brown mud. But he was pleased to note that there weapons all appeared clean and ready.

Beside him Gunnery Sergeant Abbott grunted. "Well sir we've had plenty of help." Tamorasp smiled and turned to the other figure standing on the berm.
"The sergeant expresses his appreciation for the efforts of your workers Cknek Chee." As he spoke the he comm. implant translated the words and transmitted them through his helmets speakers in a flurry of rapid clicks and whistles.
Beside him the Khrishnaari clicked its mandibles and raised its spade like forearms in the gesture signifying 'the lesser receives the praise of the greater' The Khrishnaari were an insect like species. In appearance they resembled giant ants, crossed with a centaur. They had been discovered soon after the fall of the old empire and had been one of the first alien races to be granted membership of the new.
That was part of the reason for the church militants attack on them. Symbolically destroying one of mankind's first alien allies. The second was their vulnerability. The khrishnaari refused to use technology. They were a race of farmers and artists. Cultivating the massive forests of their homeworld and weaving a silk like material that was prized throughout the galaxy. Although mankind had offered to provide technology to the Khrishnaari or teach them how to create their own they had always refused. They were content in their own way of life and saw no reason to change it. That made the Khrishnaari perfect targets for the Church Militant. Even now that the platforms were destroyed there was a very real chance that the church could do tremendous damage.

The reason for this was simple. The Khrishnaari were the ultimate pacifists. They were utterly incapable of fighting or even defending themselves when attacked. They had evolved on a world with no natural predators, the instincts had never developed. Despite this the sheer size of the Khrishnaari population would have made it difficult for the church to exterminate them, if it were not for one thing. The Queens. Although each Khrishnaari was an independent sentient the Queens formed a key part of their society. They served as the overall source of direction for each hive and were the only means by which new Khrishnaari could be produced. If the church were to kill the queens and any queen eggs that had been laid then the remaining Khrishnaari of the hive would simply allow themselves to die. It was a genetic imperative, without a queen the workers could no longer exist.

That was the reason Tamorasp and his men had been sent down to the planet. The fleet had sufficient strength to put a garrison on each Khrishnaari hive. But not in sufficient numbers to ensure that any attack by the remaining church troops could be beaten off. Instead Rear Admiral Haynes had elected to garrison each hive with a small force of no more than a hundred marines and keep the majority in orbit. The logic was that each garrison should be strong enough to hold out until the main force could be sent to deal with the Church Militants troops.

It wasn't a bad plan, except for one minor detail. It was the beginning of season of storms on Khrishnaar Prime. Storms that in some regions were so bad they would make it impossible for the fleets pinnaces to land. Worse yet the electromagnetic interference from the storms could disrupt communications leaving them cut off from support. Fortunately these storms were only limited to certain areas of the planet. Unfortunately this was one of those areas.

Tamorasp looked up and sighed deeply. Some days things wouldn't go right even if you bribed them. For the past few days the hundred men under his command, twenty five from the BlackSword and a mix of others drawn from other ships in the fleet, had been working to build fortifications around the entrance to this hive. Khrishnaari Hives were massive structures buried deep underground. The hive had only one entrance and they had fortified it as best they could. But all it would take would be for a small force of Church Militant fanatic to get in there and it would all have been for nothing. Once they were inside there was almost no way to stop them. So they had to be stopped before they got in. He only hoped that what he had would be sufficient for the task.

Suddenly there was a crack like the breaking of the world. The sound of it filled the air around them. Deep and full. They could feel its echo resonate from the tips of their hair to the soles of their boots. The thunder continued to echo seemingly going on for hours, but in reality it was only seconds. Then just as suddenly as it had come, it stopped. And then came the rain. Heavy fat droplets fell from the sky, a bombardment from the heavens. Instantly visibility was cut to half. The earth if the berm began to soften and turn to mud.

Tamorasp nodded to himself.
"Gunny, I'm heading down to the forward trench. You're in overall command until I get back."

"Very good sir." Tamorasp nodded again and headed off. This was the plan they had agreed on. Any defence would need to be conducted at the top of the berm where visibility was best and where the disrupter cannons had been emplaced and the Gunnery sergeant was far better qualified to do that than Tam. But the marines in the front trenches needed someone to look to, someone to give direction. That's where Tam came in.

As he moved through the narrow trenches which were rapidly filling with mud Tamorasp unconsciously checked his weapons. Patting them. Ensuring they were loose in their scabbards and within easy reach. His face he knew appeared calm and uncaring but inside his heart was beating rapidly. All those years of training when he was young. He had long ago stopped believing that he would ever have to use it. Soon he may indeed have to. How would he fare? He tightened his grip on the kukri in its sheath. Only one way to find out.

The rain continued for hours. In the front trench the marines grumbled and swore at the weather. They were ankle deep in mud now and getting deeper all the time. Tamorasp moved through the muck at a crouch. Keeping his head below the lip of the trench. As he moved he nodded to the marines. When he had first arrived he had done the same. Then the responses had been crisp and respectful. Now they were surly, full of glares. The marines resented being in the trenches and they were turning that resentment on him. Several times men had climbed to the top of the trench and he had had to yell at them to get down. He was having to do so with increasing frequency. He almost hoped the church would attack soon otherwise he might end up with a mutiny on his hands.

Suddenly his comm.. implant chimed.
"Sir are you there?"

"I'm here Gunny what's up?"

"We're picking up something at the edge of the sensor envelope. It's still faint and we can't get a lock on it but I thought you should know."

"Thanks Gunny, Keep me posted. Out"

Tamorasp signed deeply. There had been several such reports over the last few hours and they had come to nothing. They must have been either native wildlife or electrical disturbance from the storm. It looked like the Church Militant wasn't going to show.

Suddenly Tamorasp hear a noise behind him. He spun around to see. A marine had clambered out of the trench and stood on the outer rim looking out towards the forest.
As he watched he could see others looking up and clambering up to follow.
He had to stop this now.

"You there, Marine! Get back in the trench."

The marine turned and looked at him. His face was curled in a sneer. Tamorasp knew he wasn't going to obey. The marine opened his mouth to reply but he never got the chance. The distinctive crackle of an energy disrupter filled the air. The marine's chest suddenly exploded outwards as a disrupter bolt passed straight through it spraying blood and entrails into the trench. The marine looked down an almost comical look of surprise on his face. Then like a felled tree he collapsed into the trench.

Suddenly a volley of disrupter bolts speared out from the tree line. All along the trench marines threw themselves flat against the trench wall, their earlier concerns about the mud forgotten. Shouts of "Take Cover" and "Incoming" echoed along the trench.
And at the tree line swiftly following on the tail of the disrupter fire flowed a wave of red clad figures.

Tamorasp peered over the rim of the trench. He could see the oncoming flood of church soldiers, they're blood red robes flapping ridiculously in the wind. But they wore blood red battle armour under those robes and their hands held swords. Suddenly his comm. implant chimed.

"Sir!" He cut over the voice before it could continue.
"I see them Gunny. Proceed with the plan. Implement phase one!"

Gunnery Sergeant Abbot didn't bother to reply but started barking orders.
"Marines at 500 meters execute volley fire!" Along the trench marines readied their disrupters and settled themselves into firing positions.
"Wait for it. Wait for it. Fire!"

Over fifty disrupters fired as one, blasting into the onrushing group of church soldiers. The range was long but the marines were expert marksmen. Over thirty bodies fell. Blasted and broken by the fury of disrupter fire. The volley checked the church troops advance. For a moment they seemed to mill around. Then they dressed their lines and started forward again. This time in a tight formation. Tamorasp could see a faint glimmer before the first line of church troopers. They were using personal energy shields. Before they had run forward in a loose formation. Probably aiming to cover the ground before the marines could react. Now they were coming at a much slower pace, but that pace allowed them to form a tight shell with their personal shields, preventing disrupter fire from getting through. Or so they thought.
Tamorasp reached out with his comm. implant. "Time for phase two Gunny?" The Gunny's response was brief and terse.
"I was just about to order it sir." Tamorasp grinned and turned to watch. The group of church militant continued to advance at a steady pace. By now they were close enough that he could hear the sound of their battle prayers. Vile hateful things. Well soon they would really get something to pray for.

Then suddenly, it happened. Seven massive beams of energy flew over the trench with a roar and struck the church line like the wrath of an angry God. They smashed through the personal force fields of the church troopers like they didn't exist and proceeded to vent their fury on the bodies behind. Bodies directly in the path of the blast were obliterated. No trace ever to be found. Those at the edge of the blast were marginally luckier. They were 'only' torn almost in two. Leaving broken and shattered bodies to fall to the ground while they completed the process of dying. Even those at the edge of the blast did not escape unscathed. The force of the blast hurled their bodies around like leaves in the wind. Leaving the survivors to check their bruised and broken limbs, in the wake of the fury of the disrupter cannons.

Tamorasp grinned tightly. The disrupter cannon volley had swept through the tightly packed church troopers like a scythe through a field of wheat. Of the force that had surged out of the trees only a quarter remained. Any professional military force would have retreated in the face of such losses. But Tamorasp had forgotten. They were not facing professionals.

With an angry howl the survivors threw themselves forwards. No longer concerned with keeping ranks they threw themselves at the trench running with wild abandon to reach their goal. Commands cracked over the comm. net and marines started pouring disrupter fire into the oncoming fanatics. Some of the shots missed the fast moving targets. Others were deflected by force shields. Nevertheless most of the shots found targets dropping the churchmen in their tracks. But it wasn't enough.

The survivors screamed again as they neared their goal. They were too close now. Too close for the disrupter cannons. Too close to give the marines disrupters time to recharge. Along the trench commands rang out and marines slung their disrupters and drew swords and axes from their sheaths. It was time to wet the blades.

Tamorasp was in the centre of the line. He could see a mass of churchmen running towards them. Time seemed to slow. He was amazed at the details he could make out. The robes of the churchmen flapping in the breeze. The small chains and holy symbols that were part of their gear. The individual faces twisted and contorted in rage and hatred as they surged towards him. Then he noticed one of the churchman was raising a disrupter towards him. He froze. His mind refused to act. Fortunately his body remembered how to.

As if in a dream he felt himself draw one of the disrupter pistols from his belt. As if in slow motion he felt himself bring it in line and press the firing stud. Then time seemed to unfreeze. The disrupter bolt blew a fist sized hole in the churchman's chest killing him instantly. Even as the first fell he drew and fired the second disrupter killing another. With smooth efficient motions he returned the disrupters to their holsters and then reached over his head for the sword at his back.
Looking up he could see a churchman running straight at him, a sword extended in his hands. Tamorasp waited until he got closer. Then in a single movement he drew the sword at his back, lunging forward as he did so. The tip of churchman's sword passed harmlessly over his head. The tip of his hand and a half blade (1) took the churchman full in the throat. Before his momentum could carry him too far Tamorasp halted, twisted his hands and heaved. The churchman's body flew over his head like a bale of hay to land on the opposite side of the trench. He was already dead so Tamorasp paid him no mind. Breathing deeply he brought his sword into guard and waited. He did not have to wait long.

A churchman jumped down into the trench bare meters away. Tamorasp swung with a two handed grip. Decapitating the churchman with a single stroke. Instantly others dropped into the trench after it. Snarling faces dressed in red. They reached for min with sharp blades. And Tamorasp Naghanashar gave himself to the dance. What followed was a blur of cuts, thrusts parries and swings. The trench was narrow and they had the advantage of numbers. But his sword gave him tremendous reach and he wielded it masterfully. He used long sweeping strokes to maintain the space around him. And anyone that entered that space died. Forged of New Damascus steel and wielded in both hands his sword cut through battle armour like a knife through hot butter. They tried to swamp him with their numbers. But the trench was too tight for them to encircle him, and crowding in just meant that they couldn't avoid his blade.

Finally Tamorasp stood in the middle of a sea of red. The broken and shattered bodies of the churchmen that had tried to get to him. He was breathing hard and his muscles ached. But otherwise he was unhurt. Suddenly he became aware of a voice seemingly from far away.

"Sir! Can you hear me Sir!" Finally the voice registered and he triggered his comm. implant.

"I hear you Gunny, what happened?"

Gunny Abbott sounded annoyed. "I was going to ask you the same question. We finally killed the last of those Bastards but I couldn't get through to you."

"I had some problems of my own Gunny, but they're taken care of now. But did you mean what you said? We got them all? Its over?"

Gunny Abbott sounded amused. "Over? You're kidding right Sir? This was just a probe. Next time they'll hit us seriously."

………………………………………………………………………

Tamorasp hadn't believed Gunny Abbott, but he had turned out to be right. Less than half an hour after the first wave was defeated a second had surged forth from the trees. This one was five times the size of the first group. Even Tamorasp could see that they had no chance of stopping this wave at the first trench. So they hadn't even tried. Instead the marines had poured disrupter and disrupter cannon fire into the oncoming horde. That took care of over a quarter of them, but the survivors had surged forward eager to come to grips with their opponents at close range. Only to see the marines turn tail and run for the lanes linking them to the second line of trenches.

The churchmen had screamed and redoubled their efforts to catch up with the fleeing enemy. And run smack into the mine field before the first trench. Gunny Abbott had held the mines back during the first wave, certain that a bigger attack was to follow. Now his decision paid off. Fully half of the church forces were in the mine field when it activated. Not a single one survived. And the very ground was stained red with a colour far deeper than that of the Church Militants robes. But again the churchmen displayed their misplaced faith and fanaticism. They pressed on.

Tamorasp was with the rearguard of one of the marine groups struggling to reach the second trench when the churchmen fell upon them. The marines beside him raised their disrupters and fired a quick volley knowing down the nearest churchmen. Then they drew their blades and stood ready. A wave of scarlet clad bodies threw themselves at them and broke like a wave against the shore. The churchmen may have been well equipped fanatics, but many of them had very little real training or experience with weapons. The marines trained every day in full armour with both disrupters and edged weapons and the difference showed. Soon a wall of red clad bodies started to pile at the marines feet. But it wasn't enough. The churchmen still had the weight of numbers. Inch by inch they slowly pushed the marines back. And all the while the fighting continued. Close, hard and dirty.

Tamorasp was in trouble. His sword was just too big. In the earlier fight it had served him well. But now he was packed in tight by the marines around him and by the enemy in front of him. He couldn't swing his sword effectively for fear of hitting one of the marines. And the sword itself was too big and heavy. In this confined space he couldn't move it fast enough to parry or counter all the lunges against him. Several times it had only been his energy shield that had saved him and he couldn't rely on that forever. Suddenly he remembered another lesion of his grandfathers.

"A knife fight and a duel are two very different things. Both have their own weapons, their own styles of fighting and their own objectives. There is only one similarity. Confuse the two and you will die."

This was no longer a sword fight. Time to bring out the right tool for the job. Tamorasp waiting for his opponent to attempt a lunge. Then as his opponent was starting his move, he suddenly shifted his sword from his right hand to his left. The move put the churchman off. Tamorasp was able to get below his sword and bring him into a Corps a Corps. The two stood face to face, the locked hilts of their swords crossed before them. The churchman strained with both hands. Pushing down to knock Tamorasp blade away. With only one hand Tamorasp was unable to match his strength. Slowly the locked blades were pushed closer and closer to his face. The churchman snarled his eyes widening in triumph. The look changed to one of surprise as Tamorasp moved his right hand to his belt. Drew his Kukri and slashed it across the churchman's exposed belly. Neatly disembowelling him.

Pushing the now unresisting corpse aside Tamorasp turned to face a new foe. Three churchmen came at him in a rush. Obviously aiming to bring him down with numbers. It's unfortunate for them that they didn't notice the faint blue glow around the blade of the kukri, but the result would have been the same.

As the first one lunged forward Tamorasp lifted his sword to block and trap the blade. The churchman laughed in triumph and seeing his enemy's main weapon engaged the second churchman moved forward with an underarm lunge aiming to take Tamorasp in the belly. Or he tried to. As the blade moved forward Tamorasp swung the kukri. The swing cut the blade from the sword just below the hilt. The return swing took of the top of the churchman's head as easily as a hard boiled egg. The third church man overcame his surprise in time to see the kukri coming and raised his blade to parry.
The kukri sliced right through it and buried itself briefly in his forehead.
Tamorasp pulled it out with a quick jerk and turned his attention to the first churchman. The man saw staring open mouthed. He had time to mouth the words.
"Monofilament blade." Before the kukri cut a red smile across his neck silencing him permanently.

Monofilament blades. Swords with a built in generator that was used to create an energy field around the edge of the blade exactly one molecule thick. Such blades could literally cut through anything. Only the hardest super dense materials could even slow them down. Even an energy shield would shatter beneath one. They were the deadliest hand to hand weapons known to man. But as with every weapon they had drawbacks. The blades used up power at an incredible rate making them impractical for long term fights. But, Tamorasp reflected, sometimes a little edge is all that you need. He noticed that the churchmen were holding back a little now. Unwilling to get to close to that deadly blade. Well if Mohammed won't come to the mountain.

With a sudden motion he sprang forward swinging his sword with all his might. Churchmen fell over themselves to get away. And those that were too slow fell before his blade. Others tried to get in close. That only brought them within range of the kukri. And as the blood spilled and the cries of the dying filled his ears Tamorasp Naghanashar gave himself fully to the dance. He moved graceful and terrible. He wielded death in each hand and above it all his face smiled in a deaths head grin as he reaped a bloody price from his foes.
……………………………………………………………………

The rain had slowed to a mild drizzle now. Only the thunder of the storm remained far above. But even its fury seemed to be abating. The ground was utterly soaked forming deep mud that seemed to suck hungrily at the boots of the marines that moved slowly and tiredly over it.
Gunnery Sergeant Abbott stood on top of the berm and looked outwards. What had once been a neat series of trenches now looked like a scene from hell. Red clad bodies and parts of red clad bodies littered all of the trenched and the lanes connecting them. And intermingled with them were the black clad bodies of marines.

Gunny Abbott shook his head and turned away. Of the hundred marines he had started out with barely forty were still alive and of them only twenty could walk. He couldn't even guess how many churchmen had lost their lives. It was impossible to tell. His marines slow retreat through the lanes between the trenches had allowed those lanes to be filled with church soldiers. Perfect targets for disrupter cannon. In the tight packed lanes it had been a slaughter. The churchmen had been unable to run or take cover. After the first few tries Abbot had expected them to give up. To try and find another way. They hadn't, instead they had kept coming. Wave after wave like an unending red tide. Like lemmings against a cliff they had hurled themselves at the guns and against the swords of the marines behind them. It had been utterly insane. But insane as it was it had almost succeeded. In the last attack they had gotten so close that Abbott had had to order the cannons fired at point blank range killing a few of his own men in the process. The marines had held all the advantages.
High ground, fortifications, superior firepower and discipline. Yet despite that all they had almost gotten though. Except for one thing they may have.

Abbott turned to look at a figure seated nearly. It was filthy. Its half armour caked in mud and blood. Numerous small and not so small wounds could be seen on its exposed limbs. It saw hunched over a massive sword embedded in the earth before it. Hands grasping the blades quillons, head resting against the pommel.

Abbott moved to stand over the figure.
"Sir?" he asked softly.
A pair of red rimmed eyes filled with exhaustion looked up at him.

"Gunny?" the voice was a dry croak.

"How are you doing?"

"I've been better."

"Well Sir, for a first timer you did pretty well."

That was an understatement. If there was one thing that had put a check in the church advance it was the sight of that berserk, blood drenched figure with that deadly sword and the even deadlier knife. Abbott had watched him from the berm and had hardly been able to believe his eyes. With a sword in his hand the kid was death on two feet. But it had still been a close thing. Abbot had had to order marines to grab him and draw him back to the lines to stop him from being isolated and surrounded. And in his opinion those men deserved some serious rewards for bravery for doing that. But strangely he hadn't fought the marines. He had only fought against the churchmen.
After the last of the churchmen in the last attack had been killed he had simply collapsed, utterly exhausted. Now he looked well enough to talk and Abbott was going to get some answers.

"What the hell was that anyway?" Tamorasp was silent for a moment then he replied.

"The dance."

"What?"

"The dance. It's something sword masters are taught to achieve. We forget where we are. Forget who we are. The entire world becomes our bodies, our swords and the enemies before us. My teacher said I would never really experience it until I used it for real. Now I know what he meant."

"This teacher, was he the same one that you earned the kukri from?" Tamorasp reached unconsciously to touch the oddly bent knife at his waist.
"Yes, my Grandfather."

"By the blessed Owen. A Swords master, a Gurka Swords master. Why the hell didn't you join the marines?"

Tamorasp smiled tiredly. "This isn't Lionstone's time Gunny. The old skills aren't so accepted anymore." Tamorasp waved his hand around him to accentuate the point. The marines that were standing nearby flinched and looked away. Obviously disturbed by the figure in their midst. Abbott noticed

"Yeah well I can't say I blame them kid. When you get going you are scary as all hell. I'm just glad you were on our side."

"I'm just glad it's over now" Tamorasp's every word ached with fatigue.

"It ain't over yet."

Tamorasps head jerked up in surprise. "You don't think they'll come again?" he asked in disbelief. "After all the losses they've already suffered."

Abbott stood straight. "Look around you sir. The storms easing. Soon it'll end and the fleet'll be able to bring in reinforcements." Abbott turned to look at the forest.
"If they're going to try anything, it'll have to be soon."

………………………………………………………………………………….

Justicar Theodore Elstric knelt in the muddy ground and asked god for guidance.
Time was running out. Against all expectations, against all reason the vile heretics had been able to fight off every attack that his holy soldiers had mounted. Of the host he had once commanded only a fraction now remained. There was no way that they could finish their holy mission. That was unacceptable! That was to betray God. They were his soldiers they would find a way. But the only way he could see horrified him.
Elstric was a hardened member of the church militant. Over many years he had committed and witness many unspeakable acts. But the though of doing this one chilled him. But it was the only way. To refuse to use it would be to fail god.
His decision made he rose and moved to face his men.

"We will use it." The red garbed monks, used to obedience only nodded solemnly. But one of the blue robed acolytes raised a hand in protest.
"Bu.Bu But Lord Justicar. We have no idea if this is the real substance or the effect it will have. Even if it does work, to use such a substance in Gods name" The acolyte's voice trailed off as the muzzle of Elstric's disrupter was pointed in his face. "All means are justified if they further Gods work. That is our creed. But you raise a valid point. We have no idea if this is the real substance or if it will work." The acolyte looked up with a faint glimmer of hope.

Elstric's lips curled in a sneer. "Therefore you will best it for us." He looked up at the four other blue robed acolytes.
"All of you."

The acolytes begged and protested, but the monks ruthlessly pushed them to the edge of the tree line. Finally resigned they turned and moved towards the trenches.

"Gunny we've got movement!" Abbott looked up sharply and moved to the edge of the berm. Behind him Tamorasp got up slowly and followed.
In the distance they could make out five figures dressed in blue emerge from the edge of the tree line. "What the hell. What do they expect to do with five men?"

Tamorasp slid down the visor on his helmet and zoomed in on the scene. The figures were acolytes the churches equivalent of technicians. But they had no equipment or weapons. So what the hell were they doing here?
As he watched one of the figures drew a canister from his robe. Then raising it to his lips proceeded to drink from it. The others followed suite. For a moment nothing happened. Then all three figures dropped to their knees, and screamed.
The screams were loud and terrible. The sound of a being in torment, the sounds of a soul in hell. The sound reached each and everyone of the marines and chilled them to the bone.

Then suddenly, deliberately one of the figures got to its feet, staring at the berm. Without warning it threw back it head and howled like a wild beast. As soon as it finished it started running towards the berm and the marines defending it. The others rapidly followed. Tamorasp stared at the figures in disbelief. They were moving incredibly, impossibly fast. Covering the ground with frightening speed. But there was something wrong with their movements. They alternated between running on two legs and on all fours. More like animals than men.

The figures were more than half way to the berm when Gunny Abbott's voice rang out.
"What the hell are you waiting for an engraved invitation? OPEN FIRE!"

Marines rushed to obey. Disrupter shots rang out. But the figures were moving fast and were hard to hit. Tamorasp thought he saw a figure struck by a bolt simply ignore the bolt and keep coming. He shook his head. He must have been mistaken. No one just kept coming with a fist sized disrupter bolt through their chest. Then he saw the same figure's arm blown off by another shot. It just kept coming. Each of the figures just kept coming, even after taking multiple shots from the defending marines. They only stopped when their heads or their bodies were literally blown apart.

The final figure had lost both of its arms when it reached the berm. It still managed to jump ten feet straight up the sheer face and lock its teeth round the throat of a marines who was too frozen with disbelief to respond. The marine screamed as the nightmare figure continued to work its teeth. Gunny Abbot charged forward axe raised and decapitated it with a massive blow. But it was too late for the marine, and the head remained locked in place.

Marines gathered cautiously around the body.
"What it the hell was that?" one asked.
Slowly Tamorasp approached the corpse and knelt beside it. The marines edged further away. Moving very cautiously Tamorasp patted down the body until he found the cylinder.
"What you got there sir?" asked Gunny Abbott.
"I'm not sure. I saw each of them drinking from this before they charged us. I was wondering if."

Tamorasp stared at the cylinder. It was made of clear plastic. In the bottom he could see a small quantity of a thick black liquid. Cautiously he raised it to his nose and sniffed. It smelled faintly of spices and blood. Suddenly he could no longer feel the pain of his wounds. New strength filled his body. He felt well he felt powerful. HE felt hunger. He wanted. HE NEEDED.

With a cry he threw the cylinder away from him and crawled rapidly away. It landed near the top of the berm. With a sudden motion he drew his disrupter and fired. Obliterating it completely. Around him marines peaked from hastily found cover. They gazed at his as if he had gone mad.

"Lieutenant what the hell was that for?" Gunny Abbott roared.
Tamorasp turned to him, He was shaking. The disrupter still in his hand. This did nothing to ease the fears of those around him. With a shaking voice he replied.
"I.. I think I know what that was." He hadn't been sure but the substance had triggered and old memory and now, having felt its effects, he was all but certain.

Gunny Abbott didn't look impressed. "So what was it then?"

"Wampry Blood." At the mention of that name every face even Gunny Abbott's paled. Marines crossed themselves and started saying short prayers.
The Wampry were an old terror from LionStones time. They had been created as terror soldiers. A normal soldier was killed. His blood pumped out of him. Then he was refilled with an artificially created blood and revived. But what woke up was no longer human. It was a Wampry. Incredibly strong, incredibly fast, able to regenerate any but the most mortal of wounds the Wampry would have made great soldiers. Except for one thing. They were all complete and total psychopaths. Driven by the need to replenish their own blood with fresh human blood they had killed anyone and anything in their way. In the end they had been deemed too costly, too unreliable and too uncontrollable to be used. The last had been killed early in the great rebellion, but the legends of them lived on, especially in the fleet.

No one doubted Tamorasp was right. Not after what they had just seen. "How the hell did they get Wampry blood? Who the hell would be insane enough to create that?" Rang out the voice of a marine.
'The Durendal, who the hell do you think." Rang out another.
Other voices started to rise in an excited babble.

"SHUT UP!" Gunny Abbots voice cut through the rising noise.
"It doesn't matter where they got it. But if they had that much they may have more. Now get back to your stations before." A beast like howl tore through the night drowning out his final words. Others rose after it. As one the marines turned towards the forest to see another wave of red clad figures emerge. They began to move towards them at a familiar terrifying speed.

The marines reacted quickly. Rushing to take up disrupters and man cannon's. They all realised what they had to do. There were almost a hundred figures moving towards them. If they didn't stop them before they got close they were all dead. Marines aimed for headshots trying to take the figures down for good. They had plenty of incentive to do so. Some succeeded. But the red clad figures moved unbelievably quickly seeming even to dodge disrupter bolts. Each Marine stacked two or even three disrupters next to him. Even the wounded moved to the edge of the berm and started firing. The volume of fire increased and more and more figures fell and stayed down. But the others continued to charge onwards.
The marines crewing the cannons looked for any group of the blood infected monks moving close together. With each blast they managed to kill two or three and damage as many more. But the Wampry monks covered the ground too fast and the cannons needed too much time to recharge. Twenty five of the monks reached the edge of the berm. The marines used their final surprise. Hand grenades were lifted and thrown. The ground below the berm disappeared it a cloud of dust and shrapnel. Above the explosions inhuman cries could be heard. The marines continued to prime and throw grenades until their entire stock was exhausted. Finally silence settled. It was over.

Not Yet.

Screaming in bloodlust nine blood crazed monks jumped out of the smoke onto the berm. There robes were bloodied and torn. Each appeared to be wounded terribly, missing eyes, limbs or patches of skin. But it didn't seem to slow them down. They fell on the marines like wolf pack on chickens. The marines desperately tried to fight back but they were tried from constant action. And they were facing an enemy that didn't seem to care how badly they were hurt.
A monk jumped directly inform of a marine. The marine managed to bring up his disrupter and shoot it in the belly point blank. He blew a fist sized hole through the monk's body. In response the monk tore the marines head from his shoulders and paused to drink deeply of the blood that fountained from his neck before dropping the corpse and moving on.

Everywhere the story was the same. Desperate marines tried to fight off the drugged demons that had fallen upon them. But they were in too close. And at this range they had all the advantages. Tamorasp saw a monk leap on the body of a marine. Instantly he sprang forward his earlier exhaustion forgotten in a fresh surge of fear induced adrenaline. His lunge took the monk in the chest, right where the heart should be. A killing blow. Apparently not. The monk turned to stare at him. Tamorasp noticed that it only had one good eye. The other dangled from the socket in a bloody mess. Suddenly the monk reached out and grabbed his sword with its free hand. Slowly it began to pull the sword toward itself. Impaling itself further. And bringing Tamorasp within reach of its arm. With a sudden motion Tamorasp dropped his hand to his belt, drew his kukri and brought it round in a horizontal slash that took the monk right in the throat. The monofilament blade parted flesh and bone easily and the head rolled off the neck to fall to the ground with a wet plop. The monks body jerked once, then finally gave up and died. But as he stood looking at the body of the now dead marine he noticed that the blue glow was absent from his kukri. The charge was exhausted, now it was nothing more than a knife.

Suddenly a hand grabbed him from behind and drew him backward. He twisted trying to bring his sword to bear, but a harsh voice stopped him.

"Come on Sir we've got to move."

Gunny Abbott half carried half carried him backwards. Looking over his shoulder Tamorasp could see a line of marines had formed just before the entrance to the hive.
Abbot continued to talk as he moved.

'There's an air strike incoming. We just have to hold out for a few more."

Out of the corner of his eye Tamorasp saw a red blur moving towards them. He tried to shout a warning but before he could do so the figure slammed into them. Tamorasp was sent sprawling to the ground. Gunny Abbott was knocked away. Turning over Tamorasp looked up to see the figure above him. Its robes and armour were torn and tattered, but it was otherwise largely intact. He noticed that the robes had traced of gold woven into them. The mark of a Justicar. Then he noticed its face. The eyes were red filled with madness. But he was drawn to look at the teeth which were stained red with blood. As he watched they widened in anticipation.

With a sudden cry Gunny Abbott leapt at the Justicar. He brought his axe down in a massive swing. The Justicar had time to raise his arm to block, but the massive blow Cleaved straight through the arm, cutting it off below the shoulder and went on to bury itself in the Justicar's ribcage. Gunny Abbott jerked the blade trying to free it for another swing, but it was stuck fast. And as he tried the Justicar reached forward with its remaining good hand and crushed the Gunny's skull like an egg.

Tamorasp screamed in horror and denial and grabbed his sword, but a swift kick from the Justicar sent it spinning from his hands. The Justicar dropped suddenly on top of him pinning him to the ground. It grabbed him round the neck with its remaining hand to hold him still and then slowly, maliciously brought its teeth down towards his neck.
Tamorasp could see the teeth coming. Could smell the rotten breath of the Justicar. He waited until the teeth were a bare inche from his throat. Then suddenly he brought his free arm around, kukri reversed in his hand to trap the Justicar's head in a lock. The Justicar had time to widen its eyes in surprise. Then Tamorasp jerked his arm with all his fear induced strength. The kukri may no longer have had a monofilament edge, but it was razor sharp New Damascus steel. It sliced through the muscles and bones of the Justicars neck with ease, leaving the head hanging by a thread of flesh. A quick return cut severed it completely from the body, just to be sure.

Tamorasp pushed the foul corpse off him and got jerkily to his feet. He was coated in blood. His entire body ached. Slowly he looked up. And saw death staring at him. Three surviving monks were standing meters away, staring at him. He didn't bother to look around. He knew he was too far from the other marines to make it before they could run him down. Peace settled in his heart and he lowered himself in a fighting crouch determined to die well. The monks only hesitated for an instant then they leapt as one.
But even as they did so a high pitched wailing filled Tamorasp's ears, sounding like.
A sudden shockwave slammed into the monks as they hung in mid air. Scattering them like leaves in a tornado. Tamorasp was also picked up and thrown with unforgiving force to crash against one of the walls of the berm. In his last moments he thought he felt ribs crack, then unconsciousness claimed him and he was falling into darkness.

………………………………………………………………………………………

Infirmary of the Nirvana: The present

On minute all was quiet in the infirmary of the Nirvana. They next the peace was shattered by the wailing of alarms. Every monitoring system mounted above Tam's bed started screaming for assistance as the body in the bed started to thrash and jerk violently. Paiway had been nearby when it happened. At first she jumped like a scalded cat, wondering what she had done wrong. Then noticing the thrashing figure on the bed she moved towards all the while screaming for Duero to help.
Just earlier that day Duero had been teaching her about the necessity of immobilising patients who were in the grip of a fit so that they would not hurt themselves. Now she saw an opportunity to try that for real. It was the worst thing she could have done.
No sooner did she try to grab an arm then it twisted in her grip like a live thing. Suddenly free it grabbed her around the throat and began to squeeze. Paiway desperately tried to break its grip but it was no use. Suddenly she noticed that Tam's uncovered eye was staring at her. The eye blazed with intensity, but there was no recognition in it, only madness. Paiway could hear Duero running towards her but feared it would be too late. With her last strength she tried desperately to say a word. It came out barely more than a whisper.
"Please" For a long moment nothing happened. Then suddenly the eye widened in shock and recognition and the hand abruptly let go. Paiway dropped to the floor gasping in relief and rapidly crawled away. Duero checked his mad dash and stopped cautiously on the other side of Tam's bed.
"Tam. Tam can you hear me?" Tams head turned slowly to face Duero.
"D-Duero?" It was half a question. "W-Where am I" "You're in the sickbay of the Nirvana my friend. You are safe." ………………………………………………………………………………… Some time later Magno's Meeting room:

Magno sat alone at the head of the table in the meeting room behind the bridge. Suddenly there was a chime.

"Captain we have the man here."

"Very good bring him in."

A moment latter Tam strode into the room flanked by two security guards. Magno studied him as he came in. Although Duero had removed the bandages vivid pink scars could still be seen on his face. His movements were slow and obviously painful. But he gave not outward sign of it. His face was like a mask.
Magno nodded to the guards. They hesitated.
"That will be all you can go." The guards looked like they were about to protest but then filed out silently casting waring glances at the back of the man.
Magno waved Tamorasp to a chair. "Have a seat Tam, I'm sorry about that but the crew can get quite protective sometimes."

He remained standing a look of shame deepening on his face. "No apology is necessary captain. I understand how they feel. I have tried to apologise to Paiway but she refuses to see me. Not that I blame her. Thank you for agreeing to see me"

Magno waved this away. "I was preparing to visit you in the sick bay in any case. Really you should still be there. According to Duero you still need rest."

Tam shook his head. "I've rested enough. I don't feel like sleeping for a while."

"Bad dreams?" asked Magno quietly.

"No. Bad memories." Magno's eyes widened in surprise.

"So your memories have returned."

"Tamorasp shook his head. "No I still feel there are some things missing. And some of the ones I have still make no sense. But I can remember much more now. I remember my childhood. I remember growing up. I remember who and what I was."

"Well then it would seem introductions are in order. I am Magno Vivian Captain of the Pirate vessel Nirvana. And you are?"

Tam's lips twitched in a brief smile. Then he straightened. His bearing suddenly formal. Suddenly he clicked his heels and saluted.

"Tamorasp Naghanashar. Lieutenant of the Imperial Fleet. Formerly assigned to the Star Cruiser BlackSword."

Magno stood taken aback by this for a moment. She was used to pompous behaviour from men. Bart was a prime example. But she didn't get that feeling from Tam from him his words felt real.

"So Lieutenant. Where is this empire of yours?"

Tam seemed to slump. "I don't know. But I do know that it cannot be anywhere near here." Magno frowned. Tam decided to answer the unspoken question.
"Captain the empire I served is vast. It was made up of thousands of inhabited planets. It had made contact with numerous alien races. It had a history stretching back thousands of years. And we know for a fact we were predated by other human empires although only fragments about them now remain. There is no way that I could be in a place like this, where the technology is o different and where people have never even heard of the empire unless I am very far away from home indeed. What's more if Parfait is correct I could be separated from home not just by space but by time and reality."

"So how do you plan to get home?"

Tam's head was suddenly bowed as if in pain. "I don't know. Part of me, part of me isn't sure I want to."

Magno looked into his eyes and saw a depth of pain in them.
Again she motioned with her hand.
"Sit." Reluctantly Tam complied.
When he was seated Magno turned to face him.
"Tell me about it?" At first he hesitated. Then he started slowly at first, but once he started it was like a tide breaking. He talked for a long while telling her everything he remembered about the Khrishnaar campaign. The BlackSword's attack on Damocles 3 and the final desperate defence of the marines on the surface.

After he was finished Magno regarded him quietly. "That's a lot to take in at once. I can't imagine what it was like to live through."

Tam nodded his head jerkily. But he seemed better, as if a weight had been removed from his shoulders. Magno reached a decision.

"I want you to take the next few days off to rest and recover. Once you have done that we'll talk again about what you have said."

Tam started to protest. "But Captain. Is should return to my shifts to my tasks."

Magno held up a hand to silence him. "That will keep for the moment. What is important right now is that you heal. That's an order." Magno was surprised but oddly pleased when Tam suddenly sat straight and responded "Yes Sir." …………………………………………………………………………….

Later Tam lay on the grass in the park below the bridge of the Nirvana. It was quiet. Most of the crew were on duty so he had the place almost to himself.
It was a very peaceful beautiful place. But somehow he still felt uneasy.
So when a sudden voice cried out "Mr Tam" he jerked into a sitting position just in time to see Dita come over the hill.

"Oh Mr Tam there you are."

"Hello Dita" Tam responded bemusedly as the young red head made her way forward and sat down next to him.

"Dita heard you were sick."

"No it's ok I'm feeling better now." "Oh" the redhead seemed strangely crestfallen at this news. Then she brightened.
"Then Dita can still give you this as a present for getting better." Having said that she brought her hands out from behind her back, holding out a medium sized box. Tam accepted the box cautiously.
"Thank you Dita. What is it?" he asked opening the box cautiously.

Dita smiled. "Its women's food. Dita gave some to Mr Alien and he really liked it!"

Women's food thought Tam what could that be. As soon as he opened the box the smell hit him and his mouth began to water. Suddenly before Dita could say another word he was ploughing through the contents of the lunchbox she had given him at an incredible rate. Wow thought Dita as she watched. He's almost as fast as Mr Alien.

All too soon the bento was finished. Only very small crumbs remaining of the once very respectful meal. Tam sat back on the grass smiling blissfully. After weeks of those vile food cubes that had tasted like the best meal he had ever eaten. Suddenly he remembered his manners.

"Dita thank you very much for that. It was wonderful. How can I repay you?"

"Well actually Dita was wondering if you could fulfil your promise to her." Tam frowned in confusion.
"Promise?" "To tell Dita about the Aliens when you remembered." "Oh that promise."

The only memories about aliens he had right now he didn't really feel like remembering. But looking at the wide hopeful eyes of the girl next to him he didn't see how he could refuse. So he sat with her and told her about the peaceful race of the Khrishnaari. About how they lived in harmony with their world. About the beauty of their fabrics and the splendour of their queens. And as he remembered everything he had ever seen or heard about the Khrishnaari he remembered why he and the men he had fought with had sacrificed so much in that far away place. And as he sat next to this strange but innocent young girl, on a grassy hill, in a starship far away from there, his soul began to heal. …………………………….…………….…………………………………………..

My God but that turned out to be a long chapter. I'm sorry it took so long but work and house hunting have kept me occupied. And then there was the chapter itself which seemed to grow in each part.
This will be the last flashback into the DeathStalker, universe at least for a while. From now on I intend to follow the story in Vandread first stage more closely. abet with some changes here and there. For those of that may not have liked this trip to the Death Stalker universe I apologise but I felt it was necessary to set the scene for later.
For those that enjoyed it I say, 1) Read the books, and 2) There will be more to come.

As always reviews comments and criticism are welcomed.
Regards to my loyal reviewers

DarkBlade the Damned.

(1) Hand and a half sword, also know as a Bastard Sword. So called because it is halfway between a full two handed Great Sword and the smaller Long Sword. Unlike Great Swords Bastard Swords also have a point so that they can be used for both swings and lunges.