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If someone asked me if I was glad to be in the presence of a bunch of hybrids who had readable expressions and could actually talk? Not to mention would be able to get me off this doomed world and to safety. Yes and no.
Yes, they presented me with a good opportunity to flee this sub-sector and make it to a relative safety elsewhere. They were still Hybrids in a Genestealer cult. While they weren't the specific cult that cut open my head, as far as I knew, I kept my Termagants close and a barrier before me and gripped my lasgun tightly. Not to mention their minds were much like the Genestealer except they seemed to visibly react when I tried entering their minds. They were all individuals and could make up their own minds on something to a degree, I asked that Genestealer to take me to the city and it asked help to meet us on the way there.
I concluded it was better to stay out of their heads for now. I could sense surface thoughts and found no ill intentions towards me so that will have to do for now.
Norma lead us with great enthusiasm through the rest of our journey, the lights they carried were a gracious addition for me. We didn't encounter any more hybrids or Tyranids along the way, at least that was until we exited the caves and into the sunlight. It was long past midday by the time we made it out and I was grateful for the trip to just be over after hours of being in those caves. I took a deep breath of the warm moist air and immediately regretted it as the sudden injection of fresh air into my lungs was a bit jarring for my body and I hacked it back out.
Regaining myself took a minute but I was able to properly compose myself and relax to appreciate the warm air breezing over me. I sighed and closed my eye, this was the perfect temperature for a nice walk to the park. I used to love doing that, walking, giving me strong legs, and pretty much anybody I'd meet would ask if I did tract when I would wear shorts. I wanted to cry, those were moments that occurred a few days ago. Yet with the uncaring snap of the metaphorical fingers of the fingers of fate and it was all gone. Nothing from the past twenty years of my life was around anymore.
My family would be devastated too, I just vanished one night never to be seen again. Not a trace to be found by anyone no matter how much money and effort they'd put into it. What I wouldn't give just to send them a message, to say I was alive and well even if I wasn't on the ladder.
This time I did cry or more accurately shed a few tears and my lip quivered. "I need to focus, nobody would want me to just break down over what cannot be fixed and look towards helping myself."
I took a deep breath and after seconds exhaled like I was venting my sadness out like exhaust.
"Do you have many of the cults within the city that can help my brood get inside?" I doubted they did but it couldn't hurt to ask Norma.
"The brood has suffered much, all of our kin within the planetary defense forces have been purged in the months following the destruction of the great fleet," Norma said with deep sorrow in her tone, she thought of the Tyranids as her saviors. They all did so the Blood Ravens decimating them was likely a blow they felt just as badly as the Hive Fleet. "All those in the planetary government that has seen the righteousness of our work is now gone..."
I sighed. "This is a Space Marine recruiting world so they'd have better focus than most to deal with any Genestealer cults. Makes sense for the authorities to check most people within the government for a Genestealer infestation."
"Gaining the brood's entry into the city will be difficult, the sewers are under watch now, the sanctuary they once offered no longer exists." She explained sadly, but it was fine by me as I didn't want to go marching through filth like that. "The vast majority of the brood has fallen in the past few months..." Everyone seemed to be brought down at the mentions of the losses they suffered.
As everyone else began brainstorming ideas for how getting my brood into the city would work I settle for sitting on one of my Hormagaunts to think. These people claimed to be some of the last, which made sense a Genestealer uprising tends to occur when the Hive fleet arrives. Its sudden defeat likely freed up resources to decimate the Hybrid population. So even if they said they had access to the city did that mean a small vessel was a possibility?
I asked and thankfully the heavens were giving me a happy smile just then.
"A cargo vessel mainly used to transport lumber from here to deposit and gather materials from the capital world Meridian." Norma explained.
"The crew are all Hybrids?"
She shook her head. "Unfortunately only the Chief Armsman, a few subordinates, and a few dozen or so technicians have seen the holiness of our cause. The rest, even the captain shall remain obstacles."
That heavenly smile became wry. I knew this ship was my ticket to that Tyranid vessel but I did not want to kill the crew just to get it. That was going to have to be a delicate procedure and one that was going to need more than my brood to accomplish.
"I'll need the Genestealer cult to come with me. Taking a ship and forcing the crew to carry me to the edge of the sector is going to require some serious convincing then force when they notice the hive ship." I wondered just how big a crew they had, I am not a strategist. A lot would have to go just right to get this brood and myself onto that hive ship. I would be able to hold it with a mostly human crew and did not want to have them infected by Genestealers. So ditching it for the hive ship is a must-do.
My mind wandered to the dozens of Hybrids laid out before me, that still had a small cult within the city. I was thinking about just letting the Arbiters deal with them later. It made sense they would gladly feed everybody on this planet to a hive fleet, but that really wasn't their fault now was it?
I mean I should just let the Imperium kill them it would be mercy right...? They were certainly as many victims as the normal humans were except these guys never had a choice. Forcefully infected or just born ingrained with a love for the Tyranids. Brainwashed for birth.
"Could I bring them with me? I'm trying to gain access to a Tyranid ship and I'm going to be taking my brood there anyway. Why not some extra firepower?" I would be taking them off the planet where they could no harm to anybody even themselves.
It would be aiding the Aurelian sub-sector at a time they needed it. Besides some human company I can talk to wouldn't hurt. At least I hope it didn't. Really I was just trying to get myself a little comfortable with the idea of being close to a Genesteaker Cult.
"Great Carrier..." Norma said breaking my thoughts and reminding me that I would need to ask about that title later. "Bringing your brood into the city will be a failing proposition, but we can perhaps get them onto a ship. But this vessel has been used to take our kin to Meridian. Without the captain's knowledge of our true forms."
"He's a smuggler?" I asked hopeful and she nodded graciously.
"He will assist us if we pay, never asks many questions." She added. "He can transport us anywhere in the world, to more of our kin-"
"What about into deep space? To that Hive Ship you said exists on the edge of the sector? Could we reach it with his ship?" I asked hopeful and she appeared to consider things for a moment before nodding.
"I believe so, it would take some time to reach it and costly to convince him." Norma blinked a realization hitting her. "You wish to make for a vessel of the fleet?"
"Yes, I need it for something, is it possible to have your brood aid mine in getting there then just..." I made a gesture like holding a gun to someone's head. "Take over the freighter just long enough for us to leave it for the Hive Ship?"
"Of course," She nodded early. "We could make an exodus to bring the Great Carrier to a vessel of our lord. We have a place with man cargo containers that could be used to transport the broods in full."
"Then call this Captain and please make preparations." I asked with another polite smile.
"Well, that should work..." If said captain wasn't going to check any containers, maybe we could take the ship and get to the Hive Ship?
The whole taking the ship part was where I felt queasy. A lot of people could die if we weren't careful... and I would die if I stayed here for long...
I didn't exactly have my back up against the wall here. I was scared that if I tried finding the perfect solution where no one would get hurt would just end with me backed into a corner. One where my only opinions would become kill or be killed. All that would take for this to occur would be me running into a large group of Guardsmen. Best to take the opportunity I had then waiting for a better one that isn't liable to materialize.
Beside I was taking a bunch of Hybrids and a Genestealer off world. That would behnifit people on Typhon in the short term with chaos coming, right?
A day went by waiting for the necessary items for my escape. Nothing happened beyond waiting at yet another but large labor yard the hybrids had taken over. It was still considered operable and seen as necessary to continue production since the bulk of the Tyranid had been defeated. It made for an okay front but as Norma explained that was only because no one had taken the time to send an inspector or overseer to take control of the site. It would only be a matter of time before that happened especially since they kept up wood production to keep a horde of workers from being sent here. Two things that I was grateful for was the abundance of food, the fruit wasn't bad but more to my pallet was great, and Grox meat tasted just fine. Then there was some actual clothing, a simple long black sleeved shirt with blue pants, the fabric was the typical denim I wore back home and was softer. Kind of like my shirt but I wasn't going to complain about it. I wanted a shower but apparently, water wasn't huge right now, something about combat damaging some pipes. I didn't get everything I wanted but was grateful for what I was able to receive.
The Hybrids moved with efficiency and unison so similar to the 'nids in my brood. With some key differences, of course, they were still individuals and it showed in how some chatted while making preparations for our exodus from Typhon. Visible exhaustion was also more pronounced in them and of course, orders had a tendency to be carried out vocally with a speaker system or just delivered in person. I tried to stay away from them all because I really didn't want to remain so close to Hybrids. Still observing them from my cocoon of warriors gave me a sense that they were still part human and held a few qualities there.
There were a lot of large cargo containers for lumber we just needed vehicles to load them on the transports that were to ferry us up to the cargo freighter. Then I heard that the Captain was coming down, Norma said it was because he did all the unregistered transportation dealings in person, we didn't have much to give really. I wonder just how well that would go over with the captain as two large shuttles landed and wondered if I should have kept a few Termagants hidden to respond to any threat. I was feeling more than a little apprehension at losing my bodyguards so soon after getting them but it couldn't be helped here... All of my warriors and any hybrid that couldn't pass for human needed to be stowed away into the cargo container for transport.
The lasgun I would never part with, that was the only condition I felt relatively safe with. At least with a gun in hand, I could wave it around until my warriors broke out of the container and rushed to my aid. I'd also stay as close as possible to said cargo container as much as I could.
Even the Genestealer was in were one, and I finally wonders why the cult and Norma had just been so accepting about the whole leaving the planet thing. Perhaps the Genestealer just knew the Tyranids were well and truly beaten and just had the intelligence to want to fall back and regroup. That and if what Norma said was true a new Patriarch of the cult was on that Hive Ship, so they could just be eager to meet it.
"I wonder if the Patriarch will be something I will have to deal with...?" I wondered silently, surely it would see me as just another synaptic creature. "It would be an encounter with the most intelligence Tyranid thus far..." My mind wandered back to my title 'Great Carrier' and wondered if that would help me exercise some influence over it. When I asked Norma about the title she said it was because I now carried with me a piece of the 'Great God above' so yeah it was the piece of a synapse creature I assumed as much but she couldn't, or wouldn't, explain much more.
I wanted to get off this planet and needed the cult to do so but would they be cool with just leaving the system? I never told them that's what I wanted to do, just added an addendum that my destination was now the Hive Ship. Should I be able to exercise some influence over the Patriarch then getting out of here should be a lot easier. I hoped, at least there would be a brood of warriors with me in case things didn't go well, although I prayed that it would. Didn't fancy my chances and had to psych myself into remembering that this was better than no plan at all.
No time left to ponder that as the twin shuttles landed.
Just one ramp lowered and out stepped a seriously tanned man, finely dressed man in with an atypical captain's hat I saw while watching the titanic. Yet this one was more black with red trimming and the head of a golden imperial eagle stamped onto the front. He uniform was about what you'd expect of you read any 40k book with a space captain. He stood tall, a foot higher than either of us, which was saying a lot considering Norma was just a few inches tall than me. He was flanked on all sides with six guys in what looked to me like thick riot gear, large glass visors and all that. They all had what I was certain were ballistic rifles and for some reason, the one with a star on his shoulder pad gave off a weird aura I didn't pursue.
Norma stepped up to greet the Captain and his guards and I followed closely. Anyone who didn't look enough to pass as a human was locked into one of the four cargo containers we had. Norma herself had a lot of makeup applied to help cover up the fact she was a Hybrid. She explained how she'd done this many times before so I felt confident in letting her take the lead.
"Captain Absalom Gael," She inclined her head to bow, giving the tall man his due respect. "Thank you for sparing the time and resources to aid-"
"What's the cargo you want me to haul?" He cut her off with a firm tone. Her smile died and I stiffen from behind. Norma had explained that what made Absalom the perfect man for the job is that he didn't ask any questions on why someone needed transporting or what they had with them. So long as he got his money the man could care less, so for him to open up with that question immediately threw us both a curveball.
"...Black market arms, narcotics, a few amenities, and individuals we need transported to the edge of the sub-sector. The usual really. A ship will greet us there and take us off your hands-"
He held up a tanned hand and she quieted down. "I know, I've read your message. However, taking things to the edge of the sector to offload them to an unknown third party is not the typical job you've hired me for."
"We are planning to leave the system for good, things have gotten a bit too dangerous for my business here. We shall be seeking greener pastures elsewhere."
He raised and blond eyebrow. "Really now, well with the Space Marines still on high alert due to the aliens this isn't going to be an easy job. I'm going need payment full in advance for this to go ahead."
That was defiantly a problem, Norma didn't have much and it was going to be a nightmare to try and scrape together enough funds to pay it off. I mean the whole point was that were we going to just take one the ship then jump onto the Hive ship. This created a new problem.
"Ah I see," Norma no doubt sensed the same issue. "I'm afraid we cannot acquiesce to that demand at that time-"
"You've got to have something in one of those containers worth something. Tell me what and I can have people in Meridian who can sell and move items. It can cover the costs." Absalom's voice said there was no room for negotiation and I could sense he made up his mind long before coming here.
"Captain," One of his guards, the one with a star on his breastplate, spoke up visibly irritating the man who inclined his head but didn't turn to look. "They've been good before, and this is one of the biggest payouts we're going to get in a while. Why not just take it? This is still one of the less risky things we've done."
At first, I was just grateful we weren't going to lose our way off this planet until I realized the guard's mind was similar to that of a Hybrid. This was the Chief Armsman Norma had briefly spoken about. Made sense for him to try and argue in our favor.
"What about a bit extra pay?" I piped up then shrank under the Captain's stern gaze. It probably wasn't a good look to have but there wasn't much I could do on that front.
Captain Absalom studied me for a while from my face to my attire, and even the rifle slung over my shoulder. He was seemingly searching for something on my face. I didn't know what but the look did not seem to leave even when he spoke.
"Who is this man?" He eyed Norma quizzically.
"My name is Micheal."
"How much extra?"
I wanted to answer but instead found myself biting my own tongue, I of course felt woefully out of my element here and Norma had to step in.
"Double the rate we spoke of then?" A cost we would never have to make. After some deliberation and a bit of prodding from the Cheif Armsman, the Captain reluctantly agreed to the offer and tapped a communicator in his hear. After that vehicles came out and towards the cargo container and crane that was to load it onto them. "First we'll have to make a stop at Castora to pick up my official haul."
It seemed like we were going to the commercial port after all. "Fine by me, he can do what he needs to so long as our deal holds up."
The Hormagaunts and Termagants remained dead silent, as still as statues within the cargo containers. Even as they were lifted up by crane and placed onto large trucks to be towed into the hangers of one of the shuttles. It was good they followed my orders to the absolute letter and they at least it would mean they'd avoid killing people when it came to it later. It was the Hybrids where the trouble would start.
I paid little attention to the loading of the transport and instead followed Norma as she boarded one of the shuttles. She knew the 'procedure' for this, as well as the Captain who probably assumed he just smuggled illegal goods and people to sell on some black market and I was grateful for his lack of suspicion on that front. I eyed the star man curiously and tried to see if he had the same connection to the Tyranids as Norma and the rest of the Hybrids did.
The Cheif of Security paused for a second and turned to give me a small smirk from behind the lengthy glass visor which was the best confirmation I could get here. It was good we had this guy on my side, it should make the next step in this plan go more smoothly. They'd know the full capacity of the ship and... Well figuring out the whole 'taking the ship' thing would have to wait until we were on the thing...
