Sorry for the long delay in uploading this chapter, and also for not being on par grammar-wise with previous chapters.
My Beta-reader is very busy right now due to his finals and studies, so that left me without a reader for the time being. He will go back to reviewing and correcting the chapters once the finals are done.
So that is why I took so long to upload this chapter, I was wondering if I should upload the new chapter not entirely reviewed, and after careful consideration, I decided to do so.
You dear reader deserve the very best, but also to read the continuation to this story. And if I were to wait for my friend, it would take at least one more month for the next upload. However, after this chapter expects to take another month for a new chapter, since I'm going on vacation so I can visit my family, for the end of year festivities.
Once again sorry for the delay, but once I return expect things to return to the normal schedule of two uploads per month.
Many thanks to my beta reader G. H. "zerohundert" Araújo;
I'm very grateful to all that reviewed and shared their appreciation for my work. So without further ado, let the curtains be pulled and enjoy the show, my dear readers!
The denial part I
"So ready to figure it out if what I heard about your lot is true?"
Said the familiar voice of Andre Soto, the annoying bastard that harassed her in the cafeteria the other day. Wait...wasn't he supposed to be on the brig due to their fight?
Silviya turned her head still kneeling on the ground taking a look at the group behind her. There are eight Guardsmen with pipes and other rudimentary weapons in their hands, the one behind the group is brandishing what appears to be a crude crossbow with an improvised arrow in it. The tip of the bolt drips a purple neon liquid.
Andre bearing a crude blade made from scrap stepped forth from the middle of the group an arrogant smirk on his face.
"You have two options, you either come with us without giving any trouble, and we won't scar you...that bad."
The group behind him laughed a mocking laugh at his commentary.
"Or you resist and I can't promise to deliver you whole to the "Lady"."
Silviya slowly raised herself from the ground, while taking the short power sword with her. Turning to face the group, they raise their makeshift weapons in response to seeing the sharp blade in her hands, their expression turning from mockery to tense.
Andre appears to be shocked by her raising herself without the aid of a crutch. Silviya with steeled determination stared at each man of the offending group, and with a cold emotionless voice questioned.
"They didn't tell you who you were messing with. Am I right?"
Their expression became even tenser some were even fearful of her. Good, the wicked should fear the righteous, that is how is supposed to be. She let out a small scoff seeing their reaction.
"It's predictable actually, if they had told you what kind of enemy I am, I can guarantee you that you wouldn't be here at this very moment threatening me. But what is done is done..."
Andre retreated to behind the group before holding his fist high in the air, some moments pass as the tense atmosphere settles in. The calm before the storm is what Silviya calls this moment, she knows very well what will happen next, and who she will strike down first. In her head, this fight had already started some moments ago, and it had ended with her on top of Andre with the blade centimeters from his neck.
The heretic holding the makeshift crossbow aims at her, and the group gets out of the line of fire. Sweat trailed down the nervous man as Andre dropped his fist in a clear sign to fire.
The soldier squeezes the trigger releasing the bolt in her direction, but what she does next surprises all men in front of her. Without even batting an eye Silviya uses the blade to shove the bolt away in a fluid motion. Some seconds pass as the group stares at her with wide eyes, but the silence is broken by the loud command of Soto:
"What you are all waiting go get her! I don't care if she gets cut or hurt, we just need to bring her alive!"
Understanding the command, one of the men at the front of the group, branding a sharp pipe ran at her. Silviya clicking the button on her power sword makes the energy of the blade come to life and with it the humming sound of high voltage coming from her weapon.
She paries the blow coming from her left side, and the blade cuts the metal weapon in two as if it were made of butter, not wasting time she swings back the blade giving a deep slash on the heretic's abdomen, the man kneels in pain as she shoves her blade in his mouth. The blade going all the way through to the back of his neck, with a swift and precise movement takes the sword out of his head dividing it in two.
The smell of burning flesh can be felt as the sword scorched the meat of the dead heretic that just fell to the ground. The next attacker came running trying to deliver a blow with a heavy pipe, Silviya quickly crouches stabbing the man's left shin, and he releases a painful howl dropping his weapon.
Another one comes from behind Silviya while she's crouched, trying to deliver a blow to her head, she quickly paries it pushing the men's scrap sword away from him. With his guard open she quickly slashes the heretic's neck, making the soldier release his weapon to hold his wound with both hands.
Failing to hold the flowing blood the attacker falls to the ground while holding his wound.
The next one tries to get Silviya from behind but with a swift motion, she blocks without even needing to look from where the attack is coming, spinning in place to face the new enemy, she evades the next blow, stepping out of the way of the attack.
With his hand just in her arm's reach, she clenches her left hand around it, moving the man to be in front of her using him as a meat shield for the bolt that comes flying at her at high speed, however it hits the heretics back. The soldier goes limp in her hold, the poison of the arrow probably putting him to sleep.
Good, she needs someone to be alive for interrogation. Securing one of them alive, means that she can now freely kill all of the heretics, including Andre Soto. Silviya's expression goes from cold and focused to one of sheer happiness and murderous intent.
Before releasing the now unconscious man on the ground she takes hold of the sharp makeshift weapon in his hands before letting the man fall to the ground. With the power sword on her right arm and the scrap sword on the left, she started walking in the direction of the remaining four.
The man with the makeshift crossbow steps behind the guardsman holding a stun baton, desperately trying to reload his crossbow. Silviya runs towards them, the man tries a descending blow to her head with the stun rod, however, the Sister quickly defends the attack, deflecting the weapon to the side.
Having an opening the Sororita stabs two times the heretic in the abdomen before roughly shoving the soldier aside. The man holding the crossbow readies to deliver another shot toward Silviya, but he is cut short by her throwing the sword pipe into his chest.
Like a spear the sharp scrap weapon hits his chest impaling him, the heretic instantly falls to the ground with the weapon sticking out of his thorax.
Six down, two more to go. Andre backs down towards the door, while the remaining soldier with a rod and a riot shield advances at her screaming blasphemies in a mix of rage and despair.
Silviya paries his attack and taking advantage of the momentum spins to his back, having a clear opening the Soldier doesn't react quickly enough as she stabs his throat from behind. The heretic releases his shield and weapon, the sound of gurgling coming from his mouth. The Sister simply takes the weapon out of the man's neck, the same falling to the ground lifeless.
Andre looks at her in a mix of fury and fear, he looks behind him to the door, clearly tempted to run for his life. Turning to look at her once again, Andre asks with a shaken voice:
"Who are you!?"
For the first time in a while, Silviya let out a mocking laugh at the Heretics' despair, and with an expression of murderous glee simply answers:
"Should have asked that to the Demon who sent you. If you had done that you wouldn't be here right now."
His eyes widen in realization, his fear becomes more apparent in his eyes. Good, the traitor knows that he is not leaving this situation alive. Andre looks at the door once again, as if considering running from Silviya.
"The time for that has long passed Andre."
The heretic turns to her, the fear that moments ago permeated his face was traded by one of unadulterated fury. Branding a chainsword, he gets in a fight stance, holding the sword with both hands just in front of him.
Silviya follows suit holding the sword with one hand, staring at the man with cold dead focus.
"Time for you to be reunited with the abominations you call gods."
Andre screams rushing towards her with the sword high in the air, trying to strike her from above, however, the Sister just steps aside making the man miss and almost lose his balance.
He turns to her again straightening himself up, Silviya just beckons him with her hand, Andre runs at her screaming in fury once again, he tries to slash at her many times with the chainsword, but the Sister manages to easily evade each blow.
The sequence of attacks continues, but stops as soon as Andre starts panting, fatigue clear in his expression.
"Damn woman stop fooling around and fight me."
Silviya's focused stare turned to one of sadistic glee, and with a sweet voice asked:
"If that's what you wish...Who am I to deny you release?"
This time it was Silviya who started attacking, delivering quick and precise thrusts, she manages to pierce his abdomen, left thigh, and right shoulder. Andre tries to defend the thrusts but the Sister proved to be too skilled to effectively defend from the quick attacks.
Silviya spins around ending up with the sword millimeters from his neck.
"So Andre, do you want to repeat that question again?"
The man's skin got paler as he realized the situation that he was in. Andre was at Silviya's mercy, not only that but she has proven to be much more skilled than any men that he knew. The moment that the Heretic stepped through that door he was already dead.
Silviya picked up the chainsword from his right hand, holding it in her other hand. The Sister pressed the power sword blade against the Fallen Soldier's skin, drawing blood, to burn a little causing the man to let out a small whimper.
" . ."
Silviya threateningly whispered. Andre gulped, his eyes wide in a mix of shock and fear. Hesitatingly he started in a meek and pathetic voice:
"Are sisters of battle good on the bed?"
The white-haired woman touched his loins with one of the blades of the chainsword.
"No, ask me, as you asked me the first time."
Andre closes his eyes, gulping down as much saliva as he possibly can, with his voice quivering asks:
"Is it true that battle sisters are the freakiest motherfuckers in the sheets?"
Silviya's lips turned to a devilish smile, as her eyes stared at him with sickening joy.
"Let the chainsword answer that..."
Erick, Sarah leading the group of guardsmen rushed out of the cafeteria in the direction of deck 45. They ran as fast as they could, reaching the corridor above the stairs.
There is a lot of smoke coming from a pile of mattresses in the center of the room, Erick starts coughing with the thick black fog that is around them. The group starts coughing as well but keeps going towards their objective, however, they are forced to stop as a Las shot comes through the cloud of smoke.
Erick threw himself on the ground as more shots came, screaming from the top of his lungs to the group behind him to duck, they throw themselves on the ground. The entire squad starts engaging the unseen shooters in hopes of killing the enemies stopping them from advancing.
Sarah crawled to Erick's position, shots zooming just above them.
"What do we do?"
While laying down on the floor, Clarke shot his laspistol at the unseen enemies, but that made matters worse as the heretics started shooting back at his position.
Their shots are hitting dangerously close, Erick thought while lowering his head onto the ground, gluing his forehead on the cold metal floor.
"Do you have any grenades with you?"
He could hear the sound of the Redhead fumbling with something before rolling a round object onto his hook hand, without looking at the object, Erick tries to hold it with his prosthesis the explosive device, it is obviously hard, due to the shape of the object but he manages it, taking it to his face where he can transfer the grenade to his other normal arm.
Erick pulls the pin on the grenade with his hooks, and after a count of three, throws the explosive in the direction of the heretics firing at them. He hears a loud "Oh shit" before the loud sound of the explosion silenced it.
The group reluctantly stopped firing, and waited for some seconds, as all they could hear was silence they started getting up and advancing toward the end of the corridor where the ambushers were.
Lo and behold the heretics were torn in pieces from the explosion, Erick smirked at his lucky throw, and Sarah let out a small whistle behind him:
"Good throw, for someone with one less arm."
The Redhead complimented him, while at the same time teasing her leader, making Erick quickly turn his head to her, delivering a small smile before he signals with his hand to the group to continue advancing with caution.
The squad advances slowly, making a V shape, with Erick leading the formation, looking around they make a perimeter and with caution proceed to go to Deck 45.
Erick can hear the distant sound of Lasfire, as well as screaming. Whatever is happening is not only in their area, he can only hope that it didn't occur a breach on the ship, the Soldier never rides in a Battleship, however, he knows very well what can happen if someone breaches the system of said ship.
They can kiss their sorry asses goodbye and hope that whatever demons are lurking around is small enough to kill with a Lasgun if it isn't...
It's better to start praying and hope that said abomination kills you quickly. The group is just some meters away from the bar gates of Deck 45, before hearing a revving sound and a loud gurgling scream.
Erick throws caution to the wind and jolts to their living quarter's door, branding his pistol, and as soon as he crosses the threshold of their living quarters, what he sees surprises and disgusts him.
First, is that Silviya is standing holding two swords, and all around her are bodies of dead guardsmen.
Second, is that Andre lies dead at her feet, an expression of pure pain and agony on his face, and below his body, there is a pool of his own blood.
Silviya turns her head towards Erick, analyzing him. Her face was all smeared with blood just like her arms, the black shirt now darker thanks to the red liquid covering it, a small trickle of blood dripping from her left cheek just above her tattoo, and with a serious tone the Sororita stated:
"Took you long enough."
The Leader of Gamma Squad couldn't help and smirk at the Sister's remark.
"Well, we are here now. But we don't have much time to chat, so let me be brief..."
Silviya interjected him and with the same tone as before stated:
"The target of the heretics was I. Whatever may have happened is a conspiracy between the men who attacked us, with some demonic entity."
Erick was left with his mouth open in shock, his prosthetic arm left hanging in the air mid-speech. The Sister of battle is clearly more intelligent and perceptive them he thought previously. Having said it all, all he could now is skip to the planning part.
"Yeah, right...So we must at once find a superior and report our findings to them before this rebellion gets out of hand."
"I don't think this is wise."
Silviya replied going in the direction of their bunk bed. Taking out from under the mattress she picks up the loaded Laspistol, Putting the gun on the waistband of her cargo pants, the sister goes back to Erick, with both swords in hand.
She lifts the chain sword towards her leader, offering it to him. Hesitantly Erick puts away his pistol before taking the sword and fixing it on his belt, he mumbles a "thank you", before Silviya continues with her point:
"There is someone of higher rank involved in this conspiracy for sure. If we end up reporting unknowingly to said heretic that could mean the literal death of all the people here alongside the summoning of a Greater Demon."
She has a point, the traitors wouldn't get this far without a higher intelligence behind it, so if Silviya is correct, this could literally mean that any known superior could be involved. The sister continued while the group of loyal soldiers circled around them waiting for further instructions:
"This is what we should do: First we should secure a perimeter try to find the rest of the soldiers of this Deck, round them up, and proceed to the second step..."
One of the soldiers of the circle asked intrigued by her speech:
"Which is?"
"Going to Deck 44 and be the ones to put a stop to this madness before it gets out of control."
A different soldier in the circle asked:
"Why Deck 44? For all that we know this is going on in the entire battleship."
Silviya turned to the man and in a matter, factly way responds:
"The men dead on the ground right now are all from there. We don't know the extent of what is happening, but this is clearly not by accident, it was all planned."
The soldiers all around them started whispering with each other, clearly discussing what the Sister had just proposed. Then Silviya turned and respectfully gave a small bow to Erick shocking the Soldier.
"We do that if that's what you want...Leader."
Admiring the respectful gesture of the Sororita brings a smile to his face, while Erick can't understand what Silviya does most of the time, hell even now he has trouble understanding how different she is acting from when they met.
Recently she is treating him with more respect and consideration, however, Silviya is still a very strange person whose most acts are conducted by violence and aggression, even when trying to be respectful. But he admires her effort in trying to treat him a mere soldier better.
"Silviya's right. We gonna do as she suggested."
All the guardsmen around them nodded, great that means that the plan can start. Erick then with a booming voice ordered:
"All of you spread find people that can help us, Sarah, Silviya, and I will plan the coming incursion in Deck 44."
The soldiers didn't even let him end, and we were already running out of the quarters in hopes of finding more people to aid their operation. Silviya walked to one of the soldiers on the ground with an arrow stuck to his chest, she kneeled and put her hand on his neck, feeling its pulse.
"Good he is alive."
Shocked Erick could only see as the Sister dragged the man towards the bunk bed.
"Hm...how he is not dead?"
Erick asked confused with the scene as Sororita put the heavy man onto the bed, proceeding to put her hands around his left knee.
"Arrow with Slaanesh kiss."
"What is that?"
Silviya actually looked surprised at him, all the while dislocating the men's knee. Erick flinched at the scene imagining the traitor screaming bloody murder, however, the soldier is still as a cadaver, the faint sound of snoring coming from his mouth.
"It's a drug created with potent sedatives and hallucinogenics. Its purpose varies from using to knocking someone out or to have highly surreal dreams."
"How do you know that?"
"The book of Heretical substances and weapons page 245. We have to study this book to know what our enemy can use against us."
Wow, it appears that Sororitas are not only skilled warriors, but they are also highly educated individuals. Erick is lucky if he managed to read 2 books in his entire life since most of it was spent on the battlefield, he isn't illiterate because his father taught him using battle plans and weapons manuals, which are the only two things he commonly reads.
Silviya then went to the other knee dislocating it, making him unable to walk away if he wanted, however, his arms are still intact and that could lead to his...
His thoughts are cut short as the Sister went to the heretic's arms and repeats the process of dislocating both of his elbows, ending with any physical way of the traitor escaping.
Erick could only whistle at her precise technic as if she had done this before, and not resisting asked the Sister about it:
"How do you do that?"
She turned and gracefully walked away from the unconscious soldier on the bed, stopping right in front of the Guardsman.
"When you frequently dislocate your arms and legs in training, you kinda have to learn how to pop them back in place, also a lot of martial arts."
Nodding with his head the Leader of the Gamma squad realized that Silviya was walking normally once again.
"How did you manage to walk without the crutches?"
For one moment her expression turned from worried before being masked by sheer determination, and simply answered:
"Faith can achieve many things, Guardsman."
Opening interview log...
Interrogatory #1 THIRD CUT
Subject: Erick Clarke, Imperial Number: 83284821234218348992138828-ABA-661;
Interrogator: Inquisitor Albus Eburnus, Imperial Number: 2321244453567775680098890-UAI-671;
Year: 1001.M41;
Terran Month: November;
Terran Day: 11;
System: [REDACTED];
Sub-Sector: [REDACTED];
Location: Interrogation chamber 7.
[Scribbling stops]
"So at this point you, Silviya, and..."
"Sarah."
"Sarah. Organized a small party to go to deck 44 and contain the situation. Correct?"
"Yes, correct."
"How many people were at this party of yours?"
"Around seventy people."
[Scribbling starts once again, pausing shortly after]
"So did you guys have any briefing before starting the incursion on the other deck?"
"Yes, we passed down what was our objective and the importance of being swift, before they could actually summon something nasty inside the ship."
"Silviya was already walking without the assistance of a crutch correct?"
"Correct."
[Scribbling resumes]
" Now to the details what happened when you alongside your companions went to Deck 44..."
There was a crowd around them, all Guardsmen waiting for 661 to finish his briefing of what they are going to do, most of the soldiers present are either armed with a simple laspistol or some improvised weapon made with pipes or metal scraps.
They attentively listen as he finishes explaining that all present must be swift and precise on their strike, that each second counts because if they take too long to put a stop to the Heretics they could very well summon something that could kill all people here.
Silviya was beside Sarah waiting for her leader to finish his instructions, all the while analyzing the way the Guardsman spoke with the other soldiers. For some odd reason, a small proud smirk came to her face, after seeing the excitement of the men positioning themselves in a square formation, after 661 ended his speech.
This man is a box full of surprises, first managing to save her in Cadia, now leading a big group of soldiers to what probably is going to be the death of many. She stops in front of the formation beside 661, as well as Sarah that stops on the other side of Erick.
Stopping to analyze their "army", she notices that most of them are branding crude weapons made of scraps and pipes, while a few of them held Laspistols, they are ill-equipped to deal with the current problem. But they don't have either time or way of requesting reinforcements.
661 Screams signaling the start of the incursion, he runs as fast as he can, Sarah following alongside him, and the Sister proceeded to follow the two closely. They run corridor after corridor before reaching deck 44. At the bar gate which is similar to theirs, is a pile of burning mattresses, blocking their way inside.
"Fuck."
661 lets out his breath, he stops and thinks a little before ordering the crowd with a booming voice:
"All of you help me push this pile of burning mattresses!"
One of the men in the huge crowd came forth, saying in a worried voice:
"But it's in flames! We will burn ourselves if not catch fire too!"
Without skipping a beat, her leader turned around to face the burning pile once again, and before started pushing with all his might he screamed:
"We don't have time for this! If all of you wish to wait for the enemy, as they probably bring forth something that will kill us, be my guest, but I won't accept this cruel fate."
He started pushing the flaming mattresses in front of him, 661 let out a small whimper of pain, however, keep pushing with all his might. Admiration is the word resounding in her head now, she never imagined such determination and devotion from a common guardsman, this is enough to make her stop beside him.
Feeling the flames burn the palm of her hands, makes her groan in pain, but she shoves the feeling aside as she joins in pushing the wall of flaming beddings. Sarah soon joins on the other side of him, her letting out a louder groan than Silviya.
From the top of his lungs 661 screams:
"Puuuuush!"
The trio starts to push, however, the wall doesn't even budge, and the burning in her hand is starting to really hurt, but seeing the pain and determination on 661 face makes her push the feeling aside, preparing for another push.
Once again the Guardsman screams:
"Puuuuuuuush!"
Like the last time, it only slightly shakes with their efforts, she can feel the determination on 661 face wavering, however, his expression quickly turns from doubt to one of determination. They repeated the process once again, and just like their last try nothing.
But deciding to keep it up, her leader prepares himself for another try, they raise their arms, putting their hand's inches away from the flaming mattresses, getting them closer to the scorching heat. However, the trio is surprised by some soldiers joining them.
Soon the group resumes their attempt, and with a scream, all of them this time scream "Puuuuuuuuuuuush!". The improvised wall gives a slight shake, they take some distance and prepare themselves for one more time, but before they can do it again more soldiers join in.
Once again a loud "Puuuuuuuuuuush!" can be heard as they try with all their might to put down the flaming barricade, this time the wall gives a noticeable shake, and more men join the fray motivated by their effort.
"PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSH!" a roar from the group can be heard as now some of the mattresses of the top start falling, but still is not enough for it to go down. It doesn't take long for all of the people behind them to start pushing alongside them.
Groans and moans of pain can be heard from all the ones getting their hands burned by the burning cloth, with a last all-mighty scream the makeshift wall falls down to the ground, all of them started screaming in glee from accomplishing such a deed, however, their victory is short-lived as las-shot starts coming from the black smoke that clouds the corridor of the deck.
Some of the energy blasts manage to hit some soldiers around them, making them either fall to the ground and roll in pain, or dead. The volley of incoming fire manages to even scratch Silviya's right arm, leaving a small cut on her arm. The sister groans in discomfort as she feels the burning on her flash, however, she pushes the feeling aside as another Las fire comes zooming towards 661.
Without even thinking, Silviya leaps towards the guardsman pushing him onto the ground and making the shot pass inches from her head. Now on top of him, Silviya gives a quick analyzing look to the Soldier, trying to find any injury before taking her laspistol from the waistband of her pants and starting shooting back at their unseen attackers.
661 fumbles around under her trying to take his gun out, but suddenly stops, letting out a timid "ahem" towards the Sister mounting him:
"Thank you for saving me from that shot and all...but could you please get off me, so I can shoot?"
At this moment Silviya stops shooting taking a more long look towards the soldier, noticing the faint blush on his pale cheeks, but what makes her blush as well as the sudden feeling of something poking her at her crotch.
"...Is that!?"
But before Silviya could get an answer 661 tossed her aside as a shot almost hit her.
"Let's kill these bastards first then we address that..."
Silviya nodded at him, before once again aiming at the heavy black cloud of smoke and returning fire, 661 mirrored her and started shooting as well. Sarah fired her Las sniper trying to shoot more precisely at the sources of red light that could be seen through the fog. Soldiers behind them that had las weaponry started shooting alongside them, soon the entire area was a hellfire of las-shots and rocks.
In the whole chaos, more of their men died while trying to end the defenders, however soon the shots from both sides ends. Silviya was sweating, with her belly on the ground, still aiming with her Las-pistol towards the smoke.
"I'm almost dry."
Silviya replied noting that the last two shots were weaker than the first ones.
"Me too."
661 said with his eyes fixed on the cloud of smoke, the corridor is left in silence as if waiting for any sign of life. Seconds pass, but still, nothing, the mattresses on the ground start to build a big flame, almost blocking their only way in. Her leader turned around checking the status of everyone.
"Is everyone okay?"
Many voices can be heard affirming their status, a few declaring unable due to wounds, or to be helping the wounded. 661 then with a booming voice stated:
"We don't have much time, so we will need to charge their position before they complete whatever they are doing!"
One of the Guardswoman coughs out:
"But the fire is getting stronger we won't manage to pass it safely!"
661 started thinking before finally turning to the soldiers behind them:
"Use the bodies of the deceased to make a makeshift bridge so we can quickly step on them and pass through the flames."
Many Guardsmen started loudly disproving his suggestion before her leader let an almighty scream:
"If we don't do this, we will all be soon dead, if we are lucky. We could always end up being used by some demon as slaves."
The disagreeing soldiers soon shut up, and started doing as he said, they took five bodies and dropped them on the arising flames to create a temporary bridge. As soon as the bodies are dropped 661 rushes through the bar gate, Sarah soon after, and last was Silviya.
They run through the thick of the smoke, entering the deck, the only sound being of their boots on the metal floor, however, they are surprised to not encounter one single enemy until now. They are in the middle of the corridor and still, they are amazed to not have found anything.
Silviya feels a chill down her spine, a very familiar feeling. Looking towards the end of the Deck, the only thing she manages to faintly see through the fog is a purple glow, where the washrooms are supposed to be.
"They are conducting the ritual in the bathrooms!"
As soon as she screams, the doors of multiple living quarters are kicked open as traitors give a thunderous war cry, from inside the living quarters they rush towards them.
The group is taken by surprise, as they are being rushed by all sides by heretics branding blunt weapons made out of scrap. 661 Takes the chainsword given by Silviya out, waiting for the incoming melee fight, Sarah puts her rifle away opting for a hunting knife and a laspistol on the other hand, while the Sister just readies her power sword.
The moment goes in slow motion in Silviya's head, seeing the traitors rushing and jumping as wild animals unto them, her Leader revving the chainsword and meeting one of the men rushing with a dagger made out of glass. She closes her eyes taking a deep breath, focusing on her breathing, shutting down any thoughts that are not related to the bloodshed she will inflict upon these heretics.
Opening her eyes, Silviya sees two men rushing at her branding metal canes on their hands, the Sister simply evades the attacks, all the while slashing both traitor's throats with ease. More comes from all sides, but even surrounding her they are no match for the seasoned warrior, as Silviya parries and kills each one with swift and precise motions.
And so go on, more comes, and more fall to her righteous blade is not hard actually. Like training dummies, each next to trade blows with her dies with only a few blows traded with her, all the while Silviya controls her breathing, maintaining her composure and stamina.
The Sororita then turns to look at how her allies are faring, and what she sees makes her lose her composure for one moment...
Sarah is firing desperately with her laspistol until running out of shots, then proceeds to throw the empty weapon in the face of one of the heretics, she then proceeds to use her combat knife to fight one incoming traitor, who tries to hit her. She evades each strike, ending up stabbing the man in the chest multiple times, but another one comes rushing from her side pushing her away from his comrade.
For one second she considered aiding the Redhead, however, her eyes landed on 661 which is currently fighting three men. He is having difficulties holding his ground, slashing at the air hoping to keep the traitors away from him. But they manage to deliver some blows to his side making him stumble trying to defend himself, even using his hook arm as some kind of shield from the incoming attacks from his left.
One of the blows damages his hook arm, making nails and springs flew around as his prosthetic went limp at his side. They had successfully broken his left "arm". Not having much time, since now his entire left was open to attacks, Silviya rushed to his position, all the while evading blows and slashing heretics on the way.
One of the heretics fighting 661, manages to strike him on his left side, making him fall to the ground in pain, soon the three attackers rush to beat the guardsman on the ground.
A feeling of urgency takes hold of her as Silviya shoves everyone in the way aside, in the process getting shallow cuts from all the fighting happening along the way. She manages to get to him in time, delivering a swift kick to the one closest to her, sending the man tumbling onto his comrades.
The Sister quickly reaches with her right arm, as 661 does the same. Silviya quickly raises him from the ground, giving a reassuring nod to the soldier, she hears the three-man getting up and rushing towards them once again. Both the Sister and Erick defend the incoming attacks and shove them aside, the guardsman with renewed vigor tries to slash at them with the chainsword.
His technic is sloppy, and while he is certainly skilled in combat, melee doesn't appear to be one of his strengths. Deciding to end this, Silviya quickly paries the one fighting her, deflecting his makeshift weapon away before stabbing the traitor. In a swift motion, she takes the power sword of the now limp body and turns to the other that is trying to exploit the left side of 661. Without even realizing she slashes his throat from behind.
Leaving the last one with her Leader, she observes his movements, trying to analyze his fighting style, noting his flawed movements and poor stance. Getting annoyed at such a terrible display, Silviya simply shoves her blade through the back of the heretic, making blood splash onto 661.
Panting Erick turns to her and tiredly says:
"Took you long enough."
Location: Interrogation chamber 8
"At this moment we continued fighting, trying to push towards the washrooms where the ritual was happening."
"And how it did go?"
"Bad. We lost half of our forces only in this initial skirmish. And each second on that dammed corridor meant more deaths to our side."
[Silviya gulped down a glass of water before continuing]
"It was a trap, and we have fallen in it like flies in a spider's web."
[Scribbled continued as Silviya kept narrating]
"The way they positioned themselves was to make sure that we got pinned on that position. I...We anticipated that they were only being used by whatever higher entity to test me, but we were wrong."
[Scribbling stopped]
"Why were you wrong?"
"Andre Soto was only a bait to attract me towards Deck 44."
"What made you reach that conclusion?"
"The entire disposition of their ambush. The soldiers accompanying Andre were only a small fraction of the ones on Deck 44. They also expected our incursion, as if the heretics knew of my suspicions."
[Making a small pause Silviya continues]
"They were ill-equipped compared to the ones on the corridor. It was like that the thing planning the whole thing only used them as expendable bait."
[The inquisitor lets out a small hum before asking]
"Why do you believe to be the center of that conspiracy?"
[A moment of silence as Silviya hesitantly answered]
"Andre Soto and his goons were targeting me, first in the cafeteria, then in the corridor after my bath, and the last one was on the day the rebellion broke out. Also..."
[Silviya took a deep breath before ending her statement]
"They were fighting differently with me. Almost hesitantly, trying to hit my legs, back of the head or back, and always with blunt weapons, never with sharp ones as with Erick and the others."
"Why would they go to such lengths to capture specifically you?"
"Before I answer this question let me tell you what happened next."
"And why won't you answer that?"
"Cause what happened next is very important."
"And that would be?"
"Gottrim the Space Wolf who befriended Erick showed up alongside his squad..."
Erick is certain that their situation is dire, at least 2/3 of their forces have already fallen, overran by the incoming heretic force. If they don't get reinforcements quickly they will certainly perish on this damned corridor.
Taking a look around to analyze their situation, Erick notices three things:
First: Is that the mattresses at the deck gates are now a huge ball of fire completely cutting their only way of escaping this hell hole;
Second: Their enemy is cornering them on the wall, cutting them off any possibility of escape;
Third and last: Sarah is injured, and ran out of ammo for some time now, only fighting with a hunting knife and her fists, and Silviya is holding her ground but her expression is turning to one of fatigue after killing so many soldiers.
Their allies are not better in any way, most of the guardsmen are either injured or almost dead from the number of injuries sustained. Erick is trying to maintain three new attackers from stabbing him, doing his best to evade the stab motions of the smiling traitors, knowing full well that he can't do this for much longer.
Evading another strike Erick is stopped by the wall behind him, he had run out of space to evade, so either he fights back the three men or dies. Using his Chainsword to back them off, the Leader of the Gamma squad tries to slash at the wind in hopes of making them go away, but they simply step back and keep laughing mocking laughs, until one of them manages to stab his right shoulder, making Erick grunt in pain, almost releasing the sword out of his hand, however, the wound is not deep enough.
Making the Soldier still apt to fight, and that is what he keeps on doing, not having another option but to brand his chainsword against the enemies of the Imperium until he draws his last breath. However, his inner monologue is cut short as a loud noise rang through the corridor.
A loud bang was all he could hear as from the flaming inferno came four hulking figures. The first noticeable trait of them was their shoulder pads with the recognizable Wolf head painted on.
The fighting came to a halt as they approached, four pairs of red lenses shone brighter than the flames as they got out of the fire, with a red deep stare the marines analyzed the battlefield. Steam coming out of the plate of their armors
The loud noise was a shot fired from the marine on the center into the skull of one of the heretics, with guns raised they stayed in a v formation, aiming at the horde of guardsmen in front of them.
The one at the front said with a booming voice:
"I hope you all like the taste of fire and iron, cause that is exactly what you are all going to taste!"
Wait that voice is familiar, Erick stops to recollect who could it be, but he is cut short as the four marines open fire against the crowd. A thick cloud of blood goes up as the bolters tears numerous soldiers apart effortlessly.
The high-caliber shot is unstoppable against the wall of flesh and bones that is the crowd of soldiers right in front of them, however, in the process, the shots start to tear their allies apart as well, and is clear that the marines aren't aware of the current situation or do not care that they are killing possible allies.
Erick, Sarah, and Silviya throw themselves on the floor to avoid the incoming hellfire, other soldiers from both sides do that as well, but for the most part, a huge sum of them are killed only in this initial volley of fire.
As the bullets zoom just above them, Erick hears a booming voice coming from the marine just in front of the group, and that is what makes him realize who is the man leading the Space Wolf squad.
"GOTTRIM BLUE ON BLUE! YOU ARE SHOOTING FRIENDLIES GODDAMMIT!"
The moment his scream reached Gottrim's ears, the space marine stopped shooting and tried to scout the sea of bodies trying to find the one who just said that. As Erick reluctantly raised his hand signaling his presence. The marine started going in his direction, in the process stepping in some still-alive guardsmen.
The hulking man stops right in front of him before taking his hand and raising Erick from the ground, taking an analyzing look at his face. And with an apologetic tone said:
"Oh, it's you, lad..."
He releases the Soldier's hand and with a still apologetic tone asked:
"What's the situation?"
Without skipping a beat Erick answered:
"This entire Deck is compromised, they are trying to do a ritual in the washrooms, we came from the cafeteria alongside some soldiers of Deck 45. We are trying to stop them."
Gottrim nodded at the Guardsman's words before resuming his formation to cover Erick and his team. The heretics that survived started running away in the direction of the washrooms, they ran as fast as their legs allowed them.
Once again the marines opened fire this time at the right target, and just like last time, a thick cloud of blood burst forth as the explosive round hits them. However, some of them manage to reach the door of the washrooms, close it behind them, and disappear inside the room with glowing purple lights.
Silviya with a scowl, now standing approaches the marines, with a power sword in her hands.
"Next time evaluate the situation before firing. You could have killed a daughter of the emperor with your carelessness for the Emperor's sake!."
Gottrim turned to look at the sister, instantly recognizing her as he had dealt no so long ago for trespassing.
"You...What are you doing here?"
Silviya could feel the warning tone in his voice, and due to their history, she knows what his question entails, and not wanting nor having time to answer the inquiries of a Space Marine, the Sister simply responds:
"I don't have time to answer your question Astartes. We have a far more important problem on our hands."
The hulking soldier marched towards her, leaning in an intimidating manner toward Silviya.
"Give me a reason to not shoot you right now."
Not getting intimidated by the Marine threats, leans further, leaving her face centimeters from Gottrim's.
"The reason is, that if you do that, I would have to consider you my enemy...And you don't want me to consider you that."
Even with his face covered by the helmet, Erick could feel the burning hatred emanating from the Space Wolf, and before this could escalate into a bloody fight between the two, he stepped between them and with a disarming tone tried to defuse the situation:
"Okay, okay you two don't get along but focus on the current problem, please. We have a cult to kill and a ritual to disrupt."
His words did little to disarm both, as they kept staring at each other with seething rage.
"Lad, give me some space so I can teach this girl how to respect their peers."
"Yeah, Erick let me return the favor to the "dog" in front of me."
Almost being crushed by being pressed by both sides, Erick has enough of their attitude, letting out a rageful scream:
"ENOUGH YOU TWO!"
The guardsman startles both, even managing to get their attention on himself.
"For Emperor's sake, we are on the same team! Everyone here has the same goal. Stop these lunatics from summoning a horde of demons inside the ship!"
The Guardsman pinches the bridge of his nose annoyingly before continuing:
"Set aside your differences for now, after this you both can kill each other for all that I care."
Turning his back to both of them, he sheats his chainsword, before lowering himself on the ground taking a Las pistol from one of the corpses. After fetching the gun he starts marching towards the now glowing washroom.
Soon he hears the sound of heavy footsteps behind him, followed by two normal ones, letting out a small smirk, Erick continues advancing toward their objective. Stopping in front of the door he notices that through its window he can see that the heretics barricaded the other side of the door, and through the cracks of things piled up he can see the purple glow of whatever is happening inside.
He tries to open it just for a good measure, however, the door doesn't even budge. Looking at the group of people following him, Erick's eyes land on Gottrim.
"Could you give me a hand?"
Without a word, Gottrim went to the front of the door, gently shoving Erick aside.
"Move out of the way lad, let the big wolf handle this..."
And with a swift kick the door and the objects behind it were sent flying to the other side of the washrooms, and soon after the space wolf rushed inside bolter in hands, while the other marines went after their leader before Erick could enter however Silviya put a hand halting him from entering the washroom.
"You and Sarah stay here. Make sure that no one crosses this door."
Erick and the Redhead quickly went to protest against the Sister's orders, however, they were cut short by Silviya who pragmatically answered:
"They need me inside, I'm a Sister of Battle remember? And we don't know what could be lurking in this corridor, so we need people to stand watch."
He was going to protest however this time Silviya got a point. What good an average Guardsman could do in this situation, understanding their current position Erick reluctantly nods toward the Sister.
And with a small smile, Silviya turns and runs inside after the marines, leaving both soldiers behind to take watch for any possible threats.
Silviya ran after the marines, and the scene that greets her after reaching them, makes her stop dead in her tracks to understand what she is seeing right now.
In the middle of the washroom is a big round purple portal, rainbow blasts of energy all around the room, and there is a loud humming coming from it. Through it appears as if they are staring at liquid mercury, but instead of silver, the liquid is a strange mixture of colors, ranging from all the colors of the rainbow.
In the ground, beneath the portal, is a summoning rune with the sigil of the prince of pleasure written with blood and other bodily fluids, around the sigil is a six-pointed star with circles with runes on each edge, on each one of them a body with their necks sliced open, blood flowing towards the center of it all.
Around the ritual, all of the heretics are dead on the ground, with expressions of pure bliss etched on their faces.
"By the Emperor..."
It's all she could mumble when staring at the scene right in front of her, through all the years of fighting the ruinous powers this is the first time she sees something like this. Her thoughts are cut short by the voice of the Space Wolf beside her:
"What are you waiting for girlie? Do something about this before we are overrun by demons!"
Silviya took a deep calming breath before approaching the circle, standing just outside of the demarked area. Taking the Rosario out of her neck she kneels and starts praying with the golden necklace in her hands.
"A malo liberat, malum purgat praesens. Lumen Imperatoris luceat et vigiles oculos chaos perstringat."
In high gothic, the Sister prays, directing her entire faith and will into closing said portal which risks destroying the entirety of the ship. However, a sound gets the attention of everyone in the room, as a purple goat leg slowly gets out of the mercury-like liquid, landing on the tiles of the washroom with a loud *thud*, soon another leg, and with it the torso of the unknown foul creature.
Hope you enjoyed it!
Wish you and your family good holidays, and that God may bless your life and upcoming year!
Until next time ChristianPrimarch.