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Chapter 15: Our enemies bring us together
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Part 1
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Victory Bay
Kronus
The Propaganda Department Lieutenant was young, eager, and likely as crazy as the Lord Inquisitor. In Veil's case, it was understandable – he had been to hell and back over the past couple of weeks. They faced a great Daemon together and killed the damned thing. Mum would be proud!
Now, the Inquisitor received the Emperor's blessing, in a more direct fashion than usual, and Charles was determined to ensure his friend and mentor would get all the help and support he needed. He was doing precisely that, ensuring the safety and well-being of the child who was instrumental in destroying that Warp-spawned monster. Even thinking about it sent a tingle of phantom pain in his missing arm.
"You want to do what, Lieutenant? And who exactly signed off on your orders?" Weber demanded. His first reaction was to call the idea preposterous. On second thought, it might have some merit. He knew from his mother and her sisters that Imperial Saints needed faith to function best. This might just help a bit…
"A photoshop for propaganda purposes! It might help distract the citizenry too. The raving crowds are proving a constant disruption all over the city." Lieutenant Regina bobbed her head in excitement, swaying her shoulder-length blond hair.
"Get a crew ready. I'll talk with the Lord Inquisitor and Selene. Make sure they're polite and respectful at all times, or I'll make sure they rue the day they were born!" Charles promised.
"They will be, Commissar, sir!" The woman snapped a smart salute, grinning like a loon.
If it wasn't one thing, it was another. Charles got to a nearby Vox operator, and called the Inquisitor, explaining the situation.
"That might help. Getting to the Spaceport and back was a chore, and you saw what happened at the field hospital. Throwing something else to the citizens to look at might help. Do speak with the Propaganda Department. We need some organization here, and that's their job. Have them liaise with the local churches as well."
"That's an excellent suggestion, sir!" Weber happily agreed. The Inquisitor won't be disappointed! He headed inside the current safe house, looking at the Guardsmen around like a hawk. For once, they appeared to be handling Selene's presence in commendable fashion. Would miracles never cease? Better not!
He found Selene intently watching an educational video featuring the Sisters of Battle. It was not only appropriate but made him feel pride bursting in his chest, despite the uneasy sensation of his spine trying to crawl away.
"Selene, come here, dear." Charles smiled and forced his arm to be steady as he patted her shoulder. "A few fine people from the Propaganda Department want you to pose for pictures. It will be almost as fun as that time with the crowd yesterday. You'll get your armor and Kneecapper, and I'm sure we'll find some sweets and cocoa. How about it? Do you like to show off?"
Those large unnerving eyes stared straight at his soul as if trying to devour it. A moment later, the effect lost its potency when Selene grinned at him and nodded vigorously.
"That's a good girl! Come, on! Let's get you ready!"
Soon enough, Selene wore her pristine armor, courtesy of the Mechanicus. Now she had a small camouflage cape to go with it and carried the blessed power mace over her shoulder with only a bit of visible effort.
"She is magnificent! People will love her!" Lieutenant Regina squeed. Her smile wavered when she approached Selene, however, she didn't waver and went to one knee in front of the girl. "Hi, dearie!" The junior officer still sounded bubbly.
Charles reevaluated his opinion of her. The young woman was made of sterner stuff than many veterans.
"Do you want to come with us to the nearby park? It will make for some great pictures! And as promised, Jamie over there," Regina pointed over her shoulder, "has some fresh sweets and hot, sweet tea!"
Weber glanced that wa,y and sure enough, there was a frazzled looking corporal with a paper bag, thermos, and cups. It was a delight to work with competent people, instead of having to shout at them to do their Emperor damned job! They might just get this planet in order yet!
Selene looked at him, and Charles nodded. She beamed and skipped along with her new friend. The Lieutenant stood up, shuddered once, then shook herself and followed suit, still smiling, and it was only a bit forced if Weber was any judge of people.
This time they could get somewhere without having to brave huge crowds, and it was refreshing. The park was mostly empty, void of mobs or Guard equipment. There were even a few couples with children playing around. Naturally, everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered to a safe distance to watch the show. From that far away, children and parents alike pointed excitedly at Selene.
If the rumors were true, she would become almost as famous as the Inquisitor among the citizenries of Kronus. Speaking of Selene, she was still skipping happily, while cameras recorded her and took countless pictures. After a few minutes of playing, Lieutenant Regina coached the girl with bribes of warm sweets. The point was to convince Selene to make a few heroic poses that would undoubtedly go on propaganda posters all over the planet.
It was a job well done if he said so himself. Selene was happy, and thus the Inquisitor was going to be happy as well. Charles smiled at the sight of children jumping around, pointing excitedly at Selene and making exaggerated gestures as if smiting traitors. Recruitment wouldn't be a problem for Kronus anytime soon.
Unfortunately, someone had to rain on his parade. Static went through the air, putting Charles on edge, and he signaled the security detail to pay attention. Without even thinking things through, he went for his charge.
One moment, everything was right in the world. Then a warning wail shook the whole city. Necron Drones decloaked, proving that the Mechanicus and everyone else had grossly underestimated how many of the damn things buzzed over the city. At least a few hundred of the damn things converged on their position like scores of falling stars.
Charles ran, for what little it was going to do, barking useless orders. Selene's Necron minders phased into existence, but instead of grabbing or attacking her, one of them pushed the child into Regina's arms.
"Run, fool!" The Necron screamed.
In a blink of an eye, the other one had its blade in hand and barely parried a strike that sliced through its gun, taking off a hand in the process.
One of the largest Necrons Charles had ever seen stepped out of thin air, and in a blink of an eye sent the one facing it flying in pieces. The other Necron charged at the interloper only to be batted aside, missing an arm in an attack Weber's eyes couldn't even see.
The Commissar was still in the process of drawing his chainsword and gaining speed when the rogue Necron reached Regina and threw her away with a swift motion. He could only helplessly watch as the intruder's clawed hand was about to close around Selene's shoulder, when a Drone rammed the machine, sending it stumbling a step back.
At least ten more plowed into the Necron, to much less effect, while the converging swarm opened fire, raining emerald lighting or what looked like particle beams at the attacker. They were wailing all the while, making sure Charles couldn't hear the desperate orders he was screaming.
The Necron ignored the shots hitting it. Its form shimmered, and they either passed through or dissipated nearly harmlessly. It ran at Selene, who just stood there, staring at it in shock. A few lasbotls splashed over metal flesh. Then one of the bodyguards was up, almost intact despite being dismembered moments earlier ,and it managed to slow down the assailant for a few precious moments. As soon as that Necron fell, the other was between the hostile and Selene. The newcomer wasted no time and tore an arm off the last thing standing between it and its prize, then kicked off the legs of the loyalist Necron, literally. The smaller machine crashed on the ground, and the large one went to grab Selene again.
This time, she reacted and swept at the metal fingers approaching her with Kneecapper. At the same time, another Drone slammed into the intruder, smashing into its face and disintegrating during the impact.
Green lighting fell from the clear sky, and at least a hundred large, and heavily armed Necrons surrounded the park. They didn't waste any time taking stock of their location and actually ran towards the engagement.
It all happened in less time it took Charles to cover the twenty or so meters separating him from Selene.
The damaged bodyguard fallen at the feet of the attacker, used its sole remaining arm to grab at them, slowing it down.
The other bodyguard was up again, missing one arm and chunks of its torso. Instead of going on the offensive again, it ran, grabbed Selene, and sped away. At the same time, at least a hundred Drones rained upon the rogue Necron.
Before the intruder could reach Selene again, it faced a phalanx of living metal and a forest of glowing blades.
"THIEEEF!" All the Necrons screamed as one and charged the interloper.
Charles barely managed to stop himself from plowing straight into the melee.
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Part 2
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Victory Bay
Kronus
"Fine, let's negotiate. First, please answer me this, where is Selene, who the hell is the Thief, and what is he doing on Kronus?" Inquisitor Veil glowed with golden power while he visibly restrained himself.
Herald of Victory was in a similar state. He might be a Necron Lord, and he might lack many of his memories, however, he could experience emotions now! It didn't matter if it was a bug of a feature after spending so long asleep. Trazyn trampled his honor again, and that would not stand!
"He is Trazyn the Thief, and his suffering will be infinite!" Herald of Victory explained.
"What my fellow Planetary Overlord is saying is that Trazyn the Infinite is a thieving wretch wanted by dozens of Dynasties for absconding with all kinds of valuables." Amarkun translated. While understandable, his colleague's anger might be a bit counter-productive. Or perhaps not. It might be a bonding point to help cement the alliance?
Amarkun had his reasons to loath Trazyn, many of them in fact. Today, he had to add another one. After such a disgraceful display, honor demanded restitution, thus weakening their bargaining position! They couldn't even take proper credit for saving the little Pariah. It was a Necron attempting to take her, and good luck convincing the Humans to be grateful! They might be primitive, however, they weren't completely foolish or ignorant. At least these particular Humans weren't! Any attempt to play up the rescue might be logically interpreted as a set up to gain an upper hand in the negotiations, thus backfiring spectacularly. Damn Trazyn and his thieving ways to long and protracted death! May his necrodermis rot and his joints break!
"Your Pariah is en route to this location under heavy guard. Given the circumstances, we are not risking Trazyn intercepting a displacement attempt. We surprised him once, we aren't relying on surprise again." Amarkun added, while his fellow Lord still fumed and screamed at Trazyn to come out and die all over the Necron network.
It was a pity that the thieving bastard would at best send one of his infamous body doubles. Though, smashing another one of those might feel good.
"You haven't put him down or imprisoned him why exactly?" The new Inquisitor asked shrewdly.
"Unfortunately, all things considered, an assault on his stronghold would have cost too many valuable assets at a time when we fought the War in Heaven. Right now, such an assault, even if successful would be crippling. Trazyn the Thief, rules over Solemnace, what you would call a Dyson Sphere. It possesses heavy defenses. A direct assault would require a strategic effort which simply isn't feasible at this time." Amarkun explained. He wasn't making a startling revelation. The Humans were aware that no matter how advanced the Necrons were, their numbers were limited, which was one of the primary driving forces behind these negotiations.
"That's regrettable," Veil grumbled. "Unless we know for a fact that he has stolen strategic Imperial assets we won't be able to muster sufficient forces for dealing with him, no matter how we might like to. Doing so would be a misappropriation of resources."
"We share your frustration, Human. It has plagued us for longer than you can imagine. We might only hope that either one day the Thief will misstep, or the strategic situation would shift enough in our favor to make an assault on Solemnace viable. If that day comes, I will be honored to fight by your side again!" Herald of Victory finally got his rage under control and demonstrated he had become a Planetary Lord for a reason.
"I share the sentiment along with the rest of the Nepheru Dynasty." Amarkun declared grandly. Even Phaeron Kephrekh the Unbroken might stay his hands long enough to work with primitives if it meant delivering a meaningful blow against Trazyn. Or not. Zaa of Tomorrow might be right and that was a depressing thought on this particular occasion. "Because of the Thief's dishonorable actions, we're prepared to offer you a few concessions."
"Under most conceivable circumstances, our directives would require to remove any… trespassers from our worlds in a most expedient fashion. I understand you've encountered our kind before, and it has been under adverse circumstances. This is one of the most likely reasons – they saw you as threats and interlopers upon awakening and acted appropriately." Herald of Victory explaining truthfully. It just wasn't the full truth. "Kronus, my domain is different. First, it is not a full Tomb World but a well-defended research center. Second, after fighting together against common enemies, honor demands we observe certain courtesies. Further, the despicable conduct of the Thief reflects ill upon every Necron in the galaxy."
"That much we can accept." Inquisitor Veil said more calmly. His wings relaxed, even if his form still glowed with a very odd form of trans-dimensional energy.
"Given recent events and the bond we hold forged in combat, I am prepared to allow continued human habitation upon parts of Kronus under certain conditions." If nothing else, the Humans were mortal, the Necrons were Immortal. They could simply wait for the Human presence on Kronus to naturally die off, even if it meant mostly ignoring them during a general conflict with the rest of the primitives.
Herald of Victory raised a hand and called an image into existence showing the continent.
"The Thur'Abis Plateau as you know it is mine. My facilities there are now almost fully operational, properly defended, and if it makes the rest of your kind feel better, I can keep the area permanently concealed." Herald of Victory began his part of the bargain. "The Van De Mar mountains, the western mountain parts of the Pavonian Heartlands, and parts of the Western Badlands contain some of my facilities below the surfaces." Those areas lit up with green and the symbol of the Silent King's own Dynasty.
Amarkun was very glad he decided to tread carefully and use diplomacy instead of a more forceful attempt to gain an advantage in this system. If or when the Silent King returned, a heavy-handed approach could have spelled a disaster.
The Humans looked at each other.
"It might work, practically speaking. While the territory you hold cuts off direct travel to many regions on the continent, it leaves plenty of alternative routes to ship people and supplies. From what I gather, those are some of the safer roads too. Provisionally speaking, such an arrangement might be acceptable." Veil nodded thoughtfully.
"We might have to offer some concessions to the locals to avoid future trouble. In that regard," the female smirked at Veil, "a sermon or ten from their new Saint might help smooth ruffled feathers."
The Necrons watched the exchange with interest. From what they gathered so far, wings and feathers weren't typical among the Humans. However, this exchange pointed that such a conclusion was either incorrect or that the wings held some importance they haven't been able to properly discern yet. Figuring out the primitives was proving a more complicated task than anticipated.
"As long as I have your backing when the Ecclesiarchy arrives in force. We'll have to convince them to behave, or else any agreement we reach might be threatened." Veil compromised.
"Our understanding was that you two, as Inquisitors, have unparalleled authority among your kind. Is that correct?" Amarkun asked for clarification. Everything they could dig up pointed at that conclusion being the right one.
"In theory and most cases, in practice, this is correct. In our particular case, you being aliens from our point of view, dealing with you falls under the purview of Ordo Xenos, our branch of the Inquisition." The female explained. "In practice, the situation on Kronus is particularly complicated and will cause problems no matter what we do. Humanity has been under siege by hostile aliens for more than ten thousand years. That might be a blink of an eye to you, Necrons, but to us, it has been an eternity. Mistrust and hatred of the alien are ingrained among most of our people. Any alliances with aliens have been temporarily affairs. Almost always, the Xenos had betrayed the spirit or letter of those agreements sooner rather than later. We will need more than our word and theoretical authority to make an agreement viable."
"A most dishonorable state of affairs."
"The few species we could occasionally work with are the Eldar, enough said there, or the Tau, the blue aliens still controlling important parts of this continent." Veil pointed out.
"The same aliens who allied against us." Herald of the Void nodded once in understanding. He quickly bounced a few ideas and alternative stratagems against Amarkun.
Put in that context, the Humans' madness made a bit more sense. Their situation almost appeared like a mirror of what the Necrons faced during the War of Heaven, besides the obvious fact that they lacked allies back then.
They could work with this. Before the C'tan, before the first defeat that led to their doom anyway, the Necrontyr were alone, besieged from all sides by a superior enemy. That was almost the same situation the Humans found themselves stuck in. Back then, their former selves would have taken any offer of help, or perhaps not. Fear and hatred were strong motivations. They could understand them and work with them.
"In view of recent events, I will offer assistance in removing the Tau from Kronus. Further, the preliminary analysis leads us to believe that those aliens do have technology equal or superior to what your forces deployed. While we won't claim that they are more advanced than your Imperium, it might be prudent to capture as many technological examples and industrial facilities as practical. That way, your Cryptek equivalents, the Tech-Priests, could study them and figure out if they might provide feasible upgrades. We're ready to assist in both capturing Tau technology and reverse engineering it for your use." Herald of Victory declared happily.
That and the gifts they had for Inquisitor Veil would go a long way to satisfy their honor!
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