There was a sharp beep. Grange slowly opened his mouth. It hung for a moment, a gaping maw. "We." He said in a robotic voice. "Knew.You. The mechanism moved closer. "There.Is.No.Escape!"

Corrin shook his head. "How could you let this happen, Grange?"

"We.Do.Not.Know.A.Grange. Only.Us."

Corrin raised his slug rifle. "Stay behind me, Krieg. I will handle him." Grange lunged forward. Corrin slid deftly under the mechanical leviathan. He lifted his rifle quickly and fired. The back of the thing flooded with greenish ooze as the slugs pierced the soft metal.

It wheeled around, rearing on two legs. The limp form of Grange inside tilted its head. Two massive bolt guns emerged from the side of the metal bug. Corrin dodged to the side as the guns swiveled and aimed at him.

The ground shook as enormous bolts ricocheted through the air. Corrin dove forward and loosed a round on Grange's pod. He quivered as warm liquid shot across his skin. He looked up. The machine had stopped. Grange's body had drifted to the bottom of the pod.

The Martian's head shot up. "Non-believer." He said in the all too familiar voice. The cords retracted. Before Corrin could move, the man was upon him. His hand had formed into a great blade. Corrin ducked quickly and shot between Grange's legs, only to be kicked in the back and sent to the floor.

The Adept jumped on him. His arm warped into a huge needle. "You will see the truth, Corrin!" The needle moved closer and closer. Corrin drove his knee into Grange's chest. The man grunted and they rolled over. Corrin sat above him, his slug rifle pointing at his old friend's face. He felt something in his pocket. He acted without thought.

Quickly, reached for the Alternative in his pocket. Grange smiled. Corrin had given him a chance. He felt the needle pierce his chest. He puked out bodily liquid. Grange was laughing. The needle pushed in further. "You feel the tingle as it enters your blood Corrin. You are one of Us!"

He heard Krieg let out a cry. Corrin gritted his teeth. His eyes narrowed. "Get out of him…" He muttered with hate. The soulless Grange's eyes widened. Corrin moved with speed he had never seen in himself. He tore the Alternative from his flak armor. He plunged it into Grange's neck.

"Kill them. All of them." One of the Soulless said as Grange began to twitch. Krieg raised his las-pistol and began to fire. He stepped over Corrin and Grange, lying on the floor. Grange's eyes shut. His arms flailed about across the ground.

Corrin turned on the ground and blasted down a Soulless with several shots. He immediately looked back to Grange. His eyes had opened. Slowly, color began to seep into them. The man had frozen completely. Corrin stared at him for a moment. Suddenly, he let out a wheeze.

"Corrin!" He said joyfully. To Corrin's surprise, the man reached up and embraced him. "Where the Frak are we?"

Corrin smiled. Grange was back. "Don't worry about that. We have another problem!" He stood and pointed at the approaching Treacherous Ones.

"How did I get you into this one? Who is that?" Grange asked hastily. He could not stop questioning.

"He's a friend. Now stop asking questions and fight." Corrin said urgently. Grange nodded. His hand reformed into a plasma cannon. Three Soulless exploded in a hail of fire.

"What the cac was that?" Krieg said, turning. He smiled. "Glad you're an ally!" Grange was grinning as he brought down more and more enemies. Corrin clutched his chest.

"Corrin?" Grange asked worriedly. "What's wrong."

"You…" Corrin said He shook his head and continued to fire. The Lost Souls around them had begun to slightly react to the action. They had slowly migrated into groups, watching. There was a buzz.

Intruders. Prepare to be cleansed++

Corrin looked up. The Soulless began to flee. He felt heat prickle up his spine. "Fire!" Krieg roared. Fire erupted from the walls all around them. Corrin threw himself and Grange to the ground. There was a squeal. Krieg fell, clutching his burnt arm. The fire spurted out inches above their bodies.

"Come on!" He wailed above the whizz of the inferno. They crawled quickly through the maze of heat. Grange held up his hand as they approached the wall. His arm formed into the cannon again. The wall ahead melted away instantly. Corrin threw his body through. His skin was drenched in sweat. He heard the others following him. He looked around. They stood inside of a small, white chamber. Two mirrors sat on either wall.

Something slumbered in the middle of the room. Corrin stared for a moment. It was his wife. "Corrin, I'm sorry." Krieg said sadly. Corrin shook him off. Grange walked forward and looked at her.

"Who is she?" Corrin ignored him. He walked forward.

"They used you." The Klaxons exploded to the point of bursting all around him. "You are an Imperial…rat." He raised his slug rifle. "I loved you. This is for you." He pressed the trigger. The thing stopped breathing immediately.

Corrin lowered his head. His eyes filled with tears. "Corrin!" Someone said urgently. "We have to go!" He continued. He felt hands on his shoulders. He was pushed out of the room. There was another blast as Grange blew open the door. Fire rushed about them. Corrin's tears streamed down his cheeks and onto his boots. He felt himself being pushed onto the grass outside. He closed his eyes. She was dead.