So I finally was able to finish this chapter once again I am rather disappointed that it took me this long to write it abd I will say this upfront it is not how I intended it to go.
CapitalClassShip I hope you like this and that you didn't have to wait long for this chapter.
Anyway I hope you enjoy it.
Just to let you know I a still looking for a Beta by the way any and all offers are welcome.
"I salute you! For though our path has been long and bloody, you have served our Lord with unflinching courage and the honour of true warriors. We have seen many fall today and must remember, even as we die, that our blood too is welcome..." -The Renegade Harken Ironfists of the Iron warriors last words
Deltrain because he always grinned, the skeletal steel structure that made up the tech adepts face was incapable of displaying any other visage, but this time the grin was genuine, well somewhat genuine anyway. The tech adept was rather amused by the reaction of every one of the delegates in the room in the room including the insufferable one known as Fandral Staghelm the Kaldorei Leader Tyrande had called him. They hid it well to others but the tech adept's sensors were rather good at recording and had already stored their reactions to his short and long term memory for later discussion though the Gnome did seem to look at him more than anything else. Like the others he looked at them with a mix of fascination and horror. Thought his was more of the former than the others who showed more of the latter. That was interesting Deltrain filed that down in both his short term and longterm memory bank.
It was understandable as seeing the faces of the Night Lords. The white marble skin they possessed along with their jet black hair and lace of lack of irises in the eyes eyes would set anyone who was not train sufficiently enough or who was not like Deltrain, more metal than flesh was on edge. Though why they were disturbed by Variel's features were unknown. His gene seed was from the Red Corsairs formerly known as the Astral Claws, the Tech adept had several theories as to where the Astral Claws's Gene Seed had originated from but the one he most likely believed was that it originated from the thirteenth legion the Ultramarines. But that was something for a later date. Staring down with his red eye lenses he fixed the Ratling like creature with at stare. "Is there something you wish to say?" the tech adept asked the short Ratling like creature. His tone was nuetral though Deltrain did feel a little disdain for the way the creature was looking at him.
"Uh well are you" the delegate began. "Are you some sort of undead?" he asked trying to be as diplomat as possible.
Deltrain was confused. He was quite sure that he was not touched by the ruinous powers also he was sure that he had never spoken in worship to them even one. So this left him needing to collect more data. "Please define the term" he replied.
"Well undead are beings who have died and-" the Ratling or gnome as one of the others caught him was cut off by the Squat or as he called himself the dwarf.
"Are you daft?" The Dwarven ambassador asked. "He is clearly made out of metal" he stated. "So how would he be undead? also he doesn't stink like a corpse."
"You have my vocalised expression of gratitude" Deltrain stated to the Dwarf. "As to answer your question I am very much alive and I have never in my memory perished or anything of the sort." he stated.
All the other delegates seemed to breathe a sigh of relief though the obnoxious and arrogant one that was Fandral who also according to Deltrain must be uninvited spoke out against him. "And how do we know that you aren't just some forsaken spy trying to deceive us?" he asked trying to be intimidating but clearly not succeeding given who he was trying to intimidate it was almost laughable that he attempted such an act.
Deltrain was not easily intimidated in fact it was very rare for him to be. So he replied. "I would take offence to a being such as yourself telling me that I am forsaken." Deltrain's voice as usual contained no emotion. "I would also inform you that I am a devote member of the Mechanicum and of the Omnissiah. So I am very much not forsaken I would also appreciate if you would cease your baseless claims they are rather unneeded and counter productive as if you keep if doing them you will strain the patience of everyone in this room." Deltrain turned himself to face Fandral and then continued. "If one does not have anything of import to add or to do then they should not be present." the Tech adept stated. "You have I believe the term is 'barge your way' in here when you were uninvited I also believe that you are causing your leader a great deal of stress by your actions so it would be productive if you were to take your leave." he explained.
If looks could kill the one that the Kaldorei named Fandral Staghelm would have killed Deltrain seven times over. Fortunately for the tech adept the arch druid had no knowledge of such powers so he was safe. Instead he started to do something before he suddenly dropped to his knees clutching the side of his head.
Malcharion sighed as he received the uplink from the vox. "those imbeciles" the Legion hero muttered to himself in the flowery language of Nostramo. Needless to say that what he had just said was not the literal translation and a lot more polite.
"I take it you do not approve of the way our brothers and the honoured tech adept are handling the situation" Lucoryphus stated as he walked in.
"You don't know the half of it Luc" Malcharion replied massaging his temples. "Those boys, excluding Vandred that is. Have no sense of diplomacy or tact" he explained.
"All save the sorcerer Ruven that is Mal" Lucoryphus added. "That one definitely has a lot of tact."
"Yes but our dear brother lacks the spine to wield it correctly" Malcharion replied. "And even if he did Ruven is treacherous by nature so it would be of no service to us or the legion."
"Thats the truth of it" Lucoryphus agreed. "Those with the will lack the whit and those with the whit lack the will." This was a generally cryptic and uncharacteristic thing for the raptor to say.
Needless to say Malcharion was rather surprised at Lucoryphus's response. "Brother are you unwell?" Malcharion asked unsure if he should be amused or concerned. "You just said something rather wise and completely unlike you."
"I have my moments brother" Lucoryphus replied slightly offended at Malcharion and muttering several curses in nostraman. Just then the two of them heard what was being said down the vox and they began chuckling. That chuckle turned into full blown out laughter as they listened to what the Tech adept had to say. "That confirms it" the raptor stated "Deltrain really does have a sense of humour."
"It seems so" Malcharion agreed. The war sage took a moment before speaking again. "Though what is more hilarious is the fact that the honoured tech adept is rather serious about this."
"I guess that is what makes the situation that he is in rather sad" Lucoryphus commented before exiting the bridge. No doubt to prowl the perimeter that they had set up in search of entertainment or sport. Leaving the war sage to deal with the monitoring the information being relayed to him by their brothers. If the Raptor felt any guilt at leaving his brother to monitor everything he did not show it.
Malcharion did not begrudge Lucoryphus for that, It was the War Sage who was captain of the tenth company of the VIII Legion not Lucoryphus of the bleeding eyes raptor cult. So it would be extremely inappropriate if Malcharion did not pay attention and monitor as well as give instructions to the Astartes under his command.
It was then that he received a request from his first Sergeant Malcharion listened to a request from Vandred before answering. "Permission granted. Uzas brother would you like to do the honours." After the said brother confirmed and a complied with his order MAlcharion added in High Gothic for all of his brothers in First Claw to hear "Ave Dominus Nox"
The Night Lords were rather amused by what had happened to male Kaldorei. They knew intimidating a tech adept of the Mechanicum never worked. They were even more mused by Fandral's reaction with gritted teeth the night elf snarled. "Why you" It seemed that he was about to attack as roots started to sprout around from where he was standing.
Taking this opportunity to use his talents Ruven was quick to cause Fandral to drop to his knees holding the side of his head as if he was suffering from headache. "I would recommend not attempting to kill the honoured tech adept" Vandred stated. "He is a vital member of our company and it would displease us greatly if you were to cause him harm." Vandred explained. He chose deliberately not to mention that Ruven had just caused him a headache so that they could capitalise on the psyker come Sorcerer's abilities later if it was required. Also they did not need to explain that just yet.
"Fandral" the stern voice of Tyrande Whisperwind called out. "It would be appreciated if you took your leave" she requested.
"Why does she request it?" Sar Zell asked over the vox "When it is a request it is easy to refuse"
"I believe the term is etiquette" Mercution replied. "Something about how reasonable societies operate if I remember." he stated. Mercution's comment was interpreted as a jab at his brothers who weren't cultured as it were, though the jab itself was unintentional on Mercution's part as he was just trying to explain the high priestess's actions to them.
"Oh something we would have no knowledge of then?" Uzas sniggered in reply getting an irritated sigh from Mercution.
"I never said that" Mercution replied slightly irritated with Uzas. "Do not put words in my mouth brother" he rebuked Uzas in a polite manner.
Uzas did not reply as they watched the one named Fandral make his hasty and clumsy retreat. "He has all the subtlety of a World Eater or a bloodthirsty animal" Ruven stated scornfully. Fandral was wearing his arrogance and ambition to supplant Tyrande openly which confused the Night Lords as one would only do that if they had enough followers to prevent their imminent death. Fandral seemed not to posses that so as a result the sons of the VII legion were confused.
"I do not understand why you have not had him killed?" Cyrion stated bluntly to Tyrande voicing his own and his brothers opinions causing the priestess to blink and take a step back at what he had said so bluntly.
"Excuse me I think I may have misheard you" Tyrande replied not believeing what the Night Lord had just said.
"I said why have you not had him killed?" Cyrion repeated himself. "I mean he is openly trying to undermine your authority which could only mean that he seeks to supplant you." This drew murmurs of agreement from the alliance delegates.
"Just because Fandral and I have different view on how our people should be lead does not mean I should kill him" Tyrande replied firmly or as firmly as anyone could under the scrutiny of nine Astartes. Which was to her credit better than most.
"A noble sentiment indeed" Vandred commented. "But would he say the same for her?" he whispered over the vox to his brothers in nostraman.
"Not a chance he could willingly cast her aside if it even gave him the slightest chance of success" Ruven replied his comment making the others voicing their consent to his deduction.
"Your skin why is it so pale?" the Dranei ambassador asked trying to change the subject and change atmosphere as it had become rather tense and awkward.
The unhelmeted Night Lords smiled at her. There was nothing comforting about the gesture while it may have been out of amusement or pity she could not tell which. On the faces of the Night Lords a smile looked like predatory challenge. "Because we are sons of the sunless world" Vandred answered as if that explained everything. Well at least to then and any first founding chapter it would not to mention any other Astartes chapter in general and the inquisition for that matter.
The Dranei ambassador blinked "Come again?" she asked not understanding. Well how could she have she was not of Nostramo nor was she an Astartes or versed in general biology.
Vandred sighed it sounded like a Nightsaber letting out a huge and long growl. Fortunately Talos answered for him. "That means we come from a world with little to no sunlight" he explained. "Hence our pale skin and our lack of irises."
"But the one next to you has ice blue eyes." the Dranei ambassador noted. "Why is that?"
"He was not born of our home world nor was he part of our legion" Talos paused to find the right words. "He is our gene cousin in blood but our brother none the less."
"Wait not all of your kind are like how you are?" the Gnome ambassador asked excited.
"Yes but I am not going to go into the subject of history ten thousand years old." Talos replied. "Let us just they were twenty who were first created and us Astartes were made from them, each one of the twenty was different so their sons would inherit their traits and theirs alone." Talos summarised up the first founding.
"Pardon my asking" the Stormwind ambassador began. "But whose son is he then?"
Talos looked at Variel and then back to the Stormwind ambassador "I have no idea Gulliman's I suspect. Like most others" Talos did not mention anything else about the Ultramarines as anything else he would have said would have bordered beyond inappropriate. In their words the ultramarines bred like rats as on the legions home world of Nostramo not many people knew what a rabbit was.
"Don't insult me so casually brother" Variel. "I may be from of the other two."
The sound of breaking thunder echoed throughout the room as the Night Lords chuckled. "What would you know of those two boy?" Vandred asked straining on the last word earning chuckles from some of the others.
"Brothers, my dear brothers" Mercution stated. "We are being impolite by having a private joke and not including our gracious hosts." Luckily for him none of their hosts picked up on the slight.
"Vandred at this point whispered over the vox to their captain. "brother our little shadow is in a perfect position for us to reveal it should we proceed." all of first claw heard the War Sage's answer.
Uzas gave an imperceptible nod before speaking "I truly pity everyone in this room" he stated. As he drew his gladius and twirl it in the air a few time on the fourth one Uzas caught it and then threw it like a javelin into a portion of the roof with a loud thud something fell unceremoniously onto the floor and Sar Zell pinned it with his boot.
"No matter how silent you are or at least think you are you have a heartbeat" Talos stated. "And we are experts at hearing those."
"This is a very bad joke" Ruven stated. "I take it from your reactions this does not always happen and that that creature is not your ally." Ruven at that point realised that he may have damaged any form of psychic or magical sensors they had but he did not feel guilt for that or care. "By the way" he asked surveying the creatures human looking skill and glowing green eyes. "What manner of creature is this?"
Novidori Blackblade had been intrigued by this turn of events. Just recently eight blue armoured giants that seemed adorned with livery of death. Her mission was to investigate and report anything that happened in Darnassus to her superior who would then report it to his superior so on and so forth. In truth Novidori understood the importance of what her mission entailed. She was one of three who had infiltrated the Kaldorei's capital and the other two were elsewhere.
The Sindorei had shadowed them to the Kaldorei's temple of the moon. Where they entered before debating whether or nots she should try to infiltrate it. On one hand she may learn some valuable and priceless information that may get her up in her own people's hierarchy on the other hand she may be caught and killed and that was only if she was lucky. In the end Novidori made her choice and choice to follow them in as there was a high chance of her being able to escape if necessary.
Infiltrating there was somewhat tricky but Novidori was rather confident in her skills of infiltration and subterfuge. Eventually she had been able to slip in unnoticed which was sur[rising as the wards should have prevented her. It seemed as if they were malfunctioning. Soon Novidori was privy to their conversation. The Blood elf rouge had to admit she liked these giants sense of humour even if it was a tad vulgur. Surprisingly they claimed to be human though the way they described themselves was that they had been 'genetically enhanced'. Novidori wasn't new the to concept though she was rather surprised that it did not have anything to do with magic or sorcery which was surprising for the Blood Elf rogue.
Like the rest of the audience in the chamber Novidori was taken aback by their appearance. Alabaster white was their skin for all but to of them and their eyes also seemed to lack irises that normal humans had. The answer the giant who she presumed was in charge gave made her understand. Novidori had an understanding of human biology as such she knew about how human eyes adsorbed sunlight. She was also amused at what had happened to the arch druid and she had a nagging feeling that the one with the staff had something to do with it as he was the one that moved almost imperceptibly though it was only a tilt of his head. Though that could speak lengths of his power if he was able to suppress it so that it was barely detectable to untrained and even trained eyes. More importantly his power and skill was amazing if he could achieve a feat like that with just a glance.
All of the giants save the red robed one who looked like he was a metallic skeleton radiated power. The one with the strange runes on his helmet and the golden sword more so than all of them. Novidori could literally see the power and potential oozing off of him like a black alluring aura. Their faces ranged from a variety of things while it seemed all of them were almost flawless and near perfect there was a feral nature to them intrigued the blood elf rogue. Also looking at them she knew that all of those 'Night Lords' as they had referred to themselves as where veterans of some war or numerous ones. The way they held themselves though made one not see that as they appeared relaxed which made them more dangerous.
It was then that for some reason Novidori felt her blood run cold. At first she did not know why and was unsure as to what was going on and why she was feeling like that. Was something influencing her? Then she realised it source. One of the 'Night Lords' was looking almost imperceptibly at her. Novidori would have most likely not noticed it if her instincts that told she had been found or caught had been flaring off. Eventually the black eyed giant turned to face the other alliance delegates but what chilled Novidori Black blade the most was that she had seen the shadow of a smirk on his or its face. Now that smirk held some sort of amusement as it reached the giants eyes or at least seemed to Novidori was unsure if her mind was playing tricks on her. Given that the smiles they gave seemed to be more like a predator smiling to its prey when it is certain that its quarry cannot escape that definitely was not a good sign.
The Blood elf rogue thought that now was the best time to try and make her exit as there might not be another. She was inching away from her vantage point when one of the giants casually unsheathed its gladius and then just as casually tossed it in the air a few times before with startling and amazing speed threw it like a javelin at her position or more accurately right next to where she was hidden.
Knocked down from the impact Novidori landed with as much grace as Thunder lizard thumping heavily on the floor sure that she had heard several of her bones crack on landing. Before the blood elf rogue could even attempt to rise she felt the cold touch of metal pin her down gently. It was gentle but firm ensuring that she could not escape. Not that Novidori would make it far given her current condition. Several broken ribs did not make one run very fast neither did broken limbs.
It seemed that the Giants had detected her somehow due to her heartbeat as they claimed to be masters at detecting heartbeats. Novidori was no fool she knew at best that he life was measured in hours seconds at worst, and there was not a single scourge damned thing she could do to change that refutable fact. So Novidori Blackblade prepared herself for her untimely demise. "Should have asked to for a posting in the ghostlands" she thought to herself
Tyrande Whisperwind was shocked but she didn't let it show nor did she show her embarrassment at having an enemy spy being captured by her guests. She was surprised that these giants were able to detect a Blood elf spy by hearing the said spy's heartbeat. Before anything could be done she asked and had the alliance delegates leave the audience chamber they were escorted out by several sentinel's while some remained in place in case the Blood elf tried to try something. Though that was near impossible.
Said Blood elf was beneath the boot of one of the Night Lords as they called themselves pinned firmly underneath his boot but not too firm that she would be crushed. The said night Lord was named Sar Zell from what she had picked up.
Now that everyone had exited the chamber the one named Vandred spoke. "Now that everyone has left will you answer brother Ruven's question?" It was clear to Tyrande that the Night Lords as they called themselves expected an answer.
Tyrande nodded. "She is an agent of the Horde a member of the Sindorei the blood elves who joined the horde in the recent years" She explained stating the situation of the Blood elves and the existence of the horde.
"That is a start" Vandred stated inclining his head in thanks. "The next question is for her to answer thought." Turning to face the Blood elf he asked. "Am I wrong to assume that you were gathering intelligence for another while you are on a reconnaissance mission of some sort?" It was clear that the one named Vandred already knew this but just wanted the Blood Elf to confirm what he had just said.
The the Sindorei's credit she did not utter a word. That was at first before Sar Zell began the process of putting his foot down literally. "Stop it I'll talk." the blood elf gasped as she felt the pressure on the torso increase and then lessen.
"Please do not presume that you are in a position to refuse" Vandred stated his voice calm and cold. "If you refuse we can just rip the answers from your mind leaving you worse than a vegetable."
That seemed to trouble the Blood Elf more than the thought of being crushed but then again who wouldn't? "Yes I am or more like was now." she answered finally. It seemed that the Sindorei in question knew her life span had decreased dramatically.
"See was that that difficult now?" The one with the staff who had been called Ruven asked. Tyrande was unsure whether he was mocking the Blood Elf or was just asking her a regular question as the tone he used was indecipherable. Though from the look several of his brothers shot him seemed to say it was former and not the latter. One of the others the one named Talos muttered something indecipherable under his breath. Whatever it was it didn't sound pleasant in the least.
"I take it you were unaware of your uninvited guest" Vandred asked her turning around to look Tyrande in the eye who barely suppressed a flinch when looking into the iris lacking eye. It was not the fact that their eyes lacked irises that troubled Tyrande but more like what she was able to see in it. After all the saying did say that the eyes were the windows to the soul and what Tyrande thought she saw made her give an involuntary shiver.
Tyrande nodded before asking "how long were you aware of her presence?" what they said they had heard the blood elf's heartbeat was still fresh in the high priestess's mind. "Your brother the one you called Talos said you detected her heartbeat."
"We did" Vandred answered "We had detected her presence when she started shadowing us while we were in your city." he explained. "Being born on a sunless world has its advantages" Vandred admitted. "As such darkness for us does not exist."
Tyrande was taken aback by that but it did make some sense to here. The Kaldorei themselves had excellent night vision. "Where you unsure if she was aligned with my people?" the high priestess asked.
Vandred nodded. "We were unsure if you were trying to observe us from a different angle or if you were testing us" he admitted. Though when we sensed the hostile intent coming from her at your self nd your I believe that fool's title is arch druid we figured she must be a spy" the former Exalted explained as he and his brothers cast a glance at the Blood Elf.
"What do you intend to do with her?" Tyrande asked. The High Priestess wasn't so sure they were going to hand the Blood Elf over or not.
"Well if you don't want her we will most probably interrogate her and learn everything else about this world we are on" Vandred stated. "Then most probably we will dissect her and see what makes her tick" He added. "Variel here is very proficient in that art" Vandred explained.
The said Night Lord gave Vandred a glare that told everyone that he was unimpressed. Tyrannde had noticed that the one Astartes without white skin and black eyes seemed to have the look of disinterest in his ice blue ones. Tyrande for her part was slightly horrified with what Vandred had just stated
"Actually that reminds us" Ruven stated. "We were wondering if you could give us access to your archives were we could learn more about the world we have landed on."
So there you have it. In short I was not overly happy with myself for this since I did start this chapter in June and only finished it now. In truth I was rather disappointed that nothing happened. Well not much at any rate so please bear with me for the time being. In truth I did write a part where Deltrain was back on the covenant working with his new servitors when I realised that I had made him go with Talos and co A.K.A First Claw. I have to admit I really stubbed myself in the toe with that one. So I had to go and rewrite the better half of this chapter and fix some of the story wise mistakes.
Though I have to admit Variel taking offence at being called an Ultramarine was nice even if I do say so myself. And I rather enjoyed writing the Night Lords whisper to each other having private conversation's while their captain listened in when they are supposed to be in a diplomatic meeting. thought it would be like the VII Legion at any rate.
As I stated at the start of the chapter I am still looking for a Beta so bear with some of the mistakes please. Also if any one else wants to be the beta for any of my other stories please PM me having people telling me I need to get a Beta reader gets rather sad when you can't get one. Not helping with my depression guys.
But anyway who cares about that (The depression part not the Beta part) I hope you enjoyed it. please leave a review or PM me if you have any feedback and/or ideas to give me it would be much appreciated.
Until next time