Normandy, CIC Room
Richard's POV
1 Day Later
I stood in the 'CIC' Room and was shocked that the Eldar Ranger was here as well. Let me explain what happened, I was told by the Inquisitor to come here a bit ago, when I got here I found the Ranger was here as well. Apparently the Commander spoke with the Inquisitor and the Farseer about having us join her on her mission to see our effectiveness or something like that and on her next mission she would bring the Inquisitor and the Farseer.
The Farseer crossed my mind and I noted her curves and combat style and her… 'No that way lies damnation and I'm with an Inquisitor from the Ordo Hereticus here' I thought to myself and decided when I got back from the mission I'd ask the Inquisitor what I should do to make up for those thoughts about a Xenos, a Xenos Witch at that. My actions did not go unnoticed by the Ranger but he ignored me, after all to him I'm a what's the way they say it 'Mon'Kaegh' I thought to myself again as the Commander came in.
She then told us about her mission on Purgatory and showed us what 'Cerberus' provided as a plan of what the place looked like. I immediately noted what it was by the cells and creatures wearing similar clothes in the cells and the Xenos with weapons wearing uniforms "It's a prison in space ?" I asked having a feeling I was correct.
"Yes, do you have prisons like this in the Imperium ?" The Commander asked me turning around. "No, The Imperium has whole worlds that are prisons, we call them Penal Worlds, that's also where the Penal Legions come from" I said. "What are the Penal Legions ?" She asked although in a way like she knew the answer already.
"Penal Legions are a type of Imperial Guard Regiment, they are completely comprised of criminals and probably a platoon or so of Guards and Commissars to keep them in line, but they are also a force that won't get replenished, They fight til they are all dead and maybe earn their redemption in death for their crimes" I said to her.
"What was your Regiment type then Richard ?" She asked me. "The 501st Belaran, or Lunar Guard was a Infantry Regiment we specialized in Trench Warfare, funny since we came from a Hive World" I said back. "Lunar Guard, were you based off a moon ? And we're Trenches still a thing where your from ?" She asked me.
"No we call ourselves the Lunar Guard after the Astartes Captain Lokan of the Luna Wolves lead his forces to save our world, we name ourselves that in his memory, as for the second question some Regiments use trenches but not all do" I said. "You sound like these 'Luna Wolves' did a bad thing but 'Lokan' and his forces were the only good ones what happened ?" The Commander asked. The memory of what I was told the Luna Wolves becoming the Sons of Horus then finally the Black Legion, and how all those loyal to the Emperor perished by Horus's hand butnI snapped out of it "That's a story for another time perhaps but yes they did something but we have a monument to those who freed our world in the main Hive City" I said, the Commander could tell by my by my voice that I wouldn't say more.
She then continued to tell us about what we'd be doing. We apparently were getting a Human 'Biotic' from there but I could tell something else was going to happen. Then a thought came to me, from what I did know about the Eldar "Commander from what little I know of Eldar, Eldar Rangers are what you'd call snipers, the Ranger would be a hindrance on the mission" I said to her.
"Human I am going on the mission, The Farseer said so" The Ranger said and before I could say something back I was stopped. "He is coming with us and you can't change that, Now we'll be arriving shortly so you should go and get ready" The Commander said to us. We both nodded and headed to our respective areas to get ready.
When I reached the cargo hold I went to the Inquisitor "Something plagues you Guardsman Morris" The Inquisitor said. I bowed my head in shame "Yes Inquisitor, I had unholy thoughts of the Xeno Witch that's here with us and am seeking penance for this" I said to her. "Guardsman since we do not have a Commissar, or a Confessor you should instead offer a prayer to the Emperor and ask for forgiveness for thinking such things, especially of an Eldar Witch" She said to me. "Yes Inquisitor" I said as I went to my part of the area we set up and knelt beside my bed and held my Imperial Aquila "Emperor forgive me for my unholy thoughts…." I said and prayed and asked for forgiveness until I was called to report to the Normandy's Hanger.
I went to the hanger with the Armor I was given for the mission and would wear on missions that involved space. I had my lasrifle with me and saw the Eldar Ranger wore a similar set of armor but noted he had his rifle but saw it had a slightly smaller scope then his original did, which was already a small scope. I boarded the Shuttle and noted Shepard took us, miss Lawson, and Garrus with her, the trip was silent as we went towards the prison "Human you should know the Farseer told me to tell you to expect a trap, the 'prisons' leader wishes to capture you" The Ranger said to the Commander getting everyone's attention.
I immediately wondered why the Farseer would have her Ranger warn us when he could have fairly well have kept it to himself. "How does she know this ?" Lawson asked. "It's believed if a Psyker is powerful enough they can see the future and plan around that, Eldar Farseers are very powerful psykers so he most likely is speaking the truth" I said.
"Okay then that's helpful to know thank you Conon" Shepard said. We arrived at 'Purgatory' shortly later and landed. We got off and the leader took us on a tour and noticed I clenched my hands on my lasrifle "Why are you so tense human ?" He asked me.
"I've had a bad experience with prisons and I know even cages won't hold an animal forever" I said as we continued into the checkpoint. A cell came down and opened showing it was empty "Please get into the cell Shepard, the Shadow Broker really wants you" He said. "How much did he pay you then ?" She asked back as guards came in.
"Enough to make me rich Shepard now get into the cell peacefully or the guards will force you in as well as your allies" He threatened. The Ranger took out something glowing, a fusion grenade. "Get down!" I called as the Ranger threw it at the guards and it blew up, killing the guards and blew the the door back. We all got up and saw the Ranger still standing "Damn what was that ?" Vakarian asked.
"A fusion grenade and by the effect a lethal one" I said. "Yes and one of only 4 I have with me in this realm so I won't use them carelessly as no doubt the Human Guardsman would have done" He said. I took offense but let it go as we no had a way out, we left the checkpoint and saw the dead guards outside ths door killed by the door and the explosion.
We continued and had to battle our way through several guards as we reached the security room and found the controls to the cells. "We need to get Jack and now there's only one way to do that, we have to open all the cells" Shepard said. "That's insane we'd have to then deal with the prisoners as well as the guards" Miranda said.
"But it's our only option we have to do this Miranda" Shepard said. "She is right miss Lawson" I said to her. Shepard then opened the cells and we saw all the prisoners run free, we exited the room and could already hear the place was lost with how quickly the guards were losing their ground to the prisoners.
We kept on our mission killing prisoners and guards that proved hostile. We eventually reached a massive area and found the place was a warzone. It didn't take long for the guards to gain the upper hand when a massive machine came by and started gunning down the prisoners. "I think it's a good idea to avoid that mech, let's go" Shepard said.
We were getting close to the an observation deck and found 'Jack' most likely heading to steal a ship. "Damn your…." Shepard said, I wasn't paying attention to what she was saying and noted how the Ranger looked out at the ship, I approached him. "We are long away from our home Human, long away from our wars, and kin, at least I am you still ha…" He said but I stopped him.
"Eldar, these people are not my 'kin' my kin are those that are still back and fighting the Great Enemy, the Orks, the Tau, the Necrons, the Tyranids, and well your kin as well" I said as the Commander signalled us to come on so we could leave. "Then we are the only of our kin here, we are alone" He said. In a way he was right Me, Him, the Inquisitor, and the Farseer were alone here, we were the only ones who'd know of War the likes these people and Xenos would never know. We then followed the Commander back to the Normandy and I headed back to the Inquisitor.
Conon's POV
I watched the Human go and knew full well that in a way the 4 of us were at the moment kin. We were the only ones from our realm here so we could be considered kin. I didn't forget what the Farseer told me she saw in 2 of her visions but, us and the humans from our realm, how could that even be possible to happen mainly since they were Xenophobic and believed every species they meet is out to get them even those that are not even ready for space travel.
I walked to the room me and the Farseer called out home. I was still pondering how that future could come to be. As I entered the room I saw the Farseer in meditation so I went to rest and ponder what would become of us in this realm.
Zana's POV
CIC Room
15 Minutes Later
I stood with Shepard and miss Lawson as they were contacted by this 'Illusive Man'. While they were on their mission I researched this Cerberus and found similarities with imperial organizations but differences. When the image of him appeared I noted how he immediately took note of me especially in my outfit (imagine how Adrastia looks in Retribution).
"Who is this with you ?" he asked in a way of someone who is analysing a unexpected change in his plans. "This is one of those people I told you about in my report" Lawson said as he then looked at me with interest. "Then who might you be ?" He asked me.
"I am Inquisitor Zalarus of the Ordo Hereticus, and I took the liberty of reading about your organization" I said to him. "And what is it have found out about Cerberus ?" He asked interested. "I have found you share a devotion to make Humanity the rulers of the stars as we rightfully are, as is said by the God Emperor" I said.
"Who is this God Emperor ?" He asked and I could tell Shepard and Lawson were also interested. "He is the Protector and Ruler of Humanity, He lead a great Crusade to unify all of Humanity under the rule of the Imperium of Man, sadly he was betrayed and was entombed upon the Golden Throne on Holy Terra and has sat there watching over and guiding Humanity for millennia" I said. "Then you would join Cerberus ?" He asked and I immediately changed my mood. "No for you organization does not stand by Imperial Edicts or is Sanctioned to exist or even is allowed by your government" I said and left the room having been insulted to even be asked that question.
As I walked back I thought back to my discussion with a Blood Ranger.
Forge World Drypso, Ehrendolch Sector
3 Weeks Ago
I stood facing the Captain of the Blood Rangers 4th Battle Company. "Captain Richard Zavaran you know why I am here" I said to him. "I do Inquisitor you believe my Chapter's Geneseed was the cause of Captain Nolarer and the 3rd Company becoming traitor and then somehow almost half of the Sector's forces turned traitor but it wasn't and as you can see we crushed that Heresy 2 years ago" He said to me. I knew he wouldn't take having his chapters holy Geneseed be called the reason for the Heresy.
"Captain right now that's the only thing the Inquisition has knowledge of that could be the reason for the Heresy" I said ro him. "And the Blood Rangers upon their founding swore an oath of Penance and Vengeance for those of the Legion who fell on Istvaan III when the Warmaster turned against the Emperor and started the Horus Heresy" He said. "Which is why I believe it wasn't your Chapter's Geneseed that was the source, so I ask what was his last campaign that I should know of that could have been the reason ?" I asked, he sighed. And looked down.
"2 Decades ago he defended a planet from our traitorous brother Araghast The Pilager and his force of the traitors from our legion" He said. "Thank you but it's strange you still refer to them as your brothers and their legion as your own" I said as I stood up and left and remembering his last words to me. "And why shouldn't I we had the same Genefather except the Blood Rangers will redeem our legion in the Emperor's eyes and earn the right as the Inquisitor said to go by our Legions original name, the one prior to our Primarch's change" He said as I left.
Present
Normandy
I looked back at the bolter pistol I carried and remembered Captain Zavaran's words "This Bolter Pistol is one of the few we have from the founders of our chapter, I give it to you in good faith Inquisitor on you mission" He said, those words now going through my mind. I ran my hand over the engraved number on the side, a bit old but still greatly noticeable, the number was a reminder for where the Blood Rangers came from and why they fight to redeem themselves and avenge their fallen brothers on Istvaan III, the number was XVI.
I knew fully well why it is the Despoiler has a special hatred for the Blood Rangers, he and the Black Legion call them 'Traitors', the irony. I clear my mind and focus again on the situation at hand. I then walk towards the elevator and head to the cargo hold.
Authors Note:
Sorry for this chapter being so short but I have finals today. And I am writing my custom chapter as how I wanted them to be originally and I know I gave away massive hints at the end of the chapter to who is the Blood Rangers Genefather. And I'd like to know what everyone thinks should happen in the next chapter.
Again I am so sorry for the short chapter but my school work comes first good thing Monday is my last day of school. And I am sorry if anyone is furious about my custom chapters Geneseed but I thought that would be a good plot point for the Inquisitor to think about especially since the Guardsman asked why she originally was there. And I will be shipping the Inquisitor with the Ranger but do to the way an Inquisitor is that will probably be in a sequal fanfic I will make that will take place during Mass Effect 3 but that won't come into play until I get further into this one.
I am thinking of any well NSFW (Not Safe For Work) Sections of chapters I'll skip but I'll write them in a separate fanfic which will have those sections but let me know if your okay with that. And I am also looking into some ideas for the progress of the characters.