Well, if a triumphant return to writing was what I wanted, it was what I got, that's for sure! was not working for me for quite some time, so chapter one was up on for a week or two before I was able to post again on FF. despite this, I received a huge influx of reviews! Hell, I might even be able to break my 5-chapter maximum rule! (I have never, repeat NEVER, taken a story past 5 chapters… I get bored easily!)
Note to my reviewers (who did not leave an email address, and who I felt I needed to respond to):
First off, I have no intention of making any of the pilots wear terminator armour. However, those who wanted it need not despair, I have a few little plot twists coming that should keep you heavy-armour fanatics happy….
Venom-117: thanks mate; I would love a sketch of Asuka in termie armour! And once the story starts to flesh out, maybe you could do a few more sketches for me! (not giving any clues yet!)
A note to the 40K fans that have read and reviewed the first chapter, I'll apologise for giving the reference at the end of the last chapter, cause I kinda changed my mind…. that reference comes into play within the next few chapters…I kinda assumed that I would make my chapters bigger!
Chapter two: Descent
In the depths of the warp, a caged entity stirred. It had been imprisoned since the dawn of humanity, subdued and chained by those it once counted as kin, but no longer. Banished to this half-life of insanity, the ancient daemon slept fitfully. In its dreams, it perceived that the time for its vengeance drew near.
As the bonds holding it to the Warp began to weaken, the daemon smiled in its sleep.
xxx
"Docking clamps released. Prepare for descent."
"Finally" muttered Hikari, as she tightened the straps holding her to her seat. A small Thunk indicated the separation between the small transport craft and the starship she had arrived in, and she was pushed back into her seat by the sudden acceleration. The transport had viewports on each side of the hull, and for the first time she could see the behemoth that had carried her halfway across the galaxy. Fully the size of a small city, the shape and size of a Battle Barge was unmistakable to the youngster, having grown up on the homeworld of the Ultramarines chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, who used such vessels in their fleet.
Massive gothic architecture overshadowed the massive gunports, each harbouring a gigantic weapon of awesome power. A full broadside from such a ship could cripple even the largest of capital ships used by the enemies of the Imperium. On the prow rested a colossal bombardment cannon, designed to obliterate entire settlements in a single shot. Everywhere on the Battle Barge were references to the immortal Emperor of mankind, from the immense two-headed eagle that represented the Imperium just below the bridge, to the devotional litanies written on nearly every flat surface that could be found. Ancient battle scars adorned the hull, and Hikari could barely comprehend the many millennia of war that such a vessel had seen.
As the transport moved away, Hikari could clearly see the symbol of the inquisition, a silver 'I' intersected by three small lines, dominating the side of the Battle Barge's hull. Whilst not a complete surprise to her, just knowing that the holy Inquisition were the ones who had summoned her sent a chill down her spine. Whilst rumours concerning the shadowy overseers of the Imperium were few and far between, what she had overheard in snippets of whispered conversation regarding their actions were nothing short of terrifying.
As the landing shuttle turned, their destination swum into view. Hikari's eyes widened at the unreal sight before her. They were moving into the outer atmosphere of a small planet of habitable size, which had been urbanised to the point where there were more buildings than anything else. Interspaced between all the towering structures, small spots of greenery could be made out, even at their high altitude.
Lower still the lander flew, until Hikari could spot out the icon of the machine god, the Omnissiah. Made up of a gear wheel with a skull inside, it represented the only cult accepted by the imperium apart from that of the Emperor.
She could tell that this was a forge world of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the priests of the machine god, but Hikari was confused about the layout of the planet.
'Usually forge worlds are polluted wastelands…'
xxx
As the Aquilia-class lander made its final approach, two figures stood side by side on the edge of the landing bay, completely immobile. Both were female, but that was where similarity ended. One of them seemed to be made of more machinery than flesh, with her right eye and arm both replaced with bionics. She wore an armoured harness, out of which protruded several servo-arms, linking to her body through the shoulder blades. One of the vice-like pincers of the servo-arms held a mug of hot, black liquid in front of her chest, the other standing still in a crouched position behind her. Moving a few stray strands of her blond hair away from her face, she turned slightly to her companion.
"Are you sure you wish to do this now, Inquisitor? Perhaps it would be best to wait until they are more mature."
The other woman growled slightly in he back of her throat, but otherwise made no signal that she had even heard the Techpriest. She stood perfectly straight, uncaring of the hot, dry wind that blew her purple hair and black cloak around. Her normally attractive face impassive, Inquisitor Misato Katsuragi of the Ordo Hereticus waited.
Unfazed by her question being ignored – Misato was an inquisitor, after all – the techpriest continued.
"I do not believe that their minds will be sufficiently developed to properly synchronise. There could be… complications in the activation."
The purple-haired woman finally turned at that, the techpriest all too aware of the small 'I' that glinted at the clasp of the black cloak.
"That has yet to be seen, Ritsuko. Anyway, I have been meaning to make a trip here for some time now. This makes it far more convenient for my superiors."
The techpriest looked bemused at this. "In other words, you wanted an excuse to get pissed in our many taverns?"
A small smile graced Misato's face, before being forced back into a more serious countenance.
"The long answer to that, my dear Ritsuko, is that I wanted to come and see my good friend, whom I have not had the chance to spend time with for many years."
"And the short answer?"
"Yes. Yes I did."
Further conversation was made impossible by the growing roar of the Aquilia's engines. The two friends turned back to face the lander, a vessel that carried both of their hopes and dreams within.
The small transport touched down gracefully, its pilot wanting to make as good as an impression as he possibly could. As the noise of the engines died down, a ramp lowered from the back. Before it had even touched the ground, two inducted storm troopers, handpicked by Misato herself, leapt out and stood at attention either side of the walkway. Behind them came a small group of children, each as different from the next. Misato's eyes studied each of them in turn, judging their character, and ultimately each of their weaknesses. First was a girl, her hair in ponytails, looking around at her surroundings with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
'She seems to have courage. Excellent.'
Next came an albino, looking completely unfazed by her situation.
'Calm and collected, takes things one step at a time.'
If the second girl was ice, then the red-headed young woman who strode down the ramp was fire. It was plain to see that she had seen her fair share of hardships, but the way she carried herself belied an indefatigable strength.
'A born warrior, she is.'
Next in line were two boys, deep in conversation with each other. One seemed nervous and twitchy, the other scared but trying not to show it.
'Bad traits for warriors, but they can be changed.'
She quickly put such thoughts out of her mind as the group approached them.
"Ritsuko, would you like to do the honours?" she asked in an undertone.
"My pleasure" replied the techpriest quietly, and then she raised her voice.
"Children, welcome to Mars."
Taking secret pleasure at the set of stunned faces in front of her, she continued.
"You have been summoned here by the most holy Inquisition," she gestured towards Misato "to take part in an extremely secret and honourable project. Inquisitor, would you like to add anything?"
The purple-haired woman stepped forward and removed the hood of her cloak, so that the children before her could see her face.
"You have been chosen because of your peculiar psychic signature, which is unique to each of you, and completely essential to our project. We will be showing you why you are here in due time. Until then, your guards will show you to your temporary quarters."
When the last of the children had filed away, Misato sighed. Glancing at Ritsuko, she said in a weary voice "Maybe you are right, Ritsuko. They are young, maybe too young. Either way, we still have to go ahead with the project."
The techpriest looked troubled, then raised her servo-arm to her lips, draining the half-cold cup of coffee it held in one gulp. Sighing she replied, "Yes. We are running out of time."
xxx
Well, there we are, chapter two! Sorry it took so damn long, but tests are coming up. Isn't high school a bitch?
Next chapter sees the unveiling of the secret project that has both Inquisitor Katsuragi and techpriest Akagi both worrying about!