A/N: Well, all good things must eventually come to an end, and this story only has a single chapter left in it before it is finished. I am, of course, planning a sequel, as 'And They Shall Know No Fear' is not only by far the most popular story I have ever written, but it fires my own imagination like nothing else. I won't say anything else about this sequel at the moment, but keep your eyes peeled…
Chapter Ten: Impact
As the reverberating whine of the gunship's twin engines slowly wound down, echoing throughout the massive chamber that was the Golden Blade's main landing bay, Idaeus stood dispassionately, his cool grey eyes fixed squarely on the Thunderhawks's still-closed blast doors. Standing to the side and slightly behind the captain Kiel shifted slightly, his agitation obvious to his superior officer.
"This is an insult," Kiel finally growled, his patience worn thin. "We don't need the Inquisition to retake Sayda, let alone the Grey Knights. Three Companies is more than enough."
If the bulky, Adamantium-clad Idaeus heard Kiel over the last lingering echoes that bounced around the arched room, he made no sign of it. opening his mouth to pursue the point, the veteran thought better of it and instead turned his attention back to the opening doors of the gunship.
A full squad of Battle-Brothers formed up either side of the lowering ramp, their black and red armour polished to an almost mirrored sheen and their hefty Bolters shining silver, a sight that made Kiel's heart swell with pride. Almost as soon as the ramp touched the metal decking, four figures strode out. That the two foremost were Inquisitors was readily apparent by the indifferent air that they both held as they swept past the lines of superhuman warriors towering over them. The other two, each marching a step behind an Inquisitor, wore the carapace armour and the badges of elite Stormtroopers, their Hellguns held at high port. Even these highly trained soldiers glanced uneasily at the rows of marines as they passed, a reaction that Kiel noted with savage amusement.
The lead figure, a striking woman with a long mane of violet hair, stopped several paces before the Idaeus and Kiel, and bowed.
"My lord Idaeus, thank you for your gracious hospitality." She began, her words polite yet firm.
The two marines kept their faces blank, revealing nothing of their emotions.
"It is always a pleasure to receive such honored company aboard the Golden Blade."
The Inquisitor's mouth twitched slightly with the ghost of a smile, noticing the lie but unable to take Idaeus up on his implied insult.
"You may rest assured, we will not interfere with your operation here. We merely bring some reinforcements."
"The Swords of the Emperor do not need the Inquisition to kill a few Daemons," Idaeus growled, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Whilst neither Brother-Captains Mezika or Sanchez happen to be aboard, we have three companies of Space Marines here. Not to mention enough naval firepower to raze the entire surface of Sayda IV should the situation warrant. Inquisitor Katsuragi, I think that you have wasted your time."
Misato smirked slightly, and waved a gloved hand in the direction of the Thunderhawk. In the gunship's gloomy interior, massive shapes began to move, disengaging themselves from the shadows. Ideaus and Kiel watched in awe as six warriors, each clad in what appeared to be highly modified Terminator armour, strode slowly down the ramp. Their eyes widened further as the light revealed youthful faces buried amongst the brightly-coloured nest of armour plates.
"This, my lord, is Evangelion."
"By the Throne…" Kiel muttered unconsciously, staring at the children.
"While impressive, I fail to see what a new type of battle suit is going to achieve here," Idaeus sneered, "especially as those who wear them are still children!"
Misato's eyes flashed in anger, and for the first time Kiel could see how this woman had made the rank of Inquisitor.
"You happen to be looking at the most powerful psyckers in the entire Imperium, wearing suits that predate even the Great Crusade. Do not underestimate them."
The Captain looked dubiously at the group, weighing the matter in his mind.
"Very well. You may use the Golden Blade as a staging point, but remember that this is MY ship. You will defer to our command, is that clear?"
Misato bowed, and without another word turned and strode back to the ship, where two squads of Grey Knights were disembarking alongside the Evangelions.
"This is insanity," Kiel hissed into Idaeus's ear, "letting such young ones fight Daemons. I would give good odds that they have never even seen battle before now."
Idaeus only nodded, his face grim.
xxx
The moon shone silver over the harsh sands, the folding dunes and hills looking like the ripples of a dusty ocean. Over this desolate landscape, the wispy night air was shattered by the dull roar of a trio of Thunderhawk gunships in a rough 'V' formation, half a kilometer above the sands. Two of the ships bore the black and red heraldry of the Swords of the Emperor, whilst the other showed the sinister device of the Inquisition.
In the belly of the latter, Hikari sat silently, absorbed in her own thoughts. Likewise, the other teenagers kept to themselves, conversing neither with each other or the twenty silver-clad marines nearby.
TWENTY MINUTES TO DROP ZONE++ The harsh metallic voice of the ship's pilot over the intercom broke the silence. Shinji looked up and caught Touji's eye, and they both nodded grimly. Asuka, who appeared to be asleep, clapped her crimson gauntlet lightly onto the shoulder of Rei's battlesuit, a simple gesture that was repeated in kind. Hikari stretched her arms, then laid her hand on the hilt of the heavy sword that laid beside her.
"Our temple is the battlefield." Intoned O'Malley, resplendent in his chrome Terminator armour at the rear of the transport. It was not often that the warp was so unstable in a region that the Grey Knights were unable to teleport to the surface, so his warriors were not as familiar with using more mundane forms of transport into battle.
"Our enemies are our offering." The assembled marines answered.
"The thunder of our guns are our prayers."
"Our Bolters are charged with death."
"We know no pain!" O'Malley raised his voice, amplified by the speakers within his helmut.
"We know no sorrow!"
"We are the Space Marines!"
"AND WE KNOW NO FEAR!!!" the Grey Knights roared, as the barely-heard voice crackled over the intercom.
PREPARE FOR LANDING++
"FOR THE EMPEROR!!!" O'Malley screamed, as the rear hatch of the Thunderhawk lowered, revealing the shattered outskirts of what had once been Sayda IV's main settlement.
Leaping from the transport, the Grey Knights fanned out, their gauntlets raised. Nearby, the remaining strength of Captain Idaeus's Company deployed, their movements far more fluid than that of the Daemonhunters, as leaping out of gunships into battle was second nature to them. Ten kilometers away, the two newly-arrived Companies deployed in two groups, forming a rough triangle around the small city. A force of over two hundred superhuman warriors had landed on Sayda IV, and they meant to take back the planet.
"Form up on me." Idaeus commanded, spinning his power sword through the air, readying his muscles for the upcoming battle. "Corvos, have your squad deploy here, and have a firebase constructed as quickly as possible. Your heavy weapons will be better suited to defend this foothold."
"Yes, Brother-Captain." The Sergeant of the 4th Company's remaining Devastator squad turned and began directing his squad to unload the lightweight prefabricated barricades from the Thunderhawks, brought specifically for such a purpose.
"Aldos, take your detachment and find where the vile Warp-spawn are coming from. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
"Very well, Brother-Captain." The Veteran in charge of the company's Assault squad nodded to his warriors and together they ignited their jump packs, launching themselves into the night sky, towards the center of the city, where a faint but decidedly inhuman glow could be seen.
"Kiel, Illiad, Gladius, Karlos." Idaeus continued, naming the sergeants of his four remaining Tactical squads, "Prepare to sortie into the city. Once our armoured support arrives, we will wipe the face of this planet clean of the vile scum that dares to exist in the Emperor's domain."
As he finished speaking, a distant rumble heralded the arrival of the second wave of Thunderhawk gunships, carrying Land Raider and Predator tanks. As they swooped in low to deliver their cargo, Idaeus turned towards the detachment of Grey Knights.
"Are these 'Evangelions' ready for battle?" He asked O'Malley, with only a faint tone of doubt in his voice.
"As ready as your own warriors, Brother."
Idaeus nodded, glanced at the group of teens, then walked away to organize the assault.
xxx
In the gloomy and shattered interior of what had once been the Sanctum Imperialis, a deranged laugh echoed off the gore-drenched walls. In the centre of the partially destroyed cathedral, on a throne built out of bone and flayed skin, sat Tabris. Uncaring of the slinking shapes of lesser Daemons that hid in the deepest shadows, the Daemon Prince let loose another maniacal shout of glee.
"THE FOOLS!!!" he shouted happily, as the lesser Warp entities scurried away.
"They think that here, surrounded by my own army, that those lapdogs have any hope?"
Cackling, Tabris stood and spread his massive pinions, the great bat-like wings scraping the fractured stone walls. Hefting his axe from where it sat, the Daemon strode towards the wide entrance of the building.
In the courtyard, surrounding the pile of rubble that had once been a statue, a writhing mass of fell beings gathered. Snarling and shrieking, the multitudinous, chaotic horde of Daemons raised their otherworldly voices in praise of the most powerful of their number as he stepped out from the desecrated building. Wordlessly, Tabris lifted his weapon to the East and launched himself into the sky, a screaming army of Daemons in his wake.
xxx
Hikari stood, fidgeting slightly in her armour. Around her stood the other Evangelions, all crammed into the tight confines of a Land Raider. As large and impressive as the assault vehicle was, it was nevertheless simply not designed with the EVA suits in mind. Tension and dread rose in equal measure, until the atmosphere inside the transport could almost be cut with a knife.
Hearing the muffled sounds of the heavy Bolters mounted on the hull begin chattering, Hikari broke into a cold sweat and felt the blood flow from her face.
PREPARE FOR COMBAT++
The assault ramp slammed open, and the group ran out, forming into a loose line. A gaggle of flying Daemons exploded into mist as they were mown down by the combined guns of the tanks and Marines, yet more came. Hikari slashed at one that somehow evaded the web of gunfire, the force sword slicing the monstrosity in half effortlessly. To her right, Shinji and Touji stood almost back to back, driving back the brightly coloured creatures with slow and measured swipes. To Hikari's left, Asuka and Rei fought side by side, the two women who so disliked each other in peace turning into a perfect team during war, Asuka's fire to Rei's ice complementing each other in a whirlwind of destruction.
Smashing another of the beasts aside with her shield, Hikari beheaded another, using her momentum to deliver the death blow to a third of the Warp-spawn. Outside her narrowed world, which now consisted of everything within a fifty meter radius and nothing more, she could still hear the repetitive 'Dakka-Dakka' of massed Bolters punishing the foul creatures that dared exist in the Emperor's realm, their flashing muzzles glinting off Hikari's silver battlesuit.
As Hikari slew yet another, the remaining Daemons scattered and fled, their fleeing forms being gunned down. The Marines began to cheer, but the sound quickly died down as a feeling of despair and coldness descended upon the force. As the war-torn street became deathly quiet, the surrounding air became cold and lifeless. On the faint breeze fell voices could be heard on the edge of hearing, wailing at the souls of the living. From behind a ruined apartment, two dark wings spread upwards, surrounded by a vortex of inky black energy. Thumping downwards, a bulky figure lifted into view, seemingly held aloft more by Warp energy than by the wings themselves. Recovering from the moment of apprehension, the assembled Marines opened fire, a vast torrent of high-caliber shells blasting towards the floating figure. Enveloped by a crackling, sickly green shield, the Daemon Prince laughed, and flew lazily over the ruined structure. Landing heavily, he stalked towards the Marine line, his baleful gaze directed at the EVAs. Hikari recoiled in horror as she made out the all-too-human features nestled amongst the twisted, blackened armour. Worse, the design of the battlesuit was familiar, even as mutated and corrupted as it was. Hikari saw an evil version of herself and her peers, an Evangelion turned to Chaos. In its hands rested an ornate axe, its obsidian surface flowing with writhing energies.
Completely ignoring the blistering hail of firepower pattering off its shield, the being came to a halt thirty paces from where Hikari stood. It smiled, it's albino features disturbingly normal as it slowly traversed its red eyes across the group. The gunfire eased then halted, as Idaeus saw the futility of continuing the pointless assault. When the echoes had died down, the Daemon began to speak. It was a voice that sent shivers down the spine, at the same time warm and inviting yet despicably disturbing.
"Ah… My old friends… we meet again. Six of the Angels together once again, it almost calls for a celebration, does it not?"
Asuka snarled, shifting her weight so to be ready to attack. Noticing this, the figure laughed softly.
"Ah, Sachiel. Always eager to fight, you still haven't changed." He then looked at the stoic figure beside her. "Ramiel, I haven't ever seen you in the company of so many real people. Did all the machines break?"
"Silence, Daemon!" snarled Shinji, stepping forward. The others followed suit, a glow forming in each of their eyes. The Daemon Prince laughed again, then bowed mockingly.
"Of course, the great Arael. We were so alike, you and I. It was just a shame that you didn't come and fight at my side." He sneered, then addressed Touji. "And I cannot forget Leliel. You tried so hard to turn me back to your narrow point of view, back to fighting for that fool who you called master." He shook his head in derision. "He could not even control his own sons…"
The Daemon's eyes then locked onto Hikari, a snarl appearing on his face. "And Bardiel. You were the one who banished me for over ten thousand years, I have not forgotten. But where are my manners? I must introduce myself again, as you have probably forgotton what I have not. My name," the Daemon paused, drawing himself up to his full height, "Is Tabris."
Crouching slightly, Tabris pointed his axe at the group, staring over the haft.
"And now, it is time for you to die."
xxx
A/N: And that's that! Don't you just hate it when people do that? Well too bad, because the next chapter is going to be a blast! But with my house moving in a few weeks, It might take me a little while to finish this story. Sit tight!
P.S: yes, I am perfectly well aware that there is no 'Greetings, Inquisitor' fact file at the start of this chapter. The fact is, I'm just too bum lazy, and can't think of one.