A/N: Thank you for your reviews, your feedback and your continued support.
Hope you like this rendition of 'Shas'la Jakob', SF Ghost.
Chapter 6 – Jakob Of The Greater Good
Each must find their own way, if those in our heartland had witnessed the savageries of the void as have we they would know this. The hand of each of the great starfarers is turned against the other, none will join their strength together just to see their ancient enemies prosper. Neither should we.
- Shas'O Vior'la Shovah Kais Mont'yr, Commander Farsight of the Tau Empire
This is Kyra Stryker with breaking new, broadcasting from the emergency studio of the Cornerian News Network on Katina. Corneria has been invaded by the Imperium. I repeat: The Imperium of Man has invaded Corneria. Confirmed reports of Cornerian/human engagements across the planet are flooding in, where nearly 90 of planetary defence forces have been decimated by human ground forces, while half of the Cornerian Defence Fleet has reported to be razed…
Clad in his lab-coat, the young scientist of a fox tore down the hallway towards the mess hall, handheld portable radio in hand. His heart beat painfully against his chest as sweat ran down the sides of his face. He felt like he was going to urinate in his pants after hearing the news on the radio, which was still broadcasting.
Slippy and Amanda sat opposite one another as they ate their tuna salad, where every once in a while they would take a glance at one another, where upon the other noticing the other was looking, they would look away and blush. The other people sitting in the mess couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed by the couple's behaviour.
The scientist kicked open the folding doors leading into the mess radio in hand, which shook Slippy and Amanda out of their trance. He frowned and turned towards the scientist, surprised to see him looking panicked.
"Hey, what gives?" Slippy asked.
Horror crossed the scientist's face as he pointed to the radio, "Listen everybody!"
…it is confirmed that 10,000 people are missing, while four times are confirmed to have been killed in the fighting which has devastated Corneria City. Imperial forces continue to ravage the countryside, laying waste to nearly every farm and agricultural centre. It believed that thousands more have perished in the rural sectors…
"What the…?" Slippy cried.
Everybody dropped what they were doing and ran towards the scientist, who faced the ground as everyone crowded around to listen to the radio. The scientist felt tears well in his eyes as he listened to his home planet burn.
…It is not confirmed if Corneria's leaders, whether political or military, have managed to escape from the planet. What can be confirmed is that the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, General Peppy Hare, has ordered all Lylatian citizens to evacuate Corneria, and head towards the outer sectors of the system. Hare has also ordered that all military personnel are to regroup and report for duty to Site #2, where it's location is currently being withheld for now.
Gasp and cries of sorrow went around everybody in the mess, except for Slippy and Amanda, who still sat at their seat and listened to the radio with eyes of surprise, horror and futility. Amanda looked straight at Slippy questioningly, where his mouth was agape in complete and silent shock. Slippy then shook his head.
"Jacques," he spoke softly, "Please, I hope it's not you and your people."
Suddenly Beltino made himself known as he entered through another door, where he looked frantic as all Hell.
"CORNERIA'S UNDER SIEGE!" he stormed out loud, "CORNERIA IS BEING…"
Angry, one of the other scientists turned to him and shouted, "Shut up, old man! We already know the picture."
Peeved, Slippy got up from his seat and yelled back at the scientist, "Hey, cool off, will you?"
Beltino lowered his eyes, "No, Slippy. He has a right to be angry…"
He then looked up at his son and all the scientists and techs in this room, where they all focused on him.
"Our planet has finally fallen to the Imperium," Beltino claimed, "It was only a matter of time before they take over what they believe rightly belongs to them. Dear God…"
Slippy walked over to him and held him by the shoulders as he clutched his head, feeling grief overwhelm him, evidenced when he felt he could no longer stand and he collapsed on the floor and sat against the wall.
"Dad?"
"Dear God Almighty, have mercy on us, please."
The scientist holding the radio eye widened as the new report continued, "Shhh…there's more."
Everybody listened in, where their horror only intensified, especially Slippy's.
Reports coming in that the heroic mercenary group Star Fox was on Corneria, just in time for the Victory Day celebrations. It is currently not known if they were killed during the initial attack if they had managed to escape, though all signs point to their deaths. What is currently known is that according to Wing Commander Dash Bowman of the Cornerian Air Force, is that they put up a valiant fight against the Imperial invaders, before being overwhelmed by Space Marine forces.
Slippy felt devastated as all that information sank in, where he begun to feel physically sick. His best friends in the entire universe were possibly dead. He felt like joining his father on the floor and to bury his head into his hands. But he decided against it, where his sadness suddenly turned to anger. He looked down at Beltino, who looked up at him with slightly teary eyes.
Slippy frowned, "How long till the Bullfrog is prepped for actual combat?"
Surprised, Beltino asked, "It should be combat-worthy and ready to fly now. Why?"
"I'm gonna take the fight to the Imperium."
All eyes centred on Slippy now, especially a very shocked Amanda. Beltino felt his mind snap when he suddenly stood up and faced his son, "WHAT?"
Amanda rushed over to Slippy, "Are you crazy, Slip? You'll get yourself killed!"
Slippy looked at his feet, still feeling angry, "It's better than sitting around here! I've got to do something!"
"Didn't you just hear the radio?" Amanda argued roughly, "You'll be dead before you're even able to fire off a single shot."
"But…"
"I know how you feel Slippy," Beltino said, "But Amanda's right. You will accomplish nothing by charging the Imperium's lance weaponry, and besides I believe Fox and his companions managed to escape them."
Slippy brightened up, "You really think so?"
Amanda smiled reassuringly and patted Slippy on the shoulder, "They wouldn't be called 'Star Fox' for nothing. Besides…"
She focused on Beltino.
"…shouldn't we be trying to locate the remaining Cornerian forces? Site #2…wasn't it?"
"Err…yes, YES! Of course!" Beltino exclaimed, "If we can just organise, we might be able to stand a chance."
He then turned around and made a dash out the door, startling both Slippy and Amanda where they watched him run down the hallway just as the doors closed. The both of them stared at one another questioningly, where they then chased after him, leaving the remaining scientists and technicians standing around in the mess hall, where they listened on to the report…
----------
…as did another individual on the other side of the Lylat System, where his Portable Transceiver was tuned into the local media circuits, which was projecting an image of a rather shaken female News Anchor on the wall. Dressed in a yellow pants and singlet which clung to his rather athletic figure, and sitting cross-legged on his bed as if he had been just been disturbed out of his meditation, he watched the news with sympathy in his eyes and in total silence.
The Cornerian Defence Forces and us here at the Cornerian News Network urge all citizens living in the Lylat area to remain calm and to avoid Corneria at all costs. If you believe to be missing any loved ones, please call our toll-free number and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We will continue to keep you updated on the situation as it develops.
For now, from everyone here at the news desk, we ask you and your families to stay alert, and Godspeed to you all.
The young person in question was a youthful twenty-one year old man with short, dark-blond hair. He had a mechanical device attached to his, or rather, replacing his left eye, where his remaining right eye was a sparkling blue colour. The technology surrounding his mechanical eye did not appear to be that of Lylat, Imperium or even Chaos. Strange lettering was tattooed all over both his arms, where across his left wrist was what appeared to be rectangular looking wristwatch.
A/N: Yeah, I gave him a haircut. Hair tends to get in the way when you're fighting, especially in the Gue'vesa Auxiliary Corp. of the Tau Empire. I hope you don't mind SF Ghost.
He checked the numbers: Four hours, and slowly counting down. He exhaled gently and got off his bed, where he walked into what appeared to be his bathroom. He glanced at himself in the mirror, where he pulled the skin under his right eye down, where he was relieved to have not noticed any irregularities.
'By the Council of the Highest,' he thought, 'Sand does get in your eyes on this wasteland.'
Suddenly, his wristwatch let out a beep, where he tapped it gently.
"Yes?"
Gue'vesa Shas'la, have you given yourself plentiful rest?
"As much as I'll ever get out here, Shas'ui."
Good. Shas'O had ordered another expedition team to Sector 43-through-67 here on this planet. The animal life here intrigues him and he believes a few samples are in order to present to the Council back home.
He frowned slightly, "I'll inform the team immediately, Shas'ui. Is there anything in particular Shas'O wants?"
Ahhh, he says he wants to be surprised. But he says it should be at least ten-foot high, and that it doesn't have to be alive, but it has to be at least in one piece.
"In that case, I'll do my best."
Thank you, I'll be seeing you up on the surface. For the Greater Good, Shas'la.
"For the Greater Good, Shas'ui."
He switched off the communicator function of his watch, where he took one last look at himself in the mirror. He then smiled gently to himself, before he frowned slightly. He then spun on his heels and stepped out the bathroom. Near the door leading into room his pushed a blowing blue button, and immediately a compartment in the wall next to the bed opened up. It revealed a yellow/black-coloured robotic-looking Battlesuit in a glass case, complete with helmet. It appeared to have a short antenna sprouting from the side of it, and it's two red-coloured eye holes were situated vertically from each other.
He pushed a button on his wristwatch, the case beeped slightly, where the sounds of mechanical gears could be heard before the glass case opened, exposing the exoskeleton. The young man known by his rank, Shas'la, slowly begun to don the suit, he slid into it from behind, as if it was a bodysuit. It clung to the man's form and sealed itself over him. He sharply remembered that it have felt awkward the first time he donned this kind of armour, but overtime it felt as if he wasn't wearing it all; like a second skin.
He then reached for his helmet. He inhaled his last breath of natural air, before he put it on. Immediately his Heads-Up Display initiated, where it ran through the usual start-up diagnostics.
Online…Welcome, Shas'la Calth Jakob Sho'ka Gue'la.
Life-signs: Normal
Suit Status: Durable
Current Assignment: Expeditionary Force, Vash'ya Titania Current Orders: Notify Team of next missionThe young man, impeccably known as Sha'la Calth Jakob Sho'ka Gue'la got down on his knees and reached under his bed, where he pulled out a yellow handled-case and he it on his bed. He deactivated the locks on it and opened it. He reached into it and pulled out a very large Rail Rifle; he then loaded it with a plasma clip and slung it over his shoulder.
"Showtime," he said to himself, smiling.
He then closed the case and stepped towards the door, where immediately it opened and he left his room.
----------
Fox opened his eyes slowly, where about a minute ago he had closed them tightly when they made the warp jump from Corneria, and especially when they went through that Chaos starship and sliced it in half. He found that he was still sitting in his command seat, and that his terminal screen was reading WARP JUMP SUCCESSFUL.
He let out a massive sigh, relieved that he was still alive. But he then suddenly thought, alarmed…
"Krystal? Falco? Katt? Rob?" he cried out, looking back from his seat, "Tell me you guys are still alive?"
He heard groans come from Falco, before he chuckled, "Yeah, we're still with you, Foxy. "
His fears were quickly put to rest when he found that they were still here, albeit fastened to their seats and, excluding ROB the Robot, that they were feeling a bit nauseous. Katt quickly swallowed her dinner back down. Krystal rubbed her forehead slightly, trying to get her mind and emotions back into focus.
"A…are we…have we?" Krystal struggled to speak.
She looked up and saw Fox's wide smile, where he nodded and unfastened his seatbelt. He ran over to her and helped her to her feet, the both of them embracing impulsively, overjoyed that they were now far away from the Chaos invaders.
"Yeah, we made it," Fox answered, smiling widely.
Falco looked at and frowned slightly, before turning to the seat next to him and to Katt, "Hey, how about helping your man to his feet, Katt?"
Katt rolled his eyes and let out a mock growl as she got up from her seat and stretched, "Undo you own belt, Beakbrain."
Katt smirked wickedly as Falco folded his arms and let out a humph, "Fine. Hey…isn't that Titania on the screen in front of me?"
All eyes turned to the main screen, immediately they all suppressed a cry of surprise as they found they were hurtling down towards the dustbowl Death World known as Titania. Fox mind flashed when he couldn't help but realise that there was quite a bit of history with this planet, stretching all the way back to the formation of the Cornerian government. Apparently it was a breeding ground for a race of endlessly multiplying, deadly bug creatures, which shared some common traits with the now extinct Aparoid race.
Predating even the Imperial Exterminatus' on Lylat, the Cornerian fleet feared this possible threat and unleashed a barrage of photon-infused bombs onto the surface of the planet, reducing it to a radioactive smear and wiping out these 'bug' creatures, which it's name was now forgotten. As a result the surviving animal species were all mutated and quickly adjusted to the now desert world, which had once been a tropical paradise.
Fox shook his head and he ended his quick, mental history lesson as alarms begun to sound off around him. He leaped over the main console and landed perfectly onto his seat; he gripped the controls. To his shock he found that they weren't responding to him.
"Er…ROB?"
"The Great Fox's engine systems appears to have taken massive damage following our jump from Corneria," ROB informed everyone in earshot, "The ship is now in complete freefall and will crash on Titania in 2 minutes."
"Aw, jeez!" Falco exclaimed, "Must have been when we literally mined our way through that oversized starship!"
"You think?" Fox responded aggressively, before calling, "Everyone to the back of the ship…NOW!"
And with that they all ran out of the bridge and down the hall. Fox could sense that they were now on re-entry towards the planet's surface as the ship begun to vibrate it's hardest, and that the heat was starting to build up.
"Where's the back of the ship?" Katt asked as they ran.
"Freeze storage!" Falco responded, "Where we keep the steaks and the beer!"
Katt's eyes widened, "Sorry I asked."
"Ah, don't give a second thought," Falco responded, the situation unfortunately not affecting his sense of humour.
----------
With his rail rifle in his left hand and a pair of binoculars to his eye-sensors from the other hand, Jakob scanned over the dusty wilderness of the planet from the edge of a cliff. His binoculars suddenly beeped when he focused on a section of the desert, where he smiled slightly and lowered his binoculars. He then gripped his rifle with both hands and stepped away from the cliff, and towards three other humanoids equipped in body armours, another of which was carrying a rail rifle, while the other carried pulse carbines. They were sitting on the ground and checking over their observatory equipment.
One of the other humanoids' helmet was coloured white, where he looked up at La'Jakob.
"Gue'vesa Shas'la, have you found anything interesting?"
"Sure have, Shas'ui," Jakob responded, "Half-a-mile from here. And it's really big."
Another 'Pathfinder' looked up at Jakob and remarked, "That should make for a worthy prize to take back to T'au, eh brothers?"
The others nodded, where Jakob responded, "It would, Tash. Now, are we moving out?"
They all stood up, gripping their weapons, "Set your weapons to stun. Shas'O will be delighted if we take this specimen alive. Now, let's move out!"
As if they were as fast as the wind they pulled out what appeared to be grappling cables. They attached them near the edge of the cliff. They then hooked themselves up they begun to rappel down the cliff face, weapons slung over the their shoulders. Jakob felt his heart pump immensely from this adrenaline rush which was now pumping through him. And he was enjoying every second of it as he was brought face to face with danger alongside his brothers.
'And I'm the only human who gets to experience all this,' he thought smirkingly, albeit slightly sadly when he was realised he was 'the only one'.
"Gue'vesa Shas'la," the Shas'ui called out, "Try to stay focused."
"Apologies, Shas'ui," Jakob acknowledged his slight drift-off, "Just prepping myself mentally."
"Guess brains will be of use once we get down there," Tash added with glee, "Something of this size will bound to take more than just firepower."
Once they reached the bottom they unhooked themselves from their cables and headed towards where Jakob had detected the large mass. They were running across the desert, the sand blowing against their suits, and with their weapons drawn and charged. They began to tread softly when they were a few yards from the large mass.
"Use caution," the Shas'ui said, gripping his weapons, " We take it alive, Gue'vesa Shas'la."
Jakob nodded, where he aimed his rail rifle downward towards the ground, through the sight he could see what appeared to be a large worm-like creature burrowed underground. He squeezed the trigger of his rifle and fired into the sand. Immediately they heard a loud, pained roar and they stepped back some, where suddenly, the creature emerged from the ground, scattering sand everywhere.
"TAKE ACTION!" the Shas'ui cried, "CO-ORDINATE YOUR VOLLEYS, BOND BROTHERS!"
The Pathfinders raised their carbines up at the twenty-foot tall purple-coloured scaled worm creature and fired at it, painfully stunning it. It roared again and brought it's weight down upon the Pathfinders, where immediately they dove out the way as sand was sent flying everywhere. Jakob quickly focussed himself mentally, before he slung his rifle over his back and ran towards the creatures, where as it brought itself back upwards he jumped up on it's back. It suddenly became alarmed and attempted to shake Jakob off, the human holding on fast like a flea. Thinking fast, Jakob turned to his wrist computer and pressed a glowing green SEDATION button.
A large hypodermic needle sprung from Jakob's wrist. He gripped one of the worm's scales tightly with his left hand, as he drove the needle into it from behind. His HUD notified him…
ADMINISTERING SEDATIVE SOLUTIONLIFEFORM: UNKNOWN MUTANT CREATURE
The Pathfinders watched as the worm thrashed around in a blind panic, trying to shake Jakob off it's back. But it's efforts were in vain, as it suddenly felt it's muscle relax themselves as the tranquillisers took effect. It loudly collapsed on the ground and exhaled from it's multiple mouths painfully. Triumphantly, Jakob leapt off the worm and back onto the ground, where he dusted his hands off.
The Pathfinders walked up to him, where immediately the Shas'ui patted him on the back.
"Nicely down, Gue'vesa Shas'la."
"Thanks, brother," Jakob replied, smiling behind his helmet.
Shas'ui turned to his wrist computer, "Command, this is Pathfinder Team Mont'da, we've acquired another specimen. Requesting Orca extraction."
Roger that, Shas'ui, the other line said, Two Orcas will be inbound towards your position in a few minutes. What have you got for us this time?
The Pathfinder glanced over at the sleeping worm, before the Shas'ui replied, "Something very unnatural, and might be worth coming to this dustbowl for. Mont'da over and out."
The Shas'ui switched off his communicator as Jakob stepped over towards the worm. He stretched his hand forward and stoke it's stomach, contemplating the existence of this creature. Judging from the radiation levels on this planet that were found to be now on a moderate, safe level; he immediately deduced that this was a mutated lifeform.
His eyes downcast with pity, where he patted the creature as it's belly rose and lowered as it slept.
"To think that at one time this must have been a creature of beauty," he remarked, heavy sympathy in his voice, "What possessed the people here to put this world to the torch?"
"I haven't the slightest notion, Gue'vesa Shas'la," the Shas'ui emphasised as he stepped up to join Jakob, "But it should go to show how destructive their means of warfare really are."
Jakob rolled his eyes over at the Shas'ui, "You know, that reminds me of this other species and society…which shall remain nameless."
"HEY!"
All eyes turned to Tash, where he was looking up at Solar, are hand over his eyeholes.
"Why in the Greater Good are you looking up at that star?" the other pathfinder asked, "Trying to blind yourself?"
"Something is coming down from the sky!" Tash exclaimed.
Jakob and the Shas'ui looked up towards Solar and adjusted their vision modes so that the glare from the star wouldn't affect their view. They saw the Great Fox II barrelling down from the sky at tremendous speed. The both of them looked at one another questioningly, before they looked back up at it.
"Er…it's coming…straight for us," Tash stumered.
His point was proven when suddenly a piece of the ship landed right before his feet, where he cried out in shock and stepped back. Jakob suddenly ducked to avoid another piece of the wing, while the Shas'ui ordered that they do the sanest thing.
"RUN!"
----------
Krystal shivered in Fox's arms as they sat in the freezer, jersey wrapped around the both of them, as were Falco and Krystal. Noticing her shivering grew with each passing second of sitting in this mini iceberg, Fox hugged her even tighter, which Krystal didn't seem to mind. Falco and Katt followed suit, which didn't surprise Fox.
'Strange that they decide to finally open up to one another just hours before we die,' he thought, counting the time they spend escaping from Corneria.
He then looked down at the vixen in his arms, where he felt a tear slide down his cheek, which immediately froze.
'Well, at least we get to die together,' he thought, still sad and now feeling bitter.
Krystal mind suddenly pierced through his thought, where sadness was evident on her own face, Don't even start to think like, Fox. There's no way we're going to die today.
"Ten seconds to impact," ROB estimated, before he begun to count down, "Nine seconds…eight seconds…"
Falco rolled his eyes at having to hear ROB count the second he has to live, where he and Katt stared into each other's eyes. He smirked slightly as he insisted, "Please God, let me die now."
Katt nodded and returned the smile, "Me too."
----------
"RUN!"
The Pathfinder grabbed their equipment and begun to run as far as their armoured legs could allow them, completely forgetting about the mutant worm they had just managed to incapacitate. Jakob took a glimpse behind himself to see the Great Fox about to hit the ground, before he looked ahead and begun to run his hardest. The massive boom of the Great Fox hitting the sand was heard, where the Pathfinders were lifted off their feet…
"ARGHHHH!"
…before landing and being buried by the massive amounts of sand which came up from the crash, and hence fell back down. After a few seconds, they fought their way back to the surface and fresh air, where Jakob tore off his helmet and took in gulp fulls of air, before coughing out some sand that had managed to get into his helmet, and into his mouth.
Tash brushed the sand off his suit, while the Shas'ui groaned as he pulled his left leg out from the sand.
"Is everyone alright?" the Shas'ui shouted, "Gue'vesa Shas'la?"
Jakob coughed out loud, before he snapped, "I'm fine! Just…awwwkkkk…"
Just as he expelled some more sand from his lungs, he looked at the fallen form that was the Great Fox, which was sizzling with re-entry heat. Jakob wiped the sand off his brow, before getting back onto his feet, as did the other Pathfinders.
"What do you call that manner of craft, La'Jakob?" the other unnamed Pathfinder asked, gripping his pulse carbine.
Jakob scratched his forehead and narrowed his eyes, where he revealed, "It appears to be a Cornerian A-Class Carrier."
He looked at the stricken craftt, where he saw that the wings were now missing, the main bridge windows were smashed and some of the hull had been melted. He stepped up to the side of the craft where he flicked it, only to recoil when it was still hot as Hell, and that he felt it through his sand-covered body armour.
Jakob brushed some more sand of his suit, before he called back, "Shas'ui, should we call this in?"
"Might as well," the Shas'ui responded, where as he turned to his communicator Tash interrupted him.
"Hey!" Tash cried out alarmed, where he looked at his sensory equipment, which he had quickly reassembled, "There's lifeforms trapped within that metal hulk."
All eyes turned to him, where Jakob shouted out, "You sure?"
"Yes. One of which is in bad shape."
Jakob looked at Shas'ui with panic, where he in turn looked up at the Great Fox, before he shook his head slightly as he contemplated what to do next.
"Should we get them out, Shas'ui?" Jakob asked, hoping that he would say 'yes.'
The Shas'ui nodded and shouted, "Preserve them, and they may take a shine to us."
----------
Meanwhile back toward the orbit the above the fallen world of Corneria, the Despoiler sat on the bridge of his flagship, watching through the main window as more Chaos ship descended upon the planet, where even more were coming from the Orbital Gate. He couldn't help but smile with immense satisfaction, his conquest of Lylat having been assured through the capture of it's capital world.
My lord, a voice begun to speak to him through his head, We have acquired the Sphere from the facility and have…sacrificed…all who have tried to oppose us.
Abaddon smiled, "Well done, Librarian. You've made me, and the Chaos Gods, proud."
But I am afraid to say we may have a problem.
"I don't want to hear failure, Ahriman," Abaddon threatened, where he frowned and clinched his fists, "You should be afraid. You forfeit your life if we have hit a stump in our plans."
It's the Cerinian, my lord, Ahriman responded, If we are to succeed, we must have her if we are to awaken it.
Anger flared up within Abaddon, where he asked angrily, "You dare decide to just tell me this now, Librarian? They just escaped the God's tainted grasp. Consider yourself lucky we have managed to track them."
Then we must act fast. Before I can ever summon the Imperator from its resting-place, we must appease the Gods with the Cerinian's life.----------
The Pathfinder climbed up onto the Great Fox, where they travelled upward the slanted Arwing runway towards the bridge, where with it's shattered windows and their duties to take point it was practically inviting to them. Jakob smashed aside a remaining large piece of the window, climbed into the wrecked bridge and they surveyed the scene.
"This shouldn't be a burden to repair," the Shas'ui pointed out, before looking at Jakob and Tash and pointing towards the bridge door, "La'Jakob, La'Tash, scout ahead. Me and Korvash will hold here."
Jakob nodded, where he nudged at Tash and they stepped towards the door. It opened for them, albeit slowly and noisily, and they stepped into the hallway, where the lights flickered on and off. Tash felt the impulse to grip his carbine and keep his finger near the trigger. Jakob looked at him questioningly, his own rifle still slung over his back.
"That won't be necessary, Tash."
"You never know, brother."
They made their way through the hallway, passing by the doors leading into the bathroom. Somehow Jakob felt a strange sense of déjà vu as they slowly took each forward, where his eyes darted left and right, his hands clenching and unclenching as they soon found to be at a junction. Tash noticed Jakob's troubled movements.
"What's the matter, Jakob?" Tash asked, somewhat teasingly, "The flickering lights getting to you already?"
Jakob frowned at his even younger companion, which Tash could see due to Jakob not wearing his helmet, "No. It's something…I…can't put my finger on."
They then suddenly heard loud groaning come from down the hallway, where Jakob checked his wrist sensor and saw that one of the survivors of this downed craft's vitals were beginning to drop. He and Tash begun to jog down the hallway until they come up to steel door, where they could hear slight banging from the other side.
Jakob and Tash stared at the door, where suddenly though it's round window they could see a orange-furred vulpine with a look of agony on his face slamming his fists on the other side. Jakob's eye widened.
"Open the door!" he ordered.
Tash did so, pushing the button to the side. The vulpine immediately fell forward in Jakob's arms, where he was horrified when he found himself to be coated in the vulpine's blood and some frost courtesy of the freezer…
…as Fox had what appeared to be steel rod protruding from his chest. He felt his life begin to slip away from him as some dark-blond haired human gently laid him out on the ground, where he noticed that the human looked at him with distress. As he noticed a yellow-suited humanoid standing behind the human holding a pulse carbine, he smiled painfully.
"J…Jacques?" he mumbled painfully, "Is…is that…?"
He then passed out once again.
----------
"Fox."
What almost seemed like a minute later Fox clawed his way through what felt like anaesthetics, which he laid on what appeared to be a medical bunk, where several strange looking medical devices were attached all over him, including what appeared to be an IV tube and a heart monitor. He found that he was completely stripped of his clothing, save for his boxers and a strip of cloth which was wrapped around his chest and the wound.
His chest ached like hell, which felt abysmal as he tried to breathe, where instead he gave out a loud, painful cough. He opened his eyes, which immediately shot opened when he saw what appeared to be a transparent-looking Bill Grey standing above him, one hand on the side of the bed, and smiling slightly.
"Bill?"
He was dressed in his green Cornerian flight suit, including the helmet but with his visor up. Bill nodded.
"Yeah it's me," Bill said, where he crossed his arms, "I'm glad you're still alive."
Fox felt panic, seeing what appeared to be Bill's ghost before him, "H…how did…?"
"I don't really know, Fox," Bill admitted, looking down at himself, "I'll have to look into that. But now…"
His smile faded and he looked up from the ground and into Fox's eyes.
"You have to wake up."
Fox's eyes widened when he felt his vision blur, before darkness settled in before him. He closed his eyes, where within his own mind he fell fast asleep. Bill shook his head slightly and frowned slightly, when immediately he faded away.
----------
"He's vitals have stabilised. He is going to survive."
"Thank you doctor. Bring him back to the real world."
"I already have, Shas'la Jakob."
Fox opened his eyes once again, where he found he was still confined to that bed. But this time he found the human in the yellow body armour standing near his bed, where a blue-skinned flat face humanoid in a vibrant-looking medical gown standing nearby, and holding what seemed to be a clipboard. The alien doctor noticed that Fox was awake, where he excused himself, leaving the room…which appeared to be the medical quarters
Fox looked up at the human, who was smiling reassuringly.
"Boy, that was a close one, vulpine," Jakob noted, crossing his arms, "If that piece of steel was two more inch to the left, it would have pierced your heart."
Fox groaned, where he tried to sit up, "Ahhh…what…?"
Jakob suddenly looked serious, "I wouldn't try to sit up. You've just came out of serious operation, and you'll probably still be feeling like crap."
"Operation…uhhh?"
"Yeah," Jakob sitting, sitting down on the chair next to the bed, "Not only did we had to remove that rod carefully, we had to reconstruct some of the bone that it pierced through, namely in the chest cavity. But…"
He smiled, where his eyes glanced away from Fox.
"…I think we pulled it off."
Fox smiled painfully, "Hey, thanks…I've got one question..."
"Hmm?"
"Who, or what, are you people?"
Jakob stood up from his seat and stared down at the Fox, as if studying the trainwreck of a vulpine that now lay bandaged in the medical quarters.
"You'll know who we are once you're back on your feet," Jakob said, "I'd say in about a couple of days, so I suggest you spend all of that time in bed. But don't worry, you're safe here. We take in all kinds of different people of different species every day."
He then turned and walked away to the door.
"Hey…"
Jakob froze in the doorway, hearing Fox call out to him in a pained tone of voice.
"How about…a name, eh?"
Jakob sighed, "My full name is Shas'la Calth Jakob Sho'ka Gue'la."
Fox's eye widened at hearing that incredibly large, seemingly complicated name. Jakob chuckled gently and turned around, facing him. Using his eye implant, Jacques zoomed on the Fox and was amused at seeing his rather bewildered look.
"You call me Jakob, though," the human smiled, "Now rest."
Jakob left Medical, where the door behind him closed and sealing Fox in the now empty room, leaving him dazed, confused and with a head full of question. Questions such as 'Where was he?' and 'What did they do to him?' and the most startling of all.
"Krys…tal," he moaned, before all that talking made his chest hurt so much that he passed out from the pain, but not before uttering, "I…love you."
----------
In the passenger hold of a Orca transport, Falco, Katt and Krystal still shivered as they sat on the hard benches before the heater, towels wrapped around themselves as they struggled to make their teeth chatter together. It's been nearly twenty minutes and still they were feeling cold, as if they had taken a stroll through Fichina's wilderness dressed in nothing but their underclothes.
Soon Falco stopped shivering, where he sighed out loud and tossed aside his blanket, "Fuck me that was bit of a scare. Thought I was gonna shiver with the cold forever."
Katt glared, "Hey, you can talk, Falco."
Krystal rolled her eyes around, "Perhaps we should be thinking about the more important things."
"Such as?" Katt and Falco responded as one.
"Fox!" Krystal exclaimed, "He had a metal rod right through his chest and he was bleeding out. Last we saw of him he was hauled off by those people in yellow armour. Ring any bells?"
"Ok, ok," Falco groaned, "No need to sound aggressive, Krystal. I'm sure that Fox is ok."
"Can you be sure?" Katt interjected suddenly.
Falco was silent for a few moments, before he cursed out loud and buried his face in his hands, where Katt and Krystal immediately swore they heard him sob quietly. After about a few more moments, Falco lifted his head up.
He shook his head, "No…I'm not sure! There, you happy?"
"I'd be more concerned about what these guys are gonna do with us," Katt interjected with alarm, "Where did you think they took Fox?"
Falco sighed, "Considering he had a rod through his chest, I'd say…"
Suddenly they each felt a sharp jolt, as the ship appeared to have landed. The side door into the transport opened up and a bright shone and bathed the room in yellow. Krystal, Katt and Falco shielded their eyes from the sudden glare, where as the light dimmed slightly they saw a shadowed figure standing in the doorway. It stretched his hand forward and crooked a finger in a 'come' motion.
It then said invitingly, "Come."
They looked at each other questioningly, before staring back at the figure before the light. The figure then turned around and walked away, the light obscuring his form. Katt and Falco stood up from the bench, Katt letting go of their blanket. Krystal looked up them, still questioned.
"There's no point sitting around in here," Katt decided, "Might as well step into the unknown once again."
"What I was thinking," Falco agreed, "You coming, Krystal?"
Krystal nodded, "Yes."
She stood up, and together they stepped out of the room and into the light, where immediately it flooded their vision. It didn't feel like that the light was stinging their eyes, rather it just felt like they were floating in a state of nothingness. Krystal suddenly became distraught when she realised that she couldn't see her hands before her, and when she opened her mouth to speak nothing came out.
Gradually the light faded and they found themselves standing in what appeared to be a technologically advanced hangar bay before a whole troop of Fire Warriors, accompanied by a blue-skinned, flat-faced humanoid dressed in what appeared to be in a royal gown complete with sceptre. The trio immediately felt uncomfortable at seeing so many armoured humanoids complete with slung pulse rifles.
The blue-skinned being just smiled and stepped forward, "Welcome, Lylatians. I trust you've all recovered from your rather unpleasant experience in your ships refrigeration unit."
"Yeah, you can say that," Katt commented, "Thanks for dragging us out of there without shattering us."
"Oh, we've merely played our parts," the blueskin responded, "As did you by moving to the back of the ship prior to the crash."
The blueskin noticed that worry had crossed Krystal face, where she asked, "What have you done with Fox? He's the vulpine…"
"He is alright, Cerinian," another voice chipped in, "He pulled through the surgery."
Falco's eyes widened, where he chuckled, "Surgery?"
Jakob made himself known, where he stood alongside the blueskin, which he bowed his head and immediately addressed, "Celestial Ethereal."
"Gue'vesa Shas'la," the 'Ethereal' responded.
Krystal immediately knew what she had to say to straighten this whole mess out.
"Who are you people?"
The Ethereal, Jakob and the Fire Warriors all turned to the trio.
"Oh, how rude of us not to have introduced ourselves after rescuing you," the Ethereal stated, "We are Tau, the first truly unified race who forever stride to spread our message of hope and peace throughout the stars."
Falco, Katt and Krystal took some time absorb all that and assess the situation. They had just been rescued from their devastated crashed Great Fox by these strange-looking creatures one can easily mistake for a human if they didn't notice they had blueskin and only four fingers on each hand. And they were being way too polite for comfort.
Katt suddenly had a brainwave.
"The Tau?" Katt questioned, before her eyes lit up and a smile appeared on her face, "Of course, I've heard of you."
"You have, child?"
"Well…I've only heard stories, that's all," Katt admitted, "But I never thought I meet the 'Masters of Mecha' themselves."
"Who calls us that?" Jakob asked, hand on his chin in thought.
Katt shrugged, "Everyone. Anyway…"
"What should we call you?" Falco asked, crossing his arms.
"I am Aun'shi of the Ethereal Caste, one of the guiding lights of the Tau Empire," the Ethereal identified himself, "Accompanying this long-planned Expedition Force to gather knowledge on the Lylat System and it's people."
"Expedition?" Krystal asked.
"Of course," Aun'shi responded kindly, "We Tau always strive for knowledge which would benefit those who serve the Greater Good. And to offer other races the chance to become part of the fold, where they will undoubtedly benefit from being part of the Greater Good. "
They turned to Jakob, who at first was surprised when all eyes shifted towards him. He shook his head suddenly.
"Oh…er…" he stuttered slightly, before smiling, "I'm…"
He turned to the Ethereal, who smiled reassuringly at him. Jakob nodded quickly and turned back to Falco, Krystal and Katt, who was now looking at him with much confusion. Krystal immediately guessed that he sought permission from his superior before being able to speak. And apparently he was granted to do so.
"I am Shas'la Calth Jakob Sho'ka Gue'la," Jakob answered, before he quickly added, "But you can me Jakob."
He extended his hand forward, where Falco was the first to shake it.
Falco nodded and smiled, "Hey, man. Falco Lombardi."
Next was Katt, who greeted him with her trademark smile and smooth, almost flirtatious, tone of voice…
"Katt Monroe. Charmed, honey."
Jakob smiled, where as Krystal reached for her hand, his smile immediately faded upon looking into her eyes and feeling her contact upon him. Krystal noticed this as she grasped his hand, where she stared at him, still with much confusion.
"Is there something wrong, Jakob?" Krystal asked.
Noticing his fellow Tau looking at him, Jakob shook his head and shook her hand gently, "No, of course not. It's just that…"
He rolled his eyes around, trying to find the right words.
"…somehow you seem familiar to me."
Krystal eyes widened, "Huh? How?"
"Have we met before?" Jakob asked, letting go of her hand, "I'm starting to receive weird feelings of déjà vu."
Krystal studied him softly, before she rubbed the back of her head gently and chuckled, "You know, so am I. My name is Krystal."
"Krys…tal?" Jakob questioned her name, looking at her closely before he smiled, "I should have guessed."
Krystal smiled, feeling her cheeks burn suddenly at sensing immediately at what he was getting at.
"I thought the Cerinians had been wiped out nearly fourteen years ago," Jakob queried, "By an unholy alliance of Venom, Chaos and the Orkish hordes."
Sadness crossed Krystal's face, before she sighed and replied, "Not all of them."
Jakob's eyes widened, "Oh…I…I hope I didn't offend you. I just thought..."
Krystal nodded and smiled softly, interrupting him, "That's alright, Jakob."
"Anyway!" Falco cut in gruffly, "Thanks for pulling our asses out of the freezer, you guys. God knows what would happen if you guys weren't passing through."
Aun'shi smiled, where he turned to his fellow Tau and said, "We of the Greater Good will always be here. For as long as you remain among us, you are our guests and besides, perhaps you would like to assist us with our research."
Now Krystal, Katt and Falco were starting to become really confused. Surely these 'Tau' wouldn't be so hospitable without at first knowing who they really were. Unless they were psychic and tapped into their thoughts and read through them like some kind of file cabinet, Krystal just had to know and besides…Fox.
"If I may ask," Krystal begun, "Why the gratitude?"
"Because we are Tau, Cerinian."
All eyes turned to the side, where they saw what appeared to be large light-red coloured mecha-like Battlesuit standing in a doorway. It had what appeared to be a battle-cannon for a right arm and a large scythe-like blade for a right arm. It displayed the Tau symbol, albeit slightly modified, on it's right arm, and it was studying the Lylatians carefully."
"Ah, Shas'O Shovah," Aun'shi greeted, "How nice of you to join us."
Falco noticed that his eyes were wide as saucers upon seeing this massive battlesuit standing before them.
"Er…hi," Falco begun, "The name's…"
"I heard your names," O'Shovah said in a rather mechanical sounding voice, "If you wish to know, my full name is Shas'O Vior'la Shovah Kais Mont'yr."
"I think we'll stick with O'Shovah, thank you," Falco insisted.
"That is fine by me," O'Shovah said, before he explained, "I had seen your descent upon this planet from the devastated capital world of Corneria from our observation station."
The trio immediately gasped, where Krystal stuttered, "You…you did?"
"Yes," O'Shovah replied, "We had no idea that the mad servants of Chaos were operating in this sector. We thought it was not possible. But now, it has been proven over wise."
Falco frowned, "And every second we stand here talking about our so-called positions in life those bastards kill the planet a second more. We have to do something before they go after the other planets in the system."
"We have not the strength to take on Chaos, bold avian," Aun'shi admitted, "As we said this is an scientific expedition with only a small detachment of Fire Warriors to protect us. As much as we like to assist you, we would not last long."
"So I take that as a no?" Falco asked cynically, "Aw, great."
Krystal nodded, "Alright. But we'd like be on our way as soon as possible. We need to link up the remains of Corneria's military so we can…"
She chuckled mirthlessly.
"…fight back against Chaos. And possibly die trying to do that."
Aun'shi nodded, before he turned to Jakob, "Our guests are under your direction, Gue'vesa Shas'la. Any questions they ask, you will answer with the full extent of your knowledge."
"It will be done, Highest," Jakob acknowledged, beating his chest in a salute.
O'Shovah then addressed the Fire Warriors in the room, "You are all dismissed. Return to your posts."
And with that the Fire Warriors dispersed and disappeared through the many doorways of the facility. Aun'shi and O'Shovah went through another doorway, leaving Jakob, Katt, Krystal and Falco standing alone in the chamber.
"This has been…er…strange," Katt muttered.
Jakob turned to her and surprisingly added, "Tell me about it."
"What did he mean by 'Gue'vesa Shas'la'?" Krystal questioned curiously, "Why did he call you that?"
Jakob smiled, "He addressed me by my race and my position in Tau society. To you that means 'Human Helper Fire Warrior'. Anyway…"
He stood to attention and cleared his throat. He then spoke with light authority.
"My orders are to not let you out of my sight and to assist you in any way possible," Jakob declared, "And I must say I extend my condolences towards the loss of your homeworld. If I could, I would help you liberate it, but for now I have my directives courtesy of the Aun."
"Where are you keeping Fox?" Falco asked bluntly, and without warning.
"The vulpine?" Jakob asked, slightly taken back, before he replied, "He's in the medical bay and is recovering slowly from his injuries. I'll bring you to him if you want. Your robot is already there by his side."
Krystal nodded and replied kindly, "We'd like that. Lead the way."
Jakob nodded, where they followed him down the hallway and through the nearest door into the base, bringing them with a head full of questions and were more than eager to interrogate this singular human amongst these strange beings. And all the while, they couldn't help but keep thinking about Corneria and all the death and destruction they had managed to flee from. And that how they were going to fix it.
That is, if they could.
----------
Meanwhile approaching Titania at maximum speed, a Repulsive grand cruiser had the planet in it's sights. It's several lance cannons were aimed directly at the planet, where if it wanted to it could blow a chunk out of the world, but the one hundred heavily-armed and battle-hardened Traitor Space Marines within it's hull had their orders. And their Chaos Lord stood on the bridge, where his Cultist crew feared the bolter from the Marines present, as they were hard at work with controlling the ship.
The Chaos Lord was a depressing sight, his centuries spent in the Eye of Terror having emancipated his face to the point he barely looked human, but rather a bald headed, browned over monster. His teeth were all filled quite enough so they could bite through steel. His expression was that of a permanent, evil snarl.
"My lord," one of the Cultists called out weakly from his post, "We are approaching Titania. We will be within it's orbit in four minutes."
"Good," the Chaos Lord said, before he turned to the Sorcerer present, "Inform the troops immediately. We are to capture the Cerinian alive and to bring her before the Despoiler immediately.
"The Princess of Cerinia would indeed make a fine sacrifice to the Gods, my lord," the Sorcerer said with glee, "It would be enough to redeem ourselves of a lifetime's punishment."
The Chaos Lord frowned, where he felt the hand, which he used to hold his scythe itch, "Do not even thing of mentioning Sindri Myr, Artemis. The Alpha Legion was damned even more so when he and that fool Bale lost to the Imperials on Tartarus…"
Determination crossed his face.
"…I will not make the same mistake he did."
"But unlike him, my lord Ezekiel," the Sorcerer commented, "You can trust me."
"I know that, brother," the Chaos Lord known as Ezekiel said, where a dark smile crossed his face as he patted the Sorcerer's shoulder, "We have known each other since the Crusade, my dear Artemis. If there is anyone that I'd like by my side, it's you."
"Don't flatter yourself, my Lord," the Sorcerer known as Artemis said, "Let us acquire the Cerinian and be back on Corneria by the day's end."
So what do you think?
For those of you who are wondering why there is a singular human fighter among the ranks of the Tau Fire Warriors, you'll find out soon enough, which will shed light on Jakob 'Ghost's history in the WH40K universe.
And believe me, like the many other heroes in this story, his story will not be pleasant.