Piraxus Prime, an ancient Hive World located within the Eastern Fringe. What was once lush jungles, vibrant forests, and clear oceans had been wasted away from the constant centuries of pollution. The four dominant hive cities, and their manufactoria, were the source. Those within the continent sized population centers were the driving labor force for the Imperium. Those that slip through the cracks, for which there are many, end up in the subterranean levels of the city: the Underhive.
Deep within the cramped corridors and forgotten pipes, the guts of the hive city are home to those deemed unfit to travel to the upper levels. Not only is it filled with mutants, but those too poor to even live in a proper hab unit. It's a harsh lawless place, but it had been home to a young girl named Sasha Waybright. She had been born and raised in the mid levels of Hive City Serinda with her parents. She would have continued to live a simple and ignorant life if her parents hadn't been killed in an accident at the manufactoria they worked at. Both were incinerated by a malfunctioning furnace. Sasha was only a child, but she was forced out of her home without a means to pay. Scavenging for food within the underhive by working any tasks fit for a child's small hands, she was meant to be just another lost soul doomed to die from cruel fate.
The Emperor had other plans, as Piraxus Prime was called upon to perform their duty to the Boonchuy House of Rogue Traders. Due to their founding being tied to the family line, Piraxus Prime was bound to provide ratings to the dynasty. To replenish their ship's dwindling numbers.
Sasha can still remember the night she was snatched up from her small shelter. It had been close to a year since her parent's death, and she had been living among the other homeless and misbegotten. Then the lights flooded her vision, loud noises and hands snatched her up and packed her in a tight space with others. She can't recall the exact amount of time it took for the doors to open again, the fear in her heart at the crowd in the large hangar bay. Unknown to any of them that they had been transported off world and into the arms of a void ship.
Training with the Master of Arms had been a grueling affair, but Sasha was determined not to end up working in the bowels of the ship. She wasn't going to die in some mishap like her parents, she was going to do it against the enemies of the Emperor. Her aptitude and stubbornness must have caught the attention of the Boonchuys, as their own daughter was regularly pitted against Sasha. She didn't know what to make of the tanned skinned heir, but the slightly younger girl was skilled. The years of training together somehow broke down the barriers of their status as lord and subordinate. Forging a bond of friendship that Anne's parents were reluctant to sever.
Marcy was a different story, it was almost like she popped into existence alongside Anne one day. Though she was young, they were all barely even teens, Marcy was a member of the Machine Cult. Though their methods of maintaining the children of their god were strange, Anne seemed to be enthused whenever the novice tech-priest spoke. Sasha couldn't make heads or tails of the other girl, but she wasn't one to question Anne's choice of company. With enough time, Sasha couldn't see herself without the tech-priest in her life. Marcy's quirks were endearing and she always had an answer to almost any problem.
Now Sasha lay on the cold hard stones of a prison cell. With nothing to do but be lost with her thoughts after being captured. She had expected a rescue team from the Stormheart to find her already or Anne and Marcy to bust down the gates of the tower with the rest of the armsmen after scrying her location. But it had been nearly two months and not a sign from either. Something must have gone wrong and the ideas Sasha had weren't helping. Stirring about in this tower of toads alone, it was starting to grate on her nerves with each passing day. Nothing to eat but the fishy slop they had to spoon feed her. She had admit, they were smart to keep her wrists restrained behind her back, but it was humiliating.
Sasha couldn't wait any longer, she needed to find out what happened to the rest of the away team. She needed to find Anne and Marcy. So, she cooked up an escape plan.
It was a typical evening in Amphibia with the sun setting behind the mountains, draping the Northern swamps of Frog Valley into an eerie glow with the help of the red moon. Sasha waited in her cell, shoulder against the wall as she tries to peek through the loose bricks as best she could. She had no layout of the area, she'd have to pray the Emperor could guide her to freedom. The blonde's head snaps to the door as it opens, waiting for one of the guards to waltz in for her meal. It was easy to learn of her guard's names, toads didn't seem to understand the concept of low volume and practically shouted at each other from across the fortress. Instead, it was a face she didn't expect, Grime himself.
The one eyed toad stalks closer to the cells, a scowl prominent on his features. "It's been weeks and not a word out of you. This will go a lot smoother if you start giving me some real answers."
Silence.
"Very well, I'll keep this brief. In a month or so the pass through the mountains will be free of enough ice and snow to traverse. Then I will send you to Newtopia, and you can be their problem." Grime explained, but Sasha's features never changed. "Not even a witty remark? You are a very tough nut to crack. Enjoy that last few meals you have left here." With that, Captain Grime leaves Sasha alone.
The young woman's mind raced at the news, she had to escape soon or risk being shipped off to who knows where. The plan is in motion when the door opens again and another soldier, one she believes is named Gary, enters with her dinner. "Let's get this over with." The toad grumbled as he unlocks the cell door. A brow raised in confusion when the one he was sent to feed doesn't move. Sasha had figured out that some of the toads were a few charges short of a full power pack. Simply playing dead by holding her breath was enough to cause the toad to panic. She was an unknown creature to them, how could they know?
"Aw Frog, please don't be dead. I can't have Grime punish me again!"
Poor Gary unwittingly stepped close and closer to Sasha, waiting until he was right in front of her before striking. She kicks the legs out from under the toad, watching him fall to the ground in a mess of the sloppy food once held in his hand. Before she stands up, Sasha works her chained wrists down the back of her legs until they pass under her boots. With her arms in front, the human had just become twice as deadly. The guard didn't even have time to react to the fists being hammered into his skull. It was like beating a rock, but Sasha had to make sure he was at least knocked out for a few hours.
With a final groan from the unconscious toad, Sasha swiped the keys off his belt. It took a bit of finesse, but she managed to undo the lock holding her chained wrists in place. With the collar around her neck off, Sasha rubbed at the red skin. She was finally free. There was no time to search for her gear, a sacrifice she had to make if she wanted to escape unnoticed. Sasha was at a disadvantage, she doesn't know the inside of the fortress like the toads here. Being outnumbered was bad too, it was how they had managed to take out her squad. Sasha was going to have to do this quietly.
Grime was not in a good mood. He was never in a good mood, but it was more foul than usual. The prisoner still refused to speak, so he had decided to ship it to the capital. On top of that, the frogs in the Valley were growing unruly. He had been forced to send out his veterans to travel to the towns and collect what was owed in taxes and stem the upstart frogs. Leaving him with mostly new recruits, sorely needed after the fight with the beasts and their red lights of death. But they were undisciplined, and Grime was going to fix that.
Kicking open the door to the mess hall, all activity stopped when Captain Grime appeared. Young toads stopped their games and stood as straight as they could with a salute. Mucus dripping from their faces out of fright. "So, these are the Valley's strongest warriors?" He walked down the line of toads. "Pathetic!" He paused, stopping his stride and eyeing up one particular solider. "Wait, hold on. Is this guy seriously wearing his breastplate as pants?"
"Uh, it won't happen again, sir!" The nasally toad nearly shouted.
"No it won't. Take him to the Pain Room!" A snap of Grime's fingers and two hooded toads carried off the new recruit.
"Not the Pain Room, I hate pain!" He screamed as he's carried off through the tower.
Grime needed a moment to compose himself before speaking. "Let that be a lesson, I don't want anymore mistakes. You may all be new here, but you will learn I don't tolerate screw ups!" The gathered toads flinch at the volume of the Captain's voice and the punch he inflicted on a nearby stone pillar, cracking it. "The frogs of the Valley have started to question our authority! Some towns have even stopped paying their taxes! To get this valley under control I need warriors who are fierce, cunning, and above of all, ruthless!"
What Grime didn't know, was that a certain human was listening in. Pressed up tightly and out of sight against the stone frame to the mess hall was Sasha. She had managed to slip down the tower with little incident and it was clear why: The Tower was under strength. Even so, she remained cautious. One small slip up and the toads will swarm her.
"Percy, Braddock!" Grime shouts. Names Sasha recognized, peering past the stones to see the green toad salute Grime along with a pinkish toad with blonde hair.
"Sir!" They said in unison. Grime didn't like Percy too much, the toad always had his head in clouds. Braddock at least put some effort into her work. Sadly, this was all he had left after he sent his more capable warriors to the surroundings towns. "These imbeciles clearly can't dress themselves, so take them to the armory and make sure they're properly equipped! I want them ready for combat drills in the courtyard. I'll have them run drills all night if I have to!"
Percy and Braddock executed Grime's orders, herding the gathered toads out of the mess hall. Once Grime had left, Sasha bolted through the chambers, sticking as close to the walls as she could. A childhood spent in the underhive made sneaking around second nature to her. Sasha only encountered a single patrol, the soldiers talking to each other quite loudly.
"Grime sure is working over the newbies, hate to be in their boots." One said.
"Yeah, rather take guard duty than drills." The other responded with a laugh.
After they round the corner, Sasha continues stalking through the halls. She didn't have to go far with the large doors to the tower within her sight. Pulling one open as quietly as she could, Sasha spots two more guards at each side of the doors. The Emperor must be smiling on her, because the unmistakable sound of snoring could be heard from both of them. The courtyard was large, but empty. The walls were high and two watchtowers sat at each corner with only a few toads to man them.
Sasha seized her chance to make it to the gates, another pair of iron doors but far larger. They were unbarred and unguarded. Taking the shortest route, she sprinted across the muddy courtyard. The toads were asleep, distracted, or too lazy to even notice her mad dash for freedom. But someone must have noticed her absence as a horn played a series of tunes.
She's heard of Imperial Guard regiments using whistles or drums to relay orders, Sasha suspected the horn was sounding the alarm. The guards who were once asleep were jolted awake, weapons gripped tightly and looking around for a threat. Sasha had almost made it, but two more toads appeared, sealing the gate of the outer wall behind them. The four surrounded her, wielding axes and swords. No one made a move until the spiked entrance to the tower was kicked open.
Grime stood in the gateway, the recruits filing out from behind him to form a proper circle around Sasha. Each one armored and armed with a weapon, but not looking too confident.
"I knew sooner or later you'd try something." Grime taunted her. "I was content on letting them beat each other up, but I can work with this. Listen up! Test your mettle against the creature! Try not to kill it."
The toads surrounded Sasha, weapons at the ready but none of them taking the steps to actually engage her. Nervous eyes darting at one another, seeing who would try to be first to strike. Sasha was as she charged at the circle and slammed her boot into the torso of a toad. Launching the recruit backwards, Sasha snatched the mace he once wielded from the ground. "Now you're all in big, big trouble." The first words she's spoken to them and it sent fear into their hearts.
Taking the initiative once again, Sasha bashed another toad upside the head with enough force to drop them to the floor. A soldier charged at her, but tripped on their comrade and landed face first. War cries, this time a toad managed to get within engagement range and swing her sword at the human. Sasha parried the blow, knocking the sword out of the toad's grip before delivering an uppercut to the recruit's chin. She managed to side step a spear thrust aimed at her heart, hooking her arm around it and swinging the wielder into a small group of the soldiers.
On the sidelines, Grime, Percy, and Braddock watched the carnage.
"Not like that, raise your elbow! You're gripping it too hard! The left, no your other left!"
The captain was furious, shouting at his soldiers each time they left themselves open or didn't press the attack. Sasha had managed to defeat over half of the new recruits and she wasn't even breaking a sweat.
"Ragh, that's it!" Grime drew his sword, making all of the toads back up. Sasha stood her ground, defiant in the face of her enemy. "If you want something done right..." The two circled each other, Sasha was eager to exact some much needed vengeance on the one eyed toad. Before anyone could move, the earth shook with a heavy thud.
The fight was wordlessly put on hold as Grime points at one of the tower guards. "You, go check that out!" With a salute, the guard ascended one of the watchtowers at the gates and peered over the wall. "Well?" Grime shouted, but never got an answers. A massive beak snatched the toad up and swallowed him whole.
Chaos broke loose, all of the toads ran around in a panic as the source of their terror easily flew over the walls. A heron with a blue feather crest, an alpha predator on Amphibia, was drawn to the tower due to the noise of their conflict. To make matters worse, a second heron with a green crest broke down the gates of the outer wall. "Stand and fight!" Grime tried to maintain order, but it was no use.
Morale of the toads was shattered and two birds the size of an Imperial Knight were causing them to scatter as the herons attempted to feast. The perfect opportunity to run for the shattered remains of the gate. Sasha pumped her legs as fast as she could, jumping and dodging the toads as they fled to the safety of the fortress. She was so close to freedom, to finding the rest of the away team and getting off this planet.
A heron's foot nearly crushed Sasha if she didn't jump back in time. The hungry red pupils of the avian beast were locked onto the human before it's beak went to grab it's prey. Never able to taste human flesh as it's beak is held open by the powerful arms of Captain Grime. He had intercepted the attack meant for Sasha.
"Can't have you dying on me yet, creature!" Grime shouted, but he couldn't hold the heron back for long as his arms start to tremble.
Sasha wasn't sure why she moved, but she had grabbed Grime by the cloak and yanked him out of the jaws of death. Snapping in front of his face rather than slicing him in two. She bashed the mace as hard as she could into the beak of the heron, causing it to reel back in pain.
He was quite shocked himself, but there was no time to be lost. Grime and Sasha were the only ones left in the courtyard, making them the prime targets of the birds. Even if she wanted to flee, there were miles of open road. Sasha would never make it to the treeline.
"Come on, to the safe room!" Grime yelled. Though stout, the toad captain was exceptionally speedy.
The herons focus was on the human and toad as they ran side by side back to the main tower. A few close calls from snapping beaks and serrated teeth, but they made it inside. Fleeing to the depths of the tower as the birds start to tear the structure apart brick by brick.
The cowering toads were reluctant to open the door, but a snarl from Grime fixed that issue quick. The inside of the safe room held an air of dread with toads cowering in groups or alone. It only stoked Grime's rage. "You lot are, without a doubt, the most useless group of toads I have ever seen!" They all let out moans of sadness and shame, but he wasn't done yet. "Maybe if any of you had a scrap of courage, we wouldn't be in here cowering like a bunch of grubhogs!"
Sasha was sure if she could rely on any of these frightened toads to take on the herons. With what she's heard and piece together from her time as a prisoner, Grime has the capacity to instill fear into his soldiers. Much like the commissars deployed all over the Imperium. He had gone too far however, and now his soldiers lacked any sort of morale to stand up for themselves. She was surprised they hadn't tried to kill him yet, but even that might be a stretch of their abilities.
Before Grime could go on another tirade, Sasha pushed the seething toad captain behind a fallen Amphibia banner. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?" He protested, but Sasha wasn't having any of it.
The cloth provided little privacy, but it was enough for what Sasha needed to do. "You're going to get us all killed." Her voice low, but it was enough to get the point across.
"Finally decided to talk and you think I'm the one who is the problem!" Grime didn't lower his voice, he didn't see a need to. The soldiers were probably too wracked by fear to even listen.
"Yes!" Sasha stood a few good feet over the toad. She made sure to use that to her advantage as she began chastising him. "Your soldiers are in disarray and insulting them isn't helping the situation."
"What do you expect me to do, congratulate them?" Grime shouts, throwing his arms up dramatically. "Give them each an award?"
"I expect you to lead!" She says through clenched teeth, a finger jabbed into his chest. "These troops look up to you and they will fight and die for you if you inspire them to do so!"
"You think a few words will whip this lot into a suitable fighting force?" Grime scoffed.
Fed up with Grime's stubbornness, Sasha boots him back out from behind the cloth. "Here, I'll give you a head start." She coughs loudly into her fist, getting the attention of the downtrodden toads. "Soldiers, your home is under attack! Do not give into fear, for you have a duty to uphold!" An elbow jab from her lets Grime know that's his cue.
"Y-yes! We were given the task to guard over this valley, to defeat those that dare threaten the kingdom. Our very way of life! I am harsh, but it is because I see the potential to be great in each and every one of you! A toad who is an army in their own right. A toad who can face his ancestors proudly and proclaim they fought for a just cause." Grime holds his sword aloft. "We are the Valley's stronger warriors, those birds are no match for our might!"
After Grime's speech, all of the toads were quiet. He was beginning to think this 'heroic inspiration' was going to fail. But it was Percy who stepped forward, a hard salute and tears gathered at the corners of his eyes. "Captain Grime, sir. We're taking this tower back! Even if we have to fight through twenty heron!"
"That's what I like to hear!" For once during his post at the tower, Grime cracked a smile. "Gather your weapons! Spears and pikes to maintain a safe distance. Crossbows and bows to strike from afar. Keep your focus and we can do it!"
"Sir!" The toad soldiers bark in unison. The dark gloom that had settled in the safe room dissipated, replaced with newfound zeal as they geared themselves up for battle. As they prepared, Grime had a few words with his guest.
"I will admit, encouragement seems to go a long way."
"Now that I've helped you with your problem, you help me." Sasha's tone is low and threatening. "I want out of here. Soon as we drive away those birds, you give me my gear and provisions. Then I go my own way." She didn't like having to deal with these toads, but the sooner it was safe to leave the better.
"Fine. Try not to get yourself eaten again." Grime waved her away, he had an assault to oversee.
The herons continue to pick apart the outside of the Tower. Any toad that had been left behind had been pecked out of hiding. Despite the lack of prey, the birds have a keen sense of smell. Until the scent of toads was gone, they would stay. They didn't have to wait long as a roaring war cry from the garrison drew their attention. Charging through the doors of the center keep, toad soldiers armed with spears and bows.
"For Grime! For the Tower!" The rallying cry drove the masses forward, sharp spearheads thrust upward at the herons. Any attempt to peck or gore with their beaks was met with a bloody stab into their flesh. Not even their legs and feet were safe from the toads closing the distance with each jab. With each volley of arrows raining down on the avian, they were being pushed back closer and closer to the broken gates.
Annoyed at their food fighting back, the heron pair whip up a gale with flaps of their wings. Sending bodies sprawling onto the dirt and breaking their lines. Though scattered, the toads fought with tenacity. Leaping from hungry beaks and rending talons at the last minute. Despite the hectic battle ensuing, Percy had managed to confess his love for Braddock without getting eaten.
Grime was eager to be done with this mess and climbed the nearby rubble left by the birds, launching himself at the beasts. His sword bouncing off the hard bone of one's beak and landing onto it's mate. Clinging to it's neck, he'd drive his blade into the feathered mass as deep as he could. A pained roar from the predator brought the ire of it's partner.
It looked like Grime was about to be plucked off the green crested heron and torn apart. A second body leaps from the debris and lands on the beak of the blue crested heron before it could snatch the toad up. It was Sasha, mace still in hand as she hammers away at the bird's face. Aiming for the eyes especially while hanging on.
"Captain Grime!" A voice shouts from below, it was Braddock. "Reinforcements have arrived!" Pointing to the remains of the gate, the various tax collectors Grime had sent out had returned home. Armed with more personal weapons as they joined in the defense of the Tower. Hacking and slashing at the long legs of the two birds.
With their food fighting back, the herons no longer wished to threaten their survival and begin to take off. Grime and Sasha jump off before the gigantic birds take flight out of the courtyard and into the distance. Cheers erupted from the gathered toads, they had managed to drive off the monsters and mostly survive.
"Toads of Toad Tower! Today was a great victory for without your bravery the fortress would be lost!" Grime stood atop the fallen rubble, high enough for all eyes on him as he raises a fist into the air. "You're all heroes!"
"Did Grime-"
"Just call us-"
"Heroes?"
The cheers from before only grew twice as loud. The praise from Grime sent morale through the rood. He was actually proud of his soldiers for once. "Alright troops, listen up." Grime leapt off the fallen stones to address his men and women. All of them standing at attention and saluting without a moments hesitation. He was very impressed with how things have turned around. "Head down to the mess hall for some food and a round of beetle mead! You've earned it!"
Sasha watched as the celebrating toads left the courtyard. Making a beeline for Grime now that the commotion has died down. "Okay you toad, I want my gear, my weapons, and some rations." Grime answered with tip of his sword pointed at her.
"I don't think so, you're very cunning and your fighting skills are unparalleled. Far too dangerous to be left to roam free." He responded.
"You warty little-"
"But," Grime interrupted, sheathing his blade. "We both know I can't stop you. So go ahead, be a vagabond wandering the wilderness." His open palm gesturing to the miles of dead trees and swamp lands covering the landscape. Not to mention the herons they had just defeated flying in the distance.
Sasha frowned. It seemed the planet is designed to be a death trap.
"Or stay here. Help us rebuild the tower and serve as my second in command where your skills wont be wasted."
"Yeah, no." She crosses her arms, staring down the shorter toad. "I've got a ship in orbit waiting for me, an easily distracted tech-priest, an annoyingly friendly rogue trader, and whatever is left of my squad to go looking for. I don't have time to play with the locals."
Grime scowled, but she had made her decision. "Fine, we kept your belongings in the armory. Someone at the tower can show you the way." He waved her off, turning his back on her as she entered the fortress. Just then, a red horned toad approached and saluted him. It was Bog, one of his more fierce veterans and one of the toads he sent out to collect the missing taxes.
"Sir, I bring news."
"I hope it's good, Bog. We're a little short on it at the moment." The entire section of the outer wall decided to crumble into a heap of mortar and brick.
"It's about the creature we captured, Sir. Mire, Fens, and I encountered another in Wartwood."
Grime's toothy grin was back. "Tell me all about it, Bog."
Sasha grumbled to herself while looking over the remains of the armory. The twin birds had made a mess of the keep, the roof had collapsed within the room. Buried under the rubble, and most likely crushed to pieces, is what little Sasha had left of her equipment. She wasn't too concerned about the lasgun and armor, that came standard issue for all armsmen. Though she was bound to receive punishment from the Master of Arms. No, what upset her the most was the loss of her combat knives, they had been a gift from Anne. One Sasha begrudgingly accepted when given, but she had learned to cherish the deadly sharp blades.
"Tough break."
Her head whipped to the source of the voice. Finding the toad captain looking up at her with one of his disturbing smiles. "What do you want?" She asks, the question laced with venom, clearly in no mood to deal with him.
"Just assessing the damage to the tower! It'll take days to clear all of this out. Maybe we can find what's left of your gear while we're at it." Grime shook his head. "A shame."
Sasha rolled her eyes. "Out with it."
"Does the name 'Anne' ring any bells for you?" Grime didn't even have time to blink before a hand grabs him by the breastplate and slams him into the nearby wall. It was enough force to rattle any other toad, but Grime was gladiator tough.
"Where is she, what have you done? I swear to Terra if you-"
"Clam down, she's unharmed." Using his superior strength, Grime pried the human off him. "For now. I know where she is and you can see her again, after we make some arrangements to our deal."
Sasha weighed her options. The planet itself had super fauna and alpha predators like the herons roaming around in the wilderness. The loss of her gear only shrinks her chances of survival in the swamps by herself. She had no direction to follow, she could wander for days or weeks and never find any trace of her friends and comrades. The only information is whatever Grime had to share. "Fine." She growls.
"Good." He holds out his clawed hand. "Now, what is the name of my new lieutenant?"
"It's Sasha, Sasha Waybright."