Disclaimer:
This story is a fan fiction of my own creation inspired by various sources. Both Darth Vader and Darth Sidious along with any Star Wars franchise reference belong to Lucasfilm, while all secondary characters, environment and locations belong to Games Workshop. I do not claim any ownership of the source material. This story was created for entertainment purposes and not intended to be linked directly to either the Star Wars universe or the Warhammer 40,000 universe official canons. All rights reserved to the respective owners.
My sincere thanks to George Lucas, Rick Priestly, Andy Chambers and all the people in charge of creating and expanding both of these fantastic universes.I hope you can keep fascinating and inspiring many generations to come.
I also appreciate all who collaborated in the editing of this fanfic with their comments, and above all my readers. Love you guys.
41st Millennium: A Star Wars Story
By: Lewis II
Original Idea by:
YouTube (2018). " Could Darth Vader survive in Warhammer 40k?" Commissar Gamza: YouTube. From: /p0czd32HPQw
YouTube (2018). " Could Darth Sidious survive in Warhammer 40k?" Commissar Gamza: YouTube. From: /p0czd32HPQw
Logo by Lewis II, both emblems are property of Games Workshop and Lucasfilm
Chapter 2:
Nightfall
The nights on Seperus Prime were particularly windy, ideal for night mobilizations and stealthy attacks. Although nights raids were common for the guardsmen, none could ever detect what the Greenskins prepared. Their forces were mustered overnight, creating what the regiment feared the most, a Waaagh, marking the point of no return and sure demise of the planet , a perfect time for Exterminatus. After hours of running, marching and almost a day of no conflict, from behind the hills, a large formation of orks have prepared a surprise attack in order to destroy their human adversaries once and for all. Yet mere minutes before the attack, they saw first hand the explosions and started growling and scoffing while their foes fell in combat against an unknown entity. One of them addressed the biggest and strongest of their group with a high pitched, nasal voice:
-Yu prumized us more fightz, U prumized more waagh,Yu sed we'ad to just run'n wayt. now we wayted and humies are all ded !-
A Skarboy, bigger,stronger and full of battle marks yet slower, interfered:
-Yu dont Queztin bozz Or I'll feef ya' to the squigs-
-I'll Tear ye in 'alf ! -The smaller one replied..
The Orks formed a fighting circle for the two rivals, which proceeded to punch each other. One of them injured a partner while trying to land a scratch. Mayhem was unleashed and the orks started to brawl with their fists and claws, some even using wrenches and clubs.
The biggest and strongest of them roared and pointed to the horizon with his mechanic arm. The rest went silent and slowly returned into formation. Some used archaic telescopes to watch the dark figure in the distance, while others awaited for orders. He then loudly spoke with a raspy, deep voice, which was distorted by his new cybernetic enhancing implants:
-See dat one ober there? 'Tiz the one who killed all hoomans, 'iz good for waaagh. We haz to kill'im ferst so we kan distroy all'em humies. Ei wantz 'is hellmet, bring it to me!
The Orks responded with growls and to the sound of a second roar, they finally charged.
The Greenskins charged eagerly, stumbling and stepping on each other. Their massive jaws showed their fangs covered in dirt and saliva, their tense muscles, sensitive pointed ears and wide opened red eyes denoted one thing: They were ready to kill. They needed to satisfy their bloodlust for their own sake.
Their commander decided to put their lethality to the test sending their newly acquired warriors, outcast from an enemy clan: the EvilSunz, so they called themselves. A horde of gretchins turned on the engines of the war machines, while young orks and snotlings carried weapons and ammunition for the drivers and the passengers, some also strapping fuel gallons to their backs. Shortly after the charge began, A group of 30 WarBikez and WarBoogiez, all covered in different shades of ruby, made its way to the frontline. They all ran over several fellow orks and opened a path through the dirt, creating trails of thick black smoke in the air and hiding the numbers of the immense horde, while towering machines and contraptions seemed to be advancing way in the back. It was a spectacle of fury and savagery, a sight few had behold and fewer ever survived, a Waaagh to end all who opposed them.
-Le's take' im out first, boyz. Show da bozz we'z bezt. Go Fastah!-
Some small snottlings appeared and pushed the red buttons on the vehicles' different mechanisms. The vehicles roared and spat flames through their exhaust pipes. The small ones used their claws and teeth to hold on to their seats while the rest remained steady and unholstered their guns to take aim. Feeling the power of their engines and the rage in their blood, the leading Orks shouted a warcry, THE warcry, that was echoed by the rest of their kind, resounding all over the desolate fields around the planet:
-WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHH!-
At first sight of their new target, Both Gretchins and Boyz emptied their magazines on Vader and kept consuming their ammunition belts. Vader ran for cover behind the ruins, sprinting as fast as his legs would allow him. The vehicle crews noticed an anomaly the moment they reloaded, a small tremor.
In the blink of an eye, the ruins were lifted by Darth Vader with his power, who then threw them and crashed 8 WarBikez, exploding and releasing balls of fire on the orks nearby. The gretchins ran out of the crash zones, squealing and rolling on the ground as the flames consumed them.
Darth Vader extended both arms and took a deep breath. He then used the force to levitate the WarBoogeyz over his head and use them as projectiles. As the infantry charge came closer to Vader, a lonely Ork spotted the shadow of one of the falling vehicles, being transformed to a pulsating mass of gore as soon as it crashed over him. Other Boyz were stabbed, dismembered and cut open by the flying glass and iron shards that came from other crushed vehicles, one of them even being impaled through its mouth. Others ran even faster and more furiously as the fire coming from the wreckages jumped on their faces and bodies, burning their flesh.
Only a few steps behind where the ruins stood, the Greenskins noticed a peculiar object, a shining red disk of energy flying towards them. It was only in a split second when the ork charge abruptly discovered the nature of the object, while it cut part of the first line in half, burning and maiming, killing and crippling all it touched, until it returned to its starting point, to the hand of its master as a lightsaber. The Boyz behind stepped on the corpses, crushing their bones and spreading the brains and entrails, on which some others tripped and fell. Vader then realized that this new enemy was brutish, bloodthirsty, selfish, as those who took his mother's life so long ago. For a split second, the pain, grief and anguish of losing his mother came back to him, and despite its shortness it was still enough. He would not continue to play their game, thought while sheathing his saber. He would kill them as animals.
The planetary scans of the Astartes ships and recon drones detected the ground movements of that fateful morning, confirming that a general advance on the Southern Hemisphere of the planet created a Waaagh of at least 150 million orks along thousands of miles. Despite its constant advance, a 30 mile circular breach was detected on the first hour near to the guardsmen z4 command post. The imperial records would later cite it was due to seismic activity. Few would know the truth behind this unique event.
A mighty earthquake was felt and the earth transformed into waves of dirt, filth, junk, fire, rocks and corpses. The Boyz were knocked of their feet and crushed under the towering layers. The charge stopped and the horde tried to flank the area of impact while the survivors attempted to re-emerge, crawling off of the removed ground with their functioning limbs, only to be lifted into the air and feel a pain as no other crushing them from the inside. The floating orks vomited pools of blood and chunks of innards. Vader was moving his arms in the distance, feeling the weight of power in his hands, as his breathing became heavier, yet more serene and powerful. He unleashed his power, felt his emotion take over him. His rage became death and his remorse became mayhem and protection, stopping any random bullet that could hurt him. As the weight of his armor kept him steady, he had become the conductor of a destruction symphony, the symphony of the Dark Side.
Suddenly, a vision came up to the Lord Sith. Vader fell on his knees as he held his head, trying to disconnect himself from that vision. He felt lightning coming from The his eyes, his own flesh burning anew. His nerves twitched and pulled his muscles, his sweat evaporated in contact with his own skin. All he could see was a pulsating darkness and a hand coming from a portal trying to grab him. A demonic hand as none he has ever seen before, trying to take over him and obliterate his body and mind. Although it took mere instants, the struggle to contain such an evil force depleted a significant amount of Vader's energy. He snapped out of that vision the moment that pain invaded his body. His force shield was down and two bullets hit his left shoulder and hand, leaving the second with an impact hole that left his finger connections and mechanical controls almost useless.
The swarm of Greenskins retook the charge, as Vader remained sitting on the ground. Vader was still too weak to use the force and knew one hand could not fend off effectively against a fierce horde. He then noticed a distant sound: thunder and air whistling, the transmission was received. A barrage was on its way. For the first time since he came to be, Lord Vader was forced to retreat from the battlefield.
He walked heavily as he still struggled to control his own body after such a painful experience. While the shells fell on the regrouped horde, entire battalions were ripped to shreds. The explosions shook the ground while a struggling Vader used his advanced hearing sense to detect a hollowness on the ground several steps from his current position. He regained some strength on his legs and proceeded to jump into what appeared to be an underground entrance, a hatch behind the main compound. He landed feet first into what appeared to be the base of a supply elevator. He started to walk as straight as possible and covered his body with his cape, as to conceal his wounds to any possible enemy.
As he entered the tunnel, he was able to realize that it was part of a deeper net. Water pipes extended to what appeared to be kilometers upon kilometers of tunnels. Several crates sported that strange emblem he saw before, piled up aside what appeared to be shells. Clouds of dust blurred his view as dirt continued to fall from the ceiling. He heard voices and steps in the distance and decided to follow them with the expectation of finding an exit.
Before the attack commenced, Veteran Commissar Julius Lehman knew his fate was to die for the glory of the Imperium and the prestige of his family, but ignored it would be like this. After receiving the first transmission from z4 and confirming a barrage order, his suspicions on the Greenskins were corroborated, the scouts would not return. Post e4 confirmed an advancing Waagh as well, then C3, G6-1, T2, M6 P5-7 and U9 in a matter of seconds. A whole front , spanning over 12 nations, half a continent, 237 major agricultural manufactorums and 900 towns was of thousands of refugees would die should they not act on time. Commissar Lehman had failed to prevent disaster. He knew that a Waaagh could not be stopped but only delayed, at least to save as many as possible.
Lehman then recorded one last personal message and sent a distress signal, confirming the presence of a Waagh on Seperus Prime. Commissar Lehman left the communications tent, which immediately started dismantling the equipment and sent people to activate the alarms.
An ambiance of rush and mischief took immediate control of the headquarters. Supplies and ammunition were being packed, mass graves being dug, crippled and comatose were executed, civilians and non combatants evacuated and volunteers prepared for the last stand. Lehman walked towards a guardsman and handed him a paper with coordinates:
Sergeant Major Lucius, we have a broken front, and a Waagh incoming. Ready your men, I need a continuous barrage on this area
But sir, this is z4 -
I know -
Are you sure there's no survivors there, sir? -
Did you hear me stutter or say otherwise?- the Commissar interrupted.
No, sir-
Then carry on -the sergeant saluted as he gave the sign to his men to get moving. A battery of 30 long cannons was revealed, calibrated and charged by groups of 6 men each
The Commissar moved his head in disapproval, it was not enough to contain a waagh. He then reached out for another officer passing by:
-Lieutenant, ready the mortar. Now.-
As he gave the order, the 450 mm mortar was revealed. A massive weapon. The 10 operators loaded it in less than a minute and looked at the Commissar nodding as they were ready to fire. The Commissar then unsheathed his sword and potently screamed:
In the name of the Emperor, send those Greenskins into oblivion. FIRE!-
The guns fired furiously first in unison and then in uninterrupted sequence. They would take out as many as possible. The mortar round tore through the sky, humming as a falling vessel. The round found its target, and tore a hole
near the ammunition crates. When Vader realized what would happen it was almost too late. An explosion made the tunnel crumble and collapse as Vader mustered all his energy to run as fast as possible from the rubble and fire. He managed to escape as the few active lights faded away leaving a small illuminated entrance to a lower level in order to avoid the destroyed tunnels.
The light of his saber was the only illumination inside the sewers. His right leg appeared to require maintenance. The stench of manure and feces disrupted his smelling, but yet Darth Vader was still vigilant and alert in all the other senses.
He kept walking without any order, as if he intended to get lost rather than find his way out. A small group of civilians appeared at the end of a narrow passage in front of him. Their clothes were dirty and torn, their faces full of fear, desperation and sorrow, and their eyes kept staring at Vader with an expression of disbelief and anguish, assuming their possible fate. In the middle of the crowd two figures moved, one to the back and other to the front. A young man appeared, wearing a sober wood colored robe with some necklace, depicting a skull. A consecrated man in his prime, who appeared to be some kind of a priest. The priest put himself in front of the mob. His lower lip trembled as he attempted to maintain a weak yet defiant frown. He then spoke:
Stay away from them, heretic-
Vader gazed directly into the young priest's eyes. He saw humble bravery. A few guardsmen limped their way into the front and stood with a serene gaze, aiming their lasguns, drawing knives and swords. Their breathing was almost heavier than Vader's. They have been running from the beasts, Vader assumed. A moment of silence erupted as no one was sure what would happen next.
The posterior advance was difficult for Vader, his breathing was even heavier. His life support was starting to malfunction, and even walking took a part of his force ability.
He was not sure why.
There was no logic behind his deed, and yet did not feel guilty for it. He looked at his hand, burned and disjointed, with cables and screws, bolts and circuits around it. His shoulder hurt and for the first time noticed the pain in his side, close to his liver. A bullet hurt him without even acknowledging. He moved slowly, almost dragging his body. No mortal danger could be used as an excuse for it.
He had spared them and walked away.
He was weak and yet his master did not know. He could not shame or mock him. Vader felt neither remorse or pride. His powers didn't rise and yet, he felt nearly in peace.
His grasp on the force was still strong enough to sense his surroundings. Vader emerged from the ground through a small hatch into a desolate field,where he could see the flickering lights of a battle. Night had arrived. The rain had returned. He felt every drop in the air as if was the first time he ever used the force.
Vader remembered that day In Tatooine, when he couldn't believe his eyes. The first time he saw rain and blessed the heavens. The elders said that some men could live a lifetime and never see rain. Back then, he played on the small puddles and opened his mouth to feel life falling from the heavens. That day he understood in his heart that greatness would be his one day.
Vader's respiration started to choke, as if something pierced his throat and heart. Perhaps this is what Padme felt that day.
An old barn with some harvest machinery, it could be either his grave or his resting area. As he entered the old building, he saw an old vehicle that seemed tempting to repair. Perhaps meditation could help him regain his grip on the force and carry on the quest to find his master. Despite his wounds, he managed to sit comfortably, with his back leaning on one of the wooden walls.
Vader closed his eyes as he remembered his last words:
-there is a ship approaching south, continue 7 rows through that tunnel and take a turn on your left. You will be safe. Go.-