Author's note:
And at the dawn of the spooky month… he appeared once again.
Hey guys! Hope you're doing fine. I've been working on several chapters at once, since for some reason I kept having new ideas this last month and rewrote many drafts. Anyway, don't worry, I haven´t forgotten this fic and I hope to upload the remaining chapters at a more constant pace. Take care and enjoy!
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 reviews,
shoutout to:
u/8428704/You-re-Normal-Sheevite
u/1515601/Mashot-Tito
u/8116872/SuperSaiyanDiclonius
u/5519409/Imperial-Briton
u/10115278/Dragon-lord-Syed-101
u/5023815/pedrorocamora102
u/13021984/JadeRovks
HEMA (user)
Josh b (user)
and above all my readers. Love you guys.
41st Millennium: A Star Wars StoryBy: 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 11:
Resilience
The hum of the burning engines being muffled was the first thing to be noticed by the Inquisitors. Then, the sudden shake of deceleration. The dark corridors of the ship were lit up once more and sound could be heard on the corridors.
Vader took his time to prepare and tended his wounds with the help of the mechadendrite. "At least they were less prominent than the ones received that first night" he thought. The Sith then left his room and went into the dining hall, where his team was waiting. Woodthorne was already finishing her meal and Alexyos struggled to eat his soup while holding his stomach:
"Ten weeks… ten weeks and I can not get used to the movement sickness yet. Damn rust bucket!"
Woodthorne then picked up her plate after finishing:
"It took us more than expected to exit the Damocles Gulf. According to my data we are a light year away from the frontier with Obscurus, and very close to our target, so finish your meal fast...You are not eating, Vader?
"I am full, Captain. Thank you."
Alexyos scoffed and slurped the rest of his soup before speaking:
"You will have to show us your face one day, Darth. Perhaps you want to spare us from the horrible sight of your dark circles?"
Vader remained silent.
"I have heard the sounds from your room. You barely sleep."
"My sleep is not of your concern, Psycher." Vader sharply answered.
"I know why...You are not the only one cursed with surviving the Warp visions."
"Stand down. Both of you!" Woodthorne interrupted.
An alarm called the Inquisitors back to the deck of the Poenitens. Woodthorne accessed the mainframe and disengaged the thrusters, being only the remaining impulse the thing that kept the ship moving forward. She then checked the radar and Astronomicon maps:
"We...we have arrived. The coordinates match, but there appears to be no system or space station within the radar. These instruments must be failing. Search for any celestial body on sight."
Vader and Alexyos remained silent and looked through the main deck's windows for any signs of life or movement. Only a large mass of roaming asteroids to be seen.
A transmission broke the silence, drawing the team's attention :
"All Imperial ships within reach, This is an emergency message from the Imperial cruise Prudentiam, following distress code 0599170. Request immediate assistance to contain a Xeno offensive. Repeat, all Imperial ships within reach: request assistance to contain a Xeno offensive, over."
Woodthorne then grabbed the radio microphone and answered:
"This is the Inquisition light cruise Poenitens, we hear you Prudentiam. What is your location?"
"We receive you Poenitens...our radar marks you at a distance of 50000 meters north. Keep your current trajectory."
"Understood Prudentiam. We are on our way."
"Echo that, Poenitens. Please do hurry."
The moment the transmission ended, the deck was soon illuminated by the grim spectacle on the horizon: the massive and maimed cruise ship was surrounded by smaller fighter vessels which discharged their firepower and smashed their way into its haul. The lights of the explosions could be perfectly seen from afar. Two larger vessels kept constant fire and surrounded the ship. Not so far away, a ship sized asteroid seemed to drift away from its group and towards the battle. The Xeno fleet lacked any kind of cohesion and resembled a hornets nest descending over an animal or a shark surrounding its dying prey. Their design was a dead giveaway for its origin: Fightabommas and Space hulks, an ork fleet.
"It seems we have a small time frame. Vader I hope the records are true. You shall take point with your new equipment and assist the defense forces within the ship. Alexyos, ready the defense batteries and draw their attention, we will regroup at the ship's bridge."
"It will be done, Captain."
The Sister and the Psycher then hastily took positions. Vader took the elevator and descended unto the hangar. The lights turned on as soon as he set foot on it and Vader grabbed a pack of Lasguns, Plasma pistols, Meltaguns, boxes of grenades and magazines from a locker nearby. Whatever Imperium forces were there, they would need ammunition and plenty of. He then walked towards a covered structure nearby, pulling and lifting the covering sheet over it.
"It is not ready. The targeting system is yet to be tested..." Vader thought while putting the weapons and ammunition on the back seat. He then jumped into the cockpit and removed his helmet. He adjusted the linking mechanism and attached the connection needle to his spinal cord under the back of his head.
It was then when Vader realized it:
The Sith was feeling the excitement he felt so long ago on Tatooine when he won his own freedom. The same thrill and rage than when he almost burned at Mustaphar's atmosphere. For deep within his mind, even if he was born anew without legs… he knew he always had wings.
The engines roared and the cogitator displayed the available systems and engine levels, all under a single word, the ship's name: X-0266 ARCHANOS
The ship rose off the ground, leaving the hangar and the Poenitens at full speed. Vader then looked around the cockpit, seeming pretty contempt of how his equipment was holding up, before activating his main weapons. Woodthorne saw the vessel moving swiftly into battle from the distance: A lonely fighter, all painted black with the Ordo sigil in white proudly displayed over the front wings and the Aquila Imperialis on its rear wings. A simple yet majestic ship model: a Fury Interceptor.
As Vader approached the target, he could see the precarious conditions of its haul, as well as the Ork tide firing on it, only to turn around and unleash another volley, with some even directly crashing onto the ship. A tidal wave crashing on a rock, over and over.
The Sith locked on a target and opened fire on one of the Fightabommas left flank, destroying some of the ships instantly. Vader maneuvered up and down while flanking the rest of the fleet, killing 9 more as he swiftly moved through the swarm. The Orks immediately left the siege and like a hungry beast, proceeded to chase the new prey.
Vader lured the Greenskins towards the asteroids and moved through them, spinning and dodging to avoid any crashes. The Orks followed but could barely keep the pace since their ships kept crashing on the rocks and between each other. The explosions created more debris and rocks, which impacted and destroyed more ships. A significant portion of the Fightabommas was destroyed until the Greenskins realized Vader was no longer in sight. Those who remained maneuvered and turned back to resume their siege. All of a sudden, the Archanos came out of a lower position and opened fire on the retreating Orks. Some fighters had rear shooters who fired back, but missed due to Vader's maneuvering. The Orks then poorly tried to get rid of their chaser and were shot down one by one. The fleet had been destroyed and the remains of the ship now littered that small portion of space. It was then when Vader noticed another wave of Fightabommas coming from one of the Spacehulks descending upon him.
The Sith then engaged his thruster and charged towards the fleet, drawing their attention. The Orks then pressed forward and opened fire, which was suddenly stopped by Vader's Force shield. The fighters got ever closer and kept gaining speed. The urge of destroying their new foe took over the Orks. Vader then unleashed a barrage of missiles and dived under the charging ships.
It was then when the Poenitens arrived.
Both the Prudentiam and the Poenitens opened fire and wiped out the remaining Fightabommas.
Vader flew up and made a sharp turn for a run over one of the Spacehulks. He unleashed all the remaining firepower of his lasguns and missiles, destroying or maiming as many turrets and cannons as possible. The remaining large Ork vessel opened fire on the Poenitens and the standing turrets on the former attempted to lock their sights on the Archanos. The Sith's earpiece received another transmission:
"Vader, their fighters are down. Move on to the Cruise ship, they shall cover you with their artillery. We will use the ship's extension bridge on their upper deck. Main deck, double time!"
"Understood, Captain."
Vader then made haste and entered the Prudentiam's hangar to then turn off his ship and put his helmet on once again. A row of servitors approached the ship and connected fuel and electricity tubes, bringing also tools and spare parts for its maintenance. Three Guardsmen sporting dark blue uniforms with red details and golden epaulettes appeared and saluted Vader the moment he set foot on the hangar. One of them stepped forward and addressed Vader as he approached them:
"Mylord Inquisitor, we are honored and truly thankful."
"Why were you not returning fire before?" Vader stoically asked. The Sith looked around the hangar, giving a sorrowful sight since the shelling damage was evident.
"Our batteries were malfunctioning and some even overheated due to continuous firing. You gave us the time we needed for repairs, Mylord Inquisitor"
" I am to meet the other Inquisitors on the main bridge. Have some of your men unload the weapons and ammunition off my ship, distribute it among all combatants. You will lead me to join my party."
"At once Mylord. Are we not to wait for your gunner?"
"There is none. Now move."
The rest of the soldiers looked at each other in disbelief before being signaled to unload the ship. How could one pilot do the work of two at such a high level of performance?
The men retook the martial formality and hurried up as Vader left the hangar.
A row of guards saluted Vader and his guide on their way to the deck, snapping their pristine boots. They all sported the same blue uniform which, even with battle marks, barely presented any stains. Their faces although bruised, burned or wounded, denoted no fear or fatigue. The Sith could recognize the stoic look on their faces: it was the look of determination and loyalty, the look of someone raised to be a proud warrior. The voice of the Jedi knight came to his head:
"Loyalty...means everything to the clones."
While approaching the bridge, a door to his left opened revealing a tunnel, from which Alexyos and Woodthorne calmly emerged. The Psycher sported a short barreled Lasgun and Theodora a Plasma pistol. The team nodded at each other and walked into the main bridge, where a group of saluting Guardsmen were waiting for them. They walked in and stood around a Hololithic device displaying a scaled map of the ship.
Alexyos then spoke via telepathy:
" Captain, if I may, we could destroy the ship and the explosion would certainly kill the Xenos. I'm sure these Guardsmen would gladly die for the Imperium."
Woodthorne didn't answer and instead broke the martial silence.
"Who is the commanding officer?"
"It is I, Mylady Inquisitor. Sergeant Paulus, 7th company, 14th regiment, Mordian Iron guard."
"What happened with the rest of the officers?"
"They are dead or missing, and the navy officers were evacuated according to protocol, Mylady Inquisitor. Along with engineers and all the non-combatant personnel."
"What is your situation?"
"5100 casualties, 2700 standing and at least a thousand missing in action. Our haul can barely resist the constant barrages. The Orks have penetrated and started an assault on the upper levels 3 days ago, causing heavy losses. Our makeshift barricades have concentrated the bulk on levels Alpha and Echo, behind gates 3, 5, 6, 12,13, 15 and 17. Nonetheless there are frequent raids on levels Bravo and Delta due to their demolition teams. The gretchin squadrons have slithered their way through the ventilation systems and damaged several defense mechanisms. They have sealed doors with their explosive squigs, even cutting the electric grid and damaging the life support. We can't reach the lower levels for explosives and our men are running low on artillery ammunition despite our rationing efforts.
"You have depleted your standard supply? How long have you been entrenched? "
"Two weeks Mylady Inquisitor."
"Just call me Inquisitor." Woodthorne sighed as she rubbed her forehead with two fingers in impatience.
"Yes Inquisitor."
"How come you have not devised a counterattack plan and ended the Xeno threat?"
"We had no orders on the matter. Our orders were to meet up with the rest of the fleet at this exact location and hold our position while we covered the Scintillan ships on their diplomatic mission as they jumped into the Warp, Inquisitor. They promised reinforcements."
The Sister then raised her voice and approached the officer.
"You have suffered...the Xeno scum and wasted the lives of your Guardsmen for FOURTEEN DAYS based on a fading promise?! Are you a rational soldier or a mindless heretic, Guardsman ?!"
The Sergeant kept his martial posture while looking down and answering:
"We… serve The Emperor by following his will, exactly how he disposes, Inquisitor."
The Captain sighed and looked at her team, pondering their next move. Silence took over the room once more, all eyes on the Repentant Sister, who then thoughtfully looked at the map once more . She then broke words :
"Have they taken over the engine room?"
"No Inquisitor. There is an entrenched squad holding position with our only Bolter turret."
"Then I am pleased to inform you that as an Inquisitor and the highest rank officer, you are now under my command! We are in search of a top priority target in this area. We take out these Greenskins and you will assist us on our search, is that understood?!"
"Y...yes Inquisitor." The Sergeant replied.
"Alexyos! Take two squads and secure the lower levels, bring out all the supplies and explosives you can carry."
"At once, Captain."
"Vader! Gather a platoon, arm them up and make haste to the upper levels. I need you to start a counterattack and draw the Orks' attention. Lead the charge!"
"It will be done." Vader calmly nodded
"Sergeant, while Vader deals with the Greenskins you will coordinate search and rescue, recover as many men as possible and make sure you seal all the doors as you leave. All doors past engineering must be shut."
"Yes, Inquisitor."
She then addressed the room:
"When a limb is infected by a parasite or poison, the quickest way to avoid death by it is to isolate or amputate the limb. We shall do the same with our ship. I will coordinate the demolition and make sure that Xeno filth gets what they deserve. In retribution for our fallen brothers. You have your orders men, now move out!"
"Yes Inquisitor!" Everybody shouted in martial fashion and stormed out of the bridge.
Alexyos and Vader walked with a hasty pace through many corridors towards the elevators as the Guardsmen were gathered to receive their orders.
Alexyos then hit Vader with a playful elbow
"You should feel proud, Darth. It looks like our Captain is softening up to your ways."
Alexyos then felt a strong chokehold on his neck and fell to his knees trying to breathe while Vader kept walking. He then stopped and looked back at the Psycher as he recovered his breath:
"You should talk less, Alexyos. You might choke on your own words one day."
The Psycher attempted to stand up and whispered:
"As your wife did?"
The Sith then Force pulled Alexyos to a stand, unsheathing his sword and looking at Alexyos over his shoulder
"As your former team did... We shall resume this later. Stay alive, Psycher."
Alexyos coughed and grumbled bearing his teeth as he took his weapon and jogged his way into the elevator to his left while watching Vader taking the one on the right.
Vader went up and exited the lift to find a busy corridor. Guardsmen were receiving their orders on the radio while others distributed the provided weapons and ammunition. Some reinforcements could be seen climbing up the stairs at the end of a long aisle.
A group approached and saluted Vader:
"Mylord, we have received the orders. Our men are standing by."
"For their own sake, I hope they are. Is there any local access to the electric grid?
"Yes Mylord, this way."
The Sith then followed the Guardsmen into a small room right next to the main door, where the platoon readied their weapons and took positions either behind some improvised barricades or aside their brothers as close to the doors as possible, ready to charge. Inside the small room, Vader inspected the wires and pulled out a thick wire to then cut it. The lights flickered while growls and shots could be heard from the other side of the thick main door. The lights were shut down on the Ork side.
Vader then opened a hole into an enormous pipe, which he inspected and attempted to fit in.
" Mylord… that would be the ventilation system."
"I know. Secure the entrance to this room and join your brothers at the main door. When I open the door, you shall unleash your fury on any Xeno on sight. Be ready."
They both saluted and closed the door. Vader swiftly leaped up into the ventilation network.
Meanwhile, Woodthorne and the Sergeant monitored the map and the few remaining cameras, as to corroborate all the troops were in position.
She saw Vader through the ventilation cameras and Alexyos and his team in position. The Sister nodded and the Sergeant softly spoke through the comms:
"Proceed."
A noise was heard above the Xenos, inside the ventilation ducts, to which the Orks instinctively fired. The sound suddenly stopped. Darkness reigned inside the blocked corridor. The Greenskins went quiet as to hear if there was any movement still.
Inside the pitch black of the room, a heavy breathing was heard.
All of a sudden, a single light illuminated the tight space right behind the Ork mob: It was Vader's red glowing Powersword...