Chapter 26.
We shall carry our word,
We will correct and unify,
Hail the Emperor!
Source Unknown.
Battlefield Siberia Russian Federation Saturday.
The imperials gathered the bodies of the dead. Massive pyres were made for the fallen and their allies. The imperial dead were gathered by nature spirits with the Aquilla armband and a cross symbol. The wounded were moved to an emergency field hospital and then more doctors arrived and began treating them. Asia was here with Kalawarna and the two worked in unison.
Fleur was being helped by Ahmed. An adept of Mars asked if she wanted a prosthetic. A doctor asked if she wanted a cloned arm. Fleur cannot decide. Both are good options. Ahmed had been hoisted up by his troopers and gained a title of his own. The Shark Slayer. The man had blushed, but Fleur laughed and remarked.
"If I'm the Flower you get this you prick."
It was said in jest. But the troopers had cheered for that. They all would need more mental help.
The Sisters had gathered and carried their fallen one. A dirge was sung for the fallen sister. The guard had watched with humility. That sister had saved many lives. The left had the most casualties.
The tank crews had found two fragments of their dead comrades and White Owl found a single feather from the tengu man. He would keep it as a reminder. The devil captain named Veronica had patted White-Owl's hand. They would not forget him.
The merc company had taken heavy losses. They helped save more lives. The commander had died pulling a grenade pin and saving a group of her comrades. The third was in charge. That was Gregory. He had his daughter with him. Tosca was in pain. She needs help.
A storm trooper noticed immediately that there was a blank. Ellen had been called and she and the second blank Kara had arrived. Three troopers volunteered to guard the Inquisitor and her acolyte.
Greg was worried. He did not understand why he wanted to run from Tosca. He was feeling sick. He did not have an Aquilla. He was not a believer. Why was this happening! He had his baby girl back now and he wanted to hurt her! Two women entered the building he had been placed in.
Ellen looked at the nymph helping the blank. Gaia was protecting her from pain. Greg got up to talk to them.
"What is wrong with my daughter? Why is she making me sick? I can barely stand being near her. Why?"
Ellen nodded to Kara. The other blank piled a pendant out and moved to the girl. Ellen faced the worry ridden father.
"It is not intentional. And we have a solution. My name is Inquisitor Ellen of the Ordo Silence. Your daughter is what is called a blank. She is not a freak. It is a gene. I am also a blank as is my acolyte."
Greg did not feel sick near them. Was it really treatable? Kara placed the pendant around Tosca and instantly the feeling of sickness receded. Greg let out a breath he did not know he was holding. The nymph appreciates the device too. Greg looks back at Ellen.
"Thank you. What do blanks do?"
"We suppress the psychic field all human beings generate. Your daughter, however, is not a true blank. She is artificial. We will train her in the use of her abilities. She will be given the choice to work with the Inquisition or to return home with you. I would recommend that she stays. But you have the final say. The field will never leave her and if the pendant is taken off she will make you and others sick again."
Greg is saddened by that. His baby was cursed with this now. He growled and wanted to bring his axe down on the bastard who did this again. But his body had already been thrown on a pyre. Greg wanted to make up for his bitch wife doing this to Tosca. He had searched for his daughter for so long. He will do anything to pay for his sin of getting them dinner and coming back to learn what his wife had done.
"We will stay. I have nothing left to go back to. Everything I and my family had was sold to get money for looking for my baby. I have nothing to offer. Just please help her. I never want to feel that again. I do not want to ever hurt my daughter."
Ellen sees the pain. Tosca had a good dad. She made him her offer.
"You can work for the Inquisition. We are expanding fast. We need near anything we can get our hands on. You will be paid well for it. Do you have any skills you enjoy using?"
Greg knew one. He had been a mechanic. He had learned to fly planes. He likes both of those things. He could do that.
"I can fix planes. I can fly them too. I have a few friends who still talk to me. But that is it. I just want Tou to be safe and healthy. I will even join the troopers who brought me here."
"You do not have to give up on things you enjoy. We have two newcomers who play computer games together in off hours. And we do need pilots. We have a new aircraft that is being made for us. You will like flying it. You will be helping my Ordo find her opposites. They can hurt people if they do not get help either. Some of your men have already volunteered to join us as new stormtroopers. The ones who want to go home are being paid well for helping prevent a war that could have become the Third World War. Tosca has a wonderful father. We will move you two when ready."
Greg feels pride in knowing that. He takes a seat next to his baby. The other blank has been talking to Tosca softly. His daughter looks at her with wide grey eyes. Before looking at Greg.
"Your my daddy?"
Greg touched her hand. No sickness. He then cupped her face and Tosca saw the same grey eyes.
"I am. I did not want to give you up. I looked for you for fourteen years. I am here now Tou. I promise never to leave you willingly again."
Tosca cried and hugged her dad. He returned it. The nightmare for them was over.
It was nearing the end of the afternoon when the last bodies were burned. The Emperor had stayed to look at the dead imperial soldiers. He committed their faces to his memory. All of team Vali except for Le Fay and Arthur had been moved. Le Fay was next to Zhang. The Custodian feels the connection. He had teased Hadrian about Lady Ingvild. But now he cannot. He found his Lady to serve. Arthur asked the Custodian questions about the other man. They talk.
Le Fay is feeling a sensation of wholeness that had always been missing. She has her knight of old. She has the badly desired answer to her condition. Life is going to only go up. Never go down again. Issei comes to the trio. Antony is with him. Cormac has gone back to the Underworld and has gone to relax in his hobby of sculpting. Le Fay stands to greet him. Issei smiled at her.
"I never did tell you my name Lady Pendragon. My name is Issei Hyoudou. We will be moving through a portal and then through a machine once thought impossible. You will see wonders the others are eager to meet you and your brother."
Le Fay believes him. She will never doubt him.
"It is nice to meet you probably Issei-sama. I am eager to meet the others too."
Issei does not correct her on the title. He knows why she is like that. It hurts to know. But he did make it better for her.
"Please call me Issei-san Le Fay-san. When we are in private. I get why you are like that. I do not judge you for it."
Le Fay wants to tear up. He gets her. He is helping get her used to eventually getting to know him utterly. Arthur sees the kindness. He likes the perpetual more. He stands up followed by Zhang.
"It is a pleasure to meet you properly Issei-san. I am Arthur. You are not at all like the rest of the supernatural world paints you as."
Issei chuckled.
"Hardly anyone is the way you meet them or hear about them at first. But I always strive to be better than I was the day before. I can answer any questions you have about being a perpetual. I am after the first that I know of that has been open about it."
Arthur likes Issei more again. Humble.
"I do have several. Can we truly never pass on? Or are there a certain number of times that it can happen before it fails?"
Issei studies Arthur and Le Fey for a second.
"You are both on the stronger end. So, the first is yes and the second is no. The weakest perpetuals can have it fail after a while. But that is usually an exceptionally long time later. We are here for good. All of us are like that in the club. The one with the weakest link is named Akio. But he is Low High class on his gene. The strongest is myself then a woman called Jeanne. Le Fay yourself and then a woman named Irina are all middle High class perpetuals. We all do heal fast. But I take the least time to return. Akio would take about three minutes. You three in the middle two and Jeanne one. I am back after a few seconds."
That is depressing to know. Arthur wants to be with Anna again. He missed her so much. Issei sees the pain and the longing.
"It just means we will find partners in the supernatural and or each other. They will live long enough for us. I have several plans being drawn up for those who we either have to contain who are like us or for those who want to truly leave. The problem will be that you will have to feel pain so utterly plus compounded by your future possible deaths pain. I know that might not help much. But it is a hope if you want that."
Arthur wants to say yes. But he remembers Le Fay. He cannot leave her alone. Even with the club. Le Fay does not think less of Arthur for almost saying yes. She touched his hand. Arthur returned the squeeze. Issei nodded in understanding.
"I want to see my parents again. But I am not going to be able to. The Shinto who have their souls are pricks. My patrons are trying. But that is likely not ever going to happen."
Le Fay feels horrible for him. She was not religious. But for gods to do that when they could. She hates the Shinto. That is cruel. Arthur was an agnostic man. He had wanted to marry Anna in Notre Dame he does not like that either. Issei tells them context.
"I am an avatar for a new god. He is a prick. He is gaining power and followers fast. The Shinto hate him and thus me. I was technically theirs to start with. But I hate religion. It is ironic. But I know my main patron is trying to be better. Still hate him. But he is needed. I will fill you both in. There is a lot you both will claim is madness. But I have other gifts to show you the truth. Just be prepared to be disappointed in other versions of me. I do like you both in the others."
Le Fay is curious. So is Arthur. The perpetuals and Custodians leave the tent they had been in. They entered a portal. Johan stayed. He was chosen for the cleanup. His helm is mag locked to his belt. The Aquilla is still high.
Forge of Dreams Perpetual Club room Saturday night.
Irina was the first here. She had been training more recruits for the Sisters with Jeanne. Jeanne was on cloud nine with everything that happened. Irina was happy for her. She, however, is eager to meet their two new club members. Irina brought an Xbox for the club tonight. She saw a game she wanted to try out. She thinks the new members might like the games she brought.
Akio is next to join. He has a hickey on his neck. But he is so relaxed. Akeno was great. She was wonderful to work with. Gasper was super surprised when he had been given a gift card for twenty years of reduced prices from his favorite food place. He had teared up. Akio told him that he had carried the entire operation. The rune smith had been with Akio and nodded his head in support.
Akio was so incredibly happy. Irina went for the kill.
"Had fun Aki? Oh, what am I saying of course you did. Your gal pal really likes you."
"Sue me. She is wonderful. Just likes being incredibly open about it. Are we getting new people tonight? The lines have been screwy with me today. I know we win but the losses are vastly different between them."
"We actually got lower than expected. Still higher than expected. We lost two tanks. About three hundred Guard. Twenty angels. Plus, a sister. But the Angel of the Stars had his heart cut through. The bitch who lit the match for the explosion got three of her limbs broken. Plus, her rib cage and her skull. A storm trooper wrecked the goat. And yes new members tonight."
That clears up the lines for Akio. He hates being the weakest psyker with that. But his talents made up for it.
"I am down to meet them. Where is Jeanne?"
"She is having a patch really quick. Happy she is trying to get off the stick. Tsubaki kissed her cheek for that. She should be here now."
Jeanne walked into the room. She has wine. She is weirded out by the last two words she heard. Psykers are indeed very weird.
"Hey. Brought wine. I thought it would be nice to try. It is from France. A convent there sent it to us."
Irina holds up a controller.
"I brought this Xbox. We have fun with it. I got that Halo game. We can lan party it up. Do two v two. Jea we are getting new people tonight!"
"Really? That is weird. But I have just come to expect that with us. Where is Issei? I thought the battle was over by now?"
Akio grunted. He started setting up the Xbox. Irina answered for him.
"They are almost here. The two new ones are a brother sister duo. Very weird. They should be here in two minutes. Please be nice to the girl. She is stiff but it is not because she is a jerk. It is like you and the nicotine."
Ah. The door opens and there is Issei and the two new people. Le Fay has been glued to Issei. She liked so many of the other hims. Even the perverts. She said that was just his dnd character flaw. Issei groans at that. Le Fay also likes Oppai Dragon. The song is great! Arthur is amused by the other Issei's. But he does not like that other Arthur's are massive sis-cons. He does like that they are mostly good people.
Issei smiled seeing the Xbox. But he looks at a game. His eyes widen. What the Fuck lines! Why! And How! Irina looks weirdly at that. But her eyes widen too. She voiced it.
"What the fuck! I did not see that! Issei."
The four others are weirded out more by that. Akio hits his head and moans in pain. Jeanne is looking at the game. She does not understand games. Not enough time for that when you need to shank someone for money for your next meal. Arthur is still getting used to psykers plus his gene. He is only plain confused. Le Fay does not understand why they are freaking. Issei did not get to the fact Xenos existed yet.
Irina understood. Jeanne picked up the game box. On its cover are three people. One is blue with a crested head. It looks like a woman. In the center is a blonde human man and he has green eyes. The last figure is a weird alien with a hump. The trio on the game box are wearing futuristic armor. A ship is behind them. Plus, a world.
Issei sighed. He sees the good federation now. The others are still confused. Irina is hyperventilating. She did not like the story. This is bad. Le Fay touched her knight.
"Issei-san why are you freaking?"
"I was going to save this for later. But I am crossing the Rubicon now. Le Fay. Arthur. Aliens are very real. And some look like the game character's on that box. Here."
Le Fay sees them thanks to a single finger that touches her. She gasped. Arthur has a second finger on his arm. He gapes. Irina helps Jeanne and a still distracted by pain Akio. The six see the image.
A massive space station. It is in a nebula. Ships are flying to and from it from dozens of massive objects that are constantly active. The six see a squid like thing watching from the deep cold dark space between galaxies.
The vision ends. Issei makes a call. Irina is still freaking. Jeanne and the others look more closely at the box. The title of the game is clearly written and visible.
Mass Effect.
Jeanne hates that she likes how hot the blue alien is. Arthur asked scared.
"What is this game's storyline? I am not familiar enough with games."
Le Fay had read a synopsis of the game once. She answered.
"Art. It's a game about a human that saves multiple species from a machine intelligence. The machine intelligence conducts galaxy wide genocide every fifty thousand years. They kill interstellar civilizations."
Irina is still freaking. Akio sighed. She is going to hold a grudge over this. But it is better than having her die of fright. He shocks Irina with a lightning bolt that Akeno had taught him. She is getting a kiss for this tomorrow.
Irina shrieks. Then drops to the floor. Issei finished his call. He turned back to them and sighed seeing the twitching body of Irina.
"Really Aki. It is not good, but I understand. She is going to break your nose tomorrow. Infront of Akeno."
Akio shrugged.
"Better than her joining the third place for number of deaths. Sorry Jea. How bad? I will inform Diego."
"Not as bad. A few different things did happen. The Krogan did not get as bad a version of the Genophage. The Quarians escaped with more people and ships. The Batarians are just like North Korea right now. They just do nothing really. The Asari have a goddess and she is ok. The Turian's have a planet spirit similar to Gaia. The Salarians are just their weird selves. And the big stupid jellyfish do indeed worship the Protheans."
Akio nodded.
"Right. And the Tau? Will they have the kick ass mechs eventually?"
"Not for a long while. But we are always improving our tech. We will not stagnate like the first Imperium. Neoth is a prick but the deal with the Mechcanicum screwed us badly there. We will be very well off. The cuttlefish are stronger but not by too much. We will burn them. We need the relay out of Sol. I will inform Rias and have her tow the thing out. Then we will destroy it. Will slow them down."
Arthur fainted. Le Fay touched her knight. She gets a face of determination.
"Show me the xenos. All of them. I will help. The world needs to unite now more than ever."
Issei nodded. He really likes Le Fay. Jeanne makes light of the situation.
"The blue ones are hot. I would bang them ok."
Akio sighed. Irina groaned from pain and the joke. Issei chuckled. Le Fay looks with disapproval. Not at the now revealed fact but because it is not the right time for that. Issei kept chuckling.
"Never change Jea. I mean you can try for that harem you wanted. But it only works in twenty five percent of the lines. Tsubaki is very territorial. You might get one. Maybe two. I can see why sister Shepherd is important now though. She gives birth to a champion. And a pretty kick ass one. I will make sure the Shepherd's get something nice."
Akio sighed again. Jeanne blushed. She wants the harem. Irina kept groaning. Le Fay sighed. She asked.
"You have one Issei-san? I want you but there will never be favorites. Im ok with it. But please do not be like some of the others."
Issei softened his smile.
"No favorites. You each are equal. I promise that. If favorites happen you and the rest can beat me to death a few times to make sure I learn the lesson. Everyone starts the same. I am not really into Oppai. Mom hit me when I brought it up as a kid. I like emotional connections better. Damn Odin being a prick."
Akio chuckled. Irina finally spoke from the floor.
"I remember him. He was a creep. Mom called the cops on him. Nothing happened. Akio you bitch. You are going in the book of grudges. Grudge for the grudge god."
A dwarf king in a far off tree stopped for a second. He had been beating an orc to death with his mace. He smiled from underneath his beard. Another one has seen the light. He goes back to clobbering the orc.
Akio shrugs.
"I am already there Iri. Did you think I forgot the first one? Besides, you can break my nose tomorrow. Akeno will be told it is ok. Honestly, she might giggle. We do not like blood but there is a first for everything. Fair?"
Irina groaning stands up. She is still sizzling.
"I am breaking more than your nose bitch. I am breaking your hand too. That hurt. And you made me unable to play! I wanted to beat Issei! Bastard."
She looks at the still unconscious Arthur. She tilted her head.
"That is him? Well, he is handsome and seems nice. Issei you lose that one grudge from when we were six."
Issei smiled and pumped his hand.
"Yes! Fuck you Akio. I have one less than you. And you are going down on the Xbox tonight. Le Fay is on my team! Sorry Jeanne!"
Jeanne sighed. Le Fay gets a competitive look on her face. Irina helps get Arthur onto a couch. Akio picks up a controller and so does Jeanne, Issei and Le Fay. They battle. It was not Issei that carried the team. Le Fay kicks ass.
City of Kuoh Issei's home Saturday night.
Ravel giggled. So do Sona and Ingvild. They are watching Le Fay kill Akio with a plasma sword. The new Sigillite is fun. They are, however, shocked by the Xenos. Ravel showed the Citadel Council to them. Sona likes the Salarians. Ingvild likes the Asari. Ravel likes the Turians. The other races promote questions.
Saturday night Imperial outpost Greece.
It was a peaceful night here at a small fishing village near the Aegean. There was little to do here unlike the bigger towns nearby, but the people here enjoy the fact that they don't get many tourists and it's relatively cheap to be here.
In an old church twenty guard soldiers are relaxing and toasted a drink of wine to their dead comrades from the battle earlier today. They were mostly green troops who had just recently joined the guard. Three scions were here resting and enjoying their break. The other seventeen are regular guard. The scions were from Greece and had grown up in the nearby towns. They were scheduled for a mentalist tomorrow. But the night was cover.
Mark 001
Two veterans are enjoying nonalcoholic drinks near the entrance to the church in an old caretaker building. They had unfortunately pulled watch duty tonight. But they enjoyed the quiet here. They, however, catch something. A ping goes off from a sensor on the grounds. That makes the two go into action mode. The woman pulled night vision binoculars and looks out the window.
She sees a few groups of people gathering nearby. About forty. She frowned. That's too many to be locals. And they were moving janky. She voxed that to the head scion. He began to get the new men ready.
The Hero Faction branded, and the five magicians pulled from the magician faction are ready to hit the Red Angel and his people. They had found this base because of Hercules. The two non branded had issued new body armor stolen from the United States to their men. Along with guns. The magician leader had snorted at that but the leader for this raid snarked back at him.
"Keep living in the past. The enemy uses them, and we need to adapt to counter them. You're just here for portals. We will be doing the actual fighting."
Three branded are sent forward and they raised their guns. They have a gear user on the left that can see in the dark. The other two have night vision goggles. A snap hiss rang out and the lead branded loses their heart. She toppled to the ground.
Mark 002-027
The attack began now and more branded moved up. They fired guns at the six imperials now on the grounds. The bullets ping off armor and more snap hisses go off. Two more bodies toppled. The imperials do lose a new recruit who was too eager, and he died to a sword flying into his skull. But more reinforcements are arriving. The branded score three more kills. Their push stopped when a scion with a bolter opened up and three branded exploded. Then two hell guns joined in and the second in command died for the Hero Faction. The first sees they won't win. He attempted a retreat. But he too dies leaving the branded directionless and they all die in quick succession. The magicians run.
The scions grabbed their dead and burn the enemy dead. They then pulled out of this church and take everything with them. They will hit the Hero Faction again with more raids.
Back at Issei's home Japan.
Hadrian and Rossweiss are actually drinking tonight. Hadrian sake and Rossweiss is having a soda. They are happy for today's victory. Rossweiss wanted to be there. But damn paperwork. Devil houses who had been rejected were now back with further concessions. They are beyond desperate to serve. Fabricator Charles was busy building the massive new forges in the new land. Daliea is bouncing for brothers and sisters. Cawl is thinking of ways to save them from her. The new servers were getting easier to gather with him around. Daliea shifting production to special weapons and armor. Like the guardian spears and Custodian armor. Cawl wanted to make those too at some point. But he was the tank man. He was already working on improving the griffin for the next mark version and development of two new types of tanks. A true dedicated tank destroyer and then a lighter anti air tank chassis that was fast.
He was hopeful for Leonardo. The young man had been thriving under Cornelia and himself. The hero reincarnated was genuinely happy building machines. His peace adepts were eager to serve under him. Leo had three new plans for recreational vehicles and Elon had like the car. It was green. Powered by an exceedingly small plasma reactor. The other two designs were for a boat for shipping mass cargo and then a new airplane for a similar purpose. Leo would never forget the day he became Alpharius. He would be remembered beyond his past self.
The building in the new country was proceeding at a decent speed. A base for the Inquisition had been started and that base was big. Well hidden by a mountain range and cut into it. Kangabaru was being made in a very isolated island in the middle of a lake. The first city was going up and it was near the border with the Phenex's. The additional land was decent plus the four villages was nice. Issei would be taking their oaths tomorrow with Sona and Ravel.
Overall, substantial progress. The Imperium was eager for the next phase. Issei's call had been to the head Alpharius in the mundane side. They now need to win that election. More money and resources are being funneled there. Unification parties are being instructed to send more people and information to the head. TUP is sending five hundred volunteers to help their allies. European parties are sending people too. The BUP is sending the most. The country that is at stake is one of the dominions.
Elon has established three factories of his own in that country. All linked to the Imperial underworld. He will get adepts into the country. Elon is determined to see Mars in his lifetime. To see the red. To make much of it green for colonization. To build the true home of the Adeptus Mechcanicus. He yearns for that day.
A new drug will be hitting the market soon. It's from a new company of Alpharius. They are based in the United States. This will win TUP more support than before. And discrediting the Republicans and Democrats who are trying to demonize them.
The night ended with Rossweiss getting a drink of alcohol and then began to ball her eyes out. She wants a boyfriend damnit! Hadrian had dealt with sad drunks before and helped Rossweiss to the bathroom. He learned more about the Valkyrie. He feels bad for her. Odin is a massive prick. Rossweiss had been exceptionally good at her job. She just was not treated right. More a maid then a real woman who had great achievements behind her. Hadrian does ask to see the paper on Trihexia that Rossweiss had never published but has a good manuscript for. Should be an informative read when he is off. Hadrian wants to write a book one day.
Camp Of Light China Sunday morning.
The camp is busy with the usual training of new recruits and the sounds of its forge. Jasper is making a stock of their current supply. He is interested in a very weird situation where there is a new but friendly rivalry between two of the new regiments forming. The commanders are both old friends from different service branches and they have several bets on how to improve their troops. They are currently working on teamwork and then more heavy weapons training.
The current regiments are on leave. Many are bar hopping. A sizable number of Guard are being moved to the new on site psychiatry station for help. Three new devil houses who are true oath keeper have brought mentalists and they have a site for the work. It is helping a lot. They had made so many people have less problems then they would have had later.
On the campgrounds a portal opened, and team Vali comes out with their baggage. Agamemnon looks at the camp with a critical eye. Percy is happily holding his autograph. Biwko is still thinking about perhaps joining the Ten Thousand. Vali watches the whole camp.
The team had been busy booby-trapping their old headquarters and also burning documents that might make a paper trail. Le Fay is here with Arthur to greet their friends. Le Fay was happy she and her knight had crushed Akio. Jeanne had tried but she was still getting used to games. Irina had helped Arthur when he finally woke up again. They talked. Mostly about sword work. It was nice.
Vali had redoubled checked her stuff from Ophis. Barley anything of her information actually lined up with the Emperor's. Vali, however, was not disappointed. She had expected something like that from Ophis. Still there were some matches. Vali did like that Percy was over the moon in happiness. She had been thinking about her time with him more. He was sweet and kind to her. He was the talker and she the silent one. They could really have something.
Le Fay smiled and surprised Vali by breaking protocol. She ran to Vali and hugged her. It was sudden and Vali did not like that, but Le Fay whispered to her.
"Thank you for letting us come. And joining. You will get your battles truly. I cannot show you some of your future foes. But you will make a really cool friend Vali-sama."
Vali looked to what was effectively the team's younger sister. Her eyes soften. She patted Le Fay's back. Arthur backs up his sister.
"We will explain. It is very personal stuff but. It will help explain some things. Vali. Remember that one book you read? The one that was sci fi."
Vali frowned. She vaguely recalls it. She is not much for books but that one had an interesting premise. She continued thinking about that. Le Fay helps.
"They are real. And many of them will hate us. We do know some that are nice. But they are a minority."
Agamemnon had heard the conversation. He thinks. Then his eyes widened to saucers. He looks again at a new tank being rolled off the forge line. The now entrenched phrase. He understands. He fainted. Percy snaps out of his dream of him and Vali holding a baby boy with her hair and his eyes. He pokes Agg. Biwko is the second to make the connection. He grins more now, and he sees another thing he can beat Son Wu Kong on.
"You guys have proof? If you do I get why the guns. I get the tanks. That explains a lot. I am in. That is definitely better than fighting Great Red! And multiple worlds. This Emperor guy is kick ass dude! I want to beat their asses with that spear!"
Vali is still annoyed she has not gotten it. She cannot remember the book damnit! Percy did remember. His eyes widened. He had bought the book for Vali. He saw she had been interested in it. He helps Vali see the idea.
"Vali. It is the main antagonists for the book. The birds."
Vali stops. Her eyebrows raised. Her teeth grow shark like. Percy hates that the action always gets him hot and bothered. Le Fay sees the action. She sighed. Percy was an idiot in love, but he was better than some.
Great Red does another kick ass trick! He sneezed. Who was insulting him!"
Vali smiled more. Percy was the best. She patted his cheek.
"Good boy. You are getting something special tonight. Continue being good and there will be more."
Percy froze. Then a massive nosebleed happens and he flys back and lands on Agg. His brother moaned at the impact but stayed unconscious. Percy is twitching as the blood flows.
Le Fay sighed again but was happy for Percy. She has her knight. Percy should get his dragon. Arthur sweat dropped. Biwko laughed. He is thinking of the ways his spear will gut Xenos. He will get so many names! He is about there to deciding. Le Fey nodded to Vali.
"You are going to make a friend Vali-sama. His name is Wrex. Very strange person. But he has a good heart. Comes from a species that likes battle too. You can easily become one. Just headbutt them."
Vali future honorary Krogan smiled more. She is going to really enjoy this job. Percy gets something more tonight. He had talked her into being truthfully here and willing. Now he gets his just reward.
On a far-off world Urdnot Wrex froze. He had been about to drink ryncol. He felt something in his soul. Something he had not had in an exceptionally long time. A mood kindred. He grinned. He wants to meet them. The Krogan cheers his drinks to whomever is this mood kindred. He will drink extra hard tonight.
Arthur groaned and began helping Percy and Agg. Biwko pulls a few tail hairs and summons clones to help move baggage and the brothers. Vali looks at Le Fay.
"Tell me about the one who will be my true mood kindred. I am deeply interested. I do want that fight with the Angel but that can be later."
Le Fay nodded and the team makes way to a group of barracks, and they are stopped by the now Inquisitor Fleur. Her right arm is a mechanical prosthetic with the rosette on it. She looks at Vali. Vali looks impressed by the arm. Fleur is not afraid of the White Dragon Empress.
"Lady Valitina. You and your team are being seconded to me to function as my field agents. This is temporary. I have been given the task of hunting the OSF more. You will be working with the stormtroopers given to me and together we will destroy them. Any missions you take off hours against them will be paid as on duty work. I have heard good things about you."
Vali grins more. More money and she gets to work with a cyborg who hates the OSF too. This Emperor is as Biwko said kick ass! She just grunts in acknowledgment. Fleur gets the word. She pulls out badges for the team.
"Use these if you need weapons or gear. We are going to be getting a forge of our own soon. Till then we get a high priority with the current ones. If anyone gives you trouble just say that you are under the Flower's orders. Damn name is going to be put to use."
Vali laughed. She likes this cyborg. They will get along well.
Imperial country Underworld one of the four villages sworn to the Aquilla Sunday.
Issei is chatting good naturedly with the four village elders who are here. They like their new feudal lord. This human amazes the devil commoners. More so when one of betrothed the Heiress Sitri tells them that any children that they currently have and or future ones will be given free education at the new schools that will be built.
That is great! It is hard especially for remote villages like them to get education. That is wonderful. The village only had a single tv. It was shoddy and it cut out a lot. The villagers know there is a drug. They do not know the price. Issei reassures them.
"It will be cheap. You and the other villages will be able to get it. I will never deny it to you. It is hope not a leash. You will be treated right. I will not expect much just live your lives and dream. Those who want to do more will get what they want. The only thing I want is my subjects to be happy."
The elders like the human more. They ask about levies. Issei tells them that there will be no levies. Just volunteers for his army and his house. Ten villagers volunteered immediately to serve in the army. They love their lord and his ladies.
A local healer is surprised when he gets a doctor who wants to help serve in the village. He is human. But the human doctor has studied devil diseases. He helps treat a few cases. The healer sees that. It is nice to know his lord wants to help them. The devil sees the pendant the human is wearing. The Aquilla. He asked about it. The human smiled and gently explained his faith. The devil healer likes the ideas. But he is wary because it is a religious symbol. The human assures him it will not cause problems.
A reincarnated devil who wants to start a chapel in her gods name does in the village. The villagers watch in awe. A church that does not hurt them. Several curious ones entered the chapel. They convert. The priestess smiled and explained the faith. The devils really like the tenants.
Ravel is helping with several tasks. She has done this plenty of times. It is mostly small things. Watch kids for a few minutes or help carry things to a home. Ravel saw some of those children's paths. Some would be teachers. Others would be tech adepts. A little boy she helped regularly would be a very competent administrator, possibly a planetary governor.
Sona was with Issei. She was so happy he was safe. She had in a moment of privacy touched where Kokabiel had landed a blow on his face. There was no wound. But the Sigilites had watched his duel. Issei reassured her there was no pain. Sona wanted to learn to shoot today. Issei would show her several guns later.
"It is a good thing to know. But you are a woman of peace."
"I am. But you need us too. My water magic will be with you. The gun is secondary. You are important too Ise. I love you as do Ravel and Ing. Let me be there for you. I want to try a las pistol."
They talked with more villagers. Issei listens to what they are asking. He tells them that they are important to the realm. The villagers see that. They are ready to help in what ways they can. Ravel joined the two later. They joined Antony and the four left to see Rias and her folks.
Forge Of Dreams Inquisition headquarters Sunday.
Akio hurt so bad. Irina had broken his hand three times for the shock. Akeno looked on in sympathy. She had not tried to help him. But she had kissed his hand and then dragged him to a closet. That had made his day. Gasper had been working on a possible new job candidate that he thought could help. He was enjoying his ridiculously cheap dinner today.
Diego had a weird new job. To play a video game and make notes. He was interested in the few things he had read about the game. But he was going to be playing with Xenovia. She was interested intensely. She had never played a video game before. The Xbox was set up in the Ordo Xenos break room and Dohnaseek and his newly arrived older sister and mom were watching in interest. They were going to work for the Ordo.
Malgun was still in his cell. He clutched his Aquilla. He had added while under guard today five more names to the wall. He remembered the thanks in their eyes as they understood he was trying to help them before the light left. His penance will never be completed. But his god tells him that it will happen one day. Malgun will ask for a second sentence.
Gremory Manor Sunday
Rias had welcomed Issei, Sona, and Ravel into her home. Velelana had met them. Zectus was busy drinking with Lord Sitri again. The two were drunkenly cheering locked in a room in the manor. Issei smiled at Rias. They were ok friends. Issei did ask for help.
"We need serious help in a country topside. We need to get your ship up and running Rias. We have something in Sol that needs to move out of the system asap. It is an FTL device. It is made by hostile Xenos."
Rias nodded.
"We will help. What country?"
"Canada. You have people who owe favors there call them in. Elon has his first factory there for your ship parts."
Velelana nodded.
"I have several people high in the parties there. I will get them to vouch for the party. this Xenos thing. What does it do?"
"It is called a mass relay. It acts as a way to reduce the ships using it to near massless speeds. It is a gateway to Sol. Our ships will use something much different to travel, we will be able to move faster, and we will not be restricted to certain systems. It will be weird in how it works but I have plans to help with travel."
That Xenos devices were in Sol. That was not good. They need the ship. But Ravel made everyone laugh. Her stomach growled. The blonde woman blushed.
"I am sorry. I eat a lot. Damn gene."
Rias nodded. She understands. Issei told her psykers needed extra calories. Velelana was as always a gracious host.
"I can have dinner ready in a few minutes. Your all welcome to stay."
The Imperial family agreed. They enjoyed a delicious meal and excellent company. Velelana was well rounded, and Rias asked more questions about her ship. It would be fast and very well armed and armored. Rias had several names for it but was waiting till she saw it before naming.
City of Kuoh Issei's home basement Sunday evening.
Issei was with Sona and Ravel in the firing range. Sona was holding a las pistol and was steadfast in her aim. Her shots were consistent head shots. She was surprised by how little recoil there was. Ravel was also using a las pistol. It seemed she was not clicking with the gun. Issei had patted her back.
"I prefer to use a bolt pistol myself. The kick is not so bad, and the damage is double that of a current mark six las pistol. This will be great for ship boarding combat. I have several other guns and swords for the navel crews."
Ravel saw an imperial ship. She saw the masses of humanity needed to crew one. Issei saw it too.
"We will not need that many people. Ours will be of an equivalent size but they will have more automatic systems. The crews will be significantly less. Still will have the rams and the broadsides but much more efficient weapons and power sources. I think we will build a massive shipyard around one of Neptune's moons."
Sona wanted to see a ship and get context. Issei showed her. She gaped. They were massive.
"How many ships did the first Imperium have? And was this a battleship?"
Issei chuckled. He surprised them.
"That is a light cruiser. And the Imperium had untold numbers of ships. The galaxy was split into what was called segmentums. Solar was the smallest. Then Pacificus, Obscurus, Tempestus and then finally Ultima which was the largest. We might have something similar but with how the Xenos are spread and that we are not doing wholesale slaughter. We will probably need a new system."
Sona asked something.
"The Race. How close are they to us?"
Issei did the calculation aided by a boost.
"About fifteen to twenty light years from us. They are remarkably close. But they have sub faster than light drives on their ships. Ours will be able to reach their home world easily in a few days. Warp travel is weird and unpredictable with things but with how the warp is here we will not need an Astronomican till way later. But I do need to do something I am going to dislike."
Ravel knew what that was. Navigators. She touched his arm.
"They will not be like the firsts. We will need volunteers for that. It will be rough to get them."
Sona wants to know. Issei explains.
"We will need to create a sub species of human. They will be called navigators. They will make the jumps between systems faster and easier. They will need a psychic gene. I will have Daliea and Cawl work on naval computers too, but we will need them."
Sona understands. That is hard. And sad to ask someone to do that. To leave behind your species. The Custodians were just incredibly advanced humans. But navigators would be something new.
"How much of a difference will there be? Without them?"
"Five weeks difference. Computers can bring that to two. With both the navigators and the computers we can make jumps take less than two days for the first 150 light years. We will outmaneuver the Race and the Citadel. The Race takes decades between each system. Their empire is very automated, and they did give local power to their two other worlds for their governments. The holdouts are incredibly lucky to have survived this long. They fail in many other trees to last several more decades after the invasion. By the time the Race gets to Earth they are just a distant memory. The god of the holdouts has been incredibly successful here. He was a god of sex unbelievably. The Race breaks up families and enforces breeding programs in a specific way. The holdouts have several places where they have kept families together and that has changed the god to one of family."
That makes Sona and Ravel mad. That is cruel. Issei gently corrected the anger.
"The Race are lizards. They did not develop that. The only family recognized is their imperial family. Everyone else is technically a bastard. The females only enter a breeding phase every so often. It is the only way the Race sees how it should be. They do not have family. It is not because they are being intentionally cruel. They just do not think that way."
Sona understands. But Ravel is still pissed.
"That is still bullshit. Fuck that! I want to go kick their asses more now! That is wrong! I love my family. Riser was a pig, but he is still my brother. My dad is a conservative man, but he still loves us. I would be lesser without them."
Sona understands. As much as Serafall makes her angry with the magic girl bullshit her sister was great. She had been there since the beginning and had encouraged Sona and her love for reading. Her dad was silly. But he had nurtured her love of chess and more. Renee had given Sona the courage to ask Lady Belial for guidance on how to govern land. Sona would fight to the end to keep them. She wants to kick the Race's ass too now."
"It is still wrong Ise. You should be adaptive, not completely conformist. And that is coming from me. I like standardized. But family is and will always be important. We need to help the holdouts more."
"You both are right. And we will. Rias will help establish contact with them. She and more ships will crush the Race's fleet above the world. Then with space domination we will bring more ships and soldiers to help them they know of us now. Neoth is giving their god tips on how to refine their own faith system and how to spread it into the rest of their species. The Race has the fewest colonists there. They are the ruling elite there. Most of the population are the natives. But the ships in orbit keep order. The Race used two nukes to end the first revolt. That has terrified the natives. The holdouts have extraordinarily little in terms of guns and armor that can stand up to the garrison forces there. The Gaimian were conquered way later than most trees. In the last century here."
That is horrible. Two nukes on people who probably did not understand what they were. To have that hanging over your head. Sona and Ravel understand more why the Gaimian could not do much. Why families were broken up. Nuclear death if you refused and started a second revolt. They are both determined to kick the Race's teeth in. Sona looks at her gun. She will fight to help the Gaimian. Ravel wants to break their Empire. But she wondered about the second world they had conquered.
"The second species. What happened to them?"
"They were also reptiles with remarkably similar thinking patterns. They are fully apart of the Race's empire. They assimilated within two centuries. The Mavicie are incredibly loyal to the Race. They actually do a lot of the middle class work. The leadership is still Race but the Mavicie have been gaining more power with each century. They were saved by the Race. They had a disease that affects both species because of how close they are. That disease would have killed them all. The Race had a cure already. They gave it freely to the Mavicie. Thus the loyalty. The Race could have just let the Mavicie die then taken the planet. But they did not. They helped prevent extinction. Not because of real empathy but because it made sense. The Race is not irredeemable. They are just lizards who are very regimented."
Two sides of a coin. The bad and good. Sona and Ravel soften on the Race. Not much but it is now not wanting to destroy the Race completely. Issei understands the feeling.
"We could not free the Mavicie even if we wanted to. They are awfully close to the planet that the Race calls Home. Less than three light years. They are completely dependent on the Race. The Gaimian are not. They are actually a type of bird. Like eagles. They mate for life. It is why they have fought so hard and long despite the fear of nukes and the tanks and guns the Race uses. They will fight to the end. Some have bowed. But it is not true acceptance of the Race. It is so they can live regular lives. The Gaimian are the low class workers on their world."
That makes the breaking up of families worse. Ravel will lead the army. She will help the Gaimian. Sona is more determined to learn how to shoot and use a sword. But Issei chuckled.
"Vali will have fun there. She is going to be a big hero to the Gaimian. They will give her several titles. They will make her a saint in their religion actually. Hate that but Vali will do remarkable things. She is enjoying her new weapons."
Ravel wants to meet Le Fay. They will have fun with being the blondes. Sona wants to talk magic with Le Fay. Ravel is eager to meet the fourth.
"When will we meet Fay? She looked like she is fun to be around once you get past the ice. You really going to do that to their dad?"
"Fuck yeah I am. He is a prick. Thankfully, he is not a perpetual. He does have a few really loyal friends. But that is just because he is a weasel and has great dirt on them. Le Fay said that she wants to meet everyone this week. You girls are welcome to join us at the club this Tuesday. Akio is being his usual bitch self and caved to Akeno today when she asked to come. Jeanne is bringing Tsubaki. Sona. Do talk to her about sharing. Jeanne wants the harem for a similar reason to me. But it does not work often, and I understand Tsubaki and her territorial views."
Sona sighed but nodded. She had listened to Tsubaki go on about how she really liked Jeanne. It made Sona happy they each had found good partners. But why does Jeanne want the harem? Issei looked nervous and then answered.
"Jeanne wants it because she is a closet pervert. She likes the idea of being with multiple partners. But it is more to help replace the fact her mom was shit and that she wanted a large family. I have been slowly working on getting her to understand that she can't play favorites if she gets the harem. It is slow and does not happen in many lines. But Jeanne wants to bang an Asari now badly. The whole nerve system thing apparently is a big turn on. She is getting an Xbox just to play out that fantasy."
Sona sighed. But at least there was substantial reason then just regular perverted thinking.
"I will talk to Tsubaki. She will not like that. But she was gushing about Jeanne giving up her cigarettes and how they might go official in two more weeks. I did not know Tsubaki was gay."
"I cannot say what she is. I am not her. I do not care either really. Jeanne is happy. That is all that matters. The harem is rare. One other at most in the lines it succeeds. But Jeanne will be happy with just Tsubaki. She might actually be the first to marry. I get to be the best man. Akio gets to suffer again! That makes me happy."
Ravel likes Akio. He is funny.
"I mean yeah shocking Irina was wrong but what did he do to you recently?"
"Nothing. It is just fun to watch the two of them fight. Irina broke his hand three times today. He really needs to learn not to piss her off. Her grudge book is scary."
Irina crossed out the most recent grudge. There were still twelve more just for Akio. Five for Issei but they were pretty minor.
The same dwarf king is relaxing and crossing out a grudge that was fixed today against a stupid elf bastard. He feels his mood kindred. He wishes to meet them. She is not a dwarf. But she understands the grudges. He will drink to that!
Camp of Light China Sunday evening.
Le Fay is reading a nice book that was given to her by a fellow magician. The man was good with wards and Le Fay had always been curious about those. Percy and Vali were talking to each other in private at the far end of their barracks. Biwko was grinning at his new las gun. He wanted to name it! Arthur is looking at a power sword and testing the grip. He likes Excalibur but this sword is interesting. Agamemnon is testing a new weapon. A thunder hammer. He prefers swords but the idea of using this plus his twice critical is kick ass! He really wanted to try this against a war golem.
The team had been introduced to their new comrades in the storm troopers. The Irish man was called Patrick and he was from a recent batch of new scions as was his squad and the second new guys. That captain was a Québécois woman who was named Olivia. She was dour while Patrick was very friendly.
Le Fay wants to meet the others in her knight's harem. She had heard the titles of Sona and Ingvild. They are nice ones. Issei was going to invite Sona and Ravel to the club Tuesday. Ingvild would be there too thanks to a camera and a microphone. She needed two more weeks before the doctors could attempt to help her start steps.
Xenos still scared Le Fay. Especially the second big enemy. That race was cruel. That they had fleets that could crush most species in their part of the galaxy easily was bad. But they were stagnant in tech development and their infighting was terrible. Their race itself was not growing fast.
The slave species that they used for nearly everything was a strong race of beings that were excellent workers and warriors. But they were not the brightest tool in the shed. They were competent warriors. The species also was humanoid, and they were mammals with a similar breeding cycle to humans. Le Fay did not like the near eternal slavery that the ruling species had. And another disgusting thing about them was the fact the rulers at the top ate their own kind.
Percy was happy in the extreme. He has an actual chance with Vali! His dragon had softly said she was curious about them. She will give them a try. But after they save her mother. That needs to happen first. But he did get a reward for helping her with the aliens earlier. She kissed his cheek. Percy could have died happy there forever. But he will get Vali her mom back! He will fight for her!
Vali liked how eager Percy was to get his spear and shield to find her mother. Percy really did love her it seemed. She wants to try with him. But her mother needs help first.
Heidi was held by a large force of OSF in a base in Sicily. The base was strong. Several other things stood out. This base had three golems and three artillery guns. The OSF was terrified of the Imperium. The tanks especially. But they did not know that the current rounds of current guns could not penetrate their armor. Vali huffs in amusement at that Cao Cao wanted to make Ophis rely on him more than the OSF. So, they were not informed. A cunning bastard.
There would be no tanks seconded to them. They were all going through retrofits. But Agamemnon had his new thunder hammer. And they had a new tool. A stormbird gunship. They had met the pilot. Gregory was eager to fly his new aircraft. He was told it was fast. Amazingly fast. And that it was well armored and had two mega bolters and a las cannon. They would leave on Wednesday. It would be an easier mission than at first glance. Two more storm trooper squads were seconded to them. Patrick liked them already. Olivia had just shrugged and then began her hobby of poking people.
Tosca was sitting with Kara and her in the small site in the camp that had been made for their Ordo. She was learning so much. Being a blank was horrible. But Ellen had it the worst. Tosca was the second strongest blank. Kara was a nice person and explains how they worked. To think they interrupt the psychic field of people. That is sad.
But Tosca enjoyed the fact that she did have a dad. She had always believed that she was just an orphan given up by parents that did not want her. To know her daddy had looked for her for fourteen years and had sold everything to try and find her. That made Tosca love her dad more than ever. She wants to meet her grandparents. His and her mother's mom. They had helped with everything and had not lost hope. They had been told by a phone call today that their son and son in law had found their grandchild. That made them want to kiss the people who had helped them get Tosca back.
Tosca also had another surprise today. Isiah. He was alive! He had come to see her, and he had only frozen for a second before hugging her desperately. She learned that he was a devil. That he had a great king. That he would be an explorer one day. Tosca wanted to see the stars. She is happy with her new life and for her family. Isiah had promised to visit every day after his school. He was fast tracking through the school he attended to get to his knight walker. His entire peerage was doing that. They wanted to dream more.
Tosca wanted to serve the Emperor who had given her everything. Ellen called him the father of blanks. The one who had made it possible for them to live more regular lives. She would hunt for psykers and help them learn to control their abilities. She would never be a slave again. Tosca had learned of the new god. She has a pendant of her own. Ellen did not worship him. But Kara did. Her father was a new convert too. He wanted to be with her forever without anything holding them apart. The world was no longer small and only the rooms she had been imprisoned in.
The stars beckoned to humanity. More want to see them. To be among the worlds up there yet unfounded. There is darkness amongst the stars. But also, light. The Gaimian believe in liberation to come. They are wary of these new people they will meet. But their god says they will be free. They will have family again. The new are coming to help them and they are not bad people, just fuzzy and a little weird in character flaws.
The Citadel will meet beings that will challenge everything they know. That they have innovative ideas and new philosophies, and more will make the Asari want to learn about them possibly. The Salarians will beg to be taught new technology and theory of the universe. The Turians will find a race of honor their counterparts in many ways. The Quarians will meet people who do not shun them because of a mistake that was entrenched in them. They will be wary of humans and their AI. But they will face their greatest regret and fear. That they had been the wrong party. The Krogan will meet a species that is just as battle hungry as them and their greatest friends. They who have true empathy and want species that are not evil to live alongside them.
The Race will meet a people that will cause the greatest upheaval of their people's history. They will have to accept they are not the top dog and that other viewpoints on life are there and equally as valid. They are small fish in a sea where they are in trouble. Their people will have to adapt and adapt quickly to meet the rest of the galaxy.
An. They are here. Let us welcome the citadel to this shit galaxy. Yes the reapers exist and so do many old faces. Some eventually but others now. A homage to my first stuff. I did say many aliens exist. And Jeanne wants to bang the Asari badly. There is a relay in Sol. The Protheans have their archive on Mars. The citadel is the very good federation and they are less grim dark than other parts of the galaxy. More good happened to their people. The first contact will be more peaceful and definitely less bloody. Bolters beat mass effect guns.
The two aliens the Race have conquered. There is little description of them in the world war series and I am not Turtledove. The two races are my ideas of them. The Gaimian have it bad. They are scared of nukes. Their people were in the Middle Ages when the Race came. They are an eagle people and they do have some in common with humans. They are desperate to be free and they resist in very small ways. They sabotage the power grid. They take a little extra time to finish a task. They do that and more. The two nukes used against them were when the first revolt was awfully close to throwing the Race off world. The military garrison there was being camped inside their bases. The Gaimian were close. Then the nukes came and destroyed their Rome and a second city. That cowed them. What can you do against nukes from space you cannot reach? Nothing. So, the revolt died. There are still Gaimian who were alive during the revolt there and leading the holdouts. They are scared. But their god is being helped by Neoth to keep morale up. The Imperium will free them. The Gaimian will need time to get back on their feet. They are not getting las guns, however. They are getting auto guns and immensely powerful rockets that will make mincemeat of the Race's tanks. The resistance is significant, and they are determined. Rias and Vali will have special places in their religion.
Oh Canada. That is the first imperial country. It was a big toss-up between Germany and their railroads and China with their people, vast land, and natural resources. But Canada won out because they have space and natural resources, and they have a decent parliamentary system. The Canadian Unification Party CUP exploded fast because they have the Head Alpharius and because they had their scandal. The scandal was unbelievably bad and destroyed faith in the parties that exist there. CUP also has significant backing from business and from a large number of defects from the major parties over the event. They have an exceptionally good chance. Elon will get a forge there that will make the new cars and the ships. Oh, Canada you will be something all right. Take that Canadian friend.
Ann. to the last reviewer your right. i have done some quick work on counter raids by the brigade. but the vast majority is off screen stuff. But i have also set up a few things in a very big next arc coming up. And to reviewer who is off put by the shock of OSF and bodies for them. well seeing your near perfect species die to something you consider a worm and horribly really does increase the shock value. and for the reviewer from today. thank you? and thanks again to everyone who is following. Almost two hundred yay i do really have thank you guys for that. Plus, almost 120 reviews.