Chapter 27
Thus, do we invoke the Machine God. Thus, do we make whole that which was sundered.
Hymn of reforging.
Kuoh Academy Monday
Shirone hurt. Kuroka had been mean in their fist fight on Saturday. Sunday had been a day of some recollections, but they had fought again when Kuroka had given to her sin of sloth and fallen asleep. She had whined for Issei. Shirone had delivered justice on her sister and won that fight. Issei was her's! She wanted to build something with him badly.
Shirone did learn a lot about the environmental projects and how the devices the nature spirits were using were cleaning up Earth slowly. Gaia had helped her by giving suggestions on how to improve the process and make it faster. She had sent those ideas to the man in charge of the building of the environment machines. The Adept had blinked Owlishly but saw that the changes were feasible and easy to make. The environment in four separate places improved when they tried that out. It made Shirone so happy.
The Hell Cat was waiting next to Issei's class and was hoping to start building the bridge. She had classes that were now just boring, and they did not interest her. Issei came out ten minutes later with Murayama and Katase. The trio were talking about the battle on Saturday.
Both young women had wanted to be there. But they had little battlefield experience. They would have gotten in the way. Issei did tell them that they would start seeing battle soon. Katase was planning to join Skanderbeg's regiment. Maruyama was interested in knights. But she was likely joining with Katase. She had become somewhat good at magic and was thinking about joining the guild. She was not alone in that desire. Kiryuu had caught Murayama practicing a spell last week and had demanded to learn that. The man eater was now a budding magician and was considering joining the guard too. The strong men and women helping in that thought process. Issei actually thought it was funny. Kiryuu was going to highly likely become a storm trooper and then perhaps an Inquisitor.
Shirone liked the smile on Issei's face. She fangirled a little, but her own face was now more expressive. Issei saw the younger woman and smiled to her.
"Hello Shirone-san. How was your surprise on Saturday?"
Shirone just answered that with a hug to the taller man's mid section. Murayama and Katase giggled. They really like that Issei had helped the school mascot. Shirone asked quietly.
"Would you like to go to get food after school today?"
Issei smiled softly.
"I can Shirone-san. What do you have in mind?"
Shirone corrected him.
"You can call me Shirone-chan. And I was thinking something American. I do want to get to know you. You are an amazing person who is not appreciated enough nor ever will."
Shirone liked that the smile given was not his usual polite smile but the beginning of a true one. She wants to see the true one for the rest of her life. It was amazing. Issei continued with the conversation.
"Then call me Issei-kun. I am happy to try new things. How is your work going?"
Shirone surprised Maruyama and Katase when she began to purr like the cat she was publicly and then she and Issei left to head to lunch. The two humans again giggled, and they quickly followed. Issei and Shirone talked as they walked, and the purring died down to barley audible but still there.
Kuoh Academy lunch time Monday.
Sona was amused by how persistent Koneko was with Issei. She had barely left his side and Issei told Sona that he had a date with Koneko after school. Sona could see the difference in the nekoshou. She was once emotionless. Now she was smiling more, and she was more open to others. Issei changed everything he touched. He was not sure about Shirone. Said the lines were weird with her. But Sona was fine with it.
The student council had been eager for a tale of battle. Issei told it well and did not embellish how it was. He was able to talk about it thanks to privacy spells. Everyone but Tsubaki paid attention. Tsubaki was off in her own world. She and Jeanne were happy together. Jeanne was kicking the cigarettes. She was doing an odd thing with an Xbox now, but Tsubaki was not worried. She had seen exceedingly early that Jeanne was lonely and wanted multiple partners. Sona talking to her this morning reinforces that.
Tsubaki does not like it. But Jeanne was worth trying. So, the devil would try to understand why Jeanne wanted this. She was curious about the Xbox game. She had felt something when she saw the blue alien on the cover. She did not know what it was. But she was happy to be invited to the perpetual club tomorrow night.
Apparently everyone who was involved with a perpetual was invited. Akeno had been the one to spark that. The black haired woman was glued to her phone and was giggling often. She was fast tracking through school and was determined to be done by the summertime.
They were all like that except for Momo and Saji. They were actually going to finish regularly. Saji had been surprised when Sona had offered him the position of student council president after she finished this year. Momo had poked him, and he had accepted.
Kiba was also happier. He had met an old childhood friend and the two had begun reconnecting. The name of Kiba's friend was Tosca. He and she were talking by text messages and Kiba was surprised when Issei had pulled him aside that day.
"Kiba-san. We have six pieces of Excalibur. I know you want to destroy it. I would let you do it. But the sword needs to be whole again. The permanent user of it is a good person. I understand if that makes you angry. But the lines are certain we will need it again."
Kiba had been let in on trees and lines. He had felt a black rage for a second. But then it left him. He understood that Issei thought long term. That he did his actions for the greatest good. Kiba wanted to crush that damn sword. But he would let it be remade. Issei saw the answer.
"I know you want it dead. But Excalibur will do new deeds of heroism. The man who has the last piece is a Pendragon. He will do an earth shattering deed with the blade. He will inspire a new generation of men and women. It will never be in the hands of evil again."
"Ok. I got most of my revenge. I know Tousca said her dad killed Galper. That is enough for me. I also learned that your nuns with guns killed the suits that had my enslaved friend's souls in them. Tell them thank you for that. I am done living the past."
That settled the issue. Kiba wanted his knight. He wanted the god machines. Tomoe was with him there. As was Maruyama, the three had debated what they wanted on their walkers. Kiba wanted a chainsword and a bolter. Tomoe wanted a power fist and ursa claws. Maruyama wanted just a cannon and a chainsword.
Tsubusa had excitedly talked about how she was making a new system for cataloging the production of las guns. Issei had listened and together they had made a few improvements to the theory for it. Rias had just smiled and dreamed of her ship. She had also requested a las gun to practice with. Issei had told her that one was already set and made for her. The lunch was wonderful. Issei kissed Sona on the cheek before he left for class. He was preparing to leave the school.
Work was becoming overwhelming. Sona understands. So does everyone else. Issei had been here because of a cover story. He stayed for them. But the rest knew where he lived and had his contact information. Issei would get his high school degree and then he would get several college degrees in noticeably short order. He was done with education and school. Shirone had been disappointed he left. But eager he agreed to a pseudo date. Kuroka would not interrupt this!
Kuroka was whining as she was tied to the ceiling. Shirone was mean! How is she supposed to get kittens if her sister was this cruel! Veina had just chuckled when she saw Kuroka. Shirone was very smart. She had waited till Kuroka had fallen asleep because of her sloth and then tied her sister up. Veina's partner had tried to help Kuroka with her bet. But Shirone had tied the knots a specific way and they were strong knots.
City of Kuoh Monday after school.
Shirone had dressed casually in a white shirt and regular pants before heading to Issei's house. She portaled to the backyard and found Ravel practicing her psychic potential. The bird and the cat rivals in many trees looked at one another. Ravel saw their rivalry. Shirone felt like she should eat the bird. But Ravel giggled.
"I will let dear know you are here. I also like this version of you Shirone-san. I am not like the others. I am humbler here."
Shirone knew about trees. So being told that she was nice here was good. The bird is ok. Will be nice. For now. Issei had been helping Ingvild with a small project she wanted to do. It was a surprise for Le Fey tomorrow. He was whispered good luck by Ingvild, and he began making his way to the backyard.
Hadrian was reading about Trihexia. Rossweiss's paper was fascinating. But something caught the eye of Neoth. He asked Hadrian to read a part several more times. The Custodian was weirded by the request from his god but did so. Oh no. Neoth was scared now. He would have to tell his son the ultra-shocking news. After his date. But this was really bad. Gaia was scared too.
Issei arrived at the backyard and saw Ravel talking with Shirone. The two were debating about food. Issei kissed Ravel's cheek and the blonde sighed happily. They were connecting so well. Shirone is territorial but understands that Issei has the harem. That will be the hardest thing for her. But the bird had been nice, and Sona had whispered to Shirone earlier that it was a requirement to be on great terms with each of them. The no favorites thing was good. And Issei did live up to that so far. Still Shirone clamps herself on Issei's arm and openly purrs.
Ravel is amused by that. More so by what the Hell Cat has done to make sure her sister will not be annoying today. Issei joined in the amusement. Poor Kuroka. But Issei and Shirone bid Ravel goodbye and they portal out for early dinner. Ravel finished her exercises and then entered the house. She sees Hadrian being insistent to Rossweiss on a paper. The Valkyrie is trying to understand something. She is not a devotee of Neoth. She has embraced her Emperor's scientific path. She used to be Norse, but Odin was a prick! Ravel wanted to know why the normally calm man is acting weird.
Hadrian is scared for his lord. Trihexia was worse than before. Rossweiss has still not understood why the man she enjoyed working with was freaking. Ravel poked Hadrian. The almost hysterically man blinks. He looks to Ravel. Rossweiss is worried. Ravel asked.
"Har what has gotten you like this? Your usually so calm."
The man is calming down, but he is terrified. He said to Ravel.
"My lady. It is here. The first murder is here! That thing is in the monster of the end!"
Ravel and Rossweiss are now scared. Neoth manifests and provided the context.
"Fire goose. Trihexia contains the first warp entity that humanity made. Dracneyen. The archrival of me. The end of Empires. Issei is in serious trouble. I am going to poke Galen and we need to kill it as fast as possible. Otherwise, we have something that can kill perpetuals permanently."
Ravel sees Dracneyen. She gasped. The war within the web way played out. Ra's sacrifice. No wonder Hadrian had been freaking! This was horrible. Sona and Tsubaki walked into Ravel in her fright unconsciously lifting several objects around the room the trio now five are in. Rossweiss is beginning to understand now. Hadrian is back to freaking. Sona is now troubled by this. Ingvild feels the fear. She sees the end of empires. But there is something that the others are missing and or have not seen. That was better. Still not good.
Issei is enjoying his dinner with Shirone. He can see why they click in many trees. That and some of the others are masochists. Shirone here is incredibly nice and will shake up people with her thoughts and perspectives. They had a wonderful date with a huge American steak dinner, and they enjoyed bonding. Shirone had eaten two whole steaks. She had been trying not to, but gluttony was still her sin. Issei had been nice and just paid for them. That was nice not having that commented upon. When they had finished they enjoyed a walk in a nearby park. They were spotted by a pawn from Cleria's peerage a woman named Illiaya. She tilted her head but did not say anything.
Cleria had been so relieved that the Red Angel was gone from her city. More so when Issei had passed along to Sona who informed Cleria that the beings responsible for the Night of Red Flame were all dead. That had finally closed the book on that. Cleria had truly begun to relax. She was shaken by the GKF and their recent problems in the Underworld.
They were suffering badly. Cleria believed in the order aspects not the pure blood mania. She was kind to reincarnated. She did have a new knight and the man had been happy to be there. Cleria was shocked when she was introduced to Issei by Sona. Cleria had wanted to meet her adoptive daughter's betrothed. Cleria liked the human. He actively thanked her for her deeds in protecting Kuoh. That was nice.
Cleria did ask for the drug. Her cousin Diehauser was trying for a kid and Cleria wanted to get him the drug for a birthday. The drug was undergoing testing and it was showing extremely reliable results so far. That she had been speaking to the head of a pillar was still ironic and Issei was nice about the request.
"I have extra on hand. Your cousin is welcome to it. I might be NKF, but you taught Sona. That is wonderful. Technically you are why we are together. Consider it a thank you and a wedding invite. I would be happy to meet my Aunt Cleria."
That had made Cleria extremely happy. Sona had found a good man. Cleria, however, was not happy about a new development. Sirzechs had approached her and asked to use the city as the site of a peace conference. The Great War was officially going to end. Azazel and Michael were onboard with this and Cleria was both honored and scared for that. Honored because it was another notch for her pride. Scared because this could be bad and attract the wrong sort of attention.
Sirzechs had understood. He promised two divisions of the army here to provide extra security. Plus, more if needed. They were still working on that. Cleria wanted the war over. She was done with war.
Shirone had purred so much tonight. Issei was like her in so many ways. He liked to read. He enjoyed action movies. He was so so on rap but that was not a deal killer. That he liked opera was funny. Still, they had a good night. Take that Kuroka! She will get the Emperor and the best human ever! He had been a gentleman. No perverted thoughts. No staring. He was not his others. She liked some of them. But she was disappointed in her own others. They were so stubborn. Kuroka in their trees actively tried to fix their relationship. But those hers denied their sister. That was wrong. It made Shirone appreciate Neoth more.
Issei was not religious. He did not like Neoth. But Shirone could see there was history there she did not know. Her human smiled when they got back to the school, and he had dropped her off. Shirone had been brave. Know no fear after all and she kissed his cheek. Shirone enjoyed the small blush there and he kissed her hand. Before he left for the night. Rias had seen the act and glommed her rook. Shirone likes how Neoth had made them all become better. They would be lesser without him.
Issei had entered his house to find Hadrian in a corner while Rossweiss was drinking sake. She was bawling about something, and that made Issei sweat drop. Ravel and Sona charged him and tackled him to the floor. They were crying too. He immediately hugged them. Issei was incredibly surprised when three gods manifested in his home. Neoth, Gaia and Big G. Or Galen as his real name was apparently. They were scared. That is not good. Neoth started the conversation.
"Issei. We have a big problem. Trihexia contains Dracneyen."
Oh. That is not good at all. That is really bad. Galen does make the situation better.
"It is imprisoned in an extremely hard to reach location. I am reinforcing the scrolls and making sure the defenders are aware of how this thing must not wake up. Neoth and Gaia are helping me. We must kill it. Neoth said there are a few ways to do that. But that they are hard."
Issei sees the answer. They need an anatheme. That is a bitch to make. It will take a long while to make. Daliea will need to start right away. He nodded to Galen. That was Issei's least hated god.
"They are. I will start one right away. Where is the first murder?"
"It is in a pocket dimension. I made it when I found the beast. I reinforced it with three cadres of angels. They were specifically made to contain it. That foundation is usually right about containment. I followed a similar thought train. The cadres now know I am back. They are yours and they have begun triple reinforcing the prison. How long for the dagger?"
"A year. I will have extra bounties placed on the OSF. The son wants to free Trihexia. I will dedicate more bodies to that hunt. He needs to die. Before they realize what Trihexia is."
The gods are grim. A year. That thing needs to die now. Neoth committed more.
"I will make three more cadres. They will reinforce and teach the first three about Dracneyen. I learned my lesson with it. They will have weapons that will make the escape a bitch and a half. They should wound it badly if it gets away. I will poke my version in a nearby SCP tree about how to make more containment protocols. He is good. He is an O5 there. I think O5-3."
Ravel and Sona are lost. Issei sees that Neoth. The SCP Neoth is still an ass but very much less so. That line of trees was scary. But he is supremely surprised to see that that tree's Issei is also a member of the foundation. And of course, he is a pervert. But he is with a very surprising face. An equally perverted Shirone. They are weird. Issei sighed. But he sees the good thing Ingvild had seen.
"Trihexia will not wake easy. You fucked up in an exceptionally good way Galen. One of your seals was wrong. You included the fact it was a warp being. It spread to the other scrolls. They are self replicating. You created a time loop. Congratulations on that. Trihexia needs to break through a near infinite number of loops to get out. I like you the most right now. I will have the dagger ready when possible. So. Vel let us get Ing stuff to eat. We are much better off than we thought."
The gods frown. Before they see it. Damn materium. But Sona and Ravel sniff and follow Issei into the kitchen. Rossweiss is still crying. She needs a boyfriend! Hadrian feels better. He helps Rossweiss to the bathroom again. The Valkyrie is still bawling her eyes out about her paper. The Custodian just pats her back. They need to find Rossweiss a boyfriend who will help her. Rossweiss mumbled her thanks to her golden banana man of mercy. Hadrian sweat dropped. As did the gods. Neoth is wondering how the movie is going.
TTS tree Imperial Palace M 41.
Kitten likes this tree. The other Emperor is cool. Incredibly sad what happened to his family. But he recovered and became something. Kitten does not like the Abominable Intelligence. Neither does the current tech adept for the couch. She hates the AI. But the Man Emperor of Mankind calmed her down. Gamu-15 was mad. But she was well aware that she could not do anything. Her loyalty was to the Man Emperor. Not the Fabricator General. She does call the other Emperor a true Omnissiah, however.
Vulken is happy to watch. He likes the fox people. Father there saved a fox girl and was exceedingly kind to her. Corvus was sad to see more ravens die to the other Father. He will write a poem for them. Dorn likes the building of the forge. He enjoyed the seriousness of father there. But he saw that there were several flaws. But the other father had fixed them fast.
Magnus was giddy about the STC. That knowledge was great. That he knew the schools were coming was good. He and Father here argued for two minutes before they had reached a middle point. That was better than before. Still more people had joined them. More Custodians. Several guardsmen including Sly Marbo who was silently watching with fascination. Stracken was gazing at a green Terra with envy. Kavan and Tu Shan were also watching. Finally, they had been joined by Decius who was amazed by the gaze at the past.
Terra had oceans there. There were forests of trees and not towers of steel. The past was wonderful. They stopped at the first two mortal followers of the Emperor. That one was a clone and had been a nut case was surprising. That the woman had been abused by the church made a warp storm get shit out near Cadia and that had stopped a war band of Iron Warriors was an unexpected boon. The Man Emperor had stopped the reel and the watchers had agreed to meet her tomorrow. They might bring more people. There was plenty of room for the new ones.
Inquisition headquarters Forge of Dreams Monday.
Akio was with Akeno and the dwarf. They were in front of a cell that held the first branded they planned to free. The man was strapped down and Asia was gently going to poke him with their counter. The sister of the man was watching in hope as was the magician who had help make the brand. The branded was not resisting. Asia poked him with their counter patch. A small burn and the man strapped down had his unfocused eyes suddenly grow sharp. He looked around the room. He saw his sister crying. He blinked. Asia healed his brand and the second poke. The former branded named Tim saw the world have color for the first time in five months. His sister Page smiled more. Tim asked.
"I am free. Page where are we? Why all the strange people?"
Page ran to her brother and brutally hugged her now free brother. She babbles to him how sorry she is for everything and for encouraging them to join the Hero Faction. Tim blinked more. Akio answers the questions.
"Yes you are free. My name is Lord Inquisitor Akio. I and my acolytes helped get you the freedom. I have a few questions for you, but your sister looks ready to swat me, so I will wait. Only my girlfriend can do that."
Akeno looks at her boyfriend with a very barley concealed look. The dwarf laughed nervously before backing away. Asia smiled and released her two pairs of wings to help calm the man just in case. Page looks in awe at the gold. Tim blinked further. Before he smiled. He was free!
"Be happy to answer any questions good sir. But I feel like several things are missing from me. I am not scared. Do not know why but I am not. I like the wings. I did not know I had a beautiful nurse angel looking out for me. Was my capture bad? Did I do something bad? I cannot remember much."
Page answered for Tim.
"You did not do anything bad. I was your handler. You and the four others with me were kept from evil. Thank you Inquisitor. I am happy for you doing this for us. Anything you want for this is yours. My gear is not great, but I would be happy to serve the Inquisition."
Akio just smiles and then remarked.
"It was not me who did this. Our computer man found the good dwarf here and thus he should get the credit. I would be happy to take your service. I need a secretary and I am sure we can find your brother work too."
Page nodded. She did not do battle. That was Tim's thing. She could be a secretary. Tim saw a stormtrooper. He would do that.
"I like the man behind you. I am good with guns, and I would like to help others too. Be happy to work for you guys. I just feel weird. Fear in me is gone. I do not know if that is good or bad."
The dwarf frowned before he saw something. He gruffly remarked.
"So, my calculations were about right. Eighty five percent is back. But he is missing stuff. Mage you and I need to recalibrate this. They need everything back, not missing key things. I am sorry that my work made you like this. My brand was meant to inspire warriors to new heights. Not rob them of things."
The magician nodded at the command. He was part of the new rune team and he had been given a sentence of fifteen years for his part in the brand. He was also to be there for every unbranded event. Tim just shrugged. He was not mad. Better free and missing fear than being a slave and missing everything.
"It is fine. I think it is just that. I do not remember anything from the time under so that is a good thing. Your cool master dwarf. I am happier. Can I please get up now? The straps itch."
Asia undos the straps. Tim got up and Page hugged him again.
Diego was very weirded out by the Xbox game. The aliens were weird. Dohnaseek was doing his own playthrough. He was behind by a bit. Xenovia was the furthest ahead. She was on a space station. Diego was still on the first planet. Eden Prime. Nice name. But he was watching for subtle stuff. Xenovia was clamoring about getting to the love interests. She was down bad for one. Dohnaseek was kind of too, but they were avoiding spoilers. Diego noticed the tech. It was decent. The idea of the Citadel was nice. But he saw a future problem. Spectres. They were the inquisitors opposites. But they demanded authority in all member civilizations. They would need to watch for them. They also seemed to be worse than the Inquisition. Still, they protect peace despite being vilified.
Humans here were also weird. They had an unbelievably bad first contact. They were punished for breaking a law of which they did not know. That is bullshit. But the Turians seemed ok. Diego was going as a magic type class. Xenovia was playing a soldier. Dohnaseek was playing an engineer. They would talk on Wednesday and compare notes.
Perpetual club Tuesday night.
Tsubaki was nervous. She was interested in the other perpetuals. She heard good things, but she was mainly nervous because of her choice. She loves Jeanne. She knows this. But people can be weird sometimes. Issei would not judge. Neither would Sona and Ravel. But Akeno and the others might.
Jeanne had held her hand. She reassured Tsubaki that they did not care. They were her family of choice. Even Le Fay and Arthur. The couple entered the club room and saw that Issei, Sona and Ravel are here already. Ravel is holding a camera and telling someone on the other end about what the club does.
Jeanne smiles at Issei and greets the other two. She likes Ravel immediately. The devil is open and smiling a lot. Sona nodded to Jeanne before settling down and started reading a book about guns and trying to find a second one to master.
The next to enter was Irina. She was jumping up and down in excitement. She had payback plans for Akio. She brought monopoly. She sees he will get crushed. By her or Jeanne. Issei will lose too but not badly. She sets the game down on a table and then hugs Ravel and Sona. The first and the second smile and the three talk about destroying Akio.
Akio and Akeno entered the room next and Akeno smiles seeing everyone else. She raised an eyebrow for Jeanne and Tsubaki. But the hybrid swings both ways. So, it did not bother her. Akio just shrugged and then saw monopoly. Fuck. He saw a vague hint of that. He hates the look Irina is sending his way. He had brought the food.
A large amount of junk food plus ramen for everyone. Akeno begins talking with Jeanne and Tsubaki. That makes the other queen happy. Akeno whispered to Tsubaki and the two giggled perversely. Jeanne blushed but is not fazed other than that.
Arthur and Le Fay are the last here. They were getting ready for the mission tomorrow. Vali was eager to try her new power fist. Biwko was getting amazing with his las gun. Percy was enjoying his new spear and Agamemnon was eager to try his thunder hammer. The blonde siblings meet the rest of the significant others. Le Fay smiles a little seeing another blonde. Arthur likes Irina. She was interesting. Issei gestured the two new faces over and they meet Akeno and Tsubaki.
Ravel talked to Le Fay and the two bond over magic. Sona throws a few things in here and there Issei joined them. Akeno and Akio face Tsubaki and Jeanne. Irina pulls Arthur over and the form teams. The Sigilites and Issei note it.
"Irina is working fast. Do not blame her. They are good together. Only a three year difference."
Le Fay sees her brother being happy. She smiles.
"How often do they get together?"
"About twenty five percent. The age thing plus poor Anna hinders them. But the lines are good so far. I will make them better tonight. I have a present for Arthur."
Akio is already losing. Akeno is amused but her eyes promise punishment after for him. She needs to be top queen! Tsubaki is feeling better. No one is throwing judgment at her. It settles the nerves. Plus, Jeanne is kicking ass. Take that Akeno! She is top queen! Arthur sees that Akio is the punching bag tonight. He wants to help out the man. But Irina promises pain to him if he helps the blonde man. Arthur shivers. He will not do that. He does like the feeling of it from Irina. It was like having Anna again.
When the game is about halfway through Issei pulls out six swords and Arthur freezes. As does Irina. They stare at the n up. Le Fay sees the Excaliburs. She is in awe. Issei smiled.
"They are for you Arthur. It is far past time the sword was whole again. Plus, I need you and Vali killing the OSF faster. They plan to do something dangerous. Double pay for now on when cleaning them up. It is bad."
Le Fay gapped. Arthur looks at the blades. The last piece of Excalibur sings for its lost parts. This could give Arthur the long lost claim to the British throne. But he does not want to rule. Let the Winsors have it.
Queen Elizabeth the second sneezes. She, however, lost a fear that was always there. The Pendragon's returning.
"I will let Vali know. Her sins are greed and lust. Money and battle, respectively. She will like that. And thank you. I am going to wave this in front of my father! Fuck you bastard! Pendragons pay their dues!"
The club was happy for Arthur. The six swords are laid next to the last. They merge and form Excalibur, come again. The sword surprised them when a spirit comes out. It is the first Arthur. He is wearing the armor of the past. But the first looks to the last and then too Issei.
"I approve. On both of you. The me reborn and the Emperor to come. I also approve of you sister come again. You are better here. I am happy about that. You truly get a knight. Sir Hyoudou. I will talk to the spirit of England. She will help you too. I will make that old biddy do something good again. She will not trouble your first country. The Emperor of Man. I wish many of us first perpetuals were here still."
Issei blinked. As did the others. Le Fay is the one to ask.
"You were one of us Arthur-sama?"
The spirit nodded sadly.
"I was. But the first murder got us. We did save the planet. We forced it to sleep from its injuries. I was the last to die. Mordred was the possession victim. We died knowing that it was release and that God would seal it further. It hurt having it in my guts. But I had no fear then. It was the end of my beginning empire. I will not let it be the end of this one. You do not have to wait on the dagger. Use Excalibur. It is technically what you call an anatheme. It can kill the beast."
Issei blinked again. The others do not know about the first murder. Sona widens her eyes as does Ravel. What the fuck lines. The first Arthur nodded.
"Key word can. The sword was barley made for the battle. The Lady made sure that it could do it. But Dracneyen came hunting the first perpetuals. I was the youngest of the twelve. The oldest was a woman we called Arya. She had been around since the first cities. She said there was hope if we did fail. She was that psyker thing. Scary lady. Was a great person. We knew that we could not run. I am sorry I gave you two the gene. But Arya said it would lead to this. I did not believe. I do now. I will sacrifice my soul to make the next blow against the first murder stronger. It will not kill it, but it should lead to its end. Kill it Emperor. Arya said you are the eternal king. I want that. I want my death to mean something."
The first Arthur closed his eyes and then went back into the sword. Excalibur hums more. It will now hurt Dracneyen. The others look at Issei to explain. That there is a thing that can kill perpetuals and did kill the first twelve. That is bad. Issei fills them in. The first murder scares them all. It was from Cain and Able here. Abel's death had been the end of a potential empire. The emotional turmoil there had made Dracneyen. There had been murder before. But Cain had been a psyker. He had somehow escaped the blanket suppression ritual. He unleashed his wrath on Abel. Thus Dracneyen.
The war within the web way was shown. Everyone gapes as the daemon possessed a titan. They see Ra. They see the death of an empire. It had been the first cut. Horus made the real blow. That thing was Trihexia. It made more sense. Why the beast of the end was also the end of empires. It would be the end of the human civilization and the empires it could build. Arthur is humbled. To know his ancestor fought that thing without fear. It made him aspire to be more like him.
Le Fay burrows into Issei. She wants him safe for eternity. Dracneyen needs to die. The world needs to live. Ravel and Sona do the same. Sona on the left Ravel on the right and Le Fey on his lap. Issei has a perverse thought. But he slaps it away. He just enjoys the blanket of his ladies.
Irina does something else. She slammed herself against Arthur and kissed his cheek. Akeno and Tsubaki do the same with Jeanne and Akio. Tsubaki decided. She whispered to Jeanne.
"Only one more. I get to choose. You should be happy too in case it comes. Is what you want the blue alien thing? She does look hot. Or are they all like that?"
Jeanne giggled perversely. Thank Neoth! Tsubaki is awesome!
"They are all like that. We can have fun the three of us!"
Tsubaki likes the mental image. Yes. This is true happiness for them both. Tsubaki surprised Sona. She joined the perverse giggling. Arthur is just stumped. But Irina whispered to him.
"We are rare. But I want to try. My other choice is some weird dude, and I am not into that here."
In Kuoh a weird dude who had been reading a book with his friend giggled perversely. It sucked that they were out of Kuoh Academy, but they had found Oppai and good equally perverse girlfriends at their new school. The young man with glasses sneezed. Someone is thinking about him!
Arthur nodded. That is fair. But Anna is still there. He does remember that Issei said partners would come from the supernatural primarily and each other.
"I will try. But not now. I still miss my Ann. Your nice. You are not my usual type. And your younger than me. But age does not mean anything to us. Just keep those in mind."
"I will. Akio you bitch we are going to crush you! Sorry Akeno but the lines are against him tonight!"
Akeno is more amused. She whispered something to Akio. He gulped. That sounds like fun actually.
The six set back into their game. Akio keeps getting pushed back. Issei bonds with the three sigilites more. The night ended with everyone saying goodbye and heading home.
Camp of Light Wednesday morning.
Tosca was watching her father work on his new gunship. It was big. It could carry three squads of troops and it was very cool. She was on off time as Kara was needed with a psyker that had popped up. Her dad also had a co pilot. A cheerful devil man from a new sworn house. This pure blood liked planes and wanted to fly. He was happy to fire the guns. Greg was ok with him.
Their first mission was today. Team Vali would be dropped with two stormtrooper squads and they would crush this base of the OSF. The storm bird would be pushed through a portal to a base the Guard had in Italy where heaven had pushed on the government and the Alpharius personnel had created a small no fly zone in the small island that this base was on. It technically was in Sicily but far enough off the main island.
The goal was an extraction. Olivia and Patrick were eager to show Devil bastards the hell shot. Especially with the new increased pay for each OSF killed. That came in this morning. Vali really liked this job. Her power fist is kick ass! She liked the armor too. It was nice and comfortable. She could easily merge with her balance break and then the two would overlap. Tougher enemies here she come!
Arthur carrying a fully rebuilt Excalibur was awesome too. Le Fey was in a new armor. She loved that Issei had given her a favor of his own for her. That made Le Fay love him more. She had her spells ready, and Issei had taught her a spell to dull the memories should she need it.
Kuroka was here too. She loves her new armor that has an armored tail piece. She also has a new weapon of her own. A nice power sword. She looks at Le Fay and her favor. That makes Kuroka smirk. The Emperor has a harem! She has a chance! She will get back at Shirone! She will get her kittens!
The rest of the team except for Le Fay sweat drops at the perverse giggles coming from Kuroka.
The storm troopers just shrugged at the giggles. Cat girls are weird.
They watch as Greg gives Tosca a hug and a kiss on her forehead. Tosca wants him to be careful. The storm bird takes off and then goes through a portal.
Out they come. They began their flight. The storm troopers begin their oath of moment. Patrick waves team Vali over.
"You lads and lasses are doing this with us. It is a tradition that we do. Leave no emotions out. Good or bad. We will guard your back. Just put the scum in the ground. Drinks are in me if we all live!"
Olivia groaned as the troopers' cheer for their captain. Team Vali joined the oath. They like this tradition.
Mark 001
Three devils are patrolling the skies around this base. They are relaxed. There is no way the Red Angel can get them here. He does not have planes or boats! No scary tanks either! They get a great deal. The lead devil is a slothful man. He likes the sun on his wings. He hopes that he gets to stay here. Less stress.
There is a noise. He blinked his eyes open. Just in time to see his two comrades explode into gore. Oh no. He had planes! The devil tried to fly and warn the base. The man exploded and his body parts feed some sharks.
Mark 003
Several devils patrol the beach. They are with hell hounds and a small enslaved bird. They are surprised when a nearby filthy human gun explodes. It takes several enslaved human soldiers and then the second then third guns explode. Oh no.
A big gunship carrying the Aquilla strafes the beach with its bolters. Devils explode and they run. The storm bird fired a las cannon shot. It takes out a big pile of reinforcements. The crater makes those coming next back up. The storm bird lands, and the tail gun fired its bolter allowing the troopers and team Vali to move out. Patrick cries to his lads.
"Glory to the first man to claim a devil bastards head! Additional drinks to them!"
Another cheer and the lads began throwing krak grenades. Olivia sighed. She did not drink. Kuroka cheered with the lads. She wants beer! Biwko does too!
Mark 004-007
The devils are not liking this fight. Hell shots and grenades. Plus, a new scary thing. A woman with a weapon that makes her fist glow with lightning. Her first punch made three men explode in pieces. A war golem is pushed forward, and the next scary thing happens. A crazy human charged it with a warhammer. It cracked and when the blow came the golem died to the hammer as it came down. There was a boom like thunder and the devils want to just die. They were off the beach. The imperials were pushing hard.
Biwko likes his gun! Kuroka loves throwing spells openly at the OSF. Arthur feels complete with Excalibur. Le Fay shows a new spell. The spell reinvigorated the stormtroopers. They let loose another cheer. The devils have begun to fear them when they do that.
Vali loves her power fist! This is fun! Albion is having fun too. He loved that he can sleep more now. The Emperor is pretty cool.
Ddraig sneezes and wakes himself up. Revelation was busy playing regicide with himself. Ddraig growls.
"Albion! He is kick ass but you got the worse host bitch!"
The dragon goes back to sleep.
Mark 008-013
The devils are running openly now. An Irish man is taunting them.
"Come back here ya wee bitchs! Get your medicine from us! I promise it will not hurt!"
The devils run faster than before. They reach the base and their fellows on the walls fire spells to cover the retreat. Then the gunship comes back.
Kevac is having so much fun! He gets to fly and kill OSF bastards! They killed his cousin! Death to them! Greg enjoyed the storm bird. Great vehicle. He will definitely need to get his old pilot club back together.
The storm bird rakes the walls with the bolters and more devils explode. They run. Percy will get his dragon damnit. These imperials are kick ass!
The gate had been closed. But Vali looked at Agg. He looks back. They share a brain cell. The two charged and brought their power weapons down on the gate. The metal doors fly. They crushed several devils. Patrick eggs his lads on again.
"Lets chase the wee sheep out of this base! Like me ancestors did the British pigs! More drinks! "
The lads cheer again. This time Olivia joined. She hates the British too! More grenades and las fire. The devil sergeants see them. More bodies.
Mark 014-018
The devils keep running. Good news no more gunship. Bad news they have an angry Irish man. Patrick wants to use his chainsword!
"Face me stars you devils! You bloody cowards! The British are braver than you lot! And they are the biggest cowards of all humans!"
The lads cheer again. Most are also Irish. Then a trooper who is a meme lord makes a connection.
"We the Patrick stars! This is Patrick can I take your order?"
The devils run faster. These humans are nutjobs! Vali leads the charge. Percy is with her. They clobber multiple devils together. They get a title.
"Three cheers lads for The Dragon King and his Queen!"
The devils push their comrades into the path of Vali. They do not want to hear the cheers. The base commander is getting ready to run. Rizem pays well but not enough to fight the Irish. He had fought them before. They took his arm. Nothing is worth losing the other. He does send his two remaining war golems to cover the final retreat.
The devils run barricade the door and flee out portals. Arthur destroys one golem with Excalibur. Le Fay touched her favor and then cooked the other. The lads like Team Vali! Vali moves to save her mom. Olivia takes back command.
"Clear rooms of any left. I guess drinks for the one who clears faster than the rest?"
The lads cheer again. This is awesome. Dead devils and beer! Patrick slaps Olivia on the back.
"Three cheers for the awesome French woman! She knows how we Irish work!"
Olivia grumbled that she is not French. She is Québécois damnit! But the troopers cheered and started cleaning up rooms. Kuroka goes to hel her tail wagging in excitement. Biwko goes with Kuroka. More beer! Percy and Agg run after Vali. Le Fey talks with a stormtrooper magician. They will go cover the bodies in fire. Arthur gazes at Excalibur. The sword was happy. It was standing for justice again.
Vali breaks down a locked door. Inside is a woman. She is ready for death. The middle-aged woman with natural white hair turned to face her killer. Only to blink. There was her baby girl. She has weird armor and a fist device on her right hand. Next to her her is a man and he is guarding Heidi's daughter zealously. Heidi smiles at that. Vali sees her mom. The White Dragon Empress moves to the greatest mom in the world. Heidi touched her daughter's face.
"Valitina? Is that you? Truly you?"
"It is me ma. I have come to rescue you. We have kick ass friends. They led me and others here."
Heidi does not care her daughter swore. She just grabbed her little dragon. Her baby had survived. She had come to save her mother. The two are silent. Heidi was the same as her daughter. Percy gets a look from Heidi.
"I approve. He is stronger than most. Keep my baby happy boy. Or else."
Vali chuckled.
"He is sweet ma. Buys me things. We are going out after this. My hoplite deserves many rewards. He is a good warrior. Strong kids maybe."
Percy freezes. A nosebleed starts he flies backwards and hits a wall. Agamemnon sighed. His brother is the worst. Heidi chuckled. She likes the man her daughter claimed. The other man is holding a warhammer. But he seems nice. Heidi does have bad news.
"Vali I am stuck here. There are wards. I cannot leave or I die. Rizevim is an ass."
Vali frowned. Then ordered Agg.
"Get Fay. Now."
"Right oh boss. Percy stop being a horny fuck and help the boss lady."
Percy jumped to attention and immediately stood guard. Agg hates his brother. Why did all the horny go to him?
Le Fay senses the ward stones. They are complicated. She began calculating the cost of breaking them. She winced that one was bad. She called Issei. He is great with wards. The call is answered quickly, and Le Fey describes the wards. Vali does not care. She just wants her mom free. Le Fey explained her calculations. Issei is impressed. But gentlemanly pointed out the flaw. Le Fey groaned. That was a rookie mistake.
"Thank you my knight. Your going to have to teach me them better."
Issei smiled. The wards were actually not too bad. Rizevim could have been worse. But this place was top secret.
"I am graduating next week Fay. Will have more time then. I have to teach people how to shoot and use swords your welcome to join those too."
"Maybe shoot. Not a big fan of swords. Thank you again my knight."
Le Fay hung up. She then broke the stones. Heidi felt the invisible chains fall off. Vali ordered Percy.
"Help my mom."
Percy immediately moved and then fell into a good natured talk with his hopeful mother in law.
The troopers grabbed computers and other bits of intelligence. Kuroka likes Patrick. They will get drunk tonight!
Fifteen minutes later the troopers and Team Vali plus one exited the base. Heidi sees the Aquilla on the storm bird. She smiles. Rizevim hates that bird. More reason to like her rescuers. The troopers cheer for their captains and then Greg Takes off. He does fire the jets and they move fast.
Rizevim Lucifer comes to the base a half hour later. He is livid. That fucking bastard human had his troops rescue his bitch traitor plaything. He was going to torture her again today too. But he had been lucky not to be here.
Rizevim hates the Red Angel. He has lost men because of this. He is starting to see his most loyal bannermen question him. Euclid has killed three runners already but two had escaped. He wants to kill the Red Angel. He wants to punish Ophis for not helping them! The stupid lizard just said they would have stronger warriors for Great Red. Rizevim does not give a shit about Great Red. He joined this shit faction for power and slave magicians for his return to his rightful title! He will find Trihexia. He will control the beast. Use it to kill the NKF. To kill Ophis. Then he will slaughter the humans. Make the reincarnated work to death to build a pure blood world. He will try to have the very few loyal followers he has get access to the drug. They will reverse engineer it and then make it better. Fuck that human! He got a pillar! He gets noble daughters as future wives.
But vengeance will come. He had learned of a base used by the Red Angel. He will send men and kill those in it. Tit for tat from now on.
Imperial Guard recruiting station Italy near Venice later that day.
This old building in this small town was a former Church way station that once the Catholic Church had begun crumbling fell to the imperials. They had forty men here and it was another quiet day.
Outside the way station which was in an old nun convent portals began to open. Out came devils from the OSF. Banners from the true Lucifer. Finding this base had been difficult but they had finally found this and several others across the continent . Sixty devils were here. Ten began a ritual and the other fifty sent enslaved animals up to scout. They see three humans wearing armor watching several points of entry and they began the attack.
Mark 001-007
Two Guardsmen are enjoying a small game of cards in an old building here on the grounds. They are with another man who is watching. He doesn't expect much to happen today but the OSF in particular had been spotted trying to find bases of theirs. The Hero Faction had been looking too but they were harder to spot. The guard hears a flutter of wings and sees a regular bird. He frowned. It felt weird. He pulled his las pistol and watched it for a few more seconds. But he sees it fly off. Then he feels his pendant burn. He snapped at his two companions.
"We have an issue. Get your guns."
His comrades drop their cards and one voxed that they might need help. They exit the building. A howl sounds out and three wolves charge from the nearby forest and the battle began.
One wolf gets its head blown off with a las gun. Behind it comes the other two plus three more groups of wolves. Then ten devils followed up behind them. They are smirking at the fact that they outnumbered the humans significantly. Another las shot kills a devil and her body collapsed to the ground with a red hot hole on her stomach. That made the smirks disappear.
The three Guard see they are massively outnumbered and fall back with las shots killing wolves. They run and meet another squad of guard with a heavy weapons team. The plasma gunner immediately fired and that shot hits a wolf making it collapse to goo. The thirteen dig in and began to actually fire back. The next wave of wolves and devils move up. But the ritual hits a point. The resurrection of the prior dead wolves is made. They charged again.
Mark 008-016.
The devils have pushed up and have scored two kills. Both guard died with over powered spells hitting them. They however have vengeance as most of the wolves and three more devils are dead or re killed. The ritual continued and then a new foe entered the battle. A bone abomination made from the corpses of humans killed recently by the OSF. The abomination moved up and the humans began to target it. The plasma gunner had shot again and it took the leg off. But it crawled forward. The humans see the tide turning against them. They grabbed their fallen and retreated up to the convent. More guard have set up a new line and they cover the retreat. The devils are gaining ground. But the next two teams of heavy weapons are another plasma gunner and two bolters. The bolters opened up and killed the abomination. However two more are coming up the hill with more devils and wolves. The guard kept shooting and more die. The devils however have used the bodies of their dead plus the grave stones for cover. But they are not matching the kill rate.
Mark 017-025
The devils are getting frustrated. The abominations are not helping like they had hoped. About fifteen of them have died to fire plus nearly all the wolves new and reanimated. The ten ritual ones are running out of material for new abominations. They had thought the abominations would have lasted longer. But the imperials have lost eight people. They however fight harder than before and have actually pushed up two rows of graves. The devils are worried because they had hoped for more damage. But that's not looking good right now. The commander growing more pissed he sent a final wave of enslaved wolves out to let his people retreat. They are not winning this fight. He ordered two final abominations to be made then to begin to retreat. The ritual had cost a hundred bodies. The OSF lose four more devils in the retreat. But the vast majority make it out and then the mark ends at 030. The imperials burn the corpses. And reforged the convent into a fortress.
Three other bases in Italy and two in Germany are hit by the OSF. Each caused some damage. The dead for the entire operation is thirty on the imperial side and sixty for the devils not including abominations and dead enslaved animals.
Forge of Dreams Inquisition headquarters Wednesday.
The Ordo Xenos sit for their first meeting on the game. They are roughly at the same part. Xenovia was disappointed by having to wait. Dohnaseek was eager to play too. He likes the story so far. Diego looks to his cohorts.
"So, what have we learned so far? Dohn. Why do not you start."
"We hate Ai there. Will damage relations. But I can safely say we will not join Citadel Space. They are stupid. The ship limit is not a long term peacekeeping plan. They do not realize that they are stagnating. From what I gather they have not seen many new worlds. Humanity is leading the charge in exploring."
"Agreed. We will need to watch for Spectres. They are our equivalent. They seem to have very few scruples. The Asari are the top dogs. They shadow manipulate the other species. But it does not seem to be malicious. They try to help people with realistic expectations. They are very weak militarily. Just these commandos. They however seem to be having generational problems."
Xenovia grew more interested. She wanted an Asari girlfriend! They sound fun!
"The Turians will not like us because we are challenging their niche. They will like us better here because of our warrior traditions."
Diego nodded.
"Good point Xenovia. The Salarians will be the wild card. We will have to stop their attempts to hack us. But Cawl has along with Daliea assured me our vox and our eventual galactic noosphere will be incredibly difficult to break. The Rachni wars."
Dohnaseek spoke up that was leading to his first point.
"It is why they are stagnating. They will not open relays because of that. I understand the fear. But eventually you will run out of resources. But I get the feeling that is by design. I am stumbled by one thing. Why have they never tested the age of the relays? There is something more going on there. I think we are missing something. I do not know how to feel about the Geth."
Xenovia grunts. She does not like the Geth. But that was because of the spikes.
"They are strange. The hive mind has some weaknesses and strengths. Kill many Geth and they get stupider. They make more mistakes. Why have the Citadel not wiped them out?"
Diego had caught that too.
"Maybe the same reason as why they cannot wipe piracy out. Relay control?"
Dohnaseek shrugged. He was interested in the Volus. The short round people made the economic decisions and built the currency.
"There should be four members on the council. The Volus deserve a seat because they are the glue that keeps the economy running. Why were they not given one before becoming vassals to the Turians?"
Diego had not considered that.
"I do not know. You are right. After the vassalage no but before yes they should of. But I am not the council. The Krogan. They got screwed. The Genophage is wrong. But given they have limited resources and worlds it makes horrible sense. Why didn't they try to help the Krogan civilization? They uplifted them just for war and then did nothing after. Why?
Xenovia was stumped on that too. Take responsibility for your actions!
"I do not know the Krogan are portrayed as only brutes. But I do not think that is the case. Maybe they become very defeatist after the rebellions. But the Salarians made the Genophage. The Turians deployed it. I think their terraforming tech must be bad. What was our last projection of transformation for Mars?"
Diego answered.
"Five months. A year for Venus and maybe two years for other bodies for us. We could leverage that. Make the Citadel pay through the teeth for that."
Dohnaseek likes that idea.
"True but the problem is their population. The Turians can mass conscript. We cannot. Not yet anyway. But we have better weapons. They use slug rounds. We need to rework armor for that, but it should be easy to infiltrate their space and steal guns and barriers. They do not have magic. The Asari are all biological biotics but they seem limited by it."
Xenovia agreed.
"The Asari will not like us much because they are a direct democracy. To the outside we will appear as a worse Turian Hierarchy. But we will have the Senatorum Imperialis. We will have a world base democracy. Planets for us will be easier for local leaders to govern because they can react to threats faster with their PDF. The Guard and the Navy will be split up to defend systems. We will be more like a confederation really. The Asari do not seem to share their democracy with their colonial possessions however."
Diego agreed with that.
"That seems true. None of the council members do that. Maybe it is just what they saw the Asari do and they copied that. We can easily build a hydra there. The Shadow Broker is the biggest threat. We will need interrogation techniques to weed them out. Maybe have a new Ordo specifically for that purpose. Maybe Gasper could head that."
Dohnaseek nodded. The little cross dresser knows a lot of people. He had brought two more of his raid buddies from WoW in and they both had been useful in building hydras inside Olympus and in The Celtic Pantheons. Apparently WoW had a huge supernatural community and it attracted very interesting people.
"I will pitch that to the Lord Inquisitor. He could be good at that. The Extranet seems like it is very much a Wild West. We can easily find moles there. The Citadel will be interesting to meet. Didn't the scary brown hair lady say that the game was about 90 percent accurate?"
Xenovia grunts in amusement. She and the others had watched Irina break Akio's hand three times last Sunday. Plus call him a few choice names. Xenovia loves her sister. She was frontline, Irina seemed to be really good at making the new recruits relaxed with them. And had taken pain from the Sisters after the battle. Shepard. The woman was scary good. She had already been selected to lead a new squad of sisters.
"Yeah. But differences are minor. Psykers will fuck with the Citadel. We have precogs and they do not. Apparently their souls are not as strong as ours. Plus, the gene has not really manifested there. If they have then the people are regarded as trash scientists who are mocked. We have ten thousand years of knowledge in that. We can easily outthink them. Plus, we are not stupid when it comes to a few other things. Our tech is on a different tree completely. It is like their planets were isolated through their FTL. Maybe a precursor race?"
"Maybe. We will crush them easily if we come to war. They will not like us moving relays out of systems. That will probably spark the possible war. They are too hard married to it. We will be that way with warp jumps but we can try alternatives as they pop up. Maybe have multiple types of FTL. But we have the advantages. But peace with them seems possible. Just have to show them that we are not interested and that they will be thrust onto the real galactic stage. It is late Dohnaseek, Xenovia we will meet again on Saturday. Let us avoid spoilers and discuss after we finish the first mission. Save the Asari doctor?"
Xenovia grew eager. She was down bad for Asari. They were so pretty! Dohnaseek shrugged but nodded.
"Sure. I wanted to do the mission on the world with the planet city. But we do need to find glimpses into the Asari. They will call the shots. The Turians are the attack dogs and the Salarians seem to be the scientists and spy people. I will poke the Turian dude we are likely getting as a teammate. He seems cool. A mall cop who wants to do actual work. What about the Quarian?"
Diego spoke up.
"I will poke her. She seems like she has ideas similar to the Mechanicus. Maybe we will get lots of converts there from them?"
Xenovia shrugged. Same with Dohnaseek. The three broke for the night. Xenovia giggles perversely. She will have to thank Jeanne. The Asari were indeed hot. The two men sweat dropped at their younger companion. Damn kids and their horny.
Forge of Dreams bar Wednesday night.
Kuroka downs another beer. The storm troopers and more off duty guard cheer her on. Biwko is singing a drunken song with the stormtroopers.
"Beer is liquid bread it is good for you! We like to drink till we spew!"
Patrick is enjoying a beer with Olivia who has a regular nonalcoholic martini. Patrick actually does not drink much. He knows the lads do though and he plays up the stereotype to make people underestimate him.
"Fun mission. Disappointed they ran tho. I wanted to use me sword! But the pay will help with me little one. Me wife is a jabbing talker, and she is worried about me. You got family Liv?"
"Not really. Pa died two years ago. Damn sister got the farm. My brother got the truck. I got shit thanks to them. I was the one who took care of him. And thus, I joined the exorcist corp. Terrible decision. But it kept me fed. I need the money too. I want to have my own farm. Probably on Mars. That will piss off my family. Fuckers."
"Im sorry Liv. And good point. I want a nice place on Mars too. Want my son to dream too. My wife thinks I am nuts when I say we will be there in less than five years. You going back to vote for the CUP?"
"Maybe. I know they need every vote. But I am not looking forward to seeing my family if I do. My uncle was the only one I stayed in contact with. He likes the CUP. But I heard that my siblings are both voting against them. I want the smug superiority when they lose."
"I will drink to that! Lads if you got family in Canada make them vote for The Unification party there! Lets get spaceships! I want to see Mars and I will drink to that!"
The guard and troopers cheer as do Kuroka and Biwko. They chant.
"Mars or bust! Mars or bust!"
Heidi likes the troopers. She is here with Arthur who had been a gentleman and was escorting her while Vali and Percy were on their first date. Heidi does not believe they will get to Mars. But the lads were nice, and she was going to make them Christmas presents. Arthur, however, said.
"We will get there Ms. Heidi. I have seen the plans. They are real. We are not slowing down. I like this place. Much better than where we worked before."
Heidi cannot believe him. But then again she did not believe in being rescued. She was wrong there. Maybe she is wrong about Mars. Would be cool to see the red planet. Heidi does not know what she will be doing to help. She heard that an Inquisitor wanted to talk to her. Had questions about Rizevim. The former concubine of the jerk will help with that. Fuck the prick.
An. Yay. More information. Trihexia. I would like to thank Holy Knight 5 for the idea about Trihexia. Very cool thought and is his. Originally the plan for Trihexia was something else. But damn is that idea cool. Thus, the new Dracneyen. Master of Mankind is my favorite 40k book. And I always feel bad for Ra. And the Mechcanicus there. Trihexia does kill perpetuals. And did kill the first twelve including Arther. That Excalibur being an anatheme was also something that I did not think up originally. But it is cool. Was unsure what I wanted to do with it after Kokabiel. Soooooo here it is. Rossweiss gets help soon hopefully. Hadrian is a good bro.
Mars is a coming. The election will be here soonish. Elon is happy. He will get a forge! Probably on mars. More citadel stuff too. I have such weird questions there. Like the relay age problem. Why did it take a human doing it to get an actual age on them? Probably BioWare not filling holes and plot bullshit. There was hints of the Imperium there. They will be a confederation. Planets get votes and they send their people to the senatorum to represent them. Issei is the figure head, and he can assume control immediately if a crisis happens. Xenovia is down bad for Asari. So is Tsubaki. In fairness it is understandable. I like the blue people. But Tali is forever. Sorry Liara!