Chapter 34
I am Alpharius. We in humanity are all legion and we are all one. Even our brothers in the other legions. They call us the meme lords on crack, and they are not wrong. But we have become more than our first incarnation. We enjoy plans within plans. We love being the dagger in the dark. But we are also forward with what we do. Improving the conditions of the people who are Alpharius in the dark.
Hetman Wilhelm First Legion master of the Alpha Legion M 3
Our Gene father is a man who excels at the back line. He is sometimes off putting to see. But he loves us all and tells us about the heroes of another tree that we come from. How they held Calth and beyond without fear. That we will make our own mark on the galaxy. He is proud of us. We do have a friendly rivalry with some other legions. But never like the first ones. I am happy to be on the new Macragge and I will know courage and honor.
Unknown Water Dragon Legionary M 3
China
The Alpha Legion is still five. But they will be ten soon. But they know that something has happened. Ravel had talked with them. Told them that they will have cousins soon. They will be working with the first Water Dragons in Russia. The hydra is wary of that. But they trust the woman who fought with them and encouraged who they were.
The Alpha Legion has a page on the Imperium website. It is definitely a strange place. Their forum has become a haven for meme lords galore. The spokesman for them has turned out to be Peter who occasionally commented on stuff and or likes it. The responses to that are always great to see. The Hydra has enjoyed being in the light more. But they have also begun to take control of the unseen hydra in China.
They have a plan that will hopefully help out. But it is very risky, and they worry for the other Alpharius members. But Wilhelm believes this can help make the war less bloody. They did not tell the Emperor. But they know that they cannot do that forever. Still, they have a curiosity to meet the new legionnaires and their cousins.
The next city is being another domino. This one has rail lines that connect to Beijing. They have an extraordinarily strong chance of then pushing in three directions. One north to the Capital. The other east to the sea and then the south to crush the few remaining redoubts the Cabal have there. The Imperium has better odds then the first city. Their regiments are full carapace now. Flack is being given to the new regiments always forming. Las guns for the dragon model are now hitting just as hard as the first model called the Ollanius. The dragon model is cheaper to make. But the Ollanius will always be prized as the first model.
The new las machine guns and more are rolling out quickly. The chainaxes are now a standard issue weapon for city fighting. The Imperium continues to improve their weapons and tanks. The hydra anti air gun Apc has now started being more common. The Chimeras are being sent to Russia to help kick their forces there. Ad hoc militias have been helping so very much in the south. They fight harder then they should. But their cries of harbinger make the Cabal partisans fear them too.
The Imperium will crush this city. They have sixty battle harden regiments against the newer Cabal raised ones. They have so many griffins and earthshakers that they can easily break lines. The angels have been hitting the Cabal railways from the air and they make life worse for the trains.
Issei has been with the generals and he and they think maybe four days max here. Two if they blitzed through the city. But that is overly optimistic, and Lint says that is very unlikely. She has a new title and rank. Master Cognitive. She will be ecstatic because she will be forming the class for that on Malta. The school will have wonderful teachers. Ingvild is happy that her school will be peaceful for the most part with Ren being the only exception so far. But the tengu has suggested that they make another school for combat only. So that Tizaca can be the school of heroes.
They plan to attack the city in two days. Five new regiments from the Middle East are arriving and they want to be here. Issei wants to properly meet Kuroka. The Sigilites are all going to be there. Sona has been extremely caught up on everything thanks to their fan club and because she is finishing up school today. She of course aces the tests. Everyone will be here. Asia has been invited to join with them. Her lines get better all the time.
Issei sees the daughter more clearly than ever. It is definitely a former soul reborn. And it is a supreme surprise. But that girl will be a hero and have a new curse finally revealed. Issei worries about that. And the rest. His perpetual gene is incredibly strong. He does not want that for them. The gift of man should never be forsaken. But it looks highly likely that the girl will have it.
It makes him have doubts about Asia. Not because they do not work they do incredibly well. But because he wanted to never have his daughter resent them for that. To hate them and desire to destroy them to try and get her death. He sees that the lines there are heavy that way. But Asia will hold the little girl and tell her that there is hope. Issei has doubled his work on personal anathemes. He wants backups for Dracneyen and for perpetuals who want to pass.
He will share that with Asia today. Ravel has been busy talking with Falere and making bridges there. The Asari will be there in spirit. She looks increasingly likely as Issei sees more of her. He is not a xenophile and that will be something that is always there. But Falere is so sweet and had written a poem for him. They could definitely work. But the mom will be a massive obstacle as will her species. The Asari will not like the Imperium. They will not see the inner workings of it. Just the military and the Astartes.
Issei has long since given up on what the Asari will think of them. Humans will be the ones looking at them and wanting to learn while remaining loyal. The Asari will have the opposite effect for once. But some will be curious. The Turians will be where they make inroads. The Imperium will be looked upon with suspicion first. But the Turians will see the martial pride of the Astartes. They will see the oath of moment and like that.
Athame is disappointed that her people will not become human xenophiles like she has. She and Neoth are hitting off well. Issei had shoved his asshole second dad at Athame. When Neoth had looked betrayed Issei said to him that this is part of him learning to suffer for the shit he has put on him. Neoth sees Gaia behind him supporting this. Sol Invictus just watched in amusement. Issei had said he is fine with the new Astronomican. But do not try other shit or he will use the sword. The Sun god was amused but understands. He was honored that he a near death god had been saved and included in the High three. There is a fourth, but she has doubts.
The first here is Le Fay. She had been so eager to see him again. With her is Kuroka who upon see him yowled and then hugged him so tightly with her tails wrapping around his waist. The cat burrows into him and purrs up a storm. Her only thought is how he smells of home. Issei just hugs Kuroka back and whispered soft things to her. Kuroka grabbed his left hand and nuzzled it still purring. She remembers the hand before. Ingvild is the next one here. She can walk mostly normally now. But she keeps her cane nearby just in case. She is amused by Kuroka and meets Le Fay in person for the first time.
Ravel is next and she just hugged the others not with Issei. On her shoulder is a small Falere ghost who watched all in amazement. Sona and Asia are the last here. Sona still with her graduation hat and she and Asia just watched for a second before joining. The eight here see each other who is certain and the two not. They do not care that they are not yet here. Kuroka and the non psykers look at Falere and they see her pendant of the sun. They know she is with them. Issei talks to them all.
"I know for two it is not certain. But I am still going to try for you. Asia you are closer. But we will need to talk about Celestine. She will be a perpetual almost guaranteed. I am working on that and will make sure the girl knows she can pass on eventually. Falere we are working on the gene as fast as we can. The puzzle that is your genetics is baffling my gene smiths. They cannot understand how your people came into existence. But they will keep trying. This comes even without you being certain."
Asia wants to cry for Cel. To know she will have the perpetual gene is rough. And sees the doubts he has about that. It hurts because they clicked so well. But he is worried about the girl and not Asia. They will probably work. Falere understands that her condition will take a while. The Asari still do not understand why they are mono gender. What hope do the humans have with half a puzzle and no samples? She does not feel the old depression. She does have chronic depression but that has only hit on really bad days now.
Sona feels bad for Falere and Asia. But she just hugged Asia. Ravel does too. Ingvild just sings a psychic song of comfort. Le Fay would not wish the gene on anyone. But she worried about her own now. Kuroka is lost about the gene but understands it has something to do with the hand. She has not been informed of the perpetuals true nature yet. Issei just touched Le Fay.
"Our regular kids will escape the lottery. They will have some of it. Stronger regeneration. But not our curse. It will hurt losing them. But the primarchs will live as long as we do. If you are still willing for that? Kuroka I will fill you in. I am truly immortal. Same as Le Fay. We return from death."
Kuroka was horrified by that. Youkai were long lived especially nekoshou. But to have that denied to you. She just curled her tails more around his waist. She worried about her kittens. But Issei just reassured her.
"The kittens will be fine. But I will ask for your genetics on your possible primarchs too. They will not be cat boys. Ingvild we will beat the furry out of Leman. No kids of ours will be like that. I will make sure that the primarchs will be able to pass on. No Vulken again. But we need to all be careful. Kuroka, Asia. I will show you Dracneyen. Bad cat your work killing the OSF is hampering this from returning and I will keep upping bounties on them plus more for every truly evil one killed."
The First Murder is shown. Asia is scared badly by it. Kuroka hissed at the daemon. To know that was Trihexia. That the OSF wanted to find it and release it. That thing must die. Humanity needed to do so much more. Falere is still getting used to gods and daemons. The First Murder scared her so badly. She wants to hold her Dream. To know it kills perpetuals permanently. That it could kill him. She wants to merge with it and kill it with her gene. To make it scream in agony. But Issei shakes his head.
"It would possess you. Like it can others. Do not ever try it. I have stuff ready for when we face it. The six of us will do the deed. We will finish the first twelve and their mission to kill it. I have a plan and it might work. But we will need the six Cadres that are being prepared to kill it. They will lose many. But Arthur has the killing weapon. I will have extra made for us. But none of you may be there but Le Fay. Dracneyen is deadly to everyone. I do not fear it. Because I unlike asshole have contingency plans for if I die. The Sigilites will form a ruling regency and then they will rule till a new baby is born with a portion of my soul. The baby will be the next Emperor. He will have genetics from everyone. I do not like the plan nor the five other back ups. But this will be it. No God Couch. No stagnating and then being trapped in the grim darkness of the past."
That was indeed a plan. An ok one. But they all worry. Falere just wants to physically touch him. But she knows that it will be a few years before that happens if he survived. Le Fay has made her decision about the primarchs she can have. Magnus and Jaghati. She wants them. She wants to teach Magnus magic. To keep Jaghati from being a fast as fuck boy.
Kuroka sees her two. One is a bird. Corvus. The other is unknown still. But she nodded.
"I help Nya. I do not like the bird part, but it is ironic. No depression poems from him. I just want that thing dead. I will poke Vali more. She knows about you my mate. But Albion is the angry one, not her. And she still wants to fight with you. But gets that you are busy. She wants a bi yearly fight. Once every six months. Probably on a new world chosen just for that. I want just the kittens so much. They will be good sons and daughters. They will help their dad. The greatest and strongest man ever. Please do not think less of me for that one night."
Issei just kissed her head.
"I do not. I would be a hypocrite if I did. It helped you and him. Your friend has kittens coming soon. He will know soon. I will have a plot of land set aside for them in the underworld. I own everything and I will make sure our veterans have first choice of land for their service. They deserve that and more. Fay tell Kiryuu that the levies and Hecta are going to get redemption. I am seeing they are good warriors. And if they do become Vostroya reborn. The oath for their first sons and daughters will be lifted in a century. But I will not force them to do that afterwards. I am not nor will ever be Neoth. I will never say no to manpower, but they do not have to feel shame in that. The Death Korps know now that they are forgiven. It will not stop them from thinking they are not, but I have had Tsubaki make it official already."
Kuroka is happy again and just started purring. Falere looks at the cat ears and tails. She has one feeling about that. Hot. Kuroka catches the glances and teased.
"I like both. I will purr you a storm too cutie."
That was accentuated by a wink. Ravel whooped! Another mood kindred! Sona sighed. But she is kinda like that too with Asari. Le Fay just accepts her weird family. Asia just tried something similar.
"I like your crest Falere. It is pretty like our skies. And I am not down right now for sons. I just want Celestine. I like Dorn and Horus before his fall. But I just do not think I will be like that. I am sorry if that is a dealbreaker."
Issei just pulled Asia to him and hugs her. Falere blushed and understood why Athame likes humans so badly and is now their biggest down bad simp. Humans can be sweet.
"It is not. Free will is something I respect very much. I want Celestine too. I just do not want her killing me or you because of her first life. She died so many times and that drove her somewhat mad. She was getting worse and worse. Her end was her trying to be a good person for the things she had been raised to despise. That makes me proud of her. But I understand she will be pissed. Especially with the gene. We can work Asia. I feel it. But I want Cel happy too."
Asia snuggled him. They were so interconnected. Like Rias was. But here she won so much. She has wings of feathers and not scales. She has a mom. And a potential stepdad in a man who was courting Caroline. He had desperately wanted to meet the woman who had saved his life. He had and they hit it off. The new possible dad did not care that Asia was an Angel. He was simply happy to be alive. He had stage one pancreatic cancer. But the drug made his life better. He sung praises for them both on social media and when he did interviews.
Asia was becoming a saint to doctors. The medical world considered her their current greatest leader. Caroline was the first. But Asia was picking up the torch further. She was what people aspired to be. She would never not be winning here. And all because three brave people had killed lapdogs who had been ordered to imprison her. Issei had not ordered them to do that. They did it because it was the right thing to do. Because they like her had known no fear.
"Thank you Isse. You are definitely the one I want forevermore. The Emperor of Blazing Truth. My hero here like so many others."
Issei just kissed Asia's cheek. She blushed red. But everyone clapped for her. They would be her family too. Issei smiled to everyone before a group hug was initiated by Ravel. They all touched their family. They did not resent each other. Because there were never going to be favorites. They were all equal. They each were Alpharius. Sona did break the moment.
"I am here now Ise. I am good with my gun. Sword works not perfect but I'm decent enough. But please teach me the mask. I know it is a risk. But I am here. I am not leaving you alone again. Can it be placed on an object?"
Issei nodded. He pulled a helm out of a pocket spell. It was a carapace helm. Sona took it. There were psychic wards on it.
"I have made this for you. It will work. Just do not fight it when it's put on. The wards will dull every single thing you do. It will be like visiting a mentalist and having a conversation with them before a memory is tweaked. If it has a flaw immediately take it off. I want my brave Sona-Chan whole. Not broken. I am never going to be perfect."
Ravel clapped and pulled Sona closer.
"You can move with me and the hydra. We are getting our next ones tomorrow and they can move with you. Fair warning though they are trolls. Be ready for memes."
Sona sighed. But the first Water Dragons would be a bit. She would deal with the trolls. For now.
"I will not correct them. But if they do something stupid I will do that. I'm going with a las pistol. And a power sword. I just want us all to be here together for the rest of the day. I miss you all. Even the new one in the cat. Falere. You are pretty but I do not think I am that way. I am not sure though. Maybe one day. Now let us hug again. This family is worth everything in this world and this tree!"
Sona had become a hugger. Like Ravel. The family rejoined it.
Underworld Inquisition headquarters.
Akio was so incredibly happy. The world was brighter then ever before for him and Akeno. They have just finished a make out session and he was extremely happy. He never regretted his first death. His aunt was now here as an acolyte. She had hugged him and told him how proud she was of his legacy. She likes Akeno. Disappointed that they both like certain things but she does not care. That desire had never been crushed.
The Inquisition does have a new internal system of rule. The Inquisitor Lords. They would represent their Ordos and other than his permanent seat as the founder of the Inquisition the others could rotate. The Ordos would be flexible. The stormtroopers were surprised when they were told that they had a seat too. Ahmed had become their first member. He was big stormtrooper general now. He was honored by that. But the current Ordos with a seat were the Investugatus, Silence and Xenos. They were the big three. The other Ordos still need to be fully established.
Diego had brought the findings of the games forward. Ellen had said that her blanks were working on finding psykers as fast as possible. That they would eventually need black ships and their own special stormtroopers to help the psykers not be afraid for the young and old. Everything that other Ordos need would be approved. They had a blank check and they just needed to ask. Fleur was going to found a new Ordo once they finished the OSF. The Ordo Watch. They would police the Ecclesiarchy and never let the crimes of the old churches begin again in the new.
That they stopped the OSF in Romania was great. That Valeria had almost released a warp storm was not. They had given as their first act to Ren the Star of Terra. He was humbled by that. It was an internal award. The Guard had their own medals.
Valeria was under guard now. She had not resisted nor had Ren. He never left her side. They were so close. Vali was surprised when she was summoned by the three. More so when she learned that she would be an inquisitor one day. Akio had snarked at her.
"You are a big damn hero so take the promise of promotion. You will get a full retinue and I am not against it. The prick who is my best friend said he is down to fight you on a world specifically set aside for it. Twice a year. Tell your lizard that the red one does not remember why they started the feud. But he does say to just sleep and enjoy the day. Also, one last thing. He won the last round. But the new fights will start at zero."
Vali just grunted her acknowledgment. She was happy about that. Fights are good. She would enjoy having them. She was worrying about Ren. The bird lost an eye. Yes he gets a kick ass robo eye eventually, but he was hopelessly in love with the Vampire. Still, she cannot say much. They did work well together.
Her team had been given a tone of leave. Plus, a gift from Issei. A parcel of land in his country. Vali was surprised. But the call between the rivals was civil.
"I know you have been saving up for it. So here is enough land for you to rebuild your house. Also, I am truly willing to fight you. Just please do not cave my face in. I will not use my weapons or armor. Not until I can make then not kill you. I would ask the same. I have a world chosen for us. It in Sol and called Titan. Where we can honor us both and an order who I deeply respect. Have you heard of the tale of the Grey Knights? It is not well known. But they deserve recognition for their deeds."
The tale was kick ass. Daemon hunters. That they never lost a member to evil was amazing. That they had been the hammer was kick ass further. Vali likes them a lot. And her rival. He was civil and unapologetic about being the red one. He was not an ass. But he had learned her new title. She swore to break a rib or two for him teasing her with it. But she got vindication when he admitted he likes that a bit too. Personalities are his main kink. But ass apparently was the third. He did not say what the second was.
Heidi had simply taken the gift. She was under watch by a squad of troopers who like the other woman because she baked cookies for them. The land was decent sized and wonderfully placed.
Diego was busy setting up the next meeting with the Ordo Xenos. He was very pissed about the game. But had found a very bright spot. Tali was wonderful and he immensely liked her. He gets Xenovia and Dohnaseek now. His kink was Quarians. He was not extreme like Xenovia. But he did send the voice actress a thank you card.
Xenovia was happily giggling once she arrived. Anastasia was imagining using her rapier on Batarian bastards. She hates the four eyes. Dohnaseek started them off with wonderful news.
"I am getting married at the end of the year. Got to buy the ass a present. But I am happy, and my folks are excited. You are all invited. Even you bird lover. Just do not crash my after party."
Xenovia and the others were happy for their coworker. But they had to start the big sad somewhere. Diego took the plunge.
"We will definitely have to help the Quarians. They are in a bad spot. But we can help them quickly by making a planet and plants easy for them. Project Greenhouse has shown magnificent work on cloning plants and animals. The Tasmanian Tigers are going to be around early next year. We can probably have a planet ready for them in a few months a year at most. I do think we should just have the Quarians as a very loose protectorate till they are back on their feet."
Xenovia coughs something.
"Simp"
Diego just snarked back.
"No room to talk bird lover. I'm just not as goo goo over them as you are. I do think they need help. They have at most in that tree a century or two. Here they are still unknown. But we will have to let them know that we do not take to kindly in their mass fleet being around. But we will not chase them out like the other species. The Collectors are worse than we thought. We are all there yes?"
They were all on the ship. Game two was much faster than one. They all knew now. Dohnaseek just shrugged.
"That they are Protheans yes. I do not want to think about it that much. It is horrible. We must have the Ordo Foundation destroying the relics we find. The indoctrination is worse than we thought. Even our reluctant friends are having trouble with finding an easy counter. And they had three devices easily found. The O5s have declared their Reapers as completely hostile and are now very keen to collaborate with us. Apparently the other Issei is extremely smug about it and so is his site. The Void Snakes are getting ready to destroy two whole worlds because of the infection. He will update our psyker Alice with further updates regularly. We need to begin our own RND to counter this."
The Ordo was grim learning that. But they did have a bit of good news. A recent rocket had been launched from the United States and it was heading towards the outer system. It has improved sensors and speed. They were hoping the relay was still trapped in ice. But the hope was not much. The space programs had in the Imperium all folded into a new agency under the Adeptus Spacious. They were determined to not be made fools of further by Elon.
The mad lad had launched a meme campaign against them and basically said in not kind words to kiss his ass. His dream was going to happen. Theirs was in ruins. But they could help. They and Leonardo had teamed up to form the next company called Terra Travel and Shipping. Elon owned no shares as promised. But he had vindication. And cold sweet revenge.
Xenovia brought the mood down more.
"Cerberus must never exist. I hate them so much. They play fast and extremely loose with respectable thinking. Pragia is disgusting. I feel horrible for Jack. We must never treat our psykers like that. Or for the shit where we force accelerated their growth. By the Emperor is it bad. They commit more crimes. We must crush that shit forever. I understand that the feelings are now a huge minority. But they need to be near zero."
They were close there. Hot blue aliens who looked mostly female was a great win for the horny legions. The Race was looked at with pity. They were still stuck in the past. To know that Neoth had protected the planet from them had made the Ecclesiarchy extremely easy to convert to. People everywhere did that. Especially in Africa and other countries that would have been hit badly by the Race. Hindus and Buddha also saw increased faith given to them by the masses. It made the Senate of the Gods so much stronger. They were massing their armies. They know now they have to destroy the dead end faiths.
Anastasia had brightened the mood with her own play through. She wanted to help the Drell. Thane was her romantic interest.
"We can easily help the Drell with our gene smiths and with our tech. They are still in the preliminary stages of service to the big stupid jellyfish. They might still have redoubts of people who want to be free. We can offer that. And yes Xenovia I am as you call me a simp. Now shut up and just fantasize about your bird man."
Xenovia giggles before doing just that. The others just sighed and accepted her crazy. They had noticed a few different things about the timeline. Birthdays. Mainly Falere's and more. They had through Issei talked to the Asari. She was their first mole. The first xeno Alpharius. She was weirded out by the question of birthdays. Hers and Rila were later than that date they asked about as was their sentence. Liara T Soni was earlier then her supposed day. That was put up to as perhaps trees not being perfectly the same as they first thought.
The Asari was supremely surprised that her existence was known by a game humans had. She was also supremely surprised to see the first tree of their line by Issei. It was weird. But everything was nowadays. She did ask to see a few things there. She was more rebellious in the first tree. Less depressed. But she was not who she was here. Her mommy was still there. But she was extremely distant there. Very few visits compared to here where it was once a month. That made Falere call up her mommy and babble thanks to her. Samara had jumped up in shock at that.
They began to reconcile themselves. They were estranged badly but it was nice knowing Falere was being happier.
Diego nodded. He and others were talking with Falere often. They confirmed that more good things happened then bad. There were other weird things too. But they were like birthdays being off. Trivial things. The Inquisition had a line with her now and they too helped with the depression. Diego felt bad for her. Dohnaseek just asked about military stuff. Anastasia had become a new sister and had taught ballet to the Asari. Xenovia had just begged for Turian porn. That made Falere sweat drop horribly. But she just said to Xenovia that humans were better. That started a rivalry between them.
The Ordo just ended with more agreements to keep spoilers down to a minimum and finish the game.
Ardat-Yakshi monastery.
Falere practiced her ballet skills and was watched by Rila. It was beautiful. She did not believe even a percent of the story she was being told. Trees and humans. Light eternal. Him on Earth. That she believes. Her own pendant was enough to see him that had captured her sister's heart. Laser guns and more. Fantasy becomes reality. But Rila was beginning to believe. The smile on her sister never left. Falere told her that mommy here was the best and that they should treasure her forever and never not say thanks for everything.
Rila dreams now of sailing the void. Of discovery. Of a mystery figure that is what she wants. She wants to meet them. They are tall. In great armor. They are a warrior, and they do not fear anything. She dreams of lives with them. All good. Their new faith has made everyone here question their comrades or their wardens. A third Asari has asked about the pendants. Why the sun? Rila saw the funny now. She was elusive like her sister now. The smug superiority of knowing was worth the death glares. But the third was as persistent as Rila had been. She was also an Ardat-Yakshi. She was given several breadcrumbs.
Falere dreams of the sisterhood. The family. She liked everyone. But Ravel was her best friend. They got along so well. She will never regret not pulling the trigger. She is looking for ways to kill the depression that she has. The regular doctor here has been helpful and is glad for the Asari. He was a Turian. His daughter was in another monastery. He never spoke about her much and he never blabbered about this dark secret. He just wanted to help those like her. He did ask about the pendant too. Said he felt funny around it.
Turians were deeply spiritual. They felt the divine more clearly. But they too had left the age of the gods behind. But he was deeply interested in the few ideas he did get out of Falere. Said he supported this as long as it did not hurt anyone. He did ask to hear more. Falere just reassured him that it was not bad in any way or form. The man had accepted that. He was going to bug the Asari more. He felt something powerful from that pendant.
Rila asked a million questions about him. Falere answered what she knew. That he enjoyed slow progress on music. That he was a man who just wanted to sleep in when he could despite only needing four hours of sleep. That he loved animals and that he in secret had several charities for just that. He loved the stars. He loved to help. All that and more. Falere was worried about tomorrow.
He was going to war again. That city needed to fall. She was so very worried about him and Ravel, Sona. She did not want to know what a war mask was. But it sounds awful. She just wants him here holding her. There is a knock on the door. Falere stopped and went to get it. It was the Turian. And the other Asari. Both were nervous. The Asari more than the man. Titus just asked.
"Please show me. I have been feeling nothing but an itch all day since we talked. It is getting worse, and I need to know. What is this?"
Falere smiled and took off her pendant. The two new look at it. The Turian feels it now raw and burning. The Asari name Jalrea is scared. But she hears a song coming from that pendant.
"Touch it and see him on Earth. Or I should say him on Terra. You will understand more. But have a trillion questions more. You will not believe it at first. But you will eventually. Like I did. It is real. The one who will shake everything we know and accept is possible. Sol Invictus."
The two hesitated. But they touched the pendant together. Not as two different species. But as people in curiosity.
China new city Mark 001
Sona was here with the marines and Ravel. Her las pistol was ready on her hip. But the mask was strange. Like she was in three different places at once. Her noncombat self. Her war self. And who she really was. She was here yet not. Her thoughts were clear. Logical. No hint of doubts and other emotion. The part not here in the body hates that.
Ravel is joking with Wilhelm. There are ten here now. The five new are nervous. But Peter just says that grandma is great and not to worry about it much. Just do not worry about Sona. She is here but busy. Grandma will be like that too in battle. Do not be offput by that. The new marines are calmed. But Victor grunts out he has some plans he wants to try. The Alpha Legion is on the right. They will be breaking up a strong point. Ravel promised that the new meme lords can be themselves and that their dad likes them a lot. The Rhino the twelve are in is leading the charge. Tyr is driving. They are with five other chimeras, and they carry the Iron Dragons.
They slammed into this town and past newly opened gates the locals had sabotaged this morning. The Cabal guards are dead. The local people have formed an ad hoc committee to help the Emperor and his army. This is becoming increasingly common.
The first resistance is when a Cabal Apc and three squads of harden party troops come under fire at a shopping center by the Alpha Legion and the Iron Dragons. They also have Ruruko and her five squads of men. Her pawns promote and then begin to rain fire onto the Cabal.
Mark 007-035
The Cabal have formed a good line and have begun to build up defensive capabilities. The APC is, however, dead. Sona had summoned a massive water wave had it hit the APC then fried it just a second later with lightning. The crew died screaming from the volts. Sona felt nothing. Her water spells are precise and waste nothing. The Alpha Legion is impressed, and they see why their cousins will be called the Water Dragons.
They have taken up the far left and the shoot bolter rounds and keep the Cabal pinned. The Iron Dragons are the center, and their Commissar kills a party trooper with a bolt pistol. The right is the Blades, and they are raining magic on a few new squads trying to help their comrades.
Two of them promote to Knights and charge with chainaxes. They are fast. The Cabal have long gotten used to the roars. But it still scared several new conscripts horribly. The imperial right fire in support.
The Iron Dragons unleashed their new las machine gun and this killed more party troops. The machine guns where still new and they were deadly. They punched through cover and that kills the enemy commander here. The Imperials throw krak grenades and then a new attack begins. Sona directed a new spell, and it slams the defense line. Ravel cooks the water in the air and a steam cloud covers the Alpha Legion push. They throw plasma grenades and then they fire a new heavy bolter and then advance.
The Cabal break when the marines hit the line and the rest folded. They do something new. Three party troops surrendered. The first time they have done that. It seems even they are beginning to doubt. The surrender is accepted, and they and fifteen conscripts are marched by newly arrived soldiers to the camp being made for this battle.
The Imperium advances and has seven more fire fights by Mark 0125. Issei joined the push with Diep Hadrian and Biwko. The three Custodians are happy to be here. Hadrian had kissed His Rose before leaving. Rossweiss is now enjoying having a boyfriend. He is wonderful and she loves him. They had grown close during his enhancements, and she saw how brave her Custodian was.
Biwko loves his spear. He enjoyed the Ten Thousand. They each have earned names. Hadrian had earned his third. Caretaker. Biwko appreciated that the names mean something. Antony has six now. Cormac has four. Johan four also. Zhang has three. But he has a new one coming soon. Warrior of Hecate.
Le Fay and Issei had been chosen as Hecate's champions. She settled her doubts and the high three have become the high four. The four are preparing the last few phases of their preparations for their war against the Olympians. This will be soon. Humanity hates the squabbles they have. A single Olympian has defected. Hephaestus has heard the call of the Omnissiah. He wished to build anew. Athena and Aphrodite wish to leave too. But they are intimidated by Zeus. The Sky father sees that Neoth will kill them. He has made overtures to Odin.
The Norse are vastly split. Loki had declared himself fully for Odin. He plans to do something.
Mark 0127-0155
The Imperium has reached a new hard point. A parking garage. The Cabal had reforged it into a fort. Multiple soldiers and machine guns plus ammunition were stocked piled here plus five mortars. Four Apcs have been parked here and they have plenty of cover. The imperium cannot use Earthshakers. The civilians are packed in the buildings surrounding the garage. The Cabal had kept them there by gunpoint. A big reason escapees formed an ad hoc committee. The Imperium is in a bind. But Sona showed her tactical ability.
The Marines would draw fire and slowly free the buildings and help civilians flee. Two companies of Chinese will help that out. Then the marines will form a ram and charge and Apc opening with more regiments behind them. The Alpha Legion is pissed about the civilians being used as shields. They definitely will kick off their next plan. They had taken a love of the people from the Salamamders. They want the Cabal dead.
Ravel does too. That is disgusting. The Chinese imperials swear to kill the general in the parking garage. They must save them and be the Imperial Guard.
The battle begins with a skirmish between three marines with roaring chainaxes and they kill a force of party troops. The civilians are ushered out by Chinese Guard, and they are encouraged on by ad hoc militants who lead them to safety.
The next building a civilian is killed by a heartless party trooper who simply said better to die by a true Chinese soldier than be a slave to western pigs. The man killed is slumped on the floor Infront of the Imperials. This pissed off the marines and the Guard. But they cannot do much for fear of the civilians being gunned down. This does something, however. The heartless man has a second. He is horrified. He is loyal to the party, but his company was told they would not really do this. They just do not want to die to the Imperium.
He hated the meat shield part. But he became Alpharius at that moment. He pulled his pistol and shot the heartless commander. He buys the imperials time to move and kill those who try and put the new Alpharius down. Several men from the second's squad joined in to help their sergeant. The second dies sadly. But the civilians saw he might wear the Cabal's symbol, but he had a heart. The Imperials rescued that building. The party troop traitors kneel and throw up hands.
The civilians are moved as are the prisoners. But a new marine looked at the dead man who had a heart. The marine remembered that. He will carve the dead man's name onto a shoulder plate piece. A true Alpharius at the end.
The next two buildings are easily cleaned up and then the marines for the ram. Hadrian is with them. The elven form a vox channel. They changed the garage with Victor changing his hammer.
They break an Apc. The Guard behind them cleans up stragglers and kills the party troopers. The general here loses his head to Hadrian with his spear thrown through the guts. The mortars fall silent and the imperium advanced again.
The first day ends and the advance grows slower as they push. The Cabal had done something different. Most of the forces here are elite party troops. Conscripts are here too but in significantly less numbers. This will definitely take longer than hoped. Sona when she has her helm off begins a plan. She noted a few things and with Ravel and Issei began to draw plans. This city was heavily defended. The Cabal had learned from the last city.
Sona understood why Issei said the war mask was jarring. It was so much better not having the helm. Issei had held her. Ravel had made a trigger for hers. Sona wondered if this was what it was like for Serafall. The disassociation. She felt worse for her sister. All the times she had made Serafall upset because she freaked on her. Issei kissed her.
"You are welcome to stay in the back. I will not think less of you So. It is rough the first few times. I went temporarily mad once because I fucked up on my mask. The old man had only heard of it from rumors, and we built it off that. I refined it till I found the right points."
Sona kissed him this time now knowing that. He went mad. That is horrible.
"What mission?"
He was pensive. Then replies.
"It was against Tiger Youkai. They wanted to kill Yasaka. Not because of disgruntled stuff but because of an old blood feud they had with her father. No one was wrong there sadly. The clans had been fighting for three hundred years. Yasaka tried to have me mediate the feud. I was respected by then. And would not favor either side over the other. But a small thing happened, and the tigers mistakenly thought something then attacked the conference. I had to kill them. Yasaka was my first friend, and she was all I had besides Daliea at the time. I had to kill nearly the entire clan so great was the madness. And I understood Angron so very much. Yasaka slapped me into a wall with her tails and I lost the mask and realized what I did. What I almost completed. I will never be forgiven for that. The clan still exists, and they have good reason to want me dead. But one was a psyker. He realized why I did that. He understood why I had my madness and I offered anything in recompense for the act. I told Yasaka I broke my oath to her. But she did not agree. The psyker leads his clan now. He asked for something in exchange. A finger for every dead clan mate. Yasaka did not know about the perpetual thing yet. But I surprised them by saying yes. I lost forty-five fingers and that satisfied the debt. The clan head saw I did not dampen the pain each time I lost a finger. He admired that I kept losing them without screaming. That settled the feud. He and I still talk. I remember each name. I have a personal section of my wall for the forty-five. The clan head knows that."
That was a very dark secret shared now. It was only the three of them. Ravel wept for her dear. Sona realized that could have been her. If Issei did not refine this further. He made sacrifices for them. He would always make them. She held him closer with Ravel piling in. They held him close. Hadrian and Biwko heard the tears. But not the story. They understand they were not ready to hear everything from him yet. They would one day.
Ruruko sat with her Blades and they each talked about their experiences. Most were Chinese. One was from Hong Kong. Two were former mercs from the United States. That last one out was a woman from South Korea who had been in the west of China when the Unification wars broke out. They were all happy that they were still alive. One of the pawns who was Ruruko's second had asked.
"What is your plan after the wars Boss? I want land on Mars. The tech adepts are weird, but they never give bad advice on how to repair stuff. I think we are getting really close to the end here. The Death Korps are always gaining ground up north and we pretty much control in the south. What do you think?"
The Blades wanted to know. Ruruko just smiled softly.
"I found the man I want to be with. He is one of the tech adepts so watch what you say. I like him a lot and after that I do not know. But you might be right on the end here. These are party troops. Not the regular conscripts. I will never regret being here with you all. My folks ask about everyone every time I get screen time with them. They are proud of me. And I get to tell my shit grandparents that their so called worthless granddaughter is building more then they ever did in their shit lives. Fuck them."
The Blades winced in sympathy. But they were happy the boss lady found someone. They all talk in this burned out building here in the suburbs. Ravel does something new.
She sneaks to Issei's tent and silently entered. He is meditating and only pops a single eye open.
"Vel. Are you planning to do what I think you are."
"I am. I want you now more than ever Dear. Please let me have this. And growl while we have this. Please?"
Issei wants this too. He is a man. But he wants this perfect and not a night of regrets. But Ravel will have none. He gently stood before he touched her face.
"Alright. For you I would do anything. Just do not expect that new stuff you have been talking with Akeno about right now. It might be fun to try later. But I like you as the woman you are, and you do not have to be submissive."
They kiss. He and she move together to the old cot. He does growl. They go further. He does everything to make the first time wonderful. The tent fills with gasps and moans and happy emotions that sing for the camp. Everyone there feels like a good night was had. Ravel enjoyed her first time with him. He was wonderful and non pushy. She was the perv. He was the gentleman here. It was the opposite in so many trees. He finished with a kiss that spoke of how much she means to him. They enjoyed the cuddling before falling asleep. Ravel had absolutely no regrets.
Unknown location
He was Alpharius. The man in the dark. She was Alpharius the holder of the knife. They were all Alpharius. The hydra was prepared. They who sat in shadows were ready for another day of the mask and the great lie. They had new orders. The hydra here was tense. But they were ready to strike. They had long prepared for this possible order. Stockpiling guns. Making crude armor in the early dawn. Fashioning explosives from local material. They had their mission. This would hit or miss. They would likely die painfully. But this was needed this was the hidden war they fought. They would position the hydra. Take one head down and ten more will rise. They would not let this chance be nothing.
Northern China.
The Death Korps was preparing a massive barrage. The goal was this train yard. There was an important figure there. A true member of the original Cabal. The humans want him dead. The devils just want redemption. They had prepared for this. But there were a few small companies here now. They are somewhat familiar faces for the devil Kopsemen.
The new call themselves the Vostroyian First Born. They are different in that they are not dour like the Death Korps. They are more regal. The Vostroyians are led by a true Satan descendant too. She insisted to fight with the Death Korps. Said that they do noble work. That her men would be noble too. The Vastroyian only have flak armor and old guns held for new units. But they are just support. Not true frontline yet. They all prepared for this barrage.
Mark 001-0300
The Cabal general is not frightened by the huge formations that are preparing for something. He was not cowed by the Earthshakers gathering. He was in the right. His allies in the Cabal were truth. But he cannot deny that the enemy is gaining massive amounts of ground and ever growing armies. He wondered why they who fight under the Eagle do so with zeal and determination.
The Cabal has made several mistakes early in the war. They did not ally with the Russians. Old tension left over from the Soviet-Sino split. They underestimated how determined the Imperials were. The general did not believe that Xenos were real. That was another lie of the bastard who was calling himself Emperor. But doubts had started settling in on the upper committee. They wonder in private whether it is true. If everything and every death from this war was for naught. The final big mistake was not believing in the laser guns. Not any other weapon that the enemy used and continued to deploy.
The general would not live past the next three hours.
Earthshakers open up and they throw shells down on the Cabal. They scrambled for cover. The shells keep firing and do not let up for two hours. The Cabal is worried about that. This is a massive barrage this means the enemy is committing heavily. They keep their head down. They do see through periscopes that the Death Korps are massing a huge force. They have new friends. And they also scare them.
The Korps began to march forward. They have the better armor and they are veterans in war. The Vostroyians impressed the Death Korps, however. They follow behind with no fear. Hecta shows the other Satan descendant that she is of the noble class. Her levies chant.
"Fear us the First Born! We who will serve the Emperor in all things!"
Hecta feels pride in her men. The Imperials had given her a letter her father had written for her. It was made before Romania. She kept it in her new pouch. The Commissar next to her is just a human man. But he understands why the are the First Born. He will make sure they get experience without losing men. His name was Agnus.
The barrage kept up until the Korps hit the first defensive line and the Cabal party troops fought to the end. Las gun and sword came down and magic flowed freely. The carapace as always saved more lives and just made wounded rather then dead. The First Born simply provided cover fire for the melee. Their auto guns made the clean up easier.
Hecta however was the one to kill the Cabal member. She cooked him alive with fire magic. That earned her respect from the Death Korps because she and her personal squad had hunted for him to spare lives. The party troops had broken after the death. But they were few in number who actually surrendered. Most just ran to fight another day. The train yard was taken and the Aquilla was raised over it ending the mark.
Beijing same day.
This was a regular day in the new normal of the world. A single man walks around the city enjoying the day as much as he can. He was a normal shopkeeper, and the day was fine so far. But like everyone he heard the news. The western dogs were advancing towards the city. The population here was mostly pro Cabal. But that was slowly changing as the world moved on.
The Imperium was now a recognized government. They had institutions that were making a difference even here in Beijing. The air was getting cleaner. Red days were still common but were decreasing slowly. The Cabal eagerly said this was because of them. Good publicity. But people knew it was because the Imperium was cleaning up the planet. The few radios that tuned to Imperial stations in Korea confirmed that the planet was healing and that there was an entire body of the Imperium that was dedicated to true planetary recovery.
There were other things that people noticed. Those who worked for the Cabal in the factories and or the administration work felt more sluggish and more tired. Production of bullets alone was down from the last month. The administration workers fell sick more often. No one knew why. But the Cabal just doubled the work hours again in the factories to compensate. The people were weary of the war three months of fighting. Three months of dying. Four months of resentment and now people were getting to the breaking point.
The shopkeeper was just a regular man. He was not an Alpharius. He was not a secret agent or anything. He just wanted the war done with. His family had split. His folks supported the Cabal. His two Children were Imperials. They had fled from the city in the first week. The man and his wife were neutral on both. He was just living life day by day. That would change.
He came home that night to his wife silently watching a pro Cabal tv station. No big news today other than two one off hand lines about how land taken by the pigs would be recaptured quickly. That most of it lost today has been recaptured already. The two knew the truth was somewhere in between. But they cannot do anything about that. There was a strange thing today. The wife remarked on that.
"We had a surprise inspection at our workplace today. Said they were hunting for a spy. No one got that. We are not in any war critical area and what we do is just make socks. But the troops insisted that there was a spy here. They looked and found nothing. They did not believe any of us. Took five random people prisoner. One was my sister. I am scared for her. They said that they will find the spy. You have a friend in the system. Please have them do something I beg you."
The man was worried. He liked his sister-in-law. He will do what he can tonight. He talked to his party friend. The other man confirmed the tale. He was truly sympathetic. Said he would do what he can but do not expect a miracle.
The next day five bodies were hanged by the internal party troops and the scene was shown to the people. The executioner said that the five were westerner lovers and that they had been sabotaging areas. That was bullshit. The sister-in-law had been very pro Cabal. Why would she be a spy? That pissed off the entire family who knew her. Even the extremely pro Cabal parents. This was getting increasingly common as the weeks continued. The man saw his wife break down. Her sister had been her closest friend and they had done everything together. The wife fell into depression. The next day the husband had learned a horrible thing. His wife had done the deed. She was gone now.
The now widowed man felt despair. He wanted revenge. He now hates the Cabal for taking two of the things in his life away so fast. He had heard a rumor in his shop. A whisper in the dark. The name of Alpharius. That was what each of the true ones who hated the Cabal called themselves. His rage and hate towards the Cabal made him one too. He was determined to kill the Cabal now. They had taken everything from him. His parents had been sorry for his wife, but they insisted that the sister-in-law they knew had been a spy. They had all but disowned the two children for being imperial lap dogs. The man had no one to turn to. His friend in the party talked to him that night at the man's home.
"They were not spying. I read the reports and interviews. Each of them had loyalty to the party. But the internal police are so scared of the so called hydra that they chase every single rumor that they hear. It is a waste of time and resources. I am sorry Zhou. I tried everything I had."
"I know you did. We served together. You have always been good to me and my wife. I have nothing left now. I just want the end. My family is broken. My job is fine, but I have no desire anymore to run it now that I am alone. I just want the life I had before back."
"I do too. But the hydra is everywhere. I know that."
Zhou stopped. He looked suspiciously at his friend now.
"And how do you know that? You are a mid-party man. Not too much power or anything."
The man looked non challenged by the accusation. He just said.
"Because I am Alpharius. That is how I know. And yes I am one. I am not a mole. I joined the hydra less than two weeks ago. I know that the ships are real. They who are above me showed us up close pictures. Videos smuggled to us. I tried to get them free because it was the right thing to do. I know I am not a good man because of what I do. But this will be what I am remembered for. I know you feel the same now. I did not recruit anyone yet. But I can get you a line to your kids. One is serving in a regiment and is now a sergeant under a fast growing hero. Your daughter works in a factory in the west making guns. And yes they really are laser guns. I can do that and more."
Zhou was suspicious. But he longed to speak to his kids. He wants to know what the Alpharius wants in return.
"What do you want in return for this?"
"Nothing. We are friends first and the other thing if you join second. I know how bad it has been for you. My kids ran too. Said they march for Terra. I did not believe them till two weeks ago. I was with the Cabal since the start of the wars. Mainly to keep my head. But I see now how wrong I was. Nothing I say here to you will compromise anything. I just know that the head here is doing something. I am too new. They do not really believe me, but they are cultivating me as a mole. I do believe. The young will get the stars. We just have this. But I am not afraid anymore. I will get you what they call a vox bead. You can talk with your kids that way. And I do not want to force you to join. My Alpharius did not do that and from what I gathered they do not do blackmail. They will if necessary but the vast majority of us are Alpharius by choice."
Zhou knows his friend in Iroh. He knows that much. His hate for the Cabal was intense.
"I will join. I will do anything to kill them. They who killed hope. I saw an unbelievably bad video of the party meeting. Was blurry but the sound was good. They really did kill that man who made the suggestion of what the others have now. We could have had that. Ming would still be here if they had just said yes. I want to be the one to pull the trigger on them."
"I will let them know. But do not expect much like before. I will like I did before do what I can."
They were now Alpharius together.
Iroh gave his report to his claw. They read the recruit and noticed something. An entrance. This could be it. The claw spoke to the body it reported to. The body moved that up to the head. The head saw what they who were running the network the brain saw. They gave a call. Then the order shifted down again.
Zhou was proud of his kids. They talked every day. He just watched for things. Reported that to Iroh. He was informed over tea three days later that the claw wanted to speak to him. Zhou met the claw. They were a regular woman who ran a flower shop. She asked strange questions. But Zhou answered them all honestly. The woman had typed something on a pad then said.
"You want to pull the trigger. I cannot have that for you. But you have given us the entrance we needed. We will move in three days. You will work with Iroh and move friends of ours into the center for the chop at the diseased head. You will get your revenge and more. Do not worry about it much more. You have given me more than you can imagine. The Cabal will rue this day and you for what you have done. Hydra Dominatus."
An. The end draws near. For here. The war mask was indeed an eldar thing. It was just a rumor for humanity. Now a dead species provides something new. Issei did fuck up bad on his mask. Thus, why he understands Angron more. The hydra has a plan. They always have a plan. Celestine is interesting. She had the whole weird immortality thing in 40k here it is a perpetual. Then there is the tree being weird about dates. Nothing is perfect. Falere and Rila are indeed younger than cannon. Liara is indeed born earlier than cannon. Mainly for thirsty Jeanne but more importantly for more plot point for the Asari. The Cabal is getting worse. Human shields and random executions just because the Imperium are winning. The Prometheus is almost ready to go. It will be here soon. There is always a plan. Hydra Dominatus. Plus, Ravel gets some happiness. That is good too. I am unused to writing smut mainly because to me the mystery of what they get up to is more fun, but I will give my hand at it soon.
Ann. I am in need of help. My thoughts of a sequel are very mixed but im looking back on stuff and i see things i dont like. I have reached the possible end but its shaky. Thats why i have opened a new poll and i would like your opinions.