despite owning 40k minis and a copy of mass effect, i dont think that considers me the owner of either brand.
[ISSTVAN V, M31.]
the corpses of Loyalist and traitor legionnaire's carpeted the ground, their bodies ripped to shreds of meat and mangled armor as the fighting winded down. he stalked these bloody fields at the side of his Talonmaster and former pupil...why couldn't he remember his name?
No matter, the machine spirits within his sarcophagus begged to be let loose on his former 'comrades', if he could call them such... he despised the other legions, so 'proud' and 'honorable'. Denouncing the 8th legion atop mounds of corpses made in their destructive compliances as his legion fought to preserve human life...what were the lives of a few thousand in the face of billions? of trillions? the fools could never commit such necessary things, their pride too strong and their arrogance to the nature of the universe bringing more carnage than any compliances made by his legion.
His assault cannon whired to life, bisecting a salamander apothecary as he tried to rescue a fallen brother, his armor detonating in a shower of gore and turning his fallen comrade to swiss cheese with the fragmentation.
"313, Hexaer...you had best hope to catch up soon, unless you wish to forfeit of course..." a grunt echoed from his vox caster as the Talonmaster grunted back
"312...that only counts as one you old sump rat..." his tone was playful as he executed a raven guard sergeant that had been attempting to stuff his intestines back into his stomach.
Hexaer...why did he forget his name? he had been at his side since he was initiated into the legion...he would never even dream of forgetting his beloved pupil... would he?
The staccato 'Thump, thump, thump' of a heavy Bolter's bark drew his attention, his sarcophagus turning to bring death to the loyalists before him-
His Sarcophagus shuttered as it was set down within the Normandy's cargo/hangar bay, jarring him from his slumber.
The 'Kodiak' as they called the miniscule shuttle that had ferried him from the slowly drifting wreck of a salarian vessel...if he had the proper equipment, he would have rolled on the ground laughing at the sad excuse of a transport.
Through crimson oculars he watched the mortals and Xenos uncouple him from the vessel, he ran system diagnostics to insure he had not been tampered with in his slumber. finding nothing of the sort, he willed himself forward towards an empty cargo section, ignoring the horrified looks the ships crew gave him...
"I claim this section of your ship, i welcome any who wish to challenge my claim..."
He snapped his talons, as none decided to try their luck...
"pity..."
He turned away, wishing to rest before-
"wait a moment!"
Frakking frak frak frakity frak...
He turned to look at the Little Mortal woman, Shepard he remembered, as she made her way towards him with an obviously displeased look.
"i believe we discussed this before you joined us. while aboard my ship, you are forbidden from attacking my crew, myself, or those invited aboard."
"Spare me your prattling, Mortal. None amongst your crew were foolish enough to take my offer...thus my oath is unbroken...now leave me, i would hate for you to be ensnared in my claws as i disarm my Sarcophagus, as agreed..."
He enjoyed the shiver of fear that ran through Shepard as he turned, finally stepping into the...quaint...section he'd claimed.
"hmmm... ive seen troop transports larger than this tin can... though I cannot complain i guess, better this than a decaying orbit..."
He turned his back to the wall, finding the very annoying mortal still staring up at him. shutting off the claws power field to abait the malice of the shrieking rat before him.
"So...what exactly are you?"
Harxah shifted his sarcophagus to look at Shepard in the eyes.
"I am Fear incarnate. Loyal son of a Martyred Primarch, i serve in his memory even in death. I was once Harxah Taloc, Talonmaster of the 8th Legion's 4th Company... Annihilator of a Score of Xenos races. But now i am The Taloned Fate, A Traitor, A Tool, A Deadman who's body refuses to accept the truth... this tiresome exchange is over..."
he went to enact his slumber even as the mortals around him shuttered, Shepard hesitated for a few moments but left him as mordin called her to join him in the medbay...from what little was said, he had his work cut out for him when he next awakens...
"-In other news, an STG vessel has gone missing over Sur'kesh only hours after the rogue human organization 'Cerberus' attacks military targets Planetside, more to come at 11 on-"
"Sloppy, these Xenos have no concept of information warfare...these omni-tools have been a considerable boon brothers..."
Another voice spoke up, warm, and similarly messured as the first.
"Finding the ship and its logs was child's play as usual, it seems another piece has entered the board..."
A third voice now spoke up.
"A Dreadnought? of the 8th legion no less? an interesting development indeed..."
The second voice spoke up with a casual but false dismissal.
"It changes nothing my brothers...we will continue as ordered..."
"Hydra Dominatus..."