Chapter 2
"The eyes of the Omnissiah are ever upon us."
-Fabricator General Plutonis, Millennium Unknown.
"Guard the machine spirit. Like how they guard you from the void and the dark."
-Fabricator General Charles, M 3
When the enemy begs for destruction, do not let him go hungry.
Helfirian Recollections Chapter 571.
Terra Sol System, Imperial Palace
Akio submitted his report from the Ordo Foundation. They had finally finished studying the super weapon found in the Prothean Archives: The Crucible. It turned out to be bait for a terrible trap.
The design was inefficient; it would never actually work to destroy the Reapers. The Reapers left it behind to weaken resistance further. It multiple means of accomplishing this goal. One of these was to force the population to waste resources in deciphering and using it. If it was midway complete, the weapon would send out an indoctrination wave and weaken the scientific community still left. Making them doubt and spread indoctrination. Finally, when completed it would fail at its task, leaving nothing but hopelessness and regret. Seven years of work had told them of all these things.
The Ordo had shelved the plan, letting it gather dust. Issei could see how this would destroy hope in the races the Reapers ensnared. The plan had to work. However things in their own backyard needed to be settled, like issues with the Race.
Akio sees the forlorn expression on his friend's face.
"It's not a complete loss. We found other useful information about the Reapers in the archive as well. It was hidden well behind a firewall, but we got through. Our Nova cannons can kill a capital ship, easy. Our Emperor class battleships will destroy the Reapers with a single salvo. It's not as hopeless as we first thought."
"The more I hear from Eve about what's going on in Citadel space, the more I see how deep the memetic hazard goes. It's interwoven into every aspect of that space, exactly like Chaos. The cults are only going to get worse, and the Asari will try and turn most of the federation against us. Quidith is so well entrenched, but we can easily headway with the Turians. Palaven is trying to get them to listen. We have a few things going for us."
"Yes. Five relays are already dead. The Valner were marked for the next cycle. That endeared us to them, especially since they have a conclave of psykers with us. I never thought we would have friends there. Are they still interested in joining? I've been out of the loop with work."
"They are, as an agriculture world. The conclave has spoken with me and they too see the Reapers. They're afraid a second relay will be moved into the home system. I told them we will destroy more if need be. They think we can start our own federation to counter the Reapers. I'm open to the idea, but they want to be Imperials."
"Are they also Old One seeded?"
"They are indeed, but they do bring something new to the table."
"Like what?"
"A new map of local stargates. It's horribly corroded, but this gives us more insight into the gates. They're an early attempt at the web way. We finally know the name of the builders. The Ancients. Send Team O'Neil to this world in our space. I'll be unavailable for a while."
"Understood. I'm guessing it's about Zeus."
"It is. My wives will form a regency council in my absence. Ravel will be who you need to talk to."
"Is she still having problems with her dad?"
"Sadly, yes. He called Al and San half breeds. He felt bad as soon as the words left his mouth. Vel knows that too, but Al and San are her world. They don't understand why grampy is not around anymore."
"That's rough. How long do you think she'll be angry?"
"Three more months at best. Ten years at worst."
Akio winced. His relationship with Akeno's father, Baraqiel, was great. He wanted grandkids to spoil but understood that work was important for them both.
"Geez. No wonder she's been pissed."
"San cried after the words were said. He didn't understand what it meant but Argel hit him with a psychic wave, and he felt it. Vel was utterly pissed."
"Understandable, but it could be worse."
"Yes. I'm not too worried about this. San has been doing ok and he has fun with his siblings. Who I'm really worried about Celestine. She has been moodier lately and is only happy around her siblings and Horus. I think she will be the first to get the memories. Asia and I are ready for it and thankfully she is not a psyker."
"Has she gotten hurt badly enough to tell if she is a perpetual?"
"No. But we checked, and she is one. She is the newest and second strongest one now."
"Fuck, man."
"Yeah. I'm hoping I can gut Zeus quickly. Then we can finish off Loki and Odin. The other dead end faiths are burning dead husk and I just want the War to be over. Are you going to be there for the club tonight?"
"Normally I would but Akeno only has two more days of shore leave. We want a fun romantic dinner and then a little something else."
He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Pervert. It's better than me and her, though. My dragon self has some stories and they sure are something. He said he just wants to see our Imperium, but he is still happy in his tree."
"Well fuck you too. I don't need to hear them. Love me Akeno simple as."
"I'm aware. When are you making her your Inquisitor, friend?"
"After the conflict with the Race. She wants kids soon. I'm nervous because I'm an asshole and I don't want that to show around them."
"Then be the asshole around us and compartmentalize. It takes practice, but it's doable. And remember what I want."
"Yeah, yeah. You and Vel were kind enough with Alpharius. You can be our kid's godparent. I have work that, thankfully, is being taken care of by Miranda and Oriana. They make a damn super team. Never thought Oriana would be the battle fanatic."
"I mean, fair enough, but we should have seen that coming when she almost beat Fay at Halo. I'm still relieved that we didn't get the Covenant and the Flood. Both would be bad."
"Fuck yeah they would, but we're lucky here. That one tree next to the north has them and more."
"I wish that we could help them, but they have no presence in the war and no Chief. It's going to be bad there. I'll see you Akio."
"Yeah, probably next week. Have fun buddy."
"You too."
Akio left the room and Issei breathed out a sigh. He was glad to finally have new insights into the gate builders. It was significantly more than they had found in the last seven years. The expedition to Antarctica had found the gate three years after the Unification Wars. Along with the corpse of an Ancient. Upon scanning the corpse, a disease was discovered that would have wiped the population of Terra out in three months. It was a difficult pill to swallow, when they had to burn the corpse but it was better than genocide. The disease had evolved differently than any other life on Terra or the new colonies and they had no way to combat it.
Issei caught something moving out of the corner of his eye. He chuckled and softly called out.
"Corvus. What did I tell you about spying on people?"
"Not too. Sorry, dad." The child sported a comically deep frown.
Corvus had appeared in a corner. He was like his mom in many ways, with black hair. The only thing he and his brothers had that hinted at their half Youkai nature was slightly sharper teeth. He was extremely good at being stealthy. He had inherited the ability to hide from his past self. Issei patted his lap. Corvus trotted over and perched on his dad's lap.
"I know, buddy. Are you still interested in being like Uncle Akio?"
"Yeah!"
"When you're older, you will be. You all know I want you to get your dreams. Run along, now. I think Lorgar is going to raid the cookie jar soon, but don't tell anyone you heard that from me."
"Ok!"
Corvus ran along and raced to find Lorgar. Kuroka's sweet tooth had also been passed down to him.
Paperwork was already almost done, today and it was halfway to lunch. Issei had two more days left before war began again. Thankfully his war mask was still good.
Migrant Fleet: Sector Unknown.
Zaria took her triumph happily; after five years of politics, five years of bullshit, she had finally gotten her first reform through. The unspoken rule against reconciliation had been removed. The faction could reenter the fleet. She had a new ally, as well: Zeel Xogar vas Tombe. He saw the work the reconciliation faction had done and was willing to fight to help them. In the last five years they had mined asteroids faster, found more ships to scavenge, and done thankless jobs without complaining all while being mocked. Through them disaster had been avoided.
A Reaper Cult had been destroyed within the fleet. It was extremely small. It was made by a newly returned pilgrim who had visited the Citadel. The pilgrim had told her family that organic life was a plague on the galaxy and that they needed to be destroyed. She had converted her father quickly, and he became her second. The other three members of her family had been more reluctant and had only been in the first stages of indoctrination. A reconciliation Quarian had heard the plan. Their Cog pendant had burned, which prompted them to report the information to Zariah. She and the marines had crushed this.
The plan had been extremely bad: blowing up a life ship with homemade explosives. That was a rare punishment in the fleet of death, and why the two ringleaders had been spaced. The other three had been strapped down and Zaria had shot them that night. She was taught how to make the psychic counter. The three Quarians awoke to a sound. The machine spirits of the Neema were crying to them in failure for not protecting them. The three heard the pleading for forgiveness that all Quarians who followed the Cult Mechcanicus heard. They immediately humbled themselves to the Fabricator-General.
The entire fleet had spirits. This had amazed Ralis and his wife. They could be heard everyday. The Quarians had not heard them because of the memetic hazard. Zaria had grown used to them calling her the voice of the Omnissiah. She was but a cog, but not the first and greatest Cog. She wanted a man who didn't get offended by her foul mouth, the man who had given her purpose anew. She didn't want Rannoch anymore, only him.
She had learned something recently; her aging was slowing down to a crawl. Vihena had said that it was her gift to her Champion, that this was for him who was eternal. Zaria had not known what to feel about that, but she wanted him to hold her. He had kids now, but that didn't matter because he had slowly gotten them used to her and Falere. Zaria had a fan in the young Celestine. The kids knew that they would see the missing two one day. Zaria had a plan to move the fleet towards imperial space. He would meet them soon. They were to have first contact with more good will to come.
Reconciliation Quarians entered the fleet in small groups. They began to do maintenance work on the ships they entered. They got many hateful looks, but the Reconciliation Quarians didn't care. They prayed to the machine spirits of the ships they repaired, and the ships began to run more efficiently. They had fewer and fewer problems as time went on. The engineer's guild tried to run experiments to figure out why this was happening, but they couldn't produce the same results. Finally, a female Quarian decided to do something that was risky. She asked her long estranged brother who had been a reconciliation Quarian for three years how they were doing it. She had expected her brother not to give her an answer due to an old grudge, but she was surprised by his response. He just said.
"We pray to the spirit that is inside all technology. The machine is immortal. We are cogs in the machine that is reality. One can't exist without the other. They protect us from the void, the lingering dark. We must protect them from decay and rust. Believe or don't. I am not proselytizing but listen to the purr of the ships. They make wonderful music. The Omnissiah is the voice of many. One day soon we will meet him, and we will see the galaxy anew."
The engineer thought about that. She did listen to her own ship. She tried the prayer her brother taught her to experiment, and it seemed to work. Her small ship engine increased in efficiency by two percent. Her eyes had widened in shock at the revelation. She repeated the experiment on three other ships' systems, and they too began to operate better. She began to believe, and she asked more about the Omnissiah. Her parents scoffed at their daughter when she began to wear a red patch which was the outsider sign for the crazies. Nonetheless, the ship they lived on continued to operate better. And so the trickle began.
The engineer was nervous entering the temple of the machine goddess, but she saw five other new members. Two of them, like her, were curious. Three were from the family of the two who had tried to blow up the live ship. The six of them listened to the Fabricator-General. The three knew completely that science and faith were one, not opposites. That the machine was immortal and the spirits would be protecting them. The machine goddess was their one, but the Omnissiah was of another. He taught many things, including that Ai was like them in the beginning. It could be afraid and alone, and that machines could eventually develop souls.
The engineer was uncomfortable with that. She felt something exit her body. The same thing was happening to the other two she had been observing. The thing that emerged was abhorrent to behold: a Quarian with too many eyes. It blared a horn before disappearing. She heard the spirits of this ship cheering for the first time. Her brother touched her hand, and the Fabricator-General smiled behind his face mask.
"Welcome anew. We are not the species of the Omnissiah, but we are his children too. Hear now the machine spirits, they who have missed you. We welcome you to our faith if you wish to stay. If not, we understand, but they will never stop protecting you. The Omnissiah will come, and we will be free again. He is the Breaker of Chains. Thank you, Voice of the Omnissiah, Champion of the Machine Goddess for freeing them from thy great enemy."
The three new Quarians heard a voice they knew well: Zaria Zorah Vas Neema.
"I'm not his voice yet, but soon we'll be together and I will begin my work anew. Praise the Machine Goddess, the one we can all hear again thanks to him that is the Omnissiah."
The three new Quarians realized they could hear the Machine Goddess now. She told them how much she had missed them. They felt complete, and wished to stay with the new faith that reinforced a Goddess who was dying.
Vihena smiled as more people were freed. Her boyfriend smiled back at her. Sol Invictus had come to enjoy spending time with his Quarian. He didn't fight against it as much as Neoth had fought Athame. He enjoyed helping her refine her system. She clicked well with the Cult Mechcanicus and had adapted her faith around it. She was now less of an air head, but still had her moments. The gift to Zaria was not permanent immortality, just vastly reduced aging. Death found everyone, in the end.
Terra Sol System: Perpetual Club Imperial Palace.
Jeanne was the first one there that day, which was a rarity. Regardless, she was extremely happy. Liara had told her of the triumph of beginning to use her biotics for new things. Life for the perpetual had been amazing over the last five years. She had a new wine stash and was sharing a wine from Mars. The satyr who made it said she would destroy the California wine brand. Jeanne believed that, because this wine was amazing.
The next to arrive was Oriana. The younger Lawson had unfortunately inherited the gene too, but she was happy because she had a new sword to admire. She loved battle and didn't understand why her sister preferred backline work. She couldn't wait to meet Krogan. They were her mood kindred. Her older sister bumped her, carrying their dinner for the night.
"Either move or help me with this. It's heavy."
The food was take-out from a place up top that served Korean BBQ. Oriana moved out of the way and saw Le Fay coming in with Arthur and Irina, as well as Dimitri and Issei. The two men were sharing stories about their kids. Dimitri had his harem that consisted of two beautiful foxes, and three kids. The two fathers kept trying to one up the other with stories. Miranda had frowned, not seeing her boss before sighing. Oriana liked the boss. He let her play with the guns, and the swords. Arthur and Irina had started setting up the newest PlayStation 6, and then they settled down and brought out their game copies. One was for a game called Mag. It was based on the Unification Wars and was a massive multiplayer game.
Issei saw Miranda and reassured her. "Akio is having a date night. The rat is doing his usual."
"Uh. He is something else outside work, but it's understandable. How are the kids?"
"Pretty good. Lorgar got away with his heist today. Corvus saved it and the two had fun with their cookies. Sona knows they did it, but she is amused at the plan and the fact it was well done. Lorgar has inherited Sona's strategic mind, too, but he probably won't want a legion."
"Who will?"
"Sanguinius, Magnus, and maybe Horus, but that's iffy. We will never have twenty legions, maybe nine at most, but we will have Jagahtai soon,. Asia is done. The twins took a lot out of her. Ravel and Sona are done for now too."
"That's good, and while more legions would be beneficial, you're being a good dad. I still haven't found what I want yet, but we will miss you while you're busy in the warp. How is the war there?"
"Pretty good for the Senate. They are burning the last realms of the Olympians. Zeus and Hades are the last of them along with Aries. Thankfully, we were able to save Persephone. Someone was happy about that. As for the Norse, Loki is stuck trying to attack but being repelled. There is an angry Titan that wants to speak to him, called Karen by the princeps. She wants the manager and has left a 1 out of 5 on Warpbook. Would not recommend."
Miranda laughed at the joke. Karens were evil and made life bad for regular workers. Her work had destroyed several shady tax collection officers who had been trying to defraud the Adeptus Terra. One had been from Vostroya. Twenty five million thrones there. Twenty three million were recovered. The other two million had been lost, but that would come out of the fraudulent maker's account. Still, it was a minor issue. Greed and corruption would always exist, but it had significantly lessened. The Inquisition and the rosette made criminals fear them, especially the Investigatus. You could not hide from them. Most of the stormtroopers were now in the Ordo Xenos or Ordo Foundation and Silence. The black ships patrolled the stars and made psyker acquisition easier. The new psykers were not oppressed on the ships, just talked to by the Ordo troopers. Many of them were extremely young. The troopers were their friends and many had stayed in contact with the ones who brought them to Terra.
Miranda enjoyed her work as an acolyte and didn't want to be an Inquisitor. She had seen several trees where she had taken over Cerberus, and there she became worse than TIM. She had seen that there and they all shared the same flaw: pride. That was holding her back, but Akio was going to promote her soon. The perpetuals settled into a game of Mag. Issei was watching as the teams fought and Oriana and Le Fay had visceral fights with their swords. Issei saw something and softly whispered to Le Fay. She seemed worried and the two excused themselves for the night. They were wrong. Someone remembered first.
Magnus looked at his hands. He was not red here. He had two eyes, and blonde hair. He remembered the burning. He remembered everything that was the Crusade, but most of all he remembered his mom and dad. Leman was there too, but the new memories of him were fond ones. They bickered, but never in anger. Magnus didn't remember killing, or the blood, but he remembered the part of himself that was the Crimson King. He was sitting on his bed. The door opened and there was mom and dad. Dad looked worried. Mom called him the nickname she had for him.
"Magni Magic. Are you ok?"
Magnus rushed to them. He was scooped up by his parents. He burrowed into his parents. Dad said softly.
"I can suppress the memories, Magnus. Until you're older. Do you want that? You're my son and I want what is best for you."
Magnus wanted to cry. Dad loved him truly, not like the other him who scorned him. Magnus considered but then shook his head.
"No papa. I don't want you to. I love you. Please stay with me."
His parents stay with him. Magnus holds a tiny bit of resentment, but that was nothing when compared to the love he felt. His father only wanted him to be happy. He knew that dad would be gone for a bit, but then Magnus heard dad in his mind and felt the love between the three of them. Magnus wanted dad to never leave, but the Emperor protects. Magnus knew that he had real family here. Mom whispered that Magnus could be whomever he wanted to be, not a psyker of persecution, not anything that he once was, but Magnus wanted to help dad.
"Make them, dad. I want to help. And not because you're amazing, but because that's who I am."
"We will, Magnus. Just don't bully Leman. You remember your talk with him, yes?"
"Yes dad. We will be nice. Mom, can I learn magic from you?"
Le Fay hugged her son.
"Yes Magni Magic. We can do whatever you want."
Magnus smiled. He wanted to learn again; new and old things. His father asked something. "What do you want to call your legion Magnus?"
Magnus thought and remembered the stories mom had told him. The Grail. His Aunt Valeria had that. He knew exactly the name he wanted.
"The Grail Knights, papa."
Issei and Le Fay laughed. That was a good name.
"Then that will be their name. I'll get your sons started. No frontline work till you're older. Enjoy being young. while you still can. I miss my younger years. Do you want me to introduce you to grandma and grandpa when I get back?"
"Yes papa, I want to meet them!"
Inquisition Headquarters: Imperial Underworld Terra.
Eve reported to Gasper about her last trip. Kiryuu and Aegon were listening to the debriefing as well. Gasper was no longer a little guy. He had a mustache and he wasn't as feminine as before. He was still androgynous, but it was more of a conscious choice now that he had matured. The Raccoon Youkai was there with his single acolyte: a happy Vampire. Gasper didn't like that they were starting to attract the attention of the Shadow Broker.
"Is The Broker with them or not, Eve?"
"Unknown as of now. Two members of my cell are in it, but they are only playing with half the cards. They don't know anything important and the firewalls are impenetrable. The Reapers are everywhere in the extranet. The others think I'm a Luddite by keeping off it, but I'm not letting them catch a whiff of us Here. There are a few good things going on."
The Raccoon Youkai let his boss ask, but had several thoughts of his own. Gasper twirled his mustache and then asked his best ground agent. Kiryuu would be inserted on the Phenex station that was under construction as an information broker. Aegon would be her muscle. Eve would continue her work as the ground agent.
"What's changed other than the four matriarchs now with the Adaptive?"
"The cults have grown worse and that's finally spawned a new party of thought in Citadel space. They are firmly anti-cult and they have begun to win seats in the colonies of the Asari. They are advocating for harsher investigation into why they are forming, and why they keep being more and more aggressive. They are also the dam breaking for the colonies in many races. I have put a person in my cell with them. SO far it's genuine, but they're already getting suppressed by Quidith. Should we connect them to the Adaptive?"
Gasper thought about that. It could work, but also tie them to a bad ship. The Adaptive was in bad shape. They were out funded. They had no media coverage. Quidith was not a totalitarian party, but it could become one in a few short steps. The Athame front was mostly silent. Their twenty percent were used to this type of stuff, but Liara and Benezia were attempting to build a coalition. Things were not looking good.
"Hold off for now, but we need eyes on the Citadel. Orgen, do you have any ideas? You're the gremlin and the thief. How would you go about it?"
Orgen wasn't offended by that. He was the one running the second cell, the criminal gang: Eclipse. It had started off as a merc company, but had begun to dive into the underworld. It attracted the best of the worst. It already had three hundred beings in the military arm, mostly Turians who were trying to stay straight, but there was a small but growing Batarian number. They were abolitionists. They had an in with Aria through her second Volk. Eclipse paid their tithe each time to the Pirate Queen, always in the agreed amount plus extra. Aria liked them a lot.
"I can set up a smuggler ring there in preparation for first contact. I could easily sell them medi-gel 'smuggled' there, but none can be shot in the ring. Maybe we can start a few heists from my hacker division in Eclipse, too. The security is strong for the Citadel, but not ours. Other than that, I had no more ideas at the time. What do you think, Elmemhilde?"
The Vampire considered. She was the raccoon's only acolyte. She had joined the Inquisition after a year to get closer to her dream: An Asari waifu. The vampires had fought a three year civil war that ended when the Blood Matron won. The imperium had stayed out of the fighting, believing it was for vampires to settle. Marius Tepes had fought to the bitter end, but the Vampires were now Imperials, too.
"Possibly a club operating as a front for the cell. None of us would be there but maybe that could be another hydra head. It could get us closer to the underworld in Citadel Space, and possibly a few other things."
Orgen nodded. He knew they could operate easily. Eclipse had already begun taking contracts on their merc work and they were becoming recognized for obeying contracts to the letter, but turned on clients that peddled flesh and other nasty shit. Eclipse was a good merc group. That's why their numbers were growing steadily, and their prices were reasonable. The leader of the gang was a Salarian. He enjoyed being clean. He could see that they were being pulled by someone, someone good because he hated slavery, as did the entire gang. The Batarians especially, because they were mainly from the lower castes where the institution was hated despite popular opinion and appearance.
Gasper considered further. That could work, but he was still worried. The Ordo Foundation was still working on the containment of two Reaper artifacts and had destroyed three more. Still, their efforts had led to more testing, and they had found five more counters to the wave. This was winning the secret war, but they still had a long way to go.
"Eve, keep funneling things to the Adaptive, anything they need. I understand you're growing tired of hiding things from your cell. Shoot your second and then third. Tell them stage one, but keep everything else vague. Two months later, tell them stage two. Shoot down till only the claws are left, and then tell them stage three."
"Right, oh, little guy."
That was his code name. Gasper loved it because it was given to him by his people. He wasn't little anymore, but it annoyed his coworkers when they rambled about little guys. He thought about what he was getting for dinner that night with his girlfriend. He and Tsubusa had been steady for two years now. They had met three times before getting together usually in Inquisition meetings. They had finally gotten together one night at a party the two had been attending after a convincing speech from Kiryuu, and they didn't regret trying.
"Right, oh, indeed. How's Issei-Senpai? I heard he's going to the War in Heaven soon."
"He is, but Zeus will die fast. He is on the last of their stockpiles according to dad. I don't get why bro hates him as much as he does. Mom is the bitch. Dads good though."
Gasper was amused, as was everyone else. A xeno that liked Neoth. Ironic. Eve didn't realize how she was being funny. Gasper, however, was going to keep the con going.
"Fair enough. We're good for the night. I'll see you all tomorrow. Kiryuu, remind me tomorrow and we will get your station set up on Phenex. Then you can get your damn birds."
Kiryuu giggled perversely and wandered off to go enjoy herself. Aegon followed after his friend. Eve went to enjoy her last two days with her family. Tonight, was monopoly with the kids.
Citadel Station Serpent Nebula.
Wrex groaned after completing another shitty job. The damn Asari tried to stiff him and just lost her head. Her sister had been reasonable and paid for the service agreed upon. She's thanked the Krogan for killing her sister and said that she was a nasty bitch who peddled in flesh. She showed vids to back that up. Wrex had few scruples, but slavery was number one. He tried that once and hated it. He'd killed a slave ship captain and freed the cargo. He'd had an extremely bad itch that day, but he settled for ryncol. He was surprised when an old face sat next to him.
"Old hump fucker, can't believe your still alive! You look even uglier than the last time I saw you."
Wrex scoffed.
"Uglier. You're still the same shit-blue you were three centuries ago. What do you want, Verca. Last time I saw you, you were trying to crush me with biotics after that job that went south."
"Fuck yeah, I did, but in fairness to you I've let that go. You were right about them. I could see that after two centuries. I'm sorry about sucking you up in that biotic blast. I actually saw you with some of my new friends and flaked with them to see you. I apologize. I'm sorry."
"Wasn't mad, it's just business. You're the only Asari I like. You drink ryncol without dying and that's still something I have only seen you do. What's that shit badge? You in some new gang?"
"Yeah, and they aren't bad. They're new and they don't do that shit we both hate. I helped gut a Salarian who tried that with us already, but I'm not here to recruit. I get that you're a loner. Drinks for old time's sake?"
"Long as you're paying. What's this pup gang's name? You don't usually commit to gangs unless they actually stick around for a few centuries."
"They're called Eclipse, and I think they will stick around. They're very well-funded. Well organized, too, like military. The weird boss man is a Salarian who's not bad. Think he's a former STG, but we are mostly Turians and Batarians. I think there are six other Asari in the entire gang. They mostly do what they call 'back line work'. And no, they aren't strippers."
"I've heard of Eclipse. You pups do things alright, so I've heard. What was that thing you scalve did recently? Stopped watching the vid channels after the cults popped up again?"
"It's funny you mentioned that. Eclipse stopped three hostage kidnappings for free. Boss man said someone has to stop being varren-shit around them. It won us some good publicity, and that's why I'm with them. They are actually doing something."
"Huh. Charitable mercs. That's new, especially with the four eyes. Won't work with them unless they are anti slavery and considering their shit. They all like that there?"
"Yeah, they are. Bartender! Some ryncol for me and my friend."
The Asari at the bar looked nervous before pouring out the drinks. Verca paid, as promised, and Wrex was impressed. Anti-slavery Batarians were rare. Rarer still were ones out in the open with opinions like that. SIU killed them whenever possible, helping to silence the opposition. The fact that they were being public about that said lots about Eclipse. The drinks began to flow. Wrex, after downing his second glass, looked at his friend.
"I'll give you credit, you're winning more than I am. Thought about joining a gang, but that's usually bad news. I usually kill the leader in a few months. Just wondering how the hell you're going to survive the SIU raids. Those fucks are horrible to fight and the Council just lets them kill. Better, they say, than an unstable Traverse. Varren-shit. They don't leave that tower and haven't seen actual shit for decades."
"I mean, I got a job for you that pays well. Easy job. Just deliver some equipment to an Asari on Thessia. No guns or war varren. I'd do it, but I'm more frontline than that. And this was a peace offering in case drinks didn't work. I really am sorry about that job Wrex. You and Halbern were right about there being trouble, and Halbern was my mood kindred."
"That shifty Salarian? What makes you say that? Looked like if you blew on him he'd fall over."
"He drank ryncol on the regular. Only Salarian I saw do that."
"Varren-shit! No pansy Salarian could do that. Must have been imitation brands. I'm willing to bet three hundred credits that's the case."
"It was real. I have vids to prove it. I'll win those credits and buy us more ryncol."
"Bet"
Verca showed the vids. Wrex couldn't believe it. The Salarian was doing it. That was genuine ryncol. He knew the imitation brands and they never changed. Real ryncol was bottled a specific way by the few real Krogan brewers left. A special symbol was on each: Kalros, the great maw. He grumbled and handed over the credits. Verca grinned and ordered more drinks. Wrex needed money. And this job was easy. Of course he'd take it.
"Give me the details on this job. I'm not joining any gang, but you still drink and that's what's important."
"Oh, crystal. And don't worry, we use freelancers a lot for stuff. You're my friend and I just want to help out. It's been lonely since Halbern died. I do want to reconnect, Wrex."
"Don't get soft on me, Verca, but I get it. Thanks."
"Easy job, like I said. And I do mean it."
Terra Sol System: Imperial palace.
Issei hugged all of his children in turn. None of them wanted him to leave, but especially Celestine. She was nothing if not a daddy's girl. Magnus, Rob, and Alpharius were attempting to cheer up their siblings. Sona and the others were holding the kids.
Issei did his best to reassure them all.
"Daddy will be back in four days, kiddos. Three if everything goes well. Be good for your moms. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes daddy," they all replied in unison.
Issei kissed each child as well as his wives. He nodded to Kitten. The nekomata and gathered every kid up for a game inside. Antony and four others were with their lord for this venture. They were hoping this would be less time, especially since Aries had been wounded recently. This was not terrible. The Olympians were almost dead. Their armies were absolutely decimated. No more faith reached them. The Senate advanced easily and Ashwatthama had scored so many kills he was now considered untouchable. It wasn't easy, but Vali had dibs on Loki. Then she would be ready to beat up the Race.
The War in Heaven was almost over. Odin was Issei's target. The fuck destroyed his family and 2.500 others. The charity for that night helped so many people, but Issei wanted him dead. This war was not over yet, but it would be soon.
In the Warp.
Neoth saw his son in full armor. Athame was standing next to her boy-toy. Issei was not happy to see Neoth, but gently smiled for his stepmother. He had forgiven her for most things. The Custodians were not impressed with Neoth either. Nearly all but a few of the Ten Thousand were hard Imperial Truth. They believed, like their lord, in science. The group were at the edge of the realm of Olympus. The realm was burning. Five Emperor titans were there keeping the siege up.
Issei just watched arrows fly from the acropolis down upon the armies. The arrows did next to nothing, but they had spirit. Ashwatthama and Bagadota met the Emperor. They saw that he didn't want to be there, but Ashwatthama reassured Issei.
"We are almost through the second gate to the center. We did that just barely."
"That's good news. I just already miss my kids and wives. My son has gotten new memories and I want to be there for him."
"Two days at most. We made more progress than we expected today. The hoplites are failing to hold back chainswords. Aries lost his eye trying to take back the last ring, and Zeus is running on fumes. Hades has tried three counter attacks via his remaining reapers, but they are starting to refuse him."
"I would, too at this point, but the hydra has long since been disbanded. There is no mercy left. We will end this. Then kill Odin and this can be done. Are your forces ready to fight the Gould?"
That was for Neoth, but he answered with a grim look.
"We are going to do what we can. The Gould have bigger stockpiles. Their sphere is large, and they have many slaves. We won't be able to do a massive war of attrition like we did here, but we do have more titans coming online."
Issei looked at Olympus and saw that they had just made another gain. Samurai with chainkatanas had just destroyed another tower point.
"Let's hope for the best but be prepared for the worst."
Thessia.
Athetya had called ever single matriarch that was sworn to the Adaptive to a massive meeting. She told her matriarchs they must fight harder than ever before. Benezia was announced to be her second. The matriarchs were surprised by the level of zeal that was in their leader's voice during the meeting. Not getting it till they too were poked by Liara. The experience of all of them and the explanation by Athetya shows the rot. The Reapers horrified them. Many had been mavericks or matriarchs that wanted to rebel against their parents. Now they saw that Quidith was their utter enemy. This united the camp that had been on the verge of breaking down completely. They had to do anything and everything now because they were doomed otherwise. They organized like never before, and many rallies were prepared for the next three months. Benezia was thankful for her family and their wealth. It helped immensely with theses rallies. The first kicked off two days after this meeting. However, the news stations just mention them in an off hand remark near the end of news hour. To counter this Liara gave the Adaptive a new slogan, one that had saved their now reunited family.
"Know no fear."
Liara's explanation of why they should use this phrase went over the heads of her parents. But the results showed immediately. With thirty new maidens immediately helping the camp with administrative work. This result emboldened Athetya and the others. That phrase soon began showing itself to be the weapon the Adaptative had needed for so long.
Four more rallies had launched that week. Less than two hundred maidens and matrons, each time. They heard that phrase. They saw Athetya and Benezia, who was well known for her prior Quidith views. They saw the passion in the matriarchs and this makes a scratch that made them question their lives. The Adaptive platform was radical.
Open relays again. Investigate cults harder. Do more than what was known now. And finally there was the thing that was more radical than anything. Extending membership of voting rights to the colonies. That had shocked most Thessian Asari. The colonies didn't have rights. They were there to serve the homeworld. Quidith were ultra amused. Let the mad talk like that. They had been in power for one thousand, five hundred years. Nothing was going to change that, especially not the Adaptive who had less than fifty seats in the republics. They would be fine.
Then a fateful thing happened: a hostage situation. A cult grabbed two hundred people off the street and stuffed them in a warehouse near the main spaceport, then began to rant and rave. Thessia police were not equipped for this. Commandos were prepared, but they had not seen real action in two hundred years here on Thessia. The real commandos were out in the colonies. Then Eclipse happened.
A team of Eclipse mercs led by Verca and assisted by Wrex (who was reluctant) saved all the hostages and gunned down the cult. Verca became a hero to the families of the hostages, as did Eclipse. Wrex enjoyed the publicity and didn't regret it as much. The Adaptive immediately came out strongly in condemnation of Quidith. They said that if it wasn't for Eclipse then this would have been worse. Cults were getting more and more brazen. Why keep denying that? Quidith simply played the same tricks it'd used for the past one hundred fifty years. They were fine.
The Adaptive got some screen time. Not much, but a maverick station led by an Asari with connections to the Adaptive was tired of hostage situations. She aired a report she had long been writing in preparation for a story to her city. The article hit the waves and did the first blow. The city was disgusted by the inaction of Quidith. Ten cults of minor scale had been investigated and the Republics had done little to stop them. It was sloppy police work.
The city was heavily populated, with the voting power of a small republic, but they were done with the cults. Protesters marched in the streets and still the Quidith matriarch didn't worry. She'd won re-election twenty times already. This would be no issue. They would let the heat die down. It always did, but this time four minor matriarchs lost seats and were replaced by Adaptive ones. That raised some eyebrows.
The Adaptive gained allies in that republic. The Athame front leader in the republic got poked. She was delighted to speak to her goddess again. She was horrified by the Reapers, and sees Liara fully: The champion of Athame. She swore her matriarchs to the cause. They were confused by why they were helping the Adaptive but followed their leader all the same. The front was stronger there. This republic was a center of the faith.
When the forums opened, Quidith was in for a nasty shock. They were a minority now. The new coalition began with a sweeping reform to police work. They aimed to investigate the cults more, or face losing their jobs. The local commandos were slapped back into training. Eclipse mercs were hired to meet the commandos and shame them badly. Verca liked being able to spit at Thessian Asari. She was from a colony. Wrex was amused. He joined in on the ribbing, because it was fun, and the stuck up commandos talked a lot of shit. The next hostage situation in the city went incredibly well for the police and commandos.
The cult was destroyed easily. This emboldened the Adaptive and the Athame front. They smirked and got screen time in the republic. The next election for minor matriarchs was soon. They voted every two months here. Quidith wasn't worried. They would win the seats again. Simple as.
Olympus.
Issei let his men do their work. The defenders were getting ready to break again. Many were badly injured. Many do try, and when cornered surrender, but the angels and Samurai didn't care for that shit. Aries and Loki used that several times during the war to attack their enemies. No quarter was given anymore. It screwed the regular beings, because of some asshole's actions they now had to die. Many regretted doing that. Many more saw their comrades go down as the Emperor and his five with Ashwatthama and Bagadota marched with him. The warp beings were still frightened of the Emperor. It was still a novel experience for humans to beat dead souls and Champions of the Olympians. The shouts of "For Ollanius!" from the dead humans on the Senate side now made the remaining defenders quiver. They knew the Emperor as the strongest being on Terra, getting stronger than even the bitterly hated Neoth. The Emperor of Mankind brushed them aside like mites, and that made them run more.
Issei just wanted to help his son. Magnus had asked more questions via their telepathic connection. Issei held his boy mentally, reassuring him that he would never do Nikea, not unless something extreme happened. Magnus was worried about Leman, but Issei told his son, as he gutted a champion of Aries, that he would support him and that mom still loved him no matter what. Magnus loved his family. He admired Rob, played with Alpharius, Horus and Celestine. He was worried about Horus but was told that Horus was completely new.
The last gate broke and then Issei saw Aries. He was with his last ten champions, including the last son, Kronto. The Custodians were not rusty. They played the blood games with a rating games system. Kitten had insisted on that, saying that his other self-had stopped more assaults easier than ever. Issei had his true Emperor armor now, and his eagle made a champion shit themselves. Aries glared with his solo eye. He was not quivering. Not much, anyway. Kronto slapped his fearful underling next to him. The champion gained a little resolve, but lost it upon seeing the Champion of the Senate. Ashwatthama had just gotten too good at his job.
Issei looked at the god before him. He was Revelation's height, and not his six five in the materium. He didn't care about mercy. Magnus needed him, as did the rest of his children. Celestine had missed her daddy reading to her. She had cried more than she ever had before. Asia had helped with pictures of him. Celestine was still young. Horus was young too, but he had stepped up to comfort his sister.
Issei spat on the ground.
"Just kill yourself, Aries. It would save us all some time. Every second you waste fighting me is one more you deny me from my daughter. I want your bastard head on a pike. He caused too much suffering."
Aries spat back.
"Fuck you, mortal. You destroyed us. For our right to lord over worms like your people. They should be worshiping us in fear. We who did things that your rat brains couldn't understand. Now you make them think they are equal to us, we who are divine."
Issei simply cast a warp fire and cooked half the champions. They screamed in agony. The other five shook openly and prepared to attack along with Aries.
"Man is better then gods. We take our weakness and become better than you who are born perfect. Gods are lucky we give them anything. Man will be the ones making new things eternal."
Aries lunged, as did his champions. The war god had a spear and stabbed forward. Issei blocked it easily. The custodians (other than Johan who carries the Palatine Aquilla high) moved and began to gut their foes. Antony killed the first champion by beheading them. The second fought better, but a Custodian named Arnold slashed her intestines open and they spilled onto the floor. The champion died in agony. Arnold was an atheist and hated gods and warp beings that leached. That's why he had volunteered to come.
Aries slashed again, and Issei left the first wound: a small cut at the god's feet. They traded more blows and the exhaustion in Aries was easy to see. The next champion went down when another custodian slammed his spear into the next to fall, and paralyzed the champion before a bolter shot disintegrated the man. Kronto faced the newest Custodian: a man from Russia named Sergei. The Russian was new by two weeks, but he slashed expertly because he had served in the Unification Wars as a Guardsman, and was a captain of a regiment called the Crimson Zmey Gorynych, named after Tiamat's appearance during the Wars. He had joined to serve the Emperor Beloved by All. He hated the dead end faiths because they stole faith needed for the Gould and the Reapers. His son was a naval crewman on a ship that would be deployed near Citadel space.
He sliced and took a hand from Kronto, then did another slice and took a foot. The son of Aries fell and screamed. Sergei stabbed downwards again and earned his first name: Killer of the Line. The last two champions went down under spear stabs. Issei just unleashed seven years of rage he had built up, knowing this day would come. He was done with Aries. Celestine had cried badly and he had touched her soul saying that daddy would be home soon. That calmed his daughter and made her snuggle into Asia with a smile on her face.
The Custodians began to slaughter the few defenders left, and Johan stood as vigilant as always. Ashwatthama had just kicked down a statue dedicated to Zeus. His men did the same to the other now-dead Olympians who didn't defect early or get rescued like Persephone. Athena had led several victories against the Norse. Aphrodite had found a husband in a nice god from the Senate. Hephaestus had been fine, and had helped a new aspect that had been born recently connect to the Machine God. They all found better lives serving man. Issei was finally done with his work, and then cut across Aries, bisecting him in half. The god groaned before dying. Issei saw the last two chuckle-fucks. They were inside the acropolis near the thrones of Olympus, and the eternal fire there. He and his men entered, unafraid of the gods.
Hades saw the end and the death. He, unlike Zeus, didn't believe a Hail Mary would be successful. Zeus has been there, acting cowardly. Hades hated Neoth, but that leader actually fought with his armies. Hades was only happy about one thing: his daughter would live. He didn't regret taking care of her. Her mother was beyond troubled, but Bennia had been a joy to raise. He regretted not having her desire to paint be accepted, but he had seen her art. She was famous for it, along with her adoptive brother for their dual pieces. They had made things for new colonies and for Phenex station. But Bennia had a small private painting of their family in her home. He was there next to her new father. It was enough to know he had that. His concept would die here, but he would be remembered by at least one good person. Zeus was hated by everyone. Art that featured him had been reworked. His name was erased by humanity. He was nothing to them except dead weight. Hades got his one painting and vindication. Zeus would rot here.
Hades drew his scythe. Zeus prepared his lightning bolts. Issei just raised his eyebrows, not in shock but in amusement. They really think this would stop him? Zeus believed it, but Hades just wanted this all to end. Issei made a simple rune with his sword. Easy clap.
The rune was a simple thing. It denied power to the warp. He and his men stood taller. They felt new energy in their bodies. Zeus and Hades felt weaker. They didn't recognize the rune. It was a symbol of the Grey Knights. Issei and Vali had a good thing going on Titan. He won more, but gave Vali tips that were slowly but steadily making gains. She would get there one day. She did have three wins, but she played ultra dirty there. It was fun. He and she had an ok friendship. She didn't have kids yet, but that would change after a few more decades. Humans lived extremely long lives in those days. Percy kept himself in shape, and was extremely healthy. Vali enjoyed her new life and the fact she got her fights against the red one without dying. She had a good thing with her godson. Horus loved his Aunt Vali and got really excited when the white hair was around.
Issei opened up the right with several warp lights that blinded Zeus and made him miss his first bolt. Hades didn't have eyes but was amused by that. Their enemy knew them. He faced off against the mortals who were close to divine. He expected to die to the one with extra ornamentation on his helm. Issei saw his son in Corvus being good to Magnus and Celestine, who was still smiling. Horus was drawing something. That amused Issei, because Horus couldn't draw. That had always been one of Leman's strengths. Horus had drawn a bad stick figure of their father for Celestine. It had the three hair colors that no one had gotten yet besides the Ai.
Zeus felt weaker and weaker as three more runes of the unknown were made on the walls with his blood. Issei simply cut and sliced the enemy, making Zeus bleed. Hades was losing as well, and to the Captain-General, too. The Custodians were different there. They excelled at teamwork as well as solo work. They covered their fellows. They made the weakness marks that another exploited. They were a great team. They won because they were not afraid. Issei performed his last move: a final rune that was the end.
The rune was thrown up, and Zeus screamed loudly in horrible pain as his conception ideas were targeted. Issei used his strength and his mighty sword to cut Zeus across the throat. Blood pooled, and the Olympian sky-father wobbled before falling to the ground, crushing his throne. Issei then stabbed downwards and ended Zeus forever. He threw water on the eternal flame of Olympus. Hades became more and more sluggish now that he didn't have the flame. Anthony was stronger than ever. Five barks in quick succession, and Hades lost his limbs. The final bark took his head. The body crashed next to that of Zeus. Issei was already preparing to leave.
Celestine was getting ready for another fit. Asia was holding her baby and realized something. Celestine was extremely good when she was held, like her father. It seemed that more than being a perpetual had passed to her. Just a bit of dragon was also there. Issei sighed, but he had been happier. That was better than having the stress from him not being there fully awaken the memories, and Celestine being a maelstrom of rage. Ashwatthama enlisted his men to dispose of the bodies. Then they would reinforce the armies at Asgard. The Senate torched Olympus, and the realm burned to the ground. Nothing was left of a once-mainstream faith.
Terra Sol System: Imperial Palace Underworld.
Magnus was holding his dad's hand as Celestine was babbling happily to her daddy about her coloring book. Magnus had tried to help Celestine; everyone had, but the girl had cried so hard without her daddy reading to her. He did that nearly every night. He did that for anyone who wanted to hear a story before bed. Magnus had seen more of dad in three days, and he understood more than ever. Dada earned his love from them. Alpharius and Roboute were both playing with Lorgar and Sanguinius nearby, and Corvus was with Horus. The two were giggling with Kitten. Magnus liked the man. He was truly the King of Games. He was very much like his opposite but was also more confident. Dad encouraged him to try new things, like he had encouraged Magnus to do what he had asked about. Magnus wanted to try making a spell.
Mom watched him, as did Mom Sona, but Magnus was taking up magic quickly. He was certain he could do this. He unleashed it for his family.
The spell made a second Issei. Celestine had gasped before clapping happily and began babbling more to the second daddy. The other kids were amazed, even Leman. Leman had been trying to test words for his newest tale, but now he looked at the image and clapped for Magnus. Magnus wanted to boast like the old him, and rub that into Leman's face, but his conversation with Leman played back.
"I'm sorry Magnus. I was a hypocrite. My sons used the warp too. I'm sorry for not questioning my orders more. My prior work with the second influenced my behavior."
Magnus saw Leman getting his ear pulled by his future mother, but the apology was real. Magnus felt his own ear get pulled by his own mom. It hurt. He whined, but Le Fay stared her possible son down. Magnus gulped, but then replied.
"Psykers are dangerous if not watched correctly. Some knowledge should not be reached for. I'm sorry for not answering your hails. I caused pain because of my inaction."
Magnus instead made a bridge to Leman.
"I can show you how Le."
"Please Mag!"
The brothers settled in, with Magnus explaining magic to Leman. Rouboute helped, too, and unlike his first incarnation, Leman could read, and had a good head for learning new things. Magnus was happy he accepted returning. He had everything he'd ever wanted. He knew his dad and moms would be there for him. Rouboute was happy for his brothers. Alpharius had started a sneaky contest with Corvus, and Horus tried to copy them. His hair was not like Celestine in being blonde. He had brown hair. Leman had lavender hair from his mom. Everyone was different, and Celestine was clapping happily now that dad was back. Asia was holding them both, and dad purred. Celestine saw that and joined her dad. Kuroka was busy dozing, but in the sunlight with one eye on Corvus. She knew he was sneaky.
He'd scared her badly one day. Corvus had apologized, but Kuroka was amused in the because he had been good at using the terrain. Ingvild was gently encouraging Leman while resting. Zaria was there in spirit, as was Falere. Ravel was with Sona, and they were talking quietly about her dad. Devdin had surprised Sona. Lorgar was the heir to the family. When asked if that was fine, and the contract Devdin had said that it didn't matter to him or Renee anymore They loved Lorgar. Their family had a strong line of succession with Sona's brother named Oren. He could take over if Lorgar didn't want to be heir. The uncle and his nephew were good friends.
Ravel was close to forgiving Argel. She knew he didn't truly mean what he said. He was desperate to get back in his daughter's good graces and see her sons. He had so many grandkids and his personal favorite was Ruval's daughter, but Alpharius was a close second, especially with how he had taken to fire watching. Alpharius missed grampy. So did Sanguinius. The words had hurt her little angel. Sanguinius was very emotional, partly due to his psyker nature. Sanguinius was, however, curious about everything, especially the few times he'd seen Issei's swords.
The first chainsword was kept as a reminder of the beginning. Then his force rapier from his ratings game with Rias. The final sword was kept in a pocket spell away from the kids, but Sanguinius had seen it once, and had been enthralled. He loved the fire on it. There was no hint of the black rage, yet. Issei had looked long and hard for it yet found no hint of the rage. The theory so far was that warp exposure and/or Khorne laying claim, but Sanguinius seemed to have a potential future as a battle fanatic.
The night came to an end, with Kitten helping everyone get upstairs. Issei read to Celestine, and the girl was the happiest she had been in three days. She purred herself to sleep with happiness. Everyone settled in for the night happily. Kuroka had whispered something in her mate's ear, and then pulled him away. She was grinning happily. Asia just went to talk with Falere. The Asari was more eager than ever to be here. The monastery had changed significantly in the last seven years, and not for the better recently.