Chapter 5.8 Do Not Make Our Mistakes Again
"So… are we just going to ask them to let us pass?" asked John sarcastically.
Omegon looked at the display before them, a holographic display of Aeldari design that indicated a small handful of Aeldari warships at the very edges of the Solar System. Before them lay a display of the Imperium's strongest defenses, perfectly designed to keep the kind of ships the Alpha Legion Primarch and his companions were aboard out.
"We still have our transport," pointed out Omegon, "If necessary we shall go first and ensure we can be granted safe passage for our… guests."
"Indeed! It is rude to strike a well-wisher on your threshold!" exclaimed Veilwalker, "Even now the Lord of the Sun weeps for his lost love! He will need comfort in his hour of grief."
"Please stop…" muttered Grammaticus, clutching his head with his left hand.
"No," said Veilwalker, sweetly.
"We only have a handful of ships," said Eldrad Ulthran, "Surely they will see that we do not pose the threat to them with such a meager force."
"The Imperium has seen its share of raiders from the Aeldari," pointed out Omegon, "Very rarely do our forces engage large Aeldari forces. It is often we encounter small groups like this that raid and enslave our less well protected worlds."
"Do not speak of our darker kin," replied Eldrad dismissively, "Whilst the children of Commorragh might steal your people that is not the way of the Aeldari."
"For many, there is not a clear difference," said Omegon, grimly, "They see Eldar and do not stop to ask what philosophical differences separate them from others of their species."
"Well it is the philosophical differences of YOUR species we are currently trying to prevent," retorted Eldrad, "Do not make our mistakes again. The Fall shattered our species into fragments and bound our souls to She Who Thirsts. Unless you wish a similar fate we need to get to your home world, and the sooner the better."
"For once, that is something we can all agree on," concluded John, "Looks like you'll have to up your powers of persuasion, 'Alpharius'."
Omegon was about to reply, when several of Eldrad's crew began call in Aeldari words to the Farseer. Additional lights flickered on the holographic display, revealing the appearance of several new warships nearby. Eldrad continued his conversations for a moment, before turning back to Omegon.
"Several new ships have arrived in the system," said Eldrad smoothly, "One of them is sending forth a distress signal. It is in your High Gothic."
"Can you play it?" asked Omegon.
"Of course," replied Eldrad, issuing forth a string of commands in his native language.
"Mayday! This is Fulgrim of the Third Legion aboard The Pride of the Emperor! We are under attack by traitor forces of the Fifth Legion! To any and all forces available we are in desperate need of assistance! Our void shields are failing and our drives are badly damaged. In the name of the Emperor you MUST aid us and help us push back these traitor forces! Mayday! This is-"
The signal was cut off from a sign by Eldrad. Omegon examined the shapes of the holographic ships of the display.
"Are these vessel outlines accurate? Also do you have a translation for their IFF codes in High Gothic?"
"Yes, and we can," replied Eldrad, issuing more commands. In a moment, the text flickered below the ships, revealing names in both Aeldari and High Gothic. One read The Pride of the Emperor, clearly a Gloriana class hull. Behind it were a cluster of escorts around another Gloriana class warship. That ship's hull read the Swordstorm.
"Jaghatai," muttered Omegon, "Given his nonstandard engine specifications the Solar Fleets will not arrive in time to aid Fulgrim before the Swordstorm is on top of them."
"But we are…" pointed out John.
"There can be no time for hesitation," said Eldrad, turning to once more command his warriors, "Alpharius, if you would be so kind as to tell your brother not to shoot at us, and we are not hostile forces."
"Fulgrim, this is Alpharius," called Omegon, "We are responding to your distress call. We are flying… nonstandard vessels. Please advise your gunners that we are friendly targets."
"Alpharius?" came the response from Fulgrim after a few moments, "We're reading your ships as Aeldari…"
"That is accurate," replied Omegon, "There will be time for explanations later. For now, keep your ship together and hold on. Aid is on the way."
The Aeldari drove in towards the enemy vessels, their agility more than a match for the Fifth Legions' modifications. Whilst the White Scars optimized for pure speed, the Aeldari had a grace and elegance which allowed them to weave and turn like ballet dancers in the void. Every move brought the Aeldari vessels into the perfect firing arcs, whilst time and time again the Fifth Legion overshot their targets pouring fire and rage into the black void.
"BEGONE, FLIES!" came a roar across the open communications, "I WANT MY PRIZE!"
"He wants his prize, he hates the flies!" sang Veilwalker in a childish chant, "Soon he'll learn daemons tell nought but lies!"
This cause John to stifle a chuckle. He had no idea what was going on with the Primarch of the White Scars, but it was fun to see the Harlequin mock someone else for a change.
One by one, the distracted escorts were destroyed or crippled by the dance of the Aeldari ships, leaving only the Swordstorm operational. Sensing a turn of the tide, the Pride of the Emperor brought its ginormous crippled bulk around to point what remaining guns it had at its sister. A final barrage from the Gloriana class shattered the Swordstorm's void protection, leaving parts of the vessel open to direct attack.
Like carrion feasting on a corpse, the Aeldari ships speared in to pick off gunnery emplacements, sensor nodes and void projectors of the exposed warship. Explosions set fires ablaze all over the magnificent vessel. The Swordstorm fought back, but whilst it could contend with its sister ship alone, deprived of escorts the warship was overwhelmed by a death of a thousand cuts.
At last, the Swordstorm turned to break off its assault. Even the delusional Primarch of the White Scars could see this was a battle he could not win. Firing final volleys to try and kill as many Aeldari as possible on its way out, the Swordstorm darted away from the onslaught, vanishing once more into the depths of the warp.
"So…" said Eldrad with a hint of mirth in his voice, "The Aeldari have saved the Pride of the Emperor."
"Oh yes!" nodded Veilwalker, "The Laughing God is greatly amused indeed! Poor little Mon-Keighs! They need our help."
"Are you there, brother?" came the shallow voice of Fulgrim over the comms.
"I am here, Fulgrim," replied Omegon, "What is your status?"
"We've lost most of our voids, weaponry and we're on a quarter engine power," said Fulgrim, shakily, "But we're alive. Engineering reports we can probably limp to Terra under our own power. Now as for you, Alpharius. Any explanation as to why you are commanding Aeldari ships?"
"Commanding?" muttered Eldrad in his native tongue, his tone one of annoyance.
"Brother, this war is far greater than you know," replied Omegon, "It is not only Jaghatai and the Fifth that turn against us, soon many of our brothers will seek to bring battle to the Throne World."
"Brothers become traitors. Aliens becoming saviours… Has the entire galaxy gone mad…" utter Fulgrim, in a voice barely above a whisper.
"Not quite brother," said Omegon, "But we must act if we are to avoid a greater evil. I bring with me… ambassadors of other species. Whilst normally they would be our enemies, we find ourselves in a time where friend becomes foe, and accordingly foe must become friend. If the traitors win then we shall all perish together. Our Father needs the aid these ambassadors could bring, and by saving you they have demonstrated their willingness to put themselves in harm way for our advantage."
"I cannot deny they have saved me and many of my previous surviving sons…" said Fulgrim, begrudgingly, "They have earned an audience at least. However, if the Emperor commands we slay then, I hope you will not stand in our way, brother."
"I will not," replied Omegon, receiving a raised eyebrow from Eldrad, "But I know our Father will not issue such a command. We will need every sword we can must in this battle, and if others are willing to fight alongside us, we will not be in a position to refuse."
"Very well," concluded Fulgrim, "Bring your ships alongside, we will go to Terra together. If they stray, I will not be held accountable for any gunner who gets too nervous."
"I will let you speak with Rogal and the Regent first," said Omegon, "I fear our brother of the Seventh does not hold me in a very high opinion."
The communication line cut off.
"Aeldari on Terra. Now there is something I never thought I'd see," muttered John.
"I just hope we will be allowed to leave it in one piece," said Eldrad, glaring at Omegon.
"My brother has no love of aliens," replied Omegon, matter-of-factly, "I will ensure you do not come to any harm, fear not. Having my brother vouch for us all will actually open many more doors than my voice alone would have done. His vouching for you will speak volumes given his disgust of aliens. Once Rogal learns of Fulgrim's salvation at your hands we can expect a warmer welcome than we would have done otherwise."
"Even if that welcome is still barely above freezing…" murmured John below his breath.