(Chapter 24: Shadow Liberation: Part 3)
With the month of February soon in full swing, and right along with it would come the execution of Operation Hell Scorpion, wherein the Raven Guard would see itself launch into a relentless operation of hyper-aggressive ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, and infiltrations into enemy encampments. All being done at such a relentless pace that the Orks were practically drowning from being hit by what felt like 13 times the number of 'beaky boys', that would not let them rest for even a centisecond.
(February 8th, 951. M30, Zenthon, 2:48 Am)
It would be 12 minutes till 3 in the morning as one of the larger Ork encampments had found itself once again under assault, as leading the ambush was Ultimate Swampfire alongside the Raptors and the 19th Legions' Librarians as a trio of Thunderhawks soared overhead for aerial support.
'It feels great to be in the mix again. It's times like these where I'm thankful to do what I can do.' Were the thoughts of the Evolved Methanosian as they unleashed another burst of Scatter Bulbs at an oncoming Stompa
'This truly does feel like therapy to me and I couldn't be any happier.' Ultimate Swampfire said to himself as with a stomp of his foot would gnarled tree roots swarm upwards to crush a Kill-Blasta into scrap and fire another barrage of Scatter Bulbs at 2 incoming Kill Burstas
Wherein the assortment of soccer-ball sized bulbs rocketed towards their intended target, almost seeking out the Orks so they could be exterminated with extreme prejudice, the multiple explosions of sapphire flame being so potent that it cracked apart their Void shield was shattered in seconds. This allowed for a follow-through blast of flames that were so fearsome that they punched a hole through the Stompas' midsection as though it were made out of paper mache, causing it to explode within mere moments of the blast tearing through it. Sending shards of flaming debris and shrapnel raining across the area, as the starry morning was lit up in fiery azure, as the blur-like figures of the 19th Legion began to tear through the Ork encampment like a ravenous plague.
With the sons of Branwen Corax through either jump-packs, their own inhuman speed, or riding upon Assault Bikes were unleashing a bloody rampage against the greenskins, attacking them at every direction and or angle possible. Something that was furthered by Ultimate Swampfire using their powers of plant manipulation/generation of towering vines and roots to act as ramps, barricades, and cover to make their hit-and-run attacks that much more devastating and even akin to the charges of the White Scars in a way.
After all, it was one thing to fight against the startlingly silent Astartes who moved like phantoms in the night, it was another when the very terrain itself aided in their almost assaults, hiding them from view, as they would launch from the ether itself to strike down at their enemies. Wheein those on the Assault Bikes would use the roots and vines that twist and turned to gun down their opposition from odd and uneven angles, or use it as jumping off points to dive down, and gut an Ork from on high. All before a Librarian would use their powers to have the shadows swallow them into the inky void and reappear to either gun down a Gretchen with a Bolter or Melta, or begin tearing into them with Power Blade or Lightning Claws.
Meanwhile, Ultimate Swampfire would lead the charge as not only a one-man army, but also in keeping a large portion of the attention on himself, given that the combination of his pyrokinesis and plant manipulation was enough to have the Orks focus fire on him. Something that he rather enjoyed, as unlike Branne and the Raptors who thrived in being within the shadows and striking from the unseen as armored ambush predators. By sharp contrast did Ultimate Swampfire not only greatly enjoy being in the midst of the chaos around him, as at times he would laugh in furious delight of incinerating the Orks or eviscerating them with deadly plant life ,but thrived heavily in the destruction of causing mass mayhem to the Orks, as he made sure that his powers were put to use for maximum damage.
Between his use of his plant manipulation to cause roots and vines of monstrous proportions to form as barricades that not even their Suppah Shootaz coud punch through, obstacles made of thorny brambles and roots to trip up any Orks running about. Better yet trees the size of Walmarts would spring forth and proceed to batter any Ork, Stompa or tanks driven by the Greenskins and their Gretchens to a pulp/scrap, something that would've been laughable if it weren't for the fact that they were hitting them with Sugar Ray Leonard levels of combinations with their branches. On top of his pyrokinesis allowing him to incinerate their defenses with ease either through blasts of azure flame that might as well have come from a Warlord TItan's Inferno Cannon, fireballs that ripped through tanks like a paper airplane in a hurricane.
That Ultimate Swampfire was a tank of plant matter and flame, something that was made all the more apparent when he tanked the Psychic Vomit from a trio of Weirdboyz, that to him may as well have been a swarm of bee stings on his hardened carapace. Before he looked at them in this disgust and launched a volley of Scatter Bulbs that eviscerated them into smouldering chunks of meat and scrap, before continuing about his way, plodding through the chaos of Orks being assailed by the Raven Guard.
The Evolved Methanosian in tandem with the Raptors and the assembled Librarians would make sure that no Ork would escape, wherein those piloting the Thunderhawks would rain down Heavy Bolter fire to intercept and destroy Dakkajets and Burna Bommers. All the while those within would take flight via their Jump Packs to dive down onto those driving tanks, operating the artillery to combat the Raptors and Ultimate Swampfire, and with Lightning Claws, Power Blades and Meltas in hand. Would these airborne Astartes rip through the starry morning, going from one Ork to the other in a blitzkrieg assault, with any shot fired or decapitating strike; would be done with utmost efficiency and visceral aggression.
As such the battle if it could be called that, was one that wasn't a battle where the Orks could fight in egregious amounts of hyperviolence, battling against the humies with Choppas in hand, Shootaz ablazing, or Burnas lighting up the world in enough carnage to make Gork and Mork proud. Instead, it was a rapid-fire meatgrinder of hit-and-runs where at anytime the Orks tried to make the fight into a proper scrap, they were denied it and denied severely by the combined forces of Ultimate Swampfire and the Raven Guard.
Wherein their arms would be lopped off, tendons in their limbs severed, the Assault Bikes rounding onto them in pseudo calvary charges on the ramps and 'tracks' made of dense gnarled roots, to blast them apart with Bolter and Melta fire, or gore them with Power Swords and Lightning Claws. Many of the 'Boyz' that tried to push back against them were pulverized by the massive semi-sentient oak, maple, and redwood trees that would pummel them with the ferociousness of prime Roberto Duran on bath salts. On top of the Scatter Bulbs turning their Stompas and their 2 Gargants to molten shrapnel, or blasted to ashes in seconds by Ultimate Swampfire plodding his way through their numbers and turning them ashes as a 10-foot tall walking Inferno Cannon on steroids.
For it would be mere moments of violently aggressive hit and run/guerilla warfare assaults on the Orks present, alongside the destruction of any and all of their artillery, vehicles and weapons would the Raven Guard alongside the Ultimatrix wielder cease their shadowy rampage, Wherein Branne Nev would after a second round of Astartes would sweep through the area to eliminate any Orks that they failed to do so, would give a secondary command to scorch the area to ash, so as to eliminate any trace of Ork spores in the area.
"I will give you credit where it is due, Tennyson. Operation Hell Scorpion has been incredibly successful! I think I may have found a new way of taking the enemy out from the shadows" Branne Nev spoke to the towering form of the evolved Methanosian that stood beside him
"When it comes to helping spearhead missions, where you need to put your foot to someone's neck. That is my specialty 12 times out of ten, Commander Branne." Ultimate Swampfire spoke back to the leader of the Raptors with an approximation of a smile on his features
"It certainly shows. To be completely transparent with you, I'm growing to like this more aggressive focus on ambush. It feels far more natural to me, than our previous operations." Branne Nev said in having very much enjoyed being a much more direct aggressor
"This combination of hyper-aggression in combination with our normal way of fighting…It is something I will be implementing into the Raptors in the future to come." Branne Nev further spoke in having made note to make sure that Branwen would consider engaging in these more aggressive operations in the future
"I'm glad you like it. Because, as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes you just need to go full throttle and not let up for a single second." The Ultimatrix wielder replied in having always favored being the aggressor whenever he could swing it during his time in his prior timeline
"I could not agree with you more. That being said, once we are finished doing a sweep through the area. We will continue onwards to the next Ork encampment. If we press the advantage now, we can wipe out at least 5 more before daybreak." Branne Nev said as his men were already out and about cleansing the area of any potential Ork spores that had taken root
"Understood, I will be waiting for the go ahead from you and the others. Keep me posted if anything else comes up while we're waiting." Ultimate Swampfire replied as the grinning Raven Guard nodded before heading off to give further commands to his men
'Just a few more weeks of this and then I can see Konstance again…I hope she's doing ok.' Were the Ultimatrix wielders thoughts as he looked up at the starry morning feeling rather accomplished
(3 days later, Zenthon, 5:07 Pm, February 11th, 951. M30)
It would be the early evening as Ben was taking the rare few moments he could to have a break, and using it to contact Konstance to let her know that he was doing alright, while she was filling him in on a rather interesting development of her own that involved Furiosa.
"And that about covers it. At the rate we are going over here, we should be done in another few weeks, maybe a little over a month tops." Ben told the projection of the Night Haunter
"That is wonderful news, Ben. Hopefully; I will be able to see you again; after I handle affairs of my own...It seems as though things have become far more dire on my homeworld than anticipated." Konstance Kurze spoke happy that her beloved was doing well in the midst of a warzone
"Oh yea', you and Furiosa are heading to your home planet, right? Is everything ok?" Ben asked
"Everything is fine, it is just that Furiosa and I are taking a few proactive steps in fixing things on Nostramo…If I am to improve things with the Night Lords, then it must begin at the source." Konstance Kurze answered back
"That is why Furiosa, myself, a selected number of companies from our Legions, will be headed to my homeworld. I feel that in order to truly fix things, to make sure that corruption there is put to a definite end once and for all. That I must quell the rot that infects it, once and for all." Konstance Kurze further elaborated in wanting to make a 'statement' to those who had continued to go against her and bring her planet low
"Good luck and everything, because I doubt whoever is pulling the strings there. That they are gonna go quietly while you get everything done." Ben told the Night Haunter who let a grim smile creep across her features
"Do not worry, my love. They will not stand in the way of justice. I will make sure that those who have perpetuated injustice and wickedness are dealt with." Konstance Kurze spoke
"Just remember that enforcing justice and making sure the bad guys are stopped, that's great and everything. But remember that, there are still people there that need saving. It is the people that need to be shown that you are coming down there, not to punish them but to help them…So I say this because I care about you, Konstance. Make sure that you are helping as much as you are punishing." Ben told the Matriarch of the 8th Legion who nodded in understanding of his words
"I understand this fully. I have even talked with Furiosa and Fulgrim on the matter. They expressed similar sentiments to you, and I have found myself in agreement with them." Konstance Kurze spoke as she straightened herself looking back with the nobility and diligence of a Matriarch
"The people of Nostromo need a champion, they need a hero who can show them what heroism truly looks like. I merely hope that with Furiosa at my side, that this can be accomplished." Konstance Kurze further spoke in hoping she would be able to show that the Night Haunter could be a champion of the people
"I'll tell you this right now, Konstance. I know you can do this, because if there is anyone; who can be a people's champion to her planet. Then I will bet it all on you doing it with flying colors." Ben replied with nothing but high hopes for the Matriarch of the Night Lords
"Thank you, it is always wonderful to know that you hold such hope for me. It means more than what I can put into words." The Night Haunter said back feeling her twin hearts beat all the faster at her beloved's words
"The way I see it, you are already a superhero in the making. You just have some leg work to do, to be even better. That much I know you'll be able to do awesome at." Ben spoke with a reassuring smile
"So keep your chin up, because before you know it. You'll be having planets the galaxy over, shout the name of Konstance Kurze the greatest superhero the Imperium has ever known! That much I know is going to happen!" Ben declared as a soft chuckle escaped the pale-faced Matriarch
"You are far too kind to me. I-I truly do not know what I have done to deserve such warmth from you." Konstance Kurze replied as she could only feel joy and happiness overwhelming from his words
"You didn't have to do a thing. I see that there's a lot of good and greatness in you. All I'm doing is believing in the best you can be. That's all there is to it." Ben told her
"I do not know how I will repay you, for believing so highly of me. But once we see each other again, I will do everything I can to make that happen. I swear that much on my rotten Legion." Konstance Kurze promised to her beloved
"And I look forward to it. In the meantime, you and Furiosa take care on your way to Nostramo…Stay safe on the way there." Ben replied in wishing Konstance
"Furiosa and I will be well, during and after our stay on Nostramo…Until we meet again, I will never stop loving you, you are and always will be my Morgenstern." Konstance Kurze said back before the transmission was ended
"Man, she's a wonderful lady...I swear how did I get a 9-foot-tall golden retriever who can maul people for a girlfriend." Ben said to himself before he saw a large shadow began to hover over him
"...Branwen, how long have you been there?" Ben asked in having just now registered the presence of the Lady of Ravens
"How long have you been on your holocall with Konstance?" Branwen Corax asked back as Ben could only look back at her in deadpan of her question
"...Touche, but anyways…What do you want to talk with me about? I thought that everything with Operation Hell Scorpion was going great." Ben said back as Branwen came to sit down beside the Ultimatrix wielder
"I came to see how you are doing. It has been quite some time since we last talked with one another." Branwen Corax told the Ultimatrix wielder
"To be honest, I actually feel like I'm back in my element again. Being out here in the middle of the monster, it is right where I'm at. So to be perfectly honest with you, Branwen. I am doing absolutely fantastic!" Ben spoke in having felt as though he'd gained his 2nd and 3rd winds back during this campaign
"If anything I feel like I'm turning back the clock to myself again…I can't really explain it, other than being right in the center of the action makes me feel great again! So I gotta say that, I am the best I've been since getting my first few hours of actual sleep." Ben further spoke
Wherein it was during these weeks of waging a shadow campaign against the Orks, had Ben felt more and more of himself come to life in fighting against the enemy, as the liberating of the planet's people and their military from the greenskins. That in his working alongside the Raven Guard to put an end to an enemy that on the surface level seemed nothing but comedic in their approach to combat; had reignited his passion for fighting the good fight.
"I am glad that you feel that way, Ben. I was worried that you would burn out from the stress of throwing you so readily into the Great Crusade" Branwen Corax said
"Hey, I am a lot sturdier than I look. If I can survive dealing with daemons and having an encounter with a murder god. Then I say that I can handle being thrown into the meat-grinder again...If anything, this is the best I've felt in months!" Ben replied in feeling ready to go after having adjusted to things in the 31st Millenium thus far
"Fair enough, as most others would have gone insane after dealing with a Chaos God. However, you on the other hand remain as resilient as ever." Branwen Corax remarked at Ben having one of the strongest levels of willpower she has seen in a baseline human
"If there is one thing I am certain of, Branwen. It is that I refuse to be punked out by anyone; while I am helping you guys out. It doesn't matter if its a powerhouse alien, a Chaos monster or whatever, or one of these weird-ass Eldar. All I know is, I'm ready for just about any of it." Ben said back with the confidence of the man who had saved galaxies more times than he could count
"I am glad that you continue to hold that confidence. For this is the first of many battles in the Great Crusade…Understand that this is on the beginning, Ben. We have yet to fight against the full weight of what is out there." Branwen Corax spoke as Ben cracked a smile of his own
"Whatever is out there, I have more than a good feeling in my gut. That whatever comes my way, that I will be ready for it in full effect." Ben said back in having nothing but confidence that who or what came his way that he would overcome it
(1 week later, Zenthon, 10:14 Pm, February 19th, 951. M30)
It would be a full week later as Ben would battle alongside Branwen Corax and her assembled Astartes against the Warbosses 2nd in command, Commander Bronze-Tooth, who out of the Orks so far was putting up more than a compelling fight against the Matriarch and her forces.
"Tennyson, on your 6!" Branwen called out as she impaled a duo of Ork Weirdboyz from attacking NRG
"Thanks, for watching my back Brawnen…I'll give this Bronze-Tooth guy credit, his goons are nothing to sneeze at." NRG spoke as he blasted another beam of radiation that took out several Orks
"Agreed, the real question is where is he? He shouldn't be too hard to find for an Ork Commander." Branwen Corax asked amidst the chaos of her men slaying the Orks before hearing a thunderous KRRRAAAKKOOOM of missiles being launched
"I think that would be him…Is…Is this man in a mech-suit?" NRG asked as he saw the Ork Commander striding out in a roughshod equivalent to the Iron Monger suit but 'Orkified'
"That would be the case…What are you about to do?" The Raven Guard Matriarch asked as she witnessed him turn into Lodestar
"I'm about to do what we call in my time, a 'pro-gamer move'...Trust me this is going to be really funny with what happens next." Lodestar answered back as they flew over to the Ork commander
Wherein Lodestar proceeded to use his immense powers of magnetism to cause further pandemonium throughout the battlefield, via using them on the Ork commander to 'commandeer' his mechsuit and force him to fire upon his own men. Much to the confusion and dismay of the Orks who were faced with being not only assaulted by their Warboss's second in command, but also their own artillery and tanks being turned against them by the floating Ultimatrix wielder. Of whom was conducting the chaos of the Orks firing on each other like a conductor would his symphony…with the exception of far more explosions and bodies being blown to bits.
As such, Branwen and her men were soon witnesses to the display of power, that the following sequence of events around her made her further realize the strength of what Ben was capable of with his Xenox forms as the Greenskins were put into a state of pure and utter confusion; from their own artillery, tanks and even their Stompas being turned on them. So in the brief moments that she and her Marines were made wordless over Ben's prodgious magnetic powers, were they immediately snapped back into reality,as Branwen refused to let their advantage go to waste, for they would subsequently unleash a bloody shadow assault against the Orks in their sight, with those scrambling to manipulate their artillery pieces, being taken out by the headshots of Raven Guards firing from afar with their Bolter Rifles.
Then there were those being led Sergeant Nykona on their Assault Bikes to use their blades to behead and impale the Orks and their Gretchens; who were trying to kill off their supposed traitorous brethenen for firing at them, with their own Shootaz and Dakka. Then there was Branne Nev who alongside his Matriarch were leading Librarians and Raptors alike in a masterclass on guerilla warfare, and swarm tactics that made the bedlam into even more of a lopsided bloodbath. Wherein the LIbrarians would use the shadows of the night to either unleash mass unkindnesses of man-eating ravens to assault their enemies, while the Raptors would unleash a hail of Bolter fire down upon them.
Then on the otherside of things would they unleash sprawling almost cavernous voids of shadow to swallow up entire platoons of Orks, which would allow for Branwen to become a nearly 10-foot tall blender alongside her men, and within seconds of the void of inky black forming would the pulpefied remains of Orks be left. Wherein the Raven Guard Matriarch would alongside her men fly from one after the other like predatory birds of prey, swooping in from the shadows to unleash a carnage that was so swift in its execution, that it felt as though there were 10 times the amount of Astartes attacking them. For the Lady of Ravens made sure that as she dove in and out of the darkness of the February night, that no Ork would see so much of a trace of her or her sons before they were either pumped full of Bolter shells, or turned into mincemeat by her hands.
All the while, Lodestar continued to use his majestic powers of magnetism to continue to sew chaos within the Ork encampment, so much so that even as Commander Bronze-Tooth tried to fight against the control of his puppeteer to reinstate order. That he could do nothing but be forced to fire upon his men with reckless abandon, as even though he tried to use his own brutish strength to rebel against it, he could not as Lodestar's power was so intensive that it forced his limbs to fire upon them regardless of is struggles. So much so was he forced to act against his will as he would swing his greataxe-like Choppa to behad his own men, that he felt his bones shatter and his meat tear as his own warsuit was being used to fire every Shoota and Burna eqipped too it for maximum damage.
In addition to this, he and any of the tanks his men were using to fight back against the 'tricky beaky boyz' were being moved about like chess pieces, either to be used as cover against their own boyz, or being forced to fire on Ork and Gretchen alike. Wherein the sound of Bubblechukkas, Flak Gunz, and Zzap Guns being used to eviscerate Orks in wide swaths or take their aircrafts as makeshift anti-air cannons were heard. All the while, the Stompas that should have been targeting Lodestar, the Librarians, or Branwen Corax, were being forced to beat the living hell out of each other, as though they were a pair of Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots.
Hence why, any Ork worth their salt could see that what was before them wasn't a worthwhile scrap, or something that could turn into a proper krumping…no this was a massacre where they would be denied the joy of combat in all its brutal joys en masse. Between their own leader being turned against them and made a prisoner within his own warsuit, the armored vehicles and their artillery being made to wipe them out, as though they were common vermin. On top of the Raven Guard acting every bit as the assassins and masters of vicious guerilla warfare they were…that the Orks found themselves virtually trapped in a shadow-filled annihilation they could not escape.
So in less than two hours would the Raven Guard alongside Lodestar have completely and utterly decimated the Ork encampment without fail, wherein Lodestar floated down to take note of the Orks artillery, in wanting to see if he could repurpose any of it to help Perturabo for her sieges. All the while, Branwen who was quite happy to see that her sons had sustained little if any casualties in their attack, also saw that the Ultimatrix wielder had dispatched of Commander Bronze-Tooth. Who currently resided as a compressed ball of muscle, machinery and bone, that had been condensed down to the size of a watermelon, as the engineer of a shapeshifter continued to look over the Orks artillery.
"I don't know how they even operate these things properly. They should have imploded or had their systems fail within minutes of firing." Lodestar spoke wondering how these artillery pieces could work as well as they did
"Your guess is as good as mine, Ben. Unfortunately, my expertise are not in the way of engineering or weaponscraft. That belongs to more of Perturabo's or the Gorgon's realm, they more than anyone would be able to answer your questions." Branwen Corax replied
"Good point, I'll have to make sure my drones take photos of these, so I can study them more. I am way too fascinated to not study how they function" Lodestar said back as he turned his head to face the Lady of Ravens
"Anyways, now that we've taken care of this Warboss guys's 2nd in command. Where do we go from here?" Lodestar asked the towering Matriarch
"We eliminate his lieutenants next, liberate the last that are being held captive by these cretins. Then from there, we take the fight to the Warboss in charge of this." Branwen Corax answered back
"Fine by me. Also, I have something fun planned for when we face this Warboss guy." Lodestar said with a combination of mischief and sinister intent being present in his voice
"I don't think I want to know what you have planned." Branwen Corax said back as the approximation of a crooked grin spread across Lodestar's face
"All I will need is set-up time to put everything together. If you and your men can buy me an hour or two, to make their leader regret living. Then I can take care of the rest." Lodestar told the leader of the 19th
"We will buy you all the time that you need. All that matters is that the people of this planet are made safe once again, and the Orks are dealt with quickly." Branwen Corax said to the Ultimatrix wielder
"Awesome, and thanks Branwen. I promise that once we get this going. These green idiots won't know what hit 'em." Lodestar replied as their mind began to swarm with ideas on how to further take the piss out of the Orks
"You haven't failed us yet and with how your tactics have worked out so far, I am curious to see what you will pull off." Branwen Corax said back in having the sneaking feeling that whatever Ben was concocting that it was going to be nothing if not incredible
(The next day, Conqueror, ?, February 20th, 951. M30, 1:45 Pm)
Meanwhile, Konstance was within her Quarters on her sisters' flagship; practically vibrating with how she was going to make her statement onto the corrupt and the wretched of her homeworld, that was only roughly 2 weeks away.
"You may come in." Konstance Kurze spoke as Furiosa entered the room
"What do you want? I had thought that you would have better things to do aboard your ship." The Night Haunter asked as the Red Angel entered
"Kharn is making sure that the rest of my Sons are behaving. Now that I have begun to undo the damage I had dealt to my Legion. Things are looking much better than they have in years." Furiosa answered with a hope that she hadn't felt in decades
'Although, the guilt of forcing those damnable Nails into the skulls of my sons...That is something that is never going to away...my brothers and sisters on Nuceria would be ashamed of me for my gutless actions.' Were Furiosa's thoughts in feeling guilt further gnaw at her insides from putting the Butcher's Nails into her Marines
"I wish I could say the very same for my own. The fact that less than half of my sons share some of my desires for justice and heroism…That has shown me more than enough that after business is dealt with on Nostramo. That there will need to be a culling to fully separate the wretch from the worthy." Konstance Kurze said to her behemoth of a sister
"As much as I would like to speak in defense of your sons. The majority of what I have had to witness during their 'endeavors'…it is enough to sicken me to my stomach. I can see why you hate them, Konstance. The fact that such filth is sent to your doorstep is disgusting." Furiosa replied in having see the rot that pervaded the 8th Legion and even their wicked ways made her skin crawl
"I will agree but to an extent…Even though I despise the majority of the Night Lord, for the pathetic disgusting wretches there are. There are exceptions to the wickedness that has infected my Legion." The Night Haunter said back with a sigh
"There are those that despite being criminals, despite being murderers, thieves, enforcers to gang lords, and much more. That there is a justice and a nobility within them, that what they have done in enacting the crimes I abhor; are done to protect, to make my homeworld better. From what they have told me, who share in my ideals, that the way of a criminal is the best way they could bring change and justice to my home." Konstance Kurze spoke her expression thoughtful and almost caring in a way that seemed foreign to witness
"I have never heard you speak this way about your Legion. Normally, it is with screams and curses of how they are nothing but wretched failures and lowlifes. How they are misbegotten curs that should have their flesh peeled away and crucified for the sin of corrupting your Legion...To hear you speak this kindly of them is something new." Furiosa responded in having grown used to Konstance's cursing of her sons as worthless lowlifes and abominations made in her blood
"I know, I know, my sister. Yet in doing so, I regret not saying more of those who work to rise above and make more than the effort to uphold my ideals. To truly be arbiters of justice, to become the midnight clad who represent what it means to enforce order and retribution for the weak. For that, I feel regret for not showing them that they have succeeded where their lessers have failed." Konstance Kurze spoke feeling guilt for not showing more love to those who have tried their best to uphold her true ideals towards justice
"And what will you do for them going forward? Even when we set things right on, Nostramo. That when we set forth this new order where you will receive worthy Marines to fight alongside you. What will you change to show them that their efforts, their struggles to be worthy as a Night Lord, and fight as a son of the Night Haunter, is still worth while to them? What will be done to show them that it is worth something to be a hero?" Furiosa asked of her sister who deepened her thoughtful expression
"I do not know, I wish that I could say that I knew where to go from there. That I have prepared everything to welcome my sons into this new era of the 8th." Konstance Kurze answered
"Yet I do not know where to go from here, I cannot give a definitive answer on what I should do for them. As foolish as it is to say, and I loathe to admit this. I do not know how I will celebrate my sons who have done what I have asked of them. I do not know how to welcome the newest of the 8th, once I have paved the new era forward for them…How can I, when I have never known the pleasantries of celebrating ones' victories." The Night Haunter spoke as she felt her hearts twist with guilt and uncertainty of what to do or where to go after Nostramo was dealt with
"I cannot tell you how to govern your Legion, or at least the elements that you are proud of. However, I will tell you to give them their grace. That going forward you have to not only give them grace for doing the best they can with what they are given. You must also consistently show them that their efforts have been worth it…That is where you will need to start." Furiosa told her sister
"I am not sure how I will do this…Will you help me to embrace the good, that are the unspoiled and just of my Legion?" Konstance Kurze asked the golden-eyed Matriarch
"Of course, all you need to do is ask…I know that I am still coming into my own, trying to improve my Legion, and be a better leader for them and myself. Something that so far has not been easy. That being said, I know that doing so takes time, patience, and understanding. That is why we are doing this together, Konstance. We are far stronger together than we are separately." Furiosa answered back putting her larger hand on top of Konstance's as a show of comfort and solidarity
"I appreciate that, truly I do…Do you really think that our Legions can grow beyond what they are now? Do you honestly believe that our working with all our heart and soul; can transform them into warriors of justice?" Konstance Kurze questioned having to look up at the Red Angel
"I do believe in that. I know that there is far, far more to our Legions than what we have allowed them to be. I know this firsthand when I look to my Legion." Furiosa answered back
"I see it in them, that despite how much I have failed them, how much I have hurt them, and how I abused them. That they are deserving and worthy of being so much greater than I allowed them to. There is so much more potential than just the maddened warriors, I have nearly turned the 12th into…I owe it to not just them, but the memory of all my fallen brothers and sisters on Nuceria to be better." Furiosa further spoke in knowing she owed it to the World Eaters and the fallen gladiators of her home to be a better leader
"You miss them don't you? Your fallen comrades from your times as a gladiator?" Konstance Kurze questioned in seeing the more somber expression in Furiosa's features
"I do, there is not a minute that passes where I do not. It is also because of there memory and what Ben has inspired within me. That I strive to do better for my sons. That if I cannot make the effort going forwards to be a better leader, to be a better warrior, and a better Matriarch for the 12th. Then I will have truly dishonored the memory of my fallen family, and I will never let that happen." Furiosa responded
With Furiosa in the months that have followed since the removal of her nails, and the return of her sanity, as well as the ability to articulate and express all of her emotions; that one prevailing thought remained. That being the guilt of how she had in her rage and the twisted hatred born from the Nails; had tainted and dishonored the memory of her fallen comrades by acting so cruelly and foul to the World Eaters, how she had done what she had promised she would never do to another in forcing the Nails upon another.
For that…For that, Furiosa knew that she not only needed to be better for her Legion by setting a better example as a leader, and showing them the kindness and love they should have been shown from the start. She also knew that she needed to atone for the abuse and cruelties they have suffered under her leadership, with her knowing that those she fought with when rebelling against the High-riders, and cared for in her gladiator days would be disgusted by her actions, and she would not let that stand no matter what it would take.
"What will you do once you have honored their memory? What more will be left for you?" The Night Haunter questioned
"I do not know, but to be completely honest. I do not think I will ever completely honor their memory. There is far too much to do, and far too much to make up for, before I can fully honor their memory and know that I have made them proud." Furiosa answered back in seeing it as her forever atonement and duty to be as best she could for her Legion so as to forever honor the memory of the fallen
"That is fair, I suppose…It seems as though we both have a planet's worth of work to do, to improve our Legions." Konstance Kurze said as she put her head onto Furiosa's broad shoulders
"I know we do, but it will be all the worth it soon enough. Before you know it, our Legions will be seen the Imperium over as heroes…All that is needed is for us to keep moving forward no matter what. That is why, no matter the obstacle, no matter the struggle, or how immeasurable things may become. That I will stand by you as not only a fellow Matriarch, but as your sister, we are family by blood and suffering…And as long as I draw breath, I will never let you fall if I am able to help it." Furiosa promised to the pale and scar-faced Matriarch who struggled not to shed tears from her words
"Thank you, Furiosa. That means more to me than what you know." Were the only words the Matriarch could say to her sister as she almost curled up into her sister's side
"You are welcome, and I will always be here for you when you need it…Now then, why don't we talk about what changes we are going to make to your home. There is a lot of work to be done, Konstance. Yet we can do great things together between the two of us, we just need to put our all into doing so." Furiosa said back with a modest smile that contained all the warmth and comfort a elder sibling could give to assure their younger one
"Right…I have a few ideas that will help restructure my home for the better. It will take time, but if all goes accordingly. Then I can finally bring Nostramo into the age of order it deserves." Konstance Kurze said with a small but hopeful smile of her own
"Then let us get to it." Furiosa replied as Konstance nodded and the two began to further plan how they would bring order and law back to Nostramo
And so as Operation Hell Scorpion continues in bringing down unbridled annihilation towards the Orks, as the forces of the Raven Guard and our resident Ultimatrix wielder; begin to bring their campaign on the Imperial World of Zenthon to a close. We also see a heart to heart between Konstance and Furiosa as they head to Nostramo in order to bring about a violent reformation, and in doing so bring the 8th Legion one step close to the elimination of the rot that pervades it. As such how will things move forward for both the 19th Legion and Ben, as well as Furiosa and Konstance on their voyage to Nostramo? Well stay tuned and see in the all new chapters of, Ultimate Alien: Primarch Force!
Alright, that'll do it for this one as I hope that you guys have enjoyed this latest outting in the story so far. Since there's a good chunk more that I've got planned for the future to come, and I can't wait to share it with all of you guys. Furthermore, thank you guys for supporting the story up till now, as it is always greatly appreciated, since I cannot express it enough my gratitude to all of you for doing so
So with all that being said, this is Pravus666 signing off until next time. Wherein the next chapter should be the last part in Ben and the Raven Guard against the Orks, so stay tuned for all of that good stuff to come.
Part 1 Theme Song: Black out the Sun by Sevendust
Random End Song: Darker Days by Mushroomhead
Now then onto some of the reviews from the previous Chapter.
Skull Flame: Glad you liked Ben being a troll with XLR8 and Upgrade, as I couldn't help but do this given that he's just that much of a gremlin even as an adult. Also, the Raven Guard getting inspiration from Looney Toons for future traps is something I plan on doing in the future...since there is so much mileage for them to use regarding that. Lastly, Ben's making his own WAAAGGGHHH against the Drukhari is gonna be the funniest thing ever, since the moment Ben gets proper practice with his Krork form, then you better believe that Warboss TenKrumpa is gonna lead the biggest Ork WAAAGGGHHH to ever do it against the Drukhari all out of pure spite no less.
Kharabella: Glad you thought the chapter was that epic, good sir, since it was a lot to get done. And I wanted to really show that even when Ben is just being himself; that he can still rock it without the aliens and the Ultimates to turn into; especially since like Grandpa Max, this version of Ben has got that Tennyson strength in him and as such can handle himself pretty well if he wants to. Plus, I'm happy that you liked Ben's thought process on the Great Crusade, since I wanted to color it as him not only seeing it as a neccessary evil, but as what he assumes will be Phase 1 of things, given that he knows that the Imperium has BARELY scratched the surface of what's out there in the galaxy. Furthermore, it isn't that Ben is getting more ruthless; its just that his mindset never fully reset from being what it was when he was in the final war against Vilgax, so as far as he's concerned its right back to combining his Hero mentality with the most vicious parts of what he was when he had his final war against Vilgax. Finally Ben is 35 going on 36 at this point, since he's in roughly his mid 30's at this point of the story, so while he isn't middle-aged he's still a bit out there, also here are the birthdates for him, Kevin, and Gwen.
Ben: Born May 10th; 1990
Gwen: Born: October 20th 1990
Kevin: Born July 18th 1989
GNY-002-Gundam Sadalsuud: Fair point on that regard with the Ork weaknesses and that is why I went back and fixed it to highlight that...Ben is getting into the whole grimdark violence of things a little too easily instead.
smallszay: I'm happy you enjoyed this Chapter, since I wanted the rescue scene to show one key thing about Ben as he is now. That being that he doesn't need the Ultimatrix to do what he does, as he can still perfectly get the job done and stage rescue missions as just himself. Especially since the one main thing he inheirited from Grandpa Max was the good ol' Tennyson strength in addition to the training he's undertaken. As such there is a strong chance that Ben can legitmately be able to box with Drukhari Succubi and Craftworld Aspect Warriors thanks to how cracked his having Tennyson strength is, so keep that in mind for the future.
Pyromania: I'll work on those flaws more often and as for a Beta Reader, I'm gonna get that going when I get the chance. Its just that for now I'm also working on 2 future arcs for the story on top of that; that are demanding a great deal of my attention. Furthermore, I am shoring up how things go with Ben in addressing the Marines on a more professional level; its just a considerable amount to get through all things considered with 18 Legions and all of the Specialist Formations and Ranks they have.