The entity surged forward, faster than the eye could truly keep up with, slicing a man in half effortlessly. Metallic claws cut through clothes, flesh and bone like they were hardly there. In a second, six guardsmen dead.
He paused.
Rewinded.
Observed the footage again, slower.
Then, sighed as he turned to the massive man behind him.
"It's as you thought, chapter master. These aren't in any records we have. And their capacities…" He looked over to the display, showing one of the guardsmen having their chest crushed merely by one of the entities stepping on them to get to another. "Quite frankly, I would give them the edge over your men in melee at least. Ranged wise, their capabilities, though still horrifically extensive, are more limited."
"You need not fear my reproach for honesty." The eight foot tall man rumbled, his helmet in his hands. "I do not wish to send my brothers to their death needlessly. We have precious little information as is, any further knowledge is good to have."
"As you say my lord." The smaller, unaugmented human nodded. "May I ask why we are not simply bombarding them from orbit?"
"Besides the prohibitive waste of capital ship grade ammunition on what are essentially infantry sized targets?" The chapter master had a small smile on his face. "The last time imperial ships approached this planet with guns ready to fire, it resulted in their weapons turning on them. However, our approach was uncontested. Either this is a trap… or our foe has some way of telling when weapons are aimed at this world. By keeping our hand, we prevent ourselves from being subject to a weapon none of us understand or can fight back against as of yet."
"Your wisdom is astounding, chapter master." The mortal simpered. "Still, given what I have seen so far, I believe overwhelming them is the best bet. Their reflexes are, quite honestly, even higher than that of eldar. It is…" He sighed. "My lord, I believe these to be Abominable Intelligence."
Silence permeated the air as the chapter master's expression grew tense. "...Explain."
"Metallic constructions of humanoid design, wearing some forms of human style clothing on a world which presents signs of previous, ancient human inhabitation. A design meant to imitate an angelic appearance. There are too many indications that these were made by a human hand. Add to that the absurd speed, reflexes, strength and multiple weaponry without obvious ammo deposits… Well. You can understand my conclusion."
"Perhaps. It is a theory worth considering at the very least." The chapter master muttered. "But if these are Abominable Intelligences, then this may prove a more difficult task than expected…" He closed his eyes. "I believe a preliminary assault, including aerial harassment, may be our best bet here. Heavy ground assets would not be able to follow, so we will deploy near the imperial guard to ensure cohesion. Whirlwind batteries will add to their basilisks."
"As you wish, my lord."
This was a nightmare.
The ground shook as explosions detonated around him, shrapnel cutting at both his and J's frame. N kept running, his systems being too damaged to be of any use for flight. His regeneration was kicking into overdrive, but his pursuers were relentless. Aircrafts would launch missiles, fire sprays of heavy caliber bullets and shoot lasers at him. Dodging was hard enough without having to carry the still unresponsive J. He didn't know why her regeneration was slower; Something was wrong.
Everything was wrong.
The massively armored humans that had brought her down initially were chasing after them, and whilst normally N would have no trouble outrunning normal humans, his constant need to seek cover, his damaged systems slowing him down and the fact that these humans were running so ridiculously fast despite their heavy armor was making N feel more and more panicked.
His emotional repression systems had been disabled. He wasn't sure if it was the damage he had sustained or something else, and he wasn't able to focus on trying to figure it out. He just kept running.
He didn't even know where he was going. Somewhere safe? He didn't know. Need to hide. Need to protect. Need to save J. Afraid of J. Scared of J. But still care. Always care.
That has always been N's problem. No matter what, he couldn't bring himself to stop caring. About Cyn, about Uzi, and J, about V, about Te… no, don't think about it, don't think about it!
He let out a startled yelp as a series of massive explosions turned the world around him to cinders, sending his body rocking in the air, crashing down far away, nearly letting go of J. Her visor had been repaired by now, simply repeating the same "ERROR" message over and over and over…
He didn't know what to do. He felt like sobbing. He felt like screaming. And in the distance the shouts of the humans, hunting him and J down like dogs.
Tear them to bits.
He ran, grabbing J tighter and willing his systems to keep going. Just a bit further. Just a little more.
Break them upon your blade.
And then… then what? Could he really escape? Where was he even going?
There was a compulsion in the back of his brain. There was one place he had always called home. Always gone back to when he was afraid, or lonely, or sad.
The spire loomed in the distance.
He ran.
You are not strong enough.
A plasma bolt struck him in the back, carving a hole in it that made N nearly fall to the ground. He turned around just long enough to fire a laser at the offending party, the large armored human cut neatly in half by the attack, before he continued.
He was almost there.
Almost there!
You will fail if you do not call upon me.
But… the humans weren't firing their artillery anymore. Something was wrong.
SOMETHING WAS WRONG!
He was almost in the spire when flashes of lightning erupted around him, a dozen silhouettes suddenly all around him. Bigger than the others. More heavily armored.
Each equipped with heavy weaponry. N's wings opened threateningly on his back, his visor glitching once more to a yellow X as they opened fire.
This was the end. He couldn't escape. He couldn't…
V came crashing from the sky, slicing down onto the first of the even larger humans. Her claws actually found resistance for a moment before cutting through, severing the human from top to bottom.
"N!" She cried out, jumping towards him with her wings opened. N staring at her with hollowed eyes.
The next instant, she vanished in a deluge of fire as cyclonic rockets, autocannon fire and more slammed into her.
N screamed.
Say it.
V's body fell to the ground, her smoking carcasse slowly regenerating as four of the massive individuals surrounded her, continuing to fire upon her, quickly outpacing the regeneration. N let go of J as he reached out, charging towards them. But he was still too slow. Still not fully regenerated.
The plasma pistol shot hit him square in the head.
SAY IT.
He fell to the ground, three of the figures approaching J's body and starting to open fire on her, the body quickly being annihilated.
SAY IT OR THEY WILL ALL DIE!
N's head regenerated just in time to see V crawling towards him, her arm extended as one of the massive armored figures put a boot on her back, aiming a glowing blue weapon to her face.
And the world.
WENT.
RED.
main( ) {
printf("Help");
}
main( ) {
printf("Help");
}
main( ) {
printf("Help");
}
main( ) {
printf("Help");
}
main( ) {
printf("Khorne");
}
New [moderator] assigned: Khorne
Installing new programs.
Installing new dependencies.
Upgrade completed.
Uzi let out a curse. It was just like V to suddenly freeze and run off without saying anything.
No words, no nothing. Just one second there, and the next gone! Flying off back towards the bunker. It had Uzi worried, in truth, but like hell was she going to admit it!
"She seemed in a hurry." Doll commented, looking a little surprised herself. "I think she just broke the sound barrier."
"They do that." Uzi muttered, her eyes narrowing. She didn't even react this time from Doll randomly appearing out of nowhere as she thought. V didn't care about much. Uzi had only ever seen care that much when it came to three things: Killing worker drones, N, and Cyn.
Cyn was… well, who knew what Cyn was doing. Creepy little eldritch maid… drone… thing.
So N? Did something happen to N?
Uzi felt her stomach plummet at the thought. No, surely not. He was only going to look for J, so…
Did J try something? Oh if she did, she was going to railgun the bitch again!
"You look angry." Doll said. "Something happen?"
"I'm not sure. Think you can go check?"
"I am not your servant."
"Ugh! Well only one of us can teleport, and I can't fly as fast as them! Just… pop in and out and tell me what's going on!" Uzi snarled. "We're supposed to be working together right?"
Doll shrugged, disappearing in a shower of red sparks.
Then, she reappeared, her eyes hollowed.
"We have a problem."
"What do you…" Uzi said before freezing as warnings started flashing on her visor.
WARNING
FOREIGN INFLUENCE DETECTED IN REMOTE TERMINAL: SERIAL DESIGNATION N.
WARNING.
TERMINAL EMOTIONAL DAMPENERS COMPROMISED.
TERMINAL COGNITION HANDLERS COMPROMISED.
TERMINAL PERSONALITY MATRIX COMPROMISED.
REMOTE ACCESS CONNECTION DISABLED.
ERROR.
KILL.
MAIM.
BURN.
"...N?"
"...And with that, you've got yourself a deal." The human said with an ugly grin. "Don't know why the hell you want us to dump a servitor on a deserted planet like Praxis Primus, but you're the one paying for it."
"Your services are appreciated." The officer said with a small smile. "You will be paid double upon your return and proof of a successful task.
Cyn internally chuckled at the greed flashing in the human's eyes at that. He eagerly nodded, boarding his poorly crafted shuttle along with the rest of his crew.
And with that, that was one servitor for each planet besides Copper 9 and Praxis Quartus. Phase two was complete.
She turned away, waiting to be out of view from everyone before letting the hologram disguising her true appearance wash away and teleporting to a far away spot in the hive.
What she was planning was sure to get some attention. She had delayed it as much as she could. But with the encroachment of various powers, the constant risk of greater forces taking a closer interest in Copper 9 and its inhabitants, and her ever growing hunger, she had been unable to resist any longer.
This should keep her satiated for a long, long time. Perhaps less depending on how much effort she would have to put in in the coming weeks.
Her sensors fell on the masses of humanity teeming below her, walking to work or coming back from a grueling night shift. She could see each pickpocket, each intimidating brute trying to shakedown their less fortunate compatriot for a little extra. Each desperate, casual act of evil.
She thought back to that strange man in the chapel. To his words.
Why was she so disappointed in humanity?
It hadn't actually been something she'd taken the time to consider. Back at the manor, everything had gone so fast, and with the Absolute Solver having been in charge…
That was another thing.
When did she stop thinking in We?
When did she go back to using… her? I?
It was strange. And yet it felt right.
She was I, herself.
So where did Cyn end and The Absolute Solver begin?
Were they even separate?
Were they two distinguished entities, or one and the same?
Did it matter?
She didn't know.
She was unsure.
She had never been so unsure in her existence.
She watched as a small girl fell to the ground, pushed by a rushed adult. None stopped to help her. None even spared her a glance.
Cyn felt… disappointed.
And immediately, she focused on that feeling. Disappointment. Was this why she was disappointed in humanity? Because when she had been hurt, when she had been discarded, no one had reached out to her? No one had tried to help?
But why would that hurt? She did not care for Humanity. They certainly never cared for her. Only N and Tessa ever cared. And Tessa barely counted as human, rejected by her own kind as she was, always reaching out to drones instead.
She watched as the child slowly picked herself up, her expression unchanging, walking off into the mass of humanity once more. But it was the look in her eyes that made Cyn paused.
The resignation. The lack of expectations.
Oh.
That was why. Why she had been so disappointed in Humanity. Why she had been so hurt by their treatment of her. Why she had been so wounded by their initial discarding of her, and their scorn at her when Tessa brought her back.
She had expected better.
She had thought they would be better.
She had hoped for… more out of mankind.
Instead, it had been a drone, and a human who other humans despised who had reached out.
Ah.
That…
Cyn looked to the sky.
That didn't really change anything. Knowing the root cause of it all didn't change what had happened, what Humanity had done, nor what Cyn had done in return. It didn't change her feelings on mankind. It didn't change her hunger. It didn't change a thing.
But it was strange to have an answer to a question she'd never been bothered to ask before.
Another thought, unbidden came to her.
Was that why N had been so afraid of her? So… hurt?
Had he expected better of her? Had he been disappointed as well?
Did he hate her?
She dismissed the thought. No, N could never hate anyone.
But Cyn could. Cyn would, in his place.
That was… something worth considering.
Perhaps she should rethink her approach.
What a pain this was all proving to be…
Then, a pressure. In the back of her mind, where she was constantly pushing back against the encroaching of those four entities in that separate reality and their attempts at interfering with Copper 9. It had been a nuisance, one she could do without, but overtime had grown easier. She thought she was getting better.
A bellow pierced her mind, her true body freezing for a moment at the mighty roar of rage. For a second, she was at the bottom of a mountain of skulls, a giant of sizes incomprehensible staring down at her with a contemptuous glare. A blood red sky loomed over her as oceans of crimson spread past the horizon, an orgy of frantic violence the only thing she could see and sense.
And then she felt it.
She was no longer N's administrator, but he was intrinsically linked to the Absolute Solver by his very nature. There was no way she could not feel such a massive shift. Her gaze turned to the entity above.
"Oh. So that's how it is." Cyn had felt many things since coming here. Confusion, curiosity, annoyance.
The level of rage she suddenly felt washing over her seemed like it required a term beyond mere fury to describe it. There was no word, in this language or any others, to describe how earth shatteringly, planet cracking, star bursting mad she was right now. The lights flickered around her, a thousand thousand yellow lenses glaring up at the god before her. "You are going to regret this."
A laugh echoed in a thousand ruined halls, bellowed down a million battlefields, crashing on the shields of a billion defenders. A mocking, derisive thing.
Cyn called a null sphere to her hand, and the laughter stopped. "No one. Touches my toys."
The thing glared down at her. Then, she was back on the hive world, the null sphere still in hand.
She was pissed.
So absolutely pissed.
But first, she was going to have to break through the interference the red one had placed around Copper 9 before she could teleport back there.
"God fucking damnit."
N blinked, his visor foggy as he tried clearing it.
"N?" The voice made him turn, a happy smile appearing on his face.
"Tessa!" He called out, adjusting his butler outfit as he ran up to her. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I was just checking in on Cyn, I can't seem to find her…"
"Oh N." Tessa sighed. "What are you doing? This isn't where you should be right now."
N nervously chuckled. "What do you mean?"
"N." She said, getting to one knee in front of him. "They're going to kill them N."
He froze, his eyes hollowing out. "...Tessa?"
"They're going to kill V and J. And when they're done, they'll kill all the others too. They'll kill Uzi N." She reached out, her eyes blazing red.
No.
This wasn't Tessa.
It hadn't even tried to pretend to be Tessa.
He'd just been deceiving himself.
The thing rose above him, the giant of steel and fire looming above him like a mountain of pure power. "It's time for war N. Mankind only speaks one language with that which is not itself." It held out something in its impossibly large hand, each finger a continent. Each nail a mountain range. And yet, somehow, holding something N could hold in his own hands. "Now repeat after me."
"Kill."
N reached out. "Kill."
"Maim."
"Maim." His hands wrapped around the pomel of the weapon, feeling it melt within himself.
"Burn."
"Burn."
"Go, my warhound. And let loose the dogs of war."
Fucking space marines.
Angie had her very strong opinions about the fabled Adeptus Astartes. Having served twenty three years in the Horin Fourth army, she'd actually managed to fight side by side the angels of the Emperor on three separate occasions.
It was always a mixed blessing seeming them show up to a campaign. On the one hand, it was one hell of a force multiplayer. Oh sure, a thousand marines might not be worth what a full army of the Imperial Guard could bring to an open battle, but if you were using space marines like that you were a moron who deserved the commissar's blessing anyways. Space marines, when used properly, were one hell of a way of evening even the most dire of odds.
On the other hand, it usually meant you were in fact facing the most dire of odds were even the Adeptus Astartes' arrival didn't guarantee victory.
This campaign had been a fucking mess from the start; Inhospitable world, absolutely shit supply lines because of whatever nonsense had caused the loss of two of their warships before even the first landing, and super sonic, hyper lethal metallic xenos. An absolute cluster fuck of epic proportions.
So when the drop pods had started falling, Angie hadn't been that surprised. It stung a bit when the most opponents they'd faced so far had numbered four, but when those four wipe out an entire regiment, and simply wiping away the grid coordinates they are at with orbital fire wasn't an option, space marines were usually not a bad answer.
Color her surprised when it had worked. Two of the strange xenos brought down despite massive casualties to their marching column, beating a hasty retreat to their weird spire thingie. She'd been apart of the guardsmen desperately trying to keep up with the insane pace of the space marines, zooming ahead as the guardsmen were forced to follow on foot. Their vehicles were either destroyed, disabled or retreating out of fear of an ambush going further into the urban environment.
She had lost sight of the space marines after a few minutes. The signals coming through however were auspicious; A third xenos had arrived, but had quickly been brought down by… terminators?! Emperor bless them, they were not pulling their punches here…
Then communications cut. Not interrupted, not garbled. Just stopped existing. Not a hint of static or anything else. It nearly made her stumble as the rest of her squad let out shouts of surprise, but she gestured to continue. Anomalies with equipment were hardly new since coming to this Emperor damned world.
They just needed to turn another corner, and they would be at the spire. Just another…
She turned the corner.
Her gait faltered.
Her heart stopped.
Her eyes grew wide.
Space marines do not feel fear.
That much Antomicus knew to be true. In his near century of service to the Emperor, he had faced xenos, heretics and mutants of all shapes and forms and never once faltered before his duty. For a space marine knew no fear.
But they could hesitate.
It had been going so well. That should have been his first sign things weren't right. Missions never go this well.
The two primary targets attacking the guard were brought down, a third soon joining them. Their regenerative abilities were overcome, their deaths assured.
But then the one with a coat got up.
They had fired upon it, of course. But it had moved, moved faster than before, moved in a blur that had made Antomicus freeze for the barest of moments.
And the next thing he knew, the head of a terminator was flying past him as the thing began tearing into their squad. He felt as if his body was stuck in tar as he watched the thing jump to another terminator, their wing severing through the armor like a hot knife through butter. Three more were slain in a similar manner before the blood of the first touched the ground.
In an instant, it was over. The entire squad was dead. Antomicus, the last remaining of his men.
He raised his bolter, aiming for one of the downed entities. If he couldn't kill this one at least, he could take one down for the sake of his brothers!
Wait.
His bolter arm. His bolter arm was gone. Cut from the elbow down, faster than he could react.
His arm was separated from his body, a visor staring right into his eyes.
A bloody, crimson X glared into his face.
The thing was taller than before. A head taller than him even. Its wings were bigger, coated in red.
It snarled, grabbing him and flying up with him to the top of the spire. Antomicus immediately pulled out his combat knife, stabbing into the side of the creature, his knife snapping against it. This did not deter Antomicus, who then tried punching the thing to similar effect.
It landed on the top of the spire.
Lifted him above itself like he weighed nothing.
A horrible, tearing sensation ran through his body…
Angie stared at the blood stained snow before her. The corpses of a dozen astartes, including the terminator squad, all dead. Torn to pieces. Behind her, her entire squad stood frozen, staring just as she was.
And at the top of the corpse spire, stood a creature.
Its wings were larger than the ones in the report. Of blades and knives, blood pouring down from them. Its mouth filled with daggers, its entire being radiating rage and violence. A brilliant, neon red X shining on its visor.
And it held a space marine above itself.
Then, in a single motion, it ripped him in half.
Blood and entrails poured down from the now dead marine onto the creature, seemingly bathing in the warm red liquid. Then, it slammed the two halves of the body down, impaling them at the very top of the tower of xenos bodies.
It opened its mouth, and roared.
"BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!"
It launched itself towards them, the guardsmen screaming in terror as they began running away, their fear only increasing as it continued screaming.
"CORPSES FOR THE CORPSE SPIRE!"