Walking into the Mirror.
As I laid on the beach, I couldn't help but to praise my luck.
The last campaign against the Greenskins had been short, and with negligible casualties. So with that the regiment got a rare respite from our constant duties as the sector's janitors.
It was at that point I should have run away. Perhaps screaming into the nearby hills.
Nothing could have prepared me for my next assignment.
"Commissar!" The cheerful voice of that maniac Sulla greeted me as I entered our forward observation post.
"At ease sergeant, this isn't the parade grounds." The lunatic took my admonishment with good humour, even cracking a bashful smile. "Now, what's the situation? Anything exciting happening here?" By the God-Emperor please say no.
"No Sir Commissar!" That was… Surprising. But not unwelcome news. "In fact, we're about to report the-." Whatever she was about to say was interrupted by a warp-portal opening just behind her.
Reacting on instincts I grabbed her roughly before throwing her to the side. Before I could do anything, else pink tentacles burst through and attached themselves to me.
My vision went black before I had even reached the portal proper.
_
Coming back to awareness I could hear the sound of battle. From what I could hear the Emperors servants were fighting the treacherous followers of the Ruinous Powers. Opening my eyes, I orientated myself before finding an escape route.
However, my thoughts were interrupted when I saw what, or more precisely who, laid in front of me. Bruised, tattered and out cold was a woman I could always recognize. Amberly had been captured by the foul heretics!
An unusual fury overwrote my baser instincts. I had to get Amberly to safety! Her retinue was different than last we spoke, but I doubted I knew them all. Quickly scrambling down, I tried to project an air of diplomacy and calm.
"Greetings, foul traitors." I began, for some unknown reason the majority of the combatants outright stopped fighting at they sound of my voice. "I am Commissar Cain. You may have heard of me, or you may not have. I do not care. Let me leave in peace with these loyal servants of our most Holy sovereign and I may deign to spare your lives. If not, I hope that you will be ready to meet your demented gods."
Though I maintained an outwards appearance of calm I was in actuality terrified. I fully expected to sacrifice the rest of Amberly's retinue when the fighting stopped completely. To my astoundment some of the traitors began visibly crying.
The lull of battle allowed me to pick up the unconscious Amberly even as I prepared for a mad dash away. Before I could make my mistake a hauntingly familiar voice broke the, relative, silence.
"That will not be necessary, faithful Commissar. Though I do resent your remarks on my focus of worship." Stalking forward, like a fenrisian wolf, came a man that terrified me. I should have stopped him; I should have fled. Instead, I stood there petrified.
"The object of my worship is the farthest there is from demented." Speaking softly, almost gentle. Was a twisted reflection of myself.
He looked at me, almost approvingly and continued. "You carry a criminal murderer and terrorist Mr. Commissar. Would you kindly hand her over. Her trial is tonight." Though his voice was soft they carried a crazed fervour behind them. "You are of course invited to… supervise. If you should wish."
Even as Amberly's retinue sat transfixed upon the sight of us, I could even see some of them making the Aquilla, the heretical gathering had relocated to better positions. I felt something familiar behind me. The warp-rift! If I could stall this. This. This creature, then I could return home and forget ever meeting this man.
"I am truly sorry, Archfiend. But in my hands lies an inquisitor of the God-Emperors holy inquisition! No congregation, neither pure nor corrupted, may judge them. As a loyal and truthful servant of the Golden Throne it is my duty to deny you! Know that before Him on Earth you are but a speck of dust. And that today I am his messenger! Come, heretic of the grandest design. Strike me down, and I shall become more powerful than your feeble brain could ever imagine."
At the end of my speech the rest of the heretics were sobbing heavily. Perhaps I had reminded them of their duty? The other Cain was furious. I could see the veins in his head nearly bursting. With a roar he drew his sword and charged forward, but it was already too late. Stepping backwards I felt the writhing tentacles pulling me back.
The last thing I heard was my doppelgänger crying in frustration.