Vaz Kor was rumbling while on guard duty in full carapace armor. He absolutely understood why he was he was buried under two metres of trash guarding the Ceryllians tunnels. They needed to be constantly watched, because they were the quickest paths for rival clans to launch a raid on the city or an Upper Hivers mutant hunt. That's why he brought a squad of his best soldiers and hid those under two metres of trash. Only their Infrared Goggles were emerging from this smelly cover to detect incoming contacts.

His little Birri Truffle was right. They really couldn't rely on drunk gangers to keep watch when the whole community was gathered in one building. Still, this is so frustrating for Vaz Kor to miss the play. He saw her plans every little detail of this play for months. From the costumes to the lighting. He helped the best he could. Lending his men and time whenever he could. He never fully understood all that art stuff, but she looked so happy every time she told him about a revision she did to the script or how she managed to make a new costume. It made Vaz Kor smile so much. He used to hide how happy she made him. It was scary at first, but now he just embraced it. What an incredible woman. He can't believe he lived a hundred years without her. Seems like another life. If he could even call it that. It was really a dream.

A bloody dream. Blood, smoke, cries, comrades dying, shots ringing out all the time until the last enemy was slain. Then he'd go back to a ship, where people who called themselves, his brothers would say he did well and then they'd all just wait. Wait for the next time they can be in this bloody dream. What a stupid waste of time.

Vaz Kor really wishes he could see her now. He knows she will be fine, but he can't stop worrying. What if his little pudding faint or throws up in front of the crowd? He knows it's still hard for her in front of an audience. Too many bad memories from her past. Maybe the imperial pancakes were a bad idea. He should have gotten something more nutritious and less heavy for his adorable Hug Angel sensitive stomach. At the same time, she worked so hard. His Cuteness Cup deserved a treat.

Especially with those dreams of hers. It reminds him of one of those campaigns he fought a long time ago on Feriliax. It started with his psychic brothers having constant nightmares, then they changed; they were more aggressive, reckless and abrasive. At the end he had to put them down. He really hopes this is not what's happening to her. He tried to talk about it with her, but she refused to say what she was dreaming about. She never hid things like that before. It just worries him to no end. His thoughts were interrupted by a voice coming from his comm-link.

-Boss, five contacts, third tunnel on the right. says Perlio, Vaz Kor right hand.

-Copy. answered Vaz Kor.

Vaz Kor looks into Mervillia's tunnel direction slowly and he does see five distorted shapes emerging from the dark tunnel. As they got closer, his infrared goggles adjusted to the ambient light and Vaz Kor saw clearly what was coming towards him. Three guards in full gear. One with a grenade launcher, another with a Mark IV Lasgun and the last one with a Meltagun. They came packing. They were followed by two civilians. One looks like a scribe and the other almost looks like… Ferlum Xandor. Seems like he didn't take Faz Kor seriously when he told him he'd kill him if he came back. Perlio was right. He really should have killed him last time instead of just ripping out his left arm with his bare hands. At least this mistake can be corrected quickly.

-Pick a target. Fire at two hundred. says Vaz Kor via the Comms.

-Roger. answered each member of his squad.

Every of his men tagged their target of choice and were waiting to open fire. The group of imperials was now at 600 metres, 500 metres, 400 metres. Vaz Kor put his finger calmly on the trigger of his modified Mk-7 combat Lasgun. Back in the day it felt like a small toy compared to his Boltgun, but he got used to it. It's accurate, quick, easy to maintain and deadly. Three hundred metres, 280, 260. Suddenly they stopped moving forward and Vaz-Kor heard a very familiar voice in his Comm.

-Vaz-Kor! How are you doing, my old friend? I know you are here. Seems like you still didn't upgrade your comms security. I know it's hard to find quality gear down here, but I thought you'd put more effort into it after last time.

Vaz-Kor didn't answer; instead, he took a deep breath holding all the air in his three lungs and aimed carefully at the exposed neck of Ferlum.

-Still the silent type I see. Look, you know me. I wouldn't come out in the open if I wanted a fight. I prefer when my victim doesn't know I'm coming for them. I brought some Upper Hivers friends. They are on an official mission for their Excellency the Governor. They paid me really well for this. So, I'd appreciate it if you'd let the scribes talk to you before you start shooting.

Every instinct in Vaz Kor told him to fire, but he knew killing Upper Hivers was rarely a good idea if they came on an official mission. Just meant more would come later to pick up the corpses. If it was a mutant-hunting party, that was part of the risk accepted by all. However, when scribes were involved that always meant trouble. He reluctantly responded.

-Drop your weapons and walk away from them.

-Ah! You speak! Sure thing. Right away.

Fulmar talked to the imperials who dropped their weapons and reluctantly walked away from them.

-Squad hold your fire unless I give the order. Do not respond. They've gotten into our comms.

Vaz Kor got up. A sea of trash parted ways as he lifted his two metres tall body above the refuse. His Lasgun aimed at Fulmar.

-Vaz Kor! How nice…

-On your knees! Hands behind your head!

-Ok, ok. Everyone does what he says. Don't worry, he doesn't kill prisoners.

The Guards reluctantly complied. The scribe stood still, visibly terrified. She was holding up a small nano blade toward Vaz Kor.

-What are you doing Daniella! yelled one of the guardsmen who looked much older than the others.

-Drop your weapon! yelled Vaz Kor to the scribe, taking aim with his Lasgun.

The scribe named Daniella stayed upright, holding on her nano blade with determination.

Vaz Kor saw fear in her eyes. The same fear he saw in Seraphael when she was waking up from her nightmares. He lowered his Lasgun and lifted his infrared goggles to reveal his scarred face.

-Madam, please put this blade down. I'm sorry if my appearance scares you, but I really do not intend on hurting you or your companion. I do this to protect my own. You understand? Please put this blade down.

Daniella's hold on her blade seemed to weaken. Her knees started shaking. Some tears appeared on her face.

-You promise? asked Daniella.

Vaz Kor got his own blade out and cut part of his forearm. A bit of blood started dripping on the floor.

-On my blood I will not harm you or anyone as long as they respect our laws. said Vaz Kor.

Daniella's knees finally gave out and fell down. Dropping her nano blade.

-Still a big softy I see. said mockingly Ferlum.

-Shut up or I'll pull your tongue out with my own hands.

Ferlum swallowed his words and dutifully shut up.

Vaz Kor used this occasion to signify to his squad to get out of hiding. It took them a bit of time to arrive, but they all formed a line. Standing on guard.

-Your orders, boss? asked Perlio.

-Seize their weapons and tie them up. Except for the scribe. She is a guest. Give her some water and help her up.

-Even him? said Perlio while pointing at Ferlum.

-I swore on my blood that no harm would come to any of them. So as long as he behaves, you can put him in the box.

Perlio gave Vaz Kor a short-frustrated look.

-As you wish, Boss. Come on you Groxes! You heard him! Move!

The squad immediately spread out. Seizing weapons, tying up prisoners and taking anything that may be of value.

-Already breaking your blood, I see. said the older imperial guard.

-I swore to keep you out of harm. Not from being looted. replied Vaz Kor.

-Oh, you're a clever one!

-What's your name?

-Stabb Homez.

-No rank! Guards remember their rank better than their children's names.

-I retired.

-Doesn't seem like it.

-I filled out my 405. Seems like you did too. What Chapter?

-You wouldn't know.

-Try me.

- [Insufficient clearance. Access denied]

-You're kidding.

-What do you think?

-Throne.

-Sorry to interrupt this conversation, but would any of you have something to eat? I always need something to eat after I panic. said Daniella who seemed to have partly recovered.

Vaz Kor gave her one of his fungi-based bars.

Daniella devoured it immediately and seemed to be feeling much better.

-Thank you very much. I've never eaten food paste like this before. Where did you get it?

-It's not food paste. It's a mix of local fungi with dried grox meat. Pretty decent as a ration.

-What do you mean local? Do you have a special galactic provider?

-No, we grow it here. Why do you care?

-Oh … hmmm... I've always been fascinated by plants and food. You could say it's my passion. Can you tell me where you grow this fungus? What type of soil do you use? Do you have different varieties based on the season? How do you feed your Grox?

Vaz Kor suddenly saw Daniella in a new light. Was all that knife thing really sincere? Did she manipulate a dumb warrior into swearing on his blood to protect her? Why did her attitude change so suddenly after discovering ordinary edible fungi?

Why were her eyes filled with hunger?