Roger shows off his skills with the blade while attempting to capture a heretic priest, but is ambushed while in pursuit. Meanwhile, Xena, a member of the Sisters Famulous in the Governors Palace on Haikk One, finds herself targeted in the one place she believed was safe...
In retrospect, Roger should have been less confrontational. After all, walking into a cathedral with nothing but his sword and armor was hardly the best idea, playing along and getting the traitor alone and defenseless was the smart thing to do. But there was a need for theatrics and a good fight in his mind, and he quickly received it. Three of the guards charged forward to meet him, their fine armor and muscle grafts making them more difficult targets than the PDF and Militarum rejects the rebels of Haikk normally used. Of course, their armor and muscles meant little when the blade of Wraithbone cut through one of them like butter. He had perfectly swung a clean, vertical slice a few inches below the collar bone, the other two pausing in confusion as they watched their comrades' head and shoulders fall off his body in a horrifying display of gore and blood. They turned to Roger, in a defensive stance but not disturbed by the brutal kill.
"Warned you," he grunted.
Father Abel was still near the altar as he felt his left eye twitch in anger and disbelief.
"What are you mute bastards standing around him for? Kill him!"
The demand echoed through the cathedral, the twenty or so additional guards quickly obeying. The Eldari blade tore into another enemy's chest, ripping through his ornate armor. He would have screamed in pain if not for the fact his vocal cords were cut, the same as all his comrades.
"Kallen, now!" Roger bellowed into his helmet.
Three silhouettes hidden in the shadows rushed towards the Temple defenders, one of them falling as Shurikens tore into his body, the others turning to face these new hostiles. Engaged in a duel with a female judging by their more flexible fighting style, the knight could see a green armored figure behead one of them before leaping over another.
"You alright Roger?" Kallen asked with a twinge of sarcasm.
"Fine, but better now that you and your warriors are here."
The woman was armed with a chainsword, but the strength of Eldari materials and craftsmanship meant the teeth of the saw broke one by one. She pulled her blade back in confusion, no sooner inspecting her useless weapon before dropping it and grasping at the gash in her throat before bleeding to death.
"These humans are different," a feminine voice added.
Roger almost did not recognize Esild, being one of the new Avengers in the unit.
"They are an actual challenge," Anxo, the actor turned Striking Scorpion agreed.
"Yes, yes, the Eldar are brilliant warriors without peer and us lowly humans are-"
He paused, dodging a powersword by mere inches before lopping off the attackers hand as their weapon clattered onto the floor.
"Nothing but mere animals in your presence."
"Correct. Roger, your priest is attempting to flee."
"Damn!"
True to Kallens word, Abel was attempting to flee towards the end of the building.
"Get him," Esild said, pulling her own blade as an enemy closed the gap. "We can hold our own, even with their improvements."
"Got it!"
He felt a pull on his shoulder, turning to find another guard baffled that their blade did not break the Anglois power armor. Roger sneered under his helmet and instead of cutting the attacker down, he used his free hand to punch their throat. Despite all the muscle augmentation, a powered fist would still cause a fair amount of damage, the victim learning this before crumpling in shock and lack of breath.
"Busy, sorry about that."
Through the helmet lenses, he could see three small figures rush into a small room in the back and gritted his teeth. Powered armor and power armor were two quite different objects with different advantages and disadvantages. What he wore gave him a welcome addition in strength, observation, and defense. But it was slow, cumbersome, and could only protect so much, and that first failing was increasingly pressing as his target attempted to flee. But as he reached their last location, he was thankful for small mistakes made by humans in moments of great stress: an improperly closed door identified the escape path.
"Got you," he whispered before charging through and turning the once ornate wooden door to splinters.
"Father Abel, stop running, I won't harm you! Or at least I'll try not to."
No response came, instead finding himself in an empty, nondescript altar room. For a moment, he began to worry for his soul, defiling such a holy place with the blood of fellow humans. But they were literal heretics. Then again, he did invite Xenos into a church of the Emperor…
"Bugger," he hissed.
It looked like a dead end, but he knew better than to just give up. The priest and his bodyguards had escaped into here, and they had to go somewhere. He closed his eyes, made the sign of the Aquila, and began to tear the altar apart. A secret passage, an opening, something had to be here, or they would never have rushed into this room. The crash of wood and metal filled his ears through the helmet, a cacophony of unholy destruction, but it brought no results. He ran his hands along the walls, finding no answer there either. He slid his sword into its scabbard and paced around, trying to think what-
He stopped mid-step. Something was off. Instead of the sound of firm, solid stone, there was a hollow echo beneath his feet. He sighed and stepped away, pulling his sword out again and driving it into the offending part of the floor. It gave way instantly, revealing a staircase of marble. Bad luck that the Temples sanctum was found by a jumped-up feudal world peasant. Chipping away a few more times to make a large enough opening, he slowly moved down the steps, the way barely visible. His helmet had nothing close to night vision, making him cautious and hesitant. Was he walking into a trap? When he reached the landing, he turned his head constantly, watching every nook and corner that the guards would hide in. He had no worries about the heretic priest, but those guards of his… they looked nastier than the ones he had just faced, and they were nothing to sniff at. He quietly drew his sword again, realizing that it was dark, but not pitch black. The dancing flames of holy candles glowed on the walls, and even through his helmet he could smell incense.
"Into the belly of the beast," he said to himself.
This must have been one of the fabled Chantries, centers of the Temple Tendency that were hidden under houses, places of worship, or in the lower levels of traveling ships. At least, that was what he read in the reports. The reality may have been different, but judging by the gilded walls, ornate chandeliers, and the golden statues that led to an altar, he was not going to doubt it. He slowed as he looked at the statues, figuring out quickly that one of them looked different and across from an empty alcove. He grinned in amusement as he feigned ignorance and just as he came alongside, he drove his sword into the guards chest. A flow of red moved down the Xenos blade, two hands grasping at him as the man expired in silence.
"Best warriors my arse," he mumbled, pulling the blade and letting the corpse fall to the ground with a wet thud. "Now where's your pal?"
He looked up to see a figure in front of him, only a few feet away and holding a decorated shotgun aimed at his chest.
"Shite."
Last words tended to not be the finest or most well thought, and Rogers were no different. He was nearly deafened by a cannon-like roar as he felt like he was being punched in the ribs. The blast was so powerful he flew off his feet, his back crashing into a marble wall.
XXXXXX
The low light of dusk was settling over Melstram, but instead of preparing himself for dinner, Governor Joseph Mylice stared blankly out the glass window of his office towards the main gate.
"General, I trust your men are holding fire across the city?"
"Yes Lord Governor. This crowd is larger than the one in front of the mission, but it is certainly more calm."
"Probably because they know we're aiming at them and ready to fight if they try breaching the fence," the colonel in command of the Governors Guard sneered.
Joseph grunted in response.
"The Arbites commander stated there was no sign of rebellion or unrest forming."
"Terra should revoke her command. Respectfully."
"You can suggest it to her personally colonel, but don't think I'll aid you. That woman scares the hell out of me, even without that helmet."
"It just does not make sense. This is not a rebellion, and it is only against me and my sisters. Something is truly amiss."
The three uniformed men turned to the woman who spoke, wearing a bell top hat and a set of clothing that left nothing to imagination from the chest up to reveal sun-kissed flesh. The clothes were black, her golden hair and a necklace bearing the green dagger-like cross of the Order of Saint Avis revealing her affiliation. It was an oddity considering the Famulous and Militants orders of the Sororitas were normally separated, but such was the situation on Esperanz. The colonel adjusted his collar as his face reddened, the governor rolling his eyes while the general chuckled in amusement. It was difficult for even the most firm and duty-bound noble not to be beguiled by a Sister Famulous.
"Xena," Joseph said apologetically, "I understand this is very strange and worrying, but I want you to know, once again, I have no intention of abandoning you or any of your Sisters."
"I know Lord Governor. But I would be lying if I did not have some… trepidation at our circumstances."
"You have nothing to fear madam," the colonel said flatly.
"Where's Karl?"
"In his room, I believe."
"He doesn't need to see this. Xena, would you mind checking on him?"
"Of course, Lord Governor. It may be best that I am not seen with you."
She bowed politely and exited the office, the colonel watching her depart for too long.
"For Thrones sake Peter!"
"Well if she didn't want to be stared at, she shouldn't wear things that damn inviting!"
"Would you two stop bickering and focus on the angry crowd in front of my goddamn house?"
The two looked at the floor in shame.
"Lord Governor, all PDF units are prepared for any eventuality. Do not worry."
"It's not my safety you should be worried about general. If we lose the Sororitas, we could lose the favor of the Ecclesiarchy and the Imperium at large. I didn't spend years fighting the rebels to be pulled away from ruling my own damn planet, so if those people need to be put down… it pains me to do so, but I can't afford to look weak now."
"Of course, Lord Governor."
Down the hallway, Sister Xena quietly opened the door to the heir of Haikk Ones governorship. He was only ten, but as part of the duties of her order, Xena quickly determined that with the right knowledge and guidance he would be a fine leader.
"Sir?"
The room was unlit, the curtains on the windows thankfully closed.
"Karl?"
Her fingers moved to the light switch.
"It is alright, your father is perfectly-"
As light filled the room, she froze. Karl was being held by a man in a PDF officers uniform, his arm wrapped across the boys middle, a laspistol pointed at his head.
"Sister. I was explaining to the young master how we wished him and his family no harm. You, however, should come with me and my men. We have… much to discuss."
The boy looked back at her in a mix of attempted stoicism and abject terror as her heart filled with rage. She had only known him for a year, but between his importance to the Imperial plan and the fact he was an innocent bystander, her training instantly kick in. She took a deep breath and raised her hands in surrender.
"Very well."
"Xena no!"
"Karl, it's fine. I promise."
The officer smirked and lowered him, keeping a hand on the boys shoulder.
"Very good. Now, you'll follow me out of the palace, full co-operation."
"Of course."
"We'll have to-"
He stopped mid-sentence, a sudden pinch in his neck grabbing his attention. He moved his free hand to where the pain was coming from and felt something. He plucked it out, revealing a needle. He frowned, looking at the Sister before his vision became hazy and he began to feel sluggish. Then his skin felt like it was on fire, but he could not scream as his throat swelled up to close entirely. Xena rushed forward and grabbed Karl, shielding his face to not witness the terrible effect of the poison issued to the Famulous.
"Xena!" he whimpered.
"It's alright. Just hold onto me."
She gently moved him away from the final desperate moments of the officer before opening the door and exiting into the hallway. She let go of Karl, holding his hand. He looked rattled but attempted to show professional calm.
"We need to see father, let him know-"
"Whoever that man was, he was after me. He probably has men in the palace, and I can not risk that happening again."
She moved to the Governor's office and kneeled to look Karl in the eye.
"Tell your father I must check the cellar. Say nothing else and stay with him, alright?"
"Yes Xena."
She smiled and tousled his hair.
"Good boy."
"Be safe please."
"I will try."
She moved away as he entered the room, speed walking to the end of the hallway. She quietly cursed her duty uniform, the high heels issued to the Famulous more for fashion than of any use in a serious situation. Her calm demeanor on the outside belied the slight panic on the inside. How had this group of rebels, or whoever they were, infiltrated the palace? Were they part of the crowds and somehow got in? But that uniform was not poorly put together, and it seemed to fit that officer perfectly. Was there a greater conspiracy afoot? She had to arm herself and prepare for whatever came next. Moving through the halls and rooms, avoiding patrols as she was unsure of the guards' loyalties, the prayers became louder and more desperate in her mind. But just as she was nearly there, she stopped and cursed before hiding behind a corner. Standing in front of her room were three PDF guards.
"Stay alert. The LT hasn't come back yet. Bolter bitch may have escaped."
"Got it corporal."
"Shoot on sight if she comes here."
"You gonna stay and help us?
"Nah, I got to check on the boys at the tunnel. Have to keep our escape route defended. And remember, if the other troops around here ask what's going on, we're just reinforcements."
"Yep."
The tunnel! Whoever they were, they knew the hidden escape route almost mandatory for Imperial governors. But it was supposed to be secret, so who could have known and told these idiots about it? That was her best hope of getting out of here, and so she would have to somehow get there. It was hidden, unoriginally, in the library. As part of her assignment, she had to know the entire palace and every route like the back of her hand. Once again moving noiselessly and crossing through the many rooms of the palace, she reached the massive room that stored the knowledge and records of Haikk One and its successive rulers. Thankfully, it was always dim and poorly lit, which hid her well enough that the two guards outside the open entrance did not notice her. To help her chances of stealth, she took off her high heels and prepared to sprint to freedom.
"Hear any good jokes lately?"
"No."
"You're no fun."
"It's hard to be fun when you get dragged out into this stupidity. What the hell is our command thinking? Trying to arrest a Sister? Why? I don't want to, and I got no reason to not like them."
"Well, that crowd wants their blood, so maybe command is trying to calm them down? Get their favor and that shit."
The curious one snorted.
"Makes no sense. And you're the only one I recognize from the barracks. Who are the rest of these tools?"
"I don't know them either. Actually… now that I think about it, I don't know any of them."
Hidden close by, Xena saw the two stare at each other for a moment before coming to a decision.
"We need to find that lieutenant."
"Should we watch the tunnel?"
"Fuck it. Something's wrong here. Besides, I doubt that Sororitas is anywhere around here. C'mon."
As the pair moved out into the hall, she whisked into the concrete hole, closing the bookcase behind her. The lights were turned low, meaning it was as dim as the room doubling as its exit. She took a deep breath, feeling for a small blade that was hidden in her uniform. It was going to be a long night, that was certain.
XXXXXX
After the deafening roar, the chantry went silent. The guard kept his aim on the knight who had blundered into his sights, moving slowly towards the fallen man. Pumping a new slug, he was on top of the crumpled mass of metal, looking like a broken toy soldier as one hand holding the weapon with finger on the trigger as the other moved to lift the faceplate and check if his enemy was truly dead. It was one thing to just put another round in him, but why waste the ammo? He moved his thumb and index finger to the bottom of the plate, trying to listen for any breath or other sign of life. He barely registered the gauntlet grab the back of his neck to pull his face straight into the helmet, crushing the front of his skull in a single moment and killing him instantly.
"Cocksucker," Roger groaned before moving the dead guard off him.
He started to get back on his feet, a slow and painful movement. He placed a hand on the armored chest piece, lifting his faceplate to inspect the damage. To his surprise, other than some scratches on the metal, there was no sign that anything had hit him. The pellets and slug obviously had, the fact his ribcage felt like it took a sledgehammer blow attested to that, but otherwise, he was perfectly fine. The powered armor of Anglerre seemed to be better than he thought, thanking the Emperor for that. He picked up his Eldari sword, dropped when he was shot, twirling it as a way of getting back into the swing of things for lack of a better term. Finally standing, he bent over and started gasping for air in a mix of desperation and searing agony.
"God… dammit!"
He was trying to assume some form of professional and knightly bearing, trying not to curse, or be overwhelmed by the wound. As he did so, he realized that combat from the upper floor had ceased. He felt relieved, knowing that even with the impressive abilities of the Tendency guards, Kallen and his Eldari kin would have easily beaten them.
"Kallen, sitrep," he grunted into the comms device.
"About eighteen or so hostiles down. We heard a weapon go off wherever you went. Are you all right?"
"Took a nasty hit, but my armors a lot tougher than I gave it credit. Get down here, the slippery bastard is hiding."
"Roger, are you all right? You sound in pain," a female voice crackled in his ear.
"I'm fine Anya. What's the situation at the Palace?"
"The mobs have not moved since my last report. I have noticed movement inside, the governor seems to have gotten some new information and he is not taking it well."
"And the lads?"
There was a tense moment of silence before the Ranger spoke again.
"They are on the way. No issues according to Moire, but given their location, communications are poor, even for our technology."
"Understood. Thank you Anya."
The sound of feet on marble steps came from behind, turning as he rubbed his chestplate.
"I see you found the priests guards," the leader said through his green, dreadlocked helmet.
"I certainly did Kallen."
"Isha's tears, look at the size of that weapon," Anxo said unhelpfully.
"Yeah."
"Is that what hit you?"
"Correct."
The Scorpions and Avenger looked at each other and then back at Roger.
"For human armor, that is impressive. Almost amateur level for Eldari. Or a little less."
"Piss off, at least I don't have to deal with dreadlocks dangling all over the bloody place."
Esild, ducking her crested helmet to avoid the low ceiling, could not hide a snicker. Roger smirked at her action, having heard much of the emotionless nature of Eldari warriors and seeing plenty of examples that disproved that. He scabbarded his sword as he looked around the richly decorated room.
"So, where could he have gone?"
"He must be here somewhere. This place doesn't seem to have any more escape routes given its size, but you never know. As we've learned, whoever these rebels are have quite the resources and more skill than I'm comfortable to admit."
"Roger, who exactly are they? This is deeper than just some standard human rebellion."
"Kallen, if I tried to explain it, you wouldn't understand, and you certainly can't know. It's a secret."
"I think having myself and the warriors of Ducaish at your side would necessitate you being open about such things."
"How many secrets have you and your kind kept from me, Edmund, and the rest of my kind?"
The Scorpion stopped and stared back at him, not answering and showing no emotion or thought behind the mask. Then, a barely noticeable shrug of the shoulders were proof of acquiescence.
"Fair. But we must find this priest, we can agree on that."
"Aye."
"Fascinating," the Avenger stated as she looked down the chantry.
"How so?" Roger asked.
"I have never been impressed with the interior stylings or architecture of humans as a whole, but this at the very least approaches something we would find pleasant."
"Careful, sister. This place is a celebration of excess and vanity, the same kind that brought our kind so low."
Anxo spoke with a twinge of fear in his voice, as odd as him speaking the warning in Low Gothic. Before he could ask why, the three Eldar broke off and moved in different directions through the chantry. Kallen moved to the altar, inspecting a child-sized golden statue of the Emperor laying as if in defeat.
"I thought your kind only showed him victorious?"
"That's when the arch-demon Horus struck Him down. Forced us to put Him onto the Golden Throne and unable to lead us personally."
"Ah."
"A nice piece, I won't lie. I dunno if the armor He wore was that fine though. I'm not a theologian, so I can't give a real opinion."
Kallen nodded before taking the flat edge of his chainsword and wrapped it around the statue's shoulder. In a lightning quick movement, he pulled it off the altar and watched blankly as it shattered into pieces, the noise of it doing so echoing through the ornate hidden church.
"Bloody hell!"
"I would doubt that such a holy man would tolerate the destruction of such a central piece of worship."
"I-I get what you're trying to do, but bloody warn me first. I've already had someone pop up out of nowhere and try to blast me away."
"And it seems to have not worked. I detect no movement anywhere."
"Great. Esild, Anxo, anything?"
"No Roger."
"Nothing of note."
He rubbed his eyes and frowned.
"Where's this little shit hiding?"
"Language," Kallen said in an irritating tone.
"Well where the hell could he have gone? Oh bloody hell, if he ran up the damn stairs-"
He started moving back to the entrance, the armor and injury slowing him down. His mind was racing as he tried to figure out where his target had vanished, thinking of every possibility. Was there another route somehow under this one? It seemed ridiculous, but he was in a secret church under a cathedral with three Xenos, so what exactly did that word mean anymore? He shook his head and growled in annoyance as he stepped in something wet. He looked at the bottom of his boot and continued, hoping that-
"What?"
He slowly turned his head back to the liquid, seeing a trail that led straight into a locker.
"Motherfu-"
He stopped and moved behind a nearby pillar, turning back to see which of the Eldar were nearby. Esild was inspecting a painting of decent quality before noticing Roger trying to stealthily get her attention. Her helmeted head snapped towards him, moving her hands slightly in understanding. He nodded before pointing his finger at the locker, motioning for her to move to it and open the door. She prowled over before he moved his hand to slow down and then a finger to his lips for silence. To the Avengers credit, despite the crude and inelegant hand movements of humanity, she understood perfectly. He swung around the pillar, avoiding what little visibility the slits in the metal door could provide. Quiet as possible in his armor, he moved to the side of the locker as she did the same. He winked, Esild moving her hand to the locker handle. He held up three fingers, then two, then one… and the door swung open, Roger rushing his arms onto flesh and simple robes.
"THE EMPEROR TAKE YOUR FUCKING SOUL!"
The priest attempted to say it in a threatening manner, but the fact that he sounded on the verge of tears did little to help. The fact he thoroughly urinated on his robes in terror made a bad show pathetic.
"There you are father! Can't we talk?"
"You think I will talk with some shit-smeared feudal heretic?"
"Ah, you have found him!" Kallen said with approval as he moved in.
The priest turned to see Esild watching over him, Anxo and Kallen approaching.
"What the fuck are those things! You dare bring mutants into this holy place!"
"Mutants?" Esild said with disgust.
"Actually father, we are what you call Eldar," Anxo added with the bravado of his former trade as a master of theater. "Xenos, I believe in your parlance."
The priests rage went from smoldering to blast furnace at these words.
"You… dare… to call me a heretic when you bring goddamn Xenos into my holy temple! I-You-"
The priest, still being held on the shoulder by Roger, shot his arms out to grab at the knights throat. Before he could get a grip on his target, another hand grabbed a bit of skin on his neck. In a sudden moment, his bloodshot eyes rolled up before crumpling to the floor, face first into his own piss and unconscious. The four looked down in silence before Roger cleared his throat.
"Thanks, Esild. We should, er, grab him and get upstairs."
"Why not leave him here?" Kallen asked.
"He might drown in his own waste."
"Oh. Well, that would be a tragedy."
"Certainly would be. C'mon, grab him."
Roger bent over before realizing that no one came to his aid.
"What?"
"I do not want to touch him. He is covered in bodily waste. That is disgusting."
"Really Anxo? You're still covered in blood and gore from those guards upstairs."
"That's different."
"That's worse than piss."
"It is not," Esild said, staying perfectly still.
"Well, you Avengers like shooting from a distance, you wouldn't know dirty work."
"Avengers are just as dangerous up close as afar," Kallen said with disapproval.
"Great, but can someone help? How about you?"
"We shall help. We will secure the upper floor and prepare it for your interrogation."
"Well, we need to get him upstairs first and-where are you going?"
"Your powered armor will enhance your strength, it will be no issue at all," the Scorpion said, moving up the stairs along with the other two.
"Really?"
Silence followed, broken by the sound of gurgling, Roger quickly moving the priests mouth off his own filth. The priests labored breaths filled the chantry with no answer.
"Warriors of Ducaish?"
No response came as Roger grimaced, looking back down at the prisoner before shaking his head. He growled before throwing the man over a shoulder, thankful for the steel keeping his arm dry. He knew the blacksmith on the station, specially brought to repair the armor of the Anglois there, would be more than irritated by the inevitable rust. He started moving up the stairs as the holy mans weight started to be more apparent with every step.
"Fucking Eldar," he hissed.
XXXXXX
Xena moved slowly through the tunnel, shuddering with each step as she felt the cold stone on her bare feet. She had taken her hat off and hid it in a small alcove with her shoes, hoping it would give her a better chance at being undetected. There were a few guards patrolling but they were infrequent enough to allow her to continue deeper into the depths of the route. She had noticed that one or two of them were totally unlike the PDF or whoever most of the rebels were, being bald, more muscular, and utterly silent no matter who spoke to them. Things were getting stranger with every passing moment, and her fears of a deeper conspiracy grew more.
"My Emperor, why did you forsake me?"
She whispered the curse upon reaching a fork that split into three separate tunnels. Sisters Famulous had to know everything about the escape routes available to their charges, but the tunnel system had never been properly explained. As if that were not enough, footsteps came approaching from behind, meaning it was now or never. Taking the middle path, she hid behind a set of boxes and watched a pair of armed men pass. They continued in silence, being the odder type of soldiers. She watched them go, her heart skipping a beat upon noticing a light at the end of the tunnel, quite literally. She watched the two ahead turn another direction and vanish, rushing forward. Sloppy, but with few other options, the best bet for survival. But just as she closed in on the ramp to the exit, an arm shot out and grabbed her by the throat, tossing her to the ground. She landed flat on her back, gasping in confusion and fear. Her vision went hazy for a second before focusing on what seemed to be a man, but the face… certainly feminine. Bald, and a noticeable scar on the throat.
"I am a member of the Adepta Sororitas, you need to assist me, the governor is in danger!"
It was a desperate, gravelly request, but it was worth a shot. After all, the rebellion that tore the Haikk system from Imperial rule still respected the Ecclesiarchy. To Xena's terror, it seemed to make the womans face transform into a furious sneer. The autogun they were holding lifted up, the barrel pointing straight at her face. She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer, trying to focus her thoughts. Disappointment at dying in such a manner. Anger at falling into a rebels hands. Sadness that she was unable to properly say goodbye to the Mylice family, who she had come to enjoy being with. She twitched at the sound of a dull thud, but realized she was still breathing. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by a scene of violence and fury.
"Die already you stupid bitch!"
The harsh words came from a middle aged man wearing a red and blue uniform under a flak jacket with a bowl shaped helmet, equipped with a las gun. Despite the womans physical superiority, her savior had the upper hand. He was using his own hands to pummel her near-killers face in as the bald womans attempted to strike back at him, but she suddenly went stiff and motionless. The man sat up, panting with significant effort.
"Bloody 'ell, tough as you were ugly, weren't ya?"
His accent was unlike anything she had heard, certainly not from Haikk One. He turned to her and smirked.
"You alright ma'am?"
"Y-yes. Thank you for saving me."
"Don't mention it," he said before standing over his victim and saluting her, his gloved hands dripping with blood.
"Serjeant David Camp, 4th Anglerre Regiment."
"Anglerre? But they are on Haikk Four."
"Not me, or my lads. Get down here, coast is clear!"
Xena turned to see four figures moving down the ramp, three in similar uniforms to the sergeant, but the only woman among them not only was taller but had silvery-white hair.
"A fellow Sister! And one from the Orders Militant!"
"Famulous, I presume?"
"Yes. Sister Xena, Order of Saint Avis."
"Sister Evita, Order of the Martyred Lady. Why were you attempting to flee the palace?"
"Rebels were attempting to detain me. Or worse, as your sergeant prevented here. Where is your armor and weapons?"
Evita frowned.
"We were attempting to observe the situation in secrecy. Our equipment is hardly stealthy."
"A shame. Are there any more of you coming to our aid?"
"Nope," one of the Guardsmen, a tall and handsome young man with blonde hair said cheerfully. "But we're enough to help!"
"Parky ain't lying," David added.
"These tunnels are full of rebels, and they have infiltrated the palace. The governor and his family are in danger."
The sergeant nodded, picking up the autogun and handing it to Xena before turning to his comrades with a grin.
"Well lads… guess we're gonna save a governor."
One of the soldiers, older than David, sniffed before answering.
"Oh, why the hell not?"
XXXXXX
Considering this will be published on Christmas Eve, I would like to take a moment and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, even if you don't celebrate it. Just one more week to 2025, and we can say we truly live in the future!