Chapter 1: The Commissar
Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Commissar
Lieutenant Naofumi Iwatani, acting company commander of the 3rd Tempestus Scions infantry company, eased back into his seat within the chimera APC. Well, I’m still alive. His blue armor was polka dotted with burn marks and lined with countless scratches, but like Naofumi, it was still in one piece. But for how much longer.
Naofumi looked around at the grizzled men and women around him. Many had scars across their bodies deeper than their armor. One, a sergeant with a cybernetic left eye sharpened his combat knife on a whetstone.
“Any word on where we’re going next, sir?” the sergeant asked without looking over.
Naofumi was only twenty-three years old, but by very unfortunate circumstances, he found company commander, Captain Karnes, at the hands of an Ork Warboss.
The company lieutenant and sergeant were both incapacitated. Naofumi made the mistake of taking charge despite only being recently promoted to corporal. His efforts proved successful. They eliminated the Warboss and scattered his wretched xenos. Naofumi’s “reward” was a field commission to lieutenant.
“We’ll find out at the outpost,” Naofumi said.
At first, it didn’t seem so bad. He was still the deputy to the company lieutenant who took captain Karnes’s position. That was until the Orks attacked Ontor IV, a very important agricultural world. On their very first day in battle a month earlier, the company lieutenant was killed. Since then, Naofumi was the acting commander.
He disassembled his hotshot lasgun and began cleaning it despite the occasional bump. Just a little bit longer. A month of hard fighting behind the xenos lines and soon his men would get a proper rest. The last four weeks were nothing but grueling days and nights of long marches in harsh rain, and brutal fights with Ork encampments. It was a combination of recaf, harsh discipline, bloodlust, and faith in the Emperor that kept Naofumi and his men going through it all.
However, despite losing nearly a third of his men, Naofumi and the rest were alive. He also wanted to think they had something to show for it. They’d destroyed three Ork supply depots, two airfields, multiple artillery emplacements, and had even managed to kill a Warboss. According to their battalion commander, Major Graven, they and the other Tempestus Scions companies had proven instrumental in ensuring the main Imperial Guard force’s defensive line held.
Now the Imperial Guard would launch a major counter offensive as the Orks regrouped and reorganized. The Tempestus Scions, however, would get a whole week of rest behind the lines. Seven full nights of sleep, hot breakfast in the morning, steak dinners and wildsnake liquor.
Naofumi opened his bags and sifted through the assortment of fiction books there. I only have a week. Which ones do I want to read? He had to prioritize, especially given that their rest could end early given how the counteroffensive went.
“Is it true, sir? Astartes will be arriving soon?” another scion asked.
Naofumi took a deep breath. As much as he wanted to believe the Emperor’s angels of death were coming to help, his five years of service in the Astra Militarum had grinded such optimism out of him.
“We’ll find out,” Naofumi said.
“I hope it’s the Black Templars,” a corporal said as she too cleaned her hotshot lasgun. “They’re very proficient when it comes to ensuring the enemy is dead.”
“I have been told it will be the Dark Angels,” Naofumi said.
It took them another hour before they arrived at the ruins of a massive farming complex. There, hundreds of other Tempestus Scions either trickled in or set up defensive positions around the area. Hopefully much of the work was already done and after a quick briefing with Major Graven he could start his reading.
“Sergeant, get everyone settled in, I’m going to see the Major.” Naofumi’s entire body ached as he got up, but he trotted along regardless. He could still smell the faint odor of fertilizer and animals among the complex. Servitors and local farmers aided the Scions.
“Abhumans,” the corporal muttered as she passed two farmers.
The abhumans of this world had some animalistic features, but these were limited to furred mammalian ears atop their heads and tails. Abhumans or not, these were still humans and loyal to the Imperium, that was what mattered.
“We’re here to help them corporal,” Naofumi said as he approached the main complex.
Lieutenant Miranda Lock sat atop her lead chimera as tech priests and scions performed various repairs.
Naofumi smiled at Lieutenant Lock, her buzzcut revealing numerous scars across her tanned head. However, his grin vanished when Lock turned to him. He’d seen the thousand yard stare from so many soldiers, but the look she gave him was something else.
“What’s wrong?” Naofumi asked.
She took a deep breath. “Major Graven is dead.”
Naofumi’s face went pale and his legs wobbled. No! “What? I, he, what happened?”
“Scattered Orks regrouped and attacked another farming complex full of civilians earlier this morning. The Major raced to its defense with all available forces. He destroyed the Ork force, but was killed in the fighting.”
A lump formed in Naofumi’s throat. Not Major Graven! He had to brace himself against the chimera and started hyperventilating. Major Graven was like Naofumi, a prior enlisted man who earned his commission by proving himself a leader. He was someone who understood how to get the mission done and personally led from the front, never asking his soldiers to do something he wasn’t willing to do themselves.
“It gets worse. Much worse,” Keys groaned.
“Worse?” Naofumi shivered a little.
“The acting commander wants to see each of us officers.”
“Who is it?” Naofumi asked.
Lock didn’t answer.
Swallowing hard, Naofumi followed her inside the complex. There, inside a conference room, he saw the other company commanders. Lieutenant Harden and Captain Rodriguez both sat at the table with similar gaunt faces as Lock.
Naofumi was about to ask any question, he saw who sat at the head of the table. A young woman with long crimson hair tied into a ponytail eased into the chair, both hands behind her head. A wide grin spread over what should have been a very lovely face. However, it was her black and red uniform that caught Naofumi’s attention.
Commissar! A commissar was taking command of their battalion! She looked even younger than Naofumi!
“Lieutenant Iwatani, Lieutenant Lock. There you are. Sit down, we have much to discuss.” She rested her head against her hand.
Lock sat down but Naofumi hesitated before Captain Rodrigquez dragged him into his seat.
“Lieutenant…..This is the battalion’s newest commissar, Malty. She arrived this morning,” Captain Rodriquez said.
“And in the wake of Major Graven’s death, I am taking charge of the battalion,” she said, her smile widening.
“What?” Naofumi shouted.
Commissars weren’t leaders. They were there to ensure discipline and loyalty to the Imperium were maintained, while infantry officers led the troops themselves. There were some commissars who earned legendary status as leaders, such as Yarrick, The Hero of Armageddon. However, he was the exception, not the standard.
“All due respect, Commissar Malty, but Captain Rodrigquez is next in the chain of command. Has this been approved by Colonel Ushor?”
Colonel Ushor had been with Major Graven for years. She was the one who got him commissioned in the first place. Naofumi had only met her once, but he knew Colonel Ushor would not want a commissar in charge of the battalion.
“I don’t need her permission. Official regulations allow a commissar to take charge when necessary.” Malty reached for a glass of wine on the table and took a long sip.
Naofumi looked at his fellow officers. Rodriguez narrowed his eyes at Naofumi and mouthed Be quiet. Despite this, the lieutenant kept shaking.
“It is of my opinion that the battalion shouldn’t be hiding behind the lines while the rest of the Imperial Guard goes on the attack. Therefore, I’m sending the battalion out.”
“What?” Naofumi sprung to his feet despite Lock and Rodriquez attempting to stop him. “Major Graven gave us a week of rest!”
“Naofumi!” Rodriguez snatched at his arm but Naofumi pulled away. “We’ve been fighting nonstop for a month straight! We’ve achieved every objective we were asked!”
Malty leaned further back into her chair. “I thought you were Tempestus Scions.”
“We are! I’d fight to the end if I had to, but we don’t have to fight! Colonel Ushor wanted to identify different targets for us to hit!”
“And in the meantime you can help press the attack. You’re moving out tonight.”
“Tonight!”
“Naofumi!” All three officers now shouted.
“Yes, tonight. I’ll send your target, Naofumi.”
Naofumi’s blood boiled the more he stared at Malty’s smirk. This isn’t happening!
Chapter 2: Sacrifice
Chapter Text
Naofumi vented his hotshot lasgun and exhaled. His boots lay half submerged in muck, and steam sizzled off his weapon from the rain. Done, for now. The lieutenant's neck ached as he surveyed the muddy field around him. Hundreds of Ork corpses lay around them, half sunken and still smoking from the lasguns.
"Sergeant, casualties?" Naofumi sighed, rain seeping into his armor.
The NCO pulled his knife from an Ork slugga boy's throat and took a deep breath.
"Fifteen dead, twice as many wounded, sir."
Four nights into Commissar Malty's counter offensive and Naofumi's company was down to half-strength. He walked across the field, surveying the surviving half of his men. Each step strained his body to the point of collapse, but still, he pressed on. His fellow Tempestus Scions barely stayed on their feet. Some had to sit down on dead orks.
Gritting his teeth, Naofumi touched the signal device and got on the vox. "Captain, the orks are dead."
"Well done. We've just taken out another encampment ourselves."
Naofumi heard the strain in Rodriguez's voice. He didn't dare ask him what his own casualties were. What is the point of this? Naofumi had long accepted that he and all his men might die for the Imperium and its people. But now, their lives were being expended for the vanity of a commissar who wanted glory she didn't deserve.
"Any luck in contacting Colonel Ushor?" Naofumi asked.
The colonel was their only hope. If they could find a way to tell her what was going on she could put a stop to Malty's plans. Alas, the commissar had blocked all direct vox communications to command.
"None," Rodriguez groaned.
Naofumi kicked a dead ork despite his agony. "Well, there's an abandoned village near our location. My company is going to rest there for the night."
"...No," Captain Rodriguez moaned.
Naofumi blinked. "No?"
"New orders from the commissar. She has identified another Ork encampment near your position. She wants you to attack it….tonight.
The lieutenant dropped his hotshot lasgun. Tonight? Naofumi's face turned red and he screamed at the top of his lungs. "We've been fighting for over a month! My men have been up for almost four days and nights chasing orks with no rest and we've still managed to kill over a thousand of the xenos! We're at half-strength and dead on our feet and she wants us to attack again? For what? There is no strategic advantage to be gained!"
Rodriguez didn't respond. All of Naofumi's men stared at him. His throat dried up despite the rain, but that didn't matter now. This was a suicide mission not to save lives or to make a glorious last stand, but to satisfy aa commissar's vanity.
Naofumi was ready to contact Malty directly when another voice came onto the Vox. The lieutenant gasped and stumbled when he heard the familiar voice.
"Lieutenant! Captain! Why am I hearing that my battalion is on the attack when you're supposed to be resting?" Major Graven's voice exploded over the vox.
"Sir!" Naofumi cried and said a silent prayer in thanks to the Emperor. "I don't understand, we thought you were dead!"
"Dead? I was wounded and recovering at an aid station. I told Commissar Malty to pass on what happened and to oversee you while you rested."
Naofumi exploded again, this time explaining to his commander everything that had happened. Captain Rodriguez joined in and when they finished, silence fell over the vox. For a moment, Naofumi heard Major Graven take several deep breaths.
"Captain, Lieutenant. Get your companies back, now."
"Sir, with all due respect. My men need at least a few hours of sleep or we're going to collapse. I request permission to camp in a nearby village for the night."
"Permission granted, lieutenant."
Tears fell down Naofumi's cheeks and he looked to the sky before crying out in praise to the Emperor. "Major Graven is alive! We're going back!"
Cheers erupted from across the company. Despite everything, they downed the last of their recaf and trotted on towards the village. Major Graven was alive! Commissar Malty would be punished. Of course, those who had died were gone, but at least the rest of his men would live.
They reached the village faster than he expected. Flashes of lightning lit up a farming village. By the looks of its wooden buildings it was rather rustic, but the structures were in fact. It had clearly been evacuated rather than overrun.
"Alright, I want watches. I'll join the first–" Naofumi started.
"No you're not!" The sergeant shoved Naofumi towards one of the houses. "You're getting a full night's sleep."
Naofumi was about to protest, but his body was ready to give way. He nodded and stumbled inside the house, using a flashlight to search for a bedroom. At last, he found it. Removing his wet armor and stripping down to his undershorts and a dry undershirt, Naofumi collapsed onto the bed only to grunt. Someone was there.
"Eeep!" A soft voice screamed.
Naofumi sprung backward and seized his laspistol. He nearly fired when his light shone on the figure. It wasn't an Ork, but a little abhuman girl. She was pale and dirty, shivering as she backed up into the corner.
A pair of pink eyes met Naofumi's through unkempt brown hair. The little girl's abhuman ears wrinkled and she clutched her tail.
"Please don't hurt me!" she sobbed, her cheeks soaked.
Naofumi exhaled and lowered the pistol. Just a child. "It's alright, we're Imperial Guardsmen. What are you doing here?"
The little girl didn't respond, she just kept shaking. Naofumi took another deep breath and set his pistol down. "I'm not going to hurt you. My name is Naofumi Iwatani. I'm a soldier. What's your name?"
"R–raphtalia," she stuttered. "You're a soldier?"
"Yes, we came to help your planet."
Raphtalia sprinted over and wrapped her arms around Naofumi's legs. "Please, help me Mr. Soldier!" she sobbed
Naofumi grimaced. He was trained to kill the Imperium's enemies, not take care of children. Still he couldn't just leave her there, and gently caressed her head.
"It's alright. Did you get left behind?"
Raphtalia nodded, her eyes red and swollen.
"Well, we're leaving in the morning. You can come with us. Let's find you a place to sleep for tonight–"
Naofumi tried to lead her away, but Raphalia remained wrapped around his legs. "Please don't leave me!" she wailed.
The lieutenant held the bridge of his nose. Kids. Naofumi laid down in the bed and Raphalia wrapped both arms around his stomach. He kept the laspistol close.
"Do not touch that," he said, but Raphalia was already fast asleep.
What had he gotten himself into now?
Despite getting eight hours of sleep, somehow Naofumi's body still ached. He groaned when the light hit his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to clench them shut and stay in bed. But alas, he had duties to attend to. Stretching his arms, Naofumi tried to get up, but felt someone holding him down.
He'd almost forgotten about Raphalia, who still lay there, arms wrapped tightly around him. Naofumi petted her head. "Raphatlia, it's time to get up."
The little girl wouldn't budge. That was until Naofumi heard a loud rumble echo from the little girl's stomach. He reached for his last ration pack and tore it open. Despite his own hunger, Naofumi offered all the food and drink to Raphalia.
She sprung up and devoured the food, her cheeks turning pink. Naofumi couldn't quite explain it, but watching the little girl eat, seeing the color return to her face, he found himself smiling.
"Naofumi, are you a hero?" Raphtalia asked.
He tugged at the collar of his undershirt. "I'm a soldier, Raphalia. I destroy the Imperium's enemies."
"You fight the monsters?"
Naofumi nodded. "That's my job." He explained a bit about the Tempestus Scions and their role. Raphalia stopped eating, her eyes glistening as she stared at him, transfixed.
"Please, eat. We've got a long way to go today and you'll need your strength."
Naofumi watched her eat when his armor's vox communicator went off. He picked it up to see he had received a message from Commissar Malty. What does she want? Doubtlessly a death threat for telling the truth of what she had done. He started smiling until realizing it was a picture.
The lieutenant blinked upon seeing a still image of Malty sticking her tongue out at him and pulling down her eyelid. "Huh?" Naofumi tried to get on the vox, but it wasn't working.
"Lieutenant!"
The door burst open and one of his men came in, panting. "Sir! We're under attack!"
Naofumi went still for a moment. Hand shaking, he looked down at the message again and saw a few words. "You really should have attacked those orks when you had the chance. So instead, I let them know where you are."
The lieutenant hurled the messenger into the wall, shattering it. Raphalia jumped backward ad Naofumi scrambled to get his armor on.
"Raphatalia, stay here and don't come out until we come and get you.'
"But–"
"Do what I say!" Naofumi snatched his weapon and raced outside.
There, his sergeant led what remained of the company in a desperate defense against an onslaught of orks.
"Waaagh!" Slugga and shoota boyz raced over the hill, dozens at a time, firing their guns and waiving their axes.
"Lets krump dese 'umiez, Boyz! Waaagh!" a nobz roared.
"Die xenos!" The sergeant and his squad pounded the massive ork with hotshot lasgun blasts, tearing it apart.
Naofumi barked out orders, gesticulating his hand while firing his lasgun. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be. The lieutenant's blood boiled as Malty's face kept popping into his head. He took up position and kept directing his scions, but orks were too many and swarmed from every direction.
"Fight for the Imperium! Fight for–" the sergeant got cut off as a slugga boy sliced into his throat.
"I got me a 'umie!"
Naofumi screamed, his lasgun reducing the ork to pieces. Despite theanythign else that r skill and tenacity, the Tempestus Scions fell one by one against the sheer number of orks. Many went down in ways worthy of their legend. Each Tempest Scion took multiple orks down before falling themselves.
Naofumi hurled every explosive he had left, heart pounding. This wasn't happening. Not when they were so close to safety. Each fallen Scion made the world slow for Naofumi. His men. His soldiers. That commissar! Malty! Naofumi's sight went red and he went numb to the world around him. He stopped seeing orks at all. He envisioned every enemy before him as Malty. Wishing beyond anything that he could kill that woman.
"Naofumi!" Raphtalia cried.
Her voice snapped him from his daze and he looked over to see her trembling near the house they slept in.
"Raphtalia, what are you doing here!"
"Naofumi! Please, save me from the monsters!" she sobbed.
Naofumi gritted his teeth until an Ork raised a rocket launcher near the house. The lieutenant dropped his lasgun. He moved on pure instinct, facing past several orks and shoving Raphalia out of the way.
Then, everything went white and he no longer felt his body. Naofumi struggled to take in air, the world around him was a haze. Blinking, he only heard a ringing and looked down. He was half a torso. This is it. I'm going to die. It was so simple. He would be joining his men. But what about Raphtalia?
He saw her crying, but alive. Naofumi offered up a final prayer to the Emperor when something glistened in the sky above him. Moments later, massive steel pods crashed atop the orks and burst open.
"Repent! For you die tomorrow!"
Astartes emerged from the pods, bolters and chainswords raised. They wore dark green armor with white wings on their left pauldrons, and cut down the orks with brutal efficiency. One scooped up Raphtalia into his arms and carried her away. That was it, she was safe. Somehow, the dying soldier found himself smiling.
My life wasn't in vain. Naofumi's vision began to fade, but as it did. One of the Astartes came over him. Unlike the others, he had white armor, and examined him before taking out a blue syringe. He injected Naofumi, and everything stopped.
"The Emperor is not done with you yet, Guardsman," the apothecary said.
Chapter 3: The Lion
Chapter Text
And so, the hunt begins.
Lion El'Johnson stood inside a great forest within his flagship, the Invincible Reason. A smile spread across the Primarch's face, now restored to the youth and vitality which it had been in the days of old by the Eldar Isha, now his sister-in-law. Nor was he the only restored warrior. Around him, his elite bodyguard, the Risen, were likewise restored to their youths via their transformation to Primaris Marines.
I suppose she isn't so bad. The forest inside his flagship was another gift from Isha. Within the Invincible Reason Isha had restored a forest of Caliban, Johnson's homeworld. The perfect testing ground for his Astartes Auxilia.
A hundred stood beside him and his Risen Guard. They wore the variant of Astartes armor worn by first sons before their transformation into Primaris Marines.
"It's time to prove if you're real Astarts, or still just guardsmen wearing Astartes armor." Aphkar held his chainsword ready while the smaller auxilia formed ranks beside their Primarch and veteran instructors.
In some way Aphkar wasn't wrong. The Astartes Auxilia were a creation of his brother, Roboute Guilliman and the Archmagos Belisarius Cawl. The first were created decades earlier, using mortally wounded Imperial Guardsmen from elite formations such as Tempestus Scions, Kasrkins, and Catachans.
It was then up to the chapters to train them up during all freetime. Some chapters had outright refused to use them initially, but Johnson was happy to get them during his campaigns in Imperium Nihilus; they proved capable enough and freed up the Primaris Astartes to handle more vital tasks.
This, however, was before his father's return. Ten years earlier, the Emperor of Mankind arose from the Golden Throne because of Leman Russ and his Eldar wife, Isha. With his return came the return of even more Primarchs. Rogal Dorn, Corvus Corax, and Jaghatai Khan. Johnson's smile spread. Everything was coming together.
The Emperor had done away with Roboute's dissolution of the Astartes Legions. Now the Dark Angels were a proper legion again. Over a hundred-thousand Primaris Astartes with twice as many Auxilia. Of course, many still needed proper training.
Regardless of their need for training, hunting was the best way to clear his head. This was the closest he could ever be to his youth of hunting on Caliban. His enhanced senses picked up every rustling leaf, dancing branch, and snapping of twigs beneath the boots of his auxilia.
"Quiet, every step you take must be calculated," Johnson said.
Despite his immense size, Johnson barely made a sound. To be a Dark Angel was to be a hunter, it always had been. If these auxilia were going to carry his sigil, they would need to be hunters too.
What beast's pelt shall I collect today? Johnson listened closer, then heard it. The distinct flapping wings of one of Caliban's most feared creatures.
A cragshadow burst from the trees and knocked two auxilia down. Another pair came at its side but its tendrils slammed them back. Johnson took a single step forward and severed the beast's head with his sword Fealty. Alas, the Primarch sighed. The beast fell a little too easily for his liking. But he supposed that was the problem with hunting in large parties.
Another cragshadow jumped out and Johnson gritted his teeth as it battled a few auxilia. "Hold." Johnson held a hand to his Risen Guard. "Instruct them only. We can't hunt for them."
Zabriel, Aphkar and the others barked out instructions as more cragshadows and other beasts of Caliban swarmed out, attacking auxilia from every direction. Johnson, grimaced as he watched them struggle. I did better as a boy.
Another cragshadow pinned an Auxilia beneath him and raised its claws. Johnson considered stepping in but another auxilia blocked the claws with a storm shield. Lion El'Johnson stared at him, for this Auxilia successfully kept back the cragshadow's blows with just his shield.
Ahh, it's him. This particular auxilia had been with him for sixteen years.
Johnson and Zabriel watched the auxilia together. The younger superhuman bashed the cragshadow's claws back and punched its head, sending blood and fangs flying.
"Hmm, he's ferocious," Zabriel said.
Johnson shook his head. "No, he's not a Space Wolf. This one is something else."
The auxilia spoke only in huffs and grunts. Each blow of his shield broke cragshadow bones until he shattered its skull with a final blow. Despite his victory, the auxilia didn't stop and turned to smash another beast. Johnson nodded with Zabriel.
"He's a Dark Angel," Zabriel said.
"Perhaps."
Soon the author auxilia found their rhythm. One by one they brought down the beasts of caliban and began stripping the body for trophies.
"Well done, astartes, you have earned these trophies."
"Yes, genefather!"
Johnson claimed the cragshadow he killed and began picking apart the pieces most suitable for trophies. Melty already has a fang necklace. The Primarch clipped its claws and carved the biggest into a ring.
"Papa, that was amazing!"
A little girl ran through the forest, her dark blue eyes glistening the same shade as her long hair tied into pigtails.
"Melty!" Lion El'Johnson seized her in his arms, eyes narrowed. "How many times do I have to tell you not to come here alone! This forest is dangerous!"
"But I wanted to watch you and your astartes hunt!"
Johnson groaned. Why does she have to be so reckless? He was about to lecture her when the Primarch noticed his daughter staring at the shield bearing auxilia. Melty's cheeks turned a little pink.
"He's my favorite one!"
Johnson stared at this auxilia. Perhaps I'll mount his head on my wall. The primarch shook his head. No, she's just a child. She'll grow out of it.
"Melty!"
A beautiful eldar woman with long purple hair and eyes came through the forest. A pair of Eldar Storm Guardians and Dark Angel Risen Honor Guards flanked her.
Melty gulped and wrapped her arms around Johnson's head. "Hello, Mama."
The eldar woman seized Melty from Johnson and held her close. "How many times have I told you not to go in your Papa's forest alone!"
"I wanted to watch their hunt!"
"You were supposed to be studying with your tutor!"
Johnson stared at Mirellia, his Eldar wife of the last ten years. Much to Johnson's chagrin and so many others in the Imperium, not only had the Emperor allowed Roboute and Leman to remain married to their Eldar wives, he had commanded all of the remaining primarchs, except Vulkan, to take their own Eldar brides.
Evidently it was a plan to bring what remained of the Eldar into a permanent alliance with humanity. Roboute's wife, Yvraine had set up Mirellia with Johnson. At first he considered locking her away and merely reporting that he had married her. The idea that he, a Primarch, would marry a xenos filth!
Lion El'Johnsin picked them both up in his arms. "Melty, you need to listen to your mother."
Melty puffed up her cheeks, then gagged as Lion’El and Mirellia kissed.
"Yuck! Don't do that in front of me!"
"Oh, does this bother you, Melty?" Mirellia smirked and kissed Johnson harder until Melty's face turned green.
"Stop!"
"Oh my, I think Melty wants another little brother or sister," Johnson said.
"Okay! I'll study! Just stop!" Melty covered her eyes.
"Zabriel, wrap up here." Johnson laughed.
"Yes, my lord!"
Johnson swept Mirellia into his arms bridal style and carried her as she carried Melty.
Outside the forest stood the Dark Angels Supreme Grandmaster, Azrael.
"Lord Johnson, we will arrive at Xor within the hour."
Lion El'Johnson's smile vanished and he held his family tighter.
"I see. Head to the bridge and take command. I'll be there before we arrive."
Azrael bowed his head and walked off.
"What's on Xor, Papa?" Melty asked.
"Something very important to your grandfather, Melty," Johnson said.
The Emperor had kept Johnson in charge of reclaiming the portion of the Imperium beyond the Great Rift. With the reformation of his legion, he had brought most of the worlds back under Imperium control over the last decade. However, there remained the issue of the Great Rift itself.
Johnson had secured the Nechmund Gauntlet years earlier, but the Emperor had commanded the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Imperium's new Eldar allies to find a way to close the rift itself. Xor was a laboratory planet where such research took place within the Imperium Nihilus. Word had reached Johnson that an Ork Waaagh was en-route to the planet. Given his father's direction on the Great Rift, this was something he had to take care of personally.
Even so, it also meant bringing his family along. For now at least. The three arrived in a massive chamber filled with various animal pelts and stuffed heads mounted on the walls. A small bed and crib rested near the massive bed in the corner.
Johnson set Mirellia down and she likewise set Melty down before looking over an infant girl in the crib. Unlike Melty who looked more human, the baby had more eldar features, including pointed ears. However, she had Johnson's blonde hair, as did the toddler boy Johnson stood over. He slept soundly. Lion El'Johnson in miniature. His son, Willam El'Johnson.
"Mirellia, is something is to go wrong–" Johnson started.
"I know," the eldar groaned. "I tested the webway portal earlier. We'll go to Macragge. But everything will be fine. Besides, those are my people on Xor too."
"Why should we be worried? You'll beat the evil greenskins like you beat everyone else!"
Johnson smiled and rubbed his daughter's head. "I will. For you, Melty."
She beamed but then poked her pointer fingers together. "I was wondering. Just maybe, I could come this time–"
"No!" Johnson and Mirellia both loomed over their daughter, who gulped and went pale.
Melty puffed up her cheeks and crossed both arms again, but her parents wouldn't budge.
"Melty, you're going to stay here and watch your siblings. Mama and Papa have to defeat the monsters," Mirellia said.
Johnson nodded. However, a knot formed in his stomach at the idea of his Mirellia taking part in the fighting. But like him, she couldn't be stopped.
Chapter 4: The Shield Astarte
Chapter Text
Lion El'Johnson sat in the command chair of the Invincible Reason. Mirellia sat in his lap, Azrael at their side while tech marines and tech priests manned the ship's controls.
"Exiting the webway, Lord Johnson, Lady Mirellia," a tech marine said.
Mirellia nodded and activated a projector on her wrist. The facade of an Eldar appeared before her.
"All ships awaiting your orders, my lady."
"Good."
Moments later, the joint force emerged before a vast ocean planet scattered with a few islands. A small fleet of Imperium and Eldar vessels fought a losing battle against hundreds of Ork junk vessels. The meager defensive ships huddled around several orbital defense platforms, however, the largest one took immense punishment. Not just from Ork guns, but boarding pods. as Mirellia looked up at her husband. "Even our combined fleets can't face the Orks' numbers directly."
The Primarch tightened his fist, but relaxed it after a moment. As much as he hated to admit it, she wasn't wrong. Johnson wanted to bring more ships to bear, but couldn't without risking the rest of the Imperium Nihlus.
"No. Azrael, prepare to fire long range weapons. We'll pin them between our fleet and the orbital defenses."
Mirellia nodded. "Launch hit and run attacks on their fringes, draw them into the human's heavy weapons."
"Yes, my lady," her Eldar commander replied.
"Vox the local defenders. We need to know the situation."
"Right away, Lord Johnson." A tech-marine patched them in and five images appeared. Four humans and an Eldar
"Lord Johnson! Emperor be praised, you've arrived!" a human woman in a naval officer uniform cried.
"It's about time you got here!" a tall inquisitor snarled, his long grey hair rustling as he shouted.
Leman narrowed his eyes. For one thing, the webway got them to Xor even faster than Warp travel. Second, the Inquisition suffered under the illusion that they still had unlimited power in the Imperium.
"You dare speak to a Primarch that way," Mirellia said.
"Yes, I dare because our research is of vital importance to closing the Great Rift and the green skins are on the planet's surface!"
Johnson's second heart fluttered for a moment and Mirellia's eyes widened.
"It's true, my lady," the eldar said.
The eldar had long black hair and wore a pair of round spectacles.
"Colonel Mald's guardsmen, my skitarii, and the eldar warriors are barely preventing them from overrunning our facilities," an Adeptus Mechanicus Archmagos said.
"She's right, my lord. Our forces are at the breaking point and the Sisters of Battle are trapped in orbit," Colonel Mald said, his mustache quivering.
Lion El'Johnson looked back at the fleet. "The Sisters of Battle are here?"
"Indeed, a small contingent from the Order of the Golden Halo arrived this morning. They're currently onboard the main defense platform," the naval commodore said.
Johnson nodded. "Azrael, prepare the Dark Angels for deployment to the planet's surface. Colonel Mald, send us the locations of which fronts are closest to collapsing."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Hold on, Lord Johnson! The Orks are onboard our main defense platform! My security troops are on the verge of being overrun even with the Eldar and Sisters of Battle onboard!" the commodore cried.
Lion El'Johnson gritted his teeth. His personal fleet had over five-thousand Primaris Astartes and twice as many auxilia. However, he wanted most of them on the ground.
"My lord, a single auxilia platoon would be more than sufficient to secure that station," Azrael said.
Johnson nodded. He could give up a single platoon of auxilia for now. "Send one onboard."
"I shall." Azrael got on his vox. "Master Ansiel, get one of your platoons on that station, now."
Naofumi sat inside an Astartes drop pod and stared at his helmet, his second face for the last sixteen years. Every day he wondered if it wouldn't have been better if the Dark Angels had just let him die all those years ago. Instead they had rebuilt him as an Astartes Auxilia. They claimed they had saved him, and it was true they had rebuilt bigger and stronger than ever before. Not only that, but he could potentially live for thousands of years.
However, in truth, the Dark Angels had not truly saved Naofumi, but rather delayed his death until a time more convenient for them. His life belonged to the Dark Angels and the Emperor now. Then again, his life had always belonged to the Emperor. However, before he potentially had a life outside of service.
He could go on shore leave before, go home, see his family. No more. Anytime Naofumi wasn't in combat, he was mercilessly trained by the Primaris or "true" astartes as they always reminded him. This was his life now. Endless war for potentially hundreds of years, until some xenos or heretic killed him.
"Are you ready for another chance to win glory?" Ren asked.
Naofumi glanced at another Astarte Auxilia sitting beside him. Ren had been a former Catachan jungle fighter before tyranids tore him apart. He polished his powersword and stared at it.
"What's the point?" Itsuki muttered. Another auxilia adjusted his eliminator sniper rifle. "We could kill every ork here and the Primaris will still look down on us."
Itsuki was a former sniper from the Steel legion who was cut in half by bloodletters on Armageddon.
Naofumi took a deep breath. "Could you both shut up." He'd rather face a hundred-thousand orks instead of listening to his squadmates moan and boast.
"We're astartes, Naofumi! It's our duty–" Ren started.
"Oh you think you're astartes then?" a booming voice echoed and Naofumi groaned again.
A Primaris Dark Angel sergeant with a thunder hammer walked onboard.
"Sergeant Harn!" Ren sprung up to attention before the Sergeant backhanded him.
"Sit down, auxilia," Harn groaned, then strapped himself in. "We're helping to retake an orbital gun platform from the Orks. This should be a simple matter. Don't complicate it."
Naofumi rolled his eyes. He could only imagine Sergeant Harn's smile vanishing after he learned his promotion to sergeant was to that of an auxilia squad. Astartes auxilia couldn't hold ranks above battle brother. On some level Naofumi was glad he didn't have to worry about taking charge anymore. If anything it just made things simpler, he could just kill the Imperium's enemies and save its people.
The doors to their pod sealed and Naofumi placed his helmet on. Another jump. Let's get this over with. He refastened his shield and gripped his plasma pistol. Ren went on about the great valor they would achieve and Itsumi pestered sergeant Harn about whether or not their performance would get them proper recognition.
Naofumi, however, followed his sergeant's example and remained silent. The lights went red and he felt the familiar feeling of their pod dropping from its bay. There was always the chance that they would miss the platform entirely or get blasted apart by a stray shot. Even if they did get inside, hundreds of orks could swarm them within moments.
Oh well. Naofumi switched the safety off his plasma pistol. Die now or die eight–hundred years from now. What difference did it make anymore? He would exist as long as the Emperor saw him as necessary, then find peace.
A thud, however, let him know that this wasn't to be just yet. He unstrapped himself moments before the pod's floor opened and the four Space Marines dropped down. They landed amid a hallway littered with debris, exposed wires, and some flames.
Several skitarii and naval security troopers lay dead before them beside ork slugga boys and gretchens. However, the fighting wasn't over.
"Space Marines, help!"
A few naval security troopers and two Eldar guardian defenders fired past the Space Marines at a swarm of ork slugga boys charging at them.
"Waaagh!" the orks bellowed, axes raised and pistols firing.
Naofumi threw himself in front of the barrage, and projectiles bounced off his storm shield.
"Time to die, xenos!" Ren held his sword high but Urhard restrained him.
"No! We thin their ranks first!" Harn took out an assault bolter and unloaded it into the oncoming swarm.
Ren muttered something but drew his bolter pistol alongside Itsuki. Naofumi held his plasma pistol along the edge of his storm shield and fired. In the narrow corridor their barrage cut the orks down in droves.
Many of the xenos stumbled over their dead or dying comrades while others went as far as to cut down their fellow orks who got in their way. A few stray rounds got past Naofumi's shield but ricocheted off his squad mates' ceramite armor.
Itsuki and Ren both lobbed grenades and Naofumi braced himself. In the tighter confines the explosions went farther than they would have otherwise. Some of the fiery power reached the Dark Angels but the burning sensation couldn't stop them.
Despite the inferno and a barrage from the Space Marines, more slugga boys came forward. Their fangs snapping and axes swinging. "Waaagh!"
"Gaaah!" Harn roared back. He took out his thunder hammer and swung it with both hands into the oncoming tide of xenos. Ork blood and body parts splattered across the walls, but Harn kept swinging, killing several xenos with each impact.
Naofumi surged forward, thrusting his shield forward. It shattered an axehead then continued on to do the same to its wieldier's skull. The auxilia shoved his plasma pistol forward and fired until it needed to vent, then swung his shield again and again.
Ren laughed and finally rushed in with his power sword, thrusting and slashing to the right just out of the reach of Harn's hammer while Naofumi took the left.
"Catch!" Ren tossed his bolt pistol to Itsuki who snatched it in his offhand and unleashed another barrage.
"Troopers, forward!" Harn bellowed.
The remaining security troopers and Eldar slowly approached from behind, firing very careful shots between the rampaging astartes.
Unable to surround the humans and overwhelm them with their numbers, the orks pressed themselves into the meatgrinder. Many in the rear tried to shoot back but packed so tightly together they just ended up shooting other orks.
Naofumi's vision turned a hazy red again, but not from the sea of ork blood soaking his armor. He saw himself back on the agriculture world sixteen years ago. The cackling orks as they ripped apart his men. Then there was her. Her! Naofumi's blood boiled when the commissar's face appeared over each ork's.
He cracked ork bones with each strike of his shield and parried incoming blows. But something else started killing the orks from behind. At first, Naofumi thought it might more more astartes from their platoon, but his second heart fluttered upon realizing it wasn't.
"Outta ma way! Ya gits!" An ork nobz with a spiked helmet and massive club smashed through his own boyz to try and reach the space marines. "Waaagh!"
"Naofumi!" Harn shouted.
Gritting his teeth, the auxilia raced ahead of his sergeant, shield raised. He grunted when the club made impact. Another blow came but Naofumi just kept following the club. His shield didn't get so much as a scratch, but the auxilia's enhanced bones cried out with each blow.
"Die, jus die already!" the nobz howled.
"You first!" Harn fired a burst straight into the nobz's face then gripped his hammer with both hands and shattered the xenos's skull. The heavy body fell backward, crushing a few smaller orks behind him and Naofumi took in a sharp inhale.
"Don't just sit there, Naofumi! Press on!" Harn thrust his hammer again, claiming more orks.
No rest for the weary. Naofumi raised his vented plasma pistol and fired. Despite the agony in his left arm, he still swung the storm shield, claiming more orks. However, with the nobz dead, and the slugga boyzs' numbers thinned, the Dark Angels cleared the hallway within a few minutes.
"How many was that?" Ren asked, whipping some ork blood from his sword.
"Over a hundred, at least," Itsuki said.
"Not enough." Harn reloaded his assault bolter.
"Astartes, thank the Emperor you're here!" One of the navy security troopers raced up, sweat and blood pouring down his pale face.
"Ensign," Harn said, his hammer slung over his shoulder. "What's the situation here?"
"We're nearly overrun, my lord! The only section still secure is the gunnery control station. That's where the Sisters of Battle are holding. However, they requested reinforcements just before you arrived."
Sisters of Battle. Naofumi's second heart fluttered again. The Sisters of Battle were here? "Sergeant, we have to help them," Naofumi said.
Harn turned to him and Naofumi imagined his sergeant's eyes narrowing. However, the Primaris Dark Eldar touched his vox communicator.
"Lieutenant Rogziel, this is Sergeant Urhard. My squad has secured a hallway in the 3rd level, west section. What are your orders?"
"Sergeant! The Sisters of Battle have requested reinforcements. The xenos are trying to bring the guns offline. Your squad is closest to the main gunnery control station. Get there and back them up! I'm sending two more squads but they're too far to get there in time!"
Naofumi breathed a sigh of relief and vented his plasma pistol again.
"You heard him, let's go!" Erhart roared.
We're coming sisters! Naofumi raced down the corridor with the others.
Chapter 5: The Golden Sister
Chapter Text
Raphtalia soared through the main gunnery station, a pair of golden wings on the back of her armor gleaming within the dark chamber. A dwindling force of navy security troopers, skitarii, Eldar and her fellow Sisters of Battle held a defensive line against a rising tide of orks. Gripping her shining sword with both hands, Raphtalia swooped down.
“For the Emperor, and Naofumi!” She zoomed past bullets and decapitated an ork with each swing before returning to the platform where her remaining sisters fired their bolters.
“I’m running low on ammo, Raphtalia,” one said, reloading.
“Hold fast, Sisters, the Emperor is with us!” Raphalia drew her bolt pistol and emptied yet another magazine. However, she was throwing stones against a tidal wave.
“Gretchens!” another sister of battle cried.
Raphtalia gritted her teeth. The little orks were indeed swarming up the walls like insects crawling towards the gunnery control mechanisms. As much as she hated wasting ammo on them, they would bring the guns offline.
“Rishia, melta bomb!”
A green haired Sister of Battle primed a melta bomb and hurled it, consuming most of the gretchens in the explosion.
“Raphtalia, there are too many of them!” Rishia yelped and stumbled back until a taller Sister with very long strawberry blonde hair, shoved her back into position.
“Stand your ground! We are Sisters of the Golden Halo! We are warriors of the Emperor!” Eclair cried, a gleaming sword like Raphtalia’s hand. “We are Celestine’s Chosen!”
Raphtalia’s heart pounded. Eclair was right, they were the three chosen Sisters. The first three enhanced Sisters of Battle. Naofumi didn’t give in even when faced with impossible odds, and neither would she!
“For Naofumi!” Raphtalia soared over the chamber again.
Ork shoota boyz fired up at her, but Raphtalia soared too fast, and severed the heads of a dozen orks before returning to the platform. There Eclair cut down any slugga boyz that climbed up.
Rishia, however, kept trembling, and fumbled her bolter. Raphtalia understood why. A pair of Ork nobz smashed their way through a few skitarii, navy security troopers, and one of the Eldar guardian defenders.
Raphtalia’s throat dried up as their fellow sisters, those with just power armor fell before the nobz. Some smashed to pieces, others, hurled into walls.
“Come on, Rishia! Stand up! Fight them!” Raphtalia helped her Sister up, and Rishia began firing.
“Time ta get krumped, burna ladyz.” One of the nobz hurled a dead sister of battle up beside Raphtalia.
“You are not taking this station!” Raphtalia leaped down and flew at the closest nob, sword raised.
Naofumi faced certain death unafraid, so would she. Raphtalia would be brave, like him. She brought her sword down on the nobz, slicing through the club. Her sword got several inches into the nobz’s shoulder before its clawed left hand seized Raphtalia and pinned her to the deck.
“Raphtalia!” Eclair bellowed.
She and Rishia tried to help her, but the other nobz sprung up at them.
Drool trickled down the first nobz’s yellow fangs down beside Raphtalia. His foul breath making her gag. “Dem's some right propa wings ya got, an' a choppa dat shines! Mine now, ya git!” The nobz pulled Raphtalia’s sword from his shoulder and thrust it down at her.
The Sister of Battle forced her eyes to remain open. Sixteen years. Naofumi had given her sixteen years at the cost of his life. Emperor, I hope it was a life you can be proud of…Naofumi, thank you. She held her hands up to catch the sword. But it struck a stormshield and bounced off.
“Eh?” Raphtalia blinked, for an Astarte stood over her, stormshield raised.
“My turn!” The Space Marine auxilia forced the sword aside then shoved his plasma pistol under the nobz’s jaw and discharged a powered up burst. Yet even this didn’t destroy the nobz’s face. It did, however, leave much of its skull exposed.
“Oi, ya beakie git! Now ya done it, ya did–”
Raphtalia sprung up and snatched her sword. Screaming, she slashed high just as the Space Marine slammed his shield into the nobz’s belly. It doubled over low enough for Raphtalia’s sword to slice clean through the neck.
“My sisters!” Raphtalia pointed up.
The other nobz slammed Eclair onto her back and didn’t slow even as Rishia hit him with bolter rounds.
“Fear not! The Space Marines are here!” Another Dark Angel auxilia with a power sword charged onto the upper walkway and caught the nobz club with his sword.
“Right, some propa beakies, not dem–” Eclair recovered her sword and sliced the nobz’s right hand off. Together with the auxilia, they cut the nobz to pieces.
Rishia was nearly overrun by slugga boyz when sniper shots killed the incoming orks one after the other. A third auxilia came in from above, drawing a bolt pistol and firing rapid rounds before jumping beside the Sister of Battle. With a combat knife in one hand and his bolt pistol in the other, he helped a trembling Rishia fight off the remaining slugga boyz.
“Die, xenos filth!” A primaris Dark Angel came down from above and killed a half-dozen orks with the impact of his thunder hammer.
“Come, sister, the fight isn’t over yet,” the shield astarte said, and fired his plasma pistol.
Raphtalia, however, froze. Her face went flush red and her legs wobbled. It can’t be! Sixteen years passed, and he wore an astartes helmet, but Raphtalia would never forget that voice. Hands trembling and heart pounding, she reached for the Astarte’s helmet.
“Hey! What are you doing–” he started but Raphtalia had already removed it.
The abhuman yelped and stumbled backward. He hadn’t aged a day in sixteen years. But how could it be him? “Naofumi?”
Naofumi blinked and seemed to look at her clearly for the first time. “Raphtalia? Is that you?”
Raphtalia’s insides went ablaze. Naofumi is alive! Her Naofumi! How was this possible? Raphtalia didn’t care! The man who found her. The man who comforted her. The man who sacrificed his life for hers, was alive and before her. He had saved her yet again.
“Raphtalia, you became a Sist–” Naofumi started.
Raphtalia’s sword dropped with a clang. Before she even realized what she was doing, Raphtalia wrapped both arms around Naofumi and kissed him. The auxilia’s eyes went wide and face turned bright red, but not as much as Raphtalia’s.
What was she thinking? He was an Astartes Auxilia and she was a Sister of Battle. But that didn’t matter. For the last sixteen years, Raphtalia believed Naofumi was dead. The man who never left her mind. Now here he was, standing before her.
“Raphtalia, what are you doing!” Eclair screamed.
“Naofumi what are you doing!” Ren echoed.
“Hold on, it was Raphtalia that kissed him. Your brother isn’t at fault,” Eclair said.
Ren shook his head. “He is an Astartes, he could have stopped it if he chose to.”
“Hold on, we aren’t simple Sisters of Battle! The three of us are Celestine’s Chosen!”
“Naofumi, Ren, you will do penance later!” Ehard roared, his thunder hammer splattering five more orks.
Raphtalia jumped backward and yelped. “I’m sorry!” Her entire body shook. What have I done? The abhuman Sister of Battle held her face.
“We’ll figure it out later. Come on, there are more xenos!” Naofumi put his helmet back on and fired plasma bursts into the ork swarm below.
He was right. Raphtalia could figure out her feelings later. She picked up her sword and swooped down beside Naofumi who jumped beside her. They backed up Edhard who carved his way through the ork horde.
Raphtalia fight beside Naofumi who kept back every ork blade and bullet while she cleaved through the xenos. Occasionally, the glanced back up at her sisters, but together with Ren and Itsuki, they kept the fire controls.
“For the Lion!”
Two more squads of Dark Angel auxilia came in from behind the orks, each led by a primaris Astartes. With their attack on the ork rear, the battle ended within minutes.
Raphtalia panted, heart still pounding, but not just from battle. She stared at Naofumi again. What am I going to say to him? What was I thinking before?
Naofumi, however, came to Raphtalia first and removed his helmet again. He stared down at Raphtalia. In her armor she stood over six and a half feet tall, but was still below Naofumi’s seven feet of height.
“I’m sorry, I just….” Raphtalia poked her two pointer fingers together. “I never thought I’d seen you again.”
“Nor I, you, Raphtalia.” Naofumi put his hand on her shoulder and the abhuman’s face went scarlet again. “I’m glad you’re alive.”
She gulped and tried to speak but Harn dragged Naofumi away from her.
“Let’s go! All of you!” he snarled at Ren and Itsuki who were talking with Raphtalia’s sisters. The two auxilia snapped to attention and raced after their sergeant.
No! “Astartes!” Raphtalia sprinted after them and blocked Harn. “My Sisters have been decimated, save myself, Eclair, and Rishia! I would request that you allow us to continue to fight beside you!”
“Denied!” Harn barked and jabbed his finger to another squad. “You can go with them.”
Raphtalia narrowed her eyes and got on the vox. “That was me asking nicely. Now we do this the hard way. Supreme Commander Azrael, this is Sister Raphtalia of Celestine’s Chosen.”
“Celestine’s Chosen! I didn’t know you were here!”
“Indeed. I would request one of your Auxilia squads back up me and my remaining sisters.”
“Of course.”
Raphtalia smirked at Harn who shook in his armor. Yes!
Chapter 6: The Summoning of the Heros
Chapter Text
Lion El’Johnson stood over the voxnet projector. Mirellia and Azrael stood beside them and a holographic display showed the various Imperium facilities across the world’s many islands. The first step was prioritizing targets. If research his father ordered was being conducted here, then ensuring its preservation was vital.
“Colonel, Mald. Which front is closest to collapsing?” Lion’El asked.
“Securing the Emperor’s research is the top priority!” Inquisitor Adultcray snarled.
A holographic image of him, Colonel Mald, Archmagos Zyren, and the Eldar, Reichnott were before them. The Primarch narrowed his eyes at Adultcray’s facade. Johnson supposed it would take time for the Inquisition to realize they were no longer the masters of the Imperium. He would have to remind Adultcray of this fact.
“My lord, it just so happens that the Melromarc island facility is under the heaviest attack.” The Colonel gave a heavy sigh. “I don’t know how those wretched xenos found out it’s where our main research facility is, but they’ve overrun most of the island.”
The Primarch tightened his fist. Of course the greenskins would go to the main facility. Then again, he should have supposed they’d hit where they thought they’d find the highest abundance of potential plunder.
Marellia leaned in closer. “Archmagos, Seer Reichdott, what is your assessment?”
The hunch-backed cyborg woman tilted her metallic head and surveyed a map in front of her. “The Inquisitor is correct that his facility does hold research related to closing the Great Rift. I have deployed our sole Reaver-Class titan to the island as well as most of our skitarii, but the greenskins are attacking in the millions.”
“Indeed, my lady, many of our people are across that island.”
“Across the island?” Azrael asked.
“Indeed, Melromarc houses tens of thousands of human scientists and many eldar researchers. The island is a self-contained community with entire settlements supporting the larger laboratory cities. There are hundreds of thousands of humans and vast numbers of eldars dwelling there,” Colonel Mald said.
Mirellia’s face went pale and her Primarch husband narrowed his eyes. It’s not just a lab, it’s practically an island nation. “Where are the civilians?” Lion’El asked.
“The civilians mean nothing!” Adultcry snarled. “Closing the Great Rift is our top priority! I demand you relieve my facility, Primarch!”
All eyes shot to the Inquisitor and Lion El’Johnson stared at the balding human. Azrael bent the edge of the vox projector in his grip while Mirellia shook her head.
“You do not make demands of me, human. Speak that way to me again and it will be the last thing you ever speak.”
Adultcry winced and Lion’El turned back to Colonel Mald.
“The civilians, Colonel.”
“My guardsmen and Eldar forces tried to evacuate them but there were too many. Thousands are still trapped behind enemy lines. Entire towns and villages at the Orks’ mercy.
“Not for long,” Lion’El said and Mirellia smiled at him, her cheeks a little pink.
“Azrael, what is the status of the other islands?”
“Our companies have arrived, my lord. The company masters report the success in stabilizing the lines.”
Lion’El nodded. Good. This meant he could deploy the bulk of his forces to Melromarc and help the civilians. “Deploy all but three of our remaining companies to Melromarc, leave the rest in reserve.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Lion’El pointed to the vast countryside of Melromarc, now highlighted on the map. “Deploy the Primaris to where the fighting is the thickest and half the auxilia. As for the rest of the auxilia, send them behind the lines. I want as many civilians evacuated as possible and for them to cause havoc to any ork encampments they come across.”
Azrael bowed his head. “At once, Lord Johnson.”
“I’ll send Rangers to assist. Seer Reichnott, do you have any warriors you can spare?”
The eldar seer’s lip quivered and a thick bead of sweat ran down his brow. “I have one…..”
“Then send him. As for you, Inquisitor. I want you organizing the evacuation too,” Lion’El Johnson said.
Adultcry gritted his teeth. “I must protect the Emperor’s research. But I’ll send my subordinate."
That was the best he was likely to get from the Inquisitor. However, that’s when Lion’El remembered something. “The Sisters of Battle. They are here too, are they not?”
“They were,” the commodore said with a deep sigh. “I am receiving reports that all but three were killed aboard the main gun platform. Thankfully the arrival of your astartes saved the station, my lord.”
Lion’El grunted. Wretched xenos. The Sisters of Battle were a valuable asset.
“However, my lord, the three who survived are the Chosen of Celestine.”
Lion’El perked up. He had heard of the Chosen of Celestine. After his father’s return over ten years earlier, further cooperation with the Eldar had allowed the Sisters of Battle to attempt to create their own equivalent of the Astartes.
Of course, female Astartes and Custodes were impossible. Their physiology was simply incompatible with the genetic alterations necessary to turn men into Space Marines or Custodes. However, the Celestines believed that Eldar research, now condoned by the Emperor, could help them enhance their own Sisters in a similar way.
However, the results had been disastrous with most of the Sisters becoming crippled as a result of the surgery. Yet, apparently, there had been a handful of successes, Celestine’s Chosen. These Sisters were not as large or strong as Astartes, even auxilia. However, they were far stronger and faster than mortal humans, and much more agile than Space Marines.
Additionally, it was said that they could live as long as most Space Marines, and like Astartes Auxilia, supposedly remained capable of bearing children. Initially, Lion’El had considered that last detail to be absurd. But his own father had encouraged the idea upon his return. Thus many Dark Angel auxilia had taken eldar brides, to have wives who would live as long as them, and even fathered children with them.
Lion’El, of course, had no leg to stand on in that regard. He took Mirellia’s hand and held her close. “I want you to stay on the ship with Melty and the others.”
“Why, afraid I might do something reckless?” Mirellia smiled.
“I’m serious, Mirellia. If something goes wrong, the kids can’t lose us both.”
The eldar woman winced a little and then hugged the giant human.
“When are we going down?” a soft voice asked.
Lion’El sprang up with Mirellia. All eyes shot to Melty who stood on her tippy toes to look at the vox projector. “I want to see Papa and the cool shield astartes fight the orks!”
The little girl beamed until her parents loomed over her. Mirellia’s lips quivered. “You’re right, I do need to stay here.” She picked up Melty until they were eye level.
“You, young lady, are going to your room. Now!”
Chapter 7: Melromarc
Chapter Text
Chapter 7: Melromarc
Naofumi rode inside a Thunderhawk with his squad and Celestine’s Chosen. Raphtalia sat beside him, still scarlet in the face. She spent most of the ride explaining to Naofumi how she and her squadmates had become some of Celestine’s Chosen.
“It was all because of you, Naofumi!” Raphtalia beamed, her tail wagging a little. “I never forgot the way you saved me all those years ago. I wanted to do what you did. I wanted to honor your memory.”
Naofumi took a deep breath. Oh Raphtalia. Still the little girl he found all those years ago. “I’m honored, Raphtalia. But you think too highly of me. I was just a soldier doing my duty, no different than the trillions of others.”
“No!” Raphtalia sprung up from her seat. “You saved me Naofumi! The way you fought those orks! Now I found out that you’ve been fighting as a Space Marine all this time!”
A thick beat of sweat ran down Naofumi’s brow when he saw Raphtalia’s cheeks turn bright pink and her eyes turn to hearts. He readied himself in case she had any ideas like the gun platform, less he incur even further penance from Sergeant Harn.
His squad leader sat near the exit ramp, performing maintenance on his thunder hammer. The sergeant narrowed his eyes at Naofumi and Raphtalia.
Naofumi shook his head. “I never chose this path, Raphtalia. Like everything else in my life, it was chosen for me.”
“No! It was the Emperor! He laid out this path for you!” Raphtalia came closer. “He brought us back together.”
She took his hand and Naofumi’s insides heated up a little. Gaah! What am I thinking? Raphtalia was a Sister of Battle. Even if auxilia could marry, Naofumi didn’t see her that way. She was the little girl he saved all those years ago, nothing more.
Naofumi glanced at his squad mates. Itsuki was chatting up Rishia, telling her all his glorious achievements as a Space Marine. The green-haired Sister of Battle, looked much like Raphtalia. Her eyes glistened like stars and she begged Itsuki to keep talking.
Ren and Eclair, by contrast, were deep in argument.
“You’re far too flashy with your sword play, Dark Angel. You could be much more proficient if you weren’t trying to show off,” Eclair said, polishing her blade.
“You know nothing, Sister of Battle! Astartes are meant to inspire mere humans with our prowess!”
“Hmph, Ren, for your penance, you cannot call yourself a Space Marine, Astarte, or Dark Angel until I see fit,” Sergeant Harn said.
Ren’s mouth dropped and Eclair smirked at the auxilia. Ren gritted his teeth and grumbled something unintelligent.
“Naofumi, are you proud of me?” Raphtalia asked, her body quivering a little.
Naofumi was about to speak when the thunderhawk’s lights flashed red.
“We’re approaching the surface,” the pilot’s voice echoed over the intercom.
“On your feet.” Sergeant Harn drew his assault bolter. “We have our orders from Master Ansiel, but they come from the Primarch himself. We are to save the people trapped behind enemy lines and cause as much destruction to the orks as possible.”
Harn looked at the three auxilia and Sisters of Battle before taking a deep breath. “Given how much distance we have to cover, we’ll be splitting up.”
“Yes, sergeant!” Ren cried and Eclair too nodded.
They moved towards their respective squads, and Naofumi got up too. That was until he saw Raphtalia puffing up her cheeks.
“Sergeant, we could cover even more ground if we split up into four groups instead of two.”
“Eh?” Naofumi, Ren, and Eclair muttered.
The Primaris Astartes raised an eyebrow at Raphtalia. “How so?”
“Well as a Primaris Space Marine is more than capable on his own. The rest of us could go in groups of two!”
Raphtalia seized Naofumi’s hand before he could react. “I’ll take Naofumi!”
“I’ll take Itsuki!” Rishia cried.
Naofumi’s second heart fluttered and he turned to Harn. “Sergeant, we shouldn’t split up the squad–”
“This is your penance, Naofumi. Aid the Sister of Battle.”
Naofumi tightened his fist, for he saw the faintest hint of a smirk on the sergeant’s face before a helmet covered it.
“Each of you will head to a nearby village then meet at the rally point with the rest of our company. Kill any orks you see, but if they are too many in number fall back.” Harn looked at Ren who gritted his teeth.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep him in check.” Eclair grinned at Ren who snarled at her.
Naofumi sighed. “I’ll do my best to keep you safe, Raphtalia.”
“You don’t have to anymore!” Raphtalia cried, and drew her sword. “I’m one of Celestine’s Chosen!”
Naofumi stared at her. But he didn’t see an enhanced Sister of Battle. Emperor, give me the strength to keep her safe.
The thunderhawk flew over a small settlement and pounded the attacking orks. Harn shouted at Itsuki and Rishia who leaped out. A few minutes later they arrived at another village. Ren and Eclair raced through the thunderhawk, shoving past Harn who snarled at Ren as he jumped out.
Finally, Naofumi and Raphtalia’s target came into view, a farming town with orks charging in from every direction.
“Let’s go! For the Emperor!” Raphtalia jumped out of the Thunderhawk and extended her armor’s wings.
Naofumi was about to follow, but Harn grabbed his right arm at the last moment. The Primaris sergeant jerked Naofumi back until their visored eyes met.
“Sergeant?”
Harn leaned closer until their helmets almost touched. “Consider this your only warning, Naofumi. If I find out that you kiss that Sister of Battle again–”
“She kissed me!” Naofumi snapped.
Harn shook Naofumi, who groaned. He was a Space Marine, he could have stopped it if he chose to. Raphtalia had just caught him off-guard.
“If I find out you’ve kissed her again. I will make you marry her.”
Naofumi’s mouth dropped and he readied a diatribe when his sergeant shook him again.
“And if you think I can’t force you into it. You’re sadly mistaken, and if you think if I somehow die here you can weasel out of it, you’re also wrong. I’ve already made the Chaplain and several others aware.”
Naofumi’s legs wobbled. What is this? He pulled himself free of Sergeant Harn and jumped out of the thunderhawk. Yet, as he did so, the auxilia saw Raphtalia flying nearby, her face bright red and tail quivering.
…………………..She heard everything………………Just great. Naofumi hit the ground with a ‘thud’, but rose within a moment.
His helmet’s visor began tracking Ork slugga boyz and shoota boyz racing towards the various houses and buildings. There a makeshift militia of farmers fired lasguns and autoguns.
Screams echoed from children and parents as they tried to find shelter from the ork assault. Scrap vehicles tore across the fields, firing heavy machine guns into the buildings, ripping them apart and anyone in the line of fire.
“Naofumi, we have to help them!” Raphtalia cried.
“For the Lion!” Naofumi drew his plasma pistol and ran over 50 MPH while Raphtalia flew.
The Chosen of Celestine drew a bolt pistol and fired off rounds while Naofumi shot his plasma pistol. Each shot claimed an ork, but there were too many to get with some fire alone.
"Oi! Dat's a beakie AND a burny’umie!” A slugga boy pointed his axe at the approaching duo. “WAAAAGH!"
A large group of orks broke off their attack on the village and came straight for them. Naofumi kept firing until the last moment, then lashed out with his shield, bashing two incoming axeheads. “Burn, xenos!” Naofumi blew the orks’ heads off when they stumbled, but more swarmed him.
“WAAAGH!”
Axe after axe struck Naofumi’s storm shield, but none hit his ceramite armor. Occasionally, the Space Marine managed to get a plasma shot in, but there were too many orks to throw any counter strikes without getting overwhelmed.
“Here I come, Naofumi!” Raphtalia cried.
“Be careful!” he shouted back.
However, the Sister of Battle swooped in, sword held high and decapitated five orks with a few strokes.
“Dakka da burny git! Ain't got no Stormboyz 'ere!
Several shoota boyz and slugga boyz with pistols started firing at her, but in doing so, they gave Naofumi his opening.
“My turn.” Naofumi’s shield caved open ork skulls one after the other.
“A Space Marine and a Sister of Battle!” one of the villagers cried and pointed to them.
“Praise the Emperor, we’re saved!”
“Not yet!” Naofumi snarled. “Keep shooting!”
More lasgun fire erupted from various windows but the ork attackers shifted all their attention towards Naofumi and Raphtalia.
“Dakka dem umie gits!” A wartrukk drove straight for them, its gun trained on Raphtalia. “WAAAGH!”
“No!” Naofumi fired a plasma bolt at the driver.
The vehicle flipped over, but another came in. Naofumi planted his feet and dug his storm-shield into the ground. A barrage of heavy-machine gun rounds bounced off it, but Naofumi gritted his teeth. Each one raddled his steel-like bones. A few slugga boyz tried to attack Naofumi, but got torn up by their own truck’s fire.
“I’m coming, Naofumi!”
Raphtalia swooped in and hurled a frag grenade into the vehicle. A moment later, it went up in flames. Naofumi’s face cracked into a faint smile. Perhaps I was wrong.
The Sister of Battle flew back down and fought side by side with the Space Marine. Working together, they tore through the ork ranks. Anytime they were nearly swarmed, Naofumi went ahead and kept them back with his shield. Raphtalia would then fly overhead and cut many down while farmers thinned the rest with lasgun fire.
As they got closer, Naofumi realized that this particular farming settlement was quite familiar. When Raphtalia flew down again, his second heart pounded. That was it. This place was just like the village he found Raphtalia in all those years ago.
The astarte auxilia’s blood boiled, for the wretched commissar’s stupid face overtook his sight. She was joined by the snarling orks who wiped out his company. Snarling, Naofumi bludgeoned his way through the orks in a feral fury.
“Dat beakie wants a good krumpin', lets gives 'im one, WAAAAGH!”
Ork blood coated crops and buildings, with none able to stop Naofumi.
“Naofumi, be careful–” Raphtalia started.
She flew down but came to a halt and went pale. An ork nobz riding a massive three-headed squig smashed through a building. Three villagers writhed in their fangs, screaming.
The Sister of Battle started to tremble and sweat.
She saw herself as a little girl, two abhumans like her were ripped apart by a three headed squig just like this one.
“Raphtalia, run!” her father screamed.
“Mama! Papa!”
“Raphtalia!” Naofumi screamed, snapping the sister from her daze.
Seeing the nobz rider charging Raphtalia, his blood stopped boiling and all other concern vanished. He raced in front of her, shield raised. One squig head bit into it, the next bit his left pauldron, and the last came for his head. Naofumi shoved his pistol into its mouth but the nobz rider bashed his hand.
"Oi, I don't fink so, beakie!"
Naofumi grunted, searing pain tearing into his shoulder as fangs went past the ceramite and buried into flesh.
“Raphtalia, stand up!” Naofumi cried. “You’re a Chosen of Celestine!”
Color returned to Raphtalia’s face and she stood up. “I am a Chosen of Celestine!”
Extending her wings, Raphtalia soared through the air and slashed. The nobz flung his club at her, but Raphtalia swung low, severing the squig’s three heads. Naofumi quickly raised his shield and knocked the nobz’s club aside. The massive ork fell off his dead mount and grunted.
“Oi, ya done it now, ya git!”
The nobz threw his club at Raphtalia, but Naofumi held it in place.
“For the Emperor!” Raphtalia brought her sword down again and severed the nobz’s head.
With their leader dead, the remaining orks began to scatter, making them easier targets for local militia. Naofumi exhaled and held his bleeding arm.
“Naofumi!” Raphtalia flew down and held his shoulder. “You’re hurt!”
“I’ll be fine.” Naofumi adjusted his arm. “I’’ve suffered worse.”
He looked down at Raphtalia, her face flush and her eyes moistening.
“I’m sorry I froze…..It’s my fault you’re hurt.”
Naofumi shook his head and removed his helmet. The astarte’s eyes met Raphtalia’s.
“I was wrong. You have become a warrior in your own right. I’m proud to have you by my side Raph–”
Before Naofumi knew what happened, Raphtalia had her arms wrapped around his shoulders. The Space Marine’s eyes went wide and both hearts fluttered, for Raphtalia was kissing him, again.
A series of explosions enveloped the field behind them, causing all eyes to turn on a thunderhawk. Sergeant Harn leaped out of the thunderhawk and crushed the last of the orks beneath him.
Naofumi went paler than snow and shook, for the red eyes of his sergeant’s helmet bore into him.
Raphtalia covered her mouth and shivered. “I’m sorry.”
Harn strode closer, hammer in hand, never moving his gaze from Naofumi.
“Citizens! Onboard the thunderhawk, now!”
“You heard the Space Marine!”
“Thank you, my lord!”
“Come on!”
People raced past them inside the dropship, some having to shout at others who were trying to take excess belongings with them.
Naofumi gulped. “Sergeant–”
“I’ll tell the chaplain to meet us at the basecamp. Congratulations.”
Naofumi fell onto his back, slackjawed, but Raphtalia’s tail started to wag.
They should have let me die.