This is fan fiction and is unofficial and in no way associated with Games Workshop Limited

Chapter 6 The march of life

Banal was home. He always held aw for the citadel and what it represented to the Imperium. Its black steel halls ringing with the footsteps of the faithful. Even so it was a very dangerous place to be. Every one looking for heresy in every shadow and every intention.

Many of his ilk sought personal gain through manipulating others and using the Inquisitions own rules agents it. Schemas and the constant plotting of the political rivals looked at as keeping everyone on their toes. Which was a good thing as there was no checks and balance outside the Inquisition. The Inquisition was the word of the emperor and thus only the organization itself could rule itself.

The rumor was that the radicals had made a move on the council. There are many political factions in the order but the two largest ones were the puritans and the radicals. Banal himself believed in the puritan cause. The cause stating that the imperium was pure and it path righteous. It should not be polluted with xenos ways or heretical thinking. They were the true rulers of this galaxy and would remain so as long as the faith stayed true.

The radicals believed in change and flexibility. That the order needed to use chaos or xenos agents its enemy’s. To enslave and control the filth that threatened the Imperium from within and without.

At first Banal was repulsed by the thinking of the radicals. During his many years of service though soon wore down on his belief and he saw why the order allowed radicals to operate.

Was he growing soft in his belief in his older years? He didn’t know but he knew that his mind was slowly changing over the years.

The hiss of a door opened and the smell of recycled air filled his nose. The seal of the door holding back air that didn’t cycle as much as the rest of the station. This was because not many were allowed this far into the citadel.

A servo skull hovered there facing the door letting out a series of beeps. Weapon systems coming on line allowing them to track Banal as he made his way up to it.

“By the holy order, I present myself as Heckman, Banal. Rank Inquisitor of the holy order heriticus.”

The stress was weighing heavy on his shoulders. Each spot a possible spot that his rivals could have him eliminated. An accident in the reconization system of the servo skull was all it would take and he would be no more. Now more than ever he believed that could happen due to his involvement with the psyker and Issa.

A few beeps sounded out as the scan started a clawed arm attached to the morbid floating skull coming out to stick Banal in the shoulder. The device testing his DNA as well as his features.

After a bit the weapons lowered and allowed Banal to pass into the next room. A sentry came to attention saluting and then opened an ornate door allowing Banal to enter the center administration of the citadel.

“BANAL!”

The shout forced the Inquisitor to turn and smile. A familiar face was scowling down from one of the large balconies.

“Lord Briskwall,” going to one knee with his head down, Banal paid respect to one of the twelve lords of the Inquisition. “I come requesting audience and guidance from the council and my best friend.”

Lord Briskwall tisked coming down the stairs into the large greeting room.

“You know that we have no friends and would expect you to be ready to bring even a Lord to his holy justice. Barring that,” Lord Briskwall cracked a slight smile and brought a hand up to tap Banal on the shoulder allowing him to stand. “It is good to see you again lad.”

Banal stood keeping his gaze lowered but forward.

“It has been a long journey but I believe that I found the gateway my master sought so hard to keep close. Only to be stopped by orders from the council and Issa Shadowheart.”

Briskwall nodded simply starting to walk into one of the many hallways attached to the greeting chamber.

“Come we will talk in my private study on the matter. We have much to talk about and I also want to hear what you think of the situation.”

Banal fallowed his once rival into the hallways. The vast hallways only filled with the very few viewed as worthy to walk its holy hallways. Pride started to fill Banal as he had worked so hard throughout his life to be allowed to be a part of this. Every visit he felt rejuvenated and his faith restored in what he did. It gave him perpouse and meaning.

He hoped that Risia kept her wits about her. It wasn’t unheard of to have someone steal or kill an Inquisitors pawns. She was smart and one of the reasons she was one of the few he considered worthy of succeeding him.


Risia had her orders and she was already going about fulfilling them for Banal. She needed to poke about the lower parts of the citadel and find out anything about the current political situation of the citadel. Who was in power and who was running things.

Banal had filled her in on the aspects of how the political system worked and he needed to have a check and balance. Whatever Banal learned at council would need to be checked and so far, it sounded like that the Radical faction had taken over a majority seat in council.

Going over the list that Banal gave her of those he trusted to some extent she was bouncing and compiling what she could.

Some were gone some were still about and most were very reluctant to let out any information. It wasn’t until she gave Banal’s code word that they would relax and give some information.

They also added that a lot of the lower level political factions were being purged or removed from the citadel and that she best watch herself.

Banal had slipped her a small slug thrower that was undetectable by the augers of the station and other personal auspect devices. She also had a wide range of blades and other items that could help out in a pinch.

In fact she was sure she was being fallowed as she worked her way back up to the main levels. It was a tall human who seemed to be at ease, a thick cloth cloak covering his wide shoulders taking his time as he walked up the stairs after her.

Risia was a little torn as to what to do. She could simply confront the individual but what if it turned into a fight? Was she really ready to spill others blood from the very organization she was so proud to be a part of?

“Master, I can see what you meant by this being worse than combat.”

Risia muttered to herself before slowing down and waiting to see what the other figure did.

“Hail to you, are you Risia? One of Banal’s ilk?”

The tall human asked when he finally approached. He was young but the scars over his face and bionics showed that he had a history to him.

“Possibly, who’s asking?”

The human just simply smiled. His face wrinkling up in a way that pulled the skin taunt giving him an almost mannequin look. That’s when Risia noticed the tattoo on his neck. A Imperial skull with a human hand print on the forehead of the skull.

“A purger?”

Risia was already going for her firearm as the human pulled out a large sword from under his cloak. He was fast and his bionics were helping his speed even more as the sword flicked up cutting through railing and stair case all in one go.

A purger was those who believed that anthros were unclean and a blight on the Imperium. When anthros were allowed to become part of the Imperium there was almost a thousand years of strife and killing of individuals. A dark war waged in streets and hive cities where purgers tried to force out anthros.

The issue was that the Imperium was in no condition to not accept anthros into the Imperium. The thirteenth crusade saw to that with the destruction of Cadia and the black purge that started right after.

Anthros were considered a mutant string from the dark age of technology and thus unclean to a lot of the Puritins, it was a miracle that Banal ever took her in as she was just on that fact. Something she always felt gratitude for.

The blade whipped through, the sizzling smell of ozone filling Risia’s nose as she fought to keep from tumbling backwards.

“You dare attack an official member!”

It infuriated her that someone would do this and not even try to hide their actions. This gave Risia the confidence to open fire on the Purger as he was coming up over the railing. The shots rang out hitting the Purger a few times though she could hear the clank of bionics.

He was strong and fast as the sword came at her again. This time as a jab going right through the wall next to her.

“You filth! You are not worthy to be called part of the order! You belong in a penal legion saving the pure with your death!”

The sword slicing through the air putting Risia on the retreat. He was a competent with his skill and she knew if she allowed it he would kill her.

Risia had already reloaded her slug thrower and was leaping from the balcony to another one across the way when the Purger jumped after her grabbing her by the back of her body suite and pulling her down to the floor below. Both tumbled three or four stories before crashing to the floor.

A scream of pain rang out from Risia as she felt the impact of the floor. She was still healing from her wound from Issa too making it harder to overcome the pain.

The Purger was psychotic! He was getting up from where he crumpled still holding on Risia’s leg allowing Risia to unload her weapon into the Purger’s face.

Skin and flesh and bionics tore off but still he raised his sword bringing it down forcing Risia to roll as best as she could, hearing the sizzling hiss of the sword as it passed just inches from her deep into the floor.

This was her chance allowing her to whip about and draw one of her many bladed weapons and sink it deep into the Purger’s neck. White milky bionic fluid spilled, mixed with red blood forcing a howl of pain from the human.

“You cur! You dare strike your better?! You will die a slow and painful death!”

Ripping his sword out of the ground he brought it about slicing through a beam holding up the balcony that they had just been on.

An idea forced Risia to roll a few more feet to the side as her paws worked another clip into the slug thrower.

“You’re a relic of a time long past Purger!”

She shot back in both words and fire power forcing the Purger to hunch and use one of his bionic arms to block and deflect the rounds.

His wild counter attack forced Risia to step back giving him ground till finally a loud crack sounded out. The Purger not even knowing the danger till the many support beams she had him cut through broke and tumbling rockcreet and metal came crashing down on him.

Risia was able to just get out of the way in time as dust billowed and filled the small empty room. When it cleared, everything had a coat of dust on it. Including herself as the smell of it clogged her nose making her cough and choke on it. Still half out of the ruble was the Purger. Several large beams laying on him as well as parts of metal that protruded through his body allowing his bionics and blood to ooze out onto the floor.

It had killed him instantly it looked like, his wide blood shot eyes staring up through the dust that had settled on his eyes.

Only after Risia was able to take a breath she looked around the stairway seeing that it was a good spot for an ambush. No surveillance and it was well away from the busy hub of the station so the fighting wouldn’t attract to much attention.

Swallowing and standing fully Risia knew she had to get out of here. It would not due to get marred up with questions as well as Banal did not need the council using this as an excuse. Whoever tipped the Purger off could easily pass it off as a renegade Purger taking things into his own hands.

That’s when clapping caught her attention. Looking up at the top of the stair way she could see a female figure clapping with a cocky look on her face.

“My my such a bad stroke of luck running into a Purger here Risia. I do hope that you are unhurt?”

Risia was injured a little bit. She knew she would be sore due to the fall and probably had a few fractures due to it.

“Who are you? Identify yourself!”

“You can call me Mell. I will be right down.”

The female working her way down before hopping down from the destroyed part of the stairwell. She was a hyena from the looks of it. Her crimson hair a sharp contrast from her dark spotted fur.

“You know I was trying to get this guy for almost three weeks here. Here you go and squish him under a bunch of rock and metal.”

A kick of the yena’s boot making the Purgers head lull back before falling forward again.

“Explain yourself!”

Mell put her paws up putting a toothpick in her muzzle as she chewed it about.

“Relax I didn’t sick him on you. I was actually here to do a retrieval as he was becoming an eyesore to the order.”

Sighing she shook her head and then reached down to grab the humans head working a blade into it before detaching it.

“I will just have to take this back as proof I suppose.”

Risia didn’t quite know how to respond to the newcomer. She had a casual mentality as she dropped the head into a bag of hers. She felt confident enough to turn her back to Risia which made her bristle up but at the same time the woman carried herself with confidence that spoke of ability.

Sounds made the pair look up and towards the closed door.

“Ut company time to go.”

Mell was already hopping up on the rubble heading up towards one of the other hallways with Risia fallowing suite. She needed to get back to the ship and drop off the information she collected before heading out to the meeting place that Banal had asked to meet her at.

Risia only paused for a little bit seeing Mell take a different path. She felt like she would be seeing her again some time. Till then she had to go. The sound of opening doors making her pad off down another hallway trying to dust off as she went.


Banal walked in to Briskwall’s study and looked about only briefly. Just enough to see where the exits were as well as if there was anything in the room that would be suspicious.

“Sit.”

Briskwall sitting himself making a motion to Banal to sit as well. The Lord taller and larger then Banal as he filled his seat out with his bulk and robes. Old age had finally robbed him of his youthful figure and strength. A fate shared by all but it was always odd seeing someone with such power so frail of body. Though he also knew that the lord had all manner of protection and bionics to help him live through most attacks.

“I’ll be up front with you Banal, radicals have taken over the council majority seating. It’s thrown a lot of things into a huge mess. We haven’t had a Radical ran council in over a thousand years.”

Banal had feared that this was the case as he simply nodded listening.

“There is very little that we can do currently while they hold the majority rule. They wish that the psyker be used as a weapon while we believe that she should be eliminated. That is why there has been no kill order for her yet. We are working on plans to work around this but we will not resort to under handed tactics that the Radicals use.”

A grim look fell over Briskwall’s face. One that made Banal feel uneasy as this was politics he didn’t want to be a part of.

“That is why I am going to ask you to be patient with the council. The radicals want you off this case as well. We are sending you to the Hitson Solar system where you and your team will work to bring Histon 8 and its moons back into compliance.”

Banal was a bit shocked at that one. He had expected that they would not authorize a kill order but to be pulled off it completely was angering. He hid it well but not well enough it seemed as Briskwall held up a hand.

“Please look these over before you protest the order.”

A data slat being moved over across the table to him. It took only a few moments for Banal to see why he was being sent to the Histon Solar.

“Are you sure this is accurate? I don’t even think radicals are this crazy to do something like this.”

“We have no proof but it is believed that is their intentions.”

This put a fire back into Banal allowing him to feel that he was on the right side and that what he and the other Puritans believed was the true path for the Imperium.

“And if I find Issa in any of this mess?”

“Then you’re to eliminate her as a heretic. Banal if you mess up then the Inquisition will simply call you a rouge and will not acknowledge your actions.”

That was a phrase that he had not heard in a very long time.

“If it means stopping this I will take on the mantle of a rouge my lord. Please keep me informed if more information comes in on this. I will make haste to Histon 8.”

“I will Banal and if I find out how they are to get her to Histon 8 I will make sure to keep you apprised. For now, all we know is they plan on smuggling her off Titan and get her to Histon 8.”

Banal nodded as he stood putting his fist to his chest and bowing. The data slate clutched in his hand tightly before standing and excusing himself.


Risia was waiting at the spot, having cleaned up some and kept a wary eye on things till she spotted Banal moving down through the crowd towards her. It made her glad to see that he was ok but he had a look that she had not seen on him in quite a few years.

“Bad news master?”

A curt nod coming from Banal.

“Not here maybe once we are underway. They will know that we were filled in now and I would not be surprised if they made a move now that I have talked with Brickwall.”

Risia looked a little confused deciding to fill him in on the attack on her already.

“A purger would be a good choice to target you. They need very little incentive to go after you and anyone that slipped the information to them could simply state that they had no intentions of causing harm and the purger acted on their own accord. It is good to see that you are ok though Risia.”

Banal seamed more personable then usual as he put a hand on her shoulder.

“As for why they would wait for me to meet with Brickwall, it was probably to see where his intentions would lay. Now that they see that I’m still alive I’m sure that they will go after us as well as possibly go after Brickwall to.”

A shocked look passed over Risia’s face as she just looked at Banal with disbelief.

“Surly no one would dare go after a Lord Inquisitor! That would be madness!”

A sad look crossed Banal’s face and he shook his head.

“Brickwall has played this game longer then I have been alive and knows it well. I wouldn’t fear for him but fear for ourselves because we are the pawns in this little political drama.”

Risia huffed a bit thinking Banal’s worry as a test of her faith.

“I will not be cowered by these wretches, I dislike their view of the creed and I think it’s heretical.”

The fur on the back of Risia’s neck stood a bit before Banal simply nodded. Truth be told Banal was emboldened by his Interrogator’s faith.

“Then let’s make haste to Histon 8. We will play the waiting game till it is the right time to strike. We have to pick up a few more pieces to the game before we get there though.”



Sharue was still hugging Emma in the habitation room where Issa and Van had taken her. Issa’s crew had made haste to make good on their promise to get Emma. The fox hadn’t talked much seaming to be in a state of shock in what all she went through.

“Emma, hey?”

The red vixen slowly shaking out of it some, it had been well over a week and she hadn’t taken the news well that her whole life was gone. That she had been almost killed in a very horrible way but Issa and Sharue had come to save her.

“Yea?”

“You ok? You haven’t ate very much and Issa should be back soon with whatever she was going to go get going.”

Emma looked at the food ration that was in front of her. “I’m just not all that hungry I guess.”

Sharue had tried her best not to think on the whole situation. The fact that there was a whole different world sitting right over the heads of the lower hivers and that they lived in such lavish conditions. She also didn’t want to think on the fact that everything and everybody she knew was about to change. That was what hurt Emma the most Sharue thought. She had a thing for that rabbit and now she would not see him again or the many other people of the gang that both Emma and herself called family.

“Yea I hear you there but I don’t think we have a choice.”

Eric came out of the other room with Van. The two may not like each other but seamed to forge a partnership over the last month that they had been together.

Sharue always felt very uneasy around Van. She had been told that he was a blank and could keep her powers in check. It felt almost like all her senses were somehow muted whenever he was close to her. She had to admit he was attractive and had a nice personality though but it took almost the whole week just for her to be able to stand being near him at all.

Emma finally started to eat a bit allowing Sharue to relax. Even the food was so much different up here. Sharue personally liked it but Eric did not and seemed to be stubborn about it always complaining of it being too sweet or too sour and such.

Issa finally stepped back into the hab after being gone for a few days. The collie inquisitor was on the mend and had a bit of her cocky attitude back. Though she hid how serious she was injured well from every one.

Van stood offering a slight bow to the inquisitor leaving Sharue and Eric to sort of wonder what they should do. They have never had to deal with athoritive individuals beyond arbiters and the sheer power an inquisitor had was beyond their imagination.

“Good news every one. You get to take the step of life. Step off and be part of the imperial guard.”

Issa simply dusted her gloves off and settled down into a chair with a sigh. She was tired after the long nights or explaining everything via astropath and having to work out details with the local navy and imperial guard.

The group just looked at her confused like. Eric was the first one to speak out.

“Are you frackin kidding me? The military?!”

Sharue was a bit dumb founded too just sort of trying to take it all in.

“That’s right stud you,” The collie tossing her gloves at Eric so they hit his chest and fell to the ground. “Get to serve. We call it the walk of life here on Titan. Because it will be the only life you know once you step off on it.”

“This is our only choice?”

Sharue finally voicing herself, making Issa look her way.

“It’s the only one I’m giving you.”

Issa replied, her eyes narrowing a bit deciding to give a little bit of her authority to the group. She had been more laid back with Sharue when she didn’t have the same level of support and control down in the under dark.

“I worked hard to save you from Banal’s group and due to power well out of my control this is the only option I have for the time that we have.”

Issa looked to Emma with an almost sadistic grin.

“Unless little Emma here would like to go back to processing factory 43 with you two as well because that’s all that awaits you here if you stay.”

Emma shook her head almost violently.

“No..no please no I don’t want to go back to that place!”

Eric did not like the tone the conversation took but Van patted him on the shoulder and just shook his head.

“Van you will be joining them.”

That made Van galk a bit.

“What?!”

Issa enjoyed the look on Van’s face as she was a bit upset with him on a few levels.

“Did you find out how Banal found out where we were?”

“No ma’am”

Van’s face sinking into a frown seeing where this was going.

“Also, I need a blank near Sharue, boot is going to be stressful and I need someone to keep her under control.”

It didn’t sit well with Van as he wanted to argue and he could see Issa was happy to see him upset. He should have known that this was coming though as he sighed.

“And we can’t use a control collar because that would draw attention to our star here.”

Issa added finally patting Sharue on the head like a dog making the vixen scowl a bit backing up glaring.

The reality of it though was well emphasized as Emma was still blubbering a bit. Sharue had seen so many things as well and somehow got the feeling that she would never be allowed back into her society. All three of them saw how it was segregated and how badly some people have it.

Finally Eric just came out and said it.

“So we don’t have a choice.”

His words a statement, not a question as Issa smirked.

“Not really no. I would love to have more choices but this is the best I can do for now. I will be back to collect you guys but the easiest way to hide you in the system is the Imperial Guard as one of the billion upon billions of names and numbers in it. Banal won’t stop, nor will his puritan co horts.”

Van was not all that happy as Sharue could see it in his body posture but he was keeping quite on the matter.

Issa seemed to be ok with it all as she pulled out a drink from the cooling unit.

“Get a little bit of rest and we will get everyone there for processing and that way we can get off this miserable rock.”

The group sort of grumbled but did slip off to relax and try to get some rest. None of the three gangers knew what was instore for them and could only hope that things didn’t get worse then what they already were.


Sharue was amazed by the vehicle they were using. She had never been in an aircraft before as the small personal cutter took off from one of the many flight bays and headed out over the surface of Titan. A lot of it was city, as far as the eye could see but there were areas of nothing by grey white waste with ice. The fact that Saturn was so large, and the massive fleet that surrounded the whole moon. Eric and Emma were taking similar interest in the surroundings as Van and Issa were talking quietly.

“It’s so frackin huge….”

It wasn’t often you heard Emma curse, it brought a smile on Sharue’s face though. Enjoying having her friend back. She was so worried that she had lost her for good. Rubbing her friends back a bit Eric chimed in.

“No grack, I never gave a thought to what the topside was like. Hell, I don’t even think I ever gave a thought to what was up above us other then it was more souls.”

Sharue nodded having thought the same thing. Most everyone in the under hive never gave a thought to what was actually above them. They were too busy dealing with the here and now of it all.

She felt really dumb too. There was so much she didn’t know about and it wasn’t like you really got an education down in the under hive. You were taught just enough to get what you need done. Only a little reading and she didn’t even really know the term space or even space ship or aircraft. It made her feel primitive next to Issa and Van.

Eric must have felt similar as he was reluctant to ask to many questions. Eric was a little better at reading then her though.

The shipyards came into view and the defense platforms of the low orbit started to become visible. The orbital station Orion was a huge cathedral of weapons, ships, and activity. It was huge but some of the ships that were docked there were even larger.

“There she is. That is your new home right there.”

Issa pointed at a large ship.

“Holy Shield is her name. That’s the cruiser your unit is tasked to and your new home for now.”

Sharue lowered her ears back and just felt a really bad feeling coming from that ship. Almost like she was being lead into a large maniacal beast of some sort when the port bays opened up to let the ship enter.

The ship went into docking and Van was the first up to prep the ship for shut down. He had been mostly quite the whole time only talking with Issa off and on in hushed tones. Always looking over at Sharue from time to time.

Eventually the doors opened and Issa was the first out to greet the few members that were already waiting there. Sharue and the group just waited not knowing what was going to happen till one of them came on board. A broad shoulder human who had a bionic hand. He had a hard gaze on his face as he looked over the four on the ship.

“Well you the four brats that want to play soldier eh? Eyes on me!”

Sharue and Emma complied right away having always fallen into step when it came to males while Van was reluctant but complied.

Eric on the other hand bristled having always been used to having authority in the gang. He went to open his mouth and didn’t even get a word out before the military member slammed his bionic hand into the side of his jaw sending the larger k9 backwards and over the seats of the airship.

“Eric!”

Sharue jumped up some before she felt a hand grab her face and shove her back into the seat.

“Be a good bitch and sit!”

The human male knife handing at her till she backed down. Eric was getting back up only to be nailed again by the figure.

“I know your type boy. You think you’re tough because you had it hard in the gangs? Well you’re looking at a fellow gang member from Terra and all that shit stops now. You will do what I say and only words I want to hear out of you is “Yes sir” do I make myself clear?”

Eric was still reeling from the sudden attack trying to sort him self.

“Yes sir.”

He finally choked out. Eric wasn’t stupid and knew that if he fought this that it would be even worse. Standing the human backed off and looked at the four.

“When I say ears, you say open, if I say eyes you look at me and say snap do I make my self clear?”

“Yes sir.”

Came the reply from the group in a non to energetic tone.

“Bullshit I said do I make my self clear?!”

“Yes sir!”

Sharue gave a louder response, her eyes a bit wide with uncertainty.

“Ears!”

“Open!”

Eyes!”

The group looking to the large figure before saying “Snap!”

“Now you shit heads are getting off this aircraft and into my home. This is not your home, not yet and you will give everyone the utmost respect! When I say get off this ship I expect you to haul ass outside and fallow my fellow Sgt into processing!”

“Yes sir!”

“Get off this ship! Go go go!”


Issa could only smirk as she watched all four pile off the ship. She loved the glare that Van gave her before the others ushered them off down the passage way.

“Sgt you have your orders, I’m going to go talk to the captain of the ship, do not let anything happen to that fox. You can break her but do not kill her. You also need to keep Van closer to her.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The Sgt putting his fist to his chest and bowed to Issa.

“I will also talk to your Lt. and make sure he knows what is going on as well. Mess this up and you and every member of your company will be put to the sword.”

The Sgt bowed deeper.

“Yes, my lady. I understand”

“No you don’t but I think you can get the job done. Train them well, I will want them back eventually. You’re dismissed.”

After the Sgt turned and left Issa just gave a scornful sneer. She had very little love for the rank and file of the guard. Just bullet fodder as well as expendable. Many times, Issa had to sign off of the euthinization of whole units that saw something they were not supposed to see.

She had to talk with the captain of the ship who was respectful but also a bit egotistic. The collie making her way through the decks before coming up to the bridge. The cruiser was a massive capital ship that could hold its own agenst most other ships her size. Issa ran her paw along the metal hull before stepping onto the bridge muttering.

“Sorry to do this to you.”

She muttered to the ship and then looked about the bridge. Finding the captain at his podium she made her way to him. He was an aged and grizzled reptile. He came from the inner core worlds, hot and harsh which they like. His face was a mass of bionics and hardly any of his original body remained as he looked up from his seat.

“Inquisitor Issa, how can I be of service?”

The older reptile bowing his head slightly in his seat to show some respect at least. He was mostly connected to the seat now too. Wires and plugs that monitored and recorded ships activities fed directing into his nurals.

“Captain, I trust you understand your orders well and will execute them to the fullest?”

“Yes Inquisitor, I understand them and will obey. Is she worth it though?”

Issa offered a coy smirk and slowly nodded.

“More then you will ever understand Captain. Just keep on course that I gave you.”

“This path will take use considerably more time to get to Histon Solar. The astropath you provided seams brash and uncaring is he the right one to use?”

The collie sat on the arm of the command chair crossing her legs as she did so. The captain eyed her slowly looking up at her face with just a slightest of lip twitch. It was a grave insult but one he would bear if he knew what was good for him.

“He is perfect for this job. When you get back to Histon Solar you will get your old Astropath back.”

Issa simply said with a grin.


Sharue grunted and let out a scream as her face was ground into the ship’s hull by one of the Sgt’s that has fallowed her.

“To slow! When I say you run you better run! DO I MAKE MY SELF CLEAR!”

Sharue knew that it was not a question that she had a choice of saying no to. It had only been fifteen minuets and she was already tired from the run!

“Yes sir!”

Was all she could grunt out as he ground her a bit harder.

“Now move your ass!”

A hefty shove from the Sgt sent her stumbling down the corridor. No one else even batted an eye at the situation. Everyone moving over and out of the way to let her stumble and jog forward.

“Faster!”

The fox pushing herself almost to the point of tearing up as she was going as fast as she could! Her body heaving as she tried to make her way down the corridor and catch up with the others.

Eric and Emma were well ahead of her, both being more athletic than her. She was used to warming beds! What the hell has she gotten herself into!

It took another half hour before the hatch that she was supposed to get to came into view. The others were already in as she stumbled through. She heaved and coughed barley able to stand. Eric and Emma were there both relaxing some along with thirty or forty others. Some look like they have been there for a while others seamed new much like Sharue and her group.

“Frak me…..this sucks.”

The Sgt shoved her out of the way a bit walking in making her stumble.

“You fraking shi….”

She never got to finish that. She had hit her breaking point and was just angry. The strike gook her hard across the side of her head forcing her to sprawl out on the ground.

“I do not want to hear any back talk! Not from you and not from anyone else! Got it?”

Sharue was still recoving from the first strike when the next one took her in the ribs. The Sgt kicking her hard enough to slide her a foot across the floor. The pain was pretty high as she wheezed and balled up giving in. This was by far worse than anything Rose would have done.

Sharue was starting to understand Rose’s mentality though with this sort of treatment. The absolute authority sort of mentality that the guard has forcing you to obey. She let out a cough and sputter before feeling paws grab her and force her to stand.

Others she didn’t know getting in line and helping her find her spot. They all had stern and serious faces as the Sgt waited.

“For all of you who are new to this. I have just one phrase to say to you. Sucks to be you! That is the only piety you will get out of me. Those who have been here for a bit. I expect you to get the new joins squared away or its your asses on the line. 0200 formation and pt!”

“Aye sir!”

The response was loud and uniform making Sharue jump a little bit from it. Of the three Sgt two left leaving one who went into the duty hut. The group staying in formation for almost half hour before the one in the duty hut came out.

“Dismissed!”

Everyone finally relaxed and started to disperse into the large room where most of the racks were built into the walls. The room had a low ceiling and reeked of body order and recycled air. Those last two were nothing new to Sharue and her group. The under hive much the same way but just the idea of being in space still filled her with dread. In fact, the whole reality of the change still hadn’t fully kicked in yet. The fact they were leaving a planet and would probably never return.

“Oh frack…..”

Sharue’s jaws sort of going slack as she thought it over a little more. That was until she felt a heavy thump from behind her.

“That’s the face of what did I get myself into.”

The fox whipping about to face the individual. It was a human female who offered a wide grin.

“Lower hiver?”

The fox could only nod a bit dumbly looking her over. She was a curly haired red head with a heavy scar across her face. She had on some cammies as well as light body armor that looked like it had recently received damage.

“Good! So you have some spirit in yea. What about reading and writing you know any of that?”

Sharue relaxed a little bit.

“Some not too much.”

The female human slapped her on the shoulder and laughed which sort of bristled Sharue up. Then a thought went through her head. Why hadn’t her powers flared up sense the fall? Though that sinking feeling she had in her gut told her that with Van about she was sure it wouldn’t flare up at all which was a good thing.

“Well that’s better then some. Acro could barely speak low gothic when he came on board so we will get you caught up. Just make sure to do what you’re told to do and do it well. Name is Reed. Get your group and let’s get you outfitted and geared up for tomorrow. Welcome to the walk of life, because this is the only life you will ever know from here on out.”

Those words worried Sharue as she let Reed lead her and the others to the back to start getting gear and sized up for weapons and armor. She knew one thing; this new life was going to be a learning experience. Just the way people acted and moved was completely foreign to her.

Eric though was next to her and put a paw on her shoulder. The feel was comforting as he walked with her. Even Emma seemed a little excited. Van on the other hand gave a deep scowl and head said very little but was obeying without question. Sharue guessed that she would learn more about him the longer they were together. He was a blank, the opposite of what she was. Maybe he knew more about her condition and ability than anyone else.

Issa’s words came to her though.

“You better keep your mouth shut about your ability unless you want someone to put a round through your head right then and there. Van will keep you in check but it’s your job to keep your mouth shut.”

Sharue had learned that being a psyker was not something that someone would want to be.

“I guess were all in.”

She muttered mostly to herself. Her swollen eye from the strike and sore rib reminding her that this was not going to be easy or pleasant but she straightened her back and squared her shoulders. She wasn’t going to give in and she had her friends with her which gave her courage. If she could run out to the upper hive to go after Emma she could do this to stay with her friends.

End chapter 6

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