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

Continuation of the canon story for Sharue. Please feel free to let me know what you think of the plot as I love reading comments on the story! If you want to find the other chapters you can find them here: http://www.furaffinity.net/gallery/.....Sharue-Stories

Chapter 7 Training for life

Sharue was exhausted to the point where she just couldn’t go on any more, or so she thought. The shouting of the Sgt forcing her to push past her limits as she stumbled up the stair case, forcing her tired legs to go on as the pack on her back weighed heavily on her. It had been two weeks since she had started her training. The cruiser making its way to a ‘transition point’ as they called it. The Sgts made good on their promises to work her like she had never been worked before.

“Keep up! You want to get everyone killed? We have a term for your kind and it’s not nice so move your ass!” Sharue had thought she was in shape with all the work she had done with her gang and being able to out run the rex units. Heck, she could remember always teasing others and running about them.

This was a completely different experience, it drove her to every limit she ever had and then some. Hunger, sleep deprivation, boredom, and many other things wore her down but the lack of sleep hit her the hardest.

“I’m….I’m trying!”

She gasped out working her legs one after the other, looking up at the group ahead of her. Her short stature made it hard for her to keep up with her long-legged comrades.

Comrades… how fast she picked up on the term. A term that the Sgt say is critical to success.

“If you do not view the hapless soul next to you as your comrade then you were worthless. You have to rely on the soul to your left and to your right because no war has ever been won by one soul alone.”

Sharue was thankful that the others in her group were more understanding of the situation though they demanded that she improve herself with each day. It was one thing to be weak to start out with it was another to not improve.

“Trying isn’t good enough, fox bitch. Get up there before I dock your sleep time.”

That was enough to help her pick up her pace. She needed that sleep as she grunted and worked her way up the stairs trying to catch up with the tail end of her group. Van was near the back always staying close with her but at the same time he never went out of his way to help her. Eric was near the front of the group being naturally strong and to be honest, he sort of came around to the idea to being military. A pride started to show in the short two weeks as he started to accomplish things.

Sharue on the other hand had to struggle and fight every step of the way. Her body just not built for this and the Sgts say that they will make sure that will change. The first three days were pure hell and at times she was so sore she couldn’t even move till a good kick to the ass to get her moving.

She really didn’t understand the whole process just that she was thrown into by situations out of her control and that she had to do it.

“Aye sir!”

The more combative you became to the system the harsher it was on you. Sharue saw it with others as they used individuals to make examples out of. Sharue ended up on the receiving end of those a bit. It scared her to think that this was her life from now on. She couldn’t let herself think like that though. As harsh as the Sgts were they were also mentors and leaders.

“If you dwell on only the hardships and ignore the honor of what you are a part of it will eat you alive. We train you hard to give you the best chance of survival, look at it as a form of caring for we do not want any of you to sell your lives cheaply.”

There was also a lot more religious undertone to the organization. Chaplains regularly stopped by to talk and console the others.

They scared her the most. One of her sittings she remembered one saying something that drove home what Issa had warned her about.

“Remember, we fight not only those who threaten our Imperium from the outside but we must always watch for the corruption from within! Mutation! Heretics! The witch! All must be defeated before the Emperors light!”

That was when she started to understand the stress of keeping a secret. Her being a Psyker, a witch as they call them, and also being told to be some one’s comrade and to earn their trust felt wrong but she didn’t want to be killed.

Finally she caught up to the group, only because they slowed down a little bit for her but that was being part of a team was about. You worked to better everyone up as a whole not leave them behind. So, while you made sure to make it challenging you didn’t make it impossible.

Her fur was just matted with sweat, the flack armor making it impossible to let her body breath and on top of that it was not made for the more exaggerated curves of her body. Her bust was mashed in pretty tight making it hard to breath and her hips filled out her trousers a bit more than the normal foot soldiers.

Reed had said that it was because she was an anthro. In her experience anthros were always a little more exaggerated then humans. Sharue had not seen to many humans before now, she was surprised to have gone from a mostly anthro environment to a mostly human one.

There were some issues within the ranks, some were fine with anthros some were not but even with their difference of opinions they would still fight with you to the end.

Another thing Sharue was learning was all the new ideas and tech that she was never exposed to before. The sheer fact that she was on a space ship traveling through space was amazing to her. The new-joins were not allowed to wander the ship but Reed had said when they earned that right to move about on her own that she needed to check out the observatory.

“Drink and smoke ‘em if you got them.”

The phrase meaning they were allowed to take a break. Sharue collapsed, heaving and panting trying to tug her canteen out of her pouch to fill it and drink greedily at the recycled water. Reed plopped down next to her, having taken a liking to the white fox.

“Hey,” the human nudging her shoulder as she took a drink. “You lasted longer this time.”

Sharue nodded a little bit as she did but not by much. Reed’s words helped out a lot.

“Never expect to hear praise from the Sgts as it’s their job to push you to your limit and beyond; to always force you to improve and never stop.”

Reed offered an Iho stick to her which she turned down. She never could get into smoking though she had to deal with withdrawals from the narcotics she was use to taking in the gang. The shaking took a week to stop and then on top of that the Sgt knew the signs of withdraw. Thankfully they were not overbearing. One just simply saying to fight through it and if he caught her using again he would make sure her life was hell.

The human lit up and relaxed. This was a walk in the park for her having been at this for years.

“Your two week is up today, you know what that means.”

She said more as a statement then anything. She was talking about an initiation that her group would have to go through. It was tradition that the new joins went through a trial, though they haven’t told what would be done.

“Yea though you’re making me nervous about it. “

Sharue muttered through gulps of water. She was feeling a little better but the bad thing about the breaks is it gave her legs time to cool down. When they start back up it would mean that she would have to fight through the ‘grog’ as they called it. The feeling of fatigue and weakness until you fall back in line.

“That’s the point, it’s not meant to be easy on yea. Then you can wear the 301st proudly.”

Reed honestly felt honored to be a part of the 301st, something Sharue had yet to feel. Maybe because it was all new to her or maybe because she felt like she didn’t fit in. How would Reed feel if she knew she was a psyker?

“You like to frack with me, you know that Reed?”

The human laughed looping an arm about her neck and pulled her in.

“You will learn to relax during lulls in fighting like this. When the fighting starts the smiles go away.”

She had a sadness behind her smile on that one. Emma walked over and relaxed next to Sharue too. The fox also sucking on an Iho stick having taken it up from the pressure of a dark skinned human that took a liking to her. The first few days, Sharue thought Emma was going to lose it. She cried and bawled at night angering some, others tried to comfort her till the dark skinned male said something that made her snap out of it. Emma never said what but the two had been a pair sense though she was still a part of Sharue’s group. Eric was starting to fit in too. A female taking to him as well as a few of the more meat heads as the 301st called them.

There was a saying that was wise advice. If you’re not strong you better be smart. If you’re not smart you better be strong and Emperor help you if you’re neither. Eric was no dummy but he seemed to fit in with those who valued strength over smarts. Reed fell into the smarter category.

“Hey, got a ration? Starving.”

Emma held out her canteen for Sharue to sip from. Trade was a lot more basic than in the lower hive. Here something sweet or things like Iho sticks were currency. Sex was too but it was less open about it. Emma had gotten her paws on some sort of powder that turned that bland recycled water into a sweet tasting fluid. She had been sharing it with her in return she gave her some of her rations.

The fox broke off a piece of the bar to hand to her as she let her drink. Before she could put it to her lips A sgt yanked it out of her paws though making Sharue twist about angrily about to yell till she seen it was the Sgt. It was Sgt Cataline, a stickler of the group, a real ‘follow the rules to a T’ and ‘you lived for the military and the Emperor’ sort of guy. Sniffing it, he took a small taste and then handed it back.

“Better not catch you with booze.”

He simply said making his way down the line.

“Aye, sir.”

All three of them said at once. It was odd change of life that she was still getting used to. Things like never doing good enough, or not being able to use her name, it was this regular needs to use the head, or this regular requests permission to talk. Everything was so controlled.

What’s more is they would find very creative punishments to use on you that would be worse then taking a beating.

Another thing was sex had a lot less meaning and worth with them. In the gang, you fracked up you just let them rattle your bed a bit and things were good. Here you had to work your ass off to set things right. Female? Male? It didn’t matter to them, you obeyed or you got ground.

“I hate him.”

Emma muttered taking the canteen back from Sharue after she took a drink. Sgt Cataline did seem to have it out for the red vixen.

“He is like that till you prove your salt.”

Reed added.

“Don’t let him get under your skin. That same Sgt that you hate would risk his life to pull you out of the fire. Even if he thought you were worthless.”

Emma quieted down and nodded taking a bite of the ration.

“After tonight though you get to have some fun, finally get your weapons issued to you and see what you’re good at.”

Sharue nodded a bit though groaned as she could hear the Sgt’s starting to bark orders. Matlock, the platoon guide was coming up to Sharue.

“Honolin you’re leading.”

That was the last name she made up when asked. She knew she couldn’t use her real name and she nodded.

“Aye sir.”

She had to give any of the official members of the 301st the same respect she gave the Sgt’s.
The fox getting up and groaned as her legs protested. This was going to be a very long day.

Banal was on the bridge as the world filled the viewscreen. He was calling on a few contacts that he would need to help persecute the war in on Histon 8. He was a little agitated but did his best not to let it show in front of the others. Banal had been mulling over what all had transpired with the Lord Inquisitor and while he knew that he should trust his old friend it also felt off somewhat. There was a lot going on at Histon 8 that suggested a cult at work. On top of it, it had a lot of red flags showing that they were trying to perform a summoning. Mass sacrifices, rumors of people acting strangely were just some of the reports. What troubled him the most was the fact that Issa and her radical faction wanted to send Sharue here. Was she to be the catalyst? And why would they leave such important information in the hands of someone of a puritan faction.

Either way he would carry out his duties and to do that he needed a team. He would also keep an ear to the ground so to say. He would hate to accept the Lords words at their actual meaning when he stated that no one was beyond the holy justice of the inquisition.

“My lord?”

Banal turned to look at his ship captain.

“We are prepping for transition to warp. Will you lead us in the Litany of Faith?”

Banal was a little surprised. He almost never spoke to his crew openly. Though he and those about him both felt that the storm that was coming would be the last that some of them saw. He worked hard to try to keep himself distant from his crew. Always ready to sacrifice them if need be but as of late it was getting harder and harder to ignore the bond he wanted to form with them.
He nodded and picked up a vox unit.

“Crew, please ready for transit into the warp. We go forward to stop the evil that plagues us from the depths of our mind. The horrors that await us that only we know and only can comprehend. Please join me in the Litany of Faith. “

Everyone quieted on the bridge, setting a somber tone. It was a tradition that Tictonia liked to do before transition but today was a start of something that everyone understood would be something that shapes and changes the crew for years to come.

“Brothers, Sisters let us remember our faith, our belief in which that is right. Why do we place ourselves in harm’s way? Because our faith demands it! We are the shield that protects our Empire from the horrors that no one can understand. We know what we do is righteous and that we will be victorious. We will have faith that those before us stood strong to forge this faith. We will wield this faith as a weapon for as we pass into the past we must hand it to those who will take our place. So, do not waver in your faith my brothers, my sisters, to do so would bring shame on those who fought so hard for us in the past and cripple those we leave to carry on our mantle. Have faith that the blood we spill both our own and our foes justified! Until the Empire is free of all dangers we will forge our faith in the fires of war. Sharpening its blade on those who would do harm to our empire. We WILL take our hatred out on those who test our faith. Until the last of us come home and there are no foes left. Ave Emperor.”

Banal let the vox unit down and simply turned to Tictonia “Captain you may transition when the navigator has a course plotted for our next location.”

“Aye my lord. The crew we picked up from the planet is on board and ready for you to receive them properly.”

Banal simply nodded as the shutters were already closing on all portholes and view screens. Going into the warp was no small matter and even his mind was vulnerable to the chaos that would soon be throwing itself at the gilder field. One had to keep faith in what they were doing was worth the risk that they put themselves every time they made a transition through the hell they so desperately fought to keep at bay.

He left listening to the captain barking out her orders to the bridge staff. He liked Tictonia, he had to admit. She was a serious consideration to take his place but her love for the open void soon became her true calling.

The halls were quiet as he made his way to the back of the ship. The pressure on his mind growing as the warp channel was opened and his ship slowly slipped into the warp. The pressure becoming pain for a brief moment and for just a short while he could have sworn voices screamed out at him.

“Transition complete.”

He heard over the vox. Realizing he had stopped and put a hand on the bulkhead he quickly fixed himself. Never look weak unless you wish to lure your enemy into a trap. Lord Briskwall had said those exact words to him when he was stuck at the citadel for over a year.

Eventually he arrived at the ready room and opened his door to see three figures there. Risia and the two others he picked up from the planet.

The one larger feline figure stood and politely bowed. He was military brass, a decorated officer that had served Banal well before. In fact, the next stop was meant to rendezvous with a fleet that would be heading to Histon 8. What Banal needed from him was a leader in the military that he could trust to comply with his orders without question and keep his mouth shut.

“Luxis, it is good to see that you answered the call.”

“Anything for you, Lord.”

The second was a large figure, much larger than any one on board. The broad figure stood and turned, letting out a deep bellowing laugh.

“Banal, you are still alive!”

The space marine bear hugged him hard enough to pop his back. This was one figure that no matter what Banal said could never diminish his joyful mentality. The large K9 was in just his robes that he wore when he was not in armor.

“It’s good to see you too, Solorin.”

Banal wheezed out a good foot off the ground. Normally space marines were very serious lot but Solorin had always been one to laugh and make light of things. It was partially the reason his chapter had released him to the inquisition was because he did not fit in. An aspect he knew hurt Solorin deeply. He did not talk about the chapter he came from and his armor was that of just a matte black. Void of any markings and honors.

Solorin was loyal, though and one of the few that he trusted as much as he trusted Risia maybe even a little bit more.

Finally, Solorin let Banal down and stood back to look him over.

“You look horrible Banal, the years have not been kind to you.”

If it was anyone else, Banal would have reprimanded them but it was no use with Solorin. The most he could do is not give in to the elbowing and prodding that Solorin did. To be honest, he had missed it a little bit. It made him feel welcomed and wanted, not the monster that would kill you if you even looked at him wrong.

Risia was comical in her expression when Banal turned to head to her desk. She had a shocked look on her face with a mixed look of wanting to yell at Solorin or flat out attack him.

“How dare you!”

She sputtered as Banal made his way to his desk to sit down. Inwardly, he groaned knowing that this was going to be an interesting paring. Risia was the obedient servant, the one that based all her worth on how well she served and obeyed whereas Solorin found his worth in action and to hell with protocol.

“Oh my, you have a feisty one Banal! I hope she is not like the preacher you had before her. He was a bore with his howling from that book of his.”

Sighing Banal just kept quiet and let the cards land as they fell. Risia was already storming to the larger space marine and while he was sure that he could command them to stop they would be at each other’s throat the whole time if he didn’t let them figure out the pecking order.

Banal grabbed Luxis’ collar and pulled him out of the way as Risia was suddenly thrown across the room from a back hand from Solorin.

“My lord?”

Banal just shook his head sitting as he heard Risia sputtering angrily getting back up only to be sent back against the wall.

“I like this one! She is fun! Come at me girl!”

The words only enraged Risia even more as she did go at Solorin again. Banal only sighed clasping his hands together and resting his forehead on them. Things were going to be interesting needless to say the very least.


Sharue laid there deep asleep in a dream that was making her toss and turn about in her rack. She was looking down at an older wolf, his beard was long and he was huge compared to those about him. He seemed deep in thought and his ears swiveled about as if searching for something. Sharue felt fear, this individual scared her and she didn’t know why. Then he snapped his view up looking right at the fox and her whole world suddenly changed. Colors and smells and sighs flowed about slowly forming into a hellish landscape. Blood flowed from skulls imbedded into the rock faces, their silent screams forever cut off to the mortal realm. The sand seemed to shift and flow about her feet making her heart race about. This felt too real to be a dream! Then slowly, up from the sands, came a wolf. Where she had seen him in robes she now saw him as a towering warrior. His armor was like a fortress towering over all. A long eagle- headed staff in one armored gauntlet and a large book in the other.

“Where are we?”

At first she thought she had asked it but she realized it was the wolf. His eyes looked right at her, ablaze with white light.

“I…I do not know!”

Sharue could only stammer. Her heart was racing as she looked about. It felt so surreal but real at the same time.

“You have brought us here for a reason, cub. Do you wish to go here?”

The fox looked shocked looking around at the hell that was around here.

“NO! NO I DO NOT WANT TO GO HERE!”

She screamed out wanting to pull her hair out. This had to be a dream! She was just in her rack! She had just…..

“Calm your mind, cub.”

A large gauntlet rested on her shoulder surprisingly gentle for its size. The wolf had a stern face but his look was not of hatred but confusion as well. He was looking about and to the sky. The sky was purple with hues of reds, dual blood red moons rested high in the sky.

“Your fate is calling you here.”

Sharue was shaking as she felt a presence that drew not just her eyes but the wolves. His body shifting to turn to it as it slowly rose out of the sand. Behind it an army of monstrosities lined the horizon. The figure coming out of the sand was massive, clawed hands slammed down into the sand as it stood, robs of flesh flapped about its body till it stood blocking the sun and casting a shadow over the couple.

“Your fate is dark indeed. Your faith will be tested and you must not succumb to your fate.”

The giant monster took a step towards the couple, letting sand slide off it as Sharue realized that she was standing on a field of the dead. There lifeless husks clawing at her as the wolf stepped in front of her.

“You will not stand in my way, old one!”

The voice coming from the monster making Sharue scream in pain as blood came from her ears and eyes just from the voice alone.

“CUB! IT IS TIME YOU WAKE UP!”

The warrior shouted.

“WAKE UP!”

Sharue shot out of her rack screaming till she hit her head on the bars making her groan in pain and tumble off, holding her head. Her eyes were glowing as she saw the glow off the floor forcing her to shut her eyes tight.

“Go away….just stop…just go away!” she whimpered quietly to herself feeling her head throb.
Ever since they had made transition to the warp she had been suffering nightmares. She still didn’t quite understand it, the warp was a place that had no rules and allowed them to travel faster but it was mixed in with talk of hell and demons and things she had never even thought of.

They had said nightmares were more common while in transit through the warp but these seemed too realistic. It took a bit to realize she was hyperventilating before she slowly started to calm herself.

“Frack this….”

Sha muttered slowly sitting up pawing her head and checking to make sure her eyes were not glowing. It was starting to wear on her, having to hide what she is. It scared her that she would have a nightmare and someone would see her eyes glow. The preacher really scared her with his talk of burning the witch.

“Another bad dream?”

Sha about shot out of her clothing she got up so fast only the clank her head on the rack again and plop her back down on her ass.

“FRACK!”

She yelled out in frustration getting a few snickers through the sleeping platoon. To them they were used to others having nightmares specially those who were dealing with the transition for the first time.

“Van you scared the grack out of me.”

The dog was slipping down next to her and when he did that the pressure eased from her mind. It was as if he pushed back the nightmares and whatever it was attacking her in her sleep.

“I heard you talking in your sleep so I came over just as you shot out of your bed.”

A good thing as this one had hit her hard and her eyes had started to act up again. Van’s job was to keep her in check. She had no training on how to use her power or even really what it was or did just that most would kill her because of it. At first Sha had been a little skeptical but then more she worked with her platoon the more she realized that Issa hadn’t been lying to her.

“How bad was it?”

Sha asked quietly.

“There was a flare up but you caught it in time, could have been just a chem stick you were using to look about.”

Van said taking out an Iho stick and offered it to her.

Sha just laid back, letting her head rest on the back of the rack and groaned. Her paws rubbing her face before she lit the Iho stick and took a long drag looking down at her lap. She had PT soon and she doubted that she would get back to sleep.

Van must have seen her expression as he leaned in.

“Don’t give in and don’t crack. Issa will come get us off this ship and then you won’t have to pretend or have me around like a choke collar. You good?”

Sha took a long few moments but slowly nodded. The ash from the Iho dropping between her legs when she did so.

“Yea, thank you Van, I know you didn’t want to come but without you I think I would be…”

Van just put a finger to her lips and gave her a look. He wasn’t a close friend but he did his job and he had started to make some friends within the platoon.

“Then you hang in there and don’t waste what I’m doing got it?”

Then he was gone heading back to his rack to slip in.

“Frack I need to get laid or a hit of Rose’s cocktail.”

Sharue and the group had gone through some pretty heavy withdraws when they came on board. Sex still happened but it was on the down low and drugs? You got caught shooting up your ass would wish you were dead because Sgt Cataline would come down on you like a ton of bricks.
It had been almost a month before they transitioned into the warp. They were told it would be almost a year in transit coming out of the warp off and on before they made it to Histon 8 the battle field they were expected to fight on. She had learned quite a bit in the month or so. She learned how to march, gotten stronger, and soon weapons training would begin for her and the others.

She had to be honest with herself, she did feel pride in what she had accomplished but she did miss the lower hive. The life she use to know and while it had hardships so did this life.
Reed plopped down next to her and grinned a bit in the dim light.

“It takes a bit to get use to the nightmares. Heard you screaming in your sleep. You going to try to go back to sleep?”

Sha shook her head taking another drag off her Iho stick and passed it to Reed.

“Not a chance.”

Reed grinned taking the stick and hemmed.

“Good because I’ve been meaning to have a talk with ya. Meet me in the maintenance tunnel 04. It’s time we broke you and your others in eh?”

Sharue erffed a bit. She had hoped that got dropped. It was supposed to have been done a few weeks ago but they upped her training and then everyone was getting ready for the warp transition. She was nervous about it and what they would do to them but Reed just smiled and patted her shoulder and left.

“Aye I will be there….HEY! FRACKER! MY IHO STICK!”

Reed just waved as Sharue got a few “Shut the fuck up Honolin!” from those trying to sleep before Sha sighed and got up and headed down to the maintenance tunnel. Eric and Emma would probably be there soon too. At least she would have them at her side for whatever the unit was about to throw at her.


Risia and Solorin had finally calmed down. Banal was sitting pouring over some information and Luxis was looking a bit confused before Banal cleared his throat and sighed. Risia had a black eye and a swollen lip and Solorin had a nasty series of claw marks down his face. The big difference was Risia was scowling and Solorin had a huge shit eating grin on his face, which just aggravated Risia even more.

“I do like her Banal, she is a keeper.”

Banal finally put his hand up.

“Enough. I let you have your fun now we have work to do.”

Solorin gave a nod and turned somber showing Banal that he was paying attention and indeed took it serious.

“So we have a few things to go over. One is do we trust the information that was given to us by the council. The more I think on it the more I regret jumping the gun. The second is where is Issa and how are we going to deal with her if we come across her. Then the last is, if what we were given is true then Histon 8 is in dire peril.”

Luxis was the first to talk.

“What makes you think that the information from the council may be bad?”

Risia was quite keeping her mouth shut as she herself still had a hard time believing that someone would go after a lord Inquisitor or one would betray them but her master knew best.

“I started to think on it more and it just doesn’t sit right that Lord Brickwall would have some of the plans on this. Radicals are not sloppy nor would they openly give their plans out to a puritan unless they wanted us to know of them.”

Solorin nodded agreeing some with Banal.

“That is true but from my understanding you had very little time to go over it all with him. Do you know for sure how he got the information?”

Banal shook his head clearing his throat again.

“No, I do not. And that’s what frustrates me the most. I know he would not give away secrets he wanted to keep hidden but at the same time it was very vague.”

Risia finally spoke up not wanting to sound like the stupid one in the group.

“Sir, what exactly are their plans? We know it has to deal with the fox and that somehow they are hoping to use her at Histon 8 but not really how?”

Banal frowned as he supposed he would have to let them in on some of the information he was mulling over.

“This information stays with this group. Any one that speaks of it outside of this group will be shot.” He said looking at Risia then Solorin in particular to let them know just because he liked them or trusted them didn’t mean he wouldn’t do his duty.

“There are several reasons they could be trying to get her to a possible chaos incursion. One is that they want her to become possessed.”

Even Solorin cocked his eye brow at that.

“They want her to become possessed?”

Banal nodded.

“Only to have her drive the demon out of her, turning her into a Scared One. Once a soul pushes a demon out of themselves they can no longer be possessed by a demon again. “

Risia’s jaw dropped as she thought that over.

“One of the greatest weaknesses of a psyker is the chance of becoming possessed.”
Risia stated with a fluster.

“If they made it so she couldn’t be possessed then she could use her power almost freely. She is an Alpha plus too. No one could control her if they did that!”

“Scared Ones are only rumors though, Banal. Myths and hopes of a weapon to use against the warp? No one has pulled it off that any one knows of.”

Solorin pointed out crossing his arms over his barrowed chest. He looked a bit skeptical but having worked with the inquisition for so long he knew that anything could be possible.

“That is true to what we know. Somewhere along the line it had to have happened. It could just be folly too. The Radicals are grasping at straws trying to achieve it even if it means damning her soul, or a solar system to get it.”

It angered Banal that someone would be willing to damn someone to the warp on a rumor let alone endanger billions of lives. In a way, he felt sorry for the fox as it wasn’t like she asked to be born a psyker. To be given such a curse and then forced to pay for it just for having it. It was a cruel fate but one that she had.

“And if they fail it would bring about ruin to all of the Histon Solar.”

Risia finished thinking things over and shaking her head.

“Why do we allow this? We should simply put a stop to this!”

It was Luxis’ turn to chime in.

“That would mean overthrowing the council and staging a rebellion which is also against the puritan views. It’s a catch twenty-two. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

Banal shook his head. “We are not overthrowing any one. The Council is elected by use and I will not see it destroyed because there are some things we do not agree on. It would make us stoop to the Radical’s level. Something I am not fond of.”

The group quieted down as just the talk of overthrowing the council was heretical enough to be shot. Something Risia must have realized as her eyes got big and she quieted down. Banal smiled a bit at her dedication to the values of the puritan way. It was nice to know what side she would be on if it did come down to a rebellion but he himself would not be the match that starts that fire.
“So what are the other possibilities then?”

Luxis asked speaking up again.

Banal relaxed back and shrugged his shoulders. He did know of a few options but it was at best an educated guess. Even the first option was a guess but one of the most likely options.

“At best, they are trying to hide her in the confusion of the conflict, at worse there is chaos influence at work here. If a greater demon is born in the Histon Solar area it could cut off a vital artery to many of the eastern fringes of the galaxy. A psyker of her ability could cause a lot of damage to the imperium. She should have been taken by the black ships already and fed to the machine or just killed.”

The group stood quite as the tone Banal had was that of frustration. It was odd especially for Risia to see her master like this.

“So what is our next course of action sir?”

Banal looked up at Luxis before leaning back forward in his chair. He rubbed his hands over an old oak desk that was made from a rare tree from Terra. Etched with the holy order it was something his master owned and his master before him owned. It let Banal collect his thoughts as the ship creaked and groaned around them. The warp was constantly just a breath away from killing them all.

Several moments went by before he looked up from the table.

“We follow our orders but we keep vigilant. Luxis, you will be with me on Histon 8, you will be leading the feral masses against the incursion there. Solorin I need you to be in charge of the retaking of the Histon 8 hive city. Do not make it known that ether of you are working for the inquisition. Luxis, we will also pick up Barrak he will join you on the ground with the ferals.”

Banal turned to Risia with a frown. He knew she would not like this next order but it fit her the most.

“I need you to go with Solorin and work the under hive. Find me the source of this heresy so we may bring it to an end. If we find the cult before we find the fox that is another way to at least throw a wrench in the Radicals plans.”

Solorin grinned broadly reaching over to pull Risia into his lap.

“Banal you’re giving me a toy to play with?!”

Risia was in such shock that someone would treat her this way that she was at a loss for words. Her sputtering frustrated look making Luxis cover his mouth to hide a smirk.

Solorin man handling the slender female feline about knowing it would rile her up. Which it did. Risia let out a scream of anger and punched Solorin square in the face. It was a very well placed hit and the Space Marine took it without trying to doge it.

“Oh, I like her a lot!”

Banal sighed a bit, not sharing in Solorin’s joviality.

“Solorin she will have the most dangerous task.”

Both of them turned to look at Banal as he had a serious look on his face.

“I expect you to make sure she comes out alive.”

Solorin still had a smirk on his face but he gave a serious nod of his head knowing Banal was serious. Banal simply got up and left leaving the group to plan, trusting them to do their own planning.

“That is very strange.”

Solorin said to Risia. Risia was about to yell at Solorin again but stopped herself when she saw the wolf’s expressions. What he said next would be the most uncomfortable words she had ever heard in her life.

“Banal really cares for you.”


Corbel opened his eyes. The light fading as he returned to his body from his projection. The large older wolf just sitting like that for a while eyes closed listening to the sounds around him. The scent of those who were assisting him hovered in the air as they waited for some word.

All around him were faithful followers, space marines and mortals alike. They made sure the incense filled the room and the Litany of Purity was sung. He was in simple robes that covered his aged body, the robes having purity scripts written and stitched into them as he slowly opened his eyes.

“I have found her.”

Another space marine looked up. He held the old wolfs staff, a double headed eagle scepter that was atop a wrought iron staff. The staff had scripture etched into it flowing down the staff to its end. The runic lettering glowing as the old wolf took it from the other space marine and stood.

“Is it as bad as we feared?”

The old wolf shook his head. He looked sadden by what he had seen. She was just a mortal, someone born into that life but fate had many paths leading from her. Foresight had always been his strongest ability but it was also a double-edged sword. By knowing the future one could also make a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“She is just lost and scared. She has no idea the number of roads intersecting her path. Most are very dark though. No, she is not the monster now and depending on course of action she may never be. In fact, she may be a savior.”

The wolf rolled his shoulders having been sitting in that position for well over a week. He had felt the ebb and flow of the warp and knew that a great force had stirred in it. Corbel had gone out to seek what was the source of it. It was not uncommon for this to happen and it was easy enough to be a bystander and watch the flow. It was much like old Terra’s aquariums, watching as a massive fish swam by.

He had been surprised though when he saw a web of fate pulling things towards a single individual. It had been a long-time sense he had seen such events. He did not know yet how he should intervene yet.

“Sgt. Start looking for troop movements and demon incursions. She is in the Imperial Guard and heading to a conflict. Demons are at play in this too. If it comes down to it we will have to eliminate her but I have a feeling that she has a greater role to play. The emperor has a plan for her and it is one that she will have to endure most things that will crush a normal soul. If she is strong enough she will be an unsung hero. If she isn’t, she will be the worst monster that the Imperium has made in a very long time.”

The Sgt beat his fist to his chest and bowed coming to attention. He too was a wolf. An older space marine that chose to follow Corbel and his loyalty was beyond reproach. He was a battle brother that had served him in many conflicts upon his retirement.

“I must retire to my cell and rest. I will try to make contact again and get more information, until then please look up and find out if there is anything going on that will fit this description. We have to narrow down the possibilities.”

“Yes my lord.”

The fellow space marine bowed and about faced before leaving. Corbel walked with a steady but slower with his age. It was why he was allowed to strike out on his own from his comrades. In a way it was an honor, in another way it was a curse. To be let go from his chapter hurt but his quest lead him to many things that could still help the Imperium.

His ship was a large cruiser, the Silent Soul and she was silent. She moved through the warp like a ghost drawing no attention to herself as she did so, just as Corbel liked it. His paw softly rubbed along the bulk head allowing him to feel the presence of the machine spirit with in. It was old, older then he and the ship given to him as a gift.

“My old friend we have a hard path to follow.”

Corbel muttered as he moved to his cell. No one knew how old he was except the ship and a select few in the chapter.

Being trapped in the warp after being ambushed by traitors he and this ship came out in a different time. One that did not like the old ways of thinking. One of the real reasons for his retirement too. The warp can be an odd thing. The ambush had seen his navigator killed and set him and his crew adrift in the sea of the warp.

In a way he felt like this happened for a reason. That he was needed, his old views and values would serve the God Emperor best here and now. That fate had led him to this girl, some one that has had but a blink of existence compared to him.

He would have to meditate on it more. The darkness of his cell greeting him, simple possessions lined its walls and floor but those few possessions he did have he valued. Sitting on a large fur he sighed pulling another over his shoulders.

Deep breaths brought him to a state of calm as he mulled it over. So much was going on, he had seen two major paths playing at her clearly but there was a third, working from the shadows too. One that was very reluctant to show itself. Then there was the demon world that the fox herself had shown him.

“A very rare gift you have, girl.”

He muttered thinking back on it. She could play the lines of fate and create her own realities. Even pull others like himself in. She had other powers to, some that would be terrifying if used but the one that he felt she was most attuned to was her Mind Scape. The ability to create a reality and pull some one into it. A reality where she was the creator and destroyer all in one. If she mastered her ability, Corbel doubted that he could defeat her alone if the need came to be.

It was much like the battles he played out with other psykers. A battle of the minds but hers brought it to a level that pulled your physical mind and body into her realm. A world that she could manipulate and those who she brought in could not unless they were as strong as her.

Other things he knew about her was she was young, ignorant, and still had the fearful hope that those held when young. The fear he saw on her face was genuine which was good. It meant that she had not given in to chaos yet or even knew about it much.

Those green eyes, it made him smile to see them, reminded him of a motherly figure he had once known in his past. A world he long since had to give up.

She was from a hive city, her accent and features screamed hive slum but she was well bred. Her body looking healthy and strong which means she never had to work in a munitions or chemical factory or any sort that made sure your life span was cut short.

He closed his eyes and listened to the sound of her voice in his head. Replaying the images, he had seen when she had pulled him into her mind scape. A unique thing about a mind scape was it could also be this reality. While the psyker would not have control of it like if it was one that she made she could use it to transport herself to different places for a short stent of time. This one had been poorly done and he could tell that both she and he never fully transitioned to the world they met on.
So the question was, was it a world with in the reality they lived in or was it a world that existed in her mind? He had to think that it would be more likely a world that existed in this reality. The fear she showed and confusion meant that the demon and the things around her were not something she had seen before. She would have to have known about it to create it after all.

The duel moons, the demon itself, red sands.

Sighing and slowly opening his eyes to look up at the celling of his cell, artwork of the great crusade lined its pitted metal showing acts of courage and sacrifice.

“Where are you girl? Who tugs your strings? How do I play in to this?”

Corbel could only wonder. He would find out more but for now he needed rest. When he regained his strength, he would go back into the sea of chaos to find her again. It was hard though, as if there was a being blocking her from him from time to time. A shadow in the warp that obscures both hers and others that wanted to join in on this game.

Closing his eyes he let his mind quiet down and eventually lull into a meditation that would help him come back at this problem with a new perspective. Till then he would have to be patient and hope that the Emperor will guide him down the right path.


End Chapter 7 Training for life.

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