Nefertari Bastia's Story

somewhere in space... Mauhasian System

"Setting course, systems engaged....Go!" Nefertari said before her small triangle shaped ship blasted into hyperspace
" We should arrive at the space station mentioned in the transmission in four minutes." Said the onboard vi
Good I'm eager to see this new...." Nefertari started but was cut off by alarms.
"Collision eminent! Altering course!" Screamed the vi
The ship barely missed a comet and was launched off course...

Terra

A flash of light! Out of it streaked a small burning triangular ship. Nefertari looked out to see a massive warship as she whizzed past entering the atmosphere as alarms blared. This is how I die... she thought. " Goddess protect me!" She prayed as her ship slammed into the countryside sliding for some hundred yards before coming to a stop. " Still alive..." She muttered before everything went dark.

"Attention local Imperial forces in the area. Unknown craft has crash landed in the area be advised. Unknown craft has breached defensive lines, proceed with caution." An Imperial Vox Operator listened to the vox communication from command before the vox cut out. "Command has pinpointed the crash site around this area. We proceed on foot, and find out what crashed. Ready las-guns men we are moving out!" The commanding officer spoke as his contingent of 12 guardsman all saluted at once.

They soon entered the woods being careful not to let their guard down, for all they knew it could be an alien which had multiple arms which tore apart tanks and ate the hearts of people.

Nefertari opened her eyes as pain shot though her body she grimaced though it as she pulled herself from her seat. Nothing broken thank the Goddess she thought as she pushed though the wreckage of her ship.
"VI where are we?" She asked but the ship gave no response. She looked to the comm to call home.. busted of course. She sighed "Looks like I'm alone here..."
She sighed again and headed for the hatch. It was jammed shut. " Damn it" she muttered forming a sword of light she began to cut her way out.
Slowly and surely she cut herself a door kicking it open she stepped out blinking in the sun. Now what... she thought as she looked around the strange new world.

Otto's body wouldn't stop ticking. His skin was still half burnt off at least what wasn't bleeding from rebuilding itself. His hand twitched from the pain but at least he'd stopped bleeding there. Couldn't go unconscious, couldn't seem to sleep, just had to take the pain. Even the armor he'd died in sealed over holes slowly hiding what healthy skin already healed like it was part of his body.

Earlier he double timed it across the city then hitched a transport to the alert's deploy site as an available grunt. It earned him sidelong looks as a hideously scorched imperial guard sporting visible bones hot-footed it over then slowly became a more recognizable one along the way. With but a twitch of scorched flesh to show complaint but he still came when the commanders called. Lightning hadn't burnt through the brain case thanks to something about his helmet so it didn't put him down entirely. Still had the guard's loyal if slightly disaffected demeanor when they met his eye. He might have been disappointed at the notion but the time gaps didn't feel like sleep. Just hurt when Myrkul spat him back out at the ground so he preferred to just keep moving forward. Flesh was made of sterner stuff now he supposed but didn't know much about what the Jinhai had done to him. Didn't feel much like he wanted to know, anyway. Everything damned hurt.

After saluting with a sodden stump he moved slowly with the point guard of the commanding officer's formation a huge shotgun held up with that meaty pulsing stump still growing back everything above the wrist. The legs moved but he was stiff as hell unless he had to run in a straight line. His left arm however took a lot of punishment from that librarian's lightning blast. Still, all he needed to serve the Emperor was one good trigger finger, ammo, and maybe a good stiff drink to go with the lead in his legs.

As the group proceeded forward, eventually there were tell tale signs of something in the area. Scattered pieces of burning metal, a few broken trees, all signs pointing out that something had crashed here. "Thank the Emperor...we managed to actually find the blasted thing." The commanding officer turned back and his glance looked right at Otto and his...very tattered appearance. "Been to Wing city huh?...Surprised that you are still walking. Could always get some cybernetics, damn things are much more common now. Probaly help fix some problems." The man spoek to him very briefly before actually giving his order. "We shall split up into multiple groups. You six." He points at Otto and five random men. "Are group one. The rest on me. We will go left while the other goes right. We will circle around and surround the craft. Remember that unless the enemy is hostile, don't fire. New regulations...gotta deal with it. Emperor be with you men!" The man spoke as he and his five soldiers sepperated from the group to head to the left side of the crash site.

Nefertari's sensitive hearing picked up the sound of others her light sword quickly shifted into a light rifle as she ducked into cover she waited silently watching for who approached her keen ears and eyes scanning. She hid waiting to see if they where hostile or not.

Otto nodded to the commander though his tongue felt like a sack of leather and his voice sounded like a worn bag of crickets, "Sir, Yes sir. Died once there. Got better. Then fried by librarian, you should see what the enemies of the Imperium looked like."

He smiled then winced as a fresh tooth rammed through his gums moving into place. He motioned for the other men to follow behind him. In that same seared voice that took real effort he said to them as an eye turned from bloody to clear, "Stay behind me I can soak rounds. If I take a headshot and die bring my body with you. Will show up on top of it in about an hour. Explain later."

Otto moved forward at a standing position to better cover his fellows to break right. The shotgun he held across the body that was still caked with either ash or gore though there were clear metal bits forming over exposed flesh. Clothes then armor crawled over them like a growing slime mold. Otto knew the ragged breathing from burnt lungs showed him out among the wreckage very quickly but that just made drawing fire easier.

"Sir...I see something up ahead." The forward soldier spoke as he motioned for the group to halt. The man quickly got into cover behind trees as the man in front moved forward passed the brush and stumbled on what appeared to be a crashed ship.

"Clear." The man spoke as the men began to secure the area.

"Stop right there!" Nefertari called out " I don't know who you are or what your intentions are. I don't want to start a fight here but know I will defend myself if I must... I did not intend to crash on your planet and I don't intend to die here ethier. I would rather things stay peaceful between us but that is up to you..."

Nefertari had her gun trained on the closest Guardsmen he would be the first to fall should they attack.

As they cleared the area Otto kept up and kept an alert watch in all directions. When the female voice perked up along the main wreckage he moved stiff-legged into her focus then stopped. The man looked like he already needed medical attention but just felt like he needed a damned drink and some leave. After a week of getting shot by some enemy or another then burnt all over the pain just kind of leveled off. It was getting hard to feel much at all.

His voice would sound relieved it it wasn't so sawed off, "Cpl. Otto, Imperial Guard. I've been shot and burned enough this week if it's all the same to you, ma'am. We have orders not to engage if you'd please put down your weapon and identify yourself."

Otto figured she could use a sign of good faith and the weapon got real heavy held up with one working hand. The shotgun held in front of him he just dropped it in place. With a short screech of moving metal the heavy auto shotgun changed to a snake-like form with the clip sticking vertically out of the back of its head. The gun backed circled once around him then raised its pincered barrel-head up to be close at hand. Otto's stump hand held at his side he waited while it dripped red onto the earth.

The soldier she pointed at did not dare move however his allies aimed their las-guns at the xeno woman. "Ma'm we are the Imperial Guard. Defenders of mankind! We have no intention of starting a fight but if you do not lower the weapon we will be forced to act! So stand down xeno!" The Imperial officer spoke hiding his las-pistol.

Nefertari stood up her gun fading into nothing " You can call me Nefertari " she said looking at the men she stepped out toward the one that gave his name figuring him the leader and more friendly of the group dispite his looks.
"My ship crossed the path of a comet this forced me off course and damaged my ship" Nefertari explained. " So now I'm afraid I'm stuck on your world until such time I can fix my ship or acquire a new one..."

The Imperial Officer looks at Otto and nods, he was free to speak to this xeno woman. Of course the soldiers stood down, albeit they were still on guard in case of an ambush.

Point men tended to be the ones that got shot but then his squad would have the good sense to take cover somewhere not behind him. Someone had to do it and he sure as the emperor couldn't kneel down behind the wreckage without risking not being able to get up again. So there he stood like a private as the one sent to yammer at the Xenos so the one that got drew fire was the one they could spare. Otto couldn't argue with good tactics but looked over to his immediate superior after the woman identified herself for new orders.

Suppose he shouldn't call them Xenos as apparently things had changed. The one named Adolefactus said that all the true rekindled would end up in Genesis and see the Emperor and so did he. There were discussions among the Emperor and his primarchs about weaknesses in the imperium chief among them a displeasure with the Eclessiasty centered around the Emperor Himself. Damnedest thing but the word of the Emperor must survive all his displeasure.

Otto returned his officer's nod to acknowledge it then calmly walked closer. He looked at the wreckage for a moment and the notion that this was a civilian craft didn't seem to fit. They didn't tend to be built strong enough to take impacts this heavy. That left a lot of important questions and a few educated guesses.

He continued to interact with the female... being, "What is your business in this system, Ma'am? Military assets should first declare themselves to Terra air control. We can, however, arrange transport to a location so you can see to your future needs."

His weapon slithered closer to get between them as Otto's suspicion leaked into its part of his brain. The creature didn't make any noise but for a faint scuffing a of metal plates.

" Like I said I had no intention to come here I was shot out of hyperspace to here I barely had enough time to think much less send a message before I crashed." Nefertari explained. " I don't even know where I am... I was trying to get to a place called Jarrako Downs...And for all I know I'm not even in the same quadrant now..."

"The planet you have landed on is known as Terra, a hellhole of a planet that is always getting invaded by enemies of man. We are the Imperial Guard of the Imperium of Man, our sworn duty to The Emperor of Mankind is to protect all of man from all who threaten man. Vox operator, whats the situation from command?" The Imperial officer turned to face some sort of radioman.

"Sir, Commisar Ciaphas Cain is still missing in action currently. We have said what the woman asked, and they have approved her stay within Imperial lines inside the city. She is good to go sir...Going to radio in a Valkyrie transport for the wrecked ship. They will be here in a few minutes." The Vox operator replied as he put the radio back in the Vox caster unit on his back before shouldering his weapon.

Of course, not all Imperial soldiers had built in discipline in their systems. For a couple of Guardsman they eyed the woman while standing on watch. "Wow, for a xeno she looks good."

"You sure? I think the ears are a bit freaky if you ask me..."

"I say it adds to her looks. But I gotta wonder, if there is one of her gotta be a whole race of them. I bet you a weeks worth of Imperial coupons that I can totally get with one."

"If there was a Commissar nearby you would get flogged for that..."

"No Commisar around as far as my eyes go." The man laughed before the Imperial officer turned to face them.

"Get back on your watch! And quit the uneccecary chatter until we head back!" The officer called to the two as they quickly saluted and turned around to ensure no one was sneaking around.

Nefertari huffs "These ears can hear you from a mile away too" she called to the men she was exaggerating a bit but she assumed they got the point " Oh and I am a Mauhasinan....Not a xeno thank you. Also I doubt you could handle one of us even if we would let you close..."

She sighed and shook her head looking back to Otto " So what happens now?"

Otto just looked back at them to sigh with the guards caught out and shook his head while removing his helmet.

As the man's rough voice said to her one could see hair growing in rapid time from burnt flesh exposed on his head, "What you are is not human and given no immediate threat not our problem. However as command has granted your stay we will escort you back to Terra then send you on your way. Your ship would be deposited at the impound for storage costs unless you have somewhere to store it on your own. There is a great deal of construction efforts going on but parts of the city should be intact enough to support buying repair supplies."

He sighed breathing deep to catch his breath again. A spark of pain instead made him grab the stump arm with his good hand teeth clenched as wrist bones emerged from the flesh like flotsam. His weapon turned to look at him with given the man's rapidly growing concern.

Stifled grunts shook his legs from pain pounding up his arm the formal tint to his language momentarily blown out of his mind, "Then... I go look for... a very strong drink and wait for... the Emperor's servant... to rebuild this bastard deathless body of mine."

As the men waited around, the sound of an aircraft sailed over their heads. "Come in, this is Imperial craft 417-A to units in the area respond." The voice came over the Vox Opperators Vox Caster.

"Come in Imperial craft 417-A this is the 118'th recon team. We have secured the package, come on down and we will get things ready on our end." The Vox Caster spoke as the aircraft slowly descended causing the trees to sway from the force of its engines.

Deploying a harness, the Guardsman began to tie the harness to the wrecked ship and once that was complete they began to climb onboard. "Alright then Nefertari. You are herby welcome to Terra, enjoy the stay...make sure you keep your head down in case we get attacked..." The officer sighed as he climbed onboard the shuttle and sat down.

Nefertari sighed " Well I did come to explore this part of the Galaxy...Guess I may as well start here...Maybe you can tell me more of this Imperium of yours and those other forces you spoke of as we head to this city of yours" she said moving toward the transport.

"We of the Imperium, are considered 'warlike' to anyone we meet. That is very much true, our entire society stands on two things, war and our faith to the Emperor. Almost everything we do has been developed mostly for war, our army and armor are second to none out there in the galaxy. We along with the might of the Adeptus Astartes have endured millennium of endless war, against all kinds of foes." The officer started as the shuttle was being adjusted so it could actually carry its new cargo.

"We face foes beyond the realms of reality, to warlike aliens that care not for life. We fight the legions of Chaos, demonic worshiping madmen that wish to destroy the universe and shower it with endless bloodshed. The brutal, stupid, and fungal species known as orkz who only fight and kill. Souless machines known as the Necrons that wish to deliver death upon the galaxy in bodies known to regenerate from excessive damage. The arrogant elves known as Eldar and their chaotic counterparts with ancient technology and illusions. And finally the all devouring swarm known as the Tyranids, whose soul purpose is to devour all life in the galaxy and strip planets bare to grow in number. Once you find them in a sector...no doubt help will come far too late."

"As we said, our duty is to defend mankind from all threats. We care not how many wars we have to wage, with our Emperor by our side and the technology he has gifted us. We shall fight until we die in his name for which we shall fight again against the horrid warp spawn in the afterlife." The Officer finished speaking. And this was just scratching the surface. He wanted to make it clear that if she had any evil intentions in secret, she better think twice.

Echo clashed with Valdimir in a desperate fight for her life. The Specter was insanely strong and agile, his scythe spinning in wicked arcs of shadow fire that were barely deflected by the young mage. Echo gasped and winced in pain as one of the slashes barley nicked her leg. "Lux Solem!" she yelled holding her staff above her head which emitted a blinding flash of light.

Vladimir growled and retreated a few feet back from the light, covering his face from the blinding staff. The Staff stayed illuminated for ten seconds before it faded and Echo was gone. Vladimir growled loudly when he saw his target was gone. Rhemmi, however, simply chuckled "Now now Balmont, hide and seek is a game for children" She said clapping her own hands together and pulling them apart slowly.

In between her hands were hundreds of blue lights that pulsated with a strong energy. With a seamless wave of her hands the orbs were scattered into the air "Last chance Balmont, just come with us quietly or I will destroy you" Rhemmi said in a sinister voice and chuckled.

Echo, who was hiding behind a rock breathing heavily, didn't say anything. Instead she was dipping her finger into the fresh wound on her leg and rapidly using the blood to draw symbols on her arms, and the rock she was behind. Normally she wouldn't use blood, especially her own. But this was a desperate situation, and there was a saying about desperate times calling. "Hahahah wha's tha ma'er Rhem? Resor'in ter bargenin'? Yer boss mus' raelly wan' meh aleyev!" Echo taunted without being sure she could back it up.

Rhemmi's eyes flashed dangerously "How foolish you are! Now Die!" Rhemmi yelled and held her hand out. When she did the blue orbs converged on the rock Echo was behind. As t hey converged, Echo dashed out from behind the rock straight towards Vladimir. The blue orbs crashed into the rock and froze into a massive ice spike.

Just as Rhemmi's spell was finished the blood symbols on Echo's arms began to glow blue, as did the symbol on the rock followed shortly by the ice itself glowing. Echo raced towards Vladimir, who was now rushing straight at her as well with his scythe behind him. Rapidly they closed the distance on each other and Vladimir swung his scythe.

Echo, who had been prepared for the swing, narrowed her eyes and hopped straight back from the swing. When she did the Ice spike around the rock suddenly vanished and a surge of power emitted from her "Hwwoooooooaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!! Shooting STAR! " She cried as, in the blink of an eye Echo was standing in front of Vladimir with her fist driven deeply in the midsection of the Dark Fire being.

Vladimir was not expecting the impact to hit him, let alone for it to be as strong as it was. He made an odd sound as he was launched backwards several hundred feet, just in time to have the space ship crash down on the exact spot he landed leaving nothing but dark wisps of flame where he was standing.

Rhemmi rose an eyebrow as she witnessed the happenings "Very clever, Balmont. Very clever" She chuckled scanning the battlefield for Echo who had teleported a short distance away. "Now now Balmont I grow tired of looking for you"

Echo was on her hands and knees, coughing up a bit of blood as she looked up to see Russian! She had teleported behind the same cover he was. "O-Oh shit!" She gasped and tried to back away but she couldn't move, at least not for two minutes. She was completely at the Mercenary's mercy until then. She looked at him with a focused but worried look.

As Russian hid behind his piece of cover, he simply swore up a storm as things began to explode and other people were yelling. "Oh! Lets just find a bar I said! Lets go find a god damn bar and get ambushed by an android! Then some random mage goes to rescue her and a bunch of other people show and and begin fighting said mage! Oh what luck I have!" He threw his hands in the air as he spoke to no one in particular before bringing up the device on his arm.

As orange icons began to float above it, he began to furiously tap icons as he was planning to get the hell outa dodge as soon as possible. "Better get out now before I end up dead... He muttered to himelf as he stayed behind cover to peer past it. Looking from his safety, he watched as Hadriel was cutting apart rocks looking for him, and that Echo was engaged with two people.

With a quick sigh he darted back behind cover and gave a deep sigh before closing his eyes for one second. However once he opened them the sight of Echo entered his field of view and he slightly panicked. "Hey! Find your own damn cover! You are going to lead whoever is trying to kill you to me and then they will probably kill me as well!" He began to try and wave her away however it was clear that she could not move.

Now he had a bunch of options, however there was once clear thing. She did not actually come to kill him here in the first place, she was defending that damn android from being murdered by his hands. Well, he could not kill someone because of that...although he would not do it anyways because for him it would be a waste of good money to shoot someone who could not even move.

With a deep sigh he knew her dang person would go after him. "And deeper into this mess I go...Listen up, I ain't going to kill you. But since you cant seem to move and you are being chased I got no choice but to defend myself from your attacker...Second, you look great by the way. Not just the clothes, good body I have to say. And no, I am not flirting with you, just saying whats on my mind. Because I can!" He laughed as he chambered a round on his rifle before peering from his cover and aimed not at Hadriel but at Rhemmi instead. "What the hell am I doing?...Oh wait, following some of Spaniard's morals. 'Defend the innocent when you can Russian!' Or something along those lines...Now I am going to have an android on me and another crazy mage. But...This is fun I have to say!" His blood was now pumping as he pulled the trigger sending a round directly at Rhemmi.

Nefertari listened to the officer taking in what he said. " Very interesting" she said "My people too have great faith and our Goddess protects us and guides us though the light of The Holy Emperess and those that serve as her priestesses. We are peaceful but we know how to fight...And I would tell you of the other powers where I'm from but they have all been destroyed or absorbed into our Empire...."

The Officer scoffed when she mentioned a Goddess. "When have Gods ever assisted us mortals? Everyone prays to them yet they never answer the call. They appear when they damn well please...just recently a 'Goddess' came on this planet to resurrect the children and young people of the city after a disaster. Did I mention that the disaster was still going on as it did...Not only did they suffer a second death, this 'Diety' leaves the many children homeless and parentless. Gods can be damned for all we care, the Emperor is the true embodiment of humanity." He turned away from her an looked over at Otto.

"Your opinion Otto? You seen it as well as you yourself witnessed their destruction twice." The officer asked as the Valkyrie was prepared to take off.