Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

It was cool till I read that stupid name,mind of ruined it for me...
:(

Thanks Git!

Lavilla, thanks for commenting on my thread. I always appreciate everyone's feedback. Try not to let a name ruin it though. It's just a name. Plus, at the rate people die off in this story he may not be around long any ways, lol.

Three more halls, then they were at the area Razzik hoped would lead to their escape of this nightmare realm. Razzik couldn’t hear gunfire behind any longer. He wasn’t sure if he was to far away now, or if the floating guns had ceased firing. What he did know was that nothing had come up from behind them. He thanked the Emperor for that as he ran up a steady incline.

By the time they passed the first side hall the path had slowly become less and less building and more and more rock. The dull glow globes were becoming fewer and the space between them greater. An occasional door was built into the wide stone pathway, but all were closed and silent.

When they reached the second hall no source of light could be seen ahead of them or behind them. A distant echo of the pursuing Eldar occasional bounced off the walls, catching up to the retreating marines.

While running Razzik took the time to further examine his map. This side hall actually looped back around to another section of the main complex, but their destination was near the loops furthest point. An unfinished area on the map met the apex of the loop and Razzik began to wonder what killed the two servo skulls that met their demise at the cavern just past the hall he hoped would be their exit.

Razzik thought on the wide list of enemies he’d seen in this complex when Nillahfin, who was running point, skidded to a halt. Their destination was in sight. Using the dark vision his armor granted him he could easily see banks of glass panels that were stacked on top of one another, several of which were open and vacant. Opaque octagons lined the ceiling above them. Wires dangled in the corners of the rocky ceiling. In between it all was a double door, nearly identical to the one they had exited through earlier in the day.

Nillahfin reached down and picked up half of a servo skull. It had been cleaning sliced. The other half was ten feet away in pieces. Many of the mechanical bits had fallen off after being sliced.

Cautiously, but quickly Shar-Takazz and Zaduga moved forward. Shu-Takii moved to Nillahfin to take the servo skull. After a quick scan he dropped it to the floor. “Not enough to salvage or even get an idea what killed it Captain.”

Razzik nodded as he pressed forward, Barru was still in his hands. They took a defense formation around the double door as Razzik set the wounded Barru down. The marine had lost feeling in his legs but he still gripped the missile launcher and was very alert. Razzik hoped he’d be able to get him out of here before the combat stims and pain killers wore off and the coma set in.

Zaduga checked the door. It didn’t budge. Shu-Takii stepped up to try. Small tools and camera’s emerged from his armor. Razzik watched him work as he concentrated on the silence.

Nefas stood nearby staring down the hall ahead of them. The darkness seemed to get even thicker past the furthest glass panel. Razzik switched through several settings trying to get a better view but it appeared that patches of the wall and ceiling had been replaced by a black nothingness.

A lone grunt from Nefas was all the warning he heard before figures leapt out of the inky darkness before them. Men, at least in form, silently moved towards them at astonishing speeds. Their skin was broken by trenches of inner light and dull flames of green and purple danced about their coal black skin.

The marines opened fire, but many of the shots hit nothing but ghosts and shadows. The few rounds that hit flesh dissipated their targets with a burst of inky blackness. Within seconds the rune skinned eldar and the black armored Ice Angels were in hand to hand combat

Razzik barely blocked the first swing with his shield as a long hooked broadsword came whistling down at him. The Dark Eldar’s white hair dangled over his face. Razzik caught only glimpses of the dark voids where his eyes should have been.

The deep purple hues of the warriors runes flashed randomly as the two fought. Razzik continuously blocked with his shield but every time he attacked with his powerfist the warrior would dodge or jump aside.

A grunt of pain came from Razzik’s right. He risked a glance. Zaduga was on the ground with frosty patches on his black armor. The Ice Angels leg had been cleanly severed just above the knee.

As the shadowy Dark Eldar leapt into the air to finish the kill, a red ball of death collided with him. The vile xenos disappeared into shadow but not before flames erupted from the collision.

In that brief shower of fire, Razzik saw how vastly they were outnumbered. The broadsword wielding Eldar began to speak as if he saw Razzik’s thoughts. His voice was only a whisper in the air, but despite the discharge of weapons and the clanging of weapon, he could hear the words clearly.

As his smooth words corrupted the air, Razzik was grateful he couldn’t understand him. A phlegm filled cackle gurgled out of the Eldar’s mouth as he leapt back away from Razzik. Instead of launching a counter attack he stood waiving his sword around, attempting to taunt the eleventh captain of the Ice Angels.

A long burst of bolter fire dissipated a group of approaching Eldar from Razzik’s left. Nefas ejected a round drum that clanged off the floor. Razzik heard him reload but didn’t get a chance to see it before three dark skinned warriors materialized out of the darkness between them.

Nefas took a deep gash across his upper thigh as he fell away from their attackers. Razzik gritted his teeth as a vibrant green blade bit through his shoulder pad into his upper arm. The wound was minor but the pain was intense.

Razzik swung out with his powerfist and followed with a shield bash. One of the creatures fell back with a shattered face but disappeared before it hit the ground. The hook bladed warrior lunged at Razzik once again. They collided and tumbled to the floor. They fought to get a hold of one another on the floor for a brief moment before the warrior launched himself off of Razzik. He tucked and flipped in the air. At the top of the maneuver he straightened out and pointed his sword down at Razzik. As he fell back towards the Ice Angel Captain, Razzik punched forward with his powerfist.

The series of tubes that now adorned his powerfist erupted with bolt fire. Many of the rounds past through the dark figures body as if it weren’t there at all, but the other exploded upon impact, shredding the Eldar’s body back into nothingness.

Without warning the hall way erupted with bright blinding light. The marines kept firing with closed eyes as their vision adjusted. All of the dark skinned warriors were gone. There were no bodies, not even weapons. Razzik blinked several times before turning to the source. Barru was still leaning up against the wall on the floor. He had sustained yet another wound and his missile launcher had been cleanly sliced in half. Next to him on the floor was an object glowing so powerfully he couldn’t look directly at it.

“Neat….” Barru began as he slumped to the side unconscious.

Nillahfin was quickly by the downed marine’s side and his new contraption. The marine had sunk into a coma from the fresh wounds and the dissipating drugs.

Click click, chink. The hall way echoed. Shu-Takii stood back from the double doors, his tools returning to their positions. “We’re open,” he stated.

Nefas stepped past Shu-Takii and threw open the doors. The Sinner marine limped into the room with his gun at his side. Razzik sighed as he saw a similar crystal floating in the room.

“Everybody in. Shu-Takii get that crystal operational. Shar-Takazz, lets bar this door,” Razzik commanded. Everyone hustled to their tasks as they sent affirmative blips through Razzik’s HUD. Zaduga and Barru were carried into the room. Lastly Razzik came back into the hall to grasp the glowing device. As he turned it in his hands he saw what looked like a modern flash grenade but it had a built in pedestal with a series of dials lining the base. With a twist the device shut off, allowing the utter darkness to return. Instantly the coal back Dark Eldar reappeared and ran forward. Razzik spun the dial back and they disappeared as fast as the light cleansed the hall. For a moment he looked down both halls. A distant whine of hover boards and the patter of running feet could be heard echoing off the long halls.

Cautiously Razzik stepped into the room. The double doors closed behind him.

Cool. No idea what those guys are supposed to be... but very neat.

They sound like mandrakes from the DE codex daemons whos home is the shadows.

Great passage. all this tech heresy is going to get them further into deep water with the inquisition I think

Knightley is correct. Those were Mandrakes.

Nice, the Ice angels have found the galaxy's most powerful nightlight.

The first few minutes in the dusty, unused room, were spent looking for anything and everything that can be used to barricade the doors. Zaduga and Barru were placed by Shu-Takii who was so intently focused on a group of control panels that even his cannons were now resting on the floor. While he focused on trying to activate the crystal high up near the ceiling, Shar-Takazz, Nillahfin, and Nefas ran around moving crates and putting as much between them and the door as possible. Razzik started to move an object when something in the deepest darkness of the room seemed to shift and solidify. Without a second thought Razzik reactivated the light Barru had used only moments ago.

The lock was broken from Shu-Takii’s entrance but the doors were heavy and barbed. Multiple heavy metallic crates were pushed up against the door when the first xenos attempted to get inside.

Nefas reached for his weapon but for the moment the doors didn’t budge. As the Dark Eldar shouted and the number of attempts increased, the marines gathered whatever else they could. Several gun shots punched the door but they held.

Tension in the room was mounting as the number of objects they could move and set against the door dwindled. In under three minutes, crates, cages, desks, and chairs were pushed up against the door. One metal table was on its side to protect Shu-Takii while he worked. The marines were then spread out around the room, preparing themselves.

Outside the door, the shouting was replaced by a quiet conversation that only the super human ears of an astartes would be able to notice. It was too quiet to understand but Razzik could only guess as to what they were planning.

Captain Razzik scanned the room closely as he whispered an old Blood Angel hymn to battle the Ice Angels taught their neophytes. Sergeant Shar-Takazz, who was closest to the door, paced back and forth. He was moving silently, flexing his lightning claw and twirling his combat knife. He had a cloak folded up under his back pack and a large satchel full of rectangular shapes, most likely books. At one point Shar-Takazz stopped mid step, his knife effortlessly slid back into its sheath and his hand reached for his holstered plasma pistol. For a moment Razzik expected an explosion or something to happen to the door, but before it did, the Ice Angel sergeant resumed his pacing.

Over the decades with the Ice Angels, Razzik had heard of Squad Rimsin and its honorable sergeant, yet they had never fought together. Often Razzik thought many of the stories of the sergeant were blown out of proportions, as they often do when a group of astartes get together, but as he thought back to the fighting he had seen with Shar-Takazz lately, he was beginning to believe in more of the tales.

With that thought he looked over to Nillahfin. The tactical marine was kneeling near several open glass panels. They offered little protection but did block line of sight to most of the marine. The marine had his bolter up to his chest. In a split second, he could be sighting down his bolter. Another clip was in his other hand, waiting to be loaded.

As the Captain’s gaze passed Nillahfin and moved towards Zaduga and Barru, several loud thuds were heard on the door. They only had a few more seconds before the charges were set and exploding.

Razzik was aware he didn’t need to ask, but he did any ways, “How close are we Shu-Takii?”

The tech marine in training was standing behind one of the metal tables, Nefas was at his side. The two were conversing about the control panels. They seemed to be having a heated debate. Razzik studied Nefas as he watched them converse. He opened his mouth to speak when a voice from outside the doors began to speak. It was in High Gothic and spoken perfectly.

“Astartes! There is no escape from the room you’re hiding in.” The male voice continued. Razzik clenched his fist and drew his shield as the person went on. “You can not expect to defeat me,” the voice chuckled.

Razzik looked over to Nefas and Shu-Takii. The Ice Angel was working the panels; several buttons were now lit up. Nefas met Razzik’s gaze and motioned to respond.

A smile crossed Razzik’s face as he drew breath to speak, “and why not? We’ve defeated everything else we’ve found in this vile complex of filth. What makes you so special?”

The voice beyond the door laughed heartily at Razzik’s response. “I could bore you with my title and tell you about the hundreds of marines I’ve slaughtered but something tells me, you, like all the rest of your dim witted kind, won’t be able to pay attention long enough to understand it. So I’ll cut right to the point.” He spat.

“You can not escape, you have no where to go, BUT you don’t have to die here,” the voice stated. Razzik was turning towards Nefas as the voice continued to babble about offering them a chance to fight for glory in the gladiator pits.

“Will this work?” he whispered.
“Maybe, but it will take time to charge.” Nefas stated.
“How long?” Razzik asked.
“Unknown,” Shu-Takii responded.
“Any idea where this will take us?” Razzik added.
“Negative,” Shu-Takii stated while Nefas shook his head.

When Razzik turned back towards the door he realized the voice had ceased talking.

“How much time do I have to think about it?” Razzik calmly asked.

A growl of frustration came from beyond the door, “I just told you.”

“My apologies, I wasn’t paying any attention to what you were saying,” Razzik stated. “Can you repeat all of that again?”

Curses that began in Gothic and turned into xenos were spat against the door. Razzik got a moment of satisfaction before sounds of grinding stone were heard from around the room. He didn’t have a moment to focus on the sounds when the charges around the doors went off.

The majority of the doors melted under the charges while the debris fell back into the room.

The marines didn’t hesitate to open fire.

let the carnage begin, as well as the debates as to whom was talking to the marines, my vote is a DE lord of some sort, seems appropriate.

I got bets on a archon dude. Fight in my gladiator pits. Come now ceaser chill your beans.

Now it's getting quite exciting. A lot of tension build-up in that episode!

oh really? Tension you say? An Archon or Dark Eldar lord perhaps?

We shall see!

As long as its not Richard Simmons then I think the squad shall be just fine.

Purely awesome from start to finish. I'm very impressed.

Thanks Aggron.

1-i, I'm not sure how to respond to that. If it makes you feel better, no Richard Simmons will not show up in my story, lol.

Fabulous

Captain Quip stood in front of the small mirror for several minutes staring at himself. His old captain’s coat fit perfectly just like the first time he put it on. His beard was now neatly trimmed and tidy. It took him several extra minutes to achieve the desired effect but once he was done his sly grin turned into a chuckle.

“This suit is still ridiculous Captain,” he said to himself sarcastically. After a long pause and a plethora of lost thoughts he stared at himself once again.

“It’d be a shame to not get at least one more use out of it,” he said before he enthusiastically retrieved his necessary items, tools, belt, las pistol, collapsible carbine, and customary rapier.

As he strapped on the various belts and pocketed the assortment of gadgets he reached into an inner jacket pocket. In it was a ring. He slowly removed it from his pocket and exhaled.

The ring was simple, a red metal band. It had signs of minor wear and a pair of dents on opposite sides.

“yeah,” he shook his head, “I’ve put this off long enough.”

He slid the ring onto his index finger and strode out of the room. He still had a handful of things to do before he could fully retire. “Time to get the hardest one out of the way,” he said as the door silently slid open.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Three monitors, 178 buttons, seven switches, and one microphone. Kavu knew what every single one of them did, most of the time he didn’t even look at the buttons any more. He had studied them and experimented with all of them until he was their master.

People were always telling him how he should move to a bigger ship, he could easily work for any of the outer rim corporations, but he always laughed at the notion. “Their all daft and proper,” he always said. “None of them will let me drink on the job any ways,” he’d always say with a belly laugh.

Now he reclined with his feet up on a side panel. A mug of “xenos piss” balanced on his overly large gut. In a half daze he would dream of what could have been, what should have been. Then he’d snort and remember how much he hated to work. Slowly he reached to his dark yellow drink. He stared down into its shallow depths.

“Why did you have to ruin my life?” he asked. With a single gulp he finished his drink, the all to familiar burn soothed his throat. “Why do you have to taste so good?”

The time on the center monitor flipped to five. A series of automated systems ran their diagnostics. Kavu didn’t bother to watch them as the reports came in. Nothing had changed. He could tell. He always knew if something was wrong long before the computers told him. The ship would tell him if it was in pain.

After the final diagnostics had completed three quiet chimes rang. Out of habit Kavu turned to regard the final report. Everything looked normal. They were right on schedule.

“Hey Fatty!” a voice from up above shouted.

Kavu rolled his eyes at his companion’s words, “What is it now Vard?” He looked at his empty cup wondering why it was still empty.

“Did you run the extra scan for the Captain?” he asked as he peeked down from the balcony above him.

Kavu smacked his lips lazily and continued to roll his eyes, “No, I don’t see the point of it. The rock didn’t get up and move.”

“It may not have moved, but what if its been run over by stealers, or greenskins? You don’t want us to land on an infested station without being properly prepared. I mean what if…” Vard continued.

“ALRIGHT. Shut up already. I’ll run your damn scan.” Kavu responded.

He mumbled continuously as he pressed several buttons and flipped a single switch without looking at his station. When he was done he got up off his well worn seat and slowly meandered over to the cabinet near the entrance. The shelf at one time held weapons. Now it was full of empty bottles of various size and shape. A lone dark green glass bottle held a slosh of alcohol.

“Come to me my precious,” he said as he poured out the last of its contents into his mug.

Three chimes alerted him to his completed scan. With one hand rubbing his chin he returned to his chair. With a side glance he checked the report.

“There’s nothing on your damn sca…” he said before his brain realized other wise. “Really,” he whined, “so much for a quick final stop” he mumbled as he leaned in to reread the report.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“There is no way you can beat me again,” he said behind his bulbous helmet.

His muffled voice was met by a muffled laugh. “If you’re so confident put some money down,” the other helmed figure said. Her laugh continued when his muffled taunts suddenly ceased.

“50 clinks,” he spat.

“Wow, 50 clinks. I could probably find that in the lounge between the seats,” she said as she crossed her arms. “You’ll give me 1,000 clinks after I whoop you,” she then took her seat at the end of the thick table. Lights lit up as her armored gauntlets fell into place and all of the nodes connected. The other nine chairs blinked, waiting for any one else to take a seat and join.

The man across from her stayed standing. He looked down at the woman as she prepared for another round, “and what do I get when I soundly crush you? I know you don’t have 1,000 clinks to spare.”

“Listen crop duster, there is no way you’ll defeat me.” She said as she leaned back getting into position for her chosen suit.

“That didn’t answer my question Sybyl,” he said as he assumed the same cocky position she had just held.

“Whatever Zim, you can call whatever you want. I don’t care,” she said. She chuckled at the thought. They had played every version of this game and the newest one had proven to be even more addictive then the others. The two of them were evenly matched but she was on a hot streak. She wondered why he was being so ridiculous all of the sudden. He rarely took any bet that she often threw at him.

Slowly Zim adjusted his helmet and took a laid back position at the other end of the table. He paused with both hands above their needed connections. “Okay Sybyl, after I defeat you….” He paused mid sentence as he connected his gauntlets to the chair to start the simulation, “you have to take me on a date.”

“Wh......bu….. hmmmm,” a plethora of broken syllables escaped her lips as she tried to conjure up a witty retort, but before she could think further the game started. She felt the cool breeze on her skin as her consciousness was inputted into the game. Her mind raced on Zim’s words. They had known each since they were little kids, why had he suddenly asked her for a date.

She powered up her battlesuit and took the first few steps forward as her suits systems checked off. She tapped three buttons on her left wrist to choose her weapons.

A plasma blaster, burst cannon, and a missile pod materialized on her arms and left shoulder. All guns, she thought to herself. It was her favorite way to play.

oooh, three stories all leading to something, but to what?

A retiring captain, a slothful technican and two virtual gaming friends, sounds like a recipe for a bad sitcom!

My poor head... 3 story lines! How can I possibly keep track of all that!!

Don't concern yourself with the numbers of characters or plots. They will all die soon enough, mwahahahahaha.

Wait what? Oh yes, disregard previous statement. No one dies in 40k, right?

Certainly not peoples favorite character.

Could Ice be R.R.Martin hiding behind an online moniker? Don't get attached to your marines guys, they'll be gone in the next season!

HAHA KILL DEM ALL KILL DEM ALL I SAY. it isn't hard to kill main characters.. not one little bit.

Sybyl jumped her suit from roof top to roof top, scanning the cyber cityscape after each landing. She knew he was hiding somewhere. It was his favorite tactic. He’d hide with his shield drone and twin linked missile pods and wait until he had a lock.

Using her heads up display she had picked out his most likely hiding places but each one she checked left her empty handed. He was purposefully hiding from her longer then usual. Zim knew how much she hated to wait. Patience was not a virtue she had an over abundance of.

“Damn you Zim, quit toying with me,” she whispered to herself. “Show yourself Zim!” she shouted after checking yet another empty position.

His response was a simple chuckle. She was tempted to detach from the game, walk across the room, and punch him but she would loose the bet if she did.

Instead she went back to her scanning and patrol of the city. As she walked across one of the larger buildings in the sector she caught a glimpse of movement in a cathedral several blocks away. She stared in the direction of the movement before plotting her course. She launched herself into the air and across the street. She ran across the roof and jetted over to the next building. Her burst cannon spun up to speed as she made her final jump off the building down into a courtyard. She took cover behind an ornate tomb that glistened in the cyber sun.

The office building in front of her had massive windows that she could easily fit through in her bulky suit. She spotted something moving in the shadows from inside. She readied herself to attack, when a shadow passed over the reflective surface of the tomb she was using as cover. Instinctively she dove to the side.

A loud crack rang from her previous position. Sybyl spun to see Zim in a similar suit but wielding a sword and a fusion blaster. He was already aiming his blaster when Sybyl dove again, this time behind a vehicle half the size of her suit.

“Tricky bastard,” she mumbled to herself.

As the small two wheeled vehicle vanished before the blast Sybyl darted for better cover. She returned fire with her burst cannon as she made several jumps towards better cover. Zim silently charged after her.

Sybyl ricocheted off a building to hide behind a large transport vehicle. She peaked around the front end to see Zim heading right at her. He fired his blaster and melted the front end of the vehicle.

Instead of fleeing Sybyl leapt straight up to land atop the back half of the transport. She fired her plasma and missile’s at him. The plasma blast took off his suits fusion blaster arm and the missiles erupted at his feet. He dove past the ruined transport she stood on into the nearest building.

He crashed through wall on his side.

Sybyl burst into laughter at the sight.

“I hope you have those clinks ready Zim,” she chuckled.

“I’m not dead yet Sybyl,” he retorted.

She sighed, “Fine, I’ll just….” She began as carbine fire erupted across her back.

Her missile pod went inactive from the fire as she jumped forwards and spun around midair. A gun drone was floating out of the building next to the courtyard. She smiled at the ingenuity of her friend.

She got into a position to take out the drone when Zim burst through the same wall but farther down. Sword high he pounced on her.

She contorted just in time to avoid the killing blow but lost a leg in the process. Her suit shook from the impact and when she tried to jump away her trajectory was all wrong. She hit a building three stories up before plummeting to the ground.

The gun drone began to fire again after she crashed to the street. Her heads up display erupted with a light show that spelled her imminent doom.

She growled as she tried to scamper away but her systems were failing faster then she could move. Suddenly she was crushed down into the road. Zim was standing atop her suit.

“Game over Sybyl, I hope you’re ready to pay up,” he said as he lifted his sword.

“I’m not dead yet, “she retorted.

“You’re both dead,” another voice kicked in. Zim was blasted right off of her and another blast completed destroyed her suit a moment later.

As their scores were posted they felt the release of the games life like restraints. Their heads up displays vanished and they were once again back in the gaming room aboard their ship.

Sybyl’s eyes met Zim’s before they both turned to see at the table between them a figure in a royal blue dress suit. He removed his helmet so they could both see his sly grin.

“Wow kids, great game,” Captain Quip said sarcastically.
“Shut up dad,” Sybyl said as she took off her gauntlets.
“Good idea with the drone decoy Zim,” Captain Quip said after laughing at Sybyl.
“Thank you Captain, “Zim said with a slight head bow.
Fybblywhyp stepped around the table and placed a hand on Sybyl’s shoulder, he opened his mouth to speak before looking back at Zim.

“Zim, can we have a minute,” he asked?
“Oh, ah, yes, certainly Captain,” he responded while frantically looking around for his morning brew and his tablet. “Sybyl, I’ll..” he paused, “I’ll talk to you later.” He quickly departed the room almost tripping on a chair leg in the process.

Sybyl chuckled at the clumsy departure of her long time friend, “after all these years he is still intimidated by you,” she said before returning to gaze at her father.

“I don’t know why, he has been a part of this crew longer then most and I treat everyone on this ship like family.” Fybblywhyp said with a shrug.

“It may have to do with the fact that over the years you’ve killed many of the people in your, family.” She responded with a raised eye brow.

“Unfortunately my crew has grown substantially over the years, and you know how I feel about liars and traitors,” he said with a sly grin.

They both chuckled and for a moment they fell silent. Captain Quip thought back on all of the people he had executed. He hated that part of the job, but being a successful Captain in the rim systems had always been tricky. Respect and family, those were two ideas that he strived his crew to emphasis on but despite working for a such a reputable corporation he still had to set an example from time to time.

“I don’t know how you do it dad,” Sybyl whispered. Fybblywhyp refocused on his daughter. “You’ll figure it out Sybyl. They respect you just as much as me.”

She scoffed, “I’m sure some of them do but how do you get eight hundred men, women, kroot, tau, mutant, and whatever Huvv is, to follow you like they do. They adore you!”

Captain Quip grinned, his red tiered facial hair turned up making the grin even bigger. He leaned in to get closer before looking around to see if anyone was around. Sybyl leaned in to listen when Fybblywhyp finally spoke, “I have no idea.”

She rolled her eyes again before they both broke into laughter.

As they laughed, Sybyl caught sight of the red ring on his finger. She reached for his hand to inspect it. She looked at him with a question on her face. Fybblywhyp took a deep breath to release the story he had been practicing for the past several decades when his wrist device pinged, “Captain, you need to see this immediately,” the voice of Kavu spat.

Sybyl’s eyes lit up with excitement. Fybblywhyp sighed. His speech will have to wait a little longer. Together they turned towards the door to head through the ship towards the bridge.

OK... the Tau have GOT to die.

... it's the principal of the thing.

Tau! you sonofa.... nicely done and a great way to introduce them into the story line and not have them painted as evil. Top notch work Ice!

So Git wants me to kill to the Tau and Knightley is happy I brought them in nicely. Dually noted.

Oh, and somebody post something so that I can post more story with out the auto edit affecting me.

Must post faster....

“Good idea summoning everyone Kavu,” Captain Quip said as he glanced around the tiered bridge to all of his senior officers. On the main monitor the entrance to the Elsy’vesith loomed. Parts of the large broken moon had been sculpted into colossal alien artwork. Before the Tau had ever discovered the gas giant that the moon orbited, something had dwelled here, but despite all the research and investigating from all the races in the Tau Empire, no one knew anything other then the broken moon and its “art” were ancient beyond all reckoning.

The two halves of the moon were connected by flowing stone pillars thousands of kilometers long. Cracked and damaged pieces jutted out into space as if they were reaching for the other pieces of the destroyed moon that still floated nearby. Every time Fybblywhyp looked upon them he saw something different. Some almost looked like arms or legs, others looked more like maws on long necks.

Surrounding the main entrance were countless vessels. It was the most traffic Captain Quip had ever seen at this moon. The majority of the vessels were of Tau make but several were from other races that dotted the fringe system.

Fybblywhyp could easily waste an entire day studying the ships that moved around the entrance, but he had cargo to drop off and he was on a schedule.

“Kavu take us in,” Captain Quip commanded.

Kavu responded by spinning in his seat and massaging the buttons before him. The ship purred as they picked up speed towards the gap that formed the entrance to the Elsy’vesith.

“Sybyl, take Huvv and the entire Juv’sep La’Rua to secure payment. Driln, prepare all the cargo for deployment and get every ship mobile once she gives the word,” he smiled at his daughter who nodded at Driln, the grumpiest yet most efficient Tau pirate he had ever met.

“Boolosh, see what we can get for those artifacts we found on Wefnef IV and see what jobs we can pick up. Rekk,” Captain paused as he looked at his chief engineer, “get what ever it is you need,” he said as he waived his hands in the air.

“How much can I spend Cap’n?” he asked with a gleam in his eyes.

Captain Quip tilted his head, “Rekk, buy what we need to keep the ship at optimal efficiency.”

Rekk gave a sloppy Imperial salute, still smiling from ear to ear.

“Oh and Rekk,” the engineer stopped smiling as if he had been caught doing something wrong, “no more missiles, bombs, or explosives.” Quip said while pointing his finger.

Rekk sighed; he gave a look like his favorite kroot hound had just died. “Fine,” he spat.

The lone kroot on the bridge was taller then all of the humans on the ship and, like always, he was in the darkest part of the room, watching. Captain Quip turned to regard the shaper for the small contingent of kroot that worked for him. “Thead, bring four of your kindred. You’ll be with me.” The kroot gave a nearly unperceivable nod.

Captain Quip gave a long sweeping look at his senior officers and the members of his bridge. He had personally recruited each of them. They came from different worlds and different races, yet they all worked side by side under his command. His unique crew was the reason for his success and he knew it.

After this week long stop at Elsy’vesith he planned on handing over command to his daughter and retiring. “Retiring,” he thought to himself with a chuckle. He had made enough money to settle down on some quiet corner of the universe. He hadn’t decided where yet, but he was already excited about starting up another garden. His last garden was the talk of the town, up until the Imperium came and destroyed nearly everything he loved.

“Clearly we’ve arrived at Elsy’vesith at a busy time. This may be my last stop as your Captain but that doesn’t mean you can get sloppy on me.” He paused and gave another glance to Rekk. “Dismissed,” he stated with a clap.

He fiddled with the ring on his finger before Thead stepped into the middle of the room to stand before Fybblywhyp. The kroots plumes were adorned with gold and black jewels. He wore a bandolier of knives and a pistol that was shaped like an axe. His lanky body was hidden under custom black armor that Boolosh had made for him years ago.

“Captain,” he began with a nod. The room fell silent as the Kroot Shaper spoke in his thick accent, “you have been an excellent employer.” He offered up a four fingered hand that the Captain shook with a grin. “I am glad I have not had to eat you,” he added as they released the forearm to forearm shake.

Thead gave another slight nod before turning to depart the bridge, his long strides quickly leading him out of the room. Fybblywhyps grin grew even larger as members of the bridge and several senior officers snickered at the Kroots bizarre compliment.

The next several minutes were filled with other compliments and kind words before each member of his senior staff left the bridge to their assigned duty. When only the two dozen bridge staff remained, the Captain walked over to the railing before the main monitor. The pillars of Elsy’vesith were looming around them as their ship navigated the wide shipping lane. After they rounded one of the largest pillars that connected the two halves of the broken moon, the vast station of Elsy’vesith could be seen sprawled out before them. Lights of all colors dotted the various habs and domes that the Tau had built, but they only covered a small fraction of the ruined labyrinth that first attracted the Tau to this shattered rock.

Fybblywhyp often wondered who built them or why they were ruined, but he was content with the knowledge that he’d probably never find out.

As they approached their assigned location, several side monitors awoke. Images of departing vessels flared to life on each one of them.

“Captain,” Vard spoke down at him, “you were right. I found the Fragrant Eclipse on the far side of the main lane.”

In response, another side monitor altered to show a distant Tau Il’porrui class starship. The Fragrant Eclipse was a beautiful vessel of sweeping lines and elegant curved wings. He always marveled at the flagship that his old friend O’Foosho had obtained.

Fybblywhyp snickered at the upcoming conversation he knew he would be having with O’Foosho.

“He still can’t believe you’re retiring, can he?” Vard asked as if he could read his mind.

“Not at all,” Captain Quip responded.

“I’m sure he’ll give you the whole, for Greater Good speech again, won’t he?” Kavu said in his Tau mocking accent. Other members of the bridge crew snickered at Kavu’s words, but Fybblywhyp knew he was absolutely correct.

“Wish me luck,” he nodded as he turned for the bridge door.

“Aye Captain,” Kavu and Vard said as he departed.

Ahahah O'foosho Loving the name and pondering where this could be going, is this crew destined to engage with the Ice Angels? or along side them, I would think not along side due to the whole penance crusade thing going on at the same time.

As always you keeps us enthralled and waiting on baited breath for your next installment.

Ice... I'm waiting.... (taps foot, checks watch)... the STILL aren't dead!