Grisly Ghost Ark Driver
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A world untouched by war, a true diamond in the rough. Ariares served the Imperium of Man as one of the main Agri-worlds on the Eastern Fringe, feeding the countless billions of guardsmen and citizens alike as they went about their day to day lives, unaware that even the slightest mishap could disrupt the delicate chain and untold numbers would die of starvation. The world also served a second purpose. The population had an abnormal number of psykers born from the later generations after colonization began. Seeing good purpose, the Inquisition decided to 'farm' the population as well as the produce. Two birds one stone the higher ups thought. Unfortunately, for so many psykers, there were sometimes those born without the 'gift' as referred by the locals but instead cursed. These few are rounded up and sent away to die for fear of tampering with the rest of the villages, believed to be abominations and hated by the Emperor.
This is the story of one such victim.
The forest was lush, trees covering the sky for miles up high and everywhere could be heard the sounds of the fauna. The regular cries and chirps of the birds silenced abruptly as several sticks snapped underfoot, a small girl walking cautiously on the forest floor drew the attention of all the eyes of the forest. Her feet were bloodied and clothes torn as she made her away along. As the sun was blotted out by the canopy, small flowers grew out of the tree trunks and provided distilled sunlight to help the plants below grow, using these as guiding lights, the girl walked aimlessly along only stopping to sit down and quietly sob to herself.
What's wrong? Why do you cry? Taken back, the child quickly twisted her head in all directions to see where the voice was coming from. Looking down, she noticed an oval stone on the ground. It's surface looked polished black and very smooth. Not daring to pick it up she leaned in closer to inspect it. It's okay, I won't hurt you. I'm a rock after all.
"But rocks don't talk. Not the ones I know of at least." The girl was very confused and thought herself to be very tired, talking stones seemed so silly.
Then I'm a different rock, one you haven't met before. Allow me to introduce myself then, my name is Ren'hok. You can simply call me Ren. Now, what is your name? The girl was still unsure of all that was going on but became a little more comforted knowing the stone's name. Still, the voice seemed off. It sounded ancient yet it was just a stone, nothing more.
"Hana. My name is Hana Baringer" The atmosphere between the two calmed as introductions were made and Hana sat down fully, allowing her legs to be in a better posture for support.
That is a very lovely name. Now why were you crying before? Hana became slightly uneased at the question but felt what hurt could talking to a stone do.
"I was kicked out of my home because I wasn't born with a gift. Instead they branded me and told me to leave and never come back. I miss my family very much but a village elder told me I would die if I came back."
That is a very awful thing. Didn't your friends protest or even try to help you? The girl started to tear up.
"I do-don't have any friends. All the other kids made fun of me and said I was a monster. Said I was a giant headache and their gifts hated me and wouldn't appear since I was so horrible." Tears started to fall down Hana's cheek, her hand wiping them away trying to not show Ren she was crying, despite it being a stone and unable to see anything.
Well then, I will be your friend. You don't seem like a monster to me and I certainly can't get headaches. Hana allowed herself a small smile. Friend. The word seemed so warm and made her feel at peace for once in her life.
"But what do we do? I have to find food at some point and I might forget where you are." She heard Ren chuckle lightly.
Why simply pick me up and carry me. In fact, I remember some hunters passing by several days ago of a village not too far from the forest. If we hurry we can be there by nightfall. Hana was hesitant but decided to follow along. Picking up Ren the stone started to glow a bright blue, surprising her.
"Ren, you're glowing! What does it mean?"
It means my dear that you are a special little girl and good things are to come to you. Now let us go to that village.
The two arrived to the village late in the night. An older couple met them at the door of a house and were hesitant to take Hana in as they could clearly see she was marked as a cursed one but the woman's motherly instincts overcame village teachings and forced her husband to take the young girl in. Hana was later adopted by the family and assimilated into the village, though life wasn't any much better there as the people still were wary of the girl. Only accepting her as the family that adopted her were part of the Elder council. Some years passed and Hana began to grow into a beautiful young woman, helping in the fields and trying to be fully accepted by those she started to call family. Family. The word stung her as she remembered her blood parents and thought of what they were doing? If they missed her? If her mother cried at night for throwing away her daughter. She would still talk to Ren in secret when no one was home for fear they would take and sell her only friend. A talking stone would fetch a great price no doubt. Her foster mother was warm and kind but her father, he still treated her like an outcast and in secret hurt Hana for what she was, telling her to hide the bruises as nothing more than hard field labor and her clumsiness.
Coming back from the fields, she listened in on her family talking in hushed tones from the kitchen door.
"I'm telling you, it's her fault. Before she came, we had no problems with attacks on livestock from the forest and what happens some time after she shows up? Corpses showing up more and more by the months and before you know it we won't be able to meet quota. What would the governor do to us if we can't meet profit?" Her father once again blaming her for troubles.
"Now Michael, you can't go blaming the poor girl because some beasts decide to become bold and attack our groxen. We simply just have to station guards at night to keep watch. Kill a few and the pack will think twice before considering our animals an easy meal." Michael let out a loud sigh and rubbed his brow, traces of grey hair forming along bangs.
"Sarah, you can't protect her forever. She's nearing the age where all the women are married off and make their own families, but none of the men will court her. They're terrified of her! And with good reason too. Our gifts haven't worked ever since she showed up how can you live with that knowledge?" Sarah remained firm and sternly looked at Michael.
"Because I decided to take her in and love her. I could care less if my gifts ever worked again as long as I know I saved a starving child that night and gave her a future." Michael became agitated and clenched his hands.
"Even so, that still won't bring back the son I lost some years ago! You can't replace one for another, especially with that freak!" Hana let out a sharp gasp and drew their attention. Running to her room she locked it and started crying.
Hana. Is something the matter? I haven't heard you this upset for some time, not since we first met. Hana wiped her nose and tried to compose herself. She told Ren what has been happening and what Michael said. Hana noticed Ren's voice grew more serious, as if it was angry. Well, that is just horrible for you to hear. Believe me, you aren't a freak. You are something incredibly special and should be cherished. Hana calmed down and thanked Ren for the kind words though she didn't leave her room for dinner that night. Sarah put in charge Michael and several others to watch over the livestock that night as punishment for his outburst and a means to apologize by being the guinea pig for the task.
The night air was crisp and cold. Several of the men huddled around makeshift fires and complained about being dragged outside to watch dumb animals. Michael routinely checked to make sure everyone was awake and alert, he was tired of hearing complaints from the other villagers of nothing being done. Now they had their chance and were whining like spoiled children. A man cried out he saw something and soon others were reporting shadows in the distance, of things moving faster than their eyes could train on.
"Form up and shine the spotlights in the fields, we should startle them and after that it's fire at will." Michael checked his autogun and magazine, as it was a long time since he trained in the militia and handled one since. Watching the spotlights comb the fields he felt a shiver run down his spine and stepped back, a sense of unease coming over him. Tripping and falling he cursed out and shined his light on what he fell over. It was a body. A human body in fact. Kicking the moron and yelling for him to wake up he grew startled when his boot felt a squish. Looking down, he saw the blood on the tip of his boot. Hands shaking, he rolled over the body and cried out in horror as the man was skinned alive. What looked to be as though something pierced through his chest and pulled outward judging by the puncture wound he called out for anyone to come help. No one came. One by one, the spotlights turned off and Michael whispered a quick prayer before making a run for the village. As he closed to the gates he noticed they were locked. Pounding on the door to open his breath became caught in his throat and he fell to the ground, being dragged back to the fields. Kicking and flailing his arms, he couldn't cry out for help as he realized he had been stabbed and a lung must be punctured. Slowly losing consciousness, he turned his head to see his attacker and was met with a pair of green, hateful eyes.
The next day, the village was awash in terror at the events. Bodies were found all over the grox pens, stripped and skinned. Of Michael's body, there was no trace. Soon stories of monsters coming for the village spread like wildfire. The events even garnered the attention of the PDF who came to investigate but the attacks grew in more rapid succession. What was once a few times a month grew to by the week. One by one the village houses were being broken into and the residents dragged away screaming only to be found the next day in the fields skinned like the rest of the victims. Several PDF squads vanished too but they were not found skinned. Their bodies appeared to be stripped away by the layers, faces caught in twisted agony and terror. Hana was kept in the house as her mother feared what would happen to her now that Michael was dead, some of the villagers blamed her for his death saying the monsters were her doing. Ren had been silent the past few weeks despite Hana's efforts to coax any kind of response from it. On the 6th straight week of attacks Ren finally spoke.
Tonight is going to be the worst of the attacks. I need you to stay indoors and whatever you do, do not leave. Hold me close to you and you will be ok, they will not hurt you. Hana was only able to meekly comply, the entire village terrorized to the point none dared leaving home for fear of being carried away mid-day. Those brave enough left and made their way to the few hive cities on the continent but rumors say they never reached their destination. When nightfall came the PDF set up a defensive perimeter laden with heavy weapon teams, guardsmen by the dozens and even a few Chimeras. What few villagers could, they lent their weight of arms to protect their homes.
In the distance, a bright beam flashed from the treeline and smashed into a tower, sending it crashing to the ground. As one, the forest glowed blue and appeared to be on the move. Finally able to identify their foes, the men balked at what approached. Skeletal parodies of humans, each clutching a gun of sorts with a bright crystal tube near the end. Sergeants barking orders, the PDF sent volleys of lasgun fire into the approaching horde of monsters and set the trees alight with fire. Some of the monsters fell over and disappeared while others pulled themselves together again and returned to their steady march. Reaching a good hundred yards, they lifted their weapons in unison and returned fire while never breaking stride. Men soon were cut down in droves as the assailants broke through the defensive lines and made their way to the village.
Looking out her window, Hana saw the village and forest were ablaze and people were running terrified. Feeling the need to run too, she remembered what Ren told her and stayed in her room and held her stone tightly. Cries of fear and pain echoed outside as whatever horrors arrived set about their grisly work. A loud smash alerted her that something was in the house. Her mother had gone to talk to the PDF command group some time ago but as more crashes were heard Hana realized it wasn't Sarah. Shrinking up on the top of her bed, she curled into a fetal position and hoped Ren was right, that she would be safe. The door to her room was ripped off the hinges and a skeletal head peered in the room. Hana shrieked out in terror as the monster approached. What she could make of it it appeared entirely machine, a long set of robes coming down it's back and wrapped around the waist. Sapphire eyes met hers. Extending a clawed hand it reached out to her and in a voice she knew it spoke to her.
Hello Hana. I've come to take you to home.
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