Chapter 138: Chapter 138
Collecting all the materials we could from the ruins, the five of us returned to the New Genesis to watch the fireworks. Opening a small portal to connect our locations, Dair began his countdown the moment he had visual confirmation. Broadcasting a live feed across the armada, my subordinates were eager to see how deadly the Void Cannon was.
<3… 2… 1… Firing!> (Dair)
Blinding us momentarily with its initial flash, a purple-hued beam of energy effortlessly pierced through the planet's surface like it was made of paper. Watching the surrounding area cave inward under the intense pressure, massive fissures of magma began appearing all over the surface. A few seconds later, the opposite side of the planet violently exploded, sending molten metal and rock in every direction.
"I am happy we did not have any ships on that side of the planet.", I laughed, mesmerized by the powerful explosion. "How about giving us a warning next time, Dair?"
"Just wanted to make sure.", I stated, settling back into my seat. "Alright then, time to move on to the next— "
Before I could complete my sentence, sensor alarms began blaring aboard all our vessels. As the armada began to move into position for an intercept, Luxion updated me on the situation.
"So the enemy is coming to us for a change; that works for me.", I said with a grin. "Eagleson, prepare to give our guests a warm welcome!"
"Of course, Supreme Commander.", Eagleson acknowledged as we began moving away from the destroyed planet.
Severing power to the Void Cannon, Dair gave me the go-ahead to close the portal as the beam broke apart. Thanking him for his work, the New Genesis began moving off to join the vanguard. As the enemy group came into visual view, Amallyn abruptly collapsed to her knees, clutching her head. Believing the enemy was launching a preemptive psychic attack, I ordered Eagleson to begin firing at them immediately.
"Wait a moment!!", Amallyn screamed, fighting through the intense pain. "Those ships are loaded with captured Aeldari and humans. An Eldar child sensed my presence and made a frantic call for help. Since she used far more psychic energy than we typically use to communicate, her cries were like a punch to the face."
"Eagleson, belay that order. The plan is to now disable the enemy ships, rescue the captives, then blow the enemy out of the water.", I ordered, "Luxion, please ensure that Eldar accommodations are ready to receive our guests. For the time being, cordon off the surrounding area so guests can have time to process things. Anyone who incites violence against them is to be thrown in the brig, no exceptions."
Maintaining our current heading, I brought up a live feed to get a better look at the enemy vessels. Barely able to make out the emblem on the ships' prow, after magnifying the image several times, we were able to determine that the vessels belonged to the Emperor's Children. Understanding why the child was so frantic in her call for aid, it was very likely they were en route to deliver the Eldar directly to their mortal enemy.
"Are you okay, Amallyn?", I inquired, looking at her softly.
"No... no, I am not.", Amallyn replied, gritting her teeth in anger. "The Aeldari aboard that ship are from several different Craftworlds. A handful of Craftworlds were unable to escape unscathed from the formation of the Great Rift. Since this chaos unfolded, we have steadily lost contact with them one by one without warning. It has perplexed our people greatly, but now I know the reason why it happened. The enemy has discovered a method for sealing off our psychic communications and powers using foreign technology."
"Why did they not retreat into the Webway? Surely their shielding would have bought them some time to…", I began to say, as the realization hit me, "The enemy overran the Craftworlds via the Webway, is that right?"
"That is correct; while the Craftworld's defenders fought off the Chaos vessels, Daemons surged out of the Webway and attacked them from behind. From what I can gather, most Craftworlds fell in less than an hour.", Amallyn said, a scowl forming on her face, "Victor, I am almost certain the enemy has insider knowledge of the pathways we use to get around in the Webway. You are probably unaware of this, but the Webway is a maze of passageways that only the Aeldari can navigate properly. Given that the enemy has utilized it to attack our people multiple times now… I suspect someone shared the information with the enemy."
The Aeldari people cherished their shared kinship above all else. For Amallyn to make such an accusation, I was certain there was no other way the enemy could have acquired this information.
"Once this matter has been dealt with, contact the various Craftworlds so they can take the proper precautions to safeguard themselves.", I suggested, as the enemy vessels began to veer away from us. "If you are up for it, I think it would be best if you were down at the barrack to welcome your people. They are more likely to heed your words more than anyone else aboard."
"Yeah, I can do that.", Amallyn acknowledged, picking herself up off the floor.
"Amallyn…", I said, getting her attention, "I promise you; we will find a way to safeguard your people."
"Thank you, Victor.", Amallyn replied with a smile.
Sending her to the barracks with a kiss, my attention turned toward the fleeing ships. Deciding to test the limits of my Force abilities, I raised my right hand and reached out to seize the warband. Bracing myself for a head-splitting headache, when all I felt was mild discomfort, I asked Eagleson to confirm if the vessels had completely stopped.
"I was just about to ask you about that, Supreme Commander. The enemy vessels have come to a complete stop, but their engines are still going full bore.", Eagleson spoke, "Is this your doing, sir?"
"Yes, it is. I will pull them closer to us, so prepare to fire upon them.", I answered, hiding my excitement. 'Darth Vader struggled to stop one large starship; I am holding thirty extra-large ships without breaking a sweat. This enhanced body is fucking awesome!'
Listening to the radio chatter, as I pulled the ships toward us, my subordinates were all amazed by what they were seeing. Telling them to cut it out, Eagleson commanded them to commence firing on the enemy immediately. Making sure they knew to only disable the ships, not destroy them, the forward vessels began bombarding the enemy with controlled bursts of fire.
Taking out their shielding with a single blow, as their ships were being held together with bubblegum and Dollar Tree tape, the armada had to stop firing immediately because the enemy was literally beginning to fall apart. Asking Luxion to begin transporting captives aboard, I stood up from my seat and withdrew Dawnbreaker from my inventory.
"I am headed out for a bit to exact some vengeance on Amallyn's behalf.", I told Ionica. "Please let your compatriots know we are bringing Eldar survivors aboard. They will be staying on the opposite side of the ship, so they do not have to worry about interacting with them."
"The civilians and my subordinates will not harm them, but I cannot say the same about the Astarte and Custodes.", Ionica warned me.
"If they have a problem with my decision… tell them they can take it up with me personally.", I responded as Luxion transferred me onboard the enemy flagship.
---3rd Person POV---
Standing outside the barracks set aside for the Eldar, dozens of Aeldari began to appear before Amallyn. Dazed and disoriented by their sudden change of scenery, the Aeldari frantically began to run for the nearest shelter they could see. Quickly stepping in to calm everyone, Amallyn reassured everyone that they were safe now.
"Where are we?", a young Eldar girl inquired, tightly clutching her stuffed animal as she approached Amallyn. "Is this your Craftworld?"
"No, this is a human city-ship called the New Genesis.", Amallyn replied, kneeling to speak with her. "Are you the young one who called out to me?"
Nodding her head in confirmation, the child immediately latched onto and began trembling with fear. Picking her up, Amallyn surveyed the other Aeldari as they slowly began to gather again. Noticing thin, electronic bands wrapped around their necks, she inquired if those were the inhibitors the girl mentioned to her.
"Yes, those abominations slapped them onto our necks when we surrendered to them. They completely nullify our psychic powers, and if we attempt to use them, they deliver a near-lethal shock to the base of our skulls.", a male Eldar answered, having experienced it for himself. "I am not sure how it happened, but her collar came off some time ago during a particularly harsh warp storm. Due to her young age and inexperience, she was unable to contact anyone to save… until you happened along."
"That makes sense. I am happy she did so because the commander of this armada nearly obliterated the enemy battlegroup.", Amallyn said, looking at the young girl, "You did very well for someone so young. Be proud of what you did today."
Giving Amallyn a meek smile, the young girl buried her face in the ranger's neck. Allowing the child to do as she pleased, Amallyn motioned to the building behind her and informed everyone they would be staying here. Nervously looking at the foreign structure, they inquired if it was truly safe for them aboard this ship.
"This armada is from the Imperium of Man, is it not?", a female Drukhari questioned. "Are they going to experiment on us, or maybe use us for target practice?"
"Rest assured you are completely safe here. The commander of this armada, Victor von Stark, is an ally to all Aeldari and a trusted friend of Biel-Tan.", Amallyn assured everyone, "Victor is the descendant of the Imperium's leader but was raised in a distant nation called the Holfort Kingdom. Unlike the humans of this galaxy, he holds no disdain or hatred for other races."
"What does the Mon-Keigh intend to do with us?", the young girl asked.
"Once we are done here in the Dathedian, Victor will take all of you to Biel-Tan or any other Craftworld you wish. As for the Drukhari, it is probably safest for you to join them as well. Until we can determine how the enemy has learned to navigate the Webway, it is unwise to traverse it for now.", Amallyn advised, "Please follow me inside; I will show you to your temporary accommodations."
Showing them around the facility, Amallyn demonstrated how to operate everything in the bedrooms. Surprised by the level of comfort and technology in each room, they began to wonder if the humans of this galaxy were a completely different race of people. Compared to a typical hive city residence, these rooms were equivalent to a seven-star hotel room.
"By the way, whose daughter is this?", Amallyn called out as people began to settle in.
"She is an orphan; her parents were killed by daemons right in front of her.", a crippled female Eldar said. "Both of us are from Karain-Drach. I was the one who saved her from being devoured along with them."
(AN: Karain-Drach is not a canon Craftworld.)
"I see… Do you want to stay with her or with me?", Amallyn inquired.
Clutching Amallyn's armor tighter, the Eldar woman relented and agreed to take care of her until they reached a Craftworld. Stepping outside to contact Victor, she hoped he would understand and allow the child to share a bed with them temporarily. While she could always get a room for the two of them, Amallyn had grown to enjoy sharing a bed with him, and going back now sounded too uncomfortable.
"Something wrong?", Victor asked, the sounds of tortured screams echoing in the background.
"Wait, where are you?", Amallyn remarked.
"Aboard the enemy flagship. I am gathering information and getting retribution for you and your kin.", Victor stated, kicking a Chaos Marine through several adamantium walls.
"Oh, I see.", Amallyn said, a smile creeping onto her face. "An orphaned child has attached herself to me and is insistent on staying with me until we reach a Craftworld. Is she allowed to—
"It is your room as much as it is mine. If you want to have the child stay there with us, I have no qualms with it.", Victor told her, "You are my partner; unless you give me a reason not to, I will always trust your decisions."
"Thank you.", Amallyn replied. "Please make sure you make them beg for their lives before killing them."
"Way ahead of you!", Victor laughed, ripping the spines out of several traitor marines. "See you soon."
Disconnecting from the call, Amallyn got back to work explaining things to the surviving Eldar while Victor continued to massacre the Emperor's Children warband.