Yet another Familiar of Zero cross but I should be able to break away from the canon storyline in short order.
Ciaphas Cain Familiar of the Imperium
If there's one thing my years as a Commissar in the Emperor's service has taught me it's that things can always get worse.
The mines narrow passages had been the only thing keeping us alive during our frenzied retreat to the portal. Their numbers working against them forcing the orks to crowd each other into the choke points allowing a single blast from Jurgen's melta to vaporize dozens every time. Any other race would have been appalled by their losses but the tide of green simply pushed through the boiled remains of their dead. They were winning and that was all that mattered to their primitive minds.
I doubted they even knew what we were defending or would have cared if they did. After a few scouts had stumbled across our landing the mere chance for a fight had drawn them in. Which left me stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Any sensible being after discovering an inactive warp portal would thank the Emperor that it wasn't spewing forth abominations eager to play heeryball with his head. Then proceed to blast it with every piece of anti vehicle ordinance he possessed. If not call in an orbital strike from any nearby naval pickets. Cogboys on the other hand seemed only too happy to dare the Ruinous Powers to come calling. Preforming whatever rituals and prayers their augmented hearts desired in the search for more tech to place as offerings before their machine god.
This sect of tech-priests had proven even more fanatic than usual. As on Simia Orichalcae the portal had been brought back to life when an ork fleet entered the system sending a burst of warp energy across the entire planet. These cogboys decided that they were well enough hidden that they could remain in seclusion while continuing to unravel it's secrets. As can be expected this didn't please either Inquisitor Vail or myself. One of the scattered groups of orks would be passing within a few kilom's on their way to attack a nearby township. With Amberly still trying to find the last of the smugglers bringing Tau artifacts and influence onto the planet she promptly came to the conclusion that this was my problem and sent me out with 3 squads from the PDF.
In theory they were the PDF's elite which means they're more likely to hit the enemy than friendlies but only just. It seemed a safe enough job keeping me out of the way of the majority of the fighting and the orks shouldn't reach the area around the portal for another day and a half. The hour long trip in a PDF armored transport was spent hugging the hilly terrain in case any ork fighters showed up.
The PDF aircar itself was armed with a single heavy bolter on a roof mounted turret that had obviously been juryrigged without any consideration to the occupants inside. Still I doubt any of the PDF noticed as they spent most of the journey trying to stay as far away from my rather aromatic and airsick assistant Jurgen as possible. We set down with no trouble outside the cave system the gate had been discovered in and were disembarking when the distinctive twin engined roar of a ork bomber started my palms tingling.
The transports heavy bolter quickly turned and began firing into the lopsided looking plane. A lucky shot started one engine smoking but it was too late only a squad and a half managed to get into the tunnel entrance before the ground shook and the aircar was reduced to a rather unattractive crater. The 2 PDF'ers I dispatched reported the lack of engine noise from the bomber was due to it having embedded itself halfway into the mountain. As it stood we were without any long distance vox gear or transport the only thing to do was convince the tech-priests to supply us with one or the other while explaining that warp portals are bad and living is good. Leaving the half squad to hold the entrance we preceded into what was once a small family owned mine.
We weren't 100 meters in following the main line before we heard broken calls over the vox and the much clearer echoing of bolts exploding from down the mineshaft. 'We can't do anything for them now. Don't let their sacrifice be in vain.ö A nice bit of speech making that always sounds a lot better than ' Your friends are dead and we'll be joining them if you don't start running.' We broke into a quick jog, as fast as we could go with the substandard lighting that had been installed.
A minute later we heard the first grunts and curses coming up behind us. A few quietly spoken orders and an ambush was set. The first 3 appeared seconds later silhouetted by the lights behind them. With the order to fire 12 beams of light began probing the large quick moving shadows. The first dropped silently taken by surprise while the others screamed in pained rage and charged. They made it all of 2 strides when a pair of explosions ripped through them from behind. After all this time I still shake my head in amazement. Only an ork would run headlong down a barely lit mineshaft clutching not only one but two primed grenades.
We pulled back and began jogging down the line again. The blast had apparently caught someones attention and pursuit was rapidly approaching. We ambushed them twice more with no casualties steadily closing on our goal. However the number of orks was steadily increasing. We began to hear orks moving through the connecting side passages as well when we laid down our fourth ambush. This time our first volley was answered with a hail of grenades. We dove for cover but before I managed to reach safety it felt like a giant hand caught me in the chest and threw me into the nearest wall. I have no memory of the rest of the flight through the tunnels save the occasional nightmare.
The next thing I recall was the shock of bright light after being carried through those dark caverns. Even then my body was well into shock as I was thrown backwards into that warp damned crack in the universe. I caught a glimpse of Jurgen as he turned to fire his melta into the advancing horde of greenskins. As I flew head first into the gate we'd been ordered to secure I couldn't help but think that Amberly really needed to find another Hero of the Imperium. Emperor take it I was retired. The blood loss may have been getting to me by then.
As I passed into the portal the colors resembled nothing as much as the Eye of Terror. Apparently the Eye had a floor upon which I landed heavily and began to bleed out on. The colors only partially obscured the room I'd come from allowing me to watch as Jurgen cooked another group of orks buying us a moment or two. He turned his back on the slime that remained and leapt at the portal.
Should anyone from the Imperium find these memoirs they should inform the Inquisition, that Nulls those gifted with the ability to repel the warp and all the horrors that it has spawned. Nulls should under no circumstances attempt to enter a warp portal. He advanced to within a few yards and suddenly the obscenely shifting colors turned as black as the void between stars and began to shriek. I must have lost consciousness as the next thing I noticed was a young girl with disturbingly blue hair lean over and kiss my forehead. Then oblivion reclaimed me.
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As the chronicler given the task of collecting the writings of Commissar Ciaphas Cain I humbly beg your permission to explain certain eccentricities of this history. While mainly written by the Commissar himself he rarely mentions anything outside of his own personal experience. As such for any occurrences of note he was not directly involved with, or in this case conscious for, I will be injecting the best available accounts from trustworthy nobles who were present.
From the journal of Professor Colbert.
"A truly interesting thing happened today. It began as an ordinary familiar summoning day for the second year students. The only familiar's of note being a salamander and a giant mole. However when Miss Tabitha attempted the spell something unheard of happened. I observed her incantations and wandwork while she cast her spell and saw no errors. Yet the fact remains that rather than a toad or raven there appeared a soldier near to death. I immediately dispatched a student to summon a water mage in the hopes that the poor beggar could hold on long enough to receive healing despite his rather grievous injuries. Then set about cauterizing his wounds a quickly as possible. It's rare I can use my fire magic to save lives but those few times feel doubly rewarding. I fear I may have traumatized several of the students but thankfully the man remained unconscious through the entire ordeal. His screams would most defiantly have resulted in nightmares for my class.
Alan Bedevere, as good a teacher as I've seen and a better healer than most, arrived not late after and set about healing him properly. Somehow even managing to start lecturing to the students as he went about it. Not only did he manage to impart a good deal of knowledge but the routine manner in which he described the best method of treating every cut and bit of torn skin calmed the children to the point that some eyes began to glaze over in that manner every teacher abhors. Still, I digress, the soldier looked to have been 35 to 40 years of age. His hair black with only a few patches of white gracing his temples. He had the look of a seasoned campaigner comfortable in his black and red uniform despite it's bloody and battered appearance. His belt held what by it's size must have been at least a bastard sword as well as several pouches and a large squarish looking thing opposite the sword.ö
ôHis injures no longer life threatening I instructed Miss Tabitha to complete the sealing of the familiar bond. Despite the oddness of her new familiar she managed to finished the spell without any further problems. The day continued with only the unfortunate issue of Miss Louise Franþoise. As I've written before Miss Franþoise despite being undoubtedly of noble birth, her inability to cast even the simplest spells correctly or rather without a large explosion has prompted many to question her place in the Tristain Academy of Magic. The cost of repairs having been a rather significant drain on our already tight budget. The staff had agreed that this was to be the test to determine whether or not to send a discrete note to her parents suggesting she would be better served learning from tutors at home. As summoning a familiar is within the purview of all but the most backwards of nobles it was deemed a fair and clear cut method. Her attempt to summon a familiar has failed. I'm afraid her time with us will be cut short after all."
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I woke mid morning on the second day since I'd fallen through the portal. Finding myself resting on a cot beneath an open window. Across the room was a wooden bed standing near a dresser and desk all of which were covered with real paper books. Even after all this time away from the Hive I grew up in I still equate paper books to ostentatious displays of wealth. At the time I was quite happy simply to have survived and upon examining my body found only the lightest of scars where I'd been wounded. If I'd know how I was healed and the sort of world I'd arrived on I would have started running for the hills then and there. I considered playing the part of the wounded hero but a full bladder quickly convinced me otherwise.
Removing the nightshirt I'd been dressed in I changed into my uniform which had been left by the bed. Freshly laundered and obviously mended. Perfect for showcasing the Hero of the Imperium without having to bring up the topic myself. Buckling on my chainsword and las pistol I quickly moved into the deserted hallway. The jakes were soon found and my priorities shifted to food and information. A glance through the hallway window revealed a stone courtyard surrounded by a 10 meter tall wall. No guards or emplaced weapons were in evidence but my view was too limited to be certain. What concerned me most was that from the tower I was in the road was clearly visible. It was little more than a dirt path, barely wide enough for the single animal drawn cart leaving the keep as I watched. It occurred to me that I had yet to see any evidence of even the simplest technologies. Still as I wandered the halls I began to see similarities between this place and the Schola Progenium I had spent the last decade instructing at. It seems schools follow the same lines wherever you are in the Empire. This line of thought prompted me to head for the ground floor as the most likely place for the Adeptus Administratum to be located. Passing what was obviously a messhall I ducked inside hoping for a quick bite.
The room was empty save for a few servers cleaning. Their simple clothing confirmed what my explorations had implied I had obviously arrived on a low tech planet. Still there would undoubtedly be at least one major city with facilities to arrange my return to Perlia. Hopefully Jurgan had manage to survive as he often does walk out unharmed even in the worst of situations.
Striking out across the room in a suitably rakish stride I called out. 'Any chance you've got something left for a late riser? Perhaps some tanna tea?' It's always gratifying to see the reactions of civs when they see a Commissar bearing down on them. Most have only seen us in hololiths but considering that they used my face on recruiting fliers throughout the Segmentum I generally gather a bit more attention. The maid glanced at me murmured something about looking in the kitchens and set out on her new task. Respectful enough but no more so than what I expected for a sargent in the Guard. Just how backward was this planet if they've never even seen a Commissar?
The maid returned swiftly bearing a tray with a variety of foods, though distinctly lacking in tanna. I sat taking care to thank her, my life has been saved more than once by friendly servants and all it cost was a bit of time and social nicety. I invited the maid to sit and talk but she begged off citing a list of duties to be preformed.
I was finishing up my meal when the sound of students moving through the halls reached me. I moved to the wall intent on not being run over by those most vicious of creatures hungry children. As they sat more than a few noticed me and entered into furiously whispered conversations with each other. Near the tail end of this flood of humanity entered a girl in her mid teens reading as she walked. She was short and looked rather frail, aside from that her blue hair the most distinguishing thing about her. I hazily recalled her face from the previous day as I lay supine on the floor. As if feeling my gaze she glanced up from her book at me then began walking towards me. Her companion a rather energetic dark skinned girl followed behind.
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For any of those 40k rpg'er on the forums. Any idea's on how long it takes a chainsword to run through a power pack and how long a sunlight recharge for said power pack takes.
Ciaphas Cain Familiar of the Imperium
If there's one thing my years as a Commissar in the Emperor's service has taught me it's that things can always get worse.
The mines narrow passages had been the only thing keeping us alive during our frenzied retreat to the portal. Their numbers working against them forcing the orks to crowd each other into the choke points allowing a single blast from Jurgen's melta to vaporize dozens every time. Any other race would have been appalled by their losses but the tide of green simply pushed through the boiled remains of their dead. They were winning and that was all that mattered to their primitive minds.
I doubted they even knew what we were defending or would have cared if they did. After a few scouts had stumbled across our landing the mere chance for a fight had drawn them in. Which left me stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Any sensible being after discovering an inactive warp portal would thank the Emperor that it wasn't spewing forth abominations eager to play heeryball with his head. Then proceed to blast it with every piece of anti vehicle ordinance he possessed. If not call in an orbital strike from any nearby naval pickets. Cogboys on the other hand seemed only too happy to dare the Ruinous Powers to come calling. Preforming whatever rituals and prayers their augmented hearts desired in the search for more tech to place as offerings before their machine god.
This sect of tech-priests had proven even more fanatic than usual. As on Simia Orichalcae the portal had been brought back to life when an ork fleet entered the system sending a burst of warp energy across the entire planet. These cogboys decided that they were well enough hidden that they could remain in seclusion while continuing to unravel it's secrets. As can be expected this didn't please either Inquisitor Vail or myself. One of the scattered groups of orks would be passing within a few kilom's on their way to attack a nearby township. With Amberly still trying to find the last of the smugglers bringing Tau artifacts and influence onto the planet she promptly came to the conclusion that this was my problem and sent me out with 3 squads from the PDF.
In theory they were the PDF's elite which means they're more likely to hit the enemy than friendlies but only just. It seemed a safe enough job keeping me out of the way of the majority of the fighting and the orks shouldn't reach the area around the portal for another day and a half. The hour long trip in a PDF armored transport was spent hugging the hilly terrain in case any ork fighters showed up.
The PDF aircar itself was armed with a single heavy bolter on a roof mounted turret that had obviously been juryrigged without any consideration to the occupants inside. Still I doubt any of the PDF noticed as they spent most of the journey trying to stay as far away from my rather aromatic and airsick assistant Jurgen as possible. We set down with no trouble outside the cave system the gate had been discovered in and were disembarking when the distinctive twin engined roar of a ork bomber started my palms tingling.
The transports heavy bolter quickly turned and began firing into the lopsided looking plane. A lucky shot started one engine smoking but it was too late only a squad and a half managed to get into the tunnel entrance before the ground shook and the aircar was reduced to a rather unattractive crater. The 2 PDF'ers I dispatched reported the lack of engine noise from the bomber was due to it having embedded itself halfway into the mountain. As it stood we were without any long distance vox gear or transport the only thing to do was convince the tech-priests to supply us with one or the other while explaining that warp portals are bad and living is good. Leaving the half squad to hold the entrance we preceded into what was once a small family owned mine.
We weren't 100 meters in following the main line before we heard broken calls over the vox and the much clearer echoing of bolts exploding from down the mineshaft. 'We can't do anything for them now. Don't let their sacrifice be in vain.ö A nice bit of speech making that always sounds a lot better than ' Your friends are dead and we'll be joining them if you don't start running.' We broke into a quick jog, as fast as we could go with the substandard lighting that had been installed.
A minute later we heard the first grunts and curses coming up behind us. A few quietly spoken orders and an ambush was set. The first 3 appeared seconds later silhouetted by the lights behind them. With the order to fire 12 beams of light began probing the large quick moving shadows. The first dropped silently taken by surprise while the others screamed in pained rage and charged. They made it all of 2 strides when a pair of explosions ripped through them from behind. After all this time I still shake my head in amazement. Only an ork would run headlong down a barely lit mineshaft clutching not only one but two primed grenades.
We pulled back and began jogging down the line again. The blast had apparently caught someones attention and pursuit was rapidly approaching. We ambushed them twice more with no casualties steadily closing on our goal. However the number of orks was steadily increasing. We began to hear orks moving through the connecting side passages as well when we laid down our fourth ambush. This time our first volley was answered with a hail of grenades. We dove for cover but before I managed to reach safety it felt like a giant hand caught me in the chest and threw me into the nearest wall. I have no memory of the rest of the flight through the tunnels save the occasional nightmare.
The next thing I recall was the shock of bright light after being carried through those dark caverns. Even then my body was well into shock as I was thrown backwards into that warp damned crack in the universe. I caught a glimpse of Jurgen as he turned to fire his melta into the advancing horde of greenskins. As I flew head first into the gate we'd been ordered to secure I couldn't help but think that Amberly really needed to find another Hero of the Imperium. Emperor take it I was retired. The blood loss may have been getting to me by then.
As I passed into the portal the colors resembled nothing as much as the Eye of Terror. Apparently the Eye had a floor upon which I landed heavily and began to bleed out on. The colors only partially obscured the room I'd come from allowing me to watch as Jurgen cooked another group of orks buying us a moment or two. He turned his back on the slime that remained and leapt at the portal.
Should anyone from the Imperium find these memoirs they should inform the Inquisition, that Nulls those gifted with the ability to repel the warp and all the horrors that it has spawned. Nulls should under no circumstances attempt to enter a warp portal. He advanced to within a few yards and suddenly the obscenely shifting colors turned as black as the void between stars and began to shriek. I must have lost consciousness as the next thing I noticed was a young girl with disturbingly blue hair lean over and kiss my forehead. Then oblivion reclaimed me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the chronicler given the task of collecting the writings of Commissar Ciaphas Cain I humbly beg your permission to explain certain eccentricities of this history. While mainly written by the Commissar himself he rarely mentions anything outside of his own personal experience. As such for any occurrences of note he was not directly involved with, or in this case conscious for, I will be injecting the best available accounts from trustworthy nobles who were present.
From the journal of Professor Colbert.
"A truly interesting thing happened today. It began as an ordinary familiar summoning day for the second year students. The only familiar's of note being a salamander and a giant mole. However when Miss Tabitha attempted the spell something unheard of happened. I observed her incantations and wandwork while she cast her spell and saw no errors. Yet the fact remains that rather than a toad or raven there appeared a soldier near to death. I immediately dispatched a student to summon a water mage in the hopes that the poor beggar could hold on long enough to receive healing despite his rather grievous injuries. Then set about cauterizing his wounds a quickly as possible. It's rare I can use my fire magic to save lives but those few times feel doubly rewarding. I fear I may have traumatized several of the students but thankfully the man remained unconscious through the entire ordeal. His screams would most defiantly have resulted in nightmares for my class.
Alan Bedevere, as good a teacher as I've seen and a better healer than most, arrived not late after and set about healing him properly. Somehow even managing to start lecturing to the students as he went about it. Not only did he manage to impart a good deal of knowledge but the routine manner in which he described the best method of treating every cut and bit of torn skin calmed the children to the point that some eyes began to glaze over in that manner every teacher abhors. Still, I digress, the soldier looked to have been 35 to 40 years of age. His hair black with only a few patches of white gracing his temples. He had the look of a seasoned campaigner comfortable in his black and red uniform despite it's bloody and battered appearance. His belt held what by it's size must have been at least a bastard sword as well as several pouches and a large squarish looking thing opposite the sword.ö
ôHis injures no longer life threatening I instructed Miss Tabitha to complete the sealing of the familiar bond. Despite the oddness of her new familiar she managed to finished the spell without any further problems. The day continued with only the unfortunate issue of Miss Louise Franþoise. As I've written before Miss Franþoise despite being undoubtedly of noble birth, her inability to cast even the simplest spells correctly or rather without a large explosion has prompted many to question her place in the Tristain Academy of Magic. The cost of repairs having been a rather significant drain on our already tight budget. The staff had agreed that this was to be the test to determine whether or not to send a discrete note to her parents suggesting she would be better served learning from tutors at home. As summoning a familiar is within the purview of all but the most backwards of nobles it was deemed a fair and clear cut method. Her attempt to summon a familiar has failed. I'm afraid her time with us will be cut short after all."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I woke mid morning on the second day since I'd fallen through the portal. Finding myself resting on a cot beneath an open window. Across the room was a wooden bed standing near a dresser and desk all of which were covered with real paper books. Even after all this time away from the Hive I grew up in I still equate paper books to ostentatious displays of wealth. At the time I was quite happy simply to have survived and upon examining my body found only the lightest of scars where I'd been wounded. If I'd know how I was healed and the sort of world I'd arrived on I would have started running for the hills then and there. I considered playing the part of the wounded hero but a full bladder quickly convinced me otherwise.
Removing the nightshirt I'd been dressed in I changed into my uniform which had been left by the bed. Freshly laundered and obviously mended. Perfect for showcasing the Hero of the Imperium without having to bring up the topic myself. Buckling on my chainsword and las pistol I quickly moved into the deserted hallway. The jakes were soon found and my priorities shifted to food and information. A glance through the hallway window revealed a stone courtyard surrounded by a 10 meter tall wall. No guards or emplaced weapons were in evidence but my view was too limited to be certain. What concerned me most was that from the tower I was in the road was clearly visible. It was little more than a dirt path, barely wide enough for the single animal drawn cart leaving the keep as I watched. It occurred to me that I had yet to see any evidence of even the simplest technologies. Still as I wandered the halls I began to see similarities between this place and the Schola Progenium I had spent the last decade instructing at. It seems schools follow the same lines wherever you are in the Empire. This line of thought prompted me to head for the ground floor as the most likely place for the Adeptus Administratum to be located. Passing what was obviously a messhall I ducked inside hoping for a quick bite.
The room was empty save for a few servers cleaning. Their simple clothing confirmed what my explorations had implied I had obviously arrived on a low tech planet. Still there would undoubtedly be at least one major city with facilities to arrange my return to Perlia. Hopefully Jurgan had manage to survive as he often does walk out unharmed even in the worst of situations.
Striking out across the room in a suitably rakish stride I called out. 'Any chance you've got something left for a late riser? Perhaps some tanna tea?' It's always gratifying to see the reactions of civs when they see a Commissar bearing down on them. Most have only seen us in hololiths but considering that they used my face on recruiting fliers throughout the Segmentum I generally gather a bit more attention. The maid glanced at me murmured something about looking in the kitchens and set out on her new task. Respectful enough but no more so than what I expected for a sargent in the Guard. Just how backward was this planet if they've never even seen a Commissar?
The maid returned swiftly bearing a tray with a variety of foods, though distinctly lacking in tanna. I sat taking care to thank her, my life has been saved more than once by friendly servants and all it cost was a bit of time and social nicety. I invited the maid to sit and talk but she begged off citing a list of duties to be preformed.
I was finishing up my meal when the sound of students moving through the halls reached me. I moved to the wall intent on not being run over by those most vicious of creatures hungry children. As they sat more than a few noticed me and entered into furiously whispered conversations with each other. Near the tail end of this flood of humanity entered a girl in her mid teens reading as she walked. She was short and looked rather frail, aside from that her blue hair the most distinguishing thing about her. I hazily recalled her face from the previous day as I lay supine on the floor. As if feeling my gaze she glanced up from her book at me then began walking towards me. Her companion a rather energetic dark skinned girl followed behind.
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For any of those 40k rpg'er on the forums. Any idea's on how long it takes a chainsword to run through a power pack and how long a sunlight recharge for said power pack takes.
