Thus Did The Imperium of Mankind Fight There

Part 22 Sweet Rory

Minerva Antioch: Stop the caravan. 

Minerva ordered over her vox bead. Instantly all three of the transports stopped, seeing this, the village wagons soon halted as well. The scene was now a strange standoff between the Reconnaissance Detachments and the bizarrely dressed goth girl. 

The stillness was broken when the girl rose and began to walk towards the caravan, completely alone and without any hesitation or rush. Observing the steadily approaching figure, Minerva voxed. 

Minerva Antioch: Safeties off, prepare for trouble, but only shoot if engaged. 

The turrets of the Testudo and Chimera turned towards the girl and primed their hull-mounted heavy bolters, the Dracosan readied its twin-linked lascannons. Cthonians, abhumans and Solar Auxilia formed a firing line, their weapons raised. The Night Lords took up combat stances, prepared to leap upon the lone child. 

However, the serious aura of the force was broken when children ran ahead laughing, calling out to the girl. 

Kids: It's the Oracle. Wow. Let's go meet her. 

The dramatic anticlimax left Minerva dumbstruck, this was not how she expected events to turn out. She'd been anticipating a far more...dazzling spectacle, one with many flashes of gunfire and explosions, not a scene that wouldn't have looked out of place at a daycare. 

The kids were crowding around the unorthodoxly dressed girl and the girl was smiling. Speaking cheerfully with the youngsters and asking questions. 

Rory Mercury: Why hello there, where are you all from? 

The kids eagerly replied. 

Kids: We're from Coda village, we had to leave because a Flame Dragon was close by. 

Minerva slapped her face and mumbled. 

Minerva Antioch: By the throne, I swear this planet must be playing jokes on us. 

The other Imperial soldiers could only nod at that statement, even the Night Lords. At that moment, Rory looked up at the strangely dressed people in front of her and smiled mysteriously. Asking the kids surrounding her, she asked. 

Rory Mercury: Who are these people? 

The children responded happily. 

Kids: They're helping us move, they say they're from the Gate. 

Rory: Oh? 

The children's answer intrigued Rory and she continued on her way towards the caravan with the kids following close behind. When Minerva felt that the stranger had come close enough, she warned. 

Minerva Antioch: Hold it right there, don't come any closer, who are you and what do you want? 

Rory stopped and for a second, the atmosphere became filled with tension once more. Then, with a confident smile wide on her face, she declared. 

Rory Mercury: I am Rory Mercury, The Reaper, Apostle of the God Emroy. 

Immediately all the Imperial soldiers and warriors present stiffened and placed their fingers squarely on the triggers of their weapons.  Minerva was trying her hardest to prevent herself from breaking out into a cold sweat. She'd been informed during the briefing just before leaving the base that of all the threats that they might face on this world, the ones who were called apostles by the locals were the most dangerous. 

Apparently, they were pretty tough in that they couldn't be killed in any way the Imperium knew how...yet. Nonetheless, she considered running into one nearly impossible, there were only supposed to be twelve on the entire planet. How either lucky or fracked was she to have actually managed to beat the odds so thoroughly, as to have encountered one on her first mission?  

At this point, she was truly wondering if the universe hadn't decided to send a Gate to the capital of a galactic empire for no other reason than to pull her leg. Still, she had a duty to perform, even if HQ considered her band of misfits to be rogues at worst and deserters at best. 

Following the rules of engagement that had been pieced together for these "apostles", which was basically to run away from them if you knew what you were looking at and talk to them if you didn't, she stretched out her hand. In the most ancient form of greeting since time immemorial she made first contact between an apostle and the forces of the Imperium. 

Minerva Antioch: Hello Miss Mercury, I'm Minerva Antioch, currently the CO of Reconnaissance Detachment-3 and I'd like to get to know you better. 

Somehow, her hair-brained attempt at peaceful contact with the apostle worked. Rory stretched out her own hand and shook hers, with a grip that felt like it could shatter rockcrete, but otherwise without any hostility. There was an audible sigh of relief from the surrounding Imperial soldiers, although the Marines just continued to stare at the apostle, their expressions unknowable under their helmets. 

Rory Mercury: Hello to you as well, Minerva, can I ask you something?

Rory questioned; a smile still boldly painted on her face as if to challenge whoever saw it. Minerva felt a strange premonition that she would regret what she was about to say but couldn't tell why. 

Minerva Antioch: Sure, ask away. 

Rory pointed to the IFVs and Astartes, inquiring. 

Rory Mercury: How do those carriages move without horses and what are these golems who stand beside you?

Minerva Antioch: Um, I'm afraid that's a bit complicated to explain. 

Looking inquisitively at the strange metal contraptions, Rory saw the two elves on top of the Chimera. This piqued Rory's interest, it wasn't uncommon for elves to be taken as slaves by humans, in fact, elves were considered prized possessions by any who could lay their hands on one. Were these soldiers no different? Rory decided to question the elves herself. 

Rory Mercury: Hello there you two, what are you doing here with these people?

Hodor and Tuka were slightly stunned at the Apostle of Emroy herself speaking to them but answered. 

Hodor Marceau: Our village was attacked by a Flame Dragon and these brave warriors saved us and many of our neighbors. 

Rory Mercury: Is that so? Are you two comfortable up there? 

Tuka: Mihm, these things are much more comfortable than any carriage, they don't rock or bump as much at all. 

Rory's smile widened as she exclaimed. 

Rory Mercury: Really now? More comfortable than a carriage? 

Rory faced Minerva again and the Lieutenant could not shake the foreboding she felt as the apostle seemingly looked into the depths of her soul.   

Rory Mercury: Minerva, I would so truly appreciate it, if you could show me personally, just how comfortable these things truly are. 

Rory said sweetly, licking her lips. 

Comments would be appreciated