Thus Did The Imperium of Mankind Fight There

Part 23 The Emperor Protects

Minerva had no clue how things turned out this way. The small apostle had innocently requested to ride in one of their transports and she'd tentatively agreed. 

No aggression had been displayed by the supposed demi-goddess despite the massive halberd she wielded. So, Minerva thought, it was harmless enough to allow the newcomer to ride along with them to further friendly relations, after all, what could go wrong?

At first, she tried to persuade the girl to get in the Dracosan with the two Night Lords, just in case things got...messy. The little rascal was stubborn though and insisted on the Chimera instead, saying, with still that mysterious smile. 

Rory Mercury: I wish to ride in the...comfortable one. 

Roy licked her lips again after she gave her explanation. 

Minerva assumed she meant that she wanted to travel in the same vehicle as the elves to experience the same ride they did. Thinking that was reasonable enough, she led Rory into the troop compartment with the rest of her squad as a precaution. She assumed that she'd taken all the necessary safety measures should anything unexpected occur...she was wrong. 

Minerva Antioch: HEY!! What're you doing?! 

Minerva yelped as Rory jumped into her lap instead of one of the empty seats. Rory replied smugly. 

Rory Mercury: Hehe, getting comfortable of course, Hihi. 

Rory fluttered her lashes flirtatiously. 

The rest of the force could only look on in shocked disbelief as they stared both wide-eyed and slack-jawed at the sight of the inappropriately dressed troublemaker cuddling between their commanding officer's thighs. Hodor and Tuka were hanging their heads upside down from the roof of the Chimera to watch the never-before-seen spectacle. The remembrancer was even sketching the humiliating display. 

Noticing the artist, Minerva's face turned bright red as she pictured how she would have to explain all this to High Command. In a panic, she yelled. 

Minerva Antioch: Hey! Don't draw this! 

The remembrancer responded unperturbed. 

Remembrancer: Only the Imperial Intelligence Services or higher-level officers can censure the work of the Remembrancer Order. 

Minerva would've tackled the infuriating civilian had she not been held down by a child capable of breaking her legs. Rory, meanwhile, became curious of what the odd staffs these soldiers all seemed to carry were and began to poke at one of them. Feeling her lasrifle being toyed with, Minerva hurriedly demanded. 

Minerva Antioch: Don't touch that! You're going to kill all of us! 

The Night Lords, who'd been quietly observing up until now, decided to finally intervene. While his brother lifted the apostle from the lap of the Lieutenant, Sergius seized her weapon. 

Rory was strong, inhumanly so, but the Emperor's Angels had been tested against far more ferocious enemies. She was bodily thrown out of the Chimera while laughing as if it was the most enjoyable game she'd ever played. 

When Sergius picked up the halberd, he noted, with some surprise, that it was made of a material he couldn't identify and weighed twice as much as a standard civilian automobile. It would have crushed any regular human attempting to lift it, but the Imperium's transhuman warriors were made of sterner stuff. 

Rory easily landed on her feet and beamed joyfully at the Marines. Sergius dropped her halberd directly in front of her. Taking off his helmet, revealing the pale, ghostly skin and deep, black pupilless eyes of the Dark Prince's scions he spoke.  

Battle-Brother Sergius: Listen you heretical spawn of a false god, we have no time for your insolence, we have a duty to perform and innocents who are relying on us. I give you two options, work with us or leave.  

Sergius sneered as he gave his terms to the apostle. Rory seemed to seriously consider her options for a moment, her face becoming neutral. Looking behind her at the many hundreds of refugees before turning back to the Legionary, she smiled again and answered. 

Rory Mercury: I see, how interesting, I wasn't expecting you to be that type...alright, I suppose I'll join you...for now. 

Rory giggled as she finished, much to his annoyance, but he decided to tolerate the apostle's antics until a more cost-beneficial arrangement could be made. One in which the Imperium held these abominations at their mercy. 

———————————————————————————

After the short delay of meeting with Rory, the caravan continued on its course. No bandits were spotted which was a pleasant surprise. Apparently, according to their new guest's personal travel stories. She had them all slaughtered.

Minerva didn't know what to think about what appeared to be a young teenager being able to wipe out the bandit population in a radius multiple kilometers wide.  

The apostle had remained relatively unintrusive throughout the rest of the journey, mostly looking around curiously inside the Chimera and occasionally asking some questions. When she was particularly bored, she seemed to play some kind of cold war with one of the Night Lords, staring at him with a sinister smile. 

Sergius, as he identified himself, simply stared back without flinching in the slightest, as if he were made of granite. He was the one who'd complimented Minerva back in the elf village, something that felt like ages ago, but what her chronometer insisted had been less than 24 hours ago. 

The sun was beginning to set now, and the sky was turning a faint orange. The green pastures had given way to barren ground. It would have been a scenic view had the entire caravan, except for Rory and the Marines, not been utterly fatigued. 

Suddenly, the auspex scanners once again picked up a large flying mass. 

Private Paul Venis: Ma'am, I'm picking up something big coming in from our right. 

Hearing her squad mate's report, Minerva felt her fatigue evaporate as fear took its place. Rushing up out of the Chimera's turret hatch, she took her magnoculars and searched the horizon as she cursed under her breath.

Minerva Antioch: Frak, it can't be, not when we're so close. 

Minerva hoped her instincts were wrong, but that hope was shattered when she saw a wyvern flying in only to be devoured by the wounded Flame Dragon in a single bite. 

Minerva Antioch: Emperor protect us! 

Minerva nearly panicked before military discipline reasserted itself. Giving a flurry of orders over the vox-link, she shouted. 

Minerva Antioch: Everyone, get ready! That damned flying lizard's back for round two! We've got to lead it away from the civies! Sergeant, contact HQ! We might need some air support. 

Comments would be appreciated.