A different kind of Knight

Chapter 4

I want to abandon the humanoid, the problem is... Well... I have the urge again, there is a pestering sensation that I should go down there and meet this strange new being. It could serve me well to finally have a friend who isn't hostile to me in this world. *Sigh.* It is rather dishonourable to abandon such a feeble looking thing to the wild; may the Emperor protect me. I finally made the decision to save the *thing* that is still peacefully sleeping before a 12-meter mech as if it hadn't bore witness to the destruction that it inflicted here. I undo the straps and buckles that are keeping me snugly fit on the seat of my Throne Mechanicum. I reach up and grab the locks of the rectangular airtight hatch. My hands grasp onto it tightly before finally twisting it. Sweat beads up upon my forehead. I hope this world won't try to kill me immediately once I step out. The door is now halfway to being fully unlocked. I pause my

actions that may or may not be the cause of my death. Just making sure it's there as I do a quick glance towards the brown leather casing that is attached to my belt sitting right above my buttocks. It is still there which brought a huge relief. It's not exactly much but it will be enough to dispatch threats against me as long as they aren't enchanted by the Dark Gods, using nigh indestructible xeno technology, imperceptibly agile to the point

where it is almost impossible to see them, or just being so large to the point where small arms only just tickles their gargantuan forms. By the Throne, being a guardsman armed with only these kind of weapons must be a really unfortunate life to live in; thank the Emperor that I was born into a Noble House. Too bad they've all perished with me being the exception. I should probably stop reminiscing about the past that is long gone now. A few more degrees and the cockpit will finally be opened to this world for the first time and hopefully it won't be the last. My hands shake at the thought of what possible dangers might be lurking outside and that I know full well that I am very vulnerable without being ensconced within an Imperial Knight. But a life needs saving and that triumphs all doubts that I had in my mind. I unlock the leather holster so that I easily bring my deterrent out to bear if I would ever need it and of course I took the respirator from the survivalist pack that I have inside the cockpit incase of a situation where a Knight pilot may need to go outside for a multitude of reasons. I mean, there is no official survivalist pack so mine is mostly made up of a random assortment of items pilfered and traded from a large selection of people ranging from respectable xenos, irritating and self-indulgent nobles, mostly stone-faced Adeptus Astartes, and the hardy Astra Militarum, all bundled up in a handy leather bag. I do try to keep it to a minimum and only get things that might play a role in survival since the cramped interior can only fit so much. Now, time to put this infernal thing on. *Squeaky rubber noises.* The rubber noisily rubs against my skin as I struggle to wrap this damnable thing onto my face. *HHUUUH, PSSSHHH.* Breathing is no longer an easy task but atleast I am protected from whatever unknown threats that may be present in the air of this unknown world if the air is even breathable in the first place. Here we go now, first contact will commence in 3... 2... *HISSSS! * Pressurized air leaks out from the cabin as a ray of sunshine enters the cabin through the recently broken seal of the hatch. Pushing the heavy metal slab forward. I now gaze upon the environment with eyes unfiltered. This new world greets me in a way that makes me feel strange. It makes me feel all alone. There is no constant war, no barking of orders, no gunshots, no explosions, no dark gods, nor foul xenos, I mean there is still an abhuman literally present right before me. But other than that this world makes me feel... Lonely. There is not another Imperial here and I will most likely never ever return to my world. There is nothing but peace. Very Peaceful. In a life where war is the only constant, and peace is long dead. But here it is; thriving like a disease. I take a deep breath of the strangely clean air that is weirdly free of toxins, poison and other taints through the respirator. It is weird. I do not like it here. I miss the Imperium.