Dark Ghost
41 Milenium, one of Imperial Segmentum Solar planets.
Today young Hector was going to sleep on the rare early. Outside the window, it was getting dark, but this was still a long twilight. And from the window as always could see the same picture. In most gave panorama towered giant city-hive with its majestic skyscrapers and factories. Its buildings were so high that they broke through the clouds. But Hector's family did not live in the city-hive, and most of its suburbs. His father, whose name was Nicodemus Gnedich worked in one of the offices of the Adeptus Arbites, is in town. Gnedich returned home very late, and it happened so that he does not come for days. Job arbitrators throughout the Imperium was considered no less important than to serve the Emperor Space Marines. Battle with the followers of Chaos occurred even in seemingly peacetime. Always appeared something of a secret cult of heretics, they tried everything to let their dirty claws on some of the Imperial planets. This small family lived on the outskirts of the city. Hive of skyscrapers ended, and then begins the territory of small houses, a height of not more than ten meters. Mother of Hector - Marfaana worked housewife. The term "work" has recently become almost real in the literal sense. The boy was already twelve years old, but persistent disease afflict his body. This whole planet is considered the most rainy and nasty due to its weather, around the great Imperium of Mankind. Perhaps, in the ancient album on a distant old Terre that was considered the most rainy and foggy area, the climate was quite easy compared to this planet. Hector often experienced symptoms of a rare disease "syndrome Black Nephilim" as it was called imperial healers. The boy's eyes were dark, his head was spinning, and body temperature rose to thirty-eight degrees. The doctors said that the boy must take away from the planet, but the family of Hector did not have the money. Even despite the fact that the father of the family worked in the Arbites, money for interstellar travel is not enough. Today Hector going to bed much earlier. Weakness covered all his mortal body. But Hector dreamed of becoming a Space Marine, fighting for the good of the Imperium with xenos, heretics and traitors to visit distant worlds. Unfortunately, health summed boy, and perhaps never allow realized all his dreams.
Hector's mother sat beside the bed a little boy on the seat, made of rare wood tallarn. Lighting in the room was poor. Bioluminescent lamp already outdated. Some of lampshades slightly trembling. But that did not stop as sick boy and his mother. Only here today, the boy's mother behaved somewhat strange. Hector noticed that her face was grim, especially after her trip to the market. She did not smile even once today. This meant either that something bad happened, or cause and was not at all clear.
And lately people in urban and rural areas were frightened by rumors of some demonic beings, as if imbued with the planet. All these rumors have been caused by the recent explosion at the spaceport Gorelov Prim, where the crashed spaceship lined Imperial Guard. Thereafter, the spaceport was cordoned off by the military and the arbitrators. And then noticed and agents of the Inquisition. About this and was informed the Governor-General. Why specifically crashed spaceship is unknown, because the authorities prefer to hide it. But rumors that the spaceship has brought with it something else on the planet spread with light speed.
- Dad will not come again today? - A weak voice faltered boy tightly wrapping a blanket.
- No, Hector, not today - with some sadness said Marfaana - Tomorrow morning, perhaps. He talked to me today just forty seconds. And then the connection was lost. The enemies of the Emperor again awakened. At this time in the slums of Valeria. But fear not. Emperor always protects his servants. Your father, he cares for a decade.
- Enemies of the Emperor? - Exclaimed Hector - Heretics? Or xenos?
- In the words of your father, is a local gang slaanesh fans, those who worship the God of debauchery - explained her mother, - In addition, after the incident at the spaceport, all scared now. Today the market is talking about, as if something collapsed shuttle has brought the planet. It is unknown exactly what was then. Yes, and these cults crept heretics. All it has to do. Shuttle heretics rumors. Great Emperor, and where they all are just climb? After all, it was a time when this heresy Fel did not exist at all! The good old days ...
- And Dad cope with all of them? - Asked the boy.
- Yes, because it is guarded by the Emperor and the Primarchs as all the soldiers of the Imperium - said Marfaana - But as you, my friend, sleep. All medicines have already drunk. It's time hushaby. Fear not for the dad. He'll be back tomorrow morning. He himself said so. And you go to sleep. And let you dream of Terra Imperial Palace, the majestic and beautiful ...
- You promised to tell me a story - Hector murmured in a low voice - remember, you said yesterday?
- Oh .... - Clutching her mother's head - Yes, son, I'm worrying much , and even forgot about it. Bedtime! Well, of course ...
- Yesterday you told me about the valiant Ultramarines and malicious Eaters - said Hector - How it there .... Tiranidosy ... voila! Remember, after yesterday's stories, I asked you to tell me about Captain Garro? And you said you'd tell me tomorrow. But tomorrow is already here! Please tell me ...
- Oh, my son, - sighed Marfaana - Captain Garro? It's pretty ambiguous story. Very ancient. And besides, nobody exactly knows what happened. Perhaps this ancient legends only "Saga of the Ki-Brazil" or may be "Epic of King Arktoriuse and the Knights of the Round Table."
- Oh, please ... - almost begged boy - Please .... I want to hear about Captain Garro and his "Einstein"!
- "Eisenstein" - corrected mother - right to speak - "Eisenstein." With one of the ancient languages of Terra, it seems, means "iron". Well, I'll tell you about Garro and his flight. Briefly.
- Briefly? - Hector exclaimed in disbelief.
- Yes, I know - corresponded Marfaana - This story ten thousand years. Much has been forgotten and distorted. But titles and names will never disappear. They will forever remain in our hearts. I'll tell you briefly, as more information and did not. History has long become a legend.
- Please tell me - remarked Hector - Please ....
- I said I'll tell you - with some rigor mother said, - You're as stubborn as vostroyansky firstborn. Okay, my son, listen to me carefully.
The boy sat down on the bed, leaning against the pillow and began to listen to the story of the mother. Outside the window, the rain poured down, the new fierce lashed to this area. But Hector and his mother did not care.
"It was terribly long. Terribly long. Too long .... Well ... so long ago that the word "long" is not suitable. Once upon a time, long ago, long ago! Well .... Once there was Nathaniel Garro. Oh .... No, the Emperor have mercy, what is it with me .... Better to start with this ....
And it was a legendary time, the time of the Crusades, the heroes of the great wars of the Imperium and for the prosperity of all Humanity. But most importantly, if all the rules of our great Father himself Emperor. His powerful luminous figure inspired awe and reverence as mortal and immortal warriors of the Imperium ... "
- And then there was chaos? - Hector said quietly, looking at his mother's face pensive.
- Do not interrupt - said severely Marfaana - And then I thought again sobyus with .... Okay, let's continue on.
"Once again. And it was a legendary time, the time of the Crusades, the heroes of the great wars of the Imperium and for the prosperity of all Humanity. But most importantly, if all the rules of our great Father himself Emperor. His powerful luminous figure inspired awe and reverence as mortal and immortal warriors of the Imperium. Era Primarchs powerful Emperor's sons, that his greatness was overshadowed by the star. This was the era of domination of the human race in the galaxy. Only here, it lasted long. There was an ancient enemy, carrying terror and death to all living creatures. Even filthy xenos, say, consider it the oldest, what can we say about us - humans. It was chaos.
To begin to tell you, my son, of Horus Warmaster. Much has already become a legend, something twisted, something has gone into oblivion. But of Woe nobody forgets. Horus was one of the earliest and most beloved sons of the Emperor of Mankind. He was raised in chief of all the Crusades. All fleet and all his brothers primarchs obeyed his will. Horus, so called it a monster. Yes, that's it, that monster. What did Horus later, it will go down in history as the Great Heresy. Thanks to his tireless lust for power insatiable Gore sold his soul to the gods of Chaos. Chaos - the oldest force inhabiting the space warp. Warp first opened back in ancient times, old Terra. I think it was at the beginning of the third millennium. At first everyone thought warp inhabit some xenos race, or as they were called, aliens. But when researched it a little deeper, we realized that these creatures did not named differently, but to demons. But they had a guide. Four Gods of Chaos. Names will not pronounce them. And not because I fear the wrath of the Holy Inquisition, and in the sense that these entities may hear my words. They know ... They all hear .... Everyone knows ... ".
Hector suddenly shuddered. He looked at his mother's eyes, and suddenly they saw something alien. The mother of his speech expounded with such hatred that the whites of her eyes began to redden.
- Mom? - Asked the boy in a frightened voice. - What's the matter?
- Huh? - And she shivered here Marfaana - What?
- There's something wrong with his eyes - said Hector, still being in disarray.
- I? - Exclaimed in amazement mother - Oh yeah, it's the fact that today I did not sleep at night.
- But in the morning you said that on the contrary, your dream was wonderful - Hector said, looking into the eyes of the mother.
Mysterious reddish glow in her eyes vanished instantly. All this seemed strange young boy.
- I'm sorry - hesitated, said Marfaana - Yes, my dream was ... well ... that is, I just did not want to upset you, Hector. I did not sleep well.
- This is because of the father? - Asked the boy - Because the dad?
- No! - Suddenly growled mother, but then spoke again calm and steady voice - I mean ... yes, of course, son. Your father .... He and his work ... this takes me a lot of energy ... So help us gods ...
- What are the Gods? - Hector snapped, jumping out of bed.
Strange behavior seriously disturbed mother and frightened young boy. He might have seen something else in it. Something alien, as if to capture the body of his mother. And what if it was true?
- The God-Emperor, I mean, of course, God-Emperor - nodded Marfaana - No Gods ...
- But you said yes Gods help us, - said Hector, - It is said so.
- Really? - Said in amazement Marfaana - Really? No, of course. Probably faltered. I'm just ... very ... very tired ...
- Okay - a little boy calmed down, - So what about Nataniel Garro?
- Garro? - Growled fiercely mother. - About this insufferable bastard that interfered with our plans?
- What? - The fear of a new force seized Hector - What plans? Why do you call Garro bastard?
- Because he has betrayed us - roared Marfaana sharply rising from the chair - He betrayed us! Miserable human animal!
Suddenly, in the mother's body began to occur Hector horrific change. Her eyes lit up crimson magical flame. A decrepit skin began with such force that a few seconds later she looked like a hundred-year old woman. Graying hair and immediately fell.
Changes occurred not only in the body Marfaany, but also in the room. Glass suddenly covered with ice, the walls began to crack, and bioluminescent light flashes struggled, ready to explode. Mental stress has reached its climax. Hector himself felt a terrible headache. But some mysterious force had not given him finally lose consciousness.
- You're not my mother! - Cried Hector struggled - You're not my mother! Who are you?
- You - my prisoner now! - Growled something that once was Marfaanoy - Thank Slaanesh! You are now in my hands!
- Who are you? - Yelled the boy huddled in terror to the nearest wall - Who are you?
- I - have a messenger of the Great Dark! - Voice blared otherworldly creature - Soon all your race miserable nonentities primitive monsters, spawn of camel feces will be owned by the Gods of Chaos! You - just naked apes! You will never break the power of the warp!
- What do you want from me? - Hector shouted even louder.
Monster finally took its true form. Now it was no longer just a hairless old woman with red eyes. From now on her skin had rotted completely, exposing the skeleton and internal organs. Eye color was more. And from terrible mouth popped long tongue eaten festering sores.
- We need you, Hector, - growled monster - It's you. As you can see, for people like us, to get close to you - was easy. We had planned from the beginning. Ha ha ha! From the outset, the young fool!
- Emperor protect me! - With a mixture of fear and despair shouted the boy, trying not to look into the eyes of the monster.
Hector began quietly muttering prayers to protect from the forces of the warp, but in this case they did not work. This creature was much stronger than you could imagine.
- Your wormy corpse on a golden jerk? You're his urges? - Monster roared furiously, - That pathetic little man of the Imperial Guard also prayed your purulent Emperor when we captured his ship! You already guess, right? Fall shuttle Spaceport your city! You've heard about it?
- So, you blew it spaceport? - Hector cried with horror, - This is your doing?
- Yes, my - responded creature - Your pathetic bastard father guessed that in the fall of the shuttle was terrible truth hidden. Your Imperium impregnated inside Chaos. What you call nasty, has long been flooded with all your ... I may say ... power. Secret plan of the great Chaos Gods. Destroy the Imperium of Man from the inside. Captain Serge Galintovich, this name is not what you do not say, but I'll tell you. You know what he did? Caught one in the warp, its reactor tripped Geller field, there was no way. And then he sold his soul to Chaos in exchange for salvation. He donated his entire team in exchange for their own lives. And he received the blessing of the Gods of Chaos. But he had a son, Jens, who served on another ship, the frigate "Retribution". Son did not listen to the will of his father, who got on his ship and urged Jens to the side of chaos. And then the captain, who became one of the demons of chaos and his henchmen to destroy the ship, which flew his son. Frigate "Retribution" was killed. But Jens was not killed. He narrowly escaped at the Imperial space transporter. His engine was damaged. But that is not ruined by Jens. His father got on the shuttle and managed to punish negligent child for disobedience and disbelief in great Chaos Gods. Shuttle crashed to the spaceport your city and exploded. But Captain Galintovich was not died too. He survived because his mercy touched the Dark Gods.
- So it's you? - Shouted Hector - You Galintovich! But what do you want from me? From my mother? From my father?
- Look at your future, boy - monster growled, former captain once Galintovichem - What you waiting for? Are you sick of rare disease which has not yet come up with drugs! From the virus that eats you, there is no salvation. But I can help you. If you submit to the will of Chaos, then you will be able to overcome his illness, become taller, become bigger and stronger. Join us. Otherwise, you're doomed to a slow and painful death. Your father now know my existence. The Case of the mysterious death of Galintovicha was not closed. He guessed that the drop ship was due to me. But I found it earlier. Penetrated his consciousness, I saw you and realized that like you we need. We need you. We need you, boy!
- I will not obey you, demon - in exhausted voice croaked Hector - Since childhood I have been taught not to believe a word of chaos beings like you. It is better to die than to be like you!
Horror and confusion finally finished off the boy. Tremors covered his entire body. He realized that he was doomed, but yet he was not going to give up. This is not taught by his father.
- Did you know that there is chaos? Before his power could not resist even Horus, the one your grubby and infamous Emperor referred Warmaster! Even Primarchs submitted to him! Even Primarchs! - Grated monster bent over huddled Hector - You need chaos! You all need it! Your entire planet! Your father! Your mother! I spared them! I did not kill! And although he could ... bring them grievous suffering. My son Jens gave me. Do not give you the same. I can get for you a new father, better than the one who reared you! Together, we can learn from you all the great nature of Chaos and become more powerful than all the demons of the warp!
Suddenly the door to the room burst into a dazzling bright light, and then an explosion. Smoke filled the room throughout this room, which has already begun manifestations magic warp. Monster, a former captain once Galintovichem furiously growled and turned. It clearly did not expect this turn of events. In three men burst into the room, dressed in black armor and armed with shotguns. On their armor stood out distinctly imperial symbols. They belonged to the Adeptus Arbites. Behind them followed the same old man, dressed in a gown of imperial psyker. The tip of his wooden staff glowed a bright blue glow.
- Fuckig police - roared Galintovich - I knew that this will be here. Pathetic stinking generation camel dung! Servants of God-purulent corpses decomposing and stinking! Mongrel torn condoms!
Warriors of law did not stand on ceremony with the monster, and immediately opened fire. Rockets went deep into a monster, and then exploded. Galintovich growled fiercely less pain, but from despair. After all, his diabolical plan came to an end. Monster blushed bright red glow and released from their terrible hands fireball. But his spell did not work. Imperial psyker staff put in front of him, and demonic fireball disappeared into thin air. It was the turn of an old psyker attack the enemy. Adept waved his staff and released him from chain lightning that struck a terrible enemy in the chest. From swipe Galintovicha thrown back. His body smashed through the house and flew out into the street.
- The Inquisition will deal with him - in a tired voice rasped psyker, referring to arbitrators - And you took the boy to a safe area. Lucky that he survived at all.
- This is my son! - Shouted one of the arbitrators here, rushing to scared Hector pressed against the wall, and trembling.
Boy with great difficulty raised his head and looked at the warrior order. It was his father, Sergeant Gnedich Nicodemus. Warrior roused his son and hugged. Hector was very weak and almost fainted. Strength left him.
- Pa. .. na ... - barely audible, he said, half being in a trance.
- Everything will be alright, son - Hector calmed Gnedich - Everything will be fine.
- Hey, you - Ordered psyker - Leave immediately. Here, everything is to be sanctified. We have to figure out how to warp creature penetrated into this house.
- Perhaps it took the shape of my wife - said Gnedich - Emperor save us! If we had arrived later, my son would be dead. Or worse, captured these offspring.
- Like your wife - said Adept - We were lucky. We are confronted with the first time in two years. Why he needed a boy, is unknown. I think the Inquisition figure everything out.
It made Nicodemus slightly pale, but however, he realized that if agents intervened Golden Throne, then it does not interfere.
- Well, - said Nicodemus - Unlikely Inquisition do anything bad to the sick child. But first, he needs to come to his senses.
Psyker at just nodded his head slightly. Gnedich Hector immediately hoisted on the shoulders and ran out of the room. Outside the house the shots were fired. Probably Galintovich finally died. But now it is a matter not so much Arbites as most of the Inquisition. Nicodemus sighed with some relief, bringing the son of the dilapidated house. His son is alive, and it was for him the most important thing. Now it was only just to find out what is really wanted this Galintovich and what else enemies threaten this once peaceful and quiet imperial planet. And this, perhaps, was the most difficult of all tasks for Nicodemus and his family.
(c)
Regards Alex p.s. Sorry for bad translation
