Following the shouting and exchanging of gunfire, as we drew near the source, I sent the drones out further ahead to see what was happening. Discovering a large chamber a few thousand feet away, the drones spotted three different groups caught in a very heated dispute. The first group consisted of fifteen human mercenaries led by an Ork, the next group had thirteen human mercenaries with a robot and an unknown race of alien, and the last group was seven Eldar with a rather interesting human mercenary. Recognizing her distinct power armor anywhere, I was pleasantly surprised to see Samus Aran among the Eldar.
"There are three groups fighting each other up ahead, we are going to engage the groups on the left side of the chamber. Do not engage the Eldar on the right side and spare the Ork and robot. They could all prove useful in conquering this fortress.", I ordered, "Ionica, you take half of the group and engage the closest group. I will head up the attack on the further group."
"Yes sir!", everyone acknowledged.
Reaching out to the Eldar and Samus, I warned them that we were about to enter the room and asked that they not fire upon. Assuring them that we were friendlies, we could discuss the matter more after the other two groups were eliminated. Acknowledging me, as we burst into the room, we seized upon the temporary pause in firing that our sudden appearance created. Drawing my two lightsabers, Roxanne and I quickly set upon the Ork's group. Tearing into them as the rest of the group caught up, the Ork was about to start firing when he caught a glimpse of the Orcs.
"Wot iz 'n da hell are yer?", the Ork asked, taken aback by what he was seeing, "Why are yer so small? Iz someth'n wrong wit' yer?"
(AN: Just like with Yoda, I am using a translator for the Orks. While I find the way they talk hilarious, it is a pain in the ass to figure out how to write their lines.)
Coming to a halt when they saw the eight-foot Ork, the two Orcs looked at it in utter disbelief. While the creature before them shared features with them, it was far too big to be one of their kin. As they stared at a bit more, the heinous things other races had called them before came to the forefront of their minds.
'What in the hell is this thing!? Is this what other races see when they look at us?!', the male Orc thought to himself, "We are not small, you are freakishly huge! How did you get that big, and why are you talking funny?"
"I am not talk'n funny, yer are!", the Ork protested, "Are ya freebootaz as well?"
"What the fuck is a freebootaz?", the female Orc remarked, "You know what, I honestly could not care less about it. Our leader wants to have a word with you. Stand down, or we will have to get rough with you."
"Haha, wot 'da hell are ya gunna do ta me?", the Ork mocked her, "Ya are too small an' weak ta fight me. If yer join me, I kan help make yer stronga!"
Enraged that he was calling them weak, the two Orcs buried their fists into his gut knocking the wind out of him. As he fell to his knees, both Orcs drew their Energy War Hammers off their backs and slammed them into his face. Launching the hulking Ork across the room, he slammed into the wall with a painful crunching noise. Sliding down the wall, the poor bastard let out a groan as his head hit the floor. Helping us finish cleaning up the rest of the Ork's crew, the rest of our party was having a bit more trouble with the other group.
A bit more prepared than the Ork's group, their party had personal shielding that was surprisingly resistant to our weapons. While they were shrugging off the laser and plasma bullets, the shielding energy was rapidly depleting under heavy fire. With the only three exits blocked by the Eldar and us, the enemy leader ordered his men to seize Lucoa and Mylene who were at the forefront of the fighting.
"Grab those two big chested bitches, they are our ticket out of here!", he ordered, "We will use them as hostages and get the hell out of here!"
Disengaging from the foes before me, I turned around and used Force Ionization to overload their shielding. Losing the only protection they had, Lucoa and Mylene told everyone to stop firing for a moment. Doing as they were told, the troops stood back while the two of them stepped forward. Willing her armor to blow out their kneecaps, two shoulder mounted launchers rose up and fired upon them. Inadvertently tearing the lower half of their legs off with that attack, the men fell to the ground screaming in agony.
"You stupid hags!!", the leader shouted, digging himself a deeper hole, "DIE!!"
Raising his laser pistol, he took a potshot at them only to have it ricochet off their shielding and hit one of his men in thigh. Screaming out even louder, the mercenary began shedding tears from the intense pain.
"…old hags are we…", Mylene laughed, with a scary smile, "Lucoa, please show them how misguided they are."
"…gladly…", Lucoa agreed, reminded of her days as a Guild Receptionist, "Yol Toor Shul!!"
(AN: Fire Inferno Sun.)
Using some of the Dragonic Magic she had been learning from me, Lucoa engulfed the men in a raging torrent of intense fire. Pleading for mercy, the mercenaries writhed around in pain as they tried to drag themselves out of the fire. Letting them suffer for a few moments, Mylene gave her blessing to finish them off. Carrying out their orders, the Sisters stepped up and unloaded on them. Likely having heard others refer to them the same way in passing, this was probably a bit cathartic for them. With the fighting over with, everyone turned to look at the Eldar group.
"I have seen your picture at various association locations. You are Victor von Stark, the man who massacred Khârn the Betrayer and his warband.", Samus remarked, coming out from behind cover, "What are you doing in here with a group of Imperials? You on a job as well?"
"Actually they are the ones assisting us, Samus Aran. My wives and I have seen your portrait hanging on the wall at the branch we frequent. You do some fine work cleaning up space pirates.", I chuckled, walking up and shaking hands with her, "I am honestly surprised to see you here. Thought you usually stuck to work in the Pegasus Galaxy."
"They offered me a substantial amount of money and a few upgrades to my armor.", Samus admitted, with a smirk.
"Pardon the intrusion but are you here to capture this Talisman of Vaul?", one of the Eldar inquired.
"Capture would certainly be great, but our primary objective here is to research and study the technology here. I am working on a plan to close the Great Rift for the Imperium of Man.", I explained, keeping the details of said plan secret.
Intrigued that I had a plan to seal it back up, the Eldar did not pry for further details. As their people were eager to close the tear as well, they inquired about possibly joining forces to capture this place. Having intended to offer the same suggestion, I shook hands with them and sealed the temporary alliance with them.
"Now then, how about you?", I inquired, turning back to the robot, "Will you join hands with us, Man of Iron?"
"Man of Iron!?", Mane gasped, looking at the robot closer, "Omnissiah protect us, he really a relic of the Dark Age of Technology!"
Revealing himself to the ancient AI, I was surprised that Luxion was so quick to offer him a place in our group. Startled by the sudden appearance of another sentient AI, the Man of Iron scanned Luxion and I briefly before looking at Luxion closely.
<…treats you as an equal and like family, quite an intriguing idea. I will agree to join your party, for the time being, but I require further information about your Master before deciding beyond that. Is that acceptable?>
"As long as you do not attack us unprovoked, I am fine with it.", I acknowledged, turning to the Ork, "You going to join our ragtag group, or should I have my men kill you now?"
Currently pinning him to the ground with their weight, the Orcs wore smug expressions upon their faces. Having wrangled a powerful creature two feet taller than them to the ground, they were quite pleased with themselves.
"I will join ya. Jus get dese two off me.", the Ork agreed, as the Orcs stepped off him, "Ma name iz Skarburn Zapdakka!"
"A pleasure.", I said, walking over and shaking his hand.
Having settled things amicably, I moved on to charting our course forward. Using the spell Find the Path, my hope was that it would work here just as it did in dungeons on our world. Instant Casting the spell, as its chant was ridiculously long, I designated the control room of the seventh Blackstone Fortress as the target. Hearing an audible confirmation in my mind, the direction and distance immediately populated within my mind.
"Alright, the magic spell I cast worked properly. We are good to go!", I said, pointing at the exit behind where the Elder came from, "This spell will show me the shortest way to the control room, but it is not necessarily the safest one. Stay alert and watch for surprise attacks."
Deciding to give me a chance, since most of them had probably been in here for a few weeks now, everyone followed me down the corridor without complaint. Wanting to make our group a bit more cohesive, I began talking with the Eldar and Samus while Luxion and the Man of Iron talked about their past histories.