Tax Evasion

I concentrated, watching the green currents flow through the air as sweat dripped down my face. I used the WAAAGH! To levitate a tree off the ground, lifting dirt and roots, heeding Azgruz's instructions.

"Kay, now dismantla 'da tree piece by piece"

I did as he asked and intensified my efforts, feeling a slight headache and a small tremor in my body. The energies visible only to weirdboyz enveloped each leaf, tearing them off in a green cloud without damaging the branches.

I frowned, keeping the leaves and the tree aloft as I continued my work, removing the trunk's bark soon after, similar to opening a candy wrapper.

I piled itbeside the leaves and moved on to the branches, clicking my tongue as they struggled to come off, but soon I lined them up with the other piles, leaving a smooth trunk behind.

I focused on the roots, twisting and rolling them as a yarn ball. Finally, I slammed my staff on the ground, slicing the trunk and adding it to the rest of the materials.

"Hmph! It seems 'dat koncentration an' precision work are not a problem for yer. Which iz surpris'n for a beginna weirdboy, most uv im kan't teef attention ta anyth'n for more dan five seconds, 'plod'n heads an' all." Azgruz shrugged with a glint of surprise in his eyes.

"I wouldn't get where I am if I couldn't focus on what's most important at the moment. I've practiced my powers before, I prefer to finish one thing before starting another, and plan for the future." I smiled slightly, feeling a twinge of pride in my chest.

"Oh? Den why don't we make fings more fun?"

My teacher shook his staff and a psychic wave overtook mine, controlling the things I held, sending them away, and transforming them into something else. The wood twisted and rearranged itself until it formed ten torches that were quickly planted around me, creating a circle.

"Ya already know how ta make fire, don't ya? I want ya ta light all 'da torches wit' a flame like dis."

With a flick of his arm, he lit the torch closest to him with a green flame. That flame split in two, jumping from torch to torch, going in opposite directions until they all burned.

With another subtle flick from their master, the green fireballs flew above me, switching places in a crackling dance as the lit flames rose and fell in great scorching pillars. Then the whole show ended with a snap of his fingers, leaving our surroundings silent and me in awe.

"Do you want me to do the same?" I asked hesitantly.

He nodded and signaled for me to begin, so I breathed deeply, licking my teef as I mentally prepared myself. I pointed my staff at the first torch and concentrated. Come on, you can do it, you've created fire before. Feel the emotions, but don't let them overwhelm you, visualize the result you want in your mind.

I repeated the procedure I'd done several times when I practiced alone, and I heard the crackle of psychic lightning flowing through my staff. Suddenly, the torch I pointed at lit up in a soft greenish flame.

I glimpsed the weirdboy watching intently, but I quickly focused on my task, as I didn't want to disappoint him now. I visualized a dark void with a green circle in my mind, this circle split into two equal ones. Simultaneously, the flame divided in two and lit both torches beside it.

I continued dividing the circles, making the flames move until they were all lit. Then I made the circles spin, growing and shrinking, repeating the fire dance from before. Fireballs flew above me and flaming pillars rose before I stopped my efforts and everything ended.

"Ya also kontrol elements without any problems. I fink it's time ta learn 'da true powaz uv WAAAGH!" The ork commented, sending all the torches flying away.

"Like Psychic Vomit?" I wiped the sweat from my forehead, receiving a questioning look from the ork.

"Have ya used it before?"

"Yes, on the city walls, when I learned about my powers. I felt all the nearby orks emotions and threw some powerful psychic punches, but I guess I got too emotional because I spat a wave of flames right after."

The weirdboy stared at me in silence with an impassive face. I thought he would congratulate me or something, at least as close as an ork could get, but the reaction I got was unexpected.

CLANG!

"OUCH!" I held my aching head after he hit me with his staff.

"I thaght yer were 'n smart git, but it seems I was wrong!"

"What's wrong?" I asked but regretted it right away.

CLANG!

"OUCH!" I jumped on one leg while holding my sore foot after being hit with the butt of the staff.

"Ya kould have 'ploded! Burned from da inside out!" He yelled in my ear, making it beep painfully.

"But I'm still here! Doesn't that mean I'm better at using my powers than a normal ork?!"

"Keep dink'n like dat an' ya'll end up like da others, a dried-up husk 'n da middle uv a fight! Stop wit' dat tantrum, ya're da biggest ork ere an' I didn't hit ya dat hard! Now do wot I do!"

He assumed a stance with his legs apart, knees slightly bent and back straight, planting his feet on the ground while keeping his arms raised at the elbows and close to his body.

I muttered an insult, imitating his pose and focusing on the trees in front of me.

"Listen 'ere, Psychic Vomit iz a 'nergy 'ave 'dat komes from yer guts an' needs ta be spit out, or ya'll 'plode! I want ya ta take a deep breath an' feel 'da WAAAGH! Inside ya! All yer need ta fight, let im build up an' burn, den spit im out wit' all yer might! Do ya understand?!"

I nodded, as I'd rather not get hit for saying I didn't understand even half of it, but it didn't seem much different from what I've done so far.

"We'll see if dat's true! Dan't forget ta kontrol yer breathing, it's impartant! Breathe 'n too deeply an ya'll tarn in' an ork barbecue, lery it out too quick an ya'll tarn in' a green smudge 'n da jungle! Do ya understand?!"

I nodded hesitantly, internally worrying about the consequences if I failed. The more he talked, the more I regretted using my powers without a teacher first. And to think I came so close to dying.

Ork psychic powers, ladies and gentlemen, more volatile than an unsanctioned psyker on drugs!

"Now watch!"

He breathed deeply and I saw the WAAAGH!Natural energies flowing around him like a tornado, they soon converged towards his stomach, forming a glowing green whirlwind.

A powerful gale blew through the surroundings, pebbles, dirt, and grass floated. The weirdboy's stomach swelled and a green light shone beneath his skin.

This light rose through his body, reaching his neck and mouth, and then he stepped forward, releasing a deafening roar followed by a jet of emerald psychic flames from his mouth, nostrils, and ears.

I stepped back from the intense heat that made me sweat immediately, and shielded my half-closed organic eye from the blinding brightness that it emanated. I heard bangs, cracks, and other destruction noises followed by a large smoke cloud.

My mouth hit the ground as the ork ended his attack and the smoke cleared, as there was a trail of unbelievable devastation in front of me. A scorched and charred land, covered in dark ash, melted stone, and the dark bones of unfortunate animals caught in the attack.

A section of the jungle was gone. I knew the danger psykers posed in this universe, but seeing the result of a controlled attack firsthand was terrifying. I shudder to imagine what would happen if a psyker said: Fuck it! And used all his power without restraint. No wonder they can doom entire planets.

"Now it's yer turn."

His words snapped me from my stupor, making me jump slightly. I returned to my starting position, closed my eyes, and concentrated, repeating the ork's words in my head.

However, what emotions should I use? The need to fight? No, too uncontrollable for my taste, the human side clashes with the ork side. Anger? No, I lost an eye and nearly perished when I let anger control me. Sadness? I doubt that would work, as this emotion is rare for orks.

Then I remembered what I felt when I used my powers on the wall, joy due to my old family. I remembered all the good and bad times we had together, and something else emerged amid these memories, the life I had so far.

I remembered all the victories under unlikely circumstances, the arrival of Dobby and Gulg, all the fights and work we had together, the construction of my small business empire, my squigs, and especially, Laenae.

I thought I heard her laughter in my mind, but it soon gave way to a burning in my stomach. The WAAAGH! Ran through my body, making my heart race in anticipation, and giving me an exhilarating feeling.

I breathed deeply, feeling the energy bubble inside me, and exhaled, making it rise quickly, then opened my mouth. Relief coursed through me at the release of power, my flesh throbbed and a shiver ran down my spine as the happiness washed over me.

Heat and light followed soon after. I didn't see the flames, as my world became a green blur, but when everything returned to normal, I saw a trail of destruction similar to Azgruz's.

A smile crept across my face, but it quickly disappeared when I felt my throat itch, then...

"Cough!"

BOOM!

"Cough!"

BOOM!

"Cough!"

BOOM!

I had a coughing fit, spitting out a fiery blast with each cough, lasting a few moments and leaving me with a sore throat.

"HAHAHA! Da same happen' ta me when I furst used it, but ya'll get used! Now 'aise yer fists, 'cos if wot ya said iz true, ya're halfway ta learn'n da Fists uv Gork!"

He then walked in the opposite direction, approaching a gigantic rock with psychic energies coursing through his body like green electricity, leaving a trail of burnt grass with each step.

Then, he raised his right arm, and a green whirlwind similar to the one before enveloped his fist, following the punch to its target.

BOOM!

CRASH!

Another blinding light accompanied by a loud bang, and again, a trail of devastation was all that remained when the dust settled, but unlike the area damaged from the flames, there was a straight line of crushed trees and upturned earth where the rock stood.

It probably still moved forward because I head muffled repetitive noises echoing in the distance.

"'Pressive, isn't it?! Ya kould punch a hole 'n a tank's hull wit' a blow like dat!" He pointed at the destruction with his thumb as rock fragments rained down around him.

I was dumbfounded, unable to utter words, so I just raised my fists as he ordered and channeled the WAAAGH! Into my arms.

"Wun, two, wun, two, wun, two!" Azgruz punched the air as sweat dripped down his face, sending blasts through the visibly pushed air, similar to gunshots.

I repeated his actions, trying to keep up the pace and ignore the pain in my tired limbs, but I couldn't help but smile internally, seeing the power surging in the palm of my hand.

There was a certain fun in this training, the feeling of learning something new from a capable teacher, unraveling the mysteries of the WAAAGH! And becoming a powerful weirdboy.

Hm… I wonder if I'll be able to stop time, but until then, this is just another step on my journey.

-XXXXXX-

Time passed and the training continued, but it was time to leave. I said goodbye to Azgruz, receiving a grumpy grunt in return, and approached my Junka Trukk parked near his cabin.

Looking through the window, I saw Gulg and Laenae sitting in the passenger seat, with the grot distracting the child with toys, making her laugh.

"Ready to go?" I asked, getting their attention.

"Yes, boss!" The grot replied.

Laenae, on the other hand, had a little trouble speaking as she nodded repeatedly.

"Y-yez, bozz!"

I smiled slightly at the display and opened the driver's door, placing the child in her crib and the crib on my chest.

"Let's go home!" I put the key in the ignition and started the engine.

"Home!" Laenae repeated.

So, with everything ready, I drove back to our home, only to find a new headache with the news I received.

-XXXXXX-

"So this is one of the gits?" I asked Dobby as we watched an ork walking down the streets from the third-floor of a building.

"Yes, boss, they entered our territory as soon as you left, but they don't buy anything or go anywhere. They just look around and ask questions to anyone they meet along the way." He answered from atop a box to reach the height of the window.

Hm… If the reports he had received from the other grots were correct, then these strange orks were scouts, which meant their leader had above-average intelligence and planned to attack us, judging by the need for reconnaissance.

TSK! This is not good! Who have I pissed off this time? I asked mentally. If things go the way I think they do, then I will have to call on all my forces for their first real combat.

The yoofs knew basic tactics and how to follow orders, but I wish I had trained them against some nids before any serious confrontation. The grots were ready and well-equipped. As for the orks… Well, time to put them to good use.

"What do we do now, boss?"

"Send our grots to deal with our unwanted guests. I don't want the enemy to know the layout of our territory. And call everyone."

Dobby went silent for a few seconds, looking away as he licked his lips and clasped his hands behind his back before answering.

"Everyone, boss?" The grot asked in the same tone as mine, raising his head to look me in the eye.

"Everyone. Time to crush these gits for daring to threaten us." I spoke seriously, clenching my fist in anger, breathing deeply to calm the ork side as I tried to burn a hole in our target's head with my gaze.

"Zoggin gits!" Laenae shouted excitedly, jumping up and down on my arm, nibbling on her squig gob.

I kicked myself internally because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop her from learning swear words.

Orks and grots cursed all the time, myself included, and not in a low tone. And sincechildren learn and repeat everything they hear, she added new words to her growing dictionary.

"That's right, get ready to crush some gits. But until then, how about giving your squig a name?" I tried to change the subject.

"Gob!" She replied, lifting the little creature.

"Will you call the squig gob Gob?"

"Gob!" She repeated the gesture.

"Wouldn't you prefer a different name?"

"Gob!"

"How about a threatening name?"

"Gob!"

"Okay, its name will be Gob." I sighed tiredly, as there was no chance of winning an argument with her.

"Gob!" She said one last time before nibbling on the squig again.

-XXXXXX-

The scouts were eliminated, looted, and their bodies added to our fungus fields, but that didn't stop more from coming over the days, and they suffered the same fate.

Currently, I found myself in our new training center, a converted area of ​​the ghettos filled with targets, tents, and firing ranges. However, the crowd in front of me was more important.

Three thousand grots, three hundred yoofs, and six hundred ork boyz. Quite a lot, right? Wrong! I could barely call this a warband! That was less than a fraction of the city's population, which probably numbered in the millions!

Well, time to start my speech. I drew my slugga and fired it into the air, drawing the attention of the agitated crowd and ordering them to calm down.

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

"ATTENTION EVERYONE! YA MUST BE WONDER'N WHY I KALLED YA ERE! 'DA TRUTH IZ WE ARE AT RISK UV ATTACK! STRANGE GITS HAVE INVADED MA TERRITORY WANT'N TA KNOW HOW TA WALK 'N IT ON 'DA ORDAZ UV AN EVEN BIGGA GIT! AN DAT SAME GIT WILL PROBABLY ATTACK US SOON! WILL WE LET 'EM KOME 'N ERE AN DO WHATEVA 'E WANTS?!"

The calm disappeared immediately, the serious faces of those present gave way to an uncontrolled fury, their muscles swelling and eyes glowing red like lasers.

"NO BOSS!"

"WE'LL KRUSH IM ALL!"

"WE'LL RIP DERE TEEFS OFF!"

"WHAT ARE WE DO'N STAND'N ERE? LET'S GO AFTA IM!"

"DAT'S WOT I LIKE, BUT WE WON'T DO IT, 'COS WE'RE NOT STUPID! WE DON'T HAVE 'DA NUMBAZ AN EQUIPMENT TA FACE ANNUVER MOB ON EQUALS!"

The anger disappeared, overtaken by confusion that made the ork boyz stare at each other with disbelieving faces and questioning looks. However, the grots smiled sadistically and the yoofs listened attentively.

"AND WOT WILL WE DO DEN, BOSS?!"

"WE WILL DO WOT AN ORK 'AS NEVA DONE, WE WILL HOLD DA LINE! DA ENEMY 'PECTS US TA FIGHT IM FACE TA FACE, BUT WE WILL NOT GIVE UP OUR TERRITORY ADVANTAGE! WE WILL TURN DIS INTO A SIEGE, A BIG MEAT GRINDER! DIS IZ OUR HOME AN' WE WILL MAKE IM REGRET INVAD'N IT!"

"THAT'S RIGHT, BOSS!"

"LET IM KOME!"

"MORE MEAT FOR DINNER!"

"RIGHT, KALL 'DA ENEMY! SHOUT LOUDA SO GORK AN' MORK KAN HEAR, FOR DEY ARE WATCH'N US, AN' SO AM I! I TOLD YA HAD TA EARN IT IF YA WANT TA BE PART UV MA WAAAGH! BAND, SO DIS IZ 'DA TIME! SHOWZ ME WOT YA'RE KAPABLE UV AN' I'LL KONSIDA YA MA SUBORDINATES! AN' TA PROVE WOT A KIND AN' GENEROUS BOSS I AM, I'VE BUYED YA PRESENTS!"

I slammed my staff on the ground, using my powers to flip over the hundreds of wooden crates stacked beside me, revealing the many new weapons I'd purchased. A mountain of metal spilled across the ground in a mass of projectiles and blades.

The orks watched in disbelief with open mouths and wide eyes, ready to collect their new toys, but a few shots to the ground in front of them, followed by the wagging of my finger and clicking of my tongue, stopped them.

"IZ NOT DONE YET! I HEREBY DECLARE 'DA OFFICIAL FOUNDATION UV 'DA GORLONIK TEEF RIPPA WAAAGH! BAND, AN DIS SHALL BE OUR WAAAGH BANNER!"

I reached out to Dobby and Gulg who stood beside me, and they handed me a long pole with a large cloth wrapped around it. I lifted the object and slammed its butt on the ground, causing it to unfurl dramatically, revealing a flowing image in the wind.

It was a large rectangular banner with golden outer edges and black flames on the left and right inner edges, surrounding a yellow moon releasing green lightning with the symbol of the Ork faction painted in white in its center.

There were glyphs written on the top and bottom, a message to my enemies, which translated as follows: I will face yer, yer git, I will plunda yer riches afta yer deth an' disappear 'n din air. Signed: Gorlonik, Boss uv da Bad Moonz.

The banner was a symbol that represented the collective we formed, the enemies defeated and victories won.

To cement my position as boss, I made the so-called BossPole, a sign of my status, showing that I should not be messed with, helping to order my orks during battle, and beat those who dared to flee from the fight.

The pole consisted of a huge staff with metal trophies and glyphs, proclaiming my power, ferocity, and heraldry, in this case, a purple boar's head with a golden moon on its forehead, and small chains linked to the metal symbols of the various gangs I eliminated in one night.

It was a more personal symbol, reporting my achievements, challenges overcome, and how strong I was.

However, both objects mentioned had a peculiar ability, all the orks near them suffered a type of attack and defense buff, strengthening them despite having no technology whatsoever, unlike the Custodes Vexilla, which transferred battle data, strengthened the Custodes and served as a teleportation beacon.

I blame this on the WAAAGH! Field that all orks generate, this occurred firsthand, as the green energy that surrounded everyone present intensified, forming a lightning storm visible only to me.

If the crowd had been barely in control before, they had now become a force of nature after my speech, looking like a green tide about to burst. So, without saying a single word, I stepped aside while extending a polite hand to the pile of equipment.

"Now form a line," I joked, an amused smile creeping across my face.

The tide surged forward in a thunder of footsteps, roars, punches, and kicks, shaking the earth in a deafening cacophony, trying to organize themselves, but from my vantage point, they looked like children about to open their Christmas presents.

-XXXXXX-

It was nighttime in the city of Thumb of Gork, yet there was something off about what should have been a common occurrence, a heavy tension in the air. There was no one on the streets, no drunken ork, thieves or madboyz, no lost grots or stray squigs.

The lights in the buildings were off and the doors and windows were locked, with no guards patrolling or individuals returning to their homes, as if in a premonition of what would come.

It was quiet, too quiet, in what should have been a chaotic settlement where violence and the law of the fittest ruled.

Suddenly, engines and heavy footsteps echoed midst the darkness partially illuminated by a full moon in an overcast sky. Dozens, if not hundreds of vehicles left the boss fortress, their headlights lighting up the night in a swift procession towards the city outskirts.

There were frightened whispers from the buildings inhabitants and their shadows flitted past the windows, momentarily illuminated by the transports lights before disappearing.

However, the passengers did not care and remained in severe silence, watching as the city became decadent before taking on a surprisingly pleasant appearance, signaling the arrival to the enemy territory.

Their target was in the ghettos, specifically in the southwest region, touching the walls, but that was not the right word to describe them, because what was in front of them looked like a small, well-kept city in an even larger one.

Soon, the orks left their vehicles, War Bikes, War Buggies, Wartrkks and their Skorcha version, and Trukks. They wore light leather and metal armor painted blue and carried various types of firearms and melee weapons.

The crowd spread out, remaining near the entrance of the small city, surrounding it, and watching its dark streets with weapons ready to fire as they moved anxiously, fighting the urge to advance, because there would be consequences if they did.

Heavy metallic footsteps surpassed all the others, and a large, shiny armored figure, larger than all the others, left the back of a Trukk, carrying colossal weapons and a blue mohawk.

He walked past the orks and surveyed his surroundings, confusion, frustration, and finally disgust crossing his face as he realized how un-orkish this place was. Where were the screams and fights? The oil and smoke from the engines? The gunshots and war cries? His enemy was not a proper ork.

"TEEF RIPPA, WHERE ARE YA?! SHOWZ UP! I AM SKULLRIPPA, NOB UV RUKZOD NIDKILLA! AN I AM ERE TA TAKE YA FOR 'DA TEEFS YA OWE! KOME WITHOUT A FIGHT AN I PROMISE TA TAKE YA TA 'DA BOSS WIT' ONLY YER BROKEN LEGS, OR FIGHT, AN MAKE DIS NIGHT FUN!"

The nob's booming, guttural voice reverberated through the night, waiting for a response, but frustrating seconds passed in silence. Had the git run away? Hadn't he heard the message? Or was he asleep?

Skullrippa breathed deeply, preparing to scream again. Suddenly, his mohawk stood up and his eyes widened as his instincts begged him to move.

He stepped aside, twisting his body and narrowly avoiding the three bullets aimed at his head, which hit his left shoulder pad, ricocheting off the metal and disappearing into the night.

The nob faced the direction from which the shots came, spotting some of the taller buildings, but no sign of the shooter.

"SHOWZ UP YER KOWARD! ARE YER AFRAID TA FACE ME?"

The answer to his question came in the form of three more shots, but he was prepared and blocked them with his power klaw.

"LISTEN 'ERE YER…"

More projectiles tore through the air and again Skullrippa blocked them or stepped away, his face contorted in fury and frustration.

"WILL YER LET MA SPEAK OR NAT?!"

A few seconds of silence passed until a voice answered.

"GO AWAY AND LEAVE US ALONE AND YOU WILL NOT SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!"

It was certainly an ork speaking, but there was something wrong with his voice, something amiss, some emotion and accent. This gave a tone of monotony and sadness to its owner.

"TOO LATE FOR 'DAT! I WILL ONLY LEAVE ERE WIT' 'DA TEEFS AN' YA!" Skullrippa spread his arms arrogantly.

"LISTEN HERE, I DON'T CARE WHO RUKZOD SENDS, I WILL NOT PAY MY TAXES!" The voice answered, making the ork grit his teeth in anger.

"RUKZOD IZ DA CITY BOSS, ALL ORKS MUST TEEF FOR LIV'N ERE AN US'N EVERYTH'N 'E OFFERS!"

"I WILL DO THIS WHEN RUKZOD STARTS TO CARE FOR THE CITY! CAN'T YOU SEE THE GHETTOS EVERYWHERE? THE DIRTY AND DISORGANIZED STREETS? THE BUILDINGS FALLING APART? THIS PLACE WAS A DUMP WHEN I CAME, AND LOOK HOW IT IS NOW, ALL THANKS TO MY HARD-EARNED MONEY! I WILL PAY MY TAXES WHEN I SEE THEM PUT TO GOOD USE!"

"DO YER HAVE ANY IDEA WOT YER'RE TALK'N ABOUT? YER'RE GO'N AGAINST DA BIGGEST ORK 'N DA CITY!"

"THEN SO BE IT! FROM TODAY ON, I DECLARE WAR ON THE IRS!"

"AAAHHH! BRING ME DAT GIT!" Skullrippa yelled, pointing forward with his power klaw. The orks roared and waved their weapons in the air, shouting war cries and firing recklessly.

The first wave advanced, a hundred orks wearing average armor and equipment, such as a choppa, slugga, or shoota, crossing the city limits and disappearing into the streets, their voices echoing in the distance and gun shots flashing in the darkness.

Soon, different voices and gunshots joined the crowd, accompanied by explosions and pained screams, only to fall silent minutes later.

The nighttime tension returned and Skullrippa frowned but soon smiled when he realized that there would be a fight. Then, he reached for the back of his armor and pulled a helmet forward, protecting the upper region of his face, but leaving his hair exposed through an opening at the top.

"Surround 'da city, no wun entaz or leaves without ma permission, I don't want any kurious orks ere! Get ready, Boyz, 'cos dis will be a long an fun night!" The nob shouted to the remaining orks, receiving nods of confirmation in return.

With the following orders from their leader, the second wave advanced, carrying larger numbers and squadrons of war bikes.

The fighting sounds returned along with impacts and smoke clouds rising in the distance. However, the nob was happy to see a red dot watching him midst the darkness from the window of a building.

He waved, grinning from ear to ear, only to laugh sadistically when the dot retreated and disappeared. So the battle began, both sides clashing in streets unknown to some, but familiar to others.

Bodies were already piling up and staining the ground red, however, who would emerge victorious remained a mystery, but one thing was certain, Gork and possibly Mork watched in amusement.

END OF CHAPTER