Reuinion

The night passed as I lay in a state of half consciousness, it was almost like a state of sleep paralysis. You can see the world around you but you can't move, your mind drifts as reality seems just a little less real. While I was no astronomer, I was familiar with the classics. Orion's Belt, Big Dipper and Cassiopeia to name a few. However, I couldn't identify any one of these constellations. 

My slightly numbed mind slowly came to the conclusion that this was in fact a different world, possibly a different galaxy. I'd really left my old life, a small part of me hung onto the unrational ideal that I was still able to find my way home. This place was just too alien for my liking. As the stars past across the sky like a timelapse there was one familiar constellation, but it seemed to be upside down? Four stars in the formation of an elongated diamond, it was the Crux, a religious symbol within Christianity. Why did it have to be this one...

This had some strange implications, as I continued to watch the stars I saw familiar patterns but they were either in the wrong place or they were flipped or rotated at strange angles. What the... 

Just as the realisation hit me, time once more began to slow. The night wasn't getting any brighter, maybe I was waking up... Even in an alien body I was still a light sleeper. After a few moments passed I assumed that I would have woken up from this dulled mental state and yet I didn't. The world just slowed and slowed till all stopped, this was a familiar sensation. One that I'd experienced before. 'Oh God dammit.' I thought to myself.

"Exodus 20:7: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." The familiar voice of an elder man rung out through my soul. It was HIM again... I tried moving my body from stupor but failed once more, I'd be unable to ring this bastards neck.

"You have been here now for half a year, are you ready to admit your falsehoods and return to the light of the Lord?" I mentally spat at the notion. Also what about half a year? I'd been here a day at most. Then it hit me, I'd been in that damn pod in the ground for half a year now? It only takes half a year for an Ork to fully mature from conception? That was absurd.

"All you have done is reaffirm my deep set belief that you are no 'God'. There is no grand work of benevolent creation here. You wish for me to bend my will and suckle upon your 'divine' teat and thank you for all the complications that comes with that?" while I was unable to speak I screamed out in my mind with every ounce of venom I've had. Silence ensued for a few moments before the voice sang a heavenly chorus. 

"It seems that you have not learned anything yet, perhaps rationality is not enough. I suppose you require more strife. You shall learn to fear the wroth of the Lord, for he is just. But remember, he is also merciful. All you must do is seek forgiveness and in the name of the Lord and I shall forgive you." The last part sounded rehearsed, overused and tired. This being- This entity-- had no real care. All it cared to do was demand upmost obedience, was he so arrogant as to truly believe that all sentient beings will worship such a deranged being just from being powerful. Strangely human of it...

"That is quite enough from you, Ork-grub. If you do not come around soon, more extreme measures will have to be taken. Repent and fear the moment. The kingdom of heaven awaits." just as quickly as time stopped, the cogs of the universe began to churn once more. The stars began their rapid acceleration across the night sky. It was over. 

M41 963, HIVE CITY VORTIGAUNT, VORTIGAUNT PRIME, ULTIMA SEGMENTUM.

Lieutenant Adrian Kellar tossed and turned, they struggled to fall asleep. The Ork menace on the horizon was an ever looming shadow that cast its darkness across the whole planet. There were very few alive upon Vortigaunt Prime that did not know what an Ork presence meant, it was a ticking time bomb awaiting detonation. 

As he finally drifted off to sleep, he had the strangest of dreams. A pure sense of otherworldliness overtook him, all he knew was war and its preparations. The air around him shimmered with an ethereal glow and an omnipresence of pure gold. Before him stood a cloaked figure in golden armour more magnificent than anything that he had seen before. An overwhelming sense of reverence and inferiority spread out through his entire being and almost out of pure instinct he found himself to be kneeling. 

Almost shaking in religious awe Kellar watched as the figure unclipped its golden cloak from its back and held it within its oversized hands. With a flick the cloak expanded, encompassing his entire world. Slowly things distorted as the ethereal glow began to dissipate, revealing true earthly surrounding. 

A battlefield began to pry itself free from his blurry vision, it comprised that of the Orks facing off against Imperium forces. It was clear who was winning, the Orks, they were pushing forward like an ocean of green, quickly overwhelming the stalwart defences that the Imperium had manufactured. 

At the centre of it all, a strangely calm Ork that pierced through the chaos of it all. It's eyes rested solely on Kellar and glared with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. The golden clad figure nodded his head. It was clear what he wanted. 

"Lieutenant Adrian Kellar, you are chosen to defend the Imperium. The green tide rises, and with it, a great threat. You must stand firm, for the fate of Vortigaunt Prime rests upon your shoulders." The vision shifted, showing scenes of destruction and despair. Hive cities burning, soldiers falling, and this strange Ork leading his horde with ruthless efficiency. But amidst the chaos, Kellar saw glimpses of hope—his own forces standing strong, pushing back the Ork invaders, and reclaiming their world.

The golden figure stepped closer, and Kellar felt a surge of strength and determination. "You have the Emperor's blessing. Go forth and protect your people. Do not falter, for the light of the Emperor guides you." The vision twisted once more to a location he recognised, it as one of the many outposts that were dotted across the landscape but this one specifically had identifiable markings. Sector-Nine, Outpost-sixty three. 

It was clear what his mission was and what he had to do, he had to reinforce this location and defend it against the oncoming threat. Failure here could mean doom for Vortigaunt Prime and he would succeed, as the Emperor himself had given him this mission. 

As morning came, Lt. Kellar had managed to retain his memory of his dream as if the contents were burned into his very soul. Rising quickly from his slumber and bunk his quarters he moved with purpose. Pushing through his morning routine with ruthless efficiency he eventually presented himself as the distinguished Officer that he truly was. Pressed uniform and spotless quarters he was ready to begin his preparations. Being a Lieutenant he had a small amount of freedom with what he was able to accomplish, thankfully the Colonel had already sanctioned patrols and reinforcements to be sent out to sectors 7-12. 

Taking out his Vox-Caster he tuned into the command frequency of his Company Captain. "This is Lieutenant Adrian Kellar requesting permission to take Platoon-Four out to reinforce Sector-Nine patrol routes, over." After a few moments of static a rough voice echoed out. "Received, Lieutenant Kellar, passing on order request to the Captain and relevant authority. The Emperor protects, Out."