Emperor's Will be done Pt26a

Previous: fav.me/d3d8swe
Next: dustygrafix.deviantart.com/art…

Phew, I know some of you have waited for 22 months for this to happen, so here you go. 

The votes are in, and the results:
Option #1 (both run while the stealth suits takes care of business): 38 votes
Option #2 (help the stealth suit take care of business): 75 votes

Alright most of you got what you wanted, but not without some repercussions.

I have a few shouts. 's pic came out before the last chapter, and forgot to post it. Check out this epic (and detailed) picture fav.me/d3aoaxr of Xin'Vauk killin' folk like a boss. A very talented artist IMO. Check it out.

Another shout out. worked very hard on a mini fav.me/d3dq49h to represent Xin'Vauk. Great job on this one. I was blown away by his talent. Make sure she owns on the table, bro.

As for the story, this one has a bit more meat to it because...well, frankly; many readers requested it. So, I had to oblige.

Let's do this:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Greater Good... hmph.

I will not pretend to understand this idealism. I had only known that the Imperium follows a central figure, a god-emperor, and his divine path to human dominance over the galaxy. The Emperor was something every Imperial citizen and soldier could grasp, and worship. A central physical entity we can place our faith into. It may sound complex and even somewhat multifaceted, but to a sheltered farmer’s family, it was simple.

But, the Greater Good? It was just a concept that this godless xeno race follows. Not a physical figure, but just an idea. An idea that binds and strengthens this species to not only survive, but prosper in this war torn galaxy. OK, I get it, but I can comfortably admit that I don’t completely understand it.

That is what I thought as Xin’Vauk continued to help me across the town square, away from the…uh…Shas’ui. She seemed content, and not bothered that this warrior that gave his life for both of use to continue…..but, wait, if I think about it, I would have done the same for this Tau race, for the unknown plagued and dying planet I have never heard of, for……for her.

Maybe this idea of the Greater Good comes with the understanding of releasing yourself to this concept. Have I done this already? Put my life in front of others so that this xeno race can continue to prosper?

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard the high pitch of the stealth suit’s jetpack, and another slam of flesh and metal into an unseen thick concrete wall within the building behind us. That is when Kai’Faan’s helper drone appeared from the sky. It looked as if it took a shot or two from orks, but seemed to function without any issues. The drone floated next to us, almost content on finding its own master again.

DAMMIT!!!! I stopped dead in my tracks. Xin looked back at me, confusion and concern painted on her face. “Xin, I need to help him,” I pleaded, desperate to make her understand.

She paused a moment, confused. Xin’Vauk shook her head. “NO……No, you cannot, Randall, “she said as she continued to pull me away from the fight, “His fate is now chosen as he expects, and we must honor his life by preserving ours.”

“Xin, you don’t know what this thing is capable of. Dammit, I don’t know either, but this,” my mind had moved to the moment when I was being strangled mentally by the Inquisitor Lord, “this….thing has been ordered to take you back…….I felt the thoughts of the one who wants you back.” I tried to push her away, “You need to keep moving, and I need to make sure this abomination won’t follow.” I found myself adding in, “…even if it kills me.” She looked at me with so much pain (help me, I can’t look at her eyes), “You need to keep moving, and take yourself and Kai’Faan as far from this thing as possible.”

Her voice sounded so shaky and weak, “I……..I don’t know where Kai’Faan is hidden,” she struggled to search for words, “and…I….I need your strength,” she pulled me further away from the fight, probably hoping I would understand, “you told me you shall never leave me again, and I made the same promise.”

The drone hovered close enough for me to grab. I pulled at its smooth organic carapace to rotate its optical sensor towards me. I had witnessed this hovering unit do something for Kai’Faan that I am sure it can do again. “Show me the map of the immediate surroundings.” It paused, not responding to my command.

Xin’Vauk gritted her teeth, “NO, Randall, don’t do this.” She sounded so upset; I had to ignore her tone (as hard as it was).

“Please, tell this thing to show me the map if it cannot understand me,” I cried out in desperation. “If I understand the Greater Good like you do, then I will choose my fate,” I shook the drone harder, “and I don’t want to risk you getting hurt. Kai’Faan has your rifle, you need to protect him.”

She looked to the ground, shaking her head, “I won’t, I can’t……I cannot do this alone, Randall.”

Another crash of metal and concrete resounded behind us preceded by some burst shots. “XIN’VAUK, LOOK AT ME!!!” I made sure her eyes were on me, “Find Kai’Faan, and keep the plant data safe” I showed my teeth and closed my eyes, “Now tell the drone to SHOW ME THE MAP!!!” I lost my cool (if I had ever had a ‘cool’).

She solemnly spoke in Tau to the drone, and a holographic image of the overlay of the district we were in. Thank goodness I knew this area from studying the surroundings before. I pointed to a spot on the holographic display, knowing that is where I had exited the caverns to find Xin a day or so prior, “tell the drone to lead you here, this is where Kai’Faan, your weapon and the plant samples are at.”

Listen…..I cannot tell you what love is. I know that I loved my family dearly, and it had been ripped away. But Xin’Vauk, she was powerful, not in body, but of mind, faith and skill. If all Tau warriors were like her, may those enemies who face this peaceful race realize their lethal potential. And as she turned to run with the drone leading her, I wondered if I will ever see her again, or if I will live long enough to feel this way about someone. And will she feel the same? I might have ruined it, but at least she will be safe.

I turned back towards the gaping maw of the auditorium, within; blue light flashes had been punctuated by breaking stone and marble. A few steps later, behind me; I heard Xin cry, “RANDALL!!!” Turing around, she was running towards me, and my heart pounded. There were no more words, no cries of sorrow or agony, but only the emotion of….well, when she pulled me into her so my lips met her own…………….time slowed down. Each rain drop took an eternity to connect, and for only a moment in time, I disregarded my xenophobic upbringing; I ignored her bluish skin and the strange alien culture. I forgot that she was not like me in ANY way, shape or form. It was NOT “what” she was that dominated my mind, but “WHO” she was. She drew in courage from my will, but Xin’Vauk…she was my pillar of strength. What I felt…..uh….felt……I cannot tell you what love is, but I wish to believe that our connection, our “bond” could only be stronger than love. That is what I felt as I held her to me.

“Go,” I said to her, holding her trembling face, “I’ll find you, I swear.” With that, she sprinted silently away, as if her pathfinder instincts took over. The last memory I had of this moment was the pain in her expression before she turned and vanished in the rain. It tore my heart to pieces.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
next part: dustygrafix.deviantart.com/art…