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Submitted: April 13, 2010
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Emperors Will be done Pt15.5by ~DustyGrafix

Fan Art / Digital Art / Drawings / Games

here is the next part.
the choice is at the end of this one.

previous: [link]
Next: [link]

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Helping him up, I could tell his strength was waning. He slowly took the scanner from my hand, and began to enter something in. The holomap display popped up, and a few minutes later were explaining to Xin some commands.

She nodded in reply, and I told her to lead point while I helped Kai’Faan move along. She looked to me with care to see how I was doing. I don’t think I had this much compassion shown to me in my lifetime other than my own brother and sister. A realization that was beat out of me the day I joined the Imperial Guard.

She led the way. Xin’Vauk held her pulse carbine in one hand while the other held the light disc that illuminated the caverns before us. The holomap gave off an eerie green hue on the dark stoned walls around Kai and me.

We trekked on for an hour or so (at least I think), and Kai’Faan would speak a command to Xin while looking at the scanner. Every few hundred meters or so, we would head further downwards. I’m sure we would have spent days in here if Xin had to read the scanner. She looked back at us once in a while to make sure we were fine. The slight smile on my face probably assured her we were fine…well, I was. Kai’Faan was looking worse as we moved on.

I had discovered something else peculiar. During the journey deep in the caverns, I started to think about completing the mission, and saving a whole planet of these creatures I am helping. The moment that thought popped in my mind, I noticed Xin’Vauk’s stride became confident and more deliberate. Was I thinking this out loud? I don’t believe I was.

Deep into the caverns, the scanner led us to an area of running water. The air was humid. Through the darkness, the light disc illuminated a huge cavernous space with a subterranean river running through from one end into a cave on the other end. It wasn’t flowing fast, and testing the waters, Kai’Faan with a weak voice, assured Xin that it was safe to drink if needed. It was only waist deep.

I sat Kai’Faan down, and I realized something that could be bad news. I hadn’t bathed in days. Father’s cattle barn smelled better than I did. I never realized this before. And to think of it, if any orks had survived the fight outside (which I don’t think they would have), those squighounds that always seem to be roaming around their feet at all times could pick this smell up. Shoot, “I” could pick this smell up.

The good news is that after the wounded scientist had spoken to Xin, she explained to me that the scanner is picking up target pollen traces upstream that match the plants they had been looking for the whole time. I was relieved, and Xin matched my relief as well.

I began to pick up the weakened Kai’Faan to keep moving, when Xin’Vauk asked me if we could give him a rest. He needs it badly. But I was literally a beacon with my odor, and the river could mask my traces.

As she looked at me, I had to give her an answer:
1) Inform Xin that squighounds can pick up the smell of humans pretty well, and my smell can give us away. The river can hide my traces, and we can make it further upstream and be safe. Let her know we need to keep moving. We are almost there. But the condition of Kai might be a liability if I force him to wade upstream. I’ll carry him if I have to, but rather not.

2) Listen to Xin’Vauk and let Kai’Faan rest a little. We all need it. I could even scrub out my chest armor in the river and rid myself of the stench. I shouldn’t be traced as well. And after Kai gets a little rest, he might be strong enough to trudge upstream with my help to get to the plants. More than likely, the orks didn’t survive the onslaught of my fellow guards. And I’m sure the stealthsuit had taken a few out for insurance. Maybe I’m just too paranoid of constant danger. You can’t blame me.
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I will close the votes on April 22 (Earth Day)

~~sad 0 0~~

~~neutral 0 0~~

~moom241 Mar 27, 2011

Wonderful series mate.

~DustyGrafix Mar 28, 2011

Thanks.

~moom241 Mar 28, 2011

Thanks for what?

~DustyGrafix Mar 28, 2011

Thanks for: Telling me it was a great story.

=RCWikkydArtist May 3, 2010 Student Traditional Artist

Oops, guess I'm a little late

Just in case... 1, I wouldn't take any chances with those squighounds!

~Scarledian Apr 22, 2010 Hobbyist Digital Artist

WOOHOO!! I'm on time for ONCE!!

I say 2, though I fear there is some form of threat in the water

They all need the rest, and all could benefit from some light bathing.

~senkan19 Apr 19, 2010

2......... I supose.....

~KageRyuuUji Apr 18, 2010

I forsee the loss of life saving equipment... lol oh god-emperor I purge myself, guard flak "life saving"? It can barely stop an angry flashlight let alone an ork slug, in truth I've wondered why the Guard even worry about an armor save in the table top. Regardless, I would say push on, carrying the wounded Fio if need be, which will most likely be the case. Though while I say this, I'm certain option 2 has many more votes due to the majority of your audience lacking a spine which is present in even the most cowardly hiver scum. With that said though, there are strategic advantages of option 2 regarding known and unknown dangers, while option 1 has advantages regarding troop movement, concealment and evasion.

Well, guess we'll see more of "dat tau ass" in future chapters though.

~DustyGrafix Apr 22, 2010

we might see dat tau ass, but it all depends on the votes my friend.

Great observations. I love it. Hope you like the next part. Your vote had been counted.

~KageRyuuUji Apr 23, 2010

I did

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