《Warhammer 40K Imperium Traitor》


 Prologue - Arch-Heretic

    On a remote, lifeless world, a meeting took place between a pirate gang and xenos. Any Astra Militarum soldier would be shocked by the appearance of these beings.


    In some places, the individuals appeared gaunt, tortured, and mutated. They resembled puppets lined up around their master. Autoguns and laser weapons had long gone without maintenance, and the people''s eyes were completely devoid of emotion.


    Dressed in power armor, the psyker patiently awaited the arrival of his future allies.


    He looked exhausted. His hair, grayed by the warp, was cut short, and his eyes were hidden behind protective goggles. The power armor was of Adeptus Mechanicus origin, but the back was integrated with a dark eldar power unit.


    He wore xeno weapons of dreadful value on the open market on a standard Imperial belt. A plasma rifle that could penetrate any target''s protection.


    Yet despite all his techno-heresies, he did not worship Chaos. His pride, and perhaps memories of the original world, prevented him from embracing the gods of the warp.


    The psyker had been standing at the meeting point for two hours already, and his legs hadn''t shifted. He was absorbed in the whispers of another demon.


    His meditation was interrupted by the arrival of the xenos. A group of Eldar literally appeared out of thin air. A fully equipped group led by a farseer.


    The Imperium of Man, it sounds like a state of people. Yet not all of us are people under the fascist theocratic dictatorship.


    As a psyker, Ezok has every right to hate humans. That''s why he needs an alliance with other enemies of mankind.


    Making gestures showing the Lilleath rune. Ezok spoke the pre-learned phrase. His words fairly well imitated the speech of the Eldar.


    "Iem uantas creag-leram aul"


    The phrase provoked a range of emotions, the farseer did not expect such knowledge of their language from a mon-keigh.


    "Iem uiel-pivam aul yass kanos los Eldar bhas"


    Ezok slightly smiled and raised his hands. His psyker powers dissipated, and the pseudo-life left the bodies of the pirates.


    The group of his zombie slaves finally died. The people fell like sacks of meat. Such actions did not provoke aggression from the farseer, and the xenos expected the next words from the mon-keigh. This was the first time in all the thousands of years of his life that he was able to hear such a perfect imitation of the Eldar language from a mon-keigh.


    "Iem asha los Eldar-tier, shta iem gairam ukas tokreith"


    Ezok pointed his finger at his head and made the gestures of Eldanesh.


    "Kiv daeri los iem mien sitos vochas"


    Showing his emotions through a weak release of power, he confidently spoke out.


    "Iem eaBorif fae los d''mon-keigh, kal yass uial mien"


    His gestures became slightly more aggressive.


    "Iem eanive tokreith d''mon-keigh, ob moraith uial tenor"


    At the very end, he knelt down and expressed the Eldar etiquette of humility.


    "Sin aul tokreith, iem furaBorif aul yass istaBorif-creag ob Imperium"


    His words were jumbled in places, he was making tremendous efforts to emulate the strange Eldar language, but still conveyed his thoughts.


    The farseer became even more interested in this mon-keigh. His mind touched the consciousness of the psyker.


    ''Our dark brothers have played a joke on you, the language you have learned is wrong.''


    Realizing the telepathic connection, Ezok got up from his knees and conveyed his thoughts to the farseer.


    ''Is the problem in the gestures?''


    The farseer smiled, and corrections of all the mistakes made appeared in Ezok''s mind. Ezok''s eyes widened in surprise as he stared at the Eldar. The whispers of demons disappeared for a brief moment.


    ''Thank you.''


    The farseer pointed north.


    ''Let''s take a walk, I would like to hear your tragedy.''


    Ezok followed the farseer, and the other Eldar did not interfere with them.


    One man and one Eldar walked side by side.


    ''Having received a message from a Harlequin, I thought it was just a joke. What made a human go to Commorragh?''


    ''I was brought there by a close friend.''


    The farseer literally oozed emotions of surprise.


    ''You befriended a dark one?''


    Ezok shook his head, then showed his hand. Scars were visible on the wrist, and strange green energy literally oozed through the veins.


    ''They can hardly be called Eldar.''


    The farseer overcame his contempt, he unexpectedly grabbed the mon-keigh''s hand, and then released it. The Eldar finally understood how the psyker ended up on this planet.


    ''The Mark of the Mandrake. So that''s how you got into this world. How did you do it?''


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    Ezok answered casually, but his emotions betrayed the psyker for the first time, and the farseer clearly sensed them.


    "Iem agBorif thia los uth''or furta sib aul istau"


    For the first time, he expressed strong emotions, starting with a slight cough, and then bursting into sincere laughter.


    ''Amazing tragedy. I''m not surprised that the mandrake is interested in you. Tell me, mon-keigh, do you really want to betray your race?''


    Ezok gritted his teeth slightly, but quickly calmed down. The psyker switched to Low Gothic, he did not want to share his anger with the Eldar through telepathy.


    "I am not betraying my race, I am liberating it."


    The alien did not show irritation, he continued the conversation in Gothic.


    "Do you not consider mon-keigh without abilities your race?"


    Ezok nodded.


    "The Imperium cannot exist without the oppression of psykers. We have no rights and are hunted like animals. Every day, the Golden Tyrant devours the souls of my brethren. Voidships use capsules of psykers to power their warp drives. The Astronomicon Choir takes those the Golden Tyrant was too lazy to devour. Others, under the influence of brainwashing, hunt their less fortunate brethren."


    The psyker was briefly distracted by the whispers in his head, but immediately continued to express incomparable hatred.


    "For the Imperium, we psykers are just wild groxes. The mere implementation of automation based on electronics, not biological components, would stop the killing of billions of psykers. Yet the ships continue to fly, sucking the life out of psykers."


    "The Astronomicon is only needed to collect the tithe, so that the nobility of Terra can continue to oppress ordinary people. I flew on pirate ships without navigators, we as warp guides coped well enough with short warp jumps, and long warp jumps are possible with a tuned system of warp beacons. But warp beacons would give planets autonomy, and oppressors need tithes and military expansion. Psykers are cheap fuel, and our lives are quite suitable for the demonic ritual to maintain the Astronomicon."


    The farseer nodded, the mon-keigh was absolutely right. The mon-keigh traveled after the birth of She Who Thirsts. The Astronomicon simply facilitated long warp jumps along uncharted routes. The artificial intelligence that the mon-keigh had abandoned did this job much better.


    "We are not treated as humans. When you can''t even sleep 4 hours a day. When you are cornered like an animal. Living in fear all your life, I don''t want to call the people of the Imperium my race."


    Pausing, Ezok calmed his emotions. "For the children of Azyr, the Imperium is a monster fighting another monster. You need agents, saboteurs, or those who can distract the enemy at a critical moment of catastrophe. I just need training, as the voices in my head greatly weaken me."


    The farseer considered the mon-keigh''s offer. The psyker was dangerous, full of hatred and most importantly...


    He was useful to their world ship. Traitors among humans are not uncommon, but almost all turn to the embrace of the damned. The mon-keigh''s hatred of aliens does not allow the Eldar to recruit agents from among the inhabitants of the Imperium.


    A psyker with such power could be an incredibly useful tool. The Eldar decided to look into the future, and then make a decision.


    Ezok felt the fluctuations in the warp, but did not interfere with the Eldar. He assumed what the farseer was going to do. The Eldar finished his divination in ten minutes.


    The farseer finished his divination in ten minutes.


    He understood that the psyker did not pose death to the Eldar, but would bring immense suffering to the mon-keigh. The farseer frowned, he still remembered the death of his brethren at the hands of the Imperium. Knowing his slight selfishness, he decided to provide the psyker with more assistance than he originally intended.


    "Iem furaTokreith aul shta marg Kaos, an iem eafuraCreagleram ob kel-ial kiv aul istaTokreith istau iem"


    Ezok finally heard the long-awaited answer. He bowed and replied.


    "Iem uiel-yirral asha borif-leram istau iem istaTokreith"


    The farseer pointed east.


    "Then let''s go to the camp, you will await your teacher in one of the houses."


    They walked slowly through the savannas of the lifeless world. The psyker did not ask the Eldar which worldship they were from. He did not ask how the dark Eldar managed to organize the meeting, he just wanted to get rid of the voices in his head.


    Soon they arrived at a clearing where the Eldar camp was located. Their elegant dome-shaped buildings, as if carved from living stone, harmoniously blended into the harsh landscape. The Eldar, exhausted by long wanderings, found refuge here from the merciless winds of Fate.


    Ezok could immediately tell the camp was decades old. The most noticeable were the huge gates in the center, it was unknown where they led, but he could assume they were connected to their world ship.


    The farseer led him to one of the houses and quietly left.


    Inside the Eldar house there was an atmosphere of mystery and sophistication. The floor was tiled with a mosaic of unfamiliar minerals, shimmering in different shades in the subdued light. The walls were adorned with intricate bas-reliefs and tapestries with abstract patterns.


    In the center there was a low table, around which curved chairs with high backs stood. The table held various artifacts of unclear purpose, vaguely reminiscent of musical instruments.


    In the corner there was something like a bed, covered with soft fabrics. Next to it hung semi-transparent curtains, fluttering from barely perceptible air currents.


    Everything in the house was imbued with a sense of the warp and emotions. It seemed echoes of a long-gone era of greatness and prosperity lingered here.


    Ezok peacefully sat down in a chair and closed his eyes. The backrest was uncomfortable, clearly not for human height. The house was filled with the smell of ionized cold air, but the psyker peacefully fell asleep.


    whisper


    "Ezok... Ezok... Wake up... It''s time..."


    scream


    "Get up, pathetic worm! Your time has come!"


    many voices


    "Ezok...Ezok... Listen to us... Join the dance... Forget all you knew..."


    soft laughter


    "Don''t resist, Ezok... Give in to us... We know what you desire..."


    roar


    "Weakling! Coward! Get up and fight! Or we''ll break you!"


    whisper


    "Hush, Ezok, hush... Don''t listen to them... Rest... We''ll be close... All is well..."


    laughter


    "Ha-ha, don''t believe them, fool! They lie! They lie! You''re alone! All alone!"


    howl


    "Ezok! Ezok! We call you! Come to us! Come!"


    whisper


    "Fight... Don''t give up... We believe in you... You''re stronger than them..."


    screams, laughter, shrieks


    "Ezok! Ezok! Open yourself to us! Become one of us! Ezok! Ezok!"


    The psyker was accompanied by friends he had been living with for decades. Each sounded with the voices of familiar people, and some were rare guests in his head.


    tender female voice


    "We were born in the hive, in poverty and deprivation. We were despised and humiliated by those born into wealth and luxury. But we persevered, Ezok. We did not break."


    "I remember how we stole food from the upper hive dwellers. How we trembled from the cold at nights. But we did not complain. We were happy because pain proves human life."


    "The nobles may despise and hate us. But we have what they don''t. We rats of the hive will survive no matter what."


    "So don''t let these voices intimidate you. You''re stronger than them. You use the warp but have not broken. You can withstand this as well. Remember, I''m always with you!"


    Ezok was still trying to sleep, no matter what the voices said. They could not touch his heart. He had already abandoned everything except hatred, and the gods of chaos share the goal of his hatred.


    After all, it was these bastards who gave the hypocritical fascist the power to capture all people and create a state called the Imperium. They may promise power or revenge, but when he burns the Imperium, it will be the chaos gods who prevent the destruction of their creation.


    Ezok continued to ignore the whispers in his head. He focused on his breathing, slowly inhaling and exhaling, trying to clear his mind.


    The voices ebbed and flowed, trying to break through Ezok''s mental shields. They whispered, shouted, threatened and pleaded. But Ezok was unmoved.


    Eventually the voices dried up, realizing the futility of their attempts. For the first time in a long while, Ezok felt peace and silence in his head. He relaxed and sank into a deep, sound sleep.


    Ezok slept for eight uninterrupted hours, which was rare for him. Usually his sleep was interrupted by nightmares and visions. But this time he rested calmly and serenely.


    Waking up in the morning, Ezok felt rested and full of energy. His mind was clear and fresh. These eight hours of normal sleep gave him confidence before the expected meeting with his prospective teacher.


    <div>

 Chapter 1 - Meditation

    The psyker''s dwelling was entered by an Eldar woman. She was clad in a heavy xeno-power armor. Its camouflage was murky and faded, but mostly green. The emotions of Eldars are usually concealed, and their self-control hides their closeness to the Warp extraordinarily well.


    Ezok could not see even an attempt from her to control emotions. The Warp fluctuations were closer to a berserk heretic.


    The Eldar moved smoothly, like a predator ready to pounce on its prey any moment. Her long red hair was braided into thin plaits interwoven with metal threads. Pointy ears were decorated with silver rings engraved with runes.


    The face of the Eldar was stern and cold. High cheekbones, thin lips barely parting. But most impressive were the eyes - bright crimson, seeming to glow from inside with unbearable flames.


    When the Eldar passed Ezok, he felt a wave of anger and hatred emanating from her. Her whole being seemed shrouded in an aura of fury that she barely contained. This was not just anger - but pure, all-consuming bloodlust. She craved blood, was ready to kill him any moment.


    Her voice sounded like a crunch, the low Gothic barely intelligible.


    "Mon-keigh, from this day I have been tasked with your training."


    Ezok wanted to ask a question, but quickly thought better of it.


    "My name is Ezok."


    Snorting, the Eldar woman pointed at the door.


    "I have no interest in the names of pathetic primitive barbarians. First, go out, food has been procured for you. Then we will begin the training."


    Settling in as if it were her own home, she sat on the couch and looked at the mon-keigh expectantly.


    "Do you wish to stay here and continue to irritate me? Should I cut your throat?"


    Ezok quickly went out and saw a table with food set up right next to the exit. There were dozens of Eldar in the camp, some looking at him as if he were a strange animal. The table with food had clearly caused a spectacle in the xenos camp.


    Ezok paid them no mind, quickly unwrapping the boxes. He checked - these were Imperial Guard ration packs. Not wanting to provoke his teacher, he took a chemical heating kit and prepared the food.


    He quickly tried some, savoring the taste of the strange puree with chunks of unidentified meat. His meal elicited even more interest from the dozens of Eldar who could observe the feral barbarian up close.


    After finishing eating, he did not clean up after himself since he did not know where to dispose of the garbage. Ezok swiftly returned to the dwelling.


    The Eldar, scrutinizing Ezok closely, stated: "You did not need to bring your barbaric meal here, but since you decided to put on a show, we shall consider it your wish to share your exquisite cuisine with the entire camp."


    He swiftly hid a pack of ration bars in his bag. His teacher was still glowering at him angrily.


    The Eldar woman spoke disdainfully: "Now tell me why the seer told you to help. What is the problem? I do not know how work your mind and warp abilities."


    Ezok briefly recounted all the voices in his head, then removed part of his power armor and rolled up his sleeve. The mandrake''s mark extended above his wrist, green energy seeping into the flesh, but the human body rejected the vile thing.


    For a moment, he ceased exerting his powers, and the mandrake''s mark immediately began to fester. Within several more seconds he observed his arm succumbing to deep tissue necrosis.


    "What feeble muscles." The Eldar woman smiled.


    Ezok did not react to her derisive words, preferring to focus his thoughts. The Eldar closely examined the mandrake''s mark on his arm and disdainfully added: "Your attempts to rid yourself of this mark only stoke its hunger. But perhaps that is your fortune as well."


    Ezok applied biomancy, and the necrosis vanished instantly.


    "I can feel it, like my life is draining into this mark."


    The Eldar woman smirked, then summoned psychic fire around her hands.


    "Do not move, or you will lose an arm. It is not your life draining away, merely particles of your soul."


    Tongues of flame began burning runes around the green mark. Like a nest of snakes, the fire reached even Ezok''s soul. He had to numb all the neurons in his arm, otherwise he would have been writhing in pain already.


    "Done, this is the mark of Khaine. I will give you exercises for the battle trance. If your enemy''s soul is weaker, part of its energy will remain in your hand. You will have to kill, without it your soul will suffer. It is best to weaken the soul before absorbing it. Mental and physical anguish are ideal for this purpose."


    The psyker looked at the xenos doubtfully, he felt like he was visiting Commorragh again.


    "You resemble a drukhari greatly."


    The psychic fire disappeared, and his teacher stopped burning the runes.


    "And what prevents me from being born in Commorragh? What prevents me from relocating there? What prevents me from consuming mon-keigh souls to postpone my downfall? What prevents me from slitting your soft throat right now?"


    The psyker did not even notice her movements, the force sword already touching his neck. One motion would be enough to kill him.


    "I am close to damnation. Do you think the seer''s words works on me? Do you think a teacher was assigned to you? Your training will require double meditation, even for creating a useful instrument, such shame would be an insult for someone like me."


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    The psyker felt her hand grab his hair. Again he could not even detect her movements.


    "You are fortunate, mon-keigh. An exarch like me feels nothing but war. The seers have allowed me to join a grand battle. You are my instrument, so be proud of yourself, mon-keigh.........Therefore I will tolerate your company."


    The Eldar woman pressed on his head and lightly slit his throat with her blade. Ezok felt his consciousness slowly dissipating.


    "Do not resist, we will now conduct a meditation to overcome your inner weaknesses. I hope you do not perish from the touch of a more perfect being''s mind."


    Ezok slipped into the realm of dreams, and the Eldar woman curiously examined the inner world of the human. She decided to give him a couple of moments, his soul might indeed not withstand it.


    "Descend into your inner chaos, mon-keigh. Perhaps you will find something of value there."


    Ezok began sinking deeper into his spiritual world. Meanwhile, the Eldar masterfully manipulated psi-energy, amplifying the influence of her illusions. A shell of psi-energy enveloped them, to enhance her sway over his memories.


    They were surrounded by a ominous atmosphere, resembling a primeval forest full of dangers. The Eldar wasted no time in feeding Ezok shadowy images of his fears.


    Ezok found himself inside his own mind, delving into the labyrinth of consciousness, full of dark corners and forgotten memories. The virtual corridors of his thoughts were tangled and murky, like caves hidden from prying eyes.


    Maintaining the warp-shell around them, the Eldar kept suggesting her influences. Shadowy manifestations of his fears took real shapes in this mental maze. The world of hives, his life and meager sustenance as an underhive dweller.


    Ezok tried to resist, focusing his mind on the present


    The Eldar, adeptly manipulating warp-energy, amplified the sway of her illusions. She appeared before Ezok in the guise of his sister, examining with interest the lowly abode of the mon-keigh. Meanwhile, Ezok was completely lost in memories, unaware that he had already lived through these events.


    "You cannot escape your dark thoughts, mon-keigh. It is better to accept them, make them part of you," whispered the exarch, fully immersing him in the trance.


    The psyker lost his wrinkles, his hair turning black again. His power armor changed into filthy underhive garb. The psyker was stripped of his plasma gun and years of experience in manipulating the Warp was gone.


    The exarch examined her body, then immersed herself in the trance as well. The show must go on, and without her presence, the illusion would quickly shatter.


    Her bloodthirstiness changed into naive girl. She altered her temperament to mimic the psyker''s sister as accurately as possible. It took only a few minutes to get used to the pitiful mon-keigh body.


    She experienced human hunger for the first time and shifted her perception of the world. Her actions were so artful that an entirely different personality arose in her consciousness.


    The final touch was the scenery. The psyker felt the familiar stench of the hive. Soon Ezok woke up.


    He put his hand to his stomach and felt the dull ache of prolonged hunger.


    "And you like to sleep in."


    Sister Eleanor handed him a protein block. Ezok instinctively reached for the food, still feeling slightly odd.


    "Sorry, I''ve been feeling unwell the past few days."


    He finally looked at his sister. Like all underhive dwellers, her skin was pale. Lack of vitamins had made her hair brittle, but unlike him, she was very cheerful and lively.


    Her light hair was cropped short, and protective goggles hid the blue eyes from the hive''s smog. Ezok sadly thought of his new life as a punishment. Who would want to end up in the Warhammer universe?


    The young brother and sister successfully survive in the underhive world. As the most successful thieves, they have already robbed hundreds of food warehouses. Their biggest secret were their abilities.


    They were both psykers, but unlike most, Ezok had immediately urged his sister not to listen to the voices, they did not openly demonstrate their power. They kept away from any Imperial fanatics.


    Such actions protected them from the standard psyker hunt raids on the planet.


    Just yesterday they had robbed an Adeptus Arbites warehouse, the stolen food would last them months of well-fed life, but Ezok caught a bullet from a guard.


    Luckily his sister used biomancy and successfully healed him. He stopped his train of thought and started eating.


    "Brother. Let''s read."


    Eleanor took out one of the new biology textbooks and started tugging on her brother''s arm. She had exchanged the book for forty blocks of freeze-dried beans.


    He finally finished eating and took the book.


    "We already studied bone tissue structure yesterday. Let''s read about hormones today and how they affect the body."


    Eleanor took scraps of paper and carefully started taking notes. Ezok read from the book and answered his sister''s questions.


    He was used to such a life, getting transported into Warhammer had been unexpected but a sad continuation of his death from an exploding tank shell.


    ".........."


    For biomancers it was very important to understand how organic systems work, so he diligently helped his sister master this vital knowledge. It was their only entertainment, the rest of the time they steal and trade. Mutants don''t even try attacking the two psykers, a small psychic manipulation of their minds was enough to create a safe environment for the two psykers.


    The brother and sister abruptly stopped and looked at a feral dog. The animal had come from the upper levels, likely lured by the smell of food.


    Eleanor''s eyes filled with joy, she carefully clenched her delicate hand.


    CRUNCH


    The dog''s neck twisted at a strange angle.


    The girl ran up to the dog and literally embraced the corpse. She carefully dragged the carcass to her brother.


    "Brother, we have an experimental body! Let''s try that muscle growth technique you devised."


    Ezok closed the book and took out several shards of glass. The psyker carefully started skinning the dog. He pointed at the skin and carefully applied biomancy.


    The skin in that spot cracked and crumbled away. Eleanor patted her brother on the shoulder.


    "Your theory about crystallizing the epidermis is bad!"


    Ezok snorted and handed a shard of glass to his sister.


    "Your turn."


    The girl carefully grasped the fabric-wrapped piece of glass. She thought about all her ideas, then chose the most interesting one.


    After cutting off both legs, she applied her concept. One of the legs started drying out as if it lost life, while the other leg seemed unchanged. Both psykers noticed extremely important changes.


    Ezok immediately rejoiced for his sister.


    "Transfer of microelements and vitamins. Very interesting! Unfortunately, you burned life energy for the transfer."


    Eleanor passed the shard of glass to her brother.


    "One against zero. I''m winning so far."


    Ezok severed the dog''s head, he had to be careful not to break the shard of glass. He applied his idea for creating a grenade.


    Life energy began boiling, then he tossed away the head toward a pile of garbage. In flight, the head turned into a caustic blue substance. Hitting objects, the acid quickly started corroding even metal.


    "I was annoyed by the new locks at the Adeptus Administratum warehouse. Now taking bugs or rodents on a ''work'', we could eliminate that fuck." Ezok smiled contentedly, instead of exploding matter, he forced the matter to mutate toward an explosion.


    The Warp power drain was ten times less, and there were almost no Warp fluctuations. Eleanor categorically shook her head, but paused for a moment, she checked the Warp fluctuations, then scowled in displeasure.


    Her brother scared her, because they never use techniques that cause fluctuations where they live. Her brother''s technique did not cause fluctuations, that was the main thing in their attempts to avoid detection.


    "Okay, but that''s unfair, my technique is more complex."


    Ezok was speechless. His sister did not like losing.


    His sister smiled and "Still one to zero."


    "As you wish."


    His sister smiled contentedly. She wanted to test the hair color change technique.


    "Pass me the knife, my turn."


    They continued playing until nothing remained of the dog''s corpse, not even bones.

 Chapter 2 - Hive

    Morning in the hive was no different from evening. Smog trickled down in muddy streams from the upper levels, while the mutated inhabitants of the lower level struggled to survive. There was no steady work or sustenance - the Imperium existed by exploiting vast numbers of starving destitute.


    The Imperial Guard? To be a slave to the Mechanicus? Harmful production? Slavery on a voidship? We''re ready, just give us food.


    While preachers with false smiles handed out food to instill faith, corporate owners hired more disposable material. Everyone was satisfied - without the poor class there would be no nobles, and the lords of Terra could not sing praises to their gold super human.


    Ezok and Eleanore took dozens of rations - they were going to Shram''s workshop. Like thieves, they paid gangs for protection. In the lower levels, everyone pai to criminals for safety. Prices varied based on means, and local leaders knew well how much to ask from each person.


    They were located on level 27 of the hive, but Ezok wasn''t sure the markings were accurate. A faded fire safety notice he read for information was ancient and crumbling apart.


    They walked cautiously through streets made of garbage. Homes were piles of old panels, and the hive''s metallic structures were not visible. Shram''s workshop was located in a junkyard, the richest area of the lower hive.


    The workshop itself was a master welder''s magnum opus. Two tanks welded together with ten containers. The base could withstand any invaders, and the tank turrets were still in work.


    They entered the workshop, then approached the elder encased in hermetically sealed armor. His body was completely hidden behind homemade shell armor, and guards prevented them from going past the reception room. The space was filled with weapons and assorted junk. The guards concealed their appearances with balaclavas.


    Shram sat at his homemade scrap metal table. He immediately turned to the teenagers.


    "Grey Rat and Red Cat, it seems like everything''s good this month."


    Ezok, "Grey Rat", wore a tattered grey cloak with numerous stitched patches. All his bracers, belt and boots were also grey but noticeably faded and worn out. His face was hidden behind a mask made of old bandages and broken metal helmet that concealed most of his face. Ezok had to hide his appearance - he and his sister were among the few who had not mutated.


    Eleanore, "Red Cat", stood out with her bright outfit. She wore a red dress made of torn scraps of fabric, colorful leggings, and old red boots. Her hair was hidden under a red wig, highlighting her individuality. Her mask had patterns she dreamed up in her free time.


    When they approached Shram, Ezok couldn''t help but notice the ceremonial wrecked power armor suit displayed in the corner. This rusted and dented metallic armor was clearly meant for aesthetic impact rather than actual protection. Shram likely used it in his workshop as a symbol of his skill and combat experience.


    Just a couple of days ago, this suit hadn''t been there.


    Having arrived in the Warhammer world, besides his standard warp abilities, Ezok discovered only one super warp power in himself. When he observed any object and thought about how it worked, he could apply his psychic force.


    Simple items like knives required minimal effort from him, and hundreds of metalworking theories formed in his mind. Complex firearms needed more significant exertion, but he could still assemble them.


    Everything became more difficult with electronics or laser weapons. Applying his power of understanding exhausted him tremendously, and in some cases his psyker powers weren''t enough. He could try reproducing some items, but who would provide him lathes? Equipment for soldering microcircuits? Where could he get photolithography equipment? Maybe crystal growing was possible in a junkyard?


    He simply used his power on the armor, then imperceptibly applied biomancy to stop the bleed. He couldn''t allow blood dripping from his nose to be noticed.


    He knew the distance at which he could be sensed. Shram and the mutants were too far to feel the temperature shift near a psyker.


    Ezok immediately grasped the powered armor design based on artificial muscles. His knowledge wouldn''t be enough to recreate it, but repairing such an item he could manage.


    The entire upper section was extremely deformed. The power unit had long been removed. Armor for the right leg was missing, only the artificial muscle framework remained. The right arm was clearly a crude repair attempt. But that wasn''t what drew his interest.


    The artificial muscles were torn in the right places. Since the powered armor was heavy, turning the artificial muscle remnants into lightweight armor was entirely feasible.


    "Like it?"


    Shram had already taken the food from Red Cat. He approached Grey Rat and stroked the scorched carapace.


    "Delphis Mk.II. When I lived above, I saw someone in armor like this.... man! That soldier killed an entire battalion."


    Eleanore immediately prodded their boss.


    "Uncle Shram, how much would armor like that cost?"


    The old man grinned and returned to his table. His silence meant they couldn''t afford such a thing.


    "How did the last ''job'' go?"


    Ezok stopped gawking at the power armor and pulled a suppressed stab revolver from under his clothes. He carefully removed the bullets, then placed everything on the table. The weapon had an altered gas locking mechanism, so each time the cartridges expanded from firing.


    "Thanks for the gun, there was no security, we escaped easily. The weapon was just insurance."


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    Shram took the revolver and checked the cylinder. The old man hid the weapon, then called out to a guard.


    "Bring me a small 50 millimeter single shot grenade launcher and 34 shaped charge anti-armor rounds."


    Then he laid out a newspaper before the teenagers.


    "Tomorrow my crew is going into the violet zone. You can''t come with us, unlike us, you don''t look like mutants. Your chance of death from the local air is just huge."


    The old man intended to say more, but his thoughts were slightly chaotic.


    Ezok and his sister had already started reading the newspaper. Eleanore was confused, but Ezok immediately grasped something major was impending.


    The boring text had long been crossed out, and interesting sections marked with a highlighter. They ignored the yellow markings and immediately read the red. It was a call to recruitment for protecting hive citizens from lower hive gangs.


    The Adeptus Arbites didn''t go into the lower hives - they only visited to bring death and ruin. To save resources, the numbers of these enforcers was always minimal, but during raids they actively recruited - forcibly conscripting people into service.


    Ezok and Eleanore''s parents had died during one such raid, and many gangs migrated and hid like rats. For them this wasn''t the first raid - they usually just hid far from the bulk of the populace.


    "This isn''t a raid for heretics or hunt for fools who kill nobles, we also watched all the bald smartasses fuckers and killed them. Folks from the midhive say this is a RUT."


    The teenagers stared at the strict mutant questioningly. They didn''t understand how an animal mating season related to a raid.


    Their silence was interrupted by the guard. He brought a small single-shot grenade launcher and dozens of shaped charge rounds. Shram took the weapon, checked it, and handed it to them.


    "The RUT is a rare event for us. When an important guest arrives to the hive lord, the mutant hunt starts."


    Ezok looked incredulously at the old man - his story resembled a horror tale.


    "You don''t need to believe me, but one noble is worth more than the entire hive. Mobilizing the guard dogs to hunt us is a romantic adventure for some odd fucker. When those bastards go hunting, better run faster."


    Ezok noticed an inconsistency. Shram intended to leave, but what about this workshop?


    "Uncle Shram, you''re abandoning all your savings?"


    The old man grinned, then shrugged.


    "We''ll cover the workshop in garbage - the noble bastards don''t rummage through trash. Usually the Hunt ends quickly, with just a couple hundred dead. I''ll return in a month, so tell me if someone steals from me."


    Ezok took the grenade launcher and ammunition, while Eleanore looked expectantly at the old man.


    "Fine..."


    Shram reached for his holster and took off his laspistol. The girl happily snatched the weapon and hung it on her belt.


    "THANKS!"


    Shram removed the battery packs and sighed. He took out a hand-drawn map of the hive, then showed the teenagers dangerous areas.


    "I suggest you take shelter in the ridiculous mid-area. We don''t know when the Hunt will start, but it''s unsafe for you to remain in this area."


    Eleanore pointed at one of the locations.


    "Maybe we should go here? Two years ago, we stole grox steaks from there."


    Ezok frowned - he was overcome with a sense of foreboding, as if he had already lived through this day before. Moments later, the psyker was once again plunged into the Exarch''s illusion.


    "Let''s just trade our food for a decent map first."


    The journey from one hive area to another was fraught with danger - only fresh route maps could guarantee safe migration. This was why most lower zone dwellers found it impossible to reach the midhive.


    "Let''s go to Aunt Mar?"


    Shram interjected in the teenagers'' conversation, pointing at the door.


    "Good luck, now get out of our home."


    One of his subordinates grinned.


    "Good luck surviving, pureblood punks."


    Another bodyguard took a few homemade grenades and handed them to Ezok.


    "Thanks for the can of food slime, hope you don''t die."


    The mutant gang casually said goodbye to the food suppliers. The two teenagers had kept them from starving for years now. Suppliers usually died or betrayed them. This brother and sister were an exception.


    Once the teenagers left, Shram dejectedly remarked:


    "Before we go, let''s kill Lom. That junkie with an autogun will cause problems for the area."


    As a deserter, Shram had long abandoned habits - he just hoped for another day of life. Lom could cause issues for the weak inhabitants like Grey Rat and Red Cat.


    Carrying a cart loaded with food, Ezok and Eleanore returned home, then headed toward Mar. In the narrow corridors, hundreds of starving residents crowded together. They didn''t know the teenagers'' cart held enough food to feed hundreds.


    In places the corridors turned into sewage and uneven hive environmental systems machinery. Ezok skillfully maneuvered the cart.


    They quickly reached the food production area. This hive region was dirty, dark spaces saturated with the stench of rot and decaying remains. Lower inhabitants bustled around here - the cheapest food was produced from insects.


    In the room corners stood large vats of black liquid - toxic waste dumped down from the upper hive levels. These wastes contained various harmful substances, but had become an essential food source for the locals. The waste was consumed by special insects adapted to processing hydrocarbons.


    Ezok raised his eyes to examine the strange creatures crawling around. They were large, with black carapaces and shining eyes. Their long antennae moved slowly, sensing the air. These insects could ingest toxic substances and process them in their bodies, turning them into safe consumables.


    He and Eleanore also ate insect paste. Thanks to biomancy, the siblings didn''t mutate from such a diet. The insects were far from completely harmless for eating.


    The destitute scurried around, collecting the insects into special containers. They used primitive tools to rip out edible body parts. These parts were then processed - boiled to soften the poison and ground into paste.


    In a world without sunlight, the toxic insects were the only food for the poor.


    An old woman approached them - Ezok immediately recognized her. The armor and laser rifle said a lot in the lower world. Like all mutants, she concealed her appearance with clothing - every part of her body was wrapped in filthy rags. The siblings stood out since mutations hadn''t started in them yet.


    A group of armed mutants was about to rob the brother and sister, but a buzzing sounded.


    ZAP


    One hoodlum''s head exploded from a laser pulse hit.


    "Breaking the rules?"


    ZAPS


    The mutant group quickly fled, with dozens of shots flying after them. Some unlucky ones died.


    The food factory owner emerged from a dark alley.


    "Aunt Mar!"


    Recognizing them, she lowered the lasrifle and called out.


    "Oh, it''s you. Up to business again?"


    Eleanore hopped up and hugged the woman.


    "Thanks for the help!"


    Ordinary mutants like Mar or Shram couldn''t notice - whenever Eleanore talked to them, her power made them treat her as their own relative.


    Ezok knew his sister didn''t use her power intentionally - it was an instinct that allowed her to obtain food for them by begging insect mush from Mar. They only started eating properly a couple years ago - this diet caused Eleanore''s vitamin deficiencies.


    The woman embraced Eleanore and looked at the cart. She then expectantly asked her brother.


    "Why did you come here?" Ezok carefully answered the woman - he always found her suspicious. He sensed a strange smell from her.


    "Barter, we need maps to the grox warehouse."


    Mar released the girl and approached the cart, shifting the cloth and counting the food reserves. The woman eagerly grabbed the handle and wheeled the cart toward her house.


    The siblings followed her. The silence was broken by a curious question.


    "Why give away so much food? You usually take jobs when Shram has buyers. There''s enough nutrition in the cart to last you long."


    Eleanore lifted her tattered red dress, revealing the laspistol on her belt.


    "We''ll be there a while, Shram said there''s a RUT coming."


    Mar paused briefly, then continued on.


    "I''m too old for that. A month ago some fool managed to enter the area you need."


    Arriving at the house, Mar hid the food and took out maps.


    The brother and sister began studying the route.

 Chapter 3 - Cogitator

    Leaving Mar behind, Ezok and Eleanor followed the narrow back alleys, crossing tunnels flooded with water and passing dimly lit passages. The air grew less dense, and the sinister shadows of the lower levels gave way to the softer shadows of the mid-area.


    Without a map, they could easily die, encounter monsters, poisonous vapor clouds, or walls that suddenly spewed fire. With a map, the journey became much safer and faster.


    They hadn''t brought excessive food supplies, as Mar had been paid far more than necessary. The backpacks of the teenagers contained just enough food for two days. The psykers decided to temporarily settle in the mid-levels, where there were plenty of food warehouses.


    Ezok stashed the grenade launcher in his backpack, taking only water supplies and tools with him. Eleanor brought a little water and ammunition.


    "Makes you think, doesn''t it?" Eleanor said softly, clearly curious. "It''s like being in another world here."


    Ezok looked at the open space where metal structures alternated periodically with rotten wood. They were overcoming abandoned technical premises. There were no steam or water pipes, and the open areas were not littered with garbage and sewage.


    "Yes, but we''re not here to enjoy the sights. We need to find shelter so our journey isn''t in vain," Ezok replied, holding the maps in his hands.


    Soon they reached the mid-levels, and the first people began to appear in the corridors. The watchful gazes of those around did not leave the teenagers alone. The mid-level was a place where poverty bordered on the opportunity to get cash, and everyone was on their guard. The poor were ready to seize any chance of survival, even if it meant changing their status.


    Gangs were actively fighting in the mid-levels, while in the lower levels they hid. Shram had warned them about all the local gangs, but the owners changed too often.


    The artificial lighting in the mid-levels provided the vitamin D so desperately needed by hive residents, so they didn''t look like pale zombies.


    Since childhood, Ezok had been gathering information about the hive. He had awakened his warp abilities much earlier than Eleanor. From the very beginning, he had developed a training program based on fear of the Chaos Gods and base knowledge.


    He knew nothing about other psykers, but Eleanor also felt her power. They were both aware of the thin veil stretched across the entire world.


    Every use of their abilities tore holes in this veil. The emotions of dozens of people weakened it. Ezok had always warned his sister against trying to penetrate this veil or tear it.


    This restriction minimized the use of warp abilities, and deep knowledge was required to increase their effectiveness. Only practice gave an understanding of how to influence the thin veil covering the world. Eleanor was curious, but Ezok knew about the Chaos Gods and their threat. He understood very well that tearing the veil could lead to bad end. Therefore, the use of psychic abilities in combat was an act of suicide.


    During combat, it was impossible to constantly monitor the veil. It was difficult to stop at the right moment - the enemy could simply kill you. The emotions of the soldiers filled the world, greatly weakening the veil. Ezok was even afraid to imagine psykers using their abilities in battles.


    His thinking were interrupted by a pungent smell. They turned a corner and saw an open space with artificial lighting.


    Finally, they reached the warehouse district. Everything here was organized more neatly. Metal containers lined up in rows, and the light of the artificial sun played among them.


    The hive section was adapted to the needs of the meat corporation.


    The extensive open area included three zones: residential areas for workers, a processing plant, and corporate warehouses. Barbed wire fences created mazes of passages.


    Armed guards were on duty, not letting the poor in. The appearance of two new faces put the guards on alert. Five people armed with autoguns stopped the brother and sister.


    "Who are you?"


    Ezok raised his hands, the grenade in his hand changed the guards'' perception. Their intentions could be aimed at using the two poor teenagers, but the boy was from a gang.


    "We''re looking for work. We were told they''re hiring in this area."


    Two guards tensely watched as Ezok held the primed grenade.


    One of the guards was about to stop the girl, but his experienced comrade stopped him. He pointed at Eleanor and raised his rifle, then mentioned the nearest gang.


    "House number 1230. There you''ll find the Orange Elephants."


    Eleanor was embarrassed to find herself the object of attention. She cautiously hypnotized them, "Thank you for the information, uncle."


    Ezok stashed the grenade and quickly pulled out a homemade mechanical timer.


    Eleanor''s psychic abilities caused a chill. The five guards lowered their weapons and felt sympathy for the teenagers. The captain handed Ezok an autopistol, and the others shared food, money and ammunition. There was nothing strange about their actions.


    "Do you have your own house?" Ezok helped to Eleanor''s hypnosis. The two psykers had almost fried the poor man''s brain, he howled in pain for several seconds and then began to respond.


    While Ezok nervously watched the timer, his sister slyly searched the people''s pockets. The captain answered as if he had lost all emotion. "My house number 1203, provided by the corporation."


    Ezok took the keys and forced the hypnosis, so they could settle in man house for a while. The man jerked again from convulsions, and the likelihood of a stroke increased sharply, but the security captain would stay with his friend this month.


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    As soon as the teenagers left, the guards forgot about the meeting and continued their patrol. Only the captain held his head and asked his subordinates to walk slower. The entire meeting took only 96 seconds. Another 48 seconds later, the warp disturbances ceased.


    Powerful abilities like hypnosis caused too many disturbances. Brother and sister freely used only low level abilities.


    Psykers like them could feel warp oscillations, so psyker hunters must also possess this gift. Long ago Ezok had developed a rule of changing locations, limiting the time he used his powers to three minutes, and they did not return to the scene of the crime for a week.


    Eleanor had heard from her brother a lot of terrible things not only about the Chaos Gods, but also about the Emperor and what would happen if they were caught. She always got nervous when she saw a representative of the Ecclesiarchy who handed out food.


    Brother and sister headed towards the specified house, carefully studying the unfamiliar streets, because gangs always left someone on guard.


    Eleanor felt a slight headache and complained to her brother, "Whispers... It''s worse here than below. The veil is torn in some places."


    Ezok pulled tiny sweets out of his backpack and gave them to his sister.


    "I''ve told you before, strong emotions weaken the barrier between demons and our world tremendously. Aunt Mar''s needs are simple - when she eats good food, she is happy and calm. It is more difficult for people to lose a good life; greed, anger and hunger that comes after a well-fed life."


    Ezok noticed the torn veil and frowned. The psyker who caused this would certainly die - hopefully it was not a demonic summoning.


    He understood the emotions of the mid-level residents best of all, having been thrown into the Warhammer world himself, he had felt similar feelings.


    Eleanor quickly ate the candy and calmed down. The whispers still urged her to look beyond the veil. After three years, she was already used to this deception. The torn veil had become normal, and Ezok calmed her down.


    Twenty kilometers from them, a massacre or orgy had probably arisen - this was no psyker. Ezok reassured his sister and they walked on.


    Brother and sister reached the old tin door and used the key. The home of the commander opened up before them. Behind the door, which hung on rickety hinges, another reality began - cozy but permeated with some kind of tension. When they stepped over the threshold, the door slammed shut behind them, leaving only a faint creak, and the room swallowed them in dim light.


    As expected, the security commander had his own "cogitator" - a device capable of processing information, accessing the hive network, and creating complex simulations. In the corner of the room stood a massive desk with a built-in screen, displaying flickering light lines. Multicolored indicators pulsated to the rhythm of silent activity.


    The room was filled with dark steel chairs that created a cafeteria atmosphere. The walls were painted in deep shades, but rust showed through in places.


    In the corner there was an alcove with a soft armchair. This was where the security commander liked to relax. Next to the chair was a table littered with maps, photos, tools, cheap lho sticks, and various documents.


    Two doors led to the toilet and closet.


    Eleanor immediately ran to inspect the toilet. She had only seen something similar in Shram''s house. Ezok was interested in the cogitator.


    Next to it lay a sheet of paper in Gothic. The tech-priestesses had written down all the procedures the security captain needed to follow to operate the device.


    Ezok ignored the religious nonsense and immediately applied his abilities. He was felt a headache, but there was no warp disturbance. He immediately assumed this was a simple computer without an interface.


    Taking the sheet, he went through the instructions, immediately noticing the authorization command and key commands.


    The psyker indulged in playing with the terminal, while Eleanor just snorted at her brother''s behavior. She started rummaging through clothes, even finding good boots. Then the girl enthusiastically began stealing delicious food from the closet.


    So a few hours passed.


    Eleanor clapped her hands on the armchair. Ezok looked away from the cogitator and at his sister. The girl held out an open can of food and a spoon.


    "We''ll have enough food for a long time. I checked the clothes, the boots are mine, and you take everything else."


    He shrugged and turned off the cogitator.


    "We''ll stay here for a week, don''t forget about the neighbors. Each of them is our potential enemy, they can report our eccentricities to the Imperium."


    Eleanor interrupted her meal and pointed at him with a spoon that had a piece of grox meat on it, "Let''s stay for two weeks, it''s just your paranoia. We won''t use abilities in the house anyway."


    Ezok chewed the meat, "It''s enough that we''re new people who don''t work, settled in someone else''s house. Don''t forget how Zel died."


    Eleanor remembered the psyker who, unlike them, did not hide his abilities. She could not imagine how the lower level residents were able to report him to the Adeptus Arbites.


    The girl quickly finished eating, and then decided to eat all the sweets without sharing with her brother.


    Ezok relaxed and leaned back in the chair, the psyker was slowly falling asleep.


    In this safe pace, a week passed. Ezok constantly tinkered with the cogitator, he finally figured out the logic of this device. The processor power was not enough for rendering, but it was enough for very complex calculations. Examining the board, he saw obvious homemade connections between several small boards.


    The screen was very durable. This computer was made for the military, and the people who designed it did not have access to lithographic equipment. He saw one of the cogitator''s motherboards at Scram''s place - it was a board from an ordinary radio.


    The cogitator itself uses the board only for various external inputs, not using the soldered antenna. The cogitator itself was simply a huge repository of authorization commands.


    Ezok counted more than ten logins and passwords in the instructions for the mechanicus, and the cogitator divided functions between different accounts. Changing the password was impossible, and verification was performed at the hardware level.


    He could try to resolder the board to change passwords, but he could not even try to circumvent restrictions. The antivirus functions could not be disabled, and antivirus processor resource consumption was around 70%.


    The psyker could assume that trying to write malicious software will be bad choice. The cogitator was constantly looking for viruses and violations in the hardware settings.


    Connecting to the hive network was only possible to receive news, and there were no commands to send data. Ezok was sure this limitation was related to not knowing the right login and password. With the right login and password he could send data over the network.


    If earlier he had only dealt with radios and primitive alarms, now he was studying a computer in the Warhammer world for the first time.


    His game with the cogitator brought an unexpected result. He thought about the possible vulnerability of all devices existing in the Imperium.


    Logins and passwords were the basis of the Mechanicus'' power over technology. The device''s functions were inaccessible without logins and passwords, and repairs were impossible without a password and login to reset the data.


    The network that connected the devices was very extensive, he remembered that in books it was mentioned that the Mechanicus could take control of robots that located in another solar system.


    The power of the tech-priests was held up by logins and passwords, and if he got those passwords, with luck he could turn off entire Imperial armies.


    For a psyker like him, this was an opportunity to create a fake Inquisition ID or authorized psyker sanction.


    Eleanor watched as her brother was still messing with the cogitator. She could not understand where he got so much love for mechanisms from.


    Ignoring him, she continued sewing her clothes. There was old men''s armor in the house, enough for her new combat suit.


    The lack of knee pads had already been a problem on the last mission, she had to heal her knees, and shrapnel protection would allow her not to fear servitors so much. These creatures constantly interfered with them stealing supplies.

 Chapter 4 - Whispers

    The brother and sister had been living in the middle hive''s undercity for three weeks now. Each week they moved to a different abandoned hab unit to hide in - this time in a filthy, cramped room with a rusty bunk bed and no plumbing.


    Raiding the food stores was easy - they just picked the locks and took as much meat as they could carry. And so once again Ezok and Eleanor cautiously made their way through the narrow alleys of the mid-hive slums. Each carried two bulging bags full of supplies from their latest "shopping trip." They had grown used to pilfering stockpiles of provisions - Eleanor''s hypnosis skills and Ezok''s biomancy allowed them to sneak in anywhere undetected.


    This time Ezok had gotten careless and only brought along an autopistol, planning to find a new cart before heading back. They''d left their old cart with Marr, and there was no way to lug all the goods in just the bags.


    The sector was eerily quiet and deserted. Dim light from flickering lamps illuminated the grimy walls covered in mold and filth. There were almost no hab units here, only storage facilities and abandoned workshops - the perfect place to disappear from prying eyes.


    LASSHOT


    SCREAMS


    LASSHOTS


    Ezok halted abruptly, drawing his pistol. He and Eleanor exchanged worried glances. Who else could have wandered into the depths of the underhive? Rival gangs dividing turf? Moving cautiously, trying not to make any noise, they crept closer.


    Around the corner they discovered two children - a boy and girl no more than ten - desperately trying to rouse their parents. A group of six soldiers in carapace armor stood guard over two nobles.


    The aristocrats were resplendent in lavish finery. The man wore a voluminous purple velvet robe embroidered with gold and glittering gems, an immense chain with the Imperial aquila resting on his shoulders. The woman had on an exquisite ivory gown with lace collar and long train, hands dripping with diamond and emerald rings, hair neatly coiffed and crowned by a pearl diadem.


    Their escort consisted of six seasoned troops in gleaming blue armor etched with the symbol of the Imperial Guard - a mark of the Imperium''s might. Each carried a lasgun at the ready, prepared to defend their masters at a moment''s notice.


    "Bow faster, you wretch! Does stupidity run in your dirty blood?" one of the soldiers barked at the children. "How dare you keep his lordship waiting!"


    The kids immediately fell to their knees, pressing foreheads to the ground. Fear paralyzed their thoughts, instinct guiding their actions.


    "Ha, pathetic mongrel spawn! Know your place!" another guard laughed derisively.


    Just then he noticed Ezok and Eleanor observing from the shadows.


    "You there, halt! Who are you and what''s your business here?!"


    The soldier leveled his lasgun at them. Ezok quickly stashed his pistol in his coat.


    They shuffled out meekly from around the corner and dropped to their knees.


    "Esteemed nobles, please forgive the intrusion!" Ezok said, bowing with Eleanor.


    "We''re just humble slum dwellers, meaning no trouble," Eleanor added, avoiding eye contact with the aristocrats.


    But as she bent down, the laspistol hidden under her skirt came into view. One guard instantly spotted it.


    "She''s armed! The wretch has a weapon!" he yelled, raising his lasgun.


    LASSHOT


    A deafening blast rang out and Eleanor crumpled to the ground, chest ripped open by the searing beam. Crimson blood gushed onto her tattered dress.


    Ezok watched in horror.


    "Eleanor! No!"


    SCREAMS


    The captain wanted to berate the fool underling. This would give the lady nightmares. Killing mongrels was normal, but murdering children left a bad taste.


    Ezok quickly used his psychic abilities to staunch Eleanor''s bleeding. Then he pulled a grenade from his pocket and thumbed the detonator. The air around him instantly chilled and the troops were gripped by uncertainty and lethargy.


    The noble lady leaned into her betrothed''s shoulder and angrily chastised him.


    All were momentarily distracted and failed to notice the metallic cylinder rolling towards them from the shadows. The humans simply saw Ezok cry his sister''s name and weep.


    "How did uncle allow the rabble to acquire arms?! I shall have words with..."


    "Grenade!" one soldier shouted.


    One guard managed to raise his lasgun and fired at Ezok, but he shielded himself just in time with the bag of canned food he was carrying.


    BOOM


    A deafening explosion shredded the legs of three soldiers. Shrapnel ripped through the rest, eliciting screams of agony. The concussive force dazed them, preventing any resistance. Ears rang incessantly and the nobleman vomited up his breakfast.


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    Ezok had already used his biomancy to prepare for the blast - his body was riddled with shrapnel but he avoided the contusion.


    Rage awakened within psyker. He focused his biomancy, temporarily stabilizing the lacerations. Now he had to flee this place quickly. He took aim with the autopistol.


    Gunshot


    The young soldier who had grasped his head collapsed, life extinguished permanently.


    Gunshots


    Three soldiers found relief from the pain, severed legs troubling them no more.


    Gunshots


    The two bluebloods were left forever in the filth of the slums.


    Gunshots


    The remaining guards had almost grabbed their lasguns before the contusion claimed them.


    Ezok dropped his pistol and bags of food. None of that mattered now. He rushed to Eleanor, gently lifting her into his arms. Her blood soaked his clothes but he didn''t care.


    Her breath came in weak, ragged gasps. He channeled his biomancy, trying desperately to heal her. But her life force continued to slip away.


    Panic and despair gripped him. He couldn''t lose his sister - his only family in this cruel universe. Ezok clutched Eleanor tightly to his chest and ran as fast as he could.


    His feet pounded the narrow alleys back to their sector. Ezok took care not to jostle Eleanor, constantly using biomancy to keep her from bleeding out. By the time he reached their modest shelter - a tiny shack on the edge of the manufactorum district - her skin had gone pale and clammy.


    He burst inside and gently laid her on the bed. Blood flowed freely now and she convulsed violently. Ezok knew if he didn''t tap into his healing powers immediately, his sister would perish. After examining the wound, he realized the lasgun had ruptured her stomach.


    All thoughts of stealth and caution vanished. Ezok focused intently, channeling the full might of his biomancy into healing. An azure glow enveloped her body, sealing the injury and staunching the blood flow.


    But his actions were crude and brute force. Nearby psykers flinched as a shockwave rippled through the warp. The barrier between realms weakened perilously and frost crept across Ezok''s skin. Voices in his mind crescendoed and denizens of the immaterium took notice of the young psychic.


    Yet Ezok never broke concentration, wholly fixed on healing Eleanor. After arriving in the Warhammer universe, he had studied human anatomy and treated injuries before, but never damage to internal organs.


    Soon he finished mending the wound...       HEALED


    But his sister only grew weaker. No more bleeding or visible damage remained. He had replaced all the ruined tissue!


    For the first time, Ezok felt the acute lack of biological knowledge and medical equipment. And experience treating people.


    Darkness threatened to engulf his mind. Whispers of Chaos demons echoed, promising to save Eleanor in exchange for his soul. They spoke of tremendous power - the ability to heal any wound and return souls from the brink of death.


    But Ezok resisted temptation. He knew any bargain with daemons would only doom them both.


    The whispers continued, yet he forced their presence to the edge of his psyche. The demons eagerly awaited any moment of vulnerability.


    Time was running out. Ezok grabbed the laspistol and rushed outside. He needed the aid of the living, not the dead.


    He sprinted through the nighttime streets searching for anyone. Beggars and wretches shuffled nearby. Ezok only needed one to save Eleanor.


    Eventually he spotted a tottering old man. Without hesitation, Ezok aimed the pistol at his gut and fired, careful to avoid vital organs. The elder crumpled with a cry of pain, he forcefully stunned the old man with telepathy.


    Ezok rushed to him and put his hands to the wound, concentrating his strength. A blue glow enveloped the old man''s body, stopping the bleeding. But as soon as Ezok tried to repair the damaged tissues, the old man began to choke and convulsively grab the air with his mouth.


    Ezok realized he lacked the anatomical and physiological knowledge to properly heal internal organs. The old man''s symptoms closely mirrored Eleanor''s. Drawing a knife, he sliced open the man''s abdomen and studied the stomach using biomancy.


    He quickly identified the issue - the thermal damage from the lasgun beam was difficult to detect. Ezok had only healed dead tissue, but a significant portion of the stomach was burned. He continued experimenting on the dying elder, searching for any possible injuries. Then he left the man and raced back to the hab unit.


    In his haste, Ezok didn''t even notice the dozens of onlookers he had attracted. Reaching his sister, he found rapid heartbeat, breathing, sweating, a temperature of 35 degrees, pale and clammy skin. She was declining rapidly but still alive. Ezok immediately began treating her.


    This time he successfully stabilized the trauma, yet his sister remained unconcious. He could sense her greatly weakened state.


    Ezok relaxed momentarily before the unnatural chill registered. He had grossly disturbed the warp. The psyker wanted to rest but his foresight was already screaming of catastrophe.


    The whispers in his mind crescendoed into mounting demonic wails. Chaotic entities cried out disjointedly, speaking over one another:


    "They come, they are here!"


    "Doomed, doomed, doomed. The gift brings only ruin."


    "Flee, flee into shadow! Hide in darkness!"


    The temperature around him dropped again, a thin rime of frost covering the floor beneath his feet.


    "No, do not run! Stand and fight! Let us into your soul!"


    A crack ripped open in the air nearby. Pulsing violet light seeped into reality.


    "Hurry, time slips away! They scent your fear, your weakness!"


    Ezok clutched his head, trying to drown out the piercing shrieks. But the daemons only laughed at his torment:


    "We hear the pounding of your heart! It beats loudly, giving you away!"


    "Accept our offer before it''s too late. Then we shall save both you and your sister!"


    Something was crossing over, he could distinctly feel tendrils of violet mist snake through the fissure.


    Ezok looked around wildly and spotted the single-shot grenade launcher Uncle Shram had gifted him. Agonizing pain split his skull but he grabbed the weapon and aimed it at the tear. The bed where his sister lay was about ten meters away - he positioned himself between her and the rupture.


    "Return to the warp!"


    The whispers continued unrelentingly.


    "Do not fire."


    "This is foolishness."


    "Change comes..."


    BTOOOM


    A deafening blast wave knocked him off his feet and hurled him back onto the bed frame where Eleanor lay. Piercing ringing completely robbed his hearing. He instinctively raised his hands to shield his head but it did little to prevent the contusion. The room spun dizzyingly around him and he vomited bile onto the floor.


    Abrupt stabbing pain assailed his head, forcing him to curl up and clutch his temples in a futile attempt to alleviate the unbearable torment. It felt as if his skull would shatter from the pressure at any moment.


    Everything swam blurred and doubled before his eyes. Ezok tried to focus his vision and survey the room but sharp agony in his eyeballs made him squeeze them shut. He felt warm wetness trickling down his cheeks - debris had damaged his eyes.


    Through the ringing in his ears he could barely make out his own ragged, halting breaths. Air was critically lacking but he couldn''t fully inhale with cracked ribs from impacting the bed frame. He coughed and blood filled his mouth.


    Ezok attempted to raise a hand to feel for Eleanor but found himself completely paralyzed, lying in a pool of his own vomit and blood.


    The whispers ceased, the unnatural chill abated. He lost all concept of time, fading in and out of consciousness.


    Suddenly muffled footsteps reached his ears - someone was heading straight for them. Ezok desperately tried to tap into his powers but only a choking rasp emerged from his throat.


    The door burst open and shadowy figures in uniform stormed inside, shouting incomprehensibly and waving weapons. Then a rifle butt slammed into his temple and blessed oblivion claimed him...


    Right at the end, he felt a terrible yawning void, as if something was siphoning away his mind.

 Chapter 5

    Ezok slowly regained consciousness. His head was splitting with pain, and his body felt like lead ¨C he could barely move. Through half-closed eyelids, Ezok examined the room he was in.


    It was an abandoned warehouse, retrofitted into some sort of barracks. Bare metal walls, rows of cots lining the walls, a few tables in the middle. The tables were littered with various weapons, tools, and some medical devices. The air reeked of harsh chemicals.


    A tall, gaunt man in his thirties stood next to Ezok''s cot, wearing a plain black robe. His short dark hair was disheveled, and his face and hands were covered in numerous scars. The man''s eyes were a piercing blue, and a faint ripple of cold emanated from his skin. "A psyker," Ezok realized.


    The man noticed Ezok stirring awake.


    "Finally coming around, are you?" the stranger said in a low, gravelly voice. "Name''s Kosek. I run this sanctuary for our kind. We had to knock you out when we found your dwelling. You caused quite the power disturbance with your power bursts."


    Ezok tried to sit up, grunting hoarsely at the pain in his ribs.


    "Where...where is my sister?" he croaked barely audibly.


    "You might tell me your name first, seeing as I''m a psyker as well," Kosek said as sparks of lightning danced across his hand, followed by a proud smirk.


    "Where is Eleanore?!" Ezok exclaimed, his telepathic aura flaring up around the psyker and making Kosek take note of the boy''s capabilities.


    "Easy now, she''s fine, resting in the next room over. The girl said your name is Ezok. My people gave her medical aid. Now, in the name of Gold Amosek, what in the trash did you do? Why did you kill those nobles and their guards?"


    Ezok leaned back into his pillow, the exertion draining him. He began recounting to Kosek the events leading up to this - how he and his sister had been raiding warehouses, their confrontation with the nobles and guards, and how Eleanore had nearly died at their hands. Then he told of how he almost lost control over the whispers.


    Kosek pondered this and decided to share his thoughts. "Well, whispers of change do tend to herald unexpected coincidences..."


    "This was no mere happenstance," Ezok finished heavily, still tense. "Damn daemons..."


    Ezok even began slightly lowering the temperature around himself.


    "Daemons? Is that what you call the whispers?" Kosek mused over the odd term.


    "Well, servants of the Archenemy, daemons or spawn of chaos - call them what you will," Ezok quickly explained. These terms were no secret, often touted by the Ecclesiarchy. Though no one would actually use the term daemon.


    Kosek shrugged. "Not one for holy books myself, but alright then. Let me introduce you to our modest little band."


    He whistled loudly, summoning the other inhabitants of the sanctuary.


    "Ezok, meet the members of our small commune of outcasts and rejects. I hope you''ll get along."


    First approached a tall, skinny man with twitching, convulsing limbs. His entire body trembled with constant minute spasms.


    "This here is Gorsa," Kosek introduced. "Poor sod ate a whisper a few years back, drove him bonkers. Though he sees souls real well now and can manipulate fire."


    "GRAAAKaaa..." Sparks flew from the man''s hands, radiating danger.


    "Yeah, cool that eating the whisper let you master flame. He likes to show off, the cheeky bastard." Kosek smacked his comrade upside the head. "Stop spooking the newbie."


    The fire extinguished, but Ezok could still sense the lingering warp taint left by the flames. It reminded him of the violet mists he had encountered recently.


    Next approached a woman with four arms and strange chitinous skin resembling an insect''s carapace.


    "And this is Raya, our resident medic," Kosek introduced her.


    "A pleasure to meet you," Raya rasped, extending all four palms towards Ezok. "Eleanore needs rest like you. Though I must say, your healing talent is rather good. You did well patching the girl up."


    Unsure which hand to shake, Ezok noticed a faint smile creep onto the woman''s face.


    "Thank you for the help," Ezok replied weakly, clasping her many hands. Raya seemed odd but friendly.


    "Well, we psykers ought to aid each other," she said, examining the boy''s wounds again. "You have a remarkable regenerative ability, but you''ve still lost a lot of blood. Kosek, give him a double ration."


    Kosek shrugged and muttered "Damn bossy women." He then called over a youth whose body was covered in writhing, grasping tentacles.


    "This here''s Aleksey, our youngest psyker. Though I suppose you and your sister are the babies now. Kid''s powers are sloppy but he tries to pitch in when he can."


    "Great to meet you!" Aleksey exclaimed cheerfully, vigorously shaking Ezok''s hand. "I hope we can be friends! I love making new connections."


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Despite everything, Ezok couldn''t help a small smile at the young mutant''s earnest enthusiasm.


    Finally, Kosek beckoned over a tall, slender woman with piercing serpentine eyes.


    "And this is Shen, our resident witch. She can control the whispers better than anyone."


    "Witch? What do you mean?" Ezok was immediately on guard - this woman exuded a strange aura.


    "I do not fear what others dread," Shen declared haughtily. "To me, the whispers are tools, not enemies. I make them serve my bidding."


    A chill ran down Ezok''s spine at her words. He could not stay in a place with daemon worshippers for long. The other psykers noticed his hostile mood.


    "Ooo, got a problem with me, boy?"


    Kosek rolled his eyes in annoyance at Shen. "Kid''s no fool. Your heretical leanings make him wary, as they should."


    The woman traced a finger along the leader''s chest. "Naive Kosek, I don''t meddle in your quaint faith that a rotting corpse on a throne will save your wretched souls." She noticed Kosek''s lack of reaction and lost interest.


    Shen turned her gaze back to the boy. "Tell me child, do you believe in the Emperor?"


    Ezok glanced around at the other psykers. They seemed unafraid of the woman, watching with interest as she baited him. With no weapon, Ezok felt helpless.


    "Boring..."


    The woman fell silent, but Ezok could still sense the aura of corruption radiating from her. The warp barrier around the woman pulsed erratically.


    Kosek grimaced. Shen was a very unconventional yet necessary ally for survival, even if she was a heretic - she was a psyker like them first and foremost...


    "Well, that''s the core of our group. The other psykers I''ve taken in lack real skill, just able to nudge a cup of water or heal scratches. Our little band calls ourselves the Orange Elephants, the toughest crew in this sector."


    Kosek struck a pretentious pose and haughtily declared, before giving the boy a patronizing smile.


    "We psykers ought to stick together, so I''m inviting you and your sister to join my crew," the man extended his hand towards Ezok. "Let''s go kill all the bastards who look down on us freaks!"


    Ezok was uncertain about clasping this gang leader''s hand, and still unsure whether to trust the heretical woman. But he had little choice - he desperately needed shelter. These people had helped him and Eleanore.


    "Pleased to meet you all," Ezok said sincerely. "Thank you for taking me and my sister in. I hope we can be of aid to each other." The boy shook Kosek''s hand.


    After the introductions, the group left Ezok to rest in the room.


    "You need to recover after everything that''s happened. Get some rest for now, I''ll keep an eye on you," Kosek said, sitting down on a chair nearby and taking out a tattered book.


    Ezok nodded gratefully and sank back into the pillow, exhaustion overtaking him. Sleep came swiftly.


    Some time later, he awoke to soft footsteps. His sister Eleanore stood by his cot, pale and haggard but looking much improved overall.


    "Brother, how are you feeling?" she asked softly, sitting on the edge of the cot and taking his hand.


    "Much better, don''t worry. I''m just glad you''re alright," Ezok reassured her, happy to see his sister recovering.


    The girl gave a thankful smile in return. Then her gaze fell upon Kosek, who had put his book aside and was watching them.


    "Thank you so much for the help," Eleanore said earnestly.


    Kosek smiled, then spoke in annoyance:


    "Girl, stop using hypnosis. It may be habit but I find it quite rude."


    "Sorry..." Eleanore tried to stop her involuntary hypnosis.


    "It''s fine, just watch your gifts. We''re all psykers here, no need to be on edge with us."


    He looked thoughtfully at the girl:


    "You two are strong - but have much to learn in controlling your powers. Shen could help with that."


    Ezok objected unhappily.


    "She''s a heretic!" His words sounded to Kosek like fear and unwillingness to involve himself with the woman.


    "Well, as you see, she''s not wearing a human skin coat or trying to eat people or burn strange symbols into her flesh. If she frightens you so, I can teach you to handle your psyker gifts myself."


    Ezok forced a crooked smile. No matter how this psyker lea


    "Brother..."


    SIGH


    "So what will we do once we''ve recovered?"


    Kosek slapped his thighs.


    "Good question. You can work logistics, theft, robbery, manufacturing - whatever suits your talents." Kosek paused before continuing.


    "Our gang deals in stealing and selling servitors. We need people who can repair flesh and machine. People who can infiltrate warehouses and take control of servitors. People who can kill any bastard getting in our way. For the last, we buy autoguns but I aim to set up our own production."


    The man winked at the girl. "Your sister says you two are the best thieves around, and you seem adept at cogitator hacking."


    Ezok nodded, then stated confidently: "True, we''re not useless. Can we work on servitor repair? I''ve no wish to get caught in firefights again..."


    Kosek grinned wickedly.


    "First you''ll aid dealing with the mess you''ve landed us in," the man tossed an old book onto the boy''s bed. "The Adeptus Arbites are sending a punitive force!"


    Ezok and Eleanore exchanged bewildered glances. Neither understood how they could help.


    "Even if you''re kids, you''ll need to participate in slaying the hunters." Eleanore couldn''t hold back: "What are hunters?"


    Kosek shrugged and explained very slowly:


    "They come with the governor''s men. Witch hunters sense when we use our powers, ours don''t affect them. Hunters suck you dry like a sweet drink. Hunters are nasty beasts constantly seeking out psykers. No one they''ve caught has been found again." Bitterness and hatred seeped into Kosek''s words, unconcealed resentment. "We take no hunter prisoners, though death''s too good for those bastards... Best they don''t fall into my hands alive."


    The man''s thoughts shifted, deciding to enlighten the two teenagers about their role in the coming battle.


    "The governor''s forces will be here in a week, so Aleksey will teach you to work the mortar. Can you foretell? Use scrapcode? Handle heavy weapons?"


    Eleanore uncertainly volunteered: "I can foresee, but not very well." "I can access cogitators but lack practice."


    Kosek looked quite pleased. "Well, the mortar doesn''t need great accuracy, and the governor''s dogs use standard Adeptus Arbites tactics. Three other gangs will join us, you two just need to hit the enemy with the mortar so we can defend effectively. Your brother will take ballistic data from our servo-skull. Aleksey will teach you all you need to know. The Green Groxes gang will bring autoguns and heavy stabbers. You both can heal, so physically stronger than normals - you''ll handle the mortar fine."


    Ezok looked distrustfully at Kosek.


    "Mortar, heavy stabber, autogun!!? Gang warfare in the lower levels is different..."


    Kosek bared his teeth in a bloodthirsty grin, then waved dismissively. "We''ve nothing to fear. The governor only changed two years back. We pay tithes to the local nobles - the more noise the gangs kick up, the faster the governors cycle out."


    "Cool," said Eleanore, clearly liking how the gang operated.


    Ezok still had some doubts, his main concern being safety. Kosek suddenly glared in annoyance at Eleanore.


    "Stop trying to hypnotize me!"


    "Sorry!" Eleanore jerked in surprise, for the first time suppressing her gift. Kosek sighed and opined: "Sometimes our gifts bring more trouble than they''re worth..."


    "Alright, you two rest today. Find Aleksey tomorrow and start practicing with the mortar. Survive the hunter battle, and I''ll assign you to work with logistics."


    Kosek got up and left the room, leaving the siblings perplexed.