I love it. And it reminds me I need a go bag.

"Anteater Eight, dropping from FTL into system M12768-P4 in 3, 2, 1. Realspace achieved. All systems nominal, no Ascendant ships on the scope. Proceeding with flyby of planet 2. Reentering FTL in T minus fourty five." Jackson spoke cooly into the mic, his transmission being broadcast through quantum entanglement back to the twelfth fleet.

A similarly cool voice replied, "Confirmed, on mission, FTL in T minus fourty five."

The Realspace quad engine of his system hopper roared to life with fusion fed tail of flame and hellfire, the internal dampers kicking in a moment later. Long enough of a delay for Casey "Geode" Jackson to feel seven g's before settling back down to earth normal one g.

Fourty minutes later Jackson began preparations for entering FTL again, shoving his disappointment down for finding another life incompatible planet.

"Anti-matter containment nominal. Reaction chamber magnetics nominal. Antimatter pump nominal." Jackson talked through the checklist, a habit he developed in training after forgetting a step in a simulator and getting chewed out by his instructors for hours afterwords. Had it been real, he very well could have caused his ship to explode, something he was keen on never repeating again.

Jackson gripped the FTL grip and was about to slide it forward when his computer beeped, "anomoly found." the emotionless voice intoned. Jackson hesitated, the last anomoly turned out to be an unusually metal rich asteroid. Useful, but not what they were looking for. A nagging feeling lodged itself in his head, though, and he took his hand off the grip.

"Ant Nest One, this is Anteater Eight. My computer has found an anomoly, canceling FTL to investigate." Jackson glanced at the scope before responding, "ETA to anomoly thirty four minutes. Will do a fly by then enter FTL to the next system T plus five."

"Anteater Eight, acknowledged. New FTL T minus thirty nine. Better not be another asteroid this time." Jackson let himself smile. Despite the desperate war for survival against the Ascendant, a little human brevity was still welcome.

Thirty minutes later

"Ant Nest One, canceling FTL in T minus nine. You're not going to believe this." Even though the anomoly was still thousands of kicks away, his sensor suite was able to get a clear picture. He sent the telemetry back to the Talon, his mother ship.

"Ant Eater Eight, you're right, we don't believe this. Is that what we think it is?"

"Unless my computer somehow lost its mind, we're staring at an artificial structure. A ship by the looks of it. Going to increase my flyby distance to five thousand klicks, but circle it a few times."

"Acknowledged, orders from on high, do not approach any closer. Ant Nest and the rest of the fleet will be en route in t minus fifty. ETA t minus one sixty."

"Acknowledged Ant Nest. Proceeding as ordered."

At seven thousand klicks his computers threat alarm went crazy, energy from the alien ship was being directed at his scout. Before he could react every screen in his cockpit flickered before displaying strange symbols. Without his input the scout ship turned and increased speed for the ship.

Training kicked in, "Shit. Uh.. OK, throttle back engine." nothing changed. "next, flip the main breaker to off, followed by the power distribution main switch." the ship and all it's systems remained on.

"Feking fly by wire bullshit." he exclaimed. "ugh don't make me pull the fuses. I feking told fleet after the last war with the Conglomerate that we needed physical power switches for when those bastards hacked out ship computers. The fly by wire was too easy to override." Jackson experimented with several other switches and systems, all having no effect. Letting our a small roar of frustration he pushed himself against the canopy in the fighter like cockpit to give him access to the fuse box behind the pilots chair.

It took some contorting and straining, but a minute later Jackson plopped back into his seat with a triumphant grin aimed at the handful of fuses now in his gloved hand. The ship did power down and the fusion chamber went into safe mode. Seconds later a purple beam struck the fighter, bathing the small cockpit in an eerie light. The ships systems all flickered back to life, momentarily followed by the fusion engines roaring back to life.

"What the fek?!" Jackson exclaimed. He was at a loss of what to do. He considered then rejected ejecting and resigned himself to whatever fate awaited him on the strange ship.

"Papa, please, let's just go." Issy whispered to me, tugging at my arm like she'd done since she was just big enough to reach it.

"RAZOR! GIVE HER BACK!" Dancing Blades boomed from the broken door to my lair, her voice deep with rage. I'd rarely heard her like this - doing nothing to feminize her testosterone-induced voice. Usually I called it a win when I got her to lose control like this, but right now I was very, very confused.

"Hun, I have no clue what she's on about." I patted Issy's hand and watched the door to my inner sanctum as I heard Dancing Blades storming closer. My minions knew to clear out - I didn't want any of them getting hurt in these clashes. "I think this is a misunderstanding we can just clear up."

A light blipped over the door, and I telekenetically placed Issy in the safe bubble along the wall. All my people knew of these bubbles - they'd let anybody with one of my tags in and protect them from basically anything up to and including a bomb and the complete collapse of the building - we'd tried.

The doors blew off their hinges - really, they were designed to - made for the most satisfying entrances for the heroes, and saved a bundle on replacement costs when they could just be slotted back into their place.

"YOU! HOW DARE YOU!" Suddenly Dancing Blades looked over at Issy, and her voice changed to one of concern. "Lissandra, are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

My eyebrows flew up, and I turned to Issy as well. "Issy?" I asked.

Issy looked down at her feet, suddenly appearing very sheepish.

I turned back to Dancing Blades. "Truce?" I asked, keeping my body relaxed and my hands by my sides.

She pointed her main sword at me. "Release her."

I raised my hand slowly, and beckoned Issy out of the bubble. She stepped forwards, wringing her hands and not looking at either of us. "You should know that everyone in one of my bubbles is free to leave at any time." I could see hesitation flicker across Dancing Blade's face. I knew she assumed I kept my people here with force and threats, or that they were morally corrupt and just as evil as me. I wasn't sure she was ready for the truth, but Issy had somewhat forced my hand.

"Please, sit." I moved slowly, waving my hand between us and raising the table built into the floor. It was a low table, with cushions tucked into cubbies beneath it - I wanted any guests to know that their seat would not fall out from under them.

Issy moved to the table and pulled out a cushion first, dropping it to the floor and sitting cross-legged on it. I followed her example, continuing to move slowly, waving for Dancing Blades to take the seat across from me.

Dancing Blades looked between the two of us and sheathed her sword. Still cautious, she moved over to the table and pulled out one of the cushions, dropping it to the floor and settling on it with a bit of fumbling. Clearly Issy hadn't yet gotten her used to floor tables.

"So, is there something you'd like to tell us?" I asked Issy.

"Um, Papa, this is my girlfriend, Leanna. Leanna, this is my father, Wally, and yes, it is based on Wall-E." Issy kept her eyes on her clasped hands. "Please don't fight."

"A pleasure to meet you." I said, keeping my voice calm and light. I was rather proud of Issy - by giving us both the other's legal name, she kept the playing field even.

"You can't be serious." Leanna said, her gaze moving between us.

"Unfortunately, she's quite serious." I replied.

"But you said your father's dead!" Leanna started to rise in burgeoning anger.

"Her biological father is dead - and her mother." I gestured for Leanna to sit back down. "I adopted her and have raised her since she was 5."

"But -"

"This doesn't have to change anything." I offered.

"WHAT?" Leanna's voice shot into her highest register with the exclamation.

"You can still barge in here and we can fight whenever you're pressured to deal with me or whatever." I shrugged, then looked towards the entry where a few of my people were poking their heads in. I waved to them. "You might as well put the doors back up." I called over.

Leanna turned and watched as my people picked up the two halves of the doors and slotted them back into place.

"Ball and socket hinges." I commented absently. "They blow off quite nicely, but the weight of the door keeps them in place if you're using them in a polite manner."

"I am so confused." Leanna complained.

"Fair enough." I shrugged. "Really, I just have one question for both of you."

Issy looked up, suddenly very suspicious.

"Are you using protection?"

"Daaaaaaaad!" Issy buried her face in her hands.

"Yes." Leanna replied calmly. "We're using protection."

"Good." I smiled. "Everything else can be worked out over time."

I paused, looking between them, then thought of something. "Oh. Let me know if my taunting you until you drop your voice is causing you any distress. I can pull back on that."

"I -" Leanna looked at me with shock in her eyes. "I'll let you know. I'm not sure how I feel right now."

"That's fine. Tell me at any time." I reached across the table and held my hand out. "Welcome to the family, young lady."

Fair enough

That's beautiful

Thank you! I have... no idea where I got the idea of a body-snatching being who's been around for centuries, but it sure did pop into my head, and I sure did have a fun time writing it! If I get the chance, maybe I'll write other... similar characters.

In Two’s This water drama continues…wo he tips, wo he toes, wo he gets Holy water in his nose but why, nobody knows or where he goes, and yet he looks for someone no one knows, who wears flowers everywhere she goes, yet how tonight our feast glows in chainsweat moon light prepared down to pin and stripe of that raging moon, drugfull night she calls us all, who hears my starlit kite, howling the forest so bright, our fangs a gleaming fright, her fathers eyes her fathers might, for a few hours we have to get this right, Rage, Rage, Rage, my night shades plight. ©

Por que no los dos?

This isn’t a prompt, it’s a joke

"Honey, you're not... dating Freight Train, are you?"

Azadeh shook her head frantically, her braided hair whipping back and forth. A more cynical parent would've assumed she was lying to cover her ass, but I knew my daughter; she didn't play games when it came to my line of work. I sighed, traded my white chocolate latte for my sword, and got off the couch as I remarked, "So much for mother-daughter time."

Freight Train knocked down the door to the sunroom, prompting a pair of robotic ravens to shoot out from the ceiling and catch it before it could crush anything else. As the ravens started putting the door back in place, Freight Train pointed his finger at me and growled, "Let her go, Dr. Valkyrie. Now."

"No self-respecting parent would let their kid anywhere near someone who just broke into their house. Now back the fuck up."

Freight Train looked at Azadeh. "You're her daughter?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

Azadeh whimpered and hid behind me--something she hadn't done since she was five years old. My expression turned stone-cold as I asked her, "What did he do to you?"

Azadeh gulped before shakily replying, "W--We went on a date at the s--start of the month. We got d--dinner, and when he got up to use the b--bathroom, he got a text, and I saw the background on his phone. It...It was a picture of me. I panicked, and g--got into his phone like you taught me, and there were--" Azadeh let out a terrified sob and finished, "There were so many fucking pictures of me."

I turned back to Freight Train and yelled, "You've been stalking my fucking KID?!?!"

Freight Train growled. "Shut up! If she'd told me who her mother is, I never would've--"

"YOU'RE TRYING TO PIN THE BLAME ON HER?!! Oh, that is it, you sick fuck! I'm done putting up with you!!"

I snapped my fingers, prompting an automated turret to pop out of the wall and blast Freight Train with an almost blindingly white beam. Freight Train fell to his knees, struggling to articulate his words as I strolled over to him. After I had Azadeh close her eyes, I kneeled down next to him and hissed, "Hurts, doesn't it? That's the Pertho Gun, whittling away your life force into nothing. Clearing you out like the namesake rune."

Freight Train's breathing turned heavy as I poked my sword against his back. "I had this built a while ago, right around the time you got onto the scene. Never used it until now because I had hoped we could have some degree of professionalism between us. But then you did this. So you know what? No more."

I turned off the Pertho Gun and plunged my sword into Freight Train's back before he could recover. I dragged the blade along his spine to ensure he wouldn't survive and let out a whistle once I was done. My genetically-enhanced wolves trotted into the room and started ripping up Freight Train's body as I walked back over to Azadeh and softly said, "It's over, honey. You can open your eyes again if you want."

Azadeh opened her eyes slowly and collapsed into my chest. "Can I...can I stay here tonight? I don't feel good enough to go back to campus."

I tenderly held Azadeh's head and replied, "Of course, kiddo. You stay here as long as you need."

that ending was awesome

Can’t wait! Good night, DistinguishedSloth.

Part 1

She should be here any minute now. I sat, tapping my foot restlessly against the smooth, natural oak planks that covered the living room floor. Who would have thought that landing on your feet from a 73-story building could cause some long-term nerve damage? Or could it be something else? Nope, definitely the nerves—The door-bell chimed, echoing and bouncing against the white walls that formed the four-bed suburban house.

It felt like I had been swept by a tsunami of emotion. Standing there, in the open doorway, was my whole world. A world which I had left behind.

“Hello, Bubs”, I said, unable to contain my smile.

“Don’t call me that.”

Refusing to make eye-contact, Andrea strode inside and perched herself on the edge of the cream coloured couch, folding her arms tightly against her chest as if creating an invisible forcefield. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Understandable, considering how long it had been since we last saw each other. Her hazel-green eyes had become more weathered, icy even.

“How’s University?”

Painful silence. Nothing I don’t deserve and exactly what I should have expected.

“Fine”, muttered Andrea quietly, scowling at me.

At least she glanced in my general direction. I guess that could be considered progress.

“Look, Andrea, I understand how difficult this must be for you to—"

“Understand”, Andrea scoffed.

She’s right. I don’t understand, how could I – we haven’t spoken in so long. She’s come here for a reason, it’s important she says what’s on her mind. I slowly walked over and occupied a seat across from her, separated by the mahogany coffee table her mother had gifted me years ago. Each second felt like an hour, transporting me to a world I had long locked away. Andrea looked up as if to speak, then taped her mouth shut and turned her gaze to the floor. We continued to sit in silence.

“You left me. Mum died… and you left me”, she let out a sniffle as the sentence cut its way through the icy atmosphere. The truth I had turned my back to penetrated my heart like a dagger.

“I know. I’m sorry”, barely audible above my growing guilt. The guilt that had been sealed off in the deepest chasm of my soul.

“I was angry Andrea, I wanted revenge, it…”, my throat thickened.

“It consumed me and I didn’t care who or what got in my way… I would have burned the world… and I couldn’t let you near me – you’d only end up like your mother.”

“You left me all alone dad”, a single tear appeared, clouding the edge of her black eyeliner.

True, nothing will change that.

Part 2

Against the deafening silence, I heard it. A low whistling in the distance; probably a few miles away. I stood up.

“Andrea, stand behind me”, voice hoarse with sorrow as I ushered her up off the sofa.

“No. What are you talking about?” Andrea replied in a puzzled tone.

The whistling had grown louder, the noise definitely seemed to be travelling toward us. I thought I left this life behind. Tied up any loose ends. No-one knows I’m here. I thought it was safe to invite you over, to try and rebuild our broken bond, Andrea.

My blood began to boil, I tensed and flared each and every muscle fibre throughout my body.

“Andrea, get behind me now!”, I said in a breathy, panicked yell.

The whistling was almost deafening, as if it was hovering right above us. She darted a pair of sceptical eyes towards me, but followed.

“Where is she?!” Boomed an orotund voice from above.

My thoughts started to race. She? Andrea…? No, surely not. What could you possibly want from my daughter…?

Across the room collapsed a large part of ceiling. I pushed Andrea to the floor as she let out a yelp and shielded her against the ricocheting chunks of metal, wood and plasterboard. If only she’d inherited my crystalline skin.

“Are you hurt?” I whispered to her, scanning the room.

She shook her head from side-to-side, face pale with shock.

My attention switched to the young man slowly levitating down through the gaping hole in the ceiling. He had long blonde hair, with streaks of silver. His lean, oval face was lined with fury. A long, faded scar followed his hollow cheeks. I’d recognise that face anywhere. Roland ‘Valiant’ Ross, the nation’s crown jewel.

“I see that scar has healed up nice—” In a split second I was thrown and pinned against the wall, Valiant’s arm pressed tightly against my shoulder.

“No thanks to you… Executioner”, Valiant spat out in guttural voice.

My stomach felt like it had caved in, the force of Valiant’s punch knocked all the air out of my lungs. Had he gotten stronger? Or have I become weak?

“What… do you… want with my daughter?”, I managed to cough out.

Valiant’s grip loosened slightly, his thin eyebrows raised as a look of confusion crept over his face. This was my chance.

I smashed my forehead against his nose, right in between his wide turquoise eyes. Valiant staggered back, letting go of my shoulder. My feet dropped to the floor, I pushed off and tackled him around the waist, slamming him down. I unleashed a barrage of roundhouse punches, swinging with both my right and left hook. Valiant was nimble, although my weight pinned him to the ground, he still managed to evade most of my hits. Just keep targeting the head, make sure he can’t focus on flying away. I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and threw his head down hard against the oak. I heard a faint crack, hopefully a fractured skull, not that it would affect Valiant much. Wait. This seems too easy. Why isn’t he fighting back?

“Stop! Stop! Please dad! Stop!” Andrea cried out.

“No Andrea. You don’t understand how powerful this man is.”

I drew back my shoulder charging up another shower of hits. Just as I was about to release, I felt two arms wrap against my back – trying to pull me away.

“Please… I love him, stop.”

You love him? Those words washed through my entire body, extinguishing my frenzy of anger.

I slumped over, facing up toward the hole in the ceiling.

Quietly, I said, “He broke through your mother’s ceiling, the debris almost hurt you”

“He can be… a bit extra at times, but he cares about me, a lot. And I care about him. Ross has been there for me these last few years. He helped when I was at my lowest”, she said in a tight voice. "Though, you could have used the front door, Ross"

Silence ensued, only to be broken by Ross, who let out in a croaky voice, “Rea… Your father is The Executioner?”

Kinda the right tone.

In the 40k lore, the big mechs (Titans) are piloted by heavily modified humans, in many cases ones that can't live outside a tank.

If you're interested, Titanicus by Dan Abnett is a great starting point.

Holy shit. Holy SHIT. Bravo. Wow. I'm in shock that you just did that. Genuinely amazing from start to finish.

[Poem]

Honey darling what can I say?

You know I had to find out some day.

Why didn’t you tell him about your father’s profession?

WHY DIDN’T YOU CONSIDER GIVING A CONFESSION‽

I may be a villain and more than a heel,

But seriously kid you’d know how how I feel.

We could’ve been civil,

I would have been fair,

But your super boyfriend is destroying my lair!

This!

That's... actually a good continuity for why the Imperium doesn't trust AI and their pilots are walking war crimes.

I'll be honest with you. I've never read any WH40k books, I don't play the tabletop, and the only game I've played is Darktides.

Why, is it good enough to be?

Anyone who is intrigued by this prompt will absolutely love this short story by Ted Chiang:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety_Is_the_Dizziness_of_Freedom?wprov=sfti1

warp-trails, Imperium, is this a 40K story?

I think that sometimes it would be useful in life to have “I don’t give a fuck” energy. It’s exhausting being so serious all the time. I wish I could change that about my brain.

❤️ Maze

I got chills when finishing the story. Those last few lines were phenomenal my friend.

And the worst part of it all is that it's raining now.

username checks out