Futuristic Welcome to Shides, California @WalkAmongGiants

[fickleglory]

A single unit stand in a briefing room. Large florescent lights hum above them while their superior speaks.
"We have received a call of intense light beaming in the outskirts of Shides. As of recently, we've been seeing a lot of activity." His voice has a southern twang, and his heavy mustache moves with his lips as he speaks. His old hand points to a white board with a vague map behind him. "The call is about here, they said it was big, couldn't be farther than 3 miles." He looks amongst his unit made up of 8 people, "We will set out and obtain whatever it is. Let's go." his arm gestures to the door and they move.

Everyone is prepping themselves, they pick their weapons or refuel their jewelry. A young woman with swept to the side, black hair, places tear drop earrings into her lobes. She fits a hand gun into the holster at her hip then places three green viles into the bandolier. The unit loads into a dark grey PEST van and she sits closest to the door.

Upon arrival they exit the van and their superior organizes a buddy system.
“Mandy you will hold out here and watch the van,”
The woman with black hair looks in shock, “Wait? But, with all due respect sir I think my services are better used in the field,” she stands straight to make herself more serious.
“Your services are better used when I say,” the man wags his finger at her, “Your incident caused us to be one man short.”
“Sir, I mean to-“
“So, you will take the repercussions of your actions. That is that.” he puffs hot air out his nose and looks down to his subordinate. The unit is silent waiting for Mandy to respond. She looks to the dirt and clears her throat. Her face is rising pink.
“Yes, sir.” she says.
He turns away from her and begins speaking to the rest of the unit. From there, they break up and comb the deep brush. Mandy stands in place watching over the van. She mutters to herself and kicks a rock. Mandy paced herself around the van, half assing her watch. Snap. Mandy’s head quickly turns making a piece pop.
“Ow.” she whispers and rubs her neck. Where did that come from, her eyes wonder over the greenery. Her left hand lifts her gun up. Click. The safety is off. Snap. Mandy turns to where she believes she heard it.
Her breathes pace begins to pick up. Mandy tightens her lips entering the trees.

Pride_Revelation

 

[Pride_Revelation]

Falling. It was all Thaddeus could remember. He couldn't remember the battle he had been enduring within the confines of the immaterial planes.​

He couldn't remember the hordes of horrific daemons he had been fighting. It wasn't hundreds, thousands, but millions of daemons were slain by the primarch's own hand. The herculean god had been spat out, like some piece of marrow unable to be broken down by the cosmic beast.

A son of the great Guilliman was streaking across the midnight velvet skies. His mighty armor peeling away and burning up in reentry. Unknowing​

to the titan, he would gain much unwanted attention. He continued to fall, and then, impact.

The primarch's body struck the earth with such fierce intent. The explosion created a hundred meter crater. It had raised the alarms of many.​

Managing to keep his loin cloth on, Thaddeus groaned as he started to regain conscience. He landed into the ground upon his mighty back, and the rest of his body was coiled by steam of reentry. The hulking male's eye lids fluttered open. His sapphire eyes scanned from left to right seeing the destruction he had wrought.

"By the Golden Throne." he cursed under his breath before standing himself up.​

Without a scratch on himself, the confused Astartes sighed. He craned his head upwards and peered up at the twinkling twilight. Where was he?​

He did not recognize the constellations; the stars had betrayed him. Thaddeus groaned and shrugged his massive load bearing shoulders. Slowly, and carefully, Thaddeus walked out of the deep impacted crater; his feet crushing the glassed soil. The constant chatter of the insects filled his ears and concentrating, he was able to filter through those sounds. He could hear the distant rumbling of a vehicle approaching, then it stopping, and then finally a set of voices.

"I mustn't let them find me." he mentioned to himself, sticking to the darkest shadows the best he could.​

 

[fickleglory]

Mandy watches her step through the trees. Her head looks over her shoulder to the grey van. She stops in her place and begins to walk back to the van. Again she stops and looks out to the wood. She feels frustration rise in her face while terror of what the Field Sergeant would do to her if she left her post. Mandy sighs lowering her weapon looking between the forest and the van. She finally turns her back to her post and continues to walk out to the wilderness. Her warm, green eyes keep special attention to where she is. Inhale...exhale... Her shoulders rise and fall to keep herself calm. It was strictly banned for someone to be in the field on their own. There were too many missing person cases to count whenever the buddy system wasn't issued. Mandy continues on her path. She feels the tension of the forest swallowing her.
The woman jerks as her radio blares into speech, "Eagle this is Pork Chop and Faerie," a charismatic tone says, "We have found ourselves what looks like a very large hole in the ground. Over."
Mandy listens in, "Field Sergeant Hank to Bishop and Dox, use your proper names or I'll have you doing laps." a familiar twang replies, "What's your location. Over." Mandy adjusts the volume of the radio to where the talking turned to whispers, then to mumbling, then silence. She assumed they'd be inspecting the area for a while, she could trek a little further and if she didn't find anything Mandy would return to her post.

 

[Pride_Revelation]

Thaddeus continued his path through the woods. Each step of his bare feet pressing against the grass, leafs, and dry twigs. Along the way, he was pondering.​

He was pondering on how to get back home, and wondering where he was in the cosmos. His hyper-senstive hearing was picking up the chatter in the distance. It seems they have found the impact crater, and are looking for who or whatever made it. That was when he picked up the scent of a nearby individual. It was a female by the way the pheromones tickled his nose. She was currently triangulating her location to the other of her group, a squad it seemed was sent out.

The primarch decided it was time to stop hiding. He came from proud gene-stock. Created to fight battles, and wars well beyond the comprehension of simple mortals. ​

He had seen the birth of stars, and fall of entire systems. The moon light overhead was shining down upon them like a great eye of some celestial being. The all seeing moon, it cast a large shadow of the primarch's body upon the ground. Thaddeus stepped out from behind the trees, his gorgeous body clothed by a simple loin cloth. The glow of the moon was now over him, and the shadow was growing ever still until it was directly on top of the unsuspecting woman.

"Halt, mortal." his voice rolled like deep distant thunder. ​

The moonlight twinkled upon the platinum neuro-sockets upon his body. They aligned themselves with most of his massive muscles. It was where his power armor​

connected to his body. The underlying layers of his skin was made with a black carapace, a network of nerve bundles that work coincide with his armor to make he and the suit as one. That armor was long destroyed from traveling between universes. Now, he stands before the woman half naked. He was every bit of 8' 11", a practical juggernaut.

 

[fickleglory]

When the woods became darker and had a more vicious tooth to itself, Mandy held a flashlight over her gun. Her exploration was coming to a close as she couldn't continue in the dark. It was until she saw it. A giant man, literally giant. She would have said she found the big foot, but they've made that discovery several times. Turns out they're a nomadic species that like to travel in dense forests. But, that was off topic.

Despite his voice being intimidating his dialogue was strange. Was he a victim? Who calls other people mortal? Mandy wasn't mentally prepared to witness a wild man in a loin cloth. The kind of surprised she'd desensitized to was: horrifying monsters. Her flashlight illuminated most his body. She eyed him up and down, maybe she lingered at the mid-drift too long. Mandy wasn't sure what to do then decided to placed her gun back in its holster. She then lifted a gloved hand. Standing at 5' 7'' herself, she was no match on her own. This was someone she would see at a fight club or some weird, super-soldier experiment.
"Sir, are you okay?" she says with tenderness. Her pale face looked to him concerned as she stood in place. A beauty mark dotted under one of her slanted eyes, the left. She wore a dark grey uniform that closed with matte black buttons. A diamond patch is sewn on her chest, closer to her right shoulder. Inside the diamond was a silver embroiled circle with two dots inside. The shoulders had a puffy characteristic then tightened down the arm. She is petite in the uniform, but lean. If he was smelling the pheromones, she was in the middle of her womanly cycle.

 

[Pride_Revelation]

He didn't answer at first. It was no surprise to him that this woman hadn't shot at the first sight of him. She knew beauty and power when she saw it and he would​

remember that for a later time.

The Astartes leader noticed her small weapon clutched in her hand, and how she stayed longer at his mid-drift a bit. He had no shame. Her flash light illuminated​

his body before her. Those ports glinting and reflecting the beam of light. She was short, he dwarfed her much like a parent would dwarf their child. She called him sir, a sign of respect. She had asked him if he was okay, he was fine. Her Low Gothic dialect, as he would call it, was understandable. Her voice also carried a tone of tenderness, it was pleasant to hear. He indeed could smell her womanly cycle, but it was of no matter to him.

"I would say no since I fell from the heavens like a meteor." he half joked with a smirk. "But yes, I am fine, mortal." he stated, his voice intoxicating and exotic.​

Thaddeus took more time for himself to examine her with his sapphire eyes. Her flashlight did nothing but bring out the color in them. Everything about him was​

was made to be perfect in order to gather the masses and lead them. You could say he was made kin with the vampires, but he had no fangs to suck the life out of someone. Thaddeus had a aura about him that attracted the hearts of all that was around him. A charismatic being built to make whole worlds compliant.

With gene-seed made inside of him to give him incredible and unfathomable strength, Thaddeus and the rest of his kind knew better to believe they were perfect.​

The primarch has seen many battle brothers fall in the crucible of war. They are known as the Angels of Death. Champions of the God-Emperor, but deep down, Thaddeus knew he was a true monster. For what can defeat a monster, but another monster greater in power.

 

[fickleglory]

She made a crooked smile, oh, he's really lost it, hasn't he? Disbelief might have been adamant in her expression with a little twitch of the eyebrow. Mandy stood straight, authoritative or motherly, take it as you will. She cleared her throat and adjusted to the situation. Her timid approach contrasted to his confidence. Maybe he noticed what she noticed under the loin cloth. Mandy beams the flashlight on the ground as it reflected enough light to dully show both persons.
"I'm glad to hear," she takes a slow step toward him. She could feel time pressing, Hank would be at the van with no Mandy at post. "Do you know where you are?" But with confused victims, one question at a time.

 

[Pride_Revelation]

"I do not. The stars betray me." he looked up to the twilight heavens once more with a deep sigh. "I do not recognize them." he muttered with a frown.

Thaddeus' eyes adjusted to the low light around them after she lowered her flashlight. He was able to see her clearly. He didn't sense any fear from her, nor did he smell fear coming off of her. This made him comfortable around her. Her approach made it seem was was being pressed for time. Perhaps the remainder of her squad would be looking for her. Thaddeus needed to be careful.

"I can hear the others in the distance." he paused, pressed his lips together. "You were sent out to see what fell from the sky, no?" he went on further.

The Astartes had no time to left to continue with this woman, he needed to find a way off this world. He was about to walk off, but something tethered him from moving. It was close to a voice in his mind telling him to stay put, an instinct almost. He looked ahead of him, but then looked back down at the woman who had happened to wander upon him.

"What is your name?" he finally asked, his thick accent flowing freely.

 

[fickleglory]

The stars betray him. He must of been traumatized pretty bad. Mandy felt sympathetic to his situation as he was lost, naked, and alone. What ever happened to this victim, she'd have to find out later. Before she could say anything, he asked about what brought her here in the first place. What was described to be a blast, he says, it was something falling from the sky. It was the kind of, you should know what I'm talking about tone. Mandy had a sneaky suspicion he wasn't a victim.
“Wait, do you know what it was?” her voice was excited. She smiles and looks over her shoulder. Oh, she could feel the clock ticking.
“What- oh.” She looks up to the man who asked for her name, “Mandy Shao,” her head tips to bows as well as her torso. It was a fast motion, looking more like a habit than it was protocol or etiquette. Lips still closed she makes a smile to the stranger.
“Please, let me escort you to my unit,” she gestures her hand toward herself. Her green eyes shift at the ground then back to his brilliant blue ones. She thinks of what could appeal to his better nature, “We can show you where you are," she bites her bottom lip and brows scrunch together, "and help get you where you’re going.” she finishes very gentle smile. A kind a genuine aura suites her as she tries to help a naked stranger.

 

[Pride_Revelation]

"Do I know what it was? Woman, are you daft? It was I who made that crater!" he was completely shocked that this woman didn't put the two together. "I remember waking up during my descent onto this planet. Ironic, an angel of the God-Emperor falling from the heavens." he smirked to himself before following Mandy back to her unit as she stated.

"Taking me to your unit? Are you military, Shao?" Thaddeus had enough respect for her in order to use her last name.

Her presence was comforting. She seemed genuine to the juggernaut, and that would go a long ways with him. Having her to help him in finding a way off this world and get in contact with his forces somewhere across the stars, he would be eternally grateful. Strangely enough, this has happened before. The last time he was lost across the face of Creation, Thaddeus was trapped on a world for three centuries before he was able to get off. Would it be the same again?

As he followed her from behind, the primarch felt concern for Shao. She was the first person to meet, obviously human, and he felt entitled to protect her. Her smile, as he currently remembers it was a gentle thing. Humanity was a fragile species. To him, at times, he believed humanity unworthy of the God-Emperor's love and affection. There had been times that Thaddeus refused to help a dying hive city as it burned in atomic fire. They were heathens, sinners, and bastards. Shao, her smile, it reminded him of a hope that was still lingering on life an death. It'll be a dark day, the death of hope.

 

[fickleglory]

She looked completely shocked. He really thought he fell from the sky.
"This is obviously out of my expertise." she chuckled shyly. She then continued to guide him back to the PEST van. She only walked a step ahead of him, but stayed to his right side. Mandy watched the ground in front of her.
"You could say we're an over glorified pest control..." her head craned up to the branches above. Being this far out the city felt more than dangerous. Her stomach felt unsettled as the animals of night were quiet. Mandy guessed they were something was out tonight. Out of view, a low clicking echoed around them. Mandy stops in place and shines her flashlight over the brush. Her earrings glint a green light underneath her dark hair. Again low clicking circled them.
"Uh- Sir." It had came to her she had not asked his name. Her hand slowly reaches for the radio. Mandy's heart began to beat a little faster. Her knees bend as she prepared for trouble.
"We need to go." Mandy turned around and her pace picked up. Her hand twisted a knob on her radio.
"-ndy! You, are in a world of hurt when you get back here! You better not have been eat'n!" a man shouted. She winced at his roaring voice. Mandy had to choose between facing a her Field Seargent or an actual monster. Mandy lifts the radio to her mouth.
"Unit, this is Shao, I've found a possible victim and I think we're being followed," she looks over her shoulder to the stranger. "Not to make you panic, but being out here during the day is bad." she steps over a fallen tree, "Night-time is wors-" A sudden orange thing pushed Mandy off her feet. A sleek, long monster shrieks in her face. Her arms are pinned to her sides by one of it's hands. The woman wriggled in place. Mandy began panting and watched as its mouth mouth agape struck at her. She screamed then lifted her to feet above her. It's face bashes into an illuminated green wall. However, the force knocked Mandy's knee into her cheek. Her focus broke and the green light faded.

Spoiler: Vamp Boyr

 

[Pride_Revelation]

Thaddeus smirked at her mentioning that this was out of her level of expertise. He listened on wards, she explained that she was apart of some organization perhaps that dealt with exterminating pests. This reminded him of the Imperium's very own Deathwatch. They worked as a chamber militant for a holy order that was apart of their inquisitorial forces. The Deathwatch, a sacred chapter of Astartes that were charged in monitoring the deadliest corners of Creation. Perhaps they have been here, or better yet, they have a watch tower in this galaxy.

As they continued to march on through the forest, Thaddeus' own hyper-awareness was sensing something predatory nearby. Mandy must've sensed it as well since she was now on full alert. There was indistinctive chatter on her radio. Her commanding officer was expressing himself over it, but Thaddeus was attempting to track the movement of whatever was with them.

It came suddenly. Thaddeus side stepped the orange and tan creature. Thaddeus was naked partially, but not afraid. Mandy was pinned, but a green force of light had caused a window of distraction with the monster. The hulking warrior stepped in. He lowered his shoulder and rammed full-force into the thing's side, causing it to relinquish its hold on Mandy. Thaddeus grunted as the pair crashed onto the ground.

"What in the Emperor's name are you!" exclaimed Thaddeus as he kept his right knee in the gut of the thing and a strong hand around its throat.

He continued to keep his powerful hold on it while it tried to lash out. He noticed its face resembled that of a bat, and its claws made long scratches across those gigantic arms of his. He would heal. Looking back, he searched for Mandy.

"What in Creation is this bat-like thing?!" questioned Thaddeus.

 

[fickleglory]

Mandy felt relief over her body as it's gripped released. She stayed on the ground for a moment. The feeling of mortality shook her to the core. It was all she could think of until she heard her radio echoing in the dark.
"Shao, what it you position!" a woman's voice called.
"C'mon , Eggroll!" a man said.
She controlled herself. Mandy bit her lip and turned her shaken body over. She looks over to the brawl between the beast and the beast of a man. He was able to hold it down. It took strength to get it on the ground, but to keep it there was more awe striking. Her heavy breathing begins to settle. She brought herself to stand on her feet. Mandy moved slowly as her knees seemed to buckle, but soon she was able to run. No time to discuss. Mandy focuses on her objective. Her expression turns from wide eyed to hard scrunched eyebrows. Kill! Kill! Kill!
"Close your mouth," she shouted. Mandy lands on her knees and uses her weight shove her gun into its jaws. It takes a few seconds for the gun to amp up. In those few seconds the monster gnawed well onto her weapon and scratched at her back. She yelped, but did not pull away. She ignored the sting. A green light rose on a meter. A high pitched whirring sound was followed by a loud "pew" of green light. It's head combusted. Dark colored fluids sprayed onto her face. The woman looked up to him. Mandy sighs heavily and small tears welt in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" she said then her attention is caught with the static of her radio.
"I think we just saw you," the southern man spoke up.
She spits the gore off her lips and refrains from licking them. Mandy searches for the radio in the brush. However, more clicking arose, the sounds overlapped each other. More. Mandy looks to the man.
"Run." she said and abandoned her search, "Now." she gestures for him to follow. Mandy pulled a vile from her bandolier and loaded her gun. She pointed it upward and fired three red colored lights. Each popped in the air. A few moments later a light from the distance fired red in reply. They know there's danger and the danger that followed them is class Perceptive. Despite being more like wild animals, they intentionally seek to harm. This makes them a great threat to civilization.

 

[Pride_Revelation]

It wasn't in the nature for an Astarte to run from danger. A tactical retreat, perhaps, but not run. No, what Mandy had told him to do he could not. Instead, he turned his back to her and moved backwards. He thought to himself that these things could die, and so he shall kill them all as they come. It was his sworn duty to protect humanity, to kill the foul creatures that attempt to assault them. Mandy was injured, but Thaddeus's wounds upon his arms were already healed.

"Get to your unit. I'll tear them apart myself. If only a my Space Wolf cousins could see me now." he chuckled at the thought.

Thaddeus, a gene-bred warrior from the stars. There was no rest for his kind; not when you were created to kill and conquer. Under the silver light of the moon, the godly juggernaut looked divine and majestic. This proud being willing to take on however many of those monsters as possible in to ensure the safety of mortals who he did not know. Planting his feet into the earth, his toes curling into the leaves, and dirt. Thaddeus met the first creature with his fist.

THUNDER CLAP!! His fist made contact, neck snapping, body sliding across the ground. The next came from his right flank. It manages multiple claw cuts into his chest, and shoulder. His blood splattering across the air, but it met its end when Thaddeus ripped its head from its body. In shower of blood, he tossed two torn segments away in time to catch the next monster. The Astarte roared loudly like a mighty lion as he fought. He wrestled the next creature he had caught across the ground. The beast bit him, and he bit back, tearing away a large chunk of monster flesh.

"I am the Lion of Macragge!" he belted as he plowed his big, powerful fist into the thing's face.

Thaddeus quickly regained his stance, his fist covered in bone fragments and what appeared to be brain matter. He hadn't thought about if Mandy stayed behind or ran for her unit. Regardless, the fighter set off to join her. She was the only way for him to get his bearings and possibly a way off this world.

 

[fickleglory]

No? What do you mean, no? She was concerned for his life. He maybe strong, but there were far too many. He could not handle them on his own. Besides he's wounded. She looked at his body. Where's his wounds? Her eyebrow raised and the man took his first opponent. She covered her mouth jumping in place. This was a brutish scene, far better than what she'd seen in fight club. Again she heard clicking overlapping each other. If he's able to make craters in the Earth and wrestle naked with monsters, the least she could do was get her unit. The woman turned to make her escape, but before leaving, looked once more at the brawl. He had very good teeth. She ran toward where the signal came from.
"Field Sergeant!" Mandy said as she ran. The van is turned on, someone is already in the driver seat and the crew are standing in defensive positions.
"Mandy, get your ass over here," the older man shouts. His expression was horrified of the gore on her face.
"What happened to you?" a tall blonde woman said as she lowered her gun.
"Orange creeps," Mandy said panting she leans over and puts her hands onto her knees. Small beads of sweat collected on her forehead. It's been a while since she ran for her life.
"And your victim," a black man said. They began to hear the clicking. It's quiet, it sounded as if their intimidated by their numbers. However, their intimidated state won't overturn their hunger.
"Fighting them," Mandy stood straight and lifted her gun, "I don't think he is a victim, Hank." The unit turned back to back, covering all angles.
"What do you mean?" the Field Sergeant said. He sounded rather irritated and looked above them. He covers his nose with one hand. "You smell awful..." The clicking grew louder.
Mandy turns around, "Everyone get in the van," she pointed to the vehicle.
Her superior pushed her hand down, "Don't think yer calln' shots juss yet, Shao." he pointed in the same direction. "Get in the van."
In that moment they could hear the thundering footsteps of him. "Hank, I think he's a rocket man," she said as she ran to the opened doors.
"This way!" she flashed her light to his direction.

 

[Pride_Revelation]

His heavy footfalls suddenly came to a stop when exited the treeline. He had a foul stench about him. It came from slaying those orange beasts from before. His wounds that had been dealt upon him were healing before unit's very eyes. He dwarfed them with his impressive size. Thaddeus had heard what she called him, a rocket man. He hadn't a clue if that was an insult or a compliment. He approached them slowly, wiping the sinew and blood from his face with the back of his hand. He did nothing but smear it across his cheek. He sighed and nodded his head at Mandy.

"Now, how about you tell me where I am, and what in Creation were those?" he growled slightly while making his way towards Mandy.

He took in a deep breath, the air quickly filling all three of his super-enhanced lungs. His twin hearts were beating against his solid chest plate like a pair of battle drums. The flash lights and light of moon gleamed off his layer of sweat that was glistening on his powerful frame. Thaddeus stared at the unit with his cunning eyes; he was waiting for an answer from anyone brave enough to answer, but he was hoping it would be Mandy with her sweet voice who would speak.

 

[fickleglory]

The unit was in a state of awe. Their mouths were agape and glanced at Mandy.
“What in tarnation, Shao!” the Field Officer said. His face is wrinkled, he did no look entertained. Deep set bags sat under his light blue eyes and large bushy brows. Mandy jumped into the van. She poked her head out. The clicking around them continues, they'll be here all night if the rocket man had too much pride. She looked over the darkness and turned off her flashlight, "Right now we're in Shides, California." she paused and her lips puckered, "Earth. If that's necessary information,"
"Why is Earth relevant?" the black man says. He's tall around six foot, with good build. He had a well maintained, thin mustache over his lip and a high and tight haircut. He stood with an awful lot of confidence.
A blonde woman with hair tied neatly into a ponytail eyed the stranger. "We're gonna have make room," She was busty and body was more full, however it did not imply she wasn't athletic.
"Mandy, how'd you come across this fellow?" a lean red-headed man asked. The voice was already in the van from the man in the driver seat.
Everyone began to gather into the van.
"Quit yer chit chat, we got Orange creeps on our tail," the Field Officer interrupted all conversation and gestured to the giant man. "Let's move, Rocket man!" he then enters the passenger seat.
(If/when he enters) The van revved up and makes it way down the dirt road. Mandy bends over in her set. Her back revealed a deep gash from her left hip to her right shoulder.

 

[Pride_Revelation]

Thaddeus had to bend in manners uncomfortable in order to fit into the fun. His added weight caused the suspension to drag against the tires, it was as if he weighed a ton. He thought about what Mandy had said. The planet was known as Earth. Another Earth it seems has found him, or better yet, he found it. The van creaks and bounces against the dirt road. He banged his head against the ceiling of the van. He shrugged it off as he looked everyone else inside.

"I suppose someone is going to tend to Mandy's wounds? They can become infected if not treated." his voice was deeper inside the van's closed space.

Thaddeus eyed everyone in the back. All human, all mortal, and all of them able to die. He had to protect them, too. They owed him nothing, not their lives, not their wages, nothing at all.

"I discovered her in the forest." Thaddeus answered for her. "Also, my name is Thaddeus Imperius Germanicus." such a long name for a massive man. "Where is our current destination? I would like to wash myself of this filth." he groaned.

 

[fickleglory]

Whoa! Is just about what everyone said when he stepped into the van. They all shift deeper to make room for him. Everyone just stared at the giant man. Mandy looked over to the blonde, "Ruth?" she gave a toothy smile.
The woman's eyes rolled and moved downward. The bus like seats had a metal wall beneath them. She pulled at a handle that released a door. Her hand reached into a space and rummaged through the various items. Then she took out a broken-ish plastic box. Her dark eyes examined the material and she scoffed while she lifted a bottle with a metal cap.
"We just have disinfectant spray, gauze, and some sport tape..." she looked back to Mandy.
"That will do," she said before she brought the collar of her shirt to her mouth. Her teeth held the cloth between them. Ruth shook the bottle and then sprayed over her back. Mandy squealed as her feet bounced in place. Ruth covered her wound with the gauze and taped it down. As she is being cared for she looked to the now named Thaddeus.
"Well, you were lost," she corrected her and pointed a finger, her collar droped back into place. She giggled before she exhaled heavily to calm herself through the pain.
The black man waves, "Don't listen to her, you handle yourself good, Thaddeus Imperius...German-Germanic. I'm Wayne." he leaned onto one of his knees. "That there is Field Officer Johnson Hank," Wayne pointed to the man in the front seat. The cowboy looked over his shoulder and tipped his hat.
"That is Ruth Bishop" the blonde did not gesture, but continued to handle Mandy.
"Stop whining," Ruth said under a hushed voice.
"And our driver is Kealin," Wayne pointed to a man in the drivers seat.
The red-head lifted his hand and waved, "Hello," he glanced into the review mirror. Despite there being more people in the seats, these are only the relevant ones that are necessary.
The Field Officer gestured to the road in front of him, "It's gonna be an hour 'er two ova' drive." he looked back to Thaddeus. "Back to our headquarters, you'll be goin' to the clinic." He turned to Mandy, "And I don' care if you had lost a leg, my office when we get back."
Mandy's smile faded and she bit her lip.

 

[Pride_Revelation]

What was Thaddeus to do for the remainder of the journey? All the Astartes could do was ponder on the past. He replayed memories over and over again through his mind. He was lost in a trance, his eyes closed, his breathing slowing itself. He could hear the echoing strikes of practice swords in the training cages. He could smell the potent sweat that was glistening the other Astartes warriors. A moment later, he seen Mandy standing in the training cages with him. She somehow invaded his memories, but not physically in any means. Thaddeus smiled in the physical world.

 

[fickleglory]

The van arrived to a gated building. The fences were tall and barbed wire wrapped around the top. They pulled into a small divider where a security guard sat inside.
"Badge," the man said leaning onto the window. He had a small build, but held a large gun to his chest, finger on the side of the trigger, and nozzle pointed down. Field Officer Hank shifted in his seat and pulled a wallet from his pocket. He handed a small card over to the security guard.
"Her'ya go," he grunted as he stretched his arm over the red-head.
"Why didn't you just hand it to me?" Kealin asked his tone slightly annoyed.
"I don't need yer help," Hank dismissed him
The man reviewed the plastic and nodded his head, he scanned it into a machine. The loud alarm made a stagnant noise, then the gate opened. Again the security guard leaned against the door.
"See ya later-" his eyes looked down the isle of the van and stopped at the giant man.
Hank also looked in the same direction, "Was a job," he nodded to himself. The security guard leaned away with a shrug. His arm raised and he gestured for the van to follow through.

The building was long, but only three stories high. They drove along stretched pavement around the building. Around the back was a tall garage that connected to the main structure. When they approach it, Hank was asked for his badge again. After it was approved, they enter and Kealin parked in space labeled: Unit 2616. The doors of the van are opened and the crew exited.
Mandy's walk is a little stiff. The crew pulled supplied for the van and walked toward double doors that led to the entire building. Johnson pointed to Wayne and Ruth.
"Get Thaddeus to the clinic," he said and gestured to the right. He turned around and looked to Mandy, "Yer com'n with me,"
Mandy sighed heavily, "Field Officer Hank, I need to go to the clinic for my back,"
"You should'a thought of that when you left yer post," his head yanked to the left, "Let's go,"
Mandy pouts and looked to the three others. She waved at them before she turned away.