Escape thrusters screamed as they worked to evade anti-aircraft fire at the same time as working to break the planet's atmosphere.

They had broken through the level of smoke and low cloud that had engulfed the spaceport and surrounding ruins. The Mobians had strained against their harnesses to look through the shuttles viewports, giving them a good view of the huge, planet covering city, a seemingly twisting mess of buildings, factories and towering spires, which Xaphian had called Hive Cities. However as soon as the city was visible to them, they were visible to the city. Attack fighters were chasing them while large las-bolts stabbed up at them from huge automated turrets. The shuttle had taken a few glancing blows, each one seeming worse than the last.

The rogue trader Malachi was insisting that as soon as they breach the atmosphere they would be safe, or at least safer than they were now.

The shuttle was vibrating with the effort it was being put under, and the Mobians were starting to feel the effects of the unfamiliar g-forces they were experiencing. Only Shadow seemed unaffected, calmly gazing out of the viewport to the rapidly darkening sky. It was hard to say if Sonic was affected, he seemed to still be catatonic from the trauma he had suffered. Perhaps it is better this way, Sally had thought between the moments of stress and nausea.

At last, the fighters peeled off and the turrets stopped firing just as the sky disappeared in a wash of flame that lasted seconds before they were left with the star-strewn blackness of space.

Looking around Sally saw the husks of massive, destroyed starships. They were long, narrow craft with crenulations and arches like gothic cathedrals, the prows were huge wedged rams painted a high gloss red against the black of the rest of the ships. The sides of the vessel closest to them had huge cannons, each the size of the shuttle that they were currently on. The whole ship was probably the size of Robotropolis. Sally knew the ship was dead though, half of the side of it was torn open and the rest of it was pockmarked with battle damage. It hung there, listless and unresponsive to anything going on around it.

Looking through the view ports of the other side she saw other ships, most of which were also destroyed. Some had even been torn apart by internal explosions, leaving nothing more than chunks of debris in the impression of what must have once been a mighty vessel. There were some ships still active however, and were engaged against each other, slowly moving in the black of space, turning about and firing its payloads against the other ship. It was almost peaceful and beautiful to watch, and elegant dance of death.

Malachi manoeuvred the shuttle through the debris, staying close to mask their presence not wanting to get tied up in the ongoing space battle. The shuttle was headed towards the planet's moon, a blue-grey rock, pockmarked with impact craters and a massive installation in the shape of an eight-pointed star, visible even from this distance away. The lights, or possibly fires, glimmering out of the brown-black installation made it look like a charred brand in the crust of the moon, with lava oozing out of the cracked mark.

The transit had calmed now they were no longer fighting gravity or dodging lethal shots. Sally unclipped her harness and crossed the brushed metal deck of the shuttle up to the open cockpit door. Inside she saw Malachi working the complex array of controls; a cable ran from a port in the console into a socket that had been previously hidden under the Rogue Traders hair. Sally recoiled at this, thinking of Robotnik's roboticization.

"What's the matter lass? Never seen an MIU before?" The Rogue Trader chuckled.

"I … No. I am sorry Malachi, where I come from being integrated with mechanical parts, especially around the brain, carries a lot of negativity," Sally confessed,

"Don't worry about it. I am sure I understand the principle of your worries, but as I say, don't worry. This is an MIU, a Mind Interface Unit. Think of it like a tiny version of your wrist-mounted Data Slate, but with a facility to connect to other consoles. It means I can work more machinery with my mind while my hands are occupied, and read more data than my eyes could process. Very handy for trying to smuggle you out of here."

"That does indeed sound useful." Sally paused before continuing, "It will take a little while to get used to it. Thank you for explaining it to me Malachi,"

"You're welcome. How's your blue friend? Has he not seen much fighting?"

"I am worried about Sonic. He has seen plenty of fighting, but all our opponents were robotic, he has never liked the idea of actually killing someone, and I must say the weapons of this reality do seem to be … excessive."

"You've not seen the half of it girl. That was just a heavy bolter. Sure bolt rounds are nasty, but the armour you'll find people in is as excessive as the weaponry. Power has to exceed defence in some way, or there would be no point in fighting. You can't rely on having the strength of numbers for small arms fire to make that eventual dent all the time."

"Yes, I can understand that. However, you need to appreciate our position Malachi. You were born into this, whereas we have never had to even consider that one shot could turn someone into some form of grizzly fountain."

"Aye lass, I do appreciate it. I've witnessed that and greater horrors unexpectedly, and I know those things can unhinge a man. We've got to keep him in the game though. If his minds gone, his body'll follow, and he'll be use to no one. Help him with what you can now, and once we're on board the ship, we can get the medicae to sort him out,"

"Thank you Malachi, I will do what I can."

Sally went to Sonic and sat in the seat next to him, Tails had vacated it to look out of the view ports.

"Sonic," Sally rested a hand on his leg, but the only reaction she gained was a faint muscle twitch. She wondered if he could hear her, "Sonic, we are out, free. What you did, saved us, saved Tails. I know it was shocking, but you can get through this, we have been through worse together. That's just it, we need you here so we can continue together."

She put her arms around him and hugged him close, but Sonic did not move. Sally looked up into his face and saw tears forming in his eyes. She watched a tear break and run down his unmoving face. As she lowered her head and sighed, continuing to hold him tightly, Sonic shifted for the first time and whispered so quietly she nearly missed it.

"I can't do it Sal,"

Sally looked back up at him, "Yes you can Sonic. You are a hero, and you are brave. I know you hate this, and it scares you, and that is a good thing. It shows that you are not a monster, only that you do what you must to protect your own."

Sonic, blinked, working free unshed tears, and frowned.

"All I can see is how that woman burst … knowing I pulled the trigger,"

"I know. I know it haunts you, I can feel that tension in you Sonic. Look past that, look at me, look at Tails. We are here still because you did pull that trigger. I know that will not make it easier, but it does give it purpose."

"Yeah … Yeah," Sonic nodded slowly, gradually becoming more animated. Not his usual self, but away from the traumatised husk that he had been, "I … thanks Sal. I think … I think I'll get there …" His arms came up, finally returning her hug. Sally smiled at him.

"Good. I'm proud of you Sonic. I know you can do it."

Sonic returned her smile with a small wan one of his own, then he fumbled with his harness, slipping out of it and made to stand.

"I think I need to move, don't think I've ever been this still, even when asleep." Sonic tried for a grin but didn't quite make it, though Sally seemed to appreciate the effort at good humour.

Seeing Sonic stand made Tails squeak with delight, and he rushed over to give his adopted brother a hug. It wasn't Tail's eyes that Sonic met first however, Shadow had turned from the view port and caught Sonics eye. Shadow only gave a curt nod to Sonic before he turned back to the view of the shrinking planet, but Sonic had seen in his eyes acknowledgement and understanding, and perhaps even a measure of respect. That touched Sonic almost as much as the enthusiastic one armed embrace of his little brother.

Sally's attention was drawn away from Sonics reintegration by the conversation in the cockpit,

"We're coming up to visual range of the obscured side of the moon,"

"Aye lad, that's where the ship is waiting. We should be about to see it. Ah there we are,"

After a pause Xaphian spoke up, surprised, "That's a Legion ship!"

"It is, aye. 'Parently that cult of yours was planned by them. An insurrection force designed to learn some secrets while it was there. You're it Xaph, you've got those secrets that they want."

"So why didn't they come and get me and the others?"

"So far as I can tell, they want the Imperium to think they have won."

"The only reason I got off the planet is the help of the warp touched anthromorphs we have with us,"

"What is it you Tzeentchians say? 'Just as planned'," This caused Xaphian to chuckle.

Sally looked through the door to the cockpit and out through the viewport at the titanic vessel hiding close to the moon. The vessel looked like the head of a trident, the central tine making up the major body of the vessel, with the adjacent smaller tines bristling with massive cannons. Atop the central tine there seemed to be a vast city made of tall spires and huge gothic cathedrals displaying eight pointed stars and other symbology that seemed hard to look at. The entire hull of the vessel was painted in a dark crimson covered with flowing golden script in a language Sally could not read, but when she tried it felt both comforting and disturbing.

"Who is it that owns that ship?"

Sally's voice caused Xaphian to turn to look at her, "The Word Bearers, the Seventeenth Legion and sons of the Primarch Lorgar Aurelian, the most knowledgeable of the ways of Chaos and first to discover the true nature of the Emperor of Mankind."

"And these Word Bearers want to help us?"

"It would appear that way. Mal, who commands the vessel?"

"Erebus."

"The Hand of Destiny? Really? He came for me himself?" Xaphian sounded both shocked and amazed,

"Xaphian who is Erebus?" Sally asked, wondering how someone could cause such a reaction,

"He is one of the Dark Apostles of the Word Bearers, possibly the most important of their Dark Council. That's their leadership. It was he who first discovered that there were real Gods in the Galaxy, and brought them to the attention of his Primarch more than ten thousand years ago."

"Ten Thousand? Can someone possibly live so long?"

"Space Marines can, I don't believe I know of any that have succumbed to old age. They are functionally immortal, and their only release from duty is death in battle." Xaphian grinned at Sally's shocked expression, "It is possible he may even be older than ten thousand years. He has spent a lot of time in the Warp, time sometimes flows slower or faster there depending on its fluctuations."

"It will be fascinating to speak to one such as him."

"I don't know if you'll have much opportunity to have conversation with him. Someone of his might and justified arrogance does not tend to have much time to sit and talk with the likes of us. However, who knows, we might take his interest beyond an initial audience. There will be others I am sure you will find interesting aboard however. Speaking of which, you should return to your friends and get them ready for landing, we will be docking soon."

The shuttle progressed on its course towards the Word Bearer ship. When they were close Tails imagined that they would look like a minnow next to a leviathan if viewed from the outside. The idea amused him as he took in the details of the vast ship, wondering at the complex designs and engineered features of the space vessel.

The open bay that Malachi navigated the shuttle into was so big Tails thought they would be able to fit more than half of Knothole into it. The opening into space seemed to be protected by some sort of magnetic shielding which shimmered as they passed through it. Tails could see this bay was accustomed to dealing with smaller craft, the walls were arrayed with maintenance tools and refuelling lines, but what really drew his eye were the eleven armoured giants waiting for them.

The shuttle set down and after a few moments Malachi released the locking clamps on the internal doors and lowered the ramps, letting the group of Humans and Mobians out onto the deck. Before them were the eleven giants, armoured in dark crimson and adorned in flowing golden script, talismans depicting eight-pointed stars, and a few had thin cured leather riveted to their shoulder pads daubed with rougher, darker script. The leader giant was stranger, twisted and bestial. It looked almost like his flesh had merged with his armour, thickening and engorging his arms with muscles made of the same material the armour was. Sprouting from his once noble face was a pair of mismatched horns, and his mouth was filled with sharp, jagged teeth. His appearance was frightening, but in some strange way, the Mobians found it also somewhat comforting. Sonic and Shadow could feel the intensity of Chaos energy pulsing from the leader, both knowing that that level of energy would put them into a super form, clearly this individual was both powerful and dangerous. They were both thankful he seemed to be on their side.

The leader spread his arms and spoke, his voice was double-edged, as if two voices spoke as one, the first was surprisingly light and cultured, like the voice of a kindly priest, but the second was deep and guttural, a rumble like the moving of mountains,

"Ah, Malachi, you return to us with our prize, and with others too, just as the Apostle knew you would."

The Rogue Trader shifted uneasily but made a sweeping bow, staying low as he spoke back,

"M'lord Varbok, what do we owe the pleasure of the presence of the Dark Martyr of the Vakrah Jal?"

The twisted giant grinned, giving an even more sinister slant to his visage, "Should we not honour you, Malachi? You were the instrument that lead our victory from the jaws of defeat. In the face of the Inquisition no less."

"Y'words swell my pride Lord, but I cannot let my ego get the better of me. I jus' did my duty, and I am pleased to serve the Word."

"Just as it should be. Your new friends are of interest to Erebus. He saw their coming through the currents of the blessed Immaterium. They are dangerous, oh yes, for they are suffused with the same potency of the Neverborn, but blessed with physical form, not unlike the original Gal Vorbak, and yet still unique. The Hand of Destiny will meet with them."

It was Sally's turn to speak up "Greetings Varbok, I am Princess Sally Acorn, and I speak for my friends here. I can appreciate this Erebus is important, as are you, given how Malachi addresses you, but we know very little of this realm. I am surprised that you see us as dangerous, from what we have seen of the weaponry of this universe, I feel quite frail in comparison. Whatever could your Dark Apostle want with us?"

Varboks features twisted further as his grin widened. The sinister smile seemed to take up half of his face, all of his sharp teeth were on display. Sally was reminded of a shark,

"You are blessed with the powers of Chaos, Sally Acorn. Perhaps your people have forgotten the Word of the Gods of the Warp, but their touch still lingers. Your souls are their children and your flesh conduits for their power, but you belong on the other side of the veil. Erebus wants to help return you, and in return, we will learn from you. Erebus believes what we can gain from you will turn the tide against the Corpse-Emperor and finally unite humanity. So you will come with us."

"And if we refuse?" Shadows gruff voice cut across the hanger.

Varboks grin widened even further, "Do you have a choice? You are on our ship, and you have no way to leave or return home. You need us, and we have use of you, it is logical, we are both scions of Chaos, we should work together. However, if you really want to pointlessly struggle, we can force you."

"That will not be necessary," Sally cut in sharply before Shadow could respond to the threat, "You are right, we need your assistance. Even though you and your ways are strange to us, I am confident we will get used to it and we will become friends," She looked pointedly at Shadow, who narrowed his eyes but slowly nodded warily.

"Good." Varbok spread his arms in an exaggerated welcoming gesture, "You and your kind may follow me to my Lord Erebus. Malachi, show our Sorcerous friend to the lower decks. The Seer will recover the information Erebus requires, once that is done settle him into quarters with the rest of the cults."

"Xaphian won't be coming with us?" It was Tail's turn to speak up in front of the super-humans, "Without him, we wouldn't be here!"

"And he shall be rewarded for that. I am sure if he continues to be important to you, you will see him again. The tides of fate do seem to draw people together. Now come, follow me."

With that cryptic answer, Varbok turned and walked towards the bulkhead doors that lead into the interior of the ship, followed by the other armoured giants.

"You best go with him," Xaphain said, before smiling at Tails, "I will be fine."

Reassured the Mobians hurried after the hulking form of Varbok.

Once past the bulkhead doors, the Mobians found themselves in a long metal corridor lit with dim red light. The corridor seemed to go on forever in either direction, the dim light giving impressions of the occasional door on each side. Large ducting pipes and electrical cables ran along the ceiling four meters above them, the veins and arteries of the space leviathan they were inside. The faint hum of the ships powered machinery was nearly drowned out by the sound of thousands of voices chanting hymnals and prayers in a language none of them understood. The chanting combined with the heady combination of various machinery oils and incense made them think they were in a vast mechanical cathedral.

"Varbok, what are the chants about?" Sally asked, always keen to learn more about her surroundings,

"They are the singing the Word of Lorgar, our Primarch. It is the Truth that he discovered about the universe and about Chaos. Once you have met with Lord Erebus, I am certain there will be an opportunity to learn a translation."

They passed groups of robed humans as they followed the Space Marines. Some looked normal, others we rougher, twisted, like an artist's impression of a human that they had only heard about but never actually seen. Some seemed partially roboticized, with extra mechanical limbs that puffed smoke or had large grabbing claws on. Occasionally they would pass creatures that were much more bestial, a bipedal bull-like creature with a sword that looked like molten brass, a blue feathered avian creature with rainbow coloured wings carrying a gnarled staff, and a tiny bulbous green imp-like creature that was sat atop a wall mounted corridor light. The imp creature waved jovially to them as they passed before it went back to eating the unidentifiable meal it had obtained. Most of the Mobians took in their surroundings with cautious interest, getting to grips with their unfamiliar surroundings and dim light. Sonic, however, withdrew more into himself again. Something felt wrong to him, and the potent smells of incense were starting to make his eyes water, and the constant throb of chanting was giving him a headache.

The corridor widened into a large open thoroughfare lined with battle stained banners and large monuments to battlefield glory. There were taxidermied creatures, suits of war-torn armour, chunks of intricate masonry, strange resonant crystals and grizzly severed heads. There were other things, whispering swords, glowing symbols or strange and arcane scripts, and repeating devices that bore the same four sigils that they had seen on the various robed figures and Space Marines as they had passed them, these were all alongside the eight-pointed star that seemed to unite the different parts together.

To the Mobians, these monuments and relics all seemed to be disturbing, awe-inspiring, fearful and exalting, all at once. The seemingly conflicting emotions served only to confuse them until Sally spoke up,

"Vorbak, I … I don't think I understand these things that we are a looking at … they all seem …"

"Glorious and terrible?" the dual voice seemed to be both mournful and amused as the twisted Space Marine looked down at her,

"Yes, though I don't wish to insult you or your people, I am just confused,"

"Then let me enlighten you. You feel the power of the Chaos Gods infused in these trophies. All of these items are reminders of battles won against those under the thrall of the Emperor. The power of the Gods is as dangerous as the greatest weapon, thus it inspires fear and awe. Such weapons demand respect, especially these ones, as they think and feel similarly to us. That is what you feel. I am sure you can appreciate such weapons in a civil war such as ours, something that you could use in your own war."

Sally paused for a moment, "How do you know of our war?"

Vorbak grinned and spread his arms expansively "Your sorcerous friend has given his report, and I can see it in the feed my armour provides. In addition, the Gods have granted me unique perceptions. I am good at reading mortals, and war is all about you. I also sense that such perceptions could also be within your grasp Princess Acorn."

"I don't know what you mean by that Vorbak, but perhaps I will in time. I do feel I must be cautious for now, but your explanation is welcome."

"I can see why Lord Erebus is interested in you. Come, we must not keep him waiting."

Soon they were ushered into a dark amphitheatre lit only with red light. In the arches around them, there were impressions of armoured figures looking down upon a central dais. Upon the dais was a huge ornate lectern, the front of which was fashioned into an eight-pointed star, each arm of the star a different length. The sides were of black marble inlaid with flowing golden script.

Behind the lectern stood another armoured giant, lights in the hood of his armour illuminated his face. Noble, patrician features were revealed, though notable scars were visible beneath tattoos. The same flowing golden scripts the saw on the lectern covered every inch of his face, including the eyelids, which they saw when he blinked.

"Erebus, Dark Apostle, Son of Lorgar, Lord of the Word Bearers, I present to you the Warp Touched that prophecy foretold. Their leader, Sally Acorn, her followers Sonic, Shadow, Tails and Knuckles."

Erebus smiled, though it twisted his scared face awkwardly, serving only to make his patrician features look cruel.

"Welcome, sons and daughters of Mobius, to my council chambers"

Sally stepped forward, "Thank you Erebus, do you know of Mobius?"

"Not from personal experience, but the Gods whisper much to me. I know of your homeworld on the other side of the veil. I know of its zones and of its wars. I know of the fracture of your world and where they have been scattered in this galaxy. I know of your Emeralds of Chaos power, and of the machine-loving war leader who is your enemy. I know how to send you home and how to stitch your world back together." Erebus voice was sly and knowing, Shadow did not trust it.

"Hmph. And what is your price? You talk well, but you know more than you say." Shadow folded his arms staring at the Dark Apostle,

"Well Shadow of the ARK, of course there is a price, but it is one you will pay. Your Robotnik created another Chaos Emerald. A fulgurite of overwhelming Chaos power. Your world was imbalanced by it and was cast into the Warp. What I want is that artefact of power, should you keep it, it will destroy your world, but without it, you cannot return home,"

"Your price seems fair Erebus," Sally said, "But how can we find the Emeralds? A Galaxy is a large place and I don't think even Knuckles innate senses can track that far," Knuckles shook his head quietly,

"I will give you a ship, a crew and access to training in the ways of Chaos. I know you all have abilities you have yet to unlock. It would be a delight to have you gain the gifts of the Gods."

"You will not come with us?"

"Ah Princess Acorn, I have a war to prosecute and the Word to spread, our paths must diverge until you return with all eight emeralds."

Sally nodded slowly, "I understand, you need to look to your own, but we do appreciate your help. May I request that you let us take Xaphian the Sorcerer with us? He is familiar now and would help with our transition into this galaxy."

"You may take the sorcerer. I have no doubt his wisdom will be beneficial to you."

"Then thank you Erebus. We will find the Emeralds and give to you the fake one."

Erebus smiled again, it made Tails shiver as he thought it looked sinister. "Good. Vorbak, take them back to the shuttle and send them on their way to their new temporary home."

Vorbak bowed, "As you command Dark Apostle."

XXXX

Robotnik watched the Explorator examine the schematics he had laid before him. He carefully took in where the Tech Priests movements were clunky and stiff and where they were inhumanly swift, dependant on the cybernetic enhancements they were relying on. It would be too easy to rid himself of this fellow mechanical genius and then usurp his command. He weak points were obvious to him, and a casual insertion of a tool in the right place would sever the connection of the Explorators brain to the rest of his systems effectively killing him instantly while allowing the Explorator a futile few seconds to consider his betrayal and death. It would be elegant and efficient, but disposing of the body would be hard, and any questions about the Explorators death would also be hard to counter. Not impossible, the people of this universe we too superstitious and easily manipulated until you reached the upper echelons of command, and the Inquisition, that is where the trouble would come.

No, it was better to wait, arrange an accident and then assume control, which would gain him the maximum power he desired. It may also allow him to milk a few items of knowledge and direction from this gullible fool.

Explorator Magnitron had begun to emit a high pitched noise that Robotnik judged to be excitement, so much for removing emotions. Robotnik began to reflect on his time as a child first discovering his prowess with machines and his excitement when Sir Charles had invented the roboticizer, but that moment of reflection shattered when the Explorator began to speak.

"Processing … Magos Robotnik! These Standard Templates are incredible. The unique nature of your Battle Automata and their tactical generation process to simulate random natures and thus confuse the enemy has such wonderful application. Your enhanced servitization process has so many practical efficiencies. Utilising the electromagnetic output of the biological components housed within the armoured shell to power the servitor would reduce the weight of the servitor, no longer needing power cells, and reduce maintenance times. This would allow for increased utility for housing tools or additional weapons or ammunition. I can see these STC's combining well with the technology lost to Designate: Mobius. Imagine these automata with access to melta, plasma or haywire weapons. They would be virtually unstoppable."

Robotnik smiled, "I knew you would see their potential. I knew you could be trusted with Mobius's greatest secrets. Surely we will bring glory to the Omnissiah with these machines." Though in his head Robotnik was thinking, "Fool, please keep giving me tools to betray you. Even Snively is not as incompetent as you."

"Your trust was not misplaced Magos Robotnik, we will find your missing power sources and with them and these STC's we will destroy the servants of the arch-enemy that beleaguer your world."

"That is just what I wanted to hear. Shall we discuss how exactly we will find my power sources?"

This time the Hedgehog would not stand a chance.