Hello everyone, this is my first fic. I've been interested in the Warhammer 40K lore (although I'm not an expert, so be warned, I will get things wrong) for quite a while now and I've finally decided to make my own small contribution to it. As much as I love the combat and "grimdarkness" of Warhammer, I've always felt that too much time is spent with Space Marines and the people high up in society (Xeno and human alike) whereas the average Imperial guardsmen doesn't get much of a look in (then again, I might be wrong).

EldarxHuman is quite interesting as a topic as it forces two people together from completely different backgrounds and cultures. I've seen a few good Adventure/romance fics but many of them never get completed as their authors didn't have an overarching plot and instead relied upon the interactions between the two protagonists. Unfortunately, this can only work for so long before the story becomes stagnant. This is a story inspired by the story 'Boots First' and as unfortunately that story will never be finished hopefully this will go some way to bring closure to those who loved it as much as I did.

Chapter 1 – Gone Dark

Year: 745.M41

System: Eta Carina

Planet: Deyria (Day-rye-ah)

Function: Xenos Archaeological Site

Garrison: 2 Companies of the 195th Narvos Light Infantry

Colonel Demetris sat at a desk in his makeshift office, he looked up from the multitude of paperwork scattered around. A scarred veteran whose jet-black hair was starting to fade to grey. He scanned the smooth onyx walls that enclosed his office, with their strange swirling and digital like patterns. A dull white light emanated from them which Demetris, much to his notice, still hadn't gotten used to in spite of living on Deyria for almost year. Although he had to admit there was a strange sort of beauty to them. Better not repeat that aloud when Commissar Virilus is nearby. He reflected. The patterns covered every wall, in every room in the building.

When they had first arrived to garrison the Monastery, they had expected the ancient building to be a twisting labyrinth of corridors and rooms. It turned out that their expectations couldn't have been further from the truth. The entire layout of the Monastery was unbelievably simple. There was the flat plateau which led into a hallway which ran for quite some length before opening out into a small courtyard with a well at its' centre. Directly opposite the hallway on the far side of the courtyard was a small flight of steps which led to the atrium. The atrium was the area which housed the xenos Artefact and was strictly off limits to anyone but Demetris himself and Adept Doric.

Demetris mulled over their arrival to the Monastery, he hadn't failed to notice the prime location of the ancient structure while looking through the window of the Valkyrie drop ship. The Monastery was cut from the mountain itself while sitting atop a small steep hill. There was only one path up from the valley floor to the plateau as much of the hill was surrounded by cliffs and scree. The plateau was further enhanced with a new wooden palisade that Demetris had ordered to be constructed. It was built using the surrounding coniferous woodland. This had led to two benefits in Demetris's mind. Keep the troops busy and out of trouble but also the clearing of the forest below the Monastery created a perfect killing zone devoid of cover for any would-be attacker.

Demetris had set up his office in one of the few rooms joining to the hallway. The room afforded him some level of privacy, especially with the addition of a curtain covering the entrance where normally a door would have been. His office was connected to the main hallway close to the entrance to the courtyard. The men of his two companies however, did not have the same luxury. They simply set up sleeping and living areas in the main antechamber.

The Monastery had been found by ambitious explorers trying to find planets with rich ore deposits. It was completely by chance they stumbled upon the moon Deyria, which had for so long remained undiscovered, while scanning the gas giant of the same name. Upon discovering the moon, they sent down an exploration team. They found no ore deposits or anything of any value apart from an ancient and abandoned xenos monastery cut into the mountainside. They alerted the Logis Strategos of the Administratum of their discovery once it became clear that the planet was seemingly worthless. As ever though, the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly. It was not for another 10 years after the explorers' report that any action was taken. The Administratum sent two Adept scholars to investigate. It was in the Monastery where they found an object of some import and immediately requested a garrison to protect their findings.

Demetris shook himself out of his day dreaming and looked back to the task at hand, the papers covered with lists and requests demanded his attention. He was tired, he hated dealing with the logistics of running the regiment. He had always delegated the task to his Quarter Master but unfortunately, he along with the majority of the regiment were off fighting the Orks on an Agri-World in a neighbouring system. He could have assigned the errand to one of his other officers, however many of them were busy with their own tasks. In the end he had decided that he should try his hand at book keeping and managing of supplies. That was a mistake, he thought.

He gained a whole new appreciation for his Quarter Master, Quietus Len. A shy individual with glasses that were endlessly falling off his nose, considered an incredibly dull person by most of the regiment. Demetris however, would argue that he was probably the best Quarter Master and book keeper he'd ever seen. If Quietus ever became Master of the Administratum, the Imperium would run like a well-oiled machine. The thought of his bookish friend being a High Lord of Terra made him smile. He turned his attention back to the papers on his desk, a requisition order for new boots had floated its way up to the top of the pile.

His thought process was interrupted by Major Skult knocking on the wall outside of his office. "Come on in Major, take a seat." said Demetris wearily. Major Skult, pushed aside the curtain and closed it behind him. He snapped a smart salute and sat on the chair opposite the Colonel from the other side of the desk. Major Skult, a good officer although sometimes inflexible. Major Skult, like much of Narvos' inhabitants, was stereotypically tall. Standing at 6'4" with blonde hair and a handsome face. He was the poster child for the 195th.

"You wanted to see me sir?"

"That I did Major, that I did. I have quite a bit of housekeeping to do so I'll be brief. Radio contact has been lost with Outpost Landfall-"

"Again?" Interrupted Major Skult

"Yes again… "Demetris struggled to recover his train of thought. maybe I'm getting too old for this…Just two more years. "In two hours' time I want 'B' Company to go to the outpost, find out what happened and re-establish radio contact."

"Sir, last time and it was simply a technical fault. Are you sure it's necessary to mobilise an entire company?" Argued Major Skult.

"True enough, most likely some idiot spilt his tea over the vox set. However, we should never assume anything especially with what we're guarding, war has taught me that much at least. The ill prepared and unwary are the first to fall." Demetris trailed off as he started reliving his memories in the guard, of countless battles, the deaths of friends and foe alike. He sighed, By the Emperor, I am getting old. "Besides, you know as well as I do that that outpost is our only supply line off world."

The major nodded in acceptance of this fact, "still, surely a platoon would be enough? " enquired Skult.

"You have your orders Major." he said dismissively.

Major Skult visibly deflated at his words, "Yes sir." he nodded calmly. "What about scout riders?"

"Who went with 'A' Company last time?"

"That would be Guardsman Borr, Mcgaffe, Mordax, Chenauls, Ingran and Fiorenzi."

"We'll give them a break this time eh." Colonel Demetris flicked through his memory to find the twelve soldiers they had selected to act as scouts. That means Guardsman Haslinger, Faltz, Locke, Capaldo, Lueker and Kosters will be riding with you. Give them a bit more practise in the saddle eh."

"Very good Sir."

He stood up, saluted once more and just as we he was about to leave, he decided to ask another question of his Colonel. "Sir, can I ask you a question?" he asked sheepishly. Demetris merely grunted in response as he organized his paperwork. "The men are getting restless as are many of the officers, including me. Why are we here in the middle of nowhere, when the rest of our regiment is off fighting? I know that there's some sort of xenos artefact but surely this should be a matter for the Inquisition?"

Demetris didn't immediately respond. Deciding on whether he should disclose the information. In the end, he saw no harm in it. He looked up at the Major who was fidgeting like a small child, "Unfortunately the inquisition is currently unavailable. You know well that 'A' and 'B' Company were embroiled in heavy fighting on the Eastern Fringes. The top brass decided in their infinite wisdom, that we needed a cooling off period, so they sent us here to guard this place. For your question about the Artefact, unfortunately I'm not at a liberty to discuss such things. All you need to know is that artefact, if Adept Doric is to be believed, could potentially be extremely beneficial to the Imperium. Besides, whatever this thing actually does, the allure of a Xenos Artefact is sure to bring unwanted attention and we simply cannot allow any other race to get their grubby hands on it. That is why we are here Major" he punctuated the point by pointing his old calloused finger. "And that is why you will be taking a full Company to Outpost Landfall. Dismissed!" Demetris's tone indicated that the conversation was at an end. Major Skult saluted once more and left the Colonel to his busy work.

After morning roll call, the Monastery became a hive of activity. The large corridor was filled with the hustle and bustle of Imperial Guardsman going about their individual chores. Many were hunched over their portable stoves, waiting patiently for the water to boil to make a brew or heat up their breakfast MRE pack. Guardsman Tomas Locke was no exception, watching the water slowly boil from his own stove with hungry eyes. He was sitting at the end of his sleeping bag with his stove set up on the tiled floor. "Starin' at it ain't goin' to make it boil any faster you know!" Locke turned away from his stove to look at his friend, Guardsman Siemon Brandr. "Can't help myself, I'm absolutely starving" he replied.

"You're always starving" chimed in Corporal Kaylene Elis, not looking up from her book.

"The way you're looking at that ration pack; it's like you're waiting for a gourmet meal!" observed Lance Corporal Estrus Kern.

Locke patted his muscled stomach, "A boy needs to eat, it's what me mam always used to say." Smiled Locke innocently.

"Well your mam raised a right fat bastard!" quipped Guardsman Raevan Jaxx. The entire section broke out into laughter apart from Guardsman Austein Daud who simply smiled at his friends' banter.

"Now, I've been thinking-" started Brandr

"First time for everything" interrupted Locke sarcastically.

"Ha ha, very funny but seriously, in all the time we've been in the Guard, never once have I heard you complain about the food. Don't tell me you actually like it?"

Locke thought for a moment. "Oh no, it tastes like dirt half the time, but it still beats me old Da's cooking".

"Remind me to never go to your house for dinner" said Guardsman Juana Tapia. Laughter broke out once more.

A grinning Locke noticed his water boiling and was just about to retrieve his ration pack from the bubbling liquid when he heard Adept Doric calling his name. "By the Throne!" he cursed under his breath "Can it wait, I'm about to have my breakfast?" Locke already knew what the answer would be.

"No, come on it's important!" called Doric beckoning Locke to leave his meal behind. Locke grumbled as he got up and walked towards the Adept, who was waiting patiently near the edge of the assembled guardsman, as his squad mates jeered and chuckled at his irritation. "Don't worry Locke, we'll have your MRE, can't let it go to waste.". Brandr called after him. Locke turned around and raised two fingers at his comrade. This prompted more laughter.

"Good morning Adept." Locke said Tiredly.

"Oh, it very much is my friend, undoubtedly so." Said Doric excitedly. "Come with me, I need to show you something. It's absolutely fascinating." Locke smiled at his friend, his energy infectious.

"Lead the way." Doric was every inch the stereotypical academic. Long flowing scholarly robes on a slim and short build. His dusty brown hair, receding at the edges, was never properly combed giving him a crazed sort of look in complete contrast to his mild mannered bespectacled face. Locke walked alongside the enthusiastic Adept who babbled on about his research and his various theories. Locke simply let it wash over him as he walked down the long hallway.

When the guardsmen had first setup their living area in the hallway, they were awed by the alien symbols and patterns covering the shiny onyx coloured walls with the strange white light that emanated from them. Stranger still were the small alcoves dotted along the hallway at regular intervals. In the alcoves were ancient xenos bowls, of an unfamiliar material, that held large clusters of blue crystals that produced their own light.

Commissar Virilus had considered them xenos' sorcery and deemed that any who messed with the crystals was over-stepping the mark; leading to one public flogging. In the face of this though, curiosity proved too strong for many of the guardsmen, whom ended up chipping pieces off the crystals for souvenirs. Locke himself had taken a crystal shard which he'd turned into a necklace. What he found surprising was that shard still produced the ethereal blue light, although very much diminished.

Locke and Doric were now passing the men of 'B' Company, most didn't take much notice, but some watched them pass by with curious expressions. Locke had heard the hushed tones and whispers, as they walked past. A few rumours were circulating about him and Doric. His favourite rumour about himself, was that Doric was experimenting on him. The very idea made him laugh aloud which stopped Doric's prattle mid-sentence. He wore a confused look upon his face. "I didn't realise the origin of alien linguistics and hieroglyphics was so funny." The confused look on the Adepts face made Locke chuckle again. "Don't worry it's nothing, just something I was thinking about earlier."

They left the noise and lively atmosphere of the antechamber behind and walked into the courtyard. There were a few guardsmen milling about, evidently, they'd been chosen by their platoon leader to collect water this morning. The well was the only feature of the courtyard, a square hole in the ground surrounded by a low wall made of the same onyx coloured stone that the rest of the Monastery was built from. The pulley system, rope and bucket had been put in place by one of the sappers, as collecting water prior to this addition had been difficult.

They wandered past the well and up the stairs. Two guardsmen were guarding the double doors which led into the atrium. The guardsman on the left nodded at Doric with a simple "Adept". Doric opened the door and beckoned Locke in. The soldier on the right moved to block Locke's path.

"Guardsman, this is a restricted area. Only the Adept and the Colonel may pass."

"He's my assistant, let him in." said Doric firmly. The guardsman hesitated. Locke didn't blame him, he didn't look anything like an Adept's assistant. Standing at 6'6" he towered over the Adept. Not to mention he was wearing his full combat gear, minus his rebreather, webbing and lasrifle. Eventually though the sentry relented. "Alright lad, you can go in. Don't do anything stupid now." he ushered him through with a wave of his hand before closing the door behind him.

Despite the rumours circulating about him, Locke had never been in the Atrium before. He'd expected something grand but was woefully disappointed when it proved to just be an unadorned circular room. The walls still glowed with white light from the various patterns. There more of the same blue crystal clusters in alcoves along the edge of the room, perfectly illuminating the room.

Along the edge of the room were a few desks and tables covered with piles of paper and various pieces of equipment. There was a small room that joined onto the atrium, evidently Doric's sleeping quarters. At the centre of the room, on a low dais, stood a pedestal. Cradled on top of the pillar was a small cube covered by a grey piece of cloth, the Artefact. Two companies of infantry to guard a rock smaller than my fist! Is this a joke? Glimpsing through one of the folds, he could tell it was the same shade as the walls.

Locke casually walked over to it, after staring at it for a few moments, he tentatively reached out to touch it. Just before his index finger made contact with the cloth covered cube his hand was swatted away as if he were a child trying to steal an apple from the market. "You fool you could have killed yourself!" yelled Doric, all enthusiasm and warmth disappearing in an instant. "Have you forgotten what I told you happened to my colleague? Well have you?" barked Doric

"Something to do with him bursting into flames before turning to ash." Said Locke skeptically.

Doric sighed while holding his hand to his face, "well… yes that is essentially what happened, albeit highly simplified."

"Uh... sorry". Said Locke as he nursed his hand. "It just looks like a little block of stone!" he said defensively.

"Looks can be deceiving. You told me yourself that your mother had a saying for such a thing?"

"Don't judge a book by it's cover" Said Locke matter-of-factly

"That's the one." Doric had quickly returned to his jovial state, after his outburst. "Sometimes it's the little things, the ones easily over looked, that in the end hold the true balance of power. Anyway, swiftly moving forward" Doric took Locke by the arm and practically dragged the tall soldier over to the table.

"I've started to decipher the various runes and hieroglyphics on the floor surrounding the dais. From what I've found so far, there is a sort of warning to any who might try to use it. Something to do with having a strong enough 'will' and being 'worthy'. Isn't that fascinating?" Before Locke could respond, Doric continued. "That's not all though, I've also uncovered what the Artefact is and how it works." Doric was talking faster and faster as his enthusiasm grew. Information that he had kept bottled up for months, waiting in anticipation for the day he could tell someone about his findings. Officially he was forbidden from speaking to anyone about the Artefact if they were not authorized to know.

This had left him with very few people he could talk to about his passion. It didn't help that Doric had never been a very social person to begin with, often finding himself ignored or openly shunned by most people. Preferring instead the comfort from books and his research. That was until the garrison, he and his fellow Adept had requested, arrived. On the first day the guardsmen had been present, during their lunch break, he had thought to eat with them, since he hadn't had human contact for 2 weeks.

Most of the Guardsmen simply ignored him or were outright hostile to his presence. It didn't take long before Doric was on the verge of giving up and thought of retreating to his private quarters. That was until Locke noticed Doric standing awkwardly behind him. Many people in Locke's situation would have told Doric to sling his hook but instead he invited him to eat with him and his comrades, much to Doric's surprise. Since then, Doric had counted Locke as one of his few friends. In the end he decided to break the rules and confided in Locke about his research.

"Please tell me, you remember what I told you about the Old Ones?" pleaded Doric

"Ancient space lizards." Replied Locke

Doric shook his head, "I swear on the God-Emperor himself, you say things like that just to annoy me." Locke smiled once again at his friend's forlorn expression.

"Right then, as a reminder. The Old Ones were an ancient space faring race that came about long before Humanity, the Eldar, the Orks or the Necrons. We don't know much of the details, but they became embroiled in a war that spanned the galaxy"

"So, they were in the same situation the Imperium is in now?" interrupted Locke.

"Yes, there are a few similarities. Anyway, to fight their war, they created several species such as the Orks and the Eldar. There are even some theories which suggest they created the Tyranids and even humanity." Noticing Locke's raised eyebrow,"pure speculation mind" added Doric.

Locke nodded signalling the Adept to continue.

"This raises some important questions. The main being, how did they control their creations? My theory is that it was done by using Artefacts like this one" Doric emphasised the point by pointing at the cube.

"You mean like... mind control?"

"No... no...well not exactly. I think it was deeper and far subtler than that. Potentially an extreme form of persuasion." Doric shrugged. "That's not all it can do though. I'm convinced that these things were able to open portals to places or even possibly different dimensions. The Artefact itself is some sort of repository but also an amplifier for warp energy."

"Is it safe to be around it?" Locke asked, now worried.

"Don't worry, it is safe. Provided you don't touch the damn thing. Although it does talk sometimes...strange that." Doric said that last bit as if he had gotten some mud on his best shoes.

"What, it talks to you?" cried Locke

"Yes. Have you not heard it?"

"No!"

"Hmmm that is odd, everyone else who has made eye contact with it started hearing the voices. Although the effect did wear off once they could no longer see it." Doric did his own version of the philosophers pose. "Very interesting." Doric trailed off obviously wondering what this could mean, stealing glances at Locke every now and then.

As Locke looked back towards the pedestal, he heard a bugle sounding across the Monastery. The call to muster. Shit, what now? Locke set off at the run towards the plateau, leaving Doric alone in the atrium. Locke joined a small number of Guardsman from the courtyard who were all rushing to the plateau. As Locke ran through the hallway he quickly stopped to pick up his rebreather, webbing and lasrifle before rushing on once more out onto the plateau with the rest of the garrison. He fell in with the rest of his section as they formed up on the parade ground. Locke found himself next to Brandr. "Where ya been Locke?" whispered Brandr.

"Doric just wanted to talk to me about the usual." Replied Locke, in the same hushed tone. All the guardsman were stood in the 'At Ease' position. Once both companies had mustered, a silence settled over the Plateau. Locke watched as Sergeant Major Dobbs marched out in front of the company before doing a perfect 90 degree turn to face the assembled men. "Company! Company 'tention". There was a loud stamp of feet as the assembled soldiers stood to attention.

Major Skult then took over command from the Sergeant Major. "Well then lads" called the Major. "It looks like Outpost Landfall has gone dark on us. Most likely someone tripped over a wire and pulled out a plug." This drew out a few chuckles. "Or it could be an enemy force" his tone had become serious taking a slightly more serious tone. "You know as well as I do, that we are supplied through that Outpost. Without it, we're cut off. Colonel Demetris has decided that 'B' Company shall have the honour of re-establishing contact with the Outpost. Looks like we get to go for a nice jaunt around the woods. As for scouts, Guardsman Haslinger, Faltz, Locke, Capaldo, Lueker and Kosters will be travelling with us." Am I ever going to get a chance to sit down with my brew? Thought Locke.

"Unlucky Locke" whispered Tapia. "If you're in 'A' Company and your name wasn't read out, congratulations you get to say here. 'A' Company! Fall Out!"