Week Five, Match Two - Aun'O'Vader vs Captain Kellen

[Inquisitor023]

The Arena exploded into life. The Void Shields, seperating fight and crowd, kicked into life. The Cheap Seats began to fill with vendors prowling them, looking to sell their wares.

"I really cannot believe it's the fifth round already!" Inquisitor declared with shock, "I was half expecting to be dead by this point... Not sure by whose hand, maybe my own because I need to deal with the madness that is our combatants but whatever. We have another round for you! Let's get right into it because have we a treat for you... I'm calling this a Legends match."

A well-known figure descended from his Mantis, the jump pack coming off cleanly as he touched down. "In the blue corner, we have the one, the only Aun'O'Vader!"

Inquisitor was about to begin announcing the second combatant but he had to stop. "Uh..." he said as he stared at the little boy standing in the Arena, facing Aun'O. He wasn't sure if anyone else noticed. "I need another drink," he mumbled before continuing on.

The sound of Iron Man by Black Sabbath began to dominate even the roars of the crowd as Captain Kellen suddenly teleported in. "And in the red corner, a seeming fan favourite - Captain Kellen!"

"Alright, time for the Earthshaker!" Inquisitor announced before an explosion cut him off. "Not that Earthshaker you idiot!" he yelled at one of his minions before sighing, "To anyone who parked in park A1 through B7 we are sorry but your cars are scrap now."

"No, the Earthshaker I refer to is for the Arena itself. Instead of the drab sands, I'm going to mix things up. Let's heat things up." When he finished, lava began to pour in from the walls and pool up. "Things aren't a big deal yet. But if you aren't careful, you might end up burning alive. Be careful, the heath policy doesn't cover lava... Or combat, strangely enough."

[Aun O Vader]

Inevitably it leads to this, I knew it would when I entered. I need to remember that Kellen is not the man I knew, something in him has changed, not broken, but... different.

Aun'O'Vader stood with his feet planted firmly on the rock of raised ground watching the lava flow langrously around the arena, the rivers and pools of molten rock were not filling him with confidence, but luckily his armour covered his face, so Kellen wouldn't be able to see that. Of course, I'm still not convinced that Kellen relies on his physical senses to know things.

Kellen was stood on a similar rock some distance away from him, on the opposite side of the arena, as utterly implacable as ever. Aun'O'Vader didn't even know how to begin this combat, Kellen had demonstrated before that sending drones against him was simply an expenditure of their AIs, in fact, every one of his opponents in this contest had cut through his drones like a hot knife through snow, I'll need to discuss some upgrades to drones for the future, the current ones are too fragile and not quick enough to adapt in this environment.

Teaming six gun drones into two units of three he sent them to a classic flanking position, trying to ensure they kept the range open and kept moving, other than that the final preparation was to start moving across the arena, the Ethereal matched actions to plans, setting off to pick a route around the lava streams, and trying not to be thrown off balance by the tremors shaking the ground of the arena.

He shook his head as one of his gun drone teams began to report the presence of a small child in the arena, then it fell off their scanners, then the second team reported a fleeting contact, not present long enough to localise. Great, now the Inquisitor is doing something with the scanners.

He finally addressed his old friend, now opponent, "Good Morning Thomas, I see we're here again, although some things seem to have changed. How is Gwen?"

[Captain Kellen]

Like tomorrow was a gift and you've got eternity...

The darkened picters were line in front of Captain Kellen as he awoke chained by foot and arm still in his armour. Struggling against his bindings he knew The Duke was not a fool and it would take more than a mere tug to be released. Initially he was teleported into the arena and then... he just passed out and the only person to have that power was the Arena Master.

To think about what you do with it...

Looking around he was shocked to see the decomposing body of Destrillion the other Dark Angel gladiator whom had disappeared from the fight early on. His body lay next to a pile of Kellens equipment. It explained a lot. D'nai, the outcast of many names, would get what he wanted one way or another and no one would stop his form of death and destruction in this place. Destrillion must have found out something about the Arena Master that was very valuable information.

A door opened behind Kellen but he struggled to see who it was until the voice revealed... him.

"I see you are awake," said the Arena Master smugly coming into view but staying out of any reach of the space marine. "I'm very angry with you and you little antics. So, I've finally, after all this time, have the one thing to keep you in line." He was shaking his pudgy little finger in Kellen's face to emphasize the point and he was grinning.

Turning around The Duke D'nai pointed a remote activation device at the screens and they came to life revealing the arena and the fight scheduled between Captain Kellen and Aun O'Vader. No other combatant seemed to be in the arena as Aun's drones started darting around in a fixed search pattern.

Then the captain saw him. A boy, carrying a green tinged sword, in tattered fatigues. Kellen knew who it was. Somehow, someway, the Arena Master had brought a younger version of himself, before he became a full space marine to fight in the arena. He had brought a lamb to a slaughter. "Let me go!" an enraged Kellen spat while struggling with the chains. "I'll kill you with my bare hands!"

"Not a chance, Captain." said the Arena Master calmly. "You can't kill a god, you can only banish them temporarly by killing their corporeal form." Turning back to Kellen he continued his monologue. "You on the other hand, can be killed permanently and your soul fed to my siblings."

Walking around in a large circle the sound of Kellen struggling and the footsteps of Malal, the outcast Chaos God, were the only thing heard. "Captain, here in the arena the gladiators have an immortality of sorts. I can bring part of their souls here and leave the other part safe as long as at least half the soul is not removed from it's physical form. In essence you can be in two places at once." explained D'nai. "I find this ability makes the arena very saticfying and keeps me out of the eyes of my family."

What could you do with it...

"If we both die then I'll cease to exist." grunted Kellen.

"And people think that marines are mindless warriors only engineered for war. In truth though I haven't decide if I'm going to kill you this match or wait till enough blood has been spilled. For now I'm going to ensure part of you dies to keep you in control and make you watch." replied the Master continuing his circling.

"Look at the time!" Exclaimed Malal as he headed to the door out of Kellen's vision. "I'm late... enjoy the fight." The door closing signaled that the Captain was once again alone.

Captain Kellen struggled against the chains but it was just no use. He was trapped here while the drones and Aun hunted down his younger half. From the camera angles all Kellen could discern was that the Tau was having trouble find the boy and the boy was constantly on the move due to the shifting terrain and drone attacks.

what can I do with with it...

The door opened behind Kellen again signaling another entrance. "Forgot something." questioned Kellen.

"Not I, honor did he," came the alien voice of Pellerak behind him. "Hurry we must."



**************


The shifting terrain kept the Tau Commander focused on his well being and distracted him at moments with the drones. The sensors still indicated a small human in range but no armored warrior he had seen just minutes before.

The shifting surface threw the Tau to the ground before he could react but at the least he had not fallen into the molten rock between hard ground.


**************

The arena master opened the door to the skybox and sealed himself inside. "Are we ready?" he questioned sitting in his command chair. "I want complete control and don't care how many drones we need. In fact, launch five of the heavy gun drones for my personal control. Let's see how 'good' these things really are on both our gladiators."

"As you wish..." replied the minion nearest the Arena Master.

Opening a channel to the external address system the Arena Master thought he would have a little fun with the crowd and telegraph a message to the Tau Commander at the same time. "Ladies and gentlemen... it seems our little fireworks show has caused some problems with the drones... Never fear though... Aun O'Vader is a true champion and can overcome any obstacle put before him!"

Sitting back into his chair the Arena Master waited for the other drones to arrive and then the little game of the fox and the hounds could begin.

Reveal my true name will you... Kellen...


**************

Aun bounced around from stable ground to stable ground the best he could but he couldn't get a good fix visually in the arena other than the drone sensors and they weren't working well... according to the Arena Master.

It's a trap... Thought Aun. No stranger to a double cross he was wary.

A flash of light, the release of energy, and cheers from the crowd caused the Commander to turn around quickly revealing Captain Kellen kneeling behind him from teleportation. Rising to his feet Aun noticed that he was only carrying his shield and no sword. Instantly he recalled the gun drones.

**************

"Sir, Captain Kellen has appeared in the arena!" yelled one of the skybox minions.

"About time..." replied the Master amused.

How far are you willing to go?...



**************



Captain Kellen ran at the Tau yelling. The crowd noise, the shifting terrain, the loud speaker system all over rode Kellen's words. Five heavy Tau gun drones were on attack vectors towards the two and began firing from behind the Aun as the Commanders own drones appeared and began firing at the Captain. Vader was just about to activate his jet pack to escape the attack...

What would I do with it...

It all happened in fractions of seconds.

Kellen slammed into the Tau and drove him to the ground stunned but not injuried while a hail of gun fire erupted around them.The ground shifted be they remained safe. The storm shield Kellen carried and Aun's shield drones saved them both.

The arena was filled with gun fire, explosions, and the quiet roar of an entertained crowd lusting for destruction on a spectacular scale.

"Save the boy!" roared Kellen protecting them both momentarily from gun fire with his shield. He fired his pistol at the nearest heavy gun drone which shrugged off the attack while the others swam in the air shooting.

"what?! Why!?" yelled the Commander calling of his gun drones but immediately realized they were out of his control. The shield drones were still angling to protect their charge. At least I still have cotnrol of those... for now...

"Because it's the right thing to do!"

[Aun O Vader]

Why is it always complicated with Kellen, why can things never, ever be simple? Aun'O'Vader knew it didn't make any difference what he thought, or what he hoped for, if that was the case then the whole universe would see the manifest sense of The Greater Good without him having to order any more warriors to their deaths.

Then what Kellen said to him registered, "you mean there really is a Gue'la child here in the arena, but my drones have been reporting weapon signatures, even The Inquisitor isn't crazed enough to put a child into the Arena!"

Kellen simply looked down at the Ethereal incredulously, thoughtlessly moving his shield to intercept another burst of fire from one of the heavy gun drones, seconds after shooting at them the drone itself exploded as one flight of Aun'O'Vader's drones momentarily overcame it's confusion and engaged it, the concentrated pulse fire broke it apart. The next second two of the drones were destroyed by heavy gun drones, the third lost control and engaged Kellen once again.

"You still don't believe me do you, The Inquisitor isn't a new master of the Arena, he's simply the latest manifestation of Malal, a Chaos God who is controlling this pocket universe, you think that anyone else could do what he does here?"

"You forget yourself Thomas," The two warriors surged to their feet, Aun'O'Vader intercepted the fire from a gun drone on his honour blade, another splashed energy around the shield of a shield drone. "I don't believe in Gods at all, I certainly have nothing to convince me that this Inquisitor is all that you claim he is. However, that doesn't change the fact that a child is somewhere in here, that cannot be allowed to continue, I shall rescue them, trust in me old friend. I'm assuming you'll do something dramatic to help draw away the fire?"

Kellen smiled, "Of course not, I never do anything dramatic". Even as he spoke he turned on his heel catching the fire of three successive drones on his shield in a single manoeuvre then blasted a gun drone to shards with his pistol, "Just promise me you'll get to the child."

"If it can be done, it will be done! I Have always offered you acceptance into the fold of the Greater Good, you never accepted it, but I accepted you, I shall do as you ask!"

***

"Are those two finished yet?" The Inquisitor was becoming irrate, one of the attacks by the horde of drones should have got through by now, two mortals should not be able to defeat this much weight of fire!

Nevermind. The Inquisitor mused, Two more wings of heavy gun drones will arrive soon, including some refitted with plasma rifles, we'll see how that shield holds up to some proper firepower!

***

Kellen pushed away from The Ethereal, he had his promise, it was enough, it wouldn't be from most, but it would be from this creature. Moving with swiftness that belied his size he smashed a gun drone to the ground with his shield, crushing it, the move left him temporarily open to attack, and a pair of pulse rounds ricoccheted off his armour, although neither penetrated. Time to take the pain.

***

Aun'O'Vader watched Kellen disappear into the sulphurous smoke of the arena, the lava continued to flow into the arena, at this rate the child would be able to get themselves killed very simply, The Inquisitor wouldn't need to actually do anything.

He turned to the last direction he had received notification of the child, small lava streams were flowing between larger pools, but there was still plenty of high ground to advance across. He set off, his shield drones continuing to orbit, most of the heavy gund drones had followed Kellen, although a pair continued to track the Ethereal. One of them crossed behind him and exploded as Aun'O'Vader triggered the remote detonator on the pair of EMP grenades he had dropped, but he still needed to get rid of the other, and if the Inquisitor had these five, then he would have more.

Easy enough to mange with that though, if The Inquisitor is going to change the rules, then I'm sure he won't object to me flexing the definition of equipment! Aun'O'Vader engaged his communicator and began to pass orders to the Manta still hovering overhead, the first was to lock down and disable all gun, heavy gun and razor drones, also to dispatch a dozen micro-drones in recon configuration into the Arena, finally he also requested a half dozen more shield drones, three directly to him, three more to orbit overhead awaiting orders.

I think a little fire-support is also in order. With a smile inside his helm Aun'O'Vader began to pass targetting instructions to the massive gunship. Above the Arena long-barrelled burst cannon began to swivel in their mounts searching for targets, awaiting the instruction to engage from their Commander.

[Captain Kellen]

The worst is over now and we can breathe again...

It's easy to fight a battle when you know you can't really die, here, in this place. It's the allure of the arena created by the Chaos God Malice. Come, fight, be free to reign destruction upon your foe however you like and when enough blood has been spilled... he'll discard you. Put on a show, live a little longer, and damn your soul just a little bit further.

The pilliars shot out of the floor and changed the landscape while the drones flew around the room like some sort of flying circus. If innocent life wasn't on the line it might have been fun, but Kellen knew what he had to do. If it isn't hell then it's not a battle... The Duke D'nai needed to keep his eye firmly on him so he would be blind to other plans.

There's so much left to learn...

Grabbing a pilliar as it arose from the lava based floor, Captain Kellen could hardly keep hold but it flung him high into the air and he landed on another rising rock platform making him the perfect target for the drones buzzing about. Hefting his shield he mustered all his strength to weld the shield on his forearm and use both his pistols. Aun and the younger version of Captain Kellen named Thomas were nowhere to be seen. Kellen did what he did best and shot another drone.

**********

"Put up a score of how many drones they shoot down and take bets." said Malice comfortably from his command chair. "...and put a timer up so people know how long the match has left. Work the crowd. I want them fighting themselves to place bets on the destruction."

**********

The crowd was almost to the point of being on their feet to watch the fight. Drones burst into flames and crashed, the Captain dodged shots from the drones, and fought like there was no tomorrow. He had to live until Thomas was safe.

and no one left to fight...

What it really boiled down to was a fight of attrition. Could he keep the drones, and by extentsion Malice, occupied long enough for the boy to be rescued. Damn the match, damn Malace for putting him in this position, and damn himself for not realizing how truly easy it would be to wiped from existence. Would he join the Emperor and fight for eternity if he died here? Would he be tortured for his 'sins' of arrogance? I had it planned so perfectly... Would anyone remember? Would anyone care?

Two more squadrons appeared from nowhere while support fire from far above him attempted to the oncoming heavy drones. Aun was fighting back.

The new drones appeared to be on some sort of approach towards one corner of the arena. It could only mean that Malice had targeted Aun or Thomas. Throwing down a spent bolt pistol Kellen drew a combat blade and began to run, leap, and climb toawards the drones who had opened fire. Wedging his balde into a crevice of another rising pilliar he was able to get higher and to a better vantage point.

Aun had Thomas and was defending the boy with shield drones and selective gun fire from above. The heavy drones weren't making any progress but did have Aun cornered. Nothing was more dangerous than a trapped animal. Malice had better be on his toes or suffer O'Vader's wrath.

The two remaining heavy drones were working thier magic when Captain Kellen did the only thing that might take both of them out but it would cost him. Grabbing the sacred blade tied to his storm shield he threw the shield at one heavy drone and lept through the air with blades in each of his hands trying to intercept the other.

The storm shield crashed into one of the heavy drones weapons causing one gun to stop firing but the massive release of energy from the shield damaging itself blew the drone to bits. Kellen on the other hand had managed to stab the top of the remaining heavy drone with one bladee but was dangling in the air causing the flying weapon to be off balance and crash into the arena wall. Captain Kellen, parts of flaming junk, and chunks of the wall came crashing down near Aun who was doing his race a great credit by his actions.

Stunned, Kellen could see Aun motion for him to come ove near him but he couldn't hear him. The coppery taste of blood was in his mouth and one of his hearts was in arrest. Mustering his strength he crawled feebly towards Aun and his younger form. He could see the blood thirsty crowd jumping up and down and pointing. More drones were approaching fast and Aun was turned the wrong direction.

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain...

Getting to one knee Kellen felt the impacts of other smaller drone weapons on his chest plate. His pack was spewing black smoke from the damage and the ground shook with the ever shifting dangerous terrain. Seeing the trails of weapon fire move towards Aun and Thomas he had act. Kellen gained his footing and leapt towards the two, crashing into Aun and the boy pushing them further into the corner for protection while the Mark VI 'Corvus' armour took a withering hail of fire.

Getting himself righted Aun signaled defensive fire towards the emerging flight of heavy weapons but did manage a glimpse of Captain Kellen. He tried to say something but the words wouldn't come out.

'Cause I'm broken...

[Aun O Vader]

Kor'El'N'Daa stared dumbfounded into the hologram tank in front of him, the battle had been going on for an incredulously small amount of time, considering the carnage that he had seen wreaked on the Arena. El'N'Daa had been Aun'O'Vader's personal Manta commander for years now, he had been hand selected by Kor'O'Ta'Ken, the lead admiral of the entire Kor'vattra'H'Th. He had seen Aun'O'Vader fight Hawke, it had been El'N'Daa who had personally engaged the Arena with heavy rail cannon during the fight against Gaius Julius, that had been only the second time the Arena had been levelled to it's foundations.

Never before had he seen the kind of carnage that was being waged below, and the number of drones that had been destroyed was astronomical. Every weaponised drone onboard had been disabled, even the experimental drones, and some of them had attempted to break their restraints. El'N'Daa would have some stern words for the fio caste regarding security inside the software of the drones.

New targetting parameters arrived, El'N'Daa scanned them and turned a paler shade of blue. I hope The Ethereal knows what he's doing.

***

Aun'O'Vader watched another heavy gun drone explode into shards as it was engaged by the burst cannons of the manta. El'N'Daa was doing amazing work, this was an insane battle to be engaged in, and he was surpassing all of his previous performances.

Aun'O'Vader raised his honour blade again, pulse fire extinguishing itself on the laser beam, without turning he shouted, "Child, grab the warrior, we need to check how he's doing!"

The boy was still grasping the massive sword, it was much too large for him, and simply stared incredulously at the alien. "How? He's massive! I can't pick him up!" The voice was slightly shrill, but steady.

"Don't bring me problems child, we need solutions!" The shield drones were still circling around the three combatants, two had been destroyed, two more had malfunctioned and Aun'O'Vader had been forced to smash them to pieces with his own honour blade. The air around all the drones was a flickering corona of blue as the shields were practically under constant assault. "On the backpack, on the right-hand side, under the vent, there's a display, what colours are showing?"

The child looked down where he'd been directed, "it's mostly orange, some of the indicators are red, one is black. What does it mean?"

"It means an old friend of mine is dying! Again! Under the panel are four buttons, press them in the following order, third, first, third, fourth, second, third, first, fourth, fourth, second, first."

The child followed the directions then stepped back surprised as the Marine suddenly lurched upright on his knees, an unholy scream coming from his speakers. Kellen collapsed back onto his hands beneath him, his breathing harsh through his helmet. Aun'O'Vader had no time to celebrate, another two drones closed in on him as he was slightly distracted, one was destroyed by a burst of ion cannon fire, the second jinked at the last moment then opened fire on them, obviously focussing it's fire on the child. Aun'O'Vader threw himself in the way, grabbing the child in his arms and pushing him to the ground. The air around the two of them glowed blue as the shield attempted to absorb the incoming energy, it almost succeeded.

Two bolts burned through the shield, one smashed into the reinforced armour plate on his shoulder, causing minimal damage, the second crashed into the back of the Ethereal's helmet causing a cascading failure of the equipment and the autosenses. Rendered momentarily blind there was nothing that the Ethereal could do against a follow up attack, he simply tensed his body and waited for the blows of pulse fire on his body.

They never came, muffled sounds of shooting and the thumps of debris hitting the ground rocked around him, but he couldn't identify what was happening. Then there was the sound of armoured knuckles rapping on his helmet, "is there anyone still in there?" the voice of Kellen asked.

Aun'O'Vader reached around his helmet, I hope these still work. His questing fingers found the latches for the helm and pushed them in, the seals detached and he pulled at the helm. For the first time in his life he looked on Captain Kellen with his own eyes, "I take it you're feeling better Captain?"

The Marine towered over the others, upright against all odds, "I'm not even going to ask how you knew about those commands, but I'm glad that you did. How is the child?"

Aun'O'Vader stood, revealing the form of the child underneath him, still unharmed. "Where are the robots?" His voice was now tremulous, but still not full of fear, Aun'O'Vader was beginning to have dark suspicions of what he was protecting.

"I can't be certain without my helmet and it's communicator, but it sounds like my ship has managed to engage most of the drones well short of our current position, I think there's one last thing to get done and we can start getting some answers." Aun'O'Vader beckoned towards one of his shield drones, it flew close then hovered. He reached into the workings of the drone, underneath the domed top and grabbed a handful of items, he jury-rigged a simplistic communicating circuit.

"This won't be able to do anything without a communicator, fortunately this should be compatible with the ones fitted to your helm." He fitted the collection of circuits snug against the gorget of Kellen's armour and attached a pair of wires where he thought best. "Captain, please tune to frequency 334.9 then pass the following message. O'Vader to El'N'Daa, authenticate remora-two-six, codeword, executioner."

Kellen didn't question, he simply passed the message. "What will that me..." The question was cut short by the deafening concussion of two heavy rail cannon firing once each, the massive projectiles blasted across the Arena, ionising the air around them and leaving burning trails of ignited oxygen, then they impacted, a section of the cheap seats was destroyed as one of the bolts smashed into the void shield, over-charging them instantly, the second passed through the miniscule gap created and impacted into the wall directly below the Director's box for The Arena. Rubble fell down, and the entire box collapsed into the Arena.

"I want to find out what's going on old friend, what say we go ask The Inquisitor?" Aun'O'Vader's voice was pitiless, his eyes dark with anger.

[Captain Kellen]

"He's preparing to contact his ship again sir, should I jam the signal?" questioned on the minions to his master.

"No." repleid The Arena Master. "Lock the exits to this arena match. I don't want any witnesses or loose ends." In reality, Malice was worried. If Kellen or Aun, or both were to reveal that he had interfered in the match this could get more troublesome. He would have to silence them differently than the first Dark Angel since they were major contributors to this seasons matches. The spectators wouldn't be missed since they were just 'chaff' among the stars. "I'll be right back." The Duke D'nai stepped out of the box without any explanation to the minions.

*********

The sky box for the arena area came crashing down in a pile of rubble on spectators trying to flee from the fight through barred doors. Carnage could describe it, chaotic would help, but the wanton destruction was enough to satisfy those that thirsted for it. Malice would be pleased and the only real winner this round.

When some of the dust had settled, Aun looked to see if anyone had survived the fall from the high perch above the arena floor. Some of the Arena Master's Minions were badly injured but were climbing from the crumpled box. The Arena Master was no where to be seen. "Captain, do you see our Host?"

Keeping the bulk of his body between the boy and any potential attack, Captain Kellen scanned the arena and the stands. Looking at the rubble and the crowd attempting to flee the battle he notice no one as flashy as the Duke D'nai. He would not be hard to spot in the usual color of purple.

"I'm up here if you are looking for me... belowed the speaker system.

Looking up onto the wall were the sky box had been he spotted an opening and the form of Malice speaking through a hand held device. The God of Destruction looked none the worse for wear which only meant tough times for the trio of two warriors and the boy.

"The fate of the these people are sealed. However, the three of you have a choice... Keep you silence or... die like the rest.

Aun turned to Captain Kellen for answers. "What's so important that he would allow us to live after all this? What could we still have that he wants?... and what of the boy?"

"It's simple Aun. What do creatures with power want? replied Kellen looking at a very tired Tau commander and then up to the Arena Master. "More power. In Malal's case, more destruction from us."

"The boy?" said Aun processing Kellens words.

"Aun O'Vader..." said the Captain. He turned slightly in the middle of the destroyed battle field and motioned for the boy to come closer. "I'd like you to meet Thomas Kellen. My eight year old self before I was rescued by the Dark Angels."

[Aun O Vader]

Aun'O'Vader thought furiously, his instincts weere yelling at him, but he knew that he had to react sensibly to this situation. He turned in place, taking in The Inquisitor perched high above the Arena like a massive bird of prey, Kellen standing there, resting his hand on... his own head, albeit in a younger body. The dark sands and rock of the arena and the flowing rivers and streams of lava in bright red juxtaposition, the crumpled rocks of the collapsed controllers box surrounded by the dead bodies of the crowd and the Inquisitors minions. The crushed, exploded, cut apart and even - in one case - manually torn apart wrecks of drones littered the floor of the arena. Above all of this the massive white bulk of the Manta highlighted against the bruised purple of the sky, even now flickering with the storms that wracked this place constantly. In the far distance he could make out the large counter displayed on the void shields, it showed Vader's name, Kellen's name, and bizarrely, the manta as well as a timer. Whatever it was counting it would appear that the Manta had won on 36, followed by Kellen on 18 and Vader on 16. The timer was spinning rapidly down to 0, already almost a minute left.

Aun'O'Vader turned back to his old friend and the child that would become him, his way was now clear. Unblinking he looked Kellen in the eyes, "It would not serve The Greater Good to keep quiet on this matter, and I don't think you are capable of keeping quiet on any matter. He cannot kill me, most of me is still on H'Th, or with H'Th to be more specific, but with two parts of you here, can you say the same?"

Kellen was defiant, his pose as indomitable as always, "No, I can't, with my childhood self here as well as me, if we both die then I will cease to be, even Malal is not strong enough to hold me together through that. But I will not bow my head to that daemon!" Now Kellen lowered his head, "I have to face the truth, I either fail in my duty to The Emperor by dying here, or I betray him by bowing to a Godling of Chaos."

Aun'O'Vader reached out both hands, resting one of the shoulder of each of the two Kellens, "There is another way, if the child is brave enough, and you are willing."

The Greater Good, it will always find a way, into everything I do. Aun'O'Vader smiled and beckoned to his shield drones, only three survived, but the child was light enough, they would serve. "How strong are you Thomas?" He addressed the child...

[Captain Kellen]

"Will I see you again?" said Thomas to his older self as the two warriors helped him grab onto the outer casing of the shield drone. Getting him to safety was of paramount importance. He was scared, bleeding from several cuts but was otherwise unharmed. He was a strong boy and was becoming stronger every day. In this war torn age the weak perished and the strong could live one day longer. Thomas was a survivor.

Not knowing what to say or reveal anything about the boys future Captain Kellen simply said "You will see me again." Throughout the entire tournament Kellen had worried about the fact that the Chaos God Malal might pull this rabbit out of his hat. It had been so long ago and was almost like a dream but the Captain knew he would be safe. He had to remove the doubt that might spawn a lifetime of heresy. "Take him back to the 'Deliverance' Aun."

"I assure you that I. and my people. will treat him as one of our own." replied O'Vader as the shakey drone hovered skyward towards the hole blasted in the arena. "What next?" Aun turned to stand side by side with Kellen.

The Arena Master was still staring down upon them, burning a hole through Captain Kellen in anger, as the timer on the scoreboard expired. "What is it going to be?"
It was a gamble of long odds that Captain Kellen would kneel before the Arena Master Malal or capitulate in any way. Aun O'Vader would keep his silence as was his nature. Another thought crossed Malice's mind like a butterfly. Awaiting an answer that would never come from the marine he decided to do what he did best. "It's funny, Kellen, you can't kill me and I won't kill you because your just too much fun." Pressing a control on his remote the doors to the arena unlocked and the crowd poored out. The sheer relief of being free but the desire for more would bring them back. It would be twisted into more power and trap people into the addiction for destruction on a new level. In the grim dark future they would always want more.

Turning from his viewing hole and walking away, Malal turned, and said one last thing over the announcement system. "I promise you, that your sins will revisit you Captain."

[Inquisitor023]

"I can promise that," Inquisitor grumbled softly. He reached into his pockets and pulled out a small steel box with an antenna and a large red button. He pushed it.

At that point, two things occurred. Firstly, the Captain fell to the ground convulsing as a mixture of electrical current and toxins were pumped into him. Not enough to kill but enough to subdue him.

Secondly, he changed what the Audience viewed. Instead of what truly occurred, they witnessed a duel between Kellen and Aun'O. Both combatants were bloody and tired but Aun'O eventually disarmed the Space Marine. A swift salvo from his remaining Gun Drones ended it.

"Victory by plain old killing," he announced, "Aun'O'Vader." Much more quietly to some of his more trusted minions, "Recover Kellen and lock him down. I want words."