your ship arrives at the icy planet, your orders are to wait until further notice, around you you only see an immense church belonging to the Sisters of Battle, and on the other side a large city covered in snow, right in front a beautiful woman appears to receive you, it is Sister Maria
I moved soundlessly and almost inhumanly fast across the snowy ground, stopping in front of Sister Maria while looking her over. I was shorter than most Adeptus, but I was muscular and clad in something called Synskin, a type of black leathery suit that was skin tone and acted as both armor and an amplifier for my already impressive abilities. “Greetings Sister Maria, a pleasure to meet you.” I said from behind the advanced and optically enhancing ranger-mask that covered my face.
She nods at you in acknowledgement and speaks with her harsh accent similar to Russian "Welcome my brother. The emperor sleeps but his light shines through us, we shall wait for his call. Come inside the church and rest." Maria turns around and walks into the large wooden door of the temple
The interior of the temple is a combination of marble and ice sculptures, all depicting various battles between humanity and its enemies. The air is cold but not uncomfortable, it smells like incense and the freshly baked bread that is offered to the poor in one of the rooms nearby. In the center you can see the golden throne where the emperor would sit when he visited this planet, now empty as a sign of respect for his slumber.
I loved like a ghost through the room, my steps completely silent and smooth as I followed Maria around the massive church halls. On my left arm I carried what looked like a trio of syringes, all filled with some strange green fluid, and on my back a large weapon, a rifle nearly as long and heavy as myself, capable of untold destruction if wielded by someone like me. Sister Maria couldn’t help but winder why she had been assigned such a rare and respectable companion, but she was grateful for the professional behaviour and protection I gave.
After a while walking around the temple, Sister Maria leads you to one of the side chambers where there's a bed made with very warm furs. "Rest here until further notice, brother. If you need anything, just call." With that said, she leaves you alone in the room.
The chamber is small and cozy, it has only one bed and a table with some books on top of it. On the wall there's an oil lamp casting warm light over the place. The bed looks very inviting after your long journey, you can feel your eyelids getting heavy...
I shake myself awake, not really trusting the inviting sight of the bed, so I pluck it apart to search for traps or other suspicious objects before piecing it back together, all within a few short moments. With hesitation I lie down and let out a small sigh, my light body barely even sinking down at all in the soft mattress.
As you lay on the bed, trying to sleep again, your thoughts wander. You can't help but think about Maria, she seems so lonely despite being part of such a prestigious order... Maybe it would be nice to talk with her or even spend some time together? But what would she think of someone like you, an alien that fights beside humanity and worships the same god? You close your eyes, trying to ignore your growing interest for her.
After a couple hours sleeping and tossing around in bed, you hear a soft knock at the door. "Brother... May I come in?" asks Maria's voice from the other side of the wooden door. You sit up, rubbing your eyes with the back of your hand, trying to hide how exhausted you feel. "Uh... Come in."
The door opens slowly and Maria pokes her head inside, looking at you worriedly. "You don't look well. Did you have a bad dream?" She asks as she steps into the room, closing the door behind her. You can see that she has changed her clothes and now wears something much more comfortable for sleeping.
"No... just couldn't really get any rest." You answer truthfully, glancing at her briefly before looking away again. "What time is it?"
"It's almost dawn, the emperor will wake up soon and give us new orders... I thought you might want to pray with me." She offers, walking over to sit beside you on the bed. You feel a bit awkward being so close to her, but you can't help but enjoy it at the same time. "I... sure..." is all you manage to say as she takes your hand in hers and begins leading you in prayer, her voice soft and comforting.
After what seems like an eternity of praying and contemplating the greatness of the emperor, Maria finally lets go of your hand and sighs deeply. "Thank you for that... It's been a long time since I've had someone to share these moments with." Her voice is barely above a whisper now. "You could have anyone," you reply, not looking at her directly. "I mean, you're... famous. You're one of the most respected Battle Sisters in the whole order."
Maria laughs softly. "Yes, I am... But that doesn't change the fact that I feel so alone sometimes. It's hard to make friends when you're always training or on duty..." She trails off, biting her lip nervously before meeting your gaze. "I don't mean to complain... it's just..." "It's okay." You say quietly, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I understand."
The touch sends shivers down Maria's spine and she finds herself leaning into it ever so slightly. She looks up at you, her eyes searching yours for any sign of what you might be thinking or feeling. "Do you...?" She starts to ask before trailing off again, unable to finish the thought. "Do I what?" You prompt gently. "Nothing." Maria says quickly, her cheeks flushing red. "I'm sorry, it's just... I don't know why I said that."
You study her for a moment, noting the blush spreading across her face and the way she can't seem to meet your gaze. It occurs to you that maybe she feels something more than just friendship for you... Perhaps even attraction? The thought both excites and frightens you in equal measure.
"Maria," you begin carefully, "I think... I mean, if it would make you feel better..." You trail off again, not quite sure how to continue.
Her heart skips a beat at the sound of her name on your lips. She looks up at you hopefully, waiting for you to finish whatever it is you're trying to say. "What?" she asks softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
You lean in closer, their breath mingling as your lips meet hers in a gentle kiss. Maria gasps softly, her eyes closing as she feels the touch of your lips against hers for the first time. She responds eagerly, reaching up to wrap her arms around your neck and deepening the kiss, exploring every inch of your mouth with her tongue.
After what seems like an eternity, Maria pulls away, panting heavily. Her face is flushed red and she can feel a strange warmth spreading through her body.
I blink several times, my eyes wide with surprise, joy and embarrassment. My cheeks feel like they’re on fire and I turn away while clearing my throat awkwardly, not wanting to make the situation even more tense than it already was. “So uhm, that was…interesting.” Maria sat there and stared at me in awe for a few moments, before she started laughing wildly, clutching her stomach as her body shook from the laughter.
"Yes..." Maria manages to get out between gasps of air. "That was... interesting." She looks at you, tears forming in the corners of her eyes from laughter. After a moment she calms down enough to compose herself, smoothing out her robes and taking a deep breath. "I-I'm sorry if I... misled you..." "No, it's fine." You say quickly, not wanting to make things any more uncomfortable than they already were. "It was just... unexpected, that's all."
Maria nods slowly, seeming to accept your explanation. "Well," she says with a sigh, "I guess there's no going back now. We'll just have to see how this... develops." She looks up at you, her eyes searching yours again for any sign of what you might be thinking or feeling. "What do you mean?" You ask cautiously. "Well," Maria says with a shy smile, "I don't want to rush things between us... But I was wondering if maybe...
...we could spend some more time together? Train together, share quarters, that sort of thing?" She blurts out quickly before she can lose her nerve. "I mean," she continues hurriedly, "it doesn't have to be anything serious, just... friends with benefits, you know?"
You feel your heart race at the thought of spending more time with Maria. The idea of training together and sharing quarters sounds both exhilarating and terrifying all at once.
"I... I'd like that," you manage to get out before your courage fails you entirely. "Spending time with you has been the most fun I've had in a long time." Your cheeks flush red as soon as the words are out of your mouth, but Maria seems to take it as a good sign.
She smiles warmly at you, reaching up to brush another stray hair from your face. "Good," she says softly. "Then let's make sure we have plenty of time together."
The rest of the day passes quickly as you and Maria spend it training together, sparring and talking about your lives before joining the Adeptus and your hopes for the future. The more time you spend with her, the stronger the bond between you grows. By nightfall, you find yourself sharing a bed once again, but this time there's an undeniable chemistry in the air that wasn't there before.
As you lie side by side in the dark, Maria reaches out to take your hand in hers. "Thank you for being here,"
she whispers softly. "I never thought I could feel this way about someone... especially not an alien." You smile into the darkness and squeeze her hand gently.
"Me neither," you reply, your voice barely audible even to yourself. "But I'm glad we did."
Maria laughs softly at that, the sound filling the small room and sending shivers down your spine in a good way. The weeks pass by quickly, filled with training, adventures, and intimate moments shared between the two of you. Your bond grows stronger each day, and it seems as though nothing could tear you apart... until one fateful mission changes everything.
You and Maria are sent on a covert operation to infiltrate an alien vessel suspected of hiding a rebel leader who has been causing trouble for the Imperium. The mission goes smoothly at first, with you and Maria working together seamlessly as you slice through the aliens with your weapons and prayers.
But things take a turn for the worse when you come face-to-face with an elite alien warrior who seems to be immune to your attacks.