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Chapter 56: War Begins
Senior commanders and high-ranking officials of the expeditionary force assembled within the strategic sanctum of the Emperor's Grand Design.
The vast chamber hummed with the weight of impending judgment.
Auxiliary army generals bearing the scars of countless campaigns, fleet commanders whose vessels had conquered star systems, Knight-Nobles of the Imperial Houses, veteran Princeps of the God-Machines, and diplomatic envoys from newly compliant worlds all took their designated positions around the central command dais according to strict Imperial hierarchy.
Seated at the fore were the Emperor and several supreme commanders of the expeditionary force, their presence radiating absolute authority.
The Primarchs occupied positions in the secondary tier, their gene-enhanced frames still learning the nuances of command.
They remained students of warfare, not yet deemed qualified to operate with complete independence.
Once all personnel had assembled according to protocol, the Emperor commanded that the received transmission be displayed for assembly review.
The harmonic resonance of projection machinery filled the chamber as slender beams of coherent light pierced the recycled atmosphere.
 The luminous streams intertwined with sacred precision, outlining a sphere of pure radiance that expanded within the chamber's heart.
Cascading torrents of data-code and numerical sequences flowed like a digital tide across the sphere's surface.
The holographic construct unfurled with mechanical reverence, transforming into a massive display screen suspended within the sanctified air.
The screen flickered with interference patterns, the transmitted image dim and corrupted by astropathic degradation.
Occasionally, hurried breathing and desperate footfalls echoed through the audio feed, as though someone had activated a recording device while fleeing in terror.
In the distance, the piercing shriek of las-weapons discharge cut through corrupted acoustics, intermingled with various human voices raised in desperation and defiance.
"Advance quickly, maintain formation."
"First squad holds position, intercept the enemy advance."
"Please, do not abandon me here."
"For the Emperor! For the Imperium of Man!"
"Humanity shall endure!"
"They approach, we have nowhere left to retreat."
The sound of footsteps gradually diminished as those recorded either remained behind to delay the enemy's advance, purchasing precious time with their lives, or scattered in tactical dispersal.
Eventually, only the person maintaining the recording remained alive.
The survivor fled into a communications chamber equipped with astropathic relay systems, immediately sealing the reinforced blast doors behind them.
 The resonant grinding of mechanical gear-trains echoed through the transmission as the massive barrier descended and locked into position with Imperial finality.
The recorder located a control console and positioned the device upon its blessed surface with trembling hands.
A male face bearing standard Mechanicus augmetics appeared before the recording apparatus.
The man displayed obvious signs of extreme distress, his body trembling from terror and physical exertion combined.
He straightened his posture and arranged his appearance with military discipline despite his circumstances.
Facing the recording device directly, he performed the sacred Aquila salute with practiced precision.
"Loyalty unto the Emperor. Loyalty unto humanity eternal."
"This transmission documents a massacre and war unleashed upon Imperial citizens."
"The enemy claims origin from the cursed realm of Commorragh, declaring us their chosen prey for this hunt."
"Imperial soldiers resisted with honor and courage, yet proved inadequate against their xenos capabilities.
They suffered horrific slaughter, their blessed remains subjected to desecrations that defy the Emperor's mercy."
"Their methods exemplify cruelty beyond mortal comprehension, twisted murderers drunk upon suffering itself."
At that moment, the distinctive sound of rending adamantine echoed through the chamber as the enemies beyond attempted to force entry through the sealed portal.
The man turned toward the blast doors, his voice filled with mounting terror despite his attempts at Imperial discipline.
"They have located my position. They approach with malicious intent."
He withdrew a standard-issue laspistol and checked its power cell with mechanical precision born of military training.
"I may represent the final surviving soul aboard the Star of Hope. Our battle group has collapsed entirely, transformed into prey for xenos predators."
"Intelligence indicates several vessels escaped into the outer system, perhaps survivors yet endure among the void."
"Whichever Imperial fleet receives this transmission, I beseech you by the Emperor's grace, come to rescue those survivors, or bring righteous judgment unto the madness of these Xeno's."
BOOM!
A thunderous detonation erupted through the transmission. The reinforced blast doors were forcibly breached by alien technology.
Several towering, unnaturally slender Eldar warriors entered the chamber with predatory grace.
They wore form-fitting black armor crafted from unknown materials, crimson cloaks flowing behind them like spilled blood, wielding wickedly curved blades that seemed to hunger for mortal flesh.
Even through the degraded recording medium, the assembled Imperial commanders could perceive the bloodlust and sadistic cruelty radiating from these xenos abominations.
"Die, xeno filth!" The man suppressed his terror and discharged his weapon at the Dark Eldar intruders.
Yet their inhuman speed defied comprehension. Streams of crimson laser energy, brilliant as rubies, cut through the stale air but found no targets; each shot evaded with supernatural agility.
Eerie laughter echoed through the confined space as the Dark Eldar warriors mocked the humans' futile resistance with genuine amusement.
SWISH!
The cold whisper of alien steel sang through the dim chamber.
The man's weapon hand was severed in a single, precise cut, arterial spray painting the bulkheads as both dismembered limb and laspistol clattered to the deck plating.
Agony forced a wail of anguish from his throat before the Dark Eldar seized him with deliberate care.
The final segment of the transmission became increasingly corrupted and intermittent, flickering between individual frames of horror.
The loyal servant of the Emperor suffered vicious torment as his flesh was methodically flayed from living bone.
His skinless, blood-slicked form was bound with barbed chains of alien manufacture and suspended inverted like a grotesque trophy.
The Dark Eldar regarded him as a plaything, tormenting him with the most malicious methods conceivable to their twisted minds.
The recording began to accelerate as temporal compression activated, yet the man's screams echoed throughout the extended ordeal without respite.
Several hours later, according to the chronometer readings, the man's voice finally ceased, his tormented soul released unto the Emperor's mercy through death's embrace.
The transmission ended abruptly, the screen fading to absolute darkness.
Such cruel atrocities caused visible shock and righteous anger among all personnel present at the strategic assembly.
Curze displayed a complex and unfathomable expression as he processed the scenes of systematic torture.
Witnessing such bloody and methodical cruelty provided him deeper understanding of fear's applications as both weapon and tool.
The screen was deactivated with ceremonial solemnity.
"This constitutes the final intelligence we received from Battle Group Thirty-One."
The Information Supervisor approached the projection dais, a heavily augmented figure whose frame bore extensive metallic prosthetics.
His bulky physique supported several servo-skulls that floated in synchronized patterns behind him, their eye-lenses glowing with data-streams.
The projection screen illuminated once more, transforming into a comprehensive galactic strategic display showing surrounding star systems.
"The transmission originated from the Antimone System, classified as a standard single-star configuration."
"During humanity's Golden Age, it served as a major interstellar trade nexus with prosperous commercial activities spanning multiple sectors."
"After the Age of Strife descended upon our galaxy, the Antimone System was contested by numerous factions and transformed into a wasteland of competing interests."
"However, according to intelligence previously provided by Battle Group Thirty-One, substantial human populations continue struggling for survival within the devastated system."
"Battle Group Thirty-One was likely attacked by Dark Eldar raiding forces while attempting to reclaim the Antimone System for Imperial compliance."
"Survivors may remain trapped within the system, unable to transmit distress signals through conventional astropathic means. No additional emergency communications have been received thus far."
The Information Supervisor provided detailed intelligence briefings regarding the Antimone System's strategic significance to all assembly members.
After ensuring complete comprehension among the gathered commanders, the Emperor stepped forward with divine purpose.
He required no amplification devices to project His voice to the most distant corners of the vast chamber, ensuring every soul present heard His words with crystal clarity.
When He spoke, absolute silence reigned throughout the assembly.
"Such crimes against humanity cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Regardless of enemy identity or their perceived power, any who view humanity as prey, as targets for casual slaughter, must face inevitable retribution."
"The Expeditionary Fleet shall abandon its current operational parameters and proceed immediately to the Antimone System to rescue survivors and purge the Dark Eldar presence entirely."
"Terra shall also draft new legislation to classify the Dark Eldar as one of humanity's primary enemies, requiring complete annihilation."
"In this galaxy, no xenos race that threatens human existence shall be permitted to continue. If such entities persist, they shall be reduced to ash within the fires of righteous war."
"Return to your units and prepare for immediate combat deployment." The Emperor raised His fist in declaration of war.
"We shall make them pay in blood for their crimes."
The assembled crowd displayed fervent devotion and barely restrained bloodlust.
When the Emperor raised His fist and proclaimed vengeance, they responded by raising their arms in unison, demanding that the enemy pay the ultimate price in blood and suffering.
The Primarchs displayed excitement and anticipation befitting their warrior nature. The fighting spirit burning within their eyes transformed into literal flames of purpose.
Lion El'Jonson and Horus met each other's gaze, both displaying competitive determination.
They prepared to outperform their brother in the coming battle, proving their worthiness as First Son through deed and valor.
The Raven, perched upon the Emperor's broad shoulder, also raised its voice in excited proclamation.
"Kill! Kill! Kill! Slice! Dice! Destroy! Let us invade Commorragh itself, butcher those Dark Eldar with appropriate implements, and exile them to frozen worlds for agricultural labor!"
"Golden One, we must deploy Curze as the vanguard of this assault."
"We must demonstrate to those Dark Eldar the true meaning of fear."
"Night Haunter, you must make those Kabalite Warriors weep like gretchin whose extremities have been crushed."
The Emperor: "..."
Constantin Valdor: "..."
What manner of war cry was that? Why did it feel somewhat... inappropriate for the gravity of the situation?
Curze appeared equally speechless at the Raven's enthusiastic proclamation.
This creature truly understood the concept of appropriate retaliation, an eye for an eye, terror for terror.
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