Inspired by Lord-Of-Change
Chapter 1 - Fortunate Circumstances
I have a dream, a dream that sounds impossible in the current era that plagues this galaxy. I want a world, a reality where humans do not and will not kill other humans.
A reality such as that seems so far-fetched, so odd when you see our current situation. But it is a dream that I would like to see bear fruition no matter the odds….or cost. Ave Imperator.
Somewhere far far away
A platoon of soldiers marched amongst the ruins of a dead battlefield, strewn with scars and deep injuries. They marched in double files, wearing great green coats. Their boots walked upon the puddle of toxic waste, their face covered by mask serving as not just rebreathers but an identity.
The air was so poisonous that no natural life could survive contact with it, they were one of thousands. A 60 man platoon of the Death Korps of Krieg, they would soon be deployed to the front. Sent amongst the mass of bodies, fated to die and serve Krieg as punishment for their ancestral sins. Betrayal and treachery against mankind, against the Emperor.
"Halt," their commanding officer shouted.
Without delay, 60 boots halted in their steps without question. 60 masks looked onward with a stern will, they were ready and waiting for their orders.
" I just received word, we need to take an enemy bunker located North of our position, " he said.
" You will have no extra support apart from what you have, you will fight until told otherwise. Your goal is to capture and secure that bunker, expect no sympathy, for your enemy will give none " He said, his voice echoing through the air.
" Move out " He finished, wordlessly they moved without question. Without reasoning and with knowledge that the enemy bunker was in fact manned by soldiers just like them.
Trained and geared by the same forces as they and given similar orders to them. Hold the bunker at all costs, few amongst them wondered if they would encounter heavy resistance. Maybe they had artillery support unlike them, none complained about the prospect of dying to their own forces.
As of this moment, they were the enemy and they will be struck down as deserved.
The Watchmaster of the platoon sent forward scouts ahead of them, they followed a series of pre-dug trench paths. The way was all too familiar, this order was all too familiar. They moved silently and with caution there were hundreds of bunkers east.
Their orders were a single bunker, one amongst hundreds which could be used for the element of surprise to get a drop on them. Their watchmaster chose to follow the more practical methodical way of clearing each and every bunker in their path.
They would however soon have a clear objective as the scouts returned with reports of enemy activity on one, they knew what they had to do. The Watchmaster chose to use a flanking maneuver, assigning one squad on each side.
Once sufficiently distracted, the rest of the forces would break through from the front and take the bunker. There was no need to send a probing attack, they now had the element of surprise. It would simply result in a waste of resources.
They waited as both squads moved out to execute their orders, seconds went by and suddenly the signal came. First was from the right, bright red flashes ignited the trenches then the left and grenades exploded with uncontrolled fury.
" Advance " The watchmaster commanded.
They got up and began the main assault, using the cover of darkness. They ran as quietly as they could, avoiding what little light might reveal their attack but it was only a matter of time before they were discovered.
Las-fire and anti-infantry weaponry opened up on them, the initial burst cutting a line through their ranks. Some stopped to suppress the bunker, most began diving for the trenches. It did not matter to them for the position was already theirs.
They were caught in a pincer move and by surprise with no support, their flanks were already breaking and their front would soon be overwhelmed. The bunker was not used properly in the mind of the Watchmaster.
" Grenade the bunker, support our flank attacks and secure our ga- " The watchmaster began issuing new orders as the situation moved evermore in their favour with their troops already in the enemy trenches.
When suddenly a las shot tore through his head and caused it to explode in a gory mess, he fell, unable to finish his sentence. A second shot took the life of another soldier and suddenly they were aware of a second bunker being manned.
Some began repositioning to suppress the bunker but it picked them off just as quickly as they shifted, due to the sudden attack and loss in leadership. They could not collectively decide how much resources to pour into that bunker, this bunker here was their objective, so investing more resources was a sure decision.
Yet that bunker caused them unnecessary casualties, in the end most decided to push the bunker. The few that saw to focus on the other bunker were quickly killed, less than a squad even. The left flank was the first to fall and from there, they moved and overwhelmed the center and then the right line.
Next they moved in and cleared the whole bunker before firing a flare gun signaling the securement of the bunker and not a second later, a whistle echoed through the air, ending all fighting. All those who could walk assembled in a neat row, both from the attacking and defending side…the survivors.
Soon, three officers walked up to the line of soldiers waiting silently for new orders. They examined the remains of the battle, walking through the now silent battlefield before silently talking amongst themselves.
" The assault was good, the pincer attack was well executed. But you should have been more aggressive, the bunker should have been taken faster and secured much earlier. You must remember that the enemy will never give you an easy fight, if reinforcements had arrived before you secured this bunker, the assault would have ended in a complete failure!" He criticized them.
" All those who were ordered to hold the base, organise yourselves on the right " he commanded, they obeyed and quickly formed a new row.
" Insufficient, take off your gas masks " He ordered them.
" Wait! " the second officer interjected before walking up to the other officer.
Perhaps they would see reason, that those orders which were sure to kill them were simply illogical or in their terms, a waste of resources. Sure they had failed to hold but they were also outnumbered and this was simply another training scenario.
" The trooper who occupied the bunker to the right, step forward if you are alive " The officer ordered after a brief talk.
Among the lines of soldiers, a single soldier stepped forward and gave a crisp salute. As required, he proceeded to give his identification.
" 53897 - 7119 - 01 "
" On whose order did you man that bunker?"
" No one Sir "
" So why did you mann it? "
" I judged the commanders use of available resources inadequate, our orders were to hold the bunker " he answered
" Very well, fall in line with those who had attacked " The officer ordered, 53897-7119-01 obeyed and marched over to his new posting.
" The rest of you, take off your masks " The officer ordered and soon the air was filled with the dying screams of men who had just condemned themselves to death on orders of their superior.
53897-7119-01 wondered if he should have answered differently, perhaps saying that his commander had ordered that would have probably changed the mind of that officer thereby saving the lives of his now dead platoon.
Then again, that might not have been enough and would have also caused him to die an early death. Plus, he saw no use in doing that for a group of people that would stab him in the neck in the change of a heartbeat.
He was issued new gear and the assault platoon had been recouped and ready for deployment outside Krieg, tomorrow they would be shipped off world and sent off to fight for Krieg.
[_[]_]~Changing Tides~[_[]_]
On a planet deep in the fringes of the galaxy, isolated from the main systems of the Imperium. There exists a war amongst all other wars taking place in the galaxy, the planet's inhabitants fighting for their very existence.
The Kellner system contained a few worlds that in essence when combined together formed a rarity amongst the whole Imperium, they were capable of self sustenance. While frequent minor rebellions were a commonality especially in the hive world, they were usually put down quickly.
Kellnarian regiments raised from the planet were basic at best, lacking sufficient training and discipline to compete with the better regiments of the Imperium. However, what they lack in training. They more than made up for in numbers, boasting a system wide Decade tithe of over 3000 Regiments with most coming from the hive world.
While the regiments do contain cowardly men who would run away at their first opportunity when faced with the horrors of the universe. These regiments include thieves, rebels or half dead people scrounged up to meet quota numbers. Some rare times, they are beaten into shape by some Commissars if the situation permits it or they have time to spare.
Most times, they are sent as cannon fodder. Expected to delay and soak up enemy fire for as long as they could. It is unknown when it happened, with the administratum having lost a majority of information concerning the planet.
But complaints and reports containing warnings of potential traitor presence in the system were sent, weeks maybe months later. A major part of the planet rebelled on itself, one of the major hive cities leading the rebelling along with over half of the planetary defense force.
What's worse was that the training grounds and newly assembled regiments soon fell to their influence, eliminating potential a whole 2 years worth of tithe. It was preposterous and impossible to imagine, they gained ground very quickly. Securing mining deposits and planetary factors used to make munitions and weaponry for the imperial guard.
This caused the administratum to send over what few forces were nearby, depleted forces in actuality but on paper…it was sufficient. They were to work with the system Governor to investigate and cull the rotten parts, if necessary, they were to request additional support which would entail a full scale assault force.
5 Cadian Regiment along with over 30 Veteran Kellnarian Regiments were assigned to the taskforce to reclaim the planet and restore the flow of their tithe.
However, the planet was soon forgotten again with a message announcing the reclamation of the Emperor's property, that is until the administratum took notice to a sudden request for reinforcements - 20 years ago
[Accessing Imperial Records….waiting….waiting…..Access Granted]
[Praise the Omnissiah]
[Transiting…..Request received…..Kellnery System ... .Details…]
[Praise the Omnissiah]
[Data imputed dating at…..20 Solar Years]
[Objective Primus…..Secure Imperial Hold on the Kellner…Objective Secundus…..Confirm status of Imperial Task force Delta - 098 - Ner…]
[Praise the Omnissiah]
[_[]_]~Changing Tides~[_[]_]
15 Krieg Regiments were assigned to this mission, they would be arriving straight from Krieg and transported to Kellner. 3 Regiments would arrive first and within the next year or so, the remaining 12 Regiments would join them. A single Kellnarian Regiment was also assigned to the incoming liberation force, to better allow the Kriegsmen to acclimate with the natives and avoid unnecessary complications.
Within weeks, they had arrived upon the planet. Made their arrival known and were welcomed with open eager arms. They were given locations for troop landings with the focus being mostly in the capital cities of the planet, most of the ships made it to their location…..most.
Captain Lena had been assigned to Sector 3 - 21A, Subsection 1356B. Her orders were to establish a forward base and defense line with her company. The Airspace was under Imperial control, that was what they were told.
Yet their transport ship was ambushed by enemy fighters and shot down, she lost contact with high command and now probably half her company. Still she had her orders, she will rally what troops she can and secure this area.
" Re-establish contact with my Platoon commanders, I want a status report on the situation" She commanded, a short radio frequency should be enough to reach everyone on the ship.
" I want a status report on our armoury, contact the lower decks and make sure the entrances to the ship are secure " She continued as her retinue hurried about the command deck, bringing up whatever they could.
" Sir, we've re-established contact with 4th and 6th platoon. " Someone reported.
" Order 4th Platoon to secure the armoury, 6th platoon are to secure the entrances. " She ordered.
" Yes Sir " The trooper replied sharply.
[Knock] [Knock]
" Enter "
[Knock] [Knock] [Knock]
"....Enter "
[Knock] [Knock] [Knock] [Knock]
Captain Lena stopped and looked towards the only entryway to the room, despite repeatedly granting the guardsmen permission to enter. The knocks persisted and no one entered, she wondered if the guardsman behind that door had gone deaf due to the crash or maybe she wasn't loud enough.
" Check the door " She ordered
A single trooper nodded before grabbing its rifle, the trooper walked towards the door and opened it.
" There's no one Sir " He reported
Captain Lena wondered if she was simply hearing things, perhaps she got a concussion during the crash. She made a mental note to visit the quartermaster when she could and moved on to more important things as the guardsman closed the door back.
[Knock] [Knock] [Knock] [Knock] [ Knock]
It came again just as the soldier had closed the door, this time most of the soldiers turned and stared at the entrance with many reaching for their weapons. Captain Lena turned to the door and grabbed her las pistol, something was wrong.
" Secure the door " She ordered and within seconds, 4 soldiers were upon the door aiming their las rifle at it. A single soldier moved and opened the door once more, expecting the situation to be the same as last.
" Peek a boo " A sadistic toned voice came from the darkness and without delay was drowned in the red beams of their las-rifle.
" Hold!" She ordered after they had shot the being to oblivion.
Intent on confirming the kill, she silently ordered a trooper to go forward. He moved the rifle up and ready for anything until he came just above where the thing was….should have been. The trooper stood still, looking with a single word.
" Report " She ordered but received no reply but then the body was pushed just slightly and its head fell.
" Well, you should always take care of your head, don't you think?. Or it just might…fall " The same voice suddenly said as a loud cackle echoed through the ship.
They fired without hesitation at where the body was, believing that they would hit something eventually when suddenly there was a shimmer in the air. The lamp they used to light up the room suddenly went out.
" Who wants to play hide and seek? " The voice said playfully, next was the sound of whistling through the air and another body fell.
" Out of the room, now! " Captain Lena ordered. The soldiers responded without stopping, moving out of their compromised position.
" I never said you could start yet " The voice said with a sad tone, like it was cheated but ended up laughing maniacally.
Something moved in the dark and then there was a scream, a trooper was bleeding from his knees. His legs were gone, cut clean without any imperfection.
" I was sure I practiced enough, I can't have my meat being spoiled by imperfect cuts " Its voice echoed in the halls of the ship.
Captain Lena fired blindly and was surprised when the las shot hit something, sparks were created in response. The thing was hanging from the ceiling right in front of them, seconds and that whole area was lit up by las fire.
" I look forward to breaking you, seeing the faces behind those masks beg in terror " it said moving around the room, another shimmer and a trooper fell with his body cut in half.
" Die Xeno Scum " A trooper spat calmly in response to its taunts.
[_[]_]~Changing Tides~[_[]_]
The 8th Platoon was decimated with losses confirmed at 40%, they had tried to establish contact with any other platoons or command but got no response. They were posted somewhere along the main entrance of the ship and decided to exit the ship, so they could get a signal to main command.
Watchmaster 91195 - 5692 ordered her platoon to move out, 36 soldiers was all she had. Hopefully, another platoon will be sighted soon and they should have enough to begin a slim defense outside the ship.
It didn't take long surprisingly to reach it considering the damage the ship had taken, all they found was either dead soldiers or dead crewmen of the ship. The main entrance laid mostly intact but had a surprising amount of bodies in it.
Just as they walked through it, they realised that it was already open and they were people there already. They each approached cautiously, the troopers were behaving…odd.
" Trooper " Watchmaster 91195 - 5692 called, the Krieg soldiers immediately became aware of their presence and gave a clumsy salute.
" Status? " She asked.
They stared at each other and then at her, she looked back and scanned them very closely. Their coats were put the wrong way, helmets were the same. Their boots were worn in the correct manner but the las rifle was kept by the side of a wall…not in hand.
One of them moved with a knife in hand, the watchmaster easily reacted to it. Twisting his hand and plunging it into his neck. The second one looked stunned and before he could begin reacting, was quickly put down by another trooper in the back.
Before they could peel off the mask from the dead men, an outcry burst through the air and the screams of hundreds of men suddenly erupted. They screamed madly, begging for forgiveness and strength then they charged.
" Defensive positions, hold this po- " The watchmaster began ordering but was soon riddled with bullet holes from the incoming horde.
The Soldiers of krieg pulled back into the ship and took firing positions, soon they released a flurry of fire killing dozens of the charging cultists within seconds. They kept coming unperturbed by the deaths, screaming in fanatic fury. Those with guns began firing back widely killing more of their own than the enemy but with so many weapons firing.
They were bound to hit someone and they did, Krieg guardsmen were gunned down within seconds. They were basically in the open, not enough cover to protect them. Soon the cultists were upon them and melee had ensued.
They will hold the line even if it results in them using their bodies, the heavy fighting and shouts soon attract more soldiers. Krieg Guardsman poured into the main entrance and fought back the crazed cultist with an iron determination.
53897-7119-01 thrusted his bayonet into the neck of a cultist, twisted it in a 90 degree angle before pulling it out. The man fell, choking upon his own blood before going silent within seconds. He turned to survey the situation, Guardsmen fighting tooth and nail for their lives with more and more cultists pouring in. Most of the initial 36 Krieg soldiers were probably dead, they had less bodies to spare now.
" Give your soul to the dark gods" a blood crazed woman screamed with fury, swinging a charged chainsword at him.
He snapped his neck to face her, sending his bayonet plunging into the arms holding it. Yet she persevered and kept pushing it, smiling gleefully as she came ever closer to his shoulder. Calmly he pressed the trigger of the rifle which blew a hole through her arm, it swung back lifelessly.
She screamed in pain staring at the once mighty arms being held in place only by a loose string of bone and meat, the force from the shot had hit a joint which caused sufficient damage. The trooper pulled out his rifle and went for another swing, a kill hit.
For a moment, clarity seemed to return to her eyes. She dived quickly, seeking self preservation against common logic from the mass that had charged in here. The trooper took a quick step back and aimed his rifle at her, she looked back at him in fear.
" Wa-wait " She pleaded desperately knowing full well that these soldiers will not spare her ...yet a shot never came. Perhaps by luck or a change of heart, the soldier was busy killing others that had charged in with her.
It was their turn now, she thought to herself. A part of her felt that she must have been lucky, maybe the dark gods had shown her favour so she crept, choosing to take full advantage of this. She crept through the mass of bodies intent on escaping this killing field, she glanced back once or twice.
Her eyes meeting with the deep dark lenses of the trooper that had spared her, he must have seen her….he must have spared her or she was a favoured one of the gods. Clarity became clouded but she knew she couldn't serve them properly here, so she left.
Soldier 53897-7119-01 was running dangerously low on ammo, his bayonet was bloodied and chipped. His weapon frail and weak from clashing against the crude but effective melee weapons of the traitors, he searched for a spot to better kill the heretics.
But he realised soon that the shouting from the cultists were not as apparent as before, they were running out of bodies. He quickly searched the body of a dead soldier, taking his spare mags and slapping them into his weapon.
" Charge them, push them back for the Emperor " Someone screamed.
Soldiers once holding their positions suddenly snapped and began running at the cultist, they shot till they couldn't. Bloodied their bayonets till puddles of blood soon formed, the cultist suddenly realising their situation remembered fear. They were not the fanatical devotees of the dark gods, they were but new breeds into their embrace.
They fell and ran, they were killed and gunned down. The assault had failed, they had failed to take the ship and they would be punished for it. Those that survived at least.
A few good distances away from the battlefield stood a single man smiling at the harvest that was currently being undergone, the worthless mongrels were dying just as he had predicted…like flies and vermin.
Sparks of electric currents danced around the long staff he held, at its top was a welded in circle with a star in its middle. He inhaled deeply as he felt the screams of souls through the channel they were being poured in, hundreds upon hundreds.
Just then, a single soldier clad in armor with a face covered by a closed in helmet walked up to him, he carried a vox radio on his back and held a handset in his hands.
" The commander wants a sitrep " The soldier announced to him with a neutral tone.
The man looked back clearly displeased by the sudden interruption, even contemplating using the power flowing through him to squash the little insect that dared interrupt him. He day dreamed of simply walking up to the infidel that commanded them and simply popping his head open…no, that would be too easy.
He would slowly kill him, watching as he burned him with the power of the dark gods. He would relish in the screams and agony coming from him, watching as his skin turned, burned and peeled. But he restrained himself, soon he would have his chance, soon he would take what was rightfully his. This worthless rabble remade in his image, serving him as the true servant of the dark gods.
" Give it " He said, snatching the handset from the soldier, he brought it close to his ear and whispered in a sweetened voice.
" What are your wishes, commander?"
" You were ordered to attack in waves, not throw them all at once!" The man on the phone said with a dark tone, anger seeping through his voice.
" Well, I thought - "
" Don't think Arkriel!, you weren't ordered to think. Your objective was to use those men to delay the worthless imperium for as long as possible, your stupidity will have consequences from 'them' " He said, earning a scoff from the Arkriel.
" Have you forgotten the other objectives? To secure the souls of as many pebbles as possible, for that I have achieved " Arkriel said proudly, he enjoyed the silent grunts from his 'commander'. He didn't like people like him, calling them uncontrolled variables and fools given too many responsibilities.
He couldn't do anything about it, afterall he was just one of the many people commanding the forces waging war on this planet. He was only in charge of a single sector and nothing more, easily replaceable. Arkriel knew that he wouldn't be satisfied with such a position, so he was aiming even higher. To lead them all.
" Besides, I reasoned that it would be best to simply wipe out all the enemy forces rather than risk them mounting a coordinated defense. Those things are still in there, the…cursed xeno " Arkriel continued, shivering upon remembering the dark figures of a particular xeno who seemed to relish in the task given to them.
" Hmm, a misguided hope. I assume it failed? "
" Yes, as I mentioned earlier. The harvesting of the souls was successful, " Arkriel replied.
" Withdraw what men you can and fall back to our lines " He ordered
" Understood Commander Tuna " Arkriel replied hearing the vox channel do idle as commander Tuna went off, he turned to his side and spoke to his aid.
" Recall the chaos worshippers, tell them that the dark gods are pleased with their work " He ordered before withdrawing out of the area himself.