Honour Imperialis - Aaron Dembski-Bowden

by Warhammer 40K

  ‘What do you want me to tell you, Rudd? It’s a done deal. Krieg’s a political animal. In that department he excels even me. Deal with it. Look at it this way: at least we get shut.’

  ‘There’s more than one way of getting shut,’ Rudd assured him.

  Pushing his fingers between the folds of camo-netting, Krieg created an opening in the Pavilion entrance. There stood Rudd, running that steel comb through his greasy white hair and feasting raw pink eyes on Krieg’s entrance. Kowalski’s sergeants stood nearby with tin mugs of steaming recaff, soaking up the lieutenant’s words with appreciation. The captain-commandant himself wasn’t even looking at Rudd, his head buried in a data-slate.

  Krieg strode in under Rudd’s baleful gaze and offered the captain his report tablet. The sergeants stiffened, but Kowalski feigned disinterest, taking the tablet and clicking his fingers at the sentinels. The sergeants drained their mugs and left, leaving the three officers alone. As he turned, Kowalski was obviously surprised to see Rudd still in the room.

  ‘Dismissed, lieutenant.’

  Rudd hovered long enough to register his displeasure before turning to leave. He clipped Krieg’s shoulder as he did.

  ‘Screw this,’ he spat at the camo-netting and sauntered out of the Pavilion.

  Krieg gave the captain a questioning glance, but Kowalski just shrugged it off, throwing the lieutenant’s report tablet on a table buried in maps and schematics.

  ‘Don’t worry about him. His blood’s up.’

  ‘His blood always is,’ Krieg returned.

  ‘You apprehended Spurrlok?’ Kowalski asked, attempting to change the subject.

  ‘It’s all in the report, sir.’

  Kowalski nodded and poured himself a mug of recaf. He didn’t offer Krieg one.

  ‘Look, I won’t beat around the proverbial: orders came through today – you’re being transferred from my command.’

  Krieg nodded, pride preventing him from pretending that he hadn’t overheard the conversation by the door. Kowalski snorted softly. ‘Canoness Santhonax has requested an officer for special operations. I recommended you.’

  ‘I very much doubt that,’ Krieg said coolly.

  Kowalski let the insult wash over him. ‘I’m giving your platoon to Jonze.’

  ‘He’s a good man.’

  ‘They’re all good men.’

  ‘Some better than others,’ Krieg assured him, clearly thinking of Rudd.

  ‘Krieg, I’m going to level with you,’ Kowalski spilled, unusually animated. ‘I don’t like you, I never have. Not exactly a team player – but you get the job done and that is your saving grace. That kind of nark, inflexible attitude has earned you enough enemies around here. A bit of advice: consider it a parting gift. Keep going that way and you’re going to end up on the wrong end of your own bayonet.’

  ‘Anything else, sir?’

  Kowalski shook his head slowly. He snatched a slate off the side and tossed it to Krieg, who caught it awkwardly.

  ‘Report to her ladyship at eight hundred hours. Whatever it is, it’ll be a fool’s errand, you know that, don’t you?’

  The lieutenant stared at the floor. ‘Now get the hell out of my sight.’

  Krieg saluted crisply and left the Pavilion for the last time.

  III

  The wardroom of the Wastrel was hardly an appropriate venue for a briefing, being grubby, cramped and decorated with wall-to-wall hive porn, but it was private and gave a sweeping view of the internment camp.

  Krieg noticed little of this, finding, as he did, the silhouette of Canoness Santhonax framed in the starboard viewing port. He found himself lost in her numbing gaze, the radiance of her obsidian armour swallowing the room like a black hole. She stepped lightly towards him, drawing back a sable hood to reveal the network of pins inserted across her shaven skull. Remembering himself, Krieg dropped to his knee and bowed his head.

  ‘Ma’am,’ he acknowledged her obediently.

  ‘Come here, where I can see you,’ she said softly, motioning the lieutenant over to the viewport. Krieg did as he was bid.

  ‘I’ve been looking over your record. Fairly impressive,’ she told him, staring out across the internment camp. ‘Galtinore Legionnaires, 123rd Pontificals, now ordo special operations: you’re quite the rising star, lieutenant.’

  ‘I am at your disposal, your ladyship,’ Krieg avowed.

  ‘Of course you are,’ Santhonax concurred confidently. ‘Dedication to duty and loyalty to the cause are qualities that will always find a place in service to the Ecclesiarchy – as I’m sure Lord Herrenvolk would agree.’

  Krieg nodded. The Order of the Immaculate Flame was one of the Ecclesiarchy’s many militant arms, but with the Sororitas and the Ordo Hereticus working so closely, it was difficult to tell where the authority of one organisation ended and the other began.

  ‘If I may be so bold as to ask, ma’am,’ Krieg ventured, ‘have the heretics divulged further indications of their intentions?’

  ‘Very much so: we learn more by the hour of the threat these arch-recusants pose to the system. Your capture of Spurrlok would seem a major blow to their operations. I had my sisters begin interrogations last night. Unfortunately we had to undo most of his magnificent work.’

  Krieg nodded: he’d heard the screams, even from his bunk.

  ‘Like his brethren, Spurrlok demonstrated the same resilience to our methods of inquiry. I had one of the inquisitor’s savants, Warratah Chandra, oversee the psychic aspects of the interrogation – but he drew a blank. Literally. It is his belief that Spurrlok’s heretics are joined in mind in such a way as to share their strength and resist us.’

  Krieg wasn’t surprised. The heretics he’d come into contact with had largely seemed cold and emotionless; that was apart from the minority that had gone haywire in public and embarked on a slaughter spree.

  ‘All this despite Chandra failing to find an actual honest-to-Throne wyrd among them,’ the canoness said with regret. ‘Angelescu’s hunch was correct. There is definitely a connection between the killings, the ‘Doomsday Brethren’ and Spurrlok’s agricultural freight charters in the Burdock Worlds. Some dark force is at work here: whether it is the damned, the witch, the filthy xenos or them all, we will discover and destroy it. I am afraid, however, that in many respects your efforts in locating Anatoly Spurrlok were in vain. As ever in our line of work, he’s not the key: he’s just one link in a long chain attached to the lock that binds them.’

  ‘We shall double our efforts,’ Krieg vowed.

  Santhonax gave him a lofty smile: the kind older women reserve for naive, younger lovers.

  ‘I have other work for you, lieutenant. Three weeks ago, Inquisitor Herrenvolk sent an urgent message by astropath to Field Marshal Rygotzk at Scythia. He had intended to speak with Chapter Master Argolis of the Astral Fists, but they have moved out of sector to halt the advance of the Echidna Splinter Fleet.

  ‘The Burdock Worlds have always had problems with greenskin raiders, being so close to The Deeps, but Rygotzk believes that recent attacks across the agri-worlds might actually presage a coordinated ork incursion this time. Presently, however, it is a watching and waiting game on the rim and Herrenvolk pressed the Field Marshal to spare us some of his manpower.’

  ‘Surely the Pontificals and the Sororitas have the outbreaks on Spetzghast covered…’

  ‘Spetzghast is only the beginning. Inquisitor Herrenvolk has discovered a data trail of evidence implicating similar heresies on several of the outlying worlds and the fabricator moon of Illium is in open rebellion.’

  Krieg was shocked. ‘How could we not know?’

  ‘Idle bureaucracy in the main. Both Algernon and Tancred’s World reported cult murders to authorities on Spetzghast, but these weren’t acted upon until similar outbreaks appeared in the capital. As for Illium, the Mechanicu
s are traditionally reticent about handling security on their own installations.’

  ‘But they have forces of their own,’ Krieg interjected.

  ‘The fabricator moon has a standing legion of skitarii and a quarto-legio of Imperial Titans standing sentinel over the most valuable installations, on permanent loan from the Legio Invictus on Ninevah. The authorities are mostly genitors, and members of the Adeptus Biologis – the politics in this region leaning towards the organicist side of the spectrum. The local populations, however, are largely Spetzghastian immigrant labour who work the culture mills and vat labs, engineering the biological frames of servitors and cyborganic automatons. Whatever happened on that moon, it seems things got a little beyond the skitarii forces; and now, by extension, us.

  ‘Rygotzk has released the 364th and 1001st Volscian Shadow Brigade companies from his reservist forces, under Brigadier Voskov – a capable man I’m told. Hopefully the extra muscle will help the Mechanicus skitarii forces get the populous back under control. This is where you come in.’

  ‘Ma’am?’

  ‘The reason that I am telling you this is that yesterday it became known to me that a small force of storm-troopers make up part of Brigadier Voskov’s troop convoy under a Gomorrian major called Zane Mortensen.’ The canoness laid special emphasis on the outfit’s name, so much so it appeared as though she’d just swallowed some kind of arachnid.

  Krieg had heard of Mortensen and his team. The major’s reputation preceded him. As a Galtinore Legionnaire Krieg had arrived late to the trenchworld of Chaspia; by then the foxhole labyrinths and continental earthworks of the contested planet were ancient monuments to the billions who had perished there. The Legionnaires had barely touched down on earth that was more blood than grit before being told to pack up and return to their drop-ship. Mortensen’s Redemption Corps had been brought in during the same reinforcement, but hadn’t spent three days in processing, as the Galtinore Legionnaires and countless other troops and regiments had. There was no hurry to the front lines of a world that had been contested for the best part of three hundred years.

  During this time Mortensen and his men had been picking their way through the booby-trapped expanse of the Knoblus tunnels. Within hours the anthracite shafts of the heavily fortified Augusta-1 Shale Plant had been blown and sealed. Defensive positions were formed and Imperial forces waited for fuel production and the great blighted war machine of the infested Fatherlanders to grind to a halt. Within the year Chaspia was back in Imperial hands, but by then Krieg was hunting wyrds with Schenker and the 123rd Pontificals in the Barraglades.

  ‘The Redemption Corps,’ the lieutenant repeated. ‘Impossible missions, that kind of thing,’ Krieg continued, not quite liking where this was going.

  ‘Reckless deviants, I would say,’ Santhonax retorted caustically. ‘I once had the unfortunate duty of visiting Gomorrah. Even as hive-worlds go, Gomorrah was a festering sore on the underheel of the Imperium: a dominion of vice and villainy. Wiped clean by the wrath of the God-Emperor himself. On that one point, the Redemptionists and I agree. What is left of this renegade civilisation is now back here, trading their poisonous ways under the banner of salvation.’

  ‘But, the Redemption Corps is a storm-trooper outfit.’ Krieg put to her. ‘The Commissariat would have reported traces of deviancy in the ranks and exercised their authority.’

  ‘Do not underestimate the emptiness in men’s hearts. It is an unquenchable vessel that consumes all it can and then looks for more: sometimes in the darkest of places. Spetzghast is tainted: Algernon, Tancred, Illium also. Heresy would breed like bacteria in a den of iniquity like Gomorrah. Breed in the men who herald from there.

  ‘The troops under his command are similarly tainted – I am sure of it. You cannot serve with the polluted without becoming polluted yourself. And they are not the only ones. The very vessel that carries him and his men, His Beneficent Imperial Majesty’s Escort Carrier Deliverance, experienced a mutinous overthrow mere weeks from Spetzghast. The entire 1001st Shadow Brigade – almost five hundred fighting sons of Volscia – have had to be quarantined and creed-sanctioned for re-instruction of faith. Do you really think I have the sisters to spare for such diversions? Beyond the loss of the regiment itself, of course.’

  ‘I’ve heard of Mortensen,’ Krieg confirmed.

  ‘Then you know what they say about him. That he can’t be killed? That he is a saviour? The fire of the Emperor burning in his veins?’

  ‘Sounds like empty-headed propaganda to me. Gossip and egotism run amok.’

  ‘You disappoint me, lieutenant. Your own reputation isn’t sullied with such naivety,’ the canoness said lightly.

  Krieg recovered quickly from the sting in her slur: ‘Let me put it this way. I have heard priests say similar things to troops in the heat of battle, even trade on the regard of certain officers, you know, to spur them on.’

  ‘But this isn’t in the heat of battle, lieutenant. Neither is it idle gossip. It is belief and it is dangerous. Surely you would not want to see star temples constructed from the souls of the Imperium’s honest fighting men?’

  Krieg shook his head.

  ‘Surely Major Mortensen cannot be held responsible for the communication of rumours that are beyond his control?’ Krieg offered.

  ‘He can,’ Santhonax snarled with conviction, ‘if he is their originator. What matters here is not what Major Mortensen does – he is beyond doubt a very gallant officer – it is what he believes. For if he believes, then this is not rumour: it is cult.’

  The word hung in the cool, stagnant air of the wardroom. ‘Cultish practice will not be tolerated amongst the Emperor’s subjects.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘The individual is nothing; the body Imperium, everything. We can’t have personality cults threatening uniformity of purpose – not now, not ever. The Emperor sacrificed himself for mankind; now he requires the sacrifice of his people. The vainglorious serve themselves. It is heresy and it is dangerous. It’s already spreading to other regiments and interfering with the Emperor’s work. It must and will be stopped.’

  Santhonax turned and recovered a data-slate and a courier package from under the wardroom table.

  ‘You will transfer to the Redemption Corps and make regular reports on the major’s actions and behaviour and submit them with your regular supply despatches. Brigadier Voskov and I shall monitor and assess Major Mortensen’s fitness for command and act accordingly.’

  Krieg’s head swam with the sudden complexity of it all. The canoness thrust the slate and package towards him, which the lieutenant cautiously took. ‘Eternal vigilance is the hallmark of a true Imperial servant,’ she advised him.

  ‘Won’t the major be surprised if an Inquisitorial storm-trooper simply gatecrashes his unit?’

  ‘You are no longer a storm-trooper,’ the canoness assured him. ‘You are still in the employ of the ordo but report to me. In order to oil the cogs of this transition, Lord Commissar Verhoeven has approved your entry as a cadet-commissar, effective immediately. I know that this is highly irregular but the lord commissar appreciates the gravity of the situation and is willing to overlook these irregularities in order that the transfer and your new rank pass scrutiny.

  ‘You begin your rotation with a storm-trooper unit: and what better than the unit belonging to the infamous Major Zane Mortensen? Besides, Commissariat officers lost their lives attempting to bring rebel elements on board Deliverance to justice. Reinstatements onboard will be expected. As such, you are perfectly placed to make observations of Major Mortensen’s command conduct. Getting close to Mortensen is all that matters. You will acquire the proof we need to make judgement on this heretic in our midst.’

  Krieg was staggered. Within minutes he’d gone from frag bait to defender of the Imperial creed. Overcoming the initial thrill of promotion, he attempted to engage his brain once more. With
consideration came suspicion.

  ‘This is a deep honour, your ladyship, but I cannot help thinking, well, to put it bluntly: why me? Wouldn’t an Imperial agent be a more appropriate choice?’

  ‘Modesty, as well as integrity?’ Santhonax asked, rolling her eyes. ‘Because you have the appropriate experience and credentials to join the major without arousing his suspicion: allocation to a storm troop will just appear to be part of your training rotation. Because you have served under difficult men before. Because you keep your nerve and do your duty. I am sure that you will know how to act if the major is found wanting and you will carry the authority of Imperial law. Besides, the Emperor’s loyal agents will be involved when the time is right,’ Santhonax pledged, her words laced with venom.

  She checked her holochron. ‘You report to Regimental Commissar Udeskee on board the carrier Deliverance. Of course, the only person you actually report to now is myself. Brigadier Voskov and his command structure have transferred to the Purgatorio in the wake of the rebellion. Udeskee, however, is attached to the Volscian 364th and is the only other Commissariat officer on board. Your rank as cadet-commissar necessitates an initial contact. Shuttle leaves in ten minutes. Bay Sixteen.’

  Krieg didn’t quite know how to acknowledge such an offer and in the end settled for a crisp salute and a tight smile. ‘Your ladyship.’

  ‘Good luck, “Cadet-Commissar Krieg”. And remember, the Emperor expects.’

  Krieg ducked out of the wardroom and ran for the shuttle.

  IV

  As he hurried out of the Wastrel’s airlock it suddenly occurred to Krieg that he would need his personal belongings from his tent. Leaving the dry-docked haulage brig he bolted up the slipway, careering through the camp, dodging startled Guardsmen and precariously stacked equipment, the cadet-commissar skidded to a halt outside of his billet and parted the mesh drapes. It was only inside that he realised the danger he was in.

  The shelter was neat, cool and bathed in the sodium light of a lamp-pack. The lamp-pack caught his attention immediately. It wasn’t on when he left. Krieg took a deep breath and a good, long look around his quarters. He finally found the device under his bunk: wire sensitive seismic demolition charges, with a bunch of pin-primed frag grenades for good measure. If he’d tried to sit down on the berth, he’d be in pieces right now, splattered all over the hull of the Wastrel.