A Monster in Hell: A 40K Story

Chapter-26

"How long was I out?" I asked the group that were sitting around the table.

The group consisted of Rampart, Veers, Dyson, al-Wazir, Tyrell and two of the Officio Assassinorium: Grand Master Sergei Nikolaev and his Deputy Fadix.

"Two weeks, my Lord," Dyson spoke, his voice hoarse, likely from the constant management he likely had to do throughout the past week. "The entire thing is a terrible affair."

"It was a Callidus Assassin, my Lord, disguised as Ravenor." Tyrell was next. "He was well-equipped, well-prepared, corrupted by Chaos, and equipped with a blade made of Fulgurite and Blackstone. It was quite effective. You, my Lord, were lucky that it was not very effective: a few inches deeper and you would have been dead. Investigations have been launched. By the way, the real Ravenor is dead."

I sighed. Of course. One of my High Lords were dead, I had barely escaped assassination, a weakness was publicly revealed to everyone, and I had been out of the administrative sphere for two weeks.

"Has the purge at least gone well?"

"The purge has indeed gone well, my Lord. Several supporters of Sanctus have been removed and replaced. The Lord-Inquisitor Sif and Grand Master Deputy Fadix have taken a major role in the purges and the appointment of new and capable successors."

Fadix inclined his head, before Nikolaev took over the talks: "The assassin was well-prepared, my Lord. From our investigations, he entered your ship at some point during our transit to Terra, and replaced Ravenor. He meticulously studied and copied his mannerisms, including in-depth research of your legal reforms, tithe reforms, and other recent laws you have passed, to better imitate his victim. He then struck. Further investigations are being conducted before the trail runs cold. However... it is a likely outcome that the new Warmaster of Chaos, Huron Blackheart, is behind the attempted assassination."

"And that is not the end. Blackheart has destroyed and plundered several worlds adjacent to the Maelstrom, taking advantage of the anarchy within the Imperium to conquer more worlds for his Immaterial Piratic Empire." Tyrell continued, "His attack has disoriented the Navis Imperialis, but they have rallied under Admiral Solisburg of the Battlefleet Solar, and many others beholden to him. They have launched the Malus Crusade to counter Blackheart's unwanted expansion." Tyrell continued.

"However, the purges went well. The Ulik Sector imploded from infighting and the Assassins sent by Lord Fadix." Dyson finished, a note of optimism in his voice.

Well. That spoke of a lot. A Callidus Assassin, Chaos-corrupted? Just what had Huron dabbled in to make an Imperial Assassin fall to Chaos? Practically they were too indoctrinated to fall, along with many, many physical impediments and a removal of emotions. The turning of an Assassin to Chaos would require forbidden sorceries and manipulations Abaddon would never be able to carry out.

Huron was a far more dangerous foe than I had thought of him to be.

Rampart handed me a large map, complete with notes that pointed out the strength and direction of Huron's Campaign. The worlds he was overtaking meant that they were headed towards Diamat, where I had parked a shipyard, Clone Trooper Factory, a Star Fort, Titans and Ordinatus Engines, which were extremely heavy siege guns and the trademark of that Forge-World. It was a key logistical center region that served as a base of operations for my Crusade and a strategic chokepoint between Segmentums Solar and Ultima. If Huron's Red Crusade succeeded he would be far more powerful than before he had been.

I realized my folly: concentrating so many resources to a single Forge-World, however important, was a strategic mistake.

"Move the mobile shipyard and backup all data regarding the genetic tinkering of Clone Troopers into the Cogitators. The Star Fort and the Titans must be also withdrawn, and the heavy siege guns must be protected at all cost." I sharply gave them orders, "Pack all the heavy siege guns into the fleets and bring them into Segmentum Solar. Make sure that the intel regarding this news is kept secret: I want Huron on Diamat, but the prize out of his reach. Then send in the Space Marines and deploy the Battlefleets around him in a pincer trap," I completed, "High Lord-Admiral Rampart, Lord-Commander Militant Veers, I want you to carry out this plan. Begin as soon as possible. Preferably now."

Rampart and Veers nodded and departed from the room immediately.

I turned to the others: "Huron Blackheart must be ground down in a single position for as long as humanly possible. As many assets can be used must be used to stop Blackheart from expanding into Imperial space beyond the Maelstrom. Diamat must be his trap, his failure and his end: every bit of information must also be provided to me about the moves he makes."

"I understand." Tyrell nodded, and together with Nikolaev and Fadix he took his leave.

"My Lord... what should we do?" asked Dyson.

"I would advise you to have the reforms that we require related to various spheres of governance, passed immediately. Appoint a new High Lord to replace Ravenor. Secure the political support to rule in my stead indefinitely, because I shall be occupied at the frontline for who knows how long."

"Very well, my Lord, I shall look for Ravenor's replacement." al-Wazir looked serious, unlike his usually jovial self, and departed along with Dyson.

The situation was supremely bad. The attempted assassination of the Supreme Leader (me) had sent ripples across the Imperium. I had to look strong to regain my image better. My public image as a strongman and a hardened military leader was threatened. To the masses, optics and superficiality was important, and the fact was that security had been compromised. My consorts and myself were now kept under tightened security, along with all high officials: with Sisters of Silence and Culexus Assassins around to blank out any psychic activity. Valoris, Kitten and Kesh had tightened security, with screenings around the palace and the swift death of anyone who moved the wrong way.

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"I know there has been an attempt to end my life and throw the Imperium into disarray. I am aware of the rumors surrounding myself and my health, that I may have been incapacitated. I assure you, this application of force is not enough to throw me off the path of rightful obligation. We do not, as of now, have any idea, of the identity of the assassin, but I assure you, the hostiles will be hunted down and defeated. The attempt on my life may have left me temporarily incapacitated, but my resolve has never be stronger! I, Hades Helios Bryant, Supreme Leader and the Highest Lord and Regent of the Imperium, declare the Revenant Crusade... for a safe and secure... society!

"The Revenant Crusade will bring glory to the Imperium and the Empress: it will be the largest undertaking taken since the Age of the Empress. It will vanquish all our vile enemies and bring us all the glory lost in the foul Heresy! We shall triumph! Mankind will be the most powerful it has ever been, this I swear on the Aquila, the Golden Throne, the Empress and the people of the Imperium!"

People cheered. They roared their approval. Their hands and their faces said as much. I grinned to myself.

"So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."

(A/N: 

1. Of course Hades diverts lots of resources for a Crusade using an attempt. He also does a First Galactic Empire speech. The attempt itself was staged by Chaos though, likely Huron Blackheart, who has also managed to launch a Red Crusade. The Tyrant of Badab, the Master of the Maelstrom, and the Libertarian: he respects guns in his book and also does the No Taxation Without Representation thing.)