Choas in Purgatory (WH40K / Star Wars / Star Trek)
Posted: 2005-08-02 05:44am
The Disease is Spreading. We Call it 'Sin'.
"They fled through The Warp, Sir. Their cruiser was crippled, but we couldn't deliver the killing blow before they pushed their burning hulk into the Immaterium."
"And in their wake...?"
"Yes, sir; they left some form of anomolous rift, just as our Psykers predicted."
The Librarian turned his gaze out the ship's window, resting it upon the stars.
"So. The forces of Chaos have found the Gate to Purgatory."
"...Sir?"
"It was prudent of you to curtail your pursuit, Commissar. The forces I placed under your watch were not properly prepared to enter a conduit of such significance. They'd have been undoubtably tainted."
"Thank-you, s--"
"It was NOT prudent of you, however, to allow our enemies to reach their destination. Your battleship outgunned that cruiser by an extremely substantial margin, and should have purged it from existence on the very outset of your engagement. I was informed, Commissar Dark, that you were the man to approach for a hunting sortie of this importance. That you would understand the word 'importance' as spoken by a Librarian. Obviously, I've been decieved."
"...My sincerest regrets and apol--"
"There must be allegations adrift of my leniency for you to try and use those terms, Commissar. I assure you that any such allegations are false. As the God Emperor himself made law, you, your ship, your crew and the Psykers I entrusted to you shall be incinerated for the heresy of peering down the path which would lead away from Him. You will be escorted to the nearest penal colony, where your vessel shall be impounded and you shall be taken into custody."
"...I shall fill the last of my days begging for the mercy and forgiveness of the Emperor God when the time comes for Him to guide my soul beyond the material realm."
"Best you shall."
The Commissar was escorted from the bridge. The Librarian turned to face the main viewscreen.
"Helm, prepare to take us into The Warp. We're heading back to Earth. Communications, prepare a message to the assembly of Chapter Masters. I wish to have an audience with them."
***
"TWO Chapters, William? Two ENTIRE Chapters? I can't believe I'm listening to this - much less from a LIBRARIAN."
"I also request the cooperation of the Adeptus Mechanicus in providing a company of Titans."
"This is MADNESS!"
"Don't become excited, brother Vandal. Brother William - wouldn't it be more prudent to simply call the Grey Knights into action?"
"The Grey Knights are... occupied, for the moment, with their usual affairs. This is a problem that must be addressed by the standard Space Marine corps."
"The Grey Knights aren't the ONLY force in active du-"
"I was hoping, actually, that the Crimson Fists might be willing to pause their present campaign against the Orks to lend me their services. As well as some of the local Imperial Guard. I've spoken with Master Azariah, and he has concurred that the Blood Ravens should comprise the second Chapter in this offensive-"
"Impossible. Our Imperial Guard forces need every resource available to them right now. They've been engaged in internal affairs concerning potential Genestealer activities for-"
"Minus, of course, Captain Gabriel's 3rd Company - which would be deployed here to assist in what has thus far been a very fruitless investigation."
Vandal glared at him.
"And how do we know that this is such a real threat, William? How do we know that the Chaos forces were not simply torn apart as they entered the Gate?"
"Because the Emperor God said it was so. Unless you discredit His opinion on matters as much as you discredit mine?"
"No, no. I meant no such implication. I meant that your proposed response is absurd. The Emperor God did NOT say that we should mobilize the reources of more than two Chapters in response to it's discovery, did He? If fact, if my memory serves, He advised that we give the Gate a very wide birth should it ever be opened."
"Correct, Commissar Vandal. However, He has also made it clear that it will always be our duty to purge Chaos - no matter the place, the cost or the circumstances. Chaos has invaded Purgatory, and will grow and fester there if it is not immediately sanitized."
"ONE cruiser, William. One crippled crui-"
"There is more than that, Commissar. Much more. If I hadn't felt this, I would not have called for a response of such proportion."
There was an unsettling silence.
"...When do you hope to have a fleet readied by. Assuming we agree to your proposal?"
"Well, Master Thorn, I suppose that depen-"
"SIRS!"
A marine burst into the chamber room.
"Permission to address the assembly!?"
"What is it, marine?"
He ran to to holographic projector in the middle of the room, inserting a data disc.
"The escort vessel McKenzie, left in the immediate vicinity of the Gate to Purgatory under observation orders, dispatched a video recording buoy two hours ago - which we just intercepted. Take a look:"
The projector hummed, created a three-dimensional scene above it. A huge pulsing 'rift' was at the center of the image. The Gate.
From the west a pair of fleets approached it. There was no mistaking the bulky, scorched and ungainly vessels of the lead fleet for anything other than the Ork ships that they were, and likewise no mistaking the elegant behemoths nipping at their heels as anything other than the mighty warships of the Eldar.
Commissar Vandal leapt from his seat.
"That sigil! Those are Warboss Bigga Tanya's hulks!"
"They are. Fresh from his Waaagh against the Eldar worldships, it would seem."
The fleets exchanged fire with neither side clearly besting the other, until the Orks headed right on through the Gate - with the Eldar unhesitantly right behind them.
"What in the name of the EMPEROR-!?"
"Bigga's instincts and ambitions have always been much larger than his logic, even among other Warbosses. The Waaagh! must've drawn him here. The Eldar fleet, most likely, simply hasn't any concern for what is sacred or genuinely important; they simply want their prey."
"I won't stand for this!"
Master Thorn rose.
"The Crimson Fist will collaborate with you, William - assuming that you're willing to enter into a blood bond with me. Wherever the Orks trespass, we will drive them out!"
"You have my gratitude. And what about your Guard forces, Commissar Vandal?"
"...500 men. No more. And I want at least half of them back by the time your campaign has reached it's end. I can offer you a few battalions of Basilisks, Chimeras and Leman Russ's from our reserves - though I'm not promising much. I'll try to get in contact with Mars, though the Adeptus Mechanicus may be a little reluctant-"
"Many thanks, Commissar. We should be assembled and prepared for launch by the week's end. William out."
The Librarian switched-off his video conference monitor.
Evil had no patience. The Gate had opened only months ago - and in spite of all of the Omnis Arcanum's efforts, word was spreading about it. The path toward the place where neither The Warp nor the influence of He who sits upon the Golden Throne exist. Absolutely fresh new territory, neither tainted nor baptized.
Purgatory.
Ever since it opened, William could feel SOMETHING on the other side. As could the rest of the Librarium Sanctorum's membership. Something very strong - and, therefore, very dangerous. And something that they had to do EVERYTHING to prevent the unclean from discovering for themselves.
"They fled through The Warp, Sir. Their cruiser was crippled, but we couldn't deliver the killing blow before they pushed their burning hulk into the Immaterium."
"And in their wake...?"
"Yes, sir; they left some form of anomolous rift, just as our Psykers predicted."
The Librarian turned his gaze out the ship's window, resting it upon the stars.
"So. The forces of Chaos have found the Gate to Purgatory."
"...Sir?"
"It was prudent of you to curtail your pursuit, Commissar. The forces I placed under your watch were not properly prepared to enter a conduit of such significance. They'd have been undoubtably tainted."
"Thank-you, s--"
"It was NOT prudent of you, however, to allow our enemies to reach their destination. Your battleship outgunned that cruiser by an extremely substantial margin, and should have purged it from existence on the very outset of your engagement. I was informed, Commissar Dark, that you were the man to approach for a hunting sortie of this importance. That you would understand the word 'importance' as spoken by a Librarian. Obviously, I've been decieved."
"...My sincerest regrets and apol--"
"There must be allegations adrift of my leniency for you to try and use those terms, Commissar. I assure you that any such allegations are false. As the God Emperor himself made law, you, your ship, your crew and the Psykers I entrusted to you shall be incinerated for the heresy of peering down the path which would lead away from Him. You will be escorted to the nearest penal colony, where your vessel shall be impounded and you shall be taken into custody."
"...I shall fill the last of my days begging for the mercy and forgiveness of the Emperor God when the time comes for Him to guide my soul beyond the material realm."
"Best you shall."
The Commissar was escorted from the bridge. The Librarian turned to face the main viewscreen.
"Helm, prepare to take us into The Warp. We're heading back to Earth. Communications, prepare a message to the assembly of Chapter Masters. I wish to have an audience with them."
***
"TWO Chapters, William? Two ENTIRE Chapters? I can't believe I'm listening to this - much less from a LIBRARIAN."
"I also request the cooperation of the Adeptus Mechanicus in providing a company of Titans."
"This is MADNESS!"
"Don't become excited, brother Vandal. Brother William - wouldn't it be more prudent to simply call the Grey Knights into action?"
"The Grey Knights are... occupied, for the moment, with their usual affairs. This is a problem that must be addressed by the standard Space Marine corps."
"The Grey Knights aren't the ONLY force in active du-"
"I was hoping, actually, that the Crimson Fists might be willing to pause their present campaign against the Orks to lend me their services. As well as some of the local Imperial Guard. I've spoken with Master Azariah, and he has concurred that the Blood Ravens should comprise the second Chapter in this offensive-"
"Impossible. Our Imperial Guard forces need every resource available to them right now. They've been engaged in internal affairs concerning potential Genestealer activities for-"
"Minus, of course, Captain Gabriel's 3rd Company - which would be deployed here to assist in what has thus far been a very fruitless investigation."
Vandal glared at him.
"And how do we know that this is such a real threat, William? How do we know that the Chaos forces were not simply torn apart as they entered the Gate?"
"Because the Emperor God said it was so. Unless you discredit His opinion on matters as much as you discredit mine?"
"No, no. I meant no such implication. I meant that your proposed response is absurd. The Emperor God did NOT say that we should mobilize the reources of more than two Chapters in response to it's discovery, did He? If fact, if my memory serves, He advised that we give the Gate a very wide birth should it ever be opened."
"Correct, Commissar Vandal. However, He has also made it clear that it will always be our duty to purge Chaos - no matter the place, the cost or the circumstances. Chaos has invaded Purgatory, and will grow and fester there if it is not immediately sanitized."
"ONE cruiser, William. One crippled crui-"
"There is more than that, Commissar. Much more. If I hadn't felt this, I would not have called for a response of such proportion."
There was an unsettling silence.
"...When do you hope to have a fleet readied by. Assuming we agree to your proposal?"
"Well, Master Thorn, I suppose that depen-"
"SIRS!"
A marine burst into the chamber room.
"Permission to address the assembly!?"
"What is it, marine?"
He ran to to holographic projector in the middle of the room, inserting a data disc.
"The escort vessel McKenzie, left in the immediate vicinity of the Gate to Purgatory under observation orders, dispatched a video recording buoy two hours ago - which we just intercepted. Take a look:"
The projector hummed, created a three-dimensional scene above it. A huge pulsing 'rift' was at the center of the image. The Gate.
From the west a pair of fleets approached it. There was no mistaking the bulky, scorched and ungainly vessels of the lead fleet for anything other than the Ork ships that they were, and likewise no mistaking the elegant behemoths nipping at their heels as anything other than the mighty warships of the Eldar.
Commissar Vandal leapt from his seat.
"That sigil! Those are Warboss Bigga Tanya's hulks!"
"They are. Fresh from his Waaagh against the Eldar worldships, it would seem."
The fleets exchanged fire with neither side clearly besting the other, until the Orks headed right on through the Gate - with the Eldar unhesitantly right behind them.
"What in the name of the EMPEROR-!?"
"Bigga's instincts and ambitions have always been much larger than his logic, even among other Warbosses. The Waaagh! must've drawn him here. The Eldar fleet, most likely, simply hasn't any concern for what is sacred or genuinely important; they simply want their prey."
"I won't stand for this!"
Master Thorn rose.
"The Crimson Fist will collaborate with you, William - assuming that you're willing to enter into a blood bond with me. Wherever the Orks trespass, we will drive them out!"
"You have my gratitude. And what about your Guard forces, Commissar Vandal?"
"...500 men. No more. And I want at least half of them back by the time your campaign has reached it's end. I can offer you a few battalions of Basilisks, Chimeras and Leman Russ's from our reserves - though I'm not promising much. I'll try to get in contact with Mars, though the Adeptus Mechanicus may be a little reluctant-"
"Many thanks, Commissar. We should be assembled and prepared for launch by the week's end. William out."
The Librarian switched-off his video conference monitor.
Evil had no patience. The Gate had opened only months ago - and in spite of all of the Omnis Arcanum's efforts, word was spreading about it. The path toward the place where neither The Warp nor the influence of He who sits upon the Golden Throne exist. Absolutely fresh new territory, neither tainted nor baptized.
Purgatory.
Ever since it opened, William could feel SOMETHING on the other side. As could the rest of the Librarium Sanctorum's membership. Something very strong - and, therefore, very dangerous. And something that they had to do EVERYTHING to prevent the unclean from discovering for themselves.