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I decided to write this while I was taking a short break from the Daemon Blade. I'm experimenting with different writing stuff and perspectives and that sort of thing, so C&C is extremely appreciated. I'm going to be breaking this up into three posts due to length.


The Scribe
The Scribe wrote effortlessly, his robotic appendages copying millions of documents each day. Part of a massive assembly line with thousands of other scribes like him, he had no identity beyond his profession. In fact, he never left his profession. He was connected to a massive system of pipes, tubes and archaic machinery that was beyond the comprehension of even the Adeptus Mechanicus.

For one thousand seven hundred and forty six years he had worked without error. Today that would change. The ink tube, having been pushed and rubbed against the scribe’s jutting metal shoulder for decades, finally ripped. Ink began to spill, coating the floor with a glossy black. The Scribe was horrified. He tried to write and the paper remained unchanged. He tried again. There was no ink. The tiny, organic part of the Scribe’s brain was wracked with terror and shock and as such, rationalized it; of course there was ink in the pen and he was just imagining things. As the ink continued to spill, the Scribe continued to attempt to write. He “filled out” each form, he put it in the appropriate bin and resumed work.

The Bureaucrat
Jervis sighed as he stamped another paper and through it into the approved pile. A servitor handed him the next paper and he skimmed over it with glazed eyes. The only thing that caught his attention was that it stated Vetrex 1. He was sure that it was supposed to be Vetrex 10. After all, Vetrex 1 was an upstanding society, even if it was on a Death World. Vetrex 10 on the other hand was a Hive World run by gangs and infested with Hrud and Chaos Cultists.

He read the whole paper again, this time slowly and carefully. It seemed like the document was hinting at Vetrex 10 the entire time, with its vague mentions of rampant crime and possible Xenos, but it clearly stated Vetrex 1. Jervis read it a third time, zooming in with his bionic eye and squinting with his organic one. He picked up the “Disapproval” Stamp but noted how much paperwork he would have to fill out and how he would have to consult the Scribe Facility and figure out who wrote the original document and so on.

Ultimately, Jervis decided that getting home on time outweighed the fate of the two planets. After all, whoever received the form would probably notice and add in a zero. Putting down the “Disapproval” Stamp, he picked up the “Approval” one and thus verified the form. He dropped it in the appropriate bin and left his office, wondering what he would have for dinner that night.

The General
High Commander Karmoz “Tooth Eater” Triof of the Sinchix 8 9th read over the form. As High Commander of the Closest Regiment to Vetrex 1, he held a large amount of power regarding the situation. “Exterminatus,” he said, putting down the form. “I guarantee that will destroy most of them we can’t be sure. Afterwards we’ll Virus Bomb the planet. Now, we can expect a few survivors in extremely fortified bunkers such as the Planetary Governor. So we’ll wait for the Virus to subside and maybe Exterminatus again just to help kill most of it early on. I’ll bring my regiment down and we’ll sweep the entire planet, forest to forest, hill to hill, ocean to ocean and city to city. It won’t be quick or easy, but it’ll kill all of them. How many of them are there?”

“There are approximately three billion and four million inhabitants. It is a Death World, so the population is relatively low,” Colonel Travis said. “Also Commander-”

“Don’t ‘also Commander’ me! There’s a reason why I’m the High Commander of the Sinchex 8 9th and you aren’t!” yelled Karmoz, standing up from his seat. “Do you know why? I take action! I assess risks and form strategies and set my plans into action! I! Get! Things! Done! What do you do? You just say ‘also Commander’ and laze around all day ‘planning’ or whatever the hell you do in your quarters!” He paused to breath and then spoke in a quieter voice. “There isn’t anything down there that can’t survive an Exterminatus, Virus Bombing, secondary Exterminatus and Manual Sweep.”

“Of course,” said Travis. “I apologize Commander. However-”

“That’s how it starts!” screamed Karmoz. “You say something like ‘However that may not work’ and next thing I know you have a Shrine to the Heretic Gods in your Throne damned quarters! That’s probably why you spend so much time in there, sacrificing virgins to Horus or something! Is it? Answer me you heretic!”

“No sir!” squeaked Travis, slumping back in his chair. “But I have to tell you something!”

Karmoz smiled and leaned in close. “Sure, you can tell me anything you want Colonel. After all, it’s your funeral.”

“That planet falls into Crimson Wrists territory,” the Colonel said in a shaky voice. “Like the Ultramarines, they’ve formed a small empire for taxation purposes. If we attack their planet, it could be interrupted as an act of war. They number approximately two thousand Astartes.”

“Are the Crimson Wrists heretics?” asked the High Commander. “If so, we’ll virus bomb every Throne damned planet in the Vetrex System and all of the surrounding asteroids and Lunar bases! They’ll regret crossing the Sinchex 8 9th!”

“I’m confident that they are loyalists,” answered Travis.

“Are you sure? They own Vetrex 1, a Hrud Infested Chaos Owned overpopulated Hive City. They could be the next Black Templars.”

“Black Templars are loyalists,” corrected the Colonel. “As are the Crimson Wrists. Also, are you sure you’re talking about Vetrex 1? It doesn’t sound like a Hrud Infested Chaos Owned overpopulated Hive City.”

“You are questioning my authority again!” shouted Karmoz louder than ever before. “Listen up you Chaos serving Xeno worshipping bag of paste, worms and hair! I’m reading the report and making decisions! I’m pretty sure if the report was wrong than someone would’ve stopped it! Right?”

“I apologize High Command Karmoz. You are correct, as always. This won’t happen again,” Travis said. “Shall I alert the Crimson Wrists?”

The Chapter Master
Crimson Wrists Chapter Master Krysk sighed and reclined in his magnificent throne. His Chapter was created as a support Chapter for the dwindling Crimson Fists by the High Lords of Terra. After all, the Crimson Fists were an accomplished and well known Chapter; their demise would be highly demoralizing. It was already embarrassing for his entire “Chapter” to just fill a support role. But, to make things even more embarrassing for Krysk, the Crimson Fists had refused their help as it violated the Codex Astartes.

Krysk had little care for the Codex Astartes considering the Crimson Wrists’ very existence violated it. Now, owning a Chapter with no clear purpose, he decided to just build up. First he recruited extra Marines and then he began creating an Empire similar to the Ultramarines. No great battle had come Krysk’s way, so he just continued to build and build.

Now, despite having never gone into combat, the Crimson Wrists were one of the largest Chapters in the Imperium. Once again Krysk sighed. “Any news?” he asked his Chief Ambassador for the twelfth time that day. Surprisingly, the Ambassador answered, “Yes.”

“Wait, what?” exclaimed Krysk, jumping off of his throne.

“We’ve received a message from the Sinchex 8 9th informing us that one of the planets in our Empire, Vetrex 1, has been deemed a possible threat to the structure of the Imperium due to rampant crime, xenos and chaos cults.”

“Oh,” said the Chapter Master, reclining. “Alright, just Virus Bomb Vetrex 10 and get it over with. We all knew this was coming.”

“Actually Lord, its Vetrex 1.”

“Really?”

“Yes, my Lord. The report states it quite clearly.”

“That planet exports a lot of poison, rare antidotes, cattle and man eating plants. That would be a big blow to our economy to Virus Bomb it,” stated Krysk. “But we can’t let the threat remain. We’ll have to go and invade the planet and kill the Traitors. We’ll have to go into combat. Ready the whole Chapter for combat; all twenty Companies, especially the 1st one and the 19th one. Don’t forget the 21st Company either just because they only have ten Astartes. We’re going into combat.”

The Planetary Governor
Vetrex 1, despite appearances, was not a valuable planet. In fact, the only reason it was still inhabited was nostalgia as it was the first planet of the Crimson Wrists Empire. When Basilius had been handed over the position, his first act had been to make the planet appear as powerful, appealing and important as possible.

According to Basilius, it exported many rare and valuable things. Also, it trained the finest PDF in the Imperium do to the planet’s dangerous nature creating many hardened veterans. In addition, it had the finest beaches in the Imperium and more super models than any other planet. None of this was true. In fact, even the planet’s history showed how horrific it was.

It was discovered during the Great Crusade by the Salamanders, who abandoned it for its uselessness. The Salamanders named it Vetrex Prime. During the Horus Heresy Word Bearers attacked the planet but the Dark Angels defended it on principle. Rumors held that the planet was still contaminated by Chaos from the Word Bearers’ rituals and spells. This was probably true. Afterwards Fabius Bile used the planet as a testing ground for many experiments, particularly on the abundant flora.

Hive Fleet Kraken managed to stop these experiments by invading. The plants, manipulated by Tyranids, became even more dangerous somehow. Luckily the invasion was halted by the brave Imperial Guard, who left the planet as soon as possible. The High Lords of Terra once demanded the planet face Exterminatus immediately, so a previous Planetary Governor had changed the name from Vetrex Prime to Vetrex 1, as to void the paper work and prevent the planet’s doom. Since then Basilius had taken control and made it appear as though the planet had made a complete turn around and was no longer a dangerous waste of resources.

“Basilius!” yelled his Chief Advisor. “All communications with the Imperium and Crimson Wrists have been cut! A massive fleet of Astartes ships are descending upon us!”

“Chaos Space Marines,” muttered Basilius. “Ready the PDF and attempt to repair communications!”

The Space Marine
Battle Brother Theron checked his Holy Flamer one last time before stepping inside the Drop Pod. Sergeant Aelianus unsheathed his Power Sword and said, “I know for most of you this your first time in combat, considering our Chapter’s… peaceful history. You are to follow my orders and protocol. You will think before you act. We are the Angels of Death and we shall not fail! Crimson Wrists!”

“Crimson Wrists!” echoed the Marines.

The Drop Pod detached from the Battle Barge with a grinding noise and was suddenly falling at hundreds of miles per hour. A weak artificial gravity simulator just barely kept the Space Marines on the floor and not the ceiling. Suddenly the Drop Pod hit the ground creating a noise like a massive explosion. The hatches blew clear and Sergeant Aelianus charged out, only for a massive plant to chop down on his shin.

It looked like a large, pulpy green bag with lots of teeth and slime. The hideous plant refused to let go of the Sergeant’s leg and began to grind away the ceramite with its fangs. “Flame it!” screamed Aelianus. “Flame it!”

Without hesitation Theron took a step backwards and fired on the strange beast. He knew that the Sergeant had picked his weapon because it would likely destroy the plant before it destroyed his leg, but was still nervous that the Flamer might break through and incinerate Aelianus’ foot. Suddenly a swarm of appendages grabbed Theron’s helmet from behind. He realized that a tree was in fact attacking him with its sizeable branches.

The other Crimson Wrists opened fire on the base of plant. It made a hissing sound before relinquishing Theron and dying. However Aelianus was still caught in the other plant’s wrath. Once again Theron opened fire with the flamer. This time the plant died and Aelianus jerked back immediately, only to find that the plant was still holding onto his lower shin and foot having managed to bite through the ceramite, flesh and bone.

Aelianus screamed and fell unconscious from a combination of blood loss and shock. This left Battle Brother Devisk, with his massive Plasma Cannon, in charge of the squad. “Place the Sergeant in the safety of the Drop Pod and form a defensive circle! We will slowly move north, killing any hostile flora or fauna along the way, until we meet up with the main offensive!”

The Marines obeyed. Now, with a nine man strong circle, they steadily moved north. Theron was in the back, which he disliked. It meant he had to walk backwards and if the squad was directly attacked from the front he wouldn’t see it coming. However, as an Astartes, he didn’t complain and he did his job well. An encounter with a blood thirsty bush reduced their numbers to eight and when Devisk tried to take it down his Plasma Cannon it overheated, reducing their numbers to seven.

A strange, goat like creature with tentacles ate one Marine before being slain. Luckily the Marine’s ceramite armor helped him survive the monster’s digestive system and he crawled out of its gaping maw unscathed. However the dead creature attracted a massive Scavenger which promptly stomped on the Battle Brother that had just escaped the mouth. It reminded Theron of a phrase; Out of the Maelstrom and into the Eye of Terror.

The six remaining Marines, now led by the inexperienced Battle Brother Irausk, caught up with the main offensive to find that the that it was over. The brunt of the PDF was slain and the rest were retreating to protect their Capital City. “How was your first day of combat, Battle Brothers?” asked a Chaplain. Theron, exhausted from the hike, accidently spoke honestly and was promptly executed.

The PDF Soldier

Mathew watched with tired eyes as the “Purgation” Squads removed all nearby plants with a combination of Melta Guns, Plasma Guns and good old Flamers. This was essential to every defense. After all, you couldn’t have your own soldiers getting eaten between battles. Meanwhile, growth hormones and fertilizer were being sprayed in the area ten feet in front of the trench as to create a natural defense in addition the PDF one.

The soldiers had been told nothing about the upcoming enemy. All they had been told is that they would be defending the area twelve miles in front of the capital city from an extremely determined foe. Officer Murdoch was bellowing orders and morale boosting phrases. “Remember that you are the hardened veterans of one of the most deadly planets in the Imperium! You are the best of the best! We will win!” Mathew sighed. There were no veterans; the average lifespan here was twenty eight.

He sat down in the muddy trench and checked his lasgun again. There were rumors that due to budget cuts the average Vetrex 1 lasgun broke down after eight shots. Anyone caught saying this rumor was executed but it still managed to spread. “What do you think we’re fighting?” asked Horkal.

“I don’t know,” Mathew answered. There was a pause. “But I heard someone mention Chaos,” he whispered. “It’s supposed to be bad. They were talking about mutations and Exterminatus.”

“Throne,” replied Horkal. “Well, I heard some good news. Crimson Wrists were seen planet side.”

Mathew smiled and said, “Hey, if they’re here we might just get out of the war early.”

“The enemies are approaching!” yelled Murdoch. “Everyone get to your posts! Do not go within five feet of the plants! Stay in the trenches! Get to your posts! You are the best of the best, the elite of the Imperium, and you are going to win! Everyone get to your posts! Fire on any incoming figures! They may be wearing Crimson Wrists armor! They are not Crimson Wrists! Do not go within five feet on the plants! Stay in the trenches! Get to your posts!”

Already in his post, Mathew loaded his lasgun and stuck it over the rim of the trench, aiming into the jungle. Screams, hissing and gunfire could be heard in the distance. “The enemies are approaching!” Murdoch screamed once again. His voice was now hoarse and weak. “Get to your posts! They may be wearing Crimson Wrists armor! They are not Crimson Wrists!” The Officer stopped to take a deep breath. “Fire on any incoming figures! They are not Crimson Wrists! They are not Crimson Wrists!”

There was a deafening boom and a massive explosion that decimated the plants and a few of the PDF Soldiers. Part of the trench fell in. A massive Vindicator with a smoking Demolisher Cannon and spinning Dozer Blades came roaring out of the jungle. “Fire! All Melta Guns and Plasma Guns fire! Destroy it! They are not Crimson Wrists! Fire! Fire!”

A lascannon shot pierced the massive armor with a blinding explosion. The barrel cracked and sporadically vomited smoke and flame. “We got it!” yelled one soldier. “Nobody messes with the Vetrex 1 PDF!” shouted another. However, the Vindicator continued to move. “Destroy it!” ordered Murdoch. “The engines and tracks are still operational! Destroy it!”

A melta gun fired, but missed. A plasma cannon grazed its hall with no effect. The Vindicator and its massive Dozer Blades plowed into the trench. Mathew just barely got out of the way, but five other soldiers weren’t so lucky. Horkal, alongside three other soldiers were crushed against the wall while one especially unlucky soldier was shredded by the blades.

Panicking, Mathew fired his lasgun at the side of the Vindicator. It had no effect. His lasgun made a strange hissing noise followed by an unnatural click. Mathew tried to fire again, but nothing happened. “It didn’t even last eight shots!” he screamed as he crawled out of the trench and tried to flee the battle alongside several other soldiers.

He heard gun fire behind him, but didn’t care. Mathew ran as fast as he could, dropping his lasgun. Suddenly he felt a massive pain in his knee. There was an explosion of blood. He couldn’t feel his foot. The soldier fell to the ground sobbing and saw that a round had blown off his lower leg. When he turned around to see the shooter he saw an approaching wall of Crimson Wrists.

They casually slew one soldier after another, practically oblivious to the panic and terror of the battle field. Officer Murdoch drew a laspistol and shot one, but the laser easily deflected off of their army. He was slain within seconds. “Murdoch is dead!” yelled someone. Another voice screamed, “They’re Crimson Wrists! They are Crimson Wrists!” “Get back in formation!” shouted an old, grizzled officer. “Throne, get back in formation!”

Mathew groaned and crawled across the mud, dragging what remained of his left leg. “Help,” he choked out. “Help me!”

A retreating soldier picked up Mathew and slung him over his shoulder. As the soldier carried Mathew away he managed to say, “Thank you” before falling into unconsciousness. Both he and his rescuer were shredded to pieces by an assault cannon.

The Inquisitor

Upon examination, it became clear to Inquisitor Elpidius what had happened. Scribe Unit 12929281 and Executive Bureaucrat Approval Officer Jervis were heretics of the worst kind. Both were executed. Karmoz, for his diplomatic handling of the intricate situation regarding the Space Marine Empire was given a promotion. Vetrex 1 and Vetrex 10 were both destroyed by an Exterminatus, followed by a Virus Bombing, followed by another Exterminatus and then a ground sweep as advised by now Warmaster Karmoz.

Though it was evident that Chapter Master Krysk’s judgment had erred, the Imperium had no jurisdiction over Astartes Empire and he remained in Command. Despite this, Elpidius sent out two members of the Officio Assassinorum disguised as Eldar to “handle” the Chapter Master. Inquisitor Elpidius leaned back in his chair and wondered what the Imperium would do without people like him.

As I said earlier, I'm experimenting with new writing stuff! As a result, C&C is extremely appreciated!

Wow, a very nice piece of fiction. I am wondering what will happen next....

Ogryn wrote:Wow, a very nice piece of fiction. I am wondering what will happen next....

Actually, that's the end, lol. It was just a short experiment as a break from the Daemon Blade. Thanks for the comment!

Have you seen the movie 'brazil'? Has nearly exactly the same idea in it.

Good story Your writings definitely improving btw.

Perkustin wrote:Have you seen the movie 'brazil'? Has nearly exactly the same idea in it.

Good story Your writings definitely improving btw.

Thanks for the comment. Also, I haven't seen Brazil, but I've heard of it. If I remember correctly it's about a dystopian bureaucratic nightmare, which sounds pretty similar to my story.