Swords of Silver

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Good evening (Or morning, I believe). Here's a short story based around the Chapter of my own making, the Silver Knights, an Imperial Fists successor chapter. I get short bursts of creativity every so often, so I decided to bend this force towards something constructive for once!

 

Rain

 

It had started with the rain. Noraxis Prime was in its summer, normally a hot and dry season, which saw massive dust clouds speeding across the planet’s surface. It was the perfect time for the dust-wheat, and it grew greater in this summer than any of the farmers or pioneers could remember. It was a good time – wealth found its way to all levels of society, even to the lowly hovels. Administratum ships visited the starports regularly, taking away the dust-wheat and leaving all sorts of valuables.

 

Then the rain had begun. First a single drop, then two, then many. It caught the harvesters unaware, and many could only stand and watch as the storm formed. Black clouds rolled across the skies, while lightning snaked down to the ground. The dust-wheat caught immediately, and within minutes the flames could be spotted from orbiting ships. That is, if there had been any that cared. At the moment, the Imperial starships were being slaughtered by black daggers that flooded out from a gash in space and time. Explosions rent barges in half, and escorts barely had time to raise shields before they too fell before the onslaught.

 

Half of an hour after the storm began; the sky belonged to the invaders.

 

Another hole tore its way into existence, and bloated masses came forth – gigantic ships, covered in unholy shrines and blasphemous inscriptions to dark gods. The transport ships slowly inched towards the planet as escort ships led them in. Even after such a victory, the Archenemy was wary. Such was the prize in this that no chance was to be taken.

 

Lord Izurer watched the transports from the deck of his flagship, the Dark Vengeance. Slowly tapping his gauntleted talons against his command panel, Izurer ran a black tongue over cracked lips. What a slaughter he had led. So quick, so decisive; to watch his enemy flee before him, only to be cut down, was life’s greatest pleasure. The Lord rasped, “Adjutant. How much longer until our forced begin planet-fall?”

 

A small man-thing flinched, causing dust to resettle on cables creeping out from his back. “Not m-much longer, your Highness,” it stammered. “T-transports will begin unloading assaults craft now, and will them m-m-move in closer to discharge drop pods.”

 

Izurer allowed a small smile to curl into existence on his lips. “Good,” he said, chuckling to himself. “Then have my honor guard notified, and my transport brought to full combat readiness. I desire to feel the planet tremble in fear beneath my feet as the Infernal Legion begins to arrive.

 

The adjutant flinched a small bow, and watched as Izurer left the bridge.

 

Chaos had come to Noraxis, and surely Death would follow.

[Nacho Wolf]

Nice start, have you done an IA on the Silver Knights, it'd be nice to know a bit about them before we get into the story

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Rides a Pale Horse

Deep within the bowls of the Knight’s Lance, Albrecht kneeled in front of the statuette of the Emperor and prayed. Hands clenched around the hilt of his relic blade, a litany whispered from his lips. His armor glimmered in the low light, soft silver, giving his chapter its name. A crimson cloaked flowed down his back, as golden tassels and chains swayed in the cool, recycled air.

 

Albrecht asked for glory, for honor in this coming fight. At the same time, he asked for protection. The Knights knew all too well of the corruption that stemmed from Chaos, and Albrecht hoped his brothers would be strong in the heat of battle.

 

“M’lord Cuyler,” came a force from behind. “A moment, if I may?”

 

Albrecht smiled. “Come now, Decker.” He stood, and eyed the figure in the doorway. “Such formality? I never expected such from you."

 

The figure snorted, and stepped forth. Keys and chains chinked with each footfall. The Astarte’s armor matched Albrecht’s, but featured mystic talismans and amulets. Opened books fluttered from page to page, arcane writings glowing in the faint light. A staff, tipped with the Imperial Aquila, brightened, illuminating the Mage’s face. Decker Ingram, Red Mage of the Inner circle, smiled. “It is good that such a promotion has not gone to your head, pup.”

 

Chuckling, Albrecht replied, “Still, would you have to jump if I ordered so?” As he said this, Albrecht ducked, avoiding the whistling staff, but not the swinging leg. The massive limb caught him, and the Captain was tossed across the room. Before hitting the wall opposite, however, he halted. Floating in mid-air, Albrecht was turned to face the mage. Lightning crackled from his eyes, and Albrecht could only watch as Decker thumbed his nose. “That will teach you, pup.”

 

Albrecht shrugged, and asked, “So, if you haven’t come to give me yet another lesson in formality, then why has such an esteemed Mage deemed me worthy of his presence?” Released, Albrecht heavily landed on his feet. His listened to Ingram as his collected his sword and shield.

 

“We are moments from pulling out of the Warp,” Decker informed him. “I am sure you are aware of the situation, but I know that something did not make it past that thick skull of yours, so I will reiterate. Several weeks ago, a Chaos fleet arrived and moved to orbit Noraxis Prime. Communication was lost, so we may assume that the planet is lost. For some reason, however, scans indicate that the fleet is holding orbit, and that some sort of drilling operation is underway.”

 

Nodding, Albrecht continued as he led Decker out into the ship’s hallway. “It is the 5th’s mission to land planet side and stop the operation. If possible, we will attempt to learn of the drilling’s goal – if we cannot, then so be it. The rest of the fleet will attempt to buy us time. Once the Knight’s Lance has emptied herself of her cargo, she will return to the fight. If our mission is completed, and the fleet still exists, then she will attempt to recover us. If not…” Albrecht stopped walking. They had reached the bridge, and he looked back to his oldest friend.

 

“Then we have done our duty,” Decker replied. Albrecht nodded solemnly. “For Glory,” said Decker.”

 

“For Honor,” intoned Albrecht. “Come, my friend. Let us bring death to those who would oppose the Imperium.

 

Edited for: Grammer. D'oh!

[Nacho Wolf]

Very good. One small problem though, when Decker said 'pup', I thought it sounded a bit strange, to much like a space wolf