Saga of the White Wyrm

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

...

Inquisitor Grimm was completing his inspection of the chamber room that was the home of the black ship's psychic choir. All of the psykers were young females that had been ensconced by the Inquisitor and Grimm made it a point to know every member on a first name basis. They were one of the primary strengths of the black ship and greatly extended the power of the Inquisitor. Grimm was beside himself as he looked at all the dead. They laid still upon the floor and some were sprawled out. Most of them were but a husk of mummified skin and bone. It was as if their very essence had been drained to the last drop. Not one had survived the trauma. Grimm finally pulled himself away from the chamber closing the door behind him as he left. He felt responsible and that he had failed to protect his chosen ones. The Inquisitor kept abreast of the other events currently taking place. He needed to return to the command center and take control again. The battle cruiser must be incapacitated but not completely destroyed. Grimm would see personally to the execution of the witch. It was obvious to him who was responsible for the death of the psychic choir.

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Grimm made his way onto the bridge marching into the hub with a guardsman on either side. "Assess the immediate situation." he told Captain Krell.

 

"We are prepared to strike the enemy vessel with a full salvo from our nova cannon batteries. By our calculations it will override their void shields." said Krell as he intently watched the targeting screen.

 

"You are not to destroy the Space Wolf battle cruiser." commanded the Inquistor. "We take the witch alive so she can stand full trial followed by torture them death. That is an order."

 

"I have just detected a breach." said one of the more advanced servitors manning the bridging. "There is an incoming torpedo launch. The scanners have detected at least 20 of them headed on a direct intercept."

 

"How did they circumvent their shields?" quickly questioned Grimm as he strode up beside the crewman.

 

"Boarding torpedoes were originally designed to pass through them." said the servitor.

 

"Boarding torpedoes?" shouted Grimm. "Scram the nova cannon strike strike immediately! We've got to launch some space flack. Move it!"

 

"The nova cannons are primed and ready now." said Krell. "The Space Wolf vessel is exposed. I doubt we will have this chance again."

 

"Be damned the cannons. We've got at least 20 boarding torpedoes headed our way. Prepare for melee with the enemy!" shouted the Inquisitor.

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Krell keyed in the final targeting solution for a series of depth charges to be fired upon the quickly approaching boarding torpedoes. The charges would automatically detonate at a fixed proximity. The hard concussions would then implode the tiny vessels leaving their occupants trapped in dead space. Krell could then continue his attack on the Space Wolf battle cruiser. The Captain watched as the array of blue blips approached crossing over the vidscreen. The objective was to destroy the boarding torpedoes at a safe distance from the black ship. Maybe a small handful would make it through but the enemy would not have the necessary numbers to overrun them.

 

"5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Launching the depth charges." said Krell as he depressed the firing rune. Bundles of depth charges spilled out into the cold space slowly spreading out to blanket the immediate area surrounding the black ship.

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Captain Krell watched estatically as one by one each depth charge exploded. The blue blips on the transmission screen began to wink off one after another. Krell imagined the bombs exploding catching the enemy in the bitter cold depths of space as each boarding torpedoe imploded. Utter silence filled the command hub as everyone watched the decimation taking place. "They never had a chance." thought Krell to himself as he gripped his gloved hands into tight fists. Adrenal ran through his blood and cold sweat broke out upon his brow. "The fools never had a chance."

 

"Firing sequence complete." said a servitor over the comm.

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Krell could not help but laugh to himself then he smelled the fragrant pine needle scent. He tried to shout a warning but a panel dropped from the ceiling first as the large Wolf Scout Ahab landed with a crash on the deck. He snarled drawing a clutch of sharpened throwing knives from a brace across his chest plate. "Puny humans." Ahab sneered as flung one blade after another. The first one caught the navigator in the third eye punching all the way through the brain pan and sticking out the back of the skull.  Krell leapt in immediate response, an attempt to shield his men but the next three blades were faster. One caught a Black Spectre in the throat. The next one was thrown hard with a flick cracking the skull. "Silly humans." said Ahab as he drew up his bolter holding the grip by one hand and a huge bolt pistol in the other. His guns blazed in synchronized time as the bolt shells exploded in perfect sequence obliterating one crewman after another.

 

Grimm shouted in anger as he drew his force sword and ignited the mithril blade with but a shrug of thought. For such a large Marine Ahab moved with blinding speed punching through the decks to reach the Inquisitor. The Wolf Scout drew a huge axe loose swinging it with a mighty chop at Grimm. The Inquisitor gasped then jumped aside at the last moment. The head of the axe split the command chair in twain and Ahab pulled it loose driving the butt of the hilt into Grimm's abdomen. Grimm felt the pain surging as he sucked in the cold air. "Puny human." sneered Ahab. The Wolf Scout lowered his axe and kicked the Inquisitor across the chamber as he growled. Again he drew his bolter single handedly firing point blank into the stunned crewmen blasting them into bloody shreds.

 

Suddenly Krell was standing in front of the Wolf Scout shouting in anger as he drew his weapon. The remaining Black Spectres stood around him limbering their Hellguns. "You seek our death and for that you must die a most heinous death." said Ahab as he caught the Captain by the throat with his free hand. Krell began to spit fresh red blood as the Wolf Scout squeezed his throat crushing the pipe and vertebrae with a snap. Ahab threw the body aside then rapid fired his bolter into the Black Spectres. The veterans were blasted apart as the miniature rocket shells exploded annihilating their bodies in a crimson mist. Ahab looked around the chamber. The survivors whimpered and prostrated their bodies in abject fear. "No prisoners."

[Russ Brother 92]

hell yeah! *punches air with fist* now that is some brilliant tension, to a great semi-cliffhanger ending ^_^ but I do wonder where this can go now our delightful inquisitor and his henchmen have be ably slaughtered by Mr Ahab - also is Inquisitor Grimm a nod to Bastalek Grimm? :lol:

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

There is still plenty more to come faithful reader !! ;)

 

And yes Grimm is a nod to the original character.

 

G :tu:

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Grimm pulled himself up feeling intense throbbing pain in his torso. He knew he was no match for the old Space Wolf. "So you caught us offguard we were so intent in the kill. I underestimated you and your kin. I thought you all died from exposure on top the high mountain peak. Still you are all that's left now. Your brothers are all cold stiff now dead in space. This ship is full of guardsmen. Your fate is sealed!" Grimm smiled coldly catching his breath.

 

"Two things." replied the Wolf Scout. "First you are truly insane. I heard you say the witch must stand trial then you seal her to a death in space. Second you are mistaken... Look at the battle screen."

 

Grimm looked up to see several more blue blips crossing the corridor between the two spacecraft. They were right on top of the black ship.

 

"The first wave of torpedoes were empty and sent as a diversion. We colluded with the witch on this vessel. You have been duped not once but twice."

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

"Go ahead and gloat you fiend." said the Inquisitor. "It is well known your kind is most treacherous. So you've got some reserves left after all. It won't matter much in the end. This will be your last stand." Grimm ground his teeth from the pain. "You are surely a fool to follow the witch. She will be your undoing."

 

Ahab lifted his boltgun aiming the barrel at the Inquisitor. "Go on now and run along puny human. You're flock is waiting." The Wolf Scout looked at the doorway. "Move along now."

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Grimm cautiously made his way towards the exit while maintaining the greatest possible distance from the Wolf Scout. He had sheathed his force sword as a gesture of surrender... No need to rekindle the mongrel's blood lust. Ahab watched him closely smoking a pipe that gave off the scent of pine needles as puffed out a perfectly circular smoke ring. The huge Wolf Scout was covered in runic tattoos that twisted about his bulging arms. Various totems such the tip of a long wolf tail hung from his belt. Grimm was aware tue Space Wolves extremely superstitious and kept to themselves.

 

The Inquisitor stepped through the doorway and caught his breath as it closed behind him. The Space Wolf had stank. Grimm breathed the freshly recycled air in the long empty corridor as he stumbled along. Some of his ribs felt cracked like shrilled shards and a thin stream of blood leaked from his left nostril. He silently cursed the Wolf Scout. Grimm was not accustomed to such a humiliating experience and began to think about enacting revenge.

 

Klaxons suddenly sounded crying like banshees. The second wave of boarding torpedoes had arrived breaching the hull of the black ship.  Rings of melta arrays burned as they cut through the black outer armor penetrating the heavily catacomb perimeter. Cut metal circular shards fell and the Space Wolves stepped through the breach into the black ship pouring out wave after wave of sky blue army ants descending from a burning hill of death. The sound of many bolters firing rang out. The stench of wolves was thick and heavy. A series of explosions ripped through the very timbre of the ship and Grimm heard the white wolf howl. It had all gone so wrong so quickly. Silently the Inquisitor cursed himself.

[Furious Retreat]

Hi I'm thoroughly enjoying the story.

1 thing: Possible overuse of the word puny? Speaking only for myself, I found it distracting, from the story in general.

Other than that, please keep up the good work.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Fault Ahab. Can't blame him though really.

 

G :)

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Grimm stumbled through the walkway back towards his army. Personnel was moving towards him at the same time. Suddenly his mind felt like a frozen chunk of ice and his hair stood on end. The image of a giant hand took form in his mind with gigantic fingers all pointing at him. The fingers ended with long sharp wicked nails and were covered in rings with blazing jewels and deeply embossed flashing runic symbols. The fingers then closed into a tight fist and punched him in the face. Grimm fell upon the floor and grunted as fresh blood gushed from his nostrils and ears. He heard the murmur of laughter in his mind then all was silent again. "Go ahead and laugh." thought the Inquistor. "You could have had me killed. That was a mistake and I'll personally see you hang from the short end of a rope." Grimm snorted and pulled himself up. "Mark my words."

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

...

Five of the remaining Space Wolf boarding torpedoes made impact against the thick skin of the black ship's admantium outer shell. Melta rings blazed to life immediately arc cutting through the highly dense ore. The head of each torpedoe cracked through the breaches and vomited open their forward doors. Space Wolves exited into the intruding ship holding their bolters tight against their chestplates. The Valkyrie stepped out from the central most point with the white wolf at her side. "Take no prisoners as we sweep through from end to the other. Expect to meet some resistance and do not take it lightly. The rat is cornered now and will strike back hard. They may have a trick or two up their sleeves so be extra viligant. We must break the enemy." The giant wolf snarled licking its long fangs. The Valkyrie donned her wolf helm in and held up an open gauntlet. "Proceed with the attack now."

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

A pack of Grey Hunters lead by the Valkyrie and joined to Iron Priest Bulvar cautiously made their way through the narrow corridor. Their nostrils flared sniffing in information from the immediate area. There were still plenty of guardsmen on the ship and the Valkyrie had told them about the various types of servitors she had spied while in hiding aboard the black ship. Bulvar was anxious to find the three Wolf Scouts but they maintained radio silence so as not to tip their hand to the lurking Inquisitor. Two other teams of Grey Hunters were also on the move, one to the left and another to the right. They were all three triangulated and planned to converge upon the main engine room. Some of the Space Wolves carried satchels full of meltabombs. Bulvar glanced at his auspex. "A large containment of guardsmen are congregating up ahead. They must be aware of our presence."

 

The Valkyrie stepped to the fore racking back the chamber on her ornate combi bolter. Her wolf helm was drawn down tight and the long metal fangs jutted into the air. "Prepare for a fire fight. We move in so that our other two teams can hit the enemy on both flanks. They will fold in melee." She then pulled loose a long tubed smoke grenade canister and pressed the activation rune chucking the bomb forward such that it hit the bend in the wall ricocheting ahead. They heard the grenade explode and immediately billowing banks of rolling smoke clouds began to fill the air. Together as one they stepped onto the edge of the huge chamber rapid firing on full auto their bolters. The sound of exploding bodies filled the thick air as bloody bits randomly rained down. The white wolf growled then charged head long into the deep mist. Plasma beams cut through the smoke like lasers, the Valkyrie flipped aside at the last possible moment just missing the shot. Her bolter came up and she squeezed the trigger gently sending one lone rocket into the hidden plasma gunner. The body exploded spraying a red mist of gore and slippery visceral against the wall. She heard her wolf howl again and pulled the short blade from the scabbard charging straight into the bulking enemy line. Relentlessly she moved through the masses spraying bolter rounds until she heard the dry click of the hammer when the ammo was expended. The Valkyrie let the gun fall on its strap catching against her shoulder as she drew the long sword with a quick simple reflex move. She then began to go to work with the butchery hacking off heads while simultaneously impaling others. Some would die almost instantaneously while others would lay still soaking in their own blood as the painful trauma took hold. The blood lust was growing very strong and hard to hold in check. She resisted the urge to howl as the warrior drove the tip of her short sword through an officer's eyesocket. The Valkyrie twisted the blade popping the skull in a mess as chunks of grey matter exploded. Three guardsmen all carrying meltaguns suddenly revealed themselves as the gore splattered across their stiff black tunics. They had the drop or so they thought then the white wolf was upon them tearing apart the middle guardsman as its long sharp fangs rended the body apart with savage fury. The wolf's body quickly twisted about knocking aside the other two and the Valkyrie laughed in cold amusement. Bending down she drove her two swords into their exposed guts stabbing as hard as she could.

 

One by one each of the Grey Hunters entered the fray swinging their chainswords hard cleaving through carapace armor and bone. Lasgun fire harmlessly pinged off their armor as they moved forward. Bulvar lifted his combi bolter letting a wet slippery tongue of burning promethium pour into the crowd. Guardsmen caught in the torrent ignited screaming in agonizing pain as their skin quickly burnt away like hot wax pouring down thin dry parchment.

 

The acute senses of the Space Wolves gave them a distinct advantage fighting under the cover of the smoke. The Wolf Guard chucked another smoke canister into the crowd to maintain the immediate chaos. This one the gas was heavily laced with exotic hallucinogens. Some of the guardsmen had donned gas masks but not most. Soon the human soldiers were crawling on the floor wailing as the chemical madness took hold. The Space Wolves grabbed their bolters again firing full auto into the sudden mass of no longer protected.

 

"Fall back! Fall back immediately!" came the command of Inquisitor Grimm over the loud comm. Huge fans began to descend from the ceilings blowing away the smoke cover.

 

"Follow me!" shouted the Valkyrie as she lifted a sword to signal the Space Wolves. The throngs of guardsmen were retreating back into the safety of the receding mists. She flicked the combi bolter over to the underslung melta barrel and blasted a huge hole in a close by bulkhead.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

The Valkyrie fired another superheated blast from the melta doubling the size of the rent in the bulkhead and jumped through followed by her wolf. Bulvar was the next one through then the Grey Hunters came quickly one by one. Plasma beams cut through the air striking down the last two Space Wolves before they could escape. The Wolf Guard looked back through the opening to see a column of gun servitors ambling towards them from the other end of the corridor. Mindlessly they fired their plasmaguns. A gauntlet caught the Wolf Guard by his shoulder pulling him away from the opening. Another plasma beam shot through the rent right where he had been standing. The Valkyrie let go of her strong grip and spoke "It was a trap. They have many bodies the Inquistor will gladly sacrifice to cull our own." She felt the blood lust begin to recede as she licked her fangs.

 

"What about our other two packs?" questioned the Iron Priest. "By your plan they are rapidly converging on this same spot. We should warn them."

 

"They have the wit to figure it out for themselves." said the Valkyrie. "If we break radio silence now it will reveal their locations."

 

The Wolf Guard held up his auspex for the rest to see the vidscreen. Two light blue blips were both moving towards them from either side. "They'll be here any moment now."

 

More plasma lanced through the opening along with massed lasgun fire. They could hear the sound of many boots smacking against the floor just outside.

 

"We will re-enter the fray as soon as we here the first bolter fire." The Valkyrie pulled loose a fragmentation grenade and primed the seal.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

...

Wolf Guard Elriksenn stood beside the doorway waiting as one of the Grey Hunters from his pack attached a krak grenade. "Be ready as soon as the door blows." Elrikssen activated his power fist and drew the plasma pistol from its holster. The metal fingers of his bionic arm closed tightly around the custom pistol grip. The other Grey Hunters carried their bolt pistols and chainswords. The grenade exploded with a loud boom as the doorway imploded showering the accompanying compartment with a cloud of burning shrapnel. "AaaaaaaaRooooooooh!" shouted the Wolf Guard at the top of his lungs as he lead the charge. Before them they saw a small army of brown guardsmen caught unaware by the surprise attack. They fired their pistols in unison as they charged headlong into close melee. Elrikssen caught one of the enemy soldiers by the head and crushed it like a ripe piece of fruit with his power fist. The Grey Hunters were howling as they fired their bolt pistols at point blank range and swung their swords. There was a hard press of bodies as the guardsmen suddenly realized the situation and poured into the fight like a huge column of angry ants on the counter attack. Elrikssen brought his power fist down again exploding the bodies of the closest soldiers instantly upon contact. More guardsmen quickly filled the spot jabbing with their bayonets and blindly firing the lasguns. The Wolf Guard heard the cries of the enemy as they fell before his pack. His Grey Hunters pushed and shoved their way into the heart of the enemy breaking bones and rending flesh. More and more guardsmen piled into the fight and Elrikssen caught sight of combat servitors armed with all manner of brutish melee weapons surging slowly through the frenzied crowd. Some of the mindless automatons had their arms replaced with huge power mauls and others had large whirling buzz saws. The Wolf Guard grabbed a belt full of fragmentation grenades pulling the pin on the top one and flung it into the crowd. There was a series of many explosions as the grenades detonated one after another shredding the enemy caught in the wide blast. The carnage from the explosion cleared out the immediate crowd and Elrikssen held up his power fist leading his Grey Hunters on a swift run towards the approaching servitors. "It's better to charge than to be charged!" he shouted as they quickly closed the short distance. Mentally he gave a brief prayer to Russ and then was amongst them.

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The Valkyrie heard the shot of a bolt pistol and held up an open gauntlet giving the silent signal to charge. She and her wolf were the first two to enter the fray followed by the Iron Priest Bulvar and the Grey Hunters. They entered the large arena again to see Elrikssen's pack charging into a massive cluster of combat servitors. Her blood began to boil as she watched the enemy combat the Space Wolves. Elrikssen destroyed three of the Imperial monsters smashing his power fist down but it was not enough to even the numbers. The Valkyrie howled in anguish as her ire rose. She tasted the bitterness of the stark bile rising in her throat and spat out the acid through her iron mask. Flame began to ignite upon her runic armor and the temperature within the chamber rose to a burning pitch. Guardsmen burst into fire as the tendrils of vapid psychic heat wave emanating from the Valkyrie consumed them.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

More to come soon.

 

G :)

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

The raging conflagration quickly spread at a pandemic level as more of the guardsmen burst aflame. Screams of abject pain filled the confined area. The Valkyrie strode through the chamber slashing to the left and then to the right beheading one combat servitor after another as her swords cut them down. What was left of Elrikssen's pack rallied falling in around the tall female warrior. Bulvar lead the other pack and in a short time the area was cleared. The third Grey Hunter pack then entered the hangar from the rear.

 

"So it is done just as you commanded." said Bulvar the Iron Priest. "We have lost some precious brothers but that is the way of war. May their spirits always rest in piece. I am duly impressed my sister."

 

"Everyone of you that fights by my side will be blessed with a resting place in the holy halls of Valhalla. Asvar, Duregar, Stilssen and the rest they are all there now while we stand here my comrades in arms." said the Valkyrie. "Ice cold Meade shall eternally fill your tankards and the endless mounds of most delicious meats to satisfy your appetites. We are all eternal."

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

More to come soon !!

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

The Valkyrie and Space Wolves stood waiting in the large chamber. Whiffs of smoke still spread through the open air filling the enclosed atmosphere with the stinking smell of charred flesh. The bodies of the dead guardsmen smoldered on the floor. The lithe warrior removed her wolf helm and swung back her long braided ponytail. Her tanned skin glowed with an inner vibrancy and her eyes glimmered with hidden power. There came the sound of a commotion as the third pack of Grey Hunters lead by Wolf Guard Bjorne entered the room. Two Wolf Scouts trailed beside them. The Valkyrie held up an open gauntlet hailing her brothers. They returned the sign as they quickly approached.

[Russ Brother 92]

very nice brother - please, keep writing :P

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

...

 

On a planet in another universe long long ago...

 

The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the heart of every Federal city. Every single facet of every life is regulated and directed by the Holy Order of the Red Priests. They have taken care of everything  - the words you hear, the songs you sing and even the pictures that give pleasure to your eyes. Their motto is "Work together common sons. You never need to wonder how or why." Their great computers fill the hallowed halls. All the gifts of life are held within their guarded walls.

 

...

 

Behind her beloved waterfall the young muse Freya found an ancient stringed instrument. She brushed away the dust of the years and picked it up, holding it reverently in her hands. It was beautiful. She learned to lay her fingers across the wires and to turn the keys to make them sound differently. As she struck the wires with her other hand Freya produced harmonious sounds. "How different it could be from the music of the Temples! I can't wait to tell the Priests." exclaimed the muse.

 

It sang like a sad heart and joyously screamed out it's pain. Sounds that built high like a mountain or notes that fell gently like rain. "I can't wait to share this new wonder! All the people will all see it's light. Let them all make their own music on this night. The Priests shall honor my name." she thought to herself as she headed back to the grey walls of the Megadome.

 

...

 

"I know it's most unusual to come before you so but I've found an ancient miracle I thought that you should know. Listen to my music and hear what it can do. There's something here as strong as life and I know that it will reach you." said Freya to the Priests.

 

In the sudden silence as Freya finished playing she looked up to a circle of grim expressionless faces. Cardinal Brown rose to his feet and his somnolent voice echoed throughout the silent Temple Hall. Instead of the grateful joy that she expected, they were words of stern rejection. "Yes, we know, it's nothing new. It's just a waste of time. We have no need for ancient ways. The world is doing fine. It is just another silly toy that helped destroy the elder race of man. Forget about your outlandish whim. It doesn't fit the plan." The young muse watched in shock and horror as Cardinal Brown ground her precious instrument to splinters beneath his sandaled feet.

 

"I can't believe what you're saying. These things just can't be true. Our world could use this beauty... just think what we might do. You listened to my music and heard what it can do. There's something here as strong as life! Why can't that reach you?" exclaimed young Freya.

 

"Don't annoy us further! We have our work to do. Just think about the average - what use have they for you?" glowered Cardinal Brown.

 

They expelled her from the city shutting the mighty gates behind her. Freya fell into a plight of total despair. The young muse wandered home though the silent woods and finally fell into a fitful sleep. Her mind was quickly consumed by a lucid dream. She stood atop a spiral stair and an ancient oracle confronted her there. She lead her on light years away through astral nights. Freya witnessed the many works of highly gifted hands. There was an elder race of man that had left the planet long ago so they could still learn and grow. Their power grew stronger with purpose - to claim back their home where they belong. As she lay dreaming there came the sounds of harsh klaxons followed by a series of booming explosions. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and peered out into the starless sky. Great ships floated overhead bearing down upon the Megadome.

 

"Attention all citizens of the Solar Federation - We have assumed control."

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Another installment will follow soon... Very busy week at work.

 

G :(