The following is a sample opening for a story I've been developing. Not necessarily the finished product. The story is intended to be dark and visceral. Warhammer 40,000 is the source material.
"Mankind must suffer so that mankind can survive..." In a cruel galaxy constantly besieged by the alien, the mutant, and the forces of the dark powers, the Imperium of man stood defiantly for millennia. It was an existence of endless war. The year 999 M41, was no different. On the hive world of Gelt in the Cadian sector, the massive spires of the hive cities and cathedrals of the Ecclesiarchy stood proudly as a testament to the enduring might of the Imperium. Noble houses ruled over the masses of the gargantuan cities which stretched high into the clouds, governing the daily lives of all those who resided within as the toiled for the glory of the God Emperor of Mankind. It was for His glory that they all lived to serve... Or so it was thought. Desire and temptation are insidious enemies. For the lowliest of the low, the promise of a better life can be as sweet as the finest wines of the Imperial court. For the wealthiest of nobles, the allure of power and prestige can be as intoxicating as the finest perfume. For both, they lead to heresy and damnation.
Smoke billowed up from the base of the hive city as the first explosions rocked the titanic structures. Sirens and alarms sounded as people screamed and trampled over each other in confusion. Vox casters blared out instructions from the local authorities as they tried to reestablish order. Jets roared overhead as aircraft swarmed in an attempt to put out the fires that had broken out in what was a warehouse sector in the outer ring of the lower spire, which threatened to spread into the neighboring hab sectors where many of the workers and their families lived. The first flight of aircraft began to approach from up wind, ready to drop their payload of water over the sight when a rail of white smoke erupted from down below. The trail curved and spiraled toward the lead aircraft. Confused, the pilot banked hard to the right but it was too late. The missile slammed into the cockpit and detonated instantly incinerating the crew. The remaining fireball and wreckage came crashing down into the blaze below as the remaining aircraft began to scatter. More streams of white smoke began to erupt from various alleyways and rooftops, snaking their way towards the emergency craft. It was the beginning of the end for the world of Gelt.
Near the top of one of the spires, Sister Athene stood on the landing pad and looked down at the chaos below. Her blue eyes scanned the damage and the smaller explosions taking place. Communications throughout the city had been disrupted. How and by whom had yet to be determined. As a precaution she and her sisters had been mobilized to defend the spire upon which the Cathedral was. There was a loud roar, and her white hair fluttered as the shuttle that had delivered Athene and her squad took off to make room for the next craft. She glanced back at her sisters, all clad in black ceramite powered armor. "Remove the peace bonds from your weapons," she commanded. Athene looked to one of them, a tall woman with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes. "Sister Caroline!" Athene called out over the sound of jets. "Take up an overwatch position on the upper platform of the control tower!" The woman nodded. "Yes Sister Superior!" she replied. Athene motioned to the other members of her squad to establish a perimeter around the landing platform as they waited for more forces to arrive. Athene's cool collected demeanor hid the turmoil that she felt within. Was this an accident? Or was this attack? There had been unconfirmed reports of missile fire. If it was an attach then by whom and what was their objective? Athene pushed the thoughts aside. There was time enough for analysis. Right now, she and her sisters needed to establish a beach head.
"Mankind must suffer so that mankind can survive..." In a cruel galaxy constantly besieged by the alien, the mutant, and the forces of the dark powers, the Imperium of man stood defiantly for millennia. It was an existence of endless war. The year 999 M41, was no different. On the hive world of Gelt in the Cadian sector, the massive spires of the hive cities and cathedrals of the Ecclesiarchy stood proudly as a testament to the enduring might of the Imperium. Noble houses ruled over the masses of the gargantuan cities which stretched high into the clouds, governing the daily lives of all those who resided within as the toiled for the glory of the God Emperor of Mankind. It was for His glory that they all lived to serve... Or so it was thought. Desire and temptation are insidious enemies. For the lowliest of the low, the promise of a better life can be as sweet as the finest wines of the Imperial court. For the wealthiest of nobles, the allure of power and prestige can be as intoxicating as the finest perfume. For both, they lead to heresy and damnation.
Smoke billowed up from the base of the hive city as the first explosions rocked the titanic structures. Sirens and alarms sounded as people screamed and trampled over each other in confusion. Vox casters blared out instructions from the local authorities as they tried to reestablish order. Jets roared overhead as aircraft swarmed in an attempt to put out the fires that had broken out in what was a warehouse sector in the outer ring of the lower spire, which threatened to spread into the neighboring hab sectors where many of the workers and their families lived. The first flight of aircraft began to approach from up wind, ready to drop their payload of water over the sight when a rail of white smoke erupted from down below. The trail curved and spiraled toward the lead aircraft. Confused, the pilot banked hard to the right but it was too late. The missile slammed into the cockpit and detonated instantly incinerating the crew. The remaining fireball and wreckage came crashing down into the blaze below as the remaining aircraft began to scatter. More streams of white smoke began to erupt from various alleyways and rooftops, snaking their way towards the emergency craft. It was the beginning of the end for the world of Gelt.
Near the top of one of the spires, Sister Athene stood on the landing pad and looked down at the chaos below. Her blue eyes scanned the damage and the smaller explosions taking place. Communications throughout the city had been disrupted. How and by whom had yet to be determined. As a precaution she and her sisters had been mobilized to defend the spire upon which the Cathedral was. There was a loud roar, and her white hair fluttered as the shuttle that had delivered Athene and her squad took off to make room for the next craft. She glanced back at her sisters, all clad in black ceramite powered armor. "Remove the peace bonds from your weapons," she commanded. Athene looked to one of them, a tall woman with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes. "Sister Caroline!" Athene called out over the sound of jets. "Take up an overwatch position on the upper platform of the control tower!" The woman nodded. "Yes Sister Superior!" she replied. Athene motioned to the other members of her squad to establish a perimeter around the landing platform as they waited for more forces to arrive. Athene's cool collected demeanor hid the turmoil that she felt within. Was this an accident? Or was this attack? There had been unconfirmed reports of missile fire. If it was an attach then by whom and what was their objective? Athene pushed the thoughts aside. There was time enough for analysis. Right now, she and her sisters needed to establish a beach head.
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