Lady Isaliyesh
The halls of the fortress resounded at the whisperings of aristocrats, a thousand intricate plots all set for the so-called betterment of House Isaliyesh. Princess Taldia knew better, the schemes of her extended family were as simple as the peasants that they claimed dominion over. Being the fifth born daughter and the tenth in the line of succession, she knew her chances to inherit even a simple title was slim. The sockets that allowed her to interface with her throne mechanicum were seen as an oddity among her peers, but the glittering jewelry and her cumbersome ball gown distracted from them. A servant approached her carrying a tray of drinks whose contents were worth more than what the man would ever have in his entire life. She looked over the deep purple two-piece suit that the servant was stuffed into. The heraldry of house Isaliyesh was embossed on each of the glasses, serving as both a decoration and a reminder of who owns this "party". Taldia took the glass with a practiced courtesy, the act always drew wicked glances from the guests that pretended they were important. Such was the way of life in the Imperium, those lucky few born into privilege made the decisions that affected the lives of billions.
Taldia's thoughts were interrupted when she found herself standing amongst her honor-guard "Lady Isaliyesh, thank you for gracing us!" exclaimed Harjik The Warboss Slayer. Harjik had earned his position when he struck down an ork stompa that had pinned Taldia two years prior. Reacquainting with her surrounding Taldia responded to his greeting with another courtesy, normally she bowed when greeting her men, but the corset had her trapped. "It's a wonderful party boss, er my lady." Gildrin was formerly a peasant who had ambushed the crude heavy weapons of the orks, now he and his men operated the armigers under Taldia and Harjik. "Thank you for attempting formality Gildrin, you even shaved for once!" the group snickered at the jab. Harjik leaned closer to Taldia "So any word on the hag." Taldia couldn't hide her disdain for her newest step-mother, another leach come to suck the life of her house. "Well my fathers' body isn't even cold yet and she already has assassins in place for anyone who even says the word Inheritance." The group laughed at her comment, but Taldia had a sense of unease, had this all happened before? A voice called out from somewhere in the ball room, she turned to see the hall was entirely empty. Again, the voice called her name and she was dressed in her armor.
"Lady Isaliyesh we need those guns taken out now!" She was in her throne, in the middle of battle even. "Confirmed, Blades concentrate fire on the bunkers!" Each missile roared as they were launched into the pathetic defenses of the Imperial Guard. The bunkers were meant to hold back infantry charges and dissuade local bandits, Taldia cherished these easy victories, they really let her savor the screams of the weak. The hive loomed in the distance and the fires that erupted from within and without could be seen for miles. The mass of civilian vehicles sped past her, their crews shouting praises to her and the rest of the Scorning Blades. Gildrins ecstatic laughter boomed over his speakers as well as the vox channel "What say you boss, continue the slaughter all the way up the spires, or let the heldrakes eat those dullards?" The prospect of exposing an entire hives population to her grandeur filled her with a surge of pleasure, to enlighten them to experiences of the warp was all she wanted. With a deep breath Taldia regained her composure "We stay with the plan, now that we're past the defense line we can open more breaches for the rest of the ground troops. Remember prioritize the anti-air, the few guns they have can still take out our landers and damage our armor." Three arvus lighters passed overhead, Nadriel had told her they carried heavy weapons for the revolutionaries they supported in the hive. Such was the weakness of the Imperium, easily manipulated fools playing shepherd to packs of wolves kept docile by boredom and repetition. A few simple comforts and the masses instantly turned on their masters, so much for only needing Emperors Light.
Watching the so-called defenders flee from their bunkers gave the Blades a small distraction from their reminiscing, using the fleeing guardsmen as target dummies was a bit better. A shiver up Taldias back alerted her of Nadriels whispers "Lady Isaliyesh, my most trusted tool and favored of puppets, you may act on your own discretion for victory is assured!" Taldia looked to Harjiks Crusader "How is everyone doing?" The vox channel was filled with sarcastic jests and challenges of skills, however Harjik was still disappointingly quiet as always. His silence had proved to not be too irritating, but it did have some uses namely when would be spies try to pry information from her right hand. The Blades normally followed Taldias command without question, but lately she had grown discomforted by this. Nadriel was probably trying to manipulate her so she couldn't trust her men, or they could have been trying to give her actual advice, but that was a thought for another time for sweet taste of slaughter filled the air.