Warrior of the Imperium
Prologue
Daruva Sector, Low Orbit Over the Hive World Daruva
Colonel Alexander Darius, commanding officer of the 91st Daruvian Regiment, bit down on his still burning cigar as he watched orange balls of flame desecrate the surface of his home world from his cabin on the Imperial Cruiser Spirit of Vengeance. Sighing, he took another puff of smoke as the inferno continued to rage on the planet below, remembering his childhood in the sprawling metropolis of the planet. Daruva had been like any other hive world in the Imperium, an overpopulated crime ridden cesspool. When a cult dedicated to the Chaos god of pleasure Slaneesh sprung into existence in the slums of Hive Steadfast, the planet's largest city, the Imperial Guard regiments of the Daruvian system moved quickly to wipe the planet of the dark stain. By the time the system's defenders had moved against the cult, the tempting embrace of Slaneesh had gained a hold over the Imperial Nobility on the Planet and the majority of its population. The influence of Chaos had also managed to seduce the world's Planetary Defense Force, turning the planet's guardsmen against their comrades.
Colonel Darius did not flinch when the door to his chambers burst open and an Inquisitor of the Ordo Malleus entered, flanked by two Grey Knights.
"You know why we are here," the Inquisitor said with an expressionless voice.
Darius turned to face the imposing figure, raising an eye brow.
"I have merely served the Emperor to the best of my ability, Inquisitor."
The Inquisitor took a few steps forward towards the Guardsman, towering over him.
"I am afraid, Colonel, that the best of your ability was simply not good enough," he said. "Surely if your faith in the Emperor was as strong as you say, you would be standing before me victorious."
"Nothing I can say will change your mind," Darius snarled as he reached for his laspistol on his desk, causing the Inquistor's escorts to bring their boltguns to the ready, aiming it at the Colonel. "Please," the Colonel continued. "Allow me to spare you the effort."