Chapter I: Preparations
"Listen to me closely, lowly humans, for I will give you just this one chance to enjoy my presence and even retrieve your fellow humans I have captured. But of course, there is a condition, else I would never stoop as low as to even talk to you: I want the position of every single trading ship in this sector transmitted to my vessel. Furthermore, you will come to me unarmed and clearly visible. You have one hour to transmit the coordinates to my base here on Zephar II. I do not think, that I have to explain what happens, if no coordinates arrive..." Lady Rubyn's voice filled the dark command centre of the "Unseen Strike", her own Torture Cruiser and flagship.
"Excuse me, mistress, but...we don't have a base on Zephar II." A slimy voice commented. It belonged to her second-in-command, a Haemonculus called Lord Zalmon.
Rubyn's answer reflected her rage: "Of course we don't, you insolent worm! How did you even get into a Haemonculus coven? It apparently was not because of your intellect..."
"My most humble excuses, my lady. Would you be so kind as to tell me what your great and unfailing plan is?" The Haemonculus quickly replied.
"Ugh. At least you managed to notice, that I do not have a base on Zephar II, but that appears to be all. You might remember that's where we're headed to do what we're supposed to do. Now, the Imperials will surely try to get out their comrades – which we do not have captured, as you apparently have not noticed – but instead of us, they will be facing our real enemy. The ensuing battle will cause a lot of distraction, which will make it easier for us to get in."
Lord Zalmon began to understand his mistresses plan: "Hmm...you would eliminate two enemies with one move, not bad at all. But...didn't we take the Mandrakes with us for exactly that reason? Why do we use the Imperial Guard instead?"
"Where did you leave your damned brains?! We will release the Mandrakes to create more chaos and diversion. Also, I trust the Mandrakes to be a lot more effective killers than some whiny humans are." This was another one of those times, when Rubyn wondered why Tarsyr or Karrex, the other members of their small strike squad, had not yet managed to succeed Zalmon.
"Lady Rubyn, Lord Zalmon, we are now in orbit of Zephar II. So far no signs of the Imperials. The Mandrakes on the other hand, are getting more and more unruly." That was Karrex, the most disciplined soldier on board. He had a strong sense for duty, a bit uncommon among Dark Eldar, but that just made him even more effective and trying to upset him was a futile endeavour.
"Very good, Karrex, keep them that way. They will be of more use to us, when they are enraged. Tell me as soon as the humans land, after that we will wait half an hour to give them time to stir up some of those buggers. Zalmon, you brainless fool, go tell the rest of the squad to get ready." Her second-in-command grumbled some incomprehensible curse but still left the command centre into the direction of the crew quarters.
The dark mistress sighed: "Karrex, I don't understand you. You are so much more capable than that slippery bastard. By the dark skies of Commoragh, I'd even prefer Tarsyr as second-in-command, but he appears to have no interest in commanding people around. You, on the other hand, have the abilities, the self-confidence and the necessary obedience to me to be perfectly suited for that post."
"My Lady, in this point I have to agree with Tarsyr: I am a simple soldier and a good one at that. I have no desire to topple Lord Zalmon." The devoted veteran replied.
"Sometimes it's hard to remember you're a Dark Eldar, a Trueborn even...Ah well, I guess it doesn't make that much of a difference, Zalmon's brain stays worm-eaten, no matter which rank he holds."