Hey there, time for the next chapter. At the end of this chapter I intend to start doing the whole responding to comments thing most people do. Anyway, as always comments are appreciated so that I can improve.

I don't own 40k, and I don't particularly desire to either

City life

The grand city of Lugan was celebrating, people crowded the streets as they danced and rejoiced. The normal days of the citizenry was hard as they worked to enrich their supposed "betters" and even those who ruled over the various families of Lugan up to the King himself would find themselves tiring as life slowly ground away at them. So celebrations like these were a dear time for all involved.

As for the occasion that warranted such festivities, it was the anniversary of the day that Riln came under control of the Imperium. And while there may still be plenty of people who resent the Imperium's conquest of their planet they weren't going to refuse a day off meant for celebration.

Up and down the streets there were vendors selling a variety of goods. From one vendor trying to sell the tender meat of a Grel to passerbys. To another vendor trying to sell beautifully crafted goblets using the ivory of a Calka's tusks. There were even a few live Calka's that had been tamed being used to entertain people in the main square. There was plenty of laughter and fun as the people watched it jump through large hoops or balance on the top of a large leather ball.

Elsewhere one could spot priests of the God-Emperor preaching to the masses as they watched, most in awe, a few with thinly veiled contempt. Even a century after their conquest some remained who resisted, though they would never act with hostility openly. So the priest had little to fear.

Still elsewhere were pavilions set up with musicians where the people danced and drank. The musicians keeping up a fast, lively, and fun tune while the people enjoyed themselves to their hearts content. The planetary governor would not allow such a momentous day to be easily forgotten.

As varied as the attractions the city offered were the people who had come to enjoy them. There were the city dwellers native to Lugan who looked on with pride at what they had accomplished, and there were the guards who always looked at this day half with happiness and half with dread as their patrols would be increased and their expectations heightened, although they did get a higher wage at this time of year in recompense. There were mercenaries as well, the world may have been under the control of the Imperium but they did not interfere in the politics of rival houses and cities, as long as the fighting does not spill over into the places their troops take up residence, so the life of a mercenary could be a good one indeed. But on these days they set their swords down and enjoyed themselves, knowing each time they celebrated an anniversary they may not get to celebrate the next one. Then there were the people from the towns under Lugan, Cabra, Frel, and Relga, and rarely someone from another city-state who came to watch the celebrations. The former were looked upon with subtle superiority, and the latter with some amount of suspicion, but as long as they obeyed the laws of the city they would be tolerated.

The day was joyous for the people of Lugan, and the people of all of Riln. A day they could look upon all they had accomplished, and of the greatness that the Imperium had brought to their world, willingly accepted or otherwise.

Gren Despon looked out over the crowd from the balcony of his estate as he and his wife ate lunch. Today was always a good day, not only for the fact that they always made a hefty profit as people spent their money on various items to celebrate. But also because it was just genuinely good to see the people of the city get to celebrate every once in a while.

The Despon family had after all risen to its station from the lower classes. Every house of Lugan did, the Dereli rose to their station because of their prodigious architectural skill. And the Jakil rose because of their skill in warfare. Just about the only house that didn't rise that way were the Sheldar, who were given their position by the Imperium for their aid in conquering the planet.

Gren did regret that their children couldn't be with them for the meal. They saw each other too little in any case, with he and his wife always busy at the palace. But the kids had said they wanted to go around town and check out the festivities. And while he was hesitant to allow them to go out there he eventually relented, sending a few of the guards who protected the caravans with them to ensure their protection. He supposed it nice that they would get to interact with the people they would one day help rule. Though he did still feel a bit lonely sitting on that balcony with none but his wife and guards for company.

Yulun Jakil was a busy person, as the commander of Lugan's guards and lord of house Jakil that is pretty much his natural state. However right now he was more busy than he usually was, for today was the day of that damn festival. He didn't hate the festival itself, it was fun and gave most people a break, but not for the guards, no. They had to step up patrols, they had to work longer, and they got less breaks. If anything happened during the festival it would automatically be their fault, despite them being overworked usually being the cause of mistakes being made.

He looked out the window from the guards keep, though calling it a keep is a little too much in his opinion. It was more a glorified barracks with a courtyard, two floors, a mess hall, a meeting room, stables, and a tower which he was in now. As he looked acros the city all Yulun felt was stress, they had gotten reports over the past week of strange activity and increased amounts of robbery. Which wasn't that surprising considering the larger amounts of goods moving through Lugan in the lead up to the festival. But he had put more patrols up to help, they hadn't. The robberies had continued up until a day befor the festival, then they stopped. It seems the robbers had gotten all they wanted and were now enjoying their spoils. Yulun felt he should be mad they had gotten away with this much, but he was just glad it had stopped. He might be able to actually get more than a few hours of sleep tonight.

On a balcony in the Palace of Lugan overlooking the rest of the city a man stood overlooking his city. He was dressed in the finest clothes the craftsmen of Lugan could make, as befitting of royalty. His clothes were a gold trimmed sleeveless shirt made out of fine silk with a skirt of sorts that reached down to just below the knees, on it was a pattern of two rivers intertwined and holding a jewel between them, the heraldry of Lugan. As he looked down on his city he smiled, for his people were happy.

His name was Ostar Sheldar, and people called him and his family many things. Wise, powerful, fools, and puppets being some of them. Ostar liked to think he and his family were pragmatic, when the Imperium had come they quickly realized they stood no chance of fighting them, so they joined them willingly. And for this they had been given dominion over the jewel of the desert, Lugan. The most powerful city-state on this side of the planet, while another branch of his family ruled back at the South Pole.

"How's the view your majesty." Spoke a voice behind him and when he turned around he was met with the sight of a female Imperial commander speaking in their strange accent. This was Kalli Stefsten, the commander of all the Imperium's "Planetary Defense Force" troops stationed in his city, and an "advisor" to him. Though they both knew that if she wanted she could tell him to do whatever she pleased and he'd have to listen, even if she only had around 500 men she could probably burn the city to the ground if she wanted.

She was beginning to age some though, wrinkles had begun to form on her face and a few strands of her hair were beginning to turn grey. Her uniform was the standard imperial uniform for someone of her rank, but it was made with a much lighter material and all unnecessary layers were taken out to avoid overheating in the hot weather.

Ostar turned back to looking over his city.

"It is a beautiful view, advisor. I have nothing but admiration for the Imperium and I praise the God-Emperor for the fortune you bring my family, my city, and my people." Stefsten nodded to that and strode up next to him and looked over the city as well.

"It really is a joyous sight, the people celebrate and revel. I must admit when I was assigned to this place at first I was, frustrated. But it is sights like this one that remind me we all have a place in the Emperors designs." They continued to watch the people they were both entrusted to protect celebrate before Ostar went back inside the Palace, Stefsten remained for a moment before also heading back inside. Even on such a momentous day their was still business to attend to inside the palace.

Elsewhere in the city however, below the ground and in the catacombs another meeting was taking place. For a very different purpose, not to celebrate the Imperiums triumph. Bu to plan to tear down all it had sought to build.

In the large room in the catacombs that had become the hideout of Velz and his fledgling cult the fire was still blazing. But instead of only a few people being around it this time the room was filled with a fair amount of people. It was all rather impressive thought Dejka as he looked around the room.

The new captain of the guard for their hideout was sitting off to the side of the fire with the rest of his men eating some meat and drinking. It had been a long time since he or any of his men had been able to have this much food. Dejka wasn't sure what he thought of the "Great One" calling themselves Velz. He knew that he would serve them, they had opened their eyes to how low they had fallen, and had promised that they would bring them back from it. They promised that they would soon no longer need to be scavengers and robbers, that they would be heralds of a new truth. However he didn't know what that truth was, or what the Great One even really wanted. But he supposed that this was probably whole reason for this meeting tonight. To give their group a formal beginning of sorts, and to better coordinate themselves.

Looking around again Dejka wondered at the variety of people that were here. While they were only about 50 people in total they came from all parts of society. Here urchins who lived on the streets were eating and drinking next to a few heirs of the great houses of Lugan. Though he only saw three people from the houses, all from the Despon family as well. He only knew one of their names, Saradiel, the youngest child of the Despon family, and that's only because she brought that report of sorts for Velz a week ago.

He still marveled how they were able to put together this entire banquet in just a week, they had enough food to keep everyone well fed. The food and drink was lined up on two long tables they had gotten down here in the night and it was covered in good looking food. From Grel, Helto, and Calka meat all cooked and steaming, to some fish from Lugan's twin rivers either on the table or still cooking by the fire. The drink also wasn't bad it was some good tavern alcohol, not great mind you, but not terrible either. They had even managed to get a few fruits, a rarity in the desert cities. While Dejka and his men didn't do too much to help put this together, they were mostly responsible for guarding the hideout, but when they were out and about they stole a few things from various vendors that people were eating.

He saw the Great One themselves going around and trying to talk with various people. From their looks Dejka would have expected them to have been eating and drinking a lot, but no, they had limited themselves to a couple plates and a couple mug-fulls. Mostly leaving the bounty that they had helped collect to them.

For so long Dejka had felt without purpose his only goal being the survival of his fellows, but now he did have purpose. To help the Great One with building whatever vision they might have. And soon they would figure out just what that vision entailed.

Elsewhere in the banquet the Despon brothers were enjoying their day in their own ways. Hadro was drinking with other fellows who were part of their quickly growing group and they were passing stories back and forth on a variety of topics. From mundane things like the weather or business, to the story of how they came to serve the Great One.

"Hey Hadro, I heard your sister was the first of us, is that true?" Hadro looked up from his meal.

"Yeah, it's true, apparently the Great One enlightened her on one of her trips to fetch water. Heh, and our parents said that none of us should spend time on doing that." That got a few chuckles from the younger members of the group, making jokes at your parents expense never did get old, even if said jokes were pretty bad ones.

While Hadro continued to talk with his fellows Jelk spent his time talking to the various ladies who were at the hidden banquet. To little avail, not his words, blue eyes, or blond hair were able to woo any of the ladies. To Jelk ever increasing frustration and Hadro and his friends enjoyment.

Eventually Jelk went back to the circle where Hadro was sitting and started to eat with a somewhat dejected look in his eyes.

"Ah well brother, I'm sure it will work out for you eventually." Hadro put an arm over his brothers shoulder. And the group laughed so much that not even Jelk was able to stop a smile from creeping onto his face.

Saradiel watched her siblings antics with a smile on her face, when they weren't working they could be great people. And on top of that when they were working they were very good at it. They had helped to make this whole banquet a reality after all, by changing a few things in the accounts and making sure a few shipments were "misplaced" they had helped to get a large amount of the food for the event.

When she overheard them talking about her position of "the first of the enlightened" or whatever they called her, her smile did waver for a couple seconds. She would always be happy for the Great One enlightening her, but she wished she wasn't treated as some sort of idol. She had been made into the Great Ones prophet, and that was an honor. But when she went to fetch water she wanted to get away from her family and position and see the world for even a short while. Now she was stuck in another esteemed position where she needed to act wise and uptight.

Even at this banquet where they were supposed to meet the other members of their group only a few approached her mostly leaving her off to the side out of some desire to be respectful to her. 'Well then, if they aren't going to talk to me I guess I'll go talk to them.' Saradiel got up from the stone she had been sitting on and started going around the room and conversing with some people.

Most reacted to her in the way she had learned to expect. Polite and a bit hesitant, she supposed it was sensible, upsetting someone known as a "prophet" is usually not a good idea. But after a bit of conversation she was able to make some progress in actually getting to know a few people.

They were a diverse group. She got to talk with a commoner who had been stumbling home drunk and out of luck when the Great One had found them. Another was one of her families hired soldiers that guarded their caravans, he told her of the battle they had fought with the bandits as they returned from their expeditions to Lugans various towns. A couple others were water carriers or family servants. Saradiel's wandering ended as she heard a voice in head, the Great One was addressing the crowd.

"Men and women of Lugan, may I have your attention?"

Putting this all together had been pretty momentous I thought as I looked out at the people I had gathered. I'd put in a lot of effort to make this meeting not only an official start to the cult, but also just make it a good party for these people to enjoy. I was dragging them away from the festivities on the surface after all.

Looking around I felt proud, we may have been a small group, but they were from the top, bottom, and middle of society. Heirs to lords, with merchants, with commoners. I had gathered them all here and together we could change things, and make life better for everyone.

But as soon as I had that thought I remembered the truths of what was happening here. This was no group of willing revolutionaries wanting to better themselves and others, just a bunch of brainwashed cultists I was using as humans shields. What right did I have to feel proud of any of this? I slightly shook my head, I couldn't allow myself to focus on those thoughts, guilt would consume me if I did.

I still had to play the part of the leader though. I had to define the route we would take to tear down the Imperiums rule on this planet, if I don't do that then it will be just a matter of time until I am found and killed. Again the doubting part of me reared it's ugly head. Could I even do it? The Imperium is so large and powerful, and I'm just one person. I once again crushed those thoughts and pushed them back into the back of my mind, I couldn't doubt now, I had to act.

I took a deep breath and thought, 'I guess now is as good a time as any'. The party had been going on for a bit and things were beginning to slow down. I got up from where I had been crouching off to the side and walked up to the fire.

"Men and women of Lugan, may I have your attention?" Everyone in the room pretty quickly stopped what they were doing. Whether they were eating, drinking, or discussing something with their fellows, now they were all expectantly looking at me. It was quite nerve wracking, but I pushed on and started speaking again. "People of Lugan, you know my name, but I know that you don't know much about who, or what I am." There were a couple nods and words of agreement from the crowd. "In fact I have only told Saradiel, who I have dubbed my prophet of my nature, for she was the first of you all. It is time for such secrecy to come to an end." The confusion on their faces was now replaced with apprehension. "I come from the void above your heads in the sky, but not from the stars that shine there, for that is where the invaders came from." Just like with Saradiel there was a moment of worry and a little hostility before I clarified that I wasn't with the invaders, though whether their hostility disappeared because of my alibi or the effects of the Genestealers Kiss I didn't know. "The people I come from defies the invaders, this Imperium that forces you to worship their God-Emperor. And I have been sent here to aid you in your fight, and to lead you to freedom from their oppressive yoke." Despite myself I found myself getting more heated, and the words traveling through telepathy were getting louder as a result, I knew what the Imperium was like, and I could help these people, I could save them. "The Imperium will call you traitors and madmen for fighting them, but do not listen, for you know better then to believe their lies!" Now I was yelling into their heads, but they were getting caught up in the excitement and were cheering me on. "You are to be a force for freedom and justice, warriors against their tyranny! You will help me to deliver this world to glory and prosperity! You will be the ones to BREAK THEIR CHAINS!"

And with that declaration the cheering reached a fever pitch, those 50 people were cheering and toasting to me and to freedom. With that declaration I gave them hope for change. And with that declaration a name came to the cult I had assembled. We were to be the Breakers of Chains.

Comments:

CrazedGammaMan1721: I hope you're still excited

Drow79: I hope I have proved you're optimism to be well placed

RamboArminius: I'm happy this is interesting

RamboArminius(2): That feels like pretty high praise

Omepunch: Happy that you're interested, also about the hive minds influence, you'll have to wait and see

RamboArminius(3): I'll try to continue to improve to be worthy of making up words

RamboArminius(4): you'll have to wait and see

Omepunch(2): Little late, but you're welcome, happy to see you're still here

DeltaStar1234: Thank you

DeltaStar1234(2): I'm happy you think so highly of this story

RamboArminius(5): I do have intentions for a Kelermorph character though they are only thoughts for now, and now you know the name

Guest: Happy that you're interested, I hope this story continues to be interesting to you

Omepunch(3): I'll try to keep up the work, even if it's slow at time

emoryjmorril: Happy you think so

Warpwind: They will fight hard

Warpwind(2): Yeah, it's not great, but I'm pretty happy with it