RWBY 40k fanfiction – Salem, mistress of Inquisition.

Ep 21: Pacification of Schravaa.

We are in 853.M30. As Magnus visited his niece Kariady before she left on Roboute Guilliman's Crusade.

At the other end of the galaxy, four legions have gathered.

These are the Luna Wolves, the Emperor's Children, the Imperial Fists and the Iron Warriors.

The 3 flagships of these legions, the Vengeful Spirit, The Pride of the Emperor and the Iron Blood are gathered around the Phalanx, the monastery fortress of the Imperial Fists. The Infinite was also present with its large troop.

In the Phalanx, the four Primarchs met in a council of war.

Salem was in the audience as well as Sayla, the iron woman.

Horus: "I remind you that the Badoons have a formidable and flourishing empire. They already have 20 planets in their possession. The human empire of the Zigmores is just a stone's throw from their border and asks for the help of the Imperium and can no longer hold against these xenos."

He put the files on the table.

Horus: "They focus their warfare on artillery and mobile warfare. Making any approach difficult when it isn't impossible."

He showed a picture of these xenos, they have faces close to humans but without a nose, a small head, four arms with three fingers and a height of one meter 50. Feet with three fingers.

Fulgrim: "They look like this? It's disgusting."

Horus: "But they are as smart as humans and are ruthless."

Fulgrim: "Hm... Let's go."

Rogal Dorn: "It's time to test my latest magical techniques."

Perturabo: "Me too."

Horus: "Then it's settled."

Sayla: "I'll prepare the Phalanx."

Salem approached the table.

Salem: "I'll help you with that. I recently replenished my expedition fleet with Basilisk gunners and large Baneblade tank companies. I have also armies of mercenaries."

Fulgrim: "But it's basic equipment..."

Salem: "Certainly, but in very large quantities. In certain situations, I favor quantity over quality. Quality is useful but rare while quantity is almost unlimited."

Perturabo: "Hm...maybe. We'll see how things go."

Salem: "Enough talking. Let's go to battle!"

Thus, the reunited war fleet went into battle against the Schravaan Empire ruled by the disgusting Badoon race.

They arrived at the Agri-World of Zigmore Capital.

They could the stone hive city pierce the sky of a yellow planet. The recognizable yellow of the immense fields of wheat, barley and corn.

Salem sat in her commander's seat, with the holograms of her four children.

Salem: "What a strange world..."

Horus: "The human planets have a thousand and one faces."

They arrived in front of a large fleet gathered around this world.

A fleet bearing a symbol of an eye topped by an egg with a large teardrop underneath.

A hologram appeared and revealed a woman in her 40s with red hair falling behind her legs in addition to being thick, wearing a primitive dress with symbols of agriculture, industry, temples watched from a large eye with the egg.

(Note: I am very much inspired by the Zonai in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for this civilisation).

She wore jewelry made from wood and other sketchy decorations. She also had oil tattoos on her arms, a tattoo with a third eye.

This is the enlightened empress of the Zigmores, a people with a primitive culture based on the prosperity of life but having kept certain technologies such as interstellar travel. An autocratic empire led by a woman but also by two ministers serving as concubines and father for the heirs.

The woman standing was Empress Ziggadira XXVIII of the name. A wise and thoughtful woman. She talks the gothic with a big accent

Ziggadira: "Good morning, son of the Emperor."

Horus: "It is my pleasure to meet you, Empress of the Zigmores."

Ziggadira: "Our prayers have been heard. Let's destroy these creatures that prevent the harmony of the Zigmores. May this war be won, that harmony reigns between the Imperium and the Zigmores."

Horus: "Thank you Empress."

The hologram closes and the fleets go into the warp.

A few minutes later in front of the planet of Halligircia, a planet ravaged by the war between Zigmorians and the Badoon xenos.

Horus: "Let's get down without delay!"

The flagships, Legions and other vessels of the Imperial army descended into the atmosphere amidst immense clouds of smoke due to the burning of the wheat fields.

Salem: "I'm going down."

Captain: "Good, great witch of Terra."

Salem was fitted with her armor as her ship touched down.

The gates opened and revealed the tank companies and artillery groups descending onto the field accompanied by the soldiers.

They arrived at the front where the Zigmore soldiers are wearing armor of the same material as the soldiers of the Imperium but decorated with the same signs of wheat and the divine eye. Even their bolters are decorated.

The Zigmore artillery are small cannons richly decorated with these tattoos and no tanks belonging to Zigmore were present.

The witch of Terra was approached by her generals.

Salem: "Organize the artillery in line. The Baneblades meanwhile must be in a triangle. We must break through. Also, a minefield in front of the army."

Generals: "Very great witch of Terra."

They left to thunder their orders to their subordinates.

Within hours, the coalition was ready. Kilometers of heavy artillery and tanks behind, ready to go.

Salem was on her personal chariot, dubbed the "Emerald Staff."

A big fir-green tank.

Her technique is to wait, wait for the enemy to charge frontally and be destroyed by the gunners and other tanks of the Imperium.

She learned through her scouts that the Badoon had amassed a large army and they are preparing a large load frontally.

The coalition army is barely 4 million soldiers while the Badoon are twice as numerous.

Her Primarchs tell her that when the enemy attacks, their legion will fall from the sky to trap their enemy.

Salem can also count on Tyden archers, Psykers known to be archers who never miss their target. As well as Gymnos warriors, genetically augmented ancient gladiators that can be used as battering rams to ram enemy infantry in close combat.

The wait is endless and nothing happens in the No Man's Land, making the soldiers very nervous.

Salem took advantage of this wait to organize the reinforcements of her troops, closely assisted by the soldiers of the Zigmore empire whose reinforcements arrived every minute.

But suddenly, alarms sound and scouts come running, terrified.

Scouts: "The Xenos are attacking! The Xenos are attacking!"

The soldiers prepare their weapons and the artillery guns point towards their target on the horizon.

Finally, the long-range artillery cannons thundered, as the archers fired their arrows at a speed greater than sound.

The first enemy shells arrived on the No Man's Land, then on the minefields then finally on the most forward units on the front.

Salem: "The enemies are coming! Prepare for the worst! For the Emperor, for the Imperium and for Mankind!"

The Galvanized Soldiers screamed and started shooting at the Badoon wearing energy armor and guns, and their tanks.

The defensive battle turned into a huge carnage between the two armies.

But with Salem's leadership, the Imperium's 6th Expeditionary Force did not bend and the Badoon did not break through the first line of defense.

For hours on end, the battle rages and the armies stop at nothing.

But eventually, the ships of the 4 Legions of Astartes fly over the battle and the Droppods fall from the sky, crash to the ground, split open and reveal the Space Marines.

The Luna Wolves mowed down with their swords and magic all Badoon when they did not kill with their bolters.

The Imperial Fists fought with skill and strength.

The Emperor's Children fight with grace and agility.

The Iron Warriors, on the other hand, fought with brutality and inflexibility.

These Legions caused chaos in the Xenos' charge and stopped them for good.

Salem: "Go ahead! Charge!"

The soldiers come out of their hiding place and the vehicles come out from behind the front.

Baneblade Tanks smash through enemy lines while Gymnos mercenaries charge and mow down their foes with their melee weapons such as chainswords.

Finally, at the end of the day, the Xeno army was purged.

Their camp was destroyed.

Salem looked at the flagships in the sky as well as the Phalanx.

Salem: "Thank you my children... For this precious help... (Turns to his army). Let's go to the enemy fortress and purge the Xenos!"

So the troop packed up their belongings and the armies of the Imperium took the lead on the planet Halligircia for the next few days. After a great assault perpetrated by the Iron Warriors, the Xeno fortress was destroyed while the fleet that had come to reinforce the Badoon troops was purged and pushed back.

Thus the Schravaan War began and the Xeno Empire was driven back, purged and destroyed on every planet.

After a few months, the coalition army arrived on the planet of Schravaan, the original planet of the Badoons.

Salem, like her sons, was ruthless towards the Xenos whom she despised and hated.

She came down to the planet and ordered like many times before to show no mercy, spare no xenos and have their cities burnt and destroyed.

Each time she waged war against the Xenos, seeing humans reduced to slavery or massacred. His hatred for the xenos only grew.

They finally arrived, the last fortress of the Badoons which still stood against the imperial armies despite all the assaults.

Salem was surrounded by her four sons.

Horus: "This fortress won't bend."

Fulgrim: "But what is Perturabo doing?"

Rogal Dorn: "He would have a strategy that would allow us to gain the advantage. Our previous strategies have failed..."

Salem: "Hm... I have confidence. Perturabo is an accomplished strategist. I can feel it. He hasn't come yet for a reason..."

The Iron Warriors' Droppods fell from the sky and crashed into the ramparts of the Xeno Fortress and the Iron Warriors quickly took possession of the scene.

With the Iron Warriors taking the ramparts, the other Primarchs were able to break through the fortress ramparts and their army purged the last xenos, bringing total annihilation to the Badoon race.

A few days later, in the ruined fortress whose bodies have just been cleared and burned. A banquet is organized between the soldiers of the Imperium and the soldiers of Zigmores.

The soldiers sing, dance and the wine of the planet Zagvinota flows freely.

Salem and his 4 other primarchs watch with admiration the dance with scarves and weapons of the Zigmore female soldiers. All under the sound of didjeridoo, drums and flutes.

Horus: "If I understand Empress Ziggadira correctly... Is this dance one of seduction?"

Ziggadira: "Yes, Primarch Horus. It is in any case the one that concerns the military caste of my subjects. The eldest sons and daughters are sent to fight to strengthen ties and find love. Both in the tribe and somewhere else. This dance is one of choice."

The Zigmores, recognizable by their red hair because of their ethnicity, lend themselves to the women's dance and share the headscarf with the woman.

Certain Imperium soldiers are invited to do so as well.

At one point, the women take a shield, the men a wooden spear and point them at people with masks resembling the faces of Orks or other Xeno species they have fought.

Ziggadira: "This is their great war dance."

They gather around the dancer disguised as an Ork and stab him with their spear. The dancer pretends to stagger, falls and gets up to dance again against the disguised warriors.

The dancing continued until late into the night and everyone eventually went to bed except the Primarchs and Salem who had gathered in their tent to eat their banquet dinner.

Salem: "There is no denying... the civilizations we come across are each more unusual than the other."

Rogal Dorn: "I know. I'm waiting to see what's next."

Horus: "In any case, we would not have had this victory without Perturabo. My brother, I raise my glass in your honor, you are clearly the greatest strategist of the Imperium that I have known."

Perturabo: "... Cheers."

They raised their glasses and drank it.

Fulgrim: "Rogal. I wonder. I've been told many times that Perturabo has the art of breaking down the strongest strongholds in the Universe. What would happen if he ran into your walls? "

The question caught everyone's attention. Rogal was silent for a moment before answering.

Rogal Dorn: "He couldn't do anything. Defend a fortress in fine fashion with the right materials and the right soldiers. It will be impregnable for at least a thousand years."

At that moment, Perturabo was seized with a black anger.

Perturabo: "What are you insinuating Rogal Dorn? You dare to say that I am incapable?!"

Salem: "Perturabo...calm down."

Rogal Dorn: "Why are you getting so angry?"

Perturabo: "Why do you say I couldn't do anything against your fortresses? I've already destroyed strongholds bigger than yours! The Black Judges couldn't stand against me!"

Rogal Dorn: "That's your only example. The rest of the time, you only took fortresses no higher than hive cities or space bases. Any legion would be capable of such a feat."

Perturabo was even more furious.

Perturabo: "I can assure you that you are not as invincible as you think. I could bring down the Phalanx for you if I wanted to!"

Salem (a little louder): "Perturabo... Stop."

Horus: "Yes. That's enough."

No one listens to the words of the Witch of Terra and the XVI Primarch.

Rogal Dorn: "You know this is forbidden. You will be treated as a traitor. Since you are incapable of understanding how the Imperium works."

Perturabo: "Do you think I'm that ignorant? I'm not like Leman Russ who stupidly believes in brute force! Or Magnus, who stupidly believes in the potential of dark magic! Or..."

Salem (furious): "Perturabo! Silence!"

Everyone shuts up and turns to an angry Salem.

Salem: "I can't accept you insulting your brothers like that. Besides doing it in front of me, your own mother?!"

Perturabo: "Rogal Dorn who dares to tell me that I'm incapable? You..."

Salem (cold): "You are delusional my son. Rogal Dorn never said that to you, or even insinuated it, or even thought it! And no, your justification will not clear you of your insults towards your brothers. I'm so disappointed with what you just said."

Salem left the table and headed for the exit.

Horus: "Mom, where are you going?"

Salem: "Get some fresh air. I don't want to breathe an air polluted with insults and disrespect!"

She left the tent. The three Primarchs look at Perturabo with contempt.

Horus: "I can't believe you're able to say such things about your own family. And don't try to make excuses for her. Unless you're really sincere with her, our mother won't accept nothing from you."

Frustrated and irritated Perturabo turned to Rogal Dorn.

Rogal Dorn: "What, Perturabo?"

Perturabo: "Don't you ever dare insult my legion or me. Otherwise, I'll tear your floating ruin to pieces!"

He in turn left the tent.

Fulgrim: "A real kid this Perturabo. The real idiot is him and no one else. A strategist does not justify stupidity."

The next day, everyone went their own way to continue their crusade on their own.

Perturabo left first with his Legion, still feeling humiliated and ridiculed.

Salem is in the Phalanx Bridge.

Salem: "Good, be careful my children. I must leave now because I have an important mission to do."

Fulgrim: "What mission?"

Salem: "A rescue mission."

Rogal Dorn: "See you soon mother."

Horus: "I'm going to join Sanguinius. He needs me. Goodbye, mom."

Salem: "I know."

Rogal Dorn: "Are you still mad at Perturabo?"

Salem: "Yes. He shouldn't insult you. I would sulk at him for at least three years to teach him politeness. Being cold doesn't give him the right to be disrespectful."

Horus: "Are you sure? He'll go mad with rage if you do that. You're one of the only people Perturabo has real affection for."

Salem: "Exactly, I'm going to show him what it's like to be needy. He must learn to be respectful if he wants me to reconcile with him."

To be continued... Mortarion, the reaper of Barbarus.

Mortarion is raised and abused by Necare, the lord of the Dead Planet that is Barbarus.

Anger and hatred rise in him. Mortarion would like to see Necare die by his hands.

However, a mysterious person will give him the opportunity to do so.