RWBY 40k – Salem, Mistress of Inquisition.
Ep 34: Xenocide of the Osiran Psybrids.
899.M30. Ultramar. Macragge.
Princess Kariady was in the Imperial Palace chatting with her grandmother Salem. The blonde grandma was dressed in red and black dress, the symbol of the Imperium plastered to her chest. Her hair attached in a bun. She has abandoned her ancient bracelets, three jewels of under her neck and her circular earrings. She has now simple small earrings in place, long sleeves of her dress going to her hands and only a small ruby below her neck.
Salem: "What is your opinion of your grandfather the Emperor?"
Kariady: "To be honest… I am disappointed."
Salem raised her eyebrow.
Salem: "Really? Why?"
Kariady: "He has never come to himself. I only see him when he needs me to go wage war somewhere or you bring me to him to better know him. Why he could call himself the patriarch of our family when he never accomplishes his role in the first place? Like, for example, being there for us when we need him has a father or grandfather. And you grandmother, he cares about you?"
Salem stays silent before looking at the Macragge Civitas.
Salem: "I think this is time to tell you something important. I don't know If you have discovered it before but since my sons have understand my actual relationship with the Emperor. This is time to tell you the truth…"
Kariady: "I am all ears."
Salem stays silent for a moment before looking to her granddaughter with a dark look.
Salem: "The Primarchs in the origin was a 'Project' to make the Astartes Legions. To wage war against the enemies of the Imperium. All your uncles and your own father know about this, this is angering to them but they try to forget about it and me so."
Kariady: "Hm… He considers us has objects. That is the truth?"
Salem: "No. I can feel the affection inside of him. But it's under apathy because he only thinks for the plans of the Imperium and the next step for Humanity. He put the Imperium before anything else. I have told him so many times that he is making an error to ignore his own family. The resentment and hatred could follow…"
Kariady: "I have heard from Uncle Horus that you never love the Emperor in the first place. It's that true?"
Salem: "He has told that to you?"
Kariady: "He hasn't to do this in your opinion?"
Salem: "No, this is fine. This is better than hear and see the heated reaction from you or the rest of our family. So, yes. I have given myself for the Primarch Project with an agreement that the Emperor could see my world again."
Kariady: "I see…"
Salem: "I know… I am a very selfish woman. I have lived millenias in loneliness and utter madness. Even if Malcador helped me to go out from the madness who has plagued me. I had still this emptiness in my soul. And when I have encountered women with children in my missions, I have felt deep jealousy in my heart. Even more when this period, in the mid-28th millenium, when I have visited my Malcador the Achaemenid Empire for Chaos Purge. We installed ourselves in a family with a lone mother and his girl. Her name was Helia. A cute little girl that I loved and help her mom to take care of. I was deeply sad to leave her after we have purged the Chaos Cult but I still loved her as my own daughter. Since this day, my will to have a family was stronger and stronger. My jealousy to the families was enormous, even I restrained myself to do horrible things. So, when the Primarch project was presented. It was a miracle. Finally, a family to love and care. You cannot know how much I loved to have you in my arms. So, I make myself a promise since me and the Emperor found your uncle Horus long ago."
Kariady: "What promise?"
Salem: "I will reunite all my sons, their children and adoptive family to a big and one family. And then, I will find Remnant to show it to you all. To show you the planet where I passed my youth."
Kariady: "Hm… I see. It was also true…"
Salem: "What truth?"
Kariady: "Uncle Horus revealed to me that you confessed to him… what happened in your youth. I was deeply shocked."
Salem has raised her eyebrow about this.
Salem: "Ho… And?"
Kariady: "These Twins Gods punished you too much. Making you immortal, just because you didn't tell the God of Darkness that the God of Light refused your plead. Anybody in your place would have made the same decision. Of course, you wanted revenge and use your new status as an immortal to avenge yourself. Even if you have made a major mistake, they have begun in the first place. In place of understanding and trying to convince to let your late husband go. They do this to you, that's irritates me."
Salem stays silent for a moment then with a serious expression…
Salem: "You cannot anger yourself for something that already happened. The damage is done, the first generation of humans of Remnant have been annihilated by my actions. I have blood in my hands and it will never go. I was banished from my planet for this because my revenge was wrong and horrible. My banishment revealed to me who I was truly: a deeply entitled woman, like some kind of brat. But all of this is past. I have made my mourning; I have a family, a race to protect and a promoted rank in the Imperium."
Kariady: "Promoted rank?"
Salem: "Yes. I will tell you since you don't seem to have learn yet in Ultramar. But I am now a High Lady of the Senatorum Imperialis since a few weeks. The efficiency of the Corpus Inquisitivum inside the Imperium has convinced the Emperor, Malcador and most of the High Lords to make me a High Lady. Since they have seen the organisation has thwarted many plots against the Imperium, purged Chaos Cults and put down Xenos threats before they can arise."
Kariady: "Okay, I am happy for you."
Salem makes a cold and serious expression.
Salem: "Since we are on the subject, the Corpus has severe speculation that the Osiran Psybrids are somewhere inside the Eurydice Terminal. Where the Preator Erad Krüg of a branch of the XIIth Legion is fighting against the Orks of the Glortian Empire. They are not entirely sure but some clues like attacks from unknown Xenos who has the same characteristics has them are been signalled. They have also given me this."
She gives to Kariady a photo. It was a blurry photo of an hourglass-shaped ship with a structure who was turning in the photo like a clock.
Kariady: "This is real? We have found the Osiran Psybrids for sure?"
Salem: "Not yet… because Erad Krüg have been not be attacked for now. They are hiding somewhere."
Kariady: "I will go."
Salem: "Hm?"
Kariady: "When the Psybrids reveal themselves. I will go and avenge the XIIIth Legion and you. I promise."
Salem: "Hm… If you really want to do it then fine. I shall let you but as a High Lady of the Imperium: I order you to purge them to the last, no mercy. You understand?"
Kariady: "Of course grandma."
Salem: "Good. (Take a more relaxed mood). Let's take tea, shall we?"
Kariady: "Okay…"
A few hours later…
Salem was with Kariady and Magnus. Magnus come to visit them. He was accompanied with a whole rack of weapons, different from one another.
Salem: "You created a lot of magic Weapons."
Magnus: "With the help of Vulkan. We have decided to create very powerful magical weapons for ourselves. And so, I began to distribute the weapons to all of you."
Salem: "Thanks Magnus. We really need it. Let me see…"
She looks to the weapons rack. Salem observed the weapons and see a Katana with a blood red colour on this blade.
Salem: "Hm… I mastered all kind of weapon fight with Malcador. But I have discovered myself that I am in the strongest with the Katana. You have others like that?"
Magnus: "No, we will make more later when we have the time."
Salem: "Okay…"
She takes the Katana and began to manipulate it.
Salem: "What this ability?"
Magnus: "It a sort of power who expands the magic of his user on his blade. It very useful to close combat because you can use magic like electricity, wind, or anything else."
Salem: "Oh. Let me test it…"
She hit the air and flames comes out from the blade of the Katana.
Salem: "That could be useful."
Magnus: "Also, it has a secondary ability that could be useful too."
Salem: "Yes?"
Magnus: "The blade repairs itself if it absorbs… blood."
Salem: "Wait seriously?"
Magnus: "Yes, when blood is on the blade, it absorbs it to repair itself and reinforcing itself. You don't want your Katana being broken in the middle of the fight."
Salem: "That's make sense. I can say that with the Ork blood, this sword would unbreakable like these creatures with unbreaking will."
Magnus: "That's a good joke."
Salem put the Katana back on the rack. But she could see that a dark blade covered by the others weapons. She pushed aside the others weapons.
Magnus: "Wait!"
Salem could see before her horrified eyes a curved sword with a white bone blade, red hilt and a black flare. (Note: Take the form of Khaine's sword in Total War: Warhammer II) It was radiating a red and black aura.
Salem (with fear): "What… the… heck… it's… that?"
Magnus: "Let me explain… It was not my invention. It was Marteus Olon. He has persuaded Vulkan to make this weapon. But when Vulkan finished it, I confiscated it. Not before, he has named this weapon: The Soul Sword. But his reaction was really strange. He was not upset when I confiscated this sword. He simply said to me: 'If the sword cannot be in my hands, it could valuable in other hands. Believe me, this sword is the most powerful of its kind and in time of crisis. You will need it.' Nerveless, I have taken away this sword."
Salem: "But why you did not isolate this sword?"
Magnus: "Because all of these weapons could be better in your care than my care and you could propose a better solution to guard them."
Salem: "But you make these weapons. This should be you the guardian!"
Magnus: "Yes, but you are wiser than me to give weapons to someone you deem worthy to wear."
Salem (sighs): "Right… I can have an eye to this… (turn to the Soul Sword) …this thing! I only see corruption, no power!"
Magnus: "Mom… I think Marteus Olon is not wrong about this sword power."
Salem: "What?!"
Magnus: "Don't you feel this dark power emanating from this power? This is much stronger than the rest…"
Salem: "Yes, I feel it… (approaches the sword) … This is so strong. I admit…"
Magnus: "The power of Darkness is much more redoubted than we have anticipated. But the worst, it's the fact this sword is ALIVE."
Kariady: "Wait seriously?"
Salem: "Alive?"
Magnus: "Yes. The sword was crafted by Vulkan but Marteus make an incantation with the rest of the Black Phalanx. Making a sword a Grimm sword."
Salem: "What happen to its user?"
Magnus: "It gives a gigantic power to its user. Like force, magic, and other things. But it gives a bloodlust and will of destruction."
Salem: "Another reason to contain it. Also, you must restrain Marteus. He has dangerous thoughts and makes dangerous actions."
Magnus: "That will be hard. Marteus Olon is well appreciated inside the XVth Legion to be exceptional fighter and someone who takes seriously his risky decisions. Despite his conversion to the Darkness. Also, he has gained influence with the Cult of Darkness in Tizca."
Salem: "Of course, he will do that…"
Magnus: "So (turn to Kariady). What do you want?"
Kariady: "Sorry. I am not a fighter kind. I think it would be better to propose to Edelgard."
Salem: "Not something to fight. But to save your life in hand-to-hand fight…"
Kariady: "Hm… Yes, I never reflected that before. Why I have been so stupid?"
She approaches the rack and after looking at it. She sees a dagger with a purple blade.
Magnus: "This dagger as the effect to curse with pain. More you hit your enemy with it, the pain will be greater."
Kariady: "Hm… I'll take it."
She put the dagger inside her dress.
Salem: "Thanks for the rack."
Magnus: "Your welcome…"
Suddenly, an Ultramarine stormed inside the room.
Salem: "What's happening?! What is this intrusion?!"
Ultramarine: "An urgent message from Preator Erad Krüg, my Lady."
He gives the message to Salem. She opens the folder and began to read.
Salem (reading the letter): "We need urgent reinforcements. An unknown Xeno Fleet have attacked my sub-fleet and the Glortian ships. Their ships are close to be Osiran Psybrids type, if not truly the Psybrids themselves and are pushing us back. Our coordinates are in Eurydice Terminal, in the border with the Glortian Empire.
Signed: Preator Erad Krüg of the XIIth Legion."
Kariady: "Finally… I waited for so long. I will avenge you grandmother."
Salem: "Wait. Right now?"
Kariady: "Yes. We have to save them."
Salem: "But your father?"
Kariady: "I will warn him in the travel."
Salem: "I advise you to be careful. The Psybrids are ruthless."
Kariady: "Don't worry. I am not alone. The XIIIth Legion is with me."
A few days later, in Eurydice Terminal.
Kariady was accompanied with a gigantic fleet of the XIIIth Legion. She has heard that the Psybrids are much more numerous. Like the entirety of their forces was attacking the Warhounds. Her father has ordered to hold their line in wait of reinforcements. Kariady's forces was the reinforcements. Salem joined her to observe her actions and advise her when Roboute Guilliman was just behind.
Kariady: "I hope this is not to late…"
Salem: "Yeah."
Kariady: "I want to ask you why you joined me when I wanted to this revenge for you."
Salem: "This is more than revenge. This is justice for the Ultramarines and the death of soldiers from early times. Everyone in this Legion want to avenge the death and bring justice in the name of those who has been defeated."
Kariady: "Hm… I see."
Salem: "I am eager to see this race die under our foots."
Kariady: "We are going to arrive."
The fleet of reinforcements exited the Warp and before them was the fleet of the Warhounds fighting in full force against the Osiran Psybrids. Salem recognised them, their hourglass-shaped ship with a structure who was turning like a clock.
Salem: "Here they are…"
Kariady (by radio): "Here are the Psybrids! Ultramarines, this is the moment of justice! Your brothers will be avenged!"
Each chapter captain of Ultramarines divisions nodded, willing to see the blood of Psybrids.
The fleet strikes against the Psybrids and the massacre began. Each Osiran ships was attacked by the XIIIth Legion. Also, the Ork of the Glortian Empire was fighting against the Psybrids succeeding to destroy a few ships.
In the flagship of the XIIIth Legion, Salem and Kariady was observing.
Salem: "I can see the end of their crimes with this…"
But suddenly, the several Osiran Psybrids teleport in the bridge of the flagship.
Salem: "What?! How…?!"
Kariady: "Watch out!"
The Psybrids began to attack the crewmembers who try to run away. The Astartes present inside the bridge fights against the Psybrids.
Salem prepares her magic and fights one of the Psybrids.
Salem: "Get out of the ship of my granddaughter!"
Kariady on her side takes the dagger she has taken from Macragge and try to defend herself against the Psybrids.
Kariady: "How we fight these things?"
Salem: "Uses energy magic! Physical magic doesn't work!"
Kariady: "Okay!"
Kariady put her hand on the armour of the Psybrid she fights and a light comes out from her palm. The light extended everywhere on the Psybrids before vaporising it completely.
Kariady: "I got it grandma."
Salem: "Good!"
Salem vaporises a Psybrid. The Ultramarines succeeded to destroy the Psybrids they faced.
Kariady: "Ultramarines, be on guard at any attacks!"
The two woman looks to the window of the bridge, the two could see that the Psybrids vessels are opposing a great resistance against the XIIth and XIIIth Legion.
Salem: "They are as annoying as the Rangda."
Kariady: "I know…"
Crewmember: "Princess! We have a contact!"
Kariady: "With who?"
Crewmember: "This is the Primarch Roboute Guilliman!"
Kariady: "Father… you have come."
A hologram appears, revealing Roboute Guilliman.
Roboute: "My daughter. I am here now. Let's kill the Psybrids."
Kariady: "Yes father."
The assembled fleet of the XIIIth pushed back the Osiran Psybrids before purging them with the sub fleet of XIIth Legion. The ships of the Glortian Empire, weakened by the attack of the Psybrids are also purged.
Later after the purge… Roboute, Kariady and Salem were in Macragge's Honor. Roboute was a bit irritated.
Roboute: "Don't do that again. I was so afraid that something could happen to you."
Kariady: "Sorry father. I was eager to avenge the Ultramarines."
Salem: "I was with her Roboute. You don't have to be much worried."
Roboute: "Now. Let's return to Macragge. We have a tribute to do…"
A few days later in Macragge.
A lot of Ultramarines were assembled before a big statue of a Ultramarine with under the base, all the engraved names of all of Ultramarines who has been killed in the Osiris Campaign.
Kariady laid flowers on the statue.
Roboute Guilliman: "Rest in peace Ultramarines. The Osiran Psybrids are no more."
He made a military salute, followed by all the present Ultramarines.
Salem on her side was observing from afar, with the Preator Erad Krüg.
Salem: "Let's go Erad. The Corpus Inquisivitum have discovered a planet named Nuceria and they said that's a Primarch is present. It could be your genetic father."
Erad Krüg: "Yes my lady."
To be continued… Angron, the gladiator of Nuceria.
Angron has fallen to Nuceria and forced to become a gladiator by the master of the city. After years of suffering. He succeeded to revolt with his comrades. Seeing he is losing the battle; he is ready to pay the price of his life. But the night before the final battle. A woman with golden hair comes to him and decided to give him a powerful weapon to destroy his enemies.
