Let War Begin...
A spire of light pierced the dim laboratory.
“Who disturbs me?” said a low gravelly voice.
The true horror of the room was visible from the doorway. Blood rained down from the ceiling from countless victims of the Kabal. Nearly every race could be seen, strapped to the ceiling, slowly bleeding to death. Those that were newly captured screamed in pain from the toxins being introduced to their bodies. Others only moaned from the continued torment. Those who said nothing were likely among the dead.
A figure stood over a bench, where an individual was strapped. The person had every muscle tensed, his back was arched and he was screaming in agony. The cacophony of torment in this room filled the newcomers body and she relished in the feeling.
“It is I, Teraxci.” She replied. Teraxci had been here before to watch the Haemonculi conduct their experiments. She had found it exhilarating, but feared it as well. She had been warned that if the Kabal failed to claim enough slaves, it would be the Kabal that would suffer. Being an Archon, she had little to fear of torture, as there were many beneath her to fill the void. Today, however, was different.
“Teraxci? Why have you returned to Commorragh?”
“There are problems in the Kineprion Sector.” She said flatly.
The man stopped his work on the victim and slowly turned to face Teraxci. His face was pale, gaunt, and sickly. Despite this, the Haemonculus conveyed a look of anger, and he radiated power. “What kind of…problems?”
“There is new opposition in the sector.”
Silence was the only reply for a short duration.
“Teraxci, approach me.”
The Archon stowed her fear away and crossed the room. She heard a hiss from above her, and glancing upward saw a freshly captured Hormagaunt, tied to the ceiling and bleeding to death. It was still willing to fight though…quite the resilient race.
Once beside the bench, she recognized the person secured to the bench. His name was Retachai. She had served with him in the Kabal in the Craton Sector before.
“What did Retachai do?” she absently inquired.
“His group failed to acquire Zikarion’s quota of slaves.” The Haemonculus replied.
It appeared this experiment involved trying to pull Retachai’s skin off in one continuous sheet all at once. Teraxci shuddered, but was fascinated by the Master’s handiwork.
“So, who is the opposition?” the Haemonculus inquired.
“There are two species meddling with the Kabal.”
She never saw it coming. The Haemonculus drew his blade and swung it toward the Archon. It stopped mid-swing right beside her face. She did not fear being cut. She cut herself routinely to ensure her pain threshold remained high. But she wondered what wonderful poisons might be on the blade, and how long she’d suffer before they killed her.
“How could you allow TWO species to get the jump on you?!?”
“Master Kazahrn, they simply took us by surprise. I have come to submit to any punishment you feel necessary.”
Kazahrn laughed a guttural, rattling laugh and lowered his blade. “Unfortunately, you have been very loyal to me and Zikarion, and would be a wasted asset if I exacted pleasure from your death.”
Kazahrn pushed a button and the skin pulled farther away from Retachai’s body, leading to another wave of screams. The Haemonculus closed his eyes and allowed himself to bathe in the screams of the Warrior and the blood dripping from the ceiling.
“What races have encroached into our slave camps?”
“The Tyranid species have arrived and seem to be holed up in the nebula.”
Kazahrn grinned. “Excellent. I’ve have a few experiments set aside for Tyranid bodies. You must bring me some. Who else?”
“The humans have returned, and they have Space Marines leading the charge.”
Kazahrn’s smile dropped. “The humans haven’t been in the sector for over 100 years. What makes you think they’ve returned?”
“Several slave raid parties never returned and one was badly crippled. They say their attackers were modern Marines.”
Kazahrn looked away from Teraxci and silently thought. “They are going to try and take back the sector. We get many slaves from Kineprion, we cannot have the Marines defending our resources, even if they put them there all those years ago.”
The Haemonculus paced back in forth, splashing the blood soaked floor with his set footfalls.
“You must persuade them that they are no longer welcome. The Tyranids pose a threat to our slave process as well. Destroy them, and bring the survivors here. Marines always live longer, and allow my experiments to go further.”
Teraxci smiled. “I will destroy the enemies of the Kabal, Master. May I request reinforcements?”
Kazahrn nodded as he pulled the skin of Retachai even further. “You may use any resources required. I will inform Zikarion of the situation only if it becomes necessary. I will tell Negatzeila to have some of her Wyches ready for you. The Bleeding Shadows are always looking for new victims as well.”
“Thank you, Master Kazahrn. It will be a bountiful plundering.”
“It had better be, Teraxci, or your branch will feed the Kabal.”
The Archon nodded and clutched a fist over her breast. “For glory, we may bathe in the blood of our enemies.”
“For glory, for the Kabal.” Kazahrn dismissed, and went back to work on Retachai.
Teraxci turned and left the lab, dulling the glorious sound of screams of agony coming from the Haemonculus’ mastery.