ok i'm gonna go against what makes the most sense here (C) and say A, because i think there might be some interresting developments coming in this lil empire. it hasn't even said that this "almighty" of theirs is the god-emperor, so who knows...
C and A Let gather some more information about this emperor see what they see is powerful and challenge him and break him in front of the people raise his broken body from the ground and show them your power and why they call you the night lord But lets do this by only killing him and a few others if need be So fear into them through the loss of a few powerful. Then make them bow to you and look at them with fear in there eyes and tell them your names and that your men are the Lords of this world now. Also Bonus points if we don't even use our power armor or weapons and we do this only wearing the skin of our enemies or robes or even naked for the challenge and Also Kill the Crag beast To Show them You are truly to be feared.
“Alright, I’m tired of this, Hapshan,” Telemachus had barely gotten halfway through the big marine’s name before he was moving. At the steps the massive marine jumped and landed at the foot of the throne. Cries of shock at the speed of the giant reached a higher pitch as he hefted the flailing Emperor into the air and began to tear. The arms first, then the legs, finally the torso twisted in two and the parts flung out and aside. Golden throne and red silks were stained in blood, blue armour streaked in crimson, as Hapshan turned around. The tusks of his helmet dripped gore, and his head swung from left to right, the red-eyed gaze having the desired effect as people stumbled away. Telemachus walked forward, grabbing Ser Pyper by the shoulder and dragging him along and up the steps before dumping him onto the throne. Coryphaus and Isoran joined the two Night Lords at the throne, Coryphaus’ robe of flesh silently screaming with each movement. No one moved as they took places at the throne, fear gripped the room of knights and courtiers. A line that had stretched back thousands of years had just been ended in little more than five seconds. “Now,” Telemachus spoke into the silence, “I am not one long in patience. If anyone else wishes to denounce and doubt us, please do so now. Hapshan has had little fun since arriving and I doubt killing one frail little mortal is enough to sate him.” A low, rumbling, growl emerged from Hapshan as he hunched forward and flexed his bloody fingers. No one dared step forward and challenge the Night Lords. “Excellent,” Telemachus continued, “Now – I suggest all of you kneel to your new Emperor who has been divinely chosen by the vengeful talons of the Almighty.” Either none of the mortals detected Telemachus’ sarcasm, or they were too frightened to be offended. As one, every knight and courtier dropped to their knees and bowed their heads to Emperor Markem Pyper. “Isoran, I need you to find out all you can about this belief in the Almighty first – easier to exploit it that way. Then, begin hunting for possible recruits. Initial candidates will use the remaining stock of Night Lords’ geneseed before moving on to the loyalist geneseed we gathered from the Mechanicus ship,” Telemachus remained standing next to the throne as he spoke, Hapshan on the opposite side as both acted the part of sentinels and guards. “I will begin at once, Captain Telemachus. I assume Sergeant Coryphaus will be accompanying me?” Isoran drifted forward, and knights stumbled to remain kneeling and part out of the way of the flying tech-priest. “He will,” Telemachus said simply. Coryphaus followed after Isoran, drawing even wider openings from the terrified mortals. “How much are our stores, Isoran?” “There is enough for fifty new Night Lords and six-hundred false Night Lords,” Isoran responded mildly, both exiting the palace and striking out for the nearest cathedral-looking building in the city. A low grunt, “Well… it’s not a Legion, but it’s a start.” ~~ They had learned enough from the elderly priest within the cathedral to know that the Almighty was another incarnation of the Emperor. There were vague stories from the era of the Crusade of ‘daemons with fiery wings’ who wore all white and raced forward on roaring steeds of steel. But as they had arrived so they had left, and the planet was never brought into compliance. It was easy claiming that they had arrived to test the world and raise up its sons to positions alongside the Almighty, and with that the first initiates were conditioned. ~~ “No sign of movement in the caves, I don’t think the bait is working,” Heiler leaned back from the scope of his stalker bolter and frowned. “Maybe we should have used something fresh,” he focused through the scope again – the bodies of five villagers who lived near the crag were scattered around the mouth of a vast cave. “I suppose I’ll have to go back,” the groaning voice of Kemler responded, a dark shape moving against the cliff face as it began to scale the heights. “I’ll try to bring back some live ones, but they’re so… difficult to keep fresh.” “Only because you enjoy killing them, brother,” Jakob responded with a laugh, “Think of it – once we kill this beast we’ll ascend to the same great heights as Captain Telemachus and Sergeant Coryphaus. Then you can kill all you want without still being a weak mortal.” A snort, “Very well, I’ll…” Kemler paused as he felt something, “Movement. Heiler can you -?” “Confirmed, Kemler, ready yourselves brother. Our final test is here,” the last word was drowned out by a loud screech, a dark shape burst from the cave mouth and rocketed through the air. Ragged black wings darkening the sky, a long furry body with a whip-like tail lashing the air, with a too-long neck that ended in a rodent’s snapping visage. The beast was as large as a Thunderhawk. It turned in the air before diving down toward the bloody carcasses strewn at the mouth of the cave, landing in a flurry of wings as it began to rip and tear at the bodies. “Almighty… Jakob, you’re my signal to fire. I have a lock on one of its eardrums from here,” Heiler was focused, everything adjusted just as Iaxus had told him. There was an actinic flare from the corner of his vision and blossoms of red stitched across the body of the beast. Immediately, he fired and saw another blossom erupt in its ear. Another round chambered, another shot, this time an eye exploded. “Now, Kemler!” Up close the thing stank. Rotting meat, unwashed and soiled fur all assaulted Kemler’s nose. With a snarl of disgust, the initiate threw himself from the cliff face, a chainsword was drawn and roaring to life as he landed on the rearing monstrosity’s back. Knotting matted fur in one hand, he lifted the sword and drove it down – roaring as he forward it through flesh and against bone. Heiler continued placing exact shots at exposed, and weak parts of the body, while Jakob’s heavy bolter continued roaring out and stitching wounds across the hide of the beast. “Have you made the cut yet?” That was Heiler in Kemler’s ear, the response was maniac laughter and a quick panning of the scope saw the other initiate wildly hacking at the beast’s skull. “Kemler – I know you love watching the blood spurt but now would be a good time to kill it.” “You’re no fun,” came the still laughing voice of Kemler. Heiler just glared, watching Kemler kill the engine of his sword and place it away in its leather sling before drawing a grenade. It’d be so easy to let him prime the explosive and shoot him. So simple to let him die. He watched as Kemler shoved the grenades down into the incision on the back of the beast’s head, before flinging himself away and scrabbling at the face of the cliff. He had made it almost to the top when the first grenade detonated – and cause the other five to detonate as well. Three frag and three krak grenades made a mess of the monster’s head. The headless corpse staggered around on its long wings and legs before collapsing to the ground and laying still. “… Can we go find another?” Kemler asked curiously. “No,” came the response of Heiler and Jakob, “We have to leave the rest for future initiates.” (( Choices: A) Jakob and Heiler arrive for implants and report the tragic loss of Kemler. B) All three initiates arrive with the body of the beast being dragged behind them. Voting closes June 1st ))
