Mafia 40. In the Name of the Emperor

Act VII. In the Name of the Emperor

Panic reigned in the Imperial headquarters. The horrific murder of the Lord-General, the death of the Order's Grand Master and its best officers, the execution of the Inquisitor. The impregnable Fortress "Valor" witnessed battles no less terrible than the battlefields on Kature. Fear and horror spread throughout the human army. Heretics and Traitors broke through the Imperial and Space Marine defenses. The mission was a failure. The planet could not be liberated.

- We must hold our positions for as long as possible!
- It's impossible. We have no resources, no men. We must flee this cursed… - a shot interrupted him.
- We will stay here for as long as the Emperor requires! And not a step back, or I will personally put down the cowards! – Vishmeister's words silenced everyone. – Organize a second line of defense, a third, a tenth! I don't care. We will not yield our positions!
- But we have nothing to do here. Astropaths report a strong disturbance in the Warp. It's Chaos! Their fleet will be here soon. Even if we win a day, a week… there's still no chance…
But he was not allowed to finish his speech. He fell with a bullet through his heart, not from a commissar's pistol.
- Traitors are here!! To arms, soldiers of the Emperor!! – Dragnil's voice inspired the officers. He was the first to charge into battle against the enemy.
Heresy had penetrated too deeply. The heretics did not sit idly by, waiting for reinforcements. They managed to persuade many soldiers to their side. And now this was their strongest and final blow to the heart of the Imperials. Under the leadership of Amko, sabotage was organized on many ships of the fleet.
Everyone understood that the fate would be decided now. Lizard fought like a true hero, crushing the Emperor's enemies with his enhanced armor. Each of his attacks took several heretic lives. Rimppel mastered the art of firing a bolter and killed many, but a precise shot from Amko brought him down.
- Kitz, immediately help him! He must not die here. He still has a great future ahead of him. – Dragnil charged into the attack. His eyes now burned with blue flame, brighter than ever. "Yes, I know. It's still my job," Kitz Kitsunka said to herself.
- Brother! How could you betray us! You fought so many battles with us! And now… - Dragnil's rage was boundless.
- Be silent!!! You know nothing. What was I fighting for with you?! For a corpse? How many victories did I bring, and what did I get in return!? Nothing!! But the Gods of Chaos, they understand me. Although, what's the point for you. You will all die here anyway. – Amko saw his warriors falling under the power of the chaplain. He himself could not concentrate on the battle, could not shoot as accurately as before.
- Then you will die first!!!
- So be it. – this was the last thing Amko said before the crozius shattered his skull.

A couple of days later

- Captain, exit from the Warp has been completed. But… you have to see it for yourself. – said the adjutant, entering his commander's quarters. On the bridge, a terrible sight opened before them.
The once-sacred planet was ablaze with hellish flames. Its entire surface was red as blood. In its orbit were many fragments of Imperial and Chaos ships, but there were also ships that were still quite intact. "Valor" and several other cruisers with heavy damage stood on a gravitational anchor in orbit around the planet.
- Captain, there are survivors. Even while in the Warp, we received weak distress signals.
- Captain, I will take care of the survivors. It is better to warn your people to be on full alert. Exterminatus has been declared for the planet. The Grey Knights' cruiser is already preparing the cyclonic torpedoes.
- It will be done! Anything else, Senior Inquisitor?
- No! For now, that's all. – he replied. "Apparently, I sent you here for nothing, my student," he thought.

The Imperials won.