Quoted By:
+Ardea, Serakis, Subsector Mortis, Sector Deus+
+125.376.M41+
Serakis is a cold, frozen world and the surface is utterly hostile to human life, But that has never been enough to deter humanity. In the long ago mists of time enormous subterranean cities that run deep into the crust of the planet were constructed, shielded from the elements outside and fuelled by the warmth of the core, tens of millions of humans call these cities home.
As of 376.M41 these humans are loyal to the Styrian Triarchy, a renegade empire who dare to oppose the rule of the Imperium. Even with their outer defences smashed by the righteous fury of the Imperial Crusade Fleet, the dense subcities remain defiant and infested with resistance.
This is how Canoness Commander Stefanie Malin found herself on a colossal transit elevator with almost 500 of her Sisters, heading down into the depths of Ardea – Serakis’ capital. Over a dozen of these massive elevators – each the size of two scrumball fields – are dotted around Ardea, facilitating vertical movement between the subcity’s 110 separate levels. Imperial task forces have been sent down every one of these concurrently, some are elite regiments of the Imperial Guard, others Astartes of the Ghosts of Retribution, but the Adepta Sororitas would never miss the chance to burn heretics in their holes.
Malin’s Commandery has been sent down to level 60, from where Imperial augurs have detected a weak signal source through the city’s dense structure. One piece of intel amongst many, in truth Canoness Malin has no real idea of what she may run into down here. Rebel soldiers, cowering civilians, the entire level could be rigged to collapse the moment they arrive. But to further the will of the God-Emperor, no risk is too great for Canoness Malin and her valorous Sisters of the Order of Bloody Tears.
“Level fifty eight.” Celestian Superior Tessia speaks quietly from alongside Canoness Malin, and Stefanie takes final stock of her forces as the elevator grinds slowly and implacably down.
