A Prisoner's Tale - Mortis Angelous Infirmatus, Nurgle’s Emissary

A Prisoner's Tale section of the Prisoner Exchange 2012. Although I can't win, I still wanted to share the story with everyone. To understand some of the background, please read Dozer's Renegade Report (LINK) first. My story takes place 15 years after those events, but flasgbacks to few months after Dozer's story. I guess this is also an homage to my good friend Dozer.

Anyhow, the story is long (2,610 words!)... I hope you enjoy!

Mortis Angelous Infirmatus, Nurgle’s Emissary This was the day he was promised. Just as he finished adjusting his combat armor, a young aid approached his Command Tent. "- Sir, the war machines have breached The Oppressor's defensive perimeter and all the men are eager to commence the final assault. Do you still wish to address them, Sir?" The man turned to face the messenger. He smiled at the sight of the man's startled expression. It never got old. People said that the war has not been kind to him. He had lost considerable weight, to the point that his face looked that it was a skull sporting a pair of beady eyes and a mischievous grin. His skin had turned a sickly yellow and it emitted a slight putrefactid odor, regardless of how many times he washed, cleaned or perfumed it. Then it was that horrible prosthesis. It was well known to his men that he was severely injured at the moment of the Rebellion's Rebirth and the field surgeon had no option but to amputate his right hand. Instead of a crude synthetic hand, the newly self-appointed Leader of the People had the man install a modified chainsword to show his commitment to The Cause. Despise the surgeon's best efforts, the wound never healed properly and was always oozing small trickles of blood and pus. Many swear that during long field missions in which the wound could not be cleaned, flies would attempt to land on it and upon the leader's return to base the medics always had to remove maggots from within his flesh. General Dozer was a charismatic man, despise such obvious issues. Since he was in charge after the Rebellion's Rebirth, he could always figure out a way to overcome the odds and recruit the locals to rally behind The Cause. He could not only talk, but by example, lead his people to victory. Some say that if given the chance, he could even convince the dead into assisting his brethren. It was his voice and his words, rather than his looks, which moved people to fight for their own freedom against incalculable odds. "- Of course! This is our time, son. You will do well in remember it. Your own children will admire you for being at the place of the new Karameikos. They would not know hunger, illiteracy or economic hardship... but they would know YOU were sacrificing everything to create a future for them. Hmmm... Are you Private Blinko, yes? Go and inform Commander Boreas that I'm ready to go out and bless the men with our Beloved Father's Embrace before the final assault."   As the young man left, Supreme General Dozer walked out the Command Tent. He could swear that silence fell to the camp as all eyes turned upon him. Even in the dim pre-dawn light, those close to him could see the fresh blood stains in his uniform from those open sores that never healed. The Supreme General's gaze was fixed on the distant Imperial Hive City and he could taste victory. As he raised his chainsword-hand, every man, woman and child in the camp erupted in a colossal victory cheer that probably could be heard well within the depths of the Hive's Central Spire. "- My Brothers and Sisters!!! The time of the Oppressors is at its end!" The cheering intensified, almost to an inhuman level. After a moment, when the crowd of thousands calmed down, he continued. "- For centuries, the ruling Dominars of Karameikos have enslaved us. We have suffered hunger and abuse from them. We have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong and punished accordingly. We have all watched children die of starvation while their mothers weep in despair. We have all seen children clinging to the rotting corpses of their parents, while innocently believing they are asleep instead of executed by the villainous Arbites forces. We just hoped for a fair share of resources... food, water, clothing, medicine. Instead, we were forced to work in subhuman conditions, wading in toxic waste only to be rewarded by torturous death. We have prayed to the beloved Emperor for relief and He answered our prayers. He has commanded us to dig deep within ourselves and remove the cancer from our government. It is our sacred duty to make our own government to insure we are all protected and treated fairly. It was He who taught us what to do, but it is our Beloved Father who empowers us in our time of need. I remember that day, almost 15 years ago. I was there when our comrades were hunted down like vermin. We were not given a chance. They sent Sentinels, Chimeras and Valkyries after us. Even after we offered our unconditional surrender, they still fired their weapons with murderous intent. I was the last man standing. I was the last hope for our future. I lay there, in that ruined building mortally wounded. I had las-burns on my chest and my right hand was dangling in place, just attached by few ligaments. In excruciating pain I prayed to the Emperor. No, I did not pray for survival, a miracle or salvation. I prayed for time. I wanted to live long enough to have as many of the deviant Imperial Guardsmen as possible to be as close to my location. I had put the codes on the viral spreader and fate was waiting for my death to trigger the retribution of the abused. Rather than surviving under the whip of the ruling class, I was about to release the disease that would kill millions. I could hear their steps getting closer. The end was near. It was then when Mortis Angelous Infirmatus arrived."   Right on cue, a winged baby flew from behind the Supreme General. His body was almost translucent, showing the blood flowing in his arteries and veins. Although several pustules, scabs and bruises were visible, the Cherubim moved fluidly. His bionic eye beamed a tiny red laser among the crowd and his Servo-Arm moved back out of the way. He made a gesture to speak, but remained silent. Instead, he put his head tenderly against the Supreme General's shoulder as a child does to a beloved father. Dozer turned and spoke softly, but loud enough for few people in the front rows to hear clearly. "- Ahh... for a second I though you would talk again. Since the day we met you haven't said one word. Ohhh, how I yearn to hear your voice and learn from our Father's Wisdom! I guess your constant presence and protection it message enough." The Leader of the People turned to face the crowd once more. He could see their smiling faces. Everyone loved the Cherubim, despite his obvious looks. Angelous Infirmatus was always near the Supreme General; the Cherubim would carry books, documents or materials for him, but it was well known that he had in innumerable occasions moved in front of the Supreme General to take enemy fire that was directed at his Master. Whenever the Master was involved in combat, the Cherubim would use the gun attached to his Servo-Arm to spray poisonous goo or even try to claw the eyes out of his enemies. With a smile, Dozer spoke once more. "- I would not die quietly! I turned on my personal distress beacon, knowing that any of my comrades still alive could not save me, but the servants of the vile rulers would come to capture me. I had my hand on the dead-man switch, knowing that once I die my hand would drop and the viral spreader would activate. The irony that releasing an airborne virus free would enslave our Oppressors was a sweet vision indeed. When the system was designed as a last result weapon, I never thought I would ever contemplate using it... and there I was... eager to see the damned ruling class on their knees clenching their fancy clothes in despair as they died. Blow them all up to hell... soldiers and innocent alike. I would destroy the Hive City and over 500km around me. The despotic government would be no more. All the people, plants, animals and soil... our memories, our country, our world... all gone to waste. I was sure that those countrymen in the south would pick up the pieces of our society and make a fair place for them to live. Without the influence of the abusive aristocrats, they could create an Eden. By the time the bureaucrats figure out that something had happened, our people would have been contributing to the Imperium of Man for decades. No harm would come to them and everyone would live within the protection of the Emperor as it was meant to be... or so I hoped. I would die an anonymous martyr and others would continue our struggle. By ourselves, we did not stand a chance. We needed a force more powerful that my desperate attempt for revenge. I felt my breath quicken. Death was near. I only wished things could be different. I wanted to talk and negotiate with the government, but the Imperial Dogs responded with force. It is THEIR fault we were FORCED to pick up arms.   At first I thought it was a delirious vision caused by the massive blood loss, but this little angel stood there. Mortis Angelous Infirmatus reeked of death, but his eyes inspired compassion. I only hope that he was there to take me to a better place after I died. He muttered words in hush tones." Mortis Angelous Infirmatus wrote: Let Papa Nurgle will take care of you. Embrace him and you will restore the balance of life. Many will die, many will live. You already made the decision to kill, so this fact should not trouble your soul. Let our Beloved Father help you, so you can insure fairness for your people. You will pass judgment on those you confront and those who are judged unfit will face Nurgle's Wrath. The hidden corruption in their souls, invisible to mortal men, will be clear to you. You will be able to bring such decay of morality to their very own flesh and their suffering will know no bounds. Even death will not end their punishment, for what they have done to your people... to you... deserves no mercy. The choice is yours; die now and condemn your people to misery and slavery... or take my hand and accept the gift of Nurgle, embrace the power to complete your destiny. "I stretched my trembling hand and took his tiny fragile hand. His skin was cold, but soft. I could feel Nurgle's energy flowing through me. My wounds stop stinging, my head stopped throbbing and the smell of my spilled blood turned sweet. I smiled. The baby smiled. Suddenly I could hear the screams of thousands of evil men in pure horror and agony. The echo of pleads of mercy filled my ears as well as my heart. I nodded in satisfaction just as the screams all went silent. I was promised that their death would not be the end of their miserable existence, but the beginning of an eternity of suffering, trying to repay a debt that could never be repaid. Since then, Angelous Infirmatus has stood by my side, caring for me without uttering a single word. I tell you my brothers, Nurgle's Emissary may be silent, but his presence, intervention and actions speak volumes. He is not here because I'm important, but because OUR cause is fair and just. We need a way to understand the intentions of the Lord of All, and this innocent Cherub shines the way. In the eve of this final battle, he reminds us of Papa Nurgle's love and care for his beloved children. We all are born from the Emperor's Light, but it is under Nurgle's watchful care that we experience life to its fullest. We suffer abuse, so we can enjoy care. We feel weaken by disease, so we feel stronger on health. We see other die, so we can enjoy life. Tonight, in this final assault, we will end our suffering and start enjoying our existence. We can finally take control of our government, our cities, our world... and our very own lives. Tonight we fight our last battle... to the bitter end. Tomorrow, we will celebrate our victory inside the Hive City and declare Karameikos free of the Oppressors once and for all. I take the role of Prime Minister and rebuild our Senate. I will guide our countrymen in fairness, so our children will finally grow to be strong and prosperous. We will finally know peace. And those who disagree with our desire to live free will have to face the relentless fury of our Beloved Father and Protector. Nurgle be with us in life... and death. NOW... BATTLE STATIONS!!!!" The crowd roared in excitement, screaming war cries and clamoring for death to the Imperial Guard. As they moved towards the battle front, Supreme General Dozer turned around and looked at Commander Boreas. "- So? How did you like the speech?" "- Very moving, Sir... very moving. I almost believed it myself". "- You were always a sucker for sob stories. How about you, Mortis?" Mortis flapped his wings and lifted off the ground giggling. As he fondled with his pus filled umbilical cord, he replied in a coarse grasping voice, "- The Lord of Death will only be pleased by the results. If you want to ascend to become a Plague Lord, you better deliver. If not, I will personally take you to tend our Master's Garden. Other than that... I was in the verge of tears." Dozer chest rose as he felt Nurgle's Power invade him once more. He looked down and saw the open wound that connected his right arm to the prosthetic weapon ooze with pus. Commander Boreas spat down a metal door, which immediately started sizzling as it melted. His Leader looked at him with intensity. "- We have come a long way. We manipulated the Orks and played the Eldar. All but one of our enemies has been defeated. I assure you... once I become ruler of this rock, we will amaze an army that will bring death and decay to the Sector. I will ascent to become a Champion of Nurgle and you will stand by my side as my Lieutenant. We will rule complete systems, sacrificing everyone to enjoy the gifts of the Lord of Decay. This is just the beginning." The Lord of the People walked away, got into a Landspeeder and waited for Mortis to fly join him as he planned to join the fighting at the front lines. Boreas looked puzzled and before the little Servitor could move any further asked, "- I wondered what happened to the viral spreader. You know, the Virus Bomb?" Mortis flew up, so his face met the man's. Smiling, he said softly through foul and pestilent breath. "- I increased the vat size of the virus so its release would cover the whole planet. Then, while our "leader" slept, I implanted a dead-man trigger in his heart... or what was left of it. No matter what, he wins and controls the planet or dies like the vermin he is, Karameikos will be doomed. This damned planet already belongs to our Father. You will do good standing by my side. You will soon be able to collect your rewards." The sounds of the heavy artillery muffed all sounds as the Corrupt Cherubim flew to the transport. Boreas could only wonder if they had made the right decision.

Comments, corrections, critiques are VERY welcomed!

Really liked the story, I found myself wondering what had happened with the virus bomb, and the answer satisfied. I only wished you had stayed with convention as far as the text goes, using " " when someone speaks and not the cursive text. That made it a bit difficult to read 'right'. That and cursive doesn't read well in long sentences.

Other than that, ace story!

Glad you liked the story!

I made changes to the text as you suggested. Better?

Have you ever red a book? No but without being mean, this is what I meant:

Quote :

The presence of another individual snapped him out of the daze in which he'd been wandering. "Forgive me, Precentor Martial. I did not know you would be here." He glanced over his shoulder as the door slid shut. "I will leave you."
Anastasius Focht held his hand up. "No. I am here specifically to see you." The white-haired man smiled and pointed down at the bridge deck where Ulric stood in conversation with the ilKhan. "To see you and to observe from here, as the ilKhan objects to my presence on the bridge."
The younger man tugged unconsciously at the bondcord on his right wrist. "Yeah, everyone's getting testy around here, aren't they? This meeting of the different clan leaders has them all on edge."
Focht nodded thoughtfully, then his hands disappeared into the sleeves of his white robe. "True enough. I would give much to learn what is at the heart of this invasion."
Like an animal with hackles, Phelan sensed danger almost immediately. "It seems to me, Precentor Martial, that you know more about the Clans' true intentions than anyone else in the Inner Sphere except the Clansmen themselves."

It actually should have a tab before each paragraph, but the forum won't show them... Not to say that I do it right...but still.

(quote is from "Lethal Heritage" by Michael Stackpole, for those who are wondering)

To use your story as an example:

Quote :

The crowd roared in excitement, screaming war cries and clamoring for death to the Imperial Guard. As they moved towards the battle front, Supreme General Dozer turned around and looked at Commander Boreas.
"So? How did you like the speech?"
"Very moving, Sir... very moving. I almost believed it myself".
"You were always a sucker for sob stories. How about you, Mortis?"
Mortis flapped his wings and lifted off the ground giggling. As he fondled with his pus filled umbilical cord, he replied in a coarse grasping voice,
"The Lord of Death will only be pleased by the results. If you want to ascend to become a Plague Lord, you better deliver. If not, I will personally take you to tend our Master's Garden. Other than that... I was in the verge of tears."
Dozer chest rose as he felt Nurgle's Power invade him once more. He looked down and saw the open wound that connected his right arm to the prosthetic weapon ooze with pus. Commander Boreas spat down a metal door, which immediately started sizzling as it melted. His Leader looked at him with intensity.

Offense taken! As EVIDENT by the way I write TLRB... I have never read a book! Hehehehe... if my idiocy were not so ASTRONOMICAL, I would be mad. But then again... it's me. I take insults as signs of repressed

I will change the stuff YOUR way a little later. The suggestions are good. Thanks!